Survival Ground Report

1) Kous Kous Vs Hart & Smith ( * * )
Well at least the involvement of the "Swiss" Sheridan Kous meant that the fans were really into this opener. Which is a good thing because you suspect that this wouldn't even get onto a UK based ppv. In other good news, the third coming of Kous Kous managed to get through their first match without either of them going down with an horrific injury. The end came when months of inner conflict, in the words of George Minister anyway, came to a climactic head. Yes, this was the night that Harry Smith finally did the dirty on Teddy Hart and left him to the mercy of the Kous boys. Sheridan pinned Hart to wrap things up. In terms of introducing yet another version of the Kous Kous team this just about did it's job; if we were Hart & Smith however we wouldn't be holding our breaths that their feud is heading towards MuscleMania.

2) Women's Super Series Match ( * * 1/4 )
The fans at least kept hot for this one (as they did for most of the night) even if the action in the early going was mediocre at best. Still once the dead weight was sent packing, this was a relatively entertaining affair.
ORDER OF ELIMINATION:
i) Riley Mason (pinned by Shelly Martinez)
ii) Maria Kanellis (pinned by Melina)
iii) Michelle Cena (pinned by Alexis Laree)
iv) Christy Hemme (pinned by Lizzy Valentine)
v) Lizzy Valentine (pinned by Trinity)
vi) Melina (pinned by Trinity)
vii) Shelly Martinez (pinned by Alexis Laree)
viii) Rebecca Knox (pinned by Alexis Laree)
SURVIVORS: Alexis Laree and Trinity

3) Crunch Vs Phil Jackson ( * * )
This was an interesting bout, pitting as it did the new British hope against a man who has seemingly been seen as the next big British thing for what seems like years. The two will probably be disappointed with their efforts as it wasn't the stand out bout that the two would probably have like to benefit their careers. It was decent, but nothing more. Of more interest to insiders was the result, as it may have given clues as to where both men are headed. As it turned out Crunch got the win, which is good for him, but bodes ill for Jackson.

4) Too Cold Scorpio Vs Flavio Love ( * * 3/4 )
Drug suspensions and injuries have torn the Bang Gang apart, which is a good thing on many levels (come on, the team had been treading water for months) and not least for Flavio Love, who may finally get the opportunity to strut his stuff as a serious singles wrestler. He might have to wait a little bit longer to get a breakthrough though as he was the one who put his shoulders to the floor for the three. Still it was a tight little match and Scorpio did his best to make Flavio look good.

5) Team Angle Vs Team Mercy ( * * * * 1/4 )
The fans were really up for this traditional Super Series match (even if they were slightly deflated when Kurt Angle got himself disqualified) and it just about shaded the match of the night honours.
ORDER OF ELIMINATION:
i) Chris Jericho (pinned by Matthew Mercy)
ii) Matt Hardy (pinned by Kurt Angle)
iii) Jay Reso (pinned by Randy Orton)
iv) Finlay (pinned by Abyss)
v) Abyss (pinned by Kurt Angle)
vi) Kurt Angle (eliminated by disqualification)
vii) Jeff Hardy (pinned by Randy Orton)
viii) John Hennigan (pinned by Matthew Mercy)
ix) Randy Orton (pinned by Matthew Mercy)
SOLE SURVIVOR: Matthew Mercy

6) Mohammed Fakjir Vs Jazz Hands Gee ( * * 3/4 )
These two have had a pretty riotous verbal feud in the past few weeks and whilst it was perhaps inevitable that the match itself wouldn't live up to that this was still a match which most of the crowd seemed to enjoy. They didn't enjoy the result though as the interference of Fakjir's head of security Justice Porter stuck his nose in and Fakjir got the pinfall. After the result Fakjir and Porter carried on the beating until a cache of officials broke it up.

7) Team Punk Vs Team Burke ( * * * * )
Main event time and, as you would expect the crowd were mega up for this one. This was an exciting match and did it's task very well indeed...that is building up the Punk/Burke MuscleMania main event into something you MUST see.
ORDER OF ELIMINATION:
i) Rhino (pinned by CM Punk)
ii) James Storm (pinned by Triple H)
iii) Matt Sydal (pinned by Mistico)
iv) Shelton Benjamin (pinned by Paul Wardle)
v) Chris Harris (pinned by Elijah Burke)
vi) Mistico (pinned by Elijah Burke)
vii) Paul Wardle (pinned by Triple H)
viii) Triple H (pinned by CM Punk)
ix) CM Punk (pinned by Elijah Burke)
SOLE SURVIVOR: Elijah Burke

Last year's Survival Ground got a kicking from a lot of quarters, and its clear that the IWF took steps to change things this year, packing all the big names in to two Super Series matches. Both lasted over half an hour and both more than delivered the promised action. Sadly the undercard didn't really reach the same heights, but the hot Swiss crowd and the two great top matches meant that few would be disappointed with the event as a whole.