WWE Breaking Point 2009 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series that continues to be more inconsistent than an episode of Dynamite! It’s WWE Breaking Point 2009, a PPV built around the concept of quitting and submitting, think of TNA’s Lockdown PPV except instead of cages, we are going to have submission matches. What has happened since the last PPV? Undertaker returned and is looking to destroy CM Punk, John Cena continues to chase after Randy Orton for the WWE Championship and Legacy look to wipe out DX! Other championship matches include the unified tag team championships being defended and the United States Championship too! Without further ado, it’s time for a review!

 

(WWE Unified Tag Team Championship Match) Jeri-Show © vs Mark Henry & MVP

 

Still not happy about it but we have Chris Jericho slumming it in the tag team division after a fantastic start to early 2009 feuding with Steamboat & Mysterio, Jericho and Show defeated the likes of Legacy, Cryme Time and now they face MVP & Henry. Henry had a very fun on ECW, feuding with the likes of Matt Hardy and Tommy Dreamer but now Henry is a big smiling babyface which is usually when Henry is at his absolute worst.

 

MVP & Jericho to start, MVP has a victory over Jericho. Jericho is cautious of locking up with MVP who is throwing kicks. They lock-up and go to the corner, clean break from MVP. Jericho is not happy, shoving match before MVP tees off with right hands. Hip-toss into a cover for two, Henry smacks Jericho. To the buckle and shoulder thrusts from MVP, slap from Jericho after hiding behind the referee. MVP drop toeholds Jericho, swinging neck-breaker for two. Tag to Henry, Jericho rolls away and brings in Big Show. Two giants staring one another down, neither man can throw the other. Show suckers in Henry, big gut punches before Show tries a splash. Henry catches Show and throws him to the corner, whip to the opposite buckle.

 

Running corner splash by Henry, Henry almost nails the slam but Jericho interferes, Show drops onto Henry for two. Gut punches by Show, corner kicks and Jericho chokes Henry behind the referee’s back. Foot choke by Show, clubbing blows by Show. Tag to Jericho, kicks to the thigh. Henry shoves Jericho away but Jericho continues to attack, tag to Show. Show goes for an Irish whip and Henry answers back with a clothesline, both men are down. Tag to MVP, belly to belly and an elbow by MVP. MVP leaps over Jericho, flying clothesline and a face-buster. Ballin’ Elbow from MVP for two, Jericho is up and looks for The Walls but MVP counters using his leg-strength. MVP lands a big boot but Jericho had blind-tagged Show who cuts MVP in half with a spear.

 

Headbutt by Show, front chancery from Show. Clubbing blows from Show, tag to Jericho. Jericho kicks and shoves MVP, kicks to the ribs. Sleeper from Jericho but MVP fights out, Jericho cuts off MVP. To the corner, Jericho stomps and chokes MVP. Jericho looks for a hip-toss but MVP flips out and lands a massive DDT. Henry gets the hot-tag, clothesline. Jericho tries a middle rope crossbody but Henry counters with a gorilla press slam and a splash before Show makes the save. Show & MVP spill to the floor, Jericho gets hit with a body splash. Jericho places his foot on the ropes to survive, Irish whip and Jericho kicks Henry in the head. Code-breaker is countered with a huge shove, referee is with Jericho who is clutching his knees. Show lands the KO Punch from the apron and Jericho crawls into the cover for the win.

 

Crowd helps this one a lot because this is not my idea of a hot opening match at all, I still feel it is a waste of Jericho during this period but if they want to try and make the division feel important, you can’t go wrong but using one of the most over guys on the roster in that spot. MVP is surprisingly still very popular considering his career trajectory, I am shocked. That DDT spot was great too, didn’t think MVP could pull it off. Anyways, it’s fine and the crowd carries a match that would be at home on an episode of RAW.

 

(WWE United States Championship Match) Kofi Kingston © vs The Miz

 

We heard about this match through WWE mobile alerts, wow what great promotion for the championship match. Also this is the beginning of serious push Miz, the awful shorts are gone and Miz looks like an actual wrestler. We are in Montreal so Miz decides to speak French, his accent is quite poor (Maybe he wasn’t with Maryse yet).

 

Lock-up, no clean break by Miz who lands a kick. Side headlock takedown by Miz, shoulder block before Kofi leapfrogs Miz. They trade counters before a rib kick by Kofi, corner punches by Kofi. European uppercut for two, jaw-breaker counter by Miz. Snap suplex by Miz, Kofi dodges a punch and lands two flying crossbodies and a dropkick for two. Kofi was on the top rope but Miz swept Kofi’s legs, Miz is in control now and drives his knee into the spine of Kofi. Kofi escapes but runs into a boot in the face, Miz mounts Kofi and lands rights & lefts. Boot for two, Kofi escapes a sleeper but runs into a flapjack. Two for the challenger, another knee to the spine and a kick to the face.

 

Rope choke by Miz, Kofi sends Miz to the floor. Kofi fakes a plancha but Miz sweeps the legs and Kofi’s head cracks off the apron. Two for Miz, Miz drives Kofi to the buckle and lands his corner clothesline. Miz lands a double axe handle for a close two. Kofi crawls to the corner with Miz continuing to wear down Kofi with stomps, Kofi manages to send Miz into the buckle but Miz gets right back in with stiff kicks to the spine and back area. Miz starts taking kicks from Kofi, both men attempt their finishers but Kofi connects with an SOS for two.

 

Kofi misses a clothesline, Miz lands Mizard of Oz for two. Miz runs into a boot from Kofi, Kofi lands a clothesline and misses his Boom Drop as Miz counters with a dropkick for two. Both men trade pin-falls, Kofi sends Miz to the buckle and almost sneaks it, Miz reverses but gets caught with a Russian leg-sweep and a Boom Drop. Two for Kofi, Kofi tries a diving crossbody but Miz rolls through for two. Flapjack into the buckle by Miz, schoolboy with a handful of tights for two, Miz loses his cool and starts smashing Kofi in the back of the head. Miz’s neckbreaker is stopped with a shove as Kofi unleashes Trouble in Paradise for the win!

 

Decent match, not sold on Miz who seems to just be discovering himself. Gear is much better though, I will give him that. Kofi is such a likeable and over babyface, Kofi deserves more than the US Championship and it’s only a matter of time before Kofi continues to rise the ranks of WWE. The mid-card is filled with young talent but they need to catch up with Kofi!

 

Winner: Kofi Kingston over Miz via Trouble in Paradise!

 

(Submission Count Anywhere Match) Legacy vs D-Generation X

 

Shawn Michaels returned to WWE to help his friend Triple H who could not beat Randy Orton for the WWE Championship, Triple H was always outnumbered so Hunter called his best friend and Michaels came back for Triple H and they were victorious in a fairly average Summerslam match with HBK stealing the show as per usual. Now the ring-rust will be more worn off so can HBK steal the show in this one? Let’s find out!

 

We start hot with DX jumping Legacy, right hands and chops galore. Flying forearm by HBK, this match is definitely interesting as nobody has an established submission finish out of these four men. Michaels is the closest with his modified figure four that he would use from time to time, Dibiase & Rhodes have their legs attacked with chop-blocks and shin-breakers by DX. Crowd-brawling from HBK, Dibiase and Triple H battle by the steel steps. All four men make it to the crowd, they make their way to the top of the arena near the concession stands, HBK and Rhodes are now in the crowd. Michaels chops away at Rhodes, Rhodes is nailing big right hands though. Michaels is shoved off the stands onto tables below. Michaels screams out in pain and the referee immediately calls out for help.

 

Triple H checks on Michaels who does not move, Triple H gets fired up and beats up Legacy. Triple H wanted a Pedigree on the stage but Legacy combine to thwart Triple H’s plan, Triple H back-drops Dibiase on the stage. Rhodes & Triple H are backstage now, Triple H is caught as Dibiase helps out Rhodes, right hands from Rhodes. Million Dollar Dream by Dibiase, Rhodes is kicked away by Triple H and Dibiase is rammed into a pillar. Dibiase is spinebustered into food, Triple H has a cross-face on Rhodes. Dibiase uses a cooler to stop Triple H, Dibiase tries to revive Rhodes who is clueless. Triple H appears to have been knocked out before Rhodes makes sure with a steel chair to the head.

 

Michaels stumbles towards the backstage area, the cocky duo start taking it to HBK. Scoop slam on the stage, Michaels is being smashed in the ribs by the duo. We are back in the ring now, the announcers have a serious tone in their voice while Michaels does what he does best and that is sell his ass off. Rhodes runs into a boot, Michaels avoids an elbow drop from Dibiase. Dibiase is canned to the floor, Rhodes avoids a chop and rolls into an ankle lock. Beautifully done, rope breaks do not matter so that’s frustrating for Michaels, Michaels kicks off Rhodes. Dibiase is elevated to the floor with a back body-drop, Sweet Chin Music by Michaels on Rhodes. We cut to the back, Triple H is stirring. Figure four leg-lock in the ring from Michaels, Rhodes is screaming out in pain. Dibiase makes the save, the numbers are too much for HBK.

 

Michaels avoids a spike piledriver, Dibiase is back-dropped once more. Michaels pulls himself up, Michaels measures for Sweet Chin Music but Rhodes pulls Michaels into the ring-post. Figure-four leg-lock using the ring-post, Michaels is caught from behind by Dibiase, a Million Dollar Dream and a figure four at the same time and Michaels is forced to tap, Legacy walk away with the win.

 

A much needed win for Legacy and a much needed change of pace, the last time we saw these two on PPV it was treated as a joke almost as DX were coming back and they had the comedy and the match was treated in that same vein which was so disappointing considering the amount of heat and story that was tied to this angle. Triple H had his family wiped out by Legacy, Batista, Vince, Shane and even his wife. The finish is quite creative and looks brutal, definitely looking forward to the rubber match between the two teams.

 

Winners: Legacy over D-X via Million Dollar Dream/Figure Four Leg-Lock Combination!

 

(Singapore Cane Match) Kane vs Great Khali

 

Well fuck I hope this is not a long one, Singapore canes are in each corner of the ring. Kane starts with right hands and boots, Khali stops Kane from using the cane. Khali lands a massive chest-chop, Irish whip to the buckle. They both grab canes, they use the canes like lightsabers before Khali over-powers Kane, Khali smacks Kane. Kane lands a low dropkick on the floor, Khali is smacked with the cane repeatedly. In the ring we go, Kane smashes Khali across the back. Khali is battered with the cane before Kane lands a low dropkick, Kane does a hammerlock with the cane, fans are bored of this.

 

Khali blocks the cane shot, Khali waffles Kane over and over. Clothesline by Khali, Khali wants the chop. The Chop connects, two as Kane powers out! Vise Grip is countered with cane shots to the head, Kane climbs to the top rope. Diving cane shot by Kane, Khali powers out at two. Kane measures for a Chokeslam, Khali’s brother interferes to attack Kane, Kane grabs Singh by the throat. Khali chops Kane to save his brother, Khali checks on his brother but Kane lands a White Russian Leg-sweep using the ropes to down Khali. Kane measures and connects with a Chokeslam. Mercifully, it is over.

 

Yeah it’s bad even though it’s brief. Two big guys going at it has to be balls to the wall and intense or it’s going to drag. Khali is massive and super limited, this was always going to be a disaster and the cane is not exactly a weapon that generates the same reaction as a table or a chair so what we have is two big guys moving around, hitting one another to limited reaction before a Chokeslam ends this awful affair.

 

Winner: Kane over Great Khali via Chokeslam!

 

(ECW World Heavyweight Championship Match) Christian © vs William Regal

 

Since returning to the WWE, Christian has been a fantastic addition to the roster having the best matches for the likes of Swagger, Finlay and more. Matt Hardy had done well as top babyface on ECW but Christian outshined him with such ease and grace. This match took place at Summerslam but ended in 8 seconds which saddened me as this was one match that would have been decent.

 

Before the match begins, Ezekiel Jackson and Kozlov are forced to leave the ringside area, Regal sells this with a simple expression on his face of “Well shit”. Perfect for the moment, Regal seems tense and they lock-up, aggressive lock-up with both men on the canvas and in the corners, forearms and slaps from both. Regal avoids the Killswitch, second lock-up with Christian working the arm, Regal tries a roll-through but Christian continues to counter and hold on, sunset flip for two. Right hand and dropkick by Christian for two, side headlock takedown by Christian. Regal sends Christian to the apron, Christian rams Regal off the buckle. Diving crossbody for two, the champion continues the right hands in the corner.

 

Regal avoids the tornado DDT by shoving Christian to the floor, nasty looking bump for the champion. The challenger takes control, Regal uses a wear down hold before they trade holds once more, Regal outsmarts Christian and lands a half-nelson suplex for the two. Romero Special from Regal, Christian elbows his way out of the hold. Springboard sunset flip is countered, knee by Regal to the face. Make it three for a two count, Regal slaps on a full-nelson. Modified Regal Plex for two, Regal slaps on another submission. Christian breaks free for a tornado DDT, two for the champion. Christian wants to finish this, Regal stops that with a forearm for two, Regal drags his elbow across Christian’s face. Christian gets up and fires back with right hands, Kill-Switch is countered for a brutal Regal-Plex.

 

Regal is beyond frustrated at this point, Regal mocks Christian. Christian eats forearm shivers, Christian is back on his feet somehow. Running forearm, middle rope spinning elbow. Elbow drop, scoop slam and a running forearm shiver for two. Middle rope missile dropkick, clothesline by Christian but Regal swats away the top rope missile dropkick and lands a senton for two. Knees and forearms by Regal, Christian lands knees to the head. Kill-Switch is countered but Regal misses a knee trembler and Christian nails The Kill-Switch for the win.

 

Super solid match here, Regal is vicious and his transitions are just a joy to watch, the Regal-Plex is absolutely disgusting looking and I love it, a proper fight between two people trying to get the advantage and the win. Regal was so good as is Christian and ECW is such a waste of both men but obviously politics did play a part in where both men would be on the card but a very good match in the middle of a PPV that sorely needs a bit of quality!

 

Winner: Christian over William Regal via Kill-Switch!

 

(WWE Championship I Quit Match) Randy Orton © vs John Cena

 

I have seen a lot of terrible finishes in my time but the Summerslam match between Cena and Orton was horrific, really made Cena look like a twat. So we have an I Quit match, Cena says he will never quit. The bell rings, they slowly walk towards the middle of the ring, Cena seems to be feeling out the crowd on this one, Orton does not take his eyes off Cena. Cena pushes Orton to the buckle, shoulder thrusts and a belly to belly suplex. Fisherman suplex by Cena, Orton sells in the strange ways he does during this era, Cena starts throwing major right hands. Orton avoids the flying shoulder tackle, Orton looks to take control and sends Cena into the announce table. Cena is smashed with a monitor to the head, Orton looks down at Cena who is not moving. Cena pulls himself up slowly to the apron, Orton wants that DDT. Cena is dropped with the apron DDT, Orton grabs a chair and places it in the middle of the ring. Orton wants a running RKO on the chair, Cena shoves off Orton. Shoulder blocks and spinning side-slam, Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena wants an AA, Orton counters to the apron, hot-shot sends Cena down. Cena is down, Orton starts thinking Punt but Cena ducks, STF is blocked as Orton rolls away. Steel steps to the face from Orton, Orton stomps Cena’s head into the steel steps.

 

Orton pulls something from under the ring, it’s handcuffs. Orton has the key wrapped around his neck, Orton stomps the life out of Cena. Cena is cuffed to the top rope, Orton pummels Cena who cannot move. Knees to the throat from Orton, Orton decks Cena with the microphone and uncuffs the challenger. Cena is tied to the ring-post, Orton starts punching the ribs of Cena who cannot defend himself. Cena is covered in water by Orton, Cena spits it back in the face of Orton. Orton decides to stop messing around and grabs the canes, Orton canes Cena in the ribs and head. Orton chokes Cena using the cane before Cena lands a massive low blow to stop Orton’s attack.

 

Orton cracks Cena with a chair, Orton handcuffs Cena to the bottom rope. A chair across the back from Orton, Cena refuses to give up. Orton is losing his mind. Cena avoids a chair-shot and back-drops Orton onto the floor, Cena has the key and uncuffs himself. Orton and Cena are cuffed together, Cena lands rights hands all around. Orton is bounced off the announce table, belly to back suplex and right hands from Cena. Orton prevents an AA and lands an RKO out of nothing, Orton wants the key. Orton spots the key but has to drag Cena towards the key, great camera work here. Cena is behind and pulling Orton, Orton is so close but Cena is too strong. Orton is caught in a STF using the handcuffs and Cena makes Orton utter the words I Quit.

 

Orton’s body language was fantastic throughout this, Orton’s peak character wise as a devious madman who took great pleasure in Cena’s pain. A lot of the match centered around those handcuffs, there could be an argument that it went a little long in that regard but what annoys me more is Cena’s complete lack of selling once breaking free from the cuffs. The highlights all show Orton torturing Cena in various ways so for Orton to Hulk Up with no effects was a little annoying, a common complaint about Cena during this time and Cena gaining revenge on Orton for torturing him was so brief. Orton’s demise at the end of his own weapon was satisfying but Orton gave up so quickly, I felt they could have teased out the drama a little more there but that’s just me.

 

Winner: John Cena over Randy Orton via Handcuff Assisted STF!

 

(WWE World Heavyweight Championship Submission Match) CM Punk © vs The Undertaker

 

CM Punk had beaten Jeff Hardy, Hardy was leaving WWE and WWE needed someone to fill that gap so The Deadman returns. Punk didn’t get a fair crack at being champion the first time around, Punk had traded the championship with Jeff Hardy so Punk deserves a long reign but we will see how it plays out. Punk’s cockiness is on full display as Punk wants to be the first man to ever tap out The Undertaker.

 

Punk seems to be pumped up, Punk powders instantly. Taker corners Punk but Punk is quicker, rights and kicks by the champion. Elbows and more, Taker is rocked. Taker grabs Punk by the throat and Punk is tossed to the floor, Taker hits a clothesline in the ring. Knees to the ribs and kicks by the challenger, Taker sends Punk to the floor. A right hand floors Punk, Punk uses a chair to get back into this one. Running knee in the corner, Taker avoids the bulldog. Taker lands shoulder thrusts but Punk counters Old School, right hands to the head. Punk wanted a superplex but Taker headbutts Punk down, Punk retaliates with a kick to the face. Superplex by Punk, kicks by Punk.

 

Taker is answering with right hands, corner clothesline. Snake eyes, running big boot. Leg drop, Punk stops a Chokeslam with a kick to the head, Punk walks into Hell’s Gate and Punk is tapping! Just like that it is over! However, Teddy Long comes out and says Hell’s Gate is banned as a submission, the match has to continue with Taker being jumped from behind. Punk lands knees but Taker lands a big boot, The Last Ride is countered and Punk lands a chop block. Anaconda Vise and the bell rings, Taker does not tap but it looks like we have a Montreal Screwjob in Montreal!

 

Beyond lame end to the PPV, turning Teddy Long momentarily heel? For what reason? A screwjob finish in Montreal again? How many callbacks can you make to the shit? Why put that as your main event? Because they hate Bret that much? Especially with Cena winning, why not main event with that?

 

Winner: CM Punk over The Undertaker via Screwjob!

 

That was WWE’s Breaking Point 2009, an underwhelming pay per view in many ways, pay per views based around concepts can be hit and miss, Lockdown from TNA can be very tiring as many of the matches are the same, hampered by the cage and struggling to incorporate the structure despite it being the selling point, I have a similar feeling here with matches based around submissions featuring wrestlers who don’t really have strong submissions in their repertoire. What was Orton going to pull out? What was Triple H going to use? So, the concept was a little weak for me and seeing submission matches coupled with an I Quit match left me feeling like a Lockdown PPV without the madness of a Lethal Lockdown to melt away the bad memories. Jericho & Show are wasted in the tag division, they were simply too good and over to be wasted like that, Show was a monster and Jericho was doing the best work of his career before this, feels like such a step back. They are pushing forward with The Miz, I respect it but it is a work in progress.

 

Legacy needed the win but the feud has lost a lot of its bite with the Summerslam match being treated in such a hokey oh look DX are back and they are clearly going to win way. Orton vs Cena was satisfying with the handcuff finish but so much of the match was literally the spot with handcuffs, Cena super recovers as usual here and we don’t get the struggle, overcoming the villainous Orton, it’s over before you know it. And a screwjob in Canada again? Bite me, don’t check this one out you aren’t missing much. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WWE Summerslam 2009 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that struggles more with walking than Paul Wight! It’s time for WWE Summerslam 2009, the biggest part of the Summer with WWE going all out with a massive card of fun and exciting matches that should leave me foaming at the mouth. Could this break the string of poor PPVs that I have watched recently? That remains to be seen but we shall see soon enough as I am not even going to run down the card, I will explain it as it goes!

 

(WWE Intercontinental Championship Match) Dolph Ziggler VS Rey Mysterio ©

 

Rematch time, Ziggler jumps Mysterio to start the match. Mysterio fights back but eats a powerslam for two, Mysterio is sent to the corner but answers with a moonsault for two. Knee by Ziggler, Ziggler clubs Mysterio over and over. Ziggler is sent to the floor by Mysterio, Mysterio lands a diving apron hurricanrana into the barricade. Ziggler and Mysterio battle to the top of the turnbuckle, Mysterio headbutts Ziggler down. Ziggler counters a hurricanrana with a massive buckle bomb for two, Ziggler takes out his frustration with right hands to the head. Handstand head-lock from The Show-Off, sidewalk slam for two. Ziggler stomps Mysterio before landing a massive elbow for two, Ziggler goes back to the head-lock.

 

Mysterio escapes and drop toeholds Ziggler into the buckle before Ziggler catches Mysterio off-guard with a vicious clothesline, Ziggler picks up Mysterio for a gut-buster for two. More right-hands from Ziggler before clamping on a clutch. Mysterio escapes and starts his comeback, springboard seated senton. Crossbody is cut off but a sunset flip roll-through kick pays off for Mysterio. Two for Mysterio, diving crossbody is cut off by a dropkick by Ziggler. Two for Ziggler, Ziggler starts messing with Mysterio. Easy screams Ziggler, Mysterio dives over Ziggler. Mysterio almost had a sunset flip for two but Ziggler counters and rolls up Mysterio for a close two. Clothesline by Ziggler, Ziggler shoves Mysterio to the buckle. Second-time around Mysterio nails an enzuigiri but Ziggler dodges the 619.

 

Ziggler trips Mysterio from the floor and lands a Famouser for a close two. To the buckle, Mysterio kicks away Ziggler. Tilt-a-whirl by Mysterio but Ziggler forces a shoulder up to avoid being pinned. Mysterio plants Ziggler with a DDT for a close two, Mysterio kicks Ziggler into the middle rope. 619 connects, Mysterio looks for the splash. Ziggler sits up and avoids the splash, half-nelson from Ziggler for a close two. Ziggler tees off on Mysterio, Mysterio elbows Ziggler but he cannot stop Ziggler nail a massive boot. Top rope gut-buster is countered by Mysterio into a super hurricanrana for the win.

 

Hot-crowd for this one, Ziggler is growing in the fans’ eyes. Tremendous way to kick off the show, Ziggler’s body language was great throughout this match. Felt the desperation, felt the anger. Ziggler and Mysterio were much better than they were the first time around at Night of Champions, the false-finishes were great throughout well and Ziggler’s selling is this one was fantastic. Where do they go from here though? Regardless, this is a great match that I didn’t want to see going into this PPV because of 2K22 but pleasantly surprised at how much better this match was compared to its recreation in 2K22. Mysterio’s championship reign has been great but how will it end?

 

MVP vs Jack Swagger

This is an interesting period for me with MVP because I remember MVP coming in and having big feuds, doing some fun stuff with Matt Hardy and then I felt he would slide down the card into limbo until a tag team reign with Mark Henry. That’s not entirely true as MVP did have more Mania matches and mid-card feuds, not everyone’s idea of a babyface but MVP is here and trying. What makes this feud actually interesting is that it is a culture clash feud with Swagger being an upstanding and rich member of society while MVP was in prison for ten years.

 

Swagger jumps MVP, MVP answers with a big clothesline and slam. Swagger avoids the elbow, MVP lands a plancha. In the ring, MVP is on the middle rope. Swagger drops MVP and MVP lands on the back of his head. Swagger decides to work the back of MVP, quite brutally actually with fierce kidney shots. MVP elbows Swagger but Swagger goes right into an abdominal stretch. MVP tries a hip-toss but it’s a bad idea as the back gives out, Swagger lands a clothesline for two. Swagger goes into a camel clutch with cross-arms, MVP counters with an electric chair-drop for two. MVP drops Swagger with massive right hands, MVP lands The Ballin-Elbow. Two for MVP, Play-Maker is countered as Swagger shoves MVP into the buckle. Schoolboy with a handful of tights for two, Swagger-Bomb is blocked with knees. Player’s Boot and a Play-maker for the win.

 

It was fine, short if anything else. I felt the back-work was mean and nasty, could have really ramped up the sympathy in this one but it never reached that next level, I don’t think apart from the two submissions that the back was ever targeted again. Swagger was fine here, I don’t know what is going to happen in the next six months but I don’t see Swagger as World Champion material but I guess I will see what happens as the year progresses.

 

Winner: MVP over Jack Swagger via Play-Maker!

 

(WWE Unified Tag Team Championships Match) Jeri-Show © vs Cryme Tyme

Cryme Tyme haven’t appeared on PPV in I would say years confidently but I could always be wrong but yeah, it’s been a while and I asked the question who could possibly face Show & Jericho and well I have my answer. JTG & Jericho to start, side headlock from Jericho. Shoulder block by Jericho, crowd loves Y2J. JTG leapfrogs and lands an elbow to the face, running block-buster from JTG. Big kick and headbutt by Jericho, Irish whip reversal by JTG. Jericho tries for the walls, JTG fights his way out of it though and reverses a catapult to the corner. JTG lands a diving famouser for two, Jericho holds onto the ropes and cheap-shots JTG. In comes Big Show who slaps the chest of JTG hard in the corner.

 

Show has a side headlock and is wrenching poor JTG, JTG manages to boot Show and tag in Shad. Right hands and a clothesline, Show is still standing. Show sends Shad to the corner, Show misses a corner splash. Jericho is pressed by Shad, Show lands an enormous spear. Show steps on Shad’s head, Shad is being tortured in the corner now as Jericho and Show land big kicks and shots to the ribs of Shad. Forearm shots by Jericho but Jericho runs into a boot from Shad. JTG is knocked off the apron, JTG is showing his inexperience as the champions double-team Shad behind the referee’s back. Full-nelson from Show, Shad powers out but Show pulls Shad down by his hair. Jericho tags in and misses a massive elbow, can Shad make the tag?

 

No as Jericho cuts off the tag and applies a seated cobra-clutch, Shad fights out and lands a massive tilt-a-whirl body slam. Tag to JTG, running blockbuster and a dropkick. Corner face-buster, shot to Show’s face. Sling-blade by JTG, Show breaks up the pin. Show and Shad tumble to the floor, schoolboy by JTG on Jericho for a close two. Jericho looks for the Walls on JTG, Jericho slaps it on in the middle of the ring. JTG is thinking about tapping, JTG shows great fight to get to the ropes but Show lands a massive KO Punch for the win as Jericho covers.

 

Not bad, I still think of it as a massive waste to have Jericho & Show as a tag team but I have to get over it, Jericho still remains popular with the fans but obviously Show slows down things massively for Y2J when he’s in the ring, the gap in star-power between the two teams is huge. Tag division is in the toilet at the moment but it’s clear where the titles are going as the year continues with DX reuniting which means that this Jeri-Show run will result in no new stars being made which sucks.

 

Winners: Jeri-Show over Cryme-Tyme via KO Punch!

 

Kane vs The Great Khali

Kane defeated CM Punk but it went nowhere, Kane decided to interfere in championship matches and that also went nowhere. Kane helped Dolph Ziggler defat Khali and we have this feud as a result, Khali attacks Kane at first but Kane dodges a leg drop and lands a dropkick and elbows on Khali. Kane calls for a Chokeslam. Khali is too strong though, Khali wants a chokeslam. Kane counters but runs into a clothesline, elbow by Khali for two. Khali mounts Kane, a terrifying sight for sure. Punches rain down on Kane’s head, Kane meets the buckle, corner clothesline by Khali. Chest slap by Khali, boot by Kane. Kane climbs high, diving clothesline connects for a close two.

 

Sleeper from Kane, Khali works his way to his feet. Kane is shoved off and into an elbow, Khali lands a big boot. Khali wants a chop, it connects to the skull. Close two for Khali, Khali wants The Vice Grip. Kane is in the ropes, Kane grabs Singh and threatens him. Kane dropkicks Khali’s knee, a running DDT and this match is over.

 

Oh boy what a slow one folks. I think they could get a decent run out of Khali as a tag team but I am not sure they ever went that route. Regardless, if they are building Kane up again, why put him in there with Khali? It’s truly horrible and I could not wait for this one to end.

 

Winner: Kane over Great Khali via DDT!

 

Legacy vs D-Generation X

I actually like how this angle came about, Triple H wanted to murder Legacy and Randy Orton but Triple H was always out-gunned. Time and time again, Triple H could not get the job done as the numbers game was just too much for Triple H. For some reason, they went the comedy route again with DX. I think that’s a grand shame because Michaels had not been seen for months and Legacy were a thorn in Triple H’s side but they immediately went the comedy route with skits and all sorts of crap. It’s very strange to see Triple H from a character standpoint to go back to being goofy and fun considering again, these are the guys who helped Orton assault all of Triple H’s family.

 

Triple H and Dibiase start, lock-up and Triple H decks Dibiase with a right hand. Side headlock by Triple H, Dibiase pushes Triple H to the corner. Dibiase lands knees and rights, Triple H tosses Dibiase to the corner and lands rights. Dibiase sends Triple H to the buckle but Triple H explodes out with a clothesline followed by a suplex and a knee-drop for two. Dibiase kicks Triple H who lowered his head off an Irish whip, Triple H lands a high-knee on Rhodes. Rhodes responds with a slap to HBK, Triple H is going to give the crowd what they want so Michaels is in the ring for the first time since Wrestlemania 25. Lock-up and side headlock by Michaels, shoulder block but Rhodes slaps Michaels for the second time.

 

Michaels tackles Rhodes but Rhodes is on top, right hands by Rhodes. Irish whip and Thesz press by Michaels, slap by Michaels. Rhodes powders but Triple H shows Rhodes back in the ring, Michaels wants a superkick but Rhodes powders for a second time. Belly to back suplex by Rhodes, tag to Dibiase. Dibiase misses an elbow drop, Michaels chops Dibiase in the corner. Whip to the opposite buckle by Dibiase, vicious clothesline takes down Michaels. Dibiase mounts and lands right to the eye, Dibiase mouths off to the crowd. Tag to Rhodes, knee-drop for two. Tag to Dibiase who lands an elbow for two, reverse chin-lock from Dibiase. Michaels escapes and lands a neck-breaker, tag to Triple H. Triple H lands rights on both members of Legacy, Triple H is catapulted into the buckle but answers with a clothesline and two spine-busters.

 

Triple H measures for a pedigree but Rhodes takes down Triple H, Michaels clotheslines Rhodes to the floor and lands a tope on Rhodes. Dibiase low-blows Triple H, both men are down. Rhodes & Dibiase begin to soften up Triple H, two for Dibiase. Reverse chin-lock from Dibiase, Triple H struggles and struggles before nailing a belly to back suplex. Rhodes comes in fast for a beautiful DDT for two, front chancery from Rhodes. Triple H manages to land a back body-drop, Dibiase knocks Michaels off the apron. No hot-tag for now, kicks in the corner from Dibiase. Triple H goes low with a boot, right hands are traded by both men. Dibiase kicks low, Triple H sends Dibiase to the corner. Elbow by Dibiase but Triple H side-steps and sends Dibiase tumbling to the floor. Hot-tag to Michaels, right hands and inverted atomic drop with chops. Flying forearm by Michaels, Dibiase waffles Michaels in the back of the head with a clothesline. Triple H takes Dibiase off the apron and sends Dibiase into the crowd.

 

Rhodes is climbing high, Rhodes is thinking big move here. Diving elbow drop misses big time for Rhodes, Rhodes is bleeding from the mouth. Michaels is on the top rope, Rhodes crotches Michaels. Michaels takes right hands to the face, superplex is on the mind of Rhodes but HBK fights back and shoves down Rhodes. Rhodes manages to get his knees up to block the elbow drop, close two for Rhodes. Rhodes looks for a tag but Dibiase is in the crowd, Cross-Rhodes is blocked and reversed for a Figure-Four by HBK. Elbow drop interruption by Dibiase, Triple H wants a Pedigree but Rhodes takes out Triple H. Rhodes hits a weird looking bulldog, Michaels is caught and eats Cross-Rhodes but Triple H makes the save at the last second.

 

Dibiase shows his inexperience by arguing with the referee, Triple H nails a Pedigree behind the referee’s back, Dibiase nails Dream Street behind the referee’s back. Triple H and Dibiase spill to the floor and over the announce table, Rhodes is beginning to come to his senses. Both men are up and are leaning on one another to stand up before Michaels delivers Sweet Chin Music for the win!

 

A fun match but not great or the war the commentators would want you to believe, I really do like the idea of Triple H bringing back Michaels to get rid of Legacy who have been costing him the championship and tormenting his family for months, almost a year at this point but the comedy-skits are utterly ridiculous and it is an element that you just don’t need for an angle like this. Michaels wasn’t in there all that much, maybe Michaels was truly spent following that Wrestlemania XXV match. It hurts to think that there might be a decline when it comes to Shawn Michaels inside that ring but I will be watching on and making my mind up on that. Dibiase & Rhodes have good heat but really lacking the intensity and presence to be in there with DX, hoping they both come out looking good when all is said and done.

 

Winners: DX over Legacy via Sweet Chin Music!

 

(ECW World Championship Match) Christian © vs William Regal

The ECW championship is back where it belongs as Tommy Dreamer has taken his place at a scrappy babyface on the ECW roster. ECW is too small for someone of the caliber of Regal & Christian but I will enjoy this one, no doubts about this.

 

Regal’s style is always interesting to see how it mixes with other WWE wrestlers but Christian has proven to be awesome when it comes to adapting to other wrestlers’ styles. And….. Christian has nailed Regal with an Unprettier as Regal tried to take off his rope and it’s over, Chirstian retains. Kozlov & Ezekiel take out Christian after the bell. So this was an angle more than a match. Well that sucks for me!

 

Winner: Christian over William Regal via Kill-Switch!

 

(WWE World Championship Match) Randy Orton © vs John Cena

Orton has ran through everyone on the WWE RAW roster, Orton has used Rhodes & Dibiase to hold onto his championship, Orton had even managed to defeat John Cena in a triple threat at the previous pay per view but tonight it is one on one with The Leader of The Cenation. Both men feeling one another out, Cena takes down Orton into a front chancery. Orton wriggles free with a hammerlock, Cena rolls through but Orton looks unfazed. Cena takes the arm but a right-hand by Orton sends Cena to the mat, right hands from the champion.

 

Orton stomps Cena in the corner, Orton kicks and toys with Cena. Cena answers back with a massive spear, Orton is whipped to the buckle. Massive face-buster for two, Orton elbows Cena down with authority. Orton rakes his boot off Cena’s face, uppercuts in the corner. More stomps and right hands by Orton, hard Irish whip to the buckle. Orton is taking his time, whip to the buckle with Cena crashing hard to the mat. Orton is spitting up blood and not happy about it, Orton begins stomping various body-parts. Garvin stomp anyone? Orton has Cena where he needs him, Orton takes a breather and takes aim with a massive knee drop across the throat for a two-count. Cena begins to fight back though, right hands before Cena gets dropped with a back-breaker for two.

 

Orton clamps on a reverse chin-lock, Cena breaks free of the hold and lands his trademark shoulder blocks and belly to back suplex. Five-Knuckle Shuffle connects middle of the ring, AA is countered for a powerslam. Two for Orton, Orton lands two stomps but misses a knee drop. Cena lands right hands but gets reversed off an Irish whip, shoulder block misses and Cena crashes and burns to the floor. Cena finds himself on the apron, kick by Orton who snaps and goes for that vicious DDT. Shoots the half for two, Orton stalks Cena. Orton decides that it’s Punt time! Cena ducks and lands a boot followed by a Throw-back, Cena climbs to the top rope. Kobashi-style Leg-Drop connects, 1…2… Orton kicks out!

 

Cena calls for The AA, Orton uses the ropes to hang on and avoid the move, double clothesline in the middle of the ring. Slugfest between the two, Cena wins the war. Back body-drop, Orton slapped or shoved the referee and grabbed his championship. This is over? No! Mr. Mcmahon says that this match has to be restarted and that if Orton gets Disqualified, Orton will lose his WWE Championship. Orton charges in as the match restarts, Cena flattens Orton with a sidewalk slam. Hard Irish whip by Cena, Orton spills to the floor. Cena hits the steel steps hard courtesy of the champion, two in the ring. Orton looks a little lost, Orton asks for his championship. Orton does not care about being counted out, same situation where the match will be restarted due to Orton’s attempts at cheating. Orton runs into a drop toehold, Orton shoves off Cena. Cena tries an AA but Orton slips out and rolls-up Cena with his feet on the ropes. Orton has beaten Cena! Wait another referee says that Orton cheated and the match is restarted, Cena lands a vicious clothesline and slaps on his STF. Orton screams and screams, a fan or is it Freddie Prince Jr? Who knows but the referee is taken out, everything stops awkwardly. Orton is on the floor, Orton slithers into the ring before luring Cena into an apron RKO, RKO in the middle of the ring and Orton wins!

 

What the fuck was this business? Seriously what an overbooked mess? So it originally is fine with Orton being screwed over for his cheating ways, no problem but Orton beats Cena twice? Two pin-falls on Cena? The fan interruption was so weird as everything stopped, Cena was not caught off-guard by Orton. Both men had time to recover and Cena walked right into an RKO like a rookie who didn’t have any experience. If the finish was always going to be Orton retaining with his championship, why go through all of this? Cena looks like a massive loser at the end of all this, not to mention they weren’t exactly lighting the wrestling world on fire inside of that ring. Overbooked trash from the RAW brand.

 

Winner: Randy Orton over John Cena via RKO!

 

(WWE World Heavyweight Championship TLC Match) Jeff Hardy © vs CM Punk

Failure was not an option for Jeff Hardy, Hardy had survived dirty tactics from Punk and won the championship that he had chased since losing it at Royal Rumble 2009. However, Punk had his rematch clause but poor Punk could not do anything as Jeff Hardy decided that it would be a TLC Match. Very wild to think that the Smackdown scene in 2009 had I Quit matches and Ladder matches and TLC matches. The commentators say that the match favours Hardy but I think that’s a bit weird to say when Punk has won two mania ladder matches back to back.

 

They lock-up aggressively, Punk elbows and knees Hardy in the corner. Punk sends Hardy to the floor, Punk grabs a chair early in the match. To the ribs and across the spine, Punk leaves Hardy down on the floor. Punk decides to go for the quick win, grabbing the ladder and setting it up in the middle of the ring. Hardy pushes down the ladder and lands clotheslines on Punk, Hardy is demolishing Punk with rights and lefts, Hardy lands his Hardyiac Arrest Dropkick. Terrible name but devastating move, Hardy tries climbing for the gold but Punk kicks his legs out. Punk’s GTS is countered as the challenger is shoved into the ladder. Poetry in Motion is countered as Punk catches Hardy and drops him onto the chair.

 

Punk drops a ladder on Hardy over and over, Punk wipes out Hardy with a spinning heel kick. Punk throws Hardy to the floor, Punk lands a nasty suicide dive on Hardy. Punk tries to place the chair on Hardy’s head but Hardy shoves away Punk, Punk misses a shot against the ring-post. Hardy lands all sorts of shots before Punk nails a knee, Punk avoids the steel steps by jumping on them but Hardy answers Punk with a chair to the chest and face. Poetry in Motion into the barricade by Hardy, Punk has a chair tossed across his back. Punk is placed on a table parallel to the turnbuckle. Hardy misses the splash big time, Punk moved out of the way and Hardy went splat on the ground. Punk grabs a ladder across his back and begins climbing, Hardy manages to stop Punk.

 

Hardy begins to leap over Punk, Punk stops Hardy with an electric chair like hold. Punk transitions for a GTS but Hardy counters for a lovely powerbomb. Hardy is so close touching the championship before Punk tips the ladder and Hardy crashes into the buckle. Punk is looking for a superplex on the ladder, this looks rough. Punk connects in a brutal fucking bump, they are both back up almost immediately though, Hardy lands a Twist of Fate. Swanton Bomb is countered with knees to the spine, Punk wanted a bulldog but Hardy dropped him to the floor through a table. Hardy climbs but Punk lands his springboard clothesline to stop the charismatic enigma, Punk takes a chair from ringside. Punk has the chair on Hardy’s head, Hardy blocks and sends Punk into the steel steps. Hardy wears out Punk with chair-shots across the back, Punk is smashed in the face with an announce table monitor and a chair-shot to the face. Hardy grabs a twenty foot ladder, Hardy places it by the announce table. Hardy is up on top of the ladder, Swanton Bomb through the announce table in an insane spot!

 

EMTs are out, Hardy refuses to leave on the stretcher. Hardy is frustrated but determined, they crawl to the top of the ladder. Hardy cannot stop Punk as Punk kicks Hardy square in the ribs that are hinted at being broken and one more punch to the head, Hardy plummets off the top of the ladder to the canvas. Incredible visual from the ladder shows how hard Hardy hits the mat, absolutely horrific looking but Punk grabs the championship and celebrates ever so briefly as a gong goes off and we see that The Undertaker is back and Punk will be his next victim, hell of a way to hook the fans to tune into Smackdown.

 

A war between these two, you could feel the hatred between the two in this one. The shots were flying in, the chair-shots had so much menace behind them, truly a battle between two men who despised one another. Hardy’s injuries at this point were as long as a shopping list so to go out there and still take those bumps especially the announce table Swanton Bomb is insane!

 

Winner: CM Punk over Jeff Hardy via Retrieval of The Championship!

 

That was WWE’s Summerslam 2009, a hit and miss for one of the Big 4 of the year. Let’s break it down: We kick things off with a fantastic showcase for Ziggler, Mysterio is as popular as ever and recovering well from the Jericho feud, it may be a step-down but Ziggler is certainly stepping up to the plate so far and I have enjoyed this more than their previous encounter. Things dip immediately with Swagger vs MVP, MVP has very much fallen down the card by this time while Swagger is on the way up, the finish was quite shocking for me but I guess they have to rebuild Swagger now that he’s no longer on ECW. Just a match that would feel at home on RAW, not PPV-worthy. Show & Jericho vs Cryme Tyme is not that fun, you have Jericho who was his hottest in terms of momentum over the last year and it feels like it’s being squandered, the tag team division is held together by sticky-tape and they are trying to put focus on it with two big teams in DX and Jeri-Show but I would much rather see Jericho in singles’ matches than wasting himself against acts who are hardly over with the audience. Things do not get better with Kane vs Khali, really bad match here.

 

DX vs Legacy is nice because of Michaels coming back to the ring, someone sorely missed on the roster but the comedic tone to the feud is something I am not in love with it at all, Legacy tormented Triple H. Took out his family, attacked his wife and cost him his ultimate goal of being WWE Champion on multiple occasions, they are the worst people in the world for Triple H so why are we doing comedy stuff about this? It should be an absolute war but it just doesn’t feel like it and DX winning felt guaranteed before the bell rang, really disappointing. Cena vs Orton, what can I say? I cannot believe such a finish exists for the top babyface in the company. Super-Cena of all people being pinned clean as a sheet in such dumb fashion? Incredible, they work well together and both men are over so fans react but man alive, that was woeful. The main event delivers and shows why Jeff Hardy was getting this main event spots over Cena, it was the more intriguing angle and Jeff’s risk-taking nature, it's a soul-crushing end to his career in WWE at that point but you cannot say that Jeff didn’t leave it all in the ring, scary bumps taking in such short time, mere months between this and the match with Edge. Worthy of the main event spot for sure, a very unbalanced card in terms of quality here but the main event is definitely something to seek out to see the finish of one of the brighter spots of WWE during a difficult period. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WWE Night of Champions 2009 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another riveting edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that has been more baffling than seeing Okada leave NJPW! It’s time for Night of Champions 2009! Every championship is on the line, that could be a good thing and a bad thing depending on who is challenging for the championship. The two major championship matches are Randy Orton defending his WWE World Championship against Randy Orton & Triple H in a triple threat rematch from Wrestlemania 24. We also have Jeff Hardy challenging for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship held by CM Punk. Other notables matches include Dolph Ziggler challenging for Rey Mysterio’s Intercontinental Championship. A lot of interesting match-ups here so we shall see how this turns out for all those involved, have a feeling this could be very similar to the previous PPV.

 

(WWE Unified Tag Team Championship Match) Legacy vs Chris Jericho & Edge ©

So Edge is injured? What happened? Looked it up and it was a torn tendon which sucks for him so Jericho will have a mystery partner for this match. Who will it be? Well you will see that it is quite the partner, it is none other than The Big Show! So this is how Jeri-Show is formed which is cool, the uncool thing is that all these four men are heels so who are the fans and I meant to cheer for on this night?

 

Show to start with Rhodes, Rhodes dodges a chest slap. Doesn’t work the second time around, Show tosses Rhodes across the ring. Show gets hung-up by Rhodes, tag to Dibiase. Dibiase eats a shoulder block, gut punches before a tag to Jericho. Jericho kicks and elbows Dibiase, Dibiase meets the boot of Show. Show comes back in and nails a clothesline. Tag to Jericho, assisted splash for two. Dibiase rakes the eyes and tags in Rhodes, schoolboy by Jericho for two. Dibiase low-bridges Jericho who tried running the ropes, Rhodes distracts the referee. Rhodes sends Jericho into the ring apron, tag to Dibiase.

 

Rhodes & Dibiase land a clothesline and sweep combination for two, tag to Rhodes. Jericho is in trouble, Y2J chants are filling the arena. Rhodes slaps on a reverse chin-lock, Jericho tries a sunset flip but Rhodes holds onto the ropes and smashes Jericho across the face. Rhodes backs Jericho to the corner, Dibiase tees off with right hands and boots. Rhodes chokes Jericho behind the referee’s back, Jericho begins fighting back but Dibiase spears Jericho back to the challengers’ corner. Rhodes misses a corner splash, Jericho lands forearms. Whip to the buckle, Rhodes boots Jericho. Rhodes lands a diving moonsault for a close two, Jericho lands an enzuigiri.

 

Jericho cannot make the tag, inside cradle gets a two and Dibiase lands a clothesline. Jericho runs into a powerslam for two, Jericho lands right hands but Dibiase lands a nice cradle and kicks Jericho square in the eye. Dibiase misses a splash, Jericho wants the Walls but Dibiase throws off Jericho. Dream Street but Jericho shakes off Dibiase, roll into the Walls of Jericho. Rhodes is trying to interfere, Show is with the referee. Rhodes spikes Jericho with a DDT for a close two, Show tagged himself into the match as Jericho ran the ropes. Dibiase eats a massive spear with Rhodes making the save, Show tosses Rhodes to the apron. Rhodes skins the cat, dropkicks take Show to his knees. Jericho lands a Code-Breaker on Dibiase and Show lands The Colossal Clutch for the win.

 

Nothing special here, one of the more tame opening matches in recent PPV history. Also a little weird for the fans to be cheering for two heels like Jericho & Show. The tag team scene is a joke at this time and the idea that two top heels will be champions for the next few months when Jericho was doing the best work of his life prior to this is disappointing to say the least but yeah, two heel teams kicking off a PPV is not my ideal way to start the show. Sucks to see Edge is injured again too, hard times for The Rated R Superstar.

 

Winner: Jeri-Show over Legacy via Colossal Clutch!

 

(ECW World Heavyweight Championship Match) Tommy Dreamer © vs Christian

The birthplace of Extreme and one of their own is here tonight as Tommy Dreamer defends his ECW Championship against Captain Charisma, Dreamer had miraculously survived a scramble match and many situations where Dreamer was outgunned and outclassed. However, Christian was never pinned to lose his championship, Christian is juts a class above Tommy Dreamer. Can Dreamer survive Christian on this night?

 

Babyface vs Babyface, is Russo booking on this night? They lock-up, clean break from Christian but Dreamer slaps the challenger. Side headlock by Dreamer, shoulder block for two. Dreamer works the arm, Christian kips-up and sends Dreamer down. Side headlock by Christian, spinning heel kick for one. Whip to the buckle reversed by Dreamer, Dreamer blocks Christian’s corner kick and Dreamer nails his massive rope-hung neck-breaker. Christian elbows and smashes Dreamer in the face, diving reverse elbow. Dreamer is on the apron, Christian runs into a shoulder and Dreamer wants the suplex to the floor. Right hand by Christian and Dreamer eats the ring apron, baseball slide by Captain Charisma.

 

Springboard plancha misses for the challenger, Dreamer is on the apron and looking for his rolling senton. Dreamer nails it, two for the champion in the ring. Running powerslam for two, Dreamer climbs to the middle rope but Christian yanks down Dreamer. Snap-mare into a kick to the spine, Christian lands forearms and wants the Kill-Switch but Dreamer reverses, Dreamer wants a belly to back but Christian counters for the sleeper. Dreamer reverses it again by dropping his weight on Christian, Christian tries it again. Dreamer runs to the floor with Christian on his back, both men are down on the floor. In the ring, Dreamer is taking control.

 

Dreamer wants that ECW dropkick, crowd gives it to Dreamer. Christian eats it to the face, Dreamer DDT is countered but Dreamer lands the sky high for two. Pump-handle is countered into a falling reverse DDT by Christian for two, Christian lands a missile dropkick and climbs high again for a missile dropkick but Dreamer counters for a Texas Cloverleaf. Christian bridges out, Dreamer lands a catapult. Christian kicks backs and lands a diving sunset flip but they trade pins with neither man taking control. Christian lands his corner kick, missile dropkick and Dreamer is down. Christian calls for the finish, Dreamer is planted and this match is over.

 

Another fine match, the streak of super fun ECW Championship matches on PPV comes to an end but they have some decent chemistry here. I do love me some Christian, been great since returning to WWE and nobody is a better face for the brand that Christian. Crowd wasn’t too sure which way to go though with both men being babyfaces, hopefully that is not the case as we continue going through the card.

 

Winner: Christian over Dreamer via Kill-Switch!

 

(WWE United States Championship Match) Kofi Kingston © vs The Miz vs MVP vs Jack Swagger vs Primo vs Carlito

Well this is going to be a train-wreck, it is not an over the top battle royal but all six men in the ring at one time. Everyone attempts pins, Swagger & Miz start working together. Primo headbutts his way back into the match, Swagger eats an elbow and a diving hurricanrana. Swagger is late on a safe, looks bad. Swagger plants Primo with his Powerbomb, Carlito is dumped to the floor after a springboard attempt. MVP and Swagger are on the floor, Miz & Kofi are squaring off in the corner. MVP meets the barricade, Kofi spills to the floor with Miz. Carlito lands a springboard onto MVP, Kofi kicks and dropkicks Swagger. Boom Drop connects for two, Miz made the save. Miz lands a clothesline, corner clothesline on Swagger.

 

Obligatory tower of doom spot to pop the fans, Carlito tries to steal the win but it is not possible. MVP comes in with right hands before being shoved into the turnbuckle. Primo and Carlito square off briefly before crashing and burning, Swagger misses a corner clothesline. Kofi lands punches before being dropped by Swagger, Miz is sent to the floor by MVP. MVP crossbodies Swagger to the floor. Carlito and Kofi are in the ring, they are trading pins with Primo also in some nice spots. Carlito wants to team up with Primo, Swagger stops that.

 

Carlito and Primo are going to work together briefly, Swagger clotheslines the former tag team champions. Clothesline to Kofi too, MVP is waiting. Knee face-buster, Ballin-Elbow connects. Play-maker connects but Skull-Crushing Finale connects at the same time. Carlito lands a Back-Stabber on Primo, Kofi lands Trouble in Paradise on Carlito for the win.

 

Fun, lots of action going on throughout the match. Chaotic and sloppy in places but what do you expect? Six young guys flying around the ring trying to make shit work, Kofi is the most over so there is nobody more deserving of the championship at this time. Kofi is destined for bigger things when the time comes, good multi-man match again.

 

Winner: Kofi Kingston via Trouble in Paradise!

 

(WWE Women’s Championship Match) Michelle McCool © vs Melina

 

Michelle dropkicks Melina during her entrance, they had a match the previous month to very little fan reaction so hoping for a little more on this night. Melina is horribly mis-cast as a babyface though so we shall see, Melina lands kicks to the head of Michelle after a matrix-dodge, Michelle is trying to run away from Melina. Michelle begs for mercy, dropkick by Melina. Tilt-a-whirl into a kick, massive kick to the head. Melina misses a knee so Michelle knees Melina’s head into the barricade for a two. Melina and Michelle end up on the barricade, Michelle DDTs Melina into oblivion. That was actually quite a cool spot. Melina is dazed but avoids a baseball slide, Melina uses a head-scissors to smack Michelle into the ring apron. Diving face-buster from the challenger, Michelle lands a head kick in the ring. Melina drop toeholds Michelle, double knees to the spine. Spear to the corner, shoulder thrusts. Michelle is left in position for knees to the chest, spinning heel kick for two. Michelle lands a belly to belly suplex for two, Michelle is caught in the head-scissors again. Melina does a lou thesz press from the middle rope and Michelle reverses and folds her up for the win.

 

Flat finish for a sadly flat match, would have liked to have seen the entrance spot build off, not sure why a heel would allow the babyface recover and get back into the ring. They could have played up the injury angle or at least have Michelle beat the piss out of her but nope, nothing to sink your teeth into for this match.

 

Winner: Michelle McCool over Melina via Roll-Up!

 

(WWE Championship Match) Randy Orton © vs John Cena vs Triple H

Cena had beaten Miz so it was time to be in the championship picture while Triple H had to put over Orton again so here we are with these two challenging for Orton’s championship.

 

The bell rings, Orton is on the floor. The challengers corner the champion, Orton has been defeated by simple mathematics, Triple H and Cena take turns clotheslining Orton. Orton is thrown to Triple H, right hands by Triple H in the corner. Orton sends Triple H to the buckle, boot by The Game. Orton eats a bulldog by Cena, Orton is pin-balled and leaves the ring. Orton knocks Cena off the apron into Triple H, Triple H is now down. In the ring, Cena hits shoulder blocks and his belly to back suplex. Five Knuckle Shuffle connects, AA is stopped as Triple H hurls Cena into the ring-post. Orton lands a clothesline on Triple H for two, Orton starts pounding on Triple H. Reverse chin-lock from Orton, Triple H escapes and starts firing off bombs. Powerslam by Orton, RKO is blocked. Triple H runs into an elbow, Triple H counters with a DDT. Cena climbs to the top rope, diving Kobashi-style leg drop on both men. Cena starts landing right hands, Orton drops Cena with his back-breaker. Orton stops the pedigree and sends Triple H tumbling to the floor. Orton wants a double DDT but Orton is back-dropped to the floor, the two babyfaces will now do battle inside of that ring.

 

Cena and Triple H are trading bombs, Triple H is winning the war. Cena ducks though, massive shoulder blocks. Triple H’s knee cuts off the belly to back suplex, Cena reverses an Irish whip and eats a face-buster but Cena answers with a Throwback. AA countered, Pedigree countered. STF countered, AA countered into a spine-buster. Pedigree connects middle of the ring, Orton pulls out Triple H. Orton starts pulling apart an announce table, Triple H low blows Orton. Pedigree is stopped by Cena, Cena tosses Orton to the crowd. Triple H is tripped and locked in the STF.

 

Orton is on his feet, right hands knock down Cena. Orton & Cena are trading bombs in the middle of the ring. Orton wins the war, Cena is kicked in the face. RKO is countered by Cena. Tower of doom between the main eventers? No Cena catapults Triple H into Orton on the top rope, Cena wants the STF but Triple H is caught in the submission. Orton wanted to Punt both, schoolboy by Cena for two. Orton clotheslines Cena down, all three men are down. Orton stomps all over the challenges, knee-drops from Orton. Triple H dodges the second, Cena chop-blocks the knee. Belly to back suplex by Cena, Triple H low-bridges Cena who falls to the floor. Triple H looks for a sharpshooter on Orton, Orton is in the middle of the ring.

 

STF and Sharpshooter applied at the same time, Orton taps but the referee has no way of telling who is the winner of the match. Here come Rhodes and Dibiase to attack both challengers, Orton is worn out. Rhodes talks to Orton, Cena catches Rhodes but Orton RKOs Cena when Rhodes was on his shoulders.

 

Quite good triple threat match here, some nice little spots sprinkled throughout the match. Starts off fun with babyfaces destroying Orton, then everyone has a nice face-off with some really good counters and false-finishes in there, the punt tease as well as the schoolboy stand out. Legacy coming out to have an impact is definitely wearing thin considering how many main events they have interfered in but fans love Orton at the moment, invested in everything he does, this one Orton’s peak as a character for sure. Orton escapes again and with Legacy by his side, is there anyone that can stop The Viper?

 

Winner: Randy Orton via RKO!

 

(WWE Divas Championship Match) Maryse © vs Mickie James

Nice to see this championship on PPV because well I cannot tell you that last time it appeared on PPV, it was definitely at least 4/5 months considering only the women’s championship made a return at the prior PPV. Maryse throws her jacket at Mickie to start, Maryse is in love with herself. They do lock-up though, strong lock-up from both women. Maryse hits an elbow and shoves Mickie, Maryse hides in the ropes. Maryse poses and hides in the ropes again, Mickie pulls the hair and rolls up Maryse for two. Maryse goes low with a kick and some forearms, Mickie slides through the legs and lands a snap-mare followed by a dropkick.

 

Mickie is whipped to the buckle, Mickie looks for her head-scissors but Maryse shoves her to the apron. Mickie attempts a springboard but Maryse kicks her right in the face. Mickie spills to the floor and is slow to recover, Maryse is on the attack now. Mickie is tossed into the mat, Maryse lands a knee to the nose for two. Camel clutch by Maryse, Maryse is sent to the floor. Maryse wanted to use a perfume but Mickie kicked Maryse down, the referee takes away the spray from Mickie. Mickie lands a Thesz Press, we are back in the ring now. Mickie wants to climb high, Maryse is in La La Land. Mickie misses hugely on the dive, Maryse covers for two. Right hands by Maryse, another camel clutch. Mickie fights out and sends Maryse’s face to the mat, running forearm. It is getting very sloppy out there, clotheslines by Mickie. Neck-breaker, two for the challenger.

 

Mickie looks to finish it now, Maryse is in the corner. Shoulder thrusts by Mickie, Maryse eats an elbow. Head-scissors takedown from the corner by Mickie, Maryse sends Mickie to the ropes. Schoolgirl for two, Maryse is not happy with the referee. Mickie wants a DDT but Maryse drags her off the top rope, Maryse’s DDT is countered. MickieDT and we have a new champion!

 

I feel so bad for these women because the crowd just simply do not care, they work an alright match. It’s a bit sloppy but it doesn’t deserve crickets, I wished they built up more of the story, I mean this is Mickie becoming the second woman to have won the women’s championship and divas’ championship but its like yeah whatever from the commentators and people are chanting we want puppies and the only reaction is for Maryse posing. All very weird and sad really.

 

Winner: Mickie James over Maryse via Mickie DDT!

 

(WWE Intercontinental Championship Match) Rey Mysterio © vs Dolph Ziggler W/ Maria

Pretty big leap here for Mr. Ziggler who was doing nothing as the year kicked off and was recently feuding with The Great Khali. Ziggler is in here with Mysterio which will be great for him, Ziggler has also been paired up with Maria which is a good thing for him too.

 

Ziggler dropkicks Mysterio, Mysterio has been caught by the youngster. Mysterio rolls-up Ziggler showing him that it’s just that easy, Ziggler looks determined. Lock-up, side headlock from Ziggler. Shoulder block by Ziggler for two, side headlock back on after nailing the shoulder block. Mysterio escapes and kicks Ziggler hard, Irish whip to the opposite buckle. Mysterio gets a buckle bomb after trying a hurricanrana, hard Irish whip to the corner. Standing handstand headlock from Ziggler, Mysterio is sent to the corner but counters with a head-scissors which sends Ziggler into the ring-post. Springboard seated senton into the springboard crossbody for two, Mysterio kicks Ziggler but walks into the powerslam for two.

 

Ziggler is sent to the floor, Mysterio is looking for a big move. Running seated senton off the apron, Mysterio is in the ring on Ziggler’s shoulders. Mysterio gets caught with a kick, Ziggler wants a tiger-bomb but Mysterio counters for a hurricanrana. Ziggler dodges the 619 and hurls Mysterio to the floor, Ziggler rips at the eyes but gets two. Ziggler continues punishing the neck of Mysterio, camel clutch from the challenger. Mysterio escapes but Ziggler cuts him off, Mysterio lands forearms before Ziggler switches to a full-nelson. Mysterio breaks free but sliding through the legs does not work as Ziggler has the full-nelson again, Mysterio counters for a pin-fall attempt but it doesn’t pay off. Ziggler tries a sunset flip but Mysterio rolls through and lands a massive kick.

 

Ziggler catches Mysterio with a jaw-breaker for two. Ziggler pummels Mysterio against the ropes, Ziggler eats a drop toe-hold into the buckle. Mysterio fights back into the match, a diving crossbody is caught by a dropkick for two. Mysterio has Ziggler on the top rope, Ziggler is fighting and fighting. Top rope gut-buster shades of Malenko for two,  Ziggler looks for a powerslam but Mysterio slips out. Enzuigiri into the 619, splash and this match is over.

 

Abrupt finish out of nowhere, definitely a step down from the Jericho vs Mysterio feud. Good showing for Dolph, big match and there were some good moments before him but as someone who was digging the previous feud, I felt this was a major step-down. I think they showed Maria like twice at ringside and we never saw her reaction again. Not one reaction of her seeing Ziggler almost winning or Mysterio winning the match, we see it after the match. Ziggler will get another chance and will grow as a performer and I would love to see that because the heels are not so hot on this roster apart from Punk and Orton and even then fans love Orton.

 

Winner: Rey Mysterio over Dolph Ziggler via 619!

 

(WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match) Jeff Hardy vs CM Punk ©

Punk stole Hardy’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship and Punk has continued to dodge Hardy, Punk “accidently” kicked the referee at The Bash, escaping with the championship which leads us to this match. I like how they mix their contrasting ideals into this match, Punk’s Straight-Edge philosophy against Hardy’s care-free and checkered past. Shockingly, this match once again headlines over Cena, has to make you wonder how much Hardy is shifting in terms of numbers.

 

Interestingly, Hardy is entering second in this match which makes me think we might have Hardy walking away with the championship. Could be wrong as I don’t see Hardy getting away with it but you never know, we kick things off and it’s a slow start with both men feeling one another out. Punk kicks Hardy’s leg over and over, Punk is in full dickhead mode here so this should be great. Punk out-wrestles Hardy with a smile on his face asking Hardy “What could you possibly do to me”?

 

Side headlock by Punk, shoulder block while flexing. Hardy cannot get going, both men tease finishing moves before Hardy lands clotheslines. To the corner, shoulder thrusts by Hardy. Hard Irish whip by Hardy, Punk tries a sunset flip for two. Punk gets into a reverse chin-lock, Hardy escapes but Punk dodges a crossbody which leaves Hardy on the floor. Punk misses a suicide dive, neck-breaker in the ring. Hardy wanted a Swanton but Punk rolls out, Hardy tries a dive to the floor but plants himself in the barricade. Hardy beats the ten-count with Punk looking irate at this, Punk switches tactics now with brutal shots to the kidneys.

 

Todd Grisham calling main events is wild to me, Punk sends Hardy to the corner hard. Bow & Arrow stretch from Punk, Hardy escapes but Punk stays in control. Forearms to the kidneys, Punk wants a superplex. Hardy reverses for his sit-out front suplex, the two are battling it out in the middle of the ring. Neck-breaker by Hardy, flying clotheslines. Inverted atomic drop and leg-drop to the groin followed by a low dropkick for two. Punk thwarts Whisper in the Wind, Punk smiles and measures Hardy. Running knee, leg drop is countered and Hardy lands a Whisper in The Wind for two. Sit-out suplex, Swanton Bomb misses for the challenger. Punk does not want the cover, underhook back-breaker by Punk into a Dragon Sleeper.

 

Punk calls for a GTS, Hardy is dazed. Kicks from Punk, Muay Thai strikes but Hardy ducks and nails a Twist of Fate. Swanton Bomb countered as Punk uses his knees, 1…2…. Punk cannot believe it as Hardy kicks out. Punk is on the apron, Punk wants to finish this match. Springboard does not work, Hardy wants the twist of fate but Punk counters for a GTS but Hardy kicks out of Punk’s big move. Punk is in utter disbelief, Punk accepts it and decides it is time to go to the extreme. Punk is grabbing his championship and walking away, Punk must believe that nobody can kick out of the GTS so the referee has somehow screwed him. Hardy does not share this belief, Hardy clubs Punk in the corner. Twist of Fate for the third time, Hardy climbs high. Swanton Bomb and this match is over!

 

Months of chasing from Jeff Hardy finally come to an end. After being screwed by Matt Hardy, after being screwed by Punk. Hardy finally gets his world championship, this is a shock to me as I thought Hardy never won it back after Punk became champion. So this is very cool to see, Hardy definitely deserved it because apart from Cena, I don’t think you could argue anyone is garnering that type of reaction. Punk was very good in this match, the facials and body language were great. Really felt like Punk was a slimy individual trying to destroy every child’s dream in that arena of having their hero Jeff Hardy winning the World Heavyweight Championship. The Twist of Fate counter into the GTS looked great, I imagine they might have some sort of gimmick match at Summerslam which could be a lot of fun. Solid main event that becomes better due to giving the fans what they want.

 

Winner: Jeff Hardy over CM Punk via Swanton Bomb!

 

That was WWE’s Night of Champions 2009, a mostly fun PPV from the WWE. The standard has definitely dropped from the first three PPVs post-Mania with the card being littered now with more mid-card feuds with less hype and interest but the matches for the most part deliver solid action. The two absolutely worst matches on the card are the women’s matches. Sadly, we are just in that period where nobody cares and it is used as a toilet break, they work hard but there’s nothing. Thought McCool’s finish was flat and made Melina look dumb which is hard to do considering the absolute lack psychology in their previous encounter but here Melina gets rolled up because she’s super flexible. No hint of cheating from Michelle, no heelish pull of the tights. Nothing. Mickie and Maryse is sloppy, looks really rough and it’s sad because I would consider Mickie the cornerstone of the whole women’s scene and the reaction was not good on this night.

 

The opening match with heels vs heels is so strange, Show & Jericho are bigger stars so the fans cheer for them but Jericho for the last year has been the most despised guy on the roster, why are we doing this? Why did they break up Carlito & Primo? We don’t even have a babyface tag team on the roster do we? Cryme Tyme? I am really struggling to name another team, that’s shockingly bad but anyways, they do heels vs heels and the fans are confused and it’s awkward. Things improve with Christian vs Dreamer but two babyfaces make it a difficult one for the fans again, unsure who to give their love to but they choose Christian and it’s the right choice who has been killing it with Swagger before Dreamer was inserted into the mix. Curious to see how much longer Christian can be kept away from a show like Smackdown or Raw.

 

The six-man is chaotic, it’s a little sloppy but when everyone is hitting moves, it’s great fun. WWE Championship triple threat is fun too, you have some really good spots and big reactions for the stars in the ring. The Legacy interference is getting a bit long in the tooth now, hoping for something else to shake things up on Raw. Mysterio vs Ziggler is fun, a good outing for the young up and comer but I needed a bit more after watching Jericho vs Mysterio. Finally, the main event is a pay off that fans have been waiting for since Extreme Rules, credit to Hardy getting to the finish line. Summerslam could mark a return to form for the PPVs of 2009, the start of the year was excellent in terms of quality but things became less fun as the year progressed, a big Four PPV is the perfect way to pick up momentum again but will it happen? Check in next time to see! Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!