WrestleBlogger: February 2006

RAW 2.27.2006 - News & Notes

Mick Foley was scheduled to respond to Edge's challenge for Wrestlemania 22. They teased that Foley wasn't there and that Edge and Lita were going to go to his house to get a response, but Foley eventually came out and declined a wrestling match against Edge. He instead said that he would face Edge in a Hardcore match instead. Foley then went to the back and came back out with a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire. I really don't see Foley defeating Edge at WM22. I see Foley putting him over just like he did for Randy Orton a year or two ago when they were trying to get him over as a legit main eventer.

Big Show & Kane defended their tag titles against Viscera & Val Venis. I was hoping to see V-Squared (that's what they're really called) pick up the titles since Big Show & Kane have only been doing singles matches as of late, but that didn't happen.

Candice is one of the worst female wrestlers that I have seen in a long time. She can't throw a decent punch and she can't sell worth a damn. It was also announced that her Playboy cover will be revealed next week.

Flair said in a backstage interview that he just celebrated a birthday. It was either 56 or 57. I forget. He certainly looks every day of it. He also said that since losing the IC title he thinks that he may have another title run left in him.

Carlito announced that he had just gotten approval for another 'Money In The Bank' ladder match at Wrestlemania. The participants would be determined by 3 qualifying matches held on RAW. The first match saw RVD defeat Trevor Murdoch. The second match saw Shelton Benjamin beat Chavo Guererro when Shelton's mama faked another heart attack to distract the referee allowing Randy Orton to come out of the crowd to RKO Chavo and have Shelton pin him (Chavo attacked Orton on Smackdown last week). The final qualifying match had Flair beat Carlito after a kick to the chin and a pin while holding the ropes.

Coach was scheduled to interview John Cena about his match against Triple H at Wrestlemania, but right after it started Triple H came out and him and Cena traded insults. It seemed a little like it was a shoot, but chances are it was scripted. Triple H said that Cena's only big move was pumping up his Reeboks and that even though he's got a never-quit attitude he still has no actual ability (It's true!). Cena just said some junk about how Triple H has never beaten him. Truth be told, I don't think they have ever wrestled before either. At that point Vince appeared on the Titantron to say that they would both have to team up in a handicap match at Saturday Night's Main Event against all three men that are in the Smackdown's WM22 main event - Angle, Rey, and Orton. I've never been a huge Triple H fan, but I certainly hope that he destroys Cena at WM22.

It was announced that the 3rd inductee to the WWE Hall Of Fame this year will be 'Mean' Gene Okerlund. I could have sworn that he was already inducted a year or two ago, but I guess not. It was announced that Hulk Hogan would be inducting him.

The main angle for the night was that Marty Jannetty was going to have to join the 'Kiss My Ass' Club if he wanted a WWE contract. Vince made his way down to the ring and spoke a little bit and eventually called Jannetty down. He then ordered Jannetty to drop to his knees. After some hesitation he eventually did and Vince dropped his pants. He then pulled his underwear into his ass crack to give himself a thong. After some more hesitation it looked as if Jannetty was actually going to do it, but ended up standing up and asking if there was any other way to get a contract. Vince then said that Jannetty could always join another club - the 'Get Teabagged by Mr. McMahon' Club. Just kidding. Vince said that there was a plan B and then called out Chris Masters. He then told Jannetty that he could get a contract if he could break the Masterlock. After applying the hold to Jannetty Vince started going crazy and started yelling 'Break His Neck!'. It looked as if Jannetty was about to break the hold when Vince kicked him in the stomach. Shawn Michaels came down to make the save. He chased off Masters and grabbed a chair and was about to hit Vince (who was just standing there with his pants around his ankles) with it when Shane came out from under the ring and jumped Shawn. Shane then hit Michaels with the chair and Vince announced that it would be Shawn v. Shane at SNME. Vince also announced that Shawn was going to have to join the 'Kiss My Ass' Club right then and there. Shane then picked up Michaels and made him kiss Vince's ass. It was also announced that it would be Shawn v. Vince at WM22.

On a totally unrelated note, I incorrectly stated that Matt Hardy & Tatanka won the tag team title from MNM at No Way Out. The match was in fact, a non-title match. If I would have known that before the PPV I would have certainly picked MNM to lose the match...Even without knowing who Hardy's partner was going to be - Champions always lose non-title matches.

On another unrelated note - It looks like Stacy will soon be parting ways with the WWE. It looks like she has gotten a little non-wrestling related exposure and is going to try to endeavors outside the WWE. In a recent interview she openly complained that WWE doesn't cover any of her travel expenses and that 'Triple H makes all of the money'. That Triple H statement surely can't be good for her future in the WWE. I have a bit of bad news for Stacy though. This new found popularity will be short lived. Remember Kelly Monaco? Don't worry, most people don't. I get the feeling that the only people that will be calling will be Playboy and Stacey has already turned them down a number of times. She also stated that Dancing with the Stars was the greatest thing to ever happen to her. How about winning the Nitro Girls dance contest or the WWE that put her on the map. Without the WWE, she wouldn't even be on Dancing With the Stars. I'm sure that she will make a farewell appearance with WWE sometime soon. Most likely Wrestlemania.

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RAW 2.20.2006 - News & Notes

A Diva battle royale was held to determine the #1 contender for Trish's title. The match was awful and Candice Michelle won. It looks like she only won the match so they can capitalize on her recent Super Bowl commercial and upcoming Playboy spread. I don't see her winning the title though.

Edge wrestled Hacksaw Jim Duggan on RAW. Coach was right when he said that Duggan looked like he had taken too many shots to the head. Duggan kept yelling 'Ho', giving the thumbs up, and poking his tongue out of the corner of his mouth. Edge won and later smashed Duggan in the balls with a 2x4.

RAW marked the end of Ric Flair's IC title run at the hands of Shelton Benjamin. The end of the match consisted of Shelton's mama faking a heart attack to distract the referee to enable Shelton to hit Flair with an oxygen tank and pin him.

Carlito made some sort of announcement that he had an idea for Wrestlemania 22. He said that his idea was going to be 'money in the bank'. Maybe they're going to put up another 'Money in the bank' title shot like they did at Wrestlemania 21.

It was announced that Eddie Guererro would be the 2nd inductee to the WWE's Hall Of Fame this year. More inductees should be announce in the upcoming weeks.

As revenge for refusing to retire last week, Vince made a 4-on-1 match between 4 of the 5 members of the Spirit Squad versus Shawn Michaels. This was my first time seeing the Spirit Squad wrestle and judging by their athletic ability on RAW they have very bright futures ahead of them. At one point in the match one of the Spirit Squad members pulled a mini trampoline from under the ring and used it to give HBK a devastating clothesline. The end of the match saw HBK get the DQ win when all 5 Spirit Squad members beat Shawn down. That prompted Marty Jannetty to come out of the crowd to make the save.

Vince would later announce that he was going to 'reward' Jannetty with a full-time contract next week. The only catch was that Jannetty had to join the 'Kiss My Ass Club'.

As predicted, Triple H defeated Big Show and RVD in the finals of the Road to Wrestlemania Tournament. That means the RAW main event for Wrestlemania 22 is Cena v. HHH.

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WWE No Way Out - Results

World Heavywight Championship
Kurt Angle (C) v. Undertaker
The Undertaker put on the first half-decent match that he has in a while. However, he didn't get the win. Angle had him in the ankle lock and 'Taker reversed it into an armbar/head scissors, but Angle flipped it over and pinned the Undertaker. They tried to make it seem like maybe Angle's shoulders were on the mat too and cause some confusion, but Angle's shoulders were nowhere near the mat. No interference by Mark Henry.
Me: 1/1
David: 0/1

Wrestlemania Main Event Title Shot On The Line
Rey v. Randy Orton
I predicted that Rey would lose the title shot to Orton. I was right. Rey went for the 619, but Orton ducked it and rolled Rey up and pinned him while holding the ropes. Rey looked pissed off and ashamed (and for good reason - he's been exploiting Eddie's death as much as anybody). After the match, Orton go on the mic and announced that he was going to Wrestlemania. Rey threw a fit and strated pounding the mat. He then went to the back where Chavo and Eddie's widow Vicki were and started cursing up a storm (it was bleeped out). At first they teased that Chavo and Vicki were ashamed of Rey, but they all hugged. Rey then walked past a few wrestlers in the back, but they looked like Rey was radioactive.
Me: 2/2
David: 0/2

JBL v. Lashley
Prior to the match Finlay abducted Krystal Marshall (sic) and took her to the ring because he was looking for a fight and wanted to beat her up (I assume). Lashley came to the rescue and Finlay worked him over pretty good. JBL then came out and the match was started. At the end of the match, Finlay threw the ring announcer into the ring to distract the ref and hit Lashley with the Shilelagh (sic?). JBL then got the 1,2,3.
Me: 2/3
David: 1/3

U.S. Title Match
Booker T (C) v. Chris Benoit
Booker announced before the match that he was still injured and was going to pull out of the match. According to Teddy Long's orders, if Booker T didn't wrestle then Benoit would win the U.S. Title by default. Benoit called Booker a coward then Booker attacked Benoit from behind while Sharmell distracted him. The match was back on and Benoit won the U.S. Title. He then went to the back and was congratulated by Chavo, Vicki Guererro, and a buch of other faces.
Me: 3/4
David: 1/4

Tag Team Championship Match
MNM (C) v. Matt Hardy & A Mystery Partner
A few hours before the PPV I read that Hardy's partner was going to be Tatanka (Just as I predicted!). When learning this I realized that MNM would likely lose the titles. However, I am sticking with my original prediction. That prediction was wrong. Hardy and Tatanka won the belts.
Me: 3/5
David: 1/5

Cruiserweight Title
Gregory Helms (C) v. Scotty 2 Hottie v. Psicosis v. Super Crazy v. Nunzio v. Funaki
Paul London, Brian Kendrick, and Kid Kash were added to the match. It didn't matter though as Helms retained the title. I still expect to see Kid Kash get the title back in the near future.
Me: 4/6
David:1/6

Overall an OK PPV. I picked 67% correctly and David picked roughly 17% correctly. Until next time...

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WWE No Way Out PPV Predictions

It's once again a WWE PPV weekend and that can only mean one thing...It's time for me to do my best to predict the results of all of the matches. As always, I will also be posting the picks of guest poster David. For those of you that don't remember - David picked more matches than me correctly for the New Year's Revolution PPV and I picked more matches correctly than David for the Royal Rumble.

**It should be noted that I am using the list of matches that I found posted on a newsboard earlier this week. Therefore, I may have incorrect matches listed...Oh Well.

World Heavywight Championship
Kurt Angle (C) v. Undertaker
I Say: Undertaker is one of a handful of wrestlers that you should never pick against. It seems like he never loses. However, I'm picking against him here. While I think that there is a very high probability that he will win, I just can't pick against Angle. Although I am picking Angle, I am expecting to see Mark Henry to interfere in the match and give Undertaker the DQ win to set up a match at Wrestlemania. Either way, 'Taker isn't picking up the strap.
David Says: Undertaker (but not getting the belt).

Wrestlemania Main Event Title Shot On The Line
Rey v. Randy Orton
I Say: Rey is another one of the wrestlers that never seem to lose. Reports are saying that Eddie's widow and Chavo will be at ringside to support Rey. I think that having them there is a great idea. Somebody is going to have to comfort Rey after Orton takes his title shot away. Angle is going to Wrestlemania as a face (as much as I hate a face Angle) and having a face v. face as one of the main events is never a great idea (unless it's an ultra-face v. ultra-face such as Austin v. Rcck for a few years ago). Therefore, I can't pick Rey to win and have to go with Orton. While I don't think the Orton v. Rey feud will end at NWO, I see Orton winning this battle.
David Says: Rey

JBL v. Lashley
I Say: JBL has been doing a great job as of late getting new talent over. Just look at how he sold the Boogeyman's gimmick in the past month or so. Not to mention letting Boogeyman get the pin at the Rumble. Lashley was billed as a monster of sorts when he first came in and he's fallen by the wayside in the past 1-2 months. I am picking JBL help get Lashley over again. Lashley to win.
David Says: JBL

U.S. Title Match
Booker T (C) v. Chris Benoit
I Say: Benoit reportedly is working either under a short-term contract extension or maybe even under a verbal contract so I see them giving Benoit another U.S. Title run to keep on his good side. Boogeyman's involvement is pretty much a lock and could cost Booker the match and lead to a feud. I don't see Boogeyman being in a U.S. Title feud so there's no need for Booker to keep the belt.
David Says: Booker T

Tag Team Championship Match
MNM (C) v. Matt Hardy & A Mystery Partner
I Say: I hope Hardy's partner doesn't turn out to be a dud, but it probably will be. Tatanka maybe. I hope it's a new guy and not some jobber or loser like Bob Holly. Without knowing who it will be, I have to pick MNM to retain.
David Says: MNM

Cruiserweight Title
Gregory Helms (C) v. Scotty 2 Hottie v. Psicosis v. Super Crazy v. Nunzio v. Funaki
I Say: Helms has been getting some favorably feedback since turning heel and becoming Cruiserweight champ. Therefore, I don't see him losing the belt at NWO. One of the Mexicools winning the belt wouldn't surprise me either though. No matter who wins, they're just holding the belt until Kid Kash gets healthy again.
David Say: Psicosis

There you have it. 7 matches & 14 predictions. I feel confident about my picks, but we'll see what happens on Sunday.

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RAW 2.6.2006 - News & Notes

It was announced that next week's RAW will feature John Cena v. Edge....AGAIN! This will mark the third time this match has been on TV in only 15 days. The WWE really needs to mix up the matches a little bit better.

It was also announced that next week's match will feature a guest referee. That promted Jim Duggan to come out and claim he was going to be the referee (don't worry, he won't be). His attendance at RAW was little more than to call Lita a HO....AGAIN!

This week's RAW included the start of an 8-man 'Road to Wrestlemania' tournament. The 4 first round matches that aired on RAW included the following: Chris Masters def. Kane, RVD def. Carlito, Triple H def. Ric Flair, and Big Show def. Shelton Benjamin. The original match was supposed to be Big Show v. Shawn Michaels, but Vince came out before the start of the match and announced that next week's RAW will feature a retirement party for Shawn Michaels where Vince was going to force him to retire. Therefore, since Shawn wouldn't be around long enough to be at Wrestlemania, Shelton would take his spot in the tournament.

Next week's tournament matches will be Masters v. RVD, and Triple H v. Big Show...AGAIN!

They had a WWE.com poll where the fans would pick who they wanted to see win the tournament. RVD won the poll with 45%.

By the way - Triple H is winning the tournament. It's pretty much a lock.

During the Big Show / Shelton match Big Show started yelling at Shelton's Mama and she got so scared that she passed out and had to be carried out on a stretcher. The announcers were trying to sell it as her having a heart attack. I hope that they're not killing off her character. She's a big help to Shelton's character.

Backstage Trish introduced Mickie James to her 'date'. He looked like some Joe Schmo local jobber.

They showed the GoDaddy.com commercial that ABC supposedly rejected for the super Bowl. It didn't seem all that offensive. It just showed Candice crawling around on some old guy's desk.

The main event was Edge & Lita v. Cena & Maria and whoever's team won would get to pick the guest referee for next week's 1-on-1 match. Cena and Maria won so Cena announced that Mick Foley would be the referee. The choice was pretty obvious since there are strong rumors going around saying that Edge will face off against Foley at Wrestlemania.

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