WWE Live show results
January 17, 2015
Abilene, Tex.
Report by Will McClure, PWTorch reader

The Taylor County Expo Center was a packed house; hardly any seats available.

Bad News Barrett came out first. He mocked the crowd and said he was supposed to defend the IC Title against Dolph Ziggler, but since Ziggler was fired, he challenged anyone in the back to a non-title match. R-Truth came out to accept.

(1) R-Truth beat IC champion Bad News Barrett in a non-title match after reversing the Bullhammer. Truth apparently gets a future title match at a time of Barrett's choosing, so we'll see if that actually happens.

Luke Harper was out next to face Alex Riley, who I heard was working house shows, so this should be interesting.

(2) Luke Harper beat Alex Riley after a spinning clothesline. The match was all Harper for the most part until Riley got in some offense. "Let's Go Riley" chants tried to start up, but they never caught on.

A six-man tag was next. Fandango, Titus O'Neil, and David Otunga (he's still around?) with Hornswoggle faced Los Matadores and El Torito. Really? I do have to say that the crowd was really behind Los Matadores.

(3) Los Matadores & El Torito beat Fandango & Titus O'Neil & David Otunga in a six-man tag match after Fandango was pinned via backstabber. He seriously needs to drop the dancing gimmick. El Torito took a hard bump that prompted a "Is he okay?" from Titus. He was fine and got back in later. Better match than I'd thought it'd be.

The video played for Connor's Cure. What a brave kid. A round of applause for him. Daniel Bryan vs. Kane next. Thunderous ovation for Bryan.

(4) Daniel Bryan beat Kane with a running knee. Excellent match with the crowd firmly behind Bryan. You wouldn't think he's been out eight months.

[Intermission. A graphic came up for fans to vote whether or not Brie Bella can be at ringside for the Divas Title match.]

The Divas Title match was next. Huge reaction for Nikki Bella despite being the heel. Brie was voted in to stay ringside in a landslide.

(5) Nikki Bella (w/Brie Bella) beat Natalya with a facebuster to retain the championship. Decent showing, but the crowd was dead until the finish.

Goldust and Stardust were out next for a tag team match to a big pop. Stardust insulted the audience and made them believe the 2016 Survivor Series was coming to Abilene. That made the crowd turn on them. New Day minus Xavier Woods came out to zero reaction and gray ring gear until Big E. won the audience over with a cheap pop.

(6) New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E.) beat Goldust & "Stardust" Cody Rhodes. after Big E. pinned Stardust via New Day's double-team finisher. Goldust and Stardust tried to walk out before the match started and were brought back in. Basic match with the same high-flying maneuvers as always.

Main event time. John Cena vs. Seth Rollins in a Street Fight. This ought to be good. Major heat and "You Sold Out" chants for Rollins and a HUGE reaction for Cena, hardly any boos.

(7) John Cena beat Seth Rollins in a Street Fight after an AA from the top rope through the table. Plenty of interference and two ref bumps. J&J Security tried to throw salt in Cena's eyes and got a double AA for their trouble. Big Show showed up to major heat and gave Cena a chokeslam, but Cena kicked out and gave him an AA. Excellent match that kept the crowd on their feet through the last part. Rollins egged on the crowd on the microphone during the match to major heat. He is going to be a great heel when he breaks away from The Authority.

Great show throughout, even the random six-man. No return date was announced.

Biggest Pops:

(1) John Cena
(2) Daniel Bryan
(3) Nikki Bella

Biggest Heat:

(1) Seth Rollins
(2) Big Show
(3) Bad News Barrett

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

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