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The Official Wrestling Thread (now with more news and stuff)
Arcademan:
WWE Superstars Results: 10-27-11
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to James's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.
1 - CODY RHODES vs. TED DIBIASE
Ted and Cody trade holds and takedowns until Ted knocks Cody down with a shoulder block. The crowd rallies behind Ted. What has Ted DiBiase done to get fans to chant his name? Hand out free drinks at the gate? Huge back-body drop by DiBiase puts him fully in charge. Cody makes a comeback and gets in some sustained, basic offense. Ted dumps Cody to the outside by dodging a charge, they take it to the outside and Cody tries the Beautiful Disaster kick bouncing off the apron, but Ted dropkicks him in midair and they go to commercial.
Back from break, Code and Ted trade offense in the corner. Korpella brings up ancient history, Dusty Rhodes leading a team against Ted BiBiase's team at Survivor Series 20 years ago. That's the kind of thing I expect from Matt Striker. Striker knows that Rhodes will go for a submission hold about 30 seconds before he does, which is rather funny. Ted get in some brief offense, but Rhodes cuts him off. Ted fires off a series of punches but Cody gets legs up when Ted charges. Ted does the turnaround clothesline and atomic drop combo, then a clothesline for two. Ted catches Rhodes with a spinebuster for another two count. Rhodes to the top rope and hits a moonsault for two. DiBiase just stood there waiting for it, this looks dumb. Roll-up from Cody for two. Rhodes fights off Ted at the ropes and gets Cross Rhodes for the win.
WINNER: Cody Rhodes in 13:00. I thought this match dragged and was of the more boring Cody Rhodes or Ted DiBiase matches I've seen in a long time. I didn't there was any juice here and both men moved at a snail's pace.
2 - EZEKIEL JACKSON vs. JINDER MAHAL
Jackson wins an early lockup with a shoulder block for two. Jinder fights back but Jackson with a suplex. Mahal comes out of the corner strong. Jinder with heel offense using the ropes. Jinder locks in a cravat and hits multiple kneelifts to Jackson. Jackson turns it around with multiple clotheslines in the corner and starts his never-ending bodyslam sequence. Mahal cuts it off at two, but Jackson gets in more offense. Jackson with the torture rack and Mahal taps within seconds.
WINNER: Ezekiel Jackson in 5:00. I like Mahal's ringwork, but there seems to be no hope for Jackson.
3 - WWE tag champions AIR BOOM (EVAN BOURNE & KOFI KINGSTON) vs. JTG & PRIMO - non-title tag match
JTG starts by bullying Kofi, who responds with kicks, but JTG knocks him down. Kofi with a back elbow and tags in Bourne for a tag team. JTG tags in Primo, but Bourne does a sweet takedown with his legs for one. Primo in control for a moment. Cool spot where Primo jumps in the corner to get behind a charging Evan, who stops short, and hits the turnbuckle for a springboard move, but Primo catches him and Bourne transitions to a huracanrana, followed by a dropkick. Primo dodges Bourne's follow-up and tags in JTG, who stomps on Bourne. Stanford with a series of "JTG is so fly..." and "JTG is so cool..." comments. Primo tags in and keeps Borne isolated. The crowd rallies for Bourne, but Primo tries to cut him off.
Evan does a slick roll-through which allows him to catapult over Primo and tag in Kofi, who goes to work with a Superman punch and clotheslines, and a dropkick. Kofi misses another Superman punch in the corner, but catches Primo with a pendulum kick when he tries to capitalize. Kofi cuts off JTG's interference and gets a big springboard crossbody for two. He calls for the Boom Drop, gets it, then signals for Trouble in Paradise. JTG interferes, letting Primo roll up Kofi for two. Kofi nails SOS, but JTG breaks up the pin. Bourne clears JTG out, Primo knocks Evan to the apron but Evan gets a roundhouse kick to Primo's head. As Primo staggers away, he walks into the Trouble in Paradise. Kofi tags in Bourne, who gets Air Bourne for the pin.
WINNERS: Air Boom in 8:00. Did anyone really think JTG & Primo had a chance against Air Boom? All the same, it was a decent match, and it's good to see Primo getting quality ring time. Nice match to continue to build Air Boom as a team. I won't be shocked if they hold the titles for a while. Also, Air Boom seems to (finally) have their own true tag team music.
4 - EVE TORRES & KELLY KELLY vs. THE BELLA TWINS - Tag Team Match
Eve's new music is just as bad as her old music. The Bellas mock Kelly Kelly's and Eve's fascination with their own rumps, but Even takes advantage, including a standing moonsault for two. They turn it around and use distractions to keep control. The Bellas are quite entertaining as heels, with their taunts. Brie tags in and Eve pushes her away, but Brie catches up and knocks Kelly Kelly down, drags Eve back to the corner, and tags in Nikki. Nikki picks Eve up and throws her down, and slaps on an armbar, but Eve forgets to sell for a moment. Brie on the apron holds her ears to block out Eve's screams. Nikki shrugs off a sunset flip and brings Brie back in. Brie with more armbars.
Eve powers out of the armbar by turning it into a Samoan Drop and tags in Kelly, who does her ill-conceived Thesz Press, clears Nikki, then catches Brie with her helicopter spin, then the World's Weakest Bulldog (that really should be the name of that move). Next, the stinkface, but a distracted ref lets Nikki cheap shot Kelly. Eve comes in, and Brie ties to capitalize, but Kelly Kelly gets the K2 legdrop for the win.
WINNERS: Kelly Kelly & Eve in 5:00. This was a perfectly fine match until Kelly Kelly tagged in. Until she shows improvement, I don't think she has any business in a ring except as a house show host. The Bella Twins have come so far in the last few years and really hit their stride as heels.
Arcademan:
TNA Impact Wrestling Results: 10-27-11
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Keller's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.
1 -- CHRISTOPHER DANIELS vs. ROB VAN DAM
Daniels was ridiculously happy with himself after shoulder blocking RVD to the mat in the opening seconds. He cartwheeled over RVD and then went into a jackknife pin attempt. Styles joined Tenay and Taz on commentary. Styles said he'd rather be in the ring beating the piss out of Daniels. Taz said he could do that; it'd be fine by them. RVD avoided a Best Moonsault EVer and then took control. Daniels avoided an RVD top rope Five-Star move, but RVD adjusted and landed on his feet. Daniels went to the floor. RVD slidekicked him into the railing. RVD hit a leaping spin wheel kick off the ring apron onto Daniels who was teetering over the ringside barrier. RVD was slow to get up, too. Daniels crawled over and grabbed a tool box under the ring and hit RVD with it, getting himself DQ'd. Taz said, "That's what a coward does!"
WINNER: RVD via DQ in 4:00.
-Afterward Styles charged out to stop Daniels from attacking RVD further. Daniels fled the scene like he had just stolen a stereo from a car and the car owner showed up and was chasing him with a tire iron. RVD and Styles walked to the back together.
2 -- TARA vs. GAIL KIM
Taz and Tenay talked up Tara's credentials. Kim attacked Tara at ringside. She dominated at the start and threw her to ringside. Karen didn't like when Traci checked on Tara's condition at ringside. They cut to an early break at 1:00. After the break, Kim remained in control and dominated until winning clean.
WINNER: Kim in 8:00.
3 -- ERIC YOUNG vs. ROBBIE E. (w/Rob Terry) -- TV Title Match
Young wore two title belts to the ring. Taz said he wants Young to shave that beard. Young hit an early belly-to-belly suplex that Taz compared to Magnum T.A. Young scored a pin with a crucifix in about a minute.
WINNER: Young in 1:00 to retain the TV Title.
-Afterward Terry attacked Young from behind, then held him for Robbie to punch in the gut. Robbie called for one more shot. Then he kneed him in the gut. As Robbie and Terry walked toward the stage, Young got up gasping and told them he had something to say. He said: "You punched me in my stomach. Who does that?" That's funny. He said he's never been accused of being the smartest guy, but he is a man of his word. He said now that Terry got involved, he has to bring in the Hollywood heavies. He said in Macon, Ga. he'll bring in Jersey Shore's Ronnie.
4 -- BULLY RAY vs. JEFF HARDY
Bully continued to beat on Hardy as the match officially began. They cut to a break a minute in. After the break, Hardy made a comeback with a Whisper in the Wind out of nowhere, but Ray fired right back with a boot as Hardy rebounded off the ropes. Ray sold the Whisper for a few seconds as Hardy lay flat on his back in the ring. Ray then settled into a nerve hold. Tenay plugged that Ronnie from "Jersey Shore" will be on Impact next week, plus Storm faces the winner of the Joe-Roode match next. At 6:00 Hardy elbowed out of a nerve hold, but Ray pounded him back to the mat quickly. Hardy came back with a legdrop off the ropes for a two count. Ray came back with a backdrop, but missed a splash mid-ring. Hardy then nailed the Twist of Fate out of nowhere, then climbed to the top rope and nailed the Swanton for the win.
WINNER: Hardy in 9:00. STAR RATING: **
5 -- ROBERT ROODE vs. SAMOA JOE -- Winner Is No. 1 Contender for World Hvt. Title
Jeremy Borash did formal ring introductions. Joe escaped an early crossface attempt and bailed out to ringside to regroup. Joe came back with a snap powerslam, big boot, and sexton splash for a two count at 3:00.
Tenay plugged that next week the winner of this match faces James Storm for the TNA World Title, then with equal excitement plugged that Ronnie from "Jersey Shore" would be on the show. Both men were down at 4:00 and slow to get up. Joe got up and rallied and got a near fall. He played to the crowd and set up the fisherman's suplex, but Joe countered with a fireman's carry drop onto Roode's head for a two count of his own. Joe then set up a Muscle Buster out of the corner, but Roode slipped free and countered with a crossface. Joe rolled Roode back onto his shoulders for a two count in a nice counter. He followed up by driving Roode's knee into the mat, then set up a figure-four. Roode kicked Joe off of him and hit the fisherman's suplex for the win.
WINNER: Roode in 6:00 to earn a title shot next week.
Arcademan:
WWE Smackdown Results: 10-28-11
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Parks' complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.
1 – R-TRUTH & THE MIZ vs. AIR BOOM
Miz’s knee-lift on Kingston was the first impact move of the match, :36 in. Headscissors take-down by Bourne on Truth. Kick to the head, and Miz had to be chased back to his corner. That allowed Truth to knock Bourne to ringside. Miz took a cheap shot at Bourne while he was outside the ring. Strange seeing the babyface team tagging out of the lower right corner of the camera, rather than the upper left, where they are usually stationed. They went to break with the heels in control at 2:11 of the match.
Back, 6:07 into the contest. Miz pulled Bourne up with a chicken wing, then tagged Truth. Some double-teaming by the heels led to a two-count on Bourne. Truth grabbed Bourne by the heel to stop him from making the tag. Bourne countered with an enziguiri. Tags were made by both men, and Kofi hit his signature spots. Springboard cross-body for two as Truth made the save. Running knee to the face by Bourne on Truth, but Bourne missed a cross-body onto Truth at ringside. Truth tagged himself in and they stopped Kofi with a combination of both men’s finishers.
WINNERS: Miz and Truth, at 8:23. I wonder if beating the tag champs will earn them a shot in the future, or if they’re too high up the food chain for WWE to worry about putting the straps on them.
2 – WADE BARRETT vs. TRENT BARRETA
Barreta was already in the ring out of break. Hurricanrana by Barreta early on, but he walked into a Boss Man Slam. Barrett stretched the arms of Barreta, then caught him with a knee-lift. Knees to the face by Barrett, followed by a running boot. Outside the ring, Barrett clotheslined Barreta. Barreta fired back with a chops back in the ring. He hesitated, and Barrett kicked him in the stomach. Cole spent the match talking about his challenge with JR set for Monday. Wasteland finished things.
WINNER: Barrett, at 2:32. Good win for Barrett to continue his winning ways, but shouldn’t he have started with Barreta and worked his way up to a match with Daniel Bryan, rather than the other way around?
3 – RANDY ORTON vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER
Before the match could begin, Cody Rhodes walked out with his baggers. “This is a pleasant surprise,” said Cole. Cole then said Rhodes is coming to join them for commentary. The bell rang to start the match, and Ziggler and Orton fought over a collar-and-elbow tie-up. Shoulder knock-down by Orton, then a rear chinlock at 1:05 of the match. Rhodes said he wouldn’t field any questions from Booker. Cole had played up Booker’s hatred for Cody as Rhodes made his entrance. Ziggler with a headlock take-down. Two minutes in and neither man had gained full advantage. Another headlock take-over. Rhodes said he’d have to wear his mask “for the foreseeable future.” Roll-up by Orton for two. High knee-drop by Orton. Ziggler got his boots up in the corner on an Orton charge and took over on offense. Orton shook off Ziggler, causing Ziggler to run out of the ring. Orton chased him and even leap-frogged over Vickie (who was at ringside with Dolph) during the chase. Vickie verbally abused Orton, who stood there looking at her with wide eyes. They went to break at 5:01 of the match.
Back at 8:32 of the match. European uppercut followed by a dropkick from Ziggler. Orton powered out of a rest-hold, but Ziggler planted him with a DDT. With Orton in a rest-hold, he had enough energy to yell for Vickie to “shut up!” Neck-breaker, lateral press for two. Ziggler to the top, but Orton crotched him. Superplex by Orton. No mention of the superplex that broke the ring at Vengeance. Orton made the pin, but only got two. Orton got the better of an exchange of rights in the middle of the ring, then hit all of his signature spots. Vintage Orton DDT. Ziggler dodged an RKO and superkicked Orton for two. Ziggler actually helped Orton slip out by leaning back too far while sitting on Orton’s chest. Booker smartly pointed that out. Sleeper was avoided by Orton, who then nailed him with the RKO.
WINNER: Orton, at 14:00. There’ve only been a few one-on-one encounters between these two, but it’s easy to tell they have great chemistry together.
4 – DANIEL BRYAN vs. TYSON KIDD
No entrance for Kidd. Kidd and Bryan began the match by continuing their argument from earlier. Kidd tried a Sharpshooter immediately, but Bryan took Kidd down with an arm-drag. Dragon Sleeper by Kidd. Cole said he had photos of JR training for the Cole challenge Monday night. Bryan connected with a running clothesline, then dropkicked Kidd in the corner. Booker again brought up Tim Tebow and how awesome his performance on Sunday. Cole said he’s just a nerd like Daniel Bryan. Action was fast and furious in the one. Another Sharpshooter attempt, but Bryan transitioned into the LeBell Lock. After a few seconds, Kidd tapped.
WINNER: Bryan, at 2:36. They fit a ton into the time allotted. Fast-paced match.
5 – CM PUNK vs. CHRISTIAN
Punk and Christian traded shoulder knock-downs. Heel kick by Punk for two, then he worked Christian’s arm. Cole talked about how John Laurinaitis does charity work on his time off. Flying European uppercut by Christian, but he missed a headbutt off the top. Punk set for the Go To Sleep, but Alberto Del Rio’s music played. Punk’s facial reactions while Christian was still in the GTS were funny. Christian backed out of the move and took Punk down for two. Ricardo Rodriguez and Del Rio walked to ringside as they went to break at 3:26.
The show returned at 7:14 of the match. Del Rio and Rodriguez were shown watching the match intently near the announce table. Christian attempted to keep Punk grounded. Inverted DDT by Christian for only a one-count. Punk was thrown out of the ring after Christian did some old-fashioned gouging of the eyes and nose. Christian sent Punk head-first into the announce table, then back into the ring for again, only a one-count. Punk fought back with kicks to the head and both men were down, 9:30 in. High back body-drop by Punk. Neck-breaker found the mark for a near-fall. Punk rolled through a sunset flip and kicked Christian in the head. Punk turned his attention to ADR ever so briefly, and that cost him. Cross-body off the top by Christian, but Punk rolled through again for two. Springboard clothesline was turned into a bodyslam by Christian. The men traded finisher attempts, but Punk hit the running knee and the bulldog. Rodriguez got on the apron, so Punk went to ringside, which chased Rodriguez all the way up the ramp. Springboard clothesline for two. Rodriguez was back to distract the ref once Punk went to the top rope. Del Rio crotched Punk, who fell to the mat. Christian then set up for the spear. Sheamus then ran out to run Rodriguez off. His music playing and his presence distracted Christian, allowing Punk to hit the GTS and eke out a win.
WINNER: Punk, at 13:25.
Arcademan:
ROH TV Results: 10-29-11
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Radican's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.
1 - - KYLE O’REILLY vs. RODERICK STRONG (w/Truth Martini)
Martini discussed the Roderick Strong Invitational Challenge at “Final Battle.” Strong worked an arm bar, but O’Reilly escaped and grabbed a leg submission. Strong countered and went for a crossface, but O’Reilly got the ropes. Martini discussed how Strong had now found his purpose under his guidance. After a fast-paced exchange both men came to a stalemate. Strong shoved Richards and they exchanged slaps. O’Reilly took down Strong with a dropkick and got a small pop from the crowd. Strong fired back and hit a big chop. O’Reilly fired back and took down Strong with a heel trip for a 2 count. O’Reilly continued to dominate the action and got a 2 count with a northern lights suplex. O’Reilly charged Strong in the corner, but he countered and nailed O’Reilly with a backbreaker for a 2 count.
When they came back to commercial, Strong was still dominating the action. Strong grabbed a waist-lock on the mat as they went to footage of Strong chopping O’Reilly on the outside during the break. O’Reilly drove Strong into the corner to break the hold. O’Reilly caught Strong with an overhead suplex moments later and both men were down. O’Reilly caught Strong with a series of kicks and strikes once they got to their feet. O’Reilly dropped Strong’s arm over the top rope and followed up with a missile dropkick to Strong’s arm. Strong countered O’Reilly, but O’Reilly slipped out of a suplex attempt and hit a series of butterfly suplexes on Strong for a 2 count. The crowd showing their investment in the characters in the ring chanted “this is wrestling.” Strong countered O’Reilly up top and sent O’Reilly to the apron.
Strong nailed O’Reilly with several strikes in the corner. Strong followed up with a sit out powerbomb for a nearfall. Kelly said we’d hear from Lethal and Edwards in the “Inside ROH” segment tonight. O’Reilly countered a suplex attempt, but Strong caught him with a kick against the ropes. Strong hit a gut buster, but O’Reilly kicked out. Strong locked in the Stronghold, but O’Reilly eventually got the ropes. Strong set up for the Gibson driver. O’Reilly countered, but Strong caught him with a forearm. O’Reilly got a flash rollup and hit a DDT moments later. O’Reilly locked in a guillotine choke right after the DDT. Strong struggled and finally bridged O’Reilly onto his shoulders for a pin and he had to let go. Strong hit a knee strike and a series of blows to O’Reilly’s head. Strong got a running start and hit the sick kick for the pin.
Winner: Roderick Strong
2 - - ALEX SILVA vs. TOMASSO CIAMPA (w/The Embassy)
Corino said Ciampa doesn’t need a guy like Prince Nana at his side. McGuinness said he could take or leave Nana. Ciampa jumped Silva at the bell and pounded him in the corner. Silva dragged Ciampa to the outside and nailed him with a series of strikes. Ciampa shoved him into the guardrail and nailed him with a big chop. Ciampa suplexed Silva on the outside and Corino said you can’t win matches on the outside. Ciampa rolled Silva into the ring and covered him for a 2 count.
Ciampa pounded on Silva’s chest and paused to glare at the crowd. Ciampa grabbed a chinlock. Silva got to his feet and tried to fight out, but Ciampa nailed him with a knee to the gut. Silva hit a kick to the back of Ciampa’s head and went for a rollup, but Ciampa slipped away and nailed him with a dropkick to the knees off his back. That was impressive. Ciampa followed up with a kick to Silva’s head and a knee drop. Silva ducked a charge in the corner and nailed Ciampa with a clothesline for a 2 count. Silva missed a springboard and Ciampa caught him with a neckbreaker. Ciampa dragged Silva to the corner and nailed him with a running knee strike. Ciampa hit several running knee strikes in the corner. Ciampa then held up the Embassy sign and hit project Ciampa for the pin.
Winner: Tomasso Ciampa
3 - - ANX (Kenny King & Rhett Titus) vs. The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe) ROH World Tag Team Titles #1 Contender match
Both teams quickly brawled to the outside. At least the intensity picked up once Titus and King were done dancing and posing for the fans. Kelly said neither team could risk a DQ here as Titus and King isolated Jay in their corner. Titus nailed Jay with a kick and followed him to the corner and nailed him with a chop. Jay fired back with a kick and drove Titus head-first into the middle turnbuckle. Mark tagged in and went on the attack as Kelly ran down things the Briscoes like such as beer and chickens. King nailed Mark with a shot from behind and tagged into the match. King went to work on Jay and nailed him with a suplex and some punches before tagging Titus back into the match.
Titus nailed Mark with some punches. King tagged back in a mounted Mark before nailing him with some punches. ANX continued to tag in and out of the match while working over mark with several combination maneuvers. Titus & King hit a double team suplex on Mark. King choked Mark in the corner, but Mark cut him off and whipped him into a clothesline from Jay after a blind tag. Jay went on the attack and worked over King with a series of punches as they went to commercial.
The Briscoes nailed King with a double team shoulder tackle when they came back from the commercial. They showed a replay of King trying to fire back, but getting cut off. King fired back and nailed Mark with an atomic drop and a spinning kick to the back of the head. King struggled to tag in Titus, but Jay knocked him off the apron. Jay tagged into the match and put the boots to King. The fans cheered as Jay put the boots to King. McGuinness said Titus is so good in the bedroom that when he’s finished the neighbors light a cigarette. Mark raked away at King’s face before cinching in a chinlock. King got a back slide on Mark for a one count, but Mark went right back on the attack. The Briscoe hit a tandem ace crusher on King, but Titus broke up the pin. King countered a Jay-driller and backdropped Jay. King tagged in Titus, who ran wild on the Briscoes. Kelly hyped some upcoming live events as Titus sent Mark to the floor. ANX hit a combination of moves on Jay in the corner, but Mark broke up the pin at the last second.
The fans chanted for the Briscoes as Titus and King had Jay isolated in the ring. Jay countered King and Mark held onto Titus. Jay hit a big spinebuster on King. He then went after Titus on the top turnbuckle, but Titus dropped him face-first onto the top turnbuckle. Mark ran into the ring and nailed Titus with a running dropkick. He put Titus on the top rope and nailed him with a springboard ace crusher as the fans applauded. King then caught Mark with a springboard blockbuster. Jay ran into the ring and hit a big DDT and all four men were down as the fans chanted “Man up.” Titus went after Mark, but Jay ran in broke it up. Mark was on King’s shoulders, so Jay clotheslined Mark into a rollup for the win.
Winners: The Briscoes to earn a ROH World Title shot at “Final Battle 2011.”
Arcademan:
WWE RAW Results: 10-31-11
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to mostly in-ring results.
Pre-taped segment with The Rock agreeing to be Cena's partner at Survivor Series.
1 -- World Hvt. champion MARK HENRY vs. C.M. PUNK -- non-title match -- if Punk wins, he faces Del Rio at Survivor Series
Cole played up the idea of Henry being in a weakened state due to the ring collapse eight days ago. Lawler said he doesn't think Punk has a chance against the mammoth Henry. Punk scored with early offense before delivering a top-rope Macho Man elbow drop. Punk made a cover, but Henry kicked out. Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez then made their way to ringside as Punk rolled to the floor. Ricardo started hitting Henry, but the ref didn't do anything. Ricardo continued to hit Henry with his shoe, so the ref DQ'ed Punk, giving Henry the win.
Post-match: Punk assaulted Ricardo before throwing him into the ring to eat a World's Strongest Slam from Henry. Henry demanded his title belt as Punk seethed on the outside. Too much happening at once for the director to keep up with. Punk then chased Del Rio to the back as Henry's music played. Henry stood over Ricardo, then stepped over him.
WINNER: Henry via DQ at 2:47. Apparently there will be follow-up after WWE slotted this in the opening segment.
Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy comes out. So does Vickie, Swagger and Dolph...then Santino. Need I say more?
2 -- DIVAS HALLOWEEN COSTUME BATTLE ROYAL -- #1 contender match to Divas Title
Back from break, a variety of costumed-Divas were in the ring for the next match. Divas champ Beth Phoenix was ringside on commentary for the match to determine the next challenger to her title. The Final Four was Kelly, Eve, Natalya, and Alicia Fox. Fox was out, then Kelly, then Eve eliminated Natalya to win and earn another title shot. Post-match: Beth & Natalya had a stare down with the faces to conclude the segment.
WINNER: Eve at 2:45.
3 -- WWE tag champions AIR BOOM (EVAN BOURNE & KOFI KINGSTON) vs. IC champion CODY RHODES & WADE BARRETT -- non-title match
The heels isolated Kingston early on after slingshotting him across the top rope to block a springboard maneuver. A "Cody sucks" chant didn't affect Rhodes, who continued to work on Kingston. Kingston then catapulted Rhodes into the corner and tagged in Bourne, who dropped Barrett with a DDT after countering Wasteland. The action broke down and Kingston found himself on the floor. Barrett then blocked Bourne's top-rope finisher and hit Wasteland for the pin and the win.
WINNERS: Barrett & Rhodes at 5:28. Fine for the straight week of Raw focus on Barrett trying to rebuild his career. It didn't help the tag champs, though, when they need some quality wins on Raw.
4 -- WWE champion ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. BIG SHOW -- non-title match
Big Show dominated early on as Del Rio tried to find some offense, but to no avail. Del Rio then tried a sleeperhold while wrapping his body around Show's back. Del Rio managed to get Show down to one knee, prompting a "Big Show" chant from the crowd. Long sleeperhold put Show down to both knees. Show reset his base, though, and flung Del Rio off his back after reaching his feet. Show coughed up a lung as he recovered. Then, on the floor, Big Show and Del Rio fought as the ref administered a ten-count.
Cole reset the show from this year's WrestleMania host city as the fight continued ringside. Show then missed with a splash near the guardrail and Del Rio followed with a step-up enziguiri. Show was in jeopardy of being counted out as the announcers continued to talk about other items on the show. The two men made it back into the ring, where Del Rio landed successive kicks to the face and upper body. The match slowed down again before Show palm-thrusted Del Rio over the top rope to the floor. They cut to break after nine minutes of uninterrupted action.
Back from break at 11:50, Del Rio was back in control of the action in the ring. Del Rio absorbed an attempted comeback, then planted Show with a DDT. A subsequent cover led to Del Rio being flung clear across the ring to the outside. Back in the ring, Del Rio came running at Show, who KO Punched Del Rio in the face to completely change momentum. Show then made the cover for the win.
WINNER: Big Show at 13:50. Long enough to make up for the short notice on a big match-up given away on TV. The quality was hit or miss throughout, but told a decent story of two men struggling to secure a win. (**)
Post-match: Punk's music played and Punk crossed paths with Show on the way to the ring. Punk surveyed a KO'ed Del Rio in the ring, then grabbed a mic ringside. In the ring, Punk sat down next to Del Rio and threw water in his face to wake him up. Punk said what's about to happen is he's going to ask him a question. Before that, he's going to twist Del Rio into a vice with the Anaconda Vice. Punk said he won't let go until Del Rio gives him the match at Survivor Series. Punk locked in the hold and Del Rio blurted out, "You have your match." Punk then dropped the hold and declared, "He said yes." Apparently Punk wasn't live on the arena mic, so Punk re-told the audience that Del Rio said yes. Cole claimed Del Rio was coerced and didn't voluntarily give him the match. Lawler said what goes around, comes around.
5 -- JACK SWAGGER (w/Vickie Guerrero) vs. SANTINO
Cole declared that Swagger is going to wipe the mat with Santino, who had a laugh in Swagger's face before Swagger decked him with a clothesline. Cole mixed in his brand of "humor" at Jim Ross's expense building toward their "challenge" later. Suddenly, Beaker emerged ringside and handed Santino the magic formula. Santino tried to avoid choking on it before spitting it in Swagger's face on accident. Santino then made the cover for the win.
WINNER: Santino at 2:34.
6 -- U.S. champion DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero) vs. ZACK RYDER -- non-title match
Basic back-and-forth with each man controlling the action for a few moments. Ziggler then found himself on the floor and Vickie, frustrated, shouted at Ryder as they cut to break.
Back from break, the two men traded control before Vickie tried to get involved by grabbing Ryder's foot. Ziggler tried ot capitalize with the Zig-Zag, but Ryder grabbed the top rope to block. Ryder followed with the Rough Ryder for the pin and the win, drawing Vickie's ire again. Cole heeled on Ryder that only on Halloween could Ryder knock off Ziggler. They went to a replay of how Ryder secured the win before a slow-mo shot of Vickie screaming capped things off.
WINNER: Ryder in 10:00. Solid TV match. It looks like another title shot for Ryder is in the future.
7 -- JOHN CENA vs. THE MIZ
Miz started off in control as the crowd engaged in dueling chants for and against Cena. Meanwhile, Lawler repeated that Nash will be on Raw next week. Miz settled into a reverse chinlock as the crowd transitioned to dueling chants of "Let's go Cena / C-M-Punk." Cena then made his comeback and delivered the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Miz countered the AA with a legsweep, though, for a two count. Miz then hit the Reality Check for a two count as Cole continued to rant against Ross. Cena mounted a comeback with a hard clothesline before the action moved to the top-rope. Miz teased a superplex, but Cena blocked and headbutted Miz to the mat. Cena then delivered a guillotine leg smash and made a cover for a two count. Cena didn't capitalize, though, allowing Miz to hit a DDT for a nearfall of his own.
The action moved to the floor, where Cena threw Miz into the guardrail. Suddenly, a man in a Scream Halloween costume choked Cena from behind on the front row. Cena fought him off, then the action moved back into the ring. Cena fought off Miz, then slapped on the STF. Miz tapped out, giving Cena the win. Post-match: Scream re-entered the ring and Cena gave him the AA center-ring. Cena removed the mask to reveal R-Truth, which drew zero reaction since the crowd couldn't see who it was. Cena then put on the Scream mask and posed in front of R-Truth, then for the crowd as Cole plugged Rock & Cena at Survivor Series to close the show 11 minutes past the top of the hour.
WINNER: Cena at 8:42. This reinforced the idea that Miz & Truth are essentially two broomsticks opposite Cena & Rock at Survivor Series - any main-event credibility/juice/momentum Miz and Truth had going into Raw was wiped out here. WWE will probably have Miz and Truth beat down Cena at some point over the next two weeks to put Cena in jeopardy, but the entire selling point for Survivor Series is Cena and Rock together in the same ring to see what happens.
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