WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com with his thoughts on Monday’s RAW the three top matches headed into Sunday’s WrestleMania 29 pay-per-view.
CM Punk vs. The Undertaker: Thought that the final segment of Raw involving Taker and Punk was controversial and dramatic and it made me want to see the match between the two even more. I can certainly see where some viewers were uncomfortable with the presentation but perhaps that was the intent. Mark my words, @CMPunk vs. Undertaker will be tougher than a $2 steak to follow.
The Rock vs. John Cena: The hay is in the barn for Rock vs. Cena. It;’s been over a year since this rivalry started and Sunday is the time for the talking to end and the show closer to deliver. Following everything on the card and attempting to engage the audience who has been at the stadium for hours is daunting but that comes with the territory. I have every belief that the two men that I signed to WWE contracts will rise to the occasion.
Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar: Thought the addition of HBK in HHH’s corner vs. Brock Lesnar was a timely touch and that Paul Heyman was excellent on the mic representing his client. Slobber Knocker time for the Cerebral Assassin and the former WWE and UFC champion without question. This one won’t be a Brisco vs. Funk catch as catch can masterpiece but it will be car crash-like. I see some sweet chin music in @HeymanHustle future in Jersey. Just saying.
– CM Punk will be appearing at two Wizard World Comic Con events later this year. He will be at the Chicago Comic Con from the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center on 8/10 from 12-7pm. He will also be appearing at the Nashville Comic Con in Nashville, TN on 10/20 from 12:30-3:30pm.
– The Washington Post has an article up featuring pictures of various WWE superstars with local professional athletes around the city before Monday’s RAW.
– Shawn Michaels is auctioning off a fishing trip that may air on his MacMillan River Adventures show at this link. Proceeds will benefit the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund. (Thanks to Carl Dantes)
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon announced on Twitter this evening that he will be inducting Donald Trump into the WWE Hall of Fame this Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City:
Battle of the Billionaires revisited? I’m honored to be inducting @RealDonaldTrump into the @WWE Hall of Fame this Saturday. #WWEHOF
– As part of Make-A-Wish’s “World Wish Day” on April 29th, John Cena is starting a campaign to raise money and airline miles for the foundation. Cena has vowed to match every frequent flier mile donated up to 4.5 million miles. For more on this story, click here.
– Brock Lesnar has joined Twitter and can be followed at @brocklesnar.
– LoHud.com has an interview with Paul Heyman, who talks about wrestling’s popularity over the years, how he got into the business and of course, WrestleMania 29.
– WWEDVDNews.com reports that the following people were interviewed for the Mick Foley DVD, which will be released next month: Mick’s trainer Dominic Denucci, Shane Douglas, Michael Hayes, CM Punk, Vader, Terry Funk, Paul Heyman, Jim Ross, Joey Styles, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, William Regal, Big Show, ReganBooks founder Judith Regan, The Miz, The Rock, Mick Foley’s daughter and more.
Early ratings data is in for Monday’s WWE RAW, and despite a loaded show with appearances from The Rock, The Undertaker, Brock Lesnar, Shawn Michaels and Triple H, the show lost viewers from last week. The “go home” episode of WWE RAW did a 3.1 rating and averaged 4,305,000 viewers, which is down 7% (300,000 viewers) from last week.
Here are the hourly numbers:
Hour 1: 4.03 million
Hour 2: 4.48 million
Hour 3: 4.40 million
Overall, not a great sign of momentum headed into Sunday’s WrestleMania 29 pay-per-view.
Here’s Part 20 of our WrestleMania Retrospective series, looking back at past WrestleMania events as we march towards WrestleMania 29 on April 7th
WrestleMania XX (2004) Tagline: Where it all begins again.. Date: March 14, 2004 Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY America the Beautiful: Boys Choir of Harlem Attendance: 18,000 The Undertaker’s Streak: 12-0 (Def. Kane)
WrestleMania XX was the twentieth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It took place on March 14, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
The event was a joint-promotion pay-per-view event, featuring performers from the Raw and SmackDown! brands. The card for the event featured two main events. The main match for the Raw brand was a Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship between champion Triple H, Shawn Michaels and Chris Benoit. Benoit won the match, making Triple H submit via the Crippler Crossface. The main match for the SmackDown! brand featured Eddie Guerrero versus Kurt Angle for the WWE Championship which Guerrero won after a small package. The event featured the return of The Undertaker, who defeated Kane after a Tombstone Piledriver. Also on the card was a match between Goldberg and Brock Lesnar with Stone Cold Steve Austin as the special guest referee. This was Goldberg’s final match with WWE, and Lesnar departed the company to pursue a career in the NFL, and later became a mixed martial artist with UFC before returning to WWE on April 2, 2012. After Goldberg won the match following a Jackhammer, both men were given a Stone Cold Stunner by Austin on their way out.
Madison Square Garden, the only venue to host 3 WrestleMania’s.
WrestleMania XX was the third WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden but the fourth to take place in the New York metropolitan area (following WrestleMania I, WrestleMania 2, and WrestleMania X). The event grossed US$2.4 million in ticket sales, making the Pay-Per-View the highest grossing event ever for WWE at Madison Square Garden. More than 20,000 people from 16 countries, 48 states attended the event, which was also televised in more than 90 countries. The event generated an estimated $13.5 million of economic activity for New York City and created an equivalent of 96 full-year jobs.
The first match that aired was a singles match between The Big Show and John Cena for the WWE United States Championship, the first time the title was ever defended at the event; the match started out with The Big Show beating down on the challenger, not giving him any room. Cena hit an early FU though only secured a 2 count. Cena grabbed his signature chain and tried to attack Big Show with it, however the referee saw Cena with the chain and confiscated it due to it being illegal in the match. With the referee securing the chain with his back turned to the match, Cena hit Big Show with hidden brass knuckles and hoisted The Big Show up onto his shoulders for his finishing move, FU. Cena then immediately pinned The Big Show to win the match and the United States Championship.
John Cena becomes the WWE US Champion
The next match was made at the request of Kane, who had been receiving threats from his storyline brother, The Undertaker. This would mark the 2nd WrestleMania event that the Undertaker and Kane would go one-on-one with the first being WrestleMania XIV six years prior. In November 2003 at Survivor Series, Kane defeated Shane McMahon in an Ambulance match then during the latter event, he interfered and buried The Undertaker alive in the Undertaker’s match with Vince McMahon. On the November 20, 2003 edition of SmackDown, Kane appeared to give the Eulogy for the Undertaker. Kane claimed that the man as the Undertaker the world knew, has been dead for a long time because they were monsters and lived to strike fear into the hearts of normal men until the Undertaker portrayed himself (in the American Bad Ass/Big Evil persona) and became one of the fans. Kane stated that he watched Undertaker show compassion by defending Stephanie McMahon (during her feud with Vince McMahon) and show weakness in losing to Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship at No Mercy. He then stated that Undertaker was not his brother nor a monster cause’ a monster shows no compassion nor has weaknesses. He referred to Undertaker as an impostor and a fraud that he buried alive and ended the eulogy by saying R.I.P. Two months later, Kane participated in the Royal Rumble match where he heard the bell toll from the Undertaker’s entrance music, distracting and distressing him and enabling Booker T to eliminate him from the ring. Over the following weeks, Kane repeatedly insisted that The Undertaker was “dead”, only to be met with various paranormal incidents such as a rainstorm localized over the ramp on which he stood. On the last edition of Raw, Kane appeared to the ring and saw an empty Casket standing in the ring but as he opened it, he saw an urn inside of it. He then grabbed the microphone and asked if that’s what he’s been looking forward to. He also stated it’s going to take more than an empty casket and an urn to intimidate and beat him. He then stated that the Undertaker’s legacy, his 11–0 WrestleMania streak and his life is coming to an end as he said “it’s back to the grave for you for good”. As he claimed that It’s over and that he’s not afraid of the Undertaker. The lights turned out but this time, the 10,000 pound wrestling ring lifted off the ground with Kane standing in it and tilted side ways, which would be the final message sent from the Undertaker before their match at WrestleMania XX.
Back to “The Deadman” gimmick. The Undertaker goes to 12-0 at Wrestlemania once again defeating Kane.
The eleventh match of the event was the encounter of The Undertaker and Kane, which would be Undertaker’s first match since he was buried alive at Survivor Series 2003. After Kane made his entrance, he was seen looking toward the entrance ramp saying, “You’re not coming back tonight. You’re not coming back, I buried you alive.” After this, the lights in the arena went out and Paul Bearer, Undertaker’s former manager and Kane’s (storyline) father, was heard screaming gleefully, “oh yes!”, as he had done so numerous times in the past with Undertaker as his charge. Blue light began to fill the arena as Bearer, carrying the Undertaker’s former trademark urn, and several chanting Druids entered the arena carrying torches. Bearer walked to ringside, turned and said to Kane, “you’re no son of mine,” then turned back to the entryway and raised the urn. Moments later The Undertaker returned in the guise of the “Deadman” he had portrayed for years, complete with a black trenchcoat and hat. Before the match officially got underway Kane refused to believe that The Undertaker had returned, shouting at him repeatedly, “you’re not real!”, while Undertaker simply stood staring stoically at Kane. Eventually Kane decided to see if Undertaker was indeed standing in front of him by slowly inching forward with his hand outstretched. Undertaker responded by punching Kane, knocking him down, and the match got underway. The two continued brawling until Kane delivered a Chokeslam to Undertaker, which he sat up from shortly afterward while Kane was taunting Paul Bearer. The Undertaker then retaliated giving a Kane a Chokeslam of his own and executing his deadly finisher Tombstone piledriver into a successful pinfall, thus winning the match and remaining undefeated at WrestleMania with a 12–0 record. This was the second time that Kane faced off against Undertaker at WrestleMania and losing again, like the previous effort at WrestleMania XIV.
Stone Cold Steve Austin Sends Bill Goldberg out of the WWE.
The seventh match featured Brock Lesnar and Goldberg with special guest referee, Steve Austin. The beginning of the match began with both men staring each other down, jawing back and forth, with no physical action for several minutes, causing an exasperated Austin at one point to coax them into locking up. The fact that they both were leaving the WWE immediately after the match, as well as the lack of effort brought forth by both Goldberg and Lesnar drew large heat from the fans throughout the match, with fans chanting, “You sold out”, “Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey, goodbye”, “Austin”, “This match sucks”, “We want Bret”, “Boring”, “Goldberg sucks”, and “Hogan”. Goldberg then successfully took Lesnar down with a Spear, that would only draw a two count after a pin attempt. Lesnar then executed the F-5 maneuver on Goldberg, but also resulted in a two-count pin attempt. Afterwards, Lesnar missed an attempt to knock Goldberg down, allowing Goldberg to execute another spear and a successful Jackhammer powerslam that led to a three count for Goldberg, thus winning the match. After the match, Lesnar responded to the fans’ criticism by giving the crowd the finger, followed by a finger to Steve Austin. Austin then executed a Stone Cold Stunner on both competitors to the crowd’s delight and celebrated with beer in the ring.
Brock Lesnar also sent home with a stunner. He wouldn’t appear back in the WWE Until the Night After WrestleMania XXVIII
The seventh match featured Brock Lesnar and Goldberg with special guest referee, Steve Austin. The beginning of the match began with both men staring each other down, jawing back and forth, with no physical action for several minutes, causing an exasperated Austin at one point to coax them into locking up. The fact that they both were leaving the WWE immediately after the match, as well as the lack of effort brought forth by both Goldberg and Lesnar drew large heat from the fans throughout the match, with fans chanting, “You sold out”, “Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey, goodbye”, “Austin”, “This match sucks”, “We want Bret”, “Boring”, “Goldberg sucks”, and “Hogan”. Goldberg then successfully took Lesnar down with a Spear, that would only draw a two count after a pin attempt. Lesnar then executed the F-5 maneuver on Goldberg, but also resulted in a two-count pin attempt. Afterwards, Lesnar missed an attempt to knock Goldberg down, allowing Goldberg to execute another spear and a successful Jackhammer powerslam that led to a three count for Goldberg, thus winning the match. After the match, Lesnar responded to the fans’ criticism by giving the crowd the finger, followed by a finger to Steve Austin. Austin then executed a Stone Cold Stunner on both competitors to the crowd’s delight and celebrated with beer in the ring.
The Rock’s Last Match In The WWE until his return 8 years later against John Cena at WrestleMania XXVIII
Next up was a Handicap match featuring Evolution (Randy Orton, Batista and Ric Flair) against The Rock ‘n’ Sock Connection (The Rock and Mick Foley). Evolution won the match when Orton pinned Foley after successfully executing an RKO. This would be The Rock’s last match until April 2012 at WrestleMania XVIII
The main feud on the SmackDown! brand was between Eddie Guerrero and Kurt Angle for the WWE Championship. In the beginning of 2004, Angle and Guerrero were allies while Guerrero feuded with his nephew Chavo Guerrero. On the January 29, 2004 edition of SmackDown!, Eddie Guerrero last eliminated Angle in a 15-man Royal Rumble style match to earn a shot at the WWE Championship. At the prior pay per view, No Way Out, Kurt Angle defeated The Big Show and John Cena in a Triple threat match to earn himself a title shot at WrestleMania on the same event where Guerrero defeated Brock Lesnar for the WWE title. On the February 19, 2004 edition of SmackDown!, Angle was the special guest referee in a match between WWE Champion, Eddie Guerrero and WWE Cruiserweight Champion, Chavo Guerrero. As Eddie was about to close in on the victory, Angle stopped the 3 count and would turn on Guerrero. On the following week’s edition of SmackDown!, Guerrero was eagar to get his revenge on Angle while looking for him but when he finally saw Angle, he shoved SmackDown General Manager, Paul Heyman and his assistant Dawn Marie out of his way only for Heyman to have Guerrero escorted out of the arena by security. Guerrero was scheduled to team with John Cena to take on Chavo Guerrero and the Big Show in a tag team match on that night but due to Guerrero being escorted out of the arena, he was replaced by Rey Mysterio for the tag match, which Mysterio and Cena won. Later that night, Angle appeared and stated that he attacked Guerrero for the SmackDown! fans and for the WWE. He then referred to Guerrero as a former drug addict that shouldn’t represent SmackDown! as the WWE Champion and stated that one day people will be thanking him for a champion that they could be proud of. Guerrero then came back to the arena and assaulted Angle until he got arrested by orders of Paul Heyman. As Guerrero got taken out of the building in handcuffs, Angle made some insulting comments to him until the officers drove away with Guerrero in the Police car. On the March 4, 2004 edition of SmackDown!, during Guerrero’s match with Heyman (while he was handcuffed), Angle interfered and knocked him down a few times until Guerrero defended himself by spitting on Angle. As Guerrero begged Angle to nail him with the WWE Championship belt, Angle did so and raised title the belt over-head to show an example for their match Wrestlemania XX.
Kurt Angle Vs Eddie Guerro
The match between Eddie Guerrero and Kurt Angle over the WWE Championship, was centered around both men maneuvering around on the match. Guerrero used a DDT and Frog Splash maneuver on Angle that would result in a pin attempt; Angle then recovered and secured Guerrero with an ankle lock hold. However, Guerrero escaped the hold by rolling through it and throwing Angle out of the ring. As Angle was outside, Guerrero loosened his ring boot to relieve the pain. As Angle returned to the ring, he tried to apply the hold again. This time, Guerrero pushed Angle off with his other foot, allowing him to break free from Angle’s hold and leaving the challenger holding the champion’s boot. With Angle confused, Guerrero executed a Roll-up pin maneuver leading to a successful pinfall, thus winning the match and retaining the WWE Championship.
Chris Benoit applying the Crossface to Triple H.
The main rivalry heading into the pay-per-view was on the Raw brand, with Triple H, Shawn Michaels and Chris Benoit feuding over the World Heavyweight Championship. This would mark the third pay per view event that Triple H would defend a World Championship at Madison Square Garden. The first event was January 2000 at the Royal Rumble, where Triple H retained the then-known WWF Championship over Cactus Jack. The second event at the same arena was in November 2002 at Survivor Series, where Triple H defended the World Championship in the 1st ever Six man Elimination Chamber match, which was won by Shawn Michaels. Triple H was the champion heading into the WrestleMania XX event with the origins of the rivalry beginning on the December 29, 2003 episode of Raw, when Michaels challenged Triple H for the World title in Michaels’ hometown of San Antonio, Texas. As it looked like Michaels was going to win his 5th World title over Triple H, Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff got to the ring at the last minute and made the pinfall but stopped at a 2 count, thus screwing Michaels in the process. At the Royal Rumble event on January 25, Triple H and Michaels faced each other again in a Last Man Standing match for the title, which resulted in a draw, and, as a result, Triple H retained the title, leaving question on who was the better of the two. Also at the pay-per-view, in the Royal Rumble match, SmackDown!’s Benoit won the contest by last eliminating The Big Show. The following night, on the January 26 edition of Raw, Michaels and Triple H were involved in an in-ring confrontation when Raw’s authority figure (referred to as the “Sheriff”), Steve Austin, made his way to the ring. He stated that, although Michaels should have a rematch, he had to “enforce the law”. He stated that, in the rules it specifies that the winner of the Royal Rumble may face either the WWE Champion or World Heavyweight Champion.
Mr WrestleMania at WrestleMania XX
The winner of the Royal Rumble, Benoit, made his way to the ring, and stated that he would be challenging the World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania XX. On the February 9, 2004 edition of Raw, a contract signing took place between Benoit and World Champion, Triple H. As Triple H signed his name on the paper, Michaels came out to inform Benoit that the last thing he wanted to do is rain on his parade. He then stated that he more than anybody can respect Benoit’s effort to win the Royal Rumble match and earning a World title shot but suggested that Benoit could’ve stayed on SmackDown! to take care of business while Michaels, himself, was trying to finish his 10 year issue with Triple H on behalf of the Raw brand. He last stated that he is this close to finishing his rivalry and plans to do so at WrestleMania XX for the World title. Benoit responded by saying that it’s just not going to happen and stated that he’s the one who challenges Triple H for the World title, not Michaels. After Michaels responded by superkicking Benoit, he then signed his own name on the paper as the challenger to Triple H’s World Championship. On the following week’s episode of Raw, Michaels defeated Benoit due to interference by Triple H. Afterwards, Steve Austin appeared and announced that Triple H would be defending his World Championship at WrestleMania against both Michaels and Benoit in a Triple threat match. On the March 1, 2004 edition of Raw, after Michaels and Benoit lost to Randy Orton and Batista in a tag team match, World Champion, Triple H and the rest of Evolution attacked Michaels and Benoit, ending with Triple H nailing them with the Pedigree and rubbing his World title belt into their faces while they were laying motionless in the ring.
Chris Benoit becomes the World Heavyweight Champion
The main event was a Triple threat match over the World Heavyweight Championship between Triple H, Chris Benoit, and Shawn Michaels. This match marked the seventh title defense of the night, the most in WrestleMania history. The match started with Benoit and Michaels wanting to face the champion, but would wrestle each other, trying to gain an advantage before Triple H’s intervention leading to the match going back-and-forth between all three men, hitting their signature holds and maneuvers throughout. Benoit soon gained control over Michaels when he applied his signature hold the Crippler Crossface. As Michaels was about to submit, Triple H saved the match, attacking both men, and executing his own finisher, the Pedigree, on Michaels before Benoit halted his attempt to win the match. Triple H and Michaels would team up to suplex Benoit through the announcer’s table, trying to eliminate him from the match. The two continued to wrestle until Benoit made his return to action to save Michaels from getting pinned. Michaels then attempted to hit Benoit again with his signature kick, the Sweet Chin Music, but Benoit countered it, throwing Michaels out of the ring. As this occurred, Triple H attempted to execute the Pedigree again on Benoit, but Benoit countered and locked into the Crippler Crossface, and Triple H submitted. As a result, Benoit won the match and the World Heavyweight Championship. After the match, Eddie Guerrero came to the ring and the two embraced while confetti dropped for the emotional ending of WrestleMania XX.
Chris Benoit & Eddie Guerro celebrate at the end of WrestleMania XX
WrestleMania XX Results
• John Cena defeated Big Show (c) Singles match for the WWE United States Championship
• Booker T and Rob Van Dam (c) defeated Garrison Cade and Mark Jindrak, The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) and La Résistance (René Duprée and Rob Conway) Fatal Four-Way match for the World Tag Team Championship
• Christian defeated Chris Jericho
• Evolution (Randy Orton, Batista, and Ric Flair) defeated Rock ‘n’ Sock Connection (The Rock and Mick Foley) Handicap match
• Torrie Wilson and Sable defeated Stacy Keibler and Miss Jackie Playboy Evening Gown match
• Chavo Guerrero (c) (with Chavo Guerrero Sr.) defeated Último Dragón, Shannon Moore, Jamie Noble, Funaki, Nunzio, Billy Kidman, Rey Mysterio, Tajiri, and Akio Cruiserweight Open for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship
• Goldberg defeated Brock Lesnar Interpromotional singles match with special guest referee Steve Austin
• Too Cool (Rikishi and Scotty 2 Hotty) (c) defeated The World’s Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin), The Basham Brothers (Danny and Doug) and The APA (Bradshaw and Faarooq) Fatal Four-Way match for the WWE Tag Team Championship
• Victoria (c) defeated Molly Holly Hair vs. Title match for the WWE Women’s Championship
• Eddie Guerrero (c) defeated Kurt Angle Singles match for the WWE Championship
• The Undertaker (with Paul Bearer) defeated Kane
• Chris Benoit defeated Triple H (c) and Shawn Michaels Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship
WWE announced on Tuesday that a 1-hour post-show will take place on Sunday night after WrestleMania 29. Here’s the official announcement:
Get more access to WrestleMania than ever before — for FREE — this Sunday night during the exclusive ONE-HOUR interactive Pre-Show and first-ever WrestleMania Post-Show! Tune in to WWE.com, the WWE App, Facebook.com/WWE, YouTube.com/WWE and Yahoo.com at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT, then immediately after The Showcase of the Immortals on Sunday for the most interactive pre- and post-shows in WWE history.
Expanded to 60 minutes of access and action inside MetLife Stadium, the live Pre-Show promises to pack a punch with backstage interviews, footage from around MetLife Stadium, and expert analysis from a unique panel of WWE Superstars and Legends. Plus, the WWE Universe will have the unprecedented opportunity to participate in the Pre-Show with polls and in-show featured tweets and Touts with your comments. Not to mention an Intercontinental Title Match between champion Wade Barrett and The Miz!
Be part of WrestleMania by Touting your all-time favorite moments from The Grandest Stage of Them All, using #ManiaMoments now.
Immediately after WrestleMania 29, hit WWE’s online channels to experience the fallout from The Show of Shows with exclusive interviews, celebrations and more in a live Post-Show, brought to you from inside MetLife Stadium. Tune in to see your WrestleMania reactions from Twitter and Tout broadcast live.
Visit WWE.com, the WWE App, Facebook.com/WWE, YouTube.com/WWE this Sunday at 6 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and immediately following WrestleMania 29 for an unparalleled interactive experience, all part of the festivities for WWE’s Biggest Spectacle.
ESPN.com has updated their weekly WWE Power Rankings, giving the spot to CM Punk this week. Regarding CM Punk’s tactics against the Undertaker on RAW, author Jon Robinson wrote, “So good at being bad, it’s crazy to think of him as anything else but the best heel in the business. He’ll go to any lengths to make you hate him, and the way Raw ended, it just goes to show that WWE now realizes Punk/Undertaker is the most intriguing storyline heading into WrestleMania.”
Here’s this week’s Top 10 list:
CM Punk
Dolph Ziggler & Big E. Langston
The Rock
Ryback
Jack Swagger
Brock Lesnar
Triple H
Randy Orton, Sheamus & Big Show
The Shield
John Cena
Robinson gave his prediction for the WrestleMania 29 main event, stating, “No way the WWE is going to let the Rock beat its top star on the biggest card of the year in back-to-back WrestleManias. It’s just not going to happen.” He suggested a scenario where The Rock shows Cena respect after a hard fought match, but then they are beat down by a newly formed faction of CM Punk, Brock Lesnar & The Shield.
– Monday’s loaded WWE RAW, which featured the final WrestleMania 29 hype and appearances by The Rock, The Undertaker, Brock Lesnar, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels, helped the show do a Trendrr.tv social media score of 306,530. This was up 6% from last week (288,262) and made RAW that #1 most socially active show on cable for the night. RAW finished only behind The Voice on NBC.
– Here’s the latest episode of WWE Backstage Fallout:
What does Shawn Michaels think of Triple H’s chances against Brock Lesnar? Find out in the Raw edition of “Backstage Fallout.” Plus, Wade Barrett talks about his WrestleMania pre-show match.
WWE WrestleMania 29 takes place this Sunday from the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
WrestleMania 29 Coverage This Weekend
SEScoops.com is the premiere destination for WrestleMania 29 coverage all weekend. In addition to our usual Pay-Per-View live coverage, we will be attending all of the WrestleMania week activities – including AXXESS, the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony, WrestleMania 29 and Monday’s WWE RAW. It’s going to be a wild weekend – and we’ve got you covered with the most comprehensive coverage that you’ll find anywhere.
Here is the final card for WWE WrestleMania 29:
WWE Championship Match:
The Rock (c) vs. John Cena
The Streak On The Line:
The Undertaker vs. C.M. Punk
No Holds Barred with Triple H’s Career On The Line
Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H (w/Shawn Michaels)
World Heavyweight Championship Match:
Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. Jack Swagger
WWE Tag Team Championship Match:
Daniel Bryan & Kane (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler & Big E. Langston
Randy Orton & Sheamus & Big Show vs. The Shield
Mark Henry vs. Ryback
Chris Jericho vs. Fandango
Brodus Clay & Tensai & The Funkadactyls vs.
Cody Rhodes, Damien Sandow & the Bella Twins
WrestleMania 29 Pre-Show:
Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett vs. The Miz
There will also be a musical performance by Sean “P. Diddy” Combs and an appearance from the 2013 WWE Hall Of Fame class.
On Monday’s RAW, it was announced that Stephanie McMahon will induct Trish Stratus into the Hall of Fame this Saturday night at the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The 2013 WWE HOF induction ceremony TV special will air Tuesday night on the USA Network and will feature the inductions of Bruno Sammartino, Trish Stratus and Bob Backlund.
[attention]The staff of SEScoops.com is attending the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony! Stay tuned this weekend for our live report and photos from the event.[/attention]
Here is the updated list of inductees and inductors:
Bruno Sammartino (to be inducted by Arnold Schwarzenegger)
Trish Stratus (to be inducted by Stephanie McMahon)
– WWE Chairman Vince McMahon is said to be a huge fan of Fandango’s new character, which is the reason we’ve seen him get such a strong push in recent weeks. The match against Chris Jericho at WrestleMania 29 is designed to further get Fandango over – since a loss won’t hurt Jericho but a win for the newcomer at the WWE’s biggest show of the year would establish him as a strong mid-card player.
– Regarding Jericho’s WWE status, the two sides are talking about what his role with the company will be in the coming months. The situation remains that Jericho likes working with WWE as long as he has the freedom to pursue outside projects like his band Fozzy, the Robot Combat League and other TV hosting gigs.
– There has also been talk about Mark Henry leaving WWE after WrestleMania 29. Word now is that WWE and Henry are on the same page. Officials are very happy with Henry’s work since returning and he will most likely staying with the company.
RECORD SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVATION SET FOR WRESTLEMANIA® 29
STAMFORD, Conn., April 2, 2013 – WWE today announced a record-level of digital and social media initiatives during WrestleMania Week, providing fans with more access to Superstars and WWE content than ever before. WrestleMania 29 will be broadcast live on pay-per-view Sunday, April 7 at 7 p.m. ET.
WrestleMania 29 digital initiatives include:
VINCE MCMAHON JOINS TWITTER
Last night on Monday Night Raw, WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon officially joined Twitter (@VinceMcMahon). McMahon will reward his followers by making a “big announcement” (#bigreveal) on his official Twitter account on Friday, April 5.
WRESTLEMANIA PAY-PER-VIEW NOW AVAILABLE GLOBALLY ON MOBILE, PLUS XBOX AND SAMSUNG SMART TVS
For the first time, WWE is streaming WrestleMania 29 across all Apple, Android and Windows 8 devices and Kindle Fire tablets. The pay-per-view will also be available on Xbox consoles and Samsung Smart TVs, inside “Xbox Live” and the Samsung “Smart Hub.”
WWE FORGES PARTNERSHIPS WITH YAHOO! AND AOL, OFFERS WRESTLEMANIA DIGITAL TOOLKIT TO BLOGGERS
In anticipation of WrestleMania 29, Yahoo! Screen and AOL have launched all-new channels featuring video content of WWE’s most popular Superstars. Also, for the first time ever, WWE is providing blogs and news sites an embeddable content widget that delivers up-to-the-minute news, photos and videos of WWE events leading up to and through WrestleMania.
NEW FACEBOOK GAME LETS FANS COMPETE TO LEAD THE WWE UNIVERSE
WWE’s new Facebook application, “Superfan Showdown,” lets players from around the world compete in fast-paced interactive trivia challenges, rapid-fire polls, mind-bending puzzles and much more. As fans go head-to-head, they earn points, climb the global leaderboard and accumulate “WWE Cash,” which can be spent to purchase exclusive virtual goods, including: limited edition badges, rare Superstar trading cards, and never-before-seen WWE video content.
WRESTLEMANIA 29 INTERACTIVE PRESS CONFERENCE
The WrestleMania 29 press conference at Radio City Music Hall will live stream on YouTube, Facebook and WWE.com on Thursday, April 4 at 1 p.m. ET. The interactive press conference will feature fan questions submitted via Twitter and answered live by WWE Superstars, including John Cena, The Rock, CM Punk and Triple H.
WRESTLEMANIA 29 ONLINE PRE-SHOW EXPANDS TO ONE-HOUR
WWE will host a live one-hour WrestleMania pre-show on Sunday, April 7 starting at
6 p.m. ET. In addition to the simulcasts on YouTube, WWE.com and Facebook, coverage will also stream on Yahoo! and AOL for the first time. The online-only broadcast will feature a live WWE Twitter ticker and a text-in-to-win campaign that will award 30 lucky fans with an all-expense paid trip to WrestleMania 30 in New Orleans.
WWE SOCIAL MEDIA AMBASSADORS
This year, a wide-range of digitally savvy celebrities and athletes are serving as official
WrestleMania Week social media ambassadors, tweeting from the floors of WrestleMania Axxess, WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Superstars for Sandy Relief party, Be a STAR anti-bullying rallies, WrestleMania Reading Celebration, WrestleMania Reading Challenge Finals and at WrestleMania 29. Celebrities include Charlie Sheen, Jimmy Fallon, Larry King, Seth Green, Perez Hilton, Piers Morgan, Michelle Beadle, Maria Menounos, Mike Tyson, Snooki, Lil Wayne and Jenny McCarthy.
SOCIAL MEDIA “HOSPITALITY CENTER” OFFERS NY/NJ FANS 24/7 SUPPORT
WWE will host and monitor an online “Hospitality Center” throughout WrestleMania Week, offering real-time support to fans who post event-related questions to @AskWrestleMania on Twitter. The WWE Universe can also check into the official WWE App, which will house a special WrestleMania section highlighting arena maps, event schedules, weather alerts and up-to-date ticket information.
MOBILE POWER UPGRADES
WWE will bolster the amount of mobile bandwidth and access points at MetLife Stadium, ensuring that fans will be able to participate in all of the social media initiatives at WrestleMania 29. WWE’s efforts to provide exceptional service, includes re-positioning Wi-Fi and cell antennas within the stadium, providing 10 times the bandwidth typically available at the stadium, and adding new hardware and a mobile cell station.
WWE LAUNCHES ALL-NEW SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
For the first time ever, WWE will integrate Pinterest, Tumblr and Pheed into WWE’s extensive WrestleMania 29 social media coverage.
“COMING HOME” CROWDSOURCING PROJECT IS LIVE
“Coming Home” is WWE’s first major WrestleMania crowdsourcing initiative, a poignant video featuring photos sent by thousands of international fans who were encouraged to pose in front of famous landmarks and hold signage displaying their mileage from MetLife Stadium. The photos were woven together to the tune of “Coming Home” by Diddy Dirty Money, an official theme song of WrestleMania 29, and released today on WWE’s official YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/wwefannation).
HIDE-AND-TWEET CONTESTS TO GIVE AWAY LAST-MINUTE TICKETS
Beginning today, WWE will host three interactive “Hide and Tweet” contests in the New York and New Jersey area, giving fans the opportunity to win pairs of tickets to sold out sessions of Axxess, WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and WrestleMania 29. Fans can follow @WWE to find clues revealing the whereabouts of the tickets or enter WWE’s global hashtag contest for a chance to win free online codes for the WrestleMania 29 pay-per-view on Sunday, April 7 at 7 p.m. ET.
– WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat is no longer a trainer at developmental and his final day at NXT was last Thursday. Dave Meltzer reports that he will remain WWE in the Talent Relations department.
– As announced on RAW, Wade Barrett’s Intercontinental title match against The Miz that was originally scheduled for the WrestleMania 29 pre-show will now take place on the 1-hour pre-show. According to sources in WWE, the plan is for the pre-show to be very interactive with lots of new features.
– Speaking of Sunday’s Intercontinental championship match, Wade Barrett tweeted the following about The Miz after last night’s RAW:
– WWE suerstar Sin Cara was in attendance at last night’s WWE RAW from Washington, DC, but was not used. He checked in on the social media app Foursquare from the Verizon Center arena and noted that he was doing cardio at their gym. Sin Cara has reportedly been cleared to wrestle and should be back in action soon.
– Ricardo Rodriguez tweeted the following after last night’s RAW:
“Swagger legit messes up my ankle and tonight I was temporarily paralyzed after he hit me off the apron. This ain’t no storyline anymore. Beyond grateful I got feeling back in my arms and legs and am grateful to be able to function and live to fight another day!”
– World Heavyweight champion Alberto Del Rio tweeted the following message and photo after getting beaten by Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter on RAW:
Enjoy this moment @RealJackSwagger @WWEZeb because you two made a mistake, I'm still on my feet,and i will break you both in pieces
WWE has released the new “ROCKpocalypse” mobile game featuring WWE Champion The Rock. The game is a 3D open-world action game available for iOS and Android. You can download the game at the following links – and check out these screenshots –
Here’s Part 19 of our WrestleMania Retrospective series, looking back at past WrestleMania events as we march towards WrestleMania 29 on April 7th
WrestleMania X-8 (2003) Tagline: Dare To Dream Sponsor: Snickers Cruncher Date: March 30, 2003 Venue: Safeco Field, S eattle, Washington Attendance: 54,097 The Undertaker’s Streak: 11-0 (Def. Big Show & A-Train)
WrestleMania XIX was the nineteenth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was presented by Snickers Cruncher and took place on March 30, 2003 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. The event was the first WrestleMania held in the state of Washington, and the first Wrestlemania to use the WWE name.
WrestleMania XIX was the first WrestleMania to be promoted under the WWE name and the first to have taken place after the WWE Brand Extension. It was a joint-promotion pay-per-view event, featuring performers from the Raw and SmackDown! brands. The tagline for WrestleMania XIX was “Dare To Dream”. The official theme song for the event was “Crack Addict” by Limp Bizkit. Limp Bizkit performed the theme song live, as well as “Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle)” during The Undertaker’s entrance.
A record-breaking 54,097 fans from all fifty states and numerous countries from around the world at Safeco Field resulted in a gate attendance grossing US$2.76 million.
The main match on the SmackDown! brand was Kurt Angle versus Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship, which Lesnar won by pinfall after executing an F5. The main match on the Raw brand was the third Wrestlemania meeting between The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin.The predominant match on the Raw brand was for the World Heavyweight Championship between Triple H and Booker T, which Triple H won by pinfall after performing a Pedigree. Other matches on the undercard included Shawn Michaels versus Chris Jericho, Hulk Hogan versus Vince McMahon in a Street Fight.
The Undertaker defeats A-Train & The Big Show to go 11-0 at WrestleMania
The Undertaker
At WrestleMania XIX, The Undertaker was orignally involved in a tag team match with Nathan Jones against the team of The Big Show and A-Train. It was then announced that The Undertaker would have to face both Show and Train in a Handicap match. Both Show and Train had the advantage of The Undertaker in the beginning of the match, however late into the match, Jones entered the match and attacked Show, which allowed The Undertaker to deliver a Tombstone piledriver on A-Train into a successful pinfall, thus The Undertaker won the match and remained undefeated at WrestleMania.
Hogan vs McMahon
The secondary feud on the SmackDown! brand was between Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon. One month prior at No Way Out, during a match between Hogan and The Rock, McMahon came down to the ring, only to distract Hogan, which allowed the referee, Sylvan Grenier to give The Rock a chair, which Rock used to hit Hogan and pin him for the win. After No Way Out, McMahon proclaimed that Hulkamania was dead and proclaiming a new ‘mania; McMahonamania. On the March 6 episode of SmackDown!, Hogan informed McMahon that Hulkamania was not dead and that McMahon had nothing to do with creating it. McMahon informed Hogan that he did not hate Hulkamaniacs or Hulkamania, but he hated Hogan. He then told Hogan that he hated him for leaving WWE (then known as the WWF) for Ted Turner’s WCW and for testifying against him in the steroid trial in the 1990s. McMahon proceeded by challenging Hogan to a match at WrestleMania where if Hogan lost, he would have to retire from professional wrestling. Hogan accepted his challenge later that night. Two weeks later on the March 20 edition of SmackDown!, McMahon and Hogan had a contract signing for their match at WrestleMania. As Hogan was preparing to sign the contract, McMahon attacked with a steel chair from behind. Shortly afterward, McMahon hit Hogan several times with the chair in the head, causing him to bleed. McMahon then signed the contract and forced Hogan to sign with his blood.
Hulk Hogan takes on Vince McMahon at WrestleMania XIX
In the Street fight between Hulk Hogan and the WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon, at WrestleMania XIX, Both Hogan and McMahon tested each other’s strength in the beginning of the match, until McMahon tossed Hogan onto ringside. Hogan then countered a chairshot by McMahon into several of his own, that caused McMahon to bleed from the head. Late into the match, Roddy Piper interfered in the match as he hit Hogan with a pipe. Hogan however, later retaliated by hitting McMahon with a Big boot into a Leg drop and successfully pinned McMahon, thus Hogan won the match
Rock VS Austin III
The main feud on the Raw brand was between The Rock and Steve Austin. On the February 20 edition of Smackdown!, The Rock returned to WWE after a six month hiatus from wrestling (since SummerSlam). On that evening, he was in a confrontation with Hulk Hogan before their WrestleMania X8 rematch at No Way Out. At the No Way Out event, The Rock defeated Hogan with the help of Vince McMahon. On the following night’s edition of Raw, The Rock returned to the Raw brand in a 20-man Battle royal that would determine the opponent for the World Heavyweight Championship. Rock however, was unable to win after he was eliminated by Booker T; after the match, Rock criticized Steve Austin for being chosen as the Superstar of the Decade by the WWE fans in January, beginning the feud between Rock and Austin. The following week on Raw, Austin, who was on a long hiatus before returning that previous Sunday at No Way Out, made his WWE television return, as he cut a promo about the WWE fans, before he was interrupted by Rock, who challenged him to a match at WrestleMania because The Rock, himself, was obsessed of not beating Austin at a WrestleMania event by the time they fought at WrestleMania XV and X-Seven during a four year span. As soon as the challenge was made, Raw General manager, Eric Bischoff, announced that the following week on Raw, Rock would face Booker T in a match, and if he won, he would have the choice to face either Austin or Triple H at WrestleMania. On the March 10 edition of Raw, Rock, with Bischoff’s approval, announced that he would pick his own opponent for later that night, which turned out to be The Hurricane, in hopes for Rock to gain an easy victory. However, Austin made his way down the entrance ramp, which distracted Rock and allowed Hurricane to Roll up Rock into a successful pinfall, which made the Austin-Rock match at WrestleMania official. On the March 24, and final edition of Raw leading into WrestleMania, Austin was banned from entering the arena that night. He managed to enter the arena and attack Rock, however, before Rock fled the ring.
Rock Vs Austin III was Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Final Match in the WWE.
In the encounter of The Rock and Steve Austin At WrestleMania XIX, the match began with Austin and Rock brawling in the ring, which ended up at ringside. Throughout the match, Rock worked over Austin’s leg, which included Rock applying a Sharpshooter on Austin. Rock then began to taunt Austin, as he put on his vest and imitated his taunts, which led to The Rock running into a Rock Bottom by Austin. Rock then retaliated by hitting Austin with a Stone Cold stunner. After he failed to pin Austin with the People’s elbow, Rock then hit Austin with three Rock Bottoms that led to the Rock successfully pinning Austin, thus The Rock won the match.
Shawn Michael’s first WrestleMania Match in five years.
Y2J vs HBK
A smaller feud, also from the Raw brand was between Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels. When Michaels was a guest on Jericho’s in-ring show The Highlight Reel, Jericho claimed he had idolised Michaels from a young age and that he had been his inspiration to become a wrestler. The feud had been ongoing for some time with Jericho sabotaging Michaels in the Royal Rumble after Michaels received the #1 entry which Jericho wanted to enter. The feud would be settled as the two would face each other in a match at the pay-per-view.
HBK & Y2J at the conclusion of their match. After this photo Hericho would low- blow HBK.
The fifth match was the encounter of Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels. Jericho had the advantage over Michaels in the beginning of the match, as he early on applied the Walls of Jericho onto Michaels. Late into the match, Michaels attempted to hit Jericho with Sweet chin music, however, Jericho countered it into a Walls of Jericho. After Michaels freed himself from Jericho’s submission hold, Jericho attempted a suplex that Michaels countered into a roll-up that gave Michaels a successful pinfall, thus Michaels won the match.
Triple H Vs Booker T
Another feud on the Raw brand was between Triple H and Booker T, with the two feuding over the World Heavyweight Championship. Triple H won the title three months prior at Armageddon by defeating then-champion Shawn Michaels in a 3 Stages of Hell match. Since that event, Triple H had fought Scott Steiner during the following two pay per view events for the World’s title. First was at the Royal Rumble, where Triple H got himself disqualified when he nailed Steiner with the Sledgehammer but retained the title. Then at No Way Out, he defeated Steiner by Pinfall to retain the title. On the February 24 edition of Raw, Booker won a 20-man Battle royal by last eliminating The Rock to become the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania. On the March 3 episode of Raw, World Champion, Triple H, cut a controversial promo on Booker T. Triple H downplayed Booker T’s WCW success, pointing out that the WCW Championship had been held by non-wrestlers like Vince Russo and actor David Arquette calling WCW and its title “a joke”. He implied that Booker T, as a convicted criminal, would never win a world championship in WWE, although this is often misconstrued, as a racist promo, as he claimed “people like you” were not championship material. However this misunderstanding may have been intentional by Triple H knowing the heat he would generate. In the Wrestlemania XIX press conference Michael Cole questioned Triple H as to whether he had cut a racist promo, Triple H confirmed this was not the case and was indeed referring to Booker’s criminal past. A week later, Booker got revenge by attacking Triple H in the bathroom, laying him out. On the March 24 episode of Raw, Booker T & Goldust defeated Triple H & Ric Flair in a Tag team match.
Triple H Dispatches Booker T to defend the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XIX
In the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XIX, match between Booker T and the champion, Triple H (HHH). The match began with Booker in control of the match over HHH, however, Ric Flair, who was at ringside in HHH’s corner, tossed Booker’s knee into the ringside steel steps. The attack allowed HHH to work over Booker’s leg, as he applied various submission holds onto Booker’s leg including the Indian deathlock. Booker however retaliated and took control of the match; after he hit HHH with a Harlem legdrop, Booker grasped his knee in pain, which allowed HHH to recover and hit Booker with a Pedigree into a successful pinfall, thus Triple H won the match and retained the World Heavyweight Championship.
Angle vs Lesnar
The main feud heading into WrestleMania on the SmackDown! brand was between Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar, with the two feuding over the WWE Championship. Angle won the title three months prior at Armageddon by defeating then-champion The Big Show with Lesnar’s help. At the Royal Rumble in January, Angle defeated Chris Benoit to retain the WWE Championship, and Lesnar won the Royal Rumble match to become number one contender to the WWE Championship at WrestleMania when he last eliminated The Undertaker. The following month at No Way Out, Lesnar and Benoit defeated Team Angle (Kurt Angle, Shelton Benjamin, and Charlie Haas) in a Handicap match. During that Pay Per View, Edge was supposed to team up with Lesnar & Benoit to wrestle Team Angle in the scheduled Six Man Tag team match but Edge was attacked backstage and it was announced he could not participate in the match. On the March 6 edition of SmackDown!, Lesnar defeated Paul Heyman in a Steel cage match to earn a championship match against Angle the next week. The next week on SmackDown!, Angle defeated Lesnar to retain the WWE Championship. Before the match began, Kurt, who was “praying” in the corner, switched with his brother Eric. Lesnar then came out and the match began. Shortly after the match began, Benjamin and Haas came to the ring and distracted Lesnar, which gave Eric time to switch back with Kurt. As Lesnar regained his focus, Kurt was able to pin him with a small package for the win. The following week on the March 20 edition of SmackDown!, SmackDown General Manager Stephanie McMahon told Angle that if he tries to get himself disqualified or if his brother, Benjamin, or Haas try to interfere in their match at WrestleMania, he would lose the title.
The main event was a WWE Championship match between Brock Lesnar and the champion, Kurt Angle, with the stipulation that there would be no Champion’s Advantage (in other words, the title could change hands on a disqualification or a count out). The match began with Lesnar and Angle wrestling back and forth, until Angle countered a shoulder block into a German suplex. Lesnar would then attempt to retaliate by attempting to F-5 Angle, however, Angle countered it into an Ankle lock, that Lesnar was able to escape out of. As Lesnar escaped, Angle would attempt to deliver an Angle slam, however, Lesnar countered it into an F-5. Instead of covering Angle, Lesnar climbed to the top rope and hit a botched Shooting star press on Angle, which Angle covered for by going for the pin attempt and getting a two count. After Lesnar kicked out, Angle picked up Lesnar only to be hit with another F-5, Lesnar then successfully pinned Angle, winning the match and the WWE Championship.
Kurt Angle congratulates the New WWE Champion, Brock Lesnar.
WrestleMania XIX Results
Sunday Night Heat Rikishi, Scotty 2 Hotty, and Albert defeated Mr. Perfect, Lance Storm and, Test Six-Man Tag Team match with Jacqueline as the Special Guest Referee
• Heat – Lance Storm and Chief Morley (c) (with Dudley Boyz) defeated Kane and Rob Van Dam[4] Tag team match for the World Tag Team Championship.
• Matt Hardy (c) (with Shannon Moore ) defeated Rey Mysterio Singles match for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship
• The Undertaker defeated Big Show and A-Train
• Trish Stratus defeated Victoria (c) (with Steven Richards) and Jazz Triple Threat match for the WWE Women’s Championship
• Team Angle (Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas) (c) defeated Los Guerreros (Eddie and Chavo Guerrero) and Chris Benoit and Rhyno Triple Threat tag team match for the WWE Tag Team Championship
• Shawn Michaels defeated Chris Jericho Singles match
• Triple H (c) (with Ric Flair) defeated Booker T Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship
• Hulk Hogan defeated Vince McMahon
• The Rock defeated Stone Cold Steve Austin
• Brock Lesnar def. Kurt Angle(c) Singles match for the WWE Championship with the added stipulation that Angle would lose the title if he were counted-out or disqualified.
Ryback spoke with NorthJersey.com this week to promote WrestleMania 29. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
His Leg Injury Being The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Him:
“Deep down in my heart I knew I couldn’t do what I needed to do with the name ‘Skip Sheffield. It’s a dopey name. It’s not a name that the general public will get behind, no matter what I’m doing out there. So being away for a year-and-a-half and coming back under my own terms was a blessing in disguise.”
Being a Part of WrestleMania This Year:
“Last year, I was sitting there watching in the stands as I was coming back from a big injury, and it was kind of still up in the air what we were going to do with [my character]. I was remaining positive, but I told myself last year ‘this was the last one that I’m sitting out [and] I’m going to be a part of the rest of them.’ It was such a horrible feeling not being a part of it.”
His WrestleMania 29 match against Mark Henry:
“You’re going to see two monsters going out there and it’s going to be a match unlike any other match on the card. I think at the end of the day it’s going to be a match people remember; Ryback lifting Mark Henry over his head Shell Shocking him and 70,000 plus screaming at the top of their lungs ‘Feed Me More’ with me.”
Who He Was A Fan of Growing Up:
“Shawn [Michaels] and Bret [Hart], I love. Those two, I didn’t know why I liked them, but I loved them growing up and now I obviously know why they were so good. Razor Ramon was actually my favorite for quite sometime. There was just something about [the character]. The reason I do that ‘finish it’ [taunt] with my arms is because, if you remember, Razor Ramon would always kind of fire it up and throw his arms out.”
– Last night’s WWE RAW from the Verizon Center in Washington, DC was a legitimate sellout, with 16,733 fans announced. WWE had signs up backstage noting saying that no tickets would be comped.
– AfterRAW went off the air, the dark match main event took place, with John Cena, Ryback & Sheamus vs. The Shield. The match ended in a disqualification when Roman Reigns hit Cena with a chair. The Shield attempted to give Cena a triple powerbomb but Ryback and Sheamus made the save, setting up the babyfaces to hit their finishers to end the show.
– The dark match main event being advertised locally for next week’s post-WM29 RAW from the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ will also be The Shield vs. Cena & Ryback & Sheamus. The Rock and Chris Jericho are also scheduled to appear.
– The Smackdown taping on June 18th, 2013 will be held in Dayton, Ohio at the Nutter Center. Tickets go on sale April 13th. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)
The following screenshot is a Facebook a post from Michael Moody, son of Paul Bearer. The post has circulated the internet since last night’s segment featuring Paul Heyman’s impersonation of Paul Bearer on Monday Night Raw.
– The WWE Intercontinental title match between Wade Barrett and The Miz will now take place on the 1-hour online pre-show.
– WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels announced on RAW that he will be in Triple H’s corner this Sunday at WrestleMania 29 for his No Holds Barred match against Brock Lesnar.
– WWE Chairman Vince McMahon made his first tweet on Monday night:
Newsday.com has obtained a police report for Reid Flair’s tragic death on Friday. According to the report, Ric Flair calls 911 after finding his son unresponsive in a hotel room at the Residence Inn Charlotte South Park hotel in Charlotte, N.C.
TMZ.comreleased a recording of the 911 call on Monday afternoon, which includes a frantic Ric Flair telling the dispatcher that his son was “out cold” and “turning purple.”
A medic who arrived at the scene listed pronounced Reid dead at 10:40 a.m. Under the category “incapacity types” for Fliehr, “drugs” is the only word noted. The cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner’s office.
WWE taped matches for this week’s SmackDown, Main Event and Superstars shows on Monday night from Washington D.C. prior to RAW. Here are spoiler results, courtesy of Ken McAndrew:
Main Event:
– The Miz vs. Primetime Players in a handicap match. Wade Barrett came out to watch the match. O’Neil did a nice fall away slam without falling away, good power. Miz hit a double axe off the top. Miz wins with the figure four on Young and jaws with Barrett after.
Superstars:
– Great Khali with Nattie and Hornswaggle vs JTG – Khali win with the head chop. Dancing afterwards.
SmackDown:
– Ryback vs. Epico/Primo in a handicap match – Ryback wins a basic squash with a double Shellshock.
– Brodus Clay and Tensai with the Funkadactyls…or not, it’s Rhodes Scholars and the Bellas doing a spoof of Tons of Funk. Sandow and Rhodes treat us to verbal exposition. The Bellas get to hit the you’re welcome as the real deal comes out to fight and clear the ring to dance themselves. Everyone bought it was really them when Rhodes Scholars did it.
– Jack Swagger with Zeb Colter vs. Kofi Kingston (in the same outfit) – Kofi got caught in a cross body, Swagger went for the doctor bomb, Kofi escaped and hit the SOS for 2. Colter distracted Kofi for Swagger to hit a clip and hook the Patriot Lock for the tap.
