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The Official Wrestling Thread (now with more news and stuff)
Arcademan:
6 -- 30-MAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH
Cue up The Miz's music as the #1 entrant, per the final Raw before the PPV. Miz emerged through his "Awesome" bubble letters from WM27 last year as Cole declared that Miz will go coast-to-cast tonight. In the ring, Miz took the mic and said everyone backstage is laughing and snickering at him for being #1. He said those same people doubted him when he first set foot in WWE and he will prove everyone wrong tonight. Alex Riley came out as #2 to begin the match. After a brief exchange, Miz dumped Riley over the top rope, eliminating Riley. Miz then danced around in the ring, waiting for his next foe.
Conveniently, #3 was R-Truth, another former Miz tag partner. No eliminations, then #4 was introduced as IC champion Cody Rhodes. Booker grumbled as Rhodes charged the ring and delivered a Disaster Kick to Truth. Rhodes and Miz then double-teamed Truth before Rhodes pointed to the WM28 banner. No eliminations, then #5 was Justin Gabriel to no reaction. Gabriel tried some offense, but Rhodes quickly cut him off. No eliminations, then #6 was Primo. No sign of Rosa Mendes, which Lawler of course pointed out on commentary. In the sea of humanity, Miz chucked Truth over the top rope for an elimination at 7:12. Truth popped up, though, and yanked Miz under the bottom rope to deliver his finisher. Miz was not eliminated, though.
At #7 was Mick Foley, who emerged to a strong reaction. Foley, sporting a red flannel shirt and Cactus Jack t-shirt, popped Primo with right hands. Foley then eliminated Primo, earning his first elimination of the night. Foley followed with a corner knee to Rhodes's head before delivering a double-arm DDT. Next up at #8 was Alberto Del Rio returning from a one-month absence due to injury. Instead of Del Rio, though, it was Ricardo Rodriguez in a beat up car doing Del Rio's gimmick. So, Ricardo is the official #8 entrant. Ricardo did Del Rio's shtick before slowly entering the ring. "Ricardo, Ricardo" chant as he approached Gabriel and Foley before pounding away on Rhodes. Suddenly, Ricardo and Foley double-teamed to eliminate Gabriel at 11:26.
Santino came out at #9, setting up a battle between Santino and Ricardo. They did a comedy bit rolling across the ring before Santino gave Ricardo a wedgie and tossed him over the top rope at 12:51. So, it was Socko vs. Cobra with Miz still on the outside. Foley and Santino dueled with their respective hand-puppets before #10 was revealed as Epico. Epico was promptly eliminated by Foley's Socko at 13:56. Foley and Santino tried to resume their duel, but Rhodes and Miz jumped them. Rhodes eliminated Santino at 14:28, then Rhodes eliminated Foley at 14:47. That left Miz and Rhodes in the ring before #11 was revealed as Kofi Kingston. Kofi tried to eliminate Miz, but Rhodes helped out Miz.
At 16:30, #12 was revealed as Jerry Lawler, who stripped off his non-wrestling gear and left the announce table to enter the Rumble. Lawler and Miz resumed their feud from last year and the end of 2010 before Lawler went up top for a fist drop on Miz. Suddenly, Rhodes dumped Lawler over the top rope at 17:31. "Dammit!" Booker said. Next, #13 was revealed as Ezekiel Jackson. Zeke stormed the ring as Lawler returned to the announce table. No eliminations, then #14 was Jinder Mahal to an even smaller reaction than Gabriel. Jinder took a good, long walk to the ring as they hit the 20:00 mark. No eliminations.
At #15, Great Khali made his big return right after Jinder's entrance. Khali waddled to the ring to resume his feud with Mahal, but not after chopping down the other Rumble entrants. Khali then dumped out Mahal at 21:40. Ezekiel Jackson was the next cut at 21:55. The crowd came to life for #16, which was Hunico on his lowrider bike. In the ring, Hunico flew at Kingston before delivering some high-impact offense. No eliminations, then #17 was Booker T, who stood up, took off his dress clothes, and hit the ring, much to Cole's chagrin. Booker went after Rhodes, then came face-to-face with Khali's gut. "Booker T" chant as the six men in the Rumble traded control. For this year's John Morrison Spiderman moment, Miz dumped Kofi over the top rope, but Kofi did a handstand across the ring, hit the ring steps, and re-entered the ring to avoid elimination. Big reaction for Kofi's feat.
At #18, Dolph Ziggler entered the ring fresh off a WWE Title match loss. Cole resumed his praise for Kofi avoiding elimination as Ziggler worked on Kofi. No eliminations, then #19 was revealed as Hacksaw Jim Duggan to a huge nostalgia reaction. Duggan promptly cleaned house to "USA" chants before clotheslining Hunico. Duggan got in his spots, but Rhodes eliminated him at 28:31. Booker and Khali were then eliminated simultaneously by Rhodes and Ziggler at 28:55. At #20, Michael Cole excitedly had his name called. Cole dropped his clothes, put on his amateur wrestling gear, and hit the ring as Booker joined the announcers. Cole proudly entered the Rumble, pointed to the WM28 sign, posed in the ring, danced around, and waited for someone to face him.
At #21, Kharma's music played to a big reaction. And here comes Kharma back in a WWE ring. Cole started crying as Kharma approached him and dropped him. Booker went nuts as Kharma stalked Cole before Booker and Lawler yanked Cole out of the ring at 31:25. Suddenly, Kharma dropped Ziggler with a butterfly suplex, prompting Vickie Guerrero to confront her. No matter, as Kharma eliminated Hunico at 31:55. But, Ziggler eliminated Kharma from behind at 32:02. Out next at #22 was Sheamus, who cleaned house on folks. Sheamus then cut Kofi at 33:12. Next, Rhodes took ten forearm strikes to the chest. Miz was next to take the strikes to the chest.
At #23, Road Dogg Jesse James returned to action. Dogg, in DX gear, cleaned house on the heels before delivering rapid-fire jabs to Rhodes. Miz then took a pumphandle slam. Dogg got in his signature moves and remained in the match past another entry. At #24, Jey Uso came out, accompanied by Jimmy Uso. Cole name-dropped Rikishi as Uso landed a corner splash on Dogg. No eliminations, then #25 was revealed as U.S. champion Jack Swagger to groans. Swagger joined the group, which still included #1 Miz. No eliminations. At #26, Wade Barrett came out to random new music. It does not fit Barrett at all. Barrett stormed the ring and attacked everyone in the ring before dumping Road Dogg at 39:05. Down to the final four entrants, starting with David Otunga as #27. Otunga took his sweet time entering the ring as Cole noted they hit the 40:00 mark with Miz still in the Rumble.
Out next at #28 was Randy Orton to a huge pop in Orton's hometown. Business picked up real quick with Orton storming Barrett and cleaning house. Rhodes cut off Orton, but Orton set up Rhodes and Ziggler for a double spike DDT from the second rope. Uso tried to get Orton, but Orton chucked him out at 42:37. Orton then tossed Barrett at 42:45. And, out at #29 was Chris Jericho after the lights went out in the arena momentarily. Jericho then promptly tossed Otunga at 43:33. The men remaining in the ring struggled for eliminations leading to the final entry.
And, out last at #30 was Big Show. No Cena, Kane, or Henry. Show stormed the ring and Swagger was eliminated at 45:08, then KO Punched by Show. In the ring, Show eliminated both Miz and Rhodes at 45:40. Show then tossed Ziggler at 45:55. And, the Final Four is Sheamus, Jericho, Big Show, and Orton. The other three tried to gang up on Show, but Show fought them off. Orton suddenly dropped Show with an RKO, though. Suddenly, Orton lifted Show up and over the top rope at 47:11. Jericho then tossed Orton right after at 47:16, shocking the hometown crowd. So, it was Jericho vs. Sheamus.
Arcademan:
Jericho and Sheamus circled the ring as the camera focused on the WM28 banner hanging atop the arena. Jericho pointed to the logo, then the two men circled each other again. Sheamus landed elbow strikes, then Sheamus teased eliminating Jericho, but Jericho held on to the top rope. Jericho avoided elimination, then came off the top rope with a missile dropkick. At 50:00, Sheamus came back with an Irish Curse backbreaker, then tried a Celtic Cross over the top rope, but Jericho blocked. Jericho then clotheslined Sheamus, but Sheamus held onto the top rope. A step-up kick didn't eliminate Sheamus, either.
Jericho reset, but Sheamus launched himself with a springboard shoulder tackle from the ring apron back into the ring. Sheamus then tried to eliminate Jericho, but Jericho held on. A Brogue Kick missed, then Jericho slapped on the Walls of Jericho center-ring. Sheamus reached the bottom rope for a break, and Jericho saluted himself to boos. Jericho was nearly eliminated next, but Jericho pulled himself back into the ring. The action moved to the top turnbuckle and they crotched themselves, teasing a double elimination. Back in the ring, though, Jericho nailed the codebreaker. The crowd was hushed, anticipating a final elimination, which they teased again fighting near the ropes.
Sheamus held on to the top rope to avoid elimination, then Jericho slapped him across the face. Sheamus got The Look in his eyes and shoved Jericho across the ring, but missed with a Brogue Kick. Jericho went for another Codebreaker, but Sheamus blocked and tried to throw Jericho over the top rope, but Jericho held on. Jericho then balanced himself on the ring apron and Sheamus blasted him with a Brogue Kick. Jericho fell off the apron, landing on the floor, and Sheamus is the winner.
WINNER: Sheamus at 54:54 to win the 2012 Royal Rumble. And, Jericho's tease of the "End of the World" falls flat. Just an okay Rumble before a strong finish. There were a few of the "memorable Rumble moments," but the Final Two seemed to come too soon and there were too many non-stars in this match, which exposed WWE's lack of roster depth. Assuming Sheamus doesn't "lose his WrestleMania spot" at the Chamber PPV or sometime else, it looks like Bryan vs. Sheamus for the World Title at WM28 on the Smackdown side. Or, WWE could switch the title to Henry and set up the Henry-Sheamus rubber match dating back to 2011. But, that's all to be sorted out in the weeks to come. (***1/2)
ORDER OF ENTRY
(1) The Miz
(2) Alex Riley
(3) R-Truth
(4) Cody Rhodes
(5) Justin Gabriel
(6) Primo
(7) Mick Foley
(8) Ricardo Rodriguez
(9) Santino
(10) Epico
(11) Kofi Kingston
(12) Jerry Lawler
(13) Ezekiel Jackson
(14) Jinder Mahal
(15) Great Khali
(16) Hunico
(17) Booker T
(18) Dolph Ziggler
(19) Hacksaw Jim Duggan
(20) Michael Cole
(21) Kharma
(22) Sheamus
(23) Road Dogg Jesse James
(24) Jey Uso
(25) Jack Swagger
(26) Wade Barrett
(27) David Otunga
(28) Randy Orton
(29) Chris Jericho
(30) Big Show
ORDER OF ELIMINATION
(1) Riley at 1:15 (Miz)
(2) Truth at 7:12 (Miz)
(3) Primo at 8:34 (Foley)
(4) Gabriel at 11:26 (Foley & Ricardo)
(5) Ricardo at 12:51 (Santino)
(6) Epico at 13:36 (Foley)
(7) Santino at 14:28 (Rhodes)
(8) Foley at 14:47 (Rhodes)
(9) Lawler at 17:31 (Rhodes)
(10) Mahal at 21:40 (Khali)
(11) Jackson at 21:55 (Khali)
(12) Duggan at 28:31 (Rhodes)
(13) Khali at 28:55 (Rhodes & Ziggler)
(14) Booker at 28:55 (Rhodes & Ziggler)
(15) Cole at 31:25 (Kharma)
(16) Hunico at 31:55 (Kharma)
(17) Kharma at 32:02 (Ziggler)
(18) Kingston at 33:12 (Sheamus)
(19) Road Dogg at 39:05 (Barrett)
(20) Uso at 42:37 (Orton)
(21) Barrett at 42:45 (Orton)
(22) Otunga at 43:33 (Jericho)
(23) Swagger at 45:08 (Show)
(24) Miz at 45:40 (Show)
(25) Rhodes at 45:40 (Show)
(26) Ziggler at 45:55 (Show)
(27) Show at 47:11 (Orton)
(28) Orton at 47:16 (Jericho)
(29) Jericho at 54:54 (Sheamus)
Arcademan:
WWE RAW Results: 1-30-12
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.
1 -- RANDY ORTON vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero)
Ziggler "showed off" with a Ric Flair strut, which Orton ignored before slapping on a headlock. Orton continued to dominate while the announcers continued to shoot questions to Mathews to ask Barrett in the skybox. Ziggler came back with a dropkick to the head, leading to a commercial.
Back from break, Cole was raving about the match-up, which he transitioned to a defense of Laurinaitis ahead of his "performance evaluation" tonight. Ziggler maintained control as Barrett continued to talk himself up. Orton then came back with a clothesline, but Ziggler avoided a second and delivered a dropkick for a two count. Ziggler channeled Scott Steiner with mid-match sit-ups (instead of push-ups) before climbing up top. He took too long, allowing Orton to crotch him. Vickie screamed ringside as Orton teed off on Ziggler with right hands. Orton then wanted a superplex (big reaction for the set-up) and he delivered his dad's finisher center-ring. Orton made a cover, but Ziggler kicked out.
Orton and Ziggler reset with an exchange of right hands before Orton delivered consecutive clotheslines into a powerslam, which Cole actually called correctly. Orton then wanted his second-rope DDT, but Ziggler slipped out and slapped on a sleeperhold. Orton escaped, then did a sweet roll-over into a roll-up for a nearfall. Ziggler delivered a kick to the knee, though, before delivering a Fameasser for a close nearfall. They cut to a shot of Barrett watching the match from the skybox before the wrestlers reset in the ring.
Orton delivered a clothesline taking Ziggler to the floor before throwing Ziggler into the guardrail. Back in the ring, Orton delivered a second-rope DDT as Vickie screamed and shouted. Orton then stalked Ziggler and delivered the RKO center-ring to a very strong reaction. Orton made the cover and it was good for the win. Post-match, they showed Barrett frowning atop the skybox ahead of their match-up on Smackdown. Orton posed in the ring before Cole plugged Champion vs. Champion between Punk and Bryan tonight. Also, the next inductee in the WWE Hall of Fame.
WINNER: Orton at 11:16. It's amazing what a month off can do for a banged-up wrestler, as Orton looked loose, fresh, inspired, and excited to be in the ring, and had an extra bounce in his step. Excellent match after the commercial and a hot crowd was fully invested in Orton. If this was the kick-start for Orton's run to WrestleMania, it was a hot start. (**1/2)
2 -- BRODUS CLAY vs. TYLER REKS
Clay jiggled and intimidated Reks with various shaking before accepting a boot to the face. Reks followed with a dropkick that took Clay down to one knee, but Clay started to Funk Up before delivering a belly-to-belly suplex. Clay followed with his "What The Funk?" body splash for the pin and the win.
WINNER: Clay at 1:04.
3 -- WWE champion C.M. PUNK vs. World Hvt. champion DANIEL BRYAN -- non-title Champion vs. Champion match
The match started with Bryan in control before teasing a surfboard stretch that he turned into a stomp. Bryan followed with a kick strike before slapping Punk across the face. Punk followed with a kick strike as Cole noted that Bryan's Chamber opponents will be announced on Friday's Smackdown. He added that the champions after the Chamber will defend their titles at Mania. Bryan regained control leading to the top of the hour.
The announcers started switching about Bryan, with Cole starting to warm up to Bryan based on being a vegan and Lawler mocking Bryan. The match moved to the floor, where the two men traded forearm blows. Bryan then tossed Punk over the guardrail into the front row as the referee's ten count continued. Punk made a desperation leap back into the ring just before ten to continue the match. Cole reset the action as Punk and Bryan traded control with both men back in the ring.
Bryan missed with a corner dropkick, then Punk made a cover for a two count. Punk applied a reverse chinlock as Cole went back to heeling on Bryan and Lawler went back to defending Bryan. Bryan then ducked a clothesline before the two men collided hard in the middle of the ring. Cole sent the show to commercial at 6:00 with Bryan and Punk selling the effects.
Back from break, Bryan had Punk secured in a submission lock. Bryan cockily bent Punk's fingers to apply more pressure before stretching the heck out of Punk's torso into a pin for a two count. Bryan stood up, smirked, raised his arms in the air, and went up top, but Punk crotched him. Punk then chopped away at Bryan's chest before climbing up top for a huracanrana after shouting "Best in the World" in Bryan's face. The two men came to their feet and Punk delivered knock-down offense, followed by a swinging neckbreaker. Punk connected with a corner knee followed by a bulldog.
Punk called for the GTS, but Bryan slipped out and bailed to the floor. Bryan shook his head, then turned around to take a baseball slide. Punk wanted a suicide dive, but Bryan intercepted with a forearm. Bryan then went up top for a missile dropkick that connected for a two count. Cole called it an even match-up since the get-go. Bryan then stalked Punk to deliver kick strikes to the chest. A fourth missed, though, and Punk rolled up Bryan for a two count. Bryan then came back with a standing huracanrana, but Punk rolled through into a roll-up for a two count. Bryan immediately came back with a kick to the head and scored a close nearfall.
A dueling chant picked up as Bryan dragged Punk to the corner and hoisted Punk up-top. Bryan wanted a superplex, but Punk blocked and headbutted Bryan to the mat. Punk then stood up on the top turnbuckle and signaled for the Macho Man elbow drop, which he connected with. Punk made a cover, but Bryan kicked out. Punk then tried the GTS, but Bryan countered with a crucifix pin for a nearfall. Bryan went right into the LeBell Lock, but Punk slipped out and catapulted Bryan into the corner. Punk followed with a swift kick to the head and Bryan slipped to the apron.
Suddenly, Chris Jericho stormed the ringside area, flung Bryan away for a DQ ending, and dropped Punk with a codebreaker in the ring. Jericho stared down Punk with an icy glare, then Justin Roberts actually gave the announcement of Bryan winning the match. Bryan's music played and he celebrated his victory on the way out of the ring. They went to a replay of Jericho's attack before Lawler note he doesn't understand that attack. They cut to a shot of Jericho on the stage smirking toward the crowd as Punk tried to recover in the ring.
WINNER: Bryan via DQ at 15:07. Excellent showcase of Punk and Bryan's skills in the ring. Just an excellent match before setting up the expected Punk-Jericho feud. When was the last time Raw had two excellent wrestling matches on the same show? (***1/2)
4 -- THE MIZ vs. KOFI KINGSTON
Miz and Kofi traded control as Truth talked up his Chamber chances. Miz then glared toward Truth, who laughed and said Miz looks so angry. Miz maintained control before Cole excitedly talked up Kofi's handstand to avoid elimination last night. Miz cut off Kofi's comeback with a snap DDT for a nearfall, then Miz mocked Kofi and missed with a corner attack.
Kofi followed up with a high cross-body block for a nearfall, before Miz and Kofi traded finishing move teases while the announcers completely missed the action. Kofi suddenly nailed Trouble in Paradise and made the cover for the win. After a replay, Kofi was shown celebrating in the ring before they went to a still-shot of Kofi's handstand during the Rumble last night.
WINNER: Kingston at 4:15. Very surprising clean result considering Kingston has been floundering with or without Evan Bourne the past few months. Right now, it just looks like renewed focus on Kingston leading to the Chamber, but perhaps it will turn into something more permanent for Kofi. (*3/4)
5 -- Divas champion BETH PHOENIX vs. EVE -- Divas Title match
Eve came out first and kept looking over her shoulder, nervous about Kane's whereabouts. Beth Phoenix took advantage of Eve's mind being elsewhere and quickly delivered the Glam Slam for the win.
WINNER: Phoenix at 0:30 to retain the Divas Title.
Arcademan:
So here's the deal...haven't posted TV results for awhile so if you need an update on them, head to the Neo-Geo Forum: Official WWE Thread for all the results (linky to the Neo is below my signature picture).
Arcademan:
TNA Against All Odds PPV Results: 2-12-12 (next 2 posts)
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's ongoing report).
1 -- ZEMA ION vs. JESSE SORENSEN -- #1 contender match to X Division Title
In the ring, Sorensen scored a quick two count before the two men traded pin attempts. Sorensen cleared Ion from the ring, then Ion tried to steal a football from the kid involved in the pre-match bit. Sorensen answered with a baseball slide kick, but missed with a plancha and ate the floor. Ion followed up with a springboard moonsault that KO'ed Sorensen on the floor.
Back in the ring, Ion did the belt-around-the-waist motion as the ref applied a ten count to Sorensen. The ref eventually checked on Sorensen again when Ion didn't respond to the ten count. The ref did the "X" signal before calling for the bell. In the ring, Ion gloated in victory before more medics came to ringside to check on Sorensen. So Cal Val announced Ion as the winner via count-out as they continued to focus on Ion without showing Sorensen KO'ed ringside.
Post-match: They went to a split-screen of Ion gloating and a replay of the match as Sorensen continued to be checked on. As more personnel continued to check on Sorensen, they cut to Tenay and Borash at the announce table to discuss the moonsault that KO'ed Sorensen. Tenay talked to Keith Mitchell and David Sahadi to get another look at the moonsault that KO'ed Sorensen with a knee to the head. They went to camera shots of concerned fans ringside as the announcers continued to fill time.
WINNER: Ion via count-out at 4:04.
2 -- TV champion ROBBIE E. (w/Rob Terry) vs. SHANNON MOORE -- TNA TV Title match
Shannon quickly cleared Robbie from the ring, so Robbie and Rob threatened to leave with the title belt. They made it half-way up the entrance ramp before Shannon tracked down Robbie and threw him back into the ring. Back in the ring, Shannon scored with brief offense before Robbie cut him off as JB talked about hanging out with Robbie at the night clubs when they tour various cities.
Shannon tried to make a comeback, but Robbie cut him off before delivering a knee from the second rope. Shannon, who looked a bit sluggish in the ring, tried to show fire before teasing a comeback, but Robbie cut him off with a headlock. Shannon then delivered a dropkick to the head that both men on the mat. They came to their feet and Moore made his comeback before knocking Robbie to the outside. Shannon came off the second rope with a springboard moonsault, then scored a nearfall back in the ring.
The action moved to the top turnbuckle, where Moore delivered a huracanrana that Robbie sold like a champ. A nearfall resulted. Next, they went to a pinfall exchange sequence before Robbie shoved Moore to the ropes, and Terry popped Shannon in the face. Shannon then rebounded into a swinging DDT from Robbie for the pin and the win.
WINNER: Robbie at 9:32. Robbie really worked hard to make this passable for PPV, as Shannon appeared to be disconnected from the match. The crowd was disconnected, as well, which didn't help matters. Robbie is slotted as a lower-card heel, but he continues to show potential to offer more to TNA.
3 -- Knockouts champion GAIL KIM vs. TARA -- Knockouts Title match
After a video package highlighted the Knockouts Title scene, Tara came to the ring as the challenger. KO champ Gail Kim then came to the ring along with Madison Rayne. No shark cage this month, as TNA authority figures have apparently given up on preventing Rayne from interfering. About mid-way through the match, Rayne walked out on Gail, who waved her good-bye. Gail continued to dominate, then her over-confidence led to Tara snapping off a powerslam. Up-top, Tara went for a moonsault and connected, but sold a right knee injury. Tara talked to ref Earl Hebner, then they went to the finish of Gail nailing Eat Defeat for the pin and the win. Post-match: Tara continued to sell the right knee.
WINNER: Gail at 6:50. The injury seemed like an "out" for Tara to take the loss, rather than a legit injury, unlike the opening match.
4 -- TNA tag champions MATT MORGAN & CRIMSON vs. SAMOA JOE & MAGNUS -- TNA Tag Title match
The challengers were the first men out for the match. The tag champs were out next, with Crimson still billed as "undefeated." Tenay stressed that Crimson has not been pinned in singles or tag matches. Early on, the two teams traded control of the action with all four men tagging in and out, without much standing out. The challengers then double-teamed Crimson to begin wearing him down. Morgan pounded the top turnbuckle to try to rally behind Crimson, but the heels maintained control. The sleepy crowd woke up a bit when Joe delivered a stiff chop to Crimson's chest before stalking him to deliver more offense.
Crimson finally made a comeback and tagged in Morgan to a reaction. Magnus also tagged in, setting up a confrontation between Morgan and Magnus. Morgan then dropped Joe with a discus clothesline before ramming the challengers's heads together. Morgan, fired up, measured Magnus for a corner strike, but Magnus blocked, only to take a swinging frontslam from Morgan for a two count. The action broke down at this point. Morgan and Crimson called for the end, but Magnus broke it up. The challengers then had a miscommunication before Crimson and Morgan had a miscommunication. The end result was a snapmare into big elbow from Magnus on Morgan for the pin and the win. New tag champs.
Post-match: Joe & Magnus celebrated with the Tag Titles before Crimson re-entered the ring to try to make sense of what happened. They replayed the finish before showing the new tag champs celebrating again. They went to a final shot of Crimson half-way up the entrance ramp shaking his head.
WINNERS: Joe & Magnus at 9:58 to capture the TNA Tag Titles. The finish was foreshadowed when Tenay stressed at the beginning of the match that Crimson's "unbeaten streak" includes not being pinned in tag matches. The new tag champs make for a good pairing and it's a good stepping stone for Joe if TNA is going to get behind him again.
5 -- X Division champion AUSTIN ARIES vs. ALEX SHELLEY -- X Division Title match
Shelley was the aggressor early on and Aries tried to stall for time. Aries went for a jawbreaker across the top rope and some object went flying into the air, then to the mat. Shelley came back with a top-rope dropkick before Aries disappeared underneath the ring, then came out the other side to sneak-attack Shelley. Aries followed with a suicide dive that KO'ed Shelley on the outside.
Back in the ring, Aries dominated Shelley as the crowd tried to rally behind Shelley. Aries took forever to set up his pendulum elbow drop, allowing Shelley to move. However, Aries quickly recovered, only to take a kick to the chest, followed by left-hand jabs and a chop to the chest. Shelley followed with a knock-down clothesline before firing himself up. Shelley knocked Aries to the outside, avoided the same disappearing act trick from Aries, and suicide dive-splashed Shelley on the outside.
Back in the ring at 10:00, Shelley scored a close nearfall after delivering Finlay's Celtic Cross finisher. Aries came back with a pendulum elbow smash, then went for a brainbuster, but Shelley blocked. The two men then collided mid-ring and sold on the mat. The action moved to the ring apron, where Aries delivered a DVD across the ring apron. Shelley sold by staring straight ahead with his eyes popping out of his head. Back in the ring, though, Aries could only score a two count. Aries then went up top and missed with a 450 Splash before Shelley connected with Sliced Bread to much excitement. Shelley made the pin, but Aries grabbed the middle rope just before three, drawing gasps from the crowd.
The action reset with Shelley stalking Aries for a kick, but Aries ducked and floated over with knees to the head, followed by a running dropkick. Aries followed right up with a brainbuster and made a cover, but Shelley kicked out just in time. Aries, frustrated, tried another b-buster, but Shelley countered with a small package for a two count before landing multiple kick strikes to the head for another two count. Aries blocked another Sliced Bread attempt before nailing another brainbuster. He transitioned into the Last Chancery and Shelley was forced to tap out moments into the submission hold.
WINNER: Aries via submission at 15:08 to retain the X Division Title. Easily the best match of the show thus far and a very good showcase for both men. Aries vs. Ion is next up for the X Division, but an Aries-Shelley series would be good for the division. (***1/2)
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