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According to sources, the RAW Battle Royal main event to crown an opponent for CM Punk at WrestleMania 28 was a last minute idea that came from Vince McMahon. Although WWE officials had been planning for months that they were going to do a CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho match at WrestleMania, they just weren’t sure how they were going to get there.
One idea discussed over the past several weeks was that Jericho would insult Punk so bad that Punk would eventually wind up demanding a match between the two. WWE officials decided that the storyline was too close to what they were doing with The Undertaker vs. Triple H storyline so they went a different route.
There were also discussions about fans who just paid to see the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view to determine the WrestleMania main events and having Jericho throw insults to get a title shot would devalue the Chamber to fans.
Here is the latest on the WrestleMania 28 card:
CONFIRMED MATCHES:
The Rock vs. John Cena
World Title Match:
Daniel Bryan © vs. Sheamus
RUMORED MATCHES:
Triple H vs. The Undertaker
Special Guest Ref. Shawn Michaels
WWE Title Match:
CM Punk © vs. Chris Jericho
WWE Money In The Bank Ladder Match
The Big Show vs. Shaquille O’Neal
WWE Divas Title Match:
Beth Phoenix vs. Kharma (Others may be added)
At this time, it remains to be seen where Dolph Ziggler, Alberto Del Rio, Christian, Randy Orton, Mark Henry, Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, The Miz and other regular stars will fit in.
The following video features Triple H speaking at The WrestleMania 29 press conference. During the interview, he speaks on a number of topics including facing The Undertaker at WrestleMania 28, the event coming to NY/NJ next year, and more:
– Local advertising for this Monday’s RAW in Hershey, PA asks the question, “What will happen when Kevin Nash and Triple H are in the same building?”
Nash and Triple H are slated to work against each other for the December 18th pay-per-view.
– Here is the final list of announced matches for the 25th annual Survivor Series, which takes place tomorrow night from Madison Square Garden in New York City:
The Rock and John Cena vs. The Miz and R-Truth.
WWE Championship:
Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. CM Punk.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship:
Mark Henry (c) vs. Big Show.
Traditional Survivor Series Match:
Team Orton (Randy Orton, Sheamus, Mason Ryan, Kofi Kingston, and Sin Cara) vs. Team Barrett (Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, Jack Swagger, Hunico, and Dolph Ziggler).
WWE United States Championship:
Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. John Morrison.
WWE Diva’s Championship – Lumberjill Match:
Beth Phoenix (c) vs. Eve Torres.
– Brodus Clay did not return on RAW and there was no vignette this week. We hope to have more shortly.
– CM Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio for the WWE Title and Triple H vs. Kevin Nash are both scheduled for WWE’s TLC pay-per-view.
As of this writing, there is no word on the stipulations for those matches.
– WWE’s website has posted a storyline update on Triple H following the attack from Kevin Nash on last night’s RAW Supershow. They report that the WWE COO has suffered fractured vertebrae in his neck. The doctor adds that Triple H will be out of action for at least six weeks.
– In addition to The Rock and John Cena vs. The Miz and R-Truth, CM Punk vs. WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio – Kevin Nash vs. Triple H in some sort of gimmick match is planned for WWE’s Survivor Series pay-per-view.
– As noted earlier today, WWE changed plans with The Rock and John Cena at Survivor Series as they originally had a traditional Survivor Series match planned with the two on the same team. That was changed to The Rock and John Cena vs. The Miz and R-Truth in part because officials felt that putting Rock and Cena in a traditional 5-on-5 match would take too much attention off them going into their WrestleMania 28 match.
Following last night’s WWE Vengeance PPV, one angle going around is that Shawn Michaels could return to WWE TV to be a part of the Triple H vs. Kevin Nash angle.
It should also be noted that WWE is scheduled to release some new DX merchandise shortly.
– It was noted that during the final segment on RAW last night, names like John Cena, CM Punk, Randy Orton, Sheamus, Mason Ryan, Eve Torres and Kelly Kelly weren’t at ringside. Word is that WWE was expecting the fans to boo the Superstars who walked out and didn’t want certain ones getting heat from the crowd.
– Below are some more storyline comments from WWE stars on Twitter about last night’s show:
Beth Phoenix: “HHH has no concern for the Divas. Just look what happenes to myself and @NatbyNature last night. @RealKellyKelly clearly is unstable and….”
Chris Jericho: “Wow what a mess the WWE is after Raw last night! Only one man can clean it up…time to bring back Funaki.”
Jim Ross: “I was the last man to walk last night. Very conflicted. Hope this motivates HHH 2 make few changes. Good man but not surrounded by good ppl. Because you asked, I see NO one who walked off in protest Monday night going to TNA. I see this walk out being resolved soon.”
WWE SmackDown!:
Booker T started off the show by interviewing Mark Henry, who said he was going to end Randy Orton’s career. Henry said Orton isn’t going to beat him just like Great Khali won’t beat him tonight.
1. Mark Henry beat The Great Khali. Henry won with the World’s Strongest Slam. Henry attacked Khali after the match with a chair. He put Khali’s foot inside the chair and smashed it like he did with Kane and Big Show.
2. Jack Swagger (w/Dolph Ziggler, Vickie Guerrero) beat Evan Bourne (w/Kofi Kingston). Swagger won after Vickie pushed Bourne off the top rope. Swagger followed up with the ankle lock and got the win.
3. Sin Cara beat Heath Slater. Sin Cara won with the Swanton Bomb. Post match, the other Sin Cara appeared on the Tron and cut a promo in Spanish. He took his mask off to reveal a new black mask and black outfit. He said this Sunday we will find out who is supposed to be Sin Cara.
Backstage, John Laurinaitis talked with the group of wrestlers who plan on suing. They all agreed to take action against Triple H this Monday.
4. Kelly Kelly beat Natalya (w/Beth Phoenix). Kelly Kelly won with a roll up. After the match, Beth hit the Glam Slam on Kelly Kelly. Natalya put her in a submission maneuver as Beth cut a promo.
Cody Rhodes cut a promo about Randy Orton’s actions from last week and how WWE took no action. He was not happy about defending his title against Sheamus tonight.
5. Sheamus beat Cody Rhodes via disqualification. Christian came in and jumped Sheamus for the DQ. After the match, Christian hit the Killswitch on Sheamus.
6. Zack Ryder beat JTG. Ryder won with the Rough Ryder.
Backstage, Triple H confronted John Laurinaitis about the meeting he had with the disgruntled superstars. Laurinaitis said he was loyal to Triple H.
They ran down the card for HIAC. Sin Cara vs. Sin Cara was one of the matches listed.
Matt Striker interviewed Randy Orton backstage. Typical Orton promo.
7. Randy Orton fought Christian to a double countout. After the match, Orton tried to beat up Christian. Cody came out and attacked Orton. Sheamus came and cleared the ring and chased Christian to the back. Henry then came out to attack Orton and hit the World’s Strongest Slam. Henry went to get a chair, but when he got back in the ring Orton hit him with an RKO.
Dark Match
1. Randy Orton beat Mark Henry via DQ. Christian and Dolph Ziggler came out to beat up Orton. Orton ended up disposing of both of them with RKO’s as Henry headed to the back.
At last word, CM Punk and Triple H’s No DQ match was scheduled to go on last as the main event of tonight’s WWE Night of Champions pay-per-view.
Many people within WWE are expecting Kevin Nash to do a run-in during the Punk vs. Triple H match tonight, leading to a possible Punk vs. Nash match at Hell in a Cell or a triple threat.
Beth Phoenix has been scheduled to win the WWE Divas Title from Kelly Kelly at tonight’s show from her hometown of Buffalo, New York.
For those of you looking for answers to the Nash/Punk/HHH/Steph/etc. storyline, you clearly didn’t get them on last night’s edition of RAW. Close sources are saying that it was very chaotic backstage at RAW last night and decisions weren’t made until last minute.
One source said that the CM Punk/Kevin Nash promo was very unscripted. “Those two were working without a net out there,” the source said, “and the jabs they took at each other were not planned beforehand.”
The lack of resolve in the “Who texted Kevin Nash?” story is because WWE still hasn’t solidified the direction they’re going to take yet. “They have five ways they can go with this thing,” said a WWE writer, “and it’s still unclear which one they’re going to choose.” WWE never intended on Del Rio to be the one who “hired” Kevin Nash. The obvious options now are Triple H, Stephanie, Johnny Ace and Vince, but WWE has proven that they don’t always go with the clear choice with things like this, so no one will ever know for sure until it’s finally in the books.
There’s still no word on Kevin Nash’s contract situation and whether he’s agreed to (or even been offered) a new deal now that he’s back on television. Kevin Nash is currently signed to a “Legends” contract. I would imagine something new will be worked out very soon as last night’s RAW was a very good indication that he’s not going anywhere anytime soon. I’ve received a few emails about
Nash being booked on some future independent shows and while he may or may not pull out of those, there have not been reports of him doing so yet.
– The man that Kelly Kelly kissed at ringside last night during SummerSlam was NHL player Sheldon Souray, who plays for the Dallas Stars. Kelly noted on Twitter that Souray was in town with her mother and word is that the two are now dating. Kelly previously dated WWE star Justin Gabriel.
– Local independent wrestlers from the Pro Wrestling Guerilla promotion were sitting at ringside last night during the spot where Mark Henry and Sheamus crashed through the barrier and into the crowd. WWE used the wrestlers there as extras to prevent fans from getting hurt.
- Alberto Del Rio is the new WWE Champion after defeating the former Champion, CM Punk, at tonight’s SummerSlam pay-per-view.
Moments after Punk won the WWE Title match against John Cena, Kevin Nash returned to WWE and laid Punk out. This brought out Del Rio, who cashed in Money in the Bank to become the new WWE Champion.
A new bodyguard for Del Rio was discussed as far back as two months ago and it looks as if they have filled that role with Kevin Nash.
Punk’s win over John Cena also came in controversial fashion as Cena’s foot was on the ropes and special referee Triple H didn’t see it.
– Starting at the end of the month, a new writer will join the WWE creative team. This new writer will work hand in hand with Triple H in creating and grooming talent. At this time, the identity of the writer is not known.
– Chris Jericho was recently interviewed by Canada’s FortMcMurrayToday.com and was asked about a WWE return. Here is what he said: “I have no plans for it right now. Like I said, I didn’t leave wrestling for any bad reasons, it’s just that I had a lot of other stuff that was going on in my life that I’ve been wanting to work on, and Fozzy is one of the main reasons for that. I know sometimes that pisses wrestling fans off, but I don’t care. I do what I do to make myself happy. I’ve done wrestling for 20 years and I’ve been in Fozzy for 12. Fozzy is in the same place now after 12 years, that I was as a performer after 12. Just really on the verge of becoming something bigger. So I’d be crazy to not to devote as much time to the band as I can and take it as far as we can go. Wrestling is always there, it’s not going anywhere. Will I come back? I don’t know. But I have no plans of it right now.”
– With WWE in the West Coast for SummerSlam this week, company officials are holding a three day series of tryouts for potential wrestlers in California. In an update on this, WWE will reportedly be looking at wrestlers they’ve used as extras in the past, as well as others that have been invited.
– WWE has been making a number of changes internally with Triple H’s new talent recruiting division. Ty Bailey and Mark Carrano are now working directly with HHH and there is now a writer assigned specifically to work with HHH on development of new television characters and their introductions.
CM Punk has been officially reinstated on the WWE roster as his profile has been added back to WWE.com’s RAW Superstars page.
WWE Chief Operating Officer Triple H addressed the WWE Championship situation on last week’s episode of SmackDown! and acknowledged that Punk was re-signed late Monday night. He vowed to make a decision on how to handle this troubling dilemma on tonight’s episode of RAW.
– WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper recently did an interview with The Post & Courier where he commented on CM Punk: “He says what he felt. Imagine if we had people writing them (promos) back in the day. C.M. Punk has possibly struck a chord that maybe things have gotten mundane. I’m really proud of Punk. It’s great what he did, and good for them for letting him go with it.”
– Mick Foley tweeted the following on Saturday: “Thanks to everyone who has shared ideas or hopes for my return to @WWE. I’m sure I’ll do something with them, somewhere, at some time.”
– Zack Ryder has been teaming with Alex Riley at the weekend RAW live events. They lost to The Miz and R-Truth at Saturday’s show in Rockford, Illinois. Truth and Miz cut a promo before the match talking about their plans to take down the Triple H-led conspiracy.
– CM Punk and John Cena wrestled again at the Rockford show, going to a No Contest after Truth and The Miz interfered. Cena and Punk hit their finishers on the two before ending the show with a staredown, each with their own WWE Title belt.
The poster for Triple H’s Inside Out is online. The poster features Triple H holding a gun. If you’re interested, you can click here to view it.
