Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio Defeats Cody Rhodes and Tensai
What I Liked:
Tensai and Cody would use their strength advantage to ground their opponents, but Cara picks up the pace only for Tensai to knock him down. Mysterio gets the hot tag and takes down Cody. Rey executes with a big hurricanranna, and gets a two count. Mysterio hits a 619 onto Tensai, while Cara hits a dropkick to really pick up the pace. The end came when Cody took over offensively only to be reversed into a 619 and Cara hitting a Swanton Bomb for the victory. I will give credit for Rey and Sin to be similar, yet a little different in their approaches in the ring. Well done from them.
What I Disliked:
Again, Tensai does not connect whatsoever with the crowd or with his opponents. He really seemed out of place in a match with great athletes. I do not understand why Rhodes had to be pinned again. Why can't they really utilize him and then move on with a feud and something better? I just am baffled by the wasted talent. The match was alright, but nothing spectacular. I thought Rey and Sin looked good together, but Tensai and Cody have no reason to be in a team together. I understood Damien and Cody, but not this.
Grade: B
CM Punk vs. Sheamus
What Happened:
Punk comes out in jeans and his shirt and says to Sheamus he does not know a lot about Chicago. He says that the fans respect and understand him, which is why he should not have been thrown out at the 8 o'clock hour. Punk says its Labor Day, and Punk walks out and says he is not working tonight. This had such an old school heel feel to it, and I thought it was excellent to try and get boos from his hometown crowd. I knew something had to happen to Punk to not love the crowd all night, and this was fitting for his character.
Sheamus Defeats Jack Swagger
What I Liked:
This was a physical match from the beginning, which had Sheamus send Swagger to the corner. Sheamus adds a few moves to his arsenal tonight, including a submission move. I really enjoyed that part because he was looking directly at Del Rio, who was at ringside. I have been saying they need to have these guys in the same segments each week, and they gave Del Rio the chance to beat down Sheamus. Both men fought back and forth for a bit, and really got me interested in their match. I still want more, but this is a good start with a few weeks remaining. Elsewhere, Jack Swagger leaves and says he is taking time off. He also says he is better than this. I really feel he needs to be repackaged and come back with a new attitude. He is really good in terms of wrestling ability, and his focus on being better can work when he isn't seen for a while. This can help him make a big, important impact when he returns.
What I Disliked:
We knew how this match was going to end, and it was quick. I really didn't get drawn into the offense happening in the ring, but I do feel they added more to the World Title feud. Ricardo took a kick for Del Rio, but I am not sure if they helps or hurts Del Rio. People know Alberto because of his announcer, and Ricardo has helped him so much stay relevant. I wonder what this entails in the future.
Grade: B-
