12-20-13 Smackdown results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the December 20, 2013 Smackdown

The show starts with Randy Orton coming to the ring. He says that at TLC he cemented his legacy in the most monumental match in WWE history. He beat Cena & became the “first ever” WWE World Champion (Even though Jericho was the WWF & WCW World Champion 12 years ago but they want us to forget that). And what did the “authority” do to reward him? They put him in a match the next night with Daniel. Orton “beat” Daniel & then when Cena came out to save the day Orton left him lying face down right next to Daniel. Orton is the champion of champions & he just doesn’t care. Then John Cena comes out. Orton can feel the jealousy oozing out of Cena’s pores. It’s pathetic. Orton is standing where he belongs. This used to be Cena’s spotlight & Orton thinks that Cena has a problem with that. Cena needs to recognize that this is Orton’s spotlight now. Then Cena says that Orton needs to relax. Cena is out there to stop Orton from looking like a fool. Their match at TLC was historic because of those 2 titles. Those titles are now unified, which means that is the richest prize in WWE. Cena agrees with Orton that everyone should want to be in Orton’s shoes. If you’re a WWE superstar & you don’t wanna be WWE Champion there’s the door. Cena hates to hit Orton with some truth, that being that Orton got his wish. Orton is the center of WWE. He is their champion. What Orton isn’t realizing is that everyone is now watching him. Orton can no longer get away with anything. This is how Orton will be remembered. Cena tells Orton to ask himself how he wants to be remembered. As a champion of champions or as a giant coward? Orton did what he had to do to win Monday. Cena tells Orton that he didn’t win. Daniel won by DQ. Cena came out here for weeks & told everybody that all Orton does is make excuses & take the easy way out. Cena had his fingers crossed hoping that Orton would show up at TLC & compete as the real man that Cena knows. Orton did that & he won. Orton was a real man less than 1 day. What’d Orton do the next night was he was in hot water? He took the easy way out. That isn’t gonna cut it. Orton sees what Cena’s trying to do, but Daniel isn’t getting a rematch. He doesn’t deserve it & no one deserves to be standing in the same ring with him. Then Daniel Bryan comes out. Daniel tells Orton that he gets it why Orton did what he did Monday & Daniel gets it why Orton won’t give him a rematch. That is because Orton is afraid. Daniel says that Orton is afraid that when he finally beats Randy it will tear down all those little myths that Orton has been told ever since he was a little kid, that he’s better than everybody, but Orton is not better than Daniel. If Orton wants to talk about people deserving stuff there’s 1 thing that Daniel knows & it’s that Orton doesn’t deserve to be called WWE World Champion. Daniel says it’s ok. He’s made peace with that because Daniel knows that when Cena finally gets his rematch he will beat Orton. When he does Daniel knows that Cena will give him a fair shot at the WWE World Title. Then Orton says that what both Cena & Daniel aren’t realizing is that that won’t happen. He won’t let Daniel fight for that title & neither will HHH or Stephanie. The “authority” recognizes Orton’s superiority & the fact that Orton is the only 1 true face of WWE. Then Daniel asks the fans if Orton really is the face of WWE. They say no. Daniel tells Orton that the fans can say it a lot louder than he can & the answer is NO. Then out come The Shield & Orton slides out of the ring. Before The Shield can get in the ring CM Punk then comes out. Then Vickie Guerrero comes out. The authority asked her to come out & announce tonight’s main event (We all know what that is). Punk, Cena & Daniel vs. The Shield. This was the usual, “Start the show with a long promo & have the GM make a match for later” segment. Cena & Daniel were both good with their promos & Orton was ok too. I thought the segment did go too long though.

The Real Americans are in the ring & Zeb has a Deport Santa Claus sign. What is this?

Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston (With Mark Henry) vs. Jack Swagger (With Zeb Coulter & Antonio Cesaro. Big E gets the pin. This was a squash. Cesaro tries to interfere but Henry clotheslines him. Then Big E gives Swagger the big ending & gets the pin.

Brie Bella (With Nikki) vs. Tamina Snuka (With AJ). Brie gets the pin. This was decent. Afterwards Brie shoves AJ.

Sin Cara vs. Drew McIntyre. Cara gets the pin. This was a squash too.

Tensai vs. Brodus Clay. Tensai gets the pin. Brodus splashes Tensai twice. Before he can give him a third, his music plays & Naomi & Cameron come out with Xavier Woods. This distracts Brodus & Tensai rolls him up for the pin. This wasn’t much. I’m not a fan of this angle & I’m also tired of the old, “This person’s music is playing, I gotta get distracted by it” bit.

Then Brodus pounds away on Tensai. Woods hits the ring & ducks a clothesline from Brodus. Then Tensai hits Brodus. Then Woods gives Brodus a rolling clothesline. Brodus leaves, the others dance & I groan.

WWE Tag Team Champions Goldust & Cody Rhodes vs. Luke Harper & Erik Rowan. Harper & Rowan win when Harper pins Cody. This was a good match. They were all outside the ring & Bray threw Cody into the post. Then Harper clotheslined Cody for the pin.

Then Bray gets in the ring. He has Harper & Rowan hold Cody. Bray does his weird leaning pose in the corner. Then he goes over to Cody, but before anything happens Daniel Bryan comes out with a chair. Harper runs up the ramp to clothesline Daniel but Daniel ducks & hits Harper with the chair. Then he hits Rowan in the leg with the chair. Then Daniel gets in the ring but Harper slides in & yanks the chair out of Daniel’s hands. Then Daniel gives Harper a roundhouse kick. Then he ducks a clothesline from Bray, takes him down & punches away. Rowan gets on the apron but Daniel drop kicks him off. This was good too.

Damien Sandow is in the ring. He says that he is subjected to the half-witted hoopla (Has he been watching Truth Martini?) that is Christmas. He says that this time of year is about corrupt adults asking for junk that they don’t need, ungrateful children asking for things that they have not earned, the houses are filled with disgusting ornaments. He tells the fans he isn’t finished. Then he says that they have all just proven his point. None of the fans deserve Christmas, which is exactly why this Monday he will personally cancel Christmas. Before he can tell the fans you are all welcome The Miz’s music plays & he comes out. Miz gives us a “really” & says that Sandow is cancelling Christmas. Then he says really a few times. Then he says that he knows Santa & that Santa was in his corner on Main Event. Where Miz comes from they celebrate the holidays. Where he comes from they celebrate Santa Claus. Sandow isn’t Santa Claus & he couldn’t carry Santa’s sack. This was lame. I thought Miz was a heel. It seems like they’re not sure what he is.

The Miz vs. Damien Sandow. Sandow gets the pin. This was too short to be much of anything.

They show a video package on the 50 years of WWE DVD. They also show clips & have comments from Bret Hart & The Undertaker.

Kofi Kingston vs. Fandango. Fandango gets the pin. This was a decent match.

Backstage Renee Young catches up with Daniel Bryan. She mentions the 6 man tag that he has coming, but before that she…Then Renee leaves. Then we see Harper & Rowan surrounding Daniel. Then Bray calls Daniel’s name, comes out from behind some storage trunks & then Harper & Rowan attack Daniel. Bray tells Daniel they could’ve been friends. Harper & Rowan take out Daniel. Bray drops to his knees and sings ashes, ashes we all fall down. This was good. Break time.

Back from break & The Shield is in the ring.

Then they go backstage & referees are checking on Daniel.

Back to The Shield in the ring. Then Punk & Cena come out. Then Vickie comes out. She says that what happened to Daniel Bryan is unfortunate but the show must go on. This match is now a 2 on 3 handicap match (Why’d they have to have Vickie come out & tell us that? I think everyone kinda figured that out).

CM Punk & John Cena vs. The Shield. Punk & Cena win by DQ when The Shield triple stomps away on Punk too long. This match was good but that kind of DQ was lame.

Then Cena comes back in & clotheslines Reigns out of the ring. Then Cena throws Reigns into the barrier. Rollins & Ambrose double team Punk. They get him in the corner but then Cena comes in & sends Ambrose into another corner. Cena & Punk each have the upper hand but then Reigns comes back in & spears Cena. Then Punk jumps on Reigns’ back but Ambrose goes after Punk. Then Ambrose & Rollins stomp on Punk & then Rollins kicks him out of the ring. Then they give Cena the triple power bomb. Then Punk comes back in & goes after Rollins but Reigns & Ambrose grab Punk. Reigns holds Punk on the mat as Ambrose & Rollins stomp away. Then Big E Langston comes out & cleans house on The Shield. Then Reigns comes back in the ring. He & Big E have a stare down. Then Punk comes in holding a steel chair & The Shield leaves. Big E & Punk are still in the ring & Big E poses to end the show. This was really good.

I thought this week’s show was hit & miss. The opening in ring promo was the usual way that Smackdown starts. The handicap match was good but the DQ finish was lame. I liked the post-match stuff where The Shield took out Punk & Cena. I also liked that Big E came out to even the odds but how come he came out after The Shield took out Punk & Cena? Goldust & Cody vs. Harper & Rowan was also really good & I liked that Daniel came out to help The Rhodes Brothers afterwards. The Wyatts attacking Daniel backstage was well done too. Kofi-Fandango was decent, Miz-Sandow was too short to be much of a match, & their pre match banter was lame. Brie-Tamina was decent, Tensai-Brodus wasn’t much & the post-match stuff there was lame. Big E vs. Swagger was a squash. So was Sin Cara vs. Drew McIntyre. Overall I thought this week’s show was a mixed bag. Not awesome but not terrible either.

12-19-13 Impact results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the December 19, 2013 Final Resolution Impact

The show starts with Magnus walking backstage. He asks some guy where Dixie is. She hasn’t checked in yet. Then he asks where Jeff Hardy is. The guy doesn’t know that either. He tells the guy that he’s got something to say that will get everyone’s attention.

Magnus comes to the ring. He loves this business, which is why he just like every wrestler put their bodies through a lot because they love this business. It’s not about the lavish life style. It’s always been about honor & respect but can the same be said for Jeff Hardy? Magnus is as big a fan of Jeff’s as anybody. Jeff slayed every single 1 of his demons, but maybe there’s 1 little demon crawling in. That being greed. Magnus mentions that Jeff was filmed having drinks with Dixie. They show that clip. Magnus thinks Jeff owes everyone an explanation. This is the most important match of Magnus’ life. He won’t let Jeff or Dixie fool him. Then he tells the fans not to let Jeff fool them either. Then Jeff comes out. Jeff says Magnus doesn’t know him. Magnus says this is the biggest night of his life; he’s not letting any chances go. Jeff needs to explain himself. He remembers what Jeff did on 10-10-10. Jeff says that was a different time & place. Magnus says that on October 10 that year Jeff sold out, took the money & ran for the world title & Magnus thinks he might be doing that again. The fans forgave Jeff, there are kids who dress up like Jeff but what will his creatures think if he sold out. Jeff tells Magnus to worry about his own life & not his. This was a good opening promo. Magnus was really good on the mic.

Backstage Christie is with Kurt Angle. He mentions that Roode has had his number, but tonight is the night he shows the world who Kurt Angle really is & that he still has it. He will beat Roode twice. This isn’t the end of Kurt Angle, this is just the beginning. This was a good promo too.

Backstage we see JB standing outside a door. Later tonight we will find out who got what in the feast or fired. Chavo comes in & says he might get a title match. Zima comes in & says the same. Then he & Chavo bicker. JB mentions that someone’s going home. Whatever.

Kurt Angle vs. Bobby Roode in a 2 out of 3 falls match. Roode wins. * Roode wins the first fall by pin fall * Angle wins the second fall by pin fall * Roode wins the third fall by pin fall while holding the rope. WINNER – BOBBY ROODE. This was a good match.

Back to JB. He talks about how 3 guys will get a title match & 1 will get a pink slip. Gunner & Storm come in. JB says that Gunner got his case in a controversial way. Gunner says Storm would’ve done the same. Storm says we’ll see if Gunner’s gamble paid off. Gunner asks him what that means. Storm tells him that means he could be canned. They go into the office. This was ok but this feast or fired gimmick is lame.

Backstage camera guy asks Kurt Angle what happened. Angle says Roode’s outsmarted him. He’s never been outsmarted before. All Angle has wanted to do was beat Roode & he couldn’t do that. Camera guy mentions that Roode days that he has Angle’s number. Angle doesn’t know what to do. This was good too.

Time for a video package recapping the history between Madison Rayne & Gail Kim.

Back to JB. EC3 comes by. JB still owes him a match, but not tonight. He’s a carter & his fate as a winner has been determined. If all else fails he knows what to do. Then his cell phone rings & it’s Dixie. She says there isn’t anything she can do about what case he got. This EC3 gimmick is really annoying.

Backstage EY says the experiment continues tonight. He has some gifts for Joseph.

They reshow a video package recapping the Joseph Park & Eric Young vs. Daniels & Kazarian storyline.

Eric Young comes to the ring. Last week he dropped a big mind grenade on his friend. He tells Park to come out. EY tells Park that he is Abyss. Park says Eric’s been a great friend. Park’s head is full of stuff & he doesn’t know what to believe. But his name is Joseph Park. EY says that the monster Abyss showed up when Park bled. Park says it was a blur, he is Joseph Park. Then EY tells Park that next he will face Daniels & Kazarian in a handicap match. Park gets worried. Then EY tells him this will be a monsters ball. Park can’t do it. Then EY shows him the gifts that he got him. Park opens 1 & it’s a steel chair. The next gift is a bag of thumbtacks. The third one is a roll of barbed wire. Park appreciates all this but it doesn’t do anything for him. Park won’t do this. EY says he has 1 more gift left & it’s under the ring. The last gift is the 2 X 4 with the nails (aka Janice). Park then says he will do it. This was idiotic. This whole angle with Park not knowing he’s Abyss & Young trying to make him remember is just stupid. This whole joke is way beyond old!

Back to JB. The feast or fired case holders are sitting at a table awaiting their fate.  They’re doing this backstage now. Well at least the live crowed gets spared all this.

Backstage we see Jeff Hardy & Samoa Joe comes in. Joe says there’s no reason for Jeff to look the way he does unless what Magnus said is true. Joe mentions what a hostile business this is & gets the attraction of a short cut. He didn’t think Jeff would be that kind of guy. Jeff says that Joe isn’t getting an explanation. No one is.

Back to JB & the feast of fired case holders. JB reminds everybody what is in each case. Then he brings in Dixie. She has become so used to coming up with innovative ideas. Tonight the stakes couldn’t be hire for these 4 guys. JB says that Zima Ion will open his case first. Zima says there’s a 100 % chance that he’s going home, with gold around his waist. Ion gets the X Title case. Next up is Gunner. JB asks if Gunner will pick Storm to be his partner if he gets the tag title case. Gunner says they might have their issues but they’re still partners. Gunner gets the world title case. Chavo’s confident he’s got the tag title case. Whatever is in the case won’t change the fact that he is a Guerrero. EC3 says he’s a Carter…then Sting comes in & Dixie flips. Sting says EC3 & legacy in the same sentence makes him sick. Chavo never had anything handed to him. Sting says that legacy is wrapped around the Guerrero name & for Chavo to have a 50-50 chance of being gone sucks. But on the other side there’s a 50-50 chance EC3 could be gone. Sting offers to take whatever case EC3 has & challenges him to a match. EC3 says he will take the case. UGH! Time to find out the final 2 cases. EC3 gets the tag title case & Chavo’s history. Sting says that Dixie disgusts him & he doesn’t have any words for EC3. Dixie & EC3 are happy & Dixie says they gotta tell the family. Man this was beyond stupid!! I have no idea what they’re doing with Sting & EC3. This whole backstage bit was terrible!

Backstage Magnus talks about what happened with Jeff. Jeff hasn’t given any answer as to what happened. Magnus’ focus is on becoming TNA World Champion. When he does everything will be answered.     

ODB & Madison Rayne vs. Lei’D Tapa & Knockouts Champion Gail Kim. ODB & Rayne win Rayne pins Gail. This was solid.

Backstage Sting comes into Jeff’s dressing room. Sting knows what it’s like to be second guessed. Jeff doesn’t owe anybody an explanation except for his creatures. Jeff says Sting doesn’t understand. Sting says that he does. I’m glad he does because I sure don’t. This whole story with Jeff is weird.

Time for a 365 video. Rockstar Spud apologizes to Dixie for not getting the world title. Dixie asked him to her house because they have a world title match & there’s no world title. AJ is digging himself into a bigger legal hole. Dixie then tells Spud that he needs to find someone who will be a good champion or something like that. She tells him not to fail her. This was lame.

They show a video package recapping how Jeff & Magnus got to the finals of the TNA World Title Tournament.

Jeff Hardy comes to the ring. He says he’s made a lot of mistakes. We are who we are. He mentions Magnus coming out before & bringing up what happened 3 years ago. Then Jeff mentions what happened at Victory Road 2011. Those mistakes will not be repeated. Jeff thought about his past, but more importantly he thought about his future, his wife & daughter. He loves to entertain the creatures. He knows Dixie wanted to corrupt him but he knew that would mean Dixie would own him. No one owns him. Last week he told Dixie to take her money & stick it. Like AJ Styles, Jeff will win the world title & represent this company the way that it should be. Then out comes Dixie. She sees a similarity between Jeff & AJ. That being everything that they & their families have they owe to Dixie. She’s the one who stood by Jeff. The fans abanded him when he needed them. Because of Dixie Jeff got to keep his job. Dixie rambles on & says that if Jeff doesn’t focus on what’s best for her company he will be out of a job just like AJ. Then she says that Jeff needs Dixie more than she needs him. He has a real important decision to make. She tells him to make the right decision. She will be at ringside to watch the match. She wishes Jeff luck. This was just as idiotic as any Dixie promo. Her being on the show & being the heel owner is really just as hard to watch as what goes on in the other company! Why are they doing the exact same storyline!? They look really second rate!

Jeff Hardy vs. Magnus in a Dixie Land TNA World Title Tournament Finals match. Magnus wins to become the new champion. Both guys were climbing out of the cage & EC3 pulls Magnus’ leg. Then Jeff gives EC3 a Twist of Fate. The match continues on the outside. Then Jeff gets on the stage & throws his shirt at Dixie. Then Jeff climbs the ladder but then Rockstar Spud comes out & knocks over the ladder. Then Magnus climbs the ladder & grabs the belt. WINNER & NEW TNA WORLD CHAMPION – MAGNUS. The cage part of this was good but then it went south (no surprise).  Magnus holds the title up over his head to end the show. I liked the cage part of this but then after that this was overbooked.

I thought this was a really lousy show overall. The Jeff-Magnus promo at the start was good, I liked the Angle-Roode match & the Knockouts tag match was solid. There were a lot of backstage segments that I really didn’t care for. The whole feast or fired segment was a total waste & really painful! I’m really tired of Dixie being the on camera heel owner! That really makes TNA look like a cheap knock off. The Jeff-Magnus match was a mix. The cage part was good but the rest of it was overbooked. The Eric Young-Joseph Park promo was lame too. This whole story with Park not realizing he’s Abyss & EY trying to jog his memory is really old! So on the whole I found this show to be really painful to watch.

12-16-13 Raw results and thoughts

 Coverage and thoughts on the December 16, 2013 Raw

The show starts with the whole roster on the stage & HHH & Stephanie are in the ring. Stephanie welcomes everyone to this historic Raw. Time for everyone around the world, the superstars & divas from the past & present to honor 1 guy. HHH says last night the dawning of a new era took place as the WWE & World Titles were unified. A champion of champions was crowned & they’re here to pay honor to the new WWE World Champion Randy Orton. Orton comes out, stares at Cena & holds up the belts & then takes his sweet time getting in the ring. Then Orton says it’s a nice feeling when your faith is rewarded but the fans never had faith Orton would the “most important” match in WWE history. We all bought into the lie he was handed everything but he showed that wasn’t true. He earned what he took last night & made the 2 titles 1. Last week Orton stood in the ring with former champions & none of them have accomplished what he has. He says that he is better than everyone on the stage. He’s the most powerful guy in the ring. He’s the WWE World Champion. His reign will…Cena cuts him off & calls him an idiot. Orton doesn’t want Cena to ruin his moment. Cena just finishes whatever Orton was gonna say & throws in the handcuffs that were used. Then he congratulates Orton. Orton was the better champion & he earned it. Then Cena reminds us that Stonecold says that title forces you to put up or shut up. Orton tells Cena he won’t get his rematch tonight. Cena wasn’t talking about himself. Cena wants to be champion but last week he told a guy that if he won he’d give him a title match. He said that because unlike Orton he listens to the fans. Cena is talking about Orton facing “him.” Cena points to Daniel Bryan. Orton doesn’t care what anyone thinks. Cena says this would a great way to prove his legacy by defending the titles against Daniel. Orton doesn’t have to listen to Cena, Daniel, the idiot fans; he doesn’t have to listen to anybody. Then Stephanie says, “Except us.” Orton says that giving Daniel a title match tonight can’t be best for business. HHH agrees with Orton that Daniel doesn’t deserve a title match. Stephanie says that for reasons she can’t understand the fans voted for Daniel as superstar of the star. HHH says he & Stephanie always listen to the fans (Bull). Orton says that he was in a TLC match last night & went through a war. HHH can’t think of a better way to kick off the champion of champions era then for Orton to face the guy everyone says he can’t beat, Daniel Bryan. This was a mixed bag opening in ring promo. Orton was his usual boring, slow talking self, Cena’s promo was good & I liked he put Daniel over again. HHH & Stephanie were they’re usual selves.

The fans can vote for which team they wanna see The Rhodes Brothers face tonight. The Real Americans, Ryback & Curtis Axel or Big Show & Rey Mysterio. All 3 teams that they beat last night. I knew they were gonna give us some version of a rematch from the PPV.  

Goldust & Cody are in the ring. Time to find out who they will face next. No App plugging this time. They just play Mysterio’s music & he comes out. Then out comes Big Show.

WWE Tag Team Champions Goldust & Cody Rhodes vs. Big Show & Rey Mysterio. Big Show & Mysterio win when Rey pins Goldust. This was a good match. It looks like Rey & Big Show will be getting a tag title match again. Afterwards Big Show & Cody pick up Goldust.

During this Lawler took pictures of himself, JBL & Michael Cole on his phone. Why’d the do that during this match? Then JBL tells Cole to call the match. UGH!    

Michael Cole says that on the App fans can vote for whole Punk will team with tonight to face The Shield. The Usos, Los Matadores or The Primetime Players. Another version of a PPV rematch & Punk has a choice of 3 mid card teams to team up with.

Time for Bad News Barrett. He says over half a billion dollars is at steak this weak in the lottery. He’s got bad news. None of them will win the jackpot. They’ll have to return to their homes & continue to live their boring life styles. Who cares? This gimmick is crap.

Michael Cole mentions that they’re auctioning a Slammy on wwe.com. WHAT!? Who would want that!?

Backstage we see HHH, Stephanie & Kane. Orton comes in & flips out for having to face Daniel later tonight. Stephanie says that last night Daniel was almost decimated by the Wyatts. They value Orton as their champion & their friend. Orton is the “first” Undisputed champion. Now Orton has to face double the competition. HHH tells Orton everyone is gunning for him. Orton has to show why he’s champion every single night. They got his back. Orton storms out. This was your typical McMahons-Orton backstage bit.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Fandango. Dolph gets the pin. This was a decent match.

Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston & Mark Henry vs. The Real Americans. Big E & Henry win when Big E pins Cesaro. This was a good match & I like the Big E-Mark Henry team.

Backstage we see Sandow dressed as Santa & AJ Lee & Tamina are his helpers. He asks some little girl what she wants. Then he says it doesn’t matter, they have stupid lighting & Sandow says Christmas is canceled. Then we find out that Mark Henry will face Damien Sandow in a battle of the Santas next week.

R-Truth & Xavier Woods are on commentary.

Ryback & Curtis Axel are in the ring.

Then out come Brodus Clay, Tensai, Naomi & Cameron. I thought Brodus turned heel.

Tons of Funk vs. Ryback & Curtis Axel. Ryback & Axel win when Ryback pins Tensai. This wasn’t much.

Afterwards Brodus splashes Tensai twice. Then Truth & Woods hit the ring & they double dropkick Brodus out of the ring.

Then Truth says Naomi & Cameron haven’t had a lot to dance to lately. Woods says they’re all dressed to dance so they should come on in & do a little dancing. Naomi & Cameron get in the ring & the 4 of them dance. This was terrible.

CM Punk comes to the ring. He says that he was saying how The Shield would take him down. He thought for sure he they would, but last night not only did he not get taken out he beat the entire Shield. They’ll make excuses as to why they lost & this is far from over. The fans chant CM Punk. Then Punk says this isn’t about The Shield. The “Authority” doesn’t wanna admit they send The Shield after him. Punk feels like someone is trying to sweep him under the rug. Punk isn’t that great with authority. He showed that when he punched HHH in his mouth. Then Punk says before HHH puts him in a 16 on handicap match, why doesn’t HHH come out now & they can settle their problems face to face. Unless HHH is afraid of what Punk ca do to him with the mic. He asks the Dallas fans if he should give HHH a couple more seconds. Punk figured he wouldn’t come out. Cue Shawn Michaels’ music & he comes to the ring. Punk tells Shawn he wasn’t finished. Then he says whenever HHH or Stephanie wanna talk he’s waiting. Shawn gets Punk’s obsession with the authority & not liking Hunter. Then the fans give Shawn a you sold out chant. Then Shawn rags on the fans. He then says that Punk has to get over this obsession. Punk’s issue shouldn’t be with HHH. I should be with Shawn since he kicked him. Punk wants to talk about that. Punk respects Shawn. Everybody does, but if he tries to kick Punk again Punk will kick him back. Shawn’s always liked Punk & what Shawn did last week pained him more than it pained Punk. Also what he’s about to do now will pain him more than Punk. Shawn brings out The Shield. This was a solid in ring promo. Punk was great as usual & Shawn was solid on the mic too. It looks like Michaels is the tweener in this storyline. Are they possibly setting up a Punk-Michaels match? That would be interesting to watch.

Time to find out who the fans picked to be Punk’s partners. It will be The Usos (Not surprising since The Usos have had issues with The Shield in the past).

CM Punk & The Usos vs. The Shield. The Shield wins when Reigns pins Punk. This was a really good match.

Next we see the Wyatt family backstage. Bray says Daniel is a coward & a liar. He held Daniel in his arms & told him he could take the pain away. Bray’s sorry for doubting Abigail. Bray now knows what he must do. If Daniel refuses to walk with the reapers than he will burn with the Saints. Then they show Bray’s rocking chair. This was the usual creepy promo we get from Bray.

Natalya & The Bellas vs. Divas Champion AJ Lee, Tamina Snuka & Alicia Fox. AJ, Tamina & Alicia win when AJ pins Nikki. This was ok.

Backstage we see Mark Henry dressed as Santa. The Bellas are his helpers & Hornswoggle’s there too. A little boy comes in & says he heard a bad Santa was cancelling Christmas. Henry is the good Santa & this will be the Merriest Christmas of them all, because that’s what Santa Henry does. This was ok too.

Backstage Renee Young interviews Orton. Orton complains about having to face Daniel. How many times does he have to beat Daniel. Orton knows what’s truly best for business & that’s if everyone bends over & kisses his ass. Thankfully this was short.

The Rhodes Brothers will face Luke Harper & Erik Rowan this week on Smackdown.

Daniel Bryan vs. WWE World Champion Randy Orton. Daniel wins by DQ when Orton punches Daniel in the groin. This was a really good back & forth match & I expected there wouldn’t be a clean finish.

Then John Cena storms to the ring, takes down Orton & then throws him out of the ring. Cena checks on Daniel. Then Orton gets back in the ring & gives Cena an RKO. Then Orton holds both titles over his head & stands over the fallen Cena & Daniel to end the show.

I thought this was a solid show for the most part. The opening in ring promo was a mixed bag. Cena was good but Orton was dull and HHH & Stephanie were their usual irritating selves. I enjoyed the Daniel-Orton match at the end & I knew there wouldn’t be a clean finish but I was ok with that. I liked Cena coming out afterwards too & taking out Orton only for Orton to RKO Cena & stand tall over Daniel & Cena. I also liked the Punk-Michaels promo. Punk was great as usual & Michaels was good here too. If they have a Punk-Michaels match that would be interesting. The 6 man tag was also really good. I knew The Usos would be teaming with Punk since they’ve had Shield issues too. The Santa Sandow bit was lame but the Santa Henry bit was ok. The 6 Divas tag was ok too. Ziggler-Fandango was decent but it was a rematch from last night. The Rhodes Brothers-Big Show & Rey Mysterio match was also solid. Bray Wyatt’s promo was the usual creepiness we get from him. Tons of Funk vs. Ryback & Curtis Axel wasn’t much & I wasn’t into the post-match stuff either. I think they could’ve done a better job with the Brodus heel turn. Mark Henry & Big E vs. The Real Americans was good too. I like the Big E-Mark Henry tag team. The backstage bit where Orton flipped out on HHH &Stephanie was your typical McMahons-Orton segment. Orton’s interview with Renee Young later on was solid though. Overall I thought this was a solid show.

12-13-13 Smackdown results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the December 13, 2013 Smackdown

The show starts & they have the 2 world titles hanging above the ring.

Daniel Bryan vs. Erik Rowan. Daniel wins by DQ when Bray trips Daniel.

Afterwards Daniel is in the corner, Harper Irish whips Rowan into where Daniel is but Daniel gets out of the way. Then he ducks a clothesline from Harper, slides out of the ring & gives Bray the flying knee. This was good. The match was decent & I liked that they had Daniel get the better of The Wyatts here.

The Real Americans come to the ring. Zeb says that earlier today he walked around this godforsaken town & out of nowhere this big fat bearded freak appears in front of him dressed in a Santa Claus costume with his hand held out & he looked Zeb dead in his eyes & said Merry Christmas in Spanish. Zeb thought to himself that there’s someone speaking in a foreign language begging for money from a hard working American. To Zeb that sounds like an illegal immigrant. Zeb tells “Senor Claus” that if he could deport him he would. But since he can’t, he doesn’t like people sneaking across the border especially from the North Pole. We the People. This was your typical Zeb anti-foreigner promo.

WWE Tag Team Champions Goldust & Cody Rhodes vs. The Real Americans. The Real Americans win when Cesaro pins Cody. This was a good match.

They show a video package highlighting the careers of John Cena & Randy Orton & hyping up the title unification match.

Time for Bad News Barrett (This gimmick is stupid). He says that on Monday the fans surpassed themselves by voting in record numbers on the WWE App (They have to plug the App too) for the winners of the 2013 Slammy awards. In doing so the fans breathed fresh hope into a group of otherwise hopeless superstars (Says the guy with the hopeless gimmick). He does have some bad news though (The bad news is that Barrett is saddled with this lame gimmick). That being while the fans voted for a group of winners is was all the fans who were the true losers. He says that the fans’ opinions are worthless & they’re forced to live vicariously for a true winner like Bad News Barrett (He’s booked as anything but a winner).

Big E Langston is on commentary.

Mark Henry vs. Damien Sandow. Henry wins by count out when Sandow decides he’s had it.

Then Big E throws Sandow back in the ring & Henry clotheslines him. Then Big E gets on the apron, but Henry shoves Sandow into Big E, knocking him off the apron. Then Sandow bails a Big E gets in the ring. He stars at Sandow & holds up the belt. Then Big E heads up the ramp & chases Sandow to the back. The match was too short to be much of anything. This was about building to the IC Title match.

Natalya is on commentary.

The Bellas vs. Tamina Snuka & Divas Champion AJ Lee. Tamina & AJ win when AJ makes Brie tap. This was decent but short. Then Natalya & AJ look at each other. Natalya points to the belt & AJ holds it up.

John Cena comes to the ring. He says that things are heating up. He talks about the energy the fans had on Monday & says the fans tonight have a bit of that energy too. History was made on Monday when the WWE Champion & the World Champions willingly gave up their titles. Cena points to the 2 belts hanging above the ring & says that they’re 2 titles that guys have worked their entire lives for. 99% of all WWE superstars will never hold on to one of those titles (That seemed like he was kinda burying most of the roster). Why’d they give the belts away? Why is the World Title not in Cena’s hands? Why do both titles hang above his head? Because of the moment this Sunday. The history & impact that this means. This Sunday is monumental. It’s unbelievable. It is so obvious that even a cry baby, conceded simpleton like Orton knows this needs to happen. The sad thing is that Orton doesn’t know what it will take to make that happen. Cena’s known Orton for a long time, 12 years. Along those 12 years he’s had runs where he has called Orton a friend. That means that Cena knows exactly what Orton is capable of. Orton’s brutal, physical, conniving, calculating, he inflicts pain. Orton is what he says he is. He is the Apex predator (whatever that is). But in 12 years you learn a man’s strengths & his weaknesses. Cena says that Orton has a glass jaw. Orton doesn’t like to be hit too much. Anytime things don’t go Orton’s way he runs & hides. This Sunday there’s nowhere for Orton to run or hide. What will happen to Orton when he falls off of a ladder & his eye swells shut? What will happen to Orton when a steel chair is wrapped over his back & tingles down his spine, forcing his hands to go numb? What will happen to Orton when he crashes through a table & his body feels like it doesn’t move? Cena knows what will happen to himself. He will crash through a table & get back up. Cena was built to fight the Apex predator. Cena was built to take the beating of a lifetime because he never gives up & this Sunday Cena will get back up! Orton is great but this Sunday that is where he will fail. Because there will come a point this Sunday where he is hurt & broken. Orton’s body will feel like it can’t move & he will have to make a choice. Does Orton keep going or does he do what he’s done for 12 years? Make an excuse & take the easy way out. This Sunday Orton will make that choice & he will show the world what Cena already knows. Orton just hasn’t got the nuts. This Sunday WWE crowns 1 champion (Or will they). That champ is here. This was a really good & intense promo. Cena can cut good promos when he wants to.

Dean Ambrose is on commentary.

The Usos vs. Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins. Reigns & Rollins win when Reigns pins Jay. This match was really good.

Then Punk shows up on the Tron. He is broadcasting from an undisclosed location. Actually he’s in the arena basement. He says the basement is filthy but he knows it’s The Shield’s clubhouse. It’s where like to send their messages. Punk likes to send messages too. Like the message he sent on Monday when a certain somebody decided to put his hands on him. Then Punk talks about this Sunday. He believes it’s 3 on 1. The Shield against Punk. Punk believes that he is walking into a wholesale slaughter. Punk may be going down but the question that they need to be asking themselves is how many of them he’s taking with him. Punk believes that the last 2 times he’s been in the ring with a member of The Shield he has exposed their weaknesses. Believe in the best in the world. This was a good Punk promo.

Michael Cole announces that there will be a 4 way tag team match at TLC for the tag titles. The Rhodes Brothers vs. Rey Mysterio & Big Show vs. The Real Americans vs. Curtis Axel & Ryback.

Big Show (With Rey Mysterio) vs. Ryback (With Curtis Axel). Big Show gets the pin. This wasn’t much & thankfully it was short.

Then Axel hits Big Show from behind. Big Show grabs Axel’s throat & he sends him into Mysterio. Mysterio trips Axel into the ropes & then gives him the 619. Then Big Show gives Axel the KO punch. Who’d Ryback & Axel tick off?

Out go the lights & The Wyatts show up on the Tron. He’s been wondering about Daniel. Bray wanted to prove him wrong. Bray saw something in him. How could Bray have been such a fool? Bray put his neck on the line for Daniel. Then he screams deceiver & lies. Then he makes like he’s crying but it sounds that maniacal laugh he does. Then he says that there’s a place in the meadow, a place you can hide, walk with the reaper, leave this world behind. That’s Bray’s special lullaby song to Daniel. Bray sings that to all his pets before he puts them down. He will see Daniel Sunday. This was the usual creepy promo we get from Bray.

They show a Damien Sandow video package for some reason.

Next up was supposed to be Kofi vs. Del Rio but Miz comes out & gives Kofi the skull crushing finale on the floor. This was ok for what it was. I’m still not sure what the point of this Kofi-Miz feud is.

Time for more of the Michael Cole-HJHH interview. Cole says that Orton has asked for time on Smackdown to publicly apologize to HHH & Stephanie for his “actions.” Will HHH let him? HHH says absolutely. Will they accept Orton’s apology? HHH says that depends on how the apology is put out there. It’s all on how it’s said. HHH will look Orton in the eye to find out how sincere he is. That will determine I accepts Orton’s apology. Thankfully this was short. I’m way beyond tired of these interviews.

Randy Orton comes to the ring. He says that on Monday an unspeakable accident took place. It was supposed to be a historical night. The championship ascension ceremony was taking place but in broke down into a melee (Like all of those segments do) that caused Stephanie to be trampled forcibly down on the mat. Orton can’t get that image out of his head (This is coming from the guy who put his hands on the same woman almost 5 years ago). She was lying there unconscious & he’s glad she’s ok. Orton is out here right now because he wants to apologize to HHH & Stephanie but he wants to do it face to face (This way HHH can make his obligatory TV appearance). King of Kings plays & HHH comes out. Orton says that he & HHH have been to hell & back. They’ve fought many wars as friends & enemies. HHH knows Orton better than anybody (I thought Cena did). HHH has gotta know that what happened Monday was an accident. Orton says if there’s any doubt in HHH’s mind then he can take a look at the footage. They reshow what happened Monday. Then Orton says that if HHH still doubts him…Then the fans chant yes. Then Orton says that if HHH still doubts him he has more footage. He has a slow motion clip from a different angle that will prove his innocence. They show the slow motion clip. Now that HHH has seen the tape HHH knows that a lot of things happened that night. Things went wrong. Many people have many things to apologize about but Orton doesn’t care about that. All Orton cares about is this. He’d like HHH & Stephanie to accept his humble apology. HHH says that if Orton called him out there to show him footage, well he didn’t need to see that. He’s watched in over & over. Those are his cameras in case Orton’s forgotten (This is terrible). Then HHH says that a lot did go wrong Monday & a lot of people have a lot of things to apologize for & HHH isn’t 1 of them because he is the authority. That means he apologizes for nothing (Spoken like a true McMahon). They both know HHH can fire Orton for this. Then the fans chant yes again. HHH won’t do that because that isn’t what’s best for business (Can the drop that annoying saying?). Since a lot went wrong Monday, for this 1 time & he tells Orton to mark his words that there won’t be a second time. This 1 time HHH will accept Orton’s apology. Orton thanks HHH. Then he says that he knows HHH has his back. He always has (What?). Then Orton says that after everything went down on Monday Orton looked up & he saw something. He needs HHH to respond to what happened with this. They show HHH & Cena helping up Stephanie. All Orton wants is an explanation. Orton was lying right there in the ring, looking up at Stephanie & the director of operations standing next to Cena (I knew that was gonna come into play). What is Orton supposed to think? Orton is HHH’s man. After he beats Cena this Sunday every superstar in the back past & present will know that Orton is the greatest of the great. That he is the greatest superstar of this generation or any other. When he beats Cena this Sunday he will be the champion of champions. What Orton needs to know from HHH is if “the authority” has the same amount of faith in Orton as Orton has in himself. HHH tells Orton not to worry about it & they shake hands. Then HHH tells him that they know exactly where their faith lies. HHH leaves & Orton stands in the ring & looks up at the 2 world tiles to end the show. This was painful. I’m really tired of this HHH-Randy Orton angle.

I thought this was a good show for the most part. I liked the Daniel-Rowan match at the start & I also liked that Daniel got the better of The Wyatts here. Bray’s promo on the Tron later was good too. The HHH-Orton in ring segment at the end was a crappy way to end the final show before TLC. That segment really dragged. Cena’s promo though was really good. The Usos vs. Rollins & Reigns was also good & I liked Punk’s post match promo on the Tron. The Divas tag match was decent & short, Henry-Sandow was too short to be much of a match & Big Show-Ryback was ok for what it was. The Rhodes Brothers vs. The Real Americans was also good. I’m not sure what the point of the Kofi-Miz feud is but having Miz take out Kofi before Kofi’s match with Del Rio was ok for what it was. Overall though I thought this was a good show this week. They did a solid job with their final hype to TLC.

12-12-13 Impact resultts and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the December 12, 2013 Impact

The show starts with Rockstar Spud leaving Dixie a message that he’s on his way to Gainesville, GA.

JB is in the ring. He mentions the 4 briefcases on the table that’s in the ring & what each 1 has. Tonight is the return of Feast or Fired. Now it’s time to find out the stip for the TNA World Title Tournament finals.

Before we can find out what the wheel of Dixie will say Kurt Angle comes out. He knocks over the table & says Roode screwed him out of the world title. If Roode has a problem they can handle it now. Out comes Roode. Roode says if Angle wants to fight him now, too bad it’s not gonna happen. If anyone should be pissed it should be Roode. He was eliminated from the tournament by slipping & falling through a table. Ever since Angle turned sown Angle’s HOF induction Roode has physically & mentally beat him down. Roode owns Angle. Roode is better than Angle. Angle says Roode will never beat him again. Angle’s sure he can beat Roode twice in 1 night. Roode has nothing left to prove. Then Angle leaves the ring & he goes after Roode. Back in the Angle spears Roode, then he punches away on him before referees & security come in to break it up. Of course Angle & Roode get at each other again. As they’re being held back Roode kicks Angle in the groin. Then he asks if Angle really thinks he can beat him twice in 1 night. He’d like to see Angle try. Next week, Final Resolution, Angle vs. Roode, 2 out of 3 falls. This was a really good opening in ring segment. This feud has been a lot of fun to watch.

They show a video package recapping last week’s Park & Young-Bad Influence angle.

Backstage EY asks Park if he’s ready. Park says it’s been a tough week. EY says tonight’s Park’s night for revenge. Park’s not sure if he’s up for it. EY says this is Park’s chance. Everyone knows what’s inside Park. EY has a plan. This was a good backstage bit.

Joseph Park & Eric Young vs. Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian. Young & Park win when Park pins Kazarian. EY punches Park & makes him bleed. EY shows him the blood & Park goes into Abyss mode. Then he gives Daniels shock treatment. Then he gives Kazarian the black hole slam for the pin. WINNERS – JOSEPH PARK & ERIC YOUNG.

Afterwards EY says that 18 months ago Park started looking for Abyss. EY knows why Park can’t find Abyss. That’s because Park IS Abyss. Park still isn’t sure. The match was good but this Joseph Park storyline has been going on for way too long. Everyone has known he whole time that Park & Abyss are the same guy & then after EY tells Park that, they have Tenay & Taz act all dumbfounded! WHAT!?

Time for a 365 video. EC3 is getting a massage. He talks about taking out Earl Hebner last week. Then he says that he will have a moment that will make the social media explode. This gimmick is lame.

EC3 comes to the ring. He tells Brian Hebner that he is safe. Then the fans chant shut your mouth. Then he says after he gave Earl the shining moment of his career he’d try something different. Tonight his opponent will blow up social media. Tonight he is facing JB. JB of course wants none of this. EC3 says he’s a carter & tells JB to get in the ring. Then Sting comes out. Sting can’t believe he’s standing in the ring with such “greatness.” EC3 is going right up to the sky. The truth is EC3 has done nothing in this business. He thinks he can have everything fed to him & have these vignettes because of his last name or you get a door opened that never should’ve been. Then he says that later there will be some briefcases hanging on the polls. The guys in that match will take risks. Sting thinks it’s time for EC3 to man up & be in Feast of Fired. That or he could fight Sting right now. They star each other down & then EC3 says this is the icon Sting wanting him to do something memorable. EC3 tells Sting he’s on. They make like they’re gonna have a match. Then EC3 says that tonight he will compete in feast of fired.

Rockstar Spud is at a gas station looking for directions to AJ Styles’ house. Some guy tells him that AJ usually hangs out at some bar close by. This is stupid.

Gail Kim & Lei’D Tapa are in the ring. Gail says it’s another week of her challenge & the level of competition hasn’t been on her level. She can’t wait to see what the next challenge will be. Cue ODB’s music & she comes out. Gail says ODB didn’t get the memo. Gail wants better competition. She’s beaten ODB before & she tells her to get out. ODB says Gail doesn’t get it. She’s not out here to fight Gail; she’s here to fight Tapa. Then ODB goes after Tapa & hits Gail when she gets involved. Then she lifts up Tapa for a slam but Gail trips ODB & they get the upper hand. Then Madison Reign makes her return. She & ODB take out Gail & then double clothesline Tapa over the top rope.

Back to Rockstar Spud. He walks into the bar & asks the barmaid if she knows Alan Jones. She serves beer not information. Then he says that if he gets a beer she’ll give him info. She says possibly. Then he says that he will have a lady boy chaser. She has no idea what that is. He tells her how that drink’s made. She’s still lost. Then she gives him a beer bottle with a lemon on it. He says it doesn't look like what they have in the UK. This is terrible. Break time.

Back from break & it’s right back to Rockstar Spud. He gets on the mic & tells everyone that he’s looking for AJ. Some guy tells him that mic is for singing. Everyone wants him to sing. He’s not prepared but he is a Rockstar. Then he sings God Save the Queen in a country version. Then another guy tells him it’s time to go. Spud asks for info on AJ but the guy kicks him out of the pub. This gimmick is lame. Having Rockstar Spud be Dixie’s errand boy is awful & the old, “I’m British & don’t have a clue how anything in America works” joke is not funny.

Backstage Gunner apologizes to Storm for last week. Storm says tonight they can right all the wrongs in the feast or fired. Gunner can get the tag title case & he can get the world title case & they’ll have all the gold. Then Gunner says that 1 of them could get fired. Then Storm says you know how the saying goes, “Sorry about your damn luck” & Storm walks off. This was a decent bit. Break time.

Back from break & it’s back to Spud. He’s at AJ Styles’ house.

Dixie Carter comes to the ring. She says earlier tonight Angle destroyed the wheel of Dixie. The Smithsonian was gonna call her to put it on display. Now she’s got Angle complaining about redemption. Then she says that Angle will face Roode next week in a 2-3 falls match next week. Then she says that AJ made a mockery of her by sending her that toy belt. But next week she gets a new & real world champion. She get her world champion. Then she brings out the finalists. Magnus comes out first. Then Jeff Hardy. Dixie says either one of them would be a great champion. With their match being next week she wanted to know if they have any final words for each other. Jeff says that last year he won the BFG Series & won the world title at BFG. 2012 was “our” year but 2013 didn’t live up to that. Next week the creatures win the TNA World Title again. Then he gets the fans to chant Hardy. Magnus says he might be young but he’s not stupid. These are Jeff’s creatures. Jeff’s earned that & Magnus thanks him for putting food on his table. But next week Jeff is just the final obstacle. If Magnus is gonna be the number 1 guy he has to beat the number 1 guy & he sees Jeff as the number 1 guy. He has to beat Jeff & he has every intention of doing that. Dixie then says that even though the wheel of Dixie was destroyed there was 1 match left. Next week Jeff & Magnus will be in a Dixie Land match. Then the show a video package on what that is. It starts in a cage, they have to climb to the floor, and then climb a ladder at the top of the ramp. What is this? They had a good tournament going on here & they end it with this? Is Vince Russo back? Then Dixie says that whoever wins will travel the world with Dixie, represent the company, it will be long days but it will be worth it. If either guy’s smart enough to take her up on it they know where to find her. This was a mixed bag in ring segment. Magnus & Jeff both cut good promos but Dixie was her usual annoying self.

Backstage we see Velvet & Sabin. He says he looks great with the X Title. He asks if she has his back. She does. Then he asks if she changed her hair style or whatever.

Back to Spud. He’s at AJ’s house & breaks the door open with an index card. He looks around the house & a lot more idiocy happens. Then he sits on the couch & puts his feet up on the coffee table & he find the belt. Then AJ shows up. He knew Spud was coming. He’s 1 step ahead of Spud & Dixie. Then AJ says that he can call the cops or he can call some friends. Spud tries to leave with the belt but AJ holds onto it & says it’s his. Spud leaves in horror. Can that please be the last we see of Rockstar Spud tonight? I thought AJ was good here though.

Backstage Anderson says he had some fun with the Aces & 8s funeral. Some people handle grief by laughing. Now it’s time to focus on regaining the world title & that’s what he will do.

Austin Aries vs. X Division Champion Chris Sabin for the Title. Aries gets the pin to win the Title. This was a good match.

They show backstage during the break with Sabin & Velvet. Aries comes by & Sabin blames him for getting Velvet in the way. Sabin then says that he has a rematch, but he’s entering feast or fired. Maybe he will get the X Title shot case. Or maybe he will get the world title shot case. Aries then says that he will be in feast or fired too. Sabin then says that Aries stole his title & asks if Aries will steel his woman too. This was a decent backstage bit but when are they gonna have Velvet & Sabin split up?

Magnus says he can’t be concerned about Dixie land. He needs to be concerned about winning the world title.

Time for a Final Resolution video package.

Ken Anderson comes out. He says Aces & 8s is gone. Now he’s hungry for gold. The next world champion will be from Greenbay, WI. Then Bully Ray comes out from behind & hits Anderson the back of the head. Then Ray pile drives him on the stage. Then Ray says that good has always overpowered evil but in time nations grew weak & evil stood strong. He who is fear awaits you. Many lifetimes later you lay destroyed beaten down a corpse of a rebel, etc. Those who have the youth have the future. Anderson has “raped” Ray of his future. Anderson’s wife is pregnant with twins & Ray will see to it that he is responsible for their future.  This was a good promo from Ray, but the music they had playing in the background made it kinda odd. It also sounded like his voice was deeper

Now it is time for the feast or fired match. The guys in this are Chris Sabin, Austin Aries, Norv Fernum, Dewey Barnes, James Storm, Samoa Joe, Curry Man, Hernandez, Chavo Guerrero, Zima Ion, Gunner & EC3. This was a good match despite the idiotic gimmick.

*EC3 gets case # 3 * Zima Ion gets case # 2 * Chavo gets case * 4 * Gunner gets case # 1 after he pulls Storm off the turnbuckle.

Dixie is at some restaurant. Jeff comes in. This ends the show.

I thought this was solid show for the most part. I loved the Kurt Angle-Bobby Roode in ring segment at the start of the show & their 2-3 falls match next week should be entertaining. The feast of fired match was good too despite the theme of the match. The Dixie-Jeff-Magnus in ring segment was a mix. Jeff & Magnus cut good promos but Dixie was hard to listen to. Plus I have no idea why they’re having Vince Russo like type match as the finals of the TNA World Title Tournament. That video package was lame. The Rockstar Spud bits were terrible too. Spud gets on my nerves. Aries & Sabin had a good match & their backstage bit afterwards also solid, but I have no idea why Velvet & Sabin are still together. Velvet’s the face & Sabin’s the heel. Why are they still together? The Gail Kim promo was solid too, having ODB come out & go after Tapa only to get doubled teamed by Tapa & Kim was solid too & I liked the Madison Rayne return & having her help out ODB. That tag match next week should be interesting. Bully Ray pile driving Anderson on the stage followed by Ray’s promo was also good. I’m liking the Anderson-Ray feud. Overall I thought this was a good show this week.

12-9-13 Raw results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the December 9, 2013 Raw – The Slammy Awards

They start the show with a video package plugging tonight’s Slammys. This is gonna be terrible!

Then Michael Cole tells everyone how to download the App. I’m tired of this!

Daniel Bryan vs. Fandango. Daniel gets the pin. This match was longer than I expected & Daniel dominated most of this.

Then out go the lights & Bray Wyatt shows up on the Tron. He says Daniel’s unwillingness to comply is testing his patience. He doesn’t want Daniel to suffer, but in his world there are no happy endings. This story will end in destruction just like all the others. He wants to prove Daniel’s a monster just like he is, etc. This was the usual kinda promo Bray gives us. Then the lights come back & Daniel & the fans chant no.

Jerry Lawler & Booker T come out on the stage. They’re hosting the Slammys. King says they’re a lot of super stars in the back on pins & needles hoping to win 1 of these. Booker is excited that the fans’ voiced will be heard. Then Booker brings out The New Age Outlaws, who will be presenting the LOL award of the year.

Road Dogg does his old shtick. They came to present the slammy award for the lol moment of the year. Billy asks if Road Dogg won’t let him talk. Road Dogg says Gunn only said 2 words & Gunn would screw it up anyway. Gunn’s got 2 for us. Road Dogg says they can’t say that, etc. Anyway the nominees are Stephanie firing Vickie (That wasn’t funny), Titus O’Neil hurling (That was just stupid), Khali & Jinder snake charming the cobra (That was beyond idiotic) & The Rock’s concert (This wasn’t 1 of Rock’s funnier moments). The fans can vote on the App & we’ll find out later who gets this award. UGH!

Santino Marella comes to the ring. Break time.

Back from break & we go back to Road Dogg & Billy Gunn. The winner of the LOL moment is The Rock concert. Rock’s music plays but out comes Vickie. She wants to say to The Rock this award represent her beauty. Whatever. I knew Rock wasn’t gonna be there.

Big E Langston is on commentary.

Santino Marella vs. Damien Sandow. Sandow gets the pin. This was ok but I knew Sandow would win.

Then Big E gets in the ring. He & Sandow have a stare down & then holds up the IC Title.

Out come The Shield to present the double cross of the year award. Ambrose says they have won 2 awards but this is 1 award they know nothing about. Rollins says 2013 is the year of The Shield. Reigns says if you’re thinking about double crossing them, think again. Ok, the nominees are, Mark Henry’s “retirement” speech that lead to him giving Cena the World’s Strongest Slam (That wasn’t a double cross), Shawn Michaels super kicking Daniel Bryan at HIAC, Heyman turning on Punk at MITB & HHH giving Daniel Bryan a pedigree at SummerSlam.

Kofi Kingston comes to the ring. Break time.

Back from break & the double cross award goes to Shawn Michaels. His music plays & he comes out. He has a lot on his mind but he’s been told he can’t talk to long. He’s been fortunate enough to win a few Slammys over the years, but never a double cross 1. He’s been double crossing people for years & getting the award now is an injustice. A fan says that Shawn sold out. Shawn says that he sold out a long time ago, which is why he is still here. He thanks the fans. This was pointless.

Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz. Miz gets the pin. This was decent but way too short.

Then Kofi gives Miz Trouble in Paradise.   

Eve Torres returns to present the Diva of the year award. It’s her pleasure to return to present this Slammy. The Divas had 1 heck of an exciting year (Yeah right). The nominees are, The Bellas, Naomi & Cameron, Kaitlyn, Natalya, Eva Marie (NO WAY) & AJ Lee.

Rey Mysterio comes to the ring for an 8 man tag. Break time.

This seems to be how they’re handling this week’s show. Have a match, then have the award presenter come out, show videos of the nominees, have a guy come out for the next match, go to break, have the award winner come out, then have the next guy come out for a match & go to break.

Back from break & Michael Cole tells us that 20 superstars who were WWE or World Champions will be in the ring later tonight for an ascension ceremony. This will be the last time we see 2 World Titles. I really doubt that!

Ok, so the Diva of the year award goes to The Bella Twins. They come out & hug Eve. They’re so honored. They thank the fans. They’re shocked. Seattle is too good to them. 2014 will be another year for The Bellas. This was awful.

Rey Mysterio, Big Show and WWE Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes & Goldust vs. The Real Americans, Ryback & Curtis Axel. Rey, Show, Cody & Goldust win when Rey pins Axel. This was a solid match & the best part of this week’s show so far.

Michael Cole tells everyone how to download the App again.

Back to Lawler & Booker. King says that everyone wants to make an unforgettable presence & be superstar of the year. Then Booker brings out Shawn Michaels to present the super star of the year award. He mentions he already won a Slammy tonight. So he can also be called Mr. Slammy. The next award goes to the guy who has entertained the fans & has given them nothing short of an A + performance. Does that remind us of anybody? Shawn then says this award should be called the HB shizzle. The nominees are, Brock Lesnar, CM Punk, Big Show, Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton, & John Cena (Of course).

Sin Cara (Now played by Hunico) comes to the ring. Break time.

They have a graphic in Memory on Nelson Mandela. That was classy.

Back from break & the superstar of the year is Daniel Bryan (I knew it). Shawn doesn’t let go of the trophy right away. They have a stare down & then Shawn heads to the back. Then Daniel thanks Shawn for the HB Shizzle award. If it weren’t for Shawn he wouldn’t be in WWE but also if it weren’t for Shawn he would be WWE Champion right now. He’s not angry about it. The authority don’t want him to be superstar of the year. The fans voted for him. If you thought 2013 was a good year, 2014 will be even better. Then he says go Seahawks. This was a solid promo. I was a bit surprised that they didn’t do much with these 2 but thankfully Daniel hasn’t gotten the WWE hometown treatment. Yet.

In the Goldman box Alberto Del Rio says that he has been WWE & World Champion & Sin Cara hasn’t done anything.

Sin Cara vs. Alberto Del Rio. Cara gets the pin. This was a solid match but they gotta get rid of that lighting.

The Primetime Players come out to present the fan participation award. Titus says a live WWE event is a place that the fans can let their voices be heard or something along those lines. Darren says they’re presenting the award & weren’t nominated. The give themselves an honorable mention since the fans cheered them on. Then they do the millions of dollars dance. The nominees are, Fandango-ing, Yes, Let’s go Cena/Cena sucks & What’s up. Break time.

Back from break & we find out that the TLC kickoff match will be Dolph Ziggler vs. Fandango.

Anyway the fan participation award goes to Daniel Bryan/Yes. Daniel comes back out. He’s at a loss for words so all there is to say is YES! YES! He got 2 awards & the hometown custom hasn’t happened. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen later.

Tons of Funk, Naomi & Cameron come to the ring. Brodus Clay will be in action next. Break time.

Back from break & we got Brodus Clay vs. Xavier Woods. Brodus gets the pin. This was a squash.

Then Brodus continues to splash Woods. Truth & Tensai eventually pull him off. Truth checks on Woods. Tensai & Brodus have words & Brodus leaves. He says he’s a main event player.

The Miz comes out to present the insult of the year award. The nominees are, AJ Lee ragging on the “Total Divas”, Zeb Coulter ragging on the fans, Paul Heyman calling Punk a loser & Stephanie calling Big Show worthless.

CM Punk comes to the ring. Break time.

Back from break & The Shield makes their way to ringside through the crowed.

The insult award goes to Stephanie. She comes out. She says what some consider an insult she considers a compliment because the fans have realized what is best for business. Thankfully this was really short.

CM Punk vs. U.S. Champion Dean Ambrose. Punk gets the pin. This was a really good back & forth match.

Then Reigns spears Punk & he Rollins help Ambrose over the barrier. Rollins & Reigns were at ringside of course. Ambrose kept telling them he had this. There was some Shield tension and Rollins & Reigns were gonna head to the back.

They show the video on past WWWF/WWF/WWE & NWA/WCW/World Champions that they showed on Smackdown.

Back to Lawler & Booker. Lawler says there have been a lot of extreme moments on Raw. Booker says there’s only 1 guy who can present this award. He brings out Mick Foley to present the most extreme moment of the year award. Mick says that being a WWE superstar means giving your all to the fans, especially those fans right here in Seattle, WA. Being a WWE superstar also means giving the fans an extreme moment they can remember forever. The nominees are, The Shield taking out Undertaker, Ryback putting Cena through the stage lighting wall, CM Punk hitting Heyman with the Singapore Cane on top of the cell & The Wyatt Family taking out Kane.

The Usos come to the ring. Break time.

Back from break & Bray Wyatt is sitting in his rocking chair and Harper & Rowan are in the ring.

The extreme moment award goes to CM Punk. Punk comes out. He feels strange accepting an award & not wearing pants. He thanks everyone who voted for him. If you thought what he did to Heyman was extreme wait till you see what he does to The Shield this Sunday.

The Usos vs. Luke Harper & Erik Rowan. Harper & Rowan win when Harper gets the pin. This was a good match.

Back to Lawler & Booker. King says the fans have done a great job voting. But this is where it gets difficult. Time to pick the match of the year. Booker T brings out Bret Hart to present this award. Bret comes out. Bret says they’re thousands of matches in WWE every year & it is hard to have the best match night after night. A good match can captivate an audience & change a night but a great match can change WWE history. Bret’s gotten many awards throughout his career but match of the year is the award that he cherishes the most. The nominees are, Undertaker vs. Punk from WrestleMania 29 (That was the greatest match on this year’s Mania), Cody & Goldust vs. Rollins & Reigns from Battleground (That was the best match on that show), HHH vs. Brock Lesnar in a cage from Extreme Rules & Rock vs. Cena from WrestleMania 29 (This match was awful).

Natalya comes out & hugs Bret. Then she heads to the ring. Break time.

Back from break & AJ & Tamina are in the ring.

The match of the year award goes to Rock vs. Cena (FIX)! Cena comes out. WrestleMania 29 was a “great” match & a “great” night. Some fans might disagree but he thanks the fans who voted for that match. It’s a match he won’t forget & it looks the fans feel the same way. I’m glad that all of these speeches have been short. Rock-Cena was NOT the match of the year in my opinion! I had a feeling they’d give this award to that match but it doesn’t deserve it.

Natalya vs. Tamina Snuka. Natalya wins by submission. This was really short.

HHH & Stephanie come to the ring (They saved the worst for last). Break time.

Back from break & 20 former champions are in the ring along with HHH & Stephanie. Stephanie says they’re joined here tonight by some of the greatest champions ever. At the pinnacle of that list is HHH. So it’s fitting that he handles this ceremony. HHH says all these guys know what it takes to be a champion. Some have been World Champion, some have been WWE Champion & a select few have been both. But they’ve all etched their place in history, etc. The fans loudly chant Daniel Bryan. Tonight all the champions are here to see a game changing moment in time. The loud Daniel Bryan chant continues. Mark Henry raises Daniel’s hand. Then the fans chant yes. (Are you listening to the fans Vince)? HHH says Daniel has a lot of family for 1 building. He should’ve known a lot of them look like him. They’re all here to witness a game changing moment in history. Sunday both titles will hanging above the ring. 2 champions will compete but 1 man will leave champion of champions. Then HHH brings out Randy Orton. Then Stephanie brings out Cena. HHH asks both guys 2 hand over their titles. They’re gonna hang them above the ring now for some reason. This could be the final time we see both titles. Orton says that he knows better than anyone what Cena’s capable of. He also knows what Cena isn’t capable of. Cena said he had ruthless aggression but he doesn’t have it now. If he did he would’ve put Orton in the hospital. Orton then says that he didn’t get lazy. When you’re that much better than everyone you get complacent but he has all the motivation to beat Cena. Orton says that Cena saying that he doesn’t care about being the face of WWE is a lie. Cena will be the guy that loses the biggest match in WWE history. Orton’s the greatest superstar of this or any other generation. He took years off of Mick’s career. He’s embarrasses Shawn a lot of times. There wouldn’t have had to have been a Montreal screw job because he would have left Bret laying unconscious. Orton tells Cena that everything that Cena’s worked for will come crashing down all around him. Cena then says he noticed Orton said the word work. Then Cena goes over to Daniel. Daniel says who he is & the fans cheer. He’s from Abrindieen, WA. Cena asks if his mom or dad were a WWE superstar. Nope. So since Daniel’s been there he’s had to work for everything he’s got. Daniel says yes. Cena says the reason the fans cheer for Daniel is because he works & earns it. Orton has been handed everything. Ever since Orton came to the training center he was untouchable. Nothing’s changed. All Orton does is his behind HHHH & Stephanie. Orton says that he’s bigger than everybody? Orton’s always blamed others for his flaws. Their match at TLC is the biggest match in WWE history. Orton wants the titles because he is selfish. Maybe if Orton wins he can say that he finally is what he should’ve been 10 years ago. Cena says that every time he’s been champion it’s always been the same. You want some come get some. Cena mentions no one gave Dolph a chance. They didn’t wanna give Punk 1 either. The only legit title match Daniel had was against Cena & Daniel won. Cena tells Daniel that if he wins he looks forward to facing Daniel in a fair rematch. Cena tells Orton that when the chips are down he can be just as brutal as Orton. This Sunday will be brutal & Cena will be at his very best. He hopes Orton is too because the last thing anyone’s gonna wanna hear is another Orton excuse. He wishes Orton luck & tells him he will need it. They shake hands & then the pull apart brawl starts. Orton winds up shoving Punk & Punk goes after Orton. Then HHH shoves Punk down. Then Punk takes down HHH & then Shawn gives Punk a super kick. Then Daniel takes down Michaels. Orton was going for an RKO on Daniel but he shoves Orton into Stephanie. Then HHH pedigrees Orton. The fans chant Daniel Bryan. Then HHH’s music plays as he, Stephanie, Kane & Cena stand in the ring. Orton sells the pedigree in the corner to end the show. This was good. I liked Cena’s promo & I liked that they acknowledged the really loud Daniel Bryan chants. I also liked that Cena put Daniel over & hopefully Daniel will end up back in the title picture again. The pull apart brawl was good too. Punk taking down HHH was good too. HHH giving Orton the pedigree was kind of expected since there’s been tension between the 2. I wasn’t really sure what to make of Cena standing in the ring with Kane, HHH & Stephanie though. They really hyped up this match as one for the ages. I think the match will be good but it won’t the greatest ever & I still have this feeling that they’re gonna give us a no finish.

This was a pretty lackluster show overall. I don’t get why they had the Slammy Awards on the final Raw before TLC. Thankfully the acceptance speeches were kept to a minimum. There were some good matches on this show. Punk-Ambrose was great, the 8 man tag was solid & The Usos vs. Rowan & Harper was good too. Daniel vs. Fandango was decent too. Fandango got some offense in but Daniel was in control for most of this. Santino-Sandow, Kofi-Miz & Natalya-AJ were all really too short. Bray’s promo on the Tron was the usual kinda promo we get from Bray. The closing segment was good too. I liked that Cena put over Daniel Bryan & acknowledged that the fans like to cheer for him. Overall I thought they didn’t really to a lot to hype TLC except for the title for title match. The whole Slammy gimmick is pointless but thankfully they didn’t go too overboard this year.