Wednesday, July 30, 2014
*In a great, near-nine minute 4-way match, the Miz won the European championship from Rick Martel. The fatal four-way, also involving Christopher Daniels and Jay Lethal, ended when Miz buried Lethal's head into the mat with a cradle DDT. Highlights contained were a simultaneous DDT to Martel and snapmare driver to Daniels, plus a sleeper suplex to Lethal onto a chair.
*Bray Wyatt's feud with Big E has heated up to the point of a first blood match. It took a toll on both men, that's for sure. Ladders, trash cans, and chairs were the toys around for Bray and Langston to mess each other up with. Big E's main offense was a big back body drop onto the padding, then Wyatt maintained control the rest of the way. He annihilated the former nXt champion with a German suplex and Sister Abigail, both connecting head-first on a chair. The cult leader kept on trucking with an STO and uranage on the floor. The absolute beating concluded with punches to the face that dyed Langston's face red.
Post-match..
"I have no... followers, I only have brothers and sisters, all in the name of cause. People are sheep, you understand me? They can't lead themselves, they need to be led. People buy themselve fear, they worship war, they crave war, but I'm not afraid of their wars. I created war! And I think it's time for the masses to wake... wake up... WAKE UP! WAKE UP AND LOOK AT THIS LIE THEY'RE LIVING IN, MAN! The world is deteriorating between their toes, and they do nothing about, they only stand there. They whisper and wonder but they never do anything about it. But I've seen it all, in my dreams and in my thoughts and above everything else I understand: This is not the beginning... it's the end."
*In a clash of heavyweights, Ryback clobbered British Bulldog. The United States champion was Gorilla-pressed and powerslammed. He kicked it into gear with a Shell Shock, fallaway slam, and a belly-to-belly on steel steps. A backpack stunner finished the non-title bout for Bulldog.
*The Usos retained the WWE Tag Team championship over Wade Barrett & Sheamus, Evolution's international goons. An apron DDT to Sheamus + a superkick to Barrett got the Usos started. The challengers countered with a Winds of Change + a powerslam. Wade was suplexed on steel stairs as the former World Heavyweight champ bashed an Uso with the Beats of Bodhran. The Bare-Knuckle Brawler administered a powerbomb as the Great White took a Samoan Drop. The United Kingdom members did a Wasteland and Pale Justice with synergy. Another super kick from the Usos in addition to an Omega Driver. Sheamus broke a back with the Irish Curse while Barrett was splashed on for the three count.
*Alberto Del Rio successfully became #1 contender to Wade Barrett's Intercontinental title with a victory against Cody Rhodes, the former champion. Del Rio was aggressive, throwing Rhodes backwards with a German on a steel chair. He caught Cody off of an irish whip into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. The son of a son of a plumber set up Alberto in the corner and lifted him from the top with a Musclebuster. ADR came back with a corner enziguri but the former WWE Tag Team champion turned the tables again via a lifting DDT and a Final Cut. The "Pride of Mexico" cinched in the cross armbreaker and did a backstabber in the ropes. Cody went back into his playbook with a Silver Spoon DDT but ended up submitting to a second armbreaker.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Post-Extreme Rules RAW! What's forthcoming for Evolution? Their monster Kane could not supplant Daniel Bryan as WWE Champion with Dolph Ziggler in the way. They saw Wade Barrett win the Intercontinental title, but failed to beat the Shield. Triple H had bragged beforehand that they didn't want war with his dominant force. He knew the Shield's names and he would spell them in their obituaries. Roman Reigns lauded it as the Fall of the King. Of course, the Game always has something up his sleeve.. there must be a Plan B if he wants to maintain control.
*Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns arrive from the crowd, very pleased with their victory last night. Rollins proclaims that the Shield are the new rulers of the world. When they are a unit, there's nothing stopping them. Not even the top stable on RAW in the last decade could defeat them when they're on their game. Ambrose notes they proved that when their mind is on destruction, they could eviscerate any opponent in their way. The COO's comments about them not being able to do their job and take out Daniel Bryan were ludicrous. Reigns takes the mic and says that they were sick of being puppets, that was never the plan in the first place. But when Triple H made it personal, they made him their direct target and eliminated his group. There was no way any team could take the mantle of having a cohesive impact like the Shield did in one year. Rollins finishes by saying that last night's thrashing convinces any doubters that Hunter can try and control RAW because no number of his goons can take down the Shield. Their core plan was fixing injustice, and no corruption in management will be tolerated.
King of Kings sounds, and here comes Triple H, Wade Barrett, Randy Orton, Del Rio, and Sheamus. Why does he have a damn smirk on his face? The Game decrees that while they did not quite stop the Shield, he does have a clear vision of what will happen going forward. His best men are in place and they will be RAW's next headliners. They are best for business and will ensure that the WWE championship and the RAW brand are in the right hands. Daniel Bryan got lucky once or twice, but he cannot hope to outlast all of Evolution's members. If there's one thing that the Shield haven't learned about the King of Kings, his determination is just as strong as the Shield. You either adapt in times of war, or you perish. He already has adapted and changed the gameplan; he's two steps ahead. What don't the Shield get? Last night was plan A.. this is Plan B.
Spoiler
Bah gawd!! Thus, Reigns has confirmed Dean Ambrose's suspicions from months ago that Roman cared more about himself than the Shield. He has joined Evolution and the momentum is hugely in their favor.
*Erick Rowan and Luke Harper beat Los Matadores to stay in title contention - Rowan chokeslammed Diego and Harper hit Fernando off of the apron.
*Prince Devitt retained his NWA Heavyweight championship over Chris Sabin of the Motor City Machineguns. The first impact move was a Bloody Sunday but Sabin was not down for the three yet. He splashed on a downed Devitt with a standing moonsault and damaged him with a knee facebreaker. The former IWGP Junior Heavyweight champion eventually got the upper hand and won with a Dreamcast (jumping corkscrew roundhouse kick).
*Cody Rhodes pinned Seth Rollins, perhaps shifting himself into a rematch with Wade Barrett for the IC title. Triple H booked him against Rollins for his "disrespectful" comments to start the show. Cody had his Cross Rhodes reversed into a Sethwalker in the beginning flurry. They traded a northern light suplex and lifting underhook DDT. Seth used his athleticism to do a standing shooting star press and then threw Cody down with a falcon arrow. The Dashing One plopped his opponent through the announce table with a DDT. He tossed Rollins back in the ring and did a spinning neckbreaker. The former United States champion flung Rhodes into the corner with a buckle bomb. The son of Dusty rose and climbed to the top for a flying bulldog. The Architect then landed a sunset flip powerbomb to the outside. Finally, the most recent Intercontinental champ notched a Final Cut suplex and the decisive Cross Rhodes.
*A psychotic Dean Ambrose tried to let out some of his rage against the Viper, Randy Orton. COO Triple H is very well aware that, when induced with anger, Ambrose is a dangerous man and could be a viable threat to his alliance. Therefore, he sent the Legend Killer to counter him, hoping to reinvigorate the crazy side of him from years back. Dean got going early with an Ace Crusher and a hook-and-ladder facebuster. The two went out of the ring and Reigns, at ringside, lifted him for a Samoan drop. Orton immediately grabbed his neck and locked him in for a backbreaker. He slid his body back into the ring and stomped all over him, Garvin-style. An RKO would not keep down the rabid Ambrose, who leaped up and busted out a headlock driver. Randall recovered, clotheslined him right back down, and dropped his knee on his head, busting open the lunatic fringe. The Deanser brought him back down to the mat, choking him and then flying around for a Muta flashing elbow. Orton did a perfect dropkick and when Ambrose got back up, he rolled him up for a quick three count. That left the "unchained melody" of the Shield furious. He's not gonna let this one go, and they have only fueled his hatred.
*It was put up or shut up for Alberto Del Rio, trying to stay in Evolution's good graces with a win over Intercontinental champion Wade Barrett. Barrett drew back to his brawling roots with multiple punches leading to a Winds of Change in the start of the match. He had complete control, smashing ADR's face with a Bullhammer. Del Rio fired right back with a cross armbreaker but it was futile. The Prince nailed a boot in the corner and winded up for an Omega Driver. That was just about it but Mexico's Greatest Export had it in him to do a bridging German suplex. Wade continued to put on the pressure with a headbutt that bloodied Alberto, then drove him down with a sit-out powerbomb. Del Rio had the energy to back drop the champion and do a shoulderbreaker as well. A second Bullhammer elbow to the face earned Barrett the three count, in dominating fashion.
*To cement his status as Evolution's new powerhouse, Reigns was put in the ring with Kane. The Game stated that they would not hesitate to eliminate a weakness. Apparently, the Big Red Monster was his target in this case, for not winning the WWE title. He gave Roman a powerbomb to open up this battle of big men. Reigns returned the favor with a Jacknife through the announce table. He showed off his strength further with a gorilla press and a spinebuster. The Shield traitor chained together a sitout side slam, Superman punch, and a pop-up Samoan drop. After that, he set up Kane for an apron DDT and threw in a Rock Bottom. The Devil's Favorite Demon revived and dealt out a tilt-a-whirl slam and a Tombstone. That was a last-ditch effort in the end as Reigns was unstoppable - a second Superman shot was the final blow.
*Sheamus was next in line of defense for Evolution, matching up with Daniel Bryan in a non-title situation. Bryan's fury from Extreme Rules carried over as he thumped the Celtic Warrior with a roaring elbow, double underhook suplex, and trademark kicks. A running knee made a crimson mask on Sheamus' pasty face. He powered up and retaliated with a High Cross. They exchanged a YES! Lock and a White Noise. Bryan whipped Fella into the corner and ran in for his classic speedy dropkick. The WWE champion completed two back suplexes and two Germans, then executed a Cattle Mutilation. The 2012 Royal Rumble winner had a Brogue Kick reversed into an arm drag, but was able to perform a pop-up Brogue after an Irish Curse backbreaker. That should have been three although DBry had the wherewithal to produce a shining wizard to the face and submit Sheamus with a dragon sleeper. He looks as invincible as anybody right now, hence why Triple H is going every which route to ramp up his efforts of relieving him of the title.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Cruiserweight Championship / TLC Match
Eddie Edwards (c) def. La Parka and Curt Hawkins
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United States Championship / Tables Match
Ryback def. Leo Kruger (c)
In one of the more technical and therefore entertaining table matches in recent memory, the Human Wrecking Ball tossed Kruger through a table with a fallaway slam. Leo lifted Ryback and spun him for a Jackhammer, but he did have the move done back to him later. The Big Guy went to the top rope presumably for a splash on the prone Kruger, who hopped off the table and spiked him with a DDT. There was a backpack stunner, belly-to-belly suplexes, shoulderbreakers, Ryback spearing himself through a table, and a lot of spots that hit part of the table but didn't break it clean. The young United States champion was particularly impressive but loses the gold after a short stint.
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WWE Tag Team Championship
The Usos (c) def. Luke Harper & Erick Rowan
Rikishi's sons brawled with the Wyatt Family all over the ring. They brutalized each other with ladders, sledghammers, and belts while other assorted weapons were on the outside. The Usos won when Jey busted open Harper with a super kick.
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Intercontinental Championship
Wade Barrett def. Cody Rhodes (c)
With an twist stipulation, Wade Barrett takes the Intercontinental title home to Evolution, ending Cody's one-month title reign. At the onset, Wade did a Bullhammer but ate a lifting DDT in return. He connected on a Winds of Change but was bulldogged on to a ladder. A second underhook DDT gave the Prince a crimson mask. Rhodes worked him over with a surfboard stretch then received a second elbow and a half-crab followed. Dusty's son drew out a chair and went to town on the England street fighter. Barrett then promptly sent him into steel steps, only to have them used against him later. The Bare-Knuckle Brawler dropped Cody with a sit-out powerbomb and transitioned into a camel clutch. He maimed the IC champion further with another Winds of Change and an Omega Driver, both on a sledgehammer. The back of the champ was thoroughly hurt, and another application of the clutch did him in.
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No Holds Barred Match
The Shield def. Evolution (Triple H, Sheamus, Randy Orton)
The Shield put on a clinic once more against the veteran Evolution. The tags were frequent and the action hard-hitting. Reigns and Ambrose doubled up on Orton with a powerbomb/senton. Dean had his back snapped with an Irish Curse and Reigns was flattened via a Pedigree. Triple H was planted by a reverse frankensteiner from Rollins. Roman did a wrist-lock lariat to Randall as his teammates took out the Game with a flapjack/DDT combo. Sheamus flinged Seth with a Pale Justice. The architect of the Shield was bloodied with a classic knee facebuster, but Reigns brought it back for the group with a Superman punch. Their powerhouse crushed Hunter by powerbombing him onto Orton's gut. By the time Sheamus and the Legend Killer tried to intervene, the three count was over.
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World Heavyweight Championship / Steel Cage
C.M. Punk (c) def. Antonio Cesaro
Antonio Cesaro placed 1st in the Smackdown Gold Rush and contended for the World Heavyweight Championship at the Royal Rumble, losing to AJ Styles. He excited at No Way Out in the Chamber match and struck down Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania. That was enough for Paul Heyman to make him the next Paul Heyman Guy. Similar to the WCW World title defenses back in the day, Punk would put the gold on the line inside a steel cage. The Best in the World splattered blood from Cesaro's head with the corner shining wizard and bulldog. A GTS furthered the head damage. They took turns grabbing and slamming each other from climbing the steel. Punker knocked out AC with a roundhouse then was muscled into a gutwrench suplex. The King of Swing snapped his neck and dropped the champion with a Neutralizer. Double stomp to the stomach and Punk goes down with a Alphamare Waterslide. Series of kicks from the Straight Edge Superstar, finishing with a piledriver. Michinoku driver and sit-down powerbomb from the Swiss Sensation, then a German and a Swiss Death. Punk gets the advantage, kicking his challenger in the face and goes up for a diving elbow. A second Go To Sleep puts out Cesaro and Punk escapes the cage.
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WWE Championship
Daniel Bryan (c) def. Kane and Dolph Ziggler
The WWE champion was set to face Ziggler one-on-one, hardcore style. That is, until Triple H stuck his big nose back into Bryan's business, placing the Big Red Monster in to make it a triple threat for the championship.
Kane has his chest kicked in by Bryan. They do a double gutbuster to Ziggler, then DBry delivers a shining wizard to his head. The champ is bleeding after a Tombstone piledriver but he fires up with a half-nelson suplex to the hellspawn. The Showoff slams him right back down with a Zig Zag on the outside. Team Hell No double suplex Dolph through the announce table. Bryan is sidewalk-slammed and Ziggler does a reverse powerslam right after. Ziggy sneaks in with a sleeper hold on Kane, only to receive a double wheelbarrow facebuster and a double sideslam backbreaker from the "goat" and demon. Next, DB was chokeslammed by the 213 lb. Dolph and the 323 lb. monster. The YES! man broke out the technical ability with a Regalplex and a German to the Big Red Machine. The smaller two teamed up for a dual suplex and a dual neckbreaker on Kane. #HEEL was put in the YES! Lock although he escaped and snapped off a super kick to the champion. DBry goes high up for another Chokeslam from Hell and the "Devil's Favorite Demon" has his Tombstone reversed by Dolph into one of his own. Ziggler takes Bryan up to the top and down with a superplex. When the Undisputed champion recovers, he gives DZ a double underhook suplex and latches Kane into the YES! Lock, finally getting the tapout he needs to retain the title.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Go-home show before Extreme Rules!
*Curt Hawkins def. Adrian Neville
The underdog Neville tried to rise up but things haven't worked out for him since being promoted to Smackdown. He was doing great until Hawkins sneakily rolled him up for the pinfall.
*Jack Swagger def. Chimaera (the Mexican luchador)
*Prince Devitt def. Bret Hart (c) to win the NWA Championship
Devitt is the first young gun to hold the title of WCW and TNA lineage, we'll see how it changes the prestige of it going forward.
*La Parka def. Fernando
*Leo Kruger and Bray Wyatt def. Big E Langston and Ryback
The hunter ate its prey as Ryback was crushed with a snapmare driver. The machine will have to get it together if he wants to take the United States title away on Sunday.
*Cesaro def. King Kong Bundy
The Walking Condominium saw his striking stature fall to the Swiss Superman, who has been on an extreme hot streak ever since winning the Smackdown Gold Rush back in January. A wild gutwrench suplex, lifting uppercut, and springboard uppercut sent the 460-lb. giant down and popped the crowd. Even with the obnoxious Paul Heyman in his ear, Cesaro has the audience in the palm of his hand with every match.
*CM Punk def. KENTA, non-title
The Go to Sleep masters were bound to face off, and the champion out-manuevered the NOAH star. With a little more experience in the States, KENTA could do more shaking up of the Smackdown roster.
*Bret Hart (c) def. Hunter Hearst Helmsley to retain the NWA Championship
*Rick Martel def. Justin Gabriel (c) to win the European championship
Gabriel dodged a flying elbow and Martel crashed through a table. The Model went after his legs with a shin breaker and locked in the Boston Crab. The champ propped challenger on the table and broke it with a DDT. Rick got back up and piledrived Gabriel on the padding. He put on the crab again only to be surprised with a Emerald Flowsion minutes later. They returned to the ring, where the former AWA title holder did a neckbreaker, belly-to-belly, and Boston Crab in succession. Gabriel's legs could not stand the pain for a third time and Martel seized the title.
*The Wyatt Family def. Big E Langston & the Usos
Rowan and Harper look to be the early favorites in Sunday's tag title match. Bray's feud with Big E rolls on, but this time Harper tapped out one of the Uso brothers.
*Eddie Edwards (c) def. Ultimo Dragon, Diego, and Tyler Breeze to retain the Cruiserweight championship
*Wade Barrett and Ryback def. Cody Rhodes and Leo Kruger
Barrett and the Big Guy get the momentum on their side with a thumping of the IC and US champions. The Prince just about broke Cody's skull with an Omega Driver on the outside.
*Sanada refused to be humbled by Kenta Kobashi, taking out the famous Triple Crown Heavyweight champion with a TKO in a NJPW exhibition.
*Del Rio stuck it to Seth Rollins and the Shield, giving Rollins a hard gutbuster for the win while Triple H observed.
*COO Triple H decided that Christian's title shot would come tonight and a new opponent for Cody Rhodes's IC belt would be solved tonight. That turned out to be Wade Barrett, who just so happened to be slotted into a fatal four-way with Jeff Jarrett, Suicide, and Jay Briscoe. The Bareknuckle Brawler barreled through Suicide with a Wasteland and covered.
*Dolph Ziggler rode his hot momentum into a triumph over the Celtic Warrior. Sheamus only reached 2 counts on an Irish Curse and a White Noise. The Showoff cut down one of Evolution's acolytes with his signature Super Kick.
*A douse of bad luck hits Christian again, who loses his Intercontinental title match to Cody Rhodes. Cody's lifting DDT has propelled him up the ranks as of late.
*An odd cast of characters fought in a fatal four-way for an opportunity at Justin Gabriel's European championship on Heat. Rick Martel bested Irwin R. Schyster, Brodus Clay, and Jinder Mahal to meet Gabriel on Wednesday.
*Daniel Bryan, Roman Reigns, and Dean Ambrose got the last laugh against Triple H, Kane, and Randy Orton. Reigns capitalized while Bryan hit HHH off the apron, spearing a hole through Orton to take it for the good guys.
*Jey Uso def. Erick Rowan
*Jack Swagger def. Ted DiBiase Jr.
According to Jack Swagger, Ted Jr. and his greediness make the wrong stereotype for Americans. He vowed to beat down the Million Dollar Man's son to show that that way is not the proud blue-collar lifestyle he was taught to follow. Swaggie was assertive, planting the former Legacy member with a gutwrench powerbomb.
*Bray Wyatt def. Big E Langston
Thanks to interference from Luke Harper, Bray busts open Big E with a second Sister Abigail for the three count. The cult leader spoke to the fans some more:
"Studying about those good old days and who shall wear the starry crown? Good Lord, show me the way...
She taught me... She taught me from the young age. She said 'You gotta get them before they get you'. 'A rattlesnake's skin is the same color as leaves', she said. And we all understood her. She led us with love, but she told us that the fires, well, they are our friends, too. 'The world is an evil place', she said. And we agreed. And I was there. I was there when she took her final breath. She pulled me in close, and she said 'You're the one'. She said 'They chose you, long before you were ever in existence'. And I understood what she meant. Her touch... could save the world, but her kiss burns it to the ground. I love you, Sister Abigail.
Down, brothers, let's go down. Down by the river to pray..."
*Luke Harper def. Jimmy Uso
*Cesaro def. Big John Studd
The one-time United States champion boasted his supreme strength and toughness in this one, calling out a legend in the business and striking him down. A torture rack, military lift into knee gutbuster, double stomp to the chest, Swiss Death uppercut, and a Neutralizer got his point across. And quite thoroughly, at that. What big superstar of the past is next on Cesaro's list?
*Ryback def. Sin Cara, Edge, MVP, Sami Zayn, and Kofi Kingston to earn contendership to the United States championship
*CM Punk def. Kyle O'Reilly (non-title)
*Jushin Liger def. Shinsuke Nakamura (NJPW Exhibition)
*Jack Swagger def. Rene Dupree
Swagger made his return with Zeb Colter back in the fold. Originally, he and Cesaro left Colter but the All-American American felt sympathy for the old man with Cesaro becoming a Paul Heyman Guy. Swagger was not pleased when Hulk Hogan congratulated the Swiss Sensation for his grand Wrestlemania win. He was never a Real American at all, complained Swagger. All along, Cesaro had pretended to be an American and lied to our nation. Going forward, Jack Swagger would be the real hero America deserves.
That all said, he had a convincing showing versus France's Rene Dupree. A gutwrench bomb through the announce table and a running powerslam on the chair nearby got a nearfall. A Swagger bomb from the corner onto the French Tickler's body was enough to stave him off.
*Bret Hart (c) def. Dean Malenko to retain the NWA Championship
*Damien Sandow and Antonio Cesaro def. C.M. Punk and AJ Styles
Punk teamed up with friend and former World Heavyweight title holder Styles against the two men currently on his trail - Cesaro and Mr. Money in the Bank Sandow. Damien notched the win with a Terminus neckbreaker on the champion.
*Cody Rhodes, Daniel Bryan, and Dolph Ziggler def. Alberto Del Rio, Leo Kruger, and Randy Orton
The Intercontinental champ, WWE champ, and #1 contender to the latter face two of Evolution's best and the United States champ. It lasted a good 12 minutes and Cody proved to be the better midcard title holder by pinning Kruger off of a lifting DDT.
Justin Gabriel defends his European championship, #1 contenders to the Tag Team titles are crowned, and Daniel Bryan finds out his Extreme Rules opponent..
*Like the true villain he is, William Regal resorted to dirty tactics to try and steal the European gold. He brought out the brass knucks and put them to good use, then tacking on a savage knee trembler. The Capetown Werewolf solidified his reign via a dragon suplex then reversing a Regal Stretch into an Emerald Flowsion.
*Luke Harper and Erick Rowan overpowered Daniels & Kazarian to become #1 contenders to the Usos' tag team championships. Harper landed a big spinning side slam on the Fallen Angel while Rowan distracted Kaz.
*Christian is next in line for Cody Rhodes' Intercontinental strap, having got a W over Chris Benoit, John Morrison, and Owen Hart. He delivered an Unprettier to Hart and that was the final straw. We might be seeing the 2012 Over the Limit rematch on the go-home RAW or at the pay-per-view.
*Bray Wyatt continued to spread his message, cutting a promo after a beating of Rob Van Dam. Here's the transcript:
"5000 years from now, people will still be talking about the things that Bray Wyatt did. 5000 years from now, children will still be learning about me in school. 5000 years from now, everything won't be the same. They will be arguing about me, man. They will be arguing about 'Did Bray Wyatt ever truly exist at all? Am I just a fairytale?' I'll assure you, man I am very, very real. To the people, man, you still want to be afraid of me? And you should be, man. We all need something to be afraid of after all, right? But mother, tell your children not to walk my way. Tell your children not to hear my words, what they mean, what they say, mother.
Well class, class, may I ask you a question or two please, class? Is there anyone out there, is there anyone out there in this rotten world who would get their hands dirty for you the way that I will? No, man. Is there anyone out there in this world that will love you and accept you for who you are no matter where you been or what you've done the way that I will? No, man. Still, you want to be afraid of me but you shouldn't, 'cause I am an angel in the dirt. And if you want to find hell with me than I will show you, man, I will show you what hell is like."
Just who is this directed at? It seems the Eater of Worlds is trying to save us from some certain fate..
*Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose were paired up with Wade Barrett and Sheamus, the hitmen of Evolution, to strength their teamwork before Extreme Rules. Sadly, Barrett got the job done for Triple H. He smashed Dean's face in with a Bullhammer while Sheamus kept Rollins at bay.
*Daniel Bryan went at it with Alberto Del Rio, one of the players in consideration for the WWE championship match at the PPV. The Mexican Aristocrat got off a German suplex and a cross armbreaker but was nailed with a huge knockout kick for the loss.
*With Del Rio effectively out of the conversation, COO Triple H announced a three-way contest to determine the official challenger to Bryan's WWE Undisputed championship. He would be tasked with NextGen ally Dolph Ziggler, the Demon Kane, or (interestingly) the Shield's Roman Reigns. His motive with Reigns is intriguing from my view. Perhaps he is taking Roman's mind off a potential 6-man with Evolution and/or persuading him to pursue the WWE title instead. After some great action, Ziggler drew the 3 count on Kane and did not feel Reigns' wrath.
You have to wonder how the Game will respond to this turn of events.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
C.M. Punk has the King of Swing on his heels, and Damien Sandow in the shadows with the Money in the Bank. Meanwhile, the COO has overrided the Smackdown GM and forced Seth Rollins into a second US title defense this week. Also, the #1 contender to the Usos' tag team titles is solidified.
*Mark Briscoe answered an invitational match from Damien Sandow, and he put up a good fight. Ultimately, the Savior of the Masses dropped him with a Terminus.
*Yuji Nagata pinned Tiger Mask in another NJPW exhibition bout. Nagata actually completed a mid-air Nagata Lock but was then slammed with a tiger suplex. He secured it with a hard roundhouse kick.
*Eddie Edwards captured the Cruiserweight championship from the Miz in a triple threat with Psycosis. "Die-Hard" put a dent in the moneymaker with a backpack stunner for the win.
*The Usos looked strong going into Extreme Rules with a non-title victory over World's Greatest Tag Team. Jimmy did a Bubba Bomb to Shelton to get the pin. They await Bad Influence or the Wyatt Family at the PPV.
*Cesaro had an amazing performance yet again on Smackdown, hitting the returning Santino into next week. He dropped the Milan Miracle with a Death Valley driver and a German suplex, only to catch him off the top rope with Swiss Death. He is all but guaranteed to fight Punk for the World title at ER.
*Leo Kruger has hotshotted himself into a United States championship by being the winner of a skirmish between nXt alumni. Seth Rollins tapped to a a sleeper while Kruger was grinding has knee into his spine. This was after a top-rope German and a Sethwalker had happened earlier in the match. The South African hunter showed some technical proficiency with a guillotine choke as well.
*World Champion C.M. Punk discarded the dangerous Prince Devitt in a non-title match. Most of the damage done was on a Macho Man diving elbow, an old-school piledriver, and a Go to Sleep. Devitt did get a Bloody Sunday in but he does not take home bragging rights.
*Bret Hart (c) def. Davey Richards to retain the NWA Championship
*Bad Influence def. Los Guerreros
*Antonio Cesaro def. Sergeant Slaughter
*Erick Rowan and Luke Harper def. Xavier Woods & R-Truth
*Seth Rollins (c) def. Magnus to retain the United States championship
The Shield's retort to Triple H's accusations and the return of Evolution.. what is in store for WWE champion Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, and the rest of the RAW roster?
*Justin Gabriel preserves the European title over Roderick Strong, who has not been in action for a few months. He showed some style with a moonsault through the announce table and a dragon suplex for the finish.
*The Usos hit a career benchmark with their first WWE Tag Team championship win, in a barnburner against the Motor City Machineguns.
*William Regal is on the chase for Gabriel's gold. The Blackpool veteran roughed up Nigel McGuinness and British Bulldog to get the chance.
*Cody Rhodes defended the IC belt on a second occasion, this time against Bobby Roode. The ending was a blocked suplex into a Cross Rhodes. He has done well without brother Goldust at his side.
*Bray Wyatt made an emphatic return to the WWE, sending R-Truth into the mat with a Sister Abigail. We will probably hear of his intentions or his target shortly.
*The Shield had decided to go on separate paths, but since COO Triple H called them out, they will make an exception. According to the Game, they had not done what he paid them for and they were not nearly effective enough at eliminating Daniel Bryan. Ambrose, Rollins, and Reigns were offended by that assumption. They maintained that every night for over a year they obliterated the WWE's top stars. At the right time, they broke out of being Hunter's puppets and went back to their true objective: rectify injustice. Unfortunately, the three lost the picture and got greedy.
They weren't about to let Triple H reform one of the more dominant factions in history and take control of the show. Never under their watch would some other team claim to be as powerful as the Shield. The challenge was out: Shield vs Evolution, Extreme Rules.
*HHH would not address the Shield's challenge just yet but he did book the three versus Wade Barrett, Sheamus, and Kane. If Evolution's members were victorious, they would receive title shots at the tag and Intercontinental champions, respectively. He will consider an Extreme Rules battle if the Shield impress him. To end the 12-minute brawl, Reigns took out Barrett with a Superman punch and spear.
*The challenger to Bryan's WWE title is still undecided. Ziggler is vying for it, but Alberto Del Rio and Randy Orton presumably have a more favorable position in the race considering their roles in Evolution. The tag match main event resumed feuds between ADR/Ziggler and Bryan/Orton that raged throughout this year. While Triple H is bothered by the sudden Shield revival, he continues to have his eye on Bryan and the championship situation.
DBry and Dolph stood tall by the conclusion. The leader of the YES! Movement connected on a running knee to Orton while the Showoff knocked Del Rio off the apron. For the second straight week, the Big Red Monster made his presence felt, grabbing Bryan from behind and clotheslining him to close the episode.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Triple H sustains power on Raw, but it seems as though things are calm and in order on Smackdown. As C.M. Punk starts his reign as World Heavyweight champion, it remains to be seen whether things will stay that way. Damien Sandow, Mr. Money in the Bank, waits in the wings.
*The Miz retained the Cruiserweight championship over Fandango via a cradle DDT on the outside. Him and his moneymaker have plenty to brag about at the moment.
*NXT star Leo Kruger made his debut, in a competitive affair with Evan Bourne. He took it with a snapmare driver for his first win.
*Magnus is the new #1 contender to Seth Rollins' United States title after defeating Big E Langston and Drew McIntyre in a triple threat.
*The Duke of Decency Damien Sandow overcame former WHC AJ Styles.
*Seth Rollins kept his US championship away from Jack Swagger in addition to Evolution's Wade Barrett and Sheamus.
*After being triumphant at Wrestlemania, Antonio Cesaro declared himself to be the new American Dream and our nation's next hero. Apparently he was in hot demand after leaving Zeb Colter's stable. Paul Heyman offered his services and thus Cesaro is the newest Paul Heyman Guy. Heyman will go into detail on his fresh client on Wednesday Night Heat.
*The Swiss Superman seizes the #1 contendership spot to the Big Gold in the 6th match of the evening. He defeats some of the blue brand's top talents in Sting, Sami Zayn, Ryback, Kurt Angle, and Samoa Joe. It is unknown whether that match with C.M. Punk will be coming at Extreme Rules or next Friday.
*Punk faced off with Shawn Michaels in HBK's Smackdown return, but the title was not on the line. It was an ambitious effort from the Heartbreak Kid but the World Heavyweight Champion is on his A-game right now. He got the best of Michaels and Sandow teased a cash in but Punk avoided it for now.
Post-WM Heat!
================================================
Sanada def. Black Tiger II (NJPW Exhibition)
The Usos def. Edge & Christian to earn #1 Contendership to the WWE tag titles
Justin Gabriel def. Prince Devitt (c) and Curtis Axel to win the European Championship
Bret Hart (c) def. Ric Flair to retain the NWA Championship
Bobby Roode def. Chris Jericho, Adam Cole, and Alberto Del Rio to earn #1 Contendership to the Intercontinental title
Fandango def. Tyson Kidd, RVD, Rey Mysterio, Adrian Neville, and Jeff Hardy to earn #1 Contendership to the Cruiserweight title
Thursday, July 10, 2014
*Daniel Bryan celebrated his WWE championship win to kick off Raw. Ally Dolph Ziggler congratulates him but notes he should be next in line after defeating the higher power of Triple H at Wrestlemania. Predictably, the Game interrupts. He announces the fat has been trimmed off the Authority, including Andre the Giant, Batista, and Ted DiBiase.
The theme played and out came Randy Orton, Kane, and Alberto Del Rio. This is the new Evolution, who intend to return Raw's power back to the Authority. Wade Barrett and Sheamus are also hired temporarily in the vein of the Acolytes and another will be added. Kane is Director of Operations and mostly manager. Hunter blames the Shield for dropping the ball and not completing their objective. He insults them for not being able to take out our "diminutive" hero after months of hounding him.
*The COO says he's proud of the B+ player and his buddies for their rebellion's sudden success. But their popularity will dwindle and he will systematically destroy all of our false idols. In the end, it always goes back to the Game. He claims he runs this show, this business, and he has cut down every last of our favorites as they try to rise to the top. So sayeth the Game, he cannot be stopped in his quest for ultimate power and for Raw to be sculpted in his vision. He will pursue Daniel Bryan and his teammates to the bitter end, whether he needs help or not. Daniel Bryan is the next sacrificial lamb to be taken down for attempting to threaten the throne.
*Cody Rhodes defended his newly-acquired Intercontinental championship against Austin Aries and Kevin Steen in a three-way dance. It was a solid 15-minute match with both Aries and Steen flashing their impressive movesets. Tag team maneuvers and nearfalls scattered around and there were plenty of brainbusters. Cody ultimately retains at 14:37 with a Cross Rhodes to Steen while Double-A was laid out.
*The Shield had their first matches since the split. Roman Reigns, in his FCW attire, lost to a returning Rock via a Rock Bottom on the outside. Dean Ambrose was able to complete a hook-n-ladder and a Dirty Deeds on Stone Cold, but ultimately the Texas Rattlesnake stomped a mudhole in him. He finished the second Shield loss with an Osaka Street Stunner. Seth Rollins, on the other hand, comes out victorious in a non-title match against Razor Ramon. He takes a Razor's Edge but fires back with a standing Shiranui as the only winning former member of the Shield.
*In an NJPW exhibition, Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated TENSAI. Highlights included a super-long pin-reversal sequence and Tana sending the 360-lb man crashing with a dragon suplex. The "Once in a Century Talent" delivered a Styles Clash for the win, showcasing Japan's star players in the process.
*Dolph Ziggler was matched up with Randy Orton in a swap of Wrestlemania opponents. We saw an RKO, a super kick, and a punt attempt reversed into a second super kick. The second one busted open the "face of the WWE". At the 10:46 mark, Orton rolled up Ziggler for a sneaky win, perhaps stating he deserves a rematch against Bryan. Even with the loss, Dolph cemented his status as the next potential contender to the WWE champion with yet another great performance.
*It was apparent that this long and drawn-out brawl meant either Daniel Bryan or Triple H needed to weaken the other or target a particular body part. For HHH, he went directly at the legs, maybe signaling for a Figure Four going back to Naitch. Bryan in turn tried to wear down the Game's arms, useful in the case of a YES! Lock later on. One running knee was not gonna end it. Hunter powered ahead with a spinebuster and a lifting Pedigree that bloodied the champion. At the conclusion, DBry hit a rolling elbow and a second Busaiku knee to retain. For his efforts, Corporate Kane beat him down with a pipe.
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