-Snitsky *sigh* picks up the win for his team. I honestly don't remember who was on his team but I know it wasn't Tommy Dreamer, who got pinned by Snitsky.
-Not content with the beating he just got, Tommy Dreamer challenges ECW Champion, Chavo Guerrero, to a non-title match. Guerrero accepts.
-Mike Knox & Layla defeat Stevie Richards & Kelly Kelly.
-To the surprise of no one, Chavo Guerrero beats Tommy Dreamer in a non-title match.
-Afterwards, it seemed like the whole world came out to jump the ECW champ after his win.
I thought the opening tag match was pretty fun to watch and it seems like everyone got a chance to shine...
...But, SNITSKY? Snitsky picks up the win?!? Why this guy?
Carlito and Shelton Benjamin had a really solid match and I think it was match of the night.
part 1
part 2
You know who I wish was featured more on ECW, Layla El. I don't think I have to say anything else.
I believe it was Dave Chappelle who once said “everything looks cooler in slow motion”. A part of John Morrison’s entrance has him standing at the top of the entrance ramp while the wind is blowing his hair and fur coat in slow motion. I know Morrison wasn't even on the show last night, the entrance sounds pretty goofy and I’ve been trying for months to continue hating on it, but I’ve officially thrown in the towel. I want an entrance like that (with the oversized fur coat and sunglasses).
Wednesday Wrestler Spotlight
~This week's spotlight is on a wrestler who I find to be very entertaining and charismatic and he could also be wrestling the last match of his career this Sunday.
"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair
Personally, I'm not old enough or eager enough to watch pro wrestling from the 1980's in order to fully know or have an appreciation for everything Ric Flair has brought to the business.
Although, Flair has spent the latter part of his career in WWE, I was first exposed to the man known as "The Dirtiest Player in the Game" by watching World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
My first impressions of him were that he was the man with the million bathrobes who said "wooo" a lot.
Here are some of the "bathrobes" in the Ric Flair collection
Like this one
And this one
And this one
As for the "wooo"s, I don't think an explaination from me would do it justice, so I'll have Ric Flair explain it himself.
In the years that I've seen Ric Flair, I've learned that he is a pretty damn good showman and I honestly can't remember ever seeing a Ric Flair interview or promo where he wasn't enthusiastic or giving 100%. As a matter of fact, he would give so much in his interviews that at times, it kind of seems like he's going overboard.
Nevertheless, Flair is a former 16-time World Champion, considered a living legend in pro wrestling and I'm pretty sure if he is going to wrestle his last match at Wrestlemania this Sunday, I know he'll go out with a bang. Wooo!
Its the last Raw before Wrestlemania 24 this Sunday, that means its supposed to be BIG. Well, it's supposed to be anyway. Here's what went down:
~To the delight of screaming children and young girls everywhere but the chagrin of everyone else, John Cena opens the show by coming down to the ring and pretty much says that he's leaving Wrestlemania as WWE champion. All of a sudden, The Big Show, who takes on Floyd Mayweather at Wrestlemania, makes his way to the ring and pimps out his match. JBL, who faces Finlay in a Belfast Brawl this Sunday, comes out next and promises to "deliver the greatest beating in the history of Wrestlemania".
-Eventually, WWE Champion, Randy Orton, Umaga and Triple H all come down to the ring each making reference to their matches on Sunday. Raw General Manager, William Regal decides to join the fun and announces that the night's main event would be a "Wrestlemania Showcase Match" featuring Big Show, JBL, Umaga and Randy Orton vs. John Cena, Triple H, Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair.
-WWE United States Champion, MVP, and Carlito defeat WWE Intercontinental Champion, Chris Jericho, and CM Punk. All four men will take part in the (sure to be sick!) Money in the Bank Ladder match on Sunday.
-The Great Khali walks all over Hardcore Holly.
-Ric Flair comes out, maybe for the last time if he loses to Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania, and calls out his opponent for another heart-to-heart on not going easy on him eventhough if he loses his match, he'll be forced to retire. Flair tells Michaels to give him his best at Wrestlemania, Michaels says he's gonna end Flair's career, Flair FLIPS OUT and slaps Michaels, Michaels repeats what he said and leaves.
-Maria and Melina try to have a match but WWE Women's Champion, Beth Phoenix, Ashley Massaro (more on her connection to these women after the Raw results), Santino Marella and Raw Color Commentator, Jerry Lawler, all feel the need to just walk into the ring before the two women start wrestling. Raw GM Regal makes his second appearance of the night and announces that Melina, Phoenix and Marella will face Maria, Massaro and Lawler instead.
-Team Santino end up winning the match.
-The 8-man tag main event happens next and a bunch of craziness goes on.
-Finlay comes out about a minute after the match starts and him and JBL get into a brawl, so JBL leaves the match.
-Then Umaga is tackled by Batista, his opponent at Wrestlemania, and he's taken out of the match. Big Show then lays out Randy Orton, his partner, and then he leaves the ring. After that, Triple H and Cena start going at it and they disappear leaving Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels vs. Orton.
-Flair is about to beat Orton, when he is sucker-punched by Michaels, who then tries to win the match himself. Flair hits Michaels with a low blow and he rolls out of the ring, making Flair and Orton the only two left.
-Flair picks up the win to close out the show.
Overall, I really enjoyed this episode of Raw. I thought Flair winning the main event was a nice touch. I thought the buildup to Orton vs. Cena vs. HHH was pretty decent. Money in the Bank wasn't talked about much but I don't think it needs much hype. The only problem I had was the complete disappearence of Floyd Mayweather, where the hell was he?
They actually let Umaga speak on the mic during the opening segment!! It was so sick! I don't know what he said, he don't care but they need to do more of it because I think it's cool.
WWE premiered a really good tribute video for Ric Flair, who is going to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the night before Wrestlemania. Things are looking like Flair will lose his match against Shawn Michaels and then retire. However, with WWE, you really never know what's really gonna happen until it happens. I wouldn't be shocked if Flair beats Michaels and then loses a match the next night on Raw and then retires. Anyway, once again, I thought the tribute was good.
On the subject of Ric Flair, What an exchange between him and Shawn Michaels! Right next to the Money in the Bank ladder match, I am looking forward to this match and I really hope they deliver.
One Less "Bunny" in Bunnymania Match ~According to an article from WWE.com, WWE Diva, Candice Michelle, underwent successful surgery early Monday afternoon to repair a broken clavicle (collar bone), an injury she suffered during a match on last week's episode of Raw. As a result, she will be unable to compete in her match this Sunday at Wrestlemania 24.
Collar bone problems are not anything new for the WWE performer, she originally broke it during a match against Phoenix on Raw last October.
Michelle was out of action until she reappeared on WWE television last month. Her match last week was her first televised match since the injury last fall.
This is some rather sad news to hear, not that I was really looking forward to her match at Wrestlemania, but to just come back from an injury only to be sidelined from the same thing as soon as you return must be heartbreaking. Hopefully she makes a speedy recovery.
New Photos from ROH's Tripleshot Weekend ~Pictures from Ring of Honor's last three shows (3/14-3/16) were posted a few days ago, so I've edited my previous posts featuring results from those events to include the pics.
Here's another edition of Mondays with the Smart Marks, where I pose a question to wrestling fans on the Wrestling Clique and Wrestling Forum message boards and post their responses here are the 450 Splash.
This Week's Question:
Next Sunday marks the 24th annual Wrestlemania event and every year there's at least one or eight things that happen that make that show stand out from the rest. What is everyone's top 5 (ranked or in no particular order) Wrestlemania moments and why?
"1. The Rock versus Hulk Hogan, at Wrestlemania X8. My reasons are simple - it was a dream match.
2. Chris Benoit defeating Triple H and Shawn Michaels for the World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania XX. Benoit won the title he had been competing all of his life, let alone career, for.
3. Wrestlemania 1. It was the first ever Wrestlemania.
4. Eddie Guerrero retaining the WWE Championship against Kurt Angle. I couldn't see it coming at all.
5. Vince McMahon being shaved bald. It was quality!"
-TR (Wrestling Forum)
“1) Austin limping out of his submission match to chants of "AUSTIN" with him looking up at the crowd. A star was born. That whole match, including the shot of him bleeding in the sharpshooter but that moment for #1. 2) Benoit and Eddie celebrate there gold. 3) Hogan slams Andre 4) Savage and Liz Reunion 5) Austin's entrance at WM 17...just amazing, foreshadowed his heel turn in his face, the texas POP, the theme, the ovation, the MOMENT.”
-Austin101 (Wrestling Forum)
“1.Eddie and Benoit in the ring as world champions to close wrestlemania xx 2.Shawn Michaels winning the championship against Bret Hart in an iron man match 3.Austin and Rock one last time at wrestlemania 19 4.Rock and Hogan at wrestlemania 18 5.Bret and Austin in the submission match at wrestlemania 13”
-mister kennedy (Wrestling Forum)
“5. Austin's heel turn in 2001. Great match, great false finishes and really did not see that coming. 4. Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels Wrestlemania X. I remember watching this match and literally having my jaw on the ground I had never seen a match like that before. 3. Austin vs. Bret Hart at Wrestlemania 13, being a Canadian at the time I HAD to cheer Bret Hart at the time, this match made me want to cheer for Austin as well but with the "North American War" between Canada and America. This match was crazy. 2. Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart Wrestlemania 12. Iron man match that kept (and still keeps) me seated at the way through. Two technically sound athletes going non stop for over an hour was really entertaining, throwing my dislike for HBK to the side I was happy to have witnessed this match, my all time favorite Mania match. 1. Eddie and Chris standing together at the end on Wrestlemania XX. These showed that you didn't have to be the biggest to get over with the fans. They wrestled together for nearly 20 years and finally had their chance at the top. I get chills to this day seeing HHH tap out and Benoit get the title. It's a shame how it all ended for him though.”
-C…L…B (Wrestling Forum)
“1.- Austin heel turn at WMX7 2.- Austin last match at WM19 3.- Eddie and Benoit celebretion at WMXX 4.- Jeff Swanton bomb from the top of the ladder at WM16 5.- Hogan slamming Andre at WMIII”
-wweadrian (Wrestling Forum)
“1- Hogan slams Andre 2- Eddie & Benoit celebrate with the world titles 3- Shawn Michaels winning the WWE title 4- Rock/Hogan meet 5- Edge spearing Jeff Hardy while he hangs
But really the list could go on forever as Wrestlemania has had many amazing moments. Other moments i would like to acknowledge are: Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy putting Edge threw a ladder, All of Jeff Hardy's swantons off the ladders, Stone Cold heel turn, Hart/Austin submission match, Edge spearing Mick Foley threw the flaming table and All of the Rock vs. Austin matches.”
-Kyle Edge (Wrestling Forum)
“In no particluar order... -Rock/Hogan at WM18. The entrances, the crowd, the face off, the finish. Just fantastic. -Edge spearing Foley through a flaming table to put the exclamation point of a cracking match. -Ultimate Warrior returning to help Hogan at WM8. -Edge, on the top rope, spearing Jeff off the belts. -Hogan/Warrior face off at WM6. Two of the biggest faces of the time squaring off was just unheard of. Plus it was my first 'mania. “
-MITB (Wrestling Forum)
“5) Kane vs. Pete Rose feud, spanning Wrestlemanias 14-16: My favorite celebrity moments in Wrestlemania history. I wish they would bring this back just to shcok people, but I think they figured they'd stick to the rule of three. 4) Elizabeth & Randy Savage reunited at Wrestlemania VII: This is a bit of a forgotten moment, but this actually made people cry when it happened. I don't believe those were plants in the crowd. 3) A bloodied Steve Austin passes out while in the Sharpshooter at Wrestlemania 13: This moment made "Stone Cold" Steve Austin a huge superstar and the ending also turned Bret Hart into a monster heel for the rest of his stay with the company. 2) Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock, Icon vs. Icon at Wrestlemania X-8 - The energy in this match was indescribable. It was one of the greatest things I have ever seen in wrestling. 1) Hulk Hogan slams Andre the Giant: The Biggest Match of all time contained the biggest moment in wrestling history.”
-TripleG (Wrestling Forum)
“1.- Austin vs. Hart WM 13 2.- Savage vs. Steamboat WM III 3.- Brock Lessnar's F'ed up SSP WM 20 4.- Austin vs. Rock WM 18 5.- Hogan slamming Andre at WMIII”
-Mankind2112 (Wrestling Forum)
Here are some clips of the more popular Wrestlemania moments:
The Orton/HHH/Cena, MITB ladder match and Flair/Michaels all look like they could end up as match of the night to me. Bunnymania? There's still no word on what kind of match Mayweather and Big Show are gonna have. I'm going to be watching to see if Show tosses him over the top rope again.
TNA Impact Live TV Taping ~TNA is taping their TV show, Impact, live this Thursday from Orlando. According to an article from TNAwrestling.com, already confirmed for the show includes:
-Sting's return to TNA
-TNA World Champion, Kurt Angle vs. TNA Tag Team Champions, AJ Styles & Tomko
-Alex Shelley vs. Johnny Devine
-TNA Women's Champion, Awesome Kong vs. ???
-An interview with Samoa Joe and more.
After seeing Angle drop the comedy gimmick on the last episode of Impact, I really want to see where TNA goes with it. I'm also looking forward to seeing Awesome Kong destroying more members of the TNA Women's roster. Also, live tv means live screw-ups, so I'm looking forward to that too.
ROH Wrestlemania Weekend Doubleshot ~Ring of Honor are running two shows also in Orlando on Friday (3/28) and Saturday (3/29). Both shows will consist of wrestlers from ROH and Dragon Gate, a japanese wrestling promotion.
Main Event Six Man Tag CIMA, Go Shiozaki & Erick Stevens vs. FIP World Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong & ROH World Tag Team Champions Davey Richards & Rocky Romero
ROH vs. Dragon Gate Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. Dragon Kid & Ryo Saito
ROH vs. Dragon Gate Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. Naruki Doi & Masato Yoshino
ROH vs. Dragon Gate Austin Aries vs. Genki Horiguchi
ROH vs. Dragon Gate Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black vs. BxB Hulk & Shingo
"Supercard Of Honor III" Orlando Downtown Recreation Complex March 29th, 2008
Main Event #1 - ROH World Title Match - Rematch From "Rising Above" PPV Nigel McGuinness (if still champion) defends vs. Austin Aries
Main Event #2 - Dragon Gate Six Man Tag CIMA, Dragon Kid & Ryo Saito vs. Naruki Doi, Masato Yoshino & Genki Horiguchi
World Tag Team Title Match Davey Richards & Rocky Romero defend vs. Ruckus & Jigsaw
Roderick Strong vs. Erick Stevens
Grudge Tag Team Match Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black with Lacey
ROH vs. Dragon Gate Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. Shingo & BxB Hulk
Delirious vs. Go Shiozaki
I think both shows have pretty solid cards but I'm not sure why Austin Aries is getting another shot at the ROH Title on 3/29, I think the opportunity should have gone to one of the Dragon Gate guys, probably CIMA. I'm a little disappointed BJ Whitmer is not on either card...oh that's right, he left. Oh well.
BJ Whitmer Leaves Ring of Honor ~Ring of Honor released a statement a few days ago that BJ Whitmer, a wrestler who has been on their roster since July 2003, has officially left the company.
In an article titled "Thank You BJ Whitmer", ROH acknowledges Whitmer for his contributions to the promotion and wishes him all the best. No specific reason was given for his departure.
"After a long and punishing stay, BJ Whitmer has decided to walk away from Ring Of Honor. ROH and Whitmer have now officially parted ways. Everyone in ROH wants to thank BJ for his immense contributions to the company.
Whitmer, a leader in the locker room, set an example in and out of the ring. He had the most service time on the ROH roster after making his debut on the very first show of 2003. Spanky had feverishly recommended Whitmer to ROH officials throughout 2002. Whitmer finally received his opportunity at "Revenge On The Prophecy" on January 11th, 2003 as part of the first ever Four Corner Survival vs. Paul London, Homicide and Colt Cabana. Whitmer impressed in this bout, which put the Four Corner Survival on the map to become a signature ROH match. Whitmer never looked back.
We wish BJ the best in his future endeavors. He was a credit to the locker room, a performer who gave his all to the fans and is a quality person. Thank you, BJ Whitmer."
A copy of the article released by ROH can be found in its entirety here.
Personally, I've never been a big fan of Whitmer. I think he's average in the ring, he's far from memorable when he speaks and to me, he was never anything special. So I'm not sad to see him go.
3/20 TNA Impact Results
~The show starts with Booker T coming out to the ring to welcome his wife, Sharmell, back to TNA, who made her return at Destination X a few weeks back after getting her jaw broken from a punch by Robert Roode. Sharmell comes down and Booker tells her that he’ll never put her in harm’s way again.
-Robert Roode and his assistant, Peyton Banks, come out. Roode disagrees with Booker and foresees harm coming to Sharmell in the future, which doesn’t sit well with her husband.
-TNA Management Director, Jim Cornette then comes out and is still upset that Sharmell whipped him with a leather strap at Destination X. As a result, Cornette announces that at Lockdown, TNA’s next PPV event, there will be a match between Robert Roode & Peyton Banks against Booker T & Sharmell.
-Team 3D informs TNA Tag Team Champion, AJ Styles, that they will be apart of Team Tomko in the Lethal Lockdown match versus Christian Cage’s team at Lockdown.
-Scott Steiner & Petey Williams defeat Kaz & Non-Super Eric Young.
-The other half of the TNA Tag Team Champions, Tomko, beats Rhino after interference from his tag partner, AJ Styles.
-The referee finds out that AJ influenced the match’s outcome and threatens to reverse his decision. Before that can happen, Styles and Tomko attack Rhino in the ring.
-Christian Cage makes the save and Rhino shakes Cage’s hand, signifying that he has joined Cage’s team for Lethal Lockdown. Team 3D comes out of nowhere and attacks Cage and Rhino and then Kevin Nash, who is also on Team Christian Cage, chases Team 3D away with a chair. Jim Cornette makes another appearance and announces that Team 3D will face Kevin Nash & Rhino later that night.
Sonjay Dutt beats Homicide after faking an injury.
Dutt gets tossed across the ring by Hernandez for his trouble.
-Booker T defeats AJ Styles.
-ODB & Gail Kim beat Angelina Love & Velvet Sky.
-TNA World Champion, Kurt Angle, says he’s ready for his title match against Samoa Joe at Lockdown. He then (rocking ankle tape) beats a bunch of nobodies in his public sparring session in the ring.
-Team 3D are disqualified from their match against Christian Cage & Rhino when Tomko and AJ Styles interfere. Team Tomko then beats down Cage and Rhino. Kevin Nash, Shark Boy, Curry Man, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin all come down to the ring to try and help but they get beaten up as well
-The show ends with the announcement of Sting, a former TNA World Champion, making his return to TNA next week after being out of action for a while.
For some reason, TNA has decided to have Eric Young deny that he is a “superhero”. This makes perfect sense because his name is Eric Young and the superhero’s name is SUPER Eric Young, so there’s just no reason why there could be any connection between the two. *Sarcasm*
We almost saw a Canadian Destroyer from Petey Williams but the counter to the move was pretty nice.
Sonjay Dutt completely messed up a move during his match with Homicide and it was a really good acting job because I actually thought he hurt himself.
Speaking of acting, Peyton Banks displayed some horrible acting while she was getting whipped with a leather strap by Sharmell during the Booker/Styles match.
LAX continues to get buried eventhough they are the #1 Contenders for the TNA Tag Team Titles (a fact that wasn’t even acknowledged during this week’s show). I think it’s a shame.
I am digging Kurt Angle’s new-found focus and no nonsense attitude, hopefully TNA keeps him like that because the comedy stuff just isn’t as effective.
I am honestly not all that excited about Sting’s return next week.
-Assistant Smackdown General Manager, Teddy Long, is hosting the Smackdown Diva Contest this week and he announces that this week’s challenge involving the remaining Divas, Eve Torres, Cherry, Victoria and Michelle McCool, will be an arm wrestling contest. Victoria beats Eve in the first match. Michelle beats Cherry in the next match. Michelle beats Victoria in the final. Victoria is then eliminated from the Smackdown Diva Contest due to receiving the least amount of text votes from the fans.
-Big Show continues to look unstoppable heading into his match against Floyd Mayweather at Wrestlemania and walks through Andy Douglass, Chase Stevens and Luke Hawks.
-Funaki, who hasn’t been on Smackdown in YEARS, makes his return to the ring, only to be squashed by World Heavyweight Champion, Edge.
-Next, there is a talk show segment featuring WWE US Champion, MVP, called the VIP Lounge. MVP’s guest is WWE Intercontinental Champion, Chris Jericho, both men will be apart of the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at Wrestlemania along with CM Punk, Mr. Kennedy, Carlito, John Morrison and Shelton Benjamin.
-MVP and Jericho bicker back and forth and eventually MVP says he’s going give a preview of what will at Wrestlemania and climbs a ladder to get the Money in the Bank Briefcase that is suspended high above the ring. Before he can retrieve the briefcase, Chris Jericho pushes the ladder and MVP falls off.
-A match between Kane and Chuck Palumbo ends in a no-contest when The Great Khali and Mark Henry interfere. Henry ends up being the last man standing.
-WWE Tag Team Champions, The Miz & John Morrison defend their titles against Jesse & Festus.
I was kind of hoping for Victoria could stay in the competition a little long since she has made these contests pretty interesting to watch. It’s pretty much a lock that Michelle McCool is gonna win the whole thing (I think the contest is rigged, but hey, with WWE, what’s new.)
They are selling Big Show’s right hand like its DEATH since he’s been KOing people with it these last couple of weeks. Personally, I like the toss over the top rope better , he should have been doing that for the past couple of weeks.
I really enjoyed the VIP Lounge segment with MVP and Chris Jericho. Here’s hoping for an eventual feud between the two.
I was really hoping Jesse & Festus would win the Tag Titles. Eventhough they didn’t win the belts on that night, I do think they’ll get the belts eventually.
Despite all the hype and the two wrestlers involved, I’m just not looking forward to the Taker/Edge match at Wrestlemania. I don’t know why, but I have a feeling it’s not gonna be that great.
