The following was sent out yesterday morning by reps of Martha Hart, the widow of the late Owen Hart.
Widow of Deceased Professional Wrestler Owen Hart Files Lawsuit Against World Wrestling Entertainment, Vince McMahon & Linda McMahon
WWE continues to use Owen Hart’s Name and Image for Marketing more than 11 Years After he Was Killed in a WWE-sponsored Stunt; In Violation of Contract and Contrary to Family’s Wishes
HARTFORD, Conn., June 22 /PRNewswire/ — Martha Hart, the widow of the late Owen Hart, a professional wrestler who was killed in a May 1999 stunt orchestrated by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) today filed suit in the U.S. District Court here against WWE, Vince McMahon (current chairman and CEO) and Linda McMahon (CEO until 2009). The lawsuit alleges the WWE and the McMahons used Owen Hart’s name and likeness without right in dozens of commercial videos and other materials, violated a contract restricting the use of Owen Hart’s name, likeness and wrestling footage, and disregarded Martha Hart’s wishes against further association of her late husband’s name with WWE following his death. (Mrs. Hart and WWE settled a wrongful death lawsuit in 2000. Mrs. Hart established the Owen Hart Foundation later that year.)
“In the eleven years since Owen’s tragic and avoidable death, I have worked tirelessly to disassociate Owen’s name and likeness from anything related to WWE in order to protect our children from any reminder of the circumstances surrounding their father’s death, and to avoid any misplaced perception that I endorse WWE,†said Martha Hart in a statement.
“Unfortunately, even though WWE, Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon were and are well aware of my wishes and desire to shield my children from WWE and its activities, I was shocked to learn earlier this year that they have been using Owen’s name and likeness in videos, websites, television programs and print materials. Given this callous, insensitive and irresponsible behavior, one must question the moral character of Vince and Linda McMahon and the manner in which they conduct their business.â€
According to the lawsuit filed today before the U.S. District Court in Hartford,
“Since Owen’s death, the WWE and McMahons have sought every available opportunity to further exploit Owen’s personality for their own commercial benefit. Their use of Owen’s name and likeness draws attention to the WWE’s ongoing violent and highly questionable theatrical activities that caused Owen’s death. Defendants’ use of Owen’s name and likeness is also in direct disregard of Martha’s and her children’s objections…The WWE’s wrongful use of Owen’s name and likeness, over Martha’s continuing objection to any association with defendants and in the absence of any legal right of use, creates the wrongful impression that Martha and the Estate now support, approve or condone the video (which they do not).â€
The lawsuit seeks to enjoin the WWE from further use of Owen Hart’s name and likeness, and seeks unpaid royalties as well as damages for breach of contract, copyright infringement, unjust enrichment, accounting and unfair and deceptive trade practices.
Mrs. Hart is represented by the law firm Nixon Peabody LLP.
Note to Editors: A copy of the complaint can be found at www.marthahartsueswwe.com
Information on the Owen Hart Foundation can be found at www.owenhart.org
— This week’s episode of Monday Night Raw drew its strongest number since the night following WrestleMania, scoring a 3.5 cable rating, with 5,123,000 viewers.
The first hour averaged 4.87 million viewers with the second hour increasing ten percent, to 5.38 million viewers. Raw scored hours of 3.38 and 3.66.
— Matches scheduled to take place on this week’s episode of WWE Superstars on WGN America are as follows:
* R-Truth vs. William Regal
* Brie Bella vs. Jillian
* JTG vs. Trent Barreta
* Chris Masters vs. Luke Gallows
— Maryse and Yoshi Tatsu will be taking part in a media tour of Japan in early July promoting WWE’s upcoming tour of the country.
— There’s a feeling among some within WWE that Triple H will be the one to “save” the company from the NXT Rookies.
— Vince McMahon showed up at recent television taping sporting two black eyes as well as a cut on his forehead. For fear of consequences, employees were only “whispering” speculation, and those who found out what happened were not telling anyone. However, the feeling now is that he may have undergone plastic surgery.
— In a potentially bad political move, Melina posted a fan’s comment poking fun at Triple H last night on Twitter.
“I heard if you say HHH three times in a mirror he appears and squashes you,” the fan wrote.
She responded, “Ha ha ha! That was good!”
— Apparently, the trailer for WWE Studios’ upcoming John Cena film, Legendary, was prematurely released as it has since been removed from www.imdb.com — the original source of the video. WWE also had the trailer removed from YouTube.
— Wrestling legend Ox Baker and John Cena, Sr. were on hand for last night’s Raw telecast in Bridgeport, Connecticut as both watched the show amongst the audience. Both were also backstage visiting prior to the live taping.
— As of Sunday, the idea was that guest hosts would be used on Raw every other week instead of every week. (source: www.f4wonline.com)
— As seen last night on Raw, Bret Hart was removed from the Raw General Manager position by Vince McMahon for not attending the previous night’s Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view (kayfabe). McMahon then informed fans that a new, anonymous General Manager would take control of the show, emailing announcer Michael Cole his orders. His profile has since been removed from the Raw Superstars section.
— It was also announced on Raw that the Rookies from the first season of NXT have earned contracts with World Wrestling Entertainment (kayfabe). Their respective profiles have been added to Raw Superstars section. It was also revealed that Wade Barrett had been granted a future pay-per-view title match again by the mystery General Manager.
While there is talk that he might be back by the end of the Summer, the NXT crew kidnapping him on RAW a few weeks back was WWE’s way of writing him off television – and he’s gone indefinitely.
Hart will be getting married for the third time this summer, which could be the reason for the hiatus.
Originally Bret was going to do a face-to-face angle at with the NXT Rookies at Fatal 4 Way, but when he didn’t make it to the show, plans had to be changed.
WWE star Chris Jericho spoke to Fanhouse.com to promote his new “Downfall” game show – which premieres tonight at 8pm ET on ABC.
Here’s what Jericho said about:
Jericho’s WWE Contract Expiring: “Yeah, it’s coming up fairly soon, it’s coming up very soon. It’s one of those things we’ve been talking about for a while to get it rolling again. Like I said, to me, I’ll leave the business when I’m ready to and I’m not ready yet. I still want to continue to work. I still have some things that I can offer. I still think I’m among the best in what I do, if not the best just because of the fact I have 20 years of experience which is a rare thing nowadays. You can’t teach experience. You can teach someone to do a promo kind of, you can teach someone to do a move but you can’t teach someone experience.
Attitude Era vs. TV PG: “PG, I think, is a great idea. To me, the Attitude Era was stupid. Hot Lesbian Action and Meat with a (expletive) (expletive) in his pants because he has a (expletive) and Mark Henry getting a (expletive) from a guy and necrophilia. That’s not entertaining by anybody’s standards. That’s just stupid and I never liked that stuff. For me, for them to go family oriented, I’m all for it. It’s family oriented but in this day and age where you can still go out there and have kick ass matches. It’s still edgy, there’s still great characters. I’ve got no problem with it. I like it much better than the Attitude Era because I thought the Attitude Era was just childish, dropping (expletive) on each another and stuff. C’mon, that’s not funny if you’re five years old.”
To hear what Jericho said about Batista’s MMA career and more, visit FanHouse.com.
Representatives of Martha Hart issued the following press release this morning.
Widow of Deceased Professional Wrestler Owen Hart Files Lawsuit Against World Wrestling Entertainment, Vince McMahon & Linda McMahon
WWE continues to use Owen Hart’s Name and Image for Marketing more than 11 Years After he Was Killed in a WWE-sponsored Stunt; In Violation of Contract and Contrary to Family’s Wishes
HARTFORD, Conn., June 22 /PRNewswire/ — Martha Hart, the widow of the late Owen Hart, a professional wrestler who was killed in a May 1999 stunt orchestrated by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) today filed suit in the U.S. District Court here against WWE, Vince McMahon (current chairman and CEO) and Linda McMahon (CEO until 2009). The lawsuit alleges the WWE and the McMahons used Owen Hart’s name and likeness without right in dozens of commercial videos and other materials, violated a contract restricting the use of Owen Hart’s name, likeness and wrestling footage, and disregarded Martha Hart’s wishes against further association of her late husband’s name with WWE following his death. (Mrs. Hart and WWE settled a wrongful death lawsuit in 2000. Mrs. Hart established the Owen Hart Foundation later that year.)
“In the eleven years since Owen’s tragic and avoidable death, I have worked tirelessly to disassociate Owen’s name and likeness from anything related to WWE in order to protect our children from any reminder of the circumstances surrounding their father’s death, and to avoid any misplaced perception that I endorse WWE,” said Martha Hart in a statement.
“Unfortunately, even though WWE, Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon were and are well aware of my wishes and desire to shield my children from WWE and its activities, I was shocked to learn earlier this year that they have been using Owen’s name and likeness in videos, websites, television programs and print materials. Given this callous, insensitive and irresponsible behavior, one must question the moral character of Vince and Linda McMahon and the manner in which they conduct their business.”
According to the lawsuit filed today before the U.S. District Court in Hartford,
“Since Owen’s death, the WWE and McMahons have sought every available opportunity to further exploit Owen’s personality for their own commercial benefit. Their use of Owen’s name and likeness draws attention to the WWE’s ongoing violent and highly questionable theatrical activities that caused Owen’s death. Defendants’ use of Owen’s name and likeness is also in direct disregard of Martha’s and her children’s objections…The WWE’s wrongful use of Owen’s name and likeness, over Martha’s continuing objection to any association with defendants and in the absence of any legal right of use, creates the wrongful impression that Martha and the Estate now support, approve or condone the video (which they do not).”
The lawsuit seeks to enjoin the WWE from further use of Owen Hart’s name and likeness, and seeks unpaid royalties as well as damages for breach of contract, copyright infringement, unjust enrichment, accounting and unfair and deceptive trade practices.
Mrs. Hart is represented by the law firm Nixon Peabody LLP.
Note to Editors: A copy of the complaint can be found at www.marthahartsueswwe.com
Information on the Owen Hart Foundation can be found at www.owenhart.org
Wrestler’s widow suing WWE, Conn. Senate candidate
By SUSAN HAIGH (AP)
HARTFORD, Conn. — The widow of a World Wrestling Entertainment performer who died in a 1999 stunt says she’s suing the Connecticut-based company and its leaders, including Republican U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon.
Martha Hart said McMahon, who stepped down as WWE chief executive to run for Senate, and her husband, Vince, the current chairman, have continued to use Owen Hart’s image to promote the business despite agreeing to stop after his death.
Hart is filing her lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Hartford.
Owen Hart died when he fell 78 feet from a harness as it lowered him into a wrestling ring in Kansas City, Mo., on May 23, 1999. He was 34.
His family sued the WWE and several other defendants in the death. Martha Hart agreed to a $18 million settlement with the WWE in 2000.
In her new lawsuit, she alleges the WWE and the McMahons violated a contract that restricts the use of Owen Hart’s name, likeness and wrestling footage.
She said in a written statement Tuesday that she learned earlier this year that his image was appearing in WWE promotional materials.
“In the 11 years since Owen’s tragic and avoidable death, I have worked tirelessly to disassociate Owen’s name and likeness from anything related to WWE in order to protect our children from any reminder of the circumstances surrounding their father’s death, and to avoid any misplaced perception that I endorse WWE,” she said in a statement.
Representatives for the WWE and McMahon’s Senate campaign said they could not immediately comment but expected to release statements later Tuesday.
— The trailer for WWE Studios’ upcoming John Cena film, Legendary, has been released. It can be viewed here. The movie, which also stars Patricia Clarkson and Danny Glover, hits theaters this fall.
— Chris Jericho noted on his Twitter account that he will be appearing on ABC’s Good Morning America tomorrow morning at 8:15 a.m. ET to promote Downfall. The game show, which has been described as “unique, high-stakes and adrenaline-pumping,” premieres Tuesday night at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
— Maryse’s wardrobe malfunction at last night’s Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view provoked a tidal wave of internet searches pertaining to the sexy French Canadian as “maryse wardrobe malfunction” is a top trending search topic tonight on Google.com, according to Google Trends. The malfunction occurred when Alicia Fox pinned Maryse to conclude the match.
— Regarding Rey Mysterio’s World Heavyweight Championship victory at last night’s Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view, the title switch was done for a few reasons, reports www.f4wonline.com.
For starters, company officials were unhappy with Jack Swagger’s reign as Champion as he hadn’t gotten over to the degree they would have liked. It’s also being said that Mysterio has been unhappy the company as of late and this was management’s way of appeasing him. Additionally, plans for Mysterio to take a month long vacation were scrapped when Undertaker went down with multiple facial injuries, so giving him a title run persuaded him to stick around.
— The official WWE website has posted a feature counting down the top 25 Intercontinental Champions of all-time. “Macho Man” Randy Savage was deemed the greatest IC Champ of all-time as he is ranked No. 1 on the chart. He is trailed by Chris Jericho, Ultimate Warrior and Mr. Perfect.
— WWE returns to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on August 29th, 2010 at 5 p.m. Tickets go on sale June 26th, 2010 at 10 a.m. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)
— Apparently in reference to WWE’s Lay-Cool act, an upset Angelina Love wrote the following on her Facebook account Friday night while watching television: “So this is what I get for quickly flipping thru the channels on a friday night……a blonde & a brunette blatantly ripping something off……..BRUTAL!!!”
The TNA Knockout made similar remarks online last year after Maryse took a page out of “The Beautiful People” playbook by spraying Mickie James with hair spray during an episode of Monday Night Raw.
“You can try, but you cant and you never will be TBP!!!,” Love angrily typed on MySpace. “The Beautiful People- often imitated, NEVER duplicated!!”
Days before Love’s latest remark, Layla responded to those accusing her and Michelle McCool of ripping off TNA Wrestling’s “Beautiful People” act, writing on Twitter: “Cuz all of the tweets about this subject For the Record I do Not watch TNA So copy cat thing… kinda NOT!! This is All I will say Done!!”
— TNA Wrestling has launched a website solely promoting its live events tour. The website’s address is www.tnaliveevents.com.
— TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Madison Rayne squares off against Taylor Wilde in the following webmatch.
— Melina is being advertised to appear at Florida Championship Wrestling’s live event taking place at the Orlando Armory on Wednesday, July 14. She will be taking part in a meet and greet before the show. Click here for more information.
In an update on when she expects to return to the ring, she wrote the following on her Twitter account last night: “I truly don’t know when I will be back. One step at a time. I just want to focus on better mobility in my knee and building strength. Next is running. Hopefully I can hit my mark for getting cleared but if I don’t, then I just have to keep working at it. We shall see when I got to FCW in a few weeks.”
— Beth Phoenix said last night during a chat on WWEUniverse.com that she is three to five months away from making a full-fledged return to the squared circle. “The Glamazon” has been sidelined since early May due to a torn ACL.
— WWE is working on a DVD release profiling Hall of Famer Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. The DVD set is scheduled for release on December 18. (source: PWInsider.com)
— WWE’s upcoming three-disc DVD set on Chris Jericho has been officially titled Chris Jericho – The Highlight Reel. This title is set for release on September 21.
– Tonight’s episode of WWE RAW will take place from the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Connecticut. As of Monday morning, no matches or guest host have been announced, although Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sejak had been rumored to host tonight. WWE is hyping fallout from the Fatal 4 Way event and the latest attack from the NXT Rebels. The dark match main event will be John Cena & Randy Orton vs. Edge & Sheamus.
– Chris Jericho wrote the following on Twitter last night after his match with Evan Bourne:
“Had the best match I’ve had in months tonight. Bourne is the real deal…and I must destroy him.â€
– WWE SmackDown Diva Beth Phoenix said in a WWE Universe chat during Fatal 4 Way that she is still about 3 to 5 months away from returning to the ring.
— A dark match pitting Zack Ryder against MVP took place before tonight’s live Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view broadcast. Ryder pinned MVP after striking him with the Zack Attack.
— Maryse suffered a wardrobe malfunction during the Divas Championship Match at tonight’s Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view. The malfunction, which was captured on camera during the live broadcast, occurred when Fox went to pin Maryse.
— Bryan Danielson was over with the live audience at the Nassau Coliseum’s for WWE’s Fatal 4-Way event as fans reportedly chanted for “Daniel Bryan” just prior to the show going live on pay-per-view. His name could also be heard during the conclusion of the show when the NXT season one Rookies stormed the ring during the WWE Championship Match.
— A number of WWE stars trended tonight at various points on Twitter including Rey Mysterio, Sheamus, Alicia Fox, Chris Jericho and Evan Bourne.
Solomonster previews Fatal 4-Way before leaving for the show and talks about the NXT follow-up, HBK’s thoughts on Daniel Bryan’s release, Abyss turning heel, Ric Flair wrestling Jay Lethal, a rant on 3D glasses and who is the GREATEST WWE superstar of all time?
A video package opens up WWE Fatal Four Way highlighting John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. Sheamus vs. Edge in a Fatal 4-Way Match for the WWE Championship and Jack Swagger (c) vs. Big Show vs. CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio in a Fatal 4-Way Match for the World Heavyweight Championship.
A highlight reel from previous WWE programming showing Kane in search for Undertaker’s attacker is then shown.
Vince McMahon is out first. He announces that Bret Hart will not be at tonight’s pay-per-view. A video package from Team NXT’s attack on Hart from last week’s Raw is shown. Vince then says that he will be meeting with ‘representatives’ of Bret Hart to determine if he will be able to return to his duties as General Manager.
Drew McIntyre comes out to the ring but first shakes hands with Vince McMahon. His match against Teddy Long on last week’s SmackDown was highlighted in a video package.
Intercontinental Championship Match: Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
Vince is shown on the screen getting in a limo outside.
Drew gets on the mic and tells Teddy Long that Vince McMahon said he must come out right now. Teddy Long’s music hits and he makes his way out to the ring while Long unleashes a verbal attack. Drew tells Teddy to sit at ringside while he wins back the Intercontinental Championship; when he wins, Teddy must hand him the belt.
WWE Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston’s music hits and he appears from the backstage area.
Back in the ring, McIntyre got a two count, then applied an armbar. Kofi armdragged out of it, then slid under McIntyre, but Drew hit him with a shoulderblock. Drew stomped the arm, and Kofi tried to fight back, but Drew stomped him down in a corner.
Drew clotheslined Kofi twice in the corner. Drew went for a short-arm clothesline, but Kofi floated over it and hit a DDT. Kofi elbowed Drew, then hit some kicks to the legs. Kofi punched Drew in the head, then hit a series of chops and a dropkick. Kofi missed a clothesline, then Drew missed with one and Kofi rolled up Drew for a two count. Kofi hit a reverse bodypress out of the corner for a two count, but Drew hit the arm again and delivered a neckbreaker on the knee for a two count.
Drew went for a slam, but Kofi floated out of it and hit a legsweep. Kofi hit the Boom Drop legdrop, then began to clap. Drew backed away from the Trouble In Paradise kick, and backdropped Kofi to the ringapron. Drew hit some punches and went to back suplex Kofi into the ring, but Kofi shifted his weight and landed on top of Drew for a two count.
Drew picked up Kofi off the mat, but Kofi hit the SOS for a two count. McIntyre tripped Kofi into the turnbuckles, but Kofi grabbed a headscissors. Drew stood up in the headscissors and threw Kofi into the referee, knocking him out.
Drew threw Kingston shoulder first into the ringpost and hit the Future Shock DDT, but there was no referee to count. McIntyre tried to revive the referee, then went outside and threw Teddy Long in the ring, demanding he make the count. McIntyre even ripped the shirt off the unconscious referee and ordered Long to put it on. Long did so, and McIntyre made the cover. Long counted two, then stopped and shook his head no. The fans chanted for Long. McIntyre glared at Long, and backed him in a corner. McIntyre told Long he needs to count him, or he would “drop him.” McIntyre went to pick up Kofi for another DDT, but Matt Hardy ran in from the crowd and gave McIntyre a Twist Of Fate. Long just watched. Kofi then gave McIntyre a Trouble In Paradise kick and Long counted the pinfall for Kofi at the 17-minute mark.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
Eve gave Maryse and Fox forearms and dropkicks. Fox and Maryse double-teamed Eve. Kim got on the apron and gave Fox a headscissors while Eve put Maryse in an armbar. Kim let go of her headscissors to break up Eve’s hold on Maryse. Kim put Maryse in an armbar of her own, then Fox broke it up and she put Maryse in an armbar. Maryse escaped to the floor. Eve put Fox in a camel clutch, while Kim put Fox a Boston Crab at the same time. Maryse tossed Eve and Kim out of the ring, leaving her to face off with Fox.
Fatal 4 Way Divas Champion Match: Eve (c) vs. Gail Kim vs. Maryse vs. Alicia Fox
Eve and Maryse paird off at the bell, while Kim and Alicia did the same. Gail got kicked in the shin by Fox, who then hit a Northern Lights suplex, leading into a sequence where everyone was breaking up pins and going for covers. Fox gave Kim a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.
They argued, then Fox shoved her. Maryse hit some forearms and a side kick for a cover, but Eve broke it up. Kim came in and dropkicked Eve and Maryse. Kim hit Maryse with a shoulderblock, then a missile dropkick for a one count, as Eve broke it up. Kim got yanked down off the apron by Alicia, who dropped her face first on it Eve gave Maryse a neckbreaker in the ring, then went to the top rope and hit a moonsault. Fox broke up the cover, throwing Eve to the floor, and Fox covered Maryse for the pin at the six minute mark.
Winner and new Divas Champion: Alicia Fox.
Evan Bourne vs. Chris Jericho
Bourne hooks Jericho’s leg and gets a two count. Both are laboring in the ring as we see a replay of the head scissors take over from Bourne onto Jericho. Jericho rolls through a great counter and applies the Walls of Jericho in the middle of the ring on Bourne.
Bourne is able to get to the ropes and Jericho is forced to release the hold. Jericho is very angry at the referee and pushes Bourne off the apron. Bourne hits his head on the announce table. Jericho follows Bourne to the outside and goes on the offensive.
Bourne takes Jericho down face-first into the steel steps in a counter. Bourne goes to the top rope but he’s being counted out. Bourne goes off with flying knees and gets a two count on Jericho. Chris kicks out.
Jericho starts to counter and hits a nice backbreaker into a two count on Bourne. Jericho goes for the Lion Sault but Bourne rolled out of the way. Bourne goes to the apron half way around the ring. He goes to the top but he’s taking a ton of time. He goes for the Shooting Star Press but Jericho moved. Bourne landed on his feet and ate the Code Breaker.
Jericho slowly goes for the cover and Evan kicks out! Jericho works on Bourne in the ring. Jericho beats away on Evan as he instructs him to stay down and calls him an idiot. Jericho whips Bourne into the turnbuckle, Bourne counters and rolls Jericho up for two. Jericho counters and goes for the Walls of Jericho again. Bourne counters again and hits a guillotine into a DDT. Bourne goes to the top again. Jericho is up as Bourne took too much time. Jericho goes for a superplex but Bourne fights him off.
Jericho counters as Bourne is stuck on the top rope. Jericho goes for the superplex again. Bourne counters, sending Jericho face-first onto the mat. Bourne lands the Shooting Star Press and pins Jericho for the three count
Winner – Evan Bourne
We return from a brief promotional piece to Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler and Matt Striker hyping tonight’s World Heavyweight Championship Fatal 4-Way match. Cue highlights from Smackdown where they recap the situation of what happened to The Undertaker.
Fatal 4 Way World Heavyweight Championship Match:Jack SWagger (c) vs. Rey Mysterio vs. vs. CM Punk vs. Big Show
The following match is a Fatal 4-Way match for the World Heavyweight Championship. Out first is the first challenger, Big Show.
CM Punk, the next challenger, comes out with Serena and Luke Gallows.
Rey Mysterio is the final challenger out to ringside alone.
Finally, World Heavyweight Champion Jack Swagger is out with the World Heavyweight Championship around his waste. He poses at the top of the ramp and is no hurry on his way to the ring.
Tony Chimmel does the formal in-ring introductions. The first main to gain a pinfall or submission is the winner. All four men are in the ring at once. The bell rings and we’re off. Big four-man staredown to open the bout.
Show takes out Swagger first. CM Punk gets on Show’s back. Show dominates him to the mat, allowing CM Punk to hit kicks to his face. Now Show goes after Swagger as Punk tries to get Rey’s mask off him. Punk gets dumped over the top rope by Mysterio. Swagger tries to work over Big Show but he dumps the Champion out of the ring. It’s Show and Mysterio in the ring.
Punk is in control of the match. Swagger gets on the apron as Punk drags him into the ring and hits offense on him. Punk lands a kick on Mysterio in the corner. In the opposite corner, he hits a high knee on Swagger. Punk goes for one on Mysterio but he counters. Double German suplex from Swagger onto Punk and Mysterio. Swagger gets a two count on Mysterio then on Punk.
Mysterio regains control and goes for 619 on Punk but Show catches him on the outside and picks him up and bounces him off the announce table. Show clotheslines Punk and Swagger in the ring. He lifts Punk up and drops him down. Show whips Swagger into Punk then goes into them himself. Double clothesline from Show on Swagger and Punk. Everyone exits the ring. Show goes outside after Punk.
Mysterio kicked the steel ring steps into Show and Punk goes over the top onto Show. Swagger gets in the ring as Mysterio springboards off the apron into the ring. Mysterio tries to pickup the pace but Swagger counters. Punk comes in and gives Swagger the GTS. Unable to make the cover as Kane comes out with the casket.
Kane gets in the ring and takes out CM Punk. He takes him out of the ring and throws him in the casket. Punk tries to keep him from closing the casket as Luke Gallows gets involved. Gallows and Punk retreat to the back as Kane follows them. Mysterio and Swagger are in the ring. 619 on Swagger. Mysterio off the top and he pins Swagger. New champion folks!<br><br><b>Winner & new World Heavyweight Champion – Rey Mysterio.
Kane pushes the casket to ringside and hits the ring. Kane shoves Punk out and chokeslams him into the casket. Kane tries to shut the casket door but Punk puts his leg up. Luke Gallows comes down and drops Kane. Gallows helps Punk to the back. Kane chases off after them. In the ring, Mysterio hits 619 on Swagger and the senton for the pinfall, the win and the World Heavyweight Title.
Winner and New World Heavyweight Champion: Rey Mysterio
Backstage, Josh Mathews is with WWE Champion John Cena. Mixed reaction from the live crowd. Mathews asks him if he’s concerned about the NXT Rookies showing up and disrupting the match. Cena says they have solidified the line between ‘us versus them’. Mathews asks Cena about two championships changing hands. He asks him how he expects to leave the PPV still champion. Cena says this isn’t a match he’s going out there to win but he’s certainly not going out there to lose. Tonight whoever walks out the WWE Champion, they’re going to have to earn it.
United States Championship Match: The Miz (c) vs. R-Truth
The Miz comes out first with a mic. Miz says in a few moments R-Truth is going to come out doing his ‘What’s Up’ rapping. He says he’s made the rap more suitable with some new lyrics. Miz talks like Truth by using his unknown lyrics, replacing ‘Whats up’ with ‘The Miz’.”
They lockup after the bell with R-Truth sending The Miz down to the mat with a shoulder block. They have words as The Miz stands up. Lockup again as R-Truth applies a sideheadlock before sending Miz to the mat. Miz finally rolls to the outside. Truth follows.The Miz applies a submission maneuver on the challenger. He wrenches back but R-Truth battles out. He gets back to a vertical base and backs the champion down with elbows. The Miz counters his attack but R-Truth lands a high hip toss. Truth whips The Miz into the corner and ends up on the apron as he and Miz brawl. R-Truth sends The Miz down with a right hands. Truth turns his back on the apron and The Miz pushes him off. The referee begins the count out.
The Miz regroups in the ring as R-Truth barely beats the count back into the ring. Miz gets right back onto the attack with hard boots. The official checks on R-Truth to see if he can continue. The Miz runs into him and works him over into the corner. The Miz tries to back him out of the corner but Miz won’t listen. Finally he retreats before he’s disqualified.
The Miz hits a running clothesline in the corner and gets a two count on R-Truth. He applies a leg scissors submission on the challenger in the middle of the ring.
The Miz hits a high kick to the face of Truth’s face. He gets a two count. Little reaction from the crowd either way. The Miz applies a choke on R-Truth in the ropes. The Miz has to break the hold at four. The referee checks on Truth as he fights back with stiff right hands. Truth goes off the ropes but The Miz takes him down to the mat. Miz buries his foot in the side of the face of R-Truth.
The Miz attacks R-Truth as he is slow to get up. Truth hits a couple of right hands just to stay in the match. Miz whips him into the ropes and hits a shoulder block followed by a modified arm bar.
Finally some reaction from the crowd as R-Truth breaks the hold. Truth ducks a clothesline and hits a suplex. Both men are down but Truth goes for a cover. Two count.Finally some reaction from the crowd as R-Truth breaks the hold. Truth ducks a clothesline and hits a suplex. Both men are down but Truth goes for a cover. Two count.Finally some reaction from the crowd as R-Truth breaks the hold. Truth ducks a clothesline and hits a suplex. Both men are down but Truth goes for a cover. Two count.
Snap suplex by The Miz on R-Truth. The Miz is back in control after a brief counter by his opponent. Very good ring work by a much improved Miz. The Miz taunts the crowd as he continues his assault. R-Truth uses the taunt to his advantage and lands face plant suplex. Two count by Truth onto The Miz.
R-Truth hits a couple clotheslines then whips The Miz off the ropes and finally the Flatliner but only gets a two count. Truth kicks The Miz and hits a suplex/stunner combination. Two count for the challenger.
The Miz counters R-Truth again, targeting his midsection. Back/neckbreaker combination from The Miz but he only gets a two count on the challenger. The Miz runs at R-Truth in the corner but he gets out of the way. It’s R-Truth’s chance as he hits scissor kicks with The Miz pinned in the ropes. Truth puts an arm over Truth but The Miz grabs the ropes.
R-Truth attempts the pin again but this time in the middle of the ring. He only gets a two count. R-Truth goes to the top rope but The Miz stops him and they fight up top. Truth fights The Miz off. R-Truth goes off the top rope for the cross-body but The Miz dodges it. Truth rolls through a pin attempt and nearly wins. The Miz hits offense and gets rolled up again for another two count. Kick to R-Truth’s midsection and after a counter, The Miz is able to secure a roll-up pinfall for the victory.
Winner & still WWE United States Champion – The Miz
Backstage, Todd Grisham is with Edge. He asks him about the WWE Championship Fatal 4-Way match. Edge talks down Randy Orton for his separated shoulder. He says Sheamus on the surface is a powerhouse but deep down inside he knows he doesn’t belong with the three of his opponents. Edge says he’s facing three men that have main evented a dozen Wrestlemanias. Edge says The Rated R Superstar only has one thing running through his head – walking out the PPV the new WWE Champion.
Uso Twins & Tamina vs. The Hart Dynasty
The following is a 6-person mixed tag team match. Announcing first, the team of Tyson Kidd, DH Smith and Natalya. They’re facing Tamina, Jimmy & Jay Uso.
We start with Natalya and Tamina. Tamina works over the arm of Natalya as this is her main roster WWE debut. Natalya gets Tamina down for a quick cover. Tamina tags in Jay versus David Hart Smith. Smith gets a quick cover then works over Jay’s arm.
Side headlock from Smith onto Jay, he backs out of it but Smith hits a shoulder block. Hip toss try by Jay but Smith counters with a suplex and a quick cover. Smith tags Tyson Kidd and sets Jay up in the ropes in tree of woe position. Double team move.
Tyson Kidd applies a side headlock on Jay Uso but he tags in Jimmy. Jimmy with a scoop and a slam on Kidd. He uses a submission hold to try and tame the spark plug of The Hart Dynasty. Nice move by Tyson to counters out. Off the ropes into an elbow. Jimmy throws Kidd to the outside and gets heat from the crowd. Off the ropes he went for the suicide dive but Tyson Kidd hit a kick from the apron. Kidd covers Jimmy but Jay makes the save. Tyson and Jimmy work on the apron with Tyson eventually getting caught in a Samoan Drop as Kidd went for a DDT.
Jay, now the legal man, gets a two count on Tyson Kidd. Kidd gets to his feet and goes off the ropes. Jay hits a dropkick and gets a cover for a two count. He grabs Tyson then tags in Jimmy. Double team move, then another. Jimmy gets the cover for a two count. Another cover but two again. Snap suplex from Jimmy on Kidd. Jimmy Uso applies a face submission mat move on Tyson.
Jimmy dominates Kidd in the ring as Kidd desperately goes for the tag. Jimmy works Kidd into his corner as he gets a tag. Double team move followed by a couple two counts by Jay Uso on Tyson. Another hot tag as Jimmy goes to the top rope and drops a knee to the face of Tyson Kidd.
Jimmy applies a submission hold on Kidd but he counters out. Jimmy counters, sending Kidd to the mat. He throws Kidd into the corner and lands more offense. Kidd is isolated in the corner but Jimmy Uso takes too long and Kidd gets out of the way into the turnbuckles. Jimmy gets a tag and keeps Kidd from doing the same. Back body drop from Kidd as he tags in Natalya. Tamina has to come in now.
Natalya looks good with suplexes on Tamina. She nearly gets the win but Jimmy Uso makes the save. He and Smith go to work on one another. Kidd goes from the ring to the outside on the Uso brother. Meanwhile, Tamina hits a Samoan Drop in the ring on Natalya. Tamina goes to the top rope for her father’s finisher but Natalya gets out of the way. Natalya lands a clothesline and gets the cover for the pinfall.
Winners – The Hart Dynasty
Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler and Matt Striker hype next month’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view. They roll a hype video for the Fatal 4-Way Match for the WWE Championship. Cue replays from Raw and the setup of the match.
Fatal 4 Way WWE Championship MatchJohn Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. Edge vs. Sheamus
The following is a Fatal 4-Way match for the WWE Championship. Randy Orton is introduced first. Edge is announced next. Sheamus, the final challenger, comes to the ring as pasty as ever.
The WWE Champion – John Cena – was out last. Mixed reaction until he emerged – the cheers drowned out most of the boos.
“All four men are in the ring for the formal introductions under Justin Roberts. Jack Doan is the referee.
Doan holds up the belt and calls for the bell. Big staredown from all four. Cena goes for Sheamus, Orton goes right for Edge. Sheamus is dumped by Cena, Edge by Orton
Orton and Cena stare each other down. Michael Cole says he has goosebumps (not sure why) as they both just look at one another. Cena gets Orton up early for the Attitude Adjustment, Orton goes for the RKO out of a counter. Neither hit as Sheamus comes in and beats down Cena. Orton goes to the outside. Sheamus backs Cena down in the corner. Edge comes in and helps Sheamus with Cena.
Edge and Sheamus whip Cena into the ropes and both hit elbows on him. They beat him down in the corner. Loud ‘Cena sucks’ chants coming through. They take Cena down in the corner. The arena is now split. ‘Let’s go Cena’ and ‘Cena sucks’. Right hand from Sheamus on Cena. Cena no-sells a punch from Edge as Sheamus sends him to the mat. Edge rolls Sheamus up. We’re shown the WWE locker room watching from the back as Sheamus kicks out and goes on the offensive against Edge.
Cena gets back in the ring but Edge ends up tossing him out after fighting off Sheamus. Edge goes to the top rope but Orton gets back in and takes him down. Orton kicks Sheamus in the head and goes to the corner to work on Edge who is on the top. Sheamus joins the party up top and hits offense on Orton. He tries to powerbomb Orton off but Orton blocks. Edge goes off the top rope right onto Sheamus for a two count. Orton made the save and went after Edge.
Loud split crowd as Orton goes for more offense. Orton misses as Sheamus hits a big axe handle on Orton’s skull. Now it’s Cena and Sheamus. Cena gets in control and hits a fisherman suplex on Sheamus. He goes for the Attitude Adjustment but Sheamus blocks with an Irish Curse backbreaker. Sheamus gets a two count on Cena.
Sheamus goes for the High Cross. He gets him up but Edge goes for the Spear. Sheamus sidesteps it but it allows Cena to roll him up for a two count. Sheamus takes Cena down but Orton comes back in and lands offense on him. Orton works on Sheamus who is standing on the apron. Orton tries to viper Sheamus back in the ring. Now, he’s bringing Cena in with DDT as well. Double DDT as Orton pins Sheamus for a two count.
Edge gets back in and takes out Orton. Edge is the only worker on his feet in the ring as Cena is down in the corner. Edge waits for Cena to get up to attempt a Spear. He goes for it but Cena moves. Cena hits a couple shoulder blocks. Backbreaker onto the mat. Cena signals 5 Knuckle Shuffle. He connects.Orton comes in out of nowhere and hits a move that looked like a modified backbreaker on Cena. Edge back in, Orton powerslams him. It’s Orton and Edge. Sheamus comes in and tosses Orton out. Sheamus and Edge now in the ring. Sheamus stomps away at the WWE Champion. Edge rolls back in the ring as Sheamus is in control of the match. Cena dumps Sheamus to the outside but it takes a lot out of him.
Cena lands offense on Edge in the ring then brings Sheamus to the apron. Orton grabbed Sheamus when Cena had him, getting hurt as well. Edge knocks Orton off the apron with a shoulder. He turns his back to Cena. Cena looks in STF.
Edge is caught in the middle of the ring in the STF. Orton and Sheamus nowhere to be seen. Doan checks for submission. Edge nearly makes it to the ropes but Cena breaks and pulls him back then reapplies. Sheamus finally breaks it and gets a two count on Edge.
Sheamus works on Cena in the corner. He gets out of the ring and drops a couple elbows to Cena’s throat. Then another from the outside with Cena’s throat under the bottom rope. Sheamus gets back in and hits a clothesline on Edge. Two count on The Rated R Superstar.
Cena gets knocked off the apron when he tried to get back in it. Sheamus has Edge in the ring. Orton and Cena are both laid out. Sheamus goes for his finisher but Edge counters, taking Sheamus to the mat. Edge is alone in the ring but not for long. Attitude Adjustment attempt but Orton hits the RKO out of nowhere. Orton goes for the pin but Sheamus pulled the referee away. Orton kicks Sheamus out of the ring but walks into the Spear.
Stiff kick from Sheamus on Edge, sending him to the outside. Sheamus gets a two count on Orton then goes back to work. Cena down in the ring. Sheamus whips Orton into the ropes. Edge takes him to the outside. The fight goes to the outside. Here comes Sheamus. Orton sends him over the announce table. He attempts the RKO on Edge on the outside. They battle as we cut back to R-Truth, Bourne, Kidd and Smith watching the match. The NXT grads run-in and take them out.
We’re shown Bourne laid out as Cena is in the ring alone. Lawler and Cole retreat. Cena is in the ring looking around. Here come the NXT grads out to the arena. They take out production people and start to dismantle the set. They hit the ring and go after Cena.
No commentary as it’s chaos at ringside with the grads taking apart the main event. Sheamus sneaks in, pins Cena and wins the match. Sheamus hits the crowd but is the new WWE Champion.
Winner & new WWE Champion – Sheamus
The match is over as the NXT guys take out Cena with Wade Barrett leading the charge. Barrett hits his finisher on Cena. Gabriel lands the 450 splash on him. Sheamus is at the top of the ramp with the belt as they chase him off. Cena is down in the center of the ring knocked out. Edge is shown knocked out, outside the ring. Orton is out, outside the ring.”
The match is over as the NXT guys take out Cena with Wade Barrett leading the charge. Barrett hits his finisher on Cena. Gabriel lands the 450 splash on him. Sheamus is at the top of the ramp with the belt as they chase him off. Cena is down in the center of the ring knocked out. Edge is shown knocked out, outside the ring. Orton is out, outside the ring.
The pay-per-view ends early as Cena is left down in the ring.
— Immediately following John Cena’s pinfall victory over Sheamus at last night’s WWE Supershow at Madison Square Garden, Wade Barrett entered the ring to attack him. Chaos ensued as the rest of the NXT Rookies joined in on the assault of the WWE Champion. This was followed by several WWE Superstars coming out to aid Cena, clearing the ring out in the process. You can view video footage from the brawl here.
— Victoria’s profile has been added back to the company website’s Alumni section. It was removed last year after the multi-time WWE Women’s Champion joined TNA Wrestling. Meanwhile, Tommy Dreamer, who recently debuted in TNA, has been removed from the website.
— Jim Ross noted on his Twitter account that last night’s WWE Supershow at Madison Square Garden in New York City drew $850,000 in ticket receipts.
— While not officially announced, The Hart Dynasty and Usos were notified today that they would be competing on tonight’s Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view. Tentative plans call for The Dynasty to defend their Unified WWE Tag Team Championship against The Usos in a tag match.
— Tonight’s Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view was hyped at last night’s WWE Supershow at Madison Square Garden, which is taking place at nearby Nassau Coliseum. As of this afternoon, tickets were available in all areas, including some in the second row. One could have purchased eight tickets in the fourth row in the same section, which is the maximum number of tickets able to be purchased via Ticketmaster.
— WWEUniverse.com will be holding a live Fatal 4-Way chat tonight with WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel and former Women’s Champions Melina and Beth Phoenix. The chat begins at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Taking a page out of the Dixie Carter playbook, Jim Ross said to expect some ‘shockers’ and ‘surprises’ for tonight’s Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view.
Ross wrote yesterday on Twitter, “Fatal 4 Way likely to have some ‘surprises.’” He added: “Anxious to see Fatal 4 Way live. Expect some shockers.”
J.R. noted on his official website that he is returning to the road in a behind-the-scenes capacity for today’s show. He will be working with the announcers before the event.
“Going to a PPV and not working is a challenge for me but as the Great One said, ‘Know your role’ and my role at ringside no longer exists but I do plan on helping the broadcasters as much as I can during the afternoon,” Ross wrote.
— John Cena announced at the conclusion of last night’s WWE live event at Madison Square Garden that WWE would be returning for WrestleMania 30. WrestleMania has been held at Madison Square Garden every ten years.
— Due to international touring, WWE will taping two episodes of Monday Night Raw in the same night several times over the next few months. Here’s the schedule (Thanks to Devin Cutting):
* The July 26 and August 2 episodes will be taped on July 26 in San Antonio.
* The August 16 and August 23 episodes will be taped on August 16th in Los Angeles.
* The September 20 and September 27 episodes will be taped on September 20th in Indianapolis.
— Caylen Croft of The Dude Busters has opened a page on Twitter here.
(sources: Wrestling Globe Newsletter, www.f4wonline.com)
— Creative has discussed having Cody Rhodes join CM Punk’s Straight Edge Society. The second generation wrestler has sparingly appeared on Friday Night SmackDown! since being transferred over to the blue brand in April.
— A Six-Divas Tag Match pitting Divas Champion Eve and The Bella Twins against Maryse and Laycool (with Santino Marella as the special guest referee) at last night’s WWE live event in Madison Square Garden garnered a highly negative reaction from the raucous New York City audience as the “Sexy, Smart & Powerful” WWE Divas were treated with “This is boring” and “This is stupid” chants during the bout. The match, which was said to be “a mess,” concluded with Eve pinning Maryse following a spinning neckbreaker.
— For the week ending Jun 6 in the UK, TNA’s iMPACT! did 58,000 viewers, Monday Night Raw did 111,000, Friday Night SmackDown! did 125,000, WWE Superstars did 51,000, and NXT did 26,000.
— Shawn Michaels, who believed Bryan Danielson’s termination from WWE to legitimate, was said to be furious upon learning the news. For those unaware, Michaels is Danielson’s original wrestling trainer.
— Shad Gaspard, who hasn’t appeared on WWE programming in over a month, has in fact been sent down to developmental. Officials intended to push Gaspard as a top heel on SmackDown due to his size and speaking ability, but his failure to get over resulted in the demotion.
— Tough Enough 3 winner Matt Cappotelli now holds a job as a personal trainer at the Ideal Fitness center in Louisville, Kentucky.
— Though Triple H’s current absence from television is in due part to filming the upcoming WWE Films project The Chaperone, the word is that he is more hurt than first thought. The extent to which the injuries will delay his planned return to the squared circle are unclear, but sources indicate a rumored SummerSlam feud between him and Edge has been scrapped.
Meanwhile, Edge is expected to miss some house shows during the month of August as he films WWE’s action-oriented comedy Chasing the Hawk.
— One soldier stationed in Iraq says Layla is by far the most popular WWE Superstar when the company goes overseas for its annual Tribute to the Troops event. Though her striking appearance probably doesn’t hurt, the feeling is her popularity is due to how friendly and caring she appears as she takes time to talk to most everyone, making them feel special in the process.
“When she talks to you, she makes you feel like the most important person in the world at that moment, and that there’s no one she’d rather be talking to,” the soldier said.