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Welcome to the wrestling section of my website. This section is dedicated to the "WWE". To the right
are 3 links associated with wrestling : the official "WWE" website, 411's wrestling page and PWTorch wrestling
site.
Below you will find a brief history of the "WWE" and a breakdown of both "Raw" and "Smackdown" brands as well
as a list of current champions. Are you ready?
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World Wrestling Entertainment

411mania.com Wrestling Site

PWTorch Wrestling Site
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Originally known as the "WWWF" (World Wide Wrestling Federation) run by Vince McMahon Sr., it eventually became "World
Wrestling Federation", taken over by Vince McMahon, Jr. (a one time commentator) and gave birth to the "Grand Daddy of them
all", "WrestleMania". The very first of which was in Madison Square Garden, New York City on March 31st, 1985.
"WrestleMania
24" is at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, FL on Mar. 30, 2008.
Matches scheduled for Wrestlemania 24 are :
WWE
Title Match: Randy Orton © vs. HHH vs. John Cena World Title Match: Edge © vs. The Undertaker 24-Man Battle Royal
(Winner gets an immediate ECW Title Shot) ECW Title Match: Chavo Guerrero © vs. Winner of the 24-Man Battle Royal Money
in the Bank Ladder Match: Chris Jericho vs. MVP vs. John Morrison vs. Carlito vs. CM Punk vs. Mr. Kennedy vs. Shelton Benjamin
Career Threatening Match: Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels The Biggest vs. The Best: The Big Show vs. Floyd Mayweather
Raw vs. Smackdown: Umaga vs. Batista Belfast Brawl: JBL vs. Finlay BunnyMania – Lumberjill Match: Ashley
and Maria vs. Beth Phoenix and Melina
WWE Hall of Fame Class 2008 to be inducted the night before Wrestlemania 24
are : Ric Flair, High Chief Peter Maivia, Rocky Johnson, Jack & Gerald Brisco, Eddie Graham and Gordon Solie.
Traditionally,
the winner of the "Royal Rumble" determines which brand's champion the winner would face at "Wrestlemania". In 2003, however,
a loophole was created stating that the winner could face either show's world champion, not necessarily the brand he belonged
to. The "big 5" pay-per-views were whittled down to 4 when "King of the Ring" was changed to "Bad Blood". The other 4 are
"SummerSlam", "Survivor Series", "Royal Rumble" and "WrestleMania".
History was made in March, 2001 when the McMahon
family bought their competition, "WCW", which was based in Atlanta. Shortly thereafter, another, albeit smaller, competitor
was bought in the form of "ECW", which was based in Philadelphia, which both brands tried (and failed) to "invade" the then
"WWF". Things were definitely "shaken up" in the month of June 2005 when the WWE had it's 2nd draft lottery. In this case,
one Superstar from Raw and Smackdown switched shows until the final week of June when 2 picks were chosen. The biggest impact
was the fact that both WWE Champion John Cena and World Heavyweight Champion Batista switched shows. Here are the respective
draft picks in order from first to last.
Raw : John Cena, Kurt Angle, Carlito Caribbean Cool, Big Show and Rob Van
Dam.
SmackDown : Chris Benoit, Randy Orton, Muhammad Hassan, Christian and Batista.
On June 23, 2008, another
draft was held, this time for all 3 brands, "Raw", "Smackdown" and "ECW". No telling who will go where, but one thing is certain,
things will change and new rivalries and storylines will be introduced.
To this day, the "WWE" is the Microsoft of
the wrestling industry having swallowed it's competition and has only to worry about "TNA" and several small time independant
companies. Thus far, nothing to keep Vince McMahon up at night. The "WWF" was sued into changing it's name to "WWE" (World
Wrestling Entertainment) last year by another "WWF", the "World Wildlife Fund. "WWE" has recently "unleashed" a new breed
in the reborn "ECW" which highlights new talent like Evan Bourne, Matt Hardy & Mark Henry along with "ECW Originals"
like Tommy Dreamer. "ECW" is currently on Sci-Fi on Tues. at 9 p.m. (Central) and the action is called by Todd Grisham and
Matt Striker.

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"WWF Monday Night Raw" debuted on Jan. 2nd, 1993. Over a decade later it is one of the highest rated cable TV shows.
A television milestone was reached on Aug. 1, 2005. That was Raw's 636rd episode passing Gunsmoke for the most episodes ever
for one TV show. Now in brand separation for years, "Raw" stands alone with talent and programming that highlights great superstars
like John Cena, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho and a score of others as well as an impressive women's division in both looks
and atheleticism. With a deep roster, programming can try to stay fresh and interesting. Currently, "Raw"'s General Manager
position is vacant. "Raw" action is called by Michael Cole and Jerry "The King" Lawler. "Raw" can be seen on Monday nights
at 8 p.m. (Central) on USA. On Oct. 3, 2005 Raw moved back to USA Network, where it originally ran until it moved to the then
named "The National Network" aka TNN (now Spike)
Current "Raw" brand champions
WWE Title : John Cena United States Champion : Kofi Kingston
Tag Team Champions : Chris Jericho & Big Show
Divas Champion : Mickie James
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"Smackdown" debuted on April 29th, 1999. "Smackdown" is a good show with such superstars as Edge, Undertaker, Batista,
Edge and many, many, more. "Smackdown" also has it's own distinct division of impressive cruiserweights. "Smackdown's" biggest
impact cemented the brand separation after SummerSlam 2002, when then undisputed champion Brock Lesnar "defected" and became
exclusive to only "Smackdown".
This did, however, cause the championship to become very much "disputed". "Smackdown"
is run by General Manager Teddy Long. "Smackdown" action is called by Jim Ross and Tazz. On Sept. 9, 2005 "Smackdown"
moved to Friday's and was renamed to "Friday Night Smackdown" at 7 p.m. (Central) on CW. Not very original, but they can't
all be winners. "Smackdown" is still being taped on Tuesday nights.
Current "Smackdown" brand champions
World Heavyweight Champion : C. M. Punk
Intercontinental Champion : John Morrison Tag Team Champions : Chris Jericho & Big Show Women's
Champion : Michelle McCool
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dave626@earthlink.net
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