Weekly Rundown: 16th – 20th February 2009
Raw 16/02/2009
ECW 17/02/2009
Smackdown 20/02/2009
The Raw Review - 16/02/2009
Opening Segment
Smackdown Invades Raw and Shane Makes a Proposal
Raw gets underway tonight with a visit from the Smackdown General Manager and her husband, the new World Heavyweight Champion; Edge.
While they milk their entrance Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler confirms that officially John Cena is no longer champion and Edge is. Edge begins to babble on about what the ‘R’ stands for in Rated ‘R’ Superstar, settling on ‘Really smart’ then goes on to explain what a master stroke it was to get involved in the Raw title match after he had lost in the Smackdown one.
He says he heard the crowd calling him a loser last night, then tells them they were wrong before going around the ringside area and telling individual people they were wrong. Vikki then explains that as Stephanie went to the hospital with Shane McMahon, she was the highest ranking official in the company, and as such allowed Edge’s participation in the second Elimination Chamber. (Nice little swerve around the ‘wasn’t a registered participant in the match’ problem there from the creative team.)
Cue former WHC John Cena, to the cheers of the crowd.
Cena congratulates Edge on his victory and at first appears to be sincere, but then comes up with a few R words of his own, including ‘Rematch’. Edge seems reluctant and re-itterates that he featured in two Elimination Chamber matches and couldn’t possibly compete tonight, then says if anyone wants to see him he’ll be on Smackdown.
Cena pokes some more fun at Edge, then points out that officially he has a rematch clause. Edge then goes over their history including the hilarious moment when he slapped the glasses off Cena’s dad’s face. Cena wraps up the segment by warning Edge that he will get his rematch.
After this Shane appears on the titantron looking surprisingly healthy for someone who was rushed to hospital the previous night. He challenges Orton to an unsanctioned fight later tonight, with no rules, no referee’s and no other Legacy members involved. Should be a good one, if it happens.
Match 1
Cryme Tyme & C.M Punk Vs. Priceless & William Regal
The start of this match begs the question: Why have Priceless changed their music? The 1st version of their theme was so much better than the version that has been released on Vol 9.
Anyway, Punk hits the GTS on Cody Rhodes very early on in this match but Regal intervenes before a cover can be made. When the show resumes after commercials Ted DiBiase and co are completely in control of the match, Regal gets the tag and begins beating Punk down with stiff shots.
Punk finally manages to make a ‘hot’ tag with JTG who takes out all three members of the opposing team, before the match breaks down and DiBiase takes advantage of the situation, hitting ‘Dream Street’ and picking up the pinfall for his team.
Priceless & William Regal win by Pinfall.
Segment 2
Stephanie pleads with Shane, Jericho builds his feud
Backstage Stephanie begs Shane to reconsider his match with Orton tonight. Despite reminding him that he couldn’t even remember his name in the hospital last night he is adament that the match takes place tonight, whether Orton wants it to or not.
After the break Jericho is in the ring, and emplores the academy award judges not to vote for Rourke in ‘The Wrestler’, as if it wins it might give all the washed up legends the idea that they can come back for one last hurrah.
After Jericho spent another 2 minutes insulting the crowd WWE Hall of Famer Rowdy Roddy Piper showed up. He explains that he has followed Jericho throughout his whole career and he respected the way he used to run his mouth and then back it up in the ring.
He then demands to know what happened, as now all he does is patronise the people who built up the wrestling industry and made it what it is today. Piper says he is friends with Rourke and it made him cry, he goes on to talk about the real values of the film, some of his fondest memories and the constant pain he is in, and seems to be genuinely moved as he does.
Piper says that despite all his injuries and all the pain he is constantly in, he would still crawl to the ring on his hands and knees to give the fans one more memorable moment. Jericho then kicked Piper in the shin and ribs before leaving with a smug grin on his face.
Segment 3
Orton Interviewed
Todd Grisham asks Orton what his views are on Shane’s announcement. Orton says he has no problem fighting Shane, but he does resent the implication that he needs Priceless to back him up. He then says that if Shane wants the match to end with one of them not moving, Orton will quite happily make that happen.
Match 2
Jamie Noble Vs. Kane
After the break Jamie Noble says he wants a Wrestlemania moment. His goal is to exceed Chavo’s 9 second match at last years event. Kane (the man who defeated Chavo in 9 seconds) then made his way out and beat Noble with a chokeslam in around 16 seconds.
Kane wins by Pinfall.
Segment 4
Public announcement paid for by JBL
Michael Cole informs us that JBL has paid for a segment of the show so he can make a very important announcement.
After making his way to the ring sporting a black eye JBL announces that Shawn Michaels is no longer an employee of his and he has been paid off.
JBL says he dreampt of headlining Wrestlemania in his hometown, and being the returning hero but at No Way Out he had an epiphany and realised he could do more than just main event Wrestlemania, he could and will immortalise himself in history and end ‘The Streak’.
HBK’s music cuts him off in his stride and Shawn makes his way to the ring looking like a new man. He says although he can’t spell epiphany (I’m struggling on that one too if truth be told) he had one too, he is no longer Shawn Michaels: Employee of the month, he is now Shawn Micheals: Show stopper, Main Eventer etc etc.
Shawn then says if anyone should face The Deadman at the biggest event of the year, it’s him. JBL re-itterates that Shawn can’t face Taker at Mania because it’s his destiny, to which Shawn reminds him that he can’t order him around any more.
The two agree to have a match next week to decide who has the right to challenge The Undertaker.
Match 3
Rey Mysterio Vs. Mike Knox
Not the most interesting match but Knox again looks good. Perhaps not quite a well enough developed character to be pushed into the main event just yet, but certainly improving week on week with regards to his wrestling ability.
Mysterio has taken a beating for the majority of this match, so I fully expect him to turn it around and pick up an underdog win like he pretty much ALWAYS does.
Surprise surprise, totally against the run of play Mysterio rolls up Knox and gets the 3 count. This is getting really really old now.
Rey Mysterio wins the match by Fluke Pinfall.
Match 4
Melina (c) Vs. Beth Phoenix (w/Santino Marella and Rosa Mendes) for the WWE Women’s Championship
Melina won this match despite the scheming ways of Beth and her posse. Mickey James, Kelly Kelly and Candice Michelle came to ringside to even the odds (well, actually un-even the odds), leaving Melina to get things done in the ring.
Melina retains the title by Pinfall.
Segment 4
Hall of Fame announcement
After this match Terry and Dory Funk are announced as the next Hall Of Fame Inductee’s, look out for an article coming soon, here at WWEBlog.co.uk! (I’m sure even Foley would be proud of that ‘cheap pop’.)
Stephanie is then seen trying to call someone but to no avail. Main event is up next!
Main Event Match
Shane McMahon Vs. Randy Orton in an Unsanctioned Fight
Shane doesn’t even wait for Orton to get to the ring, attacking him as he makes his way down the ramp. Shane hits a big punch early, then dumps Orton over the guardrail before coming off it with a big flying clothesline, the two then brawl through the crowd with McMahon firmly in control.
Orton regains control before bringing the action back inside the barricades, then proceeds to slam Shane’s head off practically everything he comes close to. Finally the ‘match’ ends up in the ring, then straight back out of it again after a stiff right forearm from Orton.
A burst of adrenaline from Shane see’s him throw Orton over the announce table and take back some element of control by driving the ring bell into his opponent’s temple. Shane then begins to set Orton up for a Coast to Coast with a steel chair but as expected the other members of Legacy prevent it from being delivered and a 3 on 1 situation develops, resulting in a Punt.
Stephanie comes to the aid of her brother and receives an RKO as she tries to plead with Orton. A seething Triple H enters the ring and sends Legacy scattering as the show goes off the air.
Interesting developments on Raw and it looks like Triple H could be the champion Orton is set to face at Wrestlemania.
The ECW Digest – 17/02/2009
The show begins with a video covering the events of last week’s ECW show (and not what took place at No Way Out, which was slightly odd), covering Christian’s return and debut victory over the current ECW Champion; Jack Swagger.
After the opening titles and pyro’s it is announced that Christian and Finlay will team up against Jack Swagger and Mark Henry.
Match 1
The Boogeyman Vs. Paul Burchill (w/ Katie-Lee Burchill)
The story behind this one, we are reliably informed by the Slammy award winning commentary team, is that Burchill went on a ‘Christian Bale’ like rant at a lighting technician when filming something for WWE Mobile, and so as punishment he has been placed in a match with the Boogeyman. Now if that isn’t storyline GOLD, I don’t know what is.
I’d hoped this would instead be a chance for these two guys to show off their talent, but this wasn’t the case either with the match only lasting a couple of minutes, and ending when Boogeyman became distracted by his own worms. Burchill took advantage of the distraction, rolling his opponent up and grabbing a victory. After the match Boogey made a bee-line for Katie-Lee, but she managed to evade him and left the ringside area with her brother.
Paul Burchill wins by Pinfall.
Segment 1
Announcements
Not so much a segment than a catch-up from No Way Out and promotion of a match next week. Grisham and Striker explained what had happened at No Way Out while still images were shown, then they announced that next week on ECW Christian would face Swagger one on one for his title belt.
Match 2
John Morrison Vs. Tommy Dreamer
We get a reminder that Dreamer has decided to retire if he can’t re-capture the ECW Championship before his contract ends in the summer.
Dreamer got knocked about pretty bad in this match, both in and out of the ring, but despite this things looked like they were going his way when the referee ordered that The Miz leave the ringside area.
Things took a turn for the worst for the ECW Original when he attempted an axe handle smash which Morrison reversed before hitting the Midnight Drive and extending Dreamer’s losing streak.
John Morrison wins by Pinfall.
Segment 2
Christian and Finlay bond
Finlay and Hornswoggle appear to be training backstage when Christian walks in. After whipping him with a towel Hornswoggle leaves and Christian asked Finlay if his son will be at ringside tonight (in a way that pretty much asked if he was going to be a problem at ringside tonight.) Finlay assured him that everything was going to be fine.
After this a promo is shown informing us all that Evan Bourne will be back on ECW, but didn’t give a date or say next week, in a fortnight etc.
Match 3
Tyson Kidd Vs. Caden Mathews
I don’t know much about Caden Mathews, but I assume he was ‘local talent’ for Kidd to put on another show-match against, much like last week against Bao Nouyen.
Tyson squashed his opponent, finishing the match again with a springboard elbow that he delivered perfectly, unlike last week when he slipped slightly on the rope.
Tyson Kidd wins by Pinfall.
Segment 3
Dreamer gets a pep talk
Dreamer is shown backstage looking particularly sorry for himself, when Ricky Ortiz drops in and basically tells him to stop feeling sorry for himself. Not particularly interesting, and lasted about the same amount of time as it probably took you to read this.
After that the Funk’s Hall of Fame video played again.
Main Event Match
Christian & Finlay Vs. Jack Swagger & Mark Henry
An interesting choice of partner for Swagger considering Henry was so hell bent on getting the ECW title when Matt Hardy had it, but there didn’t seem to be any hostility between them and they made much more of a co-hesive unit than Finlay and Christian seemed to do.
Henry and Swagger had the upper hand for large periods of this match, making a series of tags while isolating Finlay to their corner of the ring. You know, pretty much stereotypical heelish tag team behaviour.
Christian eventually got the hot-tag, taking the fight to both Swagger and Henry at the same time, and causing Swagger to inadvertently punch his partner in the face.
Things broke down and after Christian hit a diving headbutt on Swagger and went for the pinfall, Henry entered the ring to break the count. Hornswoggle jumped into the ring and provided enough of a distraction for Finlay to drill Henry with his shillelagh, effectively removing him from this match. Swagger went for his trademark Gut-Wrench Powerbomb but Christian managed to reverse it into a trademark move of his own; The Unprettier, which grabbed the victory for his team.
Christian & Finlay win by Pinfall.
The Smackdown Summary - 20/02/2009
The show begins with a good highlight-reel style video documenting the events of No Way Out’s Elimination Chamber matches.
Opening Segment
Edge meets Hardy
Edge made his way to the ring to a chorus of boos and delivered a somewhat similar promo to the one he gave on Raw. Just as it looked like he was about to leave Jeff appeared (with yet another ridiculous grease-paint pattern adorning his face) and confronted him.
Jeff began to deliver a strangely coherent promo, but somewhere in the middle he resorted back to his usual style of shouting and putting emphasis on the wrong words. To be fair to him, he did hold it together pretty well and does seem to be improving, if only slightly. He said he wanted a title shot tonight, Edge refused.
The segment ended with Edge losing his cool, swinging for Hardy, missing and receiving a Twist of Fate for his troubles.
After an announcement that there would be an interview with Triple H later and a video showing Randy Orton RKO’ing Stephanie on Raw, Edge demanded Vikki put him in a non-title match against Jeff Hardy tonight.
Match 1
Michelle McCool & Maryse Vs. Eve Torres & Maria
Good old fashioned diva’s action to kick off the fighting side of Smackdown tonight. Michelle and Maryse are two of the best in-ring divas on Smackdown, Maria seems to improve every match and Eve looked good in her debut, so this should be at least a half decent match.
If there are any criticisms of this match it would have to be that it was just a little too short. Eve looked to be in control, hitting Maryse with mounted punches in a neutral corner when Maria inadvertently distracted the referee, allowing Michelle time to kick Eve in the face and leave Maryse to pick up the pin.
Maryse & Michelle McCool win by Pinfall.
Segment 2
Miz, Morrison and the Bella Twins
The Miz, John Morrison and the Bella twins sat around a stupidly small table while the guys acted like idiots as per usual. It then turns out that Carlito and Primo are posing as chefs in order to sabotage the evening, resulting in them accidentally hitting the Bella twins with cream pies, with varying success (Primo practically missed while Carlito landed a direct hit).
It is then announced that there will be a match next week for Carlito and Primo’s tag titles, giving The Miz & Morrison the chance to, in J.R’s words ‘become the Undisputed Tag Team Champions’.
At…Last!
Match 2
Shelton Benjamin & Chavo Guerrero Vs. R-Truth & MVP
Before this match could even get started Chavo and Shelton mobbed R-Truth, taking him out with a shot to the knee. MVP agreed to face both men, and so this became a 2 on 1 bout.
MVP started strongly and with the full support of the crowd, taking on both men and getting the upper hand. The tables began to turn when Shelton pulled Chavo out of the way of a big boot, leaving MVP to collide with the turnbuckle. Shelton went on the attack with Chavo playing cheerleader on the ring apron, before the pair of them began squabbling over tags and Chavo turned on his partner hitting the frog splash and leaving him to at the mercy of MVP who won the match with a Drive-By.
MVP wins by Pinfall.
Segment 3
J.R sits down with Triple H
Yet another video of Orton’s troubles with the McMahon’s is played (if the guy who puts these things together is on commission he must be nearly as rich as Vince by now) before Triple H and J.R began to discuss what had happened.
J.R asks Hunter for his reactions after seeing the tape. Triple H replied that Orton has been walking a fine line for a while. He (I think for the first time) openly admitted that Vince is his father-in-law and that Stephanie is his wife, and what he did to both of them crossed a line, one he can’t come back from.
He finished by saying ‘Stephanie is the mother of my children’, ripped his microphone off his shirt and left.
Match 3
Umaga Vs. Scotty Goldman
Yet another Umaga squash match. This match lasted barely long enough for me to type out the names and put them in bold, ending with a pretty impressive Samoan Spike.
I’d like to say something about Goldman, but other than jumping off the top rope and getting kicked in the face, he didn’t do anything at all.
Umaga wins by Pinfall.
Segment 4
Vikki’s announcement
Vikki could barely be heard over the boo’s at first, with even her shrill cry of ‘Excuse me’ not having any effect. As soon as she started talking about The Undertaker things quietened down and she was able to explain that JBL and Shawn Michaels have no right to challenge The Deadman as it will be Vladimir Kozlov who takes him on at Wrestlemania. She also, as I predicted, referred to him as ‘undefeated in singles competition’; it’s getting beyond a joke. What will it be once he loses a singles match? ‘Undefeated in the first hour of Smackdown broadcasts’, ‘Undefeated on Tuesday mornings between 10am and 11am’, ‘Undefeated at In Your House 10: Mind Games’, the possibilities are endless.
Kozlov said something about going to Raw and facing HBK and JBL, and it was announced he will ‘beat’ The Undertaker next week on Smackdown. Yawn.
J.R then said Triple H is planning on confronting Orton on Raw this monday.
Main Event Match
Jeff Hardy Vs. Edge
A pretty good match from two guys that know each others styles inside-out.
Early on in the match Hardy locked Edge in a submission and began to chant for himself, shouting ‘HARDY HARDY’ at the top of his voice, envoking a similar response from the fans.
Edge got back into the match during a commercial break, getting a couple of near-falls and seemingly becoming more frustrated every time Jeff kicked out, to the point where he grabbed a hand full of hair to down his opponent, risking disqualification in the process.
Both men came close to winning the match a number of times with 2-counts a-plenty, and just as it looked like Jeff was sure to win the match with a Swanton, Matt Hardy once again interjected himself into proceedings and attacked his brother with a Twist of Fate.
Describing himself as a ‘black cloud’ over Jeff’s head, he then challenged his seemingly unconcious brother to a 1 on 1 match next week. Edge then hit a Spear on Jeff just for good measure and posed with his title held aloft as the show finished.
Jeff Hardy wins by Disqualification.
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