Bruno Sammartino was going to attend this year’s WrestleCon, a convention held during the WrestleMania weekend where several pro wrestling legends meet up to have pictures and autographs with fans. However WWE pulled Sammartino from the event after he agreed to enter the Hall of Fame which will be held in Madison Square Garden.
To make up for it, WWE is sending William Regal to WrestleCon and the former Intercontinental champion will be signing autographs and taking photos from 10AM till Noon on Sunday, April 7.
WrestleCon will take place at the Meadowlands Expo Center on 355 Plaza Drive in Secaucus, New Jersey. For more information go to WrestleCon.com.
The 77 year old man who was shot in the eye but was more annoyed that CM Punk lost the WWE title to The Rock at the Royal Rumble will be meeting his favorite WWE Superstar this coming Sunday as WWE rolls into Syracuse, New York, for a non-televised event at the War Memorial.
News Channel 9 in Syracuse is reporting that WWE has offered Thomas Dotterer ringside seats and a meet and greet with CM Punk on Sunday, something which certainly will brighten his day as he says he’s still coming to grips with the reality of having a different life than before the accident.
Wrestling has been his life-long passion and told News Channel 9 that it will be an honor for him to be there even though he’s not one to be too star-struck.
“It’s kept me youthful and it’s provided me with untold smiles,” Dotterer said about his love of wrestling.
Only one of the three WWE pay-per-views held in the fourth quarter of last year did more more buys than the same show in prior year quarter according to figures released in the latest financial results.
The Hell In A Cell pay-per-view with CM Punk defending the WWE title against Ryback drew 199,000 buys, a little more than the 2011 version of the pay-per-view which did 182,000.
Survivor Series did 208,000 buys compared to 281,000 buys from 2011. The 2011 pay-per-view had the return of The Rock teaming up with John Cena. TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs did 175,000, down only just a bit from the 179,000 from the same PPV in 2011.
WWE presented one less pay-per-view in the fourth quarter when compared to the same period in 2011 as Vengeance was taken off the calendar. In 2011, Vengeance did just 121,000 buys.
Impact begins with Bully Ray and Brooke Hogan making their way to the Impact Zone. Someone asks them if they have any news on Hulk’s condition, Brooke says he’s better, but Bully says he’s still messed up real bad and doesn’t want to talk about it.
Bully Ray makes his way out to the ring and calls out TNA champion Jeff Hardy. Bully tells Jeff he isn’t sure he deserves to face Hardy for the title at Lockdown, and thinks he was given this shot because he’s now Hulk’s son in law. Bully has been hurt and was not part of the series of 4 matches to determine a number one contender. Hardy says he’s glad Hogan picked Bully Ray: over the years they’ve swung a lot of chairs, climbed a lot of ladders, and busted a lot of tables.
Hardy and Ray are interrupted by Kaz and Daniels. Kaz claims Bully got the title shot as a gift from “Thunderlips” (Hogan’s character from Rocky 3) just like Hulk also gave Bully his daughter Brooke, so someone else could rub suntan lotion on her and post pics of her on Twitter.
This of course refers to the weirdly creepy photos of Hulk and Brooke from a couple years ago. Take a second to shake that image out of your head; you don’t want to think about it anymore. Ever.
Kaz and Daniels claim to be the real men, and give the crowd permission to worship them, but they are interrupted by Bully Ray. Ray grabs Daniels appletini, drinks it, spits it back into the glass, and then throws it in Daniels face and says “real men don’t drink appletinis” and a brawl ensues. Hardy and Ray chase Kaz and Daniels out of the ring, and Bully Ray challenges them to a tag match later tonight.
Commercial
When we return, Magnus is lobbying Sting to be part of his team at Lockdown when they face Aces and Eights.
Match #1: Tara with Jesse versus Velvet Sky for the Knockouts title.
Tara starts the match off with a kick and a shoulder block in the corner. Tara tosses Velvet across the ring by her hair. Velvet hits Tara with a kick and a pair of clotheslines. Velvet lands an elbow and takes Tara down with a hurricanrana. Velvet tackles Tara and goes for a pin but Jesse breaks it up.
Referee Taryn Tyrrell throws Jesse out of the ringside area. Velvet hits Tara with a kick and “In Yo Face” (sit out double underhook facebuster) for the win. Gail Kim, the number one contender, notes that the count was a little fast. Gail thinks referee Taryn Tyrrell favors Velvet Sky.
In the back, Austin Aries is on the phone with tag team partner and Frenemy Bobby Roode. Aries is more concerned about a photo shoot than any match when he is interrupted by Chavo Guerrero. Chavo overheard Aries claim to be able to beat anyone and wants to challenge him to a match, but not with Chavo, with Chavo’s partner, Hernandez.
Commercial
When we return, Kenny king confronts X Division champ RVD. King tells RVD he IS the X division, and RVD replies that King isn’t the champ, RVD is, and RVD has already beaten King for the title twice. King asks if he thinks he can beat him three times. RVD replies that he will give King another title shot tonight, if King agrees to leave the X Division forever if he loses. King agrees.
Match #2: Austin Aries versus Hernandez.
The two men lock up and Hernandez shoves Aries to the corner. Aries poses on the corner and Hernandez knocks him off. Aries gets Hernandez’ back, but Hernandez gets Aries off and hip tosses him. Hernandez clotheslines Aries to the floor. Aries hits Hernandez with a shoulder block from the edge of the ring and then sunset flips back in.
Hernandez picks Aries up by the head and then knocks him down. Aries hits Hernandez with an elbow and then climbs to the top. Aries leaps off the top rope but Hernandez catches him. Aries slips out and tosses Hernandez out to the floor. Aries hits Hernandez with a suicide dive and follows up with a double axe handle from the top rope.
Aries rolls Hernandez back into the ring and lands several punches and a snapmare. Aries goes to the top and tries for a frog splash but Hernandez rolls out of the way. Hernandez hits Aries with a slingshot shoulder block and then drops him with a military press slam. Aries hits Hernandez with a discuss forearm and Hernandez responds with a huge tackle knocking Aries to the floor. Aries starts to walk away and takes his tag title belt with him.
Hernandez grab Aries and throws him back into the ring. Aries hands Hernandez the tag belt, which the ref takes from Hernandez and takes back to ringside. Aries takes advantage of the distraction by hitting Hernandez with a steel chain and then rolling him up for the win.
Sting is in the back and is still looking for another person to join team TNA versus Aces and Eights at Lockdown. Joseph Park is eating a bunch of ribs and asks Sting to be part of the team. Sting doesn’t seem too interested, but he does seem interested in Matt Morgan. Morgan however, doesn’t want to help Sting because Sting is friends with Hogan, and that makes him guilty by association.
Commercial
Match #3: Kenny King versus Rob Van Dam.
The two men lock up and King quickly gets RVD in a headlock. RVD escapes and takes King to the mat with a headlock. King gets out and RVD reapplies the headlock. RVD takes King over with a German Suplex into a bridge, getting a two count. King invites RVD to pose for the crowd.
Amazingly, RVD does turn his back on King to pose for the crowd. Predictably, King dropkicks Rob in the back, knocking him to the floor. King tries a corkscrew dive but RVD gets out of the way. RVD hits King with a springing back kick and drapes him over the guard rail. RVD leaps off the edge of the ring to hit King with a leg drop.
Commercial
King suplexes RVD and then pounds him on the mat. RVD responds with a kick and a bodyscissors takedown and pin attempt. King blocks a Van Dam monkey flip attempt, but RVD knocks King down and then hits him with Rolling Thunder. RVD goes to the top rope and tries a 450 splash but King rolls out of the way. King hits RVD with a kick and then Royal Flush for the win! Kenny King is the new X Division champ!
In the back, Kurt Angle asks Sting who is on the list for the match at Lockdown. Angle seems surprised at one of the names, but seems more interested in some project he has.
Commercial
When we return, the 5 members of Aces and Eights that will be competing at Lockdown enter the ring, led by Devon. Devon claims Aces and Eights will dominate TNA at Lockdown just like they did at Bound For Glory. Devon is interrupted by Sting, who has come to announce the members of his team: Samoa Joe, James Storm, Magnus, and one other member, and Sting says it’s going to be “Showtime!”
Ken Anderson thinks this is just Sting repeating his catch phrase and gets annoyed, but Sting was actually referring to “Showtime” Eric Young, who enters the ring and attacks Aces and Eights from behind. Team TNA chases Aces and Eights out of the ring.
After the match we meet one of tonight’s Gut Check contestants: Ivelise Valez. Ivelise trains in MMA as well and cancelled a fight to be here tonight.
Commercial
When we return, we see Kurt Angle following the retreating members of Aces and Eights. We are also introduced to the next Gut Check contestant: Lei’d Tapa. She is the niece of the Barbarian.
Match #4: Lei’d Tapa versus Ivelise Valez.
It wasn’t apparent from her intro video, but Lei’d is a BIG woman. Tapa grabs Valez by the throat and picks her up. Valez slips out with an armdrag and lands a kick. Valez gets Tapa in a guillotine, Tapa gets out of it. Valez gets Tapa’s back and applies a rear naked choke. Tapa gets out again and lands a couple kicks.
Tapa knocks Valez down with a couple clotheslines and then a bodyslam. Valez tries to fight back with a couple punches, but the larger Tapa knocks her down with a headbutt. Tapa whips Valez hard into the corner, and then again to the opposite corner. Valez lands a punch and follows up with a DDT.
Valez takes Tapa down with a hurricanrana but Tapa responds with a big Samoan Drop. Tapa goes for a cover and gets 2. Valez pulls Tapa onto her, wraps her legs around her waist and gets her in a guillotine again and this time Tapa taps. Ivelise Valez wins by submission. Not a bad match.
There have been 2 Knockouts matches tonight and neither of them featured the use of the vagina or buttocks or bosom as a weapon. Maybe TNA is starting to take women’s wrestling seriously again.
In the back, Austin Aries is looking for Jeff Hardy and finds him. Aries tells Hardy he’s actually rooting for him in his match against Bully Ray at Lockdown. Aries claims that Bully Ray is now Hulks’ Golden Boy, just like Hardy was when Hardy beat Aries for the title. I think Aries is being a little disingenuous.
Commercial
When we return, AJ Styles wife and best friend are being interviewed about what AJ has been up to lately. His wife seems worried, his friend thinks AJ just arrived. We see enter looking hairier than usual, and unhappy. He is not happy people from TNA are here and he hops back on his motorcycle and leaves.
Robbie E comes to the ring to call out his friend, Robbie T. The two Robbie’s have not been getting along so well lately (although they do still wear matching sweaters, which is adorable) Robbie E feels like he has been a bad bro, and that he crossed the line when he slapped bigger Rob.
So Robbie E wants to make it up to him by having another bro-off for old times sake and giving Robbie T the spotlight for once. Robbie E does his bro dance, which is stupid and yet sort of funny and yields the ring to bigger Rob. Bigger Rob starts his bro dance when Robbie E sneaks up behind him and smashes a large framed picture over his head. Robbie E celebrates knocking his now ex-bro down, but Robbie T gets up pretty fast and looks mad. Robbie E runs away scared as Robbie T flexes impressively.
Austin Aries is looking for Bully Ray and finds him lifting weights. Aries tells Ray he’s rooting for him in his title match against Jeff Hardy, despite having told Hardy the opposite just minutes ago. Ray isn’t buying it and tells him to leave. Aries asks Bully to say hi to Brooke for him.
Commercial
When we return, we see Kurt Angle enter the Aces and Eights Clubhouse. Tazz sounds outraged.
Match #5: Kaz and Daniels versus Bully Ray and Jeff Hardy. Daniels and Bully Ray start the match off. Daniels lands a kick and a chop and then salutes the crowd. Bully Ray hits Daniels with a clothesline and a headbutt to the chest. Ray hits Daniels with a chop so loud that my chest hurt, and then hits him with another one.
Kaz and Daniels double team Bully Ray, take him down with a suplex, and then celebrate with gangnam style dancing. That dance craze is so five minutes ago. Bully Ray knocks them both down and then does some gangnam style dancing of his own. This dance craze has aged dramatically during this match; it now feels older than the Macarena. Bully Ray lands punches and elbows to Kaz and Daniels. Hardy comes in and clothesline Daniels and then Ray and Hardy double team Kaz.
Commercial
When we return, Hardy and Ray do “Poetry in Motion” to Kaz and then whip Daniels into Kaz. Hardy and Ray try Poetry in Motion again but this time Kaz and Daniels break it up. Daniels tags in Kaz and then hip tosses him onto Hardy. Kaz and Daniels continue double teaming Hardy. Kaz hits hardy with springboard leg drop.
Jeff fights out with an elbow and then hits Daniels with Whisper in the Wind. Hardy tags Bully Ray and Ray clotheslines Daniels. Ray hits Kaz with a back drop and a hip toss. Ray hits Daniels with a Urinagi and then a side slam. Ray throws Kaz to the floor and tags in Hardy. Not sure why they’re even bothering with tags, this match has been pretty chaotic.
Hardy gets tripped by Kaz from the floor. Kaz snaps the neck of Bully Ray on the top rope and then Daniels hits Ray with an Enzuigiri. Kaz throws some strikes at Ray, but Ray knocks throws him off. Ray gets Daniels up on his shoulders and then drops him with an electric chair. Hardy comes off the top rope and hits Daniels with the Swanton for the win!
After the match, we see Kurt Angle enter the Aces and Eights Clubhouse and pummel Ken Anderson. Angle goes after Devon next and he’s got a steel pipe in hand. Angle drops Devon and gets the rest of the group to back off. Angle starts to fight with the Aces and Eights leader and beats him down and unmasks him.
From our camera angle, we can’t see who the leader is, but Angle recognizes him and is shocked. He asks “how could you?” as the rest of Aces and Eights jump Angle. Angle gets beaten senseless by Aces and Eights as Impact goes off the air.
Capitalizing on the thousands of people who will be in the area for WrestleMania, TNA’s Hulk Hogan will be doing an event at the Beacon Theatre in New York titled Hulk Hogan Uncensored.
Hogan will be joined on stage by his friend and sometimes business partner Eric Bischoff to participate in a chat with fans, recounting stories from his wrestling career.
Ring announcer Dave Penzer will then moderate a Q&A with the audience where Hogan will answer all the questions put forward.
Tickets will sell between $30 and $300 with the VIP seats including a post-event meet and greet with the Hulkster as well as an autograph and photo opportunity.
Tickets go on sale on March 2 at Noon EST. A pre-sale will be held on Friday, March 1, at Noon EST and will end on March 2 at 11AM EST. Tickets will be sold on Ticketmaster.com.
The Beacon Theatre is located at 2124 Broadway between West 74th and 75th streets.
The Orlando Business Journal website is reporting that Orlando is submitting a bid to host WrestleMania again in either 2015 or 2016.
In the recently released Central Florida Sports Commission newsletter it was revealed that the Commission received a request for proposal from WWE to once again host WrestleMania in late March or early April in in either 2015 or 2016.
The last time Orlando hosted a WrestleMania was in 2008 where 74,635 fans packed the Citrus Bowl. It was the second time that WWE hosted a WrestleMania outdoors, with the first time being WrestleMania IX in Las Vegas. The same stadium is again tipped to host WWE’s biggest event of the year.
WrestleMania XXIV in Orlando generated a total of $51.5 million in economic impact for Central Florida according to a study by Enigma Research Corporation.
Las Vegas, Nevada – Fresh off a brilliant submission victory over Ivan Menjivar at UFC 157, “The California Kid” Urijah Faber returns to the Octagon® Saturday, April 13 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas to meet Scott Jorgensen in a can’t-miss bantamweight showdown.
Faber, the former WEC featherweight champion ranked second in the bantamweight division, is known for his explosive athleticism and finishing ability, and the 33-year-old Sacramento native owns wins over the likes of Jens Pulver (twice), Raphael Assuncao, Takeya Mizugaki, Eddie Wineland and Brian Bowles.
A three-time Pac-10 wrestling champion at Boise State University, the 30-year-old Jorgensen defeated John Albert in a performance that earned him Fight and Submission of the Night honors in his most recent bout this past December. “Young Guns” also holds notable victories over Jeff Curran and Brad Pickett and has developed a reputation as one of the division’s most exciting fighters.
“Urijah Faber is one of the best bantamweights in the world and he proved it at UFC 157 by submitting Ivan Menjivar in the first round,” UFC President Dana White said. “He’s ready to jump right back in the Octagon on April 13 with Scott Jorgensen, who’s ranked seventh in the world at 135 pounds. Both of these guys like to finish fights. This is a really exciting main event for the TUF Finale!”
In addition to the Faber-Jorgensen main event, this season’s The Ultimate Fighter® winner will be crowned when the Octagon® makes its way back to the Mandalay Bay Events Center. The Ultimate Fighter® Finale card also includes:
– Former Strikeforce bantamweight women’s champion Miesha Tate vs. highly touted, undefeated contender Cat Zingano in the second women’s bout in UFC history.
– A heavyweight showdown between Travis Browne and Gabriel Gonzaga.
– A featherweight collision between Bart Palaszewski and Cole Miller.
– A featherweight bout between TUF veteran Justin Lawrence and Houston’s Daniel Pineda.
Tickets for The Ultimate Fighter® Finale go on sale Friday, March 8 at 10 a.m. PT and are priced at $200, $125, $75 and $50. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit the Mandalay Bay Events Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, www.ticketmaster.com, or charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000.
UFC® Fight Club™ members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Wednesday, March 6 at 10 a.m. PT via www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, March 7, starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.
The main card will also air live on FX at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Catch all new episodes of this season of The Ultimate Fighter Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT!
The majority of departments in WWE registered less revenue than the previous prior-year quarter, with only three out of ten making an increase. All figures below are compared to Q4 2011.
Live event revenues declined from $26.9 million to $23.3 million; Pay-per-view events were down to $13 million compared to $14.6 million; Venue merchandise was down to $3.8 million from $3.9 million; Licensing was 12% down from $9.5 million to $8.4 million; Magazines continued its decline from $2 million to $1.7 million; WWEShop.com declined to $5.9 million from $6.2 million; WWE Studios had $0.6 million in revenue compared to $4.3 million.
TV revenues were up to $40.6 million compared to $33.9 million; Home entertainment was up to $9.6 million from $6.5 million; WWE.COM revenues shot up to $6.2 million from $2.7 million.
An updated on the proposed WWE Network was included in the 2013 business plan (chek out business plan consultants) that WWE published along with their financial results today.
WWE announced that the best approach in the U.S. to reach their audience is to have the network as a premium subscription model and based on a market research they would attract between 2 million and 4 million subscribers.
The estimate of subscribers – although not by any means a definite – is based on the inclusion of all pay-per-view events, except WrestleMania, to air as part of the network as well as original content. All pay-per-views would still be available to consumers who do not subscribe to the WWE Network and would pay the normal PPV price.
The proposed price per month for the WWE Network is between $12.99 and $14.99, which would give WWE an additional revenue of between $125 million and $250 million.
WWE today announced its financial results for the 4th quarter ended December 31, 2012.
Revenues totaled $115.1 million as compared to $112.9 million in the prior-year quarter. Operating income was $2.6 million as compared to a loss of $13.1 million in the prior-year quarter. Net income was $0.6 million as compared to a loss of $8.6 million in the prior-year quarter.
Excluding items that impacted comparability on a year-over-year basis, Adjusted Operating income was $5.4 million as compared to $3.1 million in the prior-year quarter, and Adjusted Net income was $1.3 million as compared to $1.8 million.
“In the fourth quarter, we continued to make important progress on our key strategic initiatives, expanding the production and licensing of new programs and enhancing our brands,” stated Vince McMahon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Although we did not announce the launch of a domestic television network during the year, we believe, now more than ever, that we can realize the full value of our intellectual property using a variety of approaches in our global markets. Our confidence is based on the rising value of content and the tremendous global appeal of our brands.”
The most powerful couple in professional wrestling – Triple H and his wife Stephanie McMahon – have finally joined the Twitter world.
Triple H joined the social network yesterday and already has over 190,000 fans following him. “13-time World Champion and Chief Operating Officer of WWE. Time to Play The Game,” reads his bio at the top of the page. His real job title at WWE is Executive Vice President, Talent and Live Events.
Today, HHH said that he managed to convince his wife to also join Twitter. “Hey, I badgered my wife into doing this nerdfest as well,” he wrote.
“Thanks Honey, I needed another responsibility,” Stephanie McMahon wrote back.
McMahon joined Twitter just a few hours ago and has over 6,000 followers as of this writing. Her profile reads, “Stephanie McMahon is WWE’s EVP, Creative, responsible for overseeing creative development for all WWE. Working mom of 3. Married to @TripleH. #WhosTheREALBoss?”
Well, we kinda all knew she was the real boss anyway.
You can follow HHH by adding him @TripleH and Stephanie by adding her @StephMcMahon.
Monday Night RAW this week pulled in a 3.4 rating with an average of 4,707,000 viewers, up from last week’s 3.3 rating.
Hour one did 4,860,000 viewers, followed by 4,700,000 in the second hour, and 4,560,000 in the third hour. The first hour tied as the third largest 8PM to 9PM audience-wise since the show moved to three hours in July 2012. (Ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research and put online by PWInsider.com)
TNA Superstars will be appearing at the 2013 Arnold Fitness Expo on Friday and Saturday in Columbus, Ohio on the main expo floor at booth #116. The event is being held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center located at 400 North High Street.
On Friday, Miss Tessmacher will be there to sign autographs between 11:30AM and 1:30PM and then Robbie E takes the stage between 2PM and 3PM. Both signings will be done at the TNA booth.
On Saturday, Kurt Angle and Crimson will be on the main expo stage at 10:30AM and then Angle will be with Rob Terry at 12:30PM also at the main stage. Between 11AM and Noon, Rob Terry will be signing at the TNA booth and between 1:30PM and 2:30PM, Kurt Angle, Rob Terry, and Crimson will be at the Teen Challenge Awards Ceremony. TNA’s involvement in the expo will wrap up with an autograph signing session with Crimson between 4PM and 5PM at the TNA booth.
TNA champion Jeff Hardy will be returning to IMPACT Wrestling tomorrow night live on Spike TV after an absence of four weeks.
Hardy was taken off television the week prior to the company going to the United Kingdom to tape four weeks worth of TV shows after he was attacked by the Aces & Eights.
The real reason Hardy did not travel to the UK with the rest of the TNA crew was because his legal issues in the United States prevented him from traveling across the pond.
TNA knew about the issue but decided to keep the title on Hardy despite knowing the fact that he would be missing a month worth of television shows.
WWE is going ahead with appointing a “general manager” for the Saturday Morning Slam kids television show which airs on Vortexx on The CW.
The whole angle will play over three weeks of television starting this Saturday, then on March 9, and again on March 16.
“We are very excited to offer our fans the opportunity to witness all of the extreme in-ring action leading up to the crowning of the WWE Superstar who will become the General Manager of WWE Saturday Morning Slam and rule over them all,” said Elie Dekel, Co-President of Vortexx. “We hope the fans are just as eager as we are to see who will claim the ultimate title.”
The tamer-than-PG show is taped way in advance before it airs and the appointment of the new General Manager was done during the tapings yesterday, an episode which will air on March 16.
Major changes may be made to the card of Wrestlemania XXIX, following tonight’s Raw. On the card is another round of C.M. Punk taking on John Cena, with the winner facing WWE Champion The Rock at “The Showcase of the Immortals.” Who will win? Personally, I’m either hoping for C.M. Punk or a Triple-Threat.
Also, it’s “fight night,” as Mr. Vince McMahon himself has challenged Paul Heyman to a fight in the ring. I’m guessing The Boss has a nice little swerve up his sleeve, perhaps in the form of Triple H or even The Undertaker? Heyman would not be outdone either, potentially bringing back Brock Lesnar?
And, is it going to be just Jack Swagger and Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship? Or has “The Show-off/Mr. Money In The Bank” Dolph Ziggler inserted himself into the equation after last week’s Raw, where he attempted to cash in his briefcase and become the new World Heavyweight Champion?
Finally, will another legendary name be announced for the illustrious Hall-Of-Fame?
All this and much more (hopefully!), so read on…!
Monday Night Raw TV Report for February 25th, 2013 – “A (Classic) Clear Road”
Introduction Segment: Recap and Welcoming
As is the precursor now, video highlights of the events mentioned above start off. Justin Roberts then asks us to welcome The Chairman of the Board, Mr. McMahon!
Segment #1: Arena Promo
Michael Cole and Jerry “The King” Lawler welcome us to Monday Night Raw, as The Boss hobbles to the ring on crutches. With a big smile on his face, and cheers from the crowd, Vince says on the way to Wrestlemania, every Monday Night Raw should be big. He calls out Mr. Heyman, calling him “the ultimate fighter.”
Paul E. walks out, naming Vince as “always the showman, always the entertainer….ladies and gentleman for those of you who have children, here’s a story you’re going to be able to tell them time and time again. Tonight you’re going to see a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest. I have waited my entire life for this fight. You have positioned me on television as a ‘wimp,’ as a ‘wuss,’ as the ‘biggest puss’ in the universe, and I assure you Vincent Kennedy McMahon, I am ‘all man!’ I have watched you run every single promoter out of business, including me. I have watched you defeat the United States Government. But I assure you tonight, if we fight, Paul Heyman is coming for everything that you got.”
At first, Heyman wants to make sure that Vince is absolute in his decision to fight, then Paul sweeps up Vince and whacks him with the crutch. He goes for a second swing, but McMahon grabs a hold and hammers Heyman over the back.
Just now, Paul Heyman’s client Brock Lesnar comes back. Vince stares down as Lesnar enters the squared circle. Vince’s trick is turned now, as the man who Lesnar put out of action is back! Triple H returns for the first time since Summerslam in August 2012, complete in “game” attire (sans suit). He slowly walks the aisle, glaring a hold in Brock.
Lesnar tries to get the jump, but HHH jumps all over him. Lesnar rams “The Game” into the barricade, but Triple H shoves back, running Brock into the steel post. Brock is busted wide open, and gets clotheslined over the timekeeper’s section. A now crimson Lesnar battles back and dumps Trips onto the announcer’s table.
From under the ring, he takes out a chair and enters the canvas. HHH counters with a spinebuster, grabs the chair, and nails Brock in the back, sending him falling to the outside. Lesnar backs off.
Later tonight, there will be an edition of MizTV with World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio and his Wrestlemania challenger, Jack Swagger with Zeb Colter.
Up next, Ryback will face Dolph Ziggler!
Commercials.
Match #1: Single – “Mr. Money In The Bank/The Show-Off” Dolph Ziggler (with Big E. Langston and A.J.) vs. Ryback
The two circle around each other, then Ziggler ducks out of the initial grab. Dolph clutches Ryback with a waistlock, but Ryback reverses and takes down Ziggler with one of his own. He slams Dolph again with another waistlock, but Ziggler comes back with a low kick and then a mid-dropkick.
Ziggler wears him down with a front-facelock, but Ryback powers out with a shoulder block and powerslam. He slam’s Dolph’s head into the top turnbuckle and begins to toy around. He catches Ziggler in another powerslam position, and flings him over his shoulder, the runs him spine-first into the corner and drops him to the mat.
Ads.
Back live, Ryback has Dolph held high in a stalling-suplex position, then drops down to the canvas. Dolph rolls to the floor, where Ryback does send him back in, but gets flattened by Langston with a running body block. Ziggler takes advantage with a high dropkick, and later a jumping DDT! 1 – 2 – Ryback kicks out!
Ryback moves out of the way of a fameasser, but not the sleeper hold, as Dolph jumps on his back and grips on the submission. Ryback drops down to break it up. He stops Dolph’s momentum with a flat-out block and spinebuster. A.J. and Big E. try another distraction, but Ryback gets rid of Langston, then gives a Shell-Shock Marching Samoan Drop to Ziggler for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Ryback
Just before break, “The Straight-Edge Superstar” C.M. Punk is making his way to the ring.
Commercials.
Segment #2: Arena Promo
C.M. Punk hushes the crowd subtly, then declares that tonight will be epic, something that you tell your children and grand children will talk about for years to come. Punk says that tonight is not about John Cena, The Rock, Wrestlemania, the fans, the WWE Championship, or Wrestlemania. “Tonight is about ME!” Punk says it is about him “ascending to the level I was born to be at.”
He touts his WWE Championship reign, and that he will be in the main event at Wrestlemania. He alone has both defeated the “almighty” John Cena, and pinned The Rock twice in four weeks. “I am an icon that walks among superstars. I am the one that gets looked up to. I’m not just a human being, I am a mortal. I am immortal. I am ‘the greatest,’ I am ‘the best in the world,’ I am ‘the greatest of all time.’ A ‘legend,’ an ‘icon,’ ‘the best,’ ‘the greatest,’ and in this world that you all inhabit, ‘I, I am god.” Punk exits to his music.
Segment #3: Hall-Of-Fame Announcement
The latest inductee is entering the celebrity wing of the H.O.F. He is a “business mogul,” best-selling author, reality television star. He brought WrestleManias IV and V to Atlantic City, New Jersey back-to-back in 1988 and 1989. Now, he will be back in “The Garden State” as a Hall-Of-Famer. He is the one and only, Donald Trump! (Makes sense, I’m cool with this choice.)
Up next, giants will battle it out as Mark Henry takes on The Great Khali
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Match #2: Single – “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry VS. The Great Khali
Khali slugs it out right away with a big boot and overhead punches. He chops away in the corner, and chops him over the head. Henry gets out of dodge, but runs Khali against the ring apron. He charges again with a big splash in the corner, then finishes him off with a HUGE World’s Strongest Slam powerslam!
Winner via Pinfall” “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry
Miz makes his way to the ring, following the trailer for his new movie, “The Marine 3.”
Commercials.
Segment #4: Arena Promo
The Miz, Jack Swagger, and Zeb Colter are already in the ring as World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio, with Ricardo Rodriguez, is entering. Miz talks first, introducing his guests. He starts with the challenger, and questions them about their controversial problems with the World Heavyweight Champion.
First, Colter says he wanted to really talk to Glenn Beck (read this website, Wrestling-Online.com for that story), but since Glenn “chickened out,” so he is fine speaking to Alberto. Zeb talks about the “undocumented workers,” which he calls them since he can’t politically say “illegals.”
He lists what they do to the American people and economy, such as taking their jobs and medical care, all while being declared “amnesty.” Del Rio wants to speak, but Zeb cuts him off. Miz and A.D.R. continue to let him talk. Colter compares the process of becoming a citizen in Mexico – where it takes 10 years due to paperwork and corruption, as he cites – to the United States.
Colter says his “beef” is not personal with Alberto, just what he represents. Del Rio represents success and the “American Dream,” which Colter claims encourages millions of illegals to sneak across the border in search of it. Zeb is not going to stand by and let them stay in the country, even when they do not achieve that “dream.” Colter calls them “criminals,” which finally sets off Del Rio.
The World Heavyweight Champion shuts up Colter, telling them that America is the greatest country because it belongs to everyone. He is no different than anyone, and they are all here to provide their families with a better life in the “land of opportunity.” He calls himself the living proof, as Rodriguez holds the World Title high. Del Rio tells them he doesn’t like bullies, and if they have the “cojones,” then do something to make them leave, right now!
Alberto takes off his jacket, for Swagger to respond with “we will see you at Wrestlemania. We the people.” Colter and Swagger back off.
Randy Orton will be in action next!
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Match #3: Single – United States Champion Antonio Cesaro VS. “The Viper” Randy Orton (Non-Title)
Prior to the bout, footage is shown of Zeb Colter protesting Miz’s “bias” interview skills and Jack Swagger attacking from behind.
Cesaro grabs Orton in a side-headlock to begin, then comes off the ropes with a shoulder block. Randy fires back with an elbow-to-the-face, and a t-bone suplex. 1 – 2 – Cesaro kicks out. Uppercuts are traded, with Cesaro getting the best and slamming Orton down with a gutwrench suplex. 1 – 2 – Orton kicks out! Antonio takes control with a rear chinlock and series of uppercuts.
“The Viper” runs back with clotheslines and a powerslam, gearing up as only he does! Cesaro counters with a jawbreaker using the ropes, but still gets taken down with a backbreaker. However, Orton runs into a knee, but the U.S. Champ dives into a sudden R.K.O. for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: “The Viper” Randy Orton
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell-No” are letting “bygones be bygones,” and talk about their match tonight with “The Primetime Players.” Both Kane and Daniel Bryan claim they can beat Titus and Darren on their own. Both Brad Maddox and Vickie Guerrero, who Brad calls “Team Bricki,” says that Bryan will be blind-folded and Kane will have one of his hands tied behind his back.
Commercials.
Segment #6: Arena Promo
It is announced that The Miz can get revenge on Jack Swagger in a match later tonight. Sheamus is now out, decked out in beautiful tuxedo, to give us his “Oscar Snubs.”
His biggest issue with the Academy is they omission of one of the greatest actors – Wade Barrett! He then shows a trailer of the Intercontinental Champion’s movie, “Dead Man Down.” It is an action flick that Wade only appears in very briefly. Sheamus provides another trailer, in which Barrett is portrayed as “henchmen,” saying nothing. Sheamus totally makes fun of Barrett.
This brings out the big brute, laughing and smiling. He retorts the “ribbing,” saying that the Irish love the colour green. Wade claims that Sheamus is jealous, because he is going to because a “huge global movie star” and will be walking down the real red carpet. Sheamus concurs, then entices Wade in a quick missed punch after making fun of his nose. Barrett leaves and the two stare down.
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Match #4: Single – Cody Rhodes VS. R-Truth
(Note: “The Intellectual Saviour of the Masses” Damien Sandow is on commentary.) They lock up and R-Truth runs back with a shoulder block. He slaps Rhodes but gets blocked. He ducks a Disaster Kick, but gets his leg worked over and hammered on by Cody.
He drops Truth with a big flapjack suplex, then chokes him with his boot against the middle rope. Rhodes clamps on a grounding full-nelson, which R fights out of and hits Cody with a forearm. He quickly counters a run with the Jumping Flatliner to put Cody away!
Winner via Pinfall: R-Truth
Post-match, Damien immediately jumps the ring and attacks, but gets thrown out soon by Truth. The two jaw at each other.
Segment #7: Video Promo
Another video with Zeb Colter and “The Real American” Jack Swagger talking about how Americans lose their jobs “because we have allowed ‘people’ to sneak into the country under ‘the cloak of darkness,’ because they work for little-to-no money, so that hard-working, English-speaking folk like your Dad, Jack, and my friend, are left out in the cold.” (This is according to Zeb Colter.) Colter says that real Americans, himself, and Jack Swagger know this is wrong, and they want to correct it in “Jack Swagger’s America.”
Commercials.
Match #5: Tag-Team – “The Primetime Players” (Titus O’Neil and Darren Young) VS. Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell-No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan) (Non-Title)
Bryan is blind-folded to begin the bout. Titus uses his whistle to fool Daniel, then quickly takes him down with a clothesline from behind. Big scoop slam by Titus, then he tags in Young. Northern-light suplex gets a two-count as Young switches with O’Neil.
Another huge scoop slam, and Kane yells at Daniel to move prior to Titus jumping down with a big elbow. Darren changes up again and misses, as Kane calls Bryan to his corner. With one arm (the other is tied up as a pre-match stipulation), Kane just goes to town on Young with clotheslines and a boot. He manages a one-handed Chokeslam for the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell-No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan)
Segment #8: Arena Promo
“The Shield” are in the ring. Dean Ambrose proclaims that it is going to get worse, as it always does. “There will be no peace in WWE until there is justice and honor. We are ‘The Shield,’ we are the most efficient, most effective, most dangerous unit in this industry. And that makes a lot of people back there very uncomfortable. And that’s too bad, because we’re here to shatter your little ‘comfort zones.’
Reigns challenges everyone to bring their army, but “The Shield” is still going to win every time and “justice is going to hunt you down and we’re going to grind your bones to dust!” Rollins says they did something no one thought they could, which was solving “the John Cena problem.” They then dropped “that wannabe rockstar, Chris Jericho.” He challenges more people.
Sheamus interjects, and wants to fight. He entices them to come up the ramp and fight, so Ambrose and Reigns do so, leaving Rollins in the ring where behind him Randy Orton sneaks in and R.K.O.’s! Orton trails it to the fans and big cheers, and Sheamus glares from the stage. Ambrose poises himself squatting, in a “you got us tonight, but we’ll getcha next time” expression. (Brilliant!)
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Match #6: Single – “The Real American” Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) VS. “The Awesome One” The Miz
It’s a slugfest right off the bat, until Swagger belly-to-belly suplexes Miz on the floor! Jack in control now with elbows-to-the-back. He splashes Miz in the corner and locks on a double-arm hold. He counters Miz’s run with a harsh clothesline and stomps right on his chest. Jack runs again and lands on Miz with the Swaggerbomb splash out of the corner for a near-fall! Swagger catches Miz out of a run and brings him down with another powerslam. 1 – 2 – Miz kicks out!
Miz starts to get up again, with clotheslines and a boot. He hits the running clothesline in the corner and flies off the top rope with a double-axe-handle! 1 – 2 – Swagger kicks out! Miz flips over into a sunset flip for another close fall, but soon gets his left leg caught in the ropes. This gives “The Real American” a “real advantage” (yes, I had to go there!), as he pounds on the potentially injured leg before clamping on the “Patriot Lock” Ankle Lock for the tap out!
Winner via Pinfall: “The Real American” Jack Swagger
Commercials.
Segment #9: Backstage Promo
Josh Matthews interviews tonight’s main-event participant, John Cena. He is excited but serious about the bout, where Cena has a change to “prove to the world that John Cena is back!” Tonight, Cena says the better man will win and go to Wrestlemania. “If you haven’t given up and the words ‘Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect’ still have some meaning to you, tonight the whole world will know that their time is up and our time is now!”
It’s next….!
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Match #7: Single for the #1 Contender’s Spot to the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania XXIV – C.M. Punk VS. John Cena
(Note: In a nice touch for a non-title bout, but important one nonetheless, formal introductions are made in ring this time!)
The two long-time arch-rivals walk around then engage in an elbow/collar tie-up. Punk gets the advantage with a side-headlock takedown, which Cena eventually reverses into a grounding rear chinlock, following a bit of chain-wrestling. Punk leg-scissors his way out and clamps down a side-headlock of his own. Cena leap-frogs over a running C.M. and hip-tosses him down. Punk heads to the outside for a break.
Commercials.
Back live, Cena backdrops Punk, who soon moves out of the way and drops Cena with a swinging neckbreaker. Punk delivers elbows to John’s back and soon clamps on a leg scissors submission. Cena rolls over and stands up with Punk on his shoulders, dropping backwards to the mat.
Cena counters with a double-boot and running bulldog for a two-count! Cena leaps onto a grounded Punk, clutching on a front-facelock. Cena ducks a couple running clotheslines but gets hit with a calf-kick for a two-count by C.M.! “The Straight-Edge Superstar” wears down Cena with a side-headlock and ducks a second flying shoulder-tackle from the former “Dr. Of Thuganomics.” Punk leaps through the ropes with a suicide dive!
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Back live, Punk has Cena locked in an abdominal stretch, but Cena reverses into a hip toss. Cena begins to fire up with the shoulder-tackles, but “The Second-City Saint” reverses a spin-out backdrop into the Anaconda Vice! Cena counters into a pinning combo for 2! Punk now hits another neckbreaker for another near-fall, then crawls out of the S.T.F.! He springs himself off the ropes with a flying clothesline for another two-count!
Punk misses another springboard clothesline and gets caught in the S.T.F. in the middle, but somehow sneaks out and works his way into the Anaconda Vice! Cena counters again this time, into a Crossface, which Punk reverses into another pin combo, but only for two! (Awesome match!)
The two combatants engage in back-and-forth-punches, but Punk kicks him down. Cena comes back with the spin-out backdrop and attempts the “5 Knuckle Shuffle,” but Punk counters into a “Go-To-Sleep” try. Cena reverses into a sunset flip, which Punk reverses into another combo for a near-fall!
Punk nails the high-knee in the corner, but has his subsequent running bulldog into the spin-out backdrop. The “5 Knuckle Shuffle” is dropped this time, but the A.A. is wiggled out of by Punk! Cena plants Punk with harsh sit-down powerbomb. 1 – 2 – Punk gets the shoulder up!
Cena climbs the top rope, but takes too long and Punk cuts him off. The “Second-City Saint” is headbutted off the turnbuckle and driven down with the legdrop to the mat! 1 – 2 – Punk again with the shoulder up! (Wow!)
Punk drops Cena in the back of the head with a kick and hits the high-knee. Cena quickly hits the Attitude Adjustment out of nowhere! 1 – 2 – Punk kicks out! (Oh my!) On the outside, Cena is pushed into the ringpost, and Mike Chioda, the referee, gets to the count of 9 before Cena makes the miraculous dive back in!
Punk drops Cena with the “Go To Sleep,” but only for 2! Punk tries again, but Cena catches his knee into the S.T.F. He is resisting, resisting, resisting, crawling, and grabs the ropes! Cena is sitting in the ring in disbelief, gathering his thoughts. Punk kicks him in the shin and hits the banned move, The Piledriver! 1 – 2 – Cena still kicks out! (Holy crap!)
Punk tries another couple quick covers, but again to no avail. Punk dives off the top rope and kisses canvas with the elbow! Cena manages pull off a helluva hurricanrana and get a third Attitude Adjustment for the finale! John Cena is going to Wrestlemania!
Winner and #1 Contender for the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania XXIX: John Cena
(That was a match – well freakin’ done men!)
Cena poses and celebrates for the fans, as Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler put over the match they just witnessed and John Cena’s destination to Wrestlemania XXIX. The Rock chimes in with a tweet. “Congrats John…It’s official: Wrestlemania 29 @WWE Heavyweight Champion The Rock vs @ John Cena Greatness vs Redemption #BringIt” to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
Wow! That was an excellent Raw, of course capped off by a superb main event. All around, the show flowed smoothly and the matches all had to do with continuing feuds and/or storylines. Nothing felt like “filler”, other than the recaps of what happened during the week and/or night already.
Excellence: Paul Heyman’s promo – the man does speak the truth and you hear the passion in his voice when he does. I’m glad he and Vince entangled into a little fight before bringing out the expected returns of Brock Lesnar and Triple H. Man, does Lesnar bleed well too! Something tells me that was just a little bit on purpose, to enhance the intensity of the rivalry.
Both C.M. Punk’s and John Cena’s promos were awesome in putting themselves and the glory they have for wanting to main event Wrestlemania XXIX over. Glad Cena was on his more “business” side tonight, while C.M. is always just “on.”
Henry/Khali is a win because it was over short and sweet, so hopefully this side-track feud is and Henry moves on to a bigger (star-wise) opponent for Wrestlemania. I like the R-Truth/Damien Sandow mix-up, and I can easily see a tag-team match with their respective partners/friends at W.M. too. “The Shield,” particularly Dean Ambrose, was excellent tonight. Even though they got taken down a small peg tonight with Orton’s R.K.O. to Rollins, it was smart because it shows they are not completely invincible but strong enough to regroup and continue to fight, as evidenced by Ambrose’s position in the ring following the finisher.
Love the entire Swagger/Colter/Del Rio storyline. They are pushing it just far enough to not get in major trouble and have to pull the plug, so far. It has also shot Swagger back to decent stardom, and he does feel like a legitimate contender for the World Championship. I hope they can keep going this way without flack and no one “chickens” out.
Finally, the main event. John Cena and C.M. Punk have unique and extraordinary chemistry for two wrestlers opposite styles. This bout will definitely be on a “best of” DVD, and should be studied by up and coming wrestlers on how to make a match suspenseful and tell a story with so much on the line, in my opinion. That was even a interesting and unexpected way to execute a hurricanrana by Cena, but a nice additive because it displayed that he will pull out all the stops to win. Great way to end it, completely clean and controversial free, as well as the immediate tweet from The Rock, to remind us that the WWE Champion is still “there.” I am actually starting to slightly look forward to this feud again.
Bogus: Once again, Dolph Ziggler. Great match with Ryback, but where the hell is he going toward Wrestlemania, particularly since he has the Money In The Bank briefcase? So disappointing with how far he has fallen recently.
Time to have new Tag-Team Champs. Not into the on/off relationship of Kane/Daniel Bryan anymore, and they could be great singles wrestlers again too. Put the straps on “Primetime Players,” or a reformed and permanent “Rhodes Scholars.”
Lastly, not really understanding what this feud is about with Sheamus and Wade Barrett. The Irishman went from WWE/World Title level to picking on the Intercontinental Champion about his movie? Lame.
Overall, this Raw left me very satisfied and excited for next week, as steam will really pick up with the main-events (apparently) solidified. With it being Old-School Raw too, please bring back a 90s-esque set and the ever-classic red, white, and blue ropes!
Until then, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
WWE will be going in a time warp next Monday as the company has announced that RAW will be going old school.
The last time WWE went old school with RAW – in August 2010 – a ton of Legends made an appearance – including Tito Santana, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Dusty Rhodes, Ron Simmons, Ted DiBiase, The Fink, Mean Gene Okerlund, IRS, Jimmy Snuka, and others.
The set for RAW will also undergo the change with the big HD screens removed, making way for the large RAW letters that were present in the early years of the show. Ring ropes will be changed to the red, white, and blue, and maybe even the refs will undergo a wardrobe change as well like last time.
The show will take place in Buffalo, New York, at the First Niagara Center.
Brock Lesnar found out the hard way yesterday that you do not mess with a ring post. If you ram your head for real to the post, the post always wins.
And that’s what happened last night on RAW as Triple H ran Lesnar through the post. The former UFC champ either forgot to put his hands up or his brakes didn’t function as the back of his head went crashing through the steel structure, immediately opening him up.
Blood was flowing down Lesnar’s face but he didn’t seem to mind and continued to brawl with Triple H while sporting a crimson mask. He needed 18 staples to close the gash on his head after the segment was done. WWE.COM has photos of Lesnar getting fixed by the WWE medical team backstage at http://t.co/kD6J2Jmc6B
Michael Cole was sent to the studio where Glenn Beck films his TV show in hopes of trying to get an interview from Beck since he refused his invitation to Monday Night RAW.
Cole and a WWE cameraman entered the studios and were kept waiting as person after person asked what they wanted. Cameras kept rolling as everyone made excuse after excuse and then security told Cole that he cannot stay in there and has to leave.
Cole kept pushing and then the owner of the studios came down and told them that they are on private property and asked them to leave his premises immediately. The owner said that Beck was not in the studio even though a person earlier said that he was currently there filming.
The footage of Cole’s unsuccessful attempt to interview Beck can be seen below.
John Cena and CM Punk battled in an almost 25 minute match to determine who would be facing The Rock for the WWE title at WrestleMania.
Both Superstars kicked out of each other’s finishing moves, with CM Punk also delivering the now non-existent piledriver on Cena. Cena on his part delivered a hurricanrana as part of his finishing sequence which saw Cena delivering another Attitude Adjustment for the pinfall victory.
After the match was over, the current WWE champion The Rock tweeted a congratulatory message to the number one contender after finally defeating CM Punk.
“Congrats John.. Its official: Wrestlemania 29 @WWE Heavyweight Champion The Rock vs @JohnCena Greatness vs Redemption #BringIt,” Rocky wrote.
