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HOUSTON — Despite the odds being against them in every conceivable fashion at WWE TLC, WWE Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes & Goldust outlasted three other tandems to retain their titles in a grueling Fatal 4-Way Elimination Match.
The champions went into WWE TLC with all of their opponents feeling confident about a victory. Both The Real Americans and Curtis Axel & Ryback captured victories over Rhodes & Goldust in recent weeks, while the combined strength and speed of Rey Mysterio & Big Show made them a newfound wild card.
It was Ryback & Curtis Axel who dominated the opening minutes of the match. The monstrous Ryback exerted his power over The Rhodes Brothers, until the veteran Goldust surprised his massive foe with a rollup that sent The Human Wrecking Ball and Axel to the locker room for an early shower.
Check out photos from the Fatal 4-Way Match
After the first elimination, The Real Americans entered the bout for the first time. The fresh tandem of Antonio Cesaro & Jack Swagger pounced on offense, using their freakish strength to take control. Swagger clobbered Goldust on the outside with a huge clothesline, and no matter how hard The Bizarre One tried to reach his brother, Rey Mysterio or Big Show, The Real Americans expertly cut him off from completing a tag. Cesaro made things even more complicated for his foe after dizzying him with an impressive Cesaro Swing.
Goldust was eventually able to rally to his feet and tag in The World’s Largest Athlete, who promptly steamrolled over Cesaro. Despite their best efforts to fell the giant, Swagger and Cesaro both met the same fate at Big Show’s hand. Two KO Punches ensured that Zeb Colter and his crew would not be leaving Houston with the WWE Tag Team Titles.
Though The Rhodes Brothers were able to slow down Big Show by combining to suplex the giant, it was a different story once he tagged in Rey Mysterio. Despite being the speedier member of his team, Cody Rhodes was no match for The Master of The 619; like a whirling dervish, Mysterio twisted and twirled through the air, staying one step ahead of Rhodes. On several occasions, it looked like there would be new champions crowned.
However, in the end, Cody Rhodes finally caught up to the speedy Mysterio, reversing one of his dizzying attacks into Cross Rhodes to retain their titles. Both teams embraced after the match in a show of sportsmanship, but it was The Rhodes Brothers who would exit Houston with the WWE Tag Team Championships in tow – and further cement their status as the division’s top tandem.