As reported last week, WWE will have a second Money In The Bank ladder match at the upcoming pay-per-view where the winner will get the briefcase and the ability to cash in anytime for a year.
The announcement was made official during the Main Event show on WWE Network yesterday and Seth Rollins is the first person to be entered in the match.
WWE had to change things up for the pay-per-view after it was revealed that Daniel Bryan would not be able to compete in the show and the original MITB ladder match was switched to a WWE World Heavyweight title match as plan B went into effect.
More Superstars for the second MITB ladder match for the briefcase will be announced on next week’s WWE television shows.
The angle that started at the House of Hardcore show last week involving Tommy Dreamer running down Dixie Carter after she “pulled” Bully Ray from his show will play out this Thursday on Impact.
Dreamer told fans in the arena that he received a call from Dixie Carter the day before and told him that Bully Ray would not be appearing as he was booked for something else. Dreamer then invited fans to harass Carter on Twitter and then Bully Ray on Twitter as well said that if anyone comes to TNA live events with the House of Hardcore ticket he would sign and take a photo with the ticket holder to make up for him being screwed by Dixie.
Tommy Dreamer, in reality, works for TNA and now the angle that kicked off on a non-televised event in Poughkeepsie, New York, will transition to national television after yet another Twitter rant by Carter.
“After the success of #Slammiversary, I want to address @TheTommyDreamer. You ran your mouth to your “horde of hardcore” fans and on Twitter,” Carter wrote. “I’m inviting @THETOMMYDREAMER and his “horde of hardcores” to come to Bethlehem, PA for #ImpactLIVE this Thursday!“
She then told Dreamer that she will hand him a live mic and dared him to say the things he said to the fans about her to her face.
WWE hosted a special family last night at RAW as the Gandee family were invited as guests for the three hour broadcast which included some extra perks.
Hunter Gandee, 14, and his family were given the royal treatment at the show in recognition of Hunter’s Cerebral Palsy awareness which included carrying his 7 year old brother, suffering from the disease, who was strapped to his back for 40 miles in a Michigan walk.
Hunter, who is a 155-pound wrestler, carried his 50-pound brother over two days and WWE played the good hosts by giving the family a backstage tour and meeting practically all Superstars and Divas present at the show.
You can visit the family’s blog and their Cerebral Palsy awareness at http://cpswag.blog.com/
PWTorch.com is reporting that WWE also gave the pink slip to one of its creative writers, Jay Gibson, this past weekend.
Gibson made his name by being one of the main writers on The Young and the Restless soap opera, writing 178 episodes between 2008 and 2012. He was also the storyboard artist for The Thin Red Line movie back in 1998.
Gibson joins the 11 other WWE Superstars who were released on Thursday as part of cost-cutting measures.
Meanwhile, another website SEScoops.com is also reporting that NXT is the next one in line for budget cuts. With WWE expected to lose millions of dollars this year, the company is cutting costs across the board and the much-loved NXT brand will have its production budget cut. Many under developmental contracts are also expected to be released.
The last two competitors to join the Money in the Bank ladder match for the WWE World Heavyweight title were announced on RAW last night with two of the most popular WWE guys added to the mix.
At the start of the show, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon announced that there would be a battle royal with the winner advancing to the ladder match. Three Superstars were not allowed to compete for defying the Authority and those singled out were Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, and John Cena.
Reigns sweet-talked Vickie Guerrero to add him to the battle royal as payback after Stephanie McMahon vomited on Guerrero earlier. Reigns ended up winning the battle royal after eliminating Rusev.
John Cena got his chance to qualify for the ladder match after he defeated Kane in a stretcher match. Kane was supposed to wrestle Bryan at Money In The Bank also in the same gimmick match so now Kane goes from being in one of the main events to being out of the show.
Reigns and Cena join Del Rio, Orton, Sheamus, Cesaro, and Wyatt in the MITB ladder match where the winner will become the new WWE World Heavyweight champion.
Raw is back in the land of the Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame, and tonight, there is sure to be plenty of “rockin'” in Cleveland as we “roll” towards Money In The Bank! (Okay, I’m sorry for the cheesiness, but that was too easy to pass up and type for an intro!)
Five wrestlers have qualified for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Money In The Bank Ladder Match at the Pay-Per-View; who will be placed in next?
Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns have promised severe vengeance on their former “brother,” Seth Rollins, and his new friends Triple H and Randy Orton. However, Rollins and Triple H got the upper hand on Smackdown last week, so will that continue, or does The Shield gain a measure of revenge?
Can Divas Champion Paige please be more prominently (and dominantly) featured, as well as move on to a better feud than with Alicia Fox? The division should’ve really changed when Paige came aboard to the main roster, but instead they’ve pushed Fox more, and basically buried the fan-favorite Brit. This needs to change, starting tonight!
Erik Rowan and The Usos are brewing to a Tag-Team Championship showdown; will that match be made for Money In The Bank?
All this and much more, so read on!
Monday Night Raw TV Report for June 16th, 2014 – “____________ and _______________ are Money In The Bank”
Introduction Segment: Welcoming and Arena Promo
Michael Cole welcomes us to Raw, where the roster is standing on stage. He tells us that The Authority will have an announcement tonight. And out they come! Triple H and Stephanie McMahon walk to the ring, passing a smiling Seth Rollins.
Stephanie panders to the fans and wrestlers, while both she and “The Game” recounts what it means to be WWE World Heavyweight Champion. As has been the theme for the last 10 months, they both rip on Daniel Bryan, saying he “has no heart” and is not a “fighting champion” because of his injury.
They move on to speculate who is going to be the next competitor in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Money In The Bank Ladder match. Stephanie announces that the roster standing on stage will be put into a Battle Royal, and they will get the spot at Money In The Bank; well all except for John Cena, Roman Reigns, and Dean Ambrose, as HHH says they have “yet to evolve.”
Instead, Triple H books Cena to face Kane in a Stretcher Match, which was the original plan for M.I.T.B. before Bryan was determined unable to wrestle. If Cena wins, he then can be in the M.I.T.B. Ladder bout. The ambulance backs up beside the stage, where paramedics wheel the stretcher to ringside.
Later tonight, Raw Guest Star comedian Kevin Hart will make an appearance, and United States Champion Sheamus will face Bray Wyatt. Up next, Seth Rollins will take on “The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler!
Commercials.
Match #1: Single – “The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler VS. Seth Rollins
Lockup and waistlock by Rollins, which is turned around into a hammerlock and standing side headlock from Dolph. He hits Rollins with a shoulder block, and the two face off again. Rollins kicks and punches Ziggler repeatedly. Dolph comes back, sending Rollins to the outside, who hops back in the ring and brings Dolph down with a side headlock takedown. Ziggler leap-frogs Rollins and hits a high dropkick, but is whipped hard into the turnbuckle.
Ads.
Seth still in control, pulling at Dolph jaw with a grounding rear chinlock. Dolph counters with a jawbreaker, but Rollins pulls the ropes down, sending Dolph tumbling to the floor. Rollins goes for a suicide dive, but Dolph counters with a punch. Rollins comes back with an Enziguri and goes for the Curb Stomp, but Ziggler moves.
Dolph tries a Fameasser, but Rollins catches him in a powerbomb position. Ziggler wiggles around and flips over with a sunset-flip powerbomb! 1 – 2 – Rollins kicks out! Dolph manages to drive him down with the Fameasser and covers, but only gets two! Rollins misses a springboard moonsault, but holds Dolph in another powerbomb position and rockets him against the turnbuckle!
Seth viciously punches Dolph, then gives him another turnbuckle powerbomb. He plants Ziggler with the Curb Stomp, but before he can fully cover, Dean Ambrose slides in and pounds away!
Winner via Disqualification: Seth Rollins
Post-match, Ambrose continues to beat on Rollins, but Seth escapes. Ambrose takes the microphone and challenges Rollins to a match, but Triple H interjects on the Titantron, giving Dean some “bad news.” Instead of Rollins, he will take on Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett, next!
Commercials.
Match #2: Single – Dean Ambrose VS. Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett (Non-Title)
Ambrose is in full domination, punching away and giving Barrett a suplex. Wade comes back with a swinging neckbreaker and grounding reverse chinlock. Dean fires back with wild punches off a Lou Thesz press. He pushes Barrett to the outside, then springboards himself with a plancha!
Dean rams Bad News’ head off the steel steps, then attempts a Tornado DDT in the corner, but is clotheslined to the floor. Ambrose appears to be hurt, with his left shoulder landing hard on the apron. He tries to climb in the ring, but Wade punches him back down. He runs at Ambrose and smacks his shoulder with a kick, then continues to work it over.
Ads.
Dean is still on the outside, being dominated by Wade. He runs Ambrose’s left shoulder into the ring apron, then back into the ring. During the commercial, Barrett had whipped Ambrose shoulder-first into the ring post.
Dean begins another comeback, giving him a spot-on driving Tornado DDT! 1 – 2 – Bad News kicks out! Ambrose runs at Barrett, but is caught in the Winds Of Change spinning-slam, but manages to kick out at two!
The I.C. Champion tries for Wasteland, but Dean reverses into a Crucifix pin for a near-fall! Suddenly, Seth Rollins appears on the announce table again, distracting Dean. Ambrose chucks Barrett to the floor, and gives both him and Rollins a suicide dive! Ambrose gives chase to Rollins in the crowd, thereby getting counted-out!
Winner via Count-Out: Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett
Post-match, Ambrose comes back and drives Barrett down with the “Dirty Deeds” front bulldog-DDT!
Segment #2: Backstage Promo
Roman Reigns is chatting with Smackdown General Manager Vickie Guerrero. He is sweet-talking her into putting him into the Battle Royal and trying to convince her to make her own decisions. She puts down the coffee she is carrying for Triple H and Stephanie, to get sugar, and Reigns appears to put another additive in the drinks.
Commercials.
Segment #3: Arena Promo
The ring is decked out with a ladder as the WWE World Heavyweight Championship hangs above it. The lights dim and The Wyatt Family saunters to the squared circle.
Bray talks about the power everyone wants. He calls it “the downfall of all mankind as we know it.” Wyatt discriminates between the powerful man and the “weak man.” Bray declares he wants the power, and says that the WWE World Heavyweight Championship is the “power” that he should have.
Bray moves onto his “brothers,” Luke and Erik. He proclaims that they will also take the power from The Usos, by defeating Jimmy and Jey and becoming the new Tag-Team Champions. Bray looks up again, “hanging above this ladder is my ‘absolution.’ Hanging above this ladder is my ‘glory.’ Hanging above this ladder is the ‘change’ you’ve all been praying for.” Bray concludes that once he has the title, he will have “the whole world in his hands.”
United States Champion Sheamus interrupts and basically threatens to “shove my whole boot down your throat!” // “It’s time to fight, fella!”
Match #3: Single – Bray Wyatt (with Wyatt Family members Erik Rowan and Luke Harper) VS. United States Champion Sheamus (Non-Title)
Sheamus gets a quick advantage, then both slug it out for a bit. Sheamus headbutts Bray in the corner, but Bray punches back. Sheamus gives Wyatt a hard short-arm clothesline and then kicks him in the chest. Bray tries a suplex, but Sheamus reverses it into one of his own and brings down the Wyatt Family leader with a neckbreaker.
Sheamus hits an axe-handle as Bray ran off the ropes, then a second-rope forearm smash! Sheamus shoves Bray to the floor, but Rowan and Harper surround him. Tag-Team Champions The Usos suddenly charge out to back him up!
Ads.
Wyatt now in control, wearing Sheamus down with a grounding reverse chinlock. He goes for the senton splash, but Sheamus gets his knees up! He battles back with punches and axe-handles, but misses a running knee and instead gets nailed with an elbow-smash by Bray! He goes to slam Sheamus, but the big Irishman elbows out, and hooks up Bray for the “10 Beats Of The Bowron.” Sheamus picks up Bray for White Noise, but Wyatt gets out of it.
Bray runs off the ropes but is tilt-a-whirl slammed, and Sheamus gears up for a potential Brogue Kick. Harper and Rowan cause a dq by clutching Sheamus!
Winner via Disqualification: United States Champion Sheamus
Post-match, this turns into a six-man brawl, complete with ladder. Sheamus sets up the steel structure against the ropes, where The Usos follow up with a double-plancha, by running up the steps of the ladder! Sheamus hurls the ladder onto Rowan and Harper, then stare down The Wyatt Family with smiles on their faces.
Segment #4: Office Promo
Triple H and Stephanie McMahon are discussing when Vickie Guerrero walks in. Triple H doesn’t realize it and backs into her, spilling one coffee. “The Game” berates her for being careless, but Stephanie keeps hers and starts to drink.
Commercials.
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
Rene Young is with Stephanie McMahon, who is still sucking away on her coffee. Rene asks McMahon who she thinks will win the Battle Royal. She has trouble getting her opinion out, and suddenly runs off.
Paul Heyman walks in and takes over the interview. He puts himself and the other wrestlers in the Money In The Bank Ladder match. Heyman then talks about both his clients, Brock Lesnar and Cesaro. He reminds us yet again that Lesnar defeated The Undertaker and ‘Taker’s streak at WrestleMania, which was not a prediction, but a spoiler, just like Cesaro winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at M.I.T.B.; “that’s not a prediction, that’s a spoiler,” he informs Young right in her ear.
Match #4: Single – Heath Slater VS. “The Super Athlete” Alexander Rusev (with “The Ravishing Russian,” Lana)
Prior to the bout, Lana orders the fans to “shut-up and listen!” She calls America “a nation founded by ‘weaklings.’” Lana compares America to Russia, specifically the Russian President, Vladimir Putin. She depicts a doctored photo of Mount Rushmore, in which the Founding Fathers have been replaced by Putin, two other Russian men, and Rusev.
Alexander takes the mike declares himself “The Super Athlete.” Slater takes umbrage and fires up the fans with a response, calling himself the “American Rockstar.” Unfortunately, when the bell rings, he doesn’t last long as Rusev destroys him with a leaping kick and forcing him to tap-out to The Accolade Camel Clutch.
Winner via Submission: “The Super Athlete” Alexander Rusev (with “The Ravishing Russian” Lana)
Segment #6: Office Promo
Triple H is standing by a bathroom door, where Stephanie is heard puking her guts out. Vickie walks in and HHH yells at her again. She checks on Steph, who heaves right at her. Guerrero is covered in vomit. Triple H takes Stephanie to the doctor, leaving Vickie in charge.
Ads.
Segment #7: Office Promo
Roman Reigns knocks on Vickie Guerrero’s door, who walks out still drenched in puke. Reigns finally encourages her to place him in the Battle Royale.
Segment #8: Backstage Promo
“Think Like A Man Two” star Kevin Hart is with Rene Young. He begins to plug his new movie, when Adam Rose and his Posse walk by. He wants Hart to “be a Rosebud.”
Commercials.
Match #5: Mixed Tag-Team – Fandango and Layla VS. Adam Rose and Summer Rae
(Note: Kevin Hart is on commentary, and he adds nothing!) This is a short bout, which ends with Adam Rose planting Fandango with the front-face DDT (“Party Foul”) after Summer chases Layla to the back.
Winners via Pinfall: Adam Rose and Summer Rae
Up next, it’s the Battle Royal!
Ads.
Match #6: Battle Royal to Qualify for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Money In The Bank Ladder Match – Los Matadores (Fernando and Diego) VS. “The Super Athlete” Alexander Rusev VS. Big E. VS. Ryback VS. Xavier Woods VS. Damien “Lebron James” Sandow VS. Santino Marella VS. Rob Van Dam VS. “The Inspirational” Bo Dallas VS. Sin Cara VS. “The Real American” Jack Swagger VS. “The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler VS. Titus O’Neil VS. Kofi Kingston VS. Fandango VS. Curtis Axel VS. Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett VS. Roman Reigns
Following a commercial break, it comes down to Ryback, Axel, Big E., R.V.D., Rusev, Reigns, Dallas, Ziggler, Barrett, and Fandango. Ryback now eliminates Ziggler. He and Axel work over Roman. They try double-team, but Reigns comes back, hitting the Superman Punch on Rusev, double-spearing Axel and Ryback, then tossing Fandango to the floor! He does the same to both Ryback and Axel, but eats a leaping calf-kick by Alexander!
As Rob Van Dam goes to monkey-flip Barrett from the corner, Bo Dallas sneaks up and pushes him out. He goes to shake the hand of Bad News, but Barrett chucks him over. Bo hangs on and crawls back in. Reigns spears Dallas, then chucks him over the ropes.
It’s down to Rusev and Reigns! The fans feel it, and both behemoths start to punch it out. Rusev fires back with an impressive spinning-wheel kick. He splashes Roman a couple times in the corner, but Roman follows up with a clothesline. Roman places Alexander on the apron and nails the Superman punch to eliminate him and earn a spot in the M.I.T.B. Ladder Match.
Winner and Qualified for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Money In The Bank Ladder Match: Roman Reigns
Segment #9: Backstage Promo
John Cena is with Rene Young, and he promises to help The Authority as they wanted, but then also win the stretcher match and move on to Money In The Bank.
Commercials.
Match #7: Single – Cameron (with Funkadactyls partner Naomi) VS. Divas Champion Paige (Non-Title)
Paige vicious right away, repeatedly kneeing and elbowing Cameron. She runs around the ring, chasing Cameron, who shakes her hand then kicks Paige. Cameron shows her vicious side now, slapping and kicking the Divas Champ. Paige reverses a suplex into her own, then gets aggressive again. She clotheslines Cameron a couple times, then locks her in “Paige’s Tap-Out,” the Modified Deathlock for the tap-out.
Winner via Submission: Divas Champion Paige
Footage from Payback, where The Rhodes Brothers lost and split-up is aired.
Segment #10: Locker Room Promo
Byron Saxon gets a word with Goldust on his new partner, and of course, ‘The Bizarre One” does not reveal who it is, but is quite pleased with his brother’s choice.
Ads.
Match #8: Tag-Team – Rybaxel (Ryback and Curtis Axel) VS. Goldust and ???
Goldust brings out his new partner, Stardust. (Who appears to be Cody Rhodes dressed in Goldust’s attired/makeup, and the commentator’s acknowledge that fact). Stardust all over Rybaxel right away, quickly taking this one after a flipping-corner-cutter!
Winners via Pinfall: Goldust and Stardust
Segment #11: Video Promo
WWE’s superb work with the Special Olympics is recapped. (Kudos to them for getting involved in an excellent cause like this!)
Commercials.
It is announced that Roman Reigns will face Alberto Del Rio this week on Smackdown.
Match #9: Stretcher (Single) to Qualify for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Money In The Bank Ladder Match – John Cena VS. Kane
Cena begins aggressively, kicking and punching away. Kane whips Cena hard into the corner, then gives him an uppercut. On the outside, Kane does the same, then drags him to the stretcher. He begins to push down the side, but Cena kicks off and rams the stretcher into Kane’s gut twice.
Kane counters and hurls Cena into the steel steps and ring post. Cena counters and bulldogs Kane’s head on the steps, then shoves him stomach-first into the barricade. Kane attempts to drive Cena up the ramp on the stretcher, but Cena crawls away.
Ads.
Kane still in control, and now wields a chair. Kane swings and whacks Cena in the stomach and back. He places the chair in the corner, but Cena reverses a whip and chucks Kane shoulder-first into the chair. Cena ascends the top rope, but is caught with a chokeslam as he soared off!
“The Big Red Machine” collects the steel steps and goes into the ring. He measures, but Cena dropkicks Kane, sending his face into the steps! Cena picks up Kane, going for the Attitude Adjustment, but Kane gets out of it and DDT’s John on the steps! “The Devil’s Favorite Demon” pulls Cena towards the ramp and stretcher. He puts Cena onto the stretcher and starts to wheel him. Cena wakes up and rolls off, then punches back. He runs Kane head-first into the steel ring post, but is whipped hard again into the corner of the barricade!
Kane begins to tear apart the announce table, but he turns around into Cena, who drives him through the table with an Attitude Adjustment! Cena picks up Kane in a fireman’s carry position and walks him toward the ramp. For added effect, Cena slows down a bit, and drops Kane just before the stretcher.
He tries again, but Seth Rollins and Randy Orton come out from the back and attack. Orton R.K.O.’s Cena, and Rollins goes to nail him with a chair. Dean Ambrose also charges out and takes out Seth! Kane follows up with a chokeslam to Dean, but is knocked out when Cena tosses the steel steps his way on the outside.
Cena picks up the dead-weighted Kane and places him on the stretcher. He signals to the finish line and starts the trip again. Just before he crosses the line, Kane sits up and clutches him by the throat. Cena hops out of the chokeslam and A.A.’s Kane onto the stretcher, then pushes the final few inches to get the hard-fought victory!
Winner and Qualified for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Money In The Bank Ladder Match: John Cena
Cena celebrates on the stage as the announcers put him and PPV match over to close Raw.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
This was a fantastic Raw! Much better than last week, and really rolled-along/built Money In The Bank. I feel this should’ve been the “go-home” show before the Pay-Per-View. Onto the critiques:
Excellence: Opening Promo – felt it kicked off Raw right and had that “big-hype” feel to the night. Loved the idea of the Battle Royal (even though it was pretty darn predictable who was going to win)
Most of the actual in-ring action. A lot of the matches tonight were well-played-out and entertaining/physical. I particularly enjoyed Rollins/Ziggler, Barrett/Ambrose, Sheamus/Wyatt, the Battle Royal, and Kane/Cena.
Divas Champion Paige was placed in a better spot this week, and also produced a decent bout with a Diva (Cameron) she has not faced before. So, wish on her came true!
As always, Bray is gold on the mike and tonight was no different. I would really like him and Harper/Rowan to walk away with the gold, for a new direction in the Championship pictures for summer; but unfortunately, I don’t see that happening. They’re too invested in Reigns/Ambrose/Bryan VS. Orton/Triple H/Rollins, and that is probably going to be the main feud for July/August.
Very intrigued by Cody Rhodes’ new persona. If this puts them back on the main Tag-Team winning side, and another run with the Titles, I’m all for it!
Funny enough, the first three matches all ended with either a DQ or count-out; I am OK with this, since it helps continue the feud for the wrestlers in those matches (Rollins/Ambrose/Barrett/Sheamus/Wyatt)
Bogus: Kevin Hart – he added nothing to the show. The mixed-tag match really could’ve been saved for (maybe) Smackdown, but for sure Main Event.
Poor Heath Slater – the man does have a decent amount of charisma and great wrestling ability; I’d like to see him get a good push instead of squashed week-after-week. They should’ve saved Rusev for JUST the Battle Royal and not have him decimate Slater.
As much as I liked their match, I actually would’ve liked to see another person other than John Cena in the M.I.T.B. Ladder match. I really hope they don’t have him or Orton win the Title (again!), but unfortunately, it is looking that way until Bryan is able to wrestle again.
All-in-all, a great edition of Raw. Like I wrote above, this really could’ve been the “go-home” show and left us satisfied until Money In The Bank! I do wonder how they are going to top tonight to leave us suspenseful next week until the Pay-Per-View?
Until then, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
TNA today announced that it has reached a deal with Matt Hardy to appear at the upcoming Impact television tapings in New York City to reunite with his brother Jeff Hardy.
This will be Matt’s first time in TNA since mid 2011. He joined TNA in January of that year but was suspended from the company just six months later and in August he was released after a DWI arrest.
The Hardy Boyz did reunite in TNA during an episode of Impact in January 2011 defeating Mr. Anderson and Rob Van Dam.
Jeff Hardy has been wrestling as Willow since he returned in February of this year.
Do you miss Legends’ House on the WWE Network? The good news is that there is one episode left – a reunion show which will air this Thursday at 8PM EST on the WWE Network.
The cast of the show – Mean Gene Okerlund, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Hillbilly Jim, Howard Finkel, Jimmy Hart, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Pat Patterson, and Tony Atlas – were present for the reunion show which was shot last year in Florida. The original footage of Legends’ House was shot in 2012.
WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler will be hosting the reunion show.
The 2014 Special Olympics USA Games kicked off last night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, last night and WWE had a big hand in the production.
WWE signed up as a Founding Partner of the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games and will be promoting the games on their TV broadcasts, live events, digital and social media.
Apart from that, WWE will serve as the Official Production Partner of the Games, filming the opening ceremonies as well as producing daily recaps of the sporting competitions and special events throughout the Games. WWE will also produce an hour-long television show highlighting the Games.
Several WWE Superstars and Divas have been volunteering in the lead up to the Games and The Big Show, David Otunga, and Stephanie McMahon were present for last night’s opening ceremony. In addition, WWE employees will be volunteering throughout the Games and the company has also made a financial contribution to support the event.
WWE’s involvement with the Special Olympics USA Games was announced at WrestleMania 29 in New Jersey last year when Stephanie McMahon joined NJ Governor Chris Christie, SONA President Bob Gobrecht, 2014 USA Games Chairman TJ Nelligan, SONJ President Marc Edenzon and Special Olympics athletes on stage for a presentation.
The third inductees into the TNA Hall of Fame were revealed yesterday at the Slammiversary pay-per-view and they are Team 3-D: Bully Ray and Devon.
The duo – considered to be the most decorated tag team in professional wrestling history – made their TNA debut in October 2005 after WWE opted not to keep the duo that year.
Both Ray and Devon continued their tag team run till 2010 when at the Bound For Glory pay-per-view they decided to retire. At the Impact show following the PPV, Ray turned on Devon to start a feud between the two.
Devon eventually departed TNA while Ray re-signed with the company and started the Aces & Eights angle. Devon returned a few months later to be revealed as one of the surprise members of the faction.
Devon once again left the company in August 2013 when a five on five match between Aces & Eights and Main Event Mafia had a stipulation where the loser of the fall would be forced to leave TNA.
Bully Ray continued his TNA duties and won the World Heavyweight title twice and was involved in a big angle with Hulk Hogan and his daughter Brooke.
Their announcement in the Hall of Fame was made by Kurt Angle and both Bully Ray and Devon were present. A video of Team 3D’s accomplishment which was produced by TNA can be seen below.
Here are the results from last night’s Slammiversary pay-per-view which took place from the College Park Center at the University of Texas at Arlington in Arlington, Texas.
Sanada retained the X Division title by defeating Tigre Uno, Manik, Crazzy Steve, Eddie Edwards, and Davey Richards in a ladder match; Samoa Joe defeated Bobby Lashley; Magnus defeated Willow; Austin Aries defeated Kenny King; Ross and Marshall Von Erich defeated The BroMans; Angelina Love defeated Gail Kim to retain the Knockouts title; Ethan Carter III defeated Bully Ray in a Texas death match; Mr. Anderson defeated James Storm; Eric Young defeated Bobby Lashley and Austin Aries in a three way steel cage match to retain the TNA Heavyweight title.
Live tonight from the College Park Center at the University of Texas at Arlington in Arlington, Texas, TNA presents Slammiversary on pay-per-view. The full card is as follows:
Samoa Joe vs Bobby Lashley; Austin Aries vs Kenny King; Eric Young vs the winner of Joe/Lashley and Aries/King for the TNA title in a three way steel cage match; EC3 vs Bully Ray in a Texas death match; Manik vs Tigre Uno vs Crazzy Steve vs Sanada vs Eddie Edwards vs Davey Richards in a ladder match for the X Division title; Angelina Love vs Gail Kim for the Knockouts title; Willow vs Magnus; James Storm vs Mr. Anderson; and an appearance by the the Von Erich family. Also Kurt Angle will announce the third inductee into the TNA Hall of Fame.
We don’t know if AJ Lee skipped all the way down the aisle, but we do know that AJ and CM Punk got married this weekend in a very small and private ceremony.
The perfect example of life imitating art, which happens a lot between WWE couples, Punk and AJ started dating shortly after their angle between them and while it was never acknowledged during WWE programming it was something that was not a secret among the Internet wrestling community.
The only time that it came close of being acknowledged was when AJ Lee, the day after WrestleMania XXX, told the fans on RAW that she was “the best Diva in the world,” a statement which sparked a lot of CM Punk chants for the obvious reasons.
AJ has been off WWE television since that day and Punk has been enjoying life outside wrestling since the day after the Royal Rumble when he quit the business. Lee has been living with Punk in Chicago for a while now and last month CM Punk announced that he was getting married in June.
The former WWE Divas champion is expected to resume her WWE duties in a few weeks while Punk’s contract will expire in July.
Bray Wyatt was added to the Money In The Bank ladder match for the vacated WWE World Heavyweight title after he defeated Dean Ambrose last night on Smackdown.
Wyatt joins Del Rio, Sheamus, Cesaro, and Randy Orton who will be participating in that particular ladder match. Apparently only one Superstar is left to be added rather than two as previously indicated.
Meanwhile, it was also made official on WWE.COM that Luke Harper and Erick Rowan will be taking on The Usos for the WWE Tag Team titles.
While Curt Hawkins called Mark Henry an idiot on Twitter for posting a message saying he’ll be 18 years in WWE and “still here” just after 11 of his fellow wrestlers were released, Henry was not impressed and pretty much threatened Hawkins.
“I know where you live dude it’s a small world. An apology is due,” Henry wrote on Twitter, adding that his post was about his 18 year journey and “that’s what came out.”
Basically, when one of the world’s strongest men tells you to apologize, you bloody apologize because like he said, he knows where you live, and that scenario doesn’t seem like it has a happy ending!
The main event for this Sunday’s Slammiversary was announced at ImpactWrestling.com following the announcement that MVP was unable to wrestle.
The main event will now be a steel cage three way match with Eric Young defending the title against the winner of Samoa Joe vs Bobby Lashley and the winner of Austin Aries vs Kenny King.
Many of those released from WWE last night used Twitter to thank their fans for supporting them throughout their WWE career.
Yoshi Tatsu said that it has been an amazing experience and thanked the Yoshi Army for the past six years.
Former 3MB member Jinder Mahal thanked WWE for the opportunity and for the chance to see the world. “Excited to see what the future brings,” he wrote.
Evan Bourne apologized to his fans for not getting back on television after he broke his foot but thanked WWE for all the good times.
Brodus Clay said he’s proud of all the obstacles he fought through WWE. “Now greatness is on me. There is no sadness or bad feelings only opportunity for me to #BreakBreadOrPlayDead so no sad tweets or messages,” he wrote.
JTG had a funnier side to his tweet, simply writing, “Damn! Why I pick up my phone!” All released talent are told they got the pink slip through a phone call.
Curt Hawkins got into an argument with Mark Henry after Henry posted a tweet which might seem in bad taste considering several of his co-workers were fired.
“Here we stand 18 years in August. Still here,” Henry wrote following the announcement of those all released.
Hawkins took exception to the tweet. “Your colleagues lose their jobs & you tweet that? You’re an idiot Mark,” he wrote. He then announced that he already booked his first indy gig and will be appearing at Jersey Championship Wrestling all weekend long.
The main event for this Sunday’s Slammiversary pay-per-view has been canceled just three days prior to the show as MVP has not been cleared to wrestle.
MVP injured his knee when he was working a match at an indy show in Preston in the United Kingdom last weekend. He did not wrestle the next night and was on crutches during the show, telling the fans that he heard a pop in his knee.
TNA’s John Gaburick posted on Twitter that MVP is suffering from a torn meniscus and doctors would not clear him for the pay-per-view. He was set to wrestle Eric Young for the TNA title in the main event.
“A fair replacement main event for #Slammiversary will be announced later today,” Gaburick wrote.
The big Pat Patterson reveal on last night’s season finale of Legends’ House was that he announced he is gay.
That was probably wrestling’s worst kept secret as everybody in the business is aware that Patterson was gay although he might have not acknowledged it publicly.
Patterson “broke the news” during dinner to the rest of the cast mates. “I survived all this being gay,” Patterson revealed. He said that he has been in the closet for 50 years and it was time to say it publicly. He also said that he had a partner for 40 years but he has passed due to a heart attack.
The rest of the crew all shed a tear during an emotional speech from the 73 year old former Intercontinental champion.
He was the butt of several jokes but now the joke is over. JTG – one half of the tag team formerly known as Cryme Tyme – was released by WWE today.
Yes, you haven’t seen him on WWE television in months but the 29 year old from Brooklyn was still earning a paycheck from WWE. When the news that nine were released today, the Internet wrestling community immediately started creating memes of JTG because he wasn’t on the list of those given the pink slip however an updated list on WWE.COM confirmed that JTG has now been released.
He had been employed by WWE since 2006, signing a developmental deal and sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling before making his WWE TV debut later that year with Shad Gaspard as Cryme Tyme.
JTG became the 11th person fired today after WWE referee Marc Harris was also announced to be gone.
