By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

WWE announcer Jim Ross reviewed last night's TLC PPV on his jrsbarbq.com blog and made some observations that captured the praise and criticism of the PPV offering.

-- Ross called the ECW Title ladder match that started the show the best specialty match on the PPV. He also focused on why it's important for the medical staff to close a cut to a wrestler.

"Good to see that when Christian got bloodied that the cut was medically addressed and the stoppage was explained," he said. "Fans are too close to the action at a WWE event for another's blood to be dispersed especially in today's world."

-- Ross flashed back to Kane's one-night title reign back in June 1998 when talking about Sheamus winning the WWE Title from John Cena. "It reminded me somewhat of many years ago when Stone Cold was red hot and he lost the WWE Title to Kane in a 'First Blood' match," Ross said.

JC: I had the same thought last night along with flashbacks to the giant trophy case in center ring the next night on Raw when Vince McMahon presented the WWE Title to Kane, only to have Steve Austin jump Kane, then win back the title. I don't think anyone wants to see the WWE Title hot-potatoed back to Cena tonight on Raw, but history is there.

-- Ross on Undertaker vs. Batista following Cena vs. Sheamus: "The Undertaker vs. Batista had the unenviable challenge of having to follow, arguably, the biggest upset/shocker of 2009. Really tough spot for the two, big men to perform their style of match in not to mention that most of us did not know what to expect in a 'Chairs Match.'"

JC: Ross also focused on the re-start setting up a good follow-up on TV for the next few weeks leading to the Royal Rumble. The match itself was in a tough spot with the audience down about Cena's loss and the audience also taken out of the PPV having seen a ton of spots by this point. It didn't help that both men were wrestling a slow-it-down, big-man-style match that wasn't going to excite the audience out of their bad mood.

-- Ross on Orton vs. Kofi: "It seemed to me watching at home that the Orton-Kofi issue was hotter a few weeks ago than it was Sunday night on PPV. It just might have been the crowd getting restless or looking ahead to the TLC bout. However, I thought the match was really solid and I was surprised that Orton won. Nonetheless I think that Kofi accounted himself well and is 'this close' to being perceived as a full time main eventer.

JC: I was surprised how little focus WWE put on Orton vs. Kofi before it came time for their slot in the semi-main event. The spot where Kofi confronted Orton backstage should have been earlier in the PPV to tease the match later in the PPV. It was very easy to forget about this match. Kofi standing up to Orton backstage was probably more memorable than the match itself, which covers for Kofi taking the loss to Orton. I believe his "push" is in good standing despite being booked to lose.

-- Ross on the DX vs. Jericho & Big Show main event: "The final match of the evening, after the fans had seen a little of every thing and with most sitting in their seats for over three hours, was also positioned in a tough spot on the card. To their credit, DX and Jeri-Show had an innovative bout especially towards the end of the match and it felt like the event ended the proper way."

JC: Having two more men in the ring for basically another ladder match gave the fans something new they could sink their teeth into. Like Ross said, they had seen everything and stopped reacting to big stunts an hour earlier. Credit Jericho, Show, Shawn Michaels, and Triple H for coming up with a good gameplan to close the PPV on a high note.

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