Thanks for the review. That's actually something I'm trying to correct. A lot of my promos are 'on-stage' for now, but regarding those which are backstage, I'll mention something either under its own heading if it's important, or as introduction/conclusion to match.
Raw started out with incumbent World Heavyweight Champion John Cena in charge of randomly selecting who will face whom later in the evening for a shot at the Fatal 4-Way Match for the #1 Contender spot next week. Accompanied by Lilian Garcia, Cena placed his hand in the glass bowl and extracted the names of the participants, thus placing them in order for their upcoming matches. These were the results of the draw:
Quote:
Match 1 - Shawn Michaels vs Kane
Match 2 - Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio
Match 3 - CM Punk vs JBL
Match 4 - Batista vs. Randy Orton
"I'm D-" "Shut the **** up!"
As always, Dolph Ziggler wishes to start this match against Finlay by introducing himself... three times. Unaccompanied by his son, Finlay battled Ziggler, and the match went back and forth several times with the novice putting in an impressive show, placing the veteran Irishman in a tough spot more than once. However, Finlay's experience allowed him to turn the tables and he laid his opponent out with a Celtic Cross.
Rage Against the Machine
The Big Red Monster had his eyes on the Fatal 4-Way match next week, and was not about to go out without a fight against HBK. Dominating the early going, Kane slammed his opponent onto the mat countless times. Just as Kane seemed destined to win when he grabbed HBK's throat, out came JBL and distracted both the ref and Kane, which allowed Michaels to wriggle out of the hold, and hit Kane with Sweet Chin Music, grabbing the win in the process.
No One can Escape the Walls
After threatening Mysterio that he would put him out of commission yet again if he wasn't careful, Jericho stepped into the ring, ready to do as he promished. But the Master of the 619 was not one who could be pushed around. He gave it his all, but was still clearly hurting from Orton's vicious RKO the previous week. Jericho targeted Rey's once injured knee for the entire match, finally placing him in the Walls of Jericho, which Mysterio attempted to break out of, but finally succumbed to, and tapped out.
Boy Trouble
Melina and Mickie James faced off against Layla and Beth of Phoenix (whose male companions, Santino and Regal both sat at ringside). Phoenix and Layla did not have the same chemistry as their counterparts, and Layla was subsequently pinned by Melina for the win. After the match, Marella was quick to point the finger at Regal, claiming that a Diva needs a good boyfriend in order to be successful in the ring, and clearly suggesting that Regal was far from it. Stephanie McMahon soon interrupted the impending brawl, and ordered the two pairs to clear the ring so the next match could begin.
Backstage, the argument continued, and with tempers flaring, Marella nearly picked a fight with another duo. Kelly Kelly was wishing CM Punk luck when the Itallian Stallion interrupted them with his yelling, but Santino was spared yet another confrontation when Punk had to go to his match.
Where was your Employee?
Pumped up for the fight, CM Punk stepped into the ring against the cocky JBL. The two had faced each other several times in the past year, and it was difficult for either of them to gain the advantage. A missed Clothesline from Hell allowed Punk to deliver a series of blows which were followed by a GTS for the win.
Backstage again, JBL questioned HBK as to why he didn't come to his aid, like he did for him. Michaels said that he was being treated by the on-call doctor at the time and was not watching the match.
The Legend Killer's Next Victim
Quite unlike JBL, both Batista and Orton were apparently in a good mood. Both were coming off successful weeks, but the question was, who would triumph in their match tonight? The deck was stacked against The Animal, as Orton had both Cody Rhodes and Manu in his corner as well as the unwanted presence of Hornswoggle. Regardless, Batista held his own against Orton's attacks, and gained the upper hand in the early going.
Both Rhodes and Manu interfered on Orton's behalf when the ref was distracted, giving their leader a significant advantage. But the advantage was compromised when Hornswoggle attempted to help his inexplicable hero by interfering as well. Irked by having the tiny Irishman in the ring, Orton was overpowered by Batista, who delivered a spinebuster. The Animal set Orton up for a Batista Bomb, but the ever-resourceful Legend Killer wriggled out of it and delivered an RKO out of nowhere to get the win, and qualify for the Fatal 4-Way #1 Contender's Match.
The Legacy's celebration was intruded upon, for the 3rd time, by Hornswoggle. Seething about his nearly lost chance, Orton attacked the little man, who could do nothing to resist the ex-World Champion. To tremendous heat from the crowd, Orton punted Hornswoggle in the head. An exhausted Finlay dashed to the ring with beast-like fury in a failed attempt to aid his son, but was stopped by Orton's cohorts. Finaly fought valiantly against the duo, but just as he knocked them both to the ground he was RKOed before he could lay his hands on the despicable Orton.
Quote:
Finlay def. Dolph Ziggler
Shawn Michaels def. Kane
Chris Jericho def. Rey Mysterio
Mickie James & Melina def. Beth Phoenix w/Santino Marella& Layla w/William Regal
CM Punk def. JBL
Randy Orton w/Cody Rhodes, Manu & Hornswoggle def. Batista
*Teddy Long will make several earth-shattering announcements*
*Status Report on the injured Hornswoggle*
*All of ECW's major stars in action!*
Quote:
Originally Posted by WWE.com
Following a board meeting catalysed in part by Tommy Dreamer's remarks on ECW last week, the WWE has decided to enlarge the show's timeslot on Sci-Fi. The show will now run for 2 hours like its counterparts Monday Night Raw and Friday Night Smackdown. This is only the first in several measures taken place to ensure ECW's success, all of which will be announced in due course.
These changes will come into effect at the ECW after next.
Got to say, I'm loving the Graphics man. I don't know if you know this or not, but I have an unhealthy obsession with graphics, layout, coding and general presentation. HEHE. Your ECW preview is lacking in Information if I'm honest!The "Earth Shattering Announcement" is a nice tease. I hope you deliver.
Thanks, I might be doing those graphics for every important match. Doing them for normal matches is way too much hassle. Anyway, ECW is being shaken from the bottom up, I hope y'all like the changes.
I couldn't give too much away I'm afraid, because the next ECW is a transitional show, and the announcements will play a big part.
Thanks, I might be doing those graphics for every important match. Doing them for normal matches is way too much hassle. Anyway, ECW is being shaken from the bottom up, I hope y'all like the changes.
I couldn't give too much away I'm afraid, because the next ECW is a transitional show, and the announcements will play a big part.
Makes sense I guess. There is just nothing worse than a Booker promising an earth shattering announcement and then they don't deliver. I get not giving too much away, I'm exactly the same, though a little bit more info wouldn't hurt mate.
A source close to the WWE affirms that the latest ECW had to be quickly rewritten before being taped. The leaked story claiming that Dylan Postl’s character (Hornswoggle) was going to be killed off caused an outrage in the online community. Thousands of emails flooded the WWE, warning them against the angle. It has not been confirmed whether the leaked story was true or not, but it is clear that ECW will be followed closely tonight, as fans across the nation wait to see their favorite midget’s destiny unfold.
Stepping into the ring with his helper Tiffany, Teddy Long was anything but happy. Starting his long list of announcements, Long told the WWE Universe that tonight's planned match pitting Finlay and Matt Hardy to decide whether Finlay would challenge for the ECW Title would no longer be taking place. Finlay was currently at the hospital, with his son Hornswoggle. Hornswoggle is still unconscious, but Teddy Long promised to keep the world up to date whenever new developments occurred.
Long went on to say that, quite like WWE.com announced yesterday night, it would be expanding its length to two hours, starting next week. To mark the occasion, next week will feature matches between ECW's top stars for a chance to become #1 Contender for Hardy's ECW Title. Long commented although he didn't agree with Dreamer, the WWE board did.
In his final announcement for now, Long went to add that since Dreamer didn't respect the superstars from his New Superstar Initiative, perhaps it was time for Long to bring someone more... experienced...
It's Big, but is it an Improvement?
Stepping into the ring in ground-shaking manner, The Great Khali, the newest ECW superstar, made his presence known in the Land of Extreme, accompanied by Ranjin Singh. However, instead of debuting with a match, Singh said that Khali was bringing back his Kiss Cam segment to ECW!
To tremendous roars from the crowd, Tommy Dreamer arrived on the ramp for the second week in a row, stating that he was not about to allow for his show's reputation to be tarnished. An amused Long took advantage of the situation, and set up a match between the two, to start immediately.
Dreamer's determination was swiftly squashed by Khali's brute strength, and after only a few minutes of action, he was pinned following a Khali Bomb. Long, who had not left ringside for the entire match, declared that he was greatly impressed by the fight the two superstars put up, which was why he was placing them in a match the following week. And just so Dreamer could have a slight chance, it would be an EXTREME RULES MATCH!
Only One of Us
Following the monumental opening of the show, Long went on to announce that tonight's main event would feature 7 of next week's contestants, with Matt Hardy taking Finlay's place in tonight's 4 vs 4 tag team match. Unforutnately, not all was good news for the ECW roster, as two of the brand's newest members, DJ Gabriel and Gavin Spears, would duke it out one-on-one tonight, for a place at next week's competition.
Stepping into the ring in a very subdued fashion, DJ Gabriel decided against dancing his way into the ring, focused on getting a win tonight. With Alicia Fox at this side of the ring, Gabriel went head-to-head with Spears. Obviously preoccupied in the early going, Gabriel was being dominated by Spears until some words of encouragement from Alicia allowed him to turn the fight in his favor, picking up Spears and finishing him off with a Top Rope Gutbuster Drop for the win.
Unable to stop himself, DJ Gabriel and Alicia Fox danced in euphoria as Gabriel qualified for next week's #1 Contender's Tournament.
Adieu
But euphoria turned to grief after the duo left the ring, when Teddy Long arrived to make yet another announcement. Hornswoggle had fallen into a coma and the latest word from the doctors says that he isn't expected wake up in the coming months, or quite possibly, ever. A minute of silent prayer was held in the arena, with the 8 contestants of the Main Event all in the ring, paying their respects to the tiny Irishman.
Our Prayers are with you little guy.
Tag Team Turmoil & More
Once that was over, the main event began. While Matt Hardy led Long's New Superstar Initiative, with Jack Swagger, Evan Bourne and Ricky Ortiz on his side, Chavo Guerrero led the team of himself, Mark Henry and The Miz & Morrison during the night's main event. Ortiz and The Miz started the match out, and once 10 minutes were over, all 8 Extremists had stepped into the ring to prove their worth, but no elimination yet.
But that all changed quickly as, in a tremendous display of strength and athleticism, Jack Swagger finished off Mark Henry with his Red, White & Blue Bomb. The All-American American, who was playing to the crowd instead of paying attention to the match, was eliminated himself by John Morrison via roll-up. Morrison went on to eliminate Ricky Ortiz, by evading a Big O and delivering a Corsckrew Neckbreaker. Next to be eliminated was The Miz, who fell victim to Hardy's Twist of Fate. Chavo Guerrero then succumbed to a Shooting Star Press courtesy of Evan Bourne, who himself was eliminated by John Morrison.
The 1 vs 1 battle between Hardy and Morrison didn't materialise, however, when the Moscow Mauler, Vladimir Kozlov dashed towards the ring, and floored the reigning champion, leaving Morrison speechless, but relieved that the fight was finally over. Before Kozlov could even spare a glance at Morrison, Teddy Long appeared on the titantron. Long said that after a long talk with Vickie Guerrero, they decided that since Kozlov and Matt Hardy were so inseperable, they should be placed on the same brand, meaning that Kozlov became the second new ECW superstar of the night.
Quote:
The Great Khali w/Ranjin Singh def. Tommy Dreamer
DJ Gabriel w/Alicia Fox def. Gavin Spears
Team Hardy vs. Team Guerrero declared no-contest.
Nice Show. Its good you increased the times for the show. Great choice on the Extreme Rules Matches.
Overall Good Show. Will be reading Smackdown.
BTW: Can I use your Raw,ECW,Smackdown logos
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Re: Diverging Paths - A Current WWE BTB
