ECW Results 05.29.12

Tonight's ECW comes to us live from the CenturyLink Center in Shreveport, Louisiana as Joey Styles and Tazz welcome us to tonight's show. Styles hypes both John Morrison and Rob Van Dam in action tonight and says Randy Orton is in the building to go one on one with KANE tonight.

We go to ringside and THE SANDMAN makes his way to the ring to plead his case. Sandman tells Heyman that Tommy Dreamer hijacking the Hardcore Championship must not stand. Heyman enters and tells Sandman that there is nothing that he can do to help the situation. Anything concerning terminated contracts has to pass through legislation with Stamford and the WWE Board of Directors. Heyman says they've agreed to hear the case of Dreamer's actions from last week, but they're so buried under motions that they can't act for about three months.

Heyman says that he might be able to expedite the process by circulating an online petition, but that The Sandman won't like the solution. If the WWE Universe can generate ONE MILLION ELECTRONIC signatures under the Twitter hashtag #BRINGBACKTOMMY, then ECW can bring the Hardcore Title back, but it would mean Tommy Dreamer would be back under contract as well. However, in the event that Dreamer IS brought back, he will be REQUIRED to forfeit the Hardcore Title. In the meantime, Heyman informs that Sandman has a match next against a very game opponent and out comes ISYS EPHEX. The bell rings and here we go.

THE SANDMAN def. ISYS

Isys took one hell of a beating and kept coming back. Finish came as Sandman choked Isys out with the Singapore Cane. Sandman tells Dreamer that he'd better hope that the fans keep him at home, because if he EVER comes back, he'll be sure to finish the job.

We go backstage and Abyss demands a War of Attrition against Hassan and his syndicate tonight. Heyman obliges and says to bring the entire Unholy Alliance with him, because Hassan has rallied two hostages that he has re-named Mufid Juhani and Zafar Marzouki for the purposes of his crusade against the WWE. Abyss says he will not disappoint. We go to commercial.

Back from break and we get a promo for the King of the Ring PPV. The anthem this month is "No More Heroes" by Slash and Myles Kennedy. We go to the ring as Jack Swagger makes his way to the ring for the next contest. The War Machine Rhyno rips his way down the ramp and we get under way.

　RHYNO def. JACK SWAGGER
Good back and forth contest, finish comes as Rhyno escapes the Oklahoma Stampede and rebounds with a rib-shattering Gore. After the match, Swagger grabs the mic and demands a match with either Matt Hardy or Shelton Benjamin next week to represent ECW in the King of the Ring Final.

We go backstage and Rob Van Dam is meditating as Elijah Burke approaches. Burke tells the ECW Champion that he doesn't need King of the Ring to prove he can take down the ECW Champion, and he doesn't plan to wait until Summerslam. RVD never leaves his trance and Burke walks off, incensed. Back to commercial.

We come back from break and we don't even get formal in-ring introductions as The Alliance and the Syndicate have already hit the ring and are beating the hell out of each other before the bell.

The Unholy Alliance (Abyss, Whipwreck, Tajiri, Rellik and Kevin Thorn) versus Al-Della (Hassan, Daivari, Mahal, Zafar Marzouki and Mufid Juhani) ended in a No Contest
The participants continued brawling until Abyss cleared the ring of Hassan, Mahal and Daivari. The Monster hits a Black Hole Slam on Juhani and Shock Treatment on Marzouki, unmasking them in the process to reveal the BRISCOE BROTHERS. After cleaning house, Abyss leaves the ring and BRODUS CLAY enters. Clay viciously assaults both Briscoes and pledges his allegiance to the Unholy Alliance, one week removed from the most savage beating of his career.

We go backstage with Show, Kane and Heyman. Kane vows that Orton won't make it to King of the Ring. Back to commercial.

Back from break and Heath Slater is back with another Homeboy Challenge, and issues a challenge to anyone from the area that has the guts to step in the ring. Out comes AHMED JOHNSON to a TREMENDOUS POP, the bell rings and here we go.

AHMED JOHNSON def. HEATH SLATER
Slater tries to back off, but Ahmed catches him with a Bicycle Kick. The Pearl River Powerhouse continues with a Gorilla Press Slam and proceeds to level Slater with a Pearl River Plunge to pick up the victory.

We get a promo for the King of the Ring Semifinal between Hardy and Benjamin tonight back to commercial.

Back from break and LAX hits the ring to meet the Prime Time Players in tag team action up next. The bell rings and it's on.

LAX (Homicide and Hunico) DEF. PRIME TIME PLAYERS
Another good back and forth tag contest. After several near falls, SuperMex jumps up on the ring apron and begins exchanging blows with Titus O' Neil. The two behemoths brawl through the crowd, leaving Darren Young alone against LAX. Homicide hits a Gringo Killer and Hunico hits a Falling Star from the top rope to pick up the three count.

Morrison sticks the landing backstage after nearly an hour of Parkour, landing next to a still-entranced Van Dam. Morrison tells RVD that he wants nothing more than for the two of them to tear the house down at the IZOD Center, and says he'll miss having RVD in the Land of Extreme. Van Dam tells Morrison that he has nothing but respect for his ability, but says that ECW is everything to him. ECW is what brought him to the big time, and he would sooner leave wrestling than leave ECW. RVD says he's leaving King of the Ring as ECW Champion and John Morrison will just leave. Van Dam tells him not to worry, as he's sure that RAW or Smackdown will be happy to have him.

We go back to ringside and The 9th Wonder of the World, Chyna heads to the ring for a one-on-one contest with Katie Lea Burchill. The bell rings and off we go.

CHYNA versus KATIE LEA BURCHILL ends in a No Contest
The battle goes back and forth for a few minutes before the Women's Champion KHARMA intervenes. The Diva Destroyer tears the competition apart before dropping Chyna with an Implant Buster and an Awesome Bomb. Kharma moves in on Katie Lea when PAUL BURCHILL swoops in and brandishes his sword at the Women's Champ. Kharma wisely backs off as Burchill rushes to his sister's rescue.

We get a promo for Orton/Kane as the Big Show heads to the ring. Back to commercial.

BIG SHOW def. JOHN MORRISON
Good back and forth match. Morrison finds himself in a spot of trouble as Show captures him in a Bear Hug, but Morrison fights out and delivers a Flying Chuck. The former ECW Champion tries to rally, but is caught with an open handed chop that collapses Morrison's chest. Show circles his prey and attempts a Running Leg Drop, but Morrison dodges and comes back with a Running Knee to the head for two.

Show goes for The Final Cut, but Morrison battles out again and hits a series of European Uppercuts and a Baseball Slide to the knee that takes him off his feet. Morrison tries to finish the job, but Show comes back with a Chokeslam for 2 1/2. Show goes for a Big Boot, but Morrison ducks and comes up with an STO Backbreaker and a Neckbreaker for two. Show gets back to his feet and drops Morrison with a headbutt and a devastating Running Senton. Show drags Morrison back to his feet by the hair and plants a WMD squarely between the eyes for a decisive three count.

Show grabs a mic and tells Randy Orton that it doesn't matter who he chooses as his tag team partner at KOTR, because this is what they have waiting for them.

We go backstage and Matt Hardy has been jumped and is being assaulted by Jack Swagger and Elijah Burke. EMTs and officials rush in to break up the melee, but the damage has been done. Heyman advises Hardy not to compete on the broken ankle tonight and demands that Burke go to the ring for his match with Van Dam next. We go to break.

ROB VAN DAM def. ELIJAH BURKE in a non-title match
Solid main event contest. Burke is about to put on the finishing touch as Hardy fights off medical techs and blitzes the ring, armed with a steel chair. Hardy blasts Burke with the chair and Van Dam hits a Five Star Frog Splash to pick up the victory.

After the match, Hardy grabs the mic and says he's not going anywhere until he gets his match with Benjamin. Shelton hesitantly hits the ring and the bell rings to get the KOTR semifinal under way.

SHELTON BENJAMIN def. MATT HARDY to become ECW's representative for the KOTR Final
The match could last only so long under Hardy's shattered ankle. Finish came as Hardy mounted a heroic effort and set up for the Twist of Fate. Benjamin counters into Paydirt. Benjamin crawls to the cover and becomes the first finalist in the KOTR tournament. Benjamin will join either Damien Sandow/R-Truth and either Brodie Lee/John Cena in the first of two Finals at King of the Ring.

We go backstage and see The Big Red Monster and the Viper headed to ringside for the main event. Back to break.

RANDY ORTON def. KANE
The match didn't have a chance to amount to much beyond the first couple of minutes. Orton patiently waited for Kane to scale the ring apron during his entrance and STRUCK. Driving a foot square into Kane's jaw, Orton draped The Devil's Favorite Demon across the middle rope and drilled Kane with an IEDDT. The Viper coiled for the RKO and delivered to pick up a surprise three count.

After the match, Orton lined up for a PUNT, but Kane captured him with a Clawhold to the face and a Big Red Chokeslam. Big Show and Heyman hit the ring and help Kane admire the carnage as ECW goes off the air.

WWE RAW Supershow Results 05.28.12

-Tonight's WWE RAW Supershow opens up with a video for Memorial Day. Tonight's show is dedicated to all of our fallen soldiers.

-We open up with a look back at Over The Limit and the BRUTAL war between Triple H and Brock Lesnar. We see footage from last week and the fallout as Randy Orton fell victim to Paul Heyman's wrath due to guilt by association. We see more footage of Orton striking back the following night on ECW and that brings us to tonight.

-We're live from the New Orleans Arena as Stephanie McMahon hits the stage. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler welcome us to the show.

Steph informs Paul Heyman that Kane and The Big Show's assault on one of her superstars is an actionable offense and she could take him to court for more than he's worth, but rather than waste time amidst the red tape of the American Legal System, even with the cherry legal team that she has at her disposal, she's much more content to settle the issue in the ring and accepts Heyman's offer of a 2-on-1 Handicap Match at King of the Ring; that is, unless Orton can find a partner between now and then.

In the meantime, Steph has ordered the Big Show and Kane to be in attendance tonight as both will be competing in one-on-one action later in the evening. Steph also announces that participants in matches booked at King of the Ring will be in one-on-one action tonight.

-Still to come tonight, CM Punk versus Chris Jericho in a non-title match. If Jericho wins, he receives a shot at the gold next week. We go backstage and see Rey Mysterio putting on the mask as he heads to ringside for his match next. Back to commercial.

-Back from the break and we get footage of Mysterio successfully defending the title at Over The Limit and of Christian going overboard after the match.

-We go to the ring and Mysterio makes his way out to the ring, randomly headbutting children along the way. Once in the ring The Nexus’ music hits and Wade Barrett makes his way out. Barrett says that last week he was instructed to find leadership for the Nexus in the form of a RAW Superstar and he succeeded. Barrett says that the Nexus’ new leader is in the building tonight and only the Nexus and this unnamed superstar are aware of who they are.

Barrett says that RAW will mire itself in suspicion and mistrust until King of the Ring, where the ringleader’s ultimate identity will be revealed. In the meantime, Barrett vows to leave King of the Ring as World Heavyweight Champion, even if it means going through his fellow Nexus member Dolph Ziggler, and ESPECIALLY if it means steamrolling through Rey Mysterio tonight. The bell rings and we get under way.

WADE BARRETT def. REY MYSTERIO when CHRISTIAN interfered

Mysterio pounces on Barrett from the getgo, with an Arm Drag that sends him flying across the ring. Rey goes for a Dragonrana in the corner, but Barrett catches him and drills him with a powerbomb. Barrett scales the turnbuckle and hits a Diving Elbow for two.

Barrett goes for Winds of Change, but Rey surprises him with an Octopus Hold. Barrett begins to fade, but throws Mysterio to the ropes and bashes him with a flurry of knee lifts. Rey fights back out and catches Barrett on the jaw with a Spinning Heel Kick, busting his lip open. Mysterio follows up with a Wheelbarrow Bodyscissors and attempts a bulldog, but Barrett tosses him over his shoulder and comes back with a vicious Back Kick.

Barrett goes for a Powerbomb, but Mysterio counters with a hurricanrana that sends Wade to the ropes. Rey goes for a 619, but Barrett ducks and comes back with a Belly to Belly Suplex for two. Barrett spits the excess blood into Mysterio’s face out of frustration and wipes the rest off his face before going back to work.

Barrett hoists Mysterio up for Wasteland, but Rey rolls through with a Headscissor takedown and gets Wade into position for the 619 again and connects. Mysterio goes to the top for a Diving Headbutt, but Christian runs down the ramp and jumps on the apron to provide a distraction. While the ref and Mysterio both contend with Captain Charisma, Barrett regains his feet and delivers Wasteland from the middle rope to pick up the three count.

-After the match, Christian grabs a mic, gets down to the unconscious Mysterio’s level and tells him to enjoy the ride, because in the weeks to come, he intends to sink to darker, sicker and even more sinister depths than ANYONE has seen from him or anyone else. Christian drops the mic and exits the ring.

-We go backstage and we get Jeremy Borash chasing JBL down backstage. JB asks JBL about his thoughts concerning the Nexus finding an unnamed leader. JBL asks Borash why he’s asking him. JBL concludes that JB must suspect that HE is the new leader of the Nexus and insists that he’s NOT the ringleader of arguably the most destructive force in WWE history, but concedes that they’re directive WOULD put him in a fairly decent spot were he the one, as they have been instructed to find a leader and position him as the next WORLD CHAMPION. JBL says he has far more pressing issues than this interview and piles into his limo before riding out of the arena. Back to commercial.

Back from the break and Damien Sandow heads down to the ring, mic in hand. Sandow says that the intellect of the WWE Universe is still in a woeful state of affairs, but that he intends to expedite the advent of their Renaissance of Enlightenment. Sandow thanks Stephanie for at least giving him the chance to prove himself and says once he vanquishes his plebeian opposition tonight, all he can offer the fans will be “YOU’RE WELCOME”. Out next is SIN CARA as he flies to the ring and Sandow jumps him before the bell. The bell rings and the match is officially started.

DAMIEN SANDOW def. SIN CARA to advance

Cara fights back in with an Enziguri and connects with a Moonsault Side Slam from the top rope. Cara makes the cover but Sandow gets his foot under the bottom rope. The International Sensation argues the call and gets Irish whipped to the ropes. Cara counters back with a Handspring Back Elbow, but Sandow captures him on the rebound and connects with a Russian Leg Sweep before rolling back to his feet and grandstanding.

Sandow drops the Cubito Aequet and drags Sin Cara back to his feet to cinch in the Straightjacket and connects with the neckbreaker and drops into the cover for the three count.

-After the match, Sandow cartwheels out of the ring and moves on to next week, where he will face off with either R-Truth or the Miz in the semifinal to determine who will join Matt Hardy and Smackdown’s representative in the Finals at King of the Ring.

-We go backstage and BIG SHOW has barged into Stephanie’s office and demands to know who his opponent is tonight. Stephanie tells him to step out to the ring and find out because his match is next. Show warns Stephanie that Orton had better keep his distance tonight for his own good. The Billion-Dollar Princess looks on determined as Show storms out.

-Still to come tonight, CM Punk versus Chris Jericho with a title shot next week on the line. Back to commercial.

-Back from break and Steph announces that in light of the conflict of interest presented by TWO Nexus members being in the main event at King of the Ring, the Triple Threat Match will now be a TRIANGLE ELIMINATION MATCH with TWO falls to the finish. Out comes the Big Show and he looks absolutely PISSED that he’s being forced to compete tonight. Show grabs a mic and says get it over with before asking who his opponent is. Out comes RYBACK and it appears Show is in for more of a fight than he initially expected as the bell rings to get us started.

RYBACK def. BIG SHOW

Ryback gets the jump with a monstrous Meathook Clothesline that staggers Show. A second one drops him to one knee. Ryback goes for a third, but Show collapses his chest with a thunderous open-handed chop to the sternum. Show goes for the Final Cut, but Ryback demonstrates IMMENSE strength by countering into an Oklahoma Stampede and picking up a two count.

Ryback tries for the finish with Shell Shocked, but Show fights out and hits a Chokeslam and gets 2 1/2. In disbelief, Show locks in a Bearhug and Ryback battles out with a flurry of headbutts before groggily splashing Show in the corner and sending Show to the arena floor with a Big Boot. Frustrated, Show beats on the apron and climbs back in, chokeslamming Ryback again. Ryback kicks out at two and Show is on the verge of tears from sheer disbelief that he can’t do him in. Ryback sets up for Shell Shocked again, but Show begins beating him down with a massive headbutt of his own and locks in a Cobra Clutch Backbreaker, but Ryback fights out again and stuns Show with an Overhead Belly to Belly Suplex across the ring.

Ryback charges again and steps directly into the path of Big Show’s boot. Show continues the punishment with a Sidewalk Slam and signals the end by slicing his throat. The World’s Largest Athlete knuckles up for WMD and takes a swing, but Ryback ducks under and FINALLY comes up with Shell Shocked. Incredibly, the modern-day Cyborg is able to collect the surprise three count.

-After the match, Ryback asks to be fed, and Show obliges...with a MASSIVE WMD to the face. Ryback drops instantly and in a frightening display, has to be carried out by EMTs. Big Show is heard screaming that this is Orton’s future at King of the Ring.

-Up Next, RANDY ORTON will be in action against CHRISTIAN. We go to commercial.

-Back from break and William Regal is angling for a position in Stephanie McMahon’s cabinet as Senior Advisor. Steph says she’ll take it under consideration on the condition that Regal can unseat Rey Mysterio as the Intercontinental Champion next week on RAW. Regal sneers at Steph and leaves the office.

-Back to ringside as Captain Charisma walks methodically to the ring, awaiting his opponent. Out comes Randy Orton and we have a brawl right from the outset as the bell can’t ring fast enough.

RANDY ORTON def. CHRISTIAN when REY MYSTERIO interfered

Orton gets guns blazing with a barrage of European Uppercuts and drops into a Lou Thesz Press before wailing away with punch after punch to Christian’s face. The #1 contender to Mysterio’s title escapes to ringside and comes back with a Diving Crossbody before dropping the Viper with a Inverted Facelock Backbreaker for two.

Orton works his way to the buckle and drops Christian with a Superplex for another nearfall. Christian gets back to his feet and sets up for the Killswitch, but Orton counters out and answers back with a Cross Body Block. Orton hits his signature backbreaker and gets two. Christian goes for a Fireman’s Carry Gutbuster, but Orton slides out and soon gets caught with an Impaler DDT instead. Christian makes the cover but can’t get the three.

Captain Charisma goes for a Twisting Corner Sunset Flip, but Orton rolls through and begins going to work with the Garvin Stomp. Orton drags Christian to the ropes and connects with the IEDDT and sets up for the RKO, but Christian counters out YET AGAIN and comes back with a Hurricanrana for another nearfall. Christian blindsides Orton with a Running Forearm and sets up for a Spear. The #1 contender charges and The Viper counters with a Falling Clothesline.

Finish comes in rapid succession. Orton attempts the Olympic Slam and Christian rolls through, setting up for the Killswitch. Orton counters out and shoves Christian to the buckle. Orton charges and Christian comes up with a Pendulum Kick and a Flashpoint from the top rope. Christian primes up for the Killswitch but Orton answers with a Dropkick. Randy hits a Jumping Knee Drop and devastates Captain Charisma with a Snap Scoop Powerslam for two. Orton goes for the Punt and Christian escapes to connect with a Spear.

Christian goes to the top for a Frog Splash, but Mysterio runs down and gets on the ring apron. As the ref deals with the distraction, Orton comes from out of NOWHERE and leaps to take Christian right directly from his perch to the canvas with a jaw-dropping RKO. Orton crawls to the cover and gets the duke.

-After the match, Mysterio drills Christian with a 619 and hits a Frog Splash of his own before grabbing the mic and telling the #1 contender that whatever he has planned, BRING IT ON.

-The One Man Southern Rock Band is backstage and tells Steph that he was robbed by Sin Cara in the King of the Ring tournament last week and says he wants more of an opportunity, so he’s issuing an open challenge to anyone who wants to step to the plate tonight. Steph says she has no issue with that and tells him that he goes on next. Steph wishes him good luck as the smirking Slater heads toward the ring. Back to commercial.

-Back from break and Heath Slater is in the ring to introduce us to a new Open Challenge segment called "HEATH SLATER'S HOMEBOY CHALLENGE". Slater explains that in order to both demonstrate his greatness and give some hometown talent time to shine, he's issuing an open challenge to ANYONE from the area who wants to tour with the One Man Band. Slater says since no one on the roster hails from the cesspool that is New Orleans, he need not worry about tangling with one of the pros. Without warning, HEIDENREICH's music hits to a TREMENDOUS POP as the New Orleans native marches to the ring to get the match started.

HEIDENREICH def. HEATH SLATER

Initially, Slater begs off, then takes a wild swing, only to end up in the Cobra Clutch. Slater struggles violently to escape, but Heidenreich forces him to the corner and holds him in a um...compromising position (Think Michael Cole) before planting him with an Overhead Gutwrench into a Shoulder Breaker. Heidenreich whips Slater to the ropes and destroys him with a Spinning Side Slam to pick up the three count.

-After the match, Heidenreich celebrates with the hometown fans before parading through the crowd and back to the exit.

-We go backstage and Chris Jericho runs into CM Punk backstage. Jericho tells Punk that he may have the rest of the locker room fooled, but says that he’s onto Punk. He says he knows full well that Nexus came to him last week to put him in the position of control. Jericho reminds Punk that were it not for Nexus buzzing into the Championship Scramble Match and creating a moment of chaos among the participants, Punk would have never had the opening to regain his title and leave with the belt as time expired.

Punk scoffs at Jericho and tells him that Nexus’ ultimate goal is to find a leader and make him World Champion. Punk reminds him that he was ALREADY champion when Cornette’s crew made this their objective. Punk also points out that they sure weren’t friendly last week when they were trying to become #1 contender at his expense. Punk tells Jericho that he’s not their leader, if anything he’s their target. Punk tells Jericho to just stay focused on trying to earn a title shot next week on RAW and walks away. Jericho glares at Punk as we go to break.

-Back from commercial and out comes Punk followed by Chris Jericho. Y2J yells “I know it’s you” as the bell rings to get the match started.

CHRIS JERICHO def. CM PUNK to earn a title shot next week when Nexus interfered

Another classic NO DQ match between two superstars that could easily be considered “The Best In The World.” Momentum shifted between Jericho and Punk about seven different times before Punk established control with a Shining Wizard in the corner and a Running Bulldog. Punk goes up for a Savage Elbow, but Nexus runs down and surrounds the ring. All eight men rush the ring and Punk and Jericho quickly find themselves on the business end of a 8-on-2 battle. Punk fights off DiBiase with an arm wrench mule kick, Hennig with Welcome to Chicago and McIntyre with a Roundhouse Kick. Meanwhile, Jericho takes out Rhodes with a Breakdown, locks Kofi into the Walls of Jericho and drops Alex Riley with an Enziguri before crushing Barrett with a Lionsault. Amidst the confusion, Punk hoists Ziggler up for the GTS and Jericho DRILLS Punk with a Codebreaker before crawling to the cover for the three count.

-After the match, Jericho celebrates his title shot next week and retreats up the entrance ramp as Punk comes to in the ring. Suspicion abounds as Punk casts a sideways glance at Jericho and connects with the GTS to the prone Ziggler before heading to the back.

-Still to come tonight, Ziggler will go one-on-one in a match that may well define his career against the Undertaker. We go backstage and Kane crosses paths with Jericho on his way back from ringside. Kane says he doesn’t know who’s leading Nexus, whether it’s Jericho, or someone else, nor does he care. But should someone decide to be his opponent tonight or Randy Orton’s partner at King of the Ring, now might be a good time to start praying. Jericho denies Kane’s charge of being affiliated with Nexus and we go back to commercial.

-Back from break and out comes Kane. The Big Red Monster tells Stephanie that it doesn’t matter who she’s chosen to book against him tonight, she’s simply leading a lamb to slaughter. Out comes TENSAI as it appears Heyman’s thugs are in for another war. The bell rings and here we go.

KANE def. TENSAI

The Big Red Machine and The Big Red Destroyer begins exchanging heavy blows before Kane takes Tensai off his feet with a huge big boot and following up with a Scoop Powerslam. Tensai fights back in and crushes Kane with a Train Wreck for two. Tensai continues the beatdown with a series of Elbow Drops and a Swinging Side Slam for another nearfall.

Finish comes as Tensai hits a Chokebomb and goes for a Running Senton. Kane moves out of the way and connects with a Chokeslam from Hell. Kane hoists the massive Tensai and lodges his skull into the canvas with a Tombstone Piledriver for the three count.

-After the match, Randy Orton hits the ring and connects with another RKO.

-We go backstage with The Miz gearing up for his King of the Ring Quarterfinal when R-Truth walks in. Truth says that he and Miz have an interesting history, between their battles against each other over the United States Title to their forged alliance to hold WWE hostage last fall, to their falling out when Miz kicked him to the curb. R-Truth tells Miz that tonight he wants to go out and leave everything in the ring like he knows they can. Truth says he respects Miz approach of getting back to the top on his own merit and wishes Miz luck in their match tonight. We go to break.

-Back from commercial and Kane is still in the ring, staggering to his feet. Kane grabs a mic and says he can’t wait until King of the Ring and demands that Stephanie send Randy Orton to ECW tomorrow night for a one-on-one match. Steph appears on the tron and says she’ll let the match stand on the condition that Big Show come nowhere near the match. If Big Show interferes, the 2-on-1 option is out the door and Orton will be required to find a tag partner or the match at the PPV is off.

-Ziggler is backstage in a panic, having just received word of his match with The Undertaker later on tonight. Barrett is trying to calm his comrade but to no avail. Wade tells him that he has Nexus’ full support and that all seven members will be at ringside for his match.

-Still to come, Dolph Ziggler (with Nexus) versus The Undertaker. We see R-Truth heading to ringside for the King of the Ring Quarterfinal next.

-Back from break and out first comes R-Truth. The Miz is out next for the King of the Ring Quarterfinal. The winner will face Damien Sandow to determine RAW’s representative in the King of the Ring Finals at the PPV. The bell rings and they start brawling.

R-TRUTH def. THE MIZ to advance when KANE and THE BIG SHOW interfered

A fantastic match. After exchanging moves back and forth for a few moments, Truth established an early edge with a Leg Drop and Miz fired back with a Kneeling Snap DDT for two.

R-Truth goes for the Lie Detector, but Miz dodges, sending Truth crashing into the referee. Miz hits an Awesome Clothesline and attempts to follow up, but Truth answers back with a Suplex Stunner. Truth goes for a scoop slam, but Miz slides out and connects with a Skull Crushing Finale, but there’s no referee.

Miz tries for another one, but Truth rolls through and comes up with a Hurricanrana, but still no referee for the count. Miz counters back with a Snapmare Driver, but still no zebra. Truth goes for a 450 Splash, but Miz moves, sending Truth crashing to the mat. Miz summons Truth back to his feet and nearly knocks Truth’s face off with a Big Boot, but the referee is STILL out. Truth fires back with a Jumping Corkscrew Hook Kick, followed by a Corkscrew Scissor Kick, but still no count. Truth desperately tries to rouse the official, opening the door for Miz to come back with a Reality Check and a Springboard Bulldog.

R-Truth regains his bearings and comes back in with the Truth Conviction and finally Charles Robinson runs down to log a count, but can only get a 2 1/2. Miz ROARS back with a flurry of Discus Punches and another Running Big Boot for two. Miz argues the call and Truth hits back with a Reverse STO for another nearfall. Now, Truth argues the call and Miz shoves Truth into Robinson, taking out another ref.

KANE and THE BIG SHOW arrive at ringside, storm the ring and hit Miz with a Double Chokeslam before leaving the ring. Finish comes as Truth helps Miz back to his feet and Miz surprises him by locking in for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Truth counters out again and comes from out of nowhere with Little Jimmy to pick up the three count. R-Truth will now face Damien Sandow next week to find out who represents RAW in the King of the Ring Finals.

-Backstage we see Dolph Ziggler walking backstage, looking like he’s heading to the gallows. Dolph Ziggler versus The Undertaker NEXT!

-Back from break as Dolph Ziggler walks to the ring with The Nexus surrounding the ring. The druids line the entrance ramp and The Undertaker burns a path to ringside, glaring at each of the Nexus members. The Deadman casts an icy stare at Ziggler that permeates the souls of even the WWE Universe. The bell rings and the main event is under way.

DOLPH ZIGGLER def. THE UNDERTAKER

Ziggler charges and Taker answers with a catastrophic Back Body Drop out of the ring and on top of the rest of Nexus. Ziggler climbs back into the ring and Taker begins strangling the life out of him with a one-handed chokehold. Ziggler prods a thumb into Taker’s eye and hits a Fireman’s Carry Gutbuster for two.

Ziggler comes up with a scoop slam, amazing even himself before executing a Bridging German Suplex. The Undertaker kicks out at two and comes back with a Sidewalk Slam. The Deadman moves in for the kill with a Tombstone Piledriver, but Ziggler escapes and comes up with an Inverted Body slam for another two count. Taker hits a Flying Clothesline and tries to go for another one, but Ziggler pulls a Superkick out of his hat for 2 1/2.

The Deadman comes up with a Running DDT, but Dolph finds the wherewithal to kick out at two. Taker goes for a Chokeslam, but Ziggler shoves off and hits a picture-perfect Dropkick. Ziggler hits a Name Dropper but the Deadman kicks out with authority. Ziggler retreats to the outside and hides amongst the Nexus. Undeterred, Taker launches himself at the entire faction with a Suicide Plancha, taking them all off their feet.

Taker rockets Ziggler back into the ring and drops him across the top turnbuckle with Snake Eyes. Finish comes as Taker attempts to follow up with the charging big boot, but Ziggler ducks under and rebounds with a ZigZag out of thin air to pick up the surprise three count.

-After the match, Nexus floods the ring and begins working over The Undertaker, but the Deadman fights them all off, out comes CM Punk, Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, Christian, R-Truth and The Miz to help make the save. The resistance works briefly until it collapses into in-fighting. Punk and Jericho start brawling at ringside while Christian and Mysterio start going at it on the other side.

Kane and The Big Show begin working over Orton, leaving Taker, Truth and Miz to fend for themselves against the Nexus. Barrett and Ziggler start beating the hell out of Miz and Truth and eventually they have Undertaker surrounded again. Just as it seems Barrett and company are about to hospitalize the Deadman, all eight of them encircle Taker and take a one-knee salute. For one of a very few occasions in his career, The Undertaker appears genuinely perplexed by this gesture. The Nexus’ allegiance is COMPLETELY shrouded in mystery as RAW goes off the air.

WWE Smackdown Results 05.25.12

Tonight's WWE Smackdown comes to us live from Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT as Matt Striker and Josh Matthews welcome us to the show. The show opens with highlights of the WWE Championship Match at Over The Limit.

-We go to ringside and Teddy Long takes to the ring to discuss King of the Ring. Long says that the tournament that began for Smackdown on Monday Night will continue tonight and that with the permission of GM Heyman, he will present a new challenger for Matt Hardy on the way to the PPV by way of a Fatal Four Way match tonight.

Teddy says that the Cruiserweight Title will be defended at King of the Ring under the rules of a new concept called ULTIMATE X. Finally, the Smackdown GM turns his attention to the WWE Championship picture and says that Nigel McGuinness will defend his newly won WWE Title at King of the Ring.

Bryan Danielson intervenes and begins venting about how Jeff Hardy received the first title shot at RAW last Monday instead of being allowed to cash in his rematch clause. Teddy says he WAS going to name Danielson as Nigel's #1 contender, but since he felt the need to interrupt, he can't think of a better place than Mohegan Sun to roll the dice. Teddy tells Danielson that he will instead have to EARN his rematch back in a TRIPLE THREAT MATCH tonight against SAMOA JOE and SHEAMUS. Danielson is FURIOUS with the call, but the decision stands.

-We go backstage and Delirious is devouring another Happy Meal. Delirious is about to dive in when Gregory Helms; Beat Reporter bears down upon him with a message from The Hurricane. Delirious tells Helms that he can't read so the reporter tells him that Hurricane a issued a challenge for a one-on-one match and the maniac quickly obliges. Delirious snarfs down the burger and heads to the ring.

Back from break and The Hurricane enters first. Delirious makes his way down to the ring, looking as deranged and twisted as ever. The bell rings and the match gets started.

DELIRIOUS def. THE HURRICANE

Hurricane establishes the upper hand first with a Hurri-Kick and a Northern Lights Suplex for two. In firm control, Hurricane went for a Hurri-Chokeslam, but one miscalculation allowed Delirious to break free and strike with a Leaping Clothesline and a flurry of punches to send Hurricane reeling into the corner.

Delirious kept the barrage going with The Neverending Story and a Panic Attack. Hurricane regained control and went for a Shining Wizard but the psycho dodged and answered back with a Bizarro Driver. Finish came when Delirious scaled the heights of the ring and destroyed Hurricane with Shadows Over Hell for the three.

After the match--a peace offering. Delirious goes to the ringside area and produces YET ANOTHER Happy Meal. Delirious pulls the burger out and offers it to his fallen opponent, but just as Hurricane moves in to take the first bite, a mysterious figure rappels in on a rope swing and swipes the Happy Meal, burger and all out of the mitts of the combatants. The figure swings up into the rafters and reveals himself to be none other than PAUL BURCHILL, back in full pirate regalia. Burchill finishes off the burger, brandishes his sword and swoops away into the shadows. The Hurricane and surprisingly, EVEN DELIRIOUS, look confused at what has just transpired.

The Colony comes walking into Teddy Long’s office, thanking the GM for the invite, but they’re not quite certain why they’re here. Teddy explains that he is impressed with their work in the Land of Extreme but wants to REALLY try their talents tonight, so they will be booked against the final three graduates of the Hart Family Dungeon as The Colony will be in Six-Man action against The Hart Dynasty NEXT. The Ants go marching out and we head to our next break.

We head back to ringside and The Colony comes marching out with Green Ant leading the charge. Out next is the Hart Family with Natalya in tow. The bell rings and here we go.

THE HART DYNASTY def. THE COLONY

Very strong showing with The Ants nearly stealing the victory on several occasions. Fire Ant got the drop on Teddy with a Stop Drop and Roll that puts the youngest Hart on dream street. Tyson Kidd tries to make the save, but Green Ant cuts him off. Kidd makes another run at Fire Ant but Green Ant catches him again with a Missile Dropkick.

DH Smith snags Green Ant before he can capitalize and sends him flying from the ring with a Release German Suplex. Soldier Ant sends Smith to the outside with another dropkick and follows up with a Saluting Suicide Dive. Action spills back into the ring and Fire Ant catches Teddy again with Hot Soup. The Colony went in for the kill by knocking Kidd and Smith off the apron and moving in on Teddy.

Fire Ant connects with Heat of the Moment on Teddy and goes to finish him off with the Ant Hill, but Teddy Hart amazingly kicks out at two. Kidd jumps back in and hits a Tornado DDT to take Fire Ant out of the equation. Soldier Ant turns the tables on Kidd with Ten Hut, causing Tyson to march and salute involuntarily. Soldier Ant sneaks in a roll up, but Kidd escapes at two. Soldier Ant tried this tactic a second time and it worked briefly before Tyson fought out, kicked Soldier Ant in the gut and produced an INVISIBLE GRENADE from out of nowhere. Soldier Ant shoves Green Ant out of the way and dives on the grenade before it exploded in the ring.

As Soldier Ant writhes in pain, DH Smith climbs back in and disposes him with a Running Powerslam. Finish came as Kidd and Smith connect with a Hart Attack and Teddy Hart puts the exclamation point on with a Triple Bypass to score the victory.

-We go backstage and The World’s Strongest Man is plodding toward the ring. KOTR Qualifying Match NEXT!

Back from break and Teddy Long calls Beth Phoenix into his office. Teddy explains that Kharma hasn’t defended the Women’s Championship in nearly a month and will be stripped of the title if a #1 contender isn’t named soon. Long announces a Triple Threat Match for #1 contention tonight featuring BETH PHOENIX, SARA DEL RAY and VICTORIA. The Glamazon leaves the office, beaming from ear to ear.

Back at ringside as MARK HENRY charges out to ringside. Henry looks bound and determined to move on in the tournament as The Big Rig BRODIE LEE makes his way out next. The bell rings and this titanic clash gets under way.

BRODIE LEE def. MARK HENRY to advance

Brutal back and forth contest. Henry works Brodie back to the buckle with a Body Avalanche and a Gorilla Press Slam before connecting with a Vader Bomb. Brodie incredibly kicks out at two.

Henry goes to help Brodie to his feet, but The Big Rig clocks The World’s Strongest Man with a Superkick. Brodie begins exchanging furious lefts and rights with Henry before leveling him with a Truck Stop Side Slam. Henry displays extreme fortitude in his attempt to continue in the tournament, kicking out at 2 1/2.

Henry nearly pulled off an upset with The World’s Strongest Slam, but Brodie refused to die. Finish came as Henry went for a clothesline that certainly would have taken Brodie’s head off and the Blue Collar Destroyer came back with a vile Big Rig Boot to pick up the three count.

We go backstage and see Joe warming for the Triple Threat Match later tonight when Bryan Danielson breaks his concentration. The former champion reminds Joe that the two of them have unfinished business from their time on the Indy scene and the Samoan Submission Machine agrees. Danielson says he was better then, he’s better now and at King of the Ring, when he becomes a THREE-TIME CHAMPION, he’ll be better than Joe yet again.

Sheamus intervenes and tells them both to stop worrying about each other and start focusing on dealing with The Great White, or else they’ll be dealing with the Third Wheel from Hell tonight. Sheamus walks away with a HUGE GRIN on his face as we go to commercial.

Back from break as we get a video recap of Monday Night’s KOTR qualifiers.

Back to the ring as Justin Roberts introduces the next contest is for the final KOTR spot. Out first is Shelton Benjamin, followed by Kevin Steen, then Matt Morgan and finally Austin Aries. Bell rings and here we go.

SHELTON BENJAMIN def. FINLAY, MATT MORGAN and KEVIN STEEN

Solid, entertaining match with near falls all over the place. The three smaller combatants strategically went after Morgan to start. Finlay rocked the big man with a series of European Uppercuts, Benjamin hit a Superkick and Steen hit a Moonsault to the outside that drew HOLY SHIT chants from the crowd.

Action spilled back into the ring and Benjamin crushed Steen with a German Suplex and Finlay follows up with a Seated Senton. Finish came as Steen dropped Finlay with a Steenalizer and took a Carbon Footprint from Morgan. Matt goes for the cover, but Benjamin sneaks in the back door and stuns Morgan with Pay Dirt for the victory.

-After the match, Finlay rolls to the outside to regain his wits. A fan in a hoodie clobbers Finlay with a Steel Chair. The fan REPEATEDLY strikes Finlay about the back with the chair before removing the hood to reveal ZS3. Springate throws the chair down and escapes through the crowd before security comes hovering down to ringside.

Backstage with Beth Phoenix preparing for her #1 contender’s match as we head back to break.

Back from commercial and out first is Beth Phoenix, followed by Victoria and finally ECW’s Sara Del Ray. The bell rings and the match gets started.

SARA DEL RAY def. BETH PHOENIX and VICTORIA to become the #1 contender

SDR and Beth work over Victoria in the early going with a flying hip attack and a running clothesline. A game of one-upsmanship breaks out between The Glamazon and The Queen of Wrestling as they take turns lighting up Victoria in the corner with knife-edge chops.

The contest continues as Beth crushes Victoria with a Military Press Slam to the mat and SDR answers back with a Release German Suplex, sending the Black Widow to the arena floor.

Beth tries to establish control with a top rope Superplex, but after a series of shoot kicks to the thigh, SDR is able to capitalize with a Straight Jacket Suplex of her own from the top rope. Chants of THAT WAS AWESOME as both divas lie unconscious on the canvas. Finish comes as Phoenix sets up for the Glam Slam, but SDR rolls through into a PERFECT Royal Butterfly for the three count.

-After the match, SDR celebrates, but the festivities are short lived as KHARMA marches down to the ring. Sara fights her off with a Big Boot and several shoot kicks to the legs, but Victoria staggers her from behind and drops her with the Widow’s Peak in the center of the ring. Victoria throws SDR to the wolves and Kharma finishes her off with an Implant Buster. Victoria believes she’s in the clear but the Women’s Champion takes her out with an Awesome Bomb. Kharma returns to her feet and comes face to face with Beth Phoenix. The Glamazon glares at the champion and an intense staredown ensues. Kharma smirks and backs off, leaving Phoenix staring daggers from the ring.

We go backstage and Petey Williams is walking backstage in preparation for his Ultimate X Qualifying Match coming up next. We go to commercial.

-Back from break and Teddy Long gets off the phone just in time to inform one of his assistants that Victoria and Sara Del Ray will compete in a STREET FIGHT next week.

-We go back to the ring and Justin Roberts introduces the first qualifying match for Ultimate X. Out first is Cruiserweight Champion Kaval to help call the action, followed by Jimmy Wang Yang and his opponent, Petey Williams. The Canadian Destroyer looks pumped as the bell rings to get this match started.

PETEY WILLIAMS def. JIMMY WANG YANG to qualify for ULTIMATE X

A strong contender for match of the night. Yang and Petey had the crowd on their feet for fifteen minutes. THIS IS AWESOME chants ring through the arena as Jimmy lights up Petey with shoot kicks to the quad and a roundhouse kick to the gut to send Williams to the floor. Yang connects with a stunning No-Handed Plancha to the arena floor to get the crowd fired up early.

Petey rebounded with a Baseball Slide, sending Yang face first into the ring apron. A slingshot hurricanrana to the floor put the two combatants back at square one. Finish came as Yang went for YangTime and Petey evaded it, sending Yang to the canvas. As Jimmy tried to force air back into his lungs, Williams obliterated Yang with a beautiful Canadian Destroyer to pick up the three.

-After the match, Petey climbs the buckle and locks into another staredown with the champion at ringside.

-Teddy Long in his office with Monty Brown. Long gets off the phone and says that Paul Heyman is looking for a new #1 contender for Rhyno’s Hardcore Title and Teddy plans on giving him one. Long books Monty Brown versus Al Snow next to determine who’s next in line. We go to break.

Back from commercial. Monty Brown enters first followed by Al Snow and Head. The bell rings and weapons start flying.

AL SNOW def. MONTY BROWN to become #1 contender

Very physical match. Brown brought the onslaught with a steel chair between the eyes, a trash can lid, the can itself and a Kendo Stick, but the Snowman would not be denied. The duo brawled backstage, swinging with anything that wasn’t nailed to the floor. The finish came as Brown took another swipe with the chair, only for Snow to duck and come back with a Head Shot that sent Monty crashing through the plate glass window. Snow climbs to the other side of the window and picks up the three count.

-After the match, Snow celebrated the victory and walked out to the corridor where he was met with a GORE that drove him through the drywall. Officials rushed into restore order, but the damage had been done. The War Machine stands over the broken Snow, title in hand, beating his chest in defiance.

-We get a split-screen of the three combatants vying for the next shot at the WWE Title tonight. We go to break.

Back from commercial and we get the Smack of the Night--Nigel McGuinness snagging the WWE Championship from Bryan Danielson.

-Back to ringside and new WWE Champion Nigel McGuinness makes his way to the ring first to help out on commentary. Sheamus hits the ramp first, spoiling for a fight. Joe is out next, looking to make a huge impact on the title picture. Finally, out comes the former champion, who’s still looking for an explanation from Wade Barrett and company. Danielson engages in an icy stare with the champion and following a few more tense pre-match moments, the bell rings to get us started.

BRYAN DANIELSON def. SHEAMUS and SAMOA JOE to regain his #1 Contender’s Spot

Very entertaining match. Danielson started off as the whipping boy as Sheamus and Joe took turns wearing the former champion out. After eradicating Danielson from the equation, the two bulls went at it before Joe crushed The Great White with an ST Joe.

Joe connected with an Inverted Atomic Drop, a Running Dropkick and a Senton Splash for two before Danielson broke up the count. Sheamus regained his wits and took both men off their feet with running clotheslines. Sheamus shatters Danielson with The Irish Curse, but Del Rio and Rodriguez hit the ring to provide a distraction. Sheamus meets Ricardo with a Brogue Kick and Del Rio bolts backstage. The diversion was enough to open Sheamus up to a Missile Dropkick from Danielson.

Sheamus goes for The Brogue Kick on Joe, but The Nation of Violence ducks, sending Sheamus to the ropes. Joe comes back with a Muscle Buster and moves to cinch in the Coquina Clutch, but Danielson staggers him with a series of Roundhouse Kicks to the shoulder and a deafening shot to the temple before locking in the YES Lock. Joe has no choice but to tap out, leaving Danielson as the #1 contender.

-After the match, Sheamus returns to his feet, infuriated, and levels Danielson with White Noise. At this point, JOHN CENA comes from out of nowhere, and throws Del Rio back into the ring by his neck and sets him up for a nasty Brogue Kick. Cena steps into the ring and removes his gear to prep for the upcoming match. Justin Roberts announces that the following contest is the KOTR Quarterfinal. The bell rings and the match is upon us.

JOHN CENA def. ALBERTO DEL RIO to advance

Cena awaits as Del Rio returns to his feet. Cena sets up for the F-U and slams him to the canvas with back breaking velocity. A sly grin spreads across Cena’s face and The CeNation leader shocks the world by unveiling a new addition to his repertoire, finishing Del Rio off with his own version of the Cross Armbreaker. Humiliated, Del Rio taps out and Cena moves on in the KOTR tournament.

-After the match, Cena celebrates, but the mood quickly changes as Cena steps down off the ropes and comes face to face with the imposing BRODIE LEE. The two remaining Smackdown participants lock eyes as Smackdown goes off the air!

ECW Results 05.22.12

Tonight's ECW comes to us live from the legendary Hammerstein Ballroom. Joey Styles and Tazz welcome us to tonight's show.

Paul Heyman makes his way to the ring to explain the docket for tonight and address the situation between Randy Orton, Kane and The Big Show last night on RAW. Heyman doesn't sugar-coat it, but instead admits that he DID personally send Kane and The Big Show to RAW last night.

Paul explains that since Brock Lesnar is no longer suitable to compete in a WWE ring or in professional wrestling altogether due to the injuries suffered at Over The Limit, he no longer has to be impartial or unbiased. Heyman says that Brock Lesnar was one of his greatest clients, personally chosen by Heyman himself. And since Triple H felt the need to destroy one of his greatest discoveries, he decided to destroy everyone either tightly affiliated with or considered a "friend" of the Game. Heyman says that Brock accomplished much of that prior to Sunday, but that the one link remaining last night was The Viper, Randy Orton. Heyman says that Orton was a mere victim of circumstance due to guilt by association and as since Brock couldn't finish the job, he did by sending some hired guns to take him out.

Heyman says that he understands that Orton is in the building tonight and welcomes him to make a splash if he dares, because Kane and the Big Show will be waiting here with open arms.

Paul says that ECW will be determining their representative in the King of the Ring Finals tonight with an 8-man tournament later on tonight. ROB VAN DAM hits the ring and tells Paul that it's none of his business what Heyman does with his cronies and that his concern only lies with Rob Van Dam and the fact that he's the new ECW Champion. Heyman chimes back in and tells RVD that since he appears to be in a fighting mood tonight, he'll go one-on-one with The Big Show in the main event tonight. But first, Heyman says he'd like to introduce his opponent for the ECW Title at King of the Ring. Out comes JOHN MORRISON and the former ECW Champion says that he's invoking his rematch clause next month, just down the road in Jersey.

Heyman ups the ante and says that he's sick and tired of looking at both of them on the same show, so the match will be a LOSER LEAVES ECW match. Paul says it quite literally will be all or nothing; the winner will leave King of the Ring as the ECW champion, and the loser...will just LEAVE. Heyman tells both of them to just focus on tonight and informs Morrison that his match is next with KANE. The pyro goes off and out comes the Big Red Monster as we go to commercial.

JOHN MORRISON def. KANE when RANDY ORTON interfered

Kane dominated much of the contest and was on the verge of wrapping up the match with a Chokeslam from Hell, but Orton jumps the barricade and BLASTS the Big Red Monster in the face with a steel chair. Morrison leapfrogs the top rope and connects with Starship Pain to collect the three count.

-After the match, Orton coils up and plants Kane with an RKO onto the chair before leaving through the crowd.

-The Funkasaurus is backstage heading to the ring for his King of the Ring qualifying match up next.

-Back from break and Brodus and the Funkadactyls make their way out to the ring. ABYSS appears on the titantron and laments the "Sad state of affairs that he has fallen into." Abyss questions whether Brodus can still look in the mirror in the morning knowing what he's let himself become. He points out that in his days of NXT he was an unstoppable wrecking machine; under Del Rio's wing, Abyss suggests that he was on the certain path to championship gold. Abyss says Clay has become a laughing stock, but that the Unholy Alliance wants to help him regain control of his destiny and dive headfirst into the shroud of hatred. Starting tonight--.

ABYSS def. BRODUS CLAY to advance

Decent match with heavy-handed blows being traded for the better part of the match. Finish comes as Brodus attempts to hit What The Funk, but Abyss impressively keeps his feet and shocks the ECW crowd with a CATACLYSMIC Black Hole Slam for the three count.

-After the match, The Unholy Alliance (sans James Mitchell) surround the ring and beat the Hell out of Brodus, capped off by an absolutely heinous shot to the face by Janice. Brodus is left bleeding from the head and lying on the canvas as Abyss and company evacuate the ring, leaving the EMTs to tend to their "sacrifice".

-We go backstage and MUHAMMAD HASSAN is backstage with JINDER MAHAL and DAIVARI and all of them are expressing distaste with their continued misuse in the Land of Extreme, the latest of which includes their exclusion from the King of the Ring tournament. Hassan warns that the three of them aren't above sabotaging the whole damn bracket tonight. Heyman informs them that acting on these threats will result in Indefinite Suspension. Hassan warns Heyman that acting on THAT threat will result in an ALL-OUT WAR with the ECW locker room, perhaps the entire WWE, and a MUTINY aboard the good ship STAMFORD. We go to commercial.

-Back from break and LAX is welcoming a new member to their ranks as Hunico has now joined forces with Homicide and Hernandez--They bill themselves as the only "Triple H" that matters in the business.

-Back in the ring as JACK SWAGGER makes his way to ringside for the next qualifying match and out comes an old foe in MATT HARDY. A return to the January 2009 feud as the bell rings to get us started.

MATT HARDY def. JACK SWAGGER to advance

This was an exhaustive battle. Hardy established control early with a Side Effect and a Diving Elbow Drop to the back of Swagger's head. Meanwhile, The All-American American answered back with an amateur assault, working over Hardy with football tackles to the knees as well as multiple suplexes, takedowns and shoulderbreakers. Swagger put himself in firm control with an Oklahoma Stampede before taking Hardy’s face off with a monstrous Big Boot.

Swagger landed a Gutwrench Powerbomb, but Hardy found the wherewithal to kick out at 2 1/2. Swagger locked in the Ankle Lock and nearly got Matt to tap out, but the elder Hardy struggled for the bottom rope and broke the hold, sending Swagger flying to the outside. With Matt favoring the ankle, Swagger slid back in and attempted a Swagger Bomb, but Matt SOMEHOW managed to counter into an Ice Pick. Swagger struggled and finally escaped the hold. Finish came as Swagger attempted another Gutwrench Powerbomb and Hardy landed on his feet. The knee buckled, but Matt kept his vertical base and stunned Swagger with a NASTY Twist of Fate before crawling to the cover and picking up the three.

-After the match, the referee helps Hardy back to his feet and The Sensei of Mattitude finds out that his evening isn’t over, in fact it gets worse. Matt Hardy will now face ABYSS in the next round.

-We go backstage with Kane in a fit of rage, throwing various in sundry objects through the corridors until Heyman has a chance to catch up with him and calm him slightly. Kane screams that he wants Orton at King of the Ring and Paul makes it happen, saying that Orton will face off with Kane and The Big Show in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match unless he can find a tag team partner willing to collaborate in the next few weeks.

-We go to the ring as Raven makes his way to ringside for the next qualifying match. We go to commercial.

-Back from break and The Sandman makes his way through the crowd as Raven’s opponent in what is sure to be a hard-hitting Extreme Rules Qualifying Match. The bell rings and we get under way.

RAVEN def. THE SANDMAN to advance

Brutal back and forth contest that saw chairs, Singapore Canes and just about everything else flying everywhere. Finish came as Sandman set up for the White Russian Leg Sweep when a fan in a black hooded sweatshirt jumped the barricade and began arguing with the official as security guards stood at ringside to try and restrain him. The distraction caught Sandman’s attention in just enough time for the fan to shatter a Singapore Cane across Sandman’s face. Raven makes the cover and gets the three.

-After the match, the fan jumps into the ring and begins wailing relentlessly on Sandman with ANOTHER Singapore Cane. The crazed fan ties Sandman to the Tree of Woe and bashes him in the face with a steel chair and the crowd EXPLODES. Chants of “TOMMY” begin ringing through the arena as the fan removes his hood and his dark sunglasses to reveal the heavily bandaged and severely bruised face of TOMMY DREAMER. Though no longer under contract by rule of the stipulation of Sunday’s match, Dreamer crashed the party tonight out of vengeance for Beulah. Dreamer climbs back over the barricade as the crowd mobs him on the way out of the arena.

-Still to come tonight, ECW Champion Rob Van Dam versus The Big Show and the continuation of the King of the Ring Tournament. We go to break.

-Back from break as Matt Hardy is tended to by the EMTs, who advise him not to compete again tonight as he has suffered a high ankle sprain and any added stress will certainly fracture the ankle.

-We go back to ringside as Hardcore Holly makes his way to the ring for the next qualifying match. Out next is Elijah Burke and the final contest of the first round gets under way with the bell.

ELIJAH BURKE def. HARDCORE HOLLY to advance

A very competitive first-round match. Burke strikes first with 4-Up to Holly's temple and tries to follow up with a lariat, but Holly answers with a devastating dropkick for two. Burke whips Holly to the buckle and attempts the Elijah Express, but Holly moves, sending Burke crashing knees first into the corner and over the top rope. Holly lights Burke up with a flurry of knife-edge chops, sending him retreating to the corner. Holly rolls to the outside and grabs a steel chair to plaster The Pope, but Burke counters with a flapjack that drops Holly throat-first across the top rope.

Burke grabs the chair and takes a swing, but Holly ducks under and comes up with a Full Nelson Slam for two. Holly helps Burke back to his feet and gets caught with a Codebreaker for another nearfall. Elijah attempts a flying forearm smash, but Holly catches him with a shot to the midsection. Holly sets up for the Alabama Slam, but Burke grabs the top rope. Holly answers back with a Wheelbarrow kick to the midsection.

Holly sets up for a Pumphandle Slam, but Burke floats over and shoves Holly to the corner, following in with the Elijah Express. Burke makes the cover, but Holly kicks out at 2 1/2. In sheer disbelief, Burke argues the call and sets up for a German Suplex. This creates an opening for Holly to block the hold and nearly take the Silver-Tongued Pugilist's head off with a clothesline. Holly hits a Jumping Knee Drop and picks up another two count. Now Holly is starting to lose his patience and begins arguing the call with the ref.

Holly sets up for a Falcon Arrow, but Burke fights out, secures and arm wrench and stuns Holly with the Elijah Experience to collect the three count. After the match, Burke fell victim to a SONIC BOOM of a chair shot to the head, busting him open. Holly brandishes the steel chair with the imprint of Burke's head in it before slamming it to the canvas and leaving the ring. A profusely bleeding Burke now has a matter of moments to head backstage and get cleaned up for his quarterfinal against Raven later this evening.

-We go backstage and Rhyno and Steve Blackman are brawling in what has apparently been recognized as a defense of the Hardcore Title under 24/7 rules. The Man-Beast gores the HELL out of Blackman through a door, leaving both men lying. EDDIE EDWARDS rushes the situation and makes the cover to get a three count. The Lone Wolf is the NEW HARDCORE CHAMPION!

-Just down the corridor, Matt Hardy is seen refusing further medical attention and limping toward the ring. Apparently the hell-bent Hardy is determined to leave the Hammerstein Ballroom as ECW's Representative in the King of the Ring final. We go to commercial.

-Back from break as Hardy has made it to the ring. He grabs a mic and drops to his knees, BEGGING Abyss to come out for the next round. The Monster quickly obliges and orders the timekeeper to ring the bell as Abyss goes head to head with what is essentially a one-legged Matt Hardy.

MATT HARDY def. ABYSS to advance when Al-Della interferes

Abyss CRUSHES Hardy in the corner with a spear and sets up for a Military Press. Hardy struggles out and lands on his bad ankle, crumpling to the mat. Abyss drags him back to his feet and Hardy comes from out of NOWHERE with a Side Effect, but can't capitalize. Matt pulls himself back to his feet using the ropes and then to the middle turnbuckle to attempt a diving elbow to the back of Abyss' head, but The Monster captures him and drills him with a Chokeslam.

Abyss goes for a Black Hole Slam, but Hardy SOMEHOW counters into a Bulldog and crawls to the cover for two. Hardy rolls over and locks in an Ice Pick, but Abyss overpowers Hardy and drops him to the mat. Abyss locks in a Twisting Chinlock and at this point MUHAMMAD HASSAN, JINDER MAHAL and DAIVARI pounce. A 3-on-1 assault ensues as Mahal throws a FIREBALL into Abyss’ face. As the Psychopath of the Catacombs writhes on the mat, Hassan locks in a Camel Clutch and Daivari drills him with a DDT into the canvas. The Unholy Alliance FINALLY storms the ring and begins trading blows with the intruders and begin hot pursuit as they retreat through the crowd. As Abyss lies motionless in the ring, Hardy crawls back to his feet and hits a Twist of Fate out of desperation before dragging himself to the cover and picking up the three count.

-We go backstage and Eddie Edwards is heading out of the arena, but BALLS MAHONEY is waiting in the parking lot and CRUSHES Edwards with a Steel Chair labeled “HARDCORE is MY TITLE”. Balls makes the cover and gets the three to become the NEW HARDCORE CHAMPION.

Balls barely gets time to celebrate the victory before being decapitated by a lariat from EZEKIEL JACKSON. Jackson drags Balls into the parking lot and hits the Book of Ezekiel on top of one of the cars before making the cover and taking the title.

Jackson gets triple-teamed moments later by LAX. Armed with lead pipes, Hunico and Homicide beat the HELL out of Jackson and SuperMex makes the cover, as the other two form a dog pile cover. Technically, ALL THREE MEMBERS of LAX are now recognized as the NEW HARDCORE CHAMPION. LAX piles into their getaway vehicle and peel out of the arena.

-We go back to the ring as a heavily-bandaged Burke makes his way to the ring. Raven heads out with his Shopping Cart of Horrors as we go to commercial.

-Back from break and THE MEXICOOLS have cornered LAX at the entrance of the arena and commence brawling. SPIKE DUDLEY tries to make a statement, but gets caught in the crossfire. TOMMY DREAMER is waiting at the ticket kiosk and begins cleaning house with his Singapore Cane. Dreamer throws Hunico and Psicosis through the ticket window and plants the cane squarely between Juventud’s and SuperMex’s eyes before drilling Homicide and Super Crazy with a Double Dreamer DDT. Dreamer covers Homicide and gets the three count. The Innovator of Violence boards an approaching bus and vacates the premises. TOMMY DREAMER has cost Sandman his match tonight and NOW he’s hijacked the HARDCORE TITLE!

ELIJAH BURKE def. RAVEN to advance

Burke absorbed even more punishment at the hands of Raven, including a Russian Leg Sweep into the barricade and a surprising offensive that included superkicks, dropkicks and ankle locks. Burke connects with the Elijah Express, but can’t capitalize on a cover. Finish comes as Raven sets up for the Raven Effect, only to have Burke come up with another spontaneous counter into the Elijah Experience for another three count.

-After the match, Raven shows his gratitude by splattering Burke with a Drop Toe Hold to a waiting steel chair. With Elijah Burke out cold in the ring, JEFF HARDY drives down to ringside on a tram carrying his brother. Complete with a knee brace following Jarrett’s assault last night, Jeff limps to the back of the cart and throws his brother into the ring under the bottom rope. Matt desperately pulls himself back to his feet using the ropes for leverage and the bell rings to get the qualifying match started.

MATT HARDY def. ELIJAH BURKE to become ECW’s representative in the King Of The Ring Tournament

Hardy goes for the Diving Leg Drop, but Burke catches him off the top rope with 4-Up. Burke makes the cover but Hardy refuses to die. The Pope whips Hardy to the buckle, but Hardy collapses halfway to the corner. Burke connects with a Coronation and hits a Pimp Slap upon landing on the floor. Burke rolls back in and hits a Codebreaker, but Matt still won’t quit.

Burke sets up for a Lifting Sitout Spinebuster, but Matt counters with a Side Effect for two. Hardy powerbombs Burke to the corner and follows up with a Clothesline and a Running Bulldog for another two. As Hardy helps Elijah back to his feet, Burke pounces with a Scissor Armbar, but Hardy STILL battles for the bottom rope. SOMEHOW, Hardy counters the hold and locks in the Ice Pick. Burke struggles for the bottom rope and breaks the submission maneuver.

The Pope returns to his feet first and hits an Outer Limitz elbow. Burke makes the cover, but Hardy has the ring presence to place his by-now shattered left ankle on the bottom rope. Finish comes as Burke lines up for an STO, but quick thinking allows Matt Hardy to cinch in a face lock and DRILL Burke with a Twist of Fate. Matt crawls to the cover with the last of his strength and helplessly drapes his arm over Burke for the UNBELIEVABLE three count. The Land of Extreme EXPLODES with a massive pop in support of Hardy. Jeff helps Matt back to his feet and onto the tram before making a victory lap around the ring and celebrating with the crowd.

-We go backstage and Heyman sends Kane to the ring to keep an eye out for Orton in the main event as we go to commercial.

-Back from break and The Big Red Monster stands guard at the entrance ramp. Out first is Big Show followed by the ECW Champion Rob Van Dam. The bell rings and here we go.

ROB VAN DAM def. THE BIG SHOW when Randy Orton interfered

Good back and forth battle as Big Show establishes control with a chokeslam. Orton’s music hits and Kane storms up the ramp in anticipation of The Viper’s return. Orton slithers out from under the ring and stuns Show with an RKO. Van Dam leaps to the top rope and sandwiches the World’s Largest Athlete with the Five-Star Frog Splash. The ref makes the cover and the ECW Champion gets the three count.

-After the match, Orton slides back into the ring and backs into the corner. Kane lumbers back out onto the stage and races back down the ramp, but by the time he reaches the ring, he’s too late. Orton has PUNTED The Big Show directly in the skull. Kane climbs into the ring to inflict, but Orton has him scouted, delivering an RKO on top of Show.

As two of Paul Heyman’s BIGGEST weapons lie unconscious in the ring, The Legend Killer has become the Giant Killer as Orton stands victorious over both. Orton grabs a mic and tells Heyman that whether he finds a partner or if he has to go it alone against The Big Show and Kane, he has a proposition. If Kane and Big Show win, he has agreed to put both HIS and his potential PARTNER’S contract on the line. However, should Orton win, he gets five minutes to “release the frustrations of his IED on Paul Heyman”. Orton slams down the mic and glares at the titantron as ECW goes off the air!

WWE RAW Supershow Results 05.21.12

-Tonight's WWE RAW Supershow opens up with a look back at the feud between Triple H and Brock Lesnar and how it came to an emphatic conclusion at last night's Over The Limit PPV.

-We're live from the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia as Triple H's music hits and out he comes. He has his arm in a sling and a titanium stabilizing brace but walks to the ring as the conquering hero.

Hunter gets on the mic and says that he has been in several battles in his 17-plus years in the WWE, the most brutal of which came in matches against the men he considers friends. He's seen the business end of Street Fights with Mick Foley, Hell In A Cell, more Elimination Chambers than just about anyone else and has stepped into the ring with the most feared individual in the WWE on the Grandest Stage of Them All--THREE TIMES. But The Game says to make no mistake, last night's battle with Brock Lesnar was the most exhaustive, brutal contest he's ever participated in AND ultimately, the most personally satisfying victory of his storied career.

Triple H says that last night, as he hoisted the Sledgehammer above his head with his one good arm, and plunged it into the back of Lesnar's skull; he wanted to make DAMN sure that Brock Lesnar never set foot in a WWE ring again. He says after being carried to the top of the stage and wiping blood out of his eyes to watch Lesnar's limp carcass getting loaded into the back of a Raleigh, North Carolina ambulance, he has no doubt in his mind that he succeeded.

Hunter says that Brock did in fact break his arm with the Kimura Lock last night and that he will be sidelined from action for about 6-8 weeks. The Game says that once he's through with physical therapy, he will be back on the War Path and that whomever is holding the World Heavyweight Championship around Summerslam had better be on their guard. In the meantime, he wants to turn the WWE Universe’s attention to the next PPV, and the long-awaited return...of KING OF THE RING. The crowd ERUPTS at this announcement. Trips says that the Tournament begins with qualifying matches for RAW AND Smackdown here tonight. The Game explains that the man who ultimately wins the tournament will earn a one-on-one match for the World Championship of his choice at SUMMERSLAM. Also, by virtue of his victory in the pre-show last night, JEFF HARDY will go one-on-one with the WWE Champion for the title.

Finally, Hunter says that at the request of Nexus Spokesman Jim Cornette and as a result of last night’s events in the World Championship Scramble Match; CM Punk will run the gauntlet against ALL SEVEN members of the Nexus tonight. Any member that he fails to defeat tonight, will automatically be named #1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship at King of the Ring.

JEFF JARRETT hits the ring and grabs the mic out of Triple H’s hand. Double J tells him that he doesn’t have enough time to get into the list of problems he has with Triple H, but will simply leave him with this--forget the “King of Kings”, the WWE Universe deserves a King they can be proud of. Jarrett promises that tonight begins his journey from “King of the Mountain” to “King of the Ring”. Triple H smirks at Jarrett and tells him that he has to get through his opponent tonight first--out comes THE MIZ. The bell rings to get the match under way and here we go.

THE MIZ def. JEFF JARRETT to advance when JEFF HARDY interfered

The bad blood continues to boil between the Jeffs, as once again, Hardy gets the best of Jarrett on Monday Night. Lots of great back and forth between Miz and Jarrett DURING the match, but the finish comes as Jarrett sets up for the Stroke and a still-loopy Hardy jumps on the apron and splatters Double J with El Kabong, enabling Miz to counter out and hit his own Skull Crushing Finale to pick up the win.

-We go backstage and Randy Orton is heading to the ring for his KOTR qualifying match when he’s viciously assaulted from behind. The Big Red Monster KANE and THE BIG SHOW administer a SAVAGE beating, throwing him into the concrete wall and culminate with a toss through a plate glass window. Orton is lying motionless backstage and almost certainly will not be cleared to compete tonight.

-Still to come tonight, Jeff Hardy versus Nigel McGuinness for the WWE Championship, plus a special announcement tonight on Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel. We go back to commercial.

-Back from break and Ricardo Rodriguez is making his formal ring introduction of Alberto Del Rio as the Mexican Aristocrat makes his way down to the ring in a 1955 Rolls Royce Silver Dawn valued at over $185,000. Out next is CHRIS MASTERS, who looks ready for a fight as the bell rings to get us started.

ALBERTO DEL RIO def. CHRIS MASTERS to advance

This match was no cakewalk for Del Rio. In fact, Masters had Del Rio done in after trapping him in the Master Lock. Alberto was fading, near unconscious on the canvas, when Ricardo Rodriguez jumped on the ring apron to draw both the referee’s and Masters’ attention. Masters releases the hold and locks Rodriguez in. Ricardo passes out and Masters tosses him aside. As the referee focuses on rolling Rodriguez from the ring, Del Rio comes to and plants an enziguri squarely in Masters’ temple. Del Rio cinches in the Armbreaker on a defenseless Masters and picks up the submission victory.

-After the match, Del Rio grabs a mic and says the WWE Universe is probably wondering why Sheamus is not participating in the King of the Ring tournament. Del Rio explains that by order of Shane McMahon, anyone who has previously held the title of King of the Ring has been ruled ineligible for participation in the tourney. Del Rio taunts the crowd and tells them that they will not be seeing Sheamus tonight. Meanwhile, the Celtic Warrior has snuck into the ring behind Alberto and blindsides him with a HEINOUS Brogue Kick.

-We go backstage and Stephanie McMahon is standing at the scene of the crime yelling at Paul Heyman over the phone over the unprovoked assault on Randy Orton. Steph DEMANDS an explanation in the next 24 hours or she’s taking the issue to Shane. Steph has contacted EMTs to help Orton to the on-site doctors’ area.

-Still to come tonight, CM Punk runs the gauntlet against The Nexus. We see Chris Jericho walking backstage on his way for the Highlight Reel. Back to commercial.

-Back from the break and out comes Chris Jericho. The Highlight Reel is adorned like Paul Bearer’s Funeral Parlor. Y2J shows a career retrospective of the Undertaker and explains that in the short span of two months, The Undertaker has screwed him over twice. Jericho rolls footage of Wrestlemania 28 where he had seemingly ended “The Streak” as Shawn Michaels went through with logging the three count in spite of the fact that Taker’s foot was under the bottom rope. Y2J then follows that up with footage of he and Taker brawling through the crowd at Over The Limit and how that ultimately prevented either of them from leaving with the World Heavyweight Championship.

Jericho says that The Undertaker has held him back for the final time and says that he has gone to WWE HQ in Stamford and requested a match at King of the Ring where he can bury the legacy of the Deadman FOREVER. Chris Jericho announces that at King of the Ring it will be CHRIS JERICHO versus THE UNDERTAKER in a CASKET MATCH. Jericho says he wants an answer from the Deadman next week and promises that if he accepts, he will REST IN PEACE.

Y2J moves toward the casket set up in the ring and a bolt of lightning strikes it just before he reaches it, driving Jericho back and destroying the casket. When the lights come back up, all that's left is a smoldering crater as purple smoke begins billowing out from under the ring. It begins RAINING in the arena. Dumbfounded, Jericho screams at The Deadman demanding that he show himself.

The Undertaker descends from the rafters into the ring behind Y2J. Jericho turns around into a chokeslam, but escapes to ringside and up the entrance ramp. Taker grabs a mic and says that there's no need to wait until next week, because if Jericho wants the match at King of the Ring, he'll have it; on the condition that leaving in a box is the last time anyone in the WWE Universe sees the loser again. The Casket Match will now be a CAREER THREATENING MATCH. We go to commercial.

-Back from break as Heath Slater has made his way to the ring for his King of the Ring qualifying match and begins tormenting the WWE Universe with his erm...singing. SIN CARA comes down to make the save as the next match gets under way with the bell.

SIN CARA def. HEATH SLATER to advance

Slater stuns everyone by catching Sin Cara with a Corkscrew Plancha before the match can get started. Slater rockets Sin Cara into the ring and stuns him with a Tilt-A-Whirl DDT for two. Slater goes for a Hangman’s Neckbreaker, but Sin Cara counters with a Springboard Hurricanrana and establishes firm control with a Corkscrew Plancha of his own. Finish comes as Sin Cara takes him down with La Mistica for the submission victory. Sin Cara now joins The Miz in the quarterfinals of the RAW’s tournament bracket.

-After the match, Chris Jericho comes back out and assaults Cara from behind, throwing him into the barricade and locking in the Walls of Jericho. Y2J is a man possessed, bound and determined to send a message to the Undertaker after getting the shock of a lifetime earlier tonight.

-Still to come tonight, CM Punk runs the gauntlet against Nexus to determine the new #1 contender. MARK HENRY is walking backstage and runs into Teddy Long. Henry tells the Smackdown GM that he may still be property of Smackdown after re-alignment, but if he leaves King of the Ring on the throne, there won’t be a Smackdown because like Rikishi last month, he will decimate everything that breathes on that brand to get to the WWE Championship, starting with his opponent in the tournament tonight. We go to commercial.

-Back from break and The World’s Strongest Man is making his way to the ring, bound and determined to rip his opponent apart at the seams tonight. The microphone feedback rings through the arena as MR. ANDERSON flies to the ring and slides under the bottom rope. Henry stomps away and goes to work as the bell rings to get the match started.

MARK HENRY def. MR. ANDERSON to advance

With Anderson down, Henry attempts to drop an elbow, but he dodges, sending Henry to the canvas. Henry crawls back to the apron and Anderson hits a rope-hung neckbreaker for two. Anderson begins exchanging rights and lefts with Henry until Mark gets the upper hand with a Fallaway Slam. Anderson fights back with a Feint Roundhouse Enziguri that staggers Henry to one knee and a Spike DDT to pick up 2 1/2. Henry rolls to the corner and Anderson hits a Running Face Wash and Henry rolls from the ring to regroup.

Henry gets back into the ring and whips Anderson to the buckle before following in with a Corner Avalanche. Henry goes to the top rope to finish the job, but Anderson is right there to fight him off and position him on the top turnbuckle. Demonstrating an IMMENSE show of strength, Anderson moves Henry to his shoulders while on the middle turnbuckle and follows through with a ground-shattering Green Bay Plunge. Yet somehow, Henry finds the energy to escape at two. Anderson debates with the referee and sets up for the Mic Check, but Henry grabs the rope for leverage, sending Anderson to the mat. Henry hits a Splash and scoops him off the mat for the World’s Strongest Slam to get the three and move on in the tournament.

-We go backstage with Jeremy Borash, who is trying to get an answer out of Christian for his actions after the Intercontinental Championship Match last night. Christian remains stone-faced and walks away to head to the ring. We go to commercial.

-Back from break and out comes Christian to a chorus of boos following what he did to the IC Champion last night. Christian hits the ring and grabs a mic, saying that Rey Mysterio isn’t in the building tonight. Captain Charisma says that it’s for the best because he has no problem doing what he did to Mysterio all over again.

Christian says that his entire career, he has strived to be the guy that everyone aspired to be; the “Measuring Stick”, if you will. Christian says that he has busted his ass for 17 years to get to this point. 14 of those years in WWE and...other major promotions. Yet his entire career, instead of being the Measuring Stick, he’s the guy that is compared to everybody else. “Well he’s good, but he’s not Edge...Well he’s alright, but he’s not quite up to par with Triple H, or Shawn Michaels, or Kurt Angle, or Stone Cold, The Rock...Rey Mysterio.”

Christian points out that he and Edge helped put TLC on the map and that in BOTH TLC I and TLC II, it wasn’t Edge who ultimately grabbed the belts, it was CHRISTIAN. Yet all anyone can talk about is THE SPEAR from the top of the Ladder, THE CON-CHAIR-TO that EDGE gave Christian in their ladder match for the IC belt. Even when Christian won his first ever World Heavyweight Championship, people weren’t saying what a great victory it was for Christian, they were saying, “He did it for Edge” and “He wouldn’t even be in that position if it weren’t for the retirement of EDGE”.

Christian says that even last night, he gave Rey Mysterio and the WWE Universe EVERYTHING he had, but in the end, all anyone could talk about was how REY MYSTERIO overcame the odds, REY MYSTERIO fought valiantly to defend his Intercontinental Title, REY MYSTERIO proved to be the better man in this blockbuster match. Christian says it takes at least two to make a classic match and he’s sick and tired of getting the shaft and taking the backseat. Christian tells Mysterio that what he said going into the match last night was true: “It wasn’t a personal issue, it was just about the title.” but says that Mysterio made it personal, that Rey grandstanded, like the glory hound Christian took him for and didn’t even offer to shake hands after the match, hoarding all of the credit for that five-star match to himself.

Christian says that he’s asking Mysterio for one more shot at the Intercontinental Title and closes by saying that his “good buddy” Edge can keep the “Rated-R” moniker, because “...the violence, the agony, the anguish, the sheer damage that I inflict on Rey Mysterio at King of the Ring, won’t be suitable for ANY audience.”

-We go backstage and John Cena is gearing up in the locker room when SAMOA JOE shows up. Joe tells Cena that two weeks ago John accused him of going AWOL during the main event on Smackdown. Joe reassures Cena he won’t be hard to find tonight, because he’ll be the guy in his face when their King of the Ring tournament match begins. Cena smirks at Joe and tells him that he found out first hand last night during the pre-show that he’s not all that hard to find either. Cena tells him he’ll see him in the ring and Joe wanders off.

R-TRUTH def. MVP to advance

Solid back-and-forth match between these two. Finish came when MVP set up for the Playmaker and Truth came back with a short-arm clothesline reversal and dropped into Little Jimmy to pick up the three count. R-Truth now joins The Miz and Sin Cara in RAW’s King of the Ring bracket.

-Still to come tonight, CM Punk runs the gauntlet against The Nexus. We go backstage and Bryan Danielson is seen heading to the ring as the WWE Championship Match is NEXT. Back to commercial.

-Back from break and Nigel McGuinness makes his way to the ring first. The crowd greets the WWE Champion with a mixed, but mostly positive reaction following the puzzling display at the contest's conclusion last night. Out next is Jeff Hardy to another huge pop. The crowd is VERY DIVIDED on this match. The bell rings and even the start of the match gets a decent pop.

NIGEL MCGUINNESS def. JEFF HARDY to remain WWE Champion when JEFF JARRETT interfered.

Fantastic match. Hardy rolls through the first attempt at the London Dungeon and comes up with a Diving Leg Drop to the midsection. Hardy whips Nigel to the buckle and the champion counters out, which Hardy responds to with Whisper In The Wind for another two. McGuinness cinches in a Heel Hook, but Hardy fights out scales the turnbuckle for a Diving Clothesline. On the descent, Nigel catches Hardy with a Roundhouse Kick and picks up all but a three count. The champion goes for a Northern Lights Suplex and Hardy comes back with a Sitout Jawbreaker.

Nigel rolls to the outside and Hardy follows with a Baseball Slide, but the champion rolls back in and comes up with a Suicide Senton, sending both men to the arena floor. Jeff goes for a Sitout Suplex Facebuster, but McGuinness slides down the back and locks in a Crossface Chickenwing. Hardy fights out and sets up for the Twist of Fate, but on the wind-up, Nigel counters beautifully into the London Dungeon again. Hardy struggles to the bottom rope, but Jeff Jarrett runs down to the ring and pulls back the bottom rope, keeping it just out of Hardy’s reach. The Enigma has no choice but to tap out.

-After the match, Jarrett gives Hardy a throwback and locks in the Figure Four. Hardy screams in agony as Jarrett finds every way to put extra torque on the knee. Jarrett leaves Hardy lying as EMTs approach. Jarrett heads up the ramp, victorious as we go to break.

-Back from break and EMTs are helping Orton back to his feet, but the Viper fights them off and BOLTS in the opposite direction, in hot pursuit of The Big Red Monster and The World's Largest Athlete. Orton is in a REMARKABLE fit of rage, even for The Viper.

-We go back to the ring and Paul Burchill is in the ring awaiting his King of the Ring opponent and out comes BRODIE LEE. The Big Rig is all business as he makes his way to the ring for what is sure to be an all-out donnybrook.

BRODIE LEE def. PAUL BURCHILL to advance

Burchill put up an exceptional fight, even staggering Brodie with a Jackhammer for two. Paul locks in Royal Mutilation, but Brodie fights out and gets back to a vertical base. Brodie goes for a Big Rig Boot, but Burchill dodges and comes back with a Rolling Cutter. Burchill humiliates Brodie with a Curb Stomp and goes for the cover, but he kicks out with authority.

Burchill goes for the C-4, but Brodie throws elbows and rolls out, charges the ropes and CRUSHES Burchill with a devastating Big Rig Boot that sends him into a mid-air corkscrew before plummeting to the canvas. Brodie makes the cover and gets the three.

-After the match, Dr. Rios and the EMT staff make their way to an unconscious Burchill. Officials continue to hover as staff shine flashlights in Burchill's eyes to check for signs of consciousness or concussion before ultimately strapping him to the boards and wheeling him from the ring.

-Still to come tonight, The Nexus forces CM Punk to run the gauntlet. Damien Sandow is seen walking backstage. His qualifying match is NEXT. Back to commercial.

-Back from break and we see doctors continuing to work over Burchill. Paul is now sitting up for examination, but he has a million-mile gaze that suggests that the Big Rig Boot he took knocked something loose. Burchill leaps up on the exam table and begins threatening EMTs with an antenna before bounding dynamically out of the doctor's office. A few officials give chase, but to no avail.

-Back in the ring as Damien Sandow explains that RANDY ORTON was supposed to be his King of the Ring opponent tonight, but as he is currently indisposed and already deemed unsuitable to compete tonight, he advances by forfeit. STEPHANIE McMAHON hits the stage and explains that Sandow's not off the hook. Steph asks “The Intellectual Savior of the Masses” to “allow her to enlighten HIM for a moment. While Teddy Long may not have been interested in letting him compete on Smackdown, he’s now part of MONDAY NIGHT RAW and he WILL compete.” Stephanie introduces his opponent as someone who hasn’t been in a RAW ring in nearly FIVE YEARS....

TURN IT UP!!!

Out comes SCOTTY 2 HOTTY. Fans in Richmond are going NUTS. A Mark-Out moment for sure as the Master of the Worm is back on Monday Night RAW! The bell rings and here we go.

DAMIEN SANDOW def. SCOTTY 2 HOTTY to advance

Scotty catches Sandow completely off guard, even connecting with The Worm, complete with the crowd joining in. Sandow kicks out at the last second and re-establishes control with a series of knee lifts and a Russian Leg Sweep. Sandow caps it off with Cubito Aequet and puts a dazed Scotty away with The Illumination for the win.

-After the match, Sandow tells the WWE Universe “You’re Welcome” and cartwheels on his way out of the ring. Unbeknownst to Sandow, however, Randy Orton is waiting for him on the other side of the cartwheel and drills him with a sickening RKO. The crowd explodes as Orton grabs a mic and tells them that he’s gonna “take a little trip to the Land of Extreme” tomorrow night and pay a couple of the personnel a visit.” Orton slams down the mic and heads out of the arena.

-We go backstage and Jim Cornette is counseling all seven members of the Nexus, including the tag team champions, but speaking especially to Barrett and Ziggler. Cornette says that the Nexus is creating devastation everywhere they go, but they still lack direction. James E. says he can’t serve as much more than spokesman for the group, because he’s far too busy, but he did find someone on the RAW roster that can provide them with LEADERSHIP. Cornette says he expects them to rally around this new leader and put him in the most favorable position in the company as possible. The Nexus nods in agreement as we go to break.

-Back from commercial and we get a vignette of a King of the Ring “Throwback” to the EPIC encounter between The Undertaker and Mick Foley inside Hell in the Cell.

-Back in the ring as Samoa Joe makes his way to the ring, inviting Cena to come down and bring the fight with him. Cena blazes down to the ring following his top of the stage salute and immediately begins throwing fists with Joe to kick off the contest.

JOHN CENA def. SAMOA JOE in a NO DQ match to advance in the King of the Ring tournament

This was one HELL of a fight. Joe PLASTERS Cena with a steel chair, knocking him absolutely senseless. Joe goes for the cover, but Cena gets his foot on the bottom rope. Cena later connects with a top rope Five Knuckle Shuffle and gets 2 1/2. Cena sets up for the FU and Joe escapes, locking in a Rear Naked Choke. Cena won’t quit though, and eventually struggles out of the hold. Incensed, Joe goes for CCS Enziguri, but Cena picks the leg and locks in the STFU.

Joe refuses to tap however, so Cena increases the torque. Joe begins to turn purple and eventually blue as Cena continues to wrench on the hold, but he still won’t quit. Ultimately, Joe goes limp and passes out due to lack of oxygen and the referee calls for the bell. Now Cena refuses to release the hold and continues adding torque, trying to choke every last bit of life out of Joe. Officials try to peel Cena off and it’s only as the referee threatens to reverse the decision that Cena relents. The ref raises Cena’s arm in victory as the first round of the King of the Ring tournament is complete.

-After the match, J.R. and King do a rundown of the King of the Ring tournament--This Friday on Smackdown, The Quarterfinals begin with MARK HENRY going one-on-one with BRODIE LEE and JOHN CENA now locked in to square off with ALBERTO DEL RIO. PLUS, next week on RAW, it will be DAMIEN SANDOW versus SIN CARA and THE MIZ looking to advance against R-TRUTH.

-It is announced that ECW will be determining their representative in the Finals during tomorrow night’s show.

-We see World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk walking backstage. The Gauntlet Match is NEXT!

-Back from break as The Nexus makes their way down to ringside and line up on the ring apron. Only ONE member of Nexus is allowed in the ring at a time during the gauntlet match. Once a pinfall or submission is achieved, another member will enter and the contest will proceed until either all members of Nexus have been defeated or new #1 contenders have been named. Out next is CM Punk to a HUGE pop. Punk waits for the first Nexus member to step through the ropes and all members alternately gesture their entrance until finally ALEX RILEY steps in first. The bell rings and we get started.

THE NEXUS (WADE BARRETT and DOLPH ZIGGLER) def. CM PUNK to become the NEW #1 contenders at King of the Ring

Riley charges and Punk meets him with a crossbody block and a flurry of elbow strikes to the sternum. Punk catches Riley with a Step Up Enziguri and picks up a quick three count.

Alex Riley is eliminated.

Punk retreats to his corner and lounges on the top rope while the Nexus decides amongst themselves who’s next. In steps JOE HENNIG and contest number two is next.

Hennig charges, but Punk has him scouted and immediately leaps down from the turnbuckle and comes from out of nowhere to crush him with a GTS. Punk makes the cover and gets the three.

Joe Hennig is eliminated.

Punk goes back to his corner and listens to his “hypothetical watch” and waits for the next one. In steps TED DIBIASE and here we go again.

DiBiase hits a Half Nelson Backbreaker and floats over into a Cobra Clutch Leg Sweep for two. Ted goes for an Inverted Atomic Drop, but Punk counters with a floatover Sunset Flip and DiBiase kicks out at one. Both men return to their feet and DiBiase primes for Dream Street. Punk counters out and hits a Double Underhook Backbreaker. The World Champion makes the cover and gets the three.

Ted DiBiase is eliminated.

Punk crawls back to his corner, but barely has time for a breather as DREW MCINTYRE steps in and goes right to work.

McIntyre hits a flapjack and follows up with a Short-Arm Clothesline for two. McIntyre hits a Scot Drop and picks up another two. The beating continues with an Overhead Belly to Belly Suplex from the top rope. McIntyre sets up for a Tombstone Piledriver, but Punk uses the momentum from the Gutwrench to land back on his feet and plant a Roundhouse Kick squarely into Drew’s temple. The Chosen One crumbles to the mat and Punk picks up another three count.

Drew McIntyre is eliminated.

Punk is clearly starting to feel the effects of the gauntlet as CODY RHODES steps in. Rhodes dazes Punk with a Dropkick and plants him with a Wheelbarrow Suplex. Rhodes goes for the Beautiful Disaster, but Punk shoves him over the top rope to the floor and crashes into the barricade after connecting with a Suicide Dive. Punk rolls Rhodes back into the ring and hits a Short Arm Mule Kick to the face to pick up a two count. Rhodes fights back in and goes for a Russian Leg Sweep, but Punk counters into a Koji Clutch, but Barrett and Ziggler rush in to break the hold.

Rhodes goes for a Diving Crossbody, but Punk rolls through and sets up for the GTS. Rhodes counters back and hits a running bulldog. Cody drops a knee to the back of Punk’s head and sets up for an Alabama Slam, but Punk grabs the top rope for leverage. Rhodes answers with a kick to the midsection. Cody tries for a DDT, but Punk fights back and backs Rhodes into a corner.

Punk sets up and successfully executes a Superplex, but can’t capitalize on a cover. Back on their feet, Punk and Rhodes begin exchanging blows and Punk lights Rhodes up with a blaze of Mongolian Chops before springboarding into a Diving Clothesline. Punk locks in the Anaconda Vise and after moments of struggle, Rhodes finally taps out.

Cody Rhodes is eliminated.

Punk crawls desperately back to his corner as Barrett and Ziggler discuss strategy on the apron. KOFI KINGSTON runs in and he and Punk begin trading rights and lefts. Kofi whips Punk to the buckle and he drops to the mat. Kingston goes to pull him out of the corner, but Punk has his hands on the top ropes, propelling himself into a backflip and landing on his feet before hitting Welcome to Chicago. Punk goes up for a Savage Elbow and connects for the three count.

Kofi Kingston is eliminated.

DOLPH ZIGGLER steps in and Punk whips Ziggler to the buckle and connects with the Shining Wizard and a running bulldog. Punk goes to the top for the Savage Elbow Drop, when Barrett diverts both Punk’s and the ref’s attention from the corner. While Barrett engages the referee, CODY RHODES has snuck over to the announce table and grabbed Punk’s World Heavyweight Championship. Rhodes slides the belt into the ring to Ziggler and The Show-Off CLOBBERS Punk upside the head with it. As the champion collapses on the top turnbuckle, Rhodes drops out of sight and Ziggler connects with a top rope ZigZag. Ziggler goes for the cover but can still only collect a two count.

Barrett and Ziggler both begin arguing the call, and the ref has all he can do to contain both of them. Kofi Kingston steps back in and DRILLS Punk with a steel chair and slides back out as quick as he came in. Ziggler flies to the cover and picks up the three.

-After the match, Barrett and Ziggler stand victorious over the fallen World Champion as The Nexus has tipped the scales greatly in their favor for King of the Ring. CM Punk will now defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Wade Barrett and Dolph Ziggler in a Triple Threat Match. Barrett hoists Punk up for Wasteland and drops in flat in the center of the ring. Punk lies motionless in the ring as RAW goes off the air.