UFC President Dana White held a 45 minute Q&A chat with the fans who attended the UFC 157: Rousey vs Carmouche weigh-ins yesterday to answer a ton of different questions.
White did not set any limits on what questions should be asked and answered all of them including taking photos with fans while the chat was ongoing.
The UFC President was asked about the recent cuts from the UFC, the women’s division, going back to Connecticut, upcoming shows and much more.
It is really nice to see someone who is in charge of a global company who allocates time to talk with his fans and gives his audience a platform where they can voice their concerns or suggestions. White is also very active on Twitter and interacts with his followers regularly.
Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger recorded a two minute twenty second promo challenging political commentator Glenn Beck to come to Dallas on Monday and face the “stupid wrestling people” on Monday Night RAW.
Colter – a gimmick played by Dutch Mantel – takes charge of the promo, explaining to Beck the different demographic they reach – males, females, African-Americans, Latinos, etc.
He tells Beck that RAW has been on the air for over 20 years and is the highest rated show on USA Network. They have over 60 characters – more than NCIS and Glee for example – and some of them are really likable, and some are detestable.
Colter explains how on their TVPG show they don’t have rape, murders, or guns, like every other prime time dramas. He says they look forward to continue showing provocative, funny, and sometimes controversial stories with characters with all backgrounds and beliefs.
The video was also carried on Beck’s TheBlaze.com website, acknowledging the invitation from WWE and how Swagger and Colter “broke character” to address Beck’s comments.
“Unfortunately, I am currently booked doing anything else,” Beck said in response to the invitation.
Another 5 minute unedited video also put on by WWE shows Colter and Swagger doing a promo, then the digital background is removed, showing the green screen behind them, and the two snap back into their real life personalities, introducing themselves with their real name, and explain to Beck that what he just saw was what they call a promo. After the explanation is done, they get back in character. It’s a great video to watch.
Well it is official the Women’s Bantamweight championship will be on the line tomorrow night as both ladies came in under the 135lbs weight limit.
Ronda Rousey will defend her belt for the first time in the UFC against the United States Marine veteran Liz Carmouche. In the co-main event UFC’s number 2 Light Heavyweight Dan Henderson will take on the number 3 ranked Lyoto Machida to decide who the number one contender will be for the winner of the upcoming title bout between Jon Jones versus Chael Sonnen after this season of TUF wraps up.
Also in a marquee match up Bantamweights Ivan Menjivar will get a rematch against Urijah Faber. Last time they fought back in 2006 Menjivar was disqualified in the second round for kicking a downed opponent.
Video of the weigh-ins is available below.
The action starts on Facebook tomorrow at 6:35 pm ET
Nah-Shon “The Rock N Rolla” Burrell 175.8lbs* vs Yuri Villefort 170lbs
Jon Manley 171lbs vs Neil Magny 171lbs
Kenny Robertson 170lbs vs Brock “The Machine” Jardine 170lbs
UFC 157 prelims move to FX at 8pm ET
Sam “Hands of Stone” Stout 155lbs vs Caros “The Future” Fodor 155lbs
Dennis “The Menace” Bermudez 145lbs vs Matt “The Real One” Grice 145lbs
Michael “Maverick” Chiesa 156.2lbs** vs Anton Kuivanen 156lbs
Brendan “The Hybrid” Shaub 243lbs vs “Big” Lavar Johnson 255lbs
UFC 157 main card on PPV at 10pm ET
Josh “Kos” Koscheck 171lbs vs “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler 171lbs
Court “The Crusher” McGee 170lbs vs Josh “The Dentist” Neer
“The California Kid” Urijah Faber 136lbs vs Ivan “The Pride of El Savador” Menjivar 135.6lbs
Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida 202lbs vs Dan “Hendo” Henderson 205lbs
Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey(c) 134.6lbs vs Liz “Girlrilla” Carmouche 133.6lbs
*Burrell missed weight by a long shot and will hand over a portion of his purse to Villefort.
**Chiesa missed weight by .2 pounds but it was clear his beard weighed a couple pounds by its self so before he even tried to weigh in minus his shorts Dana and the commission called it good.
Dwayne Johnson’s latest movie, Snitch, comes out in theaters across the country today, playing at 2,511 different locations.
The movie is about a father – played by the WWE champion – who goes undercover for the DEA in a plot to free his son from prison after he was set up during a drug deal.
Joining The Rock in this movie are Susan Sarandon, Melina Kanakaredes, Benjamin Bratt, and others.
The movie Snitch is expected to open in the third position in the box office chart behind Identity Thief and Die Hard 5 according to various movie websites.
Former WWE Divas champion Maryse announced today on her Twitter that she is now engaged to former WWE champion himself, The Miz.
“Feb 21, 2013 is a date i will always remember, what beautiful day and night @mikethemiz im the happiest girl in the world!!” she wrote. “Sooooooooooo happy!!!!!!! #engaged.”
The duo have been dating for a while now, way before the 30 year old former Diva was released from her WWE contract in 2011.
WWE issued a press release inviting political commentator Glenn Beck to appear on Monday Night RAW this coming Monday to address the WWE fans.
In a segment on his show TheBlaze TV yesterday, the former Fox News employee called wrestling fans “stupid people” and criticized the storyline involving Jack Swagger, Zeb Colter, and World Heavyweight champion Alberto Del Rio.
WWE wrote in the press release that just like TV shows and movies, WWE is in the entertainment business, creating fictional characters that serve as protagonists or antagonists.
“WWE is creating a rivalry centered on a topical subject that has varying points of view. This storyline was developed to build the Mexican American character Del Rio into a hero given WWE’s large Latino base, which represents 20 percent of our audience,” the press release reads.
Swagger was featured on theblaze.com in a couple of stories – including the one of his arrest – which you can see at http://bit.ly/YGl2jj.
The third and final part of the UFC Primetime: Rousey vs Carmouche show aired yesterday and is now available online as well.
The two females will be making history with the first female fight in the UFC and if the pressure wasn’t big enough, they will be headlining the UFC 157 pay-per-view too.
Impact begins with a recap of the evil deeds of Aces and Eights. The first person to the ring is Hulk Hogan. Hogan was going to announce the number one contender at the end of last week’s episode, but was interrupted by an attack from Aces and Eights.
Hogan tells us he has decided on…Bully Ray! Bully wasn’t even in a match last week for the number one contender spot, but Hulk has decided to give his son in law the title shot anyway. Bully ray makes his way to the ring to thank his “dad.” Bully also suggests a 6 man tag for later tonight featuring Bully ray, Sting, and Hogan against 3 members of Aces and Eights. Hogan agrees.
Bobby Roode and Austin Aries are talking back stage when they are interrupted by Daniels and Kaz. Daniels congratulates Roode and Aries for beating Chavo and Hernandez for the tag titles, and then tells them to just follow their lead when they face Chavo, Hernandez, Joseph Park, and James Storm in an 8 man tag later tonight.
After they leave, Aries and Roode laugh at the thought of them following anyone else’s lead, and then they argue over which of the two of them should lead.
Commercial
Match #1: Aries, Roode, Daniels and Kaz versus Joseph Park, Chavo and Hernandez, and James Storm.
James Storm and Daniels start the match off. Storm gets the early advantage against Daniels, but the action quickly breaks down and all eight men end up in the ring. When the chaos subsides, the babyfaces stand triumphant in the ring while the heels go to the floor to regroup.
Commercial
When we return, Chavo and Kaz are the two legal men in the ring and Chavo takes Kaz down with a hurricanrana. Chavo tags Joseph Park and Joseph hits Kaz with a punch and a chop. Kaz tries to fight back and hits Joseph with a cross body but just bounces of the larger man. Daniels hits Joseph with a cheap shot to the back of the knee and the heels quadruple team Park in the corner.
At one point Aries and Roode try to suplex Park but can’t get the big man up. They keep Park isolated in their corner however and continue the quadruple teaming. Daniels hits park with a slingshot elbow drop and Kaz follows up with a slingshot leg drop. Kaz tags reaches past the outstretched arms of Bobby Roode and Austin Aries to tag his regular partner, Kaz.
Roode and Aries look irritated, I suspect these teams are not on the same page. Daniels lands a punch on Park and Aries tags himself in, then Roode tags himself in, then Kaz tags himself in. Kaz and Daniels get clotheslined by Joseph Park and try to tag in either Aries or Roode, but Roode and Aries refuse to be tagged in and drop to the floor and then walk away.
Park tags in Storm and Storm hits Daniels with a clothesline, an atomic drop, a neckbreaker and then closing time. Storm tags in Hernandez. Hernandez knocks down Daniels and tags in Chavo. Chavo hits Daniels with the frog splash but Kaz makes the save. Storm hits Kaz with the superkick, setting Park up for a second rope splash onto Kaz. Storm covers Kaz for the win.
Commercial
Match #2: Robbie E (with bigger Rob) versus Rock Star Spud.
Robbie starts off strong with a few strikes, but Spud responds with a baseball slide underneath Robbie followed by a drop kick. The two men exchange several strikes. Spud hits Robbie with a tilt a whirl DDT. Spud goes to the top and Robbie gets distracted by bigger Rob, giving Spud the chance to roll Robbie up for the win.
After the match, Robbie and Bigger Rob argue. Eventually, Robbie E slaps Bigger Robbie T across the face. Robbie T gets mad, takes off his shirt and flexes. He is pretty huge, little Robbie runs away as the London crowd cheers Robbie T.
Commercial
Match #3: Velvet Sky versus Miss Tessmacher versus Gail Kim versus Knockouts champ Tara for the Knockouts title.
This is a four way elimination match, and all four knockouts start going at it immediately. Velvet hits Tara with several shoulder blocks. Tessmacher and Velvet exchange roll up attempts. Tara drops Tessmacher with an electric chair. Tara and Gail double team Velvet. Tara side slams Velvet and then argues with Tara, and then they start fighting.
Tara backdrops Gail and Tessmacher pulls Gail to the floor and bulldogs her. Back in the ring, Velvet and Tessmacher double team Tara. Tara trips Tessmacher, bodyslams her, and then hits her with a top rope moonsault. Velvet hits Tara with a sit out double underhook facebuster, and then Gail pushes Velvet out of the way and pins Tara, eliminating her.
Tessmacher hits Gail with a pair of clotheslines and then climbs to the top. Tessmacher climbs to the top rope but Gail cuts her off. Velvet throws Gail and Tessmacher off the top rope onto the mat. Tessmacher tries to roll up Velvet, but Velvet keeps rolling and pins Tessmacher.
Velvet and Gail are the last two left and exchange strikes. Velvet hits Gail with a hurricanrana and Gail retaliates with a dropkick. Gail goes for a cover and uses the ropes for leverage but referee Taryn Tyrrell breaks it up.
Gail lands a kick and shoulder blocks Velvet into the ropes. Gail won’t back off and eventually the ref pulls her out of the corner. Gail falls backwards and Velvet hits her with “In Yo Face” (sitout double underhook facebuster) for the win. Velvet Sky is the new Knockouts champ.
Commercial
Match #4: Garret Bischoff versus Samoa Joe.
Garret starts the match off by running away, a lot. Eventually they do start to exchange and Joe gets the better of it until Bischoff rakes the eyes. Joe throws a lot of punches and Bischoff responds with a lot of kicks. Joe lands a couple headbutts to Garrett and Garret rakes the eyes again. Bischoff puts Joe in a chin lock but Joe fights his way out.
Joe hits Garret with a pair of clotheslines, a big boot, and a back splash. Joe grinds his boot into Garret’s face in the corner and then hits him with a running boot to the face. Joe’s face-wash is a thing of beauty. Joe makes the sign of the cross and hits Bischoff with a chop.
Wes Briscoe comes out to help Garret, causing Joe to win by DQ. Garret and Wes double team Joe until Kurt Angle comes to the rescue. After the match, Angle challenges Briscoe to a cage match at Lockdown.
Commercial
Match #5: Kenny King versus RVD for the X division title.
King dropkicks RVD to the floor and then pursues him. King slams RVD into the steps and onto the floor. They re enter the ring and King misses a spin kick. RVD hits King with a couple shoulder blocks in the corner, a couple forearm shots, and a back elbow. RVD climbs to the top rope and King pulls him back down to the mat.
King hits RVD with a spin kick and slams him to the mat. RVD hits King with several strikes and a pair of clotheslines followed by a big monkey flip. King hits RVD with a knee strike and then takes him down with “Royal Flush” but doesn’t hit it cleanly and RVD kicks out. RVD hits King with a springboard kick, rolling thunder, and then the frog splash for the win. RVD retains X division title.
Commercial
Match #6: Devon, DOC, and Mr. Anderson versus Bully Ray, Sting, and Hogan.
Hogan never makes it to the ring and the match starts without him. All five men start fighting with Bully and Sting getting beat down as a result of the 2-3 advantage for Aces and Eights. Eventually Sting and Bully Ray land a couple of clotheslines and take their opponents down.
Commercial
When we return, Anderson and DOC beat down Bully Ray. Anderson tags in Devon and Devon beats down his brother Ray and talks a little trash while doing it. After some quick tags and more double team action, Bully ray manages a suplex against Devon and tries to tag Sting but is held back by Devon.
Devon tags in Anderson, and after a couple strikes to Bully, Anderson spits at Sting in the corner. Bully Ray tries to chop his way out of the Aces and Eights corner but gets beat down again. Eventually Bully Ray spears Devon and tags in Sting.
Sting comes in and cleans house, beating everyone down with elbows and chops. DOC tries to slow Sting but clotheslines Devon instead by mistake. Sting hits DOC with a Scorpion Death Drop and then bodyslams Anderson. Aces and Eights send some more people to the ring and they drag the Hogans (Brooke and Hulk) with them.
Hogan has been beaten up and his shirt is ripped. Of course, if Hogan’s shirt is ripped he may have been flexing, but I doubt it; he usually looks happier when he’s flexing. He looks barely conscious. Bully Ray runs out to check on Hulk and Brooke, leaving Sting alone in the ring. Sting gets double teamed by Anderson and DOC and gets pinned by Anderson.
After the match, Sting gets triple teamed and beaten down. Tazz exclaims that it’s “a good day to be a bad guy” as Impact goes off the air.
Jack Swagger’s road to WrestleMania – assuming it’s still on course – will take a detour on March 12 as he will be appearing in court to answer his charges of DUI, marijuana possession, and speeding.
Swagger was arrested on Tuesday night – one minute before Midnight – in Gulfport on Lorraine Road near Morningside Drive after he was pulled over by local sheriff deputies for speeding. A search in his car resulted in the discovery of marijuana.
Swagger didn’t spend much time behind bars and was picked up by an acquaintance according to local newspaper reports.
Former nWo member Scott Hall taped a message from Diamond Dallas Page’s place in Atlanta where he has joined Jake “The Snake” Roberts to try a different kind of rehab with DDP Yoga.
Hall talked about a video that DDP uploaded on YouTube – but later removed – where DDP phoned Hall to try and convince him to come to Atlanta. Hall was so drunk that he said he couldn’t even remember talking to DDP and Jake that day and when later DDP offered to take down the video, Hall gave the go ahead.
After arriving in Atlanta, Hall saw the video and heard the phone conversation for the first time. He said he doesn’t recommend that behavior and he’s not endorsing it.
“It’s been my story, and hm, I’m Scott Hall, and I approve this message,” Hall said, as the original video of the phone conversation followed.
USA Network will air a one hour compressed version of the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony on Tuesday, April 9, starting at 10PM EST.
Last year the show aired on Monday serving as the lead in for the post-WrestleMania RAW however with RAW now already at three hours it would have added a fourth straight hour to the schedule.
In the past, the Hall of Fame aired on Saturday night, the same night of the actual ceremony however due to time constraints and speeches going way over the limit, WWE decided to move the broadcast to the following week to allow enough time to edit the show.
So far, Bruno Sammartino, Bob Backlund, Mick Foley, and Trish Stratus are announced for the ceremony which will be held at Madison Square Garden on the eve of WrestleMania 29.
Monday Night RAW this week fresh off the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view did a 3.3 rating with 4,662,000 viewers overall. That is up from last week’s 3.1 rating and around 400,000 viewers more in total.
Hour one kicked off with 4,818,000 viewers followed by 4,674,000 in the second hour and then the audience kept going down to 4,493,000 for the third hour. (Ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research and put online by PWInsider.com)
The new WWE title which made its debut on RAW this past Monday night cost WWE more than $50,000 just in development.
In an article on WWE.COM, Stan Stanski, the Senior Vice President of Creative for WWE, said that he got the order to work on a new WWE title 18 months ago and it was up to him and his team to make it happen.
Orange County Choppers – from the hit TV show American Chopper – helped creating the title by 3D printing the big WWE logo which occupies the center plate of the title. Their technology and material helped reduce the weight of the title but keep its durability.
Legendary belt maker Dave Millican then took over to dress the rest of the newly created title.
TMZ.COM is reporting that Jack Swagger – who will be in one of the main events of WrestleMania wrestling for the World Heavyweight title – was arrested yesterday night in Mississippi for driving under the influence.
Local sheriffs deputies pulled over Swagger after he left the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi following the Smackdown tapings and after searching his car they found out that he was in possession of marijuana.
The former World Heavyweight champion was charged with a DUI, marijuana possession, and speeding. He was released from behind bars later that same night.
2K, a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive today officially announced the take over of the WWE video game license from THQ. 2K now holds the exclusive worldwide rights to publish the WWE video games across all major platforms and distribution channels.
Yukes will continue to develop the game in Japan and the THQ/WWE team who worked on the games before will continue to work on WWE ’14 for 2K.
“The WWE series is a great addition to our stable of triple-A titles, and we’re very happy with this exclusive agreement with our new partners,” said David Ismailer, Chief Operating Officer for 2K. “We look forward to capturing the excitement of WWE and marrying it with the same commitment to authenticity and entertainment that we give to our NBA 2K and MLB 2K franchises.”
2K is the team behind the popular NBA 2K series and Greg Thomas, Executive Vice President of 2K Sports, said that combining their background in developing the NBA game with the WWE franchise will result in the most authentic WWE video game experience on game consoles.
WWE and Paramount Pictures sent a press release announcing a promotional partnership to support The Rock’s upcoming feature films, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, and Pain & Gain.
In addition to storyline integration on its TV broadcasts, WWE will utilize all of its assets, including live events, digital and social media to promote the films and engage millions of fans each week.
G.I. Joe was the co-presenting partner of the Elimination Chamber while Pain & Gain will have a big presence at WrestleMania 29 and during the Axxess events throughout WrestleMania week.
G.I. Joe will be released on March 29 while Pain & Gain will be released on April 26.
Even though the Road To WrestleMania began at the Royal Rumble, tonight, the non-stop highway starts, as the only thing between now and WrestleMania XXIX are seven (7) Raws! Last night’s Elimination Chamber was the final “in between” pay-per-view before the “Grand Daddy Of Them All,” so What implications will the results from 24 hours ago have moving forward?
I can only guess, as I don’t know who won, so here’s my main wishes: Alberto Del Rio is still the World Heavyweight Champion and will begin a WrestleMania program with Dolph Ziggler. Mark Henry or Jack Swagger won their Elimination Chamber bout, inserting themselves in the above W.H.C. match. (I could see a triple threat). And C.M. Punk reclaimed is WWE Championship gold, to begin another historic reign. (That one is probably really stretching it, but hey, dreams do come true!)
That’s enough speculation, on with Raw to find out the paths for all the wrestler'[\s to the biggest night of their careers!
Monday Night Raw Report for February 18th, 2013 – “Roads Divided”
Introduction Segment: Recap and Welcoming
According to the highlight package, I got two out of three wishes! Jack Swagger did win the Elimination Chamber and Alberto Del Rio did retain his World Heavyweight Title. Unfortunately, The Rock also kept his Championship, so now the WrestleMania main-event will be John Cena VS. The Rock, II, for the WWE Championship.
Segment #1: Arena Promo
The #1 Contender for the WWE Championship, John Cena, is out first. He recaps the happenings and previews the two championship bouts for WrestleMania. That is as far as he gets, as the former WWE Champion, C.M. Punk, interrupts.
Punk questions Cena about fighting The Rock at WrestleMania, as he claims that is the “easy way out.” He does admit that Rock beat him “fair and square,” but brings it back to the fact that Cena has never beat him.
John detests this, saying that both he and Rock earned their “tickets” to WrestleMania, winning the Royal Rumble and WWE Championship matches, respectively. C.M. protests, calling Cena’s ‘Rumble win “luck.” He calls the W.M. XXIX match a “re-run,” complete with Cena not being able to win the big one again. He then tells him to get out of his life and walk away.
Of course, Cena declines, saying that “I am not just going to hand away a ‘golden ticket’ to the main-event of WrestleMania.” However, their is a conundrum. Cena has his share of critics, who also say he doesn’t deserve to be in the main-event. So, he proposes a solution – John Cena takes on C.M. Punk for the right to go to WrestleMania!
The “Straight-Edge Superstar” converses with Paul Hyeman, then decides to go for it. Furthermore, he states some terms – next week. Punk walks off happy, high-fiving Heyman. Cena concurs, saying “next week, I will beat you. Next week I will go to WrestleMania. And at WrestleMania I will beat The Rock, and you (Punk) and all of you (fans) will know that the champ is here!”
Commercials.
Segment #2: Backstage Promo
Matt Striker is with Sheamus, discussing his loss with Ryback and John Cena against The Shield. Ryback is pacing back and forth, and the two get into it, blaming each other until Chris Jericho breaks them up. He says that “we have to do what it takes to save this company.” He proposes a rematch, this time with Jericho, and Ryback/Sheamus agree.
Match #1: Single – Sin Cara VS. “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry
Do I need deeply recap this? Nope, as “The World’s Strongest Man” dominates Sin Cara and finishes him off with “The World’s Strongest Slam.”
Winner via Pinfall: “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry
Post-match, as Henry is going to give another slam to Cara, The Great Khali walks out. He enters the ring, but Mark backs away and mouths off to the 7-foot giant.
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Match #2: Single – The Miz VS. Antonio Cesaro (United States Champion) (Non-Title)
The Miz immediately sweeps up Cesaro and mount-punches him. He tosses Antonio to the floor, but gets hurled into the barricade. Antonio picks Miz up and runs him shoulder-first into the ring post. As it is “No-Disqualification” rules, the U.S. Champion brings out a steel chair and kendo stick.
He whacks it hard against Miz’s taped-up shoulder, then knees him in the corner. Miz reverses into a sunset flip pin for two, then Antonio takes control again.
He pulls Miz’s left arm through the chair, then locks on an armlock submission. Miz then gets shoved shoulder-first into the steel chair in the corner, then gets nailed with an uppercut. Cesaro runs at him again, but Miz hits him with a boot and drop toeholds him into the steel chair! Miz swings around and puts Cesaro in the Figure-Four leglock for the tap out victory!
Winner via Submission: The Miz
Segment #3: Video Promo
The “All-American-American” Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter spew an anti-immigration tirade and claim they will fix it.
Segment #4: Backstage Promo
Tag-Team Champions, “Team Hell-No” are arguing again about the results of last night’s Elimination Chamber. They both have singles matches and ask the other not to be involved.
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
Paul Heyman walks up to Vickie Guerrero and wonders why she wanted him. Guerrero promises a surprise, regarding Heyman’s career, but will announce it later in the ring, much to Paul’s dismay.
Commercials.
Match #3: Single – “Mr. Money In The Bank/The Showoff” Dolph Ziggler (with Big E. Langston and A.J.) vs. World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) (Non-Title)
Dolph slaps Del Rio quickly and hits a high dropkick, then pounds away at Alberto’s face. Del Rio counters with a gut-kick, and tosses Ziggler to the apron, then delivers a running Enziguri to knock him to the floor.
Ads.
Back live, Dolph is choking Del Rio across the bottom rope. Another high dropkick is it for a two-count. Langston takes a cheap shot while Scott Armstrong – the referee – is distracted. Ziggler clamps on a grounding rear chinlock, and soon after drops him with the Fameasser for a nearfall! He ascends the turnbuckle but gets crotched, and Del Rio brings Dolph down with a reverses suplex!
They slug back and forth, with Del Rio firing up with clotheslines and a tilt-a-whirl bakcbreaker. He goes for the Cross Armbreaker, but Dolph reverses it into a neckbreaker for another two-count! Ziggler misses and gets caught into the corner, allowing Alberto to hammer him in the lower back and pull back with a Backstabber.
Langston jumps on the ropes, but Del Rio gets ride of hi quickly. He turns around and turns a high-jumping DDT into the Cross Armbreaker. Ziggler gives in!
Winner via Submission: World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio
Post-match, Langston jumps Del Rio and plants him with the drop-down facebuster. He screams “it’s over for you,” then Dolph gets the idea to cash in his Money In The Bank briefcase. Just before though, Ricardo snatches the case and runs away. A.J. brings it back, but Del Rio already lays out Dolph with the Enziguri to keep his title!
Commercials.
Segment #6: Arena Promo
Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett is in the ring, plugging the movie “Dead Man Down,” in which he appears. Sheamus, via Titantron, interjects, saying that Wade didn’t have any speaking an it’s not “his” movie. Sheamus tells him to wrap it up as they are out of time.
Match #4: Mixed 6-Person Tag-Team – Tensai, “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay, and “Funkette” Naomi (with “Funkette” Cameron) VS. Primo, Epico, and Rosa Mendes
The women begin, with Naomi pulling off some nice moves, including a springboard crossbody, and then a Hurricanrana on Epico! Tensai and Primo go at it, with clotheslines and an elbow drop by Tensai. Naomi baseball slides Epico and Rosa, then Tensai and Brodus double-splash Primo for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: Tensai, “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay, and “Funkette” Naomi (with “Funkette” Cameron)
It was announced earlier today that New Orleans, Louisiana, particularly the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, will host WrestleMania XXX on April 6th, 2014!
Up next, The “All Real American” Jack Swagger will give a “State Of The Union Address.”
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Segment #7: Arena Promo
Complete with red carpet and podium, The “Real American” Jack Swagger talks about “our country,” America. He turns the microphone over to Zeb Colter to give the “State Of The Union Address.” He thanks the previous presidents for giving them the Bill Of Rights, particularly the first amendment to speak their mind.
He goes on another rant about the “millions and millions of people living in this country illegally,” berating them for stealing their jobs and abusing their medical system.
Since it is President’s Day in America, Colter wants to fix it. He says that Jack Swagger is prepared to say “no more.” He is going to accomplish two goals at WrestleMania – capture the World Heavyweight Championship and he’s going to “reclaim America.”
Daniel Bryan now walks down, and prepares for his match against the “Real American.”
Commercials.
Match #5: Single – The “Real American” Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) VS. Tag-Team Champion Daniel Bryan (Non-Title)
Swagger has Bryan in a waistlock as we come back from break. Daniel turns it around and kicks Jack hard in the thigh. He gets a sunset flip for a one-count, then counters a run with a drop toehold into the second turnbuckle. Swagger rushes Daniel with a clothesline over the ropes but gets dropkicked to the floor. Bryan misses a diving knee off the apron, then gets slammed into the barricade by Swagger.
Jack chucks Bryan across the ring with an overhead toss, and later hits the Swaggerbomb for a two-count! He runs again at Daniel, who elbows Jack. He trips him over the ropes, then lands a suicide dive on Swagger to the outside! Bryan flies off the top rope with a front dropkick for a two-count! He reverses a cover into the No-Lock, but Swagger struggles and clinches the ropes.
Bryan misses a running knee in the corner, which gives Swagger the advantage again. He measures Daniel, running at him with a chop block. He stalks Bryan, then grips in the “Patriot Lock” Anklelock to seal this one!
Winner via Submission: The “Real American” Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter)
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Segment #8: Arena Promo
Vickie Guerrero announces that she has a new assistant – Brad Maddox! However, that is not the surprise she had in store for Paul Heyman, who is also joining her in the ring. The real surprise, Mr. McMahon, appears on the Titantron. He reminds Heyman that since he granted Paul’s stipulation wish, then Heyman would do anything for him. So, next week, they will step into the ring for a fight!
Commercials.
Match #6: 6-Man Tag-Team – “Y2J” Chris Jericho, Sheamus, and Ryback VS. “The Shield” (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns)
Ryback and Rollins begin, with Ryback giving him shoulder-blocks in the corner. He switches up with Jericho, who now battles Dean. Suplex by Jericho then punches in the corner. Jericho elbows him, then dives off the second turnbuckle with a dropkick. A crossbody by Jericho nets a quick count, but Ambrose rolls to a tag to Reigns, who matches up with Sheamus now.
They slug it out, with Sheamus nailing hard clotheslines, a shoulder-block, and a high-running knee. Sheamus drops Roman with the White Noise, then calls out “Fella!” for the Brogue Kick. Rollins pulls Reigns out of the ring, but Ambrose eats the Kick instead.
Ads.
Back live, Reigns is back in control, hammering it out, then tagging in Seth. A front facelock is hitched on, then Rollins stomps away in the corner. He switches again with Reigns, who gets leveled with a clothesline by Sheamus. The Irishman tags in Ryback to a huge pop, and the “Man-Beast” cleans house on Rollins with a spinebuster and “Meathook” clothesline. Ryback attempts the Shellshock, but Reigns spears him. 1 – 2 – Ryback kicks out!
Ambrose is in and punches it out on Ryback, then tags in Reigns again. He switches with Rollins soon after, and they both isolate and dominate Ryback again. Reigns runs at Ryback in the corner, but misses and crotches himself on the ropes. Ryback crawls toward his corner and manages to tag in Jericho! “Y2J” is all over Ambrose and Rollins, hitting the running bulldog and Lionsault. 1 – 2 – Ambrose gets the shoulder up!
Jericho grabs Ambrose into the Walls Of Jericho, but Dean reverses into a small package for two! Jericho gets him again in the Walls, who sells like crazy, but Rollins flies in from the top rope with a knee-to-the-face! Ambrose capitalizes with the cover for the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: “The Shield” (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns)
Commercials.
Match #7: Single – “The Intellectual Savior Of The Masses” Damien Sandow VS. Kofi Kingston
Prior to the contest, Damien retorts a promo about President’s Day. He recaps the Sandow Family history in advising former Presidents. He offers to save us from the “doldrums of your own self-imposed ignorance. You’re welcome!”
Right away, Damien attacks Kofi and punches away at him. He runs Kofi into the steel post shoulder-first then continues until Kingston’s past tag-team partner R-Truth returns, laying the “Savior” out with the Scissors Kick and “Lie Detector” spinning elbow. This brawl happens before Charles Robinson was able to signal for the bell.
Winner: No Contest due to No Official Start
Josh Matthews interviews two of The Rock’s co-stars in his next movie, “G.I. Joe: Retaliation.” They then air the movie trailer.
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Match #8: Single – “The Viper” Randy Orton VS. Tag-Team Champion “The Big Red Machine” Kane (Non-Title)
Randy begins with a side headlock but Kane knocks him down with a shoulder block. Randy punches him in the corner, but Kane uppercuts Orton, sending him to the floor.
Commercials.
Back live, Kane has Orton in a grounding rear chinlock, then delivers a big boot-to-the-face for a two-count! A huge DDT also gets the same result, then he clamps on another grounding rear chinlock. Orton fights out of it and punches Kane in the corner gain, then stomps away on his lower legs. Randy runs into a stiff uppercut, and Kane receives another nearfall.
Kane controls the contest for a while, hitting a sidewalk slam for two. He misses a top-rope diving clothesline, but managers to counter Orton’s slingshot DDT attempt. As Kane is gearing up for the Chokeslam, his Tag-Team Champion partner walks out. Bryan ends up distracting Kane, allowing Orton to sneak in with the R.K.O. and the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: “The Viper” Randy Orton
Commercials.
Segment #9: Arena Promo
“The Pride Of Acadia,” the University of Louisiana’s marching band, plays out The Rock, and the WWE Champion makes his entrance. He recaps the results of the last two pay-per-view results, where he beat C.M. Punk for the WWE Title.
The Rock says that in forty-eight days, he will be going to WrestleMania. However, the WWE Championship will not. He recaps his history and his family’s history in this business, then talks about the prestige and history of the WWE Championship itself. Which of course, brings us to (almost) eight years in the making ….
FINALLY …. the WWE Championship has come home. FINALLY, there is a NEW WWE Championship Title! It is all gold and diamond, strapped in black, with a huge WWE logo in the middle and the word “champion” underneath. The Championship looks really nice and much better!
The Rock speculates on who he will face, as per the events from earlier tonight, John Cena or C.M. Punk? The Rock wants to face…
John Cena’s music plays and he stands on the ramp, staring and making gestures at The Rock. From behind, C.M. Punk blasts Cena with the old WWE Championship, then chucks it down on the ramp. He points to The Rock and says “I want that one.” The Rock is hyped up and ready to fight, but Punk just glares at him then walks away to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
Once again, the WRESTLING on this show was the highlight. Hopefully this little trend continues. Even though I didn’t like a few of the matches themselves/3 hours worth is still too long, the bouts did play out well for the most part. Save for three main ones, the promos/storylines on the other hand were more lacklustre/been there, done that.
Excellence: Cena/Punk promo to begin the show. Loved the passion they both showed for wanting to be in the main event at WrestleMania and why they should both be WWE Champion. I love this swerve, and honestly, would love even more to see a Triple-Threat at ‘Mania XXIX – much more intrigue.
Jack Swagger/Zeb Colter. I am pleased with how they managed to “repackage” Swagger and was actually pleasntly surprised he is this quick in the World Championship match at WrestleMania. His new “form” fits beautifully. I also like Zeb Colter for his great promo skills. Right now, it is reminiscent of the late-great Eddie Guerrero and J.B.L. WWE Championship feud in 2004, only without the comedy. This is just serious. So far, they are playing this somewhat smartly, but they do have to be careful how far they can go. I hope it doesn’t go too beyond to be a detriment to Swagger. His match with Daniel Bryan was also excellent.
The 6-Person Mixed tag match was a little nice, and Naomi has some decent moves for a new Diva! My opinion on this is a turn-around from last week, but I just had “fun” with this one tonight.
The other 6-Man tag with “The Shield” was also well-executed, and I was/am surprised they gave the big win to the trio at Elimination Chamber.
Of course, the new WWE Championship. I am a big fan of this Title and do like the look. Yes, it is perhaps too much in the “shiny” department, but it does look much nicer and brings a little more “authenticity” to that Championship and all who wore it/fought for it.
Bogus: Mark Henry – I don’t like the fact that he came back superbly as a “badass,” and now he’s going into a sub-par, lower-card feud with The Great Khali. Waste of talent. He was my other pick for the Elimination Chamber.
Dolph Ziggler – this one sucks because it feels like he’s just holding the Money In The Bank briefcase for something to do, without placing importance on the aspect of what it means. The only way he can save himself now is to lose/do badly enough through WrestleMania, then decide to dump A.J. and Big E. the night after, and start fresh, ON HIS OWN!!!
Not into the Cesaro/Miz feud, especially when they don’t even get entrances and one of them is a CHAMPION!
The repeat feud between Kane and Daniel Bryan. Not looking forward to this again, and Kane/Orton was a match that could’ve been left off the cards.
Event though I felt it was an average show still, I am getting excited for WrestleMania and the potential tracks this year can take to the “show of shows!”
Until next week, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
TNA has announced that the March 28 live IMPACT will be taking place at the ASU Convocation Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas. A second set of tapings will be recorded immediately after the live broadcast ends which will air the following week.
Mayor Harold Perrin is holding a special event on Tuesday, February 26 at the Comfort Suites on 3404 Access Road with Matt Morgan making an appearance. Tickets for the show go on sale on the same day at tickets.astate.edu.
“The City Of Jonesboro has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, and we are very excited to have the opportunity to showcase our wonderful City to the World! This area is rich in wrestling history, and it is exciting to bring Hulk Hogan and the live IMPACT WRESTLING television show to Jonesboro,” stated Mayor Perrin.
Jake “The Snake” Roberts tweeted a photo of himself, along with Diamond Dallas Page greeting Scott Hall at the airport, welcoming him to their home to start the DDP Yoga rehab process.
Roberts has been sober for a while ever since he’s been living with Page and has lost a good amount of weight under the supervision of the former WCW champion.
The two then reached out to Scott Hall, whose countless trips to a WWE-sponsored rehab facility proved fruitless. Hall – sadly in a wheelchair – is seen giving the two thumbs up to the camera and Page and Roberts smile.
DDP has vowed to help the former nWo member if he abide by his rules and judging from Jake Roberts’ progress, it does seem that miracles do happen.
Last week, Roberts tweeted that Hall had been clean for 16 days and moving in with him will be the biggest move for either of them “Sharing road to health, sobriety and happiness. DDP Yoga will take us there just add hope, prayers, love,” he wrote.
You can see the photo of the three together at the airport below.
