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The Wrestling Gazette
Tuesday May 6th 2008 - Issue No. 10
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From The Desk Of The Editor
Dean Saliba [editor@...]

Today we have a new writer joining us, his name is Chris and he will
be reviewing RAW and TNA Impact evey week and also giving his own
opinions on the shows. I'm sure you'll enjoy it, his Raw review
column can be found in today's edition of the newsletter.

If you fancy writing or contributing to the newsletter then drop me
an email via the address below.

editor@....

Dean Saliba
Editor
editor@...
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You can keep up to date with the latest wrestling news, results &
views over at www.wrestlinggazette.com 24 hours a day!
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WWE News & Notes
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<> MORE ON MICHAEL HAYES

It looks like it is getting worse and worse for poor old Michael
Hayes, it has emerged that he is not just racist towards black
wrestlers but is also routinely racist against Indian people as
well. Ranjin Singh and The Great Khali (why the hell would you be
racist to a man who could snap you in half?) have also suffered
racial slurs at the hands (or should that be mouth) of Hayes.

Apparently Ranjin Singh has tried to laugh it off in the past but
people who have witnessed the incidents say it is obvious that he is
deeply hurt by these remarks and often feels intimidated and
frightened when Hayes is throwing these racist remarks around.

Some have even tried to condone what Hayes has done by saying that
Hayes does not say them in a way to cause malice, it is just his way
of mucking about.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/36/]

<> TRISH STRATUS NOT RETURNING TO WWE

Just to nip this in the bud, Trish's appearance on Raw last night
was just a one-off deal so that she could plug her new travel show
on a the Travel Channel.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/37/]

<> ANOTHER UPDATE ON ASHLEY MASSARO

The Bella Models website may not be in operation anymore but thanks
to the wonders of the World Wide Web their archive cache files can
still be accessed and one of the pages has Ashley Massaro listed and
demanding $25,000. This "Ashley Massaro" is from New York, WWE's
Ashley Massaro is also from New York.

Massaro is still denying that this is her.

I just find it incredibly difficult to believe that there are two
people with the name (Massaro does not sound like a common name to
me so Ashley Massaro must reduce the odds even further) living in
the same part of New York who look almost identical.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/38/]

<> WWE TO LAUNCH NEW VIDEO GAME

WWE will apparently be launching a new video game next year called
WWE Legends of Wrestlemania.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/39/]

<> MAYWEATHER NOT GIVEN $20M

During a recent conference call WWE Chief Operating Officer Michael
Sileck admitted to investors that the company did not pay Floyd
Mayweather $20 million a they had publically stated.

They also announced that they would be holding 80 international
events this year, this is five more than last year.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/40/]

<> WRESTLEMANIA BUYRATE LOWER THAN EXPECTED

The buyrates for WrestleMania are in and they do not look good for
WWE.

The company were expecting a buyrate in the region of 1.4 million
but the buyrate was announced as 1,058,000 which is not only way
below their pedicted amount but is also around 150,000 down from
last year's WrestleMania.

Despite the $5.00 price increase the company pulled in less money
than last year also, $23.8 million.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/41/]

<> WWE REPORTS FIRST QUARTER FINANCE RESULTS

World Wrestling Entertainment officials have every reason to have
huge grins on their faces today after they released the financial
results of the first three months of the year and it has been the
best period in the companies long history.

They grossed $162.6 million which is almost $50m higher than the
same time last year. After tax they turned $19.5m profit.

The full breakdown can be found via the link below.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/42/]

<> WHAT SIDE IS DH SMITH ON?

It seems that just a few people have started to notice that DH Smith
does not seem to know if he is meant to be playing a heel or a
babyface at the moment. He seems to be jumping from one side to the
other depending on who he is facing that week....
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/43/]

<> UPDATE ON BIG DADDY V

Big Daddy V has been told by officials that he needs to lose a
considerable amount of weight before they will even think of putting
him back on TV.

He was pulled off TV recenty due to health concerns over his growing
obesity problem.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/44/]

<> BOUTS ADDED TO JUDGEMENT DAY

John Cena Vs. JBL and Shawn Michaels Vs. Chris Jericho have been
added to the show. It looks like you can add Mr. Kennedy Vs. William
Regal to the show as well.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/45/]

<> The Great Khali Interview

BBC's web site has an interview up with The Great Khali. Which can
be read by clicking the link below.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/46/]

<> Chris Jericho Interview

Chris Jericho was a guest on the Main Event Radio. He talks about
his return to the WWE and a few other topics. You can see the recap
by clicking the link below.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/47/]
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TNA News & Notes
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<> TNA HOUSE SHOW ARTICLE

The Barre Montpelier Times Argus in Vermont features a piece on
TNA's house show in the market this weekend, which you can check out
at the link below.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/48/]

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Indy News & Notes
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<> 'SUPERSTAR' BILLY GRAHAM IN HOSPITAL

'Superstar' Billy Graham was hospitalised yesterday due to injuring
his back after falling in his hotel bathroom. He was forced to miss
a New York public appearance but should be able to make the one
scheduled for today.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/49/]

<> LOU ALBANO RETIRING

Captain Lou Albano is apparently making his final appearance before
retiring from the business. He will be on the NWS show on May 16th
in Kenilworth, NJ.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/50/]

- Colt Cabana turned 28 today. Happy birthday you whacky son of a
gun!

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Wrestling Show Results
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- MARYLAND CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING DUNDALK, MD (May 4th)


JB & LK def. Aden Chambers & Shawn Patrick...Bruiser def. Danny
Doring...Ghetto Mafia def. Ryan McBride, Teddy Stigma, Johnny
Hardwick & Zachary Shane...ODB def. Kylie Pierce...Josh Daniels &
Ruckus def. T.J. Cannon & Bruce Maxwell...Tim Donst & Drew Gulak
def. Ramblin Rich & Jimmy Jannetty...Champ Champaign def. Earl the
Pearl...James Storm def. Champ Champagne...Corporal Punishment,
Balls Mahoney, Adam Flash & Danny Doring def. Bruiser, Zachary
Shane, Joey Matthews & Christian York.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/51/]

- ANDERSON BROTHERS TAG TOURNAMENT (May 5th)

Bobby & Dillon Eaton def. Cruel Connection...Ethan Cage & Jimmy Jack
Funk Jr. def. Ricky Morton & Charlie Dreamer...Jason Jones & Black
Scorpion def. Barbarian & Jake Manning...George South Sr. & Jr. def.
Los Medicos Atlanticos...Cage & Funk Jr. def. Eatons...South Jr. &
Sr def. Jones & Scorpion...South Jr. & Sr. def. Cage & Funk Jr. with
Brad Anderson (Gene's son) as referee.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/52/]

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My Raw Review
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By Chris [email: chris@...]

Opening Segment: Vince, Regal, Kennedy & HHH In The Ring Vince comes
out to kick off the show by telling everyone that he 100% endorses
William Regal as RAW's GM. This brings out Regal himself who steps
into the ring and asks the fans if they respect him. He says they
don't have to like him, but they will respect him, and he will turn
off the lights at his discretion as seen last week. The fans
chant "Regal Sucks" so Regal delivers on his threat and tells the
guys in the back to turn off the lights. The lights the arena go
dark, JR and King are still talking, you can see Regal in the ring
from the crowd's camera flashes. Regal says tonight's show will
continue, but we may not be able to see it, and if he continues to
be disrespected he will turn the lights off.... KENNEDY! Regal is
interrupted by Kennedy's music as Mr. Kennedy makes his way out to
the ring. Kennedy says if Regal wants respect, all he has to do is
face him one on one in the ring tonight. Regal says that he is
Kennedy's superior, and he will prove it by booking Mr. Kennedy in a
match against Kane, John Morrison, The Miz, CM Punk, Chavo, and….
Scratch that, the ENTIRE ECW roster. HHH's music hits and The Game
makes his way down to the ring. HHH says he wants to congratulate
William Regal on his new position of power, and offer him some
friendly advice. He says Regal can't make mistakes now, and cutting
his match off last week was a mistake. Regal changes the main event
to Kennedy & HHH vs. The entire ECW roster!

My Review: Good opening segment however I hate that they were
promoting ECW when their announcer if you can call him that,
(Adamle) SUCKS!

Regal is doing fine in his position however I am sure it will soon
be more annoying than when Booker T was "King" but overall nice
segment and I like that Kennedy is now face, just wish he was
Intercontinental Champ! Dude seriously has great mic skills and has
only won one title!

Lumberjack Match for WWE Women's Title: Mickie James def. Beth
Phoenix
Beth starts off in control, knocking Mickie down to the mat with a
shoulder block then tossing her outside for the lumberjills. Mickie
rolls back in the ring just to get slammed down by Beth for a 2-
count while the lumberjills all fight at ringside. Mickie finally
starts to come back after a dropkick and some elbows to the face.
Mickie goes up to the top turnbuckle and goes flying off for a cross
body block on Beth for a 2-count. All of the lumberjills are
fighting at ringside and have the ref distracted. The match ends
when Melina accidentally hits Beth with the Women's Title Belt among
all the confusion and Mickie rolls her up for the 1-2-3.

Winner: Mickie James

My Review: I like the divas but I hate the matches! Trish was right
when she said WWE's divas are being used poorly. Mickie is a good
Women's champ and Beth is a nice rival for her but the other divas
seem so rehearsed. course Wrestling is rehearsed before each show.
but you don't have show that it is!

Backstage: Regal & Jericho
Regal is talking to Chris Jericho about how he thinks Shawn Michaels
is faking his knee injury. Regal books Chris Jericho & Shawn
Michaels vs. The Miz & Morrison.

My Review: Good to see Jericho back but I really feel he shouldn't
be wasted in another feud with HBK, I like both guys and their 2003
feud was good but as most would say to Canadians LET'S MOVE ON!

Backstage: Trevor Murdoch sings
Trevor Murdoch is backstage singing when TRISH STRATUS walks in out
of nowhere, and is followed by RON SIMMONS…. DAMN! Back at ringside,
J.R. talks about Simmons being inducted into the College Football
Hall Of Fame and some highlights from his time with the Seminoles
are shown.

My Review: I don't know where this is going with Trevor but least
he's being used and not tossed out. oh and TRISH WAS LOOKING HOT!

Backstage: Randy Orton speaks
Orton is backstage with Todd Grisham talking about beating HHH at
Judgment Day.

My Review: I don't remember exactly what Orton said but it was good
nonetheless. and wow Judgement Day 2 weeks away Oh my I can't wait!
(sarcasm)

Handicap Match: Paul & Katie Birchill vs. John Cutler
Before the match, William Regal says he wants Jim Ross' mic cut off.
He says tonight he wants a man who has also been disrespected since
coming to WWE... Mike Adamle! Mike runs down the ramp giving the
thumbs up and high-fiving fans. JR walks away and Mike takes his
seat. John Cutler got a huge pop since he's from Toronto but Paul
and Katie dominated the entire match. Paul does the Curbstomp and
Katie pins for the 1-2-3.

Winner: Paul & Katie Birchill

My Review: Match wasn't bad, but man was Adamle's announcing ever
bad! its not a handicap match anymore! What the Hell! I hope WWE
fires this guy cause he's worse than Coach and that is a bad thing!
I mean last week he got a ref's name wrong! and he sees him
backstage before the show! I might be a little shy if I was to ever
be on camera but I'm sure I could do a lot better job than this
clown. 3 million dollars is what he's being paid and he sucks!
PLEASE GIVE ME A BREAK! this guy is the number one reason The mute
option on the TV remote was invented.

Chris Jericho & Shawn Michaels def. The Miz & Morrison
Michaels makes his entrance last, limping heavily down to the ring.
Jericho starts things off in control against Miz. Jericho knocks him
down with an elbow and follows up with a vertical suplex. Morrison
gets the tag and gets some offense in on Jericho but Jericho drops
him and goes for the Walls Of Jericho! Miz looks like he's about to
break it up so Jericho springboards off the middle rope and kicks
the Miz out to ringside. As soon as Jericho gets up Morrison hits
him with a spinning heel kick. Jericho comes back nad hits the
facebuster on Morrison, then when Miz tries to come in he catches
him and locks in the Walls Of Jericho! Morrison breaks it up and
knocks HBK off the apron. Morrison lifts up Jericho but HBK rolls
back in and hits the Sweet Chin Musiic on Morrison out of nowhere!
Jericho springboards off the middle rope with the Lionsault for the
1-2-3!

Winners: Jericho & Michaels

My Review: Where the heck was the story that Jericho thinks HBK is
faking, I mean you think he could've tagged him in to find out. but
he didn't so what was the point of having HBK say he'd do his best?
WWE's logic once again un understandable! oh and Morrison and Miz
for sure are the lamest tag team champs ever! but wait their tag
belts are bogus as the raw tag belts have more prestige. (dating
back to 1958) so it fits!

Randy Orton def. CM Punk
Orton lays down Punk with a couple shoulder blocks and follows up
with a headlock. Punk gets in a little offense and hits Orton with
some kicks to the leg and shoulders. He whips Orton into the corner
and hits a knee to the face for a 2-count. He hits Orton with
another spinning heel kick but then William Regal comes out and
turns off the lights and declares this match officially over. We go
to commercial.

Winner: No contest

My Review: Nice match for whatever it was worth. hate the fact that
they are having Regal turn the lights off, I mean you think fans
will actually want to come see a show if they won't get to see the
good match ups and more of the boring ones. can you say REFUND! sure
Wrestling is fake but this is totally bogus! and what if a fan has
to go to the bathroom them stairs hurt! THINK VINCE THINK! oh wait
that's not your strong point as your company has been lame for about
7 years. alas the ECW/WCW invasion angle.

Carlito's Cabana: Roddy Piper and Santino face off
Carlito is in the ring showing footage of Roddy Piper & Santino's
exchange last week on RAW. Carlito says he's going to clear the air
right now, and introduces his guest, Roddy Piper. Carlito says that
Piper took things too far last week by slapping Santino in the face.
Piper says "Listen Buckwheat, my whole life I've taken it too far."
He says another guy may have turned the other cheek, or insulted him
back, but not him. Piper says he beat Mr. T, he beat Hogan and he
beat cancer. He says he doesn't have time to play nice with the
Super Mario Brother. Carlito says Piper is lucky that he wasn't
there, because he would have slapped Piper back. Santino's music
hits and he makes his way out to the ring. Santino says Carlito
doesn't have to lay a hand on him, because he's got Piper taken care
of. Santino says it took Piper 8 years to become Intercontinental
Champ, and Santino did it his first night with the company. Piper
says "First of all, what you need to do, is get a designated driver
baby!" Whooaaa!

Cody Rhodes comes out and tries to calm things down, and even though
Hardcore Holly isn't here tonight, he says he knows two guys who are
dying to meet the Hot Rod. Cryme Tyme comes out and chases off
Santino and Carlito. They celebrate with Roddy Piper in the ring as
we go to commercial.

My Review: Nice segment although I can't stand Carlito nor Santino!
both are more annoying than Hulk Hogan "telling you" to live clean
when in fact he doesn't live that way himself! Roddy Piper looked
great, but as for Cody I'd rather listen to Jim Carrey's lisp
impression than Cody's. basically the same thing only Jim Carrey is
more entertaining to watch.

Backstage: JBL speaks
Backstage JBL is talking about how nobody can imagine what it's like
to be JBL and invites us to take a look at his lifestyle. The camera
is in the back of JBL's limo as he talks about how he has a full
bar, high speed internet and everything else he needs in the back of
limo. He says he's going to give us a preview of what he's going to
do to Cena at Judgment Day here tonight on RAW.

JBL def. D.H. Smith
JBL cuts a promo on DH Smith and Canada, and says that he's the last
sign of the Hart Foundation which is dead. He says Davey Boy Smith
can't help him, Bret Hart can't help him, and God can't help him.
The bell rings and JBL goes right to work on Smith. He lays him out
with a big boot and hits a loud kick to the back. He runs off the
ropes and hits the clothesline from hell for the 1-2-3.

Winner: JBL

After the match, JBL posts DH up in the corner and slaps him around.
The referees finally get in the and break it up.

My Review: I don't see why JBL is being placed against a hypocrite
like Cena! Cena says he's not into movies but into wrestling but yet
isn't on Raw to promote his PPV match, instead leaving JBL to do all
the work! This match between these two at the PPV I can see it now
will suck! course anything with Cena sucks! I feel bad for JBL.

Backstage: Regal & the ECW roster
All 14 members of the ECW roster are backstage yelling at William
Regal about their match tonight. Regal says that tonight they are
being handed a victory, and anything less will be a disappointment.

The entire ECW roster def. HHH & Mr. Kennedy
Elijah Burke, Chavo, Kofi Kingston and Tommy Dreamer all get their
turns working on Kennedy. Kennedy got some offense in on Matt
Striker before Shelton Benjamin and Kofi Kingston have a little
conflict stemming from Benjamin tagging himself in. Kennedy hits a
back suplex on Benjamin who rolls over and tags in Nunzio. Kennedy
drops Nunzio with a Samoan Drop but he is able to tag in Chavo
before Kennedy can get to HHH. Chavo walks over to HHH and The Game
gets in the ring and cleans house! Shelton Benjamin is finally able
to stop HHH with a big boot. Kennedy hits the mic check on Matt
Striker but is then laid out by a chokeslam from Kane. Chavo goes up
top and hits the frogsplash on Mr. Kennedy for the 1-2-3.

Winners: The ECW roster

The whole roster enters the ring after the bell and brawl with HHH
and Kennedy. Mike Knox grabs a steel chair from ringside and goes to
hit HHH but HHH grabs the chair and starts laying everyone out. As
soon as HHH gets on a roll, the lights go out courtesy of Mr. Regal.
The lights go back on and Randy Orton is standing behind HHH! He
hits an RKO and stands over an unconscious HHH as RAW goes off the
air.

My Review: This match was bogus, sure it was to help promote ECW's
miraculous upcoming 100th show. I'm surprised they even made it to
10 after Vince took away THE REAL ECW feel of it. HHH losing to a C
or in this case F for Flop brand was surprising. oh wait Kennedy got
pinned, typical HHH not wanting to job. but yet this makes Kennedy
look bad on his return. What a jerk HHH is! scratch that not a jerk
but more like a word I can't use since Kids probably read this.

Final thoughts: Nice Raw but yet still not WWE's best, their best in
my opinion is back there 8,9 10 years ago! HHH being WWE champ is
cool just needs a new belt cause HHH with a rap video prop is
totally gay! Nice matches (except for the Divas and the handicap
match, or was it a handicap match, Adamle's got me confused).
(sarcasm towards Mike, sorry) I don't think Judgement will do too
well because of lack of promoting and booking!

Unless Smackdown and ECW have something for the PPV it will suck
cause raw only has one or two matches promoted! hopefully next week
that will change. but yet with WWE I'm not going to hold my breath.

If you wish to leave a comment then please do so at
http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/53/

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editor@...
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