SummerSlam 2009 Notes

NOTES FROM SUMMERSLAM

• Both CM Punk and Jeff Hardy are said to be pretty bruised up, but not seriously injured after their brutal TLC match for the World Heavyweight championship at SummerSlam last night.
  
  
• Shane McMahon was spotted outside the Staples Center in L.A. after SummerSlam last night, so he was in attendance for the show backstage.
  
  
• According to PWInsider.com, the "fan run-in" spot at SummerSlam was listed in the official script for the show, so everyone involved knew it was going to happen ahead of time.
  

WWE SummerSlam 2009 Results

WWE SummerSlam 2009 Results

Dark Match:

- Beth Phoenix won a 15-Diva Battle Royal prior to tonight’s WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view with Chavo Guerrero as the special referee. Beth was able to get the win after Chavo Guerrero interfered and eliminated Kelly Kelly and Even. The face Divas beat Chavo up until Hornswoggle speared him and hit a Tadpole Splash.

WWE SummerSlam Opener:

- The particiapnts for tonight’s show are shown on graphics and DX is making shadow figures on it. They do a little skit where they basically announce they’re back. The pyro hits and we go to the Staples Center in Los Angeles where Jim Ross welcomes us to SummerSlam.

WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler

Mysterio is out first with yellow and purple gear to a big pop.

Ziggler is out to not much of a reaction at all, but he still plays up his cocky heel persona. Grisham reminds us that the last time these two met at a PPV, Mysterio came out on top with the 619. We get the opening bell and Ziggler immediately beats on Rey in the corner. Rey tries to turn the tide, but Ziggler hits a powerslam for a couple of near falls.

Ziggler stomps on Rey in the corner, but when he goes for an Irish whip, Mysterio reverses, and hits a standing moonsault off the top turnbuckle for a near fall. Myster sends Ziggler to the outside with a low bridge, and follows him out with a hurricarana to the floor. Back in the ring, the two men fight it out on the top turnbuckle, with Mysterio sending Ziggler to the mat. Rey almost botches a hurricarana, but Ziggler catches him, and powerbombs him in the corner for another near fall. Ziggler pounds on Mysterio while Mysterio lays on the mat before locking in a rear chin lock.

There’s a small Ziggler chant surprisingly. Ziggler continues to beat down on Rey landing a jumping elbow and going right back to the rear chin lock. Ziggler locks in a body scissors and Rey refuses to quit. Rey fights out of the chin lock and sends Ziggler into the corner, but Ziggler manages to catch Rey with a nasty lariat and a single leg gut buster. Ziggler goes for what has to be his tenth pinfall, but when Mysterio kicks out again, Ziggle locks in the rear chin lock with a body scissors once more.

Rey manages to fight out of the submission again and he ducks a running Ziggler, who hits the top turnbuckle. Mysterio hits a seated senton, and a kick to the side of Ziggler’s head that puts Ziggler down for a two count. Rey goes for a springboard dive, but gets caught mid-air by a dropkick from Ziggler.

Ziggler misses Rey in the corner again and almost falls victim to a roll up, but Ziggler sits down on Mysterio and gets a two count himself. Ziggler throws Mysterio into the corner and goes for the belly to back suplex, but Mysterio reverses out and hits an enzugiri. Ziggler ducks a 619 attempts and pulls Mysterio’s feet out from under him. Ziggler charges Mysterio in the corner, but Mysterio gets the boot up. Mysterio rolls up Ziggler, but Ziggler is able to kicks out at two. Dolph tries for a body slam, but Mysterio counters with a DDT, that’s good for another near fall. Mysterio sends Ziggler into the ropes and hits the 619, but Ziggler avoids the springboard splash. Ziggler pins Mysterio, but Mysterio kicks out at two.

Ziggler is getting a pretty surprising amount of love from these fans here tonight, as he hits a running kick to the side of Mysterio’s head. Both men are on the top turnbuckle. Ziggler looks to be going for a second rope gut buster, but Mysterio reverses out with a hurricarana. Mysterio pins Ziggler and gets the three to retain.

Winner: Rey Mysterio

- Jack Swagger and MVP are backstage with Josh Matthews. Matthews says some people would consider this match a culture clash. Swagger says that on one side you have the All American American, and on the other side you have an ex-con. Swagger says MVP may have some talent, but all he amounts to is a stepping stone for Swagger. MVP says he wishes he had all the things Swagger had growing up. MVP says he made some bad decisions, but he paid for that. MVP says that when Swagger was in the NCAA, he won a trophy, when MVP was in DOC, he fought for his right to live. MVP says tonight Swagger goes back to school and gets taught by MVP.

MVP vs. Jack Swagger

Jack Swagger is out first followed by MVP to a nice pop. MVP and Swagger lock up, but it’s not long before Swagger bails to the floor. MVP follows him out though with a dive over the top rope.

Swagger is able to get an advantage though back in the ring, as he press slams MVP into the top turnbuckle. Swagger sends MVP into the ropes and hits him with a couple of forearms to the lower back. Swagger locks in an abdominal stretch, pounding on MVP’s ribs to cause even more damage. MVP fights out of the hold, but gets caught immediate with a huge lariat from Swagger. Swagger tries for a pin twice, but he can only come up with a two count.

Swagger locks in an abdominal stretch, but MVP is able to stand up with Swagger on his back, and send Swagger crashing to the mat, falling on his back. Swagger and MVP duke it out in the middle of the ring with MVP getting the advantage.

MVP hits the Ballin’ elbow, and goes for the pin, but Swagger kicks out at two. MVP goes for the playmaker, but Swagger counters out and sends MVP into the turnbuckle. Swagger rolls up MVP and grabs the tights, but MVP still kicks out. Swagger goes for the Vader bomb, but MVP gets his knees up and hits the big boot in the corner. MVP hits the playmaker, covers Swagger and gets the three.

Winner: MVP

- Lawler and Cole hype the ‘celebrities’ on hand tonight like Luke Perry of 90210 fame. This leads us into a video package running down the list of celebrities that have come to host Monday Night RAW over the past few weeks. Nancy O’Dell from Access Hollywood takes a mic at ringside and thanks WWE for helping with her charitable causes. She talks to Freddie Prinze Jr. at ringside, who says he can’t wait to see John Cena take the WWE Title from Randy Orton tonight. Not a good segment on Nancy’s part.

WWE Unified Tag Team Title Match: Big Show and Chris Jericho vs. Cryme Tyme

Out first is the WWE Unified Tag Team Champions with a new, much better theme music. Jericho cuts a promo on all the celebrities in attendance and says he and Show are the biggest celebrities and most known. Out comes Cryme Tyme.

Jericho and JTG are the men that are going to start things off here tonight. The two lock up and Jericho locks in a headlock. JTG sends Jericho into the ropes, but he gets taken down by a shoulder block. JTG is quick to recover though with a spinning elbow and modified neck breaker. Jericho almost catches JTG in the walls of Jericho out of nowhere, but he can’t quite get it. He tries to slingshot JTG into the corner, but JTG lands nimbly and hits Jericho with a crossbody.

Jericho is able to make the tag to Big Show, who comes in and immediately starts dominating JTG. Show locks in a standing side headlock and buries a right hand in JTG’s stomach. Show stands JTG up in the corner and hits a huge chop, but when he charges JTG, JTG is able to get his feet up and make the hot tag. Shad comes in and cleans house on the champs, but gets caught with a spear that quickly kills his momentum. Big Show tags out to Jericho, but makes sure to get one more big chop on Shad before exiting the ring. Jericho and Show double team Shad, sending him to the mat. Jericho kicks away at Shad’s head, but when he charges Shad, Gaspard is able to get a big boot up. Jericho is able to prevent a tag, and he tags out himself to Show, who comes in and locks in a full nelson on Shad. Big Show slams Shad down to the mat, and he tags out to Jericho who comes in and promptly misses an elbow drop. Shad is still not able to make the tag though, as Jericho locks in a modified million dollar dream on Shad.

Shad is finally able to make the tag to JTG who comes in with a lot of quickness, stunning Jericho with a mug shot and even getting in a cheap shot on Big Show. JTG goes for a pin on Jericho, but Show breaks it up. Shad sends show to the outside with a big lariat, and JTG is able to get another near fall. Jericho is able to lock in the walls of Jericho and JTG will not give up. JTG reaches the ropes, but he gets caught with a big right hand from the Big Show. Jericho pins JTG and keeps him down for the three count.

Winners: Big Show and Chris Jericho

- Josh Matthews is standing backstage with CM Punk. Matthews asks him about the TLC match tonight, but Punk says he’d rather talk about something else. Punk says he found a screenplay about Jeff Hardy with an ending where Hardy ends up conquering his demons and beating Punk tonight at SummerSlam. Punk says it’s a nice story, but the only thing that’s wrong with it is that it’s fiction. Punk says that kids worship that hip cool star, and that nothing matters as much as it’s cool. Punk says they don’t make movies about guys like him because he doesn’t support their poison society. Punk says tonight he’s going to rewrite the end of the Jeff Hardy story, and it may be graphic, but it’ll have a happy ending, with CM Punk winning the Heavyweight Championship.

Kane vs. The Great Khali

We get a video showing the feud between Kane and The Great Khali. Out first is Kane followed by The Great Khali with his brother and translator, Runjin Singh.

Kane tries to avoid Khali for the first bit of the match, and when he tries for a bit of offense, Khali beats him down in the corner. Kane tries to Irish whip Khali, but Khali throws Kane over the top rope to the outside instead.

Back in the ring, Khali misses a leg drop, and Kane tries to take advantage hitting a lariat and following it up with a trio of elbows. Kane signals for the chokeslam, but Khali fights it off and tries for the choke bomb. Kane counters out of it, but gets caught with a huge clothesline. Khali pounds down on Kane and goes for a quick pin, but Kane kicks out at one.

Khali hits Kane with a big chop to the chest, but Kane fights back with a big boot. Kane goes up top and hits the leaping lariat, but when he pins Khali, he can only hold him down for two. Kane locks in a reverse chin lock and pounds down on Khali’s head with big forearms.

Khali fights his way back to his feet and sends Kane into the ropes, taking him down with an elbow and a big boot. Khali hits a chop to the top of Kane’s head, but it’s only good to keep him down for a two count. Khali locks in the vice grip but Kane is able to make it to the ropes to force a break. While he’s in the ropes, Kane grabs a hold of Khali’s brother. He uses that as an opportunity to distract Kane. Kane hits a low dropkick, follows it up with a DDT, and pins Khali for the three, and the win.

Winner: Kane

- Lawler and Cole hype more of the celebrities in attendance, Maria Menounous, Slash, and Robert Patrick. This, somehow, leads us into a video package about DX and Legacy.

DX vs. Legacy

Shawn Michaels and Triple H as DX are out first to a huge pop, lots of pyro and a new theme song. A US Army Jeep rolls out and ’soldiers’ make their way out, ’shooting’ up into the rafters. Hunter and Shawn finally show up at the top of the stage riding in on a tank. Wild stuff here.

Hunter and Shawn pose on the tank, which shoots it’s cannon as they do their crotch chop. DX throw out glow sticks to the crowd and they pop huge again as Lilian announces them. Hunter grabs a mic a says it’s been a long time coming, so ‘are you ready?’ he does the typical ‘for the thousands in attendance’ speech, throwing in Cody and Ted saying ‘you girls want a war, you got a war, so let’s get ready to SUCK IT’. Michaels grabs the mic and says if you’re not down with that, they have two words for you, letting the crowd finish it off. Long entrance. Legacy make their way out to the ring in much less impressive fashion. Hunter and Ted are going to be the two men to start things out tonight.

The two men lock up, going into the ropes a couple of times, forcing a break from the ref. DiBiase sends HHH into the corner, but Hunter comes right back out with a big lariat before taking DiBiase down with a suplex and hitting a running knee drop. DiBiase makes the tag, but Rhodes runs straight into a big knee from Hunter. Rhodes stands up and finds himself in between Hunter and Shawn. Rhodes slaps Michaels, prompting HBK to tag into the match. HBK takes Rhodes down immediately with a shoulder block, but Rhodes is able to duck a right hand and slap Michaels again.

DiBiase tags back into the ring, where he falls victim to chops from Michaels in the corner. Michaels is caught off guard though, and DiBiase takes advantage, sending him into the corner with a hard Irish whip. DiBiase tags out to Rhodes, who comes in and tries to make a quick pin, but can only come up with a two.

DiBiase makes his way back into the match and he locks in a rear chin lock. It’s not long though, before HBK is able to fight his way out of the submission attempt and catch DiBiase with a neckbreaker. This allows HBK to tag out to Hunter who comes in and cleans house on both members of Legacy. Rhodes is able to distract Hunter though, who falls victim to a slingshot into the corner. HHH is fast to recover though, hitting spinebusters on both members of Legacy.

DX sends Rhodes to the floor, they follow it up with HHH back body dropping Michaels over the top rope on top of Rhodes. DiBiase is able to take advantage of Hunter though while he’s distracted, and he and Rhodes double team HHH, stomping away on him in the corner. Ted locks in a rear chin lock and Michaels tries to get the crowd going. Hunter is almost able to make the tag, but Ted cinches in on the hold and takes HHH down to the mat.

Hunter is able to fight his way out of the submission attempt with a side belly to back suplex. DiBiase is able to make the tag first though and Rhodes makes his way in and hits a quick DDT on Hunter before locking in a front face lock. HHH continues to try and reach his corner but Rhodes will not let up on his front face lock. HBK is able to get the crowd behind Triple H, who lands a big overhead suplex on Rhodes. Rhodes is able to make the tag first and DiBiase runs in and quickly takes out Michaels on the ring apron.

Hunter and DiBiase trade right hands in the middle of the ring, with HHH getting the advantage by sending Ted to the outside. Rhodes sends DiBiase back into the ring where he makes the tag, but it’s too late as HHH is able to make the hot tag. HBK comes in and makes quick work of both members of Legacy. The numbers game catches up with Michaels though, as he’s caught from behind with a lariat by DiBiase.

Rhodes goes up top and tries for the flying elbow, but HBK rolls out of the way and Rhodes crashes and burns. Michaels goes up to the top himself, but he ends up getting crotched on the top turnbuckle by Rhodes. Rhodes attempts a superplex, but Michaels fights his way out, sending Rhodes to the mat. Michaels goes for the flying elbow himself, but Rhodes is able to get up his knees. Rhodes goes for a pin, but HBK kicks out at two.

HBK locks in the figure four out of nowhere, but DiBiase is able to make his way in and break it up. HHH goes for the pedigree on DiBiase, but Rhodes is able to break it up and hit a neckbreaker on Hunter. Rhodes hits the cross Rhodes on HBK, but Hunter is able to break up the pin attempt.Hunter makes his way in and hits the pedigree on Rhodes, but then Dibiase makes his way in and hits the dream street on Michaels. Hunter and Dibiase brawl to the outside where they end up on the wrong side of one of the broadcast booths. Both men are able to make it up before the ten count. HBK hits sweet chin music on Rhodes out of nowhere, he goes for the pin, and wins the match for his team.

Winners: DX

ECW Title Match: Christian vs. William Regal

Matt Striker and Josh Matthews take over commentary as the ECW Champion Christian makes his way out to the ring. Out next is William Regal and he has Vladimir Kozlov & Ezekiel Jackson with him.

As soon as the bell rings, Christian hits Regal from behind as he’s walking to take his coat off with the Killswitch. Christian gets the pin for the pinfall and win. Kozlov and Jackson come in the ring and the three beat Christian down. Regal, Kozlov and Jackson stand over Christian and raise their hands.

Winner: Christian

WWE Title Match: Randy Orton vs. John Cena

Cole and Lawler go over the rivalry between Orton and Cena, highlighting their tag match from earlier this week on Raw. No video package as we’re going straight into this match. Cena is out first to his usual big pop from the crowd. Out next is the WWE Champion Randy Orton.

Lillian does the formal introductions for Cena and Orton. Both men actually get a mixed reaction, with Orton getting a bit warmer of a reaction from these LA fans.Both men lock up with Cena quickly taking Orton down and locking in a front face lock. Orton is quick to get out of it though, and both men end up where they started on opposite sides of the ring. Orton catches Cena with a big fist to the face, and he follows it up by stomping down on Cena in the corner. Cena is quick to recover though as he pounds on Orton with big right hands and hits a bulldog. Cena sends Orton into the ropes, but he eats a high elbow that sends him to the mat.

Orton hits Cena with a big European uppercut and pounds down on Cena some more in the corner, sending him across the ring into the turnbuckle with a hard Irish whip. Orton kicks at Cena’s head and sends him across the ring again with another hard Irish whip. Orton circles Cena, stomping on his arms and legs. Orton hits Cena with a huge knee drop, and he goes for the quick cover, but he can only hold Cena down for two. Cena tries to get back into things with a couple of right hands, but he falls victim to an Orton backbreaker. Orton locks in a rear chin lock and we get a dueling Orton/Cena chant.

Orton continues to apply pressure by locking in a body scissors on Cena. Cena is able to fight his way out, standing up and backing Orton into the corner, forcing him to break the hold. Cena hits a couple running shoulder blocks and a side belly to back suplex. Cena hits the five knuckle shuffle and tries for the FU, but Orton fights out and hits a big powerslam that puts Cena down for a near fall. Orton stomps away on Cena’s arms and legs again before going for another knee drop. Cena avoids the knee drop this time, and tries to shift the momentum, but when he goes for a cross body block, Orton ducks the attempt and Cena flies to the outside.

Cena is able to make his way back to the ring, but Orton catches him with the rope assisted DDT. Orton pins Cena, but Cena is able to kick out at two. Orton sets up for the RKO, but Cena is slow to get up. Orton tries to punt Cena, but Cena moves out of the way. Cena hits a blockbuster and a top rope rocker dropper, but his pin attempt only gets him a two count. Cena tries for the FU, but Orton grabs onto the ropes. Cena drops Orton and both men charge into each other with clotheslines. Both men make it back to their feel before the ten count and the trade right hands in the middle of the ring with Orton getting huge cheers. Cena gets the advantage however with a big back body drop.

Orton gets himself DQed by shoving the ref, and the bell rings and Orton leaves with his belt. Lillian announces that Mr. McMahon has announced the match be restarted and if Orton gets DQed he will lose his belt, after she botches the announcement the first time. Really I don’t think anybody knows what just happened.

Cena immediately takes the fight to Orton and the fight spills to the outside. Cena sends Orton into the barricade, but Orton retaliates by sending Cena into the Steel ringside stairs. Orton sends Cena back inside and covers Cena, but Cena kicks out. Orton goes to the outside and grabs the belt, walking up the ramp and getting himself counted out. Orton makes it to the top of the ramp and the bell is rung again. Lillian announces that the match will be restarted once again with the stipulation that if Orton is DQed or counted out, he will lose the title.

Both men go for their finishers but neither are able to connect. Orton rolls Cena up out of nowhere, uses the ropes for assistance, and is able to hold Cena down for the three count. Another ref comes out and tells the first ref what happened. The first ref orders the match be restarted. Cena immediately locks in the STF, and when Orton goes for the ropes, Cena pulls him back into the ring. A fan jumps in the ring and attacks the referee, which allows Orton to roll to the outside.

Orton catches Cena with a shot to the face, enters the ring and hits the RKO for the pinfall and the win. Insane ending here.

Winner: Randy Orton

TLC Match for the World Heavyweight Title: Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk

The Title is hanging over the ring and ladders, chairs and tables are set up in intricate formations up and down the ramp as CM Punk makes him way to the ring. Out next is the World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy to a big pop. We get formal ring introductions.

Both men lock up with Punk pushing Hardy back into a corner where he beats down on him with knees and big right hands before stomping down on him. Punk sends Hardy to the outside, then goes outside himself and grabs a chair. Punk hits Hardy in the stomach with the chair before hitting him again across the back.

Punk grabs a ladder and quickly makes his way back into the ring trying to grab the belt, but Jeff is able to push the ladder over. Hardy is able to come back with some offense of his own, including a dropkick in the corner. Hardy goes for the ladder himself, but Punk makes his way back into the ring and kicks the ladder out from under CM Punk. Punk tries for the G2S, but Hardy fights out of it and shoves Punk into the ladder.

Hardy grabs a chair and sets it up in the middle of the ring. He charges Punk in the corner, but Punk catches Hardy and Slams in into the upright narrow end of the chair. Punk picks up a ladder and slams it down repeatedly on Hardy. Punk sends Hardy to the outside again, this time following him out with a suicide dive between the ropes on top of Hardy. Punk throws a chair into the ring and sets up a table beside one of the ring posts. Punk tries to wrap a chair around Hardy’s neck, but Hardy fights out, and then ducks a chair shot. Hardy tries to fights back against Punk. Hardy sends Punk into the stairs but Punk jumps up and back toward Hardy, where he’s met with a chair to the face. Hardy sets up a chair and uses it as a launching pad to hit Punk with a big kick. Hardy sets Punk up on a table on the floor and climbs up to the top rope. Hardy dives off with a big splash, but Punk rolls out of the way and Hardy falls through the table down to the floor. Punk grabs an even bigger ladder than the one already in the ring and he makes his way back into the ring. Punk sets up the ladder under the belt and begins to make his way up.

Hardy makes his way back into the ring and jumps over Punk on the ladder, almost reaching the belt. Punk tries for a G2S off the ladder, but Hardy is able to counter into a sunset flip powerbomb off the ladder. Hardy begins to make his way slowly up the ladder and he gets his hands on the title, but Punk tips the ladder over, sending Hardy into the top turnbuckle. Punk grabs Hardy by the hair and pulls him up to the top turnbuckle. Punk superplexes Hardy off the top turnbuckle with both men landing on the ladder.

Punk tries to suplex Hardy on the ladder again, but Hardy fights out and surprises Punk with a twist of fate. Hardy goes to the top turnbuckle and tries for the swanton bomb, but Punk is able to get his knee up to cause more damage to the back of Jeff Hardy. Punk hits the high knee in the corner, but when he goes for the bulldog, Hardy picks him up, and sends him to the outside, through the table that Punk set up earlier. Hardy sets up the ladder and Punk makes his way up to the ring apron. Punk springboards off the top rope and hits a flying forearm on Hardy before sending him to the outside. On the outside Punk wraps a chair around Hardy’s neck, but Hardy is able to avoid being run into the ring post. Hardy grabs a chair himself and wails away on Punk. Hardy grabs a table, and starts dismantling the ECW announce table, hitting Punk with a moniter before hitting Punk with another chair.

Hardy sets Punk up on the announce table, whacks him in the head with a chair and pulls out a HUGE ladder. Hardy climbs to the top of the HUGE ladder and jumps off nailing Punk with a sick swanton bomb.

Medics come out to the announce table area and put Jeff in a neck brace and on a stretcher. Punk makes his way back into the ring and Hardy fights his way off the stretcher. Punk starts to climb the ladder just as Jeff falls back into the ring. Hardy makes his way up on the other side and the two slug it out and both grab for the belt. Punk kicks Hardy in the ribs, punches him in the face and sends him to the mat. Punk rips down the title for the win.

Winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: CM Punk

After the match, Punk stands over Hardy and celebrates with his World Title. The lights go out and The Undertaker’s bells start tolling. The lights come back on and CM Punk is smiling with his belt. He is no longer standing over the body of Jeff Hardy - it’s The Undertaker. Taker chokeslams Punk and lays him out. The Undertaker’s music hits and he makes his way up the ramp, knocking down ladders as Punk lays in the ring. SummerSlam goes off the air.

WWE: The Rock speaks on WWE to Hollywood transition

Finally...The Rock has done another interview


THE PEOPLE'S CHAMPION SPEAKS OUT

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently spoke to TheSun.co.uk about the transition from WWE to Hollywood. Here are some highlights:

ON GETTING INTO ACTING:

“Ten years ago I knew that I wanted to be a good actor as I wound down my wrestling career. There is a great amount of acting in wrestling and wrestling is a great form of entertainment. For me that training ground was really invaluable because I did not go to school for acting. I went to school for football and studied criminology. I knew it was going to take time and 10 years went by pretty quickly.”

ON HIS FATHER’S REACTION TO "THE WRESTLER":

“He didn’t take it very well. We lived the life that you saw in the movie, The Wrestler. That essentially was my dad. The character that Mickey Rourke played so wonderfully was my dad. So when I graduated from college and had an opportunity to play pro football, naturally it was easy for my father to say he did not want me to wrestle. He had nothing to show from a wrestling career. We lived in a one-bedroom apartment and he did not want that life for me. But instinctively I thought I had something to offer that world of entertainment. It took a little of convincing him but eventually we worked together. But being a parent I now understand where my dad was coming from.”

LIFE BEFORE THE ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS:

“I had a very checkered past. I got into trouble a lot and had multiple arrests. For a lot of years I struggled to stay on the right path. I had multiple arrests by the time that I was 17. The last time I was arrested, my parents came down to the police station to get me. My parents were struggling at that time, even to put food on the table. That was a lot of stress at that time and I was adding to it. When they came to the police station I remember their disappointment. For years the disappointment had never bothered me but for some reason this time the disappointment in their eyes moved me. And that was when I realized that I was causing a lot of pain for my parents and I did not want to continue to do that.“

FINAL THOUGHT

The only thing that is stopping The Rock from returning, is The Rock.

Here's hoping that Dwayne agrees to a rumoured guest host job on Raw

TNA: Taz replaces Don West

It's official - Taz is on the TNA commentary table


FROM SMACKDOWN TO IMPACT

The following was issued on TNAWrestling.com:

TAZ JOINS THE TNA ANNOUNCE TEAM THIS THURSDAY ON "iMPACT!"

TNA Wrestling fans - tune into "iMPACT!" this Thursday night to see the changes in the announce team as Taz assumes color commentating duties with Mike Tenay! Don West has been promoted within the TNA organization to oversee merchandise development and sales initiatives. TNA will release more specific details on Don West’s new role in TNA soon.

TNA: Kurt Angle speaks out on jail

Kurt Angle himself has spoken out on his recent "induction" into a local jail


THE THREE LIES

The following is from ThePittsburghChannel.com:

Olympic gold medalist and professional wrestling champion Kurt Angle says his live-in girlfriend got him arrested over the weekend on an alleged violation of a protection-from-abuse order after the two had broken up.

“I’m just going to let the judicial system take its course and I’ll be vindicated,” Angle told B-94’s “Buckhead and Bubba in the Morning” radio show on Wednesday. “I spent nine hours in the (Allegheny) county jail. I mean, it was degrading.”

Angle told B-94 that the alleged victim — who he said he wasn’t allowed to name, but who WTAE identified as Trenesha Biggers — asked to take his car and go to the store early Saturday morning. Soon after that, he says Moon police were at his door.

“The cops told me I had to leave. I didn’t even know why. I got out of there. If they tell me I’ve got to get out of my house, I’m leaving, I’m gone, and this girl ended up following me,” Angle said.

In the criminal complaint, Biggers — a pro wrestler who performs under the name “Rhaka Khan” — told police that she went to a Starbucks Coffee in Robinson Town Centre so she could use the Internet, and then she saw Angle circle the parking lot three times and stare at her while she was outside, so she called 911 and said Angle was stalking her. But Angle told the radio show that the woman had actually left his gated community after he did that morning.

“We got surveillance tape that shows she followed me out, and then she had me restrict the PFA by following me, so basically in a nutshell, that’s pretty much what happened,” Angle said.

Robinson Township police eventually pulled Angle over and found a capped syringe in his car and two vials of human growth hormone, for which Angle said he has a prescription related to a neck injury. He was charged with harassment, possessing the drugs and driving on a suspended license.

“The whole thing was just crazy,” Angle said. “I told the girl it wasn’t going to work out. She asked me for my car to go to the store, went to police, got a PFA. The police came to my door, kicked me out, put her in, and it’s been like that ever since, and I spent nine hours in the county jail.”

FINAL THOUGHT

Here's hoping Angle can get back on his A-Game. Here's also hoping that we have less "You got arrested" chants from the TNA crowd

UFC: Lesnar V Carwin Confirmed

The match has been made! Lesnar V Carwin at UFC 106

STRAIGHT FROM THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE

In an interview this morning, UFC president Dana White confirmed that Brock Lesnar will face Steve Carwin at UFC 106 in November:

"Brock is ready to go now and wants to fight. Carwin makes the most sense. He's 11-0 and he's been kicking the shit out of everybody. Gonzaga destroyed Cro Cop and he (Carwin) totally destroyed Gonzaga. Plus, he hates Brock Lesnar. It's going to be two huge guys going at it. He's got the power to knock anybody out and he's got great wrestling, too. He's one of the guys that has the size to match up with Brock, too."

Flair Bashes Hart

During an appearance on the Live Audio Wrestling radio show in Canada, Ric Flair sounded off on fellow WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart.

THE NATURE BOY V THE HITMAN

Flair stated:

“He is a pissant in the history of wrestling. He has the nerve to compare himself to me. Let’s get realistic. If you put Bret Hart in your left hand and me in your right hand, compare the career…who is he? I wrestled everybody in the business, for an hour each night. Harley Race, Dory Funk, Jack and Jerry Brisco, who is Bret Hart? He is a legend in his own mind. He lives in his own little world…he screws his own family around. Who is Bret Hart? In my world he is a nobody!”

The bad blood between the two apparently began in 2005 when Bret referred to Flair as “the most overrated guy in the history of the business.”

Goldberg Isn't Smarter than a 5th Grader

Bill Goldberg was featured on 'Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader' on Friday, July 24.

5TH GRADE'S NEXT!

Goldberg was the only person to drop-out with a total prize pool of... $0. The question he lost on was, "The plural form of 'Quiz' has how many letters?"

Goldberg answered 6, the correct answer was 7.

TNA Victory Road 2009 Results

TNA Victory Road 2009 Results

TNA Knockouts Championship Match
Angelina Love defeated Tara to become the new TNA Knockouts Champion


SINGLE MATCH
Matt Morgan defeated Daniels


SINGLE MATCH
Abyss defeated Dr. Stevie


IWGP Tag Team Title Match
Team 3D defeated The British Invasion


SINGLE MATCH
Jenna Morasca defeated Sharmell


TNA Legends Championship Match
Kevin Nash defeated AJ Styles to become the new TNA Legends Champion


TNA Tag Team Championship Match
Booker T and Scott Steiner defeated Beer Money to become the new TNA Tag Team Champions


Single Match
Samoa Joe (w/ Tazz) defeated Sting


TNA World Heavyweight Championship Match
Kurt Angle defeated Mick Foley

Lita speaks out on WrestleMania 25

ChangeTheRecord.net recently conducted an interview with Amy "Lita" Dumas to promote The Luchagors' upcoming tour of the UK, the pros and cons of the band's front woman being a former WWE Diva, her band's next album, and more.


WHY LITA DIDN'T PARTAKE IN THE DIVA BATTLE ROYAL

During the course of the interview, Dumas is asked if she was invited to take part in the 25-Diva Battle Royal at WrestleMania 25 and/or why she turned it down.


Here is what was said:

"...I did watch it, though. I was dying laughing, I was in stitches, rolling on the couch, thinking, “Thank God, I’m not there, because that is nothing I need to be a part of.” No, first of all, let me tell you this, because Kid Rock was playing for like forever, right? I was like, “Get out of the way, what is this guy doing?! Come on! I didn’t know this guy still sang!” and then, these girls started coming out and I’m thinking they’re like his hoes, his hired dancers, about to break out into some choreographed Beyoncé-shit, but then I realised and was like, “Oh my God!” I can only imagine them being like, “So, what we’re wanting you to do is: grab Kid Rock’s leg, start grinding up on it, then go into the ring and do a drop toehold.” I’d be like, “Absolutely not, under no circumstances.” So, yeah, that is why I did not do that match."

WWE Storyline Cancelled

A member of the WWE Smackdown creative team pitched an angle for the Dolph Ziggler and Maria storyline which would have had Ziggler blackmailing Maria with video footage.


THE SEX-TAPE SQUAD?

It would have been heavily implied that the footage was a sex tape, although they never would have come right out and said it. The proposed angle called for Ziggler threatening that he would show it to her family and friends, but not any of the fans.

The angle was rejected.

Ultimate Warrior in the WWE Hall of Fame 2010?

It is being reported that names being considered for induction into the WWE Hall of Fame next year includes the likes of The Honky Tonk Man, "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, and....the Ultimate Warrior.

Wrestlemania 26 weekend is in Arizona and it would make sense to induct Warrior/HTM since they are both from the area.

Warrior being inducted might be a long shot since there is still an ongoing lawsuit between Warrior and WWE. Vince McMahon has not made any final decisions yet regarding inductions for 2010.

Eugene returns to the WWE

Nick Dinsmore has signed a contract to return to World Wrestling Entertainment.


THE WORLDS MOST SPECIAL SUPERSTAR

For those wondering, he is indeed being brought back to the main roster as Eugene as they want him to help mentor some of the younger wrestlers, not to mention add more depth to the roster.

Prior to signing on the dotted line, WWE had Dinsmore undergo an extensive drug test to prove he's clean, including providing a hair sample. WWE previously released Dinsmore on September 1, 2007 as a result of issues with painkillers. A SmackDown taping took place that day with him being notified of his release following a company meeting and promptly being escorted out of the arena by security.

HBK Return Date, DX Reunion?

The date is set - The Showstopper is stopping the show at this years SummerSlam!


HEART BREAK RETURN

While some wrestling fans have expressed a desire to see a heel Shawn Michaels in 2009, that is not the plan–Michaels will soon return, as most expected, on the babyface side of the equation.

According to PWInsider.com, Michaels is still due back by Summerslam. It is believed that HBK will be working DX reunion matches with Triple H on the road this fall, although it has not been confirmed that WWE will bring the DX team back to television.

With Armageddon reportedly scheduled for San Antonio this December, there has already been talk of hometown Superstar Shawn Michaels challenging for the belt at that event.

John Cena talks SvR 2010, 12 Rounds, Heel Turn

John Cena was recently interviewed by ESPN.com to promote the Smackdown vs. RAW 2010 videogame and 12 Rounds on DVD.

Here are some highlights:

HEEL TURN?

"That’s the thing, I’m one of those guys who on any given day can be booed out
of any building. I’m the only guy who is neither a good guy or a bad guy. That’s
because I’m genuinely myself. Certainly, guys in our industry try to sway the audience one way or the other, but like I said, I go out there and I’m me. I
have certain things that I stand for, certain things that I believe in, and if you don’t like it and you tell me to go to hell, I think that’s your God-given right as a fan. It’s one of those deals where I’m that one guy who is outside of that realm of good guy, bad guy. I’m just me, and it elicits a response both positive and negative."

WHO HE SEES AS THE STARS OF THE FUTURE

"Now is a really good time because since the inception of WWE, there has always been that one, this is the guy. But now, you have a lot of possibilities, guys like Ted DiBiase Jr., The Miz, Cody Rhodes, Kofi Kingston and even a guy like MVP. These are guys who are all on the cusp. For the first time, we have all these guys who are ready to charge the gates and make a run to try and be the No. 1 guy on Raw."

Brock Lesnar: More Money than Mir?

UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar fights for many reasons, however he makes no bones about his love for collecting paychecks as massive as his stature. With the biggest event in MMA history just days away, Lesnar hopes to cash-in big time, in more ways than one.

“At the end of the day, you’ve got to be able to provide for your family,” Lesnar said of his unwillingness to fight for small paydays. “I mean this is a business for me and it just so happens that I make more money than [Frank Mir].”

That was an unexpected jab thrown by Lesnar, whether he intended to or not. Perhaps you would have to dive deeper into Lesnar’s financial history to completely understand where he is coming from.

“I’ve [gone through] blood, sweat and tears for 18 years,” Lesnar stated on yesterday’s UFC 100 conference call. “I’ve had a lot of time in the gym and gotten paid zilch."

“This is prize fighting for me. If you look at it any other way then you might as well fight in the underground, you know with bare knuckles and fight in the streets as far as I’m concerned.”

Although the former WWE employee is honored to be a part of this blossoming sport, specifically to headline an event as monumental as UFC 100, he isn’t about to fight for chump change. Regardless of what’s at stake.

“I enjoy getting up everyday and going to work,” Lesnar emphasized. “When this is all said and done and everything’s over with, I want to live comfortably. You put your body and your mind through so much discipline so I can honestly say ‘no,’ I wouldn’t fight for peanuts.”

Mir, the division’s interim champ, and Lesnar will battle on July 11th inside the Mandalay Bay Event Center in Las Vegas, Nevada to determine who will become the UFC’s undisputed heavyweight champ.

And that is something that money can’t buy.

Liddell and Mask to enter UFC Hall of Fame

Taken from UFC.com

By Thomas Gerbasi

One was perhaps the greatest light heavyweight of all-time, a feared striker who ruled the 205-pound weight class with an iron right hand and in doing so became mixed martial arts’ first crossover superstar.

The other was his close friend, a visionary who helped create a brand that is now synonymous with the sport, but who did it not with a ruthless business sense, but with an infectious enthusiasm and an attitude that could light up a room.

On Friday, July 10th, the UFC Hall of Fame inducts its two newest members, former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell and TapouT co-founder Charles “Mask” Lewis.

“I appreciate this gesture and I’m glad that people appreciate what I do and that they think that I deserve this, but I’m just one of the guys that fight out there,” said Liddell, who admitted that this crowning moment of his storied career does come with some bittersweet feelings due to the fact that he won’t be able to share it with his longtime friend Lewis, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident in March. “It’s gonna be a little rough being that it’s Charles and me, but for us to go in together, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The official UFC Hall of Fame ceremony will take place at the UFC Fan Expo on Friday, July 10th at 6:30pm. Liddell and Lewis join Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn, Randy Couture, and Mark Coleman in the UFC Hall of Fame.

CHUCK LIDDELL

Everyone knows who Chuck Liddell is. Camera crews follow him around, flocks of reporters jot down his every word, but remarkably, he remains the same person he’s always been. Sure, the bank account’s bigger, the clubs are nicer, and the trappings of fame more expensive "both literally and figuratively" but of anyone in professional sports today, Liddell has remained true to what got him here in the first place.

“I’ve got a lot of friends that I’ve hung out with for 10-15 years that still hang out with me, and I don’t think they’d let me start acting like a jerk,” he told me in 2006. “They knew me when I was the guy going to college and working behind the bar. Plus I still live in the same small town, and things like that (celebrity) aren’t really that big a deal around here. I think I’m a normal guy, and I try to be as normal as I can.”

That’s rare in a day and age where image and spin is everything. Liddell has the same Mohawk, the same trainer, the same friends, and the same attitude. He has always boiled fighting down to its no essence. For him, when he stepped into the Octagon, it was a fight �" not a chess match, not a clashing of styles or comparison of techniques. He was going to hit you, you were going to try to hit him, and more often than not, you were going to fall down. It was a fight, plain and simple, and no one wanted to win that fight more than him.

“Whether it was shooting pool or anything, I just hated losing. I’ve kind of moved that focus and tried to keep it to my professional life.”

That was bad news for the men he faced in the Octagon. From 2004 to 2007, he went on a tear that not only established him as the game’s unquestioned superstar, but as the most terrifying light heavyweight in the game. Strangely enough though, as Liddell’s fame grew, the respect he received (and still receives) from his peers never waned. Liddell was a true fighter’s fighter, and that’s an accolade you can’t buy or receive from newspaper clippings or television appearances.

“I think the reason people like me is because I’ll fight anybody, anywhere, I don’t talk bad about people that don’t deserve it, and I’m not a guy who’s out there trying to trash talk and make a name for myself,” said Liddell in 2006. “I earned the name that I have �" I went out and fought for it.”

And during his reign of terror over the UFC’s 205-pound weight class, he wasn’t beating cupcakes, as his seven fight unbeaten streak over that span included wins over world champions Randy Couture (twice) and Tito Ortiz (twice), as well as respected contenders like Babalu Sobral and Jeremy Horn. What made this run even more spectacular was that he won all of those bouts by knockout, punctuating each with the only outward sign of emotion you would ever see from him, a post-fight scream that became his trademark.

As UFC 100 approaches, the organization celebrates the career of the organization’s newest Hall of Famer. It’s a type of celebration that Liddell would probably do anything to steer clear of, as he was never about the attention, getting pats on the back, magazine covers, or glowing television features. He was always about the fight, and when asked a couple years ago how he would like to be remembered a hundred years from now, his answer wasn’t as terse as it usually was, and it spoke volumes.

“As a fighter,” said Liddell. “As someone who didn’t duck anyone, someone who fought everybody that came up, and that always came out there to fight tough. I love to fight, I love the fight game, and I went out there and performed.”

That he did.

MASK

A staunch supporter of mixed martial arts and one of the select few who can rightly claim to be a pioneer in the sport, Charles “Mask” Lewis started the TapouT clothing company with Dan Caldwell (aka Punkass) in 1997, not with a business degree and a marketing plan, but with a true love for a new sport that made an impact on him the first time he saw Royce Gracie win the first UFC tournament in 1993.

“I bought every color Gracie Jiu-Jitsu shirt,” said Lewis. “I don’t think they made it in pink, but if they had, I would have bought that too. (Laughs) It was like my armor when I went out into the world. I bet I could walk on water and the sea would part with this shirt on.”

Soon, Lewis would come up with his own armor �" shirts with the logo TapouT on them - and in the process of selling the shirts out of the trunk of his car and at local MMA shows, he helped build a brand that is synonymous with the sport today, one that you can find not only at every fight event, but in your local shopping mall. Needless to say, his perseverance paid off �" not only for the company, but for all the fighters it sponsored.

“Our shirt sales were doing two things,” Lewis explained. “It was going to make more shirts for the next show, and the biggest thing, we were paying for our fighters in the show. We had to sell enough shirts to pay our fighters at the end of

the night. And sometimes, it might have taken us selling at two shows to pay a fighter from the previous week, but they knew that. I was like ‘this is what we’ve got right here; we’ll give you this now, we’ve got another show next week, I’ll pay you the rest of the money next week, and if you come, we’ll even get you in the show free.’ To me, I’m a fighter. It was as though we were all on the same team. We were going to the same underground shows, and it’s always been that we’ve been in the foxhole fighting together. You don’t lie to the guy in the foxhole sitting next to you.”

Strangely enough, despite TapouT’s emergence as a multi-million dollar company, what people may remember Lewis most for is his unmistakable war paint and outfits that forever branded him as “Mask”.

“I don’t care if you call us the TapouT guys, TapouT crew, TapouT fools, two nerds and a cool guy �" you know who we are,” he said. “Mask allows me to give my true opinion at all times. Who cares about Clark Kent? I want Superman. Now that my name has come out and who me and Danny are, it’s okay, but the reason I used to fight it so hard in the beginning is ‘who cares?’ You don’t care about Bruce Wayne, Bruce Banner, Clark Kent �" you want the superhero. I hated Spider-Man 3 when Tobey Maguire was going around without his gear on. I was like ‘will you put your damn outfit on?’”

Then he would just laugh, and if you ever heard him let it loose, it was infectious. That’s how his personality was as well, and if you walked away from a conversation with him without liking him, there was something wrong with you.

Tragically, Mask, was killed in an automobile crash on March 11, 2009. Yet while the MMA world misses his presence, it will never forget him, and he will forever be immortalized in the UFC Hall of Fame.

Visit www.UFCFanExpo.com for information.

Hulk Hogan TNA?

In an interview with The Southtown Star, Hulk Hogan talked about various topics including the WWE vs. TNA war:

HULKAMANIA ON TNA?

Here are a few extracts from the interview:

"I watch both products. (TNA's) like the little engine that could. Everybody thought they wouldn't be around for long, and they've been chugging along for seven years. They gain momentum every week. They seem to be real fresh. When a lot of guys go over to that side of the fence, they seem to get a spring in their step," Hogan said. He added that he also watched the WWE product saying, " Vince is the constant. He's the standard of excellence. I just love watching his show because you never know what he is going to do. Plus, the production -- you can't even touch his production. It's so dialed-in. It's amazing just to see how they put the pieces together."

"If you look at history, everyone says, 'History repeats itself.' With all of the choices in the universe of entertainment, I look at the big package and look at the big picture from 40,000 feet. I see history repeating itself. I see TNA getting strong. I see Vince McMahon being impeccable except for a few little holes in the boat."

"TNA is lacking that one momentum-shifting move, that one big name that would even the playing field, the brand (that is) just as powerful as the WWE brand. (TNA's) lacking the big piece of the puzzle. It wouldn't matter who did what in the past. It will be a totally even playing field. You never know."

FINAL THOUGHT

I think this is another publicity stunt from Hogan, trying to weasel his way back into the wrestling world.

Matt Hardy Injury Update

Matt Hardy has posted a new blog on WWE Universe including a graphic photo of his abdomen following surgery on July 2. You can view the photo at this link.


TWIST OF FATE

Hardy said he knew he was injured half was through last week’s WWE Superstars triple threat match against MVP and Kofi in Green Bay:

"The triple threat match against MVP and Kofi in Green Bay was the straw that broke the camel's back. In a few days, I'm gonna post a tell-all blog on my WWE Universe page and fill everyone in on everything.”

He added:

“when Kofi gave me a cross body from the top rope, my intestines basically exploded out of my abdominal wall. And not just in one spot, but in two spots. It was so excruciatingly painful it's almost hard to describe. It felt like someone took a hot knife and sliced it deeply into my lower abdomen. I did my best to try and get through the remainder of the match, but I knew I was hurt badly. I had to have it fixed, or face major health problems. Problems that could have possibly killed me. So I had do what was good for me, my career, my friends, and my loved ones. And that was get it corrected and fixed.”

Hardy also thanked the WWE, Dr. Pappas, Duke Medical Center, Shannon Moore for their support through the injury.

You can read the full blog at this link.

Update: Edge undergoes surgery

The Rated R Superstar has undergone surgery, after injuring himself at a WWE Live event, whilst versing Jeff Hardy.


RATED R FOR REDUCED RING TIME

While no one from WWE has made any official comment, people close to Edge say that he came through yesterday’s Achilles tendon surgery as well as they could have hoped for. However, he will be forced to completely stay off the foot for 10 to 14 days. After that, he’ll be able to walk while wearing a rehabilitation boot. Shortly after, he’ll be able to begin his rehab. Depending on how the injury heals, he could be out until around the time of Royal Rumble 2010.

It’s interesting that WWE.com noted Edge’s surgery today as he appears on Friday’s episode of SmackDown which was taped last week.


FINAL THOUGHT

Sucks when superstars become injured. I hope that Edge makes a speedy recovery. Will be interesting to see what WWE do with the Jericho & Edge Tag Champ storyline.

Lillian Garcia Leaving WWE

Its official - Lillian Garcia is leaving the WWE.

LILLIAN LEAVES

Lilian has confirmed on her offical website, that she has in fact given her notice to WWE management.

She wrote the following:

"Hi Everyone, I hope all of you are doing well! I am writing to address the situation in which WWE is looking for a Female Ring Announcer/Singer. The truth of the matter is that they are looking for someone new because I have given them my notice that I will be leaving at the end of my contract this year. It is with a heavy heart that I have made this decision because WWE has been my family from day one and you, the WWE Universe have always been incredible to me. The fact is that I am getting married later this year and have decided to enter into a new phase of my life but I will truly miss all of you and the WWE tremendously.

Love you all & keep rockin!

Forever Rockin',
Lilian"

Batista Injury Update

A return date has been set for the Animal - Survior Series 2009.


ANIMAL IMPACT

Batista's in-ring return date has been temporarily set for Survivor Series 2009 - which, ironically, is set in Washington DC - Batista's hometown.

There was some optimism backstage that Batista would return sooner (aka SummerSlam), rather than later. But given the fact that Batista now realises his age's impact on his body, it appears he's taking the safe road to a soft return.

Edge speaks on a rumoured Face turn

Last Thursday, Edge was interviewed by Danny Salas of central California’s B95 radio station. You can listen to the entire segment at B95forlife.com.

Here’s what the Rated R Superstar said about:

TURNING FACE

“There’s a little bit of a groundswell. I’m starting to fell it a little bit… I think a lot of it too is just tenure. When you’re around for a long time the people go, ‘God, he’s been around here a long time and been in some pretty hellacious matches. And when you start to get that on your resume it gets harder and harder for people to boo you. I think that’s what Shawn Michaels ran into and that’s what Undertaker ran into. When you get to a certain point – not that I’m in their league or anything – but once you get to a certain point after a lot of time and a lot of matches that have entertained people it becomes harder and harder for them to boo you. That’s kind of been my challenge for the last little while is to keep them booing me. I think (Chris) Jericho is going through the same thing right now.”

EDGE AND CHRISTIAN REUNION

“I don’t know. I’d like for it to and at some point I think it has to happen whether it’s against each other or whether it’s teaming. I still think it’s fresh in our audience’s minds that it would still mean something. We do have a lot more kids now that might not remember it, but I think enough guys like you and me are still in the crowd that can buzz the kids on it and explain what Edge and Christian is all about it.”

WWE SummerSlam 2009 Poster Revealed

This year's SummerSlam poster has been revealed.

Not as iconic as last year's Summerslam, but hey, what can you do with a PG Rating?

WWE "Trump" Trade

As a final standpoint against Mr. McMahon, certain WWE superstars have been drafted to Raw, Smackdown and ECW.

The following stars were traded:

TO RAW

• Evan Bourne (from ECW)
• Mark Henry(from ECW)
• Jack Swagger(from ECW)
• Gail Kim (from SmackDown)
• Alicia Fox (from SmackDown)
  
  

TO SMACKDOWN

• Matt Hardy (from ECW)
• Finlay (from ECW)
• Tyson Kidd (from ECW)
• Natalya (from ECW)
• David Hart Smith (from ECW)
  
  

TO ECW

• Shelton Benjamin (from SmackDown)
• Goldust (from Raw)
• William Regal (from Raw)
• Brie Bella (from Raw)
• Nikki Bella (from Raw)

Tony Atlas Status

Tony Atlas' future with WWE is very much in doubt following the transfer of his associate, Mark Henry, to the RAW brand this past Monday.


ATLAS-T MINUTE CHANGES

Company officials plan on pushing the "World's Strongest Man" as a top babyface, which as a result, has left Atlas to fend for himself as he is not being brought alongside him. The WWE Hall of Famer's contract is coming due in a few weeks and it remains uncertain whether it will be renewed.

It'll be interesting to see what they do with Hornswoggle in the coming weeks as well.


FINAL THOUGHT

I never really understood why they put Henry and Atlas together. They never really did any vignettes, or promos, to push the idea.

My IT Experience to Date

Computer(s) you have used recently:

Windows XP Desktop, Windows Vista Desktop, Windows 7 Desktop, Apple G5 Desktop, Apple Mac Desktop, Apple Air Notebook

The operating system(s) and the main application software you have used:

Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Apple OS X

Describe other digital devices you own:

iPod, iPhone, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, iPod Speaker System, Canon 400D

Indicate whether you own and use a blog already, and if so provide the blog URL.

fromttheturnbuckle.blogspot.com

WWE Draft & Supplemental Draft 2009 Results

Who Went Where?

TO RAW

US Champion MVP.
Big Show.
Matt Hardy
WWE Champion Triple H
The Miz
WWE Divas Champion Maryse


SUPPLEMENT DRAFTEES

Brie Bella
The Brian Kendrick
WWE Unified Tag Team Champion Carlito
Chavo Guerrero
Festus
Hornswoggle
Nikki Bella
WWE Unified Tag Team Champion Primo
Mr. Kennedy



TO SMACKDOWN

2009 Money in the Bank Winner CM Punk
WWE Womens Champion Melina
Kane
Chris Jericho
Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio


SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFTEES

Alicia Fox
Candice Michelle
Charlie Haas
Dolph Ziggler
JTG
John Morrison
Layla
Mike Knox
Ricky Ortiz
Shad



TO ECW

Vladimir Kozlov


SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFTEES

DH Smith
Ezekiel Jackson
Hurricane Helms
Natalya
Zack Ryder

Notes from WWE Raw Draft Episode

• For those who wondered about Josh Matthews' bloody nose last night, the word backstage was that nothing out of the ordinary happened. Apparently, he has a long history of random nosebleeds and one happened at a really inopportune time.
  
  
• Hey, wasn't it amazing that no one tried to kill Vince McMahon at the draft last night? They broke an established trend by not having anyone attempt felony murder against the Chairman. Some of the workers were joking about that last night.
  
  
• The word making the rounds was that the talents that switched brands were not told in advance that it was happening. Somehow, I think HHH knew.
  
  
• There was no dark match main event. Triple H, Batista and Shane just soaked up the crowd and then Batista and Triple H half-ass did the Shane dance
  
  
• The two sections on either side of the hard camera weren't full but the rest of the arena was packed. Some young kids left during the commercial before the main event.

ECW Results 14h April 2009

We are live on tape from Knoxville, Tennessee and your announcers are Josh ‘Double Shot’ Mathews and Matt ‘Ivan Drago references are coming’ Striker.

We see footage from Raw when the Miz was sent to Raw thanks to interference by John Morrison. Then we see the end of the Bromance.

Match Number One: John Morrison versus Evan Bourne
They lock up and Morrison with a waist lock but Bourne with a standing switch. Morrison with an arm bar but Bourne reverses. Morrison with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Bourne with an arm drag into an arm bar. Bourne with an Irish whip but he charges into an elbow. Bourne avoids a missile drop kick attempt and Bourne gets a near fall. Bourne with kicks to Morrison but Morrison sends Bourne into the ropes but Bourne bounces off of them instead of landing on the middle rope. Morrison with kicks and then he hits a European uppercut. Bourne with a kick but he misses an enzuigiri. Bourne does not miss with a clothesline but he can only get a two count. Bourne with a boot to Morrison in the corner. Bourne with an Irish whip but he is sent to the apron. Morrison trips Bourne on the apron and then Morrison with a Shining Wizard that sends Bourne to the floor. Morrison does his pose as the ref continues the count. Morrison goes to the floor and he kicks Bourne in the head. They return to the ring and Morrison with a near fall. Morrison with an Irish whip and then Morrison with an inverted torture rack and it is time to play the accordion with Bourne. Bourne is able to counter out of an apparent TKO with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Bourne sets for a move to the floor, but Morrison returns and he hits a drop kick to the knee and we go to commercial with both men on the mat.

We are back and Morrison with a reverse chin lock and he has the arm isolated. Bourne with elbows and then he kicks Morrison. Bourne misses a kick, but Morrison does not and Morrison gets a near fall. Morrison with forearms to Bourne and then he stomps on Bourne’s lower abdomen. Morrison with punches to Bourne followed by an elbow. Bourne with punches of his own but Morrison goes for a cover and he gets a near fall. Morrison with a chicken wing and crossface and Bourne tries to escape but Morrison takes Bourne to the mat. Bourne gets to his feet and he runs Morrison into the corner. Bourne with an elbow and a kick. Bourne responds with a desperation clothesline. Bourne with a rana followed by a drop kick and a jumping back kick for a near fall. Bourne puts Morrison on the top turnbuckle and hits a palm strike. Morrison knocks Bourne off the turnbuckles but Bourne jumps up and hits a rana for a near fall. Morrison with a hot shot and a jackknife cover for a near fall. Bourne with a near fall. Morrison with an uppercut and then both men go over the top rope to the floor as Bourne hits a cross body as Morrison hits the ropes. The referee starts his count. Bourne goes up top and hits a double knee strike for a near fall. Bourne with a kick to the chest. Morrison blocks a kick and he tries for Moonlight Drive but Bourne with a knee as he escapes the hold. Bourne pulls Morrison into the Shooting Star Press position but Morrison with a spin kick and Morrison hits a super Moonlight Drive on the ropes and gets the three count.
Winner: John Morrison

Vladimir Kozlov is walking in the back and we will find out if he Loves E-C-W.

We go to commercial.

We are back and the Wrestlemania attendance did you know got drafted to ECW.

Match Number Two: Vladimir Kozlov versus David Floridia
Kozlov with a boot to the chest and then he connects with forearms and shoulders in the corner. Kozlov with a head butt as Floridia comes off the turnbuckles. Kozlov with a fallaway slam. Kozlov with a head butt to the chest followed by a choke slam for the three count.
Winner: Vladimir Kozlov

After the match, Kozlov gets on the mic.

Finlay and Hornswoggle stretch in the back as we go to commercial.

We are back and Matt and Josh blend into the ringside barrier with their black jackets. They talk about Monday’s Raw not so live from London as well as the Supplemental Draft on Monday.

Tiffany is in the office with Katie Lea and Paul Burchill. Paul says that they are a bit concerned because they are brother and sister and they don’t want to see Tiffany break up a family. She says that everyone is available in the draft.

Jack Swagger enters and he wants Tiffany to make a good first impression so he suggests a Q&A session for Jack Swagger on Superstars. Tiffany likes the idea but she decides to put the final match in the Elimination Chase. She says that she wants Jack to continue with the ideas and then she says that she liked his match last night.

Match Number Three: Christian versus Fit Finlay with Hornswoggle versus Tommy Dreamer in the Elimination Chase Triple Threat Match
Finlay with a kick to Dreamer but Christian punches Finlay. Finlay punches Christian and then Finlay slams Dreamer and Finlay with a hip toss of Christian onto Dreamer. Finlay gets a near fall on Dreamer. Christian with a reverse atomic drop and a drop kick to Finlay. Christian with a snap mare and kick to the back. Dreamer with a punch to Christian followed by a back elbow. Dreamer with a back elbow to Finlay and then he tries to suplex Christian in from the apron. Dreamer blocks Christian’s attempt to suplex him to the floor and Dreamer drops Christian on the top rope. Dreamer charges into a boot and Finlay gets a near fall. Finlay with a boot to the solar plexus and then Finlay knocks Christian to the floor one more time. Finlay with an Irish whip and punch. Christian with a neck breaker to Finlay. Dreamer with a back body drop to Christian.

Dreamer with a suplex to Christian followed by an elbow drop for a near fall. Dreamer clotheslines Finlay over the top rope and both men go to the floor. Christian goes up top and hits a cross body onto Finlay and Dreamer. We go to commercial.

We are back and Christian with a kick to Dreamer and then Christian goes up top but Finlay pushes Christian off the turnbuckles to the floor. We see footage during the commercial of Finlay being sent into the ring steps. We are back to live action and Finlay gets a near fall and then he applies a reverse chin lock. Finlay keeps Christian out of the ring and he gets a near fall on Dreamer. Finlay with a cross arm breaker but Dreamer is able to get out of the hold. Finlay goes outside the ring and he slams Christian’s head into the ring steps and hits a short arm clothesline. Finlay returns to the ring and gets a near fall on Dreamer. Finlay with a kick to the back. Dreamer with a jaw breaker and a slam and then Dreamer with a drop toe hold of Christian onto Finlay. We get a multiple man rollup and the ref makes a two count. Finlay and Christian collide in the ring and all three men are down. Christian goes up top but Finlay stops him. Finlay sets for a superplex but Dreamer stops him and Dreamer puts Finlay in the Tree of Woe and hits a superplex on Christian but Dreamer only gets a two count. Dreamer puts Finlay in the Tree of Woe again and it is time for the drop kick in the corner. Finlay throws Dreamer out of the ring and then Christian gets a near fall with an inside cradle. Finlay with a fireman carry slam to Christian. Dreamer with a DDT to Finlay for a near fall. Dreamer with an elbow to Christian and Christian gets caught in the ropes. Dreamer with a rollup on Finlay for a near fall. Dreamer tries for a Death Valley Driver but Finlay escapes and hits the Celtic Cross for the three count.
Winner: Fit Finlay (and Christian advances too)

Christian and Finlay stare each other down as we go to credits.

Stratus on saying No to WrestleMania

Trish Status has done an interview with Slam Wrestling, where she talks about why she didn't work the Miss WrestleMania earlier this month.

NOT-STRATUSFIED

When asked why she chose not to do the match she said:

"Simply, there were no finishes, no 'What's going to happen? Will I win?' discussed. It was just, 'Would you like to be in this 25-woman battle royal at WrestleMania,' and I said, 'Thank you but I’m going to decline.'"

She added:

"Actually, I wanted to stay home and watch WrestleMania for one time with my family. That was part of it. I had just made a return recently and I never want to wear out my welcome."

Finally, she said:

"I’ve always said to come out of retirement is a big deal to me – so if I was to come out it is for something special. To be honest, I feel Wrestlemania is a place to create memorable moments in one’s career and frankly, with 25 women in the ring, I was just not sure how anyone could come out having their 'WrestleMania moment,' maybe if it was a little clearer that could be accomplished for someone, I would have been a part of it. If I were to go back, I would like to do something that is new and fresh, there are so many girls right now that can work, I’d want to be able to mix it up with someone I hadn’t gotten the chance to before I left."

You can read the whole story, and see a picture of her new look, by clicking here.

FINAL THOUGHT

I'm glad Trish didn't appear at WrestleMania - The battle royal was a sham. No one was introduced, and to actually find out who was in the rumble you had to log on to WWE.com and browse the "Diva WrestleMania Photo shoot" album.

Damage Poster Revealed

This is the first teaser image from the feature film "Damage" starring WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin, which is currently in distribution negotiations.

Stone Cold Intverview about Career / HOF

RATTLESNAKE SPEAKS OUT

Stone Cold Steve Austin knows that he wasn’t the best technical wrestler in the business. At 6-2 and only 250 pounds, he wasn’t even close to the biggest. He wasn’t the handsomest or most muscular, either.

Most exciting? Now there -- Stone Cold would give any wrestler who ever stepped into the ring a run for his money.

All he did, better than anybody, was put fannies in seats.

“I did sell a ton of tickets to the matches, and I did sell a ton of merchandise. In the wrestling business, it doesn’t really matter how many times you were champion. It’s how many tickets you sold. For whatever reason, I sold more tickets than anybody else. I broke pay-per-view TV records. That’s my legacy. That’s the thing I’ll hang my hat on,” says Austin.

He’s the main reason that 15,000 people will pack Toyota Center for the World Wrestling Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday. They will watch Austin, maybe for the last time in his role as a wrestler, take his place among the legends of the business he loves.

“I grew up 100 miles south of Houston on down Highway 59. I grew up watching Paul Boesch’s Houston Wrestling. I fell in love with the business when I was 7 or 8 years old. All I ever wanted to be was a professional wrestler. Wrestling was the biggest thing in my life. It made my heart beat and my blood flow,” he says.

He loved wrestling even when things were rough, when he was making no money (paying dues and starving), when he was fired from promotions and his career seemed stalled.

He broke into wrestling in 1989, after seeing an ad for a wrestling school in Dallas. He had long, flowing blond hair and not a clue where wrestling might take him, but a lot of desire and a fierce competitive streak.

“I was by no means an overnight success. What success I eventually did attain was the result of hard work. I always had a competitive nature. I learned the mechanics of wrestling really well and really fast. I learned how to have a good match, but I didn’t have the right gimmick.,” he says.

He foundered in smaller wrestling promotions, calling himself Superstar Steve Austin, Stunning Steve Austin and even one of the Hollywood Blonds and a member of the Stud Stable. Nothing caught the fans’ attention. He was a worker, a jobber, a mechanic — someone that bigger stars beat on their way to championship matches and bigger paychecks. .

In 1995, when Vince McMahon offered him a job with the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment), Austin still didn’t have a clear idea who he was.

“They brought me up there strictly as a mechanic. There were no plans to make me a star,” he says.

A year later, it, the gimmick he was searching for, happened. He shaved his head and became Stone Cold Steve Austin, the ultimate renegade and anti-hero. His character didn’t give a flip for authority in general, and Vince McMahon in particular. Together, they began a run that shattered every box office and TV ratings record in wrestling history. Every night, in the biggest arenas around the world, the show ended with Stone Cold giving the Chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment a Stone Cold Stunner, followed by Austin toasting the crowd by slamming two cans of beer together and pouring them over his face.

Although he continued to appear on TV wrestling, injuries caught up with Austin and his last year as a full-time wrestler was 2004.

“I was in the wrestling business for 14, maybe 15 years, I really stopped counting. But the first seven years, as far as paying my dues and learning the game, really don’t count toward the Stone Cold part. I was really hot for only a few years. I draw a comparison with myself and Gale Sayers, the football player. He was a great running back for only a short time. But he was so incredible that he didn’t need a 14-year career. He is remembered for the few spectacular years that he did have.

“What drove me was the emotion. When I was hot, we were sold out seven days a week. I fed off the energy of having those people cheer for me. Vince McMahon loved to be hated, and the people loved me. … I didn’t want to quit wrestling. I didn’t walk away on my own. Injuries ended it for me.”

When his name is announced as the newest member of the WWE Hall of Fame, for the first time as a wrestler, he will step to the microphone — and have no idea what he’ll say.

“I’ve been trying to come up with a speech. I’m so thrilled and excited about this. But going up there and talking about myself the real person, not Stone Cold Steve Austin the wrestler, is a whole different ball game. You wouldn’t think that Stone Cold, the character, would ever get emotional, but I am a pretty emotional person. … Wrestling was a large part of my life, and it’s hard to draw one straight line, or one train of thought, through it. So I’m going to make the best of it and just wing it.”

Mr Kennedy Interview

The UK Sun has posted a "WrestleCast" audio interview with Mr. Kennedy, addressing a number of topics, including his comments on failing WWE's Wellness Policy test after making very bold statements regarding drug use in a previous interview with The Sun.

Here's a few highlights from the interview:

On who else tried out for the part in Behind Enemy Lines: Columbia:

"Spanky (Brian Kendrick) was in there, Cody Rhodes, I think Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy a bunch of guys read for the part."

On Chris Jericho:

"I think he's one of the greatest guys in the business right now. I told him when he came back, when guys are heel, they basically put on a mean face and come out and tell the crowd "boo for me", whereas Jericho, he just gives off this aura of cockiness about him, where you really feel he thinks his s*** doesn't stink. It's like a really good movie with a bad guy where you want to jump through the screen and throttle him and strangle him."

On whether he would want to see Steve Austin vs. Hulk Hogan:

"(Laughs) Yeah, everyone would want to see it. Personally, I always wanted to see Austin-Goldberg, just because it was WCW's version of Austin."

On his promos on TV:

"Well, apparently I have this thing where I'm too funny. To me, it's just me, but Vince (McMahon) hates it when I do stuff, he says 'Goddamn it, stop being so funny' and I say 'I'm not, I don't mean to be funny.' It's just me, it's just the way that I am, so it's a real tug-of-war where I'm trying to be me, but he doesn't think it's me."

On the finishes to Wrestlemania not being set in stone:

"It's always like that, it could change right down to the last couple of minutes. I've been standing at the Gorilla Position and had the finish to a match switched on me."

On the controversy following his last interview:

"I just felt so passionately about... we're trying to get past all those negative stereotypes, and I just felt so passionately about it, maybe I didn't go about saying things the right way, but, whatever. I speak my mind sometimes and like I said unfortunately, sometimes people spin what you say. I don't have time to sit down here, we don't have two hours, for me to go through my whole life history tell you every little incident that ever happened and why I chose to do what I did at this particular moment in my life and that particular moment in my life. And when you leave or omit certain things because you have a minute and a half to tell a story that needs three or four hours... and also to be perfectly honest with you, it's nobodies business what my medical history is and it's not. I'm a celebrity, I put myself out there, but, you know."

On being named in the Sports Illustrated story on wrestlers buying items from an online pharmacy:

"Honestly, I thought it was bulls*** in the first place. The whole suspension and everything. Again, I'm just going to say this again. You go through your life, and at the point I was trying to get into WWE, you do everything you can and I made some decisions that, whatever. I'm not unhappy about it, I'm not happy about it, I just made those decisions and I've got to live with them. But, what happens is when you stop taking that stuff, your natural levels of testosterone ... you feel like s***. You can't get out of bed in the morning, when your natural levels of testosterone just stops. I believe it was a legitimate medical issue I had. But then somebody will say, "The WWE Policy says you're not supposed to go online....", I never went online once, ever. It was an actual guy, who said he was a doctor, that I got my stuff from."

On WWE's drug testing:

"The testing is ridiculous, I swear it is more rigorous than the NFL. I hear stories that when they get tested, they get told in advance. They get called up a month or two months ahead of time and are told 'You'll have a test on such-and-such a date'. So, if they are taking anything, they can stop taking it, get it out of their system, then take the test. I don't know how many times I've been tested this year. It seems like every time I go to TV, I get tested. There's a note up on the wall, and I have to go in front of a guy, pull my pants around my ankles, pull my shirt up to my armpits, and stand there and pee into a little cup. They watch the pee come out of the end of your willy. When you're doing it on a weekly basis, it tends to be a little much. But I do understand the health reasons. I'm probably going to get myself in trouble here, but we live in a free country, if I'm not hurting anybody, what's the big deal? I'm not hurting you. If I have health issues down the road, then I have health issues."

On people using illegal substances in WWE's current environment with the frequent testing:

"I don't see how anybody can get away with it."

On Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker at Wrestlemania:

"This should be the last match of the night."

You can listen to the interview at this link.