WWE: Established 1952

[The Ego]

[CENTER][url=http://xs.to][img]http://xs119.xs.to/xs119/07380/wwerollcall2.jpg[/img][/url] [I]Lets "briefly" check back on the past 55 years, in case you've been hiding under a rock....[/I] Founded in 1952, World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE) is a publicly traded, privately controlled integrated media (focusing in television, Internet, and live events), and sports entertainment company dealing primarily in the professional wrestling industry, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales. Vince McMahon is the majority owner and Chairman of the company and his wife Linda McMahon holds the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Together with their children, Executive Vice President of Global Media Shane McMahon and Executive Vice President of Talent and Creative Writing Stephanie McMahon-Levesque, the McMahons hold approximately 70% of WWE's economic interest and 96% of all voting power in the company. The company's global headquarters are located at 1241 East Main Street in Stamford, Connecticut. It has offices in Los Angeles and in New York City; its international offices are located in both London and Toronto. The company was previously known as Titan Sports before changing to World Wrestling Entertainment. WWE's business focus is on professional wrestling, the simulated sport combining original wrestling with scripted drama and pre-determined outcomes. It is currently the largest professional wrestling promotion in the world, and holds an extensive library of videos representing a significant portion of the visual history of professional wrestling. The promotion previously existed as the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, which promoted under the banner of the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), and later the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). WWE promotes under three brands; RAW, SmackDown! and ECW. WWE is also home to two of the four current world heavyweight championships recognized by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. WWE's revenue in fiscal 2006 (from May 2005 to April 2006) was approximately US$400 million, with a net profit of approximately $47 million. As of August 2006, the company's market capitalization is over $1 billion. Its stock is traded on the NYSE as WWE. WWE is currently under investigation by the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform regarding their talent wellness policy, after the death of one of their performers possibly being linked to steroid abuse.[3] In August 2007, WWE made the decision to suspend ten professional wrestlers for violating their Wellness Policy after it emerged they were all customers of Signature Pharmacy in Orlando, Florida. According to a statement attributed to WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt, an eleventh wrestler was later added to the suspension list. [4] [B][I]Capitol Wrestling[/I][/B] Roderick James "Jess" McMahon was a boxing promoter whose achievements included co-promoting a bout in 1915 between Jess Willard and Jack Johnson. In 1926, while working with Tex Rickard (who actually despised wrestling to such a degree he prevented wrestling events from being held at Madison Square Garden between 1939 and 1948), he started promoting boxing in Madison Square Garden in New York. The first match during their partnership was a light-heavyweight championship match between Jack Delaney and Paul Berlenbach. Around the same time, professional wrestler Joseph Raymond "Toots" Mondt created a new style of professional wrestling that he called Slam Bang Western Style Wrestling to make the sport more appealing to spectators. He then formed a promotion with wrestling champion Ed Lewis and his manager Billy Sandow. They persuaded many wrestlers to sign contracts with their Gold Dust Trio. After much success, a disagreement over power caused the trio to dissolve and, with it, their promotion. Mondt formed partnerships with several other promoters, including Jack Curley in New York City. When Curley was dying, Mondt moved to take over New York wrestling with the aid of several bookers, one of whom was Jess McMahon. Together, Roderick McMahon and Raymond Mondt created the Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC). The CWC joined the National Wrestling Alliance in 1953. Also in that year, Ray Fabiani, one of Mondt's associates, brought in Vincent J. McMahon to replace his father Jess in the promotion. McMahon and Mondt were a successful combination, and within a short time, they controlled approximately 70% of the NWA's booking, largely due to their dominance in the heavily populated Northeast region. Mondt taught McMahon about booking and how to work in the wrestling business. [B][I]World Wide Wrestling Federation[/I][/B] The NWA recognized an undisputed NWA World Heavyweight Champion that went from wrestling company to wrestling company in the alliance and defended the belt around the world. In 1963, the champion was "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers. The rest of the NWA was unhappy with Mondt because he rarely allowed Rogers to wrestle outside of the Northeast. Mondt and McMahon wanted Rogers to keep the NWA World Championship, but Rogers was unwilling to sacrifice his $25,000 deposit on the belt (title holders at the time had to pay a deposit to insure they honored their commitments as champion). Rogers lost the NWA World Championship to Lou Thesz in a one-fall match in Toronto, Ontario on January 24, 1963, which led to Mondt, McMahon and the CWC leaving the NWA in protest, creating the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) in the process. In April, Rogers was awarded the new WWWF World Championship following an apocryphal tournament in Rio de Janeiro. He lost the title to Bruno Sammartino a month later on May 17, 1963, after suffering a heart attack shortly before the match. To accommodate Rogers' condition, the match was booked to last under a minute. Mondt left the company in the late sixties. Although the WWWF had withdrawn from the NWA, Vince McMahon Sr. still sat on the NWA Board of Directors, no other territory was recognized in the Northeast, and several "champion vs. champion" matches occurred (usually ending in a double disqualification or some other non-decisive ending). In March 1979, the WWWF became the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). The change was purely cosmetic, and the ownership and front office personnel remained unchanged during this period. [B][I]World Wrestling Federation[/I][/B] In 1980, the son of Vincent J. McMahon, Vincent Kennedy McMahon, founded Titan Sports, Inc. and in 1982 purchased Capitol Wrestling Corporation from his father. The elder McMahon had long since established the northeastern territory as one of the most vibrant members of the NWA. He had long since recognized that professional wrestling was more about entertainment than actual sport. Against his father's wishes, McMahon began an expansion process that fundamentally changed the sport. The WWF was not the only promotion to have broken ranks with the NWA; the American Wrestling Association (AWA) had long ago ceased being an official NWA member (although like the WWF, they seldom left their own territory). But in neither instance did the defecting member attempt to undermine the territory system that had been the foundation of the industry for more than half a century. Other promoters were furious when McMahon began syndicating WWF television shows to television stations across the United States, in areas outside of the WWF's traditional northeastern stronghold. McMahon also began selling videotapes of WWF events outside the Northeast through his Coliseum Video distribution company. He effectively broke the unwritten law of regionalism around which the entire industry had been based. To make matters worse, McMahon used the income generated by advertising, television deals, and tape sales to poach talent from rival promoters. Wrestling promoters nationwide were now in direct competition with the WWF. The first step in McMahon's attempt to go national was to sign AWA superstar Hulk Hogan, who, due to his appearance in Rocky III had a national recognition that few other wrestlers could manage. To play Hogan's nemesis, he signed North Carolina badboy Roddy Piper, and also another bodybuilder in the "Superstar" Billy Graham mold, Jesse Ventura (although Ventura rarely wrestled in the WWF at that point due to the lung disorder that caused his retirement, moving to the commentator booth alongside Gorilla Monsoon). McMahon built a superstar roster consisting of these men on top, in addition to New York mainstays like André the Giant, Jimmy Snuka and Don Muraco, and wandering journeymen like Paul Orndorff, Greg Valentine, Ricky Steamboat and the Iron Sheik. It has long been a point of contention whether McMahon could have gone national without Hogan's presence, or vice versa. According to several reports, the elder McMahon warned his son: "Vinny, what are you doing? You'll wind up at the bottom of a river." In spite of such warnings, the younger McMahon had an even bolder ambition: the WWF would tour nationally. However, such a venture required huge capital investment; one that placed the WWF on the verge of financial collapse. The future of not just McMahon's experiment, but also the WWF, the NWA, and the whole industry came down to the success or failure of McMahon's groundbreaking concept, WrestleMania. WrestleMania was a pay-per-view extravaganza (in some areas; most areas of the country saw WrestleMania available on closed-circuit television) that McMahon marketed as being the Super Bowl of professional wrestling. The concept of a wrestling super card was nothing new in North America; the NWA had been running Starrcade a few years prior to WrestleMania, and even the elder McMahon had marketed large Shea Stadium cards viewable in closed-circuit locations. However, McMahon wanted to take the WWF to the mainstream, targeting the public who were not regular wrestling fans. He drew the interest of the mainstream media by inviting celebrities such as Mr. T and Cyndi Lauper to participate in the event. MTV, in particular, featured a great deal of WWF coverage and programming at this time, in what was termed the Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection. [B][I]The Golden Age[/I][/B] The original WrestleMania, held in 1985, was a resounding success. This event is sometimes credited as the debut of what McMahon called "sports entertainment". However, as mentioned above, his father had emphasized pro wrestling's entertainment value some years before. The WWF did incredible business on the shoulders of McMahon and his all-American babyface hero, Hulk Hogan, for the next several years, creating what some observers dubbed a second golden age for professional wrestling. The introduction of Saturday Night's Main Event on NBC in mid-1985 marked the first time that professional wrestling had been broadcast on network television since the 1950s. However, by the 1990s the WWF's fortunes steadily declined as fans were tired of Hulk Hogan's ability to beat anyone and everyone whenever he wanted. [B][I]The New Generation[/I][/B] The WWF hit a low point in the wake of allegations of steroid abuse and distribution made against it in 1994; there were also allegations of sexual harassment made by WWF employees. McMahon was eventually exonerated, but it was a public relations nightmare for the WWF. The steroid trial cost the WWF an estimated $5 million at a time when revenues were at an all-time low. To compensate, McMahon cut the pay of both wrestlers and front office personnel – close to 40% in the latter case (and about 50% for top level managers such as Bobby Heenan and Jimmy Hart, who both left). This helped drive many WWF wrestlers to its only major competition, World Championship Wrestling (WCW), between 1993 and 1996. During this time period, the WWF promoted itself under the banner of "The New WWF Generation," featuring Shawn Michaels, Diesel, Razor Ramon, Bret Hart, and The Undertaker. In an effort to promote them and other young talent as the new superstars of the ring, the WWF began to play on the age restrictions which former WWF wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage (who by now were working for WCW) now faced. This is best seen in the "Billionaire Ted" parodies of early 1996 (a reference to WCW's owner and patron, media mogul Ted Turner) which culminated in a "rasslin'" match during the warm-up to WrestleMania XII. [B][I]The Attitude Era[/I][/B] During the 1990s wrestling boom, starting with Steve Austin's now infamous Austin 3:16 speech, shortly after defeating Jake Roberts in the tournament finals at the 1996 King of the Ring pay-per-view, the WWF moved away from its "family era" and began broadcasting more violence, swearing, and more edgy angles in its attempt to compete with WCW. After Bret Hart left for WCW following the infamous Montreal Screwjob incident, Vince McMahon used the resulting backlash in the creation of his "Mr. McMahon" character, a dictatorial and fierce ruler who favored heels who were "good for business" over "misfit" faces like Austin. This, in turn, led to the Austin vs. McMahon feud, which, along with the formation of D-Generation X, laid the foundation for the Attitude Era. The Attitude Era also featured the established Monday Night Wars, where both WCW and the WWF had Monday night shows that competed against each other in the ratings. The World Wrestling Federation logo (1997 - 2002) that WWE is now prohibited from using after its agreement with the conservation organization WWF [B][I]Business advances[/I][/B] On April 29, 1999, the WWF made its return to terrestrial television by launching a special program known as SmackDown! on the fledgling UPN network. The Thursday-night show became a weekly series on August 26, 1999. On the back of the success of the Attitude Era, on October 19, 1999 the WWF's parent company, Titan Sports (by this time renamed World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc.) became a publicly traded company, offering 10 million shares priced at $17 each.[5] WWF announced its desire to diversify, including creating a nightclub in Times Square, producing feature films, and book publishing. In 2000 the WWF, in collaboration with television network NBC, announced the creation of the XFL, a new professional football league that debuted in 2001.[6] The league had surprisingly high ratings for the first few weeks, but initial interest waned and its ratings plunged to dismally low levels (one of its games was the lowest-rated primetime show in the history of American television). NBC walked out on the venture after only one season, but McMahon intended to continue alone. However, after being unable to reach a deal with UPN, McMahon shut down the XFL.[7] [B][I]Acquisition of WCW and ECW[/I][/B] With the success of the Attitude Era, WCW's already shaky financial situation deteriorated even further. It only survived because Ted Turner retained control over it as a result of Turner Broadcasting System's merger with Time Warner. However, after Time Warner merged with AOL, Turner's power was considerably reduced, and the newly merged company decided to shed its dead weight, namely WCW which was now losing scores of millions of dollars each year. In March 2001, WWF Entertainment, Inc. acquired World Championship Wrestling, Inc. from AOL Time Warner for a number reported to be around $7 million.[8] With this purchase, WWF was now the largest wrestling promotion in the world, and the only one in North America with mainstream exposure. It remained so until the launch of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in 2002. The assets of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), which had folded after filing for bankruptcy protection in April 2001, were purchased by WWE in mid-2003. [B][I]World Wrestling Entertainment[/I][/B] In 2000, the World Wildlife Fund (also WWF), an environmental organization now called the World Wide Fund for Nature, sued the World Wrestling Federation. A British court agreed that Titan Sports had violated a 1994 agreement which had limited the permissible use of the WWF initials overseas, particularly in merchandising.[9] On Sunday May 5, 2002, the company quietly changed all references on its website from "WWF" to "WWE", while switching the URL from WWF.com to WWE.com. The next day, a press release announced the official name change from World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. to World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., or WWE, and the change was publicized later that day during a telecast of Monday Night RAW, which emanated from the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut. For a short time, WWE used the slogan "Get The 'F' Out".[10] The company had also been ordered by court to stop using the old WWF Attitude logo on any of its properties and to censor all past references to WWF, as they no longer owned the trademark to the initials WWF in 'specified circumstances'.[11] However, despite litigation, WWE is still permitted use of the original WWF logo, which was used from 1984 through 1997, as well as the "New WWF Generation" logo, which was used from 1994 through 1998. Furthermore, the company may still make use of the full "World Wrestling Federation" and "World Wrestling Federation Entertainment" names without consequence. In April 2002, about a month before the name change, WWE decided to create two separate rosters, one on RAW, the other on SmackDown! due to the overabundance of talent left over from the Invasion storyline (which involved talent from the absorbed ECW and WCW rosters interacting in WWF storylines). This is known as the WWE Brand Extension. Following the Brand Extension, a yearly Draft Lottery was instituted to exchange members of each roster and generally refresh the lineups. In August 2002, the company launched WWE Niagara Falls, a retail establishment in Niagara Falls, Ontario. In late 2005 WWE RAW returned after a brief 5-year stint on TNN (now Spike TV) to its original home USA Network. In the TNN days, WWE got all advertising revenue during commercial breaks into their own pockets, now on USA Network, USA Network gets all advertising revenue. So, WWE had to invest into other lines of products introducing WWE 24/7, an on-demand subscription-only channel which shows classic wrestling matches from WWE's vast video library (more than 80,000 hours) and WWE produced content other than wrestling. In 2006, due to contracts with NBC Universal, parent company of USA Network, the WWE had the chance to revive its classic Saturday night show WWE Saturday Night's Main Event (SNME) on NBC after a 13-year hiatus. WWE had so the chance to promote the company on a national network and not only on cable channels like The CW and USA Network. SNME airs occassionally on NBC as a WWE special series. On May 26, 2006, WWE revived Extreme Championship Wrestling as its third brand. The new ECW program airs Tuesday nights, on the Sci Fi Channel. On May 26, 2006, WWE announced the relaunch of ECW as a stand-alone "brand" — complementing the already established RAW and SmackDown! — with its own show on the Sci Fi Channel.[2] Despite initial concerns that professional wrestling would not be accepted by Sci Fi Channel's demographic, network President Bonnie Hammer stated that she believed ECW would fit the channel's theme of "stretching the imagination".[3] Sci Fi Channel is owned by NBC Universal, parent company of USA Network and exclusive cable broadcaster of WWE programming. The ECW brand initially attempted to differentiate itself from WWE's other brands. The hard cameras were placed in a different location and the ring mat had an "ECW" logo on it. The male performers were also referred to as "Extremists" as opposed to Superstars, and female performers were called "Vixens" instead of Divas. Eventually, all of these features were dropped. It was also initially headlined by original ECW performers such as Rob Van Dam, Sabu, Tommy Dreamer, Balls Mahoney, Al Snow and The Sandman, and new ECW "rebels" like Kurt Angle and the Big Show, with former ECW owner Paul Heyman entrusted with booking the brand. However, following the second episode, Heyman's role was somewhat reduced. According to an interview in the UK newspaper The Sun, Heyman wrote the brand's weekly scripts and submitted them to writers for possible changes, and then Vince McMahon for final approval. Following the 2006 December to Dismember pay-per-view event Heyman was relieved from both his on and off air duties with World Wrestling Entertainment. The WWE website cited "slumping television ratings and a disgruntled talent roster" as the reasons for his dismissal.[4] Behind the scenes, Dave Lagana, former head booker of SmackDown! replaced Heyman as head booker of the ECW brand. After Heyman left, there was no on air authority figure until August 14, 2007, when Armando Estrada was announced as the General Manager. Changes were made to the brand that differentiated it from the original ECW promotion, making it more like the other brands, including changing the original promotion's rules - where weapons were legal in all matches and there were almost never count outs or disqualifications. WWE classifies such matches as "Extreme Rules" bouts, and they are only fought on occasion. By default, all matches on ECW cards are now fought under standard rules unless specified otherwise. The only pay-per-view event hosted exclusively by the ECW brand since its launch was December to Dismember in December 2006. On March 14, 2007, before another one could be scheduled, WWE announced that all future pay-per-views would feature all three brands.[5] [B][I]ECW on Sci Fi[/I][/B] The ECW set used from October 31, 2006 – present ECW's weekly series was originally given a run of a thirteen episode "summer series" by the Sci Fi Channel. Because of good ratings, it was granted an extended run through the end of 2007.[6] The premiere of ECW's weekly show on the Sci Fi Channel received a 2.79 rating, making it the highest rated show on cable in its time slot.[7] While the show started out a ratings success for both Sci Fi Channel and WWE, it began drawing criticism from fans of the original ECW early on. This was most evident by the negative crowd reaction "old school" fans gave the main event of Batista vs. The Big Show at the August 1, 2006 show from Hammerstein Ballroom.[8][9] To compliment the weekly television program, WWE.com introduced an online streaming video site called Hardcore Hangover that allows fans to stream on-demand video footage of the weekly show. [url=http://xs.to][img]http://xs119.xs.to/xs119/07386/wweflash.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://xs.to][img]http://xs119.xs.to/xs119/07386/wwe55a.jpg[/img][/url] [B][U][COLOR="Red"]TODAY - October 2007[/COLOR][/U][/B] After the catastrophe of the Drug Scandal/Bust, and the continuing roster cuts, the WWE made a play to turn the ship around. The main competition was a stumbling, and stuttering TNA, The McMahons know these aren't competition for a world wide company such as the WWE, so it was time to make a new era, this time for the fans. Its time to give the fans what they want. ECW was depleted, Marcus Cor Von had become the latest ECW star to leave, following many others out that door of Titan Towers. Expect a whole heap of releases, and expect them soon. Big names will come, big names will go. While theres no competition, we can gamble. [B]Was it time to cut ECW??[/B] You bet'ya! [B]Was it time to end the brand split??[/B] Not yet....Or Maybe.... It is time to build new talent, new stars, new stories, new legends. ECW was set to be killed off this week, New stars will rise, WWE will return to its peak. And that journey began in October 2007.......[/CENTER]

[The Ego]

[CENTER]*** [QUOTE]Alright guys, heres a little bit about the make up of this diary. Im gutted that ive had to end WWE: Ent Europe, mainly because where i hosted my pics, it has crashed and burned, leaving the diary looking dead. As it was generally image based. This one will be completely different. It will be mostly txt based, and easy to follow. I will do occasional webshots to highlight big events, and news, but mostly reports will be as above. I hope to have my usual readers along the way, and new ones hopefully will discover me through this diary. Cheers[/QUOTE] ***[/CENTER]

[The Ego]

[CENTER][url=http://xs.to][img]http://xs119.xs.to/xs119/07380/wwelogo551.jpg[/img][/url] [B][U][COLOR="Red"]September into October Points A Little Recap to put you in the frame…..[/COLOR][/U][/B] Since September we all knew changes were in order, this of course came when ECW, the brand was dropped, and effectively in WWE terms “retired”. The TV show became WWE Heat once again, and continued in its regular slot, offering a television platform for many a young star. The brand of ECW shut down, but nobody seemed to care. There was no authenticity left in ECW, so it simply made sense. The ECW World Title soon found its way to RAW, so keep reading. The stars of ECW were split accordingly between RAW & Smackdown, and the new faces seemed to fit straight in, on their respective new brands. Of the commentating team, Joey Styles headed to Smackdown to team up with JBL and Michael Cole, whereas Tazz became the 3rd man in the RAW booth alongside the King & Jim Ross, of course. Of course, the huge news through the summer of 2007, was that of the Drug Scandal/Bust. We all know the names. But The McMahons took a chance, the talent caught up the bust were heavily disciplined, but he discipline was dished out in a way that each man would work 60-90 days without Salary. A Brave decision or stupid decision – we will never know, but with the 500 letter being sent by Vince McMahon to former WWE/F talent, he was at least trying to make a change. …There was one other huge story in the WWE, and that was of McB@stard, Hornswoggle becoming Vince’s child…..Check RAW for that news. With all great new ventures, comes casualties, and in the WWE, September 07 saw a lot of them. We saw the backs of Ariel, Balls Mahoney, Brad Armstrong, Cherry, Deuce, Domino, Funaki, Snitsky, Hornswoggle, Jim Duggan, Kelly Kelly, Layla, Nunzio, Mike Knox, Robbie & Rory McAllister, Super Crazy, Todd Grisham, Big Daddy V, Val Venis. The big surprises were that of Val Venis, Viscera and Funaki, but maybe it was time for a change. Perhaps that change could have been through the imminent introduction of the Next Generation Hart Foundation to the WWE? With the tag division on Smackdown looking bleak, Ted, Harry & Nattie could well find them selves battling MVP & Matt Hardy for those Tag Team straps. Also Paul Burchill is reportedly ready to be re-introduced into the WWE as a loose cannon, monster tweener figure. TNA continued along its route, with perhaps a future bright spark, Judas Mesias adding a new interest in TNA action. They were sure to be alerted to the WWE releases. The intent by the McMahon’s was clear, RAW & Smackdown were now to battle as equals. [url=http://xs.to][img]http://xs119.xs.to/xs119/07386/wweflash.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://xs.to][img]http://xs119.xs.to/xs119/07380/wweraw55a.jpg[/img][/url] Following the closure of the ECW Brand, ECW World Champion, CM Punk found his way to RAW, he battled in the last ever ECW match against a vicious opponent, New Jack. Jack had made a one shot deal to battle for the title before the ECW name was retired. We were all unsure of what was going to happen to the ECW title from here on in. Punk earned the right to keep the belt. But this past week on RAW, Vince McMahon had an idea. He renamed the belt the WWE Extreme Championship. Punk kept the belt. A little piece of ECW remains. Following the revelation of Hornswoggle being Vince McMahon’s child, the little green b@stard became a face, and was set to defend his Cruiserweight Title, this time on RAW against Smackdown’s Shannon Moore. During the match, Shane McMahon came out and revealed that all this talk of Vince having another child was a prank! – Pulled by him!! Hornswoggle was shocked, and then snuck up by Shannon Moore who scored the pinfall on Hornswoggle to take the Title. Hornswoggle then left the company, this being his final appearance. Vince was furious with his son, Shane, and banished him from Raw till 2008!!! Shane then bit back saying that, he was fine with that, as he is going to rule Smackdown, and become its new General Manager! Vince was shocked, and then announced himself GM on Raw! And the McMahon war was back on, again. [U]Feud wise –[/U] WWE Champ, John Cena still has a man on his back, Randy Orton. Orton is obsessed with the belt and Cena is, for the first time in 12 months looking at a man who has nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Orton is taunting Cena at every turn. Stay tuned to this one. Cena’s tagged with pride, and Orton wants not only the WWE Title, but Cena’s pride too! Umaga and HHH has boiled over on Raw, with Umaga’s manager Armando Estrada, now claiming to have a new “partner of destruction” for Umaga, that will make HHH’s past allies look like school children! HHH has yet to speak out, but one things for sure, Triple H has enough people in wrestling to watch his back. Although his DX partner, Shawn Michaels is still on the shelf. This partner of destruction can be heavily rumoured, as to who he is, but with Estrada, black is never black. As the newly crowned WWE Extreme Champion, CM Punk announced he would defend the belt with his life. One things for sure, that the straight edged superstar will have many a man gunning for him, now he’s on RAW! King Booker, and his beautiful wife, Queen Sharmell, have been relentless in talking trash for the past 6months about anyone and everyone, until Ken Kennedy got in his face! The self styled King and Mr.Kennedy have yet to lock up, and Kennedy has made one thing clear……He wants Booker’s Crown!! So the match is set for No Mercy in 2 weeks time. “The Battle for the Crown” – if Booker loses, he must relinquish his royal gold to Kennedy and return to the name of Booker T! If Kennedy loses, Booker gains a slave, for his royal guard! The Champions remain the same on Raw, and most people will be familiar with, [B][COLOR="DimGray"]WWE Champion – John Cena WWE Extreme Champion – CM Punk WWE Intercontinental Champion – Jeff Hardy WWE Womans Champion – Candice Michelle WWE World Tag Team Champions – Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch[/COLOR][/B] [url=http://xs.to][img]http://xs119.xs.to/xs119/07386/wweflash.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://xs.to][img]http://xs119.xs.to/xs119/07380/wwesd55a.jpg[/img][/url] Of course, Shane has inherited his share of quality ECW Talent also. John Morrison, Elijah Burke & Bobby Lashley head to Smackdown this coming week! Big news on Smackdown is that of the gritty feud between the fresh off the shelf, Edge, and the legendary Ric Flair. Its been rumoured for many months now that Ric Flair will retire next year, and following on from those rumours, are that he is set to rebuild a modern day Four Horsemen group. Since then Edge has been getting in Flair’s face, taunting him that no matter what, Flair could never have beaten Edge in Flair’s peak. This week, Flair & Edge will be 2 men too watch! WWE US Champion MVP and Matt Hardy continue their intriguing path of similarity, even though they detest each other. They continue to hold the WWE Tag Hold. The ever confident Elijah Burke has threatened the super popular Rey Misterio, and since then Rey has not backed down. Burke suspects Rey is still not yet fully fit, and many believe that Burke is looking to make a name for himself on Smackdown against a weaker competitor. How wrong he could be! The returning Undertaker has set his sights on a new victim – John Morrison, and Morrison is scared stiff!! Taker last week on Smackdown interrupted a promo from the former ECW Champion with a symbol and smoke, that filled the arena. Morrison took off quicker than a cat!! The battle for supremecy of Smackdown, and the World Heavyweight Title comes to a head at No Mercy in 2 weeks time, when Champion Batista, steps into hell, when he faces the Great Khali in a Punjabi Prison Match!! Don’t bet against Khali becoming a two time champion, come No Mercy. But Batista is an animal with that fighting instinct, it will be fascinating. The Champion roll call, [B][COLOR="dimgray"]WWE World Heavyweight Champion – Batista WWE United States Champion – M.V.P WWE Cruiserweight Champion – Shannon Moore WWE Tag Team Champions – M.V.P & Matt Hardy[/COLOR][/B] [url=http://xs.to][img]http://xs119.xs.to/xs119/07386/wweflash.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://xs.to][img]http://xs119.xs.to/xs119/07380/wwe55nmhh1.jpg[/img][/url] In 2 weeks, WWE No Mercy – “Halloween Havoc” will hit on PPV, and the card is already full to the brim. As part of the demise of ECW, the McMahon’s (Vince & Shane) thought they would up the ante between Raw & Smackdown, and make all PPVs Dual Branded. So each brand now will look to shine. WWE Championship Match John Cena © vs Randy Orton Tag Team Match Triple H & ??? vs Umaga & his “Partner of Destruction” WWE Intercontinental Championship Match Jeff Hardy © vs Carltio Punjabi Prison Match WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match Batista © vs The Great Khali Casket Match The Undertaker vs John Morrison WWE Tag Team Championship Match M.V.P & Matt Hardy vs A Mystery Team Singles Match Elijah Burke vs Rey Misterio WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match Shannon Moore © vs Gregory Helms WWE World Tag Team Championship Match Cade & Murdoch © vs Brian Kendrick & Paul London vs The Worlds Greatest Tag Team The Crowning Glory Match – For King Booker’s Crown King Booker vs Ken Kennedy *Rumoured Match* Ric Flair vs Edge [url=http://xs.to][img]http://xs119.xs.to/xs119/07386/wweflash.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER]

[The Ego]

[CENTER][url=http://xs.to][img]http://xs119.xs.to/xs119/07380/wweraw55a.jpg[/img][/url] [B][U][COLOR="Red"]WWE Raw Preview Monday Week 1, September 2007[/COLOR][/U][/B] In a superb Main Event, 4 men come to the ring, each with their grudges to bear. John Cena & Ken Kennedy must co-exist against the dastardly duo of the self styled King Booker, and the Legend Killing, Randy Orton. The key to victory is to gel with your partner here. Cena wants Orton, but will he get him tonight?? Jeff Hardy heads to No Mercy in 2 weeks time against Carlito, and will defend his WWE Intercontinental strap, tonight, he faces the fierce rival of Triple H, The Samoan Bulldozer – UMAGA! One things for sure, is that if Carlito or HHH get involved, this could get messy! Also a man simply known as “THE RIPPER” debuts! [B][I][COLOR="red"]The Previewed Card[/COLOR][/I][/B] [I][B]Tag Team Match[/B][/I] John Cena & Ken Kennedy vs Randy Orton & King Booker [B][I]Singles Match[/I][/B] Jeff Hardy vs Umaga [B][I]Triple Threat Match[/I][/B] Shelton Benjamin vs Lance Cade vs Paul London [B][I]WWE Extreme Championship Match[/I][/B] CM Punk © vs Matt Striker [url=http://xs.to][img]http://xs119.xs.to/xs119/07386/wweflash.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER]

[HailSabin1660846285]

The Ripper rules... My predictions for RAW! Tag Team Match John Cena & Ken Kennedy vs [B]Randy Orton & King Booker[/B] Singles Match Jeff Hardy vs [B]Umaga[/B] Triple Threat Match Shelton Benjamin vs Lance Cade vs [B]Paul London[/B] WWE Extreme Championship Match [B]CM Punk[/B] © vs Matt Striker

[The Ego]

[QUOTE=HailSabin!;293891]The Ripper rules... My predictions for RAW! Tag Team Match John Cena & Ken Kennedy vs [B]Randy Orton & King Booker[/B] Singles Match Jeff Hardy vs [B]Umaga[/B] Triple Threat Match Shelton Benjamin vs Lance Cade vs [B]Paul London[/B] WWE Extreme Championship Match [B]CM Punk[/B] © vs Matt Striker[/QUOTE] Thanks for voting mate, I hope people are liking the layout, its very different for me. And yes, The Ripper does rule, and will rule the WWE!!!

[chris caulfield]

Tag Team Match [B]John Cena & Ken Kennedy [/B]vs Randy Orton & King Booker Singles Match Jeff Hardy vs [B]Umaga[/B] Triple Threat Match Shelton Benjamin vs Lance Cade vs [B]Paul London[/B] WWE Extreme Championship Match [B]CM Punk ©[/B] vs Matt Striker Ripper = Bruchill?

[The Ego]

[QUOTE=chris caulfield;294003]Tag Team Match [B]John Cena & Ken Kennedy [/B]vs Randy Orton & King Booker Singles Match Jeff Hardy vs [B]Umaga[/B] Triple Threat Match Shelton Benjamin vs Lance Cade vs [B]Paul London[/B] WWE Extreme Championship Match [B]CM Punk ©[/B] vs Matt Striker Ripper = Bruchill?[/QUOTE] Hey Chris, cheers for predicting, Yeah The Ripper will be Burchill, the guys got talent, and ill push him as a Jack the Ripper style worker. How does everyone find the layout and backstory?? Just out of interest? Also, i will run the show tomorrow night, leaving more time for predictions.

[CM Phunk]

Tag Team Match John Cena & Ken Kennedy vs [B]Randy Orton & King Booker[/B] [I]I think there's treachery afoot.[/I] Singles Match Jeff Hardy vs [B]Umaga[/B] Triple Threat Match Shelton Benjamin vs [B]Lance Cade[/B] vs Paul London WWE Extreme Championship Match [B]CM Punk ©[/B] vs Matt Striker I like the format so far. The backstory was easy to read and helps the card make sense. I'm subscribed to this one for sure.

[Tyler Gadzinski]

Tag Team Match [B]John Cena & Ken Kennedy[/B] vs Randy Orton & King Booker Singles Match [B]Jeff Hardy[/B] vs Umaga Triple Threat Match Shelton Benjamin vs Lance Cade vs [B]Paul London[/B] WWE Extreme Championship Match [B]CM Punk[/B] © vs Matt Striker Also I love the backstory/build up ... great way to run things... Im not a big WWE fan but if its run right I could be a fan of yours ;)

[The Ego]

[QUOTE=CM Phunk;294067]Tag Team Match John Cena & Ken Kennedy vs [B]Randy Orton & King Booker[/B] [I]I think there's treachery afoot.[/I] Singles Match Jeff Hardy vs [B]Umaga[/B] Triple Threat Match Shelton Benjamin vs [B]Lance Cade[/B] vs Paul London WWE Extreme Championship Match [B]CM Punk ©[/B] vs Matt Striker I like the format so far. The backstory was easy to read and helps the card make sense. I'm subscribed to this one for sure.[/QUOTE] Thanks Phunker, Im glad i have a reader! The format im happy with as its very clean. Im also glad you found the backstory easy to pick up. [QUOTE=Tyler Gadzinski;294144]Tag Team Match [B]John Cena & Ken Kennedy[/B] vs Randy Orton & King Booker Singles Match [B]Jeff Hardy[/B] vs Umaga Triple Threat Match Shelton Benjamin vs Lance Cade vs [B]Paul London[/B] WWE Extreme Championship Match [B]CM Punk[/B] © vs Matt Striker Also I love the backstory/build up ... great way to run things... Im not a big WWE fan but if its run right I could be a fan of yours ;)[/QUOTE] Tyler, a pleasure as always, glad you're a fan of the backstory. Im with you, in not being a huge WWE fan, BUT i was a huge WWE fan, and i aim to simply and quickly take the WWE back to the watchable days. Im trying to get injured stars back into story lines quickly to start with momentum and progressing characters etc, so you may see cards and matches not be as black and white as they seem, at the start anyhow.

[chris caulfield]

yeah love everything so far as much as I love most your work So just keep it up.

[mad5226]

awesome backstory bro... with less graphics i should be able to follow this one which will be nice =) Tag Team Match John Cena & Ken Kennedy vs [B]Randy Orton[/B] & King Booker Singles Match [B]Jeff Hardy[/B] vs Umaga Triple Threat Match [B]Shelton Benjamin[/B] vs Lance Cade vs Paul London WWE Extreme Championship Match [B]CM Punk ©[/B] vs Matt Striker

[The Ego]

[QUOTE=mad5226;294223]awesome backstory bro... with less graphics i should be able to follow this one which will be nice =) Tag Team Match John Cena & Ken Kennedy vs [B]Randy Orton[/B] & King Booker Singles Match [B]Jeff Hardy[/B] vs Umaga Triple Threat Match [B]Shelton Benjamin[/B] vs Lance Cade vs Paul London WWE Extreme Championship Match [B]CM Punk ©[/B] vs Matt Striker[/QUOTE] Great to have you on here buddy, you hit the nail on the head, this diary is a bit friendlier than my usual shananigans for people with a slower graphics card. Thanks for predicting dude.

[The Ego]

Guys, the long awaited first RAW will be up tonight!!!

[Lexa90]

Wohoo... A new Ego diary :D Hope you will keep up with this... Tag Team Match John Cena & Ken Kennedy vs [B]Randy Orton & King Booker[/B] Singles Match Jeff Hardy vs [B]Umaga[/B] Triple Threat Match [B]Shelton Benjamin[/B] vs Lance Cade vs Paul London WWE Extreme Championship Match [B]CM Punk [/B]© vs Matt Striker

[Jayden]

loved the backstory for this by the way, was really well written and put together and set the scene really nicely when it's so easy not to bother with a WWE dynasty as you'd expect everyone to have been watching and know everything anyway. The Previewed Card Tag Team Match John Cena & Ken Kennedy vs [b]Randy Orton & King Booker[/b] Cena's the best, most well -rounded, polished, money generating superstar you have on your roster, but matches like these he could do with losing to actually make people think someone has a chance of beating him at some point. Orton's graet anyway, to be fair, all fours guys in this maine event are red hot Singles Match Jeff Hardy vs [b]Umaga[/b] can't stand Jeff anyway, don't think he knows how to work, and I love Umaga. No idea which way you'll go but Jeff should really only be there to take sick bumps and make Umaga look good Triple Threat Match [b]Shelton Benjamin[/b] vs Lance Cade vs Paul London no idea on this one so total guess work. I kinda like all three of these guys, in a small way, but really don't know where you'd be going with it. Maybe this is the token "just there to put out an excellent match" match on Raw. WWE Extreme Championship Match [b]CM Punk © [/b]vs Matt Striker I think Punk's terrible, bland, uninspiring, no chance of ever being anything more than an undercard flunkie. I'd love to see the belt off him, but not to this guy. If it was Big Daddy V, then maybe, he's a lot more talented than Punk, but meh, I don't see how you can/could get the belt onto Striker at this point. It'd really shock me if you did can't wait for the show

[The Ego]

Ah, Jayden, thanks for predicting. ....But while you're here, any chance of explaining why you took it upon yourself to pose as me on the EWB website??? Heck you even took my picture. And just to confirm this, any chance of getting one of those IP address checks please?! Waiter?!

[Jayden]

you don't need to get an IP address check, I didn't ever try to hide that it was me. why did I do it, err, I was bored and thought it'd keep me mildly entertained for about 20 minutes winding people up. pointlesS? stupid? pretty much, and there's no big long explanation and reasoning. i was just bored

[The Ego]

Jayden you are nothing more than a typical Joe C-unt, Please do not post on here again.