June 2007 News Archive (Page 5)

Adam B. sent along the following report on last night's WWE RAW...

- After Mick Foley kicked off the show by apologizing to the McMahon family, Randy Orton interrupted him and accused the former star of killing Vince.

Then, one by one King Booker and Bobby Lashley entered the ring with some high tension. Shortly after, there was more chaos as John Cena' s music hit. Cena addressed that there is no need to point the finger at anyone and that it is being sought out by a full-throttle investigation. King Booker was then thrown down by Lashley and Orton and Booker fled the ring,

The Coach was next to come out and he declared then tonight it would be Randy Orton and King Booker taking on Lashley and John Cena. He also announced that Mick Foley would have his returning match against Umaga.

- Paul London and Brian Kendrick defeated The Worlds Greatest Tag team, Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin, in a well fought match.
- Melina and Jillian Hall defeat Candice Michelle and Mickie James
- Umaga defeats Mick Foley by annihilating him with the steel steps.
- Randy Orton and King Booker defeat Bobby Lashley and John Cena. Randy Orton executed the RKO to win it.

- Also in the show, Carlito came out talking about how cool Mr. Mcmahon was, but was interrupted by the Sandman. Carlito booked it out of the ring before Sandman attacked him.
- Mr. Kennedy visited the ring and told the fans that he did not like them because they were disrespectful. The crowd booed.

- To end RAW, Stephanie McMahon arrived in a white limousine and declared that there would be vengeance for whoever caused the death of Mr. McMahon. She then said I miss you dad, or I love you dad. Like it matters. It's despicable that they are doing this, faking the death of Mr. McMahon. I'm sorry, but it's just awful.

• Torrie Wilson was moved to Smackdown because they wanted her to fill the babyface role that Ashley Massaro is leaving behind to film the next season of Survivor.

• The plans for Snitsky on Raw is to keep him untouchable on the undercard as a strong heel; then some time in 2008 he would be built up enough for a John Cena challenge. This is similar to what WWE did with Umaga, with the only difference being that Umaga had a mouthpiece in Armando Estrada.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the recent "Vince McMahon is dead" storyline has roots that stem back to 2005.

According to the report, the idea was first presented in February 2005. It called for Carlito, who was using his "underworld connections" to make Theodore Long's life miserable and have a bomb planted in Long's car. Similar to Monday's RAW angle with McMahon, Long was to walk to the car, open the door and presumably die in the explosion.

WWE writer Tom Chehak supported the Dave Lagana-penned idea, but Brian Gewirtz dismissed the angle as being too far-fetched. Stephanie McMahon agreed with Gewirtz; the proposal never even reached Vince McMahon's desk.

Interestingly, under pressure from Bonnie Hammer to increase WWE RAW ratings, a version of the angle took place in 2007... on the show for which Gewirtz serves as lead writer.

By Pete Ellis

Okay, seriously. I watch World Wrestling Entertainment to get away from the nightmarish realities of life. In general, bombings, hostage situations, miscarriages, gun play, mutilation and death make me question why I watch wrestling in the first place.

When Eddie Gurarro died, his fellow athletes gathered together on camera to say goodbye. It was touching and appropriate. What I saw on Smackdown on Friday infuriated me. It was a classless mockery of what is all too serious in the real world.

The predictability of this whole storyline is the worst part. They spend a week mourning. Then we're subjected to some long, drawn out "investigation" into McMahon's "killer."

Then, weeks or months later, Vince McMahon reveals himself alive and well and scares the living crap out of J.R. or whoever and claims that it was all part of some master plan to accomplish something meaningless that no one will care about.

Years from now, we will all look back on this as a mistake in writing and in wrestling. Which reminds me of all the other crap I've had to endure to enjoy some of the WWE's better moments.

Here are my top 10 most regrettable WWE story lines:

10. Stone Cold pulls a gun on McMahon. Isn't there enough shooting in the real world? Even if the gun was fake, I found this kind of stuff disillusioning.

9. May Young gives birth to a hand. If you don't remember this, consider yourself lucky.

8. Austin pees on Arn Anderson. Somewhat symbolic of the way the old WWF has faded away, but still classless and stupid.

7. Triple H dresses up as Kane and has sex with Kane's dead ex-girlfriend while she is in her coffin. Curse this reliable memory of mine.

6. The New Diesel and Razor Ramon. Bad idea. I don't know how this ever made it off the drawing board.

5. Old Kane fights new Kane. Just to prove that we can still have bad ideas in the mid 2000s.

4. Paul Bearer is executed by the Undertaker. This made so little sense that they didn't even try to explain it.

3. Triple H gets dropped inside his own car by Steve Austin and a bulldozer. There is a reason some clips are never seen again.

2. Big Boss Man gets "hung" at Wrestlemania 15. Mistakes: they aren't just for little pay per views anymore.

1. Vince dies in his limo. Predictable, forgettable, time-wasting nonsense. You know what would have been better then that? Anything.

Here is the preview from WWE.com of tonight's Raw:

At the end of Raw last week, Mr. McMahon was presumed killed in a horrific limo explosion — a moment that will forever taint what was otherwise an historic WWE Draft. As Raw heads into the Coliseum in Richmond, Va. this Monday night, its Superstars must cope with the fact that WWE’s Chairman is for all intents gone, his body seemingly lost in the flames that engulfed his limousine.

It’s hard to focus past the black cloud that has encircled World Wrestling Entertainment all week long. No one will speak ill of the deceased, though it was apparent after last week’s “Mr. McMahon Appreciation Night” that many of WWE’s Superstars, our fans and numerous celebrities saw him as a pathetic, power-mad dictator. But now that he’s gone, what exactly does he leave behind? And how will it affect Raw’s Superstars in Richmond this Monday night?

As for the WWE Draft itself, last week Raw said goodbye to The Great Khali, Torrie Wilson, Chris Masters and Ric Flair; however Raw also welcomed its newest Superstars to the roster: King Booker, Queen Sharmell, Snitsky, Mr. Kennedy and Bobby Lashley.

Needless to say, all will have a profound impact on Raw in the coming weeks. However, Lashley — who was stripped of his ECW World Title after being randomly selected in the Draft — is planning to make his mark a little quicker than the rest. He had already established a strong Raw presence during his rivalry with Mr. McMahon over the past few months; does he have an advantage over the other “newcomers” as they enter the Richmond Coliseum this Monday?

In the ashes of tragedy, life begins anew on Raw, Monday night at 9/8 CT on USA Network.

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

- A graphic opening then hits welcoming us to Slammiversary. We go live to the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville where the Lo Cash Cowboys are performing the theme song for tonight's PPV. A series of pyro goes off behind them when they finish the song. We then see a shot of the crowd live in attendance tonight.

- Rhino & Senshi w/Hector Guerrero defeated LAX w/Konnan. Big spot early on with Rhino and Homicide where Rhino flipped Homicide up for a powerbomb, but launches him over his head over the top rope. Senshi got some stiff kicks to the legs of Hernandez early on as well. Crowd is really into this match as Senshi connects with a stiff kick to the back of Hernandez's head. At one point, Senshi takes out both members of LAX with kicks in the corner until Hernandez picks up Senshi and tosses him across the ring in a huge spot. Big elbow by Homicide off the top rope on Senshi. Hernandez with a big overhead toss on Senshi. Hernandez attempts a powerbomb on Senshi, but Senshi puts Hernandez back down and Senshi leaps up and connects with a Warrior Stomp right on Hernandez. Rhino got the hot tag and took out Homicide with a huge powerslam and took out Hernandez with a belly-to-belly suplex. Big spot saw Senshi springboard off the top rope to take out Hernandez on the outside. Konnan tossed in a slapjack to Homicide, but Hector Guerrero jumped up and dropped Homicide's head off the top rope. Rhino then hit The Gore on Homicide to get the win. Solid opener. Don West put over how strong of a team Rhino and Senshi made.

- We go to Mike Tenay & Don West at ringside. They mention Scott Steiner's injury and that tonight's TNA World Tag Team Title Match will more than likely be changed. Tenay & West plug Christopher Daniels vs. Sting, Abyss vs. Tomko (just added tonight) and the King of the Mountain Match to determine a new TNA World Champion.

- A video package airs highlighting the finish at last month's Sacrifice PPV where Kurt Angle became World Champion, but was later stripped of the title and Jim Cornette announcing a tournament to qualify for tonight's King of the Mountain Match.

- Jeremy Borash was backstage by Jim Cornette's office trying to get info on tonight's scheduled TNA World Tag Team Title Match. Eric Young then appears and Borash tells him he needs to get ready for his match tonight with Robert Roode. Ms. Brooks comes up and asks Young what happened to them. She tries to seduce him. Young seems to like it until Gail Kim comes up and tells Young to focus tonight. Kim kisses Young and tells him to leave. Kim tells Ms. Brooks she will be watching her. Brooks calls her a bitch.

- Jay "Black Machismo" Lethal defeated Chris Sabin to become the NEW TNA X Division Champion. Kevin Nash and "Guru" Sonjay Dutt (who was throwing flowers on the ramp and around the ring) came out first. Nash joined Tenay and West on commentary. As usual, Lethal is way over with the crowd. Lots of quick back and forth action between the two early on. Any offense by Lethal gets a huge reaction from the Nashville crowd. Lethal with a suicide dive through the ropes to Sabin on the outside. Sabin regained some offense on Lethal with a stiff knee to the face of Lethal followed by a big running bulldog. Sabin with a quick jumping body splash on Lethal. Sabin attempts a low blow kick to Lethal, but Lethal blocks. Sabin follows that up with a rake to the eyes. Lethal with a big springboard moonsault on Sabin. On commentary, Kevin Nash noted that this city used to be called Jonesville and then he changed it to 'Nash'ville. Sabin with a mule kick to the gut after Lethal attempts a splash from the top. Lethal with a kick to the back of the head, a superkick and then a front face plant on Sabin. Lethal connects with the flying elbow from the top rope and gets the pinfall to become the NEW TNA X Division Champion. After the match, Lethal holds the X Title high in the air as Kevin Nash hits the ring and gives him a hug.

- Backstage, Leticia is with James Storm and Jackie Moore. Storm said Frank Wycheck crossed the line when he smashed a guitar over his head. He told Wycheck that he better have kissed his wife and kids good because tonight he is going to give him the last concussion he ever needs.

- Frank Wycheck & Jerry Lynn defeated James Storm & Ron "The Truth" Killings. Kyle Vanden Bosch of the Titans came down the ramp with Frank Wycheck and Jerry Lynn. Killings and Lynn started the match and Killings got in tons of offense in on Lynn. Wycheck got the tag and he stared down Storm who also got the tag. Storm put on a Titans helmet, hiked a football to Killings, Killings threw it to Storm and Storm dropped the ball on purpose as the fans in Nashville booed. Crowd is still very hot and have been all night. Wycheck tries to go after Storm, but Storm cuts him off each time. Wycheck goes over to Lynn to get some offense. Wycheck took down Storm with two shoulder blocks and a big dropkick. Killings gets crotched on the top rope. Lynn goes up on the top rope, Wycheck grabs Lynn and tosses him over the top rope taking out Storm and Killings on the outside. Back in the ring, Storm gets tossed over the top rope, holds on, but Lynn dropkicks him off the ropes. On the outside, Storm takes out Wycheck with a big clothesline. Storm dropkicked Wycheck in the face. Killings threw a steel chair in the ring, but the referee got rid of it. Lynn gets involved, but Killings interferes and drops Lynn face first off the ring apron. Storm connects with the Eye of the Storm on Lynn. Storm got some beer and spit it in the face of Kyle Vanden Bosch at ringside. Wycheck gets the tag again and he takes out both Storm and Killings with dropkicks and scoop slams. Storm catches Wycheck with a superkick, covers, but Kyle Vanden Bosch pulls Storm out. They brawl at ringside. Storm tries to hit Wycheck with a beer bottle, but Lynn interferes and throws Storm into Wycheck who hits a big piledriver on Storm. Wycheck covers Storm and gets the pinfall.

- Bob Backlund defeated Alex Shelley. Backlund with some quick takedowns on Shelley early on. Both exchange some chest chops. Shelley gets Backlund in a headlock submission, Backlund was able to lift Shelley up to his shoulders and place him on the top rope. Backlund punched Shelley and Shelley fell off. Backlund with a butterfly suplex on Shelley. Backlund with an atomic drop on Shelley. Chris Sabin then hits the ring and tries to interfere, but Backlund crotches him on the top rope. Backlund with a drop toe hold on Shelley to the crotch of Sabin. Backlund then gets a quick rollup on Shelley to get the pinfall. After the match, Backlund extends his hand to Shelley. Shelley shakes his hand, but Sabin attacks Backlund from behind. Backlund counters that with a crossface chicken wing. Backlund then applies it on Shelley as well. Kevin Nash then hits the ring to break it up. Jerry Lynn comes out as well. Nash then levels Lynn with a big boot. Shelley and Sabin double team Lynn when Jay Lethal hits the ring. Lethal takes out Shelley and Sabin with two big elbows. Lethal then stares down Nash and asks him what is going on.

- We go to Tenay and West at ringside when the lights go out. We hear a voice say "STING" in the arena. The lights go out and then a spotlight goes on Christopher Daniels in the crowd. Daniels said he looked up to Sting at one point, but he realized he truly was an angel sent down from the heavens. Daniels called himself god-like and bragged about winning the TNA Tag Team Titles and the TNA X Division Title. He promised to take care of Sting tonight in the TNA ring and said the path he is on now will take him to the TNA World Heavyweight Title.

- Voodoo Kin Mafia defeated Basham & Damaja. The match kicked off with both teams brawling in the ring right at the start. VKM quickly disposed of Basham and Damaja. The bell rang to officially start the match when two of the four leave to the corner. BG James is in first, but Basham and Damaja overwhelm him with quick tags. Basham attempted a flying headbutt on BG James, but BG moved. Kip James gets the tag as well as Damaja. Kip takes out both Basham and Damaja quickly. The finish saw Basham and Damaja attempt a double-suplex on Kip, but BG sees this and takes out Basham with a spear. Kip James then rolls up Damaja for the quick pinfall. After the match, Kip James goes after Christy Hemme. Lance Hoyt appears and puts Christy on his shoulder. They bring Christy to the ring and Kip looks to take her out when Hoyt takes out Kip with a big boot. Basham and Damaja then hold BG James back allowing Hoyt to take him out with a big boot as well. Hoyt yells at BG on the mat and then Christy jumps on Hoyt, kissing him.

- Backstage, Jim Cornette tells Rick Steiner he is sorry about what happened to Scott in Puerto Rico. Cornette said Rick can't compete tonight alone against Team 3D. Rick said he isn't alone and that he has a partner tonight. Cornette asks who and Rick whispers in his ear. Cornette laughs and smiles and tells Rick the match is on.
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WWE held its supplemental draft Sunday afternoon. The full breakdown is below:

RAW Picks:
Brian Kendrick
Paul London
The Sandman
Daivari
William Regal
Jillian Hall

SmackDown! Picks:
The Major Brothers
Hardcore Holly
Kenny Dykstra
Victoria
Eugene

ECW Picks:
Viscera
The Miz
Johnny Nitro

The following article is courtesy of The Coloradoan...

The Undertaker is overtaking professional office space in Northern Colorado.

WWE Pro Wrestler Mark Calaway and business partner Scott Everhart are dabbling in the region's Class A office space and liking what they see. The powerhouse business partners are investing in real estate across the county, including a $2.7 million building at Interstate 25 and Crossroads Boulevard in Loveland.

"The growth here just came out and bit us," said Everhart, who also is a financial consultant for A.G. Edwards. "This is the best place to be."

The Calahart building - named after Calaway and Everhart - boasts upscale office space and prime location to nearby Centerra.

Calaway gradually moved into real estate investment knowing his wrestling career wouldn't last forever. The five-time world champion recently suffered a rupture in the distal tendon of his right arm, meaning Calaway's bicep muscle had torn away from the bone. The injury from the May 11 match will have him out of commission for the next five months.

"(Real estate) is a new adventure for me," Calaway said. "I've done wrestling for 20 years; I know most of the answers."

Because of Fort Collins' prominent status, including being Money Magazine's No. 1 place to live, Calaway and Everhart decided this was their next investment stop.

Continue Reading...

WWE Hall of famer, Sherri Russell, known to wrestling fans as "Sensational Sherri, passed away yesterday morning at her home. She was 49 years.

Police are said to be at her home with her husband. There are no details on the cause of death. The Wrestling Post staff sends our condolences to her family.

Jim Ross has updated his blog over at jrsbarbq.com. Here are some highlights:

Jim Ross On Rick Rude: Rick Rude is certainly a viable Hall of Fame candidate in the future.

Jim Ross On Randy Savage’s Rap CD: Have I listened to Randy Savage’s rap CD? Nope. I don’t listen to any rap as a rule. I am out of that demo at this stage of my life and simply stick to classic rock and a little country.

Jim Ross On Who Had The Best Ladder Match Career, HBK Or Jeff Hardy? HBK’s career will always be remembered for having the first, high profile Ladder Match, at least in my opinion, but Jeff Hardy has had more Ladder Matches and his legacy will probably be more joined at the hip with his Ladder Matches than HBK’s.

Jim Ross On Ironman 60-minute matches: I am a fan of the Ironman 60-minute matches. There is not an over-abundance of wrestlers these days, who can pull this off successfully, but any combination of wrestlers like Triple H, HBK, Benoit, Edge, to name just a few on a short list, could get it done and tear the house down. Ric Flair has probably done more one hour matches than anyone I have known.

Jim Ross On Goldust: The last I saw of Goldust was at the 2007 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony. I don’t know his future plans, including a return to the WWE, which I would consider a long shot at the moment.