Welcome everyone to the first edition of Wrestling Lockup with Brandon. I’ll be your source to everything going down in the wrestling scene, whether it’s WWE, TNA or GFW news. This week’s edition I’ll kick off with a review on this past Monday’s RAW Ultimate Warrior Tribute Show.
RAW began with a tribute to the passing of WWE Hall of Famer Ultimate Warrior, as every WWE superstar and Diva stood on the stage, all sporting some kind of Ultimate Warrior memorabilia. A video package was played on the TitanTron of The Warrior, showcasing his life. The arena went silent and respects were paid to The Warrior as the ring bell rang ten times. The segment closed out with WWE COO, Triple H, beginning a “Warrior” chant with the crowd as Warrior’s iconic theme music played out.
An eight man tournament to crown a new #1 contender for Big E’s Intercontinental Championship kicked off tonight with 8 of WWE’s top mid-carders competing. Mark Henry vs Cesaro, Rob Van Dam vs Alberto Del Rio, Sheamus vs Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler vs Bad News Barrett would kick off the first round action.
Rob Van Dam defeated Alberto Del Rio with the Five Star Frog Splash in the first match of the evening. Rob Van Dam is still the crowd favorite and Del Rio is stuck in mid-card status on the roster now it seems.
Michael Cole mentioned that WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Daniel Bryan, was not in attendance tonight. Bryan was enjoying his honeymoon with his new bride, Brie Bella. Lucky guy!
An Ultimate Warrior vs Honky Tonk Man video segment was played showcasing Warrior’s quick 39 second victory and first Intercontinental Championship win.
COO Triple H, met with Randy Orton and Batista in his office to try to get them all on the same page in their current feud build up with The Shield. Orton and Batista stated that all they both cared about was the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and that Triple H was on his own.
Curtis Axel and Ryback defeated The Rhodes Brothers in tag team action after Ryback countered Cody’s “Disaster Kick” with a mid air “Meat Hook” clothesline to score the pin. Possible future tag team title opponents for The Usos maybe? We’ll see.
A segment with former NXT World Champion Bo Dallas played as he wanted all of us to “Bo-Lieve”. Interesting to see how Dallas will fit into the main roster. They should definitely keep him in heel fashion to start out.
Newly crowned WWE Diva’s Champion, Paige defeated Alicia Fox by submission with the “Scorpion Cross Lock”. I’m a huge Paige fan, I’m hoping with Paige and Emma being used on the main roster now, we’ll be seeing an improved Diva’s Division soon. I’m really missing the Trish Stratus/Lita days of the division.
The Usos vs Randy Orton and Batista in a non-title match went to a No Contest. Before the match could even get going, The Shield arrived. Reigns, Ambrose and Rollins attacked Randy Orton and Batista. Reigns delivered a big “Superman Punch” to Batista before Orton and Batista retreated up the ramp. I’m actually excited about this feud and loving the face Shield currently.
Another Ultimate Warrior video segment was aired as we witnessed highlights of the Ultimate Warrior vs Hulk Hogan match at Wrestlemania 6 where Warrior defeated Hogan to capture the WWE World Title.
Cesaro defeated Mark Henry in match #2 of the #1 Contenders Intercontinental Title Tournament. Cesaro finished Henry off for the pinfall with “The Neutralizer”. Before the match Cesaro’s new manager Paul Heyman bragged some more about Brock Lesnar beating the streak at Wrestlemania 30. Paul Heyman is definitely one of the top three managers in wrestling history and can anger a crowd beautifully.
We next see a segment with COO Triple H and the Mrs., Stephanie McMahon telling RAW G.M. Brad Maddox (He’s still around? Why?) to tell The Shield that they will be in the main event tonight in a 6-Man Tag.
Alexander Rusev destroyed Xavier Woods in under a minute, making Woods tap to the “Camel Clutch”. R-Truth then got a beat down from the Big Bulgarian Nightmare after the match. If pushed right I could see Rusev being the WWE’s version of Samoa Joe but let’s not hold our breath on that.
Ultimate Warrior tribute video #3 was shown as we witnessed The Ultimate Warrior defeat “Ravishing” Rick Rude in a “Steel Cage Match”.
Sheamus defeated Jack Swagger in match #3 of the #1 Contenders Intercontinental Title Tournament. Swagger tried working on Sheamus’ leg during the match, even locking on the “Patriot Lock” at one point. Sheamus delivered the “Brogue Kick” for the three count.
A video for new NXT rookie Adam Rose and his Exotic Express played.
Next segment saw Damien Sandow in the ring stating that he is the most deserving man in the WWE. Big Show interrupted Sandow to his disliking. Sandow continued demanding respect and stating that the WWE Universe should be begging to touch and see him. This went on until Big Show heard enough and knocked out Sandow with the “Big Show Punch”.
Next segment built up the ongoing feud between John Cena and Bray Wyatt. Bray cut another creepy promo claiming to be a mentor to us all and not a liar like John Cena. Cena used pictures of the Wyatt Family on the TitanTron as a comedy act for his rebuttal before challenging Bray Wyatt to a “Steel Cage Match” at Extreme Rules. Wyatt accepted the challenge by singing “He’s got the whole world in his hands”.
The new dancing couple Fandango and Layla defeated Santino and Emma in close to a minute. Basic buildup to Fandango and Layla being together now.
The next segment saw Stephanie McMahon giving Kane his evaluation on his performance as the Director of Operations. Stephanie called Kane weak and pathetic and wondered what happened to the devil’s favorite demon. Kane tossed a chair, grabbed his old mask that was on display inside a glass case and promised to send Daniel Bryan to the “Depths of Hell”. Masked Kane coming soon possibly?
More Bo Dallas and Adam Rose segments played.
Bad News Barrett defeated Dolph Ziggler in the last of the #1 Contender Tournament matches for the Intercontinental Championship. Barrett hit the “Bull Hammer” on Ziggler for the three count.
Main Event Time saw The Shield go 11 on 3 against Alberto Del Rio, Jack Swagger, Fandango, 3MB, Titus O’Neil, Ryback, Curtis Axel, Alexander Rusev and Bad News Barrett. This match if you could call it that was basically a beat down on The Shield as right when they had offense they were soon ganged up on, ending the match in a no contest. After The Shield was laid to waste, Motorhead’s “Line in the Sand” began to play as Triple H, Randy Orton and Batista stood together on the ramp obviously reforming their past faction Evolution. Evolution entered the ring after Triple H ordered everyone else out and viscously attacked The Shield. Reigns, Ambrose and Rollins all received finishing moves from Evolution. RAW closed out with Triple H, Orton and Batista celebrating together in the ring over the fallen Shield members.
That concludes the first edition of Wrestling Lockup with Brandon till next time...
