WWE Main Event TV report

WWE Main Event on Ion Television

Airdate: January 2, 2013

by Chris Aiken | lariatrope@live.com | @lariatrope  

WWE Main Event (taped in Richmond, Virginia) opened with Michael Cole and The Miz in the ring and Cole announced they had “breaking news” on the condition of WWE champion CM Punk and his injury as it relates to him wrestling Ryback next Monday on Raw. However, the viewers would have to wait until later in the show to hear a report on the subject. A video package aired highlighting US champion Antonio Cesaro then he came out to ring cutting a promo saying he disliked the video package saying it was typical American television with no substance. The Miz interrupted him and said if he did not like the US he should leave. Cole interrupted their argument and threw it to a video package highlighting Great Khali. Backstage, Matt Striker tried to interview Khali but both Hornswaggle and Natalya both showed up to show their support for Khali. He started a chanting “USA” and the other two followed suit which was odd since Khali is from India.

Match: Antonio Cesaro beat Great Khali to retain the US title

Early on, Khali overpowered Cesaro and chopped him in several times before clotheslining Cesaro over the top rope to the floor as both Natalya and Hornswaggle cheered Khali on from ringside. He clotheslined Cesaro over the ropes a second time and Hornswaggle gave him a splash on the floor. Cesaro was upset by that and chased Hornswaggle but Khali pulled him back in the ring. After Cesaro rolled out of the ring, Khali tried to step over the ropes to follow him but Cesaro cut him off and started working over Khali’s leg. While Khali tried to fight back, Cesaro kept him grounded and mainly worked over the leg. Khali looked to make a comeback just before a commercial break.

After the break, Khali got back on offense using his usual chops and clubbing blows. After a few short-arm clotheslines from Khali, Cesaro ducked an overhand chop and used a springboard elbow, which could have been an attempt at an uppercut, to take Khali down. Cesaro then gave the Khali the neutralizer for the pin to retain the US title.

After the match, Striker interviewed Cesaro in the ring and he cut a promo on the USA, the fans and The Miz. The Miz then cut what may have been his best babyface promo so far as he defended the USA. This looked to build a match for the future between the two. After Cesaro left and Miz sat back down at the broadcast booth, a recap from Raw aired showing Wade Barrett winning the Intercontinental title from Kofi Kingston. After a commercial break, another recap from Raw aired highlighting the confrontation between Punk, Paul Heyman and Vince McMahon. Then, an official WWE “doctor” via Tout said Punk was cleared to wrestle on Monday in a TLC match against Ryback.

Kingston joined the announcers at the broadcast booth and claimed he would eventually regain the Intercontinental title. Barrett, the current IC champion, came out and disagreed with Kofi. Then, he made an open challenge to anyone in the locker room to fight him in a non-title gauntlet match.

Gauntlet match: Kofi Kingston beat Wade Barrett after Barrett beat Yoshi Tatsu, JTG and Justin Gabriel

Barrett nailed Tatsu with a right hand and pinned him in seconds. JTG was next in the ring and lasted longer than Yoshi. He actually got some offense after being beat down early on but Barrett hit him with the ballhammer elbow for the pin after a few minutes. Gabriel ran in to the ring and hit Barrett with a shoulder tackle, some dropkicks and clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor. After a commercial break, Gabriel was in control but Barrett fought back and clotheslined him over the ropes to ringside. Gabriel tried to make a few comebacks but kept getting cutoff by Barrett, who used a boot to the face that sent Gabriel tumbling to the floor and Barrett also used an elbow drop off the second rope. Gabriel began making a comeback and got a few nearfalls after a springboard cross body and an Asai moonsault. However, Barrett dropped him throat first on the top rope and nailed him with the ballhammer for the pin.

Kofi Kingston, who was still at ringside on commentary, was the final opponent in the gauntlet series. He hit Barrett with a springboard clothesline, ran wild and hit the boom drop. Then, Kingston hit Barrett with the trouble in paradise kick for the pin, which helps builds to their Intercontinental title rematch this week on Smackdown.

Announced for next week’s Main Event: Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler