Hulk Hogan appeared on CNN’s Piers Morgan yesterday to talk about a variety of subjects including the sex tape that has made its way online this week.
The Hulkster said in situations like this you pray and hope that people who love you like the wife, the children, and close friends, understand you and support you although he said that sometimes even friends are a problem because you don’t know who they really are.
He said you have to be honest and accountable and admitted that it was a horrible choice and any excuse he makes – be it that it was a bad time in his life, friends pushing him to do it, etc – none of it matters.
Hogan said that this was the most embarrassing and humiliating thing that ever happened to him and he’s been through a lot, mentioning the steroid scandal, fight with the government, and the ugly divorce.
Hulk again says that he had no idea that there was a camera filming the whole thing and when he was asked if he’s closer to find out who betrayed him, Hulk said no, although he did mention that TMZ is doing the work and said that they told him that Bubba “The Love Sponge” appears on camera after he leaves the room and passes some comment.
He said he’s been great friends with Bubba and he has to see the film himself to believe it.
After WWE issued a statement yesterday on the CM Punk incident from RAW, the WWE champion spoke about what happened for the first time to WWE.COM today.
“I think the whole situation sucks. It’s an unfortunate and isolated incident. I was up in the stands, surrounded,” Punk told WWE.COM.
WWE security was not fast enough to surround Punk like they usually do when brawls spill into the stands and with the recent heat Punk has been getting, it was a disaster waiting to happen.
“Somebody said, ‘let’s push him down the stairs,'” he said. “I got hit in the ribs three times. I was getting shoved and I was getting punched…then I started getting tagged in the back of the head. Unfortunately, I lashed out in the heat of the moment and I apologize. I’m really just glad nobody was hurt.”
According to reports, the person who was struck by Punk filed a report with the police however he decided not to press any charges.
WWE will return to Sacramento on January 22, 2013, for a Smackdown taping and the pre-sale code has to be a funny – or not so funny – coincidence considering what happened with CM Punk and the fan in the stands during RAW.
The pre-sale code for this particular Smackdown event is SMACKFAN, and no, that is not a joke.
Prices for the show held at the Power Balance Pavilion range from $15 to $95 plus additional taxes and fees and can be purchased now at Ticketmaster.com.
The exclusive pre-sale runs till October 14 at 10PM PT, then an Internet pre-sale kicks in on November 26 at 10AM PT till November 30 at 9AM PT. General sale kicks off on November 30 at 10AM PT.
RAW with the return of Vince McMahon and a main event between the Chairman and CEO and CM Punk drew some better ratings than last week’s show however still considerably down compared to previous months.
RAW pulled in a composite rating of 2.8, up from last week’s 2.5, with an average viewership of 4,108,000. Hour one did 4,191,000 viewers, hour two did 4,067,000, while hour three did 4,065,000 viewers. In average, the show did over half a million extra viewers compared to last week’s.
It was also the first time since August 27 that RAW did over 4 million viewers in all three hours. (Ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research and put online by PWInsider.com)
Version 3.0 of the Wrestling-Online.com News app for BlackBerry was released today on the BlackBerry App World.
The new app replaces version 2.2.1 and it was rebuilt from scratch, making it faster and compatible with the new OS 7. Minimum requirement for the new app is OS 5.
It is available for both touch and non-touch BlackBerry devices and it is a free upgrade to previous customers. New customers are able to purchase it for just 99 cents or the equivalent of their currency from the BlackBerry App World.
Previous customers are recommended to upgrade to version 3.0 as the old version will stop populating news next week.
In a surprising twist on the Hulk Hogan sex tape saga, one of Hulk’s best friends, Bubba “The Love Sponge,” has been revealed as the man behind the recording, which was done in 2006.
TMZ broke the story that at the end of the tape after Hogan leaves, Bubba is heard telling his then-wife Heather, “If we ever did want to retire, all we’d have to do is use this footage.”
Heather then tells Bubba that he’d “never do that,” regarding releasing the tape, at which point Bubba says, “I wouldn’t do that, you’d be the biggest rat, you’d be dead.”
Hogan was filmed having sex with Heather Clem – then girlfriend of Bubba – with his blessing, telling them at the start of the tape that he’ll be in the office if they need anything. The two got married but then divorced in 2011.
When the Hulkster called into TMZ Live and the folks at TMZ told him about it, Hogan said, “I’m sick to my stomach right now.” Bubba always denied to Hulk having any knowledge about the tape and said he was not aware there was a camera capturing all the X rated footage.
Hulk and Bubba have been longtime friends and Bubba also worked for TNA for a brief period thanks to Hulk Hogan. Hulk has been a frequent guest on his show and sports the Bubba Army t-shirt sometimes on television as well.
Tammy “Sunny” Sytch walked out of jail after posting a $25,000 bond yesterday and then was escorted back to the slammer just hours afterward for her amazing fifth arrest in four weeks.
The troubled WWE Hall of Famer was arrested for 3rd degree burglary and 3 counts of violating a protective order according to TMZ.COM. She was arrested in Branford, Connecticut.
This time around she was held without bond and is expected to appear in front of a judge today. The last judge relased her and ordered her to go to rehab or else she’ll find herself behind bars but apparently she chose to ignore all the help she was offered, including WWE paying for another stint in rehab.
Las Vegas, Nevada – The Ultimate Fighting Championship organization returns to Rio this Saturday when the world’s greatest martial artist – long-reigning UFC middleweight king Anderson “The Spider” Silva – steps up to light heavyweight to face the bigger, stronger and teak tough contender Stephan “The American Psycho” Bonnar. The three-round special attraction is the main event of the UFC 153 Pay-Per-View, which features six fights including a heavyweight showdown between Brazilian icon “Minotauro” Nogueira and Dave Herman and a chance to see two of the most exciting new talents in the UFC – Glover Teixeira and Erick Silva – take on serious tests in Fabio Maldonado and Jon Fitch respectively.
But it is the main event which has got the mixed martial arts world talking. Silva holds Embracing his underdog role, Bonnar has vowed to give the pound-for-pound kingpin “hell” in the Octagon on Saturday night.
Pointing out that he has never been knocked out or submitted, the Las Vegas native said: “I’m going in there to fight him, not to just go in there and think it was cool to share an Octagon with Anderson Silva. I’m going to give everything, fight my heart out, like I did in the fight with Forrest Griffin (in 2005) which changed the sport. That’s what I bring to the cage that Anderson maybe hasn’t seen too many times in his career. I’ve got to give him a fight, I’m got to get him on the back foot, rough him up, and that’s what I’m going to do.
“I’ve been hit by bigger, stronger guys and never been stopped. I mean, look at every fight I’ve ever had – I’ve been hit with lots of big shots but I get up and keep coming. Anderson is so damn good, but no-one has ever walked through me and I will keep coming at him no matter what he throws my way.”
Bonnar can be taken at his word. He is an attack-minded fighter – and seven years’ worth of statistics indicate Bonnar will go after Silva from the opening bell.
According to official stats from FightMetric, the American Psycho has landed more strikes in the Octagon than any light heavyweight in UFC history not named Tito Ortiz or Forrest Griffin, he has the fourth best takedown accuracy in the division at 44.7% and has attempted to finish fights with submissions more than any fighter in 205 pound history with the lone exception of Renato Sobral.
“I get in there any go after it,” the American Psycho said. “I don’t stall, I don’t get stood up (due to inactivity), I go out there any put it on my opponent and I am going to give Anderson Silva hell.
“Very rarely in life does a great opportunity come along for anyone. Getting the biggest shot of my career, when I had sort of retired, is kinda the story of my life. I’ve never really had the best of luck in my career. I’ve not had everything really fall into place for me. But now it really feels like all the stars are aligning just like it did on that magical night for the UFC back in 2005 when I fought Forrest Griffin for the first time.”
UFC 153: SILVA vs. BONNAR will be available live on Pay-Per-View this Saturday at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on UFC.TV, iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, and in Canada on BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $44.99 US/$49.99 CAN for Standard Definition and $54.99 US/$59.99 CAN for High Definition.
For more information or current fight news, visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.
PWInsider.com is reporting that Brian Gewirtz, the lead creative individual for Monday Night RAW was sent packing yesterday just before the show.
WWE CEO and Chairman Vince McMahon was not in a good mood after last week’s disastrous rating and told the creative team that they will go unless things start to turn out better, and started the slayings by removing the top guy who took the blame for everything.
Brian Gewirtz, who held the title of Senior Vice President of Creative Writing, has been working for the company since 1998 and is often credited with writing most of The Rock’s material among other things. While he was not the man who wrote the bulk of RAW – that individual is David Kapoor, the man better known as Ranjin Singh – Gewirtz was the one who oversaw the process before handing the scripts to the McMahons.
Eric Pankowski, who joined WWE in February of this year as Senior Vice President, Creative and Development, is taking Gewirtz’ hot seat.
WWE issued a statement to TMZ.COM over yesterday’s incident with CM Punk, apologizing for the lack of security in place and also for CM Punk’s actions.
“WWE security was unfortunately not in the appropriate place at the time. Given CM Punk’s persona as a ‘bad guy’ fans were naturally heckling him, but unfortunately a few fans began shoving him and one struck him in the kidney and on the back. WWE regrets that proper security measures were not in place, and CM Punk apologizes for reacting in the heat of the moment,” the statement reads.
Meanwhile, the imbecile fan who struck Punk originally, named Dario Teyes, outed himself on Twitter, bragging about the fact that he he punched Punk’s kidney and slap his back “hella hard.”
Replying to other people on Twitter, Teyes said, “bro he straight pounced on a poor day white guy. I hit him ran away then ran back and stood next to him cause I saw the camera.”
He then referred to the guy who got hit as “about to be a millionaire,” probably too stupid to realize that he might have police officers knocking on his door for causing everything that happened.
While appearing on The Howard Stern show to promote TNA’s upcoming pay-per-view Bound For Glory, Hulk Hogan was obviously asked about the sex tape that is making rounds.
The Hulkster admitted that the lady in the video with him is Heather Clem, the now ex-wife of his good friend Bubba “The Love Sponge” and the encounter took place after Bubba himself gave the go ahead. Cool friend.
In the one minute video which was released by Gawker, you could hear Bubba “The Love Sponge” talking off camera and his name is then mentioned.
Hogan said that the two had sex in 2006 before Bubba married Heather but while he was still married to his then-wife Linda.
Howard Stern then pulled a fast one on Hogan playing a clip from last year when Hulk was on his show saying he’d never had sex with Heather Clem.
“No. Man law, brother – even if they were divorced for ten years. You don’t do that. You don’t do that,” he said.
Hulk said he had to lie to him because he had to protect himself at the time.
Hogan swore that he was not in on this and the tape was done without his permission. “I gotta find out who did this to me,” Hogan said, adding that he is going to press charges. Hogan considered this as the worst thing that ever happened to him.
Meanwhile, Hulk was also given the news on the show that Radar Online is reporting that there is another Hulk Hogan sex tape out there.
You can see Hogan discussing the tape on Stern’s show below.
A reporter from the Sacramento CBS affiliate, CBS 13, found the guy who was knocked down by CM Punk after RAW was over to get his side of the story.
The reporter, Laura Cole, wrote on Twitter that the guy said he never hit CM Punk and video evidence clears him from that as well. Punk broke the guy’s glasses and he said that his face was “a little warm” after he was hit.
Cole added that while she was talking to him to get his comments, police officers came up and asked to talk with him and the fan filed out a report over the incident.
So far WWE and CM Punk have not publicly responded to what happened. Punk was pushed several times while he was in the stands and security guards were not there to protect him from the fans. Too bad that the wrong guy ended up taking the fall for everything.
Tammy Sytch, better known to wrestling fans as WWE Hall of Famer and former Diva Sunny, was arrested four the fourth time in four weeks yesterday according to TMZ.COM.
Sytch was picked up in Branford, Connecticut, after another alleged domestic dispute with her ex-boyfriend. Sytch had a restraining order which she decided to violate for the third time, landing her fourth arrest.
The artist formerly known as Sunny was arrested on charges of violating a protective order, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.
Cops said that she was intoxicated at the time of the arrest and she is currently being held on a $25,000 bond.
WWE has offered to help her one more time after picking up the tabs for her previous rehab stints but it seems like that all the money they are spending on her is for nothing.
CM Punk got into an altercation with a fan during the final segment when he rushed through the stands to avoid Ryback’s finisher.
The only problem is that Punk eventually shoved down the wrong guy after the guy who pushed him originally hid behind another guy.
Punk turned around and slapped the wrong guy and then pipe faced him violently before turning around to continue the segment with McMahon. The whole deal was caught on TV however footage from just in front of Punk catches the whole thing more clear.
The guy wearing a white shirt flips off Punk and then pushes his head, and then Punk turns around and knocks out the guy wearing a black shirt behind him.
You can see the video courtesy of YouTube user echin916 below.
They’re back! After a long absence for John Cena (OK, really only 2 weeks, but for him that’s an eternity) and Mr. Vince McMahon (he has not appeared since the 1000th Episode on July 23rd), make their return to Monday Night Raw. Will John Cena convince WWE Champion C.M. Punk to face him at Hell In The Cell? What does the owner of the WWE have to say in his “State Of The WWE Address?” Will there be a major announcement/change? How will (if at all) this affect WWE Champion C.M. Punk, and perhaps his “associate” Paul Heyman? General Manager A.J. Lee?
Also, the Tag-Team Championship Tournament is sure to continue, so who will move on in the next brackets? And as it occurs week after week, who is the Tag-Team Champion?
All this and much more from Sacramento, California, as we continue on the path to Hell In The Cell! Read on!
Monday Night Raw Report for October 8th, 2012 – “Intimidation and Proclamation”
Introduction Segment: Welcoming And Arena Promo
Michael Cole welcomes us to Monday Night Raw as John Cena’s music plays, bringing the return of the former WWE and World Heavyweight Champion to kick off the show!
Cena is in the ring as Cole also welcomes back John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) to the commentary booth, as well as Jim Ross. Cena thanks the crowd for their reaction and recaps what has been going on since he left two weeks ago. John is back to his “funny” self for a bit, then gets right on topic. He claims the crowd has no voice anymore, because WWE Champion C.M. Punk – the self-proclaimed “voice of the voiceless” has stolen the fans’ voice. Cena poses a question to Punk – what does it matter about how long he is champion (323 days and counting) if no one is watching?
It gets serious, as Cena demands that “Punk don’t be a ‘punk.’ Be a man, face me at Hell In The Cell. Agree to define your legacy in the cell against John Cena!”
Cena thanks the fans and wishes them to enjoy the show before dropping the microphone, putting his hat on a little boy and approaching the ramp. Suddenly, “Feed Me More” blares out and Ryback marches toward the ring. He and Cena look at each other quickly while crossing on the ramp.
The clip from last week, where WWE Champion C.M. Punk and Paul Heyman ordered Jim Ross to leave the ring, and Ryback brought him back and stared down Punk is shown.
Match #1: 2 On 1 – Ryback VS. Primo and Epico (with Rosa Mendes)
(I think we know how this will go!) Epico and Primo try to trick and surround Ryback, but to no avail as he just dominates the former WWE Tag-Team Champions for the first part. The cousins get a few shots win, with a missile dropkick and then trade covers and kicks. Ryback rights back a little, but gets locked in a rear chinlock. Epico slaps Ryback, but this only set him off, as he clotheslines both opponents, then finishes them off at the same time with his marching Samoan Drop for the win!
Winner via Pinfall: Ryback
Post-match, Ryback pumps up the crowd with LOUD “Feed Me More” chants.
Commercials.
Match #2: “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay (with “The Funkadactyls” Naomi and Cameron) VS. R-Truth (with “Little Jimmy”)
This match does not get going, as all “Little Jimmy” wants to do is dance with “The Funkadactyls.” So they all do.
Winner: No Contest via Non-Start
During the jig, Mr. McMahon appears on the Titantron and informs everyone that he will be out next for his “State Of The WWE Address.”
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Segment #2: Arena Promo
The Boss Is Back! It’s time for The Chairman of the WWE to saunter on down to the ring and talk to the people. Mr. McMahon names all the variety of characters you see in the WWE and says that there is room for all of it, however the most important is the action. Champions taking on all comers, the best of the best. Of course, this brings out the self-dubbed “Best In The World,” WWE Champion C.M. Punk with Paul Heyman and the WWE Championship in tow.
Vince tells Punk that it is disrespect to interrupt him during his promo. This lights up Punk, who feels disrespected because McMahon “took at shot” at him by talking about the “best facing the best.” He goes on to rip on the fans for not respecting him, and giving Cena chance after chance for the title, which he kept failing.
Vince responds by respecting Punk for his 323-day reign as WWE Champion, but does not respect him for being a “Paul Heyman guy.” Punk appreciates Vince for finding his “famous grapefruits” to tell him that to his face, then eventually threatens to “hop that rail and I’ll quit and you can kiss my ass goodbye.” Punk goes on an ego trip, claiming that he is the reason WWE is successful.
McMahon retorts and credits the success of WWE to the WWE Universe (fans). “You’re nowhere near the caliber of an Andre The Giant, of a Shawn Michaels, of a Triple H, of a Bret Hart. You’re nowhere near that. You’re nowhere near a ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin.”
Punk cuts him off and says that McMahon is right, he is nowhere near a Steve Austin, because Punk earned everything, where Steve Austin took short cuts and beat up a “clueless, inept millionaire.” Punk shoots on Vince’s age, calling him a “senior citizen.” Out of no where, the “Straight-Edge Superstar” harshly slaps Vince to the mat, then walks up the ramp.
Vince gets back to his feet and informs Punk that he will fire him for that, “if you don’t fight me tonight! You’re going to learn something about respect.” Heyman is trying to talk Punk out of it, but C.M. is loving this, and obliges enthusiastically. “Trust me, everything’s going to be fine,” he says.
Commercials.
Match #3: Tag-Team Tournament – “The Prime Time Players” (Darren Young and Titus O’Neil) VS. Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara
Young and Cara start out, with Sin countering a hammerlock into an armdrag. Cara springs off the top rope with another twisting armdrag, then gets tagged by Mysterio, who hits a diving Senton from the apron. Cara also hits a Suicide Dive to take out O’Neil.
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Cara and O’Neil back in the ring and Titus delivers a backbreaker for a two-count. He tags in Young, who squeezes Cara with a bearhug. Cara counters a 10-punch in the corner with a boot and jumping Tornado DDT. Both men down, as Cara leaps for the tag to Rey-Rey. He flies in with another Seated Senton and headscissors, then a couple of kicks for a nearfall. O’Neil comes into break it up and gets kicked by Cara, who receives a double-knee-dropper from Young. Mysterio is the legal man though, and manages to nail Darren with the 619 and Drop Of The Dime Splash from the top-rope for the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara
Segment #3: Locker Room Promo
Paul Heyman is still trying to convince WWE Champion C.M. Punk not to step in the ring with Mr. McMahon. Punk thinks otherwise and says that he is totally going to decimate the owner of WWE. Heyman doesn’t like the idea still, trying to say that McMahon will make their life a living hell for the long-term. C.M. reassures Heyman that it will all be ok and he will win.
Commercials.
Match #4: Single – Wade Barrett VS. World Heavyweight Champion “Great White” Sheamus
Elbow-collar tie-up begins this bout and neither man get an advantage before The Big Show’s music plays. The 7-Footer walks down and around the ring, then Barrett jumps Sheamus. The World Heavyweight Champion counters and takes Wade down with a side headlock. Big Show is shown sitting at ringside, by the announce table.
Wade throws Sheamus to the apron, but “Great White” shoots back in with a springboard shoulder-block. Sheamus reverses a suplex attempted into one of his own, then clamps on another side headlock. Barrett fights off Sheamus’ shoulders, but gets kneed off the apron. Barrett sweeps Sheamus off the apron this time, as Big Show smiles.
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Back live, Sheamus battles out of a surfboard stretch and clotheslines Wade over the ropes. Barrett hops the steel steps then kicks them back into Sheamus’ legs. He rolls Sheamus back in the ring for a two-count. Wade whips Sheamus off the ropes and delivers a knee-to-the-gut, then a harsh, harsh boot-to-the-face. 1 – 2 – Sheamus kicks out!
Wade misses an elbow from the top, then receives multiple clotheslines from Sheamus, a shoulder-to-the-gut, and a running knee-lift. Sheamus ties up Barrett against the ropes and hammers away on his chest, but turns around into an attack from Tensai, causing a dq.
Winner via Disqualification: World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus
Post-match, Tensai and Barrett beat down Sheamus, until he Brogue Kicks Tensai and dumps out Wade. Big Show hops in the ring and catches another Brogue Kick, then chucks Sheamus over the ropes. Show walks off as the Champion is left in the ring staring at him.
Commercials.
Segment #4: Office Promo
General Manager A.J. Lee is on her phone when WWE Champion C.M. Punk walks in. He asks her if she has thought about Punk “annihilating” an old-man. Lee says she knows that Punk is scared to fight Cena but is he scared to fight Mr. McMahon, but Punk says he’s not, and was really talking to save her job, because anything that happens “it’s on your pretty little head.”
Jim Ross has left the announce booth, going to try and convince McMahon not to engage Punk in a match tonight.
Footage of John Cena appearing on a morning talk show to sincerely promote Breast Cancer Awareness month and the WWE’s Partnership with the Susan G. Komen foundation is aired.
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Match #5: Single – Tyson Kidd VS. United States Champion Antonio Cesaro (Non-Title)
Lockup and hammerlock from Ceaaro. Tyson reverses and Antonio up in the middle rope. Cesaro counters and presses down on Kidd with a wristlock, but Tyson reverses with a springboard rolling-armdrag, then a victory roll for a nearfall!
Tyson runs into a big-boot, then Cesaro punches and kicks away in the corner. Gut-wrench suplex from the United States Champion, then sling-shots him to the floor using the top-rope. Tyson makes a small comeback, with a hard-knee, and sling-shot legdrop. He goes for a flying elbow, but only nails the mat. Cesaro capitalizes with a European uppercut, then The Neutralizer (Cradle-Faceplant-Driver) to get the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: United States Champion Antonio Cesaro
Commercials.
Match #6: Tag-Team – “The Showoff/Mr. Money In The Bank” Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero) and Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) VS. WWE Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell-No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan)
As usual, Kane and Daniel argue over who’s the champion and who starts this match. Bryan gets it this time and locks up with Ziggler, rolling through. Dolph with a shoulder block off the ropes but gets kneed by Bryan, who refuses to tag in Kane. Daniel drop-toeholds Del Rio, then switches with Kane, who hammers away on Alberto in the corner.
Kane has Del Rio in a wristlock, then uppercuts a running Dolph. Kane chucks Ziggler over the ropes and then gets tagged by Daniel, who dives off the apron with a running knee.
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Back live, it is turned around again with Ziggler grasping a side headlock on Kane. The “Big Red Machine” punches is way out and nails “The Showoff” with a big boot. Bryan is tagged back in and hits a running elbow-clothesline, then brings Dolph off the top rope with a hurricanrana, but Ziggler rolled through for a two-count!
Del Rio slaps Bryan from behind, allowing Dolph to hit a high-dropkick, then exchange with Alberto. The “Mexican Aristocrat” clutches on a grounding rear chinlock, and kicks Bryan in the jaw. Ziggler is back in and brings Daniel down with a neckbreaker, a la the late great “Ravishing” Rick Rude. Ziggler drops an elbow for a nearfall.
In is Del Rio again, who gets a float-over suplex and a running kick-to-the-back, then repeated kicks-in-the-corner. Bryan reverses those into some of his own, but misses the running front dropkick. Ziggler misses too – a jumping splash in the corner and bounces off the top turnbuckle. He is able to yank Bryan from his own corner and prevent a tag. Del Rio now with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker but Kane breaks up the pin attempt.
The heels continue to control the bout over Bryan, until Daniel moves from a running shoulder by Del Rio, and crawls to make the hot tag to Kane! One-half of the Tag-Team Champions is all over Del Rio and Ziggler, until he tries a double-chokeslam and instead gets kicked and driven down with the Fameasser by Dolph. 1 – 2 – Kane kicks out!
Huge sidewalk slam by Kane, then Daniel tags himself back in to fly off the top-rope with a missile front dropkick. Del Rio gets sent flying out of the ring, as Ziggler gets kicked harshly following a sneaky rollup. Kane tags himself back in and drives Ziggler down with the chokeslam to gain the hard=earned victory!
Winners via Pinfall: WWE Tag-Team Champions “Team Hell-No” (Kane and Daniel Bryan)
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
Jim Ross is with Mr. McMahon and also tries to warn him against wrestling. McMahon won’t hear of it, but does want the honor of Ross calling the match. Vince asks Ross to give him his patented line to hype him up. Ross obliges, shouting “McMahon, McMahon, he’s beating C.M. Punk like a government mule! He’s kicking an ass in him and walking it dry. McMahon wins! he broke him in half!” Ross still thinks Vince is making a mistake, but The Chairman quotes another famous superstar in saying, “It doesn’t matter what you think!” He slaps Ross’ back and walks off.
Commercials.
Segment #6: Arena Promo
Larry King, legendary journalist and talk-show host is on the stage with his wife, seated at a desk. He is going to interview Intercontinental Champion The Miz. Before he can go on, the interviewee interrupts and introduces himself. Miz announces that it is his birthday, so he wants everyone to sing him “Happy Birthday.” King gets tired of Miz, and decides to replace him. His new guest is Kofi Kingston.
Kofi plays the face and cheap-pops Sacramento, which Miz calls-out. He rips on both Larry and Kingston (with a great-line of “I’ve had more championships than you’ve had wives!”) then threatens to beat up King. Larry’s wife hurls water at Miz, allowing Kofi to fight to the back, and Larry leaves with his wife happy.
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Match #7: Tag-Team Tournament – “Long Island Iced-Z” Zack Ryder and Santino Marella VS. The Rhodes Scholars (Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow)
Rhodes and Ryder begin, with Cody shoving Zack into the corner then punching away at him. Ryder counters into a backslide and roll-up, then hits a short clothesline. Cody knees Zack then tags in Damien. Sandow stomps away then drops a knee for a two-count. Grounding rear chinlock by Sandow to wear down Ryder. Zack counters and flapjacks Rhodes later, then tags in Marella. Santino works over Cody and goes for the Cobra, until he is distracted by Sandow, and gets nailed by a disaster kick for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: The Rhodes Scholars (Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow)
Post-match, Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal, and Drew McIntyre beatdown Santino Marella for no reason at all. (This made no sense!)
Segment #7: Locker Room Promo
Vince, now donned in his wrestling gear, turns around to find Paul Heyman. He wants to apologize for C.M Punk, and did not know that Punk was going to challenge McMahon to a fight and slap him. Heyman wants to “broker the peace between you and C.M. Punk.” Vince accuses him of lying and “poisoning Punk’s mind for years.” Paul begs McMahon to not make “C.M Punk do to you what Brock Lesnar did to your son-in-law Triple H.” Heyman walks off as McMahon scowls.
Up next, Eve defends her Divas Championship against Kaitlyn.
Commercials.
Match #8: Single for the Divas Championship – Eve Torres (Champion) VS. Kaitlyn (Challenger)
Kaitlyn rushes Eve and chucks her to the mat. She delivers a couple of forearms and then a suplex for a two-count. Back-body drop from Kaitlyn, then a Torture Rack (haven’t seen that in a long while!), but Eve fights out. Kaitlyn catches Eve in a backbreaker, but appears to have re-injured her left ankle. Torres kicks and works over that ankle to gain an advantage. Eve locks in a leg grapevine submission in the middle of the ring to get the tap out victory and retain her title!
Winner via Submission and STILL Divas Champion: Eve Torres
Post-match, Layla, who was on commentary, makes the save and shoves Eve.
Segment #8: Backstage Promo
Josh Matthews asks Alberto Del Rio about Randy Orton’s “tweet” that he will be at Smackdown on Friday. Del Rio and Rodriguez just walk off.
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Segment #9: Backstage Promo
Tag-Team Champion Daniel Bryan asks Larry King and his wife how they dealt with name-calling. He then hits on Larry’s wife, and King suggests that he can’t do anything about it. Kane sneaks up from behind and they get into their usual argument.
Segment #10: Locker Room Promo
Paul Heyman is still going over the situation where McMahon can make their lives miserable, unless Punk delivers a beating so brutal, Vince can never make another decision again. “Paul, I’m going to victimize Vince McMahon, and I’m going to enjoy every single second. You should too,” declares an ominous Punk.
The main-event is next!
Commercials.
Match #9: Single – Mr. Vince McMahon VS. WWE Champion C.M. Punk (Non-Title)
As Mr. McMahon is walking down the aisle, Punk runs out and starts laying the assault. C.M. rolls Vince in the ring, but McMahon spears and punches Punk. They engage in a roll-around brawl, but Punk nails McMahon in the back of the head with a high-kick. Punk throws Vince outside and slams his head on the announce table three times. He picks up Vince, carrying him on his shoulders, but McMahon drops down and pushes C.M. into the ring post!
McMahon now chucks Punk over the commentator’s table, then gets on the mike claiming “I’m gonna teach you something about respect!” before leaping over the table and pounding on Punk! (He’s still got it!) Vince shoves the leather chair into Punk’s lower extremities, then pulls out a kendo stick from under the ring!
C.M. rolls out as Vince took a swing. Punk asks Heyman for the Championship, but Vince cuts him off and slaps Paul E. down! McMahon brings the Title into the ring and taunts C.M. with the kendo stick. However, Punk now grabs one of his own and it’s a battle!
They both wail away on each other with kendo sticks, but Vince gets the better, sending Punk to his knees, until Punk gives him an upper cut below the belt! C.M. takes both sticks and bats away on his boss. “The Second-City Saint” signals for the Go To Sleep and picks up Vince in position for the G.T.S., but Ryback stomps out!
“Big Hungry” is ready for Punk, but the WWE Champion chickens out, until he turns around into John Cena! He punches Punk with his left arm and throws him back into the ring, where Ryback clotheslines him and picks him up for his marching Samoan Drop. Punk escapes though, and grabs his WWE Championship, hiding in the crowd.
Winner: No Contest due to Non-Start
McMahon picks up the microphone and gives C.M. Punk an ultimatum: he takes on Ryback at Hell In The Cell, or defends against John Cena! If Punk doesn’t decide by next week, then Mr. McMahon will make his mind up for him!
To close the show, all three wrestlers stare down, with Punk looking very, very worried, and clutching his WWE Championship.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
I thought this week was more mediocre. The only two big storylines that stuck out was C.M. Punk VS. Vince McMahon (well-done, though!) and the Divas Championship situation. The rest just seemed to go along with not much fanfare. Onto the analysis:
Excellence: As mentioned above, the whole night of Punk VS. McMahon, both verbally and the main-match. I’m glad Vince wasn’t here tonight just to make some promise or some “big” announcement, but instead really pulled off a convincing “one-night war” with C.M. Punk, not seen since the days of McMahon taking on Austin. Plus, he really stepped up in his match, and I think that was the best I’ve seen him “wrestle” since either of his bouts at Wrestlemanias XIX & XXII, facing Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels respectively.
Love Ryback’s popularity. Really, really getting over now. (Hopefully those “feed me more” chants aren’t piped in!)
Cena’s promo tonight was the right balance – he did start off his “funny” (though, I never really like it – always love him more when he’s just serious) to get the welcome back, but when it came time to get down to business, he did that too and put over his pending match with C.M. Punk and heated rivalry.
The finals for the Tag-Tournament – intriguing because I’m truly not sure who they’re going to have win, either team would be perfect to face Kane & Daniel Bryan. Also, just should be a great, great match between Cara/Mysterio & Rhodes, Sandow.
Eve/Kaitlyn/Layla saga for the Divas Title. This “triple-threat” is also interesting and has put some “spark” back in this division for me. They are making it real again and about a championship, rather than superficial issues like modeling or soap operas like stealing lovers. They are about the wrestling, finally!
Tyson/Ceasaro – awesome, technical wrestling match – enough said!
Bogus: Brodus Clay/R-Truth – short and dumb. I
Wade/Sheamus – waste of a potentially great future feud/match, Championship or not. (although, tonight’s bout was very hard-hitting and great to watch)
Kane/Bryan/Ziggler/Del Rio – felt mis-matched and just a one-off. Waste of time for Ziggler, since his is the M.I.T.B. holder. Bigger and better for him.
Larry King/Miz segment – longer and dumb.
Marella/Ryder/Rhodes/Sandow – should’ve been on Smackdown and it should’ve been Rhodes/Sandow VS. Kidd/Gabriel. (Not into Marella at all, and Zack has lost my support because he’s lost his push.)
“The Band” (Slater/Mahal/McIntyre) beatdown – read last week’s report for my full-feelings – for now, really, really, really dumb!
Even though I thought this week was “average,” I did just count up my “excellence” for this show and at least it’s more than the “bogus,” so that is a positive. I definitely liked the “cliffhanger” and truly can’t wait for next week to see who C.M Punk will face at Hell In The Cell for his WWE Championship!
Until then, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
The boss will be back on Monday Night RAW tonight as WWE hit the alarm bells following last week’s horrible 15-year low ratings.
Vince McMahon will be appearing on the show to address the state of the WWE, many believing that some quick changes will be implemented to help build the audience back up. RAW has lost viewers constantly every week since it made the jump to three hours back in July.
Also appearing on the show will be former WWE champion John Cena. While he is currently out of action following his elbow surgery, he will continue to run after CM Punk to give him a title shot at the Hell In A Cell pay-per-view later this month.
Plus Arnold Schwarzenegger will be tweeting live during the show as he was appointed the RAW social media ambassador for tonight.
TNA Wrestling today announced a number of new TV deals in the Middle East and Africa, bringing TNA TV to the region for the first time.
IMPACT is now airing on FX Middle East at 10:30PM every Tuesday with the channel reaching Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, the Palestinian territories, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Mauritania and Somalia.
Beginning mid-October, Egyptian fans will also be able to watch Xplosion and and Greatest Matches after a new deal with Dream TV.
Starting in early 2013, Kuwait TV will also begin airing archive episodes of IMPACT Wrestling under the name of Classic IMPACT.
Apart from reaching Middle East and Africa, TNA has also concluded deals in Eastern Europe and is now airing on GSP TV in Romania with IMPACT airing every Monday at 8PM and Xplosion airing each Wednesday at 8PM. GSP TV will also broadcast TNA’s monthly pay-per-view events.
“I’m thrilled that this year has seen us bring the very best in professional wrestling to more and more people around the world. The TNA IMPACT WRESTLING family is growing all the time, and I can’t wait to chat to all our new fans from every corner of the globe on Facebook and Twitter,” said TNA President Dixie Carter.
Former California Governor and Hollywood movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger will be the social media ambassador for tomorrow’s episode of Monday Night RAW.
Schwarzenegger will be tweeting to his 2.6 million followers on Twitter while WWE will return the favor by plugging his new book titled ‘Total Recall’ during the broadcast.
The Governator got into a war of words with Money In The Bank winner Dolph Ziggler over the weekend on Twitter after Ziggler said he bought his book to “study his workouts for the media and movies” after he cashes in his MITB contract. Schwarzenegger thanked him for the support and told him good luck, two words that Ziggler didn’t appreciate.
“Hah relax brother, i don’t need luck & im not a fan, just a heads up, im on my way to being a much bigger STAR than you,” Ziggler tweeted back.
This is not the first time that Schwarzenegger worked for WWE as in 1999 he appeared in an episode of Smackdown and got physical with Triple H, attacking The Game and then downing a few beers with Steve Austin in the ring afterward.
In the latest poll released by Quinnipiac University revealed that the Senate race between former WWE CEO Linda McMahon and her opponent Chris Murphy is pretty much dead even, with McMahon edging out Shays 48% to 47% among likely voters.
McMahon has spent a lot of money in television advertising and 84% of those polled have seen Linda’s TV ads versus the 64% who said they saw Murphy’s ads. Two thirds of the voters polled said that McMahon’s ads are “very” or “somewhat” effective, while half said the same for her opponent’s ads.
“McMahon has done a good job defining Murphy, who was not well known statewide, in a negative way,” said Douglas Schwartz, director of the Quinnipiac poll. “McMahon’s blanketing the airwaves with TV ads appears to be working.”
This is Linda McMahon’s second shot at the U.S. Senate after two years ago she lost her election to her Democrat opponent by 11% despite spending over $50 million of her own money in the campaign.
THQ announced three downloadable content packs for the upcoming WWE ’13 video game which will be released on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii on October 30, 2012, in North America.
“With a great variety of roster additions, along with fan-favorite offerings for customization and unlockable access, WWE ’13 delivers a comprehensive selection of downloadable content for the franchise,” said Sean Ratcliffe, Vice President, Global Brand Management, THQ. “In addition, the Fan Axxess Program delivers a great value proposition for those looking to have the ultimate WWE videogame experience.”
The downloadable packs will feature several WWE Superstars and Divas, moves pack, costume changes, and other add ons to the highly anticipated video game.
The downloadable packs are:
Content Group #1 – “Attitude Era” Superstars Pack
“Attitude Era” Superstars Rikishi, Scotty 2 Hotty, Grand Master Sexay, Gangrel and Val Venis
Accelerator – enables players to unlock all in-game items, as well as customize individual WWE Superstar attributes
Each WWE Superstar will be available for a suggested purchase cost of 80 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360 or $0.99 USD via PlayStation Network.
The Accelerator will be available for a suggested purchase cost of 160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360 or $1.99 USD via PlayStation Network.
All content is currently scheduled for release on October 30, 2012 in North America.
Content Group # 2 – WWE Superstars Pack
WWE Superstars Tensai, Ryback, Drew McIntyre and Yoshi Tatsu
WWE Divas AJ Lee and Natalya
Undertaker “Ministry of Darkness” alternate attire
Championship Title Pack – 10 new championships from WWE, WCW, ECW and AWA.
The Undertaker “Ministry of Darkness” alternate attire will be available free of charge
Each WWE Superstar and Diva will be available for a suggested purchase cost of 80 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360 or $0.99 USD via PlayStation Network.
The Championship Title Pack will be available for a suggested purchase cost of 160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360 or $1.99 USD via PlayStation Network.
All content is currently scheduled for release in December 2012
Content Group #3 – You’re Welcome in Five Languages Pack
WWE Superstars Damien Sandow, Antonio Cesaro, Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso
WWE Diva Layla
“Attitude Era” Legends Brian Pillman and Chainsaw Charlie
Moves Pack – 20 new moves, including the Lionsault (made popular by Chris Jericho) and the Kimura Lock (made popular by Brock Lesnar)
WWE Diva Layla will be available free of charge
Each WWE Superstar will be available for a suggested purchase cost of 80 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360 or $0.99 USD via PlayStation Network.
The Moves Pack will be available for a suggested purchase cost of 160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360 or $1.99 via PlayStation Network.
All content is currently scheduled for release in January 2013
WWE ’13 Fan Axxess Program
THQ also announced today the ability to pre-purchase downloadable content at a reduced price point through the WWE ’13 Fan Axxess Program. For a one-time purchase cost of 1600 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360 or $19.99 USD via PlayStation Network, a savings of more than 10 percent versus individual content purchases, consumers will receive the following items:
Fan Axxess Program Exclusive: Legendary WWE Superstars Diamond Dallas Page and Goldust
All Content Groups: “Attitude Era” Superstars Pack, WWE Superstars Pack and You’re Welcome in Five Languages Pack
