WWE 'Main Event' results and reactions from last night (Oct. 3): Grand Opening

Last night (Oct. 3, 2012) was the debut of WWE Main Event on ION Television. The show came from Tulsa, Oklahoma and featured WWE Champion CM Punk trying to live up to his "Best in the World" moniker against WWE World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus. There was also another opening round match of the number-one contenders tournament to face WWE Tag Team Champions Team Hell No, as Santino Marella and Zack Ryder fought Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel.

Let us dissect this first offering, shall we?

• Before we get into match results and quality, this show really needs to work on its pacing. The show kicked off with The Miz and Michael Cole hyping up the match between Punk and Sheamus. Video packages, backstage interviews, the whole nine yards. The match then started but was interrupted twice for commercial breaks. Also, this wasn't the main event, as the tag team bout was featured in the main event slot. This show could be a fun place to give us a mixture of mid-card showcases and main event names, but they needed to iron out some wrinkles this week. I'm willing to let this slide two or three times before I start to sour.
• Sheamus and Punk had a pretty solid match, but again, it was thrown off by the two commercial breaks during the match. There was some good heel action by Punk, as he used a drop toehold into an exposed second turnbuckle to pick up the victory. He also got a little bit of Sheamus' tights for good measure. It was a fine enough outing for a TV match.
• After the bout, Matt Striker interviewed Sheamus in the middle of the ring, which was a tad awkward. Sheamus closed by stating he would be using his Brogue Kick on Punk in due time. Punk also had a backstage interview that was handled by Heyman, who was demanding respect for the "BEST IN THE WORLD" champ. It is Wednesday night on ION Television, WWE. We get you have to establish this show as something to watch, but we know what you're really trying to give us.
• In the main event, Santino Marella and Zack Ryder picked up the win over Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd. Makes sense, despite how much I hate seeing Gabriel and Kidd lose. The WWE's emphasis on tag teams is a very good move, considering the shallow depth of the main event scene as of late.

Even for a debut outing, there were some very rough patches. However, I will give WWE the benefit of the doubt. I'll pass this with a "C", but they need to show some improvement in order to earn a better grade on their report card next time around.

What did you Cagesiders think of last night's debut episode of Main Event?