SMACKDOWN RESULTS 08/01/14

SMACKDOWN RESULTS FROM CORPUS CHRISTI, TX:

Jack Swagger defeated Cesaro via submission. Late in the match, Cesaro tried to land a big boot to Swagger’s face. Instead, Swagger grabbed his foot and turned it into an Ankle Lock. Cesaro struggled for a bit but eventually tapped out. Post-match, Rusev and Lana came out to interrupt a We the People yell from Swagger/Colter. It ended up with Lana issuing a challenge from Rusev to Swagger for a flag match at Summerslam, which Colter accepted for Swagger.

Randy Orton came to the ring talking about how Roman Reigns is the reason he isn't getting a title shot against Cena at Summerslam. He told Reigns he sent him a message on Raw recently, then dared him to step into the ring with him at Summerslam.

R-Truth defeated Bo Dallas via disqualification. Dallas was beating up on Truth in the corner and failed to heed the referee's instructions to break it, causing the DQ. Post-match, he continued the beatdown, then got on the mic to say that Bolieving is a spiritual experience and that R-Truth got what was coming to him. He said he knows the people Bolieve, then blew kisses to them, drawing boos from the crowd.

AJ Lee defeated Rosa Mendes in a non-title match via submission.Rosa screamed she wanted a title shot, and about 15 seconds later, AJ put on the Black Widow to make her tap out. Post-match, as AJ posed on stage with her Divas belt, Paige rushed out to attack and tossed her off the stage to the floor nearby. Trainers rushed out to check on AJ with Paige screaming "She's fine," and added that AJ is her best friend. She yelled to AJ to call her when she's feeling better.

Seth Rollins & Kane defeated Dean Ambrose in a handicap match via disqualification. At one point in the match, Ambrose managed to get Rollins alone in the ring to beat him up a bit. Eventually, Kane made a save, tossing Ambrose out of the ring and checking on Rollins in the ring. Ambrose returned again with a steel chair which he bashed on Kane. Rollins managed to escape up the ramp after the bell, with Ambrose taking out some more frustration by hitting Kane with the chair.

Diego defeated Fandango via pinfall. Fandango had the upper hand on Diego after a minute and a half into the contest. Fandango’s music hit and Torito started to dance with Summer Rae and Layla outside the ring, distracting Fandango. Diego hit his backbreaker finisher to get the pinfall win.

Alberto Del Rio defeated Dolph Ziggler via submission. The Miz was on guest commentary and during the match got on the announcers table to make a speech thanking various people. It distracted Dolph who got rolled up for a near fall. Miz also thanked Dolph for not being as good as him. Dolph got upset and went after Miz on the outside, but Miz escaped. When Dolph got back into the ring, Del Rio managed to get the upperhand and put on the Cross Armbreaker to make Ziggler tap.

Chris Jericho defeated Erick Rowan via pinfall. The win carried a stipulation that Rowan will be banned from ringside during Jericho’s match against Bray Wyatt at Summerslam. Bray Wyatt cut a promo before the match saying Jericho will just be dirt after Summerlam, and questioned why Jericho keeps returning to try to “save us.” In the match, Rowan had the advantage late in this contest which lasted 12 minutes of TV time. Rowan put Jericho in a bear hug late and went to smash him into the corner, but Jericho fought out. Jericho hit the Codebreaker to end things, getting the win. Wyatt was shown looking on, and got out of his rocking chair, then took off his hat. He started backing up the ramp as the crowd booed. Jericho celebrated to close the show out.

WWE Continues to Ostracize PPV Providers w/ Recent Battleground Email

It’s no secret that several of the major U.S. pay-per-view providers have been frustrated with the WWE since theWWE Network launched this February. Outside of WrestleMania XXX, which was offered by most providers, it has been up to their digression whether or not to include the monthly WWE events in their paid line-up. 

Despite this, WWE began a hard pitch against traditional PPV at last month’s Money in the Bank event, where you can notice a major difference in how the commentary and production team advertised the show. Statements like “don’t pay for traditional PPV when you can get Money in the Bank for just $9.99″ were made to directly influence the fans away from companies like Comcast, DirecTV, etc. 

Today an email went out to all WWE subscribers – the title read “watch Battleground LIVE, only on WWE Network”. The email previews the main matches for the show, and contains multiple ads for the Network, without a single mention of cable providers. It’s worth noting that this Sunday’s event, at this time, is still be offered by most PPV providers. 

Bray Wyatt Reacts to Flair Busting Him Open, Update on WM31 Poster, WWE Continues to Tease ‘Taker vs Sting

Bray Wyatt Reacts to Flair Busting Him Open

During a recent interview with CBS Tampa Bay, to promote this Sunday’s WWE Battleground PPV in Tampa, Bray Wyatt had the following to say regarding being busted open by Ric Flair at WWE’s Madison Square Garden event:

“I look at it as an honor. Madison Square Garden. Ric Flair. John Cena. At the end of a long, long, long war, a little [bruise] is not so bad,” Wyatt said. “I’m used to having stitches and things all over my body, so I didn’t even know I was bleeding. I thought I was blind!”

Update on WrestleMania 31 Poster

The WrestleMania 31 poster, featuring The Rock, Brock Lesnar and Batista, which was posted on the official Levi’s Stadium website, has been taken down, and has been replaced by the WrestleMania 31 logo.

WWE Continues to Tease ‘Taker vs Sting

WWE continues to tease The Undertaker vs Sting, as WWE.com has published a new poll asking fans who would win the dream matchup. With over 20,000 votes cast, Undertaker is leading with 65% of the vote.

SMACKDOWN RESULTS 07/18/14

SMACKDOWN RESULTS FROM FAYETTEVILLE, NC:

To start off the show, Dean Ambrose came to the ring and was upset about being beat down on Raw by Kane, Orton and Rollins. He demanded a match and was booked against Kane for a main event bout.

Alberto Del Rio defeated Kofi Kingston.

Alicia Fox vs. Eva Marie was a no-contest. Nikki Bella was serving as guest referee for the match and the two competitors attacked her.

Chris Jericho defeated Luke Harper due to disqualification. Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan interfered to cause the DQ. The Usos made the run-in save for Jericho.

Rusev and Lana confronted Swagger and Zeb Colter again.

Sheamus & Dolph Ziggler defeated The Miz & Fandango in a tag team bout.

AJ Lee & Paige defeated Summer Rae & Layla in a divas tag match.

Dean Ambrose defeated Kane due to disqualification. Seth Rollins interfered in the match and the two heels ganged up to beat on Ambrose with their finishers. Roman Reigns rushed to the ring for the big save after the end of Smackdown.

Jim Ross Speaks On Possibly Working In TNA, Working With CM Punk & More

The following are highlights of a new Between The Ropes interview with Jim Ross:

Following up on a recent question asked to him on Twitter if he would be open to broadcasting for TNA Wrestling and him saying 'never say never': "Well, it's kind of far-fetched it the sense that A) those discussions aren't happening. I don't have any desire to get back into the weekly grind of pro wrestling. Or the weekly grind of anything other than this podcast is weekly. I could do it from home if I wanted to. But I enjoy doing it at the radio station and I enjoy having a destination, to go to work, prepare. I enjoy it. I think when you're an independent contract as I am, and you're a freelance talent as I am, by in-large, you don't want to say 'I'm never doing that' because someone can come along and make you an offer that is really better than you dreamer you would ever get. It's not likely at all. I'm not looking at that direction but I don't think it's very smart to say I'll never do that. It would take an extraordinary deal because I don't know why I would be excited about replacing one of two guys that I like. You don't get that many friends in the wrestling business that stick with you through thick and thin. You get a lot fewer calls when you can't help somebody or can't do something for them. And I don't know if I would feel comfortable about of upsetting the team of Mike (Tenay) and Taz. As I sit here, I don't feel right about that."

On possibly working with CM Punk on broadcasts: "I'm not saying I'll never do wrestling again. I did my podcast this week and said you know, crazy idea what if CM Punk and I joined forces and made a broadcast team and did an internet pay-per-view for a New Japan show. Something completely off the tracks. An not do it in a studio but go to Tokyo or go wherever the event was held. Be there as the English speaking crew. We might be the version of the Spanish announce table. And I just threw that out there and know I've got all kinds of people 'oh, when are you and CM Punk. when did you talk to Phil'. Well, I haven't talked to Phil. I made it clear on the podcast this is fantasy booking. I said this will get people talking. Well, here's a good one for you. This will get people talking. Watch how this works. And then I laid it out: New Japan is doing these pay-per-views and they want to air them in the States. They're inexpensive and all this good stuff. CM Punk is going to be available to do some stuff one of these days. And I'd love to work with him as the analyst of a pro wrestling match or a MMA fight."

If he thinks he'll be broadcasting MMA in the near future: "I don't have any idea. I've thrown it out there. That's what you have agents. I got two of them. They're both talking different deals so I don't know. I'm interested the door is open so we'll see who walks through if anybody."

On him starting work on his book: "Just this week, we're starting to do some serious work on my autobiography. And I'm doing it differently than people would say is probably customary. I don't have a book deal. I turned down book deals from a lot of places. I decided I want to write the book I believe to be true and honest, entertaining, eye-opening and more than just wrestling headlocks and screwjobs and stuff like that. So, I'm going to write the book. I've got a writing partner and we're going to write the book the way that we want it. We're figured up an ending place which right now is probably going to be when I came back from my second bout of Bell's Palsy to call the first Rock - Austin WrestleMania main event. I'm thinking that would be the end. That would give us cause to write a second book that would bring in the Attitude Era, the Monday Night Wars, my role in the WWE and the corporate side and then having that third bout of Bell's Palsy and then kind of getting futured and moving off Raw and moved to Smackdown. I think it give us plenty of material for the second book."

Check out the complete interview at BetweenTheRopes.com.

Update On CM Punk's Future: Contract Expired, Can He Use "CM Punk" Name?

CM Punk's contract with WWE is now officially expired, meaning that he is now able to negotiating deals for business ventures unrelated to WWE.

Due to the fact that Punk had prior usage of the "CM Punk" name prior to joining WWE, it is believed that he will have the rights to the name for any entertainment ventures.

As noted earlier this week, Punk is teasing that he is starting either a podcast or a band, or both.

Tommy Dreamer's TNA Status, Spoiler On TNA's London Announcement & More

As previously reported, TNA is hyping up a "major announcement" that will be revealed in London later this month. It has since been confirmed that the announcement is related to a new TNA television series that will air in the British market.

As noted, TNA wrote the Dixie Carter character off of television with the big table bump at the Impact Wrestling taping in New York City. The same angle was also designed to be Tommy Dreamer's exit from the current TNA story lines.

It is believed that Dreamer will remain working with the company in an agent role, however the NYC taping was said to be his last television appearance for the time being.

WWE Filming Jerry Lawler vs. Scott Steiner, Additional Lawler Footage For Special

The WWE film crew will be heading to Memphis, Tennessee on July 10th to film extensive interviews with Jerry "The King" Lawler.

The plan is for the crew to follow Lawler around all day, as well as film his independent wrestling match with Scott Steiner at Minglewood Hall.

The belief is this is footage that is being shot for a future WWE DVD release on Lawler, or perhaps a WWE Network special.

Reason Behind Eye-Poke Injuries In WWE, News On WWE Changing In-Ring Style

There is said to be a feeling in WWE that the reason behind the recent increase in eye poke injuries during matches is because the company has been pushing talent to become more aggressive in the ring.

The popular opinion is that this has resulted in many people rushing their work, which leads to added sloppiness during matches, ultimately resulting in more eye pokes, potato shots, black eyes, concussions and things like separated shoulders.

It's also being said that talent was recently told to work with the idea of barely missing on their strikes. The feeling is that throwing hard, fast strikes and just missing is leading to an increase in injuries

Vince McMahon Orders Eight-Figures In Budget Cuts, More Talents To Be Released

Word going around is that Vince McMahon has ordered major cutbacks across the board in WWE, far beyond the cuts that have taken place so far.

The dollar figure floating around that McMahon would like to slice off of the current budget is said to be into the eight figures, meaning tens-of-millions of dollars.

The motivation for the cuts is to offset the losses involved in starting up the WWE Network, as well as offsetting the amount involved in the new television deal, as the company had promised a significantly larger number prior to finalizing their current deal.

WWE's Recent Cost-Cutting Results In Changes To Pre-And-Post Shows, More

In another cost-cutting move, WWE changed the pre-and-post shows for RAW from being filmed live in the arena to a studio setting. The SmackDown pre-and-post shows were canceled.

Additionally, WWE did not hold a post-show or press conference after Money In The Bank this past Sunday, as they went from the conclusion of the live broadcast directly into a replay of the pay-per-view.

As a result of Josh Mathews' WWE release, Renee Young will now be hosting the RAW and PPV pre-and-post shows on the WWE Network.

Latest On Ric Flair's WWE TV Return, WWE Promotes An Executive

- Regarding Ric Flair, he has yet to be given a start up date for WWE television, however he is still scheduled to work the Madison Square Garden show on July 12th as a baby face manager.

- WWE recently promoted Mark Kowal, the Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller to the company’s Principal Accounting Officer. Kowal, 38, has been with the company since 2001 in various executive roles.

John Cena To Work Reduced WWE Schedule In July Due To Movie Commitments

John Cena will be working a reduced WWE schedule for the month of July due to some movie work he is slated to do.

Cena is currently filming "Trainwreck," a Judd Apatow directed film that was written by, and stars Saturday Night Live alum Amy Poehler.

As a result of film scheduling, there will be some weekends in July that Cena will not be appearing at, or working on WWE live events. It's believed that he will be working RAW each week and two of the live events this month, as well as the July dates in Japan.

Backstage News On The Funkadactyls Splitting Up, Naomi Turning Heel

There has been talk of splitting up The Funkadactyls and having Naomi and Cameron go their separate way as part of a key story line for the next season of Total Divas.

WWE planting the seeds and started heading in that creative direction this week on television with some subtle, and some not-so-subtle booking.

It's being said that with Brodus Clay no longer around and Xavier Woods no longer being pushed in any real way, that splitting up the duo is the direction they are headed, with plans having Naomi become the one that turns heel.

Backstage News On Big Show Taking Some Time Off From WWE TV

Big Show is set to take some time off as a regular television character for a while. He is currently filming the WWE Studios film "Vendetta."

Since he was earmarked for it, the company chose not to use him much as of late, as to not get him involved in any key story lines that they couldn't fully pay off.

Updates On WWE Firing RAW's Head Writer, Additional Budget Cuts

As reported earlier this week, WWE's former RAW head writer Jay Gibson was the latest employee to be let go by the company. According to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Gibson's departure was not a result of the company's ongoing budget cuts.

Gibson had only been with the company for about 5 months and didn't actually write the RAW scripts himself. He was basically in charge of managing the writing staff, delegating assignments. There were a lot of people who felt that Gibson did not have a good grasp on the WWE product or the wrestling business in general.

Since Gibson wasn't doing much writing, his release is not as significant as the initial reports indicated.

Despite Gibson's release not being directly related to budget cuts, WWE continues to slash various aspects of the production spending. WWE is no longer flying in NXT talent to play Adam Rose's Rosebuds on television. NXT talent will only be used on Raw or Smackdown if they are within driving distance from Orlando, and can travel to the arenas themselves. Instead, WWE is now using local indy talent to play the Rosebuds. This began at last week's RAW and SmackDown tapings from Green Bay and Minneapolis, were independent wrestlers Dysfunction, Justin Dredd, Chase McCoy, Joey Avalon and Melanie Cruise were used as Rosebuds.

It was reported exclusively by WrestleZone.com on Wednesday that WWE is no longer paying for the TV crew's tour buses.

Oscar De La Hoya Praises Jim Ross, Says He Will Announce More Boxing Events

Boxing legend-turned promoter Oscar De La Hoya recently praised the efforts of Jim Ross for his debut as a boxing announcer for the Golden Boy Promotions event on Labor Day. He also spoke about the possibility of JR calling more fights in the future.

"Yes, he will be calling more fights," said De La Hoya. "He was great, actually, in his first time around. That's thinking outside the box and that's what FOX brings to the table," continued De La Hoya. "And that's what Golden Boy brings to the table, really just pleasing fans."

John Cena Speaks On His Future, Following In The Rock's Footsteps & More

The following are highlights of a new Philly.com interview with John Cena:

On his career and his future: "A lot's happened. Physically, I'm just getting started. There's plenty left to do. Every day is another opportunity. So it's been a long and great ride."

On if he'd like to follow in The Rock's footsteps after his WWE career: "Oh, no. Dwayne? There's only one Dwayne Johnson. I'd like to be myself, so I'll find a path doing something. I don't know if it's going to be filling his shoes. He's set the bar pretty high."

Check out the complete interview at Philly.com.

Snooki Says She's "Begging" Vince McMahon To Bring Her Back To WWE

Former "Jersey Shore" star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi was interviewed by Chris Jericho on this week's Talk Is Jericho podcast and says she's dying to get back with WWE.

Snooki, who hosted WWE RAW back in 2011 and wrestled at WrestleMania 27, says she's literally "begging" WWE CEO Vince McMahon to let her get back in the ring:

"I’m actually begging [Vince McMahon] to go back because I want to wrestle more."

Snooki has slimmed down since her days on Jersey Shore and is currently pregnant:

"Just having more muscle and being more flexible, I feel like can do more moves in the ring. It was such a fun experience that I would definitely go back for more."

WWE Surveys Fans About Week-Long Network Programming (Savage, Punk & Sting)

Sponsored Links WWE sent out another Fan Council survey on Thursday, asking fans which 
Superstars they want to see have week-long programming on the WWE Network and what type of WWE fan watches certain WWE Network shows:

You will see a list of Superstars that may be featured in special week-long programming on the WWE Network. The week would include programming that highlights the Superstar's favorite matches, promos, rivalries, catch-phrases and greatest WrestleMania moments. Please rate your interested in watching week-long special programming featuring each of the following Superstars.

• The Kaliq
• Sting
• Stone Cold Steve Austin
• The Rock
• John Cena 
• Christian
• Cm Punk
• Andre the Giant
• The Hardy Boys
• The Big Show
• Hulk Hogan
• Lex Luger
• The Authority 
• Randy "Macho man" Savage
• Alberto Del Rio

For each of the following WWE Network shows, please rate who watches the show in your household

• Old School Raw
• WWE , WCW , ECW , PPV'S and Classic Matches
• Legends House
• WWE Countdown
• Replays of Recent Raw and Smack Down
• Wrestle Mania Rewind
• Legends of Wrestling
• Replays of Total Divas
• Raw Pre-shows
• Current 2014 live pay-per-view
• Beyond the Ring

For each of the following WWE Network shows, please rate the type of fan who watches the show in your household (Hard-core, passionate fans, Moderate fans, casual fans, Occasional, less interested fans, No one watches this show in my household)

• WWE Countdown
• Legends' House
• Replays of Total Divas
• Legends of Wrestling
• Raw Pre shows
• Current 2014 live pay-per-views
• WWE, WCW, ECW pay-per-views and classic matches
• WrestleMania Rewind
• Beyond The Ring
• Old School Raw
• Replays of recent Raw and SmackDown shows