Nassau Coliseum
Uniondale, Long Island, New York
June 20, 2010
-After an introductory video aired,
Vince McMahon stepped onto the stage and said he regrets to announce that Raw
G.M. Bret Hart wouldn't be at the show. He threw to a video package showing the
NXT rebels attacking Bret on Raw last week. He said he is meeting with Bret's
representatives to see when he might return. Drew McIntyre's ring intro began
and he exchanged a handshake with McMahon before heading to the ring.
-Michael Cole, Matt Striker, and Jerry Lawler commented that they seemed to
mutually appreciate each other. Clips then aired of McIntyre on Smackdown
humiliating Smackdown G.M. Teddy Long. After McIntyre's ring intro, they cut
backstage to Vince McMahon getting into his limo and driving away. Strange scene
to show. Are they trying to establish McMahon isn't around when Drew uses his
name to order Long around?
1 -- DREW MCINTYRE vs. KOFI KINGSTON -- Intercontinental Title Match
Drew ordered Long to the ring, saying it was Mr. McMahon who insisted. He said
Long is a shell of a human being and pathetic. He made him sit at ringside.
During Kofi's ring entrance, they showed Cole, Striker, and Jerry Lawler at
ringside. Cole wondered what was going through Long's mind. Lawler said having
"some kid totally disrespect" him like McIntyre is sad. Kofi aggressively went
after Drew at the start, knocking him to ringside and then diving onto him on
the floor. Drew stalled coming back into the ring. When Kofi was going to come
after him, Drew swept Kofi off the ring apron. Striker said asked Cole if he had
a direct line with Mr. McMahon, wouldn't he take advantage of it. Cole said: "I
don't know. He said two words to me in 13 years." That's not what Daniel Bryan
said. Drew went on sustained offense. Lawler said he's torn between watching the
match and watching the forlorn Long at ringside. Long just shook his head at
ringside as if he was watching a criminal who robbed his house declared not
guilty in a court room.
At 7:00 Kofi showed signs of a comeback with a float-over DDT. Both were slow to
get up. Cole said Long's eyes lit up when that happened. Kofi hit a couple
dropkicks, but he sold his arm being sore from Drew's concentrated attack on his
arm for several minutes. Kofi hit a crossbody block for a near fall at 9:00.
Kofi went into his signature finishing sequence, but Drew ducked out of the path
of Kofi and rammed his face into the corner turnbuckle. When Drew lifted him,
Kofi shifted his weight to land on Drew for a near fall. Drew fired back with a
boot to Kofi's face. Drew went for Future Shock, but Kofi blocked it and nailed
a springboard tornado DDT for a near fall. Kofi mounted Drew in the corner, but
Drew pushed out with a powerbomb and into a near fall. Out of nowhere Kofi hit
the S.O.S. for a believable near fall at 12:00. Kofi applied a head scissors,
but Drew shoved him into the referee who shall not be named (okay, it was
Charles Robinson). Lawler said he was giving Drew the benefit of the doubt. Drew
took over offense and planted Kofi with the Future Shock. The ref was still out.
Drew got up from his cover and tried to revive the ref. The ref was out. Drew
looked down at Long, a former referee, and threw him into the ring. He stripped
the ref shirt of Robinson and ordered Long to put it on. Long was about to count
to three, but he stopped after two. The crowd popped. Striker said Long was
tempting fate. Lawler said Long is still a man. The crowd chanted Teddy's name
briefly. Drew gave him a threatening look and then told him to count to three
the next time. Drew set up a Future Shock, but Matt Hardy charged into the ring
and gave Drew a Twist of Fate. Cole called it a "hit and run attack." Long
ignored it. Kofi gave Drew a Trouble in Paradise kick. Long enthusiastically
counted to three. Cole called it sweet revenge.
WINNER: Kingston in 16:00 to capture the Intercontinental Title.
STAR RATING: *** -- Good opening match for sure. This is one of those PPV
openers you might look back on in the future as a time when PPV main eventers
were early on the card.
-In a backstage interview, Natalya Hart, Tyson Kidd, and David Hart Smith talked
about the attack against Bret Hart and their match against the Usos.
2 -- EVE vs. MARYSE vs. GAIL KIM vs. ALICIA FOX -- Divas Championship Four-Way
Match
Cole noted that Eve is a former Divas Search winner and it's been quite a couple
years for her. Striker said the men battling in four-way matches later might be
watching this match to devise a strategy by watching how this goes. Eve got a
near submission on Maryse with a cross armbreaker. Kim broke it up and then put
Maryse in her own armbar. Fox then broke that up and applied her own armbar.
Maryse and Fox eventually got into it after knocking Kim and Eve out of the
ring. Maryse went for a pin, but Fox broke it up at 4:00. Kim dropkicked Maryse
and Fox. Kim hit a dropkick off the ropes. Striker referenced the Jumping Bomb
Angels double-stomp, and Lawler and Cole mockingly laughed at what a strange
mystery reference that was. Have they even heard of the Jumping Bomb Angels. Eve
gave Maryse a neckbreaker, then landed a moonsault. Maryse was nice enough to
shift her body into better position for the move, which always looks so horrible
and takes you right out of the moment. It didn't help that the moonsault looked
about as painful as the Lionsault, meaning there was almost no impact on the
landing. Fox shoved Eve out of the way and then scored an opportunistic pin on
Maryse. Cole said that's the first title for Fox.l
WINNER: Fox in 5:00 to capture the Divas Title.
STAR RATING: *
-Backstage Rey Mysterio prayed. When he turned around, Big Show was towering
over him. He said he has over 20 years of experience, has been World Champion
before, and he's going to do it against tonight. Show said he may be a man of
faith, but some obstacles are just too big. He said he respects Rey, but he will
knock him down without hesitating to try to become champion. Rey said, "As big
as his fist is, my heart is bigger." Good basic promo.
-Chris Jericho walked to the ring. Lawler wondered if Jericho was showing
self-doubt after his recent lack of success. He said he just hasn't been himself
lately. Jericho said everyone in the arena or at home under the age of 25 knows
he is the reason they are watching WWE right now and everyone older than that
knows he is the reason they continue to watch. What's the difference? He said he
has changed their lives for the better, but now he has a problem. He said it
seems that Jericho is no longer the hot topic of WWE or the buzzword. He said
Wade Barrett is getting more attention than him because he has been making an
impact while he has not.
He said since he made a name for himself in WCW to the day he interrupted Rock
in his very first WWE appearance to the day he led Shawn Michaels to one of the
greatest rivalries in the history of WWE, he has always fought uphill and been
the underdog. He said he is now at the top of the mountain and everyone is
trying to knock him off. He said he is the most important member of the roster
and the greatest champion of this generation or any other. He said the parasites
in the crowd can't relate because they haven't been the best at what they do at
anything in their lives.
He said Evan Bourne is trying to make a name for himself at his expense. He said
it was uncalled for and unfair and undeserved that Bourne gave him a Shooting
Star Press on Raw last week, but demanded restitution and got it in the form of
a rematch against Bourne tonight. He said Bourne is a never-was, never-will-be.
He said his career may have begun in a blaze of fanfare and bright lights, but
it will fade away and burn out tonight at his hands.
3 -- CHRIS JERICHO vs. EVAN BOURNE
Bourne makes Jericho look like Sheamus relatively speaking in terms of size.
It's not often Jericho towers over an opponent like he does Bourne. A loud chant
of "Let's Go Jericho!" rang out. Cole acknowledged it and said there's a lot of
respect among fans for what Jericho has brought to WWE over the years. Bourne
dove off the top rope onto Jericho at ringside at 1:00. The crowd was very
pro-Jericho, with a steady stream of chants for him. At 3:00 Jericho settled
into a chinlock center-ring. Bourne came back with a spin wheel kick, then a
running elbow into Jericho's chest in the corner. He followed with a running
kick in the corner and then a two count. Jericho ducked the next Bourne kick and
then suplexed Bourne into a bridge for a two count.
Jericho applied the Walls of Jericho mid-ring at 6:00. Cole called it the moment
of truth for Bourne. Bourne reached the bottom rope to force a break. The crowd
booed. Bourne has become Cena Jr. when it comes to crowd response. Jericho
knocked Bourne to the floor, then rammed him into the announce table. Bourne
came back a minute later and leaped off the top rope with a double knee driver
for a two count. Jericho came back with a backbreaker for a two count. Cole said
the frustration in Jericho continues to build. Jericho went for the Lionsault,
but Bourne moved. Bourne kicked Jericho and then climbed to the top turnbuckle.
He leaped off with the Shooting Star Press. Jericho moved, and Bourne landed on
his feet.
Jericho hit a sudden Code Breaker, but wasn't able to make a quick cover. When
he finally did make the cover, Bourne was recovered enough to drape his leg over
the bottom rope. Jericho complained to the ref, then yelled at Bourne to "stay
down." He beat on Bourne in the corner. Bourne schoolboyed Jericho for a near
surprise pin. Jericho went for the Walls again, but Bourne tried to counter with
a small package. Jericho lifted him into the air, but Bourne torqued himself
into DDTing Jericho. He climbed to the top rope, but Jericho met him up there.
Jericho went for a superplex, but Bourne knocked him to the mat. Bourne climbed
to the top rope. Jericho got up and knocked him off balance, then set up a
superplex again. Bourne countered by dropping Jericho to the mat face-first. He
then hit a shooting star press on Jericho's back, rolled him over, and scored
the pin. Cole called it a huge upset and said Bourne's star is shining brighter
than ever.
WINNER: Bourne in 12:00.
STAR RATING: ***3/4 -- Excellent match. Jericho's best since probably the
Michaels feud. Too bad the crowd wasn't behind Bourne as that undercut the
underdog story this match otherwise effectively told. This story of Jericho
going through a rough stretch is intriguing and, so far, very well told.
-A video package aired on the Kane storyline on Smackdown.
4 -- JACK SWAGGER vs. REY MYSTERIO vs. C.M. PUNK (w/Luke Gallows, Serena) vs.
THE BIG SHOW -- Fatal 4-Way World Hvt. Title Match
Lawler said being a champion in this match not only isn't an advantage, but it's
a disadvantage. Cole said Swagger has only a 25 percent of keeping the gold.
That, of course, is a lame oversimplification of how odds work in a situation
like this as it presumes each wrestler is absolutely totally equal in all skill
levels and health and motivation on this particular day and each would win 25
out of 100 matches just like this. Rey and Show cleared the ring of Punk and
Swagger early, then Rey went after Show. Show no-sold Rey's offense. When he
wound up for a punch, Rey bailed out to ringside. Show picked him up by the head
with one hand from ringside and dropped him into the ring. He threw him into
Swagger as Swagger tried to re-enter the ring. Cole said the Celtics wish they
had a Big Show on their team.
Rey springboarded at Show, but Show caught him. Lawler wondered if Show has
undergone a growth spurt lately. Everyone went after Show. Rey leveraged Show
into a DDT and scored a one count. Show powered out with authority. Punk kicked
Show in the head and scored a one count before Swagger yanked him off by bis
legs. Swagger yanked off Rey, then swing splashed Show for a one count. Rey and
Punk yanked Swagger off of Show at 3:00. Rey and Punk slidekicked Show out of
the ring, then Swagger clotheslined them both. He scored a two count on Rey.
More fast-paced action ensued. Show reentered the picture at 8:00 and he cleared
the ring within seconds. Striker said Show is frustrated because he can't win
the match if no one is in the ring. Cole said Show went after Rey, but it was
actually Punk. Cole said the mask threw him off. Rey hit Show with a 619 around
the ringpost. Punk then dove onto Show on the floor. Rey dove at Swagger in the
ring, but Swagger kicked him in the gut. Punk then gave Swagger a Go To Sleep.
At 9:00 Kane's music played and the lights went red. He rolled what Cole called
a "symbolic casket" to ringside. Kane threw Punk out of the ring and threw him
into the casket. He tried to slam it shut, but Punk resisted. Gallows kicked
Kane. Punk and Gallows retreated to the back. Rey hit Swagger with a 619 and a
springboard splash for the win. Cole said there was no DQ so despite what
happened with Kane, the match continued.
WINNER: Rey in 10:00 to capture the World Hvt. Title.
STAR RATING: **1/2 -- Tainted finish for Rey given the chaos and distraction by
Kane. Also disappointing to see Swagger's reign cut short as WWE could use a
long-running heel championship reign to build around. At least Rey pinned the
incumbent champ. That said, this is a feel-good finish for the fans.
-Josh Matthews interviewed John Cena backstage. Matthews asked about the NXT
rebels. Cena said they have made enemies of everyone. He said they have
"solidified the line between us and them." He said they're ready for the group
if they show up and he believes they have an unspoken agreement to remain
united. He asked how he expects to leave Fatal 4-Way champion since titles have
changed hands two out of two times in four-way matches so far. Cena said
anything can happen. He said whoever walks out as champion will have to earn it.
-Cole, Striker, and Lawler were shown on camera. Striker said they've seen three
Fatal 4-Way matches so far in the last six days and three titles have changed
hands. They aired a clip of Miz capturing the U.S. Title on Raw on Monday.
5 -- THE MIZ vs. R-TRUTH -- U.S. Title Match
Miz stepped onto the stage. He said he has written new lyrics for R-Truth's
song. He sang his song with "The Miz" in place of "What's Up." He sang about
becoming U.S. Champion for the second time. Lawler chuckled. Miz told fans not
to stand and applaud. He said he is about to blossom and is awesome. R-Truth
then sang his way to the ring. R-Truth asked Long Island, New York to yell
"What's up!" if they thought Miz's lyrics sucked. Striker made one of his forced
historical references about the last time the U.S. Title changed hands in New
York, continuing to imply that the city the title is defended in is a factor in
whether a challenger beats a champion. That's worse than the "champion has a 25
percent chance of winning" nonsense. Miz controlled the first five minutes.
Truth finally teased a comeback at 6:00, but Miz battled right back and wore
Truth down with mat holds. Miz showboated and Cole said this is where Miz can
sometimes get into trouble. Truth did recover enough to hit a facebuster front
suplex for a two count at 8:00. When Truth hit a flying dropkick off the middle
rope, Lawler asked if that was "one of those flying angel things." Striker said
"Flying angel things? Jerry 'The King' Lawler, ladies and gentleman!" I love how
WWE announcers mock Striker for knowing the history of the industry he covers. I
suppose it makes Lawler feel better if instead of not knowing something
important he can make knowing things seem unimportant and worthy of derision.
Truth turned a suplex into a Stunner for a two count at 10:00. Miz came back and
went for a corner splash, but Truth moved. Truth then guillotine legdropped Miz
ands cored a two count. Miz came back, but Truth surprised him with a small
package for a two count. Truth went for a body scissors on Miz, but Miz dropped
down on Truth and scored a leverage pin.
WINNER: Miz in 13:00 to capture the U.S. Title.
STAR RATING: *1/2 -- Decent match. A little bit a drag and one dimensional at
times. The effort was there, but something was missing.
-Todd Grisham asked Edge what his mindset is heading into the Fatal 4-Way. Edge
said Cena has watched every other champion lose a Fatal 4-Way match so far. He
said Randy Orton claims he is completely recuperated from his separated
shoulder. He said Sheamus may act confident, but he knows deep down he doesn't
belong in the ring with him. He said he has wrestled once at WrestleMania,
whereas everyone else in the match has main evented a dozen. Edge said he plans
to take those factors and turn them into him walking out as the new WWE
Champion.
6 -- THE HART DYNASTY & NATALYA vs. JIMMY & JEY USO & TAMINA
They set this up by saying the Usos are tired of the Harts portraying themselves
as the first family of pro wrestling. You knows it's a bit of a filler match
when early on Cole goes into the list of countries watching the PPV live
tonight. Lawler then sent best wishes to the troops watching across the world.
At 3:00 Tyson dove at Jimmy at ringside, but ended up being tossed Samoan Drop
style into the barricade at ringside. The Usos dominated Tyson for several
minutes. At 9:00 Natalya and Tamina tagged in. Natalya got in early offense.
When Jimmy broke up a pin attempt by Natalya, Smith knocked him out of the ring.
Kidd then flip dove onto the Usos at ringside as the women battled in the ring.
Tamina took over against Natalya. She climbed to the top rope. Cole said she was
paying homage to her father "Superfly" Snuka. Natalya moved and then nailed
Tamina with a spinning clothesline for the win.
WINNERS: The Hart Dynasty in 9:00.
STAR RATING: **
-The announcers hyped the Money in the Bank PPV coming up next.
-A lengthy video package aired setting up the main event.
7 -- JOHN CENA vs. SHEAMUS vs. RANDY ORTON vs. EDGE -- Fatal 4-Way WWE Title
Match
Cole said he doesn't like to get caught up in statistics, but there are a grand
total of 25 World Title reigns and 12 WrestleMania main events among the four
wrestlers in the match. Lawler picked Cena to "defy the odds," as opposed to
each of his challengers who also have "exactly a 25 percent chance each" to win,
according to WWE's logic. So Cena's no more or less likely to win or lose than
any single other person in this match. Cena and Orton knocked Edge and Sheamus
out of the ring. A minute later Edge and Sheamus returned to the ring and worked
together to beat up Cena. A loud "Cena sucks!" chant began. The higher pitched
voices in the crowd shot back, "Let's go Cena!" Pretty special moment, actually,
with both battling chants intensifying. Lawler said only in New York can that
kind of emotion show through. When Sheamus celebrating downing Cena, Edge gave
him a schoolboy for a near fall. They showed some wrestlers backstage watching
the match on a monitor. Cole said that some of those wrestlers hope to be in the
Money in the Bank match next month.
Orton broke up Edge's pin attempt on Sheamus at 4:00. Orton and Cena battled
one-on-one in the ring at 5:00 with Edge and Sheamus at ringside. Another Cena
chant battle broke out. Cole said it was deafening in the arena. Sheamus
returned to the ring to cut off Orton's methodical offense against Cena. Cena
fought back drawing shrieks and deep boos. Cena went for an Attitude Adjustment
on Sheamus, but Sheamus escaped and gave Cena an Irish Curse backbreaker for a
two count. Sheamus set up the Celtic Cross, but Edge intervened with a spear
attempt. Sheamus avoided it, but Cena then schoolboyed Sheamus for a two count.
Orton entered and clotheslined Sheamus. Orton then began to shift into what Cole
called his "unsettling mode" where his eyes and expression changes.
Orton set up Sheamus for a DDT off the second rope, but when Cena got near, he
grabbed him also and DDT'd both. Orton covered Sheamus for a two count. Edge
kicked Orton in the face and then set up his spear against Cena. Cena, though,
side-stepped Edge and then hit two shoulder tackles. Cole said it was "vintage
Cena." He went into his "You can't see me" routine. The crowd mostly booed as he
hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Orton came up behind Cena and gave him a
neckbreaker from behind. He clotheslined Edge twice and then powerslammed him.
Orton pounded the mat, but took it easy with the "fist to the mat" portion of
that routine. Striker said this is where Orton hurt his shoulder. Cole said
Orton had injured that shoulder earlier in that match. Sheamus intervened before
the RKO and then stomped away at Edge. Cole said none of the Superstars could
gain any sustained advantage.
At 10:00 Cena sent Sheamus to the floor, then pulled himself up by the ropes and
caught his breath. He moved in on Edge with a punch, then turned to go after
Sheamus. Orton yanked Sheamus off the ring apron. Edge knocked Orton off the
ring apron. Cena then took Edge down with a drop toe hold and applied the STF.
Sheamus broke up the hold and went for the cover on Edge. At 15:00 they battled
around the ring announce table. Edge speared Orton into the ringside barrier.
They cut to Bourne, Truth, Smith, and Kidd watching on the monitor again. The
NXT rebels jumped them and left them lying. Lawler wondered what happened to
Cole. He found him sitting in the corner looking stunned or in shock. The NXT
rebels then charged into the arena and attacked production workers. They stormed
Cena in the ring. Then they went after Edge. Sheamus covered Cena and scored the
pin. Sheamus bailed out into the crowd to escape being attacked himself.
WINNER: Sheamus in 17:00.
STAR RATING: ***1/4
-The NXT rebels isolated Cena in the ring again as Wade Barrett barked out
orders. Sheamus made his way to the stage and held up his newly won WWE Title
belt. The NXT rebels saw that and charged after him. Sheamus fled quickly. Edge,
Orton, and Cena were shown lying beaten and battered back at the ring. The
announcers didn't say another word and the PPV went off the air quite early,
over 25 minutes before the top of the hour.