General Discussions > General Media

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

<< < (181/235) > >>

Arcademan:
WWE NXT Redemption Results: 11-2-11

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

1 - THE USOS vs. TYSON KIDD & JOHNNY CURTIS - Tag match

Jimmy Uso starts the match by taking down Tyson Kidd. Regal says that when he was GM, stuff like Curtis not getting a shot would not have happened. Some back-and-forth between Kidd and Jimmy, and Jey tags in. Double-team gets a two count. This is a dead audience. Jimmy and Jey tag back and forth. Curtis finally tags in and goes to work on Jimmy. Both announcers have now made "chip-on-the-shoulder" comments regarding Curtis, recalling his lame vignettes on Smackdown. Kidd tags in but gets tossed onto the turnbuckle. Jey tags in and goes to work, but Curtis distracts him letting Kidd knock him off the turnbuckle to the floor.

Curtis has Jimmy in a leg bar and is screaming "I won this show!" which is funny. Kidd tags in and applies a leg lock of sorts that looks vicious. Curtis tags in and hits an over-the-rope leg drop, then goes back to working the leg. Regal with a neat insight, "you never get used to the pain but you get used to the situation" regarding escaping holds. Regal begs Korpela to talk about the people in the ring, not to talk up his credentials. Regal is so refreshingly humble on announcing duties. Kidd tags in, but Jimmy kicks him away when he tries the Sharpshooter.

Kidd and Jimmy both tag out. Jey knocks Curtis silly and clears Kidd from the apron. He fires up and hits the stinkface, but Kidd break sup the pin. Kidd keeps Jey outside the ring, but when he tries to jump on both of them from the apron, they catch him and toss him onto the barricade. With Kidd out of the picture, Jey tries to reenter but Curtis catches him. Curtis tries a suplex, but Jey counters and puts Curtis into a fireman's carry. He backs into his corner and Jimmy tags in, Jey does a Samoan Drop and Jimmy nails the Superfly Splash from across the ring for the win. Beautiful ending sequence.

WINNERS: The Usos in 10:00. Good match, with no weak spots. The crowd even got involved, despite having no clue what NXT was about.

2 - KAITLYN vs. TAMINA

Tamina with a quick headlock and takedown, but Kaitlyn reverses into a scissor hold. Tamina fights out and they go back and forth with blocks. Kaitlyn back to a scissor hold and uses it to get a one count a number of times. They reset and Kaitlyn hits a big suplex, but Tamina catches her charge with a boot and does a series of knee and elbow drops. Tamina with some more strong offense and two counts. Tamina slows it down with a rear chinlock and the crowd rallies behind Kaitlyn.

Kaitlyn eventually ends up on offense, with some elbows to the seated Tamina, but Tamina chops her to the ground. Tamina with a generic looking hold and Kaitlyn arm drags out. Tamina fights the hold and gets out. Kaitlyn whiffs a dropkick, but when Tamina charges, Kaitlyn catches her arm, and does some sort of move which I supposed is a finisher, but it gets the win. It was like an RKO grasping the arm near the shoulder instead of the head.

WINNER: Kaitlyn in 7:00. Interesting to see so much chain wrestling in a women's match. Kaitlyn and Tamina both looked good to go, and even the dead audience got a bit involved near the end. Kaitlyn's come a long way in the ring, and Tamina seems to be improving, too.

3 - PERCY WATSON & TITUS O'NEIL & A.J. vs. JTG & DERRICK BATEMAN & MAXINE - Mixed Tag match

Maxine and A.J. start and Maxine dominates quickly with her power. Maxine's ring style is like a cross between Sheamus and Batista, which makes her quite unique for a Diva. A.J. turns it around with a boot to Maxine when she charges, a top rope arm drag, and a dropkick. Maxine tries to get back up but A.J. drops her with a spinning heel kick. Maxine tags in JTG, and Percy Watson comes in. JTG runs the ropes and Watson throws him over his head which gets one. Titus tags in and they double team. Percy tags back in, but JTG slides under and tags in Bateman. Watson with a big arm drag and a dropkick but the cover doesn't even get one. Regal continues to criticize Watson for showing off instead of making covers.

Watson stays in control, but Maxine distracts him, letting Bateman get a dropkick for two. Bateman puts boots to Percy in the corner. Bateman tags Watson to the heel corner and they do the heel teaming routine. O'Neil gets the hot tag and does his typical routine on the tag. Bateman counters the shoulder tackles with a sweet dropkick, but Percy breaks up the pin. JTG comes in and Percy clears them both out. A.J. then clears Maxine, which makes Bateman get distracted, and he walks right into the "Clash of the Titus" sit out slam.

WINNER: Titus O'Neil, Percy Watson, and A.J. in 8:00. This is probably the best match I've seen with the combination of Titus, Watson, JTG, and Bateman. No one had too much ring time, and no one dominated long enough for it to get stale.

Arcademan:
TNA Impact Wrestling Results: 11-3-11

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

1 -- BROOKE TESSMACHER & TARA ("TNT") vs. GAIL KIM & MADISON RAYNE -- TNA Tag Team Title Match

Tenay called Karen Jarrett a biased leader of the Knockouts Division. Taz, ridiculously, took exception to Tenay's self-evident statement of fact. Kim and Rayne were accompanied by Karen and Traci Brooks. Tara and Tessmacher made a big production of taking off their cut t-shirts to reveal their red, white, and blue tops. Tenay kept hyping that "Ronnie from MTV's Jersey Shore" would be on the show later. MTV and Spike TV are under the same Viacom corporate umbrella. When Tara had Rayne down for a possible pin, Karen distracted the ref. Gail Kim then entered illegally and gave Tara her dropdown boot to the face, then put a groggy Rayne on top of Tara. The ref turned and counted the pin. Karen openly celebrated with the heel duo afterward. Traci didn't look as pleased. Tenay asked Taz if he agrees Karen is biased now. "She might be biased, a little bit," Taz conceded.

WINNERS: Kim & Rayne in 5:00 to capture the titles.

2 -- AUSTIN ARIES vs. JESSE SORRENSON

Taz said Aries walked around like he's God's gift to Earth. Kid Kash walked up to Tenay and Taz at the start of the match. He called Sorrensen a disrespectful little boy who doesn't belong in his dressing room. He said he's a legend in this sport and when he walks through the dressing room, he expects Sorrensen to drop his bag and shake his hand. Sorrensen slingshot himself over the top rope at Aries, but Aries moved. Aries then did a suicide dive through the ropes, ramming Sorrensen hard into the ringside barrier. Kash continued ranting about demanding respect and learning that the fans and the other wrestlers can't be trusted. "Kick his face in!" shouted Kash. "Beat his ***!" Aries set up his brainbuster suplex, but as Aries looked over at Kash, Sorrensen surprised him with a roll-up for the win.

WINNER: Sorrensen in 5:00.

3 -- JEFF JARRETT & BULLY RAY vs. MR. ANDERSON & JEFF HARDY

Anderson is growing out his hair and it's darker than it used to be. Tenay said Jarrett takes it personal that Hardy was welcomed back. He said he was instrumental in bringing him to TNA in the first place so he should be able to block his return. Tenay called it a big-time high-profile tag team match-up. Jeff did the Jarrett strut early in the match. They plugged Dixie Carter's Twitter and Facebook pages. At 3:00 Ray and Anderson both tagged in. Ray bumped a few times for Anderson during a flurry of Anderson offense. Jarrett broke up an Anderson pin attempt. Hardy launched off of Anderson's back and crashed into Jarrett in the corner. With both heels down, Hardy and Anderson climbed to the top rope on opposite corners. Scott Steiner interfered and the ref called for the bell.

WINNERS: Anderson & Hardy in 4:00 via DQ.

-Afterward, Steiner hit Hardy across the back with a chair. Bully Ray brought his chain into the ring and he clotheslined Hardy with it. Ray gave Anderson the Bubba Bomb as Jarrett gave Hardy the Stroke. The three Immortal heels stood in the ring with their arms raised.

4 -- JAMES STORM vs. BOBBY ROODE -- TNA Impact Wrestling Heavyweight Title Match

After a few minutes of moves and counter-moves, they cut to a break.

After the break they continued to battle. Both men were down for an eight count at 8:00, then fought from their knees back to their feet, exchanging punches. At 11:00 Roode hit a spinebuster for a near fall. Both men were nearly counted out at 12:00. Roode countered a Storm DDT attempt into a crossface submission attempt. Storm reached the bottom rope to force a break. Storm came back with a top rope elbow for a two count. Storm set up the superkick. Roode stood, but caught Storm's leg, kicked him in the gut, and set up a fisherman's suplex. Storm blocked it. Roode whipped Storm into the corner and he almost hit the ref. Roode charged, but Storm moved. Storm then dropped Roode onto his knees. Roode tumbled to the floor where the ref was clutching his knee from a fall. Roode looked at the beer bottle sitting on the ringside steps and assessed the situation. Roode reached over and picked up the beer bottle. "Wait a minute," said Taz. Roode then KO'd Storm with the beer bottle. Storm fell back knocked out. The ref returned to the ring and counted the pin. The boo machine really kicked in here. Tenay said in disgust, "Are you kidding me?" Taz said he was shocked. Roode stood over Storm and spit on him a few times, then stood on his chest. "That's how you treat a brother? Bull(bleep)!" said Tenay as the show ended.

WINNER: Roode in 16:00 via DQ. (**1/2)

Arcademan:
WWE Smackdown Results: 11-4-11

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

1 – RANDY ORTON vs. CODY RHODES – STREET FIGHT

I guess Greenville isn’t good enough to have the city identified in the name of the Street Fight. The announcers were shown on camera during Orton’s entrance, and it seemed right off the bat like Booker T. was being paid by the word. Baggers again trailed Rhodes on his way to the ring.

Cole gave the rules of a Street Fight once the bell rang to start the match. After a long lock-up, Rhodes kicked Orton in the knee. Headlock take-over by Orton. The match went outside the ring and Orton stared down a bagger. That distraction allowed Rhodes to whip Orton into the ring steps. Orton was then whipped into the side of the ring. Snap-mare, then a knee-drop at ringside. Orton used the ring itself to his advantage, then sent Rhodes head-first into the steps twice. Orton clotheslined Rhodes into the crowd, then went after him. Hey, someone has a drawing of Bender on their sign! Orton continued the assault on Rhodes throughout the crowd. They found their way back to ringside, where Rhodes tossed his bagger into Orton. Orton gave him a back body-drop, and decked Rhodes too. Rhodes went to the other side of the ring and fed his other bagger to Orton. RKO for that guy. Rhodes backed up the aisle, unsure of what to do next, as Orton smiled at him from the ring. They went to break at 5:16.

Back at 8:53 of the match, with Orton continuing the beating on the entrance ramp. At the top of the ramp, Rhodes turned the tide, smashing Orton’s face into the steel. Rhodes attempted to suplex Orton off the stage, but Orton reversed it and suplexed Rhodes onto the grate. Orton rolled off the stage and Rhodes crawled down the ramp. Orton grabbed Rhodes and propped him against the railing, pounding away on the masked face of his foe. They made their way back to the squared circle, and Orton superplexed Rhodes back into the ring. It got a two-count at 11:55. Somehow, Rhodes dropkicked Orton once they got back to their feet. Orton was tossed out of the ring, but Orton reversed a whip and Rhodes went into the timekeeper’s area. Rhodes bashed Orton with his mask. His elbow was bleeding as well. They went to break again at 13:10.

The show returned at 17:06, with the fight having moved to the commentator’s table. Rhodes punched Orton a few times in the forehead, then sent him back into the ring. Front suplex, then a stomp to the face. Rhodes registered a near-fall at 18:30. The announcers sold how much of a beating Orton had taken over the last few minutes. Orton desperately kicked Rhodes in the face as he tried to crawl away from Rhodes, a movement the announcers made a big deal about. Figure-four leg-lock by Rhodes, right in the middle of the ring. Rhodes again used the mask, hitting Orton in the face while in the move. He tried for it a third time, but Orton kicked Rhodes in the gut and nailed him with the mask. Orton then set up for the punt, shaking off all the punishment he had just taken over the last several minutes. He did his comeback with no signs of said beating. Rhodes dodged an RKO and hit a springboard kick in the face of Orton for two. Cross-Rhodes was countered into a back-drop. Rhodes countered the DDT try and the two traded right hands outside the ring. Orton dropped Rhodes gut-first over the barricade, and Orton DDT’d Rhodes from that position onto the ringside mat. Orton rolled Rhodes into the ring and hit the RKO for the win.

WINNER: Orton, at 23:33. So we had to pay to see an uneventful one-on-one match at the last PPV, but got to see the more intense, spot-heavy Street Fight for free?

2 – TED DIBIASE vs. TYSON KIDD

This match certainly came out of nowhere. Mathews talked about the “DiBiase Posse,” wherein DiBiase gets together with fans to tailgate before WWE live events. DiBiase dropkicked Kidd, but Kidd quickly took back over on offense. Kick to the head from the apron by Kidd, then a springboard elbowdrop, but it missed. DiBiase came back with some offense as the announcers compared the number of Twitter followers they have. Dear Lord. Kidd countered Dream Street, but DiBiase rolled through with him and hit the move for the win.

WINNER: DiBiase, at 2:07. Didn’t have a good flow to it and was a bit choppy; that said, a nice showcase for DiBiase at least, and I always welcome Kidd getting TV time.

3 – ALICIA FOX vs. NATALYA

No Beth Phoenix to accompany Nattie. Fox stole the one-legged dropkick from Eve…unless she just botched a regular dropkick. Natalya stomped on Fox’s feet and lower legs, then tossed her to the mat. Nattie told Fox she stuck her nose where it doesn’t belong. Boston Crab applied by Natalya, and Mathews had to correct Cole that it wasn’t the Sharpshooter. Natalya grabbed Fox by the boot, but Fox countered with an enziguiri. She followed that up with a flip leg-drop for the win.

WINNER: Fox, at 1:29. Not a whole lot to it. I know women’s match are usually short, but having Natalya lose this quickly doesn’t speak well for her.

4 – SHEAMUS vs. WADE BARRETT

Sheamus pounded on Barrett from corner-to-corner, then slammed him. Cole complained that no one from the WWE medical staff came down to check on Christian. Sheamus ran Barrett over, then gave him forearms to the chest. It was all Sheamus in the opening minute-and-a-half. Sheamus dove over the top and shoulderblocked Barrett down for a two-count. Barrett fired back with a running forearm. Barrett with knees to the face of Sheamus, who was caught up in the ropes. Barrett delivered a running kick to the head of Sheamus, sending the Celtic Warrior to ringside. They went to break 2:30 into the match.

The show returned at 5:30 of the contest. Sheamus broke out of a submission move, but missed the Brogue Kick. Barrett kicked Sheamus in the mid-section as Christian continued to convalesce at ringside. That must’ve been some chokeslam. Barrett stretched the arms of Sheamus as the crowd lightly chanted for him. Knee-lift, followed by a big boot from Barrett. Hard whip into the turnbuckle by Barrett, who then connected on a middle rope elbowdrop, but only for a one-count. Rear chin-lock by Barrett. Sheamus appeared to go for the High Cross, but Barrett gave him a back-drop instead. Kick to the skull by Barrett, again just a one-count. Sheamus began a comeback at 9:42. Powerslam, then an attempt at his finisher. Christian jumped on the apron to distract Sheamus, so Barrett took advantage and rolled him up for the win.

WINNER: Barrett, at 10:30. This makes me feel a little better about my comments about Barrett in my weekly chat with James Caldwell right here on pwtorch.com.

5 – SIN CARA vs. EPICO

No entrance for Epico. Cara started off hot, but Epico landed a few back suplexes. Epico, without a mask, is Primo’s cousin Orlando Colon, from developmental. He looks exactly like Primo. Epico with a version of the Gory special, but Cara came back with his springboard wrist-lock take-down. Kick to the head by Cara. He went to the top rope, perhaps for the finish, but Hunico came out and pushed Cara off the top rope for a disqualification.

WINNER: Cara, via DQ, at 2:16. This was a unique way to introduce Epico, as wrestlers don’t generally show up without hype of some sort (or without an entrance).

Hunico and Epico continued their assault on Cara, with Hunico nailing Cara with a few right hands. Epico tossed Cara up to Hunico, who powerbombed Cara.

6 – MARK HENRY vs. DANIEL BRYAN

Big Show, as promised, came to the ring with Bryan. Henry easily flipped Bryan off his back to start. Bryan tried to kick at the legs of Henry, but Henry tossed him in the air. Bryan came down in a front face-lock submission. Henry slammed him into the buckle, then tossed Bryan to ringside. Show shouted words of encouragement to Bryan. As Bryan re-entered the ring, Henry kicked him, then followed that up with a headbutt. Bryan was sent to ringside again, and Henry simply took Bryan’s head and shoved it against the ring post. Big Show ran Henry off of Bryan. Back in the ring went Bryan and Henry. Booker said Bryan should just “take his medicine like a man” and not have Big Show at his side. Cole called Booker “Michelle Bachmann” for flip-flopping on the issue. Henry applied a neck vice and Bryan kicked his way out of it. Dropkick to the knee sent Henry to one knee. Bryan continued with kicks to the chest and one to the head. That got a two-count at 4:11, and the crowd seemed into it. Henry created some separation with a headbutt. Bryan leapt from the top and again caught Henry in that front face-lock. Down to one knee went Henry. Henry suplexed Bryan off. Henry got an angry look in his eyes and hammered away at Bryan in the corner. Two big splashes in that same corner. After a third splash, Big Show slid into the ring and knocked Henry out with his knockout punch.

WINNER: Henry, via DQ, at 6:24.

Arcademan:
ROH TV Results: 11-5-11

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

1 - - MICHAEL ELGIN (w/Truth Martini) vs. SHILOH JONES

Elgin drove Jones into the corner and beat him to a pulp. The crowd chanted for Jones, who tried to fire back, but he ended up taking a big slam. Kelly ran down ROH’s live event dates as Elgin hit a big shoulder tackle off the second turnbuckle. Jones tried to fire back again on Elgin, but got tossed into the corner. Elgin ate a boot, but managed to counter Jones moments later and hit a big powerslam. Elgin covered Jones with one finger and he managed to kick out. Kelly ran down the lineup for the rest of the show. Jones went for a sunset flip and Elgin tried to sit down on him, but Jones got out of the way. Jones hit a forearm off the top for a 2 count. Elgin fired back with a spinning back fist. Elgin followed up with a buckle bomb and a twisting powerbomb for the pin.

Winner: Michael Elgin –This was a good showcase of Elgin’s power in the ring. The crowd was behind OVW talent Shiloh Jones, so it created a good atmosphere for the squash. The announcers focused more on previewing live events and what was coming up on the show and didn’t spotlight Elgin on commentary like they should have here.

2 - - ROH WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS CHARLIE HAAS & SHELTON BENJAMIN vs. CEDRIC ALEXANDER & CAPRICE COLEMAN – Proving Ground match

There was a terrible glare from the lights during a floor shot as Benjamin took down Coleman. Both men exchanged holds on the mat. Benjamin got an arm triangle, but Coleman got the ropes. The announcers talked about Coleman being an ordained minister. Coleman countered a slam and exchanged counters with Benjamin and they came to a stalemate as the crowd applauded. Haas tagged in and slammed Coleman. Haas went to work on Coleman’s arm on the mat and the crowd applauded. Coleman fired back with some kicks from the mat and tagged in Alexander. Alexander nailed Haas with a running knee in the corner. Benjamin blind-tagged himself into the match and caught Alexander with a superkick from behind. Benjamin went to work on Alexander’s leg. He tagged in Haas who continued to work over Alexander’s leg. Kelly talked about Alexander’s amateur wrestling background. Haas went to the second rope and snapped Alexander’s leg down to the mat.

They came back from break with no commercial aired. Highlights aired of some action during the break with Alexander trying to fire back on Benjamin, but he got cut off with a knee to the chest. Back to live action, Benjamin was still working over Alexander on the mat. Kelly said Alexander & Coleman had proven they are a cohesive team. McGuinness said they hadn’t proven much to him. Haas tagged in and locked in a leg submission on Alexander. Alexander struggled, but got the ropes. Kelly ran down some upcoming live events. Alexander tried to fire back, but Haas cut him off. Alexander fired back again with a tornado DDT off the second rope and both men were down.

The crowd clapped as both men struggled to get to their feet. Both men tagged out. Coleman took down Benjamin with a leaping leg drop for a 2 count. Kelly said there were less than four minutes left in the time limit as Coleman caught Benjamin with a hurricanrana off the turnbuckles. The action broke down with Coleman and Alexander working over Benjamin, but they missed the camera shot of the double team maneuver. Haas dragged Alexander to the outside. He came back into the ring and gave Coleman a suplex. Haas & Benjamin isolated Alexander and caught him with the leap of faith. They then caught Coleman with wrestling’s greatest finisher for the win.

Winners: Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin – This was a solid main event. Alexander & Coleman looked good in their television debut, but didn’t do a lot to stand out to new fans seeing them for the first time. The match was competitive at times, but you never got the sense Haas & Benjamin were in any danger.

Arcademan:
WWE RAW Results: 11-7-11

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

1 -- U.S. champion DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero) vs. JOHN MORRISON -- non-title match

A black-and-white theme to this match, as Vickie was in a white shirt and black tie, Ziggler was in black wrestling shorts, Morrison was in black and white/silver pants, and the referee was in zebra stripes. Cole continued to rip Ryder's petition while trying to incorporate some sports analogies that failed, as pointed out by Lawler. The two men in the ring went back and forth as the crowd settled into their seats before Cole fed to a break at 3:00.

Back on Raw, Ziggler was working over Morrison as Cole suggested Morrison's losing streak was about to continue. The announcers then bickered over whether Morrison was dominated during the break or not. Ziggler took his time wearing down Morrison before taunting him with verbal and right hand jabs. Morrison had enough and snapped on Ziggler before almost getting himself DQ'ed. Ziggler capitalized with a back elbow smash for a two count to resume control. The audience started a dueling chant of "Let's go Ziggler / Let's go Morrison." Lawler would normally call this bizarro world, but said he likes a crowd split right down the middle.

Vickie sold concern ringside as Morrison finally scored with some offense and scored a nearfall following a neckbreaker. Morrison then wanted Starship Pain, but Ziggler moved and Morrison landed on his feet. The two men traded holds before Ziggler hit a guillotine leg drop for a two count. Morrison then came back with a springboard kick strike, but Vickie had the ref distracted on a pin attempt. Suddenly, Morrison rolled up Ziggler from behind and scored a surprise three count to end the streak.

WINNER: Morrison at 13:03. Solid singles match. The crowd wasn't as hot for the nearfalls as you would expect, but WWE has beaten the life out of Morrison's character for so many weeks that the audience doesn't have reason to invest in Morrison. (**)

2 -- MASON RYAN vs. JTG

Mason toyed with JTG early on as Cole noted Ryan has a degree in construction management from Cardiff U. The crowd was quiet as Ryan went through his power routine dismantling JTG. Ryan put JTG on his shoulders for a submission before going back to the power offense. Ryan screamed, then hoisted JTG into the air for a powerslam. Ryan followed with a full nelson, tossed him around like the Masterlock, and turned it into a full nelson slam for the pin and the win. Lawler called him a cartoon character or a superhero as they replayed the finish.

WINNER: Ryan at 2:23.

3 -- WWE champion ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. WWE tag champion KOFI KINGSTON -- non-title match

The bell sounded as Lawler noted tonight's Raw could be Cole's last full episode if he loses the MCC to Ross next week. Del Rio smashed Kingston to the outside early on before rolling Kingston back into the ring to inflict more punishment. Kingston landed some offense before Del Rio aggressively threw him shoulder-first into the ringpost. Del Rio followed with the cross arm-breaker and Kingston was forced to tap out.

WINNER: Del Rio via submission at 2:09. Nice, decisive win for Del Rio, but odd to use Kingston in this spot. Of note, there was no mention of a suspended Evan Bourne or the state of the Tag Titles.

4 -- JACK SWAGGER (w/Vickie Guerrero) vs. SANTINO

Cole went through Swagger's background, including playing college football at OU. Lawler followed with a Penn St. joke that it's a good thing Swagger didn't go to Penn St. because "all of those guys are going to end up at State Penn." Cole followed with more JR jokes to hype the MCC next week. Lawler followed with a pig joke on Vickie. In the ring, Swagger and Santino went back and forth for a bit before Swagger's eye started twitching and he slapped on the anklelock. Santino tapped out, giving Swagger the win. Post-match, Swagger did his victory lap as Vickie applauded.

WINNER: Swagger via submission at 3:02. This one had the trifecta of awful commentary. Tasteless attempt at a Penn St. joke with alleged child abuse involved affecting real lives, a fat joke on Vickie, and more J.R. bullying.

5 -- JOHN CENA & ZACK RYDER vs. THE MIZ & R-TRUTH

Cena and Truth started things off, but Truth decided to duck out of the ring and tag in Miz. Cena delivered offense on Miz as the crowd chanted, "We want Ryder." Cena acknowledged the chant as Truth re-entered. Cena then slapped Truth over the ear and the heels regrouped on the outside. No Ryder as Cena readied to square off against Truth again. Instead, Cena tagged in Ryder and gave him a pat on the shoulder. Ryder entered the ring and delivered a pancake before throwing Truth clear over the top rope to the floor. Truth clutched the back of his head as they cut to break with the faces in control.

Back on Raw, Miz and Truth were working over Cena as they went to several replays of Truth smashing the back of his head on the floor prior to break. Lawler called it a concussion causer. Yet, not even a kayfabe medical check of Truth to see if he could continue to send a message that concussions are a serious issue. The heels continued to work over Cena as Ryder waited for a hot tag on the ring apron. Meanwhile, the crowd picked up a "Let's go Cena / Cena sucks" chant.

Cena made the hot tag to Ryder at the top of the hour. Suddenly, all four men were in the ring. Cena put on Ryder's sunglasses, did the fist pump, and did a simultaneous Broski Boot. Ryder then wanted the Rough Ryder on Miz, but Truth popped him in the head from the ring apron. The heels then isolated Ryder as Lawler played up the idea of seeing a better tag match at Survivor Series with The Rock in Ryder's place. Another dueling chant as Cena waited for a tag on the ring apron and the announcers hyped Rock and Cena together in the same ring at Survivor Series. When it's delusional lead announcer Cole trying to create the imagery for that moment in The Garden, you know the PPV hype is in trouble.

Ryder made the tag to Cena at 16:30 and Miz tagged in for Truth. Cena delivered his signature offense on both men before setting up for a double You Can't See Me. Cena opted to bring in Ryder to help him with the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Both men bounced off the ropes and delivered the Shuffle. Ryder then dumped Truth to the outside. Back in the ring, Miz delivered a kick to Cena's head and covered Cena as Truth held down Cena's feet from the outside. Miz with the pin for the win. Cole wasn't able to seize the moment on commentary as Cena laughed to sell that he couldn't believe he was pinned by Miz. The heels retreated up the entrance ramp as Cena shouted toward the stage that they got their one victory, but they won't get two. That's how Raw concluded.

WINNERS: Miz & Truth at 17:18. Except for the heels winning, this came across like a house show main event from the in-ring storytelling to the action to the commentary. WWE tried to erase last week when Cena easily discarded Awesome Truth and re-establish some credibility for the heel duo here, but the uninspired commentary and Cole's inability to sell a big moment hurt the proceedings. Meanwhile, The Rock's first match in seven years at Survivor Series still hasn't been made to feel like a big deal, which puts WWE in a tough spot next week where they can't give away too much with Rock back on Raw TV, but have to create enough momentum to get people to spend $45 to see Rock at Survivor Series. (**)

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page