offical wwe thread

Last week's WWE Raw guest host Jesse Ventura said in an interview today that pro wrestling, specifically WWE, is "a joke" and "still in the stone age" due to pro wrestlers not having any form of organized union protection.

Ventura specifically focused on WWE classifying their wrestlers as independent contractors during an interview on Colin Cowherd's ESPN Radio show today promoting his new conspiracy theory show on truTV.

"How can you be an independent contractor when you're told when to wrestle, who to wrestle, and you can't wrestle for another promotion?" Ventura said. He added that he believes WWE CEO Vince McMahon classifies wrestlers this way to avoid paying social security.

Ventura briefly acknowledged guest-hosting Raw last week and self-deprecatingly criticized himself for calling out WWE less than a week later. "You see what a jerk I am, I just did his show and here I am causing him problems," he said.

Ventura also briefly talked about suing Vince McMahon for royalty payments when his voice or likeness is used on WWE home videos.

Ventura said "the business would be different today" if other wrestlers would have joined him during the lawsuit in the early 1990s that allowed him to earn royalty payments from WWE.

http://wwecomics.com/

Titan Publishing is proud to announce the launch of WWE Comics, a comic series featuring the global superstars of World Wrestling Entertainment.

The official comic launches with its flagship title WWE Heroes, a high-octane, action-packed, 32-page comic featuring the biggest icons from WWE in brand new thrilling and exciting adventures!

Hitting newsstands in the US and Canada March 23rd 2010, each monthly issue of WWE Heroes presents incredible storylines that WWE fans of all ages will not want to miss.

The series will take the biggest WWE stars beyond the spotlight of the squared circle and into a brand new fictional universe, serving up shocks and surprises that give the wrestlers much more than the dreaded 1-2-3 count to worry about!

The WWE Heroes cycle is written by Keith Champagne, who has penned acclaimed comics such as Justice Society of America, Green Lantern Corps, World War III, and Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters.

Artwork is provided by comics’ artist, Andy Smith, who has worked as a penciller for major comic publishers such as Marvel, DC, Image, Acclaim, and CrossGen Entertainment.

In the build up to launch, we’ll be updating this site with all the very latest news on issue #1. You can see sneak-peek artwork (including a first look at the issue #1 cover!) and storyline hints, read interviews with the comic’s artists and writers, get cool downloads, and much more.

Click to expand...

Oh dear god

Eddie Fatu, better known as Umaga has passed away.

http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/12849630

I wonder what he passed from?

Other than the link above nothing else is available.

My condolences to his family

synbiosfan said:

I wonder what he passed from?

Other than the link above nothing else is available.

My condolences to his family

Click to expand...

He suffered from a Heart attack in his sleep. His wife found him bleeding from his nose when he fell asleep watching TV.

Sorry I've been away all this week. Not only do I have a lot to catch up with, I barely found out about Eddie Fatu aka Umaga passing away today:

Former WWE star Umaga (Eddie Fatu) was removed from life support earlier this afternoon, reports WWE announcer Jim Ross, who says he spoke with a friend of Fatu's family.

Fatu's official death is expected to be announced this evening. He was on life support at a North Houston hospital after his wife found him unresponsive this morning at his home in Spring, Texas.

Fatu reportedly suffered a massive heart attack. We reported originally that Fatu was found bleeding from his mouth and nose when he was found in his home.

ECW on SyFy Results: 12-1-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

1 -- WILLIAM REGAL (w/Kozlov and Jackson) vs. GOLDUST

Goldust started hot with corner blows before executing a suplex that sent Regal scurrying to the outside to recover. Goldust followed out and blasted Regal with a knockdown blow before rolling him back into the ring. Back in the ring, Goldust landed an atomic drop before spreading his legs open in the corner. Goldust wanted the Shattered Dreams kick, but Kozlov helped Regal get out of a tough spot behind the ref's back. Regal then went on the attack, but Jackson and Kozlov engaged in a shouting match ringside. Regal took his eye off the ball debating whether to give Goldust the knee trembler or settle the issues, so Goldust took advantage with a roll-up from behind for the pin and the win. Post-match: Kozlov tried to blame Jackson, but Regal shook Jackson's hand and told him it would be okay. Regal shook his head in dismay while his head was cocked to the side in that classic Regal demeanor.

WINNER: Goldust in 6:00. Fine, basic match ultimately building tension between Regal's henchmen for the main event. Kozlov and Jackson aren't exactly the most captivating characters, but at least WWE has given them something to work with. (*)

2 -- TRENT BARETTA & CAYLEN CROFT vs. BOBBY SHIELDS & TYLER HILTON

T&C took turns working over generic man #1 with standard tag action. Saxton said they prepare themselves before each match by playing Guitar Hero. Mathews said "that's lamest thing he's ever heard." Mathews filled time saying this is what ECW is all about with young, vibrant talent. Apparently setting the groundwork for the national TV developmental show. Crowd became restless, then T&C picked up the pace and delivered a double team running boot smash and atomic drop on generic man #2 for the pin and the win. Afterwards, T&C slapped each other on the chest to celebrate with smug looks on their faces.

WINNERS: Baretta & Croft in 3:00. Some basic stuff to introduce the new tandem. They have potential, but we need to see more.

3 -- ECW champion CHRISTIAN & SHELTON BENJAMIN vs. EZEKIEL JACKSON & KOZLOV (w/William Regal)

Jackson started off with Christian, who sold concern over Jackson's size and build. Christian then duped Jackson into a charging rhino-like attack and Christian side-stepped Jackson to fling him to the floor. Jackson, upset, charged back into the ring and Christian tagged out to Shelton. Kozlov tagged in, then Kozlov and Shelton found themselves recovering on the floor going to break.

Jackson had Shelton in a reverse bear hug back from break. Saxton almost slipped and said Jackson had Shelton locked in his 23 inch pythons, but inserted "biceps" instead of pythons. Christian then tagged in and took out Kozlov on the apron before walking into a backbreaker from Jackson. Kozlov wanted to tag in, but Jackson refused to tag him in. Jackson finally tagged him in and the heels began a methodical attack on Christian.

Jackson went back to working over Christian, who teased a comeback only to walk into a shoulder tackle from Jackson. Christian went to the floor for a breather, but Regal yanked him into the ringpost behind the ref's back. Jackson and Kozlov worked over Christian some more back in the ring, then Christian came back with a Tornado DDT on Kozlov. Christian made a hot tag to Shelton and Kozlov tried to tag in Jackson, but Jackson hopped off the apron and slowly left the ring to head for the back. Kozlov, confused, took Pay Dirt from Shelton and Shelton scored the pin for the win. Afterward, Regal could only watch with confusion. Regal tried to talk to Kozlov post-match, but Kozlov just nodded in confusion. Christian and Shelton then stood on the ramp pointing at the ECW Title to apparently talk about the belt's weight, shine, history, lineage, color, and description to close the show.

WINNERS: Christian & Shelton in 12:00. Fine tag main event to create an issue for Kozlov and Jackson that helped minimize their weaknesses in the ring. Their story was a bit of a distraction from Christian and Shelton's issue for the PPV, but it's pretty simple stuff, so no big deal. At the end of the day, the match was just a match to end "just a show." (*1/2)

WWE Superstars Results: 12-3-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

1 -- LEGACY (CODY RHODES & TED DIBIASE) vs. PRIMO & EVAN BOURNE

The action started with a quick pace as Bourne and Primo tagged in and out to establish some early offense. DiBiase then cut off Primo to isolate him in the heel corner. The announcers filled time talking about Randy Orton taking out Primo from the breakthrough battle royal qualifying series last week on Raw. Bourne found himself in trouble on the floor going to the first break of the show.

Back from break, Cody went to work on Bourne with an aggressive offensive attack. Methodical tag work here from the heels slowly taking apart Bourne. Meanwhile, Cole covered for the "recent disagreements" between Legacy and Orton by saying it's "only made Legacy stronger." We've heard that one three or four times now. Cody and Ted kept working over Bourne as the announcers established the rules of tag team wrestling. Classic fundamentals from the Vince McMahon playbook. Bourne finally escaped Legacy at 12:00 and tagged in Primo, who came in hot with highflyin' offense. Primo came off the top with a turnaround crossbody, then he launched Bourne off the ropes onto DiBiase on the floor. Primo, momentarily distracted, then took Cross Rhodes from behind for the pin and the win. Afterward, Cody stood tall with the victory before celebrating with DiBiase.

WINNERS: Legacy at 13:00. Fine tag match. Legacy established their offense, Primo & Bourne showed off some highflyin' moves, and the announcers established the rulebook. At the end of the day, it was a chance for Legacy to look strong after being seemingly being non-existent on Raw lately.

2 -- THE HURRICANE vs. ZACK RYDER (w/Rosa Mendes)

Ryder took control early on with the Rough Rider leg lariat, but Hurricane rolled to the corner to avoid a pin attempt. Ryder then went on the offensive working over Hurricane as the announcers talked up Ryder for his poetic skills on ECW. Hurricane came back with a SuperEuropean Uppercut out of the corner and let everyone know about it, then he climbed up top, but Ryder cut him off. Ryder teased a superplex, but Hurricane blocked, then hit a Shining Wizard kick. Ryder rolled to the outside, then a masked assailant hit the ring. He went after Hurricane with a Jackhammer suplex, giving away that it was Paul Burchill. The camera zoomed in on Burchill's mask, which was the most laughable mask since Shockmaster's. Gosh, that was silly. Hurricane got up and sold confusion, then the masked Burchill left the ring.

WINNER: Hurricane via DQ in 5:00. I get WWE going heavy with the "super power" and "superhero" references for Hurricane, especially with the WWE Comics series coming out, but it was a bit laughable and nerdy at times. Even more laughable was Burchill's mask. Gosh, that was about as bad as Rellik in TNA. (1/2*)

3 -- MATT HARDY vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER

The bell sounded and the crowd chanted Hardy's name before an initial lock-up. Hardy missed with an early right hand blow and Ziggler rolled to the outside to stroke his hair and collect himself. Ziggler tried to sneak back in the ring, but Hardy cut him off. Ziggler avoided a suplex, then executed a fireman's carry takeover for a two count. Ziggler celebrated, so Hardy whipped him to the outside and landed a baseball slide dropkick into the guardrail. Hardy rolled Zigs back into the ring and landed an elbow smash from the second rope before teasing the Twist of Fate. Ziggler saw it coming, though, and slipped to the corner for some space. Hardy countered with a slingshot sit-out powerbomb for a two count, then Ziggler rolled to the outside to collect himself again.

Back from break, Hardy and Ziggler were battling up top. Ziggler then swept the legs out from under Hardy to send him crashing to the mat. The crowd rallied up by chanting Hardy's name as the announcers recapped Ziggler looking for his first championship within the six-month window. He's at month five. Hardy made his comeback at 10:00 with an elbow attack followed by a fallaway neckbreaker for a two count. Hardy then went to the corner for a high-risk move, but he fell into boot to the gut from Ziggler. Ziggler tried to finish with the Zig-Zag, but Hardy held the top rope. Hardy then wanted the Twist of Fate, but Ziggler effectively countered into a backslide for the pin and the win. Afterward, Ziggler celebrated an actual win while Hardy stared into space with frustration written on his face. We close with Ziggler celebrating.

WINNER: Ziggler in 12:00. Good main event with a strong finish. Hardy had plenty of early offense to make it Even-Steven with Ziggler picking up the eventual win. Nice to see Ziggler back in the winner's circle while WWE is also building a program for Hardy to "re-evaluate" himself and get back on track. Fine story and good action. (**1/4)

Damn didnt Umaga just wrestle in Australia?

TNA Impact! Results: 12-3-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Wilkenfeld's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

(1) DOUG WILLIAMS (w/BRUTUS MAGNUS & ROB TERRY) vs. ALEX SHELLEY (w/CHRIS SABIN)

The ref kicks the various posses to the back. Magnus gets in a cheap shot on Sabin on their way out. Shelley starts things off with a Springboard Sidekick to the back of Williams's head. Williams rolls to the outside, so Shelley follows him with a Suicide Dive. He rolls Williams back in and hits him with a Splash off the top rope for two. Williams goes behind Shelley and gets him into position for a Gory Special and backs Shelley up into the ring post. He dropkicks the Shelley sternum first into the turnbuckles. He locks in a Bow and Arrow, but Shelley reverses it into a cover. Williams kicks out right away, and hits a series of strikes before Shelley dodges one in the corner. Shelley takes him down and connects with a Buzzsaw Kick for two. He looks for Sliced Bread #2, but Williams shoves him down. Williams goes to the top rope and nails his jumping uppercut for two. Williams works over Shelley some more, then tries to finish him off with Chaos Theory, his rolling German Suplex. Shelley blocks it right before the Suplex part, reaches up and grabs Williams for Sliced Bread #2. That all folks.

WINNER: Alex Shelley in four minutes.

(2) SUICIDE vs. HOMICIDE

Suicide starts things off with a gut wrench takedown on Homicide. They trade Standing Side Headlocks; Suicide gets the better one and drops it to the mat. Homicide shoots him off, but Suicide comes back with a shoulder block, then immediately locks in some type of crossface. Homicide escapes and comes back with a spinning elbow. He shoots Suicide chest first into the corner turnbuckle, then mounts him on the mat and punches his head a few times. A Short Arm Clothesline gets two. He works the neck vise. Suicide slips out and goes for a Body Slam, but Homicide reverses it into a Michonoku Driver. Suicide gets out at two—it's not totally clear whether he kicked out or whether Homicide lifted him up. If the latter, then that might have been a mistake, since Suicide kicks him from the mat, hits a leg lariat, and yanks him down. Suicide goes for a Neck Breaker, but it's reversed into the Gringo Cutter. A nonchalant cover gets two. Suicide and Homicide jockey for position, but ends it with a thrust dropkick from Suicide. He wants a Suicide Solution—it's reversed into an attempted Gringo Killer, which is re-reversed into a Backslide for game.

WINNER: Suicide in five minutes.

After the match, Homicide jumps Suicide and starts to rip off his mask. Dinero runs down to make the save. He extends his hand to Suicide, who still doesn't want to take it.

(3) JESSE NEAL vs. D'ANGELO "THE POPE" DINERO

Neil starts things off with a go behind, but Dinero counters with a quick clothesline. Neil elevates him out to the apron, then shoulder blocks him down to ringside. Neal rolls Dinero in and begins a several minute stiff beat down. He hits some weird Body Slam/Shoulder Breaker for two. Dinero dodges a charge in the corner and connects with a throat thrust. Neal falls into into the corner, where he eats a DDE for the loss.

WINNER: Dinero in two minutes.

After the match Neal clubs Dinero in the back of the head, then connects with a Gore. He's gloating, when suddenly the lights turn out. When they come back up Suicide is on the top rope. He connects with a drop kick, then extends his hand to Dinero, who takes it. Team 3D and Rhino come out to get the numbers advantage, but they're followed there by Hernandez and Matt Morgan. They decide that maybe this isn't the best time for a fight after all.

(4) KEVIN NASH & ERIC YOUNG vs. BEER MONEY INC.

Storm spits beer all over Nash right when they come down. He then starts off the match with some right hands on Young. Young whips him into a corner, but he bounces back with a clothesline. Roode tags in and hits a Body Slam. Storm hits an Elbow Drop on his way out, and then Roode connects with a Knee Drop for two. Roode whips Young into the ropes, but lowers his head too early and gets kicked in the head. It doesn’t matter, cause EY walks right into a Spine Buster for two. Young pokes Roode's eyes and makes the tag to Nash. Storm comes in and goes ballistic, taking down Nash and Young. Unfortunately Roode's still legal, so once Storm leaves Nash just goes back to working him over with knee lifts. EY tags in and hits an Elbow Drop for two. Roode comes up firing, and gets a quick roll-up for two, but EY connects with a clothesline to retake control. Nash tags back in and Snake Eyes Roode. Roode tries to fight out of the corner, but Nash cuts him off with another knee. Roode ducks a clothesline, and Nash hits the ringpost. Nash has to tag. EY tries to prevent Roode from doing likelwise, but gets kicked off. Storm Back Body Drops EY. Nash comes in, but Storm hits a Cross Body Block to take him off his feet. He hits a Back Stabber on Young, but Nash breaks it up. Nash starts hitting Storm, but Roode gets him with a Leaping Neck Breaker off the top rope. Roode and Nash roll to the outside. Storm hits Young with the Eye of the Storm, but it only gets two. He sets up for a Last Call Superkick, but Nash catches his leg from outside the ring. The ref goes to chastise Nash, and EY takes the opportunity to hit a low blow. He connects with the Pile Driver for the win.

WINNERS: Nash & Young in six minutes. That was pretty good.

(5) ABYSS vs. DANIELS

Daniels taunts Abyss with a jumping jack, a pat on the head, and his imitation of Abyss's clap. He goes to pick a leg, but Abyss remains motionless. He tries for a wrist lock, but its immediately reversed, so he goes into the ropes. He attempts a side headlock, but Abyss lifts him up and tosses him onto his back. Abyss lets him get back up, but Daniels slaps him in the face. Daniels runs around the ring and comes back in, but Abyss is fast and connects with a Big Boot. He Press Slams him, charges him in the corner, and looks for a Shock Treatment. Daniels slips out, but gets goozled for a Choke Slam. He signals something, and a video appears on the screen of The Beautiful People beating up Lauren in the women's bathroom. Abyss is distraught, and doesn't notice Daniels sneaking up behind him for a low blow. Daniels connects, gets a side roll up, and grabs the tights for three.

WINNER: Daniels in two minutes.

After the match, Daniels motions for AJ to join him in the ring. AJ starts to come down, but gets ambushed by his mystery attacker. I can't tell who it is, but it's not Kurt.

(6) HAMADA vs. SARITA

Taz starts things off with another shot at Lacey Von Erich for being a bitch. I don't know what's up with that. Hamada goes behind and slams Sarita to the mat. She goes for an Arm Drag, Sarita dodges, but Hamada connects with a Springboard variant, which is countered by one from Sarita. Both women go for dropkicks, then have the standoff of mutual respect. Hamada starts working some chops, but Sartita trips her. Hamada tries to come back with an Ensuguri, but Sarita ducks and hits an insane Hurricanrana. Hamada bounces back and hits a stiff kick to Sarita's head for a long two count. Hamada hits a thrusting dropkick for another long two. She goes for the Hamada Driver, but it's reversed into a Victory Roll for two. Sarita nails a Floating DDT for two. She hits a back heel trip, then spins into some variant of an ankle lock. Hamada shoves her off and rolls her up for two. As Sarita gets up Hamada hits her with back to back Spinning Heel Kicks. Sarita looks out, but Hamada finishes her off with a Hamada Driver to be safe.

WINNER: Hamada in four minutes. Hamada is definitely growing on me.

(7) KURT ANGLE vs. RAVEN & Dr. STEVIE (w/DAFFNEY)

Raven and Dr. Stevie are seemingly both legal, as they gang up on Kurt in the corner and stomp on him. The crowd is split between Angle and Raven. Poor Stevie? Angle rolls to the outside, so Dr. Stevie and Raven Side Russian Leg Sweep him into the barricade. They roll him in for two. They go back to working the punches and stomps. They whip Angle into the ropes, but he comes back with a Double Clothesline. We're told that next week cameras will follow Mick to Nashville. Raven and Dr. Stevie attack evil-ninja-style, so Kurt takes them down with clotheslines to each, followed by German Suplexes to each too. He clotheslines Dr. Stevie out of the ring. Dr. Stevie seems ready just to leave, but Abyss appears behind him and connects with a Black Hole Slam. Raven watches in dismay, and thus doesn't catch Kurt catching with the Angle Lock. That gets the tap.

WINNER: Kurt Angle in three minutes.

After the match, Desmond Wolfe sneaks up behind Kurt and takes him down with some sort of Key Lock Takedown.

Borman said:

Damn didnt Umaga just wrestle in Australia?

Click to expand...

Yes. He was part of Hulk Hogan's wrestling tour there. From what I learned, Fatu suffered a heart attack at his home then after being taken to the hospital suffered another one. He was taken off life support shortly thereafter. Note that when he was released by the WWE due to the Wellness Policy, it was not for any type of steroids but for marijuana and he refused to get professional treatment for it, hence his release. He appeared briefly in TNA as well.

WWE Smackdown Results: 12-4-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Park's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

1 - C.M. PUNK vs. R - TRUTH

Punk was accompanied to the ring by Luke Gallows. Striker said Punk stands against people “going to the disco-tech to listen to the hip and the hop music.” Punk was aggressive from the start, angry that Truth disrespected him a few weeks ago. Punk missed a corner charge and Truth grazed him with a heel kick for two. On second look, it appeared to hit more flush than I first thought. Punk came back with a hard kick to the back. Striker even delved into politics, discussing the health care bill as it relates to the transformation of Gallows. “I prefer the public option,” said Grisham. On the outside, Punk shoved Truth into the ring post, where Truth hit shoulder-first. He favored the arm as they went to break about three minutes into the match.

Punk got a nice suplex, with Truth’s arm in a hammerlock, for a two-count out of break. The crowd was still into it, even as Punk slowed the match with a key-lock and general mat-holds. Punk jawed with the fans, and paid for it as Truth reversed a suplex attempt and started his comeback. Hip-toss by Truth, but he continued to favor the arm. He hit the ropes, but Gallows tripped him up in full view of the referee, earning Truth a DQ win.

WINNER: Truth, at 10:00. Nothing wrong with this match; the psychology of working the arm was sound.

2- KANE vs. MIKE KNOX

Shoulder knock-down by Kane, who went into a front face-lock on Knox. Low dropkick from Kane for two. Knox got an elbow up in the corner, then landed his trademark cross-body. Shoulder into the gut by Knox, then a big splash for a near-fall. Striker referred to Kane as “Jacob Goodnight,” his name from the “See No Evil” movie. Flying clothesline by Kane, who then set up for the chokeslam. Knox got away, but Kane countered his pump kick and chokeslammed him for the win.

WINNER: Kane, at 3:38. Crowd didn’t know how to react for much of the match, thanks to Kane’s constant heel and face turns.

3- MICKIE JAMES vs. BETH PHOENIX vs. NATALYA – TRIPLE-THREAT MATCH TO DETERMINE THE NUMBER ONE CONTENDER FOR THE WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

Mickie had to fight off Beth and Natalya, and landed a hurricanrana on Natalya. Beth sent her to the outside, leaving Phoenix and Natalya one-on-one. They had a shoving match that ended when Natalya grabbed a side-headlock. Neither woman would budge an inch, so when Mickie entered, they turned their focus to her and threw her outside the ring again. Beth and Natalya collided heads as they went to break. During a women’s match?

Back from break, Natalya was stretching the arms of Mickie James as Beth was recovering in the corner. Crowd was behind Mickie, but that didn’t stop Natalya from locking her in a rear chinlock, until Beth broke it up with a series of rights to the head. Phoenix broke up a pin, but Natalya rolled Mickie up after Beth tried a slingshot suplex. Beth had Mickie up for a powerslam, but Natalya dropkicked her back and Mickie got a two-count. Sharp-shooter locked in by Natalya, but Beth broke it up and Glam Slammed her. She went for a pin, but Mickie dropkicked her out of the ring and pinned Natalya herself to pick up the victory.

WINNER: James, at 7:02. Solid enough match, even though about half of it took place during the break.

4- JOHN MORRISON vs. DREW MCINTYRE

McIntyre got the mic before the match and accused Morrison of letting the I.C. title go straight to his head. He said that’s based on the fact that Morrison challenged him tonight. After all, he hurts people. Morrison didn’t let him get any further and stopped him with a right hand. The ref separated them and rang the bell to start the match.

Morrison got a standing Shooting star press off the bat, but McIntyre was soon on offense. Morrison hit the mat on an attempted McIntyre big boot, then nipped up to hit a bicycle kick. With Morrison on the apron, McIntyre rammed him head-first into the ring post, then he fell to ringside against the barricade. Back in the ring, McIntyre pounded away at Morrison in the corner. Mac locked Morrison into a painful-looking submission move. A half-camel clutch was then applied by McIntyre. Morrison tried to avoid a corner charge by hopping up, but McIntyre instead kicked him in the chest on his way down. Ouch. More after the break.

McIntyre went for two quick covers out of break, netting him two counts on each try. More ground work by McIntyre, but they were interesting moves at least. He tried to wear Morrison down with a double-underhook. Morrison fought his way back to his feet with kicks and punches. Flying shoulder tackle by Morrison, then a heel kick for two. Running knee from Morrison for two, as he held his rib-cage area in pain. Flying Chuck kick attempt, but Drew tripped him up. They picked up the pace with McIntyre hitting a tilt-a-whirl back-breaker for two. Morrison tried to go for Starship Pain, but McIntyre rolled to the apron. He choked Morrison on the top rope, but Morrison hit a Flying Chuck kick, sending McIntyre to the arena floor. McIntyre rolled partially under the ring. McIntyre held onto the steel support beam under the ring to prevent Morrison from dragging him out. Then he saw his chance and slammed Morrison’s head into the steel. He picked the Intercontinental Champion up and threw him into the ring. He landed his double-arm DDT finisher for the win.

WINNER: McIntyre, at 13:14. McIntyre’s first real test for a long match, and he passed with flying colors. Didn’t hurt that he was taking on Morrison, either.

5- ERIC ESCOBAR vs. THE HART DYNASTY – HANDICAP MATCH

Clothesline, then a beal out of the corner by Escobar on Kidd. Guerrero was watching from ringside. Kidd went low after dodging Escobar, taking out his leg. David Hart Smith tagged in and tagged Escobar with a European Uppercut. Frequent tags by the Hart Dynasty, but Escobar did land a modified sky-high (as called by Striker) on Kidd for two. More aggressiveness from Smith after he came back in. Kidd finished him off with the double-team Hart Attack move.

WINNERS: The Hart Dynasty, at 2:25.

After the match, the Harts stayed in the ring as Vickie yelled at Escobar. Smith held Escobar for Vickie to slap. Escobar told her to get it over with and to slap him. She did, and Smith added a kick to the gut for good measure.

6 - CRYME TYME vs. CHRIS JERICHO & BIG SHOW

Jericho went after JTG, but his onslaught was brief. Jericho collected himself on the outside and a Shad distraction led to JTG hitting a sliding dropkick. Back in the ring though, Jericho took over and landed a back suplex. JTG came back with a few of his pet moves and both men were down. Jericho tagged Show in and all he did was land one punch on Shad to pick up the win.

WINNERS: Jericho & Show, at 3:15. Just a match to get over Show’s punching prowess heading into TLC. It’s like the tag champs get squashed verbally or physically on Raw, then get built back up on Smackdown.

From CNN's online news site:

(CNN) -- Wrestler Edward Fatu, better known as the hulking, tattooed WWE superstar "Umaga," died Friday of a heart attack in a Houston, Texas, hospital, a family friend said.

Born in American Samoa, Fatu, 36, was a member of the famous Anoa'i wrestling family, which includes cousin Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, his two uncles, who wrestled as The Wild Samoans in the 1980s, and brothers, Sam "Tonga Kid" and Solofa Jr. "Rikishi," according to Wrestlers Rescue, a support group for retired professional wrestlers.

The two-time WWE Intercontinental champion, also known as "The Samoan Bulldozer," squared off with the likes of Triple H, The Game and Ric Flair before the WWE terminated in contract in June for having violated the WWE's Wellness Program and refusing to enter rehab, the WWE said on its site.

The organization offered its condolences to his family in a brief statement on its site.

To friends and family, Fatu was a devoted father who was looking forward to spending more time with his children after leaving the WWE.

"He had his demons, but he found a lot of strength in his family," said Dawn Marie Psaltis, family friend and founder of Wrestlers Rescue. "He was always a jokester, he was always playing a practical joke on someone. He comes from a long line of professional wrestlers and did his family proud."

From ProWrestling.net

The following messages regarding the death of Eddie "Umaga" Fatu were posted on the Twitter sites of various pro wrestlers.

-Chris Jericho: "Eddie Fatu was an awesome guy and one of the brothers. I trusted him and that's a rare thing for me. I am devastated. Safe travels Oos."

-D-Lo Brown: "Today I lost (a) good friend. Eddie Fatu, I will you, Uso. Rest in peace."

-Dixie Carter: "On behalf of everyone at TNA, our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Fatu family."

-Eric Bischoff: "My thoughts on prayers go out to the family of Eddie Fatu (formerly known as Umaga). He was a great performer and a wonderful person."

-Matt Hardy: "I'm gonna miss 'Uce' - Eddie 'Umaga' Fatu very, very match. He was one of my true friends and an amazing person. May God be with ya - love ya man.

-Samoa Joe: "See you when I get there big Uso. 'Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.' Cor. 15:51"

-Tara (a/k/a Victoria): "Rest in peace, Umaga. We will love you always and we will all miss you."

-Maria: "So sad. Eddie was a friend. He loved wrestling and was a great entertainer. My prayers go out to Eddie's beautiful family. A great loss."

-Hurricane Helms: "What a long, sorrowful and emotionally exhausting day. You never know what's around the next corner. Life is...that's it...it just IS."

-Christopher Daniels: "RIP Eddie Fatu. I'm glad I got to know you in the short time you were here."

-Taz: "Very sad to hear of the passing of a great performer and a super person. RIP Eddie, see you down the road, brother."

-Matt Morgan: "Me and my family's condolences to Eckie's family. This just plain out sucks. Yet another great guy taken from us too early."

-Maryse: "Prayers for Umaga and all his family. Wow, what a night. I don't know what to say. He would always make me laugh. So sad. I can't believe it. OMG!"

-Beth Britt (Jeff Hardy's girlfriend): "With very close friends and family having dinner in honor of our beloved friend, Eki."

-Howard Finkel: "I am saddened by the passing today of Eddie Fatu. My sincere condolences to his family and friends."

-JBL: "Had a ball tag teaming with Eddie Fatu in some of my last house show matches. I will miss my friend."

-Kofi Kingston: "RIP Umaga. Take a minute to let your loved ones know how much they mean to you and how much you appreciate them."

-D'Angelo Dinero: "This is rough, very rough. My heart and prayers go out to Umaga's wife, his boys, and family."

-Chavo Guerrero: "For those of you that didn't know Ecki-Umaga, he was a very genuine person who loved to laugh and really cared for his friends. I love you, Uce."

-Lilian Garcia: "Just heard (the) news about Eddie. So sad. Loved him. Prayers for him and family."

RAW's in Dallas tonight but i'm not going. Waste of time and money. Tonight's show will suck.

WWE RAW Results: 12-7-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

1 -- WWE champion JOHN CENA vs. CARLITO -- non-title match

Carlito was aggressive early on with blows to the face as Lawler danced around the topic of wrestlers in the locker room being jealous of Cena's spot. Carlito scored an early nearfall that put Cena in jeopardy, but Cena shook off a busted bottom lip and started to set up the Five Knuckle Shuffle routine, but Sheamus's music interrupted. Sheamus came out on stage and Cuban hopped over the railing to stand between Sheamus and Cuban. Cuban told Sheamus to stop in his tracks, then local independent wrestlers dressed as security showed up to stand in-between Sheamus and Cuban. Back in the ring, Cena was distracted, which allowed Carlito to jump Cena from behind. Carlito wanted the backstabber, but Cena transitioned in mid-air to the Attitude Adjustment for the pin and the win. Afterward, Cena high-fived Cuban and Mavs players ringside including Shawn Marion.

WINNER: Cena at 3:03. Seemed like a random match thrown out there, but with a back-story involving Carlito. It was also odd to see Cena early on Raw, as WWE usually saves him for the end of the show. The whole thing was odd without the 15-minute opening talking heads segment to start the show. (n/a)

2 -- LEGACY (TED DIBIASE & CODY RHODES) vs. PRIMO & EVAN BOURNE

They joined the action in progress and Cole said Cuban was watching Superstars on Thursday to book this re-match. C'mon, Cole. Legacy cut off Primo throughout the early going as Cuban clapped and encouraged Primo from ringside. Cody and Primo then butted heads in the corner and Primo went to the usual babyface corner, but they switched up the corners and Bourne was in the usual heel corner. Bourne took a hot tag and started flying on folks before going up top. DiBiase cut him off, though, and teased a superplex, but Bourne shoved DiBiase down and landed his double knee smash. Cody broke up a pin attempt, though, and Primo yanked him to the ground. Bourne wanted a kick strike back in the ring, but DiBiase hit Dream Street from behind for the win.

Post-match: Cuban got in Justin Roberts's ear to give him an announcement. Roberts announced that Cuban is having Cody and Ted ejected from the AAC. Legacy threw a fit, but out came the indy security to escort Legacy away from ringside. So, they're removed from the Orton vs. Kofi situation for later on.

WINNERS: Legacy at 3:33. Short tag match to give Legacy a win, but then have them get immediate comeuppance to cover for another Bourne loss. Fine angle to build up Orton vs. Kofi later on. (3/4*)

3 -- MARYSE vs. GAIL KIM

Well, that was quick. Maryse picked up a quick win in less than two minutes to continue building her up to face Melina for the Divas Title. Post-match, Maryse stomped out of the ring and approached Kelly Kelly "Mean Girls" style. She cut a promo on Kelly, who then shoved her and a cat fight was on ringside. Suddenly, Melina stormed out to ringside and cleared away Maryse, who smiled her heel smile from the opposite side of the ring. Melina checked on Kelly ringside to close the segment.

WINNER: Maryse at 1:43. Basic, short divas match where the post-match angle took precedent. (n/a)

4 -- RANDY ORTON vs. KOFI KINGSTON

Kofi and Orton locked up and Kofi drove Orton to the corner before clotheslining Orton over the top rope to the floor. Kofi then bounced off the opposite ropes and nailed a suicide dive through the ropes on the floor. Kofi rolled Orton back into the ring, but missed with a corner splash back in the ring. Orton then hit a knock-down clothesline to slow down Kofi and begin a methodical attack.

Orton slowly paced the ring to draw boos as Cuban stood back in the corner observing the proceedings. Orton landed a knee drop, then settled into a good old fashioned Orton reverse chinlock to wear down Kingston. Crowd rallied behind Kofi, then Orton started jawing with Cuban, who pointed to his referee t-shirt to remind Orton what's up. Kofi made a comeback, then fired off a bunch of right hands and Cuban interjected to break up before a five count. Kofi then followed up with more right hands and European Uppercut. Kofi followed with the Boom Drop before beginning his hand clap motion to set up his finisher. Orton ducked Trouble in Paradise, then dropped Kofi with his fallaway backbreaker move. Orton shot Cuban a glare, then he pounded his fists on the mat to stalk Kofi for the RKO. Kofi blocked, though, and put Orton in the backslide pin where Cuban made the fastest three count ever to give Kofi the win.

Post-match: The crowd popped and Orton was seething in the ring after getting screwed by Cuban. Cuban told Orton he waited six years for payback and now he got him. Cuban then booked Orton vs. Kofi in the rubber match at TLC. Cole liked the sound of that and said each one has a win "albeit...under weird circumstances." It was just funny how Cole emphasized "weird." Cuban then celebrated with Kofi to close the segment.

WINNER: Kingston at 5:23. Fine, albeit short match between these two. WWE isn't expecting the match-up to sell the PPV, so they're obviously not too concerned about protecting the match-up for PPV. The chemistry between Kofi and Orton was good for five minutes. (**)

5 -- U.S. champion THE MIZ vs. MARK HENRY -- U.S. Title match

They had an early spot to get the crowd involved where Henry teased sitting on Miz's face after blocking a sunset flip, but Miz moved and went on the attack. Henry came back, though, and went for a gorilla press, only to have Miz gouge Henry in the eyes to avoid the attack. Miz then dropkicked Henry to the floor before dropkicking Henry head-first into the ring steps. Henry then re-entered the ring and Miz wanted a top rope splash, but Henry caught him in mid-air. Henry wanted the World's Strongest Slam, but Miz countered in mid-air with a swinging DDT. Miz then made the pin for the win. Whoa. Lawler built up Miz for "turning it up a notch" with the title on the line.

WINNER: Miz at 2:37. Miz with a clean pin on Henry. And now we're Even-Steven after last week, but Miz's win was pretty strong this week. It sure looked like they were going to have retain via count-out, so the finish exceed expectations for building up Miz as a credible threat in the ring. (*)

6 -- HORNSWOGGLE & EVE vs. CHAVO GUERRERO & JILLIAN

WWE didn't give the audience any indication why this match was taking place. Anyways, the match started with Hornswoggle vs. Chavo, then Eve and Jillian battled for a bit. Jillian tried a handspring smash, but Eve got her knees up. Eve then hit a handspring splash and scored the pin for the win. Post-match: Chavo teased taking out Hornswoggle again, but Eve stood up to Chavo. Chavo then chucked Horny down, Suddenly, Chris Masters entered the ring and took off his dress shirt. He confronted Chavo and sold he wanted a piece of Chavo. Chavo then pounded on Masters's money-making pecs a few too many times, prompting Masters to begin flexing his left pec. Chavo checked down at his pecs to see he didn't have that kind of power. Eve was kind of grossed out. Chavo then tried a clothesline, but Masters ducked and put him in the Masterlock before delivering a full-nelson slam. Masters then checked on Eve to make sure she was okay before flexing his pecs some more and Eve smiled and giggled. Masters left with Eve, then Horny tried to flex his pecs, but he realized he didn't have that power either. So, he just delivered some crotch chops in Chavo's direction.

WINNERS: Horny & Eve at 2:20. Don't ask for an explanation. We're just going to move along. (n/a)

7 -- DX (SHAWN MICHAELS & TRIPLE H) vs. Unified tag champion CHRIS JERICHO -- handicap match

Jericho and Michaels started things off, then Hunter tagged in and worked over Jericho. DX began exchanging tags before Michaels blasted Jericho with a chop across the chest. Lawler said many people in the "WWE Universe" were enjoying this beating on Jericho, who had nowhere to go to avoid punishment. Suddenly, Jericho shoved the ref into Hunter. With the ref down, Big Show lightly jogged to ringside and palmed Shawn Michaels by the head to give him a headbutt. Show started landing clubbing blows, but Hunter had a chair. He put it across Show's back, then Show turned around and was not happy. Show then punched the chair and the chair kinda sorta deflected into Hunter's face. Michaels tried to pull out a ladder, but Jericho dropkicked it into Michaels's stomach. Show then rammed the ladder into Hunter and Michaels's stomachs before Jericho and Show placed DX inside the ladder like a sandwich. Show held the top rung down for Jericho to crack the chair over the ladder, with the object for DX to feel the reverberations. Jericho then grabbed the tag belts and yelled "never, never, never" down at DX. Jericho then climbed the ladder and stood atop the ladder while DX sold pain on the mat. Show's music played as the tag champs were in control.

WINNER: No decision or announcement around 3:35. The obvious conclusion is that DX gets the belts on Sunday, but WWE could just find another way for JeriShow to get their comeuppance without DX winning the belts. DX doesn't need the belts, so WWE probably went this route to get folks worked up to order the PPV to see JeriShow just take a beating for 15 minutes in the TLC match before Jericho grabs the belts by the skin of his teeth to win. (*)

The final 15 minutes of the show had Sheamus knock out John Cena and throw Mark Cuban through a table.

Ring of Honor TV Results: 12-7-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to DeRosenroll's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

1 – THE BRISCOES (JAY BRISCOE & MARK BRISCOE) vs. KEVIN STEEN & EL GENERICO

Mark started off against Steen and they had a good opening exchange of chain wrestling and mat wrestling. Steen was in control until Mark got free, started running the ropes, took down Steen with a running leg lariat, and tagged out to Jay at 1:30. Generico tagged in to face Jay and the two had a fast-paced lucha style exchange. Jay got the advantage thanks to a running elbow and the Briscoes isolated Generico in their corner at 3:00. The Briscoes worked over Generico with some of their trademarks moves until Generico backflipped out of a back suplex attempt by Mark, hit a back suplex of his own, then tagged out to Steen at 5:00. Steen went for a flip dive off the top rope, but Mark got his knees up then tagged out to Jay and the Briscoes maintained the advantage.

Steen made a comeback at 6:00 when Mark’s surgically-repaired knee buckled while he was attempting to lift Steen for a bodyslam. Steen went after the knee with a dragon screw, then tagged Generico back in. Generico and Steen isolated Mark in their corner and worked over his knee. Mark finally made a comeback at 8:30, hit Steen with a couple of punches to the chin and a suplex, then reached Jay for the hot tag. Jay unleashed a flurry running strikes on both Steen and Generico, then landed a Death Valley driver on Steen for a near fall at 10:00. Mark tagged back in, but his knee buckled again when he attempted to lift Steen, allowing Steen to regain the advantage. Steen went to the top rope, but Jay intervened to keep Steen from landing a move on Mark. This prompted Generico to come after Jay, and Generico landed a spectacular running flip dive to take out Jay on the floor at 11:30.

Steen and Generico continued to tag in and out, taking turns working over Mark’s knee. At 12:30, Steen went for the Sharpshooter, but Jay broke it up with a superkick. Generico and Jay began fighting in the ring. Jay got the upper hand and the Briscoes hit the Doomsday Device on Generico at 13:00, but Generico was not the legal man for his team. Steen had recovered from Jay’s superkick by now and caught Jay with a superkick, then powerbombed Mark and locked in the Sharpshooter again. Mark teased tapping out, but managed to grab the ropes at 14:00. Steen then tried for his package piledriver finisher on Mark, but Mark countered it into an ace crusher. Jay then hit a running clothesline-Jay driller combination on Steen, and Mark made the pin.

WINNERS: The Briscoes in 14:30. Excellent match, helped by a hot crowd and excellent commentary from Hogewood and Prazak. The match built up logically and the finishing sequence was very well done.

- After the match, Hogewood and Prazak reinforced that the Briscoes will now face the American Wolves at Final Battle in two weeks. Hogewood also raised the question of what the loss will mean for the careers of Steen and Generico. Excellent job of making the match seem important.

2 – ROH World champion AUSTIN ARIES vs. KENNY OMEGA vs. RODERICK STRONG vs. DAVEY RICHARDS (with Shane Hagadorn, Eddie Edwards, and Sara Del Rey) -- Four-way ROH World Title match

Aries started the match by cheap-shotting Richards and scurrying out of the ring. As Richards chased after Aries, Omega caught Richards with a rollup for a near fall. Aries pulled Omega out of the ring and they began fighting on the outside while and Richards and Strong began fighting in the ring. Prazak complained that it was unfair to Aries that he could lose the World Title without being pinned in this match. Hogewood said Aries brought it on himself with his misbehavior in recent weeks. At 1:00, Aries grabbed Richards by the ankle and pulled him outside. Richards followed the action outside and all four men began fighting on the outside.

At 2:00, Strong tried to haul Aries back into the ring, but Aries gouged Strong’s eyes as Strong tried to lift him into the ring, then sent Strong back to the outside with a hangman neckbreaker on the ropes. Omega climbed to the top on the opposite side of the ring and landed a missile drop kick on Aries. Omega followed this up with a high-energy flurry of his trademark offensive moves on Aries, while Strong and Richards fought on the floor. Omega clotheslined Aries over the top rope to the floor at 3:30, then went to the top rope to set up a dive onto Aries on the floor, but Richards came back into the ring and stopped Omega with a running boot. Richards then began working over Omega with his trademark hard strikes and power moves, while Strong and Aries fought on the floor. Omega sold very well for Richards’ offence. Richards went for a pin at 5:30 but Strong rushed into the ring to break it up. Strong and Richards then got into a painful-looking chop exchange. Richards grounded Strong with a chin breaker-bodyslam combination, then went to the top, but Aries came from the outside to knock Richards to the floor and opportunistically landed a frog splash on Strong in the ring for a near fall at 6:00.

Aries continued working over Strong in the ring until Strong managed to dodge Aries’s running dropkick in the corner. Before Strong could follow up, Omega intervened and attacked Strong. This started a fast-paced sequence where each wrestler would hit a move or two on another, only to be cut off by a move or two from another wrestler, and so on. The sequence ended with Omega and Strong down selling the moves they’d taken and Aries and Richards having an exchange in the middle of the ring. Aries threw Richards to the outside and attempted his trademark heat seeking missile dive, but Richards stopped him with a hard boot to the head as Aries flew head first between the first and second ropes. Aries and Richards began fighting on the outside until Strong dove over the top rope onto both of them at 8:30. Just as the three got back to their feet, Omega came over the top rope with a spectacular flip dive to take them all out.

At 9:00, Omega rolled Aries back into the ring to press his advantage. Omega tried to set up Aries for a electric chair superplex in the corner, but Aries managed to free himself and kick Omega back to the mat. Before Aries could climb down from the top rope, Richards came in and caught Aries with an incredible German superplex at 9:30. Richards followed this up with a running leg lariat and a German suplex into a bridge pin on Aries, but Omega broke up the pin. Omega attempted an electric chair suplex on Richards, but Aries broke it up and Richards rolled out of the ring. Omega then landed an electric chair suplex on Aries, but Strong broke up the subsequent pin attempt at 11:00. Strong and Omega exchanged forearms in the ring until Aries came back in as the third man and threw Omega to the outside. Strong landed a hard running boot on Aries and tried for a pin, but Richards broke it up at 12:00. Aries rolled out of the ring as Omega came back in with a flurry of hard strikes and power moves on both Strong and Richards.

Just a Hogewood said “Omega is the one who has shown the most in this match,” Richards and Strong turned the tables on Omega and sent him to the outside with an alarm clock-running boot double team at 13:30. This left Strong and Richards alone in the ring. The two former No Remorse Corps stable mates had a long stare down, spit at each other, then had an intense exchange of hard strikes. Richards got the upper hand and tried for a DR driver, but Strong countered it into a gut-buster attempt that Richards countered that into a cloverleaf submission hold. Strong countered the cloverleaf into a small package for a very close near fall. Strong followed up with a powerbomb on Richards, but Aries opportunistically came in from the outside, punt kicked Strong as Strong went for the cover, then stole the pin on Richards.

WINNER: Aries in 15:00 to retain the ROH World Title. Outstanding four-way match with great action throughout. Omega, the least established of the four wrestlers, got plenty of time to shine to elevate him, and the finishing sequence between Strong and Richards was breathtaking. The finish was the right one, since the title should not change hands on a four way on television with almost no build up. Overall, this was one of the best four-way matches I have seen in years. The last four-way match I enjoyed this much was the Samoa Joe-Low Ki-Dan Maff-B.J. Whitmer four-way at the ROH Second Anniversary Show way back in 2004.

- After the match, Hogewood said “Austin Aries’ day is coming, I know it.” Just then, the lights in the arena went out and Tyler Black’s music hit. When the lights came back on, Black was on the entrance stage pointing at Aries. Hogewood said, “The Day of Reckoning has come for Aries!” Black pulled his shirt off and looked like he was going to charge the ring when the show abruptly ended.

Gail Kim jobs to Maryse?! FUCK THIS COMPANY!

ECW on SyFy Results: 12-8-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report).

My TV report this week will be a little different without hearing the commentary from Josh Mathews and Byron Saxton being live inside Toyota Center for the ECW taping tonight. I'll offer some first-hand perspective on crowd reactions and my view of the matches from inside the arena rather than watching the TV presentation.

Prior to the ECW taping starting, Goldust came out for the dark match to start the taping. Kaval (Low-Ki) was his opponent. Kaval cut a promo about his discipline and knowledge making him far superior than the fans. Basically, C.M. Punk's "I'm better than you" promos with a twist. And Ki's deep, unique voice.

Dark match: Goldust beat Kaval at 3:52. Crowd was into the match with Kaval flailing around to sell for Goldust. He seems to have studied some Chris Jericho tapes on "playing to the top row of the arena." Goldust avoided a top rope double foot stomp, then hit the Final Cut suplex for the win.

ECW TV started with a ladder positioned center ring. The ECW Title belt was positioned above the ladder from the ceiling. They did some close-ups of the belt, then someone backstage sent word to a stagehand to polish the belt for a better shot. A stagehand then scaled the ladder rather quickly to polish it up for the tight opening camera shot to start the broadcast.

Josh Mathews was in-ring to set up ECW's match at the TLC PPV - Christian vs. Shelton Benjamin. Kozlov's music interrupted and he said he wanted a piece of Ezekiel Jackson. Jackson then came out with William Regal trying to run separation. Regal got down on his knees and begged them not to fight, which brought out Shelton Benjamin. Shelton's one-liner about the fans coming here to see action, not Regal on his knees, drew a reaction. The rest of his promo was a bit of a mess, even with Christian out on-stage to rub off some charisma. Yoshi joined them on stage as well. ECW GM Tiffany then came out to give Regal's team the option of a six-man tag or Kozlov vs. Jackson. The fans chanted, "Let Them Fight." If anything, the Kozlov-Jackson program is over with enough of the audience to where the chant started to catch on. Of course, they went to the six-man tag route, but it was a good test to see audience reaction to a possible Kozlov vs. Jackson match down the road. Kozlov's deciding vote - "I want six man" - drew some chuckles in the audience.

1 -- VANCE ARCHER vs. TOMMY DREAMER

It was interesting to see how the audience would react to Archer in his first long-form match on ECW TV. He attempted a leg drop with a big wind-up that drew a reaction when he missed Dreamer completely. It was a nice transition to Dreamer's comeback, including a slow-motion baseball slide dropkick. Dreamer then missed with a Dreamer DDT and Archer followed with the big boot and reverse DDT for the win.

WINNER: Archer at 5:06. Archer has some charisma WWE can cultivate, but he needs more time before he becomes a marketable top tier star on the ECW brand. A fine TV match for five minutes. (*1/4)

Earlier in the day: Paul Burchill (under The Ripper mask from Superstars) tried to convince Tiffany to give him a job. Tiffany said "The Ripper" isn't under contract. Burchill countered he could be under the New Talent Initiative. Gregory Helms then walked in and Tiffany booked a match for "The Ripper" vs. "The Hurricane" on ECW next week.

The enhancement talent for the next match walked to the ring in the darkened arena, then they aired a backstage segment. Zack Ryder and Rosa Mendes were having a moment, then a sweaty Tommy Dreamer interrupted for a word. Ryder said he was a huge fan of Dreamer back in the day, but now it's time for him to end Dreamer's ECW career. Dreamer said he's heard that one before. "Its over, Tommy," Ryder said before walking off with Rosa. Looks like there's a new program to get Dreamer back on TV consistently.

2 -- TRENT BARRETA & CAYLEN CROFT vs. MARK FRANKS & DANNY VAUGHN

Vaughn was given a payday to basically stand on the apron and take a dropkick near the finish. Good work if you can get it. Meanwhile, poor Franks took a beating from the FCW call-ups. Barreta and Croft made quick work of the enhancement talent with the crowd understanding they were the wrestlers being featured since they were actually tan compared to the pale white enhancement talents. Cue up their "Vitamin C" theme music for the win.

WINNERS: Baretta & Croft at 1:50. WWE's just continuing to build up the new tag team. We'll see where it leads since the ECW tag roster is thin (actually non-existent) minus the feuding Kozlov and Jackson. (n/a)

For the "video segments galore" portion of the show, they aired a Tribute to the Troops video from last year's show for the live arena. The Raw Rebound followed with the live crowd in Houston booing the references to Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks. The crowd popped when Cuban was shown going through the table via Sheamus at the end of Raw last night.

After the announcers broke down the TLC PPV line-up ringside, Christian came out to the ring for the main event with the ECW Title belt hanging above the ring. Yoshi then came out an announced weight of 220 pounds. He sure is hiding those pounds. After a commercial break, Shelton Benjamin came out and WWE rolled a video package on the history of Christian and Shelton in TLC or ladder matches. It was a really good video package. Should have been the focus. William Regal then led out an unhappy Jackson, who wanted Kozlov one-on-one, and Kozlov for the main event.

3 -- ECW champion CHRISTIAN & SHELTON BENJAMIN & YOSHI TATSU vs. WILLIAM REGAL & KOZLOV & EZEKIEL JACKSON

The opening with Christian and Jackson was received well, especially Christian playing cat-and-mouse with Jackson to expose Jackson's "weakness" as a slow, sluggish brute. The heels then isolated Shelton Benjamin for a good while. One man in the crowd was determined to get a "Let's go Shelton" chant started. After shouting himself hoarse, the audience finally picked up on it. Sign Guy then started a slow-clap rallying clap for Shelton, who fought to his feet from a seated position and broke free from Regal. The spot where the referee doesn't see the hot tag to the babyface initially didn't draw a reaction because the audience saw it coming, but they booed when Christian and Yoshi sold their frustration with the ref to the top row of the arena. Eventually, Yoshi took a hot tag and the action broke down. Jackson then wanted a tag to Kozlov, but Kozlov hopped off the apron and started to leave. Jackson chased him down and they brawled ringside while Regal tried to restore order. In the process, Team Regal was counted out.

Post-match: Shelton did a leap over the top rope onto Team Regal that got the flashbulbs popping. Meanwhile, Yoshi disappeared from sight really selling an injury to his jaw/mouth. Christian then grabbed the ladder from the opening segment and set it up in the ring. He scaled the ladder to retrieve the ECW Title belt hanging above the ring, but Shelton suddenly popped to his feet and springboard leapt onto the ladder. You could see how gimmicked the ladder was when it buckled slightly, but absorbed Shelton like the ladder was made of rubber. Christian and Shelton then grabbed hold of the title belt and had a face-to-face, nose-to-nose stare down standing atop the ladder to close the show.

WINNERS: Team Christian at 12:01. The post-match was more important than the in-ring action, as the match was basically six minutes of Shelton selling for the heels. The closing image of Shelton and Christian on top of the ladder was a good sales pitch for the TLC PPV on Sunday. Not the best episode of ECW, but it was effective for advancing the PPV sales pitch and the TV storyline-driven feud between Kozlov and Jackson. (*3/4)

Wrestling news and tidbits

From my good buddy HushedRuin over at ComicBloc's version of The Official Wrestling Thread:

There is a possible spoiler for the John Cena/Sheamus match at TLC if you click the link, but an update on another former WWE star: Yoshihiro Tajiri is now rolling with SMASH, which is a fighting trifecta. They have a pro wrestling division, an MMA division, and a kickboxing division. "The Japanese Buzzsaw" is a producer for the wrestling division. Way to go Tajiri!
http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/art...ler-an-update-on-former-wwe-star-tajiri-92163

What's Charlie Haas up to these days? Warming the bench and just got a raise. Why? Well, apparently TNA and Kurt Angle had something in mind for 1/2 of The World's Greatest Tag Team, so WWE refused Haas' resignation request and even gave him a raise.
http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/art...r-asks-for-release-instead-gets-a-raise-92197

Per ESPN, apparently Andrew Martin (see also: Test) had brain damage similar to Chris Benoit.
http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/article/espn-reports-that-andrew-test-martin-had-brain-damage-92195

Ironically, Hulk Hogan isn't doing so great after the Hulkamania tour. Word has it his hip gave out on him during a match with Ric Flair down in Australia... I hope like hell he doesn't wrestle in TNA, for his own sake. Flirt with the idea all you want Dixie, but the guy isn't exactly in the best shape these days.
http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/art...-in-bad-shape-following-hulkamania-tour-92205

A look at WWE's DVD release schedule reveals Shawn Michaels' "25 Grestest Matches" and "Raw: 2009 Season" are coming soon. I guess it's a best of '09 for Raw DVD?
http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/article/funeral-arrangements-for-umaga-wwe-dvd-release-dates-92209

Heard anything about Booker T coming back to WWE recently? Neither have I, as apparently those negotiations are dead in the water. Booker's got his own promotion in Texas I think though, so he might do well to concentrate on that.
http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/article/report-the-latest-on-booker-ts-negotiations-with-wwe-92211

WWE Superstars Results: 12-10-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

1 -- DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. FINLAY

Having already seen this match at the Smackdown taping on Tuesday, I'm interested to hear the added commentary and catch any possible audio sweetening. Early on, the announcers used Finlay's presence in the ring to talk up Sheamus going into the TLC PPV. After a feeling-out process, Finlay engaged the crowd by trapping Ziggler in the ring apron for his signature move. Back in the ring, Ziggler rammed Finlay in the gut before ramming him head-first into the ringspot. Odd and sad to hear Striker being produced to almost glorify the effects of being hit in the head with a chair to sell Batista vs. Undertaker at the PPV. On cue, the match cut to a break with both men down on the mat after knocking heads in the ring.

Back from break, Striker was still being produced to glorify chair shots to the head. Hurry, order TLC to see wrestlers inflict more punishment to their heads. Ziggler was on the offensive working Finlay's arm and shoulder. Finlay then tried to attack Ziggler in the corner, but Ziggler moved and Finlay hit the turnbuckles. Dazed, Finlay stumbled back into the Zig-Zag finisher from Ziggler for the win.

WINNER: Ziggler in 12:00. Basic, okay singles match. Striker being produced to show enthusiasm for chair shots to the head and the effects of blows to the head was just wrong. Ten years from now with more and more research, people are going to watch this tape and their jaws will be on the floor. (*)

2 -- HART DYNASTY (TYSON KIDD & D.H. SMITH w/Natalya) vs. JIMMY WANG YANG & SLAM MASTER J

Wang and SMJ scored some early high-flying offense, then Yang found himself on the floor. Natalya landed a bodyslam on the floor that generated one of the legit biggest pops of the Smackdown taping during any match on the show. Back in the ring, Smith went to work on Yang as they replayed Natalya's slam on Yang. SMJ took a hot tag at 3:00 and went to work on Kidd with fast-paced offense. Smith then broke up a pin and Yang cleared him to the outside. Back in the ring, though, Kidd blocked a suplex and hit a back kick into a flip-over neckbreaker for the pin and the win. Sweet finish.

WINNER: HD in 4:00. This was better on TV than live at the taping. Nice pace with the camera and production enhancing the high-flying, fast-paced offense throughout the match. Yang and SMJ had enough impressive-looking offense to look strong in defeat. (*1/2)

3 -- JACK SWAGGER vs. MVP

The match started with an early exchange to feel each other out. Lawler after the opening bell: "Did you know MVP's high school newspaper had an obituary column?" Now that Lawler isn't running for mayor in Memphis, he can crack jokes again. MVP had a flurry of offense at 2:00, so Swagger slipped to the outside to recover. MVP told him he was ballin', so Swagger stomped up the ring steps back into the ring to answer. MVP went back on the offensive and teased dropping the Ballin' elbow, but Swagger rolled to the outside. Cole said Swags needed a time-out, but MVP interrupted with a plancha to the floor. MVP in control going to break.

Back from break, MVP was still in control. Lawler suggested MVP "gets up" for Swagger and does his best work in the ring opposite Swagger thanks to the trash talk over the past few months. Swagger then took control working over MVP's left shoulder while MVP's nose was in the canvas. MVP then fired off a round of right hand blows and back-dropped Swagger to the mat before landing a series of clotheslines. MVP then set up the Ballin' elbow drop when he could have made a pin when Swagger was motionless for over three seconds. MVP then wanted the Playmaker, but Swagger held the ropes to block. MVP tried a small package, but Swagger kicked out. Swagger then landed a knee to the gut and MVP just kinda fell down in the corner for Swagger to hit a running Vader bomb for a two count.

Time to go home nearing the top of the hour. MVP blocked a neckbreaker, then he charged Swagger and nailed a big boot right to the head, but Swagger kicked out and MVP sold shock. MVP tried to capitalize, but Swagger dropped MVP face-first on the top turnbuckle and followed right up with the gutwrench powerbomb. Swagger with the pin for the win.

WINNER: Swagger in 12:00. Nice TV main event. Good counters and reversals throughout. The finish was telegraphed early and often, as MVP had tons of offense compared to Swagger to protect MVP before he took the eventual fall. Good conclusion to the show. (**)

TNA Impact! Results: 12-10-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Wilkenfeld's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

(1) THE BRITISH INVASION vs. CHRIS SABIN

Has Doug Williams always been blond? He suddenly reminds me of Bruno. We're told that Nash has banned Alex Shelley from ringside. Sabin and Williams start off with a bit of chain wrestling, culminating in a Side Headlock from Williams. Sabin shoots him off, pops Magnus off the apron, tosses Williams out, and looks to flip out onto them when he's cut off by a shoulder block from Rob Terry. Williams comes back in and chokes Sabin against the corner. Magnus tags in and they hit their Double Union Jack, followed by the Handshake of Doom. Williams tags back in and whips Williams knee first into Sabin. Williams returns the favor by whipping Sabin into a Big Boot from Magnus. He tags in Rob Terry (who the crowd says can't wrestle), who hits a Body Slam, but whiffs on an Elbow Drop. Sabin whips him into the corner. Williams and Magnus come in to help, but Sabin dodges and stacks them up in the corner. He looks for a running kick to all three, but Williams and Magnus get out of the way—Terry still eats it. Magnus and Williams try to strike back with some type of double clothesline, but Sabin dodges and they run right into Terry. While they recover, Sabin hits a quick Tornado Small Package (which I didn't even know was a move) on Terry for the pinfall.

WINNER: Chris Sabin in four minutes. Williams and Magnus are unhappy at their partner. I really hope that this is the start of a MCMG push and not a Rob Terry face turn.

(2) BOBBY & KRISTAL LASHLEY vs. SCOTT STEINER & AWESOME KONG

Nash can book matches with people who aren't TNA employees? Could he have booked me in a match? Steiner has a picture of Kristal on his crotch. Lashley starts things off with a kick to Steiner's gut, a sledge to the back and a Body Slam. Steiner rolls out of the ring and has the ref rebuke Lashley for the use of a closed fist. Lashley follows him out—shouldn't he have just let the match end by count-out? He follows Steiner back into the ring and gets caught by a couple of Knife-Edged Chops. Lashley just powers him onto his shoulders for some type of Rib Breaker. A Suplex gets two. Lashley comes off the ropes but gets tripped up by Awesome Kong. Steiner knocks him down, then floors him with a clothesline when he gets back up. Kong comes in to help out with Lashley, who ducks. Kong inadvertently clotheslines Steiner. While they argue, Lashley clubs Steiner and then takes him over with a T-Bone Suplex. Steiner rolls to the outside, and when Lashley follows him out Steiner whips him into the steel steps near Kristal. She goes to check on Lashley, and might actually have accidentally tagged in. Steiner glares at her, and she backs up into Kong. Kong crushes her and starts to go to the top rope for a big Splash, but Steiner just takes the moderately sexual cover and then does some pushups over her.

WINNERS: Scott Steiner & Awesome Kong in four and a half minutes.

(3) ERIC YOUNG vs. HAMADA
Global Championship Match

They lock up to start. Young backs Hamada into a corner, then pats her on the head. The crowd chants for TNA to fire Eric. He plays to the crowd a bit, only to eat a Spinning Heel Kick. He rolls to the outside, where she follows him with a bunch of quick strikes. EY goes to the corner, and when she charges he gets up a boot—I guess that doesn't count as hitting a woman cause she was moving? His edge doesn't last long, as Hamada gets him with a leaping kick, then takes him down with a top rope Frankensteiner. She goes for a Moonsault, but whiffs. EY makes the cover with the ropes to get the win.

WINNER: Eric Young.

(4) TARA (w/POISON) vs. ODB
Trailer Park Throwdown

In honor of the late Mr. Fatu I will be bringing back the shot-to-the head counter, and this time will keep it cumulative. ODB gives Tara, who's looking like she's going to puke, a bucket, but Tara whacks her with it. ODB rolls to the outside, where ODB whacks her a few more times with some sort of handle. Tara is poised to drop a cooler on ODB's head, but ODB takes a sip and spits some booze in her face. She wraps Tara up in caution tape, then hits her on the back with some sort of tray. She hits a plunger to Tara's butt, and they go back into the ring. There's a ladder set up in the corner, and ODB catapults Tara into it. I'm pretty sure that was protected. ODB starts to climb the ladder, but then randomly decides to bust out a step-ladder instead. A Splash gets two. ODB backs Tara into the corner and chokes her with a tiki torch. Tara flips her out. They get back to their knees. Each of them grabs a trash can, and…uh oh.

Headshot Counter: 7

Tara Body Slams ODB, sets a trashcan lid on top of her, and Moonsaults onto it. She starts to climb for another, but stumbles and falls off the turnbuckles. ODB chokes her out with a steel chain, and uses it to nail a Face Buster onto the chair.

Headshot Counter: 8

WINNER: ODB in six minutes.

(5) HERNANDEZ, MATT MORGAN, & HERNANDEZ vs. TEAM 3D, RHINO, & JESSE NEAL.

Rhino starts things off with a kick to Morgan, but gets backed into the corner for Morgan's back elbows. Devon tags in, but bounces off Morgan. Suicide and Ray tag in as well. Suicide this a few Arm Drags, but Ray powers him down and tags in Jesse Neal. Neal hits a series of clubs in the corner, then tags in Rhino. Rhino keeps working over Suicide, hitting a Spear in the corner. Devon tags back in and beats Suicide to the mat. Devon charges, but Suicide gets a boot up. He takes advantage of the distance to hit a thrusting dropkick. Hernandez and Neal tag in. Hernandez takes down Neal with his Slingshot Shoulder Block, takes down an interfering Rhino and Devon, then pops Ray off the apron. He lifts Neal over with a Back Body Drop, then flies to the outside to take out the other three men. Hernandez comes back in and floors Neal with a Dominator for 1, 2…no! Ray comes in and hits a Bubba Bomb, Morgan takes him out with a Carbon Footprint, and everyone starts hitting finishers in rapid succession. Eventually Hernandez ends up with Devon, whom he nails with the Border Toss, only to turn into a Spear from the legal Neal for the three count.

WINNERS: Team 3D, Rhino, & Jesse Neal? What just happened? Hernandez was kept down by a Spear from JESSE NEAL? B.S.

(6) AJ STYLES vs. DESMOND WOLFE
World Heavyweight Championship Match

Kurt comes down to commentary for the match. Wolfe gets an immediate Full Nelson, then a wrist lock. AJ tries to flip out, but Wolfe blocks him. AJ then does flip through, but Wolfe maintains the hold and gets AJ back down. AJ gets up and hits a Body Slam, but Wolfe still hangs onto the hold. Finally AJ reverses the hold, they trade wrist locks, and eventually AJ shoots him off and gets him with a high dropkick. AJ gets a quick hammerlock, but Wolfe elbows his face. Wolfe tries to run AJ into the turnbuckle, but AJ blocks it. AJ whiffs though on a strike in the corner, and Wolfe connects with his Hammerlock Slam, then the Suplex. He pounds AJ's left arm against the mat, then twists it against the ropes. AJ uses his free hand to fight back, but Wolfe headbutts him back into the corner. He charges right into a Big Boot, and AJ connects with a series of clotheslines and then some sort of Back Breaker to his own knee. Wolfe lifts him up with a Back Body Drop, but AJ lands on the apron and comes back with the Flying Forearm. AJ knocks him down, and as Wolfe falls he kicks AJ in the groin. The ref treats it as an accident, but Wolfe points to his head to let us know that it wasn't. He signals for his lariat, but Daniels comes down and grabs him from the outside. When Wolfe looks at him, AJ sneaks up and gets him with a roll-up into a bridge for three.

WINNER: AJ Styles in five minutes. I like the plot twist, but I would have preferred seeing these two ramp up more quickly if the match was going to be this short. (I realize that wouldn't actually make sense—how would they know in advance it would be a short match?—so I guess this works too).

Source: Bleacher Report

Breaking News: WWE's ECW Brand Set to Die in 2010
by Joe Burgett

In a very sad story, it is being reported that WWE's ECW Brand will most likely end in early 2010. The WWE has been meeting with the SyFy Network the past few days about re-branding the show.

Both the WWE and SyFy are in agreement that WWE’s ECW has been a bust and plans are already being made for a new weekly series. Several ideas have been tossed around including a magazine-style recap show.

However, as of now it appears that WWE wants to make the new Tuesday night brand a “WWE Minor League” and feature young up-and-coming stars.

This most likely means that the big name stars on the brand or people good enough to leave will move to RAW or SmackDown at some point in 2010, even before the annual WWE Draft.

ECW has been in the WWE for about four years now as it launched early 2006, the WWE saw the amazing success of the One Night Stand PPV and the "Rise and Fall of ECW" DVD and decided to make it a new brand. When we first saw it in the WWE, the normal ECW rules were around and the brand was doing well.

The WWE put ECW originals such as RVD, Sandman, Tommy Dreamer, and Sabu on the brand to give the fans some of the same faces they loved. Then we saw the addition of Kurt Angle and Big Show which also helped get attention to the brand.

It was doing very well, and then all the sudden we start seeing the WWE take it over and put their style in it. ECW of old was gone and we see what we do today. If we were seeing the same ECW show that we once loved, then of course the brand would get higher ratings.

It is the WWE that killed it off, simply because they knew the show would be bigger than either RAW or SmackDown if the hardcore action was around under the WWE Banner.

The ECW letters will disappear, and no one is clear on what the new name. Some are thinking because it could be a minor league, that FCW will be the new name seeing as that is the WWE's developmental brand.

It is clear to me that if they make the new brand a minor league, we will see a lot of the FCW youngsters come up to WWE TV pretty fast.

I don't know what they would name it, but that would be my only guess as of now, if you have one then by all means leave a comment below telling me what you would name the new brand.

ECW will be hard to not see anymore, but it is clear that the ECW of old has been dead and gone for a while now. I feel bad that ECW died, but it is not surprising the WWE basically killed it off for good.

I think that the new minor league show sounds cool, as we will see a lot of new stars. It is the reason I, along with many others watch ECW anyway, so why not?

If they are not going to give us the ECW we once loved, and basically make their own brand out of them, then changing the name in the end has no effect on me.

One thing that will be something to wonder about will be the ratings. ECW currently has some draws in Shelton Benjamin, Yoshi Tatsu, Christian, and a few others. If those people are gone, then really who is going to be their top guy?

I would think the WWE would have guest stars from RAW and/or SmackDown come on the show, seeing as ECW tapes with SmackDown a lot, we could see more SmackDown stars there than RAW.

I personally do not want to see another Superstars show, as I feel it has no substance, the new brand with the people no one has really heard of would be interesting, simply because we will see people that we never have before.

People from FCW such as Justin Angel and Kris Logan are very interesting guys, who could be huge for the WWE. Giving them some limelight on TV would do wonders for them.

People like seeing new stars, especially if they are good, so the new show will have views. But of course, since they are new, you'd have to watch the show to be a fan of anyone on there, or know them from seeing them in another promotion or something.

If people don't have a fav on the show regularly, such as Benjamin or Christian, will they watch anyway? It is something the WWE needs to think about. But like I said, seeing guest stars every week would most likely help that out.

Also, how would the minor leagues work? If they suddenly get popular will they be put on RAW or SmackDown? Or will they have to be there for a certain amount of time?

The WWE has made loopholes before, such as putting Sheamus on RAW out of nowhere. So that could be possible.

The weekly recap show seems to be a dumb idea, seeing as we see enough recap on WWE.com and the other two brands. So the minor leagues seem to be the big idea as of now.

The ECW letters may be gone soon, but many fans will remember the once great promotion. WWE can't stop them from that, I'm just saying.

WWE Smackdown Results: 12-11-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Park's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

1 – LUKE GALLOWS & C.M. PUNK vs. R-TRUTH & MATT HARDY

At one point, when Truth was yelling, “what’s up?” as part of his intro, Punk replied “Straight Edge!” Matt followed Truth and was handing the Hardy DVD to fans. Punk’s indignation and desperate attempts to convince fans not to accept them while Truth was still rapping was funny. Truth gave a cheap-shot to Punk before the match as Punk was yelling at Hardy in the ring.

After Punk recovered, the match began. Punk got in Truth’s face and taunted him. Not Punk’s most sagacious moment, as Truth came back with a clothesline and sent Punk to the outside as they went to break under a minute into the match.

They returned to action about 3:30 into the match. The faces were double-teaming Punk, but Punk came back to hang Truth waist-first on the top rope. Gallows tagged in and registered a gut-buster on Truth. Striker lauded the team of Punk and Gallows, while Grisham reminded him it was their first match together. Scoop slam by Punk for two. The heels isolated Truth and worked him over. Gallows cinched in a bearhug. Belly-to-back suplex by Punk, then some taunts of the fans to draw some more heat. He went for a springboard clothesline, but Truth dropkicked him in the chest as he came down. Matt tagged in and went to work on Punk. Powerbomb-like move out of the corner, then a legdrop off the second rope. Gallows broke up the pin, but Truth took care of him. Punk tossed Truth. Couple of reversals by the legal men. Twist of Fate, but Punk made a blind tag prior to that and Gallows gave him a big boot and his finisher (which Striker called “The 12th Step” and “The Gallows’ Pole”) for the win.

WINNERS: Punk and Gallows, at 8:51. Good tag match to put over the Punk/Gallows relationship.

2 – ERIC ESCOBAR vs. CHRIS JERICHO

Jericho slapped Escobar after a brief face-off, but Escobar came back with some rights. Jumping leg lariat by Escobar, then he walloped Jericho some more in the corner. Sky High by Escobar for only two. He clotheslined Jericho over the top and to the outside. At this point, Vickie came out to make it a two-on-one handicap match with Big Show and Jericho taking on Escobar. You could see that one coming as soon as Jericho was thrown over the top rope.

2 – ERIC ESCOBAR vs. CHRIS JERICHO & THE BIG SHOW – HANDICAP MATCH

Escobar tried for a quick pin before Show got to the ring, but it was unsuccessful. Jericho took over on offense and immediately tagged Show. After about a minute of beating down Escobar, Jericho tagged back in and locked in the Walls of Jericho to pick up the submission victory.

WINNERS: Show and Jericho, at 2:59. I wouldn’t say this makes the champs look especially strong heading into TLC.

3 – KANE vs. MIKE KNOX

During Knox’s entrance, they replayed the finish of last week’s match between these two. Kane got a big boot early on, then a snap-mare, but Knox fled the ring before Kane could hit him with the low dropkick. As he came back in, Kane grabbed him by the throat. Knox elbowed out, then hit a pump kick. Knox kept Kane grounded with elbows and punches. Short-arm clothesline from Knox. Kane got his knees up on a splash, then came the low dropkick. That got a two-count. One-armed sidewalk slam by Kane, an impressive sight. The Big Red Monster missed a clothesline off the top and Knox responded with a cross-body for two. He went for a Knox Out, but Kane countered with a chokeslam for the win.

WINNER: Kane, at 2:55. Knox’s gimmick doesn’t really work when the guy never wins.

4 – MICKIE JAMES & MARIA vs. MICHELLE MCCOOL & LAYLA

They officially announced Mickie James vs. Michelle McCool for the Women’s Title at TLC. Maria opened the match with a couple arm-drags on McCool. Michelle recovered and came back with a back-breaker. McCool knocked James off the apron and as the ref tried to restrain James from coming into the ring, the heels took advantage with some double-teaming. Maria fought back with a head-scissor take-down and tagged James. McCool tagged out to Layla, who ate Mickie’s offense. Hair pull took Mickie down, but Layla got nailed with a Thesz Press. Mickie shoved her into McCool, who was on the apron, then rolled Layla up for the win.

WINNERS: Mickie and Maria, at 1:56. The match served its purpose, nothing more.

5- REY MYSTERIO vs. BATISTA – STREET FIGHT

Batista started the match on offense, whipping Rey hard into the buckle. Hard elbow to the chest put Mysterio down again, and got a two-count. Batista really worked over Mysterio, bodyslamming him and paint-brushing the back of Rey’s head. Mysterio finally fought out of a powerslam and took out Dave’s knee. Batista got set up for the 619, but escaped. Rey used some tomfoolery to get into Batista head, stepping over him to get out of the ring, then coming back in when Batista went out after him. Baseball slide and Batista landed hard against the barricade as the show went to break a little under three minutes into the match.

Batista was twisting Rey’s body around the ring post as the show returned. They showed a replay during the break of Batista taking over on offense with a boot to the face and a whip of Rey into the ring steps. He began to whip Mysterio with camera cables at ringside. Batista dropped Rey jaw-first onto the announce table. Hey, I just noticed sign guy in the front row. The Animal worked over the back of Mysterio in the ring. Striker wondered aloud if, because Batista’s milk intake is more than the normal man, and milk strengthens bones, whether it makes Batista’s head harder and requires more chair shots to daze him. I wonder what goes through his mind sometimes. Batista brought a chair into the ring, but Rey came back and prevented him from using it. Mysterio got the 619 and the springboard splash, but only for two. Mysterio whacked Batista in the back with a chair, then went after him with it raised above his head, resulting in him getting speared by Batista. Spinebuster by the big man. Chairshot to the head by Batista, followed by a pin for the win.

WINNER: Batista, at 11:11. Well, Batista has the match at the PPV, so he had to go over here.

Batista went back for seconds, but the lights went out and Taker’s gong sounded. The lights came back on, and Taker was in the ring. He pummeled Batista and grabbed the chair, but Batista escaped before Taker could wield it successfully. Batista crawled up the ramp, trying to catch his breath, as Taker did the throat-slash gesture in Batista’s direction.

I heard a rumour ECW was going to be closing its doors. Glad to see its true.