By James Caldwell, PWTorch columnist

WWE Armageddon PPV Report
December 14, 2008
Buffalo, N.Y.
By James Caldwell, PWTorch columnist

Dark match: Torch specialist Greg Parks is live in Buffalo with a note that the new World tag team champions The Miz & Morrison beat Jesse & Festus. Also, the arena appears to be about 90 percent full after a strong walk-up. About 9,000 tickets had been sold prior to tonight.

Opening video: They opened with a video package recapping the "Epic War" nature of tonight's PPV headlined by John Cena vs. Chris Jericho and Edge vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Triple H.

1 -- ECW champion MATT HARDY vs. VLADIMIR KOSLOV -- non-title match

"U-S-A" chant to start things off. Koslov want powerslam, but Hardy counter with roll-up. Koslov want suplex and Hardy eat mat. Hardy then eat ringpost. And again. Koslov slow things down. He want the match to be slow. Koslov then headbutt to chest and slow down match.

Okay, it's rather difficult to call a match via Koslov-speak. ECW announcers Matt Striker and Todd Grisham are calling this one. Grisham said Koslov's style certainly won't win any beauty contests. In other words, he ain't busting out a flashy highspot. Hardy fought off Koslov momentarily, then the crowd came to life as Hardy hit a double sledge from the second rope. Hardy then dumped Koslov to the floor and shoved him into the ringpost. We have a blood sighting, as Hardy's left arm was cut open pretty good. Hardy, though, wanted another move from the second rope, but Koslov chopped him down to the mat. Koslov had the pin, but Hardy instinctively grabbed the bottom rope to break up the pin.

Hardy nearly scored a pin with the roll-up, but Koslov kicked out. Koslov then bounced Hardy's head off the ringpost above the top turnbuckle before nailing a headbutt to the chest. Koslov with a lift-up Rock Bottom and he pinned Hardy for the win.

WINNER: Koslov in 10:00. Well, it was better than Hunter vs. Koslov last month. Rough start, but a good finish, actually. ECW champion being pinned on PPV isn't good for the brand, but WWE is definitely more behind Koslov for Smackdown purposes. (**)

Backstage: Edge and Vickie Guerrero had a good laugh at Matt Hardy's expense, then Edge walked off to get ready for his match, leaving Vickie with Chavo Guerrero. Chavo wanted to chat. How did you two take out Jeff Hardy the night before Survivor Series? Vickie said Edge and herself were not involved. Vickie became annoyed and demanded her coffee. Two sugars. Vickie pulled him back and pretended to be sorry for bossing him around, but requested two Splendas instead. She's watching her figure.

Ringside: Jim Ross and Tazz wanted to know who did it to Jeff if it wasn't Edge. So, the text poll tonight is who done it?

Backstage: Hornswoggle excitedly chased down Eve with his mallet, then Finlay stepped in to calm Horny down. Horny spanked Eve on the rear with his mallet, then Finlay wanted to chat with Hornswoggle about his safety. Don't come out for his match against Mark Henry, he instructed. Horny reluctantly shook his head and stayed back.

In-ring: William Regal and Layla were shown ringside holding the IC Title belt. Winner of Punk vs. Rey Mysterio finals gets Regal for the belt. Rey came out first, then Punk came out. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler then recapped Miz & Morrison capturing the World Tag Titles last night in Ontario.

2 -- REY MYSTERIO vs. C.M. PUNK -- Finals of #1 contender to IC Title tournament

First-time-ever bout started with a show of respect, then Punk flipped Rey clear over the top rope to the floor at the feet of Regal and Layla. Punk, with shiny new white boots, then nailed a plancha and rolled Rey back into the ring for a two count. Punk continued to dominate with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a two count before going to ground work. Really great exchanges in the first ten minutes. After watching Eddie vs. Rey matches on the Eddie DVD, this really reminds me of that match dynamic.

Rey almost leveraged a bridge pin at 11:00, but Punk slipped out. Of course, this got a "swashbuckling style" line from Cole. Rey then wanted the 619, but Punk avoided it and went for the Go 2 Sleep. Except, Rey countered into a head scissors that put Punk on the middle rope for Rey to nail the 619. Rey wanted the springboard leap to win, but Punk sat up to avoid the finisher. Rey then wanted a tornado DDT, but Punk caught Rey on his shoulders and nailed an absolutely sick Go 2 Sleep that snapped Rey's head back. Punk made the cover and scored the win.

WINNER: Punk in 12:00. That was a heck of an undercard match. Just great action. One of those matches that could have gone another five or six minutes and been perfectly fine extending out the nearfalls. Excellent. (***1/2)

Post-match: Regal stood up from his chair and smiled before giving Punk a round of applause. Punk was bleeding from the bridge of his nose, then the camera focused on Rey Mysterio, whose nose was totally busted open from the G2S. Punk then checked on Rey, who was talking to Punk through the blood. They replayed the highspots and Punk just blasting Rey in the nose with the G2S. Regal and Punk had a final stare down to set up their future IC Title match while Rey checked his nose walking out.

Backstage: Jeff Hardy was in a very dark corner with a green light barely revealing his right eye. Hardy said people have tried to change him his whole life. People say he's a screw-up and he'll mess up again, but those people are afraid to see something human in him that would freak them out. Tonight is a new chapter in Jeff's career. Tonight, it's WWE champion.

Video package: They showed a video package on the JBL vs. Shawn Michaels program from the last few weeks with JBL brow-beating Michaels.

In-ring: JBL's limo pulled up near the stage and JBL stepped out to rub elbows with some of the unclean folks ringside. JBL then stepped into the ring and - over a "Joey Styles" chant - announced his new employee, Shawn Michaels. Michaels's music hit and HBK walked to the ring with a pensive look on his face. A few uncomfortable smiles to the fans, then JBL handed Michaels the mic once he entered the ring.

Michaels said the economy has hit everyone very hard, and he's not immune. He's in a tough spot 'cause he hears all the whispers about him being a rich WWE superstar and there being no way he could be in financial trouble. Michaels said when he entered WWE in his 20s, he gave away and spent his money. In his 30s, the injury list started to add up and he didn't want to be in debt to a wrestling company for the rest of his life. In his 40s, he invested money in the stock market to provide for his family and give to his church. Now, the market crashed and his nest egg is wasting away.

Michaels said it wouldn't be a big deal 20 years ago, but at the end of his career, he doesn't know how much time he has left to make it back. That is why he took JBL up on his offer. He said he doesn't like JBL any more than the fans, as he finds him smug, a bully, and reprehensible, but the man is good financially. He said he will put his children through college and more importantly, he's not going to become one of those guys bagging groceries and limping into a high school gym to wrestle.

"I am not going to become a wrestling tragedy," Michaels said with tears in his eyes. "I will not let that happen. You can judge me if you want. If being booed by you or being called a sell-out by you is the price I have to pay, then I'll pay it." A few fans chanted "you sold out" as Michaels paused. JBL started to pace around the ring, then Michaels said this isn't something he wants to do, but something he has to do. Michaels then handed the mic back to JBL, who extended his hand for a shake. Michaels then shook his hand to a chorus of boos. JBL quickly walked out of the ring, leaving Michaels in the ring to stare down at the mat.

The camera did a big fade out to a wide arena shot as the announcers remained silent and Michaels walked back up the ramp in a daze while fans shouted down at him for selling out.

Backstage: Eve, with a serious face, brought in Randy Orton to discuss facing Batista tonight. Orton just stared down at the ground, then Cody Rhodes and Manu interrupted before Orton could speak. Cody smugly said Orton was the crown jewel of Evolution, while Batista was merely hired muscle. Batista doesn't possess the natural God-given abilities like himself, Manu, or Orton. Manu chimed in that Orton has been waiting four years to get Batista an expose him as the fraud he is. Tonight, Orton cements his legacy. Cody and Manu walked off, then Orton stared down at Eve and walked away.

Ringside: Buffalo Bills players were shown fighting ringside. Ross quipped that they should have showed that much passion during their NFL game loss earlier today.

3 -- MARK HENRY (w/Tony Atlas) vs. FINLAY -- Belfast Brawl

The match quickly moved to the floor where Henry smashed Finlay into the ringpost after Finlay sold a quad injury. Suddenly, weapons became involved via Finlay, and Atlas took a blow before Henry smashed Finlay to defend Atlas's honor. Henry then hung Finlay in between the middle ropes and squashed his neck before sliding through the ropes to the floor. Finlay came back with a Kendo stick blow to the gut before executing a DDT for a nearfall. Henry then stole the Kendo stick and snapped it over his knee like a baseball player snapping a baseball bat over his knee after striking out. Henry then put Finlay in a bear hug and Hornswoggle suddenly showed up ringside. Henry then shoved Finlay into the corner causing Horny to be squashed. He then fell to the floor and disappeared under the ring.

Henry grabbed a trashcan and pressed the can into Finlay's gut to squish him. Henry began a methodical taking-apart of Finlay, then Henry grabbed the hollow "230-pound ring steps," as Matt Striker lost credibility describing, and tossed them into the ring. Finlay blocked a step shot and landed a drop toe hold sending Henry face-first into the steps. Horny then showed up ringside and slid a second shillelagh to Finlay, who cracked the thing over Henry's head and Henry fell to the earth like a tree in the forest. Finlay with the pin for the win. Afterward, Horny reluctantly approached pops after disobeying him, but they hugged.

WINNER: Finlay in 10:00. Nice brawl. Wasn't particularly memorable, but told a good story and featured enough brawling for fans who are interested in that type of match. (**)

Backstage: Divas were decorating a Christmas tree, then Santa Haas stepped in to accept hugs from Melina, Tiffany, Bella Twins, and Candice Michelle. SH brought presents for everyone, then Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix interrupted. Santino then bragged about Beth Phoenix winning the Slammy Award for Best Diva before comically holding it out for the other divas to be jealous of. Santino wanted to dip into Haas's presents bag for a second present, but he discovered Boogeyman and his music. Santino tried to run away, but Goldust was behind the door with mistletoe hanging over his head. Goldust started to sing, but Santino comically ran away screaming like a girl. Goldust said he just wanted to sing a song. He then shared a moment with Boogeyman, who handed him a present.

Mr. Kennedy promo: Mr. Kennedy was sporting an even-uglier goatee to promote the "Behind Enemy Lines" DVD coming out soon. This has been a Public Service Announcement of Mr. Kennedy...and his bad beard.

Video package: They did a video on the Evolution group, focusing on Orton and Batista as the heir apparents to Ric Flair and Triple H and the four years of build-up to this match. Batista then came out first to face Orton, who came out with Cody and Manu. Batista had a chat with ref Chioda that he didn't appreciate ringside help for Orton.

4 -- BATISTA vs. RANDY ORTON (w/Cody Rhodes and Manu)

Batista found himself on the floor a few minutes into the match, then ref Chioda caught Cody and Manu with their pants around their ankles attacking Batista on the floor. He then booted both from ringside, leaving it as Orton vs. Batista one-on-one. The action suddenly picked up back in the ring with Batista trying a Batistabomb, but Orton slipped out and hit a reverse neckbreaker. Orton then followed with his trademark faceplant DDT with Batista hanging horizontally across the middle rope for a nearfall.

Orton settled into his offensive attack at 10:00, then Batista came back at 11:00 with a side slam out of the corner. Slow, methodical pace to this early on. Seems like they're building to a 20-minute match. Batista nailed a spinebuster at 14:00, but Orton kicked out. Orton tried to sneak in an RKO, but Batista countered with a sloppy Black Hole Slam that wasn't good enough for a drunk Abyss or a pinfall. He wanted a spear to follow up, but Orton blocked and hit the fallaway neck-backbreaker for a two count. Orton went to the mat and pounded his fists ready to strike for the RKO, but Batista countered into a suplex for a two count.

Both men, exhausted, rested on the mat while Batista coughed out a lung and Orton slowly stalked him. He then found Batista in position for The Punt, but Batista sprang to his feet and threw Orton into the corner for clotheslines and a shoulder tackle. Batista mounted Orton for ten punches, but Orton blocked. Except, Batista blocked an Alabama Slam attempt and landed on his feet to nail the Batistabomb. Orton sold it like his body was paralyzed on his side, then Batista covered him for the win.

WINNER: Batista in 17:00. Slow match with some sloppy moments. Never really moved out of second gear, but I wouldn't take that away from the match. It was still a good effort in the ring from a psychological standpoint. I'm not buying this as the right finish. Orton is the hotter character right now and could have used a signature singles victory. (**1/2)

5 -- MICKIE JAMES & MARIA & Divas champion MICHELLE McCOOL & KELLY KELLY vs. MARYSE & NATALYA & VICTORIA & JILLIAN HALL

Mickie's babyface team is sporting all-red in the Santa's Helper match. Heel divas in green. We've got all six broadcasters on the match calling the action and running through their diva jokes. ECW announcers have seemingly had more air time on this PPV than the previous PPVs this whole year combined. Divas action broke down at 5:00, then Michelle, with a giant red hat on, busted out a Styles Clash on Jillian Hall for the pin and the win. Striker surprisingly didn't call it that, though.

WINNERS: Team McCool in 5:00. Just a chance to get T&A on the PPV with some tight outfits and the announcers getting Vince McMahon's sophomoric humor out of their collective systems. (1/2*)

Post-match: Michelle celebrated by himself while Maria and the other babyface divas complained about her trying to steal the spotlight. Great Khali then came out with Singh. He has new music since he's not a heel anymore. Singh asked who wants to be on the Kiss Cam with Khali, then the other divas tried to force Michelle to join in, but she ran away. "She'd rather have a lump of coal," Lawler said. "Not Michael Cole."

Singh then cut a long promo trying to convince Mickie, Maria, and Kelly to get some of Khali. They weren't convinced, so Singh busted out one of those surprises Ross must have been talking about: Mae Young. Cue up Lawler's bag of jokes with the line about Mae being around when the Dead Sea was only just sick. Khali laughed and asked them to cut it out. Singh then asked Mae Young if he was ready for some loving. She mumbled something, then hopped into Khali's arms for a big liplock. Mae hopped down, then Khali clutched the top rope to regroup and let the camera focus on the lipstick covering him. Lawler said Mae is used to playing "spin the bottle with Mylanta all the time."

Backstage: Jericho was shown warming up, before they went to a video package on the Cena vs. Jericho feud leading up to tonight. ... Chris Jericho came out first for the main event Raw Title match, then John Cena came out a huge reaction. During the formal ring intros, Jericho was universally booed. During Cena's intro, the boos were loud, but drowned out by the high-pitched screams. They then went nose-to-nose before the bell sounded.

Greg Parks Notes: Initial reaction for Cena was about 65/35 split on pro-Cena cheers. Survivor Series last month was about 90/10. ... When Cena tossed his hat into the crowd, it went to where the cameras were set up in the taped-off "tech area." A fan went to grab it, but security stopped the fan and escorted him out.

5 -- WWE World Hvt. champion JOHN CENA vs. CHRIS JERICHO -- World Hvt. Title match

The bell sounded and they charged at each other. Action was wild and fast to start, with the story of both men wanting to tear each other apart. Cena wanted the FU at 3:00 after powering out of a chinlock, but Jericho easily countered into a DDT for a nearfall. Suddenly, Cena caught Jericho on the apron in position for the FU, but Jericho slipped out and threw Cena off the apron into the ring steps on the floor. The action picked up at 6:00 with Cena nailing the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Jericho came back with a dropkick for a two count. He then nailed a Lionsault for another nearfall.

Jericho, frustrated, wanted to take Cena up top, but Cena fought him off and landed the leaping guillotine leg drop for a two count. Cena called for the FU for a third time, but Jericho flipped over and nailed the codebreaker. Jericho then made the cover, but Cena kicked out of Jericho's finishing move. Jericho flipped out and argued with the ref, which threw him off his game and allowed Cena to walk right into an FU on Jericho. Only, Cena wasn't able to make a cover until a good 10-15 seconds later, allowing Jericho to kick out.

At 11:00, Jericho and Cena exchanged finishing submission holds with Cena wanting the STFU, but Jericho countering into the Walls of Jericho. Cena crawled across the desert to the bottom rope, but Jericho yanked him back into center ring. Cena sold to the top row of the building that he was thinking about tapping, but then Cena put the Grit Face on and rolled through into an STFU in center ring. Jericho fought the hold, but Cena squeezed together and Jericho tapped out. Afterward, Cena slipped out to the floor and celebrated with the Buffalo Bills ringside.

WINNER: Cena in 13:00 to retain the World Hvt. Title. Exciting 13-minute match. Really wish they would have been given more time to test Cena in the ring as champion and have a showcase PPV match, but this was good for the time given. Jericho was great, as expected. (***1/2)

Royal Rumble preview: Coming up next month is the Royal Rumble in Detroit. No shots of Chris Benoit from the '04 Rumble.

Ringside: Ross and Tazz talked Rumble, then went to the polling on who knocked out Jeff Hardy before the Survivor Series PPV last month. 65 percent think Edge. "Other" got 23. ... A video package aired on the Edge vs. Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy build-up for tonight's main event.

Parks Notes: They changed the ring mat in between matches. Maybe Jericho left a bit too much sweat in the ring.

In-ring: Triple H came out first for the main event title match. Jeff Hardy then came out as Jim Ross talked about Hardy's history in WWE and numerous championships without getting that elusive World Title. Ross asked if Hardy will be like the Buffalo Bills taking four trips to the "Super Bowl," but never walking away with the gold? Formal ring intros went to Hardy over Hunter, then Edge with the huge boos.

6 -- WWE champion EDGE vs. TRIPLE H vs. JEFF HARDY -- WWE World Title match

Established early from Ross is that there's really No DQ here. We have a bell 30 minutes into the third hour of the PPV, giving this plenty of time. Hardy went right after Edge, then Hunter became involved in the action. Standard triple threat action to start things off with one-on-one action while one man was out of the picture, then remove one man and insert the third. Sick spot at 6:00 with Hardy putting Edge in the electric chair, then Hardy did a flip off the top rope to splash Edge to the mat. Edge then recovered a minute later and gave Edge an Edge-o-matic sitout slam.

Edge wanted to spear Hardy, but Hardy moved and Hunter ate the spear. Hardy then clothesline Edge to the floor and hit the Twist of Fate on Hunter. Hardy then flew up top and nailed the Swanton Bomb. Hardy made the cover, but Edge yanked Hardy out of the ring just before a three count. Nice believable false finish. After that sequence, Edge tossed Hardy into the guardrail and stalked Hardy, but Hardy smashed him into the ringpost and started clearing the announce desks.

At 10:00, Hunter came up behind Hardy and smacked him in the back with a double sledge. Hunter then flung Edge across the Spanish...er...ECW announce table and Matt Striker went running with Slammy in hand. Good man. Hunter finished the clean-up job at the announce position before putting Hardy on the Raw table. Hunter wanted the Pedigree on Hardy, but Hardy countered into a Twist of Fate attempt. Hunter shoved him away, though, moved, and Edge speared Hardy instead of Hunter off the Raw table through the Smackdown table just across the way. Big pop for that highspot of the match.

Back in the ring, it was Hunter vs. Edge with Hardy seemingly KO'ed from the match. this is following a similar script to Chris Benoit winning his first World Title in a triple threat match with Hunter and Shawn Michaels at WM 20 when Benoit was KO'ed late in the match, but made a return later to win. Edge wanted a spear on Hunter, but Hunter countered with the Double A buster of spine. He then wanted the Pedigree and he connected in center ring. Hunter made the cover, but Koslov showed up ringside and yanked Hunter out of the ring to destroy Hunter. Suddenly, Matt Hardy stormed ringside and attacked Koslov from behind. Meanwhile, in the ring, Jeff Hardy wanted the Swanton Bomb on Edge, but Koslov shoved Jeff off the top turnbuckle. Matt and Koslov then picked up their battle on the floor, with the fight moving up the entrance ramp to the back.

Reset at 15:00 with Hunter left in the ring. Edge then slipped back into the ring and speared a wobbly Hunter in center ring for a two count on a believable nearfall. Intense in the building here. Edge then grabbed two chairs and wanted a Conchairto, but Hardy grabbed the second chair from out of nowhere and cracked the chair over Edge clean in the face. Hardy had the Swanton on Edge, but Hunter crotched him to kill the crowd anticipation. Brilliant. All three men gathered themselves, then Hunter gave Edge the Pedigree in the corner. Hardy then came out of nowhere with the Swanton Bomb on Hunter, who was trying to pin Edge. Hardy quickly scrambled over to Edge and covered him for the pin and the win!

WINNER: Hardy in 18:00 to capture the WWE Title. That was pretty dang similar to the Chris Benoit match storyline at WrestleMania 20 for Benoit's first title victory. Heck of a main event match and great drama culminating with WWE putting the belt on Hardy after years and years of false starts. Pressure is on now, but it was a great night for Hardy tonight. (****)

Post-match: After calling a great match, announcers Ross and Tazz sold disbelief, then went silent as Hardy dropped to his knees and celebrated with the title belt in hand. Hardy paraded around the ring holding up the WWE Title for a few minutes. He then put the belt around his waist and spun it around for everyone to see. Hardy hung his head in disbelief, then bounced against the ropes to try to wrap his head around the moment. Hardy did a victory lap around ringside before clutching the belt in disbelief. Camera focused on a couple of Hardy signs ringside before following Hardy up the entrance ramp. Ross checked back in and recapped how the finish went down with Hardy taking the title. After a recap, they showed Hardy on top of the Rock Mountain/Castle PPV set clapping it up for the fans as he celebrated one more time. They zoomed out to show Hardy on top of the structure while fans ringside celebrated.

We welcome your 1-10 score and comments on this show for a "WWE PPV Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. To contribute your thoughts on the PPV, click here.

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