• Christian vs. Sheamus

After Christian’s entrance, The Miz and R-Truth are spotted in the crowd with tickets and are confronted by security and John Laurinaitis. This would start an angle with them throughout the PPV. Sheamus then came out and we had our opener, which was pretty solid. Sheamus controls Christian early with a headlock before Christian slaps him. Both guys try hip tosses and Sheamus hits a clothesline before chasing Christian on the floor. Christian drop toeholds Sheamus into the ropes and slingshots to the outside, but Sheamus blocks a slap and hits the clubbing blows to the chest in the ropes. Sheamus heads up top, but Christian shoves him off to the floor. Christian hits some punches back in the ring and chokes Sheamus against the top rope. Christian hits some more punches and a diving uppercut off the second rope. He tries a sleeper but Sheamus drives him into the mat. Sheamus hits a scoop slam but misses an elbow drop and Christian chokes him with his boot. Sheamus hits some shots but Christian hits a knee to the gut and a missile dropkick.

Sheamus hits some shots to the back, a knee drop, and some clotheslines followed by a scoop slam for 2. Christian escapes a slam, fails at a Killswitch attempt, and heads up top, but Sheamus catches him with an Irish curse backbreaker for 2. Both guys head up top, but Christian knocks Sheamus off and hits the rope-assisted Pele kick followed by a tornado DDT out of the corner for 2. Sheamus blocks the Killswitch and hits a corner clothesline followed by a knee to the head. Sheamus hits a big shoulder block off the top but Christian takes out his legs on the apron. Sheamus flings Christian out to the floor to block a baseball slide attempt, but Christian spears him on the floor and again in the ring for a near fall. Christian misses a top rope splash before both guys counter each other’s finishers. Christian backflips out of a back suplex attempt, but Sheamus avoids a charge from Christian in the corner. Sheamus then hits the Brogue kick for the win. Good match to open the show, felt a little stretched out though and Christian really needed the win. However, Sheamus winning wasn’t a surprise since normal-sized heels never win clean in WWE. Match Time: 13:41     Star Rating: ***

• Sin Cara vs. Sin Cara

For those who didn’t know, Mistico was the one in the blue attire and Hunico (Incognito) was the one in black. We’ll just call them Blue and Black for this recap. This was a good match but the crowd was completely unresponsive, likely due to unfamiliarity with lucha style matches. They lock up and Black goes for the leg early before attempting a surfboard-style submission, which Blue escapes. Black shoves Blue down, but Blue hits an arm drag. Black holds the wrists, but Blue does a backflip followed by a moonsault attempt from Black. Both men hit hurricanranas before Black hits a kick to the gut, only for Blue to hit a springboard head scissors. Blue arm drags Black to the floor before hitting a tope con hilo. Blue hits a kick from the apron but misses an asai moonsault. Black hits a springboard senton for 2 and applies a chin lock. Blue tries a handspring, but Black dropkicks him for 2, hits a chop, and sends Blue to the floor. Black does a huge plancha over the ropes to the floor and covers in the ring for 2. Black applies a chin lock before both men attempt cross bodies at the same time and collide. Blue hits some kicks, a handspring, and a headscissors followed by a big cross body off the top to the floor. Black hits a powerbomb for 2 back in the ring and heads up top, but Blue meets him there and hits an arm drag off the top. Blue hits an enzuigiri from the apron but misses a senton bomb off the top. Blue then hits a modified sunset flip bomb for the win. Though the crowd was totally dead, this was a really good lucha match. You can’t totally fault these guys for the pace they went at because this is the type of match they’ve been taught to have in Mexico. Had this taken place in AAA the crowd would have been going ballistic. Match Time: 9:47     Star Rating: ***

• WWE Tag Team Championship match: Air Boom(c) vs. Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger

Another pretty decent match, though this felt like an extended Raw match at times. Kofi Kingston applies a headlock early on before Swagger hits a shoulder block, but Kofi hits a facebuster and holds up Swagger for Evan Bourne to hit a double stomp off the top. Ziggler and Kofi get tags, and Kofi leaps off Bourne’s back with a shot in the corner. Swagger hits Bourne with some shoulder strikes in the corner before Ziggler comes in with some stomps and an elbow drop for a near fall. Kofi gets a hot tag but Swagger cheap shots him on the floor and Ziggler slams his head on the apron before applying a chin lock. Ziggler hits some more stomps and a dropkick, and Swagger comes in and controls Kofi with a reverse headlock. Bourne gets knocked off the apron and Ziggler gets some shots in on Kofi while the referee holds back Bourne. Swagger hits a side suplex followed by a Ziggler elbow drop for 2. Kofi hits a DDT and both guys get tags. Bourne hits a hurricanrana followed by the diving double knees for 2, then blocks a Famouser attempt from Ziggler and hits a standing shooting star press. Swagger then puts Bourne in the ankle lock, but Kofi breaks it up with a big cross body off the top. Bourne gets a small package for 2, and Ziggler hits a clothesline before tagging in Swagger. Swagger tries a superbomb off the top, but Bourne counters with a Frankensteiner off the top for the win. Heat segment dragged on a little but the match really got going by the finish, which came off nice. Nothing too special but pretty good. Match Time: 11:13     Star Rating: **3/4

• Hell in a Cell match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Mark Henry(c) vs. Randy Orton

Interesting seeing this go on fourth, as typically WWE really likes to space out the HIAC matches on this PPV. This was another pretty good match, and probably Mark Henry’s best match ever. Orton is all over Henry with punches at the start before they move to the outside, where Orton is able to send Henry into the cage. Orton stomps Henry in the ring and hits a knee drop, but Henry blocks the spike DDT and slams Orton’s head in the corner. Henry stretches Orton’s arm across the ring post, but Orton kicks Henry’s arm and leaps off the apron, only for Henry to catch him and drive him back first into the cage. Orton hits some shots, but Henry powerslams him in the ring for 2. They go back to the outside, where they trade shots before Henry hits a powerslam on the floor. Henry slams Orton’s head against the cage, picks up the steel steps, and hurls them at Orton, but Orton moves out of the way. Henry lawn darts Orton into the cage and presses his face against it.

Back in the ring, Henry hits a corner clothesline and a splash for 2 followed by a backbreaker. Henry applies a bear hug, stands on Orton against the ropes, and puts him in the bear hug again. Orton fights out with punches but Henry tosses him to the floor. He teases the World’s Strongest Slam on the steps, but Orton grabs onto the cage and kicks Henry. Orton drives Henry into the steps and the ring post before hitting a Thesz press in the ring followed by a dropkick, the spike DDT, and an RKO for 2. Orton sets up for the punt, but Henry catches him as he charges and hits the WSS for the win. After the match, Henry wraps a chair around Orton’s leg and tries to hit a splash on hit, but Orton avoids it and attacks Henry with the chair in the ring and up the entrance ramp. Henry eventually low blows Orton and bails. The match was solid but the post match was irritating, as both guys are merely continuing the feud and the HIAC solved nothing. Not a great HIAC but they used the cage, told a story, and had some bright spots. Match Time: 15:59     Star Rating: **3/4

Cody Rhodes then comes out in a suit for a promo a in a filler segment to kill time. He heels on the crowd before unveiling the classic Intercontinental title belt, which apparently will be replacing the current one. John Laurinaitis comes out and says Triple H has ordered Rhodes to defend the Intercontinental title right now. John Morrison then comes out and we have our impromptu match.

• Intercontinental Championship match: Cody Rhodes(c) vs. John Morrison

Yep, Rhodes is still in the suit for those who were wondering. Morrison tries a quick roll up before applying a headlock. Rhodes misses a clothesline and a dropkick and Morrison goes back to the headlock. Rhodes goes outside to take off his shirt and tries to walk away shortly after, but Morrison brings him back toward the ring. Rhodes then tries to get counted out by staying on the floor, but Morrison kicks him in the back and brings him into the ring. Rhodes hits a front suplex and a knee to the gut before applying a submission. Rhodes kicks a rope hung Morrison in the gut, but Morrison counters an Alabama slam attempt with a roll up. Rhodes applies a Figure Four, but Morrison gets the ropes. Rhodes hits some punches, a knee drop, and a headlock with a quick punch to the head. Morrison drives Rhodes into the corner and hits some punches and a dropkick followed by a Flux Capacitor for 2. Morrison hits a Pele but misses the Flash Kick and Rhodes rolls him up for the win. Total Raw match hampered by the fact that Rhodes wrestled in suit pants and Gucci shoes. Due to the way it was set up, whoever lost this thing was going to come off looking bad. Nothing to see here. Match Time: 7:23     Star Rating: *3/4

• Divas Championship match: Kelly Kelly(c) vs. Beth Phoenix

For the third straight PPV Kelly and Beth squared off against each other. Eve and Natalya are once again at ringside. Kelly hits some punches at the start followed by a Thesz press and more punches. Kelly kicks Beth from the corner and hits a diving clothesline off the top, but Beth counters a head scissors attempt with a backbreaker and hits an elbow drop. Kelly is hung up in the tree of woe and Beth hits a baseball slide before applying a modified dragon sleeper. Beth throws Kelly down by her head and spanks her before hitting a backbreaker and stretching Kelly’s back over her knee. Kelly gets a quick cover for 2 but Beth hits a rope-assisted suplex. Beth chokes Kelly against the ropes, but Kelly hits a neckbreaker before both go for roll ups. Kelly flips out of a Glam Slam attempt, but Beth drives her into the corner. Beth charges in the corner but misses, and Kelly hits a handspring elbow and a bulldog off the top for a near fall. Eve and Natalya brawl on the floor and Beth puts Kelly in a unique double leg submission. Natalya taunts Kelly on the mic as she struggles. Kelly gets the ropes, and Natalya hits Kelly with the mic while the ref is busy holding Beth back. Beth then hits the Glam Slam for the win. Good to see Beth finally win the Divas title but the match really dragged and suffered from some sloppy spots and a lack of crowd heat. It was going along fine at first but they just went too long here. Match Time: 8:28     Star Rating: *1/2

• Triple Threat Hell in a Cell match for the WWE Championship: John Cena(c) vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. CM Punk

This was easily the best match on the show, and was really good outside of the anticlimactic finish. The three men play a bit of cat and mouse early on, keeping their distance from each other and moving in and out of the ring until Cena and Punk both go after Del Rio and take turns wailing on him in the corner. Eventually Cena and Punk have a standoff and tease their finisher before Cena winds up on the outside. Del Rio ends up on Cena’s shoulders on the floor and Punk does a suicide dive that sends both men into the cage. Punk hits a neckbreaker to Del Rio back in the ring and grabs a chair, but Del Rio shoves Punk off the steel steps and into the side of the cage. Del Rio hits a backbreaker to Cena before getting another chair and wedging it in the corner. Cena hits his shoulder blocks and the side suplex followed by the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Del Rio escapes the Attitude Adjustment, only for Punk to hit him with a roundhouse kick before hitting an STO to both men at the same time. Punk sets up a table on the outside and runs along the apron to hit the high knee to Cena but Cena blocks the bulldog attempt and shoves Punk off the apron into the cage wall. Del Rio hits Cena with a chair, sets it on its legs, and hits a backbreaker to Cena on the chair. Del Rio puts Cena in the tree of woe, but misses with a charge and hits the ring post. Cena then stands on the top rope, but Punk shakes it and Cena ends up crotched. Punk hits a Russian leg sweep to Del Rio for 2, but Del Rio comes back with a clothesline before catching Punk in a chin lock. Cena then breaks up the hold with a flying leg drop onto both men.

Punk hits a big kick to the Del Rio before him and Cena collide. Punk and Cena trade shots before Del Rio breaks up a Go to Sleep attempt from Punk and hits both men with a chair. Del Rio stacks both men on top of each other with the chair between them, and comes off the top rope with a diving senton onto the pile. Del Rio gets near falls on both men and tries for the cross armbreaker, but is sent to the floor. Cena hits a sudden AA to Punk, but Del Rio breaks up the cover and hits an enzuigiri to Cena. Del Rio tries for the cross armbreaker on Cena, but Punk breaks it up with a slingshot senton over the ropes. Punk hits Cena with the GTS, but Del Rio pulls him out of the ring and sends him into the cage, and then the ring steps before throwing a chair at him. Cena catches Del Rio with an inside cradle for 2, but Del Rio brings Cena to the outside and throws him into the cage before hitting him in the leg with a chair. Punk hits Del Rio with some clotheslines, a scoop slam, and the Savage elbow drop back in the ring. Cena hits Punk with the shoulder blocks and the side suplex, but Punk kicks Cena in the head when he goes for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Punk heads up top but Del Rio shoves him off and Punk falls through the table on the floor.

Cena puts Del Rio in the STF, but Ricardo Rodriguez knocks out a referee on the outside, gets the key, unlocks the door, and enters the Cell with a steel pipe. Cena then gives Ricardo an AA onto the floor outside the Cell, but Del Rio hits Cena with the pipe, knocks him outside the cage, gets the key, slams the door shut, and locks Cena out. Del Rio hits a German suplex to Punk for 2, but Punk blocks a second attempt with a roll up attempt. Punk heads up top, but Del Rio hits a big enzuigiri for 2. Punk blocks the cross armbreaker and hits some kicks, a dropkick, the high knee/bulldog combo, and a springboard flying forearm for 2. Cena tries to get in but can’t open the door. Del Rio hits Punk with the pipe and Punk goes for the GTS, but Del Rio hits a couple more shots with the pipe for the win. Frustrating finish for various reasons. They hot shotted the title once again, which proves that the company literally will do just ANYTHING to make sure that Cena never loses cleanly, even though it would have made far more sense to have Del Rio retain at Night of Champions and at this PPV rather than doing a title switch for the fourth PPV in a row. And since Del Rio was going over here, they just had to give Cena an “out” for losing and an excuse to rematch these guys at the next PPV, where Cena will probably win the title yet again. The finish just felt really flat after such a competitive and action packed match. This was really good stuff despite the fact that the cage was only used sparingly. It doesn’t hold up to the classic Hell in a Cells as it felt more like a traditional 3-way at times, but this was still a worthy main event. Match Time: 24:11     Star Rating: ***3/4

After the match, two men in black hoodies got in the cage and started attacking Cena. They quickly revealed themselves as Miz and R-Truth, and they were wreaking havoc in the Cell, attacking everyone including the referee and even some cameramen. Triple H, Laurinaitis, security, and the whole locker room poured out to try and get the cage open, and the idea was that Del Rio had the key and was still inside the cage, so they had no way in. JR was selling this beautifully on commentary. Eventually they got bolt cutters to break the chain and open the door, at which point police officers ran into the cage to arrest Miz and Truth. Once they got outside the cage, Triple H started beating up both of them as guys tried to hold him back, and Triple H decked Laurinaitis as he was being held back. Very good angle to close the show, this and the main event itself were the clear highlights of an otherwise dismal show.

Overall PPV Rating: 6.5/10

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 three years.

Tweet

• WWE Tag Team Championship match: Air Boom(c) vs. The Miz and R-Truth

This was a good choice as the opener, and was for the most part pretty well worked. Kofi Kingston starts the match with Miz, and they lock up before breaking in the corner. Kofi gets a 2 count off a big right hand, and then holds Miz for Evan Bourne to hit a diving double stomp off the top. Kofi scores a near fall on Miz before hip tossing Truth. Kofi and Bourne hit a double dropkick to Miz and head up top to hit stereo dives onto the heels on the outside. Truth takes advantage after Miz cheap shots Bourne, hitting some punches and choking Bourne against the ropes. Miz tags in and scores a near fall before applying a chin lock. Bourne gets up but Miz sidesteps a dropkick attempt and hits a double shoulder block with Truth. Miz hits some punches, but Bourne fights back with some kicks and counters the Skull-Crushing Finale by tossing Miz to the floor. Kofi gets a hot tag and hits a series of shots followed by the Boom Drop, but Truth hits a cheap shot as Kofi readies for the Trouble in Paradise. Kofi hits the SOS to Miz for a near fall, and Truth snaps Kofi’s neck over the ropes, allowing Miz to hit his modified DDT for 2. After seemingly not tagging in, Bourne hits the diving knees off the top but misses the shooting star press. Miz hits a DDT and Kofi breaks up the pin. Miz tags in Truth, but the ref doesn’t see the tag and is busy holding back Truth while Miz goes for a pin after hitting the SCF. Miz yells at the ref about it and eventually shoves him down, causing a DQ. The finish made sense with the “conspiracy” storyline with Miz and Truth, but it’s just not a good idea to book DQs in PPV openers. The match was going along nicely but the finish takes it down a peg. Match Time: 9:56     Star Rating: **3/4

• Intercontinental Championship match: Cody Rhodes(c) vs. Ted DiBiase

This was decent, but nothing more, pretty much a Smackdown quality match. Ted applies a chinlock early and hits a boot to the face before going after Cody’s mask. Cody then takes advantage and hangs up Ted in the ropes where he kicks him in the gut. Cody slaps him in the face, and Ted tackles Cody and punches away at him. Cody backflips out of a suplex attempt and hits the beautiful disaster kick for 2. Cody hits a front suplex and applies a camel clutch, which he transitions into an arm submission. Ted fights out, but Cody comes back with punches and stomps him against the ropes. Ted avoids a charging Cody in the corner and hits a backbreaker, but misses a dropkick. Cody hits a boot to the head and applies an abdominal stretch before sliding down and sneaking in a shot to the head. Ted fires back and hits an atomic drop followed by a flying knee and a sitout spinebuster for 2. Cody goes for the beautiful disaster again, but Ted dropkicks him in mid-air. Ted sets Cody up on the top rope, but Cody rakes the eyes. Ted tosses Cody to the mat and then rips the mask off. Ted celebrates and goes to hit Cody with the mask, but Cody rolls up Ted and hooks the tights for the win. Crowd wasn’t into this and the finish made Ted look completely stupid. Just an alright match, nothing special about it. Match Time: 9:49     Star Rating: **1/2

Christian then comes out for a promo. He dissed Buffalo and talked about how he deserved one more shot at the world title. He got the crowd to chant “one more match” until Sheamus came out. Sheamus dissed Christian but offered to help him get another shot at the title as long as Christian’s first title defense is against him. Christian accepts and Sheamus starts up the “one more match” chants again before hitting Christian with the Brogue Kick. Total filler segment designed to kill time.

• Fatal Four Way match for the United States Championship: Dolph Ziggler(c) vs. John Morrison vs. Alex Riley vs. Jack Swagger

This was a lot of fun, and also easily the best-booked match of the evening. Riley squares off with Ziggler and Morrison with Swagger to start. Riley hits a neckbreaker but Swagger hits him with a shoulder block and some punches. Riley hits an STO but Ziggler sends him off the apron into the steel steps. Morrison rolls up Swagger for a near fall, and then hits a dropkick to Ziggler into a cover on Swagger. Swagger hip tosses Morrison to the floor and hits Ziggler with a clothesline and a big boot. Riley hits Swagger with a TKO but Vickie puts Swagger’s foot on the ropes during the pin attempt. Morrison hits the Flash Kick to Ziggler, but Ziggler comes back with a Famouser for 2. Morrison hits an uppercut and both guys head up top. Ziggler blocks a superplex attempt and hangs up Morrison in the tree of woe. Riley then goes up top in the corner, but Morrison springs up and hits a German superplex to Riley off the top. Swagger then leaps up top and hits a super belly to belly suplex to Ziggler. Morrison hits some clotheslines and a dropkick followed by a tornado DDT to Swagger. Morrison hits a Flux Capacitor to Riley for 2, but Riley blocks a Starship Pain attempt. Ziggler then catches Riley in the sleeper just as Swagger puts Morrison in the Ankle Lock. The faces escape the holds and Riley hits a lifting DDT to Swagger. Swagger puts Riley in the Ankle Lock and ducks a Flash Kick from Morrison before giving him the gutwrench powerbomb. Ziggler then shoves Swagger aside and covers Morrison for the win. Energetic and fast-paced match that told a nice story with Swagger and Ziggler. Had some great spots as well. Match Time: 8:20     Star Rating: ***1/4

• World Heavyweight Championship match: Randy Orton(c) vs. Mark Henry

Considering Henry’s usual work rate and limitations, this was better than usual from him. They lock up at the start but Henry quickly tosses Orton into the corner. Orton fires away with punches and kicks at the knee before hitting a boot to the head and stomping Henry. Orton sends a charging Henry to the floor, where Henry rips the cover off the Spanish announce table. Henry lifts up Orton back in the ring, but Orton escapes and tries for the RKO, only for Henry to toss him off and big boot him. Henry charges into Orton in the corner and tries for the World’s Strongest Slam, but Orton escapes and applies a sleeper. Henry backs Orton into the corner to force a break and hits a huge right hand that sends Orton off the top to the floor. Henry drives Orton into the apron on the outside before hitting a head butt back in the ring and stretching Orton’s back across the ring post. Henry stands on Orton’s back against the ropes, and then hits a scoop slam and a running splash for 2. Henry hits a shoulder thrust and an elbow drop for 2 followed by a kick to the chest and a knee lift, but misses a splash after Orton hits some kicks and punches. Orton hits some mounted punches and more shots in the corner, and then hits a dropkick after some clothesline attempts fail. Henry hits a head butt, a clothesline, and the WSS for 2. Orton blocks a Vader Bomb attempt and hits a low DDT followed by a spike DDT, but Henry grabs the ropes to break the pin attempt. Henry kicks at Orton and Orton tries for the RKO, but Henry shoves him off and hits the WSS for the win. After the match Henry sold the win big in a post match interview with Josh Matthews. Match had solid storytelling to carry it through the slow pacing. Henry as champion is going to be tough to stomach after the high quality world title matches between Christian and Orton, but it was built up well and Henry’s matches aren’t quite as bad as they used to be. This was decent but not really PPV quality. Match Time: 13:10     Star Rating: **3/4

• Divas Championship match: Kelly Kelly(c) vs. Beth Phoenix

Although their SummerSlam match was fairly decent, this rematch was just used as a buffer before the double main event. Early on Kelly hits a hurricanrana off the top and applies a headscissor submission in the ropes, but Beth takes the advantage afterwards and catapults Kelly into the bottom rope. Eve attacks Natalya on the outside but Beth takes out Eve. Kelly gets a small package and a schoolboy for a pair of near falls. Kelly hits a kick, but Beth flips her and slams her down before setting her up top for a superplex. Didn’t look pretty and Kelly almost hurt her legs. Beth lifts Kelly up for a powerbomb but Kelly counters with a roll-up for the win. Bad decision here as Beth absolutely should have won, plus they did nearly the exact same finish as the match last month. Very typical Divas match, which is a little disappointing considering Beth’s skill. Match Time: 6:30     Star Rating: *1/2

• WWE Championship match: Alberto Del Rio(c) vs. John Cena

This was probably the best match on the show, though it wasn’t great or anything. Cena applies a headlock early on, but Del Rio escapes and bails to the apron. Cena fires back with some shots and a bulldog before the ref ejects Ricardo Rodriguez from ringside. Cena misses a charge into the corner and Del Rio kicks Cena before shoving him into the Spanish announce table on the outside. Del Rio hits a diving right hand off the top and applies a chin lock. Cena fights out and hits a gutwrench suplex for a near fall and a snap suplex. Del Rio hits his falling knee armbreaker and a big boot for a near fall. Del Rio stomps Cena’s arm and applies a chin lock, but Cena fights up and hits a belly to belly slam before both guys clothesline each other. Del Rio hits a lariat but misses a leaping body guillotine, and Cena hits a suplex followed by the shoulder blocks, side slam and the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Del Rio escapes the Attitude Adjustment and hits a back stabber, but Cena avoids the cross arm-breaker and hits a dropkick. Cena heads up top, but Del Rio hits an enzuigiri and Cena falls back into the ring. Del Rio hits a tilt a whirl backbreaker followed by some kicks in the corner before hanging up Cena in the tree of woe. Del Rio misses a headfirst dive and Cena hits the diving Famouser off the top for 2. Del Rio hits a German suplex and a diving senton off the top for 2 counts before applying the cross arm-breaker. Cena breaks the hold by lifting up Del Rio and slamming him down to the mat. Cena hits the AA and Ricardo runs back down to the ring. Cena uses the distraction to apply the STF, and Del Rio struggles for a while before finally tapping out. Terrible, terrible decision to take the belt off of Del Rio. Cena says flat out on Raw that Del Rio was not on his level, and then he makes him submit at the PPV. This is why the WWE has such a hard time making new stars and why it’s hard for guys to get over in front of this audience. The match itself was good but tainted by the bad booking. Nice sequences but nothing near the quality of the Punk/Cena matches. Match Time: 17:32     Star Rating: ***1/4

• No Disqualification match: CM Punk vs. Triple H

The stipulation was that if Triple H lost, he had to resign as COO of the WWE. This was extremely disappointing, mainly due to the horrendous booking in the latter half of the match. Punk attacks Triple H on the outside during his entrance and tosses him into the timekeeper’s area. Triple H comes back with some shots and whips Punk into the barricade before tossing him over the announce table and laying into him with punches. Both guys stand on the announce table and tease their finishers before Punk bails to the ring. Punk hits some punches and counters the Pedigree, but misses the high knee in the corner and falls to the floor. Triple H slams Punk’s leg into the ring post and drives him into the barricade, but Punk hits some shots, whips Triple H into the barricade, and hits a high knee against the steps. Triple H sends Punk over the barricade and hits a diving right hand off the barricade before they brawl through the crowd. They eventually make their way to the stage, where Triple H catapults Punk into one of the video screens, only for Punk to backdrop Triple H over the video screen into the area where guys walk out for their entrances. Punk hits a diving lariat off the screen and throws some duffle bags on Triple H. Punk slams Triple H into the video screen before they move back down the ramp, with Punk hitting some kicks.

Punk puts Triple H in the ring, gets a chair, and hits a huge chair shot to the back for 2. Triple H hits a spinebuster and throws Punk headfirst into the chair in the corner. Triple H clips Punk’s leg on the floor and slams his leg into the post repeatedly before hitting his leg with a chair. Triple H teases a Figure 4 but Punk kicks him into the steps. Triple H grabs a monitor but Punk hits a roundhouse kick and puts Triple H on the Spanish announce table. Punk heads up top and hits a diving elbow drop through the announce table. Both guys get back in the ring, but The Miz and R-Truth suddenly run out to attack both men. Miz hits the Skull-Crushing Finale on Triple H and Truth hits the Shut Up on Punk. They put Punk on top of Triple H for the pin, but Triple H kicks out. Miz argues with the referee, and the ref eventually punches Miz, only for Miz and Truth to beat down the referee. John Laurinaitis then comes out as Punk and Triple H attack Truth and Miz before Triple H hits Punk with the Pedigree and goes for the pin. A second referee comes down, but goes to check on the first referee rather than counting the pin. Punk hits the Go to Sleep and the second ref gets in the ring to count but Truth pulls out Punk during the pin attempt, despite the fact that Truth and Miz LAID PUNK ON TOP OF TRIPLE H FOR THE PIN 3 MINUTES AGO. Punk hits Truth with the GTS on the floor and tries a springboard, but Triple H kicks him in the gut and hits a Pedigree for a near fall.

Kevin Nash then comes down to the ring through the crowd, and punches out both guys. Nash attacks Triple H in the corner and tries for the Jackknife powerbomb, but Punk attacks Nash. Nash fires back with punches and hits Punk with the Jackknife, Nash goes after Triple H on the floor, but Triple H hits Nash with a sledgehammer. Triple H then hits a third Pedigree on Punk in the ring for the win. This was a huge clusterf**k. It seemed like this match was booked by Vince Russo. Way too much overbooking and interference. Yes you could justify the individual components of the overbooking, but there were simply just way too many things going on at once here. Miz and Truth ended up looking like complete idiots and jobbers after this, and Punk looked bad for taking the pin AND getting beat up by Kevin Nash. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that Triple H called this one, because the only people who didn’t look completely terrible after this were him and his buddy Nash. The match itself was going along fine before the crazy final minutes. Felt like a TNA main event. Just a total catastrophe that did no one any favors at all, and really ruined a show that wasn’t totally awful prior to this match. Match Time: 24:09     Star Rating: **

Overall PPV Rating: 5.5/10

Ed Nunn gave Freeman a run for his money and finished as the first runner-up. Shawn Rhoden, Mark Alvisi and Mike Liberatore rounded out the top five.

In the 202, Guy Cisternino prevailed over Fernando Noronha Almeida and Tricky Jackson. The young Cisternino won his first pro show and should have a shot at the top six at the Olympia if he can bring the same conditioning to Las Vegas.

In the pro figure category, the gorgeous Ava Cowan won with Deena Walsh second and Ellas Horton third.

Natalie Pennington took first in the pro bikini, followed by Jessica Jessie and Sonia Gonzalez.

1.    Intercontinental Championship match: Dolph Ziggler(c) vs. Kofi Kingston

The stipulation was that Ziggler would lose the title if he got counted out or disqualified. This was a good way to start the PPV off and was much better than their match from SummerSlam. Match starts with some chain wrestling, with both guys doing headlock takeovers. Kofi goes for the Trouble in Paradise early but Ziggler kicks him a few times and tries to send him to the outside, only for Kofi to catch himself on the ropes and clothesline Ziggler to the floor. Kaitlyn (Vickie Guerrero’s rookie from NXT season 3) checks on Ziggler but Vickie sends her to the back. Ziggler comes back into the ring but Kingston hits him with some strikes and a dropkick. Ziggler hangs Kingston up on the top turnbuckle, hits a neckbreaker and a dropkick, and then puts on a long rear chin lock. Kofi eventually fights out but Ziggler hits a big boot for a near fall. Ziggler hits an elbow drop and then puts on a sleeper with a body scissors. Kofi fights out but Ziggler puts him down and hits a front flip neck snap to a seated Kofi. Kingston hits some strikes but Ziggler hits a rocker dropper. Ziggler puts on another rear chin lock and hits some elbows to the back of Kingston’s neck. Kingston fights out of the hold again and they two men trade punches. Kofi beats on Ziggler in the corner until the ref pulls him away, but Kofi hits a big kick and a diving cross body from the top rope for a near fall. Kofi hits some more strikes and a Thesz press before connecting with the Boom Drop. Kingston tries for the Trouble in Paradise but Ziggler avoids it and tries for a sleeper, only for Kingston to counter and get a near fall. Kofi sends Ziggler to the outside and slams him on the floor before rolling him back into the ring for another near fall. Ziggler counters a suplex attempt and puts on the sleeper, and Kofi dives into the ropes for a break after struggling for some time. Vickie is about to slap Kofi but Ziggler tells her not to interfere and they argue. Kingston tries for the Trouble in Paradise but misses and ends up in the ropes. Ziggler hits the Zig Zag for the win and retains his title. Good opener, nothing great but a fun match. Too bad no one really wanted to see this match on the PPV after they fought so many times on Smackdown. Match Time: 12:47     Star Rating: ***

2.    CM Punk vs. Big Show

Punk cuts an amazing heel promo before this match, ripping into the inhabitants of his hometown of Chicago. By the way, why is a match not for a title taking place on a PPV where the gimmick is EVERY MATCH IS A CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH? Punk opens the match with some quick kicks but Show puts him down with a head butt and a clubbing blow across the back. Show chokes Punk with his boot before chopping him against the ropes, sending him out of the ring. Punk hits a big boot to Show on the apron and lands some more kicks, sending Show to the floor before Punk hits a crazy diving senton onto Show. Show barely beats the count coming back into the ring but eats more kicks from Punk. Punk survives another clubbing blow and hits a flying forearm off the second rope. Punk continues to kick and punch away at Show but can’t keep him down. Punk goes for a springboard flying forearm but Show hits a massive mid air spear. Show hits the Knockout Punch and gets the victory. This match infuriated me. Why does WWE INSIST on having Punk job all the time? It baffles me that this company thinks it is a better idea to put over an aging 7 foot tall lumbering oaf than a guy in the prime of his career who has everything you could want in a wrestler. This was a complete burial and a waste of time. Match Time: 4:46     Star Rating: *3/4

3.    United States Championship match: The Miz(c) vs. Daniel Bryan

The match that had been anticipated ever since Daniel Bryan (aka Bryan Danielson of ROH fame) made his debut on the premiere of season 1 of NXT finally arrived at Night of Champions. This was a great match that really put Bryan over strong. Miz kicks Bryan in the gut and puts on a side headlock before putting him down with a shoulder block. Bryan tries for a hip toss, has it countered, and then tries for the LeBell Lock, but Miz avoids it and bails to the outside. Miz comes back into the ring only to take an arm drag and a big kick. Bryan tries to work the arm but Miz puts on a hammerlock, rams Bryan into the corner, and then puts him down for a near fall. Miz works over Bryan’s shoulder with a bow and arrow, but Bryan fights out and gets a near fall with a backslide. Miz goes back to the shoulder and sends Bryan into the ropes, then distracts the ref so that Alex Riley can wrench Bryan’s arm from the outside. Miz continues to work the arm until Bryan back flips out of a hammerlock, but Miz hits a huge shoulderbreaker. Miz keeps working the shoulder, but Bryan fights out of an armbar and sends Miz to the outside. Bryan then hits a big suicide dive through the ropes, crashing back first into the side of the announce table. Back in the ring, Bryan hits a missile dropkick for a near fall and a stiff kick to the head.

Bryan goes for a leg hold but Miz fights out, only for Bryan to hit a high knee attack. Bryan is still selling the arm beautifully, by the way. They both trade blows before Bryan beats on him in the corner, culminating with an IED. Danielson hits a big kick to the head and takes him up to the top rope, but Miz crotches him on the top rope and then hits a NIGEL MCGUINNESS LARIAT to Bryan, taking him off the ropes to the mat. Miz works the arm again but Bryan gets to the ropes to break a hold. Miz tries for the Skull Crushing Finale but Bryan counters with a roll-up for a near fall. He goes for the LeBell Lock but Riley gets up on the apron to argue with Bryan. Miz accidentally runs into Riley and Bryan gets another near fall with a roll-up. Bryan goes after Riley on the outside, sending him into the ring post, but Miz catches him with a small package when he returns to the ring for another close near fall. Miz beats on Bryan until the ref pulls him back, only for Bryan to lock in the LeBell Lock. Miz struggles for quite some time before finally tapping out and Daniel Bryan is the NEW United States Champion! As a big ROH fan this was a proud moment for me and I couldn’t be happier for Bryan. This was an excellent match, the storytelling by Miz was great and Bryan made it that much better with his incredible selling. The near falls were done extremely well and this was by far the best match The Miz has ever had. A star-making victory for Bryan. Match Time: 12:33     Star Rating: ****

4.    Lumberjill match to Unify the Women’s and Divas Championship: Women’s Champion Michelle McCool vs. Divas Champion Melina

After that great US title match, we got the bathroom break of the evening. This was actually not that bad for a WWE women’s match but the Lumberjills were awful. These two start off brawling outside the ring before coming into the ring, only to wind up outside quickly. They both return to the ring, after Michelle slaps Eve in the face. Melina hits a headscissors into a kick to the face, before both girls hit kicks at the same time. Michelle sends Melina off the top to the outside but the Lumberjills don’t touch her. Michelle catches Melina with a flipping neckbreaker as Melina comes back into the ring. McCool kicks at Melina and grinds her forearm against the face, then scissors her head while grabbing the ropes for leverage. McCool goes for the Faith Breaker but Melina fights out and hits a facebuster. Melina hits some strikes but McCool hits a belly to belly suplex. Natalya distracts the ref while Melina tries for a roll-up, then Michelle rolls to the outside only to be attacked by the lumberjills. Melina hits a double knee strike and avoids a kick, but Michelle pulls her down to the mat. Both girls fall to the floor but the lumberjills just stand there until Melina goes back into the ring, then they beat up Michelle. The ref is distracted breaking up the brawl as Layla goes into the ring to attack Melina. Michelle comes back in and big boots Melina for the win and becomes Unified Women’s Champion. Psychology was completely ass backwards here with all the lumberjills beating up the heel Michelle, and then she WINS. Some people are going to hate this thing with a passion but the wrestling was alright for a Diva match. Match Time: 6:32     Star Rating: **

5.    No Holds Barred match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Kane(c) vs. Undertaker

It was strange seeing these two having a gimmick in the first match of their feud. I wasn’t too excited for this match because I haven’t enjoyed most of their past matches but this ended up okay. Undertaker sprints up the ramp to attack Kane during his entrance, which was alright since it’s No Holds Barred. They fight at the stage, with Taker throwing Kane off the stage into a pillar on the floor near the side of the stage. Kane hits a kick and pounds on Taker near the ramp but Taker comes back with a big punch. Taker punches Kane on the ramp but Kane rakes the eyes and hits a big boot. Taker sends Kane into the barricade and hits some head butts before burying his knee into Kane’s midsection. Taker tries to whip Kane into the steps but Kane reverses and Taker hits them shoulder first. Kane tosses Taker into the announce table, then takes off the cover and throws it at Taker. They then repeat the steps reversal spot, this time with Kane taking the bump. Taker rolls Kane into the ring and hangs his head over the apron, then kicks him in the head and hits the guillotine leg drop. Kane gets up and rolls to the outside, but Taker clotheslines him over the barricade into the timekeeper’s area. Taker then hits a dive over the barricade into the timekepper’s area. Kane gets a steel chair and hits Taker in the gut with it before the two fight into the crowd. They go back and forth with EVEN MORE PUNCHES before Kane clotheslines Taker over the barricade back to ringside. Kane then dives off the barricade with a diving clothesline. Kane continues this endless beatdown with more punches and kicks. Kane with a ton of strikes before Taker starts to come back and then trade blows, with Taker hitting a jumping clothesline. Taker hits snake eyes, a big boot, a leg drop, and a chokeslam. He tries for the Tombstone but Kane reverses into one of his own for the win. Wrestling wise, this was incredibly boring in parts. Storyline wise, this was very good.  Problem is, the crowd did not care at all about this match or the angle so this match didn’t get over well. Live this was probably really bad, but on PPV this was alright. Not sure how this will lead to a Hell in a Cell match in 2 weeks. Match Time: 18:32     Star Rating: **3/4

6.    Tag Team Turmoil match for the WWE Tag Team Championship: The Hart Dynasty(c) vs. The Usos vs. Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov vs. Mark Henry and Evan Bourne vs. Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre

So for a PPV hyped as featuring all championship matches, a non title match was pre-announced but not a tag team title match. This was announced literally 1 minute before it happened. It’s basically a 5 team gauntlet. Hart Dynasty start with the Usos. One of the Usos pounds away at Tyson Kidd but Kidd comes back with a roll-up and a kick to the gut. Smith gets a tag and comes in with a shoulder block and a clothesline. Uso lands a kick but Smith hits a big suplex. Kidd gets a tag and hits a crazy springboard dive before rolling the legal Uso (these guys are IMPOSSIBLE to tell apart) into the ring. He tries for the sharpshooter but eats a kick to the head and the Harts are eliminated. So the Harts job in 2 minutes and drop their titles in an unannounced match. Wonderful. Next team out is Santino and Kozlov. Santino gets a near fall and teases the Cobra but takes a flapjack and is quickly eliminated. Next out is Henry and Bourne. Bourne hits some kicks and a hurricanrana but is hit with a back elbow. Henry gets a tag and hits some clotheslines and a head butt. Henry tosses out one Uso and hits the other one with a World’s Strongest Slam. Bourne hits the Shooting Star Press to eliminate the Usos. Final team is Rhodes and McIntyre. McIntyre stomps on Bourne before tagging in Rhodes, who hits a suplex before tagging back out to McIntyre. Drew works Bourne’s shoulder and tags to Rhodes, who hits a knee drop. McIntyre brings Bourne down across his knee before applying a rear chin lock. McIntyre sends Bourne to the outside with a shoulder block. Drew puts on yet another rear chin lock but Bourne starts to fight out eventually. Drew tries for a suplex but Bourne counters and hits a knee to the face. Both guys make tags, with Henry steamrolling Rhodes and hit a gorilla press slam. Bourne tries to dive off Henry’s shoulders but McIntyre breaks it up. Bourne kicks Drew in the head but Rhodes hits Cross Rhodes for the win. A thrown together tag team wins the belts in a thrown together match that no one cared about. This match was boring and no better than Raw quality, plus it made the Harts look like complete jobbers. Match Time: 11:47     Star Rating: *1/2

7.    Six Pack Elimination Challenge for the WWE Championship: Sheamus(c) vs. John Cena vs. Chris Jericho vs. Edge vs. Wade Barrett vs. Randy Orton

This was a pretty good main event, and it saved the show from being a pretty weak overall PPV. Match breaks down into a wild brawl right at the bell. Jericho and Orton trade punches before Cena gets involved, hitting a bulldog to Jericho. Orton then suddenly strikes with an RKO to quickly eliminate Jericho. Not surprising considering Jericho is reportedly on his way out of WWE, but they sold it pretty well with the other 5 guys in shock and staring down Jericho as he walked up the ramp. Everyone then swarms Barrett, beating on him until Sheamus and Edge clothesline him to the outside. Cena and Orton are left alone for a second before Barrett comes back in, only to eat a double shoulder block from Sheamus and Edge. Another Cena/Orton standoff, with Orton trying for the RKO and Cena trying for the STF, but to no avail. Orton tries for the spike DDT and Cena tries for the Attitude Adjustment but both guys counter. Orton and Edge try to double suplex Cena but are pulled to the outside by Barrett. Sheamus tosses Orton into the barricade before beating on Cena in the ring. Sheamus tries to pull Cena off the top rope for the High Cross but Cena fights out. Sheamus goes for a super belly to back suplex but Cena fights him off. Cena tries for the diving Famouser but Edge pulls him down. Edge and Sheamus then hit a double superplex to Cena. Edge tries for a cover but Sheamus accidentally breaks it up. Sheamus and Edge send Barrett into a barricade on the outside before going to work on Orton. They pound away on Orton for a bit, with Sheamus getting a couple near falls.

Orton eventually makes a comeback but Sheamus hits him with a big clothesline. Barrett gets knocked off the apron with a shoulder block and is sent into the announce table. Edge and Sheamus stare each other down, with Edge trying for a spear but Sheamus hitting the uranage backbreaker. Sheamus tries for the bicycle kick but Edge ducks and hits a spear. Cena tries to hit the AA to Orton but Orton fights out and gets speared by Edge. Cena hits the AA to Edge to eliminate him. Cena and Barrett go at it, with both men countering each other’s finishers. Cena hits his series of moves with the crowd booing every second of it. He hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle and tries for the AA but Sheamus breaks it up. Cena puts the STF on Sheamus but Sheamus makes it to the ropes after a struggle. Nexus swarm the ringside area, distracting Cena and allowing Barrett to eliminate him after the Wasteland. Barrett stares down Orton as Nexus come up the apron. Cena whacks 2 of them with a chair and Orton hits the other 2 with RKOs. Orton hits Barrett with his signature backbreaker and eliminates him with an RKO. Sheamus hits the bicycle kick on Orton but Orton kicks out of the cover. Sheamus tries for the High Cross but Orton fights out and hits the RKO for the sudden victory. The crowd went nuts and the announcers played it up like this HUGE MOMENT but it really didn’t feel all that special. It would have been better booking wise to have Orton go over at the Hell in a Cell PPV because him winning here really messes up the build for that show on the Raw side. This main event lagged in the middle and wasn’t the greatest but it had enough fun elements to it to be at least a satisfying match. It was a good title match to end an okay to decent show. Match Time: 20:50     Star Rating: ***1/4

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 for two years.

He said that his “good” arm measure 21 inches and his “bad” arm – his left, which he had recent surgery on – is 21 inches. Not too bad for a guy who stands at 5’4″. On a video on MD.com, Priest commented that the 202 is all about conditioning and that he had won shows in the past at 199 and 198 pounds.

He also called himself a “rebel” and a “loose cannon,” as well as a “guy who speaks his mind.” That is the Priest that bodybuilding fans have come to love and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“With Infinite Labs an MD behind me, you’re  going to see on hell of a comeback,” Priest commented on the video clip.

Priest, when in condition, is one of the most impressive bodybuilders on the circuit. Because of his short stature, he appears huge and should be the widest person on stage in the 202. The mass that he possesses is amazing and he also has a small waist to give him a great look.

You can view the long layoff in two ways: that it will be too long for him to get back into the swing of things or that his body is well rested from not having to go through the dieting process for what is going to be eight years. Figure on a little bit of each being reality and Priest may need a few contests to reach his full potential once again.

Here’s a vote of confidence that by the third time out, Priest, 38, will dominate the 202 class. Hopefully he competes in a show or two as a warm-up and qualify for the Olympia, where he may just have enough to dethrone English and take his place at the top.

LEE PRIEST CONTEST HISTORY:

2006 PDI Night of Champions Britain, 8th

2006 PDI Night of Champions, 9th

2006 IFBB Grand Prix Australia, 2nd

2006 IFBB Arnold Classic, 6th

2006 IFBB Ironman Pro, 1st

2005 IFBB Iron Man Pro Invitational, 2nd

2005 IFBB Arnold Classic, 4th

2005 IFBB Grand Prix Australia, 7th

2004 IFBB San Francisco Pro Invitational, 2nd

2004 IFBB Ironman Pro, 2nd

2003 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 15th

• 2002 Mr. Olympia – 6th
• 2002 San Francisco Pro Invitational – 1st
• 2002 SAN FRANCISCO GRAND PRIX – 1st
• 2002 IFBB Arnold Classic – 4th
• 2002 IRONMAN PRO INVITATIONAL – 2nd
• 2001 Ironman 7th, after bad virus

• 2000 Mr. Olympia 6th Place
• 2000 Night of Champions 5th Place Night of Fixes
• 1999 Ironman 6th Place
• 1999 Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 9th
• 1999 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 6th
• 1998 Olympia – IFBB, 7th
• 1997 San Jose Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1997 Olympia – IFBB, 6th
• 1997 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 2nd
• 1997 Grand Prix Spain – IFBB, 3rd
• 1997 Grand Prix Russia – IFBB, 9th
• 1997 Grand Prix Hungary – IFBB, 3rd
• 1997 Grand Prix Germany – IFBB, 3rd
• 1997 Grand Prix Finland – IFBB, 9th
• 1997 Grand Prix England – IFBB, 6th
• 1997 Grand Prix Czech Republic – IFBB, 5th
• 1997 Arnold Classic – IFBB, 7th
• 1996 San Jose Pro Invitational – IFBB, 6th
• 1996 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1995 South Beach Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1995 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 3rd
• 1995 Florida Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1995 Arnold Classic – IFBB, 9th
• 1994 San Jose Pro Invitational – IFBB, 7th

• 1994 Night of Champions – IFBB, 12th
• 1994 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1994 Arnold Classic – IFBB, 7th
• 1993 Niagara Falls Pro Invitational – IFBB, 9th
• 1990 World Amateur Championships – IFBB, LightWeight,4th
• 1990 World Amateur Championships – IFBB, 4th
• 1990 Mr Australia – IFBB, Overall Winner
• 1989 Mr Australia – IFBB, Overall Winner

As bodybuilding fans all know by now, Badell took home the winner’s purse of $18,000 at the AC and now has set himself up for another run at the Olympia, where he finished in the top 10 last year. “The Freakin’ Rican” was not a surprise and anyone who feels that he was did not do their homework.

Badell has 11 years experience on the pro circuit and has won two shows (2005 Iron Man Pro, 2006 San Francisco Pro). In 2008, he finished second at the Iron Man, sixth at the Arnold Classic and 10th at the Olympia. He came into this year’s Arnold a little off and placed 11th but had plenty of time to prepare for this contest and obviously used it well.

In case you need further convincing, this is a guy who placed third at two consecutive Olympias only five short years ago.

At 5’8″ and 240 pounds, Badell had the size to get more than noticed. He came in condition and took the top spot against some quality competition in Hidetada Yamagishi, Troy Alves, Melvin Anthony and Leo Ingram.

• 1991 Junior Caribbean Championships, overall winner
• 1997 Caribbean Championships, overall winner (received pro card)
• 1997 World Amateur Championships Heavyweight, 10th
• 1998 Grand Prix Germany, 9th
• 1999 Grand Prix England, 17th
• 1999 Night of Champions, Did Not Place
• 1999 [[World Pro Championships, 14th
• 2000 Ironman Pro Invitational, 18th
• 2000 Night of Champions, Did Not Place
• 2000 Toronto Pro Invitational, Did Not Place

• 2000 World Pro Championships, 11th
• 2001 Grand Prix England, Did Not Place
• 2001 Ironman Pro Invitational, 16th
• 2001 San Francisco Pro Invitational, 11th
• 2002 Ironman Pro Invitational, 13th
• 2002 Night of Champions, 10th
• 2002 Mr. Olympia, 24th
• 2002 Southwest Pro Cup, 6th
• 2002 Toronto Pro Invitational, 3rd
• 2004 Arnold Classic, 7th
• 2004 Ironman Pro Invitational, 3rd
• 2004 San Francisco Pro Invitational, 4th

• 2004 Show of Strength Pro Championship, 3rd
• 2004 Mr. Olympia, 3rd
• 2005 Arnold Classic, 3rd
• 2005 Ironman Pro Invitational, 1st
• 2005 Mr. Olympia, 3rd
• 2006 Arnold Classic, 4th
• 2006 San Francisco Pro Invitational, 1st
• 2006 Mr. Olympia, 6th
• 2007 Arnold Classic, 4th
• 2007 Mr. Olympia 8th
• 2008 Ironman Pro Invitational, 2nd
• 2008 Arnold Classic, 6th
• 2008 Mr Olympia, 10th
• 2009 Arnold Classic, 11th
• 2009 Atlantic City Pro, 1st

There had been speculation that Raudoniene was planning on joining the ranks of World Wrestling Entertainment and Flex Online reported that the blonde beauty had officially pulled her name from the Olympia ring, basically spelling out the story of the rumors.

The 27-year-old had established herself in the division even before defeating Gina Aloitta in Columbus, Ohio. Raudoniene finished in third place at the 2008 Olympia, bettering her placing from the previous year by nine spots. She also won the New York Pro in 2007, a highly-regarded show throughout the industry.

Assuming that the WWE rumors are true, it is apparent that Vince McMahon’s wallet is fatter than any purses given out at figure contests. How this move will affect Raudoniene’s relationship with Gaspari Nutrition remains to be seen. A supplement contract is not something to walk away from without a safety net, either meaning that she will still be plugging the products or her new deal with the top wrestling league was too good to pass up.

Where exactly the 5’5″, 130-pound Raudoniene will fit in as a WWE diva is another question. Although in excellent condition, she is small in stature and will have to learn an entire new trade, one with physical implications. The days of valets looking pretty and walking a male wrestler to the ring are over. These ladies, smoking hot and all, get in the ring and go at it toe-to-toe. There is an entire story line with them completely separate from the male grapplers, but with similarities of a group of ‘heels’ (bad guys) and ‘baby faces’ (good guys).

At the WWE’s most recent pay-per-view event (Night of Champions) on Sunday, Mickie James, a baby face, defeated Maryse, a heel, for the Divas Championship. In the Women’s Championship match, heel Michelle McCool retained her title by besting baby face Melina.

The only diva who does not partake in the action is Tiffany, who is the general manager of the ECW brand. Perhaps Raudoniene is destined for a similar role, but that does not seem like something as likely as her becoming one of the actual wrestlers.

Either way, it is the IFBB’s loss and the WWE’s gain. The Lithuanian-born stunner made the decision to not compete in the most prestigious contest of the year and that opens the door for the other women headed down to Las Vegas in September. By then, Raudoniene should have herself established in the WWE, new nickname and all.

CONTEST HISTORY

2006 NPC Metropolitan – 1st place

2006 NPC Pittsburgh – 1st Place

2006 IFBB European Championships – 2nd Place

2006 IFBB New York Pro – 12th Place

2007 IFBB New York Pro – 1st Place

2007 IFBB Pro Houston – 2nd Place

2007 IFBB Olympia – 12th Place

2008 IFBB Olympia – 3rd Place

2009 Arnold Classic – 1st Place