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The Official Wrestling Thread (now with more news and stuff)
Arcademan:
TNA Final Resolution PPV Results: 12-11-11 (next two posts)
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's ongoing report).
1 -- ROB VAN DAM vs. CHRISTOPHER DANIELS
Feeling-out process to begin the match before Daniels scored with consecutive offense. Van Dam came back with consecutive armdrags into a leg sweep for a two count. Van Dam took his time posing for the crowd before returning to the corner to wear down Daniels. The match moved to the ring apron, where Daniels shoved RVD off the apron into the ringpost to take control of the match. Daniels then played to the camera by mocking Van Dam's thumbs-to-shoulders pose.
Van Dam came back with a roundhouse kick and Rolling Thunder for a two count before landing another roundhouse kick out of the corner. Van Dam went for a Five-Star Frogsplash, but Daniels moved and scored with a spear for a two count. A palm thrust from Daniels also resulted in a nearfall. The fight moved to the top turnbuckle, where Van Dam blocked offense before shoving Daniels to the mat. RVD then hit the Five-Star Frogsplash and made the cover for the win. (Although, Daniels was rolling around clutching his ribs, so he actually lifted his shoulders in-between the two and three.) Van Dam celebrated the win nevertheless as Daniels rolled out of the ring. Daniels complained on the outside about kicking out.
WINNER: RVD at 10:01. Fine opening match. Enough to get the crowd involved, but not memorable beyond its place on the card. (*3/4)
2 -- TV champion ROBBIE E. (w/Rob Terry) vs. ERIC YOUNG -- TNA TV Title match
Before the bell sounded, EY did some comedy on the outside locking up with each fan on the front row. Terry had enough and tried to get Young into the ring to start the match. Meanwhile, Robbie's music rolled all the way through. EY then pulled down his shorts to reveal his wrestling trunks before charging the ring to officially start the match. The match quickly moved to the floor, where the numbers caught up to Young. Back in the ring, Robbie wore down Young while mixing in some poses for the hard camera. Meanwhile, Taz noted he was still thinking about Thanksgiving. Next was a reference to EY's head being the size of a small prop plane engine.
Robbie took too much time on a corner attack, allowing Young to rally and Hulk Up. Young then went up top and delivered a big elbow drop for a two count. Robbie regained control moments later, then Rob Terry hopped up on the ring apron for a conversation with the ref. Things came to a screeching halt as a result, then Terry suddenly entered the ring for a spot that forever choking Young in the corner. Robbie then tried to charge Young, but landed in Terry's crotch for some laughs. Young tried a Superman Double DVD Driver, but Terry and Robbie fell off his shoulders. Young then dropkicked Terry to the outside, but took Robbie's finisher for the pinfall. Robbie retains the TV Title.
WINNER: Robbie E. at 7:32 to retain the TV Title. Comedy match that belonged on TV and way over-booked for the second match on the card. Tenay and Taz matched the tone by cracking jokes throughout. (1/2*)
3 -- TNA tag champions MATT MORGAN & CRIMSON vs. DEVON & THE POPE -- TNA Tag Title match
Crimson dominated Pope early on, then Morgan asked for a tag and received one. The crowd cheered as Morgan entered the ring before Devon tagged in. Morgan and Devon circled each other before Morgan used his size to block Devon's offense. Morgan and Crimson then double-teamed Pope when Pope tagged in. The face tag champs continued to wear down Pope as Devon tried to encourage Pope to keep fighting. Pope then blocked a sideslam and landed an awkward DDT to create space. Devon and Crimson then tagged in for their respective teams.
Devon scored with successive offense before landing a top-rope diving headbutt. He then cleared a double-team before slamming Crimson for a close two count. Suddenly, Pope came off the top rope with an elbow, but Morgan broke up a pin. Morgan and Devon kind of collided mid-ring, then Crimson and Morgan hit a double chokeslam on Devon for the pin and the win. Post-match, the tag champs celebrated while Pope just shook his head hanging out with Devon's sons ringside. Devon then confronted Pope, who walked off, leaving Devon to question his sons.
WINNERS: Morgan & Crimson at 9:40. Okay match. A bit awkward at times, but fine for advancing the Pope-Devon feud, which will apparently spill over to 2012. (*1/4)
4 -- X Division champion AUSTIN ARIES vs. KID KASH -- X Division Title match
The bell sounded and Aries did some acrobatics to show off a la Dolph Ziggler. Aries then taunted Kash with a slap to the face before snapping off a textbook dropkick for a two count. They followed with a rapid-fire sequence of nearfalls before taking the match to the outside. On the floor, Kash missed with a chop and his hand smashed the ringpost. Aries then ripped the title belt away from So Cal Val and tried to use it on Kash, but Kash ducked. They attempted some comedy by exchanging pinfalls using the ropes for leverage that the ref easily saw. Eventually, Aries regained control and landed a flying dive on the outside that sent Kash into the guardrail.
Back in the ring at 6:00, Aries scored with a neckbreaker to continue the offensive assault. Aries appeared to be knocked loopy for a second when the two men collided and Aries fell to the mat like a tree in the woods. Aries recovered and went for a top-rope move, but Kash crotched him. Kash then went up top, but Aries crotched him to return the favor. They set up a frightening top-rope move that saw Aries counter a powerbomb with a mid-air huracanrana. Tenay noted the crowd doesn't like either wrestler, but they appreciated the effort on the top turnbuckle.
Aries and Kash reset with a chop exchange before Aries landed a suplex. Aries then ate a boot to the mouth before Kash called for the end. Kash wanted a double underhook, but Aries blocked. Aries then pulled out a foreign object from his trunks, which the ref saw. Kash then pulled out a foreign object, which the ref saw. Next, Aries handed the X Division Title belt to Kash, which the ref also saw. This drew laughs from the crowd as the ref reprimanded Kash. In the confusion, Aries caught Kash with the brainbuster suplex for the pin and the win.
WINNER: Aries at 12:46 to retain the X Division Title. From an excitement and action standpoint, this was easily the best match of the show thus far. The booking was questionable with comedy spots in a heel vs. heel match, but they did use the past and "no honor among thieves" theme to enhance the story. (**1/2)
5 -- Knockouts champion GAIL KIM vs. MICKIE JAMES -- Knockouts Title match
Gail dominated early on before the two former WWE Women's champions exchanged submission holds. Gail nearly forced Mickie to tap to the stretch muffler submission, then Mickie started to mount a comeback, so Gail bailed from the ring. Gail feigned leaving the match with her title, but Mickie chased her down and threw her back into the ring. Madison Rayne then ran down to ringside to nip at Mickie's heels while the ref was preoccupied, which was enough of a distraction for Gail to score her Eat Defeat finisher for the win.
WINNER: Gail at 7:48 to retain the Knockouts Title. Better-than-usual PPV Knockouts match, but underwhelming considering the names in the ring. The crowd was taken out of this PPV a while ago and they didn't come back for this one.
Arcademan:
6 -- KURT ANGLE vs. JAMES STORM
Angle and Storm started with basic exchanges to feel each other out. The action moved to the floor, where Storm high-fived a birthday boy on the front row he referenced in his pre-match promo. Storm then walked into a drop toehold that sent Storm face-first into the ring steps. Back in the ring, Storm sold the concussion and Angle went to work on Storm's upper body. Angle continued to focus on Storm's head, drawing concerned comments from Tenay and Taz about Storm's condition. Angle applied a reverse chinlock and Taz asked for the ref to end the match, but Storm held on. Storm and Angle then traded bombs before Storm delivered a desperation jawbreaker into backstabber for a two count.
At 11:00, Angle stopped Storm's momentum with a belly-to-belly suplex for a two count. Angle then stalked Storm for a series of German Suplexes, but Storm elbowed out. Angle flowed into the anklelock, though, before Storm kicked Angle away to escape. Storm then missed with a clothesline and Angle delivered three Germans. Angle made a cover, but Storm kicked out. Suddenly, Storm had enough energy to hoist up Angle for the Eye of Storm that resulted in a two count. Storm inexplicably tried a top-rope move, and Angle grabbed him to deliver a belly-to-belly suplex for another two count.
Angle dropped the straps and called for the Olympic Slam, but Storm countered with an armdrag. Angle blocked the Last Call superkick, then tried the anklelock. Storm escaped again, though, before Angle ate the ringpost. Storm then dropped Angle face-first into the ring apron with a modified DDT. Back in the ring, Storm measured Angle for a superkick, but Angle easily countered into the Olympic Slam. Angle covered, but Storm kicked out before three. Angle tried to follow with a moonsault, but missed and his head bounced hard off the mat. Storm then fired up the crowd for a superkick and connected. Storm made the cover and it was good for the win. Afterward, Storm signaled to Angle that he's 2-0 against him.
WINNER: Storm at 17:48. Good PPV match. Storm needed a strong victory to continue establishing him as the most marketable face in the promotion. Angle was conservative during the match, which was understandable since the focus was on Storm's "concussion" and whether Storm could pull out a victory with the deck stacked against him. (**1/2)
7 -- JEFF HARDY vs. JEFF JARRETT (w/Karen Jarrett) -- steel cage match -- Karen handcuffed to Sting ringside -- loser (Hardy or Jeff/Karen) leaves TNA -- Hardy receives TNA Title shot at Jan. PPV if he wins
"Hardy, Hardy" chants once the bell sounded to begin the cage match just before the top of the third hour. Early in the match, Jarrett applied a figure-four leglock, which Hardy fought before grabbing the ropes for a break. Jarrett then went against what he said pre-match by trying to escape the cage, but Hardy blocked to keep the match going. Jarrett tried to escape again, but Hardy crotched Jarrett. The two men traded bombs before Hardy hit Twist of Fate center-ring. Hardy didn't make a cover, though, and decided not to escape the cage. He then considered a top-rope move, but opted for a second Twist of Fate. No pin attempt again. Instead, Hardy went all the way to the top of the cage and could have escaped, but opted for a huge Swanton Bomb, which he missed when Jarrett moved.
The cage door was opened for Jarrett to escape through, but Hardy pulled him back inside the cage. Hardy blocked Jarrett's escape a second time before landing a slingshot dropkick using the cage door like monkey bars. Next, there was a spot where Hardy accidentally bumped into Sting and Karen ringside. Karen then grabbed the key out of Sting's pocket and uncuffed herself to help Jarrett, but Hardy kicked out of a pin attempt. Karen tried to give Jarrett a guitar next, but Sting woke up and yanked it away from Karen. In the confusion, Hardy spun Jarrett around to hit the Twist of Fate. A three count gave Hardy the win.
Post-match: Sting gloated about Hardy's victory before entering the cage to address Jeff and Karen. Sting told them that someone is getting fired in four days on Impact Wrestling. Karen freaked out and Jarrett did bug-eyes to sell the moment. Meanwhile, Hardy gets a TNA Title shot next month at Genesis.
WINNER: Hardy at 10:20 to become #1 contender. Basic cage match that came across more like an angle than a match. As expected, pay customers have to wait for the free show to find out the result of one of the top matches. (*1/2)
8 -- TNA World Hvt. champion ROBERT ROODE vs. A.J. STYLES -- TNA World Title match -- 30-minute Iron Man match
Champ and Challenger started with basic holds to set a methodical pace stretching out 30 minutes. Styles upped the pace with a quick sequence of moves. Roode then slipped to the outside for a breather and there was a nice camera shot of a big scoreboard graphic hanging over the fans on the hard camera side. There were no close falls after eight minutes, then the two men traded rapid-fire pin attempts. Styles grabbed a headlock to slow down the pace and Taz predicted a 1-0 final score. Styles began selling the leg injury, then Roode clipped Styles from behind for a pinfall.
*** ROODE 1, STYLES 0 at 10:02 ***
Taz and Tenay continued to focus on a stacked deck against Styles by suggesting Styles's injury could prevent him from scoring an equalizing fall. Styles tried to fight back, but Roode continued to focus on the leg. Styles found himself in a half-Boston Crab, but clawed his way toward the bottom rope for a break. Roode followed with a figure-four and Styles tried to fight the hold, but eventually tapped out.
*** ROODE 2, STYLES 0 via submission at 15:24 ***
Roode took his time strutting around the ring in complete control of the match. Roode then approached Styles, but Styles kicked him in the shoulder. Styles followed with a dropkick to the shoulder. Styles, trying to play the role of Tim Tebow facing a deficit in the fourth quarter, applied a Crossface submission. Roode fought the hold momentarily before tapping out.
*** ROODE 2, STYLES 1 via submission at 17:37 ***
Styles went back to work on Roode's shoulder with a submission, but Roode escaped to reset the action. Styles followed with right hand strikes, but walked into an elbow strike, followed by a left-arm clothesline from Roode. They reached the 20-minute mark with Roode approaching Styles for a follow-up move, but Styles quickly executed a cradle pin for a fall.
*** ROODE 2, STYLES 2 at 20:09 ***
The match reset with Styles selling an injured leg and Roode selling an injured shoulder. Roode started the final ten minutes in control of the action before Styles pulled out a signature back flip into reverse DDT. Styles tried to follow with a springboard 450 splash and he connected. Styles made a cover and it was good for a fall to take the lead.
*** STYLES 3, ROODE 2 at 23:00 ***
After the fall, Styles sold intense pain in his leg. He remained in control of the match, though, and tried another armbar submission, but Roode blocked. Styles yanked Roode's arm across the top rope, then tried a sunset flip, but Roode blocked, trapped Styles's shoulders to the mat, grabbed the ropes for leverage, and scored a pin with the ref not looking at Roode's hands.
*** STYLES 3, ROODE 3 at 25:00 ***
After the fall, Styles blasted Roode with right hands to sell frustration after Roode cheated to even the score. The action then moved up top, where Styles scored with an armdrag taking Roode clear across the ring. At 27:00, Styles followed with a backdrop suplex before Roode kicked Styles at the knee. Roode tried to follow with a Fisherman Suplex, but Styles countered with a cradle for a nearfall. Styles then hit the Pele Kick and fired up the crowd. He wanted the Clash, but Styles's knee buckled and he fell backward on the mat. Roode, with a bloody nose, rolled out of the ring at 28:30. The ref began counting Roode, then Styles came flying over the top rope with a flip dive that put both men on the floor.
With one minute to go in regulation, both men were selling the effects on the outside. Styles checked the clock, then rolled Roode back into the ring. Roode stood up, saw the clock, and bailed out of the ring. Styles then chased Roode around the ring and Roode continued to bail from the ring before the clock expired. Jeremy Borash announced the match is a 3-3 draw, so Roode keeps the World Title. Taz said it can't end like this. Tenay said this was all about survival for Roode. Roode held up his title belt and told Styles the belt is his. The crowd chanted for five more minutes as Styles called out for Sting, who apparently called it a night after the cage match. Roode declared himself the champ as he hugged the title belt. The credits came on the screen, ending the PPV with Styles selling frustration in the ring and Roode declaring that no one can take the title from him.
WINNER: Draw at 30:00. Good action and drama throughout, but not exactly a satisfying finish for people paying money to see a winner and a loser in a PPV main event. (Isn't the title of the PPV "Final" Resolution?) But, the finish was expected considering Roode's heel title reign is about keeping the title by any means necessary. Right now, Roode vs. Hardy is the main event of next month's PPV, but it looks like Styles could be added to the mix based on this result. (***)
Arcademan:
WWE RAW Results: 12-12-11
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results and Slammy Winners.
1 -- BIG SHOW vs. WADE BARRETT
They returned from break with the match already in progress. Barrett was on the floor, so Show followed to the outside. They teased a table spot before Barrett climbed to the top rope for a splash onto Big Show, but Show stood up and Barrett simply stood his ground on the top turnbuckle. Show then smashed the table a la a baseball player smashing a bat over his leg. Back in the ring, Barrett tried to use a steel chair, but Show punched the chair. The ref called for the bell, then Show clotheslined Barrett over the top rope. Barrett ran away and Show sold an injury to his hand.
WINNER: Show via DQ at 1:37 of what aired. Smackdown heels should avoid Raw at all costs since the booking on Monday nights does not favor them. At least Barrett picked up some promo time to call it a wash on the night.
2 -- U.S. champion DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero) vs. IC champion CODY RHODES vs. DANIEL BRYAN vs. ZACK RYDER -- four-way match
Instead of the match result determining who wins the Slammy, Cole said the person who trends first will win. WWE has officially relegated a WWE Wrestling Match to irrelevancy. They cut to break 50 seconds into the match after the faces hit big moves on the floor.
Back from break in a match that WWE said doesn't matter, Rhodes and Ryder were shown squaring off in the ring. Ryder delivered a Broski Boot for a two count as the heels remained out of the picture recovering on the floor. Bryan and Ryder then collided mid-ring and the heels scampered back into the ring, leading to a showdown. Kash and Aries decided to go after the faces instead of attacking each other, though, which drew boos.
The partnership broke down quickly, leading to a shoving match between Ziggler and Rhodes. Bryan tried to take advantage, but the heels cut him off. Bryan and Rhodes then traded rapid-fire pin attempts before Rhodes threw Bryan to the floor. Rhodes then threw Ryder to the outside and Ziggler tried to roll up Rhodes from behind, but Rhodes escaped. Rhodes followed with the Alabama Slam on Ziggler for a close two count. At 8:00, they cut to another break.
Back from break, the men traded rapid-fire pinfall attempts before colliding mid-ring. After a breather, the announcers went overboard with Twitter references before Bryan went nuts with rapid-fire kicks and a running kick on Rhodes. Bryan then climbed up top and Rhodes crotched him. Ziggler then airballed a corner attack on Ryder, who went up top, where Ziggler cut him off. The result was the heels scoring superplexes from opposite corners, then all four men sold on the mat.
Ziggler and Rhodes were the first men to their feet and started trading blows. Suddenly, finishing moves started flying. Bryan tried the LeBell Lock on Rhodes for a submission win, but Ziggler grabbed Bryan for a sleeperhold. Bryan escaped, but took the Zig-Zag from behind. Ziggler with the pin on Bryan for the win. The announcers called it a great match-up.
WINNER: Ziggler at 15:20. It's too bad this match didn't matter since it was a strong bout despite the multiple commercial breaks.
3 -- WWE champion C.M. PUNK & RANDY ORTON vs. ALBERTO DEL RIO & THE MIZ
The announcers referenced Orton and Punk's feud earlier this year and noted everyone has been an adversary at some point this year. The announcers also revisited Christian's return earlier tonight while sporting a neckbrace, prompting Lawler to slip in an Andy Kaufman reference. The match settled into the heels isolating Orton as Cole ranted and raved about Ross forgetting his rap in the opening segment. Punk took a hot tag and cleaned house before calling for the GTS on Del Rio. Miz cut off Punk from behind, though, and the heels took control again leading to break.
Back from break, Miz and Del Rio tagged in and out wearing down Punk ahead of their TLC title match on Sunday. Cole again suggested the title match can only end by pinfall or submission. As Punk tried to break free to tag in Orton, Barrett came out of nowhere to jump Orton from behind on the ring apron. Punk was essentially left alone in a two-on-one situation. Miz then dropped Punk with the Skullcrushing Finale for the pin and the win. Cole declared Miz the Superstar of the Year and potential future WWE champion.
Post-match: Orton hopped the guardrail to chase down Barrett in the crowd. This left Punk alone in the ring to take a beating from Miz and Del Rio using a ladder. Del Rio put Punk's left arm inside a ladder before applying the cross arm-breaker. Miz said they want to make sure Punk makes it to the PPV before one of them takes the WWE Title. Miz told Punk that his pipe bomb is going to explode in his face. Miz dropped the mic over Punk's head before his music hit. Miz and Del Rio stood tall as the announcers continued to stack the deck against Punk.
WINNERS: Miz & Del Rio at 12:40. Basic booking putting the face champion in jeopardy and giving the heels some needed credibility. It's odd they changed the TLC rules to basically a three-way match using weapons.
4 -- World Hvt. champion MARK HENRY vs. JOHN CENA -- non-title match
After circling around each other, the two men locked up and Henry flung Cena clear across the ring. Cena collected himself on the ring apron and looked around the arena to sell he was in trouble. A dueling chant started up as they cut to break 40 seconds in.
Henry showed off his power coming back from break just before the top of the hour.
Cena finally escaped and set up for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena connected, then teased the Attitude Adjustment, but Henry collapsed on Cena's back. Henry made a cover, but Cena kicked out. Henry then went to a bear hug to continue wearing down Cena. Meanwhile, the crowd picked up a dueling chant trying to breathe life into this match. Henry then delivered a World's Strongest Slam, but Henry couldn't make an immediate cover.
Suddenly, pyro shot off and the lights went dark. Kane's music played and Kane re-emerged on-stage wearing a new mask that looked like a mask used by welders. Kane stomped out to the ring and Henry rolled out of the ring to avoid Kane, who Henry took out of action months ago. Cena then came to his feet and Kane gave him a chokeslam, which hushed the crowd. Kane stood over Cena, then his pyro shot off. Kane lowered his head, then removed the welder's mask to reveal a new Kane mask. He almost looked like Undertaker hiding behind the mask because he had long hair again. The hard camera zoomed in on Kane's glass eye to confirm it was Kane, plus he did his trademark crooked smile to confirm it was Kane. The show then faded to black with a close-up of Kane.
WINNER: No Decision when the show ended at 10:01. This felt like the Viewer's Choice Raw last year where the show dragged on for three hours before something significant happened at the very end. Back then, it was a 10-minute Nexus segment destroying the ring and this was a 30-second return of significant importance. Apparently a feud with Kane will give Cena something to do before WM28 season kicks off. Concerning this Sunday's PPV, WWE probably did more to turn away people from TLC because people probably don't want to spend another three hours with WWE this week after this exhausting, marathon session of a show.
List of Slammy Awards:
Tell Me I Did Not Just See That- Jim Ross
Holy (bleep) Moment of the Year- Big Show-Mark Henry ring collapse
Pipe Bomb of the Year- C.M. Punk
Divalicious Moment of the Year- Kelly Kelly
OMG! Moment of the Year- Triple H tombstoning The Undertaker at WM27 and Taker kicking out.
Trending Star of the Year- Zack Ryder
Gamechanger of the Year- The Rock challenges Cena to the main event of WM28.
A-Lister of the Year- Snooki
Superstar of the Year- C.M. Punk
Arcademan:
ROH TV Results: 12-10-11
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Radican's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.
1 - - THE BRAVADOS (Lancelot & Harlem Bravado) vs. CAPRICE COLEMAN & CEDRIC ALEXANDER
The crowd taunted Harlem with Beiber chants. Alexander grounded Harlem and worked over his arm. Harlem tossed Lancelot into the corner and tagged in Lancelot. The Bravados then hit a double team elbow. Alexander fired back on Lancelot and tagged in Coleman, who hit a springboard clothesline. Coleman took down Lancelot with a nice dropkick and tagged in Alexander for a double team suplex. Harlem ran into the ring and got taken out as well. The Bravados cut off Alexander and began working him over in their own corner. Harlem taunted the crowd as the Bravados continued to work over Alexander. Alexander fired back and tagged in Coleman, who ran wild. Coleman caught Harlem with a leg lariat for a 2 count. Coleman caught Harlem with a 6-1-9 around the ringpost and Alexander followed up with a dive to take out both Bravados.
Alexander hit a frogsplash on Harlem back inside the ring and Coleman covered him for a 2 count. The action broke down with all four men in the ring. Alexander and Coleman hit a tandem neckbreaker on Harlem for the pin.
Winners: Cedric Alexander & Caprice Coleman – This was a solid tag match to give Coleman & Alexander a win on television.
2 - - T.J. PERKINS vs. CHRIS SILVIO
Silvio looks like Jesse Ventura and Hulk Hogan’s bastard child. Perkins and Silvio went back and forth on the mat in the early going. Perkins took down Silvio with a dropkick. They picked up the pace and Perkins nailed Silvio with a hurricanrana. Silvio grabbed a headscissors on the mat, but Perkins slipped out and nailed him with a dropkick. Perkins drove Silvio into the turnbuckles, but Silvio managed to roll to the floor. They went at it on the outside and Silvio pushed Perkins into the ringpost. He then tossed him into the barricade and flexed for the fans. Silvio slipped come off the top, but connected with a fist on Perkins. Silvio hit an arm capture slam and followed up with a running senton for a 2 count. Perkins fired back and hit a springboard dropkick to the back of Silvio. Perkins lit up Silvio with kicks and hit his 32nd hurricanrana of the match. Perkins sent Silvio to the outside and nailed him with a dive through the ropes.
Perkins caught Silvio with an ankle lock with a grapevine, but Silvio eventually got the ropes. Perkins went for hurricanrana number 33, but Silvio countered it into a powerbomb. Silvio placed Perkins on the top turnbuckle and went for a superplex, but Perkins tossed him off. Perkins connected with the double knees off the top and followed up with the detonation kick for the pin.
Winner: T.J. Perkins – The match was fine, but neither man did a lot to stand out. I’ve seen Perkins in some really good matches, but this match was just there and the crowd really didn’t seem into the action.
3 - - ANX (Rhett Titus & Kenny King) vs. ROH World Tag Team Champions (Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin) – Proving Ground match
The match began with 14 minutes of TV time remaining. Benjamin drove King into the corner. Benjamin offered a clean break, but King shoved him away. Both men exchanged counters. Benjamin finally caught King with a sunset flip and they exchanged 2 counts. They went back and forth and finally came to a stalemate and the crowd applauded. King grounded Benjamin a short time later and Titus tagged in and continued to work him over landing a big dropkick for a 2 count. Haas blind-tagged himself into the match and they double teamed Titus with a series of maneuvers for a 2 count. Haas went to work on Titus’s arm. Kelly and McGuinness plugged ROH’s ringside membership while Haas continued to work over Titus’s arm.
Titus fired back and King blind-tagged himself into the match and took out Haas with a big clothesline. Titus tagged in and hit a splash on Haas after King landed a springboard legdrop. Titus went for a charge on Haas in the corner, but Haas got out of the way and he crashed into the ringpost. Kelly pitched to a commercial break as Haas worked over Titus’s arm.
They came back from commercial with Titus trying to mount a comeback, but Benjamin tagged himself into the match and took him down to the mat. They showed Titus nearly making the hot tag during the commercial break, but he got cut off. They showed a fan looking on in silence as Benjamin continued to work over Titus with a German with a bridge for a 2 count. WGTT continued to tag in and out to work over Titus. Haas continued to work over Titus’s eye as Kelly pointed out a turnbuckle had accidentally come off. Haas showed a bit of a mean streak while working over Titus and the crowd booed. Titus tried to fire up on Benjamin a short time later with a series of forearms. Titus whipped Benjamin into the exposed turnbuckle and both men were down on the mat.
Titus nearly tagged out, but Haas got the tag from Benjamin and cut him off. Haas continued to work over Titus’s arm, but Titus drove him into the exposed turnbuckle. Titus leapt over Haas and made the hot tag to King, who ran wild on Haas and Benjamin. The crowd didn’t seem to be much into King’s big comeback. Titus took down Haas with a top rope x-factor, but Benjamin made the save. The action broke down with all four men in the ring. King took down Haas with the shotgun knees in the corner and went up top. Benjamin recovered and tossed him down to the mat. Haas then covered King for a nearfall. Haas & Benjamin set up for the leap of faith on King, but Titus pulled the ropes down. The Briscoes then attacked Benjamin with a chairshot to the back. King hit a backbreaker on Haas. Titus then came off the top with a knee drop for the pin on Haas.
Winners: Rhett Titus & Kenny King to earn a shot at the ROH World Tag Team Titles
Star rating: (**1/2) – The match had some good action, but the crowd just wasn’t into the action in the ring which took out any excitement factor that would have been there. The Briscoes running in and attacking Benjamin set them up to go into “Final Battle” as heels, but they’re really going to have to drive home that point next week on television.
Arcademan:
WWE Tribute to the Troops Results: 12-13-11
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.
1 -- RANDY ORTON vs. WADE BARRETT
Orton scored early offense before Barrett cheated to take control. The crowd cheered for Orton, who took a big boot that sent him falling to the ring apron. Orton came back with a back drop to slow down Barrett. The match moved to the top turnbuckle, where Orton set up for and delivered a superplex. Moments later, Orton delivered trademark offense before going to That Place, but Barrett cut him off with a boot to the chest. Orton brushed it off and returned to That Place before setting up for the RKO. Barrett tried to run away, but Orton chased him down on the outside. Orton and Barrett continued to brawl and they were counted out.
Post-match: The fight continued ringside with the two men trading blows. Barrett whipped Orton into the ring steps, then went looking for a table to send a message before TLC. Barrett set up the table in the ring, but Orton dropped Barrett with a dropkick. Orton teased a table spot, much to the crowd's delight, but David Otunga stormed the ring to attack Orton. Barrett ran away to save himself for Sunday as Otunga put the boots to Orton. Otunga wanted a table spot, but Orton elbowed out and dropped Otunga with an RKO. Orton turned his attention to Barrett, who was on the stage by now, to give him an icy look. The crowd wasn't satisfied and wanted someone to go through a table, so Orton put Otunga through the table with an emphatic powerbomb. The crowd popped. Barrett tried to act unimpressed as Orton turned his attention to Barrett to keep the stare down going. After a replay, Orton continued to stare down Barrett.
WINNER: Double Count-out at 5:57. Thus far, this feels like a standard WWE wrestling show with a standard arena setting, the announcers playing up storylines, the next PPV promoted, and matches designed to advance stories rather than just keeping things at a standstill a la a house show.
2 -- JACK SWAGGER (w/Dolph Ziggler) vs. ZACK RYDER (w/Sgt. Slaughter)
Swagger quickly pounded on Ryder to take control before Ryder came back with a right hand strike. And another. Ryder then delivered a Broski Boot and called for the end while Ziggler freaked out ringside. Swagger countered the Rough Ryder, though, and delivered a shoulder block for a two count.
Swagger then fed Ryder to the outside for Ziggler to deliver a sucker punch. Ziggler comically hopped on the announce table to tweet about his greatness before Slaughter came over to clothesline Ziggler. Swagger got in Slaughter's face, then kicked him in the gut. Swagger ripped off Slaughter's headband, then booted Ryder on the outside.
Back in the ring, Swagger went for a running Swagger Bomb, but Ryder got his feet up to block. Ryder followed up with the Rough Ryder for a pin and the win. Post-match: Ryder brought Slaughter into the ring to stalk Swagger for the Cobra Clutch. Meanwhile, Ziggler retreated to the stage to set up Ryder-Ziggler at the PPV.
WINNER: Ryder at 3:46.
3 -- Divas champion BETH PHOENIX & NATALYA & BELLA TWINS vs. KELLY KELLY & ALICIA FOX & EVE & MARIA MENOUNOS -- eight-Divas tag match
The heels isolated Eve building to a hot tag to Kelly. The action broke down before Maria tagged into the match and Beth stopped her in her tracks. Beth shoved Maria into the corner, but Maria avoided a corner attack and scored with a sunset flip. It was good for a quick three count that shocked everyone. Maria sold shock as well before the faces celebrated in the ring and Phoenix retreated to the floor with Natalya.
WINNERS: Team Maria at 2:45.
4 -- IC champion CODY RHODES vs. DANIEL BRYAN -- non-title match
Rhodes dominated early on and continued to glare at Booker. Rhodes applied a bow & arrow submission, but Bryan escaped and landed multiple uppercuts. Rhodes cut him off, though, and scored a two count. Bryan made a comeback and continued to sell the ribs before landing a corner kick strike. Bryan then clotheslined Rhodes over the top rope to the floor in front of the announcers. Naturally, Rhodes tried to send a message to Booker by attacking Bryan on the outside. Booker had enough and walked over to Bryan to check on him, drawing Rhodes's attention. "Booker T" chant as Rhodes rolled Bryan back into the ring. Rhodes then exposed the ribs, but ducked under the ring to jaw with Booker, who popped him in the mouth behind the ref's back. Bryan then rolled up Rhodes from behind for a quick three count.
Post-match: Rhodes threw a fit. "You should be fined!" Cole shouted over and over toward Booker, who returned to the headsets and said he lost his composure. "That's my bad. I'm sorry!" Booker said. In the ring, Rhodes shouted at Booker to come meet him in the ring. Booker dropped the headset, removed his tailored suit jacket, and the fight was on in the ring. Booker landed a big back body drop that cleared Rhodes to the outside, then Rhodes grabbed his title belt and started to leave. Rhodes ran back into the ring, though, and took a right hand to the face from Booker. This time, Rhodes bailed for good. Booker's music hit and he did a spin-a-rooni to the delight of the crowd.
WINNER: Bryan at 4:29. Booker was terrific in the post-match with the "I'm sorry" line. Overall, a fine set up for Booker-Rhodes at the PPV.
5 -- WWE tag champions AIR BOOM (KOFI KINGSTON & EVAN BOURNE) vs. PRIMO & EPICO (w/Rosa Mendes) -- non-title match
Bourne and Kofi took turns working over Primo early on before Epico tagged in. Lucha Libre broke out before Bourne caught Epico with a kick to the face. The tag champs resumed an attack, this time on Epico. The heels then cut off Kingston, who made a tag to Bourne moments later. Lots of camera time going to Rosa here, even during Bourne's time to shine. The action broke down, which left Bourne alone in the ring to take a backstabber from Epico. Epico made the cover for the win, nearly drawing shock from Primo. The heels then celebrated in the ring as Swoggle reluctantly announced the winners.
WINNERS: Epico & Primo at 2:57. This felt heavily edited for time. If it's the start of a new tag division feud, then thumbs up.
6 -- SHEAMUS vs. DREW MCINTYRE
The color contrast was very noticeable since it appeared McIntyre spent the entire day in a tanning bed. Sheamus quickly blasted away on McIntyre, then wanted the Celtic Cross, but Mac rolled away for a rope break. Mac used the misdirection to take control momentarily. After a thumb to the eye, Sheamus snapped and tackled Mac before pounding on him with big right hands. Sheamus landed big knees to the back of the neck before pounding on his chest. A Brogue Kick put Mac on his back and it was good for the pin and the win. Cole said the moral of the story is not to make Sheamus mad.
WINNER: Sheamus at 2:17. A firm squash to continue building up Sheamus while he's in-between programs.
7 -- WWE champion C.M. PUNK & JOHN CENA & BIG SHOW vs. World Hvt. champion MARK HENRY & ALBERTO DEL RIO & THE MIZ -- six-man tag match
Punk and Miz started things off, with Punk taking control after a brief exchange. Punk then teased a tag to Cena, who accepted. Cena and Miz did a double leap frog into a dropkick from Punk. Great house show spot. Punk accidentally went for a cover, so Cena pushed him off and made a cover for a nearfall. On the outside, Punk raised his arms to acknowledge he got over-zealous trying a pin not being the legal man. Show then tagged in and quieted the crowd to blast Miz with a chop. Miz ran away and tagged in Del Rio, who slowly entered the ring to square off with Show. Del Rio had enough of Show and ran over to Henry to tag him in.
Henry nodded his head to acknowledge Show before slowly entering the ring for a mid-ring face-off. The two big men traded blows before Henry delivered a big bodyslam for a two count. Henry, satisfied with his work, slapped Del Rio to bring Del Rio into the match. Del Rio wasted a bunch of time, then stomped and kicked Show. Miz was next in to try the same offense as "John Cena" was trending on Twitter. Henry then re-entered the ring to apply a bear hug on Show. Show broke free with headbutts and a back kick, then the two big men collided mid-ring with a double clothesline. Cena sold shock after the collision before warming up the crowd.
Punk took a hot tag as Miz took a tag from Henry. Punk flew at Miz with a springboard clothesline before delivering rapid-fire offense. Punk then hopped on Show's shoulders and they walked across the ring for Punk to deliver a Macho Man elbow drop from Show's shoulders. Miz kicked out of a pin, though, after Del Rio stomped Punk in the head. The heels then isolated Punk and Henry did some trash-talking during the beat down. Henry positioned Punk for the World's Strongest Slam and trash-talked Show, but Punk escaped and hot-tagged Cena to a big reaction.
Cena entered with offense on Henry before delivering a fallaway slam on Henry. The action broke down with Show delivering a chokeslam to Del Rio, Punk with the GTS for Miz, and Show with a KO Punch to Henry. Henry then stumbled into Cena, who lifted Henry in the air for the Attitude Adjustment. Cena made the cover for the win.
WINNERS: Team Cena at 9:24. Solid house show-quality main event with the stars "letting their hair down" before Cena capped it off with a classic Power Display to send the crowd home happy.
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