Central Index

Monday, March 31, 2008

WWE WRESTLEMANIA XXIV PPV

image: courtesy wwe.com

WRESTLEMANIA24 = ECW TITLE FOR KANE
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Orlando, FL

source: wwe.com - While Kane is revered for a combination of size, strength and agility that has allowed him to dominate WWE rings for the past decade, his in-ring strategy is often overlooked. But a brilliant plan is exactly what the Big Red Machine used to defeat Chavo Guerrero and walk out of WrestleMania XXIV as the new ECW Champion.

After entering the ring, Guerrero was greeted by the fiery blaze of Kane’s pyro. But instead of making his usual entrance through hellfire and brimstone, the Big Red Machine appeared from under the ring and took the ECW Champion completely by surprise. Before Guerrero even had a chance to react to the 7-foot monster, he was hit with a thunderous chokeslam and pinned. Guerrero never saw it coming. In a matter of seconds, Kane was declared the winner, adding a new championship to his [impressive] collection.

WWE WRESTLEMANIA XXIV FREEVIEW

image: courtesy wwe.com
KANE TO GO FOR ECW TITLE AT WRESTLEMANIA24
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Orlando, FL

source: wrestlescoop.com and wwe.com - Kane became the No. 1 contender for Chavo Guerrero’s ECW Championship at WrestleMania XXIV last night, outlasting 23 other Superstars in the 24-Man Battle Royal during the WrestleMania FreeView on WWE.com.

Kane would go on to challenge Guerrero for the gold later in Orlando’s Citrus Bowl, and if his dominance in the Battle Royal was any indication, The Big Red Monster would soon taste championship gold. Up against the likes of behemoths such as The Great Khali and Mark Henry, Kane used his strength to eliminate, survive and earn the golden opportunity.

While the Battle Royal seemed destined to vault an up-and-coming Superstar to the championship match, Kane displayed the dominant power and poise of a true ring veteran. In his tenth WrestleMania appearance, the Big Red Monster used his experience to place himself in prime position to capture his first major singles title in nearly three years.

The WrestleMania Battle Royal Freeview kicked off with the WWE Superstars making their way to the ring, faces coming down first then the heels. The last man out was Snitsky. All men came down to the same WrestleMania theme song. The place looked awesome with the sun shining down.

The match started off with Festus knocking a few guys down to kick it off.
Festus eliminated Deuce then Domino, throwing them over the top rope. Khali worked on Hacksaw Duggan eventually eliminating him to a chorus of boo's from the crowd. The Miz fought Stevie Richards on the ring apron until Elijah Burke eliminated Stevie, Elijah turned around into a chokeslammed over the top rope by Kane.

The Miz just was eliminated by Jamie Noble who then tried to eliminate Cody Rhodes but Rhodes hung on taking Noble over the top rope to the apron but both men escape elimination and return to the fray. Meanwhile, Mark Henry eliminated Jimmy Wang and Shannon Moore. Jesse was then eliminated and Brian Kendrick was eliminated by Kofi Kingston who is then thrown over the top rope by Mark Henry! Kofi landed on two other Superstars on the floor, and was followed bu Jamie Noble who'd gottn caught up in a battle between Khali and Henry. Noble landed on Kofi's back and walked on the backs of the other fallen Superstars to get back into the ring - hey, technically, his feet didn't touch the floor! He was promptly eliminated by Palumbo who was in turn eliminated by Khali.

There was Dreamer, Holly, Kane, Khali, Henry and Snitsky at this point. Khali goes over the top rope followed by Holly and Dreamer. We were down to Kane, Snitsky and Mark Henry! Snitsky and Henry double teamed Kane then Snitsky took a break to taunts the fans and was eliminated by Mark Henry. Kane walked into a powerrslam by Henry, but The Big Red Machine countered with a big boot that sent Henry over the top rope to win the match!

Sunday, March 30, 2008

WWE WRESTLEMANIA XXIV FREEVIEW

image: courtesy Qayin

March 29, 2008 - Orlando, FL
source: WWE.com at 6:30pm on Sunday - Ready for the GranDaddy of all Pay-Per-Views . . . WrestleMania XXIV with its highly anticipated matches? Well, you won't be watching the 24 Man Battle Royal - supposedly booked in honor of the 24th 'Mania Event - on PPV. No, the match that will provide the challenger to Chavo Guerrero's ECW Title will not be a part of the televised PPV, but a FREE-VIEW streamed on wwe.com prior to Big Event going live.

The participants will be: *KANE (sd) *Brian Kendrick (raw) *Chuck Palumbo (sd) *Cody Rhodes (raw) *Deuce (sd) *Domino (sd) *Elijah Burke (ecw) *Festus (sd) *Hacksaw Jim Duggan (raw) *Hardcore Holly (raw) *Jamie Noble (sd) *Jessie (sd) *Jimmy Wang Yang (sd) *The Great Khali (sd) *Kofi Kingston (ecw) *Lance Cade (raw) *Mark Henry (sd) *Matt Striker (ecw) *The Miz (ecw) *Shannon Moore (sd) *Snitsky (raw) *Tommy Dreamer (ecw) *Trevor Murdoch (raw) and *Val Venis (raw)

Saturday, March 29, 2008

NEXT STOP: WRESTLEMANIA

photo: courtesy wwe.com

March 28, 2008 Fayetteville, NS

source: WWE.com - On SmackDown, four Superstars who will take part in the 24-Man Battle Royal at WrestleMania competed in an Over-the-Top-Rope Challenge. Kane, The Great Khali, Mark Henry and Chuck Palumbo all were in Fayetteville to improve their stock for WrestleMania, with ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero looking on from ringside. After Kane held his own against the other three goliaths and dumped Palumbo over the top rope, The World’s Strongest Man displayed the intensity and strength that has always made him one of WWE’s most feared competitors, eliminating Khali and Kane to win the challenge.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

MAYHEM BEFORE MANIA

photo: courtesy wwe.com

March 25, 2008 Fayetteville, NC

From wwe.com - Just five days before The Granddaddy of Them All, Superstars got a taste of what’s in store for them Sunday at WrestleMania XXIV.

In addition, 24 other Superstars got a pay-per-view preview. ECW on Sci Fi kicked off with a 24-Man Tag Team Match, featuring all participants of WrestleMania’s 24-Man Battle Royal, which will broadcast exclusively on WWE.com. Sunday’s humongous contest will determine who faces Chavo Guerrero for his ECW Title later that night. Snitsky earned the victory for his team at the expense of Tommy Dreamer, who sprang up from the canvas and wasted no time in challenging Guerrero to a non-title bout later in the night.

The ECW Original wasn't able to prove himself in the main event, as Guerrero hit him with the three-count. Before anyone could leave the ring, each of the 23 other competitors in the 24-Man Battle Royal joined the action in an all-out brawl, suggesting ECW may be a preview that the “Mexican Warrior” should keep in mind in seeing two dozen Superstars hungry for gold.

Whose momentum will carry into The Grandest Stage of Them All? Don’t miss WrestleMania XXIV, Sunday at 6:30/5:30 CT with a special FreeView of the 24-Man Battle Royal, streamed exclusively on WWE.com

Friday, March 21, 2008

FULL MOON CHAOS

photo: courtesy wwe.com

March 21, 2008 Biloxi, MS -

They say strange things happen on the night of a full moon. But it didn’t take lunar activity, just the onset of WrestleMania XXIV for wild things to take place on Friday Night SmackDown. A Deadman, a Big Red Monster, an Animal, a Silverback, two 7-foot giants and a Rated-R Superstar were on the prowl, looking to vanquish their opponents on The Road to WrestleMania.

Just when you thought you were watching two of SmackDown’s biggest men do battle – Kane and Chuck Palumbo – The Great Khali made his way into the arena and made the encounter that much bigger. Khali went right for Kane and delivered a Khali Bomb, ending the match without a victor.

But, the parade of big men wasn’t over, as the World’s Strongest Man Mark Henry came into the arena to make his mark. The self-proclaimed Silverback went on a path of destruction, first lifting and slamming the 400-pound Punjabi giant, then laying waste to Palumbo with a massive avalanche, and finally lifting and slamming Kane to the canvas. The four will meet again in the WrestleMania 24-Man Battle Royal. Will Henry be able to repeat this display of dominance, or will one of SmackDown’s big men deliver some payback on The Grandest Stage of Them All?

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

KANE vs. ELIJAH BURKE

photo: courtesy wwe.com

March 18, 2008 Biloxi, MS - Mississippi Coast Coliseum

From wwe.com - The Land of the Extreme was in full-force WrestleMania mode in this super-competitive sports-entertainment season as the evening kicked off on fire – literally. Kane exploded into the ring where Joey Styles announced that he will be one of 24 men in a Battle Royale, the winner of which will take on Chavo for the ECW Championship. This will be Kane's 10th WrestleMania appearance in 11 years!

Kane struck down Burke early leading Burke to bail out to the floor where Kane followed, ramming Burke back first into the ring wall. Back in the ring, Kane gave Burke a backbreaker ring center then took it to Burke on the floor, where he continued to dominate with a chinlock. Kane release Burke after a warning count by the ref, then unleashed his fury with a barrage of fists, elbows and knees, ending with a bodyslam and another chinlock. Styles and Tazz commented that this wasn't something we normally see from Kane.

Elijah got his thumb into Kane's eye, effectively getting the Big Man off his back, then went on the offense until a quick uppercut by Kane stopped him short. Kane whipped Burke into the ropes and Elijah came back with a boot to Kane's face followed by a high flying kick and a barrage of punches that kept Kane in the corner. The ref stepped in, putting distance between the two, Burke moved in but Kane shoved him back. Burke came back again with a kick to Kane's mid-section then attempted to whip Kane into the ropes, but Kane balked whipping Burke into the corner post instead. Kane charged but Burke escaped and Kane took the ring post with his shoulder. Burke saw and opening for the Elijah Express and charged straight into the right hand of Kane, going up and crashing down on a Chokeslam. Kane covered, got the three count and the win.

As Elijah Burke lay stunned and winded, Kane rose and left the ring, checking his jaw as we got a double replay of the ending of the match. Kane grinned wickedly at what's shown then threw up his arms with a roar as the crowd responded.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

MANIA PREVIEW

photo: courtesy wwe.com

March 14, 2008 Chicago, IL

source: WWE.com - Fans at the Allstate Arena got a taste of the intensity to come in just 16 days at WrestleMania XXIV as the SmackDown Superstars collided in the ring, on the unforgiving concrete arena floor, and within a 15-foot-high steel cage. There is no doubt, The Granddaddy of Them All is near.

Tag Match.

Kane & Jamie Noble – who was still nursing injured ribs, courtesy of a Big Show beating last week on SmackDown - squared off against Chuck Palumbo & The Great Khali. Taking advantage of his most vulnerable opponent, Khali slammed Noble to the mat and got the easy pinfall while Kane laid a beating on Palumbo outside the ring.

The match offered a preview of what is to come at WrestleMania, as all four Superstars will be part of a special 24-Man Battle Royal, featuring members of Raw, ECW and SmackDown. The winner of the over-the-top rope encounter will receive an ECW Title Match that same night against ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero.

KANE UNABLE?

photo: courtesy wwe.com

March 10, 2008 Milwaukee, Ws

source: wwe.com - Randy Orton's in charge of the Triple Threat Takeover this week, and the current WWE Champion arranged a match between Triple H and The Game’s WrestleMania XV opponent, Kane!

As highlights aired of Kane's WrestleMania 15 match against the Game, Kane was watching the footage on a monitor backstage when Randy Orton entered the scene. Orton ran down Kane’s past with Triple H until Kane grabbed him by the throat.

“When it comes to Triple H, I don’t need a history lesson, Randy,” Kane said. “I remember everything”.

KANE vs Triple H

The two towering figures rumbled throughout the ring, Triple H went for the pedigree, but Kane flipped out of it; Kane got set for a chokeslam, but HHH avoided it; Orton came out on stage distracting HHH and Kane got in good offense, but when he went up top, he landed in a Triple H sized boot. A pedigree followed and Triple H pinned Kane’s shoulders to the mat as Orton watched from the wings.

Saturday, March 08, 2008

FIRED UP FOR FLORIDA

photo: courtesy wwe.com

March 7, 2008 Cleveland, OH

source: Lords of Pain - With WrestleMania just 23 days away, the SmackDown Superstars have started stepping up their game in preparation for the biggest event in sports-entertainment. With a burst of flame from hell comes the Big Red Machine Kane!

Match #3: Chuck Palumbo vs. Kane.

The match begins with both men locking up. Kane gets the advantage by powering him in the corner. Palumbo reverses Kane into the corner and unloads some fists. Kane comes back with fists of his own. Kane whips Palumbo into the corner and eventually gets a boot right into Palumbo’s head. Kane goes for the pin and gets a two count.

Palumbo comes back and gets a big clothesline that brings Kane down to the mat. Palumbo unloads some fists at Kane and then works on Kane in the corner. Palumbo hits a major clothesline and gets a pin for 2. Palumbo whips Kane into the corner and rushes right at him. However Kane lifts the boot and hits the clothesline. Kane gets Palumbo in the corner and unloads some right hands. He whips him in the opposite corner and his some clothesline. Kane catches Palumbo on the rebound for the sidewalk slam. He goes for the pin and gets two

Kane goes to the top rope attempting to go for the diving clothesline. Palumbo sees his opportunity hits a big boot right to Kane’s head which knocks him off. Palumbo then kicks Kane in the skull and down goes Kane. Kane doesn’t stay down long and rises up and grabs onto Palumbo’s neck. Palumbo tries to fight back with head butts, but Kane holds his grip and puts paid to Palumbo with a chokeslam - the 1…2…3and the winner of the match is the Big Red Machine Kane.

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

KANE vs. JAMES CURTIS

photo: courtesy wwe.com

March 4, 2008 Cleveland, OH - Quicken Loans Arena

Leaving the backstage cat-fight between Kelly-Kelly and Layla, we come ringside as KANE is making his fiery entrance and Tazz tells us this match was brought about by Vickie Guerrero and Armando Estrada. James Curtis is already in the ring, but bails as KANE climbs the ropes and into the ring. KANE walks straight over to the ropes and stares down at Curtis then backs up slowly as the ref tries to talk Curtis back inside. At the opposite end of the ring, KANE begins to pace, looking around.

Camera pans to the top of the ramp as Chuck Palumbo appears astride his motorcycle. Palumbo stares into KANE's perplexed face, then slowly takes the bike down the ramp toward the ring as the announcers tell us that Chuck is scheduled to go up against KANE at SmackDown. As KANE follows Palumbo's progress, we see in the background that Curtis is now on the ring apron. Kane turns and begins to walk to the side of the ring where Palumbo idles, the bell sounds as Curtis decides now is a good time to make his move and attacks KANE from behind.

KANE turns back into a barrage of landed blows from Curtis, then shoves the lad down to the mat. Curtis bounds up and into a boot to the face, and staggers up and around as Palumbo continues his slow circle of the ring. KANE, keeping an eye on Palumbo, grasps Curtis by the throat and hefts him up into a chokeslam, followed by the 1-2-3 and a win. As his music blares, KANE rises to stare at Palumbo who once again sits atop the ramp. Tazz asks if Palumbo will meet the same fate this Friday night on SmackDown as Chuck gives KANE a long calculating look then rides away, leaving KANE to glare after him.