SmackDown! TV Ratings: July 13, 2007 (Friday)

USA National Ratings


Fast National ratings for
Friday, July 13, 2007

Led by "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," NBC scored a ratings win Friday, while a pair of "Jericho" repeats on CBS weren't so lucky.

NBC averaged a 3.5 rating/7 share for the evening to beat ABC, 2.8/5, for the top spot. CBS and The CW tied for third at 2.7/5, and FOX brought up the rear with a 2.3/5.

In the adults 18-49 demographic, The CW snagged the lead with a 1.4 rating. ABC and NBC tied for second at 1.3. FOX, 1.0, came in fourth, and CBS slumped to fifth with only a 0.8.

NBC's "1 vs. 100" won the 8 p.m. hour with a 3.6/7. A pair of "George Lopez" reruns on ABC averaged 2.5/5, just beating FOX's "Bones" for second. "Friday Night Smackdown!" drew a 2.4/5 for The CW. "Jericho" trailed with a 2.1/4 for CBS, about a point lower than its return last week.

"Smackdown!" moved into the lead at 9 p.m., finishing with a 2.9/6. A "Las Vegas" rerun on NBC was close behind at 2.8/6. A second "Jericho" rerun on CBS improved a bit to 2.4/4. "Standoff" posted a 2.2/4 for FOX. ABC aired an episode of "Greek."

At 10 p.m., "Criminal Intent" scored a 4.1/8 for NBC, holding off "20/20," 4.0/8, on ABC. A "Numb3rs" rerun on CBS came in at 3.5/7.

Ratings information is taken from fast national data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.

Source: http://zap2it.com/tv/ratings

--------------

By viewers:
From:
http://pifeedback.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/63310451/m/50310216

What follows are the fast affiliate rating results for Friday, July 13 in order of total viewers and adults 18-49, overall and by half hour. (Shows are listed in order of the most watched).

OVERALL

NBC
Viewers: 5.02 million, A18-49: 1.3 rating/5 share

CW
Viewers: 4.07 million, A18-49: 1.4/ 6

ABC
Viewers: 3.95 million, A18-49: 1.3/ 5

CBS
Viewers: 3.76 million, A18-49: 0.8/ 3

Fox
Viewers: 3.30 million, A18-49: 1.0/ 4

----------

8:00 p.m.

NBC
1 v. 100 (R)
Viewers: 4.76 million, A18-49: 1.1/ 5

ABC
George Lopez (R)
Viewers: 3.63 million, A18-49: 1.2/ 5

CW
Friday Night Smackdown!
Viewers: 3.59 million, A18-49: 1.2/ 5

Fox
Bones (R)
Viewers: 3.42 million, A18-49: 1.0/ 4

CBS
Jericho (R)
Viewers: 3.10 million, A18-49: 0.7/ 3

----------

8:30 p.m.

NBC1 v. 100 (R)
Viewers: 5.40 million, A18-49: 1.5/ 6

ABC
George Lopez (R)
Viewers: 3.61 million, A18-49: 1.2/ 5

CW
Friday Night Smackdown!
Viewers: 3.69 million, A18-49: 1.3/ 5

Fox
Bones (R)
Viewers: 3.54 million, A18-49: 1.0/ 4

CBS
Jericho (R)
Viewers: 2.84 million, A18-49: 0.6/ 3

----------

9:00 p.m.

CW
Friday Night Smackdown!
Viewers: 4.33 million, A18-49: 1.6/ 6

NBC
Las Vegas (R)
Viewers: 3.60 million, A18-49: 0.9/ 3

CBS
Jericho (R)
Viewers: 3.20 million, A18-49: 0.7/ 3

Fox
Standoff
Viewers: 2.90 million, A18-49: 0.9/ 3

ABC
Greek
Viewers: 2.79 million, A18-49: 1.0/ 4

----------

9:30 p.m.

CW
Friday Night Smackdown!
Viewers: 4.68 million, A18-49: 1.6/ 6

NBC
Las Vegas (R)
Viewers: 4.36 million, A18-49: 1.1/ 4

CBS
Jericho (R)
Viewers: 3.31 million, A18-49: 0.7/ 3

Fox
Standoff
Viewers: 3.33 million, A18-49: 1.1/ 4

ABC
Greek
Viewers: 2.66 million, A18-49: 1.0/ 3

----------

10:00 p.m.

NBC
Law & Order: Criminal Intent (R)
Viewers: 5.61 million, A18-49: 1.5/ 5

ABC
20/20
Viewers: 5.14 million, A18-49: 1.7/ 6

CBS
Numb3rs (R)
Viewers: 4.64 million, A18-49: 1.0/ 4

----------

10:30 p.m.

NBC
Law & Order: Criminal Intent (R)
Viewers: 6.29 million, A18-49: 1.6/ 6

ABC
20/20
Viewers: 5.90 million, A18-49: 1.9/ 7

CBS
Numb3rs (R)
Viewers: 5.49 million, A18-49: 1.2/ 4

Tonight on "Friday Night SmackDown!"

Just nine days before The Great American Bash, SmackDown heads into the world-renowned city of celebration, New Orleans. As we all know, Edge isn't one to shy away from a party, either. Bring the two together and what do you get? Edge's own Mardi Gras party.

With his World Heavyweight Championship Match against Kane right around the corner, Mr. Happy Go Lucky Edge will throw a party like never seen before in the historic city. What does the Rated-R Superstar have up his sleeve? Will our fans in New Orleans put their disdain for Edge behind so they can party with the World Heavyweight Champion? Find out this week on SmackDown.

Batista's plans for The Great American Bash became clear when he accepted The Great Khali’s open challenge. The Animal didn’t seem too threatened by the gigantic Superstar, but how will he prepare to make up for their difference in size when the two behemoths step into the ring to sign the contract for their match?

Find out the answers to these questions and much more on the next Friday Night SmackDown at 8/7 CT on The CW Network.

Primetime Rankings - July 2-8, 2007

PRIME-TIME TV RANKINGS July 2-8
Here are the rankings for national prime-time network television last week (July 2-8) as compiled by Nielsen Media Research. They are based on the average number of people who watched a program from start to finish. Nielsen estimates there are 283.5 million potential viewers in the U.S. ages 2 and older. Viewership is listed in millions.

Excluded: Telemundo and Univision

Source L. A. Times:
http://www.calendarlive.com/tv/ratings/cl-et-tvratingstext11jul11,0,7375944.story

1 CSI (10 p.m.) CBS 9.42
2 Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? (Thu.) FOX 8.47
3 CSI: Miami CBS 8.38
4 60 Minutes CBS 8.19
5 Two and a Half Men CBS 8.17
6 Hell's Kitchen (9 p.m.) FOX 8.12
7 Are You Smarter Thana 5th Grader? (8 p.m.) FOX 7.86
8 "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks" NBC 7.57
9 NCIS CBS 7.57
10 Big Brother 8 (Thu.) CBS 7.40
11 Without a Trace CBS 7.37
12 Cold Case CBS 7.24
13 Law & Order: SVU (Tue.) NBC 6.86
14 America's Got Talent NBC 6.75
15 48 Hours Mystery (Sat.) CBS 6.68
16 "Boston Pops Fireworks" CBS 6.65
17 Law & Order: SVU (Sun.) NBC 6.64
18 Dateline: NBC (Wed.) NBC 6.52
19 Family Guy (9:30 p.m.) FOX 6.28
20 20/20 ABC 6.07
21 48 Hours Mystery (Tue.) CBS 6.04
22 How I Met Your Mother CBS 6.04
23 Extreme Makeover (Mon.) ABC 6.03
24 Law & Order (Sun.) NBC 6.02
25 Numb3rs CBS 5.92
26 Family Guy (9 p.m.) FOX 5.92
27 Big Brother 8 (Sun.) CBS 5.85
28 Primetime:Family Secrets ABC 5.71
29 House FOX 5.62 30 Wife Swap ABC 5.55
31 The Unit CBS 5.53
32 Supernanny ABC 5.51
33 Dateline: NBC (Mon.) NBC 5.45
34 Old Christine (8:30 p.m.) CBS 5.41
35 Extreme Makeover (Sun.) ABC 5.25
36 The Simpsons FOX 5.21
37 Criminal Minds CBS 5.13
38 Dateline: NBC (Sun.) NBC 5.11
39 "Pirate Master" CBS 5.09
40 Ghost Whisperer CBS 5.08
41 America's FunniestHome Videos (Sun.) ABC 5.07
42 Grey's Anatomy ABC 5.03
43 48 Hours Mystery (Sun.) CBS 5.01
44 Old Christine (8 p.m.) CBS 4.92
45 "Shaq's Big Challenge" ABC 4.81
46 American Dad FOX 4.80
47 Age of Love (9 p.m.) NBC 4.76
48 Law & Order: Criminal Intent (Fri.) NBC 4.73
49 America's Most Wanted FOX 4.67
51 CSI: NY CBS 4.57
52 Jericho CBS 4.57
53 Cops (8:30 p.m.) FOX 4.53

54 1 vs. 100 NBC 4.48

55 Most Outrageous Moments NBC 4.38
57 My Name Is Earl NBC 4.29

58 The Office NBC 4.25
60 Friday Night SmackDown! CW 4.20
61 Hell's Kitchen (8 p.m.) FOX 4.04
62 Crimetime Saturday CBS 3.98
63 Ugly Betty ABC 3.95
64 Cops (8 p.m.) FOX 3.89
65 Next Best Thing ABC 3.80
68 According to Jim (8:30 p.m.) ABC 3.75
69 According to Jim (8 p.m.) ABC 3.75
71 Men in Trees ABC 3.63
72 Las Vegas NBC 3.60
73 Age of Love (8 p.m.) NBC 3.59
74 America's FunniestHome Videos (Sat.) ABC 3.54
75 Scrubs NBC 3.51 76 Bones FOX 3.47
78 Wonderful Worldof Disney ABC 3.35
79 Desperate Housewives ABC 3.31
83 George Lopez (8 p.m.) ABC 3.20
84 "Anger Management" FOX 3.19
85 30 Rock NBC 3.11
86 George Lopez (8:30 p.m.) ABC 3.10
88 American Inventor ABC 3.04
89 Standoff FOX 2.96
90 E.R. NBC 2.94
92 "Live Earth Concert" NBC 2.75
93 Brothers & Sisters ABC 2.74
94 Kyle XY ABC 2.63
96 Traveler ABC 2.44
97 King of the Hill FOX 2.44
99 On the Lot FOX 2.14
100 Reba (7:30 p.m.) CW 2.07
101 War at Home FOX 2.04
103 Smallville CW 1.99
104 Supernatural CW 1.92
109 Reba (7 p.m.) CW 1.80
113 Everybody Hates Chris CW 1.52
115 All of Us CW 1.42
117 Girlfriends CW 1.35
119 The Game CW 1.29
125 America's Top Model CW 1.10
128 7th Heaven CW 1.08
131 Supernatural CW 1.04
133 Gilmore Girls CW 0.99
135 Hidden Palms CW 0.98
137 Veronica Mars CW 0.96

Network averages
Here is the number of viewers (in millions) that each network averaged per hour of prime time, for last week and for the season.

Network/ Last week/ Season to date/
CBS ..........6.27 .......... 11.38 (United States)
NBC .......... 4.87 .......... 8.15 (United States)
FOX .......... 4.76 .......... 9.52 (United States)
ABC .......... 4.17 .......... 8.94 (United States)
UNI .......... 2.91 .......... 3.60 (Hispanic Network)
CW .......... 1.78 .......... 2.93 (United States)
TEL ..........0.97 .......... 0.89 (Hispanic Network)

CW only July 2-8
Rankings...........Overall............Show........ ......Million

1......................60 Friday Night Smackdown CW 4.20
2.....................100 Reba (7:30 p.m.) CW 2.07
3.....................103 Smallville CW 1.99
4.....................104 Supernatural CW 1.92
5.....................109 Reba (7 p.m.) CW 1.80
6.....................113 Everybody Hates Chris CW 1.52
7.....................115 All of Us CW 1.42
8.....................117 Girlfriends CW 1.35
9.....................119 The Game CW 1.29
10...................125 America's Top Model CW 1.10
11...................128 7th Heaven CW 1.08
12...................131 Supernatural CW 1.04
13...................133 Gilmore Girls CW 0.99
14...................135 Hidden Palms CW 0.98
15...................137 Veronica Mars CW 0.96

Friday Night SmackDown! grabs #1 for Sports category

'Friday Night SmackDown!' grabs #1 spot for Sports category, even though 'RAW' has more viewers than SD! but 'RAW' is classified as Cable.

SmackDown! grabs the #1 spot in the Nielsen Ratings for Sports category
for 6/25/07 to 7/01/07. It averaged a 2.4 rating / 5 share but the day of July 6, 2007 (Friday) it socred a 2.3 rating for the 1st hour and an awesome 3.0 rating (and ranked 2nd for the most-watched show on 9 p.m., Eastern Time for Friday) and averaged 2.65 rating rounding-off to 2.7.
It may take time to outscore its sister brand, RAW.

RAW has still more viewers about 5 million, but RAW is classified as a CABLE SHOW. SMACKDOWN! has 3.5 Million to 4.3 Million better than ECW's viewers.

The Great American Bash 2007!

WWE.com has learned that SmackDown GM Theodore Long has signed a United States Championship title defense for Montel Vontavious Porter at The Great American Bash. SmackDown’s self-proclaimed franchise playa will meet the six-time Tag Team Champion, Matt Hardy.

While there has been no comment from MVP or his people about the match, one would have to think that the highest-paid free agent in SmackDown history has to be nervous about his recent slump.

MVP has lost via pinfall in non-title matches to Kane and Matt Hardy in two straight weeks. Is he feeling the pressure of living up to his record contract and his reputation for taking on all comers?

Has MVP become a stepping stone to greater things as of late? Kane would think so, parlaying his defeat of MVP into a World Heavyweight Championship match at The Great American Bash. The ballin’ Superstar will look to put a stop to this recent trend, as no one treads on this champion.

In the same manner, Hardy has had a hunger for gold. While he’s more than a month removed from losing the World Tag Team Championship, he has turned up the heat in SmackDown singles action.

In previous weeks, he’s beaten numerous SmackDown Superstars with the Twist of Fate – a move that has been scoring pinfalls seemingly out of nowhere. Can the Carolina Superstar Twist his way past SmackDown’s No. 1 playmaker to become the next United States Champion?

We’ll all find out when the two tangle at The Great American Bash July 22.

Here are the ratings last Friday for SmackDown! and the rest of the Friday night shows:

International Television: CBS, CW Split Friday Crown
"Jericho" returns but "SmackDown!" grabs demo win.

USA National Ratings
Nielsen Media Research
Fast National ratings for
Friday, July 6, 2007

CBS brought "Jericho" back to fair ratings Friday -- at least by the standards of a summertime holiday weekend -- helping the network grab the top spot for the night.The Eye (CBS) averaged a 3.5 rating/7 share in primetime, topping NBC's 3.0/6 for first place. ABC took third with a 2.7/5, narrowly beating The CW's 2.6/5. FOX trailed at 2.2/4.

The adults 18-49 title went to The CW, which scored a 1.4 rating in the key demographic. CBS finished second at 1.3. ABC averaged 1.1, NBC 1.0 and FOX 0.8.

"Ghost Whisperer," 3.5/7, put CBS on top at 8 p.m. NBC's "1 vs. 100" rerun came in second with a 3.1/6. FOX aired a "Bones" repeat, 2.5/5, to take third. The first half of "Friday Night SmackDown!" delivered a 2.3/5 for The CW, beating a pair of "George Lopez" episodes on ABC.

The return of "Jericho" (in repeat form) drew a 3.2/6 at 9 p.m., good enough to keep CBS in the lead. "Smackdown!" moved up to second with a 3.0/6. "Las Vegas" rolled a 2.5/5 for NBC. "Standoff" was fourth for FOX, ahead of the 1.8/3 for "Kyle XY" on ABC.

ABC won the 10 p.m. hour with "20/20," 4.1/8. "Numb3rs" posted a 3.9/8 for CBS, and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" came in at 3.4/7 for NBC.

*Ratings information is taken from fast national data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.

***EDITED***

Source: Zap2it

'Rise Up' by Drowning Pool

Video Courtesy of The CW Network (WWE SmackDown!) and USA Network (WWE Raw): "Rise Up" by Drowning Pool




Drowning Pool – Rise Up lyrics

I will sit right here and bide my time
As long as it takes to get what's rightfully mine

And I won't be denied
Cuz all I've got left is my pride
And I will rise up

Break it out
Break you down
Breakin' rules
Breakin' ground
Had your chance
Now it's gone
A new day
A new dawn

A new dawn

And I will sit right here and I will wait
Patiently for your last big mistake

And I won't be denied
Cuz all I've got left is my pride
And I will rise up

Break it out
Break you down
Breakin' rules
Breakin' ground
Had your chance
Now it's gone
A new day
A new dawn
I control
My own fate
And for you
It's too late
It's my dream
It's my way
It's my life
It's your pain

And I won't be denied
Cuz all I've got left is my pride
And I will rise up

Break it out
Break you down
Breakin' rules
Breakin' ground
Had your chance
Now it's gone
A new day
A new dawn

And I won't be denied
Break it out
Break you down
Breakin' rules
Breakin' ground
Had your chance
Now it's gone
A new day
A new dawn
Break it out
Break you down
Breakin' rules
Breakin' ground
Had your chance
Now it's gone
A new dawn

SmackDown! TV Ratings:

From Zap2it:

Fast National ratings for
Friday, April 13, 2007

A rerun-heavy, fairly quiet Friday night in the Nielsens
ended with CBS on top.

CBS averaged a 5.5 rating/10 share for the evening, good enough to beat NBC's 4.4/8. ABC finished third at 3.7/7. The CW's 2.5/4 edged FOX's 2.4/4 for fourth.

Among adults 18-49, CBS led the way with a 2.0 rating. ABC and NBC tied for second at 1.7, and FOX (1.5) finished a little ahead of The CW (1.4).

A "Ghost Whisperer" rerun, 5.2/10, put CBS on top at 8 p.m. "Identity," 4.3/8, grabbed second for NBC, topping a repeat of Thursday's "Grey's Anatomy" clip show, 3.1/6, on ABC. The CW got a 2.3/4 from "Friday Night Smackdown!" FOX trailed with the movie "White Chicks."

At 9 p.m., a rerun of "Shark" scored a 5.6/10 to keep CBS in the lead. NBC's "Raines," 4.1/7, came in second. ABC was third with a "Wife Swap" rerun. FOX's movie and the second hour of "Smackdown!" tied for fourth at 2.7/5.

CBS stayed in front at 10 p.m. with a repeat of "Numb3rs," 5.6/10. A "Law & Order" rerun on NBC (4.7/8) beat out ABC's "20/20" (4.6/8) for second.

*Ratings information is taken from fast national data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.

SmackDown's ratings on The CW rises

Courtesy of Zap2it:

Fast National ratings for
Friday, April 6, 2007

CBS rolled to a ratings win Friday night as its drama lineup once again provided consistent if not spectacular numbers. For the night, CBS averaged a 6.7 rating/12 share. NBC came in second with a 4.7/9. ABC, 3.7/7, came in third, followed by FOX, 3.1/6, and The CW, 2.8/5.

CBS also won the adults 18-49 race with a 2.6 rating. NBC took second in the advertisers' favorite demographic with a 1.9. ABC and FOX tied for third at 1.7, and The CW was not far back at 1.5.

"Ghost Whisperer" started the night for CBS with a 6.2/12 at 8 p.m. NBC's game show "Identity" drew a 4.0/8 to beat out a "House" rerun on FOX. A "Grey's Anatomy" rerun on ABC was fourth in households at 2.9/5, but "Friday Night Smackdown!," 2.6/5, brought a few more viewers to The CW.

CBS improved to 6.9/12 at 9 p.m. with "Close to Home." "Raines," 4.4/8, kept NBC in second. "Smackdown!" (3.0/5) was third in viewers for the hour, though ABC's "Wife Swap" rerun had a slightly better household number. FOX trailed with "The Wedding Bells," 2.6/5.

At 10 p.m., CBS' "Numb3rs" finished the Eye's rule of the night with a 6.8/13. NBC's "Law & Order," 5.5/10, held off ABC's "20/20," 5.1/9, for second.

*Ratings information is taken from fast national data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.

On The CW Network: Up Next on Friday Night SmackDown!

Photo courtesy of WWE.com:

Tag Team Champions, Brian Kendrick & Paul London will defend their belts from the disgusting faces of Deuce and Domino.

Mr. Kennedy versus Hornswoggle with Finlay?

Find out other matches on Friday Night SmackDown! Fridays on The CW Network, 8/7 Central Time.

Wrestlemania 23: The Results

From & Courtesy of WWE.com:

Loudmouth proves to be Mr. Money in the Bank!



On SmackDown, Mr. Kennedy warned WWE fans to get ready to call him “Mr. Money in the Bank.” At WrestleMania 23, before a record-setting 80,103 WWE fans inside Detroit’s Ford Field, the loudmouth backed up his strong words, doing what his seven other Money in the Bank Ladder Match opponents — King Booker, Edge, Finlay, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Randy Orton and CM Punk — couldn’t. He climbed the ladder, grabbed the briefcase and won a future title opportunity any time over the next 365 days.

The eight Raw, SmackDown and ECW participants would each make a worthy bid during the Money in the Bank contest, and the screaming Ford Field crowd seemed divided over who to cheer for loudest. However, almost universal fear and concern erupted moments after Jeff Hardy — at his brother Matt’s urging — threw himself from the top of a ladder to the outside floor, crashing onto WrestleMania’s first-ever Money in the Bank winner, Edge. Dropping more than 20 feet down, the force of Jeff’s fall actually broke the ladder beneath Edge in half, practically destroying both men. Neither Jeff nor the Rated-R Superstar — who before this match had gone 5-0 at WrestleMania, and 3-0 in WrestleMania ladder-related matches — would be able to continue following the carnage; in fact, Edge would immediately be stretchered out by medics. His condition currently remains unknown.

Finlay nearly made himself a fighting Irishman in the Bank after catching Matt Hardy with a Celtic Cross onto one ladder. Unfortunately, the move also incapacitated the Belfast brawler, who’d require more than a little help from Hornswoggle to grab the case. Suddenly, Kennedy climbed an adjacent ladder to stop the little guy short, then squashed him in half with a top-rung plunge that earned massive cheers throughout Ford Field. Moments later, Kennedy would continue hearing those growing cheers as he used another ladder to crack a climbing CM Punk in the mouth, sending him to the outside, then as he claimed the briefcase, and its contents, for himself.

Backstage, Mr. Kennedy would congratulate himself for winning a truly wild eight-Superstar contest, then had some words of advice for all World Champions: For the next 12 months, “You better grow eyes in the back of your freakin’ head…. Thank God nice guys finish last. Thank God I’m not a nice guy. Thank God I’m Mr. Kennedy! And thank God I’m ‘Mr. Money in the Bank!’”
Pausing briefly, the loudmouth Superstar then ended his interview with Todd Grisham with a definitive “Bank!”

----------------------

John Cena defended and defeated Shawn Michaels....

After months of anticipation, weeks of cooperation and hours of speculation…ladies and gentlemen, The Champ is still here.

For the second consecutive year, John Cena walked into WrestleMania as the WWE Champion. And in a result correctly chosen by 59% of WWE fans polled in an AT&T Mobile poll, Cena defeated Shawn Michaels in Detroit to walk out with the gold for the second year in a row.
From the moment The Champ entered Ford Field, it was obvious that his A-Game was in full effect. In a scene reminiscent of his unforgettable gangster entrance last year in Chicago, Cena entered Ford Field by driving a Mustang down through the loading dock and crashing through the glass set. It was an impressive sight, even if it did nothing to turn the favor of the raucous capacity crowd of 80,103 that was clearly in favor of HBK.

It didn’t faze HBK any, as Michaels clearly had a game plan, focusing on Cena’s knee and dominating the early portion of the match. However, an errant charge led Michaels head-first into the steel ringpost, busting him open and giving Cena an opening to get back into the match. Unfortunately, just seconds after, Sweet Chin Music intended for The Champ instead nearly took the head off of referee Mike Chioda.

As both men lay prone on the mat, the fans rallied behind a bloodied HBK. But in a move that is quite uncharacteristic of the challenger, he tosses aside the top level of the steel ring stairs and delivered a vicious piledriver that bounced Cena’s head off the bottom level.

Things always look darkest before the dawn; unfortunately for HBK, WrestleMania wasn’t the dawn of a new championship reign, as Cena somehow kicked out of Michaels’ pinfall attempt. The challenger then threw his entire arsenal at Cena, but the resilient champion stood tall.
In a furious final few minutes, both men hit the other with their signature maneuvers, with Cena applying both the FU and STFU in an attempt to claim victory. They both staggered to their feet, and somehow, Cena was able to take HBK down with a second STFU. Left in the middle of the ring with nowhere to go, the challenger was forced to tap out, ending the instant WrestleMania classic in favor of the champion.

Following the bout, Cena sat in the middle of the ring and stared at the WrestleMania logo, nearly in tears after realizing what he had just done. He then dedicated the match to his father, saying “this one’s for you, dad,” before holding the WWE Championship in the air. But when he tried to shake HBK’s hand, the sullen challenger simply walked away; instead, he was given a salute from Cena in a show of respect.
When WWE.com caught up with the champion moments later, he was still emotional.
“The past two years have been very difficult for me, because even with all the momentum I have, I always go into the big one as the underdog,” he said. “I’ve been in a lot of situations where people don’t even want to see my face, but I’ve never told anyone to not be themselves. Even if the crowd reaction isn’t what I want, I’m still me. I am who I am and there’s only one me.”

As for the match, The Champ was surprised at the attack Michaels threw at him.
“It’s difficult enough when you have a veteran like HBK, with six weeks of mental torture to live through,” he continued. “Coming out like he did, I didn’t expect that at all. God, it shook me up, but once I got in my groove…I don’t mean to sound cocky, but once that steamroller gets going, nothing stops it.”

WrestleMania is All Grown Up, and with perhaps one of the signature victories on his resume coming at Ford Field, The Champ is now truly All Grown Up himself.
“I’ve seen a lot of stuff in my life; stared down the barrel of a loaded gun, seen children born and people married, but I always managed to keep it together,” he said, nearly in tears. “I’m the last guy to break down, but tonight I couldn’t help it. I thought about watching WrestleMania 20 years ago with my dad in that shack in West Newbury, and it hit me all at once.”
Both Cena and Michaels are men that should never be underestimated, counted out or considered defeated until their opponent is declared the winner. At WrestleMania 23, John Cena ended up as the better man, and because of that, The Champ is still here.

---------------------

The Undertaker had a 100% 'effort' to defeat Batista

Tonight at Ford Field, the Undertaker did the unbelievable by taking his undefeated WrestleMania streak to 15-0. Not only did he break his own record, but he also captured his first World Heavyweight Championship by delivering a Tombstone Piledriver to Batista for the win.

With so much on the line, it seemed like The Deadman would do anything to ensure a win, even before he stepped out into the arena. Preceded by 24 druids with flaming torches, Undertaker’s unmistakable form emerged from the smoke, and more than 80,000 WWE fans erupted for The Phenom.

Batista took an early lead in the match when he speared Undertaker right out of the gate. The Animal fought Undertaker out of the ring, and executed a running power slam off one of the announce tables onto another. The Phenom was clearly stunned, but managed to hang on through several pin attempts and continued to fight back.

Having been victorious through 14 previous WrestleManias, Undertaker knows a thing or two about surviving, and used it to his advantage. The Phenom benefited from the situation, and was able to turn the match around with the Last Ride. After an exchange of several devastating attacks, including a Batista Bomb, Undertaker sealed his victory with a Tombstone Piledriver to keep his WrestleMania streak alive.

Michaels & Orton: Tension gets hotter!

The first Raw after WrestleMania saw Shawn Michaels eliminate his partner John Cena in a Tag Team Battle Royal, The Hardys crowned new World Tag Team Champions and ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley continue his dominance against all who dare to face him in the ring.
Also last week, third-generation Superstar Randy Orton confronted Shawn Michaels backstage. Later in the night, it was announced that on the next Raw, Orton will face Michaels for a chance to compete for the WWE Championship. A match featuring The Legend Killer and The Showstopper in the same ring will no doubt be thrilling for WWE fans; who will prevail?
Fan favorite Mick Foley announced that on Raw next week, he will continue his charity work by making a special Make-A-Wish announcement. WWE Superstars pride themselves in reaching out to help their communities and inspire WWE fans with what they do in the ring, as well as what they do for their fellow man. What will the Hardcore Legend’s announcement reveal?


Find out this and more on Raw, Monday night at 9/8 CT on USA Network!

WWE's Chairman, MacMahon: BALD!

From & Courtesy of WWE.com:

The clash concluded, the dust cleared and the silvery locks of the WWE Chairman were shaved completely from his head live from his own creation, WrestleMania 23. Then, when it seemed that all hell had already been raised, Austin gave Donald Trump his receipt for the downpour of cold hard cash that fell from the ceiling of Ford Field earlier on – in the form of a Stone Cold Stunner.

Selecting Intercontinental Champion Umaga as his representative and employing his own son, Shane, as his back-up plan, Mr. McMahon seemed to have come to Detroit prepared for the Battle of the Billionaires. His master plan, however, would not take into account the resilience of ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley and the venomous bite of the Texas Rattlesnake.
The physical contest between the two champions Lashley and the Samoan Bulldozer was one that pushed all the rules to the limits – so much that the special guest referee Stone Cold was forced to get his hands dirty (just how he likes it).

After Austin received a Samoan Spike from the savage Umaga, the Chairman’s son made an unexpected appearance at Ford Field, where he delivered an unbelievable Coast-to-Coast dropkick to the outnumbered Lashley. With the ECW Champion’s face being forced into a steel garbage can, Shane then removed his shirt to reveal a referee shirt of his own.
Just when it looked as if Lashley would be pinned and the most recognizable hair on the globe might be shaved from The Donald’s cranium, the Rattlesnake struck. Now provoked and incensed, Stone Cold interrupted Shane O’Mac’s count and delivered all hell to the Chairman’s son just before receiving another Samoan Spike. With this, Trump (who had enough of Mr. McMahon’s scheming) abandoned his corner and delivered a Lashley-esque clothesline to his billionaire rival.

Back inside the ring, Umaga prepared to deliver yet another lethal thumb to the throat of Austin. The Rattlesnake averted the attack and dropped the 300-pound beast with a Stunner just in time for Lashley to obliterate his opponent with a spear for the win.
The 80,000-plus capacity crowd in Detroit was then drawn out of their seats as Mr. McMahon was unsuccessful in sneaking away and received a Stunner – a move he’s all too familiar with by now. The incapacitated Chairman would then be strapped into the same barber’s chair he flaunted for weeks on Raw in hopes of intimidating The Donald, and was robbed of his “McMane.”

Together, Lashley and Trump sheared Mr. McMahon of his hair while the now-bald billionaire bellowed an agonizing wail. Humiliated and head-shaved, McMahon wept at the mercy of The Donald and the ECW Superstar while Austin looked on sipping on a can of beer.
The mane-less Mr. McMahon crawled and quivered toward the locker room area and suddenly, Austin proved exactly how much he despises billionaires by leveling The Donald with a billion-dollar Stunner – thus, delivering the ultimate WrestleMania moment.