WWE Holiday Tour show results
December 26, 2014
Chicago, Ill. at Allstate Arena
Report by Dylon Wells, PWTorch correspondent

Good attendance, once again around 90-95 percent of what was available was filled up.

There was a poll asking if we wanted to see either: (A) Six-Divas Santa's Helpers tag team match or (B) Singles Divas match.

(1) Sin Cara beat Justin Gabriel at 6:49. Pretty good opener to start the show. Honestly, if this was given a little more time it would've kept going to be a show-stealer! The pace never slowed down and it was back-and-forth. Cara missed his Senton Bomb which led to Gabriel attempting a 450, but Cara sprung up with a side kick to Gabriel's face and hit the Spanish Superfly for the victory. (*3/4)

All of a sudden Bray Wyatt's intro played and he appeared, then he attacked both men. Bray got the mic and told us this was a small message for Dean Ambrose tonight in the Chicago Street Fight main event and for us to "Follow The Buzzards."

(2) Los Matadores & El Torito beat Titus O'Neil & Tyler Breeze & Hornswoggle at 9:17 in a six-man tag match. A decent comedy match with some good action. Each person got a few things in evenly. Titus was about to ram Torito from the top rope, but Torito moved. Titus, with his momentum, rammed himself in the corner, so Torito tagged in Diego to hit the Backstabber for the victory. (**)

After the match, Tyler tried to take a selfie with Titus, but Titus slapped Breeze's phone out of his hands and it bounced from the mat to the first row.

Bad News Barrett suddenly came out and said that he's healthy enough to return, but he's afraid that he's got bad news! Barrett said that he's an international Superstar and wrestles in places such as New York, London, Tokyo, and Los Angeles, not a "corrupt crap-town like Chicago," which drew boos.

(3) R-Truth beat Adam Rose at 9:27. The first few minutes was "yay-boo" comedy between the two. Once the action got underway after the comedy bits, it was a decent match. Truth missed the Axe Kick and Rose drove him to the ropes for an attempted roll-up, but he only got a two count. Truth suddenly countered the roll-up into one of his own for the three count.

Rose was frustrated and in awe in the middle of the ring for a couple minutes. The Rosebuds - minus The Bunny - tried to calm him down, but Rose shoved off the Rosebud in Trojan war gear to the floor and walked off to the back very mad.

They aired a Connor The Crusher/Connor's Cure video, which drew a loud pop at the end. They promoted ways to donate for the charity as well. Afterwards, a WWE Network ad aired with various great moments from the past and present shown in a compilation.

U.S. champion Rusev, accompanied by, Lana came out for the U.S. Title match. Lana told off the crowd and brought up corruption and said our country is a shell of itself and is crumbling down by pieces. Lana then challenged any American to face Rusev for the title. So, Roman Reigns came out through the crowd. Roman grabbed the mic and simply said, "I'm here to represent America tonight, and tonight, I'm going to whip this meatball's ass!"

(4) Roman Reigns beat Rusev via DQ at 19:09; Rusev retained the U.S. Title. The first several minutes of this match reminded me of a perfect classic "WWF Style" 1980s Foreigner vs. American match. After that opening, the pace mostly stayed methodical until the final five minutes or so picked up. Great nearfalls and false finishes happened throughout the final minutes. After Roman hit a second Superman Punch, he attempted a spear, but Rusev rolled out the last second, grabbed his belt, and hit Reigns with it to get the DQ and retain the title. Post-match, Rusev attempted to hit Roman with belt again, but he missed and got speared. (**1/2)

[Intermission]

The poll results from the beginning of the show were revealed. And, by a total landslide..

(A) 94% - Santa's Helper six-Divas tag
(b) 6% - Single Divas match.

(5) Natalya & Naomi & NXT Women's champion Charlotte beat Summer Rae & Cameron & Sasha Banks at 7:55 in a six-Divas tag match. Naomi surprisingly did little to nothing in this match. Charlotte was isolated by the heel team for most of the match. Natalya eventually got the hot tag and cleaned house. Each Diva attacked the other, getting them out of the ring until Summer and Natalya were legal in the match. Natalya slapped on the Sharpshooter after the chaos and submitted Summer for the team victory. (*1/4)

Stardust and Goldust came out for the next contest. Stardust welcomed us to the "black hole." Stardust addressed rumors of WrestleMania 32 coming to Chicago next year. He then said the chances of that happening are like the Blackhawks winning another Stanley Cup, which drew major boos. Stardust continued by asking "How about them Bears?" With a thumbs down motion for more jeers. Stardust closed that it's no secret they lost Tag Titles or the "cosmic key." New Day then interrupted and made their way to the ring. Big E. grabbed a mic and told them to shut up. Big E. continued by saying he got his grandpa two gifts for Christmas, which were a Chicago Blackhawks jersey and the WWE Network for just $9.99!

Cesaro and Tyson Kidd then make their entrances to complete the three teams in this announced tag team number one contender's match. Before the match began, Goldust grabbed a mic and called out a fan. The fan was about to approach Goldust, but he said, "Hey kid, you're doing a good job, now sit down and shut up!" This drew some "ooos" and laughter.

(6) New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston w/Big E.) beat Stardust & Goldust and Cesaro & Tyson Kidd in a three-team #1 contender's tag match at 14:37. Woods spent about 85-90 percent in the match and showcased his natural charisma and good moves throughout. In my opinion, they shoould give him more of a chance on TV. Really good action throughout with a great mixture of false finishes, double-team moves, high-flying, and comedy. After a series of tags and false finishes, Woods hits an enziguiri to Stardust to stun him and Kofi hit a backbreaker to Stardust before holding him in position for Woods to hit a top-rope elbow drop a/k/a "Demolition Decapitation" for the win. (**3/4)

(7) Dean Ambrose beat Bray Wyatt in a Chicago Street Fight at 16:24. A bit toned down from their previous matches, but it still delivered as a good go-home happy main event! Chairs, Kendo Sticks, and Tables were used. Both went through a table once for a nearfall on both occasions. Several nearfalls and believable false finishes occurred towards the end. Wyatt attempted Sister Abigail until Dean reversed it into a quick roll-up for two. Dean then immediately shoved Bray head-first into the wedged chair in the corner and followed it with a Dirty Deeds for the victory. (***1/4)

The show closed out with Ambrose celebrating throughout the arena. Really good and entertaining show from top to bottom with nothing dull to damper the mood throughout.

Biggest Pops:

(1) Roman Reigns answering the U.S. Title challenge.
(2) Dean Ambrose (although pretty close)
(3) Connor The Crusher (R.I.P.)
(4) Sin Cara
(5) New Day and R-Truth (tied)

Biggest Heat:

(1) Rusev
(2) Goldust
(3) Bray Wyatt (it was a fairly mixed reaction with slightly more boos)
(4) Cameron
(5) Adam Rose

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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