The 2008 WWE Draft
June 23, 2008
In the midst of the build-up to Night of Champions, there's one thing on every Superstar's mind: the 2008 WWE Draft. For the second year in a row, the Draft will take place on a special three-hour Raw, where all Superstars, all Divas and all announcers from all three brands are eligible. How will the entire landscape of sports-entertainment change in the wake of this year's Draft?
Even with the Draft dominating Raw next week, Mr. McMahon has announced that there's nothing keeping him from giving away another $1 million of his money as part of Mr. McMahon's Million Dollar Mania. For your chance to get a share of the Chairman's cash, all you have to do is register to win.
Temperatures continue to rise between WWE Champion Triple H and his Night of Champions challenger John Cena. Last week, Mr. McMahon was forced to send in a referee to keep The Game and Cena from taking each other apart at the very start of Raw, and we still have more than a week to go until Night of Champions, when they'll finally be turned loose on one another. When two competitors this powerful and confident want to compete, is there anything capable of keeping them apart?
After being kept away from Cena, Triple H participated in a match against Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho as retaliation for Y2J's cruel treatment of Shawn Michaels the week before. Jericho has stated that he's tired of being booed for doing the right thing only to see HBK cheered for his dishonest behavior, and to back his claim, he was willing to throw down with not only the WWE Champion but also Ric Flair, in the Hall of Famer's first appearance since his retirement. After having his head smashed into the Jeri-Tron 6000, Michaels is currently receiving medical care, but how long will it be before he returns to Raw looking for payback?
Though they have had their share of difficulties in prior weeks, the World Tag Team Champions Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes managed to defeat Cryme Tyme in a non-title match on Raw. Watching them compete was Ted DiBiase, who along with a partner of his choosing will be challenging Holly & Rhodes at Night of Champions in the third-generation Superstar's first in-ring performance. Who is this mystery competitor, and will the World Tag Team Champions be able to stand up to their assault?
Tune in to witness sports-entertainment history on a three-hour Monday Night Raw at the special time of 8/7 CT only on the USA Network.
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Explosive Encounter
June 24, 2008
Just one night after the Chairman gave away another $1 million to some of our most devout fans in McMahon's Million Dollar Mania on Raw, ECW Champion Kane and his Night of Champions challenger Big Show met in a heated exchange. The two titans aligned long enough to deliver a double-chokeslam to Mark Henry, but questions remain. Will Big Show's tremendous momentum be enough to roll over the Big Red Machine? Or will Kane send the World's Largest Athlete down in flames?
In an outrageously entertaining bout, Hornswoggle defeated Armando Estrada, pulling out all the stops, as well as the marbles, squirt guns, and a devious brawler from Belfast who loves to fight. After Estrada botched yet another opportunity to earn his contract from newly-appointed ECW General Manager Theodore Long, have the chances finally run out for the former GM?
Putting his own exclamation point on the newest chapter of a long standing rivalry, Mr. Money in the Bank CM Punk defeated WWE Tag Team Champion John Morrison. Could Morrison and his partner The Miz suffer a similar fate at Night of Championships in their title match against Finlay and Hornswoggle? Or will the Shaman of Sexy and the self-proclaimed Chick Magnet hold on to their coveted gold?
Tuesday night's electrifying newcomer, Evan Bourne, took another step closer to finding his ECW identity, earning his first singles victory over Matt Striker. But the real fireworks began after the bell when Mike Knox assaulted Bourne in retaliation for his loss last week in tag team action. How will the Bourne find retribution for this brutal sneak attack?
Before being able to play out his match against Knox, Kofi Kingston was also attacked, by ECW's Gold Standard, Shelton Benjamin. Week after week, this vicious rivalry becomes more and more intense. Will it be long before the powder keg between these two great athletes explodes?
Find out the answers to all of these questions and more on the next ECW on Sci Fi, Tuesday at 10/9 CT.
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PREVIEW FOR THURSDAY'S "iMPACT!": KEVIN NASH VS. BOOKER T, CAGE VS. BROTHER RAY, WORLD X CUP ACTION AND MORE
By Bill Banks
This Thursday night, TNA Wrestling returns to SpikeTV starting at 9pm for two hours of Total Nonstop Action as the journey to the July 13 Victory Road Pay-Per-View continues!
The below is a preview of what is scheduled to take place on the broadcast. As always, matches are subject to change!
- Kevin Nash has accepted the challenge from Samoa Joe, and "Big Sexy" will step into the ring this Thursday night against his longtime rival Booker T! Will Nash show up Joe and handle Booker? Or, will the Houston native and number-one contender to Joe's World Title maintain his momentum heading into the Victory Road event? No doubt, Samoa Joe will be in attendance to watch it all unfold. The question is, will he get involved in the match this Thursday night? Tune in and find out!
- "The Phenomenal" AJ S_tyles is scheduled to take on high-flying newcomer Consequences Creed in singles action this Thursday night on SpikeTV. However, can AJ concentrate on his match with Creed when he's got bigger issues to contend with in Kurt Angle and the situation involving his wife Karen?
- Speaking of Karen Angle, she has promised to return to iMPACT! despite the potentially volatile situation involving Kurt as well as Awesome Kong, who recently attacked Karen. Is Karen making the right choice to come back so soon? Will her issues with her husband continue to spiral out of control?
- "The Instant C_lassic" Christian Cage is scheduled to go one-on-one with Team 3D's Brother Ray! Plus, we hope to have an update on the condition of "The War Machine" Rhino, who was viciously attacked last week by Team 3D.
- Also on "iMPACT!", the World X Cup competition continues as it will be Team Japan taking on the debuting Team Mexico, featuring the superstars from the CMLL promotion!
- Plus, there will be more news and matches for the upcoming July 13 "Victory Road" Pay-Per-View event from the Reliant Arena in Houston, Texas!
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Draft anticipation
June 27, 2008
With the 2008 WWE Draft Monday on Raw, not one SmackDown Superstar is safe. How will the Draft shake up Friday nights? Which Superstars will be arriving, and who will be departing? And how will the change in the roster affect next Sunday's Night of Champions?
One thing is certain, if World Heavyweight Champion Edge and United States Champion Matt Hardy both remain unscathed by the Draft, they will go one-on-one Friday night, as first announced by Edge exclusively on WWE Mobile on AT&T. Will the longtime rivals head into action against each other?
On Friday's SmackDown, General Manager Vickie Guerrero took her power position to new levels. First, she interrupted MVP's VIP Lounge, informing the Ballin' Superstar he'd face ECW Champion Kane later in the night, a match he lost via count-out. Would the Franchise Playa be better suited on another brand? Or will SmackDown's highest-paid Superstar remain on Friday nights?
After Kane defeated MVP, Mark Henry attacked the Big Red Machine, flattening him with the World's Strongest Slam. It's no secret Henry has his eyes set on ECW gold, but will Kane successfully defend his title against Big Show at Night of Champions?
Also on SmackDown, United States Champion Matt Hardy faced Bam Neely, the bodyguard of his Night of Champions opponent, Chavo Guerrero. The one-man fence made an impressive singles debut, but referee Charles Robinson ejected Chavo Guerrero from ringside for interference. Will Hardy continue his winning ways heading into Night of Champions? What role will Neely play in the United States Championship match?
Later on, the GM's power trip continued, when she punished referee Robinson by forcing him to face The Great Khali. Khali brutally leveled Robinson with a Vise Grip. Will Khali continue to dominate Friday nights or will he be drafted?
The vindictive General Manager stacked the deck one final time on Friday night when she named her fiancé guest referee in a match between Chavo Guerrero and Batista. With Edge's help, Vickie Guerrero's nephew picked up the win by count-out over The Animal.
Have Chavo Guerrero and Edge gained the momentum they need before their title matches against Hardy and Batista at Night of Champions? Will Edge's best man be boasting gold around his waist as he stands up for the groom in three weeks?
Also on SmackDown, Jesse & Festus faced Deuce & Domino. The duo hasn't exactly been "all about cool" lately, as their friendship took a turn for the worse. Is this the end of Deuce & Domino? Can their friendship be saved? Will the Draft break up the fabulous '50s friends?
One-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions, The Miz, met one of his Night of Champions opponents, Finlay, on SmackDown. The Miz's tag partner, John Morrison, offered his commentary during the match, but eventually got caught up with Hornswoggle, which distracted The Miz and led to a victory for Finlay. Will Irish eyes smile at Night of Champions or will Miz & Morrison once again retain their tag gold? Will either duo be broken up by Monday's Draft?
Finally, ECW Diva Layla met Michelle McCool in Divas action. The All-American Girl picked up the win as Divas Championship contender, Natalya, looked on. Who will catch Vickie Guerrero's eye and a chance to face Natalya? Will any of the Divas in contention for the Championship be affected by Monday's Draft?
To find out the answers to these questions and more, don't miss Monday's special three-hour Raw featuring the live 2008 WWE Draft, beginning at 8/7 CT. Tune in to Friday Night SmackDown at 8/7 CT only on The CW Network. Night of Champions is next Sunday at 8/7 CT, live, only on pay-per-view.
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On a side note, I won't be on my SmackDown WrestleChat this week.
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