Impact begins with its traditional recap of recent events. The first person we see in the back is Kurt Angle, and he looks pissed off. Angle tells us that he will reveal who the VP of Aces and Eights is later tonight, and warns that no one in TNA is safe.
The first person to the ring is Austin Aries. Aries tells us that he hasn’t been able to get in touch with his partner Bobby Roode lately, but that’s OK because he beat Hernandez last week anyway. Tonight Aries wants to call out TNA Champion, Jeff Hardy. Hardy comes to the ring and gets hit with a cheap shot from Aries before the match begins.
Match #1: Austin Aries versus Jeff Hardy.
Aries rolls Hardy into the ring and starts choking him with his shirt as the match begins. Aries hits Hardy with a punch and a kick and then takes him down with a snapmare. Aries hits Hardy with a knee drop and a kick. Hardy fights back and the two men exchange a series of strikes. Hardy gets the edge and Aries goes down. Hardy goes on the attack and Aries sends him flying out of the ring to the floor.
Commercial
Jeff hits Hardy with a couple punches and then a sunset flip. Aries rolls through the flip and hits Hardy with a dropkick. Aries hits Hardy with an elbow and then picks him up for a vertical suplex attempt; Hardy slips out of the suplex and rolls Aries up for a two count.
Aries and Hardy exchange strikes again and then Aries climbs to the second rope. Aries attempts a frog splash, but Hardy rolls him up for a two count. Hardy lands a kick and a jawbreaker to Aries and then whips him to the corner. Hardy hits Aries with a Stinger splash in the corner and then clotheslines him. Hardy climbs to the top and hits Aries with a frog splash for a two count.
Hardy knocks Aries to the floor and then hits him with a flying clothesline from the ring apron. Hardy climbs to the top again but Aries cuts him off. Aries tries to suplex Hardy into the ring. Hardy slips out and hits Aries with the Twist of Fate. Before Hardy can go for a cover, Matt Morgan runs in and hits Hardy with the Carbon Footprint, ending the match. Morgan gets ready to kick Hardy’s head into the steel ring post when Bully Ray comes out wielding a steel chain and saves Hardy.
Commercial
When we return, Matt Morgan promises to gut the entire TNA roster until Hogan gives him what he wants. Next we hear from Kurt Angle, who will be facing Wes Briscoe inside a steel cage this Sunday. Angle tells us “My name is Kurt Angle, and I hurt people.” He promises to teach Wes Briscoe what pain is at Lockdown.
Wes Briscoe makes his way to the ring next and he tells us that his dad and uncle were two of the all time greats, and that they told him Kurt Angle was the greatest of all. Wes agreed until he met Angle and discovered he was ‘as worthless as that sport you got a medal in that they just kicked out of the Olympics.’
Angle comes out to confront Briscoe and tells him he doesn’t want to wait for Lockdown and wants to kick Briscoe’s ass now. Angle takes Briscoe down and pummels him. Several members of TNA management break it up, including D Lo Brown.
Completely unexpectedly, D Lo kicks Angle right in the nuts and reveals himself as the Aces and Eights vice president. D Lo asks Sting and the rest of team TNA is they can trust each other the way the brothers in Aces and Eights trust each other.
Commercial
Match #2: Sting versus Devon, in the first of a series of three matches to determine who gets the man advantage in the TNA versus Aces and Eights match at Lockdown.
Sting starts off with an elbow and a punch, Devon responds with a spear. Devon and Sting exchange strikes until Devon rakes Sting’s eyes. Devon hits Sting with a neckbreaker and a headbutt and then climbs to the top. Devon goes for a flying headbutt but Sting rolls out of the way.
Sting hits Devon with a punch and a pair of clotheslines. Sting hits Devon with a Stinger splash in the corner and Devon rolls to the floor. Sting goes out after Devon and gets hit in the face with a beverage by a fan! Devon slams Sting into the steel post and busts him open. Devon rolls Sting into the ring and covers him for the win.
Commercial
When we return, Gail Kim angrily confronts TNA Knockouts champion Velvet Sky. Velvet responds by slapping Gail in the face and walking away.
Bruce Pritchard and Al Snow announce that Tazz will no longer be a Gut Check judge (because he turned traitor and joined Aces and Eights) and will be replaced by OVW trainer Danny Davis. The new gut check team gets off to a great start by eliminating the WINNER of the match last week. Lei’D Tapa will get a vote to see if she can get a TNA contract, and Ivelisse Velez gets eliminated.
Commercial
Match #3: Velvet Sky, Chavo and Hernandez versus Gail Kim, Kazarian and Daniels.
Kaz and Hernandez start the match off and lock up. Hernandez pushes Kazarian away easily. Kazarian retaliates with a couple punches and then tags in Daniels. Daniels lands a couple kicks and Hernandez responds with a forearm. Hernandez body slams Daniels and tags in Chavo.
Chavo dropkicks Daniels and tags Hernandez back in. Hernandez puts Daniels in a bearhug and then launches him through the air with an overhead throw. Hernandez goes for a suplex on Daniels but Kazarian saves his partner. Hernandez takes down Daniels and Kazarian at the same time with a double clothesline. Hernandez props up Daniels so Chavo can dropkick him.
Chavo hits Daniels with a hurricanrana but is then tripped by Gail Kim. Daniels lands a few punches to Chavo but is then tripped by Velvet Sky. Chavo lands several punches before being hit with a cheap shot by Kaz. Daniels tags Kaz in and Kaz hits a swinging neckbreaker.
Kaz tags in Daniels and stomps on Chavo in the heel corner. Gail and Kaz double team Chavo in the corner. Chavo tries to fight his way out but is knocked down again. Daniels hits Chavo with a slingshot elbow, and Kaz follows up with a slingshot leg drop. Chavo hits Daniels with a punch, a kick, and a dropkick.
Daniels responds with an elbow and a chin lock. Chavo fights his way out and tags in Velvet Sky. Velvet hits Gail with a pair of clotheslines and a hurricanrana. Velvet hits Gail with a spear and then all 6 competitors get involved. Eventually Daniels and Kaz get knocked out of the ring and Hernandez takes them both out with a huge suicide dive. Gail Kim takes advantage of the confusion and hits Velvet Sky with “Eat DeFeet” for the win.
Commercial
When we return we get an update on AJ Styles. Apparently he is still hairier than he used to be and still doesn’t want people from TNA following him around.
Match #4: Samoa Joe and Magnus versus Aces and Eights members Wes Briscoe and Doc.
This is the second of three matches to determine who gets the man advantage at Lockdown. Joe and Bischoff start things off, with Joe quickly twisting Bischoff’s arm. Bischoff reverses the hold, and then Joe re-reverses it. Joe lands several punches and Bischoff rakes his eyes.
Joe clotheslines Bischoff and tags in his former partner Magnus. Bischoff retreats to the floor and Doc hits Magnus with a cheap shot. Doc tags in Bischoff and Bischoff lands a couple double axe handle blows. Bischoff tags in Doc and Doc hits Magnus with a splash in the corner and then a few elbow strikes.
Magnus and Doc clothesline each other at the same time and both go down. Joe hits a clothesline as he and Magnus double team Daniels. Joe hits Doc with a backsplash and Bischoff makes the save. Bischoff hits Magnus with a kick and Magnus responds with a clothesline. Joe hits Doc with a kick to the head and Magnus lands a top rope elbow drop for the win. After the match the former partners high five.
Commercial
Sting is trying to figure out who he wants to send out for the final match tonight, The score is tied 1 to 1, with Sting losing his match and Joe and Magnus winning theirs. Eric Young wants to be in the last match to prove he’s not just a comedy act. Sting seems appreciative but picks James Storm for the last match.
Next up is the Gut Check segment. Lei D Tapa comes out and is greeted with a loud NO chant from the crowd. Danny Davis disagrees and votes yes. Bruce Pritchard agrees with the crowd and votes no. Lei D Tapa is given 30 seconds to convince Al Snow to break the tie and give her a contract.
After an uninspiring plea, Lei D Tapa is inexplicably given a contract. I agree she has potential, but the whole segment just seemed wrong. She was on the losing end of her match and did not look great, her promo was unimpressive, and the crowd was literally begging them to reject her by screaming NO!
Commercial
When we return, Robbie E talks to us about his match with his former Bro, Robbie T. Robbie E is mad that Robbie T tried to outshine him and wants teach him a lesson.
Match #5: Mr. Anderson versus James Storm.
Storm gets things started with a headlock, a shoulder block, and a hip toss. Anderson tries to break Storm’s momentum with an eye rake. Anderson takes Storm down with a clothesline, lands a couple strikes, and then whips Storm hard into the corner. The two men exchange a series of strikes for a long time until Storm is able to take Anderson down with a bulldog.
Anderson follows up with a neckbreaker and a big boot. Anderson tries a swinging neckbreaker, but Storm blocks it and hits Closing Time. Aces and Eights walk out to ringside and start watching the match. Team TNA comes out to confront Aces and Eights. Back in the ring, Anderson takes advantage of the confusion and hits Storm with the mic check for the win. Aces and Eights will have the man advantage against Team TNA at Lockdown.
Commercial
When we return, Bully Ray and his wife Brooke Hogan make their way to the ring for a face to face meeting with Jeff Hardy. Hardy comes out next and a love-fest ensues. Bully Ray talks about all the history they have made together and how proud he is that Jeff was able to conquer his personal demons.
Hardy is also proud of Bully Ray. They shouldn’t even have a match, they should just hug. In case you haven’t noticed, hugging is so ‘over’ with wrestling fans that sometimes in the WWE they actually chant “hug it out!” I don’t understand the world anymore.
Bully Ray says that while he’s proud of the history he and Hardy have made, he can’t really be proud of himself until he beats Jeff Hardy for the TNA title. Hulk Hogan comes out in crutches and says may the best man win. Just then, Aces and Eights come out to the ring and attack Hardy and Bully Ray. Team TNA comes out to help Hardy and Bully. The two sides continue to fight it out as Impact goes off the air.
Larry Richert from CBS Pittsburgh sat down with Bruno Sammartino and Triple H for an exclusive interview regarding the upcoming WWE Hall of Fame ceremony and Bruno’s induction into the International Sports Hall of Fame over the past weekend.
Triple H – who was always addressed by his real name Paul during the interview – said the journey to get Bruno on board is a long story but he said to was destiny as corny as it might sound.
When Madison Square Garden was chosen as the location for the Hall of Fame, HHH said it was the perfect storybook ending for Bruno to be inducted in the house that he built.
Former WWE and UFC champion Brock Lesnar will be on Monday Night RAW this coming week to respond to Triple H’s challenge for a match at WrestleMania 29.
Lesnar is also advertised for the March 18 RAW in Pittsburgh and the April 1 RAW in Washington, missing only the March 25 RAW in the build up to WrestleMania.
Brock Lesnar is not the only one doing the build up to RAW on a sort of part-time basis as The Rock is also having a similar schedule. The Rock is not being advertised for the March 11 and 18 RAW shows but will be at the March 25 RAW, Smackdown the next day in Hershey and then on the April 1 show. Rock is also advertised for the April 8 RAW, the day after WrestleMania.
TMZ.COM reported that William Moody, the man who portrayed the character of Paul Bearer and who passed away on Tuesday night, was diagnosed with a blood clot just days before his death.
The news came from a representative of the Cauliflower Alley Club, who told TMZ that Moody was admitted to a hospital on Sunday after he appeared at an event in a wheelchair.
The event was the annual Gulf Coast Wrestlers Reunion, which is held every year in Mobile, Alabama, and Moody was a member of the Board of Directors.
There was no official cause of death released yet.
TNA Wrestling issued a statement on the death of William Moody on its website at IMPACTWrestling.com. Moody only worked with TNA between 2002 and 2003 under the name Percy Pringle III.
“TNA joins the entire wresting world in mourning the passing of Bill Moody – better known as Paul Bearer in WWE as the manager of The Undertaker, and Percy Pringle during his time with TNA,” the statement reads. “Throughout his career, Moody was one of the most respected veterans in professional wrestling. He will be missed by millions of fans around the world, as well as his friends that worked with him in both WWE and TNA.”
Several TNA Superstars including President Dixie Carter wrote messages about Moody on their Twitter after his death.
The old school RAW on Monday did a total of 5,018,000 viewers, up from the 4.7 million viewers of last week. The show did a 3.54 rating compared to the 3.4 of the previous week.
Hour one did 4,968,000 viewers, followed by 5,239,000 viewers in the second hour and then a dip to 4,847,000 viewers in the third. (Ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research and put online by PWInsider.com)
Wrestling fans and former colleagues of Paul Bearer mourned his death on Twitter, making the hashtag #RIPPaulBearer trending at the top worldwide.
“Goodbye to a good friend, Paul Bearer. Say hi to Owen for me,” wrote Bret Hart.
“Thank you for the memories Paul! God Bless,” added Ted DiBiase.
TNA President Dixie Carter, who never worked with Bearer in TNA when he was there between 2002 and 2003 said that he was a great performer in this industry. “Our condolences go out to the many family, friends and fans of William Moody,” she wrote on Twitter.
Hulk Hogan, who worked with Bearer during the initial title run for the Undertaker, said that he was very sad about hearing of the death of Bearer. “He was a great person and one of the original boys, he was what made wrestling great much love much respect HH.”
Jerry “The King” Lawler, having a fight with death just late last year, posted a photo of himself with Bearer which was taken just 10 days ago. “we lost a dear friend today..you will be missed by many, Paul Bearer.”
Stephanie McMahon simply wrote the hashtag while her husband Triple H wrote, “Rest in peace, Paul Bearer. You will never be forgotten. There will never be another.”
“I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Paul Bearer. Our prayers go out to him and his family. God Bless!!” said Shawn Michaels.
Tons of other Superstars and friends posted comments about the former manager of the Undertaker and Kane which are simply impossible to retweet here.
WWE.COM broke the news that William Moody, better known as Paul Bearer, passed away yesterday at the age of 58.
“WWE is saddened to learn of the passing of William Moody, aka Paul Bearer. Moody made his WWE debut in 1991 as the manager of The Undertaker and went on to become a memorable part of WWE over the course of the next 20 years. Our deepest condolences go out to Moody’s family, friends and fans,” read the report on the official WWE website.
Moody first showed up in WWE in February 1991 following the debut of the Undertaker a few months before at the Survivor Series and stayed on TV regularly involved in feuds till 1999 when the Undertaker got injured.
A year later, Bearer returned on TV to manage Kane and then moved to a road agent role backstage until his contract expired in 2002
In 2003, Bearer returned, signing a three year deal with the WWE and at WrestleMania XX came out with the Undertaker. His feuds continued and ultimately he was buried alive by the Undertaker during the Great American Bash when he poured concrete in a crypt Bearer was in.
After once again being let go in 2005, he made a few appearances in 2010, teaming up with the Undertaker and also with Kane in his feud with Edge. That storyline ended when Kane pushed the real Paul Bearer – after several impostors by Edge – off some leaders onto a concrete floor, writing him off WWE TV. In 2012 he returned briefly and was kidnapped by Randy Orton and stuck in a storage freezer.
The nostalgia is in the air for Raw and I’m truly excited. It’s “old school” time, as WWE goes back in time. The question is, how far? I hope it is like last time and we see the true red, white, and blue ropes, vintage small set, and many surprises & flashbacks.
We also look to the future, as WrestleMania XXIX is on the horizon. With the main events absolutely confirmed now, how will the combatants of The Rock and John Cena, as well as Alberto Del Rio and Jack Swagger, antagonize each other? Will some undercard bouts be filled tonight too? (I hope so). And, who will be the next inductee into the Hall-Of-Fame?
All this and much more. So read on, to be welcomed to …. Monday Night Raw!
Monday Night Raw Report for March 4th, 2013 – “Old School”
Introduction Segment: Welcoming
Ah yes, the clock is completely turned back. Right away, the old WWF (minus the “F”) logo appears on screen, then the arena is shown, with a mixed set between early and late nineties (The “Raw” letters are underneath the one, big Titantron and side structures). The ring is decked out in the classic red, white, and blue too. Ringside has just a black gate barricade.
The lights go out and the famous gong is heard! Amid smoke and flames appears The Undertaker! The Phenom approaches the entrance way and raises his arms.
Now, Mene Gene Okerlund’s voice is overheard as he talks about tonight’s “Old-School Raw,” citing the number of former superstars that may appear. The old Raw video (mixed with past and present superstars) plays, then the “popcorn” pyro blasts above the ring. Michael Cole and Jerry “The King” Lawler welcome us at ringside, sitting at the bare announce table, much like the mid 90s.
Segment #1: Arena Promo
“The Straight-Edge Superstar” C.M. Punk walks out. He says that he should be the one facing The Rock at WrestleMania XXIX for the WWE Championship. He should be in the main-event. However he is not, because as he claims, the fans stole that from him. So, instead, he is going to steal something from them.
Punk tells the fans they like numbers, so he is going to give them one – 20 and 1. C.M. declares that he will face and defeat The Undertaker at WrestleMania. Punk talks about streaks, between ‘Takers 20 – 0 WrestleMania streak and Punk’s 434-day reign as WWE Champion. He says that “1” in Undertaker’s stats will be “straight-edge.”
The bout is not made official though, as three other wrestlers claim that they want to do the same. Randy Orton wants another shot, saying that he has grown up since 2005, when he last met “The Deadman” at the “show of shows.” The Big Show makes his claim, saying that he now has the “knockout” to do so. Sheamus now enters the festivities, truthfully saying he is new blood, and has never taken on ‘Taker before, so “The Phenom” has no idea what he’s about.
To settle all this, Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero walks out and declares a (predictable) Fatal-4-Way between the wrestlers in the ring. The winner will have a chance to break The Undertaker’s streak at WrestleMania XXIX and etch his “legacy.”
Also tonight, John Cena will come face-to-face with WWE Champion The Rock for the first time since last year’s WrestleMania XXVIII. And, Triple H will address Brock Lesnar later.
Up next, Ryback is in action!
Commercials.
Match #1: Single – United States Champion Antonio Cesaro VS. Ryback (Non-Title)
As Cesaro made his entrance, a side video airs of him making fun of Ryback’s lack of speaking, while he himself can talk in five different languages. Antonio tries to get an advantage quick with a couple dropkicks and an uppercut, but Ryback blocks and corners the U.S. Champ. He picks him up and turns him around into a over-shoulder-powerslam. Ryback brings Cesaro back in the ring with a walking-stalling suplex and covers for a near-fall!
Cesaro counters with a headbutt, then punches away in the corner. He uses the top rope as a jawbreaker, but gets Military-Pressed as he tried a top-rope manoeuvre. Outside, Antonio runs Ryback into the post and the barricade, but Ryback manages to roll back before the count-out.
Ads.
Back live, Cesaro has Ryback clutched in a rear chinlock, but the big man battles out. He counters a run with a high back body drop and spinebuster, then gears up for the “Meathook” clothesline, but gets a stiff uppercut instead! Cesaro puts him in position for “The Neutralizer,” but Ryback manages to reverse into the “Shell-Shock” marching Samoan Drop for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Ryback
As he is walking to the back, Ryback is confronted by “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry. They stare each other down, as Henry walks right by him.
Match #2: Single – “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry VS. “Long Island Iced-Z” Zack Ryder
(I think you can guess how this goes!). Ryder puts up a decent fight, but quickly falls to a harsh clothesline and “The World’s Strongest Slam” by Henry for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry
Commercials.
Match #3: Single – “Mr. Money In The Bank/The Showoff” Dolph Ziggler (with A.J. and Big E. Langston) VS. “The Awesome One” The Miz (with Ric Flair)
They lock up and break away to begin the bout. Dolph knees Miz in the gut then punches him in the lip. He hammers away in the corner and delivers a harsh chop, then mocks Ric’s strut. This allowed Miz to fire back with a fierce hand and two kicks of his own, then he and Flair strut and have some fun for a quick break.
Ads.
Back live, Dolph is dominating again, dropping Miz with a neckbreaker. He grips on a grounding rear chinlock, “showing off” with a headstand. The two trade blows back and forth, then Miz slides through on apron into a sunset flip cover for two! Miz hits the back and neckbreaker combo for another close call, then Ziggler counters with a small package for two! Dolph jumps and brings Miz down with a DDT, receiving another two count!
He leaps on the back and begins to wear Miz down with the sleeper. Miz flip him over and throws him up in the air with a flapjack drop. He runs at Dolph in the corner with a clothesline, then dives off the top-rope with a double-axe-handle! A.J. climbs in the ring, which distracts the referee enough so Big E. can knock Miz down.
Flair intervenes and chops away at Langston, but to no effect on the big man. However, Miz slides out with a dropkick, taking out Ziggler’s bodyguard.
Dolph rolls-up Miz from behind, but Miz still kicks out! He catches a jumping Dolph and locks him in the Figure-4 submission for the inevitable tap-out!
Winner via Submission: The Miz (with Ric Flair)
Up next, they’re coming out early as WWE Champion The Rock will meet John Cena! (I truly thought, and think, this was to be/should be the last segment!)
Commercials.
Segment #2: Arena Promo
WWE Champion The Rock makes his way to the ring first with a huge ovation. He takes the microphone and goes through his usual routine of “finally….!” He quickly mentions how long we are away from WrestleMania (34 days) and then John Cena’s music hits. He appears at the entrance way, looks at the camera, and says “this should be good.”
Cena says he had to come out right now, because he has been waiting for this moment for (almost) a year. Cena lists The Rock’s accomplishments, then informs him that he doesn’t know what it’s like to tell the world “you have to do something” and then fail. Cena says that he told everyone he had to win their match last year, then he failed.
“It makes you feel worthless.” John says that he could not get over that and he collapsed both professionally and personally. However, he also credits The Rock for his turn-around. Cena declares that it wasn’t just a coincidence that he won the Royal Rumble the same night The Rock won the WWE Championship, and that after The Rock booked his spot at WrestleMania, Cena beats C.M Punk a week letter with it all on the line.
Cena says that he has been “gifted” to rewrite history and right the biggest wrong. He came out to give The Rock a 34-day heads up that he is not throwing this chance away.
The Rock is actually happy to see this Cena. He is happy to see that “fire” again in Cena. He only wanted to face him at WrestleMania, because he knew what it meant to Cena. The Rock says that the only thing they share is the absolute desire to succeed and they are the only two in the locker room with that passion.
It matters to The Rock, because just like Cena, he connects with every fan in the arena or at home. In 34 days, according to The Rock, Cena is not getting redemption, but instead getting an ass-kicking.
Cena retorts and quotes legendary boxer Mike Tyson. Cena says that he had the greatest quote in sports history, “in order to be the greatest that ever lived, you have to beat everyone living.” Cena says that he has accomplished every goal and jumped every single road block in his career, except for you. “At WrestleMania XXIX, you’re time is up, and my time is now.”
The Rock disagrees. He says that his time is just getting started, and quotes another famous athlete. “Winning is about heart, you just got to have it in the right place.” The Rock says that was from (shamed) man Lance Armstrong, who was “full of crap and so are you.” Cena laughs, and says that in 34 days, “at WrestleMania XXIX, I will become the WWE Champion.”
The Rock tells Cena that he just “crystallized” everything that The Rock and John Cena are all about. “You think you can beat me, I know I can beat you. And at WrestleMania XXIX, in front of the world, I will beat you – again.”
The two rivals glare each other with the WrestleMania prominently in the background.
Ads.
Match #4: Single – “The Real American” Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) VS. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan (with “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes” and “The American Hero” Sergeant Slaughter)
Loud “U.S.A.” chants as the Hall-Of-Famer gears up They circle around the ring and Jack hops out, grabbing the 2 x 4. He stalls for a few seconds, then clubs away on all three Hall-Of-Famers. He points to the WrestleMania XXIX sign and locks on the “Patriot Lock” Ankle Lock.
Winner: No Contest due to No Official Start
Commercials.
Segment #4: Backstage Promo
Josh Matthews attempts to interview Jack Swagger on his actions just now, but his opponent for WrestleMania XXIX, the World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio, attacks from behind. They engage in a brawl that is broken up by security.
Match #5: Tag-Team – Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell-No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan) VS. “The Primetime Players” (Darren Young and Titus O’Neil) (with “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase) (Non-Title)
Kane and Young start out, with Kane shoving Darren into the ropes and knocking him down with a shoulder-block. He tags in Bryan, who flies off the top-rope with a double-axe-handle. Daniel hits a high-dropkick for a two-count, and then has to fend off both “Primetime Players,” until finally getting clotheslined by “The Big Deal” Titus O’Neil.
Titus switches again with Darren, who is suplexed onto Bryan. O’Neil back in and clamps on a grounding rear-chinlock. Titus corners Bryan, but misses a running tackle. Daniel crawls to Kane, who comes in and dominates over Young.
He clotheslines Darren twice in the corners and then drops him with a sidewalk slam. Bryan nails running knees off the apron, and in the ring, Kane finishes this contest with a Chokeslam on Young!
Winners via Pinfall: Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell-No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan)
Post-match, “The Million Dollar Man” declines “The Primetime Players'” offer, shoving a $100 bill in Young’s mouth, then walks out with the victors. Bryan goes back and steals Darren’s money, stuffing it down the front of his trunks.
Up next, we see the back of another legend, The Honky-Tonk Man! He’s back to “shake, rattle, and roll” as Michael Cole says!
Ads.
Match #6: Tag-Team – “3.M.B.” (Drew McIntyre and Heath Slater) (with Jinder Mahal) VS. Tensai and “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay” (with “The Funkettes,” Naomi and Cameron)
Prior to the contest, Heath orders Honky Tonk out of the ring. This is a short one, as Tensai rolls up McIntyre following a missed splash for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: Tensai and “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay” (with “The Funkettes,” Naomi and Cameron)
Post-match, The Honky Tonk man dances to his theme with the winners, and also smashes his six-string over the head of Heath. (Lawler had a great line – “he doesn’t have an enemy in the world, he’s out-lived them all!”)
Up next, Fandango will make his debut against Kofi Kingston. (Meh.)
Commercials.
Match #7: Single – Kofi Kingston VS. Fandango (with Dancer)
Fandango declines to wrestle, since announcer Justin Roberts did not say his name correctly. (This was stupid).
Winner: No Contest via Forfeit
Ads.
Segment #5: Arena Promo
After recap highlights of the fight between Brock Lesnar and Triple H last week, “The Game” is back and enters the arena. Triple H recalls that the last time he was in the ring with a microphone was eight days after SummerSlam, eight days after Brock Lesnar broke his arm for the second time in two months.
Then, he tried to convince himself and us that it was over. However, even though he did leave and did his day job as the C.O.O. of the WWE, he also trained harder than he had before and he is in the best shape in a long while.
He cites motivation from seeing Mr. Vince McMahon, his father-in-law, in the hospital following hip surgery. He saw his entire family beside Vince’s bed, crying. However, when “The Game” saw McMahon stand up and fight against Paul Heyman and Lesnar, that was all he needed. “The ass-kicker” is back, and as he looked at the WrestleMania sign, Triple H challenged Brock – “are you gonna show up and fight, or are you just gonna sit there and bleed?”
Commercials.
Segment #6: Video Promo
“The Shield,” Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns, discuss the events of last Friday’s Smackdown and the Fatal-4-Way for later tonight. “Nobody can trust us. Believe that. Believe in ‘The Shield.'”
Match #8: Champion VS. Champion single – Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett VS. World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) (Non-Title)
They circle around each other, and Barrett takes control with a big boot-to-the-gut. He hammers away in the corner, but Del Rio reverses and ties Wade up in the ropes. He delivers harsh fists to Barrett’s kidneys, then we see Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter walk to the entrance way.
Barrett slams Del Rio down with “The Winds Of Change” spinning slam for a two-count. Alberto fights out of a grounding rear-chinlock, and later manages to lock in the Cross Armbreaker on the ropes! He has to release before five, and does. Barrett gives Alberto knees against his head on the ring apron, then rolls him in for a near-fall!
Barrett misses a diving elbow and eats a boot-to-the-face,. Alberto is fired up with clotheslines and a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! He gears up and hits Wade in the head with a stiff mini-superkick! 1 – 2 – Barrett kicks out!
Barrett counters a run and boots him in the face again. He sets up for the pump handle, but Del Rio reverses that and another “Winds Of Change” into the Cross Armbreaker for the tap-out victory!
Winner via Pinfall: World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez)
Post-match, Colter and Swagger stare down their opponent for WrestleMania.
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Segment #7: Video Promo
Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter produce another video, talking about “Political Correctedness.” They rant about speaking about what you believe in, and what the Four Fathers believed in.
Match #9: Tag-Team – Primo and Epico (with Rosa Mendes) VS. “The New Age Outlaws” (“Road Dogg” Jesse James and “Badd Ass” Billy Gunn)
According to the fans, “you still got it,” and they truly do, as The Outlaws go through their usual routine, both on the microphone and in the ring. Road Dogg hits the “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” kneedrop, for a two-count, but is quickly taken down with a dropkick. Epico and Primo work him over in the corner, including a springboard somersault plancha.
Jesse finally makes a tag and Billy comes in, taking out both members, and planting Primo with a tilt-a-whirl slam and the Fameasser for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: “The New Age Outlaws” (“Road Dogg” Jesse James and “Badd Ass” Billy Gunn)
Commercials.
Segment #8: Arena Promo
Many cakes and cupcakes are spread out on a table, surrounding by Superstars. “Mean” Gene Okerlund is brought out to introduce and celebrate Mae Young, because it is her 90th Birthday! Mae is guided by the Divas, as everyone sings “Happy Birthday.”
Unfortunately, they don’t get all the way through, as C.M. Punk’s music plays and he just bursts his way through, leading to….
Match #10: Fatal-4-Way For The Right To Face The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXIX – C.M. Punk VS. The Big Show VS. “The Viper” Randy Orton VS. Sheamus
Big Show is standing alone in the ring, waiting for one of the other three to try their hand first. Show takes out Punk and Sheamus, but Orton puts up a small fight. Show takes it to the outside, picking up Randy on his shoulder. Orton drops out and shoves Show into the ring post.
Sheamus is now squaring off against “The Viper,” but is brought down with a backbreaker. Punk slides in to try and get the quick win, but Sheamus kicks out. Punk slides back out and lets Randy and Sheamus continue to wrestle. Sheamus hits the “Irish Curse” backbreaker, and Punk tries to steal it again, but Orton kicks out and Sheamus manages to drag Punk back in the ring this time.
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Punk and Orton are going at it, with Randy firing up with a couple clotheslines and a powerslam. He even drives him down with a t-bone-like suplex for a two-count. Punk counters the slingshot DDT, but turns around into a springboard shoulder-tackle by Sheamus! He is now tied up against the ropes and clobbered (thanks Lawler!) by Sheamus, but Show comes in and delivers the “Final Cut” to Sheamus. 1 – 2 – Punk breaks it up.
Quickly, Show knocks out C.M. Punk with the punch, and Heyman pulls him out. Sheamus battles Show now, nailing him with a running, flying headbutt! Big comes back soon with a headbutt of his own, then ascends the ropes like Vader/the late, great Yokozuna.
He misses the drop-down slash, which allows Sheamus to muster up his strength and drop plant show with the “White Noise” drop! 1 – 2 – Big Show gets his shoulder up! Sheamus is gearing up for the Brogue Kick, but as he runs, Orton catches him in a powerslam.
Show rises again, and hits a pair of Chokeslams on both Orton and Sheamus, but Sheamus kicks out of his cover! He signals for another Knockout Punch, as Sheamus uses the ropes to aide him up. Show misses the Punch, Sheamus hits the Brogue Kick, then turns around into an R.K.O. However, Orton gets kicked from behind and knocked unconscious with the “Go-To-Sleep” by C.M. Punk, who covers and receives the victory!
Winner and Facing The Undertaker At WrestleMania XXIX: C.M. Punk
Post-match, as C.M. Punk basks in his huge win, his new opponent returns. The Undertaker walks back to the entrance way and the two intensely gaze at each other to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
Another great show two weeks in a row, and it was awesome, just awesome, to see the old Titantron set again. In my wishes, this is the one that would be used EVERY week, along with the red, white, and blue ropes for all the Pay-Per-Views. They can keep the current setup for every normal Raw and Smackdown, but breaking this arena out more frequently for PPVs and special Raws/SD’s would be very cool. On to my finer points…
Excellence: The fluidity. Once again, I thought Raw was smooth from start to finish. As Jimmy Korderas, former WWF/WWE referee and now analysist on “The Score” here up in Canada said about last week’s Raw, tonight kicked off with a bang and ended with one – only tonight finished with the exact same people as it began. While it was very predictable/inevitable that C.M. Punk would be the winner to take on The Undertaker, I did like how they had some of “The Deadman’s” former opponents want to take another crack at defeating his “streak” and plead their case. The main event was set up nicely.
While Ryback/Cesaro was a throw-away, and in turn bad for the United States Championship, I like the pending feud between Ryback and Mark Henry. That could be a very solid match come Wrestlmania XXIX, and I think it will help either Ryback or Henry propel back to main-event status, as they are both over as face and heel, respectively.
Absolutely LOVED the promo between WWE Champion The Rock and John Cena. this is the seriousness and passion I want to see every week from them leading up to their monumental rematch at W.M. XXIX. No child-ish acts, just desire and fire. I kind of wish that WrestleMania was THIS Sunday, as that was the best way to leave off between them, in my opinion. Same with Triple H’s challenge/intense promo for Brock Lesnar. That is “The Game” I want to see!
Jack Swagger/Zeb Colter can do NO wrong right now and are playing this gimmick very smartly, and choosing their words carefully to speak “truth,” but not overly offend anyone that is actually “smart” to the product. (Like they said in their videos last week, depicting the difference between reality and fiction – that was also well done – kudos!)
World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio continues to rise in popularity AND wrestle some GREAT matches. Tonight’s with Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett was another beauty!
Also enjoyed “The Shield’s” video. Wouldn’t be something to have them cost The Undertaker his streak at WrestleMania? Truthfully, I can see both sides and not sure how I would feel.
The use of Raw’s Legends was well done. I thought it was appropriate (Mae Young’s Birthday Celebration) they didn’t take away from the main stories or “over shine,” (Ric Flair/Hacksaw/Slaughter/Dusty Rhodes) and they fit in nicely, with some just their for flashback reasons and fun. (Honky Tonk/”Million Dollar Man”/”New Age Outlaws”). I do think they should’ve had a Women’s Legends match, with either Trish Stratus (hello, Hall Of Fame!), or Lita. Otherwise, I was pleased with the appearances.
Bogus: Fandango. I think he is going to be a character that is “one-off” and they will quickly realize it will be a dumb gimmick. Dolph Ziggler and The Miz – while I loved their match tonight, I’m really afraid they’re getting stuck mid-card for WrestleMania and losing steam after so much build-up prior to 2013. These two should NOT be taking backseats and someone has to figure out how to use them properly, fast!
All in all, Raw tonight was a great edition, and it is starting to definitely feel like WrestleMania season. Everyone is turning it up and here’s hoping that can continue. Until next week, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
Backstage at RAW on Monday night, WWE celebrated Mae Young’s 90th birthday and while her on-screen celebration was interrupted by CM Punk, things went smooth behind the scenes.
Vince McMahon and Triple H presented Young a WWE Divas title with her name tag on it. Both Vince and HHH hugged and kissed Mae Young who thanked God for still being around her WWE family.
Young told Vince McMahon that she plans on wrestling when she hits 100 in 10 years time and McMahon asked her who does she want to wrestle and Young said Stephanie McMahon.
Vince said he would tell Stephanie that and he will bet his money on Young. The oldest living WWE Hall of Famer told Vince to tell Steph that she loves her and HHH apologized that she couldn’t be there with them.
CM Punk vs The Undertaker was made official yesterday on Monday Night RAW after Punk earned his way to try and end Taker’s streak at the biggest WWE pay-per-view of the year.
The Undertaker made an appearance at the start of RAW appearing on stage with a WrestleMania 29 logo shown behind him after the lights came back up. That was the Undertaker’s only appearance on the show.
CM Punk came out after the RAW open and challenged the Undertaker however Randy Orton, Big Show, and Sheamus all had the same idea. Vickie Guerrero fixed things with a fatal four way with the winner challenging the Undertaker.
The four wrestled in the main event on RAW and Punk ended up pinning Randy Orton after delivering a GTS for the pin.
This is not the first time that Punk will be wrestling the Undertaker as the two had a series of matches a few years ago when Punk was going through his first World Heavyweight title reigns.
Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later, and it did! Twitter welcomed WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon to Twitter this week although the boss has not even sent an initial tweet.
The Chairman – who probably won’t even be close to Twitter activity as UFC President Dana White – joined after his daughter Stephanie and son-in-law Triple H also joined the social networking website last week.
McMahon is following only WWE-related Twitter accounts for now except for his good friend and soon-to-be WWE Hall of Famer Donald Trump.
PWInsider.com is reporting that The Undertaker is backstage at RAW today and will be appearing on the show tonight to kickstart his WrestleMania program.
Taker had been touch-and-go regarding his involvement at WrestleMania and it was only just very recently that it was decided that he would be a part of the show this year. He is rumored to be facing off CM Punk at WrestleMania 29, hoping to keep his streak alive by going 21-0.
The Undertaker has been off WWE television since the RAW 1000 episode back in July of last year where he made an appearance coming to help Kane. He wrestled at a non-televised live WWE event on February 23 in Waco, Texas, making a surprise appearance in a tag team match with Sheamus against Damien Sandow and Wade Barrett.
Former World Heavyweight champion Rey Mysterio announced on his Twitter today that he is back to see Dr. James Andrews as he fears he is suffering from another injury.
“Things haven’t been good since I stepped back in the ring,” Mysterio wrote. “Possibly ACL tear again!”
Mysterio suffered a knee injury during a non-televised live event in August 2011 and was out for 10 months before returning in July of last year on an episode of RAW.
He was attacked by Mark Henry last month and has been off WWE television ever since, including losing his spot at the Elimination Chamber match to determine the number one contender for the World Heavyweight title. He was recently removed from all advertising on upcoming WWE events.
W-O reader Ian Hamilton sent in word that Ofcom – the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications – warned WWE’s broadcaster in the UK, Sky, after they received complaints over the broadcast
of violent material, specifically the Wade Barrett “bare knuckle” fighter promos.
Ofcom received complaints after the promo aired during a Saturday morning showing of Superstars on November 10 of last year.
Most of the complaints were over whether the promo was suitable to be broadcast to an audience of which 50% were under 16 at 9AM.
Sky have said that they’ll edit out these types of scenes in future, and noted that they do already edit out headbutts and mild language. The full complaint and verdict is up on page 23 at http://bit.ly/Z2tPjb (pdf document).
CM Punk met his 77 year old fan in Syracuse, New York, yesterday, however the meeting did not happen at the non-televised event as originally planned as Tom Dotterer – who was shot in the eye during a robbery – was admitted back to the hospital.
The former WWE champion made good on his promise to meet Dotterer and traveled to the hospital for the meet and greet. Friends, family, and fans held a rally as well to collect money for Dotterer who then insisted the money collected to be donated to a charity.
Dotterer made the news after he was interviewed following the robbery saying that he was more pissed off about CM Punk losing the WWE title to The Rock than being shot in his eye.
You can see the news video clip about this story from News Channel 9 below.
The old school Monday Night RAW tomorrow will see several WWE legends appearing although the majority of the show won’t revolve around the former WWE Superstars, and maybe Divas.
Those scheduled to appear according to TV listings are Mean Gene Okerlund, Dusty Rhodes, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and Ric Flair. More Superstars will be appearing however those are the only ones confirmed so far.
The Rock and Triple H are also advertised to be on the show although there will be no Brock Lesnar.
First up on the main card was the welterweights Dong Hyun “Stun Gun” Kim versus Siyar “The Great” Bahadurzada. This fight was all Stun Gun from the get go as he got Bahadurzada down early in each round and finished each round from the mount. I guess you can give credit to Siyar for not just giving up late in the fight when Kim had him in a deep arm triangle. Kim delivered a beating including posturing up from the mount and raining down double punches and elbows from the top. Kim took the unanimous decision 30-27 on all three judges score cards.
In a featherweight fight Rani Yahya spent much of the first two rounds like Kim did in his fight from a dominant top position. Yahya also like Kim had a deep arm triangle but being up against the fence really kept him from turning it and he would go on to let go and settle back into the guard of Mizuto Hirota. In the third round the clearly tired Yahya was nearly caught in triangle than arm bar submission but the smooth grappler was able to pop his way out of danger and survive till the end of the fight. Rani Yahya was awarded the unanimous decision by judges scores of 29-28×3.
In the “Thunder” versus “Lightning” fight Yushin “Thunder” Okami spent the first two rounds grinding away on Hector “Lightning” Lombard. Okami was able to utilize his reach advantage than get the take downs trying to wear down the muscular Lombard. After two clear rounds for Okami Lombard came out the aggressor winging big right and left over hand punches. Okami looked to be hurt and flopped to his back. Lombard quickly dove on top and tried to rain down the punches but Okami was able to tie him up and prevented him from landing anything that could have ended the fight. Lombard clearly won the last round but after the first two rounds he needed the stoppage. Thunder took this one by judges scores of 28-29, 29-28, 29-28 for split decision nod.
After more than a year since his last fight the middleweight winner from the very first Ultimate Fighter season Diego Sanchez stepped back into the octagon. After going 2-2 at welterweight the former light weight title challenger made his return the ranks of 155ers. The man to welcome him to Japan would be none other than home town fighter, Pride grand prix winner and former Pride champion ‘The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi. The man who now fights under the moniker “The Dream” had more of a nightmarish weekend as he was unable to make weight and had to give Gomi 20% of his purse. Than to make things worse Gomi landed the lead jab over and over again throughout the fight. Gomi also punished the body of Sanchez with thudding hooks. Gomi was the aggressor of this fight as he had Sanchez circling and back pedaling almost the whole fight. Once Gomi would back Sanchez into the cage he would wisely reset and get back to the center of the octagon to avoid being taken down by Sanchez. Sanchez was successful with his kicks to the body but not so much when he would go to the head or inside of the leg as he caught Gomi twice in the groin and was warned early in the second to change what he was doing or he was going to end up losing points. Sanchez was able to get a pair of take downs off the kicks of Gomi in the first than Gomi stuffed the rest of Sanchez’s attempts. Wow judges score the fight (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) to give the split decision nod to Diego “The Dream” Sanchez. That is surprising and most who are watching and on twitter see it the same way including UFC President Dana White who tweeted “How the fuck did Diego win that fight!? Crazy shit” Watch for yourself I would love to know how you saw it.
In the co-main event the heavyweights had their turn to entertain the fans. Former Pride competitor Mark “Super Samoan” Hunt who comes into the fight at 5’10” and 266lbs faces the 7’ “Skyscraper” that is Stefan Struve. The two heavies but on a very competitive fight as they showed all aspects of the mma game. Hunt looked good standing being able to get to the inside and land some punches on the much bigger man. Struve was able to stay in the fight because Hunt was more than willing to go into the guard of Struve and Struve was able to sweep Hunt a couple times, gain the mount and threaten submissions. By the third round both men looked exhausted. Struve was letting Hunt come in and tee off on him with leaping punches. Struve finally dropped his hands and Hunt landed a huge lunging (almost leaping to reach the chin) left hand that causes Dean to step in and save Stefan Struve and we see our first stoppage of the night since the opening fight on facebook. Hunt is credited with a technical knock out at 1:44 of round 3. Struve suffered a broken jaw from that last big hay maker.
Brian Stann stepped back up to light heavyweight for the night to face “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva in the building that captured many of his most memorable highlights and helped make him a legend in mixed martial arts. The two men come out right from the beginning and look to do nothing other than trade the biggest punches they can throw. Stann is able to drop Silva twice in the first couple minutes as they stand in front of each other but Silva is quickly back to his feet and telling Stann to bring it on. Silva breaks Stann’s nose across the bridge. With a minute left in the round they are winging punches again. This time Silva goes down pops back up and Stann is dropped now as Silva has his back against the cage. Silva goes down again after Stann connects. Silva once again is back up and as they clinch Stann falls on top of Silva as they go down to the mat and the round ends there with Stann gushing blood down on Silva. Round two was much more cautious as Stann was looking to land the straight punches and press the action while Silva wants to counter with the hooks. Silva does just that as he ducks lands the counter right than immediately follows it with a left hook to the chin and Stann is down. Silva pounces and Goodard is racing over to save Stann from any more punishment. Saitama Super Arena, the announcers and me at home go nuts as Silva jumps into the stands. What a fight especially that last minute of round one. Go back and watch it to see one of the greatest exchanges of all time. The Axe Murderer Wanderlei Silva gets the knock out victory at 4:08 of round 2.
Jon Anik and Kenny Florian are calling the action tonight from the legendary Sitama Super Arena in Tokyo, Japan as the UFC makes their first trip to Japan this year.
Welterweights (170 lbs)
Marcelo “Magrao” Guimaraes vs “The Ace” Hyun Gyu Lim
In the first round the much taller 6’3″ Lim worked the jab and striking well. He avoided all the take down attempts but for the last one in the round when he went for a stepping knee and Guimaraes was able to take him down but not do much in the last thirty seconds. In the second round Guimaraes was looking much better with his striking as he was able to counter the punches from Lim and able to get in and out with out being punished. Guimaraes was also able to score another take down. Lim landed the stepping knee this time as Guimaraes was ducking down for another take down and connected to the chin and Guimaraes is knocked out.
Winner at 4:00 of round 2 by Knockout Hyun Gyu Lim
Bantamweights (135 lbs)
“Bruce Leeroy” Alex Caceres vs Kyung Ho “Typhoon” Kang
Caceres and Kang went the distance in this one. Kang was able to get take downs pretty much at will. His wrestling game was head and shoulders above Caceres but the crafty Caceres was able to keep Kang from landing any damaging shots from the top and over and over again was able to sweep or reverse positions. Late in the second round Caceres got top position and started landing the shots that counted by elbows and hammer fist. The third round was all Caceres as he was making Kang fight out of submissions or just punishing him from the top. This was a great show case of both fighters ground game as the were constantly working to better their positions.
Winner by Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) Alex Caceres
Lightweights (155 lbs)
Cristiano Marcello vs Kazuki Tokudome
Marcello rocked Tokudome with a right hand right at the beginning of the fight he rushed forward and went for the muay thai clinch and Tokudome lands a series of rights that looked to hurt Marcello. A moment later Marcello slipped and Tokudome jumped into his guard and from there he landed the left hand and kept the bjj black belt from doing anything offensive off his back. Early in the second Tokudome got the judo throw and spent most of the second round just like the first in the guard of Marcello landing some punches but mainly kept Marcello trapped. In the third round Tokudome dropped Marcello with a right hand that connected with the chin. Tokudome would spend much of the third just as he did in the first and second round.
Winner by judges scores of (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) for Unanimous Decision Kazuki Tokudome
Bantamweights (135 lbs)
Takeya Mizugaki vs “Kid Lightning” Bryan Caraway
These two 135ers fought for the whole fifteen minutes. Mizugaki got the edge in the stand up and was able to land a lot of punishing shots. Mizugaki found a home with the left to the body and over hand right that dropped Caraway. The second round was more Caraway as he had a tight guillotine and dominate ground positions in the round. Mizugaki took the fight in the third when he dropped Caraway with the right hand. Mizugaki also looked good fighting off the submissions from Caraway when Caraway was able to get one it wasn’t for long. This was the first win for Mizugaki in Japan and led to him hitting his knees and sobbing his way through the post fight interview with Jon Anik.
Winner by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) Takeya Mizugaki
Middleweights (185 lbs)
Riki Fukuda vs Brad Tavares
Tavares, who I had thought was a small middle weight, looked much stronger in this fight. Tavares was taken down three times in the first round as he telegraphed the right leg kick to the body. Tavares was able to quickly push Fukuda off of him each time and able to push Fukuda off of him and across the cage when he tried to clinch. Tavares punching was defiently the difference in the first as he was able to land repeatedly to the nose of Fukuda. According to Kenny Florian Fukuda was paying special attention to his left hand between rounds which was not shown on the Facebook stream. Tavares cruises in the second behind the lead left jab and right leg kick to the inside of Fukuda’s leg. Tavares mixing it up and grazed Fukuda with a spinning back fist. By the end of the third round Fukuda isn’t even closing his hand nor seriously throwing it. By the end of two both men have bloody face, the bridge of Fukuda’s nose and under the left eye of Tavares. Fukuda comes in to strike in the third and we see Tavares step to the side and land a counter right of his own. Both men were landing punches in the third but it doesn’t look like either man has much left on them.
Winner by Unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Brad Tavares
Soon-to-be WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino will be inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame today at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio.
WWE is sending Triple H to support Sammartino at the Hall of Fame ceremony, probably the best man for the job since it was Triple H’s persistence that led to Sammartino to accept WWE’s invitation to the WWE Hall of Fame.
Former California Governor and Hollywood action movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger will be inducting Sammartino into the International Sports Hall of Fame and rumors are that WWE is also trying to get Arnold to do the same for their Hall of Fame at Madison Square Garden next month.
