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The Miz informed Paul Heyman that he was quitting CM Punk's Survivor Series team after the WWE Champion had abandoned his team mates on last weeks Raw when Ryback chased him off.
R-Truth, Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio defeated Antonio Cesaro and the Prime Time Players (Darren Young and Titus O'Neil) in a decent enough tag contest. Most of the action was okay but nothing that exceptional. Fortunately Mysterio and Cesaro's nice exchanges brought up the quality of the bout, a singles match between them could be superb.
Vickie Guerrero gave the same speech she's already given reviewing all of the evidence in the Cena AJ Lee scandal. John Cena then came out and things didn't improve. He openly admitted to never learning another wrestling move (way to do your profession proud John) and listed off all the dubious things Vickie has done in her career.
Guerrero then presented new footage of AJ leaving a hotel room and entering another in a dressing gown, then another video of Cena putting a do not disturb sign on his door in a towel. Cena explained that the footage was form two clearly different angles and meant nothing. As Cena and Vickie then urged AJ Lee herself to come out, she appeared on the big screen and said that she wouldn't because she would have to put her hands on Vickie which would result in her loosing her job. Dolph Ziggler then also appeared next to AJ and put his arm around her. This forced Cena to go running after her. It really wasn't a great segment at all, and this storyline is just getting tiring now. The only thing that saved it were the crowd in Birmingham (get in my fellow English fans!), they were enthusiastic throughout.
Paul Heyman urged Wade Barrett to join Punk's SS team, but Barrett refused due to his distrust of Heyman. Wade then had a change of heart and agreed to join, but only on the condition that Heyman owes him one. I'm personally quite glad at the switch between Miz and Barrett, he needs some decent PPV time.
Cody Rhodes bested Daniel Bryan in a far too brief match up. Considering the talent involved I was hoping for them to be allocated more time, but unfortunately not. The action itself was okay, if a little sloppy at moments. Rhodes grabbed the win after Bryan had attacked his tag partner Sandow at ringside with his signature diving attack as retribution for Sandow striking Kane. Rhodes afterwards boasted that his Rhodes Scholars partner could just as easily defeated Kane, so the match was instantly booked for there and then.
Kane beat Damien Sandow in a largely average and unmemorable bout. Again there wasn't so much time for actual wrestling here, as during the match Daniel Bryan and Rhodes began fighting again and were both told to leave by the official. Kane finished off Sandow shortly after with a Choke Slam. Considering it's a three hour show you'd think they wouldn't rush the wrestling so much.
Michael Cole brought out former referee Brad Maddox and asked him why he attacked Ryback at Hell in a Cell and aided CM Punk's title defense. Maddox revealed that he wanted to make a name for himself after years of rejection from trying to make it as a pro wrestler in WWE. So he took out his frustration on Ryback, the typical big guy who he felt had prevented smaller guys like him from making it. It wasn't a bad promo actually, and made sense.
Vince McMahon then also came out and claimed that he felt Maddox was lying and that he was involved with Punk or Heyman somehow. But he agreed to give him a chance at a WWE contract in a match against Ryback on next weeks show. McMahon then also called out Vickie Guerrero and convinced her to change the match already set for Survivor Series and book a Triple Threat between CM Punk, Ryback and Cena for the WWE Title instead. The fans weren't pleased to hear Cena's involvement in the bout, and neither was I.
I've just grown tired of the stale Cena persona, and he very rarely brings real interest to anything nowadays. And what's happened to his feud with Ziggler now? Although that's actually one plus to take from this, a programme with Cena would've only damaged Ziggler's reputation even more.
Sheamus beat The Miz in a decent, if slightly pedestrian at times match up. The action was fine, but there was just that level of interest lacking from the contest. Fair efforts from both men.
Backstage Vickie revealed to Ziggler that he would now be heading Punk's former team at Survivor Series. An angered CM Punk overheard the news, and complained that this was just McMahon getting his own back on him. To try and calm him down Guerrero revealed that she'd also booked him and Ziggler against Ryback and Cena that night. This didn't go down well.
Kaitlyn and Layla defeated Eve and Aksana in a mediocre tag match. The whole contest just felt sub par and pretty drab really, with no outstanding efforts from any of the wrestlers. This was also the first time in the night that the crowd was mostly quiet, and that's with the English Layla involved. Aksana and Kaitlyn also looked quite inexperienced out there, especially Aksana. I know I've asked it before but how is she still under contract?
Kofi Kingston bested Alberto Del Rio in an enjoyable enough outing. Both men went back and fourth and gave worthy displays here. Kofi grabbed a quick roll up pin for the victory after Orton's music had hit which distracted Del Rio. Randy Orton then actually appeared to apply a quick RKO to Alberto. With Kingston's current run and latest push he had to win somehow, it would've been a foolish choice to have him loose.
Santino Marella and Zack Ryder beat Primo and Epico in a fun tag bout. From start to finish I enjoyed this match, especially the solid displays from the underrated Primo and Epico. Nice easy watch.
Wade Barrett defeated Brodus Clay in a passable, if drab at times match up. The action was nothing special to be honest, but I wasn't expecting much here. The fans were happy enough to see one of their own get the win anyway so they weren't too fussed.
Heath Slater beat Jimmy Uso in an average contest. Their efforts weren't bad by any means, but it wasn't a match that'll really draw you in or get you excited. Amusingly there were chants for 3MB during it. I see there are others out there liking this new trio too.
Before the main event CM Punk complained about the Triple Threat Title defense he'll have to enter at Survivor Series, and bragged about being better than everybody else. He also added that he will defende his championship successfully anyway and prove once again that he is indeed "the best in the World!" It was the best promo of the night, although that isn't saying much.
Ryback and John Cena defeated Dolph Ziggler and CM Punk in a solid and entertaining main event, and match of the night. Once again the fans were booing Cena and cheering on his opponents. This was until Ryback entered the match for the final few minutes where he ran through Ziggler and Punk, eventually applying a Shell Shock to pin the WWE Title holder. While there were a few hiccups on Cena's part it was a fun watch and mostly good work from all four men. Afterwards Ryback and Cena stared off for the first time, with the former beginning chants of "Feed me more" to end the show.
Overall it was a pretty average show for me. Most matches were standars but nothing special bar the main event which I liked. The Kingston Del Rio encounter and first match of the night were also enjoyable enough. The only decent promo of the night came from Punk before the main event. The Vince McMahon segment with Vickie (and subsequently the whole AJ Lee/Cena scandal) didn't add anything to the show for me, except frustration that they're not putting together a half decent storyline here instead. At least there was an excited crowd in Birmingham to liven the show.
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