12/26 Shore's WWE Main Event live coverage: Battle Royal to become Number One Contender for the United States Championship

By Chris Shore

WWE Main Event on ION
Taped in Rochester, N.Y.

[Q1] The opening video aired, followed by the pyro, and Michael Cole and Miz opened the show at ringside as the last few entrants in the battle royal made their ring entrances. Antonio Cesaro joined the broadcast team. He and Miz bickered, with Cesaro calling him a "typical" American. Great Khali was the last man in the ring, and Cesaro said he did not want to be in the ring with Khali…

1. 20 Man Battle Royal to become the Number One Contender for the United States Championship. The bell rang and Cody attacked Santino, but it seemed like a mistake because everyone else stood still accept for Yoshi Tatsu, who attacked Khali. Khali tossed Yoshi over the top and the match broke out. Yoshi Tatsu was eliminated at 0:06.

Primo went flying over the top quickly. Primo was eliminated at 0:50 There were lots of teams trying to work together which lead to a bunch of false eliminations. Tyson Kidd used a head scissor to eliminate Drew McIntyre, which caused a chain reaction that led to both men and their partners being eliminated into the break. Drew McIntyre, Tyson Kidd, Jinder Mahal, and Justin Gabriel were eliminated at 4:07…

Back at 7:06, no one was announced as eliminated during the break, but one of the Usos was tossed pretty quickly. One Usos was eliminated at 7:44. William Regal was out a moment later. Willaim Regal was eliminated at 8:21. Epico tried to eliminate Santino, but he skinned the cat and eliminated Epico instead. Epico was eliminated at 9:19. Brodus and Khali faced off in a battle of power. It was a bad as you can imagine. Khali won to duel. Brodus Clay was eliminated at 9:53.

[Q2] The Other Uso was eliminated at 11:04. Khali went on a chop fest and got the crowd hot into the break…[C] Back at 14:09, Khali stalked the PTP, but a distraction allowed them to knock him down. Other guys jumped in and Khali came back and worked the PTP by himself and eliminated them both. He tossed both of Rhodes Scholar right after. The Primetime Players and Rhodes Scholars were eliminated at 16:00.

Barrett attacked Khali from behind and beat him down. Santino hit his offensive run, including the Cobra, on Barrett. Santino told Zack Ryder to to get Barrett, so Ryder hit a Broski Boot. Santino immediately tossed him over the top, but Barrett recovered quickly and tossed Santino too. Zack Ryder and Santino Marella were eliminated at 17:20.

Khali and Barrett faced off. Barrett hit a big boot and beat on Khali. Khali powered back and hit the chop in the corner to a huge response from the crowd. Khali tossed Barrett over the top and chopped him from the apron when Barrett stood…

The Great Khali won a battle royal to become the number one contender for the United States Championship at 18:46.

Post-match, Cesaro climbed in the ring and shook Khali's hand with no shenanigans…[C]

Shore's Slant: Holiday battle royal, baby! The match was what it was. Battle royals rarely make for good TV. This had a fun run up to the finish, and for those of us who cut our teeth on the Bunkhouse Stampede during December, all this needed was some cowboy boots, flannel, and a trash can lid.

Backstage, Matt Striker started to interview Khali, but Cesaro attacked him from behind. Khali chopped him and Cesaro ran off. Khali asked for another chance, I think, and then picked up the US Title. He said, "Happy New Year and see you next week." I only know that because Cole repeated it…

[Q3] A cheesy ass video showed the Alberto Del Rio/Santa Claus incidents from Raw. 3MB made their ring entrance…

Shore's Slant: Looks like I made the naughty list. I'm getting a coal match for Christmas.

The Miz TV segment from Tribute to the Troops aired…Back in the ring, 3MB was doing their air guitar gimmick. They have mics. Oh God no. Slater tried to introduce them, but he sold having laryngitis. McIntyre said they wouldn't be debuting their single because of it. He and Jinder called out Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd for what happened during the battle royal. Jinder closed with their new catch phrase, "You can't stop rock." Gabriel and Kidd were out next…

[Q4] 2. Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre (w/Heath Slater) vs. Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd. The heels took early control, but Gabriel and Kidd hit back to back dives into the commercial break…[C] Back from commercial, Gabriel and Kidd worked on McIntyre. I got something in my eye and missed how, but the heels took control again and worked over Kidd. The hot ass crowd for the battle royal died as Cole and Miz bickered like Cole and King.

Kidd escaped from McIntyre and they hit simultaneous crossbody blocks, allowing Gabriel to get the hot tag. Gabriel hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for two. Gabriel went for the moonsault, the move that injured Slater on Monday, but McIntyre moved. McIntyre hit a sick kick for a great near fall that was mostly lost on the audience.

Jinder tagged in, but Gabriel hit him with a big move. McIntyre came in to make the save. The match broke down, but the babyfaces tossed McIntyre to the floor and hit a combo blockbuster for the win…

Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd defeated Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre at 15:08.

Shore's Slant: The match itself was about five minutes too long, and nobody cares about the competitors. They even made 3MB job. How are they supposed to get heat if they are jobbing out? Don't get me wrong, I hate the act. But the quality of the act has absolutely nothing to do with how WWE should be positioning these guys if they really like them. I don't get it. Thanks for watching along tonight.

Questions? Comments? Anyone, anyone? Let me hear from you. Email me at css3238@gmail.com or tweet me @TheShoreSlant with whatever is on your mind.

And read my first work of fiction: The Following Contest is a Dark Match available exclusively on ebook for all eReaders, smartphones, tablets, and PCs for only 99 cents.