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

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Arcademan:
WWE NXT Results: 12-15-11

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

1 -- TRENT BARRETA & YOSHI TATSU vs. TYLER REKS & CURT HAWKINS

This has the makings of a good match. Barreta and Reks start off, with Reks immediately kicking Barreta in the gut and going to work with clubbing blows. Trent makes a quick comeback with a dropkick, and tags in Tatsu. Tag team double armdrag, Barreta with a running flip dive, and Tatsu makes the cover for one. Tatsu with chops in the corner, but Reks reverses a whip. Tatsu catches his head in a scissor hold in the corner and kicks him off. Tatsu to the top, but Hawkins tries to interfere, letting Reks arm drag Tatsu off the turnbuckle and across the ring. Reks overpowers Tatsu and tags in Hawkins. Hawkins with a suplex for two. Striker, rather out of character for himself, says that Hawkins and Reks have been given chances in the past and are overinflating their complains.

Reks come back in, does some work and gets Hawkins back in. Tatsu with a jawbreaker, but he can't make the tag. He breaks free again and this time he slaps Barreta's hand. Barreta flies across the ring to clear out Reks from the apron, then takes down Hawkins. Barreta with a running neckbreaker, then up top for a high crossbody (as in, "Kofi Kingston high,") but Reks breaks up the tag. Tatsu comes in, but Reks clotheslines him right out again. Barreta knocks Reks out, but Hawkins surprises him with a clothesline. Hawkins tries his weird powerslam, but Barreta slips out and rolls up Hawkins for the win. Barreta wisely runs out of the ring before Reks can catch him.

WINNERS: Trent Barreta and Yoshi Tatsu in 4:00. I would have liked to have seen this as a 10-15-minute match, but the ending and the pre-match promos definitely set up a longer program between the two teams, which has nothing but upside. Anything that puts more of these four wrestlers on-screen is good.

2 - JEY USO vs. JTG (w/Tamina)

Jey with a quick takedown and headlock, but JTG escapes. Jey with a shoulder tackle. JTG with a gutbuster to gain control. JTG looks like he stole Chavo's old trunks and turned them into baggy jeans. JTG mocks Uso's attempts to get the crowd involved by saying "Us... No" while locking Jey in a leg scissors. JTG goes on his typical offensive routine. Jey with a spinning elbow to get some breathing room, and after some back-and-forth, Jey lands a superkick for the win. Post-match, Tamina kisses JTG to revive him, and Jey hams up that he's sick.

WINNER: Jey Uso in 3:00. Quick, boring match, and the end came out of nowhere. What was the point of this?

3 - PERCY WATSON vs. JOHNNY CURTIS

Watson immediately takes over. Curtis gets frustrated and heads to the corner for a break, but Watson meets him there for more punishment. Watson continues to take out his anger on Curtis. Watson charges Curtis in the corner, but Curtis lifts him up and over the ropes sending Watson to the floor. Curtis goes outside to beat on Watson a bit. Curtis rolls Watson into the ring and cuts off Watson's comeback with a suplex. Curtis with an armbar while Striker mentions his Ronald Reagan picture.

Curtis to the second rope, but Watson counters with a jumping knee to the face in one of those non-moves. Watson with dropkicks and a superman punch, then an overhead throw. Watson dances and lands the standing crossbody press for two. Curtis fights out of the corner, kicking Watson's hand, then working it a bit more. Curtis with his brainbuster finisher (which looked more like a suplex; it was a touch sloppy) for the win out of nowhere. Mathews didn't even realize it was the end and treated it like any other move.

WINNER: Johnny Curtis in 4:00. Decent match without enough time to really get out of first gear. Both Watson and Curtis have done better when given more than a few minutes.

Arcademan:
TNA Impact Wrestling Results: 12-15-11

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

1 -- TNA World Hvt. champion ROBERT ROODE vs. A.J. STYLES -- TNA World Title match -- 5-minute overtime period

It wasn't clear if this was still contested like an Iron Man match or Sudden Death rules with the first fall to win. 45 seconds in, Tenay clarified it's Sudden Death. Roode tried to run away early on, but Styles trapped him in the ring for a series of nearfalls. Roode cried out for a time-out, but Styles continued to attack the champ. Styles took a kick to the injured knee, though, allowing Roode to target the injury. Styles fought back with elbow strikes into a springboard reverse DDT for a close two count when Roode grabbed the ropes for a break. 30 seconds to go and Roode thumbed Styles in the eye. Roode saw the clock on the scoreboard and rolled to of the ring. They placed chase again before Styles landed a springboard splash. The clock ran out, though, before Styles could attempt a pin.

WINNER: Time Limit Draw at 5:00.

Post-match: The crowd chanted for five more minutes, but Roode told the crowd to shut up. Sting's music then hit to bring out TNA's authority figure on-stage. Sting said they could do this all night, then booked a re-match with the first fall winning the match.

2 -- TNA World Hvt. champion ROBERT ROODE vs. A.J. STYLES -- TNA World Title match -- First Fall Wins

As soon as Sting made the announcement, Roode clipped Styles from behind as Styles was listening to Sting. Styles sold a leg injury and Roode immediately applied a half-Boston Crab. Styles tried to fight the hold, but had to tap out to save his leg. Roode is still World champ.

WINNER: Roode at 0:38 to retain the TNA World Title. Good advancement of Roode's heel character getting under the skin of the audience. The goal should be to get people to pay money to see Roode get his comeuppance, so we'll see if TNA can build to that moment at Genesis when Jeff Hardy challenges Roode.

3 -- ABYSS & SCOTT STEINER vs. HERNANDEZ & ROB TERRY (w/Rosita and Sarita) -- Wild Card tag tournament First Round match

A lot of big dudes in this match. At the start, Tenay passed along some news from Final Resolution that either Jeff or Karen Jarrett will be fired tonight. Steiner dominated the match and asked the crowd if they wanted to see Abyss enter the match. Steiner extended a hand to Abyss, who just ignored him. Terry then popped Steiner from behind before Hernandez choked Steiner with his t-shirt. Ref Earl Hebner delivered some unintentional comedy looking for something to distract himself with so he conveniently would not see the choke.

Abyss finally had enough of standing on the apron, so he tagged himself into the match to destroy Terry and Hernandez. Abyss delivered a Black Hole Slam to Terry, then pointed to Steiner. Abyss slap-tagged Steiner and gave him the floor to enter the ring. Steiner made the cover on Terry and it was good for the win. Post-match: Steiner didn't know what to make of Abyss, so he tried to leave the ring, but Abyss yanked him back to center-ring so they could celebrate the win. Steiner continued to sell bewilderment before posing in the ring. Abyss pointed to his head to suggest he has a plan.

WINNERS: Abyss & Steiner at 4:13. A Steiner face turn would work here since crowds are too entertained by his act to boo him. But, this came across more like TNA trying to enhance Abyss's mental skills to go with his physical and sexual skills.

4 -- ANTHONY NESE vs. ZEMA ION -- Best of Three Series -- Match #1

Nese blasted Ion to the outside early on. He then played to the crowd before leaping over the top rope with a flip dive that nearly missed Ion. Back in the ring, Nese delivered a springboard elbow strike for a nearfall. Nese followed with a flying uppercut. He tried a top-rope huracanrana, but Ion blocked and scored with a missile dropkick. Ion followed with a gutbuster, but pulled off a pinfall twice. Ion wasn't satisfied with his work, so he went up top for a 450 splash and connected. This time, he was satisfied and scored the pin for the win.

WINNER: Ion at 4:00. Apparently Ion is a heel now. The finish gave Nese motivation to get revenge in the next match and potentially the series, so a fine way to set up the next match in the series after a random start.

5 -- JESSE NEAL vs. GUNNER (w/Ric Flair)

The bell sounded and Gunner stampeded Neal with strikes and blows. Gunner followed with a corner tackle and more clubbing right hands. Ref Hebner sold intimidation as Flair flashed Gunner a thumbs up. A "Jesse, Jesse" chant fired up Gunner some more, so he dumped Neal to the outside. Hebner tried to reprimand Gunner, but Gunner shoved him, which drew a DQ.

Post-match: Flair removed the ring padding and Gunner measured Neal for a DDT onto the concrete. Neal sold being KO'ed as Tenay noted Neal's history of head and neck injuries. They quick-cut to a replay as the crowd chanted that Gunner sucks. Quick-cut back to ringside, where agents and EMTs were ringside. Tenay quietly said they'll keep on top of this.

WINNER: Neal via DQ at 1:42. There's the write-off for Neal parting ways with TNA.

6 -- TV champion ROBBIE E. & DOUG WILLIAMS vs. SAMOA JOE & MAGNUS -- Wild Card tag tournament First Round match

Tag partners Williams and Magnus started things off. They had a classic "exchange of holds between tag partners" to capture they are equally matched and know each other very well. Robbie tagged into the match and scored some offense on Magnus, leading to a methodical attack on Magnus.

The crowd tried to rally behind Magnus, who tried to tag in Joe. Eventually, Magnus made the tag and Joe cleaned house. Snap powerslam led to Williams accidentally elbow-dropping Robbie trying to break up a pin. Joe then landed corner elbow strikes on Robbie before Magnus came off the top with an elbow drop. Magnus then crotched Williams and Joe followed with a Muscle Buster for the pin and the win. Magnus and Joe work together for the win. Afterward, Robbie bailed while Joe & Magnus reluctantly celebrated in the ring.

WINNERS: Joe & Magnus at 3:58. There's potential for this Joe & Magnus duo. At the very least, it gives them purpose and a chance to develop chemistry with multiple TV matches.

7 -- TRACI BROOKS vs. KO tag champion MADISON RAYNE

Before the match, they focused on Traci's feud with Knockouts champion Gail Kim and Rayne. To start the proceedings, Traci jumped Rayne on the entrance ramp before dragging her to ringside and into the ring to officially start the match. Madison absorbed the pre-match attack, then scored a series of nearfalls in-between taunts. After being frustrated by the nearfalls, Madison scored the decisive fall, then gloated about her victory.

WINNER: Madison at 3:52.

8 -- JEFF HARDY vs. BULLY RAY

Ray jumped Hardy before the bell sounded, allowing him to quickly wear down a sore and injured Hardy. Tenay tried to get Roode's thoughts on the Jarretts being fired, but he only wanted to talk about himself. He then challenged Roode on being a fighting champion. Roode rolled his eyes and said he went 30 minutes on Sunday and another overtime period tonight. Roode then laughed at his actions last Thursday spitting in Dixie Carter's face. Ray continued to wear down Hardy as Roode claimed Hardy doesn't stand a chance against him at Genesis.

Hardy tried to mount a comeback by elbowing out of a bear hug, but he ate a big back body drop from Ray. Ray scored multiple nearfalls attempting pinfalls, then went back to work, but missed with a corner splash. Hardy fought back with right hands as Roode knocked his family and said the title belt is his family. Hardy went for the Twist of Fate and connected. Hardy made the cover, but Ray kicked out. Ray came back with a sidewalk slam, but Hardy escaped again. Ray missed with another splash, then Hardy hit another Twist of Fate. This one was good for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Hardy at 4:40. They packed a ten-minute main event into five minutes, which made Ray look a bit weak taking a clean loss, but also enhanced Hardy on his title quest. The post-match allowed Ray to get his heat back associating with Roode, who continues to be a strong lead heel. It's old hat continuing to involve authority figures in the top program, but at least Sting can eventually wrestle if they're building to a Roode-Sting match down the road.

Arcademan:
WWE Superstars Results: 12-16-11

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

1 - JUSTIN GABRIEL vs. DREW MCINTYRE

Drew puts Gabriel into the turnbuckle, but when he jaws at the ref for breaking it, Gabriel takes over. McIntyre quickly comes back with punches, but Gabriel ducks a Big Boot and goes on the attack. McIntyre connects with the Big Boot, and lands a gutbuster from a fireman's carry for two, and transitions to a seated abdominal stretch. Gabriel mounts a comeback, but McIntyre gets a back body drop and covers for two. McIntyre with a pair of backbreakers as Striker and Mathews resume their petty arguing, even referencing events from NXT. McIntyre looks cocky after putting Gabriel into the corner, but he transitions a tilt-a-whirl move from McIntyre into a huracanrana, and then lands a springboard moonsault for two. McIntyre clotheslines Gabriel out of the air on a springboard move, then lands the Future Shock DDT for his first win in months.

WINNER: Drew McIntyre in 7:00. These two both have the skills, but it felt like they were stringing together spots, not having a match. All the same, it's good to see McIntyre with a win after months of being squashed on main roster shows and having hard fought losses on Superstars. Gabriel looked fine in the loss.

2 - TRENT BARRETA vs. HUNICO (w/Mystery Man)

Hunico rode on the back pegs of a low-rider bicycle being pedaled by someone I've never seen before, a well-muscled man dressed as stereotypically as Hunico. (Although not identified by the announcers, it was FCW wrestler Donny Marlow, the son of Haku.)

Hunico with an early wristlock for control, forcing Barreta down hard by the hair. Barreta with a quick monkey flip for one and moves to a side chinlock. Hunico armdrags out, then arm drags Barreta right into the turnbuckle, which looked painful. cover for one. Hunico abuses Barreta in the corner. Hunico with a suplex which gets two, and settles into a rear chinlock. Hunico lands some sort of inside-out armdrag. Barreta rolls under the ropes to the apron, but when Hunico leans through to grab him, Barreta surprises him with a leg drop.

Barreta goes up top for the corkscrew moonsault leg drop and lands it for a nearfall after a slow cover. Barreta lands a Gobstopper Knee from across the ring for two. Hunico shrugs off the Dudebuster DDT and sends Barreta into the ropes with a drop toe hold. Hunico with an Olympic slam, then goes up top for a Swanton Bomb for the win.

WINNER: Hunico in 5:00. Excellent, fast pace to this match. With Hunico having a new mystery partner, is he separating from Epico and Primo, to have two gang-like Hispanic stables? Or is this just an expansion of the stable?

3 - ALEX RILEY vs. JACK SWAGGER

Wow, Eden Stiles is sounding like she's actively trying to imitate Lillian Garcia, who is a good announcer to mimic. Swagger trips Riley to put him face-first into the turnbuckle, but after a break, Riley comes out of the corner throwing big fists. Riley dodges Swagger and takes him down. Swagger heads to the corner and Riley gets a Mugshot-like move for one. Riley tries to do a springboard move out of the corner but Swagger hits him with a Big Boot for two, and then starts to dominate him on the mat with blows. Swagger Bomb gets two. Swagger controls Riley by the head, but telegraphs a back body drop so Riley kicks him. Swagger explodes with a clothesline from his knees, and goes back to work on Riley.

Shoulder tackle gets Swagger two, then he tries a chicken win on the mat. Riley punches out, ducks a clothesline and hits a pair of his own. Riley eats an elbow, but immediate responds with a spinebuster. Riley sets up for his floating DDT but Swagger turns it into a belly-to-belly suplex. Swagger looks for another Swagger Bomb, but Riley gets boots up. Riley sets up the "Final Score" finisher, but Swagger slides down for a sunset flip. Riley rolls over and leverages down for a two count. Swagger rolls through and into the Anklelock, but Riley escapes. Riley with the floating DDT, but Swagger kicks out at the last moment. Riley looks frustrated and Swagger looks grateful. They reset the match, and Riley tries Ten Punches again. Swagger throws him off and lands a diving chop block. Swagger with the Anklelock again, and Riley quickly taps.

WINNER: Jack Swagger in 8:00. Very good match. Swagger's always had it, and his motivation lately is through the roof. Riley's proving that he can put on a good match. I liked the back-and-forth and these two worked well together.

4 - WWE tag champions AIR BOOM (EVAN BOURNE & KOFI KINGSTON) vs. EPICO & PRIMO (w/Rosa Mendes) -- non-title match

Air Boom seems to have their own t-Shirts and new, proper music that isn't a mix of either of their theme songs. Nice to see a tag team treated like a team!

Epico and Evan Bourne start off. Epico with a quick armdrag, then forces Bourne into the corner. Bourne jumps over Epico and then hits a pair of Japanese armdrags, the second into an armbar. Some fast Bourne offense, and Bourne brings in Kingston. Weird double team move for two. Scott Stanford hilariously slips in "Show-Miz" in a list of great tag teams along with Degeneration X and Rock 'n Sock Connection. Kingston with a cover for two. Kingston with a sunset flip followed by a double foot stomp for two. Epico gains control and tags in Primo. Kingston with a clothesline on both of them, but Primo regains control, and settles into a cravat.

Primo dumps Kingston to the outside, but when he tries a suicide dive through the ropes, Kingston surprises him with a Pele kick. Kingston with a springboard dropkick which sends Primo across the ring. Primo clears Epico from the apron, and then launches Bourne over the ropes to land a knee on each heel simultaneously. Rosa jaws at Bourne, and they cut to a Hulu commercial.

Back from break, Borune is covering Primo for two. Bourne with kicks to the hamstrings, but Bourne gets dumped into the ropes. Primo with some work and a cheapshot from Epico. Primo mounts Bourne for punches, and brings in Epico. Epico with a back elbow and a short cover, then head control. Lots of camera focus on Rosa at ringside. Epico with a running neckbreaker, and tags in Primo. Primo with a side Russian Legsweep and a bizarre hold when he has a leg scissors on the head and an armbar. Bourne tries to get out, but Primo keeps him away from Kingston. Primo with a schoolboy for two, and then brings Bourne back to the corner and tags in Epico.

Epico with a dropkick for two, and a suplex for two. Primo tags in and the crowd rallies Bourne. Bourne reverses a suplex attempt, and then hits double knees on another reversal and both men are down. double tags and Kingston with a Superman Punch, a pair of clotheslines, and a dropkick on Epico. Another Superman Punch and Kingston sets up for the Boom Drop and gets it. Rosa gets mad as he looks for the Trouble in Paradise, but Epico ducks. Epico charges Kingston, who counters with a pendulum kick. Kingston goes up to and lands the big crossbody, but Primo breaks up the cover. Bourne comes in and tries to clear him with a huracanrana, but Primo reverses and tosses Bourne over the ropes.

Epico gets in some offense, and Primo blind tags in. Kingston lands Trouble in Paradise out of nowhere on Epico, but Primo sneaks up from behind and has the Backstabber for the win. Post-match, the heel trio celebrates. Wow, Rosa Mendes in heels is taller than Primo; I've seen her in person and she's shorter than shown here.

WINNER: Primo and Epico in 10:00. Another slick match featuring these wrestlers. I'd like to see them do a ladders match at TLC. Like previous outings, no one dominated long enough for it to get boring, and the ending wasn't predicted by the action in the ring.

Arcademan:
WWE Smackdown Results: 12-16-11

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

1 – CODY RHODES vs. DANIEL BRYAN

Booker joined in on commentary after his segment. Bryan still had his ribs taped. He tried a quick LeBell Lock :30 into the match, but Rhodes fled to ringside before any damage could be done. They went to break :44 in.

Back at 3:35 of the match. Rhodes went for a leap-frog, but Bryan dropkicked him a little low, just above the waist-line. Cole got on Booker for getting involved in a match rather than focusing on commentary. Rhodes suplexed Bryan from inside the ring to outside. You always hold your breath on that move. Back in the ring, front-first suplex for two. Body-scissors by Rhodes. Rhodes blocked a kick and took the offense to Bryan again, with another two-count at 6:11. Backslide attempt by Bryan, then a magistral cradle for two. Missile dropkick off the second rope by Bryan for a two-count. Cole continued challenging Booker, with the two paying almost no attention to this match. At least they’re using the time to hype up a PPV match. Top-rope back suplex by Bryan, but Rhodes turned in mid-air and landed across Bryan’s ribs. Bryan kicked out at two. Rhodes countered a roll-up, hopped to his feet, and hit Cross Rhodes for the win.

WINNER: Rhodes, at 8:35. Solid match and a good win for Rhodes. Not sure where this leaves Bryan.

2 – ALICIA FOX vs. NATALYA

Natalya brought a box of tissues to the ring and pretended to cry, using them and then tossing them aside. Fox tried a quick roll-up in the corner, but Natalya held on and stomped Fox in the stomach. Mathews said three Divas will be blogging for Perez Hilton starting on Monday. Abdominal stretch, but Nattie rolled up Fox for two. Fox kicked out, sending Nattie into the ropes, and Fox rolled Natalya up with a small package for the win. She had a handful of extensions too.

WINNER: Fox, at 1:02. As I talked about in my chat with James Caldwell earlier today on the Torch, it looks like Fox is next in line for a Divas Title shot.

3 – THE USOS vs. EPICO & PRIMO

Jimmy and Jey did their Polynesian battle cry atop the stage before they came to the ring. Rosa Mendes accompanied Epico and Primo to the ring. Flying elbow by Jey on Epico for two. Quick tags by the faces early on. A distraction led to Primo bringing Jimmy throat-first over the top rope. Double-team by Primo and Epico. Jey made the hot tag at the 2:00 mark. Running butt splash on Primo in the corner, but the pin was broken up by Epico. Distraction by Rosa led to one of the Usos getting crotched after going to the top rope. Primo hit the backstabber for the pin.

WINNERS: Epico and Primo, at 2:58. I never thought Primo would get off of Superstars let alone get some wins, but he’s been underutilized for a while. Giving him a push and doing it by propping up the tag division is win-win.

4 – THE BIG SHOW vs. JACK SWAGGER

As soon as the bell rang to begin the match, Mark Henry’s music played. He walked out in a Hall of Pain t-shirt, jeans, and carrying a steel chair. Swagger tried to get Show from behind, but Show wasn’t having it. He did manage to take Show off his feet, but not for long. Show mowed Swagger over. Show seemed more motivated with Henry sitting at ringside. Bodyslam on Swagger. Show choked Swagger on the middle rope, then chopped him. Two Swagger bombs in the corner on Show after the All-American American avoided a corner splash. Show made a comeback by chopping Swagger while he was on his knees. The splash connected, as did the shoulder tackle. He signaled for the chokeslam next. Swagger rolled through the chokeslam and hooked on the ankle-lock. Henry yelled for Swagger to “break it (the ankle)!” Show was in the move for a while, but stared at Henry, the broke the hold. Knock-out punch (the WMD) dropped Swagger for the three-count.

WINNER: Show, at 5:46. Good psychology in this one (and I’m sure Henry isn’t terribly sad for Swagger, who blew him off backstage) and Show looked dominant against Swagger.

5 – HEATH SLATER vs. TED DIBIASE

They actually showed clips of the DiBiase Posse that takes place before shows. Roll-up by DiBiase right off the bat. Roll through into a pinning predicament by DiBiase for two. The roll-ups started to frustrate Slater, who slapped DiBiase in the face. Hard whip into the buckle by Slater. Chop off the top rope by Slater for two. DiBiase came back and planted Slater with Dream Street for the pinfall.

WINNER: DiBiase, at 3:09. Another week, another win for DiBiase. Nothing wrong with that.

6 – JINDER MAHAL vs. SHEAMUS

After a collar-and-elbow tie-up, Sheamus took Mahal down. Mahal came back with rights. Size-wise, Mahal matches up surprisingly well with Sheamus. Sheamus avoided a knee-lift, which allowed Sheamus to then nail Mahal across the chest with ten forearms. He launched himself from the apron over the top rope with a shoulder block. Neck-breaker by Mahal for a near-fall. He brought forearms of his own across the chest of Sheamus. Sheamus didn’t allow Mahal an extended offensive run and hit the Irish Curse back-breaker. Brogue Kick finished things.

WINNER: Sheamus, at 3:50. Mahal could use a few quick wins like DiBiase has been getting lately in order to bring that feud back to an even standing.

7 – RANDY ORTON & ZACK RYDER vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER & WADE BARRETT

Ryder face-planted Ziggler, then tagged in Orton at 1:03 of the match. Orton stayed on offense with ease against Ziggler, suplexing him for a two-count. Ryder came back in and Ziggler knocked Ryder off-balance after Ryder headbutted him. Barrett was in and Ryder tagged Orton, but Barrett scampered back to his corner and tagged Ziggler in. Orton took Ziggler down and knocked Barrett off the apron while he was at it, but he took his eye off Ziggler and paid for it. Ziggler countered an Orton back-breaker, and Ryder came in to dropkick him out of the ring. They went to break with the faces standing tall at 4:33.

Back at 8:48 of the match, with Orton having mounted the second rope, delivering punches to the head of Dolph Ziggler. High knee-drop right on target. Ziggler missed a clothesline and it appeared his momentum forced him to slide outside the ring and to ringside – that would’ve been some clothesline – but perhaps it was just a way to allow Barrett to enter the ring and boot Orton in the face. Knee-lift on Orton, then Ziggler tagged in. The heels isolated Orton in their corner. Ryder made the hot tag just after 12:00, and he hit Barrett with the Broski Boot. Rough Ryder missed and Ziggler punched Ryder in the head to stop his momentum. Ryder desperately tried to make a tag, but Ziggler held him back. Barrett tried to hit Wasteland on Ryder, but Ryder countered into a DDT and both men were down at 14:50. Orton finally made the hot tag and took apart Ziggler. Gutwrench into a neck-breaker by Orton for two. Pin was broken up by Barrett. Ryder clotheslined Barrett over the top, but outside the ring, Barrett whipped Ryder into the barricade. Roll-up, with the tights by Ziggler, only got two. Fameasser attempt, but Orton dodged it and RKO’d Ziggler. Barrett was about to interfere before the pin, but Orton made eye contact with him, and that was enough to keep Barrett out of the ring.

WINNERS: Orton and Ryder, at 16:07.

Arcademan:
WWE TLC PPV Results: 12-18-11 (next three posts)

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's ongoing report)

1 -- U.S. champion DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero) vs. ZACK RYDER -- U.S. title match

Ziggler started with some early offense and "showed off" about his successes. Ryder then blocked a leap frog and catapulted Ziggler into the top turnbuckle. Ryder followed with a clothesline sending Ziggler to the outside, then scored with a flip dive. Fist pump and "Whoo Whoo Whoo" kept the crowd involved. Before the match could return to the ring, Ziggler caught Ryder with a neckbreaker across the ring apron to take control of the action. In the ring, Ziggler landed elbow drop after elbow drop to "show off" again. Meanwhile, Cole and Lawler bantered unintelligently about Ryder's social media movement.

Ryder came back with a dropkick, then multiple clotheslines. Ryder followed with the Broski Boot and connected. Ryder had a pin, but Vickie put Ziggler's foot on the bottom rope. The ref saw it, so he gave Vickie the boot from ringside, much to the crowd's delight. Back in the ring, Ryder rolled up Ziggler from behind, but Ziggler escaped. Ryder then walked into a top-rope neckbreaker and Ziggler tried a quick Zig-Zag, but Ryder avoided. Ziggler came back with a Fameasser, but Ryder kicked out in time.

The action reset with the crowd rallying behind Ryder, who blocked another Zig-Zag, but Ryder walked into a dropkick. Ziggler couldn't put Ryder away, then decided to go up top, but Ryder crotched him. Ryder then set up for and delivered a huracanrana. Cover, but Ziggler kicked out in time. Ryder tried to follow up with the Rough Ryder, but Ziggler blocked, then rolled up Ryder from behind, but Ryder kicked out again.

At 10:00, the crowd rallied behind Ryder again. Ryder delivered double knees to the gut, then dropped Ziggler with the Rough Ryder. Ziggler bumped like crazy for the finish and Ryder made the cover for the pin and the win. Post-match: They cut to a shot of Ryder's Dad and the Big O going nuts ringside. Cole was speechless as Ryder celebrated with the U.S. Title belt. They cut to a shot of Cole with a boo-boo face as Lawler tried to get him to enjoy the moment. Ryder then hit ringside to celebrate with Zack's Dad and the Big O. Ryder stood on the announce table and fist-pumped with the crowd before leaving ringside with the title. Another big reaction for Ryder on the way out before he dropped down on the stage and celebrated the title victory. After a replay of the finish, they went back to Ryder celebrating the win.

WINNER: Ryder at 10:23 to capture the U.S. Title. Excellent opening match. A nice, feel-good moment for Ryder, and the crowd was hot to support the decision to advance Ryder up the ladder. For Ziggler, it could lead to a split from Vickie for a standalone singles run. (**3/4)

2 -- WWE tag champions AIR BOOM (EVAN BOURNE & KOFI KINGSTON) vs. EPICO & PRIMO (w/Rosa Mendes)
 
Before the match, Cole and Lawler recapped Epico & Primo's solid week of victories to earn the title shot tonight. The heel challengers took control of the match after Bourne missed with a high-risk move. Rosa, who continues to get more camera time than Epico & Primo, taunted Bourne as the heels continued to wear him down. Cole, in-between Twitter plugs, predicted a title change, which gave away that the titles are not changing hands.
 
Bourne finally made a tag to Kofi, who went high-flying on the heels. Kofi delivered the Boom Drop on Primo, then wanted Trouble in Paradise, but Epico ran interference. The action broke down before Kofi caught Primo off the ropes with TIP. It was good for the pin and the win.
 
WINNERS: Air Boom at 7:32 to retain the Tag Titles. Basic tag match presented as filler after Ryder's match. (*1/2)

3 -- RANDY ORTON vs. WADE BARRETT
 
Orton tried to retrieve a table early on, but Barrett kicked the table into Orton's face. Orton turned the tables, then the match moved to the floor. Referee Jack Doane retrieved gloves from his pocket, so someone was apparently bleeding. The fight moved up the rampway to the stage area as the camera picked up on Barrett having a cut over his right eye. Orton then chased Barrett down the entrance ramp to the ringside area, but Barrett rammed Orton face-first into the ringpost. Barrett followed with a big boot that decked Orton. Barrett then wiped away the blood over his eye before sliding a table into the ring. Barrett also set up a table ringside, then wanted a big splash through the table, but Orton crawled off.
 
Barrett continued the assault ringside as Orton sold various injuries. Back in the ring, Barrett choked Orton in the ropes and landed multiple knee strikes. Barrett then booted Orton off the ropes, but Orton held his ground on the apron to avoid falling through the table ringside. For his next move, Barrett wanted a running powerslam through a table in the corner, but Orton slipped out and went on the attack. Orton delivered signature offense, including a spike DDT off the second rope. Orton then went to That Place to set up for the RKO, but Barrett countered with the Black Hole Slam.
 
Barrett resumed the attack by slamming a table onto Orton's chest. Barrett followed up by placing Orton stomach-first on a table. Barrett then went up top and went for a big elbow splash, but Orton popped to his feet and delivered the RKO through the table all in one fluid motion. That came out of nowhere for an emphatic victory for Orton. Lawler suggested Orton was playing opossum to lure Barrett into his trap. Again, Cole was saddened by his "teams" continuing to lose.
 
WINNER: Orton at 10:16. Another highlight-reel mid-air RKO for Orton. It gives Orton a "win" without Barrett losing much since he wasn't pinned and he dominated most of the match. Overall, solid brawl playing off their well-developed feud. (**)

4 -- Divas champion BETH PHOENIX vs. KELLY KELLY -- Divas Title match
 
With the addition of three unadvertised matches on the card (Tag Title, Divas Title, and Swagger-Sheamus), this PPV is starting to feel like an episode of Raw. Kelly used her elusiveness to her advantage early on before Beth overpowered Kelly. She couldn't score a pin, though, allowing Kelly to make a comeback. They exchanged nearfalls before Beth countered a handstand into an emphatic overhead facebuster. It was good for the win.
 
WINNER: Phoenix at 5:17 to retain the Divas Title.

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