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The Official Wrestling Thread (now with more news and stuff)

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Arcademan:
Continued from previous post...

(5) MICKIE JAMES vs. ANGELINA LOVE
#1 Contender's Match

Love goes for a quick gut wrench and a pin. She picks a leg and goes for another, but Mickie bridges out from under her and rolls through for two. She gets another roll-up for two. They share a hand shake of mutual respect. Love gets a side headlock. Mickie tries to shoot her off, but Love hangs on and drives her to the mat. Mickie briefly powers out, but Love just puts it back in. She finally shoves Love off, but then eats a shoulder block. They jockey to try to hit an Arm Drag, but Mickie ends with with a Monkey Flip and a dropkick for two. Love backs Mickie into the corner for a quick forearm. Mickie responds with a knee to the gut, but then eats a jumping clothesline for two. Love hits a Front Power Slam for two again, then goes to the chin lock. Mickie powers out. She goes for a Back Drop, but Love lands on her feet. Love looks for the Botox Injection, but Mickie ducks. Mickie looks for another handshake, but Love shoves her down to the mat for two. Mickie charges Love into the corner, but Love gets her legs up and starts choking her, then whacking her upside the head with her leg. She kicks Mickie back, then floats over into a School Girl for two. She whips Mickie into the corner, but this time Mickie gets her legs around Love's head and comes down with a Twisting Head Scissors. She hits a nice Reverse Neck Breaker for two. She goes to the top rope, but Love ducks beneath her and nails the Botox Injection. It takes her a second to make the cover though, and James kicks out. Angelina lifts Mickie up for the Lights Out, but Mickie elbows out and hits the Impaler DDT. She hooks both legs for the pin.

WINNER: Mickie James in six really great minutes. That was probably the best Love has looked since Awesome Kong left the company.

(6) RIC FLAIR vs. MATT MORGAN

The crowd's behind Morgan, who shoves Flair down and halfway across the ring to start. Flair kicks out Morgan's thigh, then chops him to the corner. Morgan switches spots and slaps Flair a couple times, Back Body Drops him, and Batista/Ultimate Warrior Ups a bit. He charges Flair in the corner and hits his series of back elbows. Flair flops. Morgan looks to do it again, but Flair shoves him out of the corner and into the referee. Flair nails a low blow, then lays in with some stomps. Morgan gets to his knees, where Flair chops and punches the hell out of him. Flair tries to come off the ropes, but Morgan goozles him. Flair pokes the eyes to get out, then flings Morgan from the ring. He follows him out and chops him against the barricade. He hits a punch to the kidneys and some more chops. He tries to drive Morgan into the barricade, but Morgan reverses Flair into the metal. Morgan hits some headlock punches, and Flair is busted open. Morgan bites the wound, then slugs it. He hits a headbutt as Flair rolls into the ring and begs off. Morgan knocks Flair down to start Reaction. Flair stands up in the corner, where Morgan punches his bloody face. Flair flops out again. Morgan hits a Side Slam, but there's still no referee. Morgan signals for a Choke Slam, which he nails. Fortune run down to the ring. AJ, Kaz and Beer Money swamp Morgan as Williams just sort of stands by. AJ gets annoyed at Williams. He tries to drag Williams, but Williams loses it and slugs him. He tosses Kaz and Storm from the ring. Roode grabs him, but by now Morgan's up. Morgan clotheslines everyone right out of the ring. Flair tries to attack, but Morgan no-sells the punches. Morgan sort of hits a Carbon Footprint (it was off by a good six inches, but that might just mean Flair was bleeding more than expected). The ref rolls back in to make the count. Williams nods happily at the top of the ramp.

WINNER: Matt Morgan in eight minutes. It's good to see Flair get in some non-jokey offense, but still to put Morgan over. If you're going to use Flair on free-TV, this was as good a way as any.

Arcademan:
WWE Smackdown Results: 11-19-10

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Park's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

1 – MVP vs. DREW MCINTYRE

Overhead throw by MVP sent McIntyre to the outside. MVP went out to take the fight to him, but Mac threw MVP into the barricade. MVP recovered and dropped McIntyre abdominal-first over said barricade. Both men were headed back in the ring as they took the first break of the show.

MVP suplexed McIntyre down, but went outside, then under the ring. MVP went after him, but McIntyre pulled MVP’s arm toward him and into the ring apron. I think he’s done that once before. He continued to go to work on the arm of MVP. MVP kicked McIntyre in the back to break a hold, but McIntyre mowed him down with a shoulderblock. MVP caught McIntyre with a boot when Drew was running in. He eventually caught him with another and went for a cover, only to get two. Whip into the buckle by MVP, and he suplexed McIntyre down. Ballin’ elbowdrop landed as Striker name-dropped Charles Oakley. The referee had to restrain McIntyre from MVP in the corner. That allowed MVP to nail McIntyre with a running kick to the head, and that surprisingly finished things.

WINNER: MVP, at 7:29. Well, MVP is out of the doghouse it would seem. Match was a decent enough opener.

2 – CHRIS MASTERS vs. JACK SWAGGER

Swagger shoved Masters around the ring, but Masters punched him in the head in response. He got Swagger up for a powerslam, to no avail. Vader bomb by Swagger for two. Abdominal stretch by Swagger. Masters worked out of it and gave Swagger a Samoan drop. The announcers were really trying to get over Masters’ credibility, because to the fans, he really has none. Shoulderblock off the middle rope for two. Swagger missed a punch and landed in the Masterlock. Swagger dragged Masters across the ring, then kicked himself up over the top rope and to the apron to break it. That was impressive. Swagger went after the knee with a front chop block, then applied the ankle-lock for the victory.

WINNER: Swagger, at 2:58. Fundamentally sound. I still think Masters being in this PPV match speaks poorly of Smackdown’s depth on the babyface side.

3 – KAVAL vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER

Ziggler got the mic and said he was undefeated as I.C. Champion and he has the hottest girlfriend in the world. He said he is on a roll and that Kaval will be no match for him. He said all the Internet fanboys probably think Kaval is special, but he’s not Ziggler. Ziggler should’ve introduced himself to Kaval. Kaval sent Ziggler shoulder-first into the ring post. Handspring cross-body for two. Zig Zag blocked by Kaval. Couple of reversals of roll-ups got a number of two-counts. Ziggler tried another roll-up, but Kaval grabbed Ziggler’s arms as he was going for the tights, flipped him over, bridged, and got the win.

WINNER: Kaval, at 2:01. Much shorter than I’d like, but hopefully I’ll get my longer match at the PPV. Whoops, jumped the gun there….

Kaval got the mic and said that, since he won NXT and still has a PPV title shot, he’s going to use it to face Ziggler at the Survivor Series for the I.C. Title.

4 – KOFI KINGSTON vs. “DASHING” CODY RHODES

Kingston’s first high-impact move was a hard slap to Cody’s face. Rhodes ran to ringside and kicked the steps a few times in anger that Kingston would dare hit him in the face! He checked the mirror on his jacket to see if he was still OK. Then they went to break.

Rhodes was pounding on Kingston out of break, but Kingston came back with a flying elbow. He kept Rhodes down with a side headlock. Monkey flip by Kingston and Rhodes went back to ringside. Baseball slide on Rhodes as he tried to get back in. Hard uppercut to the chest, but after dodging a clothesline and back elbow, he fell victim to a knee-lift. Striker again plugged Arn Anderson for the Hall-of-Fame after comparing Rhodes to Anderson following a few gourdbusters. Rhodes hooked Kofi’s arms behind his head, but Kofi made it to his feet and flipped Cody over his back. Kofi nailed Cody with a few dropkicks, then hit his flip kick. Cross-body by Kingston for two. Trouble in Paradise missed, as did Beautiful Disaster. Roll-up by Kingston for two. Cross-Rhodes by Rhodes (with the hair AND the tights) ended up getting him the win.

WINNER: Rhodes, at 10:00. Solid match here, given just enough time.

5 – LAYCOOL vs. NATALYA & KELLY KELLY

Natalya and Kelly traded off against Layla, until she made it to McCool. Wheelbarrow throw by Nattie on McCool. Tag made, but Nattie didn’t see it. Double boot by LayCool put Natalya down, and the heel divas got the win.

WINNERS: LayCool, at 1:12. Just a way to put Nattie in a hole heading to the PPV.

6 – THE BIG SHOW vs. TYLER REKS

Show got his hand around Reks’ throat early on, but couldn’t finish things. Huge clothesline that knocked Show off his feet. Show got serious and ran over Reks, though for some reason, it looked like he slowed down before he hit him. Chokeslam followed that for the win.

WINNER: Show, at 1:18. Don’t know if they were running long or what, given the last two match times.

7 – ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. REY MYSTERIO

Del Rio kicked away at Mysterio in the corner and reigned blows down upon him as well. Mysterio dodged another corner attack and slid under Del Rio, only to get kicked in the gut. Sunset flip failed by Del Rio and Mysterio set him up for the 619. Then, the entire heel team captained by Del Rio ran down and interfered, drawing the DQ.

WINNER: Mysterio, via DQ, at 1:53. I did not expect that so soon.

Mysterio’s team ran down to even the odds, and a brouhaha ensued. Teddy Long came out and must’ve seen that there were nine minutes left, so he turned things into a ten-man battle royal. That’s next.

8 – 10-MAN SURVIVOR SERIES SHOWDOWN BATTLE ROYAL

The bell rang upon return from break. Rhodes got chopped hard in the chest, then no-sold it seconds later to run across the ring at someone else. MVP and Show double-teamed Reks. Mysterio attempted to eliminate Dle Rio. Masters eliminated Rhodes from the apron at 1:23. Reks barely held on to stave off elimination. Masters was thrown over by Reks at 2:06. Del Rio and McIntyre double-teamed Show. Swagger battled MVP in the corner. Kofi took Reks out at 2:50. Headbutt to the heel team captain. Kofi went to the apron and Mac took him out at 3:45. MVP and McIntyre went out in short order, MVP at about 4:00. Del Rio out via Rey at 4:35. Down to Mysterio, Show and Swagger. Swagger locked in the ankle-lock on Rey. With the help of Show, Swagger got set up for the 619. After that connected, Show took Swagger by the throat and pushed him over the top. Del Rio looked on from the ramp, unhappy.

WINNERS: Show and Rey, at 5:10.

Arcademan:
WWE Survivor Series PPV Results: 11-21-10

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's ongoing report).

1 -- U.S. champion DANIEL BRYAN vs. TED DIBIASE (w/Maryse) -- U.S. Title match

DiBiase and Bryan started trading holds, then the lights suddenly turned out. Bryan and DiBiase kept wrestling, then the lights came back on a few seconds later. Bryan landed a kick strike to the gut that cleared DiBiase to the apron, but DiBiase came back with a suplex clear over the top rope dropping Bryan to the floor. Back in the ring, DiBiase landed an elbow smash while Bryan was draped across the ring apron and the announcers noted DiBiase's new aggression post-Goldust situation.

DiBiase settled into a side headlock as the crowd chanted for Bryan. Cole and Striker bickered some more regarding Bryan before Bryan landed a double foot kick to the chest that decked DiBiase. Bryan then landed trademark kick strikes and backflipped over DiBiase to land another blow. Bryan proceeded to smash DiBiase to the outside and immediately followed with a suicide dive onto DiBiase. Bryan immediately began selling a right shoulder injury before rolling DiBiase back in the ring. Bryan went up top and landed a signature double foot thrust kick to the chest that resulted in a two count. Bryan continued to sell the right shoulder before landing multiple kick strikes to the chest. And some more. DiBiase grabbed Bryan's leg, but Bryan countered into a small package for a two count. Bryan teased the LeBell Lock, but DiBiase blocked and smashed Bryan with a clothesline for a two count. Pause for everyone to catch their breath.

DiBiase fired himself up and kind of started doing a Randy Orton IED pump-up before attempting Dream Street. Bryan rolled out, though, and scored a nearfall while maintaining contact. DiBiase followed with a spinebuster once they broke contact and scored another nearfall. DiBiase then pounded on Bryan with right hands, but Bryan countered a top turnbuckle offensive attempt into a super back drop as they seemed to float in the air for several moments. Bryan scored a nearfall, then tried the LeBell Lock, but DiBiase countered into a corner catapult for a nearfall. Bryan then immediately transitioned into the LeBell Lock out of nowhere and DiBiase was forced to tap out, giving Bryan the win. Cole said he doesn't get it.

WINNER: Bryan at 9:58 to retain the U.S. Title. Excellent opening match. Bryan showed those marketable gritty babyface characteristics while DiBiase showed a more aggressive in-ring side that's been missing form his singles run. (***)
 
2 -- SHEAMUS vs. JOHN MORRISON

Sheamus opened with a slap to the face that fired up Morrison, who landed a head scissors and dropkcik sending Sheamus to the outside. Morrison then nailed a corkscrew plancha on the floor and landed right hand strikes to the jaw. Sheamus shoved Morrison into the barricade, though, followed by a Polish Hammer to the face. Back in the ring, Sheamus resumed control of the action and cut off Morrison's comeback attempts. Sheamus deliberately slowed down the pace and did his Ronald McDonald smile to the crowd, which drew boos. Sheamus became upset moments later and showed a change of emotion pounding on Morrison with clubbing forearms to the back. Morrison fired back with big right hand strikes before hitting a cross-body block from the top rope. Sheamus rolled through, though, and landed a front slam for a two count.

At 6:00, Sheamus turned evil and measured Morrison for the Brogue Kick, but Morrison ducked and hit an enziguiri. Both men fell to the mat, then came to their feet trading bombs. Morrison then nailed successive clotheslines followed by a leg whip for a two count. Moments later, Morrison ran into Sheamus, who dropped him with the Irish Curse backbreaker for a nearfall. Morrison and Sheamus traded control a bit before Sheamus began focusing on Morrison's left knee to cut off his aerial attack.

Morrison suddenly decked Sheamus in the corner and wanted Starship Pain, but Sheamus grabbed Morrison and teased the Irish Curse. Morrison escaped, though, then avoided the Brogue Kick for a second time. Morrison nailed the flash kick before hitting a flying knee strike to the chin for the pin and the win. Striker sent a message to the kids at home to fight back against bullies, like Morrison did against Sheamus.

WINNER: Morrison at 11:11. Good singles match at times. It's not clear if this is a sign of Morrison in line for a stronger babyface push on Raw or just receiving a victory as part of bullying being a hot topic and Sheamus getting his comeuppance. (**)
 
3 -- IC champion DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero) vs. KAVAL -- Intercontinental Title match

Cole did his NXT Season 2 anti-Internet spiel to begin the match as Kaval quickly scored a one count on Ziggler. Ziggler then scored a one count and they began exchanging control of the match. Ziggler settled into control of the match as the announcers filled air time with worthless banter. Kaval then popped Ziggler with a kick strike before coming off the top rope with a springboard moonsault for a two count. Someone was bleeding, as Kaval had a touch of blood on his upper chest. Kaval then absolutely blasted Ziggler in the corner with a springboard kick strike as Ziggler seemed to be looking to counter the move. Kaval communicated with Ziggler, rolled him over, and scored a nearfall.

Kaval wanted a top rope attack, flung Ziggler to the mat, and measured Ziggler for twisting corkscrew plancha, but Ziggler moved. Kaval landed on his feet anyways and scored a nearfall on a small package. Ziggler then came back with the Fameasser for a two count. They reset as Vickie screamed at Ziggler to finish him. Ziggler tried the sleeperhold, but Kaval escaped, then ran off the top turnbuckle and hit a turnaround flying kick for a two count. Nice sequence.

Both men came to their feet at 8:30 and Kaval landed a strike to the mid-section before Ziggler came back with headbutts. They seemed to be trying to feel out the next move and Kaval shot off Ziggler to the ropes. He tried a victory roll, but Ziggler rolled through and grabbed Kaval's tights to to secure a three count. Vickie screamed in delight as Kaval cursed his bad luck. Ziggler, meanwhile, was bleeding from the nose and selling the effects of Kaval's offense as he left with the belt and Vickie.

WINNER: Ziggler at 9:32. Not quite long enough to reach the three-star level, but good action. They seemed to be a bit off at times and the crowd was waiting for something to get excited for early on before the string of nearfalls at the end. (**1/2)
 
Continued in next post...

Arcademan:
4 -- TEAM MYSTERIO (Rey Mysterio & Big Show & MVP & Kofi Kingston & Chris Masters) vs. TEAM DEL RIO (Alberto Del Rio & Cody Rhodes & Jack Swagger & Tyler Reks & Drew McIntyre) -- Survivor Series elimination match

The crowd was hot with an MVP chant after the opening bell. Del Rio was great selling disbelief over this sudden interest in MVP. Del Rio and Rey were set to start things off, but Del Rio backed off to the heel corner and smiled. Del Rio pointed at Rey, smiled, and tagged in Rhodes. Suddenly, the announcers bickered over Ricky Henderson. In 2010. Lawler begged them to talk about Survivor Series. Cody smashed Rey with a springboard flash kick for a two count, then Del Rio took an opening to tag in and stomp away on Rey. Rey came back with a head scissors before landing a running dropkick to the chest.

Rey tagged in MVP, who came in hot. MVP scored with a boot to the face and scored a two count. MVP landed kick strikes in the corner followed by a Chono boot on Del Rio for a nearfall. Kofi then tagged in and went to work on Del Rio as Lawler recapped his Survivor Series '94 victory over Doink. You knew it was coming. More men tagged in and out as a few members of the audience chanted for either pizza or Big Show. It was MVP, instead, who came in hot on Drew with multiple clotheslines.

MVP set up for the Ballin' elbow drop and connected on Drew before clotheslining Del Rio off the ring apron. Suddenly, Drew came back with a pin attempt and Del Rio quietly trapped MVP's feet from the floor and Drew scored a pinfall on MVP, who was suddenly eliminated at 5:36. MVP complained about the cheat-to-win tactics as we all recall that it's never good to wrestle in your hometown. One minute later, Masters was eliminated via Del Rio's armbreaker submission.

Big Show entered the match for the first time to a big pop. Chris Masters also entered, but tagged out to Del Rio moments later. Del Rio landed a punch to the head, but Show no-sold. Del Rio celebrated, then turned around and found an angry giant. Del Rio went to his corner and tagged in Drew, who previously wanted nothing to do with it. Del Rio then cockily walked over to Show, who popped him with the KO Punch. Del Rio sold being out cold, but Drew was legal and Show went to work on him. Del Rio received some smelling salt treatment before he was helped away from ringside. No official elimination, though.

Kofi and Cody were in there and Kofi punched Cody in the face. Cody threw an absolute fit that his face was messed up. Cody stomped away to the floor and demanded Roberts held up his ring jacket. Cody checked on his face in the mirror, then kicked the ring steps. Cody yelled at Kofi that he has some nerve, but Kofi comically punched him in the face again. Big Show then tagged in and dropped Cody with the KO Punch for another elimination at 10:57.

Tyler Reks and Jack Swagger then flew into the ring trying to chop down Big Show as Cole recapped the official score of 4-3 Del Rio, but unofficially 3-3 with Del Rio taken away from ringside. Swagger and Big Show settled into a one-on-one battle and Swagger countered the chokeslam into an Anklelock submission center ring. Nice sequence. Show dragged himself toward the corner looking for a tag and Rey Mysterio was able to tag in. Rey came in hot on Swagger and scored a nearfall before running into a big boot from Swagger for a nearfall of his own.

Rey tried to come back with the 619, but Swagger grabbed Rey's leg and slapped on the Anklelock. Rey managed to counter by swinging Swagger around. He wanted the 619 again, but Reks tagged in for Swagger. Kofi tagged in for Rey and battled Reks, who took a boot to the face. Kofi then went up top and landed a big cross-body block for a close two count. Reks and Kofi continued to counter each other before Kofi smashed Reks with a kick strike for a pinfall to eliminate Reks at 15:08.

Swagger came in next and tried the gutwrench bomb on Kofi, but Kofi countered into the Trouble in Paradise, only to have Swagger block and apply the Anklelock. Kofi was forced to tap out at 15:55, giving the heels another elimination. Big Show entered next and tried to launch Rey off his shoulders, but Drew cut out Show at the knees. Rey was legal, though, and set up Swagger for the 619. Rey then climbed onto Show's shoulders and splashed Swagger for a pin to eliminate Swagger with a pin at 17:35.

It was unofficially down to Drew, who took a chokeslam from Big Show after Rey distracted him. Show made the pin and that was apparently the official finish despite Del Rio never being eliminated. Anyways, Big Show and Rey Mysterio win, just like in the battle royal on Smackdown.

WINNERS: Big Show & Rey Mysterio at 18:12. Good sequences throughout the match with standout performances from Jack Swagger with his variety of counters and Del Rio being Del Rio, who was protected by the non-official elimination. The end result in favor of Rey & Show was your classic mid-PPV "feel good moment" for the crowd. (***1/4)

Order of Elimination:
MVP via McIntyre at 5:36.
Masters via Del Rio at 6:44.
Rhodes via Show at 10:57.
Reks via Kingston at 15:08.
Kingston via Swagger at 15:55.
Swagger via Rey at 17:35.
Drew via Show at 18:12.
Del Rio never officially eliminated.
 
5 -- Unified Divas champions LAY-COOL (MICHELLE MCCOOL & LAYLA) vs. NATALYA -- handicap match -- Unified Divas Title match

Lay-Cool took advantage of the "numbers game" early on. Natalya found herself on the floor and took a kick to the back from Layla. They had a comical spot on the floor where Natalya knocked Layla over the guardrail, then chucked McCool over the guardrail onto Layla, sending Lay-Cool crashing to the floor. Natalya sold a variety of injuries trying to follow up, then Lay-Cool cut her off and sent her back into the ring. McCool tried to follow up, but Natalya dropped her center ring and slapped on the Sharpshooter. McCool instantly tapped out, giving Natalya the victory.

Post-match: Natalya sold the importance of the moment dropping to her knees and crying. She had her moment for a little bit before Lay-Cool jumped her from behind. They put a beating on Natalya building to...Beth Phoenix making her return from injury. Phoenix smashed Lay-Cool with Polish Hammers, then dropped Layla with the Glam Slam for an exclamation point on her return. Beth hoisted Layla on her shoulders to celebrate before tearing up a bit celebrating the title victory with Natalya.

WINNER: Natalya at 3:38 to capture the Divas Title. Another "feel good moment," this time for Natalya, followed by a surprise return. Beth returning from injury certainly adds another dimension to a women's division in desperate need of depth. We'll probably be seeing a round of Lay-Cool vs. Beth & Natalya type matches on Smackdown. (*)
 
6 -- World Hvt. champion KANE vs. EDGE -- World Hvt. Title match

Kane tried to be aggressive from the start, but Edge cut him off and slipped to the outside to mock Kane by rolling the wheelchair around the ringside area. Edge lured Kane into his trap and wrapped Kane's leg around the ringpost. Back in the ring, Edge went to work on Kane's left knee before Kane came back with leg smashes to the throat. Kane then hung Edge out to dry across the top rope and landed a boot to the head to send Edge to the floor.

On the outside, Kane smashed Edge into the barricade before taking him back into the ring. Kane screamed at Edge demanding to know where Bearer is. The quiet crowd woke up with a "Let's go Edge" chant as Kane continued to take out his frustration on Edge. Kane climbed up top looking for a clothesline, but Edge blocked with a mid-air dropkick that floored both men. Kane and Edge traded near-finishing holds, resulting in Edge scoring with an implant DDT. Edge then got that look in his eyes as he backed off to the corner. Edge wanted the Spear, but Kane blocked with a boot to the forehead. Kane followed with a chokeslam and made a cover, but Edge kicked out.

Kane then teased the Tombstone Piledriver, but Edge dropped Kane with the Spear. Edge kind of rolled over on his side and both men's arms were draped over each other. The ref started a three count and counted to three. Edge's music hit to signal a title change, but the ref waved it off and waved off Tony Chimel's announcement that Edge was the new champion. Chimel then announced the result was a "tie." Who uses the word "tie" anymore in sports? As a result, Kane is still World champ. No replay of the finish here.

Post-match: Kane jumped Edge from behind wanting to know what happened to Bearer. Edge shook off Kane and smashed him into the guardrail. Edge then placed Kane in the guardrail and sped him down the ringside area where he crashed through the gimmicked wall near the timekeeper's table for a loud noise and strong visual. And we're back to the WrestleMania 26 finish with Jericho. A replay of the No Contest finish was shown after the angle. They showed Edge and Kane locking their forearms together and both men's shoulders down on the pin.

WINNER: No Contest at 12:50, Kane retains the World Title. One of those frustratingly uninteresting Smackdown title matches where the TV storyline of Kane wanting to find Bearer doesn't match up with Kane trying to win a match to solve the issue. The non-finish was a groaner but apparently keeps Edge in the game to challenge Kane for the title again. (**)
 
Concluded in next post...

Arcademan:
7 -- WWE Unified tag champions NEXUS (HEATH SLATER & JUSTIN GABRIEL w/David Otunga, Husky Harris, and Mike McGillicutty) vs. SANTINO & KOZLOV

The announcers noted Kozlov has been teaching Santino some Sambo moves. Why didn't this potentially great training video air on TV to hype the bonus title match? Santino greeted Slater with Arian Foster's Touchdown pose before landing a throw into a headlock to show off the Sambo training. Kozlov tagged in and Gabriel took him out at the knees. Nexus began a two-on-one attack as Santino complained to the referee. Kozlov eventually broke free from Nexus and tagged in Santino, who landed left hand jabs and fired himself up. Santino with a hip topss, then the Sailor's salute fist drop on Slater. Gabriel broke up a pin, then the action broke down. Santino suddenly warmed up the Cobra, but Nexus members ran interference. Slater then hit his necktie drop finisher that looks like a transition hold for the pin and the win.

WINNERS: Nexus at 5:11 to retain the WWE Tag Titles. Simply a placeholder leading to the main event. The non-Barrett members of Nexus just aren't there yet. (*1/4)

Post-match: Nexus attacked Santino and Kozlov. Suddenly, the Raw GM buzzed and the lights flashed. Cole stepped to the podium and read that at the upcoming WWE Title match, Nexus is banned from ringside. If any member of Nexus attempts to interfere, the entire group will be indefinitely suspended. Therefore, he advises Nexus to leave the ring immediately.
 
8 -- WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. WADE BARRETT -- WWE Title match -- John Cena special referee -- Free or Fired for Cena -- Victory by pinfall or submission only

Before the bell sounded, Cena asked Orton to hand over the WWE Title belt. Cena showed it to Barrett, then held it up for the crowd to see. Cue the bell. All three men held their places in the ring before Orton and Barrett circled and locked up. The crowd chanted "RKO" as Orton drove Barrett to the corner, then backed away. Another lock up and stalemate. Orton then grabbed a headlock and put Barrett on the mat. Orton then landed a shoulder knock down and Barrett backed away to his corner.

The men circled the ring again before Orton landed a clothesline out of the corner. Cena became involved trying to apply the rules, which gave Orton an opening to land a classic dropkick. Orton then pounded on Barrett with right hands that Cena gave him leeway on. On the floor, Orton attacked Barrett and rammed him into the ring steps. Back in the ring, Barrett took control and whipped Orton hard into the corner turnbuckle before standing on his throat. Barrett then hit a boot to the head and settled into a chinlock.

At 9:00, both men came to their feet and started trading bombs trying to get the crowd involved. Orton then ran over Barrett with a knockdown clothesline followed by a powerslam. Orton fired himself up a bit, then clotheslined Barrett over the top rope to the floor. However, Barrett rammed Orton back-first into the ringpost. Back in the ring, Barrett ran into a fallaway backbreaker from Orton for a two count. Moments later, Barrett came back with a flying elbow drop from the second rope and scored a nearfall that Cena emphatically called out as a two count. Barrett with another nearfall, which led to Barrett questioning Cena's cadence.

Barrett set up Orton for the Wasteland, but Orton slipped out, only to run into the Black Hole Slam for a two count. Striker at first called it the Boss Man Slam before actually saying the phrase "Black Hole Slam." Silence for a while as Barrett and Cena intensified their discussion. The crowd began a dueling "Let's go Cena" and "Cena sucks" chant despite Cena not in the match. Orton tried to cut those off setting up for the RKO, but Barrett rolled to the outside. Orton then dropped him with a clothesline on the floor and rolled Barrett back into the ring.

Orton was slow re-entering the ring and Barrett hit him with a boot to the head. Barrett then dropped Orton with Wasteland center ring. Barrett rolled him over, but Orton grabbed the bottom rope just before three to break Cena's count. Barrett verified, but still had a word for Cena. Barrett suddenly shoved Cena, who looked away and tried to hold himself. Cena then bumped Barrett, which led to Orton dropping Barrett with the RKO. Orton made a cover, then Cena counted one...two...pause...three. Striker shouted, "Cena's Free!" Cole corrected him: "Cena's Fired." Striker muttered that he got caught up in the moment.

Post-match: Cena then sat down in the corner and contemplated this that he's fired. The moment didn't really have that momentous feel to it. Nexus hit the ring and tried to attack Cena, but Cena and Orton fought them all off. Cena and Orton were left alone in the ring, then Cena grabbed the WWE Title belt from ringside, re-entered the ring, and handed it back to Orton. They embraced, then Orton posed with the WWE Title. Cena was still in the corner as the announcers remained silent.

Orton walked out of the ring with possession of the WWE Title before looking back to the ring and holding his arms up in the air. Orton patted the entrance stage on the way out before the camera returned to Cena standing in the corner.

Cena took off his trademark wristbands and placed them in the center of the ring. Cena slowly looked around the arena before doing salutes to all four corners of the ring. Cena walked over to the announce table and hugged Michael Cole before hugging Sign Guy on the way out. Even Tye-Dye Guy got some TV time. Cena stood on the entrance ramp and smiled before pointing to someone and saying, "Thank you." Cena turned back up the entrance ramp and stood on the stage looking into the crowd. He surveyed the arena one more time before raising his hands in the air as the spotlight was on him.

The crowd chanted for him, then he left the stage and walked into the crowd shaking hands with fans. No sound from the announcers. Not much sound in the arena other than random shouts. Cena shook hands with as many fans as he could touch as a spotlight followed him around the arena. This wasn't something you normally see on WWE TV. Cena continued his victory lap as a single spotlight followed him around the arena. Cena eventually made it back to the entrance stage and saluted the crowd again before turning to leave backstage again. They faded to black at ten minutes before the top of the hour to conclude the PPV.

WINNER: Orton at 15:15 to retain the WWE Title, Cena "fired." The match itself was okay and will be forgotten by tomorrow night. The "swerve" here was Cena actually counting a clean pin for Orton and Cena being "fired." WWE sure played with the emotions of their audience with Cena trying to make it a "real" send-off. In actuality, it looks like Barrett reverses the stipulation (because he has booking power, apparently) either Monday on Raw or sometime down the road because he wants to get his hands on Cena. And he can't get his hands on Cena unless he's in WWE. So, overall, an anticlimactic finish to the PPV that felt more like a TV storyline stretching out to the next TV episode. (**)

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