Randy Orton vs Shawn Michaels - Survivor Series 2007

One match that was pretty interesting at Survivor Series 2007 was between Shawn Michaels and Randy Orton for the WWE Heavyweight Championship. We were faced with "Special stipulations" that actually ment that Shawn Michaels was not allowed to use Sweet Chin Music while Randy Orton would lose the title if he got himself disqualified. With such stipulations I thought that the match would be very technical and that Shawn would lose and Orton would retain the title. I also thought this would be the end of the HBK vs Randy Orton rivalry. Shawn Michaels appeared to be looking for a submission ever since the start of the match. We also saw a lovely Springboard moonsault on the outside followed by a lovely cross body from the turnbuckle. Then came the sharpshooter, a move I have not seen Michaels execute in a long long time. Then came the elbow drop from the turnbuckle and then soon came the crossface, the one made famous by the late Chris Benoit as The Crippler Crossface. I did not expect that one at all although the sharpshooter was expected. The next submission move was even more unexpected as it was the ankle lock, the one made famous in professional wrestling by Ken Shamrock and Kurt Angle. We saw it being actually quite similar to Angle's ankle lock. Then came the end, Michaels wanting to go for Sweet Chin Music, hesitating and stops so that he would not get discualified and then came the RKO. Randy Orton won although the entire match saw Shawn Michaels being on top of Randy when it comes to wrestling skills. Great match and the heel won. But this was not the end. We did get to see Sweet Chin Music after the end of the match so in the fans' eyes the real winner was Shawn Michaels.

Memorable Wrestling Matches Steve Austin vs Bret Hart at Wrestlemania 13

This was an incredible wrestling match that saw Bret "The Hitman" Hart fight against "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at Wrestlemania 13. It was really a special fight and it was actually a submission match. We were faced with Bret Hart, we all know his submission wrestling capabilities, the man that basically put the Sharpshooter on the map and Steve Austin, who is not really a submission wrestler. The match was great! We saw the excellence of execution at work and the street fighting style of Austin coming into play. Chairs were of course used and we did see Austin try submission moves. Hart focused on the knee of Austin and utilized a figure 4 leg lock on the turnbuckle. We also saw the Stunner of course and Steve Austin did end up a crimson, bloody mask. The special referee of the match was another individual that is known for his submission style. I am talking about Ken Shamrock. He did not get involved and did call the match correctly. We saw a superplex by Austin and then he used electric cables to try and choke out Bret Hart. But then came a ring bell shot and the sharpshooter was applied. Steve Austin did not tap out but Shamrock had to stop the match because Stone Cold was out. He passed away from the pain but he did not give up. This match was so special and one of the best ever in the WWE. Here are the highlights of this tremendous submission wrestling match at Wrestlemania 13:

Rey Mysterio Facts

Rey Mysterio - meaning ‘King of Mystery‘ in Spanish - is considered one of the stars in the World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE) constellation and today he is the World Heavyweight Champion. He is famous for using aerial techniques in the ring and still gets asked to give autographs for winning the WCW/WWE Cruiserweight championship eight times – a record.

By his real name Óscar Gutiérrez y Rubio, he is also known in the ring as Rey Misterio, Jr. and Rey Mysterio, Jr. His name is a sign of honor to his uncle and trainer, Rey Misterio, Sr. Rey Junior started wrestling in 1989 in Mexico at just 14-years-old, and because of that, he was not given a license. He started out using the name Colibri in Mexico but after reaching the age of 18, he took his uncles name, added the Jr. and changed Misterio into Mysterio.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Mysterio took on a lot of important matches, including a fight in 1999, with Kevin Nash – fight he lost and got his mask off. This made him return to Mexico where his fame was still growing. He decided later to go back to the WWE in 2002 where he had the opportunity to his mask again. In February 2005, Mysterio got a victory at his third WWE Tag-Team Championship by pairing up with his long-term friend but still formal rival, Eddie Guerrero. The date of November 2005, when Guerrero was sadly found dead in his hotel room, brought a lot of grief to Mysterio who after that made a speech and in the middle of it, out of respect for his friend took of his mask.

Mysterio’s recent winnings like becoming the new WWE Tag Team Champions, along with Batista, after defeating MNM besides giving him more glory and making him more famous were for him an opportunity to dedicate something important to his past-away friend. He also won the January 2006 Royal Rumble in Miami, Florida. Mysterio is the lightest and shortest wrestler to have won this competition and the world title. Thumbs up for Rey Misterio and his incredible career.

CM Punk facts

“Luck is for losers”, according to CM Punk - known by his real name as Phil Brooks – when asked about his success. Although his arm is covered with good-luck charms, he sustains that everybody makes his own destiny by working hard and believing in themselves.

He grew up in Chicago, watching the likes of “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and Jimmy Snuka exchange words, then blows. The likes of these heated rivalries helped him realize that he belonged in sports-entertainment. He adopted the “straightedge” movement—meaning that one bases their life around only personal development, avoiding drugs, alcohol and a dependency lifestyle.

Trained by Ace Steel and Danny Dominion at the Steel Domain Wrestling School, Punk had his debut in 1999 and since then he proved himself and his abilities to be worth of great fame. His style is only to be praised because it encouraged young wrestlers to stay clean and keep away from drugs. He showed the world that if you work hard enough and you don’t get tangled up in addictions, you can make it to the top just like him.

He brought his personal touch to ECW. Although considered ECW’s new breed, his style is an accumulation of fighting styles learned in his travels around the world – this includes Muay Thai Kickboxing and Brazilian Jujitsu.

In his WWE debut as a part of Team DX, Punk gave a new hero to Philadelphia where participants to the matches showed their respect for his skills. With the reactions all over the globe like in Philly, CM Punk’s famous-power will only get stronger within the perimeters of ECW.

As trivia about CM Punk’s life here are some facts I bet you didn’t know about:
• Red starbursts are his favorite
• Before he signed up with the WWE, he worked a few house shows and some dark matches.
• He was the former trainer at the Ring of Honor
• Punk used to work for NWA-TNA and that’s were he teamed up with Raven for a while before turning on him later
• In Summer 2005 he signed with the WWE
• James Gibson won the ROH World titles from CM Punk after he had won it over from Austin Aries

Punk can be considered one of the best wrestlers that brings an innovating style into this sport and so gives his fans the pride of loving him after every mach he has won knowing he didn’t do it because of use of drugs but because of his hard work.

Historic Wrestling Matches - Steve Austin vs Shawn Michaels Wrestlemania 14

This was a history making wrestling match in the WWE. We saw the world champion at the time, Shawn Michaels going at it against Stone Cold Steve Austin. Those were the days of the original Degeneration-X and in Michaels' corner stood Triple H and Chyna. To make the odds even worse for Steve Austin, there was also special enforcer Mike Tyson, who came to the ring wearing a DX T-shirt. We saw Shawn Michaels getting thrown on Triple H and of course, we also saw Triple H interfering in the match. Then we saw a shift in the momentum as Triple H and Chyna were forced to leave ring side. This did not have an immediate impact on the match. Stone Cold and Shawn Michaels battled outside of the ring, hit each other with whatever they got their hands on. This includes the ring bell, chairs and throwing the opponent into the crowd. We saw a figure four leg lock by Michaels and soon a sleeper that saw Stone Cold trying to escape and the referee was knocked out. Shawn Michaels delivered the elbow drop from the turnbuckle and then went for a Sweet Chin Music finisher but only received the Stunner from Steve Austin. Then we did not have a referee but Mike Tyson shocked the world by counting the 1-2-3 and making Steve Austin the new World Heavyweight Champion. To make it even better, he also punched out Shawn Michaels. Here is the end of that match. Sorry for the low quality but I couldn't find this wrestling match in higher quality anywhere:

TNA Genesis 2007 Kurt Angle and Kevin Nash vs Sting and Booker T

I did say it before, it was obvious that Booker T was going to be Sting's mistery partner in the main event wrestling match at the TNA Genesis pay per view. On the other hand, we had a nice setting here that saw anybody up for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. We were bound to see an interesting match with a lot of finishers. Actually, we got to see one finisher from each of the wrestlers involved. The TNA audience welcomed Booker T with a standing ovation and we have to see how his career was going to go on here in TNA. That really was a stupid gimmick with King Booker in the WWE. So, the match was nice, I am still wondering if Kevin Nash can still wrestle properly and I think he can although he does look like moving slow and stuff. The wrestling moves he executed were done pretty well. OK, we saw the Jacknife Powerbomb on Booker T, the axe kick by Booker T on Kurt Angle and the Scorpion Death Drop by Sting on Kevin Nash.

Karen Angle kept saying in the entire pay per view that she had everything under control and we got to see what it was all about at the end of the match. The tag team champions, AJ Styles and Tomko came in and Tomko took out Sting while AJ Styles created the diversion. Then Styles gave Angle the belt and he hit Nash with it and then the Olympic Slam on Sting. Sharmell and Karen Angle were involved in a battle outside but this was the end. Kurt Angle is still TNA World Heavyweight Champion and the end of the pay per view saw him celebrate in the middle of the ring with his wife, AJ Styles and Tomko. Christian Cage appeared in the ramp way and look stunned, not understanding what was happening. It will be interesting to see what happens next. We might get to see a stable of Cage, Sting and Booker T (maybe with a surprise join by Nash and a reformation of the NWO Wolfpack - that would be priceless and I am dreaming here of course) or of Kurt Angle, AJ Styles and Tomko. Well, we will see next, good job TNA for a highly entertaining Genesis pay per view main event.

TNA Genesis 2007 Kaz vs Christian Cage

This was the final of the Fight for the Right wrestling tournament organized in TNA to offer the winner a title match at the world championship. Kaz was the underdog of course and Christian Cage, "The Instant Classic" was the one that was supposed to win, given his experience in ladder matches as this was a ladder match. Christian Cage instructed AJ Styles and Tomko to stay out of the arena but this did not happen of course. We saw what looked like a devastating frog splash by Cage on Kaz, who was put on a ladder outside the ring. That one there was the highlight of the match in my view but the inverted DDT from the ladder by Christian Cage was also lovely and a classic when it comes to his ladder matches. The end was pretty interesting and I did not see it coming. Both wrestlers were on the ladder, small distraction by AJ Styles and then the ladder fell with both Kaz and Cage still on it. Kaz held on but Christian Cage landed on Tomko and AJ Styles. The winner thus became KAZ, who I do not really think is going to get the title at the end but hey, the guy is still young and pretty good.

TNA Genesis 2007 - Robert Roode vs Samoa Joe

Nice feud build up and since Samoa Joe was in the ring with such a feud behind it, well built up, we did expect a great match. I was not disappointed by any match in TNA Genesis till that moment so what was there to disappoint me at a match with Joe and Roode. My predictions saw Samoa Joe definitely winning but not by submission. I expected a muscle buster. The match was pretty interesting but it was not as good as I expected. I have no idea what happened with Mrs Brooks at ring side, she was probably hit by that number 1 fan as it was labeled by the commentators. Well, the match saw Roode with some interesting moves but of course, Samoa Joe also had great moves. A little innovation and the end saw Roode going for the finisher and Samoa Joe switching and applying the muscle buster. The conflict is probably not over with the laying out of Mrs Brooks and should go on with something there. We will just have to wait and see.

TNA Genesis 2007 - The Steiners vs AJ Syles and Tomko

This was a wrestling match for the tag titles between the Steiner Brothers and the team of Tomko and AJ Styles. I wanted AJ's team to win but I was sure that there was going to be some controversy there as theoretically speaking the Steiner Brothers are the better team with the biggest wrestling experience. Unfortunately I did not expect a great match and thought that this might just be the weakest of TNA Genesis 2007. Up until that moment all the matches were great so this one being bad would probably make no difference.

The match was pretty good although quite slow. On the other hand we did have only one fast man in the ring and the other three wrestlers have other qualities. We saw shifts in momentum, as if it should happen at a wrestling pay per view and the end was controversial of course. We did see the classic tag team finisher by the Steiners and then a counter at an attempt of a head scissors take down with a powerbomb by Rick Steiner. We had the three count but the referee was busy with Tomko and Scott Steiner on the outside. Well, then AJ Styles used a chair on Rick Steiner after a low blow and AJ Styles got the pin. Great tag team wrestling match for the titles. Not a lot of combined tag team moves but great nonetheless.

TNA Genesis 2007 Sonjay Dutt vs Jay Lethal for the X Division Championship

This was for the X Division Championship and I was sure we were bound for a good, athletic wrestling match. We got to see Sonjay Dutt "The Guru" fight against the title holder, "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal. Although I hate the way Lethal's character is so similar to Randy Savage I still wanted him to win as I do see him as the better wrestler between the two. Well, what can I say? If I were to put down on paper all the great moves and wrestling combinations we saw in this match I wouldn't be able to deal with just one A4 sheet of paper. The match was great, we of course saw the lethal combination followed by the flying elbow drop for the win but we also saw Sonjay Dutt's Camel Clutch submission. A lot of flying, great athletic ability by both wrestlers and I must say that training together as a tag team probably made it possible to have so many interesting moves in just one match. It was truly a wrestling match that represents the X Division of TNA.

TNA Genesis - Knockout Championship First defence for Gail Kim

This was an interesting set up. We have a four way fight for the Women Championship in TNA, called Knockout, a match that saw Gail Kim (the title holder) against ODB, Roxxi Laveaux (she was my favorite) and Angel Williams. ODB definitely had the best entrance and we can say that she has a powerful character set up there, as does Roxxi Laveaux. Well, I must say that it has been a long time since I saw a good women's wrestling match. In the WWE it has been a long long long time but it looks like in TNA I can have a chance to do this. These ladies here wrestled a hell of a match with Gail Kim winning and retaining the Knockout Championship on her first title defense since when she won it at Bound For Glory. We did see a lot of wrestling moves, some very well executed. We also saw a triple involvement in the corner, similar to what we sometimes see in the X Division. I must say that TNA has a golden opportunity to put women's wrestling back on top. Bulldogs, suicide dives, side slams, a spear, inverted neck breakers, these ladies really know how to wrestle.

Gail Kim did appear to be the better in the match and dominated a lot of it although it was a fatal four way. Only Roxxi Laveaux did not really impress me but she did take a nice cross body on the outside of the ring and she did seem to hit hard when she fell. Well, maybe Roxxi is still not a good wrestler or maybe this is just the character. No matter the case, TNA Genesis got better and better as I watched it and this ladies match was great. And, when all seemed finished, Awesome Kong appeared and walked to the ring. Showdown and maybe we get to see a David vs Goliath type of feud with Awesome Kong and Gail Kim in the future. Thumbs up TNA!

TNA is turning into WCW

I think everyone is noticing this and I am not the only one watching wrestling that is old enough to remember World Championship Wrestling. I mean, the main at TNA Genesis 2007 saw 3 wrestlers that were high on the ladder of popularity in WCW: Sting, Kevin Nash and Booker T. Everybody I think realized that Booker T was Sting's mistery partner so I am not going to discuss that. TNA told enough to let everybody know who he was but without actually mentioning the name Booker T. Kurt Angle is the only one that is true WWE in TNA and this says a lot. WWE managed to get Jeff Hardy but that is about it. I can not think of any other wrestler that WWE got from TNA while the other way around is much more obvious. It is enough to mention Dustin Rhodes, now transformed into Black Reign. He will probably never get inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame for this move. We also have Kurt Angle, the wrestler that is probably the best in the world one it comes to how technical he is. I mean he almost delivered a perfect 450 degrees splash on the last pay per view and that says a lot. Then Christian Cage came to TNA, another blow to WWE and at Genesis he was in a ladder match. We all know the Edge and Christian ladder matches. We see Kevin Nash, good old Diesel, looking a little old but I still think he can wrestle and this is just a gimmick.

Then we are talking about the former Dudley Boys, who doesn't remember them? The Steiner Brothers. I still remember the feuds between the Steiners and the tag team of Sting and Lex Luger. What more is there to say? We are clearly witnessing a revival of World Championship Wrestling through TNA. We even had Scott Hall in (remember the Outsiders and the New World Order). It seems like good wrestlers are leaving the WWE and coming towards TNA. The wrestlers with more experience are coming to TNA. The main event at Genesis meant that the 4 fighters held over 40 belts in their careers. Only one thing would be more of a shock than Jericho possibly appearing in TNA and that would be somebody like Shawn Michaels or the Undertaker joining TNA, although that will never happen. Too bad for Jeff Hardy though, he might be a champ now but he is more suited for the TNA style. Well, as I said before, WCW is coming back to life through TNA and I am curious what will happen next.

TNA Genesis 2007 Motorcity Machine Guns vs Team 3D

This one had a nice build up behind it with Team 3D trying to destroy the X division, this after the Motorcity Machine Guns aided the Steiners in defeating Team 3D at Bound for Glory. I expected team 3D to win but the match should have been quite interesting. The machine guns came in with moves that are very characteristic for the X Division and they gained the upper hand against Brother Ray in the 6 sided wrestling ring. Then, we got to witness what was already expected as Team 3D took over and started working with a very good double team move. After all, they are very good together and the experience factor was sure to pay off via special moves from both wrestling teams as the match started. Well, I did not expect such a quick shift in momentum and it is a delight to watch Sabin and his partner wrestling. They are quite quick, athletic and make a good team. Then, a lot of moves were interesting and Sabin delivered a nice tornado DDT that was not that well executed but still looked good. As the match continued we saw an isolation of Brother D-Von and the Motorcity Machine Guns did their best to try and double team him as much as possible while constantly hitting Brother Ray as well so that he would not interfere as in the rest of the match till that moment. The most interesting was a turnbuckle based frankensteiner followed by a highly elevated frog splash. It was not enough to bring Brother D-Von down, which makes sense as he is a pretty huge wrestler. Then a new shift in momentum and another one with a dropkick through the table on D-Von. The guns had the match won but D-Von took the referee out of the ring and then Shelley tried a springboard to the outside that did not connect. Then Team 3D did a trademark double team move but Sabin was not defeated. I did not expect that at all. I mean if the match ended then it would have been great but it still went on. It was a good move for TNA as the match continued and the heels ended up defeated after an acrobatic walk by Sabin and a lovely double kick. 5 Stars ranking for this wrestling match as it was highly entertaining. My favorites did not win but hey, neither did The Undertaker at the last Pay per View.

TNA Genesis 2007 Black Reign vs Abyss

I don't think many people know this but just in case you do not, Black Reign is actually highly experienced wrestler Dustin Rhodes (just in case you missed the transformation). Well, this is how TNA's Genesis 2007 started, with a Shop of Horrors match between Black Reign and Abyss. It was of course a no disqualification wrestling match that should have been interesting and I thought that Abyss was going to win (I just like this wrestler more). We saw the two wrestlers going at it in the crowd and then an interesting suplex delivered by Black Reign on Abyss. Then something like a stunner on Abyss, then Abyss with a nice kick to the groin and putting Black Reign through a chair set up in a corner and then Abyss brought in the highly popular weapon, the baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire. Then we got to see the same Abyss with a cholkeslam on the top of the stage, not that spectacular but the fans loved it. The next interesting moment came with the interference of Mitchell and Black Reign's finisher executed on a set of rat traps. As expected, it was not enough for a win as this wrestling match, if we can call it that, just started. Well, it ended soon afterwards after Abyss delivered a Black Hole Slam that leveled Black Reign. Pretty interesting match from two big guys although not much wrestling in it. Would have loved to see some wrestling moves but hey, decent opener for TNA Genesis 2007. As the match was over we saw Abyss open the box and a masked wrestler attacked him. The similarity in masks is obvious but this new guy truly has a great body and seems interesting enough. It would be interesting to find out who he was.

PS: I really love Abyss' entrance theme, very good track for his character and I can not stop loving to listen to it.

Top 3 in DVDs for the WWE

Well, we just had a chance to take a look at the most sold Recreational Sports DVDs according to Billboard and here is the list:

1. WWE: Rey Mysterio: The Biggest Little Man (DEBUT)
2. WWE: Unforgiven 2007
3. WWE: SummerSlam 2007
4. 2001 FedEx Orange Bowl National Championship
5. TNA: Christian Cage: The Instant Classic
6. Ultimate Fighter: Season 1
7. UFC Presents: The Ultimate Fighter 2
8. WWE: The Ladder Match
9. WWE: Wrestlemania 23
10. UFC 70: Nations Collide

We basically have a lot of WWE DVDs and some Ultimate Fighting DVDs. Unfortunately for TNA it seems that only Christian Cage has a DVD that is popular enough. Well, TNA is still a lot smaller than the WWE even if they have wrestlers like Sting, Kurt Angle or Christian Cage on the roster.

Chris Masters Released from Smackdown

Well, we all kind of saw it coming so it should not be a surprise. The latest wrestling news that appeared around the web is about Chris Masters, and the fact that he was released from his contract by the WWE because of his second Wellness policy violation. It seems like the company wants to make it clear that the superstars are not dealing with college wrestling or they are involved in a simple wrestling game where wrestlers can do whatever they want. Well, it will be interesting to see what happens next for Chris Masters (real name Chris William Mordetsky). He had never won a title in the WWE and so far his wrestling career was not that successful as his only belt ever won was the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship. We wish him all the best and hope he will never fail a drug abuse test again.

Survivor Series Update

Survivor Series is quickly coming round the corner for the WWE and it seems like their traditional match is going to be one that will put in a lot of wrestlers that were not fitted anywhere else, which is kind of weird. The traditional Survivor Series elimination wrestling match will see the team of Rey Mysterio, Kane, Triple H, Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy fight against the team of Umaga, Big Daddy V, MVP, Mr. Kennedy and Finlay. So we basically get to see the feuds of Finlay vs Rey Mysterio, Matt Hardy vs MVP and Triple H vs Umaga continue while the rest are just extras. Still, a lot of talent and potential in this match. We are also going to see a WWE Title match that will see Randy Orton against Shawn Michales (as expected) and Batista vs The Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell wrestling match for the World Heavyweight Title.

This basically means that we will get to see Shawn Michaels win the title now and maybe The Undertaker defeating Batista to get back the World Heavyweight Title although there is one big question coming up: where is Edge in these plans? Given how things stood before his injury it might be something concerning both The Undertaker and Batista so we might see him interfering in the match or maybe even getting add on the title match, thus maybe obtaining a 3-way Hell in a Cell Match. That would be special and could end up spectacular. Also, what in the world happens with Chris Jericho and what is with that Save.US commercial? Leaving all aside now, I want to see Edge wrestle again and let us hope it will be a nice pay per view, not like Cyber Sunday, which in my view was kind of like a fiasco except for the Batista vs Undertaker match and the Shawn Michaels vs Randy Orton match (which still should have been better). I am also tired of Umaga vs Triple H. Get him in DX again or maybe in contendership spot or something. You are wasting him on the roster. After what Triple H had to endure at No Mercy he should get a prize of some sort!

Bret Hart Admits to Taking Steroids

We are currently witnessing on a huge debate related to steroid use in a lot of sports and not just wrestling. The latest superstar to make a statement concerning this is none other than the former WWE Champion, Bret "The Hitman" Hart, one of the biggest personalities in the past for professional wrestling and one that was made famous with the motto "The Best there is, The Best there was and The Best there ever will be" or with phrases like "The Excellence in Execution", due to the way in which he performed various wrestling moves. In a recent interview Bret Hart was quoted as saying:

"I credit steroids for saving my career back then. Having taken them, I don't have any regrets and I'm sure I wouldn't be here if I hadn't taken those shots."

This was said in an interview for Vancouver 24, in a segment that was aimed to promote Bret Hart's new autobiography entitled "Hitman: My Real Live in the Cartoon World of Wrestling". As expected, such a statement did not add up well to the image of the WWE, which seems to lose popularity lately. I am curios about the book as I did not get a chance to read. As soon as I do I will tell you all about it!

MVP vs Kane - Cyber Sunday 2007

After Matt Hardy's injury the WWE was left without a match for the US Championship at Cyber Sunday. This was quickly fixed by changing everything to a regular wrestling match with the US championship on the line between MVP and an opponent that was supposed to be chosen between Mark Henry, The Great Khali and Kane. I thought Kane was going to be the opponent and this was the fact at Cyber Sunday 2007. My first thought was that I was going to see a bad match that will see MVP win but out of something like a DQ so that MVP will retain the title in order to continue the feud with Matt Hardy. So, the match saw vintage Kane wrestling moves and a focus by MVP on his ribs because of the injured ribs of Kane keyfabe going on at the moment. What was interesting in this match was that Kane fought back and attacked MVP's ribs as well. The end of the match was kind of unexpected as it was a count-out of MVP. So, Kane won the wrestling match but did not win the title.