RANDY ORTON TO WIN ROYAL RUMBLE 2012?

There’s an inside joke going around this week that Randy Orton will win the 2012 Royal Rumble but Vince McMahon will change that plan once he’s reminded the Rumble is in Orton’s hometown of St. Louis.

DIVAS SEGMENTS ARE WASTE OF TIME - VINCE

It’s said that Vince McMahon has developed a love-hate relationship with the WWE Divas. The mentality is that both RAW and SmackDown have to have one segment with the Divas. Vince is convinced that Divas segment is needed because it draws in a certain demographic.

When the Divas segments and matches are actually going on, it’s said that Vince feels they are a waste of time. This is part of the reason he has Michael Cole act the way he does when the Divas are out.

MOST INFAMOUS WWE FIRINGS OF ALL TIME

WWE has a new storyline up article today on their most infamous firings, mentioning Triple H firing Kevin Nash this week. The most infamous releases they mention are:

* Vince McMahon fires Jeff Jarrett
* Vince McMahon fires Eric Bischoff
* Randy Orton stops Vince McMahon from firing him with a punt kick
* The many firings of Jim Ross

CM PUNK TALKS ABOUT ROCK, CHANGES IN WWE

 WWE Champion CM Punk spoke with Mark Madden on his Pittsburgh radio show this past Monday to promote SummerSlam. Punk was asked if he now has creative control in WWE. Punk said he doesn’t like that term and said control is bad. He noted that he has input now but added that everyone always has input. Madden asked Punk if things have really change in WWE or if it’s just another McMahon being the star of the show.

“I think things aren’t going to change over night,” Punk said. “A few little things have already changed. Just the face they’re listening to different people is a step in the right direction. It’s going to take a while. Obviously I’m one who’s an advocate for any kind of change. Getting guys like Zack Ryder on TV is a step in the right direction. He’s entertaining, that’s the bottom line. Is he going to main event WrestleMania this year? No. Maybe he will in a couple of years, you never know. I’m just happy what little change has been implemented thus far has been implemented.”


Punk says people have been making comparisons to what’s happening now and the Attitude Era but added that he isn’t trying to fill Steve Austin’s shoes. Punk is trying to do something completely different – make it fun again, he said. Punk said he hopes he is making everyone tune in next week to see what’s going on because that’s his goal.


Regarding John Cena, Punk acknowledged that he has said some nasty things about his SummerSlam opponent but put him over as someone who loves what he does and a hard worker for WWE. Punk said everything he has said about “Dwayne” is absolutely 100% true.


“I’m in a position now where I think I can call guys out on it,” Punk said about The Rock. “I have no personal problems against Dwayne. It’s very frustrating being here and watch a guy come in and get credit for a WrestleMania buyrate when he didn’t do anything on the show. He certainly didn’t do anything entertaining. There’s a line he crossed at some point where I think he is just as out of touch as the Vince McMahons and everybody else. I’m not calling Rock old, he’s still obviously a young physical fit guy but his ideas are old and his shtick is corny in my opinion. Hopefully when my ideas are old and my shtick is corny, there’s some young punk that’s going to call me out on it. Hopefully Dwayne takes it as, “ok when I come here I have to step it up”, and hopefully he does.”

RAW RESULT 8/8

Tonight’s WWE RAW kicks off with Triple H as the “WWE COO” makes his way out to a nice reaction from the fans.

Michael Cole, Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler are on commentary as The Game makes his way into the ring. Triple H talks about CM Punk vs. John Cena and says change has been a big thing around here lately. He talks about going from no WWE Champion and Vince McMahon to he being in charge and there being two WWE Champions. Triple H says he will solve that problem at SummerSlam and there will be 1 undisputed winner, 1 undisputed WWE Champion. He says how do you determine that there will be one undisputed champion? You empower one man to be the answer. Someone that won’t be pushed around or intimidated. Someone who’s authority will be respected and absolute. Triple H says he’s found that man and he’s larger than life. Triple H says this man casts a shadow over the entire WWE. This man is… him.

Triple H says he is the only man he can trust right now. He will be the special referee at SummerSlam in the WWE Title match. Triple H says Cena and Punk will be in action tonight and Cena is up next.

John Cena vs. Jack Swagger

Out comes WWE Champion John Cena for tonight’s opener. Triple H and Cena have words after he enters the ring about SummerSlam. We go to commercial before Cena’s opponent comes out.

Back from commercial and out comes Cena’s opponent, Jack Swagger. Swagger runs his mouth to Cena as he enters the ring and starts jogging around.

The bell rings and they lock up. Swagger takes Cena to the mat. Swagger mounts Cena from behind and smacks him in the head. Swagger shows off and Cena takes advantage. Cena takes control and suplexes Swagger for a 2 count. Cena with a headlock now. Cena with a shoulder block and a splash in the corner. Cena dropkicks Swagger and covers or 2. Cena works on Swagger’s arm now.

Swagger counters and hits a belly-to-belly suplex on Cena for a 2 count. Swagger stomps away on Cena in the corner before the referee pulls him away. Swagger whips Cena hard into the corner and he goes down. Swagger with a Swagger Bomb from the second rope and another 2 count. Swagger with a submission now. Cena fights out with a suplex but Swagger drops him in the corner again. Swagger with a shoulder block and another 2 count. Another hard whip into the corner and Cena goes down. Swagger clips Cena’s knee out and shows off some more. Swagger goes for the ankle lock but Cena counters with an STF. Swagger counters and they run the ropes. Cena with shoulders and a big back drop. Cena hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle and an Attitude Adjustment for the win.

Winner: John Cena

- We get more hype for the WWE Title contract signing. The Miz vs. Rey Mysterio is announced for tonight. Back to commercial.

- Back from the break and Scott Stanford is speaking when Ricardo Rodriguez interrupts him and introduces Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio talks about how CM Punk ran from him at Money in the Bank in Chicago and calls him a coward. Del Rio says tonight, he is going to show Punk what ill happen.

- We see some highlights from the R-Truth and John Morrison feud. Truth is backstage with Josh Matthews. He asks Truth why he would take advantage of his former friend John Morrison. Truth rambles on and says he’s going to stomp Morrison into the mat tonight.

- Up next is The Miz vs. Rey Mysterio. Back to commercial.

The Miz vs. Rey Mysterio

Back from commercial and out comes Rey Mysterio to a nice reaction. Before Rey can make it down the ramp, The Miz attacks him and lays him out on the stage. Miz throws Rey into the big W and repeatedly slams his face into the base. Miz runs and kicks Rey’s head into the steel as referees try to get him back. Miz taunts Rey and then makes his way to the ring as referees tend to him.

Miz heads down to the ring and is met by Michael Cole. Miz is upset that all the emphasis is on Cena vs. Punk for SummerSlam and he doesn’t even have a match. Miz is pissed and talks about how he’s all over TV and the internet. If he has to do that to Mysterio to get attention, so be it. Miz demands a referee come out and declare him the winner by forfeit. A referee runs down and tells Miz no. It’s announced that Triple H demands that The Miz compete in a new match right now. Miz is irate as Kofi Kingston’s music hits and out he comes.

The Miz vs. Kofi Kingston

The bell rings and they go at it. Miz pushes Kofi back into the corner. Kofi ducks clotheslines and a kick. Kofi fires back with kicks and a headlock. Miz breaks it and applies a headlock of his own. Miz with a shoulder block but then runs into a dropkick from Kofi and a 2 count. Miz keeps in control and charges in the corner. Kofi stops him in mid-air and unloads with right hands. Kofi clotheslines Miz to the floor and suicide dives through the ropes. Kofi rolls back in the ring and we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and Miz has Kofi on the mat in a headlock. During the break, Kofi leaped to the outside but Miz caught him in the apron and clotheslined him. Kofi fights out of the headlock now. They trade pins and Miz clotheslines him. Miz with the big clothesline in the corner. Miz goes up top and comes down with a double ax handle for a 2 count. Back and forth now. Kofi fights back with chops and a dropkick. Miz counters with a backbreaker. Kofi blocks a neckbreaker and hits a big crossbody from the top for 2. Miz takes back control and gets another 2 count.

Miz runs into a kick to the head from Kofi. Miz still takes Kofi up top for a superplex but Kofi blocks it. Kofi powerbombs Miz to the mat for a 2 count. Miz ducks Trouble in Paradise but Skull Crushing Finale is blocked. Miz counters Kofi now and hits the SCF for the win.

Winner: The Miz

- Matthews catches up with WWE Champion CM Punk backstage. Punk says Triple H has a bigger ego than his father-in-law. Punk says Triple H needs the spotlight, which is why he put himself as the special referee for SummerSlam. Punk says what’s good for business is he beating Cena for the WWE Title. Punk says now he’s going to go kick Alberto Del Rio’s teeth down his throat. We go to commercial as Punk walks off to the ring.

Alberto Del Rio vs. CM Punk

Back from the break and Ricardo Rodriguez introduces Alberto Del Rio, who comes driving in a 2010 Audi. Del Rio makes his way to the ring with the Money in the Bank briefcase. Cult of Personality hits next as WWE Champion CM Punk makes his way out. The bell rings and they lock up.

They break and lock up again. Del Rio takes Punk down in the corner and stops away. Del Rio goes to work on Punk’s arm now. The crowd chants for Punk as he fights back and elbows Del Rio down. Punk with a big kick and shoulder thrusts in the corner. Punk charges but Del Rio moves and he hits the ring post. Del Rio pulls on Punk’s arm and uses the ring post on it. Del Rio comes back in and hits an armbar takedown for a 2 count. Del Rio goes back to work on the arm now.

Punk tries to come back but Del Rio drops down and gets another 2 count. Del Rio runs the ropes and charges but Punk moves and he lands on the floor. Punk blocks a clothesline when Del Rio comes back in and hits a neckbreaker. Punk with knees to the head now. Punk hits a high knee to the jaw in the corner and then a bulldog as the crowd pops. Punk springboards in with a clothesline. Punk signals for the GTS. Del Rio slides out of it and throws Punk back into the ring post. Del Rio drops Punk with a backstabber for a 2 count.

Punk blocks the armbar and hits Del Rio with a roundhouse kick to the head. Punk nails GTS for the win.

Winner: CM Punk

- We get more hype for tonight’s contract signing. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and we see a clip from last week of Beth Phoenix attacking Kelly Kelly.

Beth Phoenix vs. Eve Torres

We go to the ring and out comes Beth Phoenix with a smile on her face. Her opponent Eve Torres is out next.

The bell rings and they go at it. Beth dumps Eve on the apron but she lands on her feet. Beth knocks Eve to the floor and goes out after her. Beth tosses Eve be her hair into the fan barrier. Beth pulls Eve back in the ring and gets a 2 count. Beth continues the assault on Beth. Beth with a big elbow drop and a 2 count.

Eve blocks a backbreaker and kicks Beth into the ropes. Eve with a kick to the mouth. Beth throws Eve into the corner and eventually takes her to the mat with another kick. Eve goes up top for a moonsault but Beth knocks her down. Beth pulls Eve down and hits the Glam Slam for the win.

Winner: Beth Phoenix

– After the match, Beth takes a mic. She’s sick of Divas like Eve and Kelly Kelly making a mockery of the division. Beth says no more booty popping, no more splits and no more stinkfaces. Beth leaves the ring but stops and turns around to ask Eve a question. Divas Champion Kelly Kelly runs down the ramp and attacks Beth from behind, laying her out. Kelly tends to Eve in the ring as her music hits and Beth stares on from the ramp.

– John Morrison vs. R-Truth is still to come tonight. Back to commercial.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Alex Riley

Back from the break and out comes the WWE United States Champion Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero. His opponent Alex Riley is out next. Riley takes the mic before the match and tells Vickie her breath smells like death took a dump in her mouth. The bell rings and here we go.

Riley clotheslines Dolph for an early 2 count. Dolph comes back and unloads on Riley, stomping away in the corner. Riley comes back with a shoulder and goes for a scoop slam. Dolph counters that and applies the sleeper hold. Riley breaks the hold and rams Dolph back into the corner. Riley catches Dolph in mid-air and htis a spinebuster. Vickie enters the ring and yells at Riley before slapping him, causing the DQ.

Winner by DQ: Alex Riley

– After the match, Dolph gets in the ring and yells at Vickie for costing him the match. Riley nails Dolph, knocking him into Vickie and they both go down. Riley leaves the ring laughing as Vickie and Dolph continue to yell at each other. Vickie waves goodbye at Dolph, still screaming, as she leaves the ring and heads to the ramp.

- Back from the break and we get a nice video package for John Cena and CM Punk, going back to Money in the Bank.

R-Truth vs. John Morrison

R-Truth makes his way to the ring next as we go back to commercial. John Morrison is out after the commercial. The bell rings and they go at it. Morrison unloads with offense early on and goes for a pin attempt. Morrison with an uppercut. Morrison mounts Truth again with more right hands. Truth ends up on the floor. Morrison corkscrews over the top rope and takes out Truth on the floor.

They go at it on the floor now. Morrison unloads from the fan barrier with right hands. Morrison stands up on it but Truth takes his leg out. Morrison falls and hits the back of his head hard on the barrier. Truth brings it back in the ring and stomps away on Morrison. Truth with a 2 count. Truth with a headlock now. Truth slams Morrison on his face. Morrison blocks a move and comes back with right hands in the corner. Truth drops Morrison on his neck out of nowhere for the pin and the win.

Winner: R-Truth

– We see Triple H and John Laurinaitis backstage going over the WWE Title match contract for SummerSlam. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and Michael Cole talks briefly to World Heavyweight Champion Christian about his SummerSlam match against Randy Orton. Christian says Triple H will want to hear what he has to say on Friday’s SmackDown.

– We go to the ring where John Laurinaitis and Triple H are. A table is set up for the contract signing and the black ring apron is out. WWE Champion CM Punk comes out first followed by WWE Champion John Cena.

Both titles are on the table as Punk and Cena sit down. Triple H wants to cut right to the chase but Punk interrupts him. Punk says this whole thing is all for show. He says contract signings always end in some kind of fight. Punk says if Triple H wants to cut to the chase, they can flip the table over now and get started. Punk rips on The Chaperone. Triple H asks Punk how his movie was. Punk says his went straight to DVD, just like Triple H’s. Punk shows Facebook videos from The Rock on the big screen of Rock trashing Cena.

Punk says Rock is right about Cena being a phony but Rock is just as big as a phony as Cena is. Punk goes to sign the contract but Cena interrupts him. Cena says Punk has the fans going crazy and he likes that. Cena talks about everything The Rock has done and mentions him filming GI Joe right now. Cena says Rock shouldn’t complain about anything with all the success he has. Cena says Rock looks at him and just flips out for some reason. Punk says he didn’t show the clip so Cena should go off on The Rock. Cena says Punk thinks he’s a product of the system, a little too PG. Maybe a modern-day Hulk Hogan, he says. Cena says he can never win over “the millions.” He says Punk has fans of his own and mocks Punk’s fans and some of the things they might say, according to Cena. Cena goes on and says he won’t give up on his fans, the people he cares about. Cena says nothing is phony about that. Cena says Punk throws stones and lives in a glass house.

Triple H chimes in. Punk asks Laurinaitis if he personally fired Vladimir Kozlov or Harry Smith on Friday. Punk brings up Chris Master’s release and wonders if Laurinaitis just called him up on the phone and future endeavored him. Punk tells Triple H not to call him gutless because Laurinaitis does Triple H’s dirty work. A big CM Punk chant breaks out. Punk tells Cena that this is about them and the WWE Title. Punk recalls winning WWE’s ECW Title years ago. Punk says the next day, Cena patted him on the back and congratulated him, saying “I almost gave up on you.” Punk says he holds grudges and since then, he’s had a sour taste in his mouth when it comes to Cena. Punk says Cena gave up on his dream when he moved to California to be a bodybuilder and ended up being a sports entertainer because he couldn’t hack it. Punk says he set out to be a pro wrestler and made it. Punk says he held up to WWE to get the same opportunities that Cena is given.

Punk says Cena will leave SummerSlam with nothing, nothing at all. He will still have his role in The Marine 4, his match with Dwayne and his legions of fans that pee in their pajamas when they think of him but Punk will be the WWE Champion, he says. Cena looks humbled throughout this, except when he’s smirking. Another Punk chant breaks out. Cena tells Punk that was a great speech. Cena tells Punk he won one match at Money in the Bank, he has every right to be called the WWE Champion. Cena asks Punk if he has thought what happens if he actually loses at SummerSlam. Cena says Punk is right, he will face The Rock either way at WrestleMania. Cena says Punk needs this match more than anything because he now has people watching him. Cena says if Punk doesn’t back it up on Sunday, he’s nothing but a loud mouth, one-hit wonder. Punk will be known with the other one-hit wonders, Cena says. All of is this is gone for Punk, just like that, if he doesn’t win at SummerSlam. Cena wishes Punk good luck. Punk says luck is for losers and he would much rather be a one-hit wonder than a phony.

Cena says they have been talking long enough and stands up to fight. Punk says he can also kick Cena’s teeth down his throat. They throw the table aside and come face to face. Laurinaitis steps in between them. Punk reaches out to kick Cena but Laurinaitis gets laid out. Cena charges Punk with a right hand and it hits Triple H, it looks like. Punk goes to the floor and asks if the fix is in with Cena and Triple H together. RAW goes off the air with Punk having words with Cena and Triple H from the floor.

INFAMOUS BRET HART VS SHAWN MICHAELS SCREWJOB WILL BE FEATURED ON DVD

The infamous Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels match from the 1997 WWE Survivor Series will be appearing only on the Blu-ray version of their upcoming WWE Rivalries set. Below is the full list of Blu-ray exclusives:

Vince McMahon Interviews Shawn Michaels & Bret Hart
Raw – 3rd February, 1997


Bret Hart Promo In Ring
Raw – 12th May, 1997


Hart Foundation Promo In Ring
Raw – 19th May, 1997


WWE Championship Match
Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels
Survivor Series – 9th November , 1997

WWE PLANNING FOR A PRE-RAW SHOW FOR THEIR CABLE NETWORK

Below are some highlights from Vince McMahon’s conference call with WWE investors on Thursday morning:

* WWE Studios took a $3.3 million loss on That’s What I Am but are still confident in their movie division and will continue rolling new titles out.

* WWE is moving forward with plans for a live, arena-based show to air at 8pm EST on Monday nights going into RAW at 9pm. No word yet if it will air on the USA Network or not.

* WWE is looking at getting either NXT, Superstars or both back on a TV network before the end of this year.

* Regarding the WWE cable network, the company has meetings with more potential distributors in the next few weeks. WWE is still on track for the previously announced projected launch in 12-18 months from the first of the year. Vince McMahon is confident that the network will be a success.

* Vince revealed that UFC recently failed in negotiations for a network with NBC and thinks WWE has much more to offer in a network.

VINCE MCMAHON SAYS WWE IS ENTERTAINMENT UFC IS SPORTS

Vince McMahon said during the investors call yesterday that his recent meeting with UFC President Dana White was more social than anything else, but they did talk some business. Vince was asked if WWE and UFC would hook-up to start a network together and he said no, because WWE is entertainment and UFC is sports.

CM PUNK SIGNED A 5 YEAR DEAL?

WWE reportedly offered CM Punk a five-year deal at one point. No word yet if what he ended up signing was for that long.

Regarding Punk and Vince McMahon, it’s said that Punk now has Vince’s ear when it comes to ideas. It was described as similar to Shawn Michaels year ago when he began moving up in the company and Vince would bounce ideas off Shawn, or Shawn would suggest ideas to Vince.

VINCE MCMAHON BREAKING POLICY FOR CM PUNK'S RETURN

It was noted that CM Punk got Vince McMahon to do something he has had a policy against doing in most cases – pay royalty rights to use popular songs instead of WWE-created music, as Punk used Living Colour’s “Cult of Personality” on Monday’s RAW.

WWE WANTING PERSONALITY CONFLICT

There’s a mentality in WWE right now that they can hire talented soap opera writers at a lower price than in the past before because of the collapse of the soap opera genre. WWE is hiring new writers, most with a soaps background, because they want WWE programming to feature more personality conflict – as seen with the Vince McMahon and Triple H angle at the end of Monday’s RAW.

WHY JOHN LAURINAITIS CAME WITH VINCE MCMAHON AT MONEY IN THE BANK?

Part of the reason John Laurinaitis was with Vince McMahon at Money in the Bank for the run-in is because Vince has been told by his doctors not to take any bumps.

BACKSTAGE NEWS ON JOHN LAURINAITIS

 WWE is looking to hire someone with a sports background to groom for working in talent relations. There is lots of talk within WWE about John Laurinaitis and his long-term future with the company. It’s no secret that Triple H isn’t a fan of Laurinaitis and Laurinaitis has always been compared in a negative way to Jim Ross when it comes to talent relations. It was discussed after Money in the Bank that Laurinaitis may be established as a new TV character, similar to how Patterson and Brisco were to Vince McMahon years ago.

MORE NEWS ON CM PUNK'S STORYLINE WITH WWE

 As noted before, some of the CM Punk and WWE storyline is expected to play out in other outlets beside WWE TV. Word is that the idea for now is to try a unique balancing act with Punk to be kept in the news with the WWE Title while WWE acts like he doesn’t exist. WWE has been calling in favors to try and get Punk booked on things like late night talk shows where they can continue the storyline.

WWE talents have been told not to mention Punk’s name in interviews for now, as well as on Twitter and Facebook. On Monday’s RAW, John Cena was scripted to slip-up and mention Punk’s name. Also before RAW hit the air, Justin Roberts announced that WWE management has banned the fans from chanting Punk’s name – which just led to them chanting it, as seen on TV.

BACKSTAGE NEWS ON VINCE MCMAHON

 The long-term plan for Vince McMahon to lighten his WWE duties in real life was for his current run to end around WrestleMania 28, with Triple H taking over the day-to-day activities. Even then, Vince will still oversee everything and won’t be going anywhere.

This marks the fifth straight year that Vince has written himself off WWE TV in some form or fashion. In 2007 he was blown up in a limousine, 2008 saw the RAW set fall on top of him, in 2009 he sold WWE to Donald Trump in the storylines but still appeared some and last year, he was beat up by Nexus and put in a coma.

STORYLINE UPDATE OF TRIPLE H AND VINCE MCMAHON

For those still wondering, the end of RAW last night with Triple H and Vince McMahon was part of the storylines with a little bit of real life thrown in there as Triple H has been groomed for a year now to take over Vince’s duties. WWE’s website is teasing that the company’s latest evolution captained by Triple H begins next week on RAW with the crowning of a new WWE Champion.

WWE RAW JULY 18 PHOTOS: VINCE RELIEVED FROM HIS DUTIES PART III

WWE RAW JULY 18 PHOTOS: VINCE RELIEVED FROM HIS DUTIES PART II

WWE RAW JULY 18 PHOTOS: VINCE RELIEVED FROM HIS DUTIES PART I

WHAT HAPPENED AFTER TONIGHTS RAW

Vince McMahon thanked the crowd and said it's not about him but about "that son of a bitch" John Cena. He took of his coat and tie and called out Cena. Cena came with a mic and made fun of Vince a bit and said he didn't want to fight Vince. He offered Vince the mic and Vince said "screw you" and tried to start something physical by slapping off Cena's hat.

Ziggler, The Miz, and R-Truth came and beat up Cena. Zack Ryder, Santino Marella, and Evan Bourne made the save. Ziggler was surrounded by the faces and begged forgiveness. Cena slammed him and gave him the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Then the Cobra, an AA and Air Bourne to send the crowd home happy.