Time Up For The Miz And Is Riley's Time Now?

It's no secret, I am not a fan of The Miz, and I was turned off him even more when he was catapaulted into the main event scene. They gave him the WWE title and he never really had a definative run with the strap. He got himself a LOT of fans on the internet, saying the fan has realised his dream, former star of reality TV first on MTV's The Real World and then WWE's Tough Enough. The Miz was bearable when he was with John Morrison in a tag team but after that, the singles push, starting with the US title run he just got on my nerves. I am a mark for Bryan Danielson so was annoyed the Miz played his mentor on season 1 of NXT. The Miz would return for season 2 of NXT where he linked up with Alex Riley, a cocky guy who had 'it'. The Miz won the Money in the Bank match at the first PPV of the same name on my birthday no doubt - July 18th. Marked like a byatch so to speak when Danielson took the US title off him but this was just the start for Miz. After WWE champion Randy Orton had beaten Wade Barrett on RAW on November 22 - Miz cashed in his MITB briefcase and became WWE champion. His reign was un-eventful but he did get a win over John Cena at Wrestle Mania XXVII thanks to The Rock. Eventually lost the strap to John Cena at the Extreme Rules PPV on May 1st in a 3 way cage match also involving his former partner Morrison. Lost to Cena in an 'I Quit' match at the Over The Limit PPV and the next night on RAW fired Riley from his 'personal services' contract. And on RAW, tonight Michael Cole called Riley out to apologise to Miz but Riley refused and Miz attacked him but was fended off by Riley and fled into the crowd.
Two things, this I hope will see The Miz taken away from the main even part of the card and after Riley wins his feud with Miz over the summer, he'll get a strap of some kind, maybe one of the second tier ones - US or IC before bigger and better things. You never know, if what I have predicted happens and Del Rio takes the WWE title off Cena somewhere down the line, Riley could be a future challenger. He is not quite ready yet but it'll be all about how the fans take to him, they did give him a baby face pop tonight but anyone who goes against The Miz would get that.
Time will tell.

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Warrior-Hogan War Brewing

Recently, the former Ultimate Warrior posted on YouTube a couple of heart felt videos paying tribute to the late 'Macho Man' Randy Savage which got him some good reactions from the Internet wrestling community.  Around the same time, former foe of both Warrior & Savage Hulk Hogan was featured on HDNet's The Voice vs. 
The interview with Hogan was so-so, it wasn't over revealing but I did enjoy the part where Hogan talked about blading. Many on the 'net thought Hogan was basically talking complete crap a lot like in his book. Warrior has since posted another video saying he has a video to be aired this week where he will basically make some revelations about Hogan that will 'shock us all' . Obviously the 'net is rife with what could be possibly said by Warrior. 

Answers on a postcard please

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Wrestling's Last Hope Has A New App

Yes, if you have a iPhone, Touch or Pad or a device with Android software you can install the new WLH app. It's TOTALLY free so please tell ALL your wrestling friends with a device that can carry it. You can find it here http://mippin.com/app/WLHBlog

Further info:

Works on the following phones: Any android phone or tablet (Such as google nexus one/s ) ios devices (ie; Iphones/ipod touches/ipad’s) Nokia N95, Blackberrys, Sony Erricson’s & Samsung’s
Please note may only work as a mobile website on certain phones, may work on more phones however have not tested them.

I just want to say a MASSIVE thankyou to Aftershock Radio presenter Sean Walford (@SeanWalford on twitter) for making this for me.

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Alberto Del Rio - Have The WWE Missed The Boat Or Not?

Alberto Del Rio came into the WWE on the back of a series of vignettes that aired over a number of weeks, something that the WWE hadn't done for quite a while. There were not many fans I believe who were familiar with Del Rio's past as Dos Caras Jr in Mexico so the vignettes were a great way to introduce the Alberto Del Rio character to the 'WWE Universe'.
Del Rio got embroiled in a feud with fellow Mexican Rey Mysterio when he first arrived on the August 20th edition of Smack Down and it went on to be a decent little feud. Del Rio went on to attack Christian to put him out of action, this was because Christian had a legit injury and needed time off for an operation and to heal from it and in the process built Del Rio as a good heel with great heat.

Fast forward to January of 2011, Del Rio won the Royal Rumble match and he proclaimed it was his destiny to become world heavyweight champion. Of course, by winning the Rumble he would be able to face the champion of his choice at Wrestle Mania XXVII and to no surprise, as he was part of the Smack Down brand, he chose to face the World champion Edge at Mania. At the Elimination Chamber PPV, Del Rio attacked Edge who was saved by the returning Christian. On the March 18th edition of Smack Down, Del Rio lost to Christian in a steel cage match.
Pretty much all the wrestling dirt sheet writers and radio show hosts predicted a win for Del Rio at Mania or moreso, wanted him to win and I include myself in that list, I did want him to win and I thought he would. Wrestle Mania rolled around and to my surprise Edge came out of the PPV still the world champion.
On the following Smack Down Del Rio beat Christian to earn a World Title rematch with Edge at the following PPV - Extreme Rules. To the surprise of most outside the WWE, on the April 11th edition of WWE RAW, Edge announce his retirement from wrestling due to injury. With Edge gone from the roster, WWE brought forward their annual draft and del Rio was drafted to RAW. The PPV now had Del Rio against Christian for the vacant world title in a ladder match, as thought by many, WWE gave the strap to Christian as he and Edge were boyhood friends and it was a thankyou to Edge by the company to let Christian have the title.

On the recent Over The Limit PPV, Del Rio wasn't booked to wrestle on the show and followers of the WWE were left scratching their heads, I said on a radio show I was part of - The Aftershock Pro Wrestling Show http://www.aftershockradio.tk I thought the fact he wasn't booked on the PPV he would play a big role on the following nights RAW. Del Rio featured a bit in skits with Big Show & Kane.

I think and I have said this recently to various people, big things lay ahead for Del Rio, I think he is a potential oppenent for WWE champion John Cena and a match between the two at Summer Slam would be ideal. I think Del Rio is a 'real heel' meaning, he is easy to hate, draws great heat from the crowd whereas the heel that is in the main event picture at the moment - The Miz is just annoying rather than plausable. Many may diagree with me on this (my views on The Miz), The Miz does have his fans but his WWE title run wasn't full of any wins over tope tier talent. I feel if Del Rio was given the ball to run with he would do a great job as a genuine heel champion with the likes of Cena chasing him for the strap.

I hope Del Rio is given the chance with the WWE title and proves that he deserves it.

Follow me on twitter @WLH_Stu

Managers – What We Need In Pro Wrestling Today By Eric Darsie

With the news of the Freebird Michael P.S. Hayes is managing Tyson Kidd, I started to think about managers and what they meant to the business of professional wrestling. With the couple of free and subscription wrestling podcasts I listen to, Freebird Hayes has been a popular topic with the hosts and the fans who listen to them. Being an old-school fan, I love seeing P.S. back on screen. But getting past seeing Hayes and listening to other people’s opinions on the subject matter, here’s my thoughts and opinions of managers, what we need in pro wrestling today.

I believe managers helped out stars in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s wrestling. How? Some of the wrestlers aren’t the best talkers, so put them with someone who can talk (which happens to be a very important tool for a manager). If a wrestler is having troubles getting heat from the crowd, putting them with someone who could help get heat from the crowd and transfer it to another person, the manager would be the one to help them out.

Okay, so why bring back Michael Hayes? He knows how to talk, interact with the crowd, and knows the working of the business. Going back and watching old school wrestling of territories and times I haven’t experienced before, the “Fabulous Freebirds,” Hayes being a part of the group, always captures my attention, draws a smile upon my face, and giving me memories that I’ve held onto, wishing that I could of lived during that timeframe and wishing I could have been a fan of that territory.

There’s also rumors that the IV Horsemen “Enforcer” himself Arn Anderson might be brought in as well to be an manager. I would love to see AA on my television screen as well. Why? Just like Hayes, he’s a great talker and was one of the best technical wrestlers who never won the Heavyweight Championship of the World. AA has such an impact on the current set of “entertainers” that Triple H even uses AA’s spine buster.

So, managers, they’re a must-have in the business of professional wrestling. If not to help talk to their wrestlers and help them get heat, but to mentor them and keep them away from social media that could get them into trouble. We all know the story of Matt Hardy and his Tweeting problems at the end of his WWE run and into his days with Impact Wrestling. I have a feeling that if wrestlers would have managers, they could ride up-and-down the road with them and have them mentor the younger wrestlers.

Why would the business benefit from managers mentoring the wrestlers? Pretty much can be summed up this way: Passing on the torch. It would be passing on the knowledge and experience of one wrestling generation onto the next. The managers could tell road stories of what worked and what didn’t work in their time and help the stars of today figure out what would work today and what wouldn’t. So in the end, I feel like the stars of today would benefit first before we would, but it’s a right step into a direction we, as fans, would fall in love with.

Wrestling Rebranded

TNA have rebranded themselves because 'wrestling matters'. I for one am happy one of the big two are emphasising that wrestling is was matters. We all know TNA has it's problems with it's product but at least they are making an effort for those of us who are still fans of pro wrestling rather than the sports entertainment offered by WWE. In saying that, listening to various podcasts I heard WWE provided some good matches recently on TV Orton vs Christian, Tyson Kidd vs Trent Baretta & Daniel Bryan vs Sin Cara. I did obtain all 3 matches and I watched the latter 2. I enjoyed Bryan vs Cara despite the Chavo Guerrrero Jr interference and Kidd vs Baretta was OK and was in it's rightful place on WWE Superstars.
This gave me hope that they would focus a bit more on the wrestling aspect of the show but alas it's not going to happen. I heard one of the former WWE writers say on another former WWE writer's podcast Dave Lagana - http://IWantWrestling.com that some years ago, a promo was cut in the WWE and Vince heard the words belt or strap being used and he told them to re-film it. This just goes to show, if you didn't know already as Vince has removed Wrestling from WWE that they just don't care for wrestling anymore.


I started off this article saying how TNA, sorry, IMPACT Wrestling have their new Wrestling Matters drive on their product but they have put their X Division title on super heavyweight Abyss. This doesn't bode well for the X Division and yet the Destination X PPV seems to be XD orientated by looking at the poster which also includes the six-sided ring too. My good friend George Jones of the Aftershock Pro Wrestling talk show said they should bring back the World X Cup back but I said to him "since when have these companies did anything for the fans"?

There's nothing more I'd like than for these two companies to buck their ideas up and give us good wrestling but it just won't happen, WWE have these Hollywood writers and IW has Vince Russo so that just sums it up.

Ring of Honor have recently been bought by the Sinclair Broadcast Group and these guys are BIG and so things are looking up for the company who's humble beginnings back in 2002 saw the wrestling product in North America jump up tenfold. I hope ROH do well out if this new deal and I want to wish Cary Silkin, Jim Cornette, Delirious and everyone else associated with the company the very best of luck.

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WWE Over The Limit 2011 Review

- The 2011 WWE Over the Limit pay-per-view opens up with a "In Memory Of" graphic for Randy Savage before we go to the standard WWE opening video.

- We get a promo video for tonight's top matches at Over the Limit including John Cena vs. The Miz and Randy Orton vs. Christian.

- We go to the ring and out comes R-Truth with no music. Truth goes to the ring and says it's all about parking lots. He talks about arriving today and not having a parking spot. Truth says that meant he had to park with the fans. He says he deserves a whole lot better than to be treated like them. Truth says he had to walk in the rain. Truth calls the people of Seattle stinkin' hippies. Truth says it's a conspiracy. Truth says he's danced for the fans and it got him nowhere. He's not playing games anymore, he says. Truth says Rey Mysterio plays games. Truth goes on until Rey Mysterio's music hits.

R-Truth vs. Rey Mysterio

There are two Ford Mustangs sitting on the stage as a part of the set. Rey Mysterio's music hits and out he comes to a pop.

The match starts and they go at it, making their way out to the floor early on. Rey takes Truth from the apron to the floor. Rey brings it back in the ring and goes up top but Truth knocks him down. Rey gets wrapped up in the corner and Truth unloads with kicks. Truth beats Rey into the next corner and works him over. Truth charges but Rey trips him face-first into the corner. Truth runs Rey's head into the ring post and he falls out to the floor.

Truth brings it back in the ring and covers Rey for a 2 count. Truth works Rey over on the mat now. Rey fights to his feet and out of the hold. Rey runs the ropes and gets hit by a knee from Truth. Truth suplexes Rey and drops him on his face for another 2 count. Truth with a clutch in the corner now and more stomps for Rey. Truth wraps Rey's body around the ring post now and stretches it. Truth brings it back in the ring again but only gets 2. They go back up top and Rey bulldogs Truth back into the ring. 2 count for Mysterio.

Back and forth action until Rey hits a crossbody from the second rope for a 2 count. Rey drops Truth again for another 2 count. Truth catches Rey in the corner but Rey fights to the apron. Rey headbutts Truth and hits a plancha from the top rope. They run the ropes and Truth hits a twisted elbow for a 2 count. Truth misses the axe kick and Rey rolls him up for 1. Rey counters another move and goes for 619 but Truth slides out of the ring. Rey kicks Truth to the floor and goes to the apron. Truth pulls Rey down and the apron gets hung between his legs. Truth clotheslines Rey and brings him back in the ring. Truth drops Rey on his face for the pin and the win.

Winner: R-Truth

- After the match, no music plays for Truth and the crowd starts booing him. Truth asks for a bottle of water and walks around the ring. Rey gets up and Truth smacks him in the head with the water before posing on the second rope and leaving the ring. We go to replays.

- We go backstage with Todd Grisham, The Miz and Alex Riley talking about the WWE Title Match tonight. Miz says he will prove all the naysayers wrong again tonight. Miz says he has never quit at anything in his entire life. He says he has a gameplan for tonight and knows what it takes to win.

- We go ringside to the announcers. Michael Cole talks trash to Jerry Lawler about their match tonight. They talk about tonight's Intercontinental Title match and we go to three weeks ago when Ezekiel Jackson was kicked out of The Corre and more highlights from their feud.

WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Ezekiel Jackson vs. Wade Barrett

We go to the ring and out comes the WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett by himself. Out next comes the challenger Ezekiel Jackson.

The bell rings and they test each other. They finally go at it and Barrett looks to take control early on until Jackson throws him over the top rope and to the floor. Barrett runs back in the ring and Zeke chases him. Barrett tries a big boot when Zeke comes back in but Zeke catches it and goes to work on Barrett. Zeke with big knees and right hands in the corner now. Zeke continues the assault and Barrett gets the ref's attention in the corner. Out of nowhere Barrett gets up and decks Zeke. Barrett rams Zeke into the ringpost from the corner.

Barrett with another shot into the ringpost and a 2 count. Barrett mounts Zeke with right hands. Barrett goes to the second rope and hits an elbow drop for another pin attempt. Barrett takes it tot he mat with a headlock. Zeke fights back but Barrett hits him with headbutts. Barrett goes for Wasteland but Zeke slides out and fights back. Barrett with a boot to the gut. Barrett goes for the gutwrench powerbomb and nails it for a 2 count.

Zeke knocks Barrett out of the ring with a right hand. Barrett comes back to the apron but Zeke runs him into the ring post. Zeke brings Barrett back in and runs him over with big shoulder blocks. Zeke with a huge splash in the corner and a scoop slam. And another scoop slam, and yet another. Barrett hits one more big scoop slam on Barrett, wait, there's another. Zeke scoops Barrett onto his shoulders nect but Justin Gabriel rushes in and kicks Zeke in the stomach.

Winner by DQ: Ezekiel Jackson

- Zeke fights off Gabriel but Heath Slater rushes the ring. He fights him off but The Corre gangs up on Zeke and all three start stomping away. Barrett hits a big running boot while Slater and Gabriel hold Zeke. Zeke is announced as the winner by DQ but The Corre raises Barrett's arm as we go to replays.

- We go backstage with Nexus. My feed cut out but comes back on and we see Michael McGillicutty and David Otunga down on the floor hurt. Mason Ryan and CM Punk are having a bit of an argument about their tag team title match tonight. Punk gets Mason to walk off with him for the match but walks back in to make a smart remark to Otunga and McGillicutty.

Sin Cara vs. Chavo Guerrero

We go to the ring and out first comes Sin Cara to a decent reaction. Chavo Guerrero is out next.

The bell rings and they lock up. Chavo with a headlock early on. They go back and forth on the mat. Chavo takes Cara down with a wristlock and pushes his face into the mat. Cara fights out of the hold and hits a big hip toss. More back and forth with Cara taking Guerrero down with a head scissors. Cara flips into the ropes and knocks Chavo to the floor from the apron. Cara runs the ropes and leaps over the top, landing on Chavo on the floor. Cara superkicks Chavo back. He ends up on the apron and uses another head scissors takedown on the floor before bringing it back in the ring.

Chavo knocks Cara down as he re-enters the ring and goes to work on him in the corner. Cara fights back and Chavo ends up down in the corner now. Cara leaps but Chavo moves and he lands on the second rope. Cara goes to the top and hits a moonsault on Chavo for a 2 count. Chavo backs down in the corner again but Cara superkicks him. Chavo turns it around in the corner and hits a big running knee. Chavo with stomps on Cara now. Chavo gets hit with a dropkick and a botched arm drag takedown. More back and forth action. Chavo works on Cara's leg now.

Chavo goes to the top but Cara kicks him down to the floor outside the ring. Cara runs across the ring to the top and leaps off onto Chavo and the floor with a crossbody. Cara brings it back in the ring and hits a springboard hurricanrana. Cara gets pumped up now and hits Chavo with punches and kicks. Cara springboards from the ropes and hits a back elbow into Chavo. Arm drag by Cara and a kick to the head from the apron. Cara goes to the top and hits another crossbody for a 2 count.

Chavo fights back and goes for a powerbomb but Cara hangs onto his back. Cara escapes with an arm drag. Chavo goes for a back drop but Cara slides out. Cara with another botched head scissors takedown and the pin out of nowhere for the win.

Winner: Sin Cara

- WWE airs their new anti-bullying video.

- We go backstage with Todd Grisham, Randy Orton and Christian. Grisham says they've been respectful towards each other going into tonight. Christian says the World Title loss has to eat at him. Christian says he isn't mad at anybody. He says Randy didn't do anything he wouldn't have done himself. Christian is sure he will win the belt back tonight. Christian says Orton knows this deep down. Orton says Christian is one hell of a competitor but he beat him once and if he loses again... Christian says he won't lose again. Orton says when he fights a feel-good story, there is no happily ever after.

- We go to the ring and out comes Alberto Del Rio as Ricardo Rodriguez makes the introduction. Del Rio is driving a new Bentley tonight. Del Rio introduces himself. Del Rio wants to talk about destiny. He says the immigration problem in this part of the country is disgusting. Del Rio says thousands of illegal Canadians are crossing the border to America. The crowd boo's him. Del Rio says he's not upset that he isn't in the WWE Title match tonight because he knows he can make either Cena or Miz say "I Quit" with the armbreaker. He says it's only a matter of time before he's WWE Champion and there's nothing you can do because destiny can't be stopped. Big Show and Kane's music hit and out come the WWE Tag Team Champions to the ring. Kane tells Del Rio that he's already angry since the rapture didn't come yesterday but if Del Rio don't leave the ring, his destiny is to wind up just like McGillicutty and Otunga did in the back earlier. Show says that's a punch in the face. They back Del Rio out of the ring and here we go.

WWE Tag Team Title Match: CM Punk & Mason Ryan vs. Big Show and Kane

Out next come CM Punk and Mason Ryan. The bell ring and it's Punk starting off with Kane. Punk immediately tags in Ryan. They lock up and Ryan shoves Kane to the mat. Kane with a headlock but Ryan pushes out and drops him with a shoulder. Kane kicks Ryan in the gut and hits two big right hands. They run the ropes and Ryan catches Kane with a huge slam. Ryan with a big clothesline in the corner and a tag to Punk. Punk runs in but Kane drops him with a right hand and tags in Show.

Show drops Punk with a huge chop and then walks over top of him. Another chop in the corner. Show goes for another but Punk turns his back so Show chops his back. Show charges in the corner and Punk dropkicks his leg out. Ryan is tagged back in. He drops Show and goes to work on him with kicks and an elbow. Punk is tagged again and comes in for a 2 count. Punk goes for a headlock but Show lifts him up and applies a big bear hug. Show tags in Kane and holds Punk while Kane hits a big boot. Kane with a big splash in the corner and another. Kane hits the big sideslam for a 2 count.

Kane goes to the top for a big clothesline and comes down. He goes for a chokeslam. Ryan distracts the referee, allowing Punk to take back control. Kane ends up on the floor and gets decked by Punk, who is on longer the legal man. Ryan comes to the floor and rams Kane back into the apron. Ryan brings it back in the ring for a 2 count. Ryan works over Kane and tags back in Punk for some double teaming in the corner. Punk hits the running knee. He goes for the bulldog but Kane pushes him off. Punk dropkicks Kane's knee and gets a 2 count. Ryan is tagged in for some more double teaming, working on Kane's leg. Ryan scoops Kane on his shoulder and rams him back in the corner and then slams him on the mat. 2 count for Ryan. Ryan goes from a headlock to a bear hug. They go at it with shots in the middle of the ring now but Ryan scoops Kane up again. Kane pushes back out and hits a big suplex.

Punk is tagged in and he stops Kane from tagging. Punk goes to work on Kane with kicks now. Punk goes to the top rope but takes too long coming down. Kane takes control for a minute and tags in Show as Ryan comes in. Show runs over Ryan and takes him down with a big shoulder. Show grabs Ryan for a chokeslam. Punk comes off the top and gets grabbed by the throat also. They break the hold but Show clotheslines them. Kane comes in and clotheslines Punk to the floor. Kane and Show chokeslam Mason at the same time and Show covers for the win.

Winners: Kane and Big Show

- We go to ringside and the announcers hype next month's Capitol Punishment pay-per-view. They air a mock video of President Obama at a news conference. Reporters ask Obama different questions about WWE and they've put in clips of Obama answering other questions from news conferences.

WWE Divas Title Match: Kelly Kelly vs. Brie Bella

We go to the ring and out first comes WWE Divas Champion Brie Bella with her sister Nikki Bella. Out next comes the challenger Kelly Kelly. The bell rings and Brie strikes first. They go to the corner and Kelly wraps Brie over the ropes in a spider like move. Kelly drops Brie on her face on the apron. Kelly goes to the top and hits a crossbody from the top for a 2 count.

Kelly hits a stinkface but ends up down on the floor, allowing Nikki to get a cheap shot in. Brie stomps on Kelly's hand as she tries to get back in the ring. Brie brings Kelly up on the apron and drops her over the ropes. Brie drags Kelly in the ring for a 2 count. Brie works on Kelly's arm and continues the offense. Brie slams Kelly back to the mat and goes back to work on her arm.

Kelly finally makes a comeback and hits a Thesz Press. Kelly unloads on Brie and slams her face into the mat repeatedly. Kelly with a 2 count. They go at it and the Twins pull the switch out of nowhere. Nikki comes in, lays Kelly out and covers her for the win.

Winner: Brie Bella

- After the match, The Bellas make their way up the ramp as Cole exits his cube to go get ready for the Kiss My Foot match.

- We get a promo video for tonight's World Heavyweight Title match.

World Heavyweight Title Match: Christian vs. Randy Orton

We go to the ring and out first comes Christian. Out next is the World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton to a nice reaction. We get formal introductions before the bell.

They start the match and the crowd starts chanting. They lock up and Christian rolls Orton up for a 1 count. They lock up again and Orton applies a headlock. Orton takes Christian down with a shoulder and gets a 2 count. Another headlock by Orton now. Orton runs the ropes but Christian takes him down with a forearm. Christian with a dropkick from the second rope for a 2 count. Christian smacks Orton and runs the ropes. Orton drops him with a back elbow. Christian dumps Orton over the top rope and to the floor. Christian runs the ropes and hits a huge dropkick, knocking Orton back into the barrier.

Christian works Orton over on the floor and brings it back in the ring. Dueling chants for Orton and Christian from the crowd. Christian scoop slams Orton and applies a headlock. Orton fights out and ducks a clothesline. Christian connects with a dropkick for a 2 count. Christian takes Orton down and applies a chinlock from behind. Orton comes back with a standing dropkick. Christian slaps Orton coming out of the corner and goes up top. Orton knocks Christian down on the top and they trade right hands. Orton gets the upperhand and climbs up. Orton superplexes Christian back into the ring and gets a 2 count.

Orton goes back to work. Christian counters an uppercut with a backslide for a 2 count. Orton comes back with right hands and a kick to the face. Orton wth two clotheslines. Christian catches him with a big spinebuster for another 2 count. They both get up and trade big right hands in the middle of the ring. Christian with slaps and a big flying forearm. Christian with an inverted DDT for a 2 count. Christian goes to the top rope and comes down but Orton catches his legs for a 2 count. They trade pin attempts. Back to their feet until Orton beats Christian down. Orton goes for the Angle slam but Christian counters. Christian goes to the floor for the right hand but Orton blocks it. Orton goes for the second-rope DDT but it's countered also. Christian knocks Orton back and goes up top. Christian hits a big flying headbutt on Orton for a 2 count.

Orton gets up first and hits an uppercut and a backbreaker for another 2 count. Orton starts stomping on Christian and kicks him in the ribs. Orton with a big knee drop and another 2 count. Christian goes for the backslide but Orton tries for an RKO. Both countered. Orton applies a backwards Boston crab, a very different looking move, as Christian tries to make it to the ropes. Christian finally makes it and the hold is broken. They go back and forth in the corner. Christian dodges an RKO. Christian with a roll-up from the second rope for a close 2 count. They get up and Christian with a right hand. They counter each other on the ropes until Orton brings Christian in with the second rope DDT for a 2 count. Orton hits the mat and gets ready.

Orton goes for an RKO but Christian pushes him off. Christian starts calling for a spear and gets ready for it in the corner. Orton gets up and catches Christian, blocking the spear with a powerslam. 2 count by Orton. Orton stands over Christian now and then backs up for a punt kick. Orton charges with the punt but stops in mid-stride. Orton backs up for it again but Christian spears him. Christian covers Orton for a close 2 count. Christian is very frustrated now. Christian motions for the Killswitch but Orton blocks it and eventually hits the RKO for the win.

Winner: Randy Orton

- After the match, Orton poses as we go to replays. Orton tries to help Christian up but Christian pushes him off and goes to leave the ring. Christian comes back in and gets in Orton's face. Christian shakes Orton's hand and they embrace to a mixed reaction from the crowd.

- We get a video with recent highlights in the feud between Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler.

Kiss My Foot Match: Michael Cole vs. Jerry Lawler

The only way to win this one is by pinfall or submission. The loser must kiss the winners feet. We go to the ring and out first comes Jerry Lawler. Out next comes Michael Cole but he's limping and dressed in a suit. Cole takes the mic and has a prepared statement. Cole says he can't compete tonight because he's medically prohibited. Cole asks for Lawler's understanding and compassion, as well as the fans. Cole says his doctor won't let him compete because his athlete's foot has became infected, making it unsafe for Cole and Lawler. Cole hands the ref his doctor's note and the ref rips it up, calling for the bell.

Lawler unloads on Cole with right hands and beats him around the ring. Lawler hits a dropkick and Cole ends up on the floor. Lawler comes out after him but Cole takes a cheap shot and throws Lawler into the steps. Cole throws Lawler into the barrier and begins to take his shoe and sock off. Cole's foot is brown and horrible looking. Cole waves it in Lawler's face. Lawler grabs Cole's leg and punches him. Lawler throws Cole through his Colemine and down it goes.

Lawler brings it back in the ring and goes to the second rope. Lawler drops a big fist on Cole's face and covers him for the win.

Winner: Jerry Lawler

- After the match, Lawler starts taking his boot off but stops and thinks for a second. Lawler motions to the back and out comes Eve Torres. Eve climbs to the top turnbuckle and hits a moonsault on Cole. Lawler takes his boot off now and the crowd chants for him. Lawler motions to the back again and out comes Jim Ross to a big pop. JR pulls out a bottle of BBQ sauce and pours it all over Cole's face. Cole escapes from the ring and goes to leave. Lawler wants him to come back and kiss his foot but Cole says no way. Cole takes a mic at the top of the ramp and says it may look like he lost tonight, but he didn't. Cole says he isn't a loser. He calls Lawler, JR and Eve losers. Cole says it doesn't matter what Lawler did, he never did and never will kiss his foot. Bret Hart's music hits and he comes out. Bret backs Cole down the ramp and towards the ring. Bret tosses Cole back into the ring and follows him in. Bret locks the Sharpshooter on Cole to a big pop from the crowd. As Cole is locked in, Lawler puts his foot in Cole's mouth. Lawler's music hits as Cole gags on the mat, still covered in BBQ sauce with his clothes torn. We go to replays. Bret, Lawler and Eve wave to the fans as Bret's music hits next. JR goes to commentary as Bret shakes hands with fans at ringside. Cole is now crying as he stumbles out of the ring.

- We get a promo video for tonight's WWE Title match.

I Quit Match for the WWE Title: The Miz vs. John Cena

We go to the ring and out first comes The Miz with Alex Riley right behind him. John Cena's music is up next and out comes the WWE Champion to a nice reaction from the crowd. We get formal introductions from Justin Roberts and here we go.

The bell rings and Miz takes the mic. He mentions there are no rules in an I Quit Match except one must say they quit. Miz says he can use weapons on Cena but Riley can also. Riley enters the ring and stands beside Miz, ready to go. Miz lets Cena have the chance to go ahead and quit now. Cena says hell no. Miz charges and Cena ducks. Cena unloads on Miz and Riley, going back and forth between the two. Cena with a big bulldog on Miz and a gutwrench. Cena locks on the STF but Riley breaks it up. Riley goes to work on Cena now.

Miz and Riley start working Cena over now. Riley charges but Cena dumps him to the floor. Cena unloads on Miz with shoulders and a back drop. Cena hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle on Miz and goes for the Attitude Adjustment but Miz slides out and hits a neckbreaker. Miz goes for the Skull Crushing Finale but Cena counters with an Attitude Adjustment. Riley comes in and decks Cena with the briefcase. Riley starts smacking Cena with the case now.

Riley and Miz continue the double team now. They hit him with a double powerbomb from the top. The ref checks on Cena but he's not ready to quit. They throw Cena out to the floor. More double teaming on the floor with Cena being rammed hard back into the barrier. He's still not ready to quit.

They continue to beat Cena on the floor but he won't quit. Riley and Miz take apart the announcer's table and beat him down with the monitors. Cena still won't quit. He finally fights back but Miz throws him into the steel steps. Miz drops Cena's face onto the steel steps with a DDT. Miz puts the mic in Cena's face this time but he still won't quit. Riley lifts the steel steps up. Miz tells Cena that Riley is going to slam them into his ribs if he doesn't quit. Cena tells him to go to hell. Riley slams the steps into Cena's side. The ref checks on Cena again but he won't quit. Riley holds Cena's arms from the ring while he's on the floor. Miz grabs a kendo stick. He tells Cena to go ahead and quit. Cena tells him he hits like a girl. Miz cracks Cena in the ribs repeatedly with the kendo stick. Cena still won't quit.

Miz unloads on Cena's ribs with the kendo stick again and Cena falls to the floor. Still no quitting from Cena. Another kendo shot from Miz. They go back to double teaming Cena now, beating him up the ramp and towards the cars on stage. Miz suplexes Cena onto the stage. The ref checks on Cena but he won't quit. Miz hits Cena with a running kick to the face and Cena rolls off the stage and onto the concrete floor. Cena still won't say it. Riley holds Cena while Miz gets a belt from a production worker. Miz threatens to whip Cena with the strap unless he quits. Cena tells him he has a strap but no nuts. Miz whips Cena in the back repeatedly with the strap. Cena still won't quit. Miz whips Cena several more times but Cena won't give up. Miz tells Riley go to get him a chair from the ring. Miz takes Cena back to the ramp. Cena drops him with a right hand and slams Riley into the ringpost. Miz comes up and decks Cena and then hits him with the steel chair.

Miz brings Cena and the chair in the ring. Cena gets up and fights Miz off. Riley comes in but Cena throws him and he hits the ref. The referee goes down. Miz comes back from behind on Cena and lays him out with a DDT. Miz props the chair up in the ropes and lays Cena's face into it with a Skull Crushing Finale. Cena still won't quit. Miz goes to some Cena fans at ringside and asks him if he wants to Cena go through more pain. Miz tells the kid to tell Cena to quit. The kid says never, not any day. Miz tells the kid to look what he's done to Cena and kicks him. Miz yells at the kid some more now and says he won't stop until Cena quits. Miz tells the kid to tell Cena to quit again. Another kid tells Miz to quit first. Miz decks Cena in the head with the mic. Miz threatens to beat Cena repeatedly with a chair until he quits. Miz tells him he can't win this match. Cena tells Miz the kids are smarter than him. As Cena is laying halfway through the barrier, Miz cracks him in the head with a chairshot. Riley holds the mic to Cena's mouth and says "I quit." This is supposed to be Cena saying it but it sounded like Riley. The bell rings and the referee goes for the belt at ringside. The referee sees a cell phone at ringside and plays audio on it. The referee says no to the decision and comes back in the ring to argue with Miz and Riley. He plays the audio from Riley's phone into the mic and exposes their trick. The referee restarts the match.

Miz holds Cena while Riley charges with the belt. Cena ducks and lays Riley through the announcer table with an Attitude Adjustment. Cena looks at Miz and starts smiling. Cena takes off his own belt and starts whipping Miz over and over with it. Miz runs up the ramp but Cena beats him with the strap the whole way. Miz tries to go backstage but Cena pulls him back. Cena locks on the STF on the stage and Miz says "I Quit" to end the match.

Winner: John Cena

- After the match, we get replays. Cena poses with the WWE Title on the stage as they show more replays. Over the Limit goes off the air with Cena saluting the crowd and raising the WWE Title.

Lots of Must See WWE Over the Limit Photos and Videos, Backstage News on The Miz's WWE Title Future, Revealing New Diva Personal Pix and MORE!

Noah European Navigation 2011 : Night 2 DVD Trailer

DVD trailer of Night 2 of the NOAH show I attended on Saturday May 14th - Looks AWESOME!!!!

UK NOAH TOUR 2011 Night 1 FULL Review

Bonus Match:

Danny Garnell vs Robbie Dynamite

The phrase it does what it says on the tin comes to mind when viewing this match. It really was nothing more then a bonus match and one that many quite honestly didn’t care about too much from the reaction it got.

Prior to the match beginning MC for the night Andy Quildan announced that the bonus would begin and for fans to take their seats. I was already in my seat at this point and seeing people wander in but not in any real rush. Was this because they knew weren’t interested in a bonus match? Or just didn’t care? And to be honest I think it was half and half.

As the match got under way many people were still coming in and I was trying to watch the match then having to stand up and give way to people who were trying to find their numbered seats.

It took me away from the match but to be honest from what I had seen so far their really wasn’t nothing keeping me that interested or entertained whereby I felt the need to watch.

Overall I felt this match really wasn’t that good, I personally feel it would have been booked as perhaps a tag match of the All Stars (Robbie Dynamite & Mikey Whiplash) vs Garnell and tag partner of his choosing. It just fell flat, got no reaction. If the match didn’t happen I don’t think anyone would of even noticed or cared that much, asides from Dynamites body splash which he then turned in mid air and landing the opposite move which I have to admit was good but it was just a case of little too late.

Winner: Robbie Dynamite

Opening match:

Ricky Marvin vs Kotaro Suzuki

With the Broxbourne Civic Hall almost filled to capacity and everyone now finally in their seats the show began and what a singles bout to open. Two of Pro Wrestling Noah’s finest cruiserweights doing battle and boy did it live up to what my expectations.

I haven’t seen a lot of Ricky Marvin matches but from what I had seen I was impressed and likewise live now. The highlight from this match was certainly Marvin's use of the F word as it came completely left field.

I’d expect that from some fans but not the wrestlers, not that it was a bad thing if anything it was very comical given every time Kotaro was on the offensive it’s all Marvin could do was until the match really began to take shape.

With Marvin running up the ropes, before doing a twisting body splash to the outside, and Suzuki giving Marvin not one but two tombstones.
It was slap for slap, super kick for super kick, back and forth till eventually Suzuki got the win with a tiger driver.

Winner: Kotaro Suzuki

Taiji Ishimori vs Satoshi Kajiwara

I haven’t seen Kajiwara before so wasn’t sure what to expect from him unlike Ishimori who I was very familiar with. However looking at the size of both competitors it looked to be a quick paced cruiserweight match which it was.

I’m not sure if it was due to the last European navigation tour show that I had really high hopes for something out of Ishimori given how he was in the match of the year of 2008.

So when looking back at the matches from the whole night I have to say this was my least favourite match, not it was a bad match. Far from it, if anything it was a really good cruiserweight match but was hoping for a lot more high flying spots then we got.

The best move of the match came at the end with Ishimori doing a 450 dropkick on Kajiwara for the win. Good match but on a card like that with such high calibre it was always going to be hard to have the stand out match like on the last Noah tour.

Winner: Taiji Ishimori

The Kings of Wrestling vs Takeshi Morishima & Atsushi Aoki

What can I or anyone who sees this match say but wow. The kings of wrestling were so over by the UK fans and really had the crowd in palm of there hands it was amazing. Putting them in their against Aoki and Morishima on paper I thought before hand I wondered how that will work but once the match got started it worked really well.

I think Aoki was the only person who looked out of place due to his size but at the same time he was able to show the UK crowd just how much he has improved since the last time he was over.

Looking back at this match their was two main highlights that personally stuck out during the match. One being Claudio managing to give Morishima the big swing and the second being lifting Morishima over his shoulders for a scoop slam.

I look forward to re-watching this match once it’s released on DVD as it was certainly one of the matches that stood out that night. With the finish coming from hero and Claudio lifting Aoki on their shoulders before bringing him down with a sit-down power bomb.

Great stuff by the kings of wrestling, hope to see them in the UK again soon.

Winner: The Kings of Wrestling

Zack Sabre Jr vs Katshiko Nakajima

This match for me was my choice for match of the night even though I would have liked to of seen more in the match. This match started with Zack in control of Nakajima really taking it to him but in a technical style and not the stiff strikes that perhaps many were expecting.

Followed by a dive to the outside a the odd stiff kick, but not long after that Nakajima really showed off what he could do and being a big fan of the guy I’ve seen plenty of his matches so I know just how hard he kicks.

However he really kicked Zack, very stiff and many times thanks to the crowd cheering for one more kick and Nakajima was only happy to do it.
Zack looking in lots of pain, either that or he was doing a great selling job as for the rest of the match it was very much all Nakajima.

Which again wasn’t something I was expecting, I was hoping we’d get a lot of strike for strike from Zack but it never really happened and this is my negative about the match. But like I said it still gets my vote for match of the night, as got some really good Japanese style wrestling which is what I made a ticket for and it certainly delivered.

The end of the match came with Nakajima giving Zack a brain buster and about the 10th stiff kick to the face, poor sod. I lost count the number of kicks Zack took but it was a lot. Great match wouldn’t say no to a rematch sometime down the road.

Winner: Katshiko Nakajima

KENTA & Bobby Fish vs Go Shiozaki & Shuhei Taniguchi

Admittedly I haven’t seen any of Fish or Taniguchi but was looking forward to seeing what they could do given they were in their with KENTA and Go so I had high hopes going into it. The match begin slowly enough with Fish vs Taniguchi before tagging in the partners and this is where the match really began to take shape.

It was just as expected kick vs chop and it was fantastic, it was just what I hoped for. They hits from one to another were just as loud and stiff as you can imagine, but come the end of it I have to say it wasn’t anything great to the point were it could be given a match of the year contender status.

Which is a shame especially when KENTA & Go were in the match, it was fantastic stuff I think had fish and Taniguchi not been their tag partners then perhaps this could have had the making of the previous match of the year tag match from European navigation 08.

The end result was quite surprised in that it was Go giving fish a go flasher for the win, as the match went on I was highly expecting KENTA & Fish to get the win so surprising result.

Winner: Go Shiozaki & Shuhei Taniguchi

Takashi Sugiura vs Dave Mastiff

It was time for the main event and in what could be described as perhaps the best match I have ever seen Dave mastiff in.

The match began very slow at first and was very much a big man powerhouse style. The match slowly progressed into harder style with more power lifting style moves, trying to see who was the stronger wrestler, as to be fair seeing them both in the ring at the same time they had a very similar build.

In what could only be described as amazing, during the match Mastiff pulled off a moonsault, a triple jump sault & taking a German suplex off the top rope. I was surprised Dave was still alive after that match, as seeing it all live words couldn’t describe. It was just the most insane and incredible thing I’ve seen out of him in his whole career.
I hope that Noah themselves took notice of this as after that match their was no doubt in my mind that Dave could be a perfect fit in the Noah roster. The end of the match came after the top rope German suplex by Sugiura onto Mastiff and followed it up with an Olympic slam to retain his GHC title for the 13th time.

Winner: Takashi Sugiura

Overall an incredible night of wrestling, no bad matches everything was good to very good. Having said that their wasn't no real stand out match of the year candidates coming out of it like the first tour.

None the less a great show and I look forward to seeing it on DVD and would highly recommend it to anyone who wasn’t there to see it live for themselves.

Thanks for readin, Shlom Yager

2012: Must Be The Year Randy Savage Goes into The WWE Hall of Fame

2012 must now be the year Macho Man Randy Savage gets inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. We all know the rumours as to why he hasn't been inducted in the past but now with the sad passing of the great man, the time has come.
Rumours are abound that Vince McMahon wants to actually have a building that can house a genuine Hall of Fame and Florida, which was Savage's home state, is apparently where it could actually be placed. What could be better than the headliner of the 2012 Hall of Fame being former WWF Intercontinental, 2 time WWF Heavyweight and 3 time WCW Heavyweight champion Randy Savage?

Follow me on twitter @WLH_Stu

WLH PPV Prediction League - Prizes To Be Won

Every WWE & TNA PPV anyone who enters the prediction league has to predict the result for each match on the PPV, if you get the result right, it's 2 points for you in the league the first counting of points will be after the WWE Summer Slam show in August and then after the final PPV of the year. The winner of the league will have a choice of a DVD of their choice from a list to be determined. I must say, don't want to annoy any American readers but this is for UK readers only for a DVD, any American readers that take part will get a PAYPAL payment instead.

Obviously, you don't have to predict for every PPV but the more PPV's you do, the better chance you have of getting more points.

Email ALL predictions to wlhstu@aol.co.uk


1 John Cena (c) vs. The Miz"I Quit" match for the WWE Championship

2 Randy Orton (c) vs. Christian Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship

3 Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole ("Kiss My Foot" match. If Cole wins, Lawler will surrender his WWE Hall of Fame ring to him. In addition, the loser must also kiss the winner's feet.

4 Wade Barrett (c) vs. Ezekiel Jackson Singles match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

5 Rey Mysterio vs. R-Truth

6 Big Show and Kane (c) vs. The New Nexus (CM Punk and Mayson Ryan) Tag team match for the WWE Tag Team Championship

7 Sin Cara vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr.

8 Brie Bella (c) vs Kelly Kelly Singles match for the womens title

'Macho Man' Randy Savage Passes Away

Website TMZ has reported that former WWF Heavyweight champion Macho Man Randy Savage has passed away, here is what they posted:

TMZ spoke with Randy's brother, Lanny Poffo, who tells us the wrestling legend suffered a heart attack while he was behind the wheel around 10 AM ... and lost control of his vehicle.

Earlier this month, Savage celebrated his 1-year anniversary with his new wife Lynn.

Randy Savage was a big star in the high times of the WWF in the mid to late 80's and then in the 90's. Made a name for himself in the Memphis territory but became most well known in the WWF. Savage was a WWF Intercontinental champion and the match where he lost the IC title against Ricky The Dragon Steamboat at Wrestle Mania III in 1987 is still regarded as one of the best matches in Wrestle Mania history. Savage won the WWF Heavyweight title in a tournament over Million Dollar Man Ted Dibease at Wrestle Mania IV. Formed a partnership with Hulk Hogan and they called themselves the MegaPowers. The two eventually split up and Hogan defeated Savage for the title at Wrestle Mania V in 1989. Savage's career flounded for a year or so before getting embroiled in a feud with then WWF champion The Ultimate Warrior. Savage cost Warrior his WWF title to Sgt Slaughter at the 1991 Royal Rumble and this led to Savage vs. Warrior in a career match at Wrestle Mania VII in what was an amazing match. Savage went into retirement, became a color commentator for the WWF but eventually came back as a in ring performer. Savage won his second WWF title from Ric Flair at Wrestle Mania VIII but lost it back to Flair in September of 92. In 1992, Savage actually formed a tag team with the Warrior calling themself the Mega Maniacs, the two were supposed to face Razor (Scott Hall) Ramon & Ric Flair at the 1992 Survivor Series but Warrior had another fall out with the office in the WWF and Savage recruited the then inactive Mr Perfect Curt Hennig as his partner. Eventually, Savage would leave the WWF and sign on with rivals WCW but had a pretty un-eventful career in the Atlanta based promotion even though he won their version of the world title 3 times.

For years there were rumors as to why Savage wasn't brought back to the WWF or inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame. As of the last copuple of years, there was strong talk that in either 2011 or 2012 Savage would be inducted, this didn't happen in 2011 and we have no idea to be fair if he was going to be inducted in 2012.

The last thing seen of Savage was a promo he did for the WWE's All-Stars game which made the chance of a HOF induction even stronger.

I don't know much of the story what has happened with Savage's passing but if true, pro wrestling has lost one of the very best the business has ever produced.

Rest in Peace Macho Man.

Stuart Rodgers - Follow me on twitter @WLH_Stu

NOAH in The UK Night 2 Results & NJPW in The US Nights 2 & 3 Results

SATURDAY 14TH MAY 2011 * PRO WRESTLING NOAH EUROPEAN NAVIGATION 2011 NIGHT TWO * WOLVERHAMPTON WULFRUN HALL

(0) Taiji Ishimori pinned The Saint (9:21) after a 450 Splash.
(1) Ricky Marvin pinned Jonny Storm (11:54) with a sunset flip.
(2) James Mason pinned Bobby Fish (7:07) with a kneeling pin.
(3) Atsushi Aoki beat Satoshi Kajiwara (7:54) by submission to a cross armbreaker.
(4) Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli beat Takeshi Morishima & Shuhei Taniguchi (20:35) when Castagnoli pinned Taniguchi after the KRS-1.
(5) Go Shiozaki vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima went to Time Limit Draw (20:00).
(6) KENTA pinned Zack Sabre Jr. (19:11) after Go To Sleep.
(7) GHC Heavyweight Title: Takashi Sugiura © pinned Kotaro Suzuki (19:34) via Olympic Slam (13th defense).

NJPW "East Coast Invation Tour" Results
New York City, New York May 14, 2011 (Credit http://ineedwrestling.com)

(1) Kenny Omega def. Josh Daniels
(2) Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask & Dan Maff def. Shinsuke Nakamura, Jado & Gedo
(3) Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson def. Satoshi Kojima & Hideo Saito
(4) Rhino, Davey Richards & Homicide def. Togi Makabe, Ryusuke Taguchi & Kazuchika Okada
(5) Prince Devitt (c) def. Low Ki to retain the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title
(6) IWGP Intercontinental Title Tournament – Semi Final:
Toru Yano def. Yujiro Takahashi
(7) IWGP Intercontinental Title Tournament – Semi Final:
MVP def. Tetsuya Naito
(8) Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) def. Charlie Haas to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Title

NJPW East Coast Invasion Tour Results
May, 15, 2011 Philadelphia, PA (Credit http://ineedwrestling.com)

(1) Tetsuya Naito def. Hideo Saito
(2) Shinsuke Nakamura, Yujiro Takahashi, Jado & Gedo def. Charlie Haas, Tiger Mask, Kazuchika Okada & Josh Daniels
(3) Kenny Omega def. Jushin Thunder Liger(c) to become the new JAPW Light Heavyweight Champion
(4) Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson def. Satoshi Kojima & Dan Maff
(5) Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi(c) def. Homicide & Low Ki to retain the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Titles
(6) Hiroshi Tanahashi def. Davey Richards
(7) MVP def. Toru Yano to become the first IWGP Intercontinental Champion
(8) Togi Makabe def. Rhino in a South Philadelphia Street Fight

TNA Sacrifice PPV Preview

Shane H from http://hittheropes.com provides a preview of tonights TNA Sacrifice PPV.

TNA's brought on some big changes for their Thursday night show but that doesn't make Sacrifice seem extra special. The pay-per-view has matches that fall in the "I'm Supposed to Pay Money to See This?" category. Honestly, it might be a sacrifice of one's time to watch this show.

I'll expect that Mick Foley, Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, and Ric Flair show up at some point or another on the show.

Robbie E. vs. Brian Kendrick

The only reason I know about this match is thanks to TNA's website. I haven't seen these two feud, heck, they have rarely been on television. After the X Division guys complained about not getting their chance to wrestle and now with the new mantra of "wrestling matters", this match was made to allow the guys to show off their talents. However, PPVs are supposed to be for those matches that we have been hoping to see for weeks. This match just doesn't do that. Let's just go with Kendrick for the win here since he was leading charge the other week for the X Division guys.

Predicted Winner: Brian Kendrick

Abyss vs. Crimson

Crimson has yet to be pinned since wrestling in TNA and Abyss is looking more demented with two missing teeth. In a perfect world, these two are going to be doing all they can to hurt each other and won't care about any rules. Here's to hoping that Samoa Joe doesn't interfere in this match since he's had some interaction with Crimson lately. I'll take Abyss using a weapon or something to get DQ'd.

Predicted Winner: Crimson via disqualification

Mexican America vs. Ink Inc.

I'm still confused at Shannon Moore's sudden change from nearly going heel to back to being a babyface. Sure, TNA could say that it's because he's standing up for America but TNA has yet to allow him to explain anything. Mexican America is still young in its life and they haven't looked extremely dominant. For that reason, they go over here. It also gets them more heat for "defeating the USA."

Predicted Winner: Mexican America

Madison Rayne vs. Mickie James © - TNA Knockouts Championship match (Tara's freedom on line)

If Rayne wins she wins the belt, if James wins Rayne must give Tara her freedom. After their minute-long match last month, why should anyone think James loses here? It's been building for a while that Rayne and Tara will split up and possibly lead to a feud. This finally comes to fruition here with James granting Tara her opportunity to get out from under Rayne's rule. I'm more concerned with how long this match lasts.

Predicted Winner: Mickie James

AJ Styles vs. Tommy Dreamer

Are we having a flashback of what was just done last year? It wasn't too long ago that Styles and Dreamer clashed during the whole Fortune and EV2.0 affair. It wasn't all that great back then and I can't imagine it will be all that great now. I'm not so much upset about having to see these two wrestle but more so about the fact that it makes it seem like Styles is now more interested in getting back at Dreamer than at the man who nearly ended his career (Bully Ray). Dreamer isn't playing the heel here but as a man who is possibly doing what he has to do to take care of his family. Haven't we seen Dreamer play this role before? This role seems like the role Dreamer has played his entire career.

Predicted Winner: Tommy Dreamer

Max Buck vs. Kazarian © - X Division Championship match

See Robbie E. vs. Kendrick match up top. No build whatsoever (outside of Buck winning the Xscape match last month) and this one is actually for a title. We'll get the fast-paced action we come to expect from the X Division stars. This will probably open the show.

Predicted Winner: Kazarian

Matt Hardy and Chris Harris vs. Beer Money © - TNA Tag Team Championship match

This was billed as a dream tag match by TNA but if this is someone's dream, it's probably a nightmare. Harris came out on Thursday and it was a letdown. He has his history with James Storm but Harris looks like he's the one who is doing nothing but downing beers. We've heard talks of the Beer Money guys doing some more single stuff soon and I hope this isn't a match for them to lose the title before pursuing those dreams. If Harris stays around I can see TNA having him and Storm have a one-on-one feud.

Predicted Winner: Beer Money

Kurt Angle and Chyna vs. Jeff Jarrett and Karen Jarrett

Well, thank God they went with Chyna instead of Isis the Amazon. Nothing on Isis but she is still green in the ring. Then again, Chyna isn't striking me as being that ring savvy right now either. Her intimidation right now might be the boob job she's sporting.

The Angle/Jarrett stuff have been the best stuff on TNA for a while now and I don't see a mixed tag match ending the feud. This will probably be a match with some comedy spots but decent wrestling. Good on TNA for bringing in past history with Chyna and Jeff but do all of their viewers know about that?

Predicted Winner: Kurt Angle and Chyna

Rob Van Dam vs. Sting - TNA World Heavyweight Championship match

This match can go either way due to who is waiting in the wing for the next title shot (Mr. Anderson). Sting's time with the belt is drawing to an end but does that end come this month or next? RVD still has the legitimate gripe that he never lost the belt and in a perfect world he would have regained the belt by now but we live not in a perfect world. Sting's matches when it comes to his current title run has been decent (except for that one) but nothing great. I expect the same here.

Predicted Winner: Sting

Pics from Tonights NOAH Show

Picture of the handshake at the start of the main event



Myself and The Kings of Wrestling



Myself and the Japanese Legend that is KENTA

NOAH in The UK Night 1 Results & NJPW in The US Night 1 Results

Both these top Japanese promotions ventured away from their homelands to put shows on for their international fans. NOAH's first stop was in Broxbourne here in the UK, on Saturday night they will be in Wolverhampton which I will be attending myself.
NJPW ventured into the united states to work 3 nights in conjuction with US indie promotion JAPW.

FRIDAY 13TH MAY 2011 * PRO WRESTLING NOAH EUROPEAN NAVIGATION 2011 NIGHT ONE * BROXBOURNE CIVIC HALL

(0) Danny Garnell pinned Robbie Dynamite after a jumping tornado DDT.
(1) Kotaro Suzuki pinned Ricky Marvin (10:57) with a Tiger Driver. (non title)
(2) Taiji Ishimori pinned Satoshi Kajiwara (11:02) after the Revolution.
(3) Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli beat Takeshi Morishima & Atsushi Aoki (16:52) when Hero pinned Aoki after KRS-1.
(4) Katsuhiko Nakajima beat Zack Sabre Jr. (13:44) after a running low kick.
(5) Go Shiozaki & Shuhei Taniguchi beat KENTA & Bobby Fish (18:49) after a Go Flasher from Shiozaki on Fish.
(6) GHC Heavyweight Title: Takashi Sugiura © pinned Dave Mastiff (20:10) via Olympic Slam (12th defense).

NJPW INVASION TOUR 2011～ATTACK ON EAST COAST NIGHT ONE～, 5/13/2011 (Fri) 20:00 @ Rahway Recreation Center

(1) Homicide & Low Ki vs. Kohji Kanemoto & Tiger Mask IV
Winner: Ki (10:41) with the Ki Krusher to Tiger.
(2) Satoshi Kojima vs. Kenny Omega
Winner: Kojima (9:29) following the Lariat.
(3) Prince Devitt, Ryusuke Taguchi, Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Davey Richards, Jado & Gedo
Winner: Devitt (13:00) following the Bloody Sunday to Gedo.
(4) Intercontinental Title Tournament Round 1: Yujiro Takahashi vs. Hideo Saito [Mitsuhide Hirasawa]
Winner: Takahashi (8:28) following the Tokyo Pimps.
(5) Intercontinental Title Tournament Round 1: Tetsuya Naito vs. Josh Daniels
Winner: Naito (12:28) with the Stardust Press.
(6) Intercontinental Title Tournament Round 1: Tohru Yano vs. Dan Maff
Winner: Yano (10:38) with the Urakasumi (Back Mist).
(7) Intercontinental Title Tournament Round 1: MVP vs. Kazuchika Okada
Winner: MVP (12:45) with the TTB (Take it to the Bank).
(8) Rhino & Charlie Haas vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Togi Makabe
Winner: Rhino (16:02) following the Gore to Makabe.

WLH PPV Prediction League - Prizes To Be Won

* Sting (c) vs. Rob Van Dam for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
* Kazarian (c) vs. Max Buck for the TNA X Division Championship
* Abyss vs. Crimson
* Beer Money, Inc. (Robert Roode and James Storm) (c) vs. Immortal (Matt Hardy and Chris Harris) for the TNA World Tag Team Championship
* Mickie James (c) vs. Madison Rayne for the TNA Women's Knockout Championship with the stipulation if Mickie wins, Tara's contract with Madison gets nullified and Tara is free to work in TNA.
* Jeff Jarrett and Karen Jarrett vs Kurt Angle and Chyna
* Mexican America (Hernandez and Anarquia) vs. Ink Inc. (Jesse Neal and Shannon Moore)
* Tommy Dreamer vs. A.J. Styles
* Robbie E vs. Brian Kendrick

Thanks to Brett over at wrestlechat.net

The End of an Era and the Start of the Next By Paul Dyer

The numbers speak for themselves, 55,724 screaming fans and a total of $12,075,000 (Approx. £7,374,721) in gate receipts. The former more than doubles the previous attendance for any MMA event in North American history and the latter added nearly $5,000,000 to the record for ANY MMA event ever held. UFC 129 was the first stadium show ever held by the UFC in its 18 year history and by far its biggest show ever.
For wrestling fans and boxing fans the attendance figure is big but nothing close to what some attendances have reached in the previous years but for MMA this could well be the start of something incredibly big for the sport. This could be, and I stress could be, a watershed moment in the history of MMA. This event proved a lot of things to a lot of people and with the show being held in Toronto and it’s vicinity to New York state, I’m sure the New York State Athletic Commission were eagerly watching on, and drooling.
Held in the former Skydome, The Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, UFC 129 had a lot going for it before any matches were announced. Toronto is the UFC’s number 1 city in the world for PPV buys and this was the first UFC event held in the newly regulated province. Then you add George St. Pierre to the mix and trust me when I say, people have no idea how popular GSP is Canada. The national sport of Canada is Ice Hockey and the most popular name in hockey is the Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby, born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Not only is he Canadian through and through but on the 28th February 2010 he scored the winning goal in overtime to win the Gold Medal at the 21st Winter Olympic Games against the United States. Can you imagine Michael Bisping winning BBC Sports personality of the year in the same year as an England team winning the FIFA World Cup? Nope me neither. The stars lined up perfectly for the last UFC, right guy, right time and a ravenous fan base.
The show itself was a highly polished and much tighter show than the UFC has ever promoted before. Taking elements from the WWE production of this past WrestleMania at the Georgia Dome and undoubtedly Manny Pacquiao’s two title defences at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The UFC came off as major league in every sense of the words, akin to the former Pride Fighting Championships production of their bigger shows. Zuffa more than doubled their average production budget and even brought in an outside consulting agency to provide logistical assistance. But boy was it worth it, you could see the difference and on their very first attempt, they hit a grand slam (sorry I’m in a sports metaphor kind of mood!).
For all the hype going into UFC 129, something that was intentionally lost in the shuffle was the retirement of one of the most important men in the history of MMA in North America. Randy “The Natural” Couture bowed out of the sport after a dramatic and highly entertaining (if you’re a fan of the 1984 gem “The Karate Kid”) knock out by 3rd-dan black belt in Shotokan karate, Lyoto Machida. The crane kick (konkudai) at 1:05 of the second round knocked Couture’s tooth out and his lights out and ended his career competitive career at 19-11.
Randy hadn’t looked good in his previous few fights as age and a busy schedule outside the fight world had taken over. But he came into the fight in very good condition and eager to matchup with someone he considered a puzzle he wanted to test himself against. That turned out to be not enough, as Machida constantly evaded Couture’s jab and was never in danger of being clinched so Couture could dirty box or get a takedown for some ground and pound. If you say to a fan that fighter X has a 19-11 record they would probably contend that the fighter was average with an average record. But that is to discount just what Couture has meant to the fight business the past 14 years.
In 2005 the UFC was dying, losing millions of dollars a year and in desperate need of access to a new audience. Dana White had always wanted to have a weekly fight show, similar to ESPN’s Friday Night Fights but their TV partner, Spike TV, noting the success of Reality TV programming on other networks only wanted a show based on that style of program. UFC relented and “The Ultimate Fighter” was born creating a new audience for the product and making superstars out of the first two coaches, Chuck Liddell and Couture. The UFC never looked back and neither did Couture as he became (along with Liddell) the most popular and biggest draw the UFC had.
Although I never thought Couture was the best technical fighter in the world, he was the best in one area of the fight business that is highly overlooked, fight planning. As proved over the last few years by Über trainer Greg Jackson, a great game plan can be the difference between a win and a loss. Couture’s main strength in the octagon was his amazing ability to take just about anybody down and hold them there while he proceeded to pummel them into bloody messes. Outside of the cage, his ultimate strength was just being Randy Couture. He connected with the audience like no other fighter in UFC history, his soft spoken intelligent manner and the fact that he had defied the logic that at 40+ years of age you shouldn’t be able to still be competitive. He truly became “Captain America” to the viewing audience, a fact highlighted by his 2007 heavyweight title win over 6’8 and 260lbs Tim Sylvia. The show was going to die a death at both the box office and on PPV as Sylvia was considered a boring fighter and his scheduled opponent Brandon Vera had pulled out of the fight, so in his first fight as a heavyweight in 5 years he again defied all excepted logic. The pop that night as Couture was awarded the heavyweight title is among the loudest ever heard in combat sports.
The end of the career of Randy Couture must be met with a celebration of a truly transcendental fighter, one that at a time was truly bigger than the sport they competed in and made it bigger than himself by the time he finished. He must have felt a sense of pride as his final fight was on the grandest stage the UFC had ever been on, knowing that he was a huge part of why they were in Rogers Centre breaking records left and right

Paul Dyer

RANDY ORTON NEW WORLD CHAMPION VS CHRISTIAN, CHYNA TO TNA RANT #1

Blog reader and wrestling fan Stephen Campbell wanted me to post his video about his thoughts on Randy Orton winning the world title from Christian a mere 48hrs after he won it in the excellent ladder match at Extreme Rules against Albero Del Rio so always one to oblige, here it is.

WWE Bottle It Over Christian Title Run By Shaun Nichols

The WWE made what I would consider to be a major mistake by ending Christian's title run after a whole two days. The WWE need urgently to create new main event talent and yet when it looks like they may be ready to elevate someone to the next level they fail to follow through.
Look at the main event talent that they have lost as regular PPV headliners in the last 18 months or so: Shawn Michaels, Batista, Undertaker, Triple H and Chris Jericho. What's more it's likely that CM Punk will be having an extended break in a few months, Vince refuses to trust Rey long term and it's quite likely that Rey will not be around in two years time. The Miz was simply not given the big wins needed to get over, Sheamus had his big push rudely cut off when they decided to turn him into a comedy character. Although his trade to Smackdown should be to his advantage as the show does not have any top line heels. Alberto Del Rio is heading in the right direction but needs to be booked really strongly in the next few months after losing at Wrestlemania & Extreme Rules.
What that illustrates is that after John Cena & Randy Orton, the WWE are sorely lacking in the main event stakes. Now I do understand the view that Christian only got the title at the PPV because he's Edge's best friend and the company felt that it would be a nice gesture. But by winning Christian went over Del Rio, who the company want to face Cena in the main event of SummerSlam this year. So you would think that the company would take the opportunity to try and elevate Christian long term and boost their main event ranks. Instead they have him lose the belt to Orton on the first Smackdown show after the PPV in a match that was described as very good.
The problem with that is if they do a PPV programme is that nobody will care to see Christian challenging Orton for the title, Orton going for the title is a stronger card to play. The WWE should have realised that having their top babyfaces trying to win titles are more effective than them trying to retain them on PPV. The classic example of this was The Rock, the PPV's where he was trying to win the belt were always bigger than when he was defending the title which explained why his title runs never ran more than 3 or 4 months at a time.
Christian who is over with the fans to a certain extent, does have good matches and can cut a decent promo would have benefitted from being the champion for a decent length of time, the WWE would have also benefitted from having arguably their best in ring performer as a firm fixture in PPV main events. Instead it appears that they have cast him aside in favour of their obsession to protect and push Randy Orton at all costs which is ridiculous as he doesn't need it. Orton would be over regardless if he has the title or not, Christian would have benefitted from being the champion but for some reason the WWE fail to grasp what seems completely obvious to most fans.

Extreme Rules 2011 Results

The only full match I got to watch was the triple threat cage match from the announced card, for the WLH prediction league I only had 6 matches listed there were rumours of Sheamus vs. Kofi Kingston but not confirmed in time for me to add it so everyone could send in a prediction so those who sent in one just incase the match happened, the match wasn't counted. Anyway, onto the show, a match I wish I could of seen was the dark match as Sin Cara went over Tyson Kid. PPV Show opened with Randy Orton over CM Punk in a last man standing match.


Next came the first of the un-announced matches as Kofi Kingston beat Sheamus for the US title in a tables match. Jack Swagger & Michael Cole beat Jerry Lawler & Jim Ross in a country whipping match. Rey Mysterio went over Cody Rhodes in a falls count anywhere match. To what was a shock to me but not to some in the prediction league who watch the TV shows, Layla went over Michelle McCool which sent her packing from the Smack Down brand. The former Awesome Kong who will be known as Kharma in the WWE made her debut at the end of this match. The first of the main title matches was next, I got to see the end of this, Del Rio was just about to grab the world title in this ladder match when Edge came out in a 4x4 to distract him, this gave Christian the chance to topple the Mexican off the ladder and win the world title.


Next up was what I would called a 'filler' match, another un-announced one, tag team champions Kane & The Big Show went over IC Champion Wade Barrett & Ezekiel Jackson in a lumberjack match, this was awful. Seems like they are going to go forward with the break up of Barrett & Jackson, will mean nothing as the CORRE & NEXUS have died a death, Jackson will be a strong babyface I believe. And now it was the only adverised match I got to see in full, this was the WWE title match with champion The Miz against his former partner John Morrison and John Cena in a triple threat cage match. Was a decent outing by all concerned, Morrison was 'taken out' the match by R-Truth which left it down to Miz and Cena, the latter hit an attitude adjustment from the middle rope to once again become the WWE champion. Many people will hate this but I am just glad it has been take off the Miz



Follow me on twitter @WLH_Stu

Updated Card For The NOAH Show in Wolverhampton on May 14th

After the injury suffered by Marufuji, the cards for both nights have been shuffled, below is the updated Wolves line-up:

1. Takashi Suguira v Kotaro Suzuki



2. Go Shiozaki v Katsuhiko Nakajima



3. KENTA vs Zack Sabre Jnr



4. Kings of Wrestling v Morishima & Taniguchi



5. Atsushi Aoki v Kajiwara



6. Bobby Fish v James Mason



7. Ricky Marvin v Jonny Storm



8. The Saint vs Taiji Ishimori