By Greg Parks, PWTorch columnist

Small group this month at Buffalo Wild Wings, with just Gonzo and Kurt of "Gonzo & The Greg," as well as Kurt's girlfriend Ana, in attendance for the final WWE pay per-view of 2011. The place was packed as the PPV began, but seemed to thin out as the show went on.

I got there around 7:40 and I killed time listening to Gonzo tell me what the Buffalo Bills need other teams to do over the final two weeks of the NFL season in order to rise further in the draft order. As a fan, his priorities are clearly in order. I spotted "fish tacos" on the menu, which just sounds incredibly unappetizing. Gonzo relayed the story of our waiter telling he and Kurt that he once misidentified a PPV name to a group he was serving one Sunday night, and they practically flipped out on him. I'd like to think that we were more accommodating.

(1) Zack Ryder vs. Dolph Ziggler: We all loved the way Ziggler flopped around for Ryder's finish. Made me think of how, 20 years from now, Ziggler will probably be taking on an aged, broken down John Cena in a match where Ziggler puts his still over-the-top selling ability into overdrive, taking the Attitude Adjustment, standing back up and falling back down, just like Hulk Hogan vs. HBK. I thought I spotted Dusty Rhodes sitting a few tables over from us. At least, he looked like Dusty from the back. Gonzo predicted a Kane run-in here. Ana remarked that Ziggler could promote Zumba with Ziggler with the work-outs he was doing during the match. Vickie is getting kicked out of matches a lot lately - someone needs to step in and strip her of her manager's license! ***

(2) Air Boom vs. Primo & Epico: This was a nice surprise (but not as nice of a surprise as Tommy Dreamer). I'm always up for the underutilized Primo getting more TV time. *3/4

- During Josh Mathews' update on Booker T's condition, I was wondering who put the dead porcupine on Mathews' head. The Teddy Long-as-Santa segments were lame and Gonzo said it looked like they were turning Hornswoggle into the new Slam Master J.

(3) Wade Barrett vs. Randy Orton: We had to explain the Royal Rumble concept to Ana, as she'll be participating in our Rumble Jackpot this year. Gonzo found this match extremely disappointing, but it was about what I expected. **1/2

- Some ideas for new WWE Network shows: The Apprentice with Vince McMahon; Hart to Hart, where Bret Hart hosts a show where he argues with his relatives.

(4) Beth Phoenix vs. Kelly Kelly: Why? 3/4*

(5) Kevin Nash vs. Triple H: Now this was the REAL main event. It was a good idea for Nash's first match back to be against one of his buddies. Gonzo pointed out a table of four (where fake Dusty was sitting earlier), with two guys engrossed in the show and two girls looking like they'd rather be anywhere else. Kurt predicted an X-Pac run-in here. All I could think about watching this match was, "gee, Nash is going to be sore tomorrow." My expectations were low, so this exceeded them. **1/4

(6) Sheamus vs. Jack Swagger: Did they just put Sheamus on the show so they could mention how he won his first WWE Title at this PPV a few years ago? Because that's what it seemed like. *1/4

(7) Big Show vs. Mark Henry: The three of us were dumbfounded as to this result and the subsequent cashing in by Daniel Bryan. Of course, it was only later when I heard of the injury to Henry. Kurt guessed that they wanted to give Show a title reign before he retires, but that was before Bryan cashed in. I thought they could've wanted to do Henry vs. Bryan at 'Mania still, but without Henry having dropped the title to Bryan, so they used Show as an intermediary. Gonzo also mentioned how Show had saved Bryan from Henry beatings and had been in his corner, and now Bryan takes the belt from him. *

(9) Booker T. vs. Cody Rhodes: We wondered if Booker would commentate during his match. I noted that Booker has to learn to come through the crowd a la DDP. During his backstage interview before the match, I fully expected Josh Mathews to take off his Josh Mathews costume, reveal himself to be Cody, and attack Booker yet again. **

(10) The Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. CM Punk: Kurt and Ana left before this match. I didn't feel invested in this match because the heels just weren't built well enough to the point I could take them as credible challengers. Ricardo's "holy ****" bump will be talked about for a while (and used in many video packages in the coming months). I liked that there were very few "slow climb for the belt" moments. ***1/4

Overall, thumbs in the middle leaning up. Definitely not a thumbs down, but there was just too much filler on the show for me to give it a strong recommendation.

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