WWE Main Event results
October 3, 2012
Taped 10/2 in Tulsa, Okla.
Episode #1 - Aired on Ion TV
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

The first episode of "WWE Main Event" started with a standard show-opening video package highlighting WWE's top wrestlers and Divas, concluding with a close-up of photo of WWE champion C.M. Punk.

In the arena, Michael Cole introduced the show and promoted the premiere episode on Ion Television. Cole was then shown in the ring standing next to IC champion The Miz dressed in a suit. The co-hosts of Main Event introduced the show before Cole plugged WWE champion C.M. Punk vs. World Hvt. champion Sheamus in what Cole called "one of the biggest matches in WWE history." Miz offered some stats on Punk and Sheamus's title reigns before posing the question of who will prevail tonight.

Cole shifted the discussion to Punk being the "most controversial WWE Superstar in WWE today." This led to a video package on Punk, which started with the opening minute of the documentary portion of Punk's not-yet-released DVD. The video package then transitioned to footage and sit-down interview soundbytes from Punk's DVD focusing on Punk's history of "controversial" comments and moments.

Backstage Locker Room: Punk was shown warming up for his match tonight. The camera then pulled back to reveal Paul Heyman observing and Matt Striker preparing to interview the champ. Punk said he's felt disrespected during his title reign, so he very much looks forward to beating the World Champ tonight. Punk said perhaps when he does that, he'll get the respect he deserves and has earned. Heyman continued that Punk is the Best...in...the...World.

WWE went back to the ring, where Miz talked about what it takes to be the best in WWE. Cole said another man who would like to make that claim is World champion Sheamus.

Backstage Interview Set: Sheamus had a goofy look on his face waiting for the interview to begin. Josh Mathews talked to Sheamus about facing Punk tonight, and Sheamus vowed to shove his boot down Punk's throat tonight. Mathews then fed to a video package on Sheamus's history in WWE, leading to him becoming World champion at WrestleMania 28 in April.

In-ring: After the video aired, Sheamus's music played to bring out the World champ. On commentary, Cole acknowledged they're actually starting the show with the main event, then Cole fed to a commercial.

[Commercial Break. C.M. Punk's "Revolution" TV ad for "WWE '13" led to break.]

Back live, Cole plugged the Hell in a Cell PPV at the end of the month before WWE went to a close-up of Sheamus standing in the ring. Cult of Personality then played to bring out WWE champion C.M. Punk, flanked by Paul Heyman. On-stage, Punk checked his watch, checked Heyman's watch, and declared that it's clobberin' time. As Punk made his way to the ring, the camera zoomed in on a sign reading: "I Hate C.M. Punk Ice Cream Bars." Meanwhile, Miz played heel announcer distorting the truth about the outcome of Punk vs. Cena at Night of Champions. Miz then knocked Punk for "taking a day off" on Labor Day Raw in Chicago last month.

Once everyone was in the ring, Lilian Garcia handled formal ring intros for the "main event" of the show. As the two champs postured before the bell, Cole plugged this being the type of "main event match" that will air weekly on Ion.

1 -- World Hvt. champion SHEAMUS vs. WWE champion C.M. PUNK (w/Paul Heyman) -- non-title Champion vs. Champion match

Sheamus is putting a 26-match TV & PPV Streak on the line here. As the match started, Cole asked Miz about his match against Sheamus on Friday's Smackdown, which was a nice plug for the show in two days. Miz talked about facing Sheamus while the World champ took control of the action in the ring. Punk then rebounded and knocked Sheamus off the ring apron. Punk, satisfied with his work, looked down at Sheamus as Main Event went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Punk was in control wearing down the World champ. Punk continued work over Sheamus as Heyman held up the WWE Title belt in the air from ringside, almost like Paul Bearer raising the urn for Undertaker in the early '90s. Sheamus then came back with a kneelift, which Cole credited to Triple H. Sheamus followed with a running powerslam for a two count. Sheamus tried to follow with his Ten Forearms against the ropes, but Punk slipped out and kicked Sheamus in the head for a two count. Cole sent the show to break at 10:10.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Sheamus scored a close nearfall that excited Cole and the crowd. Sheamus then came to his feet and surveyed the crowd, which wanted Sheamus to deliver the Brogue Kick, but Punk turned around, saw Sheamus's preparation, went to the corner to hide, and ripped off the top turnbuckle pad in the process. Sheamus then trapped Punk in the ropes for Ten Forearms to the chest. Back in the ring, Sheamus delivered White Noise, but Punk kicked out just before three.

At 15:00, Punk recovered on the mat, which led to Sheamus teasing the Texas Cloverleaf, but Punk kicked him away to escape. Punk followed with a corner knee into a clothesline. Punk then went to the top turnbuckle for a Macho Man elbow, which he connected with. Punk with the cover, but Sheamus with the kick-out. Cole then talked about Punk "borrowing" from Randy Savage, which John Cena talked about a few weeks ago.

At 17:00, Punk called for the GTS and put Sheamus on his shoulders, but Sheamus grabbed Punk's foot and placed him in the Cloverleaf. Sheamus sat down on the hold as Miz described the pain Punk is feeling right now. Punk cried out in pain, but reached the bottom rope for a break. Sheamus used the five-count to apply added pressure to Punk, who then recovered in the corner without a turnbuckle pad.

At 18:00, Sheamus intercepted a corner charge with the Irish Curse backbreaker. Sheamus then set up for the Brogue Kick, but Punk ducked and sent Sheamus forehead-first into the exposed turnbuckle. Heyman shouted for Punk to make the cover, then Punk rolled up Sheamus, hooked the tights, and scored a three count to win the match and end Sheamus's 26-match winning streak.

WINNER: Punk at 18:37. Solid TV match. Not blow-away action, but a good, solid 40 minutes of TV devoted to WWE's top champions. And, actual post-match follow-up on a WWE show...

Post-match, Cole said Punk can't earn respect by using an exposed turnbuckle and hook of the tights to score important wins. As Punk and Heyman celebrated the victory on-stage, Matt Striker entered the ring to interview Sheamus. Sheamus took the Punk from Striker, caught his breath, and said all he's been earning about for the past few months is Punk demanding respect. But, the way this match ended, there's a reason why Punk keeps asking for respect without getting it. Sheamus said he's not going to cry about the result, as he'll take it on the chin, but when he meets Punk again, he's going to make sure Punk takes it on the chin from the Brogue Kick.

On commentary, Cole said, in his opinion, that's how you act like a champion. In a shocking moment on a WWE television show, Cole and Miz proceeded to break down the tape of what happened during the match when Punk saw that the middle turnbuckle was removed, leading to the wheels turning in his head on how to take advantage of it. Even more shocking on a WWE TV show, Cole plugged a follow-up interview with Punk after the break reacting to his victory.

[Commercial Break]

Back in Tulsa for the "Main Event" premiere, Cole noted Punk just won this week's main event using an exposed turnbuckle.

Backstage Locker Room: Mathews brought in Punk and Heyman to discuss the controversial ending to the match tonight. Heyman, aghast at this line of questioning, said Punk just won fair and square. He asked Mathews what it takes for Punk to earn his respect. Mathews responded that there is mounting pressure for Punk to face John Cena at Hell in a Cell. Heyman whispered that Mathews's opinion doesn't count, then said everyone just watched Punk beat the World Hvt. champion. Heyman said Mathews needs to show respect to the BITW. "Good-bye," Heyman told him.

Back on commentary, Cole asked Miz if Punk is the BITW. Miz said he doesn't know, but he does know that he wants to see Cena at his best at Hell in a Cell. Cole then transitioned to a plug for Randy Orton vs. Big Show in next week's Main Event. Cole sent it backstage for an interview.

Backstage: Matt Striker brought in Big Show for an interview discussing next week's main event. Show cut off Striker and said he's going to make this short and sweet. Show said it will be Orton's first and last appearance on Main Event, because he's going to introduce Orton to the WMD. Show put his fist in Striker's face, then the camera zoomed in tight on Show's fist.

Back to Cole, who plugged a Tag Tournament match up next as WWE showed the bracket on the screen. Cole said it's Santino & Ryder vs. Gabriel & Kidd up next.

In-ring: Santino's music played to bring out Santino, who was wearing Ryder's gear, and Zack Ryder, who was also wearing a Cobra sock puppet. The duo posed in the ring before WWE went to an inset promo from Santino & Ryder finishing each other's sentences to show team unity.

[Commercial Break. Coming back from break, a new Raw promo focused on the budding Punk vs. Ryback feud. The voice-over announcer wondered if Ryback will get his hands on Punk this Monday.]

In-ring: Back from break, Tyson Kidd's music played to bring out Kidd and Justin Gabriel dressed in matching neon yellow gear.

2 -- ZACK RYDER & SANTINO vs. JUSTIN GABRIEL & TYSON KIDD -- First Round #1 contender Tag Tournament match

Cole discussed Gabriel's sky-diving background early on, prompting Miz to talk about his "Real World" background. Miz then discussed Kidd's background coming from the Hart Dungeon. The two teams traded control of the action before Kidd & Gabriel isolated Ryder. Kidd hit a springboard elbow, but Santino broke up a pin. The action then broke down in awkward fashion before Kidd rolled up Ryder for a close two count. Ryder came back with knees to the face on Kidd before delivering the Broski Boot. Santino tagged in before the Boot, so Santino entered with the Cobra puppet and struck Kidd. Santino covered Kidd for the win.

WINNERS: Ryder & Santino at 4:04 to advance in the Tag Tournament. It's Rhodes Scholars vs. Santino & Ryder in the next round of the tournament.

Post-match: Cole narrated footage from the end of the match before reviewing the tag tournament bracket. As Ryder and Santino celebrated in the ring, Cole plugged Orton vs. Show in next week's "WWE Main Event" main event. Back in the ring, Santino and Ryder did the trombone celebration as Cole signed off.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Pre-match videos, pre-match interviews, near-20-minutes of in-ring action, post-match tape break down, post-match interviews. This from a WWE show. Very strong start, even if WWE has too much programming at this time without the roster to support six hours of original weekly TV.

If you watched the "Main Event" premiere episode, what did you think? Email your 0-10 score and Reax to pwtorch@gmail.com .

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