THE E: a WWE Diary (update: RR 2012 + Draft)

The tides shifted in the WWE on August 1, 2011, as The Rock revealed himself to be the secret general manager of Raw. Not only that, Rock would be taking charge of Smackdown as well -- because the brand were combining. Well, sort of.

The WWE was rebranding with two new brands -- Raw and Endurance. Raw superstars would compete weekly on Raw and Smackdown, while Endurance stars -- the up-and-comers of the company -- would battle it out weekly on Endurance (the re-branded NXT) and Superstars.

With that, Rock would only require one champion, and he would be determined in a battle royal on that very episode of Raw -- a battle won by Randy Orton!

In the coming weeks, Teddy Long's Endurance brand saw an influx of new talent, including independent sensations Colt Cabana, Generation Next (Alex Shelley, Austin Aries, and Roderick Strong), LAX (Homicide and Hernandez), as well as returns for the World's Greatest Tag Team!

Shelley immediately got into a feud with WWE's internet sensation, Zack Ryder, over Endurance's top championship, the Internet Title while LAX and the World's Greatest Tag Team got involved in a battle for the WWE Tag Team Championship.

Meanwhile on Raw, Wade Barrett found himself a manager in William Regal and stepped up big time in an attempt to take down "The Game," Triple H.

The Intercontinental and United States Championships both continued on, with Christian claiming the U.S. Championship from Dolph Ziggler before finding a challenger in the form of the newly debuted Colt Cabana. Meanwhile, the undashing Cody Rhodes set out to take the United States Championship from the big man, Ezekiel Jackson.

Long a fan favorite, Daniel Bryan proved his allegiance otherwise when he decided to attack the former champ, John Cena. Meanwhile, C.M. Punk set his sights on the WWE Champion himself going into Summerslam.



Sunday Night Heat: Justin Gabriel defeated his former partner, Heath Slater, via a 450 Splash.

LAX def. World's Greatest Tag Teams to win the WWE Tag Team Championship. The show kicked off with a great battle between two of the top tag teams on Endurance as Homicide and Hernandez teamed up against Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin. In one of the early surprises of the evening, LAX de-throned the Tag Team Champions thanks to a Border Toss on Shelton Benjamin.

Colt Cabana def. Christian to become the NEW WWE United States Champion. The crowd was more than hot as the surging popularity of Colt Cabana came through as he was able to roll-up Christian for a pinfall victory.

Cody Rhodes def. Ezekiel Jackson to claim the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Rhodes had gotten the best of Jackson for the month, mostly thanks to nefarious means, but he earned a pinfall victory over Jackson thanks to the Cross Rhodes to become the new champion on this night.

Thanks to Drew McIntyre's interference, Alex Shelley def. Zack Ryder to win the WWE Internet Championship. McIntyre would officially join Generation Next after the battle, but his membership became obvious as he blasted Ryder with the belt to help Shelley gain the victory.

Triple H def. Wade Barrett. William Regal ate a Pedigree for attempting to interfere before his protege felt the same punishment as "The Game" walked out champion.

John Cena def. Daniel Bryan. The former "Champ" earned a measure of revenge as he locked the submission expert in the STF and forced him to tap out for a submission victory!

C.M. Punk defeated Randy Orton to become the new WWE Champion! Speaking of former champions, C.M. Punk forced Randy Orton into the league of Cena as he planted him to the mat with a GTS for a pinfall victory.

Ezekiel Jackson tossed Cody Rhodes to the wayside with another pinfall victory, but after Colt Cabana regained the U.S. Championship from Christian, he set his sights on the IC title and Jackson leading into the WWE's next pay-per-view, Fully Loaded. Meanwhile, Cabana saw an old tag team partner challenge him for the US title in C.M. Punk.

Daniel Bryan announced he would cash in his Money in the Bank contract almost immediately, choosing Fully Loaded as the perfect chance to take the championship from Orton.

John Cena looked to find his way back into the championship perfect as a tag team with Kofi Kingston, but saw the jealous Kingston turn on him in an attempt to get ahead himself.

Meanwhile, on Endurance, Generation Next claimed the Tag Team Championship from Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara before finding themselves challenged by the former champions in the World's Greatest Tag Team. Also on the tag team front, the Rock Stars from Mars looked to step up, taking on LAX.

But the news of the month came as Wade Barrett and the King's Men (Gabriel and McIntyre) assaulted the new general manager of Raw, The Rock, with Wade Barrett challenging him to a match at the pay-per-view. Rock agreed, but said it would be done under his terms -- a six-man match, with "HBK" Shawn Michaels and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin as his partners!



Sunday Night Heat: The two newest members of the Endurance roster squared off as Mark Briscoe defeated Tyler Black via the Mark Out! for a pinfall victory.

Christian def. John Morrison and Ezekiel Jackson to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Without earning a pinfall victory over his rival, Christian was able to take his championship, hitting John Morrison with the Killswitch for the victory.

LAX def. The Rock Stars from Mars. The rising Hawkins and Slater looked impressive, but they were not able to defeat Homicide and Hernandez on this night as Slater fell victim to the Cop Killa for the pinfall.

Kofi Kingston def. John Cena. John Cena looked to get some revenge on his former partner in this one, but it was he who suffered "Trouble in Paradise" as Kingston picked up a pinfall victory.

Generation Next retained the WWE Tag Team Championship against the World's Greatest Tag Team. In one of the greatest pure wrestling battles we had seen as of yet in the newly rebranded WWE, Austin Aries pinned Charlie Haas after a 450 Splash to earn the victory for Gen Next.

Sheamus def. Alex Riley to become WWE Internet Champion. After a trade sent Sheamus to Endurance, Sheamus vowed to return to the main show quickly, and he made an immediate impact, taking the Internet Championship from Riley thanks to the Brogue Kick.

C.M. Punk def. Colt Cabana. C.M. Punk told Colt Cabana he did not deserve to be in the WWE before the match, and he took steps to prove that as he defeated his former tag team partner thanks to the Anaconda Vise.

Randy Orton retained the WWE Championship against Daniel Bryan. After defeating Colt Cabana for the US Championship earlier in the week, Daniel Bryan vowed to walk out a double champion, but it was not to be on this night, as Orton rolled up Bryan with a hand full of tights. Bryan assaulted the referee after the match.

The King's Men defeated The Rock, Stone Cold, and HBK. Wade Barrett planned to take out the legends from the WWE, and while eh was not able to eliminate any of them, Justin Gabriel earned the victory for the up-and-comers after hitting HBK with the 450 Splash.

The dream of Bryan as a triple crown champion did not last long, as The Rock immediately forced him to put both the Intercontinental and United States Championships on the line, and he was upset against both Ezekiel Jackson (IC) and Zack Ryder (US).

This did not settle well with Bryan, who took his aggression out on the general manager of Raw, setting up a battle between the two at Revolution!

Meanwhile, the Rock Stars from Mars continued to impress, earning themselves a two-on-two shot at the Tag Team Championship with Austin Aries and Roderick Strong.

Christian continued his feud with Jackson, now with the Intercontinental Championship back in his sights, while Zack Ryder saw Wade Barrett step up for a shot at the United States Championship -- with plans to change the name!

With so many contenders battling it out for a shot at the WWE Championship, The Rock determined that the man who would face the champion next would be decided in a Battle Royal!

With Kharma sidelined by an injury, WWE officials de-activated the Divas Championship.



Sunday Night Heat: Taylor Tenille defeated Brie Bella in a women's match.

The Rock Stars from Mars won the Tag Team Championship from Generation Next. Curt Hawkins and Heath Slater finally won the big one, defeating Generation Next after a long battle, teaming up on Roderick Strong for the High Note and a pinfall victory.

Zack Ryder successfully defended the United States Championship against Wade Barrett via DQ. Wade Barrett made it clear rather quickly that he wasn't looking to win the United States Championship on this night, attacking Ryder with a chair and causing a disqualification. He still left the champion lying, his point made.

Christian defeated Ezekiel Jackson to win the Intercontinental Championship. Christian used a pair of brass knuckles to do it, but he reclaimed the Intercontinental Championship from Ezekiel Jackson with a pinfall victory.

Mark Briscoe won a four-way match to become WWE Internet Champion. An impressive night for the newcomer, as Mark Briscoe edged out Sheamus, Alex Riley, and Green Ant to become the WWE Internet Champion. After the bout, Sheamus assaulted the new champion backstage.

Triple H won a 10-Man Battle Royal to become #1 Contender to the WWE Championship. "The Game" was back on top and set his eyes on the WWE Championship, but had to wait until later in the show to find out who he would be facing.

Daniel Bryan defeated The Rock via knockout to retain the WWE Championship. The Rock refused to tap out as Bryan locked him in Cattle Mutilation, but the champion's hold forced the "Great One" to pass out, earning Bryan a successful title defense, but as he celebrated, HHH came to the ring and assaulted him, leaving him lying after a Pedigree, much to the delight of the fans.

I can kind of see your point, but at the same time, I've just been pushing the guys who have gotten over quicker than others. I didn't "force" any body to the top nor have I pushed many indie stars "to the moon." All of the indy guys have started on the b-show, Endurance, and competed for the Tag Team or Internet titles. Colt Cabana is really the only one who has moved up to the main event rankings. Everybody else already worked for the WWE.

Mind you, I can see your point on the realism and change. But, it is definitely more of a fantasy sim for me than anything else. Things really ought to slow down in the change department in the "months" to come.

Thanks for the replies, again. I think I've followed your advice, but like I said -- it is more of a fantasy diary than anything else. At any rate, I finished up 2011 with a big special episode of Raw, so here's the update. As far as what's ahead, "it's time to shake things up again!"

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December became a month of transition for The E as, living up to his promise for having lost to Bryan, The Rock resigned form his position as General Manager of Raw. In a surprise to everyone two weeks later, Rock introduced Paul Heyman as his replacement. Heyman shocked the world with his return to WWE.

As the new #1 Contender to Daniel Bryan's championship -- and having made an immediate impact at the end of Revolution, Triple H found himself a marked man, with everyone from C.M. Punk to the newly returned Jack Swagger coming at him. With help of Bryan, many of these adversaries took down "The Game," making this feud about more than just the gold.

The Tag Team Championships officially switched brands as Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin defeated the Rock Stars from Mars, bringing the championships to Raw as signees of the new GM. They immediately saw themselves challenged by the newly formed team of Dashing Destiny, Cody Rhodes and Alberto Del Rio.

Christian's latest reign with the Intercontinental Championship was short-lived as John Cena was able to defeat the champ just one day later, thanks in part to an assist from the former champ's adversary Ezekiel Jackson, but Cena's celebration was cut short by an assault from C.M. Punk, who was looking to solidify his position in the company by taking out Cena.

Meanwhile, Cena's former rival Kofi Kingston found himself running into Colt Cabana. The host of "Good Times, Great Memories" tore into Kingston on his personal talk show and found himself deeply embroiled in a feud for respect.

Stable warfare began on Endurance, with LAX finding an unlikely partner in Nikki Bella as they took on Alex Riley and the Flex Express of Green Ant and Gail Kim. Hernandez claimed the Internet Championship, and the former champ Riley and the masked up-and-comer looked to take it for themselves.

Generation Next looked to solidify their dominance as well, but they would be doing it without the son of Mr. Perfect, as they kicked Joe Hennig to the curb, although keeping his former manager, Maryse, in tow. Instead, The Rock Stars from Mars -- now aligned with John Morrison and Melina -- took him under their wings as they attempted to take down Gen. Next.

Meanwhile, Sheamus continued a crusade to prove he deserves a spot back on Raw, looking to prove his point against Mark Briscoe.

David Hart Smith returned to television, making an immediate impact on Endurance as he took out Evan Bourne and Paul London and reuniting with former Hart Dynasty partner Natalya Neidhart.

The month of December did not conclude with a pay-per-view, but Paul Heyman brought back an old favorite concept -- Raw Roulette! The Roulette wheel spun for ten matches on the final card of the month, producing some of the most interesting battles to date in The E.



Sheamus defeated Mark Briscoe in an Inferno Match! Raw Roulette got started out with a blast as we found out the opening bout would be an inferno match. Sheamus knocked Briscoe into an exposed turnbuckle -- narrowly avoiding the flames -- for a pinfall victory.

John Morrison defeated Tyler Black in a First Blood Match! The Endurance bouts continued as one of the newest members of Endurance, John Morrison, took out one of the rising stars of the WWE in Tyler Black, blasting him in the head with the ring bell, which Black brought into the ring, for the victory. After the match, Alex Shelley tried to help his Generation Next stablemate, but fell victim to Starship Pain for his troubles.

Dolph Ziggler became the first ever WWE Television Champion, defeating Roderick Strong in a Steel Cage Match. Endurance GM Desmond Wolfe debuted a new championship for his show to replace the lost Tag Team Titles, and the opening match did not disappoint as the fan favorite Ziggler planted his opponent from Generation Next to the mat with the Zig Zag for a pinfall victory.

Alex Riley & Green Ant defeated LAX in a Hardcore Match. Stable warfare continued as Alex Riley and Green Ant, with Gail Kim in their corner, were able to defeat LAX as Riley drilled Homicide to the mat with an implant DDT for the victory.

Kofi Kingston defeated Colt Cabana in a Falls Count Anywhere match. Kingston planted his adversary to the match with Trouble in Paradise for a pinfall victory after a battle that extended throughout the arena!

Wade Barrett defeated Zack Ryder in an "I Quit" match to become WWE United States Champion. The numbers game drew in the favor of Barrett as he received help from stablemates William Regal and Justin Gabriel. Rather than suffer any further beating, Ryder wisely quit to compete another day.

The World's Greatest Tag Team retained the WWE Tag Team Championship against Dashing Destiny in a Ladder Match. With Alberto Del Rio locked in the Haas of Pain and Cody Rhodes falling victim to Pay Dirt off the ladder, the champions retained their titles in one of the most thrilling matches of the evening.

Christian defeated Ezekiel Jackson in a Submission match. Christian somehow locked the enormous Zeke in an STF for the submission victory. After the bout, the two long-time rivals shook hands.

C.M. Punk defeated John Cena for the Intercontinental Championship in a Tables Match. After a back-and-forth battle, Punk was able to suplex Cena through a table for the victory, but he did not end there, blasting his rival with a chairshot to the head before celebrating with his new title.

Triple H defeated Daniel Bryan to become the new WWE Champion in a Last Man Standing match. "The Game" used his signature sledgehammer and then a Pedigree, much to the enjoyment of the fans, as he was able to keep the champion down for 10 seconds and become the new WWE Champion.

I'm confused by everyone saying it's so unrealistic. I only push the people that the game puts over. Daniel Bryan shot to the main event thanks to a feud with John Cena. Zack Ryder shot to the main event rather quickly, and I didn't even try. Same for Colt Cabana. Austin Aries, Roderick Strong, and Alex Shelley were on the b-show as mid-carders but got over because they put on good matches. Same goes for Mark Briscoe, Green Ant, others. I could type out all of their overness for you if you want, but all of the people I'm pushing are legitimate main eventers/upper mid-carders in the EWR function. The WWE Championship is 100 overall. The Intercontinental Championship is 95. U.S. and Internet are upper 80s. It's not super realistic, but it's the way EWR worked.

The unrealistic thing(s) I did were getting rid of Undertaker, Kane and others at the start and then clearing out the entire developmental territory for indie guys & gals that I liked. From there, it's all been a function of the game. Don't know what to tell you. Perhaps, it's because you're not getting the whole month's worth of shows.