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The Official Wrestling Thread (now with more news and stuff)
Arcademan:
WWE Superstars Results: 5-27-10
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.
1 -- JTG vs. CODY RHODES
Grisham provided the notes on the match that both men made their names as tag team wrestlers and now they're looking to make a name for themselves as singles wrestlers, but they have to win matches. It's refreshing to hear a wrestling announcer referencing the simple importance of winning matches. JTG and Cody started with a basic exchange before JTG pulled out a quick small package attempt for a two count. Rhodes then chucked JTG to the outside, but JTG flew back into the ring to tackle Rhodes. Cody reversed a whip to the ropes, then hit a dropkick for a two count. As Cody began a methodical attack, Grisham and Striker picked up a conversation on C.M. Punk losing his hair and suggested Punk will come back crazier after being humiliated at Over the Limit. They cut to break with JTG knocking Cody over the top rope to the outside to take control going to break.
Back from break, JTG landed a short-arm clothesline before doing sort of a rolling neck snap that was probably better on paper than in execution. The action moved to the apron where Cody took JTG's left arm across the top rope to begin working over the left shoulder. Cody continued a methodical attack taking his sweet time measuring every move. Cody then missed with a clothesline and cut off JTG's attempted comeback. Cody shot JTG off to the ropes, but JTG came back with a flip-over neckbreaker to begin a comeback.
JTG followed with a top rope leg smash, but Cody kicked out at two. JTG then went for a spinning neckbreaker off the ropes and it was sloppily executed with Cody falling down before JTG executed. Cody suddenly came back with a running enziguiri kick off the top turnbuckle. He followed right up with Cross Rhodes for the pin and the win.
WINNER: Cody Rhodes in 15:00. Very, very methodical match. They walked a fine line between having a steady build-up to the finish and completely losing the audience. JTG's comeback wasn't strong, especially with the sloppy neckbreaker, but Cody had a nice one-two combo for the finish. JTG still has work to do as a singles wrestler, while Cody has to do a better job of engaging the audience while he's going through the procedure of a methodical attack. (*1/2)
2 -- YOSHI TATSU vs. PRIMO COLON
The announcers talked around Primo's heel turn, with no mentions of Carlito, of course. Primo mock extended a handshake to Yoshi and Yoshi unwittingly accepted, leading to Primo dropping him with a short-arm clothesline. "Primo sucks" chant from the crowd. Lawler said he's not sure Carlos Colon would be proud of his son, while Cole shot back that it's about wins and losses and getting the job done. Lawler, with the full-fledged babyface turn on commentary, said sometimes you have to be able to look yourself in the mirror. Primo continued to work over Yoshi as Lawler referenced the number of injuries stemming from the PPV on Sunday. Lawler talked up Antonio Inoki in reference to Yoshi, who made a comeback with two feet to the gut as Primo came off the second rope. "Yoshi, Yoshi" chant as Yoshi ducked a right hand and landed kick strikes to the mid-section. Yoshi followed with a Shining Wizard for a two count, then tried a top rope move. Primo cut him off, though, but Yoshi punched Primo off the top rope. Yoshi then came off the top with a spinning heel kick to the mid-section for the pin and the win.
WINNER: Yoshi in 6:00. Nice Superstars TV match. Yoshi showed trademark energy and both men gave the show a nice dose of athleticism following the methodical opening match. (*1/2)
3 -- EVAN BOURNE vs. ZACK RYDER
Early on, Bourne went up top teasing Air Bourne, but Ryder popped to his feet and cut off Bourne. Bourne flipped down to the corner, then Ryder followed with a Samoa Joe-style face wash kick. Bourne fell through the ropes to the floor, leaving Ryder in control going to break.
Back from break, Ryder was stretching Bourne's neck with a mat hold back in the ring. Ryder bent Bourne like a pretzel, then Bourne transitioned into a crucifix pin for a two count. Ryder popped to his feet, though, and slingshot Bourne across the top rope for a two count. Ryder with a neckbreaker for a two count, then he went back to a side headlock. Lawler provided dating advice to the audience with no Divas ringside for Ryder this week on Superstars as Ryder continued to work over Bourne.
At 10:00, Ryder went back to a headlock continuing to ground Bourne and cut off his offense. Bourne suddenly busted out a spin kick, but he sold being too worn down to capitalize. Bourne then hit a leg sweep and multiple kick strikes that put Ryder down in the corner. Bourne followed with a running double-foot kick strike. He then went up top for Air Bourne, but Ryder came to his feet and avoided Bourne's finisher. He followed with the Rough Ryder and Bourne kicked out, with Lawler selling shock on commentary.
Ryder wanted the Zack Attack, but Bourne kicked him to the corner again. He wanted Air Bourne again, but Ryder moved out of the way and Bourne ate the mat. Ryder then hit the Zack Attack and scored the pin for the win. Post-match: They rolled footage from the high points of the match and Ryder avoiding Air Bourne. Ryder was shown celebrating on the way out as Cole plugged Raw from Austin on Monday.
WINNER: Ryder in 13:00. That's a pretty big deal they booked Ryder to have a very rare counter to one of the most over finishing moves in the company. Yes, it's a small stage on Superstars, but that has to be some anecdotal evidence Ryder will get future TV time on Raw to get himself over. Good, basic wrestling match overall to complete the Superstars package focusing on wins & losses, plus solid athleticism. (*3/4)
Arcademan:
TNA Impact! Results: 5-27-10
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Keller's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.
1 -- THE BAND (Kevin Nash & Scott Hall & Eric Young) vs. SHANNON MOORE & JESSE NEAL vs. TEAM 3D
At the start of the match, Young battled Moore with Hall and Nash both on the ring apron awaiting a tag. Tenay explained, such as something like this can be explained, that the first person Young tags will reveal which of Hall and Nash is wrestling versus sitting out the match. At 2:00 Ray tagged in against Neal. Devon tagged himself in by slapping Ray on the back. Ray wasn't pleased. Devon shoved Neal into his corner to tag in Moore. Taz said he was disappointed in Devon taking mercy on Neal. Ray tagged back in and brutalized Neal again. Devon still had a problem with that. Ray told him to shut up. When Ray grabbed a chair, Devon yanked it away from him. Neal surprisd Ray with a spear for a pin. Quite the payday for Hall and Nash.
WINNERS: Ink Inc. in 4:00 when Neal pinned Ray.
2 -- JAY LETHAL vs. KAZARIAN
Flair walked out at 2:00 and distracted Lethal. Flair smiled as Kaz went on offense. Kaz smiled back, then went on the attack on Lethal. At 3:00 Lethal made a comeback and hit a flying shoulder and clothesline. Kaz kicked out of a moonsault body press pin attempt, then used a jaw-breaker to slow Lethal. Lethal followed up with a roundkick as Kaz rebounded off the ropes. Lethal smiled and looked at Flair as he signaled for the figure-four. Flair got upset as Lethal did a Flair-style dance before applying the hold center-ring. Flair stood on the ring apron and yelled at Kaz to grab the bottom rope. Kaz eventually reached the bottom rope. Lethal walked over to Flair. Flair pie-faced Lethal. Lethal fired back with an elbow or punch (whatever it was supposed to be, it showed light). Kaz then rolled up Lethal from behind for the win.
WINNER: Kazarian in 5:00.
STAR RATING: * -- Good short match that led to an angle to elevate the Lethal-Kaz feud. I'm still not sold at all on pushing Kaz as a major player as he's current cast. There's just nothing compelling about his character, but this is a decent try by mixing him with Flair. There's just nothing we know about Kaz's personality other than he's eager to get advice from Flair.
3 -- ORLANDO JORDAN vs. ABYSS (w/Chelsea)
Jordan came out in his hot-pink trunks. He kissed the camera lens while on his hands and knees. He also had some sort of paint or pasties on his nipples that looked like Abyss. Chelsea wore her "super-sad-face." Taz and Tenay wondered about the "pasties." After four minutes of back and forth action, Abyss set up a slam on Jordan at ringside. Jordan slipped free and shoved Abyss into Chelsea. As Abyss bent over to check on Chelsea, Desmond Wolfe ran out and attacked him from behind with a pipe. Jordan and Wolfe double-teamed Abyss. The ref called for the DQ.
WINNER: Abyss via DQ in 5:00.
STAR RATING: *
-Afterward, Rob Terry ran out and made the save, still favoring his injured left leg, though. He gave Jordan his Freakbuster chokeslam. Abyss went to ringside and carried a knocked out Chelsea to the back.
4 -- THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE (Lacey Von Erich & Velvet Sky w/Madison Rayne) vs. SARITA & TAYLOR WILDE
Puppet stuck around to provide color commentary with Tenay and Taz. As the Beautiful People made their provocative ring entrance, Taz said rumor has it they like little people. Puppet said he just grew an inch. Taz said he did. Tenay said, "Hey hey hey." Puppet and Taz continued to make a bunch of horny references and also joked about Puppet maybe being drunk. Puppet said they wrestled at a maximum security prison and these murderers were cheering for him.
WINNERS: Beautiful People in 3:00 when Lacey pinned Wilde.
5 -- DESMOND WOLFE vs. JEFF HARDY
Kurt Angle joined Taz and Tenay at ringside. Angle said Wolfe is a fierce competitor who goes after whatever body part he wants. He predicted victory. Angle noted he's never wrestled Hardy and he'd love to. He said he wants to have dream matches every time he wrestles. Angle said taking the month off was a great break for him. He said he watched Impact every week. Angle said his shoulder is still injured from wrestling Wolfe. Wolfe dominated most of the opening few minutes. He nailed Hardy with a running uppercut in the corner. At 6:00 Hardy flipped off the top rope at Wolfe, but Wolfe moved and Hardy's boot hit the ref. Hardy hit a Twist of Fate, but the ref was down. Wolfe then pulled a black sack full of coins out of his trunks and he KO'd Hardy. The ref came to and counted to three.
WINNER: Wolfe in 6:00.
STAR RATING: *3/4 -- Nice start to a potentially good match, but it ended pretty suddenly with the foreign object.
6 -- A.J. STYLES vs. MR. ANDERSON
They traded headlocks early, then picked up the pace in the closing minute with Anderson hitting a flying bodyblock, but Styles rolling through and wrapping his legs around the bottom rope for extra leverage while pulling on tights. Taz called it highway robbery. Anderson looked at Styles in appreciation rather than anger. Tenay said he respects that he was beat at his own game.
WINNER: Styles in 5:00.
STAR RATING: *1/4
-Afterward Anderson called for the mic and it lowered. Anderson called the lowered mic "magic." He told Styles, "You got me at my own frickin' game." Styles denied he cheated. Anderson asked his "********." He asked if Styles pulled his tights. The crowd chanted, "Yes you did! Yes you did!" Anderson then beat him into the corner. Beer Money ran out and attacked Anderson. Hardy's music played and he made a telegraphed save with a chair, clearing the ring instantly. Hardy held the chair up toward Anderson, but then dropped it. Hardy extended his hand and Anderson shook it.
Arcademan:
WWE Smackdown Results: 5-28-10
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Park's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.
1 - DREW MCINTYRE & JACK SWAGGER vs. KOFI KINGSTON & THE BIG SHOW
Pretty big match for the opener. Then again, when you've got the Undertaker in action, chances are good he's going to be in the main event. Kofi with the pine green tights tonight. Swagger wrestled him to the ground to start. Swagger had taped ribs under his singlet due to the damage inflicted by Show on Sunday. Matt Striker talked about how he texts with Vince McMahon instead of receiving letters like McIntyre. The image of McMahon texting almost made me laugh out loud. Kingston and McIntyre had a back-and-forth exchange. Flying forearm by Kingston as Striker for some reason mentioned people thinking that Tom Petty is the third Mulkey brother. Show tagged in and did a number on McIntyre. They went to break more than three minutes into the match.
Show was still in control of McIntyre out of break. He even managed to scare Swagger off the apron. Bodyslam by Mac in the babyface corner. Kingston tagged in and worked the left arm of the former I.C. Champ. McIntyre finally came back, but it was short-lived. I like how they're saying this Fatal Four-Way PPV is a new concept, when the entire premise is the titles defended in Fatal Four-Way matches, which is not a new concept at all. Swagger took out Kingston as he went for a high-risk maneuver, pulling his leg down before he could springboard, which bounced Kofi's head off the apron. The camera caught it nicely. McIntyre took advantage with a hard chop to the chest. He then tagged Swagger. McIntyre picked up where Swagger left off in taking the beating to Kingston. A Craig Ehlo name-drop by Striker. Well, they are in Cleveland. Kingston fired back against Swagger, landing a cross-body off the top. Both men were down and needed to make tags. Both did, and Big Show ate McIntyre's lunch. A distraction by Swagger allowed Mac to try the Future Shock, but it did not pan out. Show set up for the punch, staring right at Swagger as he did it. And he picked up the win with it.
WINNERS: Kingston and Show, at 13:46. Fun match, but the way it was put together, you could definitely tell McIntyre is in the doghouse.
2 - C.M. PUNK vs. KANE
Kane got off to a good start, slowly picking Punk apart. He worked the left arm as Striker tried to make a case for Punk being stronger with the mask on. Kane missed a splash in the corner, then Punk followed up with a knee to the face. Bulldog was not successful, and Kane grabbed at the mask. Punk was able to escape with his mask (and dignity) still in tact. They went to break about 2:30 in.
Back with Punk stomping away on the grounded Kane. Kane recovered and went to the top, but Punk crotched him, then kicked him to ringside. Punk continued work on the left leg of the Big Red Monster. Kane fought back on the mat and finally got to a vertical base, suplexing Punk for a two-count. But Punk went right back to the leg. Modified Indian Deathlock by Punk. Kane registered a couple of near falls, one close one on a sidewalk slam. To the top he went and he landed the clothesline, but Kane came up lame. He readied for the chokeslam, but Kane kicked at the legs. "The Executioner, Dr. X himself, C.M. Punk" said Striker. I can't even keep up with his references tonight. Punk hit a cross-body but Kane rolled through for two. Punk escaped a chokeslam and attempted to get Kane up for the Go To Sleep. Kane grabbed the mask, but Serena distracted the ref so Gallows could hit Kane with a right hand. Kick to the head of Kane got him wobbly, then a GTS finished it. The GTS was just awful, by the way. Like, really bad.
WINNER: Punk, at 13:59. Match never got out of first gear. Disappointing.
3 - CHRISTIAN & HORNSWOGGLE vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER & CHAVO GUERRERO
Vickie accompanied Chavo to the ring. Chavo went for the Three Amigos suplexes, but Christian stopped it short. Hornswoggle tagged in and sat on Chavo. His offense didn't last long, as Chavo put him on the mat. He lectured Hornswoggle, then slammed him in the heel corner. Ziggler tagged in and attached Horny to the corner, but Ziggler missed a charge. Christian and Chavo tagged in, with Christian getting the better of the exchange. Not much heat after the tag. Flapjack by Christian, then a second rope elbow. Flip kick in the corner, then a second-rope dropkick. Ziggler broke up the pin, but Hornswoggle kicked at Ziggler. Ziggler grabbed him by the collar and tossed him to ringside. Ziggler followed via Christian. Suplex by Chavo, then it was Frogsplash time. Christian moved, and Chavo rolled through. Killswitch by Christian for the win.
WINNER: Christian and Hornswoggle, at 4:15.
Ziggler attacked after the match and locked Christian into a sleeper.
4 - LUKE GALLOWS vs. MVP
MVP went to the announce table and got some powder, throwing it in the air before the match. It's a LeBron thing. Belly-to-belly suplex by MVP, then he rained down right hands on the cranium of Gallows. Flying forearm by MVP, but Gallows asked the referee to check his eye. MVP tried to attack, but Gallows sent him to ringside. Back in the ring, the Sober Soldier slowed things down. Boot to the face by MVP and he went on offense once again. Face-buster, then he set up and hit the "Ballin'!" elbowdrop. Gallows retreated to the arena floor, where MVP met him with a clothesline from the apron. Serena distracted MVP and the masked stranger DDT'd MVP on the apron behind the ref's back. Gallows hit the Gallows' Pole (or, the 12th Step) for the pin.
WINNER: Gallows, at 4:12. Just a match. Good win for Gallows, though.
5 - REY MYSTERIO vs. THE UNDERTAKER
Mysterio tried to dance away from Taker, but no dice. Front-first suplex onto the top rope by Taker, but Mysterio dodged a big boot and sent Taker to ringside. That just upset the Dead Man, and Rey wisely escaped the ring. Moonsault onto Taker on the outside as they went to break under 2:00 in.
Taker got Mysterio up for a bodyslam, but Rey slipped out. Mysterio fought out of a chokeslam, and then a Last Ride. Taker got set up for the 619, but Taker stood up and booted Mysterio down. Striker tried to claim Taker was moving better than he ever has before. My bullshit meter just blew up. Mysterio was thrown out of the ring. Mysterio was driven back-first into the ring post. More work on the back of Mysterio by the Undertaker. Rey came back with an ugly headscissors to send Taker into the corner. Seated Senton after Taker sat up, which was unique. Both men seemed drained at about the ten minute mark. Mysterio dialed up the 619 and went for the splash, but Taker put his arm up and Rey found himself in chokeslam position. He fought out and Taker gave him the Snake Eyes. Taker was bleeding from the mouth, I think. Springboard moonsault, but Taker caught it and Tombstoned Rey. That was all she wrote for Rey.
WINNER: Taker, at 10:43. Well, Rey can take his month off now. Surprised to see Taker back so soon, but with Rey out and Big Show as the top face, clearly, Smackdown needs him.
Taker posed as they were out soon after the match ended.
Arcademan:
WWE RAW Results: 5-31-10
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.
1 -- U.S. champion R-TRUTH vs. CHRIS JERICHO -- non-title match
Jericho grabbed a headlock early on as Cole formally introduced the show from on-campus at UT and recapped the opening segment. Truth then slingshot Jericho through the ropes to the floor in front of the announce table. Truth followed with a slingshot plancha and Cole sent to a commercial.
Back from break, Jericho was in control working over Truth as the announcers suggested the wrestlers in the locker room aren't taking Truth seriously as U.S. champion until he proves it. Jericho slapped Truth, so Truth came back with a flying fist smash. Truth showed his "quirky style" on offense with some awkward blows Jericho tried blocking. Truth then hit a boot to the face for a two count. Jericho blocked a corner attack, then hit a running bulldog out of the corner. Jericho airballed the Lionsault and both men recovered on the mat. Truth tried a scissors kick, but Jericho ducked and teased the Walls of Jericho. Truth flung him away, though, and kinda executed a facebuster suplex for a two count. Jericho then hit a clothesline after a referee distraction and scored a two count.
Jericho caught his breath and stomped on Truth before mocking him with "What's up?" shouts. Truth did his flashy acrobatics before Jericho attempted the Walls of Jericho. He couldn't lock it in and Truth countered with a small package pin for the three count and the win. Post-match: Truth smiled and soaked in the fan reaction to the victory. Meanwhile, Jericho stared at the mat in disgust selling confusion and shock over how he lost. Another loss for Jericho seems to be leading somewhere with Jericho perhaps snapping. Lawler said he's worried about Jericho.
WINNER: Truth at 9:46. Decent story to the match, but some sloppy spots. Truth has to clean up some of his offense, but he will apparently have plenty of opportunities with WWE strongly behind him. The post-match with Jericho was an intriguing post-script that will keep viewers wanting to see where it's leading. (*1/2)
2 -- Divas champion EVE & SANTINO MARELLA vs. MARYSE & WILLIAM REGAL (w/Kozlov)
Eve and Maryse started things off, then Regal and Santino tagged in. Regal dominated Santino, including hitting an exploder suplex before slapping on the Regal Stretch. Maryse broke it up, then the ref lost track of things as the Divas began brawling. Suddenly, Kozlov hit the ring and dropped Regal with a chokeslam that got a pop. Maryse and Kozlov suddenly ran off together. Back in the ring, Santino pinned Regal to score the win.
WINNERS: Eve & Santino at 2:25. That was an interesting match finish, especially Maryse running off with Kozlov after Kozlov seemed to turn babyface. Wait and see on how this sorts itself out. (n/a)
3 -- THE MIZ vs. DANIEL BRYAN
Bryan blasted Miz with clenched fists early on, then he missed with a corner attack. Miz landed left hand forearm blows as Cole did his customary promo on Bryan. The ref demanded a corner break as they cut to a shot of Cole continuing to cut his promo. Miz went up top and landed a double axe-handle smash. Cole then cut a promo on vegans. Miz slapped Bryan across the face, then Bryan trapped Miz on the mat with a Crossface. Bryan wrenched back as the crowd popped. Miz tried to counter out of it, but Bryan countered into a crucifix pin. He scored the three count for the win, which led to a look of shock by Cole ringside.
Post-match: Miz attacked Bryan from behind and chucked him to the floor. Cole tried to act like it was the biggest upset ever, which drew laughs from Lawler. Miz then tried to force Bryan to apologize to Cole, but Bryan shook off Miz and chucked him across the announce table into Cole's lap. Bryan jumped back into the ring and smiled for an appreciative crowd while having an eager look on his face to get a bigger piece of Miz. Miz recovered to his feet and huffed and puffed while Bryan left the ringside area. Lawler comically told Cole to get up. Lawler recapped Bryan making a big impression on a one-day contract. They continued to focus on Bryan and Miz on opposite sides of the ringside area before cutting to break.
WINNER: Miz at 2:02. A good development in the storyline despite the inherent flaws of creating a storyline focused on a non-wrestler who has to switch back and forth between a heel announcer and trusted play-by-play announcer on the same show. They left it open-ended on the future of the program, with Bryan being "signed to a one-day contract" on Raw. We'll see where this is going. I question WWE giving away the first match between Miz and Bryan on free TV without hype, but this program still has legs to it. (*)
4 -- WWE champion JOHN CENA & EVAN BOURNE vs. EDGE & SHEAMUS
Cena started things off as Bourne smiled from the apron. Edge started for the heel team and they locked up center ring. Edge controlled things from the start before Cena came back with a flying bulldog. Bourne then tagged in and landed a double foot smash from the second rope. Bourne worked over Edge's left shoulder before Edge smashed him in the back with a forearm smash. Bourne suddenly came flying off the ropes with a snap head scissors into rapid-fire leg attacks. Edge rolled to the outside to recover as they cut to break.
Back from break, Edge was working over Bourne as Cena was looking for a tag. Edge knocked Bourne to the floor and did a number on him before tagged in Sheamus back in the ring. Sheamus stomped on Bourne before elevating him for a big suplex. Bourne fought out with a knee to the shoulder, though, and he kicked Sheamus with body shots before teasing a hot tag to Cena. The crowd bought the hot tag as Bourne wiggled his fingers close to Cena before Sheamus yanked him away and nailed a Polish hammer for a two count. The heels went back to isolating Bourne as the crowd chanted, "Cena." Edge mockingly did his rock 'n roll hand signal, which has a much different meaning in Austin referencing Hook 'Em Horns, to draw heat. Bourne teased another hot tag before running into a big boot by Edge for another two count.
The match continued to the top of the hour with Edge settling into a chinlock on Bourne. Bourne broke free, then smashed Edge with an enziguiri. Cena played to the hot crowd giving them a big look to cheer on Bourne inching toward the corner. Bourne finally hopped across the ring and tagged in Cena, who exploded on Sheamus and did his routine. Cena did the You Can't See Me before delivering the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena then teased the Attitude Adjustment, but Sheamus blocked and hit a powerslam. Sheamus teased the pump kick, but Cena ducked and Bourne blasted Sheamus with an enziguiri from the apron. Cena then dropped Sheamus with the Attitude Adjustment center ring. Edge tried a spear out of nowhere, but Cena side-stepped him and Edge spilled to the floor. The crowd was going nuts at this point with Cena tagging in Bourne, who went up top and nailed the Air Bourne splash on Sheamus. Bourne made the pin for the win to a big pop.
Post-match: Cena celebrated with Bourne for a minute or two as the announcers talked up Cena's pick to replace Orton tonight. They replayed the finish with several replays of Bourne's finisher before cutting back to Cena and Bourne celebrating in the ring. Cena gave Bourne the floor to get his shine before the show wrapped up with Cena and Bourne standing tall in the ring.
WINNERS: Cena & Bourne at 11:16. They tried to make a star in one night here. It was fitting, as the show started with an angle trying to involve Evan Bourne in a big program, then finishing with Bourne looking like a big star getting in his finisher and standing next to Cena. The crowd was hot for the main event to create some energy for the formula finish that worked well for this show with two weeks remaining to build to the PPV. (**1/2)
Arcademan:
WWE NXT Results: 6-1-10
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report.)
1 -- WADE BARRETT (w/Chris Jericho) vs. DAVID OTUNGA (R-Truth) vs. JUSTIN GABRIEL (w/Matt Hardy) -- elimination-style triple threat match
They went to the ring for the beginning of the NXT Rookie three-way match. Mathews said he would send Gabriel home first and he agrees with the Pros that he might be a one-trick pony. Barrett started working over the other two Rookies while Jericho shouted words of affirmation from ringside. Cole said they've been informed about Season Two - Jericho interrupted Cole's plug to comically scream at the announcers to focus on the match. Barrett scored a nearfall and Cole continued to be delayed on his announcement. He then announced the Pros will have 50 percent of the vote and the WWE Universe will have the other 50 percent in Season Two's voting.
Otunga knocked Gabriel to the outside, then rolled him back into the ring to score a nearfall. Meanwhile, Barrett was holding his ankle in pain ringside. Barrett then re-entered, but he was knocked off the ring apron with a knee from Gabriel. Gabriel put Otunga in the corner and hit the big 450 splash from the top rope. He had the pin, but Barrett yanked Gabriel out of the ring and scored the pin on Otunga himself. Otunga is eliminated. Barrett stared down at Gabriel, who was selling ringside and Hardy talked him up before they cut to break.
Back from break, Barrett was working over Gabriel in the ring. Meanwhile, the eliminated Rookies sat with arms folded ringside. On the stage, the Pros were shown selling intense interest in the match while Punk had his head down taking notes. Barrett continued to work over Gabriel, who avoided a corner attack and smashed Barrett with multiple kicks. Gabriel then went to the corner for a springboard cross-body that Barrett sold beautifully and Gabriel scored a two count. Jericho continued to shout instructions from the outside as Gabriel scored another nearfall. Gabriel dropped Barrett with an STO, then went up top looking for his finisher, but Barrett got his knees up. That was a crunching counter. They both seemed to remain frozen with Gabriel on top of Barrett, who then rolled up Gabriel with a small package to score the win.
WINNER: Barrett in 10:00. Decent match once they removed Otunga from the equation. We'll see if the outcome has any bearing on the elimination. Wins and losses haven't really mattered thus far, so why should it start to matter now?
And the worst kept secret...Wade Barrett wins the first NXT competition. Otunga was 2nd but deserved to be 6th and Gabriel 3rd which is about right.
The complete list of NXT Pros and Rookies pairings for Season Two beginning next week is as follows:
NXT Rookie - WWE Pro
-- Alex Riley mentored by The Miz.
-- Husky Harris mentored by Cody Rhodes. Harris is Duke Rotunda in FCW, the son of "I.R.S." Mike Rotunda.
-- Eli Cottonwood mentored by John Morrison.
-- Percy Watson mentored by MVP. Watson and Season One NXT Rookie Darren Young were the "South Beach Boys" in FCW.
-- Titus O'Neil mentored by Zack Ryder.
-- Kaval (Low-Ki) mentored by Women's champion(s) Layla and Michelle McCool.
-- Lucky Cannon (Johnny Prime) mentored by Mark Henry.
-- Michael McGillicutty mentored by Kofi Kingston. McGillicutty is Joe Hennig, the son of Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig.
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