By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR

KELLER'S WWE VENGEANCE PPV REPORT
OCTOBER 23, 2011
SAN ANTONIO, TEX. AT AT&T CENTER
LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW

-After a video package with various wrestlers saying "vengeance will be mine," they cut live to the arena with pyro blasting. Michael Cole introduced the show, joined at ringside by Jerry Lawler and Booker T.

1 -- KOFI KINGSTON & EVAN BOURNE vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER & JACK SWAGGER (w/Vickie Guerrero)

Vickie interrupted official ring intros by Justin Roberts so she could introduce her men herself. Cole noted that Ziggler has to defend his U.S. Title right after this match. The announcers debated whether that was fair. Of course it's not fair, thus putting Cole - the heel announcer - in a position to be right and putting the babyface commentators in a position to defend something indefensible, thus putting sympathy on the heels, which is precisely the opposite of what draws in pro wrestling and whole generation of power-brokers in this industry have either forgotten or never knew. Booker said if Ziggler can pull off this challenge, it could be huge for his psyche. Again, they're setting up Ziggler to look like a hero for defying the odds. This is a babyface storyline.

Cole said Bourne told him he had an exciting week because he carved pumpkins and cooked the seeds. He said that was odd. When pressed by Lawler and Booker why that's so weird, Cole said it's because he did it by himself. Again, why is an announcer on a WWE show trying to make babyface characters out to be idiot nerd freaks? What benefit is there in pointing that out, because Cole's tone is that Bourne is some sort of loner loser freak? Ziggler took a crazy and a half flip face-down on the mat after a Kofi catapult with is legs. Ziggler was the early star with great bumps and strong offense.

At 3:00 Ziggler tagged in Swagger. Cole suggested Vickie Guerrero get a talk show in 2012 on WWE Network. Lawler told an Oil of Olay joke right out of commercials in the early 1980s during "The Love Boat" on CBS. Bourne went for his Air Bourne finisher, but Swagger lifted his knees and caught Bourne. Swagger tagged in Ziggler, who scored a two count on Bourne, broken up by Kofi. The heels isolated Bourne for the next several minutes.

Kofi hot-tagged in at 10:00 and nailed a charging Ziggler with a clothesline off the top rope, followed by rapid-fire offensive sequence including a high crossbody for a two count. He followed up with a Boom Drop and then the S.O.S. for a near fall. Swagger made the save and put Kingston in an anklelock. Bourne broke that up with a flying double knee off the top rope. Ziggler then rolled up Kingston for a two count with a yank on his tights. Kofi hit Trouble in Paradise, then tagged in Bourne who hit Air Bourne for the win.

WINNERS: Bourne & Kingston in 12:00. (***1/4)

(WK Reax: Really nice athleticism and strong pacing. Only thing keeping it from approaching four stars is that it went 12 minutes and not 18-22. With the skill and energy in this match, they could have kept the crowd's interest for 20.)

2 -- DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie, Swagger) vs. ZACK RYDER (w/Bourne, Kingston) -- U.S. Title Match

Without any rest, Ziggler had to immediately battle Ryder with his U.S. Title on the line. When Ryder threw Ziggler to ringside, Kingston and Bourne threw him back into the ring. How is that an honorable move? The crowd didn't even cheer their illegal interference against Ziggler, who's positioned here as a babyface. The only explanation that would justify this opening half hour of the PPV is they have relatively quick plans to turn Ziggler babyface. The ref booted Kingston and Bourne from ringside, justifiably so. Ziggler ducked a bodyblock by Ryder.

When Booker said, "Let me tell ya', I'm gonna tell ya…" Cole interrupted: "Are you gonna tell me or keep telling me you're going to tell me?" Cole has a point. Ryder nailed Ziggler with a boot to the face in the corner at 6:00. Swagger tried to interfere from ringside. That created enough of a distraction that Ziggler surprised Ryder with a superkick for the win.

WINNER: Ziggler in 6:00 to retain the U.S. Title. (*1/4)

(WK Reax: Not a lot to it, but Ziggler is good in anything he does these days.)

-Backstage Ted DiBiase asked C.M. Punk about his tattoos. Triple H walked in and DiBiase left. Triple H said he wanted to be sure Punk was okay with the immigration issue driving him away from Raw. Punk said he knows someone else is pulling the strings around here. Hunter said they can forgo the rah rah speech. Punk asked if he has a good one for him planned. Hunter said no, that's why he wanted to skip it. Punk said he wants to show The Miz & R-Truth later the unsafest working environment is wrestling them.

-They showed a boat on the San Antonio River Walk. Cole joked that Jim Ross was driving it now that he's not on Raw anymore.

(WK Reax: Yeah, remind viewers of the moment that led to a massive number of viewers tuning out of Raw all at once. Keep going with that theme.)

-They showed an off-camera interviewer (did Jason Hervey jump ship?!?!) asking Kelly Kelly about Eve's chances tonight. Natalya and Beth Phoenix attacked her. Eve made the save. They were quickly pulled apart by the Usos.

3 -- BETH PHOENIX vs. EVE -- Divas Title Match

At 2:00 Eve handcuffed Phoenix with a strap attached to her own outfit. Phoenix broke free after a few seconds, but Eve knocked her to the floor. When Eve went after her, Phoenix picked her up and dropped her across the ringside barrier. Eve caught Phoenix in a figure-four bodywrap. Phoenix stood for a while. Lawler asked why she was standing. Eventually she collapsed and made it over to the ropes. Eve gets credit for adding something MMA-like to her repertoire. Phoenix went for a Glam Slam, but Eve countered and schoolgirled Phoenix for a near fall. Eve went for a top rope moonsault, but Phoenix moved out of her path. Phoenix then hit her Glam Slam for the win.

WINNER: Phoenix in 7:00. (*1/2)

(WK Reax: They actually gave them some time to work an actual full fledged match and it turned out fine.)

-Matt Striker interviewed The Big Show backstage. Show said Henry thought he got rid of him, but he didn't. He said Henry had 15 years of frustration ended in three seconds, but now he's going to experience the rage of someone who almost had everything he worked for and that defined him as a man taken away. He put his fist up to Striker's face and said "vengeance will be mine, and so will the World Heavyweight Championship."

-A commercial aired for the new WWE DVD "Greatest Rivalries: Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart." It showed a clip of Bret saying he was devastated when WWE screwed him in Montreal, and then Michaels teared up as he said it wasn't easy "being that guy" in on the double-cross.

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LIKE us on our new OFFICIAL PRO WRESTLING TORCH FACEBOOK PAGE and participate in a live discussion with PWTorch senior columnist Bruce Mitchell during this event. http://www.facebook.com/prowrestlingtorch. Highlight from Vengeance Thread: "Dave Kerr: Honest to God, I think the number one thing that has hurt the WWE product in the past 12 months is Michael Cole. He is just unbearable tonight."
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4 -- SHEAMUS vs. CHRISTIAN

Sheamus got in a few minutes of early offense. Christian then dominated for several minutes. At 6:00 Christian leaped off the top rope. Showing how easy it is to get something to trend on Twitter, Cole pointed out that this match was now trending on Twitter. Sheamus made a comeback at 6:00. At 11:00, after several more minutes of back and forth action, Lawler said, "This match may never end." Of course, seconds later Sheamus countered a spear attempt with a Brogue Kick for the win.

WINNER: Sheamus in 11:00. (**1/4)

(WK Reax: It was fine. Two pros having a good match, and the right person came out on top, but I'm not sure it did much more than fill some PPV time and give Sheamus exposure and a win to move up the ladder and solidify that Christian is a second tier heel, a gate-keeper of sorts.)

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-Backstage David Otunga was chatting with John Laurinaitis when Miz & Truth walked up to them. They told Laurinaitis he is doing a great job as G.M. Truth asked if he reinstated them because he thinks they're a team destined for greatness and have great charisma. Miz said, "Really?" Laurinaitis said, "No really, but I like the way you guys suck up. You suck up well." Truth then pretended he was going to be upset, but instead was happy about being a good suck-up. Miz and Truth argued briefly over who is better at sucking up. They did agree that Triple H sucks. Miz imitated him, then said Punk also sucks. Miz said Punk sucks so bad that Booker T says he's a sucker. Truth said the State of Texas also sucks. The crowd booed. He said he's beginning to not feel safe around there. Miz said Triple H & Punk shouldn't feel safe.

(WK Reax: That was awful in so many ways. Just awkward and pointless, a byproduct of staff writers trying to get a laugh rather than serving the purpose of selling a wrestling match and getting heels over. As I wrote in my Smackdown report, everything WWE does regarding heels should be put through the filter that asks: Does this give fans a reason to boo a heel and pay to see him lose and get humbled or humiliated? That segment made them out to be buffoons and oddly made Laurinaitis a babyface for dissing them.)

-WWE Fact: WWE Survivor Series scheduled for New York's MSG sold out in less than 90 minutes.

-Jerry Lawler thanked a band he's likely never heard of for supplying Vengeance with their theme song.

-A video package promoted the Miz & Truth vs. Triple H & C.M. Punk match. I assume as a practical joke aimed at Triple H, they included Triple H calling Punk "a skinny fat ass," one of the dumbest things not said by Booker T in WWE this year.

5 -- THE MIZ & R-TRUTH vs. TRIPLE H & C.M. PUNK

Truth and Miz danced to the ring and sang. Miz began against Punk. The crowd chanted "C.M. Punk!" Lawler said he thinks someone didn't want Triple H to run Raw, but when pressed by Booker, Lawler wouldn't name names; he just said, "Trust me, I have my ideas." Truth opened against Triple H. Triple H looks like he's put on a lot of weight in the mid-section and seemed slower as a result. He got a pop with the ironic nostalgia crotch chop gesture. He tagged in Punk next. Punk and Hunter isolated Miz, including a leglock by Triple H with help from Punk for added leverage. Lawler complimented them for giving Miz and Truth a piece of their own medicine.

The announcers talked about the storyline of Hunter having immigration paperwork issues in Mexico. Cole said the immigration officials may have been starstruck when he entered the country, then later found an error. He said it turned out it was an error by Triple H that caused problems. When Triple H tagged in, Cole said it looks like he hasn't missed a step. He clotheslined both Truth and Miz over the top ropeHe beat up Miz at ringside, but got slidekicked by Truth. Cole told Booker he's as bad as the Republican contenders for President because he's always riding the fence. He said mid-gear he shifted from talking about Triple H to Miz & Truth. Booker said they're all Superstars and it's a fight that could go either way. He said he doesn't care who wins, he just wants to see someone get beaten up.

The heels beat on Triple H for several minutes. Triple H hot-tagged Punk in at 12:00. punk climbed to the top rope and hit a flying elbow onto Miz's chest. He then signaled for the GO To Sleep. Triple H, meanwhile, brawled with Truth at ringside. Kevin Nash popped up in the crowd and attacked Hunter. Meanwhile Miz went after Punk, but Punk countered with a GTS attempt, but Truth intervened and hit a double team they've called Little Jimmy's Finale. Punk landed hard on the top of his head on that move and it appeared he could have been hurt worse than he apparently was.

WINNERS: Miz & Truth in 14:00. (*1/4)

-Nash gave Hunter a Jackknife Powerbomb inside the ring. Triple H landed with a big awkward thud. The crowd booed. Booker said he looks awesome. Nash then walked out. Booker yelled, "Kevin, why did you do it?" He did not bring up the Main Event Mafia alliance he had with him in TNA. Triple H sold it on his back in the ring for several minutes. Booker said he could be really hurt. Lawler said he wondered if it wasn't a neck injury of some type. They replayed it in super-slow mo. Hunter got up holding his left arm and shoulder tightly, as if he broke a collarbone or perhaps separated a shoulder. He also could be doing a good job selling. He clutched his elbow as he walked out, and then touched his fingers as if they were tingling.

(WK Reax: Slow match. Triple H was slow and looked out of shape and old. Nash vs. Hunter does not promise to be a graceful match. If I'm Undertaker watching Triple H at this stage of his career, I'd be looking at a different opponent for WrestleMania. Triple H just looks finished.)

-Backstage Alberto Del Rio approached Laurinaitis backstage. Laurinaitis said he has a lot on his plate and demanded respect. Del Rio said as WWE Champion, he should be his top priority. He complained about being in a Last Man Standing match. Laurinaitis asked him how many Hell in a Cell matches he had been in before winning the title in one. Del Rio said none. Laurinaitis said he is in the business of giving out opportunities. Del Rio said he will find a way to win. Laurniaitis said it's his job to make the best show possible. Del Rio smiled and walked away.

-A B.A. Star anti-bullying message played with Punk and Miz, of all people, speaking out against verbal bullying.

6 -- RANDY ORTON vs. CODY RHODES

Cole said he hoped to get an update on Triple H later after the Nash powerbomb appeared to injure him. Lawler said he does think Cody would be IC Champ if not for the headgear. Cole said the facemask was approved buy the WWE Board of Directors, so tell them. A graphic on the screen said that "Kevin Nash" and "Awesome Truth." WWE must be letting people at home know they're not the only ones watching this skippable, forgettable, needless PPV up against the NFL and World Series.

At 11:00 a "bagger" distracted Orton, giving Cody an opening to hit the Crossroads. Orton kicked out. Cody pounded the mat Orton-style to indicate he was going to give Orton an RKO. Orton countered with a dropkick, though. Orton then gave Cody a DDT off the middle rope. Orton then pounded the mat. Another "bagger" distracted Orton, but it didn't matter, as Orton shoved a charging Cody into the bagger, then gave Cody an RKO for the win.

WINNER: Orton in 12:00. (*1/2)

(WK Reax: This felt professional and smooth, but lacking something to get it above feeling like anything more than a time filler. There's still something missing in Cody's type keeping him from getting to that next level of a match.)

-A commercial hyped that The Rock returns to the ring at Survivor Series for the first time in seven years on Nov. 20.

-They went to Cole, Lawler, and Booker at ringside who reacted excitedly to that news.

-A video package on Henry-Big Show aired.

7 -- MARK HENRY vs. THE BIG SHOW -- World Hvt. Title

Booker said it's all about that big gold belt, "and trust me, I know all about it." This match began at the very start of the third hour of the PPV. They fought at ringside early. Henry got overpowered and sent to ringside. He grabbed his belt and teased walking out. Show caught up to him and threw him back into the ring. Henry bodyslammed Show seconds later to turn around the momentum. Cole said Henry suckered Show and took advantage of it. Lawler overstated things a bit by saying he's amazed that these two were doing moves like Bourne and Kingston.

They collided mid-ring at 7:00, then sat up and exchanged punches while on their knees. Show got up first and chokeslammed Henry for a two count. Shwo looked dismayed that Henry kicked out. Henry came back with a World's Strongest Slam for a near fall at 9:00. Lawler shrieked at the kick out. Henry actually climbed to the top rope. Show met him in the corner and tossed him to the mat. He went for the pin, but Henry kicked out. Show couldn't believe it. Show then decided to climb to the top rope, but Henry met him there and superplexed him. Booker said he hoped the ring was reinforced. That foreshadowed what was to come, as when Show and Henry landed the ring collapsed. The crowd popped and some chanted "Holy s--!" They don't need a ring for a Last Man Standing match, at least. A doctor came to the ring to check on the condition of Show and Henry for some reason. The ref called for help from the back to check on Henry. Medics rolled gurneys to the ring. They replayed the suplex a couple more times. The doctor said they can't put Show on the gurney. They instead rolled a golf cart to the ring.

Teddy Long and Laurinaitis walked to the ring. Lawler said he's curious what they're going to do without a ring and a challenge of trying to get Show and Henry out of the ring, since they were selling being knocked out cold. After several minutes, they managed to get Show to sit up and maneuver onto the golf cart. Long asked if they were going to try to get both of them on it. The medics said no way, just one at a time. Henry was then rolled onto the ring apron and eased to the ground where he fell and knocked a ref over in the process. Long and Lauirinaitis tried to talk him back onto his feet. As they sat Mark up, he shoved all five of them off of him and to the ground. Long said they're trying to help get him to the hospital. "Let them help you, Mark. Please, let them help you." Henry stood, stumbled, and collapsed face first to the floor. We got another replay of the ring collapsing. Lawler said it's one of the most amazing things he's ever seen. Henry managers to walk to the back, but he could barely keep his balance.

WINNER: No contest in 10:00. (*1/2)

(WK Reax: A good effort for a battle of giants, with a memorable finish… or, should I say, non-finish.)

-Laurinaitis then said no matter what the state of the ring is, he is going to give the fans what they want, which is the main event. Cole said, "The question is: How?" Laurinaitis said he hopes everyone agrees with his decision.

-A video package aired on Cena-Del Rio.

8 -- ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. JOHN CENA -- WWE Title Match

Ricardo Rodriguez introduced Del Rio. Cole asked Lawler if in all of his years he's ever seen the WWE Title defended under such conditions. Lawler said he hadn't. Cena's ring entrance took place as Del Rio stood in the collapsed ring complaining to the referee. Cena wore a t-shirt that said, "RISE ABOVE HATE." Cena stood next to a fan that wore a t-shirt that read: "We Hate Cena." Nice contrast. Cole called this the most bizarre and weird situations they've ever been a part of. Cena was wearing camouflage shorts instead of jean shorts ("jorts").

Del Rio threw Riodriguez into Cena, who lifted him for an Attitude Adjustment. Del Rio attacked Cena. Cole said that was legal. Booker said he doesn't think a ring ever collapsed before, "but the show must go on." Lawler said it happened before once with Brock Lesnar. He said he was involved in a match once where the ring collapsed, but there were 50 people in the ring. Cole said this is the first time in documented history that the show went on with an imploded ring with the WWE Title on the line. Lots of "Let's Go Cena / Cena Sucks!" battle chants going on.

Del Rio got in most of the early offense, but Cena made a comeback at 6:00. They worked inside the ring but without ropes. When he went into his You Can't See Me routine, he had to improvise and not hit the ropes before his Five Knuckle Shuffle. Del Rio elbowed out of the AA attempt and then back suplexed Cena mid-ring.

Del Rio knocked Cena under the collapsed ringpost and got to an eight count before Cena popped up and surprised Del Rio with an AA at 10:00. Both men were slow to get up, so the ref counted them both down. Both beat the count. Del Rio applied a sleeper. The match spilled to the floor at 12:00. When Rodriguez attempted to get in Cena's way, Cena dropped him crotch-first over the ringpost at ringside. Cole said that might be the end of Rodriguez's announcing duties. Cena then tossed Del Rio onto the ringpost which catapulted Rodriguez into the air and to the floor. Cena picked up the ringside steps and tossed them at Del Rio, but Del Rio ducked and took over offense.

At 15:00 they brawled into the backstage area. They fought on crates. The fans, who didn't get a finish in the previous match, weren't thrilled they now had to watch on the big screen a possible finish in the main event. The ref nearly counted Cena down. Del Rio collapse part of the interview set onto Cena. He dropped three backdrops onto Cena. Cena got up. Rodriguez attacked Cena again from behind, giving Del Rio an opening to throw Cena into the big V for "Vengeance" on the stage. He then set up a table. Del Rio climbed the set, but Cena yanked him off and he fell through the table below.

At 23:00 they brawled back to ringside and into the announcing tables area. Del Rio tried to kick Cena, but Cena moved and Del Rio kicked the ringpost. Booker said Del Rio may have broken his foot. Cena then set up the ringside steps near the announce tables. He then climbed the steps and gave Del Rio an Attitude Adjustment onto the table, which collapsed. Miz and Truth ran out and attacked Cena. "You've got to be kidding me!" said Booker. The ref was distracted and he didn't count Del Rio down. Miz gave Cena a Skull Crushing Finale. R-Truth also slammed Cena to the mat. Then they left. Cena stood before the ten count. Del Rio, though, charged into the ring and KO'd Cena with the title belt. Del Rio fell to the floor and landed at ringside. The ref began counting both men down. Del Rio, with his belt in his grip, used the ringside barrier to help himself to his feet. Cena didn't get up before ten.

WINNER: Del Rio in 27:00. (**3/4)

(WK Reax: That all added up to something watchable and novel. It wasn't a show-saver, or even close, but I think the circumstances made it a passable main event.)

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