Weekly Rundown: 24th – 28th August 2009
Raw 24/08/2009
ECW 25/08/2009
Superstars 27/08/2009
Smackdown 28/08/2009
Jump to The Raw Review –>
Jump to The ECW Digest –>
Jump to The Superstars Recap –>
Jump to The Smackdown Summary –>
The Raw Review - 24/08/2009
Hello and welcome to tonight’s Live Raw Review!
We’re less than 24 hours removed from SummerSlam, which has to go down as one of the best events of the year so far, and there are a few questions still to be answered on tonight’s Raw.
The biggest one for me is an explanation regarding the mystery run-in during the WWE Championship match. Who was that guy? I mean I assume it was scripted, so who is it? And why did they seemingly help Orton?
Hopefully tonight we’ll get the answer!
Opening Segment
Legacy Recruiting?
Before the show began a clip of the mystery attacker aired.
After this Legacy appeared and Orton described how the match last night ended in controversy. He explained how a ‘fan’ had jumped into the ring and during the ensuing chaos he hit a RKO to retain the belt.
Orton then explained that in actual fact it wasn’t a fan, before letting Ted DiBiase explain that actually it was his younger brother; Brett who then appeared alongside them looking meek.
DiBiase said it wasn’t orchestrated and Orton told Brett that his actions were wrong and will not be tolerated again.
As Brett apologised to the champion Rhodes intervened and said regardless of the interruption Orton would have won the match anyway, something the champion was quick to agree with.
Segment 2
Happy Birthday Mr. McMahon
Mr. McMahon makes his way to the ring and firstly re-iterates that Floyd Mayweather will be guest host tonight, drawing a boo from the crowd.
Vince then moved onto the controversy regarding the title match and said while the referee’s decision is final, Cena will get another shot at the WWE Championship 3 weeks from now at Breaking Point.
Vince explains that every single match at Breaking Point will be a Submission match of some sort, and the one between Orton and Cena will be the ultimate Submission match; I Quit.
Mr. McMahon thanks the crowd and begins to exit when DX’s music hits the speakers and they make their way to the ring, much to the clear dismay of the WWE Chairman.
Vince again tries to leave and Triple H stops him, saying they need him for a second.
Triple H apologises for not turning up in a tank, blaming the economy, then says he doesn’t like ‘nice guy’ Vince McMahon very much.
DX then question why Vince is in such a good mood, before HBK realises that it’s ‘someone’s’ birthday.
Triple H guesses a few times, and comes to the conclusion that it’s Vince’s 84th birthday, inciting an ’84′ chant from the crowd.
The Game reduces it to 74, then 70 before Vince shouts ‘I’m 64!’ and the pair chastise him for revealing his real age to the world.
After some more age jokes, HBK says Vince is a genius, the reason everyone watches WWE television (presumably the reason all you guys read this WWEBlog) and as such he has made a fitting tribute video.
The video starts off in a very nostalgic manner, showing Vince through the years, it then cuts into Vince’s stellar performance of ‘Stand Back’ before showing some of Vince’s more embarrassing moments including Austin drilling him with a bedpan, Donald Trump shaving his head, Mae Young pouncing on him and DX destroying his limo.
Afterwards Vince says he won’t forget about this and Triple H says at his age he may well, although he won’t forget ‘this’.
Some road crew in DX t-shirts roll a giant cake to ringside.
Triple H and Shawn then tell Vince that although he may have sent a memo around saying no one was allowed to celebrate his birthday live on air, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and it wouldn’t be a birthday without showgirls.
A selection of scantily dressed ladies make their way to the ring, then Triple H introduces some members of Cirque du Soleil who also enter the ring and do some jumping about.
Vince says rather ironically that this is what every man wants on his brithday and Triple H joins in with the jumping.
Vince asks if it’s over and Triple H says there are just a few more things.
Next is an Elvis Presley tribute (who looks more like Donny Osmond), he makes Vince put on some shades and wiggle his hips before singing Happy Birthday.
Finally Triple H draws Vince’s attention to the cake. Out pops Big Dick Johnson who dances in his thong for a while before Vince dumps his oily body out of the ring.
The ring empties and Triple H tells Vince they have one more surprise for him, but before they can say what Legacy attack and momentarily beat down DX.
Shawn rolls to the outside and grabs a chair, running them out of the ring.
Triple H then says that seeing as Floyd Mayweather isn’t here yet, he’s going to make a match. He then books Legacy Vs. DX…& Vince McMahon.
After initially looking shocked Vince makes the match No DQ and delivers the line ‘If you’re not down with that, we got 2 words for ya!’, something he has always wanted to do apparently.
Phew, that was some start to the show!
Match 1
Singles Match
Santino Marella
Vs.
The Miz
This was over almost before it had begun. Santino never got into it and The Miz picked up the win with the Skull Crushing Finale or whatever he calls it.
The Miz then grabbed the microphone and said he’d taken one step closer to beating Kofi Kingston for the U.S Title, because he’s The Miz, and he’s awesome.
The Miz wins by Pinfall.
Match 2
Six Diva Tag Team Mayweather Melee
Beth Phoenix, Alicia Fox & Rosa Mendes
Vs.
Mickey James, Gail Kim & Kelly Kelly
The gimmick here is that all the diva’s are dressed in boxing gear, clever eh?
Aside from Beth Phoenix looking bizarrely sexy in her boxing gear, this match was pretty much like every other divas match at the minute; average.
Every week I say the Diva’s division is a bit poor and I stand by that, but this week one reader asked me ‘if it’s so poor, how would you fix it?’
I’ll be honest, I’ve racked my brains from then until now and I don’t have an answer.
A lot of the Diva’s these days are much more capable at wrestling than they were back when I started watching, so maybe it’s just better writing that is needed to get me interested in their matches.
Maybe the answer is to go back to how things used to be, with a Divas main role being to cheer for one of the guys and sometimes get involved with a distraction or assist, although I honestly think these women are well above that and deserve better.
If you’ve got any suggestions let us know using the usual methods, we’re interested in what you have to say.
Alicia Fox picked up the win for her team in this match.
Beth Phoenix, Alicia Fox & Rosa Mendes win by Pinfall.
Segment 3
How to Make a Billionaire Mad
Backstage Shawn tells Triple H he fears Vince might be too old to compete against Legacy.
Triple H plugs the new WCW rise and fall DVD and the new DX t-shirt, then says all they need to do is get Vince mad.
During this something incredibly loud and clearly unplanned begins happening next to them and they have to shout over it, quickly making a joke of it. Someone’s going to get fired me thinks.
Shawn asks how you make a billionaire mad and Triple H says if everything is going to plan he should be fuming in a few seconds. We cut to Mr. McMahon who is being serenaded by Jillian Hall in the style of Marylin Monroe.
Vince tells her to get out and she obliges.
Segment 4
Show calls out Mayweather
After a video of the Mayweather/Big Show match from WrestleMania XXIV plays the tag team champs come to the ring.
Big Show says Mayweather is wise not to be getting in his way, but he isn’t leaving the ring until he comes to the ring and stands face to face with him, and no one can make him.
Mayweather is shown making his way through the back, flanked by an entourage of about 20 people as the show goes to commercials.
After the break Lilian Garcia introduces Floyd and he smiles his way to the ring tagging the fans hands as he goes, a wad of money tucked under his watch.
Once in the ring Mayweather says he’d knock Show out tonight just like he did at WrestleMania but he’s got a fight on September 19th that is way more important.
Jericho squares up to Mayweather and says he disagrees with him being billed as the greatest fighter in the world, saying Floyd will lose his comeback fight.
M.V.P interrupts the tension and says he doesn’t appreciate them talking to the man who has earned him a lot of money over the years.
Montel goes on to insult the tag champs and says Mayweather could punch Jericho in the face 32 times before he even opened his mouth.
Jericho begins another egotistical and self-promotional rant but M.V.P tells him to shut up because no one wants to hear it.
He then says that the only reason Jericho is here is because he’s got the tag titles. M.V.P asks Mayweather if he can take on the champs tonight if he finds a partner, and if they win get a title shot at Breaking Point.
Floyd agrees and Mark Henry emerges as the mystery partner.
Match 3
Tag Team Match
The Big Show & Chris Jericho
Vs.
M.V.P & Mark Henry
It was pretty obvious who was going to win this one, but it was still a pretty good match none the less.
As Mayweather watched on, Jericho and Show controlled a large portion of the match by isolating M.V.P and beating him to a pulp while his partner watched on.
Henry eventually got the tag and looked as if he would finish things off quickly, catching Jericho in mid air as he went for the CodeBreaker and turning it into a Worlds Strongest Slam attempt.
Jericho reversed this into a huge DDT which got a 2 count, although Henry kicked out with authority.
M.V.P got back into the match and scored a near fall with Ballin’, until Jericho took control and Henry had to break up a pinfall.
Henry then knocked Show off the apron and Mayweather handed M.V.P the same knuckleduster he used to beat show at Mania 24.
A shot from the brass knux later and M.V.P picked up the victory. 2 matches made for Breaking Point already!
The Big Show carried an unconscious Jericho to the back as Mayweather celebrated with the new #1 contenders.
M.V.P & Mark Henry win by Pinfall.
Segment 5
Legacy Plan Redemption
Backstage Rhodes and the DiBiase brothers discuss how tonight’s main event being No Disqualification actually favours them rather than DX.
Randy Orton enters and tells Brett to leave, before giving Priceless a pep talk of sorts.
Randy tells them tonight is a chance for them to redeem themselves after losing at SummerSlam and then says it’s also his chance to put Vince out once and for all.
Match 4
Boxing Match
Hornswoggle
Vs.
Chavo Guerrero
This week Chavo has to be embarrassed in a boxing match.
Before the match began the expected ‘no shots below the belt’ was made, then the referee issued Chavo with some novelty, oversized boxing gloves.
Hornswoggle got the better of Chavo until he threw his gloves off and hit a powerslam, causing the disqualification.
Chavo began setting up for the Frog Splash but Evan Bourne ran in for the save and hit Chavo with the Air-Bourne before checking if the little guy was O.K.
Hornswoggle wins by Disqualification.
Segment 6
Floyd, Vince, Carlito & DX
Backstage Floyd Mayweather is helping Vince train when Carlito bursts in.
He says Mayweather is a terrible guest host as he has left him off the card when he should have a re-match with Kofi Kingston.
DX enter and tell Mayweather what a good job he is doing, then Triple H tells Vince he wants to get the match out of the way tonight so he can go and get busy with his daughter.
Vince begins fuming and lays out Carlito with a swift right hand.
Triple H says he was only joking but it’s good McMahon was paying attention. DX leave after HBK exclaims ‘Now that was cool’ and Vince continues to prepare for the main event.
Main Event Match
Six Man Tag Team Match
Legacy
Vs.
DX & Vince McMahon
This match gets underway abruptly, with Triple H backdropping his own partner HBK over the top rope onto all three members of Legacy.
Moments later, after the match had officially begun, Triple H backdropped Rhodes over the top onto the other 2 members of Legacy who were still regrouping at ringside, leaving all 3 down as the show cut to commercials.
The first action after the break is a desperate tag from Triple H to HBK, Legacy have clearly been in charge during the ads.
HBK cleans house but outside interference from Rhodes puts him down and Legacy begin to dissect him in their corner.
Orton delivers some brutal stomps and knees, gaining a 2 count, before tagging in Rhodes who displays just as much ruthless aggression as his mentor.
A few more tags later and Orton is back in the ring stomping and beating down an already weakened Shawn Michaels.
Michaels eventually gets the tag to Triple H and he takes out all three members of Legacy before hitting a Spinebuster and Pedigree Rhodes.
McMahon screams for a tag and gets one, then covers Rhodes but Orton breaks it up.
Orton then goes to Punt McMahon in the head but Shawn Michaels makes the save.
Orton decides to leave but Cena appears behind him and throws him back in the ring. There he takes a Sweet Chin Music and The Attitude Adjustment before Mr. McMahon covers for a birthday victory.
I’m not sure Orton was the legal man, but who really keeps track of that kind of thing eh?
Good episode of Raw, although I’m not sure there was any point in Mayweather being there, his segments (of which there weren’t many) were dull and uninteresting.
DX & Vince McMahon win by Pinfall.
The ECW Digest – 25/08/2009
Opening Segment
Regal Wants a Rematch
It appears kissing Mr. McMahon’s bare ass live in front of millions of people just wasn’t enough to make William Regal the laughing stock the WWE writer’s clearly want him to be.
So at SummerSlam they had him lose an ECW Championship match in record time, despite being flanked by two of the biggest guys on ECW.
Tonight Regal and his cohorts kick off the show.
Regal begins by explaining how he brought Kozlov and Jackson together as allies rather than rivals, something the fans were too narrow-minded to contemplate.
He then moved on to Christian, and said his time as ECW Champion is coming to an end.
Christian interrupted him in full flow and continually bragged about beating Regal in 8 seconds, a SummerSlam record.
Regal complained that he wasn’t ready and said either Christian gives him a re-match, or the three of them will make him wish he never won the title in the first place.
Christian then began calling Regal ‘Bill’, something that clearly hit a nerve, before saying he wants to move onto other challengers.
ECW G.M Tiffany then emerged and said although Christian did take advantage at SummerSlam, Regal has to earn another shot by beating Christian tonight.
Match 1
Singles Match
Sheamus
Vs.
Goldust
I like Sheamus’ entrance music and it’s very fitting of his character, starting off very oldy-worldy and Irish before quickly becoming more powerful and aggressive.
Goldust started this match at full speed but Sheamus was quick to close him down and slow things with a couple of hard shots and mat submissions.
The Bizarre one spent a long time on the back foot, before once again turning things up a notch and grabbing a couple of near falls in the process.
Sheamus displayed veteran tactics by sliding to the outside and catching his breath, however this would inadvertently lead to a premature end to the match.
With both men on the outside, neither seemed to pay attention to the referee and both were counted out while brawling near the steps.
A disappointing end to what had been a very good match, although I’m sure it won’t be the last time they face off.
Match ends in a Double Count Out.
Segment 2
Louis Armstrong Would Be Proud
Backstage the Bella Twins persuade Shelton Benjamin to perform his Louis Armstrong impression.
Zack Ryder shows up and tells him these girls want an original, not an imitation.
Ryder and Benjamin have a little set-to before Tiffany appears and tells them they will team together tonight against Reks and Tatsu.
Segment 3
Paul Burchill Interviewed
ECW’s newest interviewer Courtney Taylor asks Paul Burchill about his match on Superstars against The Hurricane.
Burchill asks if Taylor is planning to dress up as a SuperHero like her predecessor, then tells her if she wants to last around ECW she shouldn’t insult his intelligence by saying ‘The Hurricane’ when everyone knows that it’s Gregory Helms.
Burchill wraps it up by saying he may have underestimated Helms last week, but on Thursday he won’t make the same mistake again.
Match 2
Tag Team Match
Shelton Benjamin & Zack Ryder
Vs.
Yoshi Tatsu & Tyler Reks
Unsurprisingly Tatsu and Reks entered using Tatsu’s catchy entrance theme.
While they did a split screen showed them speaking to the camera earlier in the day.
Reks said although they are from different sides of the planet, they have a mutual determination to win.
Tatsu spoke too and Reks wrapped it up by saying he had no idea what his partner had just said.
It looks like they might be packaging these two up as a long-term tag team, after their success against Burchill and Regal a few weeks ago.
The basic story here is how Reks and Tatsu displayed great teamwork while Benjamin and Ryder did anything but.
Ryder played the heel role by calling for tags then avoiding them, making blind tags when it favoured him etc, while Shelton’s face turn seemed to continue despite beating down 2 of the up and coming good guys.
Tatsu picked up the win with a huge kick after a major miscommunication between Ryder and Benjamin.
After the match the feuding partners blamed each other before Benjamin hit PayDirt and left Ryder laying in the middle of the ring.
Yoshi Tatsu & Tyler Reks win by Pinfall.
Main Event Match
Singles Match
William Regal (w/Vladimir Kozlov & Ezekiel Jackson)
Vs.
Christian
I assume if it wasn’t for time constraints this match would have taken place at SummerSlam, instead of the 8 second humiliation that actually occured.
Christian dominated the opening moments of the match until he dumped Regal to the outside and the big henchmen surrounded their leader, preventing further damage.
From there the action went back and forth in extended periods until Christian again took control and looked to be closing in on a victory.
Christian’s downfall came when he ended up momentarily on the outside. He delivered a huge slap to Kozlov, who moments later got his own back with a massive Headbutt while Jackson distracted the referee.
From there Regal hit the Knee Trembler and picked up the win to earn himself #1 contendership for the ECW Title.
William Regal wins by Pinfall.
The Superstars Recap - 27/08/2009
Opening Match
Singles Match
Jack Swagger
Vs.
Primo
Yawn, nice to see Superstars living up to it’s reputation for amazingly interesting matches.
If I’m honest it wasn’t the worst match, there were some nice back and forths although Swagger was the one who maintained control for most of the match with a number of punishing submissions.
Primo did have bursts of impressive offence, but after coming off the top rope and tweaking his knee it wasn’t long before Swagger capitalised; picking up the win with a Gutwrench Powerbomb.
After the match Swagger put Kofi Kingston on notice, saying he was coming after the U.S Title.
Jack Swagger wins by Pinfall.
Segment 1
Ask The Divas
This week the Divas selection were asked where they would go on an ideal date and how does a guy know if a girl likes them.
None of the responses were particularly interesting.
Gregory Helms is then shown going into a boiler room. Seconds later The Hurricane emerges, ready for his Superstars début.
Match 2
Singles Match
The Hurricane
Vs.
Paul Burchill (w/Katie Lea)
Remember on last week’s ECW when I said I hoped The Hurricane wouldn’t have the little monologue before his entrance music each week?
Well it looks like he does.
This wasn’t the most thrilling bout either, although it seemed to flow marginally better than the match they had on ECW.
The highlight was probably a perfectly executed Cross Body from the top rope by Hurricane, which might have won him the match had Burchill not had the ring smarts to slide to the outside.
As The Hurricane tried to bring him back into the ring Katie Lea prevented the over-the-top-rope Supplex, allowing her brother to hang his opponent up on the top rope then roll him up for a quick 3 count.
A viral promo for The Undertaker interrupted the ‘Did you know?’ screen after this match. It was then announced that Punk and Jeff will meet on Smackdown in a Steel Cage match for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Paul Burchill wins by Pinfall.
Main Event Match
Triple Threat Intercontinental Championship #1 Contendership Match
Dolph Ziggler
Vs.
Finlay
Vs.
Mike Knox
Before the match Ziggler announced that after he wins tonight he’s going to beat Mysterio to become the IC Champion at Breaking Point.
I’d say that’s pretty unlikely now, as Rey Mysterio has been suspended for 30 days due to the ‘Wellness Policy’.
The big question is what will they do with the title? Either they leave it on Mysterio (something that is quite likely as he is the ‘golden boy’) or they have him quickly lose it before his suspension begins.
Either way I doubt he’ll be defending it at Breaking Point as that falls slap bang in the middle of his suspension.
With that in mind it’s pretty safe to say the winner of this match will be the next IC champion, and as Finlay and Knox are currently feuding the smart money would have to be on the New-Age Mr. Perfect.
This was by far the best match of the night, but then it didn’t have that much to contend with.
All three men worked well together although it was Knox who impressed me the most. He looks like he has really worked hard to improve and I hope it pays off for him.
At the climax Finlay had the match wrapped up with a Celtic Cross on Knox. However, Ziggler showed great opportunism, sending the Fighting Irishman into the ringpost and picking up the scraps for himself with a 3 count over the fallen Knox.
Ladies and Gentlemen, your (soon to be) New Intercontinental Champion; Dolph Ziggler.
Dolph Ziggler wins by Pinfall.
The Smackdown Summary - 28/08/2009
Opening Segment
The NEW and Only Straight Edge Champion in WWE History…
After being introduced as the above, C.M Punk made his way to the ring and said to the crowd he told them so, showing a clip of how he beat Hardy at SummerSlam just in case they were too intoxicated to remember.
He said he felt amazing and is positive no one in the arena has ever felt as good as he does in their entire lives, because they take short-cuts.
He went on to explain how despite being in severe pain he hasn’t taken a thing for it, unlike everyone else who reach for the double strength pain killers when they get so much as a headache.
After some more preaching he went on to talk about Taker ‘robbing everyone’ of his moment of victory, then showed a clip.
Punk then went on to say that it’s unfair he is being forced to fight in a Cage Match tonight, claiming it was due to the higher ups in the WWE being scared of him and his pioneering Straight Edge lifestyle.
Just as he began claiming how much better than Jeff he is, the former champ’s music began to play and he made his way tentatively to the ring.
Hardy delivered what has become his trademark; a terribly over-exaggerated promo. The basic gist was that he plans on winning back the title tonight in a steel cage.
Punk suggested they raise the stakes by making it a ‘Loser leaves WWE’ match and Jeff agreed.
Rumour has it that tonight’s show is to be Jeff’s last, for a while at least. With that in mind, the result of the main event looks pretty black and white, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Teddy Long emerged at the end of the segment to confirm this stipulation, then said the winner would defend the title at Breaking Point in a Submission Match against The Undertaker.
Match 1
Tag Team Match
John Morrison & Matt Hardy
Vs.
The Hart Dynasty (w/Natalya)
This would have been a huge victory for The Hart Dynasty if they could have pulled it off, against one half of perhaps the most renowned tag team ever in the WWE…and Matt Hardy.
What? MNM were great!
Ok, all jokes aside both Matt Hardy and John Morrison are accomplished tag team specialists and they showed great teamwork in this match to beat The Hart Dynasty.
Despite controlling the majority of the bout The Hart Dynasty lost to a Starship Pain delivered to David Hart Smith after Matt Hardy had dumped Tyson Kidd to the outside.
JR said at the conclusion of the match ‘It certainly doesn’t make me think any less of The Hart Dynasty’ and I have to agree, they look better each week and I expect them to be challenging for the Tag Titles within the year.
John Morrison & Matt Hardy win by Pinfall.
Segment 2
Dolph Doing the Dirty?
Backstage Melina tells Maria she saw Dolph Ziggler backstage with another girl at SummerSlam.
Maria doesn’t seem too happy and accuses Melina of being jealous.
After Melina leaves Maria quizzes Dolph about it and he explains that it was his sister, someone Maria has supposedly already met.
Match 2
Singles Match
Drew McIntyre
Vs.
R-Truth
I knew I remembered his name from somewhere and a quick check back confirmed that McIntyre has actually had a very short but successful (at least in terms of Win/Loss) run on Smackdown before.
Before leaving for the WWE’s training facility McIntyre was a face on the Raw brand, although it seems his personality and character has changed somewhat since then.
As R-Truth rapped his way into the ring McIntyre attacked him, beating him savagely before introducing himself to the crowd and telling them ‘the party is over’.
Match ends in a No-Contest.
Segment 3
McCool is Injured
The ring announcer introduced Michelle McCool who has made her way to the commentary desk on crutches.
Pulling the oldest trick in the book, McCool claims that her knee was injured during an attack by Melina last week, and as such she isn’t able to face her tonight.
She said that although the fans paid good money to see her compete and she’s as disappointed as they are, she has lined up a replacement in the form of Layla.
Match 3
Divas Singles Match
Layla
Vs.
Melina
Realising no one would care about this match, they kept it short and sweet.
Melina won quickly with the standing Leg Drop thing she does, then slid to the outside and knocked Michelle McCool on her backside.
Melina wins by Pinfall.
Match 4
Singles Match
Rey Mysterio
Vs.
Kane
Wow, they’re really keeping it fresh here on Smackdown with Kane Vs. Mysterio for what feels like the 40th time this year.
This should be the last time we see Rey for a while, due to his breach of the Wellness Policy and subsequent 30 day suspension.
However, I’m sure they will want to write him out in some way and get the IC title off him, so don’t be surprised if he’s on Superstars or Smackdown next week too.
If you want to know what happened for the majority of the bout just type ‘Kane Vs. Mysterio’ in our new and improved search box and read one of the older match write-ups, nothing really changed.
Kane was eventually disqualified for slamming him into the ringpost too many times.
Khali and Singh then appeared and between them beat Kane all the way to the back with a kendo stick.
Ziggler then appeared from nowhere and hit his Jumping Russian Leg Sweep on a recovering Rey Mysterio.
Rey Mysterio wins by Disqualification.
Match 5
Singles Tag Team Match
Chris Jericho (w/The Big Show) Jeri-Show
Vs.
Shad (w/JTG) Cryme Tyme
Before the match Jeri-Show talked themselves up and said Henry and M.V.P had no chance of beating them at Breaking Point. The usual.
The match quickly broke down into a 4 man brawl and Teddy Long emerged to make it a tag team match, yawn.
Pretty much the same as SummerSlam here, except this time it was Shad taking the big Right Hand and the pin.
Jeri-Show win by Pinfall.
Segment 4
Matt & Jeff
Backstage Matt and Jeff had one final meeting.
Matt said Jeff has put it all on the line tonight, but then he always does and he hopes he goes out there and wins.
Main Event Match
World Heavyweight Championship Loser leaves the WWE Cage Match
C.M Punk (c)
Vs.
Jeff Hardy
This bout officially takes the WWEBlog.co.uk ‘the longest match name’ award, with ‘World Heavyweight Championship Loser leaves the WWE Cage Match’ far surpassing any other title we’ve seen since we began last year.
As Jeff made his way to the cage C.M Punk jumped him from behind.
Punk then beat him to a pulp before the match even begun, then slid his rival into the cage and immediately began to climb out for the victory.
Jeff recovered enough to drag him back into the ring, something he would have to do another two times in quick succession.
Hardy eventually began to recover a little from the initial beating and landed a Whisper in the Wind as the show went to commercial.
As we re-joined the action Jeff was still in control, almost escaping the cage, then hitting a flying Cross Body to pick up a near fall before almost crawling out of the door.
Moments later Punk went for a Slingshot into the cage but Jeff was able to use it to his advantage and sprung up and almost over the top.
After some more back and forth Punk began to climb the cage, unaware that as he did Hardy was also crawling to the door.
As Hardy was just seconds away from winning Punk realised and cut his escape short to prevent Jeff from doing so, keeping the match alive as more commercials cut in.
As things resumed it was Punk who was within reach of escaping through the door, holding onto the steel steps as Jeff tried his hardest to drag him back through the door.
Punk screamed ‘I’m out I’m out!’, enraging JR who bellowed ‘You’re not out! Both feet have to touch the floor, Punk know’s the rules!’ which unless something big happens is probably going to go down as my highlight of the match.
Next Hardy reversed the GTS into a Twist of Fate and almost made it out, literally being dragged back in by the head as he dangled from the outside of the cage.
Punk then hit a Superplex from the top rope with Jeff on the top of the cage. Impressive stuff that will no doubt be used in a ‘Don’t try this at home’ video in the near future.
Both men were surprisingly quick to recover and ended up brawling it out on top of the cage, which Punk won after a thumb to the eye.
Punk then threw Jeff back into the ring and dropped to the outside, retaining both his title and his WWE career at the expense of Jeff Hardy’s.
Well I can’t say I didn’t see it coming.
As the cage raised back upto the ceiling the crowd chanted ‘Thank You Jeff’ as the Charismatic Enigma slumped in the ring and eventually rose to his feet.
In a sombre and strangely well delivered speech Jeff apologised for letting everyone down and said he’d had a great time, then said this is not goodbye forever but just goodbye for now.
Jeff finished by saying at least Matt was back on his side and still on Smackdown before leaving up the ramp and getting jumped by Punk to put the final nail in the coffin.
I didn’t think I’d ever say this, but I’ll probably miss him.
C.M Punk retains the World Heavyweight Championship by Escaping the Cage.
Coming next week, a brand new format for the Weekly Rundowns!
