The fourth match announced for WrestleMania was made official yesterday during the episode of Smackdown.
A six man tag team match will be featured on the show with the team of The Shield – Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, and Seth Rollins – taking on Ryback, Randy Orton, and Sheamus.
A Mark Henry vs Ryback match is rumored for WrestleMania as well which might see Ryback pulled out from the six man tag match and being replaced by The Big Show for the one-on-one encounter.
The other matches so far official are The Rock vs John Cena, Undertaker vs CM Punk, and Alberto Del Rio vs Jack Swagger. Brock Lesnar vs Triple H is set to be announced on TV on Monday.
Former ECW and WWE champion Rob Van Dam has revealed that his TNA contract has expired and that is why he hasn’t been appearing for the company in the past couple of weeks.
In an audio update, Van Dam said that he is now a free agent and free to join anyone however he wouldn’t be commenting on the situation as he doesn’t want to effect his ongoing discussions.
“I plead the Fifth due to the grounds that it may be detrimental to my ongoing business affairs. Thank you for understanding and very soon, we’ll talk about just that.” Van Dam said without clarifying who is he doing business with.
RVD was the X Division champ up until the end of February where he lost the title after a reign of almost 140 days as champion.
The TNA website ImpactWrestling.com has been “taken over” by the Aces & Eights, with a pop up welcoming you to the site saying, “This website is now property of Aces & Eights.”
Everything on the site is Aces & Eights related including graphics, news, merchandise, and everything else, except for the title of the page which still reads ‘IMPACT WRESTLING: THURSDAY ON SPIKE.’
All the sections of the website were removed from the menu as well leaving only icons for TNA’s social media accounts.
Playing the angle, TNA President Dixie Carter wrote on Twitter, “We are aware of the situation with our website and @IMPACTWRESTLING. Working with IT to get it fixed right away. This won’t be tolerated.”
This is a re-creation of what WCW did with the nWo back in the mid/late 90s.
WWE’s Chief Marketing Officer Michelle Wilson was ranked number six in the ten most influential women in sports in a Sports Illustrated story this week.
Wilson oversees WWE’s global marketing including PPVs, advertising, promotions, research, creative services and even public and government relations. On top of all that, she also oversees the company’s integrated media sales and sponsorship business and is one of the most powerful females in WWE’s chain of command.
She joined WWE in February 2009 as Executive Vice President of Marketing before getting the promotion in 2011.
Impact is in Chicago tonight and begins with a recap of Lockdown and Bully Ray’s title win and betrayal of the Hogan family.
Match #1: Tag title match, Chavo and Hernandez versus champions Austin Aries and Bobby Roode.
Chavo and Hernandez come out first, but before Aries and Roode are even introduced, Aces and Eights run into the ring and destroy Chavo and Hernandez. Bully Ray introduces himself as the President of Aces and Eights and brags about using Sting, screwing Brooke, and making a fool of Hogan and all of us.
Bully Ray dares Hogan to fire all of them, claiming Hogan doesn’t have the balls. In the back, Sting is pacing angrily. Sting tells us he needs to get Bully Ray and he needs to talk to Hogan.
Commercial
When we return, Gail Kim offers her condolences to Brooke Hogan, and thanks Brooke for putting referee Taryn Tyrrell on probation. In the Knockouts title match at Lockdown, Taryn and Gail got into a brawl that resulted in Velvet Sky pinning Gail Kim.
Match #1: Tara and Gail Kim versus Mickie James and Velvet Sky.
Velvet and Gail Kim start the match off. Velvet gets Gail in a headlock; Gail escapes and knocks Velvet to the mat with a shoulder block. Velvet trips Gail up and then takes her down with a Japanese armdrag. Velvet knocks Gail down and tags in Mickie; Velvet and Mickie double team Gail. Mickie lands a punch, a kick and then an Enzuigiri.
Commercial
When we return, Mickie and Tara are fighting back and forth in the corner. Tara gets Mickie in a tarantula; a hold which has to be broken before a count of 5 because it is applied in the ropes.
Mickie falls out to the floor and Gail rolls her back in. Gail and Tara hit Mickie with a double slingshot vertical suplex. Gail puts the boot to Mickie’s face; Mickie escapes and hits Gail with a hurricanrana. Mickie clotheslines Gail and tags in Velvet. Gail makes it to her corner and tags in Tara.
Velvet hits Tara with a pair of clotheslines and a back elbow. Velvet takes Tara down with a side Russian leg sweep. Gail enters the ring and starts to argue with referee Taryn Tyrrell and then pushes her. Taryn slaps Gail.
Mickie goes to the top rope and hits Gail with a Thesz Press. Tara and Velvet are still the two legal wrestlers. In the confusion, Velvet hits Tara with “In YO Face” for the win.
In the Aces and Eights clubhouse, the evildoers are celebrating their success. Bully Ray remarks that he hasn’t heard from his wife lately. Bully calls Brooke’s cell phone and leaves a message asking why she won’t return his calls, and then he tells her to say hi to dad. All the evil people laugh triumphantly.
Match #2: Robbie E versus Rob Terry.
Robbie tells us that Rob Terry’s win at Lock Down was a fluke, and he won’t be so lucky tonight. Robbie lands a couple punches to start things off. Terry seems unimpressed and flattens Robbie with a shoulder block.
Terry throws Robbie E around the ring a couple times and then flattens him with a running elbow. Terry picks Robbie up and plants him with a jackhammer, then the freakbuster for the win. Terry does his silly dancing routine after.
Commercial
When we return, Bully Ray and the rest of Aces and Eights pick a random person to take out later tonight. It looks like we’ll have to wait to find out whom.
In the back, Sting approaches Hogan, who does NOT appear receptive. Hogan blames Sting for convincing him that Bully Ray can be trusted. Hogan tells Sting everything that happened is his fault orders him to leave and tells Sting “You make me sick.”
Commercial
When we return, Austin Aries and Bobby Roode mock Sting. They tell Sting that everything that has gone wrong is his fault. They even claimed that after they defended their tag title against Chavo and Hernandez (the opening match that never happened) that they were going to give Sting and Hogan a shot, but now they can’t.
Sting tells them to shut up and says he wants to fight. Aries tries to argue that Bobby Roode would be the perfect guy to fight Sting, but Bobby has already snuck away. Sting tells Aries they are fighting tonight.
Back in the ring, Kirsty Hemme introduces AJ Styles. AJ’s music comes out, but no AJ. Instead, Kaz and Daniels come out in Road Warrior face paint. The Road Warriors are from Chicago.
Kaz and Daniels brag about being better than the Road Warriors, and instead of ending the promo with “What a rush!” like the Road Warriors did, he says “What a tush” and points at his ass. Daniels and Kaz then give us permission to worship them. B
Before any serious worshipping can take place, James Storm comes out to interrupt them. Storm wants to know which one of them wants to fight him.
Match #3: James Storm versus Christopher Daniels.
Storm starts off strong and lands a couple punches and a backdrop. Kaz steps up on the edge of the apron and Storm slams Daniels into him. Shortly after, Kaz trips Storm up while the ref is distracted.
Daniels whips Storm hard into the corner and then hits him with several knee strikes. Daniels takes Storm over with a snapmare. Storm and Daniels exchange several punches. Storm hits Daniels with an inverted atomic drop and tries for eye of the Storm but Daniels slips out.
Daniels hits Storm with a urinagi and then misses with the BME. Storm hits Daniels with Closing time and then follows up with a backstabber for the win. After the match, Daniels and Kaz attack Storm and beat him down.
AJ Styles finally makes his way to the ring and chases Kaz and Daniels out, saving Storm. When Storm staggers to his feet, AJ clotheslines him and then leaves the Impact Zone.
After the match, we get a recap of the Lockdown match between Kurt Angle and Wes Brisco, which Brisco won after interference from Aces and Eights. I don’t care how big of a screw job it was; Wes Brisco beating Kurt Angle in a steel cage is just horribly, horribly wrong.
In the back, Wes Brisco is seen taunting Kurt Angle. Angle attacks and is beaten down by the rest of Aces and Eights who were waiting in ambush.
Commercial
When we return, Joe Park is making his way to the ring wearing a suit. Joe Park is here to tell us that being a part of the Impact roster and appearing live before his home town of Chicago is one of the proudest moments of his life, right up there with graduating first in his class at law school and making partner at the firm of Park, Park and Park.
Park is interrupted by Matt Morgan. Morgan is laughing about the mistakes Hogan has been making lately, especially trusting Bully Ray, and also hiring Joe Park. Morgan says he’s going to start correcting some of Hogan’s mistakes and orders Joe to leave.
Joe starts to leave, but then decides he’d rather stay and fight. Morgan says they aren’t going to fight on Park’s time, but on Morgan’s time, and starts to leave. As soon as Park turns his back on Morgan, Morgan kicks him in the head with the Carbon Footprint and tells Park’s unconscious body “and my time is next week.”
Commercial
Match #4: Austin Aries versus Sting.
The two men lock up and then push each other. Aries gets Sting in a headlock, takes him to the mat, and then spins on top of him before posing on top of the top turnbuckle. Aries gets Sting in a headlock, but Sting picks Aries up, places him in the corner, and kicks him repeatedly.
Sting goes for a Stinger splash but Aries gets out of the way. Roode gets in a sneaky trip and Sting is out on the floor. Sting and Roode fight outside the ring and Sting hits Roode with a Stinger splash against the guard rail. Aries goes to the top rope and tries to hit Sting with a double axe handle but hits Roode by mistake.
Commercial
When we return, Sting and Aries are trading strikes. Sting is getting the better of the exchange and clothesline Aries to the floor. Roode starts screaming and yelling and the ref sends him to the back.
Aries takes advantage of the distraction and kicks the ropes up into Sting’s groin as Sting was re entering the ring. Aries hits Sting with a suicide dive and then rolls him back into the ring. Aries hits Sting with an elbow, a snapmare, and then a missile dropkick to the back of the head.
Aries hits Sting with another kick to the back of the head. Sting gets to his feet and they exchange some more strikes until Aries hits Sting with a dropkick to the knee. Aries claps his arms around Sting’s head and Sting does the same to Aries. That move never really looked painful to me. Aries tries for a Scorpion death lock but seems to have trouble figuring out what to do, and Sting is able to kick Aries off.
Sting lands a punch and then takes Aries down with a clothesline. Sting goes for the Scorpion death lock, but Aries slides out to the floor. Sting makes his way to the edge of the ring to pursue Aries, but Aries snaps Sting’s head down on the top rope. Aries climbs to the top rope and hits Sting with a missile dropkick but Sting no-sells it and pops back up immediately.
Sting military press slams Aries and goes for a Stinger Splash but misses. Aries hits Sting with a running dropkick and then a Stinger Splash! Aries tries to get Sting up for the brain buster but Sting slips out and hits Aries with the Scorpion death drop!
Aries kicks out at 2 but then Sting hits him with a Stinger splash! Sting applies the Scorpion death lock and Aries looks in trouble. Before Aries can tap out, Aces and Eights come in and attack Sting and Aries. The match gets thrown out and Sting and Aries get beat up. Bully Ray asks where Hogan is and dares him to come out and fire them.
Commercial
When we return, Hulk Hogan comes out in crutches. Hogan tells us that firing them would be too easy, it would be the cowards way out. Instead, he’s empowered everyone in TNA to come out and go after Aces and Eights.
Several TNA stars come out, including Angle, Samoa Joe, and they all attack Aces and Eights. The brawl goes back and forth for a while, but eventually Aces and Eights beat everyone down, with Bully Ray finishing them off with his steel chain.
Bully Ray then walks towards Hogan and asks him if this is memorable enough for him. Bully tells Hogan his cavalry is dead and asks what is he going to do now?
WWE Superstar Jimmy Uso was arrested in Hillsborough County, Florida, yesterday and was charged for driving under the influence. He was released around 3PM on the same day on a $500 bond.
This is his second DUI charge after in September of 2011, he was arrested in Tampa after he drove the wrong way on a one-way street and then failed a breathalyzer test.
Ticketmaster.com is out of WrestleMania tickets in any section and any price range anywhere in the MetLife Stadium.
The stadium is being configured to hold just over 71,700 fans in total with the majority of the seats carrying a price of $175, almost 19,000 of them. There are over 16,000 seats selling for $35 and over 10,000 going for $60.
More tickets will be released when TV production and stage is completely figured out later on in the month. If WWE completely sells out the place there will be over $12,000,000 in gate revenue.
WWE champion Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will be appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Thursday, March 21, to promote his new movie G.I. Joe: Retaliation and obviously WrestleMania 29. He will be the first guest on the show, which also has Chris Paul, and Atlas Genius appearing afterward.
The Rock was in Korea this week – South Korea that is – for the press conference and red carpet launch of G.I. Joe with his co-stars and just like he said he would, he carried the WWE title with him. You can see a photo of The Rock with title at the Seoul World Premiere at Times Square below.
Hulk Hogan was among the high profile celebrities that had their banking information and social security number hacked after hackers targeted credit reporting agency Equifax.
Equifax confirmed the security breach on Tuesday according to ABC News after a Russian website posted the information online.
Celebrities who were hacked include Kim Kardashian, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Mel Gibson, Britney Spears, first lady Michelle Obama and others, including possibly Vice President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
This week’s episode of Monday Night RAW did a 3.3 rating with an average of 4,813,000 viewers for the three hour show. This is down from last week’ 3.5 rating, a show which did 5,018,000 viewers.
Hour one did 4,980,000 viewers, hour two dropped down to 4,890,000, and hour three dropped even more to 4,570,000. (Ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research and put online by PWInsider.com)
Tonight, I begin with a tribute message about William Moody, a.k.a. “Paul Bearer.” As many of you who read this report, know by now I’m sure, he passed away on Tuesday, March 5th, at the age of 58. I will talk more about him and my memories growing up watching him throughout the 90s and early 2000s as a manager, but for now, I just simply say “Rest In Peace” and God Bless, William Moody.
Monday Night Raw Report for March 11th, 2013 – “Remembrance and Respect”
Introduction Segment: Tribute
Justin Roberts asks the fans to rise to pay their respects to the late William Moody, a.k.a “Paul Bearer.” The amazing and sincere tribute video airs, with some new clips of his career and other superstars (Brodus Clay, The Miz) commenting. In the arena, the fans clap and the lights go out.
The famous “gong” then rings and The Undertaker, who Paul Bearer guided to superstardom, walks out. The Urn, a symbolic presence of Paul Bearer, and The Undertaker is in the middle of the ring. ‘Taker circles it, then gets on bended knee and stares, as a picture of William Moody in his Paul Bearer makeup is shown on the Titantron, with the words “In Memory of William Moody ‘Paul Bearer’ 1954 – 2013.”
Paul Bearer’s image quickly changes into C.M. Punk’s entrance video, and the “Straight-Edge” superstar walks out to irrespectively interrupt the homage. (Ok, honestly, you knew this was going to happen.) He does offer his condolences, but also his apologies, because “The Second-City Saint” claims that after WrestleMania, The Undertaker will be 20 – 1. The Undertaker just glares at him.
Up next, The Big Show will face “The Shield’s” Seth Rollins.
Commercials.
During the break, Kane had come out to try and take out C.M. Punk for his blatant lack of respect for Paul Bearer. Kane is tearing through the backstage area, looking for Punk.
Match #1: Single – The Big Show VS. Seth Rollins (with “The Shield” members Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns)
Big Show dominates early and quickly, shoving Rollins away as he tried to punch him, then chucking him through the ropes onto the other members. This turns out to be a brawl between all, so this bout ends in a dq.
Winner via Disqualification: The Big Show
Post-match, Ambrose manages to take Show down, and Reigns spears the heck out of him! They continue to assault him and signal for their Triple-Powerbomb. Impressively, Rollins and Ambrose place Show on Reigns’ shoulders, who drives the almost-500-pounder to the canvas! “This is justice!” shouts Ambrose, as they stand over Big and pound their fists together.
Segment #1: Office Promo
C.M. Punk barges into Supervising Manager Vickie Guerrero’s office, complaining about Kane’s attack from earlier. Guerrero rightfully informs him that he disrespected the memory of Paul Bearer and The Undertaker’s tribute, so he will in fact take on Kane in a match tonight. Punk slightly protests and then walks off.
Tag-Team Champion and “Team Hell-No” Member Daniel Bryan makes his entrance and prepares for his upcoming bout.
Ads.
Segment #2: Remembering Paul Bearer
Throughout the night, highlights of Paul Bearer’s career will be aired. The first is his debut as The Undertaker’s manager, on February 16th, 1991.
Match #2: Single – Tag-Team Champion Daniel Bryan VS. “Mr. Money In The Bank/The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler (with A.J. and Big E. Langston)
Elbow/collar tieup, which Ziggler turns into a wristlock, but Bryan flips into one of his own, then takes down Dolph with a flapjack. He locks in a full-on surfboard stretch. Ziggler quickly counters with a high, picture-perfect dropkick but gets reversed in the corner. Bryan kicks away, then hits a running dropkick for a near fall! Daniel begins to work over Dolph’s left arm, then tosses him over the ropes. He goes to run outside, but Langston hops up on the apron and stops his momentum.
Commercials.
Back live, the tables have turned, as Dolph now has Bryan in a headstand headlock. Bryan reverses a dropkick into a slingshot-into-the-corner and runs at him with a front dropkick. Ziggler delivers a boot of his own, but gets rolled up, however kicks out just before the count! Bryan nails him with repeated kicks, including a stiff one to the face for a two-count!
Ziggler climbs the ropes, but Daniel cuts him off and tries to bring him down with a back body drop, but Ziggler spins around in midair with a crossbody lateral press! 1 – 2 – kickout by Bryan. Dolph drops Daniel across the ropes and hits the Fameasser, but Bryan kicks out again!
Daniel grips on the “No-Lock” Crossface, but A.J. jumps on the apron and Langston pulls Dolph to the ropes. Bryan clamps it on again, but Ziggler works his way out of it, ducks a kick, and brings Bryan down with the Zig-Zag for the hard-fought victory!
Winner via Pinfall: “Mr. Money In The Bank/The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler (with A.J. and Big E. Langston)
Post-match, A.J. gives Langston a blissful look and he proceeds to plant Bryan with his finisher.
Ads.
Match #3: Single – Tensai (with “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay and “The Funkettes” Naomi and Cameron) VS. Fandango (with Dancer)
Much like last week, again lame, with Fandango refusing to take part because Tensai didn’t say his name.
Commercials.
Segment #3: Remembering Paul Bearer
His return in 2004, at WrestleMania XX on March 14th, is highlighted. (That was a cool entrance and comeback!)
Match #3: Tag-Team – “The Rhodes Scholars” (“The Intellectual Saviour Of The Masses” Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes) VS. “The New Age Outlaws (“Road Dogg” Jesse James and “Badd Ass” Billy Gunn)
Road Dogg begins with Rhodes, and controls early, knocking him down with a punch. Cody quickly gets back up and takes Road out with the Disaster Kick. Unfortunately, this match ends sooner, as Brock Lesnar marches out and obliterates Jesse James and Billy Gunn with F5’s.
Winners: No Contest due to outside interference
Post-match, Paul Heyman takes the microphone and recaps the fact that Lesnar has taken out all who are connected with Triple H – Shawn Michaels, Vince McMahon, and now the New Age Outlaws. Heyman then informs us that Brock is ready – he will take on “The Cerebral Assassin” at WrestleMania XXIX.
However, only if they can name the stipulations AFTER Triple H signs the contract. “And if you ain’t down with that, I got to words for ya – ‘Brock Lesnar’!” Heyman exclaims and then walks out with his client.
Ads.
Match #4: Single – Kofi Kingston VS. “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry
This is all Henry, cornering Kofi and splashing him. He knees him so hard in the face that Kingston flies out of the ring! Henry stalks Kofi, but runs into the ring post himself, and Kofi takes advantage, using the ring steps to jump off and hit Henry with a flying forearm! Kofi ascends and dives off with the crossbody, but Henry just catches him and plants him with the “World’s Strongest Slam” for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry
Segment #4: Backstage Promo
Cody Rhodes is making nice and chatting up Divas Champion Kaitlyn, when his partner Damien Sandow walks in. He tells him that they have a date with better Divas – doubling the pleasure, at it is with The Bella Twins, who are back in WWE! However, that encounter will have to wait, as Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero tells them that they have another match later tonight, against Sheamus and Randy Orton! “You’re welcome” she tells Damien.
Ryback is in action, next!
Commercials.
Match #5: Single – Ryback VS. Heath Slater (with “3.M.B.” Member Drew McIntyre)
I think you know how this goes – as Mark Henry watches on, Ryback polishes Slater off with the “Shell Shock” Marching Samoan Drop.
Winner via Pinfall: Ryback
Post-match, he and Henry “one-up” each other by planting Drew with their respective finishing maneuvers.
Ads.
Match #6: Single – United States Champion Antonio Cesaro VS. World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) (Non-Title)
Cesaro wristlocks Alberto then kicks at him in the corner, until Del Rio double-boots him and brings the U.S. Champ down with a Hurricanrana! Alberto dives off the turnbuckle with a beautiful crossbody. He tries again on the second rope, but is cut under by Cesaro, who begins to take control.
He runs at Del Rio in the corner with a European Uppercut, then tries another but misses. Del Rio now clotheslines Cesaro a couple times, and spins him around with a tilt-a-whirl slam. He gears up and nails Cesaro with a vicious kick-to-the-head. He ties up Antonio in the ropes and delivers hands to his kidney. Del Rio takes another chance off the ropes but driven down instead with another uppercut! 1 – 2 – 2 1/2 – kickout by Del Rio.
Cesaro can’t believe how close that was, but gets back to work, however his moves are countered and reversed into the Cross Armbreaker tap out!
Winner via Submission: World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio (With Ricardo Rodriguez)
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
Josh Matthews attempts to interview Kane, who just stands there and holds Paul Bearer’s urn in recollection.
Commercials.
,
Segment #6: Remembering Paul Bearer
Highlights of Paul bringing in Kane and their storyline from 1997 are recalled. (This was the year I really started to get into wrestling and was my first “true” introduction to Bearer)
Segment #7: WrestleMania XXIX Preview
A montage video, featuring the song “Letters From The Sky” by Civil Twilight, is played, chronicling the feud between The Rock and John Cena over the last year.
Randy Orton makes his entrance for his tag-team contest next!
Ads.
Match #7: Tag-Team – “Rhodes Scholars” (“The Intellectual Saviour Of The WWE” Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes) VS. “The Viper” Randy Orton and Sheamus
Orton hits an elbow and suplex on Sandow for two, then switches with Sheamus. The Irishman rolls over Cody with a fireman’s carry, but gets taken advantage of by Sandow, who took him to the outside. In the ring, Rhodes dominates, locking Sheamus in a grounding rear chinlock. Sheamus comes back with a harsh clothesline, then manages to tag in Orton.
“The Viper” hits clotheslines and a powerslam, then follows up with a t-bone suplex. 1 – 2 – Rhodes gets his shoulder up! Randy attempts the slingshot DDT, but Sandow pulls his partner out of harm’s way. On the floor, team “Rhodes Scholars” double-team Orton, then get Randy back in the ring, where they continue the double-team.
Sandow drops the “Elbow Of Distain” on Randy for a near fall! Cody in and works over his former partner. He takes to the top, but is cut off by Randy, and brought down with a huge suplex!
Both men tag respectively, but it is Sheamus who gets the better of Sandow, hammering fists across his chest against the ropes. “White Noise” is given and Sheamus hypes up for the Brogue Kick. He nails it as Orton drives Rhodes down with the R.K.O.! 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: “The Viper” Randy Orton and Sheamus
Up next, Chris Jericho and his “Highlight Reel” return with Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett and The Miz!
Commercials.
A clip shows that “The Shield” assaulted both Sheamus and Randy Orton during the break.
Segment #8: Arena Promo
“Welcome to ‘Raw Is Jericho!'” Following footage of “The Marine 3,” “Y2J” brings out the star and his guest – The Miz. Before he can get a word in, Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett interjects and boasts about his movie, “Dead Man Down” which opened in the top five.
Miz does a horrible English accent, making fun of (and putting to shame) Barrett and the British. Jericho just stands by while the two get into an argument about their movies and Miz pretty much challenging him to a match for the I.C. Title. He does finally say something, then takes off his jacket and gets in Wade’s face.
He reminds the “Barrett Barrage” of how he helped bring him into WWE and win the first NXT. He also recalls how he is a 9-time Intercontinental Champion, and out rightly issues a contest.
The “Assistant To The Managing Supervisor,” Brad Maddox, introduces himself and makes an announcement courtesy of him and Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero. He books The Miz and Chris Jericho to face each other now, for the #1 Contender’s spot to the I.C. Championship. The winner takes on Wade next week for the title.
Ads.
Match #8: Single for the #1 Contender’s Spot to the Intercontinental Championship – “The Awesome One” The Miz VS. “Y2J” Chris Jericho
The bout is in progress, and Jericho hits a backdrop and locks Miz in a semi-Dragon Sleeper. Miz fights out and whips Jericho into the corner, twice and hits a couple clotheslines, but gets shoulder-blocked down. Miz tosses Jericho over the top rope, but Jericho lands on the apron and the “Ayatollah of Rock N’ Rollah” dives off the turnbuckle with an axe-handle smash!
Miz catches him with a boot for a near fall. Miz runs at Jericho again, but is caught in a “Walls Of Jericho” position, however he still shoves him off. Miz tries a Figure-4, but Jericho turns it into another attempted “Walls,” which Miz reverses into a pin combo, only for Jericho to kick out.
Jericho finally clamps on the “Walls Of Jericho,” but Miz struggles and makes it to the ropes for the break. On the outside, Jericho whips into Wade, and predictably, he hammers away at both competitors, causing a double-dq.
Winner: None via Double-Disqualification
Post-match, Miz and Jericho double-team Barrett, laying him out with the both their finishers respectively, “The Skull-Krushing Finale” Front Russian Legsweep, and the “Codebreaker” double-knee-facebuster.
Segment #9: Video Promo
Another “We The People” video airs, only this time it is Ricardo Rodriguez and World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio dressed up as Zeb Colter and the “Real American” Jack Swagger, making fun of them, talking about Mexican food.
Obviously steaming mad, Swagger and Colter are on their way out, walking through the backstage area.
Commercials.
Segment #10: Remembering Paul Bearer
From WrestleMania XI, an investigation into the “missing” (also) late-great Hall-Of-Famer Yokozuna. This was following the casket match at Survivor Series 1994, where The Undertaker got revenge in a casket match with Yokozuna. (I was not watching at that point, so I’m guessing Yokozuna was off T.V. for a long while?).
Bearer was “interviewed” by a famous T.V. actor, who played the detective, alongside another Hall-Of-Famer, Mr. Fuji, who was Yokozuna’s manager. (Another great example of Moody’s superb acting skills)
Match #9: Single – Sin Cara VS. “The Real American” Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter)
Prior to the bout, Colter and Swagger rips Cara and Del Rio for the usual from the last few weeks. Sin starts off fast with his dodgy maneuvers, including a jumping body press from the top rope to the outside. Eventually, he is caught with a boot-to-the-gut after diving, and Swagger takes over. He begins to work over Cara’s ankle, then locks on the “Patriot” Ankle lock for the tapout!
Winner via Submission: “The Real American” Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter)
Post-match, Alberto Del Rio charges to the ring and beats down on Jack. He manages to clamp on the Cross Armbreaker, but Colter pulls his companion to safety.
Segment #11: Video Promo
Halle Berry, famous actress, is interviewed about her new movie “The Call.” During it, she is interrupted by both David Otunga and Kane on cell phones, talking about their connections. (This was just dumb, and goes nowhere – extremely lame.)
Ads.
It is announced that Mark Henry will face Ryback on Smackdown, Friday. (Man, I really hope not and they do save this until ‘Mania!)
Match #10: “No Disqualification” Single – “The Second-City Saint” C.M. Punk VS. “The Big Red Machine” Kane
Kane is carrying Paul Bearer’s/The Undertaker’s Urn with him, in another tribute to the late-great William Moody. Immediately, Punk suicide dives to the outside and kicks away at Kane against the barricade. Kane fires back with an uppercut and chucks him into the wall.
He hurls him into the ring post too, then drops him on the barricade and over into the time keeper’s section. Kane tears apart the announce table, but then gets a gut full of the ring bell from Punk. Punk axe-handles him from the barricade, but gets a monitor to his stomach in return. Kane drops the cover of the commentator’s table onto Punk, then elbows him on the apron.
In the ring, Kane sets up C.M. on the top rope, but Punk battles out and dives off with an elbow. 1 – 2 – Kane kicks out! Punk continues to kick Kane in the corner, then runs at him with the high-knee, twice. He attempts the bulldog, but gets shoved away and tossed over the ropes to the outside.
Commercials.
Back live, Punk gets out of an over-the-shoulder move, kicks him in the face, and flies at Kane with a forearm/elbow. 1 – 2 – Kane kicks out again! Punk sets up a chair in the corner, but gets reversed and whipped into the steel object back-first! Kane clotheslines C.M. numerous times and drops him with a sidewalk slam.
He puts Punk outside again and then throws a bunch of chairs back in the ring. Kane grabs Punk’s throat for the Chokeslam, but gets countered into a DDT onto the chair! 1 – 2 – Kane still kicks out!
Punk whales away with the chair to the stomach and back of Kane, then gives him a roundhouse kick. “The Straight-Edge Superstar” signals for the “Go-To-Sleep,” but the “gong” rings out, distracting Punk. He turns around into a third Chokeslam attempt, which is successful for the victory to Kane!
Winner via Pinfall: Kane
Post-match, The Undertaker walks out to the stage, and the shade to dark blue. Both Kane and Undertaker kneel, as the “In Memoriam” picture of William Moody appears on the Titantron again. Punk comes back in and hits Kane in the back of the head with the Urn, then continues to smash him with it, until Undertaker walks on down and gives the “throat-slash” signal, while Punk kneels at the top of the ramp like Undertaker with the Urn in hand, to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
I thought this was another great Raw. Many, many good things came out with solid continuing builds towards WrestleMania XXIX, and to be honest, the best was the entire show “given” to William Moody, a.k.a. “Paul Bearer.”
Excellence: The opening of Raw with the tribute to Paul Bearer. I thought that was very kind to do, very sincere. It was nice they dedicated a whole show to him, playing his greatest highlights throughout his legendary career. I’m glad they did it this way, instead of just mentioning it at the beginning or in the middle, like they have with others and not carry on. He was a major contributor to WWF/WWE and overall, in my opinion, the person who boosted The Undertaker’s career to what it is today. I also don’t have a huge issue with C.M. Punk interrupting the tribute – maybe yes, the shouldn’t have done it (I can see that side) – but at least it wasn’t overly distasteful (read: “heart attack”) and right now, it does fit into his character. Plus, they definitely wouldn’t have done that without Undertaker’s consent, of all wrestlers! As well, Kane taking umbrage with Punk too was a nice touch for continuity reasons as well. That was cool to see his passion for someone he cares about deeply.
“The Shield” Triple-Powerbombing Big Show was impressive!
Fabulous match between Daniel Bryan and Dolph Ziggler – the only question is – does this mean Dolph is back on track, or will this just be a “one-off” win, and he’ll be back to the way he was for the last few weeks? (I hope not!)
Love Paul Heyman’s promo and “threats” to Triple H. That will add more “steam” to their feud, and again, continuity with taking out the N.A.O.’s – “The Game’s” friends. (Although, would’ve liked that match to go a little longer – they “still have it!”)
Liking the rivalry between Ryback and Henry – if they are going to booked solid for WrestleMania XXIX, then the should NOT touch each other before then – leave that suspenseful! (So, in essence, somehow book their way out of upcoming match on Smackdown) The Bella Twins returning was a surprise, and I’m thinking they’re a good fit to be valets for “The Rhodes Scholars.” (By the way, also very happy to see them reunited – they should quickly win the Tag Titles for a long reign – revitalize the division.) Nice bout between Cesaro and Del Rio, however I (much like others) are concerned about a Champion losing week-after-week.
I liked the “WrestleMania Preview” for WWE Champion The Rock and John Cena. This was ok for this week, as since they’ve wrestled and did so much already last year, it would be the same and too much to have them on every episode. Plus, it was a great follow-up to last week’s promo between the two. (Granted, there’s only 3 now left until WrestleMania, so they need to be there next week onwards.)
The continuing feud for the World Heavyweight Championship. This rivalry is playing out beautifully, and again, right now, they have done no wrong!
Bogus: Fandango – same reason as last week. This is already old and stupid. Chris Jericho’s “highlight” reel. Way to predictable outcome there. Hopefully they turn this angle into a fight over the I.C. Championship and not movies, as that would be very lame. As already mentioned, the Halle Berry segment – that was just pointless!
The ending to Raw. I really think they should’ve just closed with ‘Taker and Kane paying their simultaneous tribute to Paul Bearer. Again, C.M. Punk interrupting at the opening was ok – it was mild and minimal, but the finish of Raw, I thought that it wasn’t necessary and too much. They had made their point before, and it should’ve been left at Undertaker and Kane giving respect to their long-time friend.
Overall, it was a pleasing episode, especially the recognition for William Moody and his contributions to the wrestling business. “Paul Bearer” was one of the three greatest managers ever, in my opinion, because he was a true character and really played up the part. (Side note/F.Y.I.: Jimmy Hart and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan are the other two for various reasons.) He made us believe in him and The Undertaker to start out with, and when he moved on to be a heel with Vader, Kane, and Mankind, respectively, he was great at being “smarmy” and a bit of a coward too. (When he’d go to hit a wrestler then run a way quickly.) The best part of him was his speech and mannerisms, whether cutting a promo or just being at ringside “cheering” on his charge (mainly Undertaker), Moody transformed himself into the role and was excellent at adding that extra energy to the match. He knew how to have chemistry and captivate the audience.
We will miss you William Moody, a.k.a. “Paul Bearer.” Thank you for all you did and who you were, and may you rest in peace.
You might have noticed something different yesterday during RAW. Yes, there was no John Cena.
The only appearance of Cena on the show was in a video to hype up the WrestleMania match between him and The Rock however the former WWE champion did appear in person after the show was over.
Cena was part of the post-show non-televised dark match, joining Ryback to take on The Shield.
“Great time in Indy tonight! Not on Raw, but after strictly for WWE live crowd. Hope they liked NEW TEE SHIRT,” wrote Cena on Twitter.
Since The Rock was not booked for tonight’s show the decision was made to keep Cena off television but still have both of them be a part of the show with that video montage.
WWE officially announced the newest pay-per-view of its calendar – Payback.
Set to take place on Sunday, June 16, at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois, the preview on WWE.COM describes the show as to see “just how far Superstars will go to settle scores and gain retribution against their fiercest foes.” It is not known if there will be certain stipulations for matches on the card.
Tickets for Payback go on sale on Saturday, March 23, at Noon CT at Ticketmaster.com.
Brock Lesnar gave his answer to Triple H last night on RAW as the former WWE and UFC Heavyweight champion decimated Triple H’s close friends – Billy Gunn and Road Dogg.
During the New Age Outlaws match against the Rhodes Scholars, Lesnar came out and decked out both former tag team champions with an F5 each.
Lesnar’s mouthpiece, Paul Heyman, ran down the men that Lesnar broke – HHH, Shawn Michaels, and Vince McMahon – before accepting Triple H’s challenge on his client’s behalf.
“The answer is yes,” screamed Heyman, but Brock Lesnar will only go ahead with the match as long as he names the stipulation for the match. And the stipulation will only be named after Triple H signs the contract.
WWE paid tribute to Paul Bearer yesterday on Monday Night RAW but as always, things didn’t go as smooth as they were supposed to be.
The show opened with the fantastic video tribute that WWE put up online last Thursday, followed by the entrance of the Undertaker. Undertaker walked down to the ring as an urn was waiting in the middle of the ring. Taker paid his respects by kneeling down however the festivities were interrupted by CM Punk.
Punk dissed the Undertaker and told him he will be 20-1 after WrestleMania 29 as he will beat the streak.
Throughout the show they also aired several clips from Paul Bearer’s WWE career.
At the end of the show, Kane fought CM Punk, keeping the old storyline that Kane was Paul Bearer’s son and Undertaker’s brother. After Kane defeated Punk, Taker came out and kneeled at the top of the ramp while Kane did the same.
However CM Punk recovered from the chokeslam, got the urn, and hit Kane several times with it, running away with the urn before mocking the Undertaker.
The Bella Twins returned to WWE yesterday in a backstage segment with the Rhodes Scholars.
The two were introduced when Damien Sandow said he had a plan for a double date and introduced the Bellas on screen.
“This sorry Divas division has never needed us more,” the Bellas told WWE Divas champion Kaityln who was also in the room.
The twins left WWE in May of last year when they were “fired” in a storyline by Eve Torres. In reality, the Bella Twins’ contract expired and they decided not to renew.
Brie and Nikki remained in the news after they left as both have been dating Daniel Bryan and John Cena with several photos of the foursome popping up online.
The Royal Rumble this year with the return of The Rock taking on CM Punk for the WWE title did 498,000 buys in total worldwide, with 322,000 buys domestically and 176,000 from overseas providers.
That is up from last year’s show which did 443,000 worldwide buys with Sheamus winning the Rumble. In 2011, the Rumble did 481,000 total buys and in 2010 it did 465,000 buys.
The STAPLES Center website has released information on this year’s SummerSlam, which once again will be taking place in Los Angeles, California, on August 18.
Tickets for the show will go on sale to the general public on Saturday, March 23, at 10AM PST and will be available at axs.com.
Prices for the show are $25.90, $36.25, $56.75, $88, $155.25, and $465.75 for the ringside seat complete with a commemorative chair.
This will be the 26th annual of the show, which is one of the original big four WWE pay-per-views. It will be the fifth year in a row that SummerSlam has been hosted at the STAPLES Center.
Several online insiders reported today that Michael and Daniel Moody, the sons of the late Paul Bearer, were flown to Indianapolis by WWE, the site of tonight’s Monday Night RAW.
It is not known if they will be asked to appear on the show or if they will be just hanging backstage with their father’s former employers and co-workers.
Some have speculated that Bearer – real name William Moody – might be inducted into the Hall of Fame although there’s zero confirmation of that at the moment. The fantastic video that WWE put up online last Thursday is expected to air on the show as a tribute.
Whatever happens, let’s hope they are not used in the CM Punk vs Undertaker angle to hype up WrestleMania.
