What I Liked:
This was the absolute best match to start off the Pay Per View. You need to spotlight a feud that has been brewing for months, and the most popular superstar in the WWE aside from Punk. Zack Ryder carried his own in this match as well, not relying solely on Ziggler’s abilities to carry a match. Ziggler hits a beautiful drop kick, the best in the company today. I really loved the fast paced and quick pin falls, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats. They continued to tease each pinfall, finally leading to a clean win for Ryder. It does not make Ziggler look that weak, either. The match was used to separate him and propel him into main event status. This was one of the better opening matches on Pay Per View this year. It was a nice touch to show Ryder’s father and The Big O on camera. It made this moment feel special.
What I Disliked:
There was no negatives about this match. I really hope they give Ziggler a solid opponent in the next few months, and not keep him with Ryder. This HAS to be the match to separate the two individuals. I wonder who Ryder will compete with next. There are not that many great mid card heels currently, as Del Rio and Miz would be a degression for both. I also feel Vickie at ringside was not the best idea, but her getting tossed made Ziggler look like he needed her, which he doesn’t.
Grade: A
Air Boom Def. Primo and Epico to Retain the WWE Tag Team Championship:
What I Liked:
I appreciated how Kofi and Evan actually looked like a solid tag team in this match. Bourne was the whipping boy, like usual, but Kofi picked up the pace with his on target moves and athletic aggression. I was intrigued to this match being added, and expected a lot more from Epico and Primo. It is a good sign that we are actually getting solid tag team wrestling, especially on a PPV. Epico really reminds me of a more aggressive and interesting Carlito. He seems to care more about each move, and Primo is a great worker.
What I Disliked:
I hope the loss means that Epico and Primo are going to be buried, as that is what it seems with tag teams losing on Pay Per Views. Look at Otunga and McGillicuddy, gone. Other teams get a chance and break apart. They have talent, and I love Rosa Mendes with them, but they are still very new to the average fan. They need to do some attacks, similar to when Hunico was with them. Use that street fighting mentality to start a storyline. I wish the feud would have waited a month to be on PPV. Also, I expected the match to be quicker, more high flying. Instead, we got a match that seemed slower and more of a heavyweight bout.
Grade: C+
*Booker T is talking to Alicia Fox when Cody Rhodes attacks him from behind. Quick and effective to spotlight the youthful Rhodes over the more veteran Booker. They tease us if the match will happen, which I did not like too much here.
*We see a quick segment with Teddy Long as Santa giving Hornswoggle an Ebonics book to work on his rapping…This could end badly in the future.
