Photo credit: WWE.com
Randy Orton defeated Dolph Ziggler in a passable, if unmemorable match up. The action was solid enough, just not up to the standard we've had form these two together before. For the finish Alberto Del Rio distracted Orton at ringside, which gave Ziggler the upper hand for a few seconds until 'The Viper' managed to get in a quick roll up for the one-two-three. Considering Ziggler is actually the captain of his Survivor Series team and the fact that Del Rio distracted Orton, he really should've gotten the win here instead. He had more to gain and desperately needs it at the moment.
Afterwards Del Rio and Ziggler continued the attack on Orton until Kofi kingston came racing out to his SS teammate's aid. This prompted Teddy Long to book a tag team match between them under orders from Booker T.
Alberto Del Rio and Dolph Ziggler beat Kofi Kingston and Randy Orton in a mostly decent tag bout. Again the wrestling can't really be faulted, but the match just wasn't that memorable. It felt like most tag bouts featuring Del Rio and Orton together. Del Rio grabbed the win after applying an step up enzuigiri to Kofi on the corner ropes.
Ziggler tediously presented all of the evidence we've had to watch for the last two weeks straight involved in the Cena and AJ scandal. Vickie Guerrero then asked AJ Lee to come out and have one last chance to explain herself. So AJ joined them, and after being pushed by Vickie she once again admitted the fact that her and Cena were just friends, no more. She also went on to claim that all of this was retribution from Guerrero for her receiving the role of General Manager at Raw 1000 from Vince McMahon personally over her.
Vickie in response played some voice mail messages with AJ's voice, with her supposedly admitting her feelings for Cena. A confused AJ asked Vickie how she'd faked the messages, claiming that she'd never said those things. As Ziggler then pushed AJ a little further, John Cena came out and punched Ziggler, along with a slap from AJ for 'The Show Off'. AJ's work on the mic here was solid enough, but that was about it. This storyline is just getting tiresome and needs to be resolved fast or have a half decent advancement.
Big Show bested William Regal in an average and pretty drab outing. Big Show predictably dominated for the most part, while Regal managed to get in a few minor shots.
Kaitlyn beat Layla in a sub par contest. I can't honestly say that I was ever that engaged or excited at all during the match up, and the action was average for the most part. Kaitlyn will go on to face Eve for the Divas Title at Survivor Series, not expecting much from that bout either really. I'm starting to feel a little bad bashing the female wrestlers in WWE week in and week out, but the fact is that the division seriously needs a big shake up and an injection of new and actually interesting blood.
Michael Cole and JR introduced the returning Jerry Lawler. It was a genuinely touching moment seeing the emotional King make his way into the ring and embrace the two men, and as expected the response was tremendous from the fans. Lawler went on to compare his life over the last month to the film 'That's a wonderful life', claiming that he had no idea how many fans he had out there until he saw the response after his heart attack.
WWE Champion CM Punk then interrupted Lawler, and warned him that he's lucky he left the ring when he did because "I would've beat you to death." He then went on to talk about the disrespect shown from King after he tried to step into the ring months ago and compete with the 'Best in the World'. But he also added that he's glad he's back to commentate on his title match on Sunday, but told him to try "not to croak" before then. Lawler retorted by claiming that his title run will be over that night.
Paul Heyman then faked a heart attack in the ring, laughing with CM Punk afterwards at the prank. This cued Mick Foley to come out and announce that he would be letting the fans decide the final member for his Survivor Series team, then told Punk to "Shut up!" and admitted his annoyance when he was told that it would no longer be his team versus Punk's, since he was looking forward to teaching the champ a lesson in respect. But luckily for Foley he informed Punk that he would be the special enforcer for his tangle with Cena later that night. As usual it was brilliant promo work from the WWE Champion, and an entertaining segment.
Rey Mysterio, Sin Cara, Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd defeated Darren Young, Titus O'Neil, Epico and Primo in an exciting tag bout. In the match of the night at that point all eight men put in worthy performances, especially the consistent Mysterio. The blistering finishing sequence was also very well executed. Definitely worth a watch this one.
Backstage Ziggler asked The Miz if he wants to be on his team since he knew he'd come begging eventually. Miz turned down the offer, reminding Ziggler of his loss to Orton earlier in the show. Foley then also turned up and challenged Ziggler to a match pitting four of their team members against each other in a tag match, so 'The Show Off' accepted. Miz then asked Foley to be a part of his team to get pay back on Ziggler, so Mick agreed to put him in the online poll for a chance.
Before R-Truth's match up, US Champion Antonio Cesaro claimed that his opponent at SS has an imaginary friend because he's become a joke and a shadow of his prouder self, much like the US itself.
R-Truth beat Tensai in a fair effort. I can't complain about the match, it wasn't anything that special but it was definitely watchable.
Before Brad Maddox's confrontation with Ryback, an ambulance amusingly pulled up on his way out, along with a few EMT's with a stretcher. I thought this was a nice touch.
Ryback beat Brad Maddox in a passable squash match. I was actually surprised at the result here. I figured it was too obvious, and with Maddox earlier in the night talking to Heyman backstage I thought that he'd have some outside help to get a lucky win and the million dollar contract. Ryback also wasn't done after the bout, as he continued to assault Maddox and literally threw him into the ambulance.
Sheamus defeated David Otunga in a brief one-sided match. Sheamus didn't waste any time as he took out Otunga in an average affair. Afterwards 'The Great White' warned Big Show that he's going to apply the match-finishing Brogue Kick to him come Sunday in their World Title clash. In response Show applied a KO punch to Regal, also warning Sheamus that he's going to end the match with his finishing maneuver.
In another one of their entertaining segments, Daniel Bryan told Kane how upset he was that he was teaming with somebody else instead of him, and that if it'd been the other way around he would've refused. But by the end of the speech Kane had already had enough and left. It was then revealed that Miz had won the online vote and would be a part of Team Foley at Survivor Series.
Kane and The Miz bested Team Rhodes Scholars (Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow) in an enjoyable tag contest. The Miz received a healthy response from the fans after his new face turn, and I agree with the decision. Miz's persona needed a bit of revitalising and I think he can pull it off. The wrestling itself was also solid enough for the most part. A jealous Bryan during the bout attempted to attack Miz but missed, he also went to celebrate with Kane and Miz afterwards but had his loyalty questioned.
John Cena defeated CM Punk in a largely solid and fun main event, and match of the night. Both wrestlers gave good displays here and as usual worked well together. During the contest Punk had enough and attempted to leave, but Ryback was blocking his path so Cena dragged him back to the ring and applied an Attitude Adjustment for the winning pinfall. So at least the champ didn't loose fairly.
After the bell had rung Cena and Ryback once again faced off as they both picked up Punk's WWE Title belt. I'm expecting a fairly decent Triple Threat come Sunday, but hopefully it'll be better than I'm predicting. We'll see.
Overall it was a fair show, with a few enjoyable match ups including a solid eight-man tag and main event. CM Punk's promo on Lawler was the highlight for me, superb work as usual on the mic there. Unfortunately the flawed scandal storyline is still being rammed down our throats, hopefully it'll conclude soon enough.
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