WWE House Show results 7/10

[Guest Joe_G]

Just sent this in to the Observer, but here's a sneak peak of sorts.

 

After drawing a dismal 1,500 in the Centrum (which seats 10,000) last November, the WWE held this house show at the Centrum Exhibit Hall, which is basically a huge warehouse. They set up the ring and a dozen or so rows of folding chairs, and it looked very similar to a lot of recent Ring of Honor shows. The good news is that while they drew about 1,500 again, there was a nice atmosphere and the crowd was very into the show.

 

Howard Finkel and a local DJ introduce the show.

 

1. Batista vs. Val Venis: Early in the match Batista roars at Val in the corner, and Val retaliates by implying big Dave has bad breath. So Batista actually checks to see if he does. Batista controlled a good portion of the match and the crowd was definitely behind him, although they popped for Val’s comeback. Venis does the ten punch in the corner, but gets shoved off and pinned after a clothesline. Yes, an ordinary clothesline. If that wasn’t bad enough, he has to be helped to the back by the refs after the match.

 

2. Steven Richards vs. Willian Regal: Both men spent the match working over each other arm’s. Regal comes back and wins with a knee to Richards’ head as he’s doubled over.

 

3. La Resistance vs. Hurricane & Rosie (Tag title match): Someone through a bag of cotton candy at Conway and got booted. La Rez work over Hurricane until he makes the hot tag to Rosie. Rosie goes to splash Grenier in the corner but Conway pulls his partner to safety. Grenier covers for the win. I think Conway was supposed to grab Rosie’s leg but couldn’t reach it in time.

 

4. Chuck Palumbo vs. Rhyno: Chuck was wearing jeans and a baseball cap for some reason. He rambles on the mic before the match, the gist of it being that New England sucks. Rhyno comes down and Palumbo stomps him before the bell. He poses to the crowd, but turns around and gets gored for the pin. Lasted maybe a minute.

 

5. Coach calls out Eugene, and says he’s got a warmup for Eugene’s big match tomorrow. La Resistance come back out and all three men stomp down Eugene, until he comes back with Stunners for Conway and Grenier, and a Rock Bottom/People’s elbow for Coach and the 1-2-3. Eugene may have been the most over person on the show.

 

Intermission

 

6. Randy Orton vs. Tajiri (IC title match): Odd choice for the post-intermission match. Starts off slow with Randy working a long headlock sequence, but picks up as Tajiri makes his comeback. Batista came down to interfere, but Tajiri disposed of him with a kick, but then gets dumped outside by Randy. Batista clotheslines Tajiri on the floor, then Randy rolls him back into the ring for the pin.

 

Afterwards, Randy goes to attack Tajiri with the belt, but Maven makes the save. Batista comes back but Maven takes care of him too, only to walk into an RKO. Evolution wallows in their own crapulence before heading to the back.

 

7. Molly vs. Victoria: There was an awkward spot early when Molly applies a hammerlock and tosses Victoria into the ropes. The match slowed down as Fit Finley checked on Victoria, which pretty much told you it was a work. Indeed, Molly attacked and spent the match working over Victoria’s arm. Molly misses the Molly-Go-Round, and gets de-wigged before Victoria hits the Widow’s Peak for the win.

 

8. Chris Benoit vs. Kane (World Title Match): Benoit was the second most over guy on the show. Very similar to their other matchups. Benoit goes for the Sharpshooter several times early in the match, but Kane keeps powering out. Kane takes over for the middle portion of the match, and some moron through something into the ring (looked like a plastic tube) and got kicked out. Benoit comes back with the Germans and flying headbutt and locks on the Sharpshooter, but Kane makes the ropes. Benoit then manages to lock on the Crossface for the tap. Best match of the show, as Benoit leaves with the belt for maybe the last time.

 

Even though it was a short show (around 2:15) and there was no HHH, Flair, Edge, or Jericho, it was an entertaining show overall.

[Guest Real F'n Show]

Early in the match Batista roars at Val in the corner, and Val retaliates by implying big Dave has bad breath. So Batista actually checks to see if he does.

I'm starting to like Batista more and more. Let's see what he and Jericho can pull out tomorrow night.