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Monday Night Raw TV report for 03/04/2013

By
W-O Staff
-

The nostalgia is in the air for Raw and I’m truly excited. It’s “old school” time, as WWE goes back in time. The question is, how far? I hope it is like last time and we see the true red, white, and blue ropes, vintage small set, and many surprises & flashbacks.

We also look to the future, as WrestleMania XXIX is on the horizon. With the main events absolutely confirmed now, how will the combatants of The Rock and John Cena, as well as Alberto Del Rio and Jack Swagger, antagonize each other? Will some undercard bouts be filled tonight too? (I hope so). And, who will be the next inductee into the Hall-Of-Fame?

All this and much more. So read on, to be welcomed to …. Monday Night Raw!

Monday Night Raw Report for March 4th, 2013 – “Old School”

Introduction Segment: Welcoming

Ah yes, the clock is completely turned back. Right away, the old WWF (minus the “F”) logo appears on screen, then the arena is shown, with a mixed set between early and late nineties (The “Raw” letters are underneath the one, big Titantron and side structures). The ring is decked out in the classic red, white, and blue too. Ringside has just a black gate barricade.

The lights go out and the famous gong is heard! Amid smoke and flames appears The Undertaker! The Phenom approaches the entrance way and raises his arms.

Now, Mene Gene Okerlund’s voice is overheard as he talks about tonight’s “Old-School Raw,” citing the number of former superstars that may appear. The old Raw video (mixed with past and present superstars) plays, then the “popcorn” pyro blasts above the ring. Michael Cole and Jerry “The King” Lawler welcome us at ringside, sitting at the bare announce table, much like the mid 90s.

Segment #1: Arena Promo

“The Straight-Edge Superstar” C.M. Punk walks out. He says that he should be the one facing The Rock at WrestleMania XXIX for the WWE Championship. He should be in the main-event. However he is not, because as he claims, the fans stole that from him. So, instead, he is going to steal something from them.

Punk tells the fans they like numbers, so he is going to give them one – 20 and 1. C.M. declares that he will face and defeat The Undertaker at WrestleMania. Punk talks about streaks, between ‘Takers 20 – 0 WrestleMania streak and Punk’s 434-day reign as WWE Champion. He says that “1” in Undertaker’s stats will be “straight-edge.”

The bout is not made official though, as three other wrestlers claim that they want to do the same. Randy Orton wants another shot, saying that he has grown up since 2005, when he last met “The Deadman” at the “show of shows.” The Big Show makes his claim, saying that he now has the “knockout” to do so. Sheamus now enters the festivities, truthfully saying he is new blood, and has never taken on ‘Taker before, so “The Phenom” has no idea what he’s about.

To settle all this, Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero walks out and declares a (predictable) Fatal-4-Way between the wrestlers in the ring. The winner will have a chance to break The Undertaker’s streak at WrestleMania XXIX and etch his “legacy.”

Also tonight, John Cena will come face-to-face with WWE Champion The Rock for the first time since last year’s WrestleMania XXVIII. And, Triple H will address Brock Lesnar later.

Up next, Ryback is in action!

Commercials.

Match #1: Single – United States Champion Antonio Cesaro VS. Ryback (Non-Title)

As Cesaro made his entrance, a side video airs of him making fun of Ryback’s lack of speaking, while he himself can talk in five different languages. Antonio tries to get an advantage quick with a couple dropkicks and an uppercut, but Ryback blocks and corners the U.S. Champ. He picks him up and turns him around into a over-shoulder-powerslam. Ryback brings Cesaro back in the ring with a walking-stalling suplex and covers for a near-fall!

Cesaro counters with a headbutt, then punches away in the corner. He uses the top rope as a jawbreaker, but gets Military-Pressed as he tried a top-rope manoeuvre. Outside, Antonio runs Ryback into the post and the barricade, but Ryback manages to roll back before the count-out.

Ads.

Back live, Cesaro has Ryback clutched in a rear chinlock, but the big man battles out. He counters a run with a high back body drop and spinebuster, then gears up for the “Meathook” clothesline, but gets a stiff uppercut instead! Cesaro puts him in position for “The Neutralizer,” but Ryback manages to reverse into the “Shell-Shock” marching Samoan Drop for the victory!

Winner via Pinfall: Ryback

As he is walking to the back, Ryback is confronted by “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry. They stare each other down, as Henry walks right by him.

Match #2: Single – “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry VS. “Long Island Iced-Z” Zack Ryder

(I think you can guess how this goes!). Ryder puts up a decent fight, but quickly falls to a harsh clothesline and “The World’s Strongest Slam” by Henry for the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winner via Pinfall: “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry

Commercials.

Match #3: Single – “Mr. Money In The Bank/The Showoff” Dolph Ziggler (with A.J. and Big E. Langston) VS. “The Awesome One” The Miz (with Ric Flair)

They lock up and break away to begin the bout. Dolph knees Miz in the gut then punches him in the lip. He hammers away in the corner and delivers a harsh chop, then mocks Ric’s strut. This allowed Miz to fire back with a fierce hand and two kicks of his own, then he and Flair strut and have some fun for a quick break.

Ads.

Back live, Dolph is dominating again, dropping Miz with a neckbreaker. He grips on a grounding rear chinlock, “showing off” with a headstand. The two trade blows back and forth, then Miz slides through on apron into a sunset flip cover for two! Miz hits the back and neckbreaker combo for another close call, then Ziggler counters with a small package for two! Dolph jumps and brings Miz down with a DDT, receiving another two count!

He leaps on the back and begins to wear Miz down with the sleeper. Miz flip him over and throws him up in the air with a flapjack drop. He runs at Dolph in the corner with a clothesline, then dives off the top-rope with a double-axe-handle! A.J. climbs in the ring, which distracts the referee enough so Big E. can knock Miz down.

Flair intervenes and chops away at Langston, but to no effect on the big man. However, Miz slides out with a dropkick, taking out Ziggler’s bodyguard.

Dolph rolls-up Miz from behind, but Miz still kicks out! He catches a jumping Dolph and locks him in the Figure-4 submission for the inevitable tap-out!

Winner via Submission: The Miz (with Ric Flair)

Up next, they’re coming out early as WWE Champion The Rock will meet John Cena! (I truly thought, and think, this was to be/should be the last segment!)

Commercials.

Segment #2: Arena Promo

WWE Champion The Rock makes his way to the ring first with a huge ovation. He takes the microphone and goes through his usual routine of “finally….!” He quickly mentions how long we are away from WrestleMania (34 days) and then John Cena’s music hits. He appears at the entrance way, looks at the camera, and says “this should be good.”

Cena says he had to come out right now, because he has been waiting for this moment for (almost) a year. Cena lists The Rock’s accomplishments, then informs him that he doesn’t know what it’s like to tell the world “you have to do something” and then fail. Cena says that he told everyone he had to win their match last year, then he failed.

“It makes you feel worthless.” John says that he could not get over that and he collapsed both professionally and personally. However, he also credits The Rock for his turn-around. Cena declares that it wasn’t just a coincidence that he won the Royal Rumble the same night The Rock won the WWE Championship, and that after The Rock booked his spot at WrestleMania, Cena beats C.M Punk a week letter with it all on the line.

Cena says that he has been “gifted” to rewrite history and right the biggest wrong. He came out to give The Rock a 34-day heads up that he is not throwing this chance away.

The Rock is actually happy to see this Cena. He is happy to see that “fire” again in Cena. He only wanted to face him at WrestleMania, because he knew what it meant to Cena. The Rock says that the only thing they share is the absolute desire to succeed and they are the only two in the locker room with that passion.

It matters to The Rock, because just like Cena, he connects with every fan in the arena or at home. In 34 days, according to The Rock, Cena is not getting redemption, but instead getting an ass-kicking.

Cena retorts and quotes legendary boxer Mike Tyson. Cena says that he had the greatest quote in sports history, “in order to be the greatest that ever lived, you have to beat everyone living.” Cena says that he has accomplished every goal and jumped every single road block in his career, except for you. “At WrestleMania XXIX, you’re time is up, and my time is now.”

The Rock disagrees. He says that his time is just getting started, and quotes another famous athlete. “Winning is about heart, you just got to have it in the right place.” The Rock says that was from (shamed) man Lance Armstrong, who was “full of crap and so are you.” Cena laughs, and says that in 34 days, “at WrestleMania XXIX, I will become the WWE Champion.”

The Rock tells Cena that he just “crystallized” everything that The Rock and John Cena are all about. “You think you can beat me, I know I can beat you. And at WrestleMania XXIX, in front of the world, I will beat you – again.”

The two rivals glare each other with the WrestleMania prominently in the background.

Ads.

Match #4: Single – “The Real American” Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) VS. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan (with “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes” and “The American Hero” Sergeant Slaughter)

Loud “U.S.A.” chants as the Hall-Of-Famer gears up They circle around the ring and Jack hops out, grabbing the 2 x 4. He stalls for a few seconds, then clubs away on all three Hall-Of-Famers. He points to the WrestleMania XXIX sign and locks on the “Patriot Lock” Ankle Lock.

Winner: No Contest due to No Official Start

Commercials.

Segment #4: Backstage Promo

Josh Matthews attempts to interview Jack Swagger on his actions just now, but his opponent for WrestleMania XXIX, the World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio, attacks from behind. They engage in a brawl that is broken up by security.

Match #5: Tag-Team – Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell-No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan) VS. “The Primetime Players” (Darren Young and Titus O’Neil) (with “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase) (Non-Title)

Kane and Young start out, with Kane shoving Darren into the ropes and knocking him down with a shoulder-block. He tags in Bryan, who flies off the top-rope with a double-axe-handle. Daniel hits a high-dropkick for a two-count, and then has to fend off both “Primetime Players,” until finally getting clotheslined by “The Big Deal” Titus O’Neil.

Titus switches again with Darren, who is suplexed onto Bryan. O’Neil back in and clamps on a grounding rear-chinlock. Titus corners Bryan, but misses a running tackle. Daniel crawls to Kane, who comes in and dominates over Young.

He clotheslines Darren twice in the corners and then drops him with a sidewalk slam. Bryan nails running knees off the apron, and in the ring, Kane finishes this contest with a Chokeslam on Young!

Winners via Pinfall: Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell-No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan)

Post-match, “The Million Dollar Man” declines “The Primetime Players'” offer, shoving a $100 bill in Young’s mouth, then walks out with the victors. Bryan goes back and steals Darren’s money, stuffing it down the front of his trunks.

Up next, we see the back of another legend, The Honky-Tonk Man! He’s back to “shake, rattle, and roll” as Michael Cole says!

Ads.

Match #6: Tag-Team – “3.M.B.” (Drew McIntyre and Heath Slater) (with Jinder Mahal) VS. Tensai and “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay” (with “The Funkettes,” Naomi and Cameron)

Prior to the contest, Heath orders Honky Tonk out of the ring. This is a short one, as Tensai rolls up McIntyre following a missed splash for the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winners via Pinfall: Tensai and “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay” (with “The Funkettes,” Naomi and Cameron)

Post-match, The Honky Tonk man dances to his theme with the winners, and also smashes his six-string over the head of Heath. (Lawler had a great line – “he doesn’t have an enemy in the world, he’s out-lived them all!”)

Up next, Fandango will make his debut against Kofi Kingston. (Meh.)

Commercials.

Match #7: Single – Kofi Kingston VS. Fandango (with Dancer)

Fandango declines to wrestle, since announcer Justin Roberts did not say his name correctly. (This was stupid).

Winner: No Contest via Forfeit

Ads.

Segment #5: Arena Promo

After recap highlights of the fight between Brock Lesnar and Triple H last week, “The Game” is back and enters the arena. Triple H recalls that the last time he was in the ring with a microphone was eight days after SummerSlam, eight days after Brock Lesnar broke his arm for the second time in two months.

Then, he tried to convince himself and us that it was over. However, even though he did leave and did his day job as the C.O.O. of the WWE, he also trained harder than he had before and he is in the best shape in a long while.

He cites motivation from seeing Mr. Vince McMahon, his father-in-law, in the hospital following hip surgery. He saw his entire family beside Vince’s bed, crying. However, when “The Game” saw McMahon stand up and fight against Paul Heyman and Lesnar, that was all he needed. “The ass-kicker” is back, and as he looked at the WrestleMania sign, Triple H challenged Brock – “are you gonna show up and fight, or are you just gonna sit there and bleed?”

Commercials.

Segment #6: Video Promo

“The Shield,” Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns, discuss the events of last Friday’s Smackdown and the Fatal-4-Way for later tonight. “Nobody can trust us. Believe that. Believe in ‘The Shield.'”

Match #8: Champion VS. Champion single – Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett VS. World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) (Non-Title)

They circle around each other, and Barrett takes control with a big boot-to-the-gut. He hammers away in the corner, but Del Rio reverses and ties Wade up in the ropes. He delivers harsh fists to Barrett’s kidneys, then we see Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter walk to the entrance way.

Barrett slams Del Rio down with “The Winds Of Change” spinning slam for a two-count. Alberto fights out of a grounding rear-chinlock, and later manages to lock in the Cross Armbreaker on the ropes! He has to release before five, and does. Barrett gives Alberto knees against his head on the ring apron, then rolls him in for a near-fall!

Barrett misses a diving elbow and eats a boot-to-the-face,. Alberto is fired up with clotheslines and a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! He gears up and hits Wade in the head with a stiff mini-superkick! 1 – 2 – Barrett kicks out!

Barrett counters a run and boots him in the face again. He sets up for the pump handle, but Del Rio reverses that and another “Winds Of Change” into the Cross Armbreaker for the tap-out victory!

Winner via Pinfall: World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez)

Post-match, Colter and Swagger stare down their opponent for WrestleMania.

Ads.

Segment #7: Video Promo

Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter produce another video, talking about “Political Correctedness.” They rant about speaking about what you believe in, and what the Four Fathers believed in.

Match #9: Tag-Team – Primo and Epico (with Rosa Mendes) VS. “The New Age Outlaws” (“Road Dogg” Jesse James and “Badd Ass” Billy Gunn)

According to the fans, “you still got it,” and they truly do, as The Outlaws go through their usual routine, both on the microphone and in the ring. Road Dogg hits the “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” kneedrop, for a two-count, but is quickly taken down with a dropkick. Epico and Primo work him over in the corner, including a springboard somersault plancha.

Jesse finally makes a tag and Billy comes in, taking out both members, and planting Primo with a tilt-a-whirl slam and the Fameasser for the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winners via Pinfall: “The New Age Outlaws” (“Road Dogg” Jesse James and “Badd Ass” Billy Gunn)

Commercials.

Segment #8: Arena Promo

Many cakes and cupcakes are spread out on a table, surrounding by Superstars. “Mean” Gene Okerlund is brought out to introduce and celebrate Mae Young, because it is her 90th Birthday! Mae is guided by the Divas, as everyone sings “Happy Birthday.”

Unfortunately, they don’t get all the way through, as C.M. Punk’s music plays and he just bursts his way through, leading to….

Match #10: Fatal-4-Way For The Right To Face The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXIX – C.M. Punk VS. The Big Show VS. “The Viper” Randy Orton VS. Sheamus

Big Show is standing alone in the ring, waiting for one of the other three to try their hand first. Show takes out Punk and Sheamus, but Orton puts up a small fight. Show takes it to the outside, picking up Randy on his shoulder. Orton drops out and shoves Show into the ring post.

Sheamus is now squaring off against “The Viper,” but is brought down with a backbreaker. Punk slides in to try and get the quick win, but Sheamus kicks out. Punk slides back out and lets Randy and Sheamus continue to wrestle. Sheamus hits the “Irish Curse” backbreaker, and Punk tries to steal it again, but Orton kicks out and Sheamus manages to drag Punk back in the ring this time.

Ads.

Punk and Orton are going at it, with Randy firing up with a couple clotheslines and a powerslam. He even drives him down with a t-bone-like suplex for a two-count. Punk counters the slingshot DDT, but turns around into a springboard shoulder-tackle by Sheamus! He is now tied up against the ropes and clobbered (thanks Lawler!) by Sheamus, but Show comes in and delivers the “Final Cut” to Sheamus. 1 – 2 – Punk breaks it up.

Quickly, Show knocks out C.M. Punk with the punch, and Heyman pulls him out. Sheamus battles Show now, nailing him with a running, flying headbutt! Big comes back soon with a headbutt of his own, then ascends the ropes like Vader/the late, great Yokozuna.

He misses the drop-down slash, which allows Sheamus to muster up his strength and drop plant show with the “White Noise” drop! 1 – 2 – Big Show gets his shoulder up! Sheamus is gearing up for the Brogue Kick, but as he runs, Orton catches him in a powerslam.

Show rises again, and hits a pair of Chokeslams on both Orton and Sheamus, but Sheamus kicks out of his cover! He signals for another Knockout Punch, as Sheamus uses the ropes to aide him up. Show misses the Punch, Sheamus hits the Brogue Kick, then turns around into an R.K.O. However, Orton gets kicked from behind and knocked unconscious with the “Go-To-Sleep” by C.M. Punk, who covers and receives the victory!

Winner and Facing The Undertaker At WrestleMania XXIX: C.M. Punk

Post-match, as C.M. Punk basks in his huge win, his new opponent returns. The Undertaker walks back to the entrance way and the two intensely gaze at each other to close the show.

End Of Raw.

Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp

Another great show two weeks in a row, and it was awesome, just awesome, to see the old Titantron set again. In my wishes, this is the one that would be used EVERY week, along with the red, white, and blue ropes for all the Pay-Per-Views. They can keep the current setup for every normal Raw and Smackdown, but breaking this arena out more frequently for PPVs and special Raws/SD’s would be very cool. On to my finer points…

Excellence: The fluidity. Once again, I thought Raw was smooth from start to finish. As Jimmy Korderas, former WWF/WWE referee and now analysist on “The Score” here up in Canada said about last week’s Raw, tonight kicked off with a bang and ended with one – only tonight finished with the exact same people as it began. While it was very predictable/inevitable that C.M. Punk would be the winner to take on The Undertaker, I did like how they had some of “The Deadman’s” former opponents want to take another crack at defeating his “streak” and plead their case. The main event was set up nicely.

While Ryback/Cesaro was a throw-away, and in turn bad for the United States Championship, I like the pending feud between Ryback and Mark Henry. That could be a very solid match come Wrestlmania XXIX, and I think it will help either Ryback or Henry propel back to main-event status, as they are both over as face and heel, respectively.

Absolutely LOVED the promo between WWE Champion The Rock and John Cena. this is the seriousness and passion I want to see every week from them leading up to their monumental rematch at W.M. XXIX. No child-ish acts, just desire and fire. I kind of wish that WrestleMania was THIS Sunday, as that was the best way to leave off between them, in my opinion. Same with Triple H’s challenge/intense promo for Brock Lesnar. That is “The Game” I want to see!

Jack Swagger/Zeb Colter can do NO wrong right now and are playing this gimmick very smartly, and choosing their words carefully to speak “truth,” but not overly offend anyone that is actually “smart” to the product. (Like they said in their videos last week, depicting the difference between reality and fiction – that was also well done – kudos!)

World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio continues to rise in popularity AND wrestle some GREAT matches. Tonight’s with Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett was another beauty!

Also enjoyed “The Shield’s” video. Wouldn’t be something to have them cost The Undertaker his streak at WrestleMania? Truthfully, I can see both sides and not sure how I would feel.

The use of Raw’s Legends was well done. I thought it was appropriate (Mae Young’s Birthday Celebration) they didn’t take away from the main stories or “over shine,” (Ric Flair/Hacksaw/Slaughter/Dusty Rhodes) and they fit in nicely, with some just their for flashback reasons and fun. (Honky Tonk/”Million Dollar Man”/”New Age Outlaws”). I do think they should’ve had a Women’s Legends match, with either Trish Stratus (hello, Hall Of Fame!), or Lita. Otherwise, I was pleased with the appearances.

Bogus: Fandango. I think he is going to be a character that is “one-off” and they will quickly realize it will be a dumb gimmick. Dolph Ziggler and The Miz – while I loved their match tonight, I’m really afraid they’re getting stuck mid-card for WrestleMania and losing steam after so much build-up prior to 2013. These two should NOT be taking backseats and someone has to figure out how to use them properly, fast!

All in all, Raw tonight was a great edition, and it is starting to definitely feel like WrestleMania season. Everyone is turning it up and here’s hoping that can continue. Until next week, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!

Vince and HHH present Mae Young with a Divas title

By
Colin Vassallo
-

Backstage at RAW on Monday night, WWE celebrated Mae Young’s 90th birthday and while her on-screen celebration was interrupted by CM Punk, things went smooth behind the scenes.

Vince McMahon and Triple H presented Young a WWE Divas title with her name tag on it. Both Vince and HHH hugged and kissed Mae Young who thanked God for still being around her WWE family.

Young told Vince McMahon that she plans on wrestling when she hits 100 in 10 years time and McMahon asked her who does she want to wrestle and Young said Stephanie McMahon.

Vince said he would tell Stephanie that and he will bet his money on Young. The oldest living WWE Hall of Famer told Vince to tell Steph that she loves her and HHH apologized that she couldn’t be there with them.

It’s a great video which you can see at WWE.COM.

Undertaker vs CM Punk made official for WrestleMania

By
Colin Vassallo
-

CM Punk vs The Undertaker was made official yesterday on Monday Night RAW after Punk earned his way to try and end Taker’s streak at the biggest WWE pay-per-view of the year.

The Undertaker made an appearance at the start of RAW appearing on stage with a WrestleMania 29 logo shown behind him after the lights came back up. That was the Undertaker’s only appearance on the show.

CM Punk came out after the RAW open and challenged the Undertaker however Randy Orton, Big Show, and Sheamus all had the same idea. Vickie Guerrero fixed things with a fatal four way with the winner challenging the Undertaker.

The four wrestled in the main event on RAW and Punk ended up pinning Randy Orton after delivering a GTS for the pin.

This is not the first time that Punk will be wrestling the Undertaker as the two had a series of matches  a few years ago when Punk was going through his first World Heavyweight title reigns.

WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon joins Twitter

By
Colin Vassallo
-

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later, and it did! Twitter welcomed WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon to Twitter this week although the boss has not even sent an initial tweet.

The Chairman – who probably won’t even be close to Twitter activity as UFC President Dana White – joined after his daughter Stephanie and son-in-law Triple H also joined the social networking website last week.

McMahon is following only WWE-related Twitter accounts for now except for his good friend and soon-to-be WWE Hall of Famer Donald Trump.

You can follow Vince on Twitter @VinceMcMahon.

The Undertaker backstage at RAW

By
Colin Vassallo
-

PWInsider.com is reporting that The Undertaker is backstage at RAW today and will be appearing on the show tonight to kickstart his WrestleMania program.

Taker had been touch-and-go regarding his involvement at WrestleMania and it was only just very recently that it was decided that he would be a part of the show this year. He is rumored to be facing off CM Punk at WrestleMania 29, hoping to keep his streak alive by going 21-0.

The Undertaker has been off WWE television since the RAW 1000 episode back in July of last year where he made an appearance coming to help Kane. He wrestled at a non-televised live WWE event on February 23 in Waco, Texas, making a surprise appearance in a tag team match with Sheamus against Damien Sandow and Wade Barrett.

Rey Mysterio says he possibly torn his ACL again

By
Colin Vassallo
-

Former World Heavyweight champion Rey Mysterio announced on his Twitter today that he is back to see Dr. James Andrews as he fears he is suffering from another injury.

“Things haven’t been good since I stepped back in the ring,” Mysterio wrote. “Possibly ACL tear again!”

Mysterio suffered a knee injury during a non-televised live event in August 2011 and was out for 10 months before returning in July of last year on an episode of RAW.

He was attacked by Mark Henry last month and has been off WWE television ever since, including losing his spot at the Elimination Chamber match to determine the number one contender for the World Heavyweight title. He was recently removed from all advertising on upcoming WWE events.

WWE’s British broadcaster Sky warned over Wade Barrett promos

By
Colin Vassallo
-

W-O reader Ian Hamilton sent in word that Ofcom – the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications – warned WWE’s broadcaster in the UK, Sky, after they received complaints over the broadcast
of violent material, specifically the Wade Barrett “bare knuckle” fighter promos.

Ofcom received complaints after the promo aired during a Saturday morning showing of Superstars on November 10 of last year.

Most of the complaints were over whether the promo was suitable to be broadcast to an audience of which 50% were under 16 at 9AM.

Sky have said that they’ll edit out these types of scenes in future, and noted that they do already edit out headbutts and mild language. The full complaint and verdict is up on page 23 at http://bit.ly/Z2tPjb (pdf document).

CM Punk meets his 77 year old fan…in hospital

By
Colin Vassallo
-

CM Punk met his 77 year old fan in Syracuse, New York, yesterday, however the meeting did not happen at the non-televised event as originally planned as Tom Dotterer – who was shot in the eye during a robbery – was admitted back to the hospital.

The former WWE champion made good on his promise to meet Dotterer and traveled to the hospital for the meet and greet. Friends, family, and fans held a rally as well to collect money for Dotterer who then insisted the money collected to be donated to a charity.

Dotterer made the news after he was interviewed following the robbery saying that he was more pissed off about CM Punk losing the WWE title to The Rock than being shot in his eye.

You can see the news video clip about this story from News Channel 9 below.

Some Old School RAW appearances confirmed

By
Colin Vassallo
-

The old school Monday Night RAW tomorrow will see several WWE legends appearing although the majority of the show won’t revolve around the former WWE Superstars, and maybe Divas.

Those scheduled to appear according to TV listings are Mean Gene Okerlund, Dusty Rhodes, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and Ric Flair. More Superstars will be appearing however those are the only ones confirmed so far.

The Rock and Triple H are also advertised to be on the show although there will be no Brock Lesnar.

The Axe Murderer returns to Japan and rest of main card recap

By
W-O Staff
-

First up on the main card was the welterweights Dong Hyun “Stun Gun” Kim versus Siyar “The Great” Bahadurzada. This fight was all Stun Gun from the get go as he got Bahadurzada down early in each round and finished each round from the mount. I guess you can give credit to Siyar for not just giving up late in the fight when Kim had him in a deep arm triangle. Kim delivered a beating including posturing up from the mount and raining down double punches and elbows from the top. Kim took the unanimous decision 30-27 on all three judges score cards.

In a featherweight fight Rani Yahya spent much of the first two rounds like Kim did in his fight from a dominant top position. Yahya also like Kim had a deep arm triangle but being up against the fence really kept him from turning it and he would go on to let go and settle back into the guard of Mizuto Hirota. In the third round the clearly tired Yahya was nearly caught in triangle than arm bar submission but the smooth grappler was able to pop his way out of danger and survive till the end of the fight. Rani Yahya was awarded the unanimous decision by judges scores of 29-28×3.

In the “Thunder” versus “Lightning” fight Yushin “Thunder” Okami spent the first two rounds grinding away on Hector “Lightning” Lombard.  Okami was able to utilize his reach advantage than get the take downs trying to wear down the muscular Lombard. After two clear rounds for Okami Lombard came out the aggressor winging big right and left over hand punches. Okami looked to be hurt and flopped to his back. Lombard quickly dove on top and tried to rain down the punches but Okami was able to tie him up and prevented him from landing anything that could have ended the fight. Lombard clearly won the last round but after the first two rounds he needed the stoppage. Thunder took this one by judges scores of 28-29, 29-28, 29-28 for split decision nod.

After more than a year since his last fight the middleweight winner from the very first Ultimate Fighter season Diego Sanchez stepped back into the octagon. After going 2-2 at welterweight the former light weight title challenger made his return the ranks of 155ers. The man to welcome him to Japan would be none other than home town fighter, Pride grand prix winner and former Pride champion ‘The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi.  The man who now fights under the moniker “The Dream” had more of a nightmarish weekend as he was unable to make weight and had to give Gomi 20% of his purse. Than to make things worse Gomi landed the lead jab over and over again throughout the fight. Gomi also punished the body of Sanchez with thudding hooks. Gomi was the aggressor of this fight as he had Sanchez circling and back pedaling almost the whole fight. Once Gomi would back Sanchez into the cage he would wisely reset and get back to the center of the octagon to avoid being taken down by Sanchez. Sanchez was successful with his kicks to the body but not so much when he would go to the head or inside of the leg as he caught Gomi twice in the groin and was warned early in the second to change what he was doing or he was going to end up losing points. Sanchez was able to get a pair of take downs off the kicks of Gomi in the first than Gomi stuffed the rest of Sanchez’s attempts. Wow judges score the fight (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) to give the split decision nod to Diego “The Dream” Sanchez. That is surprising and most who are watching and on twitter see it the same way including UFC President Dana White who tweeted “How the fuck did Diego win that fight!? Crazy shit” Watch for yourself I would love to know how you saw it.

In the co-main event the heavyweights had their turn to entertain the fans. Former Pride competitor Mark “Super Samoan” Hunt who comes into the fight at 5’10” and 266lbs faces the 7’ “Skyscraper” that is Stefan Struve. The two heavies but on a very competitive fight as they showed all aspects of the mma game. Hunt looked good standing being able to get to the inside and land some punches on the much bigger man. Struve was able to stay in the fight because Hunt was more than willing to go into the guard of Struve and Struve was able to sweep Hunt a couple times, gain the mount and threaten submissions. By the third round both men looked exhausted. Struve was letting Hunt come in and tee off on him with leaping punches. Struve finally dropped his hands and Hunt landed a huge lunging (almost leaping to reach the chin) left hand that causes Dean to step in and save Stefan Struve and we see our first stoppage of the night since the opening fight on facebook. Hunt is credited with a technical knock out at 1:44 of round 3. Struve suffered a broken jaw from that last big hay maker.

Brian Stann stepped back up to light heavyweight for the night to face “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva in the building that captured many of his most memorable highlights and helped make him a legend in mixed martial arts. The two men come out right from the beginning and look to do nothing other than trade the biggest punches they can throw. Stann is able to drop Silva twice in the first couple minutes as they stand in front of each other but Silva is quickly back to his feet and telling Stann to bring it on. Silva breaks Stann’s nose across the bridge. With a minute left in the round they are winging punches again. This time Silva goes down pops back up and Stann is dropped now as Silva has his back against the cage. Silva goes down again after Stann connects. Silva once again is back up and as they clinch Stann falls on top of Silva as they go down to the mat and the round ends there with Stann gushing blood down on Silva. Round two was much more cautious as Stann was looking to land the straight punches and press the action while Silva wants to counter with the hooks. Silva does just that as he ducks lands the counter right than immediately follows it with a left hook to the chin and Stann is down. Silva pounces and Goodard is racing over to save Stann from any more punishment. Saitama Super Arena, the announcers and me at home go nuts as Silva jumps into the stands. What a fight especially that last minute of round one. Go back and watch it to see one of the greatest exchanges of all time. The Axe Murderer Wanderlei Silva gets the knock out victory at 4:08 of round 2.

Award winners and recipients of an extra $50K

FOTN Stann vs Silva

KOTN Silva and Hunt

UFC on FUELTV 8: Silva vs Stann preliminary card recap

By
W-O Staff
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Jon Anik and Kenny Florian are calling the action tonight from the legendary Sitama Super Arena in Tokyo, Japan as the UFC makes their first trip to Japan this year.

Welterweights (170 lbs)

Marcelo “Magrao” Guimaraes vs “The Ace” Hyun Gyu Lim

In the first round the much taller 6’3″ Lim worked the jab and striking well. He avoided all the take down attempts but for the last one in the round when he went for a stepping knee and Guimaraes was able to take him down but not do much in the last thirty seconds. In the second round Guimaraes was looking much better with his striking as he was able to counter the punches from Lim and able to get in and out with out being punished. Guimaraes was also able to score another take down.  Lim landed the stepping knee this time as Guimaraes was ducking down for another take down and connected to the chin and Guimaraes is knocked out.

Winner at 4:00 of round 2 by Knockout Hyun Gyu Lim

Bantamweights (135 lbs)

“Bruce Leeroy” Alex Caceres vs Kyung Ho “Typhoon” Kang

Caceres and Kang went the distance in this one. Kang was able to get take downs pretty much at will. His wrestling game was head and shoulders above Caceres but the crafty Caceres was able to keep Kang from landing any damaging shots from the top and over and over again was able to sweep or reverse positions. Late in the second round Caceres got top position and started landing the shots that counted by elbows and hammer fist. The third round was all Caceres as he was making Kang fight out of submissions or just punishing him from the top. This was a great show case of both fighters ground game as the were constantly working to better their positions.

Winner by Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) Alex Caceres

Lightweights (155 lbs)

Cristiano Marcello vs Kazuki Tokudome

Marcello rocked Tokudome with a right hand right at the beginning of the fight he rushed forward and went for the muay thai clinch and Tokudome lands a series of rights that looked to hurt Marcello. A moment later Marcello slipped and Tokudome jumped into his guard and from there he landed the left hand and kept the bjj black belt from doing anything offensive off his back. Early in the second Tokudome got the judo throw and spent most of the second round just like the first in the guard of Marcello landing some punches but mainly kept Marcello trapped. In the third round Tokudome dropped Marcello with a right hand that connected with the chin. Tokudome would spend much of the third just as he did in the first and second round.

Winner by judges scores of (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) for Unanimous Decision Kazuki Tokudome

Bantamweights (135 lbs)

Takeya Mizugaki vs “Kid Lightning” Bryan Caraway

These two 135ers fought for the whole fifteen minutes. Mizugaki got the edge in the stand up and was able to land a lot of punishing shots. Mizugaki found a home with the left to the body and over hand right that dropped Caraway. The second round was more Caraway as he had a tight guillotine and dominate ground positions in the round. Mizugaki took the fight in the third when he dropped Caraway with the right hand. Mizugaki also looked good fighting off the submissions from Caraway when Caraway was able to get one it wasn’t for long. This was the first win for Mizugaki in Japan and led to him hitting his knees and sobbing his way through the post fight interview with Jon Anik.

Winner by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) Takeya Mizugaki

Middleweights (185 lbs)

Riki Fukuda vs Brad Tavares

Tavares, who I had thought was a small middle weight, looked much stronger in this fight. Tavares was taken down three times in the first round as he telegraphed the right leg kick to the body. Tavares was able to quickly push Fukuda off of him each time and able to push Fukuda off of him and across the cage when he tried to clinch. Tavares punching was defiently the difference in the first as he was able to land repeatedly to the nose of Fukuda. According to Kenny Florian Fukuda was paying special attention to his left hand between rounds which was not shown on the Facebook stream. Tavares cruises in the second behind the lead left jab and right leg kick to the inside of Fukuda’s leg. Tavares mixing it up and grazed Fukuda with a spinning back fist. By the end of the third round Fukuda isn’t even closing his hand nor seriously throwing it. By the end of two both men have bloody face, the bridge of Fukuda’s nose and under the left eye of Tavares. Fukuda comes in to strike in the third and we see Tavares step to the side and land a counter right of his own. Both men were landing punches in the third but it doesn’t look like either man has much left on them.

Winner by Unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Brad Tavares

Bruno Sammartino to be inducted into the Intl. Sports Hall of Fame today

By
Colin Vassallo
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Soon-to-be WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino will be inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame today at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio.

WWE is sending Triple H to support Sammartino at the Hall of Fame ceremony, probably the best man for the job since it was Triple H’s persistence that led to Sammartino to accept WWE’s invitation to the WWE Hall of Fame.

Former California Governor and Hollywood action movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger will be inducting Sammartino into the International Sports Hall of Fame and rumors are that WWE is also trying to get Arnold to do the same for their Hall of Fame at Madison Square Garden next month.

William Regal to appear at WrestleCon on WrestleMania Sunday

By
Colin Vassallo
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Bruno Sammartino was going to attend this year’s WrestleCon, a convention held during the WrestleMania weekend where several pro wrestling legends meet up to have pictures and autographs with fans. However WWE pulled Sammartino from the event after he agreed to enter the Hall of Fame which will be held in Madison Square Garden.

To make up for it, WWE is sending William Regal to WrestleCon and the former Intercontinental champion will be signing autographs and taking photos from 10AM till Noon on Sunday, April 7.

WrestleCon will take place at the Meadowlands Expo Center on 355 Plaza Drive in Secaucus, New Jersey. For more information go to WrestleCon.com.

WWE to host 77 year old man who was shot in the eye this Sunday

By
Colin Vassallo
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The 77 year old man who was shot in the eye but was more annoyed that CM Punk lost the WWE title to The Rock at the Royal Rumble will be meeting his favorite WWE Superstar this coming Sunday as WWE rolls into Syracuse, New York, for a non-televised event at the War Memorial.

News Channel 9 in Syracuse is reporting that WWE has offered Thomas Dotterer ringside seats and a meet and greet with CM Punk on Sunday, something which certainly will brighten his day as he says he’s still coming to grips with the reality of having a different life than before the accident.

Wrestling has been his life-long passion and told News Channel 9 that it will be an honor for him to be there even though he’s not one to be too star-struck.

“It’s kept me youthful and it’s provided me with untold smiles,” Dotterer said about his love of wrestling.

WWE pay-per-view buys for the fourth quarter of 2012

By
Colin Vassallo
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Only one of the three WWE pay-per-views held in the fourth quarter of last year did more more buys than the same show in prior year quarter according to figures released in the latest financial results.

The Hell In A Cell pay-per-view with CM Punk defending the WWE title against Ryback drew 199,000 buys, a little more than the 2011 version of the pay-per-view which did 182,000.

Survivor Series did 208,000 buys compared to 281,000 buys from 2011. The 2011 pay-per-view had the return of The Rock teaming up with John Cena. TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs did 175,000, down only just a bit from the 179,000 from the same PPV in 2011.

WWE presented one less pay-per-view in the fourth quarter when compared to the same period in 2011 as Vengeance was taken off the calendar. In 2011, Vengeance did just 121,000 buys.

IMPACT TV report 02/28/2013

By
W-O Staff
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Impact begins with Bully Ray and Brooke Hogan making their way to the Impact Zone. Someone asks them if they have any news on Hulk’s condition, Brooke says he’s better, but Bully says he’s still messed up real bad and doesn’t want to talk about it.

Bully Ray makes his way out to the ring and calls out TNA champion Jeff Hardy. Bully tells Jeff he isn’t sure he deserves to face Hardy for the title at Lockdown, and thinks he was given this shot because he’s now Hulk’s son in law. Bully has been hurt and was not part of the series of 4 matches to determine a number one contender. Hardy says he’s glad Hogan picked Bully Ray: over the years they’ve swung a lot of chairs, climbed a lot of ladders, and busted a lot of tables.

Hardy and Ray are interrupted by Kaz and Daniels. Kaz claims Bully got the title shot as a gift from “Thunderlips” (Hogan’s character from Rocky 3) just like Hulk also gave Bully his daughter Brooke, so someone else could rub suntan lotion on her and post pics of her on Twitter.

This of course refers to the weirdly creepy photos of Hulk and Brooke from a couple years ago. Take a second to shake that image out of your head; you don’t want to think about it anymore. Ever.

Kaz and Daniels claim to be the real men, and give the crowd permission to worship them, but they are interrupted by Bully Ray.  Ray grabs Daniels appletini, drinks it, spits it back into the glass, and then throws it in Daniels face and says “real men don’t drink appletinis” and a brawl ensues. Hardy and Ray chase Kaz and Daniels out of the ring, and Bully Ray challenges them to a tag match later tonight.

Commercial

When we return, Magnus is lobbying Sting to be part of his team at Lockdown when they face Aces and Eights.

Match #1: Tara with Jesse versus Velvet Sky for the Knockouts title.

Tara starts the match off with a kick and a shoulder block in the corner. Tara tosses Velvet across the ring by her hair. Velvet hits Tara with a kick and a pair of clotheslines. Velvet lands an elbow and takes Tara down with a hurricanrana. Velvet tackles Tara and goes for a pin but Jesse breaks it up.

Referee Taryn Tyrrell throws Jesse out of the ringside area. Velvet hits Tara with a kick and “In Yo Face” (sit out double underhook facebuster) for the win. Gail Kim, the number one contender, notes that the count was a little fast. Gail thinks referee Taryn Tyrrell favors Velvet Sky.

In the back, Austin Aries is on the phone with tag team partner and Frenemy Bobby Roode. Aries is more concerned about a photo shoot than any match when he is interrupted by Chavo Guerrero. Chavo overheard Aries claim to be able to beat anyone and wants to challenge him to a match, but not with Chavo, with Chavo’s partner, Hernandez.

Commercial

When we return, Kenny king confronts X Division champ RVD. King tells RVD he IS the X division, and RVD replies that King isn’t the champ, RVD is, and RVD has already beaten King for the title twice. King asks if he thinks he can beat him three times. RVD replies that he will give King another title shot tonight, if King agrees to leave the X Division forever if he loses. King agrees.

Match #2:  Austin Aries versus Hernandez.

The two men lock up and Hernandez shoves Aries to the corner. Aries poses on the corner and Hernandez knocks him off. Aries gets Hernandez’ back, but Hernandez gets Aries off and hip tosses him. Hernandez clotheslines Aries to the floor.  Aries hits Hernandez with a shoulder block from the edge of the ring and then sunset flips back in.

Hernandez picks Aries up by the head and then knocks him down. Aries hits Hernandez with an elbow and then climbs to the top. Aries leaps off the top rope but Hernandez catches him. Aries slips out and tosses Hernandez out to the floor. Aries hits Hernandez with a suicide dive and follows up with a double axe handle from the top rope.

Aries rolls Hernandez back into the ring and lands several punches and a snapmare. Aries goes to the top and tries for a frog splash but Hernandez rolls out of the way. Hernandez hits Aries with a slingshot shoulder block and then drops him with a military press slam. Aries hits Hernandez with a discuss forearm and Hernandez responds with a huge tackle knocking Aries to the floor.  Aries starts to walk away and takes his tag title belt with him.

Hernandez grab Aries and throws him back into the ring. Aries hands Hernandez the tag belt, which the ref takes from Hernandez and takes back to ringside.  Aries takes advantage of the distraction by hitting Hernandez with a steel chain and then rolling him up for the win.

Sting is in the back and is still looking for another person to join team TNA versus Aces and Eights at Lockdown. Joseph Park is eating a bunch of ribs and asks Sting to be part of the team. Sting doesn’t seem too interested, but he does seem interested in Matt Morgan. Morgan however, doesn’t want to help Sting because Sting is friends with Hogan, and that makes him guilty by association.

Commercial

Match #3: Kenny King versus Rob Van Dam.

The two men lock up and King quickly gets RVD in a headlock. RVD escapes and takes King to the mat with a headlock.  King gets out and RVD reapplies the headlock. RVD takes King over with a German Suplex into a bridge, getting a two count.  King invites RVD to pose for the crowd.

Amazingly, RVD does turn his back on King to pose for the crowd. Predictably, King dropkicks Rob in the back, knocking him to the floor. King tries a corkscrew dive but RVD gets out of the way. RVD hits King with a springing back kick and drapes him over the guard rail. RVD leaps off the edge of the ring to hit King with a leg drop.

Commercial

King suplexes RVD and then pounds him on the mat. RVD responds with a kick and a bodyscissors takedown and pin attempt. King blocks a Van Dam monkey flip attempt, but RVD knocks King down and then hits him with Rolling Thunder. RVD goes to the top rope and tries a 450 splash but King rolls out of the way.  King hits RVD with a kick and then Royal Flush for the win! Kenny King is the new X Division champ!

In the back, Kurt Angle asks Sting who is on the list for the match at Lockdown. Angle seems surprised at one of the names, but seems more interested in some project he has.

Commercial

When we return, the 5 members of Aces and Eights that will be competing at Lockdown enter the ring, led by Devon. Devon claims Aces and Eights will dominate TNA at Lockdown just like they did at Bound For Glory. Devon is interrupted by Sting, who has come to announce the members of his team:  Samoa Joe, James Storm, Magnus, and one other member, and Sting says it’s going to be “Showtime!”

Ken Anderson thinks this is just Sting repeating his catch phrase and gets annoyed, but Sting was actually referring to “Showtime” Eric Young, who enters the ring and attacks Aces and Eights from behind.  Team TNA chases Aces and Eights out of the ring.

After the match we meet one of tonight’s Gut Check contestants: Ivelise Valez. Ivelise trains in MMA as well and cancelled a fight to be here tonight.

Commercial

When we return, we see Kurt Angle following the retreating members of Aces and Eights.  We are also introduced to the next Gut Check contestant:  Lei’d Tapa.  She is the niece of the Barbarian.

Match #4: Lei’d Tapa versus Ivelise Valez.

It wasn’t apparent from her intro video, but Lei’d is a BIG woman. Tapa grabs Valez by the throat and picks her up. Valez slips out with an armdrag and lands a kick. Valez gets Tapa in a guillotine, Tapa gets out of it. Valez gets Tapa’s back and applies a rear naked choke. Tapa gets out again and lands a couple kicks.

Tapa knocks Valez down with a couple clotheslines and then a bodyslam. Valez tries to fight back with a couple punches, but the larger Tapa knocks her down with a headbutt. Tapa whips Valez hard into the corner, and then again to the opposite corner.  Valez lands a punch and follows up with a DDT.

Valez takes Tapa down with a hurricanrana but Tapa responds with a big Samoan Drop. Tapa goes for a cover and gets 2. Valez pulls Tapa onto her, wraps her legs around her waist and gets her in a guillotine again and this time Tapa taps. Ivelise Valez wins by submission. Not a bad match.

There have been 2 Knockouts matches tonight and neither of them featured the use of the vagina or buttocks or bosom as a weapon.  Maybe TNA is starting to take women’s wrestling seriously again.

In the back, Austin Aries is looking for Jeff Hardy and finds him.  Aries tells Hardy he’s actually rooting for him in his match against Bully Ray at Lockdown. Aries claims that Bully Ray is now Hulks’ Golden Boy, just like Hardy was when Hardy beat Aries for the title.  I think Aries is being a little disingenuous.

Commercial

When we return, AJ Styles wife and best friend are being interviewed about what AJ has been up to lately.  His wife seems worried, his friend thinks AJ just arrived. We see enter looking hairier than usual, and unhappy.  He is not happy people from TNA are here and he hops back on his motorcycle and leaves.

Robbie E comes to the ring to call out his friend, Robbie T. The two Robbie’s have not been getting along so well lately (although they do still wear matching sweaters, which is adorable)  Robbie E feels like he has been a bad bro, and that he crossed the line when he slapped bigger Rob.

So Robbie E wants to make it up to him by having another bro-off for old times sake and giving Robbie T the spotlight for once.  Robbie E does his bro dance, which is stupid and yet sort of funny and yields the ring to bigger Rob. Bigger Rob starts his bro dance when Robbie E sneaks up behind him and smashes a large framed picture over his head.  Robbie E celebrates knocking his now ex-bro down, but Robbie T gets up pretty fast and looks mad.  Robbie E runs away scared as Robbie T flexes impressively.

Austin Aries is looking for Bully Ray and finds him lifting weights. Aries tells Ray he’s rooting for him in his title match against Jeff Hardy, despite having told Hardy the opposite just minutes ago. Ray isn’t buying it and tells him to leave.  Aries asks Bully to say hi to Brooke for him.

Commercial

When we return, we see Kurt Angle enter the Aces and Eights Clubhouse.  Tazz sounds outraged.

Match #5: Kaz and Daniels versus Bully Ray and Jeff Hardy. Daniels and Bully Ray start the match off. Daniels lands a kick and a chop and then salutes the crowd.  Bully Ray hits Daniels with a clothesline and a headbutt to the chest. Ray hits Daniels with a chop so loud that my chest hurt, and then hits him with another one.

Kaz and Daniels double team Bully Ray, take him down with a suplex, and then celebrate with gangnam style dancing. That dance craze is so five minutes ago. Bully Ray knocks them both down and then does some gangnam style dancing of his own. This dance craze has aged dramatically during this match; it now feels older than the Macarena. Bully Ray lands punches and elbows to Kaz and Daniels.  Hardy comes in and clothesline Daniels and then Ray and Hardy double team Kaz.

Commercial

When we return, Hardy and Ray do “Poetry in Motion” to Kaz and then whip Daniels into Kaz. Hardy and Ray try Poetry in Motion again but this time Kaz and Daniels break it up.  Daniels tags in Kaz and then hip tosses him onto Hardy. Kaz and Daniels continue double teaming Hardy.  Kaz hits hardy with springboard leg drop.

Jeff fights out with an elbow and then hits Daniels with Whisper in the Wind. Hardy tags Bully Ray and Ray clotheslines Daniels.  Ray hits Kaz with a back drop and a hip toss. Ray hits Daniels with a Urinagi and then a side slam. Ray throws Kaz to the floor and tags in Hardy. Not sure why they’re even bothering with tags, this match has been pretty chaotic.

Hardy gets tripped by Kaz from the floor. Kaz snaps the neck of Bully Ray on the top rope and then Daniels hits Ray with an Enzuigiri. Kaz throws some strikes at Ray, but Ray knocks throws him off. Ray gets Daniels up on his shoulders and then drops him with an electric chair.  Hardy comes off the top rope and hits Daniels with the Swanton for the win!

After the match, we see Kurt Angle enter the Aces and Eights Clubhouse and pummel Ken Anderson. Angle goes after Devon next and he’s got a steel pipe in hand.  Angle drops Devon and gets the rest of the group to back off. Angle starts to fight with the Aces and Eights leader and beats him down and unmasks him.

From our camera angle, we can’t see who the leader is, but Angle recognizes him and is shocked. He asks “how could you?” as the rest of Aces and Eights jump Angle. Angle gets beaten senseless by Aces and Eights as Impact goes off the air.

Hulk Hogan Uncensored event coming to NY on WrestleMania weekend

By
Colin Vassallo
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Capitalizing on the thousands of people who will be in the area for WrestleMania, TNA’s Hulk Hogan will be doing an event at the Beacon Theatre in New York titled Hulk Hogan Uncensored.

Hogan will be joined on stage by his friend and sometimes business partner Eric Bischoff to participate in a chat with fans, recounting stories from his wrestling career.

Ring announcer Dave Penzer will then moderate a Q&A with the audience where Hogan will answer all the questions put forward.

Tickets will sell between $30 and $300 with the VIP seats including a post-event meet and greet with the Hulkster as well as an autograph and photo opportunity.

Tickets go on sale on March 2 at Noon EST. A pre-sale will be held on Friday, March 1, at Noon EST and will end on March 2 at 11AM EST. Tickets will be sold on Ticketmaster.com.

The Beacon Theatre is located at 2124 Broadway between West 74th and 75th streets.

Orlando bidding to host another WrestleMania in 2015 or 2016

By
Colin Vassallo
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The Orlando Business Journal website is reporting that Orlando is submitting a bid to host WrestleMania again in either 2015 or 2016.

In the recently released Central Florida Sports Commission newsletter it was revealed that the Commission received a request for proposal from WWE to once again host WrestleMania in late March or early April in in either 2015 or 2016.

The last time Orlando hosted a WrestleMania was in 2008 where 74,635 fans packed the Citrus Bowl. It was the second time that WWE hosted a WrestleMania outdoors, with the first time being WrestleMania IX in Las Vegas. The same stadium is again tipped to host WWE’s biggest event of the year.

WrestleMania XXIV in Orlando generated a total of $51.5 million in economic impact for Central Florida according to a study by Enigma Research Corporation.

Faber to meet Jorgensen in the main event of TUF Finale in Las Vegas

By
Colin Vassallo
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Las Vegas, Nevada – Fresh off a brilliant submission victory over Ivan Menjivar at UFC 157, “The California Kid” Urijah Faber returns to the Octagon®  Saturday, April 13 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas to meet Scott Jorgensen in a can’t-miss bantamweight showdown.

Faber, the former WEC featherweight champion ranked second in the bantamweight division, is known for his explosive athleticism and finishing ability, and the 33-year-old Sacramento native owns wins over the likes of Jens Pulver (twice), Raphael Assuncao, Takeya Mizugaki, Eddie Wineland and Brian Bowles.

A three-time Pac-10 wrestling champion at Boise State University, the 30-year-old Jorgensen defeated John Albert in a performance that earned him Fight and Submission of the Night honors in his most recent bout this past December. “Young Guns” also holds notable victories over Jeff Curran and Brad Pickett and has developed a reputation as one of the division’s most exciting fighters.

“Urijah Faber is one of the best bantamweights in the world and he proved it at UFC 157 by submitting Ivan Menjivar in the first round,” UFC President Dana White said. “He’s ready to jump right back in the Octagon on April 13 with Scott Jorgensen, who’s ranked seventh in the world at 135 pounds. Both of these guys like to finish fights. This is a really exciting main event for the TUF Finale!”

In addition to the Faber-Jorgensen main event, this season’s The Ultimate Fighter® winner will be crowned when the Octagon® makes its way back to the Mandalay Bay Events Center. The Ultimate Fighter® Finale card also includes:

– Former Strikeforce bantamweight women’s champion Miesha Tate vs. highly touted, undefeated contender Cat Zingano in the second women’s bout in UFC history.

– A heavyweight showdown between Travis Browne and Gabriel Gonzaga.

– A featherweight collision between Bart Palaszewski and Cole Miller.

– A featherweight bout between TUF veteran Justin Lawrence and Houston’s Daniel Pineda.

Tickets for The Ultimate Fighter® Finale go on sale Friday, March 8 at 10 a.m. PT and are priced at $200, $125, $75 and $50. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit the Mandalay Bay Events Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, www.ticketmaster.com, or charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000.

UFC® Fight Club™ members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Wednesday, March 6 at 10 a.m. PT via www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, March 7, starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

The main card will also air live on FX at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Catch all new episodes of this season of The Ultimate Fighter Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT!

Only 3 out of 10 WWE departments increase in Q4 2012 revenue

By
Colin Vassallo
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The majority of departments in WWE registered less revenue than the previous prior-year quarter, with only three out of ten making an increase. All figures below are compared to Q4 2011.

Live event revenues declined from $26.9 million to $23.3 million; Pay-per-view events were down to $13 million compared to $14.6 million; Venue merchandise was down to $3.8 million from $3.9 million; Licensing was 12% down from $9.5 million to $8.4 million; Magazines continued its decline from $2 million to $1.7 million; WWEShop.com declined to $5.9 million from $6.2 million; WWE Studios had $0.6 million in revenue compared to $4.3 million.

TV revenues were up to $40.6 million compared to $33.9 million; Home entertainment was up to $9.6 million from $6.5 million; WWE.COM revenues shot up to $6.2 million from $2.7 million.

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