WGN America is jumping back in the wrestling programming three years after they stopped airing WWE Superstars.
This time around the channel will air a unique family docuseries titled Wrestling with Death, introducing the Lathams of Osceola, Arkansas, morticians by day who run the Wilson Funeral Home and professional wrestlers by night who run The Mid-Southern Championship Wrestling League.
“Wrestling with Death” is executive-produced by Brent Montgomery, David George, Alex Weresow and Jordana Hochman, alongside Bill Katz and Michelle Katz for Espiritus Productions. Bill Duncan and David Duncan serve as consulting producers. The show comes from Leftfield Pictures, the creators of Pawn Stars, American Restoration, and Counting Cars.
Twelve weekly back-to-back half-hour episodes have been ordered to premiere Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 10PM EST.
WWE has announced a WrestleMania 31 party for Friday, November 14, at the Intel Plaza inside Levi’s Stadium for the WrestleMania 31 on-sale tickets launch.
The party will be held from 6PM till 9PM with a DJ playing music throughout the night and several WrestleMania 31 merchandise on sale.
WWE Hall of Famers Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Hart, and Booker T will be joined by Daniel Bryan, Bad News Barrett, Rosa Mendes, and NXT stars Charlotte and Tyler Breeze at the party.
WrestleMania 31 tickets will be sold on location one day ahead of the general public launch.
WWE Superstars will be doing several appearances throughout the Bay Area next week to promote the WrestleMania 31 tickets.
With the #FreeFreeFree promotion of the WWE Network this month which also includes the Survivor Series pay-per-view it’s interesting to note that InDemand will be offering the show on traditional pay-per-view for the usual price of $54.95.
This will be the first ever pay-per-view event which WWE is offering for free through their Network, a move which keeps killing their PPV business but in return there’s the possibility of fans sticking around on the Network after the month is over.
InDemand is still offering WWE pay-per-views even though Dish Network and DirecTV have stopped the shows ever since the Network came into effect.
It will be interesting to see how many people will be ordering this show on traditional pay-per-view once the numbers are released in a couple of months!
WWE’s Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer, Michelle Wilson, told Variety that with Smackdown’s move to Thursdays come January 2015, WWE is shifting NXT to a different day so it does not conflict with the show.
NXT, which airs on Thursdays, will be moving to Wednesday nights on the WWE Network, retaining the 8PM time slot. Future NXT specials on the WWE Network will also be airing on Wednesday instead of Thursday.
Variety notes that Smackdown moving Thursday good be a good move for both WWE and SyFy, listing only CBS’ Big Bang Theory as a possible credible opponent since the NFL season would have wrapped up by then.
Former WWE announcer Matt Striker who is now the play-by-play commentator for Lucha Underground with Vampiro joined Jeff Jackson and Tony Mirabella live on SNS UnPlugged this past Tuesday.
Striker joined the boys at the beginning of the show to talk about Lucha Underground and about “some of the best wrestlers in the world” who he is enjoying watching while sitting ringside with Vampiro. Striker compares himself and Vampiro to “peas and carrots” along with the “meat” which is the in-ring wrestling.
The discussion turned to the different style of backstage promos that are shot at Lucha Underground and Striker said that it’s come a long way from the days of Kamala being “in the jungle” coming to Memphis when in reality he was in Jerry Jarrett’s backyard.
Striker talked about transitioning from wrestler to announcer back in his WWE days and how it was Joey Styles who helped him make the move. He thanked the creative department for helping him and said that they unfairly gets a bad reputation on the Internet but they are the people who make the show happen. He mentioned how Jim Ross and Spanish announcer Hugo Savinovich are his favorite and how he tries to emulate Savinovich’s style while broadcasting for Lucha Underground.
He said that as the show progresses every week, story arcs will get better and deeper and fans will see some great television. Striker believes that the way the show is filmed with different camera angles attracts new viewers and he also mentioned that fans are free to boo and cheer for who they like and they don’t force them to choose a particular person. He said lucha libre is the nicest, prettiest, and smoothest wrestling style and it’s his favorite.
Before wrapping up his 20 minute interview, Striker talked about Justin Roberts, the recently released WWE ring announcer, and his time at NXT.
Next week beginning on Monday, WWE Network will present ECW Week, starting with a live special titled ECW Exposed.
ECW Exposed will be hosted by Paul Heyman and Joey Styles and will air live immediately following Monday Night Raw on November 10.
Apart from talking stories about ECW, Heyman and Styles will be answering questions which fans can submit via Twitter using the hashtag #ECWExposed.
As WWE keeps adding archive footage to the WWE Network, the company also announced that it will be putting 40 additional ECW episodes and three Supershows – Hardcore Heaven 1995, November to Remember 1995 and Cyberslam 1996 – to the video-on-demand library.
There will be no Impact Wrestling on Thanksgiving Eve as Spike TV will be preempting the show for a movie.
Spike has agreed to air Impact till the end of the year as negotiations between the two are ongoing although it’s looking less likely that TNA will remain on the Viacom-owned property come 2015.
TNA taped months worth of Impact over the Summer and has enough original first-run shows to air till November 19. After the last taped show airs, TNA was going to air “Best of” shows on Spike as there are no television tapings set.
Our friend Ian Hamilton attended the live WWE event in London at The SSE Arena, Wembley, last night and sent in the following results.
Merchandise available was really limited. Roman Reigns shirt was available, plus Seth Rollins, Paige, Sheamus and Bad News Barrett… and four different Cena shirts.
Byron Saxton handled the ring announcing tonight…. They announced a six man before the show – Los Matadores and Torito vs Slater Gator and Hornswoggle, complete with a fake twitter vote – wrestling match vs dance off. Hmm….
They have put black tape on the ring aprons, covering up any mention of the network…
1. Sheamus beat The Miz (w/ Damien Mizdow). Mizdow was absolute Gold on the outside, selling phantom bumps. Sheamus took the win with a Brogue kick after an even match.
They actually aired the Vince McMahon apology video about the UK WWE Network launch. A lot of boos for that.
2. Fans choice…los Matadores and torito vs Slater Gator (with Hornswoggle in the suit). We got a six man tag… Matadores won the comedy match when Torito hit the lionsault on Hornswoggle.
3. Mark Henry vs Xavier Woods. Henry wins with the World’s Strongest Slam in a squash.
Seth Rollins promo ahead of the street fight main event against John Cena.
4. Paige and Nikki Bella vs AJ and Brie Bella. Nikki reminded us all of the Hell in a Cell stipulation, and Brie is forced to manage the heel team. So this is now a handicap match. AJ scored the win with a roll up when Brie distracted Nikki with yes chants (after Nikki had hit the rack attack on AJ).
5. Rusev vs. Big Show. Show wins by dq after Rusev used a chair. It was what you’d expect – pray these guys don’t have a drawn our programme any time soon! Post match, Rusev put Show in the Accolade and left with the title… Only to the stopped by Mark Henry, who ignored the evil Russians so he could attack Sho, who got the upper hand with the ko punch.
Intermission…
6. Damen Mizdow vs Jack Swagger. Swagger wins when he reversed a skull crushing finale into the patriot lock. Nothing match…
7. Kofi Kingston and Big E vs Luke Harper and Erick Rowan. Big E and Kofi win with a double team Big Ending and elbow drop on Rowan for the pin. Xavier Woods ran in to celebrate… Just because!
8. Street fight – John Cena vs Seth Rollins. Pre match, Cena tried to rally the crowd by saying that London deserves a WrestleMania. A) hell will freeze over first and B) I’ve heard too many false promises in this same building by Dixie Carter…..
Your Standard streetlight – only weapons involved were chairs and a table. Rollins grabbed the mic and cut a rolling promo during the match (a la Jerry Lawler back in the day). Crowd struggled to buy into Rollins as a credible threat, despite Cena selling for most of the match. Finish came when Cena blocked a curb stomp attempt through a table, then hit Rollins with a top rope attitude adjustment for the win.
Decent show – would guess crowd was 6500… They announced a return for next April at the O2 Arena in London for the annual Raw and SmackDown tapings.
WWE and SyFy today announced that Smackdown will be moving to Thursday nights beginning January 15 at 8PM EST.
The move ends months of speculation of what was going to happen with Smackdown. First, WWE production trucks changed their decals of the show to advertise the new Thursday move but then once SyFy officially released its Fall schedule, Smackdown was left in its Friday time slot.
Last month SyFy announced that their new series, based on the movie 12 Monkeys, was going to start airing on Friday nights in Smackdown’s time slot starting mid January 2015, suggesting that this time Smackdown was finally moving to its original time slot.
“Quite simply, more young men watch television on Thursday night than on Fridays,” said Michael Engleman, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Digital and Global Brand Strategy, Syfy. “Among Men 18-49, PUTS are 15 percent higher compared to Fridays, expanding the potential audience for SmackDown. Since the majority of broadcast programming skews female, we’re also using Thursday nights to counter program.”
Smackdown moved to the Friday night “death slot” in Fall 2005 after six years airing on Thursdays.
Monday Night Raw this week drew a total of 4,040,000, considerably up from last week’s 3,745,000 number.
Hour one did 4,043,000, then it went up to 4,203,000 in the second hour, but then the show lost over 300,000 viewers in the third hour, getting 3,875,000 for the final hour. (Ratings credit: PWinsider.com)
The second WWE European tour of the year kicks off today and the WWE crew will be traveling to 9 different countries performing a total of 20 shows in the span of 10 days.
The tour starts in London at the SSE Arena at Wembley then on November 6 there will be two shows one in Cardiff, Wales, at the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena and at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland.
On November 7 WWE visits Belfast, Northern Ireland, with a show at the Odyssey Arena and Birmingham, England, at the LG Arena.
Next on the tour is Minehead, England, with a live event at the Butlins Arena, and then Manchester, England, at the Phones 4u Arena, both events on November 8.
On November 9 the crew stays in England with one show at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, and then another one in Nottingham at the Nottingham Capital FM Arena.
Monday Night Raw will be taped from Liverpool, England at the Echo Arena on November 10 and the second crew will perform at the Bournemouth International Center in Bournemouth, England.
Smackdown tapings on November 11 will also take place in Liverpool at the Echo Arena and at the same time there will be another live event in Brighton, England, at the Brighton Centre.
On November 12, Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena will host an event while the other crew leaves England and goes to Paris, France, for a show at the Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy.
Glasgow, Scotland, will welcome WWE at The SSE Hydro on November 13 and Madrid, Spain, will host the other live event of the day at the Palacio Vistalegre.
On November 14 the crew will visit Germany and Italy with one show at the Volkswagen Halle in Braunschweig, Germany, and another one at the Mediolanum Forum in Milan, Italy.
The two set of crews will stay in the same countries as the previous day on November 15 with the last two shows of the tour – one at the Festhalle Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany, and one in Bolzano, Italy, at the PalaOnda.
WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon recorded a 40 second video message to apologize to the UK fans over the second failed attempt to launch the WWE Network in the region.
McMahon said that UK fans are very important to WWE and the company had several great memories in the country and they are working day and night to bring the WWE Network there. He personally apologized for how the situation was handled and promises that it will be worth the wait.
WWE originally planned to launch the Network on October 1 and then moved it to November 3 before pulling the plug 20 minutes before it was supposed to go live.
The company is in negotiations with other partners to carry the Network, most likely as a traditional TV channel rather than over-the-top service. Only Canada so far gets the TV channel through Rogers while the rest of the world gets the OTT US version of the Network.
UPDATE: Sky has issued a correction saying the new deal with WWE commences in January 2015 and not as previously reported.
The failed launch of the WWE Network in the United Kingdom is still the big talk of the week on social media especially those living in the region.
Both WWE and Sky, who are rumored to have “blocked” the launch, are getting their fair share of abuse from fans especially since this is the second time that WWE failed in giving UK fans the WWE Network.
Reaching out to our Sky sources, we were told off the record that the decision on late Monday night to pull the Network was “purely a WWE decision” and Sky had nothing to do with what happened. The company had no comments when it comes to possible negotiations of carrying the Network as a traditional TV channel.
When asked about the new 5 year TV deal with WWE which was announced in January of this year, a Sky Public Relations person said that the deal goes in effect in January 2015 and when pressed if the WWE Network was offered as part of the discussions, we were told that the general company policy is that they do not discuss contract details and could not offer an answer.
John Cena was not at Raw last night and before the show started it was announced that the company would be offering refunds to those who wanted due to Cena not being there.
This is a common practice in WWE when their top advertised star doesn’t appear. Refunds are always offered and fans are allowed to stay and watch the show anyway. The majority of fans do not take the refund even though they are usually given around 30 minutes to go and collect their money.
While Cena was not there, one person who has been out of action for a while, Rey Mysterio, was there. Mysterio was flown in to talk with management as the two sides have not been on the same page for months now.
Mysterio’s contract with WWE expired while he was injured but WWE opted to exercise their clause to extend the contract for the duration that he has been injured.
SoldierSocks, a non-profit foundation focused on helping veterans, announced today that their ambassador, Dan Rose, a veteran living with paralysis, will be a special guest at WWE’s SmackDown tonight in Albany, New York.
Dan Rose was in the Army Reserves for 10 years and served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the Zahri District and Horn of Panjiwae in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan until he was injured by an Improvised Explosive Device on April 27, 2011.
“I’m so grateful for my partnership with SoldierSocks and as a WWE fan, I’m looking forward to sharing my story at SmackDown,” Rose said.
“WWE has a longstanding commitment to the military and we are extremely grateful for the sacrifices of our nation’s heroes,” said WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon. “We are proud to host Sergeant Rose as our special guest at SmackDown, and humbled by his perseverance and will to push through any obstacle that he faces.”
Global Force Wrestling today announced that the first event under its banner will be in conjunction with New Japan Pro Wrestling and its January 4 show from the Tokyo Dome.
“GFW Presents New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 9” will air live in North America at 2AM EST on January 4. The four-hour telecast will also air in prime time in North America at 7PM EST on pay-per-view including DirecTV, Dish, AT&T U-verse, Comcast, Verizon Fios and all cable systems in the United States, and in Canada on Bell ExpressVu TV, Rogers, Shaw, Sasktel and Telus.
“This is one of the great events on the wrestling calendar every year, and for GFW to have the opportunity to bring it to the American audience is an honor and a privilege,” GFW founder and CEO Jeff Jarrett said. “This event has a history that involves not only the greatest names in Japanese wrestling history but some of the greatest names in U.S. wrestling history.”
The show will be available in English and in Japanese via the second audio program (SAP) button on your TV. GFW will reveal the North American announcers for the event in the near future.
Randy Orton was written off television for the next month or so last night on Raw to explain his absence while he’s out filming The Condemned 2 for Lionsgate and WWE Studios.
Orton was on the receiving end of two curb stomps from Seth Rollins at the conclusion of last night’s episode and now WWE.COM is playing the storyline saying that Orton suffered a concussion.
The former WWE champion was pulled from the European tour that starts tomorrow and will not be at the Survivor Series either.
There’s a new United States champion in town and his name is Rusev!
The still undefeated Bulgarian who now calls Russia “his home” defeated Sheamus last night after Monday Night Raw went off the air, a match which aired on the WWE Network.
Sheamus had a reign of 182 days with the U.S. title before passing out to The Accolade finishing move.
With the announcement of a traditional five-on-five match at Survivor Series, the next few weeks, of course, will be the big build-up to who’s-on-who’s team, between Team Authority and Team Cena. I gave my speculations last week, so let’s see if I am right! (Although, the news about Daniel Bryan needing a second surgery [credit to Colin Vassallo, Wrestling-Online editor] eliminates him.)
Elsewhere, Bray Wyatt has decided that Dean Ambrose will be his latest victim, so what does “The Eater Of Worlds” have in store for “The Lunatic Fringe” tonight? Or Ambrose going to retaliate?
Both of these big storylines and much more, so read on!
Monday Night Raw TV Report for November 3rd, 2014 – “Stomped Out!”
Introduction Segment: Video Promo
Recap of last week’s Raw, involving Seth Rollins, John Cena, and The Authority is aired.
Segment #2: Arena Promo
Very famous entrance music plays to start off Raw. That theme belongs to The Boss, Mr. Vince McMahon! He’s back and strutting out to a loud ovation from the fans. To paraphrase football, he is flanked by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, The Authority.
Vince is happy to put over the WWE Network, for $9.99, but announces it is free for the month of November. He says this also means Survivor Series is free and touts Team Authority VS. Team Cena. McMahon decides to put more on the line, telling The Authority that if they lose, they will “no longer be The Authority.”
Vince, Triple H, and Stephanie leave, while Dean Ambrose makes his entrance and glares at McMahon. He is in action, next!
Commercials.
Segment #3: Backstage Promo
Vince is with Stephanie and Triple H, trying to smooth over all with “The Game” and Stephanie. He leaves in a limo, with HHH and daughter McMahon not looking so pleased.
Match #1: Single – Dean Ambrose VS. Cesaro
Both trade waist locks and holds, neither getting the upper hand yet. Cesaro gains control, stomping and punching Dean, until Ambrose turns him around in the corner with fists of his own. He tries to wear down Cesaro with a grounding headlock, then gives him a running shoulder block. Cesaro counters another grounding headlock by chucking him over the ropes to the mat below. He gives chase, but Ambrose counters by smashing his head repeatedly against the barricade; then he dives off with an elbow!
In the ring, Cesaro reverses giving Dean a powerbomb from the turnbuckle! He stomps away for a bit, until Ambrose clotheslines him over the ropes. Cesaro appears to be busted open on the side of his head. Suddenly, a Wyatt Family video plays then we go to break.
Ads.
Returning from commercial, Bray Wyatt is now sitting in his rocking chair on the stage while a cleaned-up Cesaro dominates. Ambrose makes a comeback with wild punches and a bulldog, then clotheslines Cesaro for two! He attempts a Tornado DDT out of the corner, but Cesaro reverses it into an uppercut! 1 – 2 – Ambrose kicks out!
Dean tosses Cesaro out to the floor again, then follows up with a suicide dive! He climbs the turnbuckle again, but Cesaro grabs the ropes, crotching him. Cesaro almost takes this with a backslide, but Ambrose rolls out and drops Cesaro with the Dirty Deeds Double-Arm DDT to get the hard-fought victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Dean Ambrose
Post-match, another Wyatt Family video plays, then Bray is gone, leaving the rocking chair swinging on the stage.
Commercials.
Segment #4: Office Promo
Stephanie and Triple H are discussing Survivor Series, with Stephanie declaring that they need to have the “strongest” team. HHH decides he wants to get a hold of Randy Orton, which Steph questions. HHH defends by throwing Vince in Stephanie’s face, insinuating he has put so much pressure on him that they have to build up their team.
The Usos make their entrance for their match, next!
Ads.
Match #2: Single – Jimmy Uso (with Jey Uso) VS. The Miz (with Damien Mizdow)
This was a pretty standard bout, but the best part was Mizdow mimicking every one of Miz’s moves, whether he was in control or not. In the end, Mizdow tries to pull a switcheroo with Miz, but it fails. However, Miz capitalizes on Jimmy, putting him away with the Skull-Krushing Finale.
Winner via Pinfall: The Miz (with Damien Mizdow)
Recap of the breakdown between Mark Henry and The Big Show is shown, which leads to a match later tonight. United States Champion Sheamus walks to the ring and is wrestling next.
Commercials.
Match #3: Single – United States Champion Sheamus VS. Tyson Kidd (with Natalya) (Non-Title)
(Gee, I wonder who wins this! Sorry Tyson and Nattie.) I have to admit, I was wrong. This was not the squash I was anticipating. Instead, Kidd really took it to and evened it up with Sheamus. Even more surprisingly and wrong, Tyson gets the duke after tricking Sheamus into a count-out!
Winner via Count-Out: Tyson Kidd (with Natalya)
Post-match, Sheamus lays out Kidd with a Brogue Kick.
Dolph Ziggler is walking through the backstage area; the Intercontinental Champion is out next.
Ads.
Match #4: Single – Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler VS. ??? (Non-Title)
Prior to the match, the complete Authority walks out. Stephanie announces that Seth Rollins, Kane, and Randy Orton. Triple H talks to Ziggler about what teaming with John Cena really means. He implies that no matter how hard Dolph works, and how hard he would work in that match, Cena would get the glory if they win. However, if Team Cena fails, then the I.C. Champ will be the one to take the fall.
Commercials.
Match #4: Single for the Intercontinental Championship – Dolph Ziggler (Champion) VS. “Mr. Money In The Bank” Seth Rollins (Challenger)
Rollins controls this contest early, with grounding headlocks and punches. He catches Dolph running off the ropes with a clothesline, but Ziggler comes back with fast punches and a back drop! He goes for a neckbreaker, but Seth reverses into a suplex. Dolph ducks another clothesline, then hits a dropkick. He misses a splash in the corner, then gets smashed face-first into the turnbuckle, as Seth goes back to dominating.
Ads.
Rollins is still controlling until Dolph hits a couple clotheslines and a splash to regain some momentum! He misses the Fameasser, however, as Seth rolls him up for a near-fall! Ziggler catches him and sling-shots Rollins into the turnbuckle, but Seth reverses a 10-punch into a running turnbuckle-powerbomb! 1 – 2 – Dolph gets the shoulder up!
Rollins rockets off the top rope, but Dolph moves and plants him to the canvas with the Fameasser! He covers but only gets two! Seth fires back with an enziguri, but misses the Curb Stomp. Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble distracts Dolph, allowing Rollins try again and drive Ziggler down with the Curb Stomp. He rises and smiles, but a loud cheer from the crowd reveals that Randy Orton is behind him and R.K.O.’s Rollins! Randy faces off with Mercury and Noble, then walks off. Kane is walking out and questioning “The Viper,” then goes to collect Rollins.
Winner: No Contest due to No Official Call
Commercials.
Segment #5: Office Promo
Stephanie and Triple H are talking about what they just saw with Randy Orton, when “The Viper” himself walks in. He goes verbally ballistic on The Authority when McMahon tells him that he and Seth are co-captains at Survivor Series. “The Game” calms him down, giving Rollins to him for a match later. “The Game” wants Orton and Rollins to work out their differences, then be as one come Survivor Series. Orton shakes his hand in agreement.
Segment #6: Video Promo
Weird footage of eyes (I’m thinking they were Luke Harper’s) plays, with the phrase “I’m going to piece myself back together with pieces of you.”
Ads.
Match #5: Single – Titus O’Neil VS. Ryback
Ryback gets it again, following the Meathook Clothesline and Shell-Shock Marching Samoan Drop!
Winner via Pinfall: Ryback
Segment #7: Backstage Promo
Rene Young talks to The Big Show. He firsts is excited about taking out The Authority from their leadership, and wants to be a part of Team Cena. He moves on to his former friend, Mark Henry. Show is irate at what he did, particularly because Big let him into his life with his family. “In that time, we’ve been loved, and we’ve both been hate, and everything in between. And despite everything that happened last week; the betrayal, the pain, the hurt, there’s a part of me Rene, I want my friend back. I miss my friend. Let me also tell you, there’s a part of me, that just wants to knock Mark Henry the hell out of my life.”
Commercials.
Match #6: Single – The Big Show VS. “The World’ Strongest Man” Mark Henry
A stare-down ensues to begin, then a flurry of punches by Show. He whips Henry into the corner and continues to punch away. Henry hits back with an elbow and punch, then whips Show into another corner and splashes him.
Show hits back with a big kick (no pun intended!), then drops an elbow for two! Show hits a spear on the outside, then rolls Henry back in the ring. he drops another few elbows, then clamps on an Indian Deathlock submission. Henry manages to crawl to the ropes and clutch them for the break. Show slaps Henry against the apron a couple of times, then stands on his chest. Show ascends the top rope, but “The World’s Strongest Man” meets him and hurls him off!
Henry follows by covering quickly, but Big grabs the rope to stop the count. Mark stomps a bit, then plants Show with The World’s Strongest Slam! He covers but only gets two! On the outside, Henry chucks Show into the steel steps. He separates the stairs, and abruptly whacks The Big Show with them, causing the dq.
Winner via Disqualification: The Big Show
Post-match, Henry delivers a World’s Strongest Slam on them! He yells at Show, “you might be big, but you’re not the ‘World’s Strongest Man.’”
Segment #8: Office Promo
The Authority is assessing Mark Henry, so they send Kane to evaluate “The World’s Strongest Man.” Triple H convinces Stephanie that all will be right between Cena and Rollins for Team Authority come Survivor Series.
Commercials.
Segment #9: Backstage Promo
Rene Young is interviewing Brie Bella, when Nikki walks in and orders Brie to stop the interview and go to the ring. Erik Rowan glares at Young and calls her “pretty.”
Match #7: Single – Emma VS. Nikki Bella (with Brie Bella)
(Note: Divas Champion A.J. Lee is on commentary.) Nikki finishes off Emma following the Rack Attack (Torture Rack drop.)
Winner via Pinfall: Nikki Bella (with Brie Bella)
Post-match, Nikki whispers something to her sister, so Brie walks over and slaps A.J. The Divas Champ shoves Brie back then chases Nikki up the ramp.
Ads.
Segment #10: Video Promo
A montage of Xavier Woods, doing his best late James Brown impression, is aired with the slogan “A New Day Is Coming.” He was backed up by an African-American Gospel Choir.
Match #8: Single – Zack Ryder VS. Rusev (with “The Ravishing Russian” Lana)
This one is too easy! Rusev catches Ryder off with a boot, then forces him to tap to The Accolade.
Winner via Submission: Rusev (with “The Ravishing Russian” Lana)
Post-match, Lana says Rusev will win the U.S. Title for “Mother Russia” and Vladimir Putin. Rusev chimes in, threatening Sheamus that he will “be annihilated.” The U.S. Champ walks out to retort, warning him that he will be in for a fight.
Commercials.
Segment #11: Backstage Promo
Rusev and Lana are walking through the hallways when Stephanie approaches. She cites their loyalty to an authority as a reason to join the Authority. Lana says they will “confirm with Putin.”
Match #8: Single – Fernando (with Los Matadores partners Diego and El Torito) VS. Tag-Team Champion Stardust (with Tag-Team Champion Goldust) (Non-Title)
After some distractions by El Torito, Goldust, Damien Mizdow, and The Miz (who were on commentary), Fernando picks up this one after a backstabber on Stardust!
Winner via Pinfall: Fernando (with Los Matadores partners Diego and El Torito)
Ads.
Match #9: Single – “The Viper” Randy Orton VS. “Mr. Money In The Bank” Seth Rollins
(Note: The Authority is at ringside.) Both measure each other up at first, then Orton punches away and shoves Rollins to the outside. He runs from the back and hits him in the head, then rams him into the barricade twice.
Commercials.
Orton and Rollins stare at each other more, then Randy jawbreaks Seth using the ropes. Rollins drives Randy’s head into the middle turnbuckle, then kicks him in his arm and chest. Rollins begins to dominate with stomps around Orton’s body. “The Viper” comes back, tossing Seth into the announce table and back dropping him on it!
Randy tears apart the announce table, then hammers Seth on the back, back in the ring. Rollins tries something off the top rope, but Randy meets him and crotches him on the post. Orton follows up with a superplex! He sets up for the slingshot-DDT, but Rollins counters and chucks Randy to the floor. He follows up with a suicide dive! Seth springboards a knee-to-the-face and almost takes this with a cover!
Seth goes for the turnbuckle-powerbomb, but Orton backdrops out of it. Seth catches Randy with an enziguri and tries the Curb Stomp, but Orton reverses into a powerslam! He drops him with the slingshot-DDT and fires up the fans for the R.K.O! Rollins reverses the attempt into a backslide and gets the sudden victory!
Winner via Pinfall: “Mr. Money In The Bank” Seth Rollins
Post-match, Orton is in a bit of disbelief and seems to be holding back his emotions. The Authority claps him on as he shakes the hands of Noble and Mercury, then Kane. He passed by Rollins, then goes back and …
Shakes his hand. Then he R.K.O.’s him! Orton tosses out Noble, Mercury, and Kane, but is seemingly calmed-down by Triple H. That is until he slugs him too! Noble, Kane, and Mercury jump on him immediately, and the entire Authority tear apart Orton. This spills to the outside, where Randy is busted open after Rollins Curb Stomps him on the announce table.
They set up the steel steps, where Triple H and Steph order Rollins to “finish it.” He obeys their demand, delivering one more Curb Stomp from the announce table to Orton’s head on the steps. Raw closes with Seth Rollins standing over an out-of-it Randy Orton.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
This was an action-packed Raw! I will admit, a bit down from last week with a few ways things happened, but in general, another good showing as we continue moving towards Survivor Series. Onto the particulars:
Excellence: The Authority “assessing” the talent for candidates on their team. This provides legitimacy with both The Authority and their prospects because they are not just picking names out of a hat, so to speak, but they are actually scouting to see who would fit their “strongest” team.
The mind-games Bray always plays; loving his new picking of Dean Ambrose, as Ambrose is one that can give it right back!
Great matches with Ambrose/Cesaro, Rollins/Ziggler, and Rollins/Orton. Loved Damien Mizdow completely copying Miz’s moves, again both when he was doing well and when he was getting beat up! This was comedic gold and they can keep going!
Mark Henry’s new attitude; I know I don’t like the feud between him and Show, because it’s another “big-man VS. big-man” one, but I’ve always liked Henry’s “no-nonsense/take-no-prisoners” personality. I wish The Big Show was like this too, and then they can be an awesome “take-no-names” tag-Team.
Again, really liking Rusev and hope he’s won the U.S. Title already, by the time this report is filed! (Although, this should’ve been on Raw or Survivor Series; I understand their motive to get more subscribers to the network, but it diminishes the title and feud itself to leave it off main television, where many more viewers would watch.)
Bogus: Mr. McMahon – at first I was really excited and intrigued he was back, but then his promo just fell flat. There was no build up and he didn’t stick around to stir the pot more.
Speaking of build-up, I wish Orton would’ve done this more too. It could’ve been better if Orton R.K.O.’s a member of The Authority each week, until the Raw before Survivor Series, and officially pick a team. Either side would work, but tonight they rushed a decently suspenseful storyline.
Not thrilled by the new feud of The Dust Brothers and Los Matadores. Plus, if Los Matadores are #1 Contenders, why are The Usos getting the Tag-Team title shot on Smackdown this week?
I believe in A.J. and know she can carry this feud with The Bellas, but hopefully she retains and it’s a one-off. Not liking Brie and Nikki lately, and wanted the Divas Championship to be involved with women who can actually put on great matches. (At least A.J. can do that!)
Why Sheamus lost b count-out makes absolutely no sense, especially when his is scheduled to defend his championship later. This made him look weak, against a weak opponent (sorry Tyson, but you haven’t done anything in the last year on main TV)
Overall, another pretty great Raw! As always, here’s hoping they keep it up for next week! Until then, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
With 20 minutes to launch, WWE canceled the arrival of the WWE Network in the United Kingdom.
“The launch of WWE Network in the U.K. has been delayed until further notice,” read a message on Twitter and on the WWE.COM website when accessed with a UK IP address.
The cancellation sparked a fury of abuse from UK fans towards WWE on social media, who has now canceled the launch of the Network twice in two months. Originally it was scheduled to launch on October 1 before it was canceled and announced for November 3.
The new date was announced by WWE during their Q3 2014 press release just last week.
It’s not known why the launch was aborted so close to launch but it wouldn’t be surprising if WWE’s main broadcaster, BSkyB, objected till the end due to pay-per-view revenue. All WWE pay-per-views air on Sky Box Office and introducing the Network would have basically killed that revenue stream.
The October 1 launch was aborted with WWE saying that they had opened talks with other potential partners, talks which apparently didn’t materialize since the new date and over-the-top service was announced last week.
WWE has not yet commented about why the WWE Network in the United Kingdom was canceled again.
