WWE Raw Wrapup - 9/3/2012

CM Punk's quest for respect has taken a wicked tight left turn at the corner of face and heel.  How is he going to react, how is AJ going to respond, and how is Daniel Bryan's anger collage going to turn out?

Michael Cole is at the commentary booth next to an empty chair - Jerry Lawler's music hit as per normal, but he didn't come out before the show.  We then cut to Lawler and CM Punk brawling in the back and Punk being pulled away by four refs, only to boot The King of Memphis in the face, laying him out.  To open the show proper, the World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus heads to the ring.  Cole reiterates that Lawler was "sneak attacked" by Punk, even though the clip we were shown doesn't prove that, which is a terrible way to put things together.  Sheamus reminds us that we're in Chicago, and about two sentences in, the hometown hero WWE Champion interrupts.  Punk tells Sheamus not to talk to his people.  Punk says the people of Chicago relate to him, then asks how the crowd is doing tonight, receiving a warm welcome.  He then lets us know that Lawler attacked him from behind; Punk is the King of Chicago.  Punk gave Lawler what he "deserved" Chicago style.  Punk continues that the white knight John Cena came to the ring last week to save The King, getting a wave of boos from the Chi-town crowd.  Punk asks if he turned his back on the WWE Universe like Lawler said and gets a rowdy "NO" chant.

Punk says that helping Lawler means Cena agrees with him, which is disrespecting him.  Punk says that by disrespecting the WWE Champion, Cena is the one who has turned his back on the WWE Universe.  Sheamus has had enough and interrupts, saying that Punk has some nerve talking about disrespect.  WWE Champion or not, Punk interrupted Sheamus, so he's being disrespectful too.  Sheamus tries to goad Punk into getting in the ring, but Punk says he has nothing to do with the Great White.  Punk says that as World Heavyweight Champion, he's (at best) second best in the world.  Sheamus says Punk is talking out of his arse, so he may as well turn around so he can look at it.  This draws out General Manager AJ Lee to settle things down.  Tonight will have two main events - The number one contenders to the WWE and World Heavyweight Titles will face off, and we'll also have a Champion vs Champion match.  John Cena vs Alberto del Rio and Punk vs Sheamus, tonight!

Match 1:  Dolph Ziggler (Smackdown Money in the Bank Holder) vs Randy Orton
Winner:  Dolph Ziggler via pinfall

Vickie introduces Dolph as per the norm and lets us know that she will discuss her issues with AJ later tonight.  A stalemate on a shoulder block and a dropkick from Ziggler opens the match.  Orton grabs a headlock and then runs Ziggler over with a shoulder.  A leapfrog from Ziggler leads to another shoulder and a dropkick from Orton this time.  Orton hits the stomps around the limbs then kicks the chest of the Showoff.  Ziggler leapfrogs in the corner, but Orton grabs him for the top rope bounce suplex for two.  Ziggler pops up and punches away at Orton in the corner to regain a bit of steam.  Out of the opposite corner, Orton gets his hands up in the face of Ziggler, then tosses him to the floor.  The Viper pursues and throws Ziggler into the barricades, leaving him on the floor into a commercial.

Orton is still in charge as we return and elevates Ziggler for a big pancake, then mounts for punches in the corner.  Ziggler fights out of the follow up with a swinging neckbreaker; both men roll to the floor and Ziggler throws Orton into the barricade shoulder first.  Ziggler rolls Orton back in and covers him for two.  Ziggler gets to his feet and hits his jumping elbow for two again.  Now into a chinlock and Ziggler keeps Orton grounded, then does his headstand showoff.  Ziggler lands in a bridge, applying more pressure to the neck, then walks his way back into normal position.  Orton fights up to his feet, but runs into a knee.  Ziggler tries the jumping elbow again but comes up empty this time, leading to a slugfest.  Ziggler fights out of the corner and hits a running clothesline for another near fall.  Ziggler now climbs to the top rope, but Orton crotches him then strikes away.  Orton follows up top for a top rope superplex and covers Ziggler for two.  Both men are slow to their feet, but Orton is first - He hits two clotheslines and a powerslam, then tosses Ziggler to the apron, but the Showoff drops him neck first across the top rope.  Ziggler slides back in, but runs into an Orton backbreaker for two.  Ziggler pops up and hits his new jumping DDT, but Orton is out at two.  Ziggler tries the Namedropper, but ends up on the apron for Orton's spike DDT.  Orton coils for the RKO, but Ziggler shoves him off.  Orton hits his signature corner schoolboy, but Ziggler rolls through and grabs a handful of tights, which is good for the win.

Aside from the ending, a bit similar to Smackdown's match, but that's just more of a good thing - Ziggler's athleticism and Orton's intensity make for a great match.  Ziggler's bridging chinlock was a nice change up from the norm on a WWE mat.  Good stuff.

The Miz immediately comes out and walks past Ziggler, making his way to the commentary booth.  Apparently it's now Monday Night Miz.  Cole says that "the most talked about thing in WWE" right now is Daniel Bryan's Anger Management course.  Tonight, the group presents their anger collages.  Bryan gets volunteered to go first, and it's a paper with "NO" and "YES" scribbled all over it.  Kane is next and holds up a blank piece of paper.  Kane is asked how he feels inside and says he'll show us - He puts his paper in the trash can and does his fire summon routine, lighting it up.  Bryan calls him the teacher's pet.  Now it's time to talk about their families.

Match 2:  Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara vs Cody Rhodes and Tensai
Winners:  Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara

Rhodes and Cara start out and Cara's speed gets the best of Rhodes, with a handspring elbow off the ropes - The standoff leads to a quick commercial.  Tensai is in control as we return, bludgeoning Sin Cara in the corner, then tagging in Cody Rhodes.  Tensai hits a headbutt from the apron for good measure and this allows Rhodes to get a two count.  Rhodes ties up Sin Cara in a bow and arrow stretch mid ring, then Cara rolls out for a quick one count to counter.  Rhodes goes after the mask, then drops a forearm across Cara.  Tensai comes back in and hits Sin Cara with a short arm clothesline, then clubs him.  Tensai continues with a scoop slam and locks on a nerve hold.  Tensai is taking a lot of "Albert" chants from the Chicago crowd.  Cara fights out of a corner with boots and an enzuigiri, but Rhodes tags in, stopping the hot tag to Mysterio.  Cara makes the tag shortly after and Rey lays into Rhodes.

Mysterio takes to the apron and then the top rope for a diving senton for two.  Rhodes tries a school boy, but Mysterio rolls through with a low dropkick.   Tensai comes in to run interference, but Mysterio counters him and hits a 619, followed by a Sin Cara missile dropkick.  Rhodes hits a gourduster for two in the confusion.  Rhodes wants a powerbomb, but Mysterio counters into a hurricanrana and a 619, then tags Cara in to hit a Swanton Bomb for the win.

Sin Cara gets the pinfall, but Rey's music plays.  I never enjoy when they pull that bit.  Watching with someone who's still a bit of a new fan (my fiancee), I realize one of the key flaws with Michael Cole being a lead announcer and not having the straight man, the play by play man (such as Matt Striker) on the mic - Nobody learns what anything is called.  A bow and arrow stretch is pretty rare on WWE TV; why not teach the kids and the newer fans who might be older what it's called?  We all know it's a show, we all know it's planned, but we make a deal with WWE for hours every week - We'll suspend our disbelief and you make us feel like we're watching wrestling matches that matter.  If someone locks in a Kimura in UFC, they'll call it.  Why not grant us that same courtesy and try to bring us back into the illusion?

Back to Anger Management, it's time for work on trust issues.  Bryan and Kane are not participating in the hand holding exercise going on.  Space is made in the middle of the room and Kane and Bryan will be demonstrating a trust exercise.  It's the old "fall back and your partner catches you" trust exercise.  Bryan is the first to fall backwards, and he says he trusts Kane.  Kane catches Bryan as he falls back and stands him back up.  Now it's Harold's turn - Kane and Bryan will both catch him.  Harold hits the ground.  Bryan and Kane ask each other if they knew the other wouldn't catch him.  Bryan says he thinks he finally understands Kane.  This is great already and it's only going to get better.  Kane and Bryan for tag champs!

Match 3:  Sheamus (World Heavyweight Champion) vs CM Punk (WWE Champion) - Champion vs Champion
Winner:  No contest

So once again the WWE Champion opens the second hour of Raw.  This still leaves John Cena to main event.  Storyline or not, this is really out of hand.  Both champions practically jerking the curtain is unacceptable; it devalues the titles in ludicrous fashion.  CM Punk comes out in jeans and a t-shirt.  Punk grabs a mic and plays to the hometown crowd.  The WWE Champion says that Chicago respects him and his decisions.  Punk says that champ vs champ is a main event, not a mid-show trifle.  Punk says that in observence of Labor Day, he's taking the day off from work.  He tosses the mic to the mat and bails from the ring, bringing a chorus of boos from the Chicago crowd - Making a Chicago crowd boo CM Punk is quite a feat.  Sheamus grabs the mic and says that Punk is showing disrespect to his people by walking out.

Cut to Punk leaving the arena, stopped by AJ who says he can't leave.  Punk says to check his contract; he's taking a personal day.  Matt Striker asks AJ what she's going to do about her main event; she asks him who he is then says she'll find Sheamus an opponent. 

Alberto del Rio makes his way to the ring while Sheamus is still in it.  Jack Swagger's music hits next.

Actual Match 3:  Sheamus (World Heavyweight Champion) vs Jack Swagger, non-title
Winner:  Sheamus via submission

Now, this match would be interesting if the 262 lb Swagger was made to look at all credible in the last 12 months.  At the moment, he's entirely a joke and probably one of the most misused members of the roster, so there's no hint of Swagger having a chance against Sheamus.  Quick exchange to open and Sheamus takes control.  Sheamus quickly goes to the apron, then lands a top rope shoulder block for two.  Swagger hits the ropes and tags Sheamus with a chopblock for one.  Sheamus boots out of a corner and hits hammers and a corner shoulder, but misses the knee lift.  Swagger takes him up for a gutwrench, but Sheamus lands on his feet, wanting White Noise; Swagger counters then hits a Swagger Bomb for two.  Sheamus knocks Swagger down and locks in the Cloverleaf, which Cole says Sheamus has never used before.  This, of course, is patently false and Cole throws a verbal party for him using new moves.  It really makes you wonder if Cole does this garbage on purpose, or if he's just that bad at his job.  I feel it's the latter; again, this is where the play by play guy who knows his stats and such would be a huge asset to the show as a whole.

Del Rio attacks from behind and Ricardo runs interference.  White Noise on del Rio and Sheamus wants a Brough Kick.  Ricardo Rodriguez takes it instead as del Rio escapes.  Rodriguez sells the Brough Kick heavily and the doctor hits the ring; perhaps an angle leaving ADR without his usual backup to see how he does on his own without that crutch?

Aside from Cole's worthlessness as a mic-man, how come AJ didn't pick Ryback, who's been on a huge win streak instead of Swagger who is on a more consistent first-name basis with losing?  I mean, we know why, but that's still one of those glaring logic gaps we let slide on a regular basis without getting the favor returned to us in some fashion.

Match 4:  Eve Torres vs Kaitlyn
Winner:  Eve Torrest via pinfall

How does Eve have time to train and wrestle PLUS be Booker T's assistant?  Something doesn't add up!  Eve is all smiles in the ring, which matches her newly found attitude of being supportive of Kaitlyn and Layla.  Speaking of Layla, the Divas Champ is at ringside for commentary.  Kaitlyn trips Eve and hits a crossbody early, then locks in a headlock.  Kaitlyn blocks a hiptoss and hits one of her own, but Eve takes her down and punches her on the mat.  The ref breaks the catfight up and Eve offers a handshake, which Kaitlyn wants no part of.  Eve with an arm wrench and Kaitlyn gets away, but Eve hits a drop toe hold and a front facelock, then takes Kaitlyn over into a headlock.  Kaitlyn fights to her feet and Eve knocks her out of the air in an awkward fashion and Eve steps back while the ref checks on her.  Eve with a kick to the gut and her new neckbreaker for the win. 

Layla and Miz on commentary is WAY too much - The bickering is entirely distracting and draws attention away from the match.  Eve shakes Kaitlyn's hand after the match and rolls out to talk to Layla.  Eve wants to shake the hand of the Divas Champion as well, and Layla complies.  Eve heads out of the ringside area.  Obviously another facet of the "Eve is a manipulator" angle, but we'll see where it takes us from here.

Swagger is in the back and AJ catches up to him.  Swagger says he's taking "extended time off" because he's better than this.  AJ goes into a fit about people leaving her lately, dropping Lesnar, Jericho and Punk earlier tonight.  Swagger tells her he's sorry and leaves the arena.  Well, that's one way to break a pathetic losing streak.

Back to Anger Management and congratulations to everyone.  Daniel Bryan's closing words are full of thanks and willingness to give Kane a rematch from Summerslam.  Kane thanks Bryan and says one day he'll accept that challenge, doing his best not to eviscerate him.  Bryan takes exception to this and says it's hard to eviscerate when you're tapping out.  The rest of the group scuttles out and Bryan says he won't be intimidated.  The doc tries to break it up and Kane grabs Bryan by the neck - The doc goes ballistic, screaming that they don't listen and have learned nothing.  Hope something comes of all this.

Michael Cole says that during the commercial, he was informed that for Raw-Action tonight, the WWE Universe will Twitter-Vote on whether Kane and Bryan wrestle one another, tag together or "hug it out".

Matt Striker catches up with ADR for an update on Ricardo.  David Otunga steps out and says "no comment" at this time.  Oh good lord.

Match 5:  Jinder Mahal vs Ryback
Winner:  Ryback via pinfall

Ryback comes out in his new t-shirt, which doesn't exactly mesh with his character, but it says "Feed Me More" on it, so that's close enough.  Immediately, Chicago opens up with a "Goldberg" chant as Mahal tries an arm wrench on the big man.  Ryback casts him off and strikes away at him.  Ryback blocks an Irish whip, but runs into knees in the corner.  Mahal with a huge shoulder to knock Ryback down, but he answers with a huge scoop slam and a back body drop.  Ryback follows with a deadlift powerbomb.  Ryback hits the huge lariat and calls for the end.  Ryback hits Shellshocked and pins Jinder. 

Despite the "Goldberg" chants, the crowd is vocally behind Ryback, enjoying his catchphrase and dominating power style.  Ryback continues to take slightly more offense from people than in earlier matches, but we're still about where we have been with him.  Time for real forward movement.

Matt Striker catches up with AJ again and asks what she plans to do about the current goings on.  AJ says that Cena vs del Rio is falls count anywhere tonight.  No real logic behind why, aside from AJ losing her cool on the whole.

Daniel Bryan and Kane each make their entrance to the ring area to find out the fate decided for them by the WWE Universe via Twitter.  The results of the poll:  Hug it out.  Twitter, you have failed me in the gravest fashion.  Team Fire and Yes is over before it begins.  There's a referee in the ring to apparently officiate this hug; he's actually gesturing for them to meet mid ring.  This can't be in his jurisdiction.  Bryan gets into a Yes/No argument with the crowd as Kane remains stoic.  Kane and Bryan approach for a hug, but Kane backs off.  Next it's Bryan's turn to back off with another Yes/No argument.  A slight chest bump draws a boo from the crowd.  A repeat.  Bryan gets his arms around Kane, but Kane doesn't reciprocate; Bryan is extremely upset that Kane did not hug him.  Of note, a flash of a Briscoe Brothers "Man Up" t-shirt in the crowd during this was good for a laugh.  Kane finally hugs Bryan, but he didn't reciprocate this time.  Two separate halves of a hug does not a hug make, gentlemen.  Miz is reporting the rules of a "hug it out" as this goes on, which is fair enough, since we have a ref to enforce it.

A hug, finally!  Has Anger Management given these men a breakthrough?  Bryan offers a handshake and Kane accepts.  Slaps on the shoulders and Bryan is taking exception to the force which Kane does them.  Kane now gets shoved by Bryan and returns the favor.  Bryan says they need to cool it and shoves Kane again.  Kane shoves him back again and Bryan slaps him.  Now a fight breaks out.  Bryan wants the Nolock but Kane boots him in the face.  A low bridge from Bryan deposits Kane on the outside and Kane thrusts the throat of Bryan as he flies off the apron.  Kane now bounces Bryan off every surface he can find and throws a chair and Bryan into the ring.  Kane with a chokeslam, but not on the chair.  Kane wraps Bryan's head in the chair and heads to the top rope, which draws another pair of refs out to stop him.  Bryan recovers and whacks Kane with the chair, then gets the hell out of Dodge.

That was weird and awkward and entirely more entertaining than half the matches we see on Raw on a regular basis.  I would normally poo-poo that much time devoted to a non-match, but if it's going to entertain me, it's fine.

Match 6:  Santino Marella vs Antonio Cesaro (c), United States Championship
Winner:  Antonio Cesaro via pinfall

In an inset promo, Cesaro says "Success" in five languages.  Santino immediately slaps Cesaro, which leads to aggression, but Marella hits a drop toe hold and the diving headbutt.  Santino wants the Cobra, but Aksana hops to the apron, so he puts it away.  Santino hits the Cobra strike sans the puppet, which has no effect.  Cesaro hits armtrap headbutts and a deadlift gutwrench.  Cesaro stomps the Cobra puppet on the mat, then lays into Santino with elbows and short arm clotheslines.  Santino ducks the third one and dives for the Cobra.  Santino kicks Cesaro out and puts the puppet on, but Cesaro hits the ring, hitting the Neutralizer for the win. 

So Santino's current storyline is him and his sock puppet having relationship issues...and he's dragging the US Title into it.  Cesaro, make that the European title, be an effective heel and kick the bejeezus out of people smaller than you, just like you should be.  Please.

Match 7:  Zack Ryder vs Heath Slater
Winner:  Zack Ryder via pinfall

Slater with a quick shoulder block, but Ryder answers with a flapjack for one.  Slater with a big right hand and boots, then he air guitars Ryder in the head.  Slater continues with a big neckbreaker out of the corner for two.  Slater with elbows to the collarbone and more air guitaring, then a knee drop for another nearfall.  A chinlock from Slater and Ryder quickly gets to his feet; Slater grounds him again.  Ryder tries to fight out again, but Slater keeps the pressure on.  Slater rushes Ryder, but runs into double knees and a second rope missile dropkick.  Ryder hits a forearm in the opposite corner and then the Broski Boot.  Slater counters the Rough Ryder, but Ryder hits a facebuster and then the Rough Ryder after a quick turnaround.  

Good, straight forward match and most crowds love to see Ryder win and Slater lose.  More importantly, we get to see both men on Raw in a normal match.  Both should be moving up on the roster and it's silly that they don't. 

Vickie Guerrero immediately makes her way to the ring to interrupt and ruin Ryder's moment.  Vickie says she wants to address AJ and wants her in the ring now.  Tonight is not the night to mess with the Raw General Manager, madam cougar.  Vickie stages a sit-in midring.  She waits long enough that we head into a commercial.  Vickie starts her conversation before AJ even comes to the ring and says she's failed and it's time for her to leave.  AJ finally heads toward the ring and she is not skipping or smiling.  The Raw GM says she just got off the phone with the Board of Directors, who has lambasted her actions as of late.  She is not to put her hands on any superstar, manager or announcer moving forward.  She has also been asked to apologize.  AJ says she is sorry.  Vickie goads AJ, asking why she's apologizing.  Is it because she's inept?  Or to Vickie for her attacking her?  Vickie demands a direct apology.  AJ does so begrudingly.  Vickie calls the apology pathetic, wanting it to mean something.  AJ says she's sorry again and Vickie slaps her.  AJ can't strike back and has a maddened look in her face.  Vickie goes to leave, but returns to the ring to rub AJ's face in it a bit more, then slaps her again.  Vickie cackles and leaves the ring, then skips her way up the ramp, further mocking the GM.  AJ throws a fit in the ring, throwing the mic and the chair Vickie was sitting on, then strikes the mat with the chair, screaming.  AJ jettisons the chair up the ramp, then pounds the mat, screaming the entire time.  Maybe AJ should have joined Bryan and Kane in that anger management class.

So the Board of Directors is fine with a manager paint brushing the Raw GM twice, but no retaliation is to be accepted?  The Board of Directors is a bunch of a-holes if you ask me.  Also, after an outburst like that, how could they not rescind AJ's position immediately?  The Board is a terrible crutch that's been used for way too long in WWE when nothing else will make sense because the storylines have screwed up the chain of command so severely.

Match 8:  John Cena vs Alberto del Rio, Falls Count Anywhere
Winner:  Alberto del Rio via pinfall

Opening the match on TV, ADR hits a backbreaker, since the match started mid commercial.  Brilliant.  Alberto with a scoop slam for two and a chinlock.  Cena gets up to his feet and powers out of the hold, delivering a kick to the gut of del Rio.  They hit a double clothesline on one another and somehow make no impact.  Cena misses a haymaker and ADR with a Backstabber for two.  The poor Colons.  Alberto heads to the top rope, but Cena dropkicks him out of midair.  Cena right into the pair of shoulders and spin out bomb, calling for the Five Knuckle Shuffle.  Cena connects and wants an Attitude Adjustment, but ADR grabs the top rope and drops Cena throat first across it.  Out to the floor now and Cena gets tossed into the steel steps.  ADR with a double stomp to the chest of Cena, then throws him into the barricade.  ADR wants to whip Cena into the other set of stairs, but Cena reverses the whip.  Del Rio hops over the steps, but Cena follows with a shoulder block over them for two.  Cena clears the announce table, but del Rio hits an enzuigiri from behind for his own two count.  Alberto cinches up for a vertical suplex onto the table, but Cena counters, wanting the Attitude Adjustment again; ADR lands on his feet and shoves Cena into the ringpost.  Del Rio has a chair in hand and swings for the fences, but Cena ducks, causing him to hit the ringpost with the chair.  Cena takes advantage and tosses ADR over the barricade.  Cena drags the stairs over toward the announce table.

Alberto gets to his feet, but Cena stays in charge, throwing him into the barricade again.  Cena lifts del Rio into a fireman's carry and walks up the stairs, wanting an Attitude Adjustment through the table.  Del Rio fights out and hits a belly to back suplex through the table instead.  Del Rio turns Cena over and pins him, but Cena is out in two.  Cena is rolled back into the ring and ADR grabs a mic, then gets in the ring.  He mocks Cena, saying he's beneath him, just like Chicago, punctuating with boots.  ADR says he's going to break Cena's arm and rolls into the Cross Armbreaker.  Cena rolls through the normal lock on and grabs the STF.  Alberto reaches for the mic he was just using and bops Cena in the head with it to break the hold.  Del Rio rushes Cena at the ropes, but he dodges, sending ADR careening to the floor, holding his knee.  ADR still has fight in him and lands a suplex on the steel ramp for two.  Cena fights back and throws ADR head first into the stage twice.  Cena grabs a speaker and lifts it up, but gets kicked in the leg, causing Cena to hobble around a bit.  They fght to the backstage area and Cena grabs a trashcan and throws it at ADR, missing.  Del Rio wants another Cross Armbreaker, but Cena hits the Attitude Adjustment onto a bunch of tool boxes.  CM Punk attacks from behind with a kick to the head and throws ADR on top of Cena for the win.

Punk lifts Cena onto his shoulders and gives him a GTS across a car hood.  Punk gets in the face of the number one contender and says "respect".  Gotta say, the GTS across an *insert object here* spot is a terrible one, since guys do that to each other on turnbuckles and tables on a far too regular basis.  Punk gets in the car he just tossed Cena onto and Paul Heyman is the man driving it.  I think we've all been waiting for this turn in the story for too long.

Now, that was an interesting episode of Raw.  Things move forward, things develop and Paul Heyman is back!  He may not have Brock Lesnar in tow after he "quit", but the WWE Champ isn't a bad addition to your stable.  Miz did a great job on commentary; if we had to make a criticism, his "mocking" voice got a bit grating at times and sounded childish, but aside from his spat with Layla, he was entertaining.

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Rinse, Reuse, Reboot: Hollywood's Lack of Creativity

Total Recall, Spiderman, Rambo, Rock Balboa, Dredd 3D, RoboCop, Man of Steel, Fantastic Four, The A-Team, 21 Jump Street, Star Trek, Conan, TMNT, The Mummy, The Karate Kid, Clash of the Titans, Batman, James Bond, and even Twlight. All movies. All reboots or soon to be reboots.


Nowadays  as a filmgoer its been increasingly hard to find new and original material on the silver screen. More often than not I sit in the movie theater with my father and we see more than one trailer that he exclaims "Oh so they are remaking that?". I wonder if when I'm older and I take my kids out to the movies if I'l be exclaiming "Hey, they've made this movie about three times already. My dad saw the first version of this film 50 years ago!" I'm 26 years old and they have already done Superman, Batman and Spiderman over twice. Hulk has its third Bruce Banner in ten years. I was alive to see Judge Dredd and I'll be alive to see him again in Dredd 3D. Same goes for Godzilla, but that particular gem I'm not complaining about. I love that big green bastard.

Judgement already came...in 1995

Original screenplays aren't a commonplace anymore. Book to movie, and reboots are now king. And we pay to see it. Why? Because there isn't really anything else out there. I find myself gravitating towards television shows out there. The competition is fierce enough on TV that there isn't room for a reboot. Ergo why shows like Dallas failed, it's been done. When Bewitched became a movie it flopped. 

I yearn for original material. Something that will surprise me. Something that I can't predict. Can Hollywood truly be out of directors and writers that have vision?

"Will we ever see a film with as complex a script as Inception?"

Filmmakers like Christopher Nolan seem to come along once in a generation. James Cameron will be making Avatar films for the rest of his life. Will be being seeing the same recycled genius for the next ten years? Hopefully our dedication to the film making craft will be rewarded sooner rather than later.

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WWE Raw Wrapup - 8/27/12

CM Punk's hunt for respect continues tonight on another three hour edition of Raw.  We'll find out the backlash for CM Punk kicking Jerry Lawler in the back of the head, as well as hear from Triple H on the match with Brock Lesnar from Summerslam.

Lawler gets in the ring as the show opens and says he needs to say something.  Lawler admits that he may have misspoken when he said Punk turned his back on WWE at Raw 1000.  Last week, Lawler apologized then got kicked in the back of the head.  This week, Lawler wants an apology.  The WWE Champion slowly makes his way to the ring, with a newly shaved head.  Punk says it's ludicrous for Lawler to want an apology after he painted Punk as a "bad guy".  Punk says that Lawler is the one who turned on the WWE Universe by slandering its champion.  Punk admits that he's sorry - Sorry that Lawler managed to make it into the Hall of Fame, despite never being the WWE Champion, despite not even being able to beat Michael Cole.  Punk continues that he's sorry about the man that Jerry Lawler has become.  Punk asks Lawler if he wants to fight.  The Champ continues that Lawler is just a commentator, while Punk is the best in the world; he would just embarrass Lawler.  Lawler says he came out for an apology, not a fight.  Punk keeps pushing for a fight, asking Lawler who the best in the world is if it's not Punk.  Punk says that either way, Lawler ends the night in embarrassment.  Punk leaves and Lawler says "I'll think about it".  Ooh...tough.  Lawler walks back to the announce table to his music.

That was about 8 minutes longer than it needed to be and Punk was uncharacteristically all over himself on the mic.  For some reason, WWE thinks it's necessary for any cocky semi-heel champion to end up fighting with Lawler in one way or another.

Match 1:  Jack Swagger vs Ryback
Winner:  Ryback via pinfall

Cole reminds us that Swagger hasn't won a singles match on TV since winning the US Title months ago.  Swagger opens with knees to the midsection and Ryback answers in kind, then boots Swagger to the mat.  Ryback pounds Swagger on the mat then picks him up, just to drive him face first.  Swagger lands a drop toe hold and a scoop slam, then steps on Ryback to head in for a Swagger Bomb.  Ryback gets the feet up and gets away from the Ankle Lock, then delivers a brutal looking back body drop with Swagger landing on the top of his head.  Ryback lands his big lariat and calls for the end, leading to Shellshocked.

For all his power, if Ryback doesn't actually get under the body of his opponent, he can only elevate them so far.  Hopefully it looked worse than it was and Swagger didn't get hurt.  Swagger is on the floor after the match and says "that's it"; maybe a move toward a "getting fed up" angle for him, as he has done nothing but lose for months.

Lawler sells hesitation in agreeing to face CM Punk; he's still "thinking about it".

Match 2:  Natalya vs Layla (Divas Champion), non-title
Winner:  Layla via pinfall

Vickie Guerrero comes out and says the match needs to be over quickly, since she has an announcement.  Natalya takes Layla down and locks in a front facelock, which Layla counters into a hammerlock.  Natalya powers out and boots Layla in the face, then pins her with her ass for a near fall.  Layla rolls Natalya up for two.  Layla hits her double bounce crossbody for another near fall, then wrenches the arm of Natalya.  Layla grabs both legs of Nattie and tries to elevate her, but just doesn't have the power to do so.  Layla dances and hits Natalya in the face with her ass.  Natalya bails to the floor and says it wasn't funny, then traps Layla in the ring apron.  Natalya wants a Sharpshooter, but Layla kicks her away; Natalya recovers first and kicks the Divas Champion.  Layla rolls through on a suplex attempt and lands the Bombshell kick to the head of Natalya for the win. 

Vickie shoos Layla away and she actually obeys, so that Vickie can make her announcement.  Last week, AJ booked Chris Jericho vs Dolph Ziggler, contract against contract and Vickie is none too happy about it.  Vickie says she's the only one who has the guts to stand up to the apparently tyrannical AJ Lee.  Vickie says power shouldn't sit with a "mentally deranged child".  AJ's music hits and she skips her way down to the ring.  AJ takes the mic and slaps Vickie, then tackles her.  Vickie scrambles away from the ring and runs to the back.  AJ straightens herself up and bounces her face back and forth between crazed and sultry.

Sloppy match, tons of screaming from Vickie and an aggressive GM.  One of those things is good.  I used to enjoy a Layla match; she was booked as an athlete.  Now she bumps a woman twice her size with her ass to do some damage, so she's been relegated to Kelly Kelly-levels of being a joke Divas Champion.  What a shame.

Daniel Bryan attends anger management classes.  Bryan is in a group class and says that he doesn't have anger management issues; couldn't be calmer.  A child shows up with a goat mask and Bryan loses his mind; the doctor says it's his son and he's a goat in the school play.  Could have been worse, but I'm sure we'll be seeing many more of these.

Punk tweets that if Lawler fights him, he can have the first punch.  Lawler gets to his feet and hops on the announce table, mic in hand.  Lawler takes exception to being told he beat up "nobodies" in Memphis.  Nobodies like Jesse Ventura, Billy Graham, Dutch Mantell, etc.  Lawler also takes exception to being called a fun loving fourteen year old.  Lawler drops Andy Kaufman's name and says that when the time is right, someone worthy of the Hall of Fame will stand up to an opponent.  Lawler says he knows he's not the best in the world, but he doesn't think Punk is either.  Lawler isn't backing down tonight.  Tonight, they fight.  Lawler heads to the back to change into ring gear.

Match 3:  John Cena vs The Miz (Intercontinental Champion), non-title
Winner:  John Cena via pinfall

Cena in the first hour?  My word!  Miz opens with a headlock takeover and Cena stands up out of it and sends Miz off the ropes, then lands his own headlock takeover.  Miz does the same and wants a hip toss this time, but Cena powers away from it and puts Miz on the mat, heading into a commercial.

Miz has Cena in the corner, but gets tossed to the floor, avoiding an Attitude Adjustment attempt.  Cena dodges an incoming Miz and bounces him off the turnbuckle to hit a bulldog for two.  Into the ropes again and Miz kicks Cena to his back, then boots him in the head for two.  Cena pulls himself up in the corner slowly and Miz wants his corner clothesline, which connects.  Miz heads to the top rope and lands a double axe handle for two.  Miz keeps the pressure on with a chinlock, which Cena powers out of.  Miz wants a suplex, but Cena reverses it; then he runs into the backbreaker/neckbreaker combo from Miz for another nearfall.  Miz with another boot to the head and another two count.  Miz lands yet another boot to the face and two count.  Cena dodges the next attempt and locks in the STF, but Miz gets the bottom rope.  Off the break, Miz kicks the knee of Cena and hits the spike DDT, then calls for the Skull Crushing Finale.  Cena avoids it and Miz slides out of another Attitude Adjustment attempt and calls what appears to be an audible, hitting the Side Effect for two.  Miz wants another corner clothesline but misses and Cena hits shoulders and the spinout bomb.  Cena wants the Five Knuckle Shuffle and connects.  Third time is the charm for the Attitude Adjustment and Cena picks up the win. 

Cena and Miz have a great chemistry in the ring and Cena takes the kneeling spike DDT bump better than anyone else.  Solid match, but I can only assume we see Cena at least once more tonight.

AJ says it's time for Raw-Active:  The WWE Universe decides what kind of match Lawler/Punk have tonight.  Tables, Cage or a No DQ match.  At least the choices are actual variants, as opposed to last time when it was No DQ, Street Fight or Falls Count Anywhere.

Back to Bryan in anger management.  Bryan vents about AJ and the last patient shows up:  Kane.

Match 4:  Heath Slater vs Santino Marella
Winner:  Santino Marella via pinfall

Santino powerwalks right into the ring.  Santino tries a double leg takedown and slowly trips Slater.  Santino spins on Slater's back and gloats.  Slater and Marella have an air guitar-off and Slater tags him in the head to take control.  Slater grabs a headlock and punches Santino, then chokes him in the ropes.  The crowd starts up an audible "boring" chant as Slater maintains control.  Slater mounts the middle rope and Santino rolls away twice and eventually gets a small package for a two count.  Santino lands jabs, the split/hip toss/headbutt combo and pulls out the traitorous Cobra.  Aksana's music hits and she walks out on the stage.  Slater approaches Santino from behind and gets Cobra'd, netting Santino the win.

A bit of goofiness never hurt anyone; wrestling would be dull without it.  Fun match and at least we know that the Aksana angle doesn't mean a string of losses for Santino.

Match 5:  Brodus Clay and Sin Cara vs Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes
Winners:  Brodus Clay and Sin Cara via pinfall

The straight laced Cody Rhodes in a tag match with the masked luchador, the dancing fat guy and the humorously intelligent gentleman.  It seems like WWE can't quite handle Ziggler and Rhodes in an elevated position simultaneously.  Rhodes keeps on the "Sin Cara is ugly" shtick before the tag match begins.

Rhodes has Cara grounded and delivers a knee to the face, then tags Sandow in to deliver a russian leg sweep and elbow drop.  Sandow stomps away and tags Rhodes back in, keeping the pressure on Sin Cara.  Cara hits a hurricanrana, allowing Brodus to tag in and lay into Rhodes with a corner attack and a big running powerslam.  Sandow breaks up the pinfall and stomps at Clay, but gets low bridged by Sin Cara, then a cross body to the floor.  Rhodes wants the Beautiful Disaster but Clay headbutts him out of midair and hits the big splash for the win.  Sin Cara dances along with Clay and the Funkadactyls to celebrate.

Back to anger management with Kane and Daniel Bryan.  Kane takes the top mask off and says he's the devil's favorite demon.  The doc wants Kane to share his childhood and Bryan thinks it's a bad idea.  Kane gives his life story, including saying that Katie Vick was a less than stellar event.  The group has homework:  Make an "anger collage".  Bryan trash talks the doctor on the way out of the room and Harold thanks Kane for sharing, wanting to hug it out.  Kane grabs him by the neck and says no problem, then leaves.  Of the three segments, this was the highlight:  getting Kane's entire background in a calm, matter of fact manner.

A compilation of HHH's "greatest hits" plays.

Match 6:  R-Truth (Half of the Tag Team Champions) vs Daniel Bryan
Winner:  R-Truth via countout

Bryan fights the urge to shout No at the crowd with some deep breaths.  Bryan bumps fists with Truth as a show of sportsmanship.  Bryan takes Truth over early and they separate.  Truth wants another fistbump, but fistbumps Little Jimmy instead, leaving Bryan hanging.  Bryan bumps Jimmy's fist too, then lets loose on Truth with kicks.  Truth counters an incoming Bryan and hits a clothesline, leg lariat and a big right hand, then the Lie Detector forearm for two.  Truth elevates Bryan over the top rope to the floor and follows with a right hand.  Truth grabs a mic and tells Little Jimmy that this time around, he knows where they are (last time there was a "Green Bay" gaff).  Truth starts YESing into the mic and Bryan grabs the mic to start NOing in turn.  Bryan gets himself counted out in the interim. 

Bryan slowly comes to his senses, realizing he got himself counted out, which of course leads to him losing his mind and NOing at the crowd.  It moves things forward and still has that "protecting" Bryan sense.

Triple H makes his appearance for the night.  Note, he isn't closing the show.  He isn't after the WWE Champion.  He's right where he should be; the top of the last hour, a good way to transition to the end of the show.  Good, simple choices.  HHH says he's going to cut to the chase  Is he going to retire?  Trips says that everyone comes to a crossroad in their career and has to ask "is it time"?  You can't fight time.  HHH continues that he doesn't want to hang on, doesn't want to be around "too long".  HHH wants to come out and be the Game, say that he'll rise up and kick Lesnar's ass...but he can't.  Triple H is looking inside himself, asking if he's done.  If he can't say he'll come back better than before, maybe he is done.  HHH continues with a long winded "thank you" to the WWE Universe and tears up before he leaves.  Strong teasing of his considering retiring, which we know isn't coming quite yet.

Slam of the Week:  Jericho vs Ziggler one week ago and Ziggler sending Y2J packing.  I miss the days of the Slam of the Week just being the biggest spot or slam of the week.

Dolph Ziggler enters with the beginning of Jericho's entrance, quickly cutting to his own entrance theme.  Ziggler says that he got rid of Jericho, then uses his catchphrases, telling the WWE Universe that they'll never....ever see Chris Jericho again.

Match 7:  Dolph Ziggler and Alberto del Rio vs Sheamus (World Heavyweight Champion) and Randy Orton
Winners:  Sheamus and Randy Orton via pinfall

Orton with the early control and Sheamus shoulders del Rio from the apron.  Ziggler bails to the outside after a powerslam and we'll reset after a commercial break.  Ziggler is in charge with a chinlock as Orton rises to his feet and elbows out.  Ziggler hits a knee to the gut and tags in ADR who works the arm but takes shots from Orton.  Both men are grounded and Orton wants a tag, so we get them on both sides.  Sheamus takes over and lands the Irish Curse, but ADR stops the pinfall.  Ziggler ends up with the MITB briefcase in hand, but takes a backbreaker from Orton and Brogue Kick from Sheamus.

Standard tag, but at least everyone is interrelated - The Champ, the #1 contender, the man who lost the number one contendership and the guy with the free pass.

Lawler is in the back with Cena and says he needs to beat Punk on his own.  Tonight, Lawler fights for himself.

Kane makes his way to the ring and Josh Matthews, while at the announce table, sells fear, as he got tossed aside by Kane at Summerslam.  Matthews drops his headset and moves away from the table.  Kane takes a seat at the announce table and puts on a headset.

Match 8:  Zack Ryder vs David Otunga
Winner:  Zack Ryder via pinfall

Cole tries to talk to Kane, who doesn't answer at all.  Otunga kicks and clubs away at Ryder right away, then delivers a back elbow.  Otunga puts Ryder in the corner and stomps away, then clotheslines him in the opposite corner for two.  Ountga with a chinlock and then a suplex for two.  Ryder hits the ropes and a facebuster for Otunga.  Ryder hops to the middle rope but gets tossed off by Otunga.  Ryder ducks a short arm clothesline and hits the Rough Ryder for the win.

Kane immediately hits the ring and grabs Ryder by the neck, but casts him aside and grabs Otunga for a Chokeslam instead.

They never seem quite sure what to do with Kane; he let Ryder go, but Chokeslammed Otunga, who didn't do anything to him.  Kane's program with Bryan isn't quite finished either, so he's kind of at a crossroads as far as where he goes from here.

Match 9:  CM Punk vs Jerry "The King" Lawler, Cage Match
Winner:  CM Punk via submission

After the announcement of the cage match, AJ steps out on stage to let us know that at Night of Champions, Punk defends against Cena.  Inside the cage, Punk lays into Lawler with forearms and keeps him down with a chinlock.  Punk plays with Lawler, nudging his head with his boot and claiming to be thew new king of Memphis.  Punk wants a top rope axe handle, but Lawler goes across the cage, prompting Punk to rush him across the cage and strike.  Punk heads up again and Lawler crotches him.  Lawler heads for the cage door, but Punk grabs his foot and drags him back in, then delivers elbow drops.  Lawler counters a neckbreaker by shoving Punk into the cage, but he's unable to capitalize.  Lawler finally gets some offense going with punches and using the cage as a weapon.  Lawler continues with a clothesline and heads to the second rope, delivering the diving fist drop, but Punk kicks out at two.

Lawler wants the door again,  but Punk stops him, then sends him to a corner and delivers the high knee, leaving both men on the mat.  Punk is busted open and calls for the GTS, but delivers a Rockbottom and locks in the Anaconda Vise for the win.  Punk has transitioned to the Vise like this in the past, but he made it a point to stand in "Rockbottom" position before hand.  It's these little things that show which guys really care in the ring and which guys are just collecting a paycheck.  Punk grabs a mic and heads back into the cage with a chain and padlock, sealing the cage back up.  Punk wants to hear Lawler say he's the best in the world.  Lawler refuses and gets elbows to his collarbone for it.  Punk continues to demand Lawler say he's best in the world.  John Cena rushes to ringside and wants the cage up.  Cena says it's enough.  Punk drops knees on Lawler's face and says he's best in the world.  As the cage lifts, Punk slides out and heads for the back.

Punk just took a hard left at the corner of heel and face.  It's been a good build so far, but WWE just threw the switch to full speed ahead on the turn.  Punk brutalizes Lawler then runs away from Cena the first chance he gets.  It's a shame that WWE seems to be going with a black and white heel/face dynamic here, as Punk was tentative in the weeks leading to this.  He had a chance to whack Cena with the belt recently, but offered a handshake.  Now, he's going after the respect he wants by any means necessary.  To wager a guess, Punk finagles a win over Cena at Night of Champions, but there are shenanigans; Punk makes to Royal Rumble with the WWE Title in tow, but The Rock wins it there; Cena faces Rock at Wrestlemania next year for the belt and wins.  If WWE goes this way, then Punk should be chasing Cena for the belt immediately after. 

That's Raw for this week - For the first time since the transition to three hours, the show felt like it dragged on.  A three hour show really doesn't need a 10 minute overrun, but that's just kind of the standard at this point.

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Stop The Supernatural: Walking Dead Colt Python

Let's talk about creatures that might come slapping and drooling at your front door some day by discussing the Walking Dead television series.  Now I am well aware there is a graphic novel series that the show was based on but for today I’m looking to make broader strokes so that more people can grasp where I am going with this and let’s face it a LOT of people are familiar with the Walking Dead series on AMC. Since the series is long and there are plenty of weapons to review I’ll break it down to a couple weapons at a time.  The most important thing to address is what you’re dealing with. The Walking Dead centers on zombies. Where they come from, how they came to be and what are their motives short of eating living flesh? That’s yet to be discovered. What we do know however is how to kill them.  The simplest rules apply in the series. SHOOT EM’ IN THE HEAD.

They once and a while try to get more scientific and start bringing up severing brain stems and such but in the end mess up their head situation and pretty much you’re golden. One of the first seen weapons in the series is the Colt .357 magnum Python revolver used by the character Rick Grimes. Now at first you may look at this and think…”that’s practically bringing a knife to a gun fight!” but after researching the weapon a bit more its actually not a bad side arm.

This is a double action firing revolver. For those who don’t know this means that every trigger pull cocks the hammer and finally releases it returning it to the decocked position after every round is fired. This is good in that it only takes one hand to fire. The 6” barrel used for the series is revered for being very accurate without the added weight of the 8” barrel. The cartridge or ammunition used in this weapon as stated above is the .357 magnum. This bullet would probably have enough power to slam through the skull of a zombie rhino much less person with great ease. With all good things there must be some bad. The gun was one of the best revolvers ever to be made according to some hand gun forums however it isn’t intended for extended use. The gun has a known problem for falling out of time. This is when the double action trigger doesn’t turn the chamber over far enough and the bullet doesn’t align properly before firing. Limited amount of loaded ammunition count might have you worried about using this in a zombie apocalypse situation like the one found in the Walking Dead. An average magazine fed handgun will hold 15 9x19mm rounds out numbering the colt by 9 more dead zombies. However if you have ever loaded a magazine gun you know that the spring resistance can be a pain at times and slow you way down.

Let’s take another look at this. 7 zombies come charging at the colt. You put the first six down, open the chambers load in one last round, insert cool catch phrase and blow the head of the last zombie. Now in the case of the slide operated magazine fed handgun. You have 16 zombies, you put down the first 15 and the 16^th is still coming you have to drop the mag out, hope u don’t drop it, force the last round in, hope you don’t drop that, line up the slide with the grip, while of course hoping you don’t miss causing you to epic fail and DROP IT, chamber the round and turn and shoot… not so easy.

In conclusion I give the Colt Python .357 magnum a 6 out of 10 for this series zombie apocalypse. It is accurate and very powerful but the ammo would be harder to come by than a typical 9mm and the ammo count is low. However if that last zombie comes at you, you can always manually load that last round to put him down. Happy hunting next week I will go over one of my personal favorites the Beretta 92fs and how it was useful in AMC’s The Walking Dead. 

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WWE Smackdown Lowdown - 8/24/2012

 
The Booker T era carries on and we get an answer on Sheamus knocking Alberto del Rio's foot off the ropes on what was a clean rope break.  Sheamus is all smiles; Alberto is not.

To open the show, however, we have Randy Orton who faced del Rio on Monday.  Sheamus cost ADR that match by helping the referee avoid missing another foot on the rope, this time belonging to Orton.  Orton says he thrives on confrontation.  ADR says that the win on Monday was tainted - Too bad.  Orton lays claim to a World Heavyweight Championship shot, since he pinned the prior number one contender.  Orton says if anyone has a problem with that, they can come to the ring and air their grievance.  Instead of the expected ADR, Sheamus makes his way toward the ring to answer.  Sheamus says that "Berty" has squandered his chances at the World Heavyweight Championship and makes light of beating him "fair and square" at Summerslam.  Sheamus wants Orton at the front of the line for a title shot.  Booker T makes his entrance to continue the conversation.  Booker wants to talk about Monday and Alberto makes his appearance, sans music, to protest the ensuing result of the conversation.

Del Rio says that Sheamus is a cheater and Orton is a crazy animal.  ADR interrupts Booker's answer and says he should be champion by now.  Booker tries to continue and ADR interrupts again, repeating everything.  Orton says ADR is embarrassing himself and Alberto calls "conspiracy" then turns his attention to Booker T.  He thinks everyone is against him.  Booker finally continues and says that Orton is always in line for title shots, but Alberto was next.  "Was" being the key word; now that ADR came out running his mouth, Booker T has decided that ADR takes on Randy Orton for the number one contendership. 

Long intro - Orton has never been as interesting on the mic as he is in the ring and ADR ran laps on his verbiage.  It set the stage, but definitely took its time.

Michael Cole is alone on the announce table - Josh Matthews was injured by Kane at Summerslam and has the night off.

Match 1:  Ryback vs Jinder Mahal
Winner:  Ryback via pinfall

Teddy Long has joined Cole at commentary and Ryback has taken a microphone.  Jinder will realize his place in the food chain tonight.  Ryback gets a "Feed me more" chant going before Mahal enters.  Mahal is on the attack early but Ryback grounds him with rapid hammerfists to the head.  Mahal elbows out of the opposite corner and strikes away at Ryback, then escapes a powerslam attempt.  Mahal delivers knees while he locks in a cravat then drops a knee.  Mahal grounds Ryback with a jumping knee for a one count.  Mahal delivers more boots and knees to keep Ryback down, until Ryback catches his foot and bounces him off the rope for a high back drop and shoulders in the corner.  Ryback delivers a spin-out powerslam and a big lariat.  Ryback calls for Shellshocked and lands it.  

So Mahal has antagonized Ryback for weeks, just to be beaten in three minutes.  More interesting with actual back and forth and Mahal looked smoother than usual.  The crowd digs Ryback's shtick and this could mean a continued presence by Mahal on the main roster, as he was involved in the NXT Gold Rush tournament, ultimately losing to Seth Rollins.

Match 2:  Alicia Fox vs Layla (Divas Champion), non-title
Winner:  Layla via pinfall

Kaitlyn is the commentator for this match, as she is the new number one contender for the Divas title.  Fox opens with a schoolgirl attempt and a headlock takeover.  Layla rolls it through for a pinfall attempt, but Fox's shoulders won't stay down.  Layla hits her double bounce cross body and Fox again manages to not quite be pinned for an odd count.  Alicia answers with a dropkick for a nearfall.  Layla wants another middle rope move, but Fox kicks her leg out from under her then works it over.  Fox sets into a half crab, but Layla spins and kicks her way out.  Layla rolls Fox up for two then whiffs a clothesline, but KO's Fox with a kick to the head.  

Kaitlyn is supportive of Layla - It will be a face vs face confrontation for the title.  Kaitlyn hits the ring to congratulate Layla and Eve enters to interrupt.  Eve grabs the hands of both women and raises them.  The girls sell confusion, as they should be.  Eve is up to something, as usual.

Dolph Ziggler and Vickie Guerrero are in the back, reminiscing about sending Chris Jericho packing.  Sheamus shows up and says he's itching for a fight - Maybe Ziggler should cash in tonight.  Ziggler says he'll cash in on his own terms.  Teddy Long will make a Ziggler/Sheamus match tonight; Ziggler can cash in if he chooses.

Match 3:  Sin Cara vs Heath Slater
Winner:  Heath Slater via pinfall

Cody Rhodes is at ringside with the silly "unmasked Sin Cara" caricature...and for commentary.  Slater sneaks his way into a hammerlock, but Sin Cara escapes with a snapmare, then dropkicks Slater.  Slater is elevated to the apron and whiffs an enzuigiri, then gets sent to the floor and tossed back in by Slater for a one count.  Slater delivers elbows and settles into a chinlock that Cara fights out of, landing a springboard back elbow.  Cara runs the top rope for a lucha arm drag, then a spinning plancha to the floor.  Slater shoves Cara into the apron and the ref gets involved.  Cody Rhodes gets up and turns Cara's mask around, blinding him.  Slater capitalizes with his Reverse DDT (apparently now called E-Minor) for the win.

Rhodes hits the ring after Slater leaves and stomps away at Cara, then tries to remove the mask yet again.  Rhodes says it's only a matter of time, after the refs break it up.

Match 4:  Sheamus (World Heavyweight Champion) vs Dolph Ziggler, non-title
Winner:  Sheamus via disqualification

Sheamus makes the entrance-less jobber entrance for some ungodly reason (actually, it's likely because his entrance was already on TV tonight).  Ziggler gets introduced by Vickie and makes his way to the ring, briefcase in hand.  This match's guest commentator is Vickie.  Ziggler bails to the floor early then slides back in for a pair of big headlock takeovers.  Sheamus runs Ziggler over, but runs into a dropkick for one.  Ziggler locks in a chinlock as Vickie runs down AJ's job on Raw.  Ziggler boots Sheamus in the face, but gets elevated and pancaked for one.  Sheamus attacks in the corner and then counters White Noise with a sunset flip.  Sheamus avoids the Namedropper and puts Dolph on the apron and wants forearms to the chest, but Dolph avoids then sweeps the leg.  Ziggler hops up and DDTs the World Heavyweight Champion on the apron.  Ziggler gets a two count then locks in another chinlock.  Sheamus fights to his feet and delivers a belly to back suplex(side slam, as per Michael Cole) to break it up.

Ziggler wants a Sleeper, but Sheamus tosses him off and lands hammers, a shoulder and a knee lift.  Sheamus tosses him to the apron and sets up for chest forearms.  Back in the ring, Sheamus delivers White Noise and goes to the corner, calling for a Brough Kick.  Ziggler dodges and takes the briefcase from Vickie, then wallops Sheamus with it for the DQ.  Ziggler starts considering cashing in MITB and tells the ref.  Sheamus slowly gets to his feet and Ziggler grabs the briefcase and runs before the bell rings, saving his contract.  This gimmick of "almost cashing in" has been real interesting.  Not only is it a great bit by the determined heel, but it allows for a bit of psychological warfare.  Good stuff, but that's to be expected where Ziggler is involved.  As for the match itself, it's the same Ziggler/Sheamus match we've seen over and over.  Not necessarily a bad thing, just same old same old.

Santino Marella makes his way to the ring, after losing his US Title to Antonio Cesaro at Summerslam.  Marella tells us how long he was US Champ, down to the second.  Santino says that without the title, he feels less and less American.  He's forgotten how apple pie tastes, apparently.  Marella puts on the Cobra sock and wants to know if it is on the same page as him.  Marella says the Cobra cost "them" the US Title and the Cobra is sad.  Santino says what matters is how many times you get up after being knocked down.  Santino quotes "Rocky" and gets the Cobra fired up for change.  Santino says he and The Cobra will be US Champion again.  Antonio Cesaro enters, as he apparently thinks differently.  Cesaro finally has new music - It seems to match his old Kings of Wrestling music from his days as Claudio Castagnioli.  Cesaro says "Winner" in five languages.  Santino power walks at Cesaro and catches an attempted kick.  Santino with jabs and readying the Cobra, but the Cobra actually drags him away and toward Aksana.  This causes Marella to be kicked in the head by Cesaro.  So now the Cobra is fully sentient? 

Match 5:  Primo and Epico vs Kofi Kingston and R-truth (Tag Team Champions), non-title
Winners:  Kofi Kingston and R-Truth via pinfall

More non-title action on Smackdown, showing how shallow the tag division is.  It's a shame that Tyler Reks is gone, breaking up Reks/Hawkins and that WWE is too dense to realize that Kidd/Gabriel could be an amazing team on TV that isn't "WWE Superstars".  Young and O'Neal are at ringside for this one.  Epico and Kofi start out quick with pinfall exchanges and ending in a dropkick to dropkick exchange.  Primo tags in and boots away at Kofi, sweeps him and then tags Epico in to continue.  Kofi comes up out of the corner and hurricanranas Epico into the turnbuckle.  Tags on both sides and Truth comes in with a pair of clotheslines and a sitout gourdbuster.  Epico breaks up the pinfall attempt, then tosses Kofi out.  Truth tosses Primo out and then avoids the Backstabber.  Truth delivers Little Jimmy and wins. 

Standard issue short tag match.  Primetime Players and Cole were actually quite entertaining at ringside and I at least got a kick out of Cole trying O'Neal's dog bark.

Kofi and Truth are interviewed by Striker in the back.  Primetime Players show up to rain on the parade.  The Usos show up to lay their claim, followed by Primo and Epico and, oddly enough, Gabriel and Kidd.  This erupts into a big brawl between everyone.  Nice to see Gabriel and Kidd acknowledged here, but it probably doesn't make any sense to people who don't watch the internet shows WWE puts out.

Booker T is in the back on the phone and Long enters to update Booker on the brawl.  Booker asks who Long thinks deserves a title shot.  Eve shows up with a win-loss record for all of the tag teams and a schedule for Booker.  Eve is looking to outshine Teddy Long by sucking up to Booker.  Eve/Long might be the longest running feud in WWE right now.

Match 6:  Randy Orton vs Alberto del Rio, Winner is Number One Contender
Winner:   Alberto del Rio via submission

Sheamus, of course, is the guest commentator for this match.  ADR with a quick shoulder block for a one count, but Orton takes over with strikes and a schoolboy.  Orton with a suplex off the ropes for another quick pin attempt.  Next, Orton slingshots ADR across the bottom rope throat first for two.  Alberto answers with kicks to Orton's arm, wanting the Cross Armbreaker early, but Orton spins it out to a neckbreaker.  Del Rio slides to the floor as we roll to commercial.

Del Rio is back in charge on the return after slamming Orton's arm into the stairs.  Orton fights up and out with a headbutt, but takes a knee to the gut and a jumping stomp.  Del Rio kicks the back of Orton and gets a two count, then goes back to work on the arm.  ADR wants a corner step up enzuigiri, but Orton ducks and nails a pair of clotheslines, followed by the snap powerslam.  ADR avoids the usual follow up by running Orton's arm across the rope, but ends up running into the Orton backbreaker for two.  ADR lands double knees to the arm for a two count of his own.  Orton avoids another attempt at a Cross Armbreaker, but gets his arm kicked for his trouble.  ADR jumps off the middle rope, right into an Orton dropkick for two.  Orton counters a running ADR smoothly to the apron for the middle rope DDT and coils for the RKO.  Del Rio grabs the top rope to avoid the RKO and rolls into a Cross Armbreaker and Randy Orton taps out clean.

Sheamus immediately gets to his feet and ADR shoves Ricardo to the mat so that he can take his shoe and throw it at Sheamus.  Sheamus tackles ADR and Ricardo knocks him off, then gives ADR his other shoe to clobber Sheamus with.  Dolph Ziggler's music hits and he high tails it to the ring to cash in, demanding the ref come in.  Orton hits an RKO from behind, putting yet another stop to a Dolph Ziggler cash in attempt, one that had a damn good chance of being successful.

This match and aftermath - The heel who's a real threat, the face champion who has a score to settle, the tweener who only worries about himself and the up-and-comer with something to prove -  was WWE at its best.  Everything worked, everything was logical, everything advanced one or more feud points and there was no horsecrap turn around or decision reversal.  Alberto del Rio made Randy Orton tap out because he is a force to be reckoned with.  He didn't just "get" another World Title shot; he earned it.  And Ziggler continues to be thwarted when he tries to cash in, but retaining his contract.  This is one of the best show ending sequences WWE has given us in a long time and it's one of those shows that keeps that faint glimmer of hope alive that WWE is listening to the "hardcore" fan.

An average episode of Smackdown that picked up business and ended incredibly strong.  More episodes like this would keep we "vocal minority" fans a lot happier.  And it might actually net Vinny Mac some PPV buys, who knows. 

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Cartridge Chronicles: Legend of Zelda & Zelda II: Adventure of Link

One of the greatest franchises in video game history, second only to Mario on the NES, is the Legend of Zelda. The difference between Mario and Zelda, besides obvious gameplay differences, is that each Zelda game is completely different from the last. Whether the graphics or the overall feel of the game change each Zelda game has something new to offer its players. There were only two installments of the Zelda series on the NES, The Legend of Zelda (obviously), and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link.

Blasphemous as it is, I actually did not have a copy of the Legend of Zelda as a kid. It was one of the few games that I started in the middle of the series playing and backtracked to the beginning. The actual first Zelda game I ever played was the Ocarina of Time on the N64. I loved that game so much I was determined to own and play the game that started it all. Fortunately one of my best friends growing up had a copy of the game and sold it to me when we were in high school. When I put the game in after several cartridge blows, an epic logo appeared on the screen of my typical 90’s 19” TV accompanied by even more epic music. I was surprised to find a save option on an original NES game, which must have been ground-breaking in its time. Another cool feature of the original Zelda was the ability to swap weapons on the fly. This is most likely the cornerstone for many adventure games that exist to this day, including brand new titles such as Darksiders 2 which has been described as a cross between Zelda and God of War.

The second installment of the Zelda series, The Adventure of Link, has had mixed review from those I have spoken with. This was another game I did not have as a child but picked up an original copy rather recently at the local Play ‘N Trade store. I have to say I was disappointed in the game as compared to the first game. The music is so similar to the first game’s that it made me want to listen to that theme instead and mute the game. The traveling aspect was an improvement on the first game’s and was more comparable to that of the Gameboy game Pokémon. Battles and towns turned the game from an RPG view to a side-scroller more on the style of the Mario Bros. I personally was not a fan of this particular game, but that does not take away from its value or playability, it is just a difference of taste (please don’t kill me).

The Legend of Zelda went on to make many more games on literally every Nintendo platform in existence. It is one of my favorite game series of all time because of its puzzles, gameplay, and interesting storylines. Not to mention, the original over-world theme from the first game is my all-time favorite song from gaming and is severely underused in the series. These games are truly LEGENDary and have stood the test of TIME (I’m so punny). In all seriousness for a game that isn’t even named after the main character they are pretty epic. I mean come on, I can’t be the only one who thought Link’s name was Zelda back in the day. Speaking of games not named after the main character, next week I’ll be talking about one of my favorite NES games as a kid, Metroid.

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Introducing: "Stop the Supernatural"

Its a typical night. Not unlike any night you have ever experienced in your entire life. Your probably just getting home from a long day working a job you thought once would be cool, but that never came to be. You hang up your keys and jacket to sit down to your favorite TV show in your pathetically small, cramped studio apartment when you hear a knock at the door. "Who could that be?" you say quietly out loud to yourself. You're not expecting anyone, you never have before why would today be any different. You unlock the dead bolt, twist the knob, the door squeaks open to reveal a snarling drooling beast you have only ever experience in movie, book, video game and TV show.

You slam the door shut. Your brain is spiraling or every bit of information you have ever caught in your childhood on what you could possibly do to defend yourself when you realize; every story is different! Steak it, shoot it, blow it up, burn it WHAT TO DO? Grab onto your nearest computer device and come here to Stop The Supernaturals.

Each week I will dissect a different piece of supernatural media and break down how they stopped them, what they used and if you just so happen to come across this weapon of sorts, how functional it would actually be for you in the real world to put an end to the creature that goes bump in the night. Happy Hunting!

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WWE Raw Wrapup 8/20/2012

After a successful Summerslam showing, Monday Night Raw opens with the triumphant Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman.  Was last night Triple H's last match?  Only time and promos will tell.

Heyman grabs the mic first and addresses the WWE Universe, expressing how "uncomfortable" last night's match was to watch.  Heyman reminds us of his time as an announcer, seeing HHH's quad tear apart and finish a match.  A torn quad couldn't stop The Game, but Brock Lesnar and a broken arm could.  Heyman says that HHH quit on his family, his company, friends, fans and everyone when he tapped out.  Heyman says nobody should feel sorry for Trips because he picked the fight.  Heyman calls Scott Armstrong, last night's referee, down to the ring so that Brock Lesnar can "address him".  Armstrong heads to the ring in a less than eager fashion, but finally makes his way up the stairs and into the ring.  Lesnar has two words for Armstrong:  "Good job."  Heyman claims that Lesnar ended the career of HHH and has endangered the future of WWE.  Heyman declares him the new "King of Kings", the master of the Brocktogon and the conqueror of the WWE Universe.  Apparently all of the WWE Universe's members are Brock Lesnar's subjects now.

Interesting take on things from last night.  Lesnar isn't expected to be around much, as he only has so many dates that he can be used for, so curious to see if this is a reign from afar or if they progress things right away.

CM Punk Touted that he feels after defending his title twice in one night, he should get to pick his opponent on Raw.  AJ Lee is "taking it under consideration".

Match 1:  Kofi Kingston and R-Truth (Tag Team Champions) and Sin Cara vs Cody Rhodes and Primetime Players
Winners:  Kingston, R-Truth and Sin Cara via pinfall

Kofi and Truth show up with toys to give the kids.  Can't really criticize giving toys to children, but it's kind of a cheap ploy when you take a step back.  Young and Kofi start out and Kofi's speed helps him take early control.  Young shoulders Kofi down and Kingston answers with a double leapfrog and back elbow.  Truth is tagged in and they land a double hip toss.  O'Neal comes in and takes a double dropkick, followed by Sin Cara dragging Rhodes outside and climbing to the top rope, but Rhodes distances himself.  The Champs and Cara are in the ring and the PTP and Rhodes gather themselves into a commercial.

Kofi escapes a cravat and tags Truth in to run wild on Darren Young with an axe kick for two.  Young fights back into it and Rhodes blind tags in, sneaking up on Truth with a Russian leg sweep for two.  Cody hits a gourdbuster and stomps at the head of Truth.  Titus tags in and keeps the pressure on Truth with strikes and a neck wrench.  Truth fights up to his feet and punches his way out but runs into a boot for a near fall.  Titus's turn for a gourdbuster, dropping Young on Truth.  Young right into a bodyscissors and chinlock.  Truth continues trying to fight out, but O'Neal gets tagged back in to attack Truth in the corner.  Truth kicks his way out but gets leveled by a Titus clothesline for another two count and chinlock.  The crowd rallies and Truth stands up, which leads to Titus punching Kofi of the apron; Truth surprises him with a heel kick from behind.  Rhodes and Cara tag in and Cara opens up with a handspring elbow, hurricanrana and an enzuigiri from the apron.  A springboard cross body gets a two count and the Tag Champs clear the PTP from the ring with stereo dropkicks.  Truth backdrops Kofi onto the PTP and Rhodes tries to remove the mask of Sin Cara.  Cara trips Rhodes and wins with a jackknife pin.

Expected double rivalry six man tag with the expected happy ending.  Nothing fundamentally wrong, just nothing new.

An anger management tag team match will take place tonight - Kane teams with Zack Ryder and Daniel Bryan with The Miz.  Angry guys teaming with people they have problems with?  At least it's a bit different.

AJ Lee is to be interviewed and David Otunga shows up, offering his legal counsel.  Otunga lets the "c" word slip and AJ says Otunga can offer his services in the ring, against an opponent to be chosen by AJ.  AJ now addresses Punk's earlier Tout - She likes the idea, and Punk can choose any opponent, pending her approval.

Match 2:  Ryback vs Mike Spinner and Andy Tabarez?
Winner:  Ryback via disqualification

Ryback disposes of blue tights goof and knocks down black tights goof.  Black tights takes a club to the back and gets tossed to the mat.  The over the shoulder powerbomb is next, then he gets dead lifted into two more.  Blue tights punches him from the apron and takes a reverse suplex over the rope for his trouble.  Ryback readies for the double Shellshocked when Jinder Mahal attacks from behind and puts Ryback in the Camel Clutch.  Ryback plants a hand and stands up, delivering the backpack chinbreaker, sending Mahal running.  Blue tights makes the mistake of standing up behind Ryback and takes a lariat.  As a show of strength and a message to Mahal, Ryback secures both guys on his shoulders and delivers the double Shellshocked.

Nice to see a Ryback match with some kind of change to it.  Mahal and Ryback in a feud is still a bit odd, but progress is progress.

Dolph Ziggler finds Chris Jericho in the back and Ziggler wants a rematch.  Jericho drops catchphrases and says it's Ziggler who doesn't know how to win the big one.  AJ skips in and around both men and says as the GM, it's her job to make things interesting.  A rematch will take place - If Jericho loses, his contract terminates.  If Ziggler loses?  Chris Jericho takes the MITB briefcase.  Ziggler chases after AJ to protest.

Alberto del Rio heads toward the ring and slaps some agua out of the hands of Ricardo Rodriguez.  ADR has filed a protest with Booker T concerning Sheamus' win last night.  ADR thinks he should be the World Heavyweight Champion by now, since he got robbed by the referee and Sheamus.  Alberto demands another title shot, right now.  AJ's music cues up and she skips out to the stage.  She doesn't have jurisdiction over the World Heavyweight Championship, but she can book Alberto in a match tonight.

Match 3:  Alberto del Rio vs Randy Orton
Winner:  Randy Orton via pinfall

Sheamus comes out as the match starts to observe from the commentary table.  Orton opens with rights and a dropkick.  Off the ropes, Orton shoulders Alberto to the floor.  Back in, Orton bounces ADR off the top rope for an assisted suplex, getting a two count.  Orton stomps the limbs of Alberto and drops a knee across the face for another two count.  Orton stays aggressive in the corner and mounts for ten punches, but at five he gets dumped on his face.  Alberto with a snapmare, kick to the back and a jumping stomp, followed by a chinlock.  Orton dodges in the corner for his elevated school boy.  Alberto kicks out and lands a dropkick to the face of a kneeling Orton.  Back to the chinlock, then a snap suplex from ADR.  Michael Cole is in full heel-asshole mode with Sheamus.  There's grilling the man on the mic and there's obnoxiousness.  Guess what side Cole is erring on?

ADR hits a double stomp then heads to the top rope, but Orton cuts him off.  Orton meets him up top and hits a superplex.  Rights back and forth as the men get to their feet, but Orton opens up with a pair of clotheslines and a powerslam.  ADR rolls to the apron and Orton wants the elevated DDT.  Alberto escapes and lands a step up enzuigiri for a near fall.  Orton sneaks around as ADR approaches and hits the backbreaker.  Alberto answers with kicks to the arm and wants the Cross Armbreaker, but Orton answers with a swinging neckbreaker.  Alberto hops to the middle rope and Orton catches him for the elevated DDT out of the corner, which seems to be becoming a standard alternative.  Orton coils and Ricardo Rodriguez hops on the apron, then gets scared off.  Sheamus chases him off.  ADR hits a Backstabber and pins Orton who gets his foot on the bottom rope.  Sheamus points it out to the ref who stops the count.  ADR turns around into an RKO in the confusion for the loss.

The Sheamus/ADR feud continues and Orton pins the number one contender (or at least the last one) which by wrestling logic immediately puts him in the title race.  There needs to be some kind of change, as we've been very overexposed to this group.

Match 4:  Brodus Clay vs Damien Sandow
Winner:  Damien Sandow via pinfall

Apparently Brodus' leg is all healed up from Damien Sandow's recent attack, since he has no problem dancing.  At least he has it taped up heavily.  Tonight, Brodus gets his chance at revenge.  Sandow, via a cut-in promo, says he will return the Funkasaurus to extinction.

Sandow wants a single leg takedown but the power of Brodus lets him take over early.  Brodus misses a haymaker and Sandow wraps his leg in the ropes.  Brodus fights off and hits a clothesline then delivers a back body drop.  Brodus rams Sandow head first into the top turnbuckle then hits a belly to belly suplex.  Clay continues with a big elbow drop, but Sandow fights up with strikes.  Clay roars at his opponent and squashes him in the corner and hits a running headbutt to the chest.  Clay wants another corner splash, but Sandow dodges and school boys him (with a handful of tights) for the quick win.

Clay is less than thrilled and lands a t-bone siplex and big splash.  That might be a visual victory, but Sandow got the pinfall.  Clay gets to celebrate with dancers, kids and music.  Way to make winning not mean anything.

HBK is getting mic'd up ahead of his live via satellite interview.

Cole poses the question of whether HHH is done to Shawn Michaels.  HBK says he knows what's going through the head of HHH right now.  Shawn says you can't quite prepare for the day that shows it might time to hang up the boots.  HHH is a man of integrity, unlike Heyman and Lesnar.  Shawn speaks in the past tense about Triple H, to push the idea of him being completely done.  HBK calls himself a burden to HHH in recent weeks, as he was a distraction.  HBK didn't have the heart to tell his best friend that he didn't think he could beat Lesnar.  Michaels says HHH has nothing to be ashamed of and is one of the greatest.

A very memorial-like setting, with still shots of HHH injured and beaten interspersed.  This is all a build for HHH to say he's got one more in him.  Whether that serves to be a rematch with Lesnar or something else, only time will tell.

Match 5:  David Otunga vs Big Show
Winner:  Big Show via pinfall

 Big Show doesn't hesitate heading to the ring; he's still in a bad mood from Summerslam.  Show explodes on Otunga and hits a big scoop slam then continues to pound on him.  Show continues with a headbutt to Otunga who tries to fight back but pays for it.  Big Show picks Otunga up then puts him down with the Final Cut and cocks the WMD.  Otunga walks right into it for the end.

The crowd cheers the big mean monster, mostly because he just beat up David Otunga.  Big Show had to let off some steam and Otunga had to be punished for using the word "crazy" around AJ, so everybody wins.

Match 6:  Kane and Zack Ryder vs Daniel Bryan and The Miz (Intercontinental Champion)
Winners:  No contest

Ryder bounces out half way down the ramp but gets serious once he lays eyes on his partner.  Miz and Bryan are slightly less apprehensive.  Bryan and Kane start out, but Bryan immediately tags Miz in.  Kane goes right to work and then bring Miz to his corner, tagging in Zack Ryder forcefully.  Miz rushes Ryder but gets knees to the face and a missile dropkick.  Ryder tries to capitalize but takes a boot to the face.  Miz with a boot to the head and a two count, then a tag to Bryan.  The crowd goes ballistic with YES chants and Bryan drops NO knee drops to the ribs of Ryder.  Bryan kicks at the chest of Ryder then drops a knee to the face fore two.  Bryan jaws at Kane while Ryder crawls for a tag; Ryder gets a European uppercut instead.  Miz back in and another boot to the face of Ryder.  Ryder takes a backbreaker/neckbreaker combo from Miz who keeps control and tags Bryan back in.  Kicks to the chest of Ryder from Bryan in the corner.  Bryan rushes with an elbow and tags Miz by mistake.  Ryder kicks off and makes a hot tag to Kane and Miz drops off the apron - No escape from Bryan.  Bryan elects to slap Kane then runs into the crowd.  Miz is gone too and Kane takes his frustrations out on Ryder with a Chokeslam.  A worker at ringside is next, but Kane notices Ryder stirring in the ring so he disposes of the other guy and pounces on Ryder, delivering a Tombstone Piledriver.

Nothing short of chaos, which was kind of expected with this set up.  Seems that the Kane/Bryan rivalry isn't quite settled.  Ryder gets the brunt of the beatdown as usual.

CM Punk is interviewed by Matt Striker.  Punk thanks AJ for respecting the champion enough to allow him to choose his next opponent.  Punk says Cena is next, on one condition, to be presented later tonight.

Match 7:  Divas Battle Royale, winner is #1 Contender to Divas Championship
Winner:  Kaitlyn

Beth Phoenix is conspicuous by her absence.  Kaitlyn takes a double suplex from Natalya and Tamina, who proceed to double team Alicia Fox.  Alicia dropkicks both of them, but neither is eliminated.  Tamina turns on Natalya, who ends up taking a tumble out.  Kaitlyn and Eve are the last two left and Kaitlyn escapes an attempt from Eve to eliminate her, then answers by clotheslining her over the top.

Sloppiness all over, even on the finish.  Layla sells a bit of concern, seeing the powerful Kaitlyn knock Eve over the top.  The two of them should have a good match - Kaitlyn is a hell of an athlete and when Layla is at the top of her game, she's solid in the ring.  Still curious when Sara del Rey will be mentioned or used or something.  If she's strictly behind the scenes/training, they should call attention to it, as she is hugely respected.

Brock Lesnar Touts that he has accomplished everything in WWE and he's leaving, never to return.  After being declared the new King of Kings.  So that's how you write him away for a while, but it's incredibly lazy.

Vickie is in the back raging because of AJ's earlier decision.  Vickie says Dolph needs to win for her tonight.  Ziggler says he needs to win it for himself, hyping this up as the biggest match of his career.  Ziggler says tonight, he'll win.

Match 8:  Chris Jericho vs Dolph Ziggler, loser loses their contract (WWE or MITB, respectively)
Winner:  Dolph Ziggler via pinfall

Vickie introduces Dolph as per the normal and Jericho enters with his ribs still taped.  Jericho opens by running Ziggler over and a quick school boy, showing that the win is the key here.  Ziggler bails to the floor to regroup.  Ziggler runs into a small package then gets chopped down to the mat.  Ziggler fights back and grounds Jericho then lands a jumping elbow drop.  Ziggler runs into a boot in the corner and Jericho follows with a missile dropkick for two.  Ziggler gets elevated to the floor and quickly hops back to the apron, only to take a corner springboard dropkick from Jericho, sending him careening to the floor...and us to a commercial.

Ziggler is in charge with a chinlock  as we return.  Jericho fights to his feet but ends up back on the mat so that Ziggler can do his headstand chinlock.  Ziggler hits another jumping elbow drop for two.  Jericho counters another chinlock attempt with a belly to back suplex, then kicks Ziggler out of the corner.  Jericho with shoulder blocks followed by a double axe handle from the top.  Ziggler avoids the bulldog but ends up sat on the top rope where Jericho follows.  Jericho hits ten punches and a frankensteiner, almost landing right on his own head, good for a two count.  Ziggler answers with his jumping DDT for another near fall.  Ziggler wants a Fameasser, but Jericho counters into a Walls of Jericho attempt which Ziggler spins out of.  More back and forth action sees Jericho hit the bulldog and try a Lionsault, but lands on Ziggler's knees.  Ziggler hits the Zigzag for the win.

I expected an injury or some shenanigans, but Dolph won that one squeaky clean.  As of now, Jericho is no longer under contract with WWE.  Which is incredibly convenient, since Fozzy has an upcoming tour!  Even better, Jericho has a built in return rivalry when/if he returns.  Seriously though, Chris Jericho is the most consistent current-legend in putting over the young and deserving talent.  Jericho grabs the MITB briefcase and whacks Dolph in the gut and over the back with it, then hits a Codebreaker.  Dolph mimes a shotgun wound in the best possible way from it and is laid out.  Jericho loses, but he lays Ziggler out as he leaves.  Don't expect that to be the last you see of Chris Jericho - It may be for now, but that's absolutely not how Chris Jericho goes out.  It's a shame he can't work a concurrent program with 3 or 4 guys.  A Jericho/Tyson Kidd program?  Just the kind of elevation Kidd could use to be taken seriously on WWE TV programming and a good built-in rivalry from the Canadian heritage and the Hart Dungeon.

CM Punk comes out, main eventing the show, although not in a match.  This man really needs a new title belt.  Punk hops to the floor and gets in the face of Jerry Lawler, reminding him that he said Punk turned his back on the WWE Universe.  Lawler back pedals and Punk says that he should have the respect to apologize to the WWE Champion.  Before Lawler can answer, John Cena's music hits.  Punk returns to the ring to chat with Cena.  Punk says that Cena knew Punk would be calling him out tonight, but invited himself to the ring instead of being respectful.  Punk throws the WWE Title to the mat and says he's been taking a backseat to Cena, HHH, and The Rock.  He took that backseat out of respect and now he wants that respect returned to him.  Punk says that after defeating Cena time and time again, he should not have to take that backseat any longer.  Punk says he elected Cena number one contender because he needs to beat Cena again.  Punk looks over the crowd and sees the Cenation in full force and it makes him realize what the one condition will be.  Punk says Cena gets his title shot if he admits that Punk is the best in the world.

Cena says that he has not been the WWE Champion for nine months.  Through good times and bad times, Cena stays close with the WWE Universe because of respect.  Cena demonstrates with a cheap Foley pop, getting the crowd to cheer.  Cena runs a sports fan analogy - You love your team even when they lose.  Cena will not call Punk the best in the world because he has to believe that he is the best.  Cena says when he held the title for 380 days, he never once demanded respect.  Cena won't stroke Punk's ego - Punk can choose anyone for the number one contender and Cena won't call him best in the world.  Night of Champions takes place from Cena's hometown.  Cena says if Punk beats him in his hometown, it "defines his existence".  He's been champion for almost a year, how does he not exist?  Cena says if Punk doesn't face Cena in his hometown, he has no respect for himself or the title.  Cena leaves and Punk turns back to Lawler, wanting his apology.  Lawler heads to the ring.  Lawler apologizes and goes to leave, but Punk says he's not finished.  Punk now wants Lawler to say that he's best in the world.  Lawler won't say it and brushes past Punk, who delivers a kick to the back of his head.  Punk squats down and stares at the knocked out Lawler then looks out into the crowd to conclude the show.  He doesn't look happy with what he's done, but not especially remorseful either.

AJ was busy tonight!  Chris Jericho leaves us, but not before giving the rub to Dolph Ziggler - He just beat Jericho clean in the middle of the ring and should now be seen as a legit threat to the World Heavyweight Title.  Cena reminding everyone that he hasn't been WWE Champion for X amount of months is obnoxious.  Cena not being champion doesn't mean that the company halts or that something is "wrong", so the verbiage comes off incredibly silly.  Kaitlyn/Layla has the potential to be an interesting match as Kaitlyn brings the power of Beth Phoenix as well as the usual speed of the other divas and Layla brings the potential to be a solid opponent.  Bryan/Kane continues, because I don't think WWE knows what else to do with the "crazy" Daniel Bryan they've concocted.  Seems like we're still dealing with Sheamus and ADR which I think the crowds have grown tired of.  Orton might be interjected after tonight and while Orton/Sheamus isn't anything new, it's at least different than what we're seeing right now.

CM Punk's quest for respect continues all the way to Night of Champions - Will he earn respect?  Or will Cena earn another WWE Title?  Give us your call in the comments or on Twitter @sbfantom and @thegeekasylum.

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