1/8 Kester's WWE Main Event Live Coverage Review: Antonio Cesaro and Jack Swagger vs. Xavier Woods and R-Truth, Alberto Del Rio vs. Justin Gabriel, Goldust and Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal, and AJ Lee vs. Kaitlyn

By Ryan Kester

Main Event on Ion Television
Taped earlier in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

[Q1] 1. The Real Americans vs. R-Truth and Xavier Woods (w/The Funkadactyls). Truth and Woods took an early advantage. Swagger got in a few moments of offense, but Truth sent Swagger to the floor. When Truth pursued, Swagger took out his knee. Truth sold on the outside… [C]

Back from the break, The Real Americans were firmly in control. The heels worked a series of quick tags and power moves to wear down Truth. Woods eventually got the hot tag, but when he started his offense Fandango's music played.

The distraction was enough for Cesaro to hit his elevated European Uppercut for the pinfall victory…

The Real Americans defeated R-Truth and Xavier Woods in 8:28 of TV time.

[Q2] Michael Cole interviewed Triple H on a blockbuster announcement coming later in the evening… [C]

Ryan's Reaction: The opening match was alright. It certainly wasn't the hot, long opening match that the show usually starts with.

2. Alberto Del Rio vs. Justin Gabriel. Del Rio wasted no time in going on the offense. Gabriel managed to send Del Rio to the floor and followed with a corkscrew dive. Gabriel went back up top only to eat an enziguri.

Del Rio hit a tilt-o-whirl backbreaker for a near fall. Gabriel began making his comeback with a series of kicks. It was short-lived, however, and Del Rio scored with his side kick for the pinfall victory…

Alberto del Rio defeated Justin Gabriel in 4:23.

After the match, Del Rio yelled at the fans for their excitement over Batista's return. He called them and Batista a bunch of "filthy animals."

Ryan's Reaction: Pure squash match from Del Rio. I'm not sure why WWE is pairing Del Rio with Batista for his return. It just doesn't strike me as the go to opponent for Batista to make a hot return.

[Q3] [C] Renee Young approached Fandango and Summer Rae backstage about interrupting the opening match. Fandango said it was tit for tat for Woods interrupting one of his prior matches. Rae stepped up and told Young that Fandango was taken…

The Raw Rebound covered the various legend appearances throughout the night… [C]

3. Goldust and Cody Rhodes vs. 3MB in a non-title match. 3MB took the early advantage and McIntyre and Mahal worked over Goldust with quick tags and double-team maneuvers.

[Q4] Goldust got the hot tag off to Rhodes, who wasted no time in hitting Mahal with an Alabama Slam. Moments later, Rhodes connected with a Beautiful Disaster kick for the 1-2-3.

Goldust and Cody Rhodes defeated 3MB in 4:49.

Ryan's Reaction: Pretty much a pure showcase for the champions. I continue to be impressed with how dynamic and entertaining the champions' matches are week in and week out, and this was no exception despite the short match length.

4. AJ Lee (w/Tamina Snuka) vs. Kaitlyn in a non-title match. AJ shook Kaitlyn's hand at the start of the match. They shook without issue, but Kaitlyn got the best of the ensuing lockup. AJ went back to the handshake and kicked Kaitlyn's knee out from under her.

Kaitlyn began to manhandle the smaller woman and flattened her with a clothesline for the first two count of the match. AJ fought back and locked in a rear naked choke. Kaitlyn managed to break free of the hold, but the choke wore her out enough for AJ to continue her offense.

Kaitlyn began her comeback off of a backbreaker. AJ wrapped her up in a guillotine choke, but Kaitlyn again broke free of AJ's submission attempt.

Kaitlyn set up for another power move, but AJ reversed the move and rolled her up for the 1-2-3.

AJ Lee defeated Kaitlyn in 6:58.

After the match, AJ jumped into Kaitlyn's arms and gave her a hug. Kaitlyn shoved her off, and Tamina hit a surprise superkick from off-camera.

Ryan's Reaction: Solid match. It's a shame Kaitlyn has chosen to leave the WWE. She's easily one of the best female workers they had on hand. Still, AJ and Kaitlyn managed to work in what appeared to be a few respectful goodbye moments in her last match in between the in-character antics. Overall, this was an entertaining edition of Main Event that managed to fly by. Thanks for following along with me this evening.

If you have any questions or comments or just wish to chat with a fellow wrestling fan about whatever, then feel free to email me at ryan.kester@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter.