July 2007 News Archive (Page 4)

This sucks:

Edge tore his left pectoral muscle last Tuesday at the SmackDown tapings during a segment with Kane. The injury will require surgery, thus resulting in Edge vacating the World Heavyweight title on SmackDown this week. Expected recovery time is at least four months, which would put him out until at least November.

Edge commented on Smackdown on the list of injuries he has received: "I’ve broken my neck, dislocated my shoulder twice, torn my other pec, my elbows are mush, I have two protruding discs in my lower back. I even got bit by a brown recluse spider that turned into a flesh-eating disease – the list goes on."

We hope one of our favorite WWE stars gets better soon.

The WWE has issued the following statement concerning the toxicology results on in the Chris Benoit case:

WWE understands that the toxicology reports for Chris Benoit indicate that he tested positive for testosterone and negative for anabolic steroids. On Mr. Benoit's last drug test in April 2007 administered by Aegis Labs, he tested negative for anabolic steroids and for testosterone. Given the toxicology report of GBI released today, it would appear that Mr. Benoit took testosterone sometime after his April 2007 test and the time he died.

WWE understands that his dealings with Dr. Astin are currently being investigated, and WWE has no knowledge of whether Dr. Astin prescribed testosterone for Mr. Benoit at some point after the April 2007 tests.

For over 20 years, the WWE has been demonstrating our concern for the well being of our contracted athletes, instituting drug testing in 1987 leading up to our current Wellness Program which began on February 27, 2006, administered by Dr. David L. Black of Aegis Sciences Corporation - one of the world's foremost drug testing authorities.

We believe our Wellness Program is at the very least comparable to those of professional sports and is a program that will benefit WWE Superstars for generations to come.

Kris Sperry, chief medical examiner of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, revealed in a press conference today that Chris Benoit tested for elevated levels of testosterone.

An analysis of the urine revealed Benoit had 207 mcg/liter of testosterone, with a testosterone:epitestosterone ratio of 59:1. The data suggests that he had been taking some testosterone for a period shortly before his double murder-suicide, although no other steroids were found in his urine.

Sperry noted that while the data does reveal he was taking testosterone, it is impossible to know why he was taking it. Sperry added that there is no conclusive evidence that steroids could have greatly affected his mental state and driven him to commit the murders and suicide.

Benoit's body also revealed hydrocodone and Xanax use.

Nancy Benoit, like Chris, tested for hydrocodone (along with breakdown product hydromorphone) and Xanax. Her blood alcohol content was .184, although Sperry was quick to note that that level could entirely be caused by the decomposition process.

Sperry said that the hydrocodone and Xanax test levels were in a therapeutic range.

Son Daniel Benoit tested positive for Xanax. Authorities believe he was sedated with the drug prior to his murder.

Due to an injury Edge suffered during the Mardi Gras angle on last week's SmackDown, the champion will be forced to miss ring time.

Edge has apparently not yet decided whether he is going to pursue surgery or try to heal the torn pectoral in rehab, but either course of action will result in time away from the ring.

Consequently, he is expected to drop his WWE World Heavyweight Championship at tonight's WWE SmackDown! taping.

The plan is for a new champion to be crowned via a Battle Royal on tonight's show; the winner will make his first defense at the Great American Bash.

Moday Night Raw begins with Triple H's music hitting!!! The crowd is going insane. A shadowy figure emerges from the back, but it is soon revealed to be King Booker. The crowd boos like crazy. Booker asks if they were expecting someone else. He says that he saw the promo hyping Triple H's return, and that it is blasphemy for Triple H to call himself the King of Kings when there is only one king in the WWE.

Booker goes on to say that he is stripping Triple H of his title "King Of Kings." He then says that there is one more issue to be handled, that of Jerry Lawler. He asks Jerry to remove the title "King" from his name. The crowd starts chanting "Jerry" as Lawler picks up the mic. Lawler says that he's respected Booker for years, but that Booker has been King for a short time, and that he has been King for over 30 years. He says that there's no reason they can't coexist. Booker says that there can only be one King. Lawler says that if it means that much to him, then he won't refer to himself as "the King" on the show, though he can't control what the fans and JR call him. Booker says that as a sign of submission, he would like Jerry to kiss the royal ring. Lawler stands up, and says he won't kiss Booker's ring. Booker says he's not asking, he's ordering him to kiss the ring. Lawler says that he's telling him no. Booker cheapshots Lawler, but Lawler fights back sending Booker to the ground. Lawler is being held back by officials, as Booker is saying that he'll get him. Lawler's music hits as Booker backs away in anger. The crowd is going nuts for Lawler as we go to commercial.

Four-Way Elimination for a shot at the Intercontinental Title
The match starts with Jeff Hardy and Shelton Benjamin going to the outside, and Marella taking it to Regal. Marella manages to get an armbar on Regal, but Regal rolls to the outside, and takes Marella with him. Hardy and Benjamin are back in the ring, and Hardy has control. Benjamin and Hardy hit a double crossbody block, and Regal gets in to take it to both of them. Marella comes in and rolls up Regal, but Regal kicks out at two. Marella is blind sided by Benjamin. The two start to fight, with Marella landing some good shots. After an attempted roll-up, which Benjamin fights out of, Regal runs by and brings his knee across Marella's head. Regal goes for the cover, and Marella can't kick out. Santino Marella has been eliminated. Now Regal and Benjamin start fighting, but it soon turns into a Hardy-Benjamin fight, as Regal gets to the outside. Benjamin hits an electric chair drop on Hardy. Regal gets back in the ring, and all three men are starting to look fatigued as we go to a break.

We come back to see Hardy getting double suplexed into the ring by Regal and Benjamin. They try a double cover, but Hardy kicks out. Regal and Benjamin start to argue, but Regal says that Benjamin can make the cover. As Benjamin turns, Regal starts to attack, eventually getting Benjamin to the ground. Regal now starts to focus on Hardy, but is blind sided by Benjamin. The two fight to the corner, but wind up doing a side elbow to each other. Hardy takes advantage, sending Benjamin to the outside, and focusing on Regal. Hardy misses a Whisper in the Wind, and Regal tries to go for the running knee, but Hardy dodges, and hits the Twist of Fate. Hardy covers, and Regal is eliminated. It's now Benjamin and Hardy. Hardy turns around, and Benjamin comes flying off the top rope for a blockbuster. Benjamin covers, but Hardy kicks out. The two fight it out, and Benjamin gets sent to the outside. Hardy flies over the top rope, crashing into both Haas and Benjamin. Hardy gets Benjamin back into the ring, and after getting him to the ground, goes for the Swanton. Benjamin rolls out of the way, and Hardy hits the canvas hard. Benjamin covers, and Hardy kicks out at two. Benjamin is in disbelief. As he goes to work on Hardy some more, Hardy manages to roll him over and hold him down long enough for the victory.
Winner: Jeff Hardy

We come back from a break to see Todd Grisham talking to Randy Orton. Grisham says that Orton has challenged Cody Rhodes to his first match ever in WWE, and Cody has accepted. Orton says that Cody had a lot of guts slapping him last week, and that he'll end his career tonight before it starts. He says that Cody should bring Dusty to ringside, so he can see his son's career end before it starts.

Snitsky vs Val Venis (editor's note: who cares about this match?!?)
We start with Snitsky pushing Val into the corner and running at him, but Venis gets his boot up just in time. Venis comes off the top rope, but is caught by Snitsky, and slammed into the corner. Snitsky works on Val's lower back, but Val manages to get an offense with a reverse elbow. Val hits the ropes to capitalize, but Snitsky hits a massive clothesline. Snitsky gets Venis up, and hits the pump-handle slam for the win.
Winner: Snitsky

After a break, Jerry Lawler is in the ring. He says that at the Great American Bash there will be a Texas Bullrope match. He explains that the two men will be tied to a rope, and hanging on the rope is a cowbell. In the match, anything is legal, including the rope and the bell. Lawler says that there's no one better than Dusty Rhodes at a Texas Bullrope match, but come Sunday, someone will get their bell rung. Orton's music hits, and Lawler clears the ring as the Legend Killer comes out for his match. JR and King hype the "Orton Concussion Tour", leading one to think that either Dusty or Cody is going to get it sometime tonight or at the PPV. As Orton is in the ring, Cody Rhodes' music hits, and he comes out accompanied by his father. He's wearing old-school looking tights that look a lot like the ones Flair and Dusty used to wear back in the 70s and 80s.

Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton
The match starts with the two men staring at each other from across the ring. Orton goes on attack, but Cody gets behind him, only to get his with an elbow from Orton. Orton get Cody into the corner and goes for a clothesline, but Cody dodges. Cody hits a punch, much like his father, and irish-whips Orton into the opposite corner, which is reversed by Orton. Cody grabs the top rope and pushes himself over Orton, but Orton hits a clothesline. Orton now begins to beat down Cody, while giving evil looks to Dusty. Eventually, Orton sends Cody to the outside, but is distracted by Dusty. Cody attacks, getting Orton back to the inside. After some punches from Cody, Orton gets the upperhand with some punches of his own. After a nice offense with a back body drop, and a suplex, Orton gets Cody in a reverse chin lock. Cody fights out, but Orton puts his knee into Cody's gut, sending him back to the ground. Orton is picking Cody apart with kneedrops and mounted punches. Cody suddenly comes back with some punches, in true Rhodes fashion. After a nice hit in the corner, Cody hits a missle dropkick from the top rope. Cody covers, but Orton kicks out at two. Orton hits a European Uppercut, followed by the inverted backbreaker. Orton sizes him up, and gives some looks to Dusty, before hitting the RKO for the win.
Winner: Randy Orton

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ECW Press announced this week that it has signed author Irvin Muchnick to write a book about the sensational case of wrestler Chris Benoit.

The book, entitled CHRIS AND NANCY: The True Story of the Benoit Murder-Suicide and Pro Wrestling's Cocktail of Death, will be published in 2008.

Muchnick is author of the hot-selling ECW Press book, WRESTLING BABYLON: Piledriving Tales of Drugs, Sex, Death, and Scandal and has appeared extensively in media coverage of the Benoit case. The appendix of WRESTLING BABYLON documents the premature deaths of nearly 100 wrestlers over the last generation from drugs and related aspects of the pro wrestling lifestyle.

That information has been cited both by commentators and by a member of Congress urging investigation of the billion-dollar pro wrestling industry.

Michael Holmes, senior editor of ECW Press, said:

"We are delighted to be publishing what certainly will be the most authoritative and best-written full-length account of the Benoit tragedy and its implications. Irv Muchnick's WRESTLING BABYLON is both one of the most important and one of the most commercially successful books in our company's history. We expect CHRIS AND NANCY to break more new ground."

The following was posted on WWE.com's Diva section:

WWE is looking for its next Diva. Do you have what it takes to be one of the Sexiest Women on Television? There’s only one way to find out – that’s to enter the 2007 WWE Diva Search!

The WWE Diva Search has launched the careers of several Divas, including Layla, Kristal, Maria, Candice Michelle, Maryse, Brooke and Ashley Massaro. WWE is searching for another sexy, gorgeous, glamorous, fit, talented and charismatic woman to add to that impressive list. Think you’re the next WWE Diva?

Stay tuned to WWE.com for a complete 2007 Diva Search site, coming in August.

WWE has once again changed the philosophy behind its weekly Friday Night SmackDown! telecast.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE no longer views SmackDown! as the "wrestling" show and wants it booked more in accordance with the RAW template.

WWE officials point to the shakeups caused by the draft, which included Paul London, Brian Kendrick, King Booker, Mr. Kennedy and Chris Benoit leaving the show, as evidence that the brand no longer has the depth to run shows "the old way."

Vince McMahon personally changed a great deal of the most recent SmackDown! to reflect the new philosophy.

It’s going to get even hotter in Corpus Christi, Texas when Raw invades the American Bank Arena Monday night. Here's the official preview, courtesy of WWE.com...

On the last Raw before The Great American Bash, WWE Champion John Cena and No. 1 contender Bobby Lashley will be back under the same roof. While away from Raw last week, Cena appeared via satellite and promised to address Lashley in Corpus Christi. How will Cena react to being nearly broken in half on Raw two weeks ago by Lashley’s spear? What will The Champ have to say to his challenger as they head into their epic encounter at The Bash?

Another champion who will defend at The Bash is Women’s Champion Candice Michelle. The Candy-coated Diva has been on an amazing roll of late, which includes winning the title from Melina at Vengeance: Night of Champions. Will either Diva gain any advantage just days before they face off over the championship? Can Candice continue to prove herself to be the golden Diva of WWE, or will Melina’s desire propel her to the top once more?

One Raw Superstar who is at the top of his game is Randy Orton. The third-generation Superstar has time and time again cemented his place in history by dealing losses to any Legend he has encountered in the ring. This time, however, he may have angered the wrong Legend in “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. The two will square off at The Great American Bash in a Texas Bull Rope Match, and how fitting it is that the last stop before The Bash is the Lone Star State. Who will carry the momentum heading into The Bash?

Find out the answers to all of these questions and more on Raw, Monday night at 9/8 CT on USA Network.

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

- A video package airs with Kurt Angle, Rhino, Samoa Joe, Chris Harris and Brother Ray talking about the importance of being a world champion in wrestling. It then goes into Angle bragging about how he is now both the TNA World Champion and IWGP World Champion. Joe and Team 3D all rundown Angle in the promo.

- A graphic opening then hits welcoming us to Victory Road. We go live to the Impact Zone in Orlando, FL where a series of pyro goes off. They are using the Elevation X setup for tonight's 10 Man Ultimate X.

- Christopher Daniels is out first.

- Christopher Daniels won the 10 Man Ultimate X Match to become the NEW #1 contender for the TNA X Division Title. Don West stated they are using the Elevation X setup with so many guys involved. It kicked off with Daniels and Jay "Black Machismo" Lethal. We have a 1:00 timeclock running on the bottom. They are now stating that if you are thrown over the top rope before all 10 men are in the ring, you are eliminated. Puma is out (#3). Homicide is out (#4) and is WAY over with the Orlando crowd. Sonjay Dutt is out (#5). Petey Williams is out (#6) and is also over with the crowd tonight. Williams hit a Canadian Destroyer on Puma. Puma is eliminated. Homicide then tosses Williams out. Petey Williams is eliminated. Shark Boy is out (#7). Elix Skipper is out (#8) and gets a "WELCOME BACK" chant. Skipper tosses Shark Boy out. Shark Boy is eliminated. Skipper also tosses Dutt out. Sonjay Dutt is eliminated. Kaz is out (#9) and isn't wearing his Serotonin gear - looks like he is back to the previous gimmick. Senshi is out (#10) and is the final entrant.

The Ultimate X portion of the match officially begins: Everyone starts climbing up on all sides. Senshi climbs across on the bars and then lands on Daniels in the ring. Daniels is up next, but Kaz pulls him down. Daniels, Kaz, Lethal and Senshi all four get to the middle near the X, but all come down. Daniels then goes up again and Lethal follows. Lethal tries kicked Daniels in the back with his knees, but falls off. Daniels then gets his feet stuck in the structure and hangs upside. Kaz then leaps off the top rope and pulls Daniels down hitting a diamond cutter in a HUGE spot. Crowd goes nuts for this. Tower of Doom spot in the corner takes place. Kaz and Skipper avoid it and climb up. Both get to the top, but brawl off and hit the mat. Kaz hits his Flux Capacitor spot off the top rope on Homicide. Lethal goes up top. Senshi and Skipper pull him down and hit a double team move. This allows Daniels to crawl across, get to the middle and get the X. After the match, Daniels falls down as Senshi and Skipper smile. They tease that Triple X has reunited as Daniels, Senshi and Skipper all pose.

- Backstage, Jeremy Borash was with Team 3D. Devon cuts off Ray and says after 15 years, he will finally get a shot at the World Title and win it. Ray said he is speechless, but says he won't win the World Title. Ray proclaims he will win the X Division Title instead standing in at about 300...ish pounds. Both tease they will do what they have to do tonight.

- Leticia was with Samoa Joe. Joe said he can't trust Kurt Angle and promised to win the TNA Tag Team Titles tonight. He told Kurt that he would be coming for his World Title next.

- Mike Tenay and Don West rundown the card for tonight's PPV.

- Leticia is with VKM. BG James says that TNA has a new rule and that is no violence against women. He said that is fine because tonight they will introduce a new member into VKM.

- Before the match started, BG James got on the mic and did the old school New Age Outlaws introduction of the two. He accidentally said they were the soon to be "NWA" Tag Team Champions of the world. He then introduced the newest member of VKM - Roxxi Laveaux. The announces touted she was from New Orleans and into "voodoo." Get it? Since they are the "Voodoo" Kin Mafia? They kept the lights very dark when she came out, but was dressed like a voodoo woman with paint on her face and strange clothes. The fans were dead silent and confused. A loud "WHAT IS THAT" chant started. Very strange way to bring this new character in.

- Voodoo Kin Mafia w/ Roxxi Laveaux defeated Basham & Damaja w/ Lance Hoyt & Christy Hemme. Match started with BG James and Damaja. Lots of interference attempts by Hoyt early on. Kip James and Basham eventually got the tags. Kip tried going after Hoyt, but Hemme slapped Kip. Kip couldn't go after her with the new TNA rule. Lots of nearfalls after this point between both teams. Hoyt then comes in and takes out Kip with a big boot. This ends up costing Basham and Damaja allowing BG to hit Damaja with a chair and Kip covered him to get the pinfall. After the match, Hemme gets in Kip's face again. Kip grabs her and calls in Roxxi. Roxxi does some strange "voodoo" dances and then grabs Hemme and gives her a big Dominator. Still a very strange character to introduce.

- Backstage, Jeremy Borash is with Kurt Angle. Angle said Samoa Joe is jealous, but said he still had his back tonight in the Match of Champions. Angle said, "I'm great, I was born this way." He said tonight wouldn't be a 3-on-1 match and said it would be shake and break time.

- James Storm defeated Rhino. Match kicked off right away with brawling on the outside of the ring. Rhino then sent storm from the babyface ramp over the railing into the crowd. They brawled more into the crowd and Rhino sent Storm shoulder first into a wall that busted open. The action spilled back into the ring and Rhino attempted to bring a steel chair in, but the referee stopped it. Storm tossed Rhino to the outside and he started favoring his neck. Storm brought Rhino back in and continued to work on his neck. Lots of quick offense and pinfalls by Storm, but Rhino kicked out after each attempt. The finish saw a referee bump take place. Rhino went for The Gore, but when Storm turned out he smashed a beer bottle in his face. Storm covered Rhino, the referee came to and he got the pinfall for the win. After the match, Storm got some rope from under the ring and tied Rhino's arms behind his back against the ropes. Rhino was busted open at this point following the beer bottle to the face. Storm then got a steel chair and hit Rhino with it a few times. Jackie Moore came back out with some beer and a camera. Storm took pictures of her posing next to a bloody Rhino. Storm then opened up a mini-beer keg and poured it into Rhino's mouth. TNA security eventually hit the ring to break it up. Just as Storm was heading to the back, he came back down and hit Rhino again.

- Backstage, Leticia was with Jerry Lynn and Bob...sorry Mr. Backlund. Lynn called Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley a bunch of disrespectful rookies. Backlund said the veterans want no drugs, no cheating, no lying and especially no swearing. Backlund went crazy saying they were going to teach Sabin and Shelley a lesson tonight. Backlund screamed, "I'm done!" and walked off as Lynn smiled.

- Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley w/ Kevin Nash defeated Bob Backlund & Jerry Lynn. The match started off with Chris Sabin and Bob Backlund. Backlund with a few quick takedowns on Sabin early on and Sabin stalls a bit. Alex Shelley and Jerry Lynn get the tags next. Lynn handles Shelley easily and Shelley runs back to tag in Sabin holding him in fear of Lynn. Sabin and Shelley then take out Lynn and Backlund with some quick double-team kicks and celebrate. They put Lynn in the tree of woe and hit two big jumping dropkicks to the head. Backlund comes in to make the save and goes after Sabin. With the referee distracted, Kevin Nash comes in and takes out Lynn with a big boot. Sabin and Shelley then double-team Lynn again with some massive kicks to the head and body and then get the pinfall on Lynn for the win.

- Backstage, Kurt Angle is looking for backup tonight for the main event. He goes into the men's bathroom and finds Jay "Black Machismo" Lethal. He asks Lethal if he can watch his back tonight. Lethal, in his Black Machismo voice, responds, "Wash your back?" Angle corrects him and puts his world titles on his shoulders saying he could be that some day if he helps him. Lethal then turns Angle down and Angle attacks him in the bathroom.

- Eric Young & Gail Kim defeated Robert Roode & Ms. Brooks. Early on in the match, Eric Young took out Robert Roode with tons of quick offense. Young with a big belly-to-belly suplex on Roode. Kim took out Ms. Brooks when she came into the ring. Young with a quick rollup on Roode, but Roode kicks out. Young takes out Roode on the outside with a suicide dive. Kim follows that up springboarding over the top rope onto Brooks. Back in the ring, Kim hits Roode with a big right hand. Roode and Brooks grabs Young and crotch him using the steel ring post. Kim with a big dropkick off the top rope on Brooks. Young and Kim hit Roode with a double-dropkick and Kim covers Brooks to get the pinfall. After the match, a frustrated Roode goes crazy. He then blames Ms. Brooks for the loss and pushes her a few times. She leaves the ring and Young returns pulling down Roode's trunks to reveal a thong. Roode flips out and tries to pull up his shorts as Young runs away laughing.

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