WWE Main Event 1/09/13: Wade Barrett def. Zack Ryder

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The second contest of the evening featured The Barrett Barrage back on WWE Main Event as Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett battled former United States Champion Zack Ryder. If Long Island Iced-Z could pull off a victory in this non-title bout, he would be making a strong case for himself as a contender for the Intercontinental Title.

As the contest got underway, Ryder utilized a wise strategy by not trying to go toe-to-toe with The Bare-Knuckle Brawler. Barrett balanced Ryder’s more technical approach with his patented unorthodox style, though. The unpredictability of how and where the Intercontinental Champion strikes was most certainly on display, as Barrett always searches for an opponent’s weakness to garner an advantage.

Ultimately, that volatility of the Intercontinental Champion’s style proved to be too much for Long Island Iced-Z. Though the self-proclaimed “Internet Champion” seized an opportunity to execute the Rough Ryder, Barrett countered and struck back with the Bull Hammer elbow smash to secure the win.

WWE Main Event 01/02/13: Kofi Kingston def. Wade Barrett in a Gaunlet Match

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Former Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston joined The Miz and Michael Cole at ringside and called Wade Barrett’s victory for the title on New Year’s Eve a “one time deal” and promised to reclaim the championship on SmackDown. Barrett took issue with Kingston’s comments and made his way to the ring, declaring that “The Wildcat” would never reclaim the prestigious title as long as The Bare-Knuckle Brawler wore it around his waist. To prove his claims of being a fighting champion, Barrett then challenged any WWE Superstars to a Non-Title Gauntlet Match.

Barrett’s first challenger was Yoshi Tatsu, who was quickly taken down and disposed of with the Bull Hammer elbow smash to the face. Following the Japanese Superstar was JTG, who — despite a brief offense — was also removed from the contest following a devastating Bull Hammer.

The Intercontinental Champion’s third challenger was his former Nexus and Corre cohort Justin Gabriel. The Superstars have clashed many times over the past few years, and Gabriel used his quickness and agility to stop the momentum Barrett built up against Tatsu and JTG. Despite a handful of near-falls and a fast-paced offense that expended a great deal of Barrett’s energy, Gabriel was unable to secure the victory and he, too, was put down with the Bull Hammer.

The bare-knuckle champion’s fight wasn’t over, however, as Kofi Kingston seized the opportunity to battle his opponent this Friday on SmackDown. “The Wildcat” jumped into the ring and kept the Intercontinental Champion reeling, never allowing him to counter or strike back. Kofi delivered Trouble in Paradise and claimed the victory — leaving Barrett with a very clear message heading into their championship rematch on SmackDown.

WWE Main Event 12/26/12: The Great Khali won a 20-Men Battle Royal

 

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In one month, the annual Royal Rumble Match – to be held Jan. 27  in Phoenix, Ariz. - will determine a challenger for either the WWE or World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania. The evening after Christmas on WWE Main Event, the WWE Universe was treated to an early preview of the action-packed, over-the-top-rope contest, as 20 Superstars engaged in a battle royal to establish a No. 1 contender to Antonio Cesaro’s United States Championship. The opportunity for the prestigious title – and silence Cesaro's constant rants – featured former U.S. Champions like Santino Marella and  Zack Ryder, as well as former Intercontinental Champions Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre and Wade Barrett. The United States Champion, meanwhile, joined Michael Cole and The Miz at the announce table to observe his potential opponents.