Saturday, May 29, 2010

UPDATE ON JIM ROSS

 Jim Ross wrote the following on his website regarding his future with WWE:
I have worked out what we believe to be a win/win, employee agreement with WWE and will remain with the company that I have been with essentially since 1993 when I debuted at Wrestlemania 9. (To celebrate this occasion, as I’m writing this I’m wearing a toga.)
Going forward, I will be focusing on a variety of talent relations matters, essentially as a consultant, of which will not require weekly travel. I will be visiting FCW in Tampa on a regular basis to observe the development of the young men and women who, I hope, all want to headline Wrestlemania some day. This area of the company has always been of particular interest to me including when we opened developmental areas years ago in Louisville, Cincinnati, Memphis, and Southern California. Many of the WWE’s biggest stars of this generation came from those areas.
We are still going forward with our book concept which is evolving really well. I tell myself every day that I’m NOT going to write an ‘average,’ wrestling book. (For the record, I’m still battling on what to leave OUT of the book in order to keep it around 275-300 pages.)
Our public speaking facet is also in place and we are reviewing some potential bookings on that front beginning at summer’s end. (BTW I’m not going to take dates on Oklahoma football weekends which I’m sure will be an eye roller to some. Yes, I will turn down a pay day to see my Sooners play.)
I’ve also been offered a position to do some free lance writing for a major, national sports website which we’ll update you on within the next 10 days or so. It will likely focus on College Football, the NFL, and MMA.
The new arrangement with WWE will allow me to explore broadcast options in other, non competitive areas such as MMA if I so choose. (For now, being a MMA fan and watching the UFC this Saturday night on PPV works for me. I’m still an Evans ‘lean.’ as this one has Slobber-Knocker written all over it.)
I will not be returning to weekly, WWE TV or their monthly PPV’s. However, being involved with other WWE broadcast products is a possibility. A few opportunities have been discussed.

UNDERTAKER BUSTED OPEN ON SMACKDOWN

The Undertaker suffered a busted nose on this week’s SmackDown, thanks to Rey Mysterio’s 619. Taker bled for a few minutes before the match ended and no trainer was sent out to stop the blood. It’s interesting that this happened after two matches were hurt at Over the Limit due to trainers coming out to stop cuts.
Some people in the company figure that the no-blood rule is just a phase and blame it mostly on Linda McMahon running for office. One of the main reasons WWE has stopped wanting blood on TV is because agreements that have been made to attract a higher class of sponsors. The feeling is that if WWE’s popularity goes way down then they would probably change the rule but Linda McMahon winning or losing the election won’t bring any changes. Dave Meltzer believes that the PG rule will likely be in effect until either the license deal with Mattel runs out, which is years from now, or another company, such as TNA, takes away from WWE’s popularity.

CENA TALKS ON COLEMAN, LATEST ON TAMINA AND USO

John Cena commented on the passing of Gary Coleman yesterday with the following post on Twitter: “CeNation. Received word of gary coleman’s passing. Very sad. He was a pleasure to work with. He will be missed.”
It appears that Tamina and the Usos won’t be bringing their WWE developmental stablemates to RAW with them. At the FCW live event this past week, the trio appeared with their partners Brodus Clay and Donny Marlow. Marlow said that he and Portis will hold down FCW while Jimmy, Jules and Tamina take over WWE. Tamina referred to their stable as the “Polynesian Power Package” but it’s unknown if they will use that nickname on RAW.

SMACKDOWN REPORT 5/28

We are live on tape from Cleveland, Ohio and your announcers are Matt ‘Mistake near the Lake’ Striker and Todd ‘Winking Lizard’ Grisham.
Teddy Long comes to the ring and he has something to say to the WWE Universe, but he dances a little before he talks. Teddy talks about the brand new pay per view in less than four weeks, Fatal Four Way. Teddy says that Jack Swagger will defend his title in a Fatal Four Way Match. Based on his victory over Jack Swagger on Sunday, by disqualification, the Big Show automatically qualifies. The other two participants will be determined in qualifying matches. CM Punk will face Kane. Before we hear what the next match is, Teddy reminds us that CM Punk and him share hair styles. In the other match, Rey Mysterio will face the Undertaker.
Before Teddy can talk about the unique nature of the pay per view, Drew McIntyre’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring. We see footage from what Matt Hardy did to Drew McIntyre after Drew’s loss to Kofi Kingston at Over the Limit.
Drew tells Teddy that he should still be the Intercontinental champion. Drew says that his match with Kofi at Over the Limit should have been stopped because his arm was lacerated and he was in extreme pain. Teddy allowed the match to continue. Drew says that if Teddy cannot do his job right, he will have to do it for Teddy.
Teddy tells Drew that he knows that Drew is upset about the loss on Sunday and he did not have the right to trash his office on Sunday and interrupt him tonight. Teddy wants to know who Drew thinks he is and Drew reminds Teddy that he is the ‘Chosen One’. Teddy realizes that is who Drew is. Teddy tells Drew that when Matt Hardy gets his hands on Drew . . .
Before we figure out what Teddy is going to say, Drew pulls a letter out of his wrestling gear (which has no pockets) and gives it to Teddy to read out loud.
Teddy reads the letter and it says that due to the reckless actions by Matt Hardy on Sunday night, Matt is suspended without pay until further notice. The letter is signed by Vince McMahon.
Drew tells Teddy that this is a warning that if he turns a blind eye to Drew’s fortunes, the next letter that he gets from Drew will be informing Teddy of his termination as General Manager.
Teddy walks out of the ring and Matt Hardy’s music plays and he comes out. Teddy tries to stop Matt but Matt says that he respects him and has to do it. Security comes out to stop Matt and Teddy tells Matt that if he does not leave, he will be forced to fire Matt.
Drew gets on the mic and tells Matt that he is the reason why Matt is suspended.
We go to commercial.
We are back and as Jack Swagger comes to the ring, he reminds us that he is still the World Champion. In case we missed it the first time, he tells us a few more times.
Match Number One: Drew McIntyre and Jack Swagger versus Big Show and Kofi Kingston
Swagger and Kofi start things off and they lock up with Swagger putting Kofi in a front face lock and takes Kofi to the mat and rolls through with a waist lock. Swagger tries for a belly-to-back suplex but Kofi gets out of the hold and Kofi with a kick. Swagger with a kick of his own and he tags in McIntyre but Kofi with more kicks and a side head lock. Drew takes Kofi down to the mat and he kicks Kofi. Kofi counters a hip toss with a monkey flip and he gets a near fall. Kofi with forearms but Drew with a forearm of his own. Kofi and Drew exchange forearms and kicks. Kofi with a flying forearm and Drew backs into the corner and the referee holds Kofi back while Swagger argues with McIntyre. This discussion allows Kofi to tag Big Show in and Drew does not realize that Show is in the ring until he is leaping in the air for a splash into the corner. Swagger saw it coming and he retreats to the floor before Show can make contact with Drew. Show looks at Swagger on the floor and then Show with a head butt to Drew. Swagger hits Show from behind but Show with a shot to the back and Swagger’s taped ribs are further injured. Kofi with a clothesline that sends Drew over the top rope to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Show brings Drew back into the ring and Show continues to stare down Swagger. Show with a chop to Drew and then Show tells Swagger something before he punches Drew in the ribs. Show sends Drew into the turnbuckles and then he chokes Drew in the ropes. Show with a slam and then Kofi tags in and hits a slingshot splash for a near fall. Kofi with a key lock and take down as he holds on to the key lock. Drew backs Kofi into the corner and he kicks Kofi in the ribs. Drew with an Irish whip but Kofi floats over and hits a Japanese arm drag. Drew with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner. Kofi leaps into the corner and then he goes to the apron to knock Swagger off the apron. Kofi with a forearm and then he tries for a springboard move but Swagger pulls Kofi to the floor. Drew picks up a motionless Kingston and slams his head into the ring steps. Kofi is rolled back into the ring and Drew gets a near fall. Drew with a chop to Kofi and then he points at Show. Swagger tags in and he puts Kofi in a reverse chin lock. Kofi with forearms to get out of the hold but Swagger with a leaping belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Swagger grabs the leg and McIntyre tags in and he kicks Kofi in the hand. Drew sends Kofi into the turnbuckles and hits a few clotheslines while Kofi is in the corner and then he hits a short arm clothesline.
Show reaches to make the tag but he cannot reach Kofi. Kofi kicks Drew’s leg but Drew with an arm bar and cross face and Drew focuses on the arm bar but Kofi escapes but Drew with a forearm and he tags Swagger back in. Swagger with a kick while Drew holds Kofi down. Swagger with more kicks and Kofi with punches but Swagger with forearms. Swagger with a bear hug but he keeps Kofi from making the tag. Kofi tries for a sunset flip but Swagger stays up and then sends Kofi into the turnbuckles. Kofi with a kick and then Kofi with a springboard cross body and both men are down. Drew tags in and he pulls Kofi into his own corner, but Kofi rolls away from Drew and makes the tag to Big Show. Show with clotheslines to Drew followed by an Irish whip and running butt splash. Show with a running shoulder tackle and Show signals for the choke slam but Swagger tries to interfere. Swagger is sent over the top rope and he falls into the announce table for his efforts. Drew with a kick to Show’s knee and he tries for the double underhook DDT but Show sends him down. Show signals for the punch and he connects for the three count.
Winners: Big Show and Kofi Kingston
After the match, Show stares at Swagger and we go to commercial.
We are back and Did you Know that WWE has been working with Make A Wish for more than 25 years?
We go to the Straight Edge Locker Room and we see Luke and Serena telling Punk that it looks good. Punk says that he looks foolish. Serena says that everything will work out okay. She tells him that he still looks beautiful and perfect. Punk knows that they like the way he looks, but Punk says that everyone else will mock him. Punk says that he knows that he is better than them so he does not care if they mock him. Punk says that they couldn’t humiliate him if they tried. Punk says that he has courage and he is courageous. Punk will walk out there in the center of the ring, he will tear off his towel to show the true face of CM Punk.
Vickie Guerrero is in the General Manager’s office with Vance Archer and Curt Hawkins and she throws a curveball with an escucha me for the Spanish speaking members of the WWE Universe. She tells them that they have fifteen days. Curt says that they will have plenty of time and they will make an impact tonight.
Dolph enters the office and wants to know if everything is alright. Vickie thanks Dolph for standing up for her on the Peep Show. She tells Dolph that he is proof that there is still chivalry in the WWE. Dolph says that it was nothing, but Vickie says that it meant a lot to her. She reminds him that she is the official consultant of Smackdown and then she tells Dolph that considering her position and that she owes him a favor puts him in a very very enviable situation. Vickie gets all come hither and Dolph says that he couldn’t stand seeing those two clowns making fun of her in the ring. Vickie says that as a token of her gratitude, Dolph will team with Chavo to face Christian and Hornswoggle. Vickie tells Dolph that there is more where that came from.
Before he comes to the ring, Punk has second thoughts about revealing his new hairdo as he keeps his towel over his head. Punk reveals his new hairdo and it looks a lot like a mask.
We see photos of the shaving from Sunday night.
Match Number Two: CM Punk with Luke Gallows and Serena versus Kane in a Fatal Four Way Qualifying Match
Punk with forearms but Kane pushes Punk down. Punk with more punches and forearms followed by knees. Kane with an uppercut followed by a punch and he works on Punk’s arm. Kane with a hammer lock and he sends Punk into the turnbuckles followed by a snap mare and gets a near fall. Kane works on the arm but Punk backs Kane into the corner and kicks Kane in the legs. Kane with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner. Punk continues with the kicks to the leg and then he hits the running knee into the corner but Kane avoids the bulldog. Punk slides between the legs and Kane grabs Punk’s mask but Punk is able to get to the floor before Kane can remove the mask. We go to commercial.
We are back and Punk is back in control of the match as he kicks Kane on the mat. Kane with a punch and back elbow. Kane with an Irish whip and back elbow. Kane with a slam and then he goes up top but Punk kicks Kane’s leg and Kane is crotched. Punk kicks Kane to the floor from the turnbuckles. Punk continues the attack on the knee as they battle on the floor. They return to the ring but Kane is clearly favoring his leg. Punk wraps the leg around the ring post. Punk with more kicks to the knee but Kane kicks back but Punk returns to the injured knee. Kane holds on to the ropes but Punk pulls Kane into the middle of the ring for a cover and he gets a near fall. Punk continues to work on the leg and knee but Kane counters and he punches Punk. Punk with a double sledge to the back and then Punk returns to the leg. Punk with a kick to the knee when Kane returns to his feet. Kane with a suplex for a near fall. Punk with a drop kick and then he gets a near fall. Punk with a modified Indian Death Lock but Kane with punches and forearms to get out of the hold. Punk with another kick to the leg but Kane sends Punk into the air and down to the mat for a near fall.
Kane with an Irish whip and gingerly running clothesline into the corner. Kane with another clothesline attempt but Punk with a kick and he goes to the turnbuckles but he is met with an uppercut and Kane gets a near fall. Kane with an Irish whip and side slam for a near fall. Kane hobbles to the apron and then he goes up top and hits the clothesline and Kane holds his leg. Kane sets for the choke slam but Punk with kicks to the leg. Kane throws Punk over the top rope and Punk lands hard on the apron. Punk goes up top and hits a cross body but the momentum sends Kane over and he gets a near fall. Kane tries for a choke slam but Punk escapes. Punk goes for the Go To Sleep but Kane avoids the hold and he grabs Punk’s mask but Punk gets to the ropes and Serena distracts the referee to allow Luke to punch Kane and Kane releases his hold on Punk’s mask. Punk with a kick to the head and then he hits Go To Sleep and both men are down. Punk rolls over the gets the three count.
Winner: CM Punk
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Christian and Hornswoggle versus Dolph Ziggler and Chavo Guerrero
Christian and Chavo start things off and they lock up with Chavo with a waist lock but Christian with a standing switch. Chavo with a take down and he puts Christian in a side head lock. Christian with a drop kick and then Christian goes after Ziggler but Ziggler is able to escape to the floor. Chavo takes advantage of Christian’s lapse in focus on the match and he attacks Christian from behind and sets for the Three Amigos but Christian blocks the third one and hits an inverted DDT and then Hornswoggle is tagged in and he hits a seated splash and then he kicks Chavo in the legs. Chavo with a big boot to Hornswoggle. Chavo stands on Hornswoggle’s throat and then Dolph talks some trash to Hornswoggle on the apron. Chavo slams Hornswoggle and tags in Ziggler. Ziggler puts Hornswoggle in the turnbuckles and he slaps Hornswoggle but misses a splash into the corner. Christian and Chavo tag in and they exchange punches with Christian getting the advantage. Christian with a running forearm and then he punches Chavo. Christian runs into an elbow but Christian responds with a flapjack to Chavo. Christian goes to the turnbuckles and hits a back elbow.
Christian sets for the Killswitch but Chavo with a double sledge and then he sends Christian into the turnbuckles and punches Christian. The referee pulls Chavo out of the corner and then Chavo misses a charge into the corner and hits a pendulum kick. Christian goes to the turnbuckles and hits a missile drop kick on Chavo and gets a near fall with Ziggler breaking up the cover. Hornswoggle comes in and kicks Ziggler but Ziggler throws Hornswoggle to the floor by his beard. Christian clotheslines Ziggler over the top rope to the floor. Chavo with a suplex and then he goes up top for the frog splash. Chavo sees Christian moving out of the way so he rolls through on the frog splash. Christian with the Killswitch for the three count.
Winners: Christian and Hornswoggle
After the match, Ziggler puts Christian in the sleeper and he adds a body scissors until Christian is knocked out.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we are told that Drew McIntyre will get his rematch against Kofi Kingston next week on Smackdown.
Josh Mathews is in the interview area with Michelle McCool and Layla, the self professed co-Women’s Champions. They tells Josh to leave. Michelle says that everyone is talking about them and Layla says that everyone needs a lesson in history. Michelle says that was a teacher so she can help. She says that the Women’s Title is the oldest title in WWE history. It might have taken fifty years, but the title is now flawless. Layla says that it is because the titles now say ‘Lay’ ‘Cool’. Michelle says that they need to thank the Cougar, Vickie Guerrero for this. Michelle says that people are complaining that they have two titles. It is because it was a handicap match and it was the two of them. Michelle says that Beth is at home crying about her knee. Michelle and Layla start to dance around. Michelle says that jealousy is such an ugly disease. They tell Beth to get well soon.
Montel Vontavious Porter pays tribute to Lebron James by throwing powder into the air before the match.
Match Number Four: Luke Gallows with Serena versus Montel Vontavious Porter
Porter with punches to Gallows at the start of the match as he avoids Gallows’ punches. Porter works the body and the head as Gallows throws a few punches in as well. Porter with a belly-to-belly suplex. Gallows and Porter continue with the punches as they change positions on the mat. Porter with a waist lock but Gallows gets to the ropes. Porter with more punches and then he hits a flying forearm for a near fall. Porter with more punches to Gallows and the referee warns Porter. Porter with a boot to the head but Gallows sends Porter to the apron and then Gallows knocks Porter to the floor with a punch. Gallows goes to the floor and sends Porter back first into the apron. Gallows does it a second time and returns Porter to the ring. Gallows with a suplex as he continues to work on the back and gets a near fall.
Gallows with punches to Porter and then he hits a few elbow drops and gets a near fall. Gallows with a waist lock but Porter with elbows. Gallows responds with a knee. Porter with a kick and then he gets a boot up for a charge by Gallows. Porter with a shoulder tackle from the turnbuckles followed by back elbows. Porter with a facebuster and then it is time for the Ballin’ Elbow. Gallows rolls to the floor and Porter hits a forearm as he comes off the apron. Porter rolls Gallows back into the ring and Serena distracts the referee and Porter long enough for the masked man to emerge and hit a DDT on the apron that allows Gallows to get the three count with the spinebuster slam.
Winner: Luke Gallows
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that the photos from the Undertaker/Shawn Michaels match from Wrestlemania have been viewed over 20 million times on the website.
It is time to take a look back at what happened on Raw when Batista quit.
Match Number Five: Rey Mysterio versus Undertaker in a Fatal Four Way Qualifying Match
The bell rings and Taker charges at Rey but Rey moves out of the way. Rey avoids Taker but Taker gets a hold of Rey and sends him into the corner and hits a back elbow. Taker with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot from Rey. Rey clips the knee but Taker responds with a clothesline to Rey when Rey tries to get too fancy. Taker drops Rey on the top rope and then Rey goes to the apron. Taker misses a big boot when Rey ducks and Rey hits a missile drop kick that sends Taker to the floor. Taker comes back in and Rey goes to the floor. Taker goes to the floor and Rey returns to the ring as he continues to frustrate the man from Death Valley. Rey with a baseball slide and an Asai moonsault onto Taker. Rey returns to the ring and we go to commercial.
We are back and Rey kicks Taker in the leg as he avoids punches from Taker. Taker gets Rey up but Rey gets back to his feet and he kicks Taker but Taker shows Rey that was a mistake as he grabs Rey by the throat for a choke slam. Rey fights out of the hold and then Taker kicks Rey and sets for the Last Ride but Rey gets to his feet. Rey with a drop toe hold and Taker falls into the ropes. Rey sets for the 619 but Taker gets up and hits a big boot. Taker throws Rey to the floor and Taker follows after him. Taker picks up Rey and runs him into the ring post. Taker sends Rey shoulder first into the ring post as he continues to wear down Rey. Taker with kicks to Rey. Taker with a hammer lock and he sends Rey into the ringside barrier. Taker returns to the ring to stop the ref’s count.
Taker puts Rey on the apron and slams the arm into the apron. Taker with a key lock and he gets a near fall. Taker lifts Rey in the air by the injured arm and then drops Rey to the mat to get a near fall. Rey with forearms but Taker with a knee. Taker lifts Rey up but Rey gets on Taker’s shoulders and hits a rana. Rey with a springboard seated splash and a drop kick for a near fall. Rey goes to the apron again for another springboard seated splash and gets another near fall. Taker with a punch to Rey. Rey with a drop kick to the knee and Taker falls into the ropes and Rey hits the 619. Rey with the springboard dive but Taker grabs Rey by the throat. Rey escapes the choke slam but Taker hits Snake Eyes but misses the big boot. Rey with a back heel kick and he tries for an Asai Moonsault but Taker catches Rey and hits the Tombstone piledriver for the three count.
Winner: Undertaker
We go to credits.

MAIN EVENT MATCHES ANNOUNCED FOR FATAL 4 WAY

The Undertaker vs. CM Punk vs. Big Show vs. World Champion Jack Swagger has been announced for WWE’s Fatal 4 Way pay-per-view. The other confirmed match is Sheamus vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton vs. WWE Champion John Cena.