WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler made an appearance on Tuesday night before the Smackdown tapings started in Memphis, Tennessee.
His broadcast partner Michael Cole welcomed back Lawler at the top of the ramp who got a nice standing ovation from the fans.
Lawler realized that he is very lucky to be standing there and had a few people to thank, first, Michael Cole, who was the first person to realize that something was bad and started the process to save his life.
The second was Mike Sampson, the WWE doctor who is always at ringside ready to jump in when needed. Lawler credited Sampson for saving his life as it was him who started the CPR and chest compressions when Lawler went down.
The King said he feels fantastic and doctors told him that he will be making a full recovery and is looking forward to returning to Monday Night RAW.
WWE.COM has the exclusive footage of Lawler’s return – which is not scheduled to air on Smackdown – at http://bit.ly/R56Bpk.
WWE Superstars and Divas started a three day tour in Egypt today, making it the sixth new country that WWE has traveled to in 2012.
The shows will be held at the Cairo Stadium Complex in Cairo, and live events promoters Creative Design are handling the tour. The same promoters brought WWE to Doha for the first time last year.
One Superstar who did not make it on the tour was Rey Mysterio, who is still stuck at home after a pretty bad stomach virus. He has been out for almost a week and did not wrestle during last weekend’s non-televised events or RAW on Monday. The returning Ted DiBiase replaced Mysterio on the tour.
Gawker.com – the site which released a one minute video of the Hogan sex tape along with a play-by-play write up of the whole video – responded to the lawsuit that Hogan filed against the company through their attorney.
“He’s having sex with another man’s wife in another man’s home. I’m not sure it’s reasonable to say he has an expectation of privacy under the circumstances,” Cameron Stracher, attorney for Gawker, told Reuters.
He plans to have the judge throw the lawsuit out and not give Hogan a single cent of the $100 million in damages he’s asking for.
Meanwhile, Stephen Diaco, attorney for Bubba “The Love Sponge,” said that Hulk knew about the tape despite his claim that he was unaware of it.
“Bubba is a victim; Heather is a victim. Bubba does not know who released this tape,” Diaco said.
Footage of Shawn Daivari’s heroic moves on a train in Minnesota finally made it to television – and the internet – after the FOX affiliate in the area, KMSP, aired the footage on the local news yesterday.
The footage shows a man wearing a backpack having altercations with a couple of people and when things were heating up, Daivari stood up from his seat, removed his jacket and proceeded to take down the man in a rear naked choke hold.
When Daivari managed to take the big man down, he also locked him in a scissors hold, ensuring that there was no escape for the offender.
When the train reached the next stop, the former WWE and TNA Superstar along with another passenger threw the man off the train and on to the platform. The man tried to stand up but Daivari kicked him down and the other passenger threw his coat and baseball cap off too.
Several passengers hit the emergency button when the man was acting up however no police showed up and that’s when Daivari took matters in his own hands. Police eventually showed up, nine minutes later.
Las Vegas, Nevada – Following Tuesday’s major announcement regarding the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, the Ultimate Fighting Championship held its first conference call with the newly minted coaches of season 17, set to air on FX in January 2013. UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones and challenger Chael Sonnen joined UFC President Dana White to share their thoughts on the news that has the sports world buzzing.
DANA WHITE
“Basically Jon Jones is out until April. He’s going to be sitting around for months anyway unable to fight. So it made sense for him to do The Ultimate Fighter. And everyone has been talking about this fight with Chael so it made sense for them to do TUF and then fight.
“We’re not clogging up the light heavyweight division, the champion is hurt and we are keeping the division rolling along. The division will keep right on moving, Machida will fight Henderson, Shogun will fight Gustafsson and by the time Jon comes back, the contenders will be ready: one, two, three.
“All the contenders who are pissed off they didn’t get the title shot are the same guys who I called, offered them the fight with Jon Jones in September, and they turned it down. I don’t want to hear any bitching from them. Chael was the only guy who stepped up and wants to fight Jon Jones. Chael wants this fight, the fans want this fight and we give the fans the fights they want to see. Chael Sonnen is the only guy who stepped up and wanted to fight.
“This is going to be a great season of The Ultimate Fighter.”
JON JONES
“My position on fighting Chael changed because I want to get over this chapter of my career. The UFC 151 cancellation was a tough moment in my career and beating Chael Sonnen will help me get closure. That’s what this is about – putting closure to the Chael Sonnen invasion of my career.
“I’m really confident going into this fight. My skill set and my youth will be too much for him. I’m a champion; Chael doesn’t know how to win championships.
“Now people are asking why fight Chael? Well, they have jumped on the “Chael didn’t deserve” train too late. They should have said that a month ago when I said it. But, now, I’m going to deal with this guy and put the Chael Sonnen chapter behind me.
“This has nothing to do with the belt in my mind. He’s not even getting close to the belt. This is about me taking care of Chael Sonnen. I respect some of the things he does for the sport, but he’s not a championship level athlete. I’m doing the sport a favor – and I’m doing Chael a favor – beating him and sending him to his true calling as a commentator doing TV shows. His ground and pound is very weak, he’s got no submission and he gets submitted all the time. When it comes to his wrestling, if he gets me down I don’t see any way for him to beat me. But I will train like a madman because losing to Chael Sonnen is not an option.
“On TUF, as a coach, I hope my passion for martial arts will inspire my fighters. The other thing I have to back up my passion is work ethic. I am in the middle (on whether this enhances reign as champion). I want to defend my belt against the No.1 contender but the fans want this fight with Chael, and just one month ago even people in my hometown were asking me why I didn’t want to fight Chael Sonnen.”
CHAEL SONNEN
“This show is the single biggest, toughest elimination tournament in all of sport. I keep seeing people refer to TUF as ‘a reality show’ but this is tougher than the Olympic Games, this is tougher than an NFL season, it is a 16-man tournament of fighting taped over six weeks. This is so tough, guys like Forrest Griffin and Rashad Evans come out of it and win world titles.
“Write this down – the toughest tournament in MMA is coming to FX. This isn’t four fights over 12 months, it is all over a very short period of time and I am excited to coach this show.
“I’m going to take half of these guys and teach them to be fighters, Jon is going to take the other half and teach them to be selfish.
“People are upset I’m fighting Jon? Welcome to life. You get what you get, not what you deserve. And I have to deal with this all the time, people who are jealous of what I’ve gotten in the sport. But I am No.1 because I say I am – and no one has been able to look me in the eye and say otherwise.
“(Light Heavyweight contenders) are blowing up their Twitter accounts bitching and moaning – but they won’t step up to fight me and they won’t step up and fight Jon Jones.
“Jon Jones is the best fighter I’ve ever seen. I would put Randy Couture above him, but he’s fantastic. He’s got techniques, which I don’t even know the names of. But he’s fought a lot of guys who are timid and afraid to fight. I will admit, he’s better skill-for-skill, but I am in better shape.
“He hasn’t beaten anybody until he beats me. He’s beaten a broken down guy with no knees in Shogun, a Hollywood extra in Rampage, and a has-been in Vitor Belfort. Who was next? Scott Ferrozzo? I would rather fight in the main event, I would rather fight for the title but, really, I just want to fight that brat Jon Jones.
“He continues to act like he’s done something special. He hasn’t. He uses that stupid word ‘disrespectful’ but I couldn’t care less about that – and he will find that out when I see him in Las Vegas.”
Don’t miss this season of The Ultimate Fighter Fridays, which continues on FX at 10 p.m. ET/PT with episode 6: “One Mission”. While Team Nelson has doubts about Roy’s leadership, Shane Carwin puts his squad through an unusual training session away from the gym. A prank at the house ignites heated smack talk between fighters. Then two more welterweights face off in the fifth preliminary fight.
WWE Intercontinental champion The Miz was doing okay after getting knocked out silly by Kofi Kingston during their match on Monday Night RAW.
The Miz was hit pretty hard in the face when Kofi delivered his Trouble In Paradise finishing maneuver from very close distance and the Miz was not fast enough to protect his face.
Miz was knocked out cold and had a cut on his head however following tests it was found out that he was not suffering from a concussion.
The Miz was fine enough to participate during the Smackdown tapings yesterday in Memphis, Tennessee, hosting his Miz TV segment and even wrestled Kofi for Main Event, which will air tonight on ION.
Monday Night RAW did a 2.8 rating this week with an average viewership of 3,989,000 viewers, down slightly from last week’s show in terms of overall eyeballs.
Hour one did 4,067,000 viewers, hour two did 4,013,000 and hour three did 3,886,000. It’s interesting to note that hour one was also the hour that dragged the number down during three hour shows, with the usual 9 to 11 time slot getting stronger ratings.
As weeks pass by, hour one has been doing good numbers, this week even being the highest rated hour. Hour three is now doing the worst when historically, the 10 to 11 time slot has been the strongest over the years. (Ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research and put online by PWInsider.com)
The Hardcore Legend Mick Foley was interviewed by iPad publication The Daily a few days ago to talk about video games, his career, and writing.
In the interview, Foley talks how he was impressed with the graphics of WWE ’13 and said that he “looks good” and the “musculature is not exaggerated,” with the game designers slimming him down just enough to where he “still look dangerous.”
When asked about who he would wrestle if he were in his prime today, Foley fired two names immediately – CM Punk and Dolph Ziggler. He said that he is able to adapt to anyone’s style and it doesn’t matter if he was wrestling Shawn Michaels or Steve Austin.
The Los Angeles Times broke the story that Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen will be the coaches of the next season of The Ultimate Fighter on FX and the two will fight on pay-per-view on April 27 for the Light Heavyweight title.
“This should be a good one. Jon has accepted the fight. He knows the fans want to see that fight,” UFC President Dana White told the Times.
The reason it is going to take that long for the two to get in the cage is because Jones injured his arm in his last fight against Vitor Belfort and needs time therapy and time off from MMA to get it healed up.
The two fighters already have a history after Jon Jones, the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight champion, refused to fight Chael Sonnen at UFC 151 after Dan Henderson had to be pulled out due to injury. Jones’ refusal led to the pay-per-view to be canceled a week before it was supposed to take place, a first cancelation for the UFC.
Eyewitness News 3 in Connecticut is reporting that former WWE Diva Tammy “Sunny” Sytch is expected to go back to rehab with WWE picking up the tab following yesterday’s court appearance.
Still in jail after she couldn’t afford the $100,000 bail set by the judge last week, Sytch’s attorney requested that she gets sent to a treatment center in Pennsylvania with WWE driving her from court straight to the treatment center and paying for it.
Sytch was arrested five times in four weeks starting on September 11 and her latest trip to jail was on October 9. The reason she wasn’t booked for the sixth time was because she’s stuck behind bars.
Her lawyer, Rob Serafinowicz, issued a statement on her behalf saying, “Tammy thanks everyone for all their support. She will be entering a long term treatment program soon and looks forward to putting this situation behind her.”
Feed him more! The main event for Hell In A Cell was made official yesterday as CM Punk will defend his WWE title against the undefeated Ryback.
The announcement came very late in the broadcast during a contract signing with Vince McMahon in the ring along with Punk, Heyman, Cena, and Ryback. Cena said that CM Punk needed an ass whopping and started a “feed me more” chant himself. At that point, Ryback stepped up to the table and signed the contract, then face planted Punk on the table and delivered his finishing move as fans chanted “feed me more.”
The segment made little sense as earlier in the broadcast John Cena was backstage with Vince McMahon trying to convince him to give him the title shot but then basically give up his chance during the announcement. The original match had John Cena involved instead of Ryback however Cena’s elbow is healing slower than expected after he underwent surgery to remove bone chips and plan B had to be initiated.
As part of the Rolling Stones’ 50th anniversary, WWE will produce and distribute a live pay-per-view titled “One More Shot” from the band’s final show at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on December 15.
This production is the first that WWE is producing for another entertainment show and Variety reports that WWE was asked to handle the show for their ability to handle big PPV productions including WrestleMania.
“WWE is ecstatic to bring the Rolling Stones into your living room,” said WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon in a press release issued yesterday.
The report also suggests that WWE has been looking to monetize its production business through concerts and other deals and this Rolling Stones show is the first high-profile deal that has been announced.
Speaking on his radio show this morning, Bubba “The Love Sponge,” accused of being the man behind taping Hulk Hogan and his ex-wife having sex, blasted his former friend for suing him, especially after he says Hulk was in on the stunt from the very beginning. Bubba also said that Hulk “brainwashed” him into giving his blessing to have sex with his then-girlfriend.
“You can’t play the victim like that. He’s a one-way piece of crap who doesn’t care about anyone but himself,” said Bubba. “You’re the ultimate, lying showman.”
The two had been friends for a very long time with Hogan appearing frequently on his radio show as well as Hulk getting him a job with TNA as a backstage interviewer, a gig that didn’t last long after Bubba got fired four months after his debut for personally attacking Awesome Kong on his shows, calling her a “fake bitch,” a “big fake black bitch,” a “dumb bitch” and a “little pussy bitch” after she punched him out backstage much to the enjoyment of everyone else in the TNA locker room.
Standing behind his two attorneys outside the federal courthouse in Tampa, Florida, Hulk Hogan remained silent as one of his lawyers explained to the media that the Hulkster filed two lawsuits in regards to the sex tape that was illegally released online last week.
The first lawsuit was filed in the Florida state court against Todd Clem, also known as Bubba “The Love Sponge”, and his ex-wife Heather Clem, now Cole, with the allegations that six years ago, Clem secretly video taped Hulk having consensual sex with Heather. Hulk did not consent to the taping, never permitted it, and did not know that he was taped.
The second lawsuit was filed in the United States district court against New York-based Gawker Media, its entities, and individuals for posting part of the video and written details for financial profit at the expense of his client, violating his rights.
Hulk Hogan is seeking $100 million in damages from Gawker Media and transfer of all rights for the video as well as removal of all online excerpts.
Hogan’s attorney called both allegations illegal, outrageous, and exceeded bounds of human decency.
It’s decision time! Tonight, WWE Champion C.M. Punk must decide who he wants to defend his title against at Hell In The Cell – Ryback or John Cena. (Honestly, either one will be fine with me as long as Punk walks out with the Championship)
Also, it is the finals in the tournament to crown the #1 Contenders for the Tag-Team Titles between The Rhodes Scholars (Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow) and Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara. I see this result going either way with it benefitting everyone – more on that in “excellence” analysis.
Plus, what’s next in the “one-upsmanship” contests between World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus and his challenger, The Big Show? (Best wishes is something sensible!)
And, what role will Dolph Ziggler play? Here’s hoping an awesome wrestling match with a win!
All this and much more, so read on to find out!
Monday Night Raw Report for October 15th, 2012 – “Feed Me A Decision!”
Introduction Segment: Recap & Welcoming
A video package airs the events of last week, where Mr. McMahon threatens WWE Champion C.M. Punk to decide who he will wrestle at Hell In The Cell. The regular Raw video plays, the pyro explodes in the arena, and we are off!
Michael Cole greets us to “Music City USA” in Nashville, Tennessee, as does Jim Ross. According to C.M Punk’s twitter account, he has made up his mind and we will find out later.
Segment #1: Arena Promo
The Big Show, who is the #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, walks out. He can’t even get his first sentence out before being booed out of the building. Show claims that the debate from two weeks ago (that really, really bad one!) was a setup by Smackdown General Manager Booker T. and World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus to make Big look like a joke. The 7-Footer shows footage of both Sheamus trying to Brogue Kick but failing, and then from Friday Night Smackdown (read the fine report on this fine website!) Show punches with a greater power than Sheamus.
Show says that he will not be punching a machine, but instead will be punching your World Heavyweight Champion. He will then become “the new World Heavyweight Champion, the longest World Heavyweight Champion.” Taking a left turn, Show then issues a challenge to Daniel Bryan, because he wants to erase the 45-second loss last December.
Backstage, Daniel Bryan is with fellow wrestlers Aksana, Justin Gabriel, Santino Marella, Zack Ryder, R-Truth (with “Little Jimmy”) and of course, his Tag-Team Championship partner Kane. Bryan doesn’t want to go out, but is forced when Raw General Manager A.J. Lee forces him to go out. Bryan then wants Kane’s backup, and he replies by laughing at him. Daniel shouts “NO!” all the way out to the ring, while walking past the wrestlers who retort “yes!”
Match #1: Single – The Big Show VS. Tag-Team Champion Daniel Bryan (Non-Title)
Big Show takes control right away, grabbing Bryan by the throat and tossing him over the ropes to the floor.
Commercials.
Show is still dominating after the break, clinching on a big bear-hug. Big runs in the corner with a rear-bump, but Daniel comes back with a dropkick-to-the-knee. as Show ran off the ropes. Quick, resounding kicks connect with Show’s chest and an “attempted knock-out kick” (as called by J.R.) nearly puts Show away.
In the corner, Daniel runs at him with a pair of dropkicks, but soon gets caught in the chokeslam after diving from the top rope. 1 – 2 – 3, Big Show gets it!
Winner via Pinfall: The Big Show
Post-match, Kane walks out and stares down Show, who then climbs over the top rope and walks away, leaving Kane to look over his downed partner.
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Segment #2: Arena Promo
Paul Heyman, clutching the WWE Championship, brings out his “associate” WWE Champion C.M. Punk. Heyman reminds us that Punk has held the title for 330 consecutive days. (Note: a mysterious item is in the ring behind Paul E, covered in a big black sheet).
Punk recalls everyone who has disrespected him, from legends, to the fans themselves, and the Chairman of the Board, Vince McMahon. Punk talks about the beating he laid on McMahon last week, and claims that Vince will never compete again. He does applaud him for giving choices, and after talking about them both, he goes to reveal his opponent.
C.M. begins to lift the cover of the poster in the ring, but decides that the crowd has not respected him enough, so he will wait some more time.
Or not…as Mr. McMahon walks out. The Chairman gives the “respect” back to Punk, and then informs him he blew it – so tonight, a contract signing will take place between WWE Champion C.M. Punk and Mr. McMahon’s choice of either John Cena or Ryback.
Commercials.
match #2: Single – Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) VS. “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay (with “The Funkactyls” Naomi and Cameron)
A lockup starts this bout then Brodus turns Del Rio around in the corner. He hits a shoulder-block off the ropes, sending Alberto to the floor. “The Mexican Aristocrat” cuts off Clay by using the ropes against his arm, then connects with a dropkick-to-the-head. Brodus fights out of an armlock submission, then delivers a headbutt to Del Rio’s chest.
Clay runs at Del Rio in the corner, but misses and receives a kick-to-the-head, then gets locked in the Cross Armbreaker for the quick tap out!
Winner via Submission: Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez)
Segment #3: Locker Room Promo
WWE Champion C.M. Punk is irate over McMahon taking his choice away, then orders Paul Heyman that Punk will fight McMahon again tonight.
Match #3: Tag-Team – “Team CoBro” (“Long Island Iced-Z” Zack Ryder & Santino Marella) VS. “The Prime Time Players” (Darren Young and Titus O’Neil)
Santino and Ryder are introduced before a break.
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Darren has Marella in a rear chinlock, then switches up with Titus. Marella counters with a split-jawbreaker and gets the hot-tag to Ryder. Zack in with right hands, double-knees, and a missile dropkick. Ryder hits the Broski Boot for a near-fall before Young breaks it up. Darren hits his finisher to take out Marella, then Ryder hits the RoughRyder Leg Lariat on Young, but turns around into a sit-down spinebuster from O’Neil and the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: The Prime Time Players” (Darren Young and Titus O’Neil)
Post-match, “The Band” run out and attack Santino again. Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal, and Drew McIntyre are now donned in rock-attire (really just jeans and t-shirts with sunglasses and bandanas/hats).
Commercials.
Segment #4: Arena Promo
“Mr. Money In The Bank” Dolph Ziggler is out with Vickie Guerrero. He complains that Ryback is considered for the WWE Championship, when he himself is much better, especially after beating 7 other men to earn the “Money In The Bank” briefcase. Dolph declares that he will face C.M. Punk, win the WWE Championship, then cash in his briefcase and win the World Heavyweight Championship too all in one night.
A new man opposes this idea, as David Otunga interjects himself. He says that he should be thought about, not Ziggler or Ryback. General Manager A.J. Lee now walks out and makes a match for both of them, against “the man himself.”
“Feed Me More” blares on the speakers as Ryback marches out for a 2 on 1 contest.
Match #4: 2 on 1 – “The Showoff Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero) and David Otunga VS. Ryback
Ziggler and Ryback stare at each other, then Dolph hits his beautiful high dropkick after a small distraction from Vickie. Ryback fires right back though with a vicious clothesline. Ziggler immediately tags in Otunga, who gets atomic dropped. Ziggler plays it smart and backs down, leaving David in the ring to suffer a marching Samoan drop by Ryback, who quickly gains another win!
Winner via Pinfall: Ryback
Segment #5: Office Promo
Mr. McMahon is on the phone, when a “swarm of locusts” (according to McMahon) Paul Heyman walks in. Paul E. puts over McMahon’s “herculean” efforts against C.M. Punk last week, then proposes a rematch, where if Punk actually wins, he gets to choose his opponent for Hell In The Cell. McMahon agrees, as long as it is Paul Heyman in the bout, not C.M. Punk! McMahon then yells at Heyman to get out and says “I love being me!”
Segment #6: Backstage Promo
General Manager A.J. Lee is walking around when Matt Striker approaches. He wants an apology for “Team Hell No’s” attack on him from Friday night (again, read the fine report on this fine website!), citing it as “crazy” and “nuts.” Of course, she takes this the wrong way and says he will get his apology, when he faces Kane later tonight.
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Match #5: Single – United States Champion Antonio Ceasaro VS. Justin Gabriel (Non-Title)
Gabriel and Cesaro trade waistlocks until Antonio hits a harsh elbow-clothesline and double-stomp. Antonio hangs Justin on the corner then runs at him with a high-knee. Cesaro puts Justin on the mat and holds him in a waistlock then drops an elbow. Gabriel begins to fight back with punches, then hits a moonsault/DDT combo out of the corner. He ascends the turnbuckle and flies off with the 450-splash! 1 – 2 – Cesaro with his foot on the ropes! Gabriel tries again, but this time meets an uppercut from Cesaro, who finishes him off with “The Neutralizer” (cradle-faceplant)
Winner via Pinfall: United States Champion Antonio Cesaro
Commercials.
Match #6: Single – Matt Striker VS. Tag-Team Champion Kane (Non-Title)
Prior to the bout starting, Striker tells Kane he is “fine with just an apology.” Matt then goes on to try and convince Kane using Dr. Shelby’s methods. Kane motions for Striker to approach him, and they actually hug it out! Kane pulls Striker back again for another hug, then really squeezes him with a real bearhug and chokeslams him to the mat for the quick 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Kane
Post-match, Kane lies down beside an out-cold Matt, then asks him what he thought of the “highly-competitive” match and how he’s feeling. Obviously, no response is given, but Kane proclaims “couldn’t have said it better myself. I am the tag-team champions, I am the tag-team champions, I AM THE TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONS!”
Later tonight, Eve will defend her Divas Championship against Layla, and up next is Miz TV!
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Segment #7: Arena Promo
The Intercontinental Champion, The Miz, is in the ring which is decked out with his talk show gear. He invites his new challenger, Kofi Kingston, out for an interview. Miz recaps that Kofi laid him out last week on Main-Event, and now this week, they will face-off for the Intercontinental Championship on Main-Event. Miz then takes a shot at Kofi’s “happy, go lucky” personality, but still has no memorable moments in his career. (Hello, what about being a former tag-team champion and multi-time Intercontinental Champion?)
Kofi responds by saying that this week will be memorable when he does beat The Miz for the title. He then challenges Miz to a “warm-up” match tonight and since Miz doesn’t ever back down from a challenge, “you’re on!” Miz takes one final verbal shot at Kingston, until he gets swept up and beat down by his challenger. Cole informs us that A.J. has agreed, and a bout between the two will happen tonight.
Commercials.
Match #7: Single – World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus VS. Wade Barrett (Non-Title)
They circle around each other, then lock up. Sheamus brings Wade down with an armlock and they trade back and for a bit, working over each other’s arms. Sheamus counters with a stiff clothesline but could not hook up Barrett against the ropes to pound away. Barrett drops Sheamus with a Pumphandle Slam for a two-count, then clamps on a grounding rear-chinlock. Sheamus fights out of it and gets some momentum with Rolling Thudner, then runs at Wade with a shoulder-block off the apron. The Big Show now appears on the stage and takes a seat to watch.
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Back live, Wade misses a boot and chases him around the ring, until he lands a high-knee on the apron. Barrett comes back with a kick and capitalizes. He takes a few more shots with a knee, then a big-boot to Sheamus’ skull! Wade bounces Sheamus’ head off the announce table and covers in the ring for a quick one-count. He locks in a modified Camel Clutch, but “Great White” fights out of it. He manages to drive Wade down with the Irish Curse backbreaker. Sheamus is fired up now, taking Wade down with a running powerslam (a ‘la the late, great British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith). Sheamus pounds away on Barrett against the ropes, then brings him back in with a suplex for a two-count!
Wade reverses an Irish Whip, sending Sheamus chest-first into the turnbuckle. Barrett drops a second-rope elbow on Sheamus for another near-fall! Wade attempts the Wasteland, but Sheamus slips out, however he misses a Brogue Kick and gets a tilt-a-whirl side slam for a two-count by Wade! The Big Show is walking back and forth on the stage.
Both men are hobbling now, as Barrett tosses Sheamus to the apron. This allows him to climb the turnbuckles and dive off, but Wade ducks. Sheamus rolls through, grabs a kick from Barrett and ties him up in the Texas Cloverleaf submission. Big Show runs down and distracts Sheamus, allowing Wade to capitalize, shoving Sheamus into the ropes, where Show pulled them down and Sheamus tumbled to the floor. The bell rings, signaling a dq win for Sheamus.
Winner via Disqualification: World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus
(Fantastic match!)
Post-match, Sheamus Brogue Kicks Barrett, the dumps out The Big Show with a clothesline.
Segment #8: Office Promo
Once again, Mr. McMahon is on his cell-phone when he is interrupted. John Cena is standing in front of him. McMahon wants his prognosis on the injury, but Cena tells Vince to ignore the doctors as he always does. Cena puts on his “superman” persona, saying that “I belong out there. The choice is yours to make. You choose me, I’ll do what I do.”
Match #8: Single for the Divas Championship – Eve Torres (Champion) VS. Layla (Challenger)
Eve makes her entrances prior to the break.
Commercials.
Layla is now out and they lockup and roll around. Layla shoves Eve but gets caught in a side-headlock takedown. Eve grasps Layla with an armlock but Layla reverses it with a wristlock, until Eve pushes her out of the ring.
Eve rolls through with a headscissors lock on Layla, then uses her leg strength to pound Layla into the mat. Layla fights back with a couple of kicks for a nearfall, then a clothesline and spinning facebuster. Springboard crossbody by Layla for another two-count, but she gets put in the corner and hammered away. Layla boots Eve and steps on the second rope, but Eve kicks her off in the injured knee and covers her for the 1 – 2 – 3, despite Layla putting her foot on the ropes!
Winner via Pinfall and STILL Divas Champion: Eve Torres
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Segment #9: Backstage Promo
The Tag-Team Champions engage in another back and forth, when they wonder if they saw each others match. Daniel then challenges Kane to face The Big Show next week and “I’m the tag-team champions!”
Segment #10: Office Promo
Mr. McMahon is staring down Ryback, as he too just stands next to the boss with cold look back. Vince thanks him for helping last week, then goes over his attributes. Ryback just tells Vince “feed me Punk!” Mr. McMahon will take that under consideration.
Match #9: Tag-Team – “Team Rhodes Scholars” (Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow) VS. Primo and Epico (with Rosa Mendes)
Cody and Damien make their entrance before a break.
Commercials.
(NOTE: This match is taking place, because Rey Mysterio is sick, so the finals of the Tag-Team Title Tournament will be on next week’s Raw instead)
Prior to the bout, a badly-placed video of “The Band” trying to take over a bar and sing is aired. They get the boot. Back to the action IN the ring, Primo starts out with Cody. High dropkick from Primo then he slams Rhodes’ head into the turnbuckle and tags in Epico.
Primo quickly tagged back, as Epico drops Cody with a suplex, then Primo flies over the ropes with Tope’ Atomico. After a quick roll-up, Sandow distracts Primo, allowing Cody to capitalize. Sandow is now in and puts on a grounding rear chinlock, then grapevines Primo’s leg to tag Rhodes again, who quickly works over Primo and switches again with Sandow.
Both Rhodes and Sandow continue to change up tags and isolate Primo, until he eventually leap-frogs Damien to jump for the hot-tag! Epico now in and all over Sandow, almost getting the duke until Cody breaks up the pin. Rhodes and Primo take each other out, while Sandow ducks a springboard crossbody and drives Epico down with the “Termanuse” neckbreaker for the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: “Team Rhodes Scholars” (Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow)
Ads.
Match #10: Single – Kofi Kingston VS. Intercontinental Champion The Miz (Non-Title)
All-out aggressive Kofi to begin, brawling and punching, then hitting his high-flying maneuvers. Miz counters and flapjacks Kingston in the corner, then proceeds to stomp on Kofi. Miz runs at Kingston in the corner with the clothesline, then dives off the top rope with a double-axe-handle.
Kofi turns a back drop into a crossbody cover for a two-count, and a sunset flip for the same. Kofi goes for a punch, but Miz reverses into a back/neckbreaker combo for a near-fall of his own. Kofi gets out of a grounding rear-chinlock with a back suplex, then fires up with clotheslines and chops. Kingston off the ropes with a jumping forearm, but Miz holds onto the top rope and counters a suplex with a Skull-Krushing Finale attempt. Kofi wiggles out of that and another one, eventually nailing him with the Trouble In Paradise spin-kick for the 1 -2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Kofi Kingston
Vince McMahon is walking backstage toward the arena, meaning he’s up next!
Commercials.
Segment #11: Arena Promo
Mr. McMahon is back out and he holds the contract for the WWE Championship in his hand. First, he brings out the champion, C.M. Punk, and of course, Paul Heyman. Vince then calls out Ryback, and finally John Cena.
Punk quickly cuts off Vince and berates him for taking away his decision on who he faces. Punk just signs the contract and continues to babble on, until Cena stops. He says that he respects the achievement of Punk keeping the WWE Championship for 330, but as a man, he needs to “shut the hell up!” Vince wants to get on with it, but Cena has more to say.
Cena wants to face Punk badly at Hell In The Cell for the WWE Title, but then says Ryback is just ready to kick ass. “The way you run your mouth Punk, you need to get your ass whipped!” Cena charges up the crowd and Ryback with “feed me more” chants. Ryback approaches the table and signs the contract! “It’s official, C.M. Punk will defend the WWE Championship inside Hell In The Cell against Ryback,” declares McMahon!
Cena and McMahon leave, as Ryback and Punk stare each other down with “feed me more” chants enveloping from the crowd. Punk tries to poke him, but Ryback pushes his head into the table and then drops him with the “Shell-shocked” marching Samoan drop. Ryback pumps up the crowd again, over a laid-out WWE Champion to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
There was a lot more to like this week compared to last. I believe they improved a little, especially with one awesome match and excellent build for the anticipation of who will face Punk at H.I.A.C. Onto the analysis:
Excellence: Promos/build/result of WWE Champion C.M. Punk’s opponent for Hell In The Cell. I liked how they had everyone involved state their case to McMahon throughout the night, and ultimately, it really was his decision, with a straight-forward answer/no “bait & switch” or “screw-job.” I don’t (and honestly hope not) see Ryback winning the title though, as I think it’s too early for that, but he could still come out strong, especially with a messy finish.
Actually liked the interactions between Big Show and Sheamus this week, and has me re-interested in their feud for the World Heavyweight Championship. It wasn’t any stupid gimmicks, but just plain one-upsmanships, making it all about the title, along with a fantastic match between Sheamus and Wade Barrett. Also loved them keeping Barrett strong with the disqualification, because now he can say that he wants to beat Sheamus for real sometime down the road.
Loved how they kept Dolph strong by backing out of a meaningless match with Ryback – letting Otunga take the fall.
Great match between Ceasaro and Gabriel. Now they just need to find Antonio a legitimate feud for the U.S. Championship.
Nicely done promo between Miz and Kofi Kingston, as well as the match. The loss does not hurt Miz one bit, as the win for Kofi helps more, dictating that “I beat you once already, I can/will do it again.”
Ending was great – short, simple, and right to the point. Also, got to admit, loved how they kept Punk’s microphone work down to a minimal this week, as I still think that the whole “respect” angle is starting to a get a little repetitive in his promos. So kudos for giving us a little “break.”
Bogus: Always presume from this point on that I do not care for or will write about “The Band.” (Heath Slater, Drew McIntyre, and Jinder Mahal). I think you know why.
While funny, the Kane/Bryan stuff is starting to get a bit old.
Santino/Ryder was pointless as well.
The Divas match was well-wrestled, but unfortunately not advertised as well as it could’ve been. Granted tonight with the “foot on ropes” issue, maybe this will set up for H.I.A.C.?
Overall, better than last week for sure and has me definitely invested in the card for Hell In The Cell, as well as the storylines.
As always, until next week, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online readers and wrestling fans!
TNA uploaded a three minute video from Saturday’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony with Sting.
The video has clips of an emotional Lex Luger, Hulk Hogan, and TNA President Dixie Carter talking about the former NWA, WCW, and TNA Heavyweight champion as Sting looked on from one of the banquet tables.
Sting acknowledged Ric Flair in a cut that made it on the video despite the Nature Boy not being employed by the company anymore, mentioning the March 2001 match he had against him on the final edition of Nitro.
WWE today announced that WrestleMania 28 generated a record-breaking $102.7 million in economic impact for the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County this past April, according to a study conducted by the Enigma Research Corporation.
This new record for WrestleMania’s economic impact represents a $40 million increase over WrestleMania 27 in Atlanta. WrestleMania 28 also generated approximately $15.3 million in local, state and county taxes.
“WrestleMania Week brought tens-of-thousands of fans from across the globe to sample the beautiful hotels, restaurants and businesses of Miami,” said Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Miami-Dade County Commissioner and Chairman of the Miami-Dade Sports Commission. “Our economy, as well as our community, significantly benefited from the week of events, and we thank WWE for shining their international spotlight on our wonderful city.”
Key highlights from the study include: $102.7 million of direct, indirect and induced impact derived from spending by non-locals visiting specifically for WrestleMania XXVIII; 71% of fans that attended WrestleMania were from outside the Miami area and stayed an average of four nights; The economic impact derived from WrestleMania Week was equal to the creation of 1,020 full-time jobs for the area; $6.9 million was spent by non-locals at Miami and Miami-Dade County restaurants.
WrestleMania had an attendance of 78,363 fans from all 50 states and 36 countries.
Hulk Hogan and his legal and public relations people will hold a press conference today at 5PM in near the federal courthouse in Tampa to announce lawsuits over the sex tape which was filmed without his permission.
A press release sent to the media announced that the Hulkster will be filing two lawsuits, one against his now former friend Bubba “The Love Sponge” and his ex wife Heather Cole (formerly Clem) and a New York media group which is Gawker, which released a clip from the sex tape earlier this month and basically wrote a play-by-play of the whole sex tape.
TMZ broke the news to Hulk that Bubba was behind the tape and Hogan didn’t believe it at first, saying that he has to watch that part to believe that he was being backstabbed by one of his biggest friends.
According to TMZ, Florida police shot down the idea of helping Hulk Hogan find out who leaked his sex tape and the former WWE and WCW champion is now ringing the FBI’s doorbell to hunt down the man.
TMZ says that Florida cops refused to help because the tape was recorded in 2006 and the four-year statute of limitations had expired on the offense and distributing the illegal footage on the Internet crosses the state lines, making it a federal problem rather than a state issue.
Hulk is scheduled to meet FBI officers from the Florida office today.
Last week it was revealed that a former employee of Bubba “The Love Sponge” leaked the video as payback for Bubba after he quit Sirius without paying his employees. Bubba was revealed as the man who recorded the footage when he appeared after Hogan left, telling his then-girlfriend that if they want to retire all they have to do is leak the tape. And Hogan was revealed to know about the existence of the tape for the past three years although he still claims he never knew he was being filmed.
Devon made a surprise return to TNA yesterday at the Bound For Glory pay-per-view, aiding the Aces & Eights defeating the team of Sting and Bully Ray to gain access to the IMPACT Zone.
The former TNA Television champion quit the company after negotiations between the two parties over a new contract fell through. Devon eventually walked out still as the TV champion and a new champ was crowned on the September 27 edition of IMPACT Wrestling. At that time, TNA made a small statement on its website saying that the company hoped that Devon would return for one more match to defend the title however their negotiations reached an impasse after a month full of meetings.
Hulk Hogan expressed his disappointment on Twitter over the whole thing and hoped that Devon would eventually return, praising him as one of the best people in the TNA locker room. Devon then posted a photo of himself wearing a WWE RAW t-shirt, fueling speculations that he might jump ship to WWE.
The former ECW, WWE, and TNA tag team title holder appeared under a mask during the show yesterday and put his former tag team partner through a table with a spinebuster. He was then unmasked by Hulk Hogan who moments earlier came out to help clear the ring.
