offical wwe thread

WWE Night of Champions PPV Results: 7-26-09

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

Punk slowed things down to start, as he grounded Hardy with a chinlock before ducking a flying cross-body attempt, which sent Hardy skidding across the ring to the floor. Punk wanted a suicide dive, but he missed when Hardy moved. Back in the ring, Hardy wanted a top rope move, but Punk rolled to the floor. Hardy tried to re-adjust, but Punk pulled out the classic Samoa Joe move by casually moving out of the way to allow Hardy to eat the floor. Punk slid back into the ring to request a quick ten count on Hardy, but Hardy made it back in the ring at nine. Punk then applied a bow and arrow submission mid-ring. "An oldie, but a goodie," Ross said. Hardy broke free, then Punk showed fire punching Hardy in the face. Hardy fought back and went into a full comeback.

At 10:00, Punk blocked the Whisper in the Wind by shoving Hardy into the top of the ringpost. Punk then absolutely smashed Hardy in the face with the standard right knee. He did this awesome "oh, did I do that?" look on his face toward the crowd while covering his mouth. Great heelism. Hardy then blocked the follow-up bulldog and hit the Whisper in the Wind. Hardy wanted the Swanton Bomb, but Punk moved. Punk then hit a double underhook butterfly suplex across his knee before slapping on a Dragon Sleeper. Hardy reached the bottom rope for a rope break, though. Punk waited for Hardy to get up, then he nailed kick strikes and slaps, then wanted a spinning back fist, but Hardy ducked and hit the Twist of Fate. Hardy went up top for the Swanton Bomb, but Punk got his knees up to block. Punk tried to quickly score a pin, but Hardy kicked out to a big reaction. Crowd then went back to being quiet. Tough crowd tonight.

Punk wanted a springboard smash, but Hardy moved. Hardy tried the Twist of Fate, but Punk countered with the G2S. Over? No, Hardy kicked out. And a second time. And a third time. Punk super frustrated. Great sequence. Punk then went to the floor and grabbed the World Title belt. He took the title belt and started to walk away as if he was going to quit, but Hardy chased him down. He ran Punk back into the ring and the announcers suggested the ref was lenient with the ten count. Hardy then started beating on Punk with a flurry of offense. Hardy hit the Twist of Fate in the corner. He followed with a top rope Swanton Bomb and covered Punk for the win to re-capture the World Hvt. Title. Afterward, Hardy celebrated in the ring with possession of the title while Punk gathered himself on the floor. End show with Hardy standing tall as champ.

WINNER: Jeff Hardy in 16:00 to capture the World Heavyweight Title. I'm not sure what's the headline coming out of this: Hardy winning the WWE Title, Punk now the best heel in the company, or an awesome main event that helped bolster this overall lackluster PPV. Didn't quite save the PPV, but Hardy and Punk were simply great tonight. Punk was especially on his game with the heelisms, facial expressions, and offensive attacks. (****)

Night of Champions was a good show. Ziggler really impressed tonight. That dropkick counter and gutbuster from the top rope were beautiful. The guy who wrote the report is deaf. There was a faint "let's go ziggler" chant during the punch exchange.

Punk finally goes full heel and they make him drop the belt? Who the hell booked this shit? The match was great but the finish pissed me off.

On that note, HHH using the sharpshooter pissed me off as well

Just got back from the show and the crowd was pretty much dead for the undercard matches...

The dark match before the show had Cryme time beating the Hart Dynasty

while some of the matches were good like Cena/HH/ Orton and Hardy/Punk,
I took a pole and the people in our club box found the Melina/McCool to the the best of the night...
we all enjoyed the opening of the match
Everyone had seen too much of the same other matches in the last few months

They'll be back in Philly 11/17 for smackdown

WWE RAW Results: 7-27-09

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

1 -- MARK HENRY vs. CARLITO -- Beat the Clock challenge match

Carlito bailed to the outside a few times early on to stretch Henry's time out. Henry finally chased down Carlito and overhead pressed him back into the ring for a two count. Carlito then fired off attempted right hands, but Henry shook him off and delivered a hard clothesline for a two count. Henry slowly ran into Carlito for a big corner splash at 3:15, then wanted a cover, but Carlito's arm was under the bottom rope. Henry then wanted a big butt bomb splash, but Carlito moved to buy more time. Carlito then sat on Henry's back with a rear naked choke, but Henry powered out to his feet. Match really dragged on here before Henry caught Carlito mid-air, only to have Carlito escape. He wanted a backstabber, but Henry easily blocked. Henry then walked into a jawbreaker, but he caught Carlito running off the ropes for the World's Strongest Slam. Henry made the pin for the win.

WINNER: Henry at 6:49. Gosh, that dragged so that Henry could set a near-seven minute pace. At least it made Carlito look half-way credible with him putting up a good fight in the match. (*)

2 -- Divas champion MICKIE JAMES & KELLY KELLY & GAIL KIM vs. BETH PHOENIX & ROSA MENDES & ROSA MENDES

Beth's heel trio worked over Gail Kim before Mickie took a hot tag. Mickie cleaned house, then tried a DDT on Alicia Fox, but Alicia blocked. Gail then tagged herself into the match and hit a missile dropkick on Alicia. Kelly cleared out the heels as Gail made the cover for the pin and the win. Everyone feel good. Babyface trio celebrated mid-ring to end the segment.

WINNERS: Team Mickie at 3:55. Fine divas match. Didn't really set up anything going forward or follow-up anything from last night, but perhaps they're going to go with Mickie vs. Gail in a title match program. We'll see. (*)

3 -- MVP vs. CHRIS MASTERS -- Beat the Clock challenge match

Masters was on the offensive early on, but MVP nailed a clothesline to cut off Masters's momentum. MVP landed right hand blows in the corner before missing with a running boot. Masters teased the Masterlock a second time, but MVP blocked for a two count.

MVP exploded off the ropes with a big clothesline, then he checked the clock and made a cover. The action spilled to the floor where Masters slapped the Masterlock on MVP. MVP couldn't break free and the ref reached a ten count, making it a double count-out. MVP didn't Beat the Clock, so Henry still has the time to beat. MVP wasn't pleased post-match, while Masters walked off content with himself.

WINNER: Double Count-out at 3:39. Masters looked good in his return, but it's been a few years, so the WWE fans didn't exactly gravitate toward the surprise return of a mid-carder. WWE fans also don't have a very long memory. Meanwhile, MVP stuck going nowhere on Raw. (*)

4 -- U.S. champion KOFI KINGSTON vs. THE BRIAN KENDRICK -- non-title match

Ref had enough of TBK and just called for the bell with TBK mid-sentence. Kofi then blasted TBK in the head with the Trouble in Paradise buzzsaw kick. Kofi with the pin and the win. Lawler with a good laugh at the expense of TBK's trouble.

WINNER: Kingston at 0:09. There's your probable Place Your Bets (2) victory this week. TBK the current mid-card heel with zero credibility getting paid to get beat up. Always need one of those on Raw. (n/a)

5 -- TRIPLE H vs. CODY RHODES -- Beat the Clock challenge match

Bell sounded and Cody danced around Hunter to make Hunter walk a little bit on the knee. Nice feeling out process to start this off. Hunter then settled into a series of headlocks to ground Cody and "buy some time" for his knee to heal up. Cody escaped, then rammed Hunter into the ringpost and wrapped his knee around the post. Hunter tried to fight back while hobbling on one knee. Crowd behind Hunter, who then walked into a drop toe hold. Cody back on the offensive. Cody with a spinning toe hold, then Hunter booted him in the face to escape. Cody cut Hunter off, though, with a dropkick to the knee before going back on the attack. Cody impressive here.

Down to 1:45 on the clock and Cody slapped on the figure four leglock. "Whoos" from the crowd as Hunter teased a tap out. He made record time reversing the pressure, but dropped the hold and Cody went back to the knee. Hunter kicked him away into the ringpost, though. Hunter then ran into a big clothesline from Cody. Hunter tried to make a wobbly-knee comeback at 0:45, then he dropped Cody with a spinebuster. Suddenly, Ted DiBiase showed up on the ring apron and dared Hunter to hit him. Take a blow, Hunter! Get yourself DQ'ed! Hunter thought it over for a while, checked the clock, then shoved Cody into Ted to bump him off the apron. Hunter then grappled Cody for the Pedigree and connected. Time expired, though. Hunter was exasperated. Lilian announced ominously that Hunter failed to beat the time. Cody and Ted then celebrated on the floor while WWE stayed with the shot of Hunter frustrated in the ring.

WINNER: Time expired at 6:49. I thought Cody really benefited from this and was elevated, even if he had help from DiBiase pre-match. Cody worked a smart match and WWE booked him to "hold his own" against SuperHunter. Good drama at the end to take advantage of the gimmick. (**)

6 -- HORNSWOGGLE vs. CHAVO -- Blindfold match for Chavo

Bell sounded and Chavo slowly walked around the ring before Hornswoggle kicked him in the back of the leg. He then knocked Chavo to the floor. Chavo crawled back into the ring and tried to charge Horny, but Chavo ate the turnbuckle. As usual, Chavo finally got Horny in jeopardy, then Chavo accidentally speared the ref. Chavo felt him around, then Horny tried a small package, but Chavo kicked out. Horny followed with a bulldog for a two count. Chavo then cheated by sneaking a peek to land a dropkick on Horny. Chavo felt up Horny trying to find him for a pin, then Horny sold he was dead. Chavo slowly - and this took forever - went up top for a frogsplash while Hornswoggle stood on the apron laughing. Chavo then came off the top and airballed a frogsplash. Horny laughed, then went up top and hit the tadpole splash for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Hornswoggle at 3:36. Just a fill-in-the-gap gimmick match to continue the running gag against the Guerrero family. They stretched Santino(a) forever. Now, it's the Horny-Chavo program. Match was at least half-way fun and entertaining even if it was a waste of time. (n/a)

7 -- JACK SWAGGER vs. EVAN BOURNE -- Beat the Clock challenge match

Swagger tried to run at Bourne early on, but Bourne ran away, using his speed. Swagger finally got hold of Bourne and lifted him in the air, but Bourne nailed him with a dropkick. Bourne then landed a running head scissors, but Swagger pounded him to the mat with clubbing forearms to the back. Swagger followed with a wheelbarrow into a German suplex for a two count. Swagger followe with a vertical suplex for another two count. Bourne then hit a spinning kick to the gut and teased the Shooting Star Press, but Swagger press slammed him across the ring. Swagger followed with a nice running Vader Bomb for a two count. Swagger wanted the Gutwrench Powerbomb, but Bourne countered and shocked him with an inside cradle to score a three count for the win. Bourne celebrated on the floor to escape Swagger, who sold frustration and anger.

WINNER: Bourne at 3:40. Swagger still in a position to be lost in the shuffle after losing the match, but Bourne benefited from the win. Not sure if it will lead to anything of merit leading to Summerslam, but we'll see. Crowd still warming up to the younger stars who haven't been on Raw for a while. (*1/2)

8 -- JOHN CENA vs. THE MIZ -- Beat the Clock challenge match

Bell sounded and Miz ran out of the ring to make Cena sweat. Ref started a ten count and Miz checked the clock a few times. Cena was content with Miz just chilling on the outside so he could win, then Miz hit the ring and Cena started beating him up. Cena tried a small package, but Miz kicked out. Miz stalled on the floor again, but Cena caught him with a clothesline. They cut to a shot of Mark Henry watching on a backstage monitor. Miz then scored a nearfall and went to work on Cena as they showed Orton watching intently. Match moved to the floor where Miz chucked Cena into the ring steps.

Cena sold that he was KO'ed and the ref stared a ten count. Cena still KO'ed and lifeless at seven. Cena up at nine, then he jumped into the ring. Good thrill for the crowd. Back to action where Miz tied up Cena in the ropes and did "You Can't See Me." Miz taunted Cena, then Cena busted out of the ropes and stormed at Miz for a drop toe hold into the STF. Miz fought it for about five seconds, then he tapped out, giving Cena the win.

Post-match: Randy Orton slithered into the ring and stared down Cena, who pointed to himself and said he's the man for Summerslam. Orton then held up his WWE Title belt and Cena smiled before his music hit and he celebrated.

WINNER: Cena at 4:30 to become #1 contender to the WWE Title. Again, Miz loses clean to Cena. This one didn't seem as bad as the previous two with Miz having a few legit nearfalls on Cena, but it was typical SuperCena overcoming Miz at the end of the day. So, once again, we have Orton vs. Cena in a WWE Title match. Rinse. Repeat. (*1/2)

9 -- Unified tag champions CHRIS JERICHO & BIG SHOW vs. CRYME TYME (SHAD GASPAR & JTG) -- non-title match

Big Show and Jericho worked over JTG early on while Shaq and Shad tried to shout encouragement. Show then tossed JTG aside and pointed a finger toward Shaq, who grimaced toward him from the outside. Show then blasted JTG with a spear mid-ring and JTG rolled to the outside to sell pain. Show then palmed JTG by the head back into the ring before landing a clubbing chop across the chest. Jericho came in and JTG teased a tag, but Jericho cut him off. Shaq then helped Shad take a hot tag to attack Jericho. Shad press-slammed Jericho then did a "Money Money Yeah Yeah" elbow drop. Jericho suddenly wanted the Walls of Jericho, but Shad flung him away. Shaq teased involvement, which Jericho took exception too. JTG blind-tagged into the match and Cryme Tyme hit a double team move, but Big Show broke up a pin. Action broke down and the ref called for the bell, DQ'ing Jericho and Big Show.

WINNERS: Cryme Tyme via DQ at 6:41. Okay gimmick tag match without a PPV to hype right now. Post-match was the story, though, with Shaq vs. Show. ... (*)

Post-match: Show wanted a double chokeslam on Cryme Tyme and he stared down Shaq. He then threw CT down instead of delivering the chokeslam and told Shaq to get in the ring. Shaq ripped off his ref t-shirt and stepped in the ring to confront Show face-to-face. Show with a light shove. Shaq with a heavy shove. Show rubbed his nose and smiled. Shaq smiled. Show teased a chokeslam, but Shaq grabbed him by the throat. Double chokeslam tease. Test of Strength. This is going on ESPN for sure. JTG and Shad then kicked Show with a cheap shot and Shaq clotheslined Show into the ropes to the outside. Shaq needed an assist from CT? Not very tough or babyfaceish. They have Shaq vs. Show ready to order for Summerslam if they want it. Shaq stood tall center-ring. Cole: "What a Shaqtacular night." Lawler: "Oh, please." Thanks, Jerry. Shaq and CT then stood tall center ring and Shaq talked trash to Show, who recovered on the outside with Jericho. One last plug for Jeremy Piven hosting Raw next week. Shaq then ran out of the ring and ran up the ramp to chase away Show and Jericho to close the show about 13 minutes past the top of the hour.

ECW on SyFy Results: 7-28-09

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

1 -- TYLER REKS vs. PAUL BURCHILL (w/Katie Lea)

Reks was in control early, but Burchill grabbed control and took the offensive working a typical Burchill match. Power offense. Power holds. Strikes. Blows. Aggressive look on his face. Reks made a comeback, then avoided a corner smash on the ring apron and sent Burchill back into the middle of the ring a bit dazed. Reks then came off the apron with a springboard missile dropkick on Burchill. Reks with the pin for the win.

WINNER: Reks in 5:00. Standard TV match. Burchill continues to lose matches. Reks on the rise. (*)

2 -- VLADIMIR KOZLOV vs. BILL BAINE

Matt Striker let us know that Baine is a minor league ballplayer. Cue up an old-school Orioles reference from Striker to see if he has any Eddie Murray in him tonight. Bell sounded and Kozlov kicked him in the gut. Baine didn't see it coming, then Kozlov pounded him in the gut with jabs and kicks. He finally finished him off with the Iron Curtain for the easy win.

Post-match: Ezekiel Jackson's music hit and Zeke came out ready to dominate. He wanted a piece of the dead meat too. Kozlov stared him down for meddling in his business. Zeke then picked up the left-over scraps and nailed a lift-up Rock Bottom. Ezekiel then left the ring after giving Kozlov a receipt from last week when Kozlov pulled the same trick.

WINNER: Kozlov in 1:00. Week 2 of the program continues. We'll see where this leads. Frustrating trying to analyze these first two matches because they just seem like filler without anything on the line. WWE doesn't establish a "quest for a title" or a money purse or attach any sense of value to these matches, so they're just there. (n/a)

3 -- SHEAMUS vs. GOLDUST

Sheamus wanted to slow things down early on. He put Goldust on the mat and landed three consecutive elbow smashes for a two count. Goldust made a comeback and wanted the Curtain Call, but Sheamus shoved him away and nailed a kick to the face. Sheamus followed with a Rock Bottom backbreaker across his knee for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Sheamus in 5:00. Another basic TV match to establish new talent. Just not much to analyze here. All of the little things that go into building a house are important, but aren't that sexy; people just want to see the finished house product. (*)

4 -- ECW champion CHRISTIAN vs. ZACK RYDER -- non-title match

The match was joined in progress with Ryder on the defensive against an aggressive Christian. Very even match-up to start before Christian wore down Ryder with a series of armbars. Christian sent Ryder to the middle rope, then stood on his back. He followed with a hard running clothesline in the corner to continue being the aggressor. Christian tried to run Ryder into the opposite corner, but Ryder reversed and whipped Christian into the turnbuckle. "C'mon, bro, you ain't nothing," Ryder shouted. Christian took umbrage and came back with a springboard sunset flip out of the corner for a two count. Ryder and Christian battled to the apron, then to the floor with Christian winning the mini-battle with a plancha. Both men recovered on the outside going to break.

Right back from break, Ryder shoved Christian off the top turnbuckle to the floor. Ryder tried to get a count-out, but Christian made it back into the ring. Ryder went to work on Christian's gut with mat holds including a body scissors. The action moved up top where Ryder nailed a nice superplex. Move took the steam out of both men, then Ryder made a cover after a delay for a two count.

Ryder went back to work on the mid-section at the top of the hour. Ryder wanted another superplex, but Christian shoved him to the mat and landed a cross-body block for a nearfall. Striker put over Ryder for proving he's in Christian's league thus far as they reached crunch time of the match. Christian landed a flying forearm before hitting a fallaway reverse DDT for a two count. Christian followed with a dropkick from the second rope, then the top rope. Both men winded as Ryder blocked a corner DDT and dropped Christian across the top rope. Ryder followed with a leg whip for another close call. Striker said he's rooting for Zack Ryder. Christian then scored with a Tornado DDT after a second try and scored another two count.

At 15:00, Ryder blocked a corner charge, then wanted the Zack Attack, but Christian blocked and hit the pendulum kick. Christian followed with a D.J. Gabriel European Uppercut from the second rope. He then dropped Ryder with the Killswitch and made the cover for the win. Post-match: Striker continued to put over Ryder for putting up a good fight against the ECW champion. They showed high points of the match, then cut to a shot of Christian celebrating with the ECW Title belt to close the show.

WINNER: Christian in 16:00. Really nice singles match. The slow, methodical pace didn't take away from the match, but rather allowed the key elements of the match to stand out including Ryder standing tall throughout, taking Christian's offense, dishing out his own offense, and Striker putting over Ryder lasting a while against the champ. Ryder needs to be in that main event picture. I don't think he lost much from taking a clean loss, but rather benefited from being in this position with so much time invested in his character tonight. (**1/2)

WWE Superstars Results: 7-30-09

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

1 -- JOHN MORRISON vs. TYSON KIDD (w/D.H. Smith and Natalya)

Nice, steady pace to start things off. So refreshing to listen to Jim Ross setting the table for the match. He gave us some elements of Morrison spending more time out of the ring working on his mat-based game to balance his aerial attack while Kidd is continuing to hone his mat skills from the Hart Dungeon. Morrison broke the slower pace with a nice flurry before a Shawn Michaels-esque kip up led to a spinning leg drop for a two count. Match moved to the ring apron where Kidd nailed a high-impact neckbreaker across the apron. Safe move that looked painful. Well done. Back in the ring, Kidd went to work on the neck with a chinlock. Kidd then discarded Morrison to the outside and held off the ref to give Smith an opening to blast J-Mo on the floor. Morrison in trouble heading to break.

"Ask him, ref, ask him!" Kidd greeted us back from break with a reverse chinlock on Morrison. Morrison broke free with a fallaway back drop and 7-Eleven sponsored the replay. Get a Slurpee! Morrison then went aerial on his comeback with a Pele soccer kick and leg whip lariat for a two count. Kidd came back with a kick strike, but Morrison ran him over near the ropes and took Kidd to the floor. Morrison teased a top rope move, but Smith and Natalya shielded Kidd. Ref had enough of HD and gave 'em a ticket to the back. Morrison then blasted Kidd with a sweet corkscrew splash on the floor.

Back in the ring, Morrison wanted the Moonlight Drive, but Kidd countered and went back on the attack. They had a pin exchange before Kidd nailed a double foot dropkick to the side of the head for a close count. Morrison then rolled through on a sunset flip attempt and smashed Kidd in the face with a kick strike. Morrison paused in the corner to build anticipation, then he hit the Starship Pain corkscrew moonsault for the pin and the win. Ross hyped Hardy vs. Morrison for Smackdown tomorrow night. Combine a high-energy finish with Ross's textbook sales pitch and I think people would pay money for Friday night to get here already. Morrison got his shine post-match as Ross and Grisham continued to hype the World Title match tomorrow night.

WINNER: Morrison in 13:00. Always a good thing to get that "please don't let this match end" feeling. WWE delivered that with all four matches in the recent Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho series. This one had it too. Morrison was great getting the crowd behind him, Kidd was great cutting off Morrison's comebacks, and they had a nice finish that could have been stretched another two minutes to really have a memorable match. (***1/4)

2 -- WILLIAM REGAL vs. YOSHI TATSU

Match moved to the floor early on where Regal smashed Yoshi into the ring apron. Ref Robinson started a ten count and Yoshi made it back in at six, only to be greeted by a series of stomps from Regal. Regal with an exploder suplex before settling into a Million Dollar Dream. Yoshi escaped, then landed a kick strike, but Regal ducked a slap and executed a brainbuster out of the butterfly suplex position. Nice. Yoshi then fired himself up and nailed a Waltman-like spin kick for a two count. Yoshi corner mounted Regal for consecutive chops, but Regal pushed him down. He then landed the running knee strike on a stunned Yoshi, who spun around and fell to the mat. Regal with the pin for the win, giving Yoshi his first WWE TV loss.

WINNER: Regal in 4:00. Quick-paced, aggressive TV match. The series is 1-1 setting up a little rubber match on a future episode of ECW TV. Basic wrestling program to build up Yoshi, give him something to work with, and give Regal a purpose on the ECW brand right now. (*1/4)

3 -- WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. PRIMO COLON -- non-title match

Orton with a one-up, then he stared a hole through Primo with his sinister eyes. Primo then surprised Orton with a series of deep arm drags that flustered Orton and sent him rolling to the outside to collect himself. Back in the ring, Orton landed clubbing blows on Primo, who came back with a series of dropkicks. Primo missed a third, then rolled to the outside. Odd edit. They cut to break with Orton in control.

They came back with Orton in control "sending a message" to John Cena by stomping and pounding on Carlito. Cole sold the Summerslam re-match of the re-match of the re-match of Orton vs. Cena as the "renewal of a personal feud." Announcers also talked about Orton having something to prove to "critics" who say Orton isn't capable of keeping the WWE Title without help from DiBiase and Rhodes. Orton continued his methodical attack, but walked into a side Russian legsweep. Primo followed with a running European uppercut into a dropkick. Building momentum. Primo then went up top and hit a missile dropkick for a close two count. He got his close-call, then Orton ducked a springboard splash and started to stalk Primo. Orton nailed the RKO without a counter to actually get the move over since he hardly ever hits the move when he telegraphs it ahead of time. Orton with the pin for the win. They closed the show with Orton walking out of the ring with some measure of confidence away from Raw when he's routinely booked to be back-pedaling away from competition, namely Triple H, John Cena, celebrity guest hosts, or anyone with a pulse.

WINNER: Orton in 10:00. Good TV main event. Primo benefited from working with the champ (albeit not a credible champ right now) and having some close nearfalls after showcasing his offense. Orton just needed to look credible. They have to start somewhere building to Orton-Cena at Summerslam. (*3/4)

From WWE.com:

World Wrestling Entertainment has come to terms on the release of Raw Superstar Brian Kendrick as of today, July 30, 2009. WWE wishes Brian the best in all future endeavors.

TNA Impact! Results: 7-30-09

Results courtesy of ProWrestling.net (direct link to Twilling's complete report).. Condensed here to in-ring results only.

1. Hernandez defeated Samoa Joe (with Taz) in 4:31. Hernandez impressed early with a delayed vertical suplex. Both men traded power moves and before Hernandez grabbed the advantage. Joe fought back and attempted a superplex. Hernandez pushed him off and hit a top rope splash for the clean win...

After the match, Taz and Joe were steaming as JB interviewed Hernandez on the floor. Hernandez said he was back, he was healthy, and he would become the first Latino TNA World Heavyweight Champion...

Twill's Two Cents: Wow; surprising finish. I wasn't thrilled with Joe losing an opening match on Impact, but I love that Hernandez got this win. That is the thing; Joe is not any less important because of Hernandez defeating him and Hernandez is elevated severely.

2. A.J. Styles defeated Matt Morgan in the first match of a best of three series in 5:46. Tenay announced a Steel Asylum match at Hard Justice to determine the number one contender for the X Division Championship. Morgan dominated with his power in the first few minutes. Morgan applied what looked like a reverse chokeslam and threw him into the corner for a two count.

Morgan crotched himself on the top rope. Styles hit two dropkicks to take Morgan off his feet. He hit the springboard flying forearm for a two count. Styles countered a side suplex with the Pele. He hit a springboard 450 halfway across the ring for the win...

Twill's Two Cents: Typical power vs. speed match between these two. The finish with Styles was amazing. As good as he is, he always seems to impress.

3. Awesome Kong (with Raisha Saeed), ODB (with Cody Deaner) and Tara defeated The Beautiful People (Velvet Sky, Madison Rayne, and TNA Knockout Champion Angelina Love) in 10:06. Tara and Angelina began the match. Angelina enjoyed an early advantage but Tara hit a powerslam for a nearfall. TBP broke up the pinfall and chaos ensued. ODB tagged in and dominated Madison Rayne...

Back from commercial, Kong tagged in and Tara gave her a dirty look. Kong decided to beat the shit out of Tara and they fought to the back. A shot of the Motor City Machine Guns in the crowd was shown. They had signs that said, "Conspiracy Theory" and "Yes, we work here." ...

Twill's Two Cents: Glad to see the Guns again and I hope this leads to big things for them.

4. The British Invasion defeated Team 3D in a tables match to win the New Japan Tag Team Titles in 9:35. The match started with Team 3D hitting the ring and beating up all five guys...

Back from commercial, Doug Williams was working on Brother Ray outside of the ring and Brutus Magnus and Brother Devon fought into the crowd. Ray finally got Williams back into the ring. Everyone tried to interfere but Ray hit bionic elbows on all of them.

Devon grabbed a table and rolled it into the ring. The Invasion came back and suplexed Ray, but Devon moved the table out of the way. Dave Hebner took a ref bump. Rob Terry came in and took out Team 3D. Devon powerbombed Magnus through a table, but Young hit Devon with a belt and set up him as if he went through the table. The referee saw it and rang the bell...

Twill's Two Cents: Ugh. What was that? Six on two? Anyway, fun brawl I guess that ended predictably after the ref bump. With a six on two advantage, the Invasion should not have needed a ref bump and screwy finish to get the win.

5. Mick Foley and Bobby Lashley defeated Kurt Angle and Kevin Nash when Foley pinned Nash to win the TNA Legends Title in 6:31. The match started as a handicapped match as Foley gutted out the attack and took what Nash and Angle had to offer.

The extra fifteen minutes began with Foley hitting a double arm DDT on Angle and following up with a mandible claw. Nash hit a big boot and Angle locked in the ankle lock. The lights went out and Sting's music hit. When the lights came back on, Sting was in the crowd pointing at Angle and Nash with his bat.

The lights went out again and when they came back on, Lashley was in the ring with a wrap around his head. Lashley took out Angle and Nash at the same time. He hit a spear on Nash and Foley pinned him to win the Legends Title.

Twill's Two Cents: When the lights went out, Angle was the legal man and Foley pinned Nash, so don't be surprised to see that pointed out next week. Average match on an average show. Hernandez beating Joe was the highlight of the show for me.

WWE Smackdown Results: 7-31-09

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

1 -- CRYME TYME (SHAD GASPAR & JTG) vs. HART DYNASTY (TYSON KIDD & D.H. SMITH w/Natalya) -- #1 contender match to Unified tag titles

Shad ran over Smith in the early going and Smith sold a head injury. Kidd then blind-tagged himself into the match and chop-blocked Shad from behind to take his knee out. Kidd started screaming as he worked over Shad's left knee. Kidd then knocked Shad to the outside and Smith did some heavy lifting behind the ref's back leading to a break. CT in trouble...so it seems.

Hart Dynasty continued to work over Shad, then JTG took a red-hot tag and cleaned house. JTG hit a leaping leg lariat from the second rope on Kidd, the legal man, but Kidd kicked out. Kidd then cut JTG off and nailed a springboard blockbuster for a close count. JTG tried to come back with a sunset flip, but Kidd kicked out. Nice exchange, then the action broke down. Men everywhere as Shad, the big man, took out Smith, the big man. Back in the ring, JTG tried to steal a win with a hook of the tights on Kidd, but Kidd kicked out. JTG then hit a wrap-his-forearms-around-the-neck-and-slam-the-opponent Shout-Out for the pin and the win. JTG and Shad then celebrated the win with JTG as they realized their good fortune of a title match.,

WINNERS: Cryme Tyme in 8:00. Good tag match with a very nice finish focused on JTG vs. Tyson Kidd. I'd like to see a one-on-one between them down the road. Nice, high-energy tag match with something on the line. (**)

2 -- Women's champion MICHELLE McCOOL & LAYLA vs. MELINA & EVE TORRES

McCool and Melina had a solid singles match at the PPV, so they picked up the feud with the supporting cast in the Women's division. Back and forth action to start, then Melina took a hot tag and the action broke down. McCool then blasted the crap out of Melina with a kick to the face. She took a legal tag, then slid into the ring and wanted a Widow's Peak-like "Faith Breaker" on Melina, but Melina countered in mid-air with the Canadian Destroyer for the pin and the win. Great counter.

WINNERS: Melina & Eve in 4:00. Story here was Melina scoring a pin over the champ to continue the feud. Fine, high-energy match that carried over from the Melina-McCool singles match at the PPV. (*)

3 -- IC champ REY MYSTERIO & FINLAY vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER & MIKE KNOX

Knox tried to show off his power early on with a powerbomb on Rey, but Rey blocked and teased the 619. Knox avoided it, but Rey landed an enziguiri kick instead. Finlay then tagged in and gave Knox the Rolling Hills drop for a two count. Why doesn't anyone just pull his beard into submission? Is there a code of honor against using facial hair as a weapon? Anyways, Knox took out Finlay's knee and began working him over. Dolph then tagged in and got some of Finlay's knee and leg. Knox then knocked Rey off the apron, rekindling those warm and fuzzy ... and perhaps gassy feelings from the Rey-Knox feud on Raw. Finlay continued to tease a hot tag to Rey, but Knox kept cutting him off. Dolph took a tag, then missed with a corner splash on Finlay allowing Rey to get a tag.

Rey quickly dialed up 619 for a smash on Dolph. He followed with the trademark springboard splash for the apparent pin, but Knox yanked Rey to the floor to break up the pin. Finlay took Knox out, then Dolph tried to take Finlay out, but Rey snuck in the back door and grappled Dolph from behind. He rolled him up and scored a pin with Dolph nearly in the ropes. Looked like Dolph "broke the plane" of the bottom rope, but ref allowed the pin to be counted for the win.

WINNERS: Mysterio & Finlay in 10:00. Another good, high-energy tag match on the show. Would have liked to have seen Dolph get a chance to stand tall and not take "The Miz treatment" from Miz's program against John Cena, but this was about giving the fans a "feel good" moment with Rey and Finlay winning. (*1/2)

4 -- GREAT KHALI (w/Runjin Singh) vs. CHARLIE HAAS

A little buffer match action before the main event tonight. Khali methodically picked apart Haas before telling Haas to get up on his feet. Haas obliged and took The Chop to the head. Khali told Haas to get up again. Haas was ready to be finished, but Kane suddenly showed up in the ring, then ran away when Khali approached him. Kane took Singh hostage on the floor and dragged him up the rampway. Khali "gave chase" as only Khali can do, then Kane dropped Singh and walked away. Khali leaned down to check on Singh while staring back at Kane. End segment.

WINNER: No Decision in 2:00. Just a continuation of the Khali vs. Kane feud. Looks like a Summerslam match is on the horizon, or perhaps just a Smackdown TV "main event" leading to Summerslam. WWE should book a sumo wrestling match or test-of-strength or arm-wrestling contest or some gimmick match that takes advantage of their size as a spectacle without having to wrestle a long, drawn-out regular wrestling match. (n/a)

5 -- World Hvt. champion JEFF HARDY vs. JOHN MORRISON -- World Hvt. Title match

Jim Ross referenced "Superstar" Billy Graham's famous 1977 WWWF Title victory over Bruno Sammartino in Baltimore that ended Bruno's three-and-a-half-year reign to set the stage for tonight's match. Morrison started aggressively with a flurry of offense to take it to the champ. He then slingshot Hardy over the top rope to the floor. Nice move. Morrison teased a springboard dive on the floor, but Hardy moved out of the way. Morrison waited, then nailed a sweet springboard moonsault onto Hardy on the floor. Awesome move. They cut to break with Morrison in control.

They returned with Morrison still in control. This time, he was in the ring with a headlock on Hardy to work him over on the mat. On cue, WWE replayed the sweet moonsault leading into the commercial break. Hardy broke free of the headlock and teased a Twist of Fate, but Morrison countered by sling shotting Hardy throat-first across the top rope. Morrison teased the Starship Pain finisher, but Hardy moved and hit the Whisper in the Wind for a two count. Nice exchange. Both men recovered on the mat, then Hardy settled into a reverse chinlock. Ross told us some stories about two-out-of-three fall matches back in the day that gave some wiggle room to make a mistake. He nicely contrasted that to there being no room for error in a one-fall match with a major title on the line, meaning every move is important. Morrison made a comeback and nailed a standing moonsault for a two count. Morrison and Hardy then punched each other simultaneously in the corner and both men crashed down to the floor. Both men in jeopardy going to break.

At 15:00, they returned with Morrison and Hardy exchanging control. Hardy landed a signature double-foot dropkick for a two count, then he wiped his hair back and thought about his next move. Hardy took Morrison to the floor and whipped him back-first into the guardrail. Hardy then ran off the ring steps and nailed a leg lariat that left both men KO'ed on the floor. Back in the ring, Hardy wanted the Whisper in the Wind, but Morrison ducked and smashed Hardy in the face with a running knee strike. He only scored a close two count, though. Morrison then wanted a springboard smash, but Hardy ducked. Morrison followed with a leaping leg lariat for another two count. Morrison so athletic. It's just ridiculous. Morrison then crotched Hardy across the top rope and landed a springboard enziguiri kick. The flying chuck had Hardy KO'ed, but Hardy kicked out just before three.

At 20:00, Hardy came back with a faceplant suplex. He then went up top and teased the Swanton Bomb and connected. Hardy needed some extra time to make the cover, though, and Morrison kicked out in a shock to the crowd. "Oh my!" Ross exclaimed. Grisham hyped Morrison's resilience in the biggest match of his career. Hardy then tried his lift-up dropkick out of the corner, but Morrison kicked him in the gut to block. Morrison wanted to follow with the Starship Pain, but Hardy got the knees up to block. Hardy hit the Twist of Fate, then went up top. He wanted the Swanton Bomb and connected again. Hardy didn't hesitate and made the cover for the win.

WINNER: Hardy in 24:00 to retain the World Hvt. Title. What a match. Dang, that was awesome. What stood out? Morrison's athleticism, Hardy scoring the win, and the crowd almost itching for a title change, but still very satisfied with Hardy winning. Roles reversed from when the crowd was itching for Hardy to win over Punk. Overall, match was a clear contender for Match of the Month. Just great athleticism from two of WWE's top stars. Morrison has arrived as a main eventer if he hadn't already. (****)

Post-match: C.M. Punk's music hit and Hardy rolled his eyes. Punk half-congratulated Morrison as he left up the ramp, then hit the ring. Punk raised Hardy's hand in victory twice and sold love for Hardy after his victory. Punk took the mic, checked it for sound, then started a gracious promo toward Hardy. Suddenly, he snapped on Hardy and smashed him in the head with the mic. Here's your full-fledged heel turn for Punk, who took Hardy to the outside and beat the crap out of him. Right hand blow after right hand blow.

Punk stopped his attack, then took off his t-shirt and started to walk away. Punk then decided he hadn't given Hardy enough of a hard time, so he ran back to the announce table area and punched Hardy some more. He flung him over the table to Ross and Grisham's feet and they cut to a crowd shot of some not-so-pleased fans expressing their dismay. Punk, finally satisfied, walked up the ramp to the back. Medics and Ross checked on Hardy, who was pulling a George Costanza taking a nap under the desk. Punk took the mic at the top of the ramp and, with self-satisfaction, said he's getting his title re-match on Smackdown next week. They replayed the post-match attack as Grisham talked about Punk "showing his true colors" tonight. End show with Punk standing tall going into next week's title match.

WWE Women's champion Michelle McCool appeared to suffer a leg injury at a Smackdown/ECW house show in Hampton Beach, N.H. on Friday night.

McCool was in a singles match against Eve that was cut short after the apparent injury.

Torch reader Sam reports from the WWE house show: "McCool was knocked out of the ring by Eve, and was unable to get up. She was deemed unable to continue, and the match was ended early. She was helped out of the arena by an EMT, apparently having injured her right leg."

WWE RAW Results: 8-3-09

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

1 -- EVAN BOURNE vs. JACK SWAGGER

Bourne used his quickness to avoid Swagger's power offense early on, but Swagger blocked a standing moonsault with knees to the gut. He then followed up with a gut wrench powerbomb for the decisive pin and the win. After the match, Swagger delivered two running Vader Bombs out of the corner. He was going to give Bourne another gutwrench, but MVP hit the ring in street clothes to clear out Swagger. MVP stood over Bourne as Swagger quietly left the ring confident in his work tonight.

WINNER: Swagger at 2:10. Pretty much a wash after last week. Just doesn't make any sense. Bourne with an upset last week, now a chump this week. Swagger a chump last week, now a big bully this week. Self-defeating booking. And with no pre-match build for a second "Raw dream match" between Bourne and Swagger, the program doesn't have any steam. Incompetent booking. (*)

2 -- Divas champion MICKIE JAMES & GAIL KIM vs. JILLIAN HALL & BETH PHOENIX

Gail started things off, but Mickie quickly tagged in and took a beating from Beth. Beth and Jillian worked Mickie over for a while, then Mickie escaped with a head scissors and hot-tagged Gail. Beth then blind-sided Gail after taking a tag that Gail didn't see. Beth then delivered the double chickenwing facebuster on Gail and scored a pin for the win as Mickie was apparently occupied elsewhere.

WINNERS: Beth & Jillian at 3:25. Just a re-building effort for Beth after being off TV for a while. They didn't tease any dissension between Gail and Mickie after they seemed to be going there last week. (*)

3 -- TRIPLE H vs. CODY RHODES & TED DIBIASE, JR. -- handicap match

Match started with Cody and Hunter going at it with Hunter taking the upperhand. DiBiase tagged in, nearly took the Pedigree, then was clotheslined over the top rope to the floor. On cue, DiBiase took a clothesline to the floor. Imagine that, Hunter standing tall going to break. This has been such a bad show thus far that I'm not in the mood for SuperHunter tonight.

Cody had Hunter in a headlock coming out of the break. During the break, DiBiase slingshot Hunter across the top rope to get the advantage for Legacy. Cody and Ted continued to work over Hunter heading into the second hour. Cody attempted a top rope moonsault at 8:30, but Hunter rolled out of the way and Cody ate the mat. Cody tried to make a tag to DiBiase, but Hunter reached his feet and smashed DiBiase off the apron. Hunter then ran DiBiase into the guardrail. Back in the ring, Hunter with a "vintage" high knee on Rhodes. He landed a facebuster across the knee before running Rhodes into DiBiase off the ropes. Hunter with the Double A spinebuster, then he measured Rhodes for the Pedigree. Suddenly, DiBiase snuck in the back door and hit the Dream Street finisher. All three men were down in the ring. Rhodes then made the cover, but Hunter kicked out at two. Cody sold shock over the pin escape. He then hit the Cross Rhodes spinning facebuster in center ring. (I didn't even realize Cody had a finisher since he never wins matches.) Rhodes with the pin and...the win. Wow, Hunter didn't kick out.

WINNERS: DiBiase & Rhodes at 11:13. It was quite shocking to see Legacy win this clean, but the post-match set-up for Shawn Michaels to return made sense of this so people will actually pay money to see the probable Hunter & HBK vs. Legacy match at Summerslam with Legacy having the slightest edge on Hunter in the TV build-up. Match itself was good with the crowd hot for the nearfalls and Hunter in jeopardy. (**)

4 -- PRIMO COLON vs. CARLITO COLON

Match spilled to the outside early on and Primo landed a plancha splash. Lawler said their father, Carlos Colon, is probably torn about his sons facing each other. Carlito kicked out of Primo's attempted finisher, then Carlito nailed the backstabber for the decisive pin and the win.

WINNER: Carlito at 2:58. They have the big brother vs. brother match after the split and they give them three minutes to have a match the audience didn't care about because there wasn't any pre-match hype or reason to care about the issues that WWE hasn't established? More inane booking. Primo didn't benefit from this at all. (*)

5 -- CHAVO GUERRERO vs. MARK "SWOGGLE" HENRY

Henry played around early, then Chavo irritated Henry by trying to land offense, so Henry chased him to the outside. Henry then scooped up Chavo and teased the World's Strongest Slam all across the arena. He finally delivered the move, then scored the pin for the easy win.

WINNER: Henry at 1:07. At least this keeps Chavo employed with a paycheck coming on a regular basis. These extended family hour segments should be reserved for the house shows, not taking up TV time when WWE can't build up any stars because they throw out matches like Swagger-Bourne and Colon-Colon without any hype. (n/a)

6 -- U.S. champion KOFI KINGSTON vs. Unified tag champion BIG SHOW -- U.S. Title match

Show beat up Kofi all around the ring early on as Jericho hyped his tag team and himself. Jericho got tongue-tied trying to say he was the most-trending topic on Twitter yesterday. Talking takes its toll on the tongue. Torch Talk with Tom Tom. Anyways, Show had a pin on Kofi, but Kofi put his foot on the bottom rope to escape a pin. Jericho ripped Lawler for not having any WWE titles to his name to hype how many titles Show and Jericho have between them. Show wanted the Vader Bomb, but Kofi kicked Show in the back of the leg to knock Show down. He then smashed Show with the Trouble in Paradise buzzsaw kick. Kofi didn't make a cover, but opted to hit a top rope Boom Boom leg drop. Kofi with the pin, but Show bench-pressed Kofi out of the pin. Show suddenly speared Kofi in mid-ring to cut him off. Show then punched Kofi several times in the corner. Ref reached a five count after they foreshadowed a near-DQ earlier in the match. Show was DQ'ed, but he went back to beating up Kofi. Jericho entered the ring to trash-talk Kofi, who tried to catch his breath. Show then posed over Jericho, who smugly looked into the audience to close the segment.

WINNER: Kofi via DQ at 5:08. Good segment thanks to Jericho on commentary and the conflict between whether Show would win the title vs. how he would get DQ'ed or counted out so Kofi would keep the title. There was no way Kofi was winning this match via pin or submission, so the "angst in the arena" was Show winning or Kofi escaping. Not sure where this leads to, but something needs to be built-up for Kofi (if he's even going to be on the PPV) with only two more weeks of Raw remaining before Summerslam and Show/Jericho in a tag title match. (*1/4)

7 -- JOHN CENA vs. THE MIZ -- Lumberjack match

Cena dumped Miz to the outside early on, then Chavo and Dr. Ken checked on Miz before helping him back up to his feet. Miz, fully recovered, slid into the ring, but Cena cut him off. The heel jacks then distracted Cena allowing Miz to bump Cena to the outside. Masters slapped on the Masterlock and Cena sold breaking free, but Masters re-locked the hold and KO'ed Cena. Jacks then rolled Cena into the ring and Miz made a cover, but Cena grabbed the bottom rope. Miz then covered Cena center-ring, but Cena kicked out. Cena made a comeback, but Orton pulled Cena to the floor and the heel jacks stomped and pounded and kicked away on Cena. Legacy then rolled Cena into the ring and Dr. Ken handed Miz his pimp cane. Cena ducked the shot, though, and scooped up Miz for the FU. Just like that. Cena made the cover for the win.

WINNER: Cena at 5:10. Well, there goes Miz just like that. Three things come to mind: he's moving to a different brand, Wellness, or WWE gave up on him for some inane reason, which would be consistent with the inane booking on this show. SuperCena wins again. (*)

I turned on the TV, and heard "lumberjack match". I was excited. Then I heard "John Cena vs The Miz" and I turned the TV back off.

I just can't bring myself to watch WWE anymore. Not since they botched The Invasion and had the draft. What they did is essentially split up the only credible guys they had left between two shows.

And I still can't believe they've put Jeff Hardy over as a heavyweight champion.

I try watching TNA, but it's a bit too "Vince Russo"-y for my tastes. Though I did enjoy the 200th episode.

Why oh why must the bury The Miz?! WHY?! He's too good for this shit! Hell, they should make it so The Miz gets over on RAW like John Morrison is. After a while, they can start something and do a SD! vs. RAW bit! This has the perfect set up. FUCK Super Cena!

Last night's RAW ratings...

Raw drew a 3.5 first hour and 3.6 second hour rating last night for a 3.6 average overall rating. That's down from 4.0 and 4.0 ratings last week. This week's main event featured John Cena as the top draw, whereas last week's main event didn't feature a top babyface; instead, Cryme Tyme were featured with Shaq as the main draw involved in the tag match also featuring Chris Jericho and Big Show.

ECW on SyFy Results: 8-4-09

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

1 -- EZEKIEL JACKSON vs. DANNY DANGER

Danger with zero face time as Jackson destroyed him, then hit the lift-up Rock Bottom for the pin and the win. After the match, Kozlov's music hit and he stomped out to the ring for another Ivan Drago vs. Mr. T confrontation. Kozlov stared down Jackson as they tried to build tension for this Rocky villain deal. Kozlov then gave DD a lift-up Rock Bottom and cracked his neck to say that was no big deal. Jackson then gave DD a lift-up Rock Bottom and stomped out of the ring. Kozlov was left in the ring staring down Jackson.

WINNER: Jackson in 1:00. Week 3 of the program. Just keep building layers. Crowd was at least into the tease of a villain vs. villain confrontation. (n/a)

2 -- SHEAMUS vs. GOLDUST

Sheamus started landing boots on Goldust early on. Suddenly, Goldust sold a shoulder injury with the ref checking on him. Sheamus licked his lips and started attacking the shoulder. He landed a single arm DDT for a two count, then wore Goldust down with more mat holds focused on the shoulder. Goldust tried to sneak in a small package for a pin, but Sheamus kicked out and went back to working over the shoulder. Goldust made a comeback at 3:00 with a series of clotheslines, then the drop-down uppercut. He executed a powerslam for a two count, then sold the shoulder. Goldust tried a move from the second rope, but Sheamus cut his legs out from under him and Goldust crashed to the mat. Sheamus made the cover for the win.

Post-match: Sheamus took the mic ringside and said he came in search for gold, but all they gave him was dust. Goldust then jumped Sheamus from behind and blasted him into the guardrail. Striker said it's the renewed aggression they need to see from Goldust for him to be successful. Sheamus then bailed up the ramp as Goldust was held back by the ref. Goldust, half-way out of character with half of his paint left on, screamed at Sheamus to come get some. Sheamus opted to back away up the entrance ramp to end the segment.

WINNER: Sheamus in 4:00. Okay singles match. Post-match from Goldust was good to keep the programming going. As long as Goldust isn't playing with rats backstage with RELLIK, I'll take a program from Goldust with some purpose. (1/2*)

3 -- ECW champion CHRISTIAN vs. TOMMY DREAMER -- ECW Title match -- Extreme Rules

Bell sounded and they started with some basic mat holds. Crowd wasn't in the mood for basic wrestling, instead chanting for tables. Do they think they're watching a Team 3D match? Dreamer retrieved a Kendo stick and Christian grabbed a trashcan lid. Extreme Sword-fighting ensued with Christian blocking with the lid. On the floor, Dreamer blasted Christian with a stick shot before landing a move from The Sandman's playbook, a Russian legsweep using the cane around the throat. Christian recovered and baseball slid-kicked a trashcan into Dreamer on the floor. Christian followed with a splash off the top rope before smashing him with the can. Christian then broke a crutch over Dreamer's back in front of the hot dog stand. Christian tried to get a running start on a splash, but Dreamer moved and Christian ate the hot dog...stand. Dreamer with a condiment dispenser shot to the head before shoving some hot dogs down Christian's throat. Dreamer in control as they cut the mustard to the break.

They returned to the match with Dreamer and Christian bashing each other with weapons in the ring. Match moved to the floor where Dreamer back dropped Christian onto the floor padding. Dreamer then clotheslined Christian over the guardrail to the front row. He tried a can shot, but Christian ducked and hit a textbook dropkick sending the can into Dreamer's chest. Crowd with a dueling chant. Back in the ring, Dreamer sent Christian head-first into a trashcan in the corner. Dreamer then hit a Pumphandle slam with the Singapore cane beneath the crotch for a two count. On cue, Christian regained control with a neckbreaker across the top rope.

At the top of the hour, Christian went up top and chucked a t-can down at Dreamer's head for a two count. Christian tried a Tornado DDT off the top into two cans, but Dreamer blocked and threw Christian into the stack of cans for a two count. Dreamer then hung Christian upside down in the corner and put a can over his head. Dreamer with the E-pound the chest-C-pound the chest-W running crutch shot to the can into Christian's face. Christian, on cue, recovered after another more no-selling and started smashing Dreamer with weapon shots. Christian then grabbed the car door that hadn't come into play yet and sent it into the ring. Dreamer blocked a running car door shot with a trashcan lid shot to the head through the open car door window. LOL. Dreamer then wanted a piledriver onto the car door, but Christian countered, of course, with the Killswitch into the car door for the pin and the win. After they replayed the highspots of the match, Christian was shown celebrating with the title belt to close the show.

WINNER: Christian in 16:00 to retain the ECW Title. Good gimmick match, but the lack of long-term selling - or any selling of moves at all - was annoying after the fifteenth instance. Seemed like a write-off for Dreamer in the main event picture since this was his title re-match after losing the belt at Night of Champions. If I had to take a guess, Kozlov and Jackson are going to be inserted into the title picture now. (**1/4)

WWE Superstars as of 8-5-09

Raw Superstars

Alicia Fox
Batista
Beth Phoenix
Big Show (Unified Tag Team Champion)
Carlito
Chavo Guerrero
Chris Masters
Cody Rhodes
Evan Bourne
Festus
Gail Kim
Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Hornswoggle
Jack Swagger
Jamie Noble
Jerry Lawler
Jillian
John Cena
Kelly Kelly
Kofi Kingston (U.S. Champion)
Lilian Garcia
Mark Henry
Maryse
Michael Cole
Mickie James (Divas Champion)
Montel Vontavious Porter
Mr. McMahon
Primo
Randy Orton (WWE Champion)
Rosa Mendes
Santino Marella
Shawn Michaels
Ted DiBiase
The Miz
Triple H

SmackDown Superstars

Charlie Haas
Chris Jericho (Unified Tag Team Champion)
CM Punk
Curt Hawkins
David Hart Smith
Dolph Ziggler
Edge
Eve
Finlay
Jeff Hardy (World Hwt Champion)
Jesse
Jim Ross
Jimmy Wang Yang
John Morrison
JTG
Justin Roberts
Kane
Kung Fu Naki
Layla
Maria
Matt Hardy
Melina
Michelle McCool (Women's Champion)
Mike Knox
Natalya
R-Truth
Ranjin Singh
Rey Mysterio (Intercontinental Champion)
Ricky Ortiz
Shad
The Great Khali
Theodore Long
Todd Grisham
Tyson Kidd
Undertaker

ECW Superstars

Brie Bella
Christian (ECW Champion)
DJ Gabriel
Ezekiel Jackson
Goldust
Gregory Helms
Josh Mathews
Katie Lea Burchill
Matt Striker
Nikki Bella
Paul Burchill
Shelton Benjamin
Tiffany
Tommy Dreamer
Tony Chimel
Vladimir Kozlov
William Regal
Zack Ryder

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

As noted earlier, WWE parted ways with The Brian Kendrick last Thursday. It would appear that the decision was actually made two weeks ago because he was pulled from a previously from a scheduled program with Evan Bourne that week. He was then booked to lose to Jerry Lawler and Kofi Kingston in humiliating fashion.

To confirm ongoing Internet rumors dating back to last fall, Kendrick's push went up in smoke, so to speak, as a result of his disobedience towards the company's policy on marijuana. He had been warned several times by company officials that they weren't going to tolerate his failing drug tests for marijuana (which constitute a $1,000 fine, but not a suspension) after failing numerous tests. He was one of at least two wrestlers whose pushes were stopped because of their disobedience, and it was likely a major contributing factor in his departure from the company.

Kendrick's release from WWE was also said to be taken as a warning to higher profile wrestlers who have been failing tests for marijuana, as company officials have said many times to a slate of wrestlers individually that they are no longer going to tolerate it.

It should be noted that when Kendrick was informed by John Laurinaitis that he was being let go, he was told it was due to the economy. Those who heard it couldn't believe he gave him such an obviously bogus reason. It's also been said that Kendrick would have been released months ago, but Pat Patterson spoke up on his behalf.

Seems like he's gone for good..

Twinkle Star said:

Seems like he's gone for good..

Click to expand...

If Vince EVER thinks he can make a bundle of cash using Brian, he'll bring Kendrick back.

So you're probably right TS

Kendrick wasn't exactly blessed with mic skills either.

WWE Superstars Results: 8-6-09

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

1 -- CHRIS MASTERS vs. SANTINO MARELLA

Santino had a big smile as they danced around the ring before locking up. Masters shoved Santino to the mat, then Santino did a back roll and came up saluting himself "ta da!" Santino did it again after Masters shoved him down, expecting Santino to sell the shove. So great. Even beter was Santino surprising Masters with the Masterlock at 2:00, but Masters was like "oh heck no," so he broke the hold and started pounding Santino. Something went flying as Santino tried a chinbreaker. Looked like Masters lost a tooth. Referee picked up the object moments later and tossed it out of the ring. Santino started to Hulk Up as Masters taunted him. Santino: "You ah make me ah so anger." Santino started no-selling, then did a Ron Killings leg split to duck a clothesline, and wanted to make Masters pay with his finisher, but Masters blocked and slapped on the Masterlock. Santino had no choice but to tap to the Masterpiece. Afterward, Santino sold dizziness as Masters celebrated the win.

WINNER: Masters in 4:00, fans with Santino. Santino was great enhancing his character before taking the scripted loss. Masters looked dominant at the end, but Santino was the takeaway. (*)

2 -- TYLER REKS & YOSHI TATSU vs. WILLIAM REGAL & PAUL BURCHILL (w/Katie Lea)

Yoshi started off against Regal to pick up their current feud locked at one victory apiece. Reks then tagged in and Mathews let fly with the surfer-related puns. Actually just watched the Blue Crush surfer movie last week. Nice little flick. The Englishmen had enough of Reks and his surfing, so they dumped him to the floor and stood tall going to break.

Back from break, Reks was working over Regal's shoulder. Who says WWE doesn't change it up every once in a while when the babyfaces are usually in control going to break and the heels are in control working a body part back from break. Right on cue, Yoshi lost control of the match. Burchill tagged in, then Yoshi blasted him with a round of kicks and body blows. He landed a kick to the face out of the corner, but Regal distracted Yoshi allowing Burchill to kick Yoshi in the left knee/ankle area. Burchill and Regal then targeted the body part to cut off Yoshi from his corner.

Reks took a hot tag at 10:00 and fired off a series of dropkicks on Regal, who was the legal man. Reks executed a nice suplex for a two count, then hit a clothesline off the ropes. Yoshi cleared Burchill to the floor to clear them out of the picture. Reks then came off the top with a splash on Regal, but Regal rolled through and trapped Reks's leg for a pin and the win.

WINNERS: Regal & Burchill in 11:00. Fine tag match, but not memorable. Work a body part, get the hot tag, set up the finish, and who see who comes out on top. Burchill was actually on the winning side of things for the first time in forever, but he still couldn't get a pinfall. (*1/4)

3 -- Intercontinental champion REY MYSTERIO vs. MIKE KNOX -- non-title match

Match started with Knox aggressively beating Rey into the mat. Dolph sounded a little unsure of himself on commentary to start with. Maybe not the right environment for him compared to having a mic in his hand to cut a promo. We'll see as the match goes on. Rey eventually regained control with a seated sentaun splash that knocked Knox to the floor. Rey in control, Dolph on his feet staring down Rey, and let's grab a break.

Back from break, Knox was blasting Rey in the corner as Dolph watched intently from ringside. Rey suddenly snapped off a head scissors from the top rope that knocked Knox to the ring apron. Knox shoved Rey down, then blasted Rey with a clothesline from his knees to cut off Rey's momentum. Knox then landed a big bicycle kick that knocked Rey over the ropes to the floor. Rey teased being counted out, but he made it back in the ring at nine. Knox picked up his attack and slapped on a bear hug to wear down Rey. Grisham tried to involve Dolph in the proceedings by asking him where he got his swagger from. Dolph said it's just natural. Dolph selling focus on the match to scout his potential Summerslam opponent.

Rey made a comeback at 12:00 with the double-foot dropkick and a kick strike to the head, but Knox kicked out of a pin attempt. Knox then cut Rey off again with a power move as the fans chanted "6-1-9." Knox wanted a sidewalk slam, but Rey countered with a DDT for a two count. Rey then wanted to dial up the 619 and he connected. He tried to follow with the springboard splash for the win, but Dolph yanked Rey off the apron to cause a DQ. Post-match: Dolph tried to assault Rey, then feed him to Knox, but Rey escaped Dolph and Knox to head for safer ground on the floor. Grisham sold Smackdown tomorrow night for the #1 contender match to the IC Title, then the show ended with Rey safe on stage.

WINNER: Rey via DQ in 14:00. One of those TV singles matches that was just there. Everything was fine and followed the right script to continue the Rey vs. Dolph feud, but viewers just don't have information on Knox to emotionally invest in his character for nearly 15 minutes. He has a beard, his teeth look weird, and he beats up people. Well, that might pass for the "squash match" stage, but it doesn't mean much of anything over a period of time. (*1/2)

Source: PWTorch.com (direct link)

WWE wrestler Tommy Dreamer says he was injured by a crutch shot from Christian during their ECW Title match on Tuesday's episode of ECW TV. Dreamer wrote late on Wednesday night that he couldn't lift his arm.

"I did suffer an injury when Christian hit me with a crutch and the butterfly screw went right into my tricep," Dreamer said about their Extreme Rules match on his WWE Universe blog. "I can barely lift my arm and have a nice puncture wound. My knuckles, fingers, back, eye, and head are all bruised bad. I truly was in one hell of a fight."

Dreamer said he enjoyed the match, even though he was "feeling the effects" 24 hours later. Dreamer thanked Christian for "stepping up his game" to have a memorable match, even though he was booked to lose.

"I want to thank Christian for stepping up his game and if anyone should represent ECW it should be him. He has inspired me to better myself," Dreamer said. I am not out of the title picture. This is just the beginning."

Dreamer ranked their Extreme Rules match higher than their PPV match at the Night of Champions PPV because he felt like it was a throwback to the Original ECW.

"I was even happier with the rematch ... It showed that the WWE Universe still holds the Original ECW with so much respect and loves a taste of the past glory and what ECW truly represents," Dreamer said. "I am so sore today and feel like I was in a war. This is the same feeling I had in the original ECW and loved how the fans live reacted and all the positive feedback I received from the match."

TNA Impact! Results: 8-6-09

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

(1) DANIELS (w/SABIN & SHELLEY) vs. ERIC YOUNG (w/KIYOSHI & BASHIR)

Daniels watches the Guns as they amble down to the ring, which lets EY get the jump on him. Daniels turns things around with a Leg Lariat, and hits a charging forearm in the corner. Kiyoshi pulls Young out of the ring for a breather, but Daniels follows them out with a Suicide Dive style Double Clothesline. The Guns are conspicuously absent as Bashir ambushes Daniels and rolls him back to the ring. Young gets a two count as The Guns review video game manuals. See, that's just not believable—real players NEVER read the manuals. Anyway, a Back Drop by Young gets two. He chokes Daniels against the corner, but Daniels gets back up firing. EY puts him down with a Neck Breaker, and floats right into a Crossface. I like high-impact-into-submission combos. Young places Daniels with a Body Slam, but whiffs on a Moonsault attempt off the top rope. Daniels comes back with a series of strikes, culminating with a high knee into the corner. He places Young on the top rope and flips him back down to the mat for a long two count. A Sit Out Power Bomb gets two more. Daniels hits his Ura-Nage (it might have been an STO), and the crowd chants for the BME. Young rolls out of the way, but Daniels lands on his feet. Bashir goes to the apron to distract the ref while Kiyoshi rolls in to spray mist into the eyes of Daniels. Young finishes Daniels off with a Pile Driver. I get worried that they're again devaluing the move, but they do continue to stress on commentary the code against using it.

WINNER: Eric Young in six minutes. That match told about as sophisticated a story as you can get into a six-minute match. So far is so good tonight.

(2) STEINER & BOOKER T. & DOUG WILLIAMS & ROB TERRY vs. BEER MONEY INC. & TEAM 3D

Steiner starts things off with some right hands that take Brother Ray down in the corner. He lays in with some stomps and follows up with a pair of Eye Rakes. He hits a Body Slam, but comes off the ropes and into a Side Slam for two. A Splash gets two more. Devon and Doug Williams tag in. Williams hits a quick European Uppercut, but Devon ducks beneath a right hand and comes back with a Spinning Elbow. Devon pounds Williams for a few seconds before tagging in Storm. Williams quickly takes back control with a poke to the eyes, but Storm comes right back with some weird new bouncing Rock Bottom variation for a long two count. Williams reverses a whip into the corner, but Storm gets a leg up and bounces back with a Running Neck Breaker. He tags in Roode, and they nail the Beer Money Suplex. Rob Terry tags in while they play to the crowd. He Double Clotheslines both members of Beer Money and effortlessly floors Roode with a Body Slam. He goozles Roode for a Short Arm Clothesline. He looks for a Running Power Slam, but Rood slips out and starts kicking his legs. Terry tosses him into the corner, but Roode comes back with a Floating Throwback off the top rope. The heels come in to break up the ensuing cover, and everything breaks down. Ray ends up in the ring with Doug Williams. They hit the Wuzzup, but when Ray sends Devon for the tables all hell breaks loose. Eric Young comes down with Kiyoshi & Bashir, but they're ambushed on the way down by Daniels and The Motor City Machine Guns. Kevin Nash comes out to take out the Guns, but he's attacked from behind by Mick Foley. Kurt Angle comes out to attack Foley, and Sting and Samoa Joe meander down to the ring to get involved. Tenay: "This has turned into a riot". As Lashley and Joe fight into the back, Tracy Brooks at ringside knocks Roode off the top rope and into a Rob Terry Choke Slam for the three.

WINNERS: Steiner, Booker, Williams & Terry in seven minutes. I really like the booking move of having this typically-show-ending brawl at 9:45. It really adds to the feeling that anything can happen at any time.

(3) "THE FUTURE LEGEND" ALISSA FLASH & TRACI BROOKS vs. TAYLOR WILDE & SARITA

This week Alissa gets a full entrance. Wilde starts things off with an Arm Drag on Traci Brooks. Traci whips her into the corner, but she comes back with a semi-botched Leg Scissors. Alissa Flash and Sarita tag in. Sarita hits a Hurricanrana to start. Flash whips her into the corner, but Sarita flips over her and drags her down by the arm. Alissa rolls out, so Sarita tags in Wilde. That enables Wilde to help Sarita to run to the top rope, from which she hits a huge Cross Body Block to the outside. Alissa and Wilde go back to the ring, but Traci gets Wilde's ankle from the outside. Flash grabs Wilde by the back of the head and slams her into the mat. A spinning Body Slam gets two. Traci tags in and hits a couple of quick chops. She chokes Wilde in the corner and bounces off her back. A running forearm gets two. Traci pops Sarita, which distraction allows Alissa to come in for the illegal double team. She stomps the back of Taylor's head as she and Traci tag in and out. Traci and Wilde both go for Cross Body Blocks, and are both able to make tags. Sarita kicks down Traci, flips over her, gets grabbed by Flash, then rolls into some crazy Rings of Saturn/Crossface/everything else submission. Flash gets up and grabs Sarita, who slips out and gets a quick Small Package for the kill.

WINNERS: Sarita and Taylor Wilde in five minutes. Every Sarita match takes twice as long to recap as to watch, since every move happens lightning fast.

(4) MATT MORGAN vs. AJ STYLES

Why even bother to have a second match in a best of three series? Morgan tosses AJ across the ring to start. Oddly, 30-40% of the crowd seem to be behind Morgan. AJ dodges out of the ring and yanks Morgan's legs out from under him. AJ starts working the left leg, but Morgan kicks him off and floors him with a Decapitator Clothesline. He hits his back elbows in the corner, then a big running Splash. He lifts AJ up for a Side Slam, looks at his non-existent watch, then just tosses AJ onto the mat. AJ gets back up firing, but walks right into a Fall Away Slam. Morgan hits his leap-over-choke thing that desperately needs a name, then an Undertaker-like Leg Drop on the apron for two. Morgan looks for a Choke Slam. AJ fights out, but gets caught again. This time he flips out and hits a jump kick to Morgan's head. He goes to the top rope for a Tornado DDT attempt. Morgan tosses him off and tries to nail a clothesline, but AJ ducks underneath and nails the Pele for two. AJ goes to the top rope. He sees Morgan coming for him, jumps out the apron, and kicks Morgan's legs out from under him. He goes for the 450-Splash; Morgan rolls out of the way, but AJ rolls onto his feet. AJ looks for a Wheelbarrow Faceplant, but gets tossed onto the ropes. Morgan puts him away with a Hellevator as he bounces back.

WINNER: Matt Morgan in six minutes. This show continues to surprise me, as AJ and Morgan do what any participant in a multi-match series should do by building on their past moves and finishes.

(5) BRUTUS MAGNUS (w/ROB TERRY & DOUG WILLIAMS) vs. STING

Slick Johnson bans Rob Terry and Doug Williams from ringside. Sting beats the living daylights out of Magnus in the corner, hip tosses him, and hits a high dropkick. This is the fastest I've seen Sting in months—I guess he just really needed a couple weeks off. Magnus runs around, then tries to beg off. He offers a handshake, but Sting isn't having it. Magnus hits a knee lift, a quick uppercut, a reverse elbow, and is suddenly working over Sting's left leg against the canvas.

Magnus is still in control, but gets caught by an Ensuguri. Sting Stingers up and starts pounding on Magnus. Magnus blocks the attempted Stinger Splash, but when he tries to come off the top rope with a Double Sledge he's caught in a Scorpion Death Lock. That's all she wrote.

WINNER: Sting in seven minutes. I think the entire match took place during commercials.

After the match Magnus tries to ambush Sting from behind, but Sting hears him coming and fights him to the corner. World Elite run down and try to attack evil-ninja style. It doesn't go well. They suddenly realize the error of their ways and attack all at once. Lashley and Foley come down to make the save. Here are the Main Even Mafia, who did not leave the building after all. Foley, Lashley, and Sting get beat down. West comments that there's no one left to save Foley, Sting, and Lashley, when suddenly Hernandez runs down to the ring swinging a chain. I totally called that earlier. Are they booking this show as they read the column? Awesome. The heels scatter as Foley, Lashley, Sting, and Hernandez celebrate in the ring.

WWE Smackdown Results: 8-7-09

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

1- C.M. PUNK vs. JEFF HARDY- WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

Hardy attacked before the bell, and referee Scott Armstrong tried to restrain him. It didn’t work, so other referees and agents Dean Malenko and Mike Rotundo came out to separate the two. General Manager Teddy Long was out there as well. Once they were separated, Vince McMahon came out. Let’s get this out of the way....

WINNER: No Match.

McMahon said they need a title match and that Long can’t control anything. Apparently, he’s still on probation. McMahon said he’d find someone who will be able to control things. McMahon said he’d have a special guest enforcer who would maintain control of the match. The guest enforcer: He’s going to make everyone wait and find out. After he went to the back, Hardy attacked Punk once again. It was pretty obvious something would happen because they never do matches like this this early on the show. I wouldn’t mind them switching it up once in a while so you wouldn’t be able to see this coming a mile away.

1- JOHN MORRISON vs. TYSON KIDD

This is a re-match from last week’s episode of Superstars. The two men traded wrist-locks and Morrison worked Kidd’s arm into an arm-bar. Kidd was able to get away and into the ropes. Kidd yelping during his offense is really distracting. Dropsault by Morrison for two. Unique twisting legdrop for two as well. Kidd sent Morrison to the outside where Natalya attacked him from behind, then David Hart Smith did the same when the official was getting Natalya back away from Morrison. Kidd was in control back in the ring as they went to break.

Morrison tried to get out of a headlock, but Kidd kept it on and stayed aggressive. Lots of yelling from Kidd as well. Morrison elbowed out, but Kidd then applied a sleeper. Morrison fought back after flipping him off his back with a kick to the head and a clothesline. Standing moonsault for two. Kidd placed himself on Morrison’s shoulders, but Morrison put him down gently and rolled him up for two. Kidd put Morrison in a submission move, pinning his shoulders back with his arms. Blockbuster by Kidd that garnered him a two-count. Kidd dodged a knee to the head, but a hurricanrana attempt was turned into a powerbomb for two. Flying Chuck kick by Morrison and Starship Pain connected, “in the face!!!” as the cop from The Hangover would say- it looked brutal. But it also got the win for Morrison.

WINNER: Morrison, at 11:35. Another solid match between these two, especially the second half.

2- CHARLIE HAAS vs. SLAM MASTER J

At least Haas got an entrance this week. Slam Master J hails from the ATL, apparently Atlanta from what I gather. Haas went after J, who had corn-rows and wore jeans similar to R-Truth. Cryme Tyme and Eve were actually shown watching the match backstage. Belly-to-belly overhead suplex by Haas for two. This gave the announcers the opportunity to show just how uncool and white they were. Cobra Clutch back-breaker by Haas. Flying forearm by J as he started to come back. Atomic drop, then a clothesline on Haas. Crowd didn’t care much for this. Jesse went to the top, but Haas headbutted him. He tried a suplex, but J fought out of it. From the top, a flying splash got the win.

WINNER: Slam Master J, at 2:38. I think J is going to become the Santino of Smackdown, but not nearly on the comedy level Marella is/was.

3- R-TRUTH vs. FINLAY vs. MIKE KNOX vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER- FATAL FOUR-WAY TO DETERMINE #1 CONTENDER FOR INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Mysterio talked about fighting Knox and other giants such as Bam Bam Bigelow and Kevin Nash. All three men were down early with Knox standing tall...probably means he won’t win. They took a break at that point.

Finlay got his feet up on a Knox splash attempt in the corner back from break, but Ziggler dropkicked Finlay out of the ring and Truth low-bridged Knox. He then dove over the top onto Knox. It was left with Finlay and Ziggler, but Knox broke up a pin attempt by Finlay. Double DDT by Ziggler. The two heels did battle, but it was a draw, as they collided with each other. More pins broken up as Finlay double-crossed Truth. Truth with a twisting forearm for two on Knox, as Ziggler broke it up. Finlay used the Shillaleigh on Knox, but Ziggler hit Finlay with his finisher before Finlay could make the pin and Ziggler picked up the victory.

WINNER: Ziggler, at 7:45. Lots of action in this one.

4- CHRIS JERICHO vs. JTG

Jericho knocked down JTG and smiled, but JTG hit the ropes and then hit Jericho with a back elbow. Fameasser for two by JTG. As the ref admonished JTG, Jericho landed a cheap-shot right hand. He threw the Cryme Tyme member out of the ring, where Big Show kicked him in the gut behind the ref’s back. In the ring, Jericho worked the abdominal stretch. JTG countered, but Jericho got the knees up on a splash attempt. “Y2J” chants from some of the crowd. Another abdominal stretch. Shad attempted to get the crowd into it from the outside. JTG made his comeback and gave Jericho a facebuster out of the corner. He only got a two-count. Jericho went back on offense and taunted JTG and Shad. Take-down by JTG only got two after Jericho made a cardinal mistake and put his head down after whipping JTG into the ropes. Jericho tried to apply the Walls of Jericho, but JTG was catapulted. He landed feet-first on the second rope and legdropped Jericho while Y2J was on his feet. That got him a two as well. He then walked into a Codebreaker, but JTG was under the bottom rope. By the time Jericho realized this, JTG had enough time to recover, and he suckered Jericho into an inside cradle for the surprise win.

WINNER: JTG, at 6:32. I don’t think it’s any stretch to say this is the biggest singles win of JTG’s career. Standard Jericho TV match.

5- THE GREAT KHALI vs. RICKY ORTIZ

Clotheslines by Ortiz didn’t have much effect, but a chop to the head by Khali did. Punjabi Plunge, and it’s an easy night for Khali.

WINNER: Khali, at :31.

Kane came out after the match, but out of the crowd and from behind. His music hit, and Khali turned his attention to the ramp, which allowed Kane to strike. He knocked Khali over the top rope. Kane then went after Ranjin Singh, who tried to run away. Kane took him to the ground and cornered him. He grabbed Singh by the throat and took him over the barricade. He literally dragged him through the crowd to.....well, who knows where.

6- JEFF HARDY vs. C.M. PUNK- WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

Jeff got in Matt’s face before the match. Speaking of, looks like Matt has some bad sunburn on his face or something. Atomic drop and a double legdrop by Hardy early in the match, a two count over a minute into the contest. Clothesline and over the top rope went Punk. Punk pulled Jeff off the apron by one leg. Both men were down outside the ring as they went to break just shy of 2:00 in.

It was Punk who was the aggressor out of break. Punk attacked the torso of Hardy with knees to the mid-section. Abdominal stretch followed that up. Hard whip into the buckle sent Hardy crumpling to the mat. Hardy came back with a Whisper in the Wind, but Jeff was too hurt to capitalize immediately. The men traded rights in the middle of the ring until Hardy one-uppped Punk with a mule kick, then a corner dropkick. Jeff went to the top, but Punk met him up there. Superplex off the top by the straight-edge star. Lateral press got a very near fall. Punk got Hardy up on his shoulders for the GTS, but it was no good. Eventually, Hardy sent Punk out of the ring near Matt Hardy, and Jeff hit a cross-body onto him. Jeff went up to Matt, and Punk went for a low dropkick, but it hit Matt instead of Jeff. Twist of Fate by Jeff back in the ring. Swanton, but Punk got his knees up. The ref began the count, but at two, Matt pulled him out of the ring. That didn’t make Punk happy, who argued with Matt about what he did. Then Jeff rolled up Punk and Matt counted to three.

WINNER: Jeff Hardy, at 11:08. Fine match, but you knew they weren’t going to pull out all the stops here. Interesting finish with Matt seemingly siding with Jeff.

Matt immediately left to go to the back, where Punk chased after him up the ramp. Punk, with his angry face on, came back to the ring where Jeff was just getting to his feet. Punk again attacked Jeff, kicking him and throwing him out of the ring. He bounced Jeff’s head off the announce table several times, then got a steel chair to escalate things. He nailed Jeff right in the back. Punk put the chair around Jeff’s neck, then pushed him into the ringpost. Trainers came to check on Jeff and Punk told them, “make sure he’s OK, make sure he’s OK....fix him so I can break him again.” They brought the stretcher out as well. They showed a replay of the post-match attack. At the top of the ramp, Teddy Long met Punk. Punk demanded a re-match. Long said if Jeff is able to defend the title by Summerslam, he’ll get his chance. But in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match. Fans chanted “TLC, TLC” as Long checked on Hardy. Jeff was put in a neck-brace as the show went off the air.

Let me be the first to say. Miz is full of win.

O.

WWE RAW Results: 8-10-09

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

1 -- GAIL KIM vs. BETH PHOENIX vs. ALICIA FOX vs. KELLY KELLY -- #1 contender's match to Divas Title

Lilian Garcia announced the winner will receive a future Divas Title match. Future was left undefined. All four divas went after each other in rapid-fire fashion to start. Seemed like the end of the six-pack challenge from the Night of Champions PPV. They built up tension between Beth and Alicia early in the match, which came into play at the end after Beth tried a double powerslam off the top that would have been sick. Action spilled to the floor where Kelly landed a plancha on Alicia and Gail. Beth then teased a splash to the floor, but Alicia cut her off. Back in the ring, Alicia took her eye off the ball and Gail rolled her up for a pin to earn a future title shot.

WINNER: Gail Kim at 4:05. High-energy, fast-paced action. Well done. (*)

2 -- JACK SWAGGER vs. EVAN BOURNE

Swagger went right after Bourne after the bell sounded. Bourne took him to the floor, though, and landed a splash. Back in the ring, though, Bourne ate Swagger's knee back-first. Swagger then worked over Bourne's back with a nice knee-to-the-spine stretch on the mat. Bourne then tried a spinning head scissors, but Swagger blocked in mid-air. Crowd oohed as Swagger was ready to smash Bourne, but Bourne countered with a roll-up for a two count. Bourne with a double knee smash beneath the chin, but Swagger tossed him into the turnbuckles. Swagger had enough and dropped Bourne on his back with the gutwrench powerbomb for the pin and the win. Swagger then stared into the hard camera with an evil look before playing to the crowd.

WINNER: Swagger at 2:50. Didn't do much for Bourne. Swagger looked good as a bruising wrestler, though. It's nice to watch a show in front of a Canadian crowd because they seem to be more into the match action and hang on every move. You get the feeling with most WWE crowds in the U.S. that they're waiting for something to cheer about instead of getting involved. Like being at a baseball game surrounded by kids and families who don't cheer until the giant "GET LOUD...ER!!!" graphic flashes on the screen. (*1/2)

3 -- EUGENE vs. CALGARY KID

Calgary Kid tried to distract Eugene with a shiny nickel on the ground to climb the pole, but Eugene cut him off. Eugene then teased the People's Elbow and connected on CK. Eugene started to climb the pole, but CK punched him in the gut. They battled on the pole reaching for the contract, then Calgary Kid flung Eugene to the mat. Kid then grabbed the contract to win the match and a WWE contract.

After the match, Calgary Kid helped Eugene to his feet, then he gave Eugene a facebuster out of the Russian legsweep position. Kid then removed the mask to reveal...The Miz. Well, that was creative. Miz played to the crowd as the announcers said Miz found a way back onto the show after losing his Raw job last week. Miz then took the mic and said he's the Miz and he's awesome. Miz was sporting flatter hair since he was sporting the mask. Different look with the Lance Storm trunks and kick pads.

WINNER: Calgary Kid / Miz at 1:17. Good way to get Miz back on the show, but they really didn't even try milking it, rendering last week's entire show a complete waste now. Very anti-climatic return. Announcers sold it like, "All right, Miz is back on the show. Cut to a commercial." (n/a)

4 -- WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. Unified tag champion BIG SHOW -- non-title match

The match started with Big Show slowly walking toward Orton to intimidate him. This was a follow-up from last night's house show in Colorado Springs where Orton worked babyface against Show, who worked heel in the house show main event. Crowd was behind Orton, who absorbed punishment early on before landing the horizontal DDT across the middle rope. Orton wanted the RKO, but Show flung him away. Show teased the chokeslam, then grabbed Orton and delivered a chokeslam. Orton was KO'ed, but Orton managed to get a foot on the bottom rope to escape a pin. Show then blasted Orton with stomps and kicks out of frustration. Show readied the Big Right Hand, but Orton ducked and slithered out of the ring. Orton stood on the outside as the ref applied a ten count. Ref reached eight and Orton teased re-entering, but he opted to walk away. Show with the count-out victory. Show wasn't too pleased with Orton bailing.

WINNER: Big Show via count-out at 6:05. There was more emphasis on making Show seem like a monster (to build up for the Shaq deal down the line) than making Orton seem like a credible wrestler on any level, nevertheless the champion. Orton's credibility is just gone. It's just not there at all. Raw before the Royal Rumble seems like forever ago. (*)

5 -- CHRIS MASTERS vs. MVP

Masters showed off his strength early on by tossing MVP across the ring. MVP came back with a nice overhead throw off the ropes. He followed with the Big Ballin' elbow drop and wanted the Chono Boot, but Masters avoided. He tried the Masterlock, but only got one arm locked. Wait for it...he couldn't find the right combination, then MVP countered right into the Playmaker for the pin and the win.

WINNER: MVP at 2:33. I might soon regret this next sentence... Swagger and Master could make a good tag team. Although I'd rather see Swagger receive a credible singles push, Swagger and Masters could be a good tag team where Swagger can be featured on Smackdown (to actually have time to wrestle) and build up his credibility as a legit star. Masters would benefit from working with Swagger, who can provide the personality while Masters provides the muscle. (*)

6 -- MARK SWOGGLE HENRY & HORNSWOGGLE vs. LEGACY (TED DIBIASE, JR. & CODY RHODES)

Cole and Lawler said DX might be returning at Summerslam to face Legacy. Trivia note: Cody Rhodes is actually the same height as Henry, if not with an inch advantage. Henry flung Cody out of the ring, then gave DiBiase a World's Strongest Slam in the corner. Horny then went up top and wanted the Tadpole splash, but DiBiase moved. Henry was stunned, then Cody kicked him off the apron. DiBiase stalked Horny, then grappled him from behind for the Dream Street in center ring for the pin and the win.

WINNERS: Cody & Ted at 2:38. Match was there. Cody and Ted look real tough beating Hornswoggle to set up their Summerslam match. *End sarcasm*

7 -- JOHN CENA vs. Unified tag champion CHRIS JERICHO

Jericho and Cena exchanged control early on. Crowd wasn't buying the previous segment with Jericho obviously being scripted to cut an anti-Canada promo and continued to cheer Jericho. Lawler reasoned that the crowd still didn't want to cheer Cena because he's American. Actually, it's because they don't think highly of his wrestling ability.

Jericho controlled the match going into the over-run. He landed an elbow to the back before making a cover for a two count. Cena then went into "vintage Cena" mode of the flying shoulder tackle and Five Knuckle Shuffle combo. Cena smirked at the mixed crowd reaction. He started the "You Can't See Me" hand motion, but Jericho grabbed at him. Spot was blown, so Cena did the gesture again and Jericho tried a small package, but only got a two count. Cena then rolled through a cross-body block and wanted to power into the FU, but Jericho escaped and slapped on the Walls of Jericho. Jericho sat down on it to big cheers. Cena escaped, then countered into the STFU. Randy Orton then snuck into the ring and the bell sounded for the match to be thrown out. Crowd went from being red hot to dead silent as Cena and Orton just kind of stared at each other.

WINNER: No Decision at 6:46. Jericho is the best performer in this company right now. Morrison, Punk, and Hardy are close, but Jericho had the audience eating out of his hand for seven great minutes. Cena worked well too. Match finish was unclear, but that was expected when WWE booked this match. (**1/2)

Post-match: Jericho gave Cena the codebreaker from behind. Orton then dumped Jericho to the outside leading to Big Show sneaking in the back door to chokeslam Orton. On cue, Slaughter came out on stage and said the maggots gave him a good idea. As his final act of duty, he's going to make a tag match for next week: Big Show & Jericho vs. Cena & Orton. Crowd apathetic to a match for next week. Orton and Cena then snuck up behind Show and clotheslined him to the floor. Cena wanted the FU on Jericho, but Orton snuck up behind Cena and delivered the RKO on Jericho while Jericho was in FU position. Credit to Sean Radican for a text on this one: the FUKO. Jericho's neck was snapped back on the landing. Ouch. Orton and Cena then circled around Jericho's fallen body staring at each other with questioning eyes since they're opponents at Summerslam, but worked together at the end of Raw tonight. End show.