Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson held a RockTalk today on Twitter and even before the event started and Rock answered one question, #RockTalk was trending worldwide.
The former WWE champion answered questions from fans around the world on several subjects including some funny ones.
“Will the world end the 21st of December?” asked a Rock fan. “BREAKING NEWS: The world will not end on December 21st,” The Rock tweeted back. “My homie Jesus just told me. All good in the hood. #RockTalk”
Johnson will have a very busy schedule in the first half of 2013 with the movies Snitch, GI Joe 2, Pain & Gain, and Fast & Furious 6 being released as well as his involvement with WWE for Royal Rumble and WrestleMania during the same periods.
Speaking of the Royal Rumble, The Rock is featured on the poster of the pay-per-view which shows a close up photo of him with his eyebrow raised and the word “Finally..” at the bottom. The Rock will battle whoever the WWE champion is on the show for the WWE title. You can see the poster below.
Live tonight from the Impact Zone at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, TNA presents Final Resolution on pay-per-view. The full card is as follows:
Jeff Hardy vs Bobby Roode for the TNA World Heavyweight title; AJ Styles vs Christopher Daniels; Bully Ray vs Austin Aries; Aces & Eights vs Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Garett Bischoff, and Wes Brisco; Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez vs Matt Morgan and Joey Ryan for the TNA World Tag Team titles; Rob Van Dam vs Kenny King for the X Division title; Tara vs Mickie James for the Knockouts title.
WWE will be taping the Tribute to the Troops television show today at The Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. This will be the 10th annual of the Christmas tradition which in the past has been taped in Iraq and Afghanistan as well.
The Scope Arena will be filled with U.S. military personnel and their families as no general public will be allowed inside. Kid Rock and Flo Rida will be doing live performances and there will also be appearances by The Muppets, Access Hollywood and NBC Sports’ Michelle Beadle and others.
Virginia is the home of 125,000 active duty members and 830,000 veterans so it was a pretty good choice of location for the Tributes show. Fort Hood, Texas, and Fayetteville, North Carolina, were the other two locations which the Tributes show was filmed at in the United States.
USA Network will air a two hour special of the show on Wednesday, December 19, while NBC will air a one hour presentation of it on Saturday, December 22.
WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia made her return on Smackdown yesterday following several weeks on the sidelines after she was hit by a car in Los Angeles, California, she told the reporters that thankfully she was able to file a claim with help from an Accident Lawyer Philadelphia, even though money is not everything from her, this accident made her step away from the ring which is what she loves to do, plus due to her injuries medical bills were insane. The Angell Law Firm specializes in personal injury cases. Visit Website for the personal injury attorney. Some of our many practice areas include car accidents, wrongful death, motorcycle accidents, and slip and fall accidents. If you have been injured in truck accident and you want legal advice then you can get help from Atlanta truck accident lawyer. Our truck accident lawyers are ready to review your case and put their litigation experience and knowledge to work for you and your family. For truck accident attorney go to The Angell Law Firm. Transportation Nation suggests that if the police would get serious about issuing speeding tickets in the Bronx and throughout the city, the instances of personal injury would decrease. Instead, records indicate that the NYPD issued four times as many citations for tinted windows last year as they did for speeding. It would be possible for Bronx authorities, police officers, and advocacy groups to argue all day regarding who is to blame and how to best solve the problem of bicyclists who suffer injury because of drivers. However, for those cyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers who suffer injury, it is often not possible to find resolution or a sense of justice within the criminal court system. Often times, the responsible driver is not cited in the incident, or if they are, nothing seems to come of it.
When looking for truck accident lawyers its best if you take some basic information and combine it with common sense to see if your lawyer is able to handle your lawsuit to get you what you deserve. Here are three things you should look for when considering a lawyer to handle a trucking accident case for you. Here is a useful reference for accident law firm, visit here.
Some law firms spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on advertising trying to get the largest amount of people to their law firm. Now there is not anything particularly wrong with this until you find that the law firm spends more money on this advertising than they do getting the proper research and finding all useful information for their client’s cases.
Another problem is that some law firms will try to take on too many cases and will therefore spend less time on each case that comes in. You want to make sure that you go with a law firm that does not take on an intense case load so that they can represent you to their full potential.
Make no mistake truck accident lawyers have to have an intimate knowledge of the trucking industry will be able to prosecute your case much more effectively than a lawyer who has little to no experience with it. Why?
Well the trucking industry is highly specialized. The laws change on a yearly basis and there are certain standards and practices that truckers and trucking companies must abide by. The biggest of which is rest time for the drivers (which is mandated by state and federal laws). So in order to tell whether or not a trucker or trucking company has broken those laws but make it appear as if they haven’t takes an attorney who has an eye for details and is able to do the math, which can only be understood by those who really take the time to understand the industry.
No one can measure exactly the true extent of damage whenever anyone is involved in an auto accident. The injury on an individual may encompass not only personal injuries on one or all passengers, trauma especially to children and pets, and the loss of a vehicle and other properties which have personal value to you. There are, however, certain measures which can be taken early into the accident which could change how this shocking experience affects you and the lives of those around you. One would be calling an automobile accident lawyer as soon as you can. For best legal advice you can pop over to these guys and get help from these.
Determining liability
Having gone through a moderate to severe accident is bad enough, and the details right after it happens can be so exhausting. You will need a good car accident lawyer, one who specializes in car or motor vehicle accidents and who has had years of experience negotiating and litigating it. Your lawyer will have to be good at determining liability. He can help find out what exactly caused your accident and who is to be held responsible for it, whether it resulted from negligence, drunk driving, beating traffic, a blown tire, or bad weather.
Dealing with insurance
The privilege and safety of driving requires that every driver be covered by insurance. However you may encounter in life, as in automobile accidents, that some drivers and vehicles which are at fault are actually underinsured or uninsured. If you do it on your own, dealing with the technicalities of insurance coverage and insurance companies will take so much of your time and energy which could be devoted to your health and recovery at the moment. A car accident lawyer can effectively deal with insurance people, handle the paperwork, and get you through one corrective measure which is getting your insurance claims. Cheaper car insurance is essential in today’s down economy. We still need to maintain complete and accurate insurance coverage, but at the same time we need a frugal and streamline insurance policy and working relationship with our insurance agent. Cheaper car insurance is not only smart, it is a great money saving tool that every person needs to know how to find it and apply it to their daily lives. Cheaper car insurance is not as hard to find as you might think. There are many advertisements that boast of having lower cost for car insurance, but the truth is, most all car insurance companies can provide you with a cheaper policy just by streamlining your coverage. For more information regarding to car insurance, hop over to this website.
Requesting a higher deductible is one great way to drastically reduce your premium total. The coverage is still adequate and complete, you just opt for a more out of pocket up front in the event of an accident. Ask yourself this question; “If you have an accident, and the cost is less than five dollars, would you file it with your insurance?” If you answered no, then you can have a cheaper car insurance policy by asking for a policy that has a five hundred dollar deductible. You may be financially fixed to carry even a one thousand dollar deductible policy and save even more.
There are so many add-on features to every insurance policy that add up to more expense for the consumer that every person who signs up for car insurance needs to read thoroughly through the policy before agreeing to paying higher premiums. Cheaper car insurance does not necessarily mean less coverage, but rather less cost to you. With that understanding, shop for less cost on your insurance policy and you’ll soon find that even your present insurance carrier may be able to assist you with a better priced car insurance policy. You don’t have to be a caveman to do this, and you don’t have to choose an insurance company that hires a gecko to promote in order to save a significant amount for insurance.
As time goes forward and your vehicle ages and no longer carries a lean or loan against it, you may want to drop comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage is used to fix your vehicle, in the event of an accident, and if your car is older and less valuable according to its insured value, you could be paying way more in premiums than the vehicle is worth. Carrying only liability insurance is perfectly legal and satisfies state insurance coverage laws and is far less expensive to carry. Cheaper car insurance makes driving an older car even smarter than you may have thought.
Working out a settlement
Your car accident lawyer must be skilled at negotiating so that your car accident could possibly be settled outside the courts. His excellent reputation would make the other side very afraid and reluctant to go to trial and would instead agree to negotiate with you. A good car accident lawyer would be able to work out a settlement which would be a just compensation, the fullest measure which can be awarded for damages and losses to you.
Filing a lawsuit
At the worst scenario, it would be good to have an excellent car accident lawyer on your side if youre dealing with a most unreasonable and adamant third party who refuses to admit liability, insurance companies which give you a hard time, and a just settlement which cannot be worked out. This is where your cooperation would be most needed. You will have to be completely open and honest with your vehicle accident attorney about everything that happened. If you were the one most injured, family members who were at the scene will hopefully recall some important details leading to the car accident. From thereon, your accident lawyer will take care of all the legal measures.
For those who have suffered personal injury in the Bronx Personal Injury Law Firm ASK4SAM, the best recourse is most often found through the help of a Bronx personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer does not have to depend upon overworked police forces or Bronx ADAs who have decided that society has decriminalized certain actions that cause injury. Rather, your lawyer will simply focus on getting you the compensation you deserve by holding the responsible party accountable. Contact a Bronx personal injury lawyer today for the justice and the closure you are seeking. Even minor storms can disrupt power lines, and contact with a downed power line can cause serious or fatal burns. One of the reasons why downed power lines are so hazardous is that most people do not see the line on the ground until it is too late. There are various environmental factors that can affect visibility, including glare, clouds, sunlight and rain, so you must be on the lookout for any signs of downed power lines. Storm victims are also at risk for poisoning from carbon monoxide, a deadly and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can kill a person within minutes when it is present in high levels, and this gas is produced whenever any fuel such as oil, gas, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned. Those who are inexperienced at using charcoal grills or fireplaces must be aware that a fire can flare-up by adding lighter fluid to hot coals.
Garcia was struck by an SUV as she was working out in late October and was admitted to the hospital where the initial reports from WWE suggested that she was stable and expected to be released soon. However the story quickly changed and Garcia was kept in hospital due to her injuries, particularly head, neck, and back trauma.
“I actually had butterflies in my stomach driving up,” the WWE Diva told WWE.com, referring to going to the arena for the tapings. “After 11 years, you’d think this would be old hat to me, but it all feels new again.”
Although it has been over a month that she was struck by the SUV, Garcia still undergoes physical therapy. She thanked the WWE fans for their love and support and said that it’s the reason that she worked hard with physical therapists and chiropractors to be able to come back.
I will be doing a live play by play of tonight’s UFC on FOX 5. Keep checking back to see how the action went down starting with the first fight on Facebook at 4:20pm ET /1:20pm PT. Also follow @wonlinemma on twitter to catch the winners as they are announced.
Facebook live fight
Bantamweights (135lbs)
John “Prince” Albert vs Scott “Young Guns” Jorgensen
Ref: Herb Dean
Round 1:
Jorgensen goes for a take down early. Albert gets his arm as he goes down but Jorgensen is able to pull clear of the submission. Jorgensen in the open guard delivering the shoulder to the jaw and punches to the body. Albert sweeps him and has his back. Albert with both hooks in. Jogensen is able to flip him over and is back in the open guard of Albert. Jorgensen with short elbows and more body shots. Albert with the triangle now is elbowing the head of Jorgensen. Albert pulling down on the head of Jorgensen. Jorgensen defends well and has an arm in and is able to get into side control now. Jorgensen working on the far arm now of Albert. Jorgensen with short elbows again and Albert is able to work him back into the guard. Jorgensen postures up now and is pounding away. Albert tries to create space to get up Jorgensen takes his back. 10 seconds left Jorgensen has the rear naked flattens him out and Albert taps as the horn ends the round.
Winner by Submission at 4:59 of rd 1 Scott “Young Guns” Jorgensen
Prelims on FX 5pm ET/ 2pm PT
Featherweights (145lbs)
Nam Phan vs Dennis Siver
Ref: Anthony Hamlett
Round 1-
They touch gloves and Siver is going to work with the left lead kick early. Siver goes for a head kick that Phan blocks with the forearm. Siver left jab right hook left kick to the body combo. Siver with a straight right now. Siver with another that rocks Phan’s head back. Phan can take a punch and is blocking the left but Siver is finding a home with the right. Half way through round 1 and Siver has landed 32 significant strikes. Siver now lands the left lead jab. Phan walks into a front kick. Siver gets the single leg take down but doesn’t follow Phan down to the ground. Siver wraps up the leg again and Siver lands the left hook while Phan tries to defend the take down. Siver with a counter left to the jaw and Siver with that vicious spinning back kick to the body. Great round for Siver who looks sharp at 145.
Round 2-
Siver with the combo that backs up Phan and Siver with another head kick attempt as Phan gets out of punching range. Phan with a left hook after he is briefly dropped by Siver. Siver has landed 32 kicks alone so far in 6 minutes of fight. Siver with a right leg kick followed by a left head kick. Siver with a spinning wheel kick that clips the chin of Phan. Siver takes him down now and is in half guard of Phan. Siver working the short elbows and punches. Siver now pins one of the arms of Phan and is landing clean shots. Phan pops his arm free and is trying to block. Siver with nasty ground and pound to the side of the head of Phan. Siver in side control and Phan rolls and gives up his back. Phan realizes it is a bad idea and turns back over Siver gets the full mount briefly before Phan can work him back into half guard. All Siver again.
Round 3-
Phan with a clean jab but eats a thudding kick to the body. Phan with a big looping punch that Siver steps out of the way of than gets the take down. Siver in half guard again. Siver working the short punches and goes for the mount again. Phan is able to keep the one leg in the guard again. Siver with elbows from the top. Wow Phan is taking a beating but still working. Siver with constant pressure mixing up elbows and punches. Siver pins the arm again briefly and lands more unguarded shots. 90 seconds left and Siver is relentless from the half guard with the ground and pound. Siver landed 118 ground strikes thus far. Phan has him in a closed guard now but it is not slowing Siver down. Siver looked GREAT! He could be trouble for the top of the featherweight division
Winner by unanimous decision ( 30-24, 30-25, 30-26) Dennis Siver
Siver landed 227 total strikes!
Lightweights(155lbs)
Abel “Killa” Trujillo vs Marcus “The Prospect” Levesseur
Ref: Anthony Hamlett
Round 1-
Levesseur ducks under and power shoots Trujillo and has him by the back but Trujillo is back to his feet. Levesseur still has him tied up and on the cage. Trujillo with elbows but nothing he does can get Levesseur off of him. Ref splits them apart and Trujillo lands the left hook as Levesseur comes in for another take down. Levesseur has his back up against the cage as Trujillo popped back up quickly. Trujillo with a knee to the body and is driving the point of his elbow into the body of Levesseur. Levesseur is in trouble as Trujillo pounds away at his body and arms. Levesseur never lets go of the single and the ref breaks them again. Levesseur ate alot of shots to the body. Levesseur charges in again and eats a knee to the face. Levesseur holds on to the single but never gets into an offensive position.
Round 2-
Trujillo catches the kick this time and has a north south choke on Levesseur. Trujillo hholding it but can’t finish. Levesseur back up than gets dropped by a big punch. Now Trujillo is on top in open guard. Levesseur rolls over and Trujillo has his back but Levesseur is able to get up to his feet after eating a few punches. Levesseur tries for a single and Trujillo pounces backwards on one foot than gets free and takes his back. Trujillo with lunging power knees to a turtled body of Levesseur and the ref has seen enough and called a stop to the fight.
Winner by TKO at 3:56 of round 2 Abel “Killa” Trujillo
Lightweights (155lbs)
Henry “Sicario” Martinez vs Daron “Detroit Superstar” Cruickshank
Ref: Anthony Hamlett
Round 1-
Cruickshank goes to the body but Martinez closes the distance and grabs a single leg. Martinez has him against the fence now and working a high crotch but Hamlett separates them. They are swinging away and Cruickshank lands a couple good shots as Martinez closes the distances again and goes for another single but Cruickshank spreads the legs and defends. Cruickshank with a big elbow and Martines now with a hay maker that lands. Cruckshank gets the distance and you can see he has busted open the forehead of Martinez. Cruickshank lands a body kick that hurts Martinez now another pair. Martinez against the fence covering up eating body kicks. Martinez comes out swinging. They are centered again but Martinez looks still to be hurting and trying to protect the body with the left arm. Crucickshank with a wheel kick to the body now a stepping uppercut. Cruckshank with a nasty head kick and the ref was running in to stop it but Martinez refuses to go down. Martinez with an elbow and Cruckshank counters with a big right as the first round ends. Martinez has an unbelievable amount of heart.
Round 2-
Martinez comes forward again and grabs a single. Cruickshank with a big knee to the body as they break and has out struck Martinez 54 to 24 at this point in the fight. Martinez pressing forward lands a jab and keeps trying to close the distance. Cruickshank with a pair of straights to the face of Martinez as he tries to close the gap. Cruckshank gets clipped with a right hook. Cruickshank with a front kick to the body. Martinez now working kicks to the leg of Cruickshank. Martinez with a pair of jabs and Cruickshank gets space with another side front kick. Cruickshank with a right head kick right over the shoulder of Martinez and Martinez stiffens up and falls back. That kick was a perfect shin to the jaw as Martinez was expecting it to the body.
Winner at 2:57 of round 2 by KO “Detroit Superstar” Daron Cruickshank
Dana White stated it best after the ko on twitter “Holy Shit!!!!!!!”
Lightweights (155lbs)
Joe Proctor vs Ramsey Nijem
Ref: Dan Mirgaliotta
Round 1-
Nijem with a body kick and charges in for a take down. Proctor backs up and grabs his neck for a guillotine. Nijem works for the high crotch take down and than tries to pull his head free. Proctor and Nijem stand and trade shots. Nijem with a pair of knees and an over the top right hand. Nijem with a jumping switch kick that knocks down Proctor. Nijem dives on top and pounds away. Proctor is able to turtle up and Nijem is on his back pounding away. Proctor tries to stand up and you can see he is bleeding out the mouth. Nijem drags him back down and than mounts a seated Proctor. Proctor gets back up and grabs for the neck again of Nijem. Nijem gets him back to the ground and quickly takes his back. Proctor rolls free. Proctor catches Nijem as he comes in with a right left and Nijem tries to grab a leg as he goes down. Proctor now in the half guard pounding away from a postured position. Nijem rolls over and they are in north south as the round ends.
Round 2-
Proctor gets the muay thai clinch lands a pair of knees before Nijem pushes him away. Nijem with a front kick to the body and Nijem eats a counter left as he throws the hay maker right hand. Nijem with a nice short counter right and misses with the spinning kick. Nijem lands the left to the body but whiffs with the right behind it over the top. Nijem with a left jab and leg kick combo. Proctor lands the right and Nijem goes for another take down but Proctor has the under hook trying to prevent. Nijem spins him off the fence and gets the take down and now is in the closed guard. Procotor pushes him off briefly and sits up. Proctor gets the front choke now. Proctor is working for the mount at the same time but Nijem stops that. Nijem on his knees now and is able to get Proctor back on his butt. Proctor now lets go of the choke and tries for the kimura but can’t get it before round two comes to a close.
Round 3-
Nijem with a body kick start round 3. Nijem lands the body shot over hand right this time. Nijem goes in for another take down and Proctor tries to get the arm bar as they go down. He cant get it or the shoulder lock now a kimura attempt and Nijem is free and has the mount of a seated Proctor. Proctor tries to get free and Nijem briefly takes his back. Proctor back up but Nijem gives him no space and drags him back to the mat. Proctor gets top his feet and Nijem goes for a front choke. Proctor spins and takes his back. Proctor goes for an arm bar and Nijem pulls free and is in the half guard of Proctor. Nijem now pounding away on the body. Nijem now on his knees and Proctor spins and nails the body. Nijem with a kick to the body and knees as they get back to their feet. What a back and forth affair.
Winner by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28 ) Ramsey Nijem
Bantamweights (135lbs)
Mike “The Hulk” Easton vs Raphael Assuncao
Ref: Steve Newport
Round 1-
Assuncao with a spinning back to start things that missed. Assuncao with a leg kick and Easton counters with the right hand. Easton with a beautiful three punch combo that started with two to the body before connecting to the chin. Assuncao has a high kick blocked. Easton with another powerful right hand to the body. Assuncao lands the counter right this time and barely steps out of the way of Easton’s spinning back kick. Easton ducks under a high kick and lands the counter right. Assuncao steps to the side and out of the way of a charging swinging Easton. Easton with a jab to the chin and Easton is able to defend against the take down as Assuncao ducks under a punch and tries to take him down. Assuncao has double underhooks and Easton on the fence. Newport breaks them right before the end of the round and Easton gets in one final leg kick.
Round 2-
Both men miss with spinning kicks at the start of the round. Easton pulls his way out of the way of a nasty kick and charges forward with a three punch combo of his own. They trade thudding leg kicks and Easton is back to walking down Assuncao. Easton with a leg kick and Assuncao counters with the right. Assuncao misses another wheel kick that Easton saw coming. Assuncao with a pair of good counter left jabs. Assuncao has the double under hooks and has him on the fence. The ref breaks them and gives Easton a moment to regain his composure after he eats a knee to the groin. Easton with the right hand behind a left jab and we Joe Rogan goes on and on about the proper cup to wear for protection. Assuncao now throwing the front jab out there that is missing but throws off Easton. Easton tries to duck under a kick but instead of a kick up high ends up eating a front kick as round 2 closes.
Round 3-
Easton walks him down and eats a counter right. Assuncao with a kick to the head as Easton ducks down to strike the body. Easton blocks a high kick with his forearm that could have ended the fight. Assuncao with a counter left hook and front kick to the body as he takes the offensive. Assuncao tries for a take down now. Easton defends and Assuncao works for the high crotch off the fence. Assuncao gets him down for a split second but Easton is back up lands the right hook and Assuncao lands a counter left straight down the middle. Assuncao tries for another take down but can’t get it again. Easton still being the aggressor and he has to defend another take down. Assuncao has him against the fence again but gives up on the take down and lands a kick to the body as they break. Now Easton can’t get the take down. Assuncao is landing a lot of counter strikes down the middle but not big on the damage scale and the crowd boos as the fight ends.
Winner by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) Raphael Assuncao
Lightweights(155lbs)
Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens vs Yves Edwards
Ref: Steve Newport
Round 1-
Stephens rushes out the gate with a flying knee that misses. Edwards grabs a single but Stephens connects with a strike that makes Edwards let go of the leg. Edwards with a counter left as he ducks under a punch from Stephens. Edwards lands a counter right that drops Stephens. Edwards dives on top and ends the fight with a series of elbows that turn the lights out for Stephens. Both threw right hands Stephens was bigger and more looping and Edwards was shorter and landed first clean to the jaw. Edwards is now tied with Melvin Guillard, Jim Miller and BJ Penn with 10 lightweight victories.
Winner by KO at 1:55 of round 1 Yves Edwards
UFC on FOX main card 8pm ET/ 5pm PT
Welterwights(170lbs)
Matt “The Immortal” Brown vs Mike “Quick” Swick
Ref: Dan Miragliotta
Round 1-
Both men respecting the other in the first 3o secs until Brown charges forward and lands the right hook. Brown gets the take down goes for a guillotine than switches over to the d’arce choke. It looks deep Brown rolls onto his back and Swick stands up to try and create a little feet. Brown eventually lets go and now Swick is in a closed guard. Swick steps over into side control as Brown goes for a triangle Brown quickly gets him back into the guard and this time gets the arm in triangle. Swick defending with his own legs in the way. Brown loosens up the triangle but still goes for the arm bar. Swick pops free goes for his own choke as Brown gets free than back to his feet as the round ends. Rogan and Goldberg summed it up best when they called it a high class mma chess match.
Round 2-
Brown with a nice left hook and misses with the high kick. Brown with a stepping elbow as he gets Swick up against the cage. Swick gets the clinch and tries for the big knees and Brown lands another elbow. Swick now has a single under hook on Brown against the fence. Swick backs up goes for a couple body shots then Brown comes forward with the right left right that sees the left and right hooks connect and Swick is out.
Winner by KO at 2:31 of rd 2 Matt “The Immortal” Brown
Welterweights(170lbs)
Rory “Ares” MacDonald vs BJ “The Prodigy” Penn
Ref: Herb Dean
Round 1-
Penn comes forward and eats a knee as he goes for a single. MacDonald spins him around and puts Penn on the fence. Penn circles free briefly as MacDonald grabs him and puts him back on the fence. MacDonald backs up and they reset. Both men with good body shots and MacDonald fakes a low kick and lands one up high. Penn is landing the counter right. Penn with a left straight now. MacDonald tries another roundhouse that doesn’t find a home. Penn ties him up and gets two quick take downs before he gets up and spins Penn against the cage. MacDonald with an elbow as they break and MacDonald lands a nice left hook to the body. MacDonald can;t get the take down. MacDonald looks to have hurt Penn with the jab and now a left high kick. MacDonald ties him up and lands a right elbow as they break and round ends. Clear cut round for MacDonald.
Round 2-
Penn coming forward clips MacDonald with the right. MacDonald now has been against the fence and lands a left then a right followed by a front kick to the body. MacDonald has out landed Penn in significant strikes 48 to 16. Penn now with a good right hand. MacDonald now comes forward again and lands the front kick. Now a body kick that Penn partially catches. Penn is covering up and MacDonald is pounding away on the body. Penn’s right eye is swollen. MacDonald lands another jab down the pipe and a leg kick that almost takes the legs out from under Penn. Penn has a knee graze the chin as he comes in. MacDonald gets the take down now and Penn immediately gets him into the Butterfly guard and slaps MacDonalds ears as the round ends.
Round 3-
Penn the aggressor knowing he needs to end it lands the right hand over the top than briefly gets a single before MacDonald is back up and puts Penn on the fence. Dean telling them to work than breaks them Penn lands the left hook as they come back together. MacDonald goes back to the body and now out sig. struck Penn 12o-26. MacDonald with a jab than switch kick. Penn goes for a single cant get it and MacDonald lands the backhand as he pulls his leg free. Penn has now spent the most time in the octagon in UFC history. MacDonald puts Penn against the cage and Dean has to break them. M with the round house kick. MacDonald with a superman punch and left hook behind it and now MacDonald drops his hands in front of Penn. MacDonald puts him back on the cage and lands an elbow as they break. MacDonald shuffling now as the fight ends. Clearly a unanimous decision for the younger fighter.
Winner by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26 and 30-27) Rory “Ares” MacDonald
MacDonald grabs the mic and calls out Condit for a rematch in March in MacDonald’s hometown.
Light Heavyweights (205lbs)
Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson vs Mauricio “Shogun” Rua
Ref: Dan Miragliotta
Round 1-
Gustafsson with the definate reach advantage and kicks the leg out from under Rua. Gustafsson follows him to the mat but Rua immediately turns and grabs for a leg lock. Gustafsson is able to get his knee out of trouble and pull free. Gustafsson catches a kick and takes down Rua. Rua goes right for that leg again. Gustafsson eats a knee as he gets up and has Rua on his back. Gustafsson goes to the body than for an uppercut that Rua blocks. Rua is bleeding from the nose and has out landed Rua 17 to 6 in the first four minutes with punches. Gustafsson know has an under hook and Rua on the cage. Gustafsson punching the body and switches to a single but cant get it.
Round 2-
They both meet in the center and Rua is getting the better of the strikes and nails Gustafsson down the middle. Now Rua has landed a ducking right on a couple of occasions. Gustafsson very briefly gets the take down and now has Rua on the cage with an under hook working the dirty boxing. Ref breaks them and they reset Rua with the ducking right and tries for a take down but ends up on the bottom. Gustafsson lands a left than lets Rua get back up. Rua with another pair of looping rights than Gustafsson gets a take down. Rua escapes and now has the underhooks on Gustafsson against the cage. Gustafsson gets the Windsor and reverses. Gustafsson gets the take down briefly again. Gustafsson with a clinch lands a pair of knees as Rua throws that right hand. Rua with leg kick and they circle around till the end of the round trying to set something up.
Round 3-
Rua with a big right again as he blocks a left from Gustafsson. Gustafsson gets two more quick take downs and the last one gets Gustafsson the back with one hook in. Rua goes for a leg lock again but doesnt get it and they are back up. Gustafsson jabs to the body and Rua steps in to prevent the upper cut that comes behind it. Gustafsson gets the single and is now in an open guard lands an elbow and lets Rua back up. Gustafsson lands another shot to the body and Rua looks to be hurting. Gustafsson lands a right this time. 57-43 in sig. strikes for Gustafsson. Gustafsson has Rua back on the fence and is landing the body shots in close and ref breaks them with a minute left. Gustafsson with a front kick that pops the head back of Rua like a pez dispenser. Rua with a left hook and gets the body lock. Gustafsson walks him back to the cage and Rua pulls guard as the horn ends the fight. Gustafsson helps the bloodied and battered Shogun to his feet and raises his arm.
Winner by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26 ) Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson
Urijah “The California Kid” Faber is voted newest member of Metro PCS by the fans.
Lightweight Championship(155lbs) 5 rounder
Nate Diaz vs Benson “Smooth” Henderson
Ref: Herb Dean
Round 1-
Diaz comes forward and Henderson lands two quick leg kicks. Henderson cant complete the spinning fist it looked like as Diaz wraps him up on the fence and knees the body. Henderson spins around Diaz and Diaz delivers a series of punches to the head of Henderson. Diaz is fighting off the take down. He briefly goes down before Diaz pops back up. Henderson has the body locks. Diaz staying very busy against the cage and lands an elbow as they break. Henderson gets the single and has Diaz on his back. Diaz trying to land an up kick and Henderson drops down on him with a right hand. Diaz gives up his back but is able to get to his feet. Henderson still has him on the fence Diaz with another elbow as they break. Henderson kicks the leg out from under Diaz but Diaz gets up quickly both men trade knees in the clinch and Diaz avoids a combo by Henderson. Now Diaz has Henderson against the cage with an over under and Henderson reverses and lands a couple short punches as the round ends.
Round 2-
Diaz walking down Henderson again and Diaz ducks under another big right. Henderson gets the body lock and takes down Diaz. Henderson with some nice ground and pound now Diaz eats a head kick as he gets to his feet. Diaz has his back on the cage and is punching the head of Henderson as the champ works the body lock for another take down. Diaz with a knee to the body. Henderson now with an elbow as they break. Diaz utilizing the jab walking down the champ and Henderson with another low leg kick. The champ has landed 22 leg kicks now he rocks him with a right Diaz goes down and Henderson is swarming. Diaz gives up his back again but is able to get back to his feet. Henderson with another body lock and Diaz goes for the trip but can’t get it. Diaz is bleeding from the right side of his face. Diaz gets the trip this time but Henderson is back up. The champ working that low leg kick and Diaz switches stances. Diaz is bleeding from bridge of his nose and corner of the right eye(outside).
Round 3-
The champ with another low leg kick and has out landed Diaz 60-17 in significant strikes. Diaz pawing with the jab and Henderson gets the power double. Diaz goes for a leg but can’t keep a hold. Henderson is back to his feet than gets another single big shot to the body of Diaz. Diaz has the closed guard briefly. Henderson now standing over Diaz. Diaz kicking the legs of Henderson. The champ drops back down and Diaz grabs a hold of the leg. Diaz with a heel hook now Henderson has one of his own. They spin around and Diaz has given up his backs. Diaz gets free and goes for the leg again of Henderson from the bottom. Diaz is flipping off Henderson and Fox keeps cutting away. Diaz gets up and Henderson drops him with a right. Henderson back on top in side control but Diaz goes after that leg again. 30 seconds left Henderson has his leg free and elbows the body of Diaz. Now big strikes from the champ as the round ends.
Round 4-
Diaz walking backwards with his hands down trying to bait the champ. Henderson ties him up and Diaz with a knee to the body and the champ gets the take down. Diaz rolls again for the leg and gives up his back. Diaz is back up briefly before Henderson gets him back down and takes the back. Diaz gets back to his feet and Diaz uses a kimura for the trip but ends up on bottom and eats some shots to the head and body. Henderson with BIG shots straight down to the stomach of Diaz. Henderson drops down on top of him and Diaz is threatening an arm lock from the bottom and he losses it to eat a hammer fist to the head. Henderson drops down with another shot to the head as Diaz goes again for the leg. Henderson stands up and Diaz is waving him back down and talking to the champ. Henderson is punching the shin and calf of Diaz now. Diaz back up with 10 secs left and Henderson with another lower leg kick.
Round 5-
Last round clearly in favor of the champ and the fans are going nuts as the doc checks the swollen right eye of Diaz. Henderson punches the thigh of Diaz now than ties up Diaz on the fence. Henderson has the single under hook and they trade dirty boxing against the fence. Diaz some how ducks under a huge elbow from Henderson. Henderson picks up Diaz and slams him now. Henderson is standing above him raining down left hands and right elbows. Diaz is back up and is out struck 120-17 with significant strikes by the champ. Henderson has the body lock again and Diaz his trying for a kimura. Henderson pounds away on the body again. Diaz lets go and gets back to his feet. Henderson is just a beast of a lightweight. Diaz gets the take down but Henderson again ends up on top. Diaz back to his feet with half a minute left. Henderson using both hands to rock Diaz body 10 secs left and Diaz swims free and the champ stands in front of him with his hands down waiting for the horn. Pure domination from the champ. No one has out struck Diaz like that.
Winner and STILL the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion by scores of 50-43, 50-45, 50-45 “Smooth” Benson Henderson.
The champ uses the post fight interview to deliver an inspirational message and tells everyone to hug on their loved ones and cherish the time with them.
UFC on FOX 5 will take place tonight at the Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. The main event will feature Benson Henderson defending his Lightweight title against Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu fighter and The Ultimate Fighter season 5 winner Nate Diaz.
The light heavyweights will co-main event the card as former champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua take on white hot Alexander Gustafsson. The event airs live on FOX at 8pm ET / 5pm PT. You can also tune in to FX for six televised prelims at 5pm ET / 2pm PT, and for those who “like” the UFC on Facebook can see a prelim bout at 4:20pm ET / 1:20pm PT.
MAIN EVENT – UFC LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Nate Diaz (155*) VS Benson Henderson (154.6)
FOX MAIN CARD
Alexander Gustafsson (205.4) VS Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (205)
Rory MacDonald (170.2) VS BJ Penn(168.2)
Matt Brown (170.2) VS Mike Swick (170)
FX FIGHTS Prelims
Jeremy Stephens (155.8) VS Yves Edwards (155)
Mike Easton(135) VS Raphael Assuncao (136*)
Joe Proctor (154.6) VS Ramsey Nijem(155.4)
Henry Martinez(158.8*) VS Daron Cruickshank (155)
Abel Trujillo (155.4) VS Marcus LeVesseur (155.4)
Nam Phan(145.4) VS Dennis Siver(146)
ONLINE FIGHT
John Albert (136) VS Scott Jorgensen(135.2)
* Diaz (initially 155.6, then 155.2), Martinez (158.8), and Assuncao (136.4) all missed weight. Martinez will not make 156, so he is forfeiting 20 percent of his purse and the fight will go on as scheduled. Assuncao made weight on his second attempt. Diaz made 155 pounds on his third attempt.
Tickets for the Lockdown 2013 pay-per-view from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, went on sale today at Ticketmaster.com.
Prices for the pay-per-view are $15, $20, $35, $50, $60, $125, and $150, although the $150 are already marked as gone and none are available.
W-O reader Rudy sent in word that if you use the promo code TNA40 you will save $40 if you buy a family four pack which translates to one person getting in for free.
While the Alamodome holds over 60,000 fans, TNA will be using a very small corner of the dome in a setup usually used for basketball and boxing events although for Lockdown, half the ‘arena’ that is usually setup for those two events will be used.
Dana White officially announced Ronda Rousey as the first ever UFC women’s champion during the UFC on FOX 5 press conference and immediately put her in the main event of an upcoming show.
Rousey will headline UFC 157, the February 23 show in Anaheim, California, against Liz Carmouche with the title on the line.
White also announced that the next fight for Rousey after this one will be the much talked about fight against Cris Cyborg at 135.
When asked why Rousey is fighting Caramouche and not someone else, White said that people are not knocking Zuffa’s door saying they want to fight Rousey and Caramouche stepped up and said she wants it.
All WWE Superstars and Divas are currently in Virginia for three days visiting the troops and preparing for the Tribute to the Troops television tapings.
Yesterday, Mark Henry, Kofi Kingston, The Miz, AJ Lee, Ted DiBiase, Hornswoggle and others visited the Wind & Sea Recreation Center at Naval Station Norfolk, meeting the troops and their families for autographs and photos.
This year Tribute to the Troops will be taped from The Scope Arena in Norfolk. Virginia is home to 125,000 active duty members, 830,000 veterans and many military families.
You can see the photo gallery from the visits below. (Photos courtesy of DVIDSHub)
Impact begins with Bobby Roode, Christopher Daniels, and Kazarian making their way to the ring. They will face AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy, and James Storm in the main event. Kazarian grabs a mic first and calls us all “Chodes” (don’t feel too bad, thickness is more important anyway.)
Roode grabs the mic next and guarantees a win this Sunday at Final Resolution against Jeff Hardy. He has apparently made some kind of investment that will ensure his victory. Daniels grabs the mic last and calls out his nemesis and opponent this Sunday, AJ Styles.
AJ comes out and claims Daniels has always been jealous of him. Daniels claims AJ has become a loser, and lists all the key matches AJ has lost this year. AJ responds by tackling Daniels. Daniels, Roode, and Kaz all beat AJ down until Storm and Hardy come out to save him.
In the back, Austin Aries says he’s mad at Bully Ray for attacking him last week and wants to fight him at Final Resolution.
Commercial
Match #1: TV champ Samoa Joe versus Devon for the title.
Joe’s TV title reign makes him a grand slam champion in TNA. (tag , X division, world, and TV titles) The two men lock up and Joe pushes Devon to the corner. Joe lands several punches; Devon responds with an eye poke. Joe hits Devon with a back elbow and then an enzuigiri.
Joe hits Devon with a forearm shot, a kick, and a knee drop. Joe charges at Devon, but Devon pulls down the top rope and Joe falls to the floor. Devon slams Joe into the steel steps and then rolls him back into the ring. The two men exchange punches and then Devon hits Joe with a back elbow.
Devon charges into Joe in the corner and then lands on him with a running splash. Devon tries a flying headbutt but misses. Devon throws a few punches but Joe ducks them and then Joe responds with a punch of his own. Joe hits Devon with a punch, an atomic drop, a kick and a backsplash. Devon charges Joe in the corner but Joe just slams him to the mat with an S.T.Joe.
Joe puts Devon in the rear naked choke and some anonymous blonde woman distracts both Joe and the ref. DOC takes advantage of the distraction and hits Joe with a hammer, allowing Devon to cover Joe and pick up the win. Devon is the new champ and he celebrates with Doc and some biker chicks.
Commercial
Al Snow and D Lo Brown are in the back talking about Al’s absence last week. Al doesn’t know what happened, but he woke up Friday morning in a hospital bed. Al thanks D Lo for filling in for him at last week’s gut check vote.
Mickie James makes her way to the ring wearing a lovely dress. Mickie thanks her friends, family, and fans for their support, and promises to win the Knockouts title from Tara this Sunday. Mickie is interrupted by Tara and her boyfriend Jesse.
Tara says she will keep her title, but she is also interrupted by the returning Velvet Sky. Velvet wishes Tara and Mickie luck, but promises she will become Knockout’s champ in 2013.
In the back, big Robbie E is having trouble with his computer. Bigger Robbie T explains that it’s a touch screen and teaches him how to use it. Kind of a useless segment, but they do look adorable together in their matching outfits. Commercial
Match #2: Robbie E and Robbie T versus tag champs Chavo and Hernandez.
Robbie E and Chavo lock up first; Chavo gets behind Robbie and takes him down with a snapmare. Chavo suplexes Robbie and tags in Hernandez. Hernandez puts Robbie in a bear hug then throws him backwards over his head. Hernandez tags in Chavo and Chavo bodyslams Robbie.
Chavo lands some more strikes before getting hit with a cheap shot from Robbie T. Robbie E tags T in and Robbie T beats Chavo down. Robbie T bodyslams Chavo and then flexes. T tags in Robbie E before dropping Chavo with a side slam. Robbie E hits Chavo with a forearm and then applies a headlock.
Robbie beats Chavo down, but Chavo retaliates with a suplex and then tags in Hernandez. Hernandez enters the ring with a flying shoulder block to Robbie. Hernandez hits Robbie with a backdrop and then a backbreaker. Hernandez clotheslines Robbie E to the floor.
Robbie T runs in but Chavo dropkicks him to the floor. Hernandez hits Robbie E with a backdrop and a Shoulder block and then tags in Chavo. Chavo hits Robbie with the frog splash for the win.
After the match, Joey Ryan comes out and says that he and Matt Morgan will beat Chavo and Hernandez for the tag titles at Final Resolution. As Joey speaks, Morgan enters the ring from behind Chavo and Hernandez and clotheslines them both.
Ryan calls his partner Matt Morgan “the Big Morgan” and himself as “the Big Organ.” I think he’s probably referring to his chode, or possibly his liver, but I think it’s most likely his chode.
In the back, Aces and Eights are celebrating Devon’s win with their newfound biker chick groupies. Devon is ready to throw a dart to find out who their next victim will be, but he’s stopped by the boss. The boss flashes a wad of cash; apparently they’ve been paid to attack someone specific.
Commercial
Match #3: Kurt Angle versus Doc.
Kurt starts the match of with a lot of punches and kicks. Kurt starts to focus on Doc’s knee, twisting it and chopping it from behind. Doc turns things around with a clothesline, and then proceeds to stomp Angle. The two men exchange strikes, and then Doc clotheslines Angle to the floor.
Doc whips Angle to the steel steps and then rolls him back in. Doc lands a punch, but Angle responds with a kick and a missile dropkick off the second rope. Angle hits Doc with three straight German Suplexes, releasing him with the third one. Angle goes for an Angle slam but it’s blocked by Doc, who follows up with a kick.
Kurt tries and Ankle lock, but Doc rolls out. Angle hits Doc with 2 more German Suplexes, but Doc grabs the rope to block the third one. As the ref calls for a rope break, Doc is able to get away with a kick to Angle’s groin. Doc hits Angle with a clothesline and then covers him for 2.
Doc tries for a choke slam but Angle blocks it. Angle hits Doc with an Angle slam but is too hurt to capitalize and Doc rolls to the floor. Doc rolls back in and hits Angle with a choke slam and gets a 2 count. Angle hits Doc with an Angle slam and then applies the ankle lock.
Aces and Eights runs in to attack Angle, but Bischoff, Briscoe, and Joe all come out to help. Angle challenges any 4 members of Aces and Eights to a match at Final Resolution against the 4 of them. (Angle, Bischoff, Brisco, and Joe)
In the office, Hulk Hogan is on the phone with someone named Joseph when he is interrupted by Bully Ray. Bully Ray wants to fight Austin Aries and he orders Hogan to give him the match. Hogan laughs at him and says no. Ray says he’s going to take over the show until Hogan gives him what he wants.
Commercial
When we return, James Storm and Jeff Hardy are talking. After they are done talking, Jeff Hardy keeps talking, in his head. We can still hear his inner monologue. I don’t know why, they must think it’s cool. I think it’s weird.
Match #4: Kenny King versus Kid Kash versus Zema Ion to determine the #1 contender for the X division title.
Thankfully, this is being decided by a match and not some painfully boring chat with Hogan and the three contenders in the back office. Hopefully they won’t pull that nonsense anymore. Kash starts off fast and hits King and Ion with strikes.
Zema dropkicks Kash to the floor and tries to roll King up. King hits Zema with a spin kick and Zema responds with an elbow. Kash yanks Zema out to the floor before being knocked back to the floor by Kenny King. Zema clothesline King but then is attacked from behind by Kash. Kash hits Zema with a series of crossfaces.
King hits Zema with a body slam and then a springboard legdrop. Zema shoulder blocks King in the corner. Zema and King exchange strikes and King rolls Zema up for a 2 count. Kash breaks it up and sends both men out to the floor. Kash hits Zema with an over the top rope hurricanrana; King springboards out of the ring onto Kash.
Zema flies over the top rope and takes out King and Kash. Zema rolls in King and climbs the top rope. King cuts Zema off and tries to set him up for something, possibly a version of a superplex. Kash re enters the ring and takes Zema and King out of the corner with the Tower of Doom.
Kash puts King in a Boston Crab and Zema breaks it up. King and Kash exchange kicks and Kash sends King flying out of the ring with a hurricanrana. Kash re enters the ring and takes Zema down with a springboard clothesline. Kash goes to the top rope and Zema pushes him off to the floor. King hits Kash with the Royal Flush (a fireman’s carry into a cutter) for the win.
Commercial
When we return, Bully Ray walks to the ring with a chair. Ray says he wants to fight Austin Aries, Austin Aries wants to fight him, and the fans want to see Bully and Austin fight, so let them fight! Ray sits in the chair and says he’s taking over the show until he gets what he wants.
Austin Aries comes out and claims Ray is only pretending he wants to fight Aries to impress his new girlfriend, Brooke Hogan. Austin Aries puts out a chair and says he’s going to sit there until he gets what he wants to.
Hogan comes out and Aries moves his chair, because he fears Hogan? Or maybe Hogan has really bad halitosis? Hogan says he isn’t going to be pushed around and orders them out of the ring before he kicks/fires their asses.
Brooke Hogan comes out to defend Bully Ray and calls him “Mark.” Hulk is horrified that his daughter is so familiar with Bully Ray that she uses his real name and angrily gives them the match they all wanted.
Commercial
Match #5: Bobby Roode, Kazarian, and Daniels versus AJ Styles, James Storm, and Jeff Hardy.
Storm and Kaz start the match off and lock up in the middle of the ring. Storm lands a punch and then takes Kaz down with a Thesz press. Storm lands a couple forearm shots and tags in Hardy. Storm and Hardy hit Kaz with a double back elbow.
Kaz tags in Daniels and Daniels slams Hardy to the corner. Hardy hits Daniels with a hurricanrana and then tags in AJ. Daniels runs away from AJ and tags in Kaz. AJ hits Jaz with a hurricanrana, a couple strikes, and then tags in Hardy. AJ goes down on all fours and Hardy springs off AJ’s back into Kaz in the corner. (they used to call that “Whisper in the Wind” in WWE when Matt and Jeff Hardy did it. The announcers at TNA called it that tonight; Dixie may be getting a call from Vince’s lawyers.)
Hardy is too close to the wrong corner and gets double teamed by Kaz and Daniels. Kaz puts Hardy in a front chancery as Hardy tries to make a tag. Hardy makes the tag, but Earl doesn’t see it and Hardy gets worked over by the heels some more. Daniels tags in Roode and Roode pummels Hardy. Roode hits Hardy with a vertical suplex and then tags in Daniels.
Daniels stomps on Hardy, slams him into the corner, and then hits him with a pair of knee lifts to the gut. Daniels tags Kaz and then picks up Hardy so Kaz can clothesline him down Kaz steps on Hardy’s throat and then kicks him to the floor. Outside the ring, Roode slams Hardy into the edge of the ring.
Hardy tries to fight back with an elbow, but Roode responds with an elbow of his own and then steps on Hardy’s chest. Roode tags in Daniels and Daniels puts Hardy in a front chancery. Daniels slams Hardy into Kaz’ boot and then tags in Roode. Roode goes to the top but Hardy cuts him off and takes him down with the Twist of Fate.
Hardy is too worn out to capitalize and Roode tags in Kaz as Hardy tags in AJ. AJ knocks down Kaz and Daniels and suplexes Kaz. Storm runs in and hits Kaz with closing time and clotheslines Daniels to the floor. Daniels slams Storm into the steel steps outside the ring; Roode and Kaz double team AJ inside the ring.
AJ simultaneously hits a DDT on Kaz and an inverted DDT on Daniels. AJ goes for a pin on Kaz but Daniels makes the save. AJ tries a springboard move, but Daniels knocks him off the ropes. Storm comes in to help AJ and throws Daniels to the ground. AJ and Storm start arguing.
Hardy tags himself in while AJ and Storm argue. Hardy hits Kaz with the twist of fate for the win!
After the match, AJ and Storm are still arguing as they make their way back to the locker room. Hardy stays in the ring to celebrate, but is attacked by several members of Aces and Eights. Aces and Eights beat Hardy down until Storm comes in to make the save.
Bobby Roode looks on and smiles at the beating Hardy just took, and then he gives them the thumbs up sign. Apparently Roode is the one that paid Aces and Eights off, and Hardy was the man he hired them to attack. Aces and Eights give Roode the thumbs up signal as Impact goes off the air.
The new version of the Wrestling-Online.com News app for iPhone and iPod Touch has been released on the Apple App Store.
Version 2.0 is a redesigned app compatible with iOS6 and makes use of the larger iPhone 5 screen as well. It also includes a new menu system, faster loading times, swiping left or right to go to next or previous articles and a retina display icon.
The update is free for current users or else it will cost 99 cents or the equivalent in your App Store local currency for new users.
Current users should perform the update ASAP since the old version of the app will stop populating news on December 14.
WWE issued a press release yesterday touting the success of their iPhone and iPad app and its second screen experience for RAW, Smackdown and Main Event television shows.
The app has been downloaded more than 2.7 million times in 215 different countries. For this past Monday’s RAW, the app had 20,000 downloads and moved to the Top 50 Free Entertainment Apps on the iTunes chart.
“No one else out there is executing an interactive experience at this level and we’re proud to be at the forefront of innovation,” said Perkins Miller, EVP Digital Media, WWE. “WWE is committed to enhancing the fan experience and we’re excited to unveil a revolutionary second screen experience with WWE Active.”
WWE has released a funny video with WWE Superstars and Divas singing a Christmas – but WWE-themed – song as they stand at the top of the ramp.
John Cena serves as the choir conductor with Randy Orton, CM Punk, Sheamus, Vickie Guerrero, AJ, Kane, Daniel Bryan, Big Show, Rey Mysterio and others having their own lines to sing.
“The holidays are truly a time to be thankful for what we have. In the spirit of giving, we have made a donation on your behalf to the Save The Children fund. From our WWE family to yours, Happy Holidays!” says John Cena as everyone in the background wish happy holidays from WWE.
The video starts with a cartoon of CM Punk trying to press a button to light up a Christmas tree and then gives up. At the end of the video, a cartoon of John Cena comes next to Punk, punches him out, lights up the tree and does the “You Can’t See Me” hand gesture. Pretty funny.
Ric Flair’s problems with his wife are just one part of his headaches as the Charlotte Observer newspaper revealed that the former champ owes thousands of money to the government.
Flair has a federal tax lien for $237,436 in unpaid taxes, interest and penalties and owes the N.C. Department of Revenue $41,358 in taxes, penalty and interest.
That is on top of what his soon-to-be ex-wife is claiming she’s owed $14,000 in support and $15,000 in legal fees that were part of the separation agreement.
Meanwhile, Ric Flair’s attorney, Larry Hewitt, is saying that his client is denying all the allegations of misconduct that his wife is basing her complaint on. “He contends she committed acts of marital misconduct and domestic violence. The issues will all be resolved in the courtroom,” he said.
ESPN.COM has an interesting interview with Ryback, whose WWE ’13 character has just been made available for the first time via a DLC.
The interview was mainly in association with his new WWE ’13 playable character but Ryback talked about several other things including the fans’ association of him with Goldberg, where the “feed me more” originated, his travel partners, being in Nexus, and WrestleMania.
“Do you have a dream opponent for the event?” ESPN asked Ryback. “That’s easy. One of my goals, and I don’t know how many more he has in him, so we need this to happen soon, and that’s Undertaker,” Ryback said.
That would have been somewhat special if Ryback was still undefeated, playing the Undertaker’s undefeated WrestleMania streak against Ryback’s undefeated gimmick.
The injury to CM Punk leaves Ryback with the short end of the stick as his chance to capture the WWE title vanished as soon as Punk was announced as unable to participate in the pay-per-view.
Ryback will be on the card however and in a letter posted by Vince McMahon on WWE.COM, the Las Vegas native will join the current tag team champions Kane and Daniel Bryan to take on The Shield in a TLC match.
The TLC match will be different though as while tables, ladders, and chairs, will be available for use, the only way to win this match will be via pinfall or submission.
Monday Night RAW got killed in the ratings, getting the lowest total number of viewers since moving to three hours and the lowest rating in over a decade for a non-holiday show.
This week’s show pulled in 3,437,000 viewers and a 2.5 rating which is down 500,000 viewers from last week and down from the 2.7 rating.
Hour one did 3,580,000 viewers, hour two did 3,370,000 viewers and hour three did 3,360,000 viewers. (Ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research and put online by PWInsider.com)
WWE Champion CM Punk has been pulled off the TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view due to the knee surgery he had to undergo yesterday.
Punk, who has been having knee problems for a while, flew down to Florida right after RAW was over to meet Dr. James Andrews and it was determined he should have surgery immediately.
The main event was supposed to be CM Punk taking on Ryback in a TLC match for the WWE title but now Ryback has been moved to a different match.
Subsequent to last week’s Raw and Smackdown (read that fine report on this fine website!), let us hope tonight’s show follows them up with WRESTLING! Both programs last week provided some excellent in-ring action, so I want to see more of that on Raw this week.
Of course, speaking of which, what will go down from Greensboro? Will WWE Champion C.M Punk get another upper hand on his T.L.C. challenger Ryback? How might The Shield impact the proceedings?
Scheduled for tonight is a tag-team match, pitting John Cena and Sheamus against Dolph Ziggler and World Heavyweight Champion The Big Show. What kind of match will these four bitter rivals have? And is there anymore scandal between A.J. and John Cena?
All this and much more, so read on!
Monday Night Raw T.V. Report for December 03, 2012 – “To Lie or Not To Lie?”
Introduction Segment: Recap
The now-usual montage of recent events of Raw and Smackdown previews the new show tonight, including the tag-team match and The Shield’s motives with WWE Champion C.M. Punk.
The only pyro is Kane’s to kick off Monday Night Raw, lead us into…
Match #1: Tag-Team – Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan) VS. “The Primetime Players” (Darren Young and Titus O’Neil) (Non-Title)
Prior to the bout beginning, Kane takes the microphone and informs The Shield, who are standing in the box-seat section of the arena, that if they want to fight, come on down. They don’t respond, but just stare the Tag-Team Champions down.
Titus and Kane start off, with O’Neil pushing Kane into the corner until The Big Red Machine fires back with punches and sends O’Neil to the outside. Titus switches with Darren, as does Bryan with Kane, who hits a running knee on young. Quick kicks in the corner by Daniel, then he slaps hands with Kane for the tag, who delivers a low-running dropkick for a near-fall!
Kane works over Young’s arm, then switches again with Bryan, who dives off the top with a double axe handle. We quickly see that Roman Reigns has approached the ring closer, now standing in the steps between fans. They continue to control the Primetime Players, while Reigns keeps approaching ringside.
Commercials.
Back live, O’Neil has control on Kane with a standing-side-headlock and clothesline. A grounding rear chinlock is applied by Titus, but Kane battles out and reverses a suplex into one of his own, then gets the hot-tag to Bryan. Huge clothesline from Bryan, then a running-calf-kick in the corner. It later breaks down, with O’Neil breaking up a No-Lock submission. Kane takes him out, but gets distracted by The Shield, who are no inches away from the squared circle.
Darren tries the advantage roll-up, but it gets reversed by Bryan for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan)
Post-match, like a bunch of vultures, The Shield completely decimate Kane and Daniel Bryan, repeatedly kicking Kane’s arm against the ring post, using the steel ring steps. They triple-powerbomb Bryan and then leave, with Kane checking on his comrade.
Segment #2: Locker Room Promo
Sheamus and John Cena discuss their alliance and match tonight.
Up next, A.J. returns to the ring.
Ads.
Match #2: Single – Tamina Snuka VS. A.J.
A.J. ducks a clothesline and jumps all over Tamina, trying to bring the stronger woman down. A.J. climbs the top rope but is pulled down by her arm from Tamina. She stomps and knees away at the back of A.J., then props her backwards on the top rope, carrying her into a submission hold on her shoulders. A.J. does not give up and fights back with little kicks, but Sunka regains dominance quick.
Tamina drops A.J. with a jumping headbutt, then drags her to the corner. Tamina turns around, presumably setting up for the Superfly Splash, but A.J. surprises her with a roll-up from behind to receive the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: A.J.
Segment #3: Arena Promo
As Michael Cole and Jerry “The King Lawler” are discussing, WWE Champion C.M. Punk’s music plays. The “Straight-Edge Superstar” walks out with Paul Heyman behind him, clutching the WWE Title. What will he say? We will find out after the break.
Commercials.
Back live in the ring, Paul E. has the microphone. He puts down Greensboro for cheap heat, then refers to the WWE Encyclopedia book (cheap plug, although he says he is not “shilling out for your Christmas or Hanukah lists!”). Heyman despises the book because there is “not nearly enough in this Encyclopedia about your reigning and defending WWE Champion C.M. Punk.” Heyman cites that on December 5th at midnight, “C.M. Punk will surpass John Cena as the longest-reigning WWE Champion of the entire modern era.”
Paul says this means that C.M. Punk is the longest champion in the last 25 years, quarter century! Heyman says that “C.M. Punk should be front and center on WWE’s version of Mount Rushmore.” Punk trades his championship for the microphone and goes on his usual tirade. He totes his success and says that his face should be going above everyone else that has been a legend in the company for the last 20 years (The Rock, Stone Cold, The Undertaker, etc…).
“The Second-City Saint” wonders why he has to take on Ryback again, after defeating him at Hell In The Cell and both him and John Cena at Survivor Series. He says it is because the fans have turned their backs on him. Punk claims it was not because of Paul Heyman, Brad Maddox, or The Shield that he is still WWE Champion. It is because he is the best in the world!
An unexpected interrupter walks out to challenge Punk. “The Awesome One” The Miz struts out and disputes Punk’s claims that he is the “best in the world.” Miz says that at least when he was WWE Champion, he had the guts to admit when he lied and cheated to keep the title.
Miz dares Punk to come on “MizTV” and take a lie detector test to prove he is not in cahoots with anyone help him retain his championship. After some bantering back and forth, Punk relents and finally agrees. It is set for later tonight!
Up next, the tag-team match between Cena/Sheamus & Ziggler/Show
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Match #3: Tag-Team – John Cena and Sheamus VS. “The Showoff” Dolph Ziggler and World Heavyweight Champion The Big Show (Non-Title)
Sheamus and Ziggler begin, with a waistlock by Dolph, which is turned into a side-headlock takedown. Sheamus reverses a side-headlock into a whip and elbow-to-the-jaw. He tags in Cena, and they deliver a double-elbow, with Cena covering for a quick near-fall. Cena whips Dolph off the ropes with a hip-toss and armdrag. He clamps on a grounding armbar, which Ziggler punches out of then slaps hand with Big Show to switch.
Lockup between Cena and Show, with the World Heavyweight Champion shoving Cena down. Cena attempts a jumping shoulder-tackle, but it does nothing to the 7-footer, who just brushes him off. Big corners John and slaps him hard with his giant-sized hand. Show continues to dominate the former “Dr. Of Thuganomics,” falling on him out of a fall-away slam.
He tags Ziggler back in, who drops a series of elbows onto Cena. 1 – 2 – Cena kicks out. Ziggler measures up Cena, but misses the corner splash. This allows both to get their hot-tags, respectively, and Sheamus is the one on fire.
The Irishman punches away at Show, and rams his shoulder into his gut in the corner. Sheamus runs off the ropes and knocks show off his feet with a jumping flying-forearm. Sheamus ascends and dives off the top rope, but is taken down with a mid-air spear by Show! Both men are down and referee Mike Chioda begins the count.
Commercials.
Live again, Show headbutts Sheamus, then kicks him in the nose after a small comeback from Sheamus (who is now busted open). Ziggler is in and hits his picture-perfect dropkick, then grasps Sheamus with a grounding rear-chinlock with scissors. Sheamus manages to stand up and toss Ziggler aside, then hot-tag Cena again.
John explodes on Dolph, hitting his usual repertoire of moves, but is booted by Show prior to the Attitude Adjustment. Sheamus comes in illegally and goes for the Brogue Kick, but Show catches him by the throat. Sheamus counters that into the White Noise, while Cena does it the A.A. on Ziggler for the triumph!
Winners via Pinfall: John Cena and Sheamus
(Great match, wrong finish!)
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Segment #4: Arena Promo
“The Intellectual Saviour of the WWE” Damien Sandow is out, and wants to give another fan a chance to prove himself smart. He selects a man from the audience and asks him three questions (after first telling him to stand up straight – nice touch!):
“Question #1: H2O is the chemical formula to what?” “Water,” the fan answers correctly.
“Question #2: Who was the first president of the United States?” “George Washington,” he gets right again.
“Question #3: What famed English poet wrote, ‘much have I travelled in the land of gold?’ “Seriously?” the man wonders? Sandow confirms, but the fan doesn’t know. Sandow calls him an “ignoramos,” and leaves him with a quote “ignorance is curable, stupid is forever!” (How true, in some cases!)
Santino Marella interjects and has a question for Damien of his own. “How many sea-shells does she sell by the seashore?” Sandow dismisses this, since he is looking for an apprentice and he is asking him about “cru stations!” Santino says that actual answer is “conk,” then goes to nail Damien the head with the microphone, but Sandow beats him to it. A referee comes out and a match will happen next. (This part was lame)
Commercials.
Match #4: Single – Damien Sandow VS. Santino Marella
Santino begins by “powerwalking” then tripping up Sandow in a jackknife cover for a near-fall! Damien quickly takes control and hits a Russian legsweep, followed by the “Elbow of Distain.” Santino counters into a small package for another near-fall, then breaks out the Cobra. D
amien goats him into the ring and stomps away, taking the Cobra hand-sleeve and chucking it. Santino uses the ropes to jaw-break Damien, but misses a top-rope headbutt, allowing Sandow to finish with the “Termanuse” neckbreaker!
Winner via Pinfall: Damien Sandow
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
Dolph Ziggler is with Vickie Guerrero and demands a rematch against John Cena at T.L.C. He claims he can beat him and “look good doing it.” “I can steal the show like no-one’s ever seen.” He walks off following an attempted kiss, and Vickie walks into her office to “find that on one forgets the name Brad Maddox.”
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Segment #6: Office Promo
Brad Maddox is documenting his chat with Vickie, who ends up giving him a match against a mystery opponent, following A LOT of ego-boosting and sucking-up by Maddox!
Match #5: Single – Sin Cara VS. Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez)
Lockup into the corner, then Alberto kicks and stomps away. Scoop slam by A.D.R. for a two-count, but Cara turns into an armdrag and armlock. Alberto shoves Sin into the corner again and rams his shoulder into the gut, plus a harsh-kick for another 2. Cara comes back with a springboard armdrag, then a top-rope armdrag!
Sin kicks away at Del Rio’s left arm, but gets sling-shotted into the second rope. Del Rio chokes Cara on the second rope, but gets front-dropkicked and kicked off the apron to the floor. Cara runs off the apron with a hurricanrana!
Commercials.
Back live, Cara jumps on Del Rio’s shoulders again and brings him down with another hurricanrana! 1 – 2 – Del Rio kicks out! Outside, Alberto tosses Cara into the barricade and rolls him back in the ring for a two-count. Del Rio tries to rip off Sin’s mask, then measures him for a run-in-the-corner, but Cara moves.
Another smacking kick from Cara, followed by a Tornado DDT! Both get up and Cara hits a springboard back-elbow, then another hurricanrana. Resounding kick again, then a flying crossbody for a near-fall!
Cara with a backward-spinning reversed DDT, but misses a swanton. He tries to take Del Rio down with his spinning-jumping-armbar, but Alberto rolls through and manages to clamp on the Cross Armbreaker to force Cara to tap out!
Winner via Submission: Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez)
The rumors were true, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon walks through the backstage hallway and informs a technician he wants to have a talk with Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero, next! (That’s probably not a good thing!)
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Segment #7: Arena Promo
Vickie Guerrero introduces “The Boss,” (not Bruce Springsteen!) and out comes Mr. Vince McMahon. She tries to suck-up, calling him “handsome,” but he returns with a half-hearted compliment. He wants to talk to her about T.L.C., so she quickly books Dolph Ziggler VS. John Cena.
He urges her to make it more “epic,” so she tries a “no-disqualification” stipulation. He shoots down that one quickly, then whispers in her ear. She shouts out “a ladder match!?” Mr. McMahon loves that idea, but Guerrero says it doesn’t make sense, since they don’t have championship to hang above. Vince arranges something else, to put the Money In The Bank briefcase on the line. Vickie reluctantly accepts and tires to shoo the boss away quick.
Vince says that there is one more piece of business to deal with. He is aware of the lie-detector test tonight, and says that if WWE Champion C.M. Punk is found to have been lying all along, than there should be some punishment. Guerrero comes up with the idea of Paul Heyman facing Ryback next week. This delights Mr. McMahon as he exits.
Commercials.
Match #6: Single – Brad Maddox VS. “The Viper” Randy Orton
(I think you know how this one will go.) Randy polishes off Maddox with the sling-shot DDT and R.K.O. for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: “The Viper” Randy Orton
Post-match, The Shield assault Orton out of no where and leave him laying after their triple-powerbomb.
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Segment #8: Office Promo
Vickie Guerrero is yelling at referee Charles Robinson about The Shield, then Dolph Ziggler walks in and gives her a piece of his mind, regarding is newly booked Pay-Per-View match. He accuses Guerrero of becoming a “power-hungry amateur,” just like A.J. He walks off and Paul Heyman walks in, staring Guerrero down. Vickie warns him that he should hope Punk is telling the truth, then he walks off smiling.
Speaking of smiling, John Cena walks in happily. He is in a great mood because of his newly-booked match at T.L.C. He thanks her, as he claims that he will become champion when he takes the briefcase. She tries to frame Cena again, but he argues with her, calling it “crap” and walks off.
Match #7: Fatal 4-Way for the United States Championship – Wade Barrett (Challenger) VS. Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston (Challenger) VS. R-Truth (Challenger) VS. Antonio Cesaro (Champion)
(Note: This match was originally a tag-team, but changed due to the “Raw Active Fan Vote.”) All men brawl, leaving it to Cesaro and Kingston in the ring. Antonio slams Kofi down with a waistlock and runs at him in the corner with a spinning elbow.
He tries another run, but Kofi counters with a kick, then Barrett clotheslines Cesaro over the ropes. Wade gains control over Kofi with a pump-handle slam and whips Kingston off the ropes, but Kofi dives out of the ring with a dropkick to Cesaro!
R-Truth slaps Barrett out of the ring and faces off with his former tag-team partner R-Truth. Chain-wrestling by the good friends, but Cesaro and Barrett come back into separate. Cesaro runs Truth into the barricade and uppercuts a diving Kingston!
Commercials.
Cesaro spins Kofi around then locks on a half Boston Crab as we return to the bout. Truth comes in and drives Antonio down with the suplex-faceplant. Barrett sends Truth to the outside via pulling the ropes, and now the two European brutes slug it out. Kofi flies off the top with a crossbody, but Barrett breaks up the impending pin! Truth does the same to Barrett following a spinning-sideslam, then nails Wade with the scissors kick for a two-count!
Truth dumps Barrett off the middle rope, as does Kofi to Cesaro, but both Truth and Kingston take Wade off the top with a Tower Of Doom suplex/powerbomb combo. 1 – 2 – Cesaro breaks up with a headbutt! Down to Barrett and Kingston now, with Kofi all over Wade. Boom drop legdrop, but gets pulled out of the ring before the Trouble In Paradise.
Cesaro in and sets up Barrett for “The Neutralizer”, but Truth scissor-kicks him out. Barrett hits the spinning back elbow, but Kofi nails him with the Trouble In Paradise spin-kick. As he is covering, Cesaro comes back in and picks him up, dropping him with “The “Neutralizer” faceplant to prevail!
Winner via Pinfall and STILL United States Champion: Antonio Cesaro
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Segment #9: Arena Promo
The Miz is in the ring, all set up for the lie-detector test with Mr. Abramson. Miz waists no time and brings out the WWE Champion and Paul Heyman. C.M. Punk gets strapped in and mocks this procedure and The Miz’s antics. The test begins, with simple questions to get the “baseline.” Miz asks him his name, that he has been champion for 379 days, if Rey Mysterio shaved his head bald at Over The Limit 2010, and if he lost at Wrestlemania XXVII against Randy Orton.
He says yes to all, then gets the hard inquiries grilled at him.
He is revealed to be lying about being able to beat Ryback on his own, but as soon as he is asked if he worked with Brad Maddox at Hell In The Cell and The Shield to win at Survivor Series, the three men attack Miz, stopping this.
They tear apart “MizTV” and triple-bomb Miz, then “Team Hell-No” walks out and engage in a brawl. Loud “feed me more” chants, enticing Ryback to march out. The beast runs out and goes at The Shield. It’s all-out warfare as Kane and Daniel Bryan come back to help Ryback take Ambrose, Rollins, and Reigns into the crowd.
Left alone, C.M. Punk stands over a defenseless (thanks Michael Cole) Miz. He kicks Miz out, literately, and poses happily, but turns right into a Shell-Shock from Ryback! He grabs a chair and ladder from under the ring, and beats down Punk with the symbolic objects. With a smile on his face, Ryback sets up a table and powerbombs the WWE Champion through the wooden structure!
Ryback steps over Punk and flexes to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
Back to an “ok” show. There was some great wrestling – always a plus – but I thought some of the promos and ending were just average. Onto the analysis:
Excellence: The promo with Paul Heyman, WWE Champion C.M. Punk, and The Miz – awesome talkers, all three, and built up the ending segment beautifully. However, they will also be in my “bogus” for another reason. Tag-Team match with Sheamus/Cena & Show/Ziggler – awesome, awesome wrestling, even though I don’t think Dolph should’ve eaten the pin. However, I think they can “save” it by having (and better have) Dolph win at T.L.C., where he’d claim to losing “meaningless” tags, but succeeding when it counts, when something is on the line.
Del Rio/Cara, even though seen numerous times, was better and longer than I expected. Damien Sandow – on one hand, loving his new role looking for an apprentice, however do wish they team him back with Cody Rhodes when he returns from injury – they’re a great, old-school tag-team. (The bit with Santino was just dumb and unnecessary). Like the fact that Kane/Daniel Bryan have put their “issues” away and now can just act like serious tag-team champions.
Great 4-way match for the U.S. Championship and glad a significant bout like that was on LAST, before the main-event promo.
Bogus: The start to Raw just started. No hype, no nothing. Getting right into the match felt “bland.” The whole A.J./Cena storyline needs to end, especially since there was absolutely no interaction between the two tonight. (Nice to see her wrestling again). Even though I loved the promo between Heyman/Punk/Miz, it felt “out of no where” with Miz in there. At the moment, why would he be bothered with C.M. Punk, when the WWE Champion is already occupied with Ryback? It didn’t really make sense to insert another person into this rivalry.
Not sure where they’re going with the Brad Maddox character yet. Also, Vince being in town was really a let down. They need to now save him for “big” announcements, not to just entice already-made Pay-Per-View matches. While the actual wrestling was great, definitely did not like the way the Fatal-4-Way was set-up. The “fan-vote” as to which championship would be decided diminishes the belt in my opinion. At least it was with guys that were feuding with each other, and not a throw-away with wrestlers you know weren’t going to win the title anyway.
Overall, a “so-so” episode, so let’s hope they have much better plans for next week, when it will be the “go-home” show before T.L.C. Until then, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
