September 2006 News Archive (Page 2)

The following report is courtesy of lordsofpain.net ...

ECW opens up with an introduction Oklahoma’s own Jim Ross. But Matt Striker quickly interrupts and says its obvious that J.R. isn’t educated. Striker runs down J.R. for being blue collar and enjoying alcoholic beverages.

Sandman comes down to the ring. Striker pleads J.R. to help him against the Sandman. J.R. tells him he is on his own. Sandman with a cane shot to Striker. Sandman hands J.R. the Singapore cane. Sandman holds Striker so J.R. can hit him in the back. After a cane shot, Striker rolls out of the ring and heads to the back. Sandman gives J.R. a beer. Before opening the beer, J.R. wants to toast the next ECW champion: the Sandman.

Rob Van Dam vs Hardcore Holly
- Holly takes the early advantage. They go outside and fight some more. RVD lays Holly across the security rail and hits a spinning leg drop on Holly. RVD pulls a table out from under the ring. Holly smashes RVD’s face into the ring steps. Holly whips RVD into the ring post. Back in the ring, Holly gets a 2 count. Holly continues beating on RVD. Every time RVD starts to build momentum, Holly stops him. Holly on the ring apron tries to suplex RVD through the table on the outside. RVD counter, but Holly counters that and both men crash through the table. Holly has a nasty gash in his back from the table. With RVD back in the ring, Holly grabs and sets up a chair in the ring. He tries to suplex RVD onto the chair, but RVD counters and suplexes Holly onto the chair. The gash in Holly’s back is bleeding badly. RVD skateboards the chair into Holly’s face.

RVD puts the chair on Holly and hit Rolling Thunder for 2. RVD tries for a monkey flip onto the chair, but Holly slams RVD on the chair for 2. RVD lays a chair and Holly and goes up for the frog splash. As RVD was soaring in the air, Holly throws the chair straight up into RVD’s face. Holly goes for the Alabama Slam, RVD slides out. Holly grabs the chair, but as he turns to use it, RVD kick the chair into his head. RVD goes up for the 5 Star Frog Splash and this match is over.
Winner: Rob Van Dam

CM Punk starts his straight edge talk backstage. Kelly Kelly comes up to him and talks about the extreme strip poker match in a couple weeks. She wants Punk to help her play strip poker. Mike Knox separates them. Knox asks Punk if he has his own woman. Punk tells Knox that he does, and that Knox needs to spend more time worrying about Kelly. Knox tells Punk that he is lucky that he has to straighten Kelly out, but when he is done he is coming for Punk. Punk says he will be waiting.

Extreme Cat Fight: Ariel vs Francine
- Francine dominates Ariel. Kevin Thorn pulls Francine off of Ariel. Ariel gets in some cheap shots before Balls Mahoney hits the ring. Mahoney with a chair shot to Thorn. Thorn pulls Ariel to the back as Mahoney yells that this isn’t over.

ECW World Title: Sandman vs Big Show
- The match is underway as we come back from commercials. Sandman is beating the hell out of Big Show with the Singapore cane. Sandman goes for a cover, but Big Show throws him off. Big Show has head butts and rights for the Sandman. Big Show slowly and methodically beats on Sandman. Big Show goes for the choke slam, but Sandman counters into a DDT. Sandman gets the cane and cracks Big Show in the head from the top rope. Sandman tries for a cover but gets 2.

Matt Striker comes to ringside and confiscates Sandman’s cane. The distraction allows Big Show to get the advantage again. Big Show hits his submission backbreaker and follows with the Showstopper Leg Drop for the win. Big Show keeps repeating nobody can beat me all the way to the back.
Winner: Big Show

Let us go on record right now: any thoughts of bringing in Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, as the nWo, to feud with DX should be thrown out the window right now. This rivalry would hog the spotlight and only fans from 10 years ago would care.

But we can't help but think it's in the immediate future for WWE fans - maybe as soon as Survivor Series.

Why else have former GM Eric Bischoff appear on RAW last night? One particular line of his spoke to the possible truth in this rumor:

“RAW in its current form wouldn’t exist without me. There would be no DX without the nWo (referring to a faction in WCW),” he said.

Vince rarely lets references such as that slip by without having a plan in mind. And with Triple H on the booking team it seems likely that his old pals will be appearing on the opposite side of a ring from him and HBK in the near future.

Hulk Hogan was the grand marshall of the Dover 400 NASCAR race on Sunday in Delaware. Hetalked to the media about future WWE plans, including potential retirement at WrestleMania 23 in Detroit next year.

On potential retirement: "I'd love to have a bunch of matches left, but realistically, I'm [53] years old. But if there was one big match I'd love to wrestle, it would be [next] year at WrestleMania, because it's back in Detroit. Twenty years ago I slammed Andre the Giant … So if there's only one left, I'd love it to be that one."

On last week's meeting with Vince McMahon: "There were two reasons to have the meeting. The first reason was to try to see if Vince and I could keep working together because we're hot and cold. We're friends, and then we hate each other. It's been that way since his dad [promoter Vince McMahon Sr.] passed away.

So, right now we're on good terms, and one of the things we talked about was me getting back to work in January, what kind of physical shape my knees are in, if I needed to be cut on [have surgery] right away, and the possibilities of wrestling in Detroit."

On his legacy: "If we're talking realistically, I shouldn't do this anymore. But the truth is [WWE] hasn't really found anybody larger than life. The Rock was [on top] for two years and Stone Cold [Steve Austin] lasted three years, but I've been like the Richard Petty for the last 30 years in wrestling.

If I ever had the chance to do the retro-nostalgic to honor a friend of mine, if I could wrestle in Detroit it would be the ultimate respect being paid to Andre the Giant."

The Hulkster didn't say anything about promoting the career of his talentless daughter, Brooke Hogan, but he may be staying in the business largely for that reason.

The following report is courtesy of wrestleview.com ...

- Lita defeated Candice Michelle with Edge as a special guest referee in Round 1 of the WWE Women's Title Tournament. Lita introduced Edge as the special guest referee. Edge checked both Candice and Lita for any foreign objects. When the bell rang, Edge hit Candice with a Spear and Lita covered her. Just as Edge counted the "3," John Cena hit the ring and took out Edge.

- Back live, John Cena gets on the mic and says Edge tried to knock the power out because he didn't want to fight him. Edge tells Cena to shut up and that he will probably take credit for the power coming back on now. Cena said the fans want to see him kick his ass. Edge mocks the fans when they answer back and he said they wouldn't be taking place tonight because he would invoke his re-match close on his own terms. Cena then started making slut jokes about Lita. Lita said she is a human being and those jokes hurt.

She calls Cena a joke and how everyone in the locker room thinks he is a bad wrestler. Lita says Edge is a better wrestler than Cena and adds that even she is better. Edge then challenged Cena to face Lita tonight with one arm tied behind his back. Cena accepted and Edge calmed down Lita who didn't like the idea.

- Clips of WWE in Mexico were shown.

- Kane defeated Johnny Nitro via DQ in a WWE Intercontinental Championship Match; Nitro retains. The match finished when Umaga hit the ring with Kane having Nitro setup for a Tombstone Piledriver. Umaga hit Kane over the back with a steel chair and then hit his head with a huge charge in the corner.

- Backstage, Shawn Micheals was reading the new WWE Magazine when Triple H walked up. He mentioned the article about Triple H and how he managed to talk about Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, the Madison Square Garden incident and more. Triple H reminded him he talked about his different choices of facial hair as well. Michaels complained there was no advertisements for DX gear in the magazine. Both did the cheesy plug for WWEShop.com where you can buy all your DX gear.

Maria walked up and asked them about the Gauntlet later tonight. Triple H said they had two words for Coach and the crowd finished it. Maria said she didn't catch that. Triple H whispered into her ear. She said she still didn't get it. Triple H tried to offer a "visual aid" by starting to pull down his trunks when Michaels pulled him back and they left. Eugene walked up and said hi to Maria. Maria said DX just told her to "suck it." Eugene rolled his eyes into the back of his head and fell over.

- Backstage, The Coach approached Shelton Benjamin who was with Torrie Wilson and her dogs. Coach asked Benjamin why he tried to embarss him last week by saying he was overlooked in WWE because he was a black man. Coach said Benjamin never captializes on his opportunites. Benjamin reminds him that he is a former three-time Intercontinental Champion. Coach said Benjamin shouldn't accuse McMahon of discrimination since Martin Luther King Jr. was his hero. They continue to argue when Jeff Hardy walks up trying to be black (and it wasn't funny).

Coach booked the two in a match later tonight. Edge and Lita then walked into Coach's office. They brought up Cena accepting a match with Lita tonight with one arm tied behind his back. Coach made it a No Holds Barred Match, but said Edge couldn't lay a finger on Cena and if he did, he would lose his re-match for the title.

- John Cena teaming with Batista & Bobby Lashley against King Booker, William Regal & Finlay on Friday Night Smackdown this week is plugged.

Continue Reading...

Forget the rumors and innuendo about Kurt Angle moving to TNA wrestling, here's what the man himself had to say about such a decision:

I had fun in WWE at certain times, but I was never really happy. Now being a part of TNA, I know I have a purpose. I feel like I am part of history, part of a company that is not only on the rise – not only going to be the number-one watched wrestling show in the world within a short period of time – but TNA gives me an opportunity to spread my wings. This company has no limits to where it can go.

The sky is the limit and the main reason is because they brought the “real” back into wrestling and that is a perfect fit for the greatest wrestler in USA Olympic history. I have room to grow here and to help TNA grow. Working for these caring and very giving employers of TNA makes me feel like I have a purpose and that the sky is the limit. I don’t feel trapped or held back like I did the first six years in my tenure with the other company.

They held me back. Now, our wonderful audience will see the real Kurt Angle doing what I love to do – real wrestling – and that’s what puts a smile on my face each time I come to work ...

It's also been revealed - in a slight TNA spoiler - than Angle will make his debut as the special enforcer during the Sting vs. Jeff Jarrett main event at the Bound for Glory PPV on October 22.

It's almost as though the WWE fears the UFC.

First, we announced that the 10/10 ECW show will showcase Extreme Strip Poker ... or nude WWE Divas sitting in a ring. The idea is to combat the major Ken Shamrock vs. Tito Ortiz fight that night on Spike TV.

Now, it's being rumored that the USA network will air a three-hour special called "WWE: The Raw Family Reunion" on Monday, October 9th, 2006 from 8 PM to 11 PM. Similarly, this is meant to counter a special on Spike about the next night's big match-up.

Could the WWE be feeling pressure? Now that Kurt Angle is in TNA, the stakes may really be raised soon. Here's to hoping that's the case.

Rey Mysterio may not always receive the respect he deserves in the State - did he really get a fair shake as champion? - but those south of the border are aware of this star's accomplishments.

Tijuana, Mexico holds a special place for this WWE grappler: He's a native of the city AND it was the location of his first professional match. Prior to Friday’s live event there, the Mayor of Tijuana honored Mysterio by inducting him into a special fraternity.

“They honored me as for being an outstanding athlete and citizen of Tijuana,” Mysterio told WWE.com, “and for being someone who became a role model for the city. It’s like the Hall of Fame of Tijuana, and my uncle (Rey Mysterio, Sr.) is also in it as well. (The Hall) is in the main government building in Tijuana, so many people will walk by and see it; Myself, my friends and family can go always go back and see me in there as well.”

Mysterio left a mask and signed photograph as his Hall of Fame exhibit,. A few words summed up this Smackdown wrestler's feelings:

“Without a doubt … it’s very cool."

Listen to former WWE Diva Search winner, Ashley Massaro. She often provides important insight in her column, "Bangin' with Ashley."

She interview Chris Jericho recently and the former contestant on Celebrity Duets had interesting things to say:

"I never planned to be away [this] long, and absolutely I plan on coming back. I’ve just had a lot of projects I’ve been working on, and each time one finishes up, another one starts, but I do hope the time will come soon that I come back and I’ll be better than ever. The Jerichoholics and myself would expect nothing less!"

Now that Kurt Angle has been signed by TNA, a return of Jericho is certainly the sort of exciting news WWE fans and management need.

Wow. We might have to start covering TNA wrestling for real now.

At last night's No Surrender pay-per-view, the brand actually did not disappoint with its much-hyped major annoucement. In fact, it delivered two:

1. TNA iMPACT! will move to 9:00 PM ET/PT Thursdays on Spike TV starting November 16.
2. The company really has signed Kurt Angle.

“This has been a huge week in our company’s history,” said Dixie Carter, president of TNA Entertainment, LLC. “The signing of Kurt Angle and the move of iMPACT! to 9 PM are both significant benchmarks in the growth of TNA. The history of pro wrestling is marked with events that change the landscape of the industry and I believe that this week will be viewed in that context.”

One can only imagine how Vince and the WWE brass will react to this. Might we see actual, exciting competition once again? Here's Angle with the last word for now:

“Being with TNA feels like I found my home,” he said. “TNA will be the most watched show on cable TV – it’s just a matter of time. Thank you TNA for saving my career, my life and my desire to do what I love.”

Oh yes, you read that headline correctly.

The 10/10 edition of ECW will feature an "Extreme Strip Poker" game involving WWE Divas from the RAW, SmackDown! and ECW brands.

The strip poker game appears to be WWE's answer to the heavily-anticipated Shamrock vs. Ortiz III UFC card, which takes place from 8-10PM EST on Spike TV that night. This is a competition that should continue to take place on Tuesday nights.

But, hey, if it results is more nude WWE Divas, who are we to argue?