Despite enduring more than 16 hours of travel after a quick two-show jaunt in Japan, WWE superstars from Raw entertained thousands of fans with an event on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the BankAtlantic Center in (South Florida) Sunrise.
The non-televised show was headlined by CM Punk defending the WWE championship against South Florida resident Alberto Del Rio. The straight edge superstar overcame interference from the challenger’s personal ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez with a few moves out of the Hulk Hogan playbook. WrestleMania 27 was revisited when The Miz faced John Cena in a street fight. A microphone, steel steps and a chair played a role in the grueling contest. The divided crowd watched as Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment on his longtime rival.
Evan Bourne returned in a stellar bout with United States champ Dolph Ziggler. Amid a sea of spiked hair Broski headbands and T-shirts, Zack Ryder ran from the back to stop a post match beat down on Bourne from the “Hollywood, Florida” hometown boy. One half of the tag team champs ascended to the top turnbuckle where he went Air Bourne. Skip Sheffield also returned, beating Alex Riley. The former member of Nexus was sidelined for more than a year with an ankle injury.
In other action Mason Ryan scored the win over Jack Swagger. The Usos were victorious in tag team competition against Hunico and Epico. Beth Phoenix successfully defended the Divas gold against Eve Torres. Santino Marella kicked off the show beating Drew McIntyre.
• Former Miami resident and up-and-coming ring announcer Eden Stiles hosted a fan talent contest before intermission with the winner receiving a backstage meet-and-greet. Justin Roberts served as ring announcer for the event. The winner was a young fan who electrified the crowd with his break dancing skills. The performance may have gotten the biggest pop of the night.
• Fishman’s Finish
I know it was a house show, but I was disappointed Alberto Del Rio didn’t appear with one of his signature cars considering it’s only a 15-minute drive from home. WWE divas, superstars and crew deserve a ton of credit and respect for an entertaining show, after a long trip from Japan. Nobody phoned it in. It was much appreciated.
• Justin Roberts announced the presale code SUPERSHOW for fans who wished to purchase pre-sale tickets for the Raw after WrestleMania on April 2 at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami. You can also purchase parking passes in advance for WrestleMania 28 on April 1 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on the TicketMaster website.
• The chant of the night had to be the South Florida members of the WWE Universe wanting ice cream.
• Along with the John Cena autographs were signed matted photos of CM Punk. Many fans came to the event with T-shirts in support of The Rock.
• It was nice to see Evan Bourne back in action. If that match was any indication, I would love to see Bourne battle Ziggler again.
• Sheffield looked to be in tremendous shape. Maybe this is a sign that his television return is on the horizon.
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