Night of Champions is in the books and Jeff Hardy walked as World Champion once again. Plus Jeremy Piven looks to host RAW and the wrestling world loses another.
Opening Witty Banter
I forgot how much I hate packing and moving. Plus I’m exhausted from being up all weekend drinking.
Let’s take some ‘E…
The News of the Week
WWE was incredibly light on news this week, which has become a recurring trend this summer. Plus TNA Wrestling took all the good news this with their juicy backstage marital strife between the Jarretts and the Angles.
In two weeks, star of the HBO series Entourage and the upcoming movie The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard, Jeremy Piven, will be hosting RAW, live from the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. This is huge news as Piven has never been associated with pro wrestling previously, and is definitely a step up on the celebrity list of status.
I love Piven and absolutely enjoy his work on Entourage and I hope he brings the fun for his RAW appearance. However I am also just as sure that he could just as easily phone it in and collect a paycheck. Either way I’m intrigued.
During last Sunday night’s house show in Greenville, South Carolina, a fan tried to rush the ring before the Chris Jericho versus Ricky Steamboat match. The fan snuck into the entrance aisle, and made his way to the ring. He didn’t get through the ring ropes, was pulled away, handcuffed and taken to the back before he was arrested. Apparently while handcuffed in the back, the man tried to ask for autographs.
Jericho is truly one of a dying breed in that he is a heel who isn’t afraid of being a heel. Only Jericho can cause fan incitement like this in this day and age. Who says kayfabe is dead?
WWE filed a motion on Monday to dismiss the lawsuit brought against them by Deep South Wrestling and Jody Hamilton. WWE states that Hamilton and DSW “failed to state a claim upon which relief may be granted” and that the 25-page lawsuit filed by Hamilton and DSW was “a misguided attempt to use litigation to lash out against WWE over disappointment with WWE’s decision to terminate the parties’ business relationship.”
There’s no way that Jody Hamilton is getting money from WWE in this one. McMahon’s legal team is way too powerful for Hamilton.
WWE has applied to register the following trademarks in the last few weeks including WWE Bragging Rights, Slam Master J (for Jesse), Delicious (for R-Truth’s “Pretty Ricky†alter ego), and Celtic Warrior (for Sheamus). Marvel Comics apparently owns the trademark for “Annihilation” which may be why WWE did not go through with using that name for the former Cyber Sunday PPV, instead opting for “Bragging Rights.â€
I don’t know what is more generic, Annihilation or Bragging Rights. And Delicious? Really? They are really going through with his Pretty Ricky thing huh?
Former WWE developmental star Damian Steele passed away on Thursday morning. Damien’s primary work in WWE’s developmental system was when he teamed with Ray Gordy as “Ebony and Ivory.” The team’s gimmick was that Ray played a white street tough while Damien portrayed an African American preppy character. The team made it to air on the September 2, 2006 edition of SmackDown where they jobbed to Kid Kash and Jamie Noble.
As of now, the reasons for his death are still unknown and an autopsy is being performed. Apparently Steele said he wasn’t feeling well on Wednesday and said he was experiencing flu-like symptoms. He had told many he was feeling better, but passed away a short time later. There is currently talk of doing a charity event for Damian’s children.
Thoughts and prayers go out to Steele’s family and friends.
Wrestler of the Week
Week of July 20 – 26: Jeff Hardy
I don’t think anyone really predicted a Jeff Hardy World Title victory at Night of Champions, as it seemed as if Hardy was not going to re-sign with WWE once his contract was up, so it was a pleasant surprise to see that WWE can still surprise us fans every once in a while. Hardy and Punk’s feud has been amazing so far and with Hardy’s victory I am glad the feud can continue.
RAW’s On Tonight!
Tonight’s RAW is coming live from Washington DC and will be hosted by new Cleveland Cavalier Shaquille O’Neal. No real developments have been announced for the show, but the night after a pay per view always brings interesting results. Plus the road now leads to SummerSlam, which should provide for interesting television. But honestly anything is going to be better than the abomination of last week’s ZZ Top episode. Expect Randy Orton gloating about his WWE Title defense and more challenges from Triple H and John Cena. Plus with Mickie James as new Divas Champion the women’s division is heading in a new direction. And Big Show is now one half of the Unified Tag Team Champions, which will also provide for interesting results. Will Shaq find a partner to challenge Show and Jericho? Tune in to find out.
On Last Week’s Episode…
Brian Eison covers SmackDown, the best wrestling show on TV right now.
Eison and Paul Marshall provide double coverage for Superstars.
Innarelli and Bones go Extreme.
Marshall and Wheeler do the honors in recapping what was easily the worst Monday Night RAW episode in years.
How They Rated
Superstars (7.16.09) – .9
SmackDown! (7.17.09) – 1.8
A.M. RAW (7.19.09) –.9
RAW (7.20.09) – 3.5
ECW (7.21.09) – 1.2
This is Boring, What Else is There to Read?
Wiswell looks at this past weekend’s ROH and Dragon Gate USA shows.
Ditch is back with more puro and Misawa goodness.
In Case You Didn’t Spend the $40
PK brought the live coverage for last night’s Night of Champions pay per view.
Here’s the quick ‘n’ dirty final results:
In the opening match Chris Jericho and his mystery partner The Big Show retained the Unified Tag Team Championships against Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes. Jericho hit DiBiase with a Codebreaker and The Big Show made him submit with a Camel Clutch.
Christian pinned Tommy Dreamer with a Killswitch to win the ECW Championship.
Kofi Kingston retained his United States Championship in a six-pack challenge against Jack Swagger, Montel Vontavious Porter, Carlito, Primo and The Miz. He pinned Carlito after hitting his Trouble in Paradise kick.
Michelle McCool retained the WWE Women’s Championship against Melina.
Randy Orton defended the WWE Championship against John Cena and Triple H in a triple threat match. The match had no disqualifications and featured interference from Orton’s Legacy cohorts Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes. As Cena went to put Rhodes in the Attitude Adjustment Orton hit Cena with a RKO to get the victory.
Mickie James pinned Maryse with her Primal DDT to win the WWE Divas Championship.
Rey Mysterio pinned Dolph Ziggler to retain the Intercontinental Championship.
In the main event, Jeff Hardy hit a Swanton Bomb to win the World Heavyweight Championship from CM Punk.
IP Staff Roundtable Results for WWE Night of Champions pay per view
Here’s the Night of Champions roundtable featuring Pulse’s best and brightest. A few of us gave our own thoughts on who Jericho’s partner would be, and we all failed miserably. And no one predicted a Jeff Hardy Title victory, which also hurt everyone’s predictions as well.
Roundtable co-Champions: Roy Reynolds: 5-3 (5-3) and Andrew Wheeler: 5-3 (148-85)
The rest: Mark Allen: 3-5 (150-80)
Steven Gepp: 3-5 (10-19)
Paul Marshall: 3-5 (117-82)
Raffi Shamir: 3-5 (99-79)
Brian Eison: 2-6 (2-6)
For more relevant, interesting and exciting wrestling information from your truly, check out my gig as the Pro Wrestling Examiner over at Examiner.com.
