Mashable.com has conducted an interview with UFC President Dana White over the success of the company when it comes to the use of social media.
The UFC has a big presence on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and White is very active on Twitter, chatting with fans every day and does video blogs for the YouTube channel. In 2011, the UFC was the first sports organization to broadcast live fights on Facebook, a trend which WWE picked up this year with their PPV pre-shows.
In January, White will deliver the keynote speech at the BusinessNextSocial conference to give other execs tips and insights on how the UFC made it week in social networking.
WWE has hired Monty Sopp, better known to wrestling fans as Billy Gun and Kipp James, as a new trainer for the developmental system NXT.
The former tag team title holder joins Joey Mercury, Norman Smiley, Ricky Steamboat, and Terry Taylor as a trainer down in Florida.
He last appeared for WWE in July of this year when he returned with Road Dogg and X-Pac to reunite with Triple H and Shawn Michaels as Degeneration-X for the 1,000th episode of Monday Night RAW.
The last time he was actually employed by the company was in 2004 and in 2005 he joined TNA Wrestling where he stayed there till 2009.
Impact begins with Bobby Roode making his way to the ring. Roode is pissed off that Aces and Eights attacked him after he paid them off this past Sunday. Roode wants to know why they attacked him and he calls them out. Devon comes out with Doc and several other Aces and Eights members. Devon tells Roode that Aces and Eights like doing business and making money, but they got a better offer. Roode wants to know who but Devon will only tell him that they got a better offer. Aces and Eights enter the ring and Roode retreats. James Storm and Jeff Hardy run down to the ring to chase Aces and Eights away.
In the back, Velvet Sky is celebrating her return after a 6 month absence. She tells us she has pigeons up her ass and they want to come out. It sounds a little uncomfortable to me, but I’m sure Tazz is happy to hear it. Commercial
Match #1: Madison Rayne versus Velvet Sky. The aforementioned pigeons are let loose before the match. Todd Keneley hands Tazz a towel to wipe himself off. While Velvet shows off her ass, Madison pushes her hard into the corner. Velvet responds by slamming Madison’s face into the corner repeatedly. Velvet hits Madison with a kick and a snapmare. Madison retaliates with a clothesline. Madison steps on Velvet’s hair, grabs her arms, and then pulls. Madison wraps Velvets head up in a headscissors and then slams her face repeatedly into the mat. Madison goes for a cover and Velvet kicks out at 2. Velvet lands a kick and a pair of chops. Velvet hits Madison with a punch, puts her in a headlock, clotheslines her several times, and then takes her down with a bulldog. Velvet hits Madison with a face plant for the win.
In the back, Kurt Angle, Wes Briscoe, and Garrett Bischoff do a bullshit segment that is nothing more than a commercial for 5 hour energy. That was annoying. Commercials should be kept for commercial breaks, so don’t buy 5 hour energy. This was followed by an actual commercial break. Commercial
Match #2: Robbie E and Big Robbie T versus Garrett Bischoff and Wes Briscoe. Robbie T powerslams Briscoe and then tags Robbie E. Robbie E lands a couple punches and a slap. Briscoe lands a couple punches in return and Robbie takes him down with a drop toe hold. Robbie E fake tags in big Rob, and big Rob puts Wes in a bearhug. Wes fights his way out and Robbie slams him into the corner. The Robbies double team Wes and Robbie T tags Robbie E in. Robbie E body slams Wes and climbs to the top rope. Robbie E jumps off the top rope but Briscoe gets his boots up in time and knocks Robbie down. Wes tags Bischoff in and Bischoff hits Robbie with some strikes and a shoulder block. Garrett hits Robbie E with a flapjack but is then knocked down by a cheap shot from Robbie T. Robbie E tags Robbie T in. Garrett lands a shot to Robbie T and tags in Briscoe. Briscoe comes off the top rope and hits Robbie T with a flying cross body for the win. Kurt Angle celebrates with his young protégés but is then attacked by Aces and Eights. Aces and Eights clip Angle’s leg from behind. Angle will be facing Devon next week for the tv title, which is probably why this attack took place. Commercial
When we return, Kurt Angle is being tended to in the back by the trainers. Joseph Park, meanwhile, is getting ready to start wrestling school and he shows up at Ohio Valley Wrestling. Head instructor Danny Davis shows Park the ropes and screams at him like a drill sergeant.
Tara and Jesse show up in Brooke Hogan’s office to try and score some brownie points. Brooke doesn’t want to hear it and tells Jesse he needs to stick another sock in his shorts. Commercial
Match #3: Jeff Hardy and James Storm versus Doc and a large masked man from Aces and Eights. Doc and Storm start things off and exchange punches. Storm hits Doc with a clothesline and tags in Hardy. Hardy comes in off the top down across Doc’s arm. Doc tags in the masked man and Hardy hits him with a punch, a clothesline, and then hurricanranas him to the floor. Hardy kicks the masked man back to the floor as he tries to re enter, then Hardy follows up with a double clothesline to Doc and the masked man on the floor. Commercial
Hardy lands a kick to Devon but the masked man hits Hardy with a cheap shot. Devon stomps on Hardy as Tazz points out that the masked man is the massive member of Aces and Eights. That sounded dirty to me. Storm hits Doc several times on the floor outside the ring. The masked man saves Doc and Doc rolls Hardy back into the ring. Doc lands several punches and then tags in the masked member. Doc and the masked man exchange a couple quick tags and pummel Hardy. Hardy eventually gets free by hitting the masked man with a jawbreaker, but is unable to make the tag. Hardy takes more shots from Aces and Eights and nearly makes the tag again but is stopped by Doc, who wraps up Hardy’s legs and drags him back to the corner. After some more double teaming, the masked man throws Hardy to the floor and then Doc slams Hardy into the security barrier. The masked man tags Doc and Doc hits Hardy with a splash in the middle of the ring. Doc puts Hardy in a headlock but Hardy fights out. Hardy lands an elbow and then whisper in the wind and both men are down. Doc and the masked man try to keep Hardy isolated but he escapes with a mule kick and tags in Storm. Storm runs in and hits the masked man with a flying crossbody and then tags Hardy back in so they can execute “poetry in motion.” Storm and Hardy follow up with a double suplex to Doc. Hardy hits the masked man with a clothesline and Devon runs in to interfere. Storm cuts off Devon and Hardy hits the masked man with the twist of fate for the win.
After the match, Devon reveals that it was Austin Aries that paid them off this past Sunday. Commercial
When we return, AJ Styles makes his way to the ring to address the crowd after his historic loss to Christopher Daniels at Final Resolution. AJ says he doesn’t know what he’s doing next, but he does know he is sick of being a corporate guy and cleaning up TNA’s messes. From now on he’s out for #1, AJ Styles. Dixie approaches him after and asks who he is. AJ walks away. In another part of the backstage area, Christopher Daniels and Kaz celebrate Daniels recent victory over AJ. Kaz promises Daniels he has a surprise for him.
Match #4: Kenny King versus X Division champ RVD. The title is not on the line, but King wants the win badly after losing to RVD in a title match this past Sunday. King and RVD exchange head locks and hammerlocks to start the match off, reversing each other several times. RVD hits King with a kick and then poses for the crowd. Kings kicks RVD in the back and knocks him to the floor. King hits RVD with a corkscrew dive to RVD on the floor. King rolls RVD in and then hits him with a few strikes, and then follows up with a leaping back elbow in the corner. King lands a punch but RVD fights back and lands a couple spin kicks. RVD goes to the top rope and hits King with a flying leg drop. RVD goes back up top but King cuts him off and hits him with a springboard blockbuster. King swings at RVD but Van Dam ducks it and bodyslams King. RVD hits King with a northern lights suplex and then a leg drop. RVD goes to the top and hits King with a flying crossbody. King rolls through the crossbody by Van Dam and covers RVD. King gets his feet on the ropes for additional (and illegal) leverage and gets the win.
In the back, Hulk Hogan and Bully Ray are having an argument. Hogan is mad that Bully has been sneaking around with Hulk’s daughter. Ray claims Brooke has been following him around, and that Hogan should trust him after all he’s done for TNA lately. They both seem very angry. Commercial
Match #5: Jesse (with Tara) versus Bully Ray. Ray starts off strong and hits Jesse with a clothesline, a punch, and a shoulder block. Jesse tries to retaliate with some chops, but Bully Ray shrugs them off like they were nothing. Bully hits Jesse with a big boot to the face, and then follows up with a couple very LOUD chops to the chest. Tara comes in to beg Bully to stop hurting her boyfriend, and Bull Ray spanks her in the middle of the ring. Jesse looks angry that his girlfriend just got spanked by another man and knocks Bully Ray over with a double axe handle to the back. Jesse stomps on Ray, chops him, and then hits him with another double axe handle. Jesse hits Bully Ray with a couple crossfaces and forearm shots. Jesse shows off his impressive physique to the crowd. Jesse hits Bully with a couple elbow strikes and a dropkick. Bully hits Jesse with another chop, but Jesse knocks Bully back down with a clothesline and then punches him repeatedly. Jesse hits Ray with a big boot in the corner and a back elbow. Tara reaches up and pulls Bully’s neck down over the rope, choking him. Jesse hits Ray with a forearm and a dropkick. Jesse flexes again and then tries to follow up with a leg drop but misses. Ray hits Jesse with a Bubba Cutter (Bully Cutter?) for the win! After the match, Bully Ray asks the camera what it’s going to take for Hogan to trust him. Commercial
When we return, Austin Aries makes his way to the ring. Austin admits that he was the man that paid Aces and Eights to attack Jeff Hardy and Bobby Roode at the end of the Pay Per View Sunday. Austin isn’t surprised that they outed him, and he doesn’t mind, just as long as they did what they were paid to do, and they did. Aries reminds us that when he was champion, Hogan put Aries in the front line to face Aces and Eights and he got nothing for it. Now he’s going to do things his way and get back his world title. Jeff Hardy comes out and says all Aries had to do was ask like a man. Aries responds that he isn’t sure about that, he thinks he may have to climb a ladder or have some other gimmick or stipulation that doesn’t favor him. Hardy challenges Aries to a title match next week on Impact as part of Championship Thursday. The crowd seems to like the idea, but Aries says he doesn’t want to fight Hardy in the Impact Zone in front of all his fans, he wants to decide when and where they fight, whether the fans like it or not. Hardy says he always gives the fans what they want, and then tackles Aries. The two men brawl for a while before Hardy drops Aries with the Twist of Fate. Hardy climbs to the top, presumably for a Swanton, but Aries rolls out of the ring and backs away up the ramp. Hardy still wants to fight, but Aries just smiles at him as Impact goes off the air.
The TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view pre-show match will feature a Divas battle royal with the winner receiving a Divas title shot.
The “Santa’s Helper” battle royal will be shown on YouTube, Facebook, and WWE.COM, starting at 7:30PM EST and will have Alicia Fox, Layla, Natalya, Kaitlyn, Tamina Snuka, Rosa Mendes, Aksana, Cameron, and Naomi. A notable miss is AJ, who is not listed as one of the participants on the WWE website.
Paramount Pictures has released the third theatrical trailer for G.I. Joe: Retaliation starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson which is scheduled for release on March 29.
The movie was supposed to be released last year however it was pushed back after it was decided to convert the movie in 3D.
The former WWE champion – who is heavily featured in the trailer and plays the character of Roadblock – personally introduces the trailer and introduces himself as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, adding his wrestling persona name for the first time in a movie role in several years.
You can see the trailer which was released by Yahoo! movies below.
Monday Night RAW did a 2.67 rating this week with a total of 3,764,000 viewers, up slightly from the 2.5 of last week and an increase over 330,000 viewers overall.
Hour one did 3,743,000 viewers, hour two did 3,876,000, and hour three continued to lose viewers with 3,672,000 tuning in. (Ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research and put online by PWInsider.com)
Randy Orton suffered an injury during the tapings of Tribute to the Troops this past Sunday in Norfolk, Virginia.
The former WWE and World Heavyweight champion suffered a hand injury while wrestling in a tag team match which will air on the show.
Orton was unable to wrestle during the Smackdown tapings on Tuesday and was involved in a backstage segment were he was attacked, explaining why he won’t be showing up for the live crowd.
WWE Main Event will air 6:30PM EST tonight instead of the usual 8PM time slot as ION Television will air the 121212 Concert for the Hurricane Sandy Relief.
A replay of Main Event will air at Midnight EST right after the concert finishes airing. The two matches taped for tonight’s show are 3MB vs Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd and Ryback vs Alberto Del Rio.
With almost 6 nights to go, the landscape of T.L.C. has changed! Since WWE Champion C.M. Punk is out with an injured knee, Ryback is now teaming with Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell-No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan) to face the trio of The Shield in a regular Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match. This is a really intriguing bout, because both teams can use the win and be developed well from it. (More on that in predictions).
And, as usual, since it’s less than a week away from a Pay-Per-View, the rest of Raw will be devoted to building it up, so why waste time! Read on to find out what went down in New Jersey
Monday Night Raw Report for December 10th, 2012 – “Tables, Ladders, and Chairs – Oh My!”
Introduction Segment – Recap and Arena Promo
Following the usual montage of recent events, “Mr. Money In The Bank” and “The Showoff” Dolph Ziggler is already in the ring, perched on a ladder with microphone in hand. He talks about his upcoming ladder match at T.L.C. and is proud of himself.
Dolph reminds us of how many opportunities John Cena has had at being champion and failed. Dolph declares that after he wins the ladder match on Sunday, he will then cash in his Money In The Bank Briefcase on The Big Show and capture the World Heavyweight Championship!
A challenger has a different view though, as Sheamus walks on down and claims that he will beat The Big Show for the World Championship, then go on to face John Cena for the title, as he thinks that is who will win the ladder match.
The main-man in this debate is The Big Show and the World Champion struts out. Show says they are both wrong, as he will defeat Ziggler and Sheamus.
Even though he really wants to have contact with The Big Show, Sheamus knows he can’t, so instead he chooses Dolph Ziggler. He tips the ladder over, sending Dolph crotch-first onto the top-rope. It is announced later that John Cena will face World Heavyweight Champion The Big Show (not for the championship).
Backstage, the owner is in the house! Mr. McMahon is walking through the backstage hallway and appears to be on his way out.
Commercials.
Match #1: Single – R-Truth VS. Wade Barrett
(Note: Both Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston and United States Champion Antonio Cesaro are on commentary). Prior to this contest, “The Boss” interrupts and gives props to Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero for her booking skills on the main event. However, he wants to add more, so Vince persuades her to make Dolph Ziggler VS. Sheamus and A.J. taking on herself, Vickie Guerrero!
Barrett hammers away then tosses Truth to the outside beginning the bout. In the ring, Wade drops an elbow and kicks R in the face for a two-count. He uses the middle rope to choke Truth with his right knee, then clutches on a grounding rear chinlock. Barrett ducks a clothesline and kicks Truth in the gut, but R reverses a pump-handle slam and runs off the ropes into a victory roll for the quick and surprising 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: R-Truth
Post-match, Kofi comes in and flies off the top-rope with a crossbody to send Wade a message.
Also, up next is a Fatal-Four-Way Elimination to advance to the #1 Contender’s match to the Tag-Team Championship!
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Segment #2: Backstage Promo
A.J. is extremely excited about her match with Vickie later tonight, so much so that she enters the men’s locker room to tell John Cena. He quickly shoos her out, but of course follows her.
Match #2: Tag-Team Fatal-Four-Way Elimination, advancing to the #1 contendership bout to the Tag-Team Championship – The Usos (Jey & Jimmy) VS. “The Primetime Players” (Darren Young and Titus O’Neil) VS. Primo and Epico (with Rosa Mendes) VS. “The Rhodes Scholars” (Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes)
Epico and Jimmy start out Jimmy hitting an Atomic Drop and clothesline, then tagging in his brother Jey. Double-elbow drop by The Usos, but Epico backs out of a backdrop and tags in Primo. He takes control over Jey, and Epico and Primo dominate for a while over The Usos. Eventually, The Usos take out Primo and Epico with a Superfly Splash for the first elimination!
First Elimination via Pinfall: Primo and Epico by The Usos
Titus O’Neil comes in and drills Jey with a clothesline.
Commercials.
Back live, it’s now just down to The Rhodes Scholars and The Usos, as during the break, The Usos eliminated “Primetime Players” with another Superfly Splash.
Sandow and The Usos go at it. Damien and Cody double-team Jimmy, then Rhodes is in. He tries a bulldog out of the corner, but gets tossed aside and Jimmy tags Jey. He’s on fire, with a kick-to-the-gut and Samoan Drop.
He runs at Cody with the “Back Thunder” rear-bump in the corner, and as Sandow and Jimmy fight, Jey ascends the top for another Superfly Splash. Cody gets the knees up though and spins him around with the CrossRhodes neckbraker for the hard-fought victory!
Final Elimination and Winners via Pinfall: “The Rhodes Scholars” Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow
Up next, Divas Champion Eve will come back and go against Alicia Fox!
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Match #3: Single – Alicia Fox VS. Divas Champion Eve (Non-Title)
Eve in domination early with a kick and side headlock takedown. Eve counters with a shoulder-block, but Alicia catches her off the ropes with a somersault headscissors. Eve tries to plead, but Fox doesn’t by it and attempts a near-fall with a Northern Light Suplex. Eve counters another move and pulls Alicia off the ropes, and then drives her down with a variation of the spinning neckbreaker for the W!
Winner via Pinfall: Divas Champion Eve
Backstage, WWE Champion C.M. Punk is on crutches but also on his way out with Paul Heyman behind him.
Commercials.
Segment #3: Arena Promo
WWE Champion C.M. Punk and Paul Heyman (who is holding the title high and proud) comes out to the stage. He speculates that people already think the knee injury and surgery were faked, to duck out of another championship match with Ryback. Punk denies these accusations, saying that this is the result of someone working more days than anyone else in the company. Injuries are real and the proof is in the footage Punk shows of Ryback’s assault from last week.
Heyman now takes the microphone and says that Punk is a real champion, because unlike The Rock, he has no stunt-double to go through the table for him. Paul reminds us of Punk’s 388 day and counting reign, then again proclaims he is the “best in the world.”
Punk finishes the promo by telling us that Ryback had is two chances and failed, just like the list of other opponent’s “The Second-City Saint” has faced in the last year. Punk will enjoy watching T.L.C. when “The Shield” (which he also insists he has no part of) takes out Ryback and the Tag-Team Champions Kane and Daniel Bryan, to ensure their dominance. And when he faces The Rock at Royal Rumble in January, Punk will win he proclaims!
Up next, Sheamus takes on Dolph Ziggler!
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Match #4: Single – Sheamus VS. “Mr. Money In The Bank/The Showoff” Dolph Ziggler
Lockup by both wrestlers to start out. Dolph punches Sheamus into the corners, but then gets kicked down and a leg-lock clamped on. Ziggler gets back up and both trade blows, Sheamus getting the best of them. Knee-smash drop by Sheamus for a two-count. Dolph kicks Sheamus, but he comes back with a shoulder-block and slams Ziggler’s head into the turnbuckle.
Dolph fights his way out of the corner with his beautiful dropkick, then punches and kicks down Sheamus. The Irishman reverses and tosses Dolph to the outside, then runs at him with an axe handle.
Commercials.
Back live, Dolph is back in control after knocking Sheamus off the apron during the break. Dolph has him on the canvas with a rear chinlock and scissors, then knees him in the stomach. Ziggler punches away again in the corner and drives him down with a classic neckbreaker. Sheamus runs Dolph into the corner and fire up for a comeback.
He hits with punches and clotheslines, but misses with a shoulder-block, slamming his own shoulders into the ring. Dolph tries a couple of roll-ups and then a dives off the second rope with a crossbody, but he is caught into a fall-away slam by Sheamus!
“The Celtic Warrior” pounds away against the ropes and suplexes Dolph back in the ring. He ascends the top rope. but Ziggler crotches him and punches on the top. Sheamus pushes him down, but Dolph runs back up with an X-Factor faceplant! 1 – 2 – Sheamus kicks out!
Ziggler tries the Zig-Zag, but is caught in a fireman’s carry. Ziggler wiggles out of that and a Cloverleaf submission, then dropkicks Sheamus’ knee. He misses the Fameasser and lands in the arms of Sheamus and Irish Curse backbreaker for another near-fall! Sheamus signals for the Brogue Kick, but Dolph ducks to the outside.
He grabs a chair and starts to whale away on Sheamus, causing a dq.
Winner via Disqualification: Sheamus
Post-match, Dolph continues to swing with the steel chair, but Sheamus Brogue Kicks the chair and Dolph right out of the ring! Ziggler retreats to the stage and the two stare down after a tough battle!
Commercials.
Segment #4: Locker Room Promo
Vickie Guerrero is warming up when Hornswoggle and The Great Khali enter. They help her (very badly, I might add!) with her stretches. Mr. McMahon walks in on a VERY compromising position between the three, and he exclaims “I thought this was supposed to be a family show!”
Segment #5: Video Promo
After a recap of “The Shield’s” attack on Daniel Bryan from Smackdown (read that fine report on this fine website!), Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns talk about their recent attacks. They took out The Miz because he disrespected WWE Champion C.M. Punk with the lie detector test, while Randy Orton took advantage of a “defenseless” Brad Maddox.
They claim that nobody says “no” to “The Shield.” With Ryback, they say that he has had his success handed to him and put on a pedestal. The trio have knocked him off that pedestal and they don’t work for anybody but themselves and injustice.
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Match #5: Single – Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) VS. “Long Island Iced-Z” Zack Ryder
(Alberto made his entrance prior to the break). Lockup and knee-to-the-gut by Del Rio begins the bout. Ryder ducks a clothesline and hits a dropkick, then punches away in the corner. Short-arm clothesline by Zack, then he clamps on a grounding rear chinlock. Alberto fights out of it, but gets taken down with a side headlock.
Big flapjack drop from Ryder for a near-fall! Del Rio counters double-knees with a kick-to-the-back. Alberto uses the ropes to press on Zack’s shoulder, wearing it down for a possible submission later. Snap suplex by A.D.R. and a tilt-a-whirl-backbreaker for two! Del Rio has gained control for a bit.
The fans are cheering on Zack to help him out and it works, as he counters with a jawbreaker and tosses Alberto over the top. Double-knees connect this time and Ryder lines up, but misses the Broski Boot! Del Rio rolls him over into the cross-armbreaker for the tap-out!
Winner via Submission: Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez)
Up next, A.J. will hope to get her revenge against Vickie Guerrero!
Commercials.
Match #6: Single – A.J. VS. Vickie Guerrero
Both women are in the ring and ready, however there is no referee! After screaming for one, Vickie sees the referee walk out – it is Brad Maddox! He rings the bell and Vickie pounces on A.J. This is just an all-out catfight brawl, until A.J. covers but Maddox won’t count. A.J. gets up and wonders over, but Guerrero rolls A.J. up and Maddox counts (surprisingly not fast either) for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Vickie Guerrero
Post-match, A.J. goes psycho, tearing apart pieces of the announce set.
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Segment #6: Backstage Promo
A.J. is still going off, when John Cena consoles her and tries to get her to calm down.
Match #7: “Champion VS. Champion” Single – Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston VS. United States Champion Antonio Cesaro (Non-Title)
Lockup and trading waistlocks by both, then they switch hammer locks. Cesaro stomps Kofi down, but Kofi double-leap frogs Antonio, and then jumps on him in the corner for a 10-punch! Springboard (but semi-missed) chop, although Cesaro counters again with a rope-jawbreaker. Scoop slam and elbow drop by Cesaro for a near-fall. Kofi counters a run with a monkey flip, but runs right into a big boot.
Commercials.
Back live, Antonio has Kingston grounded with a waistlock submission, but Kofi fights out and slides under. He tries to pull him down, but Cesaro pull him up. Kofi floats over and gets a close-call with the Sunset Flip! Antonio rushes at Kofi, dropping him with a side-slam. Another gut-wrench slam by the U.S. Champion and he regains control.
Kofi counters in the corner with boots-to-the-face and then a second-rope splash on Cesaro’s back for a near-fall! Antonio reverses the S.O.S. with an uppercut to Kofi’s head. He gives Kofi some body-shots in the corner, but the I.C. Champ counters into the S.O.S and pinfall! Or not, as Cesaro managed to grab the ropes for a break!
Kingston climbs the top rope, but gets caught in mid-air by Cesaro with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. He then finishes off Kofi with “The Neutralizer” for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: United States Champion Antonio Cesaro
Up next, The Miz will have “The Rhodes Scholars” as his guests on MizTV!
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Segment #7: Arena Promo
The Miz brings out Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow. “The Intellectual Saviour of the Masses” immediately insults MizTV, then re-introduces his tag-team partner, the “new and improved” Cody Rhodes. Rhodes puts them over as a “shining beacon of light” and Princeton University, all while taking a shot at New Jersey as “dinse Americans.” Miz retaliates with innuendos of their “tag-team relationship.”
Miz says they have no chance of become #1 Contenders to the Tag-Team Championship, claiming they will “hit the ground harder than Manny Pacquiao in the 6th!” He then tries to plant “seeds of jealousy” in the two-man group, saying that Damien thinks he is better than Cody. Rhodes doesn’t buy it and walks out. Miz gives the team a new name to conclude the interview, “The Pink and The Stink.”
Next is the main-event. First, A.J. chases John Cena down and wants to join him at ringside. He finally convinces her not to.
Commercials.
Match #8: Single – John Cena VS. World Heavyweight Champion The Big Show (Non-Title)
(Note: Dolph Ziggler comes out and joins in on commentary). Lockup by both and Cena punches away in the corner, only for Show to shove-off and start to dominate. This is the usual, until Cena jumps on the back of Show and clutches on a sleeper. This slowly brings Show to one knee and Cena covers for a near-fall. He tries an Attitude Adjustment, but Show is too heavy. Both men down.
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As par for the course, Show is still in control when we come back and continues the domination for a long while. Cena kicks out of a corner splash by Show, but gets punches in the stomach afterward. Cena rolls out of another corner splash, then fires up with his regular moves of shoulder tackles and a backdrop.
He goes for the “5-Knuckle-Shuffle” fistdrop but misses and receives a chokeslam instead. The World Champion only receives two though, and then measures Cena for the K.O. Punch. Cena ducks it and manages to drop Show with the A.A.!
As both men lay, Seth Rollins runs out and attacks John Cena, causing disqualification.
Winner via Disqualification: John Cena
Post-match, all three assault Cena and bring a table into the ring. Before they can use it, “Team Hell-No” run out and make the save. They, Dolph Ziggler, Big Show, and Sheamus all brawl, with Cena running Show into the table. Enormous “feed me more” chants bring out Ryback and the beast runs into the scuffle. The show closes with an all-out clash!
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
Definitely another routine Raw tonight, but basically expected considering it is the “go-home” show before the Pay-Per-View. Onto the quick analysis, then predictions:
Excellence: Dolph Ziggler’s promo – great way to open with him standing on the ladder, ensuing a win for the PPV. His points were well-explained and correct! Continuity at it’s finest! Tag-Team 4-Way was nice and a good idea to further determine #1 Contender’s for the Tag-Team Championship – legitimately! Punk/Heyman’s promos are always gold. Dolph/Sheamus match – beautiful – enough said! Even though “filler,” Del Rio/Ryder was a solid bout too! “The Shield” promos – also enough said! Kingston/Cesaro – another great WRESTLING match and chemistry!
Bogus: Ziggler’s promo being interrupted. Unfortunately, it felt like he was overshadowed, especially when he got tipped by Sheamus. Also, Sheamus/Ziggler ending – too quick of match for what they can do and the finish was too sudden. Anything with Vickie was boring and the same, same, same. The other matches were just filler and/or repeated, again, again, again, (Cena/Show, for example!). Even though the promo was decent, I don’t understand what Miz had to do with “Rhodes Scholars.”
T.L.C. Predictions:
Big Show over Sheamus to retain World Heavyweight Championship
“Rhodes Scholars” will put Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio through a table to become #1 Contenders
New Intercontinental Champion in Wade Barrett
Antonio Cesaro keeps his U.S. Title
“The Shield” and Kane/Bryan/Ryback will end in some sort of melee’ controversy
Dolph Ziggler gets the biggest win of his career and will go on to cash in his Money In The Bank briefcase at one point down the road
That’s all for now, so enjoy T.L.C. (actually really has a great card) and until next week, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
After RAW went off the air, the action continued for those inside the Prudential Center in New Jersey.
The faces managed to dispose of the heels leaving only one sacrificial lamb – Dolph Ziggler! The show-off had a rough ending to his night as fans chanted “feed me more” and everyone knew what was coming next.
First Ziggler endured Ryback’s Shellshock finisher, followed by the Broge Kick by Sheamus. “Yes” chants filled up the arena as Daniel Bryan leaped off the top rope with a flying headbutt and Kane followed with a chokeslam and then the Attitude Adjustment by John Cena.
Everyone then celebrated in the ring and high-fived the fans in the front rows before heading backstage. You can see a video of this courtesy of YouTube user MRFREDSTV below.
Smackdown next week will air live on USA Network as part of WWE Week with an encore presentation on Friday in its usual time slot on SyFy.
While live Smackdown shows on USA Network have been done in the past, it will be the first time ever that Smackdown will air without any commercials, basically running the show just like a pay-per-view.
USA Network did air two commercial-free RAWs in the past, the first on June 22, 2009 and then again on May 17, 2010.
The first commercial-free RAW was part of the Donald Trump “buying RAW” storyline while the second show featured Buzz Aldrin as a guest star.
While the show will not cut away for any ads, expect to see some product placements in return. WWE used to get the money for advertising during RAW however the new deal with USA Network see USA getting all the money in return for a higher production fee for the show.
USA Network will have a WWE week next week with five WWE-related shows airing from Monday through Friday in the evening.
The week starts with a live three hour Monday Night RAW featuring the now-yearly Slammy Awards. Tuesday, USA will air a commercial-free live Smackdown followed by the 10th annual Tribute to the Troops on Wednesday. On Thursday night, the Big Show will appear on the USA series Burn Notice while on Friday, CM Punk will host the broadcast of the movie The Game Plan, starring The Rock.
Next week’s three hour Monday Night RAW will be a Slammy Award episode with WWE handing out 8 awards live on television.
The categories are Superstar of the Year, Breakout Star of the Year, Trending Now (Hashtag of the year), Comeback of the Year, Kiss of the Year, Tell Me I did NOT just see that (Most shocking moment of the year), LOL Moment of the Year, and Match of the Year.
All the votes will take place exclusively via the WWE app for iPhone, iPad, and Android.
This will be the 8th annual Slammy Awards with previous editions held in 1986, 1987, 1996, 1997, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.
The Associated Press is reporting that the U.S. Supreme Court will not reinstate an award against Hustler Magazine over the nude photos that they published of Nancy Benoit after she was murdered by her husband Chris Benoit.
The court turned away a request by the family of Nancy Benoit to reinstate a jury’s decision to make Hustler Magazine pay them almost $20 million. The decision was reduced to $250,000 later and then it was thrown out by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Hustler, in their defense, said that they did published the photos – shot over two decades prior – because they were newsworthy while Nancy’s family was arguing that they never gave any permission to the magazine to publish them.
Here are the results from yesterday’s Final Resolution pay-per-view which took place at the Impact Zone at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
James Storm defeated Kazarian; Rob Van Dam defeated Kenny King to retain the X Division title; Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez defeated Matt Morgan and Joey Ryan to retain the Tag Team titles; Austin Aries defeated Bully Ray; Tara defeated Mickie James to retain the Knockouts title; Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Wes Brisco, and Garet Bischoff defeated Aces & Eights; Christopher Daniels defeated AJ Styles; Jeff Hardy defeated Bobby Roode to retain the TNA World title.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson held a RockTalk today on Twitter and even before the event started and Rock answered one question, #RockTalk was trending worldwide.
The former WWE champion answered questions from fans around the world on several subjects including some funny ones.
“Will the world end the 21st of December?” asked a Rock fan. “BREAKING NEWS: The world will not end on December 21st,” The Rock tweeted back. “My homie Jesus just told me. All good in the hood. #RockTalk”
Johnson will have a very busy schedule in the first half of 2013 with the movies Snitch, GI Joe 2, Pain & Gain, and Fast & Furious 6 being released as well as his involvement with WWE for Royal Rumble and WrestleMania during the same periods.
Speaking of the Royal Rumble, The Rock is featured on the poster of the pay-per-view which shows a close up photo of him with his eyebrow raised and the word “Finally..” at the bottom. The Rock will battle whoever the WWE champion is on the show for the WWE title. You can see the poster below.
Live tonight from the Impact Zone at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, TNA presents Final Resolution on pay-per-view. The full card is as follows:
Jeff Hardy vs Bobby Roode for the TNA World Heavyweight title; AJ Styles vs Christopher Daniels; Bully Ray vs Austin Aries; Aces & Eights vs Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Garett Bischoff, and Wes Brisco; Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez vs Matt Morgan and Joey Ryan for the TNA World Tag Team titles; Rob Van Dam vs Kenny King for the X Division title; Tara vs Mickie James for the Knockouts title.
WWE will be taping the Tribute to the Troops television show today at The Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. This will be the 10th annual of the Christmas tradition which in the past has been taped in Iraq and Afghanistan as well.
The Scope Arena will be filled with U.S. military personnel and their families as no general public will be allowed inside. Kid Rock and Flo Rida will be doing live performances and there will also be appearances by The Muppets, Access Hollywood and NBC Sports’ Michelle Beadle and others.
Virginia is the home of 125,000 active duty members and 830,000 veterans so it was a pretty good choice of location for the Tributes show. Fort Hood, Texas, and Fayetteville, North Carolina, were the other two locations which the Tributes show was filmed at in the United States.
USA Network will air a two hour special of the show on Wednesday, December 19, while NBC will air a one hour presentation of it on Saturday, December 22.
WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia made her return on Smackdown yesterday following several weeks on the sidelines after she was hit by a car in Los Angeles, California, she told the reporters that thankfully she was able to file a claim with help from an Accident Lawyer Philadelphia, even though money is not everything from her, this accident made her step away from the ring which is what she loves to do, plus due to her injuries medical bills were insane. The Angell Law Firm specializes in personal injury cases. Visit Website for the personal injury attorney. Some of our many practice areas include car accidents, wrongful death, motorcycle accidents, and slip and fall accidents. If you have been injured in truck accident and you want legal advice then you can get help from Atlanta truck accident lawyer. Our truck accident lawyers are ready to review your case and put their litigation experience and knowledge to work for you and your family. For truck accident attorney go to The Angell Law Firm. Transportation Nation suggests that if the police would get serious about issuing speeding tickets in the Bronx and throughout the city, the instances of personal injury would decrease. Instead, records indicate that the NYPD issued four times as many citations for tinted windows last year as they did for speeding. It would be possible for Bronx authorities, police officers, and advocacy groups to argue all day regarding who is to blame and how to best solve the problem of bicyclists who suffer injury because of drivers. However, for those cyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers who suffer injury, it is often not possible to find resolution or a sense of justice within the criminal court system. Often times, the responsible driver is not cited in the incident, or if they are, nothing seems to come of it.
When looking for truck accident lawyers its best if you take some basic information and combine it with common sense to see if your lawyer is able to handle your lawsuit to get you what you deserve. Here are three things you should look for when considering a lawyer to handle a trucking accident case for you. Here is a useful reference for accident law firm, visit here.
Some law firms spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on advertising trying to get the largest amount of people to their law firm. Now there is not anything particularly wrong with this until you find that the law firm spends more money on this advertising than they do getting the proper research and finding all useful information for their client’s cases.
Another problem is that some law firms will try to take on too many cases and will therefore spend less time on each case that comes in. You want to make sure that you go with a law firm that does not take on an intense case load so that they can represent you to their full potential.
Make no mistake truck accident lawyers have to have an intimate knowledge of the trucking industry will be able to prosecute your case much more effectively than a lawyer who has little to no experience with it. Why?
Well the trucking industry is highly specialized. The laws change on a yearly basis and there are certain standards and practices that truckers and trucking companies must abide by. The biggest of which is rest time for the drivers (which is mandated by state and federal laws). So in order to tell whether or not a trucker or trucking company has broken those laws but make it appear as if they haven’t takes an attorney who has an eye for details and is able to do the math, which can only be understood by those who really take the time to understand the industry.
No one can measure exactly the true extent of damage whenever anyone is involved in an auto accident. The injury on an individual may encompass not only personal injuries on one or all passengers, trauma especially to children and pets, and the loss of a vehicle and other properties which have personal value to you. There are, however, certain measures which can be taken early into the accident which could change how this shocking experience affects you and the lives of those around you. One would be calling an automobile accident lawyer as soon as you can. For best legal advice you can pop over to these guys and get help from these.
Determining liability
Having gone through a moderate to severe accident is bad enough, and the details right after it happens can be so exhausting. You will need a good car accident lawyer, one who specializes in car or motor vehicle accidents and who has had years of experience negotiating and litigating it. Your lawyer will have to be good at determining liability. He can help find out what exactly caused your accident and who is to be held responsible for it, whether it resulted from negligence, drunk driving, beating traffic, a blown tire, or bad weather.
Dealing with insurance
The privilege and safety of driving requires that every driver be covered by insurance. However you may encounter in life, as in automobile accidents, that some drivers and vehicles which are at fault are actually underinsured or uninsured. If you do it on your own, dealing with the technicalities of insurance coverage and insurance companies will take so much of your time and energy which could be devoted to your health and recovery at the moment. A car accident lawyer can effectively deal with insurance people, handle the paperwork, and get you through one corrective measure which is getting your insurance claims. Cheaper car insurance is essential in today’s down economy. We still need to maintain complete and accurate insurance coverage, but at the same time we need a frugal and streamline insurance policy and working relationship with our insurance agent. Cheaper car insurance is not only smart, it is a great money saving tool that every person needs to know how to find it and apply it to their daily lives. Cheaper car insurance is not as hard to find as you might think. There are many advertisements that boast of having lower cost for car insurance, but the truth is, most all car insurance companies can provide you with a cheaper policy just by streamlining your coverage. For more information regarding to car insurance, hop over to this website.
Requesting a higher deductible is one great way to drastically reduce your premium total. The coverage is still adequate and complete, you just opt for a more out of pocket up front in the event of an accident. Ask yourself this question; “If you have an accident, and the cost is less than five dollars, would you file it with your insurance?” If you answered no, then you can have a cheaper car insurance policy by asking for a policy that has a five hundred dollar deductible. You may be financially fixed to carry even a one thousand dollar deductible policy and save even more.
There are so many add-on features to every insurance policy that add up to more expense for the consumer that every person who signs up for car insurance needs to read thoroughly through the policy before agreeing to paying higher premiums. Cheaper car insurance does not necessarily mean less coverage, but rather less cost to you. With that understanding, shop for less cost on your insurance policy and you’ll soon find that even your present insurance carrier may be able to assist you with a better priced car insurance policy. You don’t have to be a caveman to do this, and you don’t have to choose an insurance company that hires a gecko to promote in order to save a significant amount for insurance.
As time goes forward and your vehicle ages and no longer carries a lean or loan against it, you may want to drop comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage is used to fix your vehicle, in the event of an accident, and if your car is older and less valuable according to its insured value, you could be paying way more in premiums than the vehicle is worth. Carrying only liability insurance is perfectly legal and satisfies state insurance coverage laws and is far less expensive to carry. Cheaper car insurance makes driving an older car even smarter than you may have thought.
Working out a settlement
Your car accident lawyer must be skilled at negotiating so that your car accident could possibly be settled outside the courts. His excellent reputation would make the other side very afraid and reluctant to go to trial and would instead agree to negotiate with you. A good car accident lawyer would be able to work out a settlement which would be a just compensation, the fullest measure which can be awarded for damages and losses to you.
Filing a lawsuit
At the worst scenario, it would be good to have an excellent car accident lawyer on your side if youre dealing with a most unreasonable and adamant third party who refuses to admit liability, insurance companies which give you a hard time, and a just settlement which cannot be worked out. This is where your cooperation would be most needed. You will have to be completely open and honest with your vehicle accident attorney about everything that happened. If you were the one most injured, family members who were at the scene will hopefully recall some important details leading to the car accident. From thereon, your accident lawyer will take care of all the legal measures.
For those who have suffered personal injury in the Bronx Personal Injury Law Firm ASK4SAM, the best recourse is most often found through the help of a Bronx personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer does not have to depend upon overworked police forces or Bronx ADAs who have decided that society has decriminalized certain actions that cause injury. Rather, your lawyer will simply focus on getting you the compensation you deserve by holding the responsible party accountable. Contact a Bronx personal injury lawyer today for the justice and the closure you are seeking. Even minor storms can disrupt power lines, and contact with a downed power line can cause serious or fatal burns. One of the reasons why downed power lines are so hazardous is that most people do not see the line on the ground until it is too late. There are various environmental factors that can affect visibility, including glare, clouds, sunlight and rain, so you must be on the lookout for any signs of downed power lines. Storm victims are also at risk for poisoning from carbon monoxide, a deadly and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can kill a person within minutes when it is present in high levels, and this gas is produced whenever any fuel such as oil, gas, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned. Those who are inexperienced at using charcoal grills or fireplaces must be aware that a fire can flare-up by adding lighter fluid to hot coals.
Garcia was struck by an SUV as she was working out in late October and was admitted to the hospital where the initial reports from WWE suggested that she was stable and expected to be released soon. However the story quickly changed and Garcia was kept in hospital due to her injuries, particularly head, neck, and back trauma.
“I actually had butterflies in my stomach driving up,” the WWE Diva told WWE.com, referring to going to the arena for the tapings. “After 11 years, you’d think this would be old hat to me, but it all feels new again.”
Although it has been over a month that she was struck by the SUV, Garcia still undergoes physical therapy. She thanked the WWE fans for their love and support and said that it’s the reason that she worked hard with physical therapists and chiropractors to be able to come back.
I will be doing a live play by play of tonight’s UFC on FOX 5. Keep checking back to see how the action went down starting with the first fight on Facebook at 4:20pm ET /1:20pm PT. Also follow @wonlinemma on twitter to catch the winners as they are announced.
Facebook live fight
Bantamweights (135lbs)
John “Prince” Albert vs Scott “Young Guns” Jorgensen
Ref: Herb Dean
Round 1:
Jorgensen goes for a take down early. Albert gets his arm as he goes down but Jorgensen is able to pull clear of the submission. Jorgensen in the open guard delivering the shoulder to the jaw and punches to the body. Albert sweeps him and has his back. Albert with both hooks in. Jogensen is able to flip him over and is back in the open guard of Albert. Jorgensen with short elbows and more body shots. Albert with the triangle now is elbowing the head of Jorgensen. Albert pulling down on the head of Jorgensen. Jorgensen defends well and has an arm in and is able to get into side control now. Jorgensen working on the far arm now of Albert. Jorgensen with short elbows again and Albert is able to work him back into the guard. Jorgensen postures up now and is pounding away. Albert tries to create space to get up Jorgensen takes his back. 10 seconds left Jorgensen has the rear naked flattens him out and Albert taps as the horn ends the round.
Winner by Submission at 4:59 of rd 1 Scott “Young Guns” Jorgensen
Prelims on FX 5pm ET/ 2pm PT
Featherweights (145lbs)
Nam Phan vs Dennis Siver
Ref: Anthony Hamlett
Round 1-
They touch gloves and Siver is going to work with the left lead kick early. Siver goes for a head kick that Phan blocks with the forearm. Siver left jab right hook left kick to the body combo. Siver with a straight right now. Siver with another that rocks Phan’s head back. Phan can take a punch and is blocking the left but Siver is finding a home with the right. Half way through round 1 and Siver has landed 32 significant strikes. Siver now lands the left lead jab. Phan walks into a front kick. Siver gets the single leg take down but doesn’t follow Phan down to the ground. Siver wraps up the leg again and Siver lands the left hook while Phan tries to defend the take down. Siver with a counter left to the jaw and Siver with that vicious spinning back kick to the body. Great round for Siver who looks sharp at 145.
Round 2-
Siver with the combo that backs up Phan and Siver with another head kick attempt as Phan gets out of punching range. Phan with a left hook after he is briefly dropped by Siver. Siver has landed 32 kicks alone so far in 6 minutes of fight. Siver with a right leg kick followed by a left head kick. Siver with a spinning wheel kick that clips the chin of Phan. Siver takes him down now and is in half guard of Phan. Siver working the short elbows and punches. Siver now pins one of the arms of Phan and is landing clean shots. Phan pops his arm free and is trying to block. Siver with nasty ground and pound to the side of the head of Phan. Siver in side control and Phan rolls and gives up his back. Phan realizes it is a bad idea and turns back over Siver gets the full mount briefly before Phan can work him back into half guard. All Siver again.
Round 3-
Phan with a clean jab but eats a thudding kick to the body. Phan with a big looping punch that Siver steps out of the way of than gets the take down. Siver in half guard again. Siver working the short punches and goes for the mount again. Phan is able to keep the one leg in the guard again. Siver with elbows from the top. Wow Phan is taking a beating but still working. Siver with constant pressure mixing up elbows and punches. Siver pins the arm again briefly and lands more unguarded shots. 90 seconds left and Siver is relentless from the half guard with the ground and pound. Siver landed 118 ground strikes thus far. Phan has him in a closed guard now but it is not slowing Siver down. Siver looked GREAT! He could be trouble for the top of the featherweight division
Winner by unanimous decision ( 30-24, 30-25, 30-26) Dennis Siver
Siver landed 227 total strikes!
Lightweights(155lbs)
Abel “Killa” Trujillo vs Marcus “The Prospect” Levesseur
Ref: Anthony Hamlett
Round 1-
Levesseur ducks under and power shoots Trujillo and has him by the back but Trujillo is back to his feet. Levesseur still has him tied up and on the cage. Trujillo with elbows but nothing he does can get Levesseur off of him. Ref splits them apart and Trujillo lands the left hook as Levesseur comes in for another take down. Levesseur has his back up against the cage as Trujillo popped back up quickly. Trujillo with a knee to the body and is driving the point of his elbow into the body of Levesseur. Levesseur is in trouble as Trujillo pounds away at his body and arms. Levesseur never lets go of the single and the ref breaks them again. Levesseur ate alot of shots to the body. Levesseur charges in again and eats a knee to the face. Levesseur holds on to the single but never gets into an offensive position.
Round 2-
Trujillo catches the kick this time and has a north south choke on Levesseur. Trujillo hholding it but can’t finish. Levesseur back up than gets dropped by a big punch. Now Trujillo is on top in open guard. Levesseur rolls over and Trujillo has his back but Levesseur is able to get up to his feet after eating a few punches. Levesseur tries for a single and Trujillo pounces backwards on one foot than gets free and takes his back. Trujillo with lunging power knees to a turtled body of Levesseur and the ref has seen enough and called a stop to the fight.
Winner by TKO at 3:56 of round 2 Abel “Killa” Trujillo
Lightweights (155lbs)
Henry “Sicario” Martinez vs Daron “Detroit Superstar” Cruickshank
Ref: Anthony Hamlett
Round 1-
Cruickshank goes to the body but Martinez closes the distance and grabs a single leg. Martinez has him against the fence now and working a high crotch but Hamlett separates them. They are swinging away and Cruickshank lands a couple good shots as Martinez closes the distances again and goes for another single but Cruickshank spreads the legs and defends. Cruickshank with a big elbow and Martines now with a hay maker that lands. Cruckshank gets the distance and you can see he has busted open the forehead of Martinez. Cruickshank lands a body kick that hurts Martinez now another pair. Martinez against the fence covering up eating body kicks. Martinez comes out swinging. They are centered again but Martinez looks still to be hurting and trying to protect the body with the left arm. Crucickshank with a wheel kick to the body now a stepping uppercut. Cruckshank with a nasty head kick and the ref was running in to stop it but Martinez refuses to go down. Martinez with an elbow and Cruckshank counters with a big right as the first round ends. Martinez has an unbelievable amount of heart.
Round 2-
Martinez comes forward again and grabs a single. Cruickshank with a big knee to the body as they break and has out struck Martinez 54 to 24 at this point in the fight. Martinez pressing forward lands a jab and keeps trying to close the distance. Cruickshank with a pair of straights to the face of Martinez as he tries to close the gap. Cruckshank gets clipped with a right hook. Cruickshank with a front kick to the body. Martinez now working kicks to the leg of Cruickshank. Martinez with a pair of jabs and Cruickshank gets space with another side front kick. Cruickshank with a right head kick right over the shoulder of Martinez and Martinez stiffens up and falls back. That kick was a perfect shin to the jaw as Martinez was expecting it to the body.
Winner at 2:57 of round 2 by KO “Detroit Superstar” Daron Cruickshank
Dana White stated it best after the ko on twitter “Holy Shit!!!!!!!”
Lightweights (155lbs)
Joe Proctor vs Ramsey Nijem
Ref: Dan Mirgaliotta
Round 1-
Nijem with a body kick and charges in for a take down. Proctor backs up and grabs his neck for a guillotine. Nijem works for the high crotch take down and than tries to pull his head free. Proctor and Nijem stand and trade shots. Nijem with a pair of knees and an over the top right hand. Nijem with a jumping switch kick that knocks down Proctor. Nijem dives on top and pounds away. Proctor is able to turtle up and Nijem is on his back pounding away. Proctor tries to stand up and you can see he is bleeding out the mouth. Nijem drags him back down and than mounts a seated Proctor. Proctor gets back up and grabs for the neck again of Nijem. Nijem gets him back to the ground and quickly takes his back. Proctor rolls free. Proctor catches Nijem as he comes in with a right left and Nijem tries to grab a leg as he goes down. Proctor now in the half guard pounding away from a postured position. Nijem rolls over and they are in north south as the round ends.
Round 2-
Proctor gets the muay thai clinch lands a pair of knees before Nijem pushes him away. Nijem with a front kick to the body and Nijem eats a counter left as he throws the hay maker right hand. Nijem with a nice short counter right and misses with the spinning kick. Nijem lands the left to the body but whiffs with the right behind it over the top. Nijem with a left jab and leg kick combo. Proctor lands the right and Nijem goes for another take down but Proctor has the under hook trying to prevent. Nijem spins him off the fence and gets the take down and now is in the closed guard. Procotor pushes him off briefly and sits up. Proctor gets the front choke now. Proctor is working for the mount at the same time but Nijem stops that. Nijem on his knees now and is able to get Proctor back on his butt. Proctor now lets go of the choke and tries for the kimura but can’t get it before round two comes to a close.
Round 3-
Nijem with a body kick start round 3. Nijem lands the body shot over hand right this time. Nijem goes in for another take down and Proctor tries to get the arm bar as they go down. He cant get it or the shoulder lock now a kimura attempt and Nijem is free and has the mount of a seated Proctor. Proctor tries to get free and Nijem briefly takes his back. Proctor back up but Nijem gives him no space and drags him back to the mat. Proctor gets top his feet and Nijem goes for a front choke. Proctor spins and takes his back. Proctor goes for an arm bar and Nijem pulls free and is in the half guard of Proctor. Nijem now pounding away on the body. Nijem now on his knees and Proctor spins and nails the body. Nijem with a kick to the body and knees as they get back to their feet. What a back and forth affair.
Winner by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28 ) Ramsey Nijem
Bantamweights (135lbs)
Mike “The Hulk” Easton vs Raphael Assuncao
Ref: Steve Newport
Round 1-
Assuncao with a spinning back to start things that missed. Assuncao with a leg kick and Easton counters with the right hand. Easton with a beautiful three punch combo that started with two to the body before connecting to the chin. Assuncao has a high kick blocked. Easton with another powerful right hand to the body. Assuncao lands the counter right this time and barely steps out of the way of Easton’s spinning back kick. Easton ducks under a high kick and lands the counter right. Assuncao steps to the side and out of the way of a charging swinging Easton. Easton with a jab to the chin and Easton is able to defend against the take down as Assuncao ducks under a punch and tries to take him down. Assuncao has double underhooks and Easton on the fence. Newport breaks them right before the end of the round and Easton gets in one final leg kick.
Round 2-
Both men miss with spinning kicks at the start of the round. Easton pulls his way out of the way of a nasty kick and charges forward with a three punch combo of his own. They trade thudding leg kicks and Easton is back to walking down Assuncao. Easton with a leg kick and Assuncao counters with the right. Assuncao misses another wheel kick that Easton saw coming. Assuncao with a pair of good counter left jabs. Assuncao has the double under hooks and has him on the fence. The ref breaks them and gives Easton a moment to regain his composure after he eats a knee to the groin. Easton with the right hand behind a left jab and we Joe Rogan goes on and on about the proper cup to wear for protection. Assuncao now throwing the front jab out there that is missing but throws off Easton. Easton tries to duck under a kick but instead of a kick up high ends up eating a front kick as round 2 closes.
Round 3-
Easton walks him down and eats a counter right. Assuncao with a kick to the head as Easton ducks down to strike the body. Easton blocks a high kick with his forearm that could have ended the fight. Assuncao with a counter left hook and front kick to the body as he takes the offensive. Assuncao tries for a take down now. Easton defends and Assuncao works for the high crotch off the fence. Assuncao gets him down for a split second but Easton is back up lands the right hook and Assuncao lands a counter left straight down the middle. Assuncao tries for another take down but can’t get it again. Easton still being the aggressor and he has to defend another take down. Assuncao has him against the fence again but gives up on the take down and lands a kick to the body as they break. Now Easton can’t get the take down. Assuncao is landing a lot of counter strikes down the middle but not big on the damage scale and the crowd boos as the fight ends.
Winner by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) Raphael Assuncao
Lightweights(155lbs)
Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens vs Yves Edwards
Ref: Steve Newport
Round 1-
Stephens rushes out the gate with a flying knee that misses. Edwards grabs a single but Stephens connects with a strike that makes Edwards let go of the leg. Edwards with a counter left as he ducks under a punch from Stephens. Edwards lands a counter right that drops Stephens. Edwards dives on top and ends the fight with a series of elbows that turn the lights out for Stephens. Both threw right hands Stephens was bigger and more looping and Edwards was shorter and landed first clean to the jaw. Edwards is now tied with Melvin Guillard, Jim Miller and BJ Penn with 10 lightweight victories.
Winner by KO at 1:55 of round 1 Yves Edwards
UFC on FOX main card 8pm ET/ 5pm PT
Welterwights(170lbs)
Matt “The Immortal” Brown vs Mike “Quick” Swick
Ref: Dan Miragliotta
Round 1-
Both men respecting the other in the first 3o secs until Brown charges forward and lands the right hook. Brown gets the take down goes for a guillotine than switches over to the d’arce choke. It looks deep Brown rolls onto his back and Swick stands up to try and create a little feet. Brown eventually lets go and now Swick is in a closed guard. Swick steps over into side control as Brown goes for a triangle Brown quickly gets him back into the guard and this time gets the arm in triangle. Swick defending with his own legs in the way. Brown loosens up the triangle but still goes for the arm bar. Swick pops free goes for his own choke as Brown gets free than back to his feet as the round ends. Rogan and Goldberg summed it up best when they called it a high class mma chess match.
Round 2-
Brown with a nice left hook and misses with the high kick. Brown with a stepping elbow as he gets Swick up against the cage. Swick gets the clinch and tries for the big knees and Brown lands another elbow. Swick now has a single under hook on Brown against the fence. Swick backs up goes for a couple body shots then Brown comes forward with the right left right that sees the left and right hooks connect and Swick is out.
Winner by KO at 2:31 of rd 2 Matt “The Immortal” Brown
Welterweights(170lbs)
Rory “Ares” MacDonald vs BJ “The Prodigy” Penn
Ref: Herb Dean
Round 1-
Penn comes forward and eats a knee as he goes for a single. MacDonald spins him around and puts Penn on the fence. Penn circles free briefly as MacDonald grabs him and puts him back on the fence. MacDonald backs up and they reset. Both men with good body shots and MacDonald fakes a low kick and lands one up high. Penn is landing the counter right. Penn with a left straight now. MacDonald tries another roundhouse that doesn’t find a home. Penn ties him up and gets two quick take downs before he gets up and spins Penn against the cage. MacDonald with an elbow as they break and MacDonald lands a nice left hook to the body. MacDonald can;t get the take down. MacDonald looks to have hurt Penn with the jab and now a left high kick. MacDonald ties him up and lands a right elbow as they break and round ends. Clear cut round for MacDonald.
Round 2-
Penn coming forward clips MacDonald with the right. MacDonald now has been against the fence and lands a left then a right followed by a front kick to the body. MacDonald has out landed Penn in significant strikes 48 to 16. Penn now with a good right hand. MacDonald now comes forward again and lands the front kick. Now a body kick that Penn partially catches. Penn is covering up and MacDonald is pounding away on the body. Penn’s right eye is swollen. MacDonald lands another jab down the pipe and a leg kick that almost takes the legs out from under Penn. Penn has a knee graze the chin as he comes in. MacDonald gets the take down now and Penn immediately gets him into the Butterfly guard and slaps MacDonalds ears as the round ends.
Round 3-
Penn the aggressor knowing he needs to end it lands the right hand over the top than briefly gets a single before MacDonald is back up and puts Penn on the fence. Dean telling them to work than breaks them Penn lands the left hook as they come back together. MacDonald goes back to the body and now out sig. struck Penn 12o-26. MacDonald with a jab than switch kick. Penn goes for a single cant get it and MacDonald lands the backhand as he pulls his leg free. Penn has now spent the most time in the octagon in UFC history. MacDonald puts Penn against the cage and Dean has to break them. M with the round house kick. MacDonald with a superman punch and left hook behind it and now MacDonald drops his hands in front of Penn. MacDonald puts him back on the cage and lands an elbow as they break. MacDonald shuffling now as the fight ends. Clearly a unanimous decision for the younger fighter.
Winner by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26 and 30-27) Rory “Ares” MacDonald
MacDonald grabs the mic and calls out Condit for a rematch in March in MacDonald’s hometown.
Light Heavyweights (205lbs)
Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson vs Mauricio “Shogun” Rua
Ref: Dan Miragliotta
Round 1-
Gustafsson with the definate reach advantage and kicks the leg out from under Rua. Gustafsson follows him to the mat but Rua immediately turns and grabs for a leg lock. Gustafsson is able to get his knee out of trouble and pull free. Gustafsson catches a kick and takes down Rua. Rua goes right for that leg again. Gustafsson eats a knee as he gets up and has Rua on his back. Gustafsson goes to the body than for an uppercut that Rua blocks. Rua is bleeding from the nose and has out landed Rua 17 to 6 in the first four minutes with punches. Gustafsson know has an under hook and Rua on the cage. Gustafsson punching the body and switches to a single but cant get it.
Round 2-
They both meet in the center and Rua is getting the better of the strikes and nails Gustafsson down the middle. Now Rua has landed a ducking right on a couple of occasions. Gustafsson very briefly gets the take down and now has Rua on the cage with an under hook working the dirty boxing. Ref breaks them and they reset Rua with the ducking right and tries for a take down but ends up on the bottom. Gustafsson lands a left than lets Rua get back up. Rua with another pair of looping rights than Gustafsson gets a take down. Rua escapes and now has the underhooks on Gustafsson against the cage. Gustafsson gets the Windsor and reverses. Gustafsson gets the take down briefly again. Gustafsson with a clinch lands a pair of knees as Rua throws that right hand. Rua with leg kick and they circle around till the end of the round trying to set something up.
Round 3-
Rua with a big right again as he blocks a left from Gustafsson. Gustafsson gets two more quick take downs and the last one gets Gustafsson the back with one hook in. Rua goes for a leg lock again but doesnt get it and they are back up. Gustafsson jabs to the body and Rua steps in to prevent the upper cut that comes behind it. Gustafsson gets the single and is now in an open guard lands an elbow and lets Rua back up. Gustafsson lands another shot to the body and Rua looks to be hurting. Gustafsson lands a right this time. 57-43 in sig. strikes for Gustafsson. Gustafsson has Rua back on the fence and is landing the body shots in close and ref breaks them with a minute left. Gustafsson with a front kick that pops the head back of Rua like a pez dispenser. Rua with a left hook and gets the body lock. Gustafsson walks him back to the cage and Rua pulls guard as the horn ends the fight. Gustafsson helps the bloodied and battered Shogun to his feet and raises his arm.
Winner by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26 ) Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson
Urijah “The California Kid” Faber is voted newest member of Metro PCS by the fans.
Lightweight Championship(155lbs) 5 rounder
Nate Diaz vs Benson “Smooth” Henderson
Ref: Herb Dean
Round 1-
Diaz comes forward and Henderson lands two quick leg kicks. Henderson cant complete the spinning fist it looked like as Diaz wraps him up on the fence and knees the body. Henderson spins around Diaz and Diaz delivers a series of punches to the head of Henderson. Diaz is fighting off the take down. He briefly goes down before Diaz pops back up. Henderson has the body locks. Diaz staying very busy against the cage and lands an elbow as they break. Henderson gets the single and has Diaz on his back. Diaz trying to land an up kick and Henderson drops down on him with a right hand. Diaz gives up his back but is able to get to his feet. Henderson still has him on the fence Diaz with another elbow as they break. Henderson kicks the leg out from under Diaz but Diaz gets up quickly both men trade knees in the clinch and Diaz avoids a combo by Henderson. Now Diaz has Henderson against the cage with an over under and Henderson reverses and lands a couple short punches as the round ends.
Round 2-
Diaz walking down Henderson again and Diaz ducks under another big right. Henderson gets the body lock and takes down Diaz. Henderson with some nice ground and pound now Diaz eats a head kick as he gets to his feet. Diaz has his back on the cage and is punching the head of Henderson as the champ works the body lock for another take down. Diaz with a knee to the body. Henderson now with an elbow as they break. Diaz utilizing the jab walking down the champ and Henderson with another low leg kick. The champ has landed 22 leg kicks now he rocks him with a right Diaz goes down and Henderson is swarming. Diaz gives up his back again but is able to get back to his feet. Henderson with another body lock and Diaz goes for the trip but can’t get it. Diaz is bleeding from the right side of his face. Diaz gets the trip this time but Henderson is back up. The champ working that low leg kick and Diaz switches stances. Diaz is bleeding from bridge of his nose and corner of the right eye(outside).
Round 3-
The champ with another low leg kick and has out landed Diaz 60-17 in significant strikes. Diaz pawing with the jab and Henderson gets the power double. Diaz goes for a leg but can’t keep a hold. Henderson is back to his feet than gets another single big shot to the body of Diaz. Diaz has the closed guard briefly. Henderson now standing over Diaz. Diaz kicking the legs of Henderson. The champ drops back down and Diaz grabs a hold of the leg. Diaz with a heel hook now Henderson has one of his own. They spin around and Diaz has given up his backs. Diaz gets free and goes for the leg again of Henderson from the bottom. Diaz is flipping off Henderson and Fox keeps cutting away. Diaz gets up and Henderson drops him with a right. Henderson back on top in side control but Diaz goes after that leg again. 30 seconds left Henderson has his leg free and elbows the body of Diaz. Now big strikes from the champ as the round ends.
Round 4-
Diaz walking backwards with his hands down trying to bait the champ. Henderson ties him up and Diaz with a knee to the body and the champ gets the take down. Diaz rolls again for the leg and gives up his back. Diaz is back up briefly before Henderson gets him back down and takes the back. Diaz gets back to his feet and Diaz uses a kimura for the trip but ends up on bottom and eats some shots to the head and body. Henderson with BIG shots straight down to the stomach of Diaz. Henderson drops down on top of him and Diaz is threatening an arm lock from the bottom and he losses it to eat a hammer fist to the head. Henderson drops down with another shot to the head as Diaz goes again for the leg. Henderson stands up and Diaz is waving him back down and talking to the champ. Henderson is punching the shin and calf of Diaz now. Diaz back up with 10 secs left and Henderson with another lower leg kick.
Round 5-
Last round clearly in favor of the champ and the fans are going nuts as the doc checks the swollen right eye of Diaz. Henderson punches the thigh of Diaz now than ties up Diaz on the fence. Henderson has the single under hook and they trade dirty boxing against the fence. Diaz some how ducks under a huge elbow from Henderson. Henderson picks up Diaz and slams him now. Henderson is standing above him raining down left hands and right elbows. Diaz is back up and is out struck 120-17 with significant strikes by the champ. Henderson has the body lock again and Diaz his trying for a kimura. Henderson pounds away on the body again. Diaz lets go and gets back to his feet. Henderson is just a beast of a lightweight. Diaz gets the take down but Henderson again ends up on top. Diaz back to his feet with half a minute left. Henderson using both hands to rock Diaz body 10 secs left and Diaz swims free and the champ stands in front of him with his hands down waiting for the horn. Pure domination from the champ. No one has out struck Diaz like that.
Winner and STILL the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion by scores of 50-43, 50-45, 50-45 “Smooth” Benson Henderson.
The champ uses the post fight interview to deliver an inspirational message and tells everyone to hug on their loved ones and cherish the time with them.
