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MITCHELL'S TAKE
VIP - MOJO MITCHELL'S RAW 2/25: Stream of About As Good A Raw As I've Ever Seen
Feb 25, 2008 - 11:23:36 PM |
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By Bruce Mitchell, Torch columnist
Twenty million bucks, huh? And here I thought only boxing promoters lied...
We start with Raw GM William Regal in the ring introducing Triple H, John Cena, and WWE Champion Randy Orton for their photo opportunity. The cold open with the close-up camera angle was pretty cool.
John Cena thanks his opponents for coming up. He has a problem with one of them, though. He walks up to, gasp, Triple H. He points out that Triple H could have DQed him and cost him his WrestleMania match. He didn't like the congratulatory Pedigree, though.
Triple H said he wanted him at WrestleMania because it was the right thing.
Cena points out he made Triple H tap in their one match. That pisses off Triple H. Randy Orton points out it's Triple H's turn, uh, that he's still the WWE Champion, that both of them have giving him their best show, and he still has the title. Says Orton: "The Champ is here!' Ouch. He adds, "There's not a damn thing either of you can do about it."
A nod, then Triple H and Cena both punch Orton and toss him out of the ring. They fight each other and lose track of Orton. He leaves both lying in the ring with the RKO. Whoops, I was wrong about whose turn it was, well - this week.
This was a good segment. WWE trusted star-power and basic booking to carry the day.
Regal makes a Cena/Game vs. Mr. Kennedy/Randy Orton main event for tonight. Ken Kennedy tells Orton he's winning the Money in the Bank, then tearing a muscle, uh, then winning Orton's belt. Despite Kennedy's threat, Orton says he's still walking out the champion. What's that got to do with what Kennedy threatened?
Maria comes out in a bunny shirt. Santino Morella & Carlito face Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly. "Opposites attract," Jim Ross says of the tag team champions. Uh oh. Young Rhodes takes a beating. His more experienced partner, Hardcore Holly, Alabama Slams Morella for the victory. Morella is annoyed at Jerry Lawler for attempting to call Maria over to discuss the Playboy shoot.
A big Floyd Mayweather-Big Show video airs; then we get highlights of the WrestleMania press conference in Los Angeles. Hey, isn't WrestleMania in Florida? Isn't Raw in Phoenix? Not much to the highlights except Mayweather didn't get booed in them...
By the way, I heard Ric Flair was hanging out with Shaq and Grant Hill in Phoenix today, and he called out the G-Man.
"I hear To Be The Man, You Got To Beat The Man. Looks like I beat The Man."
-Mike Gminski - who, with help from his teammate Kenny Dennard, beat Ric Flair for the 2007 Prime-Time with the Packman Co-Host of The Year Award."
Anybody who knows me knows who I voted for, but Happy Birthday anyway Champ.
Whatever Happened to Chris Jericho meets cute with William Regal, and then asks to be in the Money in the Bank. His qualifier is with Jeff Hardy. The interesting thing is, someone's losing.
Chris Jericho faces Jeff Hardy in a MITB Qualifier. The crowd likes Hardy. It's nice to see Hardy wrestle someone his own size for a change. Y2J chant. He gets the Walls of Jericho. Hardy gets to the ropes. Jericho is frustrated at his inability to finish Hardy off. Hardy hits a face-first suplex but misses the Swanton. Hardy kicks out of the Lionsault. Good match, big heat. Jericho pins Hardy with a roll-up, which means Jeff Hardy loses. Well, he did eliminate Jericho in the Chamber so I guess Even Steven Rules apply.
Mr. McMahon is going to apologize to his dead son, Hornswoggle
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MITCHELL'S TAKE
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LATEST PRO WRESTLING TORCH NEWSLETTER #1040 (18 PAGES)

This issue begins with a cover story by Wade Keller looking at the final scene of SummerSlam and why it's bad for WWE not in and of itself, but due to the context it's put in... In-depth coverage of the WWE SummerSlam PPV including Keller's match report with star ratings and the newsletter-exclusive Roundtable Reviews and Reader Reax... Jason Powell's "Page 2 Buzz" with scoops and insider analysis on Mick Foley, TNA's expiring contracts, and more... Bruce Mitchell's Memo further reviews the latest Ric Flair DVD... WWE Newswire, TNA Newswire, and ROH Newswire with insider news, big story analysis, and notebook tidbits... Plus Keller's reports on Raw, Smackdown, and Impact, the Top 5 Stories of the Week, and more... PDF EXCLUSIVE features include the Jon Mezzera's Weekly Hits & Misses and Greg Parks' look at SummerSlam and Smackdown...
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| Articles Grouped by Category |
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| Torch Today |
| PRIORITY DRAFT TRADITION CONTINUES: Which ten wrestlers would you start a promotion from scratch with? |
| TORCH NEWS TICKER 8/29: Kowalski fundraiser, WWE lawsuit update, Midway Q&A on TNA video game, ROH Notes |
| TORCH NEWS TICKER 8/22: Results Wanted, Austin return date, Batista comments on Cena match, Kofi and DDP interviews |
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| WWE News |
| WWE News: Jakks Pacific claims WWE lawsuit dismissed; WWE to continue suit |
| WWE News: A YouTube video puts new spin on Shawn Michaels-Chris Jericho saga |
| Ratings News: John Cena surgery a success, estimated time out of the ring determined (w/Keller's Analysis) |
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| TNA News |
| Interview Highlights: Chris Jericho talks about Guitar Hero, Reinventing his Character, Short Tights |
| TNA News: Details on Gail Kim's reasons for leaving TNA come to surface this week (w/Keller Analysis) |
| TNA News: WWE legend Mick Foley agrees to terms with TNA, set to debut as soon as September (w/Keller Analysyis) |
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| ROH News |
| Interview Highlights: Roderick Strong on his stint with TNA, lagging promo skills, indys working together |
| 7/25 ROH in Toronto: "That show was the first thing to make me proud to be a wrestling fan in a LONG time." |
| ROH News: Lance Storm interview on working with ROH wrestlers and injuries in pro wrestling |
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| Other News |
| Torch Indy Weekend Preview: Steen in IWS, Shiozaki in FIP, Delirious in Elite Pro |
| Torch Indy Weekend Report: Sabin & Shelley, Lynn, Jake Roberts, ROH results |
| ETC. News: Jesse Ventura in talks for a court show, according to TV Week (w/Keller Analysis) |
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| PPV Reports |
| CALDWELL'S WWE SUMMERSLAM REPORT 8/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV |
| KELLER'S WWE SUMMERSLAM REPORT 8/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV event |
| KELLER'S TNA HARD JUSTICE PPV REPORT 8/10: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of event - Samoa Joe vs. Booker T in cage |
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| TV Reports |
| 8/29 WWE SMACKDOWN: Parks's Coverage of the CW Show |
| KELLER'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 8/28: Sting finally addresses speculation, Nash vs. Angle, Beautiful People vs. Taylor & Roxxi |
| 8/28 TNA IMPACT Review by Wilkenfeld: Sting steals the show |
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| Arena Reports |
| 8/24 WWE Smackdown in Canton, Ohio: Triple H & Undertaker vs. Khali & MVP, R-Truth vs. Carlito, Michelle vs. Maryse |
| 8/24 TNA in Wichita, Ks.: Samoa Joe vs. A.J. Styles, Morgan vs. Kip, Knockouts Title Match, Lethal vs. Dutt |
| 8/24 WWE in Bethlehem, Pa.: Cody & Ted vs. Cryme Tyme, Jericho & Kane vs. Cena & Batista |
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| MMA / UFC Coverage |
| UFC News: Paul Heyman comments on Brock Lesnar's controversial post-fight antics last Saturday |
| KELLER'S UFC 87 LIVE PPV REPORT; On-site ongoing coverage of Lesnar's second UFC fight, full card coverage |
| UFC 87 PREVIEW: Fight analysis, predictions, odds for Lesnar vs. Herring, GSP vs. Fitch, Huerta vs. Florian |
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| KELLER'S TAKE |
| VIP - KELLER: More crazy G.M. ideas for WWE to consider (PWTorch Newsletter #1037) |
| KELLER: An overhaul is in order for Raw before ratings drop further - several specific suggestions |
| KELLER: McMahon Returns for That? Nothing Funnier than a DUI! Let Me Shift So You Can Hit Me! |
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| MITCHELL'S TAKE |
| MITCHELL'S BLOG: Notes From the 2008 NWA Fanfest - Ric Flair |
| WWE News: Flair's departure from WWE amicable, nostalgia convention circuit could be next |
| VIP - MITCHELL'S MEMO: DVD Liner Notes Part 3: Nature Boy Ric Flair - The Definitive Collection |
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| MCNEILL'S TAKE |
| Ready To Roll! McNEILL previews WWE SummerSlam |
| Rap It Up: McNEILL previews TNA Hard Justice! |
| VIP - MCNEILL FACTOR: Twenty Years of Summerslam, part two |
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| CALDWELL'S TAKE |
| CORNER CUBE TUESDAY 8/26 - Raw delivered highlights, but was heavy on filler |
| CORNER CUBE MONDAY 8/18 - Shawn Michaels showed strength, not weakness by not attacking Jericho |
| CORNER CUBE WEDNESDAY 8/13 - Finally, Matt Striker has found his calling with ECW on Tuesday nights |
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| RADICAN'S TAKE |
| TALES FROM THE PULPIT 7/23: McGuinness & Jericho setting standard for heels in 2008 |
| DEJ's Kevin: Covering Pro Wrestling Ohio - The Ladder Match for the Heirloom Swords Part I |
| TALES FROM THE PULPIT 7/21: The man who talks poopy and defies fire can’t escape the windshield of doom! |
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| The Specialists |
| ECW Storylines and Feuds - A look at the ECW Championship Scramble and the Finlay-Knox feud |
| CAREER PATH: Christian Cage's career high point, low point, and what if he had never left WWE? |
| UNDER THE MICROSCOPE - 8/28 TNA IMPACT: What I noticed on the show that you might not have |
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| Guest Editorials |
| EDITORIAL: What's wrong with Raw this year? A lot. But one core problem trumps the rest |
| EDITORIAL: Tag Team Divisions will not get over until squash matches return |
| EDITORIAL: C.M. Punk needs a prominent program to make him the star of Raw |
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| Torch Feedback |
| DRAFT PICKS - Batch #5 featuring top picks of Sting, Rob Van Dam, Edge, plus Danielson, Shelley, Bourne, Briscoes |
| DRAFT PICKS - Batch #4 featuring top picks of Nigel, Edge, Awesome Kong, plus CIMA, Bourne, Hogan, Ross, Kim |
| DRAFT PICKS - Batch #3 featuring top picks of Mick Foley, Brian Danielson, John Cena, plus Abyss, Shiozaki, Teddy Hart |
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| Ask the Editor |
| Ask the Editor: Wouldn't incorporating MMA-style holds into pro wrestling matches just be trying to be something it's not? |
| ASK THE EDITOR: Have the Michaels-Batista promos crossed a line with use of insider terms, references to "jobs"? |
| ASK THE EDITOR: Why do wrestlers in WWE refer to wrestling as "the business" and not "the sport"? |
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| DVDs - VGames - Books |
| WEEKEND DVD SPOTLIGHT: SHIMMER Vol. 18 (Kong-Busic,Del Rey-MsChif) |
| RADICAN: Al Snow discusses his wrestling career, philosophy, time in OVW, and more in new interview |
| DVD Review: ROH "Glory By Honor VI, N2" with Kenta vs. Misawa, 110307 |
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| Torch Flashbacks |
| KELLER'S TNA REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (8-28-03): Truth, D-Lo, Abyss, Sandman, Raven, Styles, Dusty |
| KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (8-25-03): Gail Kim vs. Trish, Jericho headlines Raw against... Shane McMahon? Linda a guest on Highlight Reel, |
| WWE Smackdown Reax #1: "This is the worst wrestling show I have seen in a long time with booking that defies all logic and common sense." |
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| VIP Exclusive Features |
| 8/29 Daily Keller Hotline: Sting's monumental promo on Impact dissected, full show analysis (27 min.) |
| 8/29 Mitchell Audio Show: Cena Injury, Rey's Return, Independent Contractors, Jericho-Michaels (75 min.) |
| 8/27 VIP East Coast Audio: Impact - A show that did everything it could do to turn people away from wrestling (79 min.) |
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| Torch Trivia |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about Champion vs. Champion matches? |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about SummerSlam - Part 3 |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about SummerSlam - Part 2 |
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| Torch Instant Polls |
| POLL: What are your thoughts on the WWE Championship Scramble concept? |
| POLL: Should the TNA Knockouts women wrestlers be paid in the same ballpark as the male wrestlers? |
| POLL: Who is your pick as the MVP of the August 11 edition of WWE Raw? |
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| PWTorch Free Podcast |
| 8/29 Daily Keller Hotline: Sting's monumental promo on Impact dissected, full show analysis (27 min.) |
| 8/29 Mitchell Audio Show: Cena Injury, Rey's Return, Independent Contractors, Jericho-Michaels (75 min.) |
| 8/27 VIP East Coast Audio: Impact - A show that did everything it could do to turn people away from wrestling (79 min.) |
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| Annual Obituaries |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 1999 - Muchnick, Rick Rude, Owen Hart, Renegade... |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2000 - Solie, Albright, Duncum, Tsuruta, Blue Demon, Al Costello |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2001: Johnny Valentine, Terry Gordy, Chris Adams, Bertha Faye, Helen Hart |
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