6 WWE Booking Steps To True Redemption For Brian Kendrick
4. A Slow Move To The Light
The Swann/Kendrick story would come to an end at WWE Roadblock in December, as the two open the show in a #1 Contender's match. To add a bit of spice to the bout RAW GM Mick Foley makes it a best two-out-of-three falls match, creating a situation where the best man wins and both can then go their separate ways.
Swann wins, setting up a championship match for the Royal Rumble against still-champion Perkins. This seems simple enough, but the twist would come in the way he wins. Kendrick is still blinded by desperation, and after getting himself disqualified to lose the first fall he essentially beats himself mentally. Swann picks up the pieces, taking the match two falls to zero.
The way in which he loses the match represents something of a lightbulb moment for Kendrick, the realisation that maybe his time has passed. This would mark the beginning of a face turn for Kendrick, as he extends his hand to Swann after the match and acknowledges the Baltimore native as the better man.