WWE champion The Rock was a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC and unlike his Jay Leno appearance, it was mostly all about wrestling and WrestleMania this time around.
The Rock said he is currently pulling double duty, training for WrestleMania and getting in shape for his upcoming role in the movie Hercules. He said he has an insane diet regiment with 7 meals a day and a lot of training.
Kimmel asked why do all the training when he knows who’s going to win at WrestleMania? He smiled and said he might know who’s going to win but added that if he loses, it’s phony, while if he wins, it’s going to be real!
Discussion turned to his first wrestling match and Rock said it was at Corpus Christi in a dark match before RAW, wrestling the Brooklyn Brawler. He recounted a story of when he was in the Gorilla position and asked one of the producers about a theme song. He thought he’d get a cool theme but instead he got some “horse sh!t techno music” and even though the music was loud he was still hearing fans telling him that he sucked while going down the ramp.
The final part of the show then transitioned to talk about the G.I. Joe: Retaliation movie. You can see his appearance in full below.
Scott Hall, who is currently in Atlanta living with Diamond Dallas Page and Jake “The Snake” Roberts inside the ‘accountability crib,’ sat down for a small video to talk about his ongoing progress.
Hall is looking good and healthy and said he feels great. He said unlike other previous rehabs, he has no urges for alcohol and whenever he and Jake go out to eat they don’t even have any desire to drink.
He expressed his thanks to all the fans who “invested” their money in Scott Hall on indiegogo.com and said that his hip surgery is scheduled for April 9. He said he’s excited about it and they told him he’ll be walking again on the day of the surgery.
Hall said that they’re signing a lot of autographs and doing Skype calls – which is new for him – to thank the tons of fans who supported his fundraising.
Police officers responded to a call at the Residence Inn-SouthPark in Charlotte, Carolina, where they found an unresponsive Reid Flair in a hotel room at around 10:35AM today.
According to the Charlotte Observer, preliminary investigations suggest that there was no foul play involved although the cause of death is still not known and won’t be known until an autopsy is carried out.
Ric Flair’s agent, Melinda Morris Zanoni of Legacy Talent and Entertainment, issued a statement earlier today.
“We are heartbroken to confirm that Ric’s son, Reid Fliehr, has passed away today March 29, 2013 in Charlotte, NC. The investigation into the cause of death is ongoing. Reid was 25 and an incredible son, brother, friend, and professional wrestler. No words can describe the grief that Ric and his family are experiencing and they do request privacy during this devastating time.”
The Twitter world exploded with tweets just minutes after the announcement that 24 year old Reid Flair had passed away, sending his name and #RIPReidFlair trending worldwide in the top spot.
Wrestling personalities, most of whom worked with his father Ric, sent in their condolences.
“Heavy heart. Our thoughts, prayers, and sympathy to Ric Flair and family at the passing of Reid Flair. Such a sad day,” wrote Eric Bischoff, who brought in Reid in WCW years ago for a storyline with his dad.
“Been on a flight all day just heard about the passing of Reid. My thoughts and prayers go out to Ric Flair and his family,” wrote The Miz, who had been involved with Flair lately in WWE.
“Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Reid Flair. So young. I can’t imagine what Ric is going through,” said Shane Helms, who himself just became a father a few months ago.
Dixie Carter, the former employer of Ric Flair at TNA also chimed in. “Devastated to hear about the passing of Ric Flair’s son, Reid. Please join all of us at TNA in praying for Ric & his family at this sad time.”
“My heart is with Ric and Reid Flair today! Reid was my son too,” wrote Roddy Piper, a long-time friend of the Nature Boy.
Karen Jarrett, the wife of Jeff Jarrett and Kurt Angle’s ex also sent in her condolences. “So sorry for the loss of your son Reid! We love you @RicFlairNatrBoy praying for you and your family!”
Scott Hall, who had his own fair share of troubles wrote, “Just heard some disturbing news, hope its not true. Nature Boy my prayers are with you and your family.”
Reid Flair has just returned to the United States on March 26 after spending some time in Japan to wrestle for All Japan Pro Wrestling and described his experience as “living the dream” in a post on Twitter.
“Made it home but no time to rest. Already back to work. Always improving in one way or another,” he wrote three days ago.
Reid was scheduled to appear with his father in two shows in Maryland this weekend, shows that Ric’s agent referred to in a statement concerning his health earlier this week.
“Two shows in Maryland this weekend with @RicFlairNatrBoy. Good #wrestling and even better times ahead,” Reid added in a Twitter post sent just 24 hours ago.
Flair had a rocky few years lately and had some run-ins with the law. In 2007, he was arrested for assault and battery, and was released after posting bail.
In 2009 he was again arrested for driving while impaired in North Carolina, and was released after posting $1000 in bail.
A few months after that incident, he was once again arrested after police officers found black tar heroin inside his car. He was also charged with driving while impaired, driving with a revoked license, and possession of drug paraphernalia, and was released after posting $15,000 in bail.
Reid Flair, the 25 year old son of two time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, has passed away according to PWInsider.com. No cause of death has been reported.
Reid has been training to be a professional wrestler for quite a few years and this past January traveled to Japan with his father, replacing him in the tag match after Ric was pulled out due to a leg injury.
His sister Ashley is under a WWE developmental deal down at NXT and works under the name of Charlotte.
Reid has made several appearances in both WCW and WWE and was featured with the whole Flair family the day after WrestleMania when WWE held the Ric Flair retirement party on RAW.
Tickets for TNA’s Slammiversary pay-per-view on June 2 went on sale this morning at 10AM on Ticketmaster.com.
The show is being held at the Agganis Arena, located on campus at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts. This is the 11th annual of one of the big TNA pay-per-views.
Tickets are priced $18, $35, $50, $60, $125, and $175, plus other taxes and fees. The highest priced ticket carries $14.55 in fees while the lowest priced ticket has $8.65 in fees.
TNA will not use the full arena but more or less three quarters of it with the side where the stage is completely blacked out.
Actress and WWE fan Maria Menounos will be the one inducting Bob Backlund into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 6 in Madison Square Garden.
The announcement of Menounos as the inductor for Bob Backlund might seem weird but the two are big friends.
“I am truly humbled to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame,” said Bob Backlund. “Maria has been a friend for years and I can’t think of someone I would rather have induct me at Madison Square Garden.”
Menounos said that it is an honor for her to be chosen to induct Backlund in the Hall of Fame, and called him her hero and friend.
Menounos has a long history with WWE, first co-hosting RAW in 2009, wrestling on RAW and at Tribute to the Troops, and then even participating in a tag team match at WrestleMania XXVIII with Kelly Kelly vs Beth Phoenix and Eve Torres.
While the former Miss Massachusetts Teen USA might look petite, Menounos is one tough cookie as she wrestled at WrestleMania last year with two cracked ribs after an injury while doing practice for Dancing with the Stars that same week.
WWE has launched a new channel on Yahoo! Screen, right now dominated with all things about WrestleMania.
Apart from the usual links and Twitter feeds to promote the show, there are also three video sections to promote John Cena vs The Rock, Undertaker vs CM Punk, Triple H vs Brock Lesnar. Two other sections feature the road to WrestleMania and classic WrestleMania moments.
Grammy Award winner Sean “Diddy” Combs will be performing live at WrestleMania 29 as well as co-hosting the Superstars for Sandy Relief party with WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon as part of the WrestleMania week activities.
As part of his partnership with WWE, Combs will also be a part of an online auction for Sandy Relief where he will be offering the winning person an opportunity to be an intern for a day at his Bad Boy Records entertainment company.
The Superstars for Sandy Relief party will include special guest Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and will be held on Thursday, April 4 at Cipriani Wall Street.
WWE announced through a press release that Combs will also serve an ambassador for their Be a STAR anti-bullying initiative.
The song “Coming Home” from Diddy-Dirty Money is also being used as an official theme song for WrestleMania 29 and will be integrated throughout the show. The song was previously used as a theme for the WWE Tribute to the Troops show a couple of years ago when the song was released.
“WrestleMania is one of the biggest spectacles in the world and I’m looking forward to performing in front of millions on April 7,” said Combs. “I’ve always been a fan of WWE and I’m excited to support these two important causes, Superstars for Sandy Relief and the Be a STAR anti-bullying initiative.”
WNL returned to the airwaves on 3-26-13 on the SNS Radio Network (www.snsradionetwork.com) with “The Bronx-Father” Tony J. Mirabella, the return of the “Outlaw of the IWC” the TreyDawg, and “Mr. Money on the Mic” JJ $exay.
The boys discussed the 3-25-13 edition of RAW as Bronx did the RAW recap with WrestleMania 29 just under 2 weeks away to start off the show and then were joined by former 7 time WWE Women’s Champion and soon-to-be Hall of Famer Trish Stratus. The interview begins at the 70 minute mark.
The guys talked about Trish going into this year’s Hall of Fame, her favorite WrestleMania moment, the feud between her and Lita, which Trish she preferred…the good or bad Trish, which current Diva she would like to wrestle in the WWE, and more in this near 30 minute interview with arguably the best women’s wrestler in the last 10 years.
After the break, JJ ran down the latest News of the Week sponsored by Wrestling-Online.com featuring news on Chyna’s latest career change, Ric Flair’s current health scare and status and Sean “X-Pac” Waltman’s latest injury….yeah it’s a doozey! JJ then drops a bomb on Bronx…or maybe rather threw him under a bus in a hilarious interaction.
JJ and Bronx finished out the show with emails as Trey had to go to work and JJ wrapped the show with a special “SOTN” as he and Harmony will be gone to New York next week for WrestleMania 29 .
Ric Flair’s agent, Melinda Morris Zanoni of Legacy Talent and Entertainment, issued a statement yesterday regarding Flair’s health after a trip to the hospital on Monday.
“Ric is doing well, he feels great, and is home. WWE’s medical staff performed a physical on Ric yesterday, like they do all of their athletes, and recommended that he have a doctor take a closer look at his swollen leg,” the statement read.
“Upon arriving back in Charlotte today he went to see his doctors and it was determined that there is a blood clot. He was not admitted to the hospital, rather released with medication, which the doctors are confident will work quickly causing Ric to completely heal soon.”
The statement also adds that Flair is looking forward to perform for WWE very soon.
Video of X-Pac’s ass injury after a missed Bronco Buster was released by RFVideo, showing the real agony on Sean Waltman’s face after he hit the turnbuckle.
X-Pac had to go to the hospital and have surgery on his ripped anus after the show was over. He told TMZ that he lost so much blood that he was at risk of losing his life.
During the match, held in Minnesota as part of the Jerry Lynn retirement event, X-Pac hit his signature move but his opponent moved, and Pac landed ass first on the metal that holds the turnbuckle to the ring post. His opponent didn’t notice the injury and whacked him with a solid chair shot to the back afterward.
After X-Pac kicked out of the pin, he immediately grabbed his behind and then told the referee something. The former nWo and DX member finished the match and even went through a table.
The tenth match for WrestleMania 29 was announced on WWE.COM today featuring an eight person mixed tag team match.
After just a dancing appearance at last year’s event, Brodus Clay will get his WrestleMania match teaming up with Tensai and the Funkadactyls to take on Cody Rhodes, Damien Sandow, and the recently returned Bella Twins.
This is the first match announced to feature WWE Divas at WrestleMania 29, while the Divas title is expected to be on the line as well in a match to be announced in the coming days.
The red band trailer for The Rock’s upcoming movie Pain & Gain was released by Yahoo! Movies.
Directed by Michael Bay and starring Mark Wahlberg, Ed Harris, Jennifer Nicole Lee, and others, Pain & Gain is an action/comedy movie based on a true story about a couple of Florida bodybuilders who became criminals involved in an extortion ring and a kidnapping plot that does not go according to plan.
The movie – the first collaboration between Dwayne Johnson and Hollywood blockbuster director Michael Bay – is set for release on April 26.
Monday Night RAW drew a 3.24 rating for a total average of 4,617,000 viewers. That is up from last week’s 3.09 rating and around 350,000 more viewers overall.
Hour one did 4,580,000 viewers, hour two did 4,690,000 and hour three matched hour one with another 4,580,000 viewers. (Ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research and put online by PWInsider.com)
Another match has been added to the WrestleMania 29 card, a title match featuring Wade Barrett defending the Intercontinental title against The Miz. The match was made official on WWE.COM today.
This is the ninth match on the WrestleMania card, joining the recently announced Chris Jericho vs Fandango and Team Hell No vs Dolph Ziggler and Big E. Langston for the tag team titles.
So far the card has no Divas match but AJ is scheduled to take on Kaitlyn for the Divas title on the pay-per-view. Usually the Divas are involved more in the show but looking at the division at the moment it’s really no surprise about the lack of addition of the Divas to WrestleMania.
It is only two weeks until “The Showcase of the Immortals!” The main-events are set, the undercard is being built, and The Road continues tonight in Philly. What will go down in the city of “Brotherly Love?” Hopefully a lot more and much better than last week! Read on!
Monday Night Raw Report for March 25th, 2013 – “Success Or Failure?”
Introduction Segment: Preview and Welcoming
A video package of two of the main-events at WrestleMania plays (‘Taker/Punk and Rock/Cena), and then Michael Cole and Jerry “The King” Lawler bring us to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Segment #1: Arena Promo
C.M. Punk, with Paul Heyman in tow, is out first. They are still carrying and toying around with The Undertaker/Paul Bearer’s Urn. Punk says “they” all hold Undertaker’s streak high, and “they” believe there is some sort of power from the Urn. The “Straight-Edge Superstar” puts ‘Taker’s streak over, then says he should’ve rode off in the sunset with Triple H and Shawn Michaels after last year’s WrestleMania, at 20 – 0.
Punk says that The Undertaker “is at a psychological disadvantage and should’ve stayed gone.” He says that “The Deadman” could’ve gone 30 – 0 or even 50 – 0, but now he is facing “the man.” “I am the one in 20 and 1.” The “Second-City Saint” threatens that “at WrestleMania, you and your perfect streak will ‘rest … in … peace.'”
Cue the gong and lights to ring and go out, then The Undertaker appears in the squared circle and begins to lay a beating. Punk manages to escape with both Heyman and The Urn. Undertaker stays in the ring, threatening C.M. with the “throat-slash” sign.
Later tonight, John Cena and WWE Champion The Rock will face a panel of current and future Hall-Of-Famers to answer tough questions.
Up next, Fandango will be in action.
Commercials.
Match #1: Single – Fandango (with Dancer) VS. ???
As Fandango was pronouncing his name, Chris Jericho hauls butt to the ring and beats down on Fandango. This is not the real match, according to Cole, and Fandango high-tails it to the back.
Winner: No Contest via No Official Match Start
Match #2: Single – “Y2J” Chris Jericho VS. “The Show Off/Mr. Money In The Bank” Dolph Ziggler (A.J./Big E. Langston)
Jericho’s opponent now comes out and this bout actually begins. Jericho sweeps and punches Ziggler, then snap-suplexes him. Dolph comes back with a punch of his own, then “Y2J” fights back with slugs. He dives off the ropes with a crossbody for two!
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Back live, Ziggler has Jericho locked in a grounding rear chinlock. During the break, Langston pulled Jericho off the apron to give Dolph control. “The Show Off” nails a beautiful, resounding dropkick, and soon after clamps on a standing abdominal stretch.
The “Ayatollah Of Rock n’ Rolla” counters with a huge hip-toss, and flies off the turnbuckle with a double-axe-handle. Jericho hits the running bulldog, and springboard-dropkicks Langston off the ropes. Ziggler returns with a jumping-DDT and measures him for the sleeper, but Jericho clutches the ropes. Jericho gets Ziggler in the Walls Of Jericho for the tap-out victory!
Winner via Submission: “Y2J” Chris Jericho
Post-match, Big E. hits his finisher on Jericho, then Fandango walks out and dances around a downed “Y2J,” before putting the fists to his head. He screams at him to “say my name” then puts a big boot to his face, hops the top rope, and soars with a leg drop! He leaves the ring, emphasizing “it’s Fan-dan-go!”
Later tonight, a “no holds-barred” preview featuring Triple H and Brock Lesnar
Commercials.
Segment #2: Backstage Promo
Matt Striker is with Sheamus, then after footage from Smackdown of “The Shield” facing off with Randy Orton, The Big Show, and Sheamus, asks The Irishman if he and Orton have “buried the hatchet” with The Big Show. Before he can give much of a response, “The Shield” assault both Sheamus and Orton. Big Show intervenes and helps fends off Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns.
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Match #3: Two-On-One – “The World’s Strongest man” Mark Henry VS. The Usos (Jimmy and Jey)
Henry made his entrance prior to the break. As my Dad said, “I bet you the Usos lose.” I agree, even though they do put up a fight, complete with a splash. Henry of course makes his comeback and polishes them off with the “World’s Strongest Slam” for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry
Post-match, Henry takes out both of them for good measure and to show off.
Up next, it’s another “Champion VS. Champion” match (like those mean anything, these days!) with World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio taking on United States Champion Antonio Cesaro.
Commercials.
Match #4: “Champion VS. Champion” Single – United States Champion Antonio Cesaro VS. World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) (Non-Title)
Prior to the contest, Ricardo Rodriguez manages to hobble out on crutches and announce his friend. Del Rio comes out and appreciates the gesture. Cesaro and Del Rio trade wristlocks until Antonio gets him in the corner and punches. He drops an elbow (thanks Cole!) on Del Rio’s chest, then whips him into the ropes, only for Alberto to come back and hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.
Zeb Colter walks out, distracting Del Rio, which allows Cesaro to take advantage. Del Rio does cut the U.S. Champion off the rope, and brings him down with a super-plex! Both men are down. On the outside, “The Real American” Jack Swagger shoves Ricardo into the ring steps and then drags him by his injured ankle to the time-keeper’s area, slamming his leg into the wall.
Del Rio takes umbrage and hops the barricade, beating down Swagger. His exit from the ring results in a count-out!
Winner via Count-Out: United States Champion Antonio Cesaro
Post-match, Del Rio still takes his frustration out on Cesaro, locking him in the Cross Armbreaker, and then goes to check on his mate.
Next, the Tag-Team Champs will be in action! (Thanks King!)
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Match #5: Tag-Team – “The Primetime Players” (Darren Young and Titus O’Neil) VS. Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan) (Non-Title)
Kane and Titus begin, then Kane quickly switches with Bryan who kicks away in the corner. Kane is back in, whipping Bryan into the corner of O’Neil. “The Big Deal” comes back and tags in Darren, who soon gets an uppercut by Kane. Daniel back in and kicks at Young, but distracted by Dolph Ziggler, A.J., and Big E. Langston who appear on stage.
This allows Darren to counter with a throw to the canvas. Titus is in and takes control. Young is back in, and Bryan fights out of a waistlock, then tags in Kane. The “Big Red Machine” hits a big boot and dropkick. Darren wiggles out of a pickup, but gets a sidewalk slam anyway. Titus breaks up the cover, but is taken over the ropes and dropped with a knee by Bryan. In the ring, Kane Chokeslams Darren for the W!
Winners via Pinfall: Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan)
Later, “The Shield” will team up for a 6-Man Tag-Team bout!
Commercials.
Segment #3: Arena Promo
Triple H joins us to discuss the results of the stipulation for his WrestleMania match against Brock Lesnar. “The Game” recaps the career-ending possibility, and puts over Lesnar as “a destroyer. He is a machine that can end your career at any moment and that is a fact.”
HHH calls Heyman’s “grand coop” a mistake, as Trips gives Lesnar his own advice. “Show up at WrestleMania like your career is on the line. Come to WrestleMania like your life is on the line.” (This promo was nicely short and sweet.)
As he leaves, Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett walks out and motions for HHH to leave. “The Game” just kicks him below the belt and walks off.
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Match #6: Single – Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett VS. The Miz (Non-Title)
Miz goes for the Figure-4 right away, but Barrett escapes. Miz tries for the “Skull-Krushing-Finale” but Wade gets out again. He comes back and smashes Miz’s head into the top turnbuckle. He boots Miz on the top rope, then smacks him with a knee-to-the-stomach. Wade pounds away then clamps on a chin submission. Miz fights and flips out of a backdrop, then rolls him up for two! Miz tosses the I.C. Champ outside, then dives off with an axe handle.
Commercials.
Back live, Barrett is back in control and boots Miz to the outside. He runs him into the side of the ring apron, back-first, then puts him back in the ring for a near fall. Wade has a surfboard stretch locked in and puts Miz in the corner. Miz ducks and Wade ends up face-first into the turnbuckle. “The Awesome One” regains momentum, hitting the corner clothesline and axe handle. 1 – 2 – Barrett kicks out!
Barrett reverses the “S.K.F.” and hits the “Winds Of Change” spinning slam for another near fall! Miz gets his way out of “Wasteland”, and attempts the Figure-4 again, but Wade rolls him up for two! A third attempt on the submission sends Miz shoulder-first into the steel ring post. Barrett winds up for the Bull Hammer clothesline, but Miz ducks. He crotches Wade on the top rope, then lock on the Figure-4 successfully, and the 4th time works for the tap-out!
Winner via Submission: The Miz
Segment #4: Locker Room Promo
Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell No” discuss what each other needs to do at WrestleMania, when Kaitlyn interrupts and reminds them of the real A.J., just as A.J. walks out and listens in. She of course goes nuts on Kaitlyn until Kane and Daniel Bryan manage to pull her off and put her back in the Divas locker room.
Commercials.
Match #7: 6-Man Tag – The Great Khali, Justin Gabriel, and “Long Island Iced-Z” Zack Ryder VS. “The Shield” (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns)
(Gee, I wonder who wins this!) Khali begins with Rollins, slapping him hard in the corner before tagging in Ryder. Rollins moves out of the way of a missile dropkick by Zack, and Ambrose comes in to take control. He runs off the ropes and hits a front dropkick, then switches with Roman. The strongman of “The Shield” works over Ryder, and the entire group finishes off the match after a diving knee drop from Rollins.
Winners via Pinfall: “The Shield” (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns)
Post-match, “The Shield” manages to impressively Triple-Powerbomb The Great Khali. As they pose in the ring, Sheamus walks out on the stage, followed by Randy Orton. They walk down to the ring, and on the other side, The Big Show stands off too. “The Shield” are surrounded and all six men engage in a brawl. “The Shield” is rid of for tonight and retreats through the crowd.
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
Chris Jericho walks out of Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero’s office. Josh Matthews catches up with him and wonders what they were talking about. He informs us that after two weeks of meaningless assaults, Fandango gets what he wants and he will take on “Y2J” at WrestleMania.
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Match #8: Tag-Team – “The Rhodes Scholars” (“The Intellectual Savior Of The Masses” Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes) (with The Bella Twins) VS. “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay and “Sweet T.” Tensai (with “The Funkettes” Naomi and Cameron)
“The Rhodes Scholars” put over Philadelphia and then brought out the Bella Twins prior to the break. Tensai and Brodus double-team Sandow with a sidewalk slam and clothesline. Cody comes in and kicks away, then is able to drop Sweet T. with a neckbreaker. “The Rhodes Scholars” double-team and work over T. for a while. Rhodes dives into a clothesline, then gets t-boned by Brodus. A big splash in the corner drops Cody to the outside, then “The Funkettes” fight with The Bellas. As that is going on, Rhodes hits the Disaster Kick for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: “The Rhodes Scholars” (“The Intellectual Savior Of The Masses” Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes) (with The Bella Twins)
Commercials.
Match #9: 3-On-1: “3.M.B.” (Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal, and Drew McIntyre) VS. Ryback
(Again, I wonder who wins this!) In short, it’s Ryback, who polishes BOTH Slater and Mahal with a DOUBLE Shell-Shock marching Samoan Drop for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Ryback
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It is announced that movie action superstar and former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzeneggar will induct Bruno Sammartino into the Hall-Of-Fame. (That will be an interesting speech!)
Match #10: Single – A.J. vs. Divas Champion Kaitlyn (Non-Title)
Kaitlyn is all over A.J., dominating her with whips into the corner. She continues to control, with a fierce shoulder tackle, and gutwrench knee drop. A.J. rolls out, dodges a spear, and chucks Kaitlyn into the barricade, harshly. A.J. slides in the ring and Kaitlyn is unable to make it back in.
Winner via Count-Out: A.J.
Up next, the Hall-Of-Fame panel with John Cena and WWE Champion The Rock!
Commercials.
Segment #6: Arena Promo
Jerry “The King” Lawler brings out the current and soon-to-be Hall-Of-Famers. The first two are from this year’s class, Booker T. and Mick Foley. Next is “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, lastly followed by (surprisingly!) Bret “The Hitman” Hart!
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Back live, WWE Champion The Rock is out first, and then of course John Cena. This is basically a debate format, with the legends asking each competitor a question, and the opponent responding.
Foley takes the first inquiry, asking Cena if he is prepared to live with the type of regret after another loss at this year’s WrestleMania. Cena says that whether he does win or lose, it changes the face of the WWE forever. If he wins, Cena gets his story, the WWE Championship, and much-needed redemption.
If he loses, Cena says he would feel exactly like ex-NFL Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, Donovan McNabb, because he could not win “the big one.” Cena claims that he can handle failure while The Rock has not known what failure is yet, but he soon will!
The Rock retorts, recalling his hard life into the WWE, and then his subsequent success and failures in his career.
Bret gets the next question, asking “what happened?” He is referring to their demeanors changing since last year. The Rock says it began with just two men fighting to be the best. And even when Cena lost, he took it like a man and at that moment The Rock respected Cena.
Cena does “respect the hell out of you” is happy with Rock saying Cena took his loss like a man. Cena says we’ll see how Rock will take it in 13 days.
Booker T. wants to know why Cena will beat The Rock at WrestleMania. “Because I have to.” Short and simple. The Rock despises Cena’s answer, until John fires back “because you didn’t beat me. You cannot beat me. I beat me.” Cena exclaims “I know I am better than The Rock. And much more importantly, The Rock knows I am better than The Rock.”
The Rock quotes another Hall-Of-Famer, Ric Flair, in saying “to be the man, you got to beat the man.” Dusty Rhodes chimes in, and says that WrestleMania is not about respect or redemption. It is about winning and losing. He asks them the tough one – “what do you guys really want on April 7?”
Cena wants to beat The Rock and dominate The Rock. He says that the WWE Champion will realize that “I am better than The Rock.”
The Rock challenges Cena to prove everyone wrong at WrestleMania, then prove him wrong right now. Cena strips off his shirt, then gives the “you can’t see me” hand gesture right in front of Rock’s face. They slug it, and Rock drops out of an Attitude Adjustment, spins Cena, and delivers the Rock Bottom. He stands tall atop the stage with the WWE Championship as Cena glares on to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
Much, much better show than last week. Loved the amount of matches and less talking on this episode.
Excellence: C.M. Punk’s opening promo – I liked how he put over the streak and told The Undertaker that he basically should’ve retired after last year’s WrestleMania. (I do admit, I agree as it would’ve been a perfect ending to his career). Also, I know last week I harped on them using the Urn and disrespecting the late-great William Moody (a.k.a. “Paul Bearer”), however since I read his sons were ok with the storyline, it makes me feel a little better. Plus, it wasn’t exaggerated this week too, so that was nice.
I also berated the Fandango character/introductions a lot, but now that he is actually working, and with Chris Jericho taboot, this will be much better. If anyone help elevate him with his persona, it’s “Y2J!”
Once again, Alberto Del Rio/Jack Swagger/Zeb Colter can do no wrong, and I think this is the BEST storyline/match put together right now for WrestleMania XXIX.
Great to see the Tag Division getting a decent showing and actually have the championships defended at WrestleMania! Triple H’s promo – short, sweet, and to the point. Love the “ass-kicking Cerebral Assassin” persona that he truly is. I’m ok with “The Rhodes Scholars”/Bellas feud with Brodus Clay/Sweet T./Naomi/Cameron. They all work well together and I’d be fine if their was a potential Mixed 8-Person Tag-Team bout at ‘Mania.
The best part about the final segment was the Hall-Of-Famers! It was cool they didn’t announce beforehand who was going to be on the panel, and I was truly surprised by Bret “The Hitman” Hart. (Although, I’m really starting to feel old now with him having grey-white hair!) That was neat.
Bogus: While I think that the Ryback/Mark Henry “one-ups-manship” storyline is going well, I don’t think Ryback should’ve clotheslined Henry so easily on Friday’s Smackdown (read that fine report on this fine website!). I believe they should’ve have kept the physical contact until WrestleMania and kept us in suspense of who was truly more powerful.
Loved the match between Jericho and Ziggler (as usual), but didn’t love the ending. I think Fandango should’ve run back out to cost Jericho the match and Dolph should’ve kept his little winning streak alive. Both would’ve enhanced each other this way going into ‘Mania.
Sad to say/see that “Champion VS. Champion” matches mean diddly squat these I love “The Shield” and all they are doing, but to me, this is just another 6-Man Match on the card. (Those used to be pretty special too, but now they seem to use them every other week!) I like the mini-feud between A.J. and Divas Champ Kaitlyn, but I think they rushed it tonight with the quick match. Should’ve been saved (and the full-on probably will) for WrestleMania.
I honestly think the panel promo could’ve been better and more to it. I just feel that the responses by both Cena and The Rock were almost the same as last year. As I’ve stated before, I’m just not invested because they are re-doing what was supposed to be “once in a lifetime.” Although I know it will be a superb wrestling match itself, I’m totally against the whole thing and stand by last year as the only time they should’ve feuded.
Overall, Raw was greatly improved this week and really felt back on track toward WrestleMania. I think this could’ve easily been the “go-home show,” but since that is next week, let’s see what they have in store for the last hype-up and push.
Until then, Be Excellent Wrestling-online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
Mick Foley announced that his friend and former tag team partner Terry Funk will be inducting him into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 6 in Madison Square Garden.
The announcement was made in a video on YouTube owned by Mick’s son Mickey. Foley said that such a monumental announcement could only be done on his YouTube channel but before he revealed the decision he asked his son if Bret Hart got a better ovation than him on RAW yesterday.
“I believe so,” his son replies.
“The man who will be inducting me into the Hall of Fame is Al Snow,” Foley first said, before his son replies with a “Really?”
Foley starts laughing but then said that his idol and mentor Terry Funk would be doing the honors.
WWE has announced all the attractions that will be available for all ticket holders at the four-day WrestleMania Axxess fan interaction event.
This year Axxess will be held at the IZOD Center, the first time that such an event is being hosted inside an arena instead of a convention center.
The attractions are: Main Event, Superstar signings, Legends signings, WWE memorabilia, WrestleMania timeline, WWE vehicles, WWE titles, photo shoots, Cenation trivia and audio booth, Money In The Bank, WWE Studios open casting call, WWE Magazine cover shoot, Pain & Gain photo booth, WWE broadcast center, National Guard, photo Axxess, WWE action figures, WWE ’13 game zone, Fruity Pebbles Bedrock, WWE Shop, and WWE community partners. For more detailed information on each attraction go to WrestleMania.com.
WrestleMania Axxess tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com and cost $45 plus $13.50 in taxes and other fees.
