This Week In WWE: Edition XXXXVI

Welcome to the forty-sixth 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 825th edition of Monday Night RAW came to you, live, from the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX. Confirmed for RAW was a tag team match forcing WrestleMania opponents to team up as Shawn Michaels & The Undertaker teamed up to face new Intercontinental Champion JBL and Vladimir Kozlov. Also, Ric Flair would make a special appearance to answer the challenge to a match by Chris Jericho.

At the beginning of the show, it was announced that World Heavyweight Champion Edge will take on John Cena in a non-title match with Interim RAW General Manager and Edge’s wife- Vickie Guerrero as the Special Guest Referee.

The night kicked off with a very interesting tag match as WrestleMania opponents- Shawn Michaels & The Undertaker were forced to team up to face new Intercontinental Champion JBL and Vladimir Kozlov. Undertaker was poised for victory in the contest when Michaels tagged himself in and delivered Sweet Chin Music to JBL to pick up the win. Undertaker tried to hit HBK with a big boot, but "The Showstopper" escaped. Undertaker then stalked Michaels up the ramp. After "The Deadman" turned his back, Michaels reappeared and blasted "The Phenom" with Sweet Chin Music!

The Divas were also in action as Women’s Champion Melina teamed with Mickie James & Kelly Kelly to defeat the team of Beth Phoenix, Jillian, & Layla.

Backstage, Edge approaches his wife, Vickie Guerrero. The World Heavyweight Champion tells Vickie that he has had a week to think about it and he has decided to forgive Vickie for her affair with Big Show. "The Rated-R Superstar" told his wife that Big Show does not love her, that he is using her to get to the World Heavyweight Title. Edge proclaims that what they have is real. Edge then says that he blames John Cena for all of this. Vickie then announces a stipulation to the match between Edge & Cena in the main event; if Cena lays a hand on Vickie, whether it is intentional or not, Cena will be taken out of the title match at WrestleMania.

It was revealed on RAW that Triple H has posted bail following his arrest last week after he broke into Randy Orton’s home and attacked him. It was also revealed that Orton opted not to press charges against the WWE Champion. Backstage, Orton calls Triple H a "homicidal maniac". Orton reveals that he did not press charged on "The Game" because that would take Triple H out of WrestleMania and Orton wants to beat Triple H at WrestleMania under "Orton’s Law".

Speaking of Triple H, the WWE Champion was set to face off with 1/3 of Legacy- Cody Rhodes in a non-title match. Before the match could begin, Randy Orton & Ted DiBiase made their way to the staging area to watch the match. "The Game" beat down and laid out Rhodes, but Triple H’s focus remained on Randy Orton. When Orton & DiBiase made their way to ringside, Triple H signaled for a steel cage to be lowered! After the cage is put into place, the referee starts the match. Triple H dissects Rhodes as Orton & DiBiase look on, unable to help their partner. Triple H puts an exclamation point on his strong message to Orton by hitting Rhodes with a vile sledgehammer shot and pinning Rhodes for the easy win. Triple H then stared down the #1 Contender through the steel. Triple H proved why he is "The Cerebral Assassin" by outsmarting Orton, but how will the unpredictable Orton retalliate?

It was revealed on RAW that Rey Mysterio has challenged new Intercontinental Champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield to a title match at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania! Will JBL accept the challenge laid down by Rey? Is this the history that JBL has promised to make at WrestleMania?

Rey Mysterio was also in action, defeating Dolph Ziggler.

Chris Jericho made an appearance on RAW. In his wrestling gear, Jericho awaited Ric Flair’s response to Jericho’s challenge. Jericho proclaimed that tonight was his WrestleMania, since Flair cost him the chance to compete at WrestleMania in the Money-in-the-Bank Ladder Match last week. Jericho calls Flair a "coward" and a "has-been". Jericho implored Flair to come out and "take his shot at glory". Flair appears and says that, even though he knows he would win, he is officially retired and does not wish to tarnish that retirement. Flair then stated that he has found some men that would gladly face Jericho in a match. Flair then introduced Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, & "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. All four legends made their way to the ring and all four surrounded the squared circle. Flair, Snuka, Steamboat, & Piper then entered the ring and surrounded Jericho. Snuka, Steamboat, & Piper then attack Jericho, who quickly escapes from the Hall of Famers, but runs directly into a right hand by "The Nature Boy".

Backstage, a furious Chris Jericho makes a huge challenge by challenging Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, & "Rowdy" Roddy Piper to a match at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania. As if challenging three of the WWE’s greats was not enough, Jericho implored Ric Flair to be at ringside for the match. In an even bolder move, Jericho stated that he is going to buy a front row ticket for Mickey Rourke so Rourke can witness the match! Will the WWE Legends accept this challenge laid out by Jericho? Does Jericho know what he is getting himself into?

With Christian & Finlay (with Hornswoggle) on commentary, RAW hosted a preview of the Money-in-the-Bank Ladder Match as CM Punk teamed with MVP & Kofi Kingston to defeat the team of Kane, Mark Henry, & United States Champion Shelton Benjamin.

Backstage, Triple H is shown leaving the arena. Todd Grisham tries to get an answer out of Triple H as to how "The Game" convinced Interim GM Vickie Guerrero to set the steel cage up. Triple H did not respond verbally, but we got our answer when Triple H got into his vehicle with none other than his wife- Stephanie McMahon! Does Triple H have the edge against Orton now that Stephanie is back?

Backstage, Big Show is waiting in Vickie Guerrero’s office. Big Show tells Vickie that Show really does love her, but Edge does not and that Edge is the one who is using Vickie, not him. The two then embrace in a kiss. Which side is Vickie Guerrero on? Is she supporting her husband or her love affair?

Then it was time for the main event as World Heavyweight Champion Edge took on John Cena in a non-title match with Edge’s wife- Vickie Guerrero as the Special Guest Referee. To no one’s surprise, Vickie did not call it straight down the middle and sided with her husband. Vickie went as far as to try and pry Cena off of Edge while Edge was in the STF! Witnessing all this, Big Show made his way to the ring and Edge & Big Show surprisingly worked together to assault John Cena. The two tied Cena up in the ropes and Edge hit a vicious spear on Cena and Big Show leveled a helpless Cena with two of his signature right hands, leaving Cena completely out of it. In true "Ultimate Opportunist" fashion, Edge then speared Big Show! Has Edge & Big Show teamed up to eliminate a legitimate threat in John  Cena? While the team was short-lived, it may have served its purpose. Who is telling the truth when it comes to Vickie Guerrero? Who is really using Vickie and will that person get what they want at WrestleMania- the World Heavyweight Title?

The 145th edition of ECW on Sci-Fi came to you from the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX. Confirmed for for the St. Patrick’s Day ECW was the long-awaited return of the high-flying Evan Bourne.

The opening match of the night was a special preview to the Money-in-the-Bank Ladder Match as United States Champion Shelton Benjamin teamed with "The World’s Strongest Man" Mark Henry to defeat the team of "Captain Charisma" Christian & "The Ballin’ Superstar" MVP.

Evan Bourne made his return to ECW and made it a successful one by defeating Jamie Noble. What’s next for Evan Bourne?

In a revolutionary idea presented by Theodore Long’s assistant Tiffany, next week’s ECW will be a special "All Divas" show; a special featuring nothing but WWE Divas!

Earlier in the night, Katie Lea Burchill was doused in corn beef and cabbage by "The Little Irish Troublemaker" Hornswoggle. Outraged by what happened to his sister, Paul Burchill demanded he get a shot at Finlay tonight. It was not a good night for the Burchill Siblings as Finlay pinned "The Ripper" in the main event.

World Tag Team Champions The Miz & John Morrison also made an appearance (with The Bella Twins) on ECW to host a special edition of "The Dirt Sheet". Miz & Morrison ask the Bellas why they like Miz & Morrison and Nikki Bella was quick to note that they like "winners". Miz & Morrison wasted no time in mocking the WWE Tag Team Champions Primo & Carlito. Primo & Carlito interrupted "The Dirt Sheet" and brought out the set of "Carlito’s Cabana". The two teams got in each other’s face and Primo & Carlito laid down a history-making challenge for WrestleMania. The Colons challenged Miz & Morrison to a World Tag Team & WWE Tag Team Title Unification Match, where the team that wins the match wins it all by taking home both the World Tag Team & WWE Tag Team Titles and will be crowned the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions! The World Tag Team Champions boldly accepted the challenge. Primo & Carlito then "loaded up" some apples and aimed to spit them in the face of Miz & Morrison, but "The Dirt Sheet Duo" ducked and The Colons accidentally sprayed apple all over Nikki Bella, much to the amusement of her twin sister- Brie Bella. A furious Nikki then attacked her sister! The two Divas brawled and in the end, the Bellas were split as Nikki Bella left with Miz & Morrison and Brie Bella stayed with Primo & Carlito. Which Bella will be with winners come WrestleMania? Which team will make history by unifying the World Tag Team & WWE Tag Team Titles and becoming Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions?

SmackDown’s 500th Episode came to you from the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, TX. Confirmed for the record-breaking SmackDown was WWE Champion Triple H taking on Vladimir Kozlov in a non-title match. The Undertaker would also take on Intercontinental Champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield. Shawn Michaels would take on "The Big Red Machine" Kane. Also, Shelton Benjamin would defend the United States Title against MVP and WrestleMania opponents- Big Show, John Cena, & World Heavyweight Champion Edge would all be in Corpus Christi.

SmackDown’s 500th Episode opened with WWE Champion Triple H. Before facing off with "The Moscow Mauler" Vladimir Kozlov, "The Game" had a few choice words for his WrestleMania opponent- Randy Orton. Triple H says that, despite their efforts, it is common knowledge that Triple H and Stephanie McMahon are married in real life. Triple H said that Orton knew and Orton should have known better. Triple H said that he does not buy Orton’s excuse of having IED and the only condition that Orton has is "cowardice". "The Game" stated that, at WrestleMania, there will be no doctors, no lawyers, no cops, no security, no wives, and no families, it will just be him and Orton for the WWE Title. Triple H advised Orton to pray that he is as good as he thinks he is come WrestleMania. "The Game" closes by saying that Orton is the "disease" and he is the "cure".

A fired up Triple H then defeated Vladimir Kozlov in a non-title match.

Backstage, World Heavyweight Champion Edge is with his wife- Vickie Guerrero. "The Rated-R Superstar" proclaims that Big Show is "done and gone".

The United States Championship was also on the line as "The Gold Standard" Shelton Benjamin defended his gold against "The Ballin’ Superstar" MVP. In the end, it was MVP and his Playmaker that ended the 8-month reign of Shelton Benjamin to become the United States Champion for the second time!

Backstage, Big Show was with his "lover" Vickie Guerrero. Big Show stated that Edge deserves everything he is going to get tonight.

"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels was also in action, defeating The Undertaker’s brother- Kane en route to his date with "The Deadman" at WrestleMania.

It was announced on SmackDown that the Brother Vs. Brother match at WrestleMania between Jeff Hardy & Matt Hardy will now be an Extreme Rules Match!

Jeff Hardy was also in action in a preview to WrestleMania as he took on The Brian Kendrick in an Extreme Rules. Jeff had to fight an essential Handicap Match as Jeff also had to deal with The Brian Kendrick’s "advisor" Ezekiel Jackon. Jeff quickly dispatched "Big Zeke" by wearing the big man down with several steel chair shots. "The Extreme Enigma" then took care of The Brian Kendrick with a Twist of Fate on a steel chair followed by a Swanton Bomb to secure the victory. Will Matt suffer the same fate come WrestleMania?

As originally announced on WWE.com, it was also announced on SmackDown that JBL had accepted the challenge of Rey Mysterio and now it will be JBL taking on Rey Mysterio for the Intercontinental Title at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania! The first time that the Intercontinental Title has been defended at WrestleMania since WrestleMania X8 in 2002!

The Undertaker was also set to take on the Intercontinental Champion JBL in a non-title match, but "The Phenom" had some strong words for his WrestleMania opponent- Shawn Michaels. Undertaker told HBK that HBK is the "prey" and he is the "hunter" and that, when Michaels least expects it, he will attack.

The Undertaker then won a hard-fought contest against JBL, forcing the Intercontinental Champion to submit to the Devil’s Gate.

Big Show comes out and wastes no time in calling out the World Heavyweight Champion Edge. Big Show tells Edge to "be a man" and threatens to come back there and get Edge. "The Rated-R Superstar" comes out and walks to the ring with a purpose. Vickie’s two love interests then get into a war of words with each other until Vickie rushed to the ring and implores the two of them to stop fighting. Vickie tells them that she is in love with them both and that they should wait until WrestleMania to fight it out. She states that whoever wins at WrestleMania will also win her heart. Vickie then proposes a truce between Edge & Big Show. The two opponents then reluctantly shake hands. The third man in the match at WrestleMania- John Cena then interrupts. The former champion vows victory at WrestleMania, but says he wants no part of Vickie. Cena calls their newly founded truce "ridiculous". Cena then reminds Edge of the affair between his wife and Big Show, which brings a smile to Big Show’s face. Cena then reminds Big Show of the spear Show received from Edge on RAW. Edge & Show’s truce was short-lived as the seed planted by Cena led to Edge and Show shoving each other, which led to Edge slapping Show, which led to Big Show grabbing Edge by the throat. Big Show then shoved Vickie out of the way. After realizing what he had done, Big Show shoved Edge to the corner and tended to Vickie. As Show brought Vickie back to her feet, Edge recovered and inadvertently speared his wife! Show once again throws Edge to the side and tends to Vickie. Show picks up Vickie and is prepared to carry her to the back when Edge snatches Vickie away from Show and Show snatches her back. Edge then takes Big Show out at the knees, which cause Big Show to drop Vickie, who slams to the mat yet again. Fed up with it, Big Show then laid out Edge with a chokeslam and carried Vickie to the back. Has John Cena secured his victory sixteen days before WrestleMania now that he has Edge & Big Show involved in this love triangle with Vickie Guerrero or will Edge & Big Show’s desire to leave with the World Heavyweight Title and the love of Vickie be too much for Cena to overcome?

Superstar of the Week: Triple H