Raw Report – Cena & HBK retain

Could we be set for the first ever WWE Title match at Mania between two tag team champions?

Well the WWE still have just over a month left to get the titles off Cena and HBK but ya gotta believe that they won’t get a better chance than last night when they successfully defended their belts against Rated RKO.

Last night opened with John Cena and Shawn Michaels coming out to the ring expecting to defend their titles but Rated RKO had other plans. Edge and Randy Orton came up on the titan tron and told Cena to watch his back because HBK has a history of turning on his opponents (and HBK was in the position for the superkick which just made this even sweeter!).

They showed one really awesome video package of the famous “barber shop” incident with Marty Jannetty, his turning on Kevin Nash, X-Pac, Hulk Hogan and EVEN the superkick to Booker T in the short nWo angle that WENT NOWEHRE.

I truly never thought the WWE would show that again!!!

Last night was a great show, probably the best of the year.

MATCHES

Jeff Hardy def. Shelton Benjamin in a “Money in the Bank Qualifying Match” – 3 stars

Although it was obvious who was going over in this match, I loved the video packages they showed before the match with both guys past history of ladder matches at Mania. Also, the announcement of who both guys were when they were already in the ring ready to square off, added a great “big match” feel, which carried over throughout the bout.

Shelton’s spot where he fell off the ropes could have been real nasty but thankfully it wasn’t. Jeff did really well to cover it up by going for the pinfall on Benjamin straight away.

Solid match…. but how much did it suck that Vince came straight up on the Titantron as the match ended and buried Jeff after his big win and put over Umaga? Way to get your mid card guys over Vince!

Super Crazy and Johnny Nitro ended in a no-contest

Nitro assaults Crazy before the bell and gives him a stiff looking wheel barrel face buster on the outside.

Nice spot and it was effective in getting over Nitro’s disappointment over the MITB match last week and showing him totally pissed with the world… but couldn’t they have chosen a jobber or someone not being pushed like Crazy to bury??? Maybe Hacksaw?

Melina def. Maria to retain the WWE Women’s Title – 1 star

Why does the WWE continue to put Maria into matches when she clearly can’t wrestle? What is the logic exactly?

The big question to me is why haven’t they gone out and replaced Trish Stratus and Lita who both left Raw last year, and were a part of only a handful of the females who could actually wrestle. Victoria, Mickie James and Melina are the only women RAW have now, it’s nowhere near enough.

If they don’t have females down in their developmental, then why not hire some? Forget all these crappy Diva Search contestants and hire some good female workers. I’m sure they are out there if you look hard enough.

At least Maria tried I guess which is more than Candice and Torrie most of the time.

Crappy match and we learned that next week Mickie will be using her title re-match clause… but of course she hasn’t got a chance because it’s going to be Ashley vs. Melina at Mania.

Carlito def. Kenny Dykstra – 3 stars

Loved Carlito’s new ring shorts.

So we didn’t get the Carlito/Flair turn on last night’s show, but you just know it’s coming.

I’m loving this angle so far, Carlito vs. Flair could be a great Mania match focused around respect and could really be one of the show stealers if both men are on their game and  given plenty of time to tell their story.

Carlito is far more effective as a heel and if they eventually put him over in this program with Flair, he might finally start to climb up the ladder. The only thing that might change the WWE’s mind, is Carlito is getting really strong reactions with Flair as his mentor at the moment…. but logic says it will make his turn all that sweeter.

Good match with Carlito going over with the back cracker.

Shawn Michaels and John Cena def. Rated RKO to retain their WWE Tag Team Titles – 3 and a half stars

Really fun main event and I was surprised they didn’t go for the Super kick on last night’s show but a slow burner is fine with me.

Personally, I would have given the titles to Edge and Orton as Cena and HBK’s match at Mania isn’t about the Tag Titles, it’s about the WWE Title and the tag belts shouldn’t take the focus away from that.

I believe the only time tag team champions should face off against each other in a match is when they are a firmly established team and having problems or have been put together to face off against each other when they don’t want too.

The Eddie Guerrero/Rey Mysterio program of two years ago was the perfect way to do this type of match, I just don’t see Cena and HBK being friends or tag partners so what purpose does them having the belts serve the main event?

ANGLES

Mick Foley’s got a new book out ya know… can’t wait to read it. It’s a shame they haven’t capitalized on this and given Foley a program for Mania… an ECW World Title match against Rob Van Dam could have drawn huge numbers, if they had the foresight of given RVD the title a few weeks back.

Some problems were teased between Nitro and Melina, with him yelling at her. I liked it… Nitro could be a huge player if pushed correctly.

Donald Trump obviously picked Bobby Lashley (he got the name right!) for his battle of the billionaires match, in what was again a pre-taped announcement from Trump. Crowd seemed to enjoy the choice and the confrontation with Vince’s choice Umaga with all the security guys crowded around actually made me care about the match far more than the potential of seeing Vince or Trump bald at Mania.

How shocked were all you guys when it was The Great Khali coming out to attempt to break the Master Lock challenge? Obviously, the guy was to big for Masters to put it on, so “no-one has broken the master lock” will still be the official line from him in the future. Kane came out to continue their feud that no-one cares about and further setup their match at Wrestlemania.

Jerry Lawler was announced to be inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame, which is THROUGHOULY DESERVED. He is a true legend in this business. Great video package too.

By the way, as red blooded male…. how fucking hot was Maria and Lillian Garcia tonight? They should be forced to wear those outfits for every god damn show!

Final Rating – A

Best Raw of the year so far from where I’m sitting. All the angles came off brillaintly, the majority of the matches were great and each had their own story to tell, and the main event program of Cena and HBK progressed in the right direction once again. Only thing stopping it getting the full rating (A+) was the Melina vs. Maria stopping it being a cross the board show of full matches.

photo credit – wwe.com

 

Raw preview…

What can we look forward to from tonight’s show then as we get closer and closer to Wrestlemania?

We already know that Donald Trump’s pick for the Battle of the Billionaires match is going to be Bobby Lashley after Trump spilled the beans last week on some radio show. Apparently he called the guy “Lindsey”, which I can guarantee you Vince McMahon won’t let him make the same mistake on Raw tonight.

Jeff Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin was announced today in a “Money in the Bank” qualifing match which if given time, could be a great match. I would fully expect Jeff to go over tonight, which is a bit of a shame because Shelton has been amazing in the two previous MITB ladder matches.

Dave Melzter has been reporting that their could be 8 participants in this year’s Wrestlemania match, which makes sense with the amount of under-card they have that wouldn’t get a match otherwise. My guesses are… Kennedy, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, Chris Benoit and Randy Orton get the nod.

We already know the main event is going to be Edge and HBK vs. Cena and Orton with the Tag Titles on the line. I can see a title change here and likely a superkick from HBK on Cena…. or maybe Cena won’t wait and he will strike the first blow? Should be very interesting, but I’m nearly certain Edge and Orton are going over.

Should be a fun show, with the two announced matches having the potential to be really great. I’m going to take a wild stab and say we will have Nitro vs. Carlito tonight with Nitro going over and Carlito turning on Flair (could be next week though).

source - gerweck.net

 

WWE Hall of Fame News – JR & Lawler to be inducted?

According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Jim Ross and Jerry “The King” Lawler will be inducted into this year’s WWE Hall of Fame. 

In my opinion they are both more than deserving as they have been the best announcers in this business for a decade now, if not of all time. There’s little doubt that the success of Raw on Monday nights have been greatly helped by their fantastic chemistry, charisma and love for the sport of professional wrestling.

Of course, if you go beyond their WWE announcing duties, Jim Ross was a great commentator for both NWA and WCW whilst Jerry Lawler was a legendary wrestler for decades. I will have much more on this when WWE make it official.

More HALL OF FAME TIDBITS….

Legendary wrestler and promoter Larry Henning will be inducting his late son Curt (Mr. Perfect) into this year’s HOF, which is a fitting tribute.

The Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika) have agreed to be inducted, which sounds right as WWE inducted the tag team of The Blackjacks last year, so one team a year seems likely. Again, more on this if/when it’s confirmed.

Probably the greatest wrestler that ever lived, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair is expected to be the leading wrestler for next year’s Hall of Fame. My understanding is that the only reason he hasn’t been inducted as of yet is because the company and the wrestler don’t want to be inducted whilst he is still an active part of the roster.

source – gerweck.net

 

CM Punk and Rob Van Dam in the Dog House?

Two workers who are among the most popular guys the WWE has on it’s roster and who potentially could lead the company into the next decade (and beyond in Punk’s case) are according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter…. in the WWE Dog House, which would explain their lack of a push in 2007.

On Punk’s case, Wrestlingheadlines.com has more…

After learning that he was booked to lose on a house show card, the report says, Punk reportedly asked the road agent if the reports of him being in WWE’s doghouse were true. The agent denied the idea that there was heat on Punk, but then told colleagues about the conversation, which exacerbated their ill-feelings of the wrestler.

As far as RVD goes, Meltzer is reporting that road agent John Laurinaitis has it in for the ECW superstar and has continually buried him within the company.

Of course, RVD’s contract expires in the summer which leaves him in a horrible situation at the moment. Does he sign a new contract for the WWE, and continue to drift aimlessly in the mid card of ECW and job out to wrestlers like ELIJAH BURKE!!! but pick up a guaranteed pay check for the next couple of years or does he go to TNA and likely be pushed as one of the top guys on the roster before settling down to being “Just another face”.

Remember, Kurt Angle went to the company as being one of the greatest wrestlers of the last 10 years but so far hasn’t been utilised the greatest and has soon become “just another face” in TNA, with tv ratings, ppv buyrates and the product of the wrestling not changing at all.

If Angle can’t make a difference to TNA, who says RVD can????

As far as Punk goes, the best thing he can do is to stay quiet and just focus on his wrestling. If he can get the crowd behind him like he has this year then maybe he can force the WWE to actually do something with him and give him a much deserved push.

source – gerweck.net, wrestlingheadlines.com

 

This week’s ratings….

A look at the ratings for the various wrestling shows of last week….

Raw scored a 4.0 rating – pretty consistent and shows people care about the main event storyline they are pushing.

ECW scored a 1.3 rating – it’s lowest to date. Is the writing on the wall for the brand? If it continues getting this low a number, or if it drops anymore then I would suggest YES!

Smackdown drew a 3.2 rating with a 6.0 share which was extremely strong considering it was the worst show for many weeks.

TNA Impact scored a 1.0 rating which means that no matter how good or how crappy the show was… they just can’t change the rating!

source – wrestlingobserver

 

The end of the WWE brand only PPV’s???

Vince McMahon has decided that because of the recent drop in buyrates for the brand only PPV’s such as Smackdown’s No Mercy,  ECW’s Decemeber to Dismember and Raw’s New Year’s Revolution…. the future policy for the B shows is that more talent from the different rosters will be utilised.

Of course we have already begun to see this with Smackdown’s No Way Out PPV last week which featured Jeff Hardy, Johnny Nitro, Shawn Michaels, John Cena (from Raw) and an ECW World Title match involving Bobby Lashley.

Press releases for the next Brand only PPV which is Backlash at the end of April have Batista, The Undertaker, Rob Van Dam and Bobby Lashley listed as appearing.

Personally I’m in two minds about this….

On the one hand it’s good because we get potentially better PPV’s for the B shows which have been considerably lacking depth in the lower and mid card matches like the aforementioned PPV’s.

But then doesn’t this move dismiss the whole idea of the roster split in the first place?

Stars like Chris Benoit and Matt Hardy who should have had high profile matches at No Way Out were regulated to a last minute rushed together opening match that meant nothing, to no-one. Talents like these will suffer in the future because of this, and not least under-utilized wrestlers like Gregory Helms whose chances of storylines and PPV pay-off’s will diminish.

And of course, remember, they may not get the reaction from the crowd with their cross brand shuffling of wrestlers if they do it all the time because it will lose the shock and special quality the last month or so have had when Taker and Batista show up on RAW or when Cena and HBK turn up on Smackdown.

source – gerweck.net

 

Test involved in a car accident

Dave Scherer is reporting that the currently suspended for 30 days ECW superstar Test (because of violating the wellness policy) was involved in a car accident over the weekend in the Tampa area.

From Gerweck.net….

“…his Corvette and struck a parked car. He reportedly passed a field sobriety test, and no one was injured”.

Of course, because of his suspension, Test has been left out of the New Breed vs. ECW originals feud that is the whole focus of ECW on Sci-Fi channel at the moment.

You know as much as people like to hate on Test, I think he has done a great job on Tuesday nights as one of the top heels on the show and if it wasn’t for the fact that he has been booked against the likes of Lashley in recent weeks, more people might have noticed it!

source – gerweck.net

 

Smackdown Report – Is Mysterio done with wrestling?

The sad news that is going around the Internet right now is that Rey Mysterio has been advised by doctors that he should no longer wrestle to the excessive knee damage he has sustained, likely through the amount of times he jumps of the unforgiving ropes during each match.

Of course on this week’s Smackdown, the WWE ran an angle where Mysterio would return after several month’s absence and update us on his condition to let us know that he will be back soon enough and better than ever.

Vince McMahon came to the ring and mocked Mysterio for not being able to wrestle at the big event and when Rey refused to go along with Vince’s opinion that he was going to overcome Trump at Wrestlemania, Vince called for Umaga who preceded to decimate Rey with a Samoan Drop and his usual flurry of power moves.

The storyline is intended to be used as a cover to mask Rey’s possible retirement from wrestling and is likely been utilized to give them more time to assess Mysterio’s situation in the hope that they may be able to return to the ring someday.

I will probably have a big post about this sometime in the future, looking more in depth into what has been a great career for Rey Mysterio.

The other big news from Smackdown was that Kane vs. The Great Khali showed signs of being setup for Mania.. which will no doubt make zero extra numbers to the buyrate, and will probably hurt the numbers if anything.

 MATCHES

Deuce, Domino and Joey Mercury def. Brian Kendrick, Paul London and Matt Hardy – 2**1/2

You know, Deuce and Domino have a great gimmick going here but they are HORRIBLE in the ring. I mean, they release the Bashams but they push these too? What’s up with that? Kick, kick, kick and another kick is their whole repertoire.

Chavo Guerrero def. Scotty 2 Hotty in a non-title match – 2**

Bit of a flat match actually, but far from unwatchable. You have to wonder why 2 Hotty is still on the roster when his career peaked 7 years ago and it’s been almost downhill ever since.

King Booker def. Kane in a Falls Count Anywhere ”Money in the Bank Qualifying Match” – 2**

Well the match between these two at No Way Out killed the crowd, so I’m not quite sure what the logic is in them going for it again.

I was expecting King Booker to pick up the win as he suits the MITB a little more than Kane and he actually has a half decent chance at winning it. Better than their No Way Out match but only because they could use some gimmicks instead of stinking up the ring.

The Great Khali comes out an interferes in the match, costing Kane the victory. A backstage segment airs which indicates we could be set for Khali vs. Kane at Wrestlemania, which makes sense as both don’t currently have a match…. but the match could potentially be the worst in the event’s history.

Finlay & Little Bastard def. The Boogeyman & Little Boogeyman – 1*

BORING! BORING! BORING!

End this feud, now! Finlay deserves better than this.

ANGLES

Batista’s promo on The Undertaker was a good one, he talked about the respect he had for Dead Man and how he wasn’t intermediated by him. I like this slow build up to their Wrestlemania match, but for the match to actually work, they have to turn Batista heel.

You have to make Batista an absolute monster and make him look unstoppable and actually favourite to end Taker’s streak, which is something that has been lacking at Wrestlemania for some years.

Final Rating – C+

Worst Smackdown show in a while, and although they showed some direction in the Batista/Taker feud, it’s at a snail pace. No matches on the show were worth writing home about and this certainly seemed like a filler episode why they figure out the full direction of what they wanna do at Mania.

 

Wrestling Observer Live – Edge (6th June 2000)

Wrestling Observer Live - Edge (6th June 2000)

Download here 

Edge is the guest today. He talks about his early career and his growing up with Christian as they both hit the business at the same time. The two awesome ladder matches at No Mercy and Wrestlemania 2000 are discussed along with him once being knocked down by a fan during his entrance through the crowd.

Click here to download and listen!

 

A1 released from TNA

Following on from the cuts of David Young and Elix Skipper from the TNA roster, the company have decided to give A1 a release.

A1, whose real name is Alastair Ralphs was a Canadian bodybuilder, who began wrestling for TNA in July 2004 where he quickly lost to Sabu.

In 2005, he joined as a member Team Canada, replacing the injured Johnny Devine at Destination X 2005 but once that team split up last year, he was used sparingly by the company.

IMO, he was pretty talentless in the ring and always reminded me of his fellow countrymen Test… although not quite as good. I think that probably says it all.

CAREER & TITLE HISTORIES

TNA (2004-2007)

No reigns… seriously, this guy found it difficult enough to win a match. (His last win was a tag match back in August of last year).

Will probably most be remembered for being a member of Team Canada

Matt’s verdict of the possibility of him going to WWE…… no chance in hell.

source – gerweck.net