Full details can be seen at
PWTorch.com and
Neo-Geo Forum: Official WWE Thread Post #6785 and posts thereafter.
1 -- RIC FLAIR vs. CARLITO
WINNER: Flair via submission in 16:00. A very basic, standard pro wrestling match. I had no problem with that for an opener featuring Ric Flair, although it was borderline boring with Carlito on offensive at times. Carlito tried to put in an extra effort, as if he were trying to keep his job. (**)
2 -- ECW champion VINCE MCMAHON & SHANE MCMAHON & UMAGA vs. BOBBY LASHLEY -- ECW Title match
WINNER: Lashley in 1:00 to win the match, but not the ECW Title. Quick squash that got over Lashley as a monster, and the crowd was more responsive than usual to Lashley. Finish sets up the Vince vs. Lashley match at One Night Stand, but if you ordered the PPV strictly based off the ECW TV shows leading to tonight, then you're walking away very disappointed. (n/a)
3 -- C.M. PUNK vs. ELIJAH BURKE
WINNER: Punk in 17:00. Physical match, but the crowd was quiet throughout. Nothing flashy, but it gives them somewhere to go on TV leading to One Night Stand. (**)
4 -- RANDY ORTON vs. SHAWN MICHAELS
WINNER: Orton via ref's decision in 4:00. An uncomfortable situation because the reality of head injuries and concussions in pro wrestling and pro sports is such an important issue to be taken seriously. That said, they needed to write him off TV, and the easiest decision was to play off the recent concussion angle on TV. (n/a)
5 -- MATT & JEFF HARDY vs. CADE & MURDOCH -- World Tag Title match
WINNERS: Hardys in 16:00 to retain the World Tag Titles. Solid tag match. The sportsmanship angle gave the match a new flavor, but it wasn't a major addition. Hardys continue to just do what they're expected to do - have good matches and generate crowd reactions. (**1/4)
6 -- EDGE vs. BATISTA -- World Hvt. Title match
WINNER: Edge in 12:00 to retain the World Hvt. Title. Slow developing match. Just when they picked up the pace, they went to the finish. The story of this feud is going to be Edge escaping by the skin of his teeth while Batista dominates for the most part. Doesn't exactly create a great deal of confidence in the champion from a viewer perspective, but it's how they're going to try to get some more PPV matches out of the feud. (*3/4)
7 -- CHRIS BENOIT vs. MVP -- U.S. Title match -- 2 out of 3 falls
MVP 1, BENOIT 0 in 8:00.
WINNER: MVP 2-0 in 14:00 to capture the U.S. Title. Disappointing match. The crowd was dead silent. The second fall was logical, but there was no big feeling of MVP accomplishing something special. The wrestling, in and of itself, was fine, but the crowd wasn't reacting to anything. (**)
8 -- JOHN CENA vs. GREAT KHALI -- WWE Title match
WINNER: Cena via submission in 8:00 to retain the WWE Title. A good main event based solely on the dramatics. They kept it short and sweet; got in and got out with Cena getting the giant-conquering victory ala Hulk Hogan as a babyface champion. Cena fans get a satisfying conclusion to a so-so PPV. Final thought: Cena is unbelievably valuable to this company. (**1/4)
