michael dworkis looks at the latest wwe ppv…
Vengeance is the word used to describe a form of revenge. Tonight, revenge was a dish served… by Kevin Nash.
Air Boom over Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger – WWE World Tag Team Title Match
Are there no other tag teams left in WWE? While I am a fan of both Ziggler and Swagger, having them lose to a team I call The New High Energy (remember them?) makes me sad. The match itself was very well paced with all four competitors allowed the time to showcase talent. The end of the bout came while all four men fought for dominance, Swagger is dumped from the ring while Kofi decks Ziggler with the Trouble in Paradise, followed by Bourne splashing for the pin with the Air Bourne Shooting Star Press. The night did not get any better, as Ziggler had to defends his United States Championship against the self-proclaimed Internet Champion, Zack Ryder.
Dolph Ziggler retained the United States Championship against Zack Ryder
How can you not love Zack Ryder? His popularity is reaching heights never before seen by a mid-carder. Even Santino should be jealous. In recent weeks, Long Island Iced-Z has entertained fans with his YouTube antics. Unfortunately, while Ryder had hoped to cash in and finally win a real title, Jack Swagger interfered with a well-timed distraction, allowing Ziggler to pull the win.
Beth Phoenix retained the Divas Title against Eve Torres
Finally, two divas who know how to perform in the ring. The match, while slow, was well-paced for the two women, and I would think Eve has increased her standing by showing that she is far superior to Kelly Kelly and deserves more in-ring time. Both women gave a great performance, however the night went to the stronger Glamazon who hit her Glam Slam after Eve missed a moonsault.
Sheamus defeated Christian
The “Great White” of WWE destroyed his opponent tonight. There is no exaggeration here. Christian tried valiantly to slow down the Celtic Crusader, but was ultimately no match for him. In a short match where Christian nearly picked up a win with a surprise spear, Sheamus punted the head of Christian into the fifth row with the Brogue Kick for the victory. I am sure Christian will ask for one more match, but maybe with an opponent who will not turn him into mayonnaise.
The Awesome Truth (Miz & R-Truth) beat CM Punk and Triple H
As Kevin Nash dropped The Game on his neck, I cringed so hard my wife thought I was having a seizure. She ran into the room, saw Nash on screen, and then had a seizure of her own. I am joking…I did not have a seizure. With help from Kevin Nash, this surprisingly lackluster match had an ending which will likely add more confusion to an already confusing storyline. I apologize if I offend anyone at WWE, but this whole storyline regarding the power struggle between Lauranitis and Triple H had reached an apex of annoyance. The start was great, Triple H and CM Punk got their rivalry to a boiling point not seen since the Attitude Era of the nineties. Then the roles started to reverse, then change again. Then Kevin Nash showed up, and it got worse. If the idea is to confuse the WWE Universe into scratching their heads worse than a scalp infection, then mission accomplished. Where Kevin Nash goes, the viewers might go the other way. All I can report on this match is that, while the match was not as great as I hoped, I was surprised by the ending, and hopefully Triple H will not need neck surgery.
Randy Orton pinned Cody Rhodes after an RKO (non-title match)
This match was on par with the last one, very slow from two competitors I expected better from. Orton, stayed true to his consistency and brawled for the majority of the match while the son of Dusty Rhodes maintained control over the match with a variety of moves and holds. I know Orton can perform better in the ring, but for whatever reason, does not put in the effort. Can we get one suplex? How about at least an arm-bar or a hammer-lock? Enough of the tirade, Rhodes dominated the match, until a well-timed RKO put the facially-challenged superstar down for the count.
Big Show vs. Mark Henry – World Title Match went to a no-contest when the ring broke
You read that result correctly. The ring broke. Take a guess. Here is a hint. June 12, 2003. SmackDown! main event match Brock Lesnar versus The Big Show. How did that match end? Figure it out.
This match entertained me more than the Orton/Rhodes match. Show and Henry put on a show by doing the craziest slams and powerhouse moves they could muster. The crowd was hot for the feats of strength, and why not? We were not going to get a technical or mat-based match here, we are getting a match of two goliaths. These two goliaths pushed each other, and the ring to the limits. That limit was reached as Mark Henry suplexed the Big Show off the top rope, breaking the ring and ending the match in a draw.
Alberto del Rio retains the WWE Championship against John Cena
The Mexican Aristocrat did it again and managed to walk away with the WWE Title in-hand once again. Cena and del Rio had no choice but to have their main event “last-man standing” match in a destroyed ring. They did not need it anyway as the next thirty minutes were spent brawling in the ring, around the ring, in the crowd, in the stands, in the backstage area, and all the way around the arena. Interference from announcer Ricardo Rodriguez had the effect of a bullet hitting Superman. Well, Cena does have his superman “hulk up” moments. In any event, Cena seemed to have the match easily won after an Attitude Adjustment put the WWE Champion through the announce table, only to be ruined by the sudden interference by The Miz and R-Truth. The two antagonists beat up Cena, allowing Alberto to clock the challenger with the WWE Title belt. The ref makes the complete 10-count, and once again, Alberto del Rio has retained the WWE Championship.
So, after Vengeance, what happens next? The Rock happens next. With Survivor Series nearing, it will be a matter of time until The People’s Champion makes his return to Monday Night Raw to either mock John Cena, or go after someone else. Triple H will pursue John Lauranitis, and bets will be placed if Kevin Nash will injure himself while cutting his nails.
