W-O reader and friend Jeramie McPeek from the Phoenix Suns sent in word that Dolph Ziggler and ring announcer Justin Roberts were at the U.S. Airways Center on Wednesday, sitting courtside for the Phoenix Suns’ game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The two were shown and recognized on the big screen and on local TV broadcasts.
WWE will return to the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix in January for the Royal Rumble featuring The Rock. You can see photos Ziggler and Roberts at the game at http://usacnow.com/zig
In the first night of back to back free events from the UFC the Ultimate Fighter Smashes will crown their first champions as lightweights Norman Parke faces off against Colin Fletcher and welterweights Bradley Scott will compete against Robert Whittaker. The Ultimate Fighter Smashes took place in Australia against Team U.K, fighters and tonight’s event is taking place in Queensland Australia. The card is headlined by a five round affair between dangerous lightweights and Australia’s own George Sotiropoulos meets Sunderland, England’s Ross Pearson. In another main card match that all eyes should be on is middleweights Rousimar Palhares and Hector Lombard square off. Prelims on Fuel kick off at 6pm ET/ 3pm PT and main card begins at 9pm Et/ 6pm PT.
Prelims on Fuel TV
Light Heavyweights(205lbs)
Cody “Donnybrook” Donovan vs Nick “The Quiet Assassin” Penner
Ref: Marc Goddard
Round 1-
Donovan goes to the body early and Penner forces him against the cage. Donovan is pressed against the cage but lands a couple knees. Donovan gets free and as he closes the distance Penner drops him with a right. Donovan tries for an armbar but Penner pulls his arm free. Donovan now attempts a triangle and Penner stands back up after he pulls his head free. Penner catches Donovan with an upper cut as he comes in again and Donovan is back down on his back. Donovan tries for a heel hook from the bottom again. Penner stands back up. Donovan catches Penner with a foot to the groin as he goes for a knee. As the resume Penner catches lands another counter right and Donovan is able to grab the legs of Penner and pull them out from under him to get the take down. Donovan works from a half guard and Penner is able to push him off as he moves to the mount. Penner gets up and eats a left that drops him. Donovan now stands above Penner and rains down punches that put out Penner. Goddard jumps in and stops the fight.
Winner at 4:35 of round 1 by TKO(strikes) Cody “Donnybrook” Donovan
Lightweights(155lbs)
Mike “The Warrior” Wilkinson vs Brendan Loughnane
Ref: John Sharp
Round 1-
Loughnane goes to work early with the leg kicks. Loughnane switching back and forth his stances and the alternate leg kicks. Loughnane with a nice side kick to the body and Wilkinson has not been able to get inside to land a punch. Wilkinson clips Loughnane with a winging left and he dives in to get the take down. Loughnane has the high closed guard and trying to strike from the bottom. Wilkinson with some nice punches to the body then up to the head. Wilkinson is keeping his head pressed to the body of Loughnane to avoid most of the strikes from the bottom. Wilkinson again to the body then head. Loughnane is able to get up using the cage and breaks the clinch Loughnane with a nice right and Wilkinson is not able to get the take down when he tries this time. Loughnane with a head kick that is partially deflected as Wilkinson ducks to punch the body.
Round 2-
Loughnane with another kick and he avoids two take down attempts from Wilkinson. Wilkinson now clips Loughnane with the overhand right and has him against the fence. Wilkinson with a short right then drops for another take down. Wilkinson going for the single but can’t complete it. Loughnane gets free and nails Wilkinson with a left hook as Wilkinson goes for another body shot. Wilkinson is cut above the right eye. Wilkinson is doing a lot of pursuing lands a straight that bloodies the nose of Loughnane. Wilkinson goes for another take down against the fence but Loughnane with the under hook spins free. Loughnane really working that lower lead leg kick btu Wilkinson is walking through it. Loughnane eats a left and now Wilkinson has him against the cage with a body lock. Loughnane looking for a kimura eats a series of knees to the face. Loughnane spins free and lands a left of his own these two stand in front of each other and trade until the close of the round.
Round 3-
Loughnane lands a right straight and eats a counter right hook from Wilkinson. Wilkinson goes to the body with the left and upstairs with another right hook. Wilkinson catches an inside leg kick high on the thigh and takes a pinky finger to the eye. Loughnane with straight left and Wilkinson counters with another right hand. Wilkinson is finding a home for that counter right. Wilkinson tries for a double and can’t get it neither can he get a single. Wilkinson with an over hand right and as he comes in to go to the body Loughnane barely misses with a huge lifting knee. Wilkinson goes for another take down and has Loughnane against the cage. Loughnane reverses and puts Wilkinson against the fence now and delivers a knee. Both men are bloodied and Loughnane now is unable to get the take down. Loughnane backs off and drops Wilkinson with a right. Wilkinson quickly recovers and works his way back to his feet. Loughnane holding on to the body and grabs the back of Wilkinson’s head to deliver a knee to the face. Wilkinson peppering him with punches and Loughnane backs off. the stand and trade punches. Wilkinson getting the better countering. Loughnane switches it up and goes for another huge knee as they trade punches again for the last few seconds of the fight.
Big round of applause from the crowd for the fight these two put on.
Winner by Unanimous Decision(29-28, 29-28, 29-28 ) and still undefeated Mike “The Warrior” Wilkinson
Welterweights(170lbs)
Manuel “Chalate” Rodriguez vs Ben “Benny Blanco” Alloway
Ref: Steve Perceval
Round 1-
Rodriguez immediately goes in for the take down after he gets him on the fence he gets the double leg. Alloway working for a triangle as soon as they hit the mat. Rodriguez gets into side control and Alloway is walking up the cage. Rodriguez keeps a hold of the body lock and drags Alloway back down. Rodriguez in half guard actively working his way to side control. Alloway is blocking with his knee and Rodriguez goes to the other side and gets it. Alloway rolls over and Rodriguez takes his back and sinks one hook in. Alloway in a turtled position keeping Rodriguez from getting the second one. Alloway gets back to his feet after eating some punches before Rodriguez drags him down. Alloway quickly gets up and has Rodriguez on the fence. Alloway with a few knees to the legs then separates. Rodriguez eats a counter left from Alloway. Alloway kicks Rodriguez in the groin and the ref thinks that it was body shot and it dropped Rodriguez. Perceval is waving off the fight then meets with the commissioner and gets permission to restart the fight. Rodriguez is fine now. Alloway goes for a front kick as Rodriguez is dropping levels and the kick connects to the chin ala Silva vs Belfort. Alloway lands a little ground and pound but Rodriguez is out with under 10 secs left in the round.
Winner by KO at 4:57 of round 1 Benny “Benny Blanco” Alloway
Welterweights (170lbs)
Seth “Polish Pistola” Baczynski vs Mike Pierce
Ref: Marc Goddard
Round 1-
Pierce quickly gets the double and is in full guard. Baczynski pounding away at the side of the head of Pierce. Pierce lifts him up and slams him down closer to the cage. Baczynski uses it thought to wall walk and get back to his feet. Pierce holds tight and keeps working to get the bigger man back down. Baczynski sprawls then is able to circle out. Baczynski just misses with a front kick and Pierce throws a left and shoots but doesnt get the take down. Pierce catches a body kick and gets the take down now. Pierce in half guard is preventing Baczynski from walking back up the cage. Pierce with right hands to the face and Baczynski gets back up till Pierce grabs him and lifts him into the air and slams Baczynski on his back. Baczynski eats a short elbow and now trying to punch from the bottom. Pierce keeps him down and punches away at the body till the end of round 1.
Round 2-
Touch gloves now for round 2 and Baczynski trying to work the jab to keep Pierce out of range. Pierce quickly grabs the lead leg and puts Baczynski back down with a single. Pierce with some busy ground and pound. Baczynski gets back to his feet but is just being smothered by Pierce. Baczynski trying everything to get off the cage and out of the grasp of Pierce. Baczynski with a flying knee now but Pierce ties him up. Baczynski has Pierce against the cage and threatens a guillotine. Baczynski gets off a couple punches then resets to the center. Pierce goes for another take down and eats some elbows from Baczynski. Baczynski gets back to the middle and as he goes for the Muay Thai clinch he eats a series of uppercuts that briefly drops his legs from under him. Pierce is able to get the fighter back to the canvas and while Baczynski is staying busy punching off his back Pierce is clearly controlling.
Round 3-
Baczynski is busted open under the left eye and Pierce comes charging forward with big winging punches then tries to tie up Baczynski. Baczynski circles free and jab jab flying knee. Baczynski mixing it up the knees and punches finding his spots with good accuracy. Pierce is busted up under the eye and takes a knee to the body on his way to getting the take down. Baczynski with elbows from the bottom and hammer fist. Pierce is landing with some punches but missing with the big punches and elbows. Baczynski threatening with the triangle and arm bar as he is punching away. Goddard stands them up as Pierce wasn’t doing much other then avoiding shots on the top. Pierce shoots for the power double and gets it off the fence. Baczynski threatens the submission again but Pierce is in no real danger. Pierce begins raining down punches with seconds left in the fight.
That was a very diligent wrestler grinding out the victory.
Winner by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28 ) Mike Pierce
Light Heavyweights (205lbs)
Joey “The Mexicutioner” Beltran vs Igor Pokrajac
Ref: John Sharp
Round 1-
Pokrajac want to set up the striking and Beltran immediately pins Pokrajac against the fence and works the dirty boxing with his head pinned under the jaw of Pokrajac. Pokrajac thinks he is getting room and Beltran goes to work with a body shot then big uppercuts. Beltran pushes him back in the fence then with a vicious big combo to the body sorry didn’t count them too fast. Beltran grinds against him a little more then lets go and mixes up another big combos to the head and body. Beltran ties him back up and threatens the take down just to release and deliver another fast combo to the head and body now he mixes in a knee to the body. Pokrajac is eating a big series of uppercuts to the body and face. Pokrajac plays opossum looks hurt but ends up hurting Beltran with a short right uppercut. Now Pokrajac has Beltran against the cage and Beltran is still firing away with knees elbows and punches. Last ten seconds and the two just winging the punches. GREAT ROUND 1 for Beltran.
Round 2-
Pokrajac with a counter left to the charging Beltran as Pokrajac sways out of the way. Pokrajac with a nice counter left to the forehead. Pokrajac walking down Beltran landing some good shots as he gets Beltran backed up to the fence. Beltran working the inside elbow as Pokrajac working for a take down. Beltran reverses and foot stomps Pokrajac. Pokrajac takes more short shots to the body and an inside elbow. Beltran landing the dirty boxing with shots to the head then body. Beltran with foot stomp, knee to the thigh then short punches up top. Beltran catches Pokrajac with an uppercut to the groin that was aimed for the body. Beltran now with some great head movement. Beltran gets the single collar tie and is unloading with right hooks and uppercuts as Beltran forces him against the cage. Pokrajac is taking an amazing amount of punches. Beltran back to the body head dirty boxing combos.
Round 3-
Beltran is looking sharp at 205. Pokrajac walks down Beltran but Beltran with more fantastic head movement is ducking and weaving out of the way. Beltran spins Pokrajac against the cage now with a single under hook and mixes in dirty boxing. Beltran with a nice counter left after eating a right hook from Pokrajac. Pokrajac fires off three right hooks and Beltran eats them and counters with his own. Pokrajac with his hands down is trying to pressure Beltran now and Beltran pushes back up against Pokrajac puts his head under the chin and drives knees to the body and legs. Pokrajac briefly gets space eats a few shots to the body tries to strike and Beltran puts him back on the cage. Pokrajac tries to drop down for a take down and Beltran sprawls threatens a guillotine then delivers a series of knees to the head of Pokrajac. 10 secs left and these two go back to just throwing all they got left including a head kick that is deflected from Beltran.
Beltran looked GOOD! That is a former heavyweight who had some difficulties in the past but you can’t help but think he would have stopped any one with out the granite chin of Pokrajac. Beltran was pressing a great pace and never showed signs of gassing.
Winner by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Joey “The Mexicutioner” Beltran
Featherweight (145 lbs)
Yaotzin Meza vs Chad “Money” Mendes
Ref: Steve Perceval
Round 1-
Meza is making his UFC debut and is training partner of 155 champ Benson Henderson. In fact, Meza took this fight last week when he was at UFC on FOX to corner Henderson.
Mendes with multiple leg kicks as Meza works to get the jab established. Lots of circling Mendes goes to body with a left and the right hook behind it clips the chin. Mendes with a nice left to the body the center back octagon and Mendes connects this time with the overhand right counter that lands flesh on the jaw and Meza is down. Mendes with a right, left, right punches to the unprotected chin of Meza and he is out.
Winner by KO at 1:55 of round 1 Chad “Money” Mendes
Joey Beltran does an interview for Fuel and when asked who he wants next it took him no time to call out Thiago Silva. Beltran says “he was disrespectful… and calls him a bully that needs to be dealt with.” Beltran points out Silva is currently suspended so it may or may not work out but he says he could use a little time off.
UFC on FX 6 main card
Middleweights (185lbs)
Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares vs Hector “Lightning” Lombard
Ref: Marc Goddard
Round 1-
Brazilian Top Team fighter takes on American Top Team. Lombard with a big looping right hook from Lombard that barely misses a retreating Palhares. Lombard eats a knee this time coming in. Lombard drops Palhares with the right and Palhares immediately spins for the leg of Lombard. Lombard lets him up and is using the right hook to set up the left and he catches him this time and drops Palhares. Lombard gets in side control and waves his hand motioning for the Goddard to stand them. Goddard applies Lombard pressures Palhares over to the cage and Lombard has a pair of right hooks partially blocked before landing the left uppercut that drops Palhares. Lombard with a series of rights as they go down then Lombard connects with the left again to get the knockout victory. Lombard has delivered that KO that UFC fans have been waiting for since he came to the organization. Lombard dropped his last fight and UFC debut to Tim Boetsh. Even though Palhares is out they give Lombard the TKO as the ref may have been on his way in before those last two lefts connected.
Winner by TKO at 3:38 of round to 1 Hector “Lightning” Lombard
Lombard said he “wants to do that to Bisping! Bisping? Where are you? Stop talking! I want to get my hands on you, when asked about the finish. Lombard also stated that his first mma fight came in the Gold Coast and that all of his wins are credited to Australia.
TUF:Smashes Lightweight (155lbs) Finale
Norman “Stormin” Parke vs Colin “The Freakshow” Fletcher
Ref: John Sharp
Round 1-
Fletcher with an 8″ reach advantage. Parke with a overhand left and tries to tie up Fletcher with an over/under hook. Parke gets Fletcher to the outside and works for the body lock and briefly gets the take down on Fletcher gets back up. Parke spins him off the cage and gets the take down. Parke in half guard and Fletcher weakly tries to distract Parke with a guillotine. Parke still in half guard now has a wrist lock working to get it into an arm bar. Fletcher avoids and Parke delivers a series of short elbows in close off the head of Fletcher. Parke gets to side control than as Fletcher spins Parke takes north/south and as he gets the salivary position on Fletcher; Fletcher is able to spin and sweep Parke onto his back. The round ends with Fletcher working from side control.
Round 2-
Fletcher’s corner tells him he his down a round. Parke eats a pair of leg kicks then goes for the clinch and single off of it. Fletcher tries to counter with the knees but Parke gets him over to the cage and gets the body lock take down. Fletcher on the bottom trying to get an arm bar while Parke is working for the knee. Parke spins and takes side control. Parke gets a one armed guillotine. Parke can’t lock in the submission but takes the mount position and drops a big elbow. Fletcher spins and Parke gets a body triangle and locks in the rear naked choke. Parke can’t get it under the chin and Fletcher gets back to his feet. Parke with a counter left that connects. Fletcher kick kick then lounging jab that has him eating another counter left. Parke with a nice left right left combo. Fletcher goes back to kicking at the body and legs of Parke to get the distance. Parke is able to secure one last take down in the final 10 seconds.
Round 3-
Parke counter well against the taller Fletcher. Parke with the rights and straight left down the middle. Parke with a left hook right jab left combo. Fletcher is bleeding from the corner of the eye and nose it looks like. Fletcher steps in with an inside leg kick and Parke counters with the left. They are not landing clean but Parke is throwing them to end the fight. Fletcher lands a stepping elbow but eats a thudding body shot for it. Fletcher with another elbow attempt and Parke lands a quick left right combo. Parke gets the take down with thirty seconds left and Fletcher rolls over and is able to get up in the last 10 seconds. Parke hears the tapping and just throws all the punches he can as fast as he can. The two friends from Northern Ireland and England embrace after the bell.
Winner and 1st TUF: Smashes lightweight contract recipient by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) “Stormin” Norman Parke
TUF:Smashes Welterweight (170lbs) Finale
Bradley “Bear” Scott vs Robert Whittaker
Ref: Steve Perceval
Round 1-
Scott is able to close the distance and get the over/under on Whittaker against the cage. Whittaker with knee to the body that are lifting Scott up in the air. Whittaker is able to push off Scott and lands a left hook as they reset in the center. Whittaker counters the push kick with another left that connects. Whittaker with a left right hook combo and Scott pushes through it to tie up Whittaker. Whittaker with some knees going back wards. Whittaker gets him off of him and lands a charging 5 punch combo that drops Scott. Whittaker trying to finish it but Scott survives and gets back to his feet. Scott pressing forward and as soon as he slows Whittaker charges forward with a 3 punch combo. Whittaker lands a head kick right before the end of the round.
Round 2-
Bradley still being the aggressor but this time when Whittaker blitzes Scott counters with body/head combo. Scott with left hook right leg kick combo that lands and now Whittaker tries his own leg kick and catches Scott in the cup. After a break they touch gloves and Scott nails him in the body and misses the right. Scott lands a high kick. Scott grabs Whittaker as he comes forward this time and lands some knees. Scott gets the take down and gets one hook in on a kneeling Whittaker. Scott trying to open him up with punches. Scott gives up on the hook and knees Whittaker in the body. Scott with more short shots now gets both hooks in against the fence. Scott punching and punching. Scott keeps Whittaker from escaping out the back but Whittaker switches and goes forward to get up. Whittaker with a left hook to counter a kick. Scott is going to the body with a right upper cut left hook combo over and over but not having much success. Whittaker with a head kick that is deflected just before the horn.
Round 3-
Whittaker with a right straight left hook combo. Now Whittaker charges forward again with another 1, 2, 1 combo. It has Scott covering but it doesn’t stop Whittaker from landing a couple right upper cuts. Whittaker now stepping in with big elbows as Scott comes in. Scott with a left that you see bust the nose of Whittaker. Scott now trying the elbow and then a 4 punch combo. Whittaker with a stepping elbow now a big left hook. Whittaker tries for a single collar tie and throws a few upward elbows. Whittaker with a head kick that is blocked. Whittaker is exploding forward with the elbow. Whittaker follows with a thudding body kick. Crowd is going insane. Whittaker has busted open a gusher on the hair line of Scott with those upward elbows. as the crowd gets louder these two are throwing more and more behind their punches. Whittaker with a step to the left out of the way of Scott’s strikes and lands a pair of left upper cuts as time runs out.
1st TUF:Smashes Welterweight winner by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Australia’s own Robert Whittaker
Coming up next…
5 Round Lightweight(155lbs) TUF:Smashes coaches
Ross “The Real Deal” Pearson vs George Sotiropoulos
Ref: Marc Goddard
Round 1-
These two back away when given a chance to touch gloves. Pearson steps to the left of Sotiropoulos punch and lands a counter right hook. Pearson with a right hook again then he ducks under the punch of Sotiropoulos. Pearson with solid right hook then a left and Sotiropoulos is doing the wobbly leg dance while trying to retreat. Pearson gives chase and Sotiropoulos ties him up and lands a pair of knees. Sotiropoulos retreating again still ooks wobbly eats another right. Pearson partially deflects a head kick but you see him grimace. Pearson with a thudding leg kick that takes the legs out from under Sotiropoulos and he goes down. Pearson lets him back up to his feet. Sotiropoulos keeping his hands high lands a nice jab down the middle that has Pearson flailing backwards. Sotiropoulos ties him up then gets the slamming take down. Pearson rolls over and Sotiropoulos digs the hooks in with 30 seconds left. Sotiropoulos working for the RNC and Pearson stands up with him on his back Sotiropoulos still trying to get the choke under the chin and Pearson falls forward onto Sotiropoulos it creates enough space that Pearson rolls and Sotiropoulos ends the round in side control.
Round 2-
Pearson starts out the round with another thudding leg kick. Pearson using the head movement to avoid the jab lands a good left to the body. Sotiropoulos circling while going back and Pearson lands another thudding left hook to the body. Sotiropoulos with a jab. Pearson now trying to incorporate the left jab down the pipe. They trade more jabs and now Pearson is ducking them again and landed a couple left hooks to the body. Sotiropoulos snaps the head back now of Pearson with the jab. Pearson connects with the left hook this time as he ducks under a jab. Pearson with another left hook this time it drops Sotiropoulos again. Pearson lets him up. Pearson with the lunging left that connects again and Pearson stuffs a pair of take downs.
Round 3-
Pearson with a left hook has Sotiropoulos grabbing his eye then his legs give out and he goes down. Pearson dives in and lands some ground and pound. Sotiropoulos tries to get a triangle and Pearson lets him up. Pearson goes to the body then another big left hook has Sotiropoulos retreating again barely on his feet. Pearson with a left jab down the pipe that lands now an over hand right followed by a stepping left jab. Sotiropoulos ducks but not in time and Pearson throws that big right hook again and it looked to hit the arms of Sotiropoulos but Sotiropoulos drops like a block of cement and Goddard is running in to stop the fight. Pearson is successful in his return to the 155er weight class.
Winner by TKO at 0:41 of round 3 Ross “The Real Deal” Pearson
Check back later or on twitter for the nights award winners and I’ll be back with the TUF 16 Finale: Nelson vs Mitrione tomorrow night.
Las Vegas, Nevada – History will be made on Saturday, Feb. 23 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., as the Ultimate Fighting Championship will present its first women’s bout featuring UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey defending her title against top contender Liz Carmouche.
Rousey, a former Olympian and native of Southern California, is unbeaten in her pro career at 6-0, with all of her wins coming by way of submission. In her first UFC title defense she’ll meet Carmouche, a 28-year-old U.S. Marine from San Diego who has built a reputation for her power and grit.
“Ronda is the real deal,” UFC President Dana White said. “She’s nasty. She’s mean. She’s like Chuck Liddell. She goes out there and tries to finish her opponents. And Carmouche is tough as nails, too. She was a Marine and she’s got great ground-and-pound. I look forward to having the women join the UFC.”
In addition to Rousey-Carmouche, former world champions Dan Henderson and Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida will collide with the winner likely to earn a light heavyweight title shot. Henderson, a former PRIDE and Strikeforce champion, last defeated Maurico “Shogun” Rua in what many consider to the best fight of 2011. Meanwhile, former UFC light heavyweight champion Machida knocked out Ryan Bader in August and now has his sights set on a battle with “Hendo.”
Also on the card is an exciting bantamweight contest between former WEC champion “The California Kid” Urijah Faber and Ivan Menjivar. The two fought in 2006, with Faber scoring a disqualification victory. Now the two meet again with a chance to propel themselves into title contention at 135 pounds.
Tickets for UFC157: ROUSEY vs. CARMOUCHE go on sale Friday, Dec. 21 at 10 a.m. PT and are priced at $350, $250, $150, $100, $75 and $50. Fans can purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster retail locations and by phone at (800) 745-3000. Tickets will be available at the Honda Center Box Office beginning Saturday, December 22. Ticket prices do not include applicable service charges.
UFC Fight Club members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 10 a.m. PT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, Dec. 20, starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this pre-sale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.
UFC157: ROUSEY vs. CARMOUCHE will be available live on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on UFC.TV, iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN and in Canada on BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $44.99 US/$49.99 CAN for Standard Definition and $54.99 US/$59.99 CAN for High Definition.
For more information or current fight news, visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.
Former WWE champion The Miz played Top Gun last week for real when the WWE crew were in Virginia for a few days to tape Tribute to the Troops.
The Miz underwent intense training for the flight which was handled by Squadron VFA-211 and then broke the speed of sound in an F/A-18 fighter jet riding in the “passenger” seat.
TMZ carried the story and managed to get exclusive footage of The Miz flying at Mach 1.2 and you can see it below.
CM Punk will be having some additional time off after Christmas as he recuperates from the knee surgery that he underwent almost two weeks ago.
Punk was scheduled to headline all the non-televised events however John Cena and Dolph Ziggler are set to take the main event spot till the WWE champion comes back.
Interesting to note is that for the December 28 show in Madison Square Garden, Ryback will be wrestling against non other than Paul Heyman! Heyman doesn’t usually appear at house shows unless they are in hot cities like New York and Philadelphia where he has a strong following.
Mashable.com has conducted an interview with UFC President Dana White over the success of the company when it comes to the use of social media.
The UFC has a big presence on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and White is very active on Twitter, chatting with fans every day and does video blogs for the YouTube channel. In 2011, the UFC was the first sports organization to broadcast live fights on Facebook, a trend which WWE picked up this year with their PPV pre-shows.
In January, White will deliver the keynote speech at the BusinessNextSocial conference to give other execs tips and insights on how the UFC made it week in social networking.
WWE has hired Monty Sopp, better known to wrestling fans as Billy Gun and Kipp James, as a new trainer for the developmental system NXT.
The former tag team title holder joins Joey Mercury, Norman Smiley, Ricky Steamboat, and Terry Taylor as a trainer down in Florida.
He last appeared for WWE in July of this year when he returned with Road Dogg and X-Pac to reunite with Triple H and Shawn Michaels as Degeneration-X for the 1,000th episode of Monday Night RAW.
The last time he was actually employed by the company was in 2004 and in 2005 he joined TNA Wrestling where he stayed there till 2009.
Impact begins with Bobby Roode making his way to the ring. Roode is pissed off that Aces and Eights attacked him after he paid them off this past Sunday. Roode wants to know why they attacked him and he calls them out. Devon comes out with Doc and several other Aces and Eights members. Devon tells Roode that Aces and Eights like doing business and making money, but they got a better offer. Roode wants to know who but Devon will only tell him that they got a better offer. Aces and Eights enter the ring and Roode retreats. James Storm and Jeff Hardy run down to the ring to chase Aces and Eights away.
In the back, Velvet Sky is celebrating her return after a 6 month absence. She tells us she has pigeons up her ass and they want to come out. It sounds a little uncomfortable to me, but I’m sure Tazz is happy to hear it. Commercial
Match #1: Madison Rayne versus Velvet Sky. The aforementioned pigeons are let loose before the match. Todd Keneley hands Tazz a towel to wipe himself off. While Velvet shows off her ass, Madison pushes her hard into the corner. Velvet responds by slamming Madison’s face into the corner repeatedly. Velvet hits Madison with a kick and a snapmare. Madison retaliates with a clothesline. Madison steps on Velvet’s hair, grabs her arms, and then pulls. Madison wraps Velvets head up in a headscissors and then slams her face repeatedly into the mat. Madison goes for a cover and Velvet kicks out at 2. Velvet lands a kick and a pair of chops. Velvet hits Madison with a punch, puts her in a headlock, clotheslines her several times, and then takes her down with a bulldog. Velvet hits Madison with a face plant for the win.
In the back, Kurt Angle, Wes Briscoe, and Garrett Bischoff do a bullshit segment that is nothing more than a commercial for 5 hour energy. That was annoying. Commercials should be kept for commercial breaks, so don’t buy 5 hour energy. This was followed by an actual commercial break. Commercial
Match #2: Robbie E and Big Robbie T versus Garrett Bischoff and Wes Briscoe. Robbie T powerslams Briscoe and then tags Robbie E. Robbie E lands a couple punches and a slap. Briscoe lands a couple punches in return and Robbie takes him down with a drop toe hold. Robbie E fake tags in big Rob, and big Rob puts Wes in a bearhug. Wes fights his way out and Robbie slams him into the corner. The Robbies double team Wes and Robbie T tags Robbie E in. Robbie E body slams Wes and climbs to the top rope. Robbie E jumps off the top rope but Briscoe gets his boots up in time and knocks Robbie down. Wes tags Bischoff in and Bischoff hits Robbie with some strikes and a shoulder block. Garrett hits Robbie E with a flapjack but is then knocked down by a cheap shot from Robbie T. Robbie E tags Robbie T in. Garrett lands a shot to Robbie T and tags in Briscoe. Briscoe comes off the top rope and hits Robbie T with a flying cross body for the win. Kurt Angle celebrates with his young protégés but is then attacked by Aces and Eights. Aces and Eights clip Angle’s leg from behind. Angle will be facing Devon next week for the tv title, which is probably why this attack took place. Commercial
When we return, Kurt Angle is being tended to in the back by the trainers. Joseph Park, meanwhile, is getting ready to start wrestling school and he shows up at Ohio Valley Wrestling. Head instructor Danny Davis shows Park the ropes and screams at him like a drill sergeant.
Tara and Jesse show up in Brooke Hogan’s office to try and score some brownie points. Brooke doesn’t want to hear it and tells Jesse he needs to stick another sock in his shorts. Commercial
Match #3: Jeff Hardy and James Storm versus Doc and a large masked man from Aces and Eights. Doc and Storm start things off and exchange punches. Storm hits Doc with a clothesline and tags in Hardy. Hardy comes in off the top down across Doc’s arm. Doc tags in the masked man and Hardy hits him with a punch, a clothesline, and then hurricanranas him to the floor. Hardy kicks the masked man back to the floor as he tries to re enter, then Hardy follows up with a double clothesline to Doc and the masked man on the floor. Commercial
Hardy lands a kick to Devon but the masked man hits Hardy with a cheap shot. Devon stomps on Hardy as Tazz points out that the masked man is the massive member of Aces and Eights. That sounded dirty to me. Storm hits Doc several times on the floor outside the ring. The masked man saves Doc and Doc rolls Hardy back into the ring. Doc lands several punches and then tags in the masked member. Doc and the masked man exchange a couple quick tags and pummel Hardy. Hardy eventually gets free by hitting the masked man with a jawbreaker, but is unable to make the tag. Hardy takes more shots from Aces and Eights and nearly makes the tag again but is stopped by Doc, who wraps up Hardy’s legs and drags him back to the corner. After some more double teaming, the masked man throws Hardy to the floor and then Doc slams Hardy into the security barrier. The masked man tags Doc and Doc hits Hardy with a splash in the middle of the ring. Doc puts Hardy in a headlock but Hardy fights out. Hardy lands an elbow and then whisper in the wind and both men are down. Doc and the masked man try to keep Hardy isolated but he escapes with a mule kick and tags in Storm. Storm runs in and hits the masked man with a flying crossbody and then tags Hardy back in so they can execute “poetry in motion.” Storm and Hardy follow up with a double suplex to Doc. Hardy hits the masked man with a clothesline and Devon runs in to interfere. Storm cuts off Devon and Hardy hits the masked man with the twist of fate for the win.
After the match, Devon reveals that it was Austin Aries that paid them off this past Sunday. Commercial
When we return, AJ Styles makes his way to the ring to address the crowd after his historic loss to Christopher Daniels at Final Resolution. AJ says he doesn’t know what he’s doing next, but he does know he is sick of being a corporate guy and cleaning up TNA’s messes. From now on he’s out for #1, AJ Styles. Dixie approaches him after and asks who he is. AJ walks away. In another part of the backstage area, Christopher Daniels and Kaz celebrate Daniels recent victory over AJ. Kaz promises Daniels he has a surprise for him.
Match #4: Kenny King versus X Division champ RVD. The title is not on the line, but King wants the win badly after losing to RVD in a title match this past Sunday. King and RVD exchange head locks and hammerlocks to start the match off, reversing each other several times. RVD hits King with a kick and then poses for the crowd. Kings kicks RVD in the back and knocks him to the floor. King hits RVD with a corkscrew dive to RVD on the floor. King rolls RVD in and then hits him with a few strikes, and then follows up with a leaping back elbow in the corner. King lands a punch but RVD fights back and lands a couple spin kicks. RVD goes to the top rope and hits King with a flying leg drop. RVD goes back up top but King cuts him off and hits him with a springboard blockbuster. King swings at RVD but Van Dam ducks it and bodyslams King. RVD hits King with a northern lights suplex and then a leg drop. RVD goes to the top and hits King with a flying crossbody. King rolls through the crossbody by Van Dam and covers RVD. King gets his feet on the ropes for additional (and illegal) leverage and gets the win.
In the back, Hulk Hogan and Bully Ray are having an argument. Hogan is mad that Bully has been sneaking around with Hulk’s daughter. Ray claims Brooke has been following him around, and that Hogan should trust him after all he’s done for TNA lately. They both seem very angry. Commercial
Match #5: Jesse (with Tara) versus Bully Ray. Ray starts off strong and hits Jesse with a clothesline, a punch, and a shoulder block. Jesse tries to retaliate with some chops, but Bully Ray shrugs them off like they were nothing. Bully hits Jesse with a big boot to the face, and then follows up with a couple very LOUD chops to the chest. Tara comes in to beg Bully to stop hurting her boyfriend, and Bull Ray spanks her in the middle of the ring. Jesse looks angry that his girlfriend just got spanked by another man and knocks Bully Ray over with a double axe handle to the back. Jesse stomps on Ray, chops him, and then hits him with another double axe handle. Jesse hits Bully Ray with a couple crossfaces and forearm shots. Jesse shows off his impressive physique to the crowd. Jesse hits Bully with a couple elbow strikes and a dropkick. Bully hits Jesse with another chop, but Jesse knocks Bully back down with a clothesline and then punches him repeatedly. Jesse hits Ray with a big boot in the corner and a back elbow. Tara reaches up and pulls Bully’s neck down over the rope, choking him. Jesse hits Ray with a forearm and a dropkick. Jesse flexes again and then tries to follow up with a leg drop but misses. Ray hits Jesse with a Bubba Cutter (Bully Cutter?) for the win! After the match, Bully Ray asks the camera what it’s going to take for Hogan to trust him. Commercial
When we return, Austin Aries makes his way to the ring. Austin admits that he was the man that paid Aces and Eights to attack Jeff Hardy and Bobby Roode at the end of the Pay Per View Sunday. Austin isn’t surprised that they outed him, and he doesn’t mind, just as long as they did what they were paid to do, and they did. Aries reminds us that when he was champion, Hogan put Aries in the front line to face Aces and Eights and he got nothing for it. Now he’s going to do things his way and get back his world title. Jeff Hardy comes out and says all Aries had to do was ask like a man. Aries responds that he isn’t sure about that, he thinks he may have to climb a ladder or have some other gimmick or stipulation that doesn’t favor him. Hardy challenges Aries to a title match next week on Impact as part of Championship Thursday. The crowd seems to like the idea, but Aries says he doesn’t want to fight Hardy in the Impact Zone in front of all his fans, he wants to decide when and where they fight, whether the fans like it or not. Hardy says he always gives the fans what they want, and then tackles Aries. The two men brawl for a while before Hardy drops Aries with the Twist of Fate. Hardy climbs to the top, presumably for a Swanton, but Aries rolls out of the ring and backs away up the ramp. Hardy still wants to fight, but Aries just smiles at him as Impact goes off the air.
The TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view pre-show match will feature a Divas battle royal with the winner receiving a Divas title shot.
The “Santa’s Helper” battle royal will be shown on YouTube, Facebook, and WWE.COM, starting at 7:30PM EST and will have Alicia Fox, Layla, Natalya, Kaitlyn, Tamina Snuka, Rosa Mendes, Aksana, Cameron, and Naomi. A notable miss is AJ, who is not listed as one of the participants on the WWE website.
Paramount Pictures has released the third theatrical trailer for G.I. Joe: Retaliation starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson which is scheduled for release on March 29.
The movie was supposed to be released last year however it was pushed back after it was decided to convert the movie in 3D.
The former WWE champion – who is heavily featured in the trailer and plays the character of Roadblock – personally introduces the trailer and introduces himself as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, adding his wrestling persona name for the first time in a movie role in several years.
You can see the trailer which was released by Yahoo! movies below.
Monday Night RAW did a 2.67 rating this week with a total of 3,764,000 viewers, up slightly from the 2.5 of last week and an increase over 330,000 viewers overall.
Hour one did 3,743,000 viewers, hour two did 3,876,000, and hour three continued to lose viewers with 3,672,000 tuning in. (Ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research and put online by PWInsider.com)
Randy Orton suffered an injury during the tapings of Tribute to the Troops this past Sunday in Norfolk, Virginia.
The former WWE and World Heavyweight champion suffered a hand injury while wrestling in a tag team match which will air on the show.
Orton was unable to wrestle during the Smackdown tapings on Tuesday and was involved in a backstage segment were he was attacked, explaining why he won’t be showing up for the live crowd.
WWE Main Event will air 6:30PM EST tonight instead of the usual 8PM time slot as ION Television will air the 121212 Concert for the Hurricane Sandy Relief.
A replay of Main Event will air at Midnight EST right after the concert finishes airing. The two matches taped for tonight’s show are 3MB vs Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd and Ryback vs Alberto Del Rio.
With almost 6 nights to go, the landscape of T.L.C. has changed! Since WWE Champion C.M. Punk is out with an injured knee, Ryback is now teaming with Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell-No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan) to face the trio of The Shield in a regular Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match. This is a really intriguing bout, because both teams can use the win and be developed well from it. (More on that in predictions).
And, as usual, since it’s less than a week away from a Pay-Per-View, the rest of Raw will be devoted to building it up, so why waste time! Read on to find out what went down in New Jersey
Monday Night Raw Report for December 10th, 2012 – “Tables, Ladders, and Chairs – Oh My!”
Introduction Segment – Recap and Arena Promo
Following the usual montage of recent events, “Mr. Money In The Bank” and “The Showoff” Dolph Ziggler is already in the ring, perched on a ladder with microphone in hand. He talks about his upcoming ladder match at T.L.C. and is proud of himself.
Dolph reminds us of how many opportunities John Cena has had at being champion and failed. Dolph declares that after he wins the ladder match on Sunday, he will then cash in his Money In The Bank Briefcase on The Big Show and capture the World Heavyweight Championship!
A challenger has a different view though, as Sheamus walks on down and claims that he will beat The Big Show for the World Championship, then go on to face John Cena for the title, as he thinks that is who will win the ladder match.
The main-man in this debate is The Big Show and the World Champion struts out. Show says they are both wrong, as he will defeat Ziggler and Sheamus.
Even though he really wants to have contact with The Big Show, Sheamus knows he can’t, so instead he chooses Dolph Ziggler. He tips the ladder over, sending Dolph crotch-first onto the top-rope. It is announced later that John Cena will face World Heavyweight Champion The Big Show (not for the championship).
Backstage, the owner is in the house! Mr. McMahon is walking through the backstage hallway and appears to be on his way out.
Commercials.
Match #1: Single – R-Truth VS. Wade Barrett
(Note: Both Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston and United States Champion Antonio Cesaro are on commentary). Prior to this contest, “The Boss” interrupts and gives props to Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero for her booking skills on the main event. However, he wants to add more, so Vince persuades her to make Dolph Ziggler VS. Sheamus and A.J. taking on herself, Vickie Guerrero!
Barrett hammers away then tosses Truth to the outside beginning the bout. In the ring, Wade drops an elbow and kicks R in the face for a two-count. He uses the middle rope to choke Truth with his right knee, then clutches on a grounding rear chinlock. Barrett ducks a clothesline and kicks Truth in the gut, but R reverses a pump-handle slam and runs off the ropes into a victory roll for the quick and surprising 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: R-Truth
Post-match, Kofi comes in and flies off the top-rope with a crossbody to send Wade a message.
Also, up next is a Fatal-Four-Way Elimination to advance to the #1 Contender’s match to the Tag-Team Championship!
Ads.
Segment #2: Backstage Promo
A.J. is extremely excited about her match with Vickie later tonight, so much so that she enters the men’s locker room to tell John Cena. He quickly shoos her out, but of course follows her.
Match #2: Tag-Team Fatal-Four-Way Elimination, advancing to the #1 contendership bout to the Tag-Team Championship – The Usos (Jey & Jimmy) VS. “The Primetime Players” (Darren Young and Titus O’Neil) VS. Primo and Epico (with Rosa Mendes) VS. “The Rhodes Scholars” (Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes)
Epico and Jimmy start out Jimmy hitting an Atomic Drop and clothesline, then tagging in his brother Jey. Double-elbow drop by The Usos, but Epico backs out of a backdrop and tags in Primo. He takes control over Jey, and Epico and Primo dominate for a while over The Usos. Eventually, The Usos take out Primo and Epico with a Superfly Splash for the first elimination!
First Elimination via Pinfall: Primo and Epico by The Usos
Titus O’Neil comes in and drills Jey with a clothesline.
Commercials.
Back live, it’s now just down to The Rhodes Scholars and The Usos, as during the break, The Usos eliminated “Primetime Players” with another Superfly Splash.
Sandow and The Usos go at it. Damien and Cody double-team Jimmy, then Rhodes is in. He tries a bulldog out of the corner, but gets tossed aside and Jimmy tags Jey. He’s on fire, with a kick-to-the-gut and Samoan Drop.
He runs at Cody with the “Back Thunder” rear-bump in the corner, and as Sandow and Jimmy fight, Jey ascends the top for another Superfly Splash. Cody gets the knees up though and spins him around with the CrossRhodes neckbraker for the hard-fought victory!
Final Elimination and Winners via Pinfall: “The Rhodes Scholars” Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow
Up next, Divas Champion Eve will come back and go against Alicia Fox!
Ads.
Match #3: Single – Alicia Fox VS. Divas Champion Eve (Non-Title)
Eve in domination early with a kick and side headlock takedown. Eve counters with a shoulder-block, but Alicia catches her off the ropes with a somersault headscissors. Eve tries to plead, but Fox doesn’t by it and attempts a near-fall with a Northern Light Suplex. Eve counters another move and pulls Alicia off the ropes, and then drives her down with a variation of the spinning neckbreaker for the W!
Winner via Pinfall: Divas Champion Eve
Backstage, WWE Champion C.M. Punk is on crutches but also on his way out with Paul Heyman behind him.
Commercials.
Segment #3: Arena Promo
WWE Champion C.M. Punk and Paul Heyman (who is holding the title high and proud) comes out to the stage. He speculates that people already think the knee injury and surgery were faked, to duck out of another championship match with Ryback. Punk denies these accusations, saying that this is the result of someone working more days than anyone else in the company. Injuries are real and the proof is in the footage Punk shows of Ryback’s assault from last week.
Heyman now takes the microphone and says that Punk is a real champion, because unlike The Rock, he has no stunt-double to go through the table for him. Paul reminds us of Punk’s 388 day and counting reign, then again proclaims he is the “best in the world.”
Punk finishes the promo by telling us that Ryback had is two chances and failed, just like the list of other opponent’s “The Second-City Saint” has faced in the last year. Punk will enjoy watching T.L.C. when “The Shield” (which he also insists he has no part of) takes out Ryback and the Tag-Team Champions Kane and Daniel Bryan, to ensure their dominance. And when he faces The Rock at Royal Rumble in January, Punk will win he proclaims!
Up next, Sheamus takes on Dolph Ziggler!
Ads.
Match #4: Single – Sheamus VS. “Mr. Money In The Bank/The Showoff” Dolph Ziggler
Lockup by both wrestlers to start out. Dolph punches Sheamus into the corners, but then gets kicked down and a leg-lock clamped on. Ziggler gets back up and both trade blows, Sheamus getting the best of them. Knee-smash drop by Sheamus for a two-count. Dolph kicks Sheamus, but he comes back with a shoulder-block and slams Ziggler’s head into the turnbuckle.
Dolph fights his way out of the corner with his beautiful dropkick, then punches and kicks down Sheamus. The Irishman reverses and tosses Dolph to the outside, then runs at him with an axe handle.
Commercials.
Back live, Dolph is back in control after knocking Sheamus off the apron during the break. Dolph has him on the canvas with a rear chinlock and scissors, then knees him in the stomach. Ziggler punches away again in the corner and drives him down with a classic neckbreaker. Sheamus runs Dolph into the corner and fire up for a comeback.
He hits with punches and clotheslines, but misses with a shoulder-block, slamming his own shoulders into the ring. Dolph tries a couple of roll-ups and then a dives off the second rope with a crossbody, but he is caught into a fall-away slam by Sheamus!
“The Celtic Warrior” pounds away against the ropes and suplexes Dolph back in the ring. He ascends the top rope. but Ziggler crotches him and punches on the top. Sheamus pushes him down, but Dolph runs back up with an X-Factor faceplant! 1 – 2 – Sheamus kicks out!
Ziggler tries the Zig-Zag, but is caught in a fireman’s carry. Ziggler wiggles out of that and a Cloverleaf submission, then dropkicks Sheamus’ knee. He misses the Fameasser and lands in the arms of Sheamus and Irish Curse backbreaker for another near-fall! Sheamus signals for the Brogue Kick, but Dolph ducks to the outside.
He grabs a chair and starts to whale away on Sheamus, causing a dq.
Winner via Disqualification: Sheamus
Post-match, Dolph continues to swing with the steel chair, but Sheamus Brogue Kicks the chair and Dolph right out of the ring! Ziggler retreats to the stage and the two stare down after a tough battle!
Commercials.
Segment #4: Locker Room Promo
Vickie Guerrero is warming up when Hornswoggle and The Great Khali enter. They help her (very badly, I might add!) with her stretches. Mr. McMahon walks in on a VERY compromising position between the three, and he exclaims “I thought this was supposed to be a family show!”
Segment #5: Video Promo
After a recap of “The Shield’s” attack on Daniel Bryan from Smackdown (read that fine report on this fine website!), Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns talk about their recent attacks. They took out The Miz because he disrespected WWE Champion C.M. Punk with the lie detector test, while Randy Orton took advantage of a “defenseless” Brad Maddox.
They claim that nobody says “no” to “The Shield.” With Ryback, they say that he has had his success handed to him and put on a pedestal. The trio have knocked him off that pedestal and they don’t work for anybody but themselves and injustice.
Ads.
Match #5: Single – Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) VS. “Long Island Iced-Z” Zack Ryder
(Alberto made his entrance prior to the break). Lockup and knee-to-the-gut by Del Rio begins the bout. Ryder ducks a clothesline and hits a dropkick, then punches away in the corner. Short-arm clothesline by Zack, then he clamps on a grounding rear chinlock. Alberto fights out of it, but gets taken down with a side headlock.
Big flapjack drop from Ryder for a near-fall! Del Rio counters double-knees with a kick-to-the-back. Alberto uses the ropes to press on Zack’s shoulder, wearing it down for a possible submission later. Snap suplex by A.D.R. and a tilt-a-whirl-backbreaker for two! Del Rio has gained control for a bit.
The fans are cheering on Zack to help him out and it works, as he counters with a jawbreaker and tosses Alberto over the top. Double-knees connect this time and Ryder lines up, but misses the Broski Boot! Del Rio rolls him over into the cross-armbreaker for the tap-out!
Winner via Submission: Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez)
Up next, A.J. will hope to get her revenge against Vickie Guerrero!
Commercials.
Match #6: Single – A.J. VS. Vickie Guerrero
Both women are in the ring and ready, however there is no referee! After screaming for one, Vickie sees the referee walk out – it is Brad Maddox! He rings the bell and Vickie pounces on A.J. This is just an all-out catfight brawl, until A.J. covers but Maddox won’t count. A.J. gets up and wonders over, but Guerrero rolls A.J. up and Maddox counts (surprisingly not fast either) for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Vickie Guerrero
Post-match, A.J. goes psycho, tearing apart pieces of the announce set.
Ads.
Segment #6: Backstage Promo
A.J. is still going off, when John Cena consoles her and tries to get her to calm down.
Match #7: “Champion VS. Champion” Single – Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston VS. United States Champion Antonio Cesaro (Non-Title)
Lockup and trading waistlocks by both, then they switch hammer locks. Cesaro stomps Kofi down, but Kofi double-leap frogs Antonio, and then jumps on him in the corner for a 10-punch! Springboard (but semi-missed) chop, although Cesaro counters again with a rope-jawbreaker. Scoop slam and elbow drop by Cesaro for a near-fall. Kofi counters a run with a monkey flip, but runs right into a big boot.
Commercials.
Back live, Antonio has Kingston grounded with a waistlock submission, but Kofi fights out and slides under. He tries to pull him down, but Cesaro pull him up. Kofi floats over and gets a close-call with the Sunset Flip! Antonio rushes at Kofi, dropping him with a side-slam. Another gut-wrench slam by the U.S. Champion and he regains control.
Kofi counters in the corner with boots-to-the-face and then a second-rope splash on Cesaro’s back for a near-fall! Antonio reverses the S.O.S. with an uppercut to Kofi’s head. He gives Kofi some body-shots in the corner, but the I.C. Champ counters into the S.O.S and pinfall! Or not, as Cesaro managed to grab the ropes for a break!
Kingston climbs the top rope, but gets caught in mid-air by Cesaro with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. He then finishes off Kofi with “The Neutralizer” for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: United States Champion Antonio Cesaro
Up next, The Miz will have “The Rhodes Scholars” as his guests on MizTV!
Ads.
Segment #7: Arena Promo
The Miz brings out Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow. “The Intellectual Saviour of the Masses” immediately insults MizTV, then re-introduces his tag-team partner, the “new and improved” Cody Rhodes. Rhodes puts them over as a “shining beacon of light” and Princeton University, all while taking a shot at New Jersey as “dinse Americans.” Miz retaliates with innuendos of their “tag-team relationship.”
Miz says they have no chance of become #1 Contenders to the Tag-Team Championship, claiming they will “hit the ground harder than Manny Pacquiao in the 6th!” He then tries to plant “seeds of jealousy” in the two-man group, saying that Damien thinks he is better than Cody. Rhodes doesn’t buy it and walks out. Miz gives the team a new name to conclude the interview, “The Pink and The Stink.”
Next is the main-event. First, A.J. chases John Cena down and wants to join him at ringside. He finally convinces her not to.
Commercials.
Match #8: Single – John Cena VS. World Heavyweight Champion The Big Show (Non-Title)
(Note: Dolph Ziggler comes out and joins in on commentary). Lockup by both and Cena punches away in the corner, only for Show to shove-off and start to dominate. This is the usual, until Cena jumps on the back of Show and clutches on a sleeper. This slowly brings Show to one knee and Cena covers for a near-fall. He tries an Attitude Adjustment, but Show is too heavy. Both men down.
Ads.
As par for the course, Show is still in control when we come back and continues the domination for a long while. Cena kicks out of a corner splash by Show, but gets punches in the stomach afterward. Cena rolls out of another corner splash, then fires up with his regular moves of shoulder tackles and a backdrop.
He goes for the “5-Knuckle-Shuffle” fistdrop but misses and receives a chokeslam instead. The World Champion only receives two though, and then measures Cena for the K.O. Punch. Cena ducks it and manages to drop Show with the A.A.!
As both men lay, Seth Rollins runs out and attacks John Cena, causing disqualification.
Winner via Disqualification: John Cena
Post-match, all three assault Cena and bring a table into the ring. Before they can use it, “Team Hell-No” run out and make the save. They, Dolph Ziggler, Big Show, and Sheamus all brawl, with Cena running Show into the table. Enormous “feed me more” chants bring out Ryback and the beast runs into the scuffle. The show closes with an all-out clash!
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
Definitely another routine Raw tonight, but basically expected considering it is the “go-home” show before the Pay-Per-View. Onto the quick analysis, then predictions:
Excellence: Dolph Ziggler’s promo – great way to open with him standing on the ladder, ensuing a win for the PPV. His points were well-explained and correct! Continuity at it’s finest! Tag-Team 4-Way was nice and a good idea to further determine #1 Contender’s for the Tag-Team Championship – legitimately! Punk/Heyman’s promos are always gold. Dolph/Sheamus match – beautiful – enough said! Even though “filler,” Del Rio/Ryder was a solid bout too! “The Shield” promos – also enough said! Kingston/Cesaro – another great WRESTLING match and chemistry!
Bogus: Ziggler’s promo being interrupted. Unfortunately, it felt like he was overshadowed, especially when he got tipped by Sheamus. Also, Sheamus/Ziggler ending – too quick of match for what they can do and the finish was too sudden. Anything with Vickie was boring and the same, same, same. The other matches were just filler and/or repeated, again, again, again, (Cena/Show, for example!). Even though the promo was decent, I don’t understand what Miz had to do with “Rhodes Scholars.”
T.L.C. Predictions:
Big Show over Sheamus to retain World Heavyweight Championship
“Rhodes Scholars” will put Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio through a table to become #1 Contenders
New Intercontinental Champion in Wade Barrett
Antonio Cesaro keeps his U.S. Title
“The Shield” and Kane/Bryan/Ryback will end in some sort of melee’ controversy
Dolph Ziggler gets the biggest win of his career and will go on to cash in his Money In The Bank briefcase at one point down the road
That’s all for now, so enjoy T.L.C. (actually really has a great card) and until next week, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
After RAW went off the air, the action continued for those inside the Prudential Center in New Jersey.
The faces managed to dispose of the heels leaving only one sacrificial lamb – Dolph Ziggler! The show-off had a rough ending to his night as fans chanted “feed me more” and everyone knew what was coming next.
First Ziggler endured Ryback’s Shellshock finisher, followed by the Broge Kick by Sheamus. “Yes” chants filled up the arena as Daniel Bryan leaped off the top rope with a flying headbutt and Kane followed with a chokeslam and then the Attitude Adjustment by John Cena.
Everyone then celebrated in the ring and high-fived the fans in the front rows before heading backstage. You can see a video of this courtesy of YouTube user MRFREDSTV below.
Smackdown next week will air live on USA Network as part of WWE Week with an encore presentation on Friday in its usual time slot on SyFy.
While live Smackdown shows on USA Network have been done in the past, it will be the first time ever that Smackdown will air without any commercials, basically running the show just like a pay-per-view.
USA Network did air two commercial-free RAWs in the past, the first on June 22, 2009 and then again on May 17, 2010.
The first commercial-free RAW was part of the Donald Trump “buying RAW” storyline while the second show featured Buzz Aldrin as a guest star.
While the show will not cut away for any ads, expect to see some product placements in return. WWE used to get the money for advertising during RAW however the new deal with USA Network see USA getting all the money in return for a higher production fee for the show.
USA Network will have a WWE week next week with five WWE-related shows airing from Monday through Friday in the evening.
The week starts with a live three hour Monday Night RAW featuring the now-yearly Slammy Awards. Tuesday, USA will air a commercial-free live Smackdown followed by the 10th annual Tribute to the Troops on Wednesday. On Thursday night, the Big Show will appear on the USA series Burn Notice while on Friday, CM Punk will host the broadcast of the movie The Game Plan, starring The Rock.
Next week’s three hour Monday Night RAW will be a Slammy Award episode with WWE handing out 8 awards live on television.
The categories are Superstar of the Year, Breakout Star of the Year, Trending Now (Hashtag of the year), Comeback of the Year, Kiss of the Year, Tell Me I did NOT just see that (Most shocking moment of the year), LOL Moment of the Year, and Match of the Year.
All the votes will take place exclusively via the WWE app for iPhone, iPad, and Android.
This will be the 8th annual Slammy Awards with previous editions held in 1986, 1987, 1996, 1997, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.
The Associated Press is reporting that the U.S. Supreme Court will not reinstate an award against Hustler Magazine over the nude photos that they published of Nancy Benoit after she was murdered by her husband Chris Benoit.
The court turned away a request by the family of Nancy Benoit to reinstate a jury’s decision to make Hustler Magazine pay them almost $20 million. The decision was reduced to $250,000 later and then it was thrown out by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Hustler, in their defense, said that they did published the photos – shot over two decades prior – because they were newsworthy while Nancy’s family was arguing that they never gave any permission to the magazine to publish them.
Here are the results from yesterday’s Final Resolution pay-per-view which took place at the Impact Zone at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
James Storm defeated Kazarian; Rob Van Dam defeated Kenny King to retain the X Division title; Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez defeated Matt Morgan and Joey Ryan to retain the Tag Team titles; Austin Aries defeated Bully Ray; Tara defeated Mickie James to retain the Knockouts title; Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Wes Brisco, and Garet Bischoff defeated Aces & Eights; Christopher Daniels defeated AJ Styles; Jeff Hardy defeated Bobby Roode to retain the TNA World title.
