The Main Events
Alberto Del Rio defeated Chris Jericho when Dolph Ziggler interfered. This was a really good bout between two technicians. I really liked the pacing of the match because you never really knew who was in control. With Del Rio, he needs to be booked stronger now because he turned on the crowd. You saw him controlling the early portions of the match with kicks to the chest, submission moves, and a spinning heel kick to send Jericho to the mat. Like always, Jericho fought back. I really like how Jericho is adding small pieces to his offense, including a simple axe handle smash from the top. Jericho reverses Del Rio's arm bar, locks in the Walls of Jericho, and almost gets him to tap out. Ricardo interferes and gets taken out by Jericho. This is when Ziggler would come out and attack Del Rio. I love the aggressive Ziggler. He just unloads blows to Del Rio. Jericho hits a Codebreaker onto Ziggler, upset he cost him the match. I really enjoyed that twist. Jericho needs to get more serious, more aggressive, and continue his hot pace in great matches. I would not be shocked if they put Jericho and Ziggler in a 3 way with Del Rio. That could be an option if they do not want to waste them in the MITB Ladder Match.
Grade: B+
Daniel Bryan defeated Randy Orton by countout. Orton and Bryan know how to put on a show. This was an excellent bout because it felt personal. Orton and Bryan continue to argue and spat back and forth with one another. Orton threw Bryan on the apron and hits a hanging DDT, then he calls for a RKO but Bryan rolls outside so Orton follows. Orton backdrops him on the barricade and attempts to DDT him from the apron onto the floor, but Bryan blocks it and hits a running knee strike. Bryan continues the attack with a suicide dive to the outside. He gets in the ring, but Orton cannot. After the match, Bryan says he does not want the night to end like this. I loved it. Keep his pacing going, keep this match with Orton going, and continue to make Bryan a face with heel tendencies. They know they have something magical with Bryan. Now is the time to be very careful with booking him. Will it make him turn heel? Should Orton turn heel? Many questions and plenty of time to answer them.
Grade: B+
