WWE Main Event 08/07/2014

Another really odd episode of Main Event, headlined by Chris Jericho and Bret Hart on the Highlight Reel and opened by a Last Man Standing match for the US title. A really stacked C-show.

Sheamus vs Alberto Del Rio

On first glance, a Last Man Standing match might seem like a strange stipulation for Main Event. After all, you wouldn’t expect two guys to go all out on a C-show, and thus there won’t be the same level of stunts to potentially end the match. The strange thing, as true as this is, the match benefits from this, resulting in a tighter, fast-flowing match. Even on a C-show, these are two guys who will lay in their shots, with Sheamus hurling ADR into the barricade and hitting a rolling senton on the floor early doors. The use of weapons here is restricted to a kendo stick, a chair and a table, but that actually adds to the violence, as both guys thrash the other with the kendo stick, including two nice diving top rope shots from Del Rio. I loved too how he begged off like a coward the second Sheamus got the stick from him. Lovely spot where ADR catches himself on the ropes to prevent him taking the Fuerza bump to the floor, but this instead leaves him in position for the 10 shots to the chest from Sheamus. Nothing here is overly complex, but it all looks painful. They build up to the table spot, before Del Rio locks in a crossarmbreaker on Sheamus. Sheamus powers up with one arm and slams Del Rio through the table for a 9 count, and the Brogue Kick gets the full 10. Really great match.

Nikki Bella vs Naomi, Natalya, Rosa Mendes, Summer Rae & Eva Marie

This is still during the “Stephanie punishes Nikki for Brie Bella quitting” storyline. This is hyped up as a 6-1 handicap, but Cameron is conspicuous by her absence. It’s odd to watch Nikki Bella getting dominated early by Rosa and Eva, especially as they do it with no shenanigans. Nikki gets a brief comeback, bossing Rosa with a forearm and rolling up Summer, but Eva comes in off a blind tag and gets the pin with a DDT. Remarkable. Naomi and Natalya never get in.