Hawk 34

They'll have one of these guys along with Punk. I'm sure one of the other two guys will be a big bumper. More likely to set up a final battle with MnM and Hardys anyways. Since WGTT doesn't seem to be a great issue right now.

Weird to see Benjamin getting the in-ring introduction treatment.

Marty's still with WWE. He said so.

Good opening segment that did a lot of good, even with Orton covering most of the promo load. Something that needs to be fixed.

Okay, Edge playing HHH to Orton's Shawn circa 1997 isn't right.

Are you lost?

No, but ECW did.

He wears a mask and I'm assuming that CMLL may just have photos of him without a mask. I don't know much influence CMLL has with the border patrol but I imagine they'd know how to spot him.

No. While she was talented worker, there's many talented female wrestlers out there to fulfill that void and while she was an attractive diva, she wasn't going honestly do much more for the company anyways. Her move was the right one, if she was seeking independence and to escape the "pressure" of living on the road.

CMLL is handling this like the jealous ex G/F that shows up and tries to ruin every single new thing you do in your life........just get the fuck over it and be professional for fucks sake. Mistico is their cash cow. WWE did the same thing with Lesnar, doing everything to keep him from working somewhere else.

I'm fairly comfortable that the show will start with a McMahon promo and of course, Ace Steel will come out and do the parody. The Real Trump shows up with Lashley apppearing behind Steel and spears him and has a face-off with Umaga.

Isn't HTM holding out on this because he doesn't want to lose his namesake by signing to the legends deal knowing it'd kill his indy career? Or is it just a case of them being at odds again. We can probably be assured that Bruno, Backlund, Savage, Angle, Warrior and Lesnar aren't going to touch the HOF either by their own decision or WWE's stance. There's also a good deal of names not on that list are just as deserving if not more.

WWE must really want Mistico if they are willing to deal with the potential headaches. Vince's paranoia is really odd right now, usually he panics for the big guys but now he's wanting to push Punk and beef up the cruisers and market to the large demo they have because outside of Mysterio, they have no one to sell to them.

Having Edge cash in later that night to take the title from Shawn (which I've been calling for weeks, even before Edge was slotted into the match) can work on many levels. First off, it's a great heel move for Edge and gives that MitB stipulation something different this time around and it's "unpredictable". It also adds heat to the DX/RRKO feud that WILL continue upon Hunter's return this summer. By setting up a spot with Edge being ultra sneaky during the MitB match by staying away from the carnage and sneaking in to capture the briefcase from Orton and another face (Punk, for example). He comes off looking more of an asshole by virtually stealing the briefcase by staying out of the fray and marching down later that night completely fresh and capitalizing once again on a tired champion. Shawn gets that brief moment with a flukish method, Cena gives respect to Shawn. Edge interupts the celebration and takes the title. Best of all, it's not the main event so they won't need to worry about pissing off the crowd and sending them home angry. Put a filler match or segment to calm the crowd down before the main event. That does depend on them not being stupid and having Batista win. That'd murder the crowd big time.

Punk went out against his best friend and now Joe's getting that chance. He already put over Nigel and that was important. Here he gets to blow the roof off one last time against his best friend. No need for storyline purposes or putting someone over. I was hoping they'd do Joe/Cide Vs Briscoes for the titles since Briscoes and Homicide were among his biggest rivals and he never captured the triple crown and getting one last shot on his way out as London and Punk (before the swerve) would have fitting but a singles match here is fine. It's Joe's last night and he probably insisted on working Homicide because that would mean so much to him.

What's stranger, Al Gore or 36 Mafia having an oscar over some major names?

Trump has gone over and over saying he's about the fans and giving them what they want. Mick Foley is actually a name that even Donald Trump would know if he never even turned on WWE (which is obviously the case) and Foley has a name that sells to casuals as well. Not only that but Mick Foley has almost 10 years of history with Vince McMahon and is known to be public about his issues which would appeal to Donald Trump that Foley knows to make money off these type of things. The match would obviously be much better but it's a spot match and that spot is reserved for McMahon getting shaved by Austin (if you don't think it becomes Austin/McMahon at the end, you're nuts.) That'll mark out the crowd and the casual viewers who are more concerned about the most match antics. Foley doesn't NEED to be the guy since he obviously doesn't need a rub by any measure and there's nothing for Foley to gain since he's already a name value star and is getting promotion for the book anyways and WWE is actually doing the right thing by putting Lashley in this spot in hopes of creating a new superstar instead of going back to the fail-safe that is Hulk Hogan. Foley is just the only other guy that'd really work in the spot but Lashley is the right move. WWE is doing a decent job of pushing WM with good angles right now between the two title matches along with building mainstream appeal for Trump/McMahon and will probably do well at throwing a couple good matches on the card. This doesn't need to be a 11 match loaded card of classic matches, just a big upper-card (check) and a good mid-card match to carry the show and they are set. Not every WM will be X7 but this show isn't in trouble and it doesn't need Dwayne Johnson to save it.

Lashley is a fine enough choice and it keeps from giving him a dead match against Snitsky or whatever ECW heel they wanted to use and really exposing him. This way, he gets the rub but isn't expected to carry the match at all. The crowd heat will be on the corner men. I'd expect them to give a over booking treatment for this but it probably won't matter. Aside from Mick Foley, none of the other talent are worth the spot or fit the spot. You can throw out Benoit all you want but he's fair from a believeable person to slot in the match when he's a lifetime mid-card act who had a gold watch title run. He'll always be over but it's a waste to use this mainstream match on a guy who'd never make anything out of it even if the match might come off better. Flair is a joke choice. Foley would have worked fine with the history between him and McMahon and that he's the most mainstream name they have that can still work and without already being placed on the show right now. Foley is great at putting people over but you already have Austin involved and it seems the entire point will be to play off his history with McMahon since you're drawing in the casuals anyways. It's silly to even consider someone like the Rock anyways. It's stupid on all levels.

I actually like that idea, but it'd be impossible for them both to get down from the ladder(s) with their hands still both on the case. What would be great is if both have their hands on it at top of the ladder, and there's a tug of war where they drop it to the ring below and one of the other wrestlers gets it (CM Punk, maybe?). That would be a great basis for a feud.....or one wins it (say Edge) and later in the year Orton beats Cena at a PPV for the title, onlyto have Edge cash it in right away on that PPV, defeating Orton. Orton (or Edge) is only champion of a total of two minutes and further sets them up to explode. (Course the problem is I can't see either being an effective face). Perhaps they can break the briefcase apart and each fall to the ring with a half. To be honest, I'm not a fan of the duel winner spot although it's not that common with ladder matches. I'd just have a spot with Punk and Orton doing that tug of war on the top of the ladder and Edge sneaks up with a chair and swings towards Punk and sends him down but Orton falls with him and drops the briefcase right into Edge's waiting hands. It allows Punk and Orton to look as if they both had the match won, sets up a way for Edge to screw Orton without directly hitting him in the crucial spot and Edge gets another sneaky ladder match victory.

That's not a bad idea to do two shows in one day (which was once fairly typical) in the same venue but doing the same show? I get that the idea is that fans who didn't get tickets for the night show can get the same show in the afternoon and possibly draw a younger crowd as well but at least switch the card around.

The first two nights of the festival tour has seen surprising results from the betrayal of Roderick Strong against long time tag team partner, Austin Aries with his new stable-mate Davey Richards which led to Austin and other long time partner of Strong, Jack Evans to vow revenge with their own collective stables. Homicide's long awaited title reign came to a end when NOAH superstar Takeshi Morishima captured the title, making him the first international ROH World Champion. His one and only currently scheduled title defense on American soil comes in Dayton against the hometown hero, BJ Whitmer whom is notorious for his ability to take a beating. This show is being held on the 5 year anniversary to the day of ROH's inception in 2002 which was headlined by a special appearence by Eddie Guerrero and a legendary main event that was crucial to putting the promotion on the map and in tribute to that main event, this event will revive the Three Way Dance concept to involve the three men whom were on the very first show in 2002 at the Murphy Rec Center including one of the participates of that original match, Christopher Daniels whom will face Jay Briscoe and the former world champion, Homicide. This is a loaded card for a market that ROH has been trying to keep strong despite a series of weak shows. ROH World Title BJ Whitmer Vs Takeshi Morishima Samoa Joe Vs Davey Richards Open The Brave Gate Title Matt Sydal Vs Austin Aries Three Way Dance Christopher Daniels Vs Homicide Vs Jay Briscoe Nigel McGuiness and Colt Cabana Vs Jimmy Jacobs and Brent Albright Grudge Match Lacey Vs Daizee Haze Sterling James Vs Jimmy Rave SIX MAN MAYHEM Mark Briscoe Vs Roderick Strong Vs Shingo Vs Claudio Castagnoli Vs Matt Cross Vs ??? (Delirious was named but has been taken off the card via injury but will be appearing on the show) - We know Morishima is leaving Dayton and the states with the title especially with the title defense against KENTA next month but it should be a very physical match but alot of these matches could easily steal the show.

I'm still in shock that Pelle Primeau made Morishima look like a second act. BJ has a certain quality that is great for long term mid-card babyfaces. In the vein of Chris Benoit, really. He is great for a good brawl and maybe even a technical match with the right person but he isn't going to get a big pop right out of the gate but with the right match and crowd, BJ really shines.

Got back from the show not too long ago, here's the results and some brief thoughts *Nigel McGuinness came out and cut a promo on behalf of Morishima but was interupted by The Irish Airborne, whom challenged Nigel and Morishima. Morishima quietly walked out and took them out and walked away in a flash. Lacey with Jimmy and Brent Albright walked out to confront Nigel. Jimmy Rave snuck in and locked Nigel in a heel-lock before running off as Cabana arrived to start the opening match* 1). Nigel McGuinness and Colt Cabana D. Jimmy Jacobs and Brent Albright (Ok match. Nigel in complete Morton mode) 2. Jimmy Rave D. Sterling James via submission (Short but bland match) 3. Lacey D. Daizee Haze via Jacobs' spear (typical woman's match, nothing special) 4. Homicide D. Chris Daniels and Jay Briscoe via top rope ace crusher (pretty solid match here with good stuff between Daniels and 'Cide) 5. Matt Sydal D. Austin Aries (Surprisingly ground based match with a few high spots peppered in.) 6. Claudio Castagnoli D. Shingo, Strong, Mark Briscoe, Pelle Primeau and Matt Cross (INSANE match with a bunch of high spots and a complete Spike Dudley beatdown from the heels on Pelle whom has big balls for taking so many backbreakers and chops from Strong and Shingo) 7. Samoa Joe D. Davey Richards via Muscle Buster on apron (Match of the night. Joe on his game here) 8. Morishima D. BJ Whitmer (Bombed. Crowd wasn't into this at all and alot left during the match. These two just didn't click. The work was fine but there was nothing at all to build off. It's possible Joe drained the energy out of the fans with a hot match and primo promo but that didn't excuse it. This match had two objectives. Put Morishima over as a VADER heel and for BJ to get the holy shit kicked outta him. It barely got each sides covered. Should have been either a fantastic stiff fight or a total mutilation and it wasn't either.) All in all, pretty good show with a hot crowd (that was larger then usual). Worth checking out Joe/Davey and if you like highspots, the six man.

The final segments with the goodbyes and the future scenes were a good touch but i agree too much Julie Cooper, which most of this season was built around. The ending was really predicatable (Ryan being the last to leave the house and with the flashbacks of first moving in and of course, the Marissa shot on the driveway which for the entire 4 years is probably the most important scene for that show). The show never had a chance at staying at the levels it reached in season 1. Luckily, it was stronger this season then it was for season 2 and 3. The show shouldn't been kept around since it was limping and Autumn Reeser wasn't enough to save it.

That's true. It was sad not having Heenan really be a part of the AWA DVD. Vince is a Bruno mark? I thought he just wanted make the WWE hall of fame somewhat credible. While he was a die-hard for Superstar Graham, he was also a fan of Bruno. He wants Bruno to lend credibility to the HOF and because he knows he can make money off Bruno in the northeast market via DVD package but Bruno and Vince have their issues.