ORLANDO, Florida — Santa Claus came dressed for the occasion in sparkling green and red basketball shorts. They were the baggy type that all the kids were wearing when I was but a teenaged lad. He had a suspicious looking Solo cup in his hand, I would hate to think Santa had been imbibing before his big Fatal Four Way Tag Team Match. I mean the belts were on the line.
The dastardly Grayson Waller showed no holiday spirit early on as he stole Santa’s hat and then dropped an elbow on it. It was then that Santa’s second beard appeared and took its place…on his head.
The crowd became restless, “Santa! Santa!” they shouted egging on Santa’s partner Montez Ford. If only he could make a tag, and Santa could unleash all his holly and jolly upon the grinch heels. Finally, Ford made it, and the crowd went wild as Santa cleaned house.
Alas, the cheerfulness soon ended. Santa succumbed to the grinch known as Gargano, who rolled Santa up and pinned him. But all was not lost. Montez and B-Fab returned Santa’s hat and all was right with the world.
This type of silliness pervaded the Kia Center in Orlando as WWE presented a live house show. Santa Claus, er, Angelo Dawkins, had a cheap Santa hat and beard, or two beards as it were. But he gets credit for some great looking ring gear that sparkled.
The roster was having as much fun as the audience was. Besides Santa Claus, Rhea Ripley, Naomi, and Bianca did some headbanging. Ripley then asked Bianca to whip her butt with Bianca’s trademark long hair.
On multiple occasions, the heels stole hats, tore up signs, or referred to fans in less than flattering terms. It started early when Grayson Waller, who was at his most annoying tonight, took a cowboy hat from a gentleman in the front row. He even faked returning it to the man and instead dropped it on the floor in front of him.
Tommaso Ciampa tore a fan’s sign in half on his way to the ring and generally seemed in a foul mood. He was sweating and angry. His demeanor towards Santa may have given us a clue to why he was so surly.
It was a packed house, not a sellout but at least 12,000 people were in the arena. A good portion of them were kids and it was great to see children back at wrestling shows. They were really into the matches in a unique way than an adult. Especially the adult smart marks in the crowd.
A young lady next to me was decked out in Jey Uso gear. Her dad bought her a shirt and a winter cap that both had “Yeet” embroidered on them. When Jey came out the crowd went crazy. The young lady was so excited she was standing on her chair waving her hands and Yeeting along with the audience.
After Bayley defeated Tiffany Stratton, she stayed around ringside signing autographs for kids. An adult pushed their way in front of one child and WWE security made him move so the child could get the autograph. It happened so quickly and smoothly, which could describe a lot about the professionalism of the show.
WWE is a well-oiled machine. The start time was 7:30 and the show started at exactly 7:30. Then it ended at exactly 10:30. I looked at my phone as Cody received a mic and it said 10:30, which is amazing that they went exactly three hours.
Cody did stay afterwards to sign autographs. He told the crowd he would stay until Charles Robinson told him it was time to go. As we were leaving he was surrounded by people, mostly children.
Overall, we had a great time at the show. There was only light traffic to and from the Kia Center, which is shocking if you know anything about Orlando traffic. It was nice to see the wrestlers have a low pressure time to get reps in the ring and to have fun. Other than the main event, each match had some comedic element to it.
Besides Dawkins dressed up as Santa, we also got to see Charles Robinson attempt to carry Nia Jax to the back. If you are unfamiliar with one or both of those people, let us say Nia Jax is a large woman and Charles is not a large person. The two of eventually collapsed into the mats with Charles painfully being used as a crash pad. Ouch!
Rhea Ripley, Naomi, and Bianca v. Pure Fusion Collective
The crowd exploded when Rhea’s music hit. I do not think anyone was expecting her to be there. They did a basic match with Rhea getting the pin. Fun match.
Winners: Rhea, Naomi, and Bianca
Carmelo Hayes vs. Andrade
Hayes did some heel mic work before the match. He said Orlando Magic sucks, which is not true I will have you know. Melo also teased throwing Andrade into the crowd, but redirected him into the ring instead. The crowd groaned. A good match with too many kickouts. Andrade got the win.
Winner: Andrade
Motor City Machine Guns v. Ciampa and Gargano v. A-Town Down Under v. The Santa Profits
In a cluster of a match like this, it is hard to stand out. Angelo Dawkins did it by dressing up like Santa. Grayson Waller did it the hard way. He was incredibly annoying throughout the match and the crowd was primed to see someone slap them up some dust with him. Gargano got the cheap win by rolling up Santa.
Winners: Gargano and Ciampa
Afterwards, The Street Profits made a big production of putting the Santa Hat back on Angelo’s head. The crowd ate that up.
Tiffany Stratton v. Bayley
It took a while to get the crowd involved in the match. They were popping at the end, but it was deadly quiet during most of the match. Bayley got the win here.
Winner: Bayley
The Usos vs. The Bloodline
The Usos reuniting here to face off with their hated foes. It was a good match, but Solo’s antics at ringside stole the show. He kept jawing with a fan in the crowd. He would point at him and then make a motion that the guy had a big belly. The crowd thought it was hilarious. They found Solo getting put through a table even funnier. Solo did assist his team to victory, though.
Winners: The Bloodline
Intermission
When I ventured to the merchandise tables, I figured it would be a long wait. Like everything else at the show, the line moved quickly and smoothly. I was able to purchase the program for the show and an autographed photo of Cody Rhodes. The program is more of an art book. It is an incredible piece of business.
Unholy Union v. Katana Chance and Kayden Carter
I am just spitballing here, but this match seemed to be placed after intermission so people would not feel rushed to get back to their seats. It was not a good match. A fan behind me, who was into the rest of the show, suddenly blurted out “That just looked stupid” during this match. Not a sign. Chance and Carter won/
Winners: Katana Chance and Kayden Carter
Nia Jax v. Michin
A stinker of a match. At one point the action died off, because Michin could not find a table under the ring. The same thing happened later when she could not find a kendo stick. Towards the end of the match, Tiffany Stratton teased cashing in her briefcase. That has gotten so old. Every show she does that and never actually cashes in.
Winner: Nia Jax
Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens
This match had a much more serious tone to it. There were not any silly spots, which matches the intensity of their TV feud. They were in a cage, but no one tried anything too risky. The crowd was into the match. Cody won by going over the cage while Owens tried to dive out the door. It was close enough for a disputed finish.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
TOP PHOTO: WWE Live Holiday Tour at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday, December 28, 2024. Photo by Thomas Starr
