Categories
US Wrestling Scene News

This Week In WWE: June 7, 2009- June 13, 2009

This Week In WWE: Edition LVIII
June 7, 2009- June 13, 2009

Welcome to the fifty-eighth 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. I have added a new section at the end of the article highlighting a different WWE Superstar or Diva every week. Please contact me if you have a request for a Superstar you would like to see highlighted in an upcoming edition.

The 2009 edition of WWE Extreme Rules came to you, live on pay-per-view, from the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, LA. Confirmed for Extreme Rules was a Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Title as Edge defended against Jeff Hardy. The WWE Championship would be on the line in a Steel Cage Match as Randy Orton defended the gold against "The Animal" Batista. Christian would defend the ECW Title in a Hardcore Triple Threat Match against "The All-American American" Jack Swagger & the "ECW Original" Tommy Dreamer (if Tommy Dreamer does not win the title, he will walk away from ECW). John Cena would take on "The World’s Largest Athlete" Big Show in a Submission Match. Rey Mysterio would defend the Intercontinental Title, and his mask, in a No Holds Barred Match against Chris Jericho. New United States Champion Kofi Kingston would make his first defense of the title in a Fatal 4-Way Match against former champion MVP, Matt Hardy, & William Regal. "Mr. Money-in-the-Bank" CM Punk would square off with "The Samoan Savage" Umaga in a Samoan Strap Match. The first ever "Miss WrestleMania" Santina Marella would challenge the current "Miss WrestleMania" Vickie Guerrero in a Hog Pen Match for the right to be called the undisputed holder of the "Miss WrestleMania" title.

Extreme Rules 2009
Good Night For: CM Punk (defeated Umaga and successfully cashed in to win the World Heavyweight Title)
Bad Night For: Jeff Hardy (won the World Heavyweight Title and quickly lost it to CM Punk)

And In Other News…

The opening match of the night saw new United States Champion Kofi Kingston make his first successful title defense as he defeated MVP, Matt Hardy, & William Regal in a Fatal 4-Way Match.

In a challenge laid down by Rey Mysterio, "The Masked Marvel" would defend the Intercontinental Title in a No Holds Barred Match against Chris Jericho. Unfortunately for Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho delivered on his two promises for the match- he took the Intercontinental Title and unmasked Rey Mysterio! Rey was set to retain his Intercontinental Title against Jericho when he went for the 619. However, Jericho caught Rey and pulled the mask off of Mysterio. Jericho capitalized on Rey’s embarrassment by rolling up Rey to become a record-breaking nine time Intercontinental Champion! Jericho has unmasked and embarrassed Rey Mysterio, how will Rey respond to the ultimate humiliation?

In a match clearly favoring Umaga, the Samoan Strap Match, "Mr. Money-in-the-Bank" CM Punk was able to pull off what many thought to be impossible when he was able to drag Umaga by the strap and touch all four corners to defeat "The Samoan Savage" in a vicious match.

Then it was time to decide the ECW Championship as Christian defended the title in a Hardcore Triple Threat Match against "The All-American American" Jack Swagger & the "ECW Original" Tommy Dreamer, who vowed to walk out of ECW if he did not win the ECW Title. Dreamer used his advantage in the unpredictable hardcore contest to pin Jack Swagger and realize his dream of becoming ECW Champion one more time! Now that Dreamer has won the ECW Title at last, how long can he remain champion? When will the former champion, Christian, seek his rematch?

Santina Marella was looking to get "dirty" as she looked to become the undisputed holder of the "Miss WrestleMania" Title by taking on the reigning "Miss WrestleMania" Vickie Guerrero in a disgusting Hog Pen Match. Being the General Manager of RAW, Vickie changed the match at the last minute, making it a Handicap Hog Pen Match; where she would be joined by her nephew, Chavo Guerrero. Santina was able to embarrass both Guerreros by pinning Vickie and becoming the undisputed "Miss WrestleMania".

Batista promised to take everything away from WWE Champion Randy Orton and it would begin at Extreme Rules. After seeing his best friend and mentor, Ric Flair, punted in the head by Randy Orton this past Monday on RAW, "The Animal" was ready to unleash on Randy Orton inside the confines of a Steel Cage. Batista dominated Orton and hit the Batista Bomb to win the WWE Title! Batista has completed "phase one" of his plan to destroy Orton’s "legacy" by taking the WWE Title from "The Viper". Now that Batista is the WWE Champion, what will he take from Orton next?

John Cena was able to overcome the odds, and physics, to make "The World’s Largest Athlete" Big Show tap out in their Submission Match. Cena used the ropes to his advantage to successfully lock in the STF and successfully make the giant tap out. How will Big Show respond to tapping out to John Cena? Has Cena finally got Big Show off his back?

The World Heavyweight Championship was literally up for grabs in a Ladder Match between two ladder veterans, World Heavyweight Champion Edge & "The Extreme Enigma" Jeff Hardy. In a grueling match that led broken bodies and broken ladders in its’ wake, the ever innovative Jeff Hardy left Edge helplessly trapped in the ladder while Jeff brought the World Heavyweight Title into his possession and become the new World Heavyweight Champion! Jeff proved that he was the king of the Ladder Match by vanquishing Edge and taking the World Heavyweight Title. When will Edge request his rematch for the title? How long can Jeff hang on to the World Heavyweight Title?

We would not have to wait long to find out the answer to that particular question as Jeff Hardy’s celebration was cut short by CM Punk, who cashed in his Money-in-the-Bank title opportunity on the new champion! Jeff gave a valiant effort to keep his title, but CM Punk had picked his spot and refused to walk out of New Orleans empty handed. CM Punk hit the GTS and, for the second year in a row, successfully "cashed it in" to win the World Heavyweight Title! CM Punk shocked the world by cashing in his title opportunity after an extreme Ladder Match between two ladder specialists, how will the two former champions, Edge & Jeff Hardy, respond to losing the World Heavyweight Title? How long can CM Punk survive now that he is the World Heavyweight Champion? What kind of obstacles can the new champion expect to run into?

WWE.com announced on June 8 that World Wrestling Entertainment has come to terms on the release of SmackDown Superstar Umaga (real name- Eddie Fatu).

The 837th edition of Monday Night RAW came to you, live, from the Cajundome in Lafayette, LA. Confirmed for the RAW after Extreme Rules would be a special appearance by the new WWE Champion, Batista, who would open the show. After weeks of proclaiming that he was undefeated against John Cena, The Miz finally squared off with Cena in a one-on-one match. After their last meeting ended in a disqualification, Kelly Kelly would get a rematch for the Divas Title as she squared off with champion Maryse. In a non-title match, Unified WWE Tag Team Champions Primo & Carlito would take on two-thirds of Legacy, Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase.

Monday Night RAW
Good Week For: The Miz (assaulted both John Cena & Big Show with a steel chair)
Bad Week For: Batista (had his arm completely destroyed by Legacy)

And In Other News…

The show opens with the new WWE Champion, Batista. "The Animal" states that he won the WWE Title for his good friend Ric Flair and he also won it for the fans and himself. He said that he also won it for anyone who is "sick and tired" of Randy Orton. The new champion proclaimed that taking the WWE Title from Randy Orton was just the beginning. The former champion Randy Orton then interrupted. Orton slowly made his way to the ring, which gave Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase the opportunity to get in position for the ambush. Batista saw the attack coming and managed to fend off Legacy. Batista then lifted Orton up for the Batista Bomb, but Cody Rhodes intervened and blasted "The Anima" in the arm with a steel chair. All three members of Legacy then zoned in on the injury and viciously assaulted the new WWE Champion. As Rhodes & DiBiase held the arm in place, Orton relentlessly stomped the arm. Then Orton wrapped a steel chair around the arm of Batista and stomped the steel chair several times, doing heinous damage to Batista’s arm. In a sickening display, Orton then wrenched Batista’s arm against the grain and snapped the arm of "The Animal" backwards! Orton then took the WWE Title belt and held it high above his head before leaving with his cohorts. Paramedics then tended to the fallen Batista as they checked on the arm of "The Animal" and put Batista on a stretcher and rolled him into a waiting ambulance backstage. As he was placed in the ambulance, Batista said that he could not feel his arm and that he wanted his title. What are the repercussions of this unbelievably heinous attack by Randy Orton & Legacy? What is the severity of Batista’s injury? How does this affect the WWE Championship?

The opening match of the night saw United States Champion Kofi Kingston defeat William Regal in a non-title match.

Backstage, Randy Orton is interviewed about Legacy’s attack on Batista. Orton stated that he will be implementing his rematch clause for the WWE Championship against Batista tonight! Orton then proclaimed that, by the end of the night, he would be WWE Champion. Ever the opportunist, has Orton guaranteed himself the WWE Title or will the severely injured Batista somehow make it to defend his title?

With Mickie James on commentary, Maryse made a successful defense of the Divas Title against Kelly Kelly. After the match, Maryse tried to embarrass Kelly Kelly by slapping her multiple times. Having seen enough, Mickie James intervened, which led to the Divas Champion making her exit. Is Maryse truly afraid of Mickie James? If so, how long can the Divas Champion run from Mickie?

It was announced on RAW that next week’s RAW will be a "3-For-All" three hour special! The epic show will start at a special start time of 8/7c and will feature three hours of all three brands with all three of the brands’ top championships being on the line! The WWE Championship, the World Heavyweight Championship, and the ECW Championship will all be on the line in this three-hour extravaganza!

In 6-Man Tag Team action, the bizzare team of Santino Marella, Goldust, & Festus defeated the team of The Brian Kendrick, Jamie Noble, & Chavo Guerrero.

Backstage, RAW General Manager Vickie Guerrero confirms that the WWE Title match between champion Batista & Randy Orton would indeed take place on RAW. Vickie stated that the match would begin and, if Batista does not answer a 10-count by the referee, then Randy Orton will be awarded the WWE Title by forfeit! Vickie also promised a "huge announcement" that would "change the face of RAW forever."

Then it was put up or shut up time for The Miz as the self-proclaimed "Chick Magnet" took on a man who he proclaims has defeated on six different occasions, John Cena. Before Cena & Miz could get their match underway, an angry Big Show made his way to the ring. Cena quickly knocked The Miz to the outside then Cena tried to hit the Attitude Adjustment on Big Show, but "The World’s Largest Athlete" got out of the maneuver and chokeslammed Cena. Show then locked in his dreaded camel clutch on Cena. However, The Miz rushed the ring with a steel chair and wore out Big Show with it. Miz then delivered a cheap shot to John Cena as well. Big Show recovered and chased The Miz off. Has Miz "stepped in it" this time by further angering Big Show? Will Big Show ever be finished with John Cena?

Prior to his match with Matt Hardy, former United States Champion MVP stated that he will win his match tonight and prove that he deserves to be the next man to earn a WWE Title opportunity on next week’s "3-For-All" special. MVP lived up to his word and defeated his old rival, Matt Hardy. Will MVP receive a championship match on next week’s RAW? Who will be WWE Champion next week?

RAW General Manager Vickie Guerrero then makes an appearance to make her "major announcement". An emotional Vickie stated that she was humilated at Extreme Rules and that everyone is always laughing at her. Vickie proclaimed that she has "had it" and is tired of being laughed at. Vickie then drops a bombshell by announcing her resignation as the General Manager of RAW! Vickie’s estranged husband, Edge, comes out and tells Vickie that he was there to apologize to her for all the things he said last night, because he did not mean them. Edge then said that he no longer needs to apologize now that Vickie has resigned as General Manager. "The Ultimate Opportunist" then went straight to the heart by telling his wife that he only married her for her "power". Vickie refused to believe what Edge was saying. Edge then said that Vickie is now "worthless" and called Vickie a "she beast" and stated that kissing Vickie made him sick. Edge then proclaims that their marriage is over and screams that he wants a divorce! How will this divorce affect Edge & Vickie Guerrero? Now that Vickie has quit her job as the RAW General Manager, who is steering the ship that is Monday Night RAW?

In a non-title match, Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase picked up a big win over the Unified WWE Tag Team Champions Primo & Carlito, ensuring that the two of them would get a future shot at the tag titles.

Then it was time for the WWE Title to be put on the line. The former champion, Randy Orton, made his way to the ring to join his Legacy teammates in the ring with the WWE Title in his grasp. Orton then says that he hopes that Batista does not use Legacy’s assault as an "excuse". After Batista did not come out to face Orton, the referee had no choice but to start the match for the WWE Championship. As ordered by then General Manager Vickie Guerrero, the referee started his 10-count that, if completed, would "earn" Randy Orton the WWE Title. However, the referee stopped his count when the ambulance that Batista was taken out of the arena in returned to the arena! Orton awaits "The Animal" in the ring, but Orton did not get "The Animal", he got "The Game!" After being put out of action by Randy Orton at Backlash, Triple H returned to Monday Night RAW! With retribution on his mind, Triple H made his way to the ring with sledgehammer in hand. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase armed themselves with steel chairs and ran out to stop "The Game" from getting his hands on Legacy’s leader. Triple H quickly dispatched Rhodes & DiBiase with vicious sledgehammer shots. A rage fueled Triple H then dropped the sledgehammer and ran in the ring and started his assault on Randy Orton! Triple H beat Orton in the ring, out of the ring, at the announce table, and through the crowd before Orton ran back into the ring and grabbed a steel chair. Orton tried to blast "The Game", but Triple H dodged the shot and laid Orton out with a spinebuster. "The Cerebral Assassin" then took the steel chair and repeatedly struck the back of "The Viper". Triple H then focused on the knee of Orton before delivering a career threatening steel chair shot to the back of Orton’s neck! Triple H put an exclamation point on his revenge by planting the face of Orton on the steel chair with a Pedigree! Triple H has made a valiant return to RAW. Will Triple H do what his injured friend Batista set out to do and destroy Orton’s "legacy"? What is the status of the WWE Title? Is Batista still the champion? What is the condition of "The Animal"? Who will be the WWE Champion when RAW comes on the air next week?

The 157th edition of ECW on Sci-Fi came to you from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, MS. Confirmed for the first ECW following Extreme Rules would be an appearance by the new ECW Champion Tommy Dreamer. Tommy Dreamer would then team up with former champion Christian to take on The Hart Dynasty in the main event.

ECW on Sci-Fi
Good Week For: The Hart Dynasty (picked up a big win over Christian & Jack Swagger)
Bad Week For: Christian (got pinned in the main event thanks to his "partner" Jack Swagger)

And In Other News…

The show kicked off with the Interim ECW General Manager Tiffany in the ring. Tiffany stated that Tommy Dreamer has not only won the ECW Title, but has earned a new contract to remain a part of ECW. Tiffany then introduces the new ECW Champion. The emotional new champion, Tommy Dreamer, said that even he did not believe he could win the title. Dreamer then thanked all of the fans for believing in him. Dreamer then readies himself to sign his new ECW contract when the former ECW champion, Christian, interrupts the ceremony. "Captain Charisma" called Jack Swagger a "dork" for losing the fall at Extreme Rules and costing him the ECW Title. Christian then shakes hands with Dreamer and tells the "ECW Original" that he is glad that Dreamer is still there. Dreamer gets ready to sign his new contract again when "The All-American American" Jack Swagger interrupts.  Swagger states that no one is happy to see that Dreamer is still on ECW. Swagger then proclaims that everyone is there to see him. Swagger then states his unhappiness with Tommy Dreamer getting to compete at Extreme Rules despite his contract expiring the night before it took place. Interim GM Tiffany tried to explain to Swagger that Dreamer signed a one-day contract extension to compete at Extreme Rules, but Swagger did not want to hear any of it and called Tiffany "blondie" and said that her decision to let Dreamer compete on Sunday will cost Tiffany her job. Swagger then claims that he talked to his lawyers and he plans to file a lawsuit to have Dreamer stripped of the ECW Title. After trying to recruit Christian to his side of the lawsuit, Christian gave Swagger a big "no" as Dreamer & Christian worked together to send Swagger out of the ring. Before he could get interrupted again, Dreamer quickly signed his new ECW contract. Dreamer then stood atop the middle turnbuckle and held his new championship high for all to see. Behind Dreamer’s back, however, Christian moved a table under Dreamer and proceeded to drill the new champion right through the table! How can Christian & Dreamer possibly co-exist as partners in the main event after this?

Backstage, Interim ECW General Manager Tiffany informs Christian that Tommy Dreamer will be unable to compete after going through the table, so Christian’s partner in the main event will be Jack Swagger! How will these two bitter enemies survive as a team against The Hart Dynasty?

The opening match of ECW was a "special attraction" of sorts as the WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas was in action! Atlas took on Evan Bourne, but was unable to defeat Bourne as Evan defeated the Hall of Famer. After the match, Mark Henry attacked Evan Bourne and laid the high-flyer out with the World’s Strongest Slam!

"The Russian Militant" Vladimir Kozlov was also in action, defeating Luke Hawx & Chris Lowie in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match.

Two big championship matches were announced for this Monday’s three-hour "3-For-All" special as a new WWE Champion will be decided in a Fatal 4-Way as four former champions face off when Triple H, Randy Orton, John Cena, & Big Show compete to determine the new champion! Tommy Dreamer will also make his first defense of the ECW Title against former champion, Christian!

The main event of the evening saw the dysfunctional duo of Christian & Jack Swagger take on The Hart Dynasty. At the end of the match, Jack Swagger attacked Christian with a neckbreaker over the ropes, which gave The Hart Dynasty the opportunity to hit the Hart Attack on Christian and earn a big win over the two former ECW Champions. After the match, Jack Swagger & The Hart Dynasty assaulted "Captain Charisma" until the new ECW Champion, Tommy Dreamer, made his way to the ring with a kendo stick and cleared the ring. There will be no saving the other when Tommy Dreamer defends the ECW Title against Christian on RAW’s "3-For-All" special this Monday night. Will the dream continue for the ECW Champion or will Christian regain the ECW Title that he was never pinned or made to submit for?

The 9th edition of WWE Superstars came to you from the Cajundome in Lafayette, LA & from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, MS. From SmackDown, new Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho would square off with "The Guru of Greatness" John Morrison. From ECW, the high-flying Evan Bourne would take on Zack Ryder. The Divas of RAW would be in action as "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix & Rosa Mendes took on The Bella Twins.

WWE Superstars
Good Week For: Chris Jericho (got his second big win this week)
Bad Week For: John Morrison (lost to Chris Jericho in controversial fashion)

And In Other News…

The opening match of the night was from RAW and it saw "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix and her protégé, Rosa Mendes, defeat The Bella Twins; Brie & Nikki in tag team action.

ECW’s contribution to Superstars saw Evan Bourne pick up a hard-fought win over Zack Ryder.

The main event of Superstars belonged to SmackDown as the new Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho defeated John Morrison by hooking the tights of "The Guru of Greatness" to pick up the win. After Jericho used the tights to pick up the win, will John Morrison be looking to get a rematch with the Intercontinental Champion?

The 512th edition of WWE SmackDown came to you from the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, MS. Confirmed for the first SmackDown after Extreme Rules was an appearance by the new World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk. Also, Women’s Champion Melina would team with Eve Torres to take on the team of #1 Contender Michelle McCool & Layla.

Friday Night SmackDown
Good Week For: CM Punk (picked up big win over Chris Jericho and laid out his opposition)
Bad Week For: The Great Khali (got outsmarted by Dolph Ziggler)

And In Other News…

SmackDown opened with the new World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk. The new champion stated that he does not think that he "stole" the World Heavyweight Title at Extreme Rules. Punk proclaimed that he is proud to be the World Heavyweight Champion again and that he will return dignity and honor to the championship. Punk said that his title win was "unpopular" amongst the fans, but that he has never made popular decisions in his life or career. Punk stated that the title means the world to him and he looks forward to representing SmackDown as its World Heavyweight Champion. Jeff Hardy interrupts Punk and tells the new champion that Punk did not "earn" the title and that Punk cashed in on the "wrong guy". Punk responds by telling Jeff that Jeff is the one who wanted a Ladder Match at Extreme Rules and that when he learned that Jeff would face Edge in a Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Title at Extreme Rules, he made his decision to cash in the Money-in-the-Bank opportunity after that match, regardless of who emerged as champion. Jeff tells Punk that he wants his rematch for the title on SmackDown. Edge then interrupts and proclaims that if anyone deserves a rematch for the World Heavyweight Title, it’s him. "The Rated-R Superstar" then tells the new champion that CM Punk is trying to be like him by being a two-time Money-in-the-Bank winner. Edge then says that Punk can never be him. Edge then confidently says that he will get his rematch, not Jeff. Jeff responds by knocking Edge out of the ring and then laying out CM Punk with a Twist of Fate and a Swanton Bomb. SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long comes out and announces that Edge and Jeff Hardy will face each other in the main event of SmackDown and the winner of that match will face CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Title on this Monday’s "3-For-All" special.

Upon entering his office, General Manager Theodore Long finds the new Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho waiting. Jericho tells the GM that he beat and unmasked Rey Mysterio at Extreme Rules to win the Intercontinental Title for the ninth time and he deserves to be the #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Title. Long responds by making a Champion Vs. Champion match between Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho and World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk!

The opening match of the night saw Dolph Ziggler pick up a big win, via count-out, over The Great Khali. Ziggler outsmarted "The Punjabi Nightmare" by using Khali’s translator, Ranjin Singh, as a distraction.

The Divas were in action as the #1 Contender for the Women’s Title Michelle McCool teamed with Layla to defeat Women’s Champion Melina & Eve Torres. With some help from Alicia Fox, McCool was able to pin the Women’s Champion for the win! McCool seems to have the edge over Melina as of late. What will be the story when these two battle over the Women’s Title?

In tag team action, John Morrison teamed up with R-Truth to defeat Charlie Haas & "The Gold Standard" Shelton Benjamin.

Before he faced CM Punk, Chris Jericho stated that he did Rey Mysterio a favor at Extreme Rules by unmasking him. Jericho said that he "set Rey free" and that he is Rey’s "savior". Jericho then vows to expose CM Punk just like he did to Rey Mysterio. Jericho then guarantees victory over the World Heavyweight Champion.

Then it was time for a special Champion Vs. Champion match (non-title) as the new World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk defeated the new Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho.

After picking up a big win over Chris Jericho, World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk was on commentary for the #1 Contender’s Match.

In the middle of the #1 Contender’s Match for the World Heavyweight Title between Edge & Jeff Hardy, Edge intentionally threw Jeff Hardy into the champion. CM Punk responded by attacking Edge, which gave Edge the disqualification victory! Jeff came in and laid Edge with a Twist of Fate, but when Jeff turned around, he was met with a GTS by Punk! As CM Punk stood tall over Edge & Jeff Hardy, SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long announced that CM Punk will defend his World Heavyweight Title against both Edge & Jeff Hardy in a Triple Threat Match on this Monday’s "3-For-All"! In his first title defense, CM Punk must defend against two former champions. With the odds against Punk, can the champion hang on to his title or will Edge or Jeff Hardy dethrone Punk just as his reign gets going?
 

Superstar of the Week: CM Punk

Superstar Profile of the Week
Name: Umaga
Born On: March 28, 1973 in Samoa
Age: 36
Billed From: The Isle of Samoa
Resides: Spring, TX
Height: 6’4"
Weight: 350 lbs.
Wrestler Since: 1995
Accomplishments
Two Time Intercontinental Champion