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

[Arcademan]

WWE Superstars Results: 6-11-09

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

1 -- BETH PHOENIX & ROSA MENDES vs. BRIE & NIKKI BELLA

Apparently there was a storyline development we missed reuniting the Bella Twins after their family squabble was at the heart of the Colons vs. Miz & Morrison program culminating at WrestleMania 25. Either that or they patched things up shopping. Beth dominated early on, then Nikki (I think) made a comeback. Rosa ran interference when Nikki had a pin, which allowed Beth to come back with the double-underhook front-facebuster for the pin and the win.

WINNERS: Beth & Rosa in 4:00. Fine tag match. WWE has some rebuilding to do with Beth's character after they streeeeetched out the Beth-Santino break-up for seemingly five months too long.

2 -- EVAN BOURNE vs. ZACK RYDER

Ryder focused on Boune's injured ribs early on. Bourne came back with a top rope dropkick to begin a brief comeback that was cut off by Ryder shoving Bourne into the corner. Bourne tried to come back again, this time with the Shooting Star Press, but Ryder cut him off. Striker lamented on commentary that he missed Bourne's finisher. Cut to break with Ryder in control.

Back from break, Ryder continued to ground Bourne while Striker continued to understand Ryder. What's with the hair and the half-trunks/pants and the woo woo woo? Ryder very impressive working the submission holds on Bourne as the crowd tried to rally behind Bourne, who blocked a dropkick and nailed a leaping two-foot strike on Ryder. Bourne then snapped off a swinging head scissors and charged Ryder for a running clothesline and a two count. Match moved to the top where Bourne and Ryder battled before Bourne knocked Ryder off the top. Bourne then steadied himself and nailed the Shooting Star Press for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Bourne in 11:00. Very nice undercard match featuring two under-sized wrestlers. They kept the highspots to a minimum to really get over the SPP, while Ryder showed the beginnings of being a credible heel with his mat work and solid facial expressions. Ryder, unfortunately, probably won't advance beyond a mid-card role in the WWE machine, but he can still be a nice antagonist to some up-and-coming babyface talent coming up from FCW. (**)

3 -- Intercontinental champion CHRIS JERICHO vs. JOHN MORRISON -- non-title match

Jericho paint-brushed Morrison early in the match to taunt him before stomping Morrison down into the corner with successive boot smashes. Morrison came back with a nice arm drag into an armbar to wear down Jericho. [Q4] Morrison clotheslined Jericho over the top rope to the floor, then he landed a slingshot plancha onto Jericho. Back in the ring, Jericho took an inch of space and cut off Morrison's momentum. Cut to break with Jericho in control.

Back from break, Morrison tried to rally up against Jericho's offensive advantage with a Russian legsweep. That resulted in a two count, only, then Jericho snapped off an enziguiri kick to quickly regain the advantage. Jericho then missed with a double axehandle smash and Morrison began his full comeback leading to a multiple-revolutions DDT after taking the tour around Jericho's shoulders for a two count. After a pause, Jericho tried a Lionsault, but Morrison ducked and came right back with the Flying Chuck springboard kick. Jericho kicked out to a major crowd reaction, though.

Jericho then missed with a corner charge and Morrison tried the Starship Pain corkscrew splash, but Jericho moved and slapped on the Walls of Jericho. Morrison rolled out into a pin, but Jericho countered with a roll-up and a hook of the tights for the pin and the win with the crowd hot in anticipation of the finish. Grisham pointed out the hook of the tights while Ross covered for Morrison that he proved he's capable of being the IC champion despite taking the loss. After the announcers recapped the highspots of the match, Morrison and Jericho closed the show with a stare down from a distance. Another great Jericho feud in the making.

WINNER: Jericho in 13:00. Jericho is depending on a flurry of nearfalls and counters in his spotlight matches as of late to build crowd anticipation, and those sequences never get old. Whether he's working with Rey Mysterio or John Morrison, the IC champ is putting together some great wrestling right now. Morrison is slowly finding his niche as a babyface, while Jericho has become the top wrestler in the company. Very good TV main event. (***)

[Arcademan]

TNA Impact! Results: 6-11-09

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

(1) ALEX SHELLEY (w/CHRIS SABIN) & JAY LETHAL (w/CONSEQUENCES CREED) vs. TEAM 3D.

Devon and Shelley lock up to start. West points out that Team 3D are hypocritical for criticizing The British Invasion for doing exactly what Team 3D have done in the past. How did turning heel somehow make Don West moderately insightful? Shelley takes down Devon with a Spinning Leg Lariat, but Devon comes back with a Snap Power Slam for two. He tags in Ray, who holds Shelley up for Devon to nail a Guillotine Leg Drop. Ray works a wrist lock for a few seconds, but Shelley uses the ropes to flip out and make the tag to Lethal. Ray floors him with an arm wrench, then continues to work the left arm with some sort of arm bar. Lethal springboards out, then comes off the top rope with a Double Sledge. An attempted Handspring Elbow, however, is reversed straight into a Release Flip German Suplex. Lethal makes the tag. He and Shelley dropkick Team 3D out of the ring. When they go for dual Suicide Dives they end up hitting each others' partners. Chris Sabin gets up on the apron, which allows Shelley to take over in the ring with a Low Blow. He and Lethal trade tags, and take turns whacking Ray. Ray comes back with a loud open-hand chop from his knees, but he's still in the wrong part of town. He is eventually able to make the tag, and Devon comes in firing. He floors them both with clotheslines, Back Body Drops Shelley, gets Lethal with a Neck Breaker, then hits a Side Slam on Shelley for two. Shelley tries to shoot Devon into the ropes, but Devon comes back with a Flying Clothesline. Lethal breaks up the cover at two, so Ray tosses him from the ring. Sabin and Creed try to interfere, so Ray just Back Body Drops them right back out. They hit Wazzup on Shelley, but when they're about to get the tables Rob Terry runs down to ringside. While Ray and the ref focus on him, Doug Williams sneaks into the ring and whacks Devon in the head. The ref turns around just in time to count the three.

WINNER: Shelley & Creed in nine minutes. That was standard Team 3D fare. I like the lack of symmetry between Team 3D's save of Beer Money last week and Beer Money's absence tonight. *

(2) SCOTT STEINER & BOOKER T vs. SAMOA JOE
Nation of Violence First Blood Match

Steiner tries to cut Joe off in the ramp. Joe comes back firing, but Steiner whips him into the barricade. Steiner grabs the timekeeper's bell and plants it on Joe's head. Steiner then uses the hammer to ring the bell on Joe's head. Wouldn't it be more efficient to just use the hammer directly? He whacks Joe's head against the apron, then rolls him into the ring. He tries to charge Joe in the corner, but gets caught by a Yurinagi. Joe whips him around, then lands his flipping dropkick. When Joe tries to follow up with a clothesline, Steiner catches him in a Flatliner. He exposes a turnbuckle, but Joe keeps his head from making contact, then slams Steiner into it. He tries to open Steiner up with some punches, but Steiner slams him back into the turnbuckle. He goes to the outside to get his lead pipe, but Joe cuts him off on his way back with a Suicide Dive. Joe grabs a trash can, knocks Steiner, places it on his head, and works over the can with the pipe. When they get the can off, Steiner's bleeding profusely. Per the stipulation of this match, Joe now has to take on Booker T, who appears in the entranceway with Sharmell.

Creed takes Booker down to the ring and slams his head into the ring post. What has he been doing during the break? They trade Knife-Edges Chops, with Joe retaining control. Booker comes back with a kick to the gut, and knocks Joe's head into the barricade and ring post. Joe blocks the next try at the barricade and comes back with one of his own. Joe gives Booker one more shot to the ring post, but Booker takes over with a kick and knocks Joe headfirst into the steps. He tries to open up Joe with some knees to the head, but Joe hoists him up and crotches him on the guardrail. Joe takes the opportunity to grab a pipe, which he slams into Booker's stomach. Booker's spitting up blood, and it's over. Wow did Steiner draw the short straw on the blade-job meter.

WINNER: Samoa Joe in 12 minutes. It's sort of random to have a match on free TV that requires two people to bleed, and it got a bit repetitive at points. Still, it was an okay brawl, and the crowd seemed to get a little behind Joe by the end. *1/4

(3) SHANE DOUGLAS vs. AJ STYLES
Shane Douglas looked old when I started watching TNA 6+ years ago. Unlike Raven, he is not looking that much better now. Douglas goes for a kick. AJ catches it, so Douglas starts covering up. AJ does a bit of mocking, then works a wrist lock for a few seconds. Douglas responds with a headlock, which is not how I'd try to impress the fans in my first match back. AJ gets away and floors him with his high dropkick. Douglas rolls out of the ring, and AJ follows him with a Slinsghot Splash. He sells an ankle injury—I don't know if it's legit. Douglas yanks him into the guard rail, but AJ yanks him back. He rolls Douglas back into the ring. He looks for the Flying Forearm, but Douglas knocks the rope out from under him. Douglas dropkicks him from the apron to the floor. He brings AJ back in, and stomps on him a bit in the corner. He hits AJ's back. AJ tries to fight back off the mat, but Douglas knocks him back down. They do it again, but this time AJ keeps throwing haymakers. He suddenly ducks a shot from Douglas and nails the Pele. Douglas is right by the ropes, and gets a foot up at two. He Back Body Drops AJ out to the apron, and when AJ tries to come back in with a Sunset Flip he cuts him off with a punch. He tries to hit a Belly-to-Belly Suplex, but AJ reverses it into a Rolling Arm Bar for the quick tap.

WINNER: AJ Styles in 4 minutes. I'm expecting at least one person in the comments to complain that I don't appreciate how awesome Douglas used to be. That's probably fair. Here? Not so much. DUD

[Arcademan]

TNA Impact! Results: 6-11-09

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

(4) TARA (w/ANGELINA LOVE & VELVET SKY) vs. MADISON RAYNE

Tara has decent music. She and Rayne trade some standing submissions, but Tara cartwheels out and grounds Rayne. She keeps working a wrist lock, so Rayne goes to the ropes where her peeps can pull her out. Tara knocks back Sky and Love, rolls Rayne back in, and hits a cool Slingshot Leg Drop for two. Is that new? Tara gets distracted by Love for a moment, which lets Rayne take control with a knee to the gut. She hits a few more knees to Tara's head, then hits a Neck Breaker for two. She hits some mounted punches, continually going for covers. Rayne goes for a dropkick off the top rope, but Tara rolls out of the way. She catches Rayne with a right hand as she gets up. She hits a few more, than gets a Snap Suplex and rolls into the cover for two. She follows up with a Body Slam and a Standing Moonsault (no shimmy-shake) for two more. Annoyed that the Moonsault only got two, Tara hits the Widow's Peak for the kill.

WINNER: Tara in five minutes. Tara looked very good here, which I assume was the point. *

(5) KURT ANGLE vs. STING
King of The Mountain Qualifier

They say this match is for the "fourth and final spot", which would be traditionally correct, but they claimed there would be seven people this year. Did they really announce that before knowing who they would be, or did someone get hurt? Angle and Sting shake hands to start. Kurt backs Sting into a corner, where he grants the clean break. They lock up again, and again need to break cleanly. Angle gets a quick Headlock Takedown; Sting reverses with a Head Scissors, but Angle quickly gets to his feet. They lock up again; Sting shoots Angle off into the ropes, but he comes back with a shoulder block that sends Sting to the canvas. Angle shoots Sting off, and this time it's Sting who comes back with a shoulder block. Not content, he hits another one just for kicks. Angle rolls out of the ring for a breather.

Kurt Angle and Sting are facing off in the middle of the ring. Kurt gets control with a kick and a Vertical Suplex for two. Sting reverses an attempted Irish Whip and hits a back elbow. He clotheslines Angle out of the ring. He follows Kurt to the outside, and punches him around ringside. Angle comes back into the ring. While he's standing prone in the corner Sting looks for a Stinger Splash, but Angle gets out of the way and hits an Olympic Slam for two. A Back Breaker gets two. Angle works a chin lock for a few seconds. Sting powers out, but walks right into a Belly-to-Belly Release Supelx for two. Angle is now making his covers in pairs. Sting gets to his feet.

That last segment was three minutes. I wonder if someone at TNA thinks that if they take random commercial breaks everyone will think the matches are longer than they are. Sting is elbowing Angle in the corner. Kurt gets a leg up to create some distance, and they both go for clotheslines at the same time. They both get up swinging, with Sting eventually getting the upper hand with a series of clotheslines. He connects with a pair of Stinger Splashes in the corner, and hits a Suplex for two. As he picks Kurt up, Kurt goes behind and smoothly transitions into his trio of German Suplexes. Angle drops the straps. He looks for an Olympic Slam; Sting slides out and goes for a Scorpion Death Lock, but Angle reverses the attempt into an Angle Lock. Sting kicks him off and into the ring post. He catches Angle on the rebound and hits a huge Power Bomb for two. Sting tries to finish him off with the Scorpion Death Drop, but Angle backs him into the corner. Sting dodges an attempted charge, and Angle hits the post. Matt Morgan runs down to the ring, and while the ref goes to deal with him Sting hits the Scorpion Death Drop. There's no ref to make the count, so Sting goes over to chat with Morgan. Kurt cuts him off and whips him into the ropes. Sting ducks an attempted clothesline (sort of—it actually looked like the clothesline clipped the top of Sting's head) but gets whacked in the back by Matt Morgan. Sting falls back into the Olympic Slam for the kill.

WINNER: Kurt Angle in 18 minutes. By all rights, this should have been great. It was not. The breaks were distracting, and I'm getting the feeling Sting's just been phoning things in for the last few months. *

[Arcademan]

WWE Smackdown Results: 6-12-09

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

1- DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. THE GREAT KHALI

JR told everyone to buy stock in Dolph Ziggler. I’d have to run that by my financial advisor, Gorlock, first. I suppose this is a re-match from last week. Ziggler went to the outside as soon as the bell rang, but then got chopped down and again went to the outside. Khali brought him in the hard way, then chopped him down. And again. Khali grabbed Ziggler in a chokeslam, but Ziggler brought his arm down over the top rope. He went to work on the left leg of Khali, getting the big man down. Front chancery applied by Ziggler. Khali though picked him up and sent Ziggler down to the mat. Big boot caught Dolph coming off the top rope, but he managed to avoid a Khali Chop. Khali decided to go after him, but Ziggler grabbed Ranjin Singh. He tugged Singh around the ring then at eight, shoved him into Khali, and made it in the ring for the count-out win.

WINNER: Ziggler, at 2:58. Well, it’s a win, but it doesn’t look like this feud is over.

2- MICHELLE MCCOOL & LAYLA vs. MELINA & EVE TORRES

As usual, Alicia Fox was at ringside offering her support for McCool. Eve and Layla did battle to open things up. They traded offense until Layla face-planted Eve in the corner. McCool then came in and aggressively went after Eve. Some sort of side-sweep by McCool led into a chin-lock. Jaw-breaker freed Eve from the move. She tagged Melina in and Melina went to work with clotheslines and a back-kick for only one. Layla broke up a pin and Eve took her out while Layla was celebrating. Melina was going to go for her finisher, but McCool’s protege (apparently) Alicia Fox distracted Melina, allowing McCool to turn things around and land the Faith Breaker for the win.

WINNERS: McCool & Layla, at 2:51. Felt like an 8-10 minute tag match condensed into under three minutes (like a hot tag a minute or two in)

3- SHELTON BENJAMIN & CHARLIE HAAS vs. JOHN MORRISON & R-TRUTH

Benjamin attacked at the start, but Morrison quickly recovered. Truth came in and got his feet up on a splash attempt, then he kicked Haas away as Charlie tried to get involved. That gave Benjamin time to leap to the top rope and suplex Truth off of it. Both men were down as the show went to break.

Back with, surprise, Truth in a rest hold with Shelton in control. Samoan drop by Benjamin got him a two-count. JR, just like on his blog, reminded fans that Shelton and Haas are not permanently reunited and as far as he’s heard, have no desire to do so. Haas back in with a hard Irish whip on Truth in the neutral corner. Haas kicked Truth in the chest, then in the face, then hit a belly-to-belly suplex. Haas grabbed onto Truth’s leg to try to prevent him from making a tag, but was ultimately unsuccessful. Morrison tagged in and hit a flying heel kick, then dropkicked Shelton off the apron. Flying Chuck Kick registered a two-count. Truth came in to thwart Benjamin, and nailed him with a flying headscissor. Haas took Truth out and Morrison finally got the Moonlight Drive, then the Starship Pain. Pin.

WINNERS: Truth & Morrison, at 9:24. I’m BEGGING WWE to change up the tag formula, especially breaking away from “the heel gets involved and taken out by the face, then the legal heel takes him out and the legal face hits his finisher.” It wasn’t long ago they did this finish twice in the same show.

4- CHRIS JERICHO vs. C.M. PUNK

Jericho brought Rey’s mask out to the ring with him. Jericho worked the mic before the match, saying he stands up for what he believes in. He said he thought he was an honest man, whereas 99.9% of the fans are liars and people who have failed at accomplishing everything they’ve ever tried to do. He said by exposing Rey’s true identity, he has lifted the air of deceit of Rey’s shoulders and he can walk the streets free now. Jericho said he set Rey free by doing this. But instead of thanking him, Rey has disappeared. Y2J said he led Rey to his salvation, and that he’s Rey’s savior. He said he exposed Rey as a fraud and he’ll do the same to Punk tonight. He guaranteed a win against Punk. Should be interesting to listen to C.M.’s crowd reactions during this one.

JR defended Punk’s decision on Sunday, saying Punk was being smart by cashing it in at the time he did. Jericho applied a wristlock on Punk and demanded the ref “ask him!” Punk went into a side head-lock as things started out slowly. Kicks from Punk (greeted with a few boos), then he sent Jericho down with a back elbow. Jericho tried to apply the Walls, but Punk shrugged him off. Up in the GTS (cheers), but Jericho got down and went to the outside.

Back from break, Punk flew at Jericho with a cross-body and got a near-fall. Jericho hung Punk stomach-first over the top rope. Then he delivered his trademark springboard dropkick. Back in the ring, Jericho put Punk in a chin-lock with the arm worked on. Crowd got behind Punk a bit to try to help him out of the move. Punk broke out, then walked into a drop toe-hold that sent Punk face-first into the middle buckle. Jericho missed a shoulder charge and punk used his educated feet to his advantage. Running knee in the corner, then bulldog out of it for two. Jericho lifted Punk over the top rope and to the apron and Punk missed a springboard clothesline. Lionsault connected for two. Hard elbow caught Punk charging in, but then Punk powerslammed Jericho. Enziguiri by Jericho got him a two. Punk grabbed Jericho for the GTS, but Jericho blocked it on the way down and put Punk in the Walls of Jericho. Punk struggled in it, and finally made it to the ropes (mixed reaction). Jericho charged in and Punk dumped him to the apron. Jericho to the top, but Punk connected with a kick to the head. Suplex off the second rope by the World Champion. Jericho came back and surprised Punk with a Codebreaker, but Punk got his leg on the rope. Kicks from Jericho, but he walked into a kick to the head. GTS connected for the win.

WINNER: Punk, at 13:52. I like Punk getting the win here even though he’s champ....WWE needs to book him stronger as champion than they did when he was on Raw, and getting a win over Jericho will give him some more credibility.

5- JEFF HARDY vs. EDGE- #1 CONTENDER’S MATCH

Punk joined JR and Grisham on commentary after both combatants made their entrance. Both men looked worn down and started things slowly. Elbow to the back of the head and it looked like Edge and Hardy were sucking wind a minute or two in. Punk said he hopes the fans can overcome how they’re feeling now in reference to them booing him, and he also thanked his fans for sticking with him. Edge went down, holding his shoulder outside the ring, and Hardy was on the mat inside the ring as they went to break.

Hardy was working the arm/shoulder area of Edge out of break. Hardy wrapped Edge’s arm around the top rope to really try to injure it. Big boot by Edge caught Hardy off the ropes. Edge tried to shake his arm out and couldn’t capitalize. Punk again tried to defend his decision to cash in his contract on Sunday night. Edge kicked away at Hardy as he was down. Edge missed a dive at Jeff in the ropes though. Jeff tried to suplex Edge but couldn’t get him up and Edge saw an opening and took out the leg. When Jeff was in peril, Punk replied to an earlier question saying at this point, he’d rather face Jeff. Short clothesline from Hardy, but there wasn’t a lot behind it. Hardy got hung upset down in the corner and ended up almost falling on his head as Edge was recuperating in the opposite corner.

Edge was continuing to have his way with Jeff, kicking at the already injured leg. Edge took the pain to Jeff on the outside of the ring, then tossed him back into the ring. He took Hardy to the mat and applied a leg-hold to Hardy. Hardy kicked Edge off of him and to ringside, but Edge tried to stay on the attack. He came off the top, but was met with a boot to the gut and a DDT. Both men ran the ropes and greeted each other with a clothesline. Hardy stayed on offense and got a bodyslam on Edge. He went to the middle rope and landed a legdrop for a two-count. Edge pushed Jeff’s legs away as he tried the legdrop in between Edge’s legs. Leg. Edge locked in a Sharpshooter. Sunset flip attempt by Hardy got two. Jeff set Edge up for a Twist of Fate, but Edge shoved him off and missed a spear. Hardy rolled Edge up for two. Twist of Fate landed, then Hardy went to the top. Edge rolled to ringside, but Hardy just bowled himself over onto Edge. Edge threw Hardy into Punk at the commentator’s table. Punk went into the ring and attacked Edge for the DQ.

WINNER: Edge, via DQ, at 21:36. Different kind of match here, with each man selling the injuries from Sunday.

Jeff attacked Punk when he realized Punk cost him the match, but Punk came back and gave the GTS to Hardy. Punk’s music played as both men lay in the ring.

[Arcademan]

From WrestleView.com via Wrestling Observer.com and various Japan sources report the following:

Mitsuharu Misawa, one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all-time, was declared dead at 10:10 p.m. Saturday night at a hospital in Hiroshima from an apparent heart attack after being being given a back suplex in a tag team title match.

Misawa would have turned 47 on June 18th.

Misawa, the president of Pro Wrestling NOAH, was teaming with Go Shiozaki in a match challenging Bison Smith & Akitoshi Saito for the GHC tag team championship in Hiroshima. Misawa was given the move at about 8:45 p.m. and knocked unconscious.

According to eye witness reports, Saito gave Misawa a "routine" back suplex that was described as a "7" in danger on a scale of one-to-ten. He did not get up. It was chaos in the ring as they attempted to revive him using CPR and the crowd was hushed for a while, and began a "Misawa" chant. He turned purple in the ring and was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.

His heart stopped beating in the ring.

The wrestlers were told on the bus that he had passed away.

While it is being reported that he passed away at the hospital, he may have actually passed away in the ring.

Misawa was the Japanese high school national wrestling champion at 187 pounds in 1980, and was recruited by Giant Baba into All Japan Pro Wrestling. He gained his first taste of stardom in 1984 when he was chosen to be the second Tiger Mask. After unmasking in 1990, he became an even bigger star after a series of singles matches with Jumbo Tsuruta.

He was Japan's biggest pro wrestling star of the 90s, and one could make a strong case for him as the top wrestler of the decade. He was the Wrestler of the Year in 1995, 1997 and 1999.

After the death of Shohei "Giant" Baba, Misawa wrestled a little over one more year for All Japan Pro Wrestling, while working as company president. After consistently butting heads with owner Motoko Baba, the widow of Shohei Baba, he and 90% of the All Japan roster quit the company to form Pro Wrestling NOAH.

Here's a video tribute to him on YouTube

[Arcademan]

WWE RAW Results: 6-15-09

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

1 -- CHRIS JERICHO vs. REY MYSTERIO - IC Title match

Before the match, he said Raw has gone in the toilet since he was drafted to Smackdown. He insulted the fans, then said his mask will be his downfall and only Jericho can be his savior and set him free. Rey knocked Jericho out of the ring early, but when he dove at him, Jericho caught him and dropped him across the announce table. They cut to a commercial break at 2:00.

Ross stressed the heritage of Rey's mask throughout the early minutes of the match. Jericho got in sustained offense after the break. Rey came back at 6:00 and dove onto Jericho on the floor. A crawler hyped that Vince McMahon would appoint a new G.M. later on the show. They put a countdown clock on for the start of the World Title match, which is annoying since they shouldn't have any idea, at least not overly within the context of the show, when this match was going to end. Rey gave Jericho a top rope sunset flip for a near fall at 7:00. Then he set up a 619, but Jericho moved. Jericho then charged at Rey, but Rey hit a springboard moonsault press for a two count. Rey then hit the 619 with success. As Rey went for a West Coast Pop, Jericho grabbed at Rey's mask. Rey protected the mask, giving Jericho a chance to hit the Code Breaker out of nowhere for the win.

WINNER: Jericho in 8:00 to retain the IC Title.

STAR RATING: **1/2 -- Very good eight minute match. Nice finish, with Rey proving Jericho right in that his mask was his downfall. Ross pointed that out, too.

2 -- TOMMY DREAMER vs. CHRISTIAN - ECW Title match

Josh Matthews asked Striker if he had any idea who bought Raw. Striker brought his right-wing political perspective into things by saying maybe it was President Obama because "he seems to own everything else." They showed a countdown clock saying the World Title mach would begin in ten minutes. Again, "how would they know? since Striker said at the start of this match that it was "one fall to a finish." Will they stop this match mid-stream and re-start it later if one of them doesn't win first? Nice pace to the action. Christian went for a sunset flip at 3:00 for a near fall. Dreamer reversed leverage and scored a two count. Christian climbed to the top rope, but Dreamer moved. Christian sold an ankle injury. Dreamer then caught him with a small package as Christian clutched his ankle while standing on one leg and got a clean three count.

WINNER: Dreamer in 4:00.

STAR RATING: *1/2 -- Good short match. I like a finish where a relatively fluke ankle injury can lead to a finish out of nowhere. It's better that than someone of Christian's stature losing out of the blue while otherwise fresh. Not much crowd heat here, but that's no surprise given who was involved and that it was two babyfaces.

3 -- TRIPLE H vs. RANDY ORTON vs. JOHN CENA vs. THE BIG SHOW - Fatal Four-way for the WWE Championship

As Orton walked to the ring, Cole said the WWE Magazine comes out tomorrow. He said Orton is on the cover. They showed the cover. Cole then said if Orton doesn't hold the WWE Title after tonight, "they may have to re-shoot the cover." So Cole is suggesting they haven't already been printed, but the magazine is going to be newsstands tomorrow? Or that they'd all be reprinted before tomorrow? Big Show came out next, then John Cena, then Triple H. So Triple H gets the "biggest star" slot of being the final entrant. Triple H went after Orton at the start, while Show went after Cena. Triple H and Orton battled at ringside as Show and Cena stayed in the ring. Well, until Show tossed Cena across the ring and to the floor. They cut to a very early break less than a minute into the match. They wanted to guarantee that they'd be back before the top of the hour at the usual start time. It'd be a ratings killer to be at commercial break at the start of the hour.

The wrestlers were still paired off after the break. Cole and Lawler reset the show near the top of the hour, letting new viewers know they started an hour early. They hyped the Raw sale announcement. At 6:00 Cena and Triple H knocked Orton and Show out of the ring, so they fought each other for a minute. Big Show entered and knocked both men down. Orton joined back in and they went back to the same pairings.

When Cena lifted Show, but then fell backwards, Orton broke up Show's pin attempt. Show glared at Orton, who bailed out to ringside afterward. Show blocked an Orton punt kick attempt, then beat on him in the corner. Lawler hyped that "the Raw franchise has been sold!" Show worked over Cena with a swing splash in the corner. Orton broke up that pin attempt again. Show stood and grabbed Orton and easily threw him out of the ring. Show then speared Triple H for a two count. Triple H avoided a subsequent swing-elbow attempt. Orton then entered and went for an RKO on Show. Show blocked it. Triple H gave Show a Pedigree. Cena then gave Triple H an Attitude Adjustment. Cena made the cover, but Show kicked out, having had time to recover from the Pedigree. He then gave Show an Attitude Adjustment. Orton broke up the pin and then threw Cena shoulder-first into the ringpost. Orton then gave Show an RKO and got the pin.

WINNER: Orton in 11:00 to become the WWE Champion.

STAR RATING: **1/2 -- Nice pace to everything. Orton was the opportunistic heel who broke up pins and then seized on an opening in the end. Show was made to look strong throughout the match, a deliberate effort to protect him from being damaged too much by doing the job. It's still pretty ludicrous that Orton was put in this match given that he'd the one who went outside of all rules of conduct in forcing Batista to vacate the WWE Title. But unfortunately WWE doesn't want us to think too hard about that type of thing.

4 -- MICKIE JAMES vs. ROSA MENDEZ

Maryse came to ringside at the start of the match to watch from ringside. Cole asked Lawler if the rumor is true that Maryse is dodging Mickey James. Lawler said that's the word going around because Mickie has proven she can beat Maryse. Cole went back to speculating about the "ownership change" of Raw. Mickie won with a DDT clean. Maryse and Mickie jawed back and forth afterward. Maryse got on the ring apron. Mickie charged at her and Maryse leaped to the floor and left with her belt.

WINNER: Mickie James in 3:00. Not a lot to it, but fine for what it was.

[Arcademan]

5 -- C.M. PUNK vs. EDGE vs. JEFF HARDY -- WWE Title match

Hardy's music was still playing after the break. The crowd got to hear that start to finish at least twice. Punk's ring intro then took place. After individual ring intros, Ross noted that Punk got a mixed reaction. The Hardy fans are resenting him and booing him, despite Punk slamming Jeff's heel brother and rival Matt Hardy minutes earlier.

The bell rang to start the match at the start of the third hour. Great timing of the show. Punk dove onto Edge at ringside. Hardy then dove onto both Punk and Edge. Punk took control in the ring. Grisham asked Ross for his take on Trump buying Raw. Ross said he doesn't know what to think, but Trump has a tremendous track record with successful businesses. He said he's interested to see what changes are made starting next week. It's good they're talking about that because it should continue to be one of the main focuses of this show, along with the wrestling and title developments.

After ten minutes of back and forth action, Punk set up a Go To Sleep on Hardy. Edge chopped his legs out from under Punk and then applied a sharpshooter. Hardy came up behind Edge and applied a sleeper. That forced Edge to let go of the sleeper. A minute later Hardy climbed to the top rope. Edge shoved him off and Hardy straddled the top rope. Edge then waited for Punk to rise and charged, but Punk turned it into a powerslam for a believable near fall. Hardy clutched his crotch, which Grisham called "the most delicate of areas." Hardy got up and went for a Twist of Fate, but Edge speared him instead. Edge was slow to capitalize. All three were groggy and down on the mat.

Punk charged at Edge in the corner, but Edge shoved him over the top rope. Punk landed awkwardly on the steel steps. A trainer checked on him on the floor as he clutched his left knee. Meanwhile, Edge and Hardy collided with simultaneous bodyblocks mid-ring. Two trainers, meanwhile, checked on Punk's leg. Ross said, "With Punk at ringside, odds are we're going to crown a new World Heavyweight Champion tonight." Hardy hit a Whisper in the Wind on Edge for a near fall, broken up by Punk. Hardy went after Punk, aggressively kicking at his injured leg. Edge surprised Hardy with a small package for a near fall. Ross called it an inside cradle, since "small package" seems to be an out of vogue name for that move within WWE officially. Hardy climbed to the top rope and hit the Swanton Bomb on Edge. Punk broke up the pin attempt by yanking Hardy to the floor. He rammed Hardy back-first into the ringside steps. Punk rolled into the ring and leverage pinned Edge for the win.

WINNER: Punk in 15:00.

STAR RATING: ***1/2 -- Really good match, pretty much PPV worthy in pacing, intensity, and storyline advancement. They did a good job building the "pick your side" feud between Punk and Hardy. Ross did seem to begin sided against Punk a little, saying his ramming Hardy into the ringside steps may have been uncalled for, which was strange considering Hardy just attacked Punk's injured leg seconds earlier, and Punk did nothing illegal by breaking up pins.

6 -- CARLITO & PRIMO COLON vs. THE HART DYNASTY (David Hart Smith & Tyson Kidd w/Natalya)

Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase joined Cole and Lawler at ringside. DiBiase said Cole should be honored to be on TV with them. Cody told Cole and Lawler to quiet down and let them talk. He was a little clumsy with his wording, too. They seemed nervous and green on the mic. DiBiase said it'd be an honor to win the battle royal, but they're in it to be sure certain others don't win. When Carlito hit Smith with the Back Cracker, Rhodes and DiBiase jumped him to cause a DQ. They threw the Colons out of the ring.

WINNERS: Carlito & Primo via DQ in 3:00.

7 -- TEN-MAN BATTLE ROYAL FOR BASH TITLE SHOT

Randy Orton walked out in the opening minute to watch. Hardy almost eliminated Miz at 2:00. Big Show stood center ring and took shots at nearly everyone. When Show looked at Hardy, Hardy ran under the top rope. In a hilarious and clever spot, Show yanked Hardy back into the ring over the top rope to re-legalize him, then tossed him right back over the top rope to officially eliminate him. He eliminated MVP next. There goes the one legit chance at a fresh PPV main event to just shake things up a little, as noen of the remaining babyfaces are likely to get that boost other than perhaps Kofi. Everyone teamed together, in their collective best interest, to eliminate Big Show. They cut to a break.

Back live in the ring, it was down to Cena, Triple H, Rhodes, DiBiase, Kingston, and Regal as Orton continued to look on. At 12:00 Triple H and Cena faced off. Triple H threw the first punch. They exchanged punches. Triple H tried to lift and toss Cena. Rhodes tried to help. Cena dropped down and lifted Triple H. Triple H fought free. They both went down after a collision. Kofi caught a charging Rhodes with a kick, and then DiBiase got the same treatment. Kofi mounted DiBiase in the corner and punched him, then flipped down and went after Rhodes. DiBiase surprised Kingston with a Snake Eyes. DiBiase and Rhodes surprised Kofi with an elimination. As they high-fived one another, Regal went after them. They fended him off and tossed him over the top rope. Cole hyped the major Trump announcement after this match. Rhodes and DiBiase double-teamed Triple H, and then split off to beat on Cena, too. Cena backdropped a charging DiBiase to eliominate him. He tossed Rhodes next, but Rhodes held onto the top rope and skinned the cat back in. Triple H charged and eliminated Rhodes with a clothesline. That left Cena vs. Triple H. Triple H gave Cena a Pedigree. Rhodes and DiBiase jumped back in and attacked Triple H illegally. Two referees tried to separate them. The Miz popped up from under the ring. Lawler and Cole said he had never officially been eliminated. He slinked back into the ring and waited for Cena and Triple H to rise. He charged them, but they ducked and Miz flew over the top rope. Triple H then tossed Cena over the top rope to win, assuring a Stale Rerun #1 (Orton-Hunter) instead of Stale Rerun A (Orton-Cena).

WINNER: Triple H in 20:00.

STAR RATING: **1/2 -- Better than average battle royal.

[Arcademan]

ECW on SciFi Results: 6-16-09

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

1 -- CHRISTIAN vs. D.H. SMITH (w/Tyson Kidd and Natalya)

Christian started on the offensive with some slaps to the face on Smith, who came back with a series of scoop slams. Paying a lot more attention to how guys are taking bumps after Misawa's mishap taking a bump on the back of his neck. Christian very deliberate protecting his neck by landing on his back on the series of scoop slams. Match moved to the apron where Smith cracked Christian hard across the ring apron with a modified Rock Bottom. Smith then went to what Mathews called the "point in the match where he systemically takes apart his opponent." In other words, the predictable mat-based big-man attack. Smith continued to work on Christian against the ropes as Striker threw out a line without any conviction that the original Hart Foundation doesn't have anything on the new one. Poor Striker. Christian then ducked Smith charging against the ropes to send him flying over the top rope to the floor. Cut to break.

Back to the ring where Smith had Christian grounded on the mat. Fans rallied as Christian came back to life and went up top with a missile dropkick for a two count. Christian called out to the fans to rally behind him, then he landed the pendulum kick in the corner not once by twice. Christian landed a spinning clothesline from the middle rope for a two count, then he slapped Smith across the face from the floor. Christian chased Kidd on the floor, then slipped into the ring to take a hard clothesline from Smith for a two count only. Christian tried a tornado DDT, but Smith avoided it, then Christian hit a sunset flip for a two count only. Christian tried a sleeper hold, but Smith flung him over his shoulder for a running Bulldog powerslam that resulted in a two count only. Natalya then ran interference allowing Kidd to smash Christian across the top rope. Smith then hit a rolling belly-to-back suplex on Christian for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Smith at 14:00. Smith's best in-ring performance thus far on ECW. Christian really made him look good creating movement, but Smith showed a new level of intensity from the previous few weeks. Still a lot of work to go with Smith, but this was progress. (**)

2 -- EVAN BOURNE vs. MARK HENRY (w/Tony Atlas)

Henry quickly tossed Bourne to the outside, then told Atlas to back off and not get him DQ'ed again. Back in the ring, Henry methodically took apart Bourne. He then wanted a rear bomb out of the corner, but Bourne moved out of the way in time. Bourne then tried some kick strikes on Henry, but Henry popped up to his feet and brick-walled Bourne hard to the mat. [Q3] Henry tried to follow with a big splash, but Bourne moved and went back to the kick strike combo for a two count trying to hook Henry's massive leg. Bourne tried to follow with a crucifix pin, but Henry easily turned it into the World's Strongest Slam for the pin and the win. Henry finally triumphant over Bourne. Post-match: Henry wasn't done with Bourne, so he scooped him up and delivered yet another World's Strongest Slam.

WINNER: Henry in 3:00. Bourne had some offense to seem somewhat credible, but this program hasn't done much of anything to benefit to Bourne. Henry put two exclamation marks on the finish to this one. If it was the end of the program, Bourne is back to square one trying to be a top star on the ECW brand. If this was a storyline write-off for whatever reason, it was a rough way to go. (*)

3 -- ECW champion TOMMY DREAMER vs. JACK SWAGGER -- non-title match

Swagger went for submission holds as Striker talked about Dean Malenko trying to show Dreamer a few submission holds to add to his repertoire. Dreamer fought off the early holds before dumping Swagger over the top rope to the floor with a clothesline. Dreamer then wanted his rolling cannonball off the apron, but Swagger countered in mid-air with a powerslam. Yeoch. Cut to break with Swagger talking trash to Dreamer on the floor.

Back from break, Swagger was in control inside the ring talking more trash and working the back. He went for the traditional abdominal stretch, but ref spotted the extra leverage using the top rope and Dreamer escaped with a hip toss. Swagger came right back with a hard clothesline to regain control. Swagger sporting a little beard, by the way. Nice enhancement. Swagger went back to the mat, but Dreamer pulled him to his feet and rammed Swagger into the turnbuckle. Dreamer followed with a bulldog, then a swinging neckbreaker.

Swagger blocked the Dreamer DDT and hit a Northern Lights suplex for a two count. The match moved up top where Dreamer flung Swagger off the top, then missed with a move from the second rope. Swagger tried the gutwrench powerbomb finish, but Dreamer blocked into a small package for a two count. Dreamer with a reverse DDT, then he went up top and missed with a top rope splash. Swagger then quickly followed with the Oklahoma Roll pin for the win.

WINNER: Swagger in 12:00. Nice main event. Swagger is just a complete star right now. Character, personality, moves, connection with the crowd. If he continues on this pace, he'll be a consistent main-eventer for a long time to go. Dreamer was solid as well. Good match-up. (**1/2)

[Arcademan]

WWE Superstars Results: 6-18-09

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

1 -- CHAVO GUERRERO vs. SANTINO MARELLA

Chavo was extra-aggressive early on taking it to Santino, who then powered of an abdominal stretch with a hip toss playing to the top row of the arena. Santino ducked Chavo, who tried to charge in the corner. He then ducked right hand jabs and discovered his super power wrestling ability before dumping Chavo to the floor. Back in the ring, Santino tried to go up top for the frog splash, but he played up an inability to pull off a high-risk move. He slipped, then tried a second-rope froggy splash, but Chavo blocked with a boot to the face. Chavo then scored a roll up on Santino for the win.

WINNER: Chavo in 5:00. Basic mid-card comedy match giving Chavo a "measure of revenge" over Santino. WWE is going to keep getting as much mileage out of this as possible, apparently. (*)

2 -- ZACK RYDER vs. MIKE WILLIAMS

Classic 1993 Raw squash match with Ryder getting early offense, then Williams having a second of offense before Ryder cut him off. Ryder busted out a leap-over leg smash using the leg covered by his pants. Hair adjustment, then he hit the reverse Fameasser, the Zack Attack, for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Ryder in 2:00. Good squash match for Ryder to gain some credibility points if he's going to be elevated beyond a lower-card heel on ECW. Lots of upside for Ryder. (n/a)

3 -- EVE vs. LAYLA -- Maria special referee

Layla, playing the heel, claimed mass cheating by Eve early on with a handful of hair. Eve let her guard down, allowing Layla to take control for a bit. Action moved to the mat for a series of leg stretches initiated by Layla. Eve broke free, sold the leg work during her comeback, and scored a nearfall. Eve then busted out an impressive double cartwheel into a splash for the pin and the win. Post-match, Maria wanted the divas to adhere to the Code of Honor. I hear Mike Hogewood jumping for joy somewhere. After tension was built, they shook hands.

WINNER: Eve in 4:00. Good, fundamentally sound divas match adhering to the WWE formula. Eve's finisher was impressive. (*)

4 -- JACK SWAGGER & HART DYNASTY (TYSON KIDD & D.H. SMITH w/Natalya) vs. CHRISTIAN & Unified tag team champions CARLITO & PRIMO COLON

Nice double-team work from the champs on Smith early on. Of note, HD changed up their pink and black color combos for the match. This combo works much better than Smith sporting pink knee pads. Christian and Swagger then picked up the action before Smith tagged in and cut off Christian. Action then broke down with Natalya tripping up Primo from the outside to set up HDSwaggs on the attack going to the break.

Back from break, heels continued to work over Primo with crisp tags to keep the action fresh. Primo failed to make it to his corner several times to build up tension for the eventual hot tag. In the middle of the isolation, Smith snapped off an impressive powerslam that rocked the ring. Smith much more aggressive on Tuesday and Thursday TV. Carlito finally took a hot tag at 10:00 and cleaned house on Kidd. Hot action that made Striker want to speak Spanish. Action broke down all over the place before Christian took Swagger to the floor. Primo took Smith to the outside. Down to Kidd and Carlito in the ring with a hot crowd. Carlito ducked a springboard kick from Kidd and nailed the backstabber for the pin and the win. Afterward, babyface trio celebrated in the ring while HD yelled at the front row fans taunting them on the loss. Christian-Swagger stare down to close the show.

WINNERS: Colons & Christian in 12:00. Really hot final two minutes after a nice, fast-paced six-man tag match. Good set up for Colons vs. Legacy (via commentary) and Christian and Swagger going after the ECW Title at The Bash PPV. This was your basic WWE TV show with flashes of athleticism and character development sprinkled throughout on an "evenly paced" show. (**1/2)

[Arcademan]

TNA Impact! Results: 6-18-09

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

(1) DANIELS vs. AMAZING RED

Amazing Red didn't even get an entrance. That's six kinds of lame. Red flips out of a wrist lock to start, but Daniels STOs him back down. Red comes back with a dropkick that knocks Daniels right out of the ring, and Red follows him out with a Corkscrew Body Press. Holy Shit. Red brings him back into the ring, but Daniels comes back with a Decapitator Clothesline and a high kick for two. Daniels works a Head Vise for a second, which lets Red power out. Red comes at Daniels with kicks. Daniels blocks the first couple, but gets cause with one to the side of the head. Red follows up with a Spinning Wheel Kick, a Hurricanrana off the top rope, and Flatliner-style DDT off the top. Again—holy shit. Daniels whips Red off into the ropes—Red tries to leapfrog him, but Daniels catches him in a mid-air with a Death Valley Driver. Daniels drives him back down with a Ura-Nage and finishes him off with the BME.

WINNER: Daniels in 4 minutes. Yeah, I can totally understand why they didn't let this match go more than four minutes. Who books this show?

(2) RAVEN (w/DR. STEVIE) vs. JETHRO HOLLIDAY
Raven's Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match

There's a single cage wall laden with weapons on one side of the ring. Holliday charges Raven with a trashcan on the ramp. Raven tries to hit him with a kendo stick, but Holliday connects first and pounds him down to the ring. He grabs a trash can lid from the wall and hits Raven in the head. He gets too close to the apron though, and Dr. Stevie nails him with a kendo stick from the outside. Raven Cactus Clotheslines him out of the ring, then Russian Leg Sweeps him into the guard rail. He hits a couple kendo stick shots, and chokes Holliday back into the ring. He hits some sort of pan to Holliday's head and sets up a chair in the middle of the ring for the Raven Effect. Holliday grabs the chair and twists out, then uses the chair to block an attempted punch. He sits Raven down on the chair and kicks him in the head. The crowd is entirely behind Raven, who Holliday Full Nelson Suplexes into the cage. Raven gets caught between the ropes and the cage, so Holliday works him over a bit. When he goes for a big charge though Raven gets out of the way and Holliday goes through the cage to the floor. Raven gets a quick cover for the win.

WINNER: Raven in four minutes. This was a good intro to Raven for viewers who've never seen him before.

(3) DAFFNEY & ANGELINA LOVE (w/VELVET SKY & MADISON RAYNE) vs. AWESOME KONG (w/RAESHA SAEED) & TAYLOR WILDE

Love starts things off with Taylor Wilde, who wants Daffney. They brawl for a few seconds, then Wilde tags in Kong. Love immediately tags in Daffney, who Kong destroys. Daffney bounces off an attempted charge, then gets Butt Bumped in the corner. Kong tags in Wilde, who loses control when Love grabs her hair from the outside. Love tags back in, and the heels work the five-count. Love hits a high kick that barely leads to two. She whips Wilde off into the ropes, but Taylor ducks beneath the attempted clothesline and both women yank each other's hair at the same time. Love tags out, and Daffney tries to grab Wilde, but gets kicked off. Kong tags in and clotheslines Daffney's head off a couple times. She looks for an Awesome Bomb—Angelina Love tries to stop it with a Bicycle Kick, but Kong catches her leg and tosses her back. Rayne and Sky try to help out from the apron; Saeed pulls them down, so they hairspray her eyes. That still gives Kong enough time to hit an Implant Buster on Daffney for the win.

WINNER: Awesome Kong & Taylor Wilde in three minutes. This was a very good showcase for Kong, which is a little strange when you consider that she's just about the only woman not to have a match on Sunday.

(4) LETHAL CONSEQUENCES & THE MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS vs. TEAM 3D & BEER MONEY.

Team 3D and Beer Money come out still brawling. Beer Money gain the advantage, but when they try to come to the ring Lethal Consequences cut them off with stereo Splashes. Team 3D go after Lethal Consequences. While the ref is distracted, Suicide runs into the ring and floors both Guns. Team 3D make it to the ring. They take out a damaged Sabin with a Double Team Neck Breaker and pin Shelley after a 3D.

WINNER: Team 3D & Beer Money in about fifteen seconds. That was different.

(5) JEFF JARRETT & MICK FOLEY (w/ROCCO & SALLY BOY) vs. AJ STYLES & SAMOA JOE vs. STING & KURT ANGLE

Foley and Sting lock up to start. Foley creates some distance with a right hand, but Sting comes back with some strikes and a Face Plant. He tags in Kurt Angle, who immediately goes behind with a hammerlock. Mick elbows him off, wrenches his arm, then tags in Jarrett. Jarrett continues to work over the left arm, then tags Mick right back in. Foley tees off on Angle in the corner, but misses on a charge and clips his knee on the turnbuckle. Angle starts kicking it, but foolishly walks into AJ & Joe's corner. They pop him, which lets Foley hit a clothesline and tag in Jarrett. Jarrett quickly goes for a Stroke, but it's reversed into an Angle Lock. Jarrett kicks Angle off immediately. Kurt tries to come back with an Olympic Slam, but Jarrett slips out and hits a big DDT. Mick goes over to the commentary booth since he needs a break. A kick from Sting on the apron allows Kurt to take control in the ring with an Overhead Belly-to-Belly Suplex.

It's 10:58 when we come back from the break after almost four minutes of commercials. These long, end of show ads are really starting to annoy the hell out of me. Angle is still in control of Jarrett. Jarrett gets a leg up in the corner, but when he tries to follow up with a DDT Angle knocks him down and cinches in an Angle Lock. Jarrett crawls over to the corner, but Mick's still on commentary. Referee Slick Johnson tries to get Mick to come over. Eventually Mick comes back, but Jarrett's annoyed and just tags in Joe. Joe floors Angle, knocks down an interfering Sting, then Power Bombs Angle into Sting. Foley goes back to commentary, but this time Jarrett goes after him. He hits Foley with a big right, then quickly plants Rocco & Sally with a chair before they can respond. He hits Foley in the back of the head with the chair while he's at it, then whacks Sally again for no clear reason. In the ring, Angle goes to the top rope, but Joe catches him with a leaping spin kick and finishes him off with a Muscle Buster for the win.

WINNER: Samoa Joe & AJ Styles in 10 minutes.

Joe and AJ share a man-hug in the ring, and then Joe starts trash talking Angle.

[Arcademan]

WWE Smackdown Results: 6-19-09

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

1- JEFF HARDY vs. CHRIS JERICHO

Hardy with a dropkick on Jericho, then a corner clothesline. He missed the corner dropkick however. Abdominal stretch, with the requisite “ask him” included. Hardy hip-tossed out of it. He hit a seated dropkick even though Jericho was laying flat on the mat. Whisper in the Wind connected for two. Jericho rebounded with a Walls of Jericho attempt with no success. Hardy went to the top for a Swanton, but Jericho escaped the ring. Hardy went to jump on him, but Jericho side-step him and Hardy went face-first into the barricade. Jericho threw Hardy back into the ring when one of three men sitting at ringside dressed as Rey Mysterio jumped off the barricade and landed a headscissors on Jericho that sent him face-first into the ringpost. He couldn’t make it back in the ring before the count of ten.

WINNER: Hardy, at 5:05.

-After the match, Hardy hit the Swanton on Jericho.

2- DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. THE GREAT KHALI

Ziggler has new music, for those who are interested in those types of things. Khali grabbed Ziggler’s foot and clotheslined him, then chopped him in the chest. Big boot on Ziggler and this one looked to be over as soon as it started. He got Dolph by the throat, but Dolph went after the legs of Khali. Ranjin Singh got on the apron to argue with the ref. Ziggler got a chair and Khali knocked it out of the air. Ziggler played dead and the ref saw Khali with the chair, so he DQ’d Khali.

WINNER: Ziggler via DQ, at 2:04. Remember when refs could only call stuff they saw?

3- MELINA vs. ALICIA FOX

Tilt-a-whirl back-breaker by Fox after Melina did the Matrix dodge and kick. Fox got Melina down on the mat and into a body-scissors. After stretching Melina some more, Melina came back with her finisher for the win.

WINNER: Melina, at 1:44.

Michelle McCool, who was at ringside for Fox, attacked after the match, including ramming her knee into Melina’s head while Melina was propped against the commentator’s table. McCool said she wouldn’t just beat Melina at The Bash, she was going to humiliate her.

4- EDGE vs. JOHN MORRISON

The match began as the show returned from break. Morrison worked to frustrate Edge early on. Morrison worked the arm with arm-bars and arm-drags as the match began slowly. The tide turned when Edge got a knee-lift in. Edge concentrated on the polished abdominal region of Morrison. Edge went to some heel tactics by choking Morrison in the middle ropes. Morrison made a comeback that ended with a two-count, as Edge caught him on the top rope and dropped him chest-first across the top rope. Morrison was writhing on the outside as the show went to break.

Morrison tried to work out of a waist-lock and did, but was taken back to the mat by Edge. Another waist-lock and Morrison elbowed out. Credit the crowd, they seemed to stay with the match despite it’s slower pace. Morrison with a knee to the face of Edge that garnered him a two-count. Pele kick sent Edge to the floor. He was caught on a baseball slide attempt, but Morrison head-scissored Edge into the ring steps. Flying Chuck Kick missed and Edge locked in the Sharpshooter. Morrison again went on offense and set up Starship Pain, but Edge wasn’t having any of it. After being crotched on the top rope, Morrison rolled up Edge for two, but on the kick-out, his shoulder rammed the ring post. Edge smelled blood and set up for the Spear. Morrison leapt over it and hit the Flying Chuck Kick for two. Moonlight Drive was blocked and Edge hit the Edgecution for two. After missing again with the Starship Pain, Edge speared him and picked up the “W.”

WINNER: Edge, at 16:47. Nothing to complain about here.

5- RICKY ORTIZ & CHARLIE HAAS & SHELTON BENJAMIN vs. R-TRUTH & CRYME TYME

Flying shoulderblock by JTG for a near-fall on Ortiz. Shad came in and a shoulder tackle later, he got a two-count on Ortiz. Shad was a bit overzealous on offense, causing Ortiz to take over. Haas tagged in and continued to work Shad over. Shad finally made the tag to R-Truth, who was stopped in his tracks by Benjamin. Truth went for a pin, but it was broken up by Haas and Ortiz. Things predictably broke down, leaving Truth and Benjamin in the ring. Benjamin got booted in the gut coming off the top and was on the receiving end of a flying, twisting forearm to pick up the victory.

WINNERS: Cryme Tyme & R-Truth, at 4:05.

6- REY MYSTERIO vs. C.M. PUNK

Jericho was on commentary for this match. Rey and Punk shook hands prior to the match. Mysterio dropkicked Punk’s knee, working over the part of the body he injured on Monday night. Punk dropped Mysterio face-first on the top turnbuckle. When the camera was on him, it looked as if Jericho was intently watching the action, even while providing analysis. Punk snuck out of the ring on a 619 attempt. They went to break with Punk holding his head on the outside.

Punk was on offense out of break. Rey was sent high in the air and landed hard on his stomach. Both men were down and the crowd began to chant “619.” Crossbody by Rey for two. Headscissor take-down on Punk. 619 set up, but Punk tossed him over his head. Rey landed on the apron and took Punk down, then Punk came back with a spinning heel kick. Punk struck with his knee, but couldn’t hit the bulldog. He avoided another 619 and Mysterio then got out of a GTS attempt and rolled Punk up for two. Both men were slow to reach their feet. Punk dumped Rey to ringside when Rey held onto the ropes on a GTS try. Jericho saw an opportunity and threw Rey into the ring post. Jericho called it “an eye for an eye.” The official got the count up to nine, but Mysterio made it back in, much to Jericho’s chagrin. Punk went right back on him with a GTS to pick up the pinfall.

WINNER: Punk, at 11:41. Another solid match, as one would expect.

Jeff Hardy came out to argue with the ref about Jericho’s attack and Hardy seemed to lay some blame at the feet of Punk, though he didn’t have a mic. Punk raised the title over his head and limped to the back as fans booed.

[Arcademan]

TNA Slammiversary PPV Results: 6-21-09

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

1 -- X Division champion SUICIDE vs. CONSEQUENCES CREED vs. JAY LETHAL vs. ALEX SHELLEY vs. CHRIS SABIN -- X Division Title match -- King of the Mountain match

Everyone ganged up on Suicide to start the match...and the PPV froze again. Goodness gracious. Let's describe this still-shot from left to right. Shelley on the apron pointing to the stands. Suicide on the ground in the ring. Lethal in the middle of the ring sporting his red & white Savage trunks. Sabin pointing to his hand. Creed doing something on the right. Unfroze 45 seconds later with Lethal holding a ladder. Didn't work out, as Suicide smashed all four opponents with the ladder. Suddenly, Lethal was pinned. What the heck? Oh yeah, one of these matches where pins happen that would never happen in any other match during the year. Lethal's in the penalty box. Suicide then scored a chest-breaker on Shelley out of the corner to score a pin. Shelley in the penalty box now. Lethal out in two minutes. Sabin entered with chair in hand to smash Suicide in the head with a chair toss. Lethal followed with the Lethal Combination into the chair. Everyone ganged up on Suicide to cover him. Apparently Lethal, Creed, and Sabin are legal to hang up the title belt since they scored a pin. Or maybe just one of them, Lethal. Shelley then exited the penalty box and all four of them danced in the ring. Cue up some flashy spots with all four men running around the ring for Guns to pop the hometown crowd.

Suicide re-entered the ring after his penalty box time. Meanwhile, Creed pinned Shelley. Two pins on Shelley. Lethal and Creed then did some stuff. Suicide then grappled Sabin and monkey-flipped him onto a ladder propped up in the corner. Suddenly, Sabin came to life and ran up the corner ringpost on top of the penalty box to splash Creed and Suicide on the floor. And we freeze again. Still shot has Creed on the left holding Suicide as he's breaking the fall in the middle with Sabin on the right crashing down onto Suicide. Suicide just taking a beating in this one. A minute later, unfrozen with Lethal surfboarding a ladder in the corner. Interesting. Suicide then suplexed Creed across the ladder, which catapulted Lethal off the ladder into a somersault fall into center ring. Sabin was apparently pinned while frozen, so he re-entered from the penalty box. Sabin smashed Lethal with a Tornado DDT to make him eligible to win. All five are eligible now.

At 15:00, Shelley hit Creed with a running Celtic Cross. Sabin hit Suicide with the Cradle Shock, then he pointed to the sky. Sabin then gabbed the X Title belt from Curtis Granderson to climb the ladder to hang above the ring. Suicide cut him off, though. Sabin came right back with a hesitation basement dropkick to Suicide's head. Lethal then exited the penalty box to cut off Sabin from climbing the ladder. Shelley was knocked to the floor, leaving four men in the ring. Sabin then ate a ladder placed horizontally across the ring apron and guardrail. Shelley baseball slide kicked Suicide into a chair ringside, then he hit a splash onto the floor. Lethal followed with a top rope elbow smash onto Sabin, who was still laying on the ladder.

At 20:00, Shelley superkicked Creed on the ring apron. He then nailed a Sliced Bread running off the apron with Creed eating the apron. Shelley tried Sliced Bread on Suicide by running off the penalty box, but Suicide shoved him off into the guardrail. Suicide grabbed the X Title, then set up the ladder in the ring to heavy boos. Crowd not feeling Suicide retaining. Suicide started climbing the ladder, but Lethal tipped the ladder over and Suicide climbed onto the penalty box. Suddenly, everyone ganged up on the penalty box. Someone's going down. Big intensity as more stuff was set up. Shelley grabbed the title belt in the interim, but Suicide climbed across the penalty box and across the ladder to smash Shelley with a Diamond Cutter. Suicide then grabbed the title belt and climbed the ladder to place the belt on the hook to win the match and disappoint the fans.

WINNER: Suicide at 23:30. First-half of the match was rough with the off-spots, random pins, and the PPV freezing. Second-half was very good with some highspots, teases for Sabin and Shelley, and a finishing sequence that drew some real emotion from the crowd. Balances out to a better-than-usual X Division PPV opener. (***)

2 -- DANIELS vs. SHANE DOUGLAS -- TNA roster spot on the line

Douglas attacked Daniels to start things off. Daniels then went low for a dropkick to the knees to settle into a headlock to ground Douglas. Douglas needed a breather at 3:00, so he slipped to the floor and talked to Don West, who appreciated the strategy. Daniels waited for Douglas to turn around and he nailed a springboard moonsault on the floor. Douglas then reversed a whip into the ring steps to smash Daniels's elbow into the steps. Douglas went to work on Daniels's elbow for a while before starting to throw right hand bombs. I don't think Douglas can extend his elbow, so the punches looked cartoonish. Daniels then ducked a punch jab and landed the STO. He quickly followed with the Best Moonsault Ever for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Daniels at 8:20. Okay undercard match. Douglas looked slow, but he tried to at least work hard. Not the best spot for Daniels to be in, as the match won't be remembered by the next TV. (*1/4)

3 -- Knockouts champion ANGELINA LOVE (w/Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne) vs. TARA -- Knockouts Title match

Tara was in control early on and Angelina went to the floor to regroup. Tara tried to follow, but she was caught in a BP trap to give Angelina control back in the ring. Angelina then dumped Tara to the floor to allow MadSky to attack Tara while Angelina distracted ref Rudy. Back in the ring, Tara fought back with right hand blows before nailing a spinning back slam. She didn't make a pin, though, and suddenly went into Black Widow turn-the-neck mode. Tara went to the floor and measured Velvet for some random right hand smashes. Back in the ring, Angelina gave Tara a superkick. MadSky then sprayed Tara in the face with hairspray with the ref distracted allowing Angelina to pin Tara and retain the KO Title.

WINNER: Angelina Love at 7:05. Basic TNA women's match with outside interference and referee incompetence. Not particularly memorable. Felt like there was more of an opportunity to have a stand-out women's match, but they put together a basic undercard match. (*)

4 -- RAVEN & DAFFNEY (w/Dr. Stevie) vs. ABYSS & TAYLOR WILDE -- Monster's Ball match

Hey, look, we're back joined in progress about seven minutes later. We've got Taylor kicking Daffney on the floor. Abyss and Raven were brawling off to the side. Either Daffney is bleeding or her make-up is running. Taylor then climbed on top of a speaker on the entrance stage and landed a splash through a table on Daffney. Raven was...not bleeding. Abyss was...not bleeding. Shock. Camera focused on Raven and Abyss as they moved into the ring. Here's Abyss with the bag of tacks, but Dr. Stevie slipped into the ring for a chair shot to the head on Abyss. For seeming like a smart dude in interviews, Abyss continues to be dumb taking chair shots to the head every month. Abyss came up bleeding and Raven gave Abyss a drop toehold into the chair. Women moved to ringside where Daffney smashed Taylor's hands with a cookie sheet. That's going to hurt the Tweet hand. Back in the ring, Abyss made a comeback and smashed Raven with weapon shots. Abyss chokeslammed Raven, but Dr. Stevie ran interference to prevent a pin. Raven then accidentally trash can shot Richards and Abyss launched Taylor off the top with a splash onto Raven. Stevie ran interference on the ref again.

Abyss then spread out tacks across the ring before Daffney tried to attack Abyss. He no-sold, then Daffney realized she was trapped between the tacks and Taylor. Daffney then ran into Taylor, who press-slammed Daffney back-first into the tacks. Crazy spot that popped the crowd. Daffney freaked, then Taylor tried to pin Daffney, but Richards broke up the pin. Abyss then wanted to finish off Richards, but Raven smashed Abyss with a chair shot. Raven followed with a DDT into the chair and Raven covered Abyss, but he kicked out. Abyss quickly recovered and gave Raven a Black Hole Slam into the tacks. No one wins with that. Abyss sold tacks in his forearms, then he covered Raven for the pin and the win.

WINNERS: Abyss & Daffney in . Missed the first however much of the match due to PPV Freezegate, but a crazy good finish. Not a fan of these bump & junk matches, but this had some good moments involving Dr. Stevie, who plays his character so great. Daffney and Taylor stole the show a little bit here from what I saw. (**1/2)

[Arcademan]

Okay, apparently Caldwell is having problems with his PPV provider so I'm switching over to ProWrestling.net and Jason Powell's ongoing report for the duration.

5. Sting pinned Matt Morgan in 10:00 The stipulation was that Morgan could take control of the Main Event Mafia by defeating Sting. They fought to ringside early and Morgan picked up Sting by the legs and flung him into the guardrail. Once the wrestlers were back in the ring, Tenay said Team 3D had just arrived at the building. It seems like they're giving them one big excuse for losing by making such a fuss over it throughout the show.

Morgan was dominant early, but Sting came back and hit a missile dropkick at 7:00. He stood up and pounded his chest as the crowd applauded. Morgan came right back and went for the Hellevator, but Sting slipped out. It looked like Sting was supposed to hit the Scorpion Death Drop coming out of the Hellevator, but he slipped. He stood up and hit the move a moment later for a near fall.

At 8:40, Sting applied the Scorpion Leg Lock, but Morgan immediately powered out. Sting came right back by hitting the Scorpion Death Drop off the second rope for the clean pin.

Powell's POV: Sloppy at the end. The live crowd groaned when Sting missed the first Scorpion Death Drop, but they still popped for the finish. So far, it's been a very predictable pay-per-view as far as the results go.

6. Beer Money defeated Team 3D to win the TNA Tag Titles in 17:00. Rather than build up the two best tag teams in the company, Tenay and West spent the first few minutes doing babyface play-by-play vs. heel color commentator schtick. Sigh. Back and forth action to start. Brother Ray performed a nasty release suplex on Roode at 4:30. He got up slowly, but appeared to be fine.

At 8:10, Brother Ray hit the Bubba Bomb on Roode. Team 3D was in control of the match and set up for 3D, but Storm recovered and blocked the move by taking out Ray. They dumped Storm to ringside and hit the Whassup spot. Ray got the live crowd to chant "Get the tables." Devon obliged by setting up a table at ringside. However, Storm recovered and attacked Devon. Back inside the ring, Roode hit a spinebuster on Ray for a nearfall.

Beer Money performed the "Beer Money" routine and a decent number of fans chanted along. The British Invasion walked to ringside, which drew "USA" chants from the crowd. Doug Williams and Brutus Magnus sat down and joined the announcers on commentary while Rob Terry stood behind them.

The British Invasion joined right in on the Tenay vs. West antics while the wrestlers in the ring continued to work their tails off. At 14:30, it appeared Team 3D were setting up for a Doomsday Device, but Roode ended up hitting a Backstabber on Ray. At 15:30, Team 3D hit the Doomsday Device on Roode for a near fall.

Storm accidentally spat beer into the eyes of his partner. Rob Terry climbed onto the ring apron and distracted the referee while Team 3D hit their finisher. After some commotion with British Invasion, Beer Money hit the DWI on Devon and scored the pin to become new tag team champions...

Powell's POV: The outcome was ridiculously foreshadowed. Did they really have to give Team 3D so many excuses? At least they didn't give them all the excuses in the world to lose only to have them "defy the odds" like WWE has done with John Cena in his matches with Big Show. Good in-ring action, but the announcers were really annoying. Heel West is funny at times, but they really need to pick their spots better. There was no need to break into the heel vs. babyface antics during this match.

7. Kurt Angle defeated Mick Foley, Samoa Joe, Jeff Jarrett, and A.J. Styles in a King of the Mountain match for the TNA Title in 21:30. Once Foley was announced, the live crowd popped. However, it was because Joe put on a Red Wings jersey. Joe attacked Angle before the bell. The two referees counted. They put Joe in the penalty box to start the match and ruled that Angle is eligible to put the title on the hook. Um, okay.

Early in the match, Jarrett pinned Foley. The best referee in the world (or world's best best buddy) Mark Johnson didn't count to three at first. He finally counted to three. Foley stood up and clapped and took his spot in the box. Jarrett is eligible, and Foley was intentionally pinned. Foley hollered to the announcers it was part of his plan to take "a little rest-a-roonie."

At 5:30, Joe locked Foley in the Kokina Clutch while the other three wrestlers fought at ringside. Think about how much that would have meant if Joe and Foley had fought in an actual match in ROH a few years ago. Unfortunately, it didn't mean much in TNA. Joe choked out Foley, so Joe is eligible and Foley went back to the box.

At 9:00, Joe made the first play to hang the belt, but Foley knocked the ladder over and Joe took a nasty spill. Joe came down on the ladder, which was shot after that. Jarrett picked it up and tossed it at Angle at ringside. Jarrett brought another ladder inside the ring and made his first play to hang the belt. Angle came in and low-blowed Jarrett.

At 12:30, Jarrett smacked Angle over the head with his guitar. Jeff climbed the ladder to hang the belt. Foley followed and then asked Jeff to punch him. They traded punches until Styles springboarded off the ropes and dropkicked the ladder, which fell on top of him. Styles came up holding his back in pain.

At 14:00, Foley and Styles fought onto the top of the penalty box. Styles teased throwing Foley off the box and onto the announcers table in a Hell in a Cell takeoff, but Foley tossed Styles back inside the ring for a big bump. A short time later, Angle hit the Angle Slam on Jarrett. Foley leapt off the penalty box and nailed an elbow drop on Angle and then scored a near fall. Wow!

Tenay reminded viewers that Styles was the only person who wasn't eligible to hang the belt. Around 17:00, Styles pinned Foley at ringside, so Foley went to the box and Styles became eligible. Jarrett made a play to hang the belt. Styles cut him off and then Angle grabbed Jarrett's leg. Jarrett leapt off the ladder and DDT'd Angle.

At 18:45, all five wrestlers ended up back in the ring. Foley rammed the belt into Styles's head. Foley went toward Joe, who kicked the belt back in his face. Joe climbed the ladder with the belt, but Styles stopped him. A.J. ended up with the title belt around his neck and frantically tried to climb the ladder, but Joe stopped him.

At 20:30, Styles threw Joe toward the ropes and he dove onto Jarrett and Foley. Angle grabbed Styles, but A.J. countered with a Styles Clash. Styles climbed the ladder, but Joe grabbed him from behind and powerbombed him.

Joe, who had the belt, and Angle climbed the belt simultaneously. Joe teased hitting Angle with the belt and then smiled. Joe handed Angle the belt. Angle hung the belt on the hook to win the match and become the new TNA Champion. Angle leaned down and kissed the side of Joe's head.

Kevin Nash, Scott Steiner, Booker T, and Sharmell walked onto the stage and clapped. West said it made perfect sense that Joe got himself intentionally disqualified at the start of the match to make Angle eligible. WTF? Tenay said it was ironic that Joe would stab the other TNA Originals in the back on the company's seventh anniversary. West yelled, "Happy Anniversary, everybody" to close the show...

Powell's POV: I hate the finish. Why did Joe beat the shit out of the other Mafia members over the last few weeks? West's explanation about Joe attacking Kurt at the start of the match was ridiculous because there's no way they could have known how the referees would have responded. I don't mind a Joe heel turn, but I hate the "only in TNA" swerve.

[Arcademan]

WWE RAW Results: 6-22-09

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

1 -- JEFF HARDY & REY MYSTERIO & GREAT KHALI (w/Runjin Singh) vs. EDGE & CHRIS JERICHO & DOLPH ZIGGLER

Action started hot with Jeff clearing the heels to the floor, then Khali launched Rey off his shoulders for a 12-foot splash onto the heels. Khali then teased a giant splash off the top, which would have brought the house and ring down, but Jericho cut him off from behind. They have a countdown clock until Hunter vs. Orton, which is a nice touch. Edge and Jericho ran interference on Rey, allowing Jericho to cut off a 619 from Rey. Punk wanted to know what's the deal with the chicken. Don't think it's free range. Heels dominated Rey, but Rey avoided a dropkick and kicked Edge in the head. Hardy then came in with a hot tag on Dolph to get in some offense. Hardy then found a spear out of nowhere from Edge. Khali tried to make him pay, but Jericho blocked with a codebreaker of sorts. Edge with a spear of sorts on Khali, whose body is tough to move. Rey then hit the 619 on Edge before hitting a moonsault onto Jericho on the floor. Back in the ring, chaos led to a Twist of Fate on Dolph. Hardy then went up top and nailed the Swanton Bomb for the pin and the win. Ross suggested Hardy could do that on Sunday, but Punk said there's no way he's losing the belt at The Bash.

WINNERS: Team Hardy at 5:15. Fine, high-energy match to focus on Hardy vs. Punk for Sunday. Rey vs. Jericho had decent focus as well. Edge seemed to be lost in the shuffle. Overall, good "sum of the parts" opening match. (*1/2)

Post-match: Punk slipped into the ring with title belt in hand to have a chat with Hardy. Punk raised Hardy's hand in victory, but Hardy thought it was the ref raising his hand. He turned around and shoved Punk's hand away in disgust. Hardy then went to the floor to have a stare down with Punk, who held his title belt high.

2 -- PRIMO COLON (w/Carlito) vs. CODY RHODES (w/Ted DiBiase, Jr.)

Tag title match preview for Sunday started with some basic mat holds between Primo and Cody. 13 minutes until Orton vs. Hunter. Match moved to the floor at 2:00 where DiBiase stalked Primo. Back in the ring, Cody smashed Primo with a kick beneath the chin into a Russian legsweep for a nearfall. Primo then came back with a turnaround splash off the second rope, but Cody rolled through and hooked Carlito's baggy orange pants out of sight of the ref for the pin and the win. Legacy with the leg-up on the tag champs going into the PPV.

WINNER: Cody Rhodes at 3:53. Match was just okay. Fine set-up for The Bash. (*)

3 -- WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. TRIPLE H -- WWE Title match -- Last Man Standing

Hunter quickly knocked Orton to the outside in the opening seconds and Orton began selling a shoulder injury to play up Hunter's previous damage to Orton's shoulder. Back in the ring, Hunter teased the Pedigree, but Orton blocked and dumped Hunter to the floor. Hunter selling a left knee injury. Action then moved over the guardrail into the front row with Hunter in control. Hunter beat the crap out of Orton with right hand punches, but Orton lured Hunter into a back drop over the guardrail to the floor.

Orton regained control and went to work on Hunter's left knee again. Orton then picked up the ring steps and smashed Hunter in the face with Hunter blocking slightly with his hands. Match moved back into the ring where Orton began stomping on Hunter's leg. Orton wrapped Hunter's leg around the ringpost, then he grabbed a steel chair, but Hunter kicked the chair into Orton's face. Orton brushed it off, though, and popped Hunter across the face with a chair. Not a clean blow, but anything chair-related above the shoulders should be a no-no. Hunter got up at an eight count and Orton started clearing the announce table. Orton took too long and Hunter low-blowed him. Hunter teased a Pedigree on the table, but Orton blocked and surprised Hunter with an RKO onto the face of the table. Table didn't break. That's a sturdy table. Hunter made it up at nine, then back body dropped Orton onto the table. Still didn't break. Hunter then grabbed a TV monitor and smashed Orton in the face.

At 11:00, the match moved across the ringside area to the entrance ramp. Hunter rammed Orton head-first into the barricade along the entrance ramp, then he gave Orton a spinebuster on the ramp. Hunter still selling that left knee. Orton got up at nine, then Hunter teased the Pedigree again, but Orton back dropped Hunter onto the ramp. Both men reached their feet on the ten count before moving the brawl to the floor below the entrance ramp. Orton then teased the RKO, but Hunter shoved Orton over a temporary barricade near the electrical area. That's some serious limited view seating. A crew guy was wiped out in the process and the ref called for a trainer.

Orton introduced a ladder into the proceedings and he put Hunter's left leg inside the ladder to begin stomping and stomping away on the ladder with the knee instead. Huge crowd heat against Orton as Hunter screamed in pain. Ref began his ten count as Lawler suggested Hunter live to fight another day. Orton stopped the ten count, though, and slowly pulled Hunter up to his feet. Hunter unable to stand as Orton dragged him up a few rungs of the ladder. He tried an RKO, but Hunter shoved him off out of desperation. Hunter suddenly came to life and nailed a Pedigree on the stage. Hunter sold the left knee as the ref began a ten count on both men. Hunter tried to pull himself up with the ladder as Orton was KO'ed, but Hunter couldn't make his feet and the ref reached a ten count. Post-match: Refs helped Hunter up to walk to the back, but he got one last stomp in on Orton, who remained out cold but still WWE champion.

WINNER: Draw at 20:05. Very physical, grueling match that gave TV viewers everything they could expect to see on pay TV on Sunday. Great drama playing up the Orton vs. Hunter feud. Not worth spending money to see a re-match on Sunday, but a great 20 minutes of TV to watch live on free TV. (***1/2)

4 -- MICKIE JAMES & BRIE BELLA & NIKKI BELLA vs. Divas champion MARYSE & BETH PHOENIX & ROSA MENDES

Heel divas worked over the Bellas early on in the match to build up to Mickie's hot tag and comeback. Mickie cleaned house on Rosa, then knocked Maryse off the apron, but Beth interjected. Action broke down with the Bellas clearing Beth out of the ring. Chaos then settled down and Mickie was left in the ring with Rosa to smash her with a superkick for the pin. Afterward, Maryse tried to snip at Mickie's heels, but Mickie sent her away. Maryse then directed her frustrations toward Rosa for losing again.

WINNERS: Team Mickie at 5:00. More build-up to the eventual Maryse vs. Mickie match again. Fine match with WWE giving them a decent amount of time this week. (*)

5 -- JOHN CENA vs. BIG SHOW

Cena landed an early shoulder tackle that knocked Show to the floor. Cena didn't have control for long, as Show blasted him back in the ring with a spear that took the life out of Cena and the crowd. Show off his feet for a spear was quite the sight. Show wanted the "hush the crowd" frying pan chop to the chest, but Cena escaped only to take an overhead release powerbomb that Show's started using recently. Cena rolled to the floor to recover, then Show beat him up some more back in the ring.

Cena tried to get his legs back under him and he avoided a big butt bomb in the corner. Show brick-walled him, though, and went back on the attack. In other words, Show picked up the "do a move, walk around, move, walk around" pace. Cena then blocked another corner splash and knocked down Show before hitting a top rope guillotine smash. Cena hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but then Show popped up and hit a chokeslam in center ring for a nearfall. Show stepped on Cena's chest, then he went to the corner and teased a Vader Bomb before connecting. Splat. Lawler wanted to know why Show didn't cover him for the win. Show then rolled Cena to center ring and prepared to mount him for the Camel Clutch, but Cena slipped underneath Show and slapped on the STF. He got it locked on finally. Crowd exploded. Suddenly, Miz showed up ringside to distract Cena. Cena fought him off, though, and had the FU on Show, but Miz shoved Show on top of Cena. Ref didn't see it, as Show's size blocked his view. Show with the cover for the win.

Post-match: Miz slipped into the ring and stood tall over Cena. He then mocked Cena with the "You Can't See Me" hand wave over Cena's fallen body. There was a little girl facing the hard camera with a pro-Miz sign that the camera slowly pulled away. That was great.

WINNER: Show at 10:25. Just the same Cena vs. Show match we've seen before, except for Show winning. Gives Cena vs. Miz some juice for Sunday. Could be a sleeper to sell some PPV buys if anyone wants to spend $40 after getting a free PPV without commercials tonight. (*1/2)

And oh yeah...so much for Trump owning RAW...Vince 'bought' it back. TIME WASTE!

[Arcademan]

ECW on SciFi Results: 6-23-09

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

1 -- EVAN BOURNE vs. TYSON KIDD (w/David Hart Smith and Natalya)

A minute into the match, referee reprimanded Smith and Natalya for giving the appearance they were going to try to get involved in the action. He then ejected them from ringside to get a reaction out of the crowd. After the heels argued the call, Bourne took Kidd to the floor and hit a dive. Vocal "E-C-Dub" chant from the ringside fans. Don't hear that very often anymore. Back in the ring, Kidd landed a kick to the taped ribs to begin working over Bourne on the mat. Pace quickened as Bourne came back with a running head scissors for a two count. Bourne landed a roundhouse kick to the gut, then he quickly went up top to hit the Shooting Star Press for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Bourne in 5:00. Match left a lot to be desired giving them only five minutes. Seemed like there was about ten more minutes left in both men to put together a stand-out TV match. Kidd didn't benefit from this match, as he wasn't given much time for an offensive display before taking a clean loss. (*1/2)

2 -- FINLAY vs. ZACK RYDER

Match was joined in progress with Ryder begging off from Finlay. Ryder then picked up a bit of offense working on Finlay's mid-section before both men butted heads mid-ring. Ryder capitalized with a boot to the head before driving a boot to Finlay's throat. Ryder then settled into a headlock trying to ground Finlay into the mat. Finlay was bruised up over the right eye at this point and Ryder continued his attack on the injured area. Ryder tried another knee to the eye, but Finlay blocked and started his comeback. He landed the Rolling Hills drop out of the fireman's carry position before giving Ryder a back body drop. Ryder then slipped him throat-first across the middle rope. Ref checked on Finlay, who sold the eye injury. Ryder tried to remove the top turnbuckle in the process, but ref reprimanded him. Finlay then rolled up Ryder and the ref came back around to count a three count for Finlay. Post-match: Ryder grabbed his Woo Woo Woo hair in disgust after being one-upped by one-eyed Finlay, who was sporting heavy swelling over his eye.

WINNER: Finlay in 7:00. Good singles match. This was a good step for Ryder working with Finlay, who works well in his role of enhancing younger talent as the mid-card measuring stick. Ryder continues to look more and more credible as a heel after having a few matches recently to get in his offense and show he can hang in the ring. (*3/4)

3 -- ECW champion TOMMY DREAMER & CHRISTIAN vs. JACK SWAGGER & MARK HENRY (w/Tony Atlas)

Dreamer took an early beating from Swagger and Henry. Striker made a Notorious B.I.G. reference and Mathews shot back that he was popular in the late '90s, suggesting Striker needs updated material. Christian then tagged in and dumped Swagger to the floor. Christian landed a splash on the floor for another "E-C-Dub" chant from the ringside fans. Cut to break with Christian in control.

Back from break, Christian and Swagger were battling, then Dreamer tagged in and hung Swagger upside down in the corner. Dreamer wanted an E-C-W basement dropkick and he connected. Henry then jumped Dreamer from behind with the ref occupied with Christian, allowing Swagger to take control. Swags and Henry then exchanged tags wearing down Dreamer.

Match continued with Henry brick-walling Dreamer, then Dreamer broke free on Swagger to tag in Christian. Henry also tagged in and Christian tried to knock him off his feet. It took a missile dropkick to get Henry on the mat for a two count. Christian then tried a sunset flip, but Swagger blind-tagged in for Henry. Swagger tried a gutwrench on Christian, but Christian countered with a roll-up for a two count. Christian then hit the Killswitch on Swagger, but Atlas put Swagger's foot under the bottom rope to prevent a three count. Dreamer took out Atlas on the floor, but Henry squashed Christian into the ringpost. Henry rolled Christian back into the ring and Swagger hit the gutwrench powerbomb on Christian for the pin and the win.

Post-match: Swagger flashed a grin to the hard camera with blood coming off his lip. In the background, Henry gave Dreamer a World's Strongest Slam. He then grabbed Swagger and gave him a World's Strongest Slam for good measure. Don't ever blind tag into a match! Henry walked off in full control going into Sunday for the ECW Title.

WINNERS: Swagger & Henry in 13:00. Fine main event to set up the ECW Title match on Sunday. Predictable set-up with Henry in control to make it seem like Dreamer's in jeopardy of losing the title on Sunday. Swagger continues to look impressive as usual each week. Christian continues to be a top babyface on ECW, but not in a position to be a star on the show. (**)

[Arcademan]

WWE Superstars Results: 6-25-09

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

1 -- JACK SWAGGER vs. EVAN BOURNE

Swagger instantly took control with a waistlock to work over the ribs. Bourne avoided a running boot and landed a kick strike, but Swagger clotheslined him hard over the top rope to the floor. Bourne was folded up like an accordion on the floor going to break.

Back from break, Bourne was crying out in pain as Swagger had him in another rear waistlock on the mat. Striker and Mathews talked up the five-way ECW Title match on Sunday with Striker providing some fuzzy math to put ECW champion Tommy Dreamer in jeopardy and increase the chances of a title change. Two tools in the toolbox to attempt to sell a PPV - champ in jeopardy and good chance of a title change. Swagger tried to charge Bourne in the corner, but Bourne moved and busted out a nice run-off-the-second-rope kick strike. He followed with a springboard double knee smash on the floor, continuing the great offensive display. Mach moved up top and Swagger tossed Bourne halfway across the ring with an overhead suplex. He tried to follow with his gutwrench powerbomb finisher, but Bourne countered mid-air with a head scissors. Bourne then tried the Shooting Star Press, but Swagger moved and clotheslined Bourne hard from behind. Swagger followed with the gutwrench powerbomb for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Swagger in 9:00. Excellent singles match. Swagger is going to make a lot of money for himself and WWE down the line when he's put in a position to main event PPVs. Bourne had plenty of offense to look credible with the taped ribs being his "out" for the loss. (**1/2)

2 -- DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. JIMMY WANG YANG

Ziggler scored with a nice overhead suplex early on for a two count. Jim Ross called him Rudely Perfect. Ziggler settled into a side headlock to ground Yang, who came back with a great dropkick. Yang started a comeback and hit a roundhouse kick before going up top for a fully-extended cross-body block. Yang tried a corner move, most likely his trademark moonsault, but Dolph crotched him. Dolph then hit his finisher, a leaping reverse DDT, for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Dolph Ziggler in 3:00. Fine match. Good action to get over Dolph's personality. Slow and steady build for the character. Eventually, he could evolve into a main eventer, but right now, he's in that Zack Ryder category of a mid-card heel with a cocky gimmick. (*)

3 -- U.S. champion KOFI KINGSTON vs. MVP vs. MATT HARDY -- United States Title match

Hardy played the heel monkey in the middle taking a right hand from Kofi, then a right hand from MVP, and repeat to the delight of the crowd. MVP and Kofi then double suplexed Hardy after spinning him around a few times. Kofi made the cover, but MVP shoved him away. Kofi and MVP had some discussion on trying to get rid of Hardy so they could battle, but Hardy shoved Kofi into MVP to knock MVP to the floor.

Hardy slingshot Kofi throat-first across the top rope and made a cover, but MVP broke it up from the outside. MVP then tried covering Hardy, but Kofi broke it up by kicking Hardy in the gut. Cut to break.

Back from break, Hardy landed an elbow drop on Kofi for a two count. Hardy then took a reverse backstabber with Kofi driving his knees into Hardy's gut. MVP broke up a pin, then MVP and Kofi had another stand-off. Kofi leap frogged MVP several times before hitting a leaping clothesline. He circled around the ring to hit the Boom Boom leg drop, but Hardy yanked him to the floor from the outside. Hardy dropped Kofi across the guardrail before returning to the ring to battle MVP.

Hardy took control and went up top for an elbow smash to the top of the head. He danced around the ring to hit the Twist of Fate, but MVP blocked and fired off a round of closed fists. MVP knocked down Hardy, then dropped the Ballin' elbow drop for a two count. Kofi then yanked MVP to the floor and gave Hardy a Boom Boom leg drop, but MVP broke up the pin from the floor. MVP and Kofi had a great nearfall/counter exchange before Hardy interjected with the Side Effect on MVP for a two count.

Kofi suddenly blasted Hardy with a pendulum kick out of the corner and hit a top rope cross-body splash for a two count. Kofi then ran into a big Chono boot out of the corner from MVP, but Hardy hit the Twist of Fate on MVP. Hardy made the cover, but MVP kicked out just in time. Kofi then blocked the ToF from Hardy and spun him around for Hardy to take the Trouble in Paradise buzzsaw kick. Kofi with the pin on Hardy for the win. After they replayed highspots of the match, Cole and Lawler gave one final plug for The Bash with Kofi celebrating to close the show.

WINNER: Kofi in 15:00 to retain the U.S. Title. Excellent match for a three-way that doesn't follow traditional one-on-one match-ups. All three men worked hard and kept the action going with nearfalls and counters building to the finish. Kofi was in enough jeopardy throughout the match to keep viewers interested in a potential title switch. (***1/4)

[Arcademan]

TNA Impact! Results: 6-25-09

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

1- BRUTUS MAGNUS vs. BROTHER RAY- NEW YORK CITY STREET FIGHT

They still have Magnus’ video on the wall during his entrance talking about him as a modern-day gladiator. Ray attacked Brutus during the Brit’s entrance and once they made it into the ring, the bell rang to start things. Ray quickly threw him back over the top and to the outside. Into the crowd went Magnus via Ray, but Brutus raked the face of the ECW legend to turn things around. Double axe-handle off the stairs. Magnus was thrown into the wall with all the TNA ads. Ray began to look under the ring and brought out a table. He set it up in the ring, but then the other members of the Invasion, as well as Kiyoshi came out. Spinebuster by Rob Terry as Sheik Abdul Bashir slowly walked to the ring. Brother Devon came out with a chair and cleared the ring. 3D on Kiyoshi. Don West said the ref has called this a no-contest.

WINNER: No-contest, at about 3:00. Made sense for 3D to want their revenge on the Invasion for their role in the title change on Sunday.

2- ABYSS vs. KEVIN NASH

Match was joined in progress out of break, with Nash pelting Abyss in the mid-section with knees. Abyss fought back, but was clotheslined down. Big splash in the corner from Abyss, but Nash got an elbow up on the second one. The battle spilled to the outside, where Nash retrieved a chair. Abyss avoided it and Abyss punched away then bounced Nash’s head off the steel guard-rail. Abyss brought the chair into the ring and set it up between the turnbuckles in the corner. Big boot by Nash before Abyss could utilize the chair. Nash got the chair and while the ref tried to get Nash to put it down, Dr. Stevie came into the ring and tased Abyss to the mat. Straps down for Big Sexy, then he made the easy pin.

WINNER: Nash, at 4:03 shown. Fine for what it was.

3- DAFFNEY vs. TAYLOR WILDE- KNOCKOUTS MATCH OF 10,000 TACKS

Daffney attacked before the bell and started slapping Wilde in the chest. Daffney went for the tacks as West said Daffney reminded him of his first wife. Taylor cut her off and tried to go after the tacks herself. Daffney slammed her to the mat and pounded away at Taylor’s face. Daffney was able to retrieve the bag of tacks on the pole, but Taylor kicked her in the gut on the way down. She tried to open the tacks, but Daffney raked her eyes. Tenay said Dr. Stevie and Abyss were banned from ringside for this match. Daffney spread the tacks in the ring and grabbed Taylor by the hair. Taylor fought out of a suplex attempt and then so did Daffney. Taylor was close to falling into the tacks, but she ended up slamming Daffney into them.

WINNER: Wilde, at 2:48. Why waste a tack stipulation in such a short match?

4- SCOTT STEINER vs. ROBERT ROODE

Steiner slugged away on Roode in the corner to start. Neck snap by Roode with Steiner seated on the mat. Steiner suckered Roode in and tossed him out of the ring. Roode’s face met the steel of the barrier and ring steps. Belly-to-belly overhead suplex by Steiner for a two-count. Clothesline and elbow-drop, then the push-ups for Steiner. More choking of Roode. Roode got caught in a bear-hug, but Robert clapped out of it. Successive clotheslines, then a flying forearm from Roode. To the second rope, Blockbuster by Roode for two. Steiner blocked a fisherman suplex with a face-buster for a near-fall. He went for a Steiner Recliner, but Roode fought it. Steiner with a backslide, and he registered the pinfall.

WINNER: Steiner, at 5:25. Your usual Steiner match, but I liked the ending.

5- BOOKER T. vs. JAMES STORM

West noted this was the first one-on-one match between these two. Booker missed a side kick and Storm fought back. Storm got elbowed down by Booker after he almost ran past the elbow that Booker stuck out. Storm skinned the cat and he worked over Booker, but Book hung him out to dry stomach-first over the top rope. Booker took down Storm for a two-count. Axe kick missed and Storm punched away at the skull of Booker. Neck-breaker got him a two-count. Suplex by one-half of the TNA tag champs. Storm mounted the corner and punched to ten on Booker. Sharmell grabbed the beer bottle Storm brought to the ring, gave it too Booker, and Booker smashed Storm over the head with it. Looks like Earl Hebner may have caught some of the shattered bottle in the face.

WINNER: Storm, by DQ, at 4:04.

[Arcademan]

WWE Smackdown Results: 6-26-09

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

1- R-TRUTH vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN

Truth, angry from Shelton’s comments, was quite aggressive. After whipping Shelton into the ropes, Benjamin fled the ring before Truth could do any more damage. JR and Todd Grisham questioned whether Benjamin actually graduated the top of his class. Benjamin caught Truth with a knee to the gut as Truth tried to get back into the ring. Jumping side kick from Truth. Benjamin landed a Samoan drop on Truth, who was wearing one white glove in the ring. A little eerie, considering the timing of Michael Jackson passing away yesterday. Truth got knocked to ringside as the show went to break.

When the show returned, Benjamin had Truth in a rest-hold. He choked Truth in the middle rope and continued his assault. Truth connected with a few punches, but Shelton hit a back-body drop to take the former K-Kwik to the mat. Sidewalk slam into a back-breaker by Benjamin. Rear waist-lock applied by the Gold Standard as Truth once again attempted to break out of it. I wonder when the last time was that Truth had a singles match that got this much time. Benjamin took his time to suplex Truth, allowing Truth to block the move. He went over the back and hit a side Russian leg-sweep (has anyone seen a front Russian leg sweep? Or back Russian leg-sweep?). Roll-up got two for the North Carolina native. Truth landed right on Shelton’s shoulder, but Truth was powerslammed and was on the receiving end of a two-count. German suplex into a pin for two by Benjamin. Shelton missed a kick and Truth hit his corkscrew forearm for the win.

WINNER: Truth, at 11:20. I liked that better as part of his finishing sequence where he ended things with the axe kick. Grisham said Truth calls it “The Lie Detector.” Surprising result here.

2- ALICIA FOX & MICHELLE MCCOOL vs. MELINA & GAIL KIM

Fox and Melina began the match. Interesting roll-up from Melina for one. Running boot to the face of A. Fox. She tagged out to McCool. McCool kicked Melina out of the corner and Melina feigned catching it right in the face. Referee (name redacted) checked on her and held McCool back. Running knee from Michelle as she continued to try and take Melina down a notch before their PPV match. Russian leg-sweep from McCool for a near-fal as Melina screamed in pain. Fox, who is being mentored by McCool, applied a head-lock. She stretched the lower back of Melina. Melina finally fought back and made the tag to Gail Kim. Kim hit a pair of clotheslines and brought Fox out to the apron. Cross-body from the top got two. Kim nailed McCool, who was attempting to come in. McCool made a blind tag and as Kim was working on Fox, and she snuck in and hit the Faith Breaker (after awkwardly trying to position Kim into it).

WINNERS: McCool and Fox, at 5:13. Boy, Kim has really become a non-factor in the division quite quickly.

3- JOHN MORRISON vs. C.M. PUNK

Both men shook hands prior to the match. Clean break in the corner from Morrison. I wonder if the announcers will mention their feud over the ECW Championship. Head-scissors applied by Punk on the mat. Morrison got out and arm-dragged the champion down as things started slowly, indicating a longer match. JR dissected what the fans were thinking when they were booing Punk in previous weeks. After some chain wrestling, Punk missed a kick and Morrison countered with one of his own. Punk was driven hard chest-first into the buckle, but Morrison missed a spring-board and Punk slammed him to the canvas. Jumping heel kick by Punk, then a knee in the corner and a bulldog for two. He set Morrison up for a GTS, but Morrison fought out. Overhead suplex with a bridge, but Morrison kicked out at two. At this point, the show went to break.

JR noted that Punk was working on Morrison’s head and neck during the commercial break. Punk applied a bit of a head-scissor, and then once again after Morrison got out and Punk put him back down. “C.M Punk” chant, which was met with a few boos. With Morrison on the apron, Punk tried to sunset flip him to the outside. Morrison kicked Punk in the throat, and Punk then tripped him, landing Morrison back-first on the apron. Morrison then came back with a moonsault. He threw Punk back into the ring and got a two-count. Dropsault by Morrison as he built momentum in the match. Punk grabbed Morrison’s leg on a running knee attempt and turned it into a half-crab. That was so smooth, a strength of both men’s in-ring work. Morrison jumped over the top rope and onto Punk, but C.M. caught him for the GTS. Morrison got out and hit the Flying Chuck for a very near-fall. Wow that was close. He set Punk up for Starship Pain, but Punk nailed him on the back. Off the top, he hit a reverse suplex for only two. He grasped Morrison for the GTS, but Morrison rolled Punk up for two. Counter and Punk got two, then Morrison turned that into another roll-up for the win.

WINNER: Morrison, at 16:09. Superb match. Good win for Morrison and a good sign that he’s in for a big push sooner rather than later. I liked the finishing sequence as well and how he won it. JR’s announcing gave it a big-match feel, too.

4- JEFF HARDY & REY MYSTERIO vs. CHRIS JERICHO & EDGE- STEEL CAGE MATCH

Punk clapped for Hardy when he came out. Jeff leaped off Rey’s back and onto Edge within the first minute. Right after, they went to break.

Edge was in there with Rey upon return and Rey head-scissored Edge into position for the 619. Instead though, Rey climbed up Edge’s back and tried to climb over the top. Edge caught him, but Rey jumped on him for a two-count. Edge took control when Hardy came in and he back-dropped him into the fence. Jericho came in and got to Hardy, but things were turned on their head when Rey came in and he got the best of Jericho. A double-team sent Edge’s head into Jericho’s crotch as Jericho sat on the top rope. Hurricanrana by Rey for two on Jericho. Jericho tossed Rey face-first into the steel cage. Both men were down as the camera focused on Punk heading to break.

Rey was getting flattened by the heels and Jericho worked to keep him away from Jeff. Head-scissors by Mysterio on Edge after Edge whipped him into the turnbuckle. He made the tag before Rey could, and Jericho cut off his attempt to tag Hardy. Mysterio and Jericho found themselves battling on the top rope. Mysterio elbowed him down but Jericho dropkicked Rey as he came off the top. Again, Edge came in to halt Mysterio’s momentum. He sent Rey’s head into the steel fencing, but Rey ended up planting Edge with a DDT. Jericho came in and shouted at Rey about taking that mask off forever. Jericho tossed Rey up onto the cage and Rey climbed to the top. Jericho realized his mistake fast enough to stop Rey. Both men made tags and Hardy worked over Edge to quicken the pace. Edge went for a spear on Hardy, but Jeff moved and the Rated R Superstar speared Punk. Whisper in the Wind on Edge, but the ref was still down. He finally came to and registered a near-fall. Jeff wasn’t happy with what he perceived as a slow count. It was, but only because Punk was injured. Edge took Rey out, but a Twist of Fate was blocked, Hardy turned his attention to Punk for a brief second and that cost him: Edge hit the spear and got the pinfall.

WINNERS: Edge & Jericho, at 19:50. A formula tag match, only inside a cage. There wasn’t a lot of climbing. I don’t know if they announced it and I missed it, but I wasn’t sure if both men or just one man needed to climb out for the win.

Punk got the mic after the match and told the fans to give a round of applause for the number one contender to his title, a man who fought his heart out tonight, Jeff Hardy. JR wasn’t sure what to make of that, other than detecting a hint of sarcasm.

[Arcademan]

WWE The Bash PPV Results: 6-28-09

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

1 -- ECW champion TOMMY DREAMER vs. CHRISTIAN vs. JACK SWAGGER vs. MARK HENRY (w/Tony Atlas) vs. FINLAY -- ECW Title match -- Scramble match

Neither man took control in the opening segment of the match, then Finlay came in to join the action. Swagger scored a pinfall on Finlay at 6:00 and he became the current ECW champion. Out fourth was incumbent ECW champion Tommy Dreamer came out. He needs to score a pinfall or submission to "retain" the title. Dreamer went right after Swagger, but the match moved to the floor where Swagger sent Dreamer into the announce table. Meanwhile, Finlay was selling an eye injury from earlier in the week. Finlay took Swagger back into the ring and he dropped Swagger with the Celtic Cross. Finlay put a knee into Swagger's throat to score a pinfall to become the new ECW champion. Christian and Dreamer then battled up top before Swagger interjected with a hard clothesline on Dreamer. Swagger wanted a top rope gut wrench, but Christian blocked. They held pose as the countdown came down to Mark Henry coming out last. Henry then grappled Swagger and Christian to double suplex them off the top rope into Dreamer. Sweet spot. Henry then pinned Dreamer to become the new ECW champion.

With four minutes left on the clock, Henry was knocked to the floor. Christian then tried to roll up Finlay, but Finlay escaped. Men started flying to the outside before Henry teased a big splash off the top rope, but Swagger threw him to the mat. Swagger then pinned Henry to become new champ with 2:20 left on the clock. Finlay and Dreamer then dumped Henry into the ring steps on the floor. Back in the ring, Christian hit the Killswitch on Dreamer, but Dreamer broke up a pin and pinned Christian following a Dreamer DDT. Dreamer new champ.

One minute left. Tons of pin attempts. Tons of pinfall break ups. Henry back in the ring at 0:45. Dreamer with a DDT on Henry, then he covered Henry for no reason. Down to ten seconds. Christian tried a leap-over sunset flip, but no dice. Time expired and Dreamer wins. Crowd had no idea who won the match in the fracas, then Dreamer's music hit and the crowd popped for him still champ.

WINNER: Dreamer in 17:00. Definitely not a full 20 minutes, as they cut corners on the timing, but a decent match. Crowd seemed a bit lost near the end, so there wasn't a "flurry of emotion" in the building, but a good conclusion. Match needed more time to truly feel like a big deal for the match format, but it was fine. (**)

2 -- IC champion CHRIS JERICHO vs. REY MYSTERIO -- Intercontinental Title match -- Rey's mask on the line

Really enjoy Jericho starting the match by berating Rey. "Come on, 619!" Jericho ran into a high boot early on before taking a head scissors to the floor. Very quick pace and already feels like they're at 5:00 less than one minute into the match. Rey tried a baseball slide kick on the floor, but Jericho cut him off with a whip into the guardrail. The pace quickened with both men exchanging control in the ring, including Rey hitting an amazing Lucha spot with a double springboard into a moonsault for a two count. Haven't seen a wrestler pull that off since Chris Hero working out before a PWG show. Jericho then cut off Rey again and stomped him down in the corner to wear down Rey. Jericho then slapped on the Walls of Jericho at 10:00 and the crowd implored Rey to hit the ropes for a break. Hard cam shaking. Awesome. Rey escaped (to some boos in the crowd) before trying to hit the 619, but Jericho blocked.

Jericho and Rey went up top and Rey wanted a top-rope huracanrana, but Jericho blocked with a mid-air powerbomb. He tried to put his feet on the ropes for additional leverage on a pin, but Rey kicked out. Jericho tried to follow with a lionsault, but Rey moved and followed up with a huracanrana for a two count. I love Rey vs. Jericho. So great three PPVs in a row. Rey then dialed up the 619, but Jericho blocked with that big spinning backbreaker, only to have Rey hit a DDT for a close two count. Jericho then came back with a codebreaker, but he didn't make an immediate pin, allowing Rey time to kick out. Jericho sold disbelief with the ref.

At 15:00, Jericho and Rey battled up top again. Jericho teased ripping the mask off, but Rey shoved Jericho down. Rey checked the mask, then double-foot dropkicked Jericho off the top rope into the 619. Rey connected, then he wanted a springboard finish, but Jericho countered mid-air with the Walls of Jericho right in the center of the ring. Crowd alive and hot. Hard cam shaking again. Rey teased tapping out, but he rolled underneath Jericho and flipped over him. Jericho trapped Rey, but Rey rolled him through. Pin exchange. No pin. Jericho then ripped off the mask, but Rey had a mask underneath. Oh snap! Rey then hit the 619 with Jericho confused and Rey followed with the Springboard Splash for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Rey Mysterio in 18:00 to capture the IC Title. Oh, so so awesome. Rey wins the series 2-1 on the last three PPVs, but they need another match. Turn it into a Best-of-Seven or book a 60-minute Iron Man Match or anything to get more mileage out of this program. Rey and Jericho have such great chemistry in the ring and they involved the crowd at a very high level. Great match. (****1/2)

3 -- DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. GREAT KHALI (w/Runjin Singh) -- No DQ match

Match moved to the floor early on where Dolph tried drop kicking Khali off his feet, but Khali came back with a frying pan-like chop to the chest. Dolph tried to introduce a chair into the ring, but Khali slapped it into Dolph's face. Khali wanted the Big Chop on Dolph, but Kane's music hit out of nowhere. Kane's back. Kane distracted Khali, which allowed Dolph to chop Khali down with chair shots. Dolph ran away, then Kane picked up a chair and cracked it over Khali's back. He then blasted Khali with repeated chair shots to the body. Crowd went from stunned to cheering Kane. "Why has Kane assaulted Great Khali?" Ross asked. Here we go with a new Big Man program on Smackdown. Ziggler then pinned Khali after Kane left the ring.

WINNER: Dolph Ziggler at 5:05. Fine. Dolph gets a win, but focus is the future Kane vs. Khali storyline with Kane returning to TV for the first time in several weeks. (*)

4 -- Unified tag team champions CARLITO & PRIMO COLON vs. TED DIBIASE, JR. & CODY RHODES vs. EDGE & CHRIS JERICHO -- Unified tag title match

Before the match could start, Teddy Long's music hit. Long said this match will now be a Triple Threat tag team match. Cody was not happy. Cue up Edge's theme music. Edge came out on stage. And his partner... Chris Jericho. Kill two birds with one stone. Jericho came out and smirked at Long as Cole said Long caved to pressure. Edge and Jericho slowly made their way to the ring looking very confident. That was quickly erased when the original teams dumped Edge and Jericho to the floor before the bell sounded.

Sounded like a light "We want Christian" chant early on as the Colons battled Legacy while Smackdown's main eventers waited on the apron. Edge finally tagged himself into the match on an oblivious DiBiase, but DiBiase quickly tagged himself back in to keep it Legacy vs. Colons. Lawler picked up the "Legacy as mirror images of Orton" talk as the fans chanted for Edge. Not quite a bizarro crowd tonight, but they're definitely into the show. Cody suddenly set up Primo for Homicide's Cop Killer finisher, but he maintained the hold for a submission. Edge had enough and pulled Primo off Cody to break up the hold. DiBiase then tagged in and went to work on Primo. Primo then dumped DiBiase to the floor and crawled across the ring to tag in Carlito. Cody also took a tag and took a springboard cannonball dive from Carlito. Cody had to wait 18 years for Carlito to set up a springboard elbow, then the action broke down. Jericho hit the codebreaker on Primo, then Carlito dumped Jericho to the floor. Edge then tagged in on Cody after Carlito hit the backstabber on Cody. Carlito didn't realize it. He tried pinning Cody, but ref said Cody's not legal. Carlito turned around and took the spear from Edge. Edge covered Carlito and scored the pin to capture the tag titles.

WINNERS: Edge & Jericho at 9:40 to capture the Unified tag titles. Edge and Jericho worked about 30 seconds in the match, but Edge being the "ultimate opportunist" won the match. New tag champs over on Smackdown, but now they can be on Raw and/or ECW to save the Raw brand from the doldrums. More than one way to skin a cat. (**)

5 -- Women's champion MELINA vs. MICHELLE McCOOL (w/Alicia Fox) -- Women's Title match

McCool dominated early on against the babyface champion. She worked the leg over for a while before wrapping Melina around the ringpost while Alicia looked on with encouragement. Melina then came back, but McCool took out the knee again. Melina blocked a top rope move, then had a pin, but Alicia put McCool's foot on the bottom rope to block a pin. Melina then dropkicked Alicia through the ropes, but it served as a distraction to allow McCool to hit the Styles Clash on Melina and roll her over for the pin and the win. New women's champ.

WINNER: Michelle McCool at 6:40 to capture the Women's Title. Fine showcase match for the Women's division, but the crowd used it as an opportunity to take a breather. McCool as champ has potential, depending on whether they line up some more opponents beside Melina. (*1/2)

Continued in next post...

[Arcademan]

6 -- World Hvt. champion C.M. PUNK vs. JEFF HARDY -- World Title match

Punk wanted the Go 2 Sleep early in the match, but Hardy countered with a back slide for a two count. Hardy then dumped Punk to the floor and came over the top with a slingshot plancha. Hardy then tried a running leg splash off the ring steps, but Punk moved and Hardy ate the guardrail. Hardy could have been counted out, but Punk re-started the ten count with a smirk, then grabbed some more rest as Hardy made it back in the ring at nine. Punk started a deliberate offensive attack, but missed with a leg drop from the second rope. Hardy followed right up with the Whisper in the Wind, but Punk kicked out. Hardy then started an offensive flurry and hit a double foot dropkick to the chest for a two count. Hardy tried to follow with a top rope finish, but Punk rolled to the outside. Punk then turned around and took a dive off the apron from Hardy, who adjusted his attack.

At 10:00, the action returned to the ring where Punk blocked Hardy's lift-up kick in the corner into a G2S attempt, but Hardy blocked, only to have Punk hit a high knee and bulldog combo for a two count. Punk landed a series of jabs, but Hardy ducked and nailed an RKO. He ripped off his shirt and went for the Swanton up top, but Punk casually did a sit-up to move out of harm's way. Hardy then blocked Punk's offense and hit the Twist of Fate. He then went up top and nailed the Swanton Bomb in the corner. Punk was out, Hardy made the cover, and he scored the pin. Ref counted a three, but he suddenly waved it off as Punk's foot appeared to "break the plane" of the bottom rope to get a rope break. Hardy's music stopped and the ref said the match must continue.

Crowd with heavy boos before going with a "Hardy, Hardy" chant. Hardy quickly tried a Twist of Fate, but Punk countered with a G2S attempt. Hardy elbowed out, then Punk sold an eye injury. Ref held Hardy back as he checked on Punk. Hardy wanted a piece of Punk, but Punk continued to sell the eye. He then reared back and kicked the ref right in the back while still selling "impairment." Punk continued to act like he didn't know what he did as the ref called for a DQ. Hardy, stunned, simply held his head in disbelief. Ref confirmed the finish to a big "bulls---" chant from the crowd, which really bought into the angle as Punk continued to sell the eye injury.

WINNER: Hardy via DQ in 14:00, Punk retains World Title. Perfect booking, just like I wrote about with Punk retaining the title by the skin of his teeth and with questionable motives. Great way to continue the Punk tweener program. Crowd was very involved in the storyline, which was a good sign. Punk was great. Hardy was great. All-around solid booking to continue building frustration for Hardy and building Punk as an illegitimate tweener champion. (***1/2)

7 -- JOHN CENA vs. THE MIZ

Both men went to neutral corners ala a boxing/MMA fight before the bell sounded. Cena then opened up with a leg trip and he adjusted his knee pads. Another leg trip and Miz was flustered. Miz finally get the best of Cena in a cat & mouse game in and out of the ring, then he started an attack on Cena back in the ring. Lawler lamented that if Miz wins, he'll brag forever and "Twitter" everyone about his win. Cena then made a comeback at 5:00 and set up the Five Knuckle Shuffle combo of moves. Cena connected with the 5NS, then wanted the FU and he connected. Cena stared down at Miz instead of making a cover, then he slapped on the STFU in center ring. Miz tapped out after a one second struggle. Cena kinda looked down at Miz like no big deal. Announcers tried to sell that Miz was "game for most of the match-up," but Cena won. Afterward, Cena did the Victoria spot of kicking imaginary dirt onto Miz.

WINNER: Cena at 5:40. Decisive win for Cena despite a few minutes of offense for Miz. Good news is Miz was in a semi-main event PPV slot. Bad news was Miz didn't put up a fight at the end. Key for Miz will be getting his heat back on TV tomorrow night. (*1/2)

8 -- WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. TRIPLE H -- WWE Title match -- Three Stages of Hell match

Orton quickly went for the left knee and wanted to wrap it around the ringpost, but Hunter slipped out and sent Orton's momentum into the ringpost with Orton eating the post. Hunter teased the Pedigree, but Orton dropped down to one knee and punched the injured knee. Orton then began his focused attack on the knee. Orton teased the RKO, but Hunter shoved off and hit a spinebuster. Match moved to the floor. Poor Matt Striker in the background has been a spectator by himself for two hours with Josh Mathews backstage. Suddenly, Triple H pulled out a chair and blasted Orton with a chair shot to cause a DQ. *** Orton 1, Hunter 0 at 4:55*** Hunter, down one fall, started blasting away on Orton with the chair. Now it's a Falls Count Anywhere in Fall Two. Lawler followed the logic of Hunter sacrificing one fall in order to beat the crap out of Orton to get the second fall. On cue, Hunter hit the Pedigree on the floor and pinned Orton to earn the second fall. *** Orton 1, Hunter 1 at 6:20***

A stretcher was brought down to ringside. Hunter easily placed Orton's limp body on the stretcher and he wheeled Orton up the entrance ramp. He came close to the yellow line, but Orton came to life and jumped off the stretcher to blast Hunter in the knee. Orton then took out the left knee as Hunter gingerly walked down the entrance ramp. Match moved to the ringside area where Orton crotched Hunter across the guardrail. Security held back front row fans from interfering. Would have helped at the Astros game today where a fan cost the Astros a run and the game. Got that off my chest... match turned into a TNA-style brawl through the crowd. Hunter then clotheslined Orton over the guardrail to the ringside area. Hunter landed a straight right hand and Orton fell hard to the ground, but he pulled back the guardrail while on the floor and whipped Hunter into the exposed railing. A non-PG-friendly "Holy S---" whisper from a fan on the front row made air as Orton beat on Hunter. Orton put Hunter on the stretcher, but Hunter came to life. Orton cut him off, though, with a whip into the ring steps.

At 13:00, the match returned to the ring with Orton introducing ring steps into the ring. Classic "Roadrunner circumvents the Coyote" spot with Hunter turned a ring step smash into a drop toe hold sending Orton face-first into the steps. Hunter then bashed (get it?) the steps into Orton's face. He tried to drag Orton onto the stretcher and succeeded. Hunter tried to wheel Orton up the ramp to the yellow line, but Orton kicked Hunter in the head. Hunter then hopped on the stretcher and punched him several times as they wheeled backward down the ramp together. Eventually, the stretcher fell off the ramp and they both fell to the ground in an unintentional comedy spot. Pretty cool ride. Orton sold mass pain to the back, but he got up and gave Hunter the classic Orton horizontal DDT off the stretcher into the ground. That was just not right.

Orton wanted The Punt, but Hunter moved and Orton airballed Hunter's head. Hunter then wanted the Pedigree on the floor, but Orton back body dropped Hunter onto the stretcher. Orton slowly tried to wheel Hunter up the ramp, but Hunter got up about ten feet before the line. Orton then stalked Hunter for the RKO, but Hunter shoved Orton into the HD video scoreboard. Hunter followed with a Pedigree onto the stage. Yellow line marks the spot. Hunter crawled over the stretcher, which was just a few feet from the line. He put Orton's dead weight on the stretcher, then tried to push it across, but Cody Rhodes showed up at the last second to block Hunter. Cody then attacked Hunter, but Hunter chucked him into the HD lights. Orton was still on the stretcher, but DiBiase suddenly made the save one foot away from the yellow line.

Cody and Ted then jumped Hunter and stomped away on him. They picked up Hunter and put him on the stretcher with a ton of effort while Orton was KO'ed, but Hunter fought back. The pack of wild dogs tried to subdue Hunter, who kept putting up a fight. Suddenly, Hunter had a sledgehammer. He stared blasting folks left and right, but he didn't see a Punt to the gut from Orton. Orton then smashed Hunter with a piece from the stage. He flung Hunter onto the stretcher, then spun Hunter across the yellow line to win the match and retain the WWE Title.

WINNER: Orton at 21:30 to retain the WWE Title. First two falls were quick to get to the final fall, which wasn't a traditional title match, but featured some good drama, action, and body blows to give fans their money's worth. Felt just like the match they had on free TV six days ago, so you didn't miss anything if you watched the free show on Raw. WWE booking the red herrings during the show with Cody and Ted worked well to create more drama on whether they would eventually help Orton retain the title. Sure hope this is the end of Orton vs. Hunter, but I highly doubt it since Hunter didn't lose clean and he stood tall post-match. Solid gimmick match overall. (***1/2)