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CMV1: It’s Day three in Phoenix, Arizona, where Yokozuna is about to meet the Ultimate Warrior. Later on, we’ll to Atlanta where the Rock and Christian will meet. Thoughts for today, gentlemen? The Miz: Well, Chad, you’re a fan who has never wrestled. Do you think Ultimate Warrior could beat Stone Cold Steve Austin? CMV1: Well, yeah… The Miz: You’re wrong! Until you’ve been in this ring, you don’t get it. Warrior may have looked great on TV mowing through a bunch of job holes. But this isn’t TV and this isn’t the late 80’s OR the early 90’s. Warrior is garbage! He can’t beat Austin! CMV1: You do realize I’ve got the book, don’t you? Daniel Bryan: Anyway, it’s going to be an interesting day. For my money…Warrior and Rock win… Phoenix, AZ Announcer: Howard Finkel Referee: Earl Hebner Commentators: Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross 4 Ultimate Warrior vs. 5 Yokozuna The crowd nearly blew the roof off the stadium when the Ultimate Warrior came barreling down to the ring. It was a contrast of attitudes and demeanors watching Warrior run around the ring, expending energy and pumping the atmosphere full of intensity as Yokozuna did his quiet sumo ritual in the ring with Mr. Fuji. JR rightly called it battle between successive eras in wrestling, pitting the enigmatic Warrior who ruled the early 90’s against the giant of a man who dominated the time immediately following. When they began battling in the center of the ring, it was the quiet mammoth that took struck the first blow and used it to control the first several minutes. Never one to be complimented for the dynamicity of his offense, Yokozuna destroyed the Warrior with powerful, yet simple strikes. Try as he might, the Warrior simply could not sustain any offense. The crowd may have called it boring, but the main-eventer of Wrestlemanias IX and X would call it strategy. The game plan seemed to be working perfectly for Yokozuna, as his combination of pressing kicks, splashes, and trap grab nerve holds kept Warrior grounded. That is, until about the 8-minute mark, when Warrior suddenly but authoritatively scoop slammed the 500-plus pounder to the mat. The crowd awoke and as Warrior made it to his feet they began to chant his name. The Warrior Nation willed the Ultimate one to regain his strength and reestablish his focus. He ran the ropes and awaited Yokozuna to rise to his feet. He bludgeoned him with a clothesline, but it did not bring the mighty sumo master down from his standing base. Another clothesline followed with even more ferocity, but with the same result. Finally, the third running clothesline seemed to be the charm. As Yokozuna rose to his knees, the Warrior dove at him and connected with a diving shoulder tackle that staggered the Banzai dropper and prevented him from reaching his feet. The Warrior caught him another diving shoulder block as the big man reached his knees again. The second shot kept Yokozuna down for the count. Warrior ran the ropes and delivered a thunderous splash to get the pin and the win at 11:10. ------------------------------------------ CMV1: Austin vs. Warrior in round 2 (shakes head)…Wow. That’s a dream match for me. Warrior was a favorite of mine growing up. Austin was the biggest star in wrestling history. Now, we turn our attention back to Atlanta, where Christian will try to pull another upset…this time, over the Great One. Daniel Bryan: Christian is one of those guys that a small minority of fans are hoping makes it a long way in this tournament. People are always eager to try and have this guy’s career validated as if it hasn’t been great already. The only thing he hasn’t done is win the title…and there’s been a lot of guys that never won the title that still had great careers through other ways. The Miz: You sound like most crybabies trying to justify in their minds why they should never have to be World Champion to have a great career. It allows you to fail, Daniel. Like I told you back on NXT, you cannot EVER think fail. CMV1: Well, we’ll see if Christian will or won’t fail to beat the Rock. Eric and Tony take it away… Atlanta, GA Announcer: Justin Roberts Referee: Tim White Commentators: Tony Schiavone and Eric Bischoff 2 The Rock vs. 10 Christian The Atlanta crowd was a little bit torn on who to cheer for. There was a vocal minority that seemed to show Rocky that his choice of Hollywood over wrestling was not appreciated. That same minority loved Captain Charisma. Going back and forth between “Let’s Go Rocky” and “Rocky Sucks” chants, the excited audience worked themselves into a frenzy as the opening bell sounded and the match began. They traded blows in the center of the ring, with Rocky getting the upper hand and backing Christian toward the ropes. He spit on his open palm and went for a knockout blow, but Christian ducked it, tripped Rock so that he landed on the second rope, and hopped down to the floor to deliver a knockout blow of his own. Rock quickly moved away and Christian got back in the ring. The crowd applauded their standoff. They proceeded to lock up, with Christian grabbing a strong headlock. Rock shot him into the ropes and took him down with a shoulder tackle. Christian dropped down and Rock jumped over him. He attempted a hip toss, but Rock countered and went for an early Rock Bottom. Christian elbowed his way out of it and went for the Killswitch. Rock countered by pushing him away. The crowd again applauded their standoff. Another lock up followed, with Rock grabbing the headlock this time, but quickly changing gears and delivering a backdrop. A series of strong right hands were what came next, as Rock assumed control. He gave Christian a belly to belly over head throw and proceeded to stomp away at him. Christian tried to fight back, but Rock quickly thwarted the attempt. He seemed to a have a little extra zest in his punches. Christian was looking like he was sleepwalking, but when Rock for a DDT, Christian countered into a victory roll, nearly earning him the win. The Rock came right back with a diving clothesline. Rock lifted Christian onto the top rope and made it up to the second rope after him. Christian put him in a front facelock as soon as he had climbed high enough. Instead of Rock going for a superplex, he now found his feet back on the mat and in a front facelock, with Christian swinging him out into the center of the ring and planting him, head first, into the mat in a nice spinning DDT. Captain Charisma went to the top rope when he recovered from the earlier beating enough to do so. He flew off into a Frog Splash and connected. Rock kicked out at two, so Christian went back to the top rope and drilled Rock with a missile dropkick. The Great One again kicked out at two. Christian went up to the second rope and waited for Rock to get back to his feet. Once he did, Christian leaped off looking for a flying sunset flip, but after Christian flipped, Rock stepped back and grabbed hold of his legs, tying them into the Sharpshooter. Christian scratched and clawed and screamed and yelled his way toward the ropes, but Rock would not let up. He finally made it to the ropes in what seemed like a matter of half a minute later. As Christian slowly used the ropes to help him get back to his feet, The Rock stalked behind him, inching closer and closer with every few inches that Christian gained off the mat. The Captain turned around right into Rock Bottom position, but he surprisingly countered and connected with an Impaler DDT. He was then the one doing the stalking. As Rock made it to his feet, Christian grabbed his arms, twirled his head down toward his lower back, and drove his head into the mat with the Killswitch. 1…2…No! The Rock kicked out, got up seconds later, and dropped Christian with a DDT. After a few long pauses, The Rock kipped up and stalked Christian once more. This time, The Rock Bottom connected. One People’s Elbow for good measure later and Rock was moving onto the SE16 at 20:38. -------------------------------------- CMV1: Alright, so there you have it. It’ll be The Rock vs. Ted Dibiase and Stone Cold vs. Ultimate Warrior in a stud-studded, historically significant Sports Entertainment 16 double-header in a few weeks. That’s it for us this week. Now for a look at the updated brackets: http://www.bracketmaker.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=376250&tclass= Here’s a look at the current prediction contest standings after the East and South first and second rounds… Mr. Starbuck - 28 Pat B. - 28 G-Star - 28 Jay Atton - 28 Brandon - 27 Paulthee - 27 Mavsman - 27 Hurra Duff - 26 Adam S. – 26 Tom – 26 Hitesh - 26 Jimmy - 26 David D. - 26 Azreal - 26 Priest - 26 Jack Awe - 25 Ian - 25 Andre - 23 Adderly - 23 Mike D. - 22 Speyder - 22 Kafu - 22 Sean T. - 21 Michael B. - 20 ----------------------------------- Saturday, January 15, 2010 (South Regional Round 2) CMV1: We’re back here in the studio as we get set for day 2 action in Phoenix and Orlando. Now, Phoenix was booked for a different night event, so Phoenix will have their two Round 2 matches split between today and tomorrow. We’ve got the match of the weekend, though, in Austin vs. Steamboat coming up next. The Miz: There are few obstacles standing in the way of Austin vs. The Rock in the match I predicted would be for this region’s championship in a couple months and Rick Steamboat is one of them. I’ve been around this guy. I know this guy. Steamboat – in his prime – can beat anyone at any time. Daniel Bryan: To think that these two are meeting today. I cannot believe we’re seeing it. I don’t know if I could be more excited… CMV1: Well, let’s head to good Ole JR for the call… Phoenix, AZ Announcer: Howard Finkel Referee: Earl Hebner Commentators: Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross Match of the Week: 1 Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. 9 Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat Howard Finkel: Ladies and gentlemen, it is NOW time for the Road to Wrestlemania MATCH of the round for the south regional. Introducing first from Victoria, Texas…STONE COLD Steve Aust-in! (Austin comes out to a huge pop from the crowd. Austin enters the ring and waits) Finkel: And introducing his opponent, about to come down the aisle…from Honolulu, Hawaii…Ricky “THE DRA-GON” Steeeeam-boat. (The Dragon gets a solid pop from the audience, as well) Jim Ross: A tremendous ovation for Austin in Phoenix and a respectful one for Steamboat, as well. This is gonna be a classic, King… Jerry Lawler: Oh, this is gonna be huge….I can’t wait! Ross: Referee Earl Hebner has read them the riot act about this being a clean contest and now the bell has rung. A collar and elbow tie up with Steamboat grabbing a nice headlock. He’s got a good grip on it around Austin’s orbital bones. Lawler: That bald head covered in sweat makes it difficult to keep hold of a headlock. Ross: Austin tries to escape, but Steamboat holds on. Austin will have to try and withstand the frustration and be patient with such a cunning wrestler as Steamboat. Lawler: C’mon, JR, how’s he not going to get frustrated? ! He could spend all night in this headlock… Ross: Oh, Austin’s too resilient for that…and he escapes the hold and whips Steamboat into the ropes. Steamboat leap frogs him and hits the ropes again. Austin catches him in the Lou Thesz press! Lawler: Look at him wailing away, JR! Ross: This is the kind of match that you would think Austin came in with a game plan for; one that involved a lot brawling, keeping the Dragon away from what brought him to the table Lawler: This crowd is going crazy. They are really enjoying this already and it just started! Ross: Austin drops the elbow and now he backs Ricky into the corner. A stomp, another, and another and now Austin is in complete control. The Texas Rattlesnake is coiling to strike! Lawler: He goes for the Stunner! Ross: Steamboat caught his leg and just delivered a capturer suplex a-la Tazz Lawler: Tazz? The announcer Tazz? Ross: Yeah, you bet the announcer Tazz…one of the best deliverers of suplexes I’ve seen. Steamboat has gone right back to the headlock from earlier. Austin lifts him up and tries to escape, but the Dragon hangs on, rolls through, and maintains the headlock. Lawler: Austin is going to start making mistakes, soon. He’s getting frustrated more and more each time he’s in the hold. Ross: Probably some truth to that, King. The Dragon appears to be shifting gears. He’s just jumped up with his knees on Austin’s shoulders. He rolls forward and throws Austin across the ring with a leg scissor. Steamboat is picking up the pace. He throws Austin in the ropes and delivers a hard double knife edge chop. Lawler: I think Ricky is realizing he needs to put this away sooner than later Ross: We’ll, it’s going to take a lot more from Steamboat, with all due respect to that young man, than a knife edge chop. Lawler: Well, he’s going to the top rope Ross: A high risk here from the Dragon. He chops Austin hard across the forehead. Here’s our first cover of the match for a one, two…No! Austin got his shoulder up. Steamboat is immediately back on the attack with a series of chops. He scoops Austin up and slams him down to the mat. Lawler: Another risk coming… Ross: He’s back up on the top rope, as Austin staggers to his feet. He turns around. Steamboat leaps off the top rope with a diving cross body! Austin rolls through! Lawler: It’s over! NO! No! It isn’t! Ross: Austin clotheslines the Dragon and gets a much needed breather. Austin has lost a lot of steam here in the last few minutes. He needs to regroup and start over. Lawler: He’s got to do somethin’ Ross: He’s doing something, alright. Austin with a right hand. Another. He’s unloaded shots on Steamboat. A clothesline puts the Dragon on the ground and gives Austin full control. He tosses Steamboat into the corner. A boot to the chest. Another stomp. Austin is beating him like a scalded dog. Lawler: Now, what is Austin going to the ropes for? Doesn’t he know that Steamboat is on the ground and that you have to pin someone to win a wrestling match? Ross: Austin knows what he’s doing, but I agree I don’t think this is worth the risk. And there’s Steamboat catching up to him at the second rope. He looks like he may be going for the superplex – a move that’s put many of his opponents away over the years. Lawler: He’s got him hooked, JR! Ross: Yes he does and Oh Lord All Mighty Steamboat has just suplexed Austin off the top rope. Austin is grabbing his surgically repaired neck and writhing in pain. Steamboat with the cover. It could be over, here…One-Two-OH! Austin kicked out! Austin kicked out! Lawler: Austin’s got wherewithal in places that most people don’t have places. Ross: He’s one stubborn son of a bitch, that’s all I know. Lawler: What’s the Dragon gonna do now? Ross: Well, Austin may have wherewithal, but Steamboat is a master of his craft in that ring. If anyone can find a way, it’s Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. Lawler: This crowd is getting restless… Ross: Both are back to standing vertical bases. You can see that will to win in both of them. This is why we love this business, folks. It don’t get no bigger than this. Lawler: Not until round 3 Ross: Austin has begun his assault once again! Steamboat is trying to counter but this is not his game. Austin with a hard irish whip into the corner takes Steamboat off his feet on impact. Austin follows him and stomps away at his fallen body in the corner. Stomp after stomp! Austin tosses a double middle fingered salute his away and one more emphatic stomp! Lawler: Poor, Steamboat. You shouldn’t play with snakes… Ross: Austin lifts him up and drives him hard into the mat. What a devastating spine buster from Stone Cold. Austin goes for the cover. Two count! Two count for Austin Lawler: OH, and here we go…It’s time for the Stone Cold Stunner! Ross: Indeed, Austin is setting himself in position. Stalking, inching toward Steamboat. The Dragon gets to his feet and Austin kicks him the gut…He goes for the Stunner, but Steamboat pushes him into the ropes. Austin meets Steamboat and Steamboat quickly rolls him up! One! Two! OH MY GOD! He kicked out! Lawler: Stone Colds right back to his feet Ross: Austin goes for the Stunner again. A kick to the gut…Steamboat counters! A backslide! One! Two! A TWO count! Another near fall for Steamboat… Lawler: This match is amazing, JR! Ross: I think you’re right about that, King. And it ain’t over, yet. Austin is again back to his feet. He waits, patiently, for the Dragon to reach his feet. Steamboat is standing…he’s standing. Austin delivers the boot to the gut, grabs his head, and MY GOODNESS. Steamboat just countered the Stunner AGAIN! A neckbreaker from Ricky Steamboat. And now the Dragon has Austin by the arms and he’s wrenching them backwards. Lawler: C’mon, Ricky…this is stupid. Austin is not going to quit! Ross: He just might! Austin is in real trouble, here. Steamboat is digging his elbows into Austin’s spine while pulling his arms back into extension. A chicken wing, if you will. He made the great Ric Flair tap out to this move in the late 80’s. But LOOK AT Austin! Lawler: How in the world is getting out of this hold? I’ve never seen anyone escape this hold. It’s too hard! Ross: Austin is somehow standing still locked in the double chicken wing. He grabs hold of the referee, Earl Hebner. Hebner is trying to escape is clutches… Lawler: Low blow! Low blow! The ref didn’t see it. The hold is broken! Austin cheated! Ross: And there’s Austin now with the Stunner! He nails it! One! Two! Three! It’s over! It’s over! Stone Cold! Stone Cold! Stone Cold! Lawler: Take it easy, JR Ross: Oh what a hell of match that was, ladies and gentlemen. The Sports Entertainment 16 will be Austin 3:16…Austin is moving on to Houston, Texas in the Astrodome where he has great history. And I CAN-NOT wait to see that. We’ll see you soon, folks… -------------------------------------------- CMV1: That match could be written about one day… The Miz: Austin vs. Rock is just that much closer to happening. Can you feel that, Chad? Can you FEEL that, Daniel? That feels like electricity to me and that’s what’s going to be pulsing through Houston, Texas when those two meet in the Elite Eight. It’s going to HAPPEN! Daniel Bryan: Well, it may very well happen, but nights like tonight make you wonder. Austin will now meet the winner of Yokozuna vs. Ultimate Warrior in what could be a city shaking affair. The Miz: City shaking? Really? REAL-LY? CMV1: Let’s hand it over, now, to the Coach and Todd Pettingill in Orlando for Edge vs. Ted Dibiase… Orlando, FL Announcer: Mike Adamle Referee: Teddy Long Commentators: Jonathan Coachman and Todd Pettingill 3 Edge vs. 6 Million Dollar Man The Rated R Superstar came out with La Familia (Vickie, Chavo, Hawkins, and Ryder) to try and counter whatever the Million Dollar Man had up his sleeve. Dibiase came to the ring with Virgil only. When the match began, Edge and Dibiase went right into an athletic contest. Edge took control with a spinning heel kick, but you could tell right away that he was constantly looking over his shoulder. After Nexus attacked to help Dibiase into Round 2, not even Edge’s security at ringside seemed to put his mind at ease. Thus, Dibiase took advantage of the mental distraction. He worked over Edge’s knee and used a series of fist drops to gain complete momentum. Following a slingshot, Dibiase placed Edge onto the top rope and brought him down hard with a superplex. He did not earn the pin, but neither did he lose control. Staying on the offensive with another series of fist drops, the Million Dollar Man was poised to go for his finisher. However, when he went for the Million Dollar Dream, Edge whipped around and countered with an Impaler DDT. It took a good while for each of them to make it back to their feet. When they did, they traded blows in the center of the ring. Edge swung hard for a knockout blow, but Dibiase countered and synched in the Dream. Thinking on his feet quickly, Edge almost immediately countered out of Dibiase’s clutches. In a standing switch, Edge found himself behind Dibiase and planted him in the mat with the move once called the Edge O’Matic. 1…2…No! The multi-time former champion then got fired up with a series of clotheslines. A back drop and a drop kick followed before he scored again with the Impaler DDT. Instead of going for the cover, Edge backed into the corner opposite where Dibiase’s fallen body lay. It was, at that point, that Virgil came up to the apron. Chavo and Hawkins quickly jumped to action, carrying Virgil away from doing any harm. Edge turned his attention back to Dibiase. SPEAR! Edge went for the cover, but the referee was tending to the melee on the outside. In the midst of the outside scuffle, Chavo got knocked back into the ref. With the referee down, it didn’t take long for the Nexus to strike. They hit the ring from all angles, laying out the La Familia members as they feebly tried to fend off the attack. Edge was victim to Wade Barrett and Justin Gabriel. Barrett dropped him with Wasteland and Gabriel followed with the 450 Splash. They helped Dibiase get Edge in the Million Dollar Dream after he was already physically incapacitated. The Nexus scattered and vanished from ringside. When the ref came to, he got back in the ring and lifted Edge’s arm up. It fell once. He lifted the arm again. It fell twice. He lifted the arm again and the crowd gasped. But it fell thrice. Dibiase defeated Edge in 14:13. ------------------------------------ Friday January 14, 2011: South Regional Round 1 CMV1: We’re set for day 2 first round action in the South Regional. Let me set up a timeline for you. Hulk Hogan was winding down his dominant run. Ultimate Warrior – the #4 seed set to battle Rick Martel – was asked to pick up where Hogan left off and carry the company. He struggled to fill the huge shoes. The next guy they wanted to be the dominant champion was Yokozuna – the #5 seed that will soon face Paul Orndorff. Yokozuna struggled, as well. We have a potential second round match between these two on Sunday. Both with a chip on their shoulder; both trying to prove themselves once and for all. The Miz: Two underrated guys stand in their way, though. Orndorff main-evented the first Wrestlemania. Yokozuna has proved that he struggles against strong, technically sound wrestlers like Bret Hart and Steve Austin. Orndorff can get the job done. As for the Warrior – he’s too crazy for his own good. Martel can exploit that; maybe bring Arrogance into the equation. A little spray of that and we’ve got ourselves an even match! Daniel Bryan: I doubt we’re going to see a surprise here. Yokozuna vs. Warrior just has destiny written all over it. We’re supposed to see these two clash on Sunday… CMV1: Alright, well let’s head back to Phoenix for these two bouts… Phoenix, AZ Announcer: Howard Finkel Referee: Earl Hebner Commentators: Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross 4 Ultimate Warrior vs. 13 Rick “The Model” Martel What if you had almost no chance in the world of beating the man on the other side of the ring as you? Would you try to stall for as long as you could? If that didn’t work and your actions only served to enrage the crowd, getting them to egg on the person across the ring from you…what would you do then? Maybe challenge the man to a Blindfold Match? Unfortunately, that guy was Rick Martel and none of the above worked on the man across the ring – the Ultimate Warrior. His last ditch attempt was to grab his trusty old can of “Arrogance.” He sprayed Warrior in the eyes, but he no sold it in classic fashion. Warrior bounced off the ropes and blasted Martel with a clothesline. He followed it with another and another and another. He gave him a diving shoulder tackle, and then hoisted him up over his head. A press slam and a jumping body splash later and the Warrior had thoroughly annihilated the Model in a time of 3:59. 5 Yokozuna vs. 12 Paul Orndorff JR touted Mr. Wonderful’s strength as something to watch for, as the match got underway. Much like in the Lex Luger vs. Yokozuna matches from the mid-90’s, Orndorff tried to knock the big man off of his feet. It was to no avail, as Yoko dropped him with a pressing kick. He followed it up with a belly-to-belly suplex, then eventually tossed him into the corner and splashed him with his entire 500 pound frame. Orndorff collapsed to the mat. Yokozuna went to a corner where Mr. Fuji stood proudly by waving the Japanese flag and did one of his signature sumo rituals. Meanwhile, Mr. Wonderful began to stir and regain some energy. He got to his feet and noticed Yoko with his back turned. So, he climbed to the top rope in the opposite corner. Fuji signaled to Yoko to turn around. The former WWE Champion moved toward Orndorff. Paul flew off the top rope and caught him right between the eyes with an overhand chop to the face. It shook the sumo master, but did not drop him to the ground. So, Mr. Wonderful mustered up all the strength that JR had talked about prior to the match and scooped Yokozuna up and slammed him down to the mat. He made the cover for the one and the two, but not the three! Yokozuna kicked out. Orndorff apparently injured his back in picking up the mammoth. Yokozuna got back to a standing base and dropped Orndorff with another pressing kick. He then dragged him to Fuji’s corner and climbed to the second rope. “BANZAI!” Splash! One, two, three! Yokozuna pinned Orndorff at 8:57. ---------------------------------------- CMV1: Well, we’ve got one match for Sunday. What will the other be? Rock vs. Umaga and Diesel vs. Christian will give us that answer… The Miz: Daniel talks about Warrior vs. Yokozuna being destined to take place? Well, HE’S STUPID! There’s only one preordained clash set to take place in this tournament and that’s the renewal of the GREATEST rivalry in the HIS-TORY of this business: Rock vs. Austin… Daniel Bryan: I can name six guys who are hell bent on making that impossible by the end of the weekend. Don’t jinx your dream match, Miz. Be careful …I am really looking forward to these two matches. I am intrigued to see how they’ll play out… CMV1: Let’s find out…Justin Roberts has the introductions in Atlanta, Georgia! Atlanta, GA Announcer: Justin Roberts Referee: Tim White Commentators: Tony Schiavone and Eric Bischoff 7 Diesel vs. 10 Christian Big Daddy Cool seemed surprised, as the match got under way, that Christian was not intimidated by the difference in their sizes. In fact, Christian seemed inspired by the challenge and took to trying to chop the big man down closer to his size. He went after his legs, but Diesel thwarted his early attacks. Captain Charisma was able to dropkick Nash in the left knee, though, sending him crashing down across the second rope, throat-first. Christian stood on his back and used the top rope for leverage to choke Diesel until a count of five. He hopped over the top rope, landed on the floor, and gave him a hard shot right across the face. To the top rope he went, where he came flying off with a missile dropkick for a false finish. Christian tried to keep him grounded, but Nash made it back to his feet and caught him with a big boot. For the next few minutes, it was Big Sexy that maintained control, using a sidewalk slam and a series of elbow smashes in the corner. Christian showed his resilience in fighting back and introducing Nash’s face to the mat with a tornado DDT, earning him another near fall. Following with an attempted Killswitch proved unsuccessful, as Diesel powered out, shoved him against the ropes, and then clotheslined him to the outside. Nash retrieved him and tossed him back into the ring. While climbing up to the apron, he started heckling with some fans at ringside. Christian, meanwhile, made it back to his feet and caught Diesel unaware when he snapped his throat across the top rope. Diesel just hung there doubled over across the rope until Christian used all his strength to pull him forward just enough to put him in position for the Killswitch – with his legs on the top rope. Christian dropped all his weight downward and sent Nash’s head slamming hard and unprotected on the mat. Somehow, some way, Christian shocked the crowd and pinned Diesel at 7:40. 2 The Rock vs. 15 Umaga Finally, the “Jabroni beating, pie eating, trailblazing, eyebrow raising; master composer set to drop his opposer and whoop the ‘Samoan Bulldozer’…The People’s Champ, THE ROCK” has come back in some way, shape, or form to Wrestlemania. Yet, while it didn’t matter what his name was, Umaga dominated the early part of the match. He showed no remorse in smashing the Rock’s skull repeatedly into the turnbuckle and then slamming his fat candy ass right into the Rock’s face. Supported by that piece of monkey crap, Armando Alejandro Estrada, Umaga really took it to the Rock. He caught him on his shoulders and slammed him hard to the mat with a Samoan Drop, proceeded to give him a pressing kick that landed the People’s back right onto the People’s canvas, and finally made his way to the top rope looking for a devastating splash. The Rock, however, moved out of the way at the last possible second. He rolled around on the mat and then kipped up like only the Rock can. He shot Umaga the People’s Eyebrow. He blew a kiss to some girl in the front row using the People’s Lips. And then, he proceeded to whoop Umaga’s fat carcass all over the ring. As if to remind the Bulldozer that he was going ONE (pause) ON ONE (pause) with the GREAT ONE, The Rock flattened him with a diving clothesline. “Just Bring It” he signaled to Armando on the outside before planting The Rock’s foot into Umaga’s round belly. The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment did not stop there. NO! He did NOT stop there! He turned his boot sideways, spit shined it real nice, and stuck it straight onto that roody poo’s ass. Umaga tried to make a comeback, but The Rock picked him up and put him down with a spinebuster. He then looked out across the crowd, peered into the camera, and signaled to the MILLIONS…and millions of Rock’s fans chanting his name live or at home by taking off his elbow pad. He ran to one rope and then to the other before driving The People’s Elbow right into Umaga’s chest. A three count later and everyone round the world could SMMMEEELLLLL…WHAT THE ROCK…WAS COOKIN’! (at 8:01) -------------------------------------- Thursday, January 13, 2011: South Regional Round 1 CMV1: Welcome back to the Road to Wrestlemania; this is the fantasy tournament pitting the greatest in Wrestlemania lure against each other IN THEIR PRIME and at their best. We’ve already seen the likes of Brock Lesnar lose to Triple H in a match no one ever thought they’d see. We saw Rey Mysterio go toe-to-toe with Sgt. Slaughter. We even saw the original Mr. Wrestlemania, Macho Man Randy Savage, in a dream match against Chris Jericho. And now we turn our attention to the South Regional. Steve Austin is the #1 seed; The Rock #2…everyone is expecting a Rock vs. Austin 4. Guys, who do you think can derail that rivalry renewal? The Miz: HERE WE GO! Why are we talking about this!? Rock vs. Austin is HAP-PEN-NING! There’s no stopping it! Let’s move onto the next question… CMV1: Daniel? Any analysis? Daniel Bryan: You’ll have to excuse my colleague, The Miz. He has woken up on the wrong side of the bed a few too many mornings…and I think there are a few guys that derail the dream of Austin-Rock 4. You’ve got Edge as the #3 seed. He is a resilient, Wrestlemania main-event tested superstar. You’ve also got the Ultimate Warrior and the Million Dollar Man…and don’t forget about Diesel potentially standing in the Rock’s way in Round 2. This is by no means a done deal. The Miz: YES…IT…IS…leave it alone! CMV1: Well, Steve Austin is going to kick off the action today, as he takes on Shelton Benjamin – star of many a Money in the Bank ladder match. Let’s head out to the site of Wrestlemania 26…Phoenix, Arizona… Phoenix, AZ Announcer: Howard Finkel Referee: Earl Hebner Commentators: Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross 1 Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. 16 Shelton Benjamin From the moment the glass shattered, you could tell that Austin was the pre-eminent favorite to win the entire tournament – at least according to the Phoenix crowd. Fueled by the energy of the audience, Austin unleashed a series of right hands that stymied the talented and athletic Benjamin. For awhile, it appeared that it was going to be a quick, easy victory for the Hall of Famer, but Shelton showed why so many thought so highly of him back in the day. A dragon whip leg lariat surprised Stone Cold and gave Shelton the opening he needed to get in some offense. He knocked Austin out of the ring and then flew over the top rope with a diving somersault plancha, but Stone Cold moved out of the way. Crash and burn for Benjamin could have given Austin the count out win, yet that wasn’t good enough. Austin dragged him back into the ring and wore him down with more strong right handed shots. Shelton tried to get back into it, but Austin caught him with a Thesz press and more punches. Stone Cold proceeded to the second rope and gave the fallen Shelton below a middle fingered salute. Before he could launch off the ropes, though, Benjamin leaped to his feet and then jumped up to the second rope. Using his momentum, Shelton caught Austin by the head, lurched backward and planted him with the Paydirt. The move very nearly put Austin away, but the resilient icon kicked out! Shelton went to the outside prepared himself for a springboard move off the ropes. He hopped up to the top, sprung himself forward, and flew toward the now standing Rattlesnake. Austin, though, kicked him in the gut, which stifled Benjamin enough to give Stone Cold the chance he needed to connect with the Stunner and win the match at 10:45. 8 John Bradshaw Layfield vs. 9 Ricky Steamboat An interesting contrast in styles is what the announcers rightly called this bout and it showed right away. JBL tried to use his power, but Steamboat wanted it to be all about quickness and a fast pace. For that reason, it was a little bit awkward between the two for about the first three-minutes. At that point, Steamboat grabbed a minute-long headlock that served to frustrate the snobbish Texan/New Yorker. A drop toehold and a series of arm drags later and JBL was heading up the ramp, cursing under his breath. Jim Ross, on commentary, seemed like he was in Heaven calling a Steamboat match again. Back in the ring, Steamboat grappled the big man to the mat again and used a head scissor to further fluster his opponent. JBL eventually got to the ropes and got back to his feet. Steamboat tried to keep pouring on the offense, but JBL caught him with a thumb to the eye and began whipping the Dragon like a government mule. A hard clothesline and a standing spinebuster later and Layfield was in complete control of the match. He finally was able to employ his power game, wearing down the Dragon and trying to draw the match closer to its finish. He gave Steamboat a powerbomb for a near fall. Again showing frustration, JBL placed him on the top rope and climbed up after him. He went to pick him up into position for a presumed attempt at a fall away slam from the second rope, but Steamboat recovered and knocked JBL back to the mat. The Dragon then flew off the top rope and caught Layfield with a flying cross body block for a near fall of his own. A series of chops followed, angering Bradshaw to the point that he swung hard and missed a clothesline, allowing Steamboat to pull him down from behind into a pinning predicament. Another near fall! The Dragon then successfully caught him with an Oklahoma Roll. Again, a near fall! Quickly, Ricky scored with a Mahistrole cradle combo. Yet another near fall! Exhausted, JBL struggled back to his feet and stumbled to the corner. Steamboat flew in the air toward him, but JBL moved and threw all his momentum toward the opposite rope, bounced off, and swung hard looking to connect with the Clothesline From Hell. The Dragon ducked and caught Bradshaw turning around with another arm drag. JBL got back to his feet and Steamboat roared toward him again with a full head of steam. Bradshaw countered this time, catching him in mid-air and gearing up for a fall away slam. Yet, when he began his movement into the maneuver, The Dragon countered into a roll-up. One, two, and three at the mark of 12:12. ----------------------------------------- CMV1: Stone Cold vs. The Dragon in Round 2 on Saturday. Yes please! The Miz: I’ve watched those guys since I was kid. Austin is FAR SUPERIOR! No one in this tournament can beat STONE COLD! Daniel Bryan: You have to love the objectivity of my broadcast amigo, here! The Dragon has beaten some of the best ever in this business…even Steve Austin himself for the WCW Television Championship. Austin better be careful. CMV1: Well, coming up next we’ll see Edge in action against Devon Dudley in Orlando, to immediately be followed by the match of the round for the South Regional: Ted Dibiase vs. Bam Bam Bigelow. Orlando, FL Announcer: Mike Adamle Referee: Teddy Long Commentators: Jonathan Coachman and Todd Pettingill 3 Edge vs. 14 Devon Dudley A Wrestlemania rivalry was renewed, this time without a ladder. The Rated R Superstar decided not to come alone. “EXCUSE ME!!!” Vickie Guerrero, Chavo, and the Edgeheads were with Edge as he made his entrance. Devon looked surprised, but instead of waiting around to be fooled with by the group formerly known as La Familia, Dudley attacked the group with a chair before the match. He pulled out a table and gave Chavo a single man flapjack through it. Devon tossed Edge into the ring and the match officially got under way. He wailed away on Edge and gave him a spinning back elbow. Following a body slam, Devon went to the top rope and went for a diving headbutt. Edge moved out of the way, though, and checked on his cohorts to see how they were recovering. Turning his attention back toward Devon, Edge kicked him in the gut and picked him up for a back drop. He signaled that was going to put it away and backed into the corner. The crowd chanted “Spear!” Edge ran toward the rising Devon and lunged forward shoulder-first. Dudley moved out of the way! Devon was fired up at that point and threw Edge into the ring post. Instead of keeping on the offensive, though, he went to the outside and snatched another table. He pushed it into the ring, despite Teddy Long’s plea against it. Devon proceeded to set up the table in the corner of the ring and lay Edge against it. He backed up into the opposite corner and took off like a bat out of hell in Edge’s direction. At the last second, Zack Ryder pulled Edge by the foot out of the way. Devon crashed through the table! Edge staggered about the ring, finally finding his place in the corner opposite of the wreckage. Once Devon finally made it back to his feet, Edge gave him a spear and pinned him for the win at 9:30. Edge and La Familia celebrated to anything but the delight of the crowd. Match of the Week: 6 The Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase vs. 11 Bam Bam Bigelow Mike Adamle: The following contest is scheduled for two falls and it is the first round match out in the Midwest Regional. Introducing first from Palm Beach, Florida, he is the Million Dollar Man Fred DI-BI-ASSSS-E… Todd Pettingil: Just to clarify, our colleague, Mike Adamle, meant to say that this was a one fall match up and that Ted Dibiase is the first man out from the locker room to compete in it. Jonathan Coachman: Where did we come up with this guy? Stinger: If I had a nickle for everytime Adamle messed up a sentence, I too would be a Million Dollar Man like Mr. DiBiase. Todd: Please welcome our guest commentator for this week’s match of the week. He is none other than the creator of LOP Magazine and long-time professional wrestling columnist, The Stinger. Stinger: Thanks for having me out here gentlemen for what should be an excellent first round match between the Million Dollar Man and one of my favorites to win the entire tournament, the Beast From the East, Bam Bam Bigelow. Adamle: And introducing his opponent…from Asbury Park, New Jersey, BAM-BAM RIIIIGGGGG-ELOW! Coach: God, this guy is a moron! He can’t even talk! Todd: Un-believable! (Bam Bam enters the ring and goes right toward Adamle). Holy cow, Bigelow just clobbered Mike Adamle! Coach: Yes! Todd: Ladies and gentlemen, Bam Bam just splashed the life out of our ring announcer. Frankly, I can’t say I’m disappointed. Stinger: Get the medics out here, Adamle is having convulsions out here. And that's why you have to love the Beast; he's all about destroying whoever is in his path. (All three commentators stand up and clap. The crowd chants “Bam Bam” in appreciation) Ted Dibiase (w/ microphone): Excuse me, people, excuse me for a moment. Listen, Bam Bam…about this match we’re supposed to have. You see, I know you. We have a history. I helped get you to the Wrestlemania main-event – the pinnacle of your career. You remember that? The Million Dollar Corporation? Well, speaking of dollars, I have a proposition for you. (He pulls out a wad of $100 bills – the crowd boos). How about instead of getting your hands dirty, you name your price? (He hands the bills to Bam Bam). Todd: He’s trying to buy this match. Well, isn’t that typical? Coach: I think it’s a genius move, personally… Dibiase (as Bam Bam studies the money in his hand): So, do we have a deal? (Bigelow proceeds to turn his back on Dibiase and start throwing hundreds into the crowd, as a chorus of cheers rained down upon him) Todd: You have to admire the big man for doing the right thing… Coach: The right thing is costing him a lot of money… Stinger: Yeah Coach, but DiBiase's money is dirty money and Bigelow's been down that road before and knows where it ends. Good choice by the big man. Todd (as Dibiase sneak attacks Bigelow from behind): Dibiase didn’t get his way so he decides to cheat. Typical! But look at Bam Bam, fighting back quickly and easily. He picks up the Million Dollar Man and presses him high above his head. Ouch! He drops him hard onto his back. Coach: He follows up with a headbutt. That man must have a very hard head. Dibiase looks like he just got shot. Todd: Dibiase is in no man’s land. Bigelow with a clothesline…and another…and another. Coach: I don’t think he knows where he is, but I do think he knows where he shouldn’t be right now…and that’s in that ring. Todd: What? Coach: Dibiase is heading out of the ring and to the back (the crowd boos heavily). Todd: Teddy Long is up to a count seven…eight…nine… Coach: He just makes it back into the ring! But Bigelow is there waiting for him. Todd: Dibiase catches Bam Bam’s leg as the big man is trying to kick him in the gut. Ted is laughing! Coach: Not anymore he isn’t. Bigelow just blasted him with an enziguiri! Stinger: Big mistake by DiBiase. He's a student of the game and has Bigelow well scouted, he should have known Bam Bam was agile enough to pull off that enziguiri. Todd: He picks him up and leans against the turnbuckle in the corner. He backs up the opposite corner. There’s the famous Bam Bam cartwheels! What agility for a man of his size! He goes for a splash, but Dibiase moves out of the way! Coach: See that’s how you outsmart a man! Dibiase may be smaller, but he’s way smarter! Way smarter! And now the master technician goes to work. There’s a fist drop. Todd: He drops the fist again. He’s got to keep Bam Bam on the mat to stand a chance of getting back into this match. Dibiase climbs to the second rope….he falls back and drops a hard elbow into the big man’s chest. Coach: And now he’s going to work on his legs. Spinning toehold is locked in. And now he’s switching over to the Figure Four. Woooo! Stinger: Nice wrestling by DiBiase and the big man is in trouble. Bigelow needs to get to the ropes or roll over to reverse the pressure back onto DiBiase. Todd: Bam Bam’s legs are so big. I’m surprised he was able to effectively lock it in, but he did. Bigelow gets to the ropes, though, and Dibiase has got be thinking “What do I have to do?” Coach: No Ted! Don’t let him get back to his feet! Why’d you let him get back to his feet!? Todd: Dibiase tries to scoop him up for a slam, but he can’t even budge him. Bam Bam seems almost amused by this. Dibiase tries to put him in position for a piledriver, but Bam Bam isn’t moving a muscle. Coach: Bigelow flips him up end over end and down onto his back. (Dibiase scampers out to the apron). Hey that’s a great idea, Ted! Get out of there and regroup. New strategy; new strategy! Todd: It would appear that the Million Dollar Man has something up his sleeve, as he’s waving toward the locker room and calling out for somebody to “get out here!” Bam Bam isn’t going to wait around, though. He grabs Dibiase and suplexes him back into the ring. Coach: Hey! There’s Sensational Sherri! (Sherri hops up onto the apron and tries to get Teddy Long’s attention) Stinger: Is Luna Vachon in the building? Get her out here! Todd: Teddy is trying to get her out of here, but look at her! What is she doing here! Coach: She’s here to help Dibiase you idiot! Todd: Well, she’s not helping much. She’s just been sent to the back! Coach: Get out of there, Ted! Counter! Do something! Todd: My goodness; Ted Dibiase has just been powerbombed right in the center of the ring. It’s all but over. (A young lady runs down to the ring and jumps up on the apron) Todd: What now? Who is this? Coach: That’s Kristal Marshall. I love her. Todd: Well, Teddy Long is trying to deal with her, now, instead of counting down Dibiase for the three count. This match should be over! Coach: Oh my God! She just opened her blouse for Teddy Long! What I wouldn’t give to be that man right now! Stinger: Luna, stay in the back... Teddy, get the hell outta the way man! Todd: Come on! Bam Bam had this match won! He’s not happy. He’s picking up Dibiase and I would not want to be the object of that man’s anger. (A group of wrestlers run down to the ring and jump Bam Bam) Todd: We’ve lost complete control of this match, folks! A group of men wearing black shirts with a yellow “N” on the front of them have just attacked Bam Bam Bigelow, while our referee is completely distracted by a busty young woman. Coach: That’s the Nexus! Wade Barrett, Justin Gabriel, Heath Slater, David Otunga, and Husky Harris! Todd: Well, whatever their names are, they’ve picked apart Bam Bam and now they’re fleeing the scene of their crime. Coach: What crime? Todd: Are you kidding me? Stinger: I don't approve of it, but it's a smart expenditure on the part of DiBiase to hire the most dominant force on Monday night's to aid him in this important match up. Coach: Kristal is allowing Teddy to come up for air. Dibiase is crawling over to Bam Bam! Todd: No! Not like this! Stinger: There's the three. Bigelow has been screwed by the man who used money to buy help and sex to distract an official. There's a lesson there kiddies, and it's not about eating your vitamins or saying your prayers. Coach: Yes! Dibiase moves on! He’s going to Round 2! Ha! Todd: I cannot believe it! Well, I guess I can believe it! But I don’t want to believe it! Coach: Hey, look at this! Todd: Dibiase is on the entrance ramp and those black shirted men – the Nexus – and that Kristal Marshall are joining him and Sensational Sherri. He just gave them each a brief case! The Million Dollar Man may have just bought this tournament, folks! Stinger: That's a hell of an alliance guys. That man has to be considered the new favorite, and you have to wonder what surprises he may have up his sleeve for round two. Remember, every man and woman has their price, and there's a locker-room full of superstars and divas back there who may have already been bought by the Million Dollar Man.
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