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

[Arcademan]

WWE RAW Results: 1-16-12

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

1 -- WWE tag champions EPICO & PRIMO vs. AIR BOOM (KOFI KINGSTON & EVAN BOURNE w/Rosa Mendes) -- WWE Tag Title match

Before the bell sounded, they showed handheld footage of the Tag Title change from last night's Raw house show. They quickly worked to a hot tag to Kofi, who delivered signature offense before Epico rolled him up from behind for a quick two count. Kofi then hit Trouble in Paradise and Bourne tried to finish Epico with Air Boom, but Primo attacked Kofi ringside, causing a distraction. Epico then crotched Bourne and Primo hit the back-stabber for the pin and the win.

WINNERS: Epico & Primo at 2:18. That was short work of Kofi and Bourne's re-match clause. It will be interesting to see what the fall-out is for Kofi and Bourne.

2 -- U.S. champion ZACK RYDER (w/Eve) vs. JACK SWAGGER (w/Vickie Guerrero) -- U.S. Title match

Swagger quickly targeted the injured ribs and back as Vickie shouted at Eve across the ringside area. The crowd started a "Let's Go Ryder...woo woo woo-woo-woo" chant as Cole promoted an upcoming update on A.J.'s condition following the injury angle at the end of Friday's Smackdown. Lawler talked dejectedly about Ryder needing to live to fight another day as Swagger continued to wear down Ryder. Swagger delivered a gutwrench powerbomb, but Ryder kicked out. Angered, Swagger pounded away on Ryder's back as the crowd tried to rally behind Ryder again. Swagger delivered another gutwrench and this one was good for the win. Swagger is the new U.S. champion and Ryder had zero offense in the match.

WINNER: Swagger at 2:23 to retain the U.S. Title. You could see this coming last week when WWE created the injury angle to give Ryder an "out" ahead of his title defense. Like Kofi & Bourne dropping the Tag Titles this weekend, it will be interesting to see the fall-out for Ryder.

3 -- KELLY KELLY & ALICIA FOX vs. BELLA TWINS

Perez got involved in the finish, arguing with one of the Bellas ringside after they tried Twin Magic. Kelly then rolled up the other Bella in the ring for the pin. Afterward, the Bellas shoved down Perez, but Kelly and Fox stood up to the Bellas, sending them scampering to the outside.

WINNERS: Kelly & A. Fox at 0:56.

4 -- SHEAMUS vs. WADE BARRETT vs. R-TRUTH vs. THE MIZ -- over-the-top rope battle royal

Truth and Sheamus tried to eliminate Barrett early on, then Miz surprisingly helped them eliminate Barrett. Barrett slammed the ring apron in frustration, then the three remaining men went to work on each other. Miz received plenty of focus before running into a barrage of fist smashes from Sheamus. Sheamus then set up Miz for ten consecutive forearm smashes to Miz's chest, turning Miz's upper body red. Sheamus then pounded his own chest to warm up for the Brogue Kick, but Miz pulled down the top rope and Sheamus crotched himself. Suddenly, Truth came up behind Sheamus and Miz to eliminate them simultaneously. Truth, in jeans, wins the mini-battle royal. Post-match: Miz glared into the ring as Truth celebrated. Sheamus then wiped the glare off Miz's face with a Brogue Kick. Sheamus's music played and he pointed to Truth to sell respect, but also competition. Cole said anyone can win the Rumble in two weeks.

WINNER: Truth at 4:10.

In-ring: Back live, new U.S. champion Jack Swagger was parading around in the ring. Notably, Vickie Guerrero was not ringside. Cole complained about Swagger having to wrestle again tonight as they went to a replay from earlier in the show when Swagger captured the U.S. Title from Zack Ryder. Cole then accused Cena of whining to Laurinaitis as Swagger held up his title belt for the hard camera. After a pause, John Cena's music played to bring out Cena to a strong, mixed reaction. Cena threw down his cap, stormed the ring, and blasted away at Swagger. No bell sounded.

Cena blasted Swagger to the outside and pounded away on Swagger, taking out his frustrations with Kane. Cena glared at the ref as the crowd picked up a dueling chant. Mr. Belding was behind the announcers on the front row, of note. Cena placed Swagger on the announce table and choked him, then punched him and kicked him. Lawler said it's like Cena wants to hurt Swagger as much as Swagger wanted to hurt Ryder earlier. Cena then whipped Swagger hard into the ring steps, drawing oohs from the crowd. For his next move, Cena removed the top ring steps, then placed Swagger on the bottom steps.

Cena contemplated smashing the ring steps on Swagger, but Kane's music suddenly played and the arena turned red. Kane appeared on the video screen and said that's impressive. He said they will meet at the Rumble, and, by then, Cena will have embraced the hate. Kane's pyro shot off in the ring and Cole said Kane is driving Cena to a place he's never been to before. Cena wiped his head in frustration before they cut to break.

5 -- BRODUS CLAY vs. JTG

Clay danced around to freak out JTG, who tried a right hand and a takedown, but Clay wiggled before punching JTG in the face. Lawler noted there were a lot of things moving there. Clay delivered a headbutt before asking the crowd if he should get him. Brodus delivered a t-bone suplex before noting, "My bad." Clay with a big corner splash, then a flying bodypress for the pin and the win. Cole said he calls that move, "Ah, funk it." Post-match: Clay danced with the dancers before they cut to a replay of Clay's power offense. They even went to a slow-motion replay of Clay shaking his body fat.

WINNER: Funkasauras at 1:09. I'm still not quite sure I have the words. They're at the "repeat and reinforce" stage at this point.

6 -- WWE champion C.M. PUNK & World Hvt. champion DANIEL BRYAN & CHRIS JERICHO vs. MARK HENRY & DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero) & DAVID OTUNGA -- six-man tag match

Punk and Ziggler started things off as Jericho continued to smile ringside. Bryan then tagged in to boos and collided with Ziggler on a botched leap frog spot. Bryan sold a right knee injury, then Otunga tagged in and began working on Bryan. The crowd chanted for Jericho as Cole was forced to mention that "Daniel Bryan" is trending on Twitter. Ziggler re-entered the ring and wore down Bryan, but Bryan made it across the ring to tag in Punk as Jericho was comically too late extending his hand for a tag. Punk lost control of the match, though, and the heels began working on Punk.

Punk broke free momentarily and the crowd anticipated Jericho tagging in, but the heels cut off Punk and resumed an attack. Henry shouted encouragement toward Otunga, who went for a superplex on Punk, but Punk blocked and delivered a top-rope Macho Man elbow drop. Jericho was hilarious selling excitement from the ring apron. Punk then went for a tag and brought in Jericho to a huge pop. Jericho did the classic fired-up babyface hot tag routine and played to all sections of the arena. Jericho was done, though, and slap-tagged Bryan. Jericho then left the ring and walked up the entranceramp while still fired up. Jericho screamed and shouted in excitement, then disappeared to the back. Suddenly, they cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Ziggler was wearing down Bryan as Punk shouted encouragement from ringside. Bryan broke free from Ziggler, though, and hot-tagged Punk, who ran over Ziggler with clotheslines. Punk with a neckbreaker, then corner attack and bulldog. Punk wanted a springboard move and connected with a flying forearm. Henry, who had been absent for most of the match, broke up a pin, then confronted Bryan. Bryan bailed from the ring and hobbled away, but Henry caught up to him and chucked Bryan clear across the entrance ramp.

Suddenly, Mick Foley's music played. Foley bounced out to the ring and sent a message from Laurinaitis that he's now in the match. The referee wasn't buying it, but Foley convinced him and grabbed a tag rope. In the ring, Punk tried to tag in Foley, but Ziggler cut him off and delivered a Rocker Dropper for a two count. Punk then blasted Ziggler with a kick and reached out to Foley, who tagged in as Otunga tagged in for the heels. Foley unloaded on Otunga before delivering a running knee in the corner. Next, Foley dropped Otunga with a DDT before whipping out Mr. Socko. Otunga ate Socko and Foley pressed him down to the mat. The bell sounded, declaring Foley and Punk the winners.

Post-match: Laurinaitis stomped out to the ring and said he never gave Foley permission to enter the match. He said Foley is not a legal participant in the match, so he is reversing the decision. The winners are now Ziggler, Otunga, and Henry.

WINNERS: Ziggler & Henry & Otunga via reverse decision at 14:12.

[Arcademan]

WWE NXT Results: 1-18-12

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

1 - TITUS O'NEIL vs. DARREN YOUNG - No Disqualification Match

Young eludes O'Neil a few times, hits him once, and then runs out of the ring. Back in the ring, he begs off, then runs the ropes a few times, but walks into a big boot. O'Neil tries to cover for that, but only gets a short count. O'Neil with a backbreaker for two. Young gets in some brief offense, but O'Neil throws him out of the ring and Young sells a right wrist injury. Outside the ring, Young drops O'Neil face-first into the apron, but O'Neil comes back with a big powerslam. O'Neil tosses Young around some more than puts him back into the ring. Young runs away, but it's a ruse, as he kicks O'Neil's leg, then lands a neckbreaker on the apron.

O'Neil is trying to get some traction out of the break, but Young keeps him grounded. Cole and Mathews rip on Matt Striker for being the GM/host of NXT. After continued offense, Young lands his finisher mid-ring, but O'Neil kicks out at two. Young must be watching a lot of tape from the Triple H-Undertaker match at WrestleMania 27, because he backs into the ropes with a look of confusion, fear, and doubt, like Triple H did after Taker kicked out of the Tombstone. Young shakes it off and goes back to the attack. He tries his finisher again, but O'Neil slips out, sends Young into the ropes, and hits the Clash of the Titus for the win.

WINNER: Titus O'Neil in 9:00. They put together a decent match, but they really didn't take advantage of the No DQ stip. So, instead of this match feeling like the blow-off, it felt like just another match, unfortunately. The announcing was predictably awful, as Cole put himself into full-on heel mode, and Josh Mathews rolled with it, too.

2 - PERCY WATSON vs. HEATH SLATER

Watson gets an early advantage with a dropkick and a suplex. Slater hides in the ropes, but kicks Watson's legs out and starts to stomp away on the mat. Mathews recaps the Redemption points idea, but acknowledges that it's gone by the wayside. Cole gets all over Mathews, too. Slater on continued offense, and lands a jumping neckbreaker for two. Slater argues with the ref, giving Watson time to recovery. Watson turns it around, by dodges a charge, then a leaping forearm, dropkick, and a corner splash. Watson follows up with a shoulder tackle and the leaping splash to cover for two. Slater gets boots up in the corner, but walks into Watson's suplex-like finisher for the win. (Editor's Note: 21 "televised" losses in a row for Slater.)

WINNER: Percy Watson in 5:00. Watson looked good, but they just didn't create much excitement here.

3 - YOSHI TATSU & TRENT BARRETA vs. CURT HAWKINS & TYLER REKS - Tag Team Match

Barreta and Hawkins start off with a lock-up, but Barreta ends up in the heel corner pretty quickly. Reks comes in, but Tatsu blind tags in, and Barreta clears Hawkins from the ring as Tatsu saves Reks for one. Tatsu attacks Reks with chops and kicks in the corner, but Reks gets a thumb to an eye to turn it around. Cole then trashes Mathews and says that he's been in WWE for ten years and done nothing. Mathews doesn't even defend himself.

Hawkins tags in and puts Tatsu in a rear chinlock. Cole actually takes credit for Daniel Bryan's success. Hawkins with a bodyslam for two. Reks tags back in. Cole and Mathews don't even notice the match any more as Cole recounts past history. Reks with a bodyslam for two.

Hawkins tags back in, then Reks comes right back. Tatsu with a spinning heel kick to draw a double tag out. Barreta knocks Hawkins off the apron and takes down Reks with a clothesline, then lands a step-up enziguri followed by a crossbody in the corner. Barreta gets the Gobstopper Knee for two. Reks sends him to the apron, but Barreta hangs on.

Barreta kicks Reks into the middle of the ring, then goes to the top and lands the corkscrew moonsault leg drop. Hawkins breaks up the pin, so Tatsu takes him out of the picture. The ref gets distracted trying to get Tatsu back out, allowing Hawkins to hit Barreta in the gut with his cane. Reks takes advantage with the Burning Hammer for the win.

WINNER: Curt Hawkins & Tyler Reks in 7:00. Decent match, but the beat down on Tatsu felt a little longer. I like the matches to be a bit less one-sided. Interesting that the team of larger, more powerful heels still needed to cheat to win.

[Arcademan]

TNA Impact Wrestling Results: 1-19-12

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

1 – A.J. STYLES vs. GUNNER (w/Ric Flair)

The two locked horns into the corner, then Gunner shoved Styles into the corner. Styles escaped, then did his leapfrog-dropkick routine. Gunner left the ring in frustration, then came back to the ring, where he ax-handled Styles, then hit a vertical suplex. After a series of rest holds, Gunner tossed Styles into the ropes then hit a flying knee. Styles then gained momentum with a clothesline, and then he hit his signature springboard forearm. Kazarian and Christopher Daniels showed up at ringside, and Flair distracted the ref. During this time, Kaz hit a hard right on Styles, allowing Gunner to capitalize with a spike DDT to get the pinfall.

WINNER: Gunner in 5:00

2 - TNA tag champion CRIMSON vs. MAGNUS

Magnus attacked Crimson from behind to start the match. After hitting a hard clothesline, Magnus pulled off a vertical suplex. Trying to continue the offense, Crimson countered and hit the Red Sky to get the pinfall after a very short amount of time.

WINNER: Crimson in 1:00.

After the match, Samoa Joe rushed to the ring and beat down Crimson. Matt Morgan came to the ring to the aid of his partner, but was double-teamed by Magnus and Joe.

3 – MICKIE JAMES vs. MADISON RAYNE -- Steel Cage match

The match opened with James quickly attacking Rayne with a hard clothesline. As Rayne got up and went for the escape out of the cage, James got her in powerbomb position and delivered. After a dropkick, James hooked Rayne in a half nelson. Rayne then countered an Irish whip with a hard kick to the face. After James hit the ground, the show cut to a commercial break.

As the match resumed, James had control and performed a hard faceplant. As Rayne got up and went for the escape, she hit an elbow on James. As she was in control, Rayne then did a Miz-like backbreaker-neckbreaker combination, followed by her signature pushup facebuster. Keeping up the offense, Rayne did a running facebuster, and went for another one until being countered by James with a neckbreaker. The two exchanged punches as they were getting up to their feet, then Rayne hit a leaping forearm. She kept up the taunting, but James recovered and tossed her into the side of the cage, followed by a spike DDT to get the pinfall.

WINNER: James in 7:00

4 – ANGELINA LOVE vs. ERIC YOUNG

Young was reluctant to take any kind of action against his opponent, so he grappled with the ref. After the ref made not to him that he is indeed not his opponent, he extended his hand out to Love, who rejected. Young then tried again with the ref, but Love then kicked him hard in the balls for the disqualification.

WINNER: Young in 2:00. (This match was brutal for me to call.)

Winter entered the ring and the two double-teamed EY. ODB then rushed to the ring at the aid of her friend and attacked both Winter and Love.

5 – JEFF HARDY vs. JAMES STORM -- #1 contender match

The match kicked off with Storm performing two headlock takedowns, then Hardy countering into a head scissor into a headlock takedown of his own. Storm countered, then the two traded armdrags. Storm did a shoulderblock, but Hardy hit a clothesline, followed by a split legdrop. At this point, the show cut to a commercial.

As the match resumed, Storm charges Hardy in the corner, who countered and sent him to the outside. Hardy then hit a crossbody onto the outside, then took the match back into the ring. Storm then reversed an Irish whip, and hit a slingshot vertical suplex. Hardy then gained control and hit a Russian legsweep, followed by a sitout pin attempt. Continuing the offense, Hardy hit his signature Whisper in the Wind, but was short on the pinfall.

Gaining control, Storm hit a spinning crucifix toss, followed by an inverted tornado DDT. Hardy recovered and quickly hit the Twist of Fate. After attempting the Swanton Bomb, Storm countered and hit a leaping kick to the head of Hardy, followed by a superplex. As the two were on the ground, Bully Ray hit the ring and attacked the ref.

WINNER: No Contest in 8:00.

Post-match, Bully Ray attacked both Hardy and Storm repeatedly with a chain for a solid minute. Sting then arrived on the scene with a bat and took it to Ray. Bobby Roode then came to the ring and hit both Hardy and Storm with the championship belt. He then grabbed the mic and declared the match a No Contest, and the show ended on that note.

[Arcademan]

WWE Superstars Results: 1-19-12

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

1 - TAMINA vs. NATALYA

Tamina turns an early lock-up into a waistlock, but Natalya turns it into one of her own. Tamina gets a break and Natalya hides in the ropes. Natalya with a headlock then a clothesline, but Tamina comes back with one of her own for two. Natalya suckers Tamina into the corner and drapes her across the ropes and kicks her back into the ring. Natalya start bullying Tamina around on the mat. Natalya covers for one, then moves to an abdominal stretch. Tamina arm drags out, but Natayla clotheslines her for a pair of two counts. Natalya with a figure four and actually picks Tamina's lower half off the ground. Tamina turns around and escapes. Natalya whiffs a leg drop, allowing Tamina some separation.

Tamina with a boot up win the corner, then some big chops and a jumping headbutt. Natalya catches Tamina's leg on a superkick and deftly transitions to a Sharpshooter, but Tamina rolls through and leverages into a cover for a nearfall. Tamina hits a Samoan Drop, but can't go quickly enough for the Superfly Splash. Natyalya crotches her on the turnbuckle and sets up for a superplex, but Tamina headbutts her off, then lands the Superfly Splash for the win.

WINNER: Tamina in 6:00. This may have been the longest televised Divas match in a few months. Natalya carried Tamina really well, and Tamina did what she could to keep up. It was good to see Natalya not lose after two or three hits like she has been in the last few months.

2 -- SANTINO & MASON RYAN vs. CURT HAWKINS & TYLER REKS - Tag Team Match

Ryan and Hawkins start off, and Ryan throws Hawkins into the corner on a lock-up. Hawkins mouths off to Ryan and runs into an elbow off the ropes. Reks tags in and Ryan tosses him into the ring and puts shoulders into him in the corner. Scott Stanford is singing Brodus Clay's theme song, of note. Santino tags in. Santino with a series of offense but Reks ducks the Cobra. Hawkins comes in but Ryan press slams him to the outside. Ryan drops Hawkins almost on Reks and it looks like Reks's hand may have been hurt.

Reks is dominating Santino out of the break. Hawkins tags in. Santino reverses the "boot on the turnbuckle from the guy on the apron," sending Hawkins into Reks's boot. Reks tags in and just barely stops Santino from tagging out. Lots of tagging and double-teaming from Reks and Hawkins until Santino hits Hawkins with a stunner to bring Ryan in.

Ryan runs over Hawkins, knocks Reks from the apron, and then runs over Hawkins again. Ryan with a shoulder in the corner then a big boot, and puts Hawkins in the full nelson. Reks is coming in so Ryan shoves Hawkins into Reks and then tosses Reks from the ring. Ryan tags in Santino behind Hawkins's back, and Santino sets up a surprise Cobra for the win.

WINNER: Santino & Ryan in 6:30. Ryan really needs to expand his skillset. It's also tough to understand why he even needed a partner considering how well he handled himself against both Hawkins and Reks a number of times. This was essentially a formula tag match to get the crowd in a good mood for a Raw taping.

3 - ALEX RILEY vs. JINDER MAHAL

This match was hyped by the announcers by questioning if Alex Riley can stop Jinder Mahal's "momentum." Are they watching the same WWE shows I am?

Mahal kicks Riley in the gut and moves to some extremely fast offense in the corner. Riley flips it around with punches in the corner. Big clothesline from Riley and a corner splash, then a faceplant in the corner for two. Mahal with a knee lift followed by a running high knee for two. Mahal chokes Riley on the ropes then knees him using the ropes for leverage. Mahal gets a neckbreaker for two. Mahal holds Riley for about half-a-minute, and Riley punches his way out. Riley with a running set of elbows and then a spinebuster. Riley sets up the Final Score, but Mahal escapes and lands a bodyslam. Mahal sets into the Camel Clutch and Riley taps out. Mahal is bleeding in the mouth post-match.

WINNER: Jinder Mahal via submission in 4:00. I am baffled by the booking here. Riley's been built up over the last month or two on Superstars, then Mahal, who keeps having small pushes only to be derailed, gets a win over him. The saving grace for Riley is that Superstars isn't much more than a dark match in terms of affecting your standing on the ladder. Outside of the booking, I liked this match a lot. Both Riley and Mahal move fluidly and fast despite their size. I could watch this match-up a number of times and not get bored, especially if they can get ten minutes or so in the ring to tell a story.

[Arcademan]

WWE Smackdown Results: 1-20-12

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

1 – CODY RHODES vs. JUSTIN GABRIEL

Slight “Justin” chant as Gabriel landed a dropkick. Horny stayed at ringside to cheer on Hornswoggle. Mathews talked about how Rhodes was goaded into the match by an opportunistic Gabriel. That was an odd remark for a babyface announcer. Rhodes with a right hand that put Gabriel on the mat for two. Inverted DDT with an elbowdrop by Gabriel after working out of a rest-hold. Kick to the face put Rhodes down in the corner. He went for the 450 splash, but Rhodes crawled away. Rhodes tried an Alabama Slam, but Gabriel countered with a roll-up for two. Backslide for two as well. Springboard cross-body by Gabriel for a very near-fall. Rhodes countered a corner mount and dropped Gabriel over the top rope. Cross Rhodes for the win.

WINNER: Rhodes, at 3:43. Impressive outing from Gabriel, who went toe-to-toe with the Intercontinental Champion.

2 - PRIMO & EPICO vs. THE USOS - TAG TEAM TORNADO MATCH

I have no idea why WWE hasn’t utilized this stipulation more for their tag matches, especially since the end of tag matches always seem to turn into this anyway. Cole said Rosa spun the wheel on WWE.com earlier in the day for it to land on a Tornado match. The Usos went for the first cover after a double-team. Jey Uso was tossed out of the ring, allowing Primo and Epico to double-team Jimmy inside the ring. Jimmy held onto the ropes on a whip and turned the tide just in time for Jey to re-enter the fray. Splashes by the Usos in the opposite corner as Cole said they talked to Rikishi, the father of the Usos, backstage earlier in the day. Rosa yelled at one of the Usos outside the ring, allowing Primo to run Jey into the apron. Splash off the top rope by Jimmy onto Epico, but Primo broke up the pin and hit the Backstabber for the win.

WINNERS: Primo and Epico, at 2:39. So if the Usos aren’t the number one contenders for the Tag Titles, I’d like to see what tag team is!

3 – WADE BARRETT vs. SHEAMUS – TABLES MATCH

Barrett took the fight to Sheamus early on, but Sheamus turned it around and clobbered Barrett with forearms. The two continued brawling until Sheamus grabbed Barrett by the head and ushered him over the top rope. Tables lined the side of the barricade. Barrett turned the tide outside the ring and grabbed a table near the announce desk. Sheamus tossed Barrett onto the desk, then set up the table. Sheamus tried a powerslam through the table, but Barrett slipped out and ran Sheamus shoulder-first into the ring post. Someone finally mentioned Barrett’s recent history in a Tables Match against Randy Orton, and it was Cole. Back in the ring, Barrett gave Sheamus a big boot, but Sheamus only went over the top rope and onto the apron, not through a table. Barrett ended up on the apron and attempted to suplex Sheamus over. Sheamus instead clubbed Barrett’s chest with forerarm shots. Sheamus got a running start and ran into Barrett, but Barrett cleared the table and hit the announce desk. Sheamus tried to bring a table into the ring, but Barrett rammed it into Sheamus. At ringside, Barrett gathered the table and put it into the ring. He tossed Sheamus into the ring, then set up said table. Sheamus countered Barrett and nailed Barrett with Irish Hammers. Powerslam by Sheamus…right next to the table. That was dumb. Sheamus put Barrett on the table then went to the top, but Barrett got off the table and met Sheamus. Sheamus headbutted Barrett off and Sheamus fell off the top, but made it over the table. Back-breaker by Sheamus as the table was set up in the corner. Sheamus set up Barrett for the High Cross, but Jinder Mahal ran out. Sheamus knocked him off the apron, but Barrett grabbed Sheamus and threw him through the table for the win.

WINNER: Barrett, at 6:41. Surprised they’re keeping Mahal vs. Sheamus going, given Sheamus’ convincing win over Mahal last week.

4 – TED DIBIASE vs. HUNICO – FLAG MATCH

Before the match, the wheel spun backstage, and the men had to engage in a flag match. Mathews called this the first flag match in Smackdown history. The crew set up the flags as the announcers talked about the rules. They also aired an inset retort by DiBiase, addressing Hunico and Camcaho’s complaints from the previous week. He said the two men can have a party of their own after the match…a pity party. Once the bell sounded, DiBiase landed an inverted sit-out powerbomb. He went for the American flag, but Hunico grabbed him and slammed him off the buckle. He went for the Mexican flag, but DiBiase put Hunico on his shoulders and gave him the Electric Chair. Hunico back-dropped DiBiase over the top and to ringside, with authority. Hunico climbed the rope to grab the flag, but didn’t appear tall enough. DiBiase, at the last second, shoved Hunico off and onto Camacho. DiBiase crawled to the American flag. Hunico tried to stop him, but fell victim to Dream Street. DiBiase was able to grab the flag for the win.

WINNER: DiBiase, at 2:23. Solid match for the time given. Hunico has done a really nice job in these short matches as of late.

5 – DREW MCINTYRE vs. SANTINO MARELLA – BLINDFOLD MATCH

McIntyre was already in the ring. Marella pulled out a blindfold for his Cobra as well. Mathews said Santino told him he would bring more Divas to Smackdown as part of his assistant role. Marella used the crowd to pint him toward McIntyre, but missed on a Cobra try. McIntyre heard Marella hit the ropes and tackled him through the ropes and to ringside. McIntyre punched the post thinking it was Marella. The guys made their way back into the ring. Charles Robinson almost took the Cobra and while he was avoiding Santino, McIntyre peeked, but missed a running boot. Santino again used the crowd and this time the Cobra connected for the victory.

WINNER: Marella, at 2:09. If you’re going to do this kind of match, Santino is pretty much the perfect guy to do it with.

6 – MARK HENRY vs. DANIEL BRYAN – LUMBERJACK MATCH FOR THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Henry barked at Barreta before he got into the ring. Henry took off his t-shirt and tossed it at Bryan after formal ring introductions and once the bell rang. Bryan was thrown to the apron and told the lumberjacks (Barrett and Gabriel among them) not to touch him. Henry headbutted Bryan down. Bryan slid under the ring and Bryan pushed Reks. He lectured the men from the apron and Henry jumped him as soon as Bryan entered the ring. Henry stepped on Bryan’s chest with both feet. Bryan fought out of the corner and was headbutted back down. Hard shot to the chest by Henry. “All day long!” he shouted. “Daniel Bryan” chant. Henry sent Bryan to ringside, where he was thrown back in by Barrett. He asked what they were doing and Barrett responded, “I’m doing my job.” They went to break with Bryan sitting in the corner at 2:58.

Back at 5:54 of the match, with Henry giving Bryan a monster beal out of the corner. Bryan tried to fight back and chopped Henry. Running dropkick in the corner by the champion and Henry was down to his knees. Kick to the head of Henry for a two-count. Henry powered out and Bryan fell through the ropes. He and the Lumberjacks stared at each other and they began to slowly advance on him, leading him to get back in the ring. Henry, given time to recover, had his way with Bryan. He even turned Bryan inside-out with a clothesline. Henry press slammed Bryan out of the ring. What sounded like an edit had Cole point out that Bryan raked the eyes of Henry as he performed the move. A brief attack on Bryan occurred outside the ring. Bryan dropkicked Henry out of the ring. They ganged up on Henry but Bryan kicked away at them. Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, Wade Barrett and Ezekiel Jackson attacked Bryan in the ring. No bell here. Henry shrugged off the Lumberjacks and peeled them off of Bryan back in the ring. He picked Bryan up for the World’s Strongest Slam, but Rhodes kicked Henry. All the lumberjacks got in the ring and a big brawl ensued. Still no bell. Henry was down in the ring and Bryan skulked away with his title. Henry was able to roll out of the ring.

WINNER: No Contest (no bell), around 11:30 (timed until the end of the show).

Backstage, Long caught up to Brayn. Long asked what the meaning of this was. Bryan said 30 guys were trying to beat him up out there and asked if Long was going to have him fight on the moon next. Long said no, but at the Royal Rumble, Bryan would face Henry and Big Show in a Triple Threat Match for the title inside a Steel Cage. The camera lingered on Bryan’s reaction to that news before fading out.

[Arcademan]

WWE RAW Results: 1-23-12

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

1 -- WWE champion C.M. PUNK & JOHN CENA vs. U.S. champion JACK SWAGGER & DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero)

Cena started things off before Punk tagged in for a basic exchange with Swagger. They came to a stalemate and Laurinaitis was shown texting or tweeting as they cut to break 1:30 in.

Back from break, Cena scored a close two count on Ziggler as Cole hyped Laurinaitis's decision-making. Ziggler and Cena then went back and forth on the ropes before Ziggler simply stopped, "showed off," and walked over to Swagger for a tag. Cena took it to Swagger, then did a Flair/Double J strut, only to take a blindside attack from Swagger. Ziggler and Swagger then worked over Cena as Punk reached out for a tag. Meanwhile, Cole re-referenced Mick Foley wanting a spot in the Royal Rumble, but Laurinaitis won't allow it.

Cena broke free at 9:40 and made the hot tag to Punk as Ziggler tagged in for the heels. Punk took it to Ziggler with signature offense before calling for the GTS. Ziggler escaped, though, only to eat a roundhouse kick to the head. Punk made a cover, but Swagger broke up the pin. Cena and Swagger then brawled to the outside, where they traded submission holds. Back in the ring, Punk slammed Ziggler and wanted to go up top, but the ref was in the way. Punk told him to move, then Laurinaitis hopped on the ring apron to reprimand Punk for moving the ref away. Punk then grabbed Laurinaitis, causing Laurinaitis to drop to the floor. Ziggler then rolled up Punk from behind and hooked his tights for the pin and the win.

WINNERS: Ziggler & Swagger at 11:09.

2 -- KANE vs. ZACK RYDER -- Falls Count Anywhere match
 
Ryder tried a pre-emptive attack, but Kane brushed it aside and knocked Ryder to the outside. Kane stalked Ryder and delivered knees to the gut, followed by strikes to the back. Kane continued the assault as Eve emerged ringside in the background. Eve called out to Zack, who ate the announce table. They cut to break with Ryder in trouble.
 
Back from break, Kane was toying with Ryder as Lawler implored Eve to get away from the action. Kane then applied his mandible claw-like maneuver to choke Ryder before letting go. Cole surmised Kane wants to continue torturing Ryder. Kane then flung Ryder over the guardrail into the front row area.
 
Cole noted Kane is sending a message to Cena ahead of the Rumble. The action moved to the intersection of the floor and bleacher seats next to the production area. Kane continued to focus on Ryder's injured mid-section before Ryder finally fought back, only to take an uppercut. Kane ripped off the tape around Ryder's mid-section, then dragged him toward the entrance stage. On the stage, Kane blasted Ryder into the base of the giant WWE logo. Kane followed with more knees to the gut, then made a cover, but Ryder kicked out. Cole wondered aloud if this is the smart move by Ryder.
 
The crowd tried to rally with a "Let's Go Ryder...woo woo woo-woo-woo" chant as Ryder sold near unconsciousness on the stage. Ryder suddenly fought back with strikes, but Kane decked him on the stage with an uppercut. Kane then gripped Ryder around the throat and delivered a chokeslam through a gimmicked portion of the stage. Eve immediately ran up the entrance ramp to the stage and tried looking down at Ryder before Kane stalked her down the ramp toward the ring. Kane looked over his shoulder as the ringside medic tried running around Kane to check on Ryder.
 
Kane suddenly turned around when he spotted John Cena on the entrance stage. Kane disappeared through the crowd as Cena and Eve looked through the hole in the stage to check on Ryder. Cena went back and forth between checking on Ryder and looking around for Kane before covering his mouth with his hand. The camera finally got a shot of the hole below the stage, where Ryder was selling unconsciousness. Ryder was placed on a backboard as Eve sold tears. Cena had a blank stare partly concerned for Ryder and partly selling fear over his possible Sunday night against Kane. They suddenly cut to break.
 
WINNER: No Contest at 13:35 when they cut to break. There was a lot of raw emotion in the crowd that Cena could turn into a babyface promo passionately vowing revenge on Kane at the PPV.

3 -- SHEAMUS vs. JINDER MAHAL
 
Sheamus quickly dismantled Mahal before Wade Barrett confidently strutted down to ringside sporting his big overcoat and dress clothes. Sheamus tried to ignore Barrett before blasting away at Mahal's chest with multiple strikes. Sheamus locked eyes with Barrett, then Mahal took the distraction as an opportunity to throw Sheamus off the top turnbuckle. Barrett hyped his Rumble chances as Mahal scored with offense on Sheamus. Barrett then turned his attention to Randy Orton, vowing to cripple Orton like Kane did to Ryder. In the ring, Sheamus made a comeback, then hit the Brogue Kick. Sheamus with the cover for the win.
 
WINNER: Sheamus at 3:12.
 
4 -- BRODUS CLAY vs. HEATH SLATER
 
The bell sounded and Slater ran into a shoulder tackle. Clay danced and jiggled as Regal brought his NXT style commentary to the match. Clay got upset when Slater tried offense, so Clay delivered a suplex and big corner splash. Clay followed with his "What the funk?" finisher before noting someone needs to call Slater's momma as he made the pin. Cue up the post-match dance celebration.
 
WINNER: Clay at 0:52. The crowd wasn't into Clay - booing or cheering - as much as past crowds. The audience seems to be waiting for Clay's re-introduction to go somewhere.

5 -- THE MIZ vs. R-TRUTH -- Loser gets #1 spot in Rumble
 
Miz dominated early on before knocking Truth to the outside. They cut to break two minutes in with Miz posing in the ring.
 
Back from break, Miz was still in control of the match. Truth fought back with knock-down clotheslines before rolling up Miz for a close two count. Truth followed with a pancake suplex for a nearfall, then Miz visibly called the next sequence of moves. Miz eventually teased the Skullcrushing Finale, but Truth blocked. Miz came back with a kneeling DDT for a two count. Miz nearly got himself DQ'ed, then walked into Truth's Little Jimmy finisher for the pin and the win. Miz gets the undesired #1 slot in the Rumble. Afterward, Truth left and Miz sold shock as he realized what just happened.
 
WINNER: Truth at 8:13.

[Arcademan]

WWE NXT Results: 1-25-12

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

1 - THE USOS vs. CURT HAWKINS & TYLER REKS - Tag Team Match

Hawkins and Jimmy start off. Jimmy elbows him down and tags in Jey, leading to a quick double-team for a one count. Reks blind tags in, but Jey outwits him. Jey keeps Hawkins out of the ring, letting Reks hit a big boot before tagging in Hawkins.

Reks and Hawkins run their isolation routine on Jey for a few minutes. Jey crotches Reks on the ropes and Regal says, "He's ruptured his custard." Double tag out and Jimmy cleans house on Hawkins. Stinkface, but Reks breaks up the pin. Reks and Jimmy brawl ringside, letting Hawkins set up some funky move. The ref is distracted by Jey, so Reks tosses the cane to Hawkins, but Jimmy lands a surprise superkick for the win.

WINNERS: The Usos in 7:00. Good match as expected, but the formula is starting to wear a little thin for a regular viewer like me. I've seen these two face off two many times lately.

2 - TRENT BARRETA vs. HEATH SLATER

Slater surprises Barreta with a fast punch to the face, but Barreta comes out of the corner with a chop and ends up clearly Slater from the ring. Slater suckers Barreta to the outside and starts up some offense. Slater rolls Barreta into the ring for a two count. Barreta can't get traction against Slater. Barreta finally turns things around, dodging a corner splash and landing a dropkick. Barreta with a big leaping elbow in the corner and the Gobstopper Knee for two.

Slater tries a Sunet Flip over the ropes, but Barreta catches him and bridges for a nearfall, neat sequence. Barreta gets up to the top rope but Slater jumps up to lands a powerslam in a snap for a close two count. Barreta tries an inside cradle for two. Slater shrugs off the Dudebuster DDT and lands his finisher for the win. (I haven't seen his finisher in over six months.)

WINNER: Heath Slater in 7:00. Well that was definitely the biggest surprise WWE's had in a while - a Heath Slater win?

3 - PERCY WATSON vs. TITUS O'NEIL

Watson starts off fast with quick offense capped by a running step-up enziguri. Watson continues the offense in the corner but O'Neil gets in a punch as the ref tries to break them apart. O'Neil dumps Watson from the ring and beats on him outside. O'Neil rolls Watson into the ring and covers for a one count. Regal makes an interesting statement, saying that he wrestled for money, and that people paid more money to see him get beat up, so he made more money.

O'Neil continues his assault and covers for two. Watson gets separation, but O'Neil dodges a splash in the corner and stomps away on Watson, which gets two. Watson can't get a break and O'Neil continues to dominate him. Watson gets a boot run, shoulder tackle, dropkick, corner splash, and another shoulder tackle to take O'Neil down. Watson with the Showtime Splash for two. O'Neil elbows out of a fireman's carry and picks Watson up for the Clash of the Titus mid-ring. It's good for a three count.

Post-match, O'Neil continues to beat up Watson. Alex Riley makes the save to a huge pop from the crowd.

WINNER: Titus O'Neil in 8:00. Effective match to get over Titus as a heel, but his offense isn't thrilling in large quantities. He needs some more sizzle with his steak.

[Arcademan]

WWE Superstars Results: 1-26-12

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

1 - TYSON KIDD vs. JINDER MAHAL

Wait, who's the heel here? Are they perhaps turning Tyson Kidd face?

Mahal sends Kidd to the corner after an early lock-up. After the break, he mouths off. Kidd with a waistlock, but Mahal powers out as Matt Striker talks up Kidd's "dedicated following." Mahal with a wristlock, but Kidd springboards off the ropes and arm drags Mahal to escape. On the outside, Kidd with a cannonball roll off the apron and he hand slaps fans ringside. It's confirmed, this is a face turn for Kidd.

Back in the ring, Kidd gets a two count, but Mahal goes on the attack in the corner. Mahal gets a two count off a neckbreaker, then a butterly suplex for two. A few vocal males chant for Tyson Kidd as Mahal grounds him with a quarter nelson. Mahal uses knees to cut off a comeback, but Kidd transitions Mahal's suplex into a lateral press for two. Kidd armdrags while running the ropes and lands some kicks and a basement drop kick. Kidd uses speed to control Mahal, then does an innovative springboard reverse sunset flip into a cover for two. You had to see it to believe it.

Kidd dropkicks Mahal's knees out, then lands a springboard guillotine leg drop. Kidd to the top rope and tries a moonsault, but Mahal dodges and follows up with a slam to the ground. Mahal settles into the Camel Clutch and Kidd taps after a struggle.

WINNER: Jinder Mahal via submission in 6:00. Good match. Tyson Kidd is just stellar, and Mahal worked very well with him. I am a fan of Mahal's in-ring work, as I think he brings a good martial arts feel to the matches that sets him apart from the rest of the roster. I'm not sure if a full turn for Kidd means much since he was never a strong heel and his last face run was weak as well. Kidd is a perfect example of someone who could really benefit from a manager, valet, stable leader, etc. to act as a mouthpiece. His in-ring work is quite likely Top Five in WWE, but he just hasn't found his groove as a character to take him to the next level.

2 - BETH PHOENIX vs. BRIE BELLA (w/Nikki Bella)

Wow, Beth Phoenix still exists! Where has she been? What happened to "Pin-up Strong?" Is she still a heel? Pre-match, Scott Stanford talks up Beth Phoenix's crusade against the Barbie dolls, so I guess she is still a heel.

To start, Bella shoves Phoenix, so Phoenix shoves her down to the mat, and when Bella pops up, Phoenix levels her with a lariat. Phoenix with elbows, atomic drop, and a side slam for two. Phoenix with a corner splash, and when she tries to follow up with a splash on the ropes, Nikki pulls Brie out of the way, causing Phoenix to get tangled up and fall down. Bella with a bulldog and stomps to ground Phoenix. Bella chokes Phoenix on the ropes and covers for two. Bella tries to stomp Phoenix on the mat, but Phoenix catches the foot.

Phoenix with some power offense, but Bella with a neckbreaker for two. Bella with a rear chinlock and Phoenix calls to the crowd for help. Phoenix stands up with Bella on her back, rams her into the turnbuckle, and then sets up a slingshot suplex. Phoenix calls for the Glam Slam, but Nikki gets on the apron, so Phoenix shoves Brie into Nikki to clear her out, then when Brie bounces back, catches her and lands the Glam Slam for the win.

WINNER: Beth Phoenix in 3:00. Fun match. I think the Bella Twins are the only main roster Divas with a truly well defined character; others have it, but they aren't "main roster." Who doesn't love them some Beth Phoenix? WWE has a problem handling her character, because fans want to cheer a winner, and she's a dominant winner. Without letting her destroy the Divas division a la Mark Henry, WWE just can't keep her heel. Pretending she's just a monster face instead of a monster heel is a good choice, and would explain why she's been off TV for a while, to let fans forget "Pinup Strong."

3 - KOFI KINGSTON vs. MICHAEL MCGILLICUTTY

McGilicutty with an arm drag as the announcers noted that Kingston was McGillicutty's NXT Pro. McGillicutty still in control. Kingston trips McGillcutty and lands a standing senton splash that looked like a botched Boom Drop for a one count. Kingston with an armbar, but McGillicutty gets him to the corner. Kofi with an elbow to take control and a pendulum kick and a big crossbody gets two. Kingston with work on McGillicutty's arm. McGillcutty gets sent over the rope and Kingston ends up landing a suicide dive leading to break.

Kingston still in control back from the break, but McGillicutty turns it around with a neckbreaker through the ropes to get two. McGillicutty with more offense. Kingston finally turns things around with a kick to McGillicutty's head. After they recover, Kingston starts his usual comeback sequence. After a Boom Drop, Kingston looks for Trouble in Paradise, but McGillicutty ducks. McGillcutty tries a dropkick but Kingston sidesteps and knocks him to the mat.

Kingston with the SOS, but McGillicutty grabs the rope. McGillicutty hot shots Kingston on the rope and does the worst imitation of Edge's Spear warm-up I've ever seen. Kingston ducks his move and they trade counters and Kingston lands the Trouble in Paradise off the ropes for the win.

WINNER: Kofi Kingston in 11:00. Michael McGillicutty just does not put together interesting matches. He has potential, but he needs to internalize two major points. First, he is not big enough for a slow, plodding offense to be believable or create enough visual effect to let the audience ignore the slow pace. Secondly, he absolutely needs to develop some signature moves. The fact that his finisher is a fancy neckbreaker is symbolic of the fact that his skillset feels very "wrestling school 101" - punch, kick, dropkick, arm drag, and neckbreaker. He needs those trademark combos and signature moves for the audience to invest in his matches and see him as anything more than a generic face on the screen.

[Arcademan]

WWE Royal Rumble PPV Results: 1-29-12 (next four posts)

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

1 -- World Hvt. champion DANIEL BRYAN vs. BIG SHOW vs. MARK HENRY -- World Title match -- steel cage match

Once the bell sounded, Bryan tried to escape, but the two big men yanked him down to the mat. Big Show then squished Henry in-between a cage wall and ropes with consecutive splashes. No, Henry did not fall out of the cage due to the "collapsing cage wall" gimmick. In the background, Bryan tried to run out, but Show grabbed him and landed a chop to the chest. Bryan avoided a WMD strike, but ate a cage wall from Henry. The two big men took turns trying to wear down Bryan while keeping the other at bay. Meanwhile, the announcers played up the Bryan/A.J. relationship.

Bryan suddenly came back with a DDT on Show, followed by a LeBell Lock. The crowd called for Show to escape, then Henry took care of it for Show with a kick to Bryan's head. Show suddenly KO Punched Henry, then made a cover, but Bryan made a desperation save. Bryan then tried a desperation escape to a strong reaction, but Show climbed to the top of the cage to grab Bryan. Show actually made it to a sitting position on top of the cage and tried to hold onto Bryan, but Bryan fell to the floor, winning the match.

Afterward, Bryan celebrated his "crafty" victory while Show remained stunned sitting on top of the cage. Bryan celebrated a bit longer before they cut to a replay of Show losing his grip on Bryan, leading to Bryan crashing to the floor to escape the cage and win the match. They went back to Show selling frustration and Bryan celebrating a World Series-like victory on the stage. PWTorch correspondent Michael Cupach noted Henry had to be helped to the back after the match due to his pre-existing injury.

WINNER: Bryan at 9:08 to retain the World Title. Fine opening match with good heat. The match appeared to be kept short due to Henry's limitations. (**)

2 -- Divas champion BETH PHOENIX & NATALYA & BELLA TWINS vs. KELLY KELLY & EVE & ALICIA FOX & TAMINA -- eight-Divas tag match
 
After the Cena video aired, Beth Phoenix's music played to bring out the heel Divas for an eight-Divas tag match. Kelly Kelly's music then brought out the face Divas, including Eve, who was selling concern over Zack Ryder's condition from Raw. On cue, the match settled into the heels wearing down a "distracted" Eve. Fox, then Kelly Kelly took hot tags and the action broke down, then spilled to the outside. Kelly got her shine with a big splash onto everyone. But, back in the ring, Beth nailed the Glam Slam on Kelly for the win.
 
WINNERS: Team Phoenix at 5:29.

3 -- JOHN CENA vs. KANE
 
Once the bell sounded, Cena tried to blast away with right hands to make this look like a fight more than a match. The crowd picked up a loud dueling chant that was heavy on "Cena Sucks" versus "Let's Go Cena." The match moved to the floor, where Cena rammed Kane into the guardrail. Kane sold a right knee injury before limping back into the ring. Cena immediately went for the Attitude Adjustment, but Kane fell on top of his back. Kane then went to work on Cena, trying to wear him down.
 
Cena found an opening with a drop toe hold, then went for a bulldog, but Kane flung him away into the ropes. Kane then ran over Cena with a big clothesline before Kane peered down at his hand, as if to sell he was thinking about his mandible claw-like maneuver. Kane tried the un-named mouth-stuffer, but Cena blocked. Suddenly, Cena transitioned into the STF center-ring. Kane flung him away, though, and dropped Cena with a sidewalk slam.
 
Next, Kane set up for and connected with a top-rope clothesline. Kane then measured Cena for a chokeslam, but Cena ducked and delivered a sit-out slam. Cena then called for the Five Knuckle Shuffle to loud boos, but Kane blocked the You Can't See Me part with a chokeslam tease. Cena escaped, but ate a big boot to the face. Kane made a cover, but Cena kicked out. The match moved up-top, where Cena blocked a superplex before connecting with a top-rope Five Knuckle Shuffle fist drop. Cena then wanted the AA, but Kane emphatically elbowed out before tossing Cena to the outside.
 
On the outside, Kane landed right hand blows as the referee applied a ten count in the background. As expected, the fight continued ringside with Kane ignoring the referee. Kane and Cena continued to brawl after the bell rang for a double count-out, then Cena blasted Kane with a portable light fixture along the entrance ramp. The fight moved to the stage area, then to the production area.
 
The fight spilled backstage, where Cena threw Kane into a row of trash cans. Kane went underneath a table, though, and retrieved a chair to jab into Cena's mid-section. Cena took a chair shot across the back, then another. Kane wasn't done, though, as he spotted Zack Ryder's locker room. He kicked down the flimsy door, finding Ryder alone in his wheelchair. Kane tried choking Ryder with his mandible claw before wheeling Ryder out of the locker room, past Cena. Kane scared away stagehands before wheeling Ryder back into the arena area. The cameras picked up Kane wheeling Ryder down the entrance ramp before throwing him out of the chair on the ground.
 
Kane flung Ryder into the ring, then Eve suddenly jogged into the ring. Eve begged Kane to have mercy on Ryder, but Kane lifted up Ryder and delivered a Tombstone Piledriver for a nostalgia pop. Eve covered her mouth and sold tears before Kane turned toward Eve. Suddenly, Cena re-emerged and charged the ring to blast away at Kane. He tried an AA, but sold a back injury. Kane then chokeslammed Cena mid-ring. Eve was left alone, but Kane decided his work was done and left the ring. Kane's music played and he disappeared to the back as Eve checked on a fallen Ryder.
 
Kane's music stopped, then referees, Eve, and WWE's ringside doctor were shown checking on Ryder. They went to a replay of Kane's destruction before returning to the ring, where Ryder was placed on a stretcher as Eve cried. In the background, Cena recovered as he watched Ryder being placed on a backboard. Booker solemnly said this could be the end of Ryder's career. A light "Cena Sucks" chant could be heard. WWE then faded to a BA STAR video package.
 
WINNER: Double count-out at 10:56. This was more of a match than expected, but the non-finish was expected. Clearly, the Cena-Kane feud will continue on TV until they hit the big WM28 hype.

[Arcademan]

4 -- BRODUS CLAY vs. DREW MCINTYRE
 
"Funk-a-sauras" chant when the bell sounded. Clay shook and jiggled to intimidate McIntrye, but Mac nailed him with strikes to drive Clay to the corner. Clay started to "Jiggle Up," though, and delivered his signature offense before nailing his "What The Funk?" finisher for the win. Cue up Clay and Funkettes with a post-match celebration.
 
WINNER: Clay at 1:05. Well, there you go.

5 -- WWE champion C.M. PUNK vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER -- WWE Title match -- John Laurinaitis ringside enforcer
 
Once the bell sounded, Cole accused Booker of being jealous of Laurinaitis dating back to WCW and said Laurinaitis was a better "worker" than Booker. As for the match, Ziggler "showed off" early on, drawing a smirk from Punk. Punk tried a quick submission afterward, but Ziggler escaped to the ropes. Punk then knocked Ziggler to the outside and landed a suicide dive. Back in the ring, Ziggler cut off Punk and began wearing down the champ. Ziggler stalked Punk for a Fameasser, but Punk countered with a nice spinning sit-out powerbomb for a close two count.
 
The match reset with Punk landing a chop to the chest, then right hand strikes. Punk followed with a corner knee and running bulldog before calling for the GTS. Punk set up for his finisher, but Ziggler elbowed out. Ziggler and Punk then traded holds before Punk grazed Ziggler with a kick to the head for a two count.
 
Punk followed with a top-rope Macho Man elbow drop, but Ziggler kicked out in time. "Randy Savage" chant from the crowd, then the ref was bumped out of the ring. Laurinaitis tried checking on the ref ringside while Punk and Ziggler battled in the ring. Punk locked in his submission finisher and Ziggler tapped out, but there was no ref. Punk then released the hold and yelled at Laurinaitis, who said he's helping the ref. Punk then scored a visual three count, but still no ref. Laurinaitis dragged the ref back into the ring, then Laurinaitis took a kick to the head as Punk hoisted Ziggler into position for the GTS. Punk delivered the GTS again, then scored another visual three count. Punk argued with Laurinaitis, telling him he had the match won three times. Punk went for the GTS again, but Ziggler countered with a mid-air Zig-Zag. He made a cover, but Punk kicked out just in time of the ref's three count, drawing a big reaction for the nearfall. Ringside, Laurinaitis sold frustration.
 
Ziggler tried to follow up with right hands, but Punk scored with a catapult that sent Ziggler flying into the top turnbuckle. Punk followed up with the GTS and Punk made a cover. The ref began his count, Laurinaitis slid into the ring, and both men counted to three, giving Punk the win. The announcers debated whether Laurinaitis did that simply to keep his job tomorrow night or whether he's really a good man. They went to a replay of the various visual falls for Punk, Ziggler's close pin attempt, and Punk's eventual victory. Back live, Punk was shown sitting down in the ring with his title belt. On the stage, Laurinaitis flashed a smile and applauded.
 
WINNER: Punk at 14:32 to retain the WWE Title. Below expectations in terms of match length and reaching "show-stealing level" Punk and Ziggler talked about in interviews ahead of time. The match story involving Punk and Laurinaitis fit the TV build-up, but didn't feel like a PPV match. Ziggler essentially taking four losses shows where he stands in this program. PWTorch columnist Greg Parks pointed out in a tweet, "So, Ziggler had four wins over Punk coming into this one, and Punk had four pinfalls in that match. Even-steven." (**1/2)

[Arcademan]

6 -- 30-MAN ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH
 
Cue up The Miz's music as the #1 entrant, per the final Raw before the PPV. Miz emerged through his "Awesome" bubble letters from WM27 last year as Cole declared that Miz will go coast-to-cast tonight. In the ring, Miz took the mic and said everyone backstage is laughing and snickering at him for being #1. He said those same people doubted him when he first set foot in WWE and he will prove everyone wrong tonight. Alex Riley came out as #2 to begin the match. After a brief exchange, Miz dumped Riley over the top rope, eliminating Riley. Miz then danced around in the ring, waiting for his next foe.
 
Conveniently, #3 was R-Truth, another former Miz tag partner. No eliminations, then #4 was introduced as IC champion Cody Rhodes. Booker grumbled as Rhodes charged the ring and delivered a Disaster Kick to Truth. Rhodes and Miz then double-teamed Truth before Rhodes pointed to the WM28 banner. No eliminations, then #5 was Justin Gabriel to no reaction. Gabriel tried some offense, but Rhodes quickly cut him off. No eliminations, then #6 was Primo. No sign of Rosa Mendes, which Lawler of course pointed out on commentary. In the sea of humanity, Miz chucked Truth over the top rope for an elimination at 7:12. Truth popped up, though, and yanked Miz under the bottom rope to deliver his finisher. Miz was not eliminated, though.
 
At #7 was Mick Foley, who emerged to a strong reaction. Foley, sporting a red flannel shirt and Cactus Jack t-shirt, popped Primo with right hands. Foley then eliminated Primo, earning his first elimination of the night. Foley followed with a corner knee to Rhodes's head before delivering a double-arm DDT. Next up at #8 was Alberto Del Rio returning from a one-month absence due to injury. Instead of Del Rio, though, it was Ricardo Rodriguez in a beat up car doing Del Rio's gimmick. So, Ricardo is the official #8 entrant. Ricardo did Del Rio's shtick before slowly entering the ring. "Ricardo, Ricardo" chant as he approached Gabriel and Foley before pounding away on Rhodes. Suddenly, Ricardo and Foley double-teamed to eliminate Gabriel at 11:26.
 
Santino came out at #9, setting up a battle between Santino and Ricardo. They did a comedy bit rolling across the ring before Santino gave Ricardo a wedgie and tossed him over the top rope at 12:51. So, it was Socko vs. Cobra with Miz still on the outside. Foley and Santino dueled with their respective hand-puppets before #10 was revealed as Epico. Epico was promptly eliminated by Foley's Socko at 13:56. Foley and Santino tried to resume their duel, but Rhodes and Miz jumped them. Rhodes eliminated Santino at 14:28, then Rhodes eliminated Foley at 14:47. That left Miz and Rhodes in the ring before #11 was revealed as Kofi Kingston. Kofi tried to eliminate Miz, but Rhodes helped out Miz.
 
At 16:30, #12 was revealed as Jerry Lawler, who stripped off his non-wrestling gear and left the announce table to enter the Rumble. Lawler and Miz resumed their feud from last year and the end of 2010 before Lawler went up top for a fist drop on Miz. Suddenly, Rhodes dumped Lawler over the top rope at 17:31. "Dammit!" Booker said. Next, #13 was revealed as Ezekiel Jackson. Zeke stormed the ring as Lawler returned to the announce table. No eliminations, then #14 was Jinder Mahal to an even smaller reaction than Gabriel. Jinder took a good, long walk to the ring as they hit the 20:00 mark. No eliminations.
 
At #15, Great Khali made his big return right after Jinder's entrance. Khali waddled to the ring to resume his feud with Mahal, but not after chopping down the other Rumble entrants. Khali then dumped out Mahal at 21:40. Ezekiel Jackson was the next cut at 21:55. The crowd came to life for #16, which was Hunico on his lowrider bike. In the ring, Hunico flew at Kingston before delivering some high-impact offense. No eliminations, then #17 was Booker T, who stood up, took off his dress clothes, and hit the ring, much to Cole's chagrin. Booker went after Rhodes, then came face-to-face with Khali's gut. "Booker T" chant as the six men in the Rumble traded control. For this year's John Morrison Spiderman moment, Miz dumped Kofi over the top rope, but Kofi did a handstand across the ring, hit the ring steps, and re-entered the ring to avoid elimination. Big reaction for Kofi's feat.
 
At #18, Dolph Ziggler entered the ring fresh off a WWE Title match loss. Cole resumed his praise for Kofi avoiding elimination as Ziggler worked on Kofi. No eliminations, then #19 was revealed as Hacksaw Jim Duggan to a huge nostalgia reaction. Duggan promptly cleaned house to "USA" chants before clotheslining Hunico. Duggan got in his spots, but Rhodes eliminated him at 28:31. Booker and Khali were then eliminated simultaneously by Rhodes and Ziggler at 28:55. At #20, Michael Cole excitedly had his name called. Cole dropped his clothes, put on his amateur wrestling gear, and hit the ring as Booker joined the announcers. Cole proudly entered the Rumble, pointed to the WM28 sign, posed in the ring, danced around, and waited for someone to face him.
 
At #21, Kharma's music played to a big reaction. And here comes Kharma back in a WWE ring. Cole started crying as Kharma approached him and dropped him. Booker went nuts as Kharma stalked Cole before Booker and Lawler yanked Cole out of the ring at 31:25. Suddenly, Kharma dropped Ziggler with a butterfly suplex, prompting Vickie Guerrero to confront her. No matter, as Kharma eliminated Hunico at 31:55. But, Ziggler eliminated Kharma from behind at 32:02. Out next at #22 was Sheamus, who cleaned house on folks. Sheamus then cut Kofi at 33:12. Next, Rhodes took ten forearm strikes to the chest. Miz was next to take the strikes to the chest.
 
At #23, Road Dogg Jesse James returned to action. Dogg, in DX gear, cleaned house on the heels before delivering rapid-fire jabs to Rhodes. Miz then took a pumphandle slam. Dogg got in his signature moves and remained in the match past another entry. At #24, Jey Uso came out, accompanied by Jimmy Uso. Cole name-dropped Rikishi as Uso landed a corner splash on Dogg. No eliminations, then #25 was revealed as U.S. champion Jack Swagger to groans. Swagger joined the group, which still included #1 Miz. No eliminations. At #26, Wade Barrett came out to random new music. It does not fit Barrett at all. Barrett stormed the ring and attacked everyone in the ring before dumping Road Dogg at 39:05. Down to the final four entrants, starting with David Otunga as #27. Otunga took his sweet time entering the ring as Cole noted they hit the 40:00 mark with Miz still in the Rumble.
 
Out next at #28 was Randy Orton to a huge pop in Orton's hometown. Business picked up real quick with Orton storming Barrett and cleaning house. Rhodes cut off Orton, but Orton set up Rhodes and Ziggler for a double spike DDT from the second rope. Uso tried to get Orton, but Orton chucked him out at 42:37. Orton then tossed Barrett at 42:45. And, out at #29 was Chris Jericho after the lights went out in the arena momentarily. Jericho then promptly tossed Otunga at 43:33. The men remaining in the ring struggled for eliminations leading to the final entry.
 
And, out last at #30 was Big Show. No Cena, Kane, or Henry. Show stormed the ring and Swagger was eliminated at 45:08, then KO Punched by Show. In the ring, Show eliminated both Miz and Rhodes at 45:40. Show then tossed Ziggler at 45:55. And, the Final Four is Sheamus, Jericho, Big Show, and Orton. The other three tried to gang up on Show, but Show fought them off. Orton suddenly dropped Show with an RKO, though. Suddenly, Orton lifted Show up and over the top rope at 47:11. Jericho then tossed Orton right after at 47:16, shocking the hometown crowd. So, it was Jericho vs. Sheamus.

[Arcademan]

Jericho and Sheamus circled the ring as the camera focused on the WM28 banner hanging atop the arena. Jericho pointed to the logo, then the two men circled each other again. Sheamus landed elbow strikes, then Sheamus teased eliminating Jericho, but Jericho held on to the top rope. Jericho avoided elimination, then came off the top rope with a missile dropkick. At 50:00, Sheamus came back with an Irish Curse backbreaker, then tried a Celtic Cross over the top rope, but Jericho blocked. Jericho then clotheslined Sheamus, but Sheamus held onto the top rope. A step-up kick didn't eliminate Sheamus, either.
 
Jericho reset, but Sheamus launched himself with a springboard shoulder tackle from the ring apron back into the ring. Sheamus then tried to eliminate Jericho, but Jericho held on. A Brogue Kick missed, then Jericho slapped on the Walls of Jericho center-ring. Sheamus reached the bottom rope for a break, and Jericho saluted himself to boos. Jericho was nearly eliminated next, but Jericho pulled himself back into the ring. The action moved to the top turnbuckle and they crotched themselves, teasing a double elimination. Back in the ring, though, Jericho nailed the codebreaker. The crowd was hushed, anticipating a final elimination, which they teased again fighting near the ropes.

Sheamus held on to the top rope to avoid elimination, then Jericho slapped him across the face. Sheamus got The Look in his eyes and shoved Jericho across the ring, but missed with a Brogue Kick. Jericho went for another Codebreaker, but Sheamus blocked and tried to throw Jericho over the top rope, but Jericho held on. Jericho then balanced himself on the ring apron and Sheamus blasted him with a Brogue Kick. Jericho fell off the apron, landing on the floor, and Sheamus is the winner.
 
WINNER: Sheamus at 54:54 to win the 2012 Royal Rumble. And, Jericho's tease of the "End of the World" falls flat. Just an okay Rumble before a strong finish. There were a few of the "memorable Rumble moments," but the Final Two seemed to come too soon and there were too many non-stars in this match, which exposed WWE's lack of roster depth. Assuming Sheamus doesn't "lose his WrestleMania spot" at the Chamber PPV or sometime else, it looks like Bryan vs. Sheamus for the World Title at WM28 on the Smackdown side. Or, WWE could switch the title to Henry and set up the Henry-Sheamus rubber match dating back to 2011. But, that's all to be sorted out in the weeks to come. (***1/2)

ORDER OF ENTRY
 
(1) The Miz
 (2) Alex Riley
 (3) R-Truth
 (4) Cody Rhodes
 (5) Justin Gabriel
 (6) Primo
 (7) Mick Foley
 ( Ricardo Rodriguez
 (9) Santino
 (10) Epico
 (11) Kofi Kingston
 (12) Jerry Lawler
 (13) Ezekiel Jackson
 (14) Jinder Mahal
 (15) Great Khali
 (16) Hunico
 (17) Booker T
 (18) Dolph Ziggler
 (19) Hacksaw Jim Duggan
 (20) Michael Cole
 (21) Kharma
 (22) Sheamus
 (23) Road Dogg Jesse James
 (24) Jey Uso
 (25) Jack Swagger
 (26) Wade Barrett
 (27) David Otunga
 (28) Randy Orton
 (29) Chris Jericho
 (30) Big Show
 
ORDER OF ELIMINATION
 
(1) Riley at 1:15 (Miz)
 (2) Truth at 7:12 (Miz)
 (3) Primo at 8:34 (Foley)
 (4) Gabriel at 11:26 (Foley & Ricardo)
 (5) Ricardo at 12:51 (Santino)
 (6) Epico at 13:36 (Foley)
 (7) Santino at 14:28 (Rhodes)
 ( Foley at 14:47 (Rhodes)
 (9) Lawler at 17:31 (Rhodes)
 (10) Mahal at 21:40 (Khali)
 (11) Jackson at 21:55 (Khali)
 (12) Duggan at 28:31 (Rhodes)
 (13) Khali at 28:55 (Rhodes & Ziggler)
 (14) Booker at 28:55 (Rhodes & Ziggler)
 (15) Cole at 31:25 (Kharma)
 (16) Hunico at 31:55 (Kharma)
 (17) Kharma at 32:02 (Ziggler)
 (18) Kingston at 33:12 (Sheamus)
 (19) Road Dogg at 39:05 (Barrett)
 (20) Uso at 42:37 (Orton)
 (21) Barrett at 42:45 (Orton)
 (22) Otunga at 43:33 (Jericho)
 (23) Swagger at 45:08 (Show)
 (24) Miz at 45:40 (Show)
 (25) Rhodes at 45:40 (Show)
 (26) Ziggler at 45:55 (Show)
 (27) Show at 47:11 (Orton)
 (28) Orton at 47:16 (Jericho)
 (29) Jericho at 54:54 (Sheamus)

[Arcademan]

WWE RAW Results: 1-30-12

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


1 -- RANDY ORTON vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero)

Ziggler "showed off" with a Ric Flair strut, which Orton ignored before slapping on a headlock. Orton continued to dominate while the announcers continued to shoot questions to Mathews to ask Barrett in the skybox. Ziggler came back with a dropkick to the head, leading to a commercial.

Back from break, Cole was raving about the match-up, which he transitioned to a defense of Laurinaitis ahead of his "performance evaluation" tonight. Ziggler maintained control as Barrett continued to talk himself up. Orton then came back with a clothesline, but Ziggler avoided a second and delivered a dropkick for a two count. Ziggler channeled Scott Steiner with mid-match sit-ups (instead of push-ups) before climbing up top. He took too long, allowing Orton to crotch him. Vickie screamed ringside as Orton teed off on Ziggler with right hands. Orton then wanted a superplex (big reaction for the set-up) and he delivered his dad's finisher center-ring. Orton made a cover, but Ziggler kicked out.

Orton and Ziggler reset with an exchange of right hands before Orton delivered consecutive clotheslines into a powerslam, which Cole actually called correctly. Orton then wanted his second-rope DDT, but Ziggler slipped out and slapped on a sleeperhold. Orton escaped, then did a sweet roll-over into a roll-up for a nearfall. Ziggler delivered a kick to the knee, though, before delivering a Fameasser for a close nearfall. They cut to a shot of Barrett watching the match from the skybox before the wrestlers reset in the ring.

Orton delivered a clothesline taking Ziggler to the floor before throwing Ziggler into the guardrail. Back in the ring, Orton delivered a second-rope DDT as Vickie screamed and shouted. Orton then stalked Ziggler and delivered the RKO center-ring to a very strong reaction. Orton made the cover and it was good for the win. Post-match, they showed Barrett frowning atop the skybox ahead of their match-up on Smackdown. Orton posed in the ring before Cole plugged Champion vs. Champion between Punk and Bryan tonight. Also, the next inductee in the WWE Hall of Fame.

WINNER: Orton at 11:16. It's amazing what a month off can do for a banged-up wrestler, as Orton looked loose, fresh, inspired, and excited to be in the ring, and had an extra bounce in his step. Excellent match after the commercial and a hot crowd was fully invested in Orton. If this was the kick-start for Orton's run to WrestleMania, it was a hot start. (**1/2)

2 -- BRODUS CLAY vs. TYLER REKS

Clay jiggled and intimidated Reks with various shaking before accepting a boot to the face. Reks followed with a dropkick that took Clay down to one knee, but Clay started to Funk Up before delivering a belly-to-belly suplex. Clay followed with his "What The Funk?" body splash for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Clay at 1:04.

3 -- WWE champion C.M. PUNK vs. World Hvt. champion DANIEL BRYAN -- non-title Champion vs. Champion match

The match started with Bryan in control before teasing a surfboard stretch that he turned into a stomp. Bryan followed with a kick strike before slapping Punk across the face. Punk followed with a kick strike as Cole noted that Bryan's Chamber opponents will be announced on Friday's Smackdown. He added that the champions after the Chamber will defend their titles at Mania. Bryan regained control leading to the top of the hour.

The announcers started switching about Bryan, with Cole starting to warm up to Bryan based on being a vegan and Lawler mocking Bryan. The match moved to the floor, where the two men traded forearm blows. Bryan then tossed Punk over the guardrail into the front row as the referee's ten count continued. Punk made a desperation leap back into the ring just before ten to continue the match. Cole reset the action as Punk and Bryan traded control with both men back in the ring.

Bryan missed with a corner dropkick, then Punk made a cover for a two count. Punk applied a reverse chinlock as Cole went back to heeling on Bryan and Lawler went back to defending Bryan. Bryan then ducked a clothesline before the two men collided hard in the middle of the ring. Cole sent the show to commercial at 6:00 with Bryan and Punk selling the effects.

Back from break, Bryan had Punk secured in a submission lock. Bryan cockily bent Punk's fingers to apply more pressure before stretching the heck out of Punk's torso into a pin for a two count. Bryan stood up, smirked, raised his arms in the air, and went up top, but Punk crotched him. Punk then chopped away at Bryan's chest before climbing up top for a huracanrana after shouting "Best in the World" in Bryan's face. The two men came to their feet and Punk delivered knock-down offense, followed by a swinging neckbreaker. Punk connected with a corner knee followed by a bulldog.

Punk called for the GTS, but Bryan slipped out and bailed to the floor. Bryan shook his head, then turned around to take a baseball slide. Punk wanted a suicide dive, but Bryan intercepted with a forearm. Bryan then went up top for a missile dropkick that connected for a two count. Cole called it an even match-up since the get-go. Bryan then stalked Punk to deliver kick strikes to the chest. A fourth missed, though, and Punk rolled up Bryan for a two count. Bryan then came back with a standing huracanrana, but Punk rolled through into a roll-up for a two count. Bryan immediately came back with a kick to the head and scored a close nearfall.

A dueling chant picked up as Bryan dragged Punk to the corner and hoisted Punk up-top. Bryan wanted a superplex, but Punk blocked and headbutted Bryan to the mat. Punk then stood up on the top turnbuckle and signaled for the Macho Man elbow drop, which he connected with. Punk made a cover, but Bryan kicked out. Punk then tried the GTS, but Bryan countered with a crucifix pin for a nearfall. Bryan went right into the LeBell Lock, but Punk slipped out and catapulted Bryan into the corner. Punk followed with a swift kick to the head and Bryan slipped to the apron.

Suddenly, Chris Jericho stormed the ringside area, flung Bryan away for a DQ ending, and dropped Punk with a codebreaker in the ring. Jericho stared down Punk with an icy glare, then Justin Roberts actually gave the announcement of Bryan winning the match. Bryan's music played and he celebrated his victory on the way out of the ring. They went to a replay of Jericho's attack before Lawler note he doesn't understand that attack. They cut to a shot of Jericho on the stage smirking toward the crowd as Punk tried to recover in the ring.

WINNER: Bryan via DQ at 15:07. Excellent showcase of Punk and Bryan's skills in the ring. Just an excellent match before setting up the expected Punk-Jericho feud. When was the last time Raw had two excellent wrestling matches on the same show? (***1/2)

4 -- THE MIZ vs. KOFI KINGSTON

Miz and Kofi traded control as Truth talked up his Chamber chances. Miz then glared toward Truth, who laughed and said Miz looks so angry. Miz maintained control before Cole excitedly talked up Kofi's handstand to avoid elimination last night. Miz cut off Kofi's comeback with a snap DDT for a nearfall, then Miz mocked Kofi and missed with a corner attack.

Kofi followed up with a high cross-body block for a nearfall, before Miz and Kofi traded finishing move teases while the announcers completely missed the action. Kofi suddenly nailed Trouble in Paradise and made the cover for the win. After a replay, Kofi was shown celebrating in the ring before they went to a still-shot of Kofi's handstand during the Rumble last night.

WINNER: Kingston at 4:15. Very surprising clean result considering Kingston has been floundering with or without Evan Bourne the past few months. Right now, it just looks like renewed focus on Kingston leading to the Chamber, but perhaps it will turn into something more permanent for Kofi. (*3/4)

5 -- Divas champion BETH PHOENIX vs. EVE -- Divas Title match

Eve came out first and kept looking over her shoulder, nervous about Kane's whereabouts. Beth Phoenix took advantage of Eve's mind being elsewhere and quickly delivered the Glam Slam for the win.

WINNER: Phoenix at 0:30 to retain the Divas Title.

[Arcademan]

So here's the deal...haven't posted TV results for awhile so if you need an update on them, head to the Neo-Geo Forum: Official WWE Thread for all the results (linky to the Neo is below my signature picture).

[Arcademan]

TNA Against All Odds PPV Results: 2-12-12 (next 2 posts)

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

1 -- ZEMA ION vs. JESSE SORENSEN -- #1 contender match to X Division Title

In the ring, Sorensen scored a quick two count before the two men traded pin attempts. Sorensen cleared Ion from the ring, then Ion tried to steal a football from the kid involved in the pre-match bit. Sorensen answered with a baseball slide kick, but missed with a plancha and ate the floor. Ion followed up with a springboard moonsault that KO'ed Sorensen on the floor.

Back in the ring, Ion did the belt-around-the-waist motion as the ref applied a ten count to Sorensen. The ref eventually checked on Sorensen again when Ion didn't respond to the ten count. The ref did the "X" signal before calling for the bell. In the ring, Ion gloated in victory before more medics came to ringside to check on Sorensen. So Cal Val announced Ion as the winner via count-out as they continued to focus on Ion without showing Sorensen KO'ed ringside.

Post-match: They went to a split-screen of Ion gloating and a replay of the match as Sorensen continued to be checked on. As more personnel continued to check on Sorensen, they cut to Tenay and Borash at the announce table to discuss the moonsault that KO'ed Sorensen. Tenay talked to Keith Mitchell and David Sahadi to get another look at the moonsault that KO'ed Sorensen with a knee to the head. They went to camera shots of concerned fans ringside as the announcers continued to fill time.

WINNER: Ion via count-out at 4:04.

2 -- TV champion ROBBIE E. (w/Rob Terry) vs. SHANNON MOORE -- TNA TV Title match
 
Shannon quickly cleared Robbie from the ring, so Robbie and Rob threatened to leave with the title belt. They made it half-way up the entrance ramp before Shannon tracked down Robbie and threw him back into the ring. Back in the ring, Shannon scored with brief offense before Robbie cut him off as JB talked about hanging out with Robbie at the night clubs when they tour various cities.
 
Shannon tried to make a comeback, but Robbie cut him off before delivering a knee from the second rope. Shannon, who looked a bit sluggish in the ring, tried to show fire before teasing a comeback, but Robbie cut him off with a headlock. Shannon then delivered a dropkick to the head that both men on the mat. They came to their feet and Moore made his comeback before knocking Robbie to the outside. Shannon came off the second rope with a springboard moonsault, then scored a nearfall back in the ring.
 
The action moved to the top turnbuckle, where Moore delivered a huracanrana that Robbie sold like a champ. A nearfall resulted. Next, they went to a pinfall exchange sequence before Robbie shoved Moore to the ropes, and Terry popped Shannon in the face. Shannon then rebounded into a swinging DDT from Robbie for the pin and the win.
 
WINNER: Robbie at 9:32. Robbie really worked hard to make this passable for PPV, as Shannon appeared to be disconnected from the match. The crowd was disconnected, as well, which didn't help matters. Robbie is slotted as a lower-card heel, but he continues to show potential to offer more to TNA.

3 -- Knockouts champion GAIL KIM vs. TARA -- Knockouts Title match
 
After a video package highlighted the Knockouts Title scene, Tara came to the ring as the challenger. KO champ Gail Kim then came to the ring along with Madison Rayne. No shark cage this month, as TNA authority figures have apparently given up on preventing Rayne from interfering. About mid-way through the match, Rayne walked out on Gail, who waved her good-bye. Gail continued to dominate, then her over-confidence led to Tara snapping off a powerslam. Up-top, Tara went for a moonsault and connected, but sold a right knee injury. Tara talked to ref Earl Hebner, then they went to the finish of Gail nailing Eat Defeat for the pin and the win. Post-match: Tara continued to sell the right knee.
 
WINNER: Gail at 6:50. The injury seemed like an "out" for Tara to take the loss, rather than a legit injury, unlike the opening match.

4 -- TNA tag champions MATT MORGAN & CRIMSON vs. SAMOA JOE & MAGNUS -- TNA Tag Title match
 
The challengers were the first men out for the match. The tag champs were out next, with Crimson still billed as "undefeated." Tenay stressed that Crimson has not been pinned in singles or tag matches. Early on, the two teams traded control of the action with all four men tagging in and out, without much standing out. The challengers then double-teamed Crimson to begin wearing him down. Morgan pounded the top turnbuckle to try to rally behind Crimson, but the heels maintained control. The sleepy crowd woke up a bit when Joe delivered a stiff chop to Crimson's chest before stalking him to deliver more offense.
 
Crimson finally made a comeback and tagged in Morgan to a reaction. Magnus also tagged in, setting up a confrontation between Morgan and Magnus. Morgan then dropped Joe with a discus clothesline before ramming the challengers's heads together. Morgan, fired up, measured Magnus for a corner strike, but Magnus blocked, only to take a swinging frontslam from Morgan for a two count. The action broke down at this point. Morgan and Crimson called for the end, but Magnus broke it up. The challengers then had a miscommunication before Crimson and Morgan had a miscommunication. The end result was a snapmare into big elbow from Magnus on Morgan for the pin and the win. New tag champs.
 
Post-match: Joe & Magnus celebrated with the Tag Titles before Crimson re-entered the ring to try to make sense of what happened. They replayed the finish before showing the new tag champs celebrating again. They went to a final shot of Crimson half-way up the entrance ramp shaking his head.
 
WINNERS: Joe & Magnus at 9:58 to capture the TNA Tag Titles. The finish was foreshadowed when Tenay stressed at the beginning of the match that Crimson's "unbeaten streak" includes not being pinned in tag matches. The new tag champs make for a good pairing and it's a good stepping stone for Joe if TNA is going to get behind him again.

5 -- X Division champion AUSTIN ARIES vs. ALEX SHELLEY -- X Division Title match
 
Shelley was the aggressor early on and Aries tried to stall for time. Aries went for a jawbreaker across the top rope and some object went flying into the air, then to the mat. Shelley came back with a top-rope dropkick before Aries disappeared underneath the ring, then came out the other side to sneak-attack Shelley. Aries followed with a suicide dive that KO'ed Shelley on the outside.
 
Back in the ring, Aries dominated Shelley as the crowd tried to rally behind Shelley. Aries took forever to set up his pendulum elbow drop, allowing Shelley to move. However, Aries quickly recovered, only to take a kick to the chest, followed by left-hand jabs and a chop to the chest. Shelley followed with a knock-down clothesline before firing himself up. Shelley knocked Aries to the outside, avoided the same disappearing act trick from Aries, and suicide dive-splashed Shelley on the outside.
 
Back in the ring at 10:00, Shelley scored a close nearfall after delivering Finlay's Celtic Cross finisher. Aries came back with a pendulum elbow smash, then went for a brainbuster, but Shelley blocked. The two men then collided mid-ring and sold on the mat. The action moved to the ring apron, where Aries delivered a DVD across the ring apron. Shelley sold by staring straight ahead with his eyes popping out of his head. Back in the ring, though, Aries could only score a two count. Aries then went up top and missed with a 450 Splash before Shelley connected with Sliced Bread to much excitement. Shelley made the pin, but Aries grabbed the middle rope just before three, drawing gasps from the crowd.

The action reset with Shelley stalking Aries for a kick, but Aries ducked and floated over with knees to the head, followed by a running dropkick. Aries followed right up with a brainbuster and made a cover, but Shelley kicked out just in time. Aries, frustrated, tried another b-buster, but Shelley countered with a small package for a two count before landing multiple kick strikes to the head for another two count. Aries blocked another Sliced Bread attempt before nailing another brainbuster. He transitioned into the Last Chancery and Shelley was forced to tap out moments into the submission hold.
 
WINNER: Aries via submission at 15:08 to retain the X Division Title. Easily the best match of the show thus far and a very good showcase for both men. Aries vs. Ion is next up for the X Division, but an Aries-Shelley series would be good for the division. (***1/2)

[Arcademan]

6 -- A.J. STYLES vs. KAZARIAN (w/Christopher Daniels)
 
Kazarian was forced to wear Daniels's t-shirt to the ring and during the match. Kaz wanted a handshake, but Styles shoved him to the corner and ripped off his t-shirt. Kaz tried to respond, but Styles grabbed him out of the corner and applied a side headlock. The crowd shifted their focus to Daniels, chanting at him that he sucks. In the ring, Styles went for a leapfrog too early and Kaz nearly crashed into his crotch, so Styles chucked Kaz to the floor to reset. Back in the ring, Styles continued to dominate Kaz and the crowd continued to chant at Daniels. Kaz finally scored with offense at 4:30, but was reluctant to follow up, allowing Styles to clear him to the floor. Styles then flew off the ring apron with a flying forearm.
 
Back in the ring, Kaz finally mounted some offense as Daniels pounded the mat to tell Kaz to finish him off. Kaz continued to sell reluctant as Daniels taunted Styles from ringside. Kaz grabbed a front facelock to ground Styles and continue to slow down the match while the fans occupied themselves with Daniels ringside. Styles and Kaz then traded blows mid-ring before Styles came back with a flurry of high-impact offense. Styles wanted the Clash, but Kaz blocked and landed a boot to the face.
 
At 13:00, Styles yanked Kaz off the ring ropes in position for the Clash, but Kaz countered with a bottle-opener twist to escape. Kaz then came flying over the top rope to slam Styles back-first across the ring apron. Styles tried to crawl back into the ring, but Kaz caught him with a cutter. The match moved up top, where Kaz wanted a top-rope suplex, but Styles elbowed out and both men fell to the mat. Styles then nailed his trademark reverse DDT, but Kaz came back with the Wave of the Future frontslam. The two men went through a sequence of pin attempts before Styles dropped Kaz with the Pele Kick. Styles then set up for a springboard splash on Kaz, but stopped his momentum and delivered a springboard moonsault onto Daniels ringside. Styles tried to follow up back in the ring, but Kaz nailed his Fade to Black reverse Tombstone Piledriver. Kaz with the pin and the win.
 
WINNER: Kaz at 18:45. About as Even-Steven as you can get with Daniels getting his comeuppance, which the fans wanted to see, and Kaz getting a pinfall over Styles. Overall, the match story was slow developing, which meant the match dragged at times, but they finished strong. (**3/4)

7 -- GARETT BISCHOFF (w/Hulk Hogan) vs. GUNNER (w/Eric Bischoff)
 
Eric got involved early on by tripping Garett from ringside, which caused a stir with Hogan ringside. Back in the ring, Gunner tried to press-slam Garett, but Garett came back with a backslide attempt. Gunner then cut off Garett, which prompted Hogan to shout encouragement from ringside. Garett tried to make a comeback, but Gunner cut him off. At one point during the beat down, Garett seemed to be looking for a hot tag to Hogan, but Gunner cut him off. Garett came back with what looked like step-one of a spinebuster that he suddenly turned into a facebuster. "Oh!" JB shouted, surprised by the move.
 
Hogan told Garett to get back to his base, but Gunner smashed Garett into the top turnbuckle. Gunner then choked Garett across the middle rope before Eric slapped Garett to try to wake up the crowd. Hogan then walked over to Eric, spun him around, and decked Eric with a right hand to a reaction. Back in the ring, though, Gunner delivered a neckbreaker. Hogan told the "future of the business" that he has to get up. He did get up and took a blow to the neck from Gunner. Hogan then slowly crawled onto the ring apron with white towel in hand, but Garett told him not to do it, "showing heart." Gunner then caught Garett with a DDT for the pin and the win. Post-match: Eric slowly pulled himself up to the ring apron and laughed uncontrollably at the result.
 
WINNER: Gunner at 12:01. They should have ended this much sooner. Better yet, not booked it on a nationally-televised pay event. It seems like every time Hogan is involved in something in TNA (especially those counter-productive promos on Impact the last two weeks), TNA takes a step back in their progression as a major wrestling promotion. Embarrassing for everyone involved, especially the announcers having to present this match with a straight face. (DUD)

8 -- TNA World Hvt. champion ROBERT ROODE vs. JEFF HARDY vs. JAMES STORM vs. BULLY RAY -- four-way TNA World Title match -- Sting ringside enforcer
 
The bell sounded and Roode continued to try to sell Ray on working together. Ray teased working with Roode, but then slipped out of the ring to stand ringside with arms folded. Hardy and Storm then took turns teeing off on Roode as Ray watched on the floor. As this went on, Tenay relayed an update on Jesse Sorensen that he's undergoing medical tests. Ray then found an opening to enter the ring, but the faces cut him off. Hardy then found himself on the outside, leaving Storm alone in the ring with Ray and Roode.
 
Suddenly, the old Beer Money duo executed a suplex on Ray. They came back-to-back very slowly as the crowd popped. Roode smiled and suggested working together, but he punched Storm in the face. They exchanged right hands before Storm gained the advantage. Hardy then re-entered the ring and hit the Whisper in the Wind on Roode for a two count. Ray then cleared the ring, except for Hardy. Ray picked apart Hardy in the ring while the former Beer Money partners battled on the outside.
 
At 9:00, Ray tried to give Roode instructions as Roode re-entered the ring. Ray wanted a spike piledriver, but Storm cut off Roode and Hardy made a comeback on Ray. Up top, Storm and Hardy set up for a double superplex, but Ray cut them off. Ray then helped launch the superplex spot and all four men crashed to the mat. Ray was the first man up, but could not score a pin. Hardy suddenly recovered and nailed the Twist of Fate, but could not make a cover, as Roode cut him off with a flapjack. Ray suddenly speared Roode, then the ref was predictably bumped. Ray hit the Bubba Bomb on Hardy, but the ref was KO'ed. Ray scored the visual three count, but ref Hebner was still out. Ray argued with Sting, then turned around to take a Twist of Fate from Hardy, and Hardy scored a visual three count of his own.
 
Storm hit a superkick on Roode, but Ray yanked the now-awake ref out of the ring. Ray and Sting argued with the ref in the middle, then Storm came flying over the top rope with a splash that hit the ref. Back in the ring, Hardy dropped Roode and wanted a Swanton Bomb, but Roode moved and Hardy was left alone in the ring. On the outside, Roode grabbed his title belt and tried to use it back in the ring, but Sting yanked the title belt away from Roode. Roode screamed at Sting, asking him what he's going to do. Sting teased popping him with the title belt, but Sting couldn't pull the trigger. Roode then spit in Sting's face, so Sting tried to smash Roode, but Roode ducked and he smashed Hardy with the title belt. Roode laughed as Sting called him sick. Roode then made a cover on Hardy and Sting reluctantly dropped down to his knees to count. One...Jeff! Jeff!...two...Jeff! Jeff!...three. Roode retains the title.
 
Post-match: Roode laughed in Sting's face before telling Sting to hand him the title belt. Sting was forced to raise Roode's arm in victory, then Sting dropped down to his knees to check on Hardy as Roode continued to taunt him. After a replay of the finish, they showed Roode celebrating ringside. "There's nothing you can do about it! Haha!" he shouted. In the ring, the Facepainted Brothers recovered as Sting tried to check on Hardy and apologize to him. They went to another replay of the finish and the announcers continued to talk before TNA signed off at 9:50.
 
WINNER: Roode at 15:08 to retain the TNA World Title. Another TNA PPV main event and another match that felt more like a TV angle than a match people had to pay to see. The match, which went just as expected with the heel champion using Sting's over-zealousness against him, advanced the Roode-Sting feud, but people shouldn't be asked to pay for this month after month. (**1/4)

[Arcademan]

TNA Against All Odds PPV Results: 2-12-12 (next 2 posts)

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

1 -- ZEMA ION vs. JESSE SORENSEN -- #1 contender match to X Division Title

In the ring, Sorensen scored a quick two count before the two men traded pin attempts. Sorensen cleared Ion from the ring, then Ion tried to steal a football from the kid involved in the pre-match bit. Sorensen answered with a baseball slide kick, but missed with a plancha and ate the floor. Ion followed up with a springboard moonsault that KO'ed Sorensen on the floor.

Back in the ring, Ion did the belt-around-the-waist motion as the ref applied a ten count to Sorensen. The ref eventually checked on Sorensen again when Ion didn't respond to the ten count. The ref did the "X" signal before calling for the bell. In the ring, Ion gloated in victory before more medics came to ringside to check on Sorensen. So Cal Val announced Ion as the winner via count-out as they continued to focus on Ion without showing Sorensen KO'ed ringside.

Post-match: They went to a split-screen of Ion gloating and a replay of the match as Sorensen continued to be checked on. As more personnel continued to check on Sorensen, they cut to Tenay and Borash at the announce table to discuss the moonsault that KO'ed Sorensen. Tenay talked to Keith Mitchell and David Sahadi to get another look at the moonsault that KO'ed Sorensen with a knee to the head. They went to camera shots of concerned fans ringside as the announcers continued to fill time.

Bad news:
Jesse Sorensen actually suffered a broken C-1 vertebrae at TNA's Against All Odds pay-per-view. This is the top vertebrae of the spine that connects the spine to the skull. Sorensen had lost feeling in his extremities last night and is still hospitalized but able to move his arms and has feeling in them. Earlier this afternoon, Sorensen was able to feel a tingling sensation in his legs but could not move them yet.

[Arcademan]

WWE RAW Results: 2-13-12

Note: Due to DVR failure, I missed my first RAW in over a year. I'll catch the encore later this week so no personal notes from me...

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

1 -- CHRIS JERICHO vs. KOFI KINGSTON

The ring was cleared of podiums and the bell sounded immediately upon returning from break. Kofi quickly continued the assault on Jericho as Lawler suggested all debates should be like a WWE debate. Kofi clotheslined Jericho over the top rope to the outside, then Kofi flew through the ropes with a suicide dive. Kofi fired up the crowd as Cole said perhaps it's Kofi's time to reach the upper echelon in WWE. Kofi rolled Jericho back into the ring and went for ten punches in the corner, but Jericho countered #8 with a running powerbomb.

Jericho went on the offensive before applying a submission. Cole and Lawler debated Jericho's promo last week on Raw when he went from plausible claims to absurd, heelish claims about his contributions to wrestling. Kofi missed a dropkick, so Jericho resumed control of the action, setting a methodical pace. Jericho ripped off a series of chops to "Whoos," but ate a turnaround splash from Kofi. Kofi followed with a big dropkick, then a springboard splash attempt, but Jericho cut him off and transitioned to the Walls of Jericho. Kofi fought and fought before reaching the bottom rope for a break. Jericho thought he won, but ref Charles Robinson indicated Kofi reached the ropes. Suddenly, Kofi caught Jericho in the face with Trouble in Paradise. He couldn't capitalize immediately, though, allowing Jericho to get his foot on the bottom rope on a pin attempt.

They reset at 5:00 with Jericho and Kofi getting into a scrap with the referee. Jericho then kind of thumbed Kofi in the eye, Kofi sold like he was shot in the face, and Jericho caught Kofi with the Codebreaker. Jericho made a cover for the win. Post-match: Jericho told the ref to raise his hand and they replayed the finish of the match. On-stage, Jericho smirked while Kofi recovered in the ring.

WINNER: Jericho at 5:20. The beginning of a potentially very good match, but it ended a bit off. Overall, good set-up for Elimination Chamber.

2 -- RANDY ORTON vs. BIG SHOW

Show teased the KO Punch early on, but Orton slipped to the outside to avoid Show and recover. They cut to break 1:15 into the match.

Back live at 4:25, Orton had control of the match with Show locked in a sleeperhold. Meanwhile, Bryan continued to stroke his beard, selling contentment watching two Chamber opponents take each other apart. Bryan smiled as Orton took Show down to one knee, then Show broke free and clotheslined Orton before smashing him in the corner. But, Orton suddenly came out of the corner with a dropkick, which drew an approving nod from the champ.

The match moved to the floor, where Show rammed Orton head-first into the announce table. Show then tossed Orton back into the ring before turning his attention to Bryan, who simply pointed toward the ring. Show returned to the ring, but ate a dropkick from Orton. Show found himself slumped over the top rope and Orton got That Look to set up for and deliver his trademark DDT, but from the top rope rather than the second rope. Sick. Orton tried the RKO, but Show kind of slipped out and fell to the mat. It looked like a botch.

They reset with Orton eventually hitting the RKO clean. But, Bryan stormed the ring and smashed Orton with the title belt, causing the match to be thrown out. Cole said Bryan can do whatever he wants because he's World champ, but then he complained about Bryan being a weasel. Bryan KO'ed Show with another belt shot, then his music played and Cole complained about Bryan ruining a great match-up. After a replay of the finish, they showed Bryan confidently leaving the ring as Cole said Bryan is finally going to get what's coming to him in the Chamber on Sunday.

WINNER: Orton via DQ at 7:46. Orton's top-rope DDT was another creative, highlight-reel moment before they advanced Bryan's heel persona as World champ. At least Cole's Jekyll & Hyde commentary was a bit more understandable tonight with the idea of him being nice to Bryan when Bryan was nearby, but dogging him when he was away. But, it points out the fatal flaw of Cole being the lead announcer: he's a coward, he can't be trusted, and he has no credibility. Yet, he's in the position to sell the product and PPVs to the buyers.

3 -- R-TRUTH vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero)

This was presented like a "comedown match" after the Hunter-HBK segment. Ziggler grabbed an early side headlock and "showed off" by doing a headstand while applying the hold. Meanwhile, Lawler told Cole he needs to head to rehab to admit he's a moron. Suddenly, Truth took advantage of Ziggler spending too much time showing off by rolling up Ziggler for a quick pin and the win. Cole said Ziggler will need to cool off on showing off inside the Chamber on Sunday.

WINNER: Truth at 2:28.

4 -- TAMINA vs. BRIE BELLA (w/Nikki Bella)

Brie quickly attacked a distracted Tamina. Tamina eventually fought off Nikki from the outside and nailed a Superfly Splash from the top rope for the pin and the win. Afterward, Tamina locked eyes with Beth to set up their title match on Sunday.

WINNER: Tamina at 1:27. Basic, two-minute set-up for the title match. Fine.

5 -- WWE champion C.M. PUNK vs. THE MIZ -- non-title match

Despite being the main event, this match felt like another "comedown match" after the HBK-Hunter segment and Cena-Ryder-Eve developments. The crowd tried to get invested with Punk chants before quieting down as Miz worked over Punk's left shoulder. Miz then tried the Reality Check, but Punk slipped out and smashed Miz with a kick to the head. Punk shook out the pain in his left arm before the two men traded bombs. Punk then fired up a comeback and delivered patented offense before calling for the GTS. Miz slipped out, though, and delivered a lean-back DDT for a two count. Miz followed with a corner attack before climbing up top. Miz missed and Punk answered with a snap powerslam for a two count.

Punk went up top for a Macho Man elbow, but Miz cut him off. Punk then knocked Miz off the top and landed the elbow drop before calling for the end again. Miz slipped out again, though, teased the Skullcrushing Finale, but Punk countered into his Anaconda Vice submission. Miz quickly tapped Punk's shoulder, giving Punk the win. Cole noted that's important because wrestlers can eliminate other wrestlers via submission.

Post-match: Jericho was shown watching Punk on a backstage monitor. Cole said Jericho probably can't wait to get Punk inside the Chamber on Sunday.

WINNER: Punk via submission at 5:01. Not exactly a strong hard sell for the Chamber with WWE and the announcers treating the TV main event featuring the WWE champion as a "sixth quarter-hour/comedown" type match. (Where's Jim Ross when you need him?) Miz didn't provide a strong-enough threat to Punk to make it seem like Punk is in jeopardy on Sunday and Jericho's character is still a bit undefined to pose a legitimate threat in the mind of viewers.

[Arcademan]

Check out the Official WWE Thread at the Neo-Geo Forum for all of this week's results (link under my signature picture).

[Arcademan]

WWE Elimination Chamber PPV Results: 2-19-12 (next three posts)

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

1 -- WWE champion C.M. PUNK vs. CHRIS JERICHO vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero) vs. THE MIZ vs. KOFI KINGSTON vs. R-TRUTH -- WWE Title match -- Raw brand Elimination Chamber match

Punk and Kofi went through a bit of a feeling-out process to start the match before Kofi went flying over the top rope and landed on his feet on the Chamber platform. Back to a feeling-out process before they traded rapid-fire pin attempts. The match moved to the Chamber platform, where Kofi back-dropped Punk hip-first onto the platform. Punk came back with a catapult, sending Kofi flying into the exterior of Jericho's Plexiglas pod. The crowd chanted for Punk as Jericho watched intently inside his pod. Back in the ring, Punk worked on Kofi while selling a hip injury.

At 5:00, it was time for entrant #3 - Dolph Ziggler, who looked even more like Billy Gunn tonight. Ziggler went right after Punk before doing standing ab crunches while hanging on the Chamber wall. After "showing off," Ziggler tried a Rockerdropper out of the ab crunch, but Punk moved. Back in the ring, Ziggler ate a top turnbuckle attempting a corner splash. Punk and Kofi then double-teamed Ziggler before Punk and Kofi suddenly collided in mid-air attempting a double springboard on Ziggler.

With all three men on the mat, the #4 entrant (at 9:00 instead of 10:00) was R-Truth, who went after Ziggler before hip-tossing Ziggler over the top rope onto the Chamber platform. Truth followed with a slingshot splash that seemed to inflict damage to both men. Back in the ring, Truth covered Ziggler, but only scored a two count. Cole noted the pace is quickening inside the Chamber. Punk then blasted Truth with a knee and executed a superplex, but Truth kicked out of a pin attempt. Punk went to the top turnbuckle in front of Jericho, who pounded his pod glass to yell at Punk, then Punk came off the top rope with an elbow drop on Truth. It was good for a pin and elimination.

*** Truth eliminated by Punk at 11:42 ***

Rapid-fire exchanges followed before Kofi tried to cover Punk, but the champ kicked out in time. Kofi then Spiderman'ed onto the Chamber wall before jumping onto Ziggler's shoulders to deliver a swinging DDT onto the Chamber platform in one fluid motion. The crowd popped before things calmed down. This led to entry #5 - The Miz - at 13:23. Miz quickly threw Punk into a Chamber pod before trying to choke Kofi inside the Chamber hole openings. Ziggler took another beating, this time from Miz, before Miz shoved Kofi off the top turnbuckle onto the platform. Miz and Punk then teased finishers before Miz executed a DDT for a nearfall. The crowd rallied behind Punk as Jericho paced inside his pod and Ziggler remained KO'ed outside the ring on the platform.

Suddenly, Punk slapped on the Anaconda Vice on Miz center-ring. Miz fought the hold as the countdown clock led to Jericho entering the match as the final entrant at 17:45. Punk released the hold when Jericho entered the ring and they had a confrontation before Jericho took control. They teased finishers, which the crowd was into, then Jericho cut off Punk with a running bulldog, then followed with a Lionsault. Suddenly, Ziggler tried a roll-up on Jericho, but Jericho escaped and nailed the Codebreaker. That ended Ziggler's night after Ziggler bounced around the Chamber for 20 minutes.

*** Ziggler eliminated by Jericho at 19:19 ***

As Ziggler left the Chamber, Jericho cleared Kofi from the Chamber before resuming an exchange with Punk. Punk won the brief battle with a catapult over the top rope onto the platform. They resumed the battle on the platform, with Punk smashing Jericho into pod glass. Jericho then thumbed Punk in the eye and locked himself back inside his Chamber pod. Punk quickly took care of that, but Jericho yanked Punk shoulder-first into the pod door multiple times to floor Punk.

At 22:22, Jericho turned his attention to Kingston, who continued to take a beating until he came back with an STO on the platform. Miz quickly attacked Kingston, though, and blasted away with left hand strikes. Miz walked into a pendulum kick out of the corner, though, and Punk followed up with a corner powerbomb on Miz. Kofi then found himself on top of a Chamber pod and he flew onto Punk and Miz center-ring. Kofi covered Miz, but Miz kicked out in time. Jericho tried to take advantage of the situation with the Walls of Jericho on Kofi, who fought the hold before tapping out.

*** Kingston eliminated at 25:33 ***

Jericho kept the hold locked on a few extra seconds, drawing a reprimand from the referee. Jericho continued the assault on Kofi, even after eliminating him. Jericho then threw Kofi out of the Chamber to finish the assault. Suddenly, Punk kicked Jericho in the head and Jericho went flying out of the Chamber to the outside, knocking over the cameraman. The refs checked on Jericho, who sold unconsciousness. The refs said Jericho can't continue, then asked for a ringside medic to check on Jericho. Audio of their conservation was picked up as they consulted on whether Jericho was conscious after Jericho struck the cameraman and a light fixture. Inside the Chamber, Punk sold concern. They went to a replay from another camera perspective, which showed how the injury angle came about.

Back inside the Chamber, Miz tried to sneak-attack Punk, but Punk delivered a kick to the head. Punk made a cover, but Miz kicked out in time. The announcers debated whether Jericho was officially out of the match as Punk surveyed his surroundings to decide what to do next. They cut to a ringside shot of Jericho still selling the injury. Back inside the Chamber, Punk measured Miz for a springboard move, but Miz countered with the Skullcrushing Finale. He made a cover, but Punk kicked out just in time, popping the crowd.

The action reset with an aggressive Miz punching and kicking and slapping and taunting Punk. Miz told Punk he's nothing before pacing the ring to play to the crowd. Miz tried to follow with a corner attack, but Punk moved and Miz ate the pod. Punk then hoisted up Miz for the GTS and connected. Punk covered and it was good for the win. Punk advances to WrestleMania to defend the WWE Title.

Post-match: Punk celebrated the title victory before they replayed high points. Punk then walked out of the Chamber, stopped to look at Jericho still selling the injury, and walked on past Jericho to continue celebrating.

WINNER: Punk at 32:38 to retain the WWE Title. Very good match. Not an all-time classic Chamber match, but very good. Also, a very good set-up for a Punk-Jericho title match at WrestleMania, with Jericho being able to say he did not lose the Chamber match and deserves a one-on-one shot at Punk's title. (****)

2 -- Divas champion BETH PHOENIX vs. TAMINA SNUKA -- Divas Title match

Lilian Garcia announced the Divas Title match. Beth Phoenix was out first to defend the title, followed by Tamina (Snuka) for this month's title challenge. Tamina looked happy to be here and Beth met her smile with a smile, ready for some competition. Once the bell sounded, Beth held open the ropes for Tamina to leave if she wanted to, but Tamina said no. Beth dominated from the start, but Tamina came back with a top-rope Superfly Splash. Tamina had the pin, but Phoenix kicked out in time. Tamina continued the attack on the outside, but Phoenix beat Tamina to the punch back in the ring. Phoenix with a Glam Slam and it was over.

WINNER: Phoenix at 7:16 to retain the Divas Title. Solid Divas Title match with two women's wrestlers having a competitive battle. Refreshing.