Check out this video WKSBY conducted with WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels.
HBK talks about his new “outdoor lifestyle” show (don’t call it a hunting show), training his 11 year old son to be a pro wrestler, whether he’s been contacted by TNA, Scott Hall’s recent problems and much more in this interview.
WWE issued an apology via WWE.com to those who participated in Raw’s “Power to the People.” The tabulating provider’s overloaded system reported several inaccurate results, prompting WWE management to follow WWE.com’s Live Chat Poll for the night’s final vote.
Text Voting Inaccurate in Raw’s Power to the People
WWE would like to apologize for technical difficulties that occurred during the “Power to the People” edition of Raw on Monday night.
The interactive event aimed to give the WWE Universe the ability to choose what they wanted to see on their television screens. Unfortunately, uncontrollable difficulties created by an influx of heavy voting traffic resulted in not every one of the more-than 697,000 recorded votes to be properly counted.
During Monday’s Raw broadcast, WWE fans were given the option to text A, B or C to 46993 (GOWWE) in order to decide what they wanted to happen on the show. Things went perfectly at first when text votes selected Kelly Kelly (option B) to take on Brie Bella for the Divas Championship. However, our vote tabulating provider’s system became overwhelmed, causing these votes to definitively affect the following contest, in which Mason Ryan (also option B) was voted into a match against Evan Bourne — even though, as it was later discovered, Sin Cara had received 90 percent of the total votes in WWE.com’s Live Chat poll, and should have been Bourne’s opponent.
Votes for the third poll’s bout — Kane vs. Mark Henry in an Arm Wrestling Contest — were counted correctly. However, problems began to occur again during the next poll determining a match stipulation between United States Champion Dolph Ziggler and Kofi Kingston. At this point, so many text votes were received that the system overloaded, crashed and had to be restarted.
With little information to work from, WWE management selected to follow the system’s earliest projections, which determined that the 2-out-of-3 Falls Match had been the people’s choice. It was not until later that it was discovered that “Vickie Guerrero Banned from Ringside” was actually the top vote getter.
Restarting the tabulating system allowed for things to run smoothly with the voting for the Triple Threat Match to determine a No. 1 contender for the WWE Championship going off without a hitch.
Regrettably, technical difficulties occurred once more leading up to the night’s Six-Man Tag Team Match main event, when it became apparent to WWE management that text votes were again not being tabulated properly. At this time, a decision was made to turn to WWE.com’s Live Chat Poll for the official judgment. With the power still in the hands of the people, the WWE Universe selected the Elimination Match (option C) by an overwhelming 87 percent, leading to this stipulation being enacted.
Melina posted a bizarre video message this morning in response to Gail Kim writing on Twitter that she’s ’emotionally unstable’.
Kim wrote, “Good morning..wow a good nights sleep and a direct flight.:) and I’m NOT a horrible friend! @realmelina is emotionally unstable!”
Melina says in the video message, “Just came back from doing my last workout before I do the tour off to Asia and I read the tweet that Gail said I was emotionally unstable.
“Gail, I may be that, but at least I’m not a horrible friend! Like you. And believe me, after these two weeks in Asia, if you thought I was crazy before, I’m going to be that much crazier when I get back.” She then says “love you” and blows a kiss goodbye.
The video also features enclosed captions reading “Kung fu time, SKANK!!!” and “B!otch No You Didn’t!!”
Check it out:
Check out these pictures fromm June 2011 of Batista at his MMA gym in Florida – looking MUCH smaller than when we last saw him on WWE television.
Since leaving WWE and not having to stay in body-builder shape, the former “Animal” is looking a lot thinner:
– WWE will tape NXT, Smackdown and WWE Superstars in Hershey, PA. Christian vs. Randy Orton for the World title is being advertised locally, most likely as the dark match main event.
– Bill DeMott teased on Twitter that he will be at tonight’s WWE SmackDown tapings and said he is “smelling the talks” of a season 2 of WWE Tough Enough.
– Monday night was a record-setting night for WWE on Twitter. During the first hour of RAW, eight of the Top 10 worldwide trending topics on Twitter were WWE-related. 18 WWE-related trends made World Top 10 during RAW. Among the trending topics were Sin Cara, Evan Bourne, CM Punk, Mason Ryan, Mark Henry, Kelly Kelly, RAW Roulette, “Batista chants” and “snow angels.”
– Tough Enough runner-up Luke Robinson was recently interviewed by the NBC affiliate WCSH based out of Maine. Robinsaid said his goal now is to impress WWE enough to get a developmental deal.
– Sin Cara vs. Cody Rhodes was originally scheduled to be the bonus match at Sunday’s Capitol Punishment pay-per-view, but WWE went with Evan Bourne vs. Jack Swagger instead. Bourne is currently slated to be one of the top superstars featured on the upcoming Money In The Bank pay-per-view, so expect him to get more television time in the coming weeks.
(Partial Source: f4wonline.com)
On Monday’s RAW, CM Punk announced that he plans to leave WWE when his contract expires on July 17th, the day of Money in the Bank. Punk wrote the following on Twitter regarding his upcoming departure:
“I knew I was gone at the beginning of the year. I just woke up one day and I knew. That’s the way I work a lot of the time.”
“I think it’s creepy too, but it’s really helpful. I knew I’d be history by July. Come say goodbye on July 17th.”
“Come say goodbye on July 17th. I promise to go out with a bang. Trust me. XxX”
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross also commented on CM Punk’s big announcement:
“@cmpunk is most interesting man in wwe & he NEVER drinks beer. MITB PPV now has a viable ‘hook.’. Truth’s doing well too.”
— After being chosen to take on WWE Divas Champion Brie Bella last night on Raw, Kelly Kelly (53%), who beat out Beth Phoenix (36%) and Eve (11%), took full advantage of her opportunity. Kelly relieved Brie of the title to begin her first championship reign.
An ecstatic Kelly took to Twitter to comment on her title capture. She wrote, “Words can’t describe how happy I am to have won my first divas championship. Thanks to everyone who has supported me I promise to make you proud!”
— Tyson Kidd has launched a Twitter account at twitter.com/KiddWWE. He wrote the following yesterday regarding tonight’s television taping in Hershey, Pennsylvania: “Tomorrow will be the first step in the new phase of Tyson Kidd.”
–- John Morrison and Melina are heading to Singapore today to promote WWE on StarHub TV, the sole cable television operator in the country.
– CM Punk defeated Rey Mysterio and Alberto Del Rio on Monday’s RAW to earn a WWE title shot against John Cena at Money in the Bank on July 17th. Punk stated that it will be his final match in WWE and vows to leave the company with the WWE championship.
– WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels has been announced as making a special guest appearance next week on RAW, which will feature a “RAW Roulette” theme.
– There was no dark match after Monday’s RAW went off the air.
-Zack Ryder defeated Drew McIntyre in a dark match that took place prior to RAW. Ryder got a nice pop. Apparently he’s a full-fledged babyface now. About a five-minute match. Drew dominated, but Ryder came back and hit the Rough Ryder for the win.
– In matches taped for Superstars, Gail Kim wrestled Melina and WWE tag champions David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty squared off against Santino & Kozlov.
On Monday’s episode of WWE RAW, CM Punk defeated Rey Mysterio and Alberto Del Rio in triple threat match to earn a shot at the WWE Championship against John Cena at Money In The Bank on Sunday, July 17th.
CM Punk then announced what has been reported here in recent weeks – that his WWE contract is expiring soon, and he’s leaving the company.
UPDATE: CM Punk Comments On Leaving WWE: “Going Out With A Bang”
Punk says that his contract expires on July 17th, the day of Money in the Bank. Punk vows to capture the WWE Championship and leave with the title.
It is possible that Punk has signed a new contract, but WWE has capitalized on the real life drama and turned it into a main event storyline.
COMMENT BELOW: What do you think? Is Punk REALLY leaving WWE? Has he signed a new contract? Will he jump to another company?
— The official Twitter account of WWE Magazine announced that the Divas Championship will be on the line in the first match of tonight’s “Power to the People” edition of Monday Night Raw.
Brie Bella will defend her title against (A) Eve, (B) Kelly Kelly, or (C) Beth Phoenix. Viewers can vote by texting A, B or C to 46993. Standard texting rates apply.
— The June 17 episode of WWE SmackDown scored a 1.71 cable rating, down from 1.77 the prior two weeks.
SmackDown averaged 2.71 million viewers, approximately the same as the previous week. This extends the program’s streak of less than 3.0 million viewers to seven consecutive weeks.
It is the lowest rated episode of 2011. The previous low was set on May 6 with a 1.73 cable rating.
— John Cena and The Rock are featured on the cover of the latest issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
– In an interview with TorontoSun.com, former WWE diva Trish Stratus says practicing yoga helped her avoid surgery. “My body said, ‘I’m really worn out and I need you to start taking care of me so I can last you a little bit longer than this.” When she was sidelined with injuries and surgery was discussed, she decided to explore other options before going under the knife. “I thought, ‘Well lemme see if I can take a different route,'” she said. Once she began yoga, her body responded almost immediately and she was able to continue her career virtually injury-free.
– Former WWE star Sean “X-Pac” Waltman has updated his blog with his thoughts about the ongoing Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior sage. Waltman addresses “Kharma Collects” video series that Warrior posted online last week as well as several of the rumors circulating regarding both men. To read the full blog, visit RealXPac.com.
– WWE legend Kevin Nash will be appearing in the new movie “Rock Of Ages” based on the broadway musical. No word yet on what part Nash will play, but the movie is starring Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand. For more information on the show, visit RockofAgesMusical.com.
– Former WWE executive Shane McMahon attended the US Open golf tournament on Sunday with the father of Rory McIlroy, the 22-year-old phenom who the tournament. Shane was shown on camera but not mentioned by name.
The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (not WWE’s Hall of Fame – no affiliation) has announced that Jim Ross will be receiving the prestigious Lou Thesz Award at this summer’s ceremony:
WATERLOO, Iowa — One of the biggest names in professional wrestling will be recognized by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. Jim Ross, a ring announcer and an executive for World Wrestling Entertainment, will receive the Lou Thesz Award at the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame inductions on July 22-23.
The Lou Thesz Award is given to an individual in wrestling who has taken the skills of professional wrestling into the realm of public service.
The award is presented by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum and Eblen Charities. Eblen Charities is a North Carolina based non-profit organization that assists children, adults, and families in times of need.
Hall of Famer Gerald Brisco will present Ross his award at an induction banquet on Saturday, July 23. The banquet will be held at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in Waterloo, Iowa.
“Jim Ross carries the passion and dedication to make this profession the very best it can be,“ said Brisco. “I think Lou Thesz would be honored to know good old JR will be receiving this great award.”
Ross is one of the most recognized names in professional wrestling. He is best-known as a professional wrestling commentator and for his work with World Wrestling Entertainment. Ross has been heavily involved with scouting and talent development with the WWE.
Ross consistently works with several service organizations, including the Support Our Troops initiative, Circle of Champions, and Get R.E.A.L. (Respect, Education, Achievement, Leadership). He has also been involved with Meetings with Children with Life Threatening Illnesses.
“My boyhood hero was Lou Thesz,” said Jim Ross. “Getting the Lou Thesz Award is an overwhelming honor. I’m looking forward to being in Waterloo for this event.”
Ross will take part in all weekend activities, including a special training session at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center on Friday, July 22. Professional wrestlers who have committed to attending induction weekend include Terry Funk, Gerald Brisco, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, Mick Foley, Jim Raschke, Danny Hodge, Bob Roop, Larry Hennig, Fritz Von Goering, and Colt Cabana.
For more information on the weekend, or for information on ordering banquet tickets, contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at (319) 233-0745 or orders@wrestlingmuseum.org.
— Kelly Kelly appeared at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, California and announced that the playable Divas characters would be able to participate in the Elimination Chamber match in THQ’s upcoming WWE 12 video game.
To see the video of her announcement, click here.
— Johnny Curtis, who has appeared in backstage segments in recent weeks, stated last Friday on SmackDown that he would be debuting soon.
— WWE returns to the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, New Jersey on September 3, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale July 16, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.
— WWE Hall of Famer Koko B. Ware celebrates his 54th birthday today.
– Tonight’s 3-hour episode of WWE RAW takes place from the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Maryland and will feature a “Power to the People” theme.
Similar to the old Cyber Sunday pay-per-views, fans will be able to vote on match opponents and stipulations through WWE’s website and text messaging.
Smackdown talent is booked for tonight’s show as advertised names include World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton, Christian, Kane, Sheamus, Sin Cara, Wade Barrett and Mark Henry.
The dark match main event that’s being advertised locally is John Cena, Big Show and Rey Mysterio vs. R-Truth, Alberto Del Rio and CM Punk.
– WWE recently made a big change to the company’s Wellness Policy that has rubbed a lot of talent the wrong way. Drug tests will now include screening for synthetic marijuana, commonly known as “spice” or “K2.” These substances are made to simulate the experience of smoking marijuana and are currently legal in the United States.
Talent that tests positive for the synthetic [fake] marijuana will receive the same $2,500 fine that WWE levies for marijuana use. This has several WWE talents upset, since a number of superstars and divas started using ‘fake weed’ when WWE banned the real thing last year.
The ‘fake marijuana’ has been made illegal by some states and is considered a “drug of concern” by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
(Partial Source: f4wonline.com)
– Former WWE Films president Joel Simon died on Sunday after battling pancreatic cancer for four years.
– As we were covering here on the site last week, World Heavyweight champion Randy Orton’s status for Capitol Punishment was up in the air until just days before the event. Orton suffered a concussion last weekend and had to pass an “impact concussion test” prior to being medically cleared to compete on Sunday night. WWE officials were said to be very concerned that Orton would not be able to wrestle and had discussed several other scenarios for the SmackDown title match just in case. Orton received his medical clearance on Friday and defeated Christian to retain the title.
– Also at Capitol Punishment, WWE featured a President Obama impostor, played by comedian Reggie Brown. The fake Obama had a few backstage segments during the show as well as an in-ring segment where Booker T taught him how to do the spineroonie – which WWE announcers dubbed the “Barakaroonie”.
Reggie Brown appeared at a GOP convention on Saturday night and had to be pulled off stage during his set due to event organizers thinking he was going overboard with his racially-charged Obama-bashing jokes.
WWE had someone tweeting as the fake Obama during the PPV with the user name @WWEPresident.
Check out this video of Reggie Brown performing last week at the GOP convention and getting pulled off stage:
– In a dark match that took place prior to Sunday’s Capitol Punishment pay-per-view from Washington, DC, Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov defeated Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel.
– Dolph Ziggler captured the WWE United States Championship by defeated Kofi Kingston in the opening match at Capitol Punishment.
– Ezekiel Jackson became the new WWE Intercontinental Champion at Capitol Punishment by defeating his former Corre partner Wade Barrett. This is Jackson’s second title reign in WWE, as he was the final ECW champion. That title was retired the night he won it on the final episode of ECW on Syfy.
WWE’s Capitol Punishment pay-per-view opens up with a nice video package for the R-Truth vs. John Cena main event. We go to the arena and we’re live from Washington, DC.
WWE United States Title Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston
Out first comes the WWE United States Champion Kofi Kingston to kick off the show. Vickie Guerrero escorts Dolph Ziggler to the ring next and we’re ready to go.
The bell rings and they go at it. Lots of back and forth action to start. They eventually go to the corner. Kofi catapults Dolph out. He goes for Trouble in Paradise but Dolph ducks and turns it around. Dolph with a big leg drop and a 2 count. More back and forth. Dolph hits a dropkick and another 2 count. Dolph applies a submission from behind. Kofi breaks out and rolls Dolph up for 2.
More counters, Kofi with another 2 count. Dolph applies a sleeper hold but Kofi breaks out of it. Dolph goes for a splash in the corner but Kofi moves. Lots of back and forth action. Kofi with a big axe handle from the top for a 2 count. Kofi misses Trouble in Paradise. Dolph catches him for a powerbomb but Kofi hits SOS. Dolph kicks out at 2.
More pin attempts from both men. Dolph goes for Zig Zag but misses. Kofi with a big leap and another 2 count. Kofi goes up top but Dolph meets him and knocks him down. Dolph climbs up top and goes for a superplex but Kofi drops him on his face. Kofi with a high crossbody and another 2 count. Dolph blocks SOS again and Dolph applies a sleeper. Kofi blocks it and slams Kofi into the corner. Kofi misses Trouble in Paradise again. Dolph misses Zig Zag and distracts the referee. Vickie interferes and attacks Kofi. Dolph takes advantage and puts the sleeper hold on tight on the mat. Kofi passes out while in the sleeper to end the match, after Dolph used the bottom rope for leverage.
Winner and New WWE United States Champion: Dolph Ziggler
– A limousine pulls up backstage and out steps R-Truth with the WWE Title. He says the champion is in the house. Truth says he’s got a party to go to. He runs into Eve Torres and invites her. She says she doesn’t even know who he is anymore. He says she’s right, she doesn’t know. He says nobody knows who he is anymore. Truth goes on to Eve before walking off.
– We see The Miz backstage with Todd Grisham. Grisham says the critics are asking if he has what it takes to beat Alex Riley. Miz says really? Is this how far his career has sunk in the last month? Miz says he is a former WWE Champion and is sick of hearing about Alex Riley. Miz says Riley was only good for carrying his briefcase. Miz puts Riley down some more and says he can go back to being someone’s bag carrier after tonight. Miz says he’s going to show the world tonight the fine line between luck and awesome.
– We get a video package for The Miz vs. Alex Riley.
The Miz vs. Alex Riley
We go to the ring and out first comes The Miz. Alex Riley, introduced from Washington, DC, is out next to a nice reaction from the crowd. Miz has his briefcase with him tonight. Miz taunts Riley before the match with the briefcase. Riley attacks and the bell rings. Riley takes it to the corner but Miz fights out and rolls to the floor.
Riley chases Miz around the ring but gets taken down when they re-enter. Miz works Riley over with rights, kicks and a high knee. Miz with a running kick to the face. Miz stomps away now but takes his time. Riley gets up and fires back. Miz kicks him to the mat and hits a big DDT for a 2 count. Miz with knees to Riley’s back now. Miz with another running kick to the face. Miz continues the offense and knocks Riley down when he tries to get up.
Riley rams Miz back in the corner but gets sent out to the floor. Miz comes outside and hits Riley with another kick to the face. Miz brings it back in the ring but keeps Riley on the apron and punches him, talking crap. Miz with a running knee to the face. Miz rolls Riley over for another 2 count. Riley tries to make a comeback again but Miz stops it. Miz applies a sleeper hold and takes Riley down to the mat with it.
More offense from Miz, another DDT and a 2 count. Miz with a big clothesline in the corner now. Miz climbs to the top and comes down with a double ax handle for a 2 count. Miz takes Riley to the corner and then ties him up in a tree of woe. Miz stomps away at Riley as he’s hung upside down in the corner. Miz goes for a baseball slide into Riley’s face but Riley pulls himself free and Miz hits the ringpost. Riley with an elbow and a spear now. Riley with several right hands before taking Miz to the corners. Riley throws Miz into the ringpost and hits a big spinebuster for a 2 count.
Miz tosses Riley to the floor. Riley comes back in with a big right hand and another 2 count. Miz rolls to the floor and Riley follows him. Riley slams Miz into the fan barrier, the ring apron and then the announcer’s table. Michael Cole runs his mouth to Riley and eventually distracts him. Riley grabs Cole by his tie and pulls him over the annoucner’s table and to the floor. Miz runs over and kicks Riley in the gut and throws him back in the ring. Miz brings the briefcase in the ring but the referee stops him from using it. Riley takes advantage and drops Miz with a big DDT for the pin and the win.
Winner: Alex Riley
– We go backstage with a fake Barack Obama and his Secret Service. Sgt. Slaughter walks up and Obama cracks a joke on Obamacare. Vickie Guerrero walks up and says she’s so happy that Dolph is the new US Champion that she wants to sing. Vickie starts singing Happy Father’s Day to the fake Obama and blows him a kiss, trying to be Marilyn Monroe. Obama has the Secret Service carry Vickie off as she’s still singing. Slaughter thanks Obama.
– We get a video with highlights from the Alberto Del Rio and Big Show feud.
Alberto Del Rio vs. Big Show
We go to the arena and in comes Alberto Del Rio driving a Mercedes Benz. As Del Rio is making his way to the ring, Big Show attacks him from behind and starts beating him up. Show brings Del Rio in the ring but Del Rio rolls back out. Show with big chops on the floor. The bell still hasn’t rang as Show throws Del Rio hard into the barrier. Show brings Del Rio back in the ring. As Show is entering, Mark Henry attacks Big Show from behind. Henry beats Show down and throws him over the announcer’s table. Henry manages to pick Show up and hits the World’s Strongest Slam through an announcer’s table. Del Rio is in the ring, demanding that the referee starts the match. Henry storms back over and slams Show’s injured knee hard into the table. Show rolls around in pain as the referee checks on him. The referee enters the ring and talks with Del Rio as we go to replays.
Big Show starts to get up. The referee starts the count but the bell still never rang. Big Show rolls into the ring at the 8 count but is down on one knee. Show finally stands up and is ready to fight. The bell rings and here we go. Del Rio attacks and Show throws him into the corner. Show with huge chops. Show grabs Del Rio for a chokeslam. Del Rio fights out and kicks Show’s leg. Del Rio with more kicks and offense until he gets sent out to the floor.
Del Rio drops Show’s neck over the ropes and goes to the top rope. Del Rio leaps off but Show grabs him for a chokeslam. Del Rio fights out and goes for the armbreaker but Show hits him with a huge back drop. Show walks towards Del Rio now as Del Rio begs him to back off. Del Rio kicks Show’s leg out from under him and applies a submission hold on the leg.
The hold is finally broken but Show is hurt. The referee asks him if he can continue. Show keeps trying to stand up but he can’t. The referee calls for the bell and it’s announced that Del Rio wins due to Show not being able to compete.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
– After the match, Del Rio celebrates as Show lays in pain and we go to replays. Del Rio continues the celebration as trainers help Big Show walk to the back.
– Another backstage segment with R-Truth. He’s telling a photographer to go ahead and do the photos now because he will be tired after tonight’s title match. And that’s when my feed goes out and comes back to a WCW Nitro DVD commercial.
– Josh Matthews is backstage with WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett. Barrett takes the mic and says he will handle this. Barrett starts walking to the ring from backstage and is talking about being in our nation’s Capitol and how we need a Queen. Barrett brings up the recent Weiner scandal, the US education system and the national debt. Barrett says in 20 years, everyone in this building will be speaking Chinese. Barrett says America looks good from the outside, but when you get closer you see it’s nothing but a hollow shell. Much like Ezekiel Jackson, he says. Barrett calls him pathetic. Barrett goes on and on before we get the bell.
WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Ezekiel Jackson vs. Wade Barrett
Barrett is formally introduced and gets boo’d. Ezekiel Jackson’s music hits next and out comes the challenger.
The bell rings and they lock up to USA chants. They go at it and break. Barrett comes back with right hands. Zeke goes for the torture rack but Barrett slides out and goes to the floor. Barrett comes back in and misses a clothesline. Zeke goes to work on him with rights in the corner and beats him down. Barrett dodges a splash in the corner but Zeke knocks him to the mat anyway for a 2 count.
Barrett with a big kick in the corner and a pin attempt. Zeke tries to fight back but Barrett catches him with a big sideslam for another 2 count. Barrett with a headlock now. Zeke fights out with elbows but Zeke stops him with a knee. A “We want Ryder” chant breaks out in the crowd. Barrett tries to roll-up Zeke and finally gets him down for a 2 count. Zeke runs into a big back kick from Barrett. Barrett with a pumphandle slam and another 2 count. Barrett with a bunch of kicks in the corner now and right hands. Barrett runs into an elbow from Zeke. Zeke comes back with clotheslines and splashes, knocking Barrett down. Zeke with a big running splash in the corner.
Barrett misses a splash in the corner now. Zeke fights back and goes for his series of bodyslams but Barrett counters. Barrett hits Zeke with Wasteland but Zeke kicks out at 2. Barrett tries a running kick but Zeke catches him. Zeke starts hitting the series of bodyslams and puts Barrett in the torture rack. Barrett taps out and Zeke wins the match.
Winner and New WWE Intercontinental Champion: Ezekiel Jackson
– After Zeke celebrates his victory, Jerry Lawler comes in the ring to ask him how it feels to win. Zeke says it’s awesome and the greatest accomplishment of his life. Zeke talks about domination and continues the celebration.
– We go backstage and see Santino Marella, Beth Phoenix and Kelly Kelly run into the fake Obama and his posse. Santino asks Obama if he wants to see how the Cobra is done. Santino shows him the motions and when he finishes, the Secret Service tackle him and rush Obama off to safety.
– Josh Matthews is backstage with CM Punk. Punks talks about how bad Washington, DC is. He says any performer or “sports entertainer”, as he mocks the term, who says they are a hero is lying to you. Punk says he, like Rey Mysterio and everyone else, just wants to get rich. Punk says after he beats Mysterio tonight in Washington, DC, he is going to do the most honest thing the WWE Universe has ever seen.
CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio
We go to the ring and out first comes Rey Mysterio to a nice reaction from the crowd. Out next comes CM Punk, who stares Mysterio down the whole way to the ring.
The bell rings and they go at it after some taunting from Punk. Lots of back and forth action. Punk keeps an offense going and gets a pair of 2 counts. Punk with a back kick before working on Rey’s arm. Rey fights out but Punk takes him down for a 2 count. Rey dropkicks Punk into position for 619. Punk drops off the ropes but Rey kicks him to the floor instead of 619. Rey leaps onto Punk’s shoulders on the floor but Punk drops Rey’s face onto the fan barrier.
Punk brings Rey back in the ring for another 2 count. Punk goes back to stomping on Rey and keeping the offense going. Punk puts Rey in a surfboard maneuver and tries to make him tap. Rey turns it over and drops down on Punk. Before Rey can get some offense, Punk stomps and goes back to work on him for another 2 count. Punk with a body scissors now. Punk hits a tilt-a-whirl slam on Rey and goes back to the scissors. Rey fights out finally and drops Punk for 619 again. Rey goes for it but Punk takes him out with a counter for another 2 count.
Punk applies an abdominal stretch now until Rey fights out. Punk charges in the corner but Rey drops him face first into the turnbuckle. Rey goes up top but Punk knocks him down and he gets hung upside down in the corner. Punk takes advantage and kicks Rey in the face. Punk with two headbutts to the gut. Rey comes off the ropes and kicks Punk in the face and then sends him flying to the floor. Rey with a moonsault from the apron to the floor and both are down now. Rey brings it back in the ring and goes to the top. Rey with a diving headbutt for a 2 count.
More back and forth action. They trade kicks and kick attempts. Rey kicks Punk in the head and he goes down for a 2 count. They go back to the top and Punk brings Rey to the mat with a big back body drop. Punk with a 2 count. Punk with a big running knee in the corner. Punk charges again but Rey moves and he hits the ring post. More back and forth with some 619. Rey goes to the top for the big splash but Punk puts his knees up. Punk fires away with knees to the head on Rey. Punk goes for the GTS and holds it a minute while smiling. Rey blocks GTS and takes Punk down with a hurricanrana for a 2 count. Punk connects and drops Rey with a big kick this time for a 2 count.
Punk goes for GTS again but Rey counters again and puts him into position for 619. Punk blocks 619 and catches Rey on his shoulders. Punk nails GTS for the pin and the win.
Winner: CM Punk
– After the match, Punk heads to the back and doesn’t do that honest thing he was talking about earlier.
– We get a video package for tonight’s World Heavyweight Title Match.
World Heavyweight Title Match: Christian vs. Randy Orton
We go to the ring and out first comes the World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton to a nice reaction from the crowd. Christian is out next, playing the heel. We get formal introductions from Tony Chimel and we’re ready to go.
The bell rings and they go right at it. Orton gets Christian down and starts stomping. Christian turns things around and knocks Orton down to one knee with rights. Orton misses a clothesline but hits a Thesz Press and unloads with right hands. Orton with a headlock now. Orton with a shoulder block now and a 2 count. Orton goes back to the headlock, keeping in control.
They run the ropes and Orton with a shoulder tackle and another 2 count. Christian fights out of another headlock and goes to the second rope. Christian goes for an elbow from the second rope but Orton dodges it. Christian tosses Orton through the ropes and to the floor now. Christian runs and dropkicks Orton through the ropes, and down he goes. Christian goes for a crossbody over the top rope but Orton moves and he hits the floor. Orton with a clothesline on the floor before bringing it back in the ring for a 2 count. Orton fires away on Christian before sending him back outside. Orton follows and works him over. Orton goes for a DDT off the steel steps but Christian counters and sends Orton head first into the steps.
Christian rolls Orton back into the ring for a 2 count. Christian stomps on Orton and stands on him in the corner. Christian with a reverse neckbreaker for another 2 count. Orton comes back with a 2 count of his own until Christian comes right back and drops Orton on his head with a spinebuster for a 2 count. The announcers play up Orton’s recent concussion. Orton counters Christian and whips him hard into the corner. Orton with a big back drop and repeated forearm shots to the chest. Christian counters and goes for the inverted DDT. Orton counters and comes back with clotheslines and a scoop slam.
Orton with an uppercut in the corner and a belly to belly suplex for a 2 count. Orton tries for the second-rope DDT but Christian hits him with a right hand. They go back and forth by the apron before going to the top rope. Orton hits a superplex on Christian but only gets a 2 count. More offense by Orton. Christian grabs him for the Killswitch but Orton blocks it. Orton goes for the RKO but it’s blocked. They leave the ring and come back in. Christian goes to the second rope but Orton pulls him down. Orton hits Christian with the second rope DDT. Orton hits the mat and gets ready to strike. Orton goes for the RKO but Christian counters with an inverted DDT for a 2 count.
Christian readies for a spear. Orton leaps over him and goes for an RKO but Christian blocks it. Christian nails the spear this time but only gets a 2 count. Christian with a dropkick. Orton charges in the corner but Christian kicks him in the head. Christian comes off the top rope but Orton goes under him. Christian walks into an RKO for the pin and the win for Orton.
Winner: Randy Orton
– After the match, Orton celebrates as Christian argues with the referee about the pin being good. Christian says he had his foot under the ropes. Orton walks over and lays Christian out with a belt shot to the head. Orton goes back to the corner to pose for the fans.
– We go to the ring and out comes The Bella Twins with Keith Stone, the guy from the Keystone beer commercials. It looks like they just have a seat at ringside.
– We go to a promo video for tonight’s WWE Title Match.
Evan Bourne vs. Jack Swagger
We go to the ring and out comes Jack Swagger for a bonus match that wasn’t announced before. Out next comes his opponent Evan Bourne. They lock up and go at it. Another chant for Zack Ryder breaks out. Swagger clams Bourne back to the mat and keeps in control. Swagger keeps Bourne on the mat.
Swagger keeps in control until Bourne takes him down with a head scissors. Bourne tries to mount an offense but Swagger stops it and slams him on his shoulder for a 2 count. Swagger drops elbows into Bourne’s ribs and covers him for another 2 count. Swagger with a chinlock and a knee in Bourne’s back, still keeping in control. We see Keith Stone and the Bellas sitting at ringside. Swagger does a push-up over Bourne and poses.
Swagger with a big back drop and another 2 count. Swagger takes Bourne to the corner and nails him with forearm shots to the back now. Swagger whips Bourne hard into the corner and he goes down. Swagger hits the big Vader splash from the second rope but only gets a 2 count. Swagger puts the boot to Bourne’s chest and continues the beatdown.
Bourne starts to make a comeback but Swagger stops him. Swagger misses the second rope splash and Bourne comes back again. Bourne goes up top but has to come back down. Swagger hits a big boot to the face out of nowhere but can’t get the pin. Bourne ends up on the top rope and they go at it before coming down. Bourne hits a big DDT for a 2 count. Bourne with two big kicks to the head. Bourne goes up top for Air Bourne but Swagger moves. Bourne lands on his feet. Swagger goes for the gutwrench powerbomb but Bourne slides out. Bourne goes for a roll up but Swagger goes for the ankle lock. Bourne counters it with another roll up for the win.
Winner: Evan Bourne
– We go to the stage and the fake Barack Obama comes out to a podium. He tells us thank you about twenty times and says he has some great WWE memories. Obama says every Monday night when he tells people he’s working on the budget, he’s up in his office watching RAW. He says if he were RAW General Manager, we would see a lot more Jim Ross and less Michael Cole. Obama wishes good luck to John Cena and the crowd boo’s. He wishes good luck to R-Truth and that seems to get a better reaction. He goes on and thanks everyone again before walking off. Booker T speaks up and stops Obama from leaving. Booker invites Obama down to the ring.
Booker says it’s a pleasure to meet Obama and talks about him making history by being the first black President and winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Booker T asks him if he can do the spin-a-rooni however. Booker’s music hits and he shows the fake Obama how it’s done. Booker asks us if we want to see the Barack-O-rooni. The music hits and Obama starts dancing before hitting a weak-a-rooni to end the segment.
– We get another promo video for tonight’s pay-per-view.
WWE Title Match: R-Truth vs. John Cena
We go to the ring and out first comes R-Truth, still in possession of the WWE Title belt. John Cena’s music is on next and here’s his entrance. We get formal ring introductions before the bell.
The bell rings and they finally lock up. Truth takes Cena down first as the crowd does dueling chants. They square up again and go to lock up. Truth throws a kick but Cena grabs his leg and throws him to the mat. Truth rolls to the floor and starts talking to himself. Truth comes back in and hits Cena in the face, taking it to the corner and working him over. They go back and forth but Truth rolls back out to the floor when Cena starts to get on a roll.
Truth comes in and Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment. Truth blocks it and suplexes Cena on his face. Truth takes it to the corner and works Cena over but Cena comes out fighting. Truth with a side kick to the face for a 2 count. Truth with more offense and another 2 count. Truth with a chinlock now. Cena fights to his feet and out of the hold. Cena whips Truth into the ropes but Truth comes back with a corkscrew elbow, good for a 2 count. Truth mocks Cena and continues the assault. Truth fights Cena on the apron. Cena drops him over the ropes and comes back in the ring but runs into a clothesline. Truth with a 2 count.
Truth takes Cena to the mat and puts on the body scissors. More dueling chants from the crowd. Cena rolls out of it and goes for the STF but Truth makes it to the ropes. Truth gets up and drops Cena with a clothesline for another 2 count. Truth with a suplex and yet another 2 count. Cena starts to make his comeback and hits the usual moves followed by the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment but Truth counters it and drops Cena but can’t get the pin. Truth misses a big forearm in the corner and Cena counters with a drop toe hold. Cena locks the STF but Truth makes it to the ropes and breaks the hold.
Truth comes back and hits the scissor kick but still can’t get the win. Truth goes up top and comes down with a crossbody but Cena rolls through and stands up with Truth. Truth slides out again and lays Cena out. Cena still manages to kick out at 2 and roll out to the floor to regroup. Truth goes to ringside and starts drinking a Cena fans drink. The fan throws drink in Truth’s face. Cena takes advantage, brings Truth in the ring and hits the Attitude Adjustment for the win.
Winner: John Cena
– After the match, Cena goes to ringside and picks the fan up to bring him in the ring. Cena raises the WWE Title and the little boys hand before giving him a thumbs up and helping him back out of the ring. Cena goes to ringside and poses with some troops. Capitol Punishment goes off the air with Cena saluting the camera.
Jim Ross has posted a new blog entry on his official website, www.jrsbarbq.com. Highlights are as follows:
Tonight’s WWE Championship Match between John Cena and R-Truth: “Cena vs. Truth….WWE Title…Cena likely wins but if Truth upsets Cena as I mentioned earlier in the week the Raw deck is reshuffled considerably. Without question, this is Truth’s biggest professional opportunity ever IMO. The newly minted villain has only one chance to make an impact in his first ever, WWE PPV main event. How Truth comes out of D.C. is intriguing.”
Tonight’s World Heavyweight Championship Match between Randy Orton and Christian: “Orton vs. Christian…World Title…might be the show stealer especially now that Orton has been cleared of concussion issues. It would be interesting to see Christian win (Sheamus??) as Orton feels as if he would be a nice fit to ‘chase’ Christian for the World Title. Bottom line is that these two have the potential to have a great match. I like this paring because it can realistically go either way.”
Response to mixed martial arts purists that don’t take his opinions seriously due to his ties to professional wrestling: “MMA purists/internet geeks who enjoy damming my opinions about their beloved sport largely because I’m a ‘wrestling guy’ will someday realize that the MMA fighters who are organically able to verbalize will have a better chance to become big earners and it won’t have any thing to do with ‘cutting pro wrestling promos.’ Muhammad Ali did it quite well for many, many years although he was comfortable enough with himself to admit that watching pro wrestling as a kid helped him mold his in ring persona.”
“Ali once told me that he realized he could earn more money getting fans to buy tickets to see him lose than to see him win.”
Ross also comments on the other matches scheduled for tonight’s Capitol Punishment pay-per-view in Washington D.C. His blog can be read here.
— Averno, who’s reportedly heading to WWE to feud with former rival Mistico (a/k/a Sin Cara), lost his mask Friday night to La Mascara at CMLL’s Jucio Final event.
Following his defeat, Averno took his mask off and announced his real name as Renato Ruiz Cortez of Mexico City, 34 years old with 16 years experience as a wrestler.
— Skip Sheffield was spotted last week in Tampa, Florida on crutches and his leg in a cast. The former member of Nexus underwent a third surgical procedure last Tuesday, which he vowed on Twitter would be his last. He hasn’t appeared on television since breaking his leg and ankle on August 18, 2010 at a WWE live event in Honolulu, Hawaii.
— WWE returns to the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, New Jersey on September 3, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale July 16, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.
WWE talent Alex Riley has been cleared of charges stemming from driving under the influence in Tampa, Florida in November 2010, reports TMZ.com.
His lawyers went before a judge earlier this month and argued that police had no probable cause for a traffic stop that led to his client’s arrest. The judge agreed, rendering the field sobriety test and the officer’s observations about Riley inadmissible.
Riley was arrested in Tampa, Florida on November 17, 2010, at 1:14 a.m. on charges of driving under the influence, after refusing to be tested. He was released at 9:33 a.m. on a $500 bond. Riley was also charged with driving with a suspended license.
To read the story, which also includes his mug shot, click here.
— Randy Orton stated on Twitter that he passed the ‘Impact test’ he underwent on Friday. Therefore, he is cleared to wrestle Christian at tomorrow night’s Capitol Punishment pay-per-view event.
The WWE World Heavyweight suffered a concussion during Sunday’s SmackDown live event in Spain and had to pass the test in order to be medically cleared to return to the ring.
— Shawn Michaels participated in an interview with Joey Styles yesterday that will soon be published on WWE.com. The wrestling legend will discuss his new hunting show, which premieres on the Outdoor Channel later this month.
— Monday Night Raw will be held on September 12, 2011 at the Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario.
— Dark Rising, a 2007 horror movie Christian appeared in, is now available on Netflix.
Vickie Guerrero spoke to Kevin Eck of the Baltimore Sun to promote tomorrow night’s WWE Capitol Punishment pay-per-view event in Washington D.C. as well as Monday’s Raw in Baltimore, Maryland. She discussed numerous topics including how her recognizable catchphrase came out, Eddie Guerrero’s influence on her career, her significant weight loss, her weight being lampooned on WWE programming, and more.
Guerrero reveals that her trademark saying, “Excuse Me!”, came by accident one night at a television event.
“That was just a fluke,” Guerrero says. “I think I probably forgot my lines one night and just kept saying ‘excuse me’ to remember what I had to say next, and the fans just got louder. I tried it a couple more times and we thought, let’s stay with it and see where it goes. Now I sign all my autographs with ‘excuse me.'”
Guerrero says Eddie Guerrero is the inspiration behind her heel character as she learned how to cut an effective promo from watching him perform.
She says, “I think it goes back to watching Eddie do promos [wrestling monologues] in the living room and in the bathroom for 15 years. The louder I can get the fans and the angrier they are at me, the more it fuels the fire in me to just push them to the edge even more. It’s a high.”
Numerous insults have been levied at Guerrero over the years regarding her weight. Despite losing more than 50 pounds since last year, the jokes about her being overweight have continued to linger on WWE programming. She, however, feels it comes with territory.
“The jokes have helped grow my character to what it is,” she said. “I just kind of roll with it and leave it behind me when I leave the arena. Again, there’s the character and then there’s the real person. You can’t take what’s going on at work personally.”
She continues, “They really didn’t bother me. Well, I guess they did to an extent, but not to where I was feeling bad about myself. It was who I was. We have beautiful women that work with us, and when I was in the locker room with them and we’re dressing and stuff, I would look at them and be like, ‘Oh, this is ridiculous. I’m going to change.’ I wanted to feel good being a part of their group and to live a lifestyle that was going to be promoted with the WWE. Now when they say the jokes, it’s like, “Whatever.'”
Guerrero attributes her significant weight loss to exercise and a stringent diet.
She says, “I’ve lost 52 pounds. My secret was to stop eating all the junk food after leaving the arenas. I never really trained the first four years I was with WWE, so I wasn’t happy with how I looked and I wanted to have some improvement, so I found a personal trainer and also started doing the nutrition side of it. I’m really happy with the results, and I probably have like 20 more pounds to go. You cut out breads; you cut out all the junk food. I don’t drink any more sodas. I just eat healthy chicken and steak and rice. I don’t have any fried foods. I do have my cheat days and I look forward to them because you have to enjoy life. It’s so bad at our catering at work because our dessert table is bigger than our entrée table, so I save my Mondays and Tuesdays for a piece of cake or something that’s sweet. That’s my reward if I work hard during the week.”
The interview is available here.
While in Los Angeles for the E3 video game expo to promote the new WWE 12 video game, Alberto Del Rio challenged John Cena to a match at SummerSlam:
The Ultimate Warrior has released his 1-hour”KARMA COLLECTS” shoot video:
“Hulk Hogan has told lies about me for almost 20 years now. Me telling the truths about Terry Bollea for about an hour is justified as far as I am concerned, and long overdue.”
“Enjoy. Thanks again, all you UW fans, for all the great memories.”
“A warning: there is some strong, adult language in these videos; not much, some. There ARE NOT streams of cuss words and there is NO language — NONE– that is sexually explicit, but there are a few choice F’bombs. Just letting you know in case you might decide to watch these clips in the presence of kids. My advice is to not do that.”