As expected, Linda McMahon is one step closer to becoming a U.S. Senator after yesterday she easily won the Republican Primary vote against Chris Shays.
With 87% of the precincts reporting before 10PM yesterday, Linda McMahon had 74% of the votes compared to 26% of Shays according to the Stamford Advocate.
Come November, she will be facing Democrat Chris Murphy for the Senate seat which currently belongs to Senator John Leiberman.
“I just fundamentally don’t believe that Linda McMahon can paper over her record as CEO of the WWE with a lot of money,” Murphy said. In his victory celebration immediately after the Primary, Murphy gave McMahon his first shot saying to his supporters that McMahon made “billions off of selling sex, violence and drug abuse” as WWE Chief Executive Officer.
Funny enough, according to the Stamford Advocate, Murphy left the stage at his celebrations to the RAW theme song “Tonight Is The Night” by Outasight.
McMahon held her celebrations at the Hilton Hotel which is – again, funny enough – owned by the father-in-law of McMahon’s last opponent and current Senator Rich Blumenthal.
Her supporters were treated to an open bar, antipasti, pretzels, bruschetta, and sliders at the hotel according to the newspaper.
Her mother and daughter, Stephanie McMahon-Levesque, accompanied Linda.
Kurt Angle got a little mad at WWE champion CM Punk after Punk called TNA an “indy league” during a Q&A held at the Wizard World Chicago Comic Con.
On his Twitter, the Olympic gold medalist said that he was insulted by Punk’s remark and noted that when he was on top in the WWE, Punk was trying to get a job anywhere, adding that it was his choice to go to TNA at the end.
“If I ever See You Punk, Hide Bitch,” wrote Angle to finish off his rant.
TMZ originally broke the story yesterday that former UFC and Strikeforce fighter Jason “Mayhem” Miller had been arrested for burglary. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Mission Hills Church in Mission Viejo of a burglary in progress.
The deputies arrived to find CDs and literature scattered throughout, picture frames broken and the first two floors of the building covered in fire extinguisher spray. When they reached the second floor, Miller was found awake and coherent but naked on a couch. Miller was taken into custody and medically evaluated.
Miller lost his last two fights in the UFC since making his return and was released by the organization. Miller was known for his outlandish antics on his way to the cage for a fight. While in the Dream organization in Japan, he would perform a full choreographed dance with multiple female dancers taking part as he would come out from behind the curtain. He was also the host for the MTV show “Bully Beatdown.”
On Saturday, Miller got into an exchange with UFC president Dana White. While Miller tweeted “You never begged me to retire @danawhite you must not love me. That’s a shame, I love you. Cont. It’s ok. Since you never allowed me to officially retire, I am now a Warrior for Peace and Ultimate Fighter for Justice.”
Dana White assuming that Miller was up to his normal antics replied “@mayhemmiller lol retire Mayhem I’M BEGGIN U!!!”
Miller responded by telling White to “Kill yourself @danawhite we are all begging you.”
Dana White ended the exchange with “@mayhemmiller don’t get fuckin bummed out u asked me!!”
Dana said in an interview after UFC 150 that once he realized Miller wasn’t kidding, he felt bad, especially since the fighter had discussed finding peace outside of the cage.
It’s a big day for Linda McMahon today as today is Primary Day with Connecticut voting for their next U.S. Senator. Polls will open till 8PM tonight and McMahon is expected to win the Primary after she received backing from the Republican party to be their choice for the November election.
“It’s time to restore America’s promise of opportunity, and we need a proven job creator who understands the needs of hardworking families and small businesses to represent us in Washington,” a message on her website by her campaign manager reads.
“Linda has walked in our shoes and has a plan to get America working again. She will cut taxes for the middle class, level the playing field for America’s job creators, and cut Washington’s reckless spending. That’s the kind of leadership we need. And we need your vote to make that happen.”
Two years ago, the former WWE CEO also won the Primary but then lost the election to her Democrat opponent by 11%. She spent over $50 million of her own money in that campaign, refusing to accept certain donations, although this time around she has been collecting money to avoid the backlash that she was trying to buy the election.
Two new matches were announced for the SummerSlam pay-per-view this Sunday and another match which will air on the YouTube pre-show.
The Intercontinental title will be defended as The Miz takes on Rey Mysterio while the Tag Team titles will also be on the line with champions R-Truth and Kofi Kingston defending the belts against Titus O’Niel and Darren Young of the Prime Time Players.
The YouTube pre-show match will have U.S. champion Santino Marella taking on Antonio Cesaro for the U.S. title.
WWE.COM is selling yesterday’s storyline with Shawn Michaels and Brock Lesnar saying that the WWE Hall of Famer has suffered a broken arm.
The angle closed off the show after HBK was blocked by Paul Heyman from exiting the arena with his car and Lesnar ambushed Michaels from behind. Eventually all three made it back to the ring and Lesnar F5’ed HBK and put him in the Kimura Lock.
Triple H came down to save his buddy but Paul Heyman advised Triple H not to get in the ring or else Lesnar would break his arm. Lesnar “broke” HBK’s arm anyway and then rushed back up the ramp to avoid Triple H.
WWE.COM says there’s no word if Shawn Michaels will now be at SummerSlam to be in HHH’s corner considering the “injury.”
After last week’s fantastic episode, and with this being the “go-home” show before SummerSlam on Sunday, what happen tonight to set up for the summer’s biggest pay-per-view? One thing is for sure, it will be all wrestlers in the house, including “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels.
How will either Dolph Ziggler or Chris Jericho get the best of the other prior to their showdown?
As mentioned above, HBK will be supporting Triple H – and Brock Lesnar threatened that he will see Michaels before SummerSlam, implying?
The Tag-Team Championship picture is shaping up, so who will get the title shots – The “Prime Time Players” or Primo & Epico?
What will Raw General Manager A.J. Lee have in store for all of us fans, and in particular, her ex-man she loves to play mind games with, Daniel Bryan?
Finally (and most importantly), who will stand tall to excerpt momentum for the WWE Championship triple-threat bout between Champion C.M. Punk, The Big Show, & John Cena?
Read on to find out what went down six days prior to the 25th Anniversary of SummerSlam!…
Monday Night Raw for August 13th, 2012 – “Changing The Questions AND The Answers”
Introduction Segment: Welcoming
The regular Raw video plays and the pyro explodes in the American Airlines Center, with Michael Cole calling the action. Speaking of which…
Match #1: Single – WWE Champion C.M. Punk VS. The Big Show (Non-Title)
(Prior to the start, a replay of Big Show knocking both Punk & John Cena out from last week is re-aired to remind us of his dominance). Punk tries to attack fast, but Show is aggressive early, throwing him off and clubbing/headbutting him down. Show uses the ropes to choke C.M. and then pushes him against the turnbuckles to slap him hard with his huge right hand. A shoulder block puts Punk on the mat and Show then stands on his back and head. Show controls the contest for a while, until “The Straight-Edge Superstar” kicks him hard in the head and hits a few more. Punk nails the high-knee in the corner, but Show shoves him off before he can get the bulldog in.
Suddenly, Daniel Bryan interrupts and yells at Jerry “The King” Lawler and Michael Cole, shouting that he should be in the WWE Championship match. Meanwhile, Show takes Punk down with a sidewalk slam and tries to ascend the ropes, but Punk cuts him off and flies off the top rope with a clothesline. 1 – 2 – Big Show kicks out!
Bryan enters and assaults Punk, locking him in the “No Lock.” Referee Charles Robinson calls for the bell.
Winner: No Contest due to interference
Daniel continues to hold down Punk as Big Show drops an elbow, until John Cena runs out and helps make the save. Next, General Manager A.J. Lee skips down to the ring and announces the predictable – a tag-team match for later tonight, with Big Show & Daniel Bryan teaming to face WWE Champion C.M. Punk and John Cena
Also tonight, Triple H and Brock Lesnar will sign the contract for their match at SummerSlam!
Commercials.
Segment #1: Backstage Promo
J.T.G. is complaining to Kaitlyn about not getting one a match, despite Raw being 3 hours now. He calls it “crazy,” cuing the General Manager to sidle up next to him. She promptly grants his request, booking him in the next bout. A.J. then asks Kaitlyn if she thinks she is unstable too, and Kaitlyn retorts by saying “I can think of many words to describe you, and ‘unstable’ isn’t one of them.” Kaitlyn walks off and A.J. looks puzzled.
Match #2: Single – J.T.G. VS. Ryback
They lock up and Ryback shoves J.T.G. off. J.T.G. gets an uppercut in but that’s it, as Ryback dominates following an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Harsh and HUGE powerbomb with a running clothesline and the stomping Samoan drop finisher take out J.T.G. for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Ryback
It’s voting time for the week – the question is who should be on “Piper’s Pit” tonight? Chris Jericho, Intercontinental Champion The Miz, or Dolph Ziggler. (How about all three, this will be a fantastic segment no matter what!)
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Segment #2: Locker Room Promo
The “Hot Rod” himself is wondering who is going to be his guest on “Piper’s Pit.” Roddy then asks Shawn Michaels who he thinks. Shawn has other things on his mind, like Brock Lesnar and a phone call from someone who is going to be late. HBK tells that person they need to be here.
Match #3: Single – “The One-Man Band” Heath Slater VS. Tag-Team Champion R-Truth
Lockup into the corner and Truth punches away. Slater is run off the ropes and taken down with an armdrag. Heath ducks a right hand and drives R down with a neckreaker. Slater clamps on a grounding rear chinlock, but misses a corner splash. Truth gains quick momentum and hits the “Little Jimmy” jumping flatliner for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: WWE Tag-Team Champion R-Truth
Post-match, Truth’s challengers for the WWE Tag-Titles, “The Prime Time Players” run down and assault R, gaining an advantage going into their match with Kingston and Truth for the championships on Sunday.
Commercials.
Segment #3: Video Promo
A highlight package of the feud between Alberto Del Rio and World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus is played to hype their World Title match at SummerSlam. (I thought that was “called off?”)
A WWE.com “exclusive” then airs and clarifies that Smackdown General Manager Booker T. has in fact called off the bout. Alberto Del Rio responded via “Tout,” telling the G.M. that they will have a conversation this Friday on Smackdown!
Match #4: Single – Sin Cara VS. Tensai (with Sakamoto)
An uppercut and shoulder block help Tensai put Cara down quickly, but Sin moves out of a splash and hits a Senton. Cara runs the corner ropes and takes Tensai down with a Tornado DDT to finish this that soon!
Winner via Pinfall: Sin Cara
Post-match, Tensai takes out his frustrations and decimates his trainer Sakamoto with a two-handed Chokeslam and splash.
Backstage, Shawn Michaels is asking a technical man to alert him when a certain man arrives.
Up next, “Piper’s Pit!”
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Segment #4: Arena Promo – “Piper’s Pit”
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper is in the ring with Jerry “The King” Lawler. Piper catches up on the current storylines and social media with Lawler’s help, then “The King” reveals the mystery guest for “Hot Rod”….and not surprisingly, it’s “Y2J” Chris Jericho! (An excellent “verbal bout” is upcoming!)
Right away, they take shots at each other’s misfortunes from the last time they met up. Jericho is excited however to be on “Piper’s Pit” for the first-time ever! “Hot Rod” empathizes with “The Ayatollah Of Rock N’ Rolla,” citing that much like Jericho, people told him that he wouldn’t win the big one. Piper tells “Y2J” that doesn’t matter, what matters is the fans supporting Jericho that count.
“The Showoff” Dolph Ziggler interrupts, via Vickie Guerrero. He puts down Piper, wondering how long he has being doing this same old stick. Dolph turns his attention to Jericho, who compares him to Piper by asking “how many failed comebacks does it take you to realize you can’t just get it done anymore?” Ziggler tells Jericho to hang up the “obnoxious light-up jacket” after he gets beat on Sunday.
Jericho retorts, telling Guerrero to “shut the hell up” and then informing Dolph that he will beat him at SummerSlam, “and that is a guarantee I will never eeeeeeever go back on, you got it?!”
The third man left out of voting now interrupts. The Intercontinental Champion The Miz wanders out and also berates Jericho for not winning “big ones.” He cites Ziggler winning the Money In The Bank and himself winning the main-event of WrestleMania XXVII, as well as capturing the Intercontinental Championship 3 weeks ago. The Miz orders Jericho and Piper to “get the hell out of my ring now” as he wants to take over the show with Ziggler.
Jericho takes great exception, punching out the Miz and chucking Dolph over the ropes. He then celebrates with Piper.
Commercials.
Match #5: Triple-Threat – Chris Jericho VS. Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero) VS. Intercontinental Champion The Miz (Non-Title)
(We learn that General Manager A.J. Lee booked this match via twitter during the break). It begins as more of a two-on-one with Ziggler and Miz attacking Jericho. “Y2J” makes a comeback, and starts to take out both. Snapmare and vertical suplex on Miz from Jericho. Resounding chops and stomps until Ziggler trips up Chris. The double-team commences again with both kicking away at the Canadian wrestler.
Dolph holds Jericho while Miz kicks him in the gut and then chokes him using the ropes. A double-suplex makes Jericho hit the mat and a two jumping elbows follow by Ziggler. He “lazy-covers” Jericho, but Miz drags him off. They argue about who should win, until Jericho gets momentum back and throws them both to the floor.
A springboard plancha puts both Miz and Ziggler on the outside mats, then Jericho gets on the announcer’s table to cheer on the fans. Jericho takes off the top of the table and slams it on his opponents, and rolls Dolph back in the ring. Ziggler pushes Chris off the apron to send him crashing into the table and floor, and sending us into a break!
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Miz now has Jericho locked in a grounding chin lock but Jericho fights out of it, only to receive a knee to his mid-section from Miz. Again, the I.C. Champ chokes Jericho with his foot under the ropes, then slingshots him against the bottom one. Miz pulls at Jericho’s nose but misses a corner running move, hitting the middle turnbuckle instead.
Jericho dropkicks Ziggler off the apron, then hits the running bulldog on Miz and follows with the Lionsault! 1 – 2 – Ziggler breaks up. Jericho hammers away on Dolph then tosses Miz crotch-first onto the top rope. Jericho poises Miz for a superplex off the top, but Ziggler positions himself under Jericho for the “Tower Of Doom” suplex/powerbomb combo!
Dolph covers, 1 – 2 – Jericho reverses, 1 – 2 – Dolph kicks out. Ziggler hits the Fameasser, 1 – 2 – Jericho kicks out, and Dolph is frustrated! Ziggler stalks Jericho, forgetting about Miz who hits him with the Skull Krushing Finale! 1 – 2 – Jericho breaks the pin. “Y2J” attempts a Walls Of Jericho but Miz spins him off, only to get clothesline by Dolph. He turns around into a Codebreaker! Jericho crawls for the cover, 1 – 2 – but Vickie puts his foot on the ropes!
Jericho has words with Guerrero, allowing Miz to roll-up from behind but only for 2! Jericho reverses into a Victory Roll and then the Walls of Jericho, however Guerrero distracts referee Charles Robinson again, allowing Dolph to sneak up and bring Jericho down with the Zig-Zag neckbreaker drop. 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero)
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
WWE Champion C.M. Punk is stretching when Eve comes up to him and congratulates him on his turn. Punk claims he is still the same guy, only this time just looking for respect. Eve doesn’t believe that, and tells Punk that neither does John Cena. C.M. says that he will go inform Cena that very thing right now.
Commercials.
Segment #6: Backstage Promo
Shawn Michaels is walking around the hallways when John Cena startles him. Shawn says he is distracted then walks off, and Cena turns around into the WWE Champion C.M. Punk. Punk says he will not stab anybody in the back, but also not be a phony. He isn’t a fan of the triple-threat match at SummerSlam, but will make the best of it by walking out the WWE Champion. And at the end of tonight, he will remind everyone “it’s all about me.”
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Segment #7: Video Promo
Another Wade Barrett montage airs, citing that “life is pain. I’m Wade Barrett and my barrage has just begun!” (Sweet!)
Match #6: Diva Tag-Team – Kaitlyn & Divas Champion Layla VS. “The Glamazon” Beth Phoenix & Eve Torres (Non-Title)
Beth and Layla start out, with Phoenix trying a Gorilla Press Slam, but Layla reversing into a Sunset Flip for a near fall. Eve is tagged in and kicks out of a few pin attempts, including a springboard crossbody. Layla dances then uses her rear to smash Eve in the face. She slaps hands with Kaitlyn, who hits a backbreaker and a jacknife pin combo for a close call! Kaitlyn ascends to the middle rope, but Eve pulls her off and pounds away on the mat.
Phoenix is back in and kicks Kaitlyn in the stomach, which could be heard throughout the arena! She measures Kaitlyn in the corner, but gets kicked herself and Kaitlyn comes back, even wiggling out of a powerbomb attempt, then rolling up “The Glamazon” from behind to get the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: Kaitlyn & Divas Champion Layla
Segment #8: Video Promo
A recap of all the events leading up to the SummerSlam match between Triple H and Brock Lesnar is aired, then a shot of the parking lot, saying that Triple H is expected to be here.
Up next, the tag-team main-event!
Commercials.
Match #7: Tag-Team – The Big Show & Daniel Bryan VS. WWE Champion C.M. Punk & John Cena (Non-Title)
Cena and Bryan pick up from last week, beginning the bout. Lock up and a side headlock from Cena. Bryan shoots John off the ropes, who comes back with a shoulder block, but Punk blind-tags and enters now. Show wants in too, but Daniel stays. (Note: crowd is chanting “Let’s go Cena/C.M. Punk”)
Side headlock takedown from Punk and a running shoulder block. Turn-around hip-toss by Punk, but Cena now blind-tags himself back in! Show wants in again, but Bryan yells “no, no, no” at him! Cena leapfrogs (impressively) Bryan and hits a hip-toss and a great-looking dropkick. Punk tries another tag, but Cena was too far away. This time, Show gets in and begins to control over Cena. Cena runs off the ropes with a high shoulder tackle, but Show just pushes him off.
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Back live, Show is still dominant, running and rear-splashing Cena in the corner. Show catches Cena in bearhug, but Bryan tags from behind and orders Show to get out. Show complies, but Daniel misses a corner front dropkick. Cena rolls to his corner and Punk tags himself in.
“The Second-City Saint” hits a springboard flying clothesline, then a regular one, and takes Bryan down with a neckbreaker, but Show breaks it up. Punk goes to tag, but Cena is not on the apron. Bryan drags Punk to his corner and trades with Show again. Show headbutts the WWE Champ and slaps him on the chest against the ropes. Punk punches back but Show grabs him in another bearhug.
Punk battles back with elbows to Show but gets backdropped to the mat. Again, Punk tries to fight back but gets scoop-slammed instead. Bryan re-tags himself and yells at Show again, who then walks away and stands/leans near the time keeper’s area. Punk ducks one kick from Daniel and hits hard one of his own to Bryan’s head.
C.M. looks at Cena, who desperately wants in. However, Punk runs at Bryan with a couple flying shoulder tackles and a spin-out backdrop, much like Cena. Punk smiles and mimic’s Cena’s 5 Knuckle Shuffle, but before he can complete, Cena tags himself in and hits the Punk-famous high knee/bulldog combo.
Punk suddenly walks out too, and Bryan takes advantage with a roll-up, but Cena gets out and hits a quick Attitude Adjustment for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: WWE Champion C.M. Punk & John Cena
Post-match, Show sneaks in and looks like he is going to attack Cena from behind, but Punk interjects and hits him with the WWE Championship in the shoulder/back. Cena & C.M. stare down each other, with Punk offering a handshake. Cena is obviously skeptical, not returning the gesture, so the WWE Champion walks away. Cena is left in the ring, looking perplexed.
Backstage, Josh Matthews catches up with C.M. Punk, and inquires about what just happened. The WWE Champion says that John Cena went into business for himself and didn’t care about the match. He also disrespected Punk by not shaking his hand. After Sunday, “The Second-City Saint” says he will show everyone the meaning of respect.
Commercials.
Backstage, Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman are shown talking with each other.
Match #8 – “The Intellectual Savior Of The Masses” Damien Sandow VS. Christian
Lock up and Sandow is aggressive, shoulder-blocking Christian in the corner and nailing a Russian leg sweep. An elbow drop gets a two-count for Sandow, who runs into a kick and slaps from Christian. Christian flies off the second rope with a spinning elbow but Damien rolls out of the ring. He then slams Christian’s head repeatedly into the steel steps and puts him back in the ring.
Brodus Clay’s music blares and “The Funkasaurus” walks out, distracting Sandow for a brief moment. Christian tries to capitalize with a schoolboy, but Sandow kicks out and drops Christian with his neckbreaker finisher, much to Clay’s dismay.
Winner via Pinfall: “The Intellectual Savior Of The Masses” Damien Sandow
Segment #9: Backstage Promo
Shawn is still walking around, and walks right into Brock Lesnar, who stares him down. Michaels walks off and Brock glares.
Up next is that contract signing!
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Segment #10: Arena Promo – Contract Signing
Brock Lesnar, with Paul Heyman, is out first. Heyman takes the microphone, introduces himself and his client. He calls himself “the advocate for Brock Lesnar.” Heyman tells us that Triple H is having flight delays, and says that he needs this match because the “honor of WWE is in Triple H’s hands,” along with his dignity and his family.
Heyman holds a contract that exonerates Lesnar from anything he does to Triple H at SummerSlam. Heyman hypes up the brutality that this match will take on Sunday. Paul turns his attention to Shawn Michaels. Heyman invites HBK to the ring to tell Brock in his face that HHH will beat him at the pay-per-view. No answer, and Heyman doesn’t blame him, because “there is no shame in being afraid of Brock Lesnar.”
“The Heartbreak Kid” does in fact walk out and stand in front of Heyman & Lesnar. Heyman says he’ll accept the contract if Shawn signs it for HHH too. Shawn just glares at both and then “The Game’s” music hits.
He walks out and strips his suit jacket off. Triple H marches to the ring and a stare down between him and Lesnar ensues. HHH picks up the pen and signs the papers. (IT’S ON!) Lesnar smirks while he did that, then signs it himself, and throws it in “The Cerebral Assassin’s” face.
Brock Lesnar cockily exists and walks around the ring. He taunts Triple H & Shawn Michaels and slowly backs up the aisle.
Commercials.
Segment #11: Backstage Promo
Triple H & Shawn Michaels are discussing the match, with Shawn telling HHH that “you and you alone” will have to beat Lesnar. Shawn says “you know where my heart is in this.” (Hmmmm, heel turn and comeback? Hopefully not.)
Segment #12: Backstage Promo
Matt Striker asks Big Show about getting laid out by the WWE Champion C.M. Punk, but Show discredits it, and says “we’ll just have to see what happens at SummerSlam.”
Meanwhile, yelling is heard, and it is shown that Paul Heyman has cut off Shawn Michaels from leaving the arena. Brock Lesnar then grabs Shawn from out of his car and presumably beats him down, as yelling and grunts are heard, but the camera blacked out! (Oops!)
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Back live, we are shown Shawn’s car with the windshield smashed and a bunch of the roster surrounding the vehicle. A.J. Lee is beside herself, while Triple H demands to know where Michaels’ is. With no answer, Triple H slams the car and walks off.
Segment #13: Beatdown
Lawler & Cole ponder what just happened, and now Brock Lesnar has Shawn on his shoulders in a fireman’s carry position, dragging him to the ring. Shawn’s shirt is torn open and Lesnar hits the F-5. Shawn tries to get up but Lesnar clamps him in the Kimura Lock. Triple H runs out, but Heyman begs Triple H to stop, or Lesnar will break “your best friend’s arm.”
HHH is struggling to hold himself back, but Lesnar does it anyway. “The Game” runs in and chases after Lesnar until Brock gets to the stage. Triple H goes back and gives aide to Michaels, apologizing to him. Shawn just yells back “get away from me” and continues to writhe in pain. Lesnar is laughing with Heyman, who keeps yelling “you broke his arm!”
Triple H rips off his shirt and screams “we don’t have to wait, let’s do it now!” to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Ramblings – By Moe Tapp
Another great edition of Raw and beautiful buildup to SummerSlam this Sunday. After tonight, I’m really feeling like this will be an awesome SummerSlam, both with the card and possible outcomes. Onto the analysis of Raw, and of course, my predictions for the pay-per-view.
Excellence: The conclusion to the opening bout. As usual, not a fan of main-event stars and champions opening the show with a match (in particular ones that should be main-events), but Daniel Bryan running out and demanding a title shot saved this from being a negative and put it in this section. It was a great set-up to a later-on great match.
Liked “The Prime Time Players” exuberating dominance and proving why they are the #1 contenders for the Tag-Titles, however I am a little concerned they will lose their “fire” they have had in recent weeks with the firing of A.W. They need to win the Championships to keep the momentum.
Shawn Michaels walking around backstage looking for Triple H was a nice little touch and also made me wonder if it was someone other than “The Game” that was going to show tonight.
“Piper’s Pit” and the following triple-threat match with Ziggler/Jericho/Miz – chemistry, chemistry, chemistry. Enough said! However, one small piece that really added to both the segment and match were some of the close-ups on the wrestlers faces – it helped really tell the story and highlight their true expressions. I was really proud of that.
The tag-team Punk/Cena and Show/Bryan match – great bout and loved imitations that Punk & Cena did of each others moves. Another small aspect of story-telling and getting into each others heads before the big match.
Liking the Damien Sandow/Brodus Clay feud, for it’s simplicity. It all started with Sandow wanting to up the intellectual ability in WWE and rid them of Brodus and his dancing, which now has turned into a heated rivalry. Very easy to watch.
The confidence Big Show had after the tag-match, basically just not worrying about tonight but focused on winning the WWE Title at SummerSlam. Big-picture thoughts like that tell a great story.
At first, wasn’t a fan of the Triple H/Brock Lesnar storyline/match, but after both last week and this week, really into it now. It’s also very simple to follow: two guys who want to beat the tar out of each other. And much like Wrestlemania XXVIII, Shawn Michaels is now the intriguing factor for where his loyalty lies after tonight, so that adds some more suspense to an already intense match.
Bogus: Did not care about Ryback, Sin Cara/Tensai, or the Divas tag-team bouts – to me, just filler. Where was Kane to help promote his match with Daniel Bryan on Sunday? The announcement of the “pre-show” – a Championship match (in this case the U.S. Title) should NOT be on Youtube and a pre-show bout – E-E-E-EEVVVER! (to quote Chris Jericho!) This is not the way to get a title over, and Santino Marella’s challenger, Antonio Ceasaro, needs to be built a bit more/have a reason before receiving a U.S. Title match, in my opinion. This came out of no where.
I will say that I wasn’t a fan of C.M. Punk kicking off the night with a match, since he is the WWE Champion, but as stated above, they did save that for me and ended up twisting it around for later on. On the other hand again, that was NOT the main-event, and should’ve been switched around with the Sandow/Christian match!
Still not convinced of the C.M. Punk “heel turn.” Much like Cena, he is still getting a lot of love from the fans. I think the only way they can pull it off is to have him feud with The Rock exclusively, or do something totally drastic and nasty this Sunday, leading to…
Predictions for SummerSlam:
World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus will retain over Alberto Del Rio (yes, that match will be on after this week!)
New Tag-Team Champions in “The Prime Time Players,” stripping Kofi Kingston & R-Truth of the belts
Kane wins over Daniel Bryan, sending him into more of a psychotic state
The Miz somehow keeps his Intercontinental Championship over Rey Mysterio
Dolph Ziggler defeats Chris Jericho (he needs to, to continue his rise to the top)
C.M. Punk walks away with the WWE Championship, again somehow over John Cena & The Big Show
Brock Lesnar/Triple H will end in a “no contest” and big, big brawl or demolishion, which also will probably close the show
Let’s see how I do in my % for SummerSlam! For those watching enjoy.
As always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online readers and Wrestling Fans!
Ashley Flair, the daughter of two time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, announced yesterday on her Twitter that WWE gave her a new name – Charlotte.
Charlotte is considered as “Flair country” since the Nature Boy hails from the city, so it was only fitting that if there was going to be a name change for the Diva-in-training, it would be that.
“Received my ring name….. CHARLOTTE, baby, CHARLOTTE!!!” she wrote on her Twitter before changing her handle to @MsCharlotteWWE. Her previous Twitter handle was AshFliehrJohnso.
The 26 year old signed a WWE developmental deal in May of this year and is now training at Florida Championship Wrestling.
WWE Diva Eve Torres will be making her debut tonight on NBC’s new reality TV show Stars Earn Stripes, which premieres at 8PM ET.
Hosted by retired General Wesley Clark and Samantha Harris, the show is about eight celebrities who are teamed up and trained by a current or former member of either armed forces or law enforcement and who must tackle complicated and difficult missions that are inspired by real military exercises.
Eve will be joined by Laila Ali, Dean Cain, Terry Crews, Nick Lachey, Todd Palin, Picabo Street, and Dolvett Quince as the other contestants.
Torres will be playing to win cash for the USO, an organization that WWE helps out a lot during the year.
Dick Wolf from Law & Order, Mark Burnett from Survivor and David A. Hurwitz from Fear Factor will be serving as executive producers.
Here are the results from yesterday’s Hardcore Justice pay-per-view which took place at the IMPACT Wrestling Zone in Orlando, Florida.
Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez defeated Gunner and Kid Kash; Rob Van Dam defeated Mr Anderson and Magnus in a falls count anywhere match to win 20 points in the BFG Series; Devon defeated Kazarian to retain the TNA TV title; Madison Rayne defeated Miss Tessmacher to become the new TNA Knockout champion; Bully Ray defeated James Storm, Jeff Hardy, and Robbie E in a tables match to win 20 points in the BFG Series; Zema Ion defeated Kenny King to retain the X Division title; AJ Styles defeated Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe, and Kurt Angle in a ladder match to win 20 points in the BFG Series; Austin Aries defeated Bobby Roode to retain the TNA World title.
With one week to go for SummerSlam, the World Heavyweight title match is no more as Booker T announced in an exclusive WWE.COM video that the match between Alberto Del Rio and current champion Sheamus is off. The punishment is due to Del Rio’s stunt from Friday’s Smackdown, where a bunch of “cops” attacked Sheamus.
The show – which will celebrate the 25th annual – so far has only four matches on the card including Triple H vs Brock Lesnar, CM Punk vs Big Show vs John Cena, Kane vs Daniel Bryan, and Dolph Ziggler vs Chris Jericho.
The World Heavyweight title situation will likely be resolved by the next Smackdown tapings which will be held on Tuesday night.
Live tonight from the IMPACT Wrestling Zone in Orlando, Florida, TNA Wrestling presents Hardcore Justice on pay-per-view. The full card is as follows:
Austin Aries vs Bobby Roode for the TNA World title; AJ Styles vs Christopher Daniels vs Samoa Joe vs Kurt Angle in a ladder match with the winner getting 20 points in the Bound for Glory Series standings; James Storm vs Bully Ray vs Jeff Hardy vs Robbie E in a tables match with the winner getting 20 points in the Bound for Glory Series standings; D’Angelo Dinero vs Magnus vs Mr. Anderson vs Rob Van Dam in a falls count anywhere match with the winner getting 20 points in the Bound for Glory Series standings; Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez vs Gunner and Kid Kash; Miss Tessmacher vs Madison Rayne for the Knockout title; Zema Ion vs Kenny King for the X Division title.
Right after the UFC 150 pay-per-view ended, UFC President Dana White led the post-fight press conference with the main card fighters also attending.
The press conference started with questions on how the judges scored the main event, with Dana White refusing to personally say who he thought won the fight, saying he’s not a judge.
Just over the five minute thirty second mark, there was an argument on the side which attracted everyone’s attention, including White’s, who left the stage for a minute to calm the situation down.
You can see the full post-fight press conference below.
Donald Cerrone returned home to Colorado and will be leaving with an extra $120,000. Cerrone and Melvin Guillard went all out for 76 seconds. Cerrone came out aggressive and was knock down and took a knee to the face before he landed the shin to the top of The Young Assassin’s head.
As Guillard did everything he could to stay upright on two limp noodles for legs, Cerrone seized the chance and charged forward with his right hand out and put Guillard out cold. That kick and punch won him the Fight of The Night Bonus for the comeback and Knock Out of the Night and each came with sixty grand.
Melvin Guillard took home the other half the Fight of the Night and $60,000 for his troubles.
Six of the ten fights tonight were ended by TKO or KO. Three came judges decisions and the only one the came by submission was Dennis Bermudez who ended his fight with Tommy Hayden by a guillotine choke in the first round.
Bermudez also had to come back from being dropped as moments earlier he ate a knee to the face that put him on the mat. Dennis “The Menace” was able to lock in the standing guillotine choke for the win with under thirty seconds left in the first round. Bermudez will take home $60,000 of his own and the Submission of the night award.
Benson Henderson went thru an ultra close five round fight tonight against Frankie Edgar and when the judges scores were counted, he ended up winning by split decision. This was his first title defense since he took the belt back in February from Edgar.
The first judge scored the fight in favor of Frankie four rounds to one. Both of the other two judges saw the fight as three for Henderson and two for Edgar. Henderson chopping leg kicks to the lead left leg of Edgar in the fight were definitely a factor in him winning the fight.
He started them early and was quickly able to kick that front leg out from under Edgar but seemed to use them less often as the fight went on. Edgar was able to duck under the punches from the champ and work the right side of the body and eventually the right hook upstairs once he was able get his timing down.
Henderson did have an attempt at one his guillotine chokes that he has ended other fights with but Edgar was able to keep enough space and a hand in the way to survive till the end of the round.
Edgar was also able to threaten submissions of his own the front choke Henderson defended well against the choke and the knees Edgar was waiting to deliver should he leave the protection of being a down opponent.
While the fight was close and could easily be argued by either sides camp. The judges made their decision and Benson Henderson will move on and defend his Lightweight championship next against Nate Diaz who earned the shot after beating Jim Miller by submission in May. Diaz has won his last three fights since returning to lightweight with two by submission and the third was a three round dominance of Donald Cerrone.
Frankie Edgar was clearly upset after the fight. There has been lots of talk since he faced Henderson the first time of him dropping down to featherweight and working for a shot at the 145lb belt. Jose Aldo the current champ looks to be in need of a new challenger. Edgar is known to not have to cut weight to make 155 and is one of the fastest guys in the division.
Tonight from the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO the UFC returns to where it all started. Denver was the site for the very first two UFC events. Tonight the former Lightweight champion Frankie Edgar faces off with the current champion Benson Henderson, the man to take the 155 pound crown from Edgar in their last fight.
The co-main event will feature another pair of top 155ers as former WEC Lightweight title contender Donald Cerrone takes on his former training partner in Melvin Guillard. Guillard will forfeit a portion of his fight purse for failing to make weight for the fight.
Refresh the site or your app for the updated round by round coverage. You can also follow along on twitter @wonlinemma.
Facebook prelim fight 7:30pm ET/ 4:30pm PT
Lightweights(155lbs)
Nik “The Carny” Lentz vs Eiji Mitsuoka
Ref: Tim Mills
Round 1-
Touch gloves and Mitsuoka comes out with a common Japanese low stance. Lents catches him early with a short right. Lents sprawls and circles to the back. Lents with a slam but Mitsuoka gets up briefly before being taken down again. Mitsuoka gets up and eats a short punch before Lentz gets him down again this time he is in half guard. Mitsuoka is able to connect with an up kick and get to his feet until Lentz slams him again with a belly to back. Lentz now has the hooks in and is postured up pounding away from the back mount. The ref warns him to fight back right before he jumps in and stops the fight.
Winner by TKO at 3:45 of Rd1 Nik “The Carny” Lentz
Prelims on FX 8pm ET/ 5pm PT
Bantamweights(135lbs)
Dustin “The Disciple” Pague vs Chico “The King” Camus
Ref: Tom Johnson
Round 1-
Pague charges forward and lands the left but Camus connects with a nice jab. Camus catches the kick of Pague and takes him down. Camus is in full guard and presses Pague against the cage. Camus with body shots and Pague is controlling the right arm of Camus. Pague now throws the legs up for an arm in triangle. He has Camus caught but Camus has room. Pague with nice elbows from the bottom. Pague is relentless with these elbows. Camus leans forward and Pague’s legs give out and Camus is back in full guard. Camus’ turn now to throw some elbows. Pague is now working for an omoplata but Camus is able to stay free. Pague is cut open now and Camus is pounding away as the round comes to a close.
Round 2-
Camus with a left hook and right leg kick. Pague catches a kick this time and takes Camus down. Pague sitting up in full guard but Camus gets right up. Camus with a nice left right combo. Camus ducks under a left hook of Pague and gets the take down Camus is in half guard now. Camus with a nice left. Camus keeps trying to pin the left arm of Pague with his knee. Camus with a pair of right hands that land clean. Camus is now in side control briefly before Pague gets him back into the full guard. Camus has out landed Pague on the ground 2-1 so far. Pague is controlling that right arm again of Camus but Camus is pounding away from the top keeping Pague from getting that triangle set up. Pague gets back to his feet as the round ends. Easy round for Camus.
Round 3-
Pague comes out and tries for a takedown. Camus drops to his knees and Pague gets his back. Pague has his back now with a body triangle strapped on. Pague has his leg hooked behind Camus to keep Camus from rolling over on top of him. Pague with punches to the side of the head but most are landing on the arm of Camus. Camus found an opening and rolls over. Camus now in half guard and Pague is trying to elbow away. Camus is working to get back into side control. Camus while working to get free is pounding away. Camus with full mount now and has controlled 10 of the 12 minutes so far. Pague rolls over and Camus takes his back and sets the hooks working for a rear naked with 20 seconds left. Pague is able to survive.
I would give the fight 29-28 to Camus if not 30-27. Good debut for Camus.
Winner by judges scores of 29-28, 30-27, 29-28 Chico Camus
Bantamweights(135lbs)
Ken Stone vs Erik “Goyito” Perez
Ref: Herb Dean
Round 1-
Perez with three leg kicks and right hand and Stone does a face plant. Perez jumps on top and Perez with 6 punches on the way in that bring Stone in and out of consciousness.
Winner by KO at 0:17 of rd 1. Erik “Goyito” Perez
Middleweights(185lbs)
Jared “The Messenger” Hamman vs Michael Kuiper
Ref: Adam Martinez
Round 1-
Hamman works the inside leg kicks early. Hamman is mixing it up well with punches to the head and body along with kicks to the legs and body. Kuiper just keeps walking forward trying to find a home for the right hand but isn’t connecting. Hamman with a nice left and right followed by a jumping knee to the body. Kuiper is able to tie him up and get a brief take down. Kuiper with a right hand that wobbles Hamman. Kuiper with an outside leg kick that takes the leg out from under him and Kuiper swarms. Kuiper with a grazing flying knee and nice left and right. Another left and right drops Hamman before he pops back up and Kuiper walks into a pair of straights. Kuiper with a right and upper cut. Hamman is wobbling all over the cage but is still on his feet. Hamman eats another left and right. Hamman stands there and just trades. Kuiper with another left. The round comes to a close and Hamman looks like his leg is really hurt from that kick.
Round 2-
Hamman tells his corner something is torn. Kuiper comes out to start the round with another pair of outside leg kicks. Hamman is trying to come forward but is putting no pressure on that front left leg. Kuiper with another pair of kicks and a left right that drop Hamman. Hamman eats some punches from the ground but gets back to his feet. Kuiper with 4 right hands and drops Hamman again. The ref jumps in to stop it and Hamman is grasping his leg the second the fight is over.
Winner by TKO at 2:16 of round 2 Michael Kuiper.
Featherweights(145lbs)
Dennis “The Menace” Bermudez vs Tommy “Wildcard” Hayden
Ref:Tom Johnson
Round 1-
Bermudez gets a hold of a single and picks up Hayden by one leg and carries him across the cage before he gets into half guard. Hayden uses the butterfly guard to get back up to his feet. Hayden with a right hand and goes for a single of his own. Bermudez sprawls and throws a big knee as they separate. Hayden with a knee as Bermudez shoots that drops him. Hayden dives on top and takes his back. Hayden can’t get the rear naked and switches to an arm bar and Bermudez picks him up and slams him down to get out of it. Hayden gets the full guard and is able to push off to get to his feet. Bermudez with a front kick that catches Hayden in the upper chest. Hayden shoots in and Bermudez locks on a front choke and Hayden taps out to the guillotine with under half a minute left.
Winner by Submission at 4:33 of rd 1 Dennis Bermudez
Main card on Pay Per View 10pm ET/ 7pm PT
Featherweights(145lbs)
Justin “The American Kidd” Lawrence vs Max “Blessed” Holloway
Ref: Josh Rosenthal
Round 1-
Lawerence tries a jumping side kick to start the action. Holloway with a good straight down the middle. Lawrence with an overhand right. Holloway steps out of the way of a kick. Holloway gets a jab in. Lead left hook from Lawrence and Holloway goes for a jumping front kick and catches Lawrence in the groin so we have a break. Lawrence is bleeding from either the hair line or forehead. Nice left from Holloway and Lawrence briefly takes him to the ground. Side kick from Lawrence now. Holloway with a knee and Lawrence lands the counter right. Lawrence with a good left hook to the body and nice right to the jaw. Holloway with a left head kick and right hand behind it. Holloway attempts a jumping knee but the foot catches him in the groin.
Round 2-
Its the forehead that was cut from a left hook and Holloway lands the left jab to start the second. Holloway with a partially blocked head kick. Lawrence goes back to the side kick attack. Lawrence lands the lead left hand and now a spinning back fist. Holloway with a right then left but misses the flying knee behind it. Holloway ducks under a pair of overhand rights and counters both with a body shot. Lawrence uses that side kick to push away Holloway as he comes in. Lawrence grazes a left hook of the head of Holloway. Holloway stuffs another take down. Lawrence is bleeding from the nose now too. Lawrence eats a knee to the body. Lawrence with an uppercut that barely lands and Holloway counters with a left. Lawrence covers the head and eats a pair of body shots that drop him. Holloway swarms and the ref stops the fight. Lawrence is no longer undefeated and the youngest fighter in the UFC wins again.
Winner at 4:49 of rd 2 by TKO Max Holloway
Middleweights(185lbs)
Yushin “Thunder” Okami vs Buddy Roberts
Ref:Herb Dean
Round 1-
Roberts is filling in for an injured Palhares and facing one of the top middleweights in his second UFC fight.
Roberts with a left on the first exchange and right on the second. Roberts with another right as Okami comes forward. Roberts pulls his head back and lunges forward with the punches. Roberts really working the jab efficiently. Okami ties him up and has belly to back now but can’t get Roberts down. Okami gets the trip and Okami is now in closed guard. Okami is able to get to half guard now and has an arm triangle and now moves to side control. Okami with some short punches on the side. Okami is now in mount Roberts rolls over and Okami punches away until the horn sound. That was close to being over Dean was warning Roberts to do something.
Round 2-
Roberts with an awkward left that looks to have rocked Okami. Okami gets the tie up and body lock from the back gets the trip. Roberts holds on to a guillotine but lets it go in favor of getting back to his feet. Okami pulls the legs out from under Roberts and is in half guard now. Okami is now back into the full mount. Okami stays close with short punches and Roberts rolls over again and Okami has him flattened out. Roberts is blocking the shots with his arm but he is just laying there. Dean steps in and calls an end to the fight.
Winner by TKO at 3:05 of round 2 Yushin “Thunder” Okami
Middleweights(185lbs)
Jake Shields vs Ed “Short Fuse” Herman
Ref:Adam Martinez
Round 1-
Jake Shields the moves back up to middleweight after fighting at welterweight so far in the UFC.
Shields with good body kicks eary. Herman ties him up and is going for the take down. Shields gets the trip but they pop back up quickly. Shields gets another trip after some knees to the body and is in half guard. Shields takes his back but Herman gets to his feet and shakes him off. Herman stays pressured up against him on the cage. Shields pressed up against the cage as the exchange short shots to the body with knees. Shields is able to get the double under hooks and Herman against the cage. They are spinning back and forth along the fence trading short shots and jockeying for position until the round ends.
Round 2-
Shields with a left and body kick again. Herman ties him back up and Shields gets the trip and is in side control. Shields is now in side control. Shields is holding on to the arm of Herman. Shields is now working a kimura but Herman pops his arm free. Shields now trying to step over into the mount. Shields with short elbows as Herman’s head is pinned against the cage. Shields moves Herman away from the cage now. Shields tries to get the mount and Herman tries to sweep but is unable to but is able to get Shields into the closed guard now. Herman really working the elbows from the bottom. Shields has landed a few right hands and is back into half guard. The fans are booing but these two are fighting non stop. Especially at altitude this is some hard work.
Round 3-
Last round they touch gloves and Shields back to the body kick and Herman with a good jab. Shields shoots and Herman stuffs. Herman has Shields against the fence and works the dirty boxing in close. Herman backs off and eats an elbow. Shields with a right hand and shoots behind it. Shields gets the take down and they are in the middle of the octagon now. Shields is in side control and pounding away with the short elbow. Herman gets Shields back into half guard and Shields gets the mount now with under 2 minutes left. Shields has him flattened out now. Herman gets the hip escape and back to a closed guard. Both men attacking with strikes Herman from the bottom and Shields from the top. Herman bloodied the nose of Shields there at the end with an elbow.
Both men look absolutely exhausted.
Winner by judges scores of 29-28, 30-27, 30-27 Jake Shields
After the fight Shields tells Joe Rogan he had spent 7 days in Colorado altitude and next time it will be 3 weeks
Co-Main Event
Lightweights(155lbs)
Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone vs Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard
Ref:Josh Rosenthal
Round 1-
Cerrone fires off the head kick early just as he said they are coming. Guillard catches him left hook that drops Cerrone. Cerrone is in trouble and Guillard follows with a knee to the body than a knee to the head as Cerrone is retreating against the cage. Guillard with left hands and an elbow. Cerrone gets space with a knee to the body. Guillard resets Cerrone still looks out of it. Cerrone catches Guillard with a shin to the head. Guillard is standing but wobbling sees Guillard is hurt and runs forward with the right hand to Knock out Guillard to get his second KO victory in his career.
Winner by KO at 1:16 of round 1 Donald Cerrone
Lightweight(155lbs) Championship
Benson “Smooth” Henderson vs Frankie “The Answer” Edgar
Ref: Herb Dean
Round 1-
Henderson gets caught with a kick in the groin and as Dean tries to stop the action Henderson nudges him aside and bounces up and down to get things to fall back in pace. Henderson with a leg kick that takes the leg out from under Edgar. He quickly gets his feet back under him. Henderson with another chopping leg kick that drops Edgar to the ground but Edgar pops back up. Henderson is really trying to work that lead left leg of Edgar. Edgar’s calf is already looking welted up. Edgar with a good kick of his own. Edgar catches the kick this time of Henderson and gets the take down. Henderson looks on the guillotine but Edgar survives to the bell.
Round 2-
Henderson throwing that piston jab out there to keep Edgar out of range. Henderson with another stepping chopping lower leg kick that takes both legs out from under Edgar. Edgar catches the body kick after he pops up and has his own kick partially deflected. Henderson with an axe kick that misses. Edgar gets the knock down with a right and swarms. Edgar working for a front choke. Henderson pops his head free. Edgar still has the front hold on and Henderson is keeping three points down to avoid a knee. Henderson escapes out the side and they are reset. Edgar’s nose is busted now. Henderson with a good body kick at the horn.
Round 3-
Still don’t know what it was to bloody the nose of Edgar. Henderson with a good kick to start the third. Henderson with a knee and as Edgar grabs it Henderson gets the upper cut in. Another chopping kick from Henderson. Edgar is ducking under the majority of Henderson’s punches and counter with a body shot in this round. Edgar with a body shot but eats a jab. Henderson is now waving his hands around but Edgar isn’t interested and nails him with his own leg kick. Edgar again ducks under and delivers a body shot. Edgar with a body kick and a big right hook from Henderson.
First round for Henderson. Second for Edgar and third could go either way.
Round 4-
Left from Henderson and another chopping leg kick. Edgar has a right hook blocked. Edgar with a leg kick and than gets the take down. Edgar is giving him space to avoid the up kick. Henderson is scouting back and Edgar locks on another front choke. Henderson survives though but eats a right from Edgar after they get back to their feet. Henderson with a pair of right jabs that knock the mouth piece out of Edgar’s mouth. Edgar with nice three rights hooks and uppercut. Henderson with a body kick that Edgar catches and Henderson charges forward telling him to lets go.
Round 5-
This is a close fight and Edgar gets in a right hook early. Henderson jabs and Edgar pushes him over backwards. Henderson gets up and Edgar ducks under a right hand to land his own counter right hook. Henderson with the body kick. Henderson with a good left right as Edgar comes forward. Henderson with a good left hand down the middle. Two minutes left. Henderson goes for the chopping leg but Edgar avoids and lands the counter right hook again. Edgar with a nice leg kick. Henderson has a knee to the body caught and Edgar ducks under another right and lands to the body. Henderson with a left and Edgar counters with a right hook again. Edgar tries for the head kick but misses and falls Henderson swarms but Edgar gets free just to eat a head kick.
Very close fight except for 2 clear rounds early.
Winner by judges scores of 46-49, 48-47, 48-47 and still Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson
Ivelisse Velez, the former Tough Enough contestant who recently was wrestling under the name of Sofia Cortez in NXT, was released from her developmental contract.
“I, as well, have been released by WWE,” Velez wrote on her Twitter account.
The Puerto Rican native was eliminated from the Tough Enough competition due to an injury sustained to her back, but was signed to a deal anyway in November 2011.
She made several appearances on FCW television before making her debut on the new NXT last month.
Las Vegas, Nevada – The fighters have weighed in for tomorrow’s UFC 150 card at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, but the x-factor in each of the 10 fights is how will the fighters react to fighting at the Mile High City’s infamous altitude. Denver stands at 5280 feet (or 1609.344 meters) above sea level and the oxygen content is 17% less than UFC lightweight title challenger Frankie Edgar’s hometown of Tom’s River, NJ.
And unbeaten UFC heavyweight Travis Browne – who fought in Denver at last year’s UFC 135 card – believes the UFC 150 athletes who chose not to get into town early could suffer in the Octagon.
Browne said: “The biggest thing that you have to get over when you fight there is that your body doesn’t respond the same at the high altitude. You can’t catch your breath and your body fails a lot quicker. I think Benson and Donald will have advantages in their fights because they’ve been training at high altitudes for their entire camps. It’s not something that you can get used to in a short amount of time. You really have to spend a lot of time adjusting.”
In the main event UFC lightweight champion Benson “Smooth” Henderson and former UFC lightweight titleholder Frankie “The Answer” Edgar rematch to decide who is the best lightweight on Earth.
“I know what this air can do to your lungs,” said champion Henderson. “I’m from Colorado Springs, and you have to take this seriously. I’ve been here for three weeks already. You can feel it when you run, or spar. You body gives out earlier, you can’t recover as fast. I grew up here, and you can get used to it, but that doesn’t happen in a week or two weeks. That’s why I’ve been here for a while now.”
Likewise, in the co-main event, local fighter Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone arrived in Colorado as soon as the fight with Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard was signed, in order to get his lungs used to the rarified air of the Mile High City.
He explained: “I grew up in Colorado Springs and my family and friends are all from Denver and I got here a month ago. It takes that long to be able to push yourself at this altitude.”
If you’re interested – or already going – to the Royal Rumble in Phoenix, Arizona, we have once again teamed up with The Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix, to offer you first class accommodation during the pay-per-view weekend.
For $199 a night, you will get a great room at the beautiful Ritz as well as free Internet for the whole time you’re there as an extra added bonus.
Booking is on first come, first served basis. While a credit card is required for booking, you will not be charged until you check out. To book, simply click HERE and enter the promo code ROYROYA to get your deluxe room at the special rate. Room features either a one king or two queen beds.
Dates available for booking are check-in from Friday, January 25 to Monday, January 28 check out. You can stay for the whole weekend or just one night, up to you. Cut off date for booking is January 4.
The Royal Rumble will feature The Rock taking on the current WWE champion at the time for the gold.
WWE has confirmed the locations for the events surrounding the WrestleMania 29 weekend which is being marketed as taking place in both New York and New Jersey.
Axxess, the four day fan interaction event, will be held at the IZOD Center in New Jersey from Thursday, April 4, till Sunday April 7. The Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday, April 6, will be held at Madison Square Garden, the only event which will be actually taking place in New York. Monday Night RAW, the day after WrestleMania, takes place also at the IZOD Center on Monday, April 8.
In travel packages related news, WWE will be having all its fans in a New York hotel despite most activities being in New Jersey. Also, the VIP package, which can reach nearly $8,000 for one person, had some additional items added to it, including a private reception at MSG with top WWE Superstars prior to the Hall of Fame, and the WWE Encyclopedia book autographed by Vince McMahon. The VIP package also includes a private guided tour of WWE Headquarters by a WWE Legend.
