WWE.com has our Memorial Day RAW preview: It’ll be a tag match with Cena and Lashley facing Umaga, Shane McMahon and Great Khali! Plus, Shane has a major announcement tonight! (the draft lotto perhaps?). AND: A Bikini Beach Blast Battle Royal featuring divas from all three brands.
-Special Memorial Day opening, dedicated to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.
-WWE Open.
-RAW open.
(1) Diva Beach Blast Battle Royal Candice makes her entrance as JR welcomes us to the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, CN. Other divas include Mickie James, Maria, Jillian, Kelly, Brooke and Leyla, Michelle McCool, Kristal, and Melina. Water balloons, water cannons and those wet noodle things are in the ring to aid the ladies in the match. Gotta go over or through the ropes to be eliminated. Beach towels are also in there. Kristal is out first, then Brooke is tossed. Why aren’t they using the water guns as weapons? Leyla is out as well. The winner gets a photo spread on WWE.com says JR. McCool throws...someone out. Mickie gets cracked in the head with the water gun (FINALLY!) and goes out. Candice is thrown out by Jillian as Candice was trying to toss Melina. Melina and Jillian are double-teaming Michelle. Jillian goes to the outside so she’s eliminated. McCool dropkicks Melina but she doesn’t fall thru the ropes- instead she falls to the mat and has to roll outside, giving Michelle the win.
Winner: Michelle McCool at 5:56 Interesting winner.
-Shane is backstage walking, and he’s coming to the ring next with his major announcement!
[Break]
-Shane is out on the ramp...I guess it’ll be a short announcement. Shane is excited, and in two weeks, Shane announces the first-ever tri-band WWE draft. No one is exempt, he says. He manages to plug Vince’s match at One Night Stand, saying Mr. McMahon will stay ECW champ. He says he’ll set an example by beating Lashley tonight, 1-2-3. He threatens Cena as well.
[Break]
T(2) The Hardyz & Cade and Murdoch vs. The World’s Greatest Tag Team & Johnny Nitro and Kenny Dykstra Nitro and Cade start, with Cade getting the advantage. Murdoch comes in and hits a back elbow for a two-count. Matt and Shelton are in now, and we see some double-teaming from the Hardyz. Jeff with an arm-wringer, tag to Matt. Bodyslam on Shelton, then an elbow to the back of Shelton’s neck off the second rope. Haas tags in and he drives his shoulder into Matt’s gut in the corner, but ends up running into a back-body drop. Cade is in and some nice teamwork with Cade and Matt. Murdoch is in and Haas pokes him in the eye, allowing Shelton to tag in. Lots of quick tags and Jeff hits the splash in the corner off of Matt’s back. With TWGTT on the outside, Murdoch hits a splash off the top rope onto them! Break time!
[Break]
-Back live, Murdoch makes the tag and Jeff hits the Whisper in the Wind on Haas. Cheap-shot by Benjamin and Haas gets a near-fall. Kenny & Johnny then do some double-teaming on Jeff. Jeff fights back against Shelton, but a kick to the head stops that. Bell-to-belly suplex by Haas on Hardy, and another near-fall. Reverse chin-lock by Haas applied to Hardy. Kenny is in and he gets a forearm to the lower back of Jeff. Hardy finally hits an offensive move and both men are down. Matt tags in and gets the clothesline/bulldog combo. Matt hits a DDT and reverse DDT on Nitro and Dykstra at the same time. After a tag, Jeff hits a Swanton for the pin, despite Lawler thinking C&M would attack. Benjamin is so pissed he grabs a mic at ringside. Shelton lays down a challenge for the titles at One Night Stand. Matt says fine- as long as it’s a ladder match.
Winners: Murdoch, Cade, Hardyz at 13:34
-Todd Grisham awaits an interview with Cena outside the champ’s door.
[Break]
-Grisham is standing by with Cena. Cena makes fun of the way Khali talks and then says he ain’t scared of him. Very intense interview from Cena.
[Break]
-Maria is backstage (with 1,000X the confidence she had when she first started) is backstage with Santino Marella, who gives his thoughts on the upcoming draft. Maria asks if his accent is Italian, and Santino says its from New Jersey. After Marella leaves, Randy Orton approaches. He cuts a promo on his opponent for tonight, Rob Van Dam. Orton had respect for HBK, but he doesn’t for RVD.
(3) Rob Van Dam vs. Randy Orton The two trade standing switches, then Orton grabs a side-headlock. Arm-drag take-over by RVD, which surprised Orton. Orton goes back to work, this time with forearms. Roll-up for two by RVD, and Orton takes a powder. RVD reverses and Irish whip and hits a monkey-flip, but Orton gets a knee to the stomach of Van Dam. Orton just slugs away at RVD in the corner. Standing reverse heel kick by RVD then wants to hit rolling thunder, but Orton leaves under the rope. Van Dam hops to the top rope but Orton dropkicks him off as we head to break.
[Break]
-Chinlock by Orton- I think I may have missed a big move checking on the hockey game. Ron Garvin stomp by Orton, then a knee drop. Back to the chinlock. Van Dam elbows out then catches Orton with a boot, and a springboard boot to the face. Both hammer away in the center of the ring. Orton’s trademark dropkick misses and RVD hits rolling thunder. Pair of clotheslines by Van Dam, then a kick-clothesline combo for two. Bodyslam and now RVD wants to go to the top. He hits a second-rope moonsault for two. Thumb to the eye by Orton, but RVD gets a windmill kick. Van Dam to the top, but he’s a bit woozy and can’t make it up in time, as Orton rolls out. RVD takes him out anyway, hitting Orton off the apron. DDT by Orton with RVDs feet on the middle rope, but that doesn’t get the win. Van Dam looks like he’s out. He uses the ropes to help him up, but Orton goes for a shot to the head again. Kick straight to the head by Orton, and RVD’s “concussion” face is priceless. Ref stops the match.
Winner: Orton, by referee stoppage at 16:26 Orton hits an RKO for good measure after the match. Doctors and refs come out to check on RVD.
-Still up: The main event handicap match.
-Next: Inter-gender tag match, Flair & Torrie vs. Carlito & Victoria.
[Break]
-During the break, RVD was helped out of the ring by doctors and refs.
(4) Ric Flair & Torrie Wilson vs. Carlito & Victoria Flair chops at Carlito (what else?) to start. Tag to Victoria who slaps Ric. Victoria wants him to slap her, but instead, he slaps on the figure-four. Carlito back in and he dropkicks the knee of Flair. Carlito applies a half-crab. Victoria tags in and accidentally hits Carlito. This gives Flair time to tag Torrie. She’s a house-of-fire with a clothesline and hair pull. Hair toss by Torrie follows that. Carlito breaks up a pin attempt then tags in and plants a lip-lock on Torrie, who slaps him. CCC hits the back-cracker (now the “back-stabber”) on Torrie for the win.
Winners: Carlito & Victoria at 3:38
[Break]
-Lawler and JR run down the One Night Stand card.
-Umaga is backstage, and he and Khali chat in their native tongues. Shane quells the situation and calls for Khali to take out Cena and Umaga to take out Lashley. Shane wants to make the pin though.
[Break]
-We come back with Maria finishing up hosting the Kiss Cam. Chris Masters’ music is cued up and he comes to the ring. He’s upset that Maria was impressed with Santino earlier, and he wants Santino to come out and break the Master-Lock. Marella accepts and Masers cinches it in. Maria looks worried at ringside, and Santino can’t break it. \
-The main event is next!
[Break- This just in: Ducks win! Ducks win!]
(5) Great Khali, Shane McMahon and Umaga vs. John Cena and Bobby Lashley Umaga and Cena start off and Umaga whips Cena into the corner but misses a splahs. Cena tries to pound Umaga’s head into the mat, but it has no effect (he’s Samoan!). Crowd is against Cena here. Khali is in and headbutts Cena. He follows it with a right hand and Shane is in. He works over Cena until Umaga tags back in. Well, the heels are working well together. Samoan drop on Cena by Umaga. Pin attempt gets two. Shane applies a body-scissors to Cena. Cena tries to get over for a tag as we have a dueling “Let’s Go Cena,” and “Cena sucks” chants. Cena is on his feet, shoving Shane into the corner, then hitting a back suplex. Umaga is tagg in as is Lashley. He hits a splash on Umaga in the corner but can’t suplex him. He settles for a DDT. Umaga is lifted by Lashley, but Khali made the blind tag. The faces hit Khali with a double-shoulderblock and Khali is tied up in the ropes. Samoan spike to Cena on the outside. Khali gets loose and hits the two-handed chokeslam on Lashley. Right on cue, Shane tags in, hits an elbow from the top, and gets the glory.
Winners: Khali, Umaga and Shane at 7:59
-Vince comes out to congratulate the trio. The winning team has their hands raised on the ramp and we’re out.
I don't think I've seen anything uglier this year than Lashley and Khali allegedly trading right hands. Good God, Khali can't even THROW PUNCHES! Why is he anywhere near the main event?
Looking at Orton and RVD's match tonight is so interesting. RVD gets in trouble and he immediately gets buried with no chance of ever hitting the main event again. Meanwhile, Orton gets in trouble, does one main event job as punishment, and then goes on to get an even bigger push than before he got in trouble. That's pro wrestling for you, I guess.
(edited by It's False on 28.5.07 2205)
The Wisdom of Homsar: Let's sing a song of Pennzoil!
Ahh, it's the simple things that get across! Great job by Cade and Murdoch to show confusion and a little bit of frustration after the match when the Hardys accepted Benjamin's challenge. They were TRYING to be good sports and likely deserved another title shot for it, but now they were stabbed in the back and likely have no response but to cost the Hardys the titles Sunday! Good tiny bit of acting to get a major point across.
Originally posted by Tenken347I think I missed something. Does anyone know why Kenny was wearing a badger?
He's teaming w/ Nitro. That was his fur.
Sign of the year: "Another Headlock, Randy?"
I wonder if that was a rib on Nitro. He seemed to be a bit surprised to see it around Kenny's shoulders when they came out onto the ramp. Would be funny if it was a last-second addition to the wardrobe after Nitro had already walked through the curtain.
If Orton can further injure RVD at One Night Stand (which originally was the ECW PPV), he'll have another "killed legend" for his trophy case. No matter what RVD chooses regarding his contract, this is a smart move for the WWE to make. And if Orton moves to ECW during the draft, he'd instantly become the top heel. Which sucks if you're Burke. If Burke stays in ECW.
I'm intrigued by the evolution of Murdoch as the world's largest cruiserweight.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
I can't see Orton going to ECW at this point, this push is too high profile. He may deserve to go there, but I don't see it happening. Actually, I don't see any high profile guy going to ECW. Frankly, they have the most stable and healthy roster of the 3 brands.
It is Raw and SD that need the draft, but because they are both injury plagued, I don't really know what the point is? If it is thin at the top, then elevate some guys while the injured main eventers get healthy. Then you have fresh upper card match ups when they do return. Seems simple to me.
Dean! Have you been shooting dope into your scrotum? You can tell me! I'm hip!
I've complained enough about the lack of build to yet another PPV (four matches set, six days away).. let's give them tentative credit for having some kind of a plan with the upcoming draft?
They had King sort of oversell the potential turn by Cade & Murdoch, but I don't see them giving the titles to WGTT, based on how they've been used lately. Still far and away the best thing going on the show.
Must be a bummer to have Raw in Toronto, and make Canadians miss the finish of the inter-gender tag match? Although I'm up for another round of psycho Victoria, if they want to go that way.
Personal problems aside, has Orton shown anything to suggest that he can carry a brand, that would make him worth all this build? At this point (imo), I think the best you can say is that Orton can be an Edge type, only without the promo skills that make Edge someone with the potential to be one of those 'special' guys - and it doesn't even appear that Randall has the frame to eventually fill out into Vince's ideal of a top guy.
It's like Lashley - he's doing okay now with the reflected heat of the McMahon's, but what happens when he's needed to carry his own programs? Essentially I see Bobby as comparable to Goldberg.. but while Lashley has far superior technical skills, he has virtually none of Goldberg's charisma. But that doesn't make him a giant Chris Benoit. Particularly considering the stiffs he's likely going to be asked to carry as a face.
And minus two for the annoying "hushed, serious announcer tone" that sucks credibility out of your announcers when you later have an actual injury pop up.
RVD's contract runs out at the end of June, and the two sides have not come to a new agreement. RVD was reportedly looking for a kinda paid vacation for a few months in a new WWE deal - like how people would get paid a base salary when out hurt, without actually hurting something - so he may not be in a particular hurry to get a deal done. (OTOH, with as many people top guys hurt as there's been, I'm guessing WWE might make one more last offer.)
WWE told RVD (and whomever else) his last appearance for the company would be at One Night Stand. Word leaked out, and WWE hinted they might have him end a few days sooner or a few days later to put one over on those on people outside the company (this was reported in the Observer, so they could really do a better job of keeping secrets.)
They still could have RVD work One Night Stand - or anything between now and the end of his contract - but based on how everything was laid out last night, I think that's the end of RVD in WWE (for now.)
Originally posted by thecubsfan...but based on how everything was laid out last night, I think that's the end of RVD in WWE (for now.)
I thought the same thing but now I'm not so sure after reading your post.
The way they things went on RAW last night, they can either use this concussion angle to take him off TV for good before releasing him, or if he resigns soon enough he can make the triumphant comeback against Randy at ONS. But come to think of it, that only gives him like 5-6 days to resign so probably not.
Also, I hate Randy Orton. I cant remember the last time I had this much "shoot hate" towards a professional wrestler. HHH is/was boring, I dont mind Cena or Lashley, and X-Pac was just annoying. But Randy Orton? I really hate Randy Orton. Does that make me a mark or a smark? I dont care. I really really hate Randy Orton.
Originally posted by TheOldManMust be a bummer to have Raw in Toronto, and make Canadians miss the finish of the inter-gender tag match? Although I'm up for another round of psycho Victoria, if they want to go that way.
We got to see it in Canada, actually, and not just because The Score isn't usually as quick with the censorship as TSN was. The CRTC rules clamp down on male on female violence, but only outside the context of athletic competition. When Stone Cold Steve Austin gives a stunner to Stacy Kiebler for refusing to drink beer, that's not athletic competition, so it gets censored. When a heel grabs a face valet during a match, that's not part of the athletic competition, so it gets censored. But when there's an intergender match, any resulting male on female violence is part of the athletic competition, so it never gets censored (though post-match shenanigans will).
Yes, the CRTC governs pro wrestling as if it were an actual sport. Feel free to mock it however you please.
I see RVD eating another one just like that at ONS. Is there a worse way to send RVD out then to have him do the honors for Randy? Is anyone less deserving?
Dean! Have you been shooting dope into your scrotum? You can tell me! I'm hip!
DJ - I am with you 100%. I am in a wrestling lull but I still turn in each week. However, whenever Orton is on screen, I do switch the channel. I was lucky enough to switch back to see the sign "Another headlock Randy?" which was OUTSTANDING. The fact that this guy is being built up as a legitimate #1 is atrocious. Even if that is NOT the case and he is being built up to put HHH over, that it is worse because it is building up the guy I hate the most to put over the guy I hate 2nd most.
I pray the following wrestlers go to/stay on Smackdown:
Edge UT Batista Benoit Kennedy Carlito Kenny Dykstra CM Punk Kane Shelton Benjamin Charlie Haas Finlay Matt Striker (guilty pleasure - I love his mic work and he sells a beating really well)
If those guys end up on Smackdown and everyone else is dispersed through RAW and ECW, then I will be one happy camper on Friday nights. (Please note that I am in no way holding my breath that this will happen).
Fry crack corn and I don't care Leela crack corn I still don't care Bender crack corn and he is great Take that you stupid corn!
"just because you ARE a character does not mean you HAVE character.."
Originally posted by Tenken347I think I missed something. Does anyone know why Kenny was wearing a badger?
It was to differentiate him from Lance Cade, who, thanks to the keen new haircut, looks a lot like Dykstra all pumped up. Too bad he didn't wear it during the match.
So much for Cade getting more into that Rednex role. Maybe Murdoch will lose the chops in favor of hair tips and start wearing a 'naitch gown to the ring.
Raw was ok I guess. Biggest problem I had I guess was the " concussion" angle. Jeez folks this is RVD, who has taken how many chair shots in a match to the head and still won??? Now he waits on the top rope for Orton to kick him off,hits his head on the padded barrier, takes a few more hits ot the head and has a concussion???
At least with Kayfabe wrestling they tried to make it almost believable. I'm guessing that all of Orton's opponents will get "concussions" now or at least till he messes up again and loses this push too.
Funny thing is I like watching Orton wrestle. When he wants to he can be really good plus his ring attitude reminds me somewhat of Arn Anderson. Always liked it when he was getting his butt whipped in the ring and they threw him out or something. He would get up look at the ring and had the look and attitude of " ok now I gonna kick you butt" And usually did.
Anyway Orton's real life attitude needs a little work or maybe some time off in a less paying division of wrestling, sometimes that tends to wake ppl up.
Originally posted by DJ FrostyFreezeAlso, I hate Randy Orton. I cant remember the last time I had this much "shoot hate" towards a professional wrestler.
Agreed. When I see his mug enter the shot for an interview, I change the channel. I did watch the end of the Orton/RVD match, but not for Orton. I was curious as to how RVD was going to be injured, not for anything Orton might do.
CRZ had to edit my profile and close my table for me. I am a bad man.
Y'know, I realize that they had to devote much of last week to post-wrestlemania/pre-split storylines, but I think the WWF missed the chance to give us one of the best moments of recent television.