Ratings/Analysis:
Jesse Sorensen vs. Kid Kash: This was to determine who would face Kendrick (or Austin Aries, whomever walked out with the X-Division belt after No Surrender). Sorensen really got dropped on his head on that brainbuster. Not bad here, as each guy got in some good offense. **
Hogan and Angle get some words in backstage.
Bully Ray vs. James Storm: Storm has to win by submission to advance because of the points differential (Storm trailed by 9 points coming in and a submission win is 10 points, whereas a pinfall win is only 7). Intimidation tactics from Bully Ray -- and also stalling tactics. Armbreaker from Storm. Not much action in the first few minutes. "Beer Money!" chants in the crowd. Bully Ray drinks some of Storm's beer and spits it in Storm's face. Storm gets the armbreaker back on Ray and Ray barely gets to the ropes. Sharpshooter! Or I guess they have to call it the Scorpion Death Lock because of Sting (and Bret's in WWE). Fujiwara armbar now by Storm! I like the submission moves here (since it's the only way Storm can advance). Storm gets the beer and goes for Ray, but spits the beer in the ref's eyes instead. Bully Ray taps to the armbreaker! But wait! Storm gets DQ'd for the beer spray! Ouch. Crowd chants "bullshit." I liked this match, actually. Bully Ray plays a great heel. **
Winter vs. Mickie James (Knockouts Title): Mickie wearing the Wonder Woman gear tonight. Winter gets the fast start here with shots on Mickie. OK stuff here, crowd was lukewarm for this one. Angelina tries to get involved but no dice. Mickie chases Angelina away. Angelina then holds Mickie up in the ropes, winter sprays Angelina with the mist. But wait, Winter also sprays Mickie with more mist behind the ref's back! Three count...new champ. *
D'Angelo Dinero & Devon vs. Hernandez & Anarquia (Tag Team Titles): Typical tag match with Sarita/Rosita interference. Good double-team moves from Devon and Pope. Knockouts get involved later in the match and Devon/Pope give both of the ladiesa spanking, which drew the attention of the crowd. Heels cheat to win. Sounds about right. I can understand cheating to win on occasion, but Mexican America does that pretty much every week. Sick of that. *1/2
Anderson interview. "No riding off into the sunset, we're frickin' indoors!" Awesome.
Matt Morgan vs. Samoa Joe: Actually looking forward to seeing what will transpire here. Basic offense to start. Loved Joe flying through the ropes...always find it amazing to see a big man do a suicide dive. Whoa, Morgan with a top-rope crossbody? Looks like Morgan is pretty much back to normal. Crowd got into it more as the match wore on. Joe with the clutch, but Morgan fights out of it. Joe gets frustrated at the end, Morgan nails him with the Carbon Footprint for three. **
Bobby Roode vs. Gunner: Either Roode or Gunner must win by submission to tie Bully Ray in the standings. Sick DDT by Gunner plants Rode right on his head. Gunner works on Roode's neck. Armbar by Roode! Gunner goes for the F-5, countered back into the armbar by Roode! No ropes for Gunner! Crossface! Gunner taps! **
Bischoff comes out and says it will be Roode vs. Bully Ray tonight in the finals!
Austin Aries vs. Brian Kendrick (X-Division Title): Lots of armbars tonight, as we see more in this one. I really love seeing Aries compete. He plays that arrogant heel, but he's hella talented, performing moves so effortlessly. Aries is a vascular vegetarian, was it? Interesting rest hold or submission moves from Aries, looked like he tried to tie Kendrick into a small package at one point. Kendrick fights back. Suicide dive from Kendrick! Kendrick goes for Sliced Bread #2, but gets tossed to the outside. Brian landed with a splat. Aries goes fora suicide dive and eats steel barricade. "Holy shit" chants start. This is the best match of the night so far. These two are just beating the heck outta each other. Double underhook...with a bridge! Two! Aries brainbuster out of nowhere! Three and new champ! ***1/4
Another solid Bully Ray promo
Bobby Roode vs. Bully Ray: The finals of the BFG Series. Staredown at the start with main event intros. Chants for both guys in the crowd. Lots of hard hitting from the get-go, and the crowd is louder than they've been all night long. Crossface on Bully Ray! Ray counters, Roode escapes. Good stuff there. More big chops from Ray, but Roode basically says F-U and says "come on!" More action, Bully Ray misses a back splash, and a Double R spinebuster wins it. A bit of a flat finish. **1/4
Rosita breaks character and talks about her father, who was on the 103rd floor of the World Trade Center on 9/11.
Kurt Angle vs. Mr. Anderson vs. Sting (World Title): It's main event time! Good stuff from Angle and Sting. Sting gets thrown to the outside, but Anderson back in. Anderson goes to work on Angle. Crowd barely alive right now. Angle suplexes both Anderson and Sting...impressive. A couple guys chanting "Angle sucks." The usual back-and-forth stuff here, with guys breaking pins up. Anderson goes to the top, but Angle springs up like a cat and throws Anderson off...vintage Angle! Angle then goes splat to the outside. Anderson now in the Scorpion Death Lock. Angle in to break it up, Angle Slam for two. Ankle lock on Sting. Mic check on Angle...for two?! Scorpion death Drop on Anderson! Angle breaks that up. Hogan did something to Sting on the outside. Sting is blinded. Sting grabs the ref thinking it's Angle. Angle low blow, Angle Slam, three count. Crowd was largely dead here. **3/4
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Final Thoughts:
I liked that the show kicked off with all the talent on the ramp and America the Beautiful playing. Ten-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. I personally wish they didn't have the PPV on 9/11, but that's just me.
I was touched when Rosita broke character to talk about her father (who was killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks when working on the 103rd floor of the WTC). Rosita was 10 years old at the time. It's moments like those that give me goosebumps and make me want to listen to the program. it also shows there's more to life than pro wrestling.
As for the show itself, it was largely forgettable. Nothing really stood out -- even the best match of the night (Aries/Kendrick) did not have the "super amazing" buzz to it. **1/4
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