SEScoops

Author: Staff

  • Jim Ross Talks About WWE's Bragging Rights PPV

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com with his thoughts about last night’s WWE Bragging Rights Pay-Per-View. Here’s what JR had to say about the top matches:

    The 14-man Raw vs. SmackDown Match: Chris Jericho will likely continue to be the most despised man in WWE which is apropos and befits his ample skills. The SD team winning the 7 man tag, as I mentioned, surprised me but not in a bad way. Fans can choose to nit pick any 7 man tag all they choose but with 14 bodies in one, one fall match these massive tags are tough to navigate. The follow up, or fall out as it were, should make for some potentially intriguing TV. For any one who may think that 14 athletes are going to get “equal time” in a bout such as this isn’t realistic. The things that were top line issues got the focus they seem to need/warrant. I thought the 7 man tag delivered as expected, again in a challenging format. A Jericho/Big Show vs. DX issue looms one would assume.

    World Heavyweight Title Match: “Fatal 4 Ways can only have so many agendas and the biggest thing to come out of the World Title Match was the Batista-Mysterio issue which should make for some interesting Friday Night Smackdown. The big, disgruntled bully against the smaller underdog seems to be a dog that will hunt.”

    Cena & Orton’s Iron Man Match: “I throughly enjoyed the 60 Minute Ironman Match and that was the match that I would have most loved to have participated in from an old school perspective. Cena and Orton rose to the occasion, in a physically demanding environment and told a magnificent story to bring the PPV to the close it needed. Loved the physicality and intensity as ‘going the hour’ is a challenging piece of business. Cena is unquestionably and obviously the ‘Face of WWE’ which is no revelation but was certainly reaffirmed Sunday night. Orton has raised his game to an extraordinary level and he’s still not nearly as good as he is going to be considering his age and what lies ahead for the third generation wrestler. That’s a scary thought.”

    To read what JR said about Miz vs. Morrison, the Divas Match and get an update on his MRI results, visit JRsBarBQ.com.

  • Cena Bleeding At Bragging Rights Causes Panic Backstage

    During last night’s Iron Man match at Bragging Rights, a spot where John Cena got busted open caused a lot of commotion backstage.

    The incident happened when Randy Orton hit Cena with a microphone and started Vince McMahon ordered Cena to be cleaned up immediately after seeing the blood. WWE’s John Laurinaitis along with trainers rushed to ringside to clean him up, as WWE currently has a very strict “no blood” policy as part of their TV-PG programming initiative.

    With their first attempt, Cena wasn’t aware what they intended to do so played babyface and mounted offence against Randy Orton. The cut was finally glued shoot and cleaned up after the next fall.

    Cena and Orton were scheduled to work among the crowd and WWE wanted to ensure there was no health issue with a bloody wrestler among fans. If it were to have happened, the issue would have been taken seriously by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission and likely used as more ammuniton against Linda McMahon’s senate campaign.

    As the blood was unplanned, WWE decided to stop the clock during the bout as it wasn’t known how long the clean up operation on Cena would take.

    (Credit to PWInsider.com for some of the information used in this report)

  • Early Raw Preview, Lex Luger Speaks, Parks Unknown

    — Tonight’s edition of WWE Raw takes from the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, N.Y. The special guest hosts are NASCAR drivers Kyle Busch and Joey Logano. The advertised dark match main event is John Cena, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, and Big Show in a six-man tag. For the first time in months, WWE has 4 weeks to build to the next Pay-Per-View instead of only 3.

    — WWE’s website has added Lex Luger to the “Where Are They Now?” section. Luger says, “One of the things I do is try to get a positive message out there in the local schools and tell my story,” Luger said. “I also do a lot of faith-based speaking, sharing my story and testimony, to help show what God has done in my life and what he can do in others’ lives.” For more, visit WWE.com.

    — The WWE website has a tongue-in-cheek article about superstars who have hailed from “parts unknown,” which you can read here.

  • Shawn Michaels To Wrestle For 2-3 More Years

    Shawn Michaels has no plans of retiring any soon. The Heartbreak Kid is likely to continue wrestling on a regular basis for another 2-3 years and is not giving the impression that his retirement is imminent, according to prowrestling.net.

    Michaels currently works a lighter schedule than most of the WWE roster (he doesn’t appear on all house show events) and that  schedule may be scaled back even further in the next year or so.

    It is believed that when the time does come for Michaels to call it quits, he will receive a spectacular sendoff similar to that of Ric Flair’s when he retired. Michaels has spent almost his entire career with WWE and is one of the few WWE superstars to never jump to WCW. He’s been one of Vince McMahon’s favorite performers for a long time and it’s possible his sendoff will be even bigger than Flair’s.

  • WWE Bragging Rights PPV Results: New WWE Champion

    • Tell us what you thought about WWE Bragging Rights in the COMMENTS section below!

    WWE bragging rights begins with a video package highlighting the main feuds heading into tonight’s PPV.

    Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler and Todd Grisham welcome us to the show.  Apparently the winner of two out of three of the brand matches will win a Bragging Rights trophy.  Miz’s music hits, and one of the inter-promotional matches will be kicking us off tonight.

    Match #1: Unites States Champion The Miz vs. Intercontinental Champion John Morrison

    We get a video package between entrances, showing the history between these two men. Miz comes out first and gets a lot of boos. John Morrison is out next to a nice reception from the crowd.  Jericho and team Smackdown are shown in the back watching on the monitor, followed by Team Raw watching too. Morrison and Miz jaw at each other for a bit before locking up and starting out with some chain wrestling.  Miz makes it to the ropes when Morrison gets an advantage, forcing a break.  The two lock back up and Morrison quickly takes Miz down again.  Morrison locks in an arm bar, but Miz fights out, he quickly falls victim to a fireman’s carry from Morrison though.  Morrison hits a pair of shoulder blocks and locks in a headlock, tossing Miz into the corner.  Miz bails to the outside to a ton of heat from the crowd.

    Miz makes his way back into the ring and he kicks Morrison in the midsection before taking him over into a side headlock.  Morrison fights his way out, but Miz comes back with a shoulder block.  Morrison connects with a hot shot before hitting a big standing shooting star press.  Morrison goes for the pin but he can only get two.  Miz backs Morrison into the corner and starts pounding down on him before sending Morrison to the outside.

    Miz tries to bring Morrison back in with a suplex but Morrison comes in with a roll up instead.  Miz goes for a knee lift but Morrison fights out and clotheslines Miz over the top rope.  Morrison leaps through the ropes with a big kick that sends Miz to the floor.  Morrison sends Miz into the ring and goes for the quick cover, but Miz kicks out at two.  Morrison goes for a headscissors, but Miz throws him down to the arena floor instead.

    Morrison makes his way back into the ring where he quickly falls victim to a side slam.  Miz goes for the cover but he can only get two.  Miz buries his knee in Morrison’s back and yanks back on his arm, trying for a submission, but Morrison fights his way out with a modified mule kick.  Miz sends Morrison into the corner and hits the big clothesline before pulling hitting Morrison with a big running knee to the head.  Miz locks in a sleeper hold and Morrison tries to fight out.

    Morrison fights his way out and scores a couple of quick roll ups, but Miz is able to kick out at two.  Morrison and Miz trade kicks and strikes with Morrison getting the advantage with a running forearm.  Morrison connects with a big leg lariat and goes for the pin, but Miz kicks out.  Miz scores a quick roll up, but again he can’t keep Morrison down.  Morrison pounds on Miz until the ref breaks it up.  Miz tries for a clothesline, but he misses and walks right into a springboard kick.  Morrison goes for the pin but Miz gets his foot on the rope.

    Morrison goes for Starship Pain, but Miz bails to the floor where he eats a corkscrew plancha from Morrison.  Morrison throws Miz back into the ring and goes for the pin but Miz is still able to kick out.  Morrison puts Miz on the top turnbuckle and he goes for a superplex but Miz is able to knock him back to the mat.  Miz connects with a double ax handle to the head.  Miz goes for the SCF, but Morrison fights out and hits a reverse Russian leg sweep.  Morrison goes for Starship Pain, but Mix sweeps his legs out from under him, goes for the pin, and the ref counts to three.

    Winner: The Miz by pinfall

    We get an update on the situation in Team Smackdown where R-Truth, Matt Hardy, Finlay and the Hart Foundation qualified for Team Smackdown over the old team.  They compare the two teams heading into tonight’s match.

    Cody Rhodes is backstage saying that it’s pretty much going to be a clean sweep for Team Raw.  R-Truth tells him to hold up.  Rhodes says that unlike R-Truth, he was able to win his first qualifier, but Truth is a second rate competitor on a second rate team.  R-Truth says that the truth is that Cody’s dad is the only reason on Raw.  He says he wouldn’t be surprised if Cody makes a name for himself by being the one pinned tonight.  Big Show is behind Truth, he accuses him of taking cheap shots.  Show says he’s learned a lot from Jericho, but that’s not how they do things on Raw.  Show says that Raw will let their actions speak for themselves.

    Match #2: RAW Divas vs. SmackDown Divas
    Divas Champion Melina, Kelly Kelly and Gail Kim vs. Women’s Champion Michelle McCool, Beth Phoenix and Natalya

    Team Smackdown is out first, followed by Team Raw, and both teams get fairly decent reactions from the crowd.

    Beth Phoenix and Gail Kim start out things for their respective teams with Beth showing her power right off the bat.  Kim is able to use her quickness to score a roll up, but she falls victim to an immediate clothesline.  McCool tags in and goes to work on Kim, but she eats a hurricarana and goes back to her corner to tag in Natalya.  Natalya takes down Beth with a couple of quick forearms and a big body slam, but she misses the elbow and a charge into the corner, leaving her open for a modified spear.

    Kelly tags into the match and hits a big headscissors on Natalya, before getting hung up on the top rope by Natalya.  Natalya goes for the pin but she can only get two.  She backs Kelly up into her team’s corner before distracting the ref, allowing her teammates to work over Kelly.  Kelly fights out, but McCool tags herself in and stomps away at her.  McCool backs her up into the corner again and tags in Phoenix who hits a snap mare and goes for the pin, getting two.  Phoenix locks in a modified chin lock, but Kelly is able to fight out, although she can’t make a tag.

    McCool makes her way back in and dominates Kelly, slamming her down to the mat before hitting a big knee life.  Beth tags herself in and slams Kelly’s head into the corner, but Kelly is able to hit a quick hurricana and a near fall.  Kelly is finally able to make the tag to Melina who comes in and cleans house on Beth Phoenix, hitting a big dropkick and a drop toe hold into the ropes.  Beth hits Melina with a suplex but Melina turns it into a roll up.  McCool flips it over, but it’s only good for two.

    Beth connects with an implant buster type maneuver on Melina, and pins her for the three count.

    Winners: Smackdown Divas by pinfall

    DX is shown backstage watching the monitor.  They say that they have to win their match tonight.  Swagger interrupts and says does it really matter, the team is better because they have him.  Michaels says that Swagger needs to learn respect.  Hunter says as a team, Raw shouldn’t even be able to get along.  They talk about Mark Henry’s relationship with Mae Young, shoving McMahon into Big Show’s ass, and exposing Kingston as a fake Jamaican.  HBK says if Swagger wants to walk out on the team, he can, and HBK will replace him with the first person he sees.  Hornswoggle walks into the picture and Micheals says maybe not.  Triple H says tonight is bigger than a match, it about honor and pride.  Hunter says they have to win tonight, so he needs to know if his team is ready.  Micheals puts his hand in the middle and everyone else follows.  They all say Raw together, and it’s a very heartwarming moment.  Kinda like the Mighty Ducks.

    Match #3: Four-Way Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
    World Hvt. Champion The Undertaker vs. C.M. Punk vs. Batista vs. Rey Mysterio

    Batista is out first to a huge pop from the crowd.  CM Punk is out to a somewhat mixed reaction.  Not a lot of people are cheering for him, but a small contingent is.  He talks smack to Batista before laughing in his face. Undertaker’s gong hits, the lights go out, and the crowd goes nuts.  CM Punk looks concerned and he whispers something in the referee’s ear as the Undertaker makes his way out.  The crowd goes wild when he steps out onto the stage. We get the formal introductions for everyone as they all stare each other down in their own corner of the ring.

    Punk jumps Mysterio at the bell before bailing to the outside.  He comes back into the ring where he forces the Undertaker to hit Batista with a clothesline.  Punk pounds on Undertaker in the corner for a bit, but his advantage doesn’t last long before the Undertaker throws him over the top rope to the outside, where Mysterio hits a seated senton.  Batista and Undertaker square off for a bit with Undertaker coming out on top.  Undertaker then quickly dispatches Mysterio with a big boot before working over Batista’s arm.  Taker connects with old school on Batista and turns his attention to Mysterio for another old school, but he gets sent down by Punk.

    Punk tries for a superplex, but Taker fights him off for a bit, Punk eventually connects and Mysterio goes for a quick cover but Punk breaks it up.  Batista comes back into the match, hitting a huge slam on Punk but he quickly falls victim to a big boot from Taker.  Mysterio tries for a hurricarana on Taker but Taker catches him.  Taker goes for the last ride but Batista connects with a spear.  Mysterio goes for the cover but Taker sets him up for the chokeslam.  Batista and Rey Mysterio hit a 619/spinebuster combo, but CM Punk breaks up Batista’s pin attempt.

    Punk connects with a go to sleep on Mysterio but Batista breaks it up.  Undertaker locks in Hell’s gate on Batista out of nowhere but CM Punk breaks it up and pounds away at Taker.  Punk stomps away on Batista before connecting with his running knee in the corner on Taker.  Taker holds on though and hits the last ride on Punk, but Batista breaks up the pin.

    Batista and Taker square off with big right hands, Batista gets the best of it, but Taker connects with a big chokeslam out of nowhere.  He goes for the pin but Punk breaks it up again.  Punk picks up Taker and starts to pound away at him, but Taker goes for the chokeslam.  Punk kicks away at his knees to break it up, but Taker sends Punk to the outside over the top rope.  Taker signals for the tombstone and he gets Batista up, but Batista fights out and connects with the Batista bomb, but Mysterio breaks it up and goes for a cover of his own.  Batista and Mysterio argue, and Batista shoves Rey down to the outside.  Undertaker connects with a chokeslam on Batista and he goes for the pin but Batista kicks out.

    Taker goes for another chokeslam but Batista fights out and both men his simultaneous clotheslines.  Punk sneaks in and goes for a pin on both men but both kick out at two.  Punk gets frustrated and allows for time for Batista to send him to the outside.  Batista catches Mysterio and he throws his to the outside on top of Punk.  Batista turns around straight into a tombstone from Taker.  Taker pins Batista and the ref counts three.

    Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: The Undertaker

    Josh Matthews is in the ring after the match and he asks Mysterio how it feels to come so close to winning the World Championship.  Mysterio says that he and Batista did their best to help each other out, he apologizes to Batista and gives him a hug.  Mysterio says they were both close, but it didn’t work out tonight.  Matthews asked at what point he felt the match slip away from him.  Mysterio says whatever happened happened and tomorrow is another day.  Matthews asks Batista how he’s feeling.  Batista asks Rey and the fans if they think they were close.  Batista says he doesn’t think they were close, he thinks he was close, and that he’s tired of coming this close.  He also says he thinks he’s tired of his best friend stabbing him in the back.  Batista says he’s not playing, he says he’s going to rip his head off.  Batista drops the mic and stares down Mysterio before hitting a nasty lariat.  Batista sends Rey out to the floor, where he follows stomping away and screaming at him.  Batista screams in Rey’s face while Mysterio pleads with him to stop.  Batista launches Mysterio into the ringside barricade and the ref is in to stop things.  Batista attacks quickly again with another vicious clothesline and he leaves Rey lying.

    We get a video package of fan opinions of who is going to win in the big tag match tonight, it’s pretty split, but it seems a bit more heavy for Team Raw.

    14-Man Team Raw vs. Team Smackdown Bragging Rights match
    Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Cody Rhodes, Kofi Kingston, Jack Swagger, Big Show, and Mark Henry vs. Chris Jericho, Kane, Finlay, Matt Hardy, R-Truth, DH Smith & Tyson Kidd

    DX’s music hits and Hunter and Shawn make their way out to the ring first for their team.  to a huge pop from the crowd. The Raw music hits and the rest of the team make their way out to the ring (way to make everyone seem equal, huh?).

    Chris Jericho’s music hits and he makes his way to the bottom of the ramp where he waits for his co-captain Kane.  One major difference between Team Raw and Team Smackdown is that at least the captains of Team Smackdown are wearing their shirts prominently.  Smackdown’s music hits and the rest of the team makes their way down the ramp.

    All 14 men square off in the ring and the referee holds the Bragging Rights trophy high.  Cody Rhodes and R-Truth are going to start things off for their respective teams.  Cody hits Truth with a quick kick and it quickly devolves into a fight.  Truth hits a big back kick, but he gets caught with a big back elbow and Rhodes and Truth fight on the ground for a bit.  Big Show tags in.

    Kane tags in for Smackdown and the big men square off.  Kane starts things off with some strikes and a kick, he avoids a Big Show splash in the corner and hits a lariat, but he falls victim to a big shoulder block and a leg drop from Show.  Show tags in Swagger who comes in and works over Kane while talking smack.  Kane comes back with a big right hand and tags in Matt Hardy.  Hardy comes in and smashes Swagger’s head into the turnbuckle and hitting a big lariat.  Hardy tries for a suplex but Swagger fights out.  Hardy pulls Swagger’s shirt up and pounds away at him, hitting a big boot and following it up with a second rop leg drop.

    Swagger bails to the floor and Hardy follows hitting a big lariat.  all 14 men square off on the floor and the ref tries to keep things separate.  Hardy and Swagger make their way back into the ring where Swagger works over Hardy’s arm with a single arm DDT.  Swagger tags in Henry, who comes in and pounds on Hardy in the corner before continuing to work over Hardy’s arm.  Henry hits a big head butt on Hardy, but when he tries for an elbow drop, Hardy rolls out of the way.  Hardy can’t make the tag though before Henry flings him back across the ring and tags in Michaels.

    Michaels chops away at Hardy before sending him into the corner.  HBK sends Hardy into the ropes, but he falls victim to a kick and a side effect from Hardy.  Hardy makes his way to his corner and tags in Finlay who comes in and quickly slams Michaels down to the mat.  Michaels fights back though, but not for long as Finlay sends him hard into the corner.  Finlay connects with a short arm clothesling and a quick European uppercut before pounding away at HBK in the corner.  Micheals sends Finlay into the corner but Finlay turns around and both men crack heads and go down.

    Both men get to their feet at the same time, but HBK hits sweet chin music.  Smith makes a blind tag and they hit the Hart attack and go for a quick pin but HBK kicks out.  Smith tags in Jericho who smirks and throws his shirt in Michaels’ face.  Jericho locks in a modified sleeper but HBK is quick to fight back.  He fights his way out of the hold and he rolls up Jericho, but he falls victim to a quick lariat.

    Jericho stomps on Micheals and tags in Kane who comes in and hits a low kick to HBK’s face.  Kane goes for the pin but Micheals kicks out at two.  Kane punches Michaels in the face before tagging in Smith, who locks in a sleeper.  The crowd gets behind Micheals, who makes his way to his eet and fights out of the hold, but Smith quickly retaliates with a side belly to back suplex, which is good for another near fall.  Smith slams Michaels down and tags in Kidd, who goes for a springboard elbow drop, but he misses.  Michaels is able to make the tag to HHH who comes in and cleans house on the Hart Dynasty and Finlay with a couple of big spinebusters.  He turns right around though into a big chokeslam from Kane.

    Kidd pins Hunter, but Triple H kicks out at two.  Both men go for their corners.  Kidd tags in Jericho who comes in and hits a bull dog on Hunter.  Jericho goes for a lionsault but Hunter rolls out of the way.  Hunter tags in Kingston who comes in and works over Jericho with a big dropkick, lariat and boom drop.  Jericho blocks the boom drop though and almost locks in the walls of Jericho but Kofi fights out and is able to connect with trouble in paradise.  The Hart Dynasty comes in to break up the pin and things begin to break down.  All 14 men are fighting.  Swagger hits his gut-wrench powerbomb, but he falls victim to a big boot from Kane, who falls victim to a spear from Big Show.  Kofi goes up top and Big Show grabs him by the throat and hits a big chokeslam.  Show hits the knockout punch on Hunter and leaves the ring.

    Jericho pins Kingston, and gets the win for his team.

    Winners: Team Smackdown by pinfall

    Smackdown celebrates with the trophy after the match.  They all hand it around to each other.

    Kingston is shown backstage where he’s blamed by Rhodes, who calls him a weak link.  Rhodes attacks Kingston and throws him into the wall.

    Match #5: Iron Man Match for the WWE Championship:
    WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. John Cena
    * No DQ or Countout – Cena must leave Raw if he loses

    A video package is shown with highlights from all the matches these two men have been in with each other.

    Randy Orton is out first to a surprisingly warm reception from the crowd.  He makes his way (very slowly) to the ring. Cena is out next, to a very nice reception from this crowd.  He runs down to the ring where he poses for the fans.  We get formal introductions for both men, and this time around both men get a fair share of love and boos from the crowd.

    Cena and Orton and lock up, Cena goes for an arm bar and turns it into a side headlock.  Orton backs Cena up into the corner where he fights out of the hold and pounds down on Cena.  Orton locks in a side headlock of his own, taking Cena down to the mat.  Cena is quick to fight out, sending Orton into the ropes.  Cena hits a big hip toss, but he’s sent into the corner by Orton.

    Orton stomps away at Cena in the corner, but he takes too much time and he’s sent into the opposite corner by Cena.  Cena goes for a bull dog but Orton launches him across the ring instead.  Orton stomps away at Cena on the mat before rearing back and punching him square in the face.

    q  Orton takes his time and stares at Cena for a little while, which leads to him falling victim to the STF.  Orton taps out quickly, and the first fall goes to Cena.

    Orton – 0 : Cena – 1

    Both men square off with right hands and Orton gets the advantage with a scoop slam.  Orton kicks at Cena’s shoulder before blatantly choking him.  Orton continues to wear down Cena, stomping away at him.  Orton sends Cena to the apron and suplexes him back into the ring.  He goes for the pin, but Cena is able to kick out at two.  Orton locks in a rear chin lock and takes Cena down to the mat.

    Cena is able to get back to his feet, but Orton clamps down and Cena alls back to the mat.  Cena looks to be fading, but he once again is able to make his way back to his feet.  Cena fights out of the hold this time, and he’s able to kick Orton in the midsection and hit a quick blockbuster.  Cena goes up to the top rope and connects with the leg drop to the back of Orton’s neck.

    Cena goes for the five knuckle shuffle, but when he turns around he’s surprised by an RKO from Orton.  Orton pins Cena and gets the three.

    Orton – 1 : Cena – 1

    Orton sends Cena to the floor and he follows out.  Orton slams Cena’s head into the steel stairs before dragging him over to the announce table area.  He slams Cena’s head into the apron and begins disassembling the announce table.  Orton grabs a monitor and he whacks Cena in the skull.  Orton goes for the pin but Cena kicks out.

    Orton sends Cena back into the ring and he goes for a mic.  Orton hits Cena square in the head and he goes for another pin but Cena is able to kick out again.  Cena is actually busted open on the top of his head and Orton punches away at the wound.  The ref tries to get the medic to check out Cena’s cut and they stop the clock, but Cena attacks Orton and the clock starts again.  Cena launches Orton over the top rope and to the floor.  He follows out and slams Ortons head into the steel stairs, but Orton is able to reverse an Irish whip and send Cena into the stairs.  Orton goes for the cover but Cena kicks out.

    Orton starts to stalk Cena and looks to be setting up for the RKO,but when he goes for it, Cena pushes him off and hits a duo of shoulder blocks and a side belly to back suplex.  Cena fires himself up and connects with the five knuckle shuffle.  Cena goes for the AA, but Orton counters into the RKO.  Both men’s shoulders are down and both have an arm across each other, and the ref counts three for both men.

    Orton – 2 : Cena – 2

    The medics continue to check on Cena and he tries to wave them off, but they insist on toweling the blood of Cena’s head.  Orton charges Cena when the match starts again but Cena avoids it and Orton’s shoulder connects with the steel ring post.  Cena puts Orton on the top turnbuckle and he looks to be going for a second rope AA, he connects, and both men are down.  Cena is able to cover Orton, and the ref counts to three.

    Orton – 2 : Cena – 3

    Legacy run down to the ring where they assault John Cena, beating him down.  Dibiase connects with the dream street and the drag Orton on top of Cena.  The ref counts three and that’s another fall.  Kofi Kingston runs down to the ring with a chair and chases off Legacy.

    Orton – 3 : Cena – 3

    Cena starts the next fall off with a quick high knee and both men are down.  Cena takes Orton down to the mat and he starts to pound on him but Orton bails to the floor.  Cena follows out and he slams Orton’s head into the guardrail.  Cena and Orton fight up the ramp, with Cena throwing right hands all the way.  Cena sends Orton into another guard rail on the other side of the ramp, but the third time Cena tries, Orton counters and sends Cena in instead.

    Orton goes for a pin but Cena is able to kick out at two.  Both men fight over into the tech area.  Orton slams Cena’s head into some controls and some of the pyro on the entrance ramp goes off.  Orton sends Cena into some of the set lighting and there’s a big hokey explosion.  Orton pulls Cena back out and goes for the cover, the ref counts to three.

    Orton – 4 : Cena – 3

    Orton goes back over to the pyro controls and he starts pressing random buttons.  He follows Cena to the top of the stage, but he grabs a chair first, making sure to whack Cena upon catching up to him.  Orton drags Cena over the pyro strip, and goes back to the controls.  Orton presses down on the button, but it doesn’t work, so he slams down on the controls and sets off a whole load of other pyro.

    Cena apparently rolled out of the way of the pyro and Orton is livid.  Orton pounds on Cena and beats him back down the ramp, stopping at the half-way point to pound on the top of Cena’s head.  Orton hits a big European uppercut and pounds on Cena.  Orton launches Cena into the steel ring steps with an Irish whip.

    Cena makes his way to his feet, but Orton sends him right back down with another punch.  Orton picks up some of the stairs and he throws them straight at Cena’s head.  Cena’s able to get his hands up though, and when Orton goes for the pin, Cena is able to kick out at two.  Orton looks to be getting frustrated.

    Orton punches away at Cena, putting him down on the ground and trying to wear away at Cena.  Orton grabs another chair and he whacks Cena across the back.  Orton goes for a pin but Cena is able to kick out at one.  Orton sends Cena back into the ring.

    Orton picks Cena up, but Cena is able to lock in a small package.  Orton won’t break for the interval and he pounds away at Cena instead.  The ref is able to break it up and Orton bails to the outside.

    Orton – 4 : Cena – 4

    Orton throws a tantrum on the outside, but he’s slow to start at the next fall.  He stalks Cena from the outside, pulling him toward the ring apron.  Orton gets Cena in DDT position, and he sends Cena crashing down headfirst to the floor.  Orton pins Cena and the ref counts to three.

    Orton – 5 : Cena – 4

    Orton goes for another pin, but Cena is able to kick out at two.  Orton picks Cena up and sends him back into the ring. Orton stomps away at Cena’s limbs, working him over methodically.  Orton locks in a chin lock and pounds on Cena’s chest.  He goes for a cover but Cena kicks out at two.  Orton hits Cena with another big right hand and Cena falls to his back.  Orton goes for a pin but Cena is able to kick out again.

    Cena makes his way back to his feet where Orton is waiting behind him.  Orton his yet another big right hand and he goes for the pin, but Cena kicks out at two.

    Orton goes for another big punch, but Cena ducks it and connects with a right hand of his own.  Orton bails to the floor and goes all the way up to the top of the entrance ramp.

    Cena follows Orton up the ramp and they meet at the top where Orton kicks Cena and works him over with punches and kicks.  Cena is able to fight back and Orton walks back down the ramp and into the ring.

    Cena makes his way back down to the ring, but when he slides into the ring, Orton beats down on him.  Orton continues to wear down Cena with some nasty stomps.  Cena rolls out to the apron, and Randy Orton sets him up for the rope assisted DDT, but Cena fights out and goes for the AA.  Orton fights out of that and bails out into the crowd.

    Cena follows Orton all the way to the top of the stairs of a section and he connects with a garbage can shot.  Cena sends Orton head first into a wall, and he stomps away at Orton.  Cena punches Orton and Orton stumbles down the stairs away from Cena.

    Orton and Cena slowly make their way back to the ringside area, but the continue to fight in the crowd for a bit.  Cena sends Orton back over the guard rail with a hip toss and he goes for a pin, but Orton kicks out at two.

    Cena sends Orton head first into some steel stairs and goes for the cover, but Orton is able to kick out again.  Cena beats Orton around the ring and sends him into one of the ringside barricades.

    Cena sends Orton into the barricade again and Orton is down on the ground.  Cena picks Orton up, and he sends him through one of the barricades, just absolutely launching Orton.

    Orton positions one of the sets of stairs next to the announce table.  Cena picks up another set of stairs and he rams them straight into Orton’s head.  Cena hangs on to the stairs, setting them on top of the other stairs he already put next to the table.

    Cena dead lifts Orton up into body slam position and quickly tosses him up on his shoulders into AA position.  Cena climbs the stairs that he just set up and hits the AA on Orton through the announce table and the crowd goes nuts.  Cena pins Orton and the ref counts three.

    Orton – 5 : Cena – 5

    Cena goes for another pin as soon as possible, but Orton is able to kick out at two and Cena looks shocked. Cena begins looking under the ring and he grabs a table.  Cena slides the table into the ring, where he sets it up in the middle of the ring.

    Cena picks Orton up to his feet, but Orton can’t stand.  Cena carries Orton and rolls him back into the ring. Cena lays Orton down on the table.  Cena goes up to the top rope and he dives off with a leg drop, but Orton is able to roll out of the way and Cena crashes through the table.

    Both men are very slow to get up.  Orton punches Cena from his knees, and Cena retaliates.  They continue to trade punches, but both seem exhausted.  Both men are back to their feet, and they continue to punch away at each other.

    Cena gets in a flurry of strikes and he connects with one shoulder block, but when he goes for another he connects with the ref.  Cena is distracted and when he turns around Orton hits a big RKO.  Orton calls another ref down and he goes for the cover but Cena kicks out at two.

    Orton is upset and he attacks the other ref, sending him down to the mat.  Orton appears to be extremely upset.  Orton backs up and sets up for the punt, but Cena avoids it and is able to counter with the STF.  Orton tries to make it to the ropes and he looks up at the scoreboard.

    Orton is finally forced to tap with four seconds on the clock and John Cena ekes out another fall.

    Orton – 5 : Cena – 6

    Winner and NEW WWE Champion: John Cena

    Cena poses with the title for a bit in the ring and the announcer recap some of the bigger spots in the match.  Cena makes his way to the top of the ramp, and walks out tall with the title over his shoulder.  The PPV ends with Orton shown recovering in the ring.

    Thanks to everybody who joined us for our live coverage of WWE’s Bragging Rights!

  • Taz Talks About The Idea Of Paul Heyman Booking TNA

    Taz posted a message on his Facebook page in response to a reader’s comment that TNA should bring in Paul Heyman and put him in charge of the creative team:

    “How do u know if Paul would want to even be back in the wrestling biz?”

    “How do u know if Paul was happy doing with he’s doing”

    “How do you know if Vince Russo and Paul aren’t friends and talk ‘shop’ at times?

    How do you know if TNA wants Paul?? How do you know if Paul wants TNA?

    How do you know if Paul wasn’t offered to work for TNA already?

    You don’t, sir.”

  • Jim Ross Gives An Update On His Health & Future Plans

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross, who suffered his third attack of Bell’s Palsy last week, has posted a message on JRsBarBQ.com that includes an update on his health and future in WWE. JR sounds upbeat and vows to return

    Yep, my neurologist cleared my travel because the flight was only 40 minutes and I’m drive home after the game w/ friends. Here’s the latest. I had a MRI Friday on my brain and inner ear and will get the result, hopefully, Monday afternoon. Hopefully, that will be good news. I’m thinking it will.

    My right eye is problematic but we have the meds in place to protect my cornea due to the dryness issues. My vision is blurred in the right eye but I’m optimistic it will improve. Senstive hearing on certain tones remain as are frequent migrain-like headaches but I’m dealing w/ it. No worries. The right side of my face isn’t sagging as bad as my two previous bouts of Bells palsy. Still, my “leading man” status is in jeopardy. :)

    The doctors won’t and can’t provide me a timeline as to when I will return but, without fail, I will return at some point “Sooner” than later. And w/ more P&V than ever! Certainly not pleased to be missing WWE Bragging Rights Sunday on PPV but will watch it from home in Norman.

    Visit JRsBarBQ.com for Jim Ross’ complete Saturday blog update.

  • Jim Ross Gives An Update On His Health & Future Plans

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross, who suffered his third attack of Bell’s Palsy last week, has posted a message on JRsBarBQ.com that includes an update on his health and future in WWE. JR sounds upbeat and vows to return

    Yep, my neurologist cleared my travel because the flight was only 40 minutes and I’m drive home after the game w/ friends. Here’s the latest. I had a MRI Friday on my brain and inner ear and will get the result, hopefully, Monday afternoon. Hopefully, that will be good news. I’m thinking it will.

    My right eye is problematic but we have the meds in place to protect my cornea due to the dryness issues. My vision is blurred in the right eye but I’m optimistic it will improve. Senstive hearing on certain tones remain as are frequent migrain-like headaches but I’m dealing w/ it. No worries. The right side of my face isn’t sagging as bad as my two previous bouts of Bells palsy. Still, my “leading man” status is in jeopardy. :)

    The doctors won’t and can’t provide me a timeline as to when I will return but, without fail, I will return at some point “Sooner” than later. And w/ more P&V than ever! Certainly not pleased to be missing WWE Bragging Rights Sunday on PPV but will watch it from home in Norman.

    Visit JRsBarBQ.com for Jim Ross’ complete Saturday blog update.

  • Hogan MSG Press Conference, New Linda Campaign Video

    — WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan will be hosting a press conference on Tuesday (10/27) in New York City to promote his new book, “My Life Outside the Ring” that is being released the same day. According to a press release, Hogan will “field questions from wrestling fans about his book, his recent personal struggles, his storied career, and the next chapter of his life.”  The press conference is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. next Tuesday in the Mall Area outside of Madison Square Garden at 32nd St & 7th Ave.

    You can buy Hulk Hogan’s new book “My Life Outside the Ring” at Amazon.com
    .

    — Linda McMahon has posted a new video to her campaign website discussing WWE – that the McMahons were the first to admit pro wrestling was scripted entertainment and once again trying to hype up that WWE programming is now TV-PG. The video was posted in response to political opponents trying to draw attention to the more “adult-themed” (translation: classless) storylines in WWE history, including Triple H humping Katie Vick’s corpse and Triple H marrying a drugged Stephanie McMahon. This video, which is the first time during the campaign that Linda has linked herself to WWE, can be viewed at Linda2010.com.

  • Video Of Desmond Wolfe’s TNA Debut From iMPACT!

    TNA Wrestling has posted a video of Desmond Wolfe’s debut from iMPACT! where he attacked Kurt Angle.

    Angle and Wolfe will wrestle next week on iMPACT!

    In case you missed the debut, check it out below:

  • Video Of Desmond Wolfe's TNA Debut From iMPACT!

    TNA Wrestling has posted a video of Desmond Wolfe’s debut from iMPACT! where he attacked Kurt Angle.

    Angle and Wolfe will wrestle next week on iMPACT!

    In case you missed the debut, check it out below:

  • Desmond Wolfe Talks About His TNA Debut, WWE & More

    TNA Wrestling’s newest star Desmond Wolfe, formerly Nigel McGuiness in Ring of Honor, spoke to the  UK’s Daily Star this week and talked about where his new ring name came from, feuding with Kurt Angle and more. You can read the entire interview at DailyStar.co.uk. Some highlights:

    Where the name Desmond Wolfe came from: “Everyone is asking me where I got the name from – someone said Withnail and I – but Vince said he did an internet search of the most popular British names and came up with Desmond Wolfe!”

    Kurt Angle Being His First TNA Feud: “Who gets the opportunity to come in on their first day and beat up Angle, I mean that’s huge! Kurt has been great, just like everyone else – he’s really open to ideas. I said this in the pub the other night – if you’d have told me that I would be working Angle three weeks ago – I would have laughed, I guess that’s one of the wonderful things about life in general that it can happen – one door closes and another one opens.  Talking to Kurt, well, just look at the guys he’s worked with; it’s a who’s who of legends. Austin, Rock – that’s the level he is at, and it can only benefit me.”

    Whether he went to TNA because he failed a WWE medical screening: “I had a clean bill of health from my orthopedic guy and my local doctor, so it’s not about that. I don’t hold against anything against them, it was a business decision, and  they were only doing what they think is best for them.”

    While he denies that the WWE deal fell through due to him failing a physical, he did not say what the reason was beyond the fact that it was a “business decision.”

    Related: Watch Desmond Wolfe’s TNA Debut From Thursday’s iMPACT!

  • Desmond Wolfe Talks About His TNA Debut, WWE & More

    TNA Wrestling’s newest star Desmond Wolfe, formerly Nigel McGuiness in Ring of Honor, spoke to the  UK’s Daily Star this week and talked about where his new ring name came from, feuding with Kurt Angle and more. You can read the entire interview at DailyStar.co.uk. Some highlights:

    Where the name Desmond Wolfe came from: “Everyone is asking me where I got the name from – someone said Withnail and I – but Vince said he did an internet search of the most popular British names and came up with Desmond Wolfe!”

    Kurt Angle Being His First TNA Feud: “Who gets the opportunity to come in on their first day and beat up Angle, I mean that’s huge! Kurt has been great, just like everyone else – he’s really open to ideas. I said this in the pub the other night – if you’d have told me that I would be working Angle three weeks ago – I would have laughed, I guess that’s one of the wonderful things about life in general that it can happen – one door closes and another one opens.  Talking to Kurt, well, just look at the guys he’s worked with; it’s a who’s who of legends. Austin, Rock – that’s the level he is at, and it can only benefit me.”

    Whether he went to TNA because he failed a WWE medical screening: “I had a clean bill of health from my orthopedic guy and my local doctor, so it’s not about that. I don’t hold against anything against them, it was a business decision, and  they were only doing what they think is best for them.”

    While he denies that the WWE deal fell through due to him failing a physical, he did not say what the reason was beyond the fact that it was a “business decision.”

    Related: Watch Desmond Wolfe’s TNA Debut From Thursday’s iMPACT!

  • Several Backstage Blowups In TNA This Past Week

    There have been a number of backstage altercations in TNA Wrestling over the past week or two. Here’s the latest:

    — There was a massive edit for last week’s TNA iMPACT! as Lacey Von Erich fell flat on her face when she ran to the ring to do a run-in during the Knockouts elimination match. The issues with Von Erich don’t end there as she suffered a minor hamstring injury while training at the Impact Zone and made it known all night that she was in pain. She then reportedly told a male trainer to go and get her an ice pack and the guy ended up walking in to see a half-dressed Awesome Kong who was obviously not happy. We’re told Kong grabbed Von Erich and took her to the trainers room where she proceeded to cut a promo on her in front of Kurt Angle. When Von Erich went to TNA management to complain, they ended up siding with Kong.

    — According to the PWTorch Newsletter, AJ Styles went off on Vince Russo and was frustrated over “what he argued was dismal booking of him early in his run as champion.” Styles feels he’s been made to look like a weak champion by Russo. Samoa Joe also had some beef with TNA management, but it was not wrestling-related, Samoa Joe complained that TNA blew-off of a commitment to use his friend’s catering business at the Bound For Glory PPV in California. Joe complaining about catering .. insert joke here.

    — Chris Sabin suffered a concussion at the TNA Impact TV tapings on Wednesday night in Orlando, FL. Sabin’s concussion took place during a tag team match between The Motor City Machineguns and Team 3D when Sabin landed awkwardly. Sabin reportedly told people backstage that he was out cold during the match, but somehow regained his composure and finished the finish. We’re told Kevin Nash blew up backstage about the incident and was overhead yelling at Team 3D for not killing the original finish as he felt Sabin’s health should have been the first priority. Nash felt that as veterans, Team 3D should have made that call on the fly and that someone in production could have given a cue to the referee to end the match. While it probably won’t air, Nash did walk out in front of the Impact Zone and cut a promo about how upset he was that the match continued as Sabin was laying on the ring apron. Sabin was said to be feeling much better after the taping had finished. Nash is being praised by other wrestlers with the company for looking out for the safety of his coworkers.

    — There was a massive edit for last week’s TNA iMPACT! as Lacey Von Erich fell flat on her face when she ran to the ring to do a run-in during the Knockouts elimination match. The issues with Von Erich don’t end there as she suffered a minor hamstring injury while training at the Impact Zone and made it known all night that she was in pain. She then reportedly told a male trainer to go and get her an ice pack and the guy ended up walking in to see a half-dressed Awesome Kong who was obviously not happy. We’re told Kong grabbed Von Erich and took her to the trainers room where she proceeded to cut a promo on her in front of Kurt Angle. When Von Erich went to TNA management to complain, they ended up siding with Kong.

  • *Spoiler* Man Who Attacked AJ Styles On iMPACT! Revealed

    According to a very reliable source in TNA Wrestling , the person who attacked AJ Styles on iMPACT this week was former WWE and TNA star Tomko.

    As we reported on Tuesday afternoon, Tomko was backstage in Orlando for Tuesday’s iMPACT tapings and was expected to appear on camera. From what we’ve been told, there current plan is for there to be a series of attacks on AJ Styles where the attacker looks like Daniels (bald head) but his face will not be revealed until a further date.

    This will likely lead to a match between Styles and Tomko at some point, playing off their long history together in TNA.

    In case you missed the attack on iMPACT!, here it is:

  • Paul Heyman Accuses Pop Star Rihanna Of Ripping Off ECW

    ECW creator Paul Heyman has accused pop star Rihanna of ripping off ECW’s 1998 music album “Extreme Music” for her new album, Russian Roulette. Heyman wrote the following on his Heyman Hustle site:

    The entertainment community is abuzz about Rihanna’s new album cover , where the once-but-never-again-almost- Mrs.-Chris-Brown is wrapped up in barbed wire, with her right arm in the air, and blood dripping on the cover design.

    Hmmmmmmmmmmm……… is this familiar to anyone?

    …[H]ere’s Rihanna’s album cover today, and here’s The Sandman on the cover of the ECW album in 1998. Hardcore thievery? Dangerously Inspired? “Extreme” Coincidence?

    Rihanna Album Cover Sandman ECW Cover

    What do you think? Did ECW invent barbed wire??

  • *SPOILERS* SmackDown Tapings Results For Tonight

    Thanks to reader Jon Hewett for sending in this live report from last night’s SmackDown tapings:

    – Batista & Mysterio vs. Jericho & Kane tonight.

    – Chris Jericho starts things off. Bragging Rights hype. JTG interrupts, then Vickie Guerrero interrupts. JTG’s better on the mic. Eric Escobar comes out, then Dolph Ziggler, then Drew McIntyre. Finally, Kane. Kane & Jericho run down their team for not being ready and set up a 4 on 5 tag match, because Shad is sick. Different stipulation than Raw’s 5 on 5 match.  This time, if a member of Team Smackdown loses, the whole team is replaced.

    – 1st Match – Eric Escobar, JTG, Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler vs. The Hart Dynasty, Finlay, Matt Hardy & R-Truth. Long match. Hardy pins JTG with a Twist of Fate after Finlay with a shillelagh hit.

    – CM Punk, Scott Armstrong and Teddy Long are in the back talking about the screw job. Armstrong bails out, but runs into Vince McMahon.

    – 2nd Match – John Morrison vs. Mike Knox. Morrison wins with Starship Pain.  Morrison gives a short promo after the match.

    – Jericho & Kane congratulate Hardy and company on replacing all 5 of the old Smackdown team.

    – Mickie James, Michelle McCool, Mae Young and Beth Phoenix promo. Young slaps the fool out of McCool.

    – Batista & Rey talk backstage.

    – 3rd Match – Batista & Mysterio vs. Jericho & Kane. Pyrofest 2009. Batista pins Kane with a spear after Mysterio scarifies himself to Kane on a chokeslam.

    – Vince McMahon talks up tonight’s main event. Armstrong caved in. Taker-McMahon WrestleMania 26 foreshadowing here. Vince blackmails Armstrong by saying Bullet Bob could go in Hall of Fame this year if he cooperates.

    – 4th Match – Mickie James vs. Layla. Mickie wins with a spin kick. And let’s just say she’s gotten the message from being moved.

    – Captain Lou package.

    – Cole & King hype Bragging Rights.

    – 5th Match – CM Punk vs. Undertaker -  Submission Match for the World Heavyweight Title. Punk and company come out with a Straight Edge promo. Great simple stuff from Punk. Taker wins with Hell’s Gate despite Punk’s attempts at another screwjob. Punk tapped way too quickly.

    – Taker plays to the crowd to send us home happy.

  • Matt Hardy Says Jeff Is The Victim Of A Corrupt Scam

    This morning, Matt Hardy posted several items on his Twitter account regarding his brother Jeff’s future. Matt wrote:

    “A year or so from now, Jeff will be a bigger star and celebrity than he’s ever been-we locked him into a major project this week.”

    “Nothing is gonna happen to Jeff, he’s a victim of a corrupt scam-the truth is coming out, and will come out in it’s entirety in the future.”

    Interestingly enough, the comments have already been removed.

    While this news does seem pretty juicy, let’s wait and see if anything materializes. Knowing Matt, he’ll follow up with an “AHA!” post how we’re all idiots for thinking he was talking about Jeff HARDY, when he was actually talking about his neighbor Jeff Jones, who was wrongfully accused of painting his house the wrong color.

    Jeff Hardy was arrested back on September 11th after a search of his Cameron, N.C. residence yielded 262 Vicodin prescription pills, 180 Soma prescription pills, 555 milliliters of anabolic steroids, a residual amount of powder cocaine and items of drug paraphernalia. He was charged with felony trafficking in opium, two counts of felony possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule III controlled substance, felony maintaining a dwelling to keep controlled substance, felony possession of cocaine and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

    Related News:

  • Lance Cade Returns To World Wrestling Entertainment

    Source: PWInsider.com

    World Wrestling Entertainment has signed former tag team champion Lance Cade to a new contract.  He reported to Florida Championship Wrestling, WWE’s developmental territory, earlier this week.

    Cade, who was trained by Shawn Michaels in Texas, is best known from his tag team with Trevor Murdoch. He had been in the midst of the biggeset push of his career, working as Chris Jericho’s second during a feud with Michaels when he was suddenly released in October 2008. WWE announcer Jim Ross reported at the time that Cade was let go after suffering a seizure on a flight that required emergency treatment. The belief at the time was that Cade’s seizure was the result of “something he had taken.”

    Since his WWE releasse last year, he’s been working for the NWA in California as well as in Japan.

  • Shad Gaspard Explains Why He Didn’t Wrestle On SmackDown

    At Tuesday night’s SmackDown tapings, Cryme Tyme member Shad Gaspard told WWE management that he was unable to participate on the show as scheduled because he was feeling very sick.

    Gaspard’s partner, JTG took his spot at the last minute and you can read what went down here:

    After some online reports that some people backstage were questioning the legitimacy of Gaspard’s illness, he posted the following message on his MySpace page earlier today:

    “Ok before this thing gets out of hands let me set the record straight. This past Monday I got sick while traveling from Mexico to the US. On Tuesday my symptoms increased drastically to body pains, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. I tried several over the counter medicines that temporarily worked, but didn’t help in the long run.

    Finally I went to or WWE doctor who prescribed to give me a shot of Phenergan, which should have worked. Unforchantly it made me drowsy and brought on cold chills. The office thought it best I leave than try to perform. I spent Tuesday night in my hotel room vomiting and dealing with bad diarrheaa all night (Trust me no one ells was near or around me). When I got back home I dealt with the same symptom all day as my girl helped me get better bye taking what our family physician prescribed, and getting rest…..

    I’ve never let being sick ever keep me from performing, I’ve worked sick, hurt, and injured before on live events, TV tapings, and Pay Per Views, I just never let no one excluding my partner know how I felt or what I was going through. I apologies to my tag team partner, the participants in my match and the WWE universe, I should have found out all the information about what was given to me before I took it, and prevented my self from getting sick in the first place.

    I take full responsibility for what happened and I’m sorry. In our industry there is a tradition that the show must go on no mater what, and I feel I have betrayed that tradition bye not performing last Tuesday. The greatest joy in my life is performing in the WWE (Win, Lose or Draw), I love what I do, and I will never let something like this happen agene.

    Sincerely
    Shad Gaspard

  • Shad Gaspard Explains Why He Didn't Wrestle On SmackDown

    At Tuesday night’s SmackDown tapings, Cryme Tyme member Shad Gaspard told WWE management that he was unable to participate on the show as scheduled because he was feeling very sick.

    Gaspard’s partner, JTG took his spot at the last minute and you can read what went down here:

    After some online reports that some people backstage were questioning the legitimacy of Gaspard’s illness, he posted the following message on his MySpace page earlier today:

    “Ok before this thing gets out of hands let me set the record straight. This past Monday I got sick while traveling from Mexico to the US. On Tuesday my symptoms increased drastically to body pains, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. I tried several over the counter medicines that temporarily worked, but didn’t help in the long run.

    Finally I went to or WWE doctor who prescribed to give me a shot of Phenergan, which should have worked. Unforchantly it made me drowsy and brought on cold chills. The office thought it best I leave than try to perform. I spent Tuesday night in my hotel room vomiting and dealing with bad diarrheaa all night (Trust me no one ells was near or around me). When I got back home I dealt with the same symptom all day as my girl helped me get better bye taking what our family physician prescribed, and getting rest…..

    I’ve never let being sick ever keep me from performing, I’ve worked sick, hurt, and injured before on live events, TV tapings, and Pay Per Views, I just never let no one excluding my partner know how I felt or what I was going through. I apologies to my tag team partner, the participants in my match and the WWE universe, I should have found out all the information about what was given to me before I took it, and prevented my self from getting sick in the first place.

    I take full responsibility for what happened and I’m sorry. In our industry there is a tradition that the show must go on no mater what, and I feel I have betrayed that tradition bye not performing last Tuesday. The greatest joy in my life is performing in the WWE (Win, Lose or Draw), I love what I do, and I will never let something like this happen agene.

    Sincerely
    Shad Gaspard

  • Hogan Recalls Rocky III, Getting Injured By Undertaker & More

    The November 2009 issue of Men’s Fitness magazine has exclusive excerpts from former WWE and WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan’s new book, My Life Outside the Ring. Here are a few highlights:

    Filming Rocky III with Sylvester Stallone:     “So Stallone starts doing his Rocky thing and starts reaching out to try to punch me… I laughed out loud. He was maybe 170 pounds and I was pushing 320 at that point.”

    Contemplating suicide: “Just three pounds of pressure is all it would take – nothing for these big hands – and if I moved that finger an inch in the right direction, like flicking a a switch, I could have blown my brains out.”

    Being injured by The Undertaker: “Heck, the tips of my fingers are still numb from that Tombstone incident (an ill-executed move with the Undertaker, which caused Hogan to temporarily lose feeling in numerous body parts) way back in the 90s.”

  • Hogan Recalls Rocky III, Getting Injured By Undertaker & More

    The November 2009 issue of Men’s Fitness magazine has exclusive excerpts from former WWE and WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan’s new book, My Life Outside the Ring. Here are a few highlights:

    Filming Rocky III with Sylvester Stallone:     “So Stallone starts doing his Rocky thing and starts reaching out to try to punch me… I laughed out loud. He was maybe 170 pounds and I was pushing 320 at that point.”

    Contemplating suicide: “Just three pounds of pressure is all it would take – nothing for these big hands – and if I moved that finger an inch in the right direction, like flicking a a switch, I could have blown my brains out.”

    Being injured by The Undertaker: “Heck, the tips of my fingers are still numb from that Tombstone incident (an ill-executed move with the Undertaker, which caused Hogan to temporarily lose feeling in numerous body parts) way back in the 90s.”

  • *SPOILERS* TNA iMPACT! Taping Results For Tonight

    Thanks to reader Greg Harlow for sending in these results from last night’s TNA iMAPCT! tapings in Orlando:

    Xplosion:
    Sheik Abdul Bashir vs. Kip James
    Sheik wins after a missed Famasser into a roll up with a handful of tights

    Impact:
    Kurt Angle comes out by himself says he is in the ring without a family and its been a year since they started the Mafia. He says they were not about job security, it was about respect. He sees that the roster is evolving and growing up talking about the talent of Eric and AJ, focusing on how AJ strives to be the best. Then moves on to Morgan’s talent. He says that he now sees the locker room as his peers and he wants to fight alongside them. 

    Out comes Rhino who says the Mafia is no more. He says TNA management wants to phase the vets out to make room for people like Morgan and Hernandez. Kurt says maybe they earned it, but Rhino disagrees.

    Now 3D comes out and Brother Ray is screaming at Rhino about what he did to him at BFG (Crowd is ALL OVER Rhino). Rhino says 3D is in the same boat. He tells them maybe they should go in the back and check the card because they are not on it, while he has a match with Hernandez later tonight.

    Backstage interview…AJ and Daniels talk about what just happened with Kurt and says its just them against the competition.  Lauren says at Turning Point its Joe vs. Daniels vs. AJ for the title.

    Raisha Saieed is in the back with Lauren talking about her match with Kong tonight

    Homicide must have attacked Red backstage because he threw Red down the face tunnel and they fight toward the ring…after a great showing between the two Homicide wins after the Gringo Killer.

    Matt Morgan vs. Scott Steiner
    Before the bell, Steiner goes to Bobby Lashley’s wife, Krystal Marshall who is sitting ringside.  They have a back and forth match which ended up outside the ring near Krystal. Steiner throws Morgan back in the ring and goes after her. Lashley comes out while Hebner is preoccupied with Morgan and they brawl. Morgan wins with the Carbon Footprint.

    AJ and Daniels vs. Joe and Nash
    Nash and Joe win after Daniels goes for a tag but AJ moonsaulted onto Joe on the floor. Nash chokeslams Daniels and says he’s going after Eric Young.

    Eric Young is in the back and says he has a huge announcement for next week’s Impact.

    Lauren is backstage with the Motor City Machine Guns talking about the first Ultimate X Match on broadcast TV.

    Earlier today they taped a segment with the Beautiful People in catering which they called the set for their new movie, “Meanest Girls” which was an attack on Taylor and Sarita.

    Raisha Saeed vs. Awesome Kong
    Raisha actually had some decent offense including a top rope “famasser”. Kong wins after an Implant Buster. She drags Saeed to the top of the ramp after the match and power bombs her off the stage. It takes easily 10 minutes to stretcher her out.

    Team 3D comes out for commentary.
    Rhino vs. Hernandez
    Hernandez wins after a big splash off the top. While Hernandez is celebrating, Rhino attacks him. Hernandez gets in the offensive and 3D stops him from Border Tossing Rhino telling him that Rhino is not worth a suspension.

    Nigel McGuiness debuts as Desmond Wolf during a backstage segment where he beats down on Kurt Angle.

    Six Sides of Steel for TNA Tag Titles: Beer Money vs British Invasion (Champions)
    Awkward setup as the teams actually have to tag in and out. Crowd is HOT for this match, however not happy with the result when Beer Money wins by DQ after Brutus knocks out referee Slick Johnson. Still Champions, British Invasion.

    Dave Penzer announces to the live audience that Kurt Angle is on his way to ringside and he apparently doesn’t know why…previous beatdown maybe?

    As the ring crew is taking down the six sides of steel Kurt comes out and calls out Desmond Wolf. He doesn’t come out and as Kurt goes to the back he is attacked from behind. He sets Kurt up on the top rope and hits a Tower of London on Angle.

    Ultimate X for Tag Title Shot at Turning Point: MCMG vs Lethal Consequences
    In an awesome match that had some great spots in it, the Machineguns won when Sabin retrieved the X

  • Jim Ross Health Update: He Won’t Be Calling Bragging Rights

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has posted an update regarding his health and future plans after suffering a 3rd attack of Bells Palsy earlier this week. Ross says he will not be at the Bragging Rights PPV on Sunday and his future as an announcer is currently in question.

    “I saw my neurologist today in Norman and had a long consultation and some testing,” Ross wrote. “He diagnosed me, as expected with full blown Bells palsy. It is on the right side of my face and has adversely affected my vision in my right eye more than previous bouts. We are concerned about the cornea in my right eye being damaged which is why I am using a ton of artificial tears and having to tape my eye shut at night to sleep along with using a gel in my eye under the eye patch…

    “My time line on returning to work is unknown as I write this. I wish it was going to be this Sunday in Pittsburgh as I wanted to be a part of Bragging Rights on PPV. I think it will be a fun and a unique show that will be showcasing some new talents in key bouts…

    “So, Sunday night I will be at home in Norman watching Bragging Rights on PPV. I don’t know the announcer lineup but it ‘might’ be a three man team of (Michael) Cole, King (Jerry Lawler), and Todd Grisham but that’s only an educated guess. It could be something else altogether but obviously Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler will be figured in the mix prominently.

    “For those fans that think that this is the end for me or the end is near I suggest you rethink your position. I won’t allow your views to adversely affect me because I still love to play the game. I am an old school guy who still loves calling wrestling matches and sitting at ringside soaking up the adrenaline from the fans.”