Alex: Punk and Bryan were able to live up to the hype surrounding their title match, and I was glad to see them get plenty of time to tell their story. The finish was very well done and sets up a return match and an extension of this feud. AJ didn't get involved yet, which is great news for anyone hoping this feud gets as much time as possible.
Violet: Without question, this was the best match of the night. I’m glad AJ didn’t get involved, because I think a lot of people were expecting it. Anyway, these two don’t really need any distracters or added stuff to put on an entertaining match. The ending was well orchestrated, as it sets up a rematch between the two for the next PPV.
Sheamus (c) defeated Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, and Alberto Del Rio in a Fatal Four Way Match to retain the World Heavyweight Championship
Alex: They did a lot of the usual four way stuff where two guys wrestle and two guys sell outside, but the match really picked up down the stretch. Everyone came away looking relatively strong. I guess we'll find out what the new feuds are tonight on Raw or Friday on Smackdown. The crowd seemed as caught off guard by the finish as I was.
Violet: This match had some exciting spots and near falls, but the ending was fairly anticlimactic. I certainly wasn’t expecting Sheamus’s White Noise to be the final move of the match, and from the crowd’s reaction, I don’t think they were either.
John Laurinaitis defeated John Cena
Alex: What a waste of time. They had an opportunity to really swerve the fans tonight with the finish of this one, but they opted to go with the planned Big Show heel turn. While I liked that they made it look like Johnny convinced him last minute while Show was about to throttle him, it was still super predictable. Predictable isn't always bad, don't get me wrong, but this was boring predictable.
Violet: Laurinaitis didn’t wrestle, Cena made lame jokes the whole time, and, much to absolutely no one’s surprise, Big Show interfered to help Big Johhny win. This match was a complete disappointment. At least Laurinaitis won and gets to remain GM of Raw and SmackDown. I really like the dynamic that’s developed between him, Otunga, and Eve.
Kofi Kingston & R Truth defeated Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger w/ Vicki Guerrero to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship
Alex: I think that Ziggler and Swagger, with Vicki as their manager, are a much more of a cohesive unit than Truth and Kingston. That said, Truth and Kingston are the only baby face tag team in the company right now, so it makes sense to keep the belts on them for now. The in-ring work from both teams was great, and Ziggler once again was the highlight of the match.
Violet: Despite the fact that I’m completely bored with Truth’s character and in-ring moves, this match was entertaining. I am, however, sick of seeing Ziggler, Swagger, and Guerrero made to look like fools.
Layla defeated Beth Phoenix to retain the WWE Divas Championship
Alex: They gave the Divas some time! Beth is Beth, of course, and Layla had a relatively strong showing. The live crowd didn't really seem to care about this match, and spent most of the time chanting "We want Kharma!" and "Colt Cabana". Give the people what they want on both accounts.
Violet: This was the best Divas PPV match that we’ve seen in awhile. I’m slightly confused as to why Layla would retain here, and it makes me wonder if Kharma is ever coming back. She’s not going to feud with Layla, right?
Kane defeated Zack Ryder
Alex: I didn't watch it, but it went down pretty much exactly as I predicted.
Violet: Honestly, I could care less about this match, so I opted out of watching the pre-show. And from what I’ve read about it, I’m pretty sure I made the right decision. Wasn’t WWE just building Ryder up a few months ago? What a waste.
Christian won a Battle Royal to determine the Number One Contender for the US Championship or the Intercontinental Championship
Alex: Opening the pay-per-view with the battle royal in progress was a bad move in my opinion. I get that they were trying to goad the pre-show viewers into making a last second buy with the return of Christian (if that's really what they were doing), but the match shouldn't have started in progress. Announce his return on the pre-show, announce the match, and let him cut a promo about how he's back. Instead, those of us who didn't tune in for the pre-show were left scratching our heads as the show opened with about 150 guys flopping around the ring. Once it was down to 7 or 8 guys, it was very exciting, so kudos on that.
Violet: Starting the PPV off with a match that was already in progress made for a slow, anti-climatic start to the event. Moreover, it certainly diminished Christian’s return, even though he rebounded to win the contest. The majority of this match was dull, and the action only really came to life when there were four men left in the ring. There was a part of me that hoped Miz would win and challenge Santino to a rematch for the US Championship. Oh well.
Christian defeated Cody Rhodes to become the new Intercontinental Champion
Alex: Christian coming back as a face should be a fun time. He and Cody could do a good job of elevating the Intercontinental Championship even further if they make the title a big deal in their probable feud. Both of them can go in the ring, and I'm really looking forward to the promos they cut on each other.
Violet: Rhodes had brought more meaning and prestige to the Intercontinental Title until they decided that he should drop the belt to his opponents all the time. I can at least hope that this sets up a fun feud between Rhodes and Christian, as I’m a fan of both wrestlers.
Brodus Clay defeated The Miz
Alex: I'm over Brodus Clay as the Funkasaurus, and I'm over watching Miz get embarrassed every time he gets in the ring.
Violet: I am so sick of Clay and his Funkasaurus act.
Ryback defeated Camacho w/Hunico
Alex: When the ring announcer doesn't even announce the right wrestler (introducing Hunico instead of Camacho), what does that tell the fans? If you guessed that it means the following match is a throwaway piece of shit, you were right. Boring.
Violet: Typical Ryback match. Why did this match have to contaminate the PPV?
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