Opening Segment:
John Cena comes out to talk about last week on Piper's Pit. He says the fans can boo or cheer who they want, and that is what excites him. Cena talks about the crowd and how the reaction does not care what they say because it is their freedom. He cares about the WWE Championship, and he should face C.M. Punk. Alberto Del Rio comes out and says he deserves the rematch, as Punk used a bare turnbuckle to beat him. Dolph Ziggler, with Vickie Guerrero, interrupt and Dolph talks about beating Randy Orton a week ago, and how he is the longest tenured champion in the WWE. He wants a title match. The Miz then comes out and talks about taking out Morrison and Truth. He talks about being the Superstar of the Year next week at the Slammy's. Finally, John Laurinaitis decides that all of the guys will face a Smackdown star, and if they win, they will be entered in the WWE Championship match at TLC. John Cena will get special treatment, as he called it a "social experiment."
What I Liked:
Finally, a beginning that makes sense on all levels. The night started off right, focusing on the WWE Championship and who should fight Punk. They all stated their cases very well, exposed their different personalities, and drove this segment to be entertaining and boring. Dolph really shined with how different he is as a heel, he is smart, sarcastic, and genuinely a prick character. i enjoy it. It also gives all of the main players a reason to compete tonight, and make it somewhat different. You feel that everyone will win, right? DQ's, distractions, and other means of winning for the heels.
What I Disliked:
The lack of energy John Laurinaitis has. He completely drags down everything, even when his announcement is big. Also, Del Rio is seen to me as the weakest on the microphone. He is one phased, one mind, and is not complex like the others. You really do get bored hearing him talk.
Grade: A
Randy Orton vs. The Miz
What I Liked:
The pace was great and the timing was spot on throughout. Randy Orton did a great job with his scoop slam to Miz on the outside. Orton dominated throughout, but Barrett coming out was the right thing to do. This enhances the feud of those two, which continued to intrigue me. The Miz, like usual, slides like a snake into the main event, this time at TLC. Barrett coming back to beat up Orton was unique, since it seemed like the segment was over. He gets the last laugh, much to what a younger heel needs at this point in a feud.
What I Disliked:
I wish the match actually had more time, was given more opportunities to show off The Miz's new found aggression. We were teased with "who was next" on WWE.com with The Miz, but his aggression was halted quickly tonight. I hope he continues his assault, finding someone backstage and taking out his pent up anger. Just because he is in the WWE Championship match, he still should be bitter and let those characteristics shine.
Grade: B-
