Weekly Rundown: 27th April – 1st May 2009
Raw 27/04/2009
ECW 28/04/2009
Superstars 30/04/2009
Smackdown 01/04/2009
Jump to The Raw Review –>
Jump to The ECW Digest –>
Jump to The Superstars Recap –>
Jump to The Smackdown Summary –>
The Raw Review - 27/04/2009
Apologies for the lateness of the Weekly Rundown this week. If it’s any consolation I had a really good time on holiday and even though I returned to 6 hours worth of WWE footage to trawl through and pick out the key points, I’d do it all again (and I might be doing so in the near future, but more on that as and when I know it.)
If anyone is reading this that thinks they could do a good job of the Weekly Rundown please visit the Jobs at WWEBlog.co.uk Page and let us know!
Anyway, on with the show!
Opening Segment
The NEW Raw G.M and WWE Champion
Lillian Garcia introduces Vikki Guererro as the new Raw General Manager and she attempts to speak but the overwhelming dislike emanating from the crowd temporarily stops her in her tracks and she has to resort to her usual shrieks of ‘Excuse me!’.
The noise didn’t seem to subside but she trawled on anyway, explaining that her husband Edge had won the World Heavyweight Championship last night at Backlash but as the G.M of Raw it his her duty to introduce the WWE Champion; Randy Orton, instead.
Legacy make their way slowly to the ring. The WWE Championship belt doesn’t really suit Orton in my opinion, but then I don’t think it really suits anyone other than Cena given how tailored it is to him and his character. (I’d just like to point out that this in no way means I’d like to see him as WWE Champion again. *Shudders at the thought*)
After a LOT of posing Orton finally takes the microphone from Vikki and begins to explain that the McMahon family are now mourning, both the loss of the title and the loss of their protector; Triple H.
He talked about how he not only beat The Game, but put him on the shelf, before going on about how the crowd are a bunch of losers who have achieved nothing.
He then played a video of Legacy’s numerous attacks on the McMahons, before again posing with the title as the fans show their distaste.
Vikki then tells him how happy she is that he is on her brand, and tells him that he will defend his title in three weeks time against the winner of tonight’s main event between The Big Show and Batista. She actually referred to Show as the worlds largest 7ft athlete, which when you think about it doesn’t really make any sense.
She congratulated him on behalf of all the Raw fans, before giving him the microphone back. He then began demanding respect from the fans and superstars, saying everyone in the back now answers to him and nyone who doesn’t will end up just like Triple H.
M.V.P interrupted him and told Orton that as the U.S Champion, he answers to nobody. DiBiase then took over speaking duties, and told M.V.P that unless he wanted his first night to be a disaster he should turn round and leave.
M.V.P put DiBiase firmly in his place by calling him a lackey and reminding him that Orton had not given him permission to speak. Finally he said that he had not come to Raw to be talked down to and neither had the fans, and if Batista or Big Show doesn’t beat Orton at , Judgement Day he’ll have no problem stepping up and doing it himself.
Rhodes begged Orton to let Legacy make an example of him right now, but instead there was another main event made; M.V.P Vs. Orton.
After the break the commentary inform everyone that the draft kicks in tonight, and then go over some of Raw’s drafts.
Match 1
Singles Match
‘The’ Brian Kendrick
Vs.
Kofi Kingston
Before the match Kendrick told Lillian to introduce him as ‘The’ Brian Kendrick after she had failed to insert ‘The’ in front of his name. (A mistake we here at WWEBlog.co.uk would never dream of making.)
Fast paced match as you’d expect from these two guys and Kendrick looked very good on his Raw début. King and Cole spent a lot of the match talking about what a great opportunity the draft can be and how Kofi has gone from strength to strength since being drafted to Raw last year.
Kofi hit a big Spinning Wheel Kick to win the match after almost losing it when Kendrick reversed a top-rope cross body into a very near fall.
A very impressive opening match both for Raw and for Kendrick, despite the outcome not going in his favour.
Kofi Kingston wins by Pinfall.
Segment 2
Show and Vikki
After showing stills of The Big Show’s attack on Cena at Backlash, we cut to backstage where Vikki and Show meet.
Vikki thanks Show for what he did last night, claiming she knows he didn’t do it for her or Edge but for his career as he is such a professional. Show thanks her for the opportunity later tonight before attempting to kiss her and being knocked back. Show asks her if things are all business now and she says that for the sake of Raw they have to be.
Match 2
4 on 4 ‘Divas’ Tag Team Match
Santina Marella, Kelly Kelly, Brie Bella & Mickey James
Vs.
Rosa Mendes, Jillian Hall, Beth Phoenix & Maryse
The most interesting part of this match was undoubtedly when Brie headed under the ring to switch with Nikki. Rosa Mendes followed her only to be greeted by both twins AND Hornswoggle.
Hornswoggle chased Mendes around before setting off a fire extinguisher when she tried to follow him under the ring, this distraction allowed Santina to roll up Jillian Hall and grab another win in a totally pointless match.
Afterwards Hornswoggle saw up Santina’s skirt and momentarily fainted, glad to see he’s getting some more serious work now he’s on Raw.
Santina Marella, Kelly Kelly, Brie Bella & Mickey James win by Pinfall.
Match 3
Singles Match
Matt Hardy
Vs.
Goldust
Matt comes out after the commentary team show a few more of Raw’s drafts and some stills of the Hardy Vs. Hardy match last night.
With his arm in a cast Matt explains that Jeff broke his hand last night and he had no choice but to shout I quit. He then says that he’s being forced to wrestle tonight and will do so under protest.
As much as I like Goldust, I’m pretty sure the only reason he is in this match is because he was one of the few people prepared to job to someone who was effectively wrestling one handed.
After diving between the ropes every time Goldust got close to him, Hardy snook up behind his opponent and drilled him in the back of the head with the cast to pick up the win.
King speculated that Matt’s hand might not be broken as the camera’s cut backstage to show Orton heading to the ring for the next match.
Matt Hardy wins by Pinfall.
Match 4
Singles Match
Randy Orton
Vs.
M.V.P
I can’t quite grasp where this one is heading, unless indeed M.V.P is in line for a title shot at some point shortly after Judgement Day, which seems a little soon when you consider that he is also scheduled to fight Dolph Ziggler on Smackdown for the U.S Title and has this mini-storyline going on with Sherri Shepherd from ‘The View’.
There is already a lot going on for M.V.P at the moment and it seems odd to throw something else on his plate when any resulting matches/rivalries are unlikely to take place for at least another month.
As for the match, it wasn’t terrible but it also wasn’t amazing and I think these two would benefit more from a PPV or title bout where there is a little more on the line.
M.V.P showed that he could hold his own with the WWE Champion and looked like he may even pull off a surprise victory a couple of times, firstly capitalising on a mistake and knocking Orton to the outside, and then later in the match hitting ‘Ballin’ and getting a long 2 count.
The match came to an abrupt end when Shane McMahon shot through the crowd with a Kendo Stick after M.V.P had been dumped to the outside. Shane beat the hell out of Orton before landing a massive top rope elbow and leaving as Priceless sprinted to the ring with chairs.
The match never seemed to officially end, but I assume Orton won by DQ.
Randy Orton wins by Disqualification.
Segment 3
The Television Icon
The next débutante to make an appearance is the cocky Miz. He says that he has been a T.V icon since he first appeared on that garbage reality show (my words not his) and since then he has torn up ECW and now plans to do the same on Raw.
He says that if you type his name into Google he’ll have more hits than each and every member of the audience (although he didn’t say ‘combined’, which I assume he meant), then reeled off a list of eligible females and said all their names were in his phone.
He said he’d come to Raw to make an impact so tonight he’s calling out and challenging former World Heavyweight Champion; John Cena.
King informs us that Cena is injured as his music plays but he doesn’t show, The Miz continues to take shots at him, the best was when he said that he can’t see him because his movies aren’t in cinema’s long enough.
The Miz then said something that I agree with 100%, he said he is sick of seeing the same faces in the main event, week after week, month after month and year after year.
Miz then says that if Cena won’t show then he wins by default and tells Lillian to declare him the winner, doing it himself when she refused to do so.
Match 5
Tag Team Match
Carlito & Primo
Vs.
Chavo Guererro & Jamie Noble
Guererro and Noble? Both guys are very accomplished wrestlers, and both have been in successful tag teams, but this combination still makes me think it was just a case of ‘who can we throw together to face the champs?’
Surprisingly they seemed to work well together, playing a very good heel team that used misdirection to gain the upper hand and did a good job of isolating their opponents.
Carlito and Primo also put on a good performance, using some outstanding offence towards the conclusion of the match which Carlito won with a Backstabber.
Carlito & Primo win by Pinfall.
Segment 4
Batista apologises…kind of.
Josh Matthews catches up with Batista just before the match and asks him if he feels responsible for Triple H losing the title last night.
Batista says that he hopes Triple H recovers quickly and he knows what he is going through, and that he plans on becoming the No.1 contender, hurting Orton just like he hurt the McMahon family and finally claiming the WWE Championship.
Segment 5
Another Important Announcement
Lillian once again introduces Vikki, who shows a clips reel of Orton attacking the McMahons as well as the conclusion of the match at Backlash.
Afterwards she announces that next week’s main event will be Shane McMahon Vs. Randy Orton, like it’s something we’ve never seen before.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure it’ll be a good match but I don’t see why they made such a big deal of announcing it when they only met a few weeks ago in practically the same circumstances.
Main Event Match
WWE Championship No.1 Contenders Match
Batista
Vs.
The Big Show
Show dominated Batista in the early going, picking him apart and really looking like the unstoppable giant he should be marketed as. Batista made a number of attempts to fight back, but each time Show swatted him away and regained the upper hand.
In a match so slow it made Mae Young look fast paced, Big Show looked to have it sewn up until Cena made an appearance and goaded Show, leading to him being counted out.
The giant looked livid as he stared up the ramp at Cena, before Batista put an exclamation point on the show with a big Spear, momentarily flooring Show and escaping the ring.
As Raw went off the air Show exploded with rage as Cena smiled at the top of the ramp and the two glared at each other.
Batista wins by Count Out and becomes the No.1 Contender for the WWE Championship.
The ECW Digest – 28/04/2009
Opening Segment
The NEW ECW Champion
Christian kicks off the show flaunting his (quite frankly hideous) ECW Championship belt as he makes his way down the ramp.
He says that he has always said he would win the title since he returned and now as he stands in MSG in front of all his ‘peeps’, it’s finally sinking in that he’s done it.
He tells Swagger that he knows he is in the building and welcomes him to come out and interrupt him. Music echoes out around the arena but it isn’t that of Jack Swagger. Tommy Dreamer makes his way to the ring and congratulates Christian, before challenging him for the belt and explaining that he has less than 6 weeks before his contract comes to an end, which is the deadline he set himself to win the title one last time.
Christian accepts and says they should have that match tonight, before Swagger finally makes his prescense known and tells Christian that he is only champ because he cheated.
He says that Dreamer is a joke and the only reason he isn’t in the ring beating them both down by now is the fact that he has his re-match at Judgement Day and no one is having a title match until he does.
Temporary G.M Tiffany comes out and confirms that Swagger does indeed have a title match at Judgement Day, but there will also be an ECW Championship match tonight, seemingly between Dreamer and Christian although she never confirmed this.
Match 1
Singles Match
Finlay
Vs.
Tyson Kidd (w/Natalya)
Kidd is a real hot prospect and I rate him, but this match was a little bit bland at the kick off, despite the fans being really pumped up.
Things picked up towards the conclusion with Finlay hitting some really stiff offence that looked like it might lead to the win. His knee gave out just at the crucial time though, buckling as he went for the Celtic Cross.
Moments later Natalya distracted the referee while Kidd blasted Finlay’s knee with his own Shaleighle, picking up the three count immediately afterwards.
Tyson Kidd wins by Pinfall.
Segment 1
What the hell?
Kozlov appears on the stage dressed in what I assume is a Russian Army uniform. He says that no one in ECW, in ‘Double Double E’ or in fact in the world can beat him.
I must have missed the point on this one.
Is his wrestling really so bad that this is what his move to ECW has become?
Segment 2
Stand Back….
We head to backstage where Gregory Helms is waiting to interview Evan Bourne.
Bourne says that things are moving fast in ECW and Dreamer isn’t the only one with title aspirations. He gets interrupted by Paul Burchill (with Katie Lee) who informs him that they will have a re-match next week as Bourne got lucky scoring a win over him last week.
Helms then delivered a ‘What’s up wid dat’ line. I really hope there is an explanation for why he’s being used as an interviewer, because he is a real talent and it’d be sad to see him wasted because the writers can’t come up with anything for him.
Main Event Match
ECW Championship Match
Christian (c)
Vs.
Tommy Dreamer
I don’t think anyone expects Christian to drop the title just a few days after claiming it, and although stranger things have certainly happened in the WWE (Mae Young gave birth to a hand, or more relevant to the situation Mankind, Kane and The Big Show have all lost World title’s just a day after winning them.)
This is also in MSG, which favours Dreamer. My prediction would be that Swagger gets involved somehow and costs Dreamer the match, leading to the match at Judgement Day being changed to a Triple Threat.
This match actually had a lot more to it than I expected, with both guys putting in an entertaining performance.
If one thing can be said about ECW, it’s that they give priority to the actual matches. This main event was given about a third of the show to play out, whereas on Raw or Smackdown it would probably have got a 10 minute slot at best.
After a very hard fought battle Dreamer tied up Christian in a Tree of Woe and looked to be moments away from realising his ambition of becoming the ECW Champion.
As I predicted Swagger sprinted to the ring and took out Dreamer, causing the match to end in a DQ finish. Swagger then continued to beat the hell out of both men, then stood grinning inanely as the show ended.
Tommy Dreamer wins by Disqualification therefore Christian retains the ECW Championship.
The Superstars Recap - 30/04/2009
Opening Match
Divas Tag Team Match
Maria & Gail Kim
Vs.
Michelle McCool & Alicia Fox
Did I miss something here? When did Alicia Fox stop being a fan favourite? On ECW she was the dancing associate of D.J Gabriel, now all of a sudden she’s playing the slightly narcissistic, vindictive heel character.
Aside from this bizarre and unexplained heel turn this match was pretty good. Maria still seems a touch inexperienced, but she has definitely shown signs of improvement since jumping from the role of interviewer to in-ring competitor.
Gail Kim and Michelle McCool were good as usual and Fox really surprised me with how polished she was when she got the oppertunity to show her talents.
I’m still not sure why she’s suddenly taken on this bitchy character when she had been quite a friendly, fun loving manager on ECW, but hopefully it will be explained in due course.
McCool won the match with a boot to the mid-section (although J.R called it as ‘right between the eyes’) after Gail Kim attempted a move from the top rope.
Michelle McCool & Alicia Fox win by Pinfall.
Match 2
Singles Match
Paul Burchill (w/Katie Lee)
Vs.
Evan Bourne
Hmm so both these guys are from ECW yet they are facing each other on ‘Superstars’. I’ll let that slide for now…
I think I preferred Burchill when he was a Pirate. I know it was bizarre but at least it had a bit of character and personality to it, whereas his current persona (and that of his on-screen sister Katie-Lee) is just bland.
They are English and they are mad; great. I don’t know if that appeals to fans around the world, but I see angry English people every day so it’s nothing particularly new or interesting for me.
That being said, Burchill has real talent and I love seeing a fellow Brit do well so I’ll look past the character and enjoy his matches. This one was particularly well done by both men, Bourne with his quick shots and unique offence, and Burchill with pure power and grit.
Burchill dominated large parts of the match with the occasional bit of help from Katie-Lee, working on Bourne’s knee to the point where he was practically wrestling on one leg.
Although it was Bourne who pulled the win out of the bag with his trademark Shooting Star Press to end what was a pretty good match by all accounts.
Evan Bourne wins by Pinfall.
Segment 1
A Priceless Interview
Josh Matthews asked Rhodes and DiBiase what their thoughts are on Orton’s match with Shane McMahon on Raw.
Cody starts by saying that what Shane did on Raw last week was the act of a desperate man who realises that his family’s legacy is coming to an end and come the match on Monday, it will end.
DiBiase then says his match with Carlito tonight is Priceless’ first step towards the Unified Tag Team Championship gold.
Main Event Match
Singles Match
Ted DiBiase (w/Cody Rhodes)
Vs.
Carlito (w/Primo)
For the third time tonight I’m confused. I don’t understand why this match is on Superstars when everyone involved are from Raw, just the same as everyone in the previous match were ECW.
I thought the whole point of ‘Superstars’ was that Superstars and Diva’s from all three brands had the chance to meet each other when normally they would be segregated by the roster split. So why have 2/3 of the show taken up by matches that could have easily taken place on the respective brands?
The match itself impressed me for the third time tonight. Both guys have become accustomed to tag based wrestling recently and it was good to see that they could still put in great performances on their own.
The match ended when Carlito attempted to spring from the second rope with an elbow, only to be caught by DiBiase who delivered Dream Street and grabbed an important win in Priceless’ pursuit of the Tag Titles.
Ted DiBiase wins by Pinfall.
The Smackdown Summary - 01/05/2009
Opening Segment
Same old Jericho and the NEW World Heavyweight Champion
Jericho makes his Smackdown début by doing exactly the same thing as he has been doing on Raw for the past few months; insulting the audience.
He said that he won’t introduce himself but reminds everyone that he is the Superstar of the Year 2008 and thinks its a travesty that he has to compete in tonight’s main event (a fatal 4 way also involving Mysterio, Jeff Hardy and Kane) just to be declared the No. 1 contender.
He says he will win tonight and go on to claim the title at Judgement Day, which prompted the arrival of the NEW World Heavyweight Champion.
Edge says that if he won’t introduce himself, he’ll do it for him. He tells the crowd that this is Chris Jericho; Superstar of the year, tormentor of senior citizens the world over and former World Heavyweight Champion.
Edge goes on to scoff that it was Cena who beat Jericho for the title, Jericho has never beaten Cena and that he won the title from Cena at Backlash.
The Rated R Superstar tells Jericho he can take his self righteous guy in a suit routine, his long wordy promo’s and his aspirations of taking over Smackdown and take a running jump, because it isn’t his show to control, it’s Edge’s.
C.M Punk then comes out and introduces himself, using the clip of him cashing in Money in the Bank and stealing Edge’s title last year to illustrate his ‘awesomeness’.
Jericho tells him that no one cares what he has to say, saying Punk has no right to interrupt him and Edge only got away with it because he is the Champion.
Punk chooses to totally ignore him and Jericho sulks off to the back. Edge then tells Punk he also doesn’t care what Punk has to say and attempts to leave.
Punk stops him and tells him that they will face off tonight, saying that if he wins he will cash in Money in the Bank straight afterwards and take the title.
Match 1
Singles Match
John Morrison
Vs.
Shelton Benjamin
John Morrison picked up the victory in this very impressive match, making his first night back on Smackdown a successful one.
Both men put on a brilliant match and personally I’d have liked to have seen it run a bit longer. It was back and forth action, both men had a chance to pick up the win but it was a Moonlight Drive from Morrison that wrapped things up.
John Morrison wins by Pinfall.
Segment 1
Khali speaks the truth
After a promo for the M.V.P Vs. Dolph Ziggler match focused mainly around Sherri Shepherd’s involvement, we see Jericho complaining to Teddy Long about how he has been treated on his first night on Smackdown.
As Jericho continues to complain Khali enters the room behind him and begins to talk to him in Punjabi. Jericho tells Runjin Singh that he can tell Khali is showing him respect by the look on the giants face.
Singh informs him that actually Khali is telling him to stop whining and get over himself, prompting Jericho to leave.
Match 2
Fatal 4 Way Elimination World Heavyweight Championship No.1 Contender Match
Rey Mysterio
Vs.
Kane
Vs.
Jericho
Vs.
Jeff Hardy
I personally like elimination based matches, so I was happy when I saw this had been booked.
Eliminations take place by Pinfall, Submission or Disqualification.
Kane dominated in the early stages, taking all three of his opponents out of the picture and looking like he might be on his way to the main event at Judgement Day.
Things got a little more open as the match progressed and after it looked like Kane might land a double chokeslam, Rey Mysterio set him up for a 619. Jericho stopped this from happening, then after Jeff Hardy had hit a Swanton Bomb he dragged him to the outside and picked the bones, eliminating Kane himself.
Kane is Eliminated by Pinfall.
After being eliminated Kane went on a rampage which resulted in a chair being placed in the ring. Moments later Rey hit Jericho with a 619.
Jericho grabbed the chair and used it to save himself from what Mysterio had in store next, but got disqualified in the process.
Jericho is Eliminated by Disqualification.
Things seemed to have been a little rushed up to this point, but once it was down to two the match took shape and it seemed like this was the No. 1 contender match the writing team had wanted, but they threw in Kane and Jericho just to spice things up a bit.
After a lot of back and forth action Mysterio hit a springboard Seated Senton and looked like he might have the victory in his sights, but Jeff managed to counter it and grab the three count.
Rey Mysterio is Eliminated by Pinfall.
I think the fact that Jeff has won this should tell us that Edge will be the one he faces at Judgement Day as a pose to C.M Punk, but as with everything in the WWE you can never be sure.
Jeff Hardy wins and becomes the No.1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Segment 2
Cryme Tyme’s Brooklyn Breakdown
Cryme Tyme explain that they are in their home town and are Smackdown’s newest drafts. They say that they are going to celebrate by having two of the hottest WWE Diva’s come out and have a ‘Brooklyn Breakdown’ battle dance-off.
They introduce Layla and Eve Torres who come out and dance for a bit while J.R makes the occasional comment about Friday nights never being the same and putting his back out just by watching.
Afterwards Cryme Tyme ask the crowd to judge who won and despite both getting a decent cheer from the crowd, Eve’s was clearly louder.
Layla attacked Eve afterwords and the two had to be separated by JTG and Shad. Look for a match between the two ladies in the near future.
Segment 3
Sherri and M.V.P
Backstage Sherri Shepherd and M.V.P chat. Sherri says that seeing as M.V.P has showed her around the WWE, she wants him to be on ‘The View’ on Monday, which he agrees to do.
M.V.P calmed Sherri down after she got worked up about tonight’s match before the two headed out of the dressing room.
Match 3
United States Championship Match
Dolph Ziggler
Vs.
M.V.P (c) (w/ Sherri Shepherd)
Before the match Ziggler did his usual self-introduction and then said he was going to win the United States Championship tonight in New Jersey. If this was meant to be an insult to New York it went down about as well as a Jeff Hardy promo and a Kozlov promo combined, leaving the crowd more confused than offended.
Sherri Shepherd was instantly annoying. She stood at ringside and shrieked much like Sharmell used to do during all Booker T’s matches, getting in the way more than she helped.
Ziggler put in a solid performance and looked to have the upper hand until Shepherd made her way onto the apron and drew him over. He asked her for a kiss but instead she slapped the taste out of his mouth, giving M.V.P time to recover.
From here it was all about the U.S. Champion. M.V.P hit Ballin and then the Drive By to pick up the win and retain his title.
M.V.P wins by Pinfall and retains the United States Championship.
Segment 4
Jericho whines some more
Backstage Jericho is moaning at Teddy Long again when John Morrison emerges from a nearby dressing room. Long makes a quick exit and Jericho asks Morrison what he is looking at.
Morrison replies by saying that he thought he was looking at a loser, but it turns out he’s actually looking at a quitter. Jericho slapped him and the two brawled before backstage staff (and I think Charlie Haas) separated them.
Punk then walked past with his briefcase, enraging Jericho even further.
Main Event Match
Singles Match
Edge
Vs.
C.M Punk
I only half followed this match as I thought I had a good idea of what was going to happen, but it turns out I was wrong.
After a back and forth match Punk picked up the win as he said he would with a Go To Sleep. Afterwards he picked up the briefcase and told the referee he wanted to cash it in.
As the second match was announced Umaga made an impromptu return and set about Punk, destroying him before exiting through the crowd as quickly as he had appeared.
Edge then picked up the briefcase and began to stalk Punk, looking to hit him with it at the earliest opportunity. The new No.1 contender Jeff Hardy made sure this didn’t happen, sprinting to the ring and hitting a Twist of Fate followed by a Swanton on the World Heavyweight Champion.
Todd Grisham did confirm that as the match never started, Punk still has his Money in the Bank title opportunity but it doesn’t look like he will be cashing it in any time soon!
C.M Punk wins by Pinfall.
Thanks for checking out the Weekly Rundown this week and I apologise again for it being late.
JayD
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