The Staten Island Advance newspaper has a story about Hulk Hogan coming to the rescue of a family who were severely hit by Hurricane Sandy after losing their wrestling memorabilia collection which included tons of stuff signed by the Hulkster himself.
After the Hurricane passed and everything was either washed away or ruined, the dad called the Hulk Hogan Beach Store and talked to the manager about his situation.
The manager eventually talked to the Hulkster and Hulk recorded a video message on Facebook for the family, called the son over the phone to talk to him and even sent the family a bunch of Hulk Hogan memorabilia all autographed to kickstart their collection again.
The video was posted on Hogan’s Facebook on November 18. You can read the full article at http://bit.ly/TavmxY.
The official Twitter account of the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier tweeted a message today saying that Vince McMahon, The Miz, R-Truth, Layla, and Eve Torres will be visiting the sailors aboard the ship.
This “mission” is part of the WWE Tribute to the Troops show and it will be the first time that the WWE crew will be traveling to a ship as part of the show. Currently, the nuclear-powered supercarrier is somewhere in the Arabian Sea.
FremantleMedia Enterprises, the new license holders for WWE DVD, Blu-Ray, and digital distribution, has launched its website at WWEDVD.co.uk ahead of the January 2013 launch.
The company will take over from SilverVision in the new year and will be distributing WWE home entertainment products for Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
The first eight releases have been announced and include Night Of Champions 2012 on January 21, Hell In A Cell 2012 on January 28, Top 100 Raw Moments on February 4, The Attitude Era on February 18, Live in the UK on February 25, Best PPV Matches 2012 on March 4, Survivor Series 2012 on March 11, and TLC: Tables, Ladders, Chairs on March 25.
FremantleMedia will be releasing almost all the videos on both DVD and in high-def on Blu-Ray.
The Wrestling-Online.com News app for Android devices has been updated with a new faster version which is available for download now at the Amazon Appstore.
The new app includes a new Main category which will list the latest articles from all the other categories – WWE, TNA, MMA, and General news.
The update is free for previous users and will cost 99 cents for new customers. If you purchase now via Amazon you will also get a $1 credit to use for Amazon MP3.
The app can be downloaded from Amazon USA, UK, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy.
Please note if you are a previous user, update immediately as the the old app will stop functioning within a week.
Politifact.com has a story online regarding a recent statement by Triple H where he said that WWE’s WrestleMania has outdrawn the Super Bowl in terms of tickets for the past few years when the two hold their events at the same arena.
In terms of attendance, WWE did in fact outdraw NFL’s biggest game of the year in five out of six stadiums however ticket sales and economic impact of the Super Bowl surpasses that of WrestleMania.
WWE and NFL held their respective events in the same stadiums six times – at the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit, Ford Field in Detroit, Reliant Stadium in Houston, University of Phoenix Stadium in Phoenix, Georgia Dome in Atlanta, and Sun Life Stadium in Miami.
Out of all those in terms of attendance, the NFL only wins at the Georgia Dome, edging WWE out with 72,625 vs 71,617 spectators.
If you think WWE has the unfair advantage of having seats on the field, WWE spokesman Kevin Hennessy said that while that it is true, for WrestleMania – and other WWE events – there are no seats behind the stage and those seats are always available for football. “That is why we feel justified in making the comparison,” Hennessy said.
Early figures for the Hell In A Cell pay-per-view show that the event did around 200,000 buys worldwide, a bit more than the show did last year, but less than it did in 2010.
The figures – released by WWE – has the PPV doing 152,000 buys so far in the United States and an additional 48,000 buys internationally. The figures are not all counted so it will probably increase a bit once all the reports are in.
The pay-per-view was the first one headlined by Ryback where he wrestled CM Punk in the Hell In A Cell.
Vince McMahon, The Miz, R-Truth, Layla, and Eve Torres are on the way to the Middle East to visit the U.S. troops.
Their visit is part of the Tribute to the Troops show that will air later next month on USA Network and NBC. The five will be visiting bases and eat and sleep with the men and women of the U.S. military, bringing some much needed holiday cheer.
In previous years the WWE took full productions to Iraq and Afghanistan to hold shows there as well as do several trips to forward operating bases. 2009 was the last time they did that kind of tour and from 2010 onwards, the Tribute to the Troops show has been taped in cities in the United States which are home to large military bases.
Due to security purposes, the WWE tour overseas is kept under wraps.
UFC fighter Thiago Silva was handed a six month suspension for testing positive for marijuana metabolites after his UFC on Fuel TV fight in Macau.
This is his second UFC suspension following a one year ban after he submitted fake urine in a Nevada drug test after his UFC 125 fight against Brandon Vera.
“The UFC organization has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance-enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents,” the UFC said in a statement.
“Silva has admitted to taking the banned substance and has agreed to participate in an approved drug-rehabilitation program and serve a six-month suspension retroactive to the November 10 event.”
Silva now must pass another drug test after he completes the suspension before receiving clearance to get in the Octagon once again.
His last fight in Macau – which he won – has been overturned and is now listed as a no contest. Silva pocketed an extra $40,000 that night for submission of the night but obviously that will be taken away too.
WWE Champion CM Punk served as the Grand Marshall at the Chicago McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade earlier today. The parade took place earlier this morning and wrapped up at 11AM in downtown Chicago.
Aired on WGN America, CM Punk – with the WWE title – was joined by Ronald McDonald, American Idol’s Haley Reinhart, Miss Chicago, Jaslene Gonzales from America’s Next Top Model and others.
“Honor and a pleasure to be Grand Marshall in the #WGN parade. Love this city. Thanks to everybody who came out,” Punk wrote on his Twitter.
The trailer for Dwayne Johnson’s next movie Snitch has been released by Yahoo! Movies.
Set for release on February 22 of next year, Snitch is a movie about a father – played by Johnson – whose son is arrested for selling illegal narcotics. To save him from a long prison term, he agrees to go undercover as a drug dealer with the gang that his son was involved with. However things get complicated when he rises up the ranks of the gang and is offered a part of the inner circle of the drug cartel.
Joining Dwayne Johnson in this movie are Susan Sarandon, Harold Perrineau, Benjamin Bratt, Melina Kanakaredes and others. It is directed by Ric Roman Waugh who was in charge for stunts in movies such as Total Recall, Days of Thunder, The Crow, Gone In Sixty Seconds, etc.
On December 11, WWE will be releasing the RAW 100: The Top 100 Moments in RAW History on both Blu-Ray and DVD.
The DVD version will contain 3 discs while the high-definition Blu-Ray will have 2 discs with loads of extras.
This new release will feature a long countdown from 100 to the number 1 moment – which on this DVD is the Steve Austin beer bath on the Corporation from the March 22, 1999 episode.
Rounding up the top five moments are the This Is Your Life segment from September 1999, Chris Jericho’s debut in August 1999, Mike Tyson and Steve Austin brawl in the ring from January 1998, and CM Punk’s pipe bomb segment from the June 2011 show.
You can see the full – and very long list – of the top 100 moments and extras along with the artwork below.
DISC ONE AND TWO (DVD VERSION)
100. Silent Stare – Feb 21, 2011 99. Tea Time with Santino – Nov 8, 2010 98. Evolution Kicks Out Randy Orton – Aug 16, 2004 97. WrestleMania XIV Challenge – Mar 2, 1998 96. Mouth-To-Mouth – May 27, 1996 95. Sheamus puts Mark Cuban through a table – Dec 7, 2009 94. Are You Ready For Some Wrestling? – Nov 22, 2004 93. DX mocks the McMahons – Jun 26, 2006 92. Tuxedo Match – Jan 9, 1995 91. Seth Green is the first Celebrity Host – Jul 13, 2009 90. Snitsky punts Kane and Lita’s `baby’ – Nov 8, 2004 89. Shawn Michaels superkicks Hulk Hogan – Jul 4, 2005 88. Mr. McMahon trains for the Royal Rumble – Jan 11, 1999 87. Loser-Leaves-Raw Ladder Match – Oct 3, 2005 86. Mr McMahon is Bald – Apr 2, 2007 85. The Rock’s Eulogy for Stone Cold – Apr 19, 1999 84. Santino Marella: Milan Miracle – Apr 16, 2007 83. Mr. McMahon’s Birthday Bash with DX – Aug 24, 2009 82. Marty Jannetty vs. Shawn Michaels – May 17, 1993 81. Edge’s Retirement Speech – Apr 11, 2011 80. Triple H takes over DX – Mar 30, 1998 79. Hugh Jackman punches Dolph Ziggler – Sept 19, 2011 78. Musical Chairs – Jul 5, 2004 77. Big Shows First Match – Mar 22, 1999 76. An Hour in England – Apr 23, 2007 75. Loser-Leaves-Town Match – Jan 25, 1993 74. Triple H and Shawn Michaels reunite DX – Jul 22, 2002 73. CM Punk cashes in Money in the Bank – Jun 30, 2008 72. Stephanie Announces Her Pregnancy – Feb 4, 2002 71. Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold, Street Fight – April 21, 1997 70. Floyd “Money” Mayweather Confronts Big Show – Mar 10, 2008 69. Kofi Kingston… Boom! Boom! Boom! – Nov 16, 2009 68. Hornswoggle is Mr. McMahon’s Son – Sept 10, 2007 67. Y2J Throws HBK into Jeritron 5000 – Jun 9, 2008 66. Cemented Corvette – Oct 12, 1998 65. Donald Trump – New Chairman of WWE – Jun 15, 2009 64. Shawn Michaels Farewell Speech – Mar 29, 2010 63. The Rock makes fun of Toronto – Feb 24, 2003 62. Bob Barker Hosts Raw – Sept 7, 2009 61. The Greater Power Revealed – Jun 7, 1999 60. Intercontinental Title Over A Bridge – Dec 15, 1997 59. Dumpster Incident – Feb 2, 1998 58. The Miz cashes in Money in the Bank – Nov 22, 2010 57. US vs. Canada Flag Match – Jul 21, 1997 56. Ric Flair’s Retirement Celebration – Mar 31, 2008 55. Lita vs. Trish Stratus – Dec 6, 2004 54. Chris Jericho “Wins” The WWE Championship – Apr 17, 2000 53. Dude Love Debuts – Jul 14, 1997 52. John Cena vs. Kevin Federline – Jan 1, 2007 51. Goldberg Debuts – Mar 31, 2003 50. Brock Lesnar Returns To Raw – Apr 2, 2012 49. Formation of Evolution – Feb 3, 2003 48. DX Reunion at Raw 1000 – Jul 23, 2012 47. Shaq Attacks Big Show – Jul 27, 2009 46. Mankind Attacks Jim Ross – Jun 9, 1997 45. Rock vs. Cena. One Year Away – Apr 4, 2011 44. Bret Hart Shoves Mr. McMahon – Mar 17, 1997 43. Vader Attacks Gorilla Monsoon – Jan 22, 1996 42. Jeff Hardy’s Swanton off the Tron – Jan 14, 2008 41. Stone Cold Drives Zamboni – Sept 28, 1998 40. Choppy Choppy Pee Pee – Aug 3, 1998 39. Mike Tyson Joins DX – Mar 2, 1998 38. Batista Quits WWE – May 24, 2010 37. “Bret Screwed Bret” – Nov 17, 1997 36. D-Generation X Forms – Aug 11, 1997 35. Nexus Wreaks Havoc – Jun 7, 2010 34. Live Sex Celebration – Jan 9, 2006 33. Mr. McMahon vs. Stone Cold – Apr 13, 1998 32. The Rock Challenges Hulk Hogan – Feb 18, 2002 31. Stone Cold Stuns Mr. McMahon – Sept 22, 1997 30. DX Invades The Norfolk Scope – Apr 27, 1998 29. Debut of Monday Night Raw – Jan 11, 1993 28. Mae Young Powerbombed – Mar 13, 2000 27. WCW/ECW Alliance – Jul 9, 2001 26. The Rock Returns – Feb 14, 2011 25. Bedpan McMahon – Oct 5, 1998 24. Bret Hart Returns To Raw – Jan 4, 2011 23. Triple H Returns To Raw – Jan 7, 2002 22. Undertaker vs. Jeff Hardy – July 1, 2002 21. Kurt Angle Milk Truck – Aug 20, 2001 20. 1-2-3 Kid Upsets Razor Ramon – May 17, 1993 19. Batista Turns on Evolution – Feb 21, 2005 18. Foley Wins the WWE Championship – Jan 4, 1999 17. Bischoff. New Raw GM – July 15, 2002 16. Shawn Michaels Loses His Smile – Jul 15, 2002 15. Sable Wears A Potato Sack – Dec 8, 1997 14. Mr. McMahon Appreciation Night – Jul 11, 2007 13. Pillman’s Got a Gun – Nov 4, 1996 12. Vegas Wedding – Nov 29, 1999 11. Kane Unmasks – Jun 23, 2003 10. WrestleMania XXVI Challenge- Feb 22, 2010 9. Raw/Nitro Simulcast – Mar 26, 2001 8. Rock Concert – Mar 24, 2003 7. DX Mocks the Nation – Jul 6, 1998 6. 1 Draft Pick – Jun 6, 2005 5. Pipe Bomb – Jun 27, 2011 4. Tyson and Austin – Jan 19, 1998 3. Millennium Man – Aug 9, 1999 2. This Is Your Life – Sept 27, 1999 1. Beer Bath – Mar 22, 1999
EXTRAS
Rocky Waters WCW on Raw One Man Band Piven Hosts Raw Sheamus wins King of The Ring Shawn Michaels Mocks Montreal
DISC THREE (DVD VERSION)
Raw 1000 – July 23, 2012 – St. Louis, MO Mr. McMahon Introduces D-Generation X Rey Mysterio, Sin Cara & Sheamus vs. Chris Jericho, Dolph Ziggler & Alberto Del Rio AJ prepares for her wedding Jack Swagger vs. Brodus Clay Trish Stratus gives a Yoga lesson to Triple H Daniel Bryan & AJs Wedding CM Punk confronts Daniel Bryan Intercontinental Championship Match: Christian vs. The Miz with Special Guest Referee: Bret “Hitman” Hart Triple H wants an answer The Saga of Stone Cold Steve Austin & Mr. McMahon Heath Slater vs. Lita Sean Mooney interviews Daniel Bryan Catchphrases of WWE Zack Ryder accuses “Mean” Gene Okerlund The Brothers of Destruction reunite WWE Championship Match: CM Punk vs. John Cena The Making of Raw 1000
BLU-RAY ONLY EXTRAS
The Legends of Wrestling – The History of Raw
Legends of Wrestling Roundtable Discussion featuring: Mean Gene Okerlund, Jim Ross, Michael Hayes, Pat Patterson & Brian “Road Dogg” James.
The Beginning The 1st Raw Live TV Bret Hart Returns to Raw (Jan 4, 2010) Destination Programming Triple H Returns From Injury (Jan 7, 2002) Sense of Urgency Reaction To Nitro
Cena and Lesnar Brawl (Apr 9, 2012) Opportunity Stone Cold Eulogy (Apr 19, 1999) Taking Chances DX Impersonates The Nation (Jul 6, 1998) The Attitude Era The War With WCW CM Punk Cashes In His Money In The Bank Contract (Jun 30, 2008) Bringing Attention To The Opposition Mankind wins the WWE Championship (Jan 4, 1999) Sex Appeal The Unholy Union (Apr 26, 1999) Broader Spectrum Impact On Pop Culture Social Media What Makes Raw Special
RAW took a nice hit in viewers on Monday as the show did just 3,835,000 viewers with a 2.7 rating, a pretty bad number considering they were coming off a pay-per-view.
Hour one scored 3,873,000 viewers, hour two did 3,923,000 viewers, and hour three dropped to 3,710,000 viewers. The viewership in hour three was the second most lowest since RAW went to three hours on July 23.
This week’s show was down 360,000 viewers from last week. (Ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research and put online by PWInsider.com)
WWE Diva Kaitlyn was arrested at the Van Andel Arena yesterday, the site of the Smackdown tapings according to TMZ.COM.
The 26 year old was picked up by Kent County Sheriff officials due to an old speeding ticket that she didn’t pay last time she was in the area. The Sheriff department hit the scene immediately after Kaitlyn showed up for work with a warrant and took her to booking. She was released on a $315 bond afterward.
“During a previous visit to Michigan, I was cited for a traffic violation. I am fully cooperating with authorities to resolve the matter,” Kaitlyn told TMZ in a statement.
You can see her mugshot – which probably is one of the prettiest mugshots ever – below.
Tonight, we are over 24 hours removed from Survivor Series and the biggest questions: did C.M. Punk retain his WWE Championship and can make it past a year? How about the World Heavyweight Championship – was Big Show able to walk out with the title, or did Sheamus gain some revenge and the belt back. Or even better, did Dolph Ziggler pull a swerve and cash in his Money In The Bank briefcase to win him his second World Championship?
I can’t wait, let’s find out right now!
Monday Night Raw Report for November 19th, 2012 – “1 Year”
Introduction Segment: Recap
Yes and Yes! With the still images on the screen depicting the two champions, C.M. Punk and The Big Show kept their titles! Albeit not without controversy, as during the World Championship match, Sheamus accidentally Brogue-kicked the referee, while in the WWE title bout, three unknown men put Ryback through a table just as he was about to win the Championship, and allowing C.M. Punk to continue his streak.
Segment #1: Arena Promo
Ryback is out right away, ticked off and wanting to hunt down the mystery partners of C.M. Punk. He challenges all of them to come on down, but instead receives Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero. She tells Ryback he had his chances, and if he causes any “chaos”, then he “will be subject to a fine or suspension.” Guerrero has other plans for Ryback, and orders him to face Tensai right now.
Match #1: Single – Ryback VS. Tensai
The two behemoths lock up to begin, with Ryback punching away at Tensai’s head into the corner. He drops Tensai with a clothesline, but Tensai returns the favor and splashes him in the corner too. Ryback counters a run with a Lou Thesz press and head-slam. Despite initially blocking it, Ryback gets double-chokeslammed and ground-Senton splashed.
Ryback reverses another run attempt into a powerslam, and starts to get momentum. Huge spinebuster, as Ryback is measuring Tensai, then pushes him over the top rope with a clothesline. Following another inside the ring, Ryback manages to pick up Tensai and drop him with the Shell Shock marching Samoan Drop for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Ryback
Segment #2: Backstage Promo
Sheamus is seen yelling at a referee about the finish to his match last night.
Later tonight, WWE Champion C.M. Punk will celebrate his WWE Championship streak continuing past one year.
Up next, Wade Barrett will challenge Kofi Kingston for the Intercontinental Championship.
Commercials.
Match #2: Single – Wade Barrett VS. Kofi Kingston
Kofi kicks away at Barrett’s thighs to get an early advantage, then drops him with a jumping-spinning-elbow. Kofi leaps onto Wade in the corner and punches him, then takes him down with an uppercut. Barrett counters with an elbow-to-the-head and takes control. He dumps Kingston to the outside with a clothesline for a break.
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Back live, Barrett has Kofi in a grounding side headlock to wear down Kingston. Wade takes the fight to the outside, slamming Kofi’s head onto the steel steps. Back in the ring, Barrett continues to kick away and headbutt Kofi, then clamping on a half-camel-clutch. Kingston reverses a slam-grab with a sunset-flip for a near-fall, then catches Wade with a calf-kick.
Kofi pounds away, then chops and dropkicks Barrett down. Boom drop legdrop delivered then runs at Wade, right into the tilt-a-whirl side-slam. Barrett covers but only gets two! Kofi fends off Wade again and flies with a high-crossbody for another two-count. Wade grabs Kofi’s head and rakes his eyes on the ropes, then spins him around with the harsh elbow/forearm to the head for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Wade Barrett
Segment #3: Recap
Jerry “The King” Lawler and Michael Cole go over the main event from Survivor Series, in which three rogue NXT Wrestlers – Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins, slammed Ryback through the announce table and allowed WWE Champion C.M. Punk to retain his title.
They also take a look at “rogue referee” Brad Maddox via video footage of his promo and what he did at Hell In The Cell, plus the match he had last week with Ryback.
Segment #4: Locker Room Promo
Paul Heyman is toting C.M. Punk’s WWE Championship win and celebration with some local backstage crew. He knock’s on the “Straight-Edge” Superstar’s door and out comes C.M Punk, donned in a “I’m a Paul Heyman Guy” t-shirt.
Heyman gloats about his upcoming celebration, then Matt Striker interrupts. He asks about the controversial finish to his S.S. match, as well as possible alliance with Rollins, Ambrose, and Raines. Punk shoots him down, then when asked about Ryback, Heyman even invites him to the party. Punk cuts off Striker and wants a conversation with his manager instead. (Oops!)
Commercials.
Match #3: Single – Aksana VS. Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn rushes Aksana right away, but she chickens out, only for Kaitlyn to be suckered into a clothesline outside. Quick cover then a head-pound on the mat from Aksana. She manages to lock on an arm-stretch, hanging off the ropes a la Tajiri.
On the mat, Aksana has Kaitlyn’s arm wrapped behind her head, then punches at the cranium. Kaitlyn counters with a kick-to-the-gut then elbows and whirls her around by the head, twice! Kaitlyn with a running shoulder-tackle and gut-wrench knee-drop for the win!
Winner via Pinfall: Kaitlyn
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Match #4: Single – “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay (with “The Funkadactyls” Naomi and Cameron) VS. United States Champion Antonio Cesaro
Elbow/collar tie-up with Brodus gaining control quickly. Cesaro counters with a headbutt and punches/kicks fiercely to bring the big-man down. Huge double-stomp from Antonio, but Clay ducks a clothesline and hits a headbutt. Running Splash in the corner sets up Brodus drop his body on him, but Cesaro moves and jumps off the second rope with a spinning uppercut. Antonio uses all his power to finish off Brodus with the Neutralizer cradle-faceplant!
Winner via Pinfall: United States Champion Antonio Cesaro
Segment #5: Make-A-Wish Foundation Promo
A montage of John Cena’s dedication to the children with life-threatening illnesses and special needs via the Make-A-Wish Foundation is aired. (Truly again, I say, no matter what you think of him as a wrestler/on-air character, the MAN John Cena deserves a lot of respect for his honest and caring nature towards this charity. I will always have an infinity amount of respect for him because of this.)
Commercials.
Segment #6: Arena Promo
Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero is out with a man and woman behind her. She is out to set the record straight, saying that she “would not lay a hand on a WWE Superstar.” She puts over Tamina Snuka for standing up for authority. She then turns over the microphone to the “eye witnesses,” Whitney Smith, who is a waitress at the hotel restaurant where “Cena and A.J. had their alleged business dinner.” She claims that Cena and A.J. were very, very friendly at dinner.
Her next witness is Doug Brady, who is a parking attendant. He says that Cena and A.J. were staying in a parked vehicle for about an hour, and he received a complaint from a dad in a family about what they had seen in the vehicle.
Before we can find out what that was (and I’ll give you just one guess!), A.J. marches down and shoots down these doctored rumors and video footage. A.J. tells Vickie to either fire her or “shut the hell up!” Guerrero then wants to show a controversial picture courtesy of Doug’s cell-phone, but John Cena also interrupts and stomps out.
Cena calls all this a load of garbage and crap, then tells Vickie if she wants something to talk about, watch this! Cena gives A.J. a passionate kiss, then A.J. returns with a full-on make-out session, until Dolph Ziggler runs out and attacks. He and Cena fight to the back, with A.J. looking mesmerized.
Later tonight, Sheamus will take on Damien Sandow, and up next it’s the 2 out of 3 falls match between Orton and Del Rio
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Match #5: Two out of Three Falls Single – Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) VS. “The Viper” Randy Orton
They walk around each other then Orton begins with punches. Clothesline out of the corner and a two-count. Del Rio kicks away and snapmare’s Orton, then kicks at his back. Orton fends off and hits a high-dropkick for two! Quick snap-suplex from Del Rio, then later hits a kick and a jumping armbar-breaker.
He sets up for the Cross-Armbreaker submission, but gets countered and tossed outside. Alberto snags Orton on the ropes then repeatedly slams Randy’s left arm against the ring post, despite Referee Mike Chioda ordering him to stop, so he gets disqualified.
Winner of Fall #1 Via Disqualification: Randy Orton
Commercials.
Back live, Alberto continues to work over Orton’s arm with an armbar. Randy struggles out of it and hits a backdrop. “The Viper” gets momentum, nailing a couple clotheslines then follows with a powerslam. Del Rio counters Orton, then manages to grapple him down with the Cross Armbreaker for the quick tap-out!
Winner of Fall #2 via Submission: Alberto Del Rio
(Tied 1 – 1)
Round three is underway, with Del Rio playing games knowing Orton’s left arm is hurt bad. Orton counters a corner-run with an over-the-top roll-up and nearfall! Del Rio measuring Randy, then hits the running enziguri for a two-count! Del Rio again sizing him up, and goes for a running clothesline but Orton reverses into his backbreaker. Rodriguez trips up Orton, but unfortunately in front of referee Chioda, so Ricardo is outa there!
This distraction allows Alberto to drive Orton down with the backstabber, but only gets a two-count! Alberto then mocks Randy’s “zoning up” and goes for his own R.K.O., but “The Viper” counters and slams his head to the mat with the slingshot-DDT. Orton tries the real R.K.O., but Alberto counters into the Cross Armbreaker again, and Orton reverses into a roll-up for two! Del Rio runs at him with the Enziguri, but Orton moves and takes him down with the R.K.O. for the victory!
Winner of Fall #3 and the match via Pinfall: Randy Orton
Segment #7: Locker Room Promo
John Cena may legitimately be injured, as a clip of him running after Dolph Ziggler earlier shows that he may have tweaked his knee/ankle. In the locker room, Cena is with A.J. getting his knee taped up.
Commercials.
Match #6: Two On One – Epico and Primo (with Rosa Mendes) VS. The Great Khali
Squash! Khali takes care of the cousins with a chop and Punjabi Plunge Double-Chokeslam, quickly. The main feature was Hornswoggle squirting Rosa with waters out of the flowers. (Pointless!)
Winner via Pinfall: The Great Khali
Segment #8: Backstage Promo
Paul Heyman is with the crew, going over the celebration for later tonight. He is happy with everything, then adds balloons to the list.
Up next, The Miz is in action.
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Match #7: Single – David Otunga VS. The Miz
Lock up with Otunga taking control and hammering away. Kicks in the corner, but Miz comes back with some of his own. David tosses Miz into the post then brings him back with a Russian Legsweep. Springboard elbow Otunga, then grasps on a grounding rear-chinlock. Miz fights out of it, but gets clotheslined and shoulder-tackled. Otunga delivers hard-fists to Miz’s chest then a clothesline and another grounding rear-chinlock.
Miz reverses an Irish Whip into a sunset flip for two, then another roll-up for another nearfall! Miz is now battling back with punches and the running corner clothesline. He’s setting up Otunga for a double axe-handle off the top-rope! Miz measures and delivers the Skull-Krushing Finale to get the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: The Miz
Commercials.
Segment #9: Arena Promo
Sheamus is out, carrying a well-dented chair, and wants to get something off his chest. At first, he was okay with losing to Big Show at Hell In The Cell, because it was just two guys fighting over a Championship. However, Sheamus took exception when Show attacked William Regal – Sheamus’ close friend – then used the referee in their Survivor Series match to block the Brogue Kick.
The smile is wiped from Sheamus’ face and he orders the World Heavyweight Champion to settle it. Big Show cautiously walks out, due to the “dozens and dozens of chair shots” by Sheamus at S.S. Show denies that they have something to settle, as he has defeated Sheamus twice now. They argue back and forth, with Show calling Sheamus “barbaric” for assaulting him with the chair, and then Sandow walks out to get his bout in.
Match #8: Single – “The Intellectual Savior Of The Masses” Damien Sandow VS. Sheamus
Lock up and pushing to the corner by Sheamus, until Damien orders him off via referee Charles Robinson. Sheamus, slams Sandow down with a side-headlock, until Damien shoves off and kicks Sheamus down in the corner. Sheamus counters with more punches and knees Damien in the corner, then runs at him with a shoulder-tackle.
Sandow rolls to the apron and punches Sheamus back. He tries a suplex, but is reversed by Sheamus into one of his own. Sheamus gains control now, standing on Damien’s arm, then later chucks him out of the ring by his beard!
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During the break, Sandow regained dominance by pressing Sheamus down on the mat. He locks on a rear-chinlock to wear down the Irishman. Sandow sets up Sheamus for the Elbow Of Disdain, but “Great White” jumps up and drops Damien with the Irish Curse backbreaker.
He follows that up with pounding on the chest against the ropes and a suplex off the apron to the canvas. Sheamus ascends the top rope and dives off with the Battering Ram shoulder-tackle. One “White Noise” later, plus a Brogue Kick, and Sheamus is your victor!
Winner via Pinfall: Sheamus
Segment #10: Office Promo
A.J. marches into confront Vickie Guerrero, however Tamina Snuka stops her. A.J. threatens that she will “get to know Tamina better in the very near future.” A.J. accuses Vickie of setting up Dolph to attack Cena, and demands that she does something about it. Vickie says “nothing,” then A.J. threatens she will take care of it instead.
Commercials.
Segment #11: Locker Room Promo
Despite warnings from Layla, A.J. barges into the guys’ locker room and demands to know “who the hell” Dolph Ziggler is. He cuts a promo on her, telling her that “girls like her, are a dime a dozen. You came from nothing and you came from nothing.”
He says that she latches on to any attention she is given, then whenever someone disappoints her, “you lose a piece of your pride and you’re nothing more than a shell of a women. Sad, weak pitiful. Face it A.J., you’re just trash.”
Dolph sits back down, then gets a flurry of arm-whalings by A.J. Cena quickly stops it (boy, that knee heeled fast!), and then engages in a big brawl with Ziggler, even knocking out a bathroom stall! “The Showoff” gets the best of him, as other referees and wrestlers have to pull him off, leaving Cena writhing in pain.
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Segment #12: Locker Room Promo
Josh Matthews tells us that John Cena is being looked at by trainers.
Match #9: Tag-Team – Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio VS. Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell-No” (Daniel Bryan and Kane) (Non-Title)
(NOTE: “The Primetime Players” Titus O’Neil and Darren Young speak fantastically on commentary) Sin Cara and Kane start out, with Kane dominating then tagging in Bryan to loud “yes, yes, yes” chants. Cara moves from a diving knee by Bryan, then spins him around with a springboard tilt-a-whirl armdrag.
Rey is now in with Daniel, but gets worked over by Bryan. Kane tags himself in, and Rey flies around, dropkicking him on the outside and running off the apron with a seated senton. Daniel levels Rey, then Cara takes out Bryan with a suicide dive.
Commercials.
Kane is back in control now over Sin Cara, driving him down with a sidewalk slam. He switches with Daniel again, who clamps on a submission hold then stomps away. Kane and Daniel switch in and out, dominating this contest. Cara eventually counters a run in the corner then brings Bryan out with a spinning Tornado DDT.
Both tag-in their partners, and Mysterio hits two dropkicks for a nearfall on Kane! Mysterio reverses a sidewalk slam into a reverse DDT, as Cara takes out Bryan. Mysterio flies off the top but is cut off with an uppercut. Kane eventually counters a splash with a chokeslam attempt, then the “Prime Time Players” interfere, causing a double DQ.
Winners: No Contest, via Double-Disqualification
Post-match, the face-teams take out the Players and all three are staring at each other, pondering the tag-team situation.
Segment #13: Locker Room Promo
Paul Heyman and WWE Champion C.M. Punk are discussing the celebration and Heyman is excited. He leads his charge out of the room to the ring.
Ads.
Segment #14: Arena Promo
Paul Heyman is in the ring, which is decked out with pictures of WWE Champion C.M. Punk, a picture listing the longest-reigning champions in WWE History, and the canvas covered with his “X” sign carpet. Heyman first goes on a rant about how they received hate for their mockery of Jerry Lawler’s heart attack last week (which I still believe justified, as that was just wrong, wrong). (My PVR cut off a bit, so the next image is C.M. Punk walking down the aisle.)
“The Second-City Saint” hugs Heyman, then takes the microphone. “Shawn Michaels, he couldn’t do it. Triple H couldn’t do it. Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart’, ‘the best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be’ could not do it. I guess that makes me ‘the best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be.’ The Undertaker could not do it. And ‘Dewey,’ I’m sorry Dwayne. ‘The Rock’ couldn’t do it. 365 days as WWE Champion, one calendar year.’
Punk then points to the titantron, where a montage of his Championship reign plays, that depicts all his wins and significant moments.
Punk already has a goal in mind, July 25, 2018, when he would surpass Legend Bruno Sammartino as the longest-reigning WWE Champion in history. Heyman puts over Sammartino (even plugging him for the Hall-Of-Fame), but then says he, along with Hulk Hogan and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin could not beat C.M. Punk. Not even The Rock at the upcoming Royal Rumble in January 2013.
“The Straight-Edge Superstar” gloats over his Survivor Series win until Ryback interrupts. He is storming for Punk, but the Rollins, Ambrose, and Raines cut him off and assault. They rip apart the announce table then triple-powerbomb Ryback through it, to the happiness of Punk. He walks over and puts one foot over a downed Ryback, holding his Championship high and calling himself “the best in the world” to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
This was a good follow-up to Survivor Series, but not great. There were a few matches that could’ve done without, shortening up the already too long program. However, on the plus, plenty of continuity. To the analysis:
Excellence: Ryback opening promo was short, sweet, and expected in terms of mike ability. His match was Tensai was pretty decent as well, and liked the “struggle” to pick him up in the finisher. Wade Barrett/Kofi Kingston, awesome match and great-looking feud. Del Rio/Orton match – while stipulation perhaps saved for another PPV, the match itself was well executed, especially with Del Rio telling a psychological story by focusing on his left-arm.
Liking The Miz’s slow face-turn and glad it is actually garnering the reaction desired, for once! I think he could be a top-tier true babyface, even more-so than Orton with his charisma/personality.
Although I don’t like the A.J./Vickie feud/”reason,” I liked the brawl and pending rivalry/continuity between Ziggler and Cena. This should be great and my vote goes for Dolph to elevate himself. Much like Orton/Del Rio, Sheamus/Sandow was a story-tellers and psychological/old-school matchup. Beautiful!
Honestly, thought the celebration would be a little more, but still like Ambrose/Raines/Rollins being brought up and part of C.M. Punk/Ryback. Particularly Rollins, as he is much like early Punk, in both his look and wrestling, so I believe a good fit. And a great way to wear down Ryback a bit, without obviously completely destroying him or making Punk look bad too.
Bogus: Matches that didn’t need to be on the show: Kaitlyn/Aksana, Primo/Epico/Khali, Ceasaro/Clay (or at least a better opponent for the United States Champion), and even the tag-team main-event (Sheamus/Sandow or Orton/Del Rio should’ve been the last match). Again, all these were really filler matches and truly, three hours is too much, so there does not have to be extra!
Also, really wish they’d stop the Vickie accusations w/ A.J., and hopefully after tonight, they have. It is just dumb.
To end, some great new/continuing setups after tonight for feuds, so looking forward to watching those play out, especially Ziggler/Cena and Ryback/Punk and the three NXT Stars
As always, be excellent Wrestling-Online readers and wrestling fans!
Chris Jericho will be returning to television next year, hosting a new television show named Robot Combat League on SyFy.
The show is set to premiere on February 26, 2013, and will consist of 12 teams. Each team will have a fighter and a robotics engineer and both will be coming from various backgrounds.
Entertainment Weekly is reporting that the first season of the show – which has been taped already – will have a race car driver, an Olympic athlete, a National Guard helicopter pilot, an MMA fighter who is also the daughter of Star Wars’ George Lucas and more.
Jericho tweeted the announcement a few hours ago and the whole show was pretty much kept on the low side with no leaks during production.
EW has posted a photo of Chris Jericho posing in between two of the robots which you can see below.
CM Punk will be appearing on The Talking Dead on AMC this coming Sunday night at 11PM EST.
The AMC website is listing Punk along with actress and comedian Yvette Nicole Brown for the show for the episode titled ‘When the Dead Come Knocking.’ The same episode will be replayed the following day at 1AM.
In a message on Twitter, the WWE champ said he was surprised that WWE didn’t even promote his appearance on TV or anywhere else.
“Yes, I will be on @AMCTalkingDead on Sunday. Shocking how WWE didn’t promote it or get AMC the proper materials in time to announce it,” Punk wrote.
This Wednesday, E! will be airing the WWE-themed edition of The Soup with an episode titled ‘WWE: Pile driving clips in your face!”
Starting at 10:30PM EST, The Miz, Eve Torres, Rey Mysterio, Daniel Bryan, Hornswoggle, Michael Cole and Jerry “The King” Lawler will all appear on the episode hosted by Joel McHale. The WWE crew will also visit the ‘Fashion Police’ set to take on Joan and Melissa Rivers.
“Complete with plenty of pec bouncing, ‘The Soup Salutes WWE: Pile Driving Clips in your Face,’ delivers the most hilarious WWE moments and themed clips. From David Hasselhoff engaging in creepy conversation with the WWE Divas and Hulk Hogan doggy-paddling Donald Trump to safety, to more ‘sober’ fist pumping on “Jersey Shore” and classy romance on “Love Games,” this special episode continues the tradition of presenting the “best” of the funniest moments in television,” reads the preview for the show.
E! sent us eight exclusive photos from the set featuring the WWE crew which you can see below.
WWE announced a distribution agreement for home video with FremantleMedia Enterprises to distribute WWE DVD, Blu-Ray and any other digital content across Europe, Middle East, and Africa, replacing their long-time partners SilverVision.
The deal goes into effect in January of 2013 and will see FME manage the DVD, Blu-ray and digital rights for all new and existing WWE content, making it the first time that fans of WWE’s popular programming can access it digitally across EMEA.
Pete Kalhan, SVP Home Entertainment & Archive EMEA, FME, commented, “WWE is an incredibly strong and ever-growing brand with a huge and extremely dedicated global fan base. The brand has a rich history and has performed exceptionally well on DVD for many years. We look forward to working with WWE to grow all aspects of their home entertainment catalogue and are particularly excited about introducing the content to the masses across EMEA via digital platforms.”
Casey Collins, Executive Vice President, Consumer Products for WWE said, “WWE is pleased to partner with FremantleMedia Enterprises on the digital and retail distribution of our content in EMEA. FME’s broad retail reach will allow us to place more WWE content across all channels where our fans shop.”
CM Punk hit a very important milestone today as the current WWE champion has clocked in 365 consecutive days with the title, the first man to go a full year without losing it since John Cena in 2006/7.
Punk won the title at last year’s Survivor Series, defeating Alberto Del Rio with the Anaconda Vise. This is his second run with the WWE title and he also won the World Heavyweight title on three different occasions in previous years.
Last night’s Survivor Series saw the debut of three up-and-coming Superstars who are currently showcasing their talents on NXT.
Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns, attacked Ryback during the main event, driving him through the Spanish announce table and giving CM Punk the chance to pin John Cena to retain his WWE title.
Rollins is the one formerly known as Tyler Black and he is currently the – first ever – NXT champion.
Ambrose shot some shoot/work angles with Mick Foley earlier this year including one at a hotel at WrestleMania and has been rumored to be called up to the main roster for quite a while.
Roman Reigns is a member of the Anoa’i family and the son of WWE Hall of Famer Sika. His brother is Matt Anoa’i, formerly known as Rosey in the WWE. He made his NXT debut at the end of last month.
