From the Big Sandy Superstore Arena courtesy of reader Lou Pickney
– Golden Truth over Breezango
– Apollo Crews over Heath Slater (w/ Bo Dallas)
Slater got a local guy pop which Crews seemed confused by.
– Darren Young (w/Bob Backlund) def. I-C Champion The Miz (w/ Maryse) by DQ when Maryse interfered.
– Enzo and Cass def. Dudley Boyz
– Sasha Banks def. Summer Rae
Pretty much a squash.
– United States Champion Rusev (w/ Lana) retained in a five-way match with Kalisto, Sami Zayn, Cesaro, and Sheamus when Rusev forced Kalisto to submit.
Everybody hit a finisher except Cesaro who was the only off the mat to the outside move all night.
– Kane and Big Show def. Wyatt Family (Bray/Erick Rowan/Braun Strowman)
Notes:
– The 6000 seat arena was about 1/3 full, probably due to the holiday weekend, lack of big names, and the other West Virginia house show the night before.
Match was a simple television tag match. Nothing special. The crowd was hugely hot for Zo and Cass.
– Apollo Crews defeated Bo Dallas
Crews broke out a finisher that I hadn’t seen before: a belly to back alley oop to a sit down power bomb. Decent match. Much better than expected.
– Sasha Banks defeated Summer Rae
Once again, the crowd was hot for Sasha. Match was a snoozer, though.
– Golden Truth defeated Breezango
Boring match aside from Breezango playing their parts perfect.
– Sami Zayn won a 15 man battle royal, last eliminating Cesaro
After it was down to Cesaro and Sami, they basically had a 5-7 minute singles match which totally lifted the whole battle royal. Good match.
– I-C Champion The Miz w/ Maryse defeated Darren Young to retain
Really good match. Darren can always go when given the chance. About 10-15 minutes of back and forth, solid.
– US Champion Rusev w/ Lana defeated Sami Zayn
Probably the best match of the night. Lana got tossed for interference. Match was about 20 minutes. There at a point you would really think Sami was about to win the title, but with it being Pikeville, that wasn’t happening. Both guys played their parts well, and got in their key spots.
Big Show & Kane defeated The Wyatts
Bray actually wrestled this match, but not very much. Bray got in some of his usual offense, then Rowan and Strowman took it from there. Rowan ate the pin after a double choke slam, so everyone could go home happy.
Thanks also to Kevin Slone and Vick Kavelish for also sending in notes
Glenn Jacobs, who wrestles as Kane in WWE, said he was seriously considering running for Mayor of Knox County, as a Republican.
He said he would make his decision after the presidential election.
He said he’s talked with current mayor Tim Burchett about it.
Knox County covers the city of Knoxville, the area that Jacobs lives in.
Jacobs did an interview with WBIR television saying he’s looking at doing so because he cares so much about the community.
“That’s the only reason I would consider getting into any sort of government because I do care very deeply. and I think it’s incumbent upon people who care about the communities to try and make a difference.
Jacobs noted that for work, he could live anywhere in the U.S., but settled in Knoxville because he love East Tennessee.
Jacobs first lived in Knoxville when he worked under the name Unabom for Jim Cornette’s Smoky Mountain Wrestling promotion,. as a tag team partner of Al snow.
Is Crews stuck in an infinite booking loop, or what? Having beaten all four Social Outcasts since his debut against Tyler Breeze, Crews is then given the rematch against Curtis Axel that we were all clamouring for. It’s worth noting that Axel entered alone here, which meant no pre-match Outcasts promo. Crying shame.
Despite dispatching Axel in short order in their Smackdown match a couple of weeks ago, Crews takes 13 long minutes to dispense with the now-chainless wonder here. It was a dull match, most notable for a Crews vertical suplex, with an extended delay to showcase his power. Lawler also referred to Axel as Heath Slater at one point, which drew Rich Brennan’s mirth and derision.
Axel eventually missed a fist drop from the top rope to spur Crews’ comeback, which saw him counter the Perfectplex with a standing enziguri and follow up with the spinning sitout powerbomb for the win.
Summer Rae def. Alicia Fox by pinfall
Yeesh, this was bad. And the crowd, who chanted for New Day, knew it too. Summer Rae at least provided some entertainment during her entrance, singing along to her theme and proclaiming: “It’s the best song!”. Alicia, meanwhile, who is no longer a Bella, was bedecked in sky-blue ring gear and accompanied by her old generic theme.
This lasted four minutes, but felt like fourteen. The seams of the match were very visible, with a lot of awkward spots and miscommunication. Summer eventually won by tossing Foxy neck first onto the ropes and following up with her leg-assisted reverse DDT – the Summer Crush, apparently.
The Big Show and Kane def. Erick Rowan and Braun Strowman
Kane’s entrance gets a big pop, simply by dint of him being the first star that this London crowd had seen at the taping so far. The Big Show gives Kane an uncertain thumbs up upon entering the ring, for fear that Kane might goozle him over the top rope again. Like he did only last month. 28 writers, folks.
The Vintner and Braun enter to Luke Harper’s music and TitanTron, without the injured Bray Wyatt. The match is as dreadful as you might expect, coming in at 15 minutes with TWO (yes, two) hot tags. The lengths they go to avoid having Braun work on television are amusing, with all his part in getting the heat on Show taking place during the commercial break. When we return, Braun immediately tags out!
The first hot tag, to Kane, is quickly cut off by Braun, as he performs his first two actual moves of the match (a bodyslam and an elbow drop!). Then, the heels get the heat on Kane for a while, including the Vintner using my favourite submission – the double noogie. Mark for it every time, bro.
Kane immediately hits Braun with a DDT when he tags in to further prevent the big man from exposing the business. He then crawls to Show to make the second hot tag of the match, which culminates in both babyfaces creaming Rowan with a double chokeslam for the victory.
Final Thoughts
An appalling edition of the show this week, with very little of merit to recommend it by.
Solid opener. Crowd is hot! Moonsault to floor! Red arrow for the finish with Neville winning.
– Bo Dallas & Heath Slater vs. Damien Sandow & Darren Young
Sandow got a good reaction. Crowd still hot! Outcasts won.
– Rusev with Lana vs. Fandango
Rusev in less than a minute; why? Rusev then challenged anyone.
– Rusev vs. Ryback
Ryback got a huge reaction! They worked hard and crowd was into it.
– Enzo & Big Cass with Carmella vs. The Ascension
There was some that knew the Enzo & Cass gimmick, but not a lot. Small “How you doin?” Chant. Real quick match with Enzo & Cass going over with finisher. Wyatts jump Big Cass & Enzo with Big Show making save with huge pop, which leads to…
– Luke Harper & Braun Strowman & Erick Rowan vs. Big Cass & Enzo & Big Show
Surprised to say it was a solid match. Big Show only in for hot tag after double heat. Crowd was loud. Show choke slammed Rowan for finish.
– Divas Champion Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch
Damn good match. Best match on the show. Lots of near falls leading to Charlotte winning with feet on ropes.
– WWE Tag Team Champions New Day vs. Usos
Crowd was hot for both teams. Total comedy until heat started. Fun match
– Bray Wyatt vs. Kane
Bray got a big reaction. Kane got a pretty good pop also. I am not sure why Bray has not turned baby. Bray did a crotch chop and said “suck it” to a fan. Crowd kinda died and people started leaving. Bray was working hard, no one cared. Kane pins Bray after choke slam.
– Summary:
A solid house show, especially since this is the B crew. I was told this was the same exact show as the night before in Cape Girardeau, MO. Most over on the show was probably Big Show (surprising, but probably because he has been there so long and everyone knows him). As for the new guys, New Day were really over and crowd liked Usos a lot also. Another big surprise and it was the same as last time they were in Jonesboro, but Sandow was really over with the crowd. Pretty good for a guy that has not been on TV in months. Enzo & Cass were not over when they first came out, but before that 6 man was over the crowd was loving them. Natural charisma from the trio.
– Social Outcasts (Bo Dallas and Heath Slater) vs. Darren Young and Damien Sandow
Sandow was OVER, but Outcasts got the win with a roll up.
– Rusev (with Lana) vs. Fandango
Rusev won in less than a minute with the Accolade. The doctor ran to ringside and helped Fandango to the back after the match, not sure what sort of injury he may have received.
– Rusev vs. Ryback
Rusev got on the mic and challenged anyone to come out and face him, which led to Ryback (massive pop) to accept the challenge. Hard hitting match, Ryback eventually picked up the win with a Shellshock.
– Enzo and Big Cass vs The Ascension
Enzo and Big Cass got the victory fairly quickly. Afterwards, the Wyatt Family (minus Bray) ran down and attacked Enzo and Big Cass, with Big Show coming in for the save. After some trash talk by Show, this led to a six man tag.
– Enzo, Big Cass, and Big Show vs. Wyatt Family (Harper/Rowan/StroMAN)
Show, Cass, and Enzo defeated the Wyatt Family when Show pinned Rowan after a chokeslam.
– Divas Champion Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch
My personal choice for match of the night. Charlotte got the victory with a roll up.
– WWE Tag Champions New Day vs. The Usos
The Dudleys was also advertised for this match but for whatever reason they weren’t here. Fun match, lots of playing to the crowd by both teams. The New Day ended up picking the win after some shenanigans, but afterwards The Usos survived a beatdown and posed with the championships.
– Kane vs Bray Wyatt
Kane won with a chokeslam, but Bray controlled most of the match.
By: PeachMachine (@hendosfoodblog and @parkingcone)
This week…
TLC 2 – December 19,2010 – Houston Texas – Toyota Center
Dark Match – Daniel Bryan (c) defeated Ted DiBiase (with Maryse) for the WWE United States Championship
Not on the network, but let’s start our tally of current WWE employees versus goners – D. Bryan still with the company (barely), but DiBiase and Maryse are gone, so it’s 1-2.
U.S. Champion D. Bryan in the dark slot. Ya.
Dolph Ziggler (c) defeated Kofi Kingston and Jack Swagger in a triple threat ladder match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Stryker, Cole and Lawler again. Cole has his Slammies. Remember when the Slammies were real, or something like that?
Of the four performers involved in the first match, yes for Kofi, yes for Dolph, yes-ish for Swagger, and no for Vicki, so it’s 4-3.
A pretty average three way and a pretty average ladder match with a super flat finish of Dolph picking the title up off the ground that was dropped by Kofi and Swagger.
Natalya and Beth Phoenix defeated LayCool (Layla and Michelle McCool) in a tag team tables match
Natalya is the only one still remaining, so we’re at 5 in and 6 out.
I’ve haven’t heard as many hi-yas in one place since my 6 year old birthday party where we all were dressed as ninjas.
Stryker just sounds like a complete dork.
I enjoyed the painted table because I have no idea if it was supposed to be flattering or insulting to LayCool.
I see why they haven’t done another one of these since.
The double Sharpshooter by Natalya actually looked pretty good.
Natalya having to do the cross body off the top because the table didn’t break made the ending at least enjoyable.
Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov (c) defeated The Nexus (Justin Gabriel and Health Slater) (with Husky Harris and whatever Curtis Axel was before, something McGuillicutty?) by DQ for the WWE Tag Team Championship
Santino is not wrestling anymore, Kozlov is gone, Gabriel quit, Slater is a jobber, Harris is now Bray Wyatt, and Axelmania is, well, unclear at best. That puts us at 8 on the roster and 9 not, and the biggest current player of this match is Husky Harris.
Remember Kozlov?
John Morrison defeated King Sheamus in a ladder match to determine the number one contender to the WWE Championship
Wow, Michael Cole really stepping up his annoyingness putting himself over in this one. Nothing I like more than hearing the announcers talk about how great they are personally.
Sheamus is still around, and Morrison is doing stand up comedy. Who came out better? 9 still here, 10 gone.
Let’s toss the announce team into our tally, so we have Cole and King still around and Stryker gone. Now we’re even at 11.
Pretty wild ladder match. I like when they build stuff out of the ladders.
Do you think Morrison really did Parkour? Like in his free time, would he go run in the park and jump off of picnic tables? Or did he just go to the gym like a normal person.
I like to think that all contract disputes are settled this way. “Alright, we’ve acquired the Donaldson contract. Let’s all thank Gary for winning that ladder match.”
Michael Cole, “That steel ladder bent in half!” WWE Director, “And now lets got a shot of those wood shards from where the wooden section of the ladder broke.”
This is actually a dang good match. Really fun stuff here.
The Miz (c) (with Alex Riley) defeated Randy Orton in a tables match for the WWE Championship
Miz is still around and now wearing a cape, Orton is around but injured, and A-Ry? MIA. I can’t count him as a current roster member… Well I just checked the WWE Superstars page, and he’s there, so I have to count him. 14 yes – 11 no. Oh wait, I forgot to add Josh Matthews to the no list. 14-12.
I once pitched a tag team idea for Zach Ryder and Alex Riley. They would have been called A Ri to Z Ry… And by pitched I mean, said to myself alone in the car and giggled.
Did you do your Randy Orton body research from last week? One day when I figure out how to screen shot something I’ll do it myself. Nah, I won’t. Regardless, he looks better in 2010 than 2009. Bigger for sure. And it looks like he finally got those wonderful tattoo sleeves completed.
A Ry took the table bump and Miz put a lifeless Randy Orton through the remains, and Mike Chioda didn’t see it because he had been bumped.
Chioda saw the replay on the big screen and restarted the match. Let’s start the 90-second timer… Way less.
So now Orton falls off the apron and into a table and the match is over.
So the ref can use replay but only if they happen to notice it. It can’t be done officially, I guess. Cole was yelling about how instant replay is illegal.
They showed a replay of Chioda watching the replay. Whoa! Trippy.
Edge defeated Kane (c), Rey Mysterio and Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) in a Fatal-4-Way TLC match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Rosa Mendes and Del Rio chatted it up before the match. Strangely, they are both still on the roster.
Edge is gone, Rey is gone, Ricardo is gone, Kane is now two people, but he’s fired. Whatever. 17 yes and 15 no.
This is just after the “Edge is a psychopath father torture” angle.
Edge took a ladder and threw it near the announcers and you could see Stryker do the “stop short” arm move for the King. That was nice.
Then Stryker says that Edge chose the biggest ladder because of his experience. Ok?
Some pretty inventive stuff here. Rey jumped off one of the prop tables that were hung over the stage.
Ricardo took a big bump from Kane.
This was a heck of a TLC match. Just sort of brutal and realistic. When the spots get too inventive, it takes me out of it.
It also takes me out of it when at the start of every ladder match the guys have to stare at the title longingly.
Hellacious bump by Del Rio coming off the big ladder through a table out of the ring.
Kane’s back up and looks to have a trickle of blood on his head. Better go to that wide shot.
Edge spanked Kane with a chair.
Remember the Con-Chair-To?
Kane took a pretty solid bump to the floor through a table after a spear by Edge.
Really excellent TLC match.
An unbelievably embarrassingly bad comedy Santa skit…
Dashing Cody Rhodes came out to speak. He’s still on the roster, sort of. 18 and 15.
Fat material. Jowl puns. Wow.
Michael Cole’s fake laugh is sickening. “Irritable Jowl Syndrome.” Haha! Good stuff Cody.
I enjoy the old school heel running down the audience, but this material is “Boy Meets World” level bad.
Then the Bellas came out as elves and Big Show as Santa.
Big Show is out to plug Knucklehead. I hope that ends up in my stocking this year.
The Bellas and Show are still on the roster. 21-15
Big Show’s finish is a punch. How is he not the Champion on an amazing undefeated streak if all he has to do is punch?
John Cena defeated Wade Barrett in a chairs match
CM Punk comes to the ring to announce. He’s out.
Cena is still the man even though he’s off TV for a bit, and Barrett probably wishes he were fired a long time ago. 23 yes, and 16 no.
There are literally dozens of chairs at ringside and Cena can’t seem to pick one up.
“We Hate Cena” T-Shirt guy in the front row. Speak for yourself!
This match is just silly.
Chair use in this match is idiotic. Wade continually tries to decapitate him but keeps missing, and then gently swipes him on the side later when he had him dead to rights.
Red Hat guy in the crowd
This PPV is dragging.
Cena “knocked out” Barrett, then poured cold water on his face to wake him up, just so he could zoom him down the ramp on a rolling chair into the propped up ring steps. That’s really what happened.
Now I’m supposed to take this match seriously.
Oh, remember earlier when Cena knocked out all five other Nexus guys earlier in the night? He’s concussed a half a dozen men this evening.
Cena wins by giving Barrett an Attitude Adjustment onto 8 chairs.
That match was pretty stupid. It had a zany finish of Cena putting Barrett under a protective table, and then pulling down the prop chairs and they all fell on Barrett.
Summary: This was a much better show than the year before. Actually, I just went through the card again, and I’m wrong. It’s not as good. The terrible stuff was just the dirt worst, and there were some cringe worthy matches. The TLC match was really good. Go watch that.
– Ric Flair out to start with a basic ‘hello Wales’ promo and wave at the nice people. Nice work if you can get it!
– Dudleys over WWE Tag Team Champions New Day (all three) in a handicap tables match. Fine. Short. Xavier took the plunge.
– Cesaro over Miz. Cesaro was actually, probably the most popular guy of the night, close call between him and Dolph. Plenty of Cesaro section signs. Obviously not connecting still. Really good match actually, my favorite of the night. 31 second swing and sharpshooter finish.
– Miz whined. R-Truth came out and beat him in seconds.
– Becky Lynch over Brie Bella. Not good. Becky seemed lost and her offense was weak, especially leg drops that weren’t even coming close to connecting.
– Curtis Axel over Bo Dallas. Yep, you read that. As rubbish as you’d expect.
– Dolph Ziggler over Tyler Breeze with a superkick and zig zag. Long match but very good towards the end. Great false finish with all the kids rushing the barrier as Tyler kicked out of the first zig zag.
– WWE Divas Champion Charlotte over Paige via Figure 8. Paige was cheered but they didn’t flip roles. Better than the other women’s match but still lackluster. I just can’t get into Paige, she seems so confused about who and what she is. Audience wasn’t that interested.
– Finn Balor over Sheamus, sunset flip out of the high cross. Good final five minutes but the first 10 was pretty much a slaughter. Sheamus gave him nothing and the lack of hope spots made for a very subdued audience. Good pop for the Balor win, nobody seemed to expect that.
– Kane over Big Show in a street fight after a choke slam off the top through a table. Insane bump for Show at his size and age. Dull match though, crowd weren’t really feeling it. Tyler vs. Dolph would have better to close with. We want Cena/Cena Sucks chants during the main event!
Notes:
– Great efforts by Cesaro, Miz and Dolph.
– Enjoyable show though it didn’t really feel enough effort was made to replace Seth Rollins. Tricky, I appreciate, but given he was the top guy on the bill, replacing him with Show (which is how they presented it despite Show having already been advertised) didn’t really feel good enough. They offered refunds during the first match but after driving a couple of hours with a couple of excited kids in tow, not an option!
