I overslept last night, and decided “ah, screw it, I’ll just fake my way through an ECW on SciFi review this week.” I really wish I hadn’t, because I just can’t do it justice, given that this happened:
That’s right, kiddies, the Instant Classic, Captain Charisma, Christian has returned to the WWE! While I’m disappointed that he’s a face on ECW rather than a heel on SmackDown, it’s still exciting to watch!
I also missed The Miz defeating Tommy Dreamer, Tyson Kidd, who trained in the Hart family Dungeon, debuted with Natalya by his side and defeated local boy Bao Nguyen, and Christian defeating Jack Swagger with help from Finlay and Hornswoggle.
From now on, I run all my errands on Wednesdays so I can get to sleep earlier and wake up in time for ECW!
At the Royal Rumble, Matt Hardy cracked his brother Jeff over the head with a steel chair, giving Edge the WWE Championship. On ECW this past Tuesday, we found out that Matt is no longer with the brand and is now officially a member of the SmackDown roster. What will the elder Hardy have to say about his actions? We’ll find out tonight on SmackDown!
By now, we all know that Matt Hardy turned on his brother Jeff this past Sunday at the Royal Rumble, blasting him with a chair and costing him the WWE Championship. From that point, several fans of the Hardys came out of the woodwork to condemn Matt’s actions on his MySpace, many of whom seem to believe that because Matt turned on Jeff, it automatically means that Matt was behind everything that’s happened to Jeff since Survivor Series in November. I’m here to tell you why it wasn’t Matt Hardy behind the attacks.
First, there was the attack the night before Survivor Series. Jeff is out of action, he can’t compete in the WWE Championship match, and Edge swoops in to win the title. The following Friday on SmackDown, Jeff competed in a “Beat the Clock Challenge.” Jeff’s match was first, where he set the pace. Matt was the opponent of Vladimir Kozlov in the challenge, and he did everything in his power to prevent Kozlov from beating Jeff’s time. This shows Matt as being supportive of his brother, rather than trying to harm him. Ultimately, Jeff tied with Triple H in the challenge and went on to a Triple Threat match at Armageddon.
Triple H had the WWE Championship won at Armageddon when Vladimir Kozlov interfered and prevented him from getting the pinfall on Edge. Matt came out and attacked Kozlov. Matt’s attack on Kozlov would make no sense if he were working with Edge, because Edge was the one Kozlov saved. Jeff went on to win the match and the WWE Championship.
In the weeks that followed, the Hardys worked together, competing in tag team matches and supporting each other as a part of the “Hardy Party,” which saw both men as World Champions. A few weeks later, mysterious things started to happen to Jeff.
First, there was the hit-and-run accident. If you watch the “police video,” the policeman asked Jeff if he know the person who hit him. Jeff said that he’d never seen him before in his life. I’m pretty sure that Jeff would have recognized his own brother, even if he didn’t know the vehicle.
Over the course of the next week, Matt loses the ECW Championship to Jack Swagger, and Jeff returns to SmackDown, only to be blown up when the pyrotechnics were tampered with. This is the only thing that’s happened to Jeff that the storyline will allow me to believe could have been done by Matt. Matt was in the building, Matt was upset because he lost his title, and perhaps he was jealous because Jeff still had his. Not to mention that Matt was the last person to come out and check on his little brother as he was being rolled away on a stretcher.
The attack at the Royal Rumble shouldn’t have been that surprising, and maybe things look suspicious, but if you look at the facts presented here, it’s clearly not Matt who did all those crazy things to Jeff…
Ah, my second favorite PPV of the year, only behind WrestleMania. This is the 22nd Annual Royal Rumble, a Pay Per View that I grew up watching. Thirty men enter, twenty-nine leave over the top rope, and since 1993, the man left standing would go on to challenge for a World Championship at WrestleMania.
On top of that, there’s a few matches going on – all of which could also have major implications on the WrestleMania 25 card, seeing as how they’re title matches.
One thing that bugged me about last year’s Royal Rumble match was that then-ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero was competing in the match. The ECW Championship is the top championship (not to mention the only one) on the ECW brand, which means that the winner of the Royal Rumble could theoretically challenge for the ECW Championship in lieu of the World Heavyweight or WWE Championships. We won’t have to worry about that this year, however, as the ECW Championship is on the line when former champion Matt Hardy gets his rematch with the man who took his title, Jack Swagger. Hardy took quite a beating this past Friday night on SmackDown at the hands of Swagger, The World’s Strongest Man Mark Henry, and The Rated R Superstar, Edge. Given Hardy’s history, that could really motivate him going into tonight’s match. I, however, feel as though there’s going to be bigger things coming up for Matt Hardy than the ECW Championship, so by hook or by crook, I’m expecting Swagger to retain.
Recently on the RAW side of things, Melina has been a thorn in Beth Phoenix’s side. The WWE Women’s Champion is fed up with Melina’s antics, and looking to punish her. What role, if any, will Rosa Mendez or Santino Marella play in thier WWE Women’s Championship match? I look for Rosa to somehow cost The Glamazon the match, but likely by DQ. I don’t see Melina getting the title just quite yet.
Speaking of RAW, World Heavyweight Champion John Cena will be bringing his title with him to the Motor City. While the self-proclaimed “Hockeytown” is no stranger to championships, neither is Cena’s opponent, John “Bradshaw” Layfield. In recent weeks, JBL has had his employee, Shawn Michaels, at his side and doing his bidding. With the Heart Break Kid in his corner, can JBL defeat the man who ended his only WWE Championship reign, taking his title in the process? Doubtful. While it would be great for JBL to win the Championship here, only to somehow wind up defending it against Shawn Michaels in Houston at WrestleMania, I don’t think the WWE is comfortable enough with JBL at this particular moment to give him a two month title reign. John Cena wins this one, with a potential rematch at No Way Out in February.
A black cloud has been hanging over the head of WWE Champion Jeff Hardy since last year. He missed Survivor Series because of it, and after winning the WWE Championship at Armageddon, he’s been involved in a hit and run accident and had somebody try to blow him up by tampering with the pyrotechnics. This hasn’t stopped Jeff Hardy though, he’s determined to show up at the Joe Louis Arena and defend his WWE Championship against the man he took it from, Edge. Will Jeff Hardy’s emotions get the best of him? Or will Edge’s overconfidence cost him the belt that he lives and breathes for? Will we finally find out who is behind the bizarre things that have happened to Jeff Hardy over the past few months? So many questions to be answered. My prediction is that Edge will win the WWE Championship back, and this will eventually lead to a huge match at WrestleMania. I won’t say what I think that match will be, but I will say that it won’t be a one on one contest.
Finally, the Royal Rumble match itself. 70% of the winners since 1993 have gone on to win a major championship at that year’s WrestleMania. This year, it could be anybody, as the men I’d predict to win it at this point are all in singles competition earlier in the night. After giving it a lot of thought, the only man who we know for sure to be in the Rumble that I can say I’d expect to win it all is… Randy Orton. I see Orton having a rough next couple of months though, instead of smooth sailing into the main event at WrestleMania. His punt to Mr. McMahon’s head this past Monday pretty much ensures that.
Guys, I hope you’ve enjoyed this article. I want to know, who do you think is going to win the Royal Rumble? Leave a comment and let me know!
BONUS! One of my favorite promos of all time, courtesy of The Rock!
Well, I guess I have no excuses not to review the WWE shows anymore – I lost my job yesterday. Damned George W Bush. Oh well, that’s almost over. What’s not over? Jeff Hardy’s WWE Championship reign! After winning the title in Buffalo at Armageddon, he survived an assault from Vladimir Kozlov and Edge last week, with a little help from Triple H. What’s SmackDown GM Vickie Guerrero got in store for the Unique Enigma this week? We’ll soon find out!
Hi everyone, JT here doing the ECW review. First, I want to thank Joe for the opportunity to do this. BTW this is my first ever review so be nice.
We start out with talking (as per usual). Matt Hardy comes out and wants everyone to text their vote for Mark Henry (I won’t be). Then Finaly comes out and says that since coming to ECW they have yet to face when the title is on the line and if they do Finlay will walk out as champion. This brings out Evan Bourne (to a huge pop) who speaks his case, but is then picked on by Finlay. Finlay called him Bourneswoggle (I lol’d) and that he had to outweigh the title by more than 5 pounds. Then Mark Henry comes out, speaks his case to a bunch of “What?” chants. I know there are some people who don’t like the “What?” chants, but in some cases they fit in just perfect as in tonight. He says how he is gonna prove that he deserves to be voted the one to face Hardy at Cyber Sunday. Hardy says that no matter what , he’ll still be ECW champion after Sunday.
WWE wants you to pick who refs the Jericho/Batista match. I personally won’t be voting.
Commercial Break–The new Spiderman game looks awesome, I hope it’s available for the PS2
Wrestlemania Tickets go on sale on November 8. I wish I could afford to go.
Match 1: Jack Swagger defeated Brett Badery via pinfall
Wow, I weigh the same as Brett (pointless JT fact). Turnbuckle, turnbuckle, flip, weird looking power bomb, Swagger wins. Then after the match Todd Grisham asked Jack about Tommy Dreamer, Swagger replied “Tommy who?”
To the back (take a shot). Lena interviews Miz and Morrison. They want you to vote for them. Miz thinks he can get McCain more votes than Palin can. JT rolls his eyes. I’m not a big fan of the Miz or Morrison, they’re both talented but I just don’t like them.
Commercial Break–Did you know that Smackdown is now on Mynetwork TV? Well if you didn’t know you know. Plus it’s Undertaker vs HHH this week. I personally will catch it either Saturday or Sunday, because I go out on Friday nights.
ECW had more viewers than shows on other cable networks (like anyone cares).
Match 2: Shad def The Miz via DQ
Back and forth matchup between the the two with a botched move by Shad, Grisham tries to talk ghetto, Striker tells he look more like Harry Potter than Kool Moe Dee (I lol’d). Both JTG and Morrison get involved, but Morrison got caught and Miz was DQ’d.
Commercial Break- Sanctuary is apparently a hit, too bad I’ve never heard of it.
This John Cena guy is returning, I wonder who that is?
Cyber Sunday promo, I’m not ordering
To the back (take another shot)- Tiffany (dressed as a go go dancer) is seen with Tito Ortiz outside the GM’s office. Gladly Ortiz isn’t allowed to say much (sorry Joe) but are then interrupted by Hornsowggle who it Trick or Treating 11 days early and in no costume (WTF???) They knock on the GM’s and who do we see, none other than SHAFT himself, not really just Teddy long dressed as Shaft. Hornswoggle gets his candy an is on his merry way.
Commercial Break– WWE wants you to pick who HHH pins at Cyber Sunday: Jeff Hardy, Koslov or both. If I were voting, I’d pick both.
Match 3: Evan Bourne def Mark Henry and Finlay via pinfall
Henry dominates at the beginning as Finaly and Bourne try to double team him but are unsuccessful. Then as Henry goes to the ropes Bourne duck sending Henry out of the ring leaving Bourne and Finlay 1 on 1 for the time being. Then Bourne hits a flying headscissors sending Finlay to a meeting of the minds with Henry. This somehow revives Henry (it sure wouldn’t revive me) and he regains control.
Commercial Break– Saw V, go see it or you might end up in Saw VI
We return with Henry dominating, then a free for all then some double teaming on Henry, knocking him outside again, back and forth between Finlay and Bourne as Henry slowly returns to the ring, then Henry regains control, then picks up BOTH Finaly and Bourne and slams them both, pins Bourne for only a 2 count. Finlay looks like he got hurt on that move (hopefully it’s not too bad). Finaly goes for a DDT and gets a 2 count. Atlas grabs Hornswoggle, throws him to Henry. As Henry attempts to slam Horswoggle, Finlay takes out his leg. Finlay then goes for the shillelagh hits Henry with it, the gets with hits a double knee off the top rope by Bourne. Bourne then hits with the Shooting Star Press and pins Henry for the win as we fade to black.
All in all, good program as per the norm with ECW. But then anytime you get to see the Evan Bourne Shooting Star Press it’s worth it. Thanks everyone for reading, hope to see you soon.
I was far too lazy this morning to actually do a review of last night’s iMPACT, but since the WWE packed up and moved all the way from the CW to MyNetwork TV, the least I could do is SmackDown in Real-Time! You know how it works; quick results up here, full details after the jump.
SmackDown is on MyNetwork TV right now! Check your local listings to find out where you can watch in your area, and keep refreshing every few minutes for the latest updates!
Jeff Hardy, Rey Mysterio, Finlay, & Batista def. MVP, JBL, The Brian Kendrick, & Kane when Hardy pinned MVP.
Intercontinental Champion Santino Marella def United States Champion Shelton Benjamin by pinfall after a distraction from R-Truth.
Mark Henry & The Great Khali def. Chavo Guerrero via submission when Khali locked in the vice grip.
CM Punk& The Colons def. Team Priceless when Punk pinned Ted DiBiase.
WWE Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix def. WWE Diva’s Champion Michelle McCool via pinfall after The Glam Slam.
WWE Champion Triple H def. World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho vs. ECW Champion Matt Hardy by pinning Hardy in a triple threat match.
Tonight on SmackDown, it’s The Brian Kendrick, MVP, Shelton Benjamin, and Jeff Hardy in a Fatal Four Way to determine the number one contender for the WWE Championship at No Mercy. Also, what possessed The Big Show to take out The Undertaker at Unforgiven?
You know how it works by now, quick results up here and detailed results after the jump. BTW, I’m sorry this is starting late, somebody called me at 8PM. Who the hell calls a wrestling fan on Friday night at 8PM?
Anyways, here goes:
Triple H says that Jeff Hardy will never win the big one.
Brie Bella, Maria & Michelle def Victoria, Natalya & Maryse
R-Truth def. Chavo Guerrero via DQ
Jesse & Festus wrapped Kenny Dykstra in duct tape and wheeled him out of the arena on a dolly.
Big Show says he beat up The Undertaker for not following the rules. Seriously, that’s what he said.
Vladimir Kozlov def. Funaki & Scotty Goldman
Carlito & Primo Colon def. Hawkins & Ryder
Jeff Hardy def. The Brian Kendrick, MVP, & Shelton Benjamin
What’s up guys? Tonight, Triple H takes on The Great Khali in a lumberjack match. The lumberjacks? Triple H’s Unforgiven Scramble opponents, The Brian Kendrick, Jeff Hardy, MVP, and Shelton Benjamin. Speaking of, The Brian Kendrick and Jeff Hardy will be one on one for the first time ever, and Shelton Benjamin will take on MVP. All this and more, airing RIGHT NOW on the CW! You guys know how it goes, we do quick results up here on the main page, and detailed results after the jump. Keep hitting refresh every so often for the latest results!
Triple H promo erupts into a brawl featuring all five WWE Championship Scramble competitors and Ezekiel Jackson. Triple H and Jeff Hardy stand tall.
R-Truth def. Bam Neely via pinfall.
Undertaker says he’ll send Vickie to hell to reunite with Edge.
Shelton Benjamin def. MVP via pinfall.
Maryse insults Maria backstage.
Maryse def. Maria via pinfall.
The Brian Kendrick def. Jeff Hardy via pinfall.
Super Crazy def. Ryan Braddock via pinfall.
Big Show challenges Vladimir Kozlov to a match, but it’s ordered to not happen by Vickie Guerrero.
Vickie demands that The Undertaker apologize to her at Unforgiven.
Brie Bella def. Victoria via pinfall.
Triple H def. The Great Khali via pinfall in a Lumberjack Match.
After the match, Jeff Hardy drops Triple H with a Twist of Fate and stands tall over the Champion as the show goes off the air.
