Shawn Michaels and his wife Rebecca were courtside at the San Antonio Spurs vs. Charlotte Bobcats NBA game this past Friday night.
HBK got involved with the mascots and ended up giving some Sweet Chin Music to the Bobcat’s mascot – check it out.
Shawn Michaels and his wife Rebecca were courtside at the San Antonio Spurs vs. Charlotte Bobcats NBA game this past Friday night.
HBK got involved with the mascots and ended up giving some Sweet Chin Music to the Bobcat’s mascot – check it out.
World Wrestling Entertainment has recently made a change to its Wellness Policy that closes up a pretty big loophole and clarifies the standing of a Superstar with Wellness violations who leaves the company and then returns at a later time.
The update states:
“Any WWE talent who leaves the WWE for any reason with a first or second violation on his/her record will maintain those strikes if he/she returns to the WWE.”
Many WWE superstars with Wellness violations on their record have left the company only to return at a later date – but it was previously unknown whether those violations remained on their record. Now, we know – your record isn’t wiped clean when you take a few months off. For somebody like Jeff Hardy – should he return to WWE one day, he’ll do so with his existing “2 strikes” and would then be let go should he fail another test.
World Wrestling Entertainment has recently made a change to its Wellness Policy that closes up a pretty big loophole and clarifies the standing of a Superstar with Wellness violations who leaves the company and then returns at a later time.
The update states:
“Any WWE talent who leaves the WWE for any reason with a first or second violation on his/her record will maintain those strikes if he/she returns to the WWE.”
Many WWE superstars with Wellness violations on their record have left the company only to return at a later date – but it was previously unknown whether those violations remained on their record. Now, we know – your record isn’t wiped clean when you take a few months off. For somebody like Jeff Hardy – should he return to WWE one day, he’ll do so with his existing “2 strikes” and would then be let go should he fail another test.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can (and should) read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here’s what JR had to say about last night’s TLC PPV:
Sheamus Winning The WWE Championship: “Sheamus upsetting John Cena to win the WWE Title was a MAJOR shock to me. I mentioned in an earlier blog on Sunday that I liked surprises, especially surprises that are logical and believable, and this surpirse was that and more and really caught me off guard. Good stuff. It reminded me somewhat of many years ago when Stone Cold was red hot and he lost the WWE Title to Kane in a ‘First Blood’ match. Sheamus’ victory is a huge and bold step in the right direction for another, young talent. It will be interesting to see what sort of publicity is generated in Ireland as a result of Sheamus becoming the WWE Champion.”
Orton vs. Kingston Feud: “Funny…but it seemed to me watching at home that the Orton-Kofi issue was hotter a few weeks ago than it was Sunday night on PPV. It just might have been the crowd getting restless or looking ahead to the TLC bout. However, I thought the match was really solid and I was surprised that Orton won. Nonetheless I think that Kofi accounted himself well and is ‘this close’ to being perceived as a full time main eventer. Even if Kofi had won I would have said the same thing. It just takes time to get to the next level but I do feel that Kofi has had some outstanding exposure on Raw the past few weeks especially around the time Kofi defaced Orton’s NASCAR.”
Last Night’s Three-Man Announce Team: “The three man announce booth is challenging especially when the three man team doesn’t regularly work with each other. I enjoyed the announcing of the trio tonight better than I did at the Survivor Serieswhich would indicate that Cole, Lawler, and Striker were more comfortable working with each other in San Antonio. ‘Comfort’ and ‘finding one’s zone’ are crucial when broadcasting live TV.”
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can (and should) read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here’s what JR had to say about last night’s TLC PPV:
Sheamus Winning The WWE Championship: “Sheamus upsetting John Cena to win the WWE Title was a MAJOR shock to me. I mentioned in an earlier blog on Sunday that I liked surprises, especially surprises that are logical and believable, and this surpirse was that and more and really caught me off guard. Good stuff. It reminded me somewhat of many years ago when Stone Cold was red hot and he lost the WWE Title to Kane in a ‘First Blood’ match. Sheamus’ victory is a huge and bold step in the right direction for another, young talent. It will be interesting to see what sort of publicity is generated in Ireland as a result of Sheamus becoming the WWE Champion.”
Orton vs. Kingston Feud: “Funny…but it seemed to me watching at home that the Orton-Kofi issue was hotter a few weeks ago than it was Sunday night on PPV. It just might have been the crowd getting restless or looking ahead to the TLC bout. However, I thought the match was really solid and I was surprised that Orton won. Nonetheless I think that Kofi accounted himself well and is ‘this close’ to being perceived as a full time main eventer. Even if Kofi had won I would have said the same thing. It just takes time to get to the next level but I do feel that Kofi has had some outstanding exposure on Raw the past few weeks especially around the time Kofi defaced Orton’s NASCAR.”
Last Night’s Three-Man Announce Team: “The three man announce booth is challenging especially when the three man team doesn’t regularly work with each other. I enjoyed the announcing of the trio tonight better than I did at the Survivor Serieswhich would indicate that Cole, Lawler, and Striker were more comfortable working with each other in San Antonio. ‘Comfort’ and ‘finding one’s zone’ are crucial when broadcasting live TV.”
– Sheamus was a “trending topic” on Twitter last night for a few minutes after winning the WWE Title from John Cena
– Mark Cuban posted the following on his Twitter page last night after WWE’s TLC: “Bummer that Sheamus won.. But remember I put him on the ground first !”
– Reader Mike sent the following: I caught several errors during the color at WWE TLC. For one, they said that the last time a WWE Champion was born outside the US was Yokozuna but they seem to have forgot guys like Edge or Bret Hart. Another was when Striker said it’s been decades since the IC belt changed hands in Texas but it just changed hands at Wrestlemania 25 when Rey Mysterio beat JBL among other times.
– This past Thursday’s episode of WWE Superstars on WGN America scored an 0.9 rating with the replay doing an 0.15. The first showing actually did better numbers than ECW this week.
— Jeff Hardy and Mickie James have posted comments on their Twitter pages regarding WWE’s Tables, Ladders & Chairs PPV.
Jeff Hardy wrote: “TLC” and later followed up with “GoodFinish”
Mickie James wrote: “me tonight! :-( The sun shines on every dogs booty once and a while. Tonight was theirs. This is not over. No! This is just the beginning!”
To read more tweets from wrestlers and divas, check out PWTweets.com.
— In a dark match that took place fro San Antonio, Texas before WWE’s Tables, Ladders & Chairs PPV began, R-Truth defeated CM Punk.
— Here is a rundown of the title changes that took place at TLC:
* Drew McIntyre defeated John Morrison to become the new WWE Intercontinental Champion
* Sheamus defeated John Cena to become the new WWE Champion
* DX defeated Chris Jericho & Big Show to become the new Unified Tag Team Champions at tonight’s TLC pay-per-view.
— Jeff Hardy and Mickie James have posted comments on their Twitter pages regarding WWE’s Tables, Ladders & Chairs PPV.
Jeff Hardy wrote: “TLC” and later followed up with “GoodFinish”
Mickie James wrote: “me tonight! :-( The sun shines on every dogs booty once and a while. Tonight was theirs. This is not over. No! This is just the beginning!”
To read more tweets from wrestlers and divas, check out PWTweets.com.
— In a dark match that took place fro San Antonio, Texas before WWE’s Tables, Ladders & Chairs PPV began, R-Truth defeated CM Punk.
— Here is a rundown of the title changes that took place at TLC:
* Drew McIntyre defeated John Morrison to become the new WWE Intercontinental Champion
* Sheamus defeated John Cena to become the new WWE Champion
* DX defeated Chris Jericho & Big Show to become the new Unified Tag Team Champions at tonight’s TLC pay-per-view.
We get the usual video package highlighting the main feuds running into tonight to kick things off.
The pyro hits a Michael Cole welcomes us to the show. The ECW Championship is hanging high over the ring and the ladder match will be kicking things off tonight.
Ladder Match for the ECW Championship: Christian(c) vs. Shelton Benjamin
Benjamin is out first to the ring, sidestepping and looking at all the ladders on the way down. Christian is out second to a warm reception from the crowd. There are a ton of ladders around the ring. Both men stare each other down before Christian fakes running to the outside to grab a ladder. Benjamin and Christian lock up with Benjamin pushing Christian into the corner. Another lock up, this time Shelton locks in a headlock, but it doesn’t last long as Christian fights out and hits Shelton with a beautiful dropkick.
Christian sends Benjamin into the corner, but Benjamin leaps up to the turnbuckle and comes back with a cross body. Shelton goes for a big kick but Christian ducks and tries for the Killswitch. Shelton fights out, hits a big backbreaker, and bails to the floor. Shelton goes for a ladder, but Christian ids right behind him, and he slams his head into the barricade. Christian goes for a huge ladder, but Shelton attacks and launches Christian into the barricade. Shelton goes for yet another ladder, but Christian jumps from the second rope to the outside on top of Benjamin.
Christian is able to set up a ladder in the ring, but when he tries to climb up it, Shelton is in to break things up. Christian tries for a monkey flip, but Benjamin lands on his feet and launches himself up the ladder, Christian pulls Shelton down and sends him to the outside. Christian grabs a ladder and looks to throw it down on Shelton, but Shelton pulls Christian’s feet out from under him and the ladder lands on Christian’s face.
Trainers are in as apparently Christian has been busted open. The trainer gets huge boos and Shelton argues with the referee to buy time. The crowd starts a ‘We Want Blood’ chant and Benjamin climbs a ladder on the outside. Christian pushes off the trainer and sends Benjamin into the crowd. Christian goes for another ladder, but Benjamin is climbing back up on the ladder on the outside. Benjamin dives off with a somersault on top of Christian and both men are down.
Benjamin is first to his feet and he begins disassembling the announce table. Benjamin props a ladder up between the ring apron and the ladder. Christian tries to Irish whip Benjamin into the ladder, but Shelton ducks and grabs Christian’s legs, trying for a slingshot, but Christian fights back and launches Shelton into yet another ladder on the outside.
Back in the ring, Shelton sends Christian into a ladder in the corner, before putting Christian in the corner and props the ladder on top of Christian. Shelton charges, but Christian sends the ladder back into Benjamin. Christian tries to climb the ladder, but Benjamin knocks it over and hits Christian with a huge kick. Benjamin sets the ladder against the ropes and slams Christian’s head into it repeatedly.
Benjamin sets up the ladder and begins the climb but Christian is right behind him. Christian hits a big reverse DDT from the ladder to the ring and both men are down.
Christian begins climbing the ladder, but Shelton begins climbing the turnbuckle. Christian sees it coming, so he drops down and grabs the ladder, trying to ram it into Bejamin. Benjamin ends up on the ladder, almost to the title, but Christian tips it over. Benjamin lands on the ropes, standing, and he rights the ladder, before tipping himself over and landing on Christian with a hugh clothesline.
Benjamin climbs the ladder again and he actually manages to get both hands on the title, but Christian takes the ladder out from under his feet. Christian puts another ladder down and he knocks Benjamin off the title, but Benjamin takes the ladder out from under Christian. Christian hangs from the belt, and Shelton jumps up grabbing his feet. Christian falls straight into powerbomb position and Shelton launches him into a ladder in the corner. Both men are on top of the ladder. Shelton tries for a sunset bomb from the top of the ladder, but Christian counters. Both men fight on the ring apron, near the ladder that was propped up earlier and Shelton tries to catch Christian with a German suplex, but Christian counters with a kick that sends Shelton on top of the ladder. Christian climbs to the top turnbuckle and crashes through Shelton and the ladder with a huge frog splash.
Christian climbs the ladder in the middle of the ring, grabs his title, and wins the match.
Winner and STILL ECW Champion: Christian
WWE Intercontinental Title Match: John Morrison vs. Drew McIntyre
McIntyre’s music hits, and he’s out first to little to no reaction from the crowd. Morrison is out next, to a really nice pop. Morrison and McIntyre lock up with Drew backing up JoMo into the corner. Another lock up and Morrison comes out with an arm bar, but he’s quickly put down by a punch to the face from McIntyre. McIntyre locks in a modified front face lock, but Morrison works his way out and hits an arm drag. Morrison connects with a beautiful hurricarana followed by a stiff kick to the back, but a pin attempt only gains a two count. McIntyre bails to the outside.
Morrison follows McIntyre out, but when he tries to surprise Drew, he ends up being launches face first into the steel ring post. Back in the ring, McIntyre slams Morrison’s head into the top turnbuckle and goes to work, punching and stomping away at Morrison.
McIntyre locks in the same modified front face lock, but JoMo fights out with a series of forearms and kicks. It doesn’t last for long though as soon Drew is punishing Morrison with clotheslines in the corner before McIntyre hits a big suplex, then right back into the same submission.
Morrison fights out again, but he falls victim to a big boot from McIntyre. McIntyre pounds on Morrison and tries for a couple of pin attempts, but he can’t get three. McIntyre locks in THE SAME submission (AGAIN), but this time he has Morrison’s face pressed to the canvas. Morrison fights out again, and this time he’s able to put McIntyre down with a huge DDT counter and both men are down.
Morrison punches away at McIntyre, sending him down to the mat with a clothesline and a weird (botched) high knee. Morrison climbs to the top and hits a big missile dropkick, but when he goes for the pin Drew kicks out at two.
McIntyre goes to work on Morrison’s leg before hitting an inverted Alabama Slam, but it’s still not enough to keep Morrison down. McIntyre picks up Morrison, but he ends up being dropkicked through the ropes by JoMo. Morrison follows to the outside where he sends McIntyre into the barricade with a drop toe hold before jumping up to the ring apron and launching off with a huge kick.
Back in the ring, Morrison goes for the starship pain, but he launches himself too far and barely lands on McIntyre. Morrison goes for the pin, but McIntyre’s leg is under the rope. Morrison stomps away at McIntyre, but he takes off his belt and the ref turns his back to toss it out of the ring. McIntyre pokes Morrison in the eye and connects with his double arm DDT. McIntyre pins Morrison and we have a new champion.
Winner and NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion: Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre is backstage being congratulated by Vince McMahon. Josh Matthews tries to get an interview with McMahon, but Vince says he should interview Drew first. Drew says he’s not surprised that he won a title so quickly, when he was handpicked by McMahon, he knew he would do great things. Sheamus comes in and says that McIntyre’s match was impressive, but he won’t be the only newcomer to leave tonight with gold.
WWE Women’s Championship Match: Michelle McCool vs. Mickie James
Mickie James is out first to a big pop from the crowd, followed by McCool, who doesn’t get much of a reaction at all.
Mickie tries to attack McCool right off the bat, but McCool bails to the floor and demands the ref back her up. McCool is slow to get back in the ring, where she finally locks up with James. Mickie takes McCool down, while still locked up, and the two actually roll to the outside, where they slam each other into the barricade and the ring apron, before staring each other down and making their way back into the ring.
Mickie takes McCool down and scores a couple of quick near falls, but when she goes for a crucifix, McCool gets her in Alabama slam position and backs up into the corner, squashing Mickie. McCool kicks away at Mickie, before trying for a pin, but only scoring a near fall.
McCool locks in a rear chin lock, and when Mickie tries to fight her way out, McCool stomps down on her. McCool kicks away at James before burying her knee in Mickie’s back.
Mickie is able to fight back with a couple of big right hands, but when she goes for a hurricarana, McCool counters with a big backbreaker that’s good for a near fall. Mickie almost surprises McCool with a small package, but McCool kicks out and sends Mickie to the floor. McCool follows out, where she launches Mickie into the barricade.
McCool tries to knee Mickie, but James ducks and McCool’s knee connects with the barricade. Mickie connects with a hurricarana and a Thesz press before moving things back in the ring. Mickie hits another Thesz press that’s good for a near fall, and she follows it up with a series of clotheslines. Mickie tries for a headscissors, but McCool sends her to the apron. Layla gets involved, and she ends up eating a big boot from McCool. Mickie tries to surprise her with a roll up, but McCool kicks out, hits a huge kick to the chest, and pins Mickie for the three count.
Winner and STILL WWE Women’s Champion: Michelle McCool
Tables Match for the WWE Title: John Cena vs. Sheamus
We get a video package highlighting the problems that these two men have had over the last few weeks. Sheamus is out first to a little bit of heat from the crowd, but not much. Cena is out next, to a mostly positive reaction (you can still hear some of those boo’s though).
Sheamus tells Cena to bring it on at the outset of the match. Cena comes with a series of punches before he slams Sheamus’ head into the turnbuckle and follows up with a bulldog. Cena continues to pound on Sheamus, but when he charges Cena in the corner, Sheamus hits a shoulder block and follows it up with a big kick. Sheamus hits a suplex, and he mounts Cena, punching away at his head.
Sheamus goes to the outside for a table, but Cena is right behind him and he sends him into the announce table, slamming his head repeatedly into the table. Cena pucks up Sheamus and sends him chest first into the barricade. Sheamus battles back and sends Cena shoulder first into the steel ring post.
Sheamus tries to Irish whip Cena, but Cena reverses it and sends Sheamus into the ring steps.
Cena pulls a table out from under the ring and he sets it up on the arena floor. Cena picks Sheamus up and props him on the table before he climbs to the top turnbuckle. Sheamus jumps off the table before Cena can jump, but Cena gives chase. Sheamus rolls back into the ring, and while Cena is climbing in, Sheamus stomps away at him. Sheamus picks up Cena and hits a big running powerslam.
Sheamus pounds away on Cena, who’s standing on the ring apron, holding onto the ropes so he won’t go through the table. Cena fights back and gets Sheamus in AA position, but Sheamus fights out and sends Cena head first into the turnbuckle.
Both men go to the outside, where Sheamus pushes Cena into the ring apron hard before slamming his head into the steel ring steps. Sheamus tries to punch Cena, but Cena blocks and hits Sheamus with a punch of his own before sending him head first into the ring steps. Cena gets Sheamus up into AA position again, but Sheamus fights out and gets Cena in powebomb position. Sheamus picks him up, but Cena counters out and fights Sheamus to the top of the ramps. Sheamus tries for a desperation suplex, but Cena reverses it and suplexes Sheamus on the entrance ramp.
Cena goes back to the ringside area to grab the table, which he puts on his shoulder. Cena tries to slam the table down on top of Sheamus, but Sheamus moves. Cena follows and quickly slams his head into the barricade. Sheamus and Cena fight out into the crowd, but it’s brief as Cena quickly clotheslines Sheamus over the barricade back into the ringside area.
Cena sends Sheamus back into the ring before going under the ring to grab another table. Cena sets up the table on the outside, but when he comes back into the ring he quickly falls victim to the Irish Curse kick.
Sheamus goes to the outside, where he grabs a table and makes his way back into the ring. Sheamus props the table up in the corner. Sheamus picks up Cena, but Cena counters out and hits a couple of big shoulder blocks before following up with a side belly to back suplex. Cena hits the five knuckle shuffle, but Sheamus gets to his feet and sends the table to the outside. Cena hits the AA and he drags Sheamus closer to the ring apron.
Cena goes to the outside where he grabs another table to bring back into the ring. Cena sets up the table in the middle of the ring (it seems like he’s moving in slow motion). Cena puts Sheamus on the top turnbuckle, and Cena tries to get Sheamus in AA position on the second rope. Sheamus fights out and Cena falls to the mat. Cena and Sheamus trade blows with Sheamus still on the top turnbuckle. Cena tries for a superplex, but Sheamus pushes him off, through the table.
Winner and NEW WWE Champion: Sheamus
Chairs Match for the World Heavyweight Title:The Undertaker vs. Batista
We, of course, get a video package hyping the Championship match between Batista and Undertaker.
There are chairs set up all around ringside (although it looks pretty pathetic in comparison to the ladders earlier), as Tony Chimel explains the rules, apparently only chairs will be legal as far as foreign weapons go. Batista is out first to a bit of a mixed reaction from the crowd (it seems like the crowd is still a bit shocked about the previous title change).
The Undertaker’s gong hits and the crowd goes nuts, as expected. Taker makes his way to the ring, amidst very loud cheers from the crowd.
Batista bails to the floor at the sound of the bell and goes right for a chair, but Undertaker doesn’t allow him to use it. Back in the ring Undertaker hits a quick clothesline before pounding on Batista in the corner. Taker stomps away at Batista for a bit before sending him head first into the turnbuckle. Batista is able to fight back with a clothesline of his own, but when he goes for the pin, Taker kicks out at one. Taker sends Batista to the outside.
Taker sends Batista head first into the steel steps, but when Taker goes for a chair shot, Batista buries his foot in Taker’s midsection and sends him head first into the stairs. Batista tries to send Taker into the barricade, but Taker reverses it and Batista ends up flipping over into the timekeeper’s area. Taker tosses a couple of chairs in the ring, but when he goes for a big kick on Batista, Batista ducks and Taker ends up being hung up on the barricade. Batista hits Taker with a big chair shot and uses the chair to choke the Undertaker.
Batista sends Taker into the ring post and he tries to hit him with a chair, but Taker ducks and the momentum shifts. Taker sets Batista up for his big apron leg drop and he hits it. Back in the ring, Taker goes for the cover but Batista kicks out at two. Taker tries for Old School, but Batista counters and Taker ends up sitting on the top turnbuckle. Batista tries for a superplex, and after a little bit of fighting, he’s able to connect, but again it’s only good enough for a two count.
Batista sets a chair down in the middle of the ring and he tries for the Batista bomb, but Taker counters with a back body drop sending Batista down on top of the chair. Taker and Batista trade blows in the middle of the ring with Taker getting the advantage, but it doesn’t last long as Batista fights back with a big spinebuster that’s good for a near fall.
Batista wedges a chair in between the top and middle turnbuckle before going back to pounding on Taker. Batista tries for a clothesline, but Taker ducks and comes back with a leaping clothesline of his own. Taker hits a nasty shoulderblock and goes for Old School again, connecting this time.
Taker hits snake eyes in the corner on Batista, but Batista comes right back with a spear. Batista tries for a cover, but he can’t hold Taker down for the three count. Batista picks up Taker and drives him down on a chair with a big spine buster. Batista teases the Batista bomb, but he finds himself caught in the Hell’s gate out of nowhere. Batista is able to fall over into the ropes and force a break of the submission.
Batista bails to the floor to recover and when Taker tries to follow out after him, Batista hits Taker with a chair shot to the throat. Back in the ring, Batista tries for a spear, but Taker moves and Batista connects with the chair he set up in the corner earlier. Taker tries for a pin but Batista kicks out at two. Taker signals for the chokeslam, and he connects, but again Batista kicks out at two.
Batista tries for the tombstone, but Batista counters out and pushes Taker toward the ref. The ref turns his back and Batista uses the opportunity to hit a low blow. Batista hits a huge chair shot straight to Taker’s head. He pins Taker and gets a three count.
Winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: Batista
Teddy Long is out and he says that even though the usage of chairs is legal, a blatant foul is not. Long says he won’t allow the World Heavyweight Championship to change hands on such a cheap act, so this match will be restarted.
Batista tries to get a quick chair shot, but Taker gets his foot up. Taker hits a chair shot of his own and follows up with a tombstone. Taker pins Batista and this one is over… again.
Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: The Undertaker
Batista looks dejected after the match as he tells the fans in attendance that he doesn’t need any of them.
Kofi Kingston is shown warming up while Legacy comes up from behind. Legacy says they aren’t here to beat down Kingston, they’ll let Randy do that. Kingston says it doesn’t psych him out, it psyches him up. Dibiase says that they aren’t sidekicks, and Kingston’s never been one-on-one with someone like Orton and Kingston is terrified. Kingston says that he’s supposed to be terrified, but Orton can’t come tell Kingston himself. Kingston walks away from Legacy and into Orton’s dressing room. Kingston tells Orton that he thinks Orton is a coward, and he’s really looking forward to beating him down tonight.
Randy Orton vs. Kofi Kingston
Orton’s music hits and ‘the Viper’ makes his way down to the ring.
Kingston’s music hits and he gets a pretty decent reaction from the crowd on his way to the ring.
Orton and Kingston are quick to lock up, with Orton locking in a side headlock and taking Kingston down to the mat, keeping the hold locked in. Kingston is able to fight out with a headscissors and both men make their way back to their feet. Orton locks in a quick hammerlock, but Kingston fights out of it. Orton backs Kingston up and he pounds on him in the corner for a bit.
Orton sends Kofi into the corner, but when he follows in Kingston hits him with a big kick. Kingston charges Orton, but he falls victim to a powerslam. Orton locks in a rear chin lock, cranking down when Kingston tries to fight out. Kingston is eventually able to get out of it and he hits Orton with a series of right hands in the corner, before trying for a quick sunset flip. Kingston hits a Russian leg sweep and he tries for the boom drop, but Orton bails to the floor. Kingston follows out and he tries to hit Orton with a crazy cross body block, but Orton counters with a sick drop kick to Kofi’s ribs.
Orton picks Kofi up and puts him down ribs first on the barricade, doing further damage. Orton sends Kingston back into the ring and he tries for the pin, but Kingston kicks out at two. Orton stomps away at Kingston’s midsection, continuing to work over the ribs.
Kingston tries to fight back with a couple of right hands, but it doesn’t last long as Orton suplexes Kofi ribs first into the ring ropes. Orton hits a high knee drop, and tries for a pin, but Kingston kicks out at two.
Orton kicks at Kofi’s ribs and hits a big European uppercut. Kingston works his way back to his feet, ducks a fist from Orton and connects with the SOS.
Kingston tries for a pin, but Orton is able to kick out at two. When Orton gets back to his feet, he’s quickly clotheslined to the outside. Kofi follows with a suicide dive through the ropes onto Orton. Kingston sends Orton back into the ring and he goes to the top turnbuckle. Kofi hits a beautiful cross body, but again it’s only good for two Kofi chops away at Orton’s chest before connecting with a leaping lariat. Orton sends Kingston into the corner, but Kingston counters by jumping off the ropes with a big chop to the head.
Orton is able to connect with his crazy backbreaker, and he begins stalking Kofi. Orton looks to be going to the RKO, but Kofi counters with a high dropkick. Kofi hits the boom drop, and follows with up with trouble in Paradise. Kingston goes for the pin, but Orton is able to grab the bottom rope and break up the pin. Orton bails to the outside and Kingston is quick to follow.
Kingston struggles to get Orton back into the ring, and when Kingston tries to follow, Orton springs up and hits his rope assisted DDT and both men are down.
Orton is back to his feet first and he’s stalking Kingston yet again. Orton goes for the punt, but Kingston is able to get up his arm to block the shot. Orton goes for a single arm DDT, doing even more damage to Kingston’s arm. Kingston gets back up and tries to surprise Orton with the trouble in Paradise, but Orton blocks. Orton picks Kofi back up, hits an RKO, pins Kofi and this one’s over.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
Batista is backstage with Teddy Long, accusing Long of costing him the title. Batista threatens Long with a chair and tells him he better make it right, or the next time he swings that chair, it’s going to be at Long’s head.
TLC Match for the Unified Tag Team Titles: Chris Jericho and Big Show vs. Shawn Michaels & Triple H
DX is out first to a huge pop from the San Antonio crowd. Jeri-Show is out next, to a little bit of heat.
All four men stare each other down at the beginning of the match, until show shoves Hunter and Michaels shoves Jericho. The fight is on as Show and Hunter bail to the floor, where Show sends Hunter into the barricade. Back in the ring, HBK hits Jericho with a neckbreaker. On the outside, Show tries for a clothesline, but Triple H ducks and Show ends up in the crowd.
Hunter grabs a table that he props up on the barricade as Michaels and Jericho continue to fight in the ring. Big Show is back up and he punches Hunter, fighting with him part of the way up the entrance ramp. Michaels and Jericho make their way to the outside, where HBK ends up eating ring post. Jericho tries to suplex Michaels through a table, but Michaels won’t go down. Michaels reverses out of the suplex and sends Jericho back in the ring.
Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho but HBK fights out and heads to the top rope. Michaels tries for a top rope elbow drop, but Jericho is able to get his knees up. Jericho grabs a ladder while Hunter and Show fight at the top of the ramp. Jericho tries to intervene, grabbing a chair and going after Hunter, but Hunter blocks and tries for the pedigree. Jericho counters out with a backdrop sending Hunter crashing down on the entrance ramp.
Jericho and Michaels both go for chair shots, with the chairs colliding, and Michaels comes out on top, then turning to hit Show. Show puts down Michaels and he and Jericho make their way down to the ringside area. Show grabs a ladder and Jericho hops into the ring.
DX are down to break things up, and Hunter pounds on Jericho in the corner. Hunter picks up the ladder and drives it into Jericho’s midsection.
DX double team Jericho in the ring, Michaels puts him down with a body slam before DX slam the ladder down on top of Jericho’s back. DX then use the ladder as a battering ram straight into Show’s face. DX set up the ladder under the titles and HBK begins the climb. Show is back in the ring to break things up, sending Hunter down and pulling HBK off the ladder. Show pounds on Hunter in the corner while Jericho brings in another ladder and slams Michael’s head down onto it. Jericho hits a baseball slide into the ladder into Michaels, sending Michaels to the floor.
Jericho bulldogs Hunter on top of the ladder, doing damage to the ribs. Show props the ladder up in the corner as Jericho sends Michaels back down to the floor. Jericho sends Hunter into the ladder in the corner with an Irish whip, before Show body slams Hunter into the ladder. Show hangs up Hunter by his leg, upside down in the ladder, before sending HBK into the ladder, and Hunter, with a big Irish whip.
Jericho gets Hunter out of the ladder, and tries for another Irish whip into said ladder, but Hunter reverses it, sending Jericho to the floor. Hunter dodges a splash in the corner from show before hitting a facebreaker. Hunter picks up the ladder and hits Big Show in the head before throwing it to the outside on top of Jericho. Show tries for a chokeslam, but Hunter counters into a DDT, setting Show up for a top rope elbow drop from Michaels. HBK tries for Sweet chin music, but Jericho ducks it and hits a codebreaker. Jericho walks right into a spinebuster from Hunter, who quickly falls victim to a spear from Show.
Show grabs a ladder and sets it up under the titles. Show starts the slow climb up the ladder, scared that the ladder will collapse, but Hunter is in with a big chair shot. Big Show just looks angry as he makes his way down the ladder. Show hits Hunter’s chair straight into Hunter’s face. Show tries to climb the ladder again, but this time, both members of DX push the ladder over into the ropes. Show walks straight into a pedigree with an assist from Michaels.
HBK sets up the ladder, and he almost gets to the top before Jericho tips the ladder over, sending Michaels crashing to the outside on top of Show. Jericho rights the ladder and starts to climb up, but Hunter is in to break things up. Hunter finally pulls Jericho off the ladder and plants him with a big powerbomb. Now Hunter is going to climb the ladder for the titles, but Big Show is back in the ring and he plucks Hunter off the ladder and takes him down with a big chokeslam.
Big Show destroys the ladder currently in the ring before tossing it to the outside. Show pounds on Hunter in the corner with some massive right hands and a big headbutt. Show puts Hunter down with a big body slam and Jericho grabs another ladder from under the ring. Jericho and Show wedge DX in between the ladder. Show holds the ladder down on top of DX while Jericho wails away at the ladder with a chair. Big Show rips the ladder apart with his bare hands, sending half to the floor and leaving half of it in the ring. JeriShow sends DX to the floor, where Show follows. Show chokeslams Michaels into Hunter through a table.
Jericho climbs on top of Big Shows shoulders, trying to reach the titles, but DX make their way back into the ring. HBK hits Show with SCM, sending Jericho crashing to the outside. Michaels hits a second SCM on Big Show before DX pick up the half ladder and send Show over the top to the outside. Hunter holds up the half of the ladder as Michaels climbs up toward the titles. Michaels is able to unhook the titles and we have new champions.
Winners and NEW Unified Tag Team Champions: DX
DX pose with the belts and do their signature crotch chops, getting big pops from the crowd. Hunter and Shawn celebrate in the middle of the ring to end the PPV.
Thanks to everybody who joined us for our Live Coverage of WWE: Tables, Ladders & Chairs!
We get the usual video package highlighting the main feuds running into tonight to kick things off.
The pyro hits a Michael Cole welcomes us to the show. The ECW Championship is hanging high over the ring and the ladder match will be kicking things off tonight.
Ladder Match for the ECW Championship: Christian(c) vs. Shelton Benjamin
Benjamin is out first to the ring, sidestepping and looking at all the ladders on the way down. Christian is out second to a warm reception from the crowd. There are a ton of ladders around the ring. Both men stare each other down before Christian fakes running to the outside to grab a ladder. Benjamin and Christian lock up with Benjamin pushing Christian into the corner. Another lock up, this time Shelton locks in a headlock, but it doesn’t last long as Christian fights out and hits Shelton with a beautiful dropkick.
Christian sends Benjamin into the corner, but Benjamin leaps up to the turnbuckle and comes back with a cross body. Shelton goes for a big kick but Christian ducks and tries for the Killswitch. Shelton fights out, hits a big backbreaker, and bails to the floor. Shelton goes for a ladder, but Christian ids right behind him, and he slams his head into the barricade. Christian goes for a huge ladder, but Shelton attacks and launches Christian into the barricade. Shelton goes for yet another ladder, but Christian jumps from the second rope to the outside on top of Benjamin.
Christian is able to set up a ladder in the ring, but when he tries to climb up it, Shelton is in to break things up. Christian tries for a monkey flip, but Benjamin lands on his feet and launches himself up the ladder, Christian pulls Shelton down and sends him to the outside. Christian grabs a ladder and looks to throw it down on Shelton, but Shelton pulls Christian’s feet out from under him and the ladder lands on Christian’s face.
Trainers are in as apparently Christian has been busted open. The trainer gets huge boos and Shelton argues with the referee to buy time. The crowd starts a ‘We Want Blood’ chant and Benjamin climbs a ladder on the outside. Christian pushes off the trainer and sends Benjamin into the crowd. Christian goes for another ladder, but Benjamin is climbing back up on the ladder on the outside. Benjamin dives off with a somersault on top of Christian and both men are down.
Benjamin is first to his feet and he begins disassembling the announce table. Benjamin props a ladder up between the ring apron and the ladder. Christian tries to Irish whip Benjamin into the ladder, but Shelton ducks and grabs Christian’s legs, trying for a slingshot, but Christian fights back and launches Shelton into yet another ladder on the outside.
Back in the ring, Shelton sends Christian into a ladder in the corner, before putting Christian in the corner and props the ladder on top of Christian. Shelton charges, but Christian sends the ladder back into Benjamin. Christian tries to climb the ladder, but Benjamin knocks it over and hits Christian with a huge kick. Benjamin sets the ladder against the ropes and slams Christian’s head into it repeatedly.
Benjamin sets up the ladder and begins the climb but Christian is right behind him. Christian hits a big reverse DDT from the ladder to the ring and both men are down.
Christian begins climbing the ladder, but Shelton begins climbing the turnbuckle. Christian sees it coming, so he drops down and grabs the ladder, trying to ram it into Bejamin. Benjamin ends up on the ladder, almost to the title, but Christian tips it over. Benjamin lands on the ropes, standing, and he rights the ladder, before tipping himself over and landing on Christian with a hugh clothesline.
Benjamin climbs the ladder again and he actually manages to get both hands on the title, but Christian takes the ladder out from under his feet. Christian puts another ladder down and he knocks Benjamin off the title, but Benjamin takes the ladder out from under Christian. Christian hangs from the belt, and Shelton jumps up grabbing his feet. Christian falls straight into powerbomb position and Shelton launches him into a ladder in the corner. Both men are on top of the ladder. Shelton tries for a sunset bomb from the top of the ladder, but Christian counters. Both men fight on the ring apron, near the ladder that was propped up earlier and Shelton tries to catch Christian with a German suplex, but Christian counters with a kick that sends Shelton on top of the ladder. Christian climbs to the top turnbuckle and crashes through Shelton and the ladder with a huge frog splash.
Christian climbs the ladder in the middle of the ring, grabs his title, and wins the match.
Winner and STILL ECW Champion: Christian
WWE Intercontinental Title Match: John Morrison vs. Drew McIntyre
McIntyre’s music hits, and he’s out first to little to no reaction from the crowd. Morrison is out next, to a really nice pop. Morrison and McIntyre lock up with Drew backing up JoMo into the corner. Another lock up and Morrison comes out with an arm bar, but he’s quickly put down by a punch to the face from McIntyre. McIntyre locks in a modified front face lock, but Morrison works his way out and hits an arm drag. Morrison connects with a beautiful hurricarana followed by a stiff kick to the back, but a pin attempt only gains a two count. McIntyre bails to the outside.
Morrison follows McIntyre out, but when he tries to surprise Drew, he ends up being launches face first into the steel ring post. Back in the ring, McIntyre slams Morrison’s head into the top turnbuckle and goes to work, punching and stomping away at Morrison.
McIntyre locks in the same modified front face lock, but JoMo fights out with a series of forearms and kicks. It doesn’t last for long though as soon Drew is punishing Morrison with clotheslines in the corner before McIntyre hits a big suplex, then right back into the same submission.
Morrison fights out again, but he falls victim to a big boot from McIntyre. McIntyre pounds on Morrison and tries for a couple of pin attempts, but he can’t get three. McIntyre locks in THE SAME submission (AGAIN), but this time he has Morrison’s face pressed to the canvas. Morrison fights out again, and this time he’s able to put McIntyre down with a huge DDT counter and both men are down.
Morrison punches away at McIntyre, sending him down to the mat with a clothesline and a weird (botched) high knee. Morrison climbs to the top and hits a big missile dropkick, but when he goes for the pin Drew kicks out at two.
McIntyre goes to work on Morrison’s leg before hitting an inverted Alabama Slam, but it’s still not enough to keep Morrison down. McIntyre picks up Morrison, but he ends up being dropkicked through the ropes by JoMo. Morrison follows to the outside where he sends McIntyre into the barricade with a drop toe hold before jumping up to the ring apron and launching off with a huge kick.
Back in the ring, Morrison goes for the starship pain, but he launches himself too far and barely lands on McIntyre. Morrison goes for the pin, but McIntyre’s leg is under the rope. Morrison stomps away at McIntyre, but he takes off his belt and the ref turns his back to toss it out of the ring. McIntyre pokes Morrison in the eye and connects with his double arm DDT. McIntyre pins Morrison and we have a new champion.
Winner and NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion: Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre is backstage being congratulated by Vince McMahon. Josh Matthews tries to get an interview with McMahon, but Vince says he should interview Drew first. Drew says he’s not surprised that he won a title so quickly, when he was handpicked by McMahon, he knew he would do great things. Sheamus comes in and says that McIntyre’s match was impressive, but he won’t be the only newcomer to leave tonight with gold.
WWE Women’s Championship Match: Michelle McCool vs. Mickie James
Mickie James is out first to a big pop from the crowd, followed by McCool, who doesn’t get much of a reaction at all.
Mickie tries to attack McCool right off the bat, but McCool bails to the floor and demands the ref back her up. McCool is slow to get back in the ring, where she finally locks up with James. Mickie takes McCool down, while still locked up, and the two actually roll to the outside, where they slam each other into the barricade and the ring apron, before staring each other down and making their way back into the ring.
Mickie takes McCool down and scores a couple of quick near falls, but when she goes for a crucifix, McCool gets her in Alabama slam position and backs up into the corner, squashing Mickie. McCool kicks away at Mickie, before trying for a pin, but only scoring a near fall.
McCool locks in a rear chin lock, and when Mickie tries to fight her way out, McCool stomps down on her. McCool kicks away at James before burying her knee in Mickie’s back.
Mickie is able to fight back with a couple of big right hands, but when she goes for a hurricarana, McCool counters with a big backbreaker that’s good for a near fall. Mickie almost surprises McCool with a small package, but McCool kicks out and sends Mickie to the floor. McCool follows out, where she launches Mickie into the barricade.
McCool tries to knee Mickie, but James ducks and McCool’s knee connects with the barricade. Mickie connects with a hurricarana and a Thesz press before moving things back in the ring. Mickie hits another Thesz press that’s good for a near fall, and she follows it up with a series of clotheslines. Mickie tries for a headscissors, but McCool sends her to the apron. Layla gets involved, and she ends up eating a big boot from McCool. Mickie tries to surprise her with a roll up, but McCool kicks out, hits a huge kick to the chest, and pins Mickie for the three count.
Winner and STILL WWE Women’s Champion: Michelle McCool
Tables Match for the WWE Title: John Cena vs. Sheamus
We get a video package highlighting the problems that these two men have had over the last few weeks. Sheamus is out first to a little bit of heat from the crowd, but not much. Cena is out next, to a mostly positive reaction (you can still hear some of those boo’s though).
Sheamus tells Cena to bring it on at the outset of the match. Cena comes with a series of punches before he slams Sheamus’ head into the turnbuckle and follows up with a bulldog. Cena continues to pound on Sheamus, but when he charges Cena in the corner, Sheamus hits a shoulder block and follows it up with a big kick. Sheamus hits a suplex, and he mounts Cena, punching away at his head.
Sheamus goes to the outside for a table, but Cena is right behind him and he sends him into the announce table, slamming his head repeatedly into the table. Cena pucks up Sheamus and sends him chest first into the barricade. Sheamus battles back and sends Cena shoulder first into the steel ring post.
Sheamus tries to Irish whip Cena, but Cena reverses it and sends Sheamus into the ring steps.
Cena pulls a table out from under the ring and he sets it up on the arena floor. Cena picks Sheamus up and props him on the table before he climbs to the top turnbuckle. Sheamus jumps off the table before Cena can jump, but Cena gives chase. Sheamus rolls back into the ring, and while Cena is climbing in, Sheamus stomps away at him. Sheamus picks up Cena and hits a big running powerslam.
Sheamus pounds away on Cena, who’s standing on the ring apron, holding onto the ropes so he won’t go through the table. Cena fights back and gets Sheamus in AA position, but Sheamus fights out and sends Cena head first into the turnbuckle.
Both men go to the outside, where Sheamus pushes Cena into the ring apron hard before slamming his head into the steel ring steps. Sheamus tries to punch Cena, but Cena blocks and hits Sheamus with a punch of his own before sending him head first into the ring steps. Cena gets Sheamus up into AA position again, but Sheamus fights out and gets Cena in powebomb position. Sheamus picks him up, but Cena counters out and fights Sheamus to the top of the ramps. Sheamus tries for a desperation suplex, but Cena reverses it and suplexes Sheamus on the entrance ramp.
Cena goes back to the ringside area to grab the table, which he puts on his shoulder. Cena tries to slam the table down on top of Sheamus, but Sheamus moves. Cena follows and quickly slams his head into the barricade. Sheamus and Cena fight out into the crowd, but it’s brief as Cena quickly clotheslines Sheamus over the barricade back into the ringside area.
Cena sends Sheamus back into the ring before going under the ring to grab another table. Cena sets up the table on the outside, but when he comes back into the ring he quickly falls victim to the Irish Curse kick.
Sheamus goes to the outside, where he grabs a table and makes his way back into the ring. Sheamus props the table up in the corner. Sheamus picks up Cena, but Cena counters out and hits a couple of big shoulder blocks before following up with a side belly to back suplex. Cena hits the five knuckle shuffle, but Sheamus gets to his feet and sends the table to the outside. Cena hits the AA and he drags Sheamus closer to the ring apron.
Cena goes to the outside where he grabs another table to bring back into the ring. Cena sets up the table in the middle of the ring (it seems like he’s moving in slow motion). Cena puts Sheamus on the top turnbuckle, and Cena tries to get Sheamus in AA position on the second rope. Sheamus fights out and Cena falls to the mat. Cena and Sheamus trade blows with Sheamus still on the top turnbuckle. Cena tries for a superplex, but Sheamus pushes him off, through the table.
Winner and NEW WWE Champion: Sheamus
Chairs Match for the World Heavyweight Title:The Undertaker vs. Batista
We, of course, get a video package hyping the Championship match between Batista and Undertaker.
There are chairs set up all around ringside (although it looks pretty pathetic in comparison to the ladders earlier), as Tony Chimel explains the rules, apparently only chairs will be legal as far as foreign weapons go. Batista is out first to a bit of a mixed reaction from the crowd (it seems like the crowd is still a bit shocked about the previous title change).
The Undertaker’s gong hits and the crowd goes nuts, as expected. Taker makes his way to the ring, amidst very loud cheers from the crowd.
Batista bails to the floor at the sound of the bell and goes right for a chair, but Undertaker doesn’t allow him to use it. Back in the ring Undertaker hits a quick clothesline before pounding on Batista in the corner. Taker stomps away at Batista for a bit before sending him head first into the turnbuckle. Batista is able to fight back with a clothesline of his own, but when he goes for the pin, Taker kicks out at one. Taker sends Batista to the outside.
Taker sends Batista head first into the steel steps, but when Taker goes for a chair shot, Batista buries his foot in Taker’s midsection and sends him head first into the stairs. Batista tries to send Taker into the barricade, but Taker reverses it and Batista ends up flipping over into the timekeeper’s area. Taker tosses a couple of chairs in the ring, but when he goes for a big kick on Batista, Batista ducks and Taker ends up being hung up on the barricade. Batista hits Taker with a big chair shot and uses the chair to choke the Undertaker.
Batista sends Taker into the ring post and he tries to hit him with a chair, but Taker ducks and the momentum shifts. Taker sets Batista up for his big apron leg drop and he hits it. Back in the ring, Taker goes for the cover but Batista kicks out at two. Taker tries for Old School, but Batista counters and Taker ends up sitting on the top turnbuckle. Batista tries for a superplex, and after a little bit of fighting, he’s able to connect, but again it’s only good enough for a two count.
Batista sets a chair down in the middle of the ring and he tries for the Batista bomb, but Taker counters with a back body drop sending Batista down on top of the chair. Taker and Batista trade blows in the middle of the ring with Taker getting the advantage, but it doesn’t last long as Batista fights back with a big spinebuster that’s good for a near fall.
Batista wedges a chair in between the top and middle turnbuckle before going back to pounding on Taker. Batista tries for a clothesline, but Taker ducks and comes back with a leaping clothesline of his own. Taker hits a nasty shoulderblock and goes for Old School again, connecting this time.
Taker hits snake eyes in the corner on Batista, but Batista comes right back with a spear. Batista tries for a cover, but he can’t hold Taker down for the three count. Batista picks up Taker and drives him down on a chair with a big spine buster. Batista teases the Batista bomb, but he finds himself caught in the Hell’s gate out of nowhere. Batista is able to fall over into the ropes and force a break of the submission.
Batista bails to the floor to recover and when Taker tries to follow out after him, Batista hits Taker with a chair shot to the throat. Back in the ring, Batista tries for a spear, but Taker moves and Batista connects with the chair he set up in the corner earlier. Taker tries for a pin but Batista kicks out at two. Taker signals for the chokeslam, and he connects, but again Batista kicks out at two.
Batista tries for the tombstone, but Batista counters out and pushes Taker toward the ref. The ref turns his back and Batista uses the opportunity to hit a low blow. Batista hits a huge chair shot straight to Taker’s head. He pins Taker and gets a three count.
Winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: Batista
Teddy Long is out and he says that even though the usage of chairs is legal, a blatant foul is not. Long says he won’t allow the World Heavyweight Championship to change hands on such a cheap act, so this match will be restarted.
Batista tries to get a quick chair shot, but Taker gets his foot up. Taker hits a chair shot of his own and follows up with a tombstone. Taker pins Batista and this one is over… again.
Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: The Undertaker
Batista looks dejected after the match as he tells the fans in attendance that he doesn’t need any of them.
Kofi Kingston is shown warming up while Legacy comes up from behind. Legacy says they aren’t here to beat down Kingston, they’ll let Randy do that. Kingston says it doesn’t psych him out, it psyches him up. Dibiase says that they aren’t sidekicks, and Kingston’s never been one-on-one with someone like Orton and Kingston is terrified. Kingston says that he’s supposed to be terrified, but Orton can’t come tell Kingston himself. Kingston walks away from Legacy and into Orton’s dressing room. Kingston tells Orton that he thinks Orton is a coward, and he’s really looking forward to beating him down tonight.
Randy Orton vs. Kofi Kingston
Orton’s music hits and ‘the Viper’ makes his way down to the ring.
Kingston’s music hits and he gets a pretty decent reaction from the crowd on his way to the ring.
Orton and Kingston are quick to lock up, with Orton locking in a side headlock and taking Kingston down to the mat, keeping the hold locked in. Kingston is able to fight out with a headscissors and both men make their way back to their feet. Orton locks in a quick hammerlock, but Kingston fights out of it. Orton backs Kingston up and he pounds on him in the corner for a bit.
Orton sends Kofi into the corner, but when he follows in Kingston hits him with a big kick. Kingston charges Orton, but he falls victim to a powerslam. Orton locks in a rear chin lock, cranking down when Kingston tries to fight out. Kingston is eventually able to get out of it and he hits Orton with a series of right hands in the corner, before trying for a quick sunset flip. Kingston hits a Russian leg sweep and he tries for the boom drop, but Orton bails to the floor. Kingston follows out and he tries to hit Orton with a crazy cross body block, but Orton counters with a sick drop kick to Kofi’s ribs.
Orton picks Kofi up and puts him down ribs first on the barricade, doing further damage. Orton sends Kingston back into the ring and he tries for the pin, but Kingston kicks out at two. Orton stomps away at Kingston’s midsection, continuing to work over the ribs.
Kingston tries to fight back with a couple of right hands, but it doesn’t last long as Orton suplexes Kofi ribs first into the ring ropes. Orton hits a high knee drop, and tries for a pin, but Kingston kicks out at two.
Orton kicks at Kofi’s ribs and hits a big European uppercut. Kingston works his way back to his feet, ducks a fist from Orton and connects with the SOS.
Kingston tries for a pin, but Orton is able to kick out at two. When Orton gets back to his feet, he’s quickly clotheslined to the outside. Kofi follows with a suicide dive through the ropes onto Orton. Kingston sends Orton back into the ring and he goes to the top turnbuckle. Kofi hits a beautiful cross body, but again it’s only good for two Kofi chops away at Orton’s chest before connecting with a leaping lariat. Orton sends Kingston into the corner, but Kingston counters by jumping off the ropes with a big chop to the head.
Orton is able to connect with his crazy backbreaker, and he begins stalking Kofi. Orton looks to be going to the RKO, but Kofi counters with a high dropkick. Kofi hits the boom drop, and follows with up with trouble in Paradise. Kingston goes for the pin, but Orton is able to grab the bottom rope and break up the pin. Orton bails to the outside and Kingston is quick to follow.
Kingston struggles to get Orton back into the ring, and when Kingston tries to follow, Orton springs up and hits his rope assisted DDT and both men are down.
Orton is back to his feet first and he’s stalking Kingston yet again. Orton goes for the punt, but Kingston is able to get up his arm to block the shot. Orton goes for a single arm DDT, doing even more damage to Kingston’s arm. Kingston gets back up and tries to surprise Orton with the trouble in Paradise, but Orton blocks. Orton picks Kofi back up, hits an RKO, pins Kofi and this one’s over.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
Batista is backstage with Teddy Long, accusing Long of costing him the title. Batista threatens Long with a chair and tells him he better make it right, or the next time he swings that chair, it’s going to be at Long’s head.
TLC Match for the Unified Tag Team Titles: Chris Jericho and Big Show vs. Shawn Michaels & Triple H
DX is out first to a huge pop from the San Antonio crowd. Jeri-Show is out next, to a little bit of heat.
All four men stare each other down at the beginning of the match, until show shoves Hunter and Michaels shoves Jericho. The fight is on as Show and Hunter bail to the floor, where Show sends Hunter into the barricade. Back in the ring, HBK hits Jericho with a neckbreaker. On the outside, Show tries for a clothesline, but Triple H ducks and Show ends up in the crowd.
Hunter grabs a table that he props up on the barricade as Michaels and Jericho continue to fight in the ring. Big Show is back up and he punches Hunter, fighting with him part of the way up the entrance ramp. Michaels and Jericho make their way to the outside, where HBK ends up eating ring post. Jericho tries to suplex Michaels through a table, but Michaels won’t go down. Michaels reverses out of the suplex and sends Jericho back in the ring.
Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho but HBK fights out and heads to the top rope. Michaels tries for a top rope elbow drop, but Jericho is able to get his knees up. Jericho grabs a ladder while Hunter and Show fight at the top of the ramp. Jericho tries to intervene, grabbing a chair and going after Hunter, but Hunter blocks and tries for the pedigree. Jericho counters out with a backdrop sending Hunter crashing down on the entrance ramp.
Jericho and Michaels both go for chair shots, with the chairs colliding, and Michaels comes out on top, then turning to hit Show. Show puts down Michaels and he and Jericho make their way down to the ringside area. Show grabs a ladder and Jericho hops into the ring.
DX are down to break things up, and Hunter pounds on Jericho in the corner. Hunter picks up the ladder and drives it into Jericho’s midsection.
DX double team Jericho in the ring, Michaels puts him down with a body slam before DX slam the ladder down on top of Jericho’s back. DX then use the ladder as a battering ram straight into Show’s face. DX set up the ladder under the titles and HBK begins the climb. Show is back in the ring to break things up, sending Hunter down and pulling HBK off the ladder. Show pounds on Hunter in the corner while Jericho brings in another ladder and slams Michael’s head down onto it. Jericho hits a baseball slide into the ladder into Michaels, sending Michaels to the floor.
Jericho bulldogs Hunter on top of the ladder, doing damage to the ribs. Show props the ladder up in the corner as Jericho sends Michaels back down to the floor. Jericho sends Hunter into the ladder in the corner with an Irish whip, before Show body slams Hunter into the ladder. Show hangs up Hunter by his leg, upside down in the ladder, before sending HBK into the ladder, and Hunter, with a big Irish whip.
Jericho gets Hunter out of the ladder, and tries for another Irish whip into said ladder, but Hunter reverses it, sending Jericho to the floor. Hunter dodges a splash in the corner from show before hitting a facebreaker. Hunter picks up the ladder and hits Big Show in the head before throwing it to the outside on top of Jericho. Show tries for a chokeslam, but Hunter counters into a DDT, setting Show up for a top rope elbow drop from Michaels. HBK tries for Sweet chin music, but Jericho ducks it and hits a codebreaker. Jericho walks right into a spinebuster from Hunter, who quickly falls victim to a spear from Show.
Show grabs a ladder and sets it up under the titles. Show starts the slow climb up the ladder, scared that the ladder will collapse, but Hunter is in with a big chair shot. Big Show just looks angry as he makes his way down the ladder. Show hits Hunter’s chair straight into Hunter’s face. Show tries to climb the ladder again, but this time, both members of DX push the ladder over into the ropes. Show walks straight into a pedigree with an assist from Michaels.
HBK sets up the ladder, and he almost gets to the top before Jericho tips the ladder over, sending Michaels crashing to the outside on top of Show. Jericho rights the ladder and starts to climb up, but Hunter is in to break things up. Hunter finally pulls Jericho off the ladder and plants him with a big powerbomb. Now Hunter is going to climb the ladder for the titles, but Big Show is back in the ring and he plucks Hunter off the ladder and takes him down with a big chokeslam.
Big Show destroys the ladder currently in the ring before tossing it to the outside. Show pounds on Hunter in the corner with some massive right hands and a big headbutt. Show puts Hunter down with a big body slam and Jericho grabs another ladder from under the ring. Jericho and Show wedge DX in between the ladder. Show holds the ladder down on top of DX while Jericho wails away at the ladder with a chair. Big Show rips the ladder apart with his bare hands, sending half to the floor and leaving half of it in the ring. JeriShow sends DX to the floor, where Show follows. Show chokeslams Michaels into Hunter through a table.
Jericho climbs on top of Big Shows shoulders, trying to reach the titles, but DX make their way back into the ring. HBK hits Show with SCM, sending Jericho crashing to the outside. Michaels hits a second SCM on Big Show before DX pick up the half ladder and send Show over the top to the outside. Hunter holds up the half of the ladder as Michaels climbs up toward the titles. Michaels is able to unhook the titles and we have new champions.
Winners and NEW Unified Tag Team Champions: DX
DX pose with the belts and do their signature crotch chops, getting big pops from the crowd. Hunter and Shawn celebrate in the middle of the ring to end the PPV.
Thanks to everybody who joined us for our Live Coverage of WWE: Tables, Ladders & Chairs!
– Jamie Noble, Edge and Ricky Steamboat were all on hand at FCW this week. Steamboat and Edge were specifically there as guest speakers to give advice to developmental prospects, while Noble was assisting with training. With regard to Edge, he was said to be moving well and told one person that he is aiming for a return in the first quarter of 2010. The former World Champion may actually be slightly ahead in his rehabilitation schedule following surgery to his torn Achilles tendon in July.
– Yesterday on the Dennis Miller Radio show, Monday’s RAW guest host claimed that he had been given advice by a former pro wrestler in preperation for his appearance. Dennis was told to tell the RAW locker room that he was a a graduate of the Terry Garvin School of Self Defence.
– WWE Diva Maryse was recently interviewed by SLAM! Wrestling .. Here’s what she said about:
Sheamus: “Sheamus is really different,†she said about the challenger. “He’s got a really unique look. He’s so white, and with his red hair and beard, it’s so weird! John Cena is pretty white, but he looks really tanned compared to Sheamus. I like his charisma in the ring, his aggressive style, and he’s got a great bad guy personality.”
The Infamous Heel Hand Flip: “I never planned on doing it .. I just did it one night and it caught on. People would come up to me to take a picture and they’d ask me to do the hand thing. So I thought I should keep it. It’s not something I would do normally, it’s really the character.”
Her Inspiration: “The Rock. Even though I’m a girl, I look at him as an inspiration. He was just amazing. He had a lot of range in his character, he had the crowd reacting every night no matter what he was doing. It’s really hard to do, and he did it really well.”
– Jamie Noble, Edge and Ricky Steamboat were all on hand at FCW this week. Steamboat and Edge were specifically there as guest speakers to give advice to developmental prospects, while Noble was assisting with training. With regard to Edge, he was said to be moving well and told one person that he is aiming for a return in the first quarter of 2010. The former World Champion may actually be slightly ahead in his rehabilitation schedule following surgery to his torn Achilles tendon in July.
– Yesterday on the Dennis Miller Radio show, Monday’s RAW guest host claimed that he had been given advice by a former pro wrestler in preperation for his appearance. Dennis was told to tell the RAW locker room that he was a a graduate of the Terry Garvin School of Self Defence.
– WWE Diva Maryse was recently interviewed by SLAM! Wrestling .. Here’s what she said about:
Sheamus: “Sheamus is really different,†she said about the challenger. “He’s got a really unique look. He’s so white, and with his red hair and beard, it’s so weird! John Cena is pretty white, but he looks really tanned compared to Sheamus. I like his charisma in the ring, his aggressive style, and he’s got a great bad guy personality.”
The Infamous Heel Hand Flip: “I never planned on doing it .. I just did it one night and it caught on. People would come up to me to take a picture and they’d ask me to do the hand thing. So I thought I should keep it. It’s not something I would do normally, it’s really the character.”
Her Inspiration: “The Rock. Even though I’m a girl, I look at him as an inspiration. He was just amazing. He had a lot of range in his character, he had the crowd reacting every night no matter what he was doing. It’s really hard to do, and he did it really well.”
After being publicly linked to a 3.0 ratings projection for the upcoming 1/4 edition of TNA iMPACT!, Hulk Hogan scaled back his claims in an interview with the Toronto Sun.
“Jan. 4, we’re going head to head with WWE,” said Hogan. “We’ve got to pick a fight. I don’t know what’s going to happen that night. If we get bodyslammed by WWE, we’ll get back and go at them again.”
As WWE RAW rarely posts a rating in significant excess of a 3.0, there is no way TNA would be “bodyslammed” if it posted such a figure (in fact, as there is a finite limit to the pro wrestling audience size on Monday, a 3.0 rating for TNA would almost definitely mark a victory for the number two wrestling group).
Hogan thus appears to be lower the expectation for his initial impact, instead hoping analysts focus on the big picture benefit he–and those wrestling standouts who accompany him in TNA–will bring to the table.
Hulk Hogan makes his live TNA television debut during a special three-hour iMPACT! on January 4. The TNA show will go head-to-head with RAW for at least two hours that Monday.
Hulk Hogan’s son Nick appeared in a Clearwater, Florida court yesterday regarding a lawsuit related to his 2007 2007 car crash that left friend John Graziano permanently brain damaged.
While giving a deposition, Hogan was probed by lawyers for the plaintiffs about dysfunction and “issues†in the Graziano family. According to RadarOnline.com, Nick had told the lawyers that there was violence in the Graziano family and the Hogans talked about having John Graziano move in with them.
When a lawyer asked about what type of issues John was dealing with, Nick said that John hated certain types of people. Upon further questioning from the lawyer, Nick clarified who John Graziano hated. “Homos,” Nick said. “He wanted to kill homos.â€
The room grew silent and one lawyer put his head in his hands.
John Graziano’s father Edward sued the Hogans after the 2007 car crash. Edward was later arrested on charges of trying to kill his wife and recently had his home foreclosed on, according to the Radar report.
Hulk Hogan’s son Nick appeared in a Clearwater, Florida court yesterday regarding a lawsuit related to his 2007 2007 car crash that left friend John Graziano permanently brain damaged.
While giving a deposition, Hogan was probed by lawyers for the plaintiffs about dysfunction and “issues†in the Graziano family. According to RadarOnline.com, Nick had told the lawyers that there was violence in the Graziano family and the Hogans talked about having John Graziano move in with them.
When a lawyer asked about what type of issues John was dealing with, Nick said that John hated certain types of people. Upon further questioning from the lawyer, Nick clarified who John Graziano hated. “Homos,” Nick said. “He wanted to kill homos.â€
The room grew silent and one lawyer put his head in his hands.
John Graziano’s father Edward sued the Hogans after the 2007 car crash. Edward was later arrested on charges of trying to kill his wife and recently had his home foreclosed on, according to the Radar report.
– The current plan is to not start any new major angles for the Royal Rumble pay-per-view until the first or second week of January. Monday’s RAW will feature the 2009 Slammy Awards and the December 21st and 28th RAW shows will likely be used to continue the pushes of Kofi Kingston and Sheamus. The original plan was to shoot a big angle for the Royal Rumble at the January 11th edition of RAW, but with TNA airing Monday Night iMPACT! the week before, we could see that Rumble storyline air a week early.
– With this week’s edition of ECW on Syfy drawing the lowest rating ever, speculation regarding the show being rebranded entirely continues. With WWE’s television deal with SyFy set to expire soon, major changes are almost a certainty. Changes are also in store for the SmackDown brand, but it will likely be after the new year before we see anything.
– ECW’s newest tag team, Trent Baretta and Caylen Croft, have been added to the roster page on WWE’s website.
– The guys who played Mark Cuban’s security on RAW this past Monday were indy wrestlers Danny Matthews, Mark Vaughn, Ryan Davidson and Kristopher Haiden.
(Credit to F4Wonline.com and PWInsider.com for some of the information used in this report)
– The current plan is to not start any new major angles for the Royal Rumble pay-per-view until the first or second week of January. Monday’s RAW will feature the 2009 Slammy Awards and the December 21st and 28th RAW shows will likely be used to continue the pushes of Kofi Kingston and Sheamus. The original plan was to shoot a big angle for the Royal Rumble at the January 11th edition of RAW, but with TNA airing Monday Night iMPACT! the week before, we could see that Rumble storyline air a week early.
– With this week’s edition of ECW on Syfy drawing the lowest rating ever, speculation regarding the show being rebranded entirely continues. With WWE’s television deal with SyFy set to expire soon, major changes are almost a certainty. Changes are also in store for the SmackDown brand, but it will likely be after the new year before we see anything.
– ECW’s newest tag team, Trent Baretta and Caylen Croft, have been added to the roster page on WWE’s website.
– The guys who played Mark Cuban’s security on RAW this past Monday were indy wrestlers Danny Matthews, Mark Vaughn, Ryan Davidson and Kristopher Haiden.
(Credit to F4Wonline.com and PWInsider.com for some of the information used in this report)
The latest blog entry from Dutch Mantel recalls a night than he and the Undertaker were out drinking, with the night ending in a bar patron being knocked out by Taker in one punch. The bouncers had seated us at the front of the bar but when Mark left, he headed into the back where the rest rooms were,” Dutch wrote.
“As I was looking into the crowd of people toward the back looking for Mark, I saw some activity going on and I heard some loud yelling. Since Mark was right beside me and he had been drinking, I had the wrestler’ss intuition that something was wrong. It took me 30 seconds to find out.
“Off I went to find Mark and as soon as I got close to the rear of the club, I saw some dude laid out all over the floor. Everybody was standing in a circle around the guy with some girl kneeling over him. He was in dreamland. I then saw Mark over to the side with the bouncers talking to him. I walked up and asked what had happened and the bouncer said that Mark had leveled this one guy with one shot and he dropped him like a bad habit.”
A press release issued Thursday confirmed that TNA wrestler and former ECW Champion Bobby Lashley has signed a multi-year deal with Strikeforce, the number two mixed martial arts promotion in America.
Lashley will make his debut against a presently-undetermined opponent on January 30 at Florida’s BankAtlantic Center. The fight will air as part of a live broadcast on Showtime.
“I’m looking forward to fighting for Strikeforce and challenging myself by taking on some of the top heavyweights in MMA,” said Lashley.
Though Strikeforce’s roster is viewed as considerably thinner than that of mixed martial arts leader UFC, the company does have contractual rights to Fedor Emelianenko, who many consider to be the world’s top heavyweight fighter.
TNA founder Jeff Jarrett was backstage at the television tapings in Orlando, Florida this week. There was no formal reintroduction of Jarrett from management, nor any type of update on what his position with the company is at this time, according to prowrestling.net. One source did say having Jarrett back was ackward, considering nobody knew what his specific role was, and whether he actually holds any authority. For those wondering, Jarrett is still a minority owner in the company and has been back in the TNA office for several weeks now.On this week’s iMPACT!, a segment aired where Mick Foley convinced Jarrett to return to TNA television next week.
Also on this week’s iMPACT!, TNA hyped an The angle that was considered “too graphic for Spike TV.” TNA has since released some shocking footage from Thursday afternoon of Abyss being set on fire by Raven and Stevie Richards. According to the TNA website, Abyss was hospitalized with “severe burns covering his entire left leg.” Check it out:
— TNA founder Jeff Jarrett was backstage at the television tapings in Orlando, Florida this week. There was no formal reintroduction of Jarrett from management, nor any type of update on what his position with the company is at this time, according to prowrestling.net. One source did say having Jarrett back was ackward, considering nobody knew what his specific role was, and whether he actually holds any authority. For those wondering, Jarrett is still a minority owner in the company and has been back in the TNA office for several weeks now.On this week’s iMPACT!, a segment aired where Mick Foley convinced Jarrett to return to TNA television next week.
— Also on this week’s iMPACT!, TNA hyped an The angle that was considered “too graphic for Spike TV.” TNA has since released some shocking footage from Thursday afternoon of Abyss being set on fire by Raven and Stevie Richards. According to the TNA website, Abyss was hospitalized with “severe burns covering his entire left leg.” Check it out:
VIDEO: Visit WATCH.TSN.CA – HIGHLY RECCOMENDED!!
Hulk Hogan on TSN’s Off The Record with Michael Landsberg
December 10, 2009
by: Marty Hotts
This was a full 30 minute interview with Hulk Hogan. He talked about his book, citing the same story about having a loaded gun and almost committing suicide until Layla Ali helped snap him out of it.
A question was asked about Macho Man Randy Savage and Elizabeth’s death. He talked about deaths in wrestling saying that many wrestlers fail to distinguish the difference between their wrestling careers (fans, money, fame) with their personal lives, which leads wrestlers to this road.
Prior to the commercial break, they showed a “quirky fact” showing that Hogan and McMahon stayed in a hotel room and wrote the entire “No Holds Barred” movie in 48 hours.
Talk was then moved to Vince McMahon. An old clip from December 2002 showed him talking about Russo being a former writer and then worked close to McMahon. He then said in that old interview that McMahon was a friend regardless of the ups and downs.
In the present interview, he talks about McMahon and saying that previous explanations regarding the love-hate relationship they had in the past, McMahon would answer “it was just business” and Hogan said he understood that. He talked about whether there is morality in business when he was asked about it.
Landsberg then asked January 4, you’re going head-to-head with WWE – Why? He said for years, WWE has been the only wrestling show you could watch, the only one that was available or “shoved down the throats” of the fans. This changes the wrestling landscape.
He again mentions that McMahon called him up 8 weeks ago for him to come and host Raw and shoot a “Babe Ruth” type return to WWE. He said this was similar to last year where he wrestled John Cena and broke his back. He said he knew how it was going to end.
Hogan said when he signed the TNA deal, he was going to be the McMahon of the company and wanted to be on Mondays to let the fans decide. He noted that the execs may have hesitated about the number that they may get or if it would be a disaster.
Landsberg quickly said but that was 1995, WCW was owned by a major company, had more resources and Hogan was younger, Flair was younger. Hogan backed it up by saying that this would be true to the fans and letting the fans decide whether they want to watch WWE or Hulk Hogan.
Landsberg threw a quick question asking “If I said TNA has signed a 2 year Monday Deal, what would you say”, Hogan replied with “that’s the first I heard about it”. Landsberg chuckled and said that Hogan did not confirm and kind of stated that he didn’t know about it, hinting that this may actually be the case.
After the final commercial break, Landsberg asked a lot of questions in his “Next Question” segment. Some key ones were:
Q: Would you let Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake cut your hair?
A: Never
Q: What was the most uncomfortable angle you ever took part in?
A: Having Kidman beat him repeatedly week after week
Q: Talk about the Pat Patterson story when you joined the business:
A: Hogan said that on his first night, he was in a car and Patterson and other wrestlers said he had to give one of them oral sex or he would get “gang raped” (bleeped out on the show) after his match when he enters the showers. At that moment, he said that’s not his deal. After his match, he was ready to fight, but was instead greeted with cheers, beer, and celebration. He thought that was pretty interesting joke.
The show should be posted on https://www.tsn.ca/otr soon.
VIDEO: Visit WATCH.TSN.CA – HIGHLY RECCOMENDED!!
Hulk Hogan on TSN’s Off The Record with Michael Landsberg
December 10, 2009
by: Marty Hotts
This was a full 30 minute interview with Hulk Hogan. He talked about his book, citing the same story about having a loaded gun and almost committing suicide until Layla Ali helped snap him out of it.
A question was asked about Macho Man Randy Savage and Elizabeth’s death. He talked about deaths in wrestling saying that many wrestlers fail to distinguish the difference between their wrestling careers (fans, money, fame) with their personal lives, which leads wrestlers to this road.
Prior to the commercial break, they showed a “quirky fact” showing that Hogan and McMahon stayed in a hotel room and wrote the entire “No Holds Barred” movie in 48 hours.
Talk was then moved to Vince McMahon. An old clip from December 2002 showed him talking about Russo being a former writer and then worked close to McMahon. He then said in that old interview that McMahon was a friend regardless of the ups and downs.
In the present interview, he talks about McMahon and saying that previous explanations regarding the love-hate relationship they had in the past, McMahon would answer “it was just business” and Hogan said he understood that. He talked about whether there is morality in business when he was asked about it.
Landsberg then asked January 4, you’re going head-to-head with WWE – Why? He said for years, WWE has been the only wrestling show you could watch, the only one that was available or “shoved down the throats” of the fans. This changes the wrestling landscape.
He again mentions that McMahon called him up 8 weeks ago for him to come and host Raw and shoot a “Babe Ruth” type return to WWE. He said this was similar to last year where he wrestled John Cena and broke his back. He said he knew how it was going to end.
Hogan said when he signed the TNA deal, he was going to be the McMahon of the company and wanted to be on Mondays to let the fans decide. He noted that the execs may have hesitated about the number that they may get or if it would be a disaster.
Landsberg quickly said but that was 1995, WCW was owned by a major company, had more resources and Hogan was younger, Flair was younger. Hogan backed it up by saying that this would be true to the fans and letting the fans decide whether they want to watch WWE or Hulk Hogan.
Landsberg threw a quick question asking “If I said TNA has signed a 2 year Monday Deal, what would you say”, Hogan replied with “that’s the first I heard about it”. Landsberg chuckled and said that Hogan did not confirm and kind of stated that he didn’t know about it, hinting that this may actually be the case.
After the final commercial break, Landsberg asked a lot of questions in his “Next Question” segment. Some key ones were:
Q: Would you let Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake cut your hair?
A: Never
Q: What was the most uncomfortable angle you ever took part in?
A: Having Kidman beat him repeatedly week after week
Q: Talk about the Pat Patterson story when you joined the business:
A: Hogan said that on his first night, he was in a car and Patterson and other wrestlers said he had to give one of them oral sex or he would get “gang raped” (bleeped out on the show) after his match when he enters the showers. At that moment, he said that’s not his deal. After his match, he was ready to fight, but was instead greeted with cheers, beer, and celebration. He thought that was pretty interesting joke.
The show should be posted on https://www.tsn.ca/otr soon.
The USA Network issued the following press release today:
USA Delivers Best Year in Cable Ever- Again
BURN NOTICE #1 Series in P18-49 & P25-54;
ROYAL PAINS and WHITE COLLAR Top New Original Series
Widest Margin Of Victory Ever Over Second Ranked Cable Network
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – December 10, 2009 – USA continued its dominance over the cable landscape in 2009, delivering more primetime P25-54, total viewers, and households than any cable network (basic or pay) in history, while delivering more P18-49, P18-34 and the largest household coverage rating ever in basic cable. For a fourth straight year, USA was the #1 network in cable prime, delivering more P25-54 (1.50 million, +36% over #2 TNT) and P18-49 (1.38 million, +29% over #2 ESPN) than any other network. USA was also the top network for 2009 in cable prime among total viewers (3.29 million, +29% over #2 Disney Channel,) households (2.44 million, +31% over #2 Disney Channel) and P18-34 (613,000, +3% over #2 TBS); the network also delivered the highest household coverage rating (2.47, +0.56 over #2 Disney Channel).
Among basic cable networks, USA enjoyed the widest margins of victory ever over the second ranked network among P25-54, P18-49, and households and the best since 1994 in total viewers.
USA also won the total day crown in 2009, delivering more P25-54 (706,000, +9% over #2 TNT) and P18-49 (656,000, +9% over #2 TNT) than any other cable network. No cable network has ever averaged as many P25-54 over the course of a year’s total day as USA has in 2009. This was USA’s first total day victory in P25-54 since 1995 and its first P18-49 victory since 1999.
USA performed like a broadcast network this year, beating the CW by double digits in P25-54 (+61%), P18-49 (+33%), total viewers (+85%), and household delivery (+79%) in prime (Mon-Sun 8P-11P). This marks USA’s second year beating a broadcaster among P25-54 and P18-49, a feat no other cable network has accomplished.
USA is the home to seven successful original scripted series: BURN NOTICE, ROYAL PAINS, WHITE COLLAR, PSYCH, IN PLAIN SIGHT, LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT and the record-setting final season of MONK. Most of the Top 50 P25-54 and P18-49 entertainment telecasts of 2009 were the above USA originals (28 of the top 50 P25-54 and 26 of the top P18-49), as well as the most watched weekly series on cable, WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW. No other network placed more than 8 telecasts in the year’s top 50 for either demo.
* USA’s BURN NOTICE and ROYAL PAINS were the top two original series in basic cable prime this year and the only ones to draw over 3.5 million in P25-54 or 3 million in P18-49. These two series claimed nine of the top ten P25-54 scripted telecasts in basic cable prime for 2009, shutting out prior powerhouse TNT’s “The Closer.â€
* BURN NOTICE’s 2009 performance made it the most watched scripted series ever in basic cable among P18-49 (3.27 million). BURN NOTICE also claimed the year’s top spot among P25-54 (3.61 million).
* Proving again that USA is the home to new hits, the network’s ROYAL PAINS was the #1 new original series of the year, ranking second to BURN NOTICE, for P25-54 (3.56 million), P18-49 (3.15 million). ROYAL PAINS also came in second among total viewers (7.47 million), and households (5.29 million).
* ROYAL PAINS was the top-ranked new series in cable history, delivering more P25-54, P18-49, P18-34, and total viewers than the freshman year of any other scripted series in history.
* WHITE COLLAR debuted in style, coming in second only to sister series ROYAL PAINS among the year’s newest cable originals in delivering P25-54, P18-49, total viewers, and households.
* After eight successful seasons on the air, the series finale of the USA Original MONK set records as the most-watched basic cable original drama series telecast of all time. Hitting series highs for its final episode, a rare feat in the TV landscape shared by only an elite group of iconic series, the finale brought in 9.4 million total viewers, beating the prior series high by +37%
* WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW drew more P25-54 (2.63 million), total viewers (5.48 million), and households (3.70 million) than in any year since 2002. WWE RAW dominates cable in its Monday 9P-11P timeslot, drawing more P18-49, P25-54, P18-34, total viewers, and households than any other entertainment network. WWE RAW grew in every category in 2009, capturing +9% more P25-54, +4% more P18-49, +9% total viewers, and +12% households than in 2008.
* The three most watched acquired series in cable prime in 2009 were USA’s NCIS, LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT, and HOUSE. These three titles drew more P25-54 (NCIS 1.43 million / SVU 1.20 million / House 1.18 million), total viewers (NCIS 3.50 million / SVU 2.73 million / House 2.48 million), and households (NCIS 2.69 million / SVU 2.19 million / House 1.90 million) than any other acquired property on cable. These were the only acquired series to draw over 2.5 million total viewers, or 2 million households.