S) Bad Blood on June 15th will not be the first ever RAW only PPV. Actually, the honor will go to the Insurrextion show in Newcastle, England on June 7th. To everyone’s surprise Bill Goldberg is not booked for the event, which is causing a certain degree of resentment from members of the RAW roster, claiming that the company is allowing for there to be two sets of standards of talent. Wrestlers confirmed for Insurrextion include Kevin Nash, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Booker T, Trish Stratus and Chris Jericho, according to Sky Box Office promos airing in the United Kingdom.
T) The latest on the WWE financial cuts is that they are no longer bringing all of the members of the writing team to the television events, in attempt to cut costs. In the past, WWE would bring all of the members of the creative team to the events, however that changed last night. Brian Gewirtz, who heads the RAW team was there to handle any last minute changes as well as Stephanie McMahon for administration purposes.
U) WWE has finally opened the official Insurrextion website, which is the official website of the upcoming UK pay per view. You can visit the site by accessing <
http://insurrextion.wwe.com>
V) Goldberg’s name came up on last night’s episode of the Jimmie Kimmel show. Cousin Sal was a guest and clips of his pillow fight with Goldberg were shown. Sal told the audience that after the pillow fight went offstage he fell on a desk and needed 15 stitches to close a cut on his head. He referred to Goldberg and wrestlers in general as “idiots.”
W) Spike Dudley has a commentary now online over at WWE.com. The article is titled “Thank you, Nature Boy” and features his opinions on the Ric Flair celebration after RAW went off the air two weeks ago. To read the column in its entirely, click here <
http://www.wwe.com/news/headlines/1207801>.
X) Expect Kurt Angle to be hyped big throughout SmackDown tonight, as his debut is only one week away. On a side note, APA is also scheduled to return with WWE next Tuesday at the SmackDown taping in Anaheim. I’m not sure if this means that they are joining the SmackDown roster or if they are just working a dark match.
Y) The Edge interview that aired last night on TSN’s “Off the Record” is now available on the official TSN website at TSN.com/Wrestling in the audio/video section.
Ratings
A) The RAW rating is finally in after being delayed due to the Memorial Day holiday. This week’s edition of the show did a 3.7 cable rating, with a 5.8 share. That number is up .2 from last week’s 3.5 coming off Judgment Day. This is definitely a good sign leading into the first brand only PPV. The show did hours of 3.6 and 3.8.
WWE Weekend Ratings
- Velocity on 5/24 did a 0.8 cable rating, with a 1.5 share.
- Confidential on 5/24 did a 0.7 rating, with a 1.5 share.
-Heat on 5/25 did a 0.8 cable rating, with a 1.7 share.
B)Last week’s edition of SmackDown during the first week of mainly reruns for the next few months finished at No. 67 in the prime time network rankings. The show will climb the charts throughout the summer months, even if the rating itself does not change.
** Other Matches**
Quick Results
WWA - The Reckoning PPV
25/05/03 Auckland, New Zealand
- Rick Steiner def. Mark Mercedes
- TEO def Puppet & Meatballs (midget match)
- Devon Storm def. Konnan
WWA Cruiserweight/NWA:TNA X Division
championship unification match
- Chris Sabin def. Jerry Lynn, Frankie Kazarian & Johnny Swinger
- Sabu def. Joe E Legend
WWA World Heavyweight/ NWA:TNA World title unification match
- Jeff Jarrett def. Sting
WWE House Show Results
Ft. Meyers Florida
- Spanky, Bill Demott, and Rikishi def. FBI
- Crash def. Orlando Jordan.
- A-train and Kanyon def. Danny Holle and Doug Basham.
- Rhyno def. Sean O Haire
Triple threat cruiserweight match
- Rey Mysterio Def(by dq) Jaime Noble, and Matt Hardy
Tag Team Championship
- Eddie and Tajiri def.(by dq) Team Angle
- Chris Benoit def. John Cena
- Torrie def. Nidia
- Brock Lesner Def. Big Show
WWE House Show Results
New Orleans, Louisiana
- Val Venis, Goldust & Lance Cade def. Lance Storm, Steven Richards & Mark
Jindrak
Fatal Fourway Elimination Match for the Women's Championship
- Jazz def. Trish Stratus, Molly Holly & Victoria w/ Steven Richards
- Christopher Nowinski & Rodney Mack w/ Theodore Long def. Spike Dudley & Maven
- Dudley Boyz def.. 3 Minute Warning
Intercontinental Championship
- Christian def. Hurricane
- Scott Steiner w/ Stacy def. Rico
World Tag Team Championship
- Rob Van Dam & Kane def. La Resistance
World Heavyweight Championship
- Triple H def. (by dq) Kevin Nash