The Undercard
Natalya, Naomi, and Brie Bella defeated Aksana, Layla, and Alicia Fox by disqualification. AJ Lee was on commentary, which is always a treat for us. She is consistently the best Diva inside and outside of the ring. She runs into the ring and jumps Natalya, which causes the DQ. I really like what WWE has decided to do, splitting the Divas up by who wrestles and who is on the reality show. It gives you a little glimpse on what Lee really thinks. She is not a cookie cutter Diva, one who wants success on a reality show. I would say Natalya is not like that but she is perfect in her role right now. Brie and Naomi are left behind thanks to Lee and Natalya being the most marketable ones in the feud. I look forward to the match and think that Lee still needs to win. Keep her reign going and keep making her the best possible Diva. That is what she really is.
Grade: C+
Santino Marella defeated Damien Sandow. Are you kidding me? I cannot explain how much this frustrates me. Santino is funny and needs to be a backstage character, not beating someone WHO WILL BE WORLD CHAMPION IN THE NEAR FUTURE!
Grade: F
Alberto Del Rio defeated Ricardo Rodriguez in what was basically used to enhance a feud that has little relevance. I thought Ricardo held his own in the ring. The tornado DDT looked very impressive. Ricardo was never going to win this match, we knew that. RVD told Ricardo to head to the top. Del Rio kicked RVD on the outside and hit a superplex onto Ricardo for the victory. After the match, RVD gets the better of the champion and and hits his famous Five Star Frog Splash to stand tall. Like I have mentioned time and time again, this will be a good technical and athletic match to watch. I really wish there was a more complex and interesting storyline to follow. It seems thrown together and I still am against Ricardo being a representative or manager to Van Dam. We find out that he will not be able to be at ringside at Night of Champions, so that is a positive in my mind.
Grade: C+
Dolph Ziggler defeated Dean Ambrose via disqualification. Ziggler and Ambrose put on a show in this match. We were able to witness both guys using their speed and agility to put on a great match. I loved that WWE finally let Ziggler take advantage of an opponent for more than two minutes. Ambrose ducked a move by Ziggler but Dolph tries to roll him up. Ziggler attempts a Zig Zag but Ambrose throws him into the ropes and puts him in a sleeperhold. The reversals between both men were planned out to perfection. You can see the psychology in the ring really take over here. Dolph was able to fight out and hits a legdrop bulldog for two, then Rollins and Reigns run in and attack him. The Uso's come out and attack The Shield. I thought we were done with Jimmy and Jey trying to be important in the tag team division? Anyways, we get a 6 man tag team match.
Grade: B+
The Shield defeated Dolph Ziggler and The Uso's. This should tell you that The Uso's may get the victory to fight for the tag team championship on Sunday. I have mixed feelings about this. I would love to see what Prime Time Players are able to do in a "big" match against The Shield. In that same thought, they have no chance to win and could potentially stunt their growth as legit competitors for Rollins and Reigns. I have seen Jimmy and Jey before and have seen them put on solid matches with The Shield, but when will WWE realize that they really do not draw? Who do you want to see against Rollins and Reigns at Night of Champions?
Grade: C+
