WWE Diva AJ was made the Complex Magazine 100 Hottest Women Right Now list which was published today.
The 26 year old New Jersey native is half-way down (or up) the list, sitting in the 50th place. “Admit it, you’d love to have AJ Lee kick your ass. That’s one of the main appeals of the WWE’s lovely lineup of turnbuckle-leaping “Divas,” chief of which these days is AJ Lee,” says the excerpt regarding her.
“Aside from her physical prowess, the New Jersey native’s most cherished attribute, at least for the WWE’s legion of loud and proud fanboys, is her self-proclaimed “Geek Goddess” reputation. She’s just as apt to body-slam you as is she to play XBox and borrow your latest Spider-Man issue.”
The list is topped by Rihanna.
Former U.S. champion Kofi Kingston will be off WWE television for up to two months as he will be undergoing elbow surgery this week.
Kingston did appear at last night’s Smackdown television tapings which were taped in Edmonton and shot an angle to explain his absence for the next several weeks.
WWE Studios and Warner Bros. announced today that they are teaming up to co-produce a Flintstones animated movie which will be released in early 2015.
This is the second agreement between the two companies to co-produce an animated movie after the two announced a Scooby Doo movie last year.
“Warner Bros. is thrilled to continue our partnership with WWE Studios as we begin production of the latest Flintstones animated feature,” said Jeff Brown. “Our recent production collaborations have proven successful and we have the utmost confidence that the latest tag team between the WWE Superstars and The Flintstones will deliver the same results.”
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will handle all worldwide distribution on Blu-Ray, DVD, VOD, and digital while WWE will market the film.
The Calgary Herald had a long article on Bret Hart yesterday to coincide with his appreciation night on RAW as well with the Mayor’s proclamation of Bret Hart Day.
“It’s a big honor. I’ve always felt special in this town as I have felt about Calgary, too. I’ve always loved it here. I never left,” Bret said in the interview. “People always think I left and I was living in the States for a long time…but home has always been Calgary.”
Jim Ross was also approached for the piece since he worked with Hart for quite a few years. He called Bret the most respected in the locker room by his peers and said that is the ultimate compliment to anyone in that profession.
“In a world of oftentimes outlandish television personas and interactions, he brought clarity, common sense, reality and, perhaps more importantly, believability to the process.”
You can read the full article at http://bit.ly/18rhFq3
CM Punk will be returning to WWE television next month at the Payback pay-per-view to face Chris Jericho in his home town of Chicago, Illinois.
Punk last appeared on TV on the April 15 episode of Monday Night RAW where he addressed the crowd after his loss to the Undertaker at WrestleMania. Punk walked out of the arena and fell off the wrestling map completely, even on Twitter stopping to talk about wrestling altogether.
During last night’s RAW, Chris Jericho challenged CM Punk to a match at Payback while he was hosting the Highlight Reel with Paul Heyman as his guest. Heyman didn’t want to give an answer to Jericho when he was asked what happened to Punk so Jericho kept pushing for a match by calling himself the best in the world.
Heyman eventually accepted Jericho’s match request on behalf of his client and Jericho told Heyman to tell Punk that after the show he would “never be the same again!”
Punk has so far not mentioned anything about his involvement at the Payback pay-per-view on his Twitter.
Live, from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, it is now time for the REAL main-event of the evening: honoring Bret “The Hit Man” Hart! A quick highlight package of Bret airs for the intro, then we cut to Jerry “The King” Lawler in the ring. He welcomes the WWE Universe, everyone watching on the WWE App, as well everyone in Canada watching on The Score sports channel.
Lawler announces that today (May 27) is Bret Hart day. Another video tribute, comprised mainly of footage from DVDs, airs, exemplifying the excellence of “The Hit Man’s” career.
Back live, Jerry brings out the hometown hero. Bret “The Hit Man” Hart walks to the ring, amid many signs and praises, as well as a standing ovation from Michael Cole and John “Bradshaw” Layfield. “Thank you Bret” chants blare out.
Lawler reads out a certificate presented to Hart, courtesy of the city of Calgary. It summarizes his accomplishments in the professional wrestling business and his family history, and officially proclaims May 27th, 2013, as “Bret ‘Hit Man’ Hart Day.” The certificate is signed by Calgary’s mayor.
Bret takes the microphone and calls it a “huge honour.” He feels his late brother Owen, late father Stu, and late brother “The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith are watching from above. Owen chants loudly sound out. Bret says the award is “more genuine” than winning championships, because it comes from the people of Calgary, which means a lot to him.
He thanks his children for all the sacrifices they made when he was gone on the roads for 23 years. A shot of his children in the crowd is shown.
Hart gives accolades to all the wrestlers, from those who he first worked with in Stampede Wrestling and gave him his big breaks, to all he stepped in the ring with over the years in WWF/WWE. “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig and Davey Boy are particularly mentioned.
He also thanks his wife Stephanie, as well as Lawler for being “one of his greatest adversaries.” Bret remembers how Jerry poked fun at his parents, and Owen got mad and wanted to ease up the comments, but the their late Mom ended up loving it, and it turned her into a wrestling fan!
Bret does wish that he had more matches in Calgary though. Lawler reiterates that “Calgary loves Bret ‘The Hit Man’ Hart.” and now brings out those who want to pay their own respects to the Hall Of Famer. Out first is fellow Hall Of Famer and Canadian, and first-ever Intercontinental Champion Pat Patterson. He hugs Bret and calls him “the best wrestling Canadian of all-time.”
Next is another Canadian, current-roster star “Y2J” Chris Jericho. While he says he never actually got to wrestle Bret, he did many times in his mind. He calls Bret one of his two heroes, the other being Owen. Instead he came to Calgary to train with Stu, and Jericho tells a story about a Stu Hart Birthday Show in 1995, where Jericho was in the locker room.
Chris recalls that Bret asked the dressing room if anyone knew a new finish he could use against Davey Boy in his upcoming Pay-Per-View match. Jericho timidly demonstrated the La Mahistral, a cradle roll-up he saw in Japan, and then was honored himself that Hart did use the move in the PPV match with British Bulldog. Jericho called this a “classy” move, that the WWE World Champion would use a move that an up-and-comer suggested, and was inspired to keep going with his career after this notification that Bret Hart was learning stuff from him.
Jericho finishes off giving props, “Thank you for that, and thank you for everything. To me Bret, one of my top two wrestlers of all time, by far. Every single match you ever had was a pleasure, and I had hoped always to be half of what you are and you deserve this night. And thank you so much, and you deserve this night.” Bret tells Jericho that “I knew a good move when I saw one!”
Lawler now says that Bret’s career is also always remembered for one particular night. With no more introduction, he brings out Bret’s greatest rival (in my opinion), “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels.
It is actually a luke-warm reception for the usually hated-heel of that time, which Michaels acknowledges. He says “thank you” for being somewhat kinder. “H.B.K.” says that “every great hero needed an arch-enemy.”
Michaels says that he was honored to be “Lex Luther” to Bret’s “Superman. He congratulates him on a “fantastic career, and I don’t know that there’s ever been a more deserving person on a more deserving night. It was an honor, my friend.”
The last person to walk out and pay respects is the boss himself. WWE owner, Vince McMahon marches out as only he can and embraces with his longest friend, enemy, and friend again.
Mr. McMahon says that it is fitting for Bret to be honored in Calgary tonight, because it is where he started his career. Vince completely puts Bret over, telling him that Stampede Wrestling was “one of the greatest regional promotions ever, your Dad, your whole family being involved in that.”
McMahon says that Bret started a whole new era, the “Bret Hart era,” because he brought a “certain legitimacy to the WWE that was never there before. You brought a certain skill, an in-ring mat that was so appreciated, always over-looked many, many times by the promotion. You became the WWE Champion the old-fashioned way: you earned it!”
Vince tells Bret, “everyone whoever stepped in the ring with you was better off. Everyone whoever stepped in the ring learned a great deal. And they all had extraordinary appreciation for you, because you were ‘the Excellence of Execution.’ And tonight, you rightfully should be honored, as indeed, ‘The Best There Is, The Best There Was, and The Best There Ever Will Be.'”
Vince says that Calgary does owe Hart a great deal of gratitude, but it is not just them. Fans all over the world want to say, as he does, two simple words: “thank you!”
Bret makes a final speech, talking about the great memories he had in WWE and the great wrestlers he got to work with.
“I’m extremely grateful for everything that my life has become. I really enjoy being a Calgarian hero, and being recognized around the world. I can honestly say I owe all of it to Vince, and I have nothing but the best things to say about Vince. And same with Shawn, it really means a lot that he came out here for me today. It just sort of reinforces the bond that we made a couple years ago and I’m grateful for that.”
“These are the great moments that you take with you forever and I want to thank everybody for being here for me tonight. I will continue to try to be the best ‘old hero’ in Calgary.” “Thank you very much. I’m deeply honoured. I’m very proud to be a Calgarian. I’m very proud to be a Canadian. And I will promise to never let you down. Thank you very much.”
Bret’s famous music plays in the background as the locker room walks out to the stage to give props. Appropriately, Natalya and Tyson Kidd (who is now off crutches and looks to be healing real well) enter the ring to personally be with Bret. Among the wrestlers and other stars on the stage is Lance Storm, also an excellent wrestler and fellow Canadian.
The show closes with slow-motion clips of Jericho shaking hands with Bret, as well as Shawn and Vince hugging him. Everyone on the stage, the fans, and in the ring, are clapping, showing their appreciation for one of the greatest wrestlers and men in pro-wrestling of all-time, Bret “The Hit Man” Hart, and the last shot is of him waving to the crowd one last time.
Reporter’s Thoughts and Memories – By Moe Tapp
This was really, really cool to watch, and I believe a great “send-off” for Bret Hart. I think this provided absolute closure for him and all the wrestlers and fans (like me) who grew up watching him and all he has gone through in his LIFE.
I’m proud to say that I met Bret in 2007, when he making book signing appearances for his autobiography, and am always in awe when I think about meeting one of my original favorite wrestlers from the time I started consistently watching (then) WWF in 1997. I was completely enthralled with the then-Hart Foundation and was/is a Bret Hart supporter! I think that Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels was the greatest rivalry of all-time, because it was completely real, in AND out of the ring.
However, my favorite match of Bret’s was SummerSlam 1992, him versus British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith for the Intercontinental Championship. And that is because of the story that Bret said he had to carry the entire match since Davey Boy couldn’t remember any of the spots. It was a masterpiece with a very sweet ending, both technically and emotionally.
I do wish they had a few more wrestlers come out to say something, but in all, this was very, very sincere, and just really neat to see. I’m glad Vince, Shawn, and Bret were able to “bury the hatchet” on their past issues a while ago, and properly end Bret’s career and legacy on a high note like tonight. This was honest and genuine by all involved, and I hope they are able to do more appreciation nights like this for many more legendary wrestlers in the future.
Bret, thank you for the memories, the wrestling matches, the stories you provided in the ring, and your family. You are a true Canadian hero and you and your family will always be remembered.
The main event for the Payback pay-per-view between John Cena and Ryback is now a “3 stages of hell” match instead of just an ambulance match.
The change was announced yesterday on RAW after Cena suggested the new match which will have a lumberjack match for the first fall, a tables match for the second fall and, and if necessary an ambulance match as the third and final fall.
Ryback, calling himself Satan, accepted the change of stipulation for the match which is for the WWE title.
A promo on yesterday’s Monday Night RAW introduced the Wyatt family consisting of the man formerly known as Husky Harris, Luke Harper, and Erick Rowan.
Harris was in NXT and The Nexus a few years ago however his time in the main roster was short lived as he was written off WWE television when Randy Orton kicked him in the head, sending him back to FCW. In March 2013 he debuted a new character in NXT, coming out as Bray Wyatt. He is the son of Mike “IRS” Rotunda.
Harper and Rowan are currently the NXT tag team champions, winning the titles earlier this month from Adrian Neville and Bo Dallas.
Live from my home country, Canada, Raw is back in Calgary! And of course, along with Raw is Bret “The Hit Man” Hart! The “Excellence Of Execution” makes a triumphant return home and will be appreciated/celebrated tonight, (hopefully) on the air, as well as off. FYI – since I live in Canada, I get to watch the post-Raw footage, so I will be reporting on that as well, but it will be under a separate headline on the website – look for it to read all the accolades “The Best There Is, The Best There Was, and The Best There Ever Will Be” will receive later!
Also, continuing is the feud between Ryback and WWE Champion John Cena, and The Shield’s championship dominance, Plus, who will Curtis Axel face (if anybody) tonight to keep his new build-up and stardom going? Read on to find out all that goes down in Alberta!
Monday Night Raw Report for May 27th, 2013 – “Leveling Up”
“A hero is someone who has given his life to something bigger than oneself” – Joseph Campbell. WWE first honors war veterans with a video tribute on today’s Memorial Day holiday in the United States. (Always a since and wonderful gesture from them.)
Introduction Segment: Recap
Footage of Curtis Axel’s bringing in from last week and Triple H’s dreary ending airs, promising an update on “The Game’s” condition tonight.
Segment #1: Arena Promo
WWE Champion John Cena is back, out first, and seems to be all healed. He talks about the unrest with the non-finish to his Last Man Standing Match with Ryback at Extreme Rules. After mocking Ryback’s “robotic though-process” to having an Ambulance Match, he proposes a different solution following a week of though of his own.
Cena brings up the idea of a “3 Stages Of Hell” Match, with the first being a Lumberjack Match, then a Tables Match, and finally the Ambulance (if necessary.) Cena tells Ryback and the fans not to worry, since if it doesn’t get to the Ambulance match, the driver will still earn his keep, because the former “Dr. Of Thuganomics” will still beat him up enough that Ryback will need the EMT transportation to leave anyway.
His challenger joins him on the stage and actually agrees. Ryback sais that “payback should be hell.” Ryback calls himself all the devil’s different monikers, then finishes off “say hello to Ryback” and walks off.
Not to give Cena a break, Paul Heyman follows immediately and asks the current WWE Champion to say “hello” to a future WWE Champion, the “newest Paul Heyman Guy,” Curtis Axel.
Heyman claims they were impressed on how Cena CHALLENGED Ryback to a “3 Stages Of Hell.” He then wants to book “WWE Champion John Cena Vs. future WWE Champion Curtis Axel.” Cena replies with a little advice, informing Curtis to stay away from Heyman, as he is “full of more crap than the stables after the stampede.”
Axel says “we didn’t ask for your opinion, we asked, ‘are you looking for a fight?'”, so Cena does oblige, and they will face-off.
Heyman isn’t finished with interviews though, as later tonight he will be Chris Jericho’s guest on the “Highlight Reel.” (That should be entertaining!) Up next, Alberto Del Rio will take on Big E. Langston.
Commercials.
Match #1: Single – Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) VS. Big E. Langston (with A.J. Lee)
This is the third match between the two, as footage showed both competitors getting the best of each other from Raw and Main-Event respectively last week. Big E. pounds away and rams him with his shoulder in the gut in the corner. Del Rio fires back with a dive through the ropes, but Langston takes control by running him into the ring post. Big E. drops him three times with a rib/backbreaker, and gets a count of two.
“The Mexican Aristocrat” gains momentum with clotheslines, a backstabber, and a kick-to-the-head for a near-fall! He attempts the Cross Armbreaker submission, but gets shoved into the ropes and belly-to-belly suplexed.
A.J. tries to distract Del Rio by untying the turnbuckle, but Alberto manages to lock on the hold anyway. Big E. breaks out of it by picking him up, but he gets pushed into the steel post and rolled up for the victory by Alberto!
Winner via Pin-Fall: Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez)
Post0match, A.J. is astonished and yells at Big E. for losing the bout. They argue all the way to the back.
Later tonight, two championships will be decided, as all three Shield members will put up their Tag-Team and United States Titles against the men they won them from at Extreme Rules.
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Segment #2: Locker Room Promo
Daniel Bryan is pacing back and forth in “Team Hell No’s” dressing room with Kane. He is still insecure about being the “weak link.” Kane tries to convince him otherwise with a “yes-no” argument, but it takes Bret “The Hit Man” Hart to change Bryan’s mind.
Bryan asks Bret if anyone thought he was the “weak link.” Hart says that the fight in someone has nothing to do with their size and that “Team Hell No” is one of the best tag-team partnerships he’s seen in WWE history, and Daniel is “one of the best toughest WWE Superstars I’ve ever seen. Nothing stops you, nothing.”
Bryan is completely enamored and inspired. Kane wonders why that is, and Daniel says because it’s Bret Hart, and “you’re just Kane!”
Commercials.
Match #2: Single for the United States Championship – Dean Ambrose (Champion) (with “The Shield” partners, Tag-Team Champions Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns) VS. Kofi Kingston
(Note: The Shield made their usual entrance before the break.) Kofi tires to get the early jump on Ambrose with a quick couple of covers, then kicks away with low boots and a spin-kick. He leapfrogs Dean a couple times, but misses the Trouble In Paradise Spin-Kick as Ambrose slid out of the ring. He also moves from an attempted dive by Kingston to get a break.
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Back live, Ambrose has Kingston tied up in a submission, then drops an elbow for two. Kofi counters, sweeping up Dean and slingshotting him into the turnbuckle, then springboarding off the middle rope with a crossbody for a near-fall!
They engage in a series of back-and-forth pin combos, and Kofi nails the S.O.S. or another close two! Kofi flies off the top rope with a forearm, but gets swept up and dropped face-first on the steel steps. This sets up Ambrose to finish Kofi off with his bulldog/DDT combo and retain his championship.
Winner via Pin-Fall and STILL United States Champion: Dean Ambrose (with “The Shield” partners Tag-Team Champions Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns)
As they are celebrating over Kingston’s body, Kane’s pyro explodes and they get right into the Tag-Team Title match with Rollins and Reigns!
Commercials.
Match #3: Tag-Team for the Tag-Team Championship – The Shield (Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns) (Champions) (with “The Shield partner United States Champion Dean Ambrose) VS. “Team Hell No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan) (Challengers)
Bryan is all over Rollins, kicking away at him. Kane takes control for a bit, then switches back to Daniel. He locks Seth in a grounding hammerlock and beats him with his elbow. Kane is back in and tries the Chokeslam, but Rollins counters with a jumping enziguri.
Reigns relieves Seth, and dominates Kane. He grounds him with a rear chinlock, then switches back with Rollins. Kane counters a backdrop with a clothesline, and gets the hot-tag to Bryan. He takes Roman off the apron, then flips Seth over with a German suplex and running dropkick into he corner. He viciously delivers kicks to Rollins’ head and covers. 1 – 2 – Seth kicks out!
He hangs Rollins upside down and kicks away in the corner again, then runs with a low dropkick. Bryan ascends with Rollins on the top rope and both come on down with a super-backdrop suplex! Both men are down on the canvas.
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Back live, Bryan has the momentum and is geared up, but Reigns cuts all that off with a resounding smack of a clothesline! Rollins is back in and clamps on a surfboard stretch in the middle of the ring. He also mocks Bryan’s taunt while he’s at it. Daniel works his way out of it, but gets tripped up and held back before he can make the tag to Kane.
Reigns is back in, stomping all over Bryan. Rollins does the same thing, and walks all over Daniel, yelling at him that he is the “weak link” and they’re the champions now. He drives Bryan into the second turnbuckle with a flatliner. Bryan manages to come back and get the hot-tag to Kane, who is on fire against Rollins with a backdrop and sidewalk slam.
Bryan suicide dives Reigns on the outside, while Kane flies off the top with a clothesline to Seth! Instead of going to his corner, Daniel decides to take one more run at Reigns, but he gets caught and slammed to the floor. This distracts Kane, who is taken down with a springboard knee-to-the-face by Rollins, and the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pin-Fall and STILL Tag-Team Champions: The Shield (Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns) (Champions) (with “The Shield partner United States Champion Dean Ambrose)
Up next, news on Triple H’s status will be provided.
Commercials.
The news is good for “The Game,” as he was basically advised to just take this week off, and the symptoms were from a sledgehammer shot by Lesnar at Extreme Rules.
The Miz is out the fans will choose where they want “The Awesome One” for the match between Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett and Fandango. Will Miz be a ring announcer, commentator, or referee? (I think this one’s pretty easy to guess!)
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Match #4: Single with Guest Referee The Miz – Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett VS. Fandango (with Summer Rae) (Non-Title)
Lockup between Fandango and Barrett begins the bout, and Wade argues with Miz to get Fandango off him. ‘Dango comes back with a smacking chop, then sits in between the ropes. Barrett gets frustrated, and shoves the referee, but Miz comes back and plants the I.C. Champion with the Skull Krushing Finale. Fandango takes advantage and covers for the victory.
Winner via Pin-Fall: Fandango (with Summer Rae)
Segment #3: Backstage Promo
John Cena is staring at his WWE Championship when, of all people in Calgary, Shawn Michaels approaches. “The Heartbreak Kid” warns Cena of the dangers of Ryback, amid chants of BOTH “H.B.K.” and “you screwed Bret!” Cena listens but walks off.
Commercials.
Match #5: 6-Man Tag-Team – 3.M.B. (Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal, and Drew McIntyre) VS. “Tons Of Funk” (“Sweet T.” Tensai, “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay, and The Great Khali) (with Hornswaggle and Natalya, and The Funkadactyls Naomi and Cameron)
In short, because I don’t care about anyone in this bout except for Hornswaggle and Natalya, “Tons Of Funk” get the duke following a big splash from Brodus onto Heath.
Winners via Pin-Fall: “Tons Of Funk” (“Sweet T.” Tensai, “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay, and The Great Khali) (with Hornswaggle and Natalya, and The Funkadactyls Naomi and Cameron)
Post-match, The Great Khali sings Happy Birthday to Natalya, as it is her special day.
Up next, Chris Jericho will have Paul Heyman on the Highlight Reel.
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Segment #4: Arena Promo
Chris Jericho brings Paul Heyman, saying that he has been called many terms from “genius” to “walrus.” Jericho does compliment Heyman on his ability to align himself with “tremendous talent.” Paul E. agrees, but also corrects as he reminds us that he “discover and develop great talent as well.” He cites Jericho, rightfully so, as a prime example. Chris concurs, but also reminds Heyman that he is still owed money!
Jericho puts over Curtis Axel with “tremendous potential,” and is a big fan too but cuts to the chase. However, he does not want to talk about Brock Lesnar, like Heyman presumes. “Y2J” wants to talk about the missing in action C.M. Punk. Chris replays the footage from when Punk was last on Raw, on April 15.
Jericho questions whether Paul was “shocked and surprised” when C.M. made the announcement to walk out. Heyman does not give a “straight-edge” answer (yes, pun intended!), instead touting “The Straight-Edge Superstar’s” success over the last year and a half.
Jericho doesn’t buy it and just wants to know where Punk is. Heyman says he and Punk will have an announcement in the next few weeks, but Jericho isn’t a fan of that. He challenges Punk to a match at Payback, WWE’s next Pay-Per-View, which conveniently takes place in “The Second-City Saint’s” hometown of Chicago.
Despite defense from Heyman, “Y2J” still declares that “Chris Jericho is the best in the world at I do.” Paul E. calls this “pulling his ‘Punk card,'” and Heyman actually accepts. He gets right in Jericho’s face, and Jericho tells Paul to inform Punk that after payback, he will “never, ever be the same again.”
Commercials.
Match #5: Tag-Team – Natalya and Divas Champion Kaitlyn VS. The Bella Twins (Nikki and Brie) (Non-Title)
Kaitlyn and a Bella begin, with the Twin clamping on a waistlock. She sweeps Kaitlyn on the apron, then chokes her against the middle rope, using her rear. The Twins switch, and Kaitlyn is dominated until she tags into Natalya. The favorite Diva is all over the Twin, and locks in the Sharpshooter, but is slapped out of it by the other Twin. Kaitlyn takes out one, but accidentally spears Natalya, giving The Bellas the W!
Winners via Pin-Fall: The Bella Twins (Nikki and Brie)
Post-match, they also sing Happy Birthday to Natalya, calling her a loser instead.
Segment #5: Locker Room Promo
Curtis Axel is getting ready when Bret Hart walks in. They discuss Hart’s legendary matches with Axel’s late-great father, “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig, with Hart saying that he put him through some of the hardest matches of his career.
Axel asks if Bret saw what he did to Triple H last week. Bret advises Curtis to get rid of Heyman, but Axel says that Paul E. was the only one that paid any attention to him before he took out HHH. Axel tells Bret to “go on and enjoy your ‘Appreciation Night.’ I’m gonna go beat the WWE Champion.” Axel walks out, leaving Bret glaring.
Randy Orton makes his way to the ring, and up next, he and Sheamus will take on “Team Rhodes Scholars.”
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Segment #6: Video Promo
A “Deliverance”-like clip airs of The Wyatt Family – Bray Wyatt, and his followers Luke Harper and Eric Rowan. He prophesies about society “poisoning the souls of men.” Harper says “we are the ones, the ones you have been told about. And we are walking up right.” Wyatt yells “witness the new faces of fear,” while either he or Rowan sing a line from “Mary Had A Little Lamb,” and wear lamb masks. They will be coming, proclaims Wyatt. (Very creepy, as my Dad put it, but these guys are loaded with character and in-ring ability, judging from watching them weekly on NXT.)
Match #6: Tag-Team – “The Viper” Randy Orton and “The Celtic Warrior” Sheamus VS. “Team Rhodes Scholars” (Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow)
Rhodes and Orton begin with an elbow/collar tie-up. Orton controls, and tags in Sheamus, who slingshots himself over with the Battering Ram shoulderblock. Both teams switch in and out, and Sheamus now hammers away on Cody on the canvas. Rhodes reverses and kicks Sheamus in the corner, but Sheamus comes back with a neckbreaker.
Rhodes shoves him into the corner and tags Sandow. Sheamus catches him off the ropes with a rolling fireman’s carry, but Rhodes distracts Sheamus, allowing Damien to chuck him off the top rope.
Commercials.
Sheamus is cornered, and Rhodes pulls him back into a leg scissors with a chinlock. Cody runs at him, but is caught in an Irish Curse backbreaker. Orton gets the high-five, and explodes with clotheslines on both “Rhodes Scholars,” then a powerslam on Cpdy and slingshot-DDT on Sandow. Rhodes pulls Damien out as Orton was zoning up for the R.K.O., then takes control with a cover for a near fall.
Cody rips at Orton’s face with another chinlock again, then switches back with Damien. He brings Randy down with a Russian legsweep and the Elbow Of Distain drop. 1 – 2 – Orton kicks out! Rhodes is back in, punching away and delivering kicks in the corner.
He knees Orton in the head as he came running at him, but gets t-bone suplexed as he came out of the corner. Sheamus wants that hot tag and Orton is slow to make it.
The big Irishman gets the momentum and clubs away on Sandow against the ropes. However he turns around into a Disaster Kick, courtesy of Rhodes. Damien only gets two, and his Termaneuse finisher reversed into the White Noise drop! Sheamus fires up the crowd and waits upon Damien. He nails a rising Sandow with the Brogue Kick to get the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pin-Fall: “The Viper” Randy Orton and “The Celtic Warrior” Sheamus
Up next, it’s our main event with WWE Champion John Cena taking on Curtis Axel!
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Match #7: Single – WWE Champion John Cena VS. Curtis Axel (with Paul Heyman) (Non-Title)
Axel gets the best of Cena with a lockup, headlock take down, and grounding headlock. Cena leapfrogs Curtis and hip-tosses him. Axel goes tot he outside for a consultation with his manager and break.
Commercials.
Back live, Axel slams Cena’s head into the ring apron then throws him into the steel steps. Heyman is coaching Curtis to get back in the ring and take the count-out, but it is not in the cards, as John dives back in at 8.
Axel is still all over the WWE Champion, wearing him down with an armbar. (Note: something is going on in the crowd, as the fans are not paying attention to the match and my Dad points out the camera is focused only on the wrestlers, and barely the people.)
Axel stomps away and chokes Cena against the ropes with his boot, but Cena starts to come back with a couple diving shoulder tackles and a spin-out backdrop. He drops the 5-Knuckle Shuffle fist drop, but Axel gets out of an Attitude Adjustment try with a dropkick. He dives off the middle rope once with a forearm, but misses the second one and gets scoop slammed by Cena.
Curtis hits a big boot and snapmare, for a near-fall! Cena reverses a Russian legsweep attempt into an STF submission try, but Axel gets out of that. Axel executes the “Perfect Plex,” emulating his late-great father “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig. 1 – 2 – Cena kicks out! The WWE Champion nails Axel with a clothesline, but is distracted by an ambulance that speeds into the arena. Due to this, Axel wins the bout because of a count-out.
Winner via Count-Out: Curtis Axel
Post-match, Ryback attacks Cena from behind, but Cena runs him off. The WWE Champion stands tall and applauds Curtis Axel, who is celebrating with Paul Heyman, holding up two fingers to signal he has now 2 – 0 and/or beaten two of the biggest names in wrestling, closing the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
Another great show overall, although not as “fantastic” crowd-wise (more on that in Bogus) as I thought. The wrestling, which always counts in my book, was pretty good again, so that for sure was wonderful. Onto the analysis:
Excellence: The wrestling! Particularly, both “Shield” matches, the tag-team bout of Sheamus/Orton/”Rhodes Scholars” and the singles of Big E./Del Rio and Axel/Cena. I have definitely changed my mind and am no longer on the fence about Curtis Axel. After watching Smackdown (which you can read that fine report on this fine website), as well as tonight’s Raw, I feel that he is superbly talented and can only rise up to big things with Heyman by his side. I liked his interactions tonight with the WWE Champion John Cena and Bret Hart. I can see him facing Chris Jericho next week, to further both his “big-name” storyline and Jericho now with the fresh feud against Heyman.
Heyman/Jericho’s segment was awesome, as two “masters of the mike” verbally jousted. I knew going in this would be a cool promo, and I was right. Loved Jericho’s small “dig’ on how Paul E. still needs to pay him! It will be interesting to see if C.M. Punk a) comes back and b) still aligns himself with Heyman. Either way, a beautiful feud between the three is on the way.
Liking the “cracks” in Langston and A.J.’s alliance. Who will World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler side with when he returns? Liking the feud between Fandango and Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett, as well as The Miz. This story of “old-school/serious wrestler taking on flashy newcomer” could play out well, and lead to a great reign with the IC. Title for Fandango. Also, liked “uping-the-anti” with the WWE Championship match between Cena and Ryback. However, no matter the result, this should definitely complete the feud, as these particular stipulations are used to absolutely finish a rivalry.
Was absolutely disturbed by The Wyatt Family’s introductory promo and that is great! I love these guys on NXT and they will be a great addition to the roster. I’m not sure who their first feud could be against yet, though. Any ideas?
Bogus: Did not care for the 6-Man with “Tons Of Funk” and “3.M.B.” Why are “3.M.B.” still around? I thought they were put out a long while ago! Thought Natalya was wasted – she should’ve been in a Divas Championship match, with decent time and wrestling, even if she lost, especially tonight since Raw was in her hometown too and it was her birthday. Kaitlyn and Natalya can wrestle well – it was done on NXT before, now bring it to Raw! The Calgary fans – while respectful and definitely made themselves known (especially whenever Bret Hart was mentioned or appeared), they weren’t up to the usual standard of a Canadian “wild” crowd, I felt. Disappointing, so hopefully Edmonton’s fans are out there in force when I watch Smackdown later this week.
In general, this was a pretty darn good Raw and they have continued the awesome wrestling and building of stars throughout. Keep it up, WWE! Until next week, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
Mexican-American independent luchador Samuray del Sol has signed a developmental deal with WWE after he passed all his medical tests.
The 26 year old from Chicago works under a mask and has wrestled for AAA in Mexico as well as Combat Zone Wrestling, Dragon Gate USA, and Evolve. Resistance Pro, the promotion headed by Billy Corgan, issued a congratulatory tweet to del Sol on his new assignment. “Show the rest of the world what we already know,” the tweet read.
The man behind the mask has not tweeted about his WWE deal yet. He is expected to go to Orlando and be part of NXT before being called up to the main roster.
The Hulkster made a quick trip to the ER yesterday after his boat radiator exploded in his hand. Hogan posted some gross photos of his injury on Twitter showing his hand and fingers all bubbled-up as a result of the fire.
Doctors at the Tampa General Hospital cut and skinned his hand to remove the big bubbles and he was then sent packing home. I guess he won’t be using his left hand for a while!
If you’re into looking at some injury photos, they’re all up at his Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/HulkHogan.
Former TNA and WCW wrestler Hector Garza passed away yesterday from lung cancer, just eight months after he was diagnosed with the illness.
Garza made one appearance for the then WWF, wrestling in the 1997 Royal Rumble before going to WCW. Unfortunately his run in WCW wasn’t a very successful one and mostly he appeared on the B-shows with probably his best accomplishment in the company being part of the Latino World Order.
In 2004 he moved to TNA as part of the agreement the company did with AAA and was part of Team Mexico, winning the America’s X Cup. When the agreement between TNA and AAA was done, Garza returned to TNA at the Victory Road pay-per-view that same year and won a 20 man X Division Gauntlet match and eventually had a match against Jeff Jarrett for the NWA title. The next year, he was supposed to wrestle Scott Hall at Final Resoultion but he was arrested in Houston, Texas, after he tried to cross the border with illegal substances that were legal in Mexico but illegal in the United States.
Garza was deported and his TNA career was over. He retired in October 2012 when the news came out that he was diagnosed with cancer.
Fast and Furious 6 with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson sped to the top of the box office chart with a weekend of $98.5 million in box office receipts in addition to $177 million in worldwide box office for a total of $275.5 million.
The latest installment in the Fast & Furious franchise had the best opening weekend in the history of the franchise, beating out its predecessor by almost $12 million according to BoxOfficeMojo.com.
This is The Rock’s third number one movie in the first five months of 2013 out of his four movies. G.I. Joe: Retaliation and Pain & Gain both made their debut in the first place while Snitch opened in second.
According to WWE’s latest numbers, WrestleMania 29 is up to 1,048,000 buys worldwide as of April 30. It is not the final figure as WWE is still compiling data from all their distribution partners but it’s very highly unlikely that the show will surpass last year’s buy rate.
WrestleMania 28 did 1,253,000 buys worldwide last year, an increase of just over 200,000 from what WrestleMania 27 did which was 1,059,000 buys. WrestleMania 26 did 885,000 buys and WrestleMania 25 did almost 100,000 more than that with a final figure of 975,000.
This year’s WrestleMania was headlined by The Rock and John Cena as well as The Undertaker vs CM Punk and Triple H vs Brock Lesnar.
While The Score in Canada will air the Bret Hart Appreciation Night post-show celebrations for Canadian fans, other fans not in Canada can still watch all the off air stuff live as it happens.
WWE announced that tribute to Bret “Hit Man” Hart will be airing exclusively on the WWE App as soon as the broadcast on USA Network goes off the air.
Taking place in his home town of Calgary, Alberta, the May 27 Memorial Day edition of Monday Night RAW will certainly be a special one for the WWE Hall of Famer.
The WWE app can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store or Google Play for free.
TNA today announced the launch of the TNA Always Evolve fitness app for iOS and Android devices, available for $4.99 on the iTunes App Store and Google Play.
TNA Wrestling teamed up with Always Evolve to create one of the most revolutionary fitness applications on the market with Jeff Hardy as your workout partner. The Hardy avatar will lead you through the four-week Always Evolve workout regimen, which activates all types of muscle fibers, slow, intermediate, and fast-twitch muscle groups.
The app also features different programs for beginner, intermediate and advanced users, along with goal-setting and nutritional guidance from a certified nutritionist. Future modules of the app will feature additional TNA Superstars including Chavo Guerrero, Rob Terry, and Miss Tessmacher, giving fans the chance to alternate workout partners.
Two of the “Paul Heyman guys” went at it on Twitter today after CM Punk corrected a grammar mistake of a tweet posted by Curtis Axel.
“Life is good when your a #PaulHeymanGuy!!!,” tweeted Axel followed with a photo of Lesnar, himself, CM Punk, and Paul Heyman.
CM Punk was quick to correct his team mate – if you can call him like that – retweeting the same message but at the end he added a simple correction. “You’re,” Punk wrote, pointing out the mistake of the tweet.
The son of the late Mr Perfect was also quick to fire back at the former WWE champion.
“Love the grammar geeks! Just think, how impressive would it be to correct grammar with one eye after I bust YOUR orbital bone? #nerds,” he wrote.
Trouble in paradise already?
PWInsider.com is reporting that WWE Vice President of Television Production, “Big” John Gaburick, is leaving the company. Gaburick is best known for having an on-screen role during the Tough Enough seasons which aired on MTV over a decade ago.
He is a longtime WWE employee and has been working there since the 90s and was a big part of WWE’s television production especially with the running of WWE’s reality TV show. Gaburick, despite not appearing on the last Tough Enough that aired on USA Network, was the one one who got Bill DeMott his job back as a trainer on the reality show in 2011.
Impact begins with Hulk Hogan making his way to the ring in his home town of Tampa Florida. The crowd is really into Hogan tonight, but I won’t hold that against them.
Hogan claimed to be drinking beers with Shark Boy earlier at his beach. Hogan also says he wants to call out his friend, Sting.
Sting comes out and Hogan tells him he doesn’t have to agree to Bully Ray’s stipulation that Sting can never wrestle for the TNA title again if he loses. Hogan is the GM and he can remove that stipulation. Sting appreciates the offer, but he wants it to stay as it is. Sting feels responsible for getting Hogan to trust Bully Ray and he doesn’t think he deserves another title shot if he loses.
Brooke Hogan comes out to take responsibility for the Aces and Eights situation and tells Sting and Hogan they should stop blaming themselves. Bully Ray comes out and says none of them are to blame for Aces and Eights because Bully Ray himself is to responsible, and he’s proud.
He also says he is still in love with his wife, Brooke Hogan, and will never take off his wedding ring because of that fact.
Commercial
Match #1: Joey Ryan versus Petey Williams, versus Suicide.
Suicide hits Ryan with a dropkick. Petey dropkicks Suicide to the floor. Ryan baseballs slides underneath Petey and then sends him out to the floor with a pump handle throw. Suicide hits Petey with a hurricanrana and then puts Joey in a leg lock and Petey in an abdominal stretch. Petey escapes and tries to hit Ryan with the Canadian Destroyer but gets hit with a kick from Suicide instead.
Ryan goes out to the floor and Petey hits him with a suicide dive. Suicide dives out of the ring (not a suicide dive) onto Ryan and Williams. Petey hits Joey with a facebuster; Suicide shoves Petey out of the ring and rolls up Joey for 2. Suicide misses a senton and Petey sets him up for the Canadian Destroyer, but Ryan breaks it up with a kick. Suicide hits Joey with a neckbreaker and then a gut buster for the win.
Commercial
Match #2: Sam Shaw versus Alex Silva.
Both men are former Gut Check winners, and the winner of this match will get 1 step closer to competing in the Bound for Glory Series. Sam Shaw comes out first, and then Aces and Eights come out instead of Alex Silva.
Wes Brisco announces that they’ve already taken out Alex Silva in the back and look ready to take out Sam Shaw next. Brisco is mad he didn’t get a chance to compete for the BFG series and they start beating on Shaw. Magnus comes out to the rescue and saves Sam Shaw.
Shaw is apparently a friend of Magnus’ and trained with him at Harley Race’s wrestling school. Magus thinks Brisco does not deserve a shot at the BFG series; Magnus thinks Briscoe deserves to get his ass kicked.
Match #3: Magnus versus Wes Brisco.
Magnus lands a punch, flying knee, and a gut wrench suplex to Brisco. Magnus mounts and pounds Brisco; Brisco escapes and retreats to the floor.
Commercial
Wes lands a kick and slams Magnus into the corner. Brisco lands a punch, a clothesline, and then puts Magnus in a chin lock. Brisco hits Magnus with an elbow, a knee lift, and a clothesline. Brisco puts Magnus in a chin lock but Magnus escapes and the two men exchange strikes.
Magnus hits Wes with a pair of clotheslines, Wes responds with a kick. Magnus hits Wes with another clothesline and Brisco retaliates with a big boot to the face. Brisco climbs to the top rope and leaps, but Magnus catches him and suplexes him. Magnus climbs to the top rope but Brisco cuts him off.
Magnus throws Wes back to the mat but is then himself knocked off the top by the other members of Aces and Eights at ringside. Aces and Eights start to beat Magnus down, but Magnus is saved by Samoa Joe. Former tag partners and champions Joe and Magnus stand tall in the ring.
Commercial
When we return, we see footage of Sting being inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame last year at Slammiversary. Someone else will be inducted this year, but we still don’t know who.
In the Aces and Eights clubhouse, Bully Ray assures the club that AJ Styles will be joining their ranks tonight. Bully seems way to confident, but he guarantees AJ will not disappoint them, like some people have (stares angrily at D Lo.)
Kurt Angle continues his crusade to save Olympic wrestling. ngle argues that something is very wrong when a dying sport like the pentathlon remains and a popular sport like wrestling gets cut. He makes a good point, but I think it’s even more amazing that synchronized swimming, a sport that exists ONLY to be mocked, is protected and wrestling could be eliminated.
Mockery is the only purposes synchronized swimming serves. I’ve never had a conversation about synchronized swimming that did not result in it being mocked, and I’d be willing to bet none of you have either. I’m getting off my soap box now.
Commercial
Match #4: Ken Anderson versus Kurt Angle.
It’s hard to take notes on matches featuring two men with the same initials, but luckily for you I was up to the challenge. These two men had one of the best matches in TNA history a couple years ago in a steel cage.
Angle takes Anderson down and puts him in a headlock. Anderson escapes and hits Angle with a shoulder block. Anderson hits Angle with a kick and several punches; Angle responds with a back elbow, a punch and a kick. Angle stomps Anderson in the corner and then suplexes him.
Angle beats on Anderson some more in the corner. Angle charges at Anderson in the corner but misses and hits the steel post. Anderson steps on Angle and then starts to work on his arm. Anderson hits Angle with a long series of strikes and then twists his arm some more. Angle escapes and hits Anderson with a missile dropkick. Angle hits Anderson with a pair of clotheslines and a belly to belly suplex.
Anderson hits Angle with a fireman’s carry slam; Angle retaliates with 3 German Suplexes. Anderson recovers from the suplexes and hits Angle with the Mic Check, but gets only 2. Anderson climbs to the top rope, but Angle runs up the ropes and throws Anderson across the ring. AJ Styles walks to the ring and is hugged by Taz.
The ref notices AJ at ringside and gets distracted; Anderson takes advantage of the distraction and hits Angle in the nuts for the win. Anderson looks very happy, AJ leaves.
Commercial
When we return, Gail Kim is being interviewed about Slammiversary. Gail is mad Mickie James has a title shot. Gail feels she is more deserving because she has taken out so many wrestlers lately, like Taryn Tyrrell.
At that moment, Taryn attacks Gail and violently pummels her. Gail runs away screaming that Taryn is crazy. James Storm walks to the ring to announce who his tag team partner will be at Slammiversary.
Bobby Roode and Austin Aries come out. Roode claims the worst years of his life were the years he spent as Storm’s tag team partner. Roode also says one of the best days of his life was the day he smashed a beer bottle over James Storm’s head and became TNA champion. Aries and Roode will be one of the teams Storm will be facing at the PPV.
Bad Influence (Kaz and Daniels) come out next; they also will be part of the tag team title match at the next PPV. Daniels says they are better than the other tag teams and Kaz says Storm is a dumb dummy for not teaming up with Bad Influence. Storm has still not announced his partner when Shark Boy comes out.
Shark Boy appears to be recovered from drinking with Hogan earlier and gets the crowd to give him a “Shell yeah!!” Robbie E comes out next. Robbie claims he carried Rob Terry when they were partners, and he could probably carry Storm to. Robbie says they could call themselves “Beer Bro” or “America’s Most Bro” or possibly “two bros and a baby, we just need another bro!”
Shark Boy and Robbie start to argue when they interrupted by the returning Gunner! Gunner beats up Shark Boy and Robbie and then turns to Storm. Storm shakes his hand and says he’ll see him at Slammiversary.
Commercial
In the back, Sting is talking to Joe Park. Sting wants Joe to get his brother Abyss to help with the fight against Aces and Eights. Joe doesn’t think he can do it, and Sting seems surprised that Park is still “Kayfabing” him.
Match #5: Mickie James versus Velvet Sky for the Knockouts title.
Before the match, Mickie offered to have the match postponed due to Velvet’s knee injury. Velvet appreciates that, but says she still wants to compete. They profess love for each other. Whenever someone professes love in TNA, a horrible betrayal usually follows.
Velvet starts the match off twisting Mickie’s arm. Mickie escapes and takes Velvet down with an arm drag. Mickie puts Velvet in a wrist lock but Velvet escapes and takes Mickie down. Mickie hits Velvet with a snapmare and Velvet responds with a drop toe hold.
Velvet hits Mickie with a low drop kick. The two knockouts exchange forearm shots until Mickie catches Velvet in a full nelson. Mickie slams Velvet down on her ass while keeping her trapped in the full nelson.
Commercial
Mickie takes Velvet down with a snapmare and then pins her arms behind her head. Velvet escapes and hits Mickie with a forearm. Velvet hits Mickie with a pair of elbows and a pair of clotheslines. Velvet momentarily halts her offense because her knee appears to be in pain. Velvet lands a couple chops and a kick. Velvet goes for a hurricanrana but Mickie blocks it.
Velvet hits Mickie with a Side Russian Leg sweep and gets a 2 count. Mickie whips Velvet into the corner and hits her with a kick and a chop; Velvet responds with a pair of kicks. Velvet hits Mickie with a spinning hurricanrana, but appears to further injure her knee in the process.
While Velvet clutches at her knee, Mickie clips her bad knee from behind. Mickie plants Velvet’s head into the mat with a DDT for the win. Mickie James is the new TNA Knockouts champ! Mickie walks out of the ring celebrating while Velvet is still screaming in pain and clutching her knee. I think we just had our inevitable post “love declaration” betrayal.
In the Aces and Eights clubhouse, Bully Ray addresses his evil biker gang. Bully wants to know if D Lo got the ice for the beer and if he washed the bikes yet. D Lo replies that he did. D Lo is the red headed step child of Aces and Eights.
Commercial
When we return, Bully Ray leads the rest of Aces and Eights to the ring. Bully Ray congratulates Anderson for beating Angle earlier tonight; another dig at D Lo, who lost to Angle in an “I quit” match recently.
Bully Ray calls AJ Styles out to the ring to officially induct him into Aces and Eights. AJ comes out, silent as he always is these days. Bully says everyone has been trying to recruit AJ, Hogan and the rest of TNA, even Fourtune, but AJ has made the right choice. Bully pulls out a couple beers and offers one to AJ.
Bully says he knows AJ doesn’t drink, but he wants them to share a beer know, as a sign of their new relationship. Bully says he can give his hear to Jesus, but his soul belongs to Aces and Eights. Kurt Angle comes out and he’s pissed off. Angle says he knew this day would come, but he is clearly unhappy about it.
Angle says that by joining Aces and Eights, AJ is flushing his entire legacy with TNA down the toilet. AJ puts the vest on and hugs Bully Ray and the rest of Aces and Eights. Kurt Angle gets jumped by Aces and Eights and dragged into ring. Bully offers AJ a hammer and invites him to attack Angle; AJ smashes Angle’s knee with the hammer to the delight of the rest of the gang.
Everyone in Aces and Eights is thrilled and they all look out at the crowd and celebrate. While they are all looking at the crowd, AJ is still eyeing the hammer like he isn’t done with it. AJ hits Doc in the face with the hammer and then starts swinging at the rest of the gang.
Tenay observes that Styles really does walk alone now. AJ walks to the back showing the “AJ” symbol on his gloves as Impact goes off the air.
