Undertaker couldn't beat Edge for a fourth time, Randy Orton's match was stopped early because of a gnarly injury, and women's wrestling in WWE took another giant leap forward even if the San Diego crowd didn't agree.

One Night Stand 2008, for all the hay I made out questioning the pay-per-view’s very existence, was not bad at all. In fact, it was the most solid ppv of this young season (a season being defined as from Backlash to WrestleMania.)

Score a few points for wrestling purists who claim that gimmick matches actually take way from the sport's presentation rather than augment it. A few of the gimmicks were unnecessary, and perhaps even goofy in their execution.

The crowd also was dead for this show, and I'm not sure why. Usually west coast crowds are much less animated than southern or east coast ones, but this one seemed to look at the show as an afterthought. I couldn't disagree more with the fans in attendance. With everything working against this show--only two weeks of build, a confusing tie to ECW's past, Orton's collarbone break, and a silly "no blood" decree--One Night Stand actually beat all the odds and delivered.

Here's how I break it down match by match:

Falls Count Anywhere: Jeff Hardy v. Umaga

***

Yes, we've seen these two against each other umpteen times before, but here's a situation where you have to throw willing suspension of disbelief out the window and understand that Hardy still has some proving to do to WWE before he lands himself another main event run.

This match was good, but it could have been better. It was a welcome change of pace to see the performers not only using the arena, but the mezzanine, the stairway, and the parking lot. A lousy camera angle took away from Jeff's final high spot, but I admit I'm no expert and couldn't see another way that could have been shot (not without giving away what must have broken Jeff's fall.)

Still, I would have liked to see Jeff use more of the arena (those cranes were screaming for someone to jump off of them), but not a bad effort all things considered.

And how about that referee? Usually in falls count anywhere, refs count by barely touching the floor. This guy was slapping concrete and asphalt with wanton abandon. Nice work!

Five Man Singapore Cane Match to determine ECW's #1 contender: Big Show v. Tommy Dreamer v. Chavo Guerrero v. John Morrison v. CM Punk

****

This was the match of the night, made better in that it had the potential to be either a big mess or a lame contest with barely a tap by a cane. It was neither. Each performer got great spots in and was able to further the story. It's a hard mix to concoct, and all five plus some run ins by Miz and Bam Neely, executed it beautifully.

Big Show saved the show, albeit accidentally by legitimately splitting open his eye and donning a crimson mask that made him look all the more menacing. You can't sneeze at bringing in a bin full of canes either. This match was closest in spirit to the hardcore ethic WWE is trying to evoke with the show.

It also must be official that CM Punk is being, inexplicably, buried. Anytime a Dreamer Boston Crab takes you out of a match, your future is not looking too bright. I wouldn't be surprised if he either wastes Money in the Bank gunning for the ECW Championship or winds up losing the match where he cashes in the case. It's a sad state of affairs for the Straight Edge Superstar indeed.

First Blood Match: John Cena v. John Bradshaw Layfield

**

One of the night's low points. What can you say about a match between two guys whose in-ring skills leave little to be desired and don't have a hot feud. I guess you can say, "boring."

Add to that a whip that was never used (a cardinal rule of any type of improvisational performance is never pull out a weapon you're not going to use), and "first blood" that wasn't blood at all. It's pretty cheap to end the match with a capsule, and an insult to every wrestler who's actually bled inside the ring to entertain fans.

I only give this match two stars because I gave their Judgment Day encounter one and a half. This match was slightly more entertaining.

"I Quit" Match: Melina Perez v. Beth Phoenix

***1/2

The crowd wasn't into this match as evidenced by the "We want Chyna" chants. I say, too bad. You got something better. Diva wrestling is usually acrobatic high spots. Beth and Melina showed us that women can grapple just as well, better even, than the men.

Yes, it was slow, but that didn't detract from the entertainment value. This match was a wrestling purist's dream. We are entering the golden age of women's wrestling, and WWE is smart to be highlighting it right now. And it was all the better that the match as entertaining without the Women's Championship on the line. Great job all around for everyone involved.

That final submission move was brutal. I'll say it; Awesome Kong has got nothing on Beth Phoenix.

Stretcher Match: Dave Batista v. Shawn Michaels

**

Another low point, and surprisingly so. This program has made little sense from the beginning. Why is Batista so angry? Oh that’s right, Michaels faked an injury. Well, boo hoo, Batista. Not only are his in-ring skills severely lacking, but his character has become insufferable. First, it was his coming "this close" to the World Heavyweight Championship a zillion times. Now he's emo Peter Parker from Spider-Man 3 over HBK. I fully expect him to cry on camera soon. It's become unbearable.

And what on earth was Chris Jericho doing here? He runs in to give HBK a pep talk?! That's ridiculous. Nothing more needs to be said.

Normally, HBK will elevate his opponent even if he's working with a lesser competitor. Heck, an easy case can be made for Michaels being the best in the business right now. It didn't happen tonight. Sorry, Shawn, you can't win them all.

Last Man Standing Match for the WWE Championship: Randy Orton v. Triple H

***

I give this match three stars because it was overshadowed by the nasty fall and gnarly injury Orton took towards its end. You could see the agony on the Legend Killer's face, and his shoulder blade jutting out in a place it isn't supposed to.

It's too bad. Orton and HHH have five-star match potential in them, but it was not fated to be tonight. With Orton sustaining a reported collarbone break, it probably won't happen for some time either. Hopefully, they'll lock up again when Orton is feeling better.

In the meantime, check out their first Last Man Standing match from last year's No Mercy or their portion of the Four-Way Elimination match from Backlash to really see what these titans in the business can do.

TLC Match for the World Heavyweight Championship

***1/2

So, Edge is a five-time world champ, and Undertaker's been banished from WWE. I sense that this storyline is not over. There's no way WWE is going to get rid of one of their most popular and tenured performers during a B-show pay-per-view with little fanfare.

What happens next? Vicki Guerrero is fired and the Deadman is reinstated? Edge finally reveals his true colors to Vicki and she brings 'Taker back for revenge? "Taker gets drafted to Raw? (Probably not, even Mick Foley himself said that's not an option) 'Taker quits wrestling and hosts Deal or No Deal next season?

What’s for sure is that this surprisingly flat storyline will drag on some more, with an Edge v. Undertaker V somewhere down the line. If you look over Fan Nation's forums and blogs, I'm not alone when I say, "enough!"

Oh yes, there was a match too, and not a bad one at that. It was a little slow for a TLC match, but still had all the spots you come to expect from the stipulation. It was nowhere near as great as Edge's finest moments on a ladder, nor was it even a good as Undertaker's ladder match with Jeff Hardy a few years ago, but it had its moments.

Big props go to the Phenom for taking that fall onto the tables. However, maybe he should have thought in advance and realized the ladder was nowhere near the title when he set it up. Ah well, who's willing to bet we see the "funeral" of the Undertaker on SmackDown this Friday?

And the continuing saga drags on until at least The Great American Bash.

"Monday Night Raw" tonight is from Bakersfield, Calif. Enjoy the aftermath.