Dolph Ziggler defeated Cesaro To Retain the Intercontinental Championship
Dolph Ziggler and Cesaro start off fast. They exchange multiple pin attempts and then Cesaro is able to hit the Cesaro Swing onto Dolph. Dolph Ziggler wins the first fall by surprising him with a roll-up. The first fall goes to the champion and the second starts with Cesaro attacking Dolph on the mat.
Cesaro hits a body slam and then misses a big elbow drop. Ziggler misses a dropkick and Cesaro applies a head lock. He hits a foot stomp and then looks to injure his arm. Cesaro plants Dolph with an underhook powerbomb.
Dolph Ziggler reverses a suplex attempt and then locks in a choke hold. Ziggler applies an arm bar, while Cesaro is able to fight out and hit a superplex. Cesaro connects with a massive uppercut and a back breaker. Dolph hits a superkick and a Zig Zag for the win.
Two artists in the ring. Two men with a great craft on what they do on a weekly basis delivered a strong start tonight. Although I would have went the traditional route and give them a third fall, I like the fact that WWE is putting an emphasis on the mid card championship that should be viewed more important than other feuds. Dolph sweeps Cesaro, which means what now for the former “Paul Heyman Guy?” This was a very technically sound match with just enough big spots to get them over 15 minutes. It was a really good match, but could have been slightly better. Overall, Ziggler and Cesaro earned their spot on the card.
Nikki Bella defeated Brie Bella
Brie misses a splash into the corner and Nikki mocks her. Brie hits an elbow drop and then Nikki hits an electric chair. She grabs her hair and slams her head into the mat. Nikki reverses a clothesline and then hits face first into her knee. Brie gets some of her hair ripped out of her head and then she hits a kick to Nikki’s face.
Brie connects with an X-Factor and a two count. Brie combines a few dropkicks and then a clothesline. She hits a running knee into Nikki’s face. Brie hits a nice suicide dive to the outside. Nikki grabs at her knee and looks like she really hurt herself. Brie hits a dropkick from the top rope. Nikki reverses Brie and hits her finisher. Brie kicks out at two and then locks in the Yes! Lock. Nikki is able to get to the ropes and then hits a big forearm to her face. Nikki tries her finisher a second time and picks up the win.
Nikki and Brie put it all out there tonight in a solid Divas match. I really wish this happened a month ago. The feud dragged on too much without the guidance and help from Stephanie McMahon. At least we will get them doing something different than yelling and arguing each week. Nikki needed to win. The heel needs to be the boss. It’s logical and works MUCH better than the opposite. I can see Brie quitting and then coming back with Daniel Bryan in a few months. Good work in the ring and good storytelling throughout tonight from these ladies. They proved a lot to me tonight.
Now is the time for a new team to step up…
