Spoiler: First Confirmed Name for the 2013 WWE Royal Rumble Match

At tonight's WWE RAW tapings in Washington, DC, John Cena announced that he will be entering in the 30-man Royal Rumble match next month. Cena then promised to win the WWE Title in 2013.

Cena is the first confirmed name for the 2013 Royal Rumble match.

Ashley Massaro Playboy 2007 Photoshoot !!

Extreme Rising results from Saturday night

Thanks to Donald Wood

Stevie Richards defeated Luke Hawx in title tournament quarterfinal; Matt Hardy attacked Hawk post-match.

Rhino defeated Devon Storm in title tournament quarterfinal; plenty of awesome hardcore spots.

Facade defeated Jay Bradley.

Matt Tremont & BRIAN XL defeated Blue Balls (Balls Mahoney and Blue Meanie); Pitbull Gary Wolfe makes the post-match save.

Greek Papadon defeats Little Guido.

Jerry Lynn defeated Homicide; Lynn’s last match in Philadelphia, great match with an even better celebration of the ECW veteran’s career.

Hijo De Rey Misterio defeated Bestia 666 in a 2-out-of 3 falls match.

BLK OUT (Jeez & Ruckus) defeated The Gangstas, Briscoe Bros, The Dramaticos in a steel cage match.

Matt Hardy defeated Sabu.

Stevie Richards defeated Rhino; winner became the first ever Extreme Rising World Heavyweight Champion.

Raw tapings results for Monday including a title change

WWE Raw Supershow Taping - 12-29 at Verizon Center (Washington, DC). We arrived at 7:40, missing a dark match or two.

The taping is starting a little before 7:45 pm. For the holiday season in 21st century wrestling, the attendance looks pretty good -- about 20 percent of the upper level is tarped off. Otherwise, the house appears full, but there may be paper. There are lots of families, and the Saturday night crowd is energetic. Perhaps, others are excited for UFC 155 too!

The Miz is out for the opening with a Miz TV segment near the Titan Tron. Tonight is Champions' Choice where champions can select their opponents. Cena ("a 10-time world champion") is the guest. (Wow, will Cena catch Flair before HHH?)

The discussion pertains to AJ Lee. Cena says that "it's over" with Lee, but Miz says there will be a New Year's toast with AJ, Dolph, and Cena.

Team Rhodes Scholars is out, and Cena makes a reference to RG III for cheap heat. There's not much substance to the interaction, but it leads to Cena and Miz opening against Team Rhodes Scholars.

1. John Cena and Miz defeated Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow after Cena pinned Sandow after an Attitude Adjustment.

The crowd was into an enjoyable match during which Cena received more cheers than boos. Miz was quite over.

US Champion Antonio Cesaro is out after the first bout. Cesaro went to Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Memorial (which may be closed for repairs), and the Pentagon -- "things he is all champions of." He says that he ran into Sgt. Slaughter at the Pentagon, who comes out to a big reaction.

2. US Title: US Champion Antonio Cesaro pinned Sgt. Slaughter with his face-first piledriver in a short match and gave him another one after the match.

Kane and Bryan wanted The Shield as opponents, but instead, they got 3MB.

3. WWE Tag Title: WWE Tag Team Champions Kane and Daniel Bryan downed Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre when Bryan pinned McIntyre. Kane hit a chokeslam after which Bryant delivered a Harley Race-like top rope head butt to Slater.

CM Punk is out next, on crutches, to a significant pop with Paul Heyman and a slight gentleman in a suit (allegedly Punk's doctor). The doctor is showing pictures of knees, including Punk's, to illustrate Punk's serious injury.

Punk says that, despite the injury, he'll defend against Ryback next week. But Punk's doctor says that he can't compete next week. In response, Vince comes out. Vince says that WWE officials will evaluate Punk's condition next week, and if the officials say that Punk can compete, he'll face Ryback in a TLC match next week. Vince also says that the investigation into Punk's relationship with Brad Maddux and The Shield will continue. Heyman says that Vince has become a "flesh peddling promotor" in the very city in which Vince Sr. Started promoting sports entertain. Vince's response -- If Punk can't go next week then Heyman must compete in Punk's place!

4. Dolph Zigler (with AJ Lee and Big E) and and Sheamus had a lengthy match that ended with The Shield attacking Sheamus and incapacitating him with a triple powerbomb. Prior to The Shield's interference, a Big E-Sheamus confrontation was teased.

Kofi and Wade Barrett will wrestle later.

Heyman throws Maddux out of Punk's locker room.

5. Eve is out. She says that she challenged Mae Young, who is not here, so she should win by forfeit. Kaitlyn (sp?) comes out, and they have a short brawl.

6. World Title: World Champion Big Show defeated Ricardo Rodriguez by DQ when Alberto Del Rio interfered.

7. IC Title: In a back-and-forth match, Wade Barrett pinned Kofi Kingston to win the IC Championship after Kingston missed a flying body press, and Barrett used his elbow finisher.

8. 3-on-1 match: Ryback vs. The Shield never started. The Shield attacked Ryback. Sheamus tried to make the save, but was overwelmed. Randy Orton made the save to a HUGE pop. He ended up laying out Ambrose with an RKO. The Shield fled. As an aside, The Shield's theme music sounds like something from the early 1990's WCW soundtrack.

Last Raw before Mania on 4-1 will be in DC. The Rock will return to The District on that evening.

Dolph, AJ Lee and Big E are out for the New Year's toast. Dolph is in a white tux, and AJ is in a white dress. Strangely, Big E remains in his wrestling gear.

Dolph complains about the attention that Cena receives, and belittles Cena for losing to The Rock, and getting beaten up by Brock Lesnar, among other things. Dolph points out that he too defeated Cena. Dolph has disinvited Cena, and asks Big E to stand guard. AJ toasts Dolph. Dolph kisses AJ, and out comes Cena. Cena says that Dolph was right, 2012 was not a great year. But Cena shows some funny pictures of how an AJ-Dolph wedding might look and what AJ's children might look like.

Cena cuts a promo on Dolph about Dolph's underachieving in WWE. And Cena says he is entering the Royal Rumble, and that, in 2013, he will be the WWE Champion. Cena also says he'll toast to the one thing Dolph and AJ are full of -- and (fake) manure comes out of the rafters onto Dolph and AJ, ruining their white dress clothes. A tantrum ensues, and that's the show!

Enjoyable Raw.

WWE personnel are cleaning the ring for the dark match main event of Cena and Sheamus against Zigler and Big Show

UFC 155 live coverage from Las Vegas

Welcome to our live coverage of UFC 155 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.  We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's show, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to  dave@wrestlingobserver.com

JOHN MORAGA VS. CHRIS CARIASO, FLYWEIGHTS

First round: Cariaso with a body kick, moved in but not landing. Moraga threw the right. Moraga missed a wicked high kick. . Moraga took him down and let him right up. Cariaso landed a body kick. Body shot by Moraga. Now both in a clinch. Cariaso broke free. High kick by Cariaso blocked. Now he landed a body kick. Moraga landed a left. Body kick by Cariaso. Another body kick by Cariaso. Moraga back with a body kick. Cariaso 10-9. Not that exciting.
Second round: Cariaso went high with a kick and blocked by Moraga. Moraga landed some shots. Body kick by Cariaso. Body kicks by Cariaso. High kick by Cariaso landed. Moraga threw him down but not going to the ground. Cariaso back up. Moraga has a footprint on the right side of his neck that from that last high kick. Cariaso got the takedown with 15 seconds left and kept him down until the round ended . Cariaso’s round, up 20-18
Third round: Both throwing punches. Moraga got the guillotine as they were in the corner and Cariaso left his next exposed.

LEONARD GARCIA VS. MAX HOLLOWAY, FEATHERWEIGHTS

First round: This is one fight Garcia needs to take to the ground. Watch him not try. Holloway landed a spin kick to the body. Garcia landed the overhand right. Holloway dropped him with a left and hit a spin kick. Now Garcia is mad and missed a hard right. Garcia chasing him down. Holloway with a jab and low kick. Holloway with a low kick. Garcia chasing him and missing big swings and getting countered. Body shot by Holloway and a low kick by Garcia. Garcia moved in with a flurry. Garcia rocked him with a right. Holloway snuck in a jab. Holloway landed another jab while Garcia missed. Spin kick by Holloway and Garcia missed wildly. Holloway landing and making Garcia miss. More misses by Garcia. Garcia tied him up and landed. Now Holloway running backwards as Garcia missed. Holloway landed another spin kick. Garcia tried one of his own and missed by a mile. 10-9 Holloway.
Second round: High kick by Holloway. Holloway with a jab and body kick. Holloway continues to land. Garcia throwing big punches that aren’t landing. Holloway body kick and low kick. Garcia partially landed a hook. Both swinging and Holloway landing more. Body kick by Holloway. Jumping knee but Holloway and Garcia took him down. Holloway right back up. Holloway landed some. Garcia landed . Holloway with a kick to the face. Grarcia landed a right. Both trading , Holloway got the best shot in. Now Garcia back. Garcia landed a left. He went for a takedown and landed a knee. Both trading. Trading knees, Holloway getting the better of it. Garcia had him in the corner landing punches as the round ended. Crowd really liked this round. 10-9 Holloway so 20-18.
Third round: Crowd excited for the third round to start. Garcia doing sound effects whenever he punched. Holloway with a knee to the body. Both standing and throwing. More trading and Holloway getting the better of it. Big right by Holloway. Garcia spinning back fist missed by a mile. Holloway landed a spin kick the body. Hard left to the body by Garcia. Garcia swinging wildly and not landing. Now he landed and crowd coming unglued. Both landing more. Garcia landed some good shots. Garcia working for a takedown and got it. It’s not enough for him to win the round, I think he needs a finish. Holloway up. Garcia landed a knee. Holloway bleeding from the left ear. Both throwing punches and low kicks. Holloway now landed shots while Garcia missed. Garcia missing wildly. Garcia landed two hard shots and another and missed others. Now short uppercuts by Garcia. Holloway is tired. Hollway with a spin kick to the body. Holloway tried a kick and Garcia took him down. Holloway trying a triangle but a power bomb by Garcia at the horn. Garcia’s round. Crowd loved this fight. Typical sloppy but fun Garcia fight. 29-28 Holloway overall. Crowd gave them a real big hand.
Scores: 29-28 Holloway 29-28 Garcia 29-28 Holloway. Crowd really wanted Garcia to win. Booed heavily. Greg Jackson acting shocked.
Two judges gave Garcia the second round, believe it or not.  Cecil Peoples gave him the second but not the third.

Holloway said he’d be glad to give Garcia a rematch.

PHIL DE FRIES VS. TODD DUFFEE, HEAVYWEIGHTS

First round: Duffee hurt him early with a punch and now throwing knees. Duffee with a few punches. De Fries got the takedown. De Fries landed hard punches as Duffee was tyring to get up. Duffee back up. Duffee got some distance. Duffee hurting him with two uppercuts and more hard rights.  De Fries went down and it’s over. 2:04 This is likely to air on TV or PPV.

MICHAEL JOHNSON VS. MYLES JURY, LIGHTWEIGHTS

First round: Johnson landing low kicks and jabs.  High kick by Jury and Johnson’s wasn’t fazed. Takedown by Jury.  He moved to mount and now has Johnson’s back.  Jury throwing punches from that position.  Jury with more hard punches from that position.  Jury now landing elbows. Johnson turned in and regained guard.  Jury laying a beating on him and went for a choke as the round was ending.  Jury 10-8 because he came close to a finish.
Second round: Johnson landed a left.  Jury back with a kick.  Jury with a low kick .  Another takedown by Jury.  Jury leaning his elbow on Johnson’s face.  Jury didn’t hurt him from the top like the first round, but won the round so I’ve got him up 20-17.
Third round: Jury tried a akedown off a kick and din’t g it.  Body kick by Johnson and Jury again tried a takedown but couldn’t gt it.  Jury with a leg trip takedown.   Johnson passed guard but Johnson regained it.  Jury staying on top and throwing some punches.  Jury landing more punches.  Jury with more punches.  Jury continues to punch.  Jury’s round.  Has to win either 30-27 or 30-26.
Scores: All three have it 30-27 for Jury.

JAMIE VARNER VS. MELVIN GUILLARD, LIGHTWEIGHTS

First round: Guillard with a low kick and Varner back with one.  Guillard with a hard one. Another low kick by Guillard.  Crowd started booing and Varner moved in with punches.  Varner tried a high kick but it was blocked.  Body kick by Guillard.  Body kick by Guillard and low kick.  Crowd booing a lot and Varner moved in, tried a takedown and couldn’t get it.  Guillard with another low kick.  Varner landed a few punches.  Varner landing more.  Varner throwing a flury and dropped him.  Varner got the takedown, grabbed a guillotine and the horn may have saved Guillard.  10-9 Varner
Second round:   Varner moved in with punches and got the takedown.  Varner is on his back. Guillard flipped him off his back.  Guillard back up and landed a knee.  Trading punches.  Low kick by Guillard.  Varner got him in the corner.  Guillard and Varner were trading punches.  Guillard with a head kick, mostly blocked.  Takedown by Varenr.  Guillard landed. Varner with a right to the chest.  Body kick by Guillard.  Varner back with a groin kick but he told Varner he’d be okay.  Guillard recovered and they finished the round.  Varner’s round up 20-18.
Third round; Varner tried a takedown but Guillard got away.  Guillard with two jabs and Varner back with one.  Varner moved in with punches and got a taekdown. He threw some punches on the ground.  Varner tried a D’arce choke but Guillard out and on top.  Varner back up.  Guillard threw a hard punch and Varner with one back.  Varner got another takedown.  Another takedown by Varner.  Guillard tried an armbar from the bottom but Varner got out.  Varner tried to go for Guillard’s back but Guillard blocked and on top.  Varner with a nice wrestling switch back to the top.  Guillard kicked hin off and up with 30 seconds left.  Varner went for a takedown and then
Guillard moved to his back and Varner did an Emerald Frosien almost.  Crowd really like the finish and the match itself.  The two hugged when it was over.  Varner's round, so 30-27 overall.
Scores: 30-27 Varner 30-27 Guillard 30-27 Varner.  That middle judge was insane.  No other explanation.

ERIK PEREZ VS. BYRON BLOODWORTH, BANTAMWEIGHTS
First round:  Perez out with a mask and Mexican flag and authentic music.  He got a really big pop.  Crowd booed Bloodworth, but not loudly.  Both out throwing.  Knees by Perez.  Loud Mexico chants.  Now in a clinch.  Perez with a lot of body punches.  Perez dropped him with a knee to the body. Perez getting clean shots in front the top.  Perez landing elbows from the top.  Perez landing elbows from the top.  Perez cleared guard, more punches and it’s over.  Really big crowd pop, a good percentage of the crowd standing.

BRAD PICKETT VS. EDDIE WINELAND, BANTAMWEIGHTS

First round: Wineland out to "Real American" since he’s facing the evil foreigners who looks like a throwback to the 50s. Brad Pickett is one of Dana White’s favorite fighters. If Pickett wins, he’s probably getting a title shot. Wineland, not as much a sure thing. Wineland tagged him over the left eye. Pickett back with with a hook. Wineland hurt him and dropped him to a knee and landed several punches. Wineland landing more shots. Wineland landing solid agian. Wineland with an uppercut. Big flurry and Wineland dropped Pickett to his knees twice in a row. Pickett fighting on emotions trying to get it back, bleeding from the nose. Pickett tried a taekdown but Wineland with a whizzer and back up. Wineland landing shots. Pickett landed a good one back. Wineland with two more rights. Pickett back with a body shot. Picket landed a hard shot and Wineland didn’t go down. Wineland’s round 10-9, good fight so far.
Second round: Pickett witha hard left and a right. Wineland landed a left. Wineland landed another shot as Pickett moved in. Pickett landed a left. Crowd booing. Pickett landed a left and Wineland with a left and an uppercut. Wineland with a jab and Pickett missed an uppercut. Crowd booing again. Both trading. Pickett with a left. Wineland cut under the right eye and bleeding. Good counter shot by Wineland. Very close round. Maybe slightly to Pickett as the aggressor 19-19.
Third round: Wineland landed the first shot. Trading and Wineland dacning away. Both swinging and missing. Both landed again. Both missing now. Pickett landed as Wineland was dancing. Wineland hit a jab. Wineland now landing more. Pickett with a hard left. Both trading again. Pickett with an overhand right. Wineland now landed. Wineland with some body shots. Wineland coming forward but Wineland countering well. Close round. Crowd booed the fight. I have Wineland 29-28 but the last two rounds were close.
Scores: 30-27 Wineland 29-28 Pickett 30-27 Wineland. Crowd booing. All scores justifiable.

CHRIS LEBEN VS. DEREK BRUNSON, MIDDLEWEIGHTS

First round: Brunson powered Leben to the ground. Leben was fishing for something off his back. Tried an armbar but Brunson with a short power bomb. Brunson backed off but as Leben went to get up, Brunson tackled him down. Brunson trying a head and arm choke but Leben out. A few punches and Brunson throwing elbows from the top. Brunons landing more punches. Brunson trying a guillotine but Leben in no trouble and let it go. Leben back to his feet and threw a knee as time ran out. 10-9 Brunson
Second round: Brunson went for a takedown. Leben blocked it. Leben landed a hard left. Brunson went for another takedown and put Leben on his back. Leben back up. Brunson landing solid punches standing. He went for a takedown but Leben back up. Brunson looked at the scoreboard to see how much time is left in the round. Leben tired as well. Brunson landed. Crowd loudly cheering for Lbe.n. Traded punches. I don’t know if Leben has the power because he’s so tired. Leben moving forward trying to land the left. Brunson tried a tkeadown but Leben blocked it. Leben desperately trying to get the KO. Brunson’s round so up 20-18.
Third round: Brunson landed. Brunson shot for the takedown and couldn’t get it. Brunson shot and this time got Leben down. Leben back up. Needs a knockout. He’s so slow throwing that left. Crowd booing. Brunson started to land. Brunson went for a takedown and Leben blocked it. Leben landed a right and Brunson back. Leben just so exhausted out there. Crowd booing both guys. Leben chasing him but he’s in slow motion now. Really bad outing for Leben here. He did land hte left twice but Brunson took him down agin. Leben up with 19 sconds left. Brunson’s round 30-27. Crowd hated this because they badly wanted Leben to win and he just looked bad.
Scores: All three had it 29-28 for Brunson. I guess they gave Leven the third becuase he was moving backwards most of the round. But Leben did nothing effective.

ALAN BELCHER VS. YUSHIN OKAMI, MIDDLEWEIGHTS

First ound: Belcher missed a kick and Okami threw him down. Okami has him against the cage. Knee by Okami. Another knee by Okami. Belcher on top momentarily, grabbed a guillotine at the same time Okami tripped him and now Okami is on top because there was nothing to the guillotine. Okami controlling him on the ground for the rest of the round. 10-9 Okami. Crowd booing this one as well.
Second round: Belcher tripped Okami down but he immediately reversed on the ground. Okami just holding him down which isn’t making anyone happy. Culero chants. Lucha Libre fans will appreciate that. A stand-up was ordered. Belcher landed a left and Okami buckled. Okami working for another takedown. He got Belcher down again. Crowd has been put almost completely to sleep here. Another stand-up ordered. Okami’s round 20-18. Crowd booed this fairly loud. Boetsch and Philippou have their work cut out for them, although lots of bonus money tonight stiff up for grabs.
Third round: Belcher knocked Okami down with a punch. Okami moved in and pushed Belcher against the fence and working for a takedown. Belcher instead landed in full mount off Okami’s attempt. Belcher has his back. Okami stood up with Belcher still on his back. Okami to his feet. Belcher going for a guillotine but doesn’t have it. Okami working for the takedown and got it. Crowd booing heavily but Okami is in mount and he can’t be stood up from there. Well, he can, but it would be bad officiating. Okalm landing punches from the top. And Belcher gave up his back. Horn sounded. Okami easily 30-27. Crowd booing like crazy. Boring fight.
Scores: 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 for Okami. Crowd booed the decision, but no other way. I have no way to explain a round Belcher could have won.

TIM BOETSCH VS. COSTA PHILLIPPOU, MIDDLEWEIGHTS

First round: Boetsch pushed him against the fence. Boetsch working for the takedown and got out. Crowd is so quiet, it’s like Koloff just beat Bruno again. Phillippou up with no damage. Boetsch moving forward. Boetsch landed a hard punch moving forward and now has Phillippou pushed into the fence. Phillippou danced out. Phillippou went for a punch. Boetch ducked and took him down. They were down for seconds before the stand up chants started. Kim Winslow stood them up about 10 seconds later. Phillippou landing punches now. Boetsch with an awesome front kick knocked Phillippou down. Phillippou was pissed at being so careless. 10-9 Boetsch.
Second round: Boetsch bulled him into the fence. Then he let him off the fence. Boetsch bleeding from the top of the head. Boetsch went for a takedown but couldn’t get it. Boetsch tried to use the trunks but KimWinslow caught him and told him to get his hands off the trunks. They were trading punches. Boetsch landed strong. Boetsch got poked in the eye. The replay showed a finger right in the eye. Crowd booed Phillippou after seeing the replay. Phillippou landed a right. Phillippou has confidence in his stand-up right now. Boetsch went for a takedown and couldn’t get it. He tried another one and couldn’t get it. Boetsch then dropped to his back to bait Phllippou to the ground. Phillippou landing punches on the ground. That move may give Phillippou the round. Phillippou landing several punches from the top. Phillippou starting to hurt him. Phillippou’s round so 19-19.
Third round: Boetsch shot and couldn’t get the takedown. He shot a second time and Phillippou sprawled and got on top. Phillippou let him up. Boetsch is covered in blood and exhausted. He just keeps shooting because at least it avoded the standup. Phillippou backed off. Boetsch is in real trouble, gassed and bloody. He shot immediately and Phillippou pounding him on the ground and KimWinslow waved it off. Corwd reacted surprisingly big. I think they were just happy someboedy scored a clean win.
No interview for Phillippou.

JIM MILLER VS. JOE LAUZON, LIGHTWEIGHTS

First round: Now it’s up to The Bonus Machine and Jim Miller to try and save this show. Both standing. Miller landing a lot of punches early. Knee by Miller. Miller stumbled him with a low kick and landed a lot of punches from close range. Big left by Miller. Miller continuing to land. Great body kick. Miller is putting on a show here with punches and knees. Lauzon now coming back. Miller knocked him, to one knee with a low kick. Lauzon landed a right. Miller rocked him with a punch and a knee, and now throwing elbows. Miller with a standing choke attempt. Lauzon is bloody like crazy and escaped. He’s bleeding all over Miller. It’s so bad the ref stopped the action to have the doctor check on Lauzon. Crowd booing as Miller had him hurt. The doctor checked and allowed it to contineu. Lauzon shot and Miller got kneed to the head. Great high kick by Miller. Miller with elbows and uppercuts. Sick amount of blood. Too much blood . I mean this is ick. Lauzon came back. High knee by Miller and they both went down. Miller landing more punches. Miller landing to the head and body. Lauzon coming back. Crowd freaking nuts. Loudest reaction of the night with everyone standing. 10-8 Miller just because Lauzon was coming back, but this is where you really need half points because Lauzon got more in than you would normally in a 10-8 round.
Second round: Gigantic reaction to start round two and then Lauzon waved the crowd on. Miller moving forward and landing. Takedown by Miller. Miller with a body shot and elbow to the head. Lauzon tried a triangle. Lauzon bleeding all over the place again. Miller now just laying on him. He is working to try and advance his position. And he did, moving to full mount. Lauzon reversed and crowd went crazy. Yves Lavigne stopped it because Lauzon’s hand wraps were getting loose. They cut the tape off. They started back from that position. Lauzon picked him up from rubber guard and slammed him down. Miller still using a rubber guard. Lauzon went for a kneebar. Miller out. Lauzon’s round so19-18 Miller.
Third round: Crowd going nuts. Miller with punches. Lauzon looks fresher but Miller throwing back as well. Lauzon chant. Lauzon tripped and on his back. Miller let him up. Miller in with punches and a knee. Miller landing more. Low kick by Miller. More lunging punches by Miller. Lauzon’s cut opening again. Miller tagged him agian. Knee by Lauzon hurt Miller. Lauzon back with a punch and Miller back. Knee to the body by Miller. Miller continues to land. Miller still landing the left. Left to the body and knee by Miller. Both landing from a clinch. Elbow by Miller. Knee by Miller to the body. Both landing punches . Lauzon with the most awesome scissors kneebar but Miller out. Now Lauzon going for a gullotine with seconds left. Miller surived. This place is going crazy like very few fights I’ve ever seen. I think Lauzon could have gotten the round with those near submissions, but not quite. That round could go either way. It could be a draw but I’ve got 29-27 Miller. An early match of the year candidate/
Scores: All three have it 29-28 Miller. Crowd mostly cheered, there were a lot of boos as well.
Joe Rogan called it one of the wildest and most entertaining fights of the year.

JUNIOR DOS SANTOS VS. CAIN VELASQUEZ FOR THE HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE

First round: Both fighters look super nervous. Crowd more mixed than at weigh-ins, Brazilians booing JDS pretty loud. Same with Dos Santos as the Brazilians really loud. Dos Santos got louder cheers and ore Brazilian flags than Mexican flags here. Cain moving in and took him right down twice and Dos Santos up right away. Cain went for a takedown and didn’t get this one. Cain moving foward. Cain landed a left. Crowd super loud. JDS landed a punch. Cain went low and couldn’t get the takedown. Cain landed a right, ducked for the takedown and JDS got away again. Cain missed a high kick. Cain moving forward and JDS out of the way., Cain did land a left but mostly JDS keeping away. JDS landed a left. Body kick and Cain again he couldn’t get the takedown. JDS landed a right. Jab by JDS and another and Cain with a knee and a body kick. Cain bleeding. Cain cut in the forehead and the left eye. Cain has him against the fence throwing punches. JDS got away. Low kick by Cain. Cain with a left and right and another left and Cain dropped him and is pounding on JDS from behind him. He took him down again and more pounding by Cain. Cain continues to pound on him on the ground. JDS back up. Cain took him down again and pounding on him some more. Cain took him down again and more pounding. Cain continued punching him on the ground until the round was over. JDS is staggering. 10-8 Cain.
Second round: JDS tagging Cain coming in but Cain slammed him down and got his back again. Cain just pounding away from the top. JDS is exhausted from the pace. He’s back up and Cain put him down again. JDS back to his feet. Knee by Cain. JDS went for a big swing. Cain moving forward. Another takedown by Cain. JDS tried to get up but Cain took him down again. JDS back up. Cain landed a left and short right and took him down again. Cain is going for an armbar. He missed it and JDS now on top. Cain with a big right. Cain has him against the fence. Short punches against the cage. Loud Cigano chants. But Cain landed more punches and now working the body. Knee tothe body. Cain is just taking this guy apart. JDS did land one left. 10-8 again for Cain, 20-16 overall.
Third round: JDS’s face looked like a war casualty. JDS landed an uppercut as Cain moved in. He landed another uppercut. JDS with a body shot. Cain took him down again. JDS back up. Cain has his him pushed againt the fence. Mexico chants real loud now for the first time. Cain couldn’t get the takedown Cain pushed him against the fence and dirty boxing from close range. JDS moved away. JDS landed body shots but Cain cracked him with a right to the head and has him against the fence. Cain went for a takedown and JDS danced away. Cain in with punches. Cain with several body punches from up close. JDS with a body punch and another and one to the head. Cain pressed him against the fence and landing punches. JDS with a knee and Cain back with four hard shots to the head. Knee by Cain and a body kick,. Cain with several shots. JDS blocked another takedown attempt and landed an elbow from the clinch. Loud Cigano chants. Cain landed another series of punches. JDS landed a punch as Cain shot in. Body punch by JDS. Cain’s round 30-25.
Fourth round: JDS getting a second wind. He’s landed some stuff and hurt Cain with a left. Cain still moving forward. Cain has him against the fecne. JDS with hard body shots. Cain moved in with punches. Cain got a takedown but JDS back up. Cain has him against the fence. JDS witha body shot. Cain going for a takedown and can’t get it. JDS broke the clinch and landed a punch. Cain took him down , but JDS back up. Left to the body and uppercut by Cain. Left hard by Cain an another hard left by Cain. Cain has him against the fence again. JDS got distance. JDS landed a left and Cain pushed him against the fence. Ciagno chant. Cain throwing rights from close range. JDS landed a good punch. Cain went for a takedown but couldn’t get it. Dos Santos’ best round so far but still not enough to win, 40-34 Velasquez after four.
Fifth round: Cain with jabs and going for a takedown but couldn’t get it. Takedown but Dos Santos back up. Dos Santos landed an uppercut. Cain again couldn’t get the takedown. In a clinch. JDS fired a punch. Cain again couldn’t get the takedown. JDS landed a left. JDS with an uppercut. Takedown by Cain and has his back. Cain ground and pounding him. JDS is one unbelievably tough guy to survive this for five rounds. And he’s still battling for every move. Cain with a right and has JDS against the fence again. JDS with an uppercut. Great high kick by Cain. JDS staying up from that after all this is amazing. Cain on him with uppercuts and the horn sounded. Cain collapsed on the ground. 50-43.
Scores: 50-45, 50-43, 50-44 for Velasquez

TNA's So Cal Val Hot Photoshoot

Jackie Gayda Endless Summer

Angelina Love Lingerie Shoot

Ric Flair Wants to Wrestle Again!

Ric Flair was interviewed on Mark Madden's radio show this week in Pittsburgh, PA discussing his return to WWE at the Slammys. During the interview, Flair said that as far as he was concerned, he returned to the ring and wrestled in the angle with CM Punk and The Shield in Philadelphia, PA and can't wait to do more with WWE if they want him to.

Flair said that his problems regarding TNA and his departure from there are resolved.

TNA Impact Wrestling Rating notes

Impact last night did 1.33 million viewers, the same range as it has been doing.  Even though NFL is over on Thursdays as competition, they bucked a College Football game that did 3.88 million viewers and NBA competition.  In theory, Impact's numbers should be bouncing back starting next week with no more Thursday night football.

Date	Audience
7/26/2012	1,578,000
8/2/2012	1,400,000
8/9/2012	1,210,000
8/16/2012	1,456,000
8/23/2012	1,717,000
8/30/2012	1,416,000
9/6/2012	1,217,000
9/13/2012	1,224,000
9/20/2012	1,340,000
9/27/2012	1,265,000
10/4/2012	1,058,000
10/11/2012	1,118,000
10/18/2012	1,248,000
10/25/2012	1,187,000
11/1/2012	1,248,000
11/8/2012	1,266,000
11/15/2012	1,353,000
11/22/2012	1,187,000
11/29/2012	1,304,000
12/6/2012	1,320,000
12/13/2012	1,242,000
12/20/2012	1,270,000
12/27/2012	1,333,000

OVW TV tapings report 12-26 Louisville

OVW TV Episode 697 Recap

Here is the report for Ohio Valley Wrestling episode 697. This episode is available for your viewing pleasure at http://www.ovwrestling.com/tv/697.

Our announcers are Dean Hill, Gilbert Corsey, and Michael Titus as we get the festivities going with...a LIVE version of "THE MIX TAPE"!!!!!!!!With Timmy "Rampage" Danger and Eddie "White Kryptonite" Diamond!!! My favorite part of the show!! Diamond and Danger have accessorized Christmas-style tonight and are accompanied by Bobbie Bardot, who is dressed up as a reindeer-complete with the red nose! They are still doing "Suckah of the Year" as they have the prize "The Golden 40" with them but here they cover the "naughty" and "nice" list. Diamond says he and Danger have been nice and so has Bobbie. Danger goes to the naughty list, starting with Taeler Hendrix, who Diamond says found lumps in her stocking but it wasn't coal! Michael Titus is also deemed naughty, which Gilbert agrees with. Next up is the Jason Wayne and the Platoon of Wayne, whom Danger says are "like the Three Stooges in camo"!  

Out comes "General" Crimson with Doug Williams, Jason Wayne, and Joe Coleman, who is carrying and old-school field radio that has a phone receiver and has to be hand cranked. Crimson, who hands a manila folder marked "Classified" to Titus for safekeeping, compares "The Mix Tape" to Jamie Kennedy's show and says it should be cancelled as well. The four go in the ring with that intent and surround Diamond and Danger, who get roughed up a bit before James "Moose" Thomas and the Mascara Mafia (Paredyse & Brandon "Espy" Espinosa) come out and cancel the cancellation. Paredyse offers to find a partner and suggests a 4-on-4 match in the main event, then tells them to make sure Coleman is "oiled up".

Back from break, Moose roams the building seeking "Smooth" Johnny Spade to serve as his team's fourth man. He locates Spade, who declines, saying he has his own agenda.

Match #1: "The Ken of OVW and The Justin Bieber of Professional Wrestling" Dylan Bostic (w/OUR OVW Women’s Champion Taeler Hendrix) vs Stephon J Baxter III

I believe Baxter came out to the "Family Matters" theme. Gilbert implies Baxter is like a super-genius (that didn't work out so well for Wile E. Coyote). Bostic comes out all aggressive and stuff, pretty much having his way here, alternately beating on Baxter and getting smooches from Hendrix (who is less like "The Barbie of OVW" and more like "The Quinn Fabray of OVW"). Bostic finally ends this with a back cracker for the pin.

A video airs of Tony Gunn (without Ralphie) leading Randy Royal into a training session, which here consists of Royal riding a stationary bike then hitting a punching bag. After 45 minutes, Royal says the workout kicked his ass but he'll get there.

Elvis Pridemore comes through the curtain and is subsequently jumped by That Guy Who Thinks He Is OUR OVW TV Champion Cliff Compton. Pridemore gets thrown into the ring, beat on for a minute, and tossed out. Compton says that was planned to be a match for "his title" but the 2 belts he was carrying were snatched last week by The Actual OVW TV Champion Jamin Olivencia, calling him a "Puerto Rican douchebag", which brings out Olivencia to chase him off. Jamin (with both belts) backs off calling Compton delusional, instead referring to him as a jackass. Jamin throws out a challenge but Compton examines his "injured" foot and declines, saying it's not well enough for him to compete. Jamin says he can show up next week and get his face kicked around.

Best Team Ever (Rudy Switchblade & Jesse Godderz) comes out dressed like OUR OVW Southern Tag Team Champions the Gut Checkers (Sam Shaw & Alex Silva). Godderz is playing the role of Silva here while Switchblade is hilarious dressed as Shaw. "Silva" says "shut up" and "uh-oh" a lot but then says he respects everyone, while speaking in a bad French accent. He then says he is Canadian, which leads "Shaw" to ask if that means that "Silva" doesn't like baseball, pizza, or good quality American programming like "Big Brother" :) "Shaw" says he really doesn't want to be a wrestler; he just wants to be a skateboarder, which is why he wears his skater stuff instead of wrestling gear. "Shaw" says "whoa" and "bro" like 74 times during this. "Shaw" kick flips but stumbles trying to do one off the ropes. "Silva" says BTE always beats them and he's tired as they fall to the mat and count three. "Shaw" says it's like "we're champions, but what if we're not?" and they have to face them at Saturday Night Special? More "uh-oh"s and "whoa"s until the real Gut Checkers run out and chase the fake ones away.

In the back, The Mascara Mafia encounters Jessie Belle, Epiphany, and Heidi Lovelace. They ask the ladies to use their assets to sway Spade into being their partner for the main event. The ladies agree and walk to the next room to meet Spade but then are met by Hendrix, who tries to get friction started amongst them as Spade walks off. Hendrix suggests a number one contender's match between Belle and Epiphany. Apparently, Heidi gets overlooked but she did win "Shawty of the Year" so that should soften the blow a bit. The Body Guy appears and all four ladies are repulsed!

Ms. Josette Bynum comes to the ring in a tight red skirt with a shiny green corset top. She says after the deplorable way she and Flash Flanagan were escorted out of the building last week, she went to the OVW Board of Directors and got Flash Flanagan a warm-up match tonight to get ready for his hardcore match with OUR OVW Director of Authority Trailer Park Trash/Frank Miller on 1/5's Saturday Night Special. Not that he would need one as the beating he will supposedly give TPT would be a nice Christmas present for her. Flash comes out then Josette calls out Flash's opponent, Chase King, but TPT comes out as well although he is surrounded by OVW referees. Josette tells TPT that the Board of Directors also told her that he cannot touch Flash or her until their match.

Match #2: Flash Flanagan (w/Ms. Josette Bynum) vs Chase King

Pretty much a pattern of Flash "systematically decimating" (Gilbert's words) King then showing TPT his handiwork while taunting him. Dean reminisces about a hardcore match years ago between the two at Louisville Gardens that didn't end well. Josette gets in a couple of shots as well before hitting a neckbreaker for the pin.

Flash says TPT would rather sit at home and take care of his fat, disgusting daughter! TPT goes berserk but is restrained by the officials.

Dean is disgusted because Flash talked about TPT's daughter. Also for Saturday Night Special is the in-ring return of Randy Royal plus "Diamond Steel" Ryan Howe vs Dylan Bostic! Main Event time!

Match #3: "General" Crimson & "He-Man of Homeland Security" Jason Wayne & "Kamikaze of Combat Communications" Joe Coleman (with the field radio) & Doug Williams vs James "Moose" Thomas & The Mascara Mafia (Paredyse & Brandon "Espy" Espinosa) & "Smooth" Johnny Spade

Wayne yells at OUR OVW Ring Announcer Terry Boddie to keep his eyes on the deck! The "Moose-cara Mafia" wait up for Spade to come out then it's EVERYBODY IN THE POOL!! Back from break, OUR OVW Official Chris Sharpe has managed to settle things down (that's what Dean said anyway) as Williams is getting worked over until he hits an Eyepoke of Doom on Espy. Wayne comes in and drags Espy to the wrong corner. Coleman whips Espy into the ropes but Paredyse makes a blind tag to come in and fire up on Coleman. Paredyse tries to tiltawhirl Wayne from the corner but Wayne flips him over the top and to the floor where Crimson runs over and beats on him then feeds him back to Wayne in the ring. Paredyse gets isolated a bit but then gets free to tag Moose in. Moose cleans house then Coleman jumps on Moose's back but just gets flipped over. Finishers galore but no pins yet! Moose-kick on Crimson but then Jack Black and The Wildcards (Raul Lamotta & Shiloh Jonze) run in to go after Moose, who quickly dispatches them. Wayne full-nelsons Moose but Moose drops down and Wayne eats a superkick from Spade! Moose pins Wayne and there is much rejoicing as the show goes off.

Thoughts:

I believe this was taped 12/19. Not much wrestling here, two helpings of squash and another multiple person tag match with the Coalition vs Moose & Friends. Really liked Switchblade's impersonation of Shaw. Looks like Hendrix is really hoping Epiphany softens up Jessie Belle for her. Can't wait to see who wins "Suckah of the Year" and the "Golden 40". By my count, looks like there are at least 5 matches set up for Saturday Night Special plus whatever gets set up from Crimson/POW/Williams vs Moose-cara Mafia/Spade. Sure doesn't look like OUR OVW Champion Rob Terry will be there based on what's transpired the last few shows. This particular show was quite entertaining for me (though kind of repetitive over the past few weeks) so I'll give it an upper thumbs in the middle.  

Former Georgia star Bill Dromo passes away

Big Bill Dromo, a transplanted Canadian who was a fixture on the Georgia wrestling scene in the 60s and 70s, passed away earlier today at the age of 75.

Dromo wrestled from the late 50s into the 80s all over the world, but once he got married, the Canadian-born Dromo settled in Georgia.  He made occasional appearances when Georgia Championship Wrestling was get started on national television after having been a star in the territory years earlier.

He had been suffering from health problems, most notably Parkinson's Disease, in recent years.

Dromo started as an amateur boxer, and then was an accomplished amateur wrestler before turning pro.

This Day In History

1949 - Leroy McGuirk defeats Billy Goelz for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title in Des Moines, Iowa

1960 - Pancho Villa defeats Lee Fields for the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title in Mobile, Alabama

1961 - Whipper Billy Watson and Yukon Eric defeat Chris and John Tolos to win the Toronto version of the NWA International Tag Team Title in Toronto, Ontario.

1963 - Chris and John Tolos defeat Killer Kowalski and Gorilla Monsoon for the WWWF United States Tag Team Title in Teaneck, New Jersey.

1963 - Bob Orton Sr. defeated Eddie Graham in Jacksonville, Florida for the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title

1968 - The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser won the AWA World Tag Team Title and World Wrestling Association Tag Team Title, defeating Mitsu Arakawa and Dr. Moto (Tor Kamata) for both in Chicago, Illinois.

1970 - Gene Kiniski defeated Don Leo Jonathan for the Vancouver version NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title in Vancouver, British Columbia

1972 - Rip Hawk defeats Jerry Brisco for the NWA Eastern States Heavyweight Title in Greensboro, North Carolina

1973 - Archie Gouldie won the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title by defeating Omar Atlas in Calgary, Alberta.

1975 - Bob Sweetan defeated Rip Tyler for the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title in Pensacola, Florida

1980 - Angelo Mosca defeated Hussein Arab (The Iron Sheik) in Toronto, Ontario to win the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title

1980 - Kerry Von Erich (subbing for his injured brother Kevin) defeated Gino Hernandez in Dallas, Texas to win the vacant NWA American Heavyweight Title.

1984 - Ron Garvin defeated Bob Roop in Saginaw, Michigan to win the Georgia version of the NWA World Television Title

1984 - Terry Taylor defeats Eddie Gilbert to win the CWA International Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee

1992 - Ron and Don Harris defeated The Moondogs (Spike and Spot) for the USWA Southern Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee

1997 - Sting defeated Hulk Hogan for the WCW World Title in Washington, DC

Stone Cold E.T. Coming to FWE!

Heyman vs. Ryback at MSG Report!

Got reports from those in the building that the Paul Heyman wrestling debut in Madison Square Garden vs. Ryback last night was awesome. It wasn't anything resembling a match, at least not a Heyman vs. Ryback match, as they had the Shield immediately run in and destroy Ryback, then Daniel Bryan and Kane made the save, and then Paul, all cocky, jumped into the ring to pin Ryback and was immediately hit with a shellshock and then put through a table. Got over really big.

Dana White UFC 155 press conference notes

Some Dana White UFC 155 press conference notes from yesterday. He said Strikeforce 155-pound champion Gilbert Melendez will probably get an immediate title shot upon entering UFC. He said the company is working on casting and creating a TUF: Mexico season. He said the situation with Eddie Alvarez and Bellator was likely to get ugly, but wouldn't go into any further details. While he didn't outright say so, he said there was a good chance the winner of the Eddie Wineland vs. Brad Pickett fight Saturday night would be in line for a title shot. He also said he was thankful for awful weather in the Midwest and East Coast, because snowed-in people who couldn't travel were good for his PPV business.

Two WWE Stars Returning From Injury

-- It's expected that Randy Orton (dislocated shoulder) and Sin Cara (minor knee surgery) will be back for the WWE TV tapings this weekend. No word on Rey Mysterio.

WWE Superstars TV report

Hello everybody, and welcome to the December 27th edition of the WWE Superstars on Hulu report! I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season! This week's episode is another "Best of Raw 2012" show. Why wouldn't it be a "Best of Superstars" show? Scott Stanford is the host this week, from WWE Studios.

-We kick things off by going way back to last Monday's edition of Raw, as The Big Show battled Sheamus in a lumberjack match. The lumberjacks got involved, all hell breaks loose, and Sheamus is victorious, looking like a kid on Christmas morning, despite the fact that it was a non-title affair.

-Back from break, and we take a look at the other WrestleMania matchup that was set a year in advance... Triple H -vs- The Undertaker. These two beat the hell out of eachother in the Hell In a Cell, while Shawn Micheals served as guest referee. The match went back and forth, Micheals was involved, there was blood, chairshots, etc. In the end, The Undertaker continued his undefeated streak, and that shot of the three men embracing on stage is one I'll never forget.

-Back from the break, and it's time to take a look at perhaps the oddest team in WWE history since Kane & X-Pac... or Kane & Rob Van Dam. Of course, I'm referring to Kane & Daniel Bryan. The odd tandem was thrown together over the summer, and they became #1 contenders by defeating The Prime Time Players in September, when Kane chokeslammed his partner onto Darren Young, to get the victory. They would go on to defeat Kofi Kingston & R-Truth for the tag team titles, and they are still holding on strong, heading in 2013!

-Back from break, and clips are shown from the 1,000th episode of Raw, including a Dx reunion, Triple H getting the best of Brock Lesnar, A.J. Lee taking a job as Raw GM rather than marrying Daniel Bryan, and more.

-Back from break, and we join the C.M. Punk/John Cena match from this summer, that saw the big heel turn by the champion. The Big Show interfered, and started to beat down Cena, while Punk just stood by. The Rock makes the save, and Punk shows his true colors by taking him out, and giving him the GTS. Several months later, and they'll be squaring off in a few weeks at the Royal Rumble.

-The show ends with highlights of Punk's strong title reign that has lasted well over a year now, and concludes with Ryback challenging him yet again. I can't imagine at this point that Punk still won't be the champion heading into the 26th annual Royal Rumble!

Thanks for reading this year, everybody! I hope you all have a safe and happy New Year!

~Blackjack Parsons

Blackjack Parsons has been a fan of the wrestling business since 1983, and has been a referee on the indy scene since 1997. He has also written, promoted, and even wrestled from time-to-time. Any comments or questions can be directed to parsons3477@netzero.net.

Madison Rayne Hot Pics!

Velvet Sky shoot (Black and Gold)

Daffney: "Naughty Nurse" Knockout Shoot

WWE house show report 12-27 New York Madison Square Garden

By Evan Ginzberg

---

Madison Square Garden Live  WWE Raw house show review 12/27/12

New Age Outlaws Def. Cody Rhodes/Damien Sandow  3*

Fun match with Road Dogg showing more charisma than other 3 combined

 

Brodus Clay W David Otunga 0* Dud  

Total quick squash with dancers the highlight by far. Otunga looks great physically then showed zip in match.

 

Brodus Clay W Jack Swagger 1/2*

Another one that was over before you blinked. Swagger solid enough in ring, but needs charisma infusion. I literally didn’t know who he was when he challenged Clay and I’ve seen him dozens of times on TV.

 

Eve Torres W Kaitlyn  Diva’s Championship 1*

They tried anyway but won’t make you forget Sherri Martel or even Moolah for that matter.

 

Santino Morello W Tensai 0* Dud

Pure comedy from Santino- only for us old school fans it’s not funny, it’s tragic. Tensai later sang Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer in its entirety.  Post Christmas no less. That’s giving ringside fans their $100 worth I suppose.  The absurdity of it was amusing though, I have to admit.

 

The Shield W Miz/Kane/Daniel Brian 2*

Considering the tremendous talent in the ring, the biggest disappointment of the night. Felt flat. Mediocre at best. Some brawling. Abrupt end. Instantly forgettable.

 

Usos W Darren Young & Titus O’Neil 1/2*

This felt like any generic indy tag team match, only worse. I’ve seen far better on local indy shows.

 

Antonio Cesaro W Zach Ryder US Heavyweight Championship 2 ½*

Solid enough match that heated up towards end, but didn’t touch Claudio/Antonio’s ROH epics.

 

Ryback W Paul Heyman “NY Street Fight” (only they never actually had a match) UNRATED

Paul E cuts great promo that I enjoyed more than most of the matches on the show. Ryback does Goldberg entrance. Shield jump him. Miz/Kane/Brian return.  Brawl ensues. Paul E ultimately ends up pinned and put through table. If only Paul could teach CHARISMA to some of the folk on this show. He’s just great.

 

John Cena W Dolph Ziggler Steel Cage Match 3 ¼* Real good match with a little bit of everything (except blood of course- wouldn’t want to scare the kiddies or the advertisers). Brawling on top of cage fun ala the old Olympic Auditorium TV intro with Victor Rivera brawling 15 feet above. (Man, am I dating myself). Anyway, tons of outside interference with A.J. and Big E Langston. Went nearly 25 minutes and thoroughly enjoyable, but no real sense that this was a blow off to a great feud, or even that we had any reason to dislike Ziggler, who just comes off as colorful rather than a true heel to be hated/punished in a cage. Winner/loser really irrelevant. Real fun to watch, and glad I caught it, but Bruno-Koloff or Sunka-Muraco this wasn’t.

 

 

Comments- File this one under “You Can’t Go Home Again” if you’re a middle age old school fan who loved WWWF at MSG in 70s and 80s. At $25-$100 a ticket, I thankfully had comps, but just felt out of place surrounded by kiddies and their fawning parents. WWE hawking merchandise in ring seemed tacky, too. Felt more like the circus or Globetrotters audience than the ROH, Dragon Gate, Chikara, Extreme Rising and other indy shows I enjoy in person far, far more. In fact, this was the worst match I’ve ever seen Bryan Danielson or Tyler Black (Seth Rollins) in live. Pleasant enough night out, and can’t say I regret going, but I sure wouldn’t want to be the parent who spends hundreds for THIS.

Emilio Charles Jr. passes away

Emilio Charles Jr., one of the top wrestles in Mexico during the 80s and 90s, passed away today due to kidney failure according to Super Luchas magazine.  He was 56.

Charles Jr. held the NWA and CMLL middleweight titles as well as CMLL tag team and trios titles during his career, as parts of well known trios like Los Destructores (with Tony Arce and Vulano), Los Chacales (with Sangre Chicana & Bestia Salvaje) and Los Infernales (with El Satanico & Rey Bucanero).

Charles Jr. was one of the most talented heels during the television boom period around 1990, and was a fixture against Atlantis, Yoshihiro Asai, and many of the other talented flyers of that period.

WWE Smackdown TV report - Big Show vs. Del Rio

By James Shannon: j_pats@hotmail.com

This is the final SmackDown of 2012. The opening focused of the chaos Sheamus and Show leave behind where ever they go, then looked at AJ and Dolph. It ended by recapping Miz being taken out by Big E on MizTV.

Sheamus came out to wish the crowd a merry Christmas. He said his new year's resolution was to become champion, but the new year was too far away so he called out Show then and there. Show came out and asked if he looked like Santa to him. Crowd chanted yes. Show said Sheamus always comes up short when it counts and he doesn't get to decide when he defends the title. Sheamus called him a coward. Sheamus said if he wasn't getting a shot at the championship he was at least getting a fight.

Booker's music stopped Sheamus. Show said Sheamus wasn't worthy of his title, and no one else in the locker room was either. Booker told Show he would be in action later. His opponent would be decided by a lucky dip. Long and Eve bickered over who would draw the lottery. Booker stepped up and picked out Santino. Show laughed. Santino celebrated until he got close to Show and the reality of the situation sunk in.

Match Number One: Primo w/ Epico & Rosa Vs. Brodus & Dancers.

Extended dance intro for Brodus. Brodus won a match that was shorter than his entrance with a splash.

Winner: Brodus Clay, Pinfall.

Rosa got in Brodus' face after the match. Brodus had his dancers take her out with a double kick, suplex and splitted leg drop.

Santino was in the back asking Sheamus for help. Sheamus said the Brogue kick seemed to be the only thing that could take Show down. Santino wanted to learn, but warned Sheamus that if Santino had the kick and Cobra, Sheamus may never be champion again. Santino pulled a hamstring trying the kick.

Match Number Two: Rhodes Scholars & Wade Barrett Vs. Team Hell No (C) & Kofi Kingston (c).

Really fun six man. Bryan was worked over by a good part of it, and a series between him and Barrett in the future looks like it would gel really well.

Barrett and Kofi were the main players as far as story. Kofi had been itching to get at Barrett during the match. When it broke down they were the only two left in the ring. Barrett set for his elbow, but Kofi got Barrett's back for a roll up. He didn't get three but did see Rhodes sneaking in and met him with Trouble in Paradise. This was enough room for Barrett to recollect himself and hit the elbow of Kofi for three.

Winners: Wade Barrett & Rhodes Scholars, Pinfall.

Show was in the back with Booker laughing that it was a shame that his match was off. Booker ruined his night again by saying they would redo the lottery. Booker wouldn't tell Show who's name he pulled out this time. After an ad Long returned with Ricardo, Show's new opponent. Show was happy again. Ricardo put his dukes up and Show put the title over his shoulder. Show wanted Ricardo to announce himself as the new champion. Ricardo was awesome, starting scared and building confidence. When he got to saying his name Show knocked him out and Booker told him this was ridiculous.

Match Number Three: Zack Ryder Vs. Antonio Cesaro (c), Non-Title Match.

Cesaro was dominant to start, hitting lots of heavy shots including a big suplex and running double stomp. Ryder came back for a brief moment, and while the crowd 'woo'd, they weren't particularly excited. He missed his woo kick and was finished immediately by the Neutralizer for the pinfall.

Winner: Antonio Cesaro, Pinfall.

Match Number Four: The Miz Vs. Dolph Ziggler w/ AJ & Big E.

Miz used his superior grappling to control the match early with a series of headlocks. In the best spot of the show, Miz sent Dolph over the top rope, and as he usually does, Dolph threw all of himself into it. He came done right on Big E, who caught Dolph in a hug. AJ was shocked and Dolph was shocked he was alright. Big E didn't move or show any expression.

After back and forth action Miz took out Dolph with a double axe handle from the top rope. He then blew AJ a kiss. AJ looked at Big E and he set for the steps to get to Miz. Miz saw it coming so Big E stopped, but Miz had his back to Dolph who hit the the ZigZag for the pinfall.

Winner: Dolph Ziggler, Pinfall.

Miz got a mic as he was still down and the other three were on the ramp. He said that no matter which superstar AJ was with on New Years, it would end in a bang. AJ sent Dolph down to the ring but he was double legged as Miz was playing possum. Miz sent Dolph to the floor but was taken out by Big E. AJ and Dolph made out over Miz.

Booker was checking on Ricardo in the back. The doctor said long term he'd be ok, but he would not be competing tonight. Brad Maddox came in with his personal cameraman. He asked Booker for one more chance and Booker cut him down saying it was the wrong time. He didn't let up though and so Booker said he was getting his last chance. Maddox was great. Del Rio came in and was furious with Show. He warned Booker that Show would be like a giant pinata when he sees him next. Booker offered Del Rio the spot in the championship match. Del Rio dedicated it to Ricardo.

Match Number Five: Brad Maddox Vs Sheamus.

Maddox cut a promo as he walked to the ring. He's never broken a resolution, and this year it was to become a fully fledged member of the roster.

They clarified that Vickie hadn't said it was his last chance, so Maddox wasn't concerned. Maddox tried to work the wrist, but kept getting thrown. He did get on top with some cat and mouse work, but he wasn't strong enough to whip Sheamus across the ring, so that ended quickly. Sheamus hit the White Noise and Brogue Kick for the pinfall. I love Maddox as a performer.

Winner: Sheamus, Pinfall.

Match Number Six: Prime Time Players Vs. The Usos.

There was some miscommunication between the Prime Time Players which let the Usos switch places and get a super slow small package. Not much of a match.

Winners: The Usos, Pinfall.

A Shield promo aired.

Striker interviewed an upset Big Show in the back. He was furious and said that if Del Rio wanted to come down to the ring he would knock him out too.

Match Number Seven: The Big Show (C) Vs. Alberto Del Rio, World Heavyweight Championship Match.

Del Rio was all business. No car, no long intro. He stormed to the ring throwing his towel down.

Del Rio started with quick kicks and strikes. Show tried to muscle him into the corner to deliver his chops but Alberto turned him for more. Show caught a kick and took him down with an overhand chop. Show sent Del Rio into the steel steps outside and slowed the match down.

Dek Rio came back with a series of boots to the head after Show missed a diving elbow. He started attacking Show's arm, but couldn't get Show down for the arm breaker, and was instead pushed to the floor. Show had had enough and walked up the ramp, the opposite side that Del Rio was on. Sheamus met Show on the ramp, hitting him from behind.

Winner: The Big Show, DQ.

Show dealt with Sheamus and continued walking. Every member of the locker room came out, since Show previously said everyone in the locker loom was a loser. They all got some shots in as they walked him to the ring. Inside, Del Rio hit a running enziguri to Show in the corner, which Sheamus followed with a Brogue Kick. Perfectly fine holiday SmackDown. 

TNA Impact TV report

12.27 Impact Wrestling
by Jeff Hamlin ( hamlin37@hotmail.com) Twitter: @hamlin37

The Big News: Mr. Anderson is being recruited as a potential new member of Aces and Eights. The final show of the year was largely handled as a series of matches. It was an Open Fight Night, but without any Gut Check segment.

Happy New Year to everyone. Best wishes for 2013.

Bully Ray came out and said he had respect for Hulk Hogan, but didn't know what he had to do to earn his respect. So he called down Hogan, but only to talk instead of fight. There was no Hulk, but Brooke did come down. Talking "off mic," Brooke told Ray that her father knows about them, but doesn't know how. Well, if had she watched the show last week, she might have noticed a camera catching them making out, with Hulk watching the entire thing. She told Ray that they should talk to Hulk in order to settle things and they left together. Does this mean Hulk has to fire himself since he was called out on Open Fight Night, but didn't answer the challenge? No Hogan at all on the show, and this was the last we ever heard of this tonight.

Austin Aries went to the ring and said he had Jeff Hardy pinned last week and should be TNA Champion. So Aries called out the man who screwed him over last week, Bobby Roode. But Aries said the match would have to wait until the main event.

Samoa Joe was next in line in challenging people and called down "the masked man" from Aces and Eights and promised to unmask him. It was Mike Knox who answered the call.

Samoa Joe defeated a masked man from Aces and Eights in 2:56. Joe hit the senton after a knee to the jaw, then clamped on the Kokina Clutch until Knox passed out and referee Earl Hebner stopped it, Herb Dean style. Joe went to unmask him, but five members of Aces and Eights ran in to stop him. So much for the babyface upholding promises *1/4

Robbie E and Robbie T were backstage when Jesse walked by. They traded words and teased having a match for Open Fight Night, but Robbie E. suggested a "bro-off" instead. Jesse, and even Robbie T., looked confused as to exactly what that was.

Kenny King talked with Christian York about possibly being called out by Rob Van Dam tonight. King, who was all full of himself, said Van Dam would call him out. King said when he beats Van Dam for a second time, he'll give York a title shot, so he should take notes. York muttered something about King's arrogance.

Robbie E. challenged Jesse, who walked down with Tara. Jesse, who proclaimed himself "Mr. Pectacular," was told there were three rules to a Bro-Off. 1. It was every bro for themselves. 2. Everything they said has to end in "bro." He forgot the third one. Robbie E. started dancing in order to make himself look as ridiculous as possible. Jesse had this music that sounded like Chris Masters, and started flexing like him. He also pressed Tara just like his standard ring entrance. Robbie E. told him in a bro-off, it was bros, not hos. Robbie started to proclaim himself the winner because Jesse called him dude and not bro. But then Robbie T. said there was one more bro who had yet to compete. Then Robbie T did his own posedown routine, where he showed off more charisma in two minutes than his entire three-year stint in the company combined. He started dancing, and didn't look silly at all. Crowd got into him, and he even did some pelvic thrusts to get a beefcake pop. He finished, walked over to Robbie T and said "bro" and left to a good babyface pop. Whole segment was to put the wheels in motion for a Robbie T. turn, and was entertaining.

Van Dam came out doing a scripted promo for his challenge. Anyone who watched Van Dam in 2006 WWE knows how poorly that combination goes. Van Dam teased challenging King, who was anticipating it backstage. Instead, it was York who got the challenge.

2. Rob Van Dam defeated Christian York in a nontitle match in 4:04. York hit a half-nelson German Suplex and a Koppo Kick, followed by a somersault tope. York hit a missile dropkick to the back, and connected with his finisher, the Mood Swing, for a two count. Van Dam took a knee to the jaw and York continued with a double stomp to the back for another near fall. Van Dam made his comeback with a split-legged moonsault and Rolling Thunder, and got the pin with the Five Star Frog Splash. **1/2

Devon met with some members of Aces and Eights, and talked about adding someone to Aces and Eights. He talked about how the mysterious person was arrogant and difficult to deal with, but if they made him part of the club they would have him for good. Devon called in Doc, who stepped in with two women. Devon asked if they could get this guy, and Doc just smiled.

Joseph Park is still training Ohio Valley Wrestling. Park talked about all the great wrestlers in the Park family, such as his little brother Chris. You know, Abyss. He also mentioned his great-great grandfather, Jebediah Park, who he claimed fought George Hackenschmidt in a bare-knuckled match. I must have missed that part during Karl Stern's History of Pro Wrestling audio shows last year. Maybe it's on one of those Stern Sticks.Anyway, Park talked about how much progress he thinks he's making and has set the bar high. Cut to an interview with trainer Danny Davis, who said Park was dumber than a box of rocks. Davis brought up the scene from last week, when Park turned into Abyss after getting cut across the nose.

Christopher Daniels and Kazarian talked at a merchandise stand, where they found none of their t-shirts available. Daniels promised the world a nice post-Christmas present. Kazarian dumped a pile of A.J. Styles t-shirts in the garbage can.

Roode said he knew Aries would call him out tonight. He promised to win tonight and beat Jeff Hardy at Genesis for the TNA World Title.

Another Sting return promo aired, vowing to get revenge on Aces and Eights. He's back next week.

Daniels danced down the ramp and did a funny heel interview. Daniels mockingly challenged Styles to another match, but of course it was Kazarian dressed as Styles. Kazarian had Styles' mannerisms down pat. Then Kazarian started doing Styles impressions, and he had his accent down to the bone. You could hear people in the crowd laughing when it was supposed to get heat. Some still chanted for Styles. Kazarian, doing a Styles' impression, vowed to go get Claire Lynch. Daniels said that wasn't a good idea, and Kazarian snapped out of character. Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Hernandez came out and challenged them to a match. Seriously, I can't come up with one good reason why Daniels and Kazarian dropped the tag team belts earlier this year.

3. Hernandez and Chavo Guerrero defeated Bad Influence in a nontitle match in 16:04. The comedy by Daniels and Kazarian was so good, no one wanted to boo them. It made for a pretty dead match by Bad Influence standards. Another part of it is Guerrero and Hernandez aren't over. Guerrero hit slingshot sentons on Kazarian and Daniels early. Hernandez missed a slingshot shoulder block after Kazarian pulled Daniels away. Kazarian and Daniels hit their slingshot legdrop and elbow drop on Hernandez and continued double teaming until Hernandez caught the Pounce Period on Daniels. Guerrero got the satellite head scissors on Kazarian and spinning backbreaker on Daniels. Kazaria and Daniels both were dumped to the floor, where Guerrero hit a tope on Kazarian and Hernandez hit the 300-pound tope on Daniels. Kazarian missed the A.J. Styles springboard forearm but missed, and Guerrero got the pin with a frog splash.  ***1/2

Hardy said he was looking forward to watching Roode and Aries beat the hell out of each other tonight, and said he would get revenge on both of them soon. All but guaranteed a Hardy run-in during the main event.

Aces and Eights met with the mysterious potential recruit. It turned out to be Mr. Anderson, who expressed some reservations. That is, until two hot looking women stepped up in his arms. Anderson then seemed more open to the idea, but didn't give a final decision about joining the group.

Gail Kim came down and said she was the longest-reigning Knockouts champion this year until Miss Tessmacher defeated her in a fluke. So she challenged Tessmacher.

4. Gail Kim defeated Miss Tessmacher in 5:23. Kim worked really hard, taking bumps on aprons and falling off the top rope after failing on a huracanrana attempt. Tessmacher got a flying clothesline for a two count. Kim gave Tessmacher an atomic drop and a huracanrana, then rubbed her pelvis in Kim's face. Tessmacher went for the TessShocker, but Kim put on the breaks. Tessmacher missed a top rope elbow, and Kim got the pin following Eat Defeat. **

5. Bobby Roode and Austin Aries went to a no contest in 12:50. As you would expect, it was a heel vs. heel match. Aries worked a knee injury after a leap frog spot, but Roode wasn't buying it and kicked his leg. Aries kicked Roode out of the ring and teased a tope, but Roode got back in the ring. As tey were about to go to a commercial, Hardy was shown watching at ringside, and we got the thoughts from inside his head again. This time, he said neither man deserved to be world champion. They had a lengthy battle on the top rope where they traded double chops until Roode finally went down, but Aries missed a missile dropkick. But Roode ran right into the Last Chancery. Aries had his faces raked on the escape, and then ran into Roode's Crossface. Aries reached for the eyes to get out, as well. They traded stiff chops in the corner until Roode tried to get the pin by using the ropes, but Hebner caught him. Aries tried to get a schoolboy cradle by holding the tights, but Hebner again was on the ball to break it. Roode caught a Double R Spinebuster for a two count. Roode brought a chair in the ring, but Hebner took it away. Aries nailed Roode with a roaring elbow for a two count. Aries grabbed the chair, but Hebner again was having none of it. Hebner started screaming at both men until Aries and Roode kicked Hebner and threw him out of the ring. Roode and Aries fought over the chair until Hardy ran in and clotheslined Aries over the top rope, and gave Roode the Twist of Fate. **3/4

SUMMARY: Pretty good show to end the year. A heel turn for Anderson is really trivial now, because his character seems passé at this point. 

WWE NXT TV report

WWE NXT: The Year In Review

December 27, 2012

LIVE! From Stamford, Connecticut

by Emerson “Happy New Year!” Witner

Any questions, comments concerns of emotional outbursts? Contact me:

e-mail: ewitner@yahoo.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Krazy.E.Man

Twitter: @TheReallyRealEW

Here's what you need to know about NXT:

-They have a champion, it's Seth Rollins, aka the former Tyler Black. As of 12/20 he was in an Alternate Universe where he is not here to Shield us against injustice. 

-Dusty Rhodes is the Authority Figure, but his job title seems to change from week to week.

-They have a seemingly always rotating announce table, but the most consistent thing is Jim Ross in the main event.

-NXT has this fun habit of editing matches from different tapings together and not bothering to try to hide it. That's why you will sometimes have a pink middle rope for one match and it won't be there for the next match

-Big E. Langston refused to go to Raw with Vickie Guerrero so he waited for AJ to invite him to go to Raw...after she lost power.

-The insanely popular Paige, Emma, Audrey Marie and Sasha Banks are the only four NXT Diva's and depending on the week Paige and Audrey are either trying to team up to prove they are better than the WWE Diva's or attacking each other.

-Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper and Rowan (Husky Harris, Brodie Lee and Erick Rowan) have formed a weird family.

-Kassius Ohno and Leo Kruger have formed an alliance and seemed determined to get William Regal to drop the headset and get in the ring.

-Camacho desperately needs $5,000 to break Hunico out of Mexico. Are plane tickets really that expensive?

-The Uso's and The Ascension are somehow still feuding despite Kenneth Cameron being fired over a month ago.

And that's everything you need to know about NXT. (Now we know!) (And knowing is half the battle) (G.I. Joe!)

In case you missed it, here's what you missed in the first five months of this year on WWE NXT...

-Matt Striker was kidnapped, but only on NXT. Striker continued to appear on Raw, SmackDown and Superstars unscathed.

-William Regal became an authority figure and had a major beef with Hawkins and Reks. Rekins were the ones to plot the dastardly Striker kidnapping and pinned it on Maxine and Johnny Curtis.

-Maxine and Johnny Curtis spend several months in a love rectangle with Derrick Bateman and Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn seemingly wanted to date Bateman, Bateman seemingly wanted to date Kaitlyn, Bateman wanted to marry Maxine, but Maxine once dated Curtis. Curtis got a freaky sex character before his Dancing With The Stars character and seemingly had a thing for Kaitlyn as well.

-Kaitlyn and Justin Gabriel threw an intervention for Derrick Bateman before Bateman's wedding to Maxine, which seemed to cure Bateman as he left the crazy woman.

-Hornswoggle left NXT and dumped AJ because he needed to do things on SmackDown. Of course AJ was on SmackDown at the time. She moved on to taller men.

-Tyson Kidd turned baby face for no reason and tried teaming with Trent Baretta, Justin Gabriel and Percy Watson, all of whom promptly got injured.

-Percy Watson was blamed for injuring several superstars, including Percy Watson.

-Great Khali and Ezekial Jackson formed a team for two weeks.

-Titus O'Neil got tired of wrestling Darren Young every week, so he turned heel and formed a team. They were called to SmackDown, which made Derrick Bateman the unofficial winner of NXT Redemption.

-Before that Darren was in love with Tamina and kept trying to hook up with her. That quickly went nowhere.

-Regal eventually proved why he wasn't an idiot and revealed he watched the show and knew that Hawkins and Reks had kidnapped Striker. Striker was eventually returned unharmed and Hawkins & Reks were fired, despite being on the show every week.

-Of course all wackiness was thrown out the window in May when NXT became the developmental territory and that's what brings us here today. Keep in mind I wrote all that from memory.

The show starts with Tony Dawson in the WWE Global Headquarters talking about the year in NXT so far this year.

We kick off this week by going back to August 30 and the crowning of the first ever NXT Champion. The match picked up after the final commercial break, but instead of describing it to you, I am going to copy-paste what I wrote then right here...

1.) In the Gold Rush Championship Tournament Finals Seth Rollins became the first NXT Champion, pinning Jinder Mahal in 15:14. It is the moment we have been waiting for for 4 weeks. It is Jinder Mahal. It is Seth Rollins. One of these men will become champion. Seth is called 典he Flag Bearer of Individualism・ The Fink handles the ring introductions. During the belt presentation ceremony, Jinder bowed to it. Before the match began Dusty Rhodes offered his hand to both men. Seth shook it, while Jinder told him to get the hell out of the ring. As the bell rings, my first thought is 的 guess we won't be getting Richie Steamboat vs Kassius Ohno tonight.・(NOTE: They were announced as having a match on this show) Seth takes the advantage early on, but both men end up in the ropes, but Jinder does not allow the clean break. Seth rebounds back with a series of dropkicks and goes for his finishing move early, but Mahal blocked it. Jinder ended up outside the ring and Seth went for a dive. Jinder moved, so Seth landed on the apron. Jinder, however, tripped up his foe and hip tossed him from the ring apron to the ramp outside the ring! We take a brief commercial break, long enough for Kofi Kingston to tell us not to wrestle at home (Does anyone actually listen?) before we come back and Rollins is fighting out of a rear chin lock. Seth goes for a suplex, but Jinder grounds him with a forearm. Jinder with a series of moves designed to weaken the back of the former ROH Champion. Jinder is setting him up for the Camel Clutch and if he slaps that on, Seth may not be able to do anything but tap. Seth fights through the pain of an Abdominal Stretch, but runs face-first to a jumping knee from Mahal, who picked up a 2 count. Rollins jumped to his feet and hit a series of kicks to Mahal. Jinder tried to get back and went for a running knee to the corner, but Seth rolled out of the way and Mahal nailed the turnbuckle and fell to the floor! Seth climbs to the top rope and blocks out the pain in his lower back and goes for everything as he dives off onto Jinder Mahal! Back in the ring, Seth gets crotched on the top rope and Jinder comes off the top with a beautiful superplex as we go to the final commercial break. Commercial ends quickly and both men are back on their feet exchanging strikes. Seth comes off of the ropes, but Jinder hits a tilt-a-whirl power slam. How is Seth dealing with all the pain in his back? Not sure, but Seth hits a kick to the head and a flying knee to the head for a very close 2 count. Seth is amazed that Jinder kicked out. Seth with a Stinger Splash and an STO into the middle turnbuckle. Seth with a superkick...but Jinder kicks out again! Rollins goes for a Corkscrew Moonsault, but hits the canvas! Jinder with a Full Nelson Slam! Is that it? NO! Seth kicks out! Here we go! Jinder is going for the Camel Clutch! Seth is fighting it. Rollins with a roll up! Two count! Rollins with a power bomb into the corner and nails the Black Out for the win!

-Highlights aired of the Seth-Jinder rematch BEFORE THE ALTERNATE UNIVERSE COLLAPSED! Seth, for the first time on NXT, was announced as being part of The Shield and having turned his back on the fans.

-We get a video package highlighting Richie Steamboat, Audrey Marie, CJ Parker (who hasn't been on the show in months), Bo Dallas and Big E. Langston.

-Another video package, this one for Bray Wyatt, talking to his congregation. That leads us to July 12, 2012 and a Bray match!

2.) Bray Wyatt pinned Aiden English in 1:45. Aiden got the jobber entrance this week. He is 0-1 here on NXT. Bray did a promo on his way to the ring, saying in time we will understand exactly who he his and what he is capable of. Finally, after that we will understand what he is, but for now he is the angel in the dirt. Bray had the referee remove Bray's Hawaiian shirt for him. Bray slams Aiden's face onto his knee and then almost kills Aiden when throwing him out of the ring. Bray followed outside, laughing and beat on him. The fans are behind him, chanting 展y-att・ I don't know how long they will be cheering for him, since he is a heel (and won't be seen for 6 months). (EDIT: Turns out they still love him all these months later) Bray with a corner splash, before dancing with Aiden and beating him with an STO. As he covered Aiden, he cradled his head, looking like he was protecting him.

-We actually get a brand new interview with Bray Wyatt where he talks about how the New Year brings us the opportunity to lose weight or ask the girl down the street out or it is another chance for your family to disappoint you. But don't worry, because he will be here for us.

-Tonight we will see an EXCLUSIVE MATCH between Cody Rhodes and Kane.

-A great video package for Kassius Ohno aired. This really has been an episode full of great highlight packages. It culminated in a recap of the Ohno and Leo Kruger beat down on Tyson Kidd a few weeks ago where Mr. Regal pulled Tyson to safety.

-Backstage Kassius Ohno (w/glasses) tells us that while 13 is an unlucky number and 2013 will be an unlucky year for his opponents, he will not have an unlucky year and 2013 will be “OK for KO”.

-WWE Champion CM Punk is elsewhere with a Christmas present for us and that is his wisdom. The last time he was here he told Seth Rollins to beat respect out of people, which he took to heart. Punk told them to work hard, pay their dues and break through glass ceilings. That was actually good advice.

-An official video package for Big E. Langston airs, where he claims to not be normal. No talk of him suddenly deciding to go to Raw with AJ and Dolph Ziggler however.

From November 22...

3.) Big E. Langston pinned Camacho in 2:04. Camacho is here to collect Vickie Guerrero's $5.000 bounty. I always like that Big had the chance to be promoted to Raw, but refused it. JR actually mentions that King Kong Bundy used to use the 5 count, which is the first time I heard someone other than me mention it. The son of Haku didn't stand a chance in this one. Big picked up the win with the Fireman's Carry Diamond Cutter. For the second Big match in a row, the highlight was the referee having no idea why Big remained covering his opponent and yelling 吐ive・at him after the referee counted three. He really needs to clue these referee's in.

-Of course after that we go to the future to Raw from two weeks ago when Big debuted on Raw and destroyed Cena. What makes this funny, of course, is there is footage of Big as a baby face beating Seth for the NXT Title that hasn't aired yet.

-Tony Dawson then interviewed Big about the attack. Big said he was helping his friend AJ Lee, which is his business. His business on NXT is becoming NXT Champion and his New Year's Resolution is to win the NXT Title. Hmm, I guess that ties that together, eh?

-Another video package, this one for Leo Kruger, Kassius Ohno, Conor O'Brien, Paige and Corey Graves.

-Next week Seth Rollins defends the NXT Championship against........................Corey Graves? Really? Okay then...

4.) In an EXCLUSIVE MATCH, Kane pinned Cody Rhodes in 6:57. Tom Phillips and Tony Dawson call the action. Apparently this was taped in July. Despite Tony just saying seconds ago that this match was taped in July, him and Tom talk about how this is a grudge match because Kane injured Cody a month ago. In November. Okay then. Cody tries to run away early on, but Kane chases him down and gets him back in the ring. Cody gets the heat with a back elbow and Kane getting his boot caught on the top turnbuckle. We come back from commercial with both men laying on the ground and the announcer screaming “THE IMPLITUDE OF THAT LEAP!” What leap? Cody almost picks up the win with the Beautiful Disaster kick, but Kane kicked out and eventually picked up the win with a choke slam.

-Next week:

-Seth Rollins vs Corey Graves

-Bo Dallas vs Epico

-Kassius Ohno & Leo Kruger vs Tyson Kidd & Justin Gabriel

-We suddenly get an interruption by The Shield! The Shield takes over the satellite transmission to talk to us. Seth talks about how he is the only NXT Champion in WWE history, but he was stuck on NXT waiting to be called up.

Dean said WWE has been poisoned by lies and corruption, but WWE is too proud to tell you it is sick. The WWE Universe doesn't know the difference between right and wrong, so they are here to show us. 

Seth said that while Corey Graves did what he thought he had to do, the next time he sees Corey he will be carried out of the building on a stretcher.

Dean says they work harder and train harder than everyone else and if we thought we saw pain and destruction on Raw and SmackDown we hadn't seen anything yet.

Roman confirms that NXT is their house and they will come and go as they please.

The Shield's new year's resolution is to bring justice to WWE and there is no better place to start than here on NXT next week.

-The satellite is restored with Tony Dawson in the middle of a sentence acting like nothing ever happened and he sent the show off the air.

-That is it for this week. Have a fun, exciting and safe New Years and I will see you in 2013!