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Arcademan:
8 -- A.J. STYLES vs. DANIELS
 
A handshake started the match as Borash described each man's TNA history and their friendship/mutual respect. Styles and Daniels came to an early standstill before slapping hands to show respect. Lots of counters and counters to the counters early on before Daniels mounted some sustained offense following a leaping dive over the top rope onto Styles on the floor. The match seesawed back to Styles before Daniels yanked Styles across the ring apron to regain control. The crowd seemed to be a bit worn out by this point. At 17:30, Daniels landed a Death Valley Driver for a close two count. Styles then mounted a big comeback before slipping on the top rope attempting a springboard dive. Daniels tried to take advantage with a pin, but Styles kicked out.
 
At 20:00, both men found themselves on the mat following a float-over dropkick that seemed to affect both men. Daniels was up a split-second before Styles, who caught Daniels in the corner for a spinning sit-out driver out of the torture rack position for a nearfall. Daniels came back with an STO into the Koji Clutch. Styles managed to reach his feet to break the hold, then both men tumbled through the ropes to the ring apron. Back in the ring, Daniels back-flipped over Styles, who back-flipped over Daniels into his signature springboard reverse DDT for a nearfall.
 
At 25:00, Daniels knocked down Styles, who appeared to be woozy from a blow to the back of the head or being blown up. Daniels then tried the BME, but Styles got his knees up. Styles followed with the Clash center-ring, but Daniels kicked out in time. Tenay said they have seen everything but a three count from Styles and Daniels. Styles regrouped, went to the ring apron for a springboard move, and missed when Daniels got his knees up. Daniels followed with Angel's Wings, but Styles kicked out in time. Daniels sold shock before evaluating what he has to do next.
 
At 27:30, Daniels went up top, but Styles crotched him. Styles then attempted a superplex, but Daniels blocked and set up for a Super Angel's Wings. Styles back-dropped Daniels to the mat, though, and positioned himself for the Spiral Tap, which the crowd chanted for. Styles connected center-ring and made the cover to pick up the win over Daniels. Borash said it was the very move Styles used to become the first-ever X Division champion over nine years ago.
 
Post-match: After a highlight package on the match aired, they cut back to the ring to show Daniels fighting a lot of different emotions. Styles offered a handshake, but Daniels turned away to sell inner turmoil. Daniels then returned to center-ring for a handshake as Tenay said Styles proved tonight he's the best-ever in the X Division. They signed off ten minutes before the top of the hour with Styles standing tall in the ring.
 
WINNER: Styles at 28:28. Strong conclusion after a methodical start and some off-moments around the 20:00ish mark. The match was lengthy trying to be epic, but the problem is there was never really a sense of the "match could end at any point" until the final few minutes, which caused the audience to sit on their hands for a while. (***)

Arcademan:
WWE RAW Results: 7-11-11

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

Note: The majority of the program was lots of talk with C.M. Punk taking the center stage with approximately 36 minutes of conversation. The MitB promo during the middle of the show, which lead to the third match of the night was also time-consuming so there wasn't a whole lot of in-ring action going on.

1 -- WWE champion JOHN CENA vs. WWE tag champions NEW NEXUS (MICHAEL MCGILLICUTTY & DAVID OTUNGA) -- non-title handicap match

The commentary was interesting to hear what lines McMahon was feeding Cole. Cena easily cleared Mike to the outside and Nexus regrouped. They cut to break 1:40 in. Cole's commentary essentially amounted to (1) McMahon is a benevolent negotiator and (2) he wants to negotiate a deal with Punk so the title will stay in WWE no matter who wins at MITB. Of course, if it doesn't matter who wins and if Cena will just get himself re-hired if he gets fired, why should anyone buy a PPV to see the match? They have to resolve that issue on this show.

Back live, Mike was working on Cena. The other part of commentary was Lawler questioning why McMahon wouldn't put his full faith in Cena, who has represented the company well. Cole said it's McMahon trying to insure the health of the company and WWE Title, with its 50-year-lineage. Cole said it would be like taking away the U.S. flag from the U.S. Lawler said out of the 40 wrestlers who have held the WWE Title, Cena has represented the company better than everyone else. Cole said the point is McMahon wouldn't leave the fate of the company in the hands of Bruno, Triple H, Austin, or Rock. Cole said he believes McMahon will give Punk anything he wants to keep him in WWE, just to keep the title in WWE.

Cena made his standard comeback at 7:45 and set up Mike for the Attitude Adjustment, but Otunga interrupted the move. Mike then scored a nearfall, drawing frustration from Otunga. Meanwhile, Cole equated the "crisis" of Punk potentially taking the title out of WWE to WCW threatening WWE in the '90s. Cena then came off the top with a guillotine leg drop on Mike before putting him in the STF. Otunga broke it up just before Mike tapped, giving Nexus fresh life. Cena quickly ended that by dropping Mike with the AA, tossing Otunga over the top rope, and pinning Mike for the win.

WINNER: Cena at 9:58.

2 -- Divas champion KELLY KELLY vs. MELINA -- non-title match

Back from break, Melina was already in the ring for the next match and the Bella Twins were on commentary to discuss Kelly vs. Brie for the Divas Title at the PPV. Kelly dominated this nearly start to finish before finishing off Melina less than two minutes in. Afterward, the Bellas entered the ring to run down Kelly. Kelly had enough and jumped the Bellas, who got the upper hand before Eve ran down. The Bellas KO'ed Eve, then left the ring standing tall.

WINNER: Kelly at 1:42. Basic booking to set up Kelly getting revenge on the Bellas at the PPV.

3 -- THE MIZ & JACK SWAGGER & R-TRUTH vs. ALEX RILEY & EVAN BOURNE & KOFI KINGSTON -- six-man tag match

Back live, the match was already in progress. It was such an important match that WWE and USA ran a video package on Burn Notice instead of the opening moments of the match. Cole offered this week's "pop culture reference of the week" that Miz is so popular that S.F. Giants closer Brian Wilson wears a Miz t-shirt underneath his jersey. Cole couldn't let the phobia stuff go and mixed up the fear of heights and spiders again. After some back-and-forth, the heels took control and they cut to another break five minutes in.

Back live, Miz and Kofi were battling in the ring. More like the heels had Kofi isolated and were trading tags working him over as the faces begged for a tag from the ring apron. Kofi eventually broke free with a double DDT on Truth and Swagger before hot-tagging Riley. Riley speared Swagger, then fired himself up, but the crowd wasn't buying it. Riley was then blind-sided by Truth, but Riley fought off the heels and eventually dropped Swagger with a spear for the pin and the win.

Post-match: Miz dropped Riley with Skullcrushing Finale, setting off a series of sneak attacks by everyone. Bourne wanted Air Bourne on Truth, but Del Rio came out of nowhere to smash Bourne. Del Rio then used a ladder to clear the ring of everyone in the MITB ladder match. Del Rio's music played and he stood tall in the ring as his music played.

WINNERS: Riley & Bourne & Kofi at 10:45. As Miz has cooled off, so has Riley's face reaction. WWE is still pushing him hard and trying to protect him, but it will take time for the audience to truly take hold of Riley. The end result was positioning Del Rio as the favorite to win MITB and, to the larger goal, trying to make him look like a legit heel threat looking ahead to next week post-MITB.

4 -- U.S. champion DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero) & DREW MCINTYRE vs. BIG SHOW -- handicap match

Back live, Ziggler's music was still playing. Big Show then came out to a standard reaction to face the mid-card heels. They went to a replay from two weeks ago when Henry crushed Show with a cage door to send Show flying to the floor. Lawler then plugged Show vs. Henry at the PPV while incorporating some more phobia talk. The bell sounded and Show started knocking around the opposition. Ziggler decided to bail to ringside before Show chucked McIntyre over the top rope. On the floor, Show smashed McIntyre into a guardrail.

Suddenly, the bell sounded as Show beat McIntyre up the entrance ramp to the stage. The announcers completely no-sold the bell and the match result as Show chucked Mac into the WWE logo on the stage. Show followed with a chokeslam attempt as Mark Henry came running toward Show, causing all three men to go flying off the stage through a prop table below. That didn't appear to go as planned. Or, it was supposed to look awkward. After a replay of the spot, they showed Show and Henry flat on their backs next to each other selling the effects. Referees came over to check on Henry and Show as no one seemed to be concerned about the condition of poor McIntyre. They cut to break with Lawler blandly saying both men are hurt.

WINNER: No Contest at 1:54. The bigger question was whether this was a write-off for McIntyre, who was completely taken apart here. Show and Henry KO'ing each other probably wasn't the right tone for their match on the PPV lead-in show. Someone needed to be standing tall leading to the PPV.

BONUS!!!

After Raw went off the air, John Cena made a few references to the Red Sox/Bruins-Yankees promo and challenged C.M. Punk to the advertised Punk vs. Cena Street Fight. Punk came back out from the entrance and Cena met him on the outside.

Bonus Dark Match: WWE champion John Cena beat C.M. Punk in a Street Fight. They fought on the outside for a while before Punk took a mic and congratulated Derek Jeter for 3,000 hits, then himself, while hitting Cena with the mic.

Punk had the advantage and began ripping monitors out of the announce table before Cena hit Punk back with a mic. Back in the ring, Punk hit Cena in the back with a chair. Punk did a lot of taunting to Cena's dad and wife, who were sitting ringside for the night. Eventually, Cena's dad hit Cena in the face, sending him into the ring. Cena then covered him for the three count and the win.

Arcademan:
WWE NXT Results: 7-12-11

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

1 -- DERRICK BATEMAN (w/Daniel Bryan) vs. TITUS YOUNG vs. DARREN YOUNG -- triple threat elimination match

Grisham brought up Bateman's claim he would "save the show" as Bateman and Young double-teamed O'Neil. They randomly cut to a shot of Bryan standing ringside as Bateman's Pro. Regal thanked Bryan for dressing up before discussing his personal training with Bryan, which, in effect, has trickled down to Bateman. The crowd showed how invested they are in the match by chanting, "Daniel Bryan," as the heels continued to wear down Titus. They couldn't put Titus away, though, and continued to slow things down. Titus made a comeback at 5:00, but couldn't score a fall on one of the heels.

Bateman and Young eventually turned on each other and Bateman found himself on the outside. Young was alone in the ring and took Titus's sky-high bomb. Titus had a pin, but Bateman scampered back into the ring to knock Titus away. Bateman then pinned Young to eliminate him from the match. So, it's Bateman vs. O'Neil. Bateman then knocked Titus out of the ring and they cut to break.

Back on NXT, Titus was shown throwing Bateman halfway across the ring. Then again. Regal was dumbfounded trying to describe Titus's strength. Bateman then attacked Titus's left knee and began wearing down the big man. Bateman ripped off a series of chops, which fired up Titus, who responded with bigger chops to the chest for a nearfall. O'Neil followed with knockdown clotheslines and a big sidewalk slam before stalking Bateman to finish him off. O'Neil scored with a Scott Hall-style overhead slam, but Bateman kicked out of a pin attempt.

Titus went up top for an uncharacteristic high-risk move and slipped off the top rope. Bateman took advantage with a uranage-ish move, which was good for the win. Regal noted that's the mark of a good wrestler taking advantage of an opponent's slip-up. Grisham wondered why Titus went up top to begin with. After a replay of Bateman's victory, they showed Bateman and Bryan celebrating in the ring.

WINNER: Bateman at 13:28. This dragged at times, but commentary helped accentuate the story trying to be told. Bateman's pseudo heel persona isn't clicking, though.

2 -- YOSHI TATSU vs. TYSON KIDD

"Yoshi, Yoshi" chant early in the match as Kidd and Yoshi exchanged offense to start the match. Kidd got the upperhand and Yoshi rolled to the floor for a breather as they cut to a break 3:30 in.

Kidd remained in-control of the match back from break as Regal noted he'd like to see a submission match between these two at some point. Yoshi then came back with a roundhouse kick that put both men on the mat. Grisham and Regal discussed both men appearing to be a step slower this week after absorbing tons of blows from each other the previous two weeks. The pace picked up with Yoshi scoring a combination of offense before Kidd came back with sustained offense.

At 10:00, Yoshi clotheslined Kidd over the top rope to the floor. Yoshi tried to follow with a suicide dive, but Kidd smashed him in the face with a leg strike. Kidd then went to the ring apron for a springboard elbow drop, but Yoshi got his knees up to block. The match then moved up top and Kidd dropped Yoshi across the top rope. Kidd then set up for a top-rope move and went for a double springboard moonsault, but Yoshi avoided and Kidd hit the mat with a thud. The one mistake cost Kidd, as Yoshi bridge-pinned Kidd moments later for the pin and the win.

Post-match: Yoshi retrieved the action figure necklace and celebrated, but Kidd blindsided Yoshi and stole the action figure leg again. Kidd bailed from the ring as Regal said he doesn't see this as the end of the feud. Yoshi demanded the leg back as the show abruptly faded to black.

WINNER: Yoshi at 11:15. Another solid effort from Kidd and Yoshi. It wasn't quite as good as match #1, but certainly better than last week's match and really built on the stories from the previous two weeks. A well-done match, despite the inherent problem of two Pros having center stage on the Rookie show. (**1/2)

Arcademan:
WWE Superstars Results: 7-14-11

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

1 -- SANTINO vs. ZACK RYDER

Ryder was sporting his new qr code trunks from this week's YouTube episode. Early on, Stanford noted Ryder is the self-proclaimed Internet champion. The two wrestlers went back and forth early on as some vocal teens were heard chanting, "Let's go Ryder." Santino then avoided the Broski Boot in the corner before delivering a sailor's salute fist drop for a two count. Santino tried to follow with a corner move, but couldn't find his balance. Santino then comically went for another's sailor's salute, which gave Ryder an opening to avoid. Ryder followed with the Rough Ryder for the win. Post-match: Stanford noted Ryder is on a bit of a roll on Superstars while Mathews focused on Santino's uncertainty costing him the match. Stanford said Ryder is climbing that ladder. On the way out, Ryder shouted his slogans to no one in particular.

WINNER: Ryder at 3:01. Fine match with Ryder picking up a little more confidence with each passing week as his popularity continues to grow on social media.

2 -- WADE BARRETT vs. TRENT BARRETA

Barreta was the aggressor early on, trying to bring it to Barrett, who cut him off with a front slam and hard chop to the back. Striker offered a talking point that this match is a good test for Barrett having to battle similarly-sized high-flyers in the MITB ladder match at Sunday's PPV. Barrett landed a clubbing blow that knocked Barreta clear to the floor. Then, back in the ring, Barrett lost control and accepted a flying elbow smash in the corner. Barreta followed with a twisting splash of sorts for a close two count. Barreta then knocked Barrett to the floor to continue knocking Barrett off his feet. Barreta went to the well once too often and Barrett countered a springboard maneuver into Wasteland. It was good for the win.

WINNER: Barrett at 3:18. I believe the idea was to actually enhance Barrett, not make him look weak and awkward being taken off his feet multiple times prior to pulling out a sudden victory via Wasteland.

3 -- WWE tag champions NEW NEXUS (MICHAEL MCGILLICUTTY & DAVID OTUNGA) vs. THE USOS (JIMMY & JEY USO) -- non-title match

The tag champs quickly took control and cleared the ring of Usos before they cut to break 1:30 into the match.

Back from break, Striker actually made it official that the bonds of Nexus and Corre have disintegrated over the past few months, but Mike and David have kept their bond as tag champs. Meanwhile, Striker and Korpela put over the WWE Title strongly. Actually, more of Korpela stressing Superstars have sacrificed their lives and families and bodies 300 days per year for pursuit of the title that Punk could be taking away from WWE on Sunday. It might have been the strongest emphasis on the value of the title in a long time.

The heels continued to work over Jimmy Uso before Jey finally took a hot tag. The action broke down before the Usos isolated Mike in the ring. Jimmy re-tagged into the match and came off the top rope with a Superfly Splash on Mike for the pin and the win. Korpela noted the Usos are right back in title contention after this non-title victory. After a replay of the Usos taking out Mike for the win, they cut back to the Usos celebrating on the way out of the ring.

WINNERS: Usos at 6:33. Basic tag match stressing the fast-rising Usos questing for the Tag Titles. It would be worth a title change to see if the Usos can succeed as the central focus of another tag division chapter.

4 -- MARYSE vs. BETH PHOENIX

Maryse was already in the ring back from the break. They switched it back to the Raw announcers to call the default main event from Monday's Raw TV taping. Maryse tried to antagonize Beth after the opening bell, so Beth quickly overpowered her. Maryse then cheated to take control before stealing Beth's headband and mocking her pose. Maryse continued to wear down Phoenix as Stanford noted both Divas want a shot at Kelly Kelly's Divas Title. After absorbing Maryse's attack, Beth came back with her Glam Slam finisher for a pin and the win.

WINNER: Phoenix at 4:11. Another step closer to a Kelly vs. Beth feud on Raw.

Arcademan:
TNA Impact Wrestling Results: 7-14-11

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

1 -- ROBERT ROODE vs. SAMOA JOE vs. "THE POPE" D'ANGELO DINERO -- Bound for Glory Series Match

This included the three remaining wrestlers with zero points. Tenay said the loser of this might be eliminated from the BFG series because they're so far behind. Joe went after Roode at the start as Pope watched. Pope eventually knocked Joe out of the ring and got a near fall on Roode. He postured and played to the crowd and then hit a fistdrop off the second rope. Joe reentered and set up a Muscle Buster on Pope. Rodde broke it up and hit the fisherman's suplex into a bridge for a count. Pope broke it up. The crowd applauded the action rather than a wrestler. Roode and Pope hit each other at the same time. Joe applied a rear naked choke. Roode flipped over and positioned Joe's shoulders on the mat while he was still in the choke. The ref counted Joe's shoulders down. That was a pretty cool finish, actually. Joe, of course, got up thinking he won via tapout, but the ref informed him what happened. Joe threw a fit and yelled at the ref in protest. Several other referees ran out and jumped into the ring to try to calm him down and protect original ref, Earl Hebner. Tenay called it Joe's temper, moving away from the previously used term "Samoan temper" (which, of course, implies those darn Samoans have a short-trigger and big temper).

WINNER: Roode in 6:00. (*3/4)

2 -- AUSTIN ARIES vs. SHANNON MOORE

Aries came out wearing his hot-punk faux-fur vest as the crowd chanted "Austin Aries." Tenay said the morale in the X Division locker room is at an all-time high because of "the elimination of the Xtreme Champion, as he called it, Abyss." Taz touted the "quick, crisp" action of the X Division. They need to do more with Aries, if he's going to be a new centerpiece of the X Division, than have him come out and work against a "is he a heel or is he a face" Shannon Moore in an even-steven match, minus any character-development. He's just the guy with the pink vest at this point. I assume they have something in mind, though. He definitely has an "It Factor" that is worth investing in, but his character needs a hook. Aries KO'd Moore with a chain as the ref was distracted, thus establishing firmly that he is a heel.

WINNER: Aries in 3:00.

3 -- MADISON RAYNE vs. TARA

Tara dominated early and grabbed Rayne's hair and bashed her head into the mat. Rayne came back and drove Tara's chin into her knee. Tara clotheslined Rayne seconds later, then gave her a spinning side slam. Rayne backdropped out of Tara's next move, then went on offense with a lot of screeching and yelling mixed in. Rayne then peeked inside her gift box and pulled out a tarantula in a glass case. She screamed and carefully set it down. Tara then walked up behind her and gave her the Widow's Peak finisher for the win. Tara took the tarantula out of the cage and gingerly walked to the back with the spider crawling on her hand. Tarantula's are delicate creatures and dropping it could kill it. That's what Tara told me when I met her at an all-women's indy wrestling shows two years ago this month.

WINNER: Tara in 4:00.

4 -- BRUTUS MAGNUS & DOUGLAS WILLIAMS vs. MEXICAN AMERICA (Hernandez & Anarquia w/Rosita) - No. 1 Contender Status at Stake

The Brits kick-started the match, but at 1:00 Hernandez took over on Williams. Taz and Tenay wondered if Sting was done with the clown attacks yet. Magnus hot-tagged in at 3:00. The crowd chanted "Let's Go Magnus!" He knocked Hernandez out of the ring and then worked over Anarquia. Williams and Magnus double-teamed Anarquia for a near fall broken up by Hernandez. The Brits set up a double team move. Williams hit a flying elbow to Anarquia as Magnus held him in the air. However, with the ref distracted by Rosita, Hernandez interfered and rolled Anarquia on top of Magnus for the win.

WINNERS: Mexican America in 4:00. Good, short tag match.

5 -- MR. ANDERSON vs. STING -- TNA Impact Wrestling Heavyweight Title Match

Sting's full ring entrance took place as Tenay talked about Sting's plan to even the playing field working perfectly. Borash handled the formal ring intros, Tenay said Anderson has had a chance to study all of Sting's history and that seemingly would give him an advantage, but this is a different Sting who is totally unpredictable. Sting blocked an early sunset flip attempt by Anderson. Taz said Sting is whack and nuts, but maybe also crazy like a fox. Sting went for two Stinger splashes in the corner, but Anderson kicked his legs on a second attempt. Anderson began to work over Sting's leg. Taz said that can weaken Sting's Scorpion Deathlock. After working over his legs on the mat for a couple minutes, Sting kicked himself free, then got up favoring his injured leg. Sting gained his footing as he threw some chops and a clothesline. He awkwardly lifted Anderson into the ropes, but then hit the Mic Check. Anderson kicked out of his own finisher.

The ref got knocked to the floor. Sting then applied the Scorpion Deathlock. Anderson tapped out at 7:00, but the ref was out at ringside. Ray entered and attacked Sting from behind. Tenay said Ray was the one member of Immortal that Sting's clowns didn't eliminate. Ray then held a heavy chain and threatened to hit Sting. Ray told Anderson to hold up Sting. Anderson did so. Ray wrapped the chain around his fist. The lights went out. When they came back on, there was another clown in the ring. The clown attacked Ray with the bat, then went after Anderson. The lights went out again. When they came back on, Anderson stood alone in the ring. The clown stood on the stage looking on. Sting then gave Anderson a Scorpion Deathdrop from behind. The ref returned to the ring and counted to three.

WINNER: Sting in 9:00 to capture the World Championship of Impact Wrestling. Not a good match leading up to the finishing sequence, which was very storyline oriented. (*1/2)

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