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This Week In WWE: November 8, 2009- November 14, 2009

This Week In WWE: Edition LXXX
November 8, 2009- November 14, 2009

Welcome to the eightieth edition of This Week In WWE. Feel free to contact me on TWO or Wrestling 101 anytime with comments, questions, and anything in between. 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 or Diva you would like to see highlighted in an upcoming edition.

You can follow me on Twitter at WWELife. I will be posting the latest news (from the wrestling world and my own personal opinions and activities) via my Twitter account, as well as Wrestling101.com. Also, make sure and follow TWO on Twitter at talkwrestling for all the latest, as well.

WWE.com announced on Monday that three 5-on-5 Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Matches will take place in less than two weeks at the 23rd annual Survivor Series! The first 5-on-5 Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match will see Team Orton Vs. Team Kingston as Randy Orton enlists the help of his cohorts, Legacy, “The Second City Saint” CM Punk, & the 2008 King of the Ring William Regal to face Kofi Kingston, “The Franchise Player” MVP, “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry, R-Truth, & ECW Champion Christian! The second Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match will see the two teams captained by former friends and tag team partners as Team Morrison takes on Team Miz; Intercontinental Champion John Morrison will lead Matt Hardy, Evan Bourne, “The Fighting Irishman” Finlay, & “The Gold Standard” Shelton Benjamin against the team of United States Champion The Miz, Dolph Ziggler, “The Celtic Warrior” Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, & “The All-American American” Jack Swagger! The RAW & SmackDown Divas will also be a part of the tradition as they will also take part in a 5-on-5 Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match with Team Mickie taking on Team Michelle with Mickie James, Divas Champion Melina, Gail Kim, Eve Torres, & Kelly Kelly going against Women’s Champion Michelle McCool, Alicia Fox, “The Glamazon” Beth Phoenix, Layla, & Jillian! In what promises to be three explosive matches, who will “survive” these Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Matches?

 

With just under two weeks until the 23rd annual Survivor Series, the 859th edition of WWE Monday Night RAW came to you from the Sheffield Arena in England’s “Steel City” of Sheffield. England’s own fifteen-time professional boxing champion Ricky “Hitman” Hatton would be in control as the Guest Host of RAW.

Monday Night RAW
Good Week For: Evan Bourne (with a distraction by The Miz, was able to end Jack Swagger’s undefeated streak)
Bad Week For: Jeri-Show (came closer to implosion with Big Show accidentally knocking Chris Jericho out)

And In Other News…
With RAW emanating from the UK, the “Hitman” of the boxing world, Ricky Hatton, opened the show and welcomed the Sheffield fans to RAW! The multiple time boxing champion discussed his history in the Sheffield Arena and stated that he is a man of the people before being interrupted by Jeri-Show! Still riding high from their collaborative win over WWE Champion John Cena last week, the Unified WWE Tag Team Champions were all all smiles as they made their way to the ring. Big Show reminds Hatton that he has also knocked out people in his career and tells Hatton to leave the ring! “Hitman” responds by telling “The World’s Largest Athlete” that he “loved” seeing Big Show get knocked out by Floyd Mayweather at WrestleMania XXIV. Big Show responds by getting on his knees and offering Hatton a “free shot”! As “Hitman” Hatton was ready to clock Big Show, Chris Jericho stepped in and told his partner that they have “enough problems” with the Triple Threat Match for the World Heavyweight Title at Survivor Series. The brash Jericho then claimed that he defeated John Cena “by himself” last week, that he will defeat The Undertaker on SmackDown, and that he will beat both Undertaker & Big Show to win the World Heavyweight Title come Survivor Series! Naturally, “The World’s Largest Athlete” did not agree with his partner and said that he would be the one walking out as the World Heavyweight Champion. The Unified WWE Tag Team Champions then argued with each other before Ricky Hatton stepped in and announced that Jeri-Show will be facing D-Generation X in the main event! Jericho responded by calling Hatton “punch drunk” and Hatton told Jericho to get out of his face! Jeri-Show then surrounded the Guest Host and looked like they were ready to pummel Hatton until DX came out and saved the day for Hatton! Triple H tells Jeri-Show that they should know better by now given their poor history with Guest Hosts and that Hatton should not worry about Jeri-Show as DX will take care of it! Shawn Michaels then states that he wants to do it “right now” and attacks Chris Jericho, who gets sent out of the ring! All alone with an experienced professional boxer and one of the most legendary duos in the WWE, it briefly looked like Big Show was ready to take all three on by himself before backing out of the ring and exiting with his tag partner! Which team will come out the winners in the main event? Can Jeri-Show hold it together long enough to get the win?

One week before she defends the Divas Title on RAW, Divas Champion Melina watched as the new #1 Contender Alicia Fox picked up a victory over Kelly Kelly! Who will emerge from Madison Square Garden on next week’s RAW as the Divas Champion?

After possibly ending the veteran career of Jamie Noble, “The Celtic Warrior” Sheamus was in action on RAW, picking up a dominant victory over a local wrestler!

“The All-American American” Jack Swagger was in action on RAW against the high-flying Evan Bourne, but thanks to The Miz, Swagger’s undefeated streak he vowed to keep until the end of the year came to an early halt as Miz’s arrival on the scene allowed “Air” Bourne to take advantage and pick up the big win over Swagger! With the two of them embroiled in a budding rivalry, how can The Miz & Jack Swagger co-exist with their three partners come Survivor Series?

Moments before Mark Henry went one-on-one with former WWE Champion Randy Orton, MVP & Mark Henry presented The VIP Lounge with their guest and team captain for Survivor Series, Kofi Kingston! The World’s Strongest Tag Team welcomed Kofi to The Lounge and presented a toast to Kingston! However, the toast was interrupted by “The Viper” Randy Orton and his Legacy co-horts! The dangerous trio made their way to the ring and came face-to-face with Kofi, MVP, & Mark Henry. Orton refers to the three Superstars before him as “street thugs” and that he plans to “embarrass” Kofi Kingston and his team at Survivor Series! Orton then said that the three of them beling in the “hood”. This comment led to Kofi slapping Orton in the face! The six Superstars then engaged in an intense staredown in the middle of The VIP Lounge!

With their respected co-horts at ringside, Randy Orton went head-to-head with Mark Henry and, in the end, it was Orton who hit a lightning-quick RKO on “The World’s Strongest Man” to pick up the victory! After the match, Orton got a hold of and returned the slap of Kofi Kingston, but Kingston fired back with a right hand to “The Viper”! Legacy helped the livid Randy Orton out of the ring and held Orton back! A potential “powder keg” has been lit, will it explode come Survivor Series? Who will be left standing at the survivor or survivors?

It was revealed on RAW that, on this Thursday’s WWE Superstars, “The Franchise Player” MVP will go one-on-one with Legacy member Ted DiBiase! With Survivor Series just around the corner, who will emerge victorious?

Again finding himself in an unenviable situation against a Guest Host, “The Latin Warrior” Chavo Guerrero was left seeing stars at the hands of Guest Host Ricky Hatton and a vicious right hand in a special Boxer Vs. Wrestler Match!

The legendary and controversial WWE Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper will serve as the Guest Host of RAW next week in “The World’s Most Famous Arena” as the final RAW before Survivor Series stops at Madison Square Garden in New York City! What will “Hot Rod” have in store for RAW next week?

With WWE Champion John Cena on commentary, D-Generation X faced Unified WWE Tag Team Champions Jeri-Show in a non-title match. The end of the match came when Big Show was ready to knock out Shawn Michaels with his vicious right hand, but HBK ducked the match-ending shot and Show’s fist instead landed on the chin of his tag team partner, Chris Jericho! After this huge error, Triple H took Big Show to the outside of the ring, which allowed Shawn Michaels to cover Jericho to pick up the win for DX!

After the match, a blockbuster main event was announced for next week’s RAW in Madison Square Garden as champions team up in a Triple Threat Tag Match when WWE Champion John Cena teams with World Heavyweight Champion The Undertaker to take on D-Generation X & Jeri-Show! With just six days before Survivor Series, something has to give next week on RAW. Who will come out of the show with the crucial momentum for their Triple Threat Title Match at Survivor Series?

 

 

WWE.com announced on Tuesday morning that, following the vicious assault by Sheamus on last week’s RAW, Jamie Noble has decided to retire from the wrestling ring after seven years with the WWE! How will Sheamus react to the news that he has successfully ended the career of Jamie Noble? Who will Sheamus target next?

 

The 179th edition of ECW on Syfy came to you from the Sheffield Arena in the UK “Steel City” of Sheffield. In his home country of England, William Regal would get his final opportunity to win the ECW Championship as he faced Christian for the title; plus, Regal would have to win it single-handedly as his co-horts, Ezekiel Jackson & Vladimir Kozlov were banned from ringside.

ECW on Syfy
Good Week For: Christian (successfully defended the ECW Title against William Regal)
Bad Week For: Paul Burchill (lost to Goldust with a big assist by The Hurricane)

And In Other News…
Just one week before he puts his ECW career on the line against The Hurricane, “The Ripper” Paul Burchill was in his home country as he squared off with “The Bizarre Lonestar” Goldust in the opening match. In the middle of the contest, The Hurricane came out and circled the ring, which distracted “The Ripper” long enough for Goldust to hit the Final Cut and pick up the win! Something has to give when Paul Burchill and The Hurricane go one-on-one in a Mask Vs. Career situation on next week’s ECW on Syfy. Will Paul Burchill successfully force The Hurricane to unmask or will Burchill and his sister, Katie Lea, be forced to leave ECW?

In his second week as an ECW Superstar, Vance Archer picked up his second dominant win; this time defeating Jason Blackwell.

Last week on ECW, the beauty of Rosa Mendes cost Zack Ryder a match with rival Shelton Benjamin. On this Thursday’s WWE Superstars, Ryder will get his shot at redemption as he goes one-on-one with “The Gold Standard”! Which Superstar will pick up the win? Will Rosa Mendes be anywhere nearby?

All on his own with no help from Ezekiel Jackson & Vladimir Kozlov per the orders of ECW General Manager Tiffany, William Regal just narrowly failed to win the ECW Title from Christian as “Captain Charisma” retained the title and finally took care of the persistent William Regal! With Regal failing to win the ECW Championship in his last title shot, what is next for William Regal? Who will be the next Superstar to step up and challenge Christian for the ECW Title?

The 31st edition of WWE Superstars came to you from the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England. Following their confrontation in The VIP Lounge on RAW, MVP would go one-on-one with Legacy member Ted DiBiase. In a rematch from last week’s ECW on Syfy, Zack Ryder would square off with “The Gold Standard” Shelton Benjamin. Matt Hardy would also be in action as he would face David Hart Smith of The Hart Dynasty.

WWE Superstars
Good Week For: Matt Hardy, Shelton Benjamin, & MVP (all took advantage of outside distractions to win)
Bad Week For: Zack Ryder (lost his rematch against Shelton Benjamin, again due to his obsession with Rosa Mendes)

And In Other News…
SmackDown hosted the opening match as Matt Hardy went one-on-one with The Hart Dynasty’s David Hart Smith. After being the cause of multiple distractions in the contest, the referee ejected the non-competing members of The Hart Dynasty, Natalya & Tyson Kidd, from ringside! David Hart Smith was momentarily distracted by the forced exit of his backup and this distraction allowed the veteran Matt Hardy to roll up Smith and pick up the win! Will Matt Hardy provide the same match-winning tactics when he is a part of Team Morrison in the 5-on-5 Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match at Survivor Series?

From ECW, Zack Ryder and “The Gold Standard” Shelton Benjamin faced off in a rematch from last week’s ECW on Syfy. For the rematch, Ryder convinced Rosa Mendes to accompany him to the match and remain at ringside to support him as he faced the very capable Shelton Benjamin. However, Rosa proved to be detrimental to Ryder winning the match as, after Ryder & Benjamin both found themselves on the outside of the ring, Benjamin fended Ryder off long enough for Benjamin to get back in the ring. Rosa then came over and checked on Zack Ryder and, once Ryder realized Rosa was checking on him, Ryder once again went into his obsessed “trance” as he glared at Rosa Mendes! While Ryder’s mind was elsewhere, the referee completed the ten-count, meaning that Ryder lost the match via count-out! As if a count-out loss was not bad enough, Ryder rushed back into the ring after the match and was met with Pay Dirt by Shelton Benjamin! How will Zack Ryder respond to losing for the second time to Shelton Benjamin?

RAW hosted the main event as MVP faced off with Legacy’s Ted DiBiase with the other half of Legacy, Cody Rhodes, at ringside; as well as MVP’s tag partner, Mark Henry! After Mark Henry took care of Cody Rhodes’ interference on the outside of the ring, that left the door open for MVP to roll Ted DiBiase up and pick up the victory! How will Legacy respond to this loss? Will Legacy suffer the same fate come Survivor Series when they are part of Team Orton in the 5-on-5 Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match against Team Kingston featuring MVP & Mark Henry?

Nine days before the 23rd Annual Survivor Series, the 534th edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown came to you from the Sheffield Arena in England’s “Steel City” of Sheffield. Just over a week before they face off in a Triple Threat Match for the World Heavyweight Title, World Heavyweight Champion The Undertaker would go one-on-one with Unified WWE Tag Team Champion Chris Jericho for the first time ever. Speaking of champions, the Intercontinental Championship would be up for grabs as John Morrison would defend the gold against Dolph Ziggler.

Friday Night SmackDown
Good Week For: Rey Mysterio (refused to be bullied by Batista)
Bad Week For: Mickie James (lost to Natalya and had her clothes tore up; both thanks to Michelle McCool & Layla)

And In Other News…
One week after losing to R-Truth following a fast count by referee Scott Armstrong, CM Punk opened the show and revealed that he has filed a “formal complaint” to the WWE Board of Directors regarding Scott Armstrong’s actions last week! “The Straightedge Superstar” took time to insult the UK fans before facing R-Truth in a rematch from last week, but with a different referee this time around.

Contrary to what occurred last week, the referee’s decision favored CM Punk as “The Straightedge Superstar” blocked an attempted sunset flip by R-Truth and grabbed the middle rope for the unfair, but unnoticed, advantage that won him the match! What will the WWE Board of Directors decide when it comes to CM Punk’s “formal complaint” against Scott Armstrong? How will R-Truth respond to CM Punk’s use of the middle rope to win the match?

Backstage, Mickie James is heading to the ring for a match when Layla, who “suggests” that Mickie actually leave SmackDown, stops her! Mickie refused, but Layla stated that Mickie James would regret her decision. While this conversation was taking place, Women’s Champion Michelle McCool snuck into the locker room of Mickie James!

After her confrontation with Mickie James, Mickie went one-on-one with Natalya. In the middle of the match, Michelle McCool & Layla made their way to ringside holding the street clothes of Mickie James! As Mickie tried to stay focused on the match, McCool took scissors to the outfit of Mickie, cutting and ripping the clothing! This completely distracted Mickie and Natalya took advantage by locking in the legendary Sharpshooter and forcing Mickie to tap out! How will Mickie James respond to the actions of the Women’s Champion and Layla? What effect will it have in the 5-on-5 Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match where Team Mickie faces Team Michelle?

“The Fighting Irishman” Finlay was in action on SmackDown as he squared off with the man who viciously assaulted him two weeks ago, Drew McIntyre! The intensity and personal animosity between these two tough Superstars led to an old-fashioned brawl that forced the referee to call for the bell after losing complete control of the contest! Though the match was over, the fight between the two combatants were not as Finlay grabbed his trusty shillelagh to level McIntyre with, but McIntyre countered with a big boot! The angry Scotsman then grabbed the shillelagh and blasted Finlay with it! McIntyre then exited the ring, but quickly came back to deliver a second shot to the mid-section of a helpless Finlay! After Drew McIntyre finally made his exit, referees checked on Finlay and helped “The Fighting Irishman” to his feet. What is the condition of Finlay? Will Finlay seek, or be able to seek, revenge for the heinous attack?

Nine days before they would go one-on-one at Survivor Series, best friends turned personal rivals, Batista & Rey Mysterio, would make the match “official” by having a contract signing in the ring. Once both men were seated in the ring, Batista was the first to sign the contract, followed by Mysterio. Even though the contract was signed and their match at Survivor Series was official, Batista presented another document to Rey Mysterio! Batista explained that the document, if signed by Rey Mysterio, would prevent Rey Mysterio, the WWE, or anyone else from suing Batista for what “The Animal” will do to Mysterio at Survivor Series! Rey refused to sign the waiver, which angered Batista, who called his former friend a “coward” and threatens to “embarrass” Mysterio right then at the contract signing! Rey reluctantly signs the document before saying that Batista will be the one who gets “embarrassed” at Survivor Series. With that bold statement, Rey flips the table that was placed in the ring right on top of “The Animal”! Rey then exits the ring as Batista goes ballistic; destroying chairs and anything else in his path! Will Rey really “embarrass” Batista at Survivor Series? What does Mysterio have planned for “The Animal”?

The Intercontinental Championship was on the line as John Morrison defended the title against Dolph Ziggler. The title match came to a screeching halt after both men fell from the top rope onto the floor! The fall prevented either man from being able to answer the referee’s ten-count and thus both men were counted out! Though he did not look like it, John Morrison retained the Intercontinental Championship.

A little later in the night, it was announced that, on next week’s SmackDown, John Morrison will once again defend the Intercontinental Championship against Dolph Ziggler; only this time, it will be a two-out-of-three falls match! Which man will be the first to earn two falls and walk out the Intercontinental Champion?

In another dominant victory by “The Glamazon”, Beth Phoenix soundly defeated England’s own Lisa Taylor in Divas action.

Then it was time for the main event as, for the first time ever, The Undertaker would go one-on-one with Chris Jericho. Despite never facing “The Deadman” in a one-on-one match in his ten year WWE career, Jericho looked to have the upper hand on The Undertaker for a good portion of the match. This was until Undertaker was able to counter an attempt at the Walls of Jericho into the feared Hell’s Gate submission maneuver! Jericho quickly tapped out, which earned the World Heavyweight Champion the non-title victory!

After the match, some massive trouble was on the way for The Undertaker as Big Show made his way to the ring! Despite their differences in the past and the ones they are bound to have at Survivor Series, Jeri-Show double-teamed “The Phenom” and locked the champion into the dreaded combination of the Walls of Jericho and the Colossal Clutch! Fortunately for The Undertaker, his brother, Kane, came out and made the save! Big Show slowly backed out of the ring; leaving Chris Jericho alone to deal with Kane, who blasted Jericho with a big boot! As Kane & The Undertaker stand tall in the ring and Jeri-Show retreats, WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon is shown backstage making a call to SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long and the two agree on a huge match for next week’s SmackDown. Just two days before the Triple Threat Match for the World Heavyweight Championship at Survivor Series, The Undertaker would reunite with his brother Kane to face Unified WWE Tag Team Champions Chris Jericho & Big Show! Will The Brothers of Destruction prevail or will Jeri-Show find a way to defeat the brotherly tandem?

Superstar of the Week: ECW Champion Christian

 

Superstar Profile of the Week
Name: Jamie Noble
Born On: December 23, 1976 in Hanover, WV
Age: 32
Resides: Melbourne, FL
Billed From: Hanover, WV
Wrestler Since: 1995
Trained By: Bill Weaver, Dean Malenko, & WCW Power Plant

Accomplishments
One Time Cruiserweight Champion

 

Next Week’s WWE Television Schedule
Monday, November 16: RAW, LIVE from Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY
Tuesday, November 17: ECW on Syfy from the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, PA
Thursday, November 19: WWE Superstars from New York City, NY & Philadelphia, PA
Friday, November 20: The Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, PA Hosts SmackDown