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Here are my opening thoughts on the show. My expectations are low so if I sound crabby it's because WWE didn't even met that standard. If I gush, it could be that they are doing better than expected, or it's really good. By the end, I will let you know which of the two it is. ... This is a two match show, at best. They have pushed Brock-HHH and the WWE Title match, and that is it. For those that ask what about the World Title match, well when you don't make it official until two days before the show, you are telling the fans it doesn't matter. And I heard them. ... Antonio Cesaro beat Santino Marella in the pre-show. It was OK, in a "when a guy that can kill another guy has to make said guy seem credible even though he is a comedian in a singlet" kind of way.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Chris Jericho will start off the show. They have billed this as the guy who can never win the big one vs. the guy who used to be able to win the big one but can't any more. Yeah, I am not making this up. That is the reason they wanted us to care about this match. There really is no cure for stupid. ... But with that said, I predict these two excellent workers will break off the dopey handcuffs that were placed on them and have a good to awesome match.
Dolph came out first. He got some boos. Jericho came out to a face pop. His ribs are taped due to Ziggler attacking him on Smackdown. Cole made sure to tell us that Alberto Del Rio added to that later in the show. So, this means Dolph, who has never won the BIG ONE, is taking on the guy who used to do so in damaged condition. You know, so if Dolph wins, he beat a hurt version of the guy who used to be able to win the big one, but can't any more. Again, I can't make this up. I simply typed out exactly what the story is here and I feel stupider reading it. Maybe that explains why the people writing it continue to do so. They are victims of "repeated moronic thought syndrome".
Jerry Lawler, bless his heart, just tried to tell us that sports teams go into slumps, so it's understandable that Jericho does. I will give him points for trying at least. ... Jericho is trying hard but selling the Smackdown beating early. Ziggler is being cocky and saying that Jericho can't hang with him and working over the bad ribs. I am getting the "this is a match that will help neither guy" vibe. ... Ziggler was in control for a while and is making a comeback now. Cole won't shut up so someone who is married to an aspiring Senatorial candidate must be yelling in his ear to put over the insipid, ridiculous batter of the losers storyline. These guys deserve so much better.
We have a dueling "Let's go Ziggler/YSJ" chant. They deserve it. WWE creative doesn't give them the props that they deserve, that's for sure. They are working hard. The fans appreciate that. ... First big spot came when Jericho hit a rana from the top. No pin though. Then he missed the Lionsault but Ziggler only got a two count. ... Y2J hit a Codebreaker but Ziggler rolled out. Y2J got him back in and Vickie grabbed his leg. He only got a two. Then he locked on The Walls Of Jericho and got the win. And they made it clear that Jericho finally won the big one, as he is leaving, while the guy who has the briefcase is still a loser. WWE creative is as dumb as dumb can be. The match was solid. The booking blew chunks.
Time for a promo by Paul Heyman, for Brock. He told us that Triple H is telling the ref to use his discretion. Brock is in a fight. Paul did a great promo. Brock grabbed the mic and showed why he needs Paul. Anyway, this is a fight, not a match.
Time for Daniel Bryan vs. Kane. God I hope they don't destroy him too. ... Early on Bryan is ding OK but my fear of his burial is not going away. ... And this is why, Kane is coming back and beating Bryan to the point where the ref said if he didn't stop he would get DQ'd. This led to Bryan coming back and taking over. ... Bryan got great heat from the crowd. Most were chanting Yes, and he tried to no sell them. Of course, after a botched headbutt spot Lawler said that the crowd through him off his game. ... Anyway, after a chokeslam by Kane Bryan rolled him up as he went for the tombstone piledriver. Surprising finish for me since I don't think creative has any idea what they are doing. Bryan got the win and it wasn't a huge win but it was better than losing. Solid match. ... Backstage, Kane is going nuts because he lost. Who can blame him because every other old guy gets to win. ... Josh made the mistake of asking Kane why he was going nuts and paid the price. Kane is looking for Bryan, hopefully to not take his "I won a match I shouldn't have" heat away.
The Miz vs. Rey Mysterio for the IC Title is up next. ... Lawler said that he knows how badly Rey wants the IC Title. Sometimes, the things he doesn't mean to be funny are better than his jokes. ... Rey has a an all black match. ... AJ just tweeted she will deal with Kane attacking Josh on Raw tomorrow. As long as Kane doesn't get Bryan tonight, fine. ... Anyway, Miz is in control early. He is treating Rey like he is a guy who can't ride the attractions at DisneyLand by himself. Well.....
Miz was in control until Rey went up top and crotched him. Rey did all his "I am a bad ass little fella" spots. He got some near falls. The crowd is popping for the bigger spots but is pretty quiet in between. ... Then Rey hit the 610 but missed the headbutt off of the top. He still rolled Miz up for a two. ... Miz came back to hit the Skull Crushing Finale and keeps the IC Title. The joke is on him because Rey didn't want to carry that sucker through airports anyway. ... Seriously, they worked hard and had a good match. There just wasn't really much of a reason to care about it.
Click to page two for ongoing thoughts on tonight's show!
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