WWE 2009 - From Wrestlemania

[Misanthrope]

Ok, I'm starting with Wrestlemania and working from there. Expect to see some massive changes over the early months as I get things set up for what I plan to be a ground-breaking back end to 2009 and an even bigger 2010.

Below is the Wrestlemania card with a blurb on matches. Feel free to post predictions. The winner can demand one hiring from the world of pro wrestling that I will work into the diary.

WWE Title Match: Triple H (c) vs. Randy Orton

VS.

There's no love lost between WWE Champion, Triple H and his former friend and ally, Randy Orton. Orton has been on a rampage since winning the 2009 Royal Rumble - taking out Vince, Shane, and Stephanie McMahon before drawing the ire of The Game. It's more than just gold on the line as Triple H looks to avenge the life threatening injuries inflicted on his family by Orton. What part will his Legacy play in deciding the match outcome?

World Heavyweight Title Match: Edge (c) vs. John Cena

Edge's opportunistic title win at No Way Out put him directly in the firing line as 'The Marine', John Cena guns to reclaim what was taken from him. With Vickie Guerrero calling the shots as interim Raw General-Manager, Edge has made Cena jump through hoop after hoop to earn his rematch - but Cena has earned his place at Wrestlemania and now Edge will need to fight the fight of his life to keep the gold from around John Cena's waist.

Icon vs. Icon: Chris Jericho vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin (/w Mickey Rourke)

VS.

It's fitting that as Wrestlemania hits Texas, the #1 export from the Lone Star State makes his long anticipated return to the ring for a one off match with self proclaimed icon, Chris Jericho. Ever since being called out by The Wrestler star Mickey Rourke in February, Jericho has been on a campaign against the 'so-called' legends of the WWE - and his big mouth drew the ire of the one and only Stone Cold Steve Austin. Now the Texas Rattlesnake steps into the ring one last time to finally shut the arrogany, opinionated Jericho up for good.
​

 

[Misanthrope]

Continued from previous

Streak vs. Showstopper: Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels

VS.

Two of the biggest stars in sports entertainment history have been on a collision course ever since Shawn Michaels won the right to face Undertaker against his former employer, John Bradshaw Layfield. Last year, Michaels memorably ended the storied career of 'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair - but can the Heart Break Kid be the one to end Undertaker's record streak at Wrestlemania? Or will the Showstopper be the latest victim in Undertaker's impressive run at the biggest event of them all?

ECW Title Match: Jack Swagger (c) vs. Christian

Ever since returning to the WWE, Christian has made a point of dogging the steps of ECW Champion, Jack Swagger. And the cocky young ECW title holder is beginning to feel the heat as 'Captain Charisma' rallies support in his quest for gold. Can Christian bring the gold back to the Peeps? Or will Swagger's impressive debut year get even better with a Wrestlemania title defence?

Brother vs. Brother: Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy

VS.

It's come to this. Brother versus brother as one of the most decorated tag teams in WWE history faces off in a brutal grudge match. Ever since the bitter and twisted Matt Hardy cost his brother the WWE Title at the Royal Rumble, the two have been at one another's throats. And with no holds barred, their Wrestlemania bout may well see one or both of the Hardy Boyz permanently put on the shelf.

 

[Misanthrope]

Four War World Tag Title Skirmish: Miz & Morrison (c) vs. Simply Priceless vs. Cryme Tyme vs. The Colons

After famously unifying the World and WWE Tag titles on Smackdown last month, Miz & Morrison have well and truly cemented their place as one of the most influential tag teams in WWE history. But the cocky pair face an uphill struggle if they want to successfully defend the gold in a four way bout featuring four of the hottest teams in the WWE today. Whether it's the arrogance of Simply Priceless, the unorthodox offense of The Colons, or the street brawling of Cryme Tyme - any team could walk oout of Wrestlemania sporting gold.

Clash of the Titans: The Big Show vs. Vladimir Kozlov

Tensions have been brewing between two of the biggest men in the WWE Universe for months now, and it's all come to a head as the Russian Ripper prepares to take on the World's Largest Athlete in a battle for dominance.

US Title Triple Threat Match: Shelton Benjamin (c) vs. Chavo Guerrero vs. MVP

These three stars have been tearing up Smackdown for weeks and it's all going to end at Wrestlemania as these three talented athletes do battle for the prestigious United States title. Will it be the Gold Standard, the MVP, or the nephew of the late, great Eddie Guerrero taking home gold when all's said and done?

Money in the Bank: CM Punk vs. Tommy Dreamer vs. Umaga vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Evan Bourne vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Kofi Kingston vs. The Brian Kendrick
Every year Money in the Bank steals the show as eight superstars give it their all for a guaranteed title shot at any time. In the past the likes of CM Punk, Edge, and Rob Van Dam have cashed their wins in to secure WWE or World Heavyweight Title reigns, but who will it be this year? Will CM Punk or Mr. Kennedy win their second Money in the Bank match? Or will one of the new faces make their careers with a big win on the grandest stage of all?
How They Qualified
CM Punk qualified by defeating Miz & Morrison
Tommy Dreamer defeated JBL
Umaga defeated The Great Khali
Rey Mysterio defeated William Regal
Evan Bourne defeated Ricky Ortiz
Mr. Kennedy defeated MVP
Kofi Kingston defeated Kane
The Brian Kendrick defeated Hurricane Helms

 

[Misanthrope]

Prediction Competition

WWE Title Match: Randy Orton vs. Triple H (c)

1. Winner - 2 points
2. How They Win - 2 points

World Heavyweight Title Match: John Cena vs. Edge (c)

1. Winner - 2 points
2. How They Win - 2 points

Icon vs. Icon: Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Chris Jericho

1. Winner - 2 points
2. How They Win - 2 points

Streak vs. Showstopper: Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels

1. Winner - 2 points
2. How They Win - 2 points

ECW Title Match: Jack Swagger (c) vs. Christian

1. Winner - 1 point
2. How They Win - 1 point

Brother vs. Brother (No DQ): Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy

1. Winner - 1 point
2. How They Win - 1 point

Clash of Titans: Big Show vs. Vladimir Kozlov

1. Winner - 1 point
2. How They Win - 1 point

US Title Triple Threat: Shelton Benjamin (c) vs. MVP vs. Chavo Guerrero

1. Winner - 1 point
2. Who Takes the Fall - 1 point
3. How the Fall is made - 1 point

WWE Tag Title Skirmish: Miz & Morrison (c) vs. Simply Priceless vs. The Colons vs. Cryme Tyme

1. Winning Team - 1 point
2. Who Makes the Fall - 1 point
3. Who Takes the Fall - 1 point

Money in the Bank: CM Punk vs. Tommy Dreamer vs. Umaga vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Evan Bourne vs. Kofi Kingston vs. The Brian Kendrick

1. Winner - 6 points
​

 

[Manurewa_Marlins]

WWE Title Match: Randy Orton vs. Triple H (c)​

1. Winner - Randy Orton
2. How They Win - Pinfall
World Heavyweight Title Match: John Cena vs. Edge (c)​

1. Winner - Edge
2. How They Win - Pinfall​

Icon vs. Icon: Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Chris Jericho​

1. Winner - Austin
2. How They Win - Pinfall​

Streak vs. Showstopper: Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels​

1. Winner - Undertaker
2. How They Win - Pinfall
ECW Title Match: Jack Swagger (c) vs. Christian​

1. Winner - Christian
2. How They Win - Pinfall​

Brother vs. Brother (No DQ): Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy​

1. Winner - Matt
2. How They Win - Pinfall​

Clash of Titans: Big Show vs. Vladimir Kozlov​

1. Winner - Kozlov
2. How They Win - Pinfall
US Title Triple Threat: Shelton Benjamin (c) vs. MVP vs. Chavo Guerrero​

1. Winner - Shelton
2. Who Takes the Fall - Chavo
3. How the Fall is made - Pinfall​

WWE Tag Title Skirmish: Miz & Morrison (c) vs. Simply Priceless vs. The Colons vs. Cryme Tyme​

1. Winning Team - Priceless
2. Who Makes the Fall - Dibiase
3. Who Takes the Fall - Eddie Colon...whats his name in the WWE?​

Money in the Bank: CM Punk vs. Tommy Dreamer vs. Umaga vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Evan Bourne vs. Kofi Kingston vs. The Brian Kendrick​

1. Winner - Kennedy​

 

[RedVGooner]

3. Who Takes the Fall - Eddie Colon...whats his name in the WWE?​

Primo Colon

 

[Marshall_magic]

WWE Title Match: Randy Orton vs. Triple H (c)

1. Winner - Randy
2. How They Win - Pin

World Heavyweight Title Match: John Cena vs. Edge (c)

1. Winner - Edge
2. How They Win - Pin

Icon vs. Icon: Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Chris Jericho

1. Winner - Stone Cold
2. How They Win - Pin

Streak vs. Showstopper: Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels

1. Winner - Undertaker
2. How They Win - Pin

ECW Title Match: Jack Swagger (c) vs. Christian

1. Winner - Christian
2. How They Win - Pin

Brother vs. Brother (No DQ): Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy

1. Winner - Matt Hardy
2. How They Win - Pin

Clash of Titans: Big Show vs. Vladimir Kozlov

1. Winner - Kozlov
2. How They Win - Pin

US Title Triple Threat: Shelton Benjamin (c) vs. MVP vs. Chavo Guerrero

1. Winner - MVP
2. Who Takes the Fall - Chavo
3. How the Fall is made - Pin

WWE Tag Title Skirmish: Miz & Morrison (c) vs. Simply Priceless vs. The Colons vs. Cryme Tyme

1. Winning Team - John Morrison and The Miz
2. Who Makes the Fall - Morrison
3. Who Takes the Fall - JTG

Money in the Bank: CM Punk vs. Tommy Dreamer vs. Umaga vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Evan Bourne vs. Kofi Kingston vs. The Brian Kendrick

1. Winner - Mr Kennedy

 

[DB]

WWE Title Match: Randy Orton vs. Triple H (c)

1. Winner - Randy
2. How They Win - Pin

World Heavyweight Title Match: John Cena vs. Edge (c)

1. Winner - Edge
2. How They Win - Pin

Icon vs. Icon: Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Chris Jericho

1. Winner - Chris Jericho
2. How They Win - Submission

Streak vs. Showstopper: Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels

1. Winner - Taker
2. How They Win - Pin

ECW Title Match: Jack Swagger (c) vs. Christian

1. Winner - Swagger
2. How They Win - Pin

Brother vs. Brother (No DQ): Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy

1. Winner - Jeff
2. How They Win - Pin

Clash of Titans: Big Show vs. Vladimir Kozlov

1. Winner - Show
2. How They Win - Pin

US Title Triple Threat: Shelton Benjamin (c) vs. MVP vs. Chavo Guerrero

1. Winner - MVP
2. Who Takes the Fall - Chavo
3. How the Fall is made - Pin

WWE Tag Title Skirmish: Miz & Morrison (c) vs. Simply Priceless vs. The Colons vs. Cryme Tyme

1. Winning Team - Priceless
2. Who Makes the Fall - Ted
3. Who Takes the Fall - Primo

Money in the Bank: CM Punk vs. Tommy Dreamer vs. Umaga vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Evan Bourne vs. Kofi Kingston vs. The Brian Kendrick

1. Winner - Evan Bourne
​

 

[Misanthrope]

Dark Match Results

Melina (c) defeated Beth Phoenix by pinfall to retain the WWE Women's Championship following botched interference from Santino Marella. [FONT=&quot]77/83/66[/FONT]

Hurricane Helms defeated Dolphi Ziggler and Goldust in a triple threat match. [FONT=&quot]72/69/76

[/FONT][FONT=&quot]------------------------------------

The pyros go off and the fans go up as Jim Ross, Tazz, Jerry 'The King Lawler', Todd Grisham, Michael Cole, and Matt Striker welcome fans all around the world to the 25th Anniversary Edition of WWE Wrestlemania.

As the fireworks die down and the smoke drifts over the arena, I'm Comin' hits and the ever popular MVP comes out with his typical bombast and arrogance. He's followed soon after by Chavo Guerrero, who gets roundly booed as he slides into the ring. Last out is WWE United States Champion, Shelton Benjamin who has plenty of arrogance of his own.

"The ring is likely to collapse under the combined weight of their egos", JR remarks.

WWE United States Championship match: Shelton Benjamin (c) vs. Chavo Guerrero vs. MVP
The fans are treated to a fast paced, high energy opener as three of Smackdown's most valued performers turn on a good match to open the 25th edition of Wrestlemania. All three competitors enjoy periods of control, but ultimately it is MVP who leaves with his hand held high - the self proclaimed most valuable player on Smackdown scoring a pinfall after hitting a Drive By on Chavo Guerrero.
WINNER AND NEW UNITED STATES CHAMPION: MVP by pinfall (Drive By) in 13:27
[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]76/77/76 [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Following MVP's triumph, the cameras backstage find Randy Orton and his Legacy, the cocky trio looking a little cautious as they are interviewed by Smackdown's Maria. Orton talks about how he has been unfairly victimised by the McMahons just like many others in the past. He lists the likes of Mick Foley, Undertaker, The Rock, and 2009 Hall of Fame inductee Stone Cold Steve Austin as those the McMahons tried to keep down, and says tonight he'll put an end to their reign of terror when he puts their brighest star on the shelf... permanently. 94% Randy Orton gained 2 points of overness

-------

Up next is the four way tag title match between the undisputed WWE Tag Champions, Miz & Morrison and three of the hottest tag teams in the business. Miz and Morrison unified the gold when they defeated Primo and Carlito on Smackdown two weeks ago, and now it's all or nothing for all concerned.

WWE Tag Championship Skirmish: Miz & Morrison (c) vs. Primo & Carlito vs. Cryme Tyme vs. Simply Priceless

Things start out with Morrison up against Shad of Cryme Tyme, but faced with the far bigger man - Morrison smartly tags out to Cody Rhodes, who rakes the eyes and sets about a period of dominance for Simply Priceless that almost sees a pinfall. Only Carlito's springboard elbow breaks up a likely pinfall victory.

All four teams put on some enterprising attack, but it's Raw's Cryme Tyme first eliminated after JTG is caught with the Million Dollar Dream and Ted DiBiase makes the pinfall. Randy Orton's Legacy goes one step closer to making it a dream start to the night for the group.

But it is The Legacy who fall foul of fate next, Carlito hitting a Backstabber on Rhodes to get the 1-2-3 and set up a rematch between the current tag champions and the former.

The final six minutes of the match see plenty of too and fro from the long time adversaries, but ultimately it is John Morrison picking up the win and defending the belts when he sends Primo down Moonlight Drive.
WINNERS AND STILL WWE TAG CHAMPIONS: The Miz & Morrison by pinfall (Moonlight Drive) in 16:01
[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]74/73/75[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
We again cut backstage to where Raw's Intercontinental Champion, CM Punk is being interviewed by Raw's own, Layla. Punk delivers an impassioned but generic promo about the amazing year he's had - mentioning the fact he was ECW champion, tag champion, a Money in the Bank winner, and a World Champion. He says he's ready to climb that ladder again and begin a tremendous 2009. 88%

More to come...
[/FONT]​

 

[Raider_69]

Looking good mate, i love reading your work, its always well written and well booked, ill be keeping an eye on the thread, wont bother with predictions but will comment on results i like and dont like

 

[Misanthrope]

It's a true 'clash of titans' next as the unbeaten Vladimir Kozlov faces off against the world's largest athlete, The Big Show. These two giants have been on a collosion course since clashing in the Elimination Chamber at No Way Out, and while it's only pride on the line officially, the outcome of this match could go a long way to determining who will be in line for future title shots.

The Big Show vs. Vladimir Kozlov
Remarkably, somehow, this is the best match of the evening thus far. There's an oddly compelling chemistry between the two lumbering big men, and they put on a good show of being 'immune' to the other's size on several occasions.

Big Show's superior size gives him the upper hand in the early going in a slow paced but enjoyable match, but Show's continual inability to finish it sees the big man clamber to the top rope and attempt what one must imagine would be a mammoth splash. Kozlov is quick to react, and delivers a brutal Battering Ram to the falling Big Show to collect the pinfall victory.
WINNER: Vladimir Kozlov by pinfall (Battering Ram) after 7:44
67/56/78 Vladimir Kozlov gained 2 points of overness. Big Show lost 1 point of overness.

As the smoke clear following that epic encounter, we head backstage to where Shawn Michaels is preparing for his match against The Undertaker. The Dead Man is 16-0 and HBK is looking to add another feather to his cap, but his preparations are interrupted as the Phenom himself approaches.

The two legends stare down and HBK offers his hand to wish good luck. After a tense moment, Undertaker accepts and the two part ways. 88% Undertaker lost 2 points of overness. Shawn Michaels lost 2 points of overness.

----------------

Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for the Money in the Bank match! The person to retrieve the briefcase hanging above the ring will be awarded a guaranteed title shot at any time of their choosing...

In the eyes of many, Money in the Bank is the highlight of Wrestlemania - and this year's promises to be a thriller as several new faces prepare to complete. It is one of those new faces who emerges first, Kofi Kingston from Raw dancing out to the ring to the cheers of fans. He's followed shortly after by the recently returned Umaga.

ECW's Evan Bourne is out next, and you'd best believe he'll turn on some thrilling stuff in the evening. Former MITB winners Mr. Kennedy and CM Punk emerge next - both men drawing positive reactions before The Brian Kendrick's arrival gets boos again. Ezekiel is at his side. Rey Mysterio draws the biggest pop of the night and ECW icon Tommy Dreamer emerges last in arguably the biggest moment of his WWE career.

Money in the Bank: Kofi Kingston vs. Umaga vs. Evan Bourne vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. CM Punk vs. The Brian Kendrick vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Tommy Dreamer
It's an utter cluster-f**k early on as all eight competitors collide in the middle. Umaga's size advantage sees him toss Kofi cleanly over the top rope and lay out Evan Bourne with a Samoan Spike before Rey Mysterio and CM Punk team up to deliver stereo missile dropkicks to put the big man on his back.

Tommy Dreamer is rifling around underneath the ring as Evan Bourne and The Brian Kendrick attack Punk and Mysterio from behind. Bourne takes Punk down with a hurricanrana while Kendrick's attempted Sliced Bread #2 sees him dumped into the waiting arms of Ezekiel when Mysterio counters.

Dreamer, kendo stick in hand, is quick to blast Evan Bourne in the stomach and then across the back. Mysterio gets a taste of it as well, but Dreamer's attempt to hit Punk gets him up on the shoulders... Go 2 Sleep!

Outside, Kendrick directs Ezekiel to enter the ring. He charges in and puts Punk down with a brutal uranage slam, but Mr. Kennedy has slipped under the radar and has a ladder. He blasts Ezekiel in the face and then begins to set it up. Everyone's down, but Kofi Kingston has climbed to the top turnbuckle and leaps nimbly onto the ladder! He's climbing ahead of Kennedy, but the former MITB winner moves beneath Kingston and delivers an Electric Chair Drop onto the still prone form of Tommy Dreamer. Ezekiel's rolled to the outside, leaving Kennedy and Umaga to square off.

Umaga's size advantage pays huge dividends as he beats Kennedy into the corner and crushes him with a running avalanche. He eyes the still standing ladder and goes towards it, but instead of climbing, picks it up and hurls it like a javelin at Rey Mysterio as the luchadore attempted to enter the ring via a springboard! Mysterio is busted open!

The Brian Kendrick is back into the ring and once again attempts to hit Sliced Bread #2 but is instead dropped on his ass in the centre of the ring when Umaga powers out of it. Dreamer and Punk turn back the clock to Wrestlemania 23 by teaming up with a ladder assisted clothesline on the big Samoan. Kofi Kingston gets similar treatment, but Evan Bourne is able to duck underneath and hit his own variant of AJ Styles' Pele to stun Dreamer. Bourne and CM Punk begin to have a tug of war over the ladder, and this time The Brian Kendrick is able to get in some offence. Using the ladder as a springboard, Kendrick launches himself over the top rope to land atop the only recently recovered Mr. Kennedy! The holy sh*t chants go up as the two men lay in a twitching heap outside.

Bourne and Punk, perhaps momentarily stunned by the display, don't see Kofi Kingston's return to the fray. The Jamaican star dropkicks Punk, sending the former World Champion staggering back. Bourne is still holding onto his end of the ladder, forming a ramp which Kingston runs up and delivers a shining wizard to the stunned ECW star. Rey Mysterio, sporting a bloody mask, is into the ring now as all comers are down. But Punk wasn't so badly beaten - and he and Mysterio clash with a flurry of kicks and forearms as the rest of the participants are a twitching heap on the ground.

Ezekiel has helped his employer to his feet, and the big man also slides a ladder into the ring alongside his dazed companion. Mysterio's managed to get the upper hand against Punk, slipping out of an attempted Go 2 Sleep and shoving Punk into the ropes. 619!!! Mysterio's got the crowd going with that, and he is quick to Drop the Dime and enter the ring with a springboard seated senton on The Brian Kendrick. The fan's see what is going on as Mysterio sets up the ladder and prepares to climb. He's going! He's going!

He's....

Oh my God! Umaga hit the ring, came off the ropes, and threw his immense frame into the ladder at great speed! The ladder tumbles and Mysterio goes to the outside! Umaga could take it out here, but Ezekiel's into the ring. The two big men stare down and then start to duke it out! Umaga manages to get the upper hand and he lays Ezekiel out with the Samoan Spike, but he turns around into a Mic Check from Mr. Kennedy! Now it's Kennedy in the ring with a pair of ladders lying around, but Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston are to their feet and the two smaller men are quick to take down the Smackdown superstar. Their alliance is short lived, however, and Bourne manages to put down Kingston and go to the top rope.... Air Bourne! He risked it all and it paid off. Tommy Dreamer's back in and he drops Bourne with a Dreamer DDT. Dreamer's headed to the ladder. Could the ECW Original make the climb!?

CM Punk is in the ring and he's on the ladder as well. The two clamber towards the top of the ladder and battle it out. CM Punk... what's he doing? Pepsi Plunge! Punk must have destroyed his knees hitting that pedigree like move from the top of the ladder! The crowd are going crazy. Now The Brian Kendrick is clambering up the ladder. Ezekiel runs interference and absolutely crushes Rey Mysterio with a Spinning Side Slam when the masked men attempts to catch him coming off the turnbuckle.

Kennedy's got the second ladder and he's setting it up while Ezekiel spars with Kofi Kingston, and now it's a race between him and the still dazed Brian Kendrick. Kendrick's got the head start but Kennedy seems a little more desperate as he nears the top. Kingston is to his feet and sees Kennedy's ascent, and is quick to collect Dreamer's discarded kendo stick and cracks it across Kennedy's back. Now it's Kingston climbing the ladder, and Kendrick's at the top. What a story this would be!

But here's Umaga again! The big man tries to push over both ladders. Could he do it! Kingston leaps off the ladder and hits Trouble in Paradise to the big Samoan! He's down. Kendrick comes off the ladder onto the prone Samoan with Left Turn at Alburquerque! Ezekiel moves to his employer's side and hauls him onto his shoulders. He's going to climb the ladder himself!

Kennedy's there and it looks like he's going to powerbomb Ezekiel from the ladder. Surely not? No! He can't do it alone, but there's CM Punk. Together the two power bomb Ezekiel from the ladder! Kendrick collides with the turnbuckle! Brutal!

Now the two former MITB winners are standing. There are two ladders standing. The race is on! Here's Rey Mysterio and a dropkick to the backs of both men sets them up. Double 619! Mysterio's the last man standing as he looks up at the briefcase. For some reason he runs at the ropes to get some momentum, maybe so he can jump start his climb. But it never happens. Umaga crushes him with a brutal Samoan drop! Umaga's climbing! Umaga's climbing!

Umaga ascends to the top and unhooks the briefcase. Umaga, the Samoan Wrecking Ball, is the 2009 Money in the Bank winner!

WINNER: Umaga by briefcase collection in 15:48
79/78/81

As the ring is cleared following the brutal Money in the Bank match, the big screen shows footage of the recent feud between Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy, starting with Matt costing Jeff his title at the Royal Rumble and finishing with the brutal attack Jeff fell prey to in the car park on Smackdown just two days ago.
73% Jeff Hardy lost 2 points of overness

Jeff Hardy makes his way to the ring with his arm in a sling and looking horrible. The fans are right behind him, and the boos for Matt Hardy are near deafening.

Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy
There's no tie up to start this one, and Matt immediately goes after his brother's injured arm. This gives him control from the get go, and it looks grim as he draws things out rather than going for the pin. A brutal seated arm-bar and, turning back the clock to his Indy days, he locks in the Scarb and has Jeff writhing in agony. But, to his credit, the daredevil won't tap out.

Matt begins to lose patience and whips Jeff to the turnbuckle, and that's where a counter-attack starts as a Whisper in the Wind puts both men down and gets the crowd clapping in a show of support. Both men are too their feet. Jeff attempts a Twist of Fate. Countered. Now Matt goes after the Twist of Fate! Countered again! Jeff shoves Matt face first into the turnbuckle and there's a roll-up!

1

2

No! Jeff almost had it, and the kick out seems to have hurt his arm even more. Matt stamps on it for good measure and goes to the top rope for his top rope leg drop. Jeff rolls aside! Matt's crashed and burned, and Jeff hits a seated dropkick to Matt's face. Now he's going up top. Senton Bomb!

1

2

No!

Matt kicks out! Jeff can't believe it. He goes to drag Matt to his feet and there's the low blow! Twist of Fate!

But Matt's not done. He slides out of the ring and gets a chair. He's not going to be satisfied with anything short of blood here! He gets into the ring and waits for Jeff to stagger to his feet. SWING!

Jeff ducks! Kick to the gut. Twist of Fate! Now Matt's out and Jeff is considering the chair. Has Matt finally pushed him too far? Jeff lies the chair across Matt's prone body. He's going up top for a second Senton Bomb!

Conscience strikes! Jeff can't do it. He stands and drops to the mat. He can't do this to his brother and now he's walking up the ramp. There's no count-outs, but Jeff wants none of this. The crowd aren't happy, but Matt's not letting it end here. He has the chair and he cracks it across Jeff's back! He's going to attempt a Twist of Fate on the steel. Twist of Fate!

Cover!

1
2
3
WINNER: Matt Hardy by pinfall (Twist of Fate) after 12:39
79/82/74
​

 

[Marshall_magic]

Kozlov vs Big Show was a fairly predictable match, as far as the storyline went I didn't have much interest.

MITB: WOW, that's all I could say. Reading through it 1 paragraph at a time, the whole way through I had no idea who was going to win it. Umaga, never saw it coming, keen to see where it goes from here.

Hardy's match, another good one, good finish, keen to see where they go from here.

 

[Misanthrope]

We're backstage as John Bradshaw Layfield stands toe to toe with interim Raw General-Manager, Vickie Guerrero. JBL says it is an insult to wrestling fans and to the Wrestling God that he is not present on the card. "How can you find room for trash like Tommy Dreamer? How is it that a nothing brand like ECW has a match while JBL isn't present?"

Eventually, the arrival of a battered Big Show gives JBL cause to leave. Vickie does not look at all pleased. 87%

The crowd goes up as one back in the arena, and it's Christian making his way down to the ring as he tries to capture the ECW Title from Jack Swagger to complete a pretty impressive return month in the WWE. Jack Swagger's own arrival isn't greeted with much of a reaction, but there's no denying the young star's pedigree after his dominant victories over Matt Hardy in the past.

ECW Title Match: Jack Swagger (c) vs. Christian

The fans are firmly behind 'The Instant Classic' in this one, but it's Swagger getting control early with some great technical work. Christian's experience and the support of the fans sees him rally soon, though, and now it's Swagger on the back foot as Captain Charisma gives him a bit of a wrestling lesson.

Like their past matches, this one is a solid one that gets dragged down a little by the lack of interest in Swagger. It's a short but good match, and the fans get the result they wanted when Christian picks up the win and the ECW strap following an Unprettier.
WINNER AND NEW ECW CHAMPION: Christian by pinfall (Unprettier) after 8:33
76/74/78

We get a video montage detailing Chris Jericho's long running feud with The Wrestler star, Mickey Rourke as well as a string of legends - which culminated with Stone Cold Steve Austin making a one time return to the ring to finally shut up Y2J. 97%

Once it's aired, the fans boo as Jericho is backstage with Josh Matthews. Jericho talks about the way legends cling to the past rather than accepting that they're fat, washed up losers and contribute something to society. He describes Austin as a drunk, a has been, and a despicable human being - and understands completely why a world of drunk nobodies would cheer for him. He says he'll revel in putting Stone Cold on the shelf for good, and how he'll end Rourke's own miserable career as soon as he was done.

A typically passionate, intelligent promo from Jericho. 94%

------

And now it's time for the first of four main events as Shawn Michaels struts down to the ring as he becomes the latest man to try and break The Undertaker's Wrestlemania streak. The fans are split as the gong sounds, the arena darkens, and The Undertaker makes his way slowly, ponderously out to the ring. Will HBK follow up last year's retirement of Ric Flair by ending Undertaker's streak?

The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels

The alternating cries of 'Undertaker' and 'HBK' threaten to shake down the arena as two legends of the business circle one another and look for an opening. After a full minute of just this, the two lock up and it's Undertaker's size and strength that sees him lift a knee into HBK's stomach and whip him to the ropes. HBK ducks underneath an attempted big boot and comes back off the ropes with a flying elbow that staggers Undertaker. He comes back to attempt a second diving elbow, but this time Undertaker catches him and sets up for the Chokeslam. HBK blocks it and attempts to his his reverse atomic drop. A double axe handle to the back from Undertaker puts a stop to that.

The pace picks up as the two legends battle for supremacy, and the trademark moves are most definitely busted out. Old School is seen twice. Once successfully, and a second time which sees HBK hit Sweet Chin Music for a near fall that has the fans up in arms.

At another point both men are down after a brutal superplex from Undertaker and, of course, the HBK kip-up comes at the same moment as The Undertaker's rise from the dead. HBK twice kicks out following Chokeslams and the fans are lapping it up. It's the show-stealing match of the night, as fans have come to expect from both men, and it's a lengthy one that the fans never really want to end.

It's at the twenty minute mark when HBK starts tuning up the band following a desperation flying elbow and an atomic drop. Undertaker stumbles forward... SWEET CHIN MUSIC! Undertaker's down and HBK clambers to the top rope. Flying Elbow!

No!

No!

Undertaker's got HBK by the throat! He signals for the chokeslam. HBK looks to fight out of it, but now he's been turned around. TOMBSTONE!

1

2

Kick Out! How the hell did HBK do that!

Undertaker looks completely astonished. HBK staggers to his feet but slumps against the ropes. He's out. Undertaker advances to finish this off. SWEET CHIN MUSIC! Out of nowhere! And now HBK can sense he has it won. He's being roared on by the crowd as he looks around in amazement. It ends here and he's going up top to end it right. He flies...

DEVIL'S GATE! Undertaker traps that elbow and he's locked HBK in the Devil's Gate! Michaels is in a world of pain but he's shaking his head. He's not going to tap. He can't tap. The Showstopper won't tap!

HBK's fading and there's no mercy in the eyes of the Dead Man. The referee lifts an arm. It's limp! It's limp! HBK's out!

Undertaker's done it! The streak continues! It's 17-0 and even the show-stopper couldn't put an end to it!

WINNER: The Undertaker by submission (Devil's Gate) after 23:29
84/85/84

-------

The fans are on the point of orgasm as Undertaker stands and the gong sounds. They've witnessed a truly spectacular match here tonight, and Undertaker appreciates their adoration. He also appreciates HBK's efforts, though, and after saluting the fans - he helps the recovered but still dazed HBK to his feet and the two embrace. It's a truly memorable Wrestlemania moment.

From those scenes we cut to a video hyping the clash between Edge and John Cena, a rivalry which started when Edge snatched Cena's title away from him at No Way Out.

John Cena is out first to his typically mixed reaction. The girls and kids go crazy while the hardcore fans boo. Edge, too gets a mixed reaction as smarks and Cena haters unite to cheer the Rated R Superstar in his title defence.

World Heavyweight Title Match: Edge (c) vs. John Cena

There's no love lost between these two, and right away Cena is on Edge with a flurry of blows that has the champion quickly rolling to the outside to 'recover', This draws the boos of the crowd, but Cena doesn't wait for Edge - a baseball slide knocking Edge into the security barrier. Cena follows up and the two brawl outside, but Edge smartly whips Cena into the ring steps to gain control.

Edge controls things for a while in the match, blooding Cena by bouncing his head off of the announce table before returning him to the ring. In a somewhat unspectacular match, the standard Cena 'five moves of doom' superman set ultimately proves the difference - an FU picking up the win after a remarkably short match.

WINNER AND NEW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: John Cena by pinfall (FU) after 15:29
​

 

[Misanthrope]

Wrestlemania XXV presses on as the fans boo like mad as Chris Jericho struts out to the ring with a look of utter disdain on his face. Jericho's endeared himself to no one with his recent beatings of Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat, Ric Flair, and 'The American Dream' Dustie Rhodes, and a lot of people have bought the PPV just to see Jericho get his just desserts.

The glass breaks and the fans erupt as Stone Cold Steve Austin makes his long awaited in ring return. Mickey Rourke flanks the Rattlesnake as the fans chant on the edge of rapture for their hero.

He slides into the ring and stands tall in each corner as Jericho watches on with disdain. When the referee brings the two together to explain the rules, Jericho sneers and Austin flips him off.

Chris Jericho vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin

The two get in one another's faces and talk trash from the get go, and then Jericho unleashes with a stinging, insulting slap. Austin merely smiles before responding with a thunderous right that sends Jericho crashing back into the ropes. The arrogant Raw star rolls to the outside and waves his hand at the ring, as if he's done with the match.

Mickey Rourke gets in Jericho's way, though, and gets shoved aside for his troubles. Rourke responds with a shove of his own that sends Jericho stumbling back a step. Before he can retaliate, Austin is out of the ring and clobbers Jericho across the back with a forearm. He then tosses Jericho over the security barrier and into the crowd, following with his characteristic fury. This one's not No DQ and the ref is counting as Austin bounces Jericho's head off of the barrier and then tosses him back into the ring area.

The count is up to nine, so Austin rolls in to break it up, and then goes back out to continue. But Jericho's waiting with an eye gouge and then whips Austin hard into the stairs. Rourke watches on, not wanting to get Austin DQed.

Jericho enjoys some control at this point, but goes too far when he bounces Austin's head off the announce table and then goes for the timekeeper's chair. Rourke's having none of that, and once again he gets in Jericho's way. The two wrestle over the chair while Austin regains his composure. Jericho wrests the chair from Rourke's grasp and turns right around into Kick-Wham! So close! Jericho shoves Austin away as he attempts to finish the stunner, and smartly rolls into the ring. He'd be willing to win this by count-out, as the ref is up to eight.

Austin's not so easily beaten, though, and he's into the ring where Jericho falls on him like a pit bull on a toddler. His barrage of kicks and punches don't seem to phase Austin too much, and he soon gets on top of things and lays in with a few of his own. He comes off the ropes, flips off Jericho, and drops a trademark elbow to his sternum. Cover, but Jericho's up.

Stone Cold's back in control at this point, whipping Jericho to the corner and stumping a mudhole in him. JR chimes in to inform us that he'll walk it dry. When that's done, Jericho begs Stone Cold for mercy and, when Austin approaches, yanks his tights and sends the Rattler face first into the turnbuckle. Roll-up, but Austin's up after one.

Jericho whips Austin hard, but the Rattler comes back with a Lou Thesz press and the ensuing punches. The fans are eating up the trademark stuff, but Jericho's rolled to the outside again. He slaps Rourke! Before Rourke can retaliate, Jericho slides into the ring. The ref's tied up keeping Rourke out of the ring, but Austin can take care of business. He rushes at Jericho and Jericho punts him in the crotch!

The ref didn't see it! Austin's doubled over and now Jericho is going to add insult to injury. Stone Cold Stunner! Cover!

1

2

No! Austin's up at two and he's pissed. He punches Jericho into a corner and then rushes in to crush him with a clothesline. Jericho stumbles right into a spinebuster, and now Austin's going to the second rope. Elbow drop! Cover.

1

2

You knew it wasn't ending there, folks!

Austin's back in control here, and it stays that way for several minutes as Jericho's chickens come home to roost. But you can never write off Y2J, and he manages to get back into things when he reverses through a pinfall attempt to lock in the Walls of Jericho! Austin's trapped in the middle of the ring and he's in pain. But the Rattlesnake crawls to the ropes and manages to grab on! He's survived, but Jericho's not done. He stamps on Austin some more and goes for a Lionsault. Austin rolls away. Both men are down.

Austin and Jericho come to their feet at the same time, and Jericho hits the Codebreaker from nowhere! Cover!

1

2

No! Kick-out! Jericho can't believe it. He's furious and he rolls to the outside where he collects a chair. I don't think he cares how this ends. He just wants it over. He goes to slide into the ring but Rourke has him by the ankle. Jericho kicks him away, but Rourke clocks him in the jaw! Jericho hits the Codebreaker! Rourke is out!

Jericho spits on Rourke, grabs his chair, and rolls into the ring. STONE COLD STUNNER! Austin got it! Austin got it! 1-2-3! It's over!

WINNER: Steve Austin by pinfall (Stone Cold Stunner) after 13:11
87/94/72

---------------

After the match, Austin helps Rourke up and the two share beers. Jericho, still down, gets drenched when Austin and Rourke pour their first beers onto his prone form. They're enjoying beers when Austin hits the stunner on Rourke! The crowd love it!

---------------

We get a hype video of Orton's feud with The McMahons and, consequently, with Triple H. The sledge-hammers, the RKO to Stephanie, the kicks to the head, and The Legacy's part in it all.

85%

And now it's time for the main event. Randy Orton makes his way out to the ring without his Legacy buddies, and the booing is intense. The atmosphere is at its highest point of the night and it's sheer, seething hate for Orton. If he feels it, though, he's not showing it. If anything, Orton looks as cocky as ever.

The jeers turn to rapturous applause as Triple H comes out, and there's no showboating from the champion. In fact, after weeks of not being able to touch Orton, the champion simply slides into the ring and the bell sounds as he crash tackles Orton to the mat and starts raining punches on him.

WWE Title Match: Triple H (c) vs. Randy Orton

The brawling continues as Triple H vents his fury on Orton, and it looks like this could be over quickly. Orton's having trouble even getting his hands up to block the punches, and the referee is having no luck in getting Triple H to break it up. His insistent tugs eventually draw Triple H's anger, and while he's shoving the referee away, Orton manages to get to his feet.

Triple H turns around and ducks a clothesline. The ref is out already! The match is only a minute old and the ref is out!

Orton realises what this means and immediately puts his hands up in apology and defeat. Triple H doesn't seem to care. He charges at Orton, who turns tail and runs, slides out of the ring, and tries to escape around the ring. Triple H is in hot pursuit, but something trips him as he rounds a corner! Orton, like a shark, pounces on Triple H with boots.

A replay shows a hand snaking out from underneath the ring to trip up the Game. Who's under the ring?

Meanwhile, Orton has Triple H to his feet and he whips him hard into the security barrier and then into the stairs. He's got in control now and he's looking vicious as he removes the top lot of steps and drags Triple H to his feet. Inverted headlock neckbreaker on the steel steps! Orton has done some real damage there!

He pauses to shout some abuse at the jeering crowd before fetching a chair from ringside and returning with it. He blasts Triple H across the back with it. The Game is reeling and the referee is still out. He's at Orton's mercy until a replacement official can be found or the one in the ring comes too.

Orton tosses the chair into the ring and then rolls Triple H in. The cocky son of a bitch sets up for a Pedigree onto the chair but it's reversed. Triple H finds the reserve of energy to back-drop Orton, but it's all he had. He's down and Orton is merely inconvenienced. But here comes a replacement official! Orton looks furious as he stalks Triple H. The Game is too his feet.

RKO!

No! Triple H blocks it by shoving Orton into the ropes, and now he goes old school, locking in a sleeper. He's clearly just buying time to get back into this, and Orton retaliates with a series of elbows that breaks it up. Orton whips Triple H to the ropes, but the Game ducks underneath a clothesline and comes back with a running knee drop that has Orton reeling. He follows this up with a clothesline that sends Orton to the outside.

The Game is feeling it now, and he rolls outside to take it to Orton - who, like the coward he is, is trying to walk up the ramp when Triple H sends him crashing to the steel with a running forearm. He then kicks Orton in the gut, tells him to suck it, and then attempts a Pedigree. Orton grips Triple H's legs, pulls, and sends the game onto his back. He rolls Triple H over and hits a brutal Wheelbarrow Suplex on the steel, harkening back to his OVW days.

He can't win it out here, though, and the ref is about to count them out when Ted DiBiase emerges from underneath the ring and enters to argue with the ref. While the official argues with the Simply Priceless member, Orton fishes underneath the ring and produces what looks like a bag of something.

Triple H is to his feet and advances, so Orton throws the contents of the bag into Triple H's face. It's sand or salt or something! Triple H is blinded. Orton charges out and levels him with a clothesline and now it looks like he's lining up for a punt to the head. The referee has finally ejected DiBiase from the ring, and the crowd cheers as he's sent backstage.

Orton's undeterred and he goes for that punt, but Triple H must have some vision - as he dodges away from it. Orton turns to attack, but Triple H kicks him in the gut. PEDIGREE!

Orton is out! But it's not going to end outside, and Triple H drags Orton to his feet and rolls him into the ring. Cover!

Out at two! The crowd aren't happy, but Orton kicked out fair and square. Triple H wipes the salt from his eyes and now it's him stalking Orton. Is he going to kick him in the head?

Cody Rhodes is out from underneath the ring now! He's up on the apron and arguing with the ref. Triple H charges in and sends Rhodes tumbling off the apron, but Orton's up. RKO!

Out of nowhere! And here's the cover!

1

2

Kick-Out! Triple H kicked out! Orton can't believe it! Rhodes can't believe it! The crowd love it.

Orton is stalking, ready to deliver a second RKO, but Triple H shoves Orton away - sending him across the ring and then rolling to the outside. Rhodes flees as The Game looks furious. He fishes underneath the ring and returns with the sledgehammer. He doesn't care if he gets disqualified here. He wants to kill Orton!

Sledgehammer in hand, Triple H slides back into the ring. Orton bails, but Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon are on the ramp! They've got sledgehammers too! They gesture to the ring. Looks like Orton has to get what he deserves here!

Trapped between three irate men, Orton and Rhodes are terrified. The official, for his part, decides against counting the men out as Rhodes and Orton move fearfully back towards the ring and Triple H, who has stepped out and is stalking towards them. As they approach, Orton shoves Rhodes into Triple H. The Game lays out Rhodes with a sledgehammer shot!

Orton kicks Triple H in the crotch and wrests the sledgehammer away from him. He blasts Triple H with it!

Vince and Shane are running down with their weapons ready now, but Ted DiBiase is behind them! He attacks Shane from behind and sends him tumbling forward, the weapon slips from his grasp. Vince swings clumsily at Orton, who ducks, and then responds with a sledgehammer shot to the stomach. He then brings the sledgehammer down on the WWE Chairman's back!

Shane is too his feet and has his dukes up, but now Orton and DiBiase have sledgehammers. They've got him cornered but he's not backing down.

"You coward! You coward. Fight me!"

Orton gestures to DiBiase to put his sledgehammer down. DiBiase does, and Shane seems to relax his guard. Orton blasts Shane with a sledgehammer shot as well!

Randy Orton has laid out all three men of the McMahon family with Triple H's weapon of choice. His eyes are maniacal here. He tosses the weapon aside and orders DiBiase to "Get Cody to the back".

"I'll finish this"

The referee, realising there's still a match going on, begins his count - but Orton rolls Triple H into the ring and now he's setting up for that lethal punt of his. He runs up, Triple H ducks again! PEDIGREE! No! Orton blocks it. Back body drop puts Triple H down! The Game is a bloody mess, but he won't give up.

Both men are to their feet and duking it out. Triple H gets the upper hand on adrenaline alone, but Orton knocks the wind out of his sails with a knee to the gut and again attempts an RKO. Triple H shoves Orton into the ropes and catches him. PEDIGREE!

That has to be it.

1

2

No!

God! Orton managed to kick out! He did it!

Triple H is furious. He's done. He slides out to where his brother-in-law and father-in-law lay unconscious on the floor and retrieves a sledgehammer. He's in the ring and

RKO!

RKO!

RKO!

Orton hit that out of nowhere!

Cover.

1

2

3!

Orton's done it! Orton is WWE Champion!

WINNER AND NEW WWE CHAMPION: Randy Orton by pinfall (RKO) after 26:23

---------------

Prediction Results
Manurewa Marlins: 20
Marshall_magic: 22
DB: 9

marshall_magic, check your inbox. I've sent you a list of guys I've hired already. You're free to pick someone else (anyone in pro wrestling) for me to hire
​

 

[Misanthrope]

Congrats to marshall_magic on taking out the prediction comp. Nobody called the result of Cena vs. Edge or the winner of MITB

The next week of Raw/ECW/SD will be leading into five weeks of draft action that will see a superstar moved 'at random' a night, superstars moved as a result of interpromotional matches, and a final round of trades. After this, expect the roster split to be a secure thing. No Miz & Morrison showing up on every show. No random cross promotional matches for no apparent reason.

Expect to see new faces from the world of indy wrestling as well as former WWE greats and legendary groups of the past reunited and retooled. Expect to see ECW return to being 'extreme'.

Expect to see the true Age of Orton. Expect to see HBK embarking on his final year as a pro wrestler. Expect to see shock returns of former World Champions. Expect to see the right guys being pushed. Expect for every show to have a surprise.

Really, cliche thought it may be, expect the unexpected :crazy:

 

[Manurewa_Marlins]

Great Wrestlemania. Loved the Orton/Triple H match, epic. Also love Cena has champ. Umaga as number one contender? interesting. Christian running ECW? Love it. And you say this is Michaels' last year? god I hope so.

 

[Misanthrope]

Dolph Ziggler has been taken off the road for two months as a result of his recent negative attitude at house shows. The word backstage is that Vince McMahon is a big fan of the Ziggler character and loves his look, but that he needs some time away from the spotlight to learn his place.

Just hours after his triumphant US Title win at Wrestlemania, MVP has been ruled out for seven months with a ripped bicep. Porter, who rumours report was in line for a major post Mania push, has dropped the US Title to Mr. Kennedy at a house show.

Rumour has it that TNA star and former WWE Champion, Booker T is in negotations to return to the WWE. It can also be reported that several ex TNA talents including Petey Williams, Sonjay Dutt, Jackie Gayda, James Mitchell, and Karen Angle have agreed to deals with the WWE.

Word amongst the writers is that nostalgia could be a big part of this year's booking. Along with the continued rumours of a Hart Foundation redux with Natalya Neidhart, Harry Smith, TJ Wilson, and Jack Evans - rumours abound that two other prominent factions from the Monday Night Wars will return and revamp. Could this have anything to do with Scott Hall being seen at recent tapings?

Paul Heyman has announced in his Sun column that he will be returning to the company in an on air role in the near future. Whether this will be as a manager, a commentator, or as a more prominent role remains to be seen. But it is believed that Heyman will be given some freedom to make ECW 'extreme' again. With Raw and Smackdown aiming for the PG demographic, it is believed that ECW will be made the 'pure' wrestling show for the older audience. Expect to see some bigger names debuting on the Sci-Fi programme if that pans out.

Preview

The dust is still settling from Wrestlemania, and it's become clear that Raw carried the evening as John Cena and Randy Orton both triumphed in their respective title matches to bring the gold to Monday Nights. And while Cena's win was without controversy - the wrestling world is still in shock after Randy Orton's brutal win over Triple H saw him also take out Vince and Shane McMahon.

Who will run the company with the entire McMahon regime out of comission? Will interim General Manager, Vickie Guerrero be able to maintain control as the Age of Orton continues on unabated?

The Miz & Morrison triumphed in a four way tag match to retain their recently unified titles, and the cocky young pair have announced on WWE.com that they've beaten everyone there is to beat on the current WWE roster and will have to start bringing in former teams to beat.

Spoiler: WWE.com poll

The exclusive WWE.com poll has these options:
- Too Cool
- The New Age Outlaws
- The Dudley Boyz
- The Hart Foundation
- Rock 'n Sock Connection
- La Resistance
- The Outsiders

Two participants from last night's Money in the Bank thriller will square off with gold on the line as CM Punk defends his gold against former tag team partner, Kofi Kingston, and Chris Jericho will look to rebound from his loss to Stone Cold Steve Austin when he takes on Rey Mysterio.

With the Draft a week away, there's plenty of reasons to tune in this week as your favorite Raw superstars do battle for what might be the last time!

Newly crowned ECW champion, Christian made sure Wrestlemania was Instantly Classic when he wrested the gold from Jack Swagger in a show stealing bout - and now it's time to see who else will step forward to challenge for the gold. Will it be the fighting Irishman, Finlay? The World's Strongest Man, Mark Henry? Or will a new challenger emerge?

Tommy Dreamer might not have taken down the briefcase in Money in the Bank, but the ECW veteran has been on a roll of late and will look to continue that this week when he takes on a Mark Henry fresh from no Wrestlemania duty. Finlay will get a chance to press his case when he takes on Paul Burchill, and after the mid week WWE.com announcement that both Marcus Cor Van and Elijah Burke have agreed to terms with ECW - what will the two former New Breed members contribute to an ECW on Sci-Fi sporting a severe Wrestlemania hangover?

Tune in on Sci-Fi to see the continued rebirth of Extreme.

There's no gold on Smackdown and that has to be getting on the nerves of General Manager, Vickie Guerrero and her power hungry husband, Edge. With Triple H out indefinitely following his Wrestlemania loss to Randy Orton, who will step up and be counted for as Smackdown looks to reclaim honor? The victorious Undertaker? The unbeaten Russian juggernaut, Vladimir Kozlov? Or Money in the Bank winner, Umaga?

New US champion, Mr. Kennedy will look to put the disappointment of a Money in the Bank defeat behind him when he takes on Chavo Guerrero, while Matt Hardy will look to back up his impressive win against brother, Jeff with a match against Carlito.

Plus Natalya takes on Maria in Smackdown exclusive Diva's action, and R-Truth and Hurricane Helms pair up to take on The Brian Kendrick and his offsider, Ezekiel. All of this and more in what promises to be an action packed edition of Smackdown!

 

[DB]

Come on Too Cool or Hart Foundation... assuming that is DH Smith and TJ Wilson

 

[Manurewa_Marlins]

I smell a Nation reformation...please let New Jack join...

 

[Misanthrope]

Just a heads up that I'll be keeping TV show write-ups comparitively shorter than PPV ones. Otherwise I'll just get burned out and this won't go anywhere.

---------------

The first Raw after Wrestlemania opens with Voices hitting as the newly crowned WWE Champion, Randy Orton stalks out to the ring on his own. If he's afraid of retaliation from Triple H or the McMahons, he doesn't show it as he smiles cockily and steps into the ring.

"Last night, I did what no man has been able to do before me. I've done what not even the 'great' Stone Cold Steve Austin could do. I've put not one, not two, not three, but four of the 'McMahon-Helmsley Regime' on the shelf indefinitely".

The fans boo this.

"So, if any of you tuned in tonight hoping to see Triple H getting revenge - I suggest you brace yourself for disappointment. In fact, if you tuned in expecting anyone to get 'back at me' for what I did last night, you'll be sadly disappointed".

Orton's boasting is cut short by My Time is Now, and it's World Heavyweight Champion, John Cena on his way out to his usual mixed reaction.

He gets on the mike and points out that what Orton did was something to be proud of. He overcame the odds and he won the title. Cena might not respect how Orton did it, but he damn sure respects that he got the job done.

"I'm out here to suggest something that could change the face of wrestling," Cena goes on, "I'm suggesting that you and me give the fans here tonight a dream come true. I'm suggesting that tonight we have John Cena vs. Randy Orton... to unify the titles".

The fans can't believe it. They're going batsh*t.

"Excuse me! Excuse me!" the mind splitting drone of Vickie Guerrero's She tells the fans they won't be getting their 'dream match' tonight because she has something else in store. Raw has two champions and Smackdown has zero, so tonight she's going to try to even the ledger. Tonight, John Cena will face the undefeated Vladimir Kozlov, and Randy Orton will defend his title against The Undertaker fresh off his latest Wrestlemania win.

She leaves the two champions in different frames of mind. Cena looks happy at the challenge, while Orton looks furious.
RATING: 82%

------
COMMERCIAL
------

Next up, it's Miz & Morrison in the ring. The undisputed tag champions successfully defended their titles in a four way at Wrestlemania and they look arrogant as always.

Morrison gets on the mike to hype their triumph and then goes on to say that there isn't a team left on the current roster to beat. So, he and Miz went out to find former champions to give them a challenge. Which brings out....

Turn it Up hits and the fans go crazy as Scotty 2 Hotty and Grandmaster Sexay come out for the first time since 2004. It's Too Cool! And Lawler sounds overjoyed!

WWE Tag Title Match - Miz & Morrison (c) vs. Too Cool
The fans are firmly behind this one in a surprisingly good match, with Too Cool showing they've still got something to offer the WWE in a good, fast paced match. This was always going to be about the champions, though, and they win after Morrison blindsides Scotty 2 Hotty with Moonlight Drive while the Too Cool member was attempting to hit The Worm on The Miz.
WINNERS AND STILL CHAMPIONS: Miz & Morrison (Miz pinned Scotty 2 Hotty after Moonlight Drive) in 7:15
RATING: voice interrupts, and the interim Raw General Manager comes out. 74/70/78

------
COMMERCIAL
------

We're back from the back and it's Shawn Michaels on his way out to the ring. The Showstopper went painfully close to ending The Undertaker's Wrestlemania streak last night, and he's out here with a somber look on his face.

HBK informs the crowd that he's done it all. He's won main events, he's held titles, he's won Elimination Chambers and Royal Rumbles. He's ended careers and helped make others. He's survived the rise and fall of WCW. He's done it all, and now it's time to call it a day.

The fans can't believe it.

He interrupts them. He's not retiring just yet. He's got a few things he needs to do first. He's got some things to atone for and he intends to do that.

"On November 9th, 1997... I was involved in something I'm not proud of. I was a part of something that changed the face of wrestling and..."

He looks choked up.

"... and it cost me the respect of one of the greatest wrestlers in professional wrestling history. It cost me my soul and, if I'm going to call it a day, I need to make up for that. I need..."

Bret Hart's music hits! The fans go crazy. Is the Hitman really here to hear HBK's apology!?

No! It's Chris Jericho. The cocky son of a bitch is out to Bret Hart's music and he's applauding slowly and sarcastically.

"Shawn, Shawn, Shawn... you're really going to do this? You're going to sacrifice the last memorable thing you did for yourself to these ungrateful idiots? The Montreal Screwjob was the one decent, selfish, real thing you ever did and you're going to surrender that? You're even more pathetic than I first imagined".

HBK, for his part, doesn't interrupt. He listens as Jericho delivers another tour de force promo tearing down HBK's legacy.

"You think Bret Hart's been sitting in his home for the past twelve years waiting for you to apologise? Do you think it still keeps him up at night? How arrogant. How pig-headed. Even now, after all this time, you think you're that important? Bret Hart doesn't need your apology. He doesn't want it. You're dead to him. Just like you'll be dead to all of these people about ten minutes after you hang the boots up and step behind that curtain".

He tosses the microphone down in disgust. HBK looks distraught.
RATING: 85%

------
COMMERCIAL
------

WWE Intercontinental Title Match: CM Punk (c) vs. Kofi Kingston
These two men participated in the epic Money in the Bank ladder match last night, and they're also former tag team partners and champions. Both men have held the Intercontinental Title, and there's a great chemistry between the two.

A decent length match with no real story to tell beyond selling the abilities of both competitors, CM Punk successfully retains when he's able to catch Kingston coming off the ropes and hit Go 2 Sleep for the 1-2-3.
WINNER AND STILL CHAMPION: CM Punk by pinfall (G2S) in 11:11
RATING: 78/77/80

We cut backstage now to where Santino Marella is with Beth Phoenix and Rosie.

He's worried about next week marking the beginning of five weeks of drafting. What if Glamarella is split up? What if he loses his personal assistant, Rosie? How will the two cope if he is drafted to The Smackdown or the Extremely Championship Wrestling?

It's a funny, largely pointless promo to hype the draft. As if Lawler and Cole haven't been doing it every other word already.
RATING: 75%

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Match: Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio
We've got two men who weren't successful at Wrestlemania out here, and it's the fan favorite Rey Mysterio who controls things early on as he seeks to bash some respect into Chris Jericho. But the 2008 Superstar of the Year isn't an easybeat, and soon he's dominating following an eye rake. He's twice attempted the Walls of Jericho already when he's finally able to hit the Codebreaker. He's up and looking to lock in the Walls of Jericho again when Shawn Michaels slides into the ring. SWEET CHIN MUSIC! The referee calls for the bell.
WINNER: Chris Jericho by DQ (Shawn Michaels interference) after 9:54

After knocking Jericho out cold, HBK stares down at his prone figure and then goes soundlessly to the back.
RATING: 88/89/89

We now cut backstage to where Miz & Morrison are sipping champagne and being flirted with by a number of nameless girls (played, of course, by WWE developmental talents). They're complaining to the girls about the lack of quality opposition in the WWE.

Goldust emerges behind them with a feather boa on. He flirts with The Miz, who tells Goldust to back off.

Goldust appears on the other side. The two are confused.

"You're the first to experience the sensation of.... GoldHAAS.....' the real Goldust breathes in his husky, terrifying way.

Goldust and Charlie Haas in Goldust attire attack the champions, who quickly make tracks - leaving the pretty girls in between them and their apparent new challengers.
RATING: 83% Charlie Haas gained 3 points of overness

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WWE Women's Title Match: Melina (c) vs. Beth Phoenix
These two have a good chemistry and the fans are certainly into the match as two of the WWE's premiere divas do battle in a good match. In a shock result, Beth Phoenix gets a clean win and gets the gold back following the Glam Slam.
WINNER AND NEW WOMEN'S CHAMPION: Beth Phoenix by pinfall (Glam Slam) in 6:38
RATING: 77/83/64

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World Heavyweight Title Match: John Cena (c) vs. Vladimir Kozlov
Right off the bat, the amount of chemistry between these two is absolutely phenomenal. It's tantamount to Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan. There's just that kind of feel here. Kozlov is the unbeatable giant and Cena is the superhero. And right off the bat, you can tell this won't be the last time these two tangle.

Cena does a good job of selling Kozlov's size and strength advantage, and plays the underdog to perfection - never really getting control of the match and always battling back from some power move. But for all of Kozlov's dominance, he can't get the pinfall, and he shows his relative inexperience when he refuses to answer a five count when he has Cena in the corner. The referee has no choice but to order a DQ, much to the crowd's disappointment.
WINNER AND STILL WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: John Cena by DQ in 14:01
RATING: 86/82/90

We interrupt this programme for an important announcement from John Bradshaw Layfield.

The richest man in the WWE is on our screens and he doesn't look happy. He talks about being left off of the Wrestlemania card and how it was a slap in the face not only to him and his fans, but to wrestling fans everywhere. He says including ECW 'nobodies' like Tommy Dreamer cheapened the event Mr. McMahon had built twenty five years ago. He says that ECW's so called 'superstars' had better hope they don't get drafted to his show.
RATING: 82%

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WWE Title Match: Randy Orton (c) vs. The Undertaker
The atmosphere for this one is positively electric. Arguably the two most over men on the WWE roster squaring off, and the fans are firmly behind the Dead Man as he seeks to follow up his Wrestlemania win by bringing the WWE Title back to Smackdown.

The two embark in a classic Raw match, and fans are never quite sure whether Orton will replicate Kane's one night title reign or be able to find a way out of this situation. Undertaker certainly looks switched on and ready to finish the job.

Inevitably, though, Simply Priceless get involved. Undertaker had Orton set up for a Tombstone when the two former tag champions hit the ring and assault Undertaker with chairs for the DQ.
WINNER: Undertaker by DQ (Simply Priceless interference) in 16:21

Orton bails as his two proteges take out the Dead Man, but he fights back and manages to send DiBiase over the top rope before turning his attention to Cody Rhodes. Last Ride! Undertaker points to Orton and runs a thumb across his throat. He's not finished with the so-called Legend Killer.
RATING: 95/96/94 The Undertaker lost 1 point of overness

Quick Results
Miz & Morrison (c) def. Too Cool
CM Punk (c) def. Kofi Kingston
Chris Jericho def. Rey Mysterio by DQ
Beth Phoenix def. Melina (c) to become Women's Champion
John Cena (c) def. Vladimir Kozlov by DQ
Undertaker def. Randy Orton (c) by DQ

OVERALL: 83%
BEST SEGMENT: Undertaker vs. Randy Orton
WORST: Miz & Morrison vs. Too Cool
MOTN: Randy Orton vs. Undertaker
RATING: 6.04
ATTENDANCE: 9,009