- As noted, CM Punk has been pulled from the rest of the live
events leading up to WrestleMania 29 so he can heal up and be fresh for the big
match against The Undertaker. Punk is still scheduled for all RAW TV shows and
is still advertised for WWE's European tour the week after WrestleMania.
However, word now is that Punk may not be working most live events here
in the United States once WrestleMania is over, leaving John Cena to once again
be the top draw for RAW live events. Punk not working live events after
WrestleMania is expected to be for the short term.
With Punk taking time
off, there's a feeling that he has helped carry the company for a while now and
WWE needs to protect their investment.
- It's been reported that CM Punk's injury at RAW two weeks ago in the match
with Kane was an arm injury. PWInsider reports that it's either a hip or knee
injury.
As noted, Punk has been downplaying the injury to everyone
that's asked. Punk assured people he won't need time off and will be fine for
WrestleMania 29.
- Matt Striker spoke with 2013 Hall of Famer Booker T on the WWE App during last
night's RAW. Booker talked about how overwhelmed he was to be inducted. Booker
indicates that he's not retired but did say that Harlem Heat, his legendary tag
team with brother Stevie Ray, would be reuniting at the Hall of Fame.
WWE Announces Another Hall of Famer for 2013 Posted by Steve Carrier on 03/18/2013 at 09:51 PM
- WWE announced on tonight's RAW that SmackDown General Manager Booker T will be joining the 2013 Hall of Fame class in just a few weeks from New York City.
Booker will be inducted with Bruno Sammartino, Trish Stratus, Mick Foley, Bob Backlund and Donald Trump this year.
- Tonight's WWE RAW opens up with a look at Brock Lesnar from last week. We also get a look at CM Punk interrupting The Undertaker's tribute to Paul Bearer.
- We go to the ring and out comes John Cena to kick off RAW. The #1 contender talks about how we have 20 days left to pick a side - Cena or The Rock. Cena has a message for all The Rock's fans tonight. Cena points at a sign and says your time is up, our time is now. Cena is met with mostly boos. Cena says he won't make the mistake he did last year by predicting victory but he says he is focused and ready for WrestleMania. The music interrupts and out comes Titus O'Neil and Darren Young. Titus is wearing an afro and what looks like pajamas. Titus says The Primetime Players are also ready for WrestleMania 29. Rufus Pancake Patterson is O'Neil's new character. He says Titus is his nephew. This goes nowhere until Titus brings up Darren looking like Cena. Rufus says Darren should be on the cover of Cocoa Pebbles since Cena is on the front of Fruity Pebbles. Rufus says he would come to the ring but his gout is flaming up. Rufus says Darren would be happy to face Cena. Darren says Cena will be crying and weeping like the loser he is after tonight. They taunt Cena and he gets serious now. Cena challenges Young to step into the ring. Cena says he will show him what it means to be in the main event of WrestleMania. Cena gets ready for a fight and here comes Young and a referee.
Darren Young vs. John Cena
The bell rings and Cena goes to work on Young. Titus pulls Young to safety after Cena unloads. We take a commercial break.
Back from the break and Cena is still in control. Cena hits shoulder blocks and the big slam. Cena hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle and the Attitude Adjustment for the win.
Winner: John Cena
- Still to come tonight, The Undertaker will return.
- Michael Cole shows us footage of The Shield interrupting Mark Henry vs. Ryback on SmackDown. We also see Henry beating Ryback up. Ryback is walking backstage as we take another commercial break.
Ryback vs. David Otunga
Back from the commercial and out comes Ryback while David Otunga poses in the ring. Ryback rams Otunga back into the corner and beats him down to start the match.
Otunga tries to fight back but Ryback clotheslines him. Ryback comes back and slams Otunga to the mat. Ryback hits the Meathook clothesline and Shell Shocked for the win.
Winner: Ryback
- After the match, Ryback cuts a promo but out comes Mark Henry. Before he can come down, Teddy Long and Vickie Guerrero come out to stop him. Vickie says she's taking Ryback out of the six-man match at WrestleMania. Vickie announces Ryback vs. Henry for WrestleMania. Ryback lays Otunga out with another Shell Shocked to send Henry a message.
Fandango vs. The Great Khali
Back from the break and out comes Fandango with his dancer. They dance at ringside and he places her up on the apron before posing in front of her. They also dance and pose in the ring. A lit up silhouette of Fandango appears in the air. Out next comes The Great Khali with Natalya.
Fandango says Khali is far too stupid to pronounce his name correctly. Fandango calls Natalya a Canadian slice of heaven and wants to let her try to say his name. Natalya messes up the name on purpose and tells Khali to get him. Fandango runs out of the ring and walks away with his dancer. He says tonight was the night where we almost got to see the debut of Fandango. A "you can't wrestle" chant breaks out.
- Still to come, the Intercontinental Title Triple Threat. Back to commercial.
- Back from the break and we get a plug for Brock Lesnar in Muscle & Fitness magazine.
R-Truth vs. Damien Sandow
We go to the ring and out first comes R-Truth. Damien Sandow is out next. Sandow cuts a promo on the way to the ring and tells everyone they're welcome. Truth has some poetry of his own and says Sandow is going to get got.
The bell rings and they go at it. Sandow takes control with an early pin attempt. Sandow with a headlock now. Truth fights back and rolls Sandow up for 2. Sandow with a clothesline and right hands. Sandow with a suplex and another 2 count. Sandow with a side Russian leg sweep and the Elbow of Disdain for another pin attempt. Truth comes back with clotheslines and right hands. Truth with a big head scissors and a kick to the jaw. Truth hits the scissors kick but Sandow rolls out of the ring. Sandow walks up the ramp and to the back, getting counted out.
Winner by Count Out: R-Truth
- The Bella Twins are backstage hanging on Cody Rhodes. Kaitlyn comes up and tells Cody she has something going on later so they can't hang out. The Bellas say nobody cares. Kaitlyn says they can have Cody's mustache and he can have theirs.
- Up next, The Undertaker is coming for the urn. Back to commercial.
- Back from commercial and out comes The Undertaker to the ring. Taker says CM Punk sealed his fate by making this personal. Taker says he is going to hurt Punk bad at WrestleMania 29. Taker says Punk has one chance to save himself - bring the urn out now. We hear someone impersonating Paul Bearer. Punk appears on the big screen and apologizes for not being able to hit the high notes Bearer once did. Punk acts like Bearer is speaking to him through the urn. Punk talks about Taker and juggles the urn around while he speaks. Punk says he is a higher power. Punk says he is the one man in the world who can shoulder the burden of snapping The Streak. Punk says he's ready to walk through hell and receive whatever pain Taker inflicts on him. Punk says he's the one that will end The Streak. Punk drops the urn and says, "oh shit!" That's pretty much it.
- Still to come, Triple H and Brock Lesnar's contract signing. Back to commercial.
- Back from the break and we see footage of CM Punk with the urn just now.
Primo and Epico vs. Kane and Daniel Bryan
Primo and Epico are in the ring with Rosa Mendes. Out next comes the WWE Tag Team Champions Kane and Daniel Bryan for a non-title match.
Kane finally gets the tag and cleans house. Kane runs into a boot but catches Primo with a big sidewalk slam. Kane knocks Epico off the apron and climbs to the top for a big right hand. Kane calls for a chokeslam but out comes AJ Lee skipping around the ring. Kane gets rolled up for a 2 count as he was distracted. Epico tags in for some double teaming but Bryan makes the save. Kane chokeslams Epico for the win.
Winners: Kane and Daniel Bryan
- Kane and Bryan stare at AJ confused after the match. AJ skips away to the back.
- Chris Jericho is backstage with Josh Mathews. Jericho brags about his history with the Intercontinental Title and says he will make it 10 times tonight. Fandango interrupts and shows Jericho how his name is said. Jericho calls him Fan-Dumbo, Fan-Dunghole, Fan-Dodge Durango and a bunch of other funny names. Fandango says Jericho will learn to pronounce his name properly.
- Still to come, Sheamus and Randy Orton vs. 3MB. Also, Alberto Del Rio vs. Cody Rhodes. Back to commercial.
- Back from the break and we get a video about WWE working with Nothing But Nets to fight malaria in Africa.
Cody Rhodes vs. Alberto Del Rio
We go to the ring and out comes Cody Rhodes for the next match. Ricardo Rodriguez is out next to begin the introduction for World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio.
The bell rings and they go at it back and forth. Del Rio with an early roll up. Cody drops down and nails the right hand. Cody takes Del Rio to the corner now and works him over. Cody works on Del Rio's hurt knee now. Cody keeps Del Rio on the mat until he backdrops him. Del Rio charges in the corner but Cody moves and Del Rio hits the ring post. Cody goes back to work on Del Rio and takes him to the corner. Del Rio turns it around and kicks Cody in the back. Cody kicks Cody from the apron to the floor and he hits his head on the way down. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and Cody is in control of Del Rio now. Del Rio scoop slams Cody and goes to the top. Del Rio misses a moonsault as his knee buckles. Cody runs over Del Rio and starts stomping on him. Cody with a 2 count. Del Rio finally makes another comeback and hits the tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Del Rio with a big kick to the mouth for a close 2 count. Cody blocks the cross armbreaker and fights Del Rio off. Cody hits a moonsault for 2. Del Rio dumps Cody to the apron and hits a series of shots to the lower back. Del Rio with a backstabber for 2. Del Rio misses in the corner but counters Cody and locks in the cross armbreaker for the win.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
- After the match, Jack Swagger comes out and attacks Del Rio from behind in the corner. Swagger beats Del Rio down. Ricardo tries to make the save but Swagger stops him and tosses him out of the ring. Del Rio fights back on Swagger and they tumble out of the ring. Del Rio with a big superkick. Del Rio throws Swagger into the fan barrier. Del Rio approaches Zeb Colter and Zeb pleads with him. Del Rio grabs Zeb but Swagger makes the save from behind. Swagger sends Del Rio into the steel steps and tells him to never lay a hand on Zeb. Swagger tosses Del Rio over the announce table and a "USA" chant breaks out as Swagger looks up at the WrestleMania 29 sign. Swagger and Zeb head to the back but stop when they see Ricardo. Swagger runs and hits a huge clothesline. Swagger locks in the Patriot Lock on Ricardo as Zeb looks on. Swagger twists Ricardo's ankle up and he screams on the floor. Trainers check on Del Rio and Ricardo as Zeb and Swagger head to the back.
- Back from the break and we get replays of what just happened. During the break, Ricardo was stretchered out. The announcers play up the seriousness of the situation.
- Cole announces Booker T for the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame. They air a video looking back at Booker's career.
- Still to come tonight, the Intercontinental Title Triple Threat.
Randy Orton and Sheamus vs. 3MB
We go to the ring and out comes Randy Orton. Orton takes his time getting to the ring and we go back to commercial.
Back from the commercial and out comes Sheamus to team with Orton. Out next comes 3MB's Heath Slater, Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal. Drew and Sheamus start the match off. Drew tries to take control but Sheamus lays him out. Orton tags in to a big pop. Orton drops a knee but runs into an elbow in the corner. Orton dropkicks Drew and tags Sheamus back in. Sheamus hits Drew with the forearm shots on the apron. Sheamus hits a battering ram for a 1 count.
Sheamus keeps control until Slater tags in and they beat Sheamus down in the corner. Slater and McIntyre with quick tags now. Sheamus fights out on Drew but catches a kick to the face. 2 count by Drew. Slater comes back in to keep up the attack on Sheamus. They try to double team but Sheamus fights them off and knocks Drew out of the air. Sheamus tags in Orton. Orton unloads on Slater and hits the powerslam. Orton tosses Slater to the apron and hits the draping DDT. Sheamus runs in with a Brogue for Jinder and Drew. Orton nails the RKO on Slater for the win.
Winners: Sheamus and Randy Orton
- After the match, The Shield music hits and here comes Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose through the crowd. They surround the ring until Big Show comes out. Show runs down and joins Orton and Sheamus in the ring. The Shield decides not to rush the ring and they leave back through the crowd. Show looks up at the WrestleMania sign and points at it. Show leaves the ring as Orton and Sheamus stare at him.
- Michael Cole leads us to an exclusive look at The Rock in GI Joe 2.
Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler
Back from the break and out comes Kofi Kingston. Dolph Ziggler is out next with Big E Langston and AJ Lee. They lock up and trade holds to start the match. Ziggler takes control but Kofi leaps and hits a back elbow. Kofi gets hung up on the top turnbuckle and Ziggler covers for 2. Ziggler with a dropkick and another 2 count. Ziggler does a headlock headstand and shows off. Kofi fights out but Ziggler cuts him off. Kofi comes back with chops and a dropkick. Ziggler goes for the sleeper but it's blocked. Kofi with a springboard crossbody for a close 2 count. Kofi with a big right hand and the Boom Drop. Kofi goes for Trouble in Paradise but Ziggler catches him. Kofi slides out and kicks Ziggler in the face. Kofi goes to the top but AJ gets on the apron and distracts the referee. Kofi runs the apron at Ziggler but Langston knocks him out of the air. Kofi lands hard outside of the ring. Ziggler brings Kofi back in the ring and nails a Zig Zag for the win.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
- After the match, Kane and Daniel Bryan come to the stage. Bryan congratulates Ziggler and Big E for getting them on the same page finally. Kane says he isn't in a good place right now. Kane wants to see what Big E Langston can do inside of the ring. Langston likes the sound of this. Kane proposes Ziggler and Big E vs. Team Hell No. AJ interrupts and accepts the challenge, only if the tag titles are on the line and it's at WrestleMania 29. They accept.
- Back from the break and we see what happened with CM Punk and The Undertaker earlier tonight.
- WWE airs another special preview for John Cena vs. The Rock at WrestleMania 29.
Triple Threat for the WWE Intercontinental Title: The Miz vs. Chris Jericho vs. Wade Barrett
We go to the ring and out first comes The Miz. We go back to commercial.
Back from the break and WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett is already out. Chris Jericho comes out next to a nice pop. The match starts with Barrett decking Jericho then hitting Miz. Jericho comes over and drops Barrett with an elbow for a 2 count. Jericho clotheslines Barrett to the floor. Miz rolls Jericho up for 2 from behind. Jericho and Miz go at it now. Miz dropkicks Barrett through the ropes. Jericho leaps out onto both of them with a crossbody. Jericho brings Barrett in the ring and hits a knee to the head. The crowd chants for Jericho now. Barrett fights him off but gets dropkicked. Jericho with a 2 count. Miz pulls Jericho out of the ring and rams him into the apron. Miz rolls Barrett up for 2. Another roll up for 2. Miz keeps control of Barrett and clotheslines him in the corner. Miz takes Jericho back down to the floor. Barrett cuts Miz off on the top and works him over. Barrett with a high running knee to the gut.
Jericho comes in and catches them both in the corner with a super superplex. We go back to commercial.
Back from the break and Barrett is in control of Jericho. He knocks Miz to the floor. Barrett with a big knee to the gut for a 2 count on Jericho. Jericho fights back but Barrett hit another knee. Barrett runs into a boot and Jericho makes a comeback. Jericho hits the bulldog. Miz blocks the Lionsault and sends Jericho to the floor. Miz comes off the top on Barrett and unloads on him with offense. Miz gets caught in Winds of Change and Barrett covers for 2. Miz dropkicks Barrett's leg and goes for the Figure Four and locks it. Jericho breaks it with a Lionsault and a close 2 count on Miz. Jericho goes at it with Barrett and locks in the Walls of Jericho. Miz breaks the hold and goes for a Skull Crushing Finale. Jericho fights him off. They dump Barrett to the floor. Jericho rolls Miz up for a close 2 count. Jericho hits a Codebreaker on Miz.
Barrett pulls Jericho to the floor and steals a pin for 2. Jericho pulls him out and sends him to the barrier. Jericho covers Miz for a close 2 count. Miz plants Jericho with a DDT for 2. Miz misses a clothesline in the corner. Jericho dropkicks Barrett to the floor from the apron. Miz drops Jericho with a kick to the face for another close 2 count. Jericho with chops on Miz. Jericho misses an enziguri. More back and forth. Jericho with a roll up for 2. Miz catches Jericho and hits a Skull Crushing Finale. Barrett runs in and breaks the pin, rolling Miz up for the win.
Winner: Wade Barrett
- After the match, Barrett grabs his title and heads to the ramp to talk some trash. We go to replays.
- We get footage from the world premiere party for WWE Studios' The Call.
- We see some fan Touts for the Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H stipulation. Triple H is headed to the ring as we go back to commercial.
- Back from the break and out comes Triple H for the WrestleMania 29 contract signing. The ring is set up with the usual table and chairs. Triple H stands and waits for Brock Lesnar to come out. Paul Heyman comes down with three security guys instead. Triple H says he thought Lesnar was the kind of guy who would come look him in the eye. Heyman says we all know Lesnar is fearless. Heyman says he is afraid of Triple H because Triple H realizes the predicament they have put him in. Either he disappoints the fans by taking away the match they want to see or he signs the contract not knowing what the stipulations are. Heyman thinks Triple H doesn't know what to do yet and is very frustrated. Heyman doesn't want those frustrations taken out on him so that's why he has security with him. Triple H knocks the quality of Heyman's security. Heyman shows that Lesnar has already signed the contract. He says he will reveal the stipulations only after Triple H signs.
Triple H is ready to do this and asks for the contract. Heyman says he wants to take a minute and really enjoy this. Heyman says they have spent time watching one piece of footage over and over again. Heyman shows footage from three weeks ago when Lesnar and Triple H brawled at ringside, leaving Lesnar busted open. Heyman asks how do you top that? Heyman says he knows and it will be Triple H blindfolded at WrestleMania. Nah, he says. Heyman says it will be Triple H with his hands cuffed and ankles shackled in the match. Nope, not that one either. Heyman says Lesnar is letting him pick the stipulation. Heyman says the winner of the match gets Stephanie McMahon. Heyman says no, that wouldn't work. It would be more fitting if the loser gets Stephanie. Triple H grabs Lesnar and pulls him over the desk. Security attacks Triple H but he fights them off and tosses them out of the ring. Triple H grabs Heyman by his hair and slams his face into the table. Triple H rips Heyman's shirt over and hits him in the chest. Heyman screams for Lesnar's help. Triple H says he knows Brock isn't coming out until he signs the contract so he's going to take his time and enjoy this. Triple H smacks Heyman around as he screams for Lesnar.
Triple H signs and makes it official. He stabs the pen into Heyman and tells him to bring out Lesnar. Triple H dumps Heyman off the table. Triple H kicks Heyman out of the ring and tosses a chair onto him. Lesnar's music hits and out he comes with a steel chair. Lesnar is going insane at the top of the ramp. Triple H grabs a sledgehammer. Heyman begs Brock not to enter the ring as Triple H waits. Lesnar laughs and tosses the chair into the ring. The crowd boos. Heyman tells Lesnar that they won this round and talks him down as he walks around the ring. Lesnar points at the WrestleMania sign. Heyman is beat up and looks to be bleeding but smiling. Heyman says that beating was worth it to get Triple H to sign the contract. Heyman reveals a No Holds Barred stipulation. He adds that Triple H's career will be on the line. RAW goes off the air with Triple H looking on from the ring.
As noted earlier, Rey Mysterio has been dealing with knee issues
for quite some time, and feared that he had torn the ACL in his good knee. Dr.
James Andrews said he would be able to wrestle but not without the help of a
special brace.
Dave Meltzer noted during the Wrestling Observer Radio
show this past weekend that Mysterio is "officially" slated to return in June,
but there is also the change that he may not return at all.
"The
official company line on Rey Mysterio is that he will be back, hopefully, in
June... after rehabbing the knee," said Meltzer. "But he may not be back at all.
And it's not retirement, but there's something going on... there was stuff going
on that they were working on perhaps a release, but they want merchandising
rights... but officially he'll back in June."
As of this writing,
Mysterio is listed on the "events" page on WWE.com for the Monday Night Raw
following WrestleMania 29 on April 8th from the Izod Center in East Rutherford,
NJ. Mysterio is also listed for the Raw WrestleMania Revenge Tour in the U.K. in
April. This may simply be a case of the listings being outdated.
As noted last week, Bully Ray got into an altercation with a fan at last
Thursdays Impact Wrestling tapings from Chicago, Illinois. While Aces &
Eights was leaving the ringside area through the crowd, Bully got into a fans
face and unleashed the following said the follow:
Sit down, faggot.
Yeah What are you gonna do? You aint gonna do a damn thing. You got punked in
your own frickin town. Im punkin you out in front of your daughter. You got
punked! You invented fags, you fag. You shouldve did something already, you
shouldve did something already, but you aint doing nothing. Im punking you
in front of your hometown. You frickin queer. You shave your frickin
chest.
Bully Ray and Dixie Carter tweeted about the incident
apologizing for his conduct.
Bully Ray: "Made an inappropriate comment to
a fan in Chicago. If anyone was offended by this...I do apologize. No harm was
meant."
Dixie Carter: "Heard @RealBully5150 made inappropriate comments
to a fan in Chicago. This will not be tolerated. Sincere apologies on behalf of
TNA."
Dixie
Carter and Bully Ray Apologize To Chicago Fan
TNA President Dixie Carter and World
Heavyweight Champion Bully Ray took to their twitter accounts to apologize for
an inappropriate comment made by Ray in Chicago. In some way, Bully insulted a
fan and Dixie had to apologize on behalf of the company.
If anyone knows
what was said, please send it in or leave a comment.
Update: Skip to 6:10
for Bully's comments against said fan
"Then. Now. Forever." The WWE video leads us into the show.
Sheamus' music hits as Michael Cole reminds us that we are 23 nights away from WrestleMania. Cole welcomes us to the show alongside Josh Mathews and Brad Maddox. Maddox will be the fill-in commentator until John "Bradshaw" Layfield returns.
Sheamus and Randy Orton vs. Team Rhodes Scholars
Before the match begins, Sandow asks for silence. He says what happened on last Monday's RAW was nothing short of a professional and managerial abomination. Not only was their sure fire victory over the New Age Outlaws taken from them, as well as their post-match endeavor with the Bella Twins, they were put into a match they were not physically or mentally prepared for against the two vulgarians in the ring. He goes to tell a story about his Uncle Minnow Sandow, but Rhodes takes the microphone. Rhodes says they don't deserve a story. They ruined their dates and night, so it's their turn to ruin it for them.
Cody Rhodes will start out against Sheamus. Sheamus executes a headlock takeover. Rhodes gets to his feet and whips him off, but Sheamus shoulder blocks him down. Rhodes quickly comes back with some kicks and punches, but Sheamus comes back by reversing a whip to the corner. Sheamus catches him as he tries to slingshot over, but Rhodes slides out of the powerslam attempt. Sandow is tagged in, and Sheamus blocks his kick. Sheamus pushes him down and drops an elbow. Sheamus puts him in the corner and punches until the referee backs him up. Sandow gains the advantage by kicking and punching him down in the corner. Sheamus reverses a whip to the opposite corner and nails him with a running shoulder to the midsection. Sheamus hits a knee lift and a pair of Irish hammers. Sheamus goes for White Noise, but Sandow elbows out. Sandow charges, but Sheamus sends him to the apron. Sheamus ties him up in the ropes and clubs away at the chest. Rhodes tries to blindside him, but Sheamus elbows him off the apron. Sandow capitalizes on the slight distraction by snapping him off the top rope and dragging him outside. Sheamus fights Sandow off, but Rhodes stuns him with a Disaster Kick off the commentary table.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Sheamus fighting Rhodes off. Rhodes quickly comes back with a dropkick for a two count. Rhodes clubs away at his back before tagging in Sandow. Sandow punches and head-butts him down before leaving the ring to elbow him across the throat. Sheamus comes back with some head-butts. Rhodes is quickly tagged in, and he cuts Sheamus off before he can tag in Randy Orton. Rhodes stomps him before wrenching the arm. Sandow is tagged back in, and they both cut Sheamus off again before he can tag. Sheamus fights up, but Sandow punches him to the corner. The referee gets in Sandow's face, telling him to back up. Sandow continues to punch away at Sheamus. Sandow backs up and charges into Sheamus' boots. Sheamus pulls himself up to the top rope and jumps off with a flying shoulder block.
Orton and Rhodes are tagged in. Orton hits a pair of clotheslines, ducks one, and hits a powerslam. Orton takes him down with a T-bone suplex before hitting a hanging DDT. Sandow attacks him from behind, but Sheamus quickly takes him down with a Brogue Kick. Orton stalks Rhodes before dropping him with an RKO for the win!
Winners by Pinfall: Sheamus and Randy Orton Match Rating: * 3/4
The Shield's music hits, and they appear on the titantron. Dean Ambrose says they can relax. They don't have to be afraid, but Seth Rollins contends that they just may have to be. Roman Reigns then says they don't need to fear anything tonight. Ambrose says the ring that Orton and Sheamus are standing in belongs to them. If they don't believe that, they can ask the Big Show. They served justice to him on Monday night, just like they've done to every major force in this industry.
Rollins says that brings up an interesting point. They've taken John Cena and The Rock, the WWE Champion, multiple times. They've flattened them in the center of the ring, but those two criminals continue to take from them. They are the main event of WrestleMania, and somehow The Shield doesn't even have a match on the show. That is the greatest injustice he's ever heard. Ambrose says they'll serve that injustice themselves. He tells them to find any partner they want, as long as its the right one. Orton says he's in, and Sheamus says he'll see them at WrestleMania. Rollins says the Showcase of the Immortals will become the Showcase of Justice. Ambrose says they'll believe at WrestleMania. Reigns finishes off with, "Believe in The Shield!"
Chris Jericho will take on Jack Swagger in tonight's main event. We'll also see Ryback and Mark Henry lock horns later tonight.
A Fandango vignette airs. He will make his debut match tonight.
-Commercial Break-
They show footage of Brock Lesnar destroying the New Age Outlaws. Paul Heyman then spoke for Lesnar. Heyman says they'll accept Triple H's challenge at WrestleMania as long as he accepts Lesnar's match stipulation. They won't announce the stipulation until Triple H signs the contract. Triple H will respond next week on RAW.
Randy Orton and Sheamus are talking backstage when Big Show walks up to them. Big Show says they could use a tag team partner. He says he doesn't trust either of them, but in lieu of recent events, that's what he's saying. They need a tag team partner who is brutal and vicious. Their partner should be a bulldozer and an ultimate destroyer. Orton says they couldn't agree with him more. Big Show says they won't regret it. Sheamus says he's right, because they've picked this man: Ryback. Ryback walks up and stares at Big Show until he goes away.
Ryback will face Mark Henry later tonight.
-Commercial Break-
Tamina Snuka and Aksana vs. Kaitlyn and Layla
Tamina will start against Layla. They lock up, and Tamina powers her to the corner. Tamina runs into a kick, but she blocks a whip. Tamina sends her to the ropes, but she eats a kick. Tamina blocks a roundhouse kick and throws her down. Tamina throws her by the hair before choking her. Tamina sends her to the corner and tags in Aksana. Aksana kicks her down before tagging Tamina back in. The Funkadactyls are seen watching. Aksana is tagged in, and she takes Layla down with a side leg sweep. She stretches her out a bit covering for a two count. Aksana sends her to the corner before tagging Tamina in. Tamina hits a suplex for a two count. Layla tries to fight back, but Tamina quickly takes control. Layla then sidesteps a splash in the corner and rolls her up for a two count. Layla then kicks her away.
Kaitlyn and Aksana are tagged in. Kaitlyn hits a back elbow and a clothesline. Kaitlyn sends her to the ropes and takes her down with a shoulder block. She then drops Aksana with a reverse DDT for a two count. Kaitlyn hits the ropes, but Tamina punches her in the back of the head. Aksana goes for a body slam, but Kaitlyn slides off and pushes her into Tamina, knocking her off the apron. Kaitlyn then takes her down with a spear, and Layla blind tags in. Layla then hits the LOL for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Kaitlyn and Layla Match Rating: 3/4 *
The Funkadactyls shake their pom-poms backstage before bumping into the Bella Twins. Naomi says they were a big influence on Cameron and her. Cameron says they're not twins, but they dress just alike and grew up watching them. Nikki says it's so great that they influence two "hoochie mommas" who shake their butts for a dancing dinosaur and his fat friend that thinks he's Japanese. They take offense to that, but the twins say they just wanted to introduce themselves. They then blindside the Funkadactyls until officials run in to separate them.
They show the Undertaker's tribute to Paul Bearer that was interrupted by CM Punk on RAW. Kane attacked him, and they fought in the main event. Kane defeated him, and he saluted Paul Bearer along with his brother. CM Punk then attacked him with the urn.
Kane makes his way to the ring. He'll take on Dolph Ziggler, next.
-Commercial Break-
Kane w/ Daniel Bryan vs. Dolph Ziggler w/ AJ and Big E. Langston
Kane gets him in the corner and punches him down. Kane stomps him before uppercutting him. Kane continues to kick away at him before driving his shoulder into him in the corner. Kane punches him down before throwing him across the ring. Kane sends him to the corner, but Ziggler moves before he can splash him. Kane puts the brakes on, and Ziggler rolls out of the ring. Kane follows him, and Ziggler runs back to the ring. Kane grabs him by the throat as he gets in the ring, but Ziggler kicks him off. Ziggler punches away at him before hitting the ropes and eating a big boot.
Kane hits a pair of body slams before sending him into the ropes. Ziggler hangs on, and Kane runs into a back elbow. Ziggler punches away at him and charges, but Kane drops him onto the apron. Ziggler stuns him with a snapshot off the top, and he quickly follows up with a missile dropkick. Ziggler punches away at him before dropping a big elbow for a near fall. Ziggler applies a front face lock, but Kane fights up and powers him off. Kane then runs into a drop-toe-hold in the corner. Ziggler catches him with a big snapping DDT for a near fall.
Ziggler punches away at Kane. Ziggler hits the ropes, and Kane clotheslines him. Kane kicks him in the midsection and executes a perfect delayed vertical suplex. Kane hits a low dropkick to the face for a near fall. Kane sends him to the corner and clotheslines him. Kane sends him to the opposite corner and repeats the move. Kane goes for a sidewalk slam, but Ziggler flips through and applies the sleeper hold. Kane backs him into the corner a few times to break the hold. Kane runs into a boot. Ziggler goes to the second rope and jumps into an uppercut. Kane picks up a near fall. Kane goes to the top rope and hits his flying lariat. Kane signals for the Chokeslam, but AJ gets on the apron for the distraction. Daniel Bryan then attacks Big E. Langston from behind before he can get Kane. Langston throws Bryan into the timekeeper's area, and he turns into a big boot from Kane! Ziggler catches Kane with a leg drop bulldog as he comes back in the ring. Ziggler then drops him with the Zig-Zag for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Dolph Ziggler Match Rating: * 1/2
Ziggler stands over Kane and talks a little trash. Kane grabs him by the throat, but Langston quickly runs him over. Langston drops Kane with the Big Ending.
They show a video of Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez parodying Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger's YouTube videos. They joke about Canadians being threats to America's borders. They have funny accents and play sports on ice.
Chris Jericho and R-Truth are laughing at the video backstage. Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter walk up to them, and R-Truth walks off. Swagger asks if he thinks that video is funny, and Jericho does. Swagger says he's put the weight of a nation on his back. He's not only fighting for the World Heavyweight Championship; he's fighting for the soul of the country. Jericho jokes about it. Swagger says Jericho is no different from Del Rio. He snuck over the border from Canada and tried to take what doesn't belong to him. It belongs to real Americans. Jericho says he grew up in Canada, but he was born in America. Jericho asks Colter if he's a real American. He says he looks like a cross between Rush Limbaugh and Yosemite Sam. Jericho says instead of worrying about politics, immigration, and naturalization, he should worry about it being WrestleMania season. He's facing Alberto Del Rio for the title in a few weeks. More importantly, he's facing Y2J tonight. Until Swagger and "Sam" can beat him, he suggests they shut the hell up.
Fandango will debut, next.
-Commercial Break-
The Great Khali is in the ring dancing with Natalya, the Punjabi Princess.
Fandango's music hits, and he comes out dancing with another professional dancer. Fandango says he's a professional interpreter of the language of dance. The "dancing" going on in the ring is unacceptable. It's obvious they can't dance. Fandango wants to see if Khali can pronounce his name correctly. Khali says it, and Fandango tells him to shut his mouth. Fandango then teaches Khali how to pronounce his name. Fandango says he did horrible. He says he hopes Khali has a lot of money because he needs to reimburse the people as they're now going to miss out on the debut of Fandango!
They'll show a preview of The Rock vs. John Cena match at WrestleMania, next.
-Commercial Break-
They play a video package that highlights the feud John Cena and The Rock have had over the past two years.
Matt Striker is backstage with Sheamus and Randy Orton. Striker says Booker T made the six-man tag team match against The Shield official. Sheamus says the odds are in their favor. Orton says we're going to see a preview of what Ryback can do against Mark Henry. All of a sudden, Roman Reigns spears Sheamus through the set! Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins beat Orton down before sending him into a garage door twice. The three then turn their focus onto Sheamus, who was getting to his feet. They put him through a table. The referees run in, and The Shield walks off.
-Commercial Break-
Booker T and Teddy Long are looking over the carnage cause by The Shield moments ago. Ryback walks up and wants to know what happened. Booker T cuts Teddy Long off, and he tells Ryback to take care of his match against Mark Henry. They'll take care of Sheamus and Orton.
Mark Henry vs. Ryback
They stare at each other from across the ring. They lock up and jockey for position. Ryback gets him in the corner, and Henry pushes him off.
The Shield's music hits, and they make their way through the crowd. Henry leaves the ring, and The Shield attacks. Ryback fights the three of them off, and he turns around to see Henry getting back in the ring. The Shield then attacks Ryback from behind, and they viciously beat him down. They then deliver a triple powerbomb to Ryback. They put their fists together before leaving through the crowd.
No Contest Match Rating: N/A
Mark Henry begins going up the ramp before turning around and looking at the helpless Ryback. Henry gets in the ring, picks him up, and destroys him with the World's Strongest Slam. Henry picks him up again and drops him with a second World's Strongest Slam. Henry screams, "That's what I do!" Henry tells the referee to get away from him. Henry then deadlifts Ryback one more time to deliver a third World's Strongest Slam! Henry yells at Ryback, "This is what you got in store for you. I ain't none of these punks you've been running through. You will not run through me! Welcome to the Hall of Pain!"
-Commercial Break-
Jack Swagger w/ Zeb Colter vs. Chris Jericho
They circle the ring and lock up. Swagger powers him to the corner, and Jericho pushes him away. They circle the ring again and lock up. Swagger applies a waistlock, but Jericho turns it on him. They fight for position as Jericho gets a side headlock applied. Swagger then drives him to the corner and drops him with a straight right hand. Swagger punches away at him, and Jericho comes back with some chops. Swagger reverses a whip, but he eats a kick. Jericho clotheslines him, but Swagger only goes to a knee. Swagger reverses another whip, but Jericho hangs on to the ropes. Swagger charges, and Jericho drops him on the apron. Jericho then knocks him off with a springboard dropkick. Zeb Colter goes up to Swagger to talk strategy as a commercial break hits.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Swagger send Jericho to the corner and hit a running knee to the midsection. Swagger stomps the midsection and screams, "We the people!" Swagger under-hooks the arms while screaming his phrase. Jericho fights to his feet and takes him down with a back suplex. Swagger is still quick to his feet as he takes Jericho down with a vicious clothesline for a near fall. Swagger rubs his face into the mat before applying a front face lock. Jericho fights up and takes him down for a near fall. Jericho kicks and punches him in the corner. Swagger reverses a whip to the corner, clips the ankle, and applies the Patriot Lock. Jericho kicks him off and gets an inside cradle for a near fall. Swagger then takes him down with a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Swagger splash him in the corner. Swagger goes to suplex him, but Jericho counters into a DDT for a near fall. Jericho kicks him in the head a few times before hitting the ropes. Swagger surprises him with a flapjack. Swagger goes for the Gutwrench Powerbomb, but Jericho counters into a Walls of Jericho attempt. Swagger counters that counter into the Patriot Lock. Jericho reverses out of it and applies the Walls of Jericho. Colter gets on the apron, and Swagger is able to crawl to the bottom rope. Swagger gets out of the ring as Jericho yells at Colter.
Jericho takes Swagger down with a baseball slide before sending him into the ring steps. Jericho puts him in the ring, goes to the top rope, and hits a cross-body block for a near fall. Jericho knees him in the face a bunch of times until Swagger pulls him face first into the turnbuckle. Jericho sidesteps him attempting a splash and goes for a Codebreaker, but Swagger holds him up. Swagger throws him into the corner, and Jericho crashes hard. Swagger then hits a decisive Gutwrench Powerbomb for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Jack Swagger Match Rating: ** 1/2
Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter celebrate in the ring. Swagger gets on the turnbuckle and points to the WrestleMania sign.
----------
Quick Match Results
Sheamus and Randy Orton def. Team Rhodes Scholars Kaitlyn and Layla def. Tamina Snuka and Aksana Dolph Ziggler def. Kane Mark Henry NC Ryback Jack Swagger def. Chris Jericho
As reported earlier, WWE announced on Friday's SmackDown episode
that Ryback, Randy Orton & Sheamus would take on The Shield at this year's
WrestleMania pay-per-view event. We also noted that Ryback will most likely be
pulled from that match and replaced by The Big Show.
WWE.com may have
spoiled that change as they have a photo that shows The Big Show in Ryback's
place in a promotional image for the bout. You can check out the photo below.
Diamond Dallas Page and Scott Hall have reached their goal in
raising $80,000 to cover hip replacement surgery for Hall, as well as physical
therapy, dental work and other medical expenses. Embedded below is Page reacting
to the news.
Showing their
appreciation, Scott Hall, Diamond Dallas Page and Kevin Nash all commented about
the accomplishment on Twitter. Here is what they wrote.
Scott
Hall: "I am very humbled by your support. Wrestling fans are the best.
I don't no what to say. This is a moment I will never forget. Thank you all"
DDP: "words cant express our thanks/gratitude 4helping
@SCOTTHALLNWO reach this goal. ur generosity/support's truly appreciated. THANK
YOU ALL!"
Kevin Nash: "To all that reached out to help
Scott, l give my thanks more for restoring my faith in mankind than anything
else.You are amazing♥♥♥♥♥"
Sean Walman: "You did it
everyone! Im so moved by this I can't find words."
- WWE signed Australian talent Matt Silva to a developmental deal. Silva will
finish up with Melbourne City Wrestling on April 13th, 2013 before heading to
Tampa, Florida.
- After suffering an apparent injury at Friday night's live event, R-Truth was
back in action Saturday night at the WWE live event in Providence. Truth got a
win over Titus O'Neil with a quick roll-up.
- R-Truth sustained some type of injury during a match against Titus O'Neil at
Friday's Raw live event in Bridgeport, Connecticut, according to a reader in
attendance. The official threw up the "X" signal and the Raw Superstar was
assisted to the backstage area by personnel following the conclusion of the
bout.
- We noted yesterday that CM Punk may have been injured in Monday's RAW main
event against Kane. Word is that it was an injury to his arm that is said to not
be severe. There were rumors yesterday afternoon that Punk is suffering from a
knee injury but those are not true.
- For what it's worth, WWE recently revived their trademark application for Kharma, which was abandoned in January of this year. Back in October, WWE applied to register "Big Hungry" as a trademark. It was just assigned last month.
Miss Tessmacher and Angelina Love appeared to take shots at each
another Friday on Twitter over the topic of tattoos.
Diva-Dirt.com
brought the apparent e-fight to light in a story on Saturday. Tessmacher, who
frequently answers questions from fans on the website, was asked, "Hey Tess, do
you like tattoos on your hands?" In a message that was later deleted, she
responded, "On ladies no. Tats should be coverable. Classy not trashy."
Love, who boasts a large collection of tattoos, appeared to take offense
to her former co-worker's remark by referencing the words "classy" and "trashy."
She wrote, "Laugh of the day! Ppl who don't know the difference between "classy
& trashy" giving opinions on what's "classy & trashy" LOL!" Soon after,
Love posted two fan messages saluting her body artwork.
Tessmacher
retaliated with a harsh message knocking Love's cosmetic appearance, including a
shot at the 31-year-old's much-speculated weight.
"Eating is important,
save the surgeries 2ur face when they are actually needed, age graceful, dont
over tan(leather skin) b proportioned," wrote Tessmacher.
Indicating
that she was talking about Love in her biting tweet, Tessmacher added the
following fan message to her favorites list on Saturday: "I love how @BrookeTess
put @ActualALove in her place after getting butthurt over a comment that wasn't
direct toward her #TeamBrooke."
Reigning TNA Women's Knockout Champion
Velvet Sky showed her support for Love Saturday by tweeting a photo of her
tattooed hand displaying a thumbs-up signal.. Later, Tessmacher earmarked a fan
message responding to Sky's post, reading, "if you want to talk about somebody
why don't you tag @BrookeTess in your tweets?"
You
along with Bubba Ray came on the scene in ECW, what was that whole experience
like?
"ECW was an amazing time, the company in
general was so family orientated and we were all aiming for the same goal to
make sure that ECW wasn't going to be a fly by night company, that it was to be
taken seriously and that we were starting a revolution.
We had a great following; some might like to say it was a cult
following which actually helped put ECW on the map. Paul Heyman took unknown
guys that WCW and WWE didn't tap into and he made them into stars himself, which
in return made the other two companies look at ECW.
To
me ECW was a phenomenal time and we were able to help change and revolutionize
the business into the Attitude Era, which was great because nobody at the time
was doing the stuff we were doing, pushing the envelope of hardcore, and then
when there was such a high demand for it that opened the door for a lot of
us."
Bubba and yourself then went over to the WWE
during a peak era for tag team wrestling with The Hardy Boyz and Edge &
Christian, what was it like working with those teams and the TLC
matches?
"That was another amazing time in my
career; to be able to be in the ring with five other guys and to steal the show
at WrestleMania two years in a row was awesome. The TLC matches were matches
that had never really been seen before; the closest thing to a TLC match was
just a ladder match that was performed by Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels. We
then added the tables and the chairs into the mix and made it what it is today
and it was just great to go out there and entertain throughout that whole
attitude era.
Everywhere we go out of all the matches
we've had, the TLC matches seem to be the one that pretty much everybody still
talks about today."
You and Bubba then joined TNA
and began working with the likes of Beer Money and Motor City Machine Guns, what
was that like?
"It was great because we were able
to help these guys and literally pass the torch of tag team wrestling. We had
accomplished so much in the business and it was time to be able to pass it on to
guys like Beer Money and Motor City Machine Guns and they were great to work
with.
It was so easy because these guys wanted it just
as bad as anyone else did. To be able to have talent like that, and they were
willing to get in that ring and give it one hundred and ten per cent and do what
you ask of them for the sake of the business, the product and the fans it was a
win win situation. That is exactly what went on at that time in TNA and I was
very proud to be a part of the company at that particular
time."
What was the reasoning behind the Team 3D
split?
"The singles career was something that I
needed, Bubba was always into the tag matches and he never really wanted to
break up and I understood that because he is more of a tag team guy. I was as
well but I wanted to separate that little bit more, we actually separated in
2002 with the Reverend Devon angle in WWE and I remember feeling like I never
really got my just due and six months later we were put back
together.
It always bothered me that I could not leave
this business without having another shot at being a singles competitor and I
remember saying it I wanted it so bad but I knew there was more for Bubba and I
to accomplish as a tag team. We had to go over to Japan and take over from where
the Road Warriors left off, we conquered that, we conquered in making the tag
team titles very prestigious in TNA and all of the organisations we were
in.
We did our jobs in that sense but now was the time
to move on and I was very happy about that because it is something that I have
always wanted. I loved teaming with Bubba and creating history but there was a
little bit of a selfish side to me that wanted that singles career just a little
bit more. Now that I've got it and now that its here Im proving those critics
that said I couldn't do it, let me change that were proving those critics that
said we couldn't do it, were proving them wrong."
Are you enjoying the run as a singles wrestler?
"Im extremely happy hes doing well on his own and Im extremely
happy Im doing well on my own, and Im glad I've won two titles before he has
(laughs) but in all seriousness Im happy for both of us because we've worked so
hard to have been in this business as long as we have and you get the critics
that say, theyre old and theyre washed up.
Well I
remember a time back in the day when the business was hot, back when Hogan,
Andre, Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes were in there primes and you weren't anything
in this business until you got to your mid-thirties going into your forties. If
you were younger than that you were just considered a young boy and you got your
ass kicked and handed to you, but now the business has changed and everybody
thinks when your aged thirty you should be the one thats on top.
Listen Im old school and if it isn't broke dont fix
it because when your 34 or 35-years-old you are still learning a lot more, by
that time you should be almost polished up but when your that age that is when
it all kicks in. Im in better shape now than I was when I was 25-years-old and
my knowledge for the business is better now than it has ever been and Im very
happy about that."
How would you compare your
three bosses, Paul Heyman, Vince McMahon and Dixie Carter in terms of their
similarities and differences?
"Well you've got
Doctor Frankenstein, Paul Heyman who was kind of a rebel and definitely a guy
that loved to play some mind games but in a good way. He would play mind games
with you so you would understand the business and know what this business is
about.
Then you've got Vince McMahon and he is the
grandfather of them all, being with him was really a challenge, my biggest thing
was and I tell my students at our school in Orlando, Florida, if you go out and
perform in front of Vince McMahon and not have any fear then you are going to
make it in this business, because if anybody has an aura about them and can
install fear in you by just walking in a room it is Vince.
With TNA it kind of like out of all three bosses Ive got to say Dixie
Carter is the best looking one (laughs) no offense to Vince and Paul but if Im
going to put a ring on anybodies finger its going to be
Dixie."
What can we expect of Devon and the Ace
and 8′s during the rest of 2013?
"Like I said
before whether you love me or hate me, Im going to get my just dues. Everybody
thinks that this whole thing with me having a gripe against the company was all
part of the show and it really wasn't, I legitimately walked away because of a
contract dispute.
It just got to the point where I
wasn't going to take any more nonsense and Ive been making it well known. For
those that love me great and for those that think I turned my back or crapped on
the company then so be it."
You were recently
helping out at Booker Ts All-Star Clinic in Houston, Texas, what did that
involve?
"I was helping out as much as I possibly
could with the younger talent and being able to as they say in this business,
pass the torch knowledge. I want to make sure these guys are strong enough and
able enough so when the time comes for them to showcase what they have, they
will be able to showcase it in the right way.
They
didn't have stuff like this when I was getting into the business so I guess it
is a privilege and an honor to do this for these kids and Im happy to be apart
of it. It is something I wish we could have had back when I was growing up but
the business was the way it was back then. So be grateful for what we've got and
what we are able to give after gaining so much from this business."
Ik ben Boon Kenneth, en gebruik soms ook wel de schuilnaam Sting.
Ik ben een man en woon in Dworp (Belgie) en mijn beroep is .
Ik ben geboren op 05/06/1989 en ben nu dus 36 jaar jong.
Mijn hobby's zijn: Worstelen en films.
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