TLC 2012 Results

Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston weathered the strongest strikes Wade Barrett had to offer at WWE TLC, avoiding the Bull Hammer elbow before flooring the challenger with Trouble in Paradise to retain his title.

Before the bout, Barrett said he was supremely confident, having defeated Kingston on several occasions heading into Sunday night. He showed that conviction in the early goings of the bout, wrestling Kingston down to the mat.

The Intercontinental Champion used his lightning-quick speed and agility to evade Barrett’s strikes for a brief moment, taking him out with an awe-inspiring dive to the outside. The bare-knuckle brawler countered with his power, stopping Kingston in his tracks with a kick to the gut before wearing him down with a big pumphandle slam, followed by a big elbow drop from the second rope.

Kingston used the ropes to bounce out of a suplex attempt by Barrett, unleashing a flurry of blows that culminated with a Boom Drop. “The Wildcat” tried to end things with the SOS, but the challenger mustered enough energy to kick out.

Barrett regained his composure and cut off Kingston’s offense with a vicious Winds of Change side slam. The British Superstar then signaled to the WWE Universe in attendance that Kingston would soon be introduced to the Bull Hammer once again. The crowd gathered in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center watched on as Barrett clawed as Kingston’s face, bringing him back to his feet for the devastating elbow smash.

As Barrett spun him around, though, Kingston slipped out of the Brit’s grip. The Intercontinental Champion then turned into a whirling dervish, connecting on the challenger’s chin with the Trouble in Paradise kick to hold on to his prestigious title.

Kingston seemed to finally vanquish some demons at WWE TLC. He and Barrett have been on-and-off rivals going back to last year, when the British Superstar defeated Kingston to capture the very same Intercontinental Title they battled over at WWE TLC. Since his return from injury this fall, Barrett had set his sights on Kingston and the championship he once held. The Barrett Barrage looked to be back on course at Survivor Series 2012, when the bare-knuckle brawler eliminated Kingston from a Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match, then pinned him the following night on Raw in a one-on-one bout to earn the title opportunity on Sunday night.

Now that he’s overcome his biggest challenge to date, how high can the Intercontinental Champion fly?

Watch Wade Barrett's statement after his match against Kofi Kingston (wwe.com exclusive)
                    click here

Links:
Digitals