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Arcademan:
WWE RAW Results: 12-27-10

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

1 -- WWE tag champion SANTINO (w/Tamina) vs. TED DIBIASE (w/Maryse)

DiBiase quickly decked Santino with a right hand blow and settled into a rear chinlock. Santino teased a comeback, then avoided a dropkick and quickly rolled up DiBiase for a pin. That was it for DiBiase. Santino then grabbed a Christmas present and handed it to Tamina, who opened up to find the hidden Cobra in the box. DiBiase and Maryse then jumped Santino and Maryse from behind, but Santino and Tamina quickly recovered, hit stereo fist drops, and finished with stereo Cobra smashes on DiBiase and Maryse to essentially score two wins.

WINNER: Santino at 0:59. What...are...they...doing...with...DiBi ase? It's well past time they do something with the DiBiase/Maryse partnership to advance DiBiase's career. He's stuck in neutral going backwards downhill. (n/a)

2 -- JOHN MORRISON vs. ALEX RILEY (w/WWE champion The Miz)

Miz shouted encouragement toward Riley as he took control of the match early on. Riley executed a side slam and made a cover for a nearfall. Miz paced ringside angry with Riley's inability to put away Morrison. Morrison then built some momentum and went for a springboard kick, but Miz yanked Morrison down. The ref saw it, but didn't call for a DQ, instead he gave Miz the boot. Riley then tried to roll up Morrison, but Morrison kicked out. Morrison then came back with a springboard kick strike and measured Riley for a running knee strike to the face. Morrison made the cover and it was good for the win. Miz didn't even make it to the back, as he was on the stage looking on with peril as Morrison celebrated the win.

Post-match: Morrison shook hands with Lawler and told Lawler that the WWE Title match will be next week and it will be Falls Count Anywhere. Cole complained that Miz is not an animal, but an athlete. Cole said Miz should demand a protest.

WINNER: Morrison at 4:43. Interesting they're going with the WWE Title match on next week's Raw rather than at the Rumble. So, next week, it's Miz vs. Morrison for the WWE Title in a Falls Count Anywhere match. (*)

3 -- TYSON KIDD (w/Jason Andrews) vs. MARK HENRY

Henry dominated early on and measured Kidd for a seated butt splash, but Kidd rolled out of the way and began stomping away on Henry. Kidd settled into a front facelock and grunted toward the crowd. Henry then came to his feet and caught Kidd off the top rope for the World's Strongest Slam. Henry made the cover and that was it.

Post-match: Andrews did the Kevin Nash entrance into the ring to stare down Henry, who met him face-to-face. Henry then backed away and Andrews landed a developmental kick to the gut. He missed with a clothesline when Henry ducked and Henry dropped Andrews with the World's Strongest Slam.

WINNER: Henry at 2:07. Henry resurgence? Another bad night for heels, in this case Kidd & Andrews? How can Andrews recover from that in his first big WWE TV spot being completely owned by Henry? And why invest TV time in a backstage segment with Bryan and Kidd if Kidd is going to lose clean? Plenty of questions to be answered after that one. (*)

4 -- WWE champion THE MIZ (w/Alex Riley) vs. JERRY LAWLER -- non-title match

Miz started things off with a take down, which prompted him to gloat to the crowd about his technical prowess. The announcers bickered while Miz took control of the match while taunting Lawler. Miz slapped on a headlock as Lawler looked to the crowd for some energy, but Miz yanked Lawler down to the mat to cut off Lawler. Miz followed with a boot to the chest before rubbing his boot across Lawler's forehead. Miz continued to taunt Lawler, who tried to fight back, but Miz kicked Lawler in the face again. Miz drew the ref's ire by raking Lawler's eyes, then he stood over Lawler taunting the crowd again. Cole said it's becoming a bit uncomfortable. Miz staggered Lawler with a left hand before taunting him some more half-speed knee and kick strikes.

Suddenly, at 7:00, John Morrison's music hit. Morrison walked out on stage and stared into the ring before walking to the ring. Miz then turned back to Lawler and missed with a clothesline. Lawler staggered across the ring, avoided a running kick, and came to his feet. Lawler with a left hand jab, then another one. And another. And two more. Lawler followed with a series of dropkicks as the crowd came to life. Lawler tried a scoop slam, but Miz rammed him to the corner. Miz missed with a corner clothesline, then Riley tried to run interference, but it gave Morrison an opening to deck Miz on the floor. The ref applied a ten count and sped up near the end, giving Lawler a count-out victory.

WINNER: Lawler via countout at 9:36. Fine set up for next week's Miz vs. Morrison title match. You just have to get past the logic hole that it looks silly for a heel not to take a win after taunting an opponent for an acceptable length of time, but they tried to cover that base earlier in the show when Miz laid out his strategy to take Lawler apart piece by piece. (*1/2)

5 -- MELINA & ALICIA FOX vs. EVE & GAIL KIM

Eve started things off against Fox, so we'll see if Gail actually enters the match this week. The heels dominated early on, then Gail accepted a tag from Eve and scored with high-flying offense on Melina. Gail tried a cover on Melina, but Fox broke it up. The action broke down, then Melina dropped Gail with her swinging leg drop finisher for the pin and the win. Post-match: Natalya entered the ring to stare down Melina who tried to back off with a "let me explain" gesture. Melina shook hands, then tried a surprise slap, but Natalya saw it coming and dropped Melina with a strike to the face. Melina slipped out of the ring and did an evil glare back toward Natalya as the camera went back and forth on Natalya and Melina to set up their eventual Divas Title match.

WINNERS: Melina & Fox at 2:25. Expected result with Gail taking the loss. Overall, fine continuing the build-up to Natalya vs. Melina in a one-on-one women's division feud. (*)

5 -- U.S. champion DANIEL BRYAN (w/Bella Twins) vs. ZACK RYDER -- non-title match

Suddenly, they came back from break with a Bryan vs. Ryder match already in progress. Lawler said the Bellas are with Bryan because he's a winner, while DiBiase and Maryse are having issues because DiBiase isn't winning. This was essentially a repeat of the MSG house show match last night with Ryder scoring about a minute of offense before Bryan slapped on the LeBell Lock for a quick submission victory.

WINNER: Bryan via submission at 1:06 of what aired. (n/a)

6 -- SHEAMUS vs. RANDY ORTON

Orton and Sheamus traded offense early on as the announcers noted how evenly matched Orton and Sheamus are due to their similar styles, equal success in 2010, and numerous matches against each other during the year. Sheamus put together successive offense before Orton exploded out of the corner with a clothesline. Orton teased entering IED mode, but Sheamus cut off Orton as he attempted a spike DDT. Orton dumped Sheamus to the floor anyways and the fight picked up on the floor. Sheamus rammed Orton's back-of-the-head into the ringpost before coming off the apron with an impressive flying shoulder tackle for a nearfall. Orton writhed in pain on the mat as they cut to break with Sheamus in control.

Back from break, Cole noted Orton has dealt with a nagging back and neck injury over the past two months and said Sheamus is capitalizing on that by working on Orton's upper body. Sheamus executed a running powerslam, but it was only good for a two count. Sheamus looked to the ceiling selling exasperation he couldn't put Orton away. Sheamus drew ref Chioda's ire not letting Orton out of the corner as he measured Orton for a right hand strike. Orton teased a comeback with right hands, but Sheamus nailed him in the mid-section and followed with multiple forearm strikes for a two count.

At 10:00, the crowd tried to rally behind Orton, who teased another comeback. Orton avoided a corner attack, then took Sheamus up top and executed a superplex. Orton clutched his head to sell the effects on himself and made a cover, but Sheamus kicked out in time. Sheamus and Orton started trading bombs on their feet before Orton finally built some momentum with clotheslines and a powerslam. Orton ducked a clothesline, then executed an Angle Slam for a two count. Orton teased the RKO, but Sheamus came back with an Irish Curse backbreaker, which was only good for a two count.

They went to a teased finish where each man missed with a finisher attempt before Sheamus landed a double sledgehammer. Sheamus, in control, taunted the crowd and wanted the High Cross, but Orton wiggled out and hit a fallaway snap backbreaker. Orton then entered the IED Zone, but Sheamus rolled to the apron. Sheamus wanted another flying shoulder block from the ring apron, but Orton countered in mid-air with the RKO. Orton rolled over Sheamus and scored the pin for the win. Nice.

WINNER: Orton at 14:26. Textbook 15-minute singles match getting over both competitors and ultimately getting over Orton's RKO counter at the end of the match. Just a very good showcase TV match to close out 2010. Looking at the finish of this match, it looks like WWE is thinking ahead to a Miz vs. Orton re-match at the Royal Rumble PPV if Morrison doesn't take the belt next week on Raw. (***)

Arcademan:
WWE NXT Results: 12-28-10

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results and immunity standings.

1 -- IC champion DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero and Jacob Novak) vs. JOHNNY CURTIS (1-1) -- non-title match

Ziggler dominated early on, then Curtis made a comeback and frightened Vickie when he bounced off the ropes. Novak tried to protect Vickie on the outside, prompting a scolding from Ziggler for putting his hands on Vickie. The crowd chanted, "You suck," and Grisham quipped that the chant could be directed at a number of people. Ziggler then regained control and landed a neckbreaker for a two count. Ziggler attempted a flying corner attack, but airballed and sold Curt Hennig style. Curtis then fired off a round of clotheslines and grunted loudly, killing his heat. Curtis followed with a lift-up throw and looked for a top rope splash, but Ziggler moved and Curtis ate the mat. Ziggler followed right up with the Zig-Zag and it was good for the win.

WINNER: Ziggler in 6:00. Fine match continuing to invest time in Ziggler.

2 -- DERRICK BATEMAN (0-2) (w/Kofi Kingston) vs. CONOR O'BRIAN (1-0) (w/Alberto Del Rio)

Kingston was replacing Daniel Bryan as his Pro this week. Bateman controlled the early proceedings before O'Brian landed a single arm DDT. Mathews noted next week's elimination voting begins tomorrow on WWE's website. Bateman and O'Brian went back and forth, then O'Brian hit his finisher for the win. Del Rio demanded his personal ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez announce "Conan O'Brien" as the winner.

WINNER: O'Brian (2-0) in 3:00. Bateman is apparently saddled with the Daniel Bryan/Kaval "losing streak" gimmick on NXT. Okay, but not memorable.

3 -- TED DIBIASE (w/Maryse and Brodus Clay) vs. BYRON SAXTON (1-1) (w/Chris Masters)

The bell sounded and the director decided to stay with a camera shot of Maryse and her claimed $3,000 purse. Clay did not bring pen and paper to ringside for the match, of note. DiBiase took an early arm drag and DiBiase yelled at the crowd to draw boos. DiBiase, angered, stomped Saxton into the corner with multiple boot strikes. Clay informed Saxton he's a clown as the camera focused on Maryse occupied with herself. DiBiase went to work on Saxton's mid-section before telling Clay this is how it's done. DiBiase landed a clothesline, but Saxton kicked out. Mathews started heeling on the show as DiBiase continued to work over Saxton.

DiBiase put a boot to Saxton's head taunting him as the camera focused on Maryse's purse again. DiBiase then choked Saxton in the corner and Brodus pie-faced Saxton. Saxton found himself on the ring apron and DiBiase dropped him with a neckbreaker across the top rope. Clay decided he couldn't control his aggression anymore and nailed Saxton with a running clothesline causing a DQ as the ref was applying a ten count.

Post-match: DiBiase berated Clay, who said he was trying to help. Maryse screamed at Brodus that he's an idiot. DiBiase then ordered Maryse to slap Clay and she obliged. "That's what you get! Do you understand me?" DiBiase shouted in Clay's face. The crowd wanted Clay to do something about it, but Clay smiled and suggested there will be another day. DiBiase and Maryse walked out of the ring celebrating the...loss. Clay continued to sell emotions welling up inside him about to explode before they cut to break.

WINNER: Saxton (2-1) via DQ in 6:00.

Immunity Standings:
Johnny Curtis: 5 points
Derrick Bateman: 3 points
Jacob Novak: 1 point
Byron Saxton: 1 point
Brodus Clay: 0 points
Conor O'Brian: 0 points

Arcademan:
WWE News: Health update on John Cena - WWE addresses injury, Cena scratched from house show


--- Quote ---WWE has released an official injury update on John Cena, claiming he has a "hip injury." WWE left Cena's status open-ended, saying he is day-to-day.

"Last night in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., John Cena suffered a hip injury. His return to action will be evaluated on a day to day basis," WWE said on their website.

Cena suffered a leg injury in the main event of Tuesday's house show in Wilkes-Barre. Cena finished the steel cage match against Wade Barrett, then hobbled out of the cage after addressing his apparent injury to the live crowd.

WWE's Raw brand is scheduled for two more house shows today and Thursday to conclude 2010. WWE did not address Cena's status for the shows in the injury update.

--- End quote ---

Sources say former TNA Knockouts champion Awesome Kong has signed with WWE


--- Quote ---PWTorch has learned former TNA Knockouts champion Awesome Kong has signed with WWE, as confirmed by Kong today on Twitter.

"My dreams just came true today. I got my dream job. Yes, THAT one," Kong posted.

Kong's post confirms what sources told the Torch on Tuesday that Kong has signed with WWE.

Since parting ways with TNA earlier this year, Kong has worked for independent promotions and select Ring of Honor shows, including the "Final Battle 2010" Internet PPV on December 18.
--- End quote ---

Arcademan:
WWE Superstars Results: 12-30-10

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

1 -- USOS (JIMMY & JEY USO) vs. DARREN YOUNG & YOSHI TATSU

The announcers discussed Tamina's "strained relationship" with the Usos and Mathews decided he didn't want to speculate on their relationship woes. Young scored two early nearfalls as Stanford was fixated on Young failing to hook the leg on the pin attempts. Yoshi tagged in and nearly scored a three count on Jey with a crucifix pin before scoring with a dropkick for another nearfall. The Usos rallied against Young as Stanford referenced Rikishi and a Stinkface by Jey on Young in the corner.

Yoshi took a hot tag at 4:00 and cleaned house. Stanford over-used the "house of fire" phrase as Yoshi landed offense before the action broke down. Young found himself on the floor taking a ringpost to the face. Back in the ring, Yoshi went up top, but Jimmy crotched him and flung him to the mat. Jimmy then hit a top rope splash on Yoshi for the pin and the win.

WINNERS: Usos in 6:00. Basic tag match trying to re-focus on the Usos without Tamina. (*)

2 -- WILLIAM REGAL vs. D.H. SMITH

Regal and Smith traded technical holds as Stanford referenced Smith's father, "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith, and noted Regal faced Davey Boy at Halloween Havoc 1993. He also used "wrestled" in the same sentence as a WCW PPV reference. Mathews acted shocked at a 1993 reference as Stanford continued to talk about the background of the competitors. On the floor, Smith ran over Regal with a shoulder tackle and played to the crowd. They cut to break with Stanford offering another sports cliché they're watching a "real donnybrook."

Back from break, Mathews derisively noted the "donnybrook" is continuing. Stanford said he could have used "brawl," but decided for the European-influenced "donnybrook" adjective to describe the match involving Regal. Smith scored a delayed vertical suplex, then Regal cut him off at the knees and began working the legs. Regal slapped on a half Boston Crab to continue focusing on the legs and Stanford said, "That has to sting." Mathews went silent almost catching himself from laughing.

Regal went for a butterfly suplex, but Smith countered with a back drop using one good leg. After a Northern Lights Suplex for a nearfall, Smith tried to follow with another suplex, but his knee gave out. Regal then chopblocked Smith and hit the Knee Trembler to the head for the pin and the win. Regal collected himself and sneered at the audience after collecting the win.

WINNER: Regal in 8:00. Above average Superstars match with below average commentary. Smith doesn't convey much personality as a singles wrestler, though. His character needs a spark or a fire lit under him. (*1/2)

3 -- CHRIS MASTERS vs. TYLER REKS

Korpela noted the tagline for this match is a battle between two of the most powerful wrestlers in WWE. The announcers also noted Reks's presence creates an uneasy feeling in the arena because he's an unknown figure. Korpela added another tagline: "Pure Strength vs. Raw Aggression." The announcers then spent the first-half of the match trying to find as many different ways to get over the Strength vs. Aggression tagline. The match moved to the floor and Reks yanked Masters's left arm across the top rope. Masters writhed in pain on the floor as Striker quickly sent the show to break.

Back from break, Reks continued to work over Masters's left arm/shoulder. Korpela noted Reks is hoping to be one of the participants in the Royal Rumble on January 30. Striker said wrestlers are going to be jockeying for position leading to the Rumble. One way to give this match some added juice would have been to make it a Rumble qualifying match or show Teddy Long backstage evaluating the match to determine which wrestler might earn a Rumble slot from the Smackdown brand. Reks continued to work over Masters's left shoulder before Masters pulled Reks into the ringpost to get a breather.

Masters followed with a one-arm Samoan Drop for a two count, then a one-arm uranage. Masters wanted the Masterlock, but Reks easily escaped and landed a knock-down clothesline for a two count. Reks then "fought the demons inside his head" and pounded on Masters with punches and kick. Reks tried to follow with the Burning Hammer, but Masters back-dropped out of the finisher and made a comeback. Reks cut off his comeback, though, and nailed the Burning Hammer for the pin. Reks get the main event victory.

WINNER: Reks in 11:00. Exceeded expectations with a decent match story and back-and-forth in the final three minutes leading to the finish. Reks's character remains one-dimensional, though, and doesn't jump off the screen. WWE doesn't seem to be ready to invest in him beyond a regular Superstars spotlight match just yet. (*3/4)

Arcademan:
TNA Impact! Results: 12-30-10

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

1 -- ROBERT ROODE (w/James Storm) vs. CHRIS SABIN (w/Alex Shelley)

Tenay and Taz talked about Eric Bischoff's ultimatum to A.J. Styles. Storm interfered at 5:00 and then turned to mix with the fans at ringside and played dumb, which got some laughs. Taz said it was the "fourth quarter." It's sad when five minutes into a match, it's considered the fourth quarter. I suppose he knew the time allotted, though, because seconds later Roode avoided a springboard DDT and spinebuster for the clean win. Taz might as well have told viewers, "Pay attention, my script says the finish is coming up quickly." That was odd.

WINNER: Roode in 5:00.

STAR RATING: *3/4 -- Everything they did was good, but it felt like the first five minutes of a good 15 minute match with a finish that came too suddenly without enough offense by Roode leading up to it.

2 -- ROB VAN DAM vs. ROBBIE E. (w/Cookie)

We got the obligatory opening minute rear chinlock from Robbie E. Less than a minute later RVD hit the Five-Star Frog Splash for the win.

WINNER: RVD in 2:00. The downside of this is that it totally demeans the X Division. The former champ loses to RVD in two minutes and it's no big deal. That communicates clearly and decisively that the X Title is a jobber title relative to the heavyweights. It's so needlessly thoughtless. There's just no reason to have an X Title if former champs are going to be squashed like that.

3 -- VELVET SKY vs. SARITA -- Strap Match

Tenay told viewers to remember that the latest Jeff Jarrett MMA challenge was coming up later. Afterward Sarita whipped Sky with the strap afterward. Angelina Love made the save.

WINNER: Sarita in 3:00. A three minute strap match? Really? TNA continues to be the gimmick-match-killer, rendering every money-match ever created commonplace and impotent by blowing them off so quickly and inconsequentially on TV. They're so inefficient, needlessly so. And it's not that strap matches were ever the biggest drawing gimmick ever, but it was among the bag-o-tricks that changed things up in the midst of a feud every couple years, and here's a case where TNA fans who remember this strap match will never pay extra to see it again. The fact that they don't even know enough to leave their top drawing acts - the Knockouts - out there for longer than a 4-5 minute segment is just mind-boggling.

4 -- JEFF JARRETT vs. "BABY RED" (w/Amazing Red)

Jarrett had to scramble to the ropes twice in the first minute to break early submission attempts. Jarrett ended up on offense and went for an anklelock, but Baby Red turned it into an anklelock of his own. Jarrett, with the held of Gunner and Murphy, reached the bottom rope. Tenay pulled a word out of the 1980s and said that was "bogus." Nobody under the age of 60 has used that word in 25 years. Amazing Red beat up Murphy at ringside as Gunner tended to a stunned Jarrett. Jarrett then snuck into the ring with his gutter, but Red yanked it away and smashed it on the mat. Jarrett then bailed out of the ring and pretended to be held back by Team Jarrett, but didn't put up a real fight. Taz said Jarrett was very content being held back.

WINNER: No decision in 2:00. Good old-style segment. It's been done hundreds of times, but it was good basic stuff that works. [c]

5 -- "THE FREAK" ROB TERRY & A.J. STYLES vs. DOUGLAS WILLIAMS & BRUTUS MAGNUS

They opened with Magnus vs. Styles. Early on Williams tagged in, so Styles tagged out quickly to Terry. Tenay plugged a Year in Review edition of Reaction from Immortal's perspective. Terry got Williams down with a clubbing forearm that looked like a 1980s Atari videogame sequence - choppy and stuff and fake. Williams made a comeback against Styles. It's tough not to be glued to the ring when Terry is in there because for his short stints in the ring, he's just so green and awful it's hard to fathom. After some four-way has Styles knocked Williams to the floor. Magnus tried to suplex Styles, but Styles countered into Rolling Chaos for the win.

WINNERS: Styles & Terry in 4:00. That was enough tags and chapters of a match for 15 minutes packed into four. Watching them work around Terry's limitations is also quite fun.

6 -- MR. ANDERSON & BULLY RAY vs. MATT MORGAN & BROTHER DEVON

After Anderson's self-ring-intro, Bully (Brother) Ray was revealed as his special mystery partner. Ray wasn't happy when it was revealed that Devon was Morgan's partner. Foley reiterated that over the years backstage Devon was well-liked and Ray wasn't.

Anderson asked Ray if he wanted to tag in and face Devon. Ray didn't want in and leaped off the ring apron to the floor. They cut to the stage where Bischoff sent Gunner and Murphy to the broadcast table where they ordered Foley to the back. Foley resisted at first, but agreed to go peacefully. Then he stood and attacked Gunner and Murphy. He put Socko on Murphy as they ended Impact and cut to Reaction. In the ring Ray had the advantage on Devon in the ring, but that monumental moment wasn't even caught from the start and they kept cutting away to show Foley being dragged away in handcuffs by Gunner and Murphy. Finally back in the ring Ray dropped Devon with a measured punch and then a stomp. Ray beat down Devon and then yelled, "I told you he was weak." Anderson reluctantly tagged in. Devon gave him an immediate jaw-breaker. Anderson sold it oddly, selling the concussion angle. He tagged Ray back in. Ray tagged Anderson back in and threw him into the ring. Morgan swung at Anderson. Anderson ducked and gave Morgan a DDT. Morgan caught Anderson leaping off the top rope by the throat and chokeslammed him. Ray broke up the pin attempt. Devon charged at Ray to knock him out of the ring. Morgan then got up as Ray re-entered the ring. Morgan threw a discus clothesline as Ray, but Ray ducked and Morgan's arm took out Anderson from behind. The blow to the head finished Anderson. Taz and Tenay wondered if it was an accident. It was good for a three count. Morgan looked upset with the situation afterward and checked on Anderson.

WINNERS: Morgan & Devon in 8:00.

STAR RATING: *1/2 -- The athleticism wasn't anything special, but it forwarded some storylines effectively.

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