Title Turmoil
April 7, 2008
Randy Orton has reigned as WWE Champion since October 2007. Nonetheless, his victory in the Triple Threat Match at WrestleMania XXIV over John Cena and Triple H was nothing if not surprising.
Pundits had dismissed his chances of emerging victorious as less than 1-in-5. Yet there he was on Raw last Monday night holding the title aloft for all to see. While there's little doubt that both Cena and The Game have designs to recapture the gold from the Legend Killer, Orton also seems to have picked up another two more possible contenders for the throne: JBL and a resurgent Matt Hardy.
JBL confronted the reigning WWE Champion and, in typical Layfield fashion, made no bones about his intentions to gun for the title. For his part, Hardy returned to Raw last Monday seeking revenge for a punt to the head that Orton delivered to him shortly after his appendix surgery. In a match between Orton and Hardy, the Legend Killer came out on top that night, but it's unlikely that anyone has heard the last of Hardy.
Can Orton really fend off every Superstar he has gunning for him? Is the "Age of Orton" on borrowed time?
And how exactly will Shawn Michaels respond after the roller coaster ride of emotion he's been on recently? First, he ends the career of his dear friend, Ric Flair, at WrestleMania, then, the following night, Flair forgives him for sending him into retirement.
Exactly how spent is The Showstopper, and how much will it affect him in the ring?
In other Raw action, Santino Marella just can't seem to let go of his ex-girlfriend, Maria. The Italian Stallion felt the need last Monday night to challenge Maria to an Anything Goes Match, thinking he could exact some measure of revenge for their split. Unfortunately for Marella, the Playboy cover girl was fueled by anger, and with the rest of WWE's gorgeous Divas fueled by Santino's big mouth, it was the Italian export who found himself on the losing end of a bunny beat down.
After suffering the ultimate humiliation at the manicured hands of Maria and the Divas, have we heard the last of the jealous ex, or will the Italian Stallion be back for more?
Don't miss Raw Monday night at 9/8 CT on USA Network to see what happens.
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Extreme retribution
April 8, 2008
Chavo Guerrero lost the ECW Championship in only eight seconds to Kane at WrestleMania XXIV, and sought revenge on Tuesday's ECW, but came up short once again. ECW Champ Kane and Mr. Money in the Bank, CM Punk, defeated the self-proclaimed "Mexican Warrior," who teamed up with Shelton Benjamin. Now, Guerrero is determined to win back ECW gold. How is Guerrero planning to win back the ECW Championship from the dominant Kane? And now that Punk is Mr. Money in the Bank, will he be another obstacle in Guerrero's way?
Also on ECW, Stevie Richards faced his in and out of the ring rival, Mike Knox, for the first time in one-on-one action. Richards fell short to Knox, whose sights have been set on decimating the ECW Original for the last few weeks. What does Knox want from Richards, and how will the ECW Original show Knox he won't waver again?
Finally, Colin Delaney is still hoping for a contract from ECW General Manager Armando Estrada. But thanks to an April Fools' Day trick, Delaney was given a gigantic obstacle to face this week on ECW: Big Show. Young Delaney didn't have a chance against The World's Largest Athlete, and once again fell short of earning a contract from Estrada. When - or will - Delaney finally get a WWE contract? Wait, more importantly, will he ever get that coveted entrance music?!
Find out the answers to these questions and more on next week's ECW on Sci Fi, Tuesday at 10/9 CT.
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PREVIEW FOR THURSDAY'S "IMPACT!" ON SPIKETV: THE FINAL COUNTDOWN TO LOCKDOWN
Plus, a huge tag team main event of Sting and Kevin Nash vs. Team 3D!
By Bill Banks
This Thursday night, TNA Wrestling returns to SpikeTV for two hours of Total Nonstop Action, featuring the final countdown to the April 13 "Lockdown" Pay-Per-View!
The below is a preview of what is scheduled to take place on the broadcast:
HUGE MAIN EVENT: STING & KEVIN NASH VS. TEAM 3D
Two of the biggest superstars in wrestling history in Sting and Kevin Nash will team up this Thursday to face off against one of the greatest tag teams in wrestling history in Team 3D! Not only that, but all four TNA stars will be a part of the Lethal Lockdown match on April 13 - so this will certainly be a preview of the potentially bloody battle coming up at Lockdown!
ALSO THIS THURSDAY NIGHT ON SPIKE TV:
- Speaking of Lethal Lockdown, Team Tomko is livid over Matt Morgan's scheme this past Thursday, as he revealed himself to be the fifth and final member of Team Cage! Sources tell us Team Tomko plans to address the situation this Thursday night prior to the Pay-Per-View.
- TNA World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle has demanded to TNA Management that Samoa Joe be present during the broadcast to sign a legally-binding contract that if Joe does lose at Lockdown, he will honor his promise of walking away from the sport! Will Samoa Joe break from his training in California to appear on "iMPACT!" and sign the contract? Tune in and find out!
- In addition, "Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner and "Maple Leaf Muscle" Petey Williams (with Rhaka Khan) will take on The Motor City Machineguns!
- The final matches for Lockdown will be announced on the broadcast!
- Plus, it will be the TNA Wrestling return of newcomer Consequences Creed as he faces off against The Rock N' Rave Infection's Jimmy Rave in a Lockdown Xscape Match qualifier!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERJ-2JG1cEY
ALL THIS AND MUCH MORE THIS THURSDAY NIGHT ON "iMPACT!" ON SPIKE TV
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Unfinished Business
April 11, 2008
After losing their respective titles at WrestleMania XXIV, Edge and Chavo Guerrero didn't take long to enlist the help of other "family" members to attempt some measure of revenge. To set the stage, General Manager Vickie Guerrero forced Undertaker and Kane to face each other in a "Brother vs. Brother, Champion vs. Champion Match" last week on SmackDown. As the match wore on, it was the perfect opportunity for Edge, Chavo, Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder to launch a surprise attack on the brothers. But, the tables were soon turned, and Edge & Chavo were left knocked out cold. Further adding to the plan to return the titles to the "family," the GM wielded her power by announcing huge title rematches between Edge and Undertaker, as well as Chavo and Kane at Blacklash on April 27.
But before Backlash - as announced in a WWE Mobile on AT&T exclusive video - the GM has ordered Undertaker to face Festus this Friday on SmackDown. When the bell rings and the corn-fed colossus "transforms," how will The Phenom react to this very unconventional Superstar who has never been pinned on SmackDown?
Since Matt Hardy burst back onto the scene with a surprise appearance at WrestleMania XXIV, he's made his first order of business perfectly clear - take out arch-rival United States Champion MVP. So far, everything is going according to plan. Hardy changed the course of the Money in the Bank Ladder Match with a Twist of Fate to the champion. And on last week's SmackDown, he used the same devastating maneuver to defeat his former tag team partner in a non-title match. With revenge pumping through Hardy's veins, what's next from this returning Superstar? (More on Hardy's return...) What will SmackDown's "Franchise Playa" have to say about Hardy's seeming resurgence?
As announced last week, Finlay & Hornswoggle will be returning to SmackDown this Friday night. Three cheers for the little guy, who has made a miraculous recovery following the beating he suffered at the hand's of JBL on Raw. What will the Irish father and son pair be up to?
Shortly after Michelle McCool won the SmackDown Diva Competition last week, she was attacked by a jealous Victoria. Then, from out of nowhere, a mysterious blonde Diva viciously slammed McCool into the ring post. Who she is? What are her motivations? Is there a connection between her and Victoria?
Also last week, SmackDown goliaths Big Show and The Great Khali faced off in a stare-down. But, Khali decided to save the confrontation for another day and walked away. How much longer before talking and staring soon lead to something more between these two 7-footers?
Batista defeated a formidable foe, Umaga, in the SmackDown vs. Raw Battle of the Brands at WrestleMania. But last week on SmackDown, he berated Shawn Michaels for ending Ric Flair's career that same night. Suffice to say, The Animal is not happy. What will happen to the next Superstar who crosses paths with the rampaging Batista?
Experience all of the action on Friday Night SmackDown at 8/7 CT on The CW Network.
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