Well, WWE gave you lots of things for free tonight. I have an incredulous look on my face as I type this because of what I just saw, but let’s just get into it shall we?
Miz and Mizdow def. Goldust (C) and Stardust (C), The Usos and Los Matadores
Its about time. The Miz and Mizdow have arguably been the best act in WWE for the past couple of months, especially Sandow. But I am most happy for the fact that Sandow has finally won a title in WWE. Its been a long time coming, but patience proved to be a virtue in this case. Now I wonder if Sandow is going to bring two replica titles of his own since Miz didn’t let him hold anything. Anyways, this match was fine. Nothing to write home about but this match was more than acceptable. Props for WWE for letting Sandow get the pinfall. ***
Naomi, Alicia Fox, Natayla and Emma def. Paige, Summer Rae, Cameron and Layla
Not sure if I would call this worse than last year’s Divas survivor series match, but that’s hard to do. This match had no build up, the crowd just wanted more Mizdow, and there were far too many botched spots. By my count there were a couple botched pinfall attempts, a poor crossbody and a messed up one handed bulldog by guess who, Naomi. I was pulling for Paige to pull a Roman Reigns in this match by eliminating the remaining members of the other team, and I would have rated the match higher if they did that. But no, we get a clean sweep. This match was far too long and there is nothing good I have to say about it. And don’t get me started on the fact that this poor excuse for a match got more time than the co-main event, Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt. Waste of time. DUD
Nikki Bella def. AJ (C) – Divas Title
I’m still wondering whether I saw what I actually saw in this match, but there are only two things I have to say. One, holy guacamole we saw two girls kiss on PPV! And two, CM Punk is probably angry. Credit WWE for being, ahem, creative. Initially I was deciding whether or not to give this, um, thing a DUD or five stars. But yea, no matter how much I like the unexpected, the match was under ten seconds. A big no-no on PPV. Even if it is a Divas bout. DUD
Adam Rose and The Bunny def. Heath Slater and Titus O’neil
This match is precisely everything that is wrong with having a PPV that’s free. Doing a stupid match that we have seen in one version or another on RAW or Smackdown. Awful. DUD
Bray Wyatt def. (DQ) Dean Ambrose
I kept my expectations low for this match because these two wrestle similar styles in the ring and I wasn’t expecting a match the caliber of Daniel Bryan and Wyatt at Royal Rumble. But I was gladly surprised as these two were putting on a fine physical bout before. Nothing flashy, but there were some nice spots, especially that vicious clothesline by Wyatt and some good physical moves. But lord have mercy, I cannot tell you how much I despise DQ finishes on PPV. Sure, it was free for people watching on the Network, but those in St. Louis who paid to see the event live at least deserves to see a finish. Instead of that, this match was more to build to their TLC match at TLC which was made official tonight. Not to mention that the build for the match was about as obvious as it can get. Match was fine, but the DQ ending loses some points. I understand the DQ finish was meant to protect all involved, but the TLC build could have been done on RAW. A simple screwy finish or something could have sufficed, especially considering that this won’t be the first time they meet in the ring. **3/4
John Cena, Dolph Ziggler, Big Show, Erick Rowan and Ryback def. Seth Rollins, Kane, Rusev, Mark Henry and Luke Harper
Well this was quite the match wasn’t it? Up to this point, we have had not one, not two but three DUDs. Not to mention the Wyatt/Ambrose bout didn’t deliver. So the main event was the ride or die and saying it delivered would be the understatement of the century. I mean good God. Well first, I am very upset that Ryback was the first person eliminated, considering that he was built up to be a beast and the deciding factor on Team Cena weeks before the match and was also kind of miffed that Orton didn’t make an appearance. I suppose the way he left and the PPV being in St. Louis would have been too obvious, but the return of Sting more than made up for it. That is what you call a mark out moment. Did you guys see the way Triple H sold that Scorpion Death Drop? We also had a good Rusev spot with the table that reminded me of something Umaga would do and we also saw Big Show turn heel and sell out for about the 4738th time. Like seriously, why? Why have Show turn once again? I am assuming this is going to lead to John Cena vs. The Big Show once again, because WWE knows what you want. The match was very plotting for a while and I started to get bored of it, but lo and behold, Dolph Ziggler everyone. Give WWE credit, because for all the flack WWE and Triple H gets for burying Ziggler, this was the coming out performance that he needed. This was 2003 Shawn Michaels-Survivor Series like stuff from him, except Ziggler won with the interference. Superkicks every where, a roll up cover and that resiliency. For once, it isn’t Cena standing tall, it is Ziggler, and who would have known huh? This had John Cena burying three people written all over it, and to be honest, we would have reacted differently had Cena been the last one instead of Ziggler. But the double standard is there because, well, Ziggler is awesome and Cena is not. We also need to give major props to Seth Rollins who is the perfect foil for Ziggler in the ring. Whenever these two get in the ring, they always deliver. But since this stage was bigger and had actual stakes, every near fall that you would otherwise see on RAW or Smackdown was made a bit bigger and you may have thought that one of them would pick up the victory. Put these two in a ring for sixty minutes for an iron man match. Please. The Triple H interference was expected, but guess who we get. STING. He’s back, folks and looks excellent for his age. Ziggler getting the final pinfall and getting his moment. Great storytelling, outstanding match, great emotion and fantastic ending. Match of the year thus far. ****3/4
Conclusion:
Well let’s see here. We have three DUDs, a useless fifteen minute segment to start the show, an above average tag team turmoil match, an average mid-card match and a match of the year contender. So for free did WWE deliver? I’d say yes. I believe the main event by itself alone is worth watching the show for. But if, and when, the match becomes available by itself online and have about 50 minutes to burn, log on, watch it and love it. The rest of the PPV you can easily throw in the trash. You can really tell they weren’t putting any solid effort to make the other matches seem important, I guess besides the Ambrose/Wyatt match and the events that took after this match. I’m going to go thumbs in the middle here and a mild recommendation, but only because that was one hell of a main event. Its interesting to see where Ziggler goes from here. Also look out for a HHH/Sting build to WrestleMania. Oh, and there’s Big Show vs. John Cena part 4321. This is Over The Limit 2012 all over again. But all that said, WWE got me interested again. RAW is a must watch tomorrow.
Rating: 6/10
