3. Dean Ambrose And Kalisto vs. Alberto Del Rio And Sheamus
Kevin Owens is on commentary, where he can be at his snarky best. Ambrose and Owens are facing each other in a Last Man Standing match on Sunday, a match stipulation that usually sucks. The problem is you can't pin your opponent so the drama of a two-count is replaced by a guy laying around for a 9 count. So instead of quick covers and innovative spots, you're left with goofy brawling and stuntman bumps to live up to the stipulation. However, I'm confident that Owens and Ambrose can do something innovative with it. Ambrose hammers away on Sheamus and slams Kalisto on top of him. Kalisto dumps Sheamus and Ambrose does the same to Del Rio, allowing Kalisto to take out both guys with an Ambrose-aided senton to the outside. We take a commercial break because it's WWE. But hey, the NFL always takes commercial breaks while plays are going on, right? We return with Kalisto flying off the top but getting caught with a dropkick by Del Rio for two. Kalisto plays the Ricky Morton role in the heel corner while Owens talks down to Cole and Saxton like they are nothing, which is why he's awesome. Hot tag to Ambrose and he hits a bulldog on Del Rio and follows with a neckbreaker before sending him to the floor. A dive through the ropes takes out Del Rio momentarily but Sheamus interjects, allowing Alberto to send Dean into the ringside barrier and get two back inside. Irish Curse backbreaker gets two for Sheamus and Dean shows off his selling as Del Rio hits a dropkick to the back of the head for another near fall. Ambrose gets hung in the Tree of Woe but Del Rio takes too long and Ambrose slams him. A dropkick from the top allows for another hot tag and Kalisto shows off his offense on Sheamus. Kalisto dodges a Brogue Kick and Kalisto almost breaks Sheamus's neck with a tornado DDT. A big brawl erupts and Del Rio takes out Ambrose when he gets distracted by Owens, allowing Sheamus to surprise Kalisto with the Brogue Kick for the win. My Take: Probably not a good sign that Kalisto took the fall tonight since that points to Del Rio retaining on Sunday, but they are paying Del Rio big money so that makes sense. Besides, we've already seen the match twice so it's not like fans are clamoring to see a third match within two weeks. Owens did a nice job selling his match with Ambrose and acting like a total jerk. Ambrose has a lot of charisma and sells well but he really needs to tighten up his offense and stop making goofy faces before doing something. Terry Funk and Brian Pillman were able to act crazy while still wrestling like a fighter. I'm not sure what Ambrose's offense is supposed to be but it just seems out of place. That said, I think he and Owens can have a great match if they are given enough time on Sunday. Ambrose can sell for Owens and KO can bring the innovative spots. As for the tag match, it was the best thing on the show so far, which is good enough for me **1/2.
