The two teams rush the house and Jones’ team takes the upstairs and Team Sonnen are in the rooms down stairs. Jones brought in Frank Mir, Bubba Jenkins, John Wood and Stonehorse Goeman to help coach this season. While Sonnen has help this season from Vinny Magalhaes, Clayton Hires, Mike Dolce, Jamie Huey and Scott McQuary.
Jones team is still has their reservations about Gilbert Smith fighting first and the team doesn’t think that he is physically ready. Coaches for Jones’ team are even having their own reservations on whether it is the physical or mental aspect at this point. Gilbert is getting down himself feeling that he doesn’t have any positive motivation from his teammates or coaches at this point. Gilbert received a flag with inspirational messages from his loved ones that led him to break down crying which disturbed his teammates even further.
Sonnen is confident it is his team, he got the fighters he wanted and all the coaches that he wanted. For Chael to know what is fighters are feeling and know when they need to be rested or pushed harder is for him to get in there and be doing everything that his fighters are.
Bubba McDaniel turns to Mir as soon as he can get him alone and vents his frustrations about Gilbert and his crying the night before and that the team feels he is jeopardizing all they chances in the house if he isn’t ready for the fight. Meanwhile Jones and the other coaches are listening in from the other side of the door after the team has a fighters meeting. Jones comes in and provides a little motivation for Gilbert. Gilbert showed in his previous fight leaving his chin and head out there when he strikes so they had him working on throwing the overhand left so his head will lower when he throws the punch correctly.
Sonnen and the coaches came by the house to visit the team. Sonnen pulls Uriah Hall aside telling him he wants to be sure he gets into the next round. Hall has a different idea all together and wants to take out Team Jones’ biggest hitters right away. Sonnen wants Barnatt to focus on the huge reach advantage that he has.
Dana even questioned the thinking of Jones to why he has one of the shortest fighters in the house going against one of the tallest.
First round starts and within the first 20 second Luke Barnatt catches Gilbert Smith with a groin shot and is warned immediately. Smith is shoots in and pressures Barnatt against the fence then briefly gets the take down before Barnatt gets back up puts Smith on the cage and gets his own take down. Smith gets back up and they jockey for position and trade shots in close against the fence. Barnatt lands a couple could knees from the clinch and Smith again briefly gets another take down but is unable to do anything with it. With about 2 minutes left they get some space and Barnatt utilizes the reach and jab. Smith gets another take down but ends up on bottom. Jones voices his frustration with everyone else chiming in and goes silent for the remainder of the round.
Between rounds Jones tells Smith to get inside and hit him in the face. Smith tries to stand briefly before attempting another take down that he eventually gets and Barnatt is on top and Smith has to get back to his feet. Smith stays glued to Barnatt working hard for another take down. Barnatt grabs the arm for a kimura and they go to the ground. Smith gets the top position and Barnatt wall walks back to his feet and takes Smith down. Now Barnatt is in half guard and and Smith is having to work to get back to his feet. Smith once again gets in close Barnatt grabs the clinch and Smith pulls back. Smith immediately shoots another take down and Barnatt sees it coming from a mile away and lands a stepping knee as Smith comes in to knock him out and Mazzigati has seen enough.
Winner by TKO(he was out though) in rd 2 Luke Barnatt
Dana is shown turning to someone and saying “That was a bad match-up. Jones made that match.”
Jones said after the fight “Gilbert lost the fight tonight before he got here. I don’t feel like here ever got the ball rolling and basically Luke came with the better cardio, more confidence. I don’t think cardio should ever be a reason to lose a fight.”
Josh Samman of Team Jones in his diary time with camera says “he is not going to make a big deal of it everyone knows he told him so.”
Bubba McDaniel of Team Jones tries to swing the fight to the one he wants and immediately calls out Team Sonnen’s Kevin Casey. Jones in the locker room tells his team that he hates losing and now they can’t sweep the other team now.
Team Sonnen has the pick now and decides it will be Uriah Hall will face Adam Cella from Jones’ team. Jones feels that Hall is one of the toughest on the show and that he has to build Adam up.
Have to watch next week as one of the most devastating finishes ever is about to be shown.
As I say every year now following “The Royal Rumble,” tonight the Road To Wrestlemania begins! And if my heart won-out from last night, that means Dolph Ziggler is driving towards a World Heavyweight or WWE Championship Title match (after winning the Royal Rumble match of course), and C.M. Punk continues his WWE Title reign!
However, while I don’t know the results from last night’s mega-PPV, my head is saying that John Cena won the ‘Rumble, and The Rock captured his 8th WWE Championship. Let’s hope not for either, and the only way to find out is to read on….!
Monday Night Raw Report for January 28th, 2013 – “The Road Begins ….”
Introduction Segment: Recap and Welcoming
A replay of highlights from The Royal Rumble airs, confirming my ….. head. (Unfortunately), John Cena and The Rock won their respective matches.
Vickie Guerrero then appears on screen and announces that tonight’s Raw will be a “Raw Roulette,” featuring matches of choice by “lady luck” as the Raw Managing Supervisor puts it.
The first will be United States Champion Antonio Cesaro squaring off against Randy Orton, with a special referee.
Segment #1: Arena Promo
The former WWE Champion, C.M. Punk, hurries down to the ring furiously, claiming he got screwed worse than Bret Hart in Montreal. “The Straight-Edge Superstar” is outraged and goes on a tirade, declaring that everyone – The Rock, Mr. McMahon, and even the fans – are cheaters. C.M. informs everyone that he plans to crash The Rock’s celebration party.
Before he can do so, Mr. McMahon himself walks out. He tells both Punk and Heyman that there is some video footage given by an unnamed individual, proving that they were in cohesion with “The Shield.” If seen correctly, Vince will have a chit-chat with Paul E. later in the ring, which may end up resulting in his termination!
Up next, Randy Orton will face off with Antonio Cesaro and a mystery referee.
Commercials.
Match #1: Single with Special Referee – “The Viper” Randy Orton VS. United States Champion Antonio Cesaro (Non-Title)
Special Referee: The Miz
This bout is already in progress coming back from break, with Orton getting a one-count and then a two-count after a suplex on Cesaro. Orton reverses an Irish whip in the corner and clotheslines Antonio, and slams him with a back body drop.
Both roll to the outside, where Orton backdrops Cesaro again, this time on the barricade! He then hits a couple of uppercuts and stomps away before sling-shotting him under the bottom rope.
Both grapplers trade a series of uppercuts, and Randy tosses Antonio over the top rope!
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Back live again, it is switched around as Cesaro gives a backdrop this time and is in control. He snaps Orton’s face off the top turnbuckle and receives a two-count, then locks in a grounding rear chinlock.
Randy battles out and delivers a couple headbutts, but then gets scoop-slammed coming off the ropes. Cesaro takes advantage again and double-stomps him on the canvas, then turns him around with a twisting gut-wrench suplex. 1 – 2 – Orton kicks out!
The U.S. Champ clamps on another headlock, but Orton fights out again and fires himself up. He runs with some clotheslines and catches Cesaro with a powerslam, but gets kneed in the corner and dropped with a twisting diving uppercut. 1 – 2 – Randy kicks out again, and as Antonio argues with The Miz, “The Viper” grabs him from behind with a backbreaker.
However, Cesaro gets out of a sling-shot DDT attempt and punches away in the corner. Miz pulls him off for “excessiveness”, and the two argue with Cesaro turning right into an R.K.O. to give Randy the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: “The Viper” Randy Orton
Post-match, referee Miz helps Cesaro up, then promptly plants him with the Skull Krushing Finale.
Segment #2: Raw Roulette Selection
The Roulette Wheel is spinning, which stops on “Make Me Laugh.” Vickie tells Ryback (yes, you read that right) to go out and make her laugh.
Commercials.
Segment #3: Raw Roulette Challenge
Ryback is competing with “The Primetime Players” to make the audience laugh. This doesn’t go well or last long, as Ryback asks “what has four eyes, twenty fingers, and is about to be unconscious?”
The answer is Darren Young and Titus O’Neil, who get destroyed by the beast. He then turns his attention to interview Matt Striker and “Shell-Shocks’ him too!
Segment #4: Hall Of Fame Promo
A different montage of Bob Backlund’s career is shown, reiterating that he is in the 2013 class, and again, well, well deserved!
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Match #2: Single – Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett VS. ??? (Non-Title)
Ms. Guerrero selects a “Player’s Choice” match, in which Mr. Barrett can choose his opponent. He selects …. Bo Dallas! (For those wondering, he is a stand-out NXT wrestler and son of Mike Rotunda, a.k.a “I.R.S.”) Wade begins by poking Bo, but the young gun quickly turns it around with armdrags and a dropkick.
Barrett soon gains control and pounds away on Dallas with heavy punches and kicks. Wade winds up his arm to finish this one off, but Bo reverses it into a huge powerslam and gets the upset!
Winner via Pinfall: Bo Dallas
Segment #5: Raw Roulette Selection
Cody Rhodes is having a spin at the wheel, which stops on the face of John Cena. That is who the former “Dashing” will be facing next!
Commercials.
Match #3: Single – Cody Rhodes VS. John Cena
Lock-up by both, with Cody starting out with a side headlock, but Cena hits a hip-toss and dropkick. After being shortly dominated, Rhodes points out that he is being wasted and goes to leave.
Cena gives chase and hits his usual moves, including the “5-Knuckle Shuffle,” and Attitude Adjustment for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: John Cena
Post-match, Cena takes the microphone and lays out his challenge for Wrestlemania – the WWE Champion, whoever that may be! John says that it doesn’t matter if it’s C.M. Punk or The Rock, as he has unfinished business with both men.
Just now, “The Shield” interrupt and gang-up on him. Sheamus runs out and tries the save, as does Ryback, but both are laid out by the trio. (Note: this promo by Cena was serious and much, much better than last week!)
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Segment #6: Raw Roulette Selection
The spinner tops on “Lingerie Pillow Fight,” however unfortunately it is not two beautiful Divas, but instead Tensai and Brodus Clay!
Tensai protests and storms off, but thankfully Vickie changes it, citing no embarrassment with Mr. McMahon giving “performance evaluations.” The contest between “The Funkasaurus” and Tensai will now be a Dance-Off.
Segment #7: Recap
Footage of the “Royal Rumble Fanfest” airs.
Commercials.
Segment #8: Raw Roulette Challenge – “Dance Off”
Gee, I wonder who wins this one! In short, Tensai was still dressed in lingerie because he didn’t get the message, and “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay (with his “Funkettes” Naomi and Cameron) win this contest, much to the “damn” of Ron Simmons!
Segment #9: Raw Roulette Selection
The choice of “body slam” is picked, and Guerrero informs World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio that him bodyslamming The Big Show is going to be some magic. Del Rio reminds her that since we’re in Vegas, remember, anything can happen!
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Segment #10: Raw Roulette Challenge – “Bodyslam”
Immediately, The Big Show takes out Ricardo Rodriguez and then knocks out World Champion Alberto Del Rio with the K.O. punch. He returns the favour from last night and duct-tapes Del Rio to the middle rope. (Okay, I truly think that is a first I’ve seen in almost 16-straight of being invested in wrestling!).
Big Show now takes the opportunity to completely beat-down Ricardo as Alberto looks on mercifully. Big Show finishes off by kicking Del Rio and punching him out again.
Commercials.
Match #4: Single – Tamina VS. Divas Champion Kaitlyn (Non-Title)
(Note: The other Divas on the roster are acting as Lumberjills, and donned in “showgirls” attire [fully-clothed though!]).
Tamina dominates right away, with a lockup and kick to Kaitlyn’s gut. She picks her up and smashes her into the turnbuckles and then onto the canvas. Jumping headbutt by the daughter of legend “Superfly Jimmy Snuka,” then she locks on a grounding side-headlock.
Kaitlyn begins to fight out, but is quickly kicked out of the ring, where the heel Divas (Aksana) pound away. Kaitlyn battles out and comes back to punch away on Tamina. As she goes for a cover, all the Lumberjills enter the ring and engage in a massive brawl with each other, but Tamina has managed to avoid and is just watching.
Winner: No Contest due to Interference
(That was pointless!)
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Segment #11: Arena Promo
The NEW WWE champion is out now, as The Rock receives another massive ovation from the Vegas fans. The Rock says that only one word describes tonight and symbolizes the journey – “FINALLY!”
The Rock says that “there is no accolade on this Earth, that is more deeply engraved in my blood than this WWE Championship. From 1998 – 2003, I’ve had the honour of winning seven (7) WWE Championships. And after ten (10) long years, I can honestly tell you, that this moment, here with you tonight, is the proudest moment of my career.”
He says that he has already thanked is family and friends, but wants to take a moment to thank all of us, the fans.
Rock says that the “crap days” are over of C.M. Punk and Paul Heyman depreciating the fans. “The Great One” says tonight ushers in a new era, “The People’s Era.” His opponent from last night, the former WWE Champion C.M. Punk walks out on his own and interrupts.
He claims that Rock didn’t win the Title, but it was handed to him. Punk says he made that Championship special again, then tells Rock that “if you were a man, then you would recognize the fact that that title you hold is prestigious because I made it prestigious, and I earned that title for 434 days. And if you were a man in that third-generation blood that courses through your veins, if you had any respect for yourself, for your father, for your grandfather, you would walk down this aisle. You would come up to me right now and you would say, ‘sir, Mr. Punk, here is your title back because I did not earn this. I stole this from you and you can have it back. Congratulations on being the Best In The World.'”
The Rock retorts and challenges Punk to just come and take it, if he had “an ounce of manhood and nuts between your legs.”
He offers him two choices, “you can come in this ring and face me like a man, or you can stand up there on that stage in front of the world, like a ‘punk-ass bi***.'” Punk accepts, and slowly proceeds to the ring, but then changes his mind. He is happy to stand on the stage, and do things on his terms.
He will face him again, but on his schedule. However, Punk turns the tables on the oratory, and grants The Rock a rematch against “The Best In The World.” The bout is scheduled for “Elimination Chamber” in New Orleans, and The Rock promises an “ass-kicking of a lifetime!”
Commercials.
Match #5: Tables-Single – Damien Sandow VS. Sheamus
Sheamus gains control early and dominates until Sandow wisely slips away and outside the ring. Sheamus hammers him from behind and pulls out a table from under the ring.
Sheamus goes to slam Damien, but he wiggles out and goes to the opposite side, to deliver a high-dropkick! Damien yanks a table of his own, but it gets slammed into him by Sheamus. He slides the table in the ring, but is driven down by Sandow with a jumping armbar. “The Intellectual Saviour of the Masses” stomps away on the supposed injured shoulder of Sheamus and then drops a knee on the appendage. He goes to collect another table of his own.
He chucks the wooden structure into the big Irishman. He tries to knock Sheamus off the apron through the able on the floor, but to no avail and Sheamus springs back in with a shoulder-tackle.
Sheamus clubs him with punches and a clothesline, but his Irish whip is reversed into a side Russian legsweep and the “Elbow of Distain.” Sandow sets up the table and begins to ascend the top turnbuckle, but is cut-off.
Sheamus now delivers his 10-hammer fists to the chest and catches a running Sandow with the Irish Curse right into a corner table for the win!
Winner via Putting Opponent Through Table: Sheamus
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Segment #12: Arena Promo
In a “sing-off,” The Great Khali, Zack Ryder, Hornswoggle, and Natalya attempt to belt out Shawn Michaels’ old-school theme song. (Yes you read that right, and yes, I fast-forwarded this waste of space.) 3.M.B. come out and get beat-down after some “protesting and promoting” of themselves, I’m guessing. (Again, I fast-forwarded!)
Up next, in what will truly be the highlight of the night, and a surprise that I didn’t know about, “Y2J” Chris Jericho returns! Whoo-hoooooooo! (He can actually save this show for me!)
Commercials.
Segment #13: Arena Promo
The first-ever Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion makes his comeback (for the nth time!) to Raw. Huge reaction with “Y2J” chants and even a fan holding a Canadian flag! (Yay! – Jericho even acknowledges it.)
“Welcome to Raw is JERICHO!” He is back in full-face mode, breaking out his signature catchphrases, loving the fans and being back, and sporting two new tatoos on hisleft arm.
The other man who can save the show tonight is “The Show-Off” himself, Dolph Ziggler. He walks out with A.J. and Big E. Langston. He wonders why Jericho is back, since last time they saw each other on Raw, Dolph defeated him and ended his contract.
However, Vickie Guerrero appears on the Titantron, and announces that she does what is right for business, and resigned Jericho to a new business deal. She then books a “strange-bedfellows match,” where Ziggler and Jericho will actually team up and face “Team Hell-No.”
Match #6: Tag-Team – Chris Jericho and “The Show-Off/Mr. Money In The Bank” Dolph Ziggler (with A.J. and Big E. Langston) VS. Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell-No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan) (Non-Title)
Dolph and Kane start out with Ziggler punching Kane quickly against the ropes. He flips his wet hair against Jericho to “show-off,” prior to break.
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Dolph is in the ring now with Bryan, and he has him tied up in a side headlock. Jericho wants a tag, but Dolph refuses, and instead takes Bryan down and jumps on him with a high elbow drop.
Dolph again teases a tag, but receives a few quick kicks from Daniel this time, but then Jericho blind-tags Dolph anyway! He is all over Bryan with a clothesline, then springboard dropkicks Kane off the apron and elbows and moonsaults Bryan.
He grabs Daniel and tries for the Walls Of Jericho submission, but is flipped over. Kane tags in from Bryan, and they argue as they accidentally got knocked into each other. Ziggler blind-tags back, but Jericho slaps Kane from behind.
Dolph can’t figure out why Jericho got out of dodge, until he turns around into a Chokeslam by the Big Red Machine for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell-No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan)
Segment #14: Hall-Of-Fame Induction
The next legend to be included into the Class of 2013 is … Trish Stratus! (Cool, another well-deserved entry, as she was one of the pioneers of the “new generation” of women’s wrestlers and one of the most hard-working to change the “image” of what a “Diva” was/is supposed to be. Congratulations, my fellow Canadian!)
Up next, it’s evaluation time!
Commercials.
Segment #15: Arena Promo
The owner of World Wrestling Entertainment is in the ring, and Mr. McMahon says that he and everyone loves to have fun. To do so, he brings down Paul Heyman. He walks down eventually, and offers a handshake. Afterward, Vince “pure-ells” himself.
Mr. McMahon then asks Heyman straight-up if he had any affiliation with Brad Maddox or “The Shield.” In short, Heyman says “no.” Vince then asks him if he has ever lied in his life, and Heyman recounts a story of Vince’s father saying “adversity defines a man’s character in his darkest hour.”
Heyman admits that he has lied every single day of his life because he is a promoter, and that’s what they to do keep their jobs and survive. However, this time, Heyman swears to everyone and everything in his life that he is NOT lying now and not involved with Maddox or “The Shield.”
Vince then produces the alleged footage, where Heyman is talking to Maddox in an undisclosed location. On camera, it is made known that Heyman paid-off Brad to referee the Hell In The Cell match at the October PPV and screw-over Ryback, as well as how Punk and Paul paid The Shield to do the same.
Back live, Heyman befuddled as he is caught in his fallacy, to chants of “you got busted!” He tries to tell Vince that wasn’t him. Paul tries to convince Mr. McMahon that he was setup and that was an impersonator on the tape.
Vince then asks the crowd, who recite unanimously “yes, yes, yes,” if Paul Heyman is lying and deserves to be fired. BUT, just before he can get those “magic words” out, another of Heyman’s “clients” returns!
Brock Lesnar interjects and walks down to the ring. Huge chants of “Lesnar” from the crowd. He immediately gets in Vince’s face and the two staredown. McMahon warns Lesnar to not do something he’d regret. Lesnar points to Heyman, then gets back in front of Vince. He nods his head, then picks up Vince and F-5’s him!
Heyman gets on his knees and begs “no more, please stop.” Mr. McMahon is writhing in pain on the canvas as Brock and Paul walk off to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
Well, unfortunately, back to the average. I thought coming off the ‘Rumble, this would be a much better show than it actually was, however much like the results of the PPV itself, I was left very disappointed. Onto the analysis….
Excellence: C.M. Punk – he handled the losing of his championship awesomely! I loved how he just stormed into the arena and protested the way it happened. (And I agree.) His later confrontation with Rock was the same too – and he still put over the WWE Championship and the importance of the title very well. He is absolutely correct when he says he made it prestigious again!
Great back and forth wrestling match between Cesaro/Orton, Bo Dallas being propelled to the main roster (and winning) is a nice sign. He could play the sympathetic babyface very easily. John Cena’s promo – this is the “Cena” I love. The passionate, no-nonsense, “do or die” character. He made valid points, putting over the realism of his feuds with C.M. Punk and The Rock, respectively.
The return of Chris Jericho! That was truly a nice surprise for me, as I hadn’t known a thing about “The Royal Rumble,” so to see his rock star mug appear on my T.V. screen was coooool! Glad he’s a good guy again too, will make his feuds entertaining. Those tattoos though? A little peculiar!
Finally, Trish Stratus being inducted into the Hall-Of-Fame this year. As said above, she has earned this honour for all she had contributed to women’s wresting during her almost 7-year-consistent run. I think it would be fitting for either Lita or a fellow Canadian wrestler (read Edge/Christian/Bret Hart/Chris Jericho!) to give her the accolades at the ceremony.
Bogus: Everything else! Not being funny/short, but truly. The “Raw Roulette” concept failed epically, especially since I actually fast-forwarded through a few segments (and I think you know which ones!). I’m worried about where Dolph Ziggler and “Team Rhodes Scholars” are going. I believe the ‘Rumble was their time to shine and truly come out with big wins (Dolph in the ‘Rumble, and Cody/Damien with the Tag Titles). Now, they look like they’re going to be stuck in mediocre feuds (Dolph) or break up (“Scholars”), neither of which are good. Losing tonight definitely did not help either! The last segment with Brock/Heyman/Vince. It’s been done before and not looking forward to the much talked-about rematch of Lesnar/Triple H at Wrestlemania, much like the pending rematch of Cena/Rock. They really could’ve done a lot different (too much to detail here), but the main-event matches in my “booking” would definitely include Dolph Ziggler and C.M. Punk in championship situations.
As always, until next week, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
Looking like a hot mess, far away from her glory WWE days or even her Hall of Fame night, Tammy “Sunny” Sytch appeared in court yesterday dressed in sweats, slippers, and handcuffs, to respond to her sixth arrest for violating a protective order.
The New Haven Register reports that Sytch was remanded in custody lieu of a $100,000 cash bond.
Her attorney, Rob Serafinowicz, argued that Sytch was “lured back” to her fiancé’s house and that’s when she was assaulted. She said that she “self medicated” and drank the next morning while pleading with the judge, adding that she was the one abused this time around.
Her fiancé – or ex now – posted a message on Facebook saying that he went to the Branford Police Department and confirmed that there are no assault charges against him. Meanwhile, Branford Police Capt. Geoffrey Morgan confirmed Monday that Sytch had filed a criminal complaint and police are investigating her allegations.
The former WWE Diva was sent to the hospital after she complained of breathing problems while in custody. In her complaint, she said she was on the receiving end of two broken ribs.
According to the police report, she told cops that she was given a key and had been living in her fiancé’s house for two weeks even though that violated the protective order.
Loretta Hunt of Sports Illustrated broke the news that UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture has signed a multi-year deal with Spike TV to appear for Bellator MMA and other Viacom-owned productions.
Couture’s first business with Spike and Bellator will be as a coach on the upcoming Bellator show which will be similar to The Ultimate Fighter. The show is spearheaded by Emmy Award winning producer Bertram Van Munster, who is also in charge of The Amazing Race.
The official announcement of Couture’s involvement with the two companies will come on February 5 during a press conference in Los Angeles. Hunt writes that UFC President Dana White did not like that his former star has joined the competition. Couture has recently appeared on UFC live events on FOX.
The number one contender for the Intercontinental title will be decided during a three-week Intercontinental Cup, with 8 WWE Superstars in the tournament.
The participants are Antonio Cesaro, Cody Rhodes, Dolph Ziggler, Damien Sandow, Darren Young, Kofi Kingston, Randy Orton, and The Miz.
The Intercontinental Cup begins tomorrow night on WWE Main Event on ION Television.
Hulk Hogan might not be the most technology-savvy guy around however a photo he posted on Twitter of his daughter caused an uproar amongst fans and critics.
Hogan linked to a photo on his Twitter account showing Brooke in a very, very short dress with the words, “Brooke’s legs.” After several fans called him a creep, Hogan deleted the image but then lashed out to those who were calling him creep and a perv.
He said that the photo was taken by a fan which Brooke loved and she tweeted thank you back after the image was sent to her via to social network website. “Proud dad tweets it,” Hogan wrote, saying that there are creeps and perverts everywhere.
His daughter Brooke was also annoyed that they picked on him, calling those people “ignorant” and told them to “go back to your farm animals.”
“A dad can’t even be proud of his daughter without sickos makin it something it’s not. Really??” Brooke wrote.
Hogan is not new to controversy involving his daughter as several years ago he was photographed rubbing sun lotion on her backside next to a pool. You can see those photos at http://w-o.it/118zbaH.
You can see the new photo of Brooke and her killer legs that got proud papa in hot water below.
Former WWE and UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar made his return to WWE television yesterday five months after he “quit” following his victory against Triple H at SummerSlam.
Lesnar returned in the final few minutes of RAW to protect his manager and friend Paul Heyman and delivered the F5 to WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon.
It was reported a few days ago that Lesnar signed a new deal with the company that will keep him around through WrestleMania 31. His previous deal locked him through this year’s WrestleMania with very limited appearances.
Lesnar is rumored to be wrestling Triple H at WrestleMania in a SummerSlam rematch.
Those who will be attending this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony in Madison Square Garden will certainly be Stratusfied as former WWE Women’s champion Trish Stratus was announced as the latest member to be inducted into the Hall of Fame yesterday on RAW.
The 37 year old Canadian beauty started her WWE career in 2000 as a manager of T&A – Test and Albert – before starting her in-ring portion of her career in 2001.
Stratus managed to win the Women’s title a total of 7 times – most than anyone else in the company’s history – and her last win came on her last match before she retired in Toronto at the Unforgiven pay-per-view in 2006, defeating Lita with the Sharpshooter.
She has appeared sporadically on WWE television since her retirement and then came back for another match at WrestleMania XXVII to team up with John Morrison and Snooki to take on Dolph Ziggler and LayCool.
She also was one of the trainers on the rebooted series of Tough Enough along with Booker T, Bill DeMott, and Steve Austin.
“I still can’t believe it! And thank you for the messages-from my friends & Stratuspherians! Love you all,” Trish wrote on her Twitter after the announcement on RAW.
The arrest story of WWE Hall of Famer Tammy “Sunny” Sytch keeps getting weirder as WTNH News8 is reporting that following her arrest, Sunny filed an assault complaint with the police.
Her attorney, Rob Serafinowicz, is claiming that Sytch left the house of Damien Darling with two broken ribs and bruises all over her body, allegedly from an argument between the two. Darling – her boyfriend – called the cops at his house after their argument got heated.
The former Diva had permission from the court to have discussions with him according to Serafinowicz, and it was darling who invited her over to his house. This was her sixth arrest related to the same case.
“I believe that this situation was blown out of proportion. Tammie is doing her best to deal with her issues. She has made great progress and was putting forth her best efforts to try to identify issues in her relationship,” said Serafinowicz.
Her latest rehab stint came to an end on January 5 according to WTNH, a rehab that WWE once again paid for. She is currently in an out-patient program.
She’s locked up in jail with a $100,000 bond and will appear in front of a judge today.
Monday Night RAW rolls into Las Vegas, Nevada, tonight with the usual RAW Roulette taking place on the show.
The Rock returns to RAW as the WWE champion for the first time in a decade as the road to WrestleMania kicks off. All signs are pointing towards Rock vs Cena II at WrestleMania 29 after Cena won the Royal Rumble.
Also, the CEO and Chairman Vince McMahon will be on the show to confront Paul Heyman and to give him his “performance review.”
Oh and let’s hope that the Godfather – who is from Las Vegas – and his ho-train make a stop on RAW after last night’s quick return!
PWInsider.com is reporting that both Chris Jericho and Brock Lesnar have signed new WWE contracts.
Jericho has signed a short-term deal which will see him compete on WWE shows through WrestleMania 29. PWInsider adds that Jericho was kept hidden in a bus until his time was up for the Rumble to keep the element of surprise. He left WWE this past August to tour with his band Fozzy.
Meanwhile, former WWE and UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar also penned a new – and most likely a multi-million dollar – deal with WWE. His one-year limited appearance contract through WrestleMania 29 has been extended for another two years, keeping him around through WrestleMania 31.
Here are the results from last night’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view which took place from the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Antonio Cesaro defeated The Miz in the pre-show match to retain the U.S. title; Alberto Del Rio defeated Big Show in a last man standing match to retain the World Heavyweight title; Kane and Daniel Bryan defeated Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow to retain the Tag Team titles; The Rock defeated CM Punk to win the WWE title; and John Cena won the Royal Rumble match.
The participants in the Royal Rumble were (in order of appearance): Dolph Ziggler, Chris Jericho, Cody Rhodes, Kofi Kingston, Santino Marella, Drew McIntyre, Titus O’Neil, Goldust, David Otunga, Heath Slater, Sheamus, Tensai, Brodus Clay, Rey Mysterio, Darren Young, Bo Dallas, The Godfather, Wade Barrett, John Cena, Damien Sandow, Daniel Bryan, Antonio Cesaro, The Great Khali, Kane, Zack Ryder, Randy Orton, Jinder Mahal, The Miz, Sin Cara, and Ryback.
Ryback and Sheamus had the most eliminations – five in total – followed by Cody Rhodes and John Cena with 4.
Dolph Ziggler and Chris Jericho spent the most time in the Royal Rumble after drawing number 1 and 2 and then were the 27th and 25th eliminated respectively.
After the Royal Rumble went off the air, The Rock got on the mic to thank the fans for their support.
Rocky first dissed the referee who was telling him to get in line with the WM logo hanging from the rafters to get the perfect shot.
Rock said it’s been ten long years since he came back to do something special. He thanked the WWE Superstars in the back for putting a great team effort for a night like tonight. He also thanked his family who were at ringside.
“I wanna thank each and every single one of you. Thank you,” The Rock said, referring to the fans as “Rocky Rocky” chants filled the arena.
He then said his usual “If ya smell..” line before posing some more in the ring.
You can see the video courtesy of YouTube user silo360 below.
The names that were being floated around on other wrestling news sites as surprise entrants for the Rumble – Carlito, Shelton Benjamin, Shane Helms, Chris Masters, and others – were not at the Rumble however there where three other surprises.
The first one of the night was the returning Chris Jericho, who got a massive pop entering at number two. Jericho stayed almost for the entire match before being eliminated.
Goldust came in at number eight to another huge pop from the Phoenix crowd. Obviously his return was not welcomed by his brother Cody Rhodes and the two fought before Rhodes eliminated Goldust.
The other surprise was The Godfather at number 17, who came down the aisle with a rather short ho-train – only 2! Godfather probably has tied the record of Santino Marella for the quickest exit as he got eliminated by Dolph Ziggler as soon as he came in.
Ten years after losing his WWE title to Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, The Rock has once again captured the gold, ending CM Punk’s 430+ days reign as WWE champion yesterday at the Royal Rumble.
Towards the end of the match, lights went out and The Shield interfered, doing the triple power bomb on The Rock through the announce table. CM Punk pinned The Rock afterwards and was announced as the winner.
However WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon came out and said that he warned Punk that if The Shield interfered he would strip Punk of the title. The Rock begged McMahon not to strip him off the title, but let him take it away from him.
McMahon agreed, and the match was restarted. After Rock survived an elbow off the top rope, he delivered the spine buster and his second People’s Elbow to win the WWE title – his 8th of his WWE career.
You can see the video of The Rock winning the WWE title below.
NBC in Connecticut reported yesterday that WWE Hall of Famer Tammy “Sunny” Sytch was arrested in Branford for violating a court order after she was found at her fiancé’s home.
The odd thing about this whole story is that Sytch and her fiancé – Damien Darling – announced that they were engaged earlier this year even though that she was arrested five times prior to yesterday for the same thing.
After her last arrest last year, Sunny was released and ordered to go to rehab which WWE paid for however the treatment didn’t seem to have worked as she is still causing trouble.
Sytch is now being held on a $100,000 bond and will be arraigned at New Haven Superior Court on Monday.
Live tonight from the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona, WWE will present the first pay-per-view of its 2013 calendar, the Royal Rumble! The full card is as follows:
CM Punk vs The Rock for the WWE title; Alberto Del Rio vs Big Show for the World Heavyweight title in a last man standing match; Kane and Daniel Bryan vs Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow for the Tag Team titles; Antonio Cesaro vs The Miz for the U.S. title in the pre-show match; and the 30-man over the top rope Royal Rumble match with the winner going to WrestleMania with a title shot for either the WWE or World title.
Our good friend Ian Hamilton attended the two IMPACT tapings from the Wembley Arena in London, England, yesterday, and sent in the following reports. These shows will air on February 14 and February 21 respectively.
Crowd est 6,000.
Jeremy Borash came out 15 mins early to warm up the crowd.
A steel cage is already up, so we’ll be starting with a cage match. The match is for Xplosion, not Impact.
Xscape the cage match : Zema Ion vs Kenny King. Basic match, King won after crotching Ion on the top rope before climbing out. Decent, but not good that this was our shows cage match!
Impact for February 14
Hogan announces number one contenders tournament for Lockdown. Announces Storm v RVD, Daniels v Magnus, Angle v Joe and Roode vs Aries. Hogan will pick his contender from those matches. Sting named team captain for TNA vs Aces and Eights a Lockdown.
Daniels vs Magnus – not as big a pop as you’d expect at first, but that quickly changed. Kaz was out as manager and got ejected. Magnus and his new music won with the michinoku driver and a top rope elbow for the pin.
Roode vs Aries – they tried to the finger poke of doom on each other but neither budged. It then turned into something of a comedy match. They both did the Eddie Guerrero chair spot, before Chavo and Hernandez came out for a distraction to cause a double count out.
Earl Hebner out for the next match. Some boos but no fans attacking him.
Joe vs Angle – good tv match, although not on the level of their prior matches, but ended in double dq when Brisco and Bischoff ran in. Joe and Angle ran them off. Do Aces and Eights really need jobber members?
Blossom Twins & Party Marty (Scurll) vs Gail Kim, Tara and Jessie. Match was way longer than it needed to be, with a mild response to the British Boot Camp trio at best. Gail Kim pinned one of the Blossoms seconds after Marty scarily overshot a dive to Jesse on the floor, getting nothing but the guard rail. Post match Gail talked down to Tara and set up a title match for impact next week… Out came Brooke who was booed, who arranged Gail vs Tara vs Tessmacher vs Velvet Sky for the title instead.
Marty got up after the Brooke promo and got a good reaction.
Rob Van Dam vs James Storm – the Cowboy picked up the win with a super kick after Van Dam missed a Van Terminator.
Hulk comes out to name number one contender. Aces and Eights come out to corner Hogan, but Bully Ray (no music) then Sting come out for the save to end the show.
Impact spoilers for February 21 show…
Robbie E vs Spud. Spud had a phantom face turn and took a lot of punishment. Spud did get the win when Robbie T stopped E from grabbing the list, allowing Spud to roll E up for the pin. E berated T after the match, slapping him, which led to T taking his shirt off as E ran away in fear. Face turn?
Daniels, Kaz, Roode and Aries vs Hernandez, Chavo, Joseph Park (huge pop) and James Storm. Fun match, story was the heels couldn’t get along, Roode and Aries walked out, leaving Kaz to eat everyone’s finishers, including a second rope splash from Park for a baby face win.
X division title – RVD vs Kenny King. King attacked Van Dam at the bell. Typical RVD match, with him retaining with the five star frog splash.
Hogan promo… Names the number one contender for Lockdown. Bully Ray?! Ray accepts and sets up main event – Aces and Eights vs Ray, Sting and Hulk Hogan!
Garett Bischoff vs Samoa Joe. Think I can see someone getting killed here… Glorified squash until Wes Brisco ran out for dq. Jobbers and Eights briefly beat up Joe but Angle ran out for the save. For Lockdown they announced Brisco vs Angle in a cage.
Gail Kim vs Tara vs Tessmacher vs Velvet Sky for the Knockouts title. Tara came out to Brooke’s music in another in a list of production botches. Jesse was thrown out at the start of the match. This was announced on the prior show as an elimination match but there was a load of broken up pins in front of a dead crowd. After 3 hours, people were beyond burned out by this point.
Gail pinned Tara after Velvet hit her sit out pedigree so we’ll get a new champion. It was an elimination so the match continued. Very little reaction – why break up pins if it’s elimination rules?? Tessmacher eliminated after her attempt to roll up Velvet from another sit out pedigree failed, leaving us with Gail vs Velvet – Velvet Sky wins the title with another sit out pedigree.
Devon, ?? (it wasn’t Knox, he had no beard) and DOC vs Bully Ray, Sting and Hulk Hogan. Hogan’s music played, no Hulk. Twice. Match started without Hulk. Crowd seemed deflated by the swerve as the heels enjoyed their advantage. After Bully took a lot of punishment, Sting took the hot tag and cleaned house. Bully wastaviut to do the Wazaap head but on mystery Aces and Eights man but Knox and other Aces and Eights guys came out with a kidnapped Brooke and injured Hulk. Bully ran off to save her as Aces and Eights stole pin on Sting. Post match beat down on Sting as Bully and Brooke and Hulk watched on from the ramp. The locker room emptied out as war erupted to end the show with TNA on top.
NXT competitor Bo Dallas won an eight-man tournament earlier today at the Royal Rumble Fan Fest and a spot in tomorrow’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
Dallas won his matches against fellow NXT competitors Luke Harper, Conor O’Brian, and then Leo Kruger in the final to book his place in the 30-men over the top rope match.
Corey Graves, Oliver Grey, Xavier Woods, and Adrian Neville were the other four from NXT who participated in the tournament which was moved inside the U.S. Airways Center Plaza after rain disrupted the festivities which were being held outside.
Bo Dallas – real name Taylor Rotunda – is the son of of WWE agent Mike Rotunda, who is also better known as IRS.
Todd Pettengill, the former WWE backstage interviewer and broadcast commentator, is giving WWE a helping hand once again, hosting the upcoming In Your House DVD and Blu-Ray which will be released on April 30.
The radio DJ confirmed his contribution in a post on Facebook yesterday when a fan asked him that he heard a rumor that he might be hosting the DVD.
“lol Yes it’s true…had a great time seeing the ‘old gang,'” Pettengill replied.
Pettengill made his WWE debut in 1993, doing mainly backstage interviews after long-time WWE employee Sean Mooney left the company. He hosted several of the morning WWE shows and worked the pay-per-view pre-shows until SummerSlam 1997, which was his last event for the company.
