WWE Main Event TV report

Tuesday, 22 April 2014 19:35

By Chris Aiken

April 22, 2014

WWE Main Event from Hershey, PA featured four matches including the (liberally used term) epic rematch with El Torito vs. Hornswoggle that looks to build towards a rubber match. Likewise, a singles match with one-half of the tag team champions continues a build to a title program. Also, Bad News Barrett cut a heel promo on Intercontinental champion Big E. However, probably the most noteworthy portion of the show was a brief mention that WWE world champion Daniel Bryan reportedly vowed to be at Raw next Monday despite the injury angle with Kane.

Intercontinental champion Big E beat Alberto Del Rio in a non-title match. After an early exchange, Del Rio got backdropped over the ropes to the floor. Del Rio snapped Big E’s neck on the ropes, rolled back in and gave Big E a tornado DDT. Del Rio grounded Big E until he made a comeback only for Del Rio to counter a belly-to-belly suplex and give Big E an armbreaker. Del Rio got heat on him before diving off the top rope into the clutches of Big E, who gave him a belly-to-belly suplex. Big E hit a big splash and pulled the strap down. Del Rio avoided Big E’s finisher and hit an enzuigiri before signaling for the armbar submission. Big E blocked the submission hold then blocked a tornado DDT and hit the Big Ending for the pin.

Afterwards, Bad News Barrett cut a promo on Big E. In doing so, Barrett said Big E’s days as champion are numbered and added that he has been a horrible champion. Barrett also said Big E had no personality and called him one-dimensional. Barrett claimed Big E was “teetering on boredom” and said he lacked intellect. Barrett went on to insult the crowd and say he would force Big E to join them in the stands (presumably after Barrett beats him for the IC title). Barrett closed the promo by saying the fans had no lives. If this was not a heel promo I do not know what is.

Hornswoggle (with 3MB) beat El Torito (with Los Matadores). Highlights of their match on Smackdown aired as the announcers tried to sell the match as being an epic encounter. Hornswoggle seemed to work fairly stiff at times or he could just be an awesome worker who looks awfully believable (or I could also be seeing things that are nonexistent). Watch the match and judge for yourself. Torito has a style that is naturally heavy on lucha libre spots. Hornswoggle dodged a dropkick at the outset and gained the early advantage until missing a splash. Torito got an early nearfall with a crucifix then he began to work the arm. They did a test of strength with a Greco-Roman knuckle lock. Torito got another nearfall out of a sunset flip. After a leglock, Torito briefly went back to working the arm before Hornswoggle reversed the momentum and took over on offense. Hornswoggle got heat on him until Torito made a comeback that included a flying crossbody off the top rope. Torito used the bronco buster (called the “bull buster” by the announcers). Slater caused a distraction then Torito missed a moonsault (called “bullsault” on commentary). Then, Hornswoggle dove off the top with a tadpole splash for the pin. That evens the series at 1-1 so this feud MUST CONTINUE~!

Sheamus beat Titus O’Neil. After lots of punching, kicking and the like in the beginning, Sheamus ran into a back elbow after charging in the corner. Moments later, Sheamus gave Titus a powerslam. Titus backdropped Sheamus on to the apron and tried to mock him. Sheamus cut him off only to have Titus block a flying shoulder tackle and Sheamus crashed hard on the floor. Titus threw him into the barricade. Titus went for a fallaway slam but Sheamus landed on his feet. Sheamus got the boots up when Titus charged into the corner. Sheamus did a running knee strike into the corner and clubbed Titus ten times as the crowd counted along. Sheamus dove off the top rope and Titus caught him before giving him a fallaway slam. Titus did not actually fallaway though as he just tossed Sheamus over his head while still standing. They slugged it out and Titus gave Sheamus a big boot. Titus gave him the Jesse Ventura “Body Breaker” (backbreaker drop) and began to talk trash. He talked too much trash apparently as very shortly thereafter, Sheamus delivered a Brogue kick for the pin.

Ryback (with Curtis Axel) beat Jimmy Uso (with brother Jey). They slugged it out after locking up and Jimmy dropkicked Ryback out to ringside before Jimmy did a dove over the ropes to the floor. Back in the ring, Jimmy kicked at the Big Guy’s leg only for Ryback to gain the advantage moments later. Ryback avoided a superkick and bailed out of the ring. After rolling back in, Ryback began to pummel Jimmy until he made a comeback. Ryback was sent over the ropes to the floor and Jimmy attempted a plancha. Ryback caught Jimmy and had him in his clutches until Jimmy escaped and rammed Ryback in to the ring post before a commercial.

Following the break, Jimmy was sprawled out on the floor and Ryback was back in the ring. Ryback grounded Jimmy then gave him a snap suplex and a delayed vertical suplex. Ryback used a spinebuster on Jimmy to cut off a comeback and delivered the Meathook clothesline for a nearfall. Ryback went for a splash off the second rope but Jimmy got the boots up and made a comeback. In the process of the comeback, Jimmy sent Ryback into the corner and Ryback hit the ringpost with his shoulder. Nevertheless, Jimmy ran into a big boot shortly afterwards. Ryback went for a powerbomb but Jimmy countered with a backdrop. Jimmy used a Samoan drop and a flying crossbody off the top for a nearfall. Jimmy went back to the top and got cut off by Ryback. He shoved Ryback off the top only for Axel to cause a distraction. Jey superkicked Axel at ringside only for Ryback to knock Jimmy off the apron on to Jey. Ryback rolled Jimmy back in the ring and gave him the Shellshock for the pin. With the win here in a singles match and the attack by the apparent challengers this past Monday on Raw, the direction of the tag team title program appears set heading into Extreme Rules.