WWE Main Event results: Ryder vs. Hawkins in Long Island

  • James Cox
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The Big Takeaway: There were two good matches from Long Island this week featuring hometown talent. Cedric Alexander beat Tony Nese after some good back and forth and Curt Hawkins went 0-193 as Zack Ryder answered his open challenge.

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WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander defeated Tony Nese in a non-title match (6:00)

As you would expect, Tony Nese was over here in front of his home crowd — but he still played the heel as they put on as good a match as they could in the time they were given. The commentators really put over Alexander strong with notes on his work ethic, dedication, and good nature outside the ring.

Alexander got some heat early on with elbows and a swinging neckbreaker, but Nese kicked out at two. Alexander took off his elbow pad and went for a top rope forearm, but Nese was wise to it and hit a beautiful twisting moonsault over the top rope to Alexander on the outside.

The crowd got into it late as Nese got some near falls and you could tell they thought he might sneak one out because it was his home turf. The finish came when Nese couldn’t dodge the charge and got caught with the Neuralyzer. Alexander followed it up with the Lumbar Check for the win.

Zack Ryder defeated Curt Hawkins (5:27)

Hawkins cut a pre-match promo issuing an open challenge. He noted that he’d won championships in the building and had grown up coming to shows there. He then turned against the crowd, calling them “nobodies” before a light “we want Ryder” chant started up. Ryder came out to a good reaction.

Hawkins went 0-193 here after a good match that gave him plenty of chances to break the losing streak. The way it was told, this match really wouldn’t have looked out of place on a pay-per-view. Hawkins kicked out of the Broski Boot — and when Ryder missed the Rough Ryder, Hawkins was able to send him into the turnbuckle and hit an enzuigiri for a near fall.

The crowd got into it the more they traded finishing moves and near falls. Ryder took Hawkins off the top rope and hit the Rough Ryder, but Hawkins managed to get his foot on the rope. Hawkins had the match won after blocking a Broski Boot attempt, but the referee spotted that he was using the ropes to get leverage. As Hawkins pleaded with the referee, Ryder used the distraction to hit the Rough Ryder for the win.

After the match, Ryder got on the mic and said that after he’d climbed the ladder and won the Intercontinental title at WrestleMania 32 he wanted to see that “sick” view again. He said he wanted to be in the Money in the Bank ladder match at next month’s PPV and become WWE’s new “Mr. Money in the Bank.” Whether or not he will be entered in the match remains to be seen.