Official Wrestling Discussion

[Admin]

After this weeks cryptic video ended with "Control" I think it will be Shane and Stephanie now.

 

Loved that Kane is back with the mask although expected his return to not be until the Royal Rumble. Even better that it seems he is back as a monster heel.

 

Enjoyed the fatal 4 way match - Cody Rhodes and Dolph Ziggler consistently produce entertaining matches these days.

 

Id say since he is coming back the 2nd of January Y2J is the most logical choice. WWE isnt that clever when it comes to disinformation.

[Admin]

After this weeks cryptic video ended with "Control" I think it will be Shane and Stephanie now.

 

Loved that Kane is back with the mask although expected his return to not be until the Royal Rumble. Even better that it seems he is back as a monster heel.

 

Enjoyed the fatal 4 way match - Cody Rhodes and Dolph Ziggler consistently produce entertaining matches these days.

 

Id say since he is coming back the 2nd of January Y2J is the most logical choice. WWE isnt that clever when it comes to disinformation.

[Michael]

Tribute to the Troops was OK - Mary J. Blige kind of annoyed me with that soft nervous laugh she couldn't hold back, but otherwise not bad.

[Michael]

TLC Matches:

 

1) Mark Henry © vs Big Show

Chairs Match for the World Heavyweight Championship.

 

2) Triple H vs Kevin Nash

Sledgehammer Ladder Match [winner decided via pinfall / submission]

 

3) Dolph Ziggler © vs Zack Ryder

Singles Match [thus far, hopefully this changes] for the WWE United States Championship

 

4) Randy Orton vs Wade Barrett

Tables Match

 

5) CM Punk © vs The Miz vs Alberto Del Rio

Triple Threat Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match for the WWE Championship

 

6) Cody Rhodes © vs Booker T

Singles Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

 

7) John Cena vs Kane

Singles Match for the #1 Contender's Spot to the WWE Championship

[Michael]

From ProWrestling.com:

- As noted before, Chris Jericho is scheduled to make his return to WWE at the January 2nd, 2012 RAW Supershow from Tennessee.

 

Mystery over!

[Dr Beinfest]

Give yourself some credit, lad.

[Michael]

Give yourself some credit, lad.

 

For why?

[Schnellders]

Havent heard anywhere else about the Cena-Kane match. Don't think it's going to happen. Seems daft to book a match based on 1 encounter so far. Let them build up the fued first.

[Michael]

Cena vs Kane was taken off the Wiki page. God dammit, I was looking forward to that match.

[Schnellders]

Cena vs Kane was taken off the Wiki page. God dammit, I was looking forward to that match.

 

Problem with that feud is neither can really lose ie Kane cant if they want to make him a monster heel and Cena cant cause he never does.....

[Michael]

Woo Woo Woo! You Know It!

 

Daniel Bryan is the new WHC... Wonder if Big Show turns heel now.

 

CM Punk retains.

 

Booker T and Cody Rhodes had a good match, I thought.

 

Air Boom retained.

 

Triple H and Kevin Nash ending was awesome.

 

Sheamus vs Swagger thrown in, whatever.

 

Orton and Barrett ending was also pretty cool, but expected.

[Schnellders]

I wasnt particularly enthralled by TLC and I'll tell you why - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE stop booking unnanounced matches into PPV's. There were 3 last night, and none of them were able to draw much crowd reaction.

 

I did enjoy the US and WWE Championship matches.

 

Didn't enjoy a lack of Kane.

 

And since they had a Tag Team Title match, why couldnt they have added The Uso's and had a 3 team Ladder match for the belts?

[Dr Beinfest]

Yeah, unannounced matches are degrading to the concept of momentum within a PPV. I remember PPVs used to be grand stages. Now they're nothing more than private main event matches.

[geemoney]

Unannounced matches, if used correctly (and it wasn't on this show), can give fans the impression they're getting more than their money's worth by getting "extra" matches.

[geemoney]

TONIGHT: How will Johnny Ace react to CM Punk retaining the WWE Championship last night at TLC? What will see from Daniel Bryan in his first night as World Champion? Will we hear from Kane after his attack on John Cena last week? What will be the newest reveal in the mystery videos we’ve been seeing the past several weeks?

 

 

- WWE Open.

 

- RAW Open (now with 100% more Kane!).

 

- A drumroll inside the arena interrupted the Raw theme. Everything went dark, including the TitanTron. Finally, we heard CM Punk say “Live from Philadelphia, the showbiz capital of this state, it’s Monday Night Raw!� Punk, with the drumroll continuing and not in front of the crowd, teased whether Alberto Del Rio, Miz, or the best wrestler in the World won last night. He announced that he was the winner, and Cult of Personality began to play and he walked out. Punk took a lap with the WWE Title over his head in the ring. Fans were cheering, but then they panned the crowd and hardly anyone was standing.

 

Punk discussed the match, including Ricardo Rodriguez’s big spot, and said he managed to retain the WWE Title. “CM Punk� chant. Punk next wanted to talk about the US Title match. Punk gave the drumroll treatment to this match too, putting Dolph Ziggler and Zack Ryder’s faces on the TitanTron just like he did for the WWE Title match. Punk announced Ryder as the winner and then the new US Champion came out. Punk said he saved the biggest for last, and he does mean the biggest. He talked about the Chairs Match for the World Title. He did the drumroll for Henry vs. Show, but said it was Show at first; then, the unthinkable happened….he said it does him proud to say that it was Daniel Bryan. Bryan walked to the ring with the World Title around his waist.

 

The two former ROH stars embraced in the ring. “Daniel Bryan� chant from the Philly crowd, but it wasn’t overwhelming. Punk said if any city would appreciate this scene, it would be Philadelphia, a city so rich in pro wrestling history. “ECW� chant. Vince McMahon must be proud. Punk said he says what he wants and has no filter between himself and his mouth. But he said it’s not about him, but about Bryan and Ryder, two guys who worked their way up from the bottom. He said they broke their backs for the WWE Universe, and they have brought him to that level. He said he wants to hear from the two new champions. Ryder was first.

 

Ryder said he had to call his dad this morning to ask him if he was really US Champ. And his dad said, “woo woo woo, you know it.� Bryan said people never expected him to get to WWE, and there’s people like Michael Cole (boos) who don’t think he should be here. Bryan said not only is he here but he’s the World Heavyweight Champion. Bryan was going to continue, but Miz walked out on stage with no music and no mic. He stared at those in the ring. Dolph Ziggler came out next and did the same…as did Alberto Del Rio. That looked a bit gimmicky, but it was different, so I’m okay with it. The heels went to the ring to attack, but they couldn’t make it in, as the faces had them out-flanked. As the heels regrouped, Ryder flipped onto Ziggler. Del Rio and Miz threw Ryder into the steps. The faces chased the heels up the ramp, but Johnny Ace walked out and told them to cool it. Ace decided that tonight’s main event will be a six-man tag featuring Miz, Ziggler and Del Rio taking on Bryan, Punk and Ryder. Ace said it was his Christmas present to the WWE Universe and wished everyone Happy Holidays. You want new blood in WWE? You certainly got it here.

 

- Jerry “The King� Lawler and Michael Cole reacted to what just happened. Cole said we’ll see footage of what happened after Raw went off the air last night. They showed clips of Kane’s attack along with a graphic saying “John Cena speaks out.�

 

- In a split-screen, Randy Orton and Wade Barrett were walking. They square off one-on-one next. At least they did the Tables match on PPV and the singles match for free, and not the other way around.

 

[Commercial Break]

 

-Lawler thanked Kasbian for supplying the official TLC theme.

 

(1) Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett

Barrett began the match with body shots to Orton in the corner. Orton found the mark with a European uppercut and hammered away on Barrett with right hands. Dropkick by Orton. The match spilled to ringside, where Barrett suplexed Orton ribs-first into the barricade. Boot to the skull, then Barrett rolled back into the ring. They went to break at 2:12 of the match.

 

[Commercial Break]

 

Back at 5:15. Barrett caught a charging Orton with a boot. Knees to the face by Barrett as Orton was tangled in the ropes, then a running kick sent Orton back outside. Into a rear chin-lock back in the ring. Orton dodged Wasteland, and hung Barrett up for his patented DDT. Barrett prevented any further damage by applying a thumb to the eye, drawing a disqualification.

 

Winner: Orton, via DQ, at 8:00. Decent enough match I suppose. No surprise we didn’t get a clean finish.

 

Barrett continued his barrage after the match, giving Orton a side slam (known as the Winds of Change). Barrett brought a table into the ring as Cole went on about Barrett “making a statement.� He sounds like Booker T. now. Barrett hoisted Orton up in Wasteland, and put him through the table. Lawler said Barrett’s actions could come back to haunt him. They replayed Barrett’s attack as referees tended to Orton.

 

-Cole and Lawler were shown on-camera again, this time discussing Kevin Nash vs. Triple H from last night. They showed stills from the match. Cole said WWE doctors have told him that Nash suffered a nasal fracture among other contusions and he’ll be out at least six weeks. Lawler said he wouldn’t be surprised if we never see him again.

 

-Alicia Fox and Beth Phoenix were walking backstage in a split-screen. They square off next.

 

[Commercial Break]

 

-The exterior of Philadelphia was shown.

 

(2) Beth Phoenix vs. Alicia Fox

Wrist-lock broken by Fox, who then hopped into Phoenix’s arms for a sidewalk slam. Fox flipped out of a suplex but lost her balance, causing Beth to have to stand there and act dazed while Beth re-grouped. Reverse DDT then a flip leg-drop for the win.

 

Winner: Fox, at :46. What does it say that the champion loses in 45 seconds? Somehow, this was still awful despite going less than a minute.

 

Fox got the mic and wished everyone a Foxy holiday. Philly crowd was in no mood to cheer her after she botched one of her three moves in the match.

 

-The announcers plugged the six-man main event.

 

[Commercial Break]

 

-Cole implored viewers to vote for The Rock for Badass of the Year at Popwatch.EW.com.

 

(3) Sheamus vs. Jinder Mahal

During Sheamus’ entrance, they showed Sheamus beating Jinder Mahal on Smackdown from Friday. Mahal had a turban on for good measure and worked the stick on his way to the ring. He said Sheamus has no class and no honor, and it’s about time someone put him in his place. Mahal went after Sheamus but missed wildly with a punch that Sheamus was supposed to block, but it didn’t even come close. Take-down by Mahal then a running high knee. Sheamus fought back with a short-arm clothesline. He went to the top and came off, but Mahal moved out of the way. Sheamus rolled through and delivered the Irish Curse back-breaker. Celtic Cross finished things.

 

Winner: Sheamus, at 1:54. I noticed this on Smackdown but I was surprised to see that Mahal was just about as tall (if not as tall) as Sheamus.

 

-Up next, John Cena speaks out about Kane’s attack from last week.

 

[Commercial Break]

 

-John Cena came out. He did his little aside to the camera, sarcastically saying Philly’s favorite son has returned. Cena did a lot of pausing before speaking, but no real chants picked up. He said what he’s about to say will be shocking: Apparently, there are people out there who don’t like him. He said some of those people are in the arena. He mentioned Dwayne “The Rock� Johnson said he’s ready for April 1st. Cena said there’s a monster who’s on the loose, one who gets edgy around the holidays or when going to the dentist. Cena said he thinks he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but he wants to find out for sure. He told Kane that if last week was no accident, then they have business. He suggested handling the business now. Instead, Mark Henry limped out.

 

Henry said the business that Cena needs to be concerned about is that he had Cena laying in the middle of the ring, and if it weren’t for Kane, Cena would be the newest member of the Hall of Pain. Henry said Cena’s monologue is full of jokes. “Sexual chocolate� chant by the fans, and I think even King chuckled. Henry said he lost his World Title last night, so he’s out to address his injuries and why he lost. He told Cena to get out of his face, as he’s all the business Cena needs to be worried about. Cena got in the ready position, but fireworks went off and Kane’s theme played. The big man walked onto the stage. The outer mask is back.

 

Kane walked around the ring, stalking Henry. Henry pointed to his leg and said he was hurt right now. Kane slowly turned his head toward the ring and Cena. He got up on the apron as Henry left ringside. The outer mask came off and Kane stared at Cena. He stepped over the top rope, but Cena charged at Kane. He clotheslined Kane over the top rope. Kane landed on his feet and pulled Cena out, throwing him over the announce table. Looked like an uncomfortable landing on the chairs for Cena. The assault continued as Kane put his gloved hand over Cena’s mouth and just pressed down, cutting off the breath of Cena. Cena even looked like he was bleeding a little from the mouth. Kane ripped Cena’s shirt off and took it with him as a souvenir. Cena barely even sold suffocation, as he was sitting up on the table looking at Kane as Kane walked up the ramp.

 

[Commercial Break]

 

-The Liberty Bell was shown.

 

-They replayed the Kane attack on Cena from the previous segment.

 

(4) Epico & Primo vs. The Usos

The Usos did their Samoan war dance on the stage before coming to the ring. I believe it was referred to as a Polynesian dance on Smackdown. Fast-paced action to start. The cousins Colon made quick tags. Rosa Mendes was out with Epico and Primo. Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston were shown watching this match backstage. Rear chinlock by Epico. Drop toe-hold to prevent one of the Usos from making the tag. He kicked Epico away though and made the tag at 2:12. Bubba Bomb on Epico, then a running butt splash. Cover got two, with the pin broken up by Primo. Primo low-bridged the other Uso, so the legal Uso superkicked him. Back-stabber by Epico for the win.

 

Winners: Primo and Epico, at 2:54. Sad that the crowd couldn’t have cared less, but they’ve got to be conditioned to care about tag teams again, and it could take a while.

 

-Cole sent it to the Royal Rumble video with Santino as the man with the crystal ball.

 

-Josh Mathews was backstage with Cody Rhodes, who called the Santino video “ridiculous,� much like Booker thinking he could beat him is “ridiculous.� He said if anyone can see into the future, they’d see his face emerging…but he was distracted before he could finish. Santino was at his side and Santino offered him a gift before their match. It was in a wicker basket, and it turned out to be Santino’s Christmas Cobra. Cody was nonplussed.

 

[Commercial Break]

 

(5) Santino Marella vs. Cody Rhodes

Rhodes with a forearm, then he cornered Santino and blatantly choked him. Side Russian leg-sweep. He slammed Santino’s Cobra hand into the mat. Marella got to his feet, did a split and hip-tossed Rhodes. Shot to the mid-section by Santino, then he set up the Cobra. Cody picked him up and felled him with the Alabama Slam for the win.

 

Winner: Rhodes, at 1:24. I like when wrestlers use non-finishers as finishing moves for a change-of-pace. Makes them mean more in future matches.

 

-They aired the end of Tribute to the Troops, where Cena gave a speech to the Troops with the rest of the roster standing on the stage. They also showed some of Nickelback’s performance on the show.

 

-Another plug for the six-man tag aired.

 

[Commercial Break]

 

-The Bellas were arguing backstage as Johnny Ace and David Otunga looked on. They stopped long enough to complain about how Teddy Long talked to them last night at TLC and then they started arguing again. Ace said the Board is cognizant of the complaints and are watching Long. Will Ace threaten to put Long on probation again? The Bellas thanked Ace and kissed him, then left. Ace had lipstick on his face. Vickie Guerrero ran in complaining about Dolph Ziggler losing the title last night. Hornswoggle came in out of nowhere and ended up kissing Vickie, leaving her screaming.

 

-Cole name-dropped people online who are talking about TLC, and they showed stills of Ryder, Bryan, and Punk celebrating their title wins last night.

 

-They showed Ryder’s dad’s reaction to his US Title win last night, which was fantastic by the way. Then they showed a WWE.com video of Ryder’s dad being interviewed.

 

-Big Show was interviewed backstage by Josh Mathews. Mathews asked Show how he felt about Bryan cashing in the MITB contract against him last night. Show was dejected, saying he had the title right in his hands. He was at a loss for words and said it was his fault, since he encouraged Bryan to not wait ‘til Mania to cash in the briefcase. Show gave “the little guy� credit and said he’s living his dream. Mathews prodded Show and said he’s not THIS nice. He said Show has the shortest World Title reign in history, a record that’s not likely to be broken. Show stared a hole through Mathews, then did some neck curls and said he was okay. Then he walked off.

 

-The Miz, Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie) and Alberto Del Rio (without Ricardo Rodriguez) made their entrances for the main event. It’s next….but actually, before Cole could send it to break, we got the latest mystery video. The girl says she can’t help the boy anymore. “Prophetless.�

 

[Commercial Break]

 

-Zack Ryder, Daniel Bryan and CM Punk entered the arena, in that order. Ryder came through the crowd. Bryan and Punk did the same. Michael Cole, who has been tolerable tonight, went off on all the champions in the ring.

 

(6) The Miz & Dolph Ziggler & Alberto Del Rio vs. Zack Ryder & Daniel Bryan & CM Punk

Punk with a shoulder tackle then a hip-toss. Miz was able to tag Ziggler, who ran right into a drop toe-hold by Bryan. Bryan stomped on Ziggler’s calves. Tag to Ryder and a double hip-toss on Ziggler. Del Rio tried to interfere, but he flew right through the middle rope. Miz was sent out too. Ryder flipped onto Miz and Del Rio and Bryan took out Ziggler. Punk then hit a cross-body onto Miz and Del Rio. The faces celebrated in the ring as they went to break at 1:57.

 

[Commercial Break]

 

The show returned with the heels, specifically Miz, in control around the 5:00 mark. Ziggler held Bryan down with a side headlock. Bryan elbowed out of it, but Ziggler clotheslined him down. Cover got two at 6:36. The heels continued to dominate Bryan. Tilt-a-whirl back-breaker for two by Del Rio. Bryan finally made the tag to Ryder at 8:43. Broski Boot found the mark, but Ziggler battled out of a pin. Nice dropkick and both men were down. Miz came in and knee-lifted Ryder for two. Del Rio got launched over the top by Ryder, who crawled to make a tag. Del Rio made it back in and tagged Miz, but Punk picked up the hot tag for the faces. Punk perched himself on the top rope and connected on the Savage elbowdrop. Cover got two at 11:52. Anaconda Vice locked in, but Ziggler flew in to break it up. Ryder pulled Ziggler out and clotheslined him. Del Rio and Bryan both made tags and Bryan landed a missile dropkick. Punk gave Miz the Go To Sleep and Del Rio knocked Punk out of the ring. He dodged a Bryan kicked and pushed him shoulder-first into the ring post. Bryan came back seconds later and hooked in the LeBell Lock. Del Rio tapped.

 

Winners: Bryan, Punk and Ryder, at 13:12.

 

The babyfaces celebrated with the crowd after the match. Punk stood on the announce desk and held the title over his head as the show closed.

[Admin]

Is there a main eventer who gets less of a reaction than Miz? Or even many midcarders for that matter?

[Schnellders]

Kinda surprised Kane tried to suffocate Cena in the PG era

[geemoney]

Is there a main eventer who gets less of a reaction than Miz? Or even many midcarders for that matter?

 

Nobody seemed to get much of a reaction last night.

[Schnellders]

Is there a main eventer who gets less of a reaction than Miz? Or even many midcarders for that matter?

 

Nobody seemed to get much of a reaction last night.

Frustrates me so much when you see amazing crowds like Chicago and NY, and then there's everywhere else......

 

So much of a show is made by the energy of the crowd.

[Admin]

Is there a main eventer who gets less of a reaction than Miz? Or even many midcarders for that matter?

 

Nobody seemed to get much of a reaction last night.

Not really just last night for the Miz. About the only time he ever draws any reaction at all is when he is part of a team.

[geemoney]

Is there a main eventer who gets less of a reaction than Miz? Or even many midcarders for that matter?

 

Nobody seemed to get much of a reaction last night.

Not really just last night for the Miz. About the only time he ever draws any reaction at all is when he is part of a team.

I think part of that is that WWE has built up heels incredibly poorly as of late. Miz, Del Rio, Barrett (until recently). About the only one that has any cred is Henry.

[Michael]

2 heels, 5 faces.

Hmm.

 

BRING BACK MORE CHAMPIONSHIPS!

[Michael]

Geemoney, if you were in charge of bringing back a couple titles, which would you bring back?

[Schnellders]

Btw how bad did the use of chairs look at TLC since head shots aren't allowed anyway?! I know this has been the case for a while, but it became really obvious during the Chairs Match.

[geemoney]

Geemoney, if you were in charge of bringing back a couple titles, which would you bring back?

 

None. There's probably too many as it is, especially if the Brand Split isn't adhered to. Having a few titles for each brand was fine when they were separate, but it just feels like too many titles now.