Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Announcers: Michael Cole, Booker T, Jerry Lawler
WWE Tag Team Title Match
Dolph Ziggler/Jack Swagger vs (C)R-Truth/Kofi Kingston
For starters, let me just say that this Raleigh crowd was 100x better than the Greensboro crowd at Raw just two weeks ago. A great crowd can enhance a great show or even carry a poor one. Props to Raleigh for bringing the noise last night and bringing some respect back to North Carolina.
Great opening choice for the ppv. These men treated us to a ppv quality tag team match that helped remind us that the titles actually meant something once upon a time. I am hoping R-Truth and Kofi Kingston find some fresh blood to have matches with, allowing Ziggler to flourish on his own. He is too talented to be stuck in the tag team scene or managed by Abraham Washington.
WWE Divas Title Match
Beth Phoenix vs (C)Layla
Brief “We Want Kharma” chants to start the match. I would love to see a Beth Phoenix/Kharma feud heading into No Way Out or Summerslam. However, right now, we were treated to a very good women’s title match.
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| Yeah, I guess I”m okay with her staying on TV |
When Beth had Layla set up for the Glam Slam, Layla’s reversal was quite the surprise, as I thought it was over. AJ is presumably busy with the Punk/Daniels feud for the time being, but I would like to see Layla develop a new feud, most likely with Natalya (at least until Kharma returns).
World Heavyweight Title Match:
Alberto Del Rio vs. Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton vs. (C)Sheamus
Pre-PPV, I assumed Sheamus would retain, but there were several points in the match when it looked like Del Rio or Jericho would steal a victory with a well timed submission hold. The unpredictability and frantic finish really helped take this match to the next level. Sheamus won, and at this point he should have. This was a very good match and each guy came off looking strong. Couple of interesting notes to the match though:
Sheamus as Champ: He is still a relatively new World Champion and he deserves more time with the belt. However, management has to be somewhat concerned with the reaction he is receiving. Despite being pushed as a heavy face, Sheamus has been receiving a mixed reaction with most crowds. This can be hidden by editing over on the taped Smackdown, but live ppv crowds expose the facade.
Jericho lost his 5th consecutive PPV in a row and it looks like he will be taking some time off soon to tour overseas with his band Fozzy. Hopefully he returns to wrestling when the tour is over. Chris Jericho is still a huge name, great wrestler, and he immediately adds legitimacy to any feud he is in. Jericho’s absence leaves Sheamus to continue to feud primarily with Randy Orton. I could see either Orton/Sheamus at No Way Out or a triple threat match between those two and Del Rio.
The Miz vs. Brodus Clay
The best part of this match was Bodus Clay’s new ring attire: the back of his singlet featured the evil mask from Super Mario Brothers 2 that chased you whenever you picked up a key. Go on, tell me I’m wrong.
The Miz’s de-push continues, as he loses a semi-squash, very typical “Brodus Clay” match. Maybe next time he’ll catch R-Truth instead of letting him fall after a top rope dive.
This match, as well as the Ryback “match” later on were not even advertised for the show. The WWE would be better served eliminating these filler matches, seeing as the bouts with real earning potential don’t even get enough time as is.
WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Christian vs. (C)Cody Rhodes
After winning a “People Power” battle rum… Read more...
