This Week In WWE: Edition XXXXII

Welcome to the forty-second edition of This Week In WWE. Feel free to contact me on TWO or Wrestling 101 anytime with comments, questions, and anything in between. Also, check out my blog on Wrestling101.com.

The 11th edition of WWE No Way Out came to you, live, from the Key Arena in Seattle, WA. Confirmed for No Way Out was two Elimination Chamber Matches for the WWE & World Heavyweight Titles. The WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Match would see Edge defend the title against Triple H, Big Show, Jeff Hardy, Vladimir Kozlov, & The Undertaker. While John Cena would defend the World Heavyweight Title against Chris Jericho, Kane, Rey Mysterio, Mike Knox, & Kofi Kingston. In a very personal battle, Shane McMahon would battle Randy Orton in a No Holds Barred Match. In the most important match in the career of Shawn Michaels, HBK would take on his employer John "Bradshaw" Layfield for his freedom in an "All or Nothing" Match where if Shawn Michaels won, he would no longer be the employee of JBL and he would get all the money he will ever need from JBL and if JBL won, then Shawn Michaels would have to work for JBL forever and JBL would own everything associated with the name Shawn Michaels. Also, Jack Swagger would defend the ECW Title against "The Fighting Irishman" Finlay.

The opening match of the night was the first of two Elimination Chamber Matches for championship gold. The first would see Edge defend the WWE Title against Triple H, Jeff Hardy, Big Show, Vladimir Kozlov, & The Undertaker. The champion, Edge, would be starting out with the former champion Jeff Hardy. In a shocking turn of events, Jeff Hardy eliminated the champion within the first five minutes of the match! This guaranteed a new WWE Champion in Seattle. The Undertaker would also pin the previously unpinned Vladimir Kozlov. Triple H subsequently eliminated Big Show. The Undertaker eliminated Jeff Hardy and last, but not least, it was Triple H pinning The Undertaker to earn his eighth WWE Title and his thirteenth World Title and this was just the start of the night….

In a brutal No Holds Barred Match, a bloody and beaten Randy Orton was able to narrowly defeat Shane McMahon, but not without the help of Legacy. Shane hit Orton with a monitor, bloodying "The Legend Killer", however, Shane twice got put through a table. Shane went "coast-to-coast" on Cody Rhodes. In the end, it was the sudden and quick RKO that sealed the fate of Shane McMahon.

In a match for the ECW Championship, Finlay’s luck went all wrong on this night in Seattle. Finlay had to wave off his son, Hornswoggle to prevent his son from interfering. Then, Finlay inadvertently knocked his son off of the apron, giving champion Jack Swagger the advantage he needed to hit his patented powerbomb and retain his ECW Title.

In a match that was truly "All or Nothing", the Michaels family won Shawn Michaels freedom! Shawn was at the mercy of his employer, but when JBL boasted to HBK’s wife about his dominance. Shawn’s wife, Rebecca, struck back with a vicious right hand to JBL. This would give Michaels the advantage and would ultimately win his freedom and secure his financial security for life.

Then it was time for No Way Out’s main event- the Elimination Chamber Match for the World Heavyweight Championship. The match was supposed to see John Cena defend against Chris Jericho, Kane, Rey Mysterio, Mike Knox, & Kofi Kingston. However, former WWE Champion Edge brutally assaulted Kofi Kingston prior to the match, then locked himself in one of the Chamber pods! The SmackDown competitor somehow made his way into the match, eliminating "The Champ" early on (preceded by the eliminations of Kane & Mike Knox). Then, Rey Mysterio eliminated Chris Jericho and then it was down to RAW’s Rey Mysterio and SmackDown’s Edge. In the end, it was Edge making history by being the first man to compete in two Elimination Chamber Matches in one night! Not only that, but Edge started the night by losing the WWE Title and ended it by winning the World Heavyweight Title! What does this mean for the World Heavyweight Title? Is the title now on SmackDown or is Edge now on RAW?

The 821st edition of Monday Night RAW came to you, live, from the Spokane Arena in Spokane, WA. Confirmed for the post-No Way Out RAW was an appearance by the new World Heavyweight Champion Edge. Also, the Women’s Title would be on the line as Melina defended against Beth Phoenix. Intercontinental Champion CM Punk would also team up with Cryme Tyme to take on former champion William Regal & Legacy in a 6-Man Tag Match. Rey Mysterio would also go one-on-one with Mike Knox.

The show opened with SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero, who introduced her husband- the new World Heavyweight Champion Edge. The new champion says that the "R" in "Rated-R Superstar" now stands for "remarkable" and that "failure is not an option" to him. Edge tells the fans that thought he was a "loser" that they was all wrong, then he calls himself a "living miracle". Vickie Guerrero then says that with Stephanie McMahon accompanying her brother Shane to the hospital last night that she was the highest ranking official present at No Way Out and that is when she made the decision to replace Kofi Kingston with "someone who deserved it"; her husband, Edge. Vickie added that the fans will have to accept that Edge is the new champion. However, in the middle of a "tender moment" between husband and wife, the former "Champ" John Cena interrupted. The former champion congratulates Edge on his title win and said he won it "fair and square". However, Cena got to business as he said the "R" also stands for "rematch", which he is entitled to. Edge says that he is not competing tonight and he may not compete for another week or another month. Edge adds that if Cena and the fans want to see him and Vickie, they will be on SmackDown. Cena says to take a month on SmackDown because he will get his rematch. Edge mocks Cena by saying "the champ is here". As Edge tries to exit, Cena stops him and gives a stern message to the new champion, that if Edge hides, Cena will find him. Cena then guaranteed that he will fight, and hurt, Edge.

Shane McMahon then made an appearance and proposes that himself and Randy Orton settle things in an "unsanctioned fight"; a fight without a referee, without any rules, and without any involvment from Legacy. Shane added that this fight is going to happen whether Orton wants it to or not. Shane then states that "this ends tonight".

Speaking of Legacy, they was part of a 6-Man Tag Match where they teamed with William Regal to defeat the team of Intercontinental Champion CM Punk & Cryme Tyme.

Kane was also in action, dominating the loud-mouthed Jamie Noble.

Chris Jericho also made an appearance. Jericho implores the Academy to not vote for Mickey Rourke as "Best Actor" because it will ruin the wrestling business. He stated that the wrestling legends are "weak" and "need to be shut up". However, Jericho did not count on a certain legend taking offense to these comments. One of the most controversial legends in wrestling and a WWE Hall of Famer- "Rowdy" Roddy Piper made a special appearance to dispute these comments with the brash Jericho. Piper told Jericho that he uses to like Jericho because he spoke his mind, but always backed it up and that reminded him of someone. Piper said that now Jericho is calling out wrestling’s legends. Piper told Jericho that Jericho used to be entertaining. Jericho responds by calling Piper a "puppet". Piper says he is Mickey Rourke’s friend and that Piper enjoyed the movie, "The Wrestler" because it did not depict run-down legends like Jericho has been touting, but that it shows the passion and the thrill that legends and current Superstars alike feel when the fans cheer for them. Piper added that the fans are the thrill of the business. Piper says that his wrestling career left him hurting all the time, but that he will crawl on his hands and knees if the fans still want to see him. Piper concluded by telling Jericho that "old school is cool". Jericho then did the unthinkable when he brutally assaulted the Hall of Famer and then exited the ring, smiling as he made his way to the back.

Backstage, Randy Orton appears and accepts the challenge of Shane McMahon and vows that Legacy will have no involvement in their unsanctioned fight later tonight.

JBL also makes an appearance, promising a "historic announcement". JBL stated that Shawn Michaels is no longer his employee following his loss at No Way Out. JBL added that HBK is now financially secure for life, but that he could care less. JBL then revealed that, after his match at No Way Out, he had an epiphany. An epiphany that told him to end the WrestleMania undefeated streak of The Undertaker! An ecstatic and free Shawn Michaels interrupts his former employer and says he is finally free and back to being the "Heartbreak Kid". Michaels said he is living heaven on earth and states that there is no better man than him to face The Undertaker at WrestleMania. JBL replied by telling HBK that defeating The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania is his "destiny". Shawn Michaels then proposes a blockbuster match for next week’s RAW- it will be Shawn Michaels taking on JBL and the winner of that match will face The Undertaker at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania! JBL accepts the challenge of Michaels. Michaels then starts pushing JBL and said that now when JBL pushed him, he will be able to push back. Shawn Michaels then tells JBL that JBL will be lucky to make it to WrestleMania.

Two of the competitors in the grueling Elimination Chamber Match at No Way Out were also in action, as Rey Mysterio narrowly defeated Mike Knox.

The Women’s Title was also on the line as Melina defended against former champion Beth Phoenix. "The Glamazon" did not come without backup, as she was backed by Santino Marella and her intern, Rosa Mendes. After getting thrown to the outside by Beth Phoenix, Melina was attacked by Rosa Mendes. However, the Women’s Champion had a plan as Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, & Candice Michelle rushed to ringside and assaulted Santino Marella & Rosa Mendes. This distracted Phoenix enough for Melina to roll up "The Glamazon" to retain her title.

The next two inductees for the 2009 Hall of Fame were also revealed to be The Funks- Terry Funk & Dory Funk, Jr. They will be joining Stone Cold Steve Austion and the other inductees (to be announced) on April 4 in the Toyota Center in Houston, TX for the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, where they will be inducted by fellow Hall of Famer "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes.

Then it was time for the "unsanctioned fight" between Shane McMahon and Randy Orton. The two battled and brawled in the ring, at ringside, and in the crowd with both of them getting the advantage and then losing it. However, things got dangerous when Shane McMahon grabbed the ring bell and clocked Randy Orton with it. Shane then put Orton back in the ring and hit him again with the bell. Shane then set up a steel chair in Orton’s face to go coast-to-coast, but against Orton’s word, Legacy came out and beat down the prodical son as Randy Orton recovered. Cody Rhodes lays Shane out with his patented "Cross Rhodes". Randy Orton then delivered a skull-cracking punt to the head of Shane McMahon. Orton had done what he has been promising, he had punted the son in the head just like he did the father. Stephanie McMahon then came out to tend to her brother. With a crazed look in his eyes, Randy Orton watched as Stephanie and EMT’s tended to the befallen McMahon. However, Orton did more than watch as he did the most heinous thing he could do- hitting the RKO on Stephanie McMahon! Orton immediately recoiled in horror as he realized what his explosive nature just did to the daughter of Vince McMahon. WWE Champion Triple H then rushed to the ring to tend to his fallen wife, but when "The Game" looked up, he was trembling with emotion over Stephanie and Triple H stared a hole right through the perpetrator- Randy Orton. Does Randy Orton realize what he has done? Orton has taken out Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon, & Stephanie McMahon, but now is it Orton who will be taken out by a vengeful Triple H? How far will a husband go to avenge his wife?

The 141st edition of ECW on Sci-Fi came to you from the Spokane Arena in Spokane, WA. Confirmed for ECW was ECW Champion Jack Swagger teaming with Mark Henry to take on "Captain Charisma" Christian & Finlay.

The opening match of the night saw Paul Burchill defeat The Boogeyman after The Boogeyman was distracted by his own worms.

It was announced, that on next week’s ECW on Sci-Fi, Jack Swagger will defend the ECW Title against his #1 Contender- Christian. Swagger has been pinned twice by Christian in two weeks, will Swagger lose the ECW Title to "Captain Charisma" come next week in Nashville?

World Tag Team Champion John Morrison was also in action, defeating Tommy Dreamer.

Newcomer Tyson Kidd defeated Clayton Matthews.

The main event of the evening saw ECW Champion Jack Swagger team with Mark Henry to face the #1 Contender Christian & Finlay. While the team of Christian & Finlay had some problems in the match, it was a distraction by Hornswoggle and Finlay’s trusty shillelagh that gave Christian the opportunity he needed to pin the ECW Champion! Can Christian make it a three peat and pin Jack Swagger to win the ECW Title next week?

WWE.com announced on Friday evening that World Wrestling Entertainment has come to terms on the release of SmackDown Superstar Scotty Goldman (real name- Scott Colton).

The 497th edition of WWE SmackDown came to you from the Rose Garden in Portland, OR and featured an Exclusive Interview with WWE Champion Triple H. Also, World Heavyweight Champion Edge would make an appearance and in Divas action, Divas Champion Maryse teamed with former champion Michelle McCool to take on Maria & Eve Torres.

The night started with the new World Heavyweight Champion Edge. "The Rated-R Champion" told the fans that he is a "winner" and that they are "losers". The boastful new champion also stated that he is not afraid to take a chance. Speaking of taking chances, Jeff Hardy came out to address the new champion and praised Edge, saying "The Ultimate Opportunist" came into No Way Out as champion and left the event as champion. Jeff attributed the title win to Edge’s "special privileges" from his wife being the SmackDown General Manager. Jeff then challenges Edge to a match tonight for the World Heavyweight Title. The champion responds by telling "The Strange Enigma" that he has no claim to a title match. Jeff reminds Edge of how quickly Jeff pinned Edge this past Sunday and cost him the WWE Title in the first place. Edge tells Jeff that there is no chance of a match between them happening tonight. Jeff chips away at the champion, calling him a "puppet" to Vickie Guerrero. Edge tries to attack Jeff, but Jeff counters and lays out the new World Heavyweight Champion with the Twist of Fate.

Backstage, a furious Edge puts himself in a match against Jeff Hardy in the main event tonight. General Manager Vickie Guerrero makes the match a non-title bout.

The opening match of the night saw Divas Champion Maryse team with former champion Michelle McCool to defeat the team of Maria & Eve Torres.

SmackDown also featured highlights from the Valentine’s Day date between The Miz & John Morrison and The Bella Twins. However, little did the World Tag Team Champions know that Primo & Carlito were dressed as the chef and waiter at the restaurant. The WWE Tag Team Champions tried to ultimately ruin Miz & Morrison’s evening by hitting them with pies, however, Primo & Carlito hit The Bellas with the pies instead!

A huge match was made for next week’s SmackDown as WWE Tag Team Champions Primo & Carlito will defend their titles against World Tag Team Champions The Miz & John Morrison. Can Miz & Morrison become the Undisputed Tag Team Champions of the entire WWE or will "The Colon Brothers" be able to thwart Miz & Morrison’s attempts at making history?

Then it was time for a tag team match that would see United States Champion Shelton Benjamin team with one of the men who is gunning after his title- Chavo Guerrero. The two were scheduled to take on fellow U.S. Title contender MVP and R-Truth. However, before the match could start, Benjamin & Chavo assaulted R-Truth and the match ultimately became a 2-on-1 Handicap Match pitting MVP against the U.S. Champion and "The Mexican Warrior". However, Chavo’s desire for the U.S. Title overrode his desire to win the match, as he attacked his partner, Shelton Benjamin, and hitting him with the Frog Splash. This would lead to MVP pinning the United States Champion yet again! When will MVP get his chance at the title?

New WWE Champion Triple H sat down for an exclusive interview with Jim Ross. However, the topic of discussion was more personal than the WWE Title. After viewing the highlights from RAW this past Monday, a visibly upset Triple H says that Randy Orton has been walking a fine line around the WWE for quite some time now with his punting of Triple H’s father-in-law, Vince McMahon, and his brother-in-law, Shane McMahon. Triple H stated that Randy Orton crossed the line when he put his hands on Triple H’s wife- Stephanie McMahon and that there is no return from that. An increasingly emotional Triple H tells Orton that Orton attacked the mother of his children. An upset Triple H then took off his microphone and walked out of the interview.

As announced later that night, WWE Champion Triple H will be in Nashville this Monday Night for RAW and Triple H will confront Randy Orton live on RAW! What will happen when Triple H comes face-to-face with the man who attacked his wife?

SmackDown General Manager also made an appearance. Vickie stated that neither JBL or Shawn Michaels are worthy of facing The Undertaker at WrestleMania. Vickie noted that Undertaker is a member of the SmackDown Roster; her SmackDown roster. Vickie then introduced a man she felt was worthy of such a huge match- "The Moscow Mauler" Vladimir Kozlov. Vickie then announced a monumental match for next week as Vladimir Kozlov will attempt to prove that he is indeed worthy of facing Undertaker at WrestleMania as he will face "The Phenom" on SmackDown! Vladimir Kozlov stated that he is heading to RAW this Monday and will destroy either JBL or Shawn Michaels and then he will come back to SmackDown and do the same to The Undertaker. Can the monstrous Russian fulfill his promises next week?

"The Samoan Bulldozer" Umaga bulldozed another opponent as he dominated Scotty Goldman in one-on-one action.

Then it was time for the main event as World Heavyweight Champion Edge would take on Jeff Hardy in a non-title match. An intense back-and-forth contest was halted when Matt Hardy again attacked his brother, Jeff, this time laying him out with the Twist of Fate. Jeff won the match via disqualification, but Jeff has his most personal match to date next week when The Hardys collide as it will be Matt Hardy Vs. Jeff Hardy on next week’s SmackDown! Jeff’s night was not over, as World Heavyweight Champion Edge capitalized on Jeff’s weakened state by spearing Jeff and standing tall over the fallen enigma. Will Edge be so confident next week when RAW’s John Cena makes a special appearance on SmackDown to confront the man who took his championship- Edge? Cena promised to find and hurt Edge, will he do so on next week’s SmackDown? Also, will Jeff Hardy get his revenge on his brother or will defeating Matt ever be enough revenge for what Matt has done to Jeff and the Hardy family?

 

Superstar of the Week: Edge