EWR Diary: 1/30/12-2/5/12

Raw 1/30/12:

-ANNOUNCED FOR TONIGHT: John Cena & Big Show VS WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio & Kevin Nash, Jack Swagger VS Dolph Ziggler for the United States Championship, and Air Boom VS Awesome Truth in a Royal Rumble rematch for the WWE tag team championship, plus there is a steel cage hanging above the ring...

-The show opened with WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio celebrating last night's win over John Cena, complete with balloons, streamers, a cake, and a mariachi band. The fun and games are interrupted by the winner of the 2012 Royal Rumble: CM Punk. Punk announces that he will be challenging Del Rio for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. Del Rio reminds Punk that their match at TLC was to be Punk's last title shot, but then Punk remindes Del Rio that WWE rules state that winning the Royal Rumble supercedes any previous agreement when it comes to championship matches. Del Rio gets mad, then Punk offers ADR a piece of cake by shoving it in his face. Punk drops Ricardo Rodriguez with a roundhouse kick, then KO's ADR with the Go to Sleep.

-Raw General Manager Michael Cole says he made tonight's main event tag team match because Del Rio wanted to prove his win last night was not due to Cole's officiating, but Cena did not deserve another title match (which Cole agrees to), so it is a tag match. Cole also announces that the WWE Board of Directors has declared that the next pay-per-view will be the return of Braggig Rights, with the two brand's WrestleMania main events facing off against each other in a tag team match. Cole says the board has also declared that the WrestleMania main events be set in stone before the show, so next week Del Rio will have his last WWE title defense, against an opponent to be selected by random draw later tonight.

-Match 1: Rey Mysterio VS Michael McGuillicutty

-Rey's return to Raw. Rey wins quickly and easily with the 619 and springboard splash. (**)

-The Miz is backstage, and he is PISSED about Triple H costing Awesome Truth the WWE Tag Team Championship last night. Miz says HHH is jealous because it was Miz who cost HHH his job as COO at Survivor Series, and now HHH is a forgotten memory who has to sit at home and watch Miz dominate Raw. Miz announces that the tag title match will be a cage match in order to prevent any interference.

-Match 2: John Morrison VS David Otunga

-Another nothing match. Morrison wins clean with Starship Pain. (*1/4)

-Michael Cole comes to the ring, where a tumbler is waiting. Cole says that every member of the Raw roster is included in this random drawing. Cole pulls out a ball, and announces that next week Alberto Del Rio will defend the WWE Championship against (smirk)...Santino Marella.

-John Cena did an interview with Matt Striker. Cena says he's not surprised that Michael Cole screwed him out of the WWE Championship last night, but what he was surprised by was the Rock Bottom he got after the match. Cena reminds everyone that he is here every week, and challenges the Rock to come meet him face-to-face instead of delivering sneak attacks.

-Match 3 for the WWE Tag Team Championship: Air Boom [c] VS Awesome Truth (Cage Match)

-Long TV match that for some reason was not nearly as good as the PPV match. Kevin Nash steals the key to the door from the outside ref, gets in, and lays out the champions. As Nash is being escorted from ringside, Truth escapes, but HHH comes from the crowd to attack him. HHH then gets in the cage, hits Miz with the Pedigree, and Evan Bourne rolls on top for the pin. (**1/2)

-Match 4 for the United States Championship: Dolph Ziggler [c] VS Jack Swagger

-Really good match while it lasted. Just as Swagger starts to build momentum, Vickie Guerrero slides the title belt into the ring, and Ziggler KO's Swagger to draw a DQ. (***3/4)

-After the U.S. title match, Ziggler continues to pound on Swagger. Domination come to the ring to help, and they end up putting Swagger through the Spanish announce table. Ziggler stands over Swagger and holds the U.S. title in the air to close the segment.

-Match 5: John Cena & Big Show VS WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio & Kevin Nash

-Show and Nash brawled into the crowd, leaving Cena and ADR. Cena wins clean with the Attitude Adjustment. (**1/2)

-Smackdown 2/3/12:

-Announced for tonight: World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry teams with Cody Rhodes to face new Intercontinental Champion & Money in the Bank holder Daniel Bryan and the Smackdown superstar who made his return at the Royal Rumble: Kane. ALSO: Sheamus goes one-on-one with Christian.

-World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry opened the show. He says he's beaten the "little man" Justin Gabriel, and that another "little man" Daniel Bryan is trying to be the one who challenges him at WrestleMania. Henry says he'll squash Bryan like a bug, and begs Teddy Long for some "real competition".

-Smackdown GM Teddy Long comes out, and says he's happy Mark feels that way, because next week, Henry will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against...Kane. Tonight's tag team main event is also important, because Daniel Bryan will defend his Money in the Bank briefcase and the Intercontinental Championship in a rematch against Cody Rhodes, and the winning team gets to choose the stipulations for their title matches next week. HOLLA!

-Match 1: Randy Orton VS Tyson Kidd

-Orton squashes Kidd in short order with an RKO. (**1/2)

-As Orton celebrates his win, Wade Barrett comes on the Titantron and tells Orton that Barrett will be out of action again, because he seems to have aggrivated his head injury while competing in the Royal Rumble. However, when Barrett is ready to compete again, Orton will be the first to know.

-Match 2: AJ VS Natalya

-Natalya wins in short order with the Sharpshooter, almost bending poor AJ in half. (*1/2)

-Sin Cara II cuts a short promo, challenging Sinc Cara I to a mask-vs-mask match for next week's Smackdown, with the winner keeping the rights to the Sin Cara name.

-As Mark Henry is warming up for tonight's main event, Cody Rhodes enters his lockerroom. Cody says it will be an honor to face Mark for the World Heavyweight Championship...whenever Cody decides to cash in Money in the Bank after he wins it next week. Henry doesn't look exactly pleased with this statement.

-Match 3: Ted DiBiase VS Drew McIntyre

-Pretty competitive match. McIntyre wins after thumbing DiBiase in the eye, and hitting the Future Shock DDT. (***1/2)

-Kane cuts a promo. Tonight will be the beginning of the torment Kane brings on Mark Henry, but don't expect it to end next week after Kane wins the World Heavyweight Championship...

-Match 4: Sheamus VS Christian

-Another competitive match, but somewhat disappointing. Sheamus wins clean with the Brogue Kick. (***)

-Match 5: Intercontinental Champion Daniel Bryan & Kane VS World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry & Cody Rhodes

-OK main event. Rhodes KO's Bryan with Rhodes' face shield, allowing Henry to hit Bryan with the World's Strongest Slam for the pin. Henry & Rhodes back away from the ring smiling as the show ends. (**1/2)

EWR Diary: 1/23/12-1/29/12

-Raw 1/23/12:

-Match 1: 20 Man Battle Royale to Determine #30 in the Royal Rumble Match

-Awful battle royale. Final three are Christian, Sheamus, & Randy Orton. Orton manages to dump Sheamus, but then Christian sneaks up from behind and eliminates Orton to win. (1/2*)

-Backstage, The Conspirators [WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio, WWE Tag Team Champions Awesome Truth, & Kevin Nash] cut a group promo. They say that when Alberto Del Rio retains the WWE Championship, Awesome Truth retain the WWE Tag Team Championship, and Kevin Nash wins the Royal Rumble, the group will completely own WWE. They plan to start eliminating opposition, starting tonight when ADR & Awesome Truth face John Cena & Air Boom in a six man tag in tonight's main event.

-Match 2: Layla, Kelly Kelly, Eve, & Naomi Night VS Divas of Doom & Bella Twins

-Layla & Natalya are on loan from Smackdown. Naomi surprises Beth with the spinning heel kick to win, and Beth throws another hissy fit. It was a Divas match. (*)

-Christian cut a celebratory promo. He says that winning #30 in the Royal Rumble has pretty much guaranteed that he will finally get his "one more match" for the World Heavyweight Championship in the main event at WrestleMania.

-John Cena came to the ring for a promo. He gets in serious mode and talks about Michael Cole stacking the deck by making himself the special guest referee for his title match against ADR at the Royal Rumble. Cena says that nothing will deny him the opportunity to make his match against the Rock at WrestleMania even bigger by making it be for the WWE Championship. Cena talks about The Conspirators' threat to eliminate all competition, starting with him. Cena says many have tried to eliminate him from WWE and all have failed. They will be no different.

-Match 3: Cryme Tyme VS Domination

-I am keeping Cryme Tyme around to bolster the tag division. OK undercard tag match. Vickie Guerrero provides a distraction, allowing Dolph Ziggler to interfere, which in turn leads to Ezekial Jackson pinning JTG with the Book of Ezekial. (**1/2)

-United States Champion Dolph Ziggler cut a backstage promo. Ziggler says that even though he is not #30 in the Royal Rumble, he is still the favorite to win the Rumble.

-Rey Mysterio is still coming back at the Royal Rumble.

-Match 4: Goldust VS Jinder Mahal

-I needed a filler match, and it ended up being a lot better than I anticipated. Goldust wins with the Final Cut. (***1/4)

-Match 5: John Cena & Air Boom VS WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio & WWE Tag Team Champions Awesome Truth

-OK main event. John Cena gets ADR in trouble and locks in the STF, but Kevin Nash nails the ref to draw a DQ. (**3/4)

-After the bell, The Conspirators destroy Cena & Air Boom, standing triumphant as the show ends.

-WWE NEWS: Rating dropped quite a bit this week for RAW. NO SWAGGER = NO BUYS.

-Smackdown 1/27/12:

-Justin Gabriel opened the show. He called out World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry for a confrontation later tonight. Based on the segment rating, it will be a long, long time before I let him cut a promo again.

-Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes came out to the ring for the opening match. Before it started, he cut a promo on Daniel Bryan, saying that tonight Bryan has to watch Rhodes destroy his mentor, then at the Royal Rumble, Bryan will have to watch Rhodes leave with the Money in the Bank briefcase.

-Match 1: William Regal VS Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes

-Good match. Regal tries to load the Power of the Punch, but Rhodes manages to knock the brass knuckles out of Regal's hand, and finish with Cross Rhodes. After the pin, Rhodes KO's Regal with his own brass knuckles, then add another Cross Rhodes. (***)

-Sheamus confronts Randy Orton about last week's RKO. Orton reminds Sheamus that he told him that they weren't friends, and that Orton was sending a message to Sheamus in advance of the Royal Rumble. Sheamus says he'll send his own message when the two face each other plus Christian in a Triple Threat match tonight.

-Match 2: Daniel Bryan VS Drew McIntyre
-Good, but I was hoping for great. Bryan counters the Future Shock DDT and gets the submission with the Labelle Lock. Cody Rhodes comes down to ringside to see the action, but does not interfere as Bryan keeps the hold on while staring down Rhodes. (***1/4)

-Wade Barrett cut another promo via satellite. Barrett says Orton better worry about HIM, not Sheamus or Christian come the Royal Rumble.

-Match 3: Brodus Clay VS Trent Barreta

-Quick squash for Clay to kill some time. (*1/2)

-Kane is still returning at the Royal Rumble.

-Match 4: Layla VS Natalya

-Match was typical Divas fare, but the crowd was into it. Layla wins with the Layout, but is then attacked by Divas Champion Beth Phoenix and taken out with the Glam Slam. (*1/4)

-Match 5: Randy Orton VS Sheamus VS Christian

-Another match that was good when I was hoping for great. Orton hits Christian with the RKO, but then walks into a Brogue Kick, and Sheamus pins Orton. (***)

-Justin Gabriel called out Mark Henry for their confrontation. They had a short brawl, and Gabriel managed to hit Henry with the World Heavyweight title belt, then add the 450. Gabriel poses with the belt as the show closes.

-NOTE: I was going to run Sin Cara VS Sin Cara II mask-vs-mask at the Rumble to end that feud, but I forgot to put in segments to build to it on the last couple Smackdowns, so it's been cut.

-WWE NEWS: Smackdown gets its highest rating since I took over WWE, despite the Justin Gabriel segments bombing.

-Royal Rumble 1/29/12:

-Match 1 for the WWE Tag Team Championship: Awesome Truth [c] VS Air Boom

-Good opener. Frustrated Miz pulls the ref in the way of a flying clothesline by Kofi. With the ref out, Awesome Truth manage to lay both members of Air Boom out, but then Triple H comes out through the crowd and throws Truth out of the ring before hitting Miz with a Pedigree. When the ref wakes up, Kingston hits the still-stunned Miz with Trouble in Paradise for the pin and the titles. (***1/4)

-Match 2 for the Divas Championship: Beth Phoenix [c] VS Layla

-Beth managed to overcome the recent losses, and retain with the Glam Slam. Typical Divas fare. (*1/2)

-Match 3 for the Intercontinental Championship & the Money in the Bank briefcase: Cody Rhodes [c] VS Daniel Bryan

-Good match where I was hoping for great. Bryan manages to fight off Cross Rhodes, and win the title with the Labelle Lock. (***1/4)

-Match 4 for the World Heavyweight Championship: Mark Henry [c] VS Justin Gabriel

-Probably as good as I could hope. Gabriel manages to hit the 450, but Henry throws him off the cover at two, and quickly finishes with the World's Strongest Slam. (**3/4)

-Match 5 for the WWE Championship: Alberto Del Rio [c] VS John Cena (Special Guest Referee: Michael Cole)

-Cole was blatantly biased in favor of ADR. Cena appeared to have the match won with the Attitude Adjustment, but Cole wouldn't make the count. Cena argued with Cole, then avoided a charging ADR, who ran into Cole. Cena managed to hit another AA and lock in the STF, but before a second ref could ring the bell because ADR was tapping, Cole pulled the ref out, and retook charge. Cena let go of the hold, and Cole shoved Cena into a schoolboy from ADR, then Cole quick-counted to give ADR the win. After ADR and Cole took off for the back, Cena stood in shock in the ring. He stared ADR and Cole down, not noticing that THE ROCK had gotten into the ring. Cena turned right into a Rock Bottom. Rock soaked in the adulation of the crowd before leaving. (**1/2)

-Match 6: The Royal Rumble

-Heath Slater is #1, followed by Zack Ryder at #2. Ryder hits the Broski Boot as Wade Barrett enters at #3. The former Nexus/Corre members double team Ryder, but cannot eliminate him. Dolph Ziggler enters at #4, and the heels eliminate Ryder. Tyson Kidd enters at #5, and the tag partners take on the other heels. That all stops when JTG enters at #6, and the heels gang up to eliminate him. The heels all agree to work together as Sheamus enters at #7. Sheamus takes a 4-on-1 beating, but hangs in there. Santino Marella enters at #8, but the babyfaces are still getting beaten down when Rey Mysterio makes his return as #9. The faces start fighting back, and Rey eliminates Kidd, then Sheamus eliminates Slater. Barrett & Ziggler are in trouble until Drew McIntyre enters at #10 to even the odds.

JBL is a surprise entrant at #11, but he takes his time cutting a long promo on his way to the ring, making sure to mention that he is "better than anyone from St. Louis". Naturally, Randy Orton is #12. JBL still hasn't gotten in the ring when Orton makes his way down. JBL offers an insincere handshake. Orton takes it, but then pulls JBL into an RKO on the floor. Orton rolls the KO'd JBL into the ring, then eliminates him. Orton sets his sights on Wade Barrett, and the two slug it out as Big Show enters at lucky #13. Show eliminates McIntyre. CM Punk is #14. Punk lays Ziggler out with the GTS as Jack Swagger enters at #15. Punk allows Swagger to dump the KO'd Ziggler. Barrett hits Wasteland on Orton, then blocks THE COBRA from Santino, and eliminates Santino. Sean Waltman is a surprise entrant at #16, and he lays everyone out with spinning heel kicks except for Big Show, who hits Waltman with the WMD. Goldust is #17. Goldust is immediately KO'd and eliminated by Big Show. Kevin Nash is #18. He and Show go at it. Waltman tries to help Nash, but takes a chokeslam. Nash gets some help from Barrett to eliminate Show. Waltman wants a high five from Nash, who responds by throwing him out. Ted DiBiase is #19, but he doesn't last long, taking a big boot and a jackknife from Nash before getting tossed. Barrett and Orton brawl on the outside, and Orton hits Barrett with an RKO on the Spanish Announce Table. John Morrison is #20. Nash tries to jackknife Rey, but Rey manages to counter with a head scissors to eliminate Nash.

Mason Ryan enters at #21, and eliminates Morrison. Ryan & Sheamus go at it, and Sheamus eliminates Ryan with a Brogue Kick. William Regal enters at #22. Nothing much happens as Shad Gaspard enters at #23. Everyone pairs off as Alex Riley enters at #24. Ezekial Jackson is in at #25, and he promptly eliminates Riley. Brodus Clay is in at #26, and he goes right after Rey. Brodus almost has him eliminated when Kane enters at #27. Kane goes on a tear, eliminating Jackson, Clay, Swagger, Regal, Shad, and Mysterio. Sin Cara is #28. He is jumped from behind during his entrance by Sin Cara II. Sin Cara II throws the KO'd Sin Cara I in the ring and leaves. Kane tosses Sin Cara I. Diamond Dallas Page is the last surprise entrant at #29. DDP counters a Kane chokeslam with a Diamond Cutter, then hits Diamond Cutters on Punk and Sheamus before taking an RKO from Orton. Christian is #30. Orton eliminates DDP. Orton almost gets Christian out, but Wade Barrett finally gets back in, and manages to catch Orton unaware to eliminate him. Barrett celebrates, but then takes a Brogue Kick from Sheamus, who then eliminates Barrett.

FINAL 4: Sheamus, CM Punk, Kane, & Christian. Punk/Christian and Sheamus/Kane pair off. As Sheamus/Kane struggle against the ropes, Christian kicks Punk in the nuts, then tips Sheamus and Kane out. Christian hits Punk with the Killswitch, but takes his time trying to eliminate Punk. That gives Punk the opportunity to hit the GTS, and elminate Christian to win. (**1/4)

EWR Diary: 1/9-1/22/12

-Raw 1/9/12:

-RAW GM Michael Cole announces that tonight's main event will be a rematch from TLC when John Cena faces Kevin Nash.

-WWE Tag Team Champions Awesome Truth cut another self-congratulatory promo. Their open challenge has been accepted by another former tag team championship team.

-Match 1 for the WWE Tag Team Championship: Awesome Truth [c] VS Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder

-Good match even though the crowd doesn't care about Hawkins. Ryder went for the Rough Ryder on Miz, but Miz tossed Ryder onto Hawkins, and that lead to Truth pinning Hawkins to retain. (***1/4)

-As Ryder & Hawkins argue, Ryder is jumped from behind by Primo. Hawkins & Primo double team Ryder and leave him laying.

-A video hyping Rey Mysterio's return at the Royal Rumble airs.

-Match 2: Kelly Kelly VS Divas Champion Beth Phoenix

-Beth wins clean with the Glam Slam, then adds another after the pin. Decent for a divas' match. Crowd was into it, if nothing else. (*1/2)

-United States Champion Dolph Ziggler cut a promo. He chided Jack Swagger for losing his WWE title match last week, saying it proved Swagger can't hang with the main eventers. Dolph says he'll prove, once again, that he's better than Swagger when he beats CM Punk tonight.

-Match 3: Big Show VS Ezekial Jackson [No DQ]

-Match was shockingly decent. Mason Ryan interferes, but accidentally hits Jackson with a chair, allowing Show to KO both Ryan and Jackson with the WMD for the win. (**1/2)

-Match 4: CM Punk VS United States Champion Dolph Ziggler

-MATCH OF THE YEAR right here! Awesome back-and-forth match that had the crowd rocking. Punk wins clean with the GTS. (****3/4)

-John Cena cut a promo. Cena says tonight is going to end just like TLC did, then he's going on to the Royal Rumble to regain the WWE title from Alberto Del Rio.

-Match 5: John Cena VS Kevin Nash

-Pretty much the same as TLC, only when Cena hit Nash with the Attitude Adjustment, Albero Del Rio ran in to draw a DQ. Nash & ADR destroy Cena with a Jackknife powerbomb and the cross-arm breaker as the show ends. (**3/4)

-WWE NEWS: Maryse got hurt again, tearing a calf. Since her injury will keep her out longer than what is left on her contract, I have released her.

-Smackdown 1/13/12:

-Match 1: Sheamus VS Drew McIntyre

-If it weren't for Ziggler/Punk, this would have been match of the week. Sheamus hits the Brogue Kick to send McIntyre outside, and instead of going back in, McIntyre takes a walk for the count out. (****1/4)

-A video hyping Kane's return at the Royal Rumble airs.

-Wade Barrett did an interview via satellite. Barrett says Orton tried to end his career for no good reason, and that is why Barrett risked everything to attack Orton at TLC. Barrett says he can only hope Randy Orton is in the ring when Barrett makes his return at the Royal Rumble. Barrett says he is the future of WWE, and his future is the main event at WrestleMania.

-Match 2: Brodus Clay VS Ted DiBiase

-Clay wins clean with the Fall of Humanity. Not much here. (**)

-Randy Orton cuts a retalitory promo on Wade Barrett. Orton says he did what he did to Barrett because Barrett was in Orton's way. Orton says that if Barrett continues to be in Orton's way, then it will get much worse for Barrett.

-Christian cut a promo. He says he is going to win the Royal Rumble and finally get his "one more match" for the World Heavyweight Championship in the main event at WrestleMania.

-Match 3: William Regal VS Christian

-Good match. Christian avoids the knee trembler and wins with the Killswitch. (***)

-Daniel Bryan interview. He accepts the challenge Cody Rhodes issued last week for IC title VS Money in the Bank at the Royal Rumble. Bryan looks forward to meeting Rhodes in tonight's main event, when he and Justin Gabriel team up to face Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry.

-Match 4: Sin Cara VS Sin Cara II

-Another really good match between these two. Sin Cara I finally pins Sin Cara II with La Mistica. (****)

-World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry cut a short promo. He says Justin Gabriel has no idea what he's gotten himself into, but tonight he will get a taste of what's coming to him at the Royal Rumble.

-Match 5: Daniel Bryan & Justin Gabriel VS World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry & Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes

-Rhodes exposed one of the top turnbuckles, but couldn't send Bryan or Gabriel into it. Bryan and Rhodes brawled to the back. Henry looked to have Gabriel beaten, but he got too cocky. Gabriel managed to dropkick Henry into the exposed turnbuckle, then hit the 450 splash for the pin. Gabriel celebrated his big win while Mark Henry fumed as the show ended. (***)

-Raw 1/16/12:

-The show opened with the official contract signing for the WWE Championship match between Alberto Del Rio and John Cena at the Royal Rumble. Naturally, things got heated and ADR attacked Cena. Just when Cena started to fight back, WWE officials rushed out to hold Cena back while Del Rio left the ring.

-After a commercial break, Raw General Manager Michael Cole announced that he has banned John Cena from the building tonight since Del Rio will be in action later. Cole also announced that since he believes the championship match at the Royal Rumble has a chance to get out of hand, Cole has appointed a special guest referee. One man who can keep order...himself.

-Match 1: Zack Ryder & Alex Riley VS Curt Hawkins & Primo

-Not much here. Ryder pins Hawkins clean with the Rough Ryder. (*3/4)

-CM Punk cut another promo, reiterating his claim that he will win the Royal Rumble match. Punk will team with Jack Swagger and the Big Show against United States Champion Dolph Ziggler & Domination. Punk lobs some jokes at his opponents expense.

-Just as Punk finishes his promo, Jack Swagger is jumped in the back by Ziggler & Domination. They beat him down and leave him laying.

-Match 2: Naomi Night VS Brie Bella

-Re-debut for Ms. Night. She pins Brie clean with a spinning heel kick. Not great, but not a disaster either. (*1/4)

-A video hyping Rey Mysterio's return at the Royal Rumble airs.

-Match 3: WWE Tag Team Championship: Awesome Truth [c] VS Air Boom

-No pre-match promo, as it's interrupted before it began by the former champions. Air Doom get the champions in trouble, but Truth nails Kofi with one of the title belts to draw a DQ and allow the champions to escape with their titles. Really good match. (***3/4)

-Vickie Guerrero, along with Dolph Ziggler & Domination cut a group promo. Ziggler, Zeke, and Mason Ryan all stake their claim for the Royal Rumble victory, and Ziggler says one thing is sure: Jack Swagger will not win the Royal Rumble and will never be the United States Champion.

-Match 4: John Morrison VS WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio

-Pretty much a squash. Del Rio wins clean with the cross-arm breaker, and refuses to release the hold for some time. (**1/2)

-Match 5: CM Punk, Big Show, & Jack Swagger VS United States Champion Dolph Ziggler & Domination

-Match started out 3-on-2, as Swagger did not come out during his introduction. Punk became the face-in-peril. Jackson and Show brawled to the back. Swagger finally came to the ring, and made the tag. Swagger managed to ram Ziggler into Ryan, then pin Ziggler with the gutwrench powerbomb. (**1/2)

-WWE NOTE: Raw got its highest rating since I took over WWE. SWAGGER = RATINGS!

-Smackdown 1/20/12:

-World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry opened the show. Henry says last week's loss was an abberation, and that Justin Gabriel got lucky. Henry says it won't happen again at the Royal Rumble, and tonight Henry is going to show everyone what happens when "little men" try to challenge him.

-Match 1: Yoshi Tatsu VS World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry

-Quick squash. Henry wins with the World's Strongest Slam. Henry adds another World's Strongest Slam, then Pillmanizes Tatsu, adding him to the "Hall of Pain". (**)

-A video hyping Kane's return at the Royal Rumble airs.

-Match 2: Layla & AJ VS The Divas of Doom [Divas Champion Beth Phoenix & Natalya]

-Pretty much what you'd expect from a Divas match. Layla surprises Beth with the Layout for the win. Beth freaks out afterward. (*1/2)

-Drew McIntyre did an interview. He says that now that Shane McMahon is in charge of WWE, McIntyre is once again the "Chose One", and that he will win the Royal Rumble. Drew is interrupted by Christian, who invites Drew to Christian's locker room to discuss strategy for their tag match against Randy Orton & Sheamus and, oh yeah, Christian is going to win the Rumble.

-Match 3: Daniel Bryan VS Tyson Kidd

-Pretty good match, as you might expect. Bryan wins clean with the Labelle Lock. Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes tries to jump Bryan, but ends up tapping to the Labelle Lock as well. (***1/2)

-Randy Orton & Sheamus cut a team promo. They both expect to win the Rumble. Orton reminds Sheamus that just because they're teaming tonight, that doesn't make them friends.

-Match 4: Justin Gabriel VS Brodus Clay

-Gabriel shows he can beat a big man, winning with the 450. (**1/2)

-As Justin Gabriel celebrates his win, Mark Henry's music hits. Henry slowly walks to the ring, but Gabriel goes on the attack, wiping Henry out with a dive. Henry tries to slam Gabriel on the floor, but Gabriel slides out and sends Henry into the ring post before leaving. Henry is NOT amused.

-Match 5: Randy Orton & Sheamus VS Christian & Drew McIntyre

-Good main event. Orton plays the face-in-peril before tagging in Sheamus, who pins Drew with the Brogue Kick. (***1/2)

-As Sheamus and Orton celebrate their win, Orton surprises Sheamus with an RKO. Orton stands tall as the show ends.

-WWE NEWS: Smackdown gets its lowest rating since I took over. Boo-urns.

EWR Diary Week 14: 1/2-1/8/12

WWE 2012 PPV SCHEDULE:

January-Royal Rumble
February-Bragging Rights (cannot do the Elimination Chamber, so I've put Bragging Rights here for 2012, as kind of WWE's version of an "All-Star Game")
March-WrestleMania XXVIII
April-Extreme Rules
May-Over the Limit
June-King of the Ring (That's right, I'm bringing it back!)
July-Money in the Bank
August-SummerSlam
September-Night of Champions
October-Vengeance
November-Survivor Series
December-Tables, Ladders, & Chairs

Raw 1/2/12:

-Raw GM Michael Cole welcomes us to 2012. He announces that there will be three championship matches tonights, as Alberto Del Rio defends the WWE Championship against Jack Swagger, another team has accepted the open challenge of Awesome Truth, and tonight there will be a "Dolph Ziggler Invitational" with the winner immediately receiving a United States Championship match. In addition, John Cena & CM Punk will team up to face Domination.

-Dolph Ziggler & Vickie Guerrero come out to the ring. Dolph welcomes us to the "Dolph Ziggler Invitational". It will be a Fatal 4 Way match, with only one fall determining the winner. He wishes everyone involved good luck, because they're going to need it. Dolph & Vickie join the announce table for the match.

-Match 1: "Dolph Ziggler Invitational" Fatal 4 Way: Alex Riley VS Santino Marella VS Zack Ryder VS Goldust

-Not a particularly good way to start the new year. Santino pins Riley with THE COBRA. (*3/4)

-Match 2 for the United States Championship: Dolph Ziggler [c] VS Santino Marella

-Dolph retains fairly quickly with the Zig Zag. (**1/2)

-Awesome Truth come to the ring to cut a promo before their match. They are determined to be known as the greatest WWE Tag Team Champions of all time, so they are excited that their open challenge has been accepted by former WWE Tag Team Champions...

-Match 3 for the WWE Tag Team Championship: Awesome Truth [c] VS Deuce 'N' Domino
-Awesome Truth win fairly easily. Miz pins Domino with the Skull Crushing Finale. (**)

-John Cena is warming up when CM Punk enters his locker room. Punk says that he'll be there for Cena tonight, but to be honset, Punk hopes Cena loses at the Royal Rumble, because Punk will win the Rumble, and he wants to challenge the WWE Champion, and it won't be right if Punk faces Cena for the title after Cena has already wrestled the Rock. Cena says he understands, but it's too bad for Punk.

-Jack Swagger is warming up for his match when Dolph Ziggler drops by to get in Swagger's face. Ziggler says Swagger couldn't beat him for the U.S. title, and there's no way Swagger will be WWE Champion. Swagger tries to get at Ziggler, but they are held apart by WWE officials.

-Match 4: John Cena & CM Punk VS Domination

-Surprisingly good match held together by the babyface team. Cena pins Mason Ryan with the Attitude Adjustment. (***1/2)

-WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio says that Jack Swagger may be the All-American American, but Del Rio is the All-Mexican WWE Champion. Del Rio says CM Punk doesn't need to worry about having to face John Cena at WrestleMania, and that Del Rio isn't worried about facing Punk at WrestleMania, because there's no way Punk is going to win the Royal Rumble.

-Match 5 for the WWE Championship: Alberto Del Rio [c] VS Jack Swagger
-Good match that got the exact same ratings as the previous match, but I was hoping for better. Swagger manages to get Del Rio in the ankle lock, but Kevin Nash provides a distraction. This allows Del Rio to slap on the cross-arm breaker to retain. Nash & Del Rio start to double team Swagger, but John Cena runs out to make the save. (***1/2)

-Smackdown 1/6/12:

-World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry opens the show. He says tonight, he is going to start eliminating any and call competition for the World Heavyweight Championship.

-Match 1: Randy Orton VS Sheamus

-Josh Matthews & Booker T note that this match was made because Smackdown GM Teddy Long wanted a blockbuster match to open 2012 on Smackdown. Good, long opener, which Orton wins with the RKO. (***3/4)

-As Orton celebrates his win, he is attacked by Wade Barrett, who lays Orton out with Wasteland.

-William Regal warms up for his World Heavyweight Championship match. Daniel Bryan enters, and tells Regal that he knows what this means for Regal, and that Bryan will have his back tonight.

-Match 2: Daniel Bryan VS Brodus Clay

-Crowd was burned out by the opener, and didn't care for this match. Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes attacks Bryan to draw a DQ. Clay & Rhodes double-team Bryan after the bell, finishes off by Rhodes laying Bryan out with Cross Rhodes. (**)

-Cody challenges to KO'd Bryan to an Intercontinental Championship VS Money in the Bank briefcase match at the Royal Rumble.

-Match 3: Justin Gabriel VS Tyson Kidd

-Really good match. Gabriel wins with the 450. (***3/4)

-After Gabriel wins the match, Tyson Kidd's tag team partner Heath Slater gets on the mic and says he knows Gabriel well, and that Gabriel can't do that to Slater. Gabriel motions for Slater to get in the ring, and an impromptu match starts.

-Match 4: Justin Gabriel VS Heath Slater

-Gabriel does exactly the same thing with Slater, winning a really good match with the 450. As Gabriel celebrates his two wins, he is blind-sided by Mark Henry, who lays him out with the World's Strongest Slam. (***3/4)

-Match 5: Layla VS Alicia Fox

-Typical Divas' match. Just here to remind everyone Layla gets a title shot at the Royal Rumble. Layla wins with the Lay Out. (*)

-Match 6 for the World Heavyweight Championship: Mark Henry [c] VS William Regal

-Daniel Bryan sucked it up, and did accompany Regal to the ring. Henry took the opportunity to drop Bryan with a clothesline on the floor. Bryan tries to go back at Henry, but the ref holds him back. This allows Regal to load up THE POWER OF THE PUNCH...which gets two. Regal goes for the Knee Trembler, but Henry catches him with the World's Strongest Slam to retain. Bryan tries to attack Henry after the bell, but he also takes a World's Strongest Slam. (**1/4)





MATCHES ANNOUNCED FOR THE ROYAL RUMBLE:
30 Man Royal Rumble Match
WWE Championship: Alberto Del Rio [c] VS John Cena
World Heavyweight Championship: Mark Henry [c] VS Justin Gabriel
Divas Championship: Beth Phoenix [c] VS Layla

EWR Diary Week 13: 12/26/11-1/1/12

Raw 12/26/11:

-RAW GM Michael Cole opens the show. He announces that he is still in the Christmas spirit, and tonight eight men who have never been WWE Champion will be given the opportunity to earn a WWE Championship match next week on the first Raw of 2012. These eight men will compete in a series of one-on-one matches, with the winners facing off in a 4 way elimination match in tonight's main event. The winner gets the title opportunity next week.

-Match 1: Jack Swagger VS David Otunga

-Swagger beats Otunga pretty easily, finishing him off with the gutwrench powerbomb. (**)

-John Cena came to the ring for a promo. Cena says he is ecstatic that he has the WWE Championship match at the Royal Rumble against whoever the champions is at that time. Cena says he wants his match against the Rock at WrestleMania to be for the WWE Championship, and that if he had not won last week's BattleBowl, he was not going to enter the Royal Rumble match. Cena has some choice words for Alberto Del Rio, then finally the Rock before leaving.

-Match 2: John Morrison VS Mason Ryan

-Morrison tried, but this wasn't very good. Morrison has the momentum, when Ryan's tag team partner Ezekial Jackson interferes. Jackson gets caught, however, and Ryan is disqualified. Domination start to double-team Morrison, when Big Show rushes out to the ring as fast as he can to make the save. (*3/4)

-WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio cut a promo backstage. He advised John Cena not to look ahead to WrestleMania. Del Rio says he will successfully defend his title next week to open 2012, then defeat John Cena at the Royal Rumble, and move on to the real main event at WrestleMania.

-Match 3: Santino Marella VS United States Champion Dolph Ziggler

-Ziggler wins in short order with the Zig Zag. Not much to see here. (**1/2)

-CM Punk came out to the ring for a promo. Punk says that the "powers that be" in WWE do not want him anywhere near the WWE Championship or the main event at WrestleMania. Punk says they think he's too "dangerous" and "uncontrollable". Punk says that they're right, but that won't stop him from winning the Royal Rumble, then winning the WWE Championship at WrestleMania.

-Match 4: Zack Ryder VS Ezekial Jackson

-Not great, but a lot better than I had feared. Jackson is using his power game to take control of the match, when Big Show again makes his way back out to the ring. Jackson leaves to fight Show, and gets counted out in the process. (**1/4)

-WWE Tag Team Champions Awesome Truth come out to the ring, and proclaim themselves the greatest tag team in WWE. They say to prove this, they have issued an open challenge to any tag team that has ever competed in WWE, and will put the titles on the line against whoever steps up to face them. Miz says they know they have challengers for tonight, and calls on them to come out...

-Match 5 for the WWE Tag Team Championship: Awesome Truth [c] VS Cryme Tyme

-Yup, JTG is a face again and Shad Gaspard is back. That doesn't mean much for tonight, as Truth pins JTG clean with the Little Jimmy to retain the titles. (**1/4)

-Match 6: Jack Swagger VS John Morrison VS Dolph Ziggler VS Zack Ryder

-FIRST FALL: Ryder manages to hit the Rough Ryder on Morrison, but Ziggler sneaks in and floors Ryder with the Zig Zag to eliminate him.

-SECOND FALL: Swagger catches Morrison with the gutwrench powerbomb, but Ziggler tosses Swagger out of the ring, and eliminates Morrison with the sleeper.

-THIRD FALL: Swagger fights out of a sleeper and blocks a Zig Zag, before catching Ziggler with the ankle lock for the submission win. (**1/2)

Smackdown 12/30/11:

-Smackdown GM Teddy Long opens the show by announcing that next week, the World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry will defends his championship on the first Smackdown of 2012 against the winner of tonight's "Beat the Clock" challenge. Whoever wins their match in the fastest time will earn the title shot for next week.

-Match 1: Trent Barreta VS Drew McIntyre

-Trent put up a surprisingly good fight in this match. McIntyre does win with the Future Shock DDT, but it took him quite a while to do it. (**1/4)

-World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry cut a quick backstage promo. He says that this situation with the Beat the Clock Challenge and the title match next week is proof that Teddy Long does not want Henry to be the World Heavyweight Champion. It won't matter, Henry says, because there isn't a man in the world that can take the title from him.

-Match 2: Daniel Bryan VS Brodus Clay

-Bryan managed to very effectively use his speed advantage to mitigate Clay's power advantage. Bryan could not win the match in time, however, so it ended in a draw. As Bryan left the ring, he was jumped and laid out by Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes. (**1/4)

-Randy Orton cut a backstage promo. He faces his rival Christian in tonight's final match. Orton says he will to Christian what he did to him all summer: beat him.

-A video profiling and hyping Justin Gabriel aired.

-Match 3: Ted DiBiase VS Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes

-Rhodes looked to have the match won, but Daniel Bryan came to ringside, providing a distraction. Bryan was held back by WWE Officials so he couldn't get to Rhodes, but the distraction did allow DiBiase to hit Dream Street and win the match in time to set the new time to beat. (**3/4)

-Match 4: William Regal VS Heath Slater

-Regal loaded up the Power of the Punch and managed to hit it without the referee noticing, and Regal got the win to set the new time to beat. (***)

-Christian cut a backstage promo. Christian says he, and everyone else, knows that Christian can beat Orton, and he will do so tonight to get the World Heavyweight Championship match next week.

-Match 5: Sin Cara VS Sin Cara II

-Another excellent match between these two. Sin Cara I hit La Mistica on Sin Cara II, but the time limit expired before he could get the pin. (****1/4)

-Match 6: Randy Orton VS Christian

-Disappointing match. Neither could earn the win before the time limit expired, so William Regal gets the title shot next week. A frustrated Orton hit Christian with a big RKO to end the show. (**3/4)

EWR Diary Week 12: 12/19-12/25/11

Raw 12/19/11:

-RAW GM Michael Cole opens the show. Cole announces that tonight will determine who will face WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio at the Royal Rumble. Cole says ten teams have been paired by random drawing, and will face-off in a series of 5 matches. The winners of the tag matches will then participate in a battle royale, with the winner receiving the championship opportunity. Cole notes that Del Rio is not here tonight, as he is recovering from the TLC match from last night. (NOTE: I really did randomly draw these teams.)

-Match 1: Kofi Kingston & Goldust VS WWE Tag Team Champion The Miz & Zack Ryder
-Miz is NOT thrilled with his partner. Decent reaction for the returning Goldust. Miz pins Goldust with the Skull Crushing Finale, however. (**3/4)

-CM Punk barges into Michael Cole's office. Punk is upset because he's not in the running for the title shot. Cole reminds him that last night was Punk's last chance at Del Rio. Punk says he wants Drew McIntyre then. Cole says he traded McIntyre to Smackdown, and per the order of Shane McMahon, RAW and Smackdown are to be kept separate. If any RAW superstar shows up on Smackdown without an invitation from the GM or vice versa, then they will be automatically suspended. Punk isn't happy with any of this, but says he'll just have to win the Royal Rumble then to get another shot at the WWE Championship.

-Match 2: Ezekial Jackson & Michael McGullicutty VS Jinder Mahal & John Cena
-Mahal is announced as the man Cole traded McIntyre for. Cena pins McGullicutty with the AA, with no help from Mahal. (**1/4)

-Match 3: Jack Swagger & David Otunga VS Kevin Nash & WWE Tag Team Champion R-Truth
-Poor Swagger. Otunga gets alligator arms on a tag attempt from Swagger, allowing Nash to drop Swagger with a big boot, and Truth to finish with the Little Jimmy. (**1/2), but got the biggest crowd reaction so far.

-Backstage, United States Champion Dolph Ziggler mocks Swagger for losing that match, and their match last night. Ziggler says he will prove beyond any doubt that he is better than Swagger by carrying his partner to a win, no matter who it is.

-Match 4: United States Champion Dolph Ziggler & Santino Marella VS John Morrison & Evan Bourne
-Marella's screwing around cost his team the match. He was going for THE COBRA on Morrison, but he took too long, allowing Morrison to hit a kick to head, and Bourne followed up with Air Bourne for the pin. (**3/4)

-Ziggler is PISSED and lays Santino out with the Zig Zag, before adding some mounted punches. Jack Swagger rushes out to the ring to chase Ziggler away.

-Match 5: JTG & Alex Riley VS Big Show & Mason Ryan
-Match should have been an easy win for Show & Ryan, but they started arguing, and eventually started fighting amongst each other. Their fight went outside the ring, and they were counted out to give Riley & JTG the upset win. (*1/4)

-Match 6: 10 Man Battle Royale: The Miz VS Zack Ryder VS Jinder Mahal VS John Cena VS Kevin Nash VS R-Truth VS John Morrison VS Evan Bourne VS JTG VS Alex Riley
-Nash lawn darted poor Evan Bourne over the top and out. Morrison dumped Riley. Cena eliminated Mahal. Miz & Truth eliminated Ryder. Cena eliminated JTG. Morrison eliminated Truth. Miz & Nash eliminated Morrison. Cena eliminated Nash, then Miz to win it. (*)

-As Cena celebrates, Alberto Del Rio comes out of nowhere to attack him. Del Rio hits a belt shot and a running enziguiri before locking in the cross-arm breaker. Del Rio has to be pulled off Cena, and stands above him while holding the WWE title belt as the show ends.

Smackdown 12/23/11:

-Justin Gabriel opened the show, speaking about his win over Christian and his position as the #1 contender to the World Heavyweight Championship. Gabriel is interupted by Mark Henry, who tells Gabriel that winning the match against Christian was both the best thing, and the worst thing to ever happen to Gabriel. The best, because Gabriel gets to main event the Royal Rumble for the World Heavyweight Championship. The worst, because he has to do it against Mark Henry. Henry looks like he's going to attack, but decides to simply smile and walk away. This segment did not go over well.

-Match 1: William Regal VS Drew McIntyre
-Drew's return to Smackdown. Booker T & Josh Matthews talk about Drew running away from RAW after his actions at TLC. Drew wins with a thumb to the eye and the Future Shock DDT. He adds a second Future Shock, just because he can. (***)

-McIntyre then got on the mic and kissed up to Shane McMahon, saying he share his father's brilliance for recognizing Drew's talent and making him the "Chosen One" once again.

-Match 2: Randy Orton VS Darren Young
-Orton squashes black John Cena in about two minutes with the RKO. (**1/2)

-As Orton is in the ring posing for the crowd, Wade Barrett appears on the TitanTron and says that Orton deserved what happened to him at TLC, because of what Orton did to Barrett a few weeks back. Despite getting physically involved at TLC and really wanting to get true revenge on Randy Orton, Barrett has not been cleared to compete. Barrett says he hopes to be cleared right round...the Royal Rumble.

-Divas Champion Beth Phoenix did an interview. She will be defending the Divas' title at the Royal Rumble against Layla, but is not concerned, because even though Layla is not blonde, she's still just a Barbie girl, and will pose little challenge.

-Match 3: Layla & AJ VS Tamina & Alicia Fox
-AJ takes punishment from the heels, but makes the hot tag, and Layla ends up pinning Tamina with the Lay Out. (1/2*)

-Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes did an interview. He said that now he has beaten Cody Rhodes and staked his claim as the greatest Intercontinental Champion in WWE history, it is time for him to move on to the World Heavyweight Championship. Tonight, Rhodes faces Daniel Bryan, and as always, Bryan's Money in the Bank briefcase is on the line. Rhodes says he'll beat Bryan, and cash in when it's most convenient.

-Match 4: Ted DiBiase VS Brodus Clay
-Pretty non-descript match. Clay wins clean with the Fall of Humanity. (**1/2)

-Match 5: Daniel Bryan VS Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes
-Decent main event, but I was hoping for better. Bryan fights out of Cross Rhodes and makes Cody tap to the LaBell Lock. (***1/2)

-After the match, Rhodes lays Bryan out, hits Cross Rhodes, and puts a paper bag on Bryan's head.

-MATCHES ANNOUNCED FOR THE ROYAL RUMBLE:
The Royal Rumble Match
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP: Alberto Del Rio [c] VS John Cena
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: Mark Henry [c] VS Justin Gabriel
WWE DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP: Beth Phoenix [c] VS Layla

EWR Diary Weeks 10 & 11 12/5-12/18/11

Raw 12/5/11:

-RAW GM Michael Cole opens the show by announcing John Cena VS Kevin Nash at TLC, and Cena & CM Punk VS Alberto Del Rio, Nash, & The Miz in a 3-on-2 handicap match in tonight's main event.

-Match 1: WWE Tag Team Champion Evan Bourne VS R-Truth
 -Cole banned Kofi Kingston from ringside, but allowed Miz to come to the ring with Truth. Miz provided a distraction, allowing Truth to hit the Little Jimmy for the win. Awesome Truth beat Bourne down after the match. (**1/2)

-CM Punk did another promo. Punk says no matter what Del Rio and Michael Cole throw at him between now and TLC, there is nothing that will stop Punk from becoming the new WWE Champion.

-A video hyping the upcoming debut of Diva Naomi Night airs.

-Match 2: Jack Swagger VS Michael McGillicutty
 -Shockingly awesome match. Swagger wins clean with the ankle lock. Too bad no one cares about McGillicutty, or this would have been a WWE match of the year candidate. (****1/4)

-After his win, Jack Swagger gets on the mic, and challenges Dolph Ziggler to a U.S. title match at TLC. Ziggler comes out to the entrance ramp, and accepts.

-Match 3: Big Show VS Mason Ryan
 -Not great, but a lot better than I feared. Ezekial Jackson uses a distraction from Vickie Guerrero as the opportunity to come into the ring and lay Show out with a huge clothesline, and Ryan gets the pin. (**1/4)

-Kevin Nash cut a promo on John Cena. Tonight will be just a little taste of what Cena has coming to him at TLC.

-Match 4-Four Corners Match with the winner receiving a Divas' title match next week on Raw: Kelly Kelly VS Eve VS Maryse VS Brie Bella
 -Eve pins Maryse clean with a moonsault. The less said, the better. (1/2*)

-John Cena is shown walking backstage in preparation for the main event, which is next.

-Match 5: John Cena & CM Punk VS WWE Champion Albero Del Rio, The Miz, & Kevin Nash
 -Decent main event. Del Rio KO's Cena with the WWE title belt, allowing Nash to hit the Jackknife Powerbomb for the win. (**3/4)

Smackdown 12/9/11:

-A video recapping the Sheamus/Mark Henry feud opens the show. The official contract signing for TLC is tonight.

-Match 1: Sin Cara VS Sin Cara II
 -Great opener. The Sin Caras fight all the way to the back, ending this match with a double count out. (****)

-Randy Orton cut a promo. He and Justin Gabriel will face Christian and Cody Rhodes tonight. Orton says what he did to Wade Barrett will be nothing compared to what he does to Cody Rhodes given the opportunity.

-Match 2: Daniel Bryan VS Jinder Mahal
 -Bryan wins a quick squash with the Labell Lock to remind everyone he's still around, since I haven't had anything for him since Survivor Series. (**)

-Cody Rhodes cut a return promo on Orton. Rhodes says that no matter what Orton has in mind for him, what Rhodes has in mind for Orton is much, much worse.

-Match 3: William Regal VS Brodus Clay
 -Regal put up a good fight, but fell to the Fall of Humanity. (**1/4)

-Christian cut a promo. He says that at TLC Justin Gabriel has his chance to step up to the big time and climb the ladder of success, but Christian is the master of the ladder match, so Gabriel will go crashing down to nowhere.

-Match 4: Ted DiBiase VS Darren Young
 -Match was put here, simply because I needed one. Neither did much to impress. DiBiase wins with Dream Street. (*1/4)

-Justin Gabriel cut a promo. He said that the match at TLC is the biggest match of his career. Gabriel knows it won't be easy beating Christian in a Ladder match, but believes he has what it takes to move to the next level, and become the World Heavyweight Champion.

-Match 5: Randy Orton & Justin Gabriel VS Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes & Christian
 -Pretty good main event. Rhodes takes a page out of Christian's book and spits right in Orton's face, and he reacts just like he did at Money in the Bank, kicking Rhodes in the nuts for a DQ. Orton then grabbed a chair and cracked both Rhodes and Christian, before almost nailing Gabriel in a blind rage. (***1/4)

-The Henry/Sheamus contract signing closes the show. This will officially be Sheamus' last shot at the title while Mark Henry is champion. Naturally, Henry goes on the attack. Sheamus fights back, but takes a belt shot and the World's Strongest Slam through a table to close the show.

-WWE NEWS: WWE has come to terms on the release of Kaitlyn (Celeste Bonin). We wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Raw 12/12/11:

-WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio opens the show. Del Rio says that it's his destiny to retain the WWE championship at TLC. Del Rio says he is simply better than CM Punk, and that TLC will be his last opportunity at Del Rio's title. This brings out Punk, who wonders aloud if Del Rio is so confident not because Del Rio believes destiny is on his side, but because Del Rio has the backing of Shane McMahon, Michael Cole, Kevin Nash, The Miz, and R-Truth. Del Rio says he needs no help in beating Punk. Punk tells Del Rio to prove it, and challenges him to a fight right then and there. Del Rio notes they will meet in a six man tag in tonight's main event, and says he will fight Punk then, before backing out of the ring.

-Match 1: Big Show & Jack Swagger VS Domination
 -Show KO'd Mason Ryan with the WMD and Swagger had Jackson tapping to the ankle lock, but Vickie Guerrero distracted the ref and Big Show, allowing Dolph Ziggler to sneak in and drop Swagger with the Zig Zag. Jackson followed up with the Book of Ezekial for the win. (**1/4)

-CM Punk corners RAW GM Michael Cole in Cole's office, and intimidates him into banning Ricardo Rodriguez, The Miz, Kevin Nash, & R-Truth from ringside during the WWE championship match at TLC.

-John Cena cut a promo on Kevin Nash. Cena calls Nash a bitter and jealous man whose best days are behind him. Cena says the money Nash will get paid for their match at TLC will not be worth what Cena does to him.

-Match 2 for the WWE Divas Championship: Beth Phoenix [c] VS Eve Torres
 -Natalya trips Eve while she's building momentum, allowing Beth to win with the Glam Slam. Two-on-one beat down is stopped by the debuting Naomi Knight, who manages to knock both Divas of Destruction out of the ring. (*1/2)

-Matt Stryker interviews Awesome Truth. They say they are finally going to win the WWE Tag Team Championship at TLC, like they should have three months ago. Then, after Del Rio retains against CM Punk and Kevin Nash destroys John Cena, The Conspirators will own Monday Night Raw.

-Match 3: Zack Ryder VS Tyler Reks
 -Ryder fights from underneath, and wins with the Rough Ryder. Needed a match to fill a segment. (*3/4)

-Match 4: John Cena VS Drew McIntyre
 -Terrific match. Drew got more than his share of offense. Cena made his comeback, but then Kevin Nash gingerly made his way into the ring and attacked Cena for the DQ. (****1/4)

-Cena fights back, dropping McIntyre with an Attitude Adjustment and going after Nash. The two briefly exchange blows before they are separated by WWE officials.

-Match 5: CM Punk & WWE Tag Team Champions Air Boom VS WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio & Awesome Truth
 -Decent main event. Match breaks down, and Punk pins Del Rio with the GTS. (**3/4)
-Awesome Truth and Air Boom fight to the back. As Punk celebrates the win and holds the WWE title belt in the air, Ricardo Rodriguez tries to attack. Just as Punk is about to drop Ricardo with the GTS, Kevin Nash hits Punk from behind. Nash, Del Rio, and Rodriguez work Punk over before being joined by Awesome Truth. Del Rio locks the cross armbreaker for a good amount of time, before finally letting go. The Conspirators surround Del Rio as he stands over Punk and holds the WWE title belt over his head.

Smackdown 12/16/11:

-Match 1: Sheamus VS Heath Slater
 -Sheamus wins clean with the Brogue kick and the Celtic Cross. After the pin, Sheamus gets a table, and puts Slater through it with a powerslam. (***3/4)

-After putting Slater through the table, Sheamus got on the mic and said he would make good on his last opportunity at Mark Henry, and do the same to him at TLC.

-A video recapped the Cody Rhodes/Randy Orton feud.

-Match 2: Trent Bareta VS WWE Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes
 -Rhodes win clean with Cross Rhodes. (**1/4)

-Cody Rhodes got on the mic, and announced that at TLC, he will defend his Intercontinental Championship against Randy Orton in a chairs match. Rhodes says that at TLC, Orton's past will finally catch up with him, then gives an uncomfortable evil laugh.

-A video recapped the Christian/Justin Gabriel feud. They will be guests on the Cutting Edge with Edge tonight.

-Match 3: Layla VS Alicia Fox
 -Total filler. Layla wins with the Lay Out. (3/4*)

-Match 4: The Usos VS World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry in a Handicap match
 -The Usos were supposed to face local competitors, but Henry came out and told them he beat up their opponents backstage, and now wants to do the same to them. Henry dominates both Usos, and pins Jey with the World's Strongest Slam. Henry then gets a table, puts Jey on it, then slams Jimmy onto Jey, through the table. (*)

-Henry says that anything Sheamus can do, Henry can do better. Henry says that after he puts Sheamus through a table, the only time Henry will think about him is when he looks at Sheamus' plaque in the Hall of Pain.

-Match 5: Daniel Bryan VS Sin Cara II
 -Good main event. They are going back-and-forth when the original Sin Cara walks down to ringside. Sin Cara II goes out to fight him, and ends up getting counted out when they fight to the back. (***3/4)
-Edge hosted The Cutting Edge with Christian & Justin Gabriel. Edge says he sees a lot of himself and Christian in Justin Gabriel, and is reminded of the time they used a ladder match to make names for themselves. Christian gets upset, and asks of Gabriel is Edge's new best friend. Edge says no, and not-so-politely "asks" Christian to stop acting like a bitch. Christian cheapshots Gabriel, and the fight is on. Gabriel gets the upper hand, and Christian backs away as the show ends.

Tables, Ladders, & Chairs 12/18/11:

-Match 1: Sin Cara VS Sin Cara II
 -Great opener. Sin Cara executed a cross body from the top, but Sin Cara II rolled through, and held the tights to win the match. (****)

-Match 2-Ladder match for a World Heavyweight Championship match at the Royal Rumble: Justin Gabriel VS Christian
 -Another great match. Gabriel knocked Christian off the ladder, hit the 450 splash off the ladder, then climbed and grabbed the contract for the title match to win. (****)

-Match 3 for the WWE United States Championship: Dolph Ziggler [c] VS Jack Swagger
 -The greatness continues. Swagger got Ziggler in the ankle lock, but Vickie provided a distraction. Ziggler rolled out of the ankle lock, sending Swagger into Vickie, then hit the Zig Zag on the rebound to retain. (****)

-Match 4 for the WWE Intercontinental Championship: Cody Rhodes [c] VS Randy Orton [Chairs match]
 -Not quite up to the level of the first three matches, but still really good. Rhodes' prophecy from Smackdown came true. After a ref bump off an erant chair shot, Orton hit Cody in the nuts with a chair, then followed up with an RKO. That's when Wade Barrett came out and laid waste to Orton with chair shots, and put Cody on top for the pin. After the bell, Barrett came back in the ring, and gave Orton Wasteland through the seat of a chair. (***3/4)

-Match 5 for the WWE Tag Team Championship: Air Boom [c] VS Awesome Truth
 -A step down from the previous matches, but still good. Truth lays Kingston out on the floor, then shoves Bourne off the top while he was preparing to deliver Air Bourne on Miz. Miz follows up with the Skull Crushing Finale for the pin and the titles. (***1/4)

-Match 6 for the World Heavyweight Championship: Mark Henry [c] VS Sheamus [Tables match]
 -Pretty pedestrian brawl, looking worse by the awesome matches that have preceeded it. Henry wins clean with the World's Strongest Slam through a table. (**1/4)

-Match 7: John Cena VS Kevin Nash
 -Nash appears to have it won after ramming Cena's head into an exposed turnbuckle and hitting the Jackknife powerbomb, but Cena kicks out at two, before coming back with the Attitude Adjustment and STF for the submission win. An OK match with a hot crowd, what I was expecting. (**3/4)

-Match 8 for the WWE Championship: Alberto Del Rio [c] VS CM Punk [TLC match]
 -Terrific main event. True to Cole's word, no one from The Conspirators interfered, and Ricardo Rodriguez was sent to the back after announcing Del Rio. Punk looked to have it won, when Drew McIntyre suddenly came out of the crowd and rushed the ring, shoving a ladder over while Punk was grasping for the title, and sending Punk crashing outside through a table. That allowed Del Rio to climb the ladder and retain the title. (****1/4)

-Unlike Survivor Series, this show pretty much lived up to my expectations. I figured the first four matches would deliver, was pleasantly surprised by the tag title match, and knew that the main event would be the best match out of them all. This was a tough card to configure, as I was worried about at least one of the matches taking a hit when the crowd got burned out by the one before it, but that didn't happen. Probably too many heel victories, but because of where I want the booking to go, it was neccessary.

EWR Diary Week 9: 11/28-12/4/11

Raw 11/28/11:

-Raw GM Michael Cole opened the show. He announces that the WWE Championship match between champion Alberto Del Rio and challenger CM Punk at the TLC pay-per-view, will be a TLC match. Cole also announces that tonight, Del Rio will team with Kevin Nash to face CM Punk and...The Miz.

-Match 1: WWE Tag Team Champion Kofi Kingston VS R-Truth

-It was announced that Michael Cole had banned Evan Bourne from ringside for this match. Really good match that I did not see coming. Truth wins clean with the Little Jimmy. (****)

-Michael Cole announces that with Truth's win over Kingston tonight, Awesome Truth will challenge Air Boom for the WWE Tag Team Championship at TLC.

-Match 2: Jack Swagger VS Mason Ryan

-Swagger worked a minor miracle here. Swagger looks like he might get Ryan in the ankle lock when Dolph Ziggler ran in to draw a DQ. (**3/4)

-The two-on-one on Ziggler becomes a three-on-one when Ezekial Jackson joins in the fun. Swagger is destroyed, then held in place so Vickie Guerrero can slap him across the face to put the explanation point on the beat down.

-CM Punk did a promo. Punk knows tonight's tag match is a setup, and that he won't be getting any help from the Miz. Punk says that means Del Rio, Shane McMahon, and "the puppet GM" Michael Cole are afraid that Punk will win the WWE championship at TLC. Punk says they should be afraid...they should be very afraid.

-Match 3: Zack Ryder & Santino Marella VS Primo & Curt Hawkins

-Pretty short match so the crowd doesn't die with them out there. Face team wins with a Coba/Rough Ryder combo on Primo. (**1/4)

-Match 4: Alex Riley VS Drew McIntyre

-Drew wins with a thumb to the eye and the future shock DDT. Match wasn't that good. I blame Riley. (*3/4)

-John Cena responds to what Kevin Nash said last week. Cena blames Nash for killing WCW and gets on his case for being only about the money. Cena says he will be watching the main event closely.

-Match 5: Big Show VS Ezekial Jackson

-Jackson impressed a couple power moves on Show. Match spills outside, where they fight to a double count out. They end up brawling all the way to the back. (**1/4)

-The main event match never happened. Del Rio, Nash, and Miz all jumped on Punk before the bell even rang. John Cena ran out to make the save, but got destroyed too.

Smackdown 12/2/11:

-Smackdown General Manager Teddy Long announces that Wade Barrett will not be able to compete for some time due to last week's attack by Randy Orton. Because of this, Christian receives a bye into the finals of the tournament to determine who will face the World Heavyweight Champion at the Royal Rumble. Christian will face the winner of tonight's main event between Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes and Justin Gabriel.

-Sheamus cut a promo. He and Henry get to pick partners for a tag team match later tonight. Sheamus says he will make his last shot at Mark Henry count when he beats him in a Tables match for the World Heavyweight Championship at TLC.

-Match 1: Yoshi Tatsu VS Brodus Clay

-Quick squash. Clay wins with the Fall of Humanity, and adds another after the match for good measure. (**)

-Christian cut a promo. Christian says he has confidence that he'll be facing Cody Rhodes at TLC, not Justin Gabriel.

-Match 2 for the WWE Tag Team Championship: Air Boom [c] VS Heath Slater & Tyson Kidd

-This is a result of Kidd & Slater holding the tag title belts hostage until they were given this title match. Slater catches Kingston with a downward spiral, but puts himself in position for Air Bourne, and the champions retain. (***)

-As Air Boom celebrate their win, they are attacked and laid out by Awesome Truth.

-Natalya comes to the ring and issues an open challenge. It is accepted by the returning Layla.

-Match 3: Layla VS Natalya

-Layla wins clean with the Lay Out. Match wasn't good, but at least the crowd was into it more than the usual Divas' match. (*)

-Match 4: Sheamus & Daniel Bryan VS World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry & Brodus Clay

-Yes, double duty for Clay for two reasons: I want to push him, and the heel depth on Smackdown is really shallow. Henry nails Sheamus with the World title belt to draw a DQ, then puts him through the Spanish announce table. (**3/4)

-Match 5: Justin Gabriel VS Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes

-Good main event. Ref is bumped, and Christian runs in to lay out Gabriel. Randy Orton runs out, lays out Christian, and drops Rhodes with an RKO before fighting with Christian all the way to the back. That allows Gabriel to hit the 450 splash for the win. (***3/4)

-As Gabriel celebrates his win, Teddy Long comes out to announce that Gabriel/Christian at TLC will be...a ladder match.

-MATCHES ANNOUNCED FOR WWE TABLES, LADDERS, AND CHAIRS:

-WWE CHAMPIONSHIP TLC MATCH: Alberto Del Rio [c] VS CM Punk

-WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TABLES MATCH: Mark Henry [c] VS Sheamus

-WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Air Boom [c] VS Awesome Truth

-LADDER MATCH WHERE THE WINNER RECEIVES A WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH AT THE ROYAL RUMBLE: Christian VS Justin Gabriel

EWR Diary Week 8: 11/21-11/27/11

Raw 11/21/11:

-New WWE COO Shane McMahon opened the show. He explained that he came back the way he did, and aligned himself with the people he has, because of two men: his father Vince McMahon, and Triple H. Shane says he left WWE when it became apparent that he would not be the one to run WWE in the future. Shane talks about how disappointing it was to essentially be groomed his entire life to take over the business, only to have Triple H swoop in, become "Vince's favorite son", and take Shane's spot as the heir apparent. Shane says everything now is they way it should be, and that we will seen HHH again when Shane is ready to forgive HHH for everything he has done to Shane, and that will be a long, long, LONG time. Shane announces that he has hired a new General Manager for RAW: Michael Cole. Cole exits the announce table, gloating and celebrating all the way to the back.

-Match 1 for the Divas Championship: Beth Phoenix [c] VS Kelly Kelly
-Beth wins clean with the Glam Slam. Not much different from Survivor Series. (*1/2)

-Michael Cole is backstage taking in his new office with Shane McMahon congratulating him. CM Punk enters, and gives Cole some insincere congratulations of his own. Punk says that since he pinned the WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio last night, Punk should get the next title shot. The Miz enters as Cole isn't sure how to answer, and reminds everyone that he won the main event last night as the sole survivor for his team. Cole decides to make Punk VS Miz in a #1 contender's match as tonight's main event, only making it final when Shane nods his head in approval.

-Vickie Guerrero comes out to the ring, and brings out her newest clients: Ezekial Jackson & Mason Ryan. She says that since they will become the most dominant team in WWE history, they will be known simply as Domination.

-Match 2: John Morrison & Alex Riley VS Domination
-Decent length tag match. Domination...dominate Morrison until he makes the hot tag to Riley. Vickie provides a distraction and Morrison wipes out, allowing Domination to finish Riley with Kronik's old High Times finisher. (**1/2)

-John Cena came out for a lengthy promo. He scolded the Rock for showing everyone what type of man he truly is and helping cost their team the match at Survivor Series, and thus HHH his job. Cena said he realizes that Rock held no love for any of his teammates, but is disappointed because he thought the Rock would at least do his best for the people. Cena says he's now more excited than ever to face Rock at WrestleMania.

-As The Miz warms up for the main event, WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio stops by to say it would be an honor to face Miz for the title at TLC. Is he sincere? Probably not, but Miz seems to think so.

-Match 3: Big Show VS Curt Hawkins & Primo [Handicap Match]
-Short squash for Show, who finishes Primo with the W.M.D. (*1/2)

-Match 4 for the United States Championship: Dolph Ziggler [c] VS Jack Swagger
-These two are building great chemistry. Ryder gets Ziggler in trouble, but is tripped up by Vickie, allowing Ziggler to hit the Zig Zag and finish with the sleeper. Ziggler looks to add a beatdown, but Jack Swagger runs out to chase him away. (***3/4)

-John Cena is walking around backstage, when Kevin Nash approaches him. Nash tells Cena he wants what Cena has, the WrestleMania main event against the Rock and the big check that will come with it. Cena says if Nash wants something from Cena to come and get it.

-Match 5 for the #1 Contendership to the WWE Championship: CM Punk VS The Miz
-Decent main event. Punk was starting to build some momentum when Del Rio ran in and attacked Punk, drawing a DQ. Miz looks PISSED, but helps Del Rio beat Punk down anyway. Del Rio tries to placate Miz a little by raising Miz's arm in victory after the beatdown. It doesn't seem to work as Miz stares a hole in Del Rio as ADR holds the WWE title belt in the air and the show ends. (***)

-WWE NEWS: Maryse (who I haven't been using and may let go), is out one month with a "damaged hand". No comment on how she damaged it.

Smackdown 11/25/11:

-Smackdown General Manager Teddy Long opens the show. He announces that at TLC, Sheamus will receive one last World Heavyweight Championship match against Mark Henry in a Tables match. Also, starting tonight there will be an 8 man tournament culminating at TLC, with the winner earning a World Heavyweight Championship match at the Royal Rumble in January.

-Match 1: Ted DiBiase VS Christian [Tournament Match]
-Really good opener. DiBiase gives it his all, but falls victim to the Killswitch. (***3/4)

-Matt Striker interviews Sheamus. He thanks Teddy Long for giving him one last championship match, and waxes notstalgic about winning his first WWE Championship in a Tables match at the first TLC pay-per-view. Sheamus tells Mark Henry that at TLC he will find out that lightning can strike twice.

-Match 2: Justin Gabriel VS Sin Cara II [Tournament Match]
-Great match, but the crowd wasn't into it all the way. Gabriel avoids a splash from Sin Cara II, and hits the 450 for the win. (***3/4)

-Wade Barrett cut a promo. He will face Randy Orton in a tournament match tonight. Barrett says that 2012 will be the Year of Wade Barrett, and no one can stop it.

-Match 3: WWE Tag Team Champions Air Boom VS Heath Slater & Tyson Kidd
-Air Boom win the non-title match when Kingston catches Kidd with Trouble in Paradise. (**3/4)

-As Air Boom celebrate their win, Slater & Kidd attack them from behind, deliver a beat down, and steal the tag team championship belts.

-Matt Striker interviewed Mark Henry. Henry says he knows Teddy Long wants Sheamus to be the World Heavyweight champion, but that after TLC, Teddy will have to look for someone else to try to take the title from him. Henry says Sheamus will make his final trip to the Hall of Pain when he goes through a table at TLC.

-Match 4: Sin Cara VS Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes [Tournament Match]
-Sin Cara went to dive through the ropes, but Cody nailed him with the IC title belt in the process as the ref was distracted by one of the baggers. Rhodes finishes with Cross Rhodes to advance. (***1/4)

-Match 5: Randy Orton VS Wade Barrett [Tournament Match]
 -Great main event. Orton has things going his way when Cody Rhodes comes back out to provide a distraction. That allows Barrett to hit Wasteland for the win. (****1/4)

-Rhodes & Barrett double-team Orton after the bell. Rhodes looks like he's going to KO Orton with a chair, but then Orton manages to fight back and hit an RKO on Barrett, causing Rhodes to run away. Orton wears Barrett out with the chair, then hits a punt on Barrett as a mortified Rhodes looks on. Ortont takes off after Rhodes, and medics cart Barrett away on a stretcher as the show ends.

EWR Diary Week 7: 11/14-11/20/11

Raw 11/14/11:

-The show opens with the Conspirators all coming to the ring. They cut a long group promo, with the gyst being that they will win all their matches tonight, and after Survivor Series, there will be a new era in WWE.

-Match 1: Alex Riley VS Brodus Clay

-Clay wins clean with his finisher. Clay goes to add injury to injury when he is run off by John Morrison. (*1/2)

-Triple H cut a promo. He has a match with R-Truth, while Cena will face Del Rio, and Punk will face Miz. Because HHH is still COO, he has banned everyone from both teams from ringside during the individual matches.

-Match 2: Triple H VS R-Truth

-HHH wins clean with the Pedigree. What did you expect? (**1/2)

-Match 3: AJ & Kaitlyn VS Beth Phoenix & Natalya

-Divas of Destruction demolish the babyfaces. Beth pins AJ clean with the Glam Slam. Crowd was burned out after the last match plus...it's a Divas' match. (3/4*)

-Beth Phoenix gets on the mic, and directs some comments at Divas Champion Kelly Kelly. Beth says Survivor Series will be the dawn of a new age for the Divas when she beats Kelly for the championship.

-CM Punk cut a promo for his match against The Miz.

-Match 4: CM Punk VS The Miz

-Decent match, which seems to be the best all Miz is capable of. Punk gets the momentum and looks to finish, but Miz takes a walk. (**3/4)

-Match 5: Randy Orton, Justin Gabriel, & WWE Tag Team Champions Air Boom VS United States Champion Dolph Ziggler, Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes, Christian, & Jack Swagger

-Preview of their traditional Survivor Series elimination match at the PPV. Big ending sequence with everyone hitting finishers or signature moves, ending with Ziggler hitting Bourne with the Zig Zag for the win. (***)

-Match 6: John Cena VS WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio

-OK main event. ADR suddenly grabs the WWE title belt and KO's Cena for the DQ, before sprinting to the back. (***)

-As Cena tries to recover from the belt shot, the camera cuts to the back where the rest of the Conspirators are destroying Triple H and CM Punk. Del Rio joins in the fun, and after the Conspirators leave, the camera lingers on HHH & Punk as the show ends.

Smackdown 11/18/11:

-Match 1: Daniel Bryan, William Regal, Sin Cara, & Ted DiBiase VS Wade Barrett, Sin Cara II, Heath Slater, & Tyson Kidd

-Long opener, and a preview of a traditional Survivor Series elimination match. As the match breaks down, Slater gets a hold of Bryan's Money in the Bank briefcase and KO's Ted DiBiase for the win. (***)

-Sheamus cut a promo for his matches tonight against the Big Show in a no-DQ match, and the World Heavyweight Championship match against Show and champion Mark Henry at Survivor Series.

-Randy Orton cut a promo. He says his team will win at Survivor Series, and that Cody Rhodes above all others, will not survive.

-Match 2: Trent Barreta VS World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry

-Quick squash for Henry, who adds a big splash and another World's Strongest Slam after the bell for good measure. (*3/4)

-Henry cut a promo on Sheamus and Big Show in preparation for the title match at Survivor Series.

-Match 3: Justin Gabriel VS Christian

-Typical great match between these two. Cody Rhodes comes out to ringside and interferes, allowing Christian to get the win with the Killswitch. Just as it looks like Rhodes & Christian are about to destroy Gabriel, Randy Orton makes the save. (****)

-As the four men fight, Teddy Long makes his return to Smackdown, and orders Christian & Gabriel to leave ringside so Orton & Rhodes can have a non-title match right now.

-Match 4: Randy Orton VS Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes

-Really good match. Match spilled outside the ring, where the two brawled for a double count out. (***3/4)

-As Rhodes/Orton fight, Christian & Gabriel rejoin the fray, and the four men have to be held apart by WWE officials.

-Big Show cut a promo. He KO'd Sheamus last week to let him know that Show is not his friend, and the only thing that matters is the World Heavyweight Championship. Show says he will KO Sheamus tonight, then Mark Henry if he wants to get involved, then possibly both at Survivor Series to win the title.

-Match 5: Sheamus VS Big Show [No Disqualification]

-This was not good. Neither man held a distinct advantage until Mark Henry came to ringside. Then it became a three-way fight. Henry KO's Sheamus with the title, then Show KO's Henry with the WMD and gets the pin on Sheamus. Show stands tall with the World title belt as the show closes. Not a good omen for the PPV. (*3/4)

Survivor Series 11/20/11:

-Match 1: Daniel Bryan, William Regal, Sin Cara, & Ted DiBiase VS Wade Barrett, Sin Cara II, Heath Slater, & Tyson Kidd [Traditional Survivor Series Elimination match]

-FIRST FALL: Barrett pinned DiBiase with Wasteland.
-SECOND FALL: Both Sin Caras were counted out.
-THIRD FALL: Tyson Kidd pinned William Regal with illegal help from Slater.
-FOURTH FALL: Bryan caught Kidd celebrating, and submitted him with the Labelle Lock.
-FIFTH FALL: Bryan submitted Slater with the Labelle Lock.
-SIXTH FALL: Bryan countered Wasteland with a crucifix for the pin.
-SOLE SURVIVOR: Daniel Bryan (**1/4)

-Match 2: John Morrison VS Brodus Clay

-Morrison fought the good fight, but fell to Clay's finisher. (**1/4)

-Match 3: Randy Orton, Justin Gabriel, & WWE Tag Team Champions Air Boom VS Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes, United States Champion Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger, & Christian

-FIRST FALL: Ziggler pinned Kingston with the Zig Zag.
-SECOND FALL: Christian pinned Bourne with the Killswitch.
-THIRD FALL: Orton pinned Swagger with the RKO
-FOURTH FALL: Orton pinned Rhodes with the RKO
-FIFTH FALL: Christian pinned Orton by pulling the tights.
-SIXTH FALL: Gabriel pinned Christian with the 450
-SEVENTH FALL: Gabriel pinned Ziggler with a roll-up after Jack Swagger came back out to ringside, but his interference backfired.
-SOLE SURVIVOR: Justin Gabriel
-This match was shockingly and inexcusably disappointing. (*3/4)

-After the final fall, Swagger gets into it with Ziggler and Vickie Guerrero. Swagger and Ziggler fight, until Ezekial Jackson & Mason Ryan rush to the ring...and attack Swagger. Ziggler, Jackson, and Ryan destroy Swagger and leave together with Vickie.

-Match 4 for the Divas Championship: Kelly Kelly [c] VS Beth Phoenix

-Referee kicked Natalya & Eve from ringside early on. Beth wins the title clean with the Glam Slam. (*1/2)

-Match 5 for the World Heavyweight Championship: Mark Henry [c] VS Sheamus VS Big Show [Triple Threat Match]

-Henry and Sheamus ended up double-teaming Big Show towards the end. Show manages to KO Sheamus, but walks into a World's Strongest Slam, and Henry retains. (**)

-Match 6: Triple H, John Cena, CM Punk, & The Rock VS WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, R-Truth, and Kevin Nash [Traditional Survivor Series Elimination match with HHH's job as WWE COO on the line]

-FIRST FALL: Rock pinned Nash with the Rock Bottom.
-SECOND FALL: Del Rio pinned Rock after miscommunication between Rock and Cena.
-THIRD FALL: Rock planted Cena with a Rock Bottom before leaving, and Del Rio got the pin.
-FOURTH FALL: Punk pinned Del Rio with the GTS.
-FIFTH FALL: Truth pinned Punk after he and Miz hit the Little Jimmy Finale.
-SIXTH FALL: HHH pinned Truth with the Pedigree.
-SEVENTH FALL: Ref was bumped, and SHANE MCMAHON made his return to WWE, hitting a diving chair shot on HHH, and Miz got the pin.
-SOLE SURVIVOR: The Miz (**1/2, but the crowd was insane for the whole thing)

EWR Diary Week 6: 11/7-11/13/11

Raw 11/7/11:

-The show opened with The Rock. Rock says he didn't come back to hang out with CM Punk, he didn't come back to save Triple H's job, and he sure as hell didn't come back to help John Cena. The Rock came back...for the people. The Rock knows the people don't like Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, R-Truth, or Kevin Nash, so the Rock is back to lay the smack down on all their candy asses.

-Match 1: John Morrison VS R-Truth

-Competetive opener. Truth wins clean with the Little Jimmy. After the match, Morrison was assaulted by Brodus Clay. (***1/4)

-CM Punk cut a promo. Tonight, he finally has something he's wanted for months: Kevin Nash. Punk says Triple H saved Nash from Punk once, but tonight, nothing can save Nash.

-Match 2: Divas Champion Kelly Kelly & Eve VS The Bella Twins

-Kelly pins Brie clean with the K2. Not as terrible as I feared. (*1/2)

-The Miz cuts a promo. He is facing John Cena in tonight's main event. Miz says he will have Del Rio, R-Truth, and Nash watching his back, and that he trusts them all. Miz ponders whether Cena can trust The Rock, CM Punk, or Triple H.

-Kelly Kelly is walking alone backstage when she is ambushed and beaten down by Beth Phoenix & Natalya.

-Match 3: Randy Orton & Justin Gabriel VS Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes & Christian

-Good length match to bridge the first and second hours. Orton catches Rhodes with an RKO, and Gabriel finishes with the 450. (***1/2)

-Match 4 for the WWE United States Championship: Dolph Ziggler [c] VS Zack Ryder

-Another good match. Ryder has the momentum and sets up for the Rough Ryder, but a distraction from Jack Swagger allows Ziggler to hit the Zig Zag and retain. Ziggler & Swagger look ready to demolish Ryder, but Air Boom rush out to chase them off. (***1/2)

-Match 5: CM Punk VS Kevin Nash

-Match was a lot better than I was anticipating. Crowd was really hot for this. Punk has all the momentum after a Savage Elbow, but Nash kicks Punk in the nuts for a DQ. Nash tries to jackknife Punk, who fights out of it, and the two brawl through the crowd and out of sight. (***)

-Match 6: John Cena VS The Miz

-Cena wins clean with the AA after all the seconds (sans Punk & Nash), start fighting with each other. These two just do not have main event chemistry, but the crowd stayed hot for it. (**1/2)

-After the match, the babyface team clears out the heels, and a group staredown ends the show.

Smackdown 11/11/11:

-Sheamus opens the show with a promo. Sheamus promises to win the World Heavyweight Championship at Survivor Series, and states that the only thing he and Big Show have in common is above-average size, pale skin, and a hatred for Mark Henry.

-Match 1: Yoshi Tatsu & Trent Barreta VS Tyson Kidd & Heath Slater

-Match was good, but crowd wasn't really into it, as you probably would expect. Slater & Kidd finish Tatsu with a springboard Hart Attack, as Slater holds Tatsu for the clothesline by Kidd. (**1/2)

-As William Regal warms up backstage, Daniel Bryan enters. Bryan says that even though he has a match with Evil Sin Cara next, he will still have Regal's back later tonight. Regal thanks him before returning to his warmup.

-Match 2: Daniel Bryan VS Sin Cara II

-Match of the week so far. Evil Sin Cara and Bryan are battling it out in the ring, when the original Sin Cara comes down to ringside. The second Sin Cara attacks him, and is counted out while the two Sin Caras fight on the floor. (***3/4)

-As Daniel Bryan watches the Sin Cara fight, Wade Barrett emerges from the crowd and jumps him. Barrett lays Bryan out with the Money in the Bank briefcase, followed by Wasteland.

-Big Show cut a promo. It's his turn to have a no disqualification match against World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry. Show says he is going to make Henry pay for every day Show had was out of action.

-Match 3 for the WWE Intercontinental Championship: Cody Rhodes [c] VS Justin Gabriel

-Another good match, on par with Bryan/Sin Cara II. Cody's baggers get involved, and end up distracting the ref, allowing Christian to sneak in and hit Gabriel with a spear, allowing Rhodes to follow up with Cross Rhodes and retain. Randy Orton makes the save, laying out the baggers with RKOs. (***3/4)

-Mark Henry cut a promo. He says he is still going to eliminate Big Show and Sheamus before Survivor Series. Big Show and tonight, and Sheamus soon to come...unless Sheamus sticks his nose in the match tonight, then it will be sooner than later.

-Match 4: William Regal VS Wade Barrett

-Another really good match. Ring work may have been better than the last two matches, but the crowd reaction wasn't as high. Barrett cheats and Regal is pissed about Barrett attacking Daniel Bryan earlier, so Regal decides to show Barrett how it's done and KO's him with the Power of the Punch, drawing a DQ. As Regal is pulled away from Barrett, he is suddenly attacked by Heath Slater & Tyson Kidd. Regal is laid out, then Slater & Kidd help Barrett to his feet and add a couple shots for good measure. (***3/4)

-Randy Orton cut a promo. He says he has just been informed that he will be in a traditional Survivor Series match, teaming with Justin Gabriel & Air Boom to face Cody Rhodes, Christian, Dolph Ziggler, & Jack Swagger. Orton says Survivor Series will be the worst day in the lives of his opponents.

-Match 5: Big Show VS World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry [No Disqualification]

-OK main event, but not up to par with the last three matches. Sheamus does get involved, and Show takes advantage, dropping Mark Henry with the W.M.D. knock-out punch for the win. As Sheamus prepares to leave, Show gives him one too, and stands tall as the show closes. (**3/4)

MATCHES ANNOUNCED FOR SURVIVOR SERIES:

Traditional Survivor Series Match with HHH's job as COO on the line: HHH, John Cena, The Rock, & CM Punk VS WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, R-Truth, & Kevin Nash

Triple Threat Match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Mark Henry [c] VS Sheamus VS Big Show

Traditional Survivor Series Match: Randy Orton, Justin Gabriel, & WWE Tag Team Champions Air Boom VS Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes, Christian, United States Champion Dolph Ziggler, & Jack Swagger

Divas Championship: Kelly Kelly [c] VS Beth Phoenix

EWR Diary Week 5: 10/31-11/6/11

Raw 10/31/11:

-The show opens with WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio, Kevin Nash, & Awesome Truth in the ring. Miz & Truth start things off by talking about the conspiracy that was holding them down earlier this year. Miz says that they responded by forming a conspiracy of their own, one that will change WWE forever. Kevin Nash talks about doing what he thought his friend HHH would want, but when HHH rebuffed and fired him, Nash had no choice but to join up with Miz, Truth, Del Rio, and their "mystery friend". Nash says someone very close to HHH wants what HHH has, and that this group will do what they have to do to make it happen. Del Rio says he knows as long as HHH is in charge, that Del Rio will never get a fair shake as WWE Champion. Del Rio says the match at Survivor Series will go on as announced, but with one stipulation added; when their team wins, HHH is OUT as WWE COO, and their friend takes his place. Tonight the downfall of the HHH administration continues, as Del Rio & Awesome Truth will face HHH, John Cena, & CM Punk in a six man tag team main event.

-Match 1: Santino Marella VS Brodus Clay

-Santino tries his hardest, but gets destroyed by Clay. Clay continues the beatdown after the match. (*1/2)

-World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry gives an interview. He says that tonight Teddy Long has booked him in a tag match against Sheamus & Kane with a mystery partner. Henry says his partner better hold up his end, or he will join the Hall of Pain.

-Zack Ryder is walking backstage, getting ready for his match when he is jumped and beaten down by Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger.

-Match 2: Handicap Match: Mason Ryan VS Zig-Swag

-Ryder was supposed to be Ryan's tag team partner. Ryan holds his own, but Vickie Guerrero provides a distraction, allowing Ziggler to hit the Zig Zag for the win. (**3/4)

-Zig-Swag double team Ryan, until Ezekial Jackson rushes out to make the save.

-Match 3: AJ VS Beth Phoenix

-Beth wins quickly with the Glam Slam. (*3/4)

-Match 4: Sheamus & Kane VS World Heavweight Champion Mark Henry & ????

-Henry's tag team partner is...The Big Show. Henry is NOT pleased, and that proves to be well-founded when Show refuses to tag in. Sheamus hits the Brogue Kick for the win. (**1/4)

-After the match, Kane adds a chokeslam, and Show finishes it off with the KO punch.

-Match 5: John Cena, CM Punk, & Triple H VS WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio & Awesome Truth

-Long main event. Match breaks down and Cena has Truth in position for the AA when Kevin Nash walks in and boot Cena in the face, drawing a DQ. (***)

-After the match, Nash & Del Rio fight with HHH & Punk all the way to the back, allowing Awesome Truth to double-team Cena. Just when it looks like Awesome Truth may finish him off, THE ROCK comes sprinting down to ringside to lay the smack down. Rock & Cena uneasily watch each other's backs as Awesome Truth bails.

Smackdown 11/4/11:

*WWE News: Kane suffered an arm injury during the tag team match on RAW, and will be out until the new year.*

-World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry opens the show. He says that Teddy Long is mad because Mark Henry made him an example of what happens when you cross the World's Strongest Man. Henry says Long was going to make Henry defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Sheamus, Kane, & The Big Show in a Fatal 4 Way at Survivor Series. Henry says that after RAW this past Monday, Henry got his hands on Kane, and he won't be making it to Survivor Series. Henry says the match is now a Triple Threat match between himself, Sheamus, and Big Show...for now. Tonight, Henry has asked for, and received a non-title no-disqualification match against Sheamus. Henry says he is going to take the opportunity to eliminate Sheamus from the match at Survivor Series, then Big Show is next...

-Match 1: Ted DiBiase VS Wade Barrett

-Barrett wins relatively quickly with Wasteland. Barrett goes to add another like the last time he faced DiBiase, but William Regal made the save. (***1/4)

-Heath Slater & Tyson Kidd are in the ring. They talk about being the future of the WWE, but they are tired of being overlooked by both the WWE brass, and the WWE Universe. They have joined forces, and starting tonight, they will no longer be the overlooked.

-Match 2: Heath Slater & Tyson Kidd VS The Usos

-Short match. Slater gets a roll-up on Jey, and some help from Kidd to get the pin. The crowd was so into the opener, they were burned out for this match. Did not see that coming. (*3/4)

-Matt Striker meets up with Wade Barrett backstage. Barrett is upset at William Regal, saying that Regal should be by his side, not Daniel Bryan's. Regal shows up and gets in Barrett's face. Barrett challenges Regal to a match for next week, and Regal accepts.

-Elsewhere, Christian says that Teddy Long has been negligent in not giving Christian his "one more match" for the world title, but tonight, after he beats Daniel Bryan and gains posession of the Money in the Bank briefcase, he can have that match whenever he wants.

-Match 3: Justin Gabriel VS Sin Cara II

-Really good TV match. Gabriel wins with the 450. Christian sprints down to the ring, and lays Gabriel out with a spear and the Killswitch, showing their issue is far from settled. (***3/4)

-Match 4: Randy Orton VS Jinder Mahal

-Quick squash. Orton wins with the RKO. (**)

-As Orton celebrates his win, Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes comes out onto the stage, and says that after Rhodes' victory at Vengeance, he is moving on to bigger and better things, leaving Orton in his rear-view mirror. Booker T wonders why, if Rhodes is moving on, why he has to keep saying it.

-Match 5: Daniel Bryan VS Christian

-Long match. Christian escapes the Labell Lock and takes control with a low blow. The ref gets bumped, and Christian KO's Bryan with the MitB briefcase. Christian wakes up the ref and looks to finish with the Killswitch, but Justin Gabriel is trying to fight his way through WWE officials to get to Christian. He can't, but the distraction is enough for Bryan to roll Christian up for the pin. Christian has a tempet tantrum after the loss. (***1/2)

-Match 6: Sheamus VS World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry [No Disqualification]

-Another long match. Henry jumps Sheamus during Sheamus' entrance, so Sheamus has to fight from underneath the whole match. Henry tries to slam Sheamus through the announce table, but Sheamus avoids it. Sheamus splashes Henry through a table for a near-fall. Henry lays Sheamus out with a belt shot and the World's Strongest Slam. Henry doesn't want the pin until he Pillmanizes Sheamus. As he prepares to do so, the Big Show emerges from the crowd. Show nails Henry with a KO punch, causing Henry to turn right into the Brogue kick for the Sheamus victory. Sheamus and Big Show shake hands as the show ends. (**1/4)

MATCHES ANNOUNCED FOR SURVIVOR SERIES:

Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match with HHH's Job as WWE COO on the line:
Triple H, John Cena, The Rock, & CM Punk VS The Conspirators of WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, R-Truth, & Kevin Nash

Triple Threat Match for the World Heavyweight Championship:
Mark Henry [c] VS Sheamus VS The Big Show

Divas Championship:
Kelly Kelly [c] VS Beth Phoenix