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

[Arcademan]

ECW on SyFy Results: 8-18-09

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

1- HURRICANE HELMS vs. PAUL BURCHILL

Striker referred to this as “issue number one” for the Hurricane. Crowd was into the super hero early on- Burchill was all over him in the corner. Hard Irish whip sent Helms to the buckle as Burchill taunted the fans. Helms grabbed him by the throat, but nothing came of that; he was able to recover and hit a Thesz Press though. Hurricane low-bridged an overzealous Burchill, sending the Englishman to the outside. Off the top rope with a cross-body onto Burchill. They took a break at this point.

Surprise, Burchill had Helms in a headlock upon return. They showed how Burchill gained control during the break, by knocking Helms off the top rope. Short clothesline from Burchill, one that garnered him a one-count. Burchill again worked the surgically-repaired neck of Hurricane. He came at Helms with a double-knee in the corner. Helms was set on the top by Burchill, but he struggled to suplex the masked crusader. Helms headbutted Burchill down, then landed a cross-body, but it took enough out of him that he couldn’t make the cover. Right hands by Helms, along with a flying clothesline took him down. Back-breaker of sorts for two. Burchill took over on offense and this time, he went to the top where Hurricane stopped him. Helms with a hurricanrana (hurricane-rana?) off the top that felt like it was in slow motion. Only two for that though. Eye of the Hurricane was successful, and led to the pin.

WINNER: Hurricane, at 11:00. I’m surprised they went so long in Hurricane’s return. It was a good match, but after a hurricanrana, it seemed kind of silly to end things with a finisher so simple as the Eye of the Hurricane.

2- ZACK RYDER vs. YOSHI TATSU

Tatsu took Ryder down and worked the arm. To the top, Zack was stopped up there by Tatsu (the third time in two matches tonight), but Ryder brought him down with his arm across the ropes. It was clear he was going to spend the match trying to weaken that left extremity. Yoshi spun out of a back-breaker attempt and locked in an arm-bar. Ryder got to his feet and threw Tatsu out of the ring. He came back though and got a running knee to the chest in the corner. Rolling snap-mare, then a kick to the chest for two. Zack Attack attempt, but Tatsu countered and took Ryder’s leg out from under him. Rolling senton, shades of Dick Togo according to Striker. He tried to jump over the top and into the ring with an elbow, but Ryder got the knees up on the move, and got the win off of that.

WINNER: Ryder, at 3:01. Fine match to enhance Ryder a bit more. I think Tatsu’s big push is over.

3- WILLIAM REGAL & VLADIMIR KOZLOV vs. CHRISTIAN & EZEKIEL JACKSON

Christian and Regal locked up to start things, about one minute shy of the top of the hour. “Regal sucks” chant from the fans. Wrist-lock by Regal sent the ECW Champion down to one knee. But Christian got out of it and hit a flying European uppercut off the second rope. Kozlov tagged in and Christian tagged him with some right hands. Kozlov just picked Christian up and put him in a back-breaker submission on his shoulder. Kozlov charged, but Christian pulled the top rope down and Kozlov fell to ringside. A distraction by Regal allowed Kozlov to come back and nail Christian in the back. “The Balkan Butcher” Striker called him, obviously a fan of alliteration. Regal worked over Christian on the outside of the ring as the legal man. The heels cornered Christian and tried to prevent him from getting close to making the tag. Rear chin-lock from Kozlov and more punishment in the corner. Christian attempted a backslide on Regal and succeeded, but didn’t get anywhere with it. Springboard sunset flip, but the pin was broken up by Kozlov, who was chased out of the ring by Jackson. As Jackson went back to his corner, he turned Christian around and gave him a uranage. Regal made the pin.

WINNERS: Regal & Kozlov, at 5:10. Ah, I wanted to see the big Kozlov vs. Jackson match-up.

After the match, Kozlov gave his finisher to Christian and Regal begged Zeke to do his again. So he did. Well, Jackson and Kozlov as a tag team makes more sense than having them feud. All three stood in the middle of the ring with their hands raised as the show went off the air.

[Arcademan]

WWE Superstars Results: 8-20-09

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

1 -- KELLY KELLY vs. BETH PHOENIX

Kelly surprisingly knocked Beth to the outside early in the match. She then rolled Beth back into the ring, but Beth smashed her on the way back in. Beth then went to work on Kelly before Kelly came back with a trademark spinning head scissors. Kelly smashed Beth in the corner with two feet, then went up top and connected with a high cross-body block for a two count. Kelly wanted a running handstand elbow, but Beth ducked and put her in the electric chair. Kelly rolled through, though, and scored a close two count. Beth then smashed her with a clothesline. After that, it was all over with the double underhook facebuster for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Beth Phoenix in 5:00. Nice Divas match. Two close nearfalls at the end for Kelly gave her a good showing prior to taking the loss. Beth gave Kelly a lot of offense, but WWE hasn't built up Beth as a serious act despite her size as a Divas giant in some time. After all, she spent seemingly eight years doing comedy with Santino. (*1/2)

2 -- SHELTON BENJAMIN vs. TYLER REKS

Aggressive Shelton was in the ring tonight, as he blasted Reks into the corner turnbuckles with multiple hard whips. Shelton then put Reks on the mat and put a knee in his back as he stretched him out. Josh Mathews and Matt Striker talked quietly about the Summerslam activities in Los Angeles this weekend, as if they didn't want to disturb the quiet crowd. Reks then came to life with a powerslam for a two count. He went up top and nailed a cross-body block, but Shelton rolled through into a two count. Shelton followed up with a spin kick they carefully edited with a quick camera cut, then he dropped Reks with the Pay Dirt in center ring for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Shelton in 4:00. I'm guessing next week on ECW, Shelton is feuding against Sheamus as a babyface. Match was okay. We need to know more about Reks. I dare say put him on Washington's show. I might regret that, but we need some information on who Reks is. (3/4*)

3 -- R-TRUTH vs. CHARLIE HAAS

Haas now sporting full-length black ring tights instead of the biker short trunks or singlet he typically wears. Haas blasted Truth with a clothesline, then sat down on his back with a modified Crossface. Truth slipped out, then dropped Haas to the mat with a hip toss for a two count. Haas missed with an elbow drop, then Truth nailed the Lie Detector - his spinning right hand blow - for the pin and the win. Finish seemed to come out of nowhere. That's easily explainable: his finisher doesn't look like a finisher. Looks like a transition move. Truth celebrated with the crowd for a few moments to conclude the segment.

WINNER: R-Truth in 3:00. Basic mid-card match from the Smackdown brand. Haas's character is without direction right now. He'll probably hang around for a while, get traded to another brand, re-start a push, then drift back to the mid-card. It's an unfortunate pattern when Haas could offer something tangible if given the right program or storyline to work with. (3/4*)

4 -- MARK HENRY vs. CHRIS MASTERS

Early on, Henry blocked a suplex that Masters tried to execute on the big man and countered with a suplex of his own. Henry then tossed Masters half-way across the ring before running into a big boot in the corner. Masters tried the Masterlock, but he sold that he couldn't get his arms anywhere close to around Henry's neck to apply the hold. Henry escaped, hit a clothesline, but missed with the Big Splash. Masters then stomped on Henry and went to work on Hornswoggle's big buddy. Masters applied a reverse chinlock as Henry was down on one knee. Crowd rallied behind Henry, who blocked the Masterlock and rammed Masters into the corner turnbuckle.

Henry threw up a big roadblock with his chest bump, but Masters came back with a third Masterlock attempt. No dice, then Masters ran into the World's Strongest Slam. Henry delivered it too close to the ropes, though, and Masters grabbed the bottom rope to block the pin. Masters then rolled to the outside and crawled on his knees across the guardrail. Masters wanted nothing to do with Henry, so he walked away and lived to fight another day. Henry wins by count-out. He's happy. What was Jim Ross's line? Pay is the same. They replayed the finish, then showed Henry talking to the fans ringside. Henry smiled and raised his arms in victory to close the show.

WINNER: Henry via count-out in 8:00. Fine big man match-up. Both men spent a little too much time on the mat instead of having a more stand-up match where they both looked tough. As soon as Henry hits the mat in a match, he looks weak. Then again, he's usually sporting a mini green Derby on his head. Henry stands tall, Masters plays the Jack Swagger card, and it's a wash. Just a chance to showcase both men in a main event situation. (*1/4)

[Arcademan]

TNA Impact! Results: 8-20-09

Results courtesy of ProWrestling.net (direct link to Powell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

1. Beer Money defeated The British Invasion in a non-title street fight in 5:30. Before the match, other members of World Elite tried to accompany the Invasion to ringside, but referee Earl Hebner wouldn't allow it. Tenay said the referees had been empowered via a new edict passed down by TNA management.

Beer Money went right at the Invasion by attacking them with trash cans and straps. They fought to ringside, where James Storm and Robert Roode teamed up to hit a double suplex on Brutus Magnus. The heels came back and tied Storm to the ring post, but a second referee came out and cut him loose.

Storm brought a board in the ring and slammed it over the head of Doug Williams. He beat Brutus with the board and a trash can and fired up the crowd in a big way. Williams bled heavily from the head. Storm and Roode hit the DWI on Magnus on top of a trash can and pinned him for the win.

2. Angelina Love defeated Madison Rayne in 0:50. Love attacked Rayne at ringide and then dominated the brief match. Afterward, Velvet Sky came out and joined Love in putting the boots to Rayne. They gave her the brown paper bag treatment. Tara's music played and she came out with Christy Hemme to run off the Love and Sky...

3. Samoa Joe pinned Homicide in 4:00. They joined the match in progress. Taz said he brought Joe to the promised land by leading him to the X Division Title. He said that despite his relationship with Joe, he likes Homicide, in part because they're both from Brooklyn. Taz said he completed his task by leading Joe to the title win.

The in-ring action was intense. Joe hit a nasty looking German suplex and followed up with a powerbomb for a good near fall. He went for it again, but Homicide hit him with punches to the head and went on the offensive. Joe came back and hit the Muscle Buster for the clean win... 

4. Traci Brooks (w/Sharmell) defeated Christy Hemme (w/Tara), Awesome Kong (w/Raisha Saeed), and Sarita (w/Taylor) in a four-way in 7:05. There was some clunky action with Hemme and Traci, but then the women took turns hitting big moves at ringside before the break.

After the break, Kong had Hemme set up for a top rope splash, but Traci snuck in and scored the pin. Kong flipped out afterward by throwing chairs at ringside. Tenay announced that Kong would get her shot at revenge next week when she teamed with Saeed to face Traci and Sharmell in the first round of the Knockouts tag tournament...

5. DeAngelo Dinero pinned Consequences Creed in 3:25. Jay Lethal came out with Creed, but referee Andrew Thomas sent him and his tired gimmick to the back. Dinero hit a great uppercut punch early. Later, he lowered his knee pads and hit the move formerly known as the Elijah Express for the win. The fans popped big.

After the match, Suicide's music played and he appeared on the stage. Dinero's eyes got big as he watched Dinero's entrance. Suicide came out and got the better of a brief exchange between the two. Tenay explained that Suicide was getting revenge for something Dinero did at the pay-per-view...

6. Team 3D defeated Kurt Angle and Matt Morgan in a tables match in 12:55. Taz slipped and called Brother Ray by the "Bubba" name early. "I call him Bubba," Taz said. "Whatever." Here comes the legal letter. Team 3D was in control of the match when they cut to commercial a few minutes in.

After the break, Team 3D was still in control. Ray led the crowd in chanting for Devon to get the tables. Morgan cut them off and knocked down Ray and Devon. He set up a table in the middle of the ring. He grabbed Devon by the throat and went for a chokeslam, but Ray moved the table.

Later, Team 3D attempted to double suplex Morgan through a table. Kurt moved it, but not before Morgan's legs hit the table. The referee quickly ruled that Morgan's legs didn't go through the table. Later, Morgan and Angle placed Devon on a table. Angle instructed Morgan to go up top for a move. Team 3D came back and threw Morgan off the top rope and through the table for the win. Morgan was pissed at Angle afterward...

[Arcademan]

WWE Smackdown Results: 8-21-09

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

1- REY MYSTERIO & CRYME TYME vs. BIG SHOW & CHRIS JERICHO & DOLPH ZIGGLER

This must be the night of six-man tags. That re-mix of Show and Jericho’s theme is just awful. Jericho and Rey kicked off the match. Jericho picked Rey up and slammed him right on his stomach. He controlled much of the early action until Rey landed a knee-lift and tagged in JTG, who owns a pinfall victory over Jericho. Ziggler tagged in and kicked away at JTG in a neutral corner. JTG recovered and slammed Ziggler face-first into the mat from the second rope. The faces had control as they went to break three minutes into the match.

It was still Ziggler and JTG as the show returned from break. And Ziggler was still dominating. After Jericho tagged in, JTG made his comeback with a cross-body and Cryme Tyme both got their fair share of offense in. Show tagged in for the first time 8:00 into the match, and he went to work on JTG. Jericho even worked in a cheap shot while referee Chad Patton was distracted. As the fans taunted Jericho, JTG began to fight back against him. Jericho barely kicked out of a cover, but an enziguiri made sure JTG wouldn’t make the tag. Shad tagged in 11:00 into the match, and went so far as to knock Big Show off the apron. It looks like Shad and Jericho both went for cross-bodies, but only Jericho sold it. Rey climbed on Shad’s shoulders and splashed Jericho. Ziggler broke up the pin and Shad threw him out of the ring. Show clotheslined Shad out, propelling himself over in the process. Rey bulldogged Jericho for two. Rey hurricanrana’d Jericho into the ropes and he hit the 619. But Show used the power of the punch to knock Rey out from outside the ring. Y2J tagged Ziggler, who made the pin.

WINNERS: Ziggler, Show & Jericho, at 12:59. Fine preview for Summerslam that was able to plug two matches in one.

2- MIKE KNOX vs. FINLAY

Knox did an inset interview, wearing glasses, talking about what fear is doing to Finlay. Knox got the best of Finlay in the corner until the Irishman fought out. They went to the outside, where both men worked each other over. JR called Knox an intelligent, complex individual. Knox worked the back of Finlay, the lower lumbar region as Gorilla Monsoon would say. Knox stretched out Finlay’s back with a few different moves. Forearms to the back for good measure. Finlay made a comeback, which included a sit-down splash on Knox’s gut for a near-fall. He put Knox up on his back, but the back gave out. He tried it again, and did a forward roll for two. Finlay missed a shoulder charge in the corner, and Knox rolled him up for two. Knox mounted Finlay and pounded away, ignoring the count of the referee and drawing the DQ.

WINNER: Finlay, via DQ, at 5:26. A good mid-card feud extended here. I like Knox, but I hope they get behind his character a bit more. The inset interview tonight actually helped.

After the match, Knox continued the attack and took apart the stairs on the outside. Finlay got a shillaleigh shot in, but Knox landed a bicycle kick, then drove the stairs into the skull of Finlay. Knox smiled as he walked away.

3- MARIA & MELINA vs. NATALYA & LAYLA

Arm-drag into a pin by Layla for two. Maria with a weak clothesline, then a dropkick for a two of her own. Melina came in and chased Layla out of the ring. Melina went after McCool at ringside, tackling her (nearly into JR’s lap), but that allowed Layla to take over and slam Melina’s head off the announce table. Natalya tagged in and put Melina in a surfboard. Natalya still had her legs hooked, and she pulled back on Melina’s neck and hair. Out of nowhere, Melina got a roll-up on Natalya and got the win.

WINNERS: Maria and Melina, at 2:42. I can’t wait ‘til a face gets the title so Natalya can feud with them over the belt. I’m hoping they aren’t completely ignoring her in-ring skills that are so far ahead of every other woman.

4- C.M. PUNK & THE HART DYNASTY vs. JOHN MORRISON & THE HARDY BOYZ

Morrison and Tyson Kidd did battle to start. Matt tagged in and Kidd got the better of him, enough so to take in D.H. Smith. Punk came in and soon after, Matt made the tag to Jeff. Jeff leapt off Matt’s back and hit Poetry in Motion. The three faces cleared the ring as they went to break about 2:40 into the match.

The Hardys double-teamed Kidd out of break, with Matt gaining only a two-count. Morrison with a side headlock take-over on his rival. Another quick tag for the faces, with Jeff coming in hitting his split-legged double leg-drop. Matt missed an elbowdrop, allowing Kidd to tag Smith. Morrison came in and got a cover on Smith for two after a standing shooting star press (called correctly this week by JR). Punk broke up the pin and Smith took over on offense. Morrison went for a Flying Chuck kick, but Punk pushed him over the top rope and to the floor. Out there, David Hart Smith nailed Morrison with a running kick to the chest. JR wondered if Morrison would be able to fight back into the match as they went to another break, about 10:00 in.

Kidd had Morrison grounded in a side headlock as the show returned from its final break. Smith cut off a tag attempt by Morrison. Morrison came back and landed the Flying Chuck kick, but he was too injured to capitalize. Smith tagged in Kidd, and while he stopped Morrison at first from making a tag of his own, a few seconds later, Morrison was able to get the upper hand and tag out. Jeff Hardy cleaned house on all three members of the opposing team. Swanton attempt by Jeff, but Smith pulled Kidd out of harm’s way. Punk tagged in and you could tell he could smell blood. A series of legdrops led to a two-count. Whisper in the Wind connected on his Summerslam opponent, but again, both men were down. Jeff tagged Matt in and he took it to Punk with clotheslines and a bulldog out of the corner. Side Effect for one, as Smith broke it up. Things broke loose as Morrison back-dropped Kidd onto Smith on the outside, then dove onto both of them. After a hangman by Jeff on C.M., Twist of Fate on Punk by Matt for the win.

WINNERS: Hardys and Morrison, at 19:12. Good main event, and an interesting result. Guess they wanted to put Matt over big in his return. That’s a good sign for his future.

The faces celebrated in the ring as Punk was on the outside, trying to comprehend what happened as the show faded out.

[Arcademan]

WWE SummerSlam PPV Results: 9-23-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's ongoing report).
 
1 -- IC champion REY MYSTERIO vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER -- Intercontinental Title match
WINNER: Rey Mysterio at 12:30 to retain the IC Title. Awesome opener. Dolph made himself a star in the process of continuing his quest for the IC Title. Crowd buying into Dolph at the end was a nice moment. Dolph had plenty of offense and clear nearfalls throughout the match to where he didn't lose much by taking the loss. (***1/4)
 
2 -- JACK SWAGGER vs. MVP
WINNER: MVP at 6:21. Okay match. Tough spot on the card for a Raw brand match without any juice behind it after their random 60-second match on Monday. I don't want to write off Swagger based on him taking this clean loss, as Punk lost clean to Kane on the Backlash PPV, and is main-eventing Summerslam three months later, but it shows WWE is prioritizing MVP over Swagger right now. (*)
 
3 -- Unified tag champions CHRIS JERICHO & BIG SHOW vs. CRYME TYME (JTG & SHAD GASPAR) -- Unified Tag Title match
WINNERS: Jericho & Show at 9:48. Took a while for the match to pick up, but a very nice finish. JTG had a memorable moment escaping the Walls of Jericho before taking the Big Punch. Good showcase for Cryme Tyme despite taking the loss. (*3/4)
 
4 -- KANE vs. GREAT KHALI (w/Runjin Singh)
WINNER: Kane at 5:58. At least it's over now. Bad match with a decent finish. Lowered the bar so low early that the finish was intriguing and generated a somewhat genuine response from the crowd. (1/2*)
 
5 -- DX (SHAWN MICHAELS & TRIPLE H) vs. LEGACY (TED DIBIASE, JR. & CODY RHODES)
WINNERS: DX at 20:10. Excellent tag match. Easily WWE's best tag team match of the year. Announcers spent ten minutes talking up Legacy's effort to make sure they came out looking strong before taking the loss. DiBiase and Cody blocking and countering DX's signature moves and sequences was very well done to show Legacy was smart enough to block the exact same moves DX always does in their matches. Legacy was elevated, but we all knew DX was winning barring a fantasy heel turn by Michaels. (****)
 
6 -- ECW champion CHRISTIAN vs. WILLIAM REGAL
WINNER: Christian at 0:07. Gosh, another ridiculous ECW Title match on WWE PPV. (n/a)
 
 
7 -- WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. JOHN CENA -- WWE Title match
WINNER: Randy Orton at 17:40 to retain the WWE Title. If that was a legit fan who hit the ring, it gives new meaning to "If Cena Wins, We Riot" since Cena was about to score a tap out win. Crowd was into the match, but WWE over-booked the crap out of this match. Fan interference - legit or not - was the icing on the cake. For the record - first stop at 13:31, second stop at 15:34, third stop at 15:50, and finish at 17:40. Looks like an Orton vs. Cena re-match at Breaking Point where only way to win is by submission. (**1/2)
 
8 -- World Hvt. champion JEFF HARDY vs. C.M. PUNK -- World Hvt. Title match -- TLC match
WINNER: Punk at 21:34 to capture the World Hvt. Title. Awesome main event title match, albeit with the usual high-risks and chair shots to the head that make you cringe and take a step back from enjoying the action. Drama was great, Punk was great, Hardy was great. Everything was there for a very good main event to conclude the in-ring action and send Hardy off with a match to be proud of if this was indeed his last WWE match before hiatus. (****1/4)

[Arcademan]

WWE RAW Results: 8-24-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only, Thank God! Between DX/McMahon and Mayweather/Big Show, that ate up 45 minutes of the program.

1 -- SANTINO MARELLA vs. THE MIZ

Announcers talked extensively about Miz changing his look, getting more serious after the John Cena program, and going after the U.S. Title belt. Santino did his Santino Comeback and landed the big Khali chop. He then wanted a "Salute" elbow drop, but Miz avoided. He followed with The Stroke for the pin and the win. Post-match: Miz took the mic and said that was him taking one step closer to becoming new U.S. champion. He said that's true because he's The Miz and he's awesome. Cole let us know Kofi is in action later tonight.

WINNER: Miz at 2:05. Basic TV match where Santino had more offense than Miz, who didn't benefit much from this spot. At least he had some post-match promo time to get across his point. (1/2*)

2 -- Divas champion MICKIE JAMES & KELLY KELLY & GAIL KIM vs. BETH PHOENIX & ROSA MENDES & ALICIA FOX

Heels isolated Kelly Kelly in their corner early on, leading to a hot tag to Mickie. Chaos ensued, then Mickie pounded the crap out of Alicia from a mounted position. Mickie was distracted by the other divas, which allowed Alicia to KO - haha, get it? - Mickie and score a pin for the win. Are they going with a Mickie vs. Fox program for the Divas Title now?

WINNERS: Alicia & Beth & Rosa at 2:30. Chance to get some bright colors and flesh on the show. Mickie's in jeopardy as the Divas champion and apparently Fox is being positioned as the next challenger. Or, they just wanted her to win because she had the brightest outfit on or most resembled a character from the Rocky movies. (1/2*)

3 -- Unified tag champions CHRIS JERICHO & BIG SHOW vs. MVP & MARK HENRY -- non-title match

Action was joined in progress with MVP taking it to Jericho. Show then tagged in and worked over MVP as Mayweather watched closely from ringside. To clarify, MVP and Henry get a tag title shot at the PPV if they won. Why didn't MVP just ask Mayweather to book a title match for tonight? Logic holes galore in this guest hosting concept. Show put MVP in a full nelson, then turned it into a full nelson slam leading to Jericho tagging in. MVP broke free from Jericho a few times to tease a hot tag to Henry, but Jericho kept cutting him off. They cut to break with MVP still unable to make the tag.

Back from break, MVP still had not made the hot tag to Henry as Jericho continued to cut him off. Jericho then wanted a Lionsault, but MVP moved and Jericho sold a knee injury. MVP finally made the tag to Henry, who cleaned house on Jericho. Great sequence where Jericho tried the codebreaker, but Henry transitioned to a World's Strongest Slam, only for Jericho to counter into a DDT. He barely score a two count, though, and MVP tagged in for Henry. MVP with the Ballin' elbow drop for a two count. Jericho then blocked the Chono Boot and hit an enziguiri kick for a two count. Henry then knocked Show off the ring apron in chaos. Mayweather then walked over to MVP and slipped him a gimmick. Ref didn't see it, then Jericho picked up MVP, only to have MVP blast him in the face with Mayweather's jewelry. Jericho sold it beautifully. MVP with the cover for the win as the crowd exploded for the cheat-to-win tactics. Cue up a C.M. Punk promo. Mayweather then celebrated in the ring with MVP and Henry. Great shot of Show dragging a lifeless Jericho out of the ring slumped over his shoulder.

WINNERS: Henry & MVP at 14:35. Hot segment where they finally gave the crowd something to sink their teeth into in-ring. Jericho continues to perform at a level higher than 98 percent of the roster after carrying this match. He's just that good in the ring telling a story with his mannerisms and body language to go along with his wrestling skills. (**1/2)

4 -- HORNSWOGGLE vs. CHAVO GUERRERO -- Boxing match

Chavo airballed with some head shots and Hornswoggle fired off body shots. Cole just cackling along as Hornswoggle landed a right hand blow. Chavo then took off his gloves behind the ref's back and scooped up Hornswoggle. Ref DQ'ed Chavo. Chavo then had a sinister look on his face as Hornswoggle was KO'ed on the mat. Chavo wanted a top rope frog splash, but Evan Bourne stormed the ring. Awkward initial exchange, then Bourne fired off dropkicks on Chavo. He then went up top for his signature move and nailed the Shooting Star Press on Chavo to a big reaction. Bourne then checked on Horny as Chavo rolled to the floor writhing in pain.

WINNER: Hornswoggle via DQ at 1:05. And so it continues. WWE is at the "We don't have anything for you" stage with Evan Bourne. That's pretty sad. Move him back to ECW or put him on Smackdown. (n/a)

5 -- DX (SHAWN MICHAELS & TRIPLE H) & VINCE MCMAHON vs. LEGACY (WWE champion RANDY ORTON & CODY RHODES & TED DIBIASE, JR.) -- No DQ match

McMahon got in a spot, then he tagged out to Hunter, who dumped Cody onto Orton and DiBiase on the floor. Baby oil spill needs to be cleaned up. Legacy then retreated to the entrance ramp to get their game right. Cody hugged Orton around the waist to talk strategy as they cut to break.

Back from break, DiBiase had Hunter in the Million Dollar Dream, but Hunter countered with a DDT in center ring. Hunter and DiBiase recovered on the mat, then HBK took a hot tag. Michaels cleaned house on DiBiase, then knocked Legacy off the heel corner of the ring apron. Michaels then wanted a top rope elbow on DiBiase and he connected. Cody suddenly ran into the ring with a burst of speed and absolutely dropped Michaels with a bulldog. Crowd was red hot, then taken down. Nice sequence. Orton then tagged in to screams of horror from the audience. He began stomping away on Michaels before putting a boot into HBK's gut. It's No DQ, why not take that boot a little lower? Cody then tagged in and went to work on Michaels.

Hunter finally took a hot tag at 11:15 and delivered a "vintage" high knee on Cody. He landed an atomic drop, then hit the spinebuster. This is more familiar with the DX formula. McMahon wanted a piece of the action, but Hunter dropped Cody with the Pedigree in center ring. McMahon then begged for a hot tag. He hit the ring and covered Cody, but Orton broke up the pin. Orton then measured McMahon for The Punt, but Michaels came flying in to block. Orton bailed from the ring. Michaels and Hunter stood their ground in the ring, then John Cena's music suddenly hit to a huge pop with the crowd already red hot. "Uh-oh" was the look on Orton's face. There's Cena for the first time tonight. Cena chased Orton into the ring where Orton took the sweet chin music from HBK. Orton then spun into Cena for the FU. McMahon then picked up the pin on Orton for his big birthday celebration pin. Crowd nuts.

Post-match: Cena was trying to keep his composure in front of the hot crowd. Orton slowly rolled to the outside and played dead while Cena leaned down in the ring and did the You Can't See Me toward him. Cena, McMahon, Hunter, and Michaels then took a curtain call center-ring as Cole talked about Cena having the upper-hand on Orton going into Breaking Point.

WINNERS: DX at 13:38. Crowd was red-hot for the entire second-half of the match. Really nice crowd tonight in Las Vegas. I wouldn't go so far to say DiBiase & Rhodes lost the momentum created last night at Summerslam with them being booked to look like DX's equals, but this didn't help them other than being in a standard TV main event match to bump around for DX. We have come to expect Orton to be booked in a position to look weak ever since the Raw before the Royal Rumble, but that's his job to get fans to think he's vulnerable for Cena to finally get the title back. It worked, as the crowd helped build momentum for Breaking Point with the ending to this match. Looks like an eight-man tag also involving Brett DiBiase could be in the works for Raw next week or the week before BP. (***)

[Arcademan]

Ring of Honor Results: 8-24-09

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

1 - KEVIN STEEN & EL GENERICO vs. SAMI CALLIHAN & TONY KOZINA

Kozina set a comedic tone for the match by deliberately tripping as he entered the ring. As Steen and Generico made their way to the ring, Hogwood and Prazak talked about their feud with ROH World Tag Team Champions the American Wolves. The announcers said that Steen and Generico needed to win here to get another shot at the American Wolves, and mentioned some of the other contenders in the tag team division, including the Young Bucks and the Briscoe Brothers.

Generico and Steen took an early advantage, but Callihan interfered illegally to give his side the advantage at 2:00 minutes. Callihan and Kozina got a bit of offence in before Steen picked both of them up on his shoulders at the same time and delivered a double Samoan drop. This set up Kozina for Steen and Generico's package piledriver-into-brainbuster combination finisher.

WINNERS: Steen and Generico in 5:30. Decent enhancement match to build up Steen and Generico as contenders in the tag team division.

2 - D'LO BROWN vs. JOHN KERMAN

Kerman did not get a ring entrance, signaling that this would be a squash match. Brown got all the offense, and could have pinned Kerman on a couple of occasions but chose not to. Ultimately, Brown finished off Kerman with his sky high finisher off the ropes. Hogwood said that he would like to see how Brown does against stronger opposition.

WINNER: Brown in 3:00. Just a chance for Brown to establish his arrogant heel persona and a couple of his moves.

3 - ROH champion AUSTIN ARIES vs. RODERICK STRONG -- Non-Title match

Aries came to the ring wearing Hart Foundation pink. The announcers referred to Aries and Strong's history together as Generation Next stable mates, and talked about how big a victory over the ROH World Champion would be for Strong's career. Aries came out aggressively and managed to get Strong in the last chancery submission hold at 2:00, but Strong quickly got his foot to the ropes. After some back-and-forth, Strong took the advantage with a backbreaker at 3:30 and then worked over Aries' chest with some heavy chops.

The action quickly spilled outside the ring, where Aries took control at 6:00 by shoving Strong into the ring post. Aries followed this up with a Randy Savage double axe handle from the top rope, then rolled Strong back into the ring where he continued to work him over in arrogant heel fashion. Strong made a comeback and hit some power moves on Aries, but Aries regained the advantage by countering a half nelson backbreaker into a crucifix bomb at 8:30.

The pace of the action picked up significantly when Strong made another comeback at 11:30. Aries hit Strong with his trademark heat-seeking missile to the outside, then rolled Strong into the ring and went for another Randy Savage double axe handle from the top rope. However, this time Strong caught Aries in mid-flight and hit him with a backbreaker for a near fall. The action continued to go back and forth with both men coming close to winning. Strong got a couple of very close near falls which brought the fans to their feet, and a "this is awesome" chant broke out at 16:30. Strong had the match in hand until Aries countered a Boston crab attempt into a roll-up and got his feet onto the ropes to score a tainted pin out of nowhere.

WINNER: Aries in 17:30. The match built up steadily, getting better and better until an outstanding final few minutes. With more time, this could have been a classic. As it was, it was a very good TV main event.

After the match, Hogwood praised Strong's outstanding showing against the World Champion. The announcers then closed out the show by hyping next week's eight man main event, and also announced that the main event in two week will feature Tyler Black vs. Jerry Lynn.

[Arcademan]

ECW on SyFy Results: 8-25-09

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

1 -- GOLDUST vs. SHEAMUS

Quick collar-and-elbow tie-up to start things off. Sheamus then grounded Goldust on the mat and worked him over with a headlock. Announcers talked up Sheamus as a seasoned veteran when he's really a Rookie of the Year. Striker with the line of the night referencing Henry Rowengartner from the aforementioned baseball classic of our youth. Nicely done. Goldust made a comeback at 3:00, then Sheamus bailed to the floor. Goldust walked into a trap and ate the ring padding on the floor. Sheamus landed right hand blows, then Goldust countered with right hands. Ref's mic was turned up on the ten count, so that's coming into play. Goldust and Sheamus kept brawling ringside. Goldust then smashed Sheamus into the ring steps. Referee reached a ten count and Goldust was upset with the outcome of a double count-out. Sheamus bailed up the entrance ramp as Goldust entered Dustin Rhodes mode. "Come on, Sheamus," he growled.

WINNER: Double count-out at 4:00. I like the progressions of this feud. Really nice and slow making viewers want to see more of these two. The double count-out wasn't a bad thing despite being unsatisfying this week, as it actually built anticipation for what's next. (*)

2 --- SHELTON BENJAMIN & ZACK RYDER vs. TYLER REKS & YOSHI TATSU

Shelton worked on Reks early on, then wanted to tag in Ryder, but Ryder sold concern over his ring gear to ignore a tag request. Reks then tried to sneak up behind Shelton for a small package, but Shelton kicked out. Ryder then tagged in now that he was "ready," and worked over Reks. Shelton back in. Reks escaped Shelton, then Yoshi tagged in and fired up the crowd before going up top. Shelton crotched him, then Ryder got in Shelton's way. Shelton yanked Ryder into the ring, which counted as a tag. Ryder and Shelton argued before Ryder shoved Shelton out of the ring. Ryder tried to catch Yoshi with the Zack Attack, but Yoshio blocked and nailed a big boot to the face for the pin and the win. Afterward, Shelton glared at Ryder and slowly entered the ring about to explode. Ryder tried to explain himself, then Shelton jumped at him and nailed Pay Dirt in center ring. Crowd not sure how to react to heel/face/heel/face Shelton.

WINNERS: Yoshi & Reks in 4:00. Okay tag match. Just advancing the mini-feud between Shelton and Ryder. Yoshi showed fire and personality, whereas we still don't know much about Reks. (3/4*)

3 -- ECW champion CHRISTIAN vs. WILLIAM REGAL (w/Kozlov and Ezekiel Jackson) -- non-title match

They had a brief opening exchange before Christian knocked Regal to the outside. Christian teased a dive to the floor, but Kozlov stood in front of Regal and stared down Christian. Christian thought better of attacking the square jaw and slipped back into the ring as they cut to break.

Back from break, Regal was in control. Christian fought back, but Regal shoved him to the outside and Christian sold back pain. Ref's ten count drew close to ten, which meant heightened anticipation from the audience. Christian made it back in at nine, prompting Regal to attack Christian with mat holds and strikes. Nice sequence. Regal continue to cut off Christian's comebacks, but Christian blocked Regal's corner attack and climbed up top for a missile dropkick. Christian scored a two count, then fired up the crowd for his big comeback. He exploded off the ropes with a forearm smash, then went to the second rope for another dropkick. Christian went back to the corner and came off the top with another missile dropkick for a two count only, though. Christian then executed a Tornado DDT, but only scored a two count. Lots of two counts for Christian. Regal then shoved Christian to the floor where Christian slapped the taste out of Kozlov's mouth. Back in the ring, Jackson ran interference allowing Kozlov to retaliate with the Iron Headbutt to the gut from the ring apron. Christian then spun back into Regal's giant Knee Strike for the pin and the win. Post-match: Regal stood tall with his hired guns before pointing down at Christian. No word on when his future title match will take place. End show with Christian selling pain (familiar sight) with Regal yelling down at him.

WINNER: Regal in 14:00. There was the very good Summerslam match everyone wanted to see on Sunday. Christian's comebacks were great, Regal's offense was great, and the finish effectively set up the future title match. Should be on the all-submissions PPV with the Regal Stretch coming into play. (**3/4)

[Arcademan]

WWE Superstars Results: 8-27-09

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

1 -- JACK SWAGGER vs. PRIMO

Swagger started with some mat holds on Primo, who came back with kick strikes. Lawler said Swagger doesn't have many friends in the locker room, but he heard Swagger is hanging out with Carlito. Cole said Swagger got his Jerk of the Month club membership in the latest WWE Magazine. Swagger reversed a whip to the corner, then hit the running Vader Bomb. He channeled Scott Steiner and did some mid-match push-ups before grabbing a rear waistlock. Crowd rallied with a "Primo, Primo" chant. Meanwhile, Lawler with some Univ. of Oklahoma jokes to rib Swagger and former co-host Jim Ross while Swagger kept the hold locked in. Primo broke out of the waistlock, but Swagger elbowed him off the apron to the floor. Swagger in control - and he let the crow know about it - going to break.

Back from break, Swagger was still in control and strutting around the ring to continue letting everyone know about it. Swagger applied a modified Rings of Saturn stretch. Swagger then took his time going for another running Vader Bomb, but Primo rolled out of the way this time. Primo then went to the apron and nailed a springboard chop before firing off a round of dropkicks. He followed with a springboard cross body press for a two count. Primo with a Bret Hart-esque Russian legsweep, but another two count only. Swagger then spun him around with a belly-to-belly suplex. Swagger called for the end and wanted the gutwrench, but Primo blocked and hooked Swagger leg for a small package and a two count. Swagger was sucking air at this point. Primo tried a springboard move, but Swagger ducked and Primo sold a knee injury. Swagger then blasted him with a left-arm lariat and followed with the gutwrench powerbomb for the win.

WINNER: Swagger in 13:00. Okay match. Swagger is in a weird position right now. He was red hot on ECW, then cooled off Raw, and booked to lose clean to MVP at Summerslam. This match was just there for Swagger. It seems like WWE is testing his resolve a little right now to make sure he's a little more humble when and if he gets that big push. It's like they said here's 13 minutes of TV time, you're picking up a win, but we're not putting much emphasis on the match because it's Superstars. What are you going to do to prove you deserve a higher place on the card? Interesting to see where they go with Swagger in the U.S. Title picture. (*1/2)

2 -- THE HURRICANE vs. PAUL BURCHILL (w/Katie Lea)

Match started off as an opportunity for Striker to get in his quick-tongued alliterations and comic book references. Hurricane sent Burchill to the floor early on and wanted a dive, but Burchill moved and Hurricane ate the floor. Back in the ring, Hurricane blocked a corner splash with a European Uppercut. He kept his arm extended for an extra moment to emphasize the move. Hurricane teased the Shining Wizard, but Burchill rolled to the outside. Hurricane followed, not wanting Burchill to take the easy way out via count-out. He rolled Burch back into the ring, but Katie grabbed his foot to run distraction. Burchill then rolled up Hurricane with a small package for a three count. Whoa! Burchill won a singles match. It's been a long time since that sentence was written. Afterward, Hurricane sold shock at taking the loss, but then pointed toward a celebratory Burchill to say he's got him figured out now.

WINNER: Burchill in 5:00. Fine match. They're even at 1-1. Very common theme for WWE mid-card feuds recently - split two matches, then set up the rubber match. I'm hoping we get a Best of Seven series down the road from two wrestlers who can really go and make each match seem unique or different. Goldust-Sheamus seems to have the most potential (*)

3 -- DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. MIKE KNOX vs. FINLAY -- #1 contender match to IC Title

Typical start to a three-way match with Ziggler being knocked down on the floor, leading to a Finlay vs. Knox exchange to start. Ziggler then re-entered to break up the first pin attempt of the match. Ziggler and Finlay knocked Knox to the floor, then they battled in the ring. Finlay got the best of Ziggler initially with a hard clothesline. They battled up top, but Knox re-entered and dropped Finlay with an electric chair. Dolph tried to follow right up with a top rope leg drop on Knox, but he moved and all three men were down. Who's going to Breaking Point?

Back from break, Knox was working over Dolph before Finlay tried to re-enter, but he received a driving boot to the throat for his trouble. Dolph and Finlay suddenly hooked up to double suplex Knox. Of course, that working agreement was quickly ended when they couldn't decide who should pin Knox. Finlay then discarded Dolph to the outside to end the disagreement. Dolph kept trying to get involved, but he was cut off repeatedly. Finlay had enough and gave him the Rolling Hills drop for a two count. Finlay with another nearfall, this time against Knox. Setting up Finlay for being "that close" to a victory. Crowd screamed as Knox tried to attack Finlay from behind with the shillelagh, but Finlay ducked a shot and connected with the Celtic Cross drop. Impressive. Knox was out, but but Dolph entered the ring and threw Finlay into the corner ringpost. Dolph then covered Knox's lifeless body and scored the pin for the win. Afterward, they showed Finlay exasperated being "that close" to winning. Dolph celebrated on stage after scoring the heady win. They closed with a plug for Smackdown tomorrow night.

WINNER: Dolph in 14:00 to become #1 contender. Good match for a three-way. Good interaction between all three participants and the match was booked to make Ziggler look smart, Finlay look like a fighting babyface worth rooting for, and to make Knox look tough. Dolph plays that classic under-sized WWE heel so well. He needs to be sneaky to score wins and he pulls it off very well. Finlay probably stood out the most based on the amount of offense he had and the crowd reacting to everything he was doing. Everyone seemed to come out of this match elevated even though it was on the D-Level show, so there wasn't too much elevating that could happen. (**1/2)

[Arcademan]

TNA Impact! Results: 8-27-09

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

1- SUICIDE vs. SAMOA JOE

Joe was very aggressive right off the bat against Suicide. Daniels was at ringside to scout Joe for his match against him at No Surrender. Suicide came back and dropkicked Joe into the corner. Both men utilized kicks early on. One-legged dropkick for two by Suicide. Right after that, Pope D’Angelo Dinero walked to ringside. “Pope is Pimpin’” chant from the crowd. Well, he is dressed quite nicely. Joe hit a running kick on Suicide, then Suicide went to ringside and started brawling with Dinero. Joe went to the outside and started brawling with Daniels. Then we FINALLY got the bell. Dave Penzer announced that the referee, in his new authority, said the match would continue later tonight as a tag match between the four. That’s kind of going above-and-beyond a referee’s control, I think.

WINNER: No Contest, at 2:04.

2- AWESOME KONG & RAISHA SAEED vs. TRACI BROOKS & SHARMELL

Traci took a timeout before even touching Kong. The ladies seemed to argue about who should start the match off. Sharmell ended up in there with Saeed. Sharmell didn’t spend much time in there, and Saeed took the punishment to Brooks with chops and a slam. Suplex by Saeed for two. Sharmell grabbed Saeed by her headgear and that allowed Brooks to get some choking in and take over on offense. Kong finally tagged in and had her way with Brooks. Traci snuck away before the Implant Buster could be applied, but it didn’t save her much time. Splash off the middle rope by Kong, but Sharmell made the save. Saeed tagged herself in as Kong argued with Sharmell and made the pin herself.

WINNERS: Kong & Saeed, at 3:19. Well, this was probably the right decision, since Sharmell can’t/doesn’t wrestle.

3- JESSE NEAL vs. RHINO

Hopefully, this means this “feud” is almost over. Rhino offered a handshake, and Neal took him up on the offer, but Rhino pulled it back and kicked Neal in the gut. Rhino choked away at Neal, and then did so again. Neal tried to fight back, but Rhino cut him off. Rhino kicked Neal in the head, but Neal kicked out of the pin. Big spinebuster by Rhino for the win.

WINNER: Rhino, at 2:10. God Bless the fans in the Impact Zone, but is there anyone watching at home that cares about these two?

Rhino gored Neal after the match. Fans seemed to be on Rhino’s side. Referee Jamie Tucker reversed the decision, awarding the match to Neal. Rhino continued beating on Neal until Brother Devon ran to the ring and got in between the two. That caused Rhino to leave the ring.

4- MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS vs. ABYSS- HANDICAP MATCH

Dr. Stevie accompanied the Guns to the ring. The Guns went after Abyss before the bell, but Abyss came back and chokeslammed Sabin onto Shelley. Abyss splashed Sabin, but missed Shelley, and they combined to kick him in the corner. Springboard dropkick onto Abyss, then they dove on him to take him down on the outside. Back in the ring, Shelley jumped into Abyss’ arms, but Sabin dropkicked him down again, in the same move they just did on the outside. Abyss got Sabin up for the Shock Treatment and Sabin got kicked down. He dropkicked Sabin at the same time he gave the finisher to Shelley. Dr. Stevie got in and tried to assault Abyss, but Sabin came off the top and got caught for a Black Hole Slam.

WINNER: Abyss, at 3:26.

After the match, the Guns beat up Dr. Stevie. Abyss cheered them on from ringside. After the duo left the ring, Abyss got a chair and was threatening Dr. Stevie with it. But Kevin Nash came out and stood on the aisle as the show went to break.

5- DAFFNEY vs. HAMADA- NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH

Taz called Daffney “zombie hot.” Tenay gave some background on Hamada, but Daffney started off on offense. Apparently, it was Hamada that requested the no-DQ match. The two women chopped each other, then Daffney ran into a boot. She stomped a mud hole in Daffney in the corner. Hamada round kicked Daffney off the apron and to the outside as they went to break.

Daffney landed a flying forearm in the corner on Hamada out of break. Hamada set up a table outside the ring during the break. Kick to the chest by Hamada, then an enziguiri. Some sad chops from Hamada to take down Daffney. Two headbutts also took her down. Hamada missed a spin kick after arguing with the ref. Daffney with a shining wizard for two. They took the battle to the outside. Steel chair shot, but Daffney dodged it. Hamada put the chair around Daffney’s neck a la Jeff Hardy, and threw her into the ring post. I don’t think the chair made it around the neck though, and Tenay called it as if it was around the head. Daffney was put on the table and Hamada hit a moonsault off the top rope. Taz said Sabu did that to him once. Hamada put Daffney back in the ring. Hamada Driver (a version of the Michinoku Driver) garnered her the victory.

WINNER: Hamada, at 9:27. The match started off not-so-good, but picked up nicely as things went along. Still can’t get over Daffney being treated as a jobber in this division.

6- POPE D’ANGELO DINERO & SAMOA JOE vs. SUICIDE & DANIELS

Joe worked Suicide’s arm early on, but Dinero tagged in and got taken down. Some double-teaming by the faces, then Daniels slammed Dinero down and did a moonsault for two. Daniels continued his offense as they went to break.

Joe was stinging some right hands at Daniels, who appeared to be on rubber leg street, but Daniels was able to take Joe down and both men struggled to get to their corners, but both men did. Springboard back-elbow by Suicide onto The Pope. Joe broke up a Suicide pin attempt and all four men were in the ring. Joe took out Suicide with a clothesline, and Dinero German suplexed Daniels. Split-legged moonsault by Daniels onto Joe on the outside. Springboard cross-body missed by Suicide and Dinero looked to set up for the double-knee in the corner, but he missed. Suicide with a slingshot back into the ring and into a cradle for three.

WINNERS: Daniels and Suicide, at 7:53. Good tag match that showcased two feuds in one.

7- MATT MORGAN & SCOTT STEINER & BOOKER T vs. HERNANDEZ & AJ STYLES & STING

Sting was sporting the t-shirt tonight during the match. Book cornered Sting and punched away at his mid-section. Sting fought out with an atomic drop and a dropkick(!). Styles tagged in, as did Steiner. He promptly choked Styles in the ropes. Styles hit the ropes but his head snapped back as he hit the ropes or something like that. Don’t know if I’ve ever seen that before. They tried whatever it was they had planned again and Styles ended up hitting a dropkick as Angle called him “clumsy.” When Hernandez tagged in, Steiner made his way to the heel corner and brought in Morgan. Twisting clothesline by Morgan put Hernandez on the mat. Hernandez got Morgan up for a delayed vertical suplex, British Bulldog style, in an impressive display of strength. Morgan retreated to ringside and Hernandez dove over the top and onto all three men. They went to break after showing a replay.

Steiner had Styles in a side headlock out of break that Styles was busy busting out of. Overhead belly-to-belly by Steiner for two. Morgan came in and Styles got away from him long enough to make the tag to Hernandez, who cleaned house on the Mafia (and Morgan). Morgan went for a big boot in the corner, but Hernandez shoulder tackled him. The faces cleaned house, with Morgan and Hernandez left in the ring. Hernandez missed a corner splash and for some reason, referee Earl Hebner was on the outside trying to break up a fight between guys not even legal. Steiner got a chair, but Morgan got pushed into him and the chair. Styles tagged in and hit his springboard finisher and got the win.

WINNERS: Styles, Sting & Hernandez, at 9:57. It was clear they were building Morgan and Hernandez to be the stars here.

The Mafia members got in the ring and scolded Morgan after the match. Booker in particular got in Morgan’s face. Morgan finally got pissed enough to fight back and took both men down. Angle took the headset off and stared at Morgan- the two yelled at each other from afar as the show went off the air.

[Arcademan]

WWE Smackdown Results: 8-28-09

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

1- JOHN MORRISON & MATT HARDY vs. THE HART DYNASTY

Short-arm clothesline by Hardy, shades of Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Morrison then tagged in and did his fancy hand-spring legdrop. The faces double-teamed Tyson Kidd, resulting in a two-count. Natalya got on the apron long enough to break Hardy’s concentration, and Kidd took advantage. Grisham noted that David Hart Smith had “great wrestling DNA.” He went to work on Hardy, but Matt dodged a neck-breaker and landed a reverse DDT. Morrison tagged in and hit a standing dropkick. Standing shooting-star press (that didn’t catch much of Smith) got a two count. Kidd tried to get involved but was sent to ringside by Hardy, who followed up with a clothesline off the apron. Enziguiri-like kick by Morrison, followed by Starship Pain on Smith for the win.

WINNERS: Morrison and Hardy, at 3:32. JR said he doesn’t think any less of the Harts after this match, but it’s hard not to. Only three-and-a-half minutes? They just beat Jeff Hardy, got some rub from that match, and this is how they capitalize?

2- DREW MCINTYRE vs. R-TRUTH

McIntyre had Phil Collins-like theme music. He was “currently in the ring.” As Truth sang his way into the ring, McIntyre assaulted him before he could finish. He gave some knees to the chest of Truth, then a double-arm DDT it appeared. McIntyre got the mic and told everyone that he’s sorry to ruin everyone’s party. He said the people may like to be entertained, but he’s Drew McIntyre, and the party is over.

WINNER: No Match.

2- LAYLA vs. MELINA

Layla grabbed the arm and kicked at Melina’s upper back. Melina got her feet up on a corner charge, then hit a back elbow and a clothesline. Melina favored her ankle a bit and Layla went after it with a low dropkick. Melina’s comeback consisted simply of her catching Layla coming off the ropes and hitting her finisher, then making the pinfall.

WINNER: Melina, at 1:30.

3- REY MYSTERIO vs. KANE

The match started after Kane made his entrance. Kane started off hot (no pun intended), kicking away at Rey while he was on the ground. Rey fought back, including sliding under Kane’s legs, but Kane clotheslined him down hard. Sidewalk slam for two by the big man. Rey fought out of a bearhug on the mat, but succumbed to a low dropkick from Kane for two. Kane tried another slam, but a headscissors took Kane down face-first into the middle turnbuckle. Seated senton, then Rey jumped on Kane, who fell on his back for two. Off the top, Rey ran right into a right handed thrust to the throat for a two-count. Rey dropkicked the knee of Kane into the 619 position, but Kane grabbed him in a choke. A second time, this time Rey put him on the middle rope with a hurricanrana. Kane dodged Rey trying to hit him on the outside and Rey ran into a big boot. He picked Rey up and slammed him into the ring post chest-first. The ref warned him to get Rey into the ring or he’ll disqualify him. Kane did it anyway, and subsequently was DQ’d.

WINNER: Rey, via DQ, at 4:50. Not bad for what it was. I’ve seen worse from these two.

4- CHRIS JERICHO vs. SHAD GASPARD

Jericho had a nice raspberry on the side of his jaw, perhaps from this Monday. Shad mixed some offensive firepower and some taunting of Jericho into the opening minute. High knee-lift from Shad. He press-slammed one half of the tag champions, then just dropped him down. Shad caught Jericho trying a cross-body, and slammed him down. Jericho got pulled out of the ring by Show on the pin attempt. That led to JTG attacking Big Show on the outside. Shad came to help him, then Jericho got involved. That led to Teddy Long coming out and making it a tag match that will continue after the break. Eerie, since TNA did the exact same thing last night (except they re-started it later in the show).

WINNER: No Contest, about 1:45 (no bell).

5- CHRIS JERICHO & BIG SHOW vs. CRYME TYME

Match had already been re-started out of break. JTG was sent to the outside by Jericho, where Show slapped him hard in the chest. Show tagged in as Jericho proclaimed him a destroyer. Show worked the leg and knee of JTG. Jericho, back in, missed a charge and went shoulder-first into the post, allowing JTG to make the tag to Shad. Shad continued where he left off, taking the fight to Jericho. He got a side slam, but Show made the blind tag. By the time Shad realized what had happened, he was already on the mat after one solid right hand to the face by Big Show. End match.

WINNERS: Jericho & Big Show, at 2:33. Neither of these matches had time to get going. Did JR just call Big Show’s punch a “carcinogenic right hand”?

6- JEFF HARDY vs. C.M. PUNK- STEEL CAGE MATCH FOR THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP- LOSER LEAVES WWE

Punk went to climb the cage as soon as he got in, but Hardy wasn’t having it. He was able to pull Punk back in, but couldn’t capitalize with offense. Suplex in the middle of the ring by Punk after he was thwarted on another attempt to leave. He went up a third time in the first two minutes, but again, Hardy was able to reach him. Punk slammed Hardy’s head against the top of the cage, and Hardy fell down. Punk registered a two-count. Grisham tried to get in some deep word-play about the match that he probably stayed up late at night thinking of, but hilariously, JR interrupted him by calling the match. Punk tried to send Hardy head-first into the cage, but Hardy turned it around and did the same with Punk. Jeff landed Whisper in the Wind for two. After he couldn’t get the pin, they went to break.

Hardy kicked Punk off of him as he tried to leave the cage, then jumped onto Punk in the ring. Hardy tried to leave through the door, but Punk wouldn’t let him take the easy way out, like he does by taking pills and alcohol every day. Sorry, Punk’s promos seeped into my subconscious there. Another catapult, but this time Jeff grabbed the links of the cage and tried to climb out. They both ended up walking the top rope. Hardy punched Punk, who crotched himself, then fell to the mat. Hardy saw the opening and landed the Swanton. Hardy struggled to follow up but did, to the tune of a two-count. Punk was back to his feet first and tried to climb the turnbuckle. Jeff snuck over to the opposite corner and tried to sneak out via the door. Punk saw this and ran over to stop Hardy. He grabbed Jeff’s foot, only to be shot backward thanks to a heel kick. Jeff cross-bodied Punk into the cage. Both men were down, and we got a close-up of Punk and the agony on his face, when they went to break about shy of 11:00 into the match.

Back with Punk getting his upper torso out through the cage, but Hardy holding on. Punk’s hands even touched the ground as he screamed, “I’m out! I’m out!” But he wasn’t, by the rulebook here. The two exchanged punches to the “boo, yay!” of the crowd. GTS was turned into a backslide from Hardy for two. Punk came up holding his shoulder after a pin attempt. Punk again got Hardy up for the GTS, but he countered it into a Twist of Fate. Hardy chose to climb the cage, and straddled the top, but Punk grabbed a leg to stop the challenger. Hardy kicked and punched at Punk and even got to the other side of his cage, hanging out. JR suggested he drop from there and pay the price. But Punk dragged him over to the other side in a headlock, then superplexed him off the top. Crowd was lapping this up, as you’d expect. Punk climbed to the top rope and attempted to escape. He straddled the top this time, but Hardy chased him down. Hardy tried to pull him back over by the head as Punk got all the way over. He poked Hardy in the eye, then slammed his head off the top of the cage. Hardy went falling to the mat, hitting the top rope on the way down, and Punk skulked down off the cage to win.

WINNER: Punk, at 20:52. The more gimmicks, the better for these two it appears. Just as good as any of their other confrontations, though the finish felt a bit anti-climactic. Not Punk winning, but how he did it.

[Arcademan]

WWE RAW Results: 8-31-09

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

1 -- SIX-DIVAS BATTLE ROYAL

Our contestants are Gail Kim, Beth Phoenix, Rosa Mendes, Jillian Hall, Alicia Fox, and Kelly Kelly. Gail Kim seemed to be in jeopardy late as Jillian Hall taunted her, then tried to toss her over the top rope, but Gail skinned the cat. Gail then kicked Jillian and pulled off a nice spot of whipping Jillian over the top rope to eliminate her. Beth Phoenix snuck in the back door, though, and knocked Gail over the top rope to score the final elimination. Beth gets a shot at Mickie. And that's tonight. Three title matches on the show.

WINNER: Beth Phoenix at 4:10. Nice match-up later with Mickie vs. Beth. Good to see them re-starting a serious push for Beth after the ridiculousness of Beth-Santino(a) finally ended. (n/a)

2 -- Unified tag champion CHRIS JERICHO vs. MVP

Jericho very aggressive early on taking it to MVP. He landed a few headbutts before taunting MVP and landing boots to the head. He demanded to know where MVP's cheap-way-out brass knucks from Floyd Mayweather last week are. He has a point. Jericho slapped and played around with MVP, then MVP came back with an open hand slap. Forearm exchange went down, then MVP fired up a comeback. Jericho then blocked a move off the ropes and wanted the Walls of Jericho, but MVP shoved him away. Jericho missed with a clothesline, but ran into a Chono Boot for a two count. Good, believable nearfall after a very fast pace to this seemed to set up an early nearfall. Jericho avoided another Chono Boot, then dropkicked MVP off the apron to the floor. We have a two-segment match. Nice. MVP on the floor while Jericho checked his jaw back in the ring.

Back from break, Lawler inserted a plug for Mayweather vs. Marquez on Sept. 19 in Las Vegas. Jericho then inserted a boot into MVP's face, then his gut. Jericho with a running bulldog to quiet things down and let the crowd settle down after getting excited for a comeback. Jericho then wanted a Lionsault, but MVP moved. Jericho was favoring his right knee a bit. He then called a spot for MVP to deliver the Ballin' elbow drop. MVP tried to follow with the Playmaker, but Jericho countered with Walls of Jericho. MVP countered with a small package, but Jericho kicked out just in time. Jericho the master of selling a nearfall ala the Rey Mysterio series. Jericho then nailed the codebreaker out of nowhere and scored the pin for the win.

WINNER: Jericho at 8:45. Really nice match. Jericho just makes everyone look like a million bucks in the ring. (**1/2)

3 -- CHAVO GUERRERO vs. HORNSWOGGLE -- Texas bullrope match

I wonder what someone who has never seen wrestling or knows little about wrestling would think flipping over to Raw during a commercial break in the NFL game right now. Horny tried to tie up Chavo with the bullrope early on and ride him like a cowboy, but Chavo threw a boot in the air and connected with Hornswoggle's head. Chavo then took off the cow head and went up top. He wanted a frogsplash, but Evan Bourne ran to ringside to distract Chavo. Horny then yanked Chavo off the top rope with the rope and put the cow head on backwards. Horny followed by running circles around Chavo before tying him up to win the match. Cole pronounced with a deadpan voice: "Hornswoggle wins again." Chavo attacked Bourne post-match, but Bourne came back with a kick to the face on Chavo. Horny then hit a tadpole splash with the cow head on with Bourne's help. Some people in the crowd ate it up. Others looked sick to their stomachs. Bourne and Hornswoggle celebrated post-match and ...wait for it...stood tall in the ring to close the segment.

WINNER: Hornswoggle at 1:55. WWE wins. I admit it. They've broken my spirit because I've lost hope this is going to end. (n/a)

4 -- Unified tag champion BIG SHOW vs. MARK HENRY

They started with a nice little shoving match. A stand-off. Nice star. This is the match Henry vs. Masters should have been on Superstars two weeks ago. Show wanted a test of strength and Henry obliged. Crowd buzzing for the battle of big men. Show sold being on the defensive, so he kneed Henry in the gut. Show tried a headbutt, but he sold beoming woozy. Henry then delivered a headbutt and Show dropped to one knee. Lawler channeled Gorilla Monsoon on what happens when Hulk Hogan meets Andre the Giant. Not sure which one is Hogan here. Show then flew off the ropes and speared Henry mid-ring that drew a gasp from the crowd. Nice spot. Henry then came back with a brickwall chest bump that knocked Show off his feet. He followed with the big splash, but Show escaped a pin attempt. Show then took off the top turnbuckle pad behind the ref's back. Ref Robison reprimanded him, then Henry charged and ate the expose steel. Ref DQ'ed Show, who followed with the Big Right Hand smash on Henry that KO'ed him. Show was pleased with his work and slowly left the ring. Announcers talked up Jericho and Show getting the upper hand this week after MVP and Henry had the upper hand last week.

WINNER: Henry via DQ at 5:15. I liked this match. It was a big man battle done right building up intrigue to see which big man would be off his feet first and ultimately last. Didn't get a conclusive finish to build intrigue for a future match-up. Nice set-up for the tag title match at Breaking Point too. Well done. (*1/2)

5 -- U.S. champion KOFI KINGSTON vs. JACK SWAGGER vs. CARLITO vs. THE MIZ -- U.S. Title match

First pin or submission wins. Bell sounded and Miz bailed to the floor waiting to pick his spot to get back in the ring. Miz thought he had a chance on Kofi, but Kofi cut him off. Kofi then cleared Miz to the outside and dumped Carlito onto Swagger on the outside. Kofi then landed a leap-over-the-top-rope splash onto the three heels. Kofi in control cutting to break.

Back from break, Swagger had Kofi in a submission hold. Miz was slowly moving around on the floor looking for his opportunity. Carlito snuck in, though, and landed a missile dropkick on Miz for a two count that Kofi broke up. Carlito, angered, blasted Kofi with right hand blows. Kofi came back with a top rope dropkick on Miz and Carlito, then Swagger chucked Kofi into the ringpost. Swagger then measured Miz for a running Vader Bomb, but Miz got his knees up to block. Kofi then stacked up Swagger and Carlito for a double Boom Boom leg drop, but Miz broke up the pin. Here's a flurry of a finish: Swagger wanted the gutwrench on Carlito, but Miz dropped Swagger with the Skullcrushing Finale from behind. Carlito then immediately nailed Miz with the backstabber. Kofi with the final word, though, as he blasted Carlito with the Trouble in Paradise kick on Carlito for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Kofi Kingston at 8:30 to retain the U.S. Title. Very nice flurry at the end. Good energy with a sense of urgency from all four men to score the win. WWE put the right focus on the mid-card division, but they still aren't putting any focus on an individual feud that could really mean something and command a higher place on a PPV.

6 -- Divas champion MICKIE JAMES vs. BETH PHOENIX -- Divas Title match

Typical start to the match with Beth on the offensive dominating to build up Mickie's comeback. Beth cut off Mickie's first comeback with a smashing kick strike, then the action moved to the floor after Beth blocked the trademark Mickie top rope head scissors. Beth then smashed Mickie into the ring steps and took her back into the ring for a nearfall. Beth couldn't finish off Mickie, then Mickie hit a Chick Kick and dropped Beth on her head with a Mickie DDT. Beth sold it as if she was paralyzed sitting upright. Mickie then shoved her to the mat and scored the pin for the win.

WINNER: Mickie at 4:55 to retain the Divas Title. Nice, high-energy match with five minutes of dedicated TV time to a singles divas match. (*1/2)

7 -- WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. CODY RHODES -- WWE Title match -- John Cena special referee

Before the match started, Dusty took the mic and said there's nothing a father would do for his son. Suddenly, Orton and Cody jumped Cena. Dusty watched as Ted DiBiase then stormed the ring and took out Cena. Suddenly, DX's music hit and Michaels and Hunter stormed the ring. Hunter teased the Pedigree on Cody, but Dusty took his boot to Hunter's head. Legacy beat down Michaels, then Cody gave him Cross Rhodes in center ring. Heat was off the chars for this. Orton shook like the great evil character he is, then he put another boot to Cena's head. Dusty stood tall with Rhodes, DiBiase, and Orton and they did a curtain call to big heat.

Dusty and Cody hugged, then Orton suddenly gave Dusty the RKO. Cody seethed and yelled at Orton. "Why, man, why?!" Cody thought it over as Orton turned and shot him this evil look. Cody fought the urge to fight for his dad or fall in line with Orton. Crowd yelled at Cody to do something. Credits came on as Cody stood next to Dusty's boot. Orton's mind control was taking over Cody as he thought things over. Crowd was chanting as the hard cam pulled away to reveal chaos in the ring with DiBiase in one corner and Orton standing across the ring from a contemplative Cody to close the show.

WINNER: No match occurred.

[Arcademan]

ECW on SyFy Results: 9-1-09

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

1 -- SHELTON BENJAMIN vs. ZACK RYDER

Shelton missed with an early Stinger Splash and Ryder capitalized with a neckbreaker for a two count. Ryder grounded Shelton on the mat with a reverse chinlock and shouted at no one in particular that Shelton's nothing. Shelton broke free, then hopped over the top rope to the ring apron. He waited for Ryder to turn around, then he nailed springboard Blockbuster. Nicely done. He followed with the Pay Dirt facebuster for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Shelton in 4:00. Okay TV match. Really wish they would give these guys more than four minutes to put together a compelling TV match. Ryder had some offense early on to look somewhat credible, which the announcers put over in the post-match replays. (*)

2 -- EZEKIEL JACKSON & KOZLOV (w/William Regal) vs. JIM PARKS & MIKE TOLAR

Kozlov and Jackson just methodically tagging in and out of the ring delivering a beating early on. Jim Parks was shouting instructions from the apron and Jackson grew tired of his encouragement to Tolar, so he chucked him into the ringpost. Jackson delivered his uranage, then Kozlov politely asked for a tag. Jackson obliged and Kozlov delivered his Iron Curtain uranage for the easy pin and the win.

WINNERS: Kozlov & Jackson in 2:00. Set-up for the post-match. It was pretty unique to watch the two big monsters just politely tag in and out without exerting much effort. Nice dynamic. (n/a)

3 -- GOLDUST vs. SHEAMUS -- No DQ, No Count-out match

Aggressive start, then Sheamus shoved Goldust into the corner and told him that he's nothing. Sheamus then slapped Goldust across the face and Goldust responded with a hard slap of his own. Goldust then hit a dropkick that sent Sheamus to the floor. Sheamus tried to leave, but Goldust ran him down with a hard clothesline. Goldust in control on the ramp going to break.

Back from break, Sheamus was in control before knocking Goldust to the outside. Kids on the front row screamed at Sheamus for taking it to their temporary hero. Sheamus then bent Goldust's back around the ringpost to inflict damage. Sheamus glared at the fans ringside, then slid back into the ring for a cover and a nearfall. Sheamus then settled into a mat hold with the crowd getting behind Goldust to make a comeback.

Match continued at the top of the hour with a "Let's go Goldust" chant. This program has definitely connected with the audience thanks to nice TV build. Formula for the Raw mid-card that has yet to be followed. Goldust broke free at 10:00 and they entered a dueling slap fest. Goldust then fired off the ropes with a hard clothesline and an atomic drop. Goldust with a flying bulldog. Not much facepaint left at this point, then Goldust walked into a kick to the knee. Suddenly, Goldust rolled up Sheamus with a small package for a two count. Goldust nailed a powerslam, but another two count only. Sheamus then rolled to the outside to take a breather. Goldust answered with a running clothesline off the ring apron. Sheamus suddenly rammed Goldust into the ringpost. Both men seemed winded and the match came to a brief halt.

Back in the ring, Goldust fired himself up and landed straight right hands. Goldust with a Natural bulldog attempt, but Sheamus threw him away and stomped a mudhole in Goldust. Sheamus then drove a knee into Goldust's throat. Crowd needed a boost and Goldust landed a trademark uppercut, but Sheamus fired off a bicycle kick out of nowhere. He followed with his big Irish Curse backbreaker across his knee. Sheamus with the pin for the clean win. That's called elevating a young talent. After they replayed the highspots of the match, the camera focused on Sheamus celebrating with a heel smile on the floor to close the show.

WINNER: Sheamus in 13:00. Very good TV match by WWE's standards. Crowd has definitely bought into this feud and they were into the action. As I said in the match report, this is the formula for the Raw mid-card if they want to develop some stars on a bigger stage by focusing on a one-on-one feud. Match seemed to peak around 11:00 when both men appeared to be winded, but they finished strong with a nice flurry of offense from Sheamus to win the match. WWE is obviously very high on Sheamus, who is delivering a breakthrough performance in this feud with Goldust. Well done. (**3/4)

[Arcademan]

WWE Superstars Results: 9-3-09

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

1 -- EVAN BOURNE vs. CHRIS MASTERS

Masters with an early clothesline that Cole called "vintage." Masters followed with a vintage foot stomp and vintage clubbing forearm to the upper back. Bourne tried to escape Masters by going up top, but Masters emphatically press-slammed him off the top rope. Bourne then rolled to the outside to recover going to break.

Back from break, Paul Roma had Lex Luger's Torture Rack on Bourne. Bourne escaped, then teased a comeback, but Masters cut him off again. Masters stared talking trash that Bourne has nothing, then he put Bourne in the Dominator submission position to work the lower back. Bourne slipped out, then Masters clotheslined him onto the mat. Bourne with an inside cradle as Masters continued to take his sweet time working over Bourne leading to Bourne's comeback. Cole said Bourne scoring a pin on Masters would be an upset. How is that? Apparently Bourne being associated with Hornswoggle is an instant credibility-killer. Bourne then avoided the Masterlock and rammed Masters into the corner ringpost. Bourne followed right up with the Shooting Star Press for the pin and the win. Cole repeated that Bourne has upset Masters.

WINNER: Bourne in 12:00. I understand the Bourne Story having a stronger connection with the audience if he's built up as an underdog, but Cole being produced to repeat the line about Bourne pulling an upset over Masters was so ridiculous. Masters was one TV victory over Shockmaster Santino since returning to WWE while Bourne has probably had 15+ TV victories this year. Just the backwards mentality that a smaller guy winning a match over a bigger guy is automatically an upset. Match wasn't that good. Very slow and too methodical from Masters, who had 90 percent of the offense to retain some measure of credibility. (1/2*)

2 -- WILLIAM REGAL (w/Kozlov and Jackson) vs. TYLER REKS

Announcers said ECW champ Christian is probably watching this match intently since Regal is the #1 contender to the title. Regal dominated early on while his men watched intently from his outside. "Break his neck!" Kozlov shouted at Regal. Announcers whispered that Jackson and Kozlov are studying their master to learn and grow themselves. Could use Christian on commentary right about now. Reks countered a take down into a backslide for a two count, then Regal went right to a mat submission. Reks then broke free and went for a springboard splash, but Regal ducked and followed right up with the Running Knee Smash for the pin and the win.

Post-match: Kozlov delivered his Iron Curtain uranage slam. Jackson then scooped up the remaining Reks parts and delivered his uranage. Regal then shouted down at Reks that no one can top his group.

WINNER: Regal in 5:00. Another methodically paced match. Good focus on Regal as the #1 contender for the ECW Title, although still no word on when Regal is cashing in his #1 contender status. (*)

3 -- CRYME TYME (SHAD GASPARD & JTG) & EVE vs. HART DYNASTY (D.H. SMITH & TYSON KIDD & NATALYA)

The "culture clash" started with JTG and Smith battling mid-ring. Smith blocked a charge off the ropes and powerslammed JTG to the mat. Smith missed with a corner splash, then JTG dropkicked him in the back and monkey flipped him to the mat for a two count. Shad then tagged in and JTG whipped him into Smith. Eve then took a tag, which means Natalya must enter. They had a brief exchange before JTG tagged back in along with Kidd. JTG knocked Kidd to the outside, then Kidd ran around the ring and back to his corner to tag in Smith, who chopblocked JTG from behind. JTG rolled to the outside to recover as they cut to break.

Back to Superstars action where Smith and Kidd tagged in and out working over JTG to isolate him from the CT corner. Kidd so great with his facial expressions and screaming while working over an opponent. JTG teased and milked a hot tag to Shad that the crowd was on the edge of their seats for, then he broke free of Kidd with an enziguiri and tagged in Shad, who cleaned house. Natalya suddenly blind-tagged into the match to put an end to Shad's momentum since Eve had to tag in per the rules. Action broke down anyways with bodies flying everywhere. Eve missed with a handspring elbow in the corner (Ross with a Great Muta reference), then Natalya blasted her with a discus clothesline. With the men everywhere else, Natalya pinned Eve for the win. After the match, both sides regrouped and HD raised their hands in victory to close the show.

WINNERS: Hart Dynasty in 14:00. Smackdown delivered the match of the night, but they were up against two slow, methodical singles matches this week. Good energy from everyone involved with HD picking up a nice win without really settling an issue to keep this program going. (**)

[Arcademan]

TNA Impact! Results: 9-3-09

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

(1) STING vs. RHINO

At least they're putting Rhino out of his misery early. Tenay says that we're doing both rounds tonight, which is cool. Taz tries to make sense of the fact that Rhino's in this match despite being already booked at No Surrender. It doesn't go well. Sting starts things off with a quick whip into the corner and a couple of Stinger Splashes. He kicks Rhino's legs out from under him, and holy shit, that's the Scorpion Death Lock. He reaches the ropes. I'm actually surprised it didn't end there—they really enjoy burying Rhino. Rhino comes back with a shoulder block in the corner. He hits some strikes to the kidneys and abdomen. Rhino works the Body Scissors, out of which Sting powers. Rhino comes up punching and chopping. Sting reverses a whip into the corner, but whiffs on the Stinger Splash and bounces back into a Belly-to-Belly Suplex. Rhino goes for a Gore, but Sting sidesteps and hits the Scorpion Death Drop. It's over.

WINNER: Sting in four minutes. At least I don't have to change my "poor Rhino" catch phrase.

(2) CHRIS SABIN vs. AJ STYLES

AJ and Sabin trade Arm Drags to start, then Head Scissors. AJ eventually shoots Sabin off and nails his high dropkick. Sabin rolls to the outside. AJ comes after him with a Baseball Slide, but Sabin gets back into the ring and comes back out with a Twisting Leg Scissors on AJ. It's really very impressive. He hoists AJ up and into the barricade before rolling him back into the ring. AJ creates some distance, but Sabin follows him with a running knee. Taz says that this kind of wrester is why he came to TNA. AJ catches an attempted kick from Sabin and whips his leg out from under him. He connects with a couple big clotheslines. Sabin Back Body Drops him out to the apron, but AJ just comes back with a Flying Forearm for two. AJ looks for a Styles Clash, but it's reversed into a Victory Roll for two. Sabin tries to come back with the Cradle Shock. AJ fights it off and puts Sabin on the top rope. Sabin tries to come back with a Tornado DDT, but AJ catches him and reverses it into a Gut Wrench Suplex. Sabin comes back fighting; AJ looks for his Float Over Inverted DDT in the corner, but Sabin reverses it into a Snapmare and hits a high boot in the corner. Sabin tries to hit a Slingshot Flying Forearm of his own, but AJ dodges and nails the Pele. AJ follows up with the Styles Clash for the kill.

WINNER: AJ Styles in six minutes. Remember when TNA used to have this sort of match as their staple? Those were good days. Shelley gives Taz his MCMG dog tag.

(3) DOUG WILLIAMS vs. SUICIDE

Suicide and Williams do a bit of chain wrestling to start, trading wrist locks, hammerlocks, etc. Williams eventually connects with a kick to Suicide's head. He tries to leapfrog him, but gets caught in an Oklahoma Roll for what looked a lot like 3 but wasn't. Williams shoots off Suicide into the ropes and catches him in a Back Drop. He hits a fairly brutal looking knee to Suicide's head, then chokes him against the ropes. Williams then locks in some sort of Chicken Wing/Neck Vise. A Knee Drop gets two. Williams goes for a Suplex, but Suicide lands on his feet. He gets in a few shots before Williams gets him back down with a Spinning Elbow for two. He follows up with a straight punch and a choke. A Snap Suplex gets two. He hits a high knee in the corner, but when he goes to follow up from the top rope Suicide jump kicks him down. Suicide gets up first and connects with a series of right hands. Williams dodges a charge, but Suicide jumps onto the middle rope and comes back with a dropkick. He hits his wacky Reverse Neck Breaker, and D'Angelo Dinero decides that this would be a good time to hit ringside. Suicide goes to the top rope, and decides to go after Dinero first with a Cross Body Block. Unfortunately he walks back into Williams's one awesome move, the Rolling German Suplex, for three.

WINNER: Doug Williams in seven minutes. This might have been Williams's best outing, not that he's had many as a singles star.

(4) SOJO BOLT & HAMADA vs. CHRISTY HEMME & TARA

The heels come out separately. The faces come out to Tara's music and a mixed video. I wonder who's staying a team for more than five minutes? Hamada and Victoria lock up to start. Hamada has some fan base—I wonder if that's support for her father or that Moonsault last week? Tara rolls through with a bridge for two. She and Hamada trade covers and do the stand-off-of-even-matched-ness, but they didn't hit the covers that well so they only get some courtesy applause. Hamada hits a cheap shot. Tara whips her into the corner, but she comes back with a beautiful Spring Board Moonsault for two. Both women tag out. Christy hits a standing FFG for two, so Sojo tags right back out. Tenay and Taz argue over whether it's okay to say "crotch" on TV. Sadly that's more interesting than the match thus far.

We come back just in time to see Christy get between Hamada's legs to make the tag to Tara. Sojo tags in as well, so that Tara can floor her with a couple of clotheslines and a kick that Hamada breaks up at two. Christy deals with the interfering Hamada with an Inverted DDT while Tara finishes off Sojo with the Widow's Peak.

WINNER: Tara & Christy. DUD.

(5) HOMICIDE vs. HERNANDEZ

I really don't want them to turn Homicide, though I guess if it led to a push it'd be okay. They share a handshake to start. They lock up, which doesn't go well for Homicide. He signals that he forgot that Hernandez is twice his size. Hernandez takes him over for a Back Drop, but he lands on his feet and nails some quick strikes. He looks for a Sunset Flip, but Hernandez lifts him up by the throat. Homicide fights it for a second, but he eventually connects with the Cracker Jack. He tries to follow up with the Border Toss, but Homicide reverses it with a dropkick to the knee then slams Hernandez head first into the mat. He tries to follow up with strikes in the corner, but Hernandez powers out. Homicide takes the leg out again, and stands on it a bit. Homicide hits a couple of shoulder blocks, then goes back to exclusively targeting the left leg. He tries to finish off Hernandez with a Tornado DDT, but Hernandez places Homicide back in the corner and hits the Overhead Belly-to-Belly Suplex. Homicide comes off the ropes, but Hernandez catches him with some sort of Front Slam whose name I forget.

WINNER: Hernandez in four minutes. They tried to make this look plausible, but Hernandez doesn't quite have the art of selling for a little guy down yet. Is Hernandez actually getting to a main event, or is the EY wackiness still to come?

(6) DOUG WILLIAMS vs. AJ STYLES
Kurt, on commentary, acknowledges that it's in his interests for Williams to win. I like that he's not playing the generic "take-all-comers" card. Oh wait, I guess the match isn't starting yet.

AJ and Williams lock up to start, but neither gains an advantage. AJ gets a single leg takedown. We get our second round of chain wrestling of the night. Williams gets an ankle takedown. He looks for a Bow and Arrow, but AJ reverses into a quick cover for two. They get up brawling, but Williams stops it with a side headlock. AJ shoots him off, but Williams stops his momentum with another side headlock. AJ finally gets away, hits a Body Slam, a Knee Drop for two, and…an Indian Death Lock? Who knew he knew that move? Williams gets out, and they get up brawling. AJ dodges a charge in the corner, but when he tries to come back off the top rope Williams catches him and drops him into a European Uppercut. Williams locks in a head scissors and pounds his head into the mat. Does anyone know where I've seen that sequence before? It's annoyingly familiar. They get up brawling again, but crack heads. It did not look especially intentional, but they both look fine. They get up brawling yet again. Williams comes off the ropes, and right into the high dropkick from AJ. He rolls out of the ring, and AJ follows him out with a Somersault Plancha. AJ rolls him back in, but the cover only gets two. AJ locks in…a Torture Rack? Did I miss a memo about New Move Day? He transitions into a Neck Breaker for two. He sets Williams up on the top rope, but Williams shoves him back to the mat and comes off the top with a Corkscrew Elbow for two. Williams unloads with a flurry of impactful strikes but walks right into a 360 Degree Clothesline. AJ looks for a Styles Clash, Williams goes behind and looks for the Rolling German, but AJ gets to the turnbuckle and floats over into the Inverted DDT for game.

WINNER: AJ Styles in seven minutes. I think this would have been a good match if the conclusion had not been foregone—it's hard to tell. As it was it just felt dull.

(7) HERNANDEZ vs. STING

Hernandez hits shoulder blocks to Sting to start, but then backs off and asks the ref to check on him. Sting comes back with a side headlock. He ducks below an attempted clothesline, hits a series of strikes, and then lands a dropkick. He lands on his ribs though, and writhes in pain. Hernandez doesn't seem sure what to do. Eventually he decides to go with flow and attacks the ribs. Hebner warns him off, but I'm not sure why. Hernandez Pounces Sting across the ring, so Sting rolls out of the ring for a breather. "Homicide" runs down to ringside and attacks Sting with a baton, costing Hernandez the match by DQ.

WINNER: Sting by disqualification, in two minutes.

[Arcademan]

WWE Smackdown Results: 9-4-09

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

1 -- FINLAY & GREAT KHALI (w/Runjin Singh) vs. MIKE KNOX & KANE
WINNERS: Finlay & Khali in 10:00. Fine tag match continuing the Knox-Finlay feud and building up a PPV match. (*1/2)

2 -- IC champion REY MYSTERIO vs. JOHN MORRISON -- Intercontinental Title match
WINNER: John Morrison in 26:00 to capture the Intercontinental Title. Wow. Felt like I was watching Undertaker vs. HBK all over again with the multiple legit nearfalls, the counters, the use and teasing of trademark finishes to build crowd anticipation, and all of the elements of an amazing pro wrestling match. Crowd was also red-hot from start to finish just like HBK vs. Taker. Grisham wasn't kidding when he said before the match this would be a five-star-caliber match. I think what also made this that close to a five-star level was the emphasis on the title belt at stake. The little things like Rey rolling Morrison back into the ring instead of taking an easy way out to win, plus Jim Ross's commentary on this being a fight for money, prestige, higher place on the card, etc. Rey went out in style before taking his suspension. (****3/4)

3 -- MARIA & EVE vs. NATALYA & LAYLA
WINNERS: Maria and Eve in 5:00. Okay divas match. Positioned as a filler match in-between the two main-event singles match, which isn't a bad place to be. Can't complain about TV time in the second hour of a hot show. (3/4*)

4 -- World Hvt. champion C.M. PUNK vs. MATT HARDY -- non-title match
WINNER: Hardy via DQ at 17:00. Good TV main event. Hard to follow the Rey-Morrison near-five-star match, but Punk and Hardy had a fundamentally-sound match that held its own in the final segment slot. We assume Hardy will get his conditioning down after getting back in the ring for some more two-segment-length matches. Punk is just so in tune with his character right now. He was born for this role. Taker's appearance one hour and 58 minutes into the show was a bit misleading per the pre-show advertising, but crowd went home happy with Taker putting Punk through the table. Good conclusion to a very good show to keep Taker strong on TV when Punk is expected to find a way to win at the Breaking Point PPV. (**3/4)

[Arcademan]

Ring of Honor Results: 9-7-09

Results courtesy of ProWrestling.net (direct link to Mathieson's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

Jay and Mark Briscoe defeated Kenny King and Rhett Titus in 12:30. King and Titus came out with two random girls. Nice. No handshake as the Briscoes jumped King and Titus. The Briscoes controlled the offense early, getting a nearfall with an STO from Mark and top rope senton from Jay. King made a hot tag to Titus while Mark was trying a sunset flip and Titus got a nearfall with a double-team lungblower.

A chant of "Man Up" broke out. Titus and King continued on the offense while somebody in the audience laughed like a douchebag and drew a "Shut the f--- up" chant. Mark tried to tag out, but Titus pulled Jay off the apron and King hit an Elijah Express.

Mark finally tagged out to Jay, who hit about four clotheslines and then a dropkick, and followed that up with a sick spinebuster. King tagged out to Titus, who hit a top rope X-Factor for a nearfall, then tagged in King and set up Jay for the powerbomb/blockbuster combo, but Jay reversed it into a huracanrana.

The Briscoes tried some double team work on King, but he ducked everything up until twin superkicks, followed by a Doomsday Device for the pin. Post match, the American Wolves came out and Davey Richards told them that they should cherish these moments, because they'll just cripple them again. Eddie Edwards took the mic and started to say that the hunt was on, but Kevin Steen and El Generico came out and the two babyface teams beat up the Wolves, then had a three-way standoff.

Joe's Judgment: Not a great match. It was nice seeing the Briscoes back, but Hogewood and Prazak, as well as the crowd, seemed disinterested and it really took me out of the match. King was pretty good though, and I am looking forward to seeing the ROH tag division heat up.

2. Eddie Kingston defeated Sal Rinauro in 0:20. Rinauro kneeled down and prayed before the match started, then stood up, got punched in the face, and ate a Backfist to the Future for the pin.

Joe's Judgment: I love watching Kingston beat people up. Nice storyline progression, and I love Rinauro taking Hero's place playing off of him getting punched out twice in five minutes. Kingston vs. Hero is signed for Glory By Honor VIII, and I can't wait.

3. Nigel McGuinness defeated Aaron Scott in 6:20. Scott didn't get an entrance, but he did get some nearfalls. Nigel worked exclusively on the mat for most of the match, which was as close to a squash as a mat wrestling match can be. In the finish, Scott ducked a Jawbreaker Lariat, but Nigel connected with a DDT for the pin.

After the match, he applied the London Dungeon and Scott tapped out, even though the match was over.

Joe's Judgment: I'm glad Nigel signed with the WWE so he can heal his arms. It's kind of sad to see him unable to do much beyond the mat wrestling and the occasional DDT or Tower of London.

4. Jerry Lynn defeated Tyler Black in 16:45. Holds and counter holds from both wrestlers for the first five or so minutes. Lynn worked on Black's arm with various armbars. Black fought out and hit a dropkick for a nearfall. Black got another nearfall after a back body drop.

At 8:00, Lynn tried an O'Connor Roll, but Black held the ropes. They both tried crossbodies and ran into each other. Nigel McGuinness came down the ramp as Lynn got a nearfall with a sunset flip. Black tried a quebrada, but Lynn moved, so Black hit a standing shooting star press. Black kicked Lynn in the head and tried a Paroxysm, but Lynn floated over into an inverted DDT for a nearfall.

They exchanged nearfalls, and then Black hit a Pele kick and tried the running forearm in the corner. Lynn backdropped him to ringside and then hit a springboard moonsault as Nigel applauded. Lynn brought the action back inside and legdropped the back of Black's neck.

Black went for the buckle bomb, but Lynn countered into a huracanrana sending Black into the turnbuckles. He hit a top rope sunset flip and then a TKO for a nearfall, then went for the cradle piledriver, but Black countered into a TKO of his own for another nearfall. He got Lynn up and hit a Paroxysm for yet another nearfall, then hit the buckle bomb and superkick and covered, but Nigel put Lynn's foot on the ropes. Black pointed to Nigel who denied doing anything. Black went for God's Last Gift, but Lynn countered into a small package for the pin.

Joe's Judgment: Not the best of main events. The match was slow paced and there were too many nearfalls that couldn't be taken seriously. Overall, it just felt disjointed and wasn't a great way to close the show. Nigel's interaction was fairly well done, but I'm not sure what his motivation was, because it was a face vs. face match and he had never given any indication that he would rather see Lynn win than Black.

[Arcademan]

WWE RAW Results: 9-7-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). or check my blog at TOKYOPOP for complete results since posts above 10k characters don't fly around here...

1 -- CHRIS JERICHO vs. MVP
WINNER: MVP at 11:02. Another great finish to a match that was stalling around 9:00. Jericho is so great at putting together a flurry at the end leading to the finish. Jericho teasing the Walls of Jericho and MVP escaping really built up the crowd. Related to building up the PPV, there was zero emphasis on the submission aspect of their match at Breaking Point and MVP doesn't even have a submission hold in his arsenal. I don't even know why they created a Submissions PPV when there is little emphasis on submissions in WWE. (**1/4)

2 -- EVAN BOURNE vs. CHAVO GUERRERO
WINNER: Evan Bourne at 4:20. Bourne's credibility is completely shot, although audiences are just having so much fun with Bourne and Hornswoggle that they're just so willing to look past the idea that Bourne needed four minutes to win a match that would have taken Hornswoggle one minute. (1/2*)

3 -- JOHN CENA vs. CODY RHODES
WINNER: Cena via DQ at 10:35. Expected finish to build up Cena vs. Orton for the PPV and save Cody from taking a "Miz" clean loss to Cena. Cody was given a lot of offense and credibility by avoiding Cena's typical offensive attack, similar to Cody and Ted avoiding DX's usual routine at Summerslam. Cody is being built like a star more than DiBiase right now. (**1/2)

4 -- BIG SHOW vs. SANTINO -- Bodyslam challenge
WINNER: Big Show at 0:16. (n/a)

5 -- BIG SHOW vs. MARK HENRY -- Bodyslam challenge
WINNER: I liked last week's match. I didn't like this week's. This dragged unmercifully. More signs pointing to Jericho and Show retaining on Sunday with the challengers looking strong on TV. (n/a)

6 -- WWE champion RANDY ORTON & CHRIS MASTERS vs. DX (SHAWN MICHAELS & TRIPLE H)
WINNERS: DX at 14:10. WWE's backwards booking on display trying to make the storylines fit the PPV concept instead of letting the storylines naturally flow into the PPV. Tag match was okay with Masters just there to bump around for DX, but not add much. (**)

[Arcademan]

ECW on SciFi Results: 9-8-09

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

1 -- PAUL BURCHILL (w/Katie Lea) vs. THE HURRICANE

Hurricane landed an early European Uppercut as Striker debated whether Hurricane is or is not Gregory Helms to enhance the mystique of the character. He suggested Hurricane could have a twin named Sydney Helms. Yeah, that's it. Hurricane applied an abdominal stretch into an octopus stretch that Burchill escaped before nailing a clothesline to begin an offensive attack. Hurricane was in jeopardy near the ropes at 4:00, prompting some kids to scream. Definitely a good sign for the character that the kids are buying into him being in jeopardy. Action moved to the floor and Burchill dropped Hurricane hard onto the mat. Both men down, ref counting, let's grab a break.

Back from break, Burchill was in control, but he missed with a running shoulder tackle in the corner. Hurricane then went up top and nailed a high cross-body block, but Burchill escaped a pin attempt. Action moved up top again where Burchill elbowed Hurricane into position for a top rope powerslam. Striker referenced Bam Bam Bigelow with the Bam Bam Slam. Nice reference. Great spot. Hurricane kicked out at two, though. Hurricane then blocked another corner charge and nailed a Hurricane-rana for a two count. Burchill sold it well. Katie then became involved, but Hurricane made it back-fire by ramming Burchill into Katie to bump her off the apron. Hurricane then followed up with the Eye of the Hurricane for the pin and the win to the delight of the audience.

WINNER: Hurricane in 12:00. Another very nice TV match. ECW is really letting their mid-card wrestlers do their thing in the ring. It's very refreshing when the Raw brand doesn't even have a mid-card. One of Burchill's best performances I've seen in his WWE career. Helms looks good since making another return from injury. (**1/2)

2 -- GOLDUST & YOSHI TATSU vs. SHEAMUS & SHELTON BENJAMIN

Shelton and Goldust started things off, then Sheamus came in and picked up his feud against Goldust. Announcers loosely talked about the main event of Sheamus vs. Goldust last week, which needed more emphasis than just mid-match chatter after they delivered a special match. Shelton and Yoshi battled, then Yoshi crawled to Goldust in the corner for a tag, but Shelton ran around the ring and yanked Goldust down to the floor. Sheamus and Shelton then resumed their attack on Yoshi. Yoshi suddenly blasted Sheamus with a kick strike and Goldust came in to work on Sheamus with a flurry of offense. Sheamus let Goldust wear himself out, then Sheamus blasted him in the corner with a kick to the face. Shelton blind-tagged himself into the match, then made the cover for the win.

WINNERS: Shelton & Sheamus in 5:00. Apparently this was the transition from Sheamus to Goldust to Sheamus vs. Shelton. Perhaps we'll finally get a clear character definition for Shelton as a babyface opposing the strong heel Sheamus. Match was just there to transition to the post-match brawl. (*)

3 -- ZACK RYDER vs. RORY FARGO

Ryder took control early on and trash-talked to his "bro" Rory. Ryder then slingshot Rory into the second turnbuckle throat-first. Ryder followed with the Zack Attack for the pin and the win. Woo woo woo.

WINNER: Ryder in 2:00. Nice use of the squash match formula to enhance Ryder. He just needed to get his hand raised on ECW TV after a series of losses. (n/a)

4 -- ECW champ CHRISTIAN & TOMMY DREAMER vs. KOZLOV & EZEKIEL JACKSON (w/William Regal)

Bell sounded and the vocal minority started an "E-C-Dub" chant for Dreamer. Christian stared off against Kozlov and the fans picked up the chant again. Christian used his speed to avoid Kozlov early on. Kozlov staggered backwards after taking a slap, then he slowly walked over to Jackson for him to get a piece. Dreamer said he wanted in, so Dreamer entered. Regal just kept on smiling. Zeke ran over Dreamer early, but Dreamer lured him into a trap to fall to the apron. Christian quickly tagged in, then wanted a plancha on the outside, but Jackson caught him mid-air. No problem. Dreamer splashed Christian onto Jackson to knock everyone down. Christian and Dreamer then stood tall going to break. Nice opening.

Back from break, Dreamer was in control working over Zeke. Jackson then smacked Dreamer in the face and sold shock having to take so much offense from Dreamer. Kozlov and Jackson then began exchanging tags working over Dreamer. At 9:00, Kozlov took Dreamer up top, but Dreamer blocked and kicked Kozlov in the face. He followed with a clothesline from the second rope that generated a reaction from the crowd. Christian then hot-tagged in and went wild on Kozlov, who stood his ground like a brick wall. Christian even tried a missile dropkick from the second rope. He needed to go all the way up to the top rope to finally get Kozlov off his feet with a dropkick. Christian then fought out of the heel corner before Kozlov dropped him with a hard headbutt to the chest for a close nearfall.

Heels began working over Christian at the top of the hour. Love the reaction from Regal just turning his head and slyly watching Jackson stretch Christian with a modified Camel clutch. Regal could teach a class on facial expressions. Heels continued to work on Christian, who elbowed out of a submission before taking a Scott Hall fallaway slam from Kozlov for a two count. Jackson back in. Regal tried to ignore the "Let's go Christian" chants from the outside by staring a hole into Christian's soul. Announcers told the audience not to be fooled by the witticisms of Christian calling his opponents life partners because inside the soul of the man is a cagefighter. Christian showed his UFC skill escaping Jackson before making a tag to Dreamer.

Dreamer blasted Jackson with a running knee smash before stalking him for a running bulldog. Dreamer lost control, but then countered a lift-up slam into a fallaway neckbreaker. Dreamer then went up top and hit a frog splash that made time stand still. Kozlov broke up a pin, then Christian took him through the ropes to the floor. Regal distracted Dreamer just enough during the chaos to take Dreamer's eye off the ball, then Jackson blasted Dreamer with his uranage finisher for the pin and the win.

WINNERS: Jackson & Kozlov in 16:00. Good tag match leading to the PPV. Kozlov and Jackson have a certain "it" factor to their tag team that makes them work well. Perhaps part of that is standing next to William Regal, who is just so great telling a story with his facial expressions. Dreamer was solid in the match and Christian looked like a star, as he should as the brand's champion. Regal stood going into the PPV, so Even Steven booking says Christian picks up another win on Sunday. Strong overall conclusion to a strong show. (**1/2)

[Arcademan]

TNA Impact! Results: 9-10-09

Results courtesy of ProWrestling.net (direct link to Powell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

1. The British Invasion defeated Team 3D, Beer Money, Scott Steiner and Booker T in a non-title gauntlet match. The match was joined in progress to start the show. Apparently, the wrestlers came out in intervals, as Booker T and James Storm hadn't come out yet. The announcers noted that a pinfall couldn't be made until all eight men were in the ring.

Booker came out about 90 seconds into the match. Storm eventually was the last man out. He wore a football helmet with beer bottles on it. A shot aired of Kurt Angle watching the match intently on a backstage monitor. Late in the match, Team 3D hit their finisher on Steiner. Booker broke up Devon's pin attempt, but Brutus Magnus covered Steiner and scored the win. Angle was shocked by the finish backstage because the Main Event Mafia and World Elite had been on good terms...

Powell's POV: An interesting way to open the show. The gauntlet stipulation felt a little pointless, though, since they could have just done a four-way match and joined it in progress. They wanted to get the show off to a hot start by joining the match in progress, but for the first time in the history of TNA the announcers were too subdued.

2. Taylor Wilde and Sarita defeated Alissa Flash and Daffney in 5:00 in a tag team tournament match. There was a red tarp covering something at ringside. The announcers pointed it out, but said they didn't know what was underneath. After some solid back and forth action, Sarita pinned Flash...

Powell's POV: Taylor and Sarita will face Awesome Kong and Raisha Saeed in the next round. It would have been really interesting to see Flash and Daffney advance since Flash also plays the Saeed character. They could be building up a heel of a rivalry between Flash and Sarita, but Sarita gets all the wins in their matches. Too bad. The fans seem to dig Flash more than Sarita at this point.

3. D'Angelo Dinero pinned Jay Lethal in 5:20. The Guns didn't last long on commentary, as Tenay and Taz quickly took over. Lethal had some offense, but Dinero hit the DDE (D'Angelo Dinero Express) for the clean pin...

Powell's POV: The DDE is the move formerly known as the Elijah Express in WWE.

4. Velvet Sky and Angelina Love defeated Roxxi and Madison Rayne. The Guns were on commentary again. Sabin said he's happy he brought the tissue box because he usually needs it when the Beautiful People are finished with their entrance. They joked about how inappropriate it is. Taz said the Guns are like "Madden and Michaels." Funny all around.

Tenay ran through Roxxi's history and recalled when she had her head shaved. Taz said she has a butcher boy haircut. Late in the match, Roxxi hit the Voodoo Drop for a good near fall. However, Love came back and pinned Rayne while holding the tights. The digitized Rayne's *** while it was exposed. Damn modern technology...

Powell's POV: I have a soft spot for Roxxi because she agreed to shave her head despite the fact that she was a cute girl with long hair. Unfortunately, her look in this match left something to be desired and it has nothing to do with her hair. The outfit she wore just looked minor league. She can and has done better. That said, she has some impressive offense. By the way, TNA should replay the match finishes. I don't think they've replayed one yet tonight.

5. Abyss pinned Dr. Stevie in 1:30. Abyss came out to start the match only to be attacked from behind by Stevie. Abyss came back and hit the Black Hole Slam for the win. After the match, Nash came out and attacked Abyss from behind. Stevie and Nash doubled up on Abyss until Foley ran in for the save...

6. Cody Deaner defeated Tara in 2:45. One of the Guns said Deaner has a child molester mustache. Totally inappropriate, but so damn funny. Deaner came out wearing headgear, Zubaz, and had duct tape covering his gloves. After Tara roughed up Deaner, Kong came out and attacked her from behind. The ref turned around to see Tara knocked out, so he gave the win to Deaner... 

Powell's POV: They actually had Tara cover the Tapout logo that was all over her gear. This was horrible. As if Deaner didn't look low budget and silly enough, Tara looked silly with the logo taped over. By the way, what happened to the referees being empowered and not tolerating outside interference? Oh, wait, this was an MMA match, so I guess it's different. Whatever. I'm so happy I watched football tonight.

7. A.J. Styles and Daniels beat Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe (w/Matt Morgan) in 6:40. Late in the match, Morgan stood up at ringside and held up his chair for Angle. Kurt tried to run Styles into the chair, but Styles reversed it and ran Angle into the chair and then pinned him.

After the match, Morgan entered the ring and acted like he didn't know what happened. Kurt slapped him. Morgan snapped and hit Angle with the Hellevator...

Before we could digest the payoff they've been building up to for weeks, they went backstage to give us more Eric Young. He was ordering the rest of the World Elite to bring Homicide to the ring. He said the blood would be on Hernandez's hands...

Powell's POV: Make it stop! I can't believe they would jump so abruptly from the big angle with Morgan and Angle to more of the World Elite.