Why haven’t you gotten HDNet yet?  You’re missing Ring of Honor!!!  I’ll fill you in, don’t worry.  Here’s what happened:

Video Package: Tyler Black vs. Roderick Strong in the main event from last week, and ROH World Champion, Austin Aries gets involved.

Jim Cornette is in the ring and he introduces Tyler Black to the crowd.  Cornette tells him to stay focused on his ROH World Title match this Saturday, and asks for his thoughts.

• Black rants a bit about how Aries was sitting ringside for his match last week and how he super kicked him.  He didn’t realize that Aries was a direct result in the outcome of the match last week.  Black swears that he’ll become the NEW ROH World Champion.
• Roderick Strong comes out to the ring and grabs the mic from Cornette.   “You didn’t beat me, Austin Aries beat me.  I told you that I’m going to be straight up, and that I’m going to judge the match for the best man… if it wasn’t for me running into Aries, you wouldn’t have beat me!”
• Black’s a little frustrated with this notion, but comes to grips and admits that he didn’t beat Strong last week… “but when I’m champion, you will NEVER beat me!”

Bobby Dempsey & Alex Payne vs. Steve Corino & Kevin Steen
WINNERS: Corino & Steen via referee stoppage after Steen locked the Sharpshooter on Payne

Backstage: Kyle Durdan is with the American Wolves who comment on being the fan pick to who is going to face the Young Bucks tonight.  They thought the fans liked the Bucks… Obviously not because they chose them to get destroyed by the Wolves.

Dark City Fight Club vs. Bravado Brothers
WINNERS: DCFC via pin fall after hitting Project Mayhem (combo Power Bomb/Neckbreaker) in a total squash

• After match, Kyle Durden gets DCFC’s reaction to the fan pick.  They’re pissed and are going to take it out on the whole tag team division.

Video Package: Last week, Eddie Kingston gets jumped by Erick Stevens & Joey Ryan.

Video Package: Prince Nana talks about his past from Ghana, and what The Embassy stands for.

In the ring, Kyle Durdan is with ROH World Champion, Austin Aries, and his buddy, Kenny King. Durden asks about this Saturday’s match for Aries against Tyler Black.  Aries shows his fat lip and a messed up shirt from last week’s altercation with Black.  “The things that happened last week reeks of desperation… The first time around, maybe people didn’t like my strategy, but it got the job done!  I don’t wrestle for the people, I wrestle to keep this belt on my shoulder.”

• Aries then makes a crack about a woman at the last PPV who was excited with what he’s packing compared to Tyler Black, and Black tries to run into the ring, but is stopped by wrestlers, referees, and security.

Main Event – Fan Pick
Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson) vs. American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards) with Shane Hagadorn
WINNERS: Young Bucks via jack knife pin fall from Matt Jackson on Davey Richards

• Before the match starts, the Briscoe Bros. come out and up the ante.  They say, whoever wins the match gets a title shot.

QUICK THOUGHTS:

Main event of the night could possibly be the match of the year so far for 2010.  Great back and forth match up with a ton of near falls and desperation saves.  Glad to see the Bucks pull out the upset, but not sure if that means they’ll get the titles considering they now are on the TNA roster as Generation Me… we’ll see how things shake down.  I have to say, that even though we had essentially two squash matches early in the broadcast, this main event made up for it big time!  This match was approximately twenty minutes long, and seriously there was no stop in the action from bell to bell!

I’ll try to get all the information from Saturday’s ROH show to you after the results go live.  I’m hoping that Tyler Black finally gets his due and takes the ROH Title from Austin Aries.

Yes, I am writing a blog while I’m watching the Super Bowl!  I just didn’t want to let a day go by with no post.  Here’s what I’ve got for you:

Lillian Garcia former RAW announcer posed for a marriage equality campaign called N0 H8, see the photo below:

Lillian Garcia poses for marriage equality in California

Former WCW and WWE referee, Nick Patrick, is back in pro wrestling.  He’s the acting commissioner of Rampage Pro Wrestling based in Georgia.  (www.rampageprowrestling.net)

The Honky Tonk Man clarified the rumor about him going to TNA.  He’s NOT going to TNA, but he IS in talks with Jeff Jarrett about a TNA Legends deal so that they can work with Jakks Pacific to make merchandise.

Lastly for today, if you haven’t heard about the announcement that ECW is going off the air, let me tell you that ECW is going off the air.  In it’s place, it’s been announced that WWE NXT will debut on Tues. February 23 on SyFy.  It’s probably going to be the same product, but just a new look and feel.

After a returning Edge won the Royal Rumble, what would his first night back on Smackdown be like?  Here’s what happened last night:

Chris Jericho comes to the ring, “tonight was supposed to be my night… the main event of WrestleMania was taken away from me by one man, Edge, who returned unannounced.  Edge is a con-artist.  He’s the same man who has no heart or passion.  Who left me alone to fend for myself… and now Teddy Long says I have to qualify for the Elimination Chamber…?”

• Jericho calls out Teddy Long, but when he doesn’t come to the ring, Jericho wanders backstage till he finds his office.  He enters, but finds Edge sitting at Long’s desk.  Edge tells him, “You’re the reason I’m back, you lit the fire, so thank you!”
• Jericho responds, “You’re going to regret coming back,” and Edge snaps back, “NO!  You’re going to regret me coming back!”

Video Package: Look at “Satan’s Structure” aka The Elimination Chamber.

Triple Threat – Elimination Chamber Qualifier
John Morrison vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Kane
WINNER: John Morrison via pin fall after hitting Star Ship Pain on Kane

Elimination Chamber Qualifier
R-Truth vs. Mike Knox
WINNER: R-Truth via pin fall after hitting the Lie Detector (Flippy punch thing)

Video Package: Look back at what happened on RAW with Bret Hart, Vince McMahon & Batista.  Exclusive footage is show from after RAW went off the air when John Cena came to the aid of Bret Hart and got destroyed by Batista because of it.

Backstage: Straightedge Society watching the video package on a monitor.  CM Punk says to his followers, “You both realize that without your leader there is no Straightedge Society, right?  I say that because I have to get into the ring with Batista.  I need to know what you’re willing to do to protect me…”

• Serena responds, “anything!”  Luke Gallows replies, “I’d stick my head in the fire to preserve my salvation.”

Elimination Chamber Qualifier
Batista vs. CM Punk with Gallows & Serena
WINNER: CM Punk via count out

• After the opening bell rang, Batista refused to make contact, and then took a walk.

Backstage: Matt Hardy walking towards the ring sees Maria and compliments her on being on the Celebrity Apprentice.

Elimination Chamber Qualifier
Matt Hardy vs. Chris Jericho
WINNER: Chris Jericho via pin fall after hitting the Code Breaker

The NEW Women’s Champion, Mickie James comes to the ring, “Ever since I was traded to SD!, Layla & Michelle McCool have tried to make jokes at me and they did hurt, but being real is what a true champion is all about…”

• Interrupted by “The Glamazon” Beth Phoenix, “while you were celebrating your victory over two little girls, I made history competing in the Royal Rumble against 29 grown men… I’m proud of you, but Mickie, don’t think for one second I won’t take that title from you anytime, any place I want!”
• Vickie Guerrero comes out to the ramp, “Sorry but this is not happening… How about both of you facing McCool & Layla in a tag team match?”

Beth Phoenix & Mickie James vs. Michelle McCool & Layla
WINNERS: Beth Phoenix & Mickie James via small package pin fall by Mickie on Layla

• Mid match, Beth clocked Mickie in the face and walked out.

Cryme Tyme had their Word Up segment.  The word of the day was “King.”  Jerry Lawler made a special appearance.

Elimination Chamber Qualifier
Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler
WINNER: Rey Mysterio via roll up pin fall

“The Rated R Superstar,” Edge comes to the ring  for his talk segment, The Cutting Edge.  He starts off by saying, “He’s happy to be home” while looking like he’s fighting back emotions.  Edge shows a video from RAW of him making a fool out of the WWE Champion, Sheamus, and then he’s interrupted by Chris Jericho.

• Y2J says, “Well I was waiting for my moment and you took it away from me… I deserved to win the Rumble!
• Edge responds, “One reason why you didn’t deserve to win, I threw you out of the Rumble… You’re not the face of Smackdown anymore… For the last six months I had to listen to you say you’re the best in the world and I’m sick of it!”
• CM Punk and the Straightedge Society interrupt.  Punk says, “You two look like junkies arguing over who’s going to get the last fix… it’s about The Undertaker…”  Punk then goes on a rant about his accolades against Taker and what he’s done for the WWE Universe by “saving them.”
• Lights out/lights on.  Taker is in the ring.  He takes out Punk and Gallows.  Edge takes out Jericho.  They glare at each other as the broadcast goes off the air.

QUICK THOUGHTS:

I think tonight was a good show.  Just enough talking to get stories across, but not too much where it was boring.  There were six matches in total, and really only two weren’t more than five minutes.

The walk out angle in the Batista match was interesting.  If you’ve seen the shows or read this blog, you’ll know that it’s been Batista’s mission to regain the World Title over the past few months.  That was the whole heel turn, destroying his friendship with Mysterio, and gunning for The Undertaker.  Now, it’s almost as if he’s shifted his goals with this count out.  The exclusive footage from after RAW went off the air was the clue.  His forgoing the chance at the title clears his schedule for the Elimination Chamber to screw over John Cena leading up to a showdown at WrestleMania.  That’s at least how I’m reading into it.

I was a little upset that they didn’t make R-Truth’s opponent for the qualifier a little tougher.  Mike Knox is no push over, but he has been jobbing lately with Charlie Haas on Superstars.  I wish they would’ve forgone the triple threat match and put him against either Kane or McIntyre.  He would’ve looked strong going into it and not look like he got a lucky hand dealt his way.

This week’s Impact kicked off with a look back at last week.  Would Mick Foley snap on Eric Bischoff and if Hulk Hogan responsible for the attack on Kurt Angle?  Here’s what went down last night:

8 Card Stud Tournament Qualifier
Brutus Magnus vs. Mr. Anderson
WINNER: Mr. Anderson via pin fall after hitting the Mic Check

Backstage: Mick Foley arrives to the Impact Zone in his POS car.

Backstage: Christy Hemme talks with Kurt Angle who’s pissed off about what went down last week.  He doesn’t know how Hulk could let his jackals, Scott Hall & Pac aka Sean Waltman, attack him from behind.  He sends out a word of warning, “prepare for a visit from me tonight!”

Eric Bischoff comes to the ring, “last week, Hulk made it clear that Mick Foley had to be on the same page as me… Foley made it clear that he doesn’t want to work for me.”

• Foley interrupts, “My reputation is that something’s wrong up here (points to his head)… I like just about everyone, but you (Bischoff) are the exception.  You’re the polar opposite of me and everything I believe in!”  Has more disparaging words about how Bischoff got his break in the business.  “How dare you try to control people’s lives!  You know how many hats Jeremy Borash wears around here…?  It shows that you don’t care!”
• “What’s unfortunate, is that since we can’t be on the same page, I’m going to turn the page for you…” said Bischoff.
• Foley responds, “Power should be limited to those who aren’t in love with it!  You haven’t learned a thing since WCW!”
• Bischoff then makes a No DQ match for Foley against Kevin Nash.

Backstage: Abyss and Jeremy Borash are watching the statement on the monitor.  Abyss is freaking out, and JB says that he’s just here to get his check.  He tells Abyss directly, “I used to work with Eric Bischoff.  When he’s around, nothing’s going to be okay!”

Backstage: Christy Hemme with Tara who has to defend her TNA Knockout’s Title tonight against Angelina Love.  Tara says, “Love seems to be a different person, but I’m sure she has her eyes on the prize… I hope you’re ready for me!”

World Tag Team Title Match
Team 3D (Brother Ray & Brother Devon) vs. Matt Morgan & Hernandez (Champions)
WINNERS: Morgan/Hernandez via pin fall after Morgan hit the Carbon Footprint on Brother Ray.

• Nasty Boys ran in and distracted Team 3D just enough to cost them the match.
• After the match, Brian Knobbs & Jerry Sags, attack 3D, but the Champions come back and clear the ring.

Jesse Neal vs. Samoa Joe
WINNER: Samoa Joe via pin fall after hitting the Muscle Buster

Backstage: Christy Hemme tracks down Hulk Hogan who doesn’t know about what Kurt said in the ring about the attack.  When Christy fills him in, he’s a little disgusted and says, “I’m not hard to find.”

“Pope” D’Angelo Dinero vs. AJ Styles with Ric Flair (Non-Title Match)
WINNER: Pope via small package pin fall

• After match, Styles & Flair beat down Pope… Samoa Joe comes in to attack AJ.  Back and forth for a little bit, and the Champ and Flair bail out.
• Flair grabs a mic, “You ought to know better (points to Joe).”
• Joe grabs a mic to respond, “AJ Styles, you’re an unrepentant scumbag!  You were always a warrior, a man, and a champion!  You gave it all up for and over priced suit and some of his (Flair’s) wholesale hookers!  I need to remind you how to be a man and a champion!  At Against All Odds, I’m cashing in my title shot!”

Backstage: Christy Hemme with Angelina Love.  She’s aware that The Beautiful People are going to try to get involved in her title match tonight with Tara.  However, she says, “success is the best revenge, and I’m awesome at revenge!”

Backstage: Kevin Nash and Eric Young are talking when Eric Bischoff walks in and asks for a moment with Kevin.  EY leaves.

• Bischoff says that “he needs Nash to go out to the ring and destroy Foley in a No DQ match.”
• Nash says, “that sounds like a favor to me… you know Pac and Hall don’t have contracts still…”
• Bischoff replies, “Those guys are screw ups!  They wanted to play their own tune… if you like it, you can play it too, or you can destroy Foley for me!”

Backstage: Christy Hemme is with Mick Foley who responds to the No DQ match tonight, “I was told to either fall in line, or to lace them up… I got another pair of athletic shoes under my Christmas tree this year!”

• Abyss interrupts the interview, frantic about his job.  Mick makes him promise to not come out to the ring tonight whatsoever happens.

8 Card Stud Tournament Qualifier
Kurt Angle vs. Tomko
WINNER: Kurt Angle via submission to the Ankle Lock

Video Package: Clips/Photos from TNA’s European Tour

Video Package: History of Mick Foley and Kevin Nash leading up to Hulk Hogan’s arrival.

Backstage: Kevin Nash enters Hogan’s office and let’s Hulk know about the talk with Bischoff, and then asks again about Waltman and Hall.

• Hogan responds to Nash by telling him to distance himself from those two.

Video Package: What happened to Angelina Love when she left?  What happened between her and the Beautiful People when she got back to TNA?

TNA Knockout’s Title Match
Angelina Love vs. Tara (Champion)
WINNER: Tara via counter to a roll up to get the victory

• After the match, the Beautiful People attack Angelina, and Tara helps her to fend them off.

Backstage: Scott Hall and Sean Waltman are lurking around the parking lot.

Backstage: Kurt Angle busts into Hulk Hogan’s office and demands an explanation for last week’s attack from Hall/Waltman.

• Hogan responds, “You think I wouldn’t give them a contract to wrestle, then hire them to do my dirty work?  You’re temper is the problem here…”
• Kurt replies, “I’m worried about your agenda.  I’ve heard horror stories… consider this your last warning!”

No DQ Match
Mick Foley vs. Kevin Nash
WINNER: Kevin Nash via pin fall after Foley hesitated to hit Nash with a photo frame… the photo in it, was a caricature of Mick and Abyss.

• After the match, Hall and Waltman come from the crowd and jump the rail.  They get into the ring and attack both Kevin Nash and Mick Foley.

QUICK THOUGHTS:

The end of the night I didn’t see coming.  Why would Hall and Waltman attack Nash?  He’s been the ONLY person fighting for them from within the company, they have no real reason to attack him.  The No DQ match was really, really tame, and slightly disappointing for a Mick Foley match.

It was good to see Samoa Joe on the show tonight.  He absolutely destroyed Jesse Neal!  The best part is that they’re actually pushing the title match between him and AJ Styles.  Glad they went the route they did with Joe telling AJ flat out that he’s a scumbag!  Also, when was the last time you heard someone say hooker on television?  That line from Joe was classic!  I was also shocked to see that Pope got an upset win against AJ.  Maybe that’s a sign that they’re high on Pope and he might be getting a push soon…?

I saw the Nasty Boys’ run in before the Tag Team Title match even started.  There’s NO WAY that Morgan/Hernandez would lose the titles this soon to Team 3D, and considering the rivalry that’s recently started between the “old guys” and one of the best tag teams of all time, I knew this distraction would occur.

I can’t stand a very demure Kurt Angle, so I’m really loving this fire we’re seeing in his interview and backstage segments.  When he was all respectful to AJ, Joe, or whoever, it just sort of seemed corny and boring to me.  I like seeing Kurt Angle flip that switch and go from mild mannered dude to psychopath who’ll snap your leg in half!  The story line may not be the greatest, but when Kurt’s on the screen and he’s pissed you can bet your ass I’m paying attention.

WWE’s Thursday night offering went down a little something like this:

Kelly Kelly & Eve Torres vs. Alicia Fox & Katie Lea Burchill
WINNERS: Alicia Fox & Katie Lea Burchill via pin fall as Alicia rolled through a cross body to counter a pin from Kelly Kelly

Evan Bourne vs. Carlito
WINNER:  Evan Bourne via pin fall after knocking Carlito out with a sunset flip power bomb then hitting the Air Bourne

ANNOUNCEMENT:  First advertisement for WWE NXT to replace ECW.

John Morrison, Matt Hardy & The Great Khali with Ranjin Singh vs. Drew McIntyre & The Hart Dynasty (Tyson Kidd & DH Smith with Natalya)
WINNER: Morrison, Hardy & Khali via pin after Khali hit the Punjabi Plunge on DH Smith

QUICK THOUGHTS:

The diva match wasn’t good.  There wasn’t really any botched moves, but it’s just a matter of believability with this core group of divas.  The best one by far of this group is Katie Lea with Alicia following closely behind.  For me it’s just a matter of timing.  They take too long with their spots and they think about things too much before they actually do them.  Kelly almost kicked Alicia in the face doing her gymnastic hand spring back elbow, and Katie Lea over sold a terrible Kelly punch to the back that “knocked” her out of the ring.

Bourne vs. Carlito was a good match.  It had some of the quick paced, lucha type spots in the early going when Bourne had the advantage, and then slowed down when Carlito took control.  The finish was crafty.  When I saw the two men set up on the top rope, I figured Bourne would knock Carlito off with a quick couple of punches, but nope, he went and pulled out a sunset flip power bomb!  Really enjoyed this match!

Wasn’t really enthralled with the main event.  The only real thing I have to say to anyone who reads this, if you think the Great Khali is entertaining or a good wrestler, go back and learn your history when it comes to big men.  Please Watch Andre The Giant, Bam Bam Bigalow, or Vader .  I’m not going to say Khali isn’t good for business because of the fact that he’s got the entire country of India watching WWE every week, but I just think he’s a waste of space on my wrestling programs.

Wrestling With Shadows - Documentary that goes behind the scenes of the Montreal Screwjob!

I just recently began ordering Netflix, and as I was searching for DVDs, I figured I’d type in wrestling to see what they had.  Lucky for me their selection is pretty damn good.  I was shocked when I saw they had the documentary, Hitman Hart – Wrestling With Shadows.  I had heard about this film way back when, but I never got a chance to watch it.  Now, considering the angle the WWE is currently portraying with “The Hitman” Bret Hart and WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon, I figured this would be a good time to sit down and watch.

The film takes an inside look at the life of Bret Hart in his own words.  It covers a lot of things when it comes to his family life and history in/out of the business, but the main issue it addresses is the year leading up to the Montreal Screwjob.  The cameras capture many moments of internal struggle that plague Bret as he tries to figure out where he’s going to go with his career by either sticking with Vince’s then WWF product, or jumping ship to Ted Turner’s WCW during the period known as the Monday Night Wars.

Every story has two sides to it, and for the most part, we’ve heard Vince’s side in a TV interview on WWF programming where he said, “Bret screwed Bret.”  What this side of the story tells us was that Bret was the victim, and McMahon reneged on part of Bret’s contract after he gave his notice to leave the WWF.  For all the hard work, and for all the blood, sweat, and tears that Bret poured into his 14 years with the WWF, for McMahon to go and do this was just crap!  Bret Hart may not have been the most charismatic superstar of all time, but he truly lived up to the moniker, “The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be!”  He was a great wrestler who was true to himself, the business, and most importantly his fans!  So if you’re looking for an inside look at what happened back at Survivor Series 1997, be sure to rent or purchase this DVD.

Last night on ECW, aside from the usual wrestling action, Vince McMahon had an announcement that would shake up ECW to the core.  Here’s what went down:

Tony Atlas introduced the Abraham Washington Show starring Abraham Washington.

• Abe says, “the reason why I haven’t been here the past few weeks is because NBC has been trying to steal me away to replace Conan.  I turned them down because of my loyalty to you WWE fans!”
• ECW Champion, Christian, is the guest on the show.  Abe tells him a statistic that “Christian is the longest reigning current champion in WWE.”  As Christian goes to respond, he’s interrupted…
• Zack Ryder & Rosa Mendez come out.  Ryder says, “Let’s talk about some real news…”  Gregory Helms‘ mug shot appears on the Titantron.  “Some guy who claims to be a super hero and what does he go do, gets into a drunken brawl like those posers from Jersey Shore.”
• Christian replies, “Are you upset that he did something you haven’t, made TMZ?  Maybe it’s because you’re both on TV but only he gets recognized in public… Everyone makes mistakes.  Our GM Tiffany made a mistake when she gave Abe his own talk show… You make mistakes too, the biggest being when you hooked up with Tila Tequila over there!”
• Shoving match begins, and Abe calls an end to the show.

Shelton Benjamin vs. Vance Archer
WINNER: Vance Archer via pin fall with his feet on the ropes.

• Botched the original ending of the match because they were too close to the ropes on a sunset flip by Benjamin that was countered by Archer.

Yoshi Tatsu with Goldust vs. Trent Barreta with Caylen Croft
WINNER: Yoshi Tatsu via pin after kicking Barreta in the head.

Vince McMahon comes out to the entrance ramp.  “I would like to announce that in three weeks time, ECW will be going off the air!”  He thanks all the people that have been involved with the show.  Then says, “there’s going to something in the same time slot that will be the next evolution in the WWE!”

Gregory Helms is in the ring and announces Ezekiel Jackson & William Regal. He asks them about what they plan to do to get pass the loss to Christian?

• Regal says, “It’s been a trying week for you, huh?  Well it’s about to get worse!”
• Regal and Jackson destroy Helms, but Christian comes down to the ring with a kendo stick to clean house.

Christian vs. Zack Ryder with Rosa Mendez
WINNER: Christian via DQ when Ezekiel Jackson and William Regal run in and destroy Christian.

QUICK THOUGHTS:

It’s a damn shame that they’ve decided to exploit the incident with Gregory Helms.  It’s bad enough that the guy has been scrutinized by the media, but now they decide to poke fun at it on ECW… that’s just messed up!

As for the big time announcement, Vince McMahon practically destroyed the name of ECW by turning it into this watered down, WWE bull shit a long time ago.  The last remnant of the orignal ECW, Tommy Dreamer, is no longer with the company, so I’m not surprised that the announcement about repackaging ECW into something new came at this time.  I have to warn you, if you think it’s going to be anything different than what you’ve been seeing recently, think again.  I’m banking on it being the same stuff we’ve seen, young developmental stars that Vince wants to test in the spotlight of national TV.

After what went down at the Royal Rumble, what would the fallout be?  Here’s what happened last night on Monday Night RAW:

The winner of the 2010 Royal Rumbe, Edge, comes to the ring.  “I’m baaaack!!!  First I want to take you back six months ago when I got injured, doctors said that I wouldn’ be back till March, April, maybe never… I saw the Slammy’s when Chris Jericho thanked me for getting injured and I made a vow that I would not miss another WrestleMania due to injury… Now I have the choice, do I face the guy who’s 17-0 at WrestleMania, or do I challenge the guy who’s never competed at WrestleMania?”

• WWE Champion, Sheamus, comes to the ring, “You’re not back five seconds and you’re running your mouth.  Things have changed since you left.”
• Edge responds, “Yeah, it seems as if RAW’s been taken over by an evil Ronald McDonald!”
• Sheamus continues, “but I did something you didn’t do at Mania, I beat John Cena to win the WWE Title and I also beat Randy Orton last night… If I can beat them, I won’t break a sweat beating you!”
• Sheamus then threatens Edge to leave, and throws the microphone at him.  Sheamus tries to beat him down, and misses a Pump Kick.  Edge takes advantage and lays him down with a Spear.

Video Package: A look at the demonic structure known as the Elimination Chamber.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes
WINNER: John Cena via pin fall after hitting the Attitude Adjustment

Video Package: A look back at the “Montreal Screwjob” in anticipation for the Bret Hart/Vince McMahon showdown.

Backstage: Josh Matthews catches up with Mr. McMahon who’s about to enter his office.  Asks him if he thinks Bret Hart will show up?  Mr. McMahon responds that it’s unlikely, then enters his office and sees someone who’s not supposed to be there… it’s guest host, William Shatner who says, “as a fellow Canadian, a WWE fan, and a human being, I can’t wait for Bret Hart to embarrass you tonight.”

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Jack Swagger vs. Triple H
WINNER: Triple H via pin fall after hitting a Pedigree

Video Package: Shatner performing Superstar themes in his usual, stereotyped demeanor.

Backstage: Triple H comes back from the ring to talk to Shawn Michaels.  Trips asks, “Why did you Super Kick me out of the Rumble… Nah, I get it, hell, if I got the chance I would’ve done the same to you.”

• Shawn replies, “It wasn’t supposed to be that way… I was supposed to face The Undertaker at WrestleMania and break the streak.”
• “Shawn, what you’re doing isn’t healthy… Focus on qualifying for the chamber and then we’ll work together so that one of us will leave with the title.”

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels
WINNER: Randy Orton via roll up pin fall while Shawn was trying to knip up.

• After the match, HBK’s pissed as he walks to the back.

Video Package: Another look back at Montreal, specifically the “Bret Screwed Bret” interview.

Backstage: Orton walking to the locker rooms when he’s approached by Ted DiBiase, “I’m sorry about what happened last night…”  Orton glares at him and walks by.

Jerry Lawler & Michael Cole acknowledge the passing of Jack Brisco and a video package on his life is shown (1941-2010).

Backstage: Kelly Kelly & Gail Kim are talking when they’re approached by Maryse who says, “Let’s show what real women can do in the ring,” after commenting on the drama on Smackdown!

Backstage: Big Show & The Miz chatting in the guest host’s office waiting to ask him about a Tag Team Title match, when in walks the Straightedge Society (CM Punk, Luke Gallows & Serena), who are looking for the same thing since Teddy Long took theirs away last week.

• Shatner walks in the room, and it turns into a Priceline commercial and he becomes the RAW Match Negotiator.
• Both teams make the case for a tag team match, and Shatner makes a triple treat match for next week, both of these teams against DX.

Backstage: Triple H consoles HBK, “It’s not the end of the world.  There are plenty of guys for you to compete with at WrestleMania.”  Shawn sulks away.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Kofi Kingston vs. Big Show
WINNER: Kofi Kingston via DQ after Show accidentally got poked in the eye, and while his vision was impaired, he KO Punched the referee.

• Mid match, The Miz came out to be on commentary and was attacked by a pissed off MVP.

Video Package: Last month when Bret Hart was on RAW and Mr. McMahon kicked him in the gut.

Jerry Lawler introduces the guest host, William Shatner.  Shatner’s proud to be here, and introduces Bret “The Hitman” Hart!

• Hart grabs a mic, “I’ve had a month to think about things.  I came fr all the right reasons, people thought I was crazy, but I was wrong… I didn’t come here for closure, Vince, get your ass out here!”
• McMahon comes out and he’s faking being shocked that Bret is actually here, then waddles to the ring.  “I’ve never regretted anything I’ve ever done to you!”
• Bret replies, “that’s the first honest thing you’ve probably ever told me!”  Bret then recounts a story after his stroke when he was stuck in a wheel chair.  He said, “I’d never feel pathetic for the rest of my life” after he started walking again.  “For fourteen years I worked for you… I thought some day, Vince would appreciate it.  Took me twenty years to build up a reputation and it took you three minutes to tear it all down!”  Bret then threatens to kick Vince’s ass!
• Vince says, “What a crock?!?  You’re not a hero to anyone Bret!  Look at you, I don’t get what people see in you.  You have ZERO personality.  You have no charisma.  You’ve got that stringy crappy hair, and you’re dressed like a hobo!  You deserved to be screwed!”  McMahon pulls the Hall of Fame offer for Stu Hart, Bret’s dad off the table.
• Bret is just fed up, and jumps McMahon and rains down punches.  He sets Vince up for a Sharpshooter and Batista attacks Bret from behind.
• Batista holds Bret down, and McMahon pays him back for Montreal and spits in Bret’s face!

QUICK THOUGHTS:

I love watching the segments between McMahon and Hart.  There’s so much tension between them and you know it’s just a powder keg waiting to explode.  The only thing I’m baffled about is why they used a Smackdown guy on RAW to attack Bret from behind…  Maybe there’s a story line in the works between Batista and someone who defended Bret previously, like John Cena…?

Now that the participants are set in for the Elimination Chamber match, WWE can now set up the story lines for the quick 3 week turnaround till the PPV.  Glad to see they had Orton & DiBiase qualify, but not Rhodes.  I have a feeling we’re going to start seeing more of the self-destruction of Legacy in the coming weeks.

Glad they teased Edge about possibly coming back to RAW to challenge Sheamus, but I don’t think that he’s going to be on Monday’s.  It would be smart if they kept him on Smackdown where he can feud with Jericho.  Since Edge has the automatic WrestleMania main event, I think they’re going to have him wait until after the Elimination Chamber to make his decision.