February 18, 2013 - Monday Night Anarchy - Atlanta, GA

Commentators: Josh Daniels & Scott Michaels
Attendance: 9,666

A recap of last week’s episode is shown, ending with CM Punk’s victory over Kevin Steen. The video ends and the camera shows inside the arena, as the announcers welcome everyone to the next stop on the Road to Wrestleocalypse – Atlanta, Georgia!

“Cult of Personality” begins to play as CM Punk makes his way to the ring, wearing the Heavyweight Title around his waist. In the ring, Punk says that Peter Bradshaw is in Hartford, getting ready for Wrestleocalypse, which is just five weeks away. So, with the boss now in town, Punk says that he is giving himself control of the show and has come out to share a major announcement. Punk says that, since he’s already defeated John Cena in two title matches, he will make Cena work in the third one. Punk says that the third time needs to be special. Wrestleocalypse special. Punk announces that, on March 23rd, he will defend the Heavyweight Title in a LADDER MATCH.

The crowd cheers as Punk’s music hits again. The announcers talk about seeing Cena and Punk in a ladder match; and about what else Punk might have in store as he’s taken control over Anarchy tonight!

Commercial Break

Luke Gallows vs. Eddie Edwards
Last week, Luke Gallows came up short in his match against Edwin Colon, eating a Backstabber before being pinned. He looked to get back on track tonight against Eddie Edwards and came out strong once the bell sounded. Gallows used his power to control the match for the opening few minutes, but a mistimed move to the outside allowed Edwards to take control. Edwards used his speed to keep Gallows off-balance. Throughout the match, Gallows would stop and hold his back as he was getting to his feet. Edwards took advantage of this weakness and went after the apparent injury. Gallows fought back, though he was limited in what he could do. He connected with a big boot. Gallows was unable to execute the Gallows Pole, using a side suplex to put Edwards away.

After the match, Gallows rolled out of the ring and stood, grimacing in pain, as medical attendants rushed down to give him aid. They escorted Gallows up the ramp as the announcers wondered what condition his back was in.

Luke Gallows pinned Eddie Edwards after a side suplex in 10:44.
Rating: ** ¾

Commercial Break

Returning from the break, John Cena is seen screaming at staff members and security personnel, demanding to know where Peter Bradshaw is. Cena stops as CM Punk stands face to face with him. Punk says that no one really cares if Cena is upset because what’s done is done. Cena can’t change anything. But if he’s not happy with that, he can bring it up to Bradshaw next week. Punk gently pats Cena on the cheek before walking away.

An interview from earlier in the day is shown as Alisha Hicks welcomes back Kaitlyn and congratulates her on her victory last week. Kaitlyn says she’s happy to be back and just wants to return to where she was – the top of the Women’s Division – before leaving. He tells Alisha that she misses carrying around the Women’s Title.

Leva Bates vs. Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn came out tonight, looking to build on her victory over Melina last week, as the former Women’s Champion stepped into the ring with another Vixen who has carried the title – Leva Bates. Unfortunately for Kaitlyn, Bates wasn’t alone for long as BRIE BELLA made her way to ringside soon after the match started. The distraction didn’t seem to bother Kaitlyn much, as she held control throughout the match. But Bella didn’t try hiding her assistance for her friend. Bates took control after Bella tripped Kaitlyn behind the referee’s back. Bates worked over Kaitlyn’s arm, trying to get her to submit, but Kaitlyn fought for the ropes, breaking the hold. Kaitlyn stunned Bates with a spear, after ducking a clothesline, and went for the cover only to have Brie break it up, causing the referee to call for the DQ.

After the match, Bella and Bates continued to assault Kaitlyn in the middle of the ring until HWL officials rushed down, pulling the duo away. Bella and Bates left the ring, while Kaitlyn was tended to.

Kaitlyn defeated Leva Bates by DQ in 6:16.
Rating: ¾*
[Brie Bella interfered against Kaitlyn.]

Commercial Break

Returning from the break, another clip from earlier in the evening is shown of Kurt Angle and Martin Maldonado speaking in the locker room. Angle tells Maldonado that they’ve had a history together, including a run as Tag Team Champions. If they are able to win this tournament, they can walk down to that ring again, at the biggest event of the year, and take on AJ Styles and Kofi Kingston for those belts. Maldonado agrees and says that he is willing to put their differences aside for the chance to become champion again. The two men shake hands as the video ends.

#1 Contenders Tournament
The British Invasion (Brutus Magnus & Rob Terry) vs. Kurt Angle & Martin Maldonado
Both teams came into tonight’s match wanting to secure a spot in the #1 Contenders Match that would be held in two weeks. Magnus and Terry came in as the more-cohesive team – although they have yet to hold Tag Team gold – and show that, by working together to wear down both Maldonado and Angle as a unit. The battle between Maldonado and Terry, one on one, was one of two bulls trying to push each other around. Things turned when Angle, standing on the apron, started yelling at Terry. The distraction allowed Maldonado to take control and isolate Terry in the corner. Big Rob fought his way out of isolation, eventually getting enough space to make the hot tag to Magnus, who quickly cleared the ring! When Maldonado re-entered the ring, Magnus started wearing him down. But Magnus did not see Angle get back on the apron before running into the ropes. Angle used a forearm to the back of Magnus’ neck, causing him to stumble forward. Maldonado grabbed Magnus and hit the Gringo Killa for the 1-2-3!

#1 Contenders Tournament:
Kurt Angle & Martin Maldonado defeated The British Invasion (Brutus Magnus & Rob Terry) when Maldonado pinned Magnus with the Gringo Killa in 8:37.
Rating: ***

Commercial Break

After the break, a vignette is shown of Adam Cole walking through the backstage area of the arena. He says that his career has seen some very big highs and very deep lows. He reminds everyone that, one year ago, he was on the verge of winning the Golden Opportunity briefcase. And, after doing so, he become the biggest thorn in CM Punk’s side, causing him to lose the chance to challenge for the Heavyweight Title. Cole says he cashed in his contract and defeated Randy Orton for the Heavyweight Title, only to lose it back to Orton a month later. He says that, one year later, his world has gone full circle, and he finds himself with another shot at winning a Golden Opportunity contract. Cole stops and looks into the camera, promising that he won’t waste the moment again.

Commercial Break

Edwin Colon vs. Alex Riley
Both men came into tonight have picked up victories in their last outings. Colon was successful last week against Luke Gallows; Riley was victorious against Tyson Kidd in the opener at Best of the Best. However, tonight, Colon was not willing to wait, attacking Riley before the bell rang to start the match! The attack clearly took Riley off-guard, allowing Colon to hold control for most of the match. Riley tried to fight back, but Colon tossed him outside the ring and began using the ring steps to his advantage. The announcers commented on the more-aggressive sided of Colon, while he rolled Riley back into the ring and continued to wear him down. Sensing the end, Colon attempted a springboard body block, but was caught by stiff right fist, thrown out of pure desperation by Riley. Riley slowly got to his feet and connected with a TKO, pinning Colon for the victory.

Alex Riley pinned Edwin Colon after the TKO in 10:09.
Rating: ** ¾

Commercial Break

Coming back from the break, Alisha Hicks catches CM Punk sitting in Peter Bradshaw’s office, his feet kicked up onto the desk. Punk says that, since he’s basically in charge of things tonight, he’s made a little change to tonight’s match between Christopher Daniels and Jay Briscoe. Punk announces that that match will be a two-out-of-three falls match. Punk shoos Alisha out of the office as he reclines back in Bradshaw’s office chair.

Two-Out-of-Three Falls Match
Christopher Daniels vs. Jay Briscoe
It was obvious to tell, from the onset of the match, that both Daniels and Briscoe were caught off guard by Punk’s announcement just before the match started. These two men have seen a lot of each other over the last 10 days and came in with a good sense of what the other was capable of. Daniels started off fast, but his momentum was stopped as Briscoe blocked a double underhook faceslam. Briscoe then connected with a spinning backbreaker. He went for the cover and, with the referee not looking, put his feet on the ropes for leverage, picking up the first fall.

After a small break, the bell rang to start the second fall. Daniels, behind and not wanting to lose two straight weeks to Briscoe, came on swinging, using a number of high impact moves, trying to wear Briscoe down. Daniels went for a number of quick pins, only to get two counts. Briscoe looked unsure of how to counter Daniels’ onslaught, and fell victim to a perfectly placed dropkick. Daniels went to the top rope, hoping to hit the Best Moonsault Ever, but KEVIN STEEN ran down to the ramp, causing Daniels to hang himself up on the ropes. Daniels fell back into the ring as Briscoe slowly got to his feet. Seeing his chance, Briscoe connected with a kick to the head before pinning Daniels for the final fall.

After the match, Steen looked on smugly as Briscoe celebrated his victory.

Two-Out-of-Three-Falls Match:
Jay Briscoe beat Christopher Daniels 2 falls to 0:
X J. Briscoe beat C. Daniels via a spinning backbreaker in 5:44.
X J. Briscoe beat C. Daniels via a kick to the head in 12:06.
Rating: *** ½
[Kevin Steen interfered against Christopher Daniels.]

A preview for Wrestleocalypse 3 is shown. John Cena will take on CM Punk for the Heavyweight Title in a ladder match, live from Hartford, CT!

Golden Opportunity Qualifier
Adam Cole vs. Eric Young
Tonight’s main event was the first of five qualifying matches for the Golden Opportunity Match at Wrestleocalypse 3. Young, who joined the roster late last year, had not experienced the Elimination Chamber structure, nor the process of making it into the match. On the other side, Cole, who made his intentions know earlier in the evening, walked into this match as the winner of last year’s briefcase; and a successful cash-in that made him Heavyweight Champion. Cole used that knowledge to him stay focused on what needed to be done, whereas Young was on the defensive for most of the match. Cole used a new move, called the Last Shot, to put Young away and earn the first entry into the Golden Opportunity Match.

Golden Opportunity Qualifier:
Adam Cole pinned Eric Young with the Last Shot in 8:26.
Rating: *** ¼

Card rating: ***

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