December 29, 2015
Episode 170
(taped December 29, 2015)
City: Washington, D.C.
Venue: Verizon Center
Commentary: Rich Brennan, Byron Saxton
Ring Announcer: Eden Stiles
Intro Video
“On My Way” by CFO$
Match 1
R-Truth vs Heath Slater
(referee: Shawn Bennett)
Truth and Slater trade wrist locks. Slater swivels his hips. Truth bounces. Truth delivers some mounted punches in the corner. Twice. Another punch puts Slater down. Truth suckers Slater in and side-steps a charge, sending Slater out of the ring.
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Truth delivers an atomic drop and punches Slater again. Slater rolls out of the ring. He trips Truth and slams his knee into the ring post. Slater gets back into the ring and goes after Truth’s knee and leg. Slater slows the match down by keeping Truth on the mat and keeping his knee in holds. Truth tries to get up but Slater rams his shoulder into Truth’s knee.
Slater uses the edge of the ring to attack Truth’s knee and kicks the back of his leg. Slater puts Truth back into a hold on the mat. The crowd starts to get behind Truth. He fights to his feet and builds momentum. Truth misses a scissor kick and is sent to the floor. Truth comes back in with a sunset flip and hits the Lie Detector for the win.
Result: R-Truth wins via pinfall after the Lie Detector
Time: 9:04 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
This was a good match that had Slater show some nice strategy. Nearly all of his moves focused on Truth’s knee. This match could have been just a comedy match, but it wasn’t. I like that about it.
Match 2
Adam Rose vs Titus O’Neil
(referee: Ryan Tran)
Rose tries to chop Titus but it has little effect. Titus chops Rose and it hurts. A lot. Rose avoids a second chop but gets caught and dropped onto his ribs. Rose manages to avoid an attack in the corner and kicks Titus on the floor from the apron. Rose stomps Titus in the ring and is in control of the match.
Rose starts taunting Titus which just makes him angry. Titus runs over Rose with some shoulder blocks and a big boot. Titus hits an avalanche in the corner and Clash of the Titus in the middle of the ring.
Result: Titus O’Neil wins via pinfall with Clash of the Titus
Time: 4:18
Match Thoughts
An okay match. Pretty typical Titus stuff. That’s not to say it’s bad, just that this match doesn’t necessarily stand out from any other match he’s in.
Video
RAW Rebound of Vince getting arrested.
Match 3
Jack Swagger vs Stardust
(referee: Rod Zapata)
Swagger gets a quick advantage with a waist lock. He looks for the Patriot Lock early but Stardust avoids it and exits the ring. He gets back in and quickly finds himself in a side headlock. Swagger hits a belly to belly suplex for a 2 count.
Stardust manages to avoid a charge from Swagger, sending Swagger into the turnbuckles. Stardust attacks with some strikes but takes a shoulder block and a clothesline that sends him to the floor.
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Swagger is in control, but he gets lifted over the ropes and sent out to the floor and ring steps. Stardust hits a clothesline on the floor. Back in the ring, Stardust keeps Swagger on the mat. Stardust maintains control. Swagger tries to fight back and goes to the top rope, but Stardust catches him and performs a second rope superplex.
Swagger pushes Stardust with his foot, sending Stardust to the floor. Swagger follows up with a clothesline on the floor. He misses a Swagger Bomb and takes a side slam for a 2 count for Stardust.
Stardust goes for the disaster kick but misses. Swagger hits a Swagger Bomb for a 2 count. Stardust looks for The Queen’s Crossbow, but Swagger counters and applies the Patriot Lock. Stardust tries to fight out but has to tap.
Result: Jack Swagger wins via submission with the Patriot Lock
Time: 10:26 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
A very good match. Swagger is making a habit of having good Main Event matches. This match had nice back and forth, a good buildup, and solid exchanges. There were good counters to expected moves and signature moves that happened quickly without an obvious buildup.
Show Impressions
This show was bookended by really nice matches. It’s definitely worth watching.
Match of the Night
Jack Swagger vs Stardust
This was another close week because the opening match was good too, but the main event had a little more energy and drama to it.