This Week in WWE (updated 08/01/04)

 

Changing of the Guard…

 

Intro:

                Things are a-changing in the WWE.  On RAW a new member of Evolution will be challenging for the World’s Title.  Randy Orton, instead of perennial challenger/champion Triple H, will be facing Chris Benoit for the title at the PPV.  How will this affect the hierarchy of Evolution?  Will Randy Orton know his role? Or will he venture out on his own?  And what role will Batista and Flair play in all this?   Time will tell…On SmackDown, we have a new GM.  Mr. McMahon has named Teddy Long as the new GM replacing Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle.  Booker T has regained the US title in an 8-man elimination match for the vacant title.  Spike Dudley, with unwarranted assistance from his big brothers captured the Cruiserweight championship from Rey Mysterio.

 

Raw Wrap-Up:

                Raw was highlighted by a 60-minute Iron Man Match for the World Heavyweight Championship, between Champion Chris Benoit and challenger Triple H.  The one who accumulates the most pinfalls, countouts, or submissions wins the title at the end of the hour.  Benoit took an early lead on this contest Triple H had Benoit set for a pedigree, countered it into a sharpshooter, which Trips escaped, only to roll into a crossface, which he again escapes, but is wrapped up by Benoit who took the lead 1-0.  Triple H took advantage of a missed headbutt by Benoit to hit a pedigree and got his first pinfall of the night.  The score didn’t remain tied for long, as Triple H took the champ outside and after good use of the steps won via count out to take the lead 2-1.  Moments later, Triple H continued the assault and scored another pinfall and make it 3-1with only 20 minutes remaining.  Triple H ended up going for a Pedigree, which Benoit revered into a Sharpshooter to which the challenger tapped out, closing the gap to 3-2.  Shortly thereafter, Benoit caught Triple H in the crossface to which the challenger tapped with some struggle, to even the score at 3-3.  Batista and Ric Flair came down to the ring to ensure that Triple H would once again come home with the gold.  Batista did a number on Benoit, but it couldn’t keep him down.   The match ended when Eugene jumped out of the audience to save the day (and the belt) for Benoit.  Eugene cleaned house and leveled Bischoff with a chair shot.  He then whacked Trips with the chair and dragged the ref to the ring.  Benoit covered Triple H and the ref counted to 3 just as time was about to expire.  Bottom line: Chris Benoit retains the gold.           

In other action, Randy Orton wins a 20-man Battle Royal to win himself a shot at the World heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam.  The order of elimination: William Regal; Tyson Tomko; Chuck Palumbo; Val Venis; Matt Hardy; The Hurricane; Steven Richards; Rodney Mack; Rosey; Sylvain Grenier; Robert Conway; Tajiri; Ric Flair; Rhyno; Kane; Maven; Batista; Edge; Chris Jericho.

 

Smackdown! Wrap-Up:

                SmackDown kicked off with an announcement that Mr. McMahon has re-hired all the superstars that Kurt Angle fired last week.   Shortly thereafter, he announced Teddy Long as the new General Manager of SmackDown!  In Long’s first act as GM, he announces an 8-man elimination match for the United States Heavyweight Title.  Billy Gunn, Charlie Hass, Luthor Reigns, Rene Dupree, Kenzo Suzuki, John Cena, Booker T, and RVD squared off in an 8-man elimination match.  Charlie Haas was the first eliminated by Billy Gunn.  Rene Dupree was the next one out when pinned by Luthor Reigns.  Suzuki eliminated himself by DQ outside the ring with Cena.  Cena was then on a tear, pinning Billy Gunn and then bested the monster Luthor Reigns.   This now left Booker T, Cena, and RVD in the hunt for the U.S. title.  Cena gave it his all, but succumbed to Booker T after RVD hit a five-star frog splash.  Booker took advantage of RVD’s injured post-splash abdomen syndrome to get the 3-count and walk away with the US title.

                In other action, Paul London and Billy Kidman kept their titles against the Dudleys with an assist from Rey Mysterio.  Eddie Guerrero put Angle’s personal possessions on WWE.com auctions.  Angle tried to commit grand theft auto, but Eddie’s anti-theft system left Angle with a face-full of white powder. 

                Next week:  Angle returns to the ring in singles action and Spike Dudley and Rey Mysterio will face the Dudleys.     

 

Odds and Ends:

                Brock Lesnar has signed with the Minnesota Vikings, let’s see if e makes the cut, this isn’t the XFL…Sean O’Haire, who was released by WWE earlier this year was arrested for assault…Roddy Piper is said to be wanting to make a comeback to WWE, good luck, Hot Rod…WWE seems to be milking the Flair comments concerning Bret Hart, could an angle between the two be in the works?  Only time will tell, so stay tuned right here….

 

Thanks for reading and have a nice week,

J.P. ---The Newsletter Guy

 

 

 

Sources:

http://www.wwe.com/

 

 

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