Wednesday, March 17, 2010

SUMMERSLAM IN LA, NEW FILM ON WWE,DARK MATCH IN SMACKDOWN

WWE’s SummerSlam will be returning to Los Angeles this year. It was announced at last night’s tapings that tickets for this year’s show at the Staples Center go on sale this coming Saturday.

In some news that may have been missed in WWE’s press release this week on Gorgeous George entering the Hall of Fame, the company will be producing a movie about George’s life and legacy in early 2011.

The dark main event after last night’s SmackDown tapings saw Rey Mysterio, Triple H, Edge and John Cena defeat CM Punk, Batista, Sheamus and Chris Jericho. 

WWE SUPERSTAR SPOILER AS ON 18 MAR

Taped Before RAW:
* The Bella Twins defeated Jillian Hall and Katie Lea.
* Mark Henry, Christian, and Yoshi Tatsu defeated William Regal, Jack Swagger, and Zack Ryder.
Taped Before SmackDown:
* Kane defeated Shelton Benjamin with a chokeslam.

SMACKDOWN SPOILER OF 3/19

* Rey Mysterio opened the show and said he couldn’t get the image of his crying daughter out of his mind. He said he doesn’t want a normal match at WrestleMania. Rather, they are going with street fight rules for his match with C.M. Punk. However, Punk came out and said that if Rey touches him before WrestleMania, he won’t get the street fight. If Mysterio beats Luke Gallows, the match is official. If not, he must join the Straight Edge Society.
* Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger defeated Matt Hardy and MVP when Ziggler got the pin.
* Drew McIntyre vs. The Undertaker and The Cutting Edge with Chris Jericho as guest is announced for tonight.
* Beth Phoenix and Tiffany vs. Michelle and Layla. Beth pinned Michelle. Vickie came out afterwards. Can’t hear her, crowd is booing so loud. Vickie want apology. Beth does but it isn’t good enough for Vickie. Next week it is Beth vs. Vickie.
* Cutting Edge with Edge and Chris Jericho. Jericho comes out with his rookie. Edge says they have been playing a game of chess and Edge will make the last move – spear. Jericho thinks Edge is still hurt from his injury. Jericho says one more injury will end Edges career. Edge dares Jericho to make a move. Jericho doesn’t so edge attacks. Edge spears Wade the rookie but then gets the codebreaker. Jericho then steps on Edge’s leg and holds up the title.
* John Morrison and R-Truth beat Hart Dynasty. Crowd really loves Truths intro. Quick match.
* Mysterious vs. Gallows. Rey almost got counted out. At the end, Rey did 619 and went for springboard but Serena pushed him off. Gallows pinned Rey. Afterwards, Rey beat the hell out of gallows while Punk calmly watched.
* Undertaker pinned McIntyre quickly. While Taker posed on the ramp in victory, HBK jumped him and superkicked him. Shawn then mocked Takers pose to end the show.

FULL LIST OF WWE HALL OF FAME 2010

As noted previously, WWE added Stu Hart and Gorgeous George to the 2010 Hall of Fame class. It appears that WWE will save the final inductee, who is believed to be Bob Uecker, for RAW next week, which is coincidentally hosted by former MLB star Pete Rose. The “Main Event” portion of the Hall of Fame Ceremony will air for one hour on the USA Network at 11PM EST on Saturday, March 27th. Below is the complete list of inductees:
* Gorgeous George will be inducted by his wife Betty Wagner
* Stu Hart will be inducted by members of the Hart Family.
* Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase will be inducted by Ted & Brett DiBiase
* Antonio Inoki will be inducted by Stan Hansen
* Mad Dog Vachon will be inducted by Pat Patterson
* Wendi Richter will be inducted by Roddy Piper
* Bob Uecker will be inducted by NBC’s Dick Eberso

AUSTIN COMMENTS ON WWE PG ERA

WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin posted a number of messages on his Twitter page regarding his appearance as the guest host of RAW last night. “With 2 weeks to go to mania, had to work within story lines. Couldn’t give stunners to everyone, they have a huge ppv . promoted DAMAGE,” Austin said. “The pg thing is a real deal. great direction for the wwe. a wise decision. although that took 92% of my vocabulary away.”

PICTURE OF CANDICE MICHELLE ON SMACKDOWN

Candice Michelle posted a photo of herself with Melina backstage at tonight's WWE TVs on Twitter. You can view the pregnant former Diva with the injured current Diva below:

WWE NXT AS ON MAR 16

Cue the NXT opening without any shots from inside the arena. Eight NXT rookies, eight WWE pros - one dream. The cameras cut to inside the Staples Center with CM Punk's music blaring on the speakers.


Tag Team Match
CM Punk & Darren Young w/Luke Gallows & Serena vs. Matt Hardy & Justin Gabriel


We cut backstage to host Matt Striker. He says in two weeks time the first round of votes will be calculated. He announces people will be taken off the show and questions who will stick around. It'll be a total of eight votes but pros cannot vote for their rookie. Gabriel comes out with a matching Matt Hardy shirt as his pro.


Darren Young and Justin Gabriel start things off. They lockup and Young applies a side headlock. Gabriel tries to counter but Young maintains opening control and takes Gabriel down to the mat. Arm lock from Young on Gabriel but he counters into a wristlock of his own. Young backs him off with right hands. Loud Hardy chants as Gabriel hits an armdrag takedown on Young and follows it with a tag.

Splash in the corner followed by a clothesline by Hardy onto Young. Gabriel tags himself in and gets a quick cover on Young. Young gets up and bounces Gabriel's head off the top turnbuckle. Young takes Gabriel to his corner and CM Punk makes the tag. They double team Gabriel as Punk hits a scoop slam followed by a cover for a two count.

CM Punk works on Gabriel in the corner, the referee backs him out. Punk tags in Young. Young stomps away at Gabriel then whips him off the ropes. Gabriel counters with a spin kick. Gabriel whips Young into the corner. Gabriel works on the apron with a right hand and jumps at Young but misses.

Young goes for an aggressive cover for a two count. Young buries his head into the midsection of Justin Gabriel in the corner. Young kicks Gabriel in the midsection with Gabriel tries to counter. Gabriel goes for the tag but Young won't let him and kicks him to the outside. Young throws Gabriel off the steel ring steps on the outside.

Back from commercial CM Punk gets a two count on Gabriel. Michael Cole announces tonight's attendance as 15,788. Punk mounts a little more offense before getting another two count. Punk sets Gabriel up in the corner and tags in his partner. Young hits an upper cut on Gabriel and kicks him around on the mat with a pompous arrogant attitude.

Gabriel gets back to his feet and fights back with kicks. Gabriel hits a snap mere takeover and gets a two count. More offense from Gabriel with a take down and he goes for the 450 splash. He misses. Young tags in Punk and he comes in and goes directly for the cover.

Punk applies a submission hold on the youngster from South Africa. The referee checks for submission as the fans chant Hardy. Punk wrenches back on his hold and Gabriel tries to fight out with elbows. He breaks the hold and gets a jackknife cover for a two count. Punk works on Gabriel and takes Hardy out off the apron. He tags in Young.

Young hits a belly-to-back suplex and gets a two count. Young puts Gabriel in the corner and Punk tags in. Punk works over Gabriel with the Straight Edge Society looking on. Punk whips Young off the ropes and lands a big kick. Punk goes to the apron where he springboards off. Gabriel counters with a dropkick out of nowhere.

Gabriel makes the tag. Matt Hardy hits a clothesline on Punk and goes on the offensive. Punk counters with a bulldog and gets a two count. Side Effect from Hardy for a two count. Hardy gets on the middle rope but Punk makes a tag.

Hardy grabs Young from the apron and hits a neckbreaker on him in the center of the ring. Another near fall as Hardy whips Young off the ropes. Hardy clotheslines Young to the outside and follows. Luke Gallows hits offense on Young with the referee distracted by Serena. Hardy makes Gallows pay and rolls Young back into the ring.



Hardy pumps the crowd but he takes too long. The referee is distracted by Gallows as Punk hits GTS for Young to get the cover for the three count.

Winners - Darren Young & CM Punk

After the match Gallows takes out Hardy and Gabriel. Gallows surprises Darren Young with an attack, taking him out. He poses with Punk and Serena in the ring as Punk's music blares.


Daniel Bryan vs. The Great Khali.

Richard Reacts: Really good match but I'm still distracted by the fact John Cena didn't open the show as advertised. It seems like Punk and Hardy legitimately stepped it up tonight to show the rookies show talented they are.


"Rookie" vs. "Pro" Singles Match
Daniel Bryan vs. The Great Khali w/Ranjin Singh

Daniel Bryan comes out without The Miz. Cole and Mathews go over the fact that in two weeks the pros will vote for the first time. The Great Khali comes out next with Ranjin Singh. The Great Khali picks Daniel Bryan up and sets him in the corner.


The referee calls for the bell as The Great Khali begins to manhandle the rookie. Khali hits hard slaps to his chest. Khali picks him up but Daniel Bryan applies a guillotine to try and slow him down. He brings Khali down to his knees and follows it with his kicks. Off the ropes Bryan hits Khali. It walks into Khali's hand but he knocks him down then goes off the top rope with a missile dropkick followed by a cover.

Daniel Bryan goes off the top rope but Khali counters with a badly timed chop. Khali picks Bryan up and slams him down to the mat.


Khali puts a foot over Bryan and gets the three count.

Winner - The Great Khali

Big Show's music hits and he comes out without his tag team championship belt. Big Show gets in the ring and chokeslams Daniel and leaves. Khali just looks on.

Richard Reacts: The Great Khali is terrible. It never ceases to amaze me how he never gets any better. Bryan went off the top rope and Khali was supposed to hit a chop but he missed badly. Daniel still sold but the humbling process continues.

We're back with shots outside the Staples Center. The Raw Rebound airs. They show the "contract signing" for Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon that took place last night. Cole and Mathews plug the No Holds Barred match between Hart and McMahon then rundown the Wrestlemania XXVI lineup.

They roll a "get to know" video of David Otunga. The video recaps Otunga's Hollywood fame from his fiancee Jennifer Hudson. On a side note, a lot of the boys call him Mr. Jennifer Hudson backstage.

We see a shot of Michael Tarver making his way to the ring for a bout against Christian's rookie Heath Slater up next.

The Wrestlemania Recall is from Wrestlemania in 1998 with Pete Rose talking and being interrupted by Kane w/Paul Bearer.

"Rookie" vs. "Rookie" Singles Match
Heath Slater vs. Michael Tarver

Heath Slater comes out to Christian's music without Christian. Likewise, Michael Tarver comes out to Carlito's music without Carlito.


The bell rings and Slater applies a side headlock on Tarver. He brings Tarver down with an armdrag take down. Tarver pushes Slater into the corner and hits a knee to the gut. Slater ends up throwing Tarver out of the ring. High-risk, Heath Slater jumps out of the ring, over the top rope onto his opponent. Back in the ring Slater misses on a splash and Tarver hits offense in the corner. Tarver gets a quick cover for a two count. We see Carlito and Christian watching the monitor from the back as Tarver gets another cover and another near fall. Tarver applies a submission hold on the head of Heath Slater. Slater gets back to his feet. Tarver throws Slater down. Slater props himself up in the corner and ends up hitting offense on his opponent. Slater quickly hooks Tarver's leg and gets a two count. The crowd is dead but the ring work is pretty good.

After a sequence in the corner, Slater catches Tarver in a rollup and pins him for the three count.


Winner - Heath Slater

Tarver beats up Slater after the match with a t-bone suplex. Carlito smirks at the monitor as Christian asks "what was that?" Slater is 3-0.


Skip Sheffield and William Regal are talking. Sheffield says he wants to learn to listen to Regal but he won't let Regal get a word in. Regal, clearly frustrated, walks off.


"Rookie" vs. "Rookie" Singles Match
Wade Barrett w/World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho vs. Skip Sheffield w/William Regal

Wade Barrett comes out with World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho. Jericho is dressed in his full suit. Barrett is out with his pro - William Regal.

Wade Barrett lands a knee to the midsection of Sheffield. Sheffield goes off the top rope with a double axe handle. Sheffield smacks the back of Barrett. Barrett goes to the outside to regroup. Sheffield follows and ends up eating offense from Barrett.Wade Barrett rolls Sheffield back into the ring. He pounds away at his opponent. A knee to the spine of Sheffield, Barrett wrenches back with Jericho shouting instructions. Barrett applies the hold in the middle of the ring on Sheffield. The referee checks for submission. Jericho pounds on the apron, telling Barrett to "push it". Sheffield gets to his feet and backs Barrett down with elbows. Barrett goes for a snap suplex but Sheffield blocks and hits a suplex of his own. Barrett tries a splash in the corner but misses. Sheffield takes Barrett down to the mat with a huge clothesline off the ropes. He doesn't go for a cover but hits a scoop and a slam. Sheffield goes off the ropes and lands on Barrett. He gets a two count. Barrett whips Sheffield into the ropes but Sheffield hits an elbow to his face. Sheffield sets up on the top turnbuckle but Barrett counters and puts Sheffield above his head and drops him for the cover and the three count.

Winner - Wade Barrett

Jericho is very happy with Barrett while Regal looks disappointed in Sheffield

UPDATE ON NXT DARK MATCH, QUAKE HITS LA

The dark match before tonight’s WWE NXT saw Jimmy Wang and Slam Master J defeat Tyler Reks and Vance Archer in tag team action. There was a production error on SyFy where a brief part of the match was shown on TV before NXT came on when they went to Michael Cole at ringside to plug the show.

The city that plays host of tonight’s SmackDown/NXT tapings was awaken earlier this morning at 4:04 AM PT when a 4.4 magnitude earthquake hit Los Angeles according to the US Geological Survey. The earthquake’s epicenter was 11 miles east-southwest of Los Angeles Civic Center. The earthquake was minor in severity, but enough to awaken many. As of press time, no injuries have been reported.

FULL INFO ON SHAWN MICHAELS DVD

The match list from the 3-disc DVD set Of Shawn Michaels.
Disc 1
- Shawn Michaels vs. One Man Gang
- Midnight Rockers vs. ‘Playboy’ Buddy Rose / ‘Pretty Boy’ Doug Summers
- Midnight Rockers vs. Nasty Boys
- Rockers vs. Brain Busters
- Rockers vs. Hart Foundation
- Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart
- Shawn Michaels vs. British Bulldog
- Shawn Michaels vs. Sid Vicious
- Shawn Michaels vs. 1-2-3 Kid
Disc 2
- Shawn Michaels vs. Mankind
- Shawn Michaels vs. British Bulldog
- Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker
- Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho
- Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair
- Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle
- Shawn Michaels vs. Stone Cold
- Shawn Michaels vs. Vader
Disc 3
- Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H
- Shawn Michaels vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton vs. John Cena
- Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton
- Shawn Michaels vs. Batista
- Shawn Michaels vs. Edge
- Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H
- Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho
- Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker
Here is a more detailed listing of the DVD:
A Boy in a Man’s World
Shawn Michaels vs. One Man Gang
World Class Championship Wrestling January 11, 1985
Our Big Event
Midnight Rockers vs. `Playboy’ Buddy Rose / `Pretty Boy’ Doug Summers
AWA WrestleRock April 20, 1986
Rockin’ All Night
AWA World Tag Team Championship
Midnight Rockers vs. Nasty Boys
AWA Championship Wrestling March 5, 1988
“They Wanted Us”
Rockers vs. Brain Busters
Boston Garden March 18, 1989
Tag Team Success
Rockers vs. Hart Foundation
Madison Square Garden November 25, 1989
Going Solo
Intercontinental Championship
Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart
Ottawa, Ontario June 2, 1992
Alternate Commentary: Michael Cole / Shawn Michaels
Always Having Fun with Davey
Shawn Michaels vs. British Bulldog
RAW March 6, 1995
Contrasting Styles
Intercontinental Championship
Shawn Michaels vs. Sid Vicious
RAW September 11, 1995
High Flyers
Shawn Michaels vs. 1-2-3 Kid
RAW March 4, 1996
The Champion
Shawn Michaels vs. Mankind
RAW August 11, 1997
D-Generation X
WWE European Championship
British Bulldog vs. Shawn Michaels
One Night Only September 20, 1997
This Is Going To Be Art
Casket Match for the WWE Championship
Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker
Royal Rumble January 18, 1998
Ups & Downs
Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho
WrestleMania XIX March 30, 2003
My Friend
Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair
Bad Blood June 15, 2003
Alternate Commentary: Michael Cole / Shawn Michaels
High Expectations
Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle
WrestleMania 21 April 3, 2005
Montreal & The Hulkster
Shawn Michaels Promo in Montreal on Hulk Hogan
RAW August 15, 2005
Tribute to the Troops
Boot Camp Match
Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H
RAW December 19, 2005
Alternate Commentary: Michael Cole / Shawn Michaels
The Veteran
Fatal 4-Way Match for the WWE Championship
John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton
Backlash April 29, 2007
Legend Killer
WWE Championship Match
Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton
Survivor Series November 18, 2007
The Family Man
Unsanctioned Match
Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho
Unforgiven September 7, 2008
Mr. WrestleMania
Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels
WrestleMania 25 April 5, 2009

PREVIEW OF "UNTOLD STORIES FROM THE ROAD"

WWE will be releasing a new book called “Rumble Road: Untold Stories from Outside the Ring” on July 20th. Here is a preview for the book, written by Jon Robinson:
“In this follow-up to Robert Caprio’s collection of road stories Are We There Yet?, WWE superstars and divas dish the dirt on the late night shenanigans that take place behind the scenes, on the road, and in hotels all across the world. If you think all the WWE drama unfolds inside the wrestling ring, then think again. Sometimes the action outside the ring can be just as exciting — and as dangerous — for the wrestlers as they drive, fly and occasionally fight their way from city to city to entertain their millions of fans. In Rumble Road the superstars of the WWE recount their shocking and hilarious road trip misadventures. From classic pranks to the particular habits of the baddest of the bad guys who ever set foot inside the squared circle, these are the untold stories of life on the road — straight from the mouths of those who continue to live it one trip at a time.”

REASONS BEHIND HURRICANE DEPARTURE, NEW EXECUTIVE FOR WWE

Sources indicate that Gregory Helms’ recent departure from WWE came after the incident in January where he and Chris Jericho were arrested, as expected. Helms was brought back to TV shortly after the incident to appear in a beatdown angle and was never used again.

WWE has hired former US Tennis Association executive Tandy O’Donoghue as vice president of operations and new business development. WWE has hired a number of former USTA execs recently.

UPDATE ON TONIGHTS SMACKDOWN TAPINGS AND NXT, CANDICE ON SMACKDOWN

WWE will tape tonight’s SmackDown from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NXT will air live tonight on the SyFy network at 9PM EST. RAW stars John Cena, Sheamus, Batista and Triple H are all advertised for tonight’s SmackDown tapings. The dark main event is Cena, Triple H, Rey Mysterio and Edge vs. Batista, CM Punk, Sheamus and Chris Jericho.



Former WWE Diva Candice Michelle, who is pregnant, noted on Twitter last night that she will be at tonight’s SmackDown tapings in Los Angeles to visit friend

STONE COLD ON TNA

Last night’s RAW guest host, Stone Cold Steve Austin, recently appeared on Hardcore Sports Radio. When asked about WWE RAW and TNA iMPACT now facing off on Monday nights, he had this to say:
“I don’t know if we’ll ever re-create that Nitro-Raw war. WCW kicked our ass for two years, then we smoked their ass and never looked back and put them out of business.
“I wish the TNA people all the luck in the world because it means more of the boys have jobs and it gives fans an alternative.
“I don’t think anyone will ever come close to really giving true competition to WWE because they’re so far ahead of the game, they’re rooted in their system, and they’re a winner.
“I wish TNA all the luck in the world, but it’s a totally different product.”