FemantleMedia, through their website WWEDVD.CO.UK, released the full match listing for the upcoming Goldberg DVD and Blu-Ray which will be titled Goldberg: The Ultimate Collection and released on October 8.
The DVD version will contain three discs while the Blu-Ray version will contain two and both will have 30 full matches from Goldberg’s WCW and short WWE career. This will be just matches and there was no sit-down interview recorded with the former World Heavyweight champion.
The full match listing is as follows:
Nitro September 22, 1997 Bill Goldberg vs. Hugh Morrus
Nitro September 29, 1997 Bill Goldberg vs. The Barbarian
Starrcade December 28, 1997 Bill Goldberg vs. Steve “Mongo” McMichael
Nitro April 20, 1998 United States Championship Match Goldberg vs. Raven
Nitro July 6, 1998 Goldberg vs. Scott Hall
Nitro July 6, 1998 WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match Goldberg vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan
Bash at the Beach July 12, 1998 WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match Goldberg vs. Curt Hennig
Nitro September 14, 1998 WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match Goldberg vs. Sting
Halloween Havoc October 25, 1998 WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match Goldberg vs. Diamond Dallas Page
Nitro November 23, 1998 WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match Goldberg vs. The Giant
Starrcade December 27, 1998 No Disqualification Match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship Goldberg vs. Kevin Nash
Nitro March 8, 1999 Goldberg vs. Ric Flair
Nitro April 5, 1999 Fatal 4 Way Match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship Goldberg vs. Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair vs. Diamond Dallas Page
Spring Stampede April 11, 1999 Goldberg vs. Kevin Nash
Fall Brawl September 12, 1999 Goldberg vs. Diamond Dallas Page
Halloween Havoc October 24, 1999 United States Championship Match Goldberg vs. Sid
Halloween Havoc October 24, 1999 Goldberg vs. Sting
Mayhem November 21, 1999, “I Quit” Match Goldberg vs. Sid
Fall Brawl September 17, 2000 No Disqualification Match Goldberg vs. Scott Steiner
Halloween Havoc October 29, 2000 2-on-1 Handicap Match Goldberg vs. Kronik
SIN January 14, 2001 No Disqualification Match Goldberg & Dewayne Bruce vs. Lex Luger & Buff Bagwell
Backlash April 27, 2003 Goldberg vs. The Rock
RAW May 12, 2003 Steel Cage Match Goldberg vs. Christian
Badd Blood June 15, 2003 Goldberg vs. Chris Jericho
SummerSlam August 24, 2003 Elimination Chamber Match for the World Heavyweight Championship Goldberg vs. Triple H vs. Randy Orton vs.Shawn Michaels vs. Kevin Nash vs. Chris Jericho
Unforgiven September 21, 2003 World Heavyweight Championship Match Goldberg vs. Triple H
RAW October 6, 2003 Goldberg vs. Mark Henry
RAW November 10, 2003 Goldberg vs. Batista
Survivor Series November 16, 2003 World Heavyweight Championship Match Goldberg vs. Triple H
WrestleMania XX March 14, 2004 Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar
Former TNA Superstar Jesse Sorensen enlisted the help of fundraising website gofundme.com to try and raise $600 so he can enter a bodybuilding competition that he had to drop out from after he was released from his TNA contract.
In less than 24 hours, 13 people contributed $630 at time of this writing, beating the goal by $30 already.
In his profile, Sorensen wrote that TNA President Dixie Carter promised him a job for life with the company and now he was shown “that those promises were false.”
Sorensen wrote that the promise was made while he was recovering from bis broken C-1 vertebrae and herniated C-5 and C-6 after a move gone wrong while wrestling Zema Ion on pay-per-view last year.
Sorensen has been working for TNA as a production assistant while he was on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Eric Bischoff also commented on Sorensen’s release in a message on Twitter. “Nothing but respect and support for Jesse Sorensen. Stay strong, never lose your determination, and success will find you.”
Monday Night RAW this week did a 2.9 rating with a total of 4,006,000 viewers, down around 95,000 viewers from the previous week.
Hour one pulled 3,922,000 viewers, hour two followed with 4,162,000, and hour three went back down to 3,933,000 viewers. (Ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research and put online by PWInsider.com)
TNA has released 24 year old Jesse Sorensen from his contract, 16 months after he broke his neck in a match working for TNA.
“I have officially been released by @IMPACTWRESTLING. Would like to say thank you to my supportive family, friends & fans,” Sorensen tweeted earlier today.
Sorensen suffered a C-1 vertebrae fracture with spinal cord edema at the Against All Odds pay-per-view in February 2012 in a match against Zema Ion. While he made a couple of appearances for the company, he assumed the role of production assistant backstage late last year while he was recovering from his horrible injury.
He made his debut for TNA in July 2011 and his match against Ion was the last one he did for the company.
Our good friend Luca Franchini who is the WWE commentator for Sky Italia sent in word that WWE is changing the October pay-per-view name, eliminating Over The Limit completely from the calendar.
The new name chosen is Battleground and the WWE London office gave the order to change all promotional material for that particular pay-per-view.
Battleground was one of the names listed in a survey months ago when WWE was asking its fans for their opinion on several topics.
Movie website Deadline.com is reporting that Vicente Amorim has been chosen to direct the upcoming Chris Benoit flick Crossface, based on the adaptation of Matthew Randazzo book Ring Of Hell.
“Wrestling is showbiz taken to the extreme and ‘Crossface’ is Limelight on steroids,” said Amorim. “Chris Benoit’s story is the perfect vehicle for a fiercely honest film that is as much about him and the world of wrestling as it is about America and show business. I am very happy to be on board to help tell this story.”
The film is being spearheaded by SRG Films, whose chief Dale Alexander Carnegie called Amorim’s work “not only thrilling, but also touching, two things we hope to bring to our film.”
Former Weinstein Company staffer, Sarah Coulter, wrote the script.
WWE Diva Brie Bella apologized to WWE fans on Twitter last night after suffering a wardrobe malfunction during the Miz TV segment on RAW.
“I apologize 4 my wardrobe malfunction I’m embarrassed & it looks as though the humidity made my tape come off You’ll never see that again! B,” the Bella twin wrote.
The accident came during the final moments of the Total Divas segment on Miz TV when the camera clearly showed Brie’s nipple exposed.
The upper management backstage were not happy about the wardrobe malfunction and rumors are that they ordered Brie to issue an apology even though it probably wasn’t her fault.
With the (supposed) main-event now set for SummerSlam, how will the coming weeks see WWE Champion John Cena and his new challenger, Daniel Bryan, go at it? Especially since they are both babyfaces! Could we see Randy Orton get involved with his Money In The Bank briefcase, which secures him a shot at the WWE Title?
What havoc will The Wyatt Family spew from their mouths and reek on the wrestlers tonight? Or will Kane return to get some revenge? (I’m hoping lots – loving these guys right now.)
Honestly, here’s hoping not, but will Smackdown’s new General Manager (read that fine report on this fine website to find out who) make an appearance? Same with The McMahons/Helmsley storyline – what interactions with each other will they have, and will they be really worth it other than to build their own egos?
And of course, will we get a more clearer picture of the summer’s “biggest party” with the undercard being put together?
Read on to find out!
Monday Night Raw Report for July 22nd, 2013 – “Proving Ground”
Introduction Segment: Recap
A video montage airs of Paul Heyman betraying C.M. Punk at Money In The Bank, and from last week’s Raw of their confrontation and Brock Lesnar subsequently demolishing the “Second City Saint.” Also shown is Mark Henry getting destroyed by The Shield, and the selection of Daniel Bryan to face John Cena for the WWE Title at SummerSlam.
Segment #1: Arena Promo
General Manager Brad Maddox is in the ring and he welcomes the Austin, Texas fans. Set up behind him is a table and two chairs, which will be used for the contract signing for the WWE Championship match! Maddox brings out “The Champ” first, and asks Cena why he picked Daniel Bryan for his opponent.
John replies that it is because of Brad himself. He says that because the G.M. let him pick ANYONE he wanted, it was really because the WWE Fans (I don’t like the term “universe”) wanted Bryan, so Cena went with them. Maddox tries to downplay Bryan’s character, calling him “insecure” and saying that Cena chose him only because he can defeat him easily.
The man himself takes the appropriate opportunity to walk out to a massive ovation. Bryan says that Maddox thinks he’s not worthy of a challenger, but Cena interrupts and defends Daniel greatly. He retorts that it is not all about “size and strength,” but “God-given talent.”
Cena lists three great WWE Champions – Shawn Michaels, Rey Mysterio, and the late-great Eddie Guerrero – as prime examples of his point. John puts over Daniel as “the best competition in the WWE right now,” but does say “I will prove at SummerSlam, even ‘the best’ isn’t good enough.”
Bryan attempts to retort, but Maddox interjects and announces the official match. Daniel gets in his grill and yells at him for the interruption. Bryan says that he has waited his entire career, so Maddox books him in multiple matches tonight to prove his worthiness.
Later tonight, Mark Henry will respond to his assault from Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns of The Shield. And up next, Sheamus will take on World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio!
Commercials.
Match #1: Single – Sheamus VS. World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio (Non-Title)
Elbow/collar tie-up begins, then Del Rio takes a few kicks at Sheamus’ bruised leg. Sheamus fires back with slugs and a clothesline, and brings him down with a neckbreaker for two. Del Rio manages a cheap shot and hammers away on the Irishman. He grips him in a front facelock, using the ropes which the referee orders him to break.
Alberto delivers punches in the corner, but Sheamus comes back with a suplex. “The Mexican Aristocrat” goes back to the hurt limb of Sheamus, and then hooks in his arm with an armbar over the ropes, but Sheamus breaks out of it with a hard right hand, sending Del Rio to the floor.
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Sheamus misses a clothesline and Alberto turns it into a German suplex pin combo for a near fall. Del Rio goes back to the left leg and stomps away on it. He taunts Sheamus and gives him repeated headbutts. Sheamus manages to get in a slam, then fires himself up with blows to Alberto. He continues to hammer away, with forearm smashes.
Alberto reverses another move into the Backstabbber (double-knee backbreaker) and a smacking kick-to-the-head. Del Rio goes to dive through the ropes, but Sheamus moves and traps him against the ropes to deliver the hammering blows. Sheamus gives the World Champ the Irish Curse backbreaker but only gets two!
Sheamus ascends the turnbuckle and is cut off with a running enziguri! 1 – 2 – kickout by Sheamus! He manages to pick up Del Rio in a fireman’s carry position and roll him over, then gets momentum for the Brogue Kick. Alberto ducks the vicious boot-to-the-face and gives a kick of his own to Sheamus’ leg.
He tries the Cross Armbreaker submission, but Sheamus gets out of it. He goes for White Noise, but his leg is weakened, allowing Del Rio to roll him up (cleanly) for the victory!
Winner via Pin Fall: World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio
Later tonight, The Miz will host a preview of “Total Divas,” featuring the cast of that show (which obviously is Divas from WWE). And C.M. Punk will be in the arena to go over his beating from Lesnar last week.
Commercials.
Segment #2: Backstage Promo
Both Booker T. and Theodore Long, who are no longer running Smackdown, are asked by Rene Paquette how they feel about Vickie Guerrero being named the General Manager. Instead, they get into an argument, instigated by Long, because he filled in for an injured Booker for three months. He storms off, leaving Booker and Rene perplexed.
Christian (who makes his entrance now) will be in action next!
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Match #2: Single – Christian VS. “The Big Deal” Titus O’Neil (with “Primetime Players” partner “Mr. No Days Off” Darren Young)
Titus starts off with a big slam right away, but Christian comes back with a couple of slaps before getting taken down with a shoulder blocked and backbreaker/fall-a-way slam combo. On the outside, O’Neil picks up Christian then throws him back in the ring off his shoulder. 1 – 2 – Christian gets the shoulder up!
Titus drops some elbows, then locks in an abdominal stretch. He slugs away on his stomach and back, then gives him knees-in-the-gut in corner. Again, Christian comes back with slaps and gives Titus a dropkick out of the corner. He uses another second rope to dive off with a spinning elbow, and tries for the Unprettier, but has to baseball slide dropkick Young on the outside instead.
This allows Titus to capitalize with a big boot but only gets two. He then does fall to the Unprettier, as Christian gets the 1 -2 – 3!
Footage of Chris Jericho being destroyed by Ryback from Smackdown is aired.
Segment #3: Backstage Promo
Josh Matthews welcomes Ryback, and inquires if he likes to intimidate people. Ryback concurs that he does, and lists off the cliches of the big bully doing stuff to the “little guy.” (Pointless promo.)
Commercials.
Segment #4: Arena Promo
Mark Henry is out and puts over his pride in being a Texan and his effort in his WWE Championship match against John Cena. However, “The World’s Strongest Man” is not proud of the beating he received courtesy of The Shield, so in turn, he is going to wait for them to come on down and get one in return.
“The Hounds Of Justice” answer the challenge and proceed down the arena steps. Tag-Team Champions Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, and United States Champion Dean Ambrose, surround the ring and then step in for the attack. They corner and beat down the bi-man, until The Usos, Jimmy and Jey, run out to help Henry and make the save.
Reigns is left in the ring to receive a double-superkick from The Twins, then a running splash from Henry, but is pulled out by Ambrose and Rollins before any further damage can be done. The Shield leaves through the fans as The Usos and Henry happy with their work.
Segment #5: Locker Room Promo
Daniel Bryan is warming up when WWE Champion John Cena walks in. Bryan asks if he is wishing him luck, but Cena says he is not here for that. He speculates that Maddox’s decision to put Daniel in three matches was not his, but Daniel looks at the positive.
He is happy for the opportunity at SummerSlam, and sees the bouts tonight as the proof he needs to make him worthy. He asks John not to interfere, as that would tell him everything Cena said earlier would be a “load of crap” if he did.
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Match #3: Single – “Mr. No Days Off” Darren Young VS. “The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler
Ziggler grabs Young right away with a waistlock and roll up, then grapples him with a front facelock. Darren kicks out of it and sends Dolph off the ropes, who grabs the ropes for a break. He nails Young with a beautiful dropkick and receives a two-count!
Young comes back with a clothesline for a near fall, then clamps on a grounding rear chinlock, ripping at Dolph’s nose too! Young grabs Ziggler by his blond locks and hurls him across the ring. Ziggler breaks out of another grounding rear chinlock with a jawbreaker, then splashes him in the corner and follows that up with the Fameasser for a near fall! Young counters a corner 10-punch with an electric chair drop. 1 – 2 – Dolph kicks out!
Darren is upset and argues with the referee, then taunts Ziggler. This backfires, as Dolph slides out and drops him with the Zig-Zag neckbreaker to finish this bout!
Winner via Pin Fall: “The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler
Post-match, both A.J. Lee and Big E. Langston charge out to attack Ziggler, but “The Show Off” gets of that too and infuriates both Langston and A.J.!
Commercials.
Segment #6: Arena Promo
The Miz is in the ring with the Divas, promoting their new “Total Divas” show. Footage from the episode is aired first (if you really want to know, watch the show, sorry I’m not going to recap this.) Miz introduces The Bella Twins, Eva-Marie, Jo-Jo Natalya, and “The Funkadactyls” (Naomi and Cameron).
Miz then invites Jerry “The King” Lawler to “guest-M.C.” this, and he gets in the ring, and acquaints himself with all. Unfortunately, Eva-Marie thinks Lawler is a little to acquainted, and slaps him across the face. Lawler hands the microphone back to The Miz and exists the ring. Miz plugs the show and the Divas wave. (That was really bad.)
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Segment #7: Office Promo
WWE C.O.O. Triple H walks in and berates G.M. Brad for not thinking Daniel Bryan is worthy of the championship match at SummerSlam. He says that Bryan will prove them wrong, and Maddox better be careful of what side he chooses.
After HHH walks away, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley enters and lends her support. She feels bad for him, because he is caught in the middle between her husband and her father, so she will help him when she comes up with an idea.
Segment #8: Video Promo
Recap of The Wyatt Family’s recent attacks and prophecies are shown, with Michael Cole, Lawler, and John “Bradshaw” Layfield speculate on their motives.
Fandango and Summer Rae make their entrances and the star dancer will wrestle next!
Commercials.
Match #4: Single – Fandango (with Summer Rae) VS. Cody Rhodes
(Note: “Mr. Money In The Bank” Damien Sandow is on commentary). Cody shoves Fandango out of a headlock into the ropes, and hits a dropkick. He flips him over with a snapmare and running knee-to-the-face. Rhodes chucks Fandango over to the apron, but Fandango fires back by slamming his head against the turnbuckle. He wears Rhodes down by ripping at his face, and locking on a submission, but Cody fights out.
He kicks Fandango in the gut, and goes for the moonsault and maybe misses, maybe hits? In other words, botched! As the referee checks on Fandango, Sandow tries to sneak in an attack. Cody wizens up and manages to hit both him and Fandango with the Disaster Kick, then drives Fandango down with the CrossRhodes spinning neckbreaker/DDT combo to complete the contest!
Winner via Pin Fall: Cody Rhodes
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Segment #8: Arena Promo
C.M. Punk limps out to the ring. He reviews the assault that Brock Lesnar laid upon him last week, and says that he had felt his “power” of a “genetically-gifted freak.” Punk cites his resilience though, saying that he got back up every time Lesnar took him down. The “Straight-Edge Superstar” warns everyone that Lesnar can not keep him down.
Punk puts over Lesnar’s ability to “put down” the big guys, like Triple H and The Undertaker, as well as his accolades of being both a former WWE Champion and UFC Champion. Punk says the new headline of WWE Magazine should be “I am not afraid of Brock Lesnar. I am not afraid of Paul Heyman’s ‘monster.'”
Punk threatens Heyman that he will regret his decision to screw him over, and it doesn’t matter what they think, because “this is my ring. I own it!” C.M. promises “there will NOT be a third time. I will get my hands on you and I will make you pay.” “If Brock Lesnar’s the ‘Beast Incarnate,’ then I will slay him.” “I want ‘The Best’ VS. ‘The Beast.'”
Heyman appears on the Titantron, “live via satellite,” liking the slogan of “The Best VS. The Beast.” Punk warns Heyman that if he is actually in the ring, then C.M. will find him and drag him to the ring. Heyman belittles Texas, then asks Punk if he is a “coward” or a “fool” because he refuses to stay down.
Punk still wants a piece of Heyman, but Paul will not reveal his location. He puts over Lesnar’s physical shape, while C.M.’s is not up to par because of the beatings he has taken. Heyman accepts the “fight” for SummerSlam.
Commercials.
Match #5: Single – Wade Barrett VS. Rob Van Dam
Barrett immediately hammers away on Rob in the corner, but Van Dam flips over him and nails a chin kick. Wade pulls him out of the ring and runs him into the side of the squared circle. He places RVD across the ropes and clubs away, then runs at him with a smacking kick.
Barrett chokes Rob on the ropes, then delivers knees and a big boot. He clamps on a grounding rear chinlock, which Van Dam slugs out of and comes back with his patented kicks. He rolls over him with the “Thunder” for two, and soars off the top rope with a somersault senton. Van Dam nails another couple of kicks then flies off the top rope with the 5-Star Frog Splash for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pin Fall: Rob Van Dam
Daniel Bryan’s test is up next, as he begins his series of multiple matches!
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Match #6: Single – Daniel Bryan VS. “The Real American” Jack Swagger (with “Real Amercians” partners Antonio Cesaro and Zeb Colter)
Bryan gets a roll-up soon, but is cut off with a chop block and a couple shoulder blocks by Swagger. He knees Bryan in the gut, then brings him out of the corner with a suplex. Bryan tries to gain momentum with his dive-through-the-ropes, but gets a right hand-to-the-head. He drops the Swaggerbomb-splash, but as he stands over Daniel, he is quickly grabbed and locked in the “Yes Lock” Crossface submission to tap out!
Winner via Submission: Daniel Bryan
It is announced that Antonio Cesaro will face Bryan next!
Commercials.
Match #7: Single – Daniel Bryan VS. “The Real American” Antonio Cesaro (with “Real Americans” partners Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter)
Cesaro is in control after an uppercut, but Daniel comes back with a couple of Dragon Screw leg twists, then locks on a surfboard stomp. Antonio comes back with a strong suplex, then mount-punches Daniel. He calls out “we the people” then drops an elbow for a two count. Cesaro measures up and clutches Bryan from behind with a chinlock.
Daniel musters out again and runs off the ropes a clothesline. He hits some of his patented kicks, but misses the last one, which allows Antonio to re-clamp the rear chinlock. Daniel backs him into the corner however, and runs at him again.
He climbs the turnbuckle, but with referee Mike Chioda distracted, Swagger pushes him off the ropes into another uppercut.
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Bryan almost has Cesaro with a sunset flip, but Antonio kicks out and then double-stomps on him harshly. He tosses him over with a gutwrench suplex, then kicks away at his head. Bryan fights back with a headbutt (or “goatbutt” as Lawler called it), and punches, but is quickly picked up and dropped from a fireman’s carry position. Bryan comes back again with a knee-to-the-face and German suplex, then a kick-to-the-head for a close one! (The fans chant “this is awesome,” which I definitely agree.)
Cesaro cuts Daniel off the top rope, but cannot bring him down with a suplex at first. He attempts again, but Bryan slips out and pushes Cesaro crotch-first onto the turnbuckle. Antonio is hanging upside down, so Bryan can deliver a few kicks then the running low-dropkick.
He sits Cesaro back up and brings him off the top with a huge backdrop, but Cesaro reverses into a lateral press! 1 – 2 – Daniel kicks out! Both slowly get back up (before Chioda counts to ten), and they slug it out back and forth, with Cesaro getting the best after a series of mini-uppercuts and one big flipping (not a cuss, but Bryan really did flip over!) clothesline! 1 – 2 – Bryan still kicks out!
Cesaro wants to finish with The Neutralizer, but Bryan reverses into a backdrop. He comes back with harsh forearms and traps Cesaro’s legs while hammering away at his head again! Cesaro ends up on the outside and Daniel follows with the suicide dive on both he and Swagger! He runs at Cesaro, who tosses him up in the air, but Daniel comes back down and rolls into a small package for the hard-fought and earned victory!
Winner via Pin Fall: Daniel Bryan
Daniel is celebrating with the fans, when we cut to Brad Maddox and (for some reason) Alex Riley wondering how he will fair against his next opponent.
Commercials.
Match #8: Single – Daniel Bryan VS. ???
After a few seconds of wait, the music plays and Bryan’s third challenge is … Ryback! Daniel gives “The Human Wrecking Ball” kicks and punches right away, but Ryback quickly uses his power to dominate. Ryback mocks Bryan’s “yes, yes, yes,” chant with one foot standing atop him. Suplex from Ryback nets a two-count, then he clamps on a grounding rear chinlock.
Daniel manages to reverse a Lou Thesz press into a half-Boston Crab submission, but Ryback gets to the ropes for the break, then splashes him for a near fall. Ryback is gearing up for his “Meathook” clothesline, but Bryan counters with a knee-to-the-face and hits a calf-kick on him in the corner, but is taken down with a slam out of the corner by Ryback for a close two!
Ryback now pulls out a table, but Daniel sails out of nowhere, sending Ryback into the commentator’s table! Ryback shoves him back into the steel steps. In the ring, Daniel kicks away and almost gets it with a sunset flip. He tries for the Crossface, but Ryback powers out.
Bryan gets momentum again, and dives off the top rope with a front-dropkick for two, then does lock in the Crossface! Ryback struggles and tries to get to the ropes, which he does and Bryan breaks it.
Ryback powerbombs Bryan on the outside, then fed up, does it again through the table, causing the DQ.
Winner via Disqualification: Daniel Bryan
Post-match, WWE Champion John Cena runs out and takes out Ryback before he can do anymore harm. Cena then challenges Ryback to a Tables Match, which Ryback accepts. Cena is looking over a downed Bryan with an assistant, when in his office, Brad Maddox touts his success of next week’s main event to Mr. McMahon.
Vince then asks about Bryan, not wanting to deny him competition. He says that Daniel should face someone bigger and stronger than him, to bring out that viciousness. Maddox suggests a bigger, “friend,” like Kane. So next week, it will be John Cena VS. Ryback in a tables match and Daniel Bryan VS. Kane.
In the ring, Bryan is standing alone, looking disappointed/frustrated at his “defeat,” but the fans are fully behind him with “yes, yes, yes,” and WWE Champion John Cena looks on, to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
Tonight’s Raw was lacking – I felt like something was missing and their only focus was the main-event with Daniel Bryan. Other than the C.M. Punk/Paul Heyman segment, everyone/everything else just sensed “thrown together.” Onto the particular analysis:
Excellence: WWE Champion John Cena’s oratory about “smaller guys” being great WWE Champions. (Although, he did leave out Bret “Hitman” Hart, so negative points for that omission!). That was really cool to put them over, and get Daniel over even more by putting out the emphasis that it is not just size anymore, but heart, determination, and ability to make you a champion. I’m liking the way they are starting this angle.
Sheamus/World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio & Christian/Titus O’Neil were a great, physical bouts. Liked Henry’s promo – short and to the butt-kicking point. Glad to see The Usos being kept on TV and still receiving the Tag-Team Title push they deserve. Hope this leads to a match at SummerSlam (on the ACTUAL PPV!). Starting to like the feud between Sandow and Rhodes – especially because of Damien’s speaking skills. I think he can get this minor rivalry over well on his words alone. And I like Cody being back to his aggressive side.
Absolutely LOVED the promo between C.M. Punk and Paul Heyman. Again, if one was watching wrestling for the first time, they can make you think that they really hate each other and it is for real, not just a storyline. I also loved the tagline, “The Best VS. The Beast.” I’m looking forward to the coming weeks of this feud playing out. Other than Bray Wyatt, Heyman and Punk are the two best talkers right now in WWE!
Daniel Bryan wrestled fantastically tonight, and even got a great match out of Ryback – way to go!
Bogus: Lots! Definitely, #1 – where were The Wyatt Family? Weeks of up, they appear twice (three if you count the Internet Show “Superstars”) and do fantastic, then are only featured in a video promo this week? I was thinking (and it would’ve been smart) that they were going to be Daniel Bryan’s opponents – especially since he was friends with Kane, so crosses that story too. They better be back next week, if not on Smackdown this one!
I like Brad Maddox as a G.M. himself, I’m just not liking the insinuation that he is being “puppeted” by the McMahon-Helmsley family. I think that’s lame, and they really just need to have a straight-down-the-line General Manager.
Rob Van Dam/Barrett could’ve been better. I’m also concerned that they don’t have a major gig right now for RVD, other than having “great” matches weekly. He should’ve be a major player in a big storyline since coming back (read: Heyman/Punk).
Also worrying is no challenger yet for Del Rio’s World Title – he should’ve also been established for SummerSlam by now, come on it is one of the “big” pay-per-views for crying out loud! As well, no Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel for two straight Raws? Very worrying too. My Dad pointed out too, rightfully so, Fandango goes from defeating Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania to losing cleanly tonight (and last week) on Raw? What’s up with that?
Lastly, sitting on the fence right now with Dolph Ziggler – glad he’s winning matches, alone, and full-blown babyface, BUT again, should STILL be World Heavyweight Champion.
Hopefully, Raw will improve and SummerSlam will continue to build by the time I write again in two weeks (away next week on vacation), so as always, until then, Be Excellent Wrestling Online-Readers and Wrestling Fans!
The Ultimate Warrior thanked Vince McMahon for his personal welcome in a long message on Twitter and said he’s ready to work again after 17 long years because it seems the “stars have finally aligned.”
“All the Warriors of Parts Unknown take pride in being one of the original galaxies of the Universe you created,” Warrior noted, adding that not one of his days passed without a flashback of his time in professional wrestling and his relationship with the WWE Chairman and CEO.
“The inhabitants of your WWE Universe believe your personal welcome is an invitation of sorts. If so, consider this my RSVP,” Warrior said, expressing his desire to once again work with the WWE.
However, he did have one condition.
“Wisdom takes a seat at the table with us when we meet, but we each also leave unburied a slight edge of the hatchet we’ve carried over the years. that other gutless and heartless God-fearing men urge us to lay to rest forever,” Warrior wrote. “Face it, neither one of us were ever any good at being bored or boring others. So coming prepared to kill one another makes for a interesting backup plan.”
Warrior’s message will now continue to fuel speculations and rumors that he will be somehow involved at next year’s WrestleMania with possibly a Hall of Fame induction.
At this past weekend’s Comic Con, Marvel hosted a panel with the cast of the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy movie which former WWE champion Batista has a role in.
Batista – who will be play the role Drax The Destoryer – was part of the panel which was introduced to the fans along with the rest of the cast and director.
In an interview with IGN, Batista said he left professional wrestling for acting and while it wasn’t easy, this role justifies him leaving the sport.
When he was asked what kind of fight scenes there are in the movie, Batista said that it’s nothing like he’s ever done before and his co-star, Michael Rooker, jokingly said that it’s “because it’s fake” and that Batista did the “real thing” before!
You can see the first image of Batista – who is being credited under his real name of Dave Bautista – as Drax below.
The Bella Twins will be doing some TV promotion on different shows for their upcoming Total Divas show which premieres this weekend on E!
On July 24, Nikki and Brie will be on the Today Show on NBC early in the morning and then they will do The Crossover with Michelle Beadle on NBC Sports starting at 6PM EST. Then on July 26, they will be on E! Fashion Police at 10PM EST.
Total Divas starts on July 28 at 10PM EST on E! and features the Bella Twins, Naomi, Cameron, Natalya, and two new Divas to be introduced – Eva Marie and Jo-Jo Offerman.
WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley announced at the San Diego Comic Con that he will be penning the new WWE comic book which will be simply titled WWE, set for launch in June 2014. It will be released three times a year.
The comic book will be published by Papercutz, who will also release a second WWE title which is still unnamed.
“WWE’s Superstars are truly larger-than-life, with the kind of personality and raw power that makes a comics page crackle with excitement,” said Papercutz Editor-In-Chief Jim Salicrup. “It’s the kind of action and drama that’s just perfect for comics, and Mick Foley is just the WWE Legend we need to make it happen.”
This will be Foley’s first try at comic book writing and said that he will be giving his best in giving a product that WWE and the consumers will be proud of.
The TNA non-televised live event in Cape Girardeu, Missouri, yesterday turned into a big mess as some of the wrestlers – including the newly crowned TNA champ Chris Sabin – were not allowed to wrestle as they did not possess the proper license to perform in the state.
The announcement was made at the start of the show and as expected it did not go down well with the fans in the arena. Full refunds were offered to those who wanted but those who chose not to get their money back had the opportunity to meet all the TNA Superstars backstage to make up for the big blunder.
Only James Storm, Bully Ray, Devon, Gunner, Samoa Joe, Bobby Roode, Kurt Angle, and Jeff Hardy, were allowed to perform during the event.
In his first WWE official interview in fifteen years, the Ultimate Warrior talked about how he started his career and his admiration towards Vince McMahon earlier this week at the WWE 2K14 press event.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the interview was when Warrior spoke candidly about Vince McMahon and he said he admire Vince because he still goes to work everyday and it is what makes WWE still successful. He said even after all the years of fighting between the two, he still admires him more than anyone else.
Warrior thanked the WWE Universe for their continued support and said he appreciates and is humbled that they still enjoy the Ultimate Warrior character.
“It means a lot to me and it will always will, and that will never change for me,” Warrior said.
The four minute video interview can be seen at WWE.COM.
Former WWE champion The Miz announced at the San Diego Comic Con that he will be hosting this year’s SummerSlam pay-per-view from Los Angeles, California.
It is still not clear what he means by “hosting” and what his duties will be but it’s safe to say that The Miz will not be wrestling on the show.
SummerSlam is once again being held at the STAPLES Center for the fifth time in a row as WWE continues its plan to have it’s “biggest party of the Summer” to be a glitzy event with parties and other charitable events hosted in the area and attended by several Hollywood superstars.
TMZ is reporting that the official cause of death for Matt Osborne, better known to fans as Doink the Clown, was an overdose from morphine and hydrocodone. The results were released by the Collin County, Texas, medical examiner.
“I am of the opinion that [Osborne], a 55 year old white man, died as a result of toxic effects of opiates,” the report said.
The report also revealed that Osborne suffered from a heart disease which contributed significantly to his death.
Osborne passed away on June 28 in his Texas residence.
TNA’s Senior Vice President of Programming and Talent Relations, Bruce Prichard, was released from his position this week, making him the fourth to be gone from the company within a few days following the releases of Tara, DOC, and D’Lo Brown.
“TNA is headquartered in Nashville, and, as we move forward, our creative team and executive leadership will be here in Nashville with us,” said TNA President Dixie Carter. “Bruce’s dedication and passion for TNA and IMPACT Wrestling will be missed, and we thank him for the incredible work he has done for us. We wish him all the very best.”
Prichard joined TNA in October 2010 as a producer and then seven months later was promoted VP of Talent Relations. Just five months later he was given another promotion, the one he held up until his release.
He previously worked for WWE, holding several on-screen and executive positions between 1993 and 2008.
WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon welcomed back the Ultimate Warrior with a message on his Twitter account, a few days after Warrior was announced as a playable character in the upcoming WWE video game WWE 2K14.
“I want to personally welcome Ultimate Warrior back to @WWE,” McMahon wrote, adding a link to the WWE.COM story of Warrior’s involvement with the game.
The relationship between Warrior and WWE has been rocky for several years starting all the way from SummerSlam 91, with rumors being that Warrior wanted a large sum of money to walk out for his match with Hogan against Slaughter, Sheik, and Adnan in the main event.
That ended up being his last appearance with the company until his surprise return at WrestleMania VIII where he came out to save Hogan from Sid Justice and Papa Shango.
His return lasted around six months and he was fired for not showing up at multiple events.
Lawsuits and other legal battles between the two parties in the following years continued to push both Warrior and the WWE further apart and the company didn’t help the situation when it released a Warrior DVD mainly to poke fun at him.
While there is no direct deal between WWE and the Warrior, his involvement with the game is seen by many as the first of many things to come. Warrior’s licensing deal for the WWE 2K14 game was done with 2K Sports and McMahon signed off on his addition to the game.
A new TNA champion was crowned yesterday on IMPACT as Chris Sabin defeated Bully Ray to win the big one just weeks after he vacated the X Division title for a shot at Bully Ray.
With Aces & Eights and Main Event Mafia surrounding the ring, a brawl was inevitable and both groups unloaded onto each other after Mr. Anderson slid a hammer to Bully Ray while the referee was down. Eventually the two groups fought all the way to backstage leaving Ray and Sabin alone once again.
With Sabin holding the hammer, Ray kicked him and went for a powerbomb however Sabin smashed Ray’s head with the hammer which he was still holding and covered him as the young Hebner referee counted the three count.
This is the second time that the title switched hands at Destination X after last year Austin Aries also successfully managed to win it after vacating the X Division title.
You can see the final few minutes of the match below.
