WWE News: RAW Rating Tanks – Not A Single Segment Above 3.0

Source: PWInsider.com

The rating is in for the September 15th edition of WWE Raw and it’s not good news for WWE or the USA Network. This week’s Raw did a 2.6 rating. The show did hourly numbers of 2.51 and 2.7.

Not a single quarter hour broke 3.0. The highest rated segment, which came at 10:15, drew a 2.91. Granted – Raw was up against a very exciting Monday Night Football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. However – fall competition from the NFL is nothing new for WWE, which hasn’t seen ratings like this in a decade.

Jim Ross Shoots Down Rumors On A Possible Return To Raw

Jim Ross posted a statement on his blog regarding recent Internet rumors on him possibly heading back to Raw. Here is what Ross wrote:

I read where many websites are reporting that there is allegedly talk that yours truly may be moving back to Monday Night Raw.

As best I know this is nothing more than a weak rumor. No one from the WWE has mentioned the possibility of this matter to me in any shape, form, or fashion.

If internet sites are getting this info from “WWE insiders” either the “insiders” are fabricating the matter completely or purely speculating. I speak with WWE decision makers somewhat regularly and this issue, actually non-issue, has never been discussed.

I am thoroughly happy with having my “football weekends” off, except for PPV weekends and would be reluctant to leave a more wrestling heavy Smackdown to return to my old address.

Obviously, despite my knee jerk, impulsive response when the draft occured, I am a team player and would accept any broadcasting assignment given me but I honestly don’t see it happening.

Bottom line and in my opinion, it sounds as if some “insider” is spreading BS which is not a first.

I am enjoying working w/ Mick Foley….we do not consider ourselves “the 2nd team” nor do we perceive we work on the “B Show”.

Changes can always be made naturally but this one regarding me returning to Raw seems “highly unlikely”.

Apparently the WWE is taping some SNME bouts in Washington D.C. Later this month and I am told the announcer assignments for that event have yet to be made.

Perhaps some “insider” can expound on that matter as well.

Boomer Sooner!
J.R.

Live from E3: WWE Smackdown vs Raw Impressions

THQ has been at the helm of the Smackdown vs. Raw franchise for ten years now, and its readily apparent that every advancement they make is hit with a fan response that sends them back to the drawing board. In the past, Smackdown vs. Raw made waves with it’s Create-A-Superstar feature. The internet is packed with how-tos that’ll build you anyone from Ronald McDonald, to Captain Falcon, to Linda Blair from the Exorcist. The obsessive fan-base for this one feature alone pales in comparison to something like Spore’s Creature Creator, but hey, we’re talking about a niche market that has gone stir crazy over recreating the Brady Bunch to take up against the Patridge Family. I mean, that’s Celebrity Death Match material.

Unfortunately, little Bobby Brady has always been stuck pulling off Kane’s Chokeslam instead of that signature crotch punch you had in mind. Well, Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 isn’t going to hold you back any longer. This year, creating a superstar will be a fully-fledged experience. You’ll create your Superstar, put together their entrance, and even create a finishing move from a set of over 500 animations. Chances are, if there’s something you want your character to pull off that you can’t find in the animation list, it isn’t anything remotely like wrestling.

Building a finisher is a lot like playing around with the video editing feature in skate. The analogy is flawless, I swear. The finisher, like skate. videos, can only be up to a certain time length. Within that time period, you can line up any number of finisher animations and adjust their speed accordingly to make each section of the animation slower or faster. So you can put in a series of quickly pulled off maneuvers, or really slow down that Piledriver that followed a snappy kick to the gut. The choice is yours.

Now if that feature alone doesn’t sell a copy to every owner of the franchise ever, then I don’t know what will. But after listening to fans, the gang at THQ has added a number of features to keep the game as fresh as possible. First off, playing with a buddy will take on new heights as they’ve included a co-op tag-team storyline. The whole tag-team experience has been retooled to keep both players invested in the fight, despite whoever is currently the legal man in the ring. For one, both players share the same health bar, so the strength of the team is relative to both your skills, not the one guy who tears up every round. And if your partner is hogging the ring, you can now steal a blind tag and get yourself into the match. Of course, tagging is the way to go, otherwise you won’t be able to pull off any of the huge Team Finishers.

The only new match type in SvR 2009 is the intently sought after Inferno Match. Oh yes, two wrestlers battle it out in a ring of flames. The more damage done and heavy slams to the ground, the higher the flames rise until they’re strong enough to burn your opponent. Finish the match by dragging your opponent into the fire and giving them a nice and crispy burn across their face. It’s the Height in Sports Action Entertainment (Sorry, I love saying that).

New features aside, the entire SvR package has been given its yearly face-lift. The game now has all three commentator teams from the WWE with more lines of dialog than ever before. Those horrible loading screens before matches have been decreased by over 60 percent. Of course, the game is looking just as gorgeous as ever. Likenesses to all of the franchise’s superstars are recreated, dare I say, perfectly (uncanny valley notwithstanding). We’ve always known that Smackdown vs Raw has some of the best visuals out there, so it should come as no surprise to see them return looking as good as ever.

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw has just about everything going for it. While the devs haven’t been able to mention any of the names featured in the game yet, fans are surely going to get what they want. After all, if your favorite wrestler isn’t in there, you can make him yourself. With a shirt. That says “Locke is my best friend”.

Thanks Ultimate Warrior, I feel the same way.

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 is set for release this holiday season on a boatload of systems: 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, DS, & PC.

WWE News: Next Saturday Night’s Main Event Location Confirmed, FCW TV Taping Notes, Free Cena Meet & Greet

source: PWInsider.com.

– As expected, WWE.com has confirmed that the next edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event will be taped before Monday Night Raw on July 28th at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C (which I’ll be attending from the second row). The show is scheduled to air the following Saturday on NBC at 9 p.m. Thanks to Devin Cutting for passing on the note.

– Tonight’s inaugural Florida Championship Wrestling television taping sold out within 30 minutes after tickets went on sale at 4:00 p.m. Fans were lining up as early as 7:00 A.M. to get in, and it was raining all day too. A number of fans were turned away from the event as the building only holds 235 fans. Additionally, in a change from earlier plans, they actually plan on taping television each and every Thursday, instead of every other Thursday. Batista, Matt & Jeff Hardy, and Maria are scheduled to appear at next week’s show. Even though they have the shows in place, they don’t appear to have an actual television deal yet as nothing has been announced. The FCW show is expected to air on Tampa’s CW affiliate, but we haven’t heard anything new on that.

– John Cena has a free meet and greet scheduled for Thursday, August 7 at the Herald Square GNC store in New York City. For more details on his upcoming appearance, call (212) 279-2820.

WWE News: SmackDown Wrestler Turning Heel, Punk Scores Big Ratings For Raw, DH Smith On The Move, Val Venis

sources: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, PWInsider.com

– Brian Kendrick will be debuting his new heel character on tomorrow night’s edition of SmackDown. He will also be accompanied by a bodyguard, WWE developmental wrestler Rycklon Stephens, perhaps the most muscular wrestler in the company. Kendrick had a dark match before last week’s SmackDown/ECW taping trying out the act, which apparently went well. Kendrick abandoned London during a handicap match with Umaga a few months ago, but it was never followed up and the two continued to team together as babyfaces. Kendrick was drafted to SmackDown in last month’s Supplemental Draft.

– CM Punk’s match with Kane on Monday’s Raw gained 679,000 viewers, which has to be considered a huge success. It was the highest-rated quarter hour of the entire broadcast (3.59), excluding the overrun (3.81). The quarter hours before and after the Punk vs. Kane match scored 3.13 each, despite appearances from John Cena, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix. Also, the Jericho vs. London match and the Noble/Layla/Snitsky segment following it lost all the viewers the match had gained as 688,000 viewers changed the channel. The Cena & Cryme Tyme vs. JBL & Rhodes & DiBiase match, and parking lot angle, gained 1,117,000 viewers. The Kingston vs. Burchill match following the Divas match gained 57,000 viewers. John Cena’s long-winded promo and the Beth Phoenix vs. Santino Marella match lost 5,000 viewers. DiBiase & Rhodes bullying Kelly Kelly and then insulting “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan gained 25,000 viewers.

– DH Smith recently moved from Calgary to Tampa, Florida. That may explain why he hasn’t been seen on Smackdown yet, even in dark matches or house shows. He was last seen in a WWE ring on the 5/5 Raw after being stretchered out following a match with John Bradshaw Layfield. However, he’s worked a few shows in Florida Championship Wrestling in the meantime, teaming with long-time friend and tag team partner T.J. Wilson. According to reports, Smith and Wilson are a strong team in developmental, but at last word, WWE officials were leaning against using them as a team on television.

– In a correction from a report yesterday, Val Venis is slated to return to the ring next month, not three to four months from now. He’s been off the road since mid-April as he had shoulder surgery shortly after. When he returns to the ring next month, he would have been out of action for three to four months total.

WWE News: Unhappiness With Michael Cole/Jerry Lawler Combo, J.R. Back To Raw?, New ECW Talent, Ric Flair

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

– Second guessing of the announcers switch increased this past week. Internally, there is said to be a tremendous amount of unhappiness with the Michael Cole/Jerry Lawler combination on Raw. Some officials have actually discussed shooting an angle that would put the old teams back together, but pretty much everyone believes that it’s not happening anytime soon. Also, Vince is said to not be thinking about reverting the change, and just trying to get Cole to be the Raw announcer he wants him to be.

– According to a wrestling magazine in Mexico, Lucha libre star Damian 666, 47, from the CMLL promotion said WWE was interested in bringing him into ECW along with Mr. Aguila (Essa Rios), but he hadn’t been formerly offered the position. He also said he would turn it down. Even though he said he would turn it down, he recently had a tryout anyway in an empty arena with the likes of Batista, Undertaker, Edge, Mick Foley and others watching. He said it was intimidating. It should be noted that you can’t always trust what the Lucha libre wrestlers say regarding their WWE/TNA prospects to the magazines as they’re obviously not going to say that they were rejected. Instead, it makes them look better by saying they rejected the big leagues.

– As noted last week, Ric Flair’s finance company, Ric Flair Finance, shut down with the mortgage business in turmoil. Flair originally had plans to make a big push for the business with a heavy ad campaign back in January, but he then made the decision to wait until after the retirement. However, that’s when things started to going really bad for the mortgage industry and it became the worst time to start a new company.

WWE News: Match Added To Great American Bash, Storm Rips Raw & Chris Harris, Styles Answers Fans’ Questions

– WWE.com announced earlier today there’s going to be a WWE Tag Team Championship Fatal Four Way match at The Great American Bash this Sunday. WWE Tag Team Champions John Morrison & The Miz will be defending their belts against Finlay & Hornswoggle, Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder, and Jesse & Festus. {Match Preview}

– Lance Storm absolutely ripped this week’s edition of Raw – or rather the JBL/Cena car crash angle – on his website. “That was the worst bloody ending to a wrestling show ever. Did WWE hear about the crap finish to the TNA PPV and decide to top it with something even dumber? This ruined the entire show for me and I am mad beyond words,” Storm wrote. He goes on to pick apart the angle, calling it the “Worst angle since Papa Shango put a voodoo curse on the Ultimate Warrior.” He also reviewed last week’s edition of ECW and took aim at former TNA wrestler Chris Harris’ lackluster television debut. Storm wrote, “Speaking of huge wastes, quite the debut for Braden Walker. I don’t know Chris Harris but anyone who shows up for their WWE debut in the worst shape of their career, deserves to be fired. Wellness policy aside, I don’t believe the treadmill is on the banned substance list!” You can read Storm’s comments at this link.

– Joey Styles is holding a live blog answering questions from fans Friday at 1:00 p.m. on the WWE Fan Nation site. You can view the blog at this link.

Monday Night Raw (07/14/08): The Animal Unleashed

Click here to go back to Shop WWE for WWE Merchandise, WWE Action Figures, WWE Memorabilia, WWE Tickets, WWE T Shirts & More!

Monday Night Raw (07/14/08): The Animal UnleashedWelcome to another Monday Night Raw with yours truly Jetsetpoker. I seemed to get all good feedback last week so nothing really is going to change. I’m going to add ratings to longer promo’s/segments due to request but other then that everything will stay the same. Enjoy.

 

Monday Night Raw (07/14/08)

Live from Raleigh, North Carolina

A recap is show of Batista pinning Kane in a Fatal Four Way for the chance to face CM Punk at the Great American Bash. The recap also shows Kane snapping at the end of last week saying “Is he alive or dead?!?!”

Stephanie and Shane McMahon both show up on screen. Stephanie and Shane repeat what they have said the past 2 weeks that we need to pull together during this time of need. Shane says that if actions don’t change then action will be taken.

It cuts to HBK attacking Y2J live in the arena. HBK is on top of Y2J pounding him with lefts and rights. Eventually Lance Cade makes the save and pulls Jericho to the back while HBK is being held back by referee’s who came running out to break up the fight.

As HBK is being escorted to the back Kane’s music hits. Kane comes walking to the ring with a bag in his hand. Kane chases off some production crew and stares down Lawler and Michael Cole. Kane starts to scream “I’m Sorry!” Kane repeats he’s sorry a few times and then walks to the back.

The camera cuts to the backstage and HBK is beating the hell out of Lance Cade. Y2J kicks HBK off of Cade and security breaks all 3 men up. All hell is breaking lose tonight…and with that we have are first match!

Match 1: Mickie James vs Katie Lea

Both women lock up. Katie Lea puts Mickie James in an arm lock and Mickie reverses it into a roll up for a 1 count. Katie Lea connects with a kick to Mickie’s stomach and goes for a snap mare but Mickie rolls threw it and takes Katie Lea off her feet for another quick pin. Katie Lea kicks out at 2. Mickie catches Katie Lea with a few punches to the side of the head. Mickie tries to whip Katie Lea into the corner but Katie Lea reverses it and whips Mickie in. Katie Lea comes charging in but is caught with an elbow from Mickie. Mickie uses the corner to wrap her legs around Katie Lea to try for a hurricarana but Katie Lea throws Mickie over the ropes. Mickie lands on the apron and tries to catch Katie Lea with a shoulder to the stomach but Katie Lea side steps it and kicks Mickie in the face. Katie Lea drags Mickie back into the ring by her hair. Katie Lea goes for a pin but only gets a 2 count. Katie Lea puts her knee into Mickie’s back and wrenches on her head with a headlock. Katie lets Mickie get up and Mickie runs to the ropes but is caught with an arm drag by Katie Lea. Katie goes for another quick cover for only a 2. Katie connects with a hard kick to Mickie’s rib cage and then locks Mickie in a choke hold. Mickie counters by throwing Katie over her but Katie runs right back at Mickie and connects with a hard knee. Katie then runs Mickie into the corner with a shoulder and sets Mickie on the top rope. Mickie fights back by kicking Katie away. Mickie goes for a spinning DDT but Katie Lea counters by pulling Mickie off the ropes. Mickie lands on her feet and connects with a hard right. Mickie uses the turnbuckle again and connects with a head scissors on Katie Lea. Mickie goes back to the top rope and hits the Lou Thez press from the top rope for the 3 count! Mickie gets the win after a Lou Thez Press from the top rope over Katie Lea.

(Honestly, this was a horrible match. Both these ladies are capable of putting on a solid bout. This match was very sloppy and all the punches/kicks looked very weak. Not a good start at all. .5 out of 5)

Katie Lea gets in Mickie’s face after the match and Paul Burchill comes from behind and holds onto Mickie for Katie Lea. Katie grabs the title and slaps Mickie. Kofi Kingston comes from the back and Paul and Katie Lea roll out of the ring. Kofi challenges Paul Burchill to an Intercontinental Title match. Paul accepts and its right…now!

Cut to commercial…

Match 2: Kofi Kingston vs Paul Burchill for the Intercontinental Championship

We join the match already in progress. Burchill whips Kofi into the ropes and connects with a shoulder block. Burchill runs into the ropes again and Kofi quickly gets back on his feet and leapfrogs Burchill. Kofi jumps over Burchill again and then connects with a jumping elbow to Burchill’s face. Burchill stumbles up into the corner and Kofi runs at him and jumps onto the 2nd rope. Kofi connects with a few punches before doing a back flip off of him and then connecting with a running shoulder block into Burchill’s stomach. Burchill kicks Kofi in the stomach and tries to go for a suplex but Kofi reverses it into a roll up. Burchill kicks out at 2. Kofi twists Burchill’s arm and continues to apply pressure to the shoulder area. Burchill backs Kofi into the corner and whips Kofi into the other turnbuckle. Kofi does a little up and over move on the running Burchill. Burchill turns around and Kofi connects with an arm drag. Kofi goes for a pin but Burchill kicks out at 1. The crowd is starting to get behind Kofi chanting “Kofi, Kofi, Kofi” Kofi twists the arm of Burchill again and goes back to work on the shoulder. Burchill whips Kofi down by his hair and runs to the ropes but Kofi connects with a standing dropkick to the face. Kofi goes for another cover and gets another 2 count. Kofi immediately goes back to work on Burchill’s arm. Burchill backs Kofi up into the corner and counters with a big shoulder block. Burchill whips Kofi into the corner again and Kofi tries to counter again with his up and over move but Burchill catches him and throws him strait up. As Kofi is falling face first to the ground Burchill connects with a vicious kick to the ribcage in mid-air. Burchill connects with some more kicks and a few body crosses. Burchill goes for a cover but Kingston kicks out at 2. Kofi tries to get up but Burchill unleashes another vicious kick to the ribs. Burchill with a knee to the rib’s and a quick cover but only a 2 count. Burchill puts Kofi in a bear hug on the canvas. Kofi starts to work his way back to his feet and breaks the hold with a few elbows. Kofi charges into the ropes but Burchill counters by just tossing Kofi up into the air. Burchill gives Kofi a few more shots to the ribs and goes for a cover. Kofi kicks out at 2. Burchill picks Kofi up and nails Kofi with a reverse flapjack. Burchill goes for another cover and Kofi kicks out again at 2. Burchill whips Kingston into the corner and Kingston counters with a boot to the face of Burchill. Kofi connects with a few rights and a kick to the side. Burchill tries to clothesline Kingston but Kingston ducks and bounces off the ropes with a clothesline of his own. Kingston hits a standing dropkick. Kingston hits Burchill with a Russian leg sweep. Kingston then connects with his double leg drop move (needs a name). Katie Lea gets up on the apron but Mickie pulls her down. As Burchill gets back to his feet Kingston connects with the Trouble In Paradise! 1..2..3! Kofi Kingston defeats Paul Burchill with the Trouble In Paradise. (Eh, hard to rate this one. I thought it was a bit disappointing given the time that it was allotted. It didn’t seem like there styles meshed well but at the same time it looked like Kingston was trying to show he can do more then just be a high flyer. The match served its purpose of getting Kingston over so I’ll give it a 2 out of 5.)

Santino Marella is shown backstage talking to Matt Striker. Santino tells Striker that he made a open invitation to the entire WWE locker room. Santino says someone is “death meat”. Kane walks in and asks Marella where Punk is. Santino asks Kane if he tried the Pepsi machine. Kane asks where punk is again. Santino says he saw him earlier in the locker room down the hall.

Cut to commercial…

We come back from commercial and Kane is in Punk’s locker room with that bag still in his hand. Kane tells Punk deep down inside he knows he’s dead. Punk asks what Kane is talking about. Kane says they have been tag team partners before but tonight Kane needs Punk in the ring 1 on 1. Punk says he has the biggest match of his life in 6 days and Kane decides to come in and challenge him now? Kane says this isn’t about the title. Kane says he needs this. Punk says he needs this to. He needs to prove to everybody that he’s not a fluke. Punk accepts Kane’s challenge. Punk asks what is with the bag Kane is holding. Kane just laughs and walks away.

Todd Grishim is backstage with John Cena. Grishim says that JBL challenged him to a New York City parking lot brawl at the Great American Bash. Matthews asks Cena if he can tell him what a New York City parking lot brawl is. Cena says that since Vince has been out that at the wishes of his family he has tried to go down that isle with a smile on his face but he says he can’t do it anymore because of JBL’s challenge. Cena says if you know of this match and then you know why there isn’t a smile on his face. Cena says this isn’t even a match, it’s a war! Cena says on that day we won’t find out who the best athlete is but who can break the most bones on concrete. Cena says we will find out if a man’s pride will fold and if careers will be cut short. Cena says Grishim’s question shouldn’t be what the match is about but why would he accept such a challenge. Cena says it’s no breaking news that he doesn’t like JBL. Cena says he figured if there going to fight one more time its only right that it takes place at the Great American Bash. Cena says JBL considers himself a great American and it makes Cena sick. Cena says he will be happy to grab the hair of a great American and smash his face threw window after window of every car in the parking lot. Cena says he will take great pleasure in hoisting a 200 pound car door over his head and seeing real fear in JBL’s eyes. Cena says you’re looking at a battle hungry war warden angry son of a bitch. Cena says he’s not going to predict victory he says he is going to tell you fact that hell is going to come to earth. Cena says he won’t stop till JBL remembers the name John Cena. Cena says he accepts Bradshaw’s challenge. Cena says he has a challenge of his own though. He challenges Bradshaw to find 2 partners for a 6 man tag match with Cryme Time and John Cena. Cena says if you want some, come get some. (Solid interview. Cena added a lot of intensity to this feud, even if it did come off as a Braveheart speech. Cena is really making this feud work with his promos. 4 out of 5.)

Cut to commercial break…

Back from commercial Santino is back in the ring waiting to see who accepts his challenge. Beth Phoenix’s music hits and she makes her way to the ring.

Match 3: Santino Marella vs Beth Phoenix

They lock up in the middle of the ring and Beth is pushing Santino back. Santino shows Beth his muscles and Beth responds by showing Santino her muscles. Santino pushes Beth. Beth tries to smack Santino but Santino counters by sweeping her legs and taking her to the ground. Beth quickly rolls on top of Santino and starts connecting with punches on Santino. Santino gets Beth Phoenix in a headlock and says “The power of a man!!!” Beth counters with a backbreak to Santino. Beth hits Santino with a clothesline and then body slams Santino. Beth goes for a cover but only gets 2. Beth tries to whip Santino into the corner but Santino stops and says “I’m a man!” and whips Beth into the other turnbuckle. Santino comes charging in and Beth moves out of the way and connects with a roll up on Santino. Beth gets the 3! Beth Phoenix defeats Santino Marella with a rollup. (While the match wasn’t anything great but it was meant as a comedy match and it fit its roll perfectly. Santino is great on the mic and they use him brilliantly. 2.5 out of 5)

Kelly Kelly is shown backstage stretching for her match that is…next!

Cut to commercial

Back from commercial and Kelly Kelly is making her way to the ring. Before the match can start Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase Jr. make there way to the ring. DiBiase says that they don’t care that Kelly has a match tonight. He says they have something to say so they suggest she leaves. Kelly slowly leaves the ring. Cody grabs the mic and says that the criticism they have been receiving isn’t fair. Both men aren’t bad people, they’re realistic people. Cody says they are not they’re fathers, they’re better! Cody says when you’re this talented you don’t pay dues. DiBiase says the best part is that they are still in their early twenties. In 10 years they will be in the prime of their life. Before DiBiase can finish what he has to say Hacksaw Jim Duggan’s music hits. Duggan says he’s known these guys since they were kids. He knows they’re dads to. He says that they’re dads are like him…old school! He says Cody is right, as performers they are on another level but as people they have a whole lot of growing up to do. Cody says that he makes some valid points. He says he guesses they could grow up but when he thinks of the phrase grow up he thinks of a 54 old man in gym shorts trying to relive his glory days when his glory days weren’t all that glorious to begin with. DiBiase says he thinks of something that Stone Cold Steve Austin use to say which is innless you think you have what it takes to become a champion then you shouldn’t even be in the WWE. DiBiase asks Duggan if he actually thinks he has what it takes to win a title. DiBiase says nothing has changed in the last 25 years. He still carries around the same 2×4 and says the same lame chants trying to get a reaction. DiBiase tells Duggan that he’s pathetic. If anyone needs to grow up, it’s Duggan. The champions leave the ring. JBL shows up on the titantron and says he was very impressed by them. He says that he is right they don’t have to pay there dues, he is going to offer them the chance of a lifetime to main event Monday Night RAW with JBL. DiBiase and Rhodes look like they are going to accept the offer. (Surprisingly awesome promo by both Rhodes and DiBiase. Especially Rhodes. 4 out of 5)

Cut to commercial…

Match 4: Kane vs CM Punk

Punk tries to connect with a few kicks to Kane but Kane dodges them. Kane throws a punch but Punk ducks and connects with a kick. Kane grabs punk by the neck and throws him into the corner. Kane comes running into a kick from Punk. Punk fires with a few more kicks to Punk. Kane whips Punk to the ropes and Punk tries to slide in between Kane’s legs but Kane grabs punk by his hair and brings him back to his feet. Kane connects with a right hand to the back of the neck. Kane puts Punk in the corner and starts laying in some heavy rights to Punk. Kane whips Punk into the ropes and puts his head down for a back body drop but Punk counters with a kick to the face. Punk connects with a dropkick that sends Kane to the outside. Kane starts to get frustrated on the outside. Punk goes for a slidekick but Kane moves out of the way and connects with a uppercut to Punk. Kane throws Punk back in the ring and whips Punk into the turnbuckle. Kane nails Punk with a big clothesline in the corner. Kane goes for a pin but Punk kickouts at 2. Kane picks up Punk and body slams him. Kane sits Punk up and runs into the ropes to hit a dropkick to Punk’s face. Punk goes for a pin but Punk gets his shoulder up at 2 again. Punk starts to mount some kicks to Kane but Kane puts that to a stop as he connects with a big boot to Punks face. Kane puts Punk in a choke hold on the ground. Punk fights his way back to his feet but Kane starts pounding him down again. Kane whips Punk into the ropes and tries for a clothesline but Punk counters trying to bring Kane down for a pin. Kane doesn’t budge and grabs Punk by his neck. Kane starts trash talking Punk and Punk breaks up the choke with a backfist to Kane’s head. After a few more punches and a kick to the side of the head Kane is wobbling. Punk hits an enzeguri on Kane but Kane still doesn’t go down. Kane stumbles into the corner and Punk nails Kane with his running knee. Punk connects with another running knee to Kane’s jaw and this time tries to follow up with a bulldog but Kane throws Punk into the corner. Punk connects with a elbow on a running Kane. Punk dropkicks Kane’s knee out and Kane goes down to one knee. Punk connects with a kick to the side of the head and Kane goes down. Punk goes for a pin but Kane kicks out at 1. Punk goes to the top rope and hits a cross body block. Kane kicks out at 2. Punk tries to pick Kane up for the GTS but couldn’t get Kane up. Kane grabs Punk by the neck for the chokeslam but Punk counters with a standing kick to the temple. Punk comes running at Kane but Kane moves out of the way and throws Punk out of the ring. Punk lands on the apron and tries to jump back in but Kane pushes him to the floor. Punk blocks getting thrown into the ringpost and counters by throwing Kane into the ring post. Punk hits a bulldog off the apron onto Kane. The ref keeps counting as both men are outside. Punk rolls into the ring at a 9 count and Kane gets counted out. CM Punk wins by countout over Kane. Kane snaps after the match and starts throwing chairs into the ring. Kane spears Punk to the ground and starts clubbing him with punches. Kane picks up one of the chairs and puts CM Punks head in-between the seat and the chair part. Kane goes to the top rope but Batista starts coming to the ring to break it up. Batista spears Kane when he gets into the ring. Batista grabs a chair and nails Kane as he gets back to his feet. Kane falls to the outside and Batista helps Punk back up to his feet. Punk tries to shake Batista’s hand but Batista says I’m not your friend, I want your title. Punk pushes Batista. Batista nails a spinebuster on Punk and leaves. (Not a bad match at all, 2.5 out of 5. Could have been a lot better if given time but it was suppose to help get Punk over some more before the GAB and it did its job successfully while still allowing Kane’s crazy storyline to continue)

A recap is shown of last week Cryme Tyme and Cena destroying JBL’s limo last week.

Cut to commercial…

Back from commercial and Y2J’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring with Lance Cade.

Match 5: Chris Jericho vs Paul London

Jericho starts off the match by bombarding London with clubbing blows to the back. London connects with a few kicks but Jericho counters with a headbutt. Jericho hits a running boot off the ropes. Jericho tosses London to the outside. Jericho rolls out and slams London into the padding on the rail. Jericho rolls London back into the ring and connects with a boot to the ribs. Jericho puts London on the 2nd rope and starts to choke him. Jericho stands on the back of his head using the rope for leverage to choke London. Jericho tells Cade to watch for HBK. London connects with some punches and nails Jericho with a spinning kick. London tries to whip Jericho into the turnbuckle but Jericho reverses it and London catches Jericho with a boot to the face. London flips to the outside of the ring. London goes for a springboard splash and Jericho moves out of the way. Jericho nails London with a clothesline to the back of London’s head. Jericho whips London into the turnbuckle and nails London with a double underhook backbreaker. Jericho puts London into the Walls of Jericho and London has to tap out. Chris Jericho makes Paul London tap to the Walls of Jericho. Jericho grabs a mic and tells Paul London to listen very closely. Jericho says London should use this match to change the career path he is on. He could take Chris Jericho’s rode which leads to honor and integrity or he could follow HBK’s rode which leads to defeat and lies. He says if London follows Jericho’s path and achieve greatness or follow HBK’s path which leads to nothing but pain. Finally, HBK music hits and he comes out with a microphone in hand. HBK tells Jericho that everybody knows that nobody is going to change either of they’re minds. HBK tells Jericho that he doesn’t know the meaning of truth and righteousness. HBK says they do agree on one thing, this Sunday at the Great American Bash the worst is still yet to come. The fans chant HBK as we go to commercial. (Not a great match but I think it was pretty clear it wasn’t suppose to be. These 2 could have a great match if told to but not tonight. 1.5 out of 5 for the match. Jericho and HBK should be great at the GAB. )

Back from commercial and Jamie Noble is backstage talking to Layla telling her that with Vince out this is the perfect chance for them to hook up. Layla says she doesn’t date short men and Noble tells Layla to google it that 5’6 is the average height of men in America. Noble says the next guy that comes in here he’s going to challenge to a match to prove how much of a man he is. Snitsky walks in and tells Noble to shut his mouth. Noble challenges Snitsky to a match. Snitsky follows Noble to the ring. Noble jumps Snitsky as he gets in the ring. Snitsky throws Noble off but he comes back and starts throwing more blows. Snitsky nails Noble with a knee and whips him into the corner. Snitsky charges at Noble and Noble nails Snitsky with a boot to the face. Noble says “This is for you Layla” and jumps off the 2nd rope. Snitsky takes his head off with a boot to the face. Snitsky picks Noble up and finishes him off with the pump handle slam.

Cut to commercial…

Replay is shown off Shane and Stephanie from earlier tonight.

JBL, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase Jr make there way to the ring…

Cut to another commercial…

Cryme Tyme comes down to the ring, followed by John Cena and its time for our main event.

Match 6: JBL, Cody Rhodes, and Ted DiBiase Jr vs John Cena, and Cryme Tyme

Cody Rhodes and John Cena start things off. Cena connects with a boot to Rhodes and a punch to the face. Cena whips Rhodes into the corner and nails Rhodes with a suplex out of the corner. Cena starts unloading on Rhodes in the corner. Cena tags in Chad and Chad connects with a punch to the arm of Rhodes. Rhodes starts to fight back but Chad nails Rhodes with a big clothesline. Chad bench presses Rhodes over his head but Rhodes gets out and starts clubbing Chad with punches to the back of the head. Rhodes tags in DiBiase and he quickly goes to work on Chad. DiBiase whips Chad into the ropes but Chad knocks DiBiase down with a shoulder block. Chad throws DiBiase face first into the turnbuckle and hits DiBiase with a double underhook suplex. Shad goes for a cover but DiBiase kicks out at 2. Shad with a body slam. Shad tags in JTG. They hit a double team move where Shad grabs JTG by his feet and slams him onto DiBiase. JTG goes for the pin but DiBiase kicks out at 2. DiBiase connects with a boot to the midsection of JTG and quickly tags Rhodes back in. DiBiase whips JTG to the ropes, JTG runs overtop of DiBiase but Rhodes connects with a standing dropkick to JTG. Rhodes connects with a few punches to JTG. JTG fires back with some punches of his own. Rhodes goes for a clothesline and JTG counters with a sick looking reverse neckbreaker. JTG with a quick pin for a 2 count. Rhodes hits JTG with a knee to the midsection. JTG runs into the ropes and Rhodes goes for a clothesline but JTG ducks. As JTG hits the other side of the ring JBL connects with a punch to the back of JTG’s head. JBL comes into the ring and starts beating down JTG in the corner. JBL is distracting the ref and Rhodes/DiBiase start choking JTG behind the refs back. JBL stomps on JTG’s hand and starts throwing some more big rights. JBL tags in DiBiase who connects with a few boots to the head. JTG fights back with a few punches but DiBiase kicks out JTG’s knee before he can get anything going. DiBiase tags in Rhodes who gives JTG a wishbone. Rhode’s runs into JTG in the corner but JTG nails Rhodes with a boot. Rhodes counters by kicking JTG in the injured knee. Rhode’s locks JTG’s knee in place and tags in DiBiase who connects with a elbow drop onto it. DiBiase grabs JTG and starts kicking him underneath his knee. DiBiase goes to work on JTG’s knee grinding his own knee into it. The match cuts to commercial…when we come back from commercial Rhodes and Shad are in. Rhodes kicks Shad’s knee out from under him now. Rhodes hits a knee to the face of Shad. Shad rolls into the corner and Rhodes tags in JBL. JBL pounds down Shad in the corner and kicks him in the head. JBL nails Cena with a cheap shot. JBL gives Cena the you can’t see me look. Shad gets to his feet but JBL hits another big clothesline. JBL connects with elbow after elbow after elbow to Shad. JBL tags in Rhodes who comes off the top rope with a punch to the mid section. Rhodes goes to work on the knee of Shad . Shad kicks Rhodes off but Rhodes comes right back and slams Shad’s face into the corner. Rhodes goes for a bulldog but Shad counters by throwing Rhodes off of him in the air. Shad is trying to must up enough strength to make the tag to Cena but Rhodes cuts Shad off and nails Cena off the apron. Rhodes pulls Shad back to his side of the ring and tags in DiBiase who hits a elbow drop. DiBiase goes for a pin but Shad kicks out at 2. DiBiase hits a few of the old school Million Dollar Man punches to the ground. DiBiase tags Rhodes back in and they both go to work on Shad in the corner. Rhodes slams Shads face into the turnbuckle. Rhodes goes up to the top and goes for a moonsault but Shad moves out of the way. Shad makes the hot tag to Cena who explodes into the ring. Cena hits 2 big clotheslines on Rhodes followed by 2 shoulder blocks. Cena whips Rhodes into the corner. DiBiase comes in but gets suplexed by Cena. Cena hits the 5 knuckle shuffle on DiBiase. Cena hits the FU on DiBiase. Rhodes gets a kick to the guy followed by a blockbuster. Cena goes to the top rope and connects with a leg drop to the back of Rhodes head. Cena locks Rhodes into the STFU. JBL comes in from behind and kicks JBL in the back of the head. The ref calls for the bell and this one is over. Cena and Cryme Tyme over Bradshaw, DiBiase and Rhodes by disqualification. (The match was OK but nothing special. Served its purpose as the main event. 2 out of 5)

JBL starts to head to the back and Cena chases after him. JBL runs all the way out to the parking lot. Cena goes outside but doesn’t see Bradshaw. JBL comes out of nowhere and hits Cena with a steel rod. JBL set Cena up against a white car. JBL then got into another car and drove right at Cena’s head. JBL crashed and when the camera panned back Cena was nowhere to be found. The show then faded to black…

Tonight’s RAW pretty much served its purpose of setting up the Great American Bash this Sunday. I didn’t expect to see any amazing matches which I didn’t but everything other then the Mickie/Katie Lea everything was about average. I would like to see a real London/Jericho match down the line but I doubt that will ever happen. Overall I would give RAW a 7 out of 10 tonight.

As always if you have any feedback or comments just shoot me a mail at MSN1983@yahoo.com or PM me on the LOPForums.com Also if you get a chance make sure to check out the Column Forums on LOP. It has some of the best up and coming new writers. Make sure to check out Joey Shibobi – The Shinobi Slam

WWE News: No Mention Of John Cena’s Condition On ECW, More On ‘World’s Greatest Dad’, USA Network No. 1

– Sans a video package of John Bradshaw Layfield’s attempt to crash an automobile into John Cena on Monday’s edition of Raw, there was no mention made of his condition and/or possible storyline murder by the announcers on Tuesday’s night edition of ECW. When the announcers were running down the card for next Sunday’s Great American Bash pay-per-view, they simply plugged Cena’s upcoming “New York City Parking Lot Brawl” match with JBL and added nothing else, acting as if nothing happened on Monday night. According to WWE.com, Cena was simply “grazed” by the oncoming automobile and that he’s okay enough to fight Layfield at next Sunday’s pay-per-view. On another note, the video package that aired on ECW featured a camera shot not seen on Raw from inside the car that JBL struck, and as luck would have it, the owner of the vehicle just so happened to have a camera recording inside and precisely pointed in the direction of the forthcoming crash. On the other hand, perhaps JBL planted the camera inside the car because he wanted to videotape his own attempt at murder.

– As reported earlier, a Michigan man was arrested on Tuesday for attempting to meet what he thought was a 14-year-old girl for sex. When he was arrested, he just so happened to be wearing the WWE “World’s Greatest Dad” T-Shirt, which ShopWWE.net put on sale last month for their Father’s Day promotion. Due to the “World’s Greatest Dad” slogan on the WWE shirt, it looks like this story is going to be garnering some mainstream headlines. The Associated Press is now reporting the story, and FoxNews.com has posted the article alongside a picture of the Internet predator sporting the WWE “World’s Greatest Dad” T-Shirt. You can check it out at this link.

– Thanks in large part to Monday Night Raw, the USA Network once again claimed the top spot in the prime-time cable network ratings race for the week of July 7-13. USA finished slightly ahead of the Disney Channel for the week. Spike TV, featuring TNA Impact, finished in seventeenth place. {Article link}

WWE RAW Rating Drops, “Brooke Knows Best” Premiere Does Strong Rating, Hulk’s House on Google Streetviewv

– Last night’s edition of WWE Raw drew a 3.2 cable rating, down from the 3.5s of the last few weeks and back to where the show was doing before the draft. Last night’s show did hours of 3.11 and 3.29. While that number is disappointing for WWE, Raw did have stiff competition last night – the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby on ESPN drew huge 6.4 cable rating. (Source: PWInsider.com)

– Thanks to reader Kristofer Dylan Strong for sending this in .. “I live in Clearwater, which is next door to Bellair, FL. We see hogan coming and going every so often in the community, so we know where he lives. Google just implemented Google “street view” to his neighborhood. I figured you may want to see the link – (Click Here).

– The 10 p.m. debut of Brooke Hogan’s new reality show “Brooke Knows Best” did a 1.6 cable rating. A The 11:30pm replay did a 1.0. Another replay at 1:30 a.m. Monday morning did a 0.6. The 1 p.m. edition of the show (which aired before the 10 p.m. Sunday debut) did a 0.8 cable rating. The four shows combined did 4.0 cable rating for VH1. (Source: PWInsider.com)

Next Page »