Match 2 - Handicap match -
Rusev vs R-Truth & Xavier Woods
Match Rating *
The most noticeable thing about this match happened in the introduction. Lana revealed that Rusev, sans Alexander, has relocated to Russia, and that she was dedicating the match to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Now comrade Rusev will get cheap heat, and this match needed it as the crowd had been given no reason to either care about, or believe in Truth and Woods.
The match was pretty predictable. Credit to Woods and Truth, they played their roles well, bumping like crazy for the Bulgarian/adopted Russian. The match was pretty brief and we didn't learn anything new about Rusev, as he made Woods tap out within three minutes to the Accolade.
Match 3 Intercontinental Championship
Big E © vs 'Bad News' Barratt
Match Rating **
Preston's favourite son went into this match with all the momentum, after winning an eight man number one contender's tournament, beating Dolph Ziggler, Sheamus and RVD on the way. In contrast the champion had been given little mic time, and hadn’t won a match in nearly two months.
It was little surprise then, than Barrett gathered most of the crowd support for this match. Given the right opponent, can work a good match. Unlike Swagger at Elimination Chamber, things didn't click with Barrett, The challenger dominated large swathes of the match, which didn't play to Big E's strengths as he's not a great seller.
The end came before the ten minute mark when Barrett countered the Big Ending with the bull hammer elbow to pin the champion, and claim the IC title for the fourth time.
Whilst Ambrose immediately attacked Rollins forcing him over the guardrail, the high spots started straight away in the match. One early highlight saw Kofi Kingston get knocked of a ladder, but then land on the top rope, before launching himself onto a couple of wrestlers outside the ring.
The action never stopped in the match, and it was Ambrose and Rollins who were mainly in the thick of it. Rollins took two crazy bumps, one being superplexed from the top of the ladder by Ambrose. The second saw him land on another ladder after being back bodydropped by Kofi Kingston.
The first turning point of the match came when Ambrose took a nasty bump and landed awkwardly on his shoulder. Ringside doctors pulled him out of the match, despite him screaming at them to put his shoulder back into place. With Ambrose out of the way, Rollins looked set to capture the briefcase, especially after taking out Dolph Ziggler with some chair shots. To the delight of the crowd, Ambrose returned, and delivered numerous chair shots to Rollins. He looked set to win the match until Kane ran down and chokeslammed him. This cleared the path for the treacherous Rollins to scale the ladder, whilst Kane held it in place to claim the briefcase, and an almost certain future run as Champion.
Match 5 - Goldust/Stardust vs Rybaxel
Match Rating - **
The revitalised Rhodes Brothers were given the unenviable task of following the epic MITB match with Rybaxel. Cody's new alter ego Stardust has gained a little traction with the fans, and its fun seeing him throw everything into his character. However as the 'Dust Brothers' easily beat Rybaxel in Stardust's debut, there wasn't much interest in this rematch.
The former tag team champions got the win after seven minutes of unremarkable action, with Stardust rolling up Axel for the win.
Match 6 - Rusev vs Big E
Match Rating - ***
Another rematch from Payback saw the undefeated Rusev square off against Big E. These two put on a hard hitting contest last time around but were only given four minutes. This time around, the match lasted longer, but was just as entertaining.
The two behemoths repeated the dangerous looking spot where Big E speared the adopted Russian from the ring apron. Whilst Rusev has been overshadowed