WWE star John Cena posted the following on Twitter today:
"Very difficult month for me,personally. It's times like these that I see truly how much I love wrestling. I am truly thankful for what I do. Adapt. Overcome. And now, more than ever before Rise Above Hate. I f'n love you guys. Even the ones that hate my guts. U get me thru each day..thick and thin. Thank u. For everything. Thank you."
TNA Final Resolution 2011
TNA Final Resolution Opener:
The show opened with a video package that focused on Bobby Roode. The video showcases Roode and his family members, talking about how much he has changed since capturing the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
Rob Van Dam vs. Christopher Daniels
TNA announcer Mike Tenay recalls a storyline between RVD and Daniels from the previous PPV last month. He said this particular showdown is all about wrestling, because wrestling matters. The match begins! Daniels worked RVD for the most part of the match. In the end, the finish came when Van Dam finished off Daniels with the 5-Star Frog Splash for the clean pinfall.
Winner: Rob Van Dam
Backstage: Jeremy Borash Interviews Mickie James
Backstage, Jeremy Borash is with Mickie James. James says the people want the Knockouts match, and tonight, they're going to get it. She says Gail Kim can't hide behind politics. She claims she was excited about Gail returning to TNA until she politicked and hid. Borash thanks her and announces that the TNA T.V. Title match is next.
TNA TV Title: Robbie E. vs. Eric Young
Not much crowd reaction for the bad guys even though Young was doing a good job getting the crowd's attention while they were showing off. Six minutes of action goes by when Rob Terry gets behind the ref's back. Young dropkicks Terry out of the ring, when Robbie scores the clean pinfall with his finishing move.
Winner: Robbie E.
Backstage: Jeremy Borash Interviews Devon & The Pope
Backstage, Jeremy Borash is with Devon and The Pope. After Devon talks some trash, Pope says he can't help it that Devon's kids look up to him as a father figure. He claims tonight is about the gold.
Steel Cage Match: Jeff Jarrett vs. Jeff Hardy
Karen Jarrett will be handcuffed to Sting at ringside; if Jarrett loses the match, either he or his wife will be fired. If Jarrett wins, Hardy will be fire
We go to the cage and out first comes Jeff Jarrett with Karen at his side. Out next comes Jeff Hardy with his new helmet. Sting’s music hits and out he comes to handcuff Karen Jarrett to himself. The match starts and Jarrett drops Hardy quick for a pin attempt. Jarrett rolls Hardy up for another pin attempt. They run the ropes again and Jarrett goes for another pin attempt. Hardy turns it around and leg drops him, then connects with a dropkick for 2.
Hardy climbs the cage but Jarrett pulls him down to the top. Hardy comes crashing down on Jarrett and then throws him face first into the cage wall. Hardy throws him into the opposite side and continues the offense. Jarrett counters the Twist of Fate with a pin attempt into the Figure Four. It’s broken but Jarrett keeps in control. Jarrett throws Hardy into the cage wall now. Jarrett climbs the cage but Hardy stops him. Jarrett kicks Hardy to the mat and comes down on him.
Jarrett climbs the cage again but Hardy pulls him off. Hardy climbs up now. Hardy kicks Jarrett off and splashes down on him for a 2 count. They trade shots on their feet now. Hardy hits a clothesline and shot to the face. Hardy hits Twist of Fate and goes to the top. He comes back down and hits another Twist of Fate. Hardy climbs to the top of the cage and hits a Swanton but Jarrett moves and Hardy lands hard on his back.
Jarrett goes to slide out of the cage door but Hardy pulls him back. Jarrett hits the Stroke. Hardy stops Jarrett from escaping the cage door and Jarrett stops him. Hardy swings in from the cage door and kicks Jarrett down. Hardy flies into the cage door, which knocks Sting and Karen down. Karen uncuffs herself and slams the door in Hardy’s face. Jarrett covers for a close 2 count. Karen tries to bring the guitar into play but Sting stops her. Hardy hits a Twist of Fate for the win.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
After the match, Karen raises hell at ringside as Sting enters the ring. Sting says someone is getting fired on Impact as Karen screams. Hardy now gets the TNA World Title shot at Genesis.
Continue to follow our coverage of the Final Resolution pay-per-view by getting the results to all of tonight’s matches as soon as they conclude by “liking” us on Facebook. As soon as a match comes to an end at tonight’s event, we’ll update our page with the results as well as link you to the full results. Alternatively, we just recently launched our
30-Minute Iron Man Match for the TNA World Heavyweight Title: AJ Styles vs. Bobby Roode
We go to the ring and out comes the challenger AJ Styles. The TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode is out next. JB does formal ring introductions before the bell. They lock up and AJ goes behind. They trade holds and break. They lock up again and Roode applies a headlock. Roode shoves AJ away and does jumping jacks. They lock up again and Roode goes back to a headlock. AJ turns it around to a headlock of his own. Roode turns it into a head scissors on the mat. AJ kicks out and goes back to a headlock on the mat as we’re over 4 minutes in now.
AJ drops Roode with three shoulder blocks and goes for a pin attempt but Roode slides out to the floor. Roode comes back in the ring and they lock up, going to the corner. They trade chops in the corner. AJ hits a big back drop on Roode. Roode plays chicken and throws AJ out to the floor. Roode follows and AJ slams him into the barrier. AJ brings it back in the ring but Roode catches him and stomps away. Roode goes to work on AJ’s injured knee now and drags his face across the top rope.
AJ counters Roode and rolls him up out of the corner for a 2 count. They trade pin attempts. AJ with a hip toss and an arm drag. Roode comes back with a shoulder. AJ tosses Roode with a head scissors but runs right into a boot in the corner. AJ runs the ropes and connects with a clothesline for a 2 count near 9 minutes in.
Roode fights out of a headlock and drops AJ on is leg. AJ fights back and applies a headlock, favoring his leg. Roode drops AJ on his leg again but runs into an elbow in the corner. AJ goes up top but Roode takes his leg out. AJ falls from the top and Roode covers him for a 3 count. Roode has a 1-0 lead at the 10 minute in mark.
AJ takes Roode to the corner and works him over. Roode fights out with a rake to the eyes. Roode takes AJ’s knee out and goes to work on it. Roode gets a 1 count. AJ fights to his feet with chops and backs Roode in the corner with shots to the head. Roode blocks a clothesline and beats AJ back to one knee. AJ counters a suplex and goes behind. Roode counters and slams AJ’s leg down. AJ tries to fight back again but goes down on his knee. Roode blocks a move and applies a single leg Boston Crab. AJ makes it to the ropes to break the hold. Roode continues to work on AJ’s leg and applies the Figure Four in the middle of the ring. AJ finally taps out to make it 2-0 in favor of Roode.
Roode kicks out AJ’s leg again and shows off for the crowd. AJ gets up again but Roode takes the leg out once again. Roode goes for another Figure Four but AJ kicks him into the turnbuckles. AJ catches Roode in a flying armbar. AJ applies a crossface and Roode taps out to make it 2-1.
AJ focuses his attention on Roode’s arm now and goes to the mat. Roode turns it into a submission on his leg. They get to their feet and trade shots. More back and forth until Roode connects with a clothesline. AJ rolls Roode up with a cradle out of nowhere for a pin to make it 2-2.
Continue reading our live coverage of tonight’s Final Resolution main event on the next page…
John Cena is one of the biggest,
brightest and most controversial Superstars in WWE history. Alternately beloved
and booed, the multi-time champion’s in-ring accomplishments command respect
and place him among the all-time greats. But is he the Superstar of 2011?
the 2009 and 2010 Slammy Awards, winning perhaps the most prestigious award of
them all: Superstar of the Year. Now, he goes for an unprecedented “three-peat”
when the 2011 Slammy Awards come to Raw SuperShow this Monday at a special
start time of 8/7 CT. A Superstar of the Year hat trick seems improbable, but
if anyone is accustomed to overcoming stacked odds, it’s The Cenation
Commander-in-Chief. (VOTE NOW)
2011 has been a tumultuous year
for John Cena, with high highs and low lows. He won the WWE Championship on
several occasions and competed in all the big events, at all the big venues,
against all of WWE’s biggest talents. But he also played second fiddle to The
Rock at Survivor Series (before getting Rock Bottomed), failed to defeat The
Miz at WrestleMania XXVII, watched the meteoric rise of his loquacious rival CM
Punk and gets jeered now more than ever.
because other WWE luminaries like Punk, The Miz, Alberto Del Rio and Mark Henry
are worthy of Superstar of the Year in their own right. The competition for the
honor is always rugged, but especially so this year against two current World
Champions and several top contenders.
Whether or not he is crowned Superstar
of 2011, Cena will continue to “Rise Above Hate.” After all, he has beaten long
odds before. Just last year he was named Superstar of 2010 and, in 2009, he won
the tournament to claim Superstar of the Year honors. A third Slammy Award is
another item for the trophy case, another impressive line in his biography, another
measure of approval. It may not curtail the recently overwhelming boos of the
WWE Universe, but if anyone is up to the task of winning hearts, minds and
Slammy Awards, it’s the tenacious, indomitable John Cena.
Tune in to the 2011 Slammy Awards this Monday at
a special start time of 8/7 CT to see if the Cenation leader achieves an
astonishing three-peat, and be sure to VOTE NOW to make your voice heard.
Here are my takes on the noteworthy developments in WWE over the past week:
Talking point: Zack Ryder has a big night on Raw
Eck’s Factor: Everyone’s favorite “broski” sure has come a long way. It wasn’t all that long ago that he couldn’t even get on TV. On this past Monday’s Raw, not only was Ryder all over the program, but he defeated World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry (with a big assist from John Cena), wrestled a competitive match against Cena before ultimately losing, and hit his finisher on arch rival Dolph Ziggler after Ziggler’s match against Sheamus.
The thread throughout the show of Ryder having to overcome major obstacles to get another U.S. Title shot against Ziggler – which put his friendship with Cena to the test – told a good story and made Ryder look like a star. I did have a couple issues with it, however. For one, I wasn’t thrilled about Ryder getting a pinfall victory over Henry, who has been effectively built up a monster heel. Despite the fact that Henry was selling an ankle injury and Ryder needed Cena’s help to win, I think the loss weakened Henry’s aura. I also think that WWE needs to be careful not to overexpose Ryder. The WWE Universe clearly likes Ryder and wants to see him, but they may not want to see him quite as much as they did Monday night.
Talking point: John Cena gives up his spot in the TLC Triple Threat Match for the WWE Title
Eck’s Factor: After John Laurinaitis went back on his original decision and gave Cena an opportunity to earn a spot in the TLC main event, I think everyone assumed it was a foregone conclusion that Cena would be in the match. When Raw ended Monday night, however, Cena was on the outside looking in. After defeating Zack Ryder to qualify for the WWE Title Match at TLC, Cena voluntarily gave up his place in the match so that Ryder could have another opportunity to earn a U.S. Title shot. So as it stands now, Cena is not booked on the Dec. 18 TLC pay-per-view. Unless there is a twist on this Monday’s Raw and Cena somehow ends up regaining a spot in the match – which currently is a Triple Threat between WWE Champion CM Punk, The Miz and Alberto Del Rio – I don’t see a logical opponent for him at TLC. Interesting. On a side note, I thought Cena did a great job of giving a rub to Ryder on Raw. From wearing Ryder’s merchandise to giving him so much offense in their match, Cena was very generous.
Talking point: CM Punk puts an exclamation point on contract signing
Eck’s Factor: As Punk rightfully pointed out on Raw Monday night, contract signings are one of the biggest clichés in WWE. Leave it to Punk to make the contract signing for his WWE Title defense against The Miz and Alberto Del Rio in a TLC Match the most entertaining segment on the show. I loved how Punk noted that all contract signings have to end in a pier six brawl (a term he got trending on Twitter), and then he not only initiated the attack against the two heels, but he took them both out. John Laurinaitis wishing John Morrison well in his future endeavors during the segment and then asking the three competitors to join him in a photo op after the contract was signed were nice touches, as well.
Talking point: John Cena vs. Mark Henry match announced for next week’s Raw
Eck’s Factor: Now this is a match I’m really looking forward to. Cena-Henry is a WrestleMania-worthy main event that pits WWE’s biggest star against the company’s top heel. It certainly makes Monday’s three-hour special Slammys episode of Raw feel extra special.
Talking point: Dolph Ziggler takes another step toward main event status
Eck’s Factor: Sure, Ziggler was the only one of the three Superstars who needed to win a qualifying match on Monday’s Raw in order to land a spot in the TLC Match for the WWE Title to be unsuccessful, but just being in the mix elevated him. During the opening promo segment, Ziggler was standing alongside John Cena, The Miz and Alberto Del Rio, and he definitely looked like he belonged. It’s apparent that Ziggler’s mic skills and overall presence are finally catching up to his outstanding in-ring ability.
Talking point: Video package for WWE Network airs
Eck’s Factor: Growing up in the ’70s, I looked forward all week to Saturdays because that was when WWE’s two syndicated shows aired. “All-Star Wrestling” came on at 11 a.m. and “Championship Wrestling” was on at 4 p.m. Now there is going to be an entire network devoted to this genre. It really is amazing when you think about it, and I can’t wait for the network to launch. My wife, on the other hand, doesn’t seem quite as thrilled.
Talking point: Superstar of the Year nominees are announced
Eck’s Factor: You could make a case for any of the six nominees (John Cena, Alberto Del Rio, Mark Henry, The Miz, Randy Orton and CM Punk), who all had terrific years. However, the prestigious award – which will be given out during next week’s Slammys episode of Raw – will be determined by online voting, which means that it’s basically a popularity contest. That pretty much eliminates Del Rio, Henry and Miz.
Cena has to be the favorite, but my vote would go to Punk. He turned WWE on its ear this summer and consistently delivered in the ring and on the mic. He participated in a number of entertaining pay-per-view matches, including an epic battle against Cena at Money in the Bank that was perhaps the Match of the Year. And even though he was out of the main event scene during the first six months of the year, Punk did have a memorable rivalry with Orton that culminated in an outstanding match at WrestleMania XXVII. (CAST YOUR VOTE HERE FOR SUPERSTAR OF THE YEAR)
Eck’s Factor: After a two-year hiatus, Lilian returned as the full-time ring announcer on SmackDown this week. No offense to her, but if there was one ring announcer that I would bring back on a regular basis, it would be WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in “Eck’s Factor” are those of Kevin Eck alone and do not necessarily reflect those of WWE.
WHO IS KEVIN ECK?
For those who are unfamiliar with me, I come to WWE from The Baltimore Sun, where I was an assistant sports editor and the author of a pro wrestling blog titled Ring Posts. In between two stints with The Sun, I worked as the editor of WCW Magazine from 2000 to 2001.
Follow Kevin Eck on Twitter at Twitter.com/KevinEck_WWE. Eck will be live tweeting during Raw on most Mondays.
