1.    Mexican America vs. Ink Inc.

This wasn’t a great choice as an opener. It was pretty much the usual from these teams, nothing special. Shannon Moore and Anarquia start with some quick back and forth action, with both men going for arm twists and wrist locks. Moore fights out of a wrist lock, but Rosita distracts the referee and Hernandez is able to tag in. Moore avoids a charging Hernandez in the corner and tags in Jesse Neal, who comes in with some elbow strikes and a belly to belly slam. Hernandez tags in Anarquia, but Neal counters a scoop slam attempt and tags in Moore. Moore hits a diving cross body off the top for a near fall before Anarquia ends up stuck in the apron, allowing Moore to pound away at him on the outside. Moore then hits a springboard asai moonsault to Hernandez on the floor. Sarita scores a cheap shot on Moore while the ref isn’t looking, and Anarquia stomps him in the ring. Hernandez tags in and gives Moore a Sammartino backbreaker. Hernandez hits a shoulder block before tagging his partner, who scores a near fall. Anarquia and Moore are both up top, and Moore is able to send Anarquia to the mat before hitting a very sloppy diving twisting moonsault to a standing Anarquia. Hernandez and Neal both get tags, and Neal comes in as a house of fire. Neal hits a leaping double sledge and a dropkick before scoring a near fall with a cross body on Hernandez. Neal escapes the Border Toss, but Hernandez is able to hit a Dominator for the win after some more interference from Rosita. Just an okay opener that felt a lot like a TV match. Moore and Hernandez can be very sloppy at times and Anarquia’s offense is really one dimensional and boring. Match Time: 9:39     Star Rating: **1/4

Jeff Jarrett then came out with Karen for a promo. He tried to explain that Karen had a terrible leg injury suffered by slipping on one of her kids’ action figures at home. He talked about x-ray footage for proof and said the mixed tag match tonight was off. Mick Foley then came out and said that the x-ray was of a guy’s foot and basically said the match was still on. Of course he piped in the “wrestling matters” slogan, which anyone who regularly watches TNA knows is total BS.

2.    Robbie E vs. Brian Kendrick

Kendrick worked most of the match in his robe. He sits in the ring meditating at the start, but quickly goes to work with a sliding kick and a dive to the floor. He meditates again as Robbie comes back into the ring, but then drop toeholds him into the corner before hitting a dropkick. Kendrick hits a second rope diving lariat before having a confrontation with Cookie on the outside. Kendrick tosses Robbie back into the ring, but Robbie knocks him off the top rope, sending him to the floor. Kendrick comes back inside and Robbie goes to work, choking him with his boot and wrenching his neck. Kendrick looks to be bleeding from the mouth. Robbie applies an arm bar and clotheslines Kendrick to the outside before hitting a suplex on the floor. Cookie chokes Kendrick with his boot while Robbie distracts the ref. Kendrick sends Robbie into the apron and throws the robe in his face in the ring. Robbie launches Kendrick into the corner but Kendrick hits a dropkick for the win out of nowhere. This came off as nothing but filler and was hard to take seriously with both men’s goofy gimmicks. The robe also impaired Kendrick’s ability to work throughout the match. Match Time: 6:42     Star Rating: *3/4

3.    TNA Women’s Knockout Championship match: Mickie James(c) vs. Madison Rayne

An additional stipulation was that if Mickie won, Tara was free from her contract with Madison and she was free to work by herself in TNA. Tara’s music hits before they even touch, and Madison gets out of the ring to yell at her. Mickie hits a baseball slide, but Madison is able to toss her into the steel steps. Mickie reverses an irish whip in the ring, but Madison hits a hanging neckbreaker with Mickie’s feet on the ropes. Madison yells at Tara again, and Mickie hits some punches. Madison hits a hangman’s neckbreaker and both girls are down. Madison gets the loaded glove from beneath the ring, but Tara rips it off of her. Madison rolls up Mickie and hooks the shorts, but Mickie kicks out. Mickie makes a comeback with some clotheslines, but she misses Madison with a diving Thesz press and takes out the ref. Mickie counters Madison’s finisher before Tara enters the ring with the loaded glove on. They teased that she didn’t know who to hit, but eventually knocked out Madison with a punch with the glove. Mickie covers and the ref wakes up to count 3 to end it. Not much in the way of wrestling here and the finish was telegraphed a mile away. The only good thing about this is that the endless Mickie/Madison feud looks to be over. Match Time: 6:49     Star Rating: *

4.    TNA X Division Championship match: Kazarian(c) vs. Max Buck

After about an hour, we finally got our first good match of the evening. Max and Kaz lock up at the start and trade wrist holds before Max hits a shoulder block followed by a leap frog and a kip up by Kaz. They then begin a nice mat wrestling exchange before they get to their feet and Kaz backflips out of a back suplex attempt. Kaz applies a headlock and Max escapes, only for Kaz to come back with a sitout neckbreaker out of the corner. Kaz ends up on the outside and Max hits him with a leaping kick through the ropes. Back in the ring, Max hits a boot to the head and a jawbreaker. He chokes Kaz against the ropes before both guys trade punches. Max takes Kaz down and keeps him grounded with a chin lock. Kaz is able to get up and drive Max into the corner, where he hits a huge gutwrench superplex off the top. Kaz hits some clotheslines and a spin kick, but Max sends Kaz into the corner and charges. Kaz catches a leaping Max and slams him before hitting a springboard twisting leg drop for a near fall. Max counters the Fade to Black to start a nice sequence of counters, during which Kaz hits a kick to the head. Max counters the Fade to Black a second time and hits a buckle bomb before scoring a near fall. Max hits a spike DDT with Kaz’s feet on the top rope and hits a 450 splash for a near fall. Max slaps Kaz and tries for a suplex, but Kaz hits a front suplex on the ropes and kicks Max in the head, leaving Max hung up on the apron. Kaz then hits a crazy running sunset flip powerbomb over the ropes and off the apron to the floor. Max scores a near fall with a cradle back in the ring and counters the Fade to Black, but Kaz hits a shining wizard for the win. Nice story with Max countering the FTB numerous times, forcing Kaz to improvise. Easily match of the night, though it could have used another few minutes. Match Time: 11:19     Star Rating: ***1/4

5.    Abyss vs. Crimson

This was a pretty bad match, about as bad as it looked on paper. Abyss hits a knee to the gut at the start and whips Crimson into the corner, but Crimson is able to hit a dropkick and a clothesline to the floor. Abyss pulls Crimson out by his feet, but Crimson is able to rebound with some elbow strikes and sends Abyss into the guardrail. Abyss avoids as charging Crimson, who connects with the post. Abyss hits some punches and throws Crimson. They return to the ring, where Abyss runs into Crimson in the corner and wrenches at his head for a long time. They do a double clothesline spot and both are down. Crimson hits a punch and a leaping clothesline before hitting some knees to the head and scoring a near fall. Crimson charges in the corner, but Abyss avoids him and hits a chokeslam for a near fall. Abyss grabs Janice and the ref gets scared and runs out of the ring. Abyss swings and misses, and Crimson hits a spear for 2. That should have been the finish. Abyss kicks a charging Crimson, but Crimson counters the Shock Treatment and hits a double arm DDT. Abyss hits a weak Vader Bomb for a near fall, but when he charges Crimson in the corner, Crimson avoids him and hits a sitout chokebomb for the win. It’s good that Crimson got the win here, but the match was terrible. It went a little bit longer than it needed to and was very clunky and boring for the most part. Abyss sucks and Crimson needs experience. Match Time: 10:42     Star Rating: *1/4

6.    TNA World Tag Team Championship match: Beer Money(c) vs. Matt Hardy and Chris Harris

This was a little bit disappointing, but on this show that equals the second best match on the card. They tease that Harris will start the match with James Storm, but Harris instantly tags to Hardy. Hardy beats on Storm in the corner for a bit, but Storm comes back with a neckbreaker and a knee drop before tagging in Robert Roode, who hits a knee drop of his own. Harris gets a tag and punches Roode, but Roode comes back with a punch, a chop, and a leaping shoulder block. Hardy is in, but takes some clotheslines and a slam from Roode. Storm tags in and hits Hardy with some punches, but Hardy is able to knock Roode to the floor and take advantage after Harris spits beer in Storm’s face. The heels go to work, with both men whipping Storm into the corner before Harris hits a bulldog. Hardy gets a near fall and stays in control for a bit, but Storm comes back with a kick and a codebreaker. Roode hits a clothesline to Harris and dives off the second rope with a blockbuster. Roode hits a fisherman’s suplex, but Harris hits a full nelson slam for 2. Hardy hits a diving elbow drop to Roode’s back and applies a bear hug. Roode gets up, but both men are down after a collision. Both men tag their partners, and Storm slaps Harris before hitting some punches, clotheslines, and a Thesz press followed by more punches. Storm skins the cat and hits a spike DDT. Hardy ends up on the floor, and when he comes back in, Storm hits a spinning reverse DDT out of the corner. Hardy hits a side effect, but Storm comes back with a lungblower. Storm counters the Catatonic from Harris but takes a spinebuster. Roode hits a spinebuster to Harris and Beer Money hit a double suplex to Hardy. They set Harris up for the DWI, but change their mind and finish him off with the Death Sentence, America’s Most Wanted’s old finisher. It was a decent tag match with a good story to it, but the fact that Harris returned on the GO HOME SHOW meant this match had almost no buildup and perhaps that is why the audience wasn’t reacting too much to this. Harris and Hardy are both very sluggish and not in the shape that they once were, but Beer Money’s offense held it together. When I heard Harris was coming back to TNA I was hoping for the Wildcat, but it looks like we’ve got Braden Walker instead. Match Time: 13:52     Star Rating: **1/2

7.    No Disqualification match: Tommy Dreamer vs. AJ Styles

Why is this No DQ you may ask? Beats me. This was every TNA street fight match you’ve ever seen. AJ targets Dreamer’s arm early and wrenches at it, but Dreamer eventually fights back with a knee to the gut and stomps AJ in the corner. A little bit of back and forth before AJ hits a kick that sends Dreamer to the floor, which AJ follows with a slingshot plancha to the outside. They fight around the ringside area and Dreamer ends up crotched on the guardrail. They then do the lengthy crowd brawl that TNA always does in this type of match. Dreamer is in control when they finally get back to ringside, and he grabs a kendo stick and trash can as AJ gets a table. AJ hits Dreamer with the table while falling backwards before he tosses Dreamer shoulder first into the ring post. AJ sets up the table halfway so he can run up and jump off with a forearm smash. Dreamer hits a DDT and tries to stab AJ with a fork, but AJ blocks and hits an enzuigiri followed by a trash can shot to the head. AJ sets the table half-up again and hits a Pele kick. Bully Ray then interferes and hits AJ with something, possibly a chain, before Christopher Daniels comes down to chase him away. Dreamer then hits a sloppy piledriver through the table to get the win. This was just there to build to a match between AJ and Ray, which honestly won’t be worth the lengthy build. Total garbage match here and one of AJ’s most forgettable PPV matches. Match Time: 13:02     Star Rating: **1/4

8.    Jeff and Karen Jarrett vs. Kurt Angle and Chyna

The crowd was into this more than any other match on the show. Angle starts with Jeff at the start, taking control with some headlocks before hitting a suplex. Angle tags in Chyna, Jeff bails, and the ref tells Karen she has to enter. She doesn’t want to, and Jeff comes back in to attack Angle, so Chyna has to go back on the apron (Huh?). Angle hits an elbow strike and a powerbomb before applying the Ankle Lock, but a Karen distraction allows Jeff to hit a chop block. Jeff slaps Angle in the face from the outside and comes back in to hit a top rope cross body. Angle comes back with some clotheslines, a belly to belly suplex, and the trio of Germans. Jeff counters the Angle Slam with an arm drag and hits an enzuigiri, but Angle counters the Stroke with the Ankle Lock. Jeff counters out of that, but takes an Angle Slam for 2. Chyna then comes in and falls down hitting a powerslam and hits a mistimed suplex to Jeff. Lovely. She runs into Karen in the corner and hits her with a Pedigree. She gets Karen in the Ankle Lock as Angle does the same to Jeff. Both the Jarretts tap out to end it. I guess this was somewhat entertaining but it was a bit too one sided for it to really be that good of a match. Angle and Jeff did fine but Chyna, to put it mildly, showed her ring rust. Not sure whether or not this will end the feud but I am sick of it and I have a feeling I’m not the only one. Match Time: 10:16     Star Rating: **

9.    TNA World Heavyweight Championship match: Sting(c) vs. Rob Van Dam

Mr. Anderson is on commentary, since he will face the winner at Slammiversary for the title. This was yet another lackluster PPV world title match in Sting’s championship reign. It was almost identical to their match from Slammiversary last year minus the Jarrett interference. Sting applies a headlock and gets a sudden cover for a 2 count before both guys stall for a few minutes. Once that’s done, RVD rolls up Sting for a near fall and hits several kicks in the corner. RVD tries for a running kick but Sting sends him over the ropes to the floor. Sting charges and crashes into the guardrail, and RVD attempts a twisting leg drop but catches his leg on the guardrail. Sting targets the leg and they have a LONG crowd brawl. Both guys whip each other into a wall and fight through the crowd. Sting winds up at the bottom of a staircase and RVD jumps onto him. Once they get back to the ringside area the ref decides to start counting them out. RVD clips Sting’s leg and gets in the ring, hitting a single leg dropkick off the top. He attempts Rolling Thunder but Sting misses and he hits his leg on the ropes. Sting hits some clotheslines, but RVD kicks a charging Sting and tries for the Five Star Frog Splash. Sting avoids it and gets a near fall with a roll up before hitting a botched Scorpion Death Drop for the win. A complete nothing main event but I’ll give them a little bit of credit for RVD selling the leg. This will lead to Sting vs. Mr. Anderson at Slammiversary which is almost certain to be worse than this match. Match Time: 12:47     Star Rating: **

Overall PPV Rating: 4.5/10

My name is Jared Silberkleit and I am from Orange, CT. I am a huge pro wrestling fan and follow all kinds of promotions such as WWE, TNA, ROH, PWG, CHIKARA, Dragon Gate USA, and anything else I might come across. I am a huge supporter of independent wrestling and I feel that it provides a true alternative to the mainstream promotions and also showcases a lot of innovation and hard work. Aside from wrestling I am also a really big fan of football, baseball, hockey, and MMA. I have also written for www.sportsgrumblings.com for over two years.

1.    United States Championship match: Daniel Bryan(c) vs. Ted DiBiase

As has been the case with the last few WWE PPVs, Daniel Bryan was able to rise to the occasion once again and deliver one of the best performances of the evening. Bryan locks up with DiBiase to start and goes to work the arm, but DiBiase counters out. Bryan hits a dropkick as the arena lights briefly go out. DiBiase is able to put Bryan on the apron and shoulder him in the stomach before suplexing him to the floor. DiBiase hits some elbows back in the ring and hits a double sledge off the top. DiBiase gets a near fall but Bryan comes back with some uppercuts. Bryan lands a kick but Ted puts him down to pound on him. Bryan fights out of a rear chin lock but eats a backbreaker before being caught in a rear chin lock. Bryan fights out and hits a dropkick in the corner followed by some more kicks, and then does the big back flip out of the corner before hitting a sliding lariat. Bryan tosses Ted to the outside and does a suicide dive, but ends up going shoulder first into the barricade because Ted didn’t catch him properly. They return to the ring where Bryan hits a missile dropkick and some more kicks followed by a small package for a near fall. Bryan goes for the LeBell Lock but Ted fights out and hits a huge clothesline. DiBiase tries for Dream Street but Bryan pushes out of the corner into a pin for a two count. DiBiase holds onto the cobra clutch before setting up Bryan on the top rope. Bryan is able to counter a superplex attempt and hit a massive back suplex off the top. Bryan tries for the LeBell Lock and DiBiase catapults him into the corner, but Bryan counters out of a cover into the LeBell Lock, forcing Ted to tap out. Very fun opener, not at the level of Bryan’s match with Ziggler last month but still really good for the time they got. Probably Ted’s best singles match ever. Match Time: 10:02     Star Rating: ***1/4

As Bryan was walking up the ramp, The Miz came out and clocked him with the Money in the Bank briefcase. Miz then came down to the ring with Alex Riley, where the lights again briefly went out, to cut a brief promo where he talks down LeBron James and the Miami Heat. He teases cashing in and says he’s awesome. This would have been enjoyable if Miz didn’t cut the exact same promo on Raw every single week cutting down the local sports teams.

2.    Sheamus vs. John Morrison

This seemed to be going on a bit early, given how everyone is used to Sheamus being up toward the main event. They lock up to start, but Sheamus backs Morrison into the corner and slaps him in the face. Morrison fights back but gets his head slammed into the turnbuckle. Morrison hits a hurricanrana and a dropkick, which sends Sheamus to the outside where Morrison hits a corkscrew plancha. Sheamus is able to send Morrison into the barricade and hits a double sledge before getting a near fall back in the ring. Sheamus hits some knee drops and a clothesline before applying a rear chin lock. Morrison is up but Sheamus puts him down and stomps on him. Sheamus sets Morrison up on the top rope to club at his back until he hits a reverse DDT backbreaker. Sheamus puts on a shoulder-based hold but Morrison fights out and hits some punches. Sheamus hits a knee strike and beats on Morrison’s chest, scoring another near fall. Sheamus lands a punch and puts Morrison up top, but Morrison punches him away. Sheamus comes back with some blows of his own and tries for a superplex, but Morrison holds on and hits a forearm, sending Sheamus to the mat. Morrison dives at Sheamus with a cross body, but Sheamus holds on and rolls through before hitting a huge powerslam. Sheamus goes for the bicycle kick, but Morrison moves and hits a kick of his own. Sheamus comes back with a backbreaker and tries for the High Cross, but Morrison counters with a slingshot into the corner. Sheamus trips Morrison off the second rope and beats down on Morrison. Morrison tries for Starship Pain but gets crotched. Sheamus tries for the bicycle kick but Morrison moves, hits a kick to the head, and a shining wizard for the win. Match wasn’t that well paced but it told a decent little story and was overall enjoyable. Not the best Sheamus match but hopefully this win can help elevate Morrison a bit. Match Time: 11:06     Star Rating: **3/4

3.    Intercontinental Championship match: Dolph Ziggler(c) vs. Kaval

I was very excited to see Kaval finally make his WWE PPV debut, and he delivered with one of the better performances on the show. This was a pretty good fast-paced match between two very athletic wrestlers. They trade some offensive bits at the start until Kaval hits a springboard cross body. Kavla beats on Ziggler in the corner, but Ziggler trips him up, sending him face first into the top turnbuckle. Ziggler hits a neckbreaker but Kaval comes back with a kick to the head and some flying forearms. Kaval hits some impressive kicks to put down Dolph before doing a dive into the corner followed up by a moonsault. Kaval hits a chop and a big kick to the face but Dolph catches him in a sleeper up top. Kaval fights him off and tries for a Phoenix splash and misses, but lands on his feet. Dolph hits the Zig Zag for a near fall, but Kaval hits a unique kick off the second rope. Ziggler charges in the corner but gets caught in a roll up for a two count. Kaval comes off the ropes with a roll up, but Ziggler reverses into a sloppy victory roll for the win. The idea was that he was hooking the tights, but it looked like he was grab-assing him. The match seemed to end just as it was hitting its stride, but I’m fine with that if the feud will continue. These guys have a ton of chemistry together and had a really fun match, though it did seem to be cut a bit short. Match Time: 9:38     Star Rating: ***

4.    Survivor Series Elimination match: Team Mysterio (Rey Mysterio, Big Show, Chris Masters, Kofi Kingston, and MVP) vs. Team Del Rio (Alberto Del Rio, Cody Rhodes, Jack Swagger, Drew McIntyre, and Tyler Reks)

The nice stretch that the PPV opened up with continued with a traditional Survivor Series Elimination match, the show’s signature match over the years. This wasn’t a great match given the talent involved but it was very enjoyable and the second best match on the show. Mysterio and Swagger look to start things off but Del Rio jumps in, only to tag in Rhodes. He trades holds with Mysterio before putting him down with a shoulder block. Mysterio hits a kick to the chest but Rhodes hits a big kick of his own. Del Rio tags in and lands a ton of kicks, but Mysterio hits a hurricanrana and a dropkick to a seated Del Rio in the corner. MVP is in next and hits a single leg drop kick before landing more kicks on Del Rio in the corner. MVP blocks an enzuigiri and hits a yakuza kick in the corner, and then tags in Kofi who hits a double sledge to Del Rio’s arm. Masters and Reks are in next, with Reks beating down Masters in the corner before tagging in McIntyre. McIntyre hits some forearms and clotheslines, but eats a boot when he dives off the top. MVP tags in and hits some dropkicks, and exploder suplex, and the Ballin’ elbow. MVP tries for a suplex, but Drew reverses and gets a cover, successfully eliminating MVP, the most over guy in the entire match, as Del Rio pulls the foot. Del Rio and Masters are in next, with Masters trying for the Master Lock only to be caught in the cross-arm breaker, which he taps out to for another elimination. Big Show enters to square off with Swagger, who hits a chop block before tagging to Del Rio. Del Rio gets scared and forcefully tags in McIntyre, who isn’t happy. Del Rio gloats at Show, who responds with a Knockout Punch. Del Rio then leaves the match, but it was one of those deals where you figured he’d return at the end.

Show beats on Drew, but Drew hits a kick and tries for his finisher. Show fights out and hits a clothesline before slamming Kofi, who just tagged in, onto Drew. Rhodes is in and gets slapped in the face, so he freaks out and starts tearing apart the announce table. He has one of the ringside geeks hold up his jacket, which has a mirror in the back, so he can make sure his face is alright. Rhodes returns only to eat another slap before Show gets a tag. Show hits a slap to the back and a Knockout Punch to eliminate Rhodes. Reks enters and hits a shoulder block to Show and takes turns with Swagger working the big man over. Show tries to chokeslam Swagger but gets caught in the Ankle Lock. Show crawls to the corner to tag in Rey, who hits a seated senton. Swagger comes back with a big boot and cheap shots Kofi, but Kofi drop toeholds him into the ropes. Rey tries for the 619 but gets caught in the Ankle Lock. Mysterio is able to counter and swing Swagger into the ropes, but Reks tags in. Kofi gets a tag as well and hits a kick to the face followed by a diving cross body. Kofi gets caught in the tree of woe but is able to fight out and hit a big kick to eliminate Reks. Swagger tries to catch Kingston in the Ankle Lock and the gutwrench powerbomb, but Kingston fights out of both. Kingston tries for the buzzsaw kick, but gets caught in the Ankle Lock and taps out. Show works over Swagger before tagging in Mysterio, allowing him to climb on his shoulders, but Drew kicks Show’s legs and Mysterio falls. Swagger hits a Vader Bomb for a near fall but gets sent into the ropes and takes the 619. Mysterio eliminates Swagger after a splash off of Show’s shoulders. Drew gets hit with the 619 from Rey and a chokeslam from Show for the finally elimination, so the faces go over. Del Rio never came back, but it was a fun match nonetheless, with nice sequences involving Swagger, Del Rio, Rey, and Kofi. I felt like the young heels could have really used this win a lot more than the established veterans Rey and Big Show. Match Time: 18:18     Star Rating: ***1/4

5.    Handicap match for the Divas Championship: LayCool(c) vs. Natalya

Some matches on this show were rushed, so I question the need for the obligatory Divas match. This didn’t belong on a PPV. Michelle quickly takes down Natalya and hits some right hands followed up by an uppercut. Michelle hits a kick to the back before tagging in Layla, who hits a running clothesline. Layla hits some forearms and a kick before tying up Natalya in the corner. Layla gets pulled back by the ref and then pulled out of the ring by McCool. The heels try for a double suplex but Natalya reverses it. Natalya rolls out and is attacked by McCool, but Natalya is able to send her over the barricade. After a brief awkward sequence, Layla ends up thrown into McCool on the outside. Natalya and McCool return to the ring, where Natalya forces a submission with the Sharpshooter to win the title. Well that was…short. LayCool attacks post-match but Beth Phoenix made her return, attacking the heels and celebrating with Natalya. I didn’t have a huge issue with this but it felt really pointless and there wasn’t much there. Match Time: 3:39     Star Rating: *

6.    World Heavyweight Championship match: Kane(c) vs. Edge

After the bathroom break Divas match, the PPV’s first world title match represented the true low point of the night from which it never recovered. Kane tries for a clothesline but Edge slaps him in the face, hits some punches, and then rolls out to sweep Kane off his feet. Edge rolls around the empty wheelchair to piss off Kane, but Edge lands a baseball slide and sends Kane into the barricade. Edge ducks a big boot back in the ring and puts Kane down where he pounds at him. Edge wraps Kane’s legs around the post and stomps away at the knees before applying a leg lock. Kane fights out and hits some leg drops before kicking Edge to the floor. Edge tries to come back in but Kane drags his head over the apron and punches him. Kane irish whips Edge into the corner and chokes him against the bottom rope while asking where Paul Bearer is, repeatedly. Kane gets a near fall off a kick and applies a chancery, still asking about Bearer. Kane hits a snapmare and a low dropkick before returning to a LONG chancery. Edge hits some shots to the gut, slams Edge into the turnbuckle, and hits a cross body off the top.

Kane reverses a whip and a hits a slam. Kane dives off the top turnbuckle but eats a dropkick on the way down. Edge ducks a clothesline and hits a running forearm before sending Kane into the corner with a drop toehold. Edge gets a two count with a roll-up and hits a big boot, but gets caught with a right hand when he jumps off the second rope. Edge reverses out of a suplex into a neckbreaker, but takes a sidewalk slam. They fight up top, with Edge getting crotched. Kane hits a diving lariat off the top for a near fall and tries for the chokeslam, but Edge counters and hits the Impaler DDT. Kane kicks out of the cover and tries for a Tombstone, but Edge fights out and hits a spear. Both guys are down, each with an arm over the other’s chest, and the ref counts the pin which is followed by Edge’s music playing. It is announced that the match is a draw. The two continue to fight outside the ring, with Edge eventually putting Kane in the wheelchair and rolling it through a gimmicked barricade. I hate endings like this on PPV, especially on a BIG FOUR PPV. This is not a throwaway PPV to build angles; this is the show where big things are supposed to happen. We did not get big things with this match; we got a complete snorefest that was capped by a terrible finish. This match was unbelievably boring and one of the worst world title matches you’ll see this year. Match Time: 12:49     Star Rating: *3/4

7.    WWE Tag Team Championship match: Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater(c) vs. Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov

This was your definition of a nothing match. It was meant to cool down the crowd, but there was nothing to cool down after the sleep-inducing world title match. Santino misses with a clothesline on Slater but hits a throw before Slater tags in Gabriel. Kozlov gets a tag and throws Gabriel around the ring, hitting a chop and a big boot. Kozlov hits a head butt but gets taken off his feet by Gabriel, who tags in Slater. Nexus trade tags as they work Kozlov over in the corner. Kozlov fights out of a Gabriel front chancery, but takes a knee to the chest and gets caught in a headlock. Kozlov tries to push back Gabriel and make a tag but Slater takes out Santino before tagging in to apply a headlock of his own. Kozlov hits a clothesline and makes a tag, and Santino hits some right hands. Santino teases the cobra but Nexus swarm ringside for a distraction, allowing Slater to hit his jumping neckbreaker for the win. Why Nexus needed help to beat Santino Marella is beyond me. After the match, Michael Cole reads an e-mail from the GM, which states that any member of Nexus who interferes in the main event will be suspended indefinitely. I assume that post-match segment was the reason for this being on the card. Short and pointless. Match Time: 5:15     Star Rating: *1/2

8.    WWE Championship match with John Cena as Special Guest Referee: Randy Orton(c) vs. Wade Barrett

As everyone already knows, the pre-match stipulation was that if Barrett won the title, Cena would be free of the Nexus, but if Barrett lost, Cena would be fired from WWE. The match could also end only by pinfall or submission. This was the match the entire PPV was promoted around and it was a huge letdown. Barely a step up from last month’s main event. Orton locks up with Barrett and backs him into the corner where he breaks. Orton applies a headlock and hits a shoulder block after being pushed off. Barrett eats a second shoulder block and they lock up again. Barrett kicks at Orton in the corner but Orton hits a kick and a clothesline. Orton hits a big uppercut and pounds away at Barrett in the corner. Cena pulls off Orton, allowing Barrett to hit a kick to the face. Barrett slams Orton’s head into the turnbuckle and works him over in the corner. Cena pulls off Barrett and Orton capitalizes with a dropkick. Orton hits some mounted punches, a knee drop, and a kick to the shoulder. They go outside where Barrett tosses Orton into the barricade before sending him into the steps. Barrett hits some more punches back in the ring, sends Orton into the corners, and steps on his neck.

Orton fights out of a rear chin lock, but Barrett hits a high knee and a kick for a near fall. Barrett applies another rear chin lock, this one lengthy, but Orton fights out with a back suplex. They trade shots in the middle of the ring but Orton takes the advantage with some clotheslines, a powerslam, and a clothesline to the floor. Barrett sends Orton into the post on the outside and targets his eye for a bit, but Orton hits his signature backbreaker in the ring. Barrett hits a big boot, an elbow drop off the second rope, and the Wasteland, but Orton grabs the bottom rope. Barrett argues with Cena and shoves him, but Cena shoves him back right into an RKO from Orton. Cena hesitates at two but counts the three and Orton retains his title. Huh? Orton and Cena clear the ring of Nexus post match, and Cena awards Orton the title before embracing him. Cena removes all his gear and high fives all the fans around the arena. This was UNBELIEVABLY anticlimactic. They devoted months to this storyline and this was supposed to be the payoff, and it ends with a cliffhanger? We have to wait for Raw to see the fallout that the PPV was hyped around? Bullcrap. The match was just meh, not main event worthy at all. It was a really bad ending to a disappointing show that opened with a strong first half. Match Time: 15:21     Star Rating: **1/4

Overall PPV Rating: 6/10

My name is Jared Silberkleit. I am from Orange, CT and am a huge fan of pro wrestling. I mostly follow WWE and TNA but I also watch the smaller promotions such as ROH and DGUSA. I have been a lifelong WWE fan and have become a TNA fan over the past few years. Aside from wrestling, I also really love baseball and football and follow many other sports such as hockey and MMA. I have written for www.sportsgrumblings.com for over two years.

The show opened up with Taz coming out for a decent promo putting over ECW. It got the crowd hot and Taz proved he is still pretty good on the mic even if his days in the ring are behind him.

1.    The FBI vs. Kid Kash, Swinger, and Simon Diamond

The show kicked off with this 6 man tag team match, and with it also debuted the dim blue-ish lighting that would remain for the entire show. Kash and Little Guido start the match with some decent chain wrestling coupled with some takedowns. They do some staredowns before Guido tags in Tony Luke and Kash tags in Swinger. Luke does a drop toe hold and attempts a roll up before locking in an arm bar. Swinger breaks it with a slam, and Diamond and Tracy Smothers tag in. Smothers gets some quick shots to take down Diamond before doing a fist drop. Diamond bails from the ring and grabs a mic, saying that the FBI can outwrestle them but they can’t out dance them. So Diamond and Swinger dance horribly, which is followed by Smothers berating them on the mic and the FBI outdoing them with their own dance routine. Swinger and Diamond then attack and it breaks down into a brawl. Kash does a crazy plancha onto everyone on the outside. Kash hits a nice backbreaker on Luke in the ring. Luke gets a clothesline but Kash slams him into the corner. Guido takes out Diamond and Swinger before hitting a cross body and a low drop kick to Kash. Everything breaks down again and they do a crazy Tower of Doom spot with everyone but Diamond. Crazy ending sequence that includes Smothers completely botching a Stroke, Kash hitting a double underhook piledriver, and Guido hitting an Unprettier to Diamond for the win. Just an okay opener, the spots near the end saved it. The dance sequence was goofy but the match actually did have some fun elements to it, mostly thanks to Kid Kash. Match Time: 10:45     Star Rating: ** (I will now be rating matches out of 5 stars)

We were then treated to a really long sequence of video packages featuring some TNA guys and former ECW talent, which was okay but went on far too long and should have been trimmed. This lead to a backstage segment that also went on far too long with Al Snow, Stevie Richards, Nova, and a fat guy dressed up as the Blue Meanie. Some random guy and the fake Meanie pick each others’ noses at the end after lengthy conversation that I don’t think anyone cared about.

2.    CW Anderson vs. Too Cold Scorpio

We finally get to the next match, which on paper doesn’t look that bad since Scorpio is still in decent shape. This underachieved. Both guys stalled for a while before finally locking up. Anderson puts on a wrist lock but Scorpio fights out of it, only to get caught with a leg sweep from Anderson. Both guys exchange forearm strikes before Scorpio hits a dropkick that knocks Anderson out of the ring. Scorpio does a plancha to the outside before hitting a diving cross body back in the ring. Anderson comes back with a superkick and sends Scorpio into the post shoulder-first. Scorpio hits a back kick but Anderson puts him down and goes for a cover. Scorpio hits the cannonball in the corner but botches the top rope corkscrew leg drop, with his ass landing on Anderson’s face. Scorpio goes for a moonsault but Anderson gets the knees up. Anderson hits a spinebuster and some forearms, but Scorpio puts him down with a big kick before hitting a moonsault leg drop for the win. Just alright match with some nice spots, but too short. Match Time: 7:42     Star Rating: **1/4

We get another backstage segment, this time with RVD and Bill Alfonso. They go over the match with Sabu that is set to be the main event and Fonzie blows his whistle a few times.

3.    PJ Polaco vs. Stevie Richards

For those of you who may not know, Polaco is formerly known as Justin Credible. Much like the last match, this was very bland and basic with nothing major of note. The match begins with a series of headlocks interrupted by some shoulder blocks, before Polaco hits some knees in the corner. Stevie sends him into the corner before they go to the outside. Polaco hits a suplex on the floor before rolling Stevie into the ring and hitting a slingshot splash. Polaco hits a powerbomb out of the corner, sends him into the ropes, then hits a DDT and a jawbreaker. Polaco hits more kicks and chops in the corner but Stevie sends him to the outside, where Nova and the fake Blue Meanie taunt him. Stevie hits a side slam and a powerbomb but only gets a 2 count. Polaco hits a kick and then does a tombstone piledriver, but pulls Stevie up at 2 during the pin attempt. Polaco taunts Stevie, but Stevie hits the Stevie kick for the win. After the match Polaco attacked Stevie with a kendo stick, but The Sandman made the save and beat him down with a kendo stick. Amazing how TNA used The Sandman the same way WWE did when they held December to Dismember. The wrestling was okay but the match was just really lacking something. Match Time: 6:33     Star Rating: **

4.    3-Way Dance: Brother Runt vs. Al Snow vs. Rhino

This match apparently will be contested under elimination rules. This match was okay at best but it was ridiculously short and felt really pointless. After a couple headlocks, Runt eats a shoulder block from Rhino after Snow is sent to the outside. Runt sends Rhino to the outside as well and attempts a dive off the top rope, but Snow and Rhino catch him before hitting a double fall away slam to Runt on the ramp. Snow misses a slingshot leg drop but connects with a moonsault. Rhino hits Snow with a death valley driver before Runt connects with a diving foot stomp to Snow. Runt tries for the Deadly Dog and Rhino throws him off, but Runt hits him with a hurricanrana. The ref winds up down while they struggle over a chair and Taz comments that it would warrant a DQ. Really? On the PPV promoted as being so hardcore?  Runt eliminates Snow with a Deadly Dog but Rhino instantly hits the Gore for the win. Just a filler crap match. Match Time: 5:36     Star Rating: *3/4

We then had another promo, this time from Mick Foley. He talked about the Raven/Dreamer match before we cut to a video from Brutus Magnus of all people to kill time before the next match.

Axl Rotten and Cojones (aka Balls Mahoney) come down to the ring and cut a brief promo, talking about how they didn’t have a match scheduled. Joel Gertner then comes out with Team 3D, who are in their old tie dye gear. Gertner cuts a hilarious promo ending with a good introduction for Team 3D. A match is set between the two teams, with Brother Ray making it a South Philadelphia Street Fight. Yay.

5.    South Philadelphia Street Fight: Axl Rotten and Cojones vs. Team 3D

Good God, this match was completely atrocious. Easily the worst match of the night. It’s a brawl right from the start, with both teams fighting into the crowd. TNA then decides to employ split screen to “capture all the action”. With the really small screens and the awful lighting, we can’t see what the hell is going on at all. From what I can see due to TNA’s horrible production values, it’s just a bunch of punching and kicking with Ray landing some shots with a STYROFOAM HEAD. The crowd eats this garbage up and I couldn’t disagree more. This mess finally returns to ringside when they start throwing weapons into the ring. Cojones hits Ray with a trash can lid but Ray hits him with a frying pan. Axl hits Ray with a cookie sheet then hits some punches on Devon. Axl and Ray each hold a fake lightsaber and proceed to have, I am not joking, a LIGHTSABER DUEL with the sticks. They did a really dumb low blow spot before Ray hits some right hands and a bionic elbow. Axl hits a reverse DDT before Devon hits a neckbreaker followed by Cojones hitting a sitout powerbomb. Cojones and Axl nail 3D with chairs for a pair of near falls. 3D come back with some chair shots and hit Wassup to Cojones. They bring a table into the ring and decide to light it on fire. 3D double powerbombs Cojones through the flaming table for the win. Okay, cool ending. But then they manage to make this horrible match even worse. The Gangstas (New Jack and Mustafa) hit the ring and beat up 3D with a ton of weapons. Then all of a sudden they decide to STOP FIGHTING, and all 6 men hold up each other’s hands in the ring. WHAT? You can’t be serious. A complete disaster from a wrestling and booking standpoint. Match Time: 12:00     Star Rating: *1/4

After a package hyping up Raven vs. Dreamer, we got some more promos from the TNA stars. This also led to a very nice video package paying tribute to Joey Styles.

6.    Raven vs. Tommy Dreamer with Mick Foley as Special Guest Referee

Things just got worse and worse for this show with this match. Foley tells both men that anything goes, and Raven kicks Dreamer in the nuts to start things off. They fight on the outside, with Raven slamming Dreamer into the guardrail and tossing a chair into the ring. Dreamer sends Raven into the chair, which was wedged in the corner. Dreamer spits a fans beer into Raven’s eyes and slams the can into his head. Dreamer sets up two chairs in the ring but Raven sends him into them with a drop toehold. Raven busts open Dreamer with a chair and goes to work, opening him up. Raven sends Dreamer into the steps and slams his head against them before they return to the ring. Dreamer hits a drop toehold to Raven, sending him face first into a chair. Dreamer then hits Raven with a street sign concealed as a typical fan’s sign, busting Raven open. Dreamer brings a ladder into the ring, sets it up in the corner, and slingshots Raven into it. They go up top but Raven crotches Dreamer on the still-propped up ladder in the corner. Raven tries a clothesline and both guys tumble to the mat with the ladder in a messy spot. Dreamer hits the Dreamer Driver, then sets Raven up in the Tree of Woe and dropkicks the sign into his face. Dreamer grabs some barbed wire and does the crippler crossface while pulling the barbed wire across Raven’s face. The barbed wire is in Raven’s mouth as Dreamer pulls back, but Nova and the fake Blue Meanie run out to take out Foley just before Raven taps out. Dreamer is able to take out Nova and fake Meanie but Raven hits a DDT. Dreamer kicks out of a cover and Raven and Foley argue. Foley then takes it to Raven with some really awful punches. Foley puts on the sock and wraps barbed wire around it as a young ally of Raven’s enters the ring. Foley applies a barbed wire Mandible Claw to this kid, and blood quickly starts gushing out of his mouth. Raven is able to handcuff Dreamer’s hands together and hits him with a chair. Dreamer’s wife then runs out, because everyone and their brother must interfere in this match. Raven goes to hit her with the chair, but Foley stops him. Dreamer’s wife hits a low blow and Dreamer hits a DDT with his hands still handcuffed for another near fall. Dear lord will this match ever end? Raven finally finishes it with a chair shot and a DDT to put Dreamer away. This match dragged on far too long and had heaps of unnecessary interference and I hope Foley didn’t put that young kid in the hospital. It was a complete clustered, unorganized mess with no sense of purpose or direction. Some may have enjoyed this match, but this was total garbage. Match Time: 17:04     Star Rating: *1/2

7.    Rob Van Dam vs. Sabu

The main event rescued this show from going down as possibly one of the worst PPVs of all time, though it came close to hitting that level regardless. Jerry Lynn was unable to work his scheduled bout with RVD, so Sabu came in as a replacement. Sabu actually did very well and wasn’t his usual botchy self. These guys stall for a little while before they finally lock up a few times, with some solid chain wrestling. Sabu throws a chair into RVD’s head and splashes him in the corner before RVD bails to the outside. Sabu uses the chair to dive off the top rope onto Van Dam on the outside. Sabu puts on a chin lock on Van Dam before slamming a chair onto his back. Sabu applies a camel clutch with the chair wedged between RVD’s back and Sabu’s ass. RVD dropkicks the chair into Sabu and monkey flips him onto the chair, with Sabu almost completely missing the chair. Van Dam throws the chair into Sabu’s head but Sabu comes back with a clothesline. Sabu and RVD collide in the corner and go down, with Fonzie tossing both men water. RVD hits a front suplex to Sabu onto the guardrail on the outside, then hits a corkscrew leg drop off the apron. Van Dam then hits another leg drop, with a chair against Sabu’s chest. Sabu hits a hurricanrana to RVD and a chair-assisted Arabian Facebuster, but can’t keep RVD down. RVD drop toeholds Sabu into the chair and has Fonzie hold the chair against Sabu in the corner so RVD can hit the Van Daminator. RVD hits a split legged moonsault and begins setting up a table as Sabu clutches his nose. Sabu throws the chair into RVD’s face and hits a leg drop for a near fall. Van Dam kicks Sabu in the face and hits Rolling Thunder with the chair across Sabu’s chest. RVD hits a chair assisted corner dropkick but Sabu comes back with a tornado DDT onto a chair. Sabu hits a chair assisted leg drop but when he tries to hit a second one through the table, RVD moves and Sabu goes through the table. Good main event with a good ending sequence but it felt very long. Still by far the best thing on this show. Match Time: 17:16     Star Rating: ***

All the ECW Originals then hit the ring lead by Dreamer and they bring beer. Dixie Carter comes out and Dreamer says it was one hell of a show and thanks everyone. I couldn’t have been more disgusted with this closing segment where Dreamer and his buds bask in the glory of the foolish Impact Zone fans, who blindly cheered everything on this show even though all of it except for the last match was utter crap. I feel horrible for anyone who ordered this PPV as all they got was a sad attempt at a nostalgia trip filled with horrible wrestling and bad booking. What a terribly put together and executed show. I hope that ECW is now put to bed and never brought back again.

Overall PPV Rating: 3/10

My name is Jared Silberkleit. I am from Orange, CT and am a huge fan of pro wrestling. I mostly follow WWE and TNA but I also watch the smaller promotions such as ROH and DGUSA. I have been a lifelong WWE fan and have become a TNA fan over the past few years. Aside from wrestling, I also really love baseball and football and follow many other sports such as hockey and MMA. I have written for www.sportsgrumblings.com for over two years.

1.    Winner is #1 Contender to the TNA World Tag Team Championship: The Motor City Machineguns vs. Beer Money Inc. vs. Team 3D

The show opened with a pretty good 3 way tag match where the winner would be the number one contenders for the tag titles. All 3 teams were showcased well, however it just seemed like Team 3D couldn’t care less about the match. Robert Roode and Alex Shelley begin with a ton of chain wrestling before Shelley hits a hurricanrana and a wheelbarrow into a bulldog for a near fall. Roode fights back with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker before tagging in his partner. Storm lands some shots on Shelley and knocks Sabin off the apron. Storm rolls to the outside but is met with a kick from Sabin. The Guns then double team Roode in the ring and do the same to Storm once he is tagged in. Storm gets a high knee on Sabin but Brother Ray gets the blind tag on Storm. Ray works Sabin’s arm for a bit before Sabin comes back with some kicks to the ribs, but Ray puts him back down with a right hand and a big boot. Devon is tagged in and does a backbreaker leg drop combo with Ray but Shelley breaks up the pin attempt. Shelley lands a dropkick on Devon but misses a dive to the outside on Ray. Devon hits a slam on Sabin but Storm breaks it up. Ray is tagged in and hits a chop to Sabin before knocking both members of Beer Money off the ring apron. Ray goes for a senton but Sabin avoids it and tags in Shelley. Shelley starts to work over both members of Team 3D, gets caught on a cross body attempt, but Sabin dropkicks Shelley allowing him to connect. 3D collide on a Ray dive to the outside before Sabin hits an outside dive onto Beer Money. Roode gets a tag and clotheslines Shelley before hitting a double suplex with Storm. Shelley eats a ton of offense before Storm puts on a rear chin lock. Beer Money continue to work over Shelley before Shelley gets the tag to Sabin. Everything breaks down with 3D throwing bodies everywhere. 3D hit a doomsday device to Roode and an elbow to Storm. Sabin hits a springboard cross body on Ray for a 2 count before Sabin is thrown to the outside. 3D tries for the 3D but Storm spits beer in Devon’s eyes. The Guns enter and hit a neckbreaker cross body combo on Roode to win the match. Pretty good opener, happy the Guns won. Match Time: 12:38     Match Rating: 6.5/10

2.    TNA Global Championship: Rob Terry(c) vs. Orlando Jordan

Although it was the worst match of the night, this was not as bad as I was expecting given the disgusting and bizarre storyline. Terry pounds on Jordan all across the ring at the start before hitting a big hip toss. Terry hits a corner clothesline and a big lariat, then hits a back body drop, a corner splash, and a big side slam for a 2 count. Jordan hits a boot to the face but Terry responds with a spin kick. Jordan tries to crawl away up the ramp but Terry brings him back into the ring. Terry hits a big running powerslam for a near fall before missing a kick and getting his leg hung up in the ropes. Jordan kicks away at the leg before slamming it down to the mat. He wrenches away at the leg before tying it up around the ring post. Jordan is still pounding away at the knee, interrupted by a couple failed submission attempts. Terry tries to fend him off but Jordan responds with some punches before going back to the knee, hitting a very messed up looking weak knee drop. Jordan misses another knee drop and Terry hits a chokeslam out of nowhere for the win. Very boring match that dragged out a bit longer than it needed to. Match Time: 7:52     Match Rating: 3/10

3.    TNA X Division Championship: Kazarian(c) vs. Doug Williams

This was arguably the match of the night. Not your typical X Division spotfest at all, these guys worked to put on a very good match that incorporated multiple wrestling styles. After a couple lockups and breaks, Williams puts on a front chancery  before taking Kaz down to the mat. Kaz puts on a headscissors but Williams powers out. More mat wrestling between these two as they trade holds. Kaz fights out of a second chancery and puts on an armbar. They go up top but Kaz gets knocked off and crashes face first on the edge of the entrance ramp. Kaz goes to the apron but Williams sends him back down with a neckbreaker. Williams sends Kaz into the apron on the outside before putting on a front face lock in the ring. Kaz suplexes Williams into the ropes before dropkicking him to the outside. Kaz hits a cross body over the ropes to Williams before they return to the ring again where Kaz hits a springboard dropkick. Kaz hits a ton of strikes before hitting a spinning neckbreaker for a near fall. Williams almost catches a charging Kaz in the corner with the Chaos Theory but Kaz counters with a roll-up. Kaz slingshots himself over the ropes with a DDT for another near fall. Williams hits a couple headbutts, a clothesline, and a running knee, but Kaz comes back with a springboard forearm. Williams hits a partly botched turnbuckle powerbomb, with Kaz hitting the back of his head on the bottom turnbuckle. Williams goes for a pin after a suplex but Kaz kicks out. Kaz hits a reverse Russian leg sweep, then fights out of a piledriver attempt with a back body drop. Kaz tries for an electric chair off the top but Williams fights out, rolls through, and hits the Chaos Theory for the win. I wish the title wasn’t hot shotted like this, but this was still a very good X Division title match. Match Time: 14:01     Match Rating: 7/10

4.    Title vs. Career match for the TNA Women’s Knockout Championship: Madison Rayne(c) vs. Tara

Though this was not that great of a women’s match at all, it ended up being a bit better than what it should have been due to this being Tara’s farewell match in TNA. Tara attacks Rayne from behind and beats her on the ramp, but Rayne fights back and sends Tara into the ring. Rayne hits a knee and puts on a submission but Tara fights out. Rayne goes to the outside and sweeps out Tara’s leg, but Tara slams Rayne face first into the apron and gets a near fall in the ring. Rayne unsuccessfully tries to win with a couple roll-ups but then hits a big clothesline. Tara hits a face buster and sends Rayne into the corner before tossing her across the ring by her hair. Tara hits a suplex and puts on a front guillotine but Rayne hits some punches before kicking Tara in the side of the head. Tara hits a clothesline but Rayne fights out of a Widow’s Peak attempt. Tara hits the Widow’s Peak but the impact is so great that Rayne is sent rolling to the outside. Tara puts her back in the ring and hits a slam followed up by a top rope moonsault but only gets a 2 count. Tara goes for a second moonsault but Rayne avoids it and hits a spinning neckbreaker onto her leg for the win. After the match the crowd showed their appreciation for Tara as she left. This was an okay, short Knockouts match. Match Time: 6:31     Match Rating: 4/10

5.    TNA World Tag Team Championship: The Band(c) vs. Ink Inc.

This was a pretty poor tag team match, a sharp contrast from the very entertaining opening tag contest. Shannon Moore slaps Scott Hall in the face and they lock up, with Hall slapping Moore in the back of the head. Moore comes out of nowhere with a roll-up attempt but Hall hits a knee before sending Moore into the corner where Hall hits a dropkick. Moore fights back with a second rope dropkick and a spin kick but Hall fights out of the pin attempt. After a shove from Hall both men tag in their partners. Jesse Neal sends Kevin Nash into the corner, burying his knee in Nash’s midsection and elbowing him in the head. Neal starts to pound away but Nash comes back and chokes him with his boot. Nash hits a couple knees before tagging in Hall, who puts Neal in an abdominal stretch before doing a terrible assist in front of the ref. Neal hits a hip toss to Hall, allowing him to tag in Moore as Hall makes the tag to Nash. Moore hits a ton of offense before capping it with a cross body to Nash and tagging in Neal. Moore hits a neckbreaker to Nash but then goes after Hall, going over the ropes with a cross body. Neal accidentally spears the ref, but is all over Nash with punches. Eric Young comes down to ringside with a kendo stick. Nash hits Moore with the stick but Neal spears Nash and takes the stick. EY takes it back but Brother Ray appears on the ramp. He whacks EY with the kendo stick and goes in the ring. Neal says he’s got it now, but Ray hits him with the kendo stick and Nash crawls onto him for the win. Not a bad swerve but the match was weak. Match Time: 8:03     Match Rating: 3.5/10

6.    Chelsea vs. Ring match: Desmond Wolfe vs. Abyss

Surprisingly, this match was pretty solid and had no overbooking or interference. Abyss jumps Wolfe during his entrance, pounding away at him and sending him to the floor. Wolfe tries to throw his entrance attire into Abyss’s face but this fails as Abyss sends him into the ring. Wolfe hits a kick and a punch but just bounces off of Abyss when he attempts a cross body. The two trade some strikes before Abyss hits a couple clotheslines. Abyss tries for a chokeslam but Chelsea distracts him, allowing Wolfe to send him to the floor with a shoulder block. Wolfe hits a kick to the midsection but Abyss tries for the chokeslam again. Wolfe fights out but Abyss hits a big kick followed by a corner clothesline and a side slam for a near fall. Wolfe fights out of yet another chokeslam attempt by hitting a quick DDT. Wolfe goes to work on Abyss in the corner, hitting a big uppercut and attacking the arm. Wolfe tries for a lariat but Abyss hits a chokeslam. Abyss tries to chokeslam Chelsea, but she distracts the ref and Wolfe hits Abyss with some brass knucks. Abyss kicks out at two, then Hulks up before hitting the Black Hole Slam for the win. A pretty decent match between these two, but a bit short. Match Time: 9:06     Match Rating: 6/10

7.    Jeff Hardy vs. Mr. Anderson

This was a pretty good, solid match between these two but I feel like they could have done a bit better. It was billed as one of the main event matches of the evening and failed to fully live up to that billing, instead being more of a “good midcard match”. Anderson knees Hardy in the stomach and pounds away at him with punches and stomps before Hardy fights back. Hardy tries for a flying clothesline but Anderson avoids it and Hardy is sent to the outside. Anderson sends Hardy into the apron before rolling him back into the ring where he misses an elbow drop. Hardy hits a couple clotheslines and some more strikes but when he tries for the corner dropkick, Anderson blocks it with his foot. Anderson tries for a quick pin before continuing to pound away at Hardy with a bunch of right hands. Hardy fights out of an abdominal stretch but Anderson hits a knee for a near fall. Hardy puts his foot up as Anderson comes off the top, but Anderson catches it and hits an elbow drop. Anderson is still all over Hardy with the strikes, and puts on a second abdominal stretch. Hardy tries for a headscissors in the corner but ends up crotched on the ropes. Hardy backdrops a charging Anderson onto the entrance ramp, where he uses a chair to do the Poetry in Motion leg lariat to Anderson against the ropes. The two go back and forth in the ring with Hardy hitting some clotheslines and a neckbreaker. Hardy hits some more clotheslines and tries for a suplex, but Anderson hits a Finlay roll. Hardy fights out of the Mic Check, but Anderson sends him into the ropes and connects with his finisher. Hardy kicks out of the pin attempt and hits some kicks followed by a front suplex. Hardy hits a Twist of Fate before the two battle on the top rope. Anderson tries for a Green Bay Plunge but Hardy avoids the impact, driving Anderson face first into the mat. Hardy hits a Swanton Bomb to Anderson’s back and gets the win. Good match, but there was room for improvement. Match Time: 14:00     Match Rating: 6.5/10

8.    Jeff Jarrett vs. Sting

This ended up not being much of a match. Sting and Jarrett are brawling backstage, with Jarrett getting busted open. Sting continues the assault, focusing on Jarrett’s shoulder, as officials try to get them to move to the ring. They enter the Impact Zone where Sting slams Jarrett into the barricade and beats him down with the bat and the ring steps, just destroying his shoulder. He tosses Jeff in the ring, then hits the Scorpion Death Drop just as the bell rings for the quick win. Jarrett was stretchered out but Sting attacks again, leading Hogan to come out. This belonged on Impact, but it wasn’t terrible. Match Time: 0:11     Match Rating: N/A

9.    TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Rob Van Dam(c) vs. AJ Styles

The heavily hyped match between RVD and AJ Styles ended up not being nearly as good as wrestling fans around the world had hoped for. This was a good main event, but TNA had hyped this thing up like it was going to set the world on fire. The match begins with a very lengthy 3 minute stare down with posing, interrupted by some kick attempts and a lock up. AJ interrupts an RVD pose but gets clotheslined to the outside. AJ pulls RVD to the outside where they fight near the ramp. RVD avoids an AJ moonsault from the ramp and hits one of his own. Both men roll back into the ring when Flair distracts the ref, leading to him getting ejected from ringside, only for him to hop on commentary, which was quite distracting. AJ argues with the ref before hitting RVD with a punch and rolling into the ring. Van Dam tries to follow but Styles knocks him back into the barricade before hitting a crazy somersault senton out of the ring that came off like a leg drop. Styles goes to work on RVD in the ring, hitting a slam and a knee drop. AJ hits a series of kicks to Van Dam and chokes him against the ropes, eventually breaking. Van Dam tries to fight back but AJ lands some punches and a dropkick. Styles puts on a rear chin lock but RVD gets to his feet. AJ tries sending him into the corner but RVD hits a single leg dropkick and both men are down. Van Dam hits some clotheslines and sends AJ into the corner with a big kick before hitting a monkey flip which got a ton of height. RVD tries for the Five Star but Styles avoids it. Styles hits a springboard clothesline and a Pele kick but gets a 2 count each time. RVD averts a corner splash from Styles and hits a Northern Lights suplex before Styles gets a small package for two. RVD crotches AJ on the ropes and hits a single leg dropkick for a near fall. Styles blocks rolling thunder with his knees and spins RVD out from a torture rack into a powerbomb. AJ hits a flying forearm for yet another near fall. RVD fights out of the Styles Clash before both guys clothesline each other. RVD tries for a couple of roll-ups but to no avail. AJ jumps off the second turnbuckle with a moonsault into an inverted DDT. RVD moves out of the way to avoid the springboard 450 splash. Flair runs onto the ramp but Jay Lethal is out to stop him. Both guys trade chops before Lethal hits a low blow and puts Flair in the Figure Four. Styles tries for a superplex back in the ring but RVD knocks him off and sends him throat first into the ropes. RVD hits the Five Star Frog Splash for the win to retain his title. The match was not nearly as exciting as this report may suggest. It was incredibly long and had several slow parts, feeling as long as it was. People expected something truly phenomenal and all they got in the end was a little step up from their Impact match. Match Time: 24:57     Match Rating: 7/10

Overall PPV Rating: 6.75/10

My name is Jared Silberkleit. I am from Orange, CT and am a huge fan of pro wrestling. I mostly follow WWE and TNA but I also watch the smaller promotions such as ROH and DGUSA. I have been a lifelong WWE fan and have become a TNA fan over the past few years. Aside from wrestling, I also really love baseball and football and follow many other sports such as hockey and MMA. I have written for www.sportsgrumblings.com for over a year now.

1.    Elimination Chamber for the WWE Championship: Sheamus(c) vs. John Cena vs. Triple H vs. Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase vs. Kofi Kingston

The show kicked off with a bang with the first of the two scheduled Elimination Chamber matches. This was a really strong opener, it was given time, and everyone was able to look really good in the match. Sheamus and Kingston started the match and both men went for kicks early on. Kofi connects with a cross body and a dropkick for near falls. Sheamus starts to take control with several strikes and a European uppercut. Kingston lands another kick but Sheamus responds with a big shoulder block. Sheamus tries to send Kofi over the top rope but Kofi lands on his feet and hits an enzuigiri followed up by a springboard cross body. Sheamus pounds away at Kofi and hits a uranage backbreaker before Triple H enters. Triple H goes right after Sheamus with punches and hits a high knee before connecting with a couple clotheslines. The fight moves to the steel floor where both men unsuccessfully try to send each other into the chain wall. Back in the ring, Kofi starts to make a comeback, hitting a flying cross body to Sheamus before connecting with punches in the corner. He then hits a slingshot Boom Drop over the top rope onto Triple H before Orton enters the match. Orton goes to work on everyone and pounds away at Sheamus. Orton then tosses Sheamus onto the steel where he rams him into the chain wall several times before doing the same to Triple H. Orton continues to pound away at the big men before Kofi hits a slingshot cross body. He tries for a springboard cross body but is met with a dropkick from Orton. Everyone unsuccessfully tries for their finishers and Orton backdrops Triple H and Kofi over the top rope. DiBiase is out next and forms and alliance with Orton. Legacy pounds away at Sheamus and Triple H before assaulting Kofi on the steel floor. Kofi’s head is slipped through a loose part of the chain wall while DiBiase applies a Boston Crab, choking Kofi against the chain. Cena enters last and immediately goes after Legacy, who were waiting at the opening of his pod. Cena hits his signatures back in the ring before hitting an Attitude Adjustment to DiBiase over the top rope onto the steel. Soon after, Cena has the STF on DiBiase but Orton breaks it up before hitting his backbreaker. Cody Rhodes comes down to ringside and tosses a steel pipe into the chamber, which is picked up by DiBiase. Cena has Orton in the AA position and DiBiase accidentally hits Orton with the pipe. Cena hits the AA to Orton but is then hit with the pipe. DiBiase covers Orton for the first elimination of the match. Ted stares down Orton as he exits but is quickly caught with the Trouble in Paradise from Kofi and is eliminated himself. Right after this, Sheamus hits a bicycle kick followed by a crucifix powerbomb to eliminate Kofi. Sheamus pounds away at Cena and has him set up for the crucifix powerbomb, but Triple H low blows Sheamus and then hits a Pedigree to eliminate the champ. Cena and Triple H sell their injuries for a bit before Cena suddenly puts the STF on Triple H. Triple H taps out just before reaching the ropes and Cena wins the title. Not the best Elimination Chamber match ever but still very good. Match Time: 30:24     Match Rating: 8/10

However, just as soon as the Chamber was raised Mr. McMahon comes down to ringside to inform Cena he will have to defend his title against Batista instantly.

2.    WWE Championship: John Cena(c) vs. Batista

Cena lands one punch but Batista responds quickly with a spear and Batista Bomb to win the championship. Good swerve that should lead to a pretty good title match between these two at Wrestlemania. Match Time: 0:33     Match Rating: N/A

3.    Intercontinental Championship: Drew McIntyre(c) vs. Kane

McIntyre debuted a new entrance theme that is even slower than his move set. This match was actually okay and told a decent story with McIntyre working Kane’s arm. Kane hits a few strikes early on and puts on a headlock that he holds for a while. McIntyre sidesteps Kane in the corner and lands some punches before Kane puts him down. McIntyre kicks at Kane’s knee and snaps his arm over the top rope. Kane lands a punch but McIntyre goes to work on the arm. Kane launches McIntyre over the top rope to break a wrist lock but McIntyre is at it with more holds. He puts on a chin lock and grabs Kane’s arm as well. Kane fights out before McIntyre attempts the double underhook DDT but Kane counters with a back body drop. He hits a big boot and running clothesline before McIntyre tries for a high risk move, but Kane hits another back body drop. Kane hits a diving clothesline but Mcintyre bails to the outside to escape the chokeslam. Kane slams McIntyre into the steps outside the ring before throwing him back into the ring. McIntyre tries to walk away up the ramp but Kane brings him back into the ring. Kane tries for the chokeslam but McIntyre hits a thumb to the eye before hitting the Future Shock DDT for the win. Okay title match but not awful. Match Time: 10:11     Match Rating: 5/10

4.    Maryse and Gail Kim vs. Michelle McCool and Layla

The scheduled Divas Championship match between Maryse and Kim was changed by Vickie Guerrero to a tag team match, pitting the rivals against Team Lay-Cool. Although Gail Kim worked the whole match this was very bad. Gail hits some arm drags to Layla and puts on an armbar, but Layla blocks a hip toss with a pin attempt. Maryse distracts the referee and McCool kicks Gail off the apron. McCool and Layla hit a double baseball slide but Kim kicks out of the pin attempt in the ring. McCool puts on a rear chin lock but Kim fights out and hits a bulldog. Kim tries to make a tag but Maryse pushes her in the face and McCool hits the Faith Breaker for the win. Weak Diva match. Match Time: 3:38     Match Rating: 2.5/10

After this William Regal came out for a promo to kill time. He talks about NXT and how everyone on the show and everyone in the arena could learn something from him. Edge hits the ring, calls Regal boring, and then announces he will be announcing who he will take on at Wrestlemania the next night on Raw. He then speared Regal to end the segment. Pointless.

5.    United States Championship: The Miz(c) vs. MVP

Just like at the Royal Rumble, this match was set up in a backstage segment. Both men came out to the ring with their respective tag team partners. MVP slaps Miz in the face before sending him into the corner to stomp at him. He hits a few knees and a belly to belly suplex before the fight leaves the ring. MVP slams him into the barricade but back in the ring Miz responds with an elbow and kicks MVP in the head. Miz fights out of a submission and hits a gutbuster before putting on a rear chin lock. MVP catches Miz with a small package for a near fall but Miz pounds away at MVP with stomps, kicks, and punches. Miz hits a big corner clothesline for a near fall before putting on a modified camel clutch. MVP hits an electric chair drop but Miz brings MVP to his knees and hits a DDT for a near fall. MVP fights out of the camel clutch again by backing Miz into the corner. Miz chokes MVP in the corner and hits a dropkick but MVP crotches him on the top rope. MVP tries for a superplex but Miz headbutts him to block it. MVP then hits a super belly to belly suplex and Miz looks to have busted his head open a little (Thankfully they waited until after the match to clean him up). MVP hits the Ballin’ elbow for a near fall. Big Show pulls Miz out of the ring and MVP hits a baseball slide to Big Show, who then gets into it with Mark Henry outside the ring, leading to Henry crashing through the barricade. Miz distracts the ref, Big Show lands the Knockout punch on MVP, and this one is over. Fun title match but a bit too long. Match Time: 13:02     Match Rating: 6/10

6.    Elimination Chamber for the World Heavyweight Championship: Undertaker(c) vs. Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk vs. John Morrison vs. R-Truth

Wow, talk about an early match of the year candidate. Simply amazing match. During his entrance, some kind of pyro accident happened and Undertaker was caught on fire, which is why he rushed to the ring so quickly. Thankfully he was not injured. Punk cuts a great promo pre-match before starting the Chamber with R-Truth. Both guys land some quick offense before R-Truth clotheslines Punk over the top rope onto the steel. R-Truth catapulted Punk into the chain wall, sent him into a pod, then hit a diving senton off the top turnbuckle to a standing Punk. Truth then repeatedly rammed Punk into the chain wall before the fight returned to the ring. R-Truth missed the axe kick but got out of the Go to Sleep. R-Truth missed a spinning forearm and Punk landed a roundhouse kick before hitting the GTS to eliminate R-Truth. Punk cut a quick heel promo before Mysterio entered the match. Mysterio hits a springboard senton and slingshot cross body for a near fall before going for the 619, but Punk hits a powerslam. Rey counters the GTS with a hurricanrana before Punk rolls to the outside. Rey tries for another hurricanrana but Punk holds on and slams Mysterio head first into the chain wall. Back in the ring Punk hits a running high knee in the corner and sends Mysterio head first into a pod in the corner of the ring. Punk tries for a superplex but Mysterio fights him off and climbs to the top of a pod. Both guys fight at the top and end up on the top turnbuckle. Rey hits a hurricanrana, sending Punk to the steel floor, then hits a springboard splash back in the ring and Punk is gone. Jericho enters next and tries for an early Lionsault, but Mysterio moves and hits a 619. Jericho rolls to the outside and Mysterio tries for a springboard senton, but Jericho moves and Rey catches himself on the wall. Jericho pulls Rey’s feet out, sending him crashing to the steel floor before whipping him into the chain wall. Jericho hits a slingshot splash into the ring for a near fall before the men trade strikes. Mysterio fights out of a chin lock and hits an Asai moonsault. Rey tries for a hurricanrana but then puts on a modified dragon sleeper, and Jericho reaches the ropes before putting on the Walls of Jericho. Morrison is out next and causes Jericho to break the hold. Morrison tosses Jericho to the outside and hits a big kick to Rey. Morrison later goes to the top turnbuckle but Rey slams him back first into one of the pods, breaking some of the glass. Morrison hits a standing shooting star press to Rey for a near fall. Jericho hits a tilt a whirl backbreaker to Rey but eats some kicks from the babyfaces. Rey tries for a Frankensteiner but Morrison holds on to the ropes, and then hits Starship Pain to eliminate Mysterio. Undertaker is the final man out as Jericho gets Morrison in the Walls of Jericho. Taker goes right to work on Jericho and tries to double chokeslam Jericho and Morrison, but the two fight out and hit a double suplex before sending Taker out of the ring. Jericho backdrops Morrison onto the outside and slaps Taker, but that only fires him up. Jericho tries to hide in a pod but is trapped and Taker beats him down. Taker and Morrison go at it in the ring, with Morrison hitting a springboard enzuigiri but Taker gets his knees up to block Starship Pain. Jericho retreats to the pod again as Taker and Morrison fight on the steel. Taker tries for a Last Ride but Jericho intercepts him and Morrison grabs onto the wall. Taker comes at Jericho but ends up crashing through a pod. Morrison jumps off the cage onto Jericho and then hits a shining wizard back in the ring for a near fall. Once Taker is up, he grabs Morrison by the throat and chokeslams from the ring to the steel floor, and then covers him in the ring for the elimination. Taker lands a few punches on Jericho but ends up hung up on the top rope when he charges him in the corner. Jericho hits a superplex and then lands some punches and kicks on the Deadman. Taker goes for a chokeslam but Jericho counters with a Walls of Jericho attempt. Taker tries to reverse it into Hell’s Gate but Jericho is able to put on the Walls. Taker almost locks in Hell’s Gate again but Jericho escapes out of the ring. Taker tries for a Tombstone, Jericho counters and hits a Codebreaker, but Taker kicks out. Jericho lands some punches in the corner but Taker hits the Last Ride. Taker gets to his feet and signals for the Tombstone, but Shawn Michaels appears through a panel on the floor, gets in the ring, and superkicks Undertaker. Jericho gets the cover for the win and Shawn just stares at Taker as the PPV goes off the air. Excellent main event, the second best Elimination Chamber ever. This likely sets up two big matches for Wrestlemania: Jericho vs. Edge for the World title and Undertaker vs. Shawn in a rematch from last year. Match Time: 35:38     Match Rating: 9.5/10

Overall PPV Rating: 8.25/10

My name is Jared Silberkleit. I am from Orange, CT and am a huge fan of pro wrestling. I mostly follow WWE and TNA but I also watch the smaller promotions such as ROH and DGUSA. I have been a lifelong WWE fan and have become a TNA fan over the past few years. Aside from wrestling, I also really love baseball and football and follow many other sports such as hockey and MMA. I have written for www.sportsgrumblings.com for roughly over a year now.

1.    ECW Championship: Christian(c) vs. Ezekiel Jackson

The show definitely started off well with the ECW Championship match, which overdelivered and ended up being way better than most people were expecting. Jackson hits a belly to belly slam early on before Christian is able to dropkick him off the ring apron and hit a diving lariat off the top rope to the outside. Back in the ring, Jackson regains control with a slam and sends Christian into the corner, but Christian counters a gorilla press slam attempt and stands on Jackson’s back, choking him against the ropes. Jackson sends Christian to the outside, and at this point the ref ejects William Regal from ringside for attempting to go near Christian. Jackson throws Christian in the steps and rolls him into the ring but a pin attempt fails. He then works over Christian’s back for a while by hitting a vertical suplex and a chokeslam. Jackson blocks a sunset flip attempt and hits a two handed chokeslam. Christian fights out of a camel clutch but Jackson hits a clothesline to the back of the head for a near fall. Christian fights out of a superplex attempt and hits a flying shoulder block before connecting with a missile dropkick. Jackson fights out of a Killswitch attempt, but Christian hits a big reverse DDT before missing a splash. Jackson counters the Killswitch with a backbreaker and Christian hits a big tornado DDT, but both moves are only good for near falls. Jackson has Christian in a powerslam position and slams him into the corners twice, but Christian hits a Killswitch out of nowhere for the victory. Very solid opener that was well-paced. Match Time: 12:01     Match Rating: 6/10

2.    United States Championship: The Miz(c) vs. MVP

A backstage segment with The Miz and Teddy Long set this match up. This was an entertaining yet short title match. MVP hits a lariat followed up with a suplex, but when he charges at Miz in the corner he eats a big boot. MVP hits a belly to back suplex before the action heads to the ringside area where Miz is slammed into the ring barricade. Miz knocks MVP into the announce table before stomping him and hitting a leg drop back in the ring. Miz hits a top rope double sledge for a near fall before taking MVP down with a chin lock. MVP fights out and hits the Ballin’ elbow, but Miz counters a Playmaker attempt. MVP hits a Yakuza kick and later a pounce but can’t keep Miz down. MVP counters the Skull-Crushing Finale before the men continuously go for roll-ups. Miz eventually gets a small package out of nowhere to retain his title. MVP beats up Miz post-match. Overall an enjoyable, albeit brief, title match. Match Time: 7:31     Match Rating: 5.5/10

3.    WWE Championship: Sheamus(c) vs. Randy Orton

This match basically ended up being what many internet smarks feared it would be: a dull, slow-paced, and boring match. This was a very lackluster and disappointing effort from these two. After a long stare down, Orton hits an early dropkick and uppercut before Sheamus begins to work over the arm. He slams Orton’s arm into the ring barricade outside the ring before continuing to work it over inside the ring. Orton hits a chop block and goes to work on Sheamus’s leg. Orton wrenches at the leg before Sheamus drives his shoulder into Orton in the corner. Orton kicks Sheamus in the leg and goes back to work, slamming the leg into the apron and ring post. Back in the ring, Sheamus fights back into it with a single arm DDT and a modified armbar, burying his knee into Orton’s left ear. The men trade punches before Sheamus hits a urange backbreaker for a near fall. Orton counters a powerbomb attempt and hits a spike DDT, but Sheamus dodges a punt attempt by rolling to the outside. A chase ensues, but Cody Rhodes jumps the guardrail and attacks Sheamus. Orton hits the RKO on Sheamus in the ring, but the ref calls for the bell and awards the win to Sheamus via DQ due to the interference. After the match Orton beats up Cody and also Ted DiBiase, who comes down to try and pull Orton off Rhodes. Sheamus connects with a bicycle kick and leaves before Legacy leaves Orton lying in the ring as well. Overall a very bland and plodding title match. Match Time: 12:26     Match Rating: 4/10

4.    Women’s Championship: Michelle McCool(c) vs. Mickie James

Michelle mocks Mickie for a bit and Layla comes out in the Piggy James suit, but Mickie comes out and lays out Layla. The bell rings and Michelle goes for a big boot, but misses and hits Layla on the apron. Mickie instantly connects with her jumping DDT and pins McCool to win the title. After the match the face Divas celebrated with Mickie and shoved a cake into Michelle and Layla’s faces. Not much of a match. Match Time: 0:22     Match Rating: N/A

5.    World Heavyweight Championship: Undertaker(c) vs. Rey Mysterio

This was easily the best singles match of the night, although it left you wanting more. Mysterio tries to use his quickness but Undertaker hurls him over the top rope. Taker beats down Rey for a bit but Rey counters the guillotine leg drop. Taker just knocks him down and hits the leg drop with Rey hung on the bottom rope. Rey counters a chokeslam with a hurricanrana, but Taker blocks the 619 and tries for a Tombstone. Rey fights out with several kicks but Taker hits a big boot as Rey went for a springboard cross body. The two fight outside the ring for a bit before Taker goes for a Last Ride, but Rey fights out and hits a springboard moonsault to the outside, causing Taker to bleed from the nose and mouth (the good news: no one came out to clean him up!). Taker slams Rey into the barricade before working his arm back in the ring. Taker hits a side slam for a near fall before Rey makes a comeback and hits a springboard leg drop. Rey fights out of another Last Ride attempt and hits a 619, a springboard dropkick, and another 619, but when he goes for a springboard seated senton, Undertaker catches him with a towering Last Ride followed up by a pinfall. A fun title match but I wish it was given more time. Match Time: 11:09     Match Rating: 6.5/10

6.    30-Man Royal Rumble match

The Rumble kicked off with Evan Bourne and Dolph Ziggler, who each were able to hit their finishers before Punk entered next and quickly disposed of both of them. Punk cuts a brief promo before quickly eliminating JTG, who entered 4^th. Punk gets back on the mic before The Great Khali enters the match next. Khali hits a chop and puts on the Vise Grip before Beth Phoenix, in a surprise, enters the match. Beth kisses Khali on the apron and drags him over the top rope, eliminating him. She then goes after Punk but is hit with the Go to Sleep. Punk eliminates Beth before Zack Ryder enters 7^th. Punk tells Ryder he has potential before tossing him out. Punk gets back to jawing on the mic before Triple H enters the match next. Triple H pounds on Punk in the corner and hits a spinebuster before Drew McIntyre enters. Triple H hits a high knee to McIntyre and tries for a Pedigree on Punk, but Punk fights out. Triple H blocks a Go to Sleep attempt and tosses Punk out of the ring, which I was upset about. Ted DiBiase is the next entrant and double teams Triple H with McIntyre. John Morrison enters 11^th and hits a DDT and a botched Starship Pain to McIntyre. Kane is the next man out and cleans house, side slamming DiBiase and hitting a double chokeslam to McIntyre and Morrison. He then chokeslams Triple H before Cody Rhodes enters the match.  Rhodes and DiBiase instantly go to work on Kane before Rhodes avoids being ousted by Triple H. MVP is the next man out but is jumped during his entrance by The Miz. Morrison hits a springboard kick to McIntyre and Legacy tries to eliminate Triple H, but Kane makes the save. Carlito is out next and hits back stabbers to Triple H, McIntyre, and DiBiase. The Miz then enters and hits Carlito with the Skull-Crushing Finale, but MVP hits the ring and tackles Miz over the top rope, sending both men to the floor. The two brawl before being separated by referees. Triple H goes after Carlito before Matt Hardy enters 17^th. Hardy gets some momentum but is quickly ousted by Kane. Triple H eliminates Kane and hits a couple spinebusters but fails to get the Pedigree on McIntyre. Shawn Michaels is next to enter the match and cleans house, quickly eliminating Rhodes, DiBiase, Carlito, and Morrison. Triple H and HBK double clothesline McIntyre over the top rope before John Cena enters the match. Cena hits a double shoulder block and Five Knuckle Shuffle to DX but eats a Pedigree from Triple H. Michaels then surprisingly hits Sweet Chin Music to send Triple H over the top rope for an elimination. Shelton Benjamin is out next and hits Paydirt on Michaels before Cena tosses him out. Yoshi Tatsu suffers a similar fate, getting quick momentum before being eliminated. Cena pounds on HBK in the corner before Big Show enters the match and starts to dominate both men. Mark Henry enters 23^rd and goes after Big Show. Henry hits a scoop slam on Big Show before Cena fails to hit the Attitude Adjustment on Henry. Chris Masters enters 24^th to a new theme but is launched over the top rope by Big Show. Henry and Show fight near the ropes before R-Truth enters and is able to eliminate both of them. R-Truth kicks Michaels a few times before Jack Swagger enters. Swagger powerslams R-Truth and goes at it with Michaels before Kofi Kingston enters 27^th. Kofi hits a body scisscors to Swagger over the top rope before tossing out R-Truth. Chris Jericho is out next and takes an AA from Cena. Kofi hits HBK with a Trouble in Paradise but is eliminated by Cena. Jericho hits a Codebreaker to Cena before the 29^th entrant hits the ring…..the returning Edge! Edge spears Michaels, Jericho, and Cena before throwing Jericho out. Batista is the last man out and starts dominating but eats a spear from Edge. Michaels fights with Edge on the ring apron, but knocks Edge back into the ring before Batista eliminates him. Cena dodges a Batista clothesline and sends him over the top rope, and we are down to Cena and Edge. Edge readies for a spear, Cena avoids it and tries to toss Edge out, but Edge counters and throws out Cena to win the Royal Rumble! A great moment with Edge returning, and the Rumble match was very fun and entertaining, although a bit short for a Rumble. Match Time: 49:23     Match Rating: 7.5/10

Overall PPV Rating: 6.75/10

My name is Jared Silberkleit. I am from Orange, CT and am a huge fan of pro wrestling. I mostly follow WWE and TNA but I also watch the smaller promotions such as ROH and DGUSA. I have been a lifelong WWE fan and have become a TNA fan over the past few years. Aside from wrestling, I also really love baseball and football and follow many other sports such as hockey and MMA. I have written for www.sportsgrumblings.com for roughly over a year now.

1.    TNA World Tag Team Championship: The British Invaison(c) vs. The Motor City Machineguns

This match definitely over delivered and ended up being much better than I was expecting. The crowd was hot for the Guns and firmly believed that there would be a title change. Shelley and Sabin take turns working over Doug Williams’ arm early on before doing simultaneous dives outside the ring onto their opponents. Williams puts Shelley in a modified Gory special position and brings him to the top rope, but Shelley counters a superplex attempt with a big cross body. Shelley fights out of a front face lock and hits a double knee backbreaker before Magnus is tagged in and begins wearing down Shelley. Sabin gets the hot tag and cleans house, but a Cradle Shock attempt on Williams fails and Magnus reenters the match. Soon after this, Sabin dives through the ropes and through Shelley’s legs onto Williams on the outside. Back in the ring, Shelley hits a superkick and Sliced Bread for a near fall. Magnus hits an exploder suplex and a modified Death Valley Driver before accidentally knocking his partner to the floor. Sabin gets the tag and hits an enzuigiri before him and Shelley hit simultaneous superkicks on Magnus for another near fall. Sabin briefly takes out Williams with a cutter while Shelley gets a near fall with a cross body on Magnus. The match comes to an end when the Brits hit a doomsday device uppercut/powerbomb combination on Sabin. Very fun and exciting tag team match. Match Time: 11:50     Match Rating: 7/10

2.    TNA Women’s Knockout Championship: ODB(c) vs. Tara

As a fan of both ODB and Tara, this match was very disappointing for me. It was a very generic and short Knockouts match with nothing big to write home about. Tara gets the action started early with a tarantula-like hold through the ropes followed by a slingshot leg drop. ODB takes control for a while after hitting a shoulderbreaker and several punches and kicks. ODB hits a fall away slam for a near fall before Tara goes for a roll up out of nowhere. After more punches and kicks are traded, Tara hits a snap suplex and a standing moonsault for a near fall, but ODB counters a Widow’s Peak attempt. The match then ends when Tara fights out of a TKO attempt and rolls up ODB to win the championship. A very bland Knockouts match that did not belong on PPV. Match Time: 5:42     Match Rating: 4/10

3.    Feast or Fired: Jay Lethal vs. Consequences Creed vs. Beer Money Inc. vs. Sheik Abdul Bashir vs. Eric Young vs. Kevin Nash vs. Rob Terry vs. Cody Deaner vs. Homicide vs. Kiyoshi vs. Samoa Joe

I was very surprised that this ended up being the worst match of the night. Feast or Fired was a fun match last year but here it was just a complete mess with not many notable or memorable moments at all. At the opening bell the ring clears and everyone just starts brawling on the outside. Bashir and Deaner both prevent each other from grabbing cases and go at it in the ring. They struggle over a case again and it falls to the floor. Both men fight over it and Bashir is able to wrestle it away from Deaner to get possession. The strange thing about this match was that for the first case the usual rule applied that you had to take the case out of the ring to the floor to officially possess it, but this rule did not apply when the other 3 cases were taken down. Anyway, during the confusion over Bashir and Deaner, Terry scales a turnbuckle to grab a case as well. World Elite then confronts Terry before Beer Money start to attack the faction and hit the DWI on Kiyoshi. Nash then grabs a case and just one remains. We got some good in ring action toward the end of the match as a lot of big moves were hit, including Joe hitting a uranage on Lethal and Homicide connecting with a gringo cutter on Lethal. Deaner goes for the final case but Joe hits a big roundhouse kick before snatching the final case to end the match. The contents of the cases were revealed shortly after the match ended, with Terry getting an X Division title shot, Nash getting a tag team title shot, Joe getting a world title shot, and Bashir getting fired. Terry should not be competing in the X Division, Nash challenging for the tag titles scares me (almost as much as when I heard Scott Hall may be returning to TNA, I’m sure we can all put two and two together here), and I’m sure that Bashir is not really fired. Joe getting the world title shot was a smart move as he was hugely over in this match. Overall this match was just a messy brawl consisting merely of punches, kicks, and people going for cases. Match Time: 9:20     Match Rating: 3.5/10

4.    Elimination Tag match: Rhino, Team 3D, and Jesse Neal vs. Matt Morgan, Hernandez, D’Angelo Dinero, and Suicide

Things did not really improve for this PPV with this 8 man tag match filled with bizarre rules and strange incidents throughout. Due to a pre-match stipulation, Hernandez had to start the first five minutes of the match alone before the rest of his team arrived. Rhino dominates Hernandez for a couple minutes and hits a Gore for a near fall, but when he goes for a second one, he hits the ring post and Hernandez rolls him up for a quick elimination. Team 3D and Neal then beat down Hernandez until the 5 minutes are up and the rest of the babyfaces arrive on the scene to clean house. Hernandez hits a suicide dive onto the 3 remaining heels before Suicide goes to work on Neal with a dropkick and a rolling fireman’s carry. Neal fights back into it with some strikes, but after Suicide takes the advantage yet again, Neal attacks him with a chair. Hernandez then grabs the chair and attacks Neal for some payback. It is then announced that Hernandez and Neal have both been disqualified. But if Neal’s chair shot came before Hernandez’s, and Neal was DQ’d, doesn’t that mean that Hernandez attacked someone who was not a legal participant in the match? Ugh. Team 3D hits the 3D on a dazed Suicide for another elimination, picking up the scraps from the confusing sequence. Dinero enters and hits Ray with some elbow strikes and a shoulder block for a 2 count. Dinero is then hit with the 3D out of nowhere and is eliminated, leaving Morgan alone. Morgan hits rapid fire elbows and tries to chokeslam Ray, but Devon hits a chop block. Team 3D then wears down Morgan before Morgan hits a Carbon Footprint on Devon to eliminate him. Ray and Morgan fight for a bit, with Ray countering the Hellevator with a big DDT. Ray brings the chair back into the ring, but Morgan big boots the chair into Ray’s face before pinning him to win the match. A very poor tag team match due to the confusion with the rules and the part with the chair that resulted in 2 strange disqualifications. Match Time: 16:34     Match Rating: 4/10

5.    Last Man Standing: Bobby Lashley vs. Scott Steiner

To the shock of pretty much everyone, the streak of poor matches ended with this bout between Bobby Lashley and Scott Steiner. They actually kept it short and made this match alright and somewhat enjoyable. Steiner follows a retreating Kristal up the entrance ramp before Lashley attacks him and the match begins. Steiner chokes Lashley with a cable before the match returns to the ring where Lashley hits a T-Bone suplex and tries to choke Steiner out with a dragon sleeper. Steiner gets up at 6 and the action once again returns to the ringside area where Lashley slams Steiner in to the guardrail and attacks him with a chair. Steiner regains control with some pipe shots that are good for 6 and 7 counts. They come back to the ring where Steiner hits a jawbreaker and a top rope belly to belly suplex. Lashley hits a belly to belly of his own as well as a running powerslam. Steiner gets up at 9 and low blows Lashley before hitting a nice Frankensteiner for a 9 count. Steiner goes for the pipe again, but Kristal grabs it from him and Lashley hits a big spear. Kristal tosses Bobby the pipe and Lashley hits Steiner over the head with it before getting the 10 count to win the match. This match was fairly short for a last man standing match but it was decent. Match Time: 9:16     Match Rating: 5/10

6.    Foley’s Funhouse Rules: Raven and Dr. Stevie vs. Abyss and Mick Foley

Foley changes the match to a Foley’s Funhouse Rules match, which basically means it’s hardcore and weapons are legal. This was definitely for the better and the gimmick made the match fun instead of just being a boring tag match. All four guys go at it early on, with Raven and Foley brawling to the back and leaving Abyss and Stevie alone. Abyss slams Stevie into the platform underneath the announce table before pulling out a table. Abyss teases a powerbomb off the stage, but Raven returns and breaks a kendo stick over Abyss’s back. The heels then beat down Abyss and bring the match back to the ring, but Foley reenters the match with a shopping cart full of weapons that he rams into Raven. Foley hits Raven and Stevie with a barbed wire bat before hitting Raven with a piledriver and Stevie with a double arm DDT. Abyss hits a Shock Treatment backbreaker on Stevie, and simultaneously lands a leg drop on Raven. Abyss and Foley both go for Mandible Claws, but Raven throws powder in Foley’s eyes. Foley and Stevie fight up the ramp, which culminates in Foley wrapping barbed wire around Stevie and putting him on the previously set up table before doing a diving elbow drop off the stage through the table. Back in the ring, Raven hits Abyss with an even flow DDT for a near fall before Daffney gets involved and hits Abyss with a chair. Abyss then counters a DDT attempt from Raven with a Black Hole Slam and this one is over. Entertaining hardcore match. Match Time: 9:35     Match Rating: 6/10

7.    Three Degrees of Pain: Kurt Angle vs. Desmond Wolfe

Things really kicked into high gear with this Turning Point rematch. The rules for this match were that it was a 2 out of 3 falls match where the first fall was by pinfall, the second by submission, and the third being escape from a steel cage. The cage was down for the whole match, but it could not be legally used as a weapon until the third fall. Wolfe and Angle start the match by going at each other with a lot of submission holds. Wolfe hits a snapmare and an uppercut, but misses a knee drop which allows Angle to begin working over the knee, which he attacked throughout the match. Wolfe hits a couple headlock takedowns before Angle fights back with a hip toss and a suplex. Wolfe regains the advantage with a front facelock but Angle fights out of it and hits a belly to belly suplex and a lariat. Wolfe counters the Angle Slam with a hammer lock before hitting the Tower of London for a near fall. Angle later hits the Angle Slam but misses a moonsault. Wolfe then hits a huge lariat before hitting a second Tower of London which is good enough to put Angle down for 3 and Wolfe wins the first fall. The second fall then begins which featured possibly the most intense mat wrestling I have seen in mainstream wrestling this year. Angle continues to work over the ankle of Wolfe by utilizing a figure four, but Wolfe makes it to the ropes for a break. Wolfe then puts on a modified gogoplata and a wrist lock to work over Angle’s arm. Angle fights out of a second modified gogoplata and counters into an Ankle Lock, but Wolfe counters that into a figure four hold around Angle’s arm. Angle puts on a second Ankle Lock, but Wolfe counters it with one of his own. Angle then counters with a modified triangle choke, but Wolfe counters with the modified gogoplata yet again. Angle counters that into another Ankle Lock, and after struggling for quite some time Wolfe finally taps out. The third fall begins with the score tied at 1-1 and the cage can now legally be used as a weapon. Angle tries to scale the cage, but Wolfe follows him up there and slams Angle’s injured left arm into the cage numerous times before hitting a superplex. Wolfe tries to climb the cage but can’t due to the injured ankle, which allows Angle time to recover and slam Wolfe’s ankle into the cage several times before hitting a German suplex. Angle slams Wolfe face first into the cage before hitting a big lariat and Wolfe is busted open badly, bleeding all over the place. Angle tries for a frog splash and Wolfe gets his knees up, but Angle’s injured arm and Wolfe’s injured leg collided and both men are down. Angle tries to get out of the cage through the door but Wolfe slams the door into Angle’s head repeatedly. Wolfe tries to crawl out, but Angle pulls him back and puts on an Ankle Lock for a very long time. Angle then tries to climb out of the cage over the top, but Wolfe recovers and tries to get out through the door. Angle drops to the floor just before Wolfe is able to crawl out and Angle wins the third fall and the match overall. This is a bonafide match of the year candidate. Match Time: 26:17     Match Rating: 9/10

8.    TNA World Heavyweight Championship: AJ Styles(c) vs. Daniels

I was very happy when I looked at the clock and saw that there was plenty of time left for Styles and Daniels to have a good, long match together. The match most certainly did not disappoint and ended up being great. The match begins with both men going for quick takedowns repeatedly until Daniels takes control by working the arm with an armbar. Styles fights back into with a headscissors and a rear chin lock before Daniels goes back to work on the arm. Styles hits a series of kicks and another headscissors, which is followed by a snap suplex. Daniels bails to the floor and AJ responds with a crazy somersault senton over the top rope onto Daniels. The two then brawl in the ringside area where Daniels takes out a couple chairs from the crowd. While the ref is removing one chair, Daniels hits a uranage to Styles through the other chair which was previously standing up. Daniels takes Styles back to the ring where an attempted pinfall fails. Daniels hits a back suplex onto the top turnbuckle for another near fall before continuing to work over AJ’s back with a body slam, kicks, and a split-legged moonsault. He then puts on a rear chin lock but AJ makes it to the ropes. Daniels tries for a Lionsault but lands on his feet before Styles hits a hammerlock back suplex out of nowhere. Styles then counters a hurricanrana with a powerbomb before pounding on Daniels for a bit. Styles hits a springboard backflip into an inverted DDT but only gets a 2 count. Daniels hits a hurricanrana and a shining wizard but can’t keep AJ down. Styles hits a springboard clothesline and then hits a Pele before hitting the Styles Clash, but Daniels kicks out. Daniels puts AJ down and hits a BME for another two count. Both men are then fighting at the top turnbuckle, and Daniels tries for a Frankensteiner, but Styles counters and hits a Styles Clash from the second rope to win the match and retain his title. A fitting end to an excellent main event. Match Time: 21:06     Match Rating: 8.5/10

Overall PPV Rating: 8/10

My name is Jared Silberkleit. I am from Orange, CT and am a huge fan of pro wrestling. I mostly follow WWE and TNA but I also watch the smaller promotions such as ROH and DGUSA. I have been a lifelong WWE fan and have become a TNA fan over the past few years. Aside from wrestling, I also really love baseball and football and follow many other sports such as hockey and MMA. I have written forwww.sportsgrumblings.com roughly a year now as well.