Tag Archives: randy orton

Flashback: WWE No Mercy 2005 featuring Eddie Guerrero’s final PPV appearance

  By Franny | January 29, 2012 - 12:42 am | Flashback, Wrestling
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No Mercy 2005

Thinking of killing some time while waiting for some video editing work to finish processing, I popped in a random WWE DVD. I can’t recall having seen this one before as I wasn’t following wrestling from 2003-2005 and just hadn’t gotten around to watching the actual DVD, even years later.

The show starts off with a now-chilling introduction video package featuring two feuds: Eddie Guerrero/Batista & Undertaker/Orton. Guerrero. Now, before I get into this, let me say that the one 2005 pay-per-view I have watched (other than WrestleMania & The Royal Rumble, of course) was ECW One Night Stand 2005. I always thought that Guerrero had a bit of a ‘vacant’ look about him, like he wasn’t himself and never would be again. Hindsight’s 20/20, and perhaps it was just the character he was trying to play. A few months later, though, this same look was present in this video package that turned out to serve as hype for what would be his final pay-per-view match. Coincidentally, this event was on Guerrero’s birthday.

In this video, a promo was referenced where Guerrero talked about his addictions and problems, which was probably as off-putting then as the Kevin Nash/Scott Hall match at Halloween Havoc was in 1998. Now, it’s even more uncomfortable to see. Shortly after this, the hype for the Undertaker/Randy Orton angle begins. Their match for this event was a casket match. Now WWE had no idea they’d be losing an active member of their roster within less than a month, and even if they did, I can’t say I’d expect them to not still hold a casket match. Afterall, they held THREE in 2008, less than a year after the Benoit Family died.

Anywho… Wrestling. Where was I? (more…)

John Cena, the Rock, CM Punk, & Triple H: The road to Survivor Series & Beyond

  By Franny | September 19, 2011 - 2:51 pm | Wrestling, WWE
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Let the speculation and fantasy-booking begin.

One night after Night of Champions, and we’re already speculating about Survivor Series. Well, I am, at least. The rest of the wrestling world is probably drooling over Hell in a Cell 2011 and how that will go down, however illogical a gimmick pay-per view may be.

Last night we saw John Cena capture his hundredth WWE Championship (or something like that) and Triple H pin CM Punk after a barrage of run-ins on both participants of the match. Peter Gabriel would be proud, as we saw a return of the sledgehammer, as Kevin Nash was laid out by Triple H. It’s sad that I have to stop and think who had something to do with wrestling most recently, Peter Gabriel or a sledgehammer, but I do assume Triple H utilized the weapon more recently than “Big Time” WrestleMania 22.

Anywho, back to business. I don’t see Alberto Del Rio in a Hell in a Cell match. It would make absolutely zero sense and he’d be out of his element. I really don’t know what they’re going to do with Cena, unless they go the tag match route, but that wouldn’t make much sense either. I just don’t logically see a WWE Championship Hell in a Cell match this year.

Triple H and CM Punk WILL however do battle in the massive cage, mark my words. The point of a cage is no escape, and protection from interference, which would make perfect sense for Punk & Triple H. “Awesome Truth” and Kevin Nash can’t interfere if the match takes place in the confines of a Hell in a Cell cage. Given the number of Hell in a Cell matches that have spilled outside of the cage, though, (I mean hell, it’s an annual feature in WWE video games) I think it defeats the purpose and we’d see interference anyway. As far as booking the match, goes, it would work, though. (more…)

Night of Champions 2011: CM Punk, Triple H, John Cena, Alberto Del Rio…Fresh?

  By Franny | September 16, 2011 - 6:53 pm | Wrestling, WWE
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"Are you ready?" -CM Punk with Triple H in 2006

I haven’t been following WWE that closely in recent weeks. I probably could have capitalized on the CM Punk craze by blogging about his classic-of-tomorrow feud with John Cena. However, life happens, and blogging did not happen, so there is some catching up to be done.

Even the most casual fans had to have heard about this red-hot feud. CM Punk wins the WWE Championship at Money in the Bank 2011 at the peak of the hottest feud of the year. He then ‘leaves’ with the title, leaving WWE belt-less. Cue McMahon. John Cena wins a new championship from tournament winner Rey Mysterio, in more of ‘the same’ nonsense. That same night, CM Punk returns, with new entrance music in tow. Somewhere along the way, Triple H returns to inform Mr. McMahon that he is reliving him of his duties, and that Helmsley would be the new acting COO. McHunter books Punk vs Cena at SummerSlam, Kevin Nash returns, and Alberto Del Rio cashes in. Punk is angry, but not at Del Rio; Punk doesn’t trust Triple H or old crony Nash, which brings us to today.

At Night of Champions, CM Punk faces Triple H. If Triple H loses, he steps down from his position. Now, for me, this is a little disappointing, as I think it gives away the ending of the match. Triple H wins after interference from Kevin Nash. At least we’d have an inkling of hope or chance that Triple H would lay down for CM Punk if that stipulation wasn’t present. That aside, this match-up is fresh. Triple H hasn’t wrestled since April, so it could be hit-or-miss.  Regardless, it’s a match that should generate a decent amount of buzz, despite Triple H’s bland rambling promo work. (more…)

Royal Rumble 2011 a success–but you already knew that.

  By Franny | February 2, 2011 - 7:43 pm | Wrestling, WWE
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NASH!!!111oneoneone

After 24 years of pretty much the same thing, WWE did something not too drastic, although they would like you to think it’s a drastic change: adding ten men to the traditional thirty-man match. To compensate, the increments between timed entrances were reduced from two minutes to ninety seconds. This resulted in roughly the same total minimum match length, but helped showcase ten more aspiring stars and offering ten more pay-per-view payout bonuses.

This year’s extravaganza had something for everyone. The ‘smarky’ Boston crowd really ate up the opening sequences, as it featured WWE’s best pure wrestlers in the ring together: CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, and William Regal, with Zack Ryder & Justin Gabriel as ‘buffers’ serving as elimination fodder for the three. The three traded stiff shots and showed the crowd a thing or two: Punk & Bryan will one day tear the house down if given the chance, and William Regal is one tough man.

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Last week’s Raw: Dolph-Orton, Cena-Punk, Royal Rumble build

  By Franny | January 25, 2011 - 4:27 pm | Wrestling, WWE
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I’ve been really ‘uninspired’ lately with the current state of pro wrestling-entertainment. However, any fan knows that the Royal Rumble is the beginning of the ‘Road to WrestleMania,’ and the programming will get a lot better for at least a few months. I decided to get back into the swing of things by catching up on Raw, starting with last week’s episode. I haven’t watched it in months, and I think that helped me actually enjoy it a lot more.

John Cena vs Nexus
The show opens with John Cena cutting a promo on the Nexus. Apparently it’s being led by CM Punk now, which is great news. The Miz and Alex Riley interrupt, to inject the green WWE Champion into different main event situations, and keep the doors open for a Cena-Miz feud.

It's nice to see a champion dress with class instead of wearing jorts.

Pros:

  • Punk leading Nexus is more entertaining than Barrett, and it ensures that Punk won’t be buried anytime soon. It makes Nexus seem a lot more ‘sinister.’
  • Miz & Riley dress like champions. It’s good to see a heel champion come out in a suit. It’s more likely to bring class to the belt than a pair of jorts.
  • Cena: “Cole has about as much street cred as the Jonas Brothers.”
  • Cena makes a reference to having to keep it PG, which I thought was a neat comment aimed towards the older fans.

Cons:

  • Cena’s comedy comments undermines The Miz as a worthy champion. He does have a point, though, as Miz’s delivery sometimes leaves a bit to be desired. Cena also puts ‘Cena vs Orton’ over as an iconic WrestleMania match-up, implying that Miz doesn’t belong in the main event. I think people would rather see someone new headline the show rather than see Cena vs Orton for the 80th time.
  • Cole: “[John Cena] is the Ricky Gervais of WWE.” I’d like to hear an explanation for this one. I fail to see what Ricky Gervais has in common with John Cena. I guess the joke’s on me.
  • ‘Poopy’ jokes.

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John Cena and Sheamus join forces to close somewhat watchable episode of WWE Raw

  By Franny | July 13, 2010 - 3:25 pm | Wrestling, WWE
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Rivals John Cena & Sheamus teamed up on Raw.This picture isn't from that show.

I did it. I managed to sit through most of another episode of WWE Raw. Much to my surprise, it wasn’t all that bad, for once. However, I do believe I deserve a medal, a cookie, the Intercontinental Championship, or a TNA contract for my efforts.

WWE decided to mix things up, and showed the WWE Universe that the anonymous GM has a rather unique vision for certain titles.

As a way of reprimanding Alicia Fox for her shady tactics in a previous match against Eve Torres, Fox was added to the main event, making it a six-on-two intergender handicap match. The icing on the cake: the winner of the pinfall wins the Divas Championship. Smarks around the world grunted in disbelief, knowing John Cena was getting yet another shot a WWE belt, but the world kept watching.

The match went just as expected, with Super Cena overcoming all odds and gaining the pinfall victory. Your new Divas champion, John Cena. (more…)

Jan 4 Raw semi-live report: Hart-earned Ratings?

  By Franny | January 6, 2010 - 8:05 pm | Wrestling, WWE
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Check your calendars all you want, but it IS 2010, not 1997, and hell HAS frozen over.

Raw started with a classy introduction with video package, and Justin Roberts announced Bret’s championships and 12 year absence. The Hitman’s music plays, and Bret’s entrance is a little delayed–I half expect HBK or Hornswaggle, but instead, a scraggly old-man-looking Bret is on stage in denim shorts and a leather jacket.

There is a huge pyro display, but it seems sort of out of place for Bret. He did not have his pink shades, which was disappointing. I think it would have been good to have him give them to a kid in the audience because it could offer an opportunity for him to begin to connect with a younger generation. That would be a good plan, as far as merchandising goes, as Bret was sporting a new Hitman t-shirt. All things considered, Bret doesn’t look like someone who had a stroke–Bret looks like someone who needs a comb and a hairbrush.

“A lot of people are wondering why I’m here tonight,” Bret began his speech. Kids were probably wondering, “ya, who are you?”

Sidenote:
Ironically, a fan is shown in the audience with a NWO B&W shirt, while NWO is reuniting on TNA Impact.

For a while, I wondered, Why Ohio? Bret would be in front of quite a hot crowd anywhere in Canada, specifically Montreal. However, they risk HBK getting heel heat during a face run. (more…)

Saying goodbye to Umaga: Edward Fatu’s top five WWE matches

  By Franny | December 8, 2009 - 9:50 am | Wrestling, WWE
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Eddie "Umaga" Fatu (March 28, 1973 - December 4, 2009)

On December 4th, wrestling fans learned  of the passing of yet another talented individual: Eddie Fatu, also known as former two-time WWE Intercontinental Champion Umaga. Fatu suffered two heart attacks and not many more details are available at this time and it is uncofirmed if they were related to steroids or drugs.

Fatu performed for various professional wrestling promotions since his true debut to the mainstream in 2002, including Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, All Japan Pro Wrestling, and most notably, World Wrestling Entertainment, where he gained his fame as “Umaga,” based on a painful Samoan tattooing process. His gimmick was that of a ‘savage,’ and alongside ‘handler’ (manager) Armando Alejandro Estrada, he went undefeated from April 2006 to January 2007, culminating with a loss to WWE Champion John Cena, in arguably Umaga’s best match. (more…)

Last Minute WWE Bash 2009 Predictions

  By Franny | June 28, 2009 - 5:25 pm | Wrestling, WWE
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Jeff Hardy challenges CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship.

WWE cleans up the remnants of one of WCW’s most historical annual events, The Great American Bash, as they rename the event to “The Bash.” Here are my last-minute prediction’s for tonight’s end and beginning of eras.

World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy
WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Triple H
ECW Championship Scramble Match
Women’s Champion Melina vs. Michelle McCool
Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio
The Great Khali vs. Dolph Ziggler
John Cena vs. The Miz
Unified Tag Team Champions Carlito & Primo vs. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase

CM Punk will retain his title tonight.  After working yet another supposedly great match with John Morrison on Smackdown, I think (and hope) that a feud with Morrison will be around the corner.  Punk has only had the World Heavyweight Championship since Extreme Rules, so there is no reason for him to drop it tonight.

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