TRIAL BY FIRE

photo: courtesy wwe.com

From WWE.COM - February 15, 2008 HOUSTON, TX -

With No Way Out just two days away, CM Punk continues his pursuit of ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero’s title, enlisting the help of Kane in tag action against Chavo & Shelton Benjamin on SmackDown. After showing Chavo up yet again this past Tuesday on ECW on Sci Fi, Punk gained another leg up with the Big Red Monster in his corner, as the duo defeated the ECW Champion and ECW’s “Gold Standard,” when Punk hit the Go To Sleep on Chavo.

FIRE EXTINGUISHED?

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From WWE.COM
- February 08, 2008 CORPUS CHRISTI, TX -

Two weeks ago on ECW on Sci Fi, Kane defeated ECW’s “Gold Standard” Shelton Benjamin by count-out.

And on SmackDown, Benjamin returned the favor, uh inadvertently. After a thunderous blow that sent Shelton flying back into the ring, Kane, standing on the ring apron, was unable to answer the referee’s 10-count, giving Shelton the victory. Will these two Superstars continue to clash, and will Kane find a way to bring to a halt the man who claims, “There ain’t no stoppin’ me?”

TO HELL AND BACK

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From WWE.COM - February 01, 2008 READING, PA ~ Undertaker reunited with his brother Kane on SmackDown to defeat the team of Big Daddy V & Mark Henry. The Most Dominant Force in WWE and the World’s Strongest Man were looking for revenge after last week when The Phenom took down Big Daddy V with a new submission maneuver — a move Henry said had “gone too far.” Both Kane and The Deadman have had their difficulties with the dangerous duo of Big Daddy V & Henry in 2-on-1 assaults, but on SmackDown, the Brothers of Destruction evened the odds.

Unleashing the brutality they have exhibited repeatedly, the “Brothers Grimm” proved why they are one of the most intimidating duos in WWE history. Once more, Undertaker used his new submission maneuver, this time forcing Mark Henry to bleed from his mouth and submit, reminiscent of Big Daddy V last week. photos wwe mobile at&t exclusive

ECW Gold Standard Bails in the Face of KANE

ECW on Sci-Fi
January 29, 2008
Reading, PA
source: PWTorch.com

Tuesday night, Kane and Shelton Benjamin faced off in one-on-one competition. Last week, ECW’s “Gold Standard” was victorious over the Big Red Machine during the Over-the-Top Rope Challenge.

KANE vs. Shelton Benjamin

Kane opened the show with his ring entrance and there must have been a pack of John Cena fans sitting near the arena mic screaming at the top of their lungs. Shelton Benjamin came out to face Kane as they recapped Shelton eliminating Kane on last week's show to win the mini-Rumble.

Kane tried to throw Shelton over the top rope, but Shelton skinned the cat and back-flipped into the ring, just like last week. Kane then clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor to accomplish his goal. Back in the ring, Kane went up top, but Shelton did his cat-like leap and flipped Kane off the top to the floor. Shelton went on the attack by wrapping Kane's knee around the ringpost. He then worked on Kane's left knee with various mat holds. Suddenly, Kane grabbed Shelton by around the throat to tease a chokeslam, but Shelton kicked him in the knee. Kane answered with a clothesline followed by an uppercut and a corner lariat. Shelton then walked into a powerslam out of the corner for a two count. Kane followed with a sidewalk slam before going up top and landing a leaping clothesline. He called for the chokeslam, but Shelton countered with a jumping spin kick to the face.

Shelton slowly crawled to the corner and went up top, but Kane sat up and teased a chokeslam. Shelton fought off, though, and went back into the ring where he took a big boot to the face. Shelton rolled to the outside, then he started walking up the entrance ramp. He seemed to have enough and stopped at the top of the stage. The ref counted to ten and Kane threw his elbow pad down in frustration despite winning the match. Kane wanted more of a piece, but Shelton shook his head no that he was done for the night.

WINNER: Kane via count-out in 7:00. A good opener. Better-than-average ECW match that leaves some unfinished business they can follow-up on next week.

THE 2008 ROYAL RUMBLE

Pay-Per-View
January 27, 2008
Madison Square Garden, NYC, NY
source: WWE.com

Once again, KANE proved why his name has become synonymous with The Royal Rumble PPV, standing one of the last four men left after an arena rockin' melee.

30-Man Royal Rumble Match
Michael Buffer is in the ring as we return from a lengthy video package. Buffer says that this is the moment that the world has been waiting for. He says that the rules are as follows - number one and number two will start the match out and a new superstar will enter every 90 seconds. This will continue until all 30 participants have entered. The last man in the ring will be crowned the 2008 Royal Rumble Winner and will get a title shot at WrestleMania.

Are you ready? Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA, are you REAAAAAAADY? For the sold out, standing room only, thousands in the Garden, and the millions watching around the world, let's get ready to RUUUUUUUUMBLLLLLLLEEEEEEE!!

Undertaker's music hits. Buffer introduces him. The Undertaker is Entrant #1. Michael Cole and Jonathan Coachman talk about Undertaker as JR comes on and talks about him. Undertaker's elaborate ring entrance continues. Tazz says that Undertaker has the worst spot to be. Jerry Lawler says that he guarantees he is thinking about his opportunity.

Coming into the fray at number 20, an excellent position if you ask me, Kane hits the ring and immediately takes out feuding "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Jimmy "SuperFly" Snuka. UnderTaker sets his sights on his "little" brother and signals for a Chokeslam, but shifts to grab Michaels insteasd while Kane gives The Miz a mighty Chokeslam of his own. When Mic Foley comes in at number 22, he felled The Big Red Machine with a DDT. Other entrants swarm in on Kane.

Kane finally gains his legs, joining in the fracas earning another elimination notch when he takes advantage and kicks Morrison off the ring apron where he'd landed after being tossed over the top rope. Elijah Burke, Triple H and the surprise last entrant - John Cena - hit the ring and bodies start flying over the top rope fast and furiously, until there are only four combatants left - Kane, Batista, Triple H and Cena.

In the spirit of the Rumble, Kane grabs both Batista and Triple H apparently to deliver dual Chokeslams, only to find himself hurtled over the top, after spending 17minutes, 58 seconds in the match, by both Batista and Triple H. Three signature gestures and a quick tussle later, and it's down to Triple H and Cena. Triple H declares HE is going to WrestleMania, Cena reminds him of what happened the last time they grappled at WrestleMania - and before you know it Triple H is FU'd over the top rope and Cena is the winner of the 2008 Royal Rumble.