ROYAL RUMBLE, Year 2

Match 1. CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes - WWE Intercontinental Championship
Punk wrestled Cody around. Cody caught him off the ropes with a powerslam. Cody then set Punk up in the corner and hit the Muscle Buster. Punk landed the running knee/bulldog combo, but got a near fall. Cody connected with Cross Rhodes and won.

Damn. Shedding the 'Stardust' gimmick has gone well for Cody so far.

Match 2. Sting vs. Braun Strowman

Sting went for a clothesline, but he knocked the ref instead. Braun landed a press slam. Sting brought the match to the outside. He then got a near fall off a Samoan drop. Sting landed the tombstone piledriver, but Braun kicked out. Braun kicked out of the Scorpion Death Drop. After countering a suplex, Sting hit another finisher to win.

After the match, Sting continued the attack on Strowman.

Sting fought the giant and came out on top. He isn't done yet.

Match 3. The Shield vs. The New Day - WWE Tag Team Championship

Big E hit Reigns with a sit-out spine buster. E got a near fall on Dean after a double suplex. He then hit a super fall away slam. He continued the attack in their corner. He finished with a Big Ending with the help of Kofi to get the win.

The New Day kept Reigns out of the ring for 90 percent of the match. Smart move by them.

Match 4. The Rock vs. Kevin Owens - WWE Championship

These two went back and forth with Owens coming out on top. Rock fought back and destroyed Owens for minutes. Owens broke out of the Sharpshooter. Owens came back with a package powerbomb and buckle bomb. Rock hit the Rock Bottom out of nowhere and kicked out of the pop-up powerbomb. Rock countered a second one. Owens busted Rock open with like 15 punches. Rock hit a second finisher, but Owens grabbed the ropes. Owens came back and hit the powerbomb to win.

Wow. What a championship match. That was awesome. Rock had the match won a couple of times.

Match 5. Sami Zayn vs. Austin Aries
Zayn quickly hit a reverse DDT. Aries hit a back breaker/neck breaker combo. He later took Zayn down with a sweeping STO. Aries landed a German suplex and then hit a diving elbow through the table. Oh my God! Zayn got a near fall after an exploder suplex. After a brain buster, Aries pinned Zayn with his feet on the ropes, but got a near fall. Aries kicked out of Zayn's finishers and won with the brain buster.

A busted-open Zayn left, but kept jabbing at Aries. Great match, though.

Match 6. AJ Styles vs. Edge - NXT Championship

AJ came out with a clothesline at the opening bell. Edge countered a suplex, but AJ immediately left the ring. He went for a chair, but Edge blocked him. Edge later hit the Impaler. AJ connected with the Pele kick. After targeting the legs, he landed a reverse hurricanrana. Edge hit the spear out of nowhere, but AJ kicked out. After the Styles Clash, AJ won with the Calf Killer.

Not as good as the World title match, but this was much faster. Was this AJ's first win with the Calf Killer?

Main Event. 30-man Royal Rumble

The first two participants are...Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle, both from WWE. No. 3 is Bobby Roode. He immediately went after Angle. No. 4 is Batista. Some big names in there already. Jericho DDT'd Batista. No. 5 is Rey Mysterio. Roode eliminated Angle and then focused on Rey. No. 6 is Shinsuke Nakamura! The King of Strong Style is here! He picked his spots when to attack. No. 7 is Neville. He along with Jericho and Nakamura eliminated Rey. Roode busted Batista open with a DDT. Batista eliminated Roode. No. 8 is The Miz. Neville tossed out Jericho. Nakamura eliminated Batista. No. 9 is Bray Wyatt. Bray dodged a 450 corkscrew. No. 10 is Jushin 'Thunder' Liger. Oh my! Nakamura hit Bray with a Michimoku Driver. No. 11 is Johnny Mundo. Liger landed a straightjacket powerbomb on Shinsuke. Nakamura eliminated Bray. Miz dropkicked Neville over the top.

No. 12 is John Cena. Here we go! He went after Mundo. No. 13 is James Storm. Liger eliminated Miz. Storm eliminated Liger. No. 14 is Hideo Itami. Nakamura hit Storm with a driver and Itami followed it up with a double knee stomp. Cena eliminated Mundo. No. 15 is Finn Balor. Nakamura eliminated Storm. No. 16 is Drew Galloway. There is one more surprise entrant left. Cena caught Balor in mid-air for an AA as Galloway kicked Nakamura off the apron. No. 17 is Dolph Ziggler. The ring is getting full again. No. 18 is Cesaro. He eliminated Balor. Galloway hit Ziggler with a release German suplex. No. 19 is Tye Dillinger. If only he was number 10. He eliminated Galloway. Hideo kicked Cena in the head and knocked him off the apron. No. 20 is Triple H. Time to play the game. He was immediately tested by Cesaro. He was then tossed over the top by Cesaro. Wow. No. 21 is Tommy Dreamer. Let's get extreme!

I still can't believe how quickly Trips was eliminated. Dreamer eliminated Itami. No. 22 is Shelton Benjamin. Cesaro eliminated Dillinger. No. 23 is Sheamus. He quickly eliminated Ziggler. No. 24 is Seth Rollins. Cesaro is still holding on. He eliminated Dreamer. No. 25 is Samoa Joe. He and Shelton eliminated Cesaro. No. 26 is Rusev. He and Rollins wore down Joe. No. 27 is Ric Flair. Joe eliminated Shelton. Seth eliminated Sheamus. Rusev eliminated Flair. Joe went for the Coquina Clutch on Rollins, but Rusev interrupted. No. 28 is Baron Corbin. Corbin eliminated Rollins. No one from WWE is left. The winner will be from NXT. No. 29 is Wade Barrett. Joe suplexed Corbin and took a while to get up. He eliminated Rusev. Barrett eliminated Corbin. No. 30 is Apollo Crews. The three stared at each other. Barrett and Crews locked up. Joe got involved and took out both men. Crews eliminated Barrett. After a little back-and-forth, Joe clotheslined Crews over the top to win.

Recap: Joe will get a shot at the NXT champion at WrestleMania. There were some good surprises in the Rumble match, the biggest one being Nakamura. I hope we see him again soon. Three new champions on SmackDown.

Stats: Three men led with four eliminations (Joe, Nakamura, Cesaro). Triple H was eliminated the fastest.

WWE - January Week 4, Year 2

The final show before the Royal Rumble.

Match 1. Ric Flair vs. Chris Jericho
Jericho focused on the legs of Flair, but it didn't last long. Flair took him down with a headlock and later hit a butterfly suplex. After a back breaker, Jericho locked in the Walls. He then DDT'd Flair on the apron. Flair locked in the Figure Four, but Jericho reached the ropes. Flair kicked out of the Codebreaker, but was pinned after a diving elbow.

Flair didn't look as good as he used to. Could this be it?

Match 2. Prime Time Players vs. The Pretty Express

Match 3. Seth Rollins vs. Mark Henry

Match 4. Roman Reigns vs. Kofi Kingston
Kofi blocked the Superman punch and hit the Falcon Arrow. He then hit the Boom Drop. Reigns slammed Kofi down and pinned him, but Kofi grabbed the ropes. Kofi countered the spear into a DDT and hit Trouble in Paradise, but Reigns kicked out. Reigns won with the Superman punch.

Kofi went after Reigns, but he ducked and sent him packing.

The Shield are good in singles competition, but better as a unit.

Match 5. Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz vs. Christian

Main Event. 6-man Battle Royal - Cena vs. Angle vs. Ryback vs. Rhodes vs. Punk vs. Sheamus

WWE's preview of the Rumble. Punk blocked Angle's elimination attempt. Cena kicked Cody off the apron moments into the match. Ryback hit Cena with a back breaker. Sheamus hit Angle with a rolling senton. He then hit Cena with White Noise. Sheamus eliminated Angle. Ryback tossed out Punk. Sheamus lifted Ryback up and tossed him over the top. Cena then clotheslined Sheamus over the ropes.

Cena is the top guy on SmackDown. He could win it all and get another title shot.

Heat

Match 1. The Usos vs. Blake and Murphy

Match 2. Apollo Crews vs. Wade Barrett

Match 3. Ric Flair vs. Bo Dallas vs. Fandango

Recap: What a show. Cena proves that he is a favorite to win the Rumble. Reigns handles Kofi on his own and Jericho takes down a legend.

NXT - January Week 4, Year 2

This is the go-home show for the Royal Rumble.

Match 1. Austin Aries vs. Sami Zayn

Match 2. Hype Bros vs. The Ascension

Match 3. Tyson Kidd vs. Apollo Crews
Crews wore down Kidd's legs. Kidd got him in a headlock and then suplexed him. Crews hit three consecutive powerbombs. Kidd landed a diving elbow. After breaking out of a submission hold, Crews hit the spinning sit-out powerbomb to win.

Crews gets a big win over a former US champ.

Match 4. Edge vs. AJ Styles

Edge left the ring and attacked AJ on the ramp. AJ hit the Pele kick and entered the ring. He then hit a 450 corkscrew and got a near fall. Edge hit the Impaler and sit-out powerbomb. AJ kicked out of a spear. He missed a second Pele kick, but connected with it again. Edge kicked out of the Styles Clash. AJ won after busting Edge open with a third Pele kick.

These two will be at war on Sunday.

Match 5. Sting vs. Braun Strowman
Sting got his revenge and attacked Strowman after the match.

Main Event. 6-man Battle Royal - Balor vs. Joe vs. Corbin vs. Bryan vs. Cesaro vs. Roode

This is a good preview for the Rumble. Joe went after Balor, Corbin/Bryan and Roode/Cesaro. Roode and Joe traded elimination attempts. Bryan kicked the crap out of Roode. Joe knocked Corbin off the apron. Bryan eliminated Roode and then went after Joe. Cesaro tossed out Balor. Bryan then eliminated Joe. Cesaro tossed Bryan around before eliminating him.

Is this what we should expect on Sunday?

Recap: A good final week. Cesaro is an early favorite. Sting is showing a new side. AJ and Edge are at war.

WWE - January Week 3, Year 2

Match 1. Xavier Woods vs. Damien Sandow vs. Dallas Page

Match 2. Feed Us More vs. Lucha Dragons

Match 3. Neville vs. Shelton Benjamin
Neville landed a few kicks. Shelton countered and landed a flipping neck breaker. Neville hit a sit-out powerbomb. After cutting Shelton off, Neville landed the Red Arrow and won.

Damn. After defeating Jericho, Shelton loses to Neville.

Match 4. Titus O'Neil vs. Tyler Breeze
Breeze feigned a handshake and kicked Titus. He then got a near fall off the Supermodel kick. After a rolling wheel kick, he won with the Beauty Shot.

A quick victory for one half of the Pretty Express.

Match 5. Dean Ambrose vs. Big E

Main Event. The Undertaker vs. JBL

The Deadman is back, but is it one night only? Taker caught him with a big boot. JBL tried getting some moves in, but Taker countered them all. He then hit a super back suplex. JBL landed a swinging neck breaker. Taker hit an STO and tossed JBL out of the ring. Bradshaw came back with the Clothesline from Hell, but got a near fall. Taker won with the chokeslam.

Good to see Taker still go. He'll become a bigger part once WrestleMania gets closer.

Heat

Match 1. Darren Young vs. Murphy

Match 2. Curtis Axel vs. Fandango vs. Goldust

Match 3. Dallas Page vs. Wade Barrett

Recap: A good week for WWE. Taker looked good. Tyler Breeze made quick work of Titus.

NXT - January Week 3, Year 2

Match 1. X-Pac vs. Bo Dallas

Match 2. Sami Zayn vs. Austin Aries
Zayn ran down and attacked Aries before the bell rang. He then hit the exploder suplex. Aries targeted his left arm. Zayn locked in the Koji clutch. Aries landed the Three Amigos and connected with the discus elbow. Zayn got a near fall after the Blue Thunder Bomb. Aries made a comeback, but Zayn won with a sit-out powerbomb.

Aries went to attack Zayn after the match, but Sami dodged it.

Aries was frustrated after the match. Zayn took his aggression out on Aries at the beginning.

Match 3. Paige vs. Asuka
This is a potential PPV title match. Paige countered a suplex into a roll up and got a near fall. Asuka landed a snap suplex and kicks to the chest. Paige came back with the Paige Turner, but Asuka kicked out. Asuka connected with a spin kick to the head and won.

Good women's match. Paige had some spots, but this was the champ's night.

Match 4. Curtis Axel vs. Shane McMahon

Match 5. Edge vs. AJ Styles
The champion gets another win over his challenger.

Main Event. Sting and Braun Strowman vs. Luke Harper and Erick Rowan

Wow. Whoever made this match has it out for Sting. This can't end well. Sting and Strowman argued at the beginning. Harper hit Sting with a pump handle suplex. Sting hip tossed Rowan. Strowman came in and attacked Sting and left. Sting tried fighting back, but the Wyatts beat him down. Harper pinned Sting after a 3D.

That went as I expected. Strowman was not going to beat up his family members or help Sting. Credit to Sting for sticking it out.

Recap: Asuka defeated her top challenger. Strowman turned on Sting, to no one's surprise. Zayn got a big win over Aries.

WWE - January Week 2, Year 2

Match 1. R-Truth vs. Cody Rhodes

Match 2. Chris Jericho vs. Shelton Benjamin
Whoa! The Gold Standard returns! Shelton dominated Jericho early. No ring rust here. Jericho hit a back suplex and reverse DDT. Shelton landed a second-rope senton. Shelton hit a moonsault before winning with a superkick and Paydirt.

Shelton looked fluid in the ring. It's good to have him back in Universe.

Match 3. Prime Time Players vs. The Pretty Express

Match 4. Big Show vs. Christian

Match 5. John Cena and The Rock vs.  Kevin Owens and Batista
This is a big match. None of these men like each other. Cena and Owens went to the outside. Rock locked Batista in the Sharpshooter. Owens got the hot tag and slammed Cena on the top of his head. He then hit the cannonball splash. The match broke down as Owens hit Cena with the package powerbomb to win.

Owens pinned Cena. The Rock is next on his list.

Main Event. The Shield vs. New Day

Reigns landed a back suplex and a spear on Kofi, but got a near fall. Ambrose hit Big E with Dirty Deeds, but Kofi broke it up. E hit the Big Ending, but Reigns broke up the pin. Reigns busted E open. Reigns went to the top, but Kofi caught him with Trouble in Paradise out of the mid-air. Ambrose pinned Big E after a second Dirty Deeds.

Great tag match. All four men got their moves in. The Shield want to retain their titles.

Heat

Match 1. The Miz vs. Fandango

Match 2. Wade Barrett vs. Bo Dallas

Match 3. Shane McMahon vs. Shane Thorne

Recap: What a week. The Shield pulled out a win. Kevin Owens pins John Cena and Shelton Benjamin returns after some time away.

NXT - January Week 2, Year 2

Match 1. Sami Zayn vs. Austin Aries
Aries climbs up the ladder.

Match 2. Curtis Axel vs. Fandango

Match 3. Paige vs. Emma
Emma landed a snapmare and a running boot. Paige hit a back breaker and stomped on Emma. She then hit the Paige Turner, but got a near fall. Paige connected with a dive to the outside. Emma locked in the Dil-Emma, but Paige came back with a back suplex and diving splash. Paige won with Ram-Paige.

This was a good women's match. They did not give each other space.

Match 4. Enzo, Cass and Storm vs. Roode, Blake and Murphy
Blake and Murphy beat down Enzo in their half of the ring. Enzo broke away and tagged in Storm and Roode came in. Roode landed a couple of suplexes and a diving elbow. Cass got the hot tag and slammed Blake. B&M hit Storm with an assisted Code Breaker. Roode then hit a spine buster and the Roode Bomb to win.

Blake, Murphy and Roode worked well together. They stayed fresh and kept it effecient.

Match 5. AJ Styles vs. Edge
Edge did not let AJ enter the ring as he attacked him between the ropes. AJ sprung up and made a comeback. He then connected with a Pele kick. Edge hit the spear, but kept the offense going. He hit an Impaler and another spear. AJ somehow kicked out and hit the Styles Clash. Edge connected with a third finisher and put AJ away.

After the match, Edge continued stomping on AJ, sending him a message.

Jesus! Edge did not want AJ to make it to next week. That was hard to watch.

Main Event. Braun Strowman vs. Sting

The Icon returns. Strowman takes him out again.

Recap: This was an interesting week. Edge wanted to murder AJ. Braun put down Sting again. Paige and Emma was a fun match.

WWE - January Week 1, Year 2

Tag matches galore.

Match 1. Diamond Dallas Page vs. Chris Jericho
Jericho hit a clothesline out of the gate. Page landed a leg drop bulldog. Jericho hit a flipping neck breaker. Jericho continued the attack, but Page dodged the Lionsault. He then hit a diving elbow and won with a German suplex bridge.

Match 2. Prime Time Players vs. The Pretty Express
Tyler Breeze and Adam Rose are teaming up. Breeze took Titus down with a hurricanrana and stomped on him. Breeze later hit a reverse chin lock. Darren hit a super back suplex. Rose landed a big spine buster. He then caught Titus with a corkscrew neck breaker and won.

Their first time teaming up and they won. Good for Rose and Breeze.

Match 3. R-Truth vs. Xavier Woods

Match 4. Lucha Dragons vs. Feed Us More

Match 5. The Rock vs. Kurt Angle
Rock hit a headlock suplex and a shoulder breaker. Angle hit a t-bone suplex. He then got a near fall after a belly-to-belly side slam. He hit the Angle Slam and got the win.

Wow. Angle defeated the current champ. This muddies the title picture a bit.

Main Event. The Shield vs. The New Day

This is a non-title match.

Heat

Match 1. Simon Gotch vs. R-Truth

Match 2. Fandango vs. Bo Dallas

Match 3. Wade Barrett vs. Ric Flair

Recap: This was a short week for WWE. I like the team of Rose and Breeze. They're attractive, and they know it. Angle dominated the champ.

NXT - January Week 1, Year 2

Match 1. Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin
Austin Aries attacked Zayn from behind. Corbin left the ring and went after Zayn. Sami fought back with a suplex and threw Corbin into the barricade. In the ring, Zayn hit the Blue Thunder Bomb and got a near fall. He later hit the super brain buster. Corbin caught him with the End of Days and won.

Zayn shook off the attack and almost won. Corbin ended his comeback with one move.

Match 2. Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. The Ascension

Match 3. Paige vs. Summer Rae vs. Asuka vs. Cameron
Big win for Summer.

Match 4. Hideo Itami vs. Curtis Axel

Match 5. AJ Styles vs. Daniel Bryan Edge
Edge attacked Bryan and made his way to the ring. I guess it's Edge and Styles tonight. Edge landed a reverse DDT. AJ hit the Styles Clash, but didn't go for the pin. He locked in the Calf Killer. Edge hit a sit-out powerbomb and busted him open with the Downward Spiral. AJ got another near fall after a Styles Clash. Edge hit the spear and won.

After the match, Edge continued the attack before getting pulled away by the ref.

Edge wants his title back and wearing down the champ is a good way to make it happen.

Main Event. Sting vs. Braun Strowman

Strowman clotheslined and suplexed Sting. Sting fought back and sent Braun to the outside. After some back and forth, Strowman landed a pump handle piledriver. He then hit a lifting cutter to win.

Strowman manhandled Sting. Sting took a while to get up. This doesn't look good.

Recap: This was a brutal week. Two pre-match attacks and a legend struggles. 

WWE TLC, Year 2

Let's hope for a good PPV tonight.

Match 1. TLC - Ryback vs. Booker vs. CM Punk - WWE Intercontinental Championship

Punk held Ryback as Booker landed a heel kick. Booker brought in a ladder as Punk landed a second rope splash. Punk hit Ryback with a ladder and Booker with the GTS before making the climb. Booker shoved him off. He and Ryback began double teaming Punk. Booker sent Ryback to the outside and he followed. Punk recovered and pulled the title down.

Punk wins his first title since joining the Universe. He picked his spots to climb.

Match 2. Cody Rhodes vs. Goldust

The two brothers finally go at it. Goldust was aggressive early, but Cody took control. Goldust hit a sit-out powerbomb and Curtain Call, but Cody kicked out. Cody landed a moonsault from the top. He later got a near fall after an Alabama Slam. After a diving leg drop, he hit Cross Rhodes, but Goldust kicked out. Goldust pinned Cody after another Curtain Call.

During the final pin, Cody did grab the ropes, but the ref apparently didn't see it.

Match 3. TLC - John Cena vs. Kurt Angle

Cena hit a back suplex. Angle hit a snap DDT and pulled out a ladder. Cena hit Angle multiple times with the ladder. Cena tossed Angle up and caught him with the AA. Angle shook it off and landed 3 German suplexes. Cena landed the 5 Knuckle Shuffle and another AA. He then climbed up the ladder, but Angle pulled him down. Cena threw Angle out of the ring and pulled the briefcase down.

With this win, Cena is now in line for a championship match.

Match 4. The New Day vs. The Sheild - WWE Tag Team Championship

Ambrose took it to Big E and sent him to the outside. E blocked a Superman punch, but Roman connected with it the second time. He then hit a spear, but Big E kicked out. Things then broke down as all four men fought in the ring. Dean hit Kofi with Dirty Deeds. The Shield hit Kofi with a supercanrana into a powerbomb. Reigns continued the beat down on Kofi before hitting E with a spear to win.

Damn. The Shield came out strong and held nothing back. Big E and Kofi left a bloody mess.

Match 5. Seth Rollins vs. Triple H
Triple H spiked Rollins with a piledriver. He then connected with the spine buster and Pedigree and won.

Triple H was not getting paid by the hour. Three moves and he's out. Damn.

Match 6. TLC - Brie Bella vs. Charlotte - WWE Divas Championship

A women's TLC match? Sure! Charlotte deadlifted Brie and hit a powerbomb. After wearing down the legs, Brie grabbed a ladder. Charlotte landed a power slam. She later hit a super back suplex. Brie and Charlotte made small attempts at the title. Brie powerbombed Charlotte off the title. Charlotte tossed Brie to the outside and pulled down the title.

Good TLC match. They didn't get too violent, but there was a lot of back and forth.

Main Event. TLC - The Rock vs. Kevin Owens - WWE World Championship

There were already three title changes, will we see a fourth? Owens immediately left the ring and brought in a ladder. They went back and forth with the ladder. He made an attempt for the belt, but Rock pushed him off. Rock knocked Owens around with the ladder. Owens brought in a table and hit Rock with it. Rock sent Owens to the outside after a Samoan drop onto the table and won.

Wow. Owens was in his element and still lost. The Rock is still on top.

Recap: What a show. Three title changes and a great main event. I'm still surprised at the Rollins/HHH match. 

WWE - December Week 4, Year 2

This is the go-home show to TLC. Then, it's off to the Royal Rumble.

Match 1. New Day vs. The Shield
Big E hit a clothesline and face buster for a near fall on Dean. Kofi hit Reigns with a Boom Drop. Reigns came back with a Samoan drop. After a double DDT, Reigns connected with the Superman punch. Kofi kicked out of the spear. Big E kicked out of the Superman punch. Ambrose kicked out of the Super Big Ending. Kofi won with a diving elbow on Reigns.

Great tag match. Can The Shield regroup and win at the PPV?

Match 2. Sasha Banks vs. Nikki Bella
Nikki targeted the neck with a snapmare and neck breaker., She then hit the Bella Buster and Rack Attack, but got a near fall. Sasha came back with a backstabber, but Nikki kicked out. Nikki landed the Alabama Slam. Sasha landed the 3 Amigos and locked in the Bank Statement. Nikki hit a second Bella Buster to win.

Will Nikki face her sister for the Divas title?

Match 3. Chris Jericho and Christian vs. The Dudleyz

Match 4. Ryback vs. Dolph Ziggler

Match 5. Big Show vs. JBL vs. Sheamus vs. John Cena

Main Event. The Rock vs. Kevin Owens

Will this happen just days before the pay-per-view? Owens left the ring and took down Rock on the ramp. Owens threw Rock into the steps and steel post. Rock fired back with an Irish whip of his own. Owens hit the package side slam. Rock hit the Rock Bottom and won.

This was more of a fight than a match. TLC is going to be intense.

Heat

Match 1. X-Pac vs. Simon Gotch

Match 2. R-Truth vs. Wade Barrett

Match 3. Braun Strowman vs. Fandango

Recap: New Day shut down The Shield. Rock and Owens are going to destroy each other. Will we see a Bella brawl?

NXT - December Week 4, Year 2

NXT is starting to weed out the older stars. As a result, Stone Cold and William Regal are no longer on the roster.

Match 1. Cesaro vs. Wade Barrett

Barrett landed a big boot and tilt-a-whirl back breaker. Cesaro came back with a gutwrench slam. Barrett hit a second-rope diving elbow and the Winds of Change. After a scuffle on the outside, Cesaro hit the Very European uppercut, but Barrett kicked out. Barrett threw Cesaro into the post and won via countout.

Damn. The US champ just lost by countout. Barrett has a new side to him.

Match 2. Hype Bros vs. The Ascension

Match 3. Paige vs. Alicia Fox vs. Asuka

Match 4. Hideo Itami vs. Tyson Kidd

Kidd landed an overhead belly-to-belly. Itami countered with a sit-out powerbomb. Kidd blocked an underhook slam and hit an STO into the corner. He then locked in Code Blue, but Itami escaped. Kidd connected with a dive through the ropes. After a German suplex, Itami won with the GTS.

Great match. Kidd had a couple of spots to win. Hideo is just too good.

Match 5. Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon

Main Event. Sami Zayn vs. Austin Aries

Zayn hit a half-and-half suplex and a Blue Thunder Bomb. Zayn blocked the discus elbow and hit a front suplex. Zayn then left the ring and took apart the announce table. He then landed a diving elbow from the top! Aries kicked out of a second powerbomb. He hit the brain buster. Zayn followed up with the Super Buster and won with a diving splash.

These two did everything they could. Aries almost won with the brain buster. Zayn took it one step further.

Recap: What a week. Strowman continues his push. Hideo and Zayn pick up big wins.

WWE - December Week 3, Year 2

Match 1. Feed Us More vs. The Dudleyz

Match 2. Xavier Woods vs. Neville

Match 3. Dolph Ziggler vs. Tyler Breeze
This was fast-paced at the opening. Breeze ducked a super kick and hit a diving leg drop. He then hit the supermodel kick and got another near fall. Breeze set up and hit the Beauty Shot to win.

That was over before I even got settled. Breeze was aggressive early and made quick work of Ziggler.

Match 4. The Rock vs. Adam Rose
Yikes. 

Match 5. The Shield vs. The New Day
Big E planted Ambrose with a spine buster. Dean fought off both Kofi and E. He locked Big E in the Regal Stretch. Kofi hit the Boom Drop, but got a two count. Kofi hit Roman with a supercanrana. After E ran Roman over, they hit the Super Ending to win.

The champs beat the challengers. Can Roman/Ambrose rebound next week?

Main Event. Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens

The Rock threw Owens into the steps before the match started. Rollins hit the roll through super kick. Owens dodged a Pedigree, but Rollins came right back with the Pedigree, but Owens kicked out. Rollins hit a Buckle Bomb and a second Pedigree, but got another two count. WOW. After a front suplex, Rollins put his feet on the ropes and won.

After the match, Rock was on the ramp. Owens went after him, but they were separated.

I can't believe Rollins needed to cheat to win after the pre-match attack.

Heat

Match 1. Alicia Fox vs. Cameron

Match 2. Shane McMahon vs. Wade Barrett

Match 3. Damien Sandow vs. Fandango vs. Alberto Del Rio

Recap: This was a big week. Rock attacked Owens. The Shield lose to the tag champs. Breeze did not give Ziggler a chance. TLC is nine days away.

NXT - December Week 3, Year 2

Match 1. James Storm vs. Tye Dillinger
Dillinger had the surprising advantage early. He backdropped Storm onto the apron. Storm fought back and hit a Codebreaker. Tye landed a front suplex and frog splash, but Storm kicked out. He then won with the Tye Breaker.

I was not expecting that. Tye went out to prove something and he did. Impressive.

Match 2. Becky Lynch vs. Emma
Two generations of NXT women stars. Becky targeted Emma's limbs. Becky landed a German suplex and modified crossbow lock. She then suplexed Emma through the announce table. Damn. She later locked in the Disarmer, but Emma broke out. Becky broke out of the Dil-Emma and won with a back suplex.

A great back-and-forth women's match. So many submission attempts.

Match 3. Hype Bros vs. The Vaudevillains

Match 4. Billy Gunn vs. Jack Swagger vs. Elias Samson vs. Shane McMahon

Match 5. Sami Zayn vs. Austin Aries

Main Event. AJ Styles vs. Braun Strowman

What a first opponent for the new champion. After fending off AJ, Braun tossed him up in the air with ease. AJ landed a roundhouse kick, but Braun got right up. AJ locked in a reverse STF and connected with the Pele kick. Braun hit a half nelson back breaker. Styles superplexed Braun to the outside. AJ ducked a clothesline and hit a second Pele kick to get the win.

Braun had the champ on his heels. But, AJ is the champ for a reason. Good main event.

Recap: Good show. Braun more than held his own against the champ. Emma and Becky had a good match, too.

NXT TakeOver: R Evolution, Year 2

The second-to-last NXT TakeOver show. It's going to be a good one.

Match 1. Last Woman Standing - Asuka vs. Alicia Fox - NXT Women's Championship
A big opportunity for Foxy. She hit a tilt-a-whirl back breaker. She connected with a spin kick to the gut. Fox continued with a couple of leg drops and a snap DDT, but Asuka kept getting up. Asuka connected with her kicks. She then tossed Fox up and caught her with a super kick. A little later, Asuka took her out with a German suplex and retained her title.

I did not see the Last Woman Standing stip coming. Fox looked real good in defeat.

Match 2. Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. The Wyatt Family - NXT Tag Team Championship

Enzo wanted to end this quick. He hit Rowan with a DDT and diving elbow. It didn't last long as both Rowan and Harper destroyed Enzo. Cass got the tag and threw Rowan into the steps. Enzo and Cass then hit Boom Shakalaka to win.

There was a funny glitch that affected Enzo's right leg. It didn't mess up the match. The Wyatts lose again.

Match 3. Sami Zayn vs. Austin Aries

After a little back-and-forth, Aries took control with a gator roll and crossface. He then hit a diving elbow. Aries tossed Zayn out and landed a suicide dive. Zayn came back with the Blue Thunder Bomb and got a near fall. He then locked in the Koji clutch. Zayn countered a hurricanrana and hung Aries over the ropes. Aries caught Zayn with the discus elbow and got the win.

I was not expecting that finish. Either man could have won, but Aries is dangerous with that elbow.

Match 4. Cesaro vs. James Storm vs. Tyson Kidd vs. Baron Corbin - NXT US Championship

This should be fun. Storm sent Kidd to the outside. Cesaro hit Corbin with a straightjacket powerbomb. Corbin landed a German suplex. Kidd found his way to Cesaro and they went at it. Kidd landed a diving elbow. Cesaro hit the Very European Uppercut. Cesaro hit Storm with a super double underhook suplex. Corbin hit Kidd with the End of Days. Cesaro cauight Kidd with another uppercut and won.

Damn. Cesaro got lucky here. He could have easily lost his title.

Match 5. Finn Balor vs. Hideo Itami vs. Rusev
A win here will put Rusev back in the title picture. Balor went after both Rusev and Itami. Hideo brought in a bat and hit Balor in the back. Balor hit Rusev with the shotgun dropkick. Rusev kicked Hideo in the head. Balor then caught Rusev with a chickenwing suplex and got the win.

Wow. I was hoping for a more intense match. Balor is the best on the roster.

Match 6. Daniel Bryan vs. Samoa Joe

Joe smacked Bryan around a bit. Bryan made a comeback and kicked Joe in the head. Joe threw Bryan into the corner and hit a German suplex. Bryan DDT'd Joe on the apron. After a heel kick, Joe connected with the Muscle Buster, but Bryan kicked out. Bryan made his comeback and finished with his kicks to the head before getting the win.

Main Event. AJ Styles vs. Edge - NXT Championship

Damn. One match and AJ gets a title shot. Styles wrestled around Edge. Edge countered with a German suplex. AJ landed a heel kick and a dive over the top to the outside. He continued with another heel kick and suplex. Edge kicked out of the Pele kick and Styles Clash. Edge made his comeback and capped with the Impaler DDT. Styles busted Edge open with a second Pele kick and won with a second Styles Clash.

Oh my God! AJ Styles is the new NXT Champion. What a debut!

Recap: Wow. Things are about to change in NXT. Styles is on top. The Wyatts lose again. Alicia Fox held her own against Asuka.

WWE - December Week 2, Year 2

Match 1. Adam Rose vs. R-Truth vs. JBL

Match 2. Ambrose and Reigns vs. Prime Time Players
The Shield have to prove themselves in the tag division. Dean hit Darren with a cross body and sent him to the outside. The two big men went at it. The Shield hit Titus with a snapmare and running boot combo. Reigns got a near fall on Darren with a Superman punch. Dean pinned Titus after Dirty Deeds.

After the match, Kofi and Big E walked out.

This was pretty much a one-sided match. The Shield sent the New Day a message.

Match 3. Lucha Dragons vs. The Dudleyz

Match 4. Ryback vs. Big Show

Match 5. Cody Rhodes vs. Dallas Page
Wow. Stardust is no more. Welcome Cody Rhodes. Cody was on fire early. He landed a few strikes and a diving ax handle. Page kicked out of the Alabama Slam. After a stint on the outside, Cody connected with Cross Rhodes and won.

This was a more aggressive Cody. It's a big change, but a necessary one.

Main Event. The Rock vs. Kevin Owens

Owens attacked Rock from behind with a chair. They made their way to the ring and Owens hit the pop-up powerbomb, but Rock kicked out. Rock made a bit of a comeback, but Owens cut him off with the cannonball splash. He then hit a second powerbomb and won.

After the match, Owens grabbed another chair and hit Rock multiple times.

Wow. Owens is furious and is doing everything he can to get back his title.

Heat

Match 1. Alicia Fox vs. Cameron

Match 2. Fandango vs. Tyler Breeze vs. William Regal

Match 3. Christian vs. Wade Barrett

Recap: This was a reckless episode of SmackDown. Owens attacking the champ, Cody taking out DDP and The Shield making their way towards The New Day.

NXT - December Week 2, Year 2

This is the go-home show to TakeOver: REvolution

Match 1. Shane McMahon vs. Jack Swagger vs. Zack Ryder

Match 2. The Ascension vs. Blake and Murphy

Match 3. Paige vs. Cameron

Match 4. American Alpha vs. Wyatt Family
Harper and Rowan wore down Gable. Jordan came in, but Harper halted his momentum. Rowan caught Gable with a spin kick. Alpha landed a double super back suplex and pinned Rowan.

Great teamwork by American Alpha. The former tag champs lose another match.

Match 5. Braun Strowman vs. Cesaro
Cesaro has a big challenge in front of him. Strowman countered a suplex and tossed Cesaro up in the air. He continued with a gutwrench slam and pump handle piledriver, but Cesaro kicked out. Cesaro tried fighting back, but Strowman landed a super back suplex and another piledriver to win.

Wow. I've never seen Cesaro manhandled like that. Strowman is a force.

Main Event. Sami Zayn vs. Austin Aries

Aries connected with an STO. Zayn landed an enziguiri. He got a near fall after the Blue Thunder Bomb. Aries went to the top and hit Zayn with a missile dropkick to the outside. Aries locked in Last Chancery, but Zayn broke out. Zayn hit the Exploder suplex. Aries hit the brain buster, but got a near fall. After a lot of back and forth, Aries landed a hurricanran into a roll up and won.

After the match, Aries continued stomping on Zayn.

An awesome match. These two are at the top of their game. 

Recap: A great go-home show. Cesaro may have a new challenger. The tag division is the best.