Fit Finlay vs. Dolph Ziggler: Finlay takes things to the mat as the match begins but Dolph reaches the ropes to break things up. Ziggler then tries to follow that same path to victory as he also takes things to the canvas. After Finlay briefly tries that same approach yet again, he changes his mind and starts laying in the shots to Ziggler with a series of European uppercuts and a clothesline mixed in for good measure. Dolph rebounds and send the action into the corner then to the outside but he gets caught in Finlay’s apron skirt spot and takes some more shots. But he is able to recover again and sends Fit shoulder first into the ringpost and then begins to work over the Irishman’s arm. Ziggler hits a dropkick (to the arm) for a two count but he is not able to press his advantage as both men butt heads on a corner reversal and we take a commercial break.
When we return Dolph is in control but they show a replay of the “meeting of the minds†instead of what transpired during the break. Ziggler hits the perfect necksnap for a two count but hits nothing but boot on an attack attempt from the top rope. Finlay then makes the one-armed comeback and gets a two count from another reversal of a top rope offensive attempt from Ziggler. Finlay hits his injured shoulder when he misses a charge in the corner and Dolph hits him with the Zig-Zag on the rebound to get the win.
Jimmy Yang Wang & Slam Masta’ J vs. The Hart Dynasty: I always get a kick out of the Dynasty’s entrance not only because I dig Natalya but also because Kidd is almost too short to do his part in lifting her up to the apron. J starts off with Tyson but JYW is quickly in with a roll-up for a quick two count. Kidd takes some abuse as both of his opponents make a few quick tags in and out and try to press their advantage. After taking a few kicks from Wang, Tyson tries to seek refuge outside the ring but Jimmy follows him out and tosses him back in. But as he goes to climb in himself the ref is distracted and Natalya pulls him down from the apron and then body slams him for good measure! Smith then tags in and starts to pound on Wang as the Dynasty try to keep him on their side of the playground. The HD tries to combine for a Rocket Launcher attempt, but Kidd hits nothing but knee and Wang is able to make the tag to Jesse. SMJ flies in and lights up Kidd with some quick hits but Smith jumps in to break up his first cover attempt. JYW also joins the fun by dropkicking Smith out of the ring and then follows him out with a crossbody over the ropes. However it turns out that Kidd does not need further assistance from his partner as he hits a cutter variation and it is enough for the pinfall.
The Superstars video package of the week is for Randy Orton and the Raw Rebound features his dealings with Kofi and Cuban as much as Cuban/Sheamus/Cena. We also get a full rundown of the card this Sunday’s TLC pay-per-view which looks like a good card to me. Be sure to check out Inside Pulse this weekend for full pay-per-view coverage.
MVP vs. Jack Swagger: Earlier in the night MVP had an interview with Josh Matthews where he made fun of Swagger’s lisp, so prior to the match Jack cuts a promo of his own with added difficulty for effect. According to Lawler, MVP grew up in such a tough neighborhood; his school newspaper had an obituary column. Swagger floors MVP with a shoulder block but he gets caught with a series of hip tosses after trying to run the ropes. Jack then bails outside of the ring to recover and MVP uses the opportunity to mock him and celebrate. Once he climbs back in the ring he fares no better and MVP soon has his sites set on the Ballin’ Elbow. Swagger is able to dodge the move by again leaving the ring but this time MVP goes out after him with a crossbody over the top rope and we go for some commercials.
As we return to action, MVP hits a vertical suplex and floats over to cover him for a long two count. Swagger finally shows some offensive spark and backs MVP into a corner with a series of strikes before hitting an Oklahoma Slam. He does not go for a cover and instead starts to work on MVP down on the mat. MVP makes a comeback with a throw on Swagger as he charges and follows with a nice series of moves that sets up another attempt at the Ballin’ Elbow which connects. He goes for the Playmaker but Swagger blocks it by hanging onto the ropes. MVP follows up by going for a couple of pinning combinations but both barely get two counts. Jack shoots him hard into the corner and then hits his second rope splash to the tune of a 2.5 count. Swagger goes for a neckbreaker but this time MVP grabs the ropes to block it. MVP then nails him with a big boot for a long two count. Swagger dodges an attack in the corner by turning it into a snake eyes like maneuver and then hits his gutwrench powerbomb for the pinfall victory. That match really picked up the pace and had a nice finish after the commercial break.
