WWE 2008: A New Era

Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Massive Breaking News: Wellness policy suspensions.

Today World Wrestling Entertainment announced an update to their pre existing drug policy. The main point of the new policy is that all prior suspensions will be erased, and that workers now have three chances, no matter if they have previously failed. this is due to the fact that WWE are using a new company for their drug tests, which is much more comprehensive that before.

This was announced as eight contracted WWE employees failed the first round of testing. All will be suspended for thirty days as a result:

Anthony Carelli (Santino Marella) – Steroids
Chavo Guerrero – Steroids
Gene Snitsky – Steroids
John Hennigan (John Morrison) – Steroids
Ken Anderson (Mr. Kennedy) – Steroids
Mike Knox – Steroids
Sho Funaki – Steroids

It should be noted that William Regal will remain suspended as he failed the test prior to the changes, and understood the consequences.

Other WWE News

WWE plan to bring up a number of developmental talent in the coming weeks. WWE have also contacted at least one former WWE talent in the form. Currently being talked about are Matt Sydal, Ron Killings, Chris Harris and Colt Cabana.

Week One, June 2008

Dark Match: Ron Killings Def. Robbie McAllister with the Axe Kick. (6:12)

The usual RAW opening package aired, followed by clips of the RAW side of One Night Stand. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler then welcomed everybody to the show.

“The Time is Now” hit the speakers as John Cena made his way to the ring, to a mixed reaction from the crowd. Cena cut an in ring promo on how he beat John Bradshaw Layfield at One Night Stand and that he now wants another shot at the WWE Championship. Cena was interrupted by Jeff Hardy, who told Cena that he wasn’t the only RAW superstar to win at One Night Stand, and that the next challenger for the WWE Championship should be Jeff Hardy. Vince McMahon then appeared on the screen, and made the announcement that tonight’s main event will be John Cena V. Jeff Hardy, with the winner challenging Triple H at Night of Champion.

Shad Gaspard Def. Super Crazy (5:57)
A decent match, although the crowd were not really into it. Shad dominated the majority of this match, although Super Crazy got some offence in the earlier parts of the match. Shad connected with the Running Big Boot for the win.

RAW cut to Trevor Murdoch backstage with Vince McMahon. Murdoch requested a match with Lance Cade for later tonight. Vince told Murdoch that Murdoch had his match, and that it would happen later on RAW.

WWE Women’s Championship
Mickie James Def. Katie Lea (9:36)
A solid diva’s match. The Lea Burchill name has apparently been dropped. Katie Lea put on a great performance, and is a definite threat to the women’s championship, as displayed here. Mickie looked strong as always, and controlled the later parts of this match, hitting the Long Kiss Goodnight for the win.

Post match Paul Burchill made the run in and grabbed hold of Mickie James, allowing Katie Lea to continually kick Mickie in the ribs. Mr. Kennedy made the save, nailing Paul Burchill with a massive right hand, sending both Burchill and Katie Lea backstage.

RAW cut to Ted Dibiase and Ted Dibiase Jr. backstage. Dibiase Sr. cut a promo hyping the skills of Ted Dibiase Jr., and that at he had arranged a deal with Vince McMahon to ensure that his son would get a World Tag Team Championship match at Night of Champions, and that he would be looking for a partner who is also “priceless”.

The Hooligans Def. Carlito & Santino Marella (12:59)
A great tag team match. All four men put on a good performance, and the crowd really got into the fast paced match. Carlito controlled the early parts of the match against Paul London, but the tide turned when Santino Marella and Carlito began double teaming London, causing Brian Kendrick to hit a suicide dive onto both of his opponents, taking both men out. The match continued back and forth from there, with Kendrick showing a much riskier style of wrestling, and London hit the 450 splash on Marella for the win.

A video package highlighted Shawn Michaels loss to Batista at One Night Stand, and that Chris Jericho has invited Shawn Michaels to appear on the Highlight Reel tonight on RAW.

RAW cut to Mr. Kennedy backstage. Kennedy cut a promo on how Burchill has made an enemy out of the wrong person, and that up next, he will show exactly why that is when he destroys Burchill in the middle of the ring.

Mr. Kennedy Def. Paul Burchill via DQ (11:39)
Although Kennedy seems to be playing the face in this feud he certainly didn’t act like one in this match, using a number of dirty moves to take control. Burchill proved that he could handle matches against the stars of RAW, using his strength to fight back, and nearly getting the win a number of times. Burchill focused on powerful moves to keep control, but Kennedy managed to hit a dropkick on Burchill out of nowhere. Kennedy fought back, putting on one hell of a performance at the same time, and the fans really got behind him. Kennedy set Burchill up for the Mic Check but Burchill managed to escape the ring first. Burchill grabbed a steel chair from ringside and waited for Kennedy to go after him, before blasting the chair over Kennedy’s skull, causing the disqualification.

After the match Burchill continued the attacked on Kennedy, hitting him with the chair multiple times. Burchill finished the brutal assault by shoving the chair straight into Kennedy's throat.

RAW cut to Umaga backstage, tearing into the food table. John Cena walked past him and made a joke about Umaga eating like a savage. Umaga took offence and attempted to attack Cena, but was held back by staff members. Cena told Umaga that if he wants some, to come and get some, before leaving as Umaga shouted something unrecognizable.

Lance Cade Def. Trevor Murdoch (12:54)
A good match, although there was nothing spectacular about it. Both men focused on ground based moves, such as powerful grapples and brawling. Cade looked strong throughout, and the crowd really started to buy into him as a threat. The crowd seemed to like Murdoch as a face, but this gave Cade the advantage when he jumped Murdoch from behind when Murdoch started singing to members of the crowd. Cade dominated from there, and eventually hit a big Lariat for the win.

The set for Chris Jericho’s highlight reel was set up, with Jericho already in the ring. Jericho talked about how Shawn Michaels could not pick up the win at One Night Stand, despite the support that he had provided. Jericho then called out Shawn Michaels, who made his way to the ring still hurting from the Stretcher Match. Michaels told Jericho that he never needed any help, and that all Jericho had done was embarrass the both of them. Jericho told Michaels that if he wasn’t so pathetic then there would not be a problem. Michaels then shocked the crowd by slapping Jericho across the face. Jericho told Michaels that he was a bigger man than Michaels, and challenged him to a match at Night of Champions. Michaels accepted and left the ring with his head down, as Jericho grinned from the ring.

Winner Challenges Triple H at Night of Champions
Jeff Hardy Def. John Cena (18:32)
Not the best main event in history. The match really seemed to drag, and there was a definite lack of flow throughout. Jeff seemed off his game early in the match, but as the match went on he got into the flow of things. Cena looked strong throughout, controlling the early parts of the match with little problem. Jeff managed to hit a tornado DDT to take control, and used his quick high octane style to take control. Cena managed to counter a top rope move with a dropkick to get back into the match, and the match went back and forth from there. Cena managed to set Jeff up for the F-U, but Jeff managed to reverse it into a hurricarana. Jeff then hit the Swanton Bomb, followed by the pinfall for the win.

After the match Umaga ran down the ramp and attacked John Cena. Jeff Hardy attempted to stop the attack but was caught with a big kick to the skull. Umaga continued the assault on Cena, and finished off with a big Samoan Spike. As RAW went off the air Umaga stood tall over the body of John Cena.