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The Wrestling Gazette
Tuesday May 13th 2008 - Issue No. 14
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From The Desk Of The Editor
Dean Saliba [editor@...]

Chris Holloway is back again with his review of Raw.

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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<> MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN WWE FORGERY

Kresten F. Ericksen, 58, pleaded guilty yesterday at St. Lawrence
County Court in Upstate New York to charges of forgery after signing
a WWE employee's name on a receipt for $8,000 that should have gone
to the company for an event from June 2006.

WWE are claiming $15,000 is the total they were short on.

Ericksen is also facing charges over his mishandling of a student
council fundraising account.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/98/]

<> NEW MATCH ADDED TO JUDGEMENT DAY

Mickie James vs. Melina vs. Beth Phoenix for the women's title has
been added to the card.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/99/]

<> TED DIBIASE JR TALKS ABOUT BRET HART

Ted DiBiase Jr has a new commentary up on his official web site
talking about Bret Hart visiting FCW last week.

http://www.teddibiasejr.com
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/100/]

<> BACKLASH FIGURES

Backlash in Baltimore, MD at the First Mariner Arena drew a sellout
of about 9,000 fans for a $600,000 live gate.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/101/]

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TNA News & Notes
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<> Impact Spoilers

Xplosion:

Robert Roode def. Curry Man...

Impact:

Kaz & Jay Lethal & Sonjay Dutt def. Johnny Devine & The Rock N' Rave
Infection...Awesome Kong def. Gail Kim...LAX def. The Motor City
Machineguns...Angelina Love and Velvet Sky def. ODB and Roxxi...Samoa
Joe, Christian Cage & Rhino def. Team 3D & Booker T...

A full report can be found by the link below.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/102/]

<> TNA STAR READY TO RETURN

TNA have announced that on Thursday they will be airing footage of
something that happened to Abyss so I guess he will be returning very
soon.

He was last seen in February when he removed his mask.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/103/]

<> WORLD X-CUP PUSHED BACK

The World X-Cup is now being pushed back to about June or July, I did
say that it is notoriously diificult to book wrestlers for the same
dates from different countries.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/104/]

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Indy News & Notes
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<> PWG WORLD CHAMPION NEEDS YOUR HELP

PWG World Champion Human Tornado recently suffered a bad knee injury
that will keep him out of the ring for about a year. He has set up a
donation page on his MySpace page to help him pay his medical bills
as he can't work with the injury.

He will give every donator a free poser.
http://www.myspace.com/htizzle
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/105/]

<> BROOKE HOGAN SAYS NICK IS INNOCENT

Brooke Hogan posted up a blog post on her MySpace page today which
basically said that nobody knows the real Nick and that the Graziano
family lied through their teeth at the court hearing.

It was removed shortly after and replaced with a short blog post "I
have the truth on my side. And the truth will set everyone straight
sooner or later. PEACE".
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/106/]

<> TWO WRESTLERS DIE

Penny Banner, most known as the very first AWA women's champion and
dating Elvis Presley. has sadly passed away in her sleep in North
Carolina at he age of 74.

Leo Garibaldi, who is noted for his excellent booking skills rather
than his wrestling career, also passed away at the age of 78.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/107/]

<> BOBBY HEENAN UPDATE

WWE hall of famer Bobby Heenan recently underwent another operation
on his jaw in the past couple of weeks and apparently he is making a
very good progress and is already sayng a few words and is going
through physical and speech therapy.

It has also been announced that his daughter Jessica is expecting his
first grandchild.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/108/]

<> STU HART IN HALL OF FAME

Stu Hart will be inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz hall of
fame in Waterloo, IA at the end of June. Bret Hart will be present to
accept his father's plaque.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/109/]

<> JUVENTUND GUERRERA UP TO OLD TRICKS

It seems that Juvetund Guerrera is up to his old tricks again after
he returned from Spain with the NWE Cruiserweight title (apparently
without their permission) and is reportedly moaning about being a
major main event talent and should not be forced to work undercard.

He is also balking at requests to job matches.
[http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/110/]

- Former WCW lucha star L.A. Park (La Parka), 42, said in a recent
interview that he is close to calling it a career.

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

We get highlights of Triple H and Kennedy vs. ECW from last week,
with Randy Orton hitting the RKO after the match.

We're live and the lights are out. Lights on and William Regal is in
the ring. Lillian Garcia is there and sings "God Save The Queen!" Ha,
I love it! Regal disapproves of the fans' disrespect. He's General
Manager and King and could have them thrown out if he wants. He's not
bluffing. He picks on a random couple and has them thrown out. Mickie
James is here and says it's her brother and his girlfriend. "Regal
sucks!" ??" Joe Lewis arena. Regal threatens to throw Mickie out too.
She pleads her case and he threatens to strip her… of her
championship.

John Cena is in the house! He sends Mickie to the back and gets a
mic. He's back and is usually ready to raise some hell but he wants
to talk to Regal man-to-man. He understands. He knows what it's like
to give your soul to these people and have them tell you "you suck".
Regal points out Vince endorsed him but Cena points out Vince is
insane and has "a bunch of sexual fantasies you can't even find on
the internet." Cena reads out complaints from fans. "This is WCW
Thunder bad." "I'm going to start a chant in every arena in the
country saying "Fire Regal clap clap clap, fire Regal clap clap
clap."" Glorious.

Regal says he won't turn out the lights tonight. He knows Cena wants
revenge on Randy Orton, so the main event is Orton vs. Cena. Regal
says if anyone gets involved in the match (like JBL) they will be
suspended. Regal hopes he's earned some respect.

Cena stops him leaving and says he's not done. Cena points out we're
in the USA tonight. Cena says even God cannot save Regal if he keeps
messing up. We're in the Motor City and you got realize where we're
at. Cena has Lillian sing "Respect" by Aretha Franklyn.

My Review: Nice opening segment although I hate the anybody
interferes will be suspended statement cause that just spells Ref
switch right there, hello think and don't be so predictable that's
why your show has sucked for many years! oh and it was "nice" for
the Hollywood movie making hypocrite Cena to finally show up for
work. kind of late though as your snack fetching match is just 6 days
away moron!

Rody The Piper is here! He takes a seat at ringside.

World Tag Team Championship: Rhodes and Holly vs. Carlito and Santino

Holly and Marella start up. Knock down by Holly, followed up by the
best dropkick in the business and a kick to the gut. He tries for an
Alabama Slam but Carlito sneaks in and hit a swinging neckbreaker for
2. Carlito connects with loose right hands before tagging out.
Shoulder thrusts by Santino. Holly comes back with a clothesline but
Carlito tags in and gets taken out with a side suplex. Rhodes and
Marella in and Cody hits a springboard reverse crossbody. Cody hits a
snap powerslam for a near fall. A takedown gets 2 but Santino comes
back. He goes up top but is distracted by Piper. Rhodes surprised
Santino with a DDT and it's over.

Winners: Cody Rhodes and Hardcore Holly

My Review: Nice match but just sucks the tag division is almost if
not already dead, what with the lance and Murdoch split. might as
well just retire the tag belts, bout as valuable as the smackdown
belts now.

Mr. Kennedy is here. He says he has a big mouth but no one can shut
it for him because he's Mr. Kennedy. Kennedy.

Mr. Kennedy vs. Snitsky

Wow, this could be bad. Kennedy tries a kick to the thigh but when
that doesn't work, they lock up, go to the corner and break. Kennedy
comes off the top but gets caught and beat down in the corner. Scoop
slam by Snitsky connects, as does an elbow drop for 1. Snitsky locks
in a bear hug, which Kennedy fights out off, only to run into another
one. He breaks it again and runs into a shoulder tackle. Snitsky
misses a leg drop and Kennedy dodges a clothesline to take out the
knee. Dropkick to the knee by Kennedy, followed up by the facewash in
the corner. Chop block now by Kennedy gets a long 2 count. Snitsky
pulls Kennedy into a clothesline. He tries for the pumphandle slam,
Kennedy slides out of it, kicks the knee and hits the Mic Check for 3!

Winner: Mr. Kennedy

My Review: Whew! Kennedy went over, should've happened last week but
oh well happened this week and Kennedy is getting better and better
each week we see him. JUST NEEDS TO BE CHAMPION ALREADY!

Backstage, Todd Grisham is with Santino. Santino's going to hurt
Piper. It's going to hurt worse than a coconut to the head.

Mickie James thanks John Cena. She says she's going out with her
brother and his girlfriend after the show and asks Cena to tag along.
He jokes around but eventually agrees. He says if you go out with
him, it can get pretty wild. Mickie says she can do wild. She's in
action next.

Melina and Beth Phoenix vs. Mickie James and Maria

Maria and Melina lock up and Maria hits a gutbuster early. Mickie in
and they work a double splits/leg sweep. Mickie gets a 2 that Beth
breaks up. Mickie sends Melina into Phoenix but Melina gets a jack-
knife roll-up for 2. Melina wants a tag, but Beth is upset and
leaves. Mickie hits a neckbreaker on Melina for 3.

Winners: Maria and Mickie James

My Review: hmm I don't know what to say about this match other than
for once Mickie is beating the ugly divas. oh I'm sorry I forgot it's
cause Ashley is in a bit of trouble with the big boys known as the
FBI. oh well Mickie being champ either way is cool with me, just
needs to have better matches and if they are trying to turn Melina
face you can not in no way shape or form turn an ugly diva face!
unless she's a bodybuilder and is dating the WWE Champ (chyna and HHH
8 years ago) other than that it's just not possible.

72% of fans think Shawn Michaels has been telling the truth about his
knee injury.

Chris Jericho is here. He shows us footage of Michaels injuring his
knee at Backlash against Batista. Jericho says he didn't buy it
because he saw the look in Shawn's eyes at Backlash and has been
telling everyone who will listen that Shawn's a fake. But last week,
something happened that changed his mind. We see footage of last
week's tag match. This time, he saw the pain on Shawn's face when he
kicked John Morrison. He was wrong. He wants to tell Shawn he's
sorry. Jericho would understand if Shawn wanted to call off their
match at Judgment Day and says he should because Jericho doesn't want
to face Shawn with a bad wheel. Shawn Michaels is out now, limping.
Jericho won't let Michaels get a word in, so Shawn says he's not the
one who needs to apologize. Shawn says for the first time in his
career, he feigned an injury. He's not hurt. Jericho's not buying it.
He thinks he's playing mind games. Shawn told everybody he would do
whatever it takes to win, and Jericho was right; he's not hurt.
Jericho says he's starting to insult his intelligence. Jericho knows
that he's hurt and it doesn't matter what Shawn says, or what he
does… SWEET CHIN MUSIC! "Trust me when I tell you; I'm not hurt."

My Review:Oh my god a complete swerve on a live raw! this hasn't
happened in 3 years! wow it's a miracle! course bet it won't happen
again for a long, long time. cause well it is WWE after all. Y2J vs
HBK is going to be good even if it will be given less time than a
boring HHH match.

"Take It All" by Zididada is the official Judgment Day theme song.

Jeff Hardy gets the biggest pop of the night so far! He's back. It
feels good to be back. He never wanted to be a way, but he made a
mistake and he paid for it. Now he's back, he has a lot of things to
do. Like… his mic cuts off and William Regal is here. He says no one
wants to hear him and he will be punished for his sins by facing this
man…

Jeff Hardy vs. Umaga

Dropkick through the ropes is followed up by a plancha over the top
and down goes Umaga. Thrust to the ribs of Jeff, followed up by Umaga
launching him into the barricade. Back in and a hard Irish whip sends
Jeff down. Massive uppercut by Umaga now. Umaga goes to the second
rope and connects with a headbutt. Umaga beats Jeff down in the
corner now and goes for the ASSALANCHE… but misses. WHISPER IN THE
WIND~! It gets 3!

Winner: Jeff Hardy

My Review: Wow another surprise on RAW! I am shocked! I had it
figured Jeff would job as more punishment for his mistake I mean Sabu
did so it was right to think Jeff would get the same treatment. but
he didn't and it's great to see him back!

Cryme Tyme vs. Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch

JTG and Cade start off. JTG slides out to hang with the fans. Back in
and Cade knocks JTG down. Murdoch in and it's clubberin' time.
Murdoch runs into a boot and in comes Shad. He runs Murdoch over with
a shoulder tackle, slams him and hits an elbow. Cade in and knocked
out again by Shad. JTG comes over the top with a sunset flip for 2
but runs into a boot. Cade in now and boots JTG in the face. Murdoch
back in but runs into a back elbow. Murdoch counters another sunset
flip and gets 3!

Winners: Cade and Murdoch

They hug in the ring and Cade has a mic. That's what he's talking
about. Maybe Murdoch's singing has something to do with it. Murdoch
sings their victory song. Cade nails Murdoch with a right hand!
Murdoch is out. Cade leaves.

My Review: I saw this coming but I acted surprised just so Raw could
be more historical with 3 surprises in one night. but really it was
clearly seen and well not much to mention. as far as the match goes
it was ok for what it was worth.

- We are shown the SmackDown Re-Bound

- Backstage Melina is talking to Jillian, Beth Phoenix approaches,
Melina asks why Beth left her? Beth says she left because last week
Melina cost her the Women's Title. Melina says it was an accident,
but Beth thinks it was because Melina knows she has a better chance
beating James than she does Phoenix. Melina attacks Beth but Beth
overpowers her by slamming her into lockers and beating on her on the
floor. Officials pull Beth off.

- J.R. and King run down the Judgment Day card.

- Backstage Todd Grisham interviews Randy Orton, Orton talked about
himself and says they same stuff he says every week.

Randy Orton vs. John Cena

Orton has new entrance music. A chant war begins, men are
chanting "Let's go Orton!", women and kids are chanting "Let's go
Cena!". Cena begins to get the advantage when William Regal decides
that the current referee is not fit to officiate this match, he is
replaced by JBL! Cena attacks JBL, Cena turns around into an RKO and
a fast count from JBL to lose the match. JBL and Orton attack Cena
until WWE Champion Triple H makes the save! JBL and Cena brawl into
the crowd whilst the steel cage lowers and surrounds Triple H and
Orton in the ring. They fight in the cage until Triple H slams Orton
into one of the sides, Orton slips through between the cage and the
ring to escape Trips. The WWE Champion climbs to the top of the cage
and stares down Orton to end the show.

My Review: Nice match however I clearly saw the JBL angle coming, I
mean its WWE bound to screw up the main event in some way. and yeah I
was cheering for Orton, I'm not a Ceanholic as he's not much to cheer
for. Orton is clearly the best heel in WWE right now as he doesn't
have a windowed GM helping him gain the title or whatever is going on
in bore land. Randy should be champ again soon and I hope it happens
Cena on the other hand, eh no way! please let Orton have a longer run.

Final Thoughts: Good Raw (for once) had some nice swerves (again for
once) but yet had the predictable issues. need to work on that (a
lot) but other than that better than last week and plus a fan could
go to the bathroom without risking injury from the Regal blackouts!
just 6 days away from Judgement Day and well I think its clear that
TNA has WWE beat in the PPV scene this month as WWE hardly did any
build up. maybe if they went old school and spaced out their PPVS
like they use to years ago maybe then they'd be worth the entire 34
to 40 bucks! but yet as I've said once about WWE I'm not holding my
breath on that one. I'm Chris saying have a good few days and I'll be
back with a review of Impact!

If you wish to leave a comment then please do so at
http://wrestlinggazette.com/url/111/
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