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Gonna sound like a "puppet" here, but I bought DBry's injury. The whole thing felt slow, confusing, and not good tv. Orton, who is the worst actor in the world, wasn't sure what to do, hug and show respect to Danielson, or stay cold to The Dazzler.

Also if they planned to have Bryan chew out HHH backstage, it would have been filmed, not spoken about by Cole.

So you think it wasn't legit? I'm skeptical, I have to say. It seemed real, but then the video on wwe.com shows them talking about the gorilla and the HHH/Bryan confrontation.. and it sort of kinda broke kayfabe a little, so I don't know, I'm perplexed on this one.

@doesitoffendyou_yeah: Only because once a doctor got involved and started showing concern, there is no way Orton or the referee would have continued on with the match and they would have made a much greater effort to get Bryan to stop (ie adrenaline took over and he didn't really know what he was doing).

God dammit. I wish I was in the chat last night just for Mark Henry. That was easily the best swerve I have seen in years, even if it was telegraphed before hand. Mark Henry, you are great. I'm sorry you tore your nice dress shirt.

Also what's up with Alex Wrestling Podcast??!??!!

EDIT: So if this wrestling podcast happens it kinda has to be called the Giant Powerbomb Cast right?

F4W is reporting that the injury suffered by Bryan is legit and that the ending was a shoot. They then did a work with the WWE.com article about Bryan snapping at Triple H saying that he's worked through injuries and that Hunter took away his biggest win.

Slater kills it in the end of this week's Backstage Fallout:

I just re-watched the match. A major reason I have a hard time believing it was legit is the simple fact that I can't believe the improvised ending, to get a guy who is complaining about numbness out of a match, would involve side suplex onto a guard rail. I will admit that after doing a top rope drop kick that there is a lot of communication between the ref and Bryan, but even after that, Bryan is still able to to skin the cat and take the drop on the guard rail. If it's real, that's shitty. If it's all part of the show, then Bryan sold that shit well

I've been reading around and that is the only thing I've heard suggesting it was legit. I suppose tonight's taping will answer the question for us

The match was set up to sell the injury. He injured himself on the dive, but then sold it by forcing in a skinning of the cat and Orton's dropkick to the gut. Also, I don't think that Bryan would shove away a doctor if he was legit hurt.

@riptheveins: If Vince Russo had control of Slater during the Attitude Era, money would have poured in.

@turboman: 100% agreed. I also love that their "dressing room" is just some abandoned hallway since they're not aloud to be in the normal dressing room anymore.

At least, that's what I like to think.

Dot COM posted a gallery recently featuring sketches, or concept art, of superstars in the developmental stages if their character (like Mankind, Golddust, Max Moon, etc.).

Most of them are pretty rad. Especially if you're into 90's comic book art.

Just a few good examples:

Main Event Spoilers:

Smackdown Cliffnotes:

@riptheveins: Thanks for posting that, really interesting stuff in there. Can you imagine if Foley debuted as "Headcase" instead of Mankind?

Smackdown this week seems like a placeholder show, not many angles.

although, the possibility of a Dean Ambrose vs. Christian program in interesting.

Hopefully WWE is committing to saving all of the hot stuff for Raw from now on again.

I know complaining that a Heel is being a dick is stupid, but I really wish more Heels weren't dickish to the non-wrestlers.

Also that Mark Henry segment was great.

So, um, John Oliver and Mick Foley cut a promo on Zeb Colter on The Daily Show tonight.

So that's why the Daily show was brought up on Raw

Those Smackdown spoilers now make me wonder whether we saw a double-turn at all.

God I hope we aren't getting another bloody Tweener

Call me a mark but I too bought BD-DB's injury. Unrelated; why did Justin Roberts announce the Christian Vs. Wade Barrett match as being for the Intercontinental Title? Also, the graphic for the belt popped-up.

Did he announce the match before Christian appeared? I can't remember, but if he did, it was because it was supposed to be a Barrett/Axel rematch for the title.

Oh right, thanks for clearing that up.

I also really enjoyed his comment to Matt Stryker about expecting so much more from him

There's a nice write up on reddit about the Bryan-Orton Raw match but I don't know if linking to reddit is frown upon. I don't really just wanna copy and paste the contents of it though, seems a bit unfair, so here.

http://withleather.uproxx.com/2013/06/john-oliver-is-using-his-the-daily-show-host-duties-to-start-beef-with-zeb-colter

The Daily Show had a Zeb Colter segment.

I really want Zeb Coulter and Antonio Cesaro to show up to The Daily Show now, sounds like it could be a lot of fun.

I really want Colter to go on Colbert, that could be a classic segment.

This is what I'm worried about. In the Payback chat, I was one of the very few against Ziggler losing/the 'double turn' - but that was mainly because I didn't believe it was definitely a double turn.

If it is, I'm happy. But there's still enough happening to suggest that Del Rio isn't full heel, and Ziggler isn't full face.

I think if they start a celebrity feud between shows like that, and have Colbert and Stewart/Oliver come as managers for a payoff match on Raw in front of a NY crowd, they could possibly get some new eyes on both programs.

Foley can't rep the Daily Show though since he can't wrestle.

Del Rio called the fans cowards on Monday and got himself intentionally counted out. How is he not a full heal?

Swagger who? God tier.

I hope Antonio gets his fair share of mic time in promos though. He's way more capable than Swags, and is wasted saying "we the people" like a caveman.

Was Paul Levesque supposed to play Max Moon? Goldust, Headcase, Undertaker, Shango were all designed seemingly after the wrestler to play the character was chosen. I mean, that's Mick Foley all right. But that ain't Konnan. Who else but Trips, Shawn, Jeff Jarrett, Billy Gunn, Bob Holly had locks like that. You'd think if it was meant for a rent-a-gimmick like Sparky, Billy, or JJ, they would have been given it without protest. But for Shawnee's BFF Jill-ple H, maybe he said fuck no, and it was given to Konnan at the last minute.

@boocreepyfootdoctor: Seems unlikely. HHH only made his wrestling debut a few months before the Max Moon character showed up.

in the make believe tv reality the daily show bit was because john Oliver was mentioned.

it is still kinda weird seeing wrestling stuff being mentioned on other shows...especially ones that focus on the news.

They had Foley on the show once before to do a bit on how grandstanding on the floor of Congress is a lot like cutting a wrestling promo.

@roomrunner: Foley is a bit of a regular on The Daily Show. He received an award at the Rally to Restore Sanity (and Fear).

Source: I was there.

In related news, this Mick Foley Santa Clause documentary looks super weird.

In news that will make @milkman smile, Matt Striker is going to be leaving WWE soon:

Matt Striker ‏@Matt_Striker_12m

Was just informed by @WWE that my contract will not be renewed. I am now available 4 appearances, signings seminars & wrestling. Deep breath

Matt Striker will no longer be doing whatever he was doing for the WWE

@drx25: This is good news for everyone. It just means that now, Raw is Renee!

The best of news

This does mean that two thirds of the greatest segment in WWE history no longer work for the WWE.

this is ether the best or worst thing

@lord_canti: that is fucking amazing

Daniel Bryan as a spokesperson for anything is kind of surreal.

Also major NXT spoilers:

You mean saying "Ladies and gentlemen: (NAME OF WRESTLER)

*gets insulted or beaten up by said wrestler*

Yes, his service will be missed.

Sucks to see a true fan of the sport with a lot of knowledge of its history to be dumped like that. He isn't a vital part of the program, but he at least deserved another shot on commentary in my opinion.