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12/26 WWE at Allstate Arena.
Good turnout for a house show, especially the day after Christmas. Approximately 70% full. Not your typical Chicago crowd, though. Lots of kids, and I mean a lot!
Sin Cara vs. Justin Gabriel
Sin Cara wins via pinfall. The match took place prior to my arrival.
Los Matadores & El Torito vs. Titus O'Neil, Tyler Breeze & Hornswoggle
Los Matadores & El Torito win via pinfall after one of the Matadores hits Titus O'Neil with a backstabber. Comedy match... lots of kids in the crowd, so they enjoyed the back and forth between Hornswoggle and El Torito.
Bad News Barrett vs. ?
Bad News Barrett starts at the ramp, in his gear, saying "It's me, it's me... It's BNB!". He's hyping up the crowd. He asked if Chicago wanted to see his first match back from surgery, then said he's got some bad news... Barrett says he's an international superstar and can think of a lot better cities to re-debut in. He walks out to a ton of boos.
Adam Rose (with Rosebuds) vs. R-Truth
Rose is not accompanied by the Bunny. R-Truth takes about 10 minutes for his entrance, doing a full rap and playing up the crowd. Lots of chants for the Bunny, which Rose mocks by hopping and skipping in the ring. Another match with a lot of comedy spots. Rose is playing less of a heel and more of a goof. R-Truth wins via pinfall after reversing a roll-up. After the match, Adam Rose shoves off one of the Rosebuds in disgust and walks out on them. Plenty of boos, but it was the first time a vocal "CM Punk" chant broke out.
WWE United States Championship Match: Rusev with Lana vs. Roman Reigns
After a quick in-ring promo from Reigns (which actually wasn't that bad), they did the big fight introductions. Lots of big man/power spots... bull lock-ups, shoves to the corners, etc. Rusev says he's had enough and leaves the ring towards the ramp, only for Reigns to chase him down and drag him back into the ring. Rusev powers back with a series of body blows. Reigns is knocked out of the ring and gets a 9 count, before rolling back in. He's met with a series of elbow drops and then several power and submission holds. It's been a slow paced match focused on spots for Roman, to make him the comeback hero. Reigns hits a lariat, knocking Rusev over the top rope. Rusev gets back into the ring and they get into a series of "Yay" and "Boo" punches. Reigns runs the ropes for a Superman Punch but is met by a roundhouse kick. Rusev gets a 2 count, throws Reigns into the corner and gets a big boot. Reign then hits a Somoan Drop. He goes do a Superman Punch but is met with a suplex. Gets a 2 count. Sets Reigns up for the Accolade but Reigns gets out, throws Rusev into the ropes and hits the Superman Punch. He goes to the corner for a spear but Rusev rolls out of the ring. When Reigns goes after him, Rusev uses the title belt to knock Reigns out. Reigns wins via disqualification. Reigns finally hits the spear in the ring while Rusev and Lana are celebrating.
Intermission.
Six Diva "Santa's Helper" Tag Team Match: Natalya, Naomi & NXT Women's Champion Charlotte vs. Summer Rae, Cameron & Sasha Banks
Lots of "woo!" calls for Charlotte. Sasha Banks got a decent pop. Naomi and Cameron start the match. Typical fair, with these two. Cameron is very sloppy... Naomi tags in Charlotte and they hit Cameron with a double suplex. Sasha is tagged in and works Charlotte in the corner. She gets a couple of chops in before Charlotte takes over with chops of her own. This turns into all three baby faces getting in the ring, dropping the heels on their backs and then literally spanking them. Sasha tags in Summer. The Divas match mainly focused on Charlotte, with all the heels tagging in and out, getting their chances with her. Charlotte finally tags in Natalya who's able to take out all three heel ladies. Charlotte gets back in the ring only to receive a bulldog from Summer Rae... and by receive, I mean there was no actual contact between Summer's hands and Charlotte's head. It was just bad. Incredibly bad. Even the 10 year old kids sitting near me said, "What's she falling for?! Summer didn't touch her!" Natalya, Naomi & Charlotte win via submission, after Cameron submits to Natalya's Sharpshooter.
Triple Threat Tag Team/Number One Contender's Match: Goldust & Star Dust vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods with Big E.) vs. Cesaro & Tyson Kidd
New Day wins via pinfall when after a tilt-a-whirl back breaker by Kofi Kingston to Star Dust, Xavier Woods hits a foot stop to the head from the top rope. Woods gets the 3 count. Crowd was into the match. Hard work by all involved.
Chicago Street Fight: Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt
Dean Ambrose defeated Bray Wyatt. Fun, entertaining match. Crowd was into both guys. The future is now, if WWE can keep these guys strong.
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