Crazy Scott Hall And Comedian Incident

Bill Apter made the following statement regarding the incident last night at the comedy roast:

“First of all I want to thank the people who put this very first “Ring Roast” together. It was handled in a totally professional manner.

With a dias full of wrestlers and comedians there to poke fun at and honor the Iron Sheik, all hell broke loose when comedian “Round Boy” Jimmy Graham made a joke about Owen Hart (and you just do not do that)! Graham is a longtime wrestling fan and I was really shocked at his tasteless remark.

Just a few moments before Graham’s set, Scott Hall had come into the banquet room and was being — Scott Hall — diverting attention and just acting “NWO” cool. When Hall heard the remark about Owen the light attitude was no longer there. He lunged at Graham and pushed him. Amazingly Graham thought Hall must have been “acting” as he appeared to be nearly laughing.

Security was able to calm Hall down and have him leave the room — and everyone at the event was now angered as well by Graham’s crude joke.

Because this was Iron Sheik’s night and it was quickly going down the tubes, Kevin Sullivan, who was a guest,took the microphone and calmed the crowd and told them to please let the program continue.

Hall came back several times but the festivities proceeded.

Another incident took place when Brian Blair offered Sheik his hand and apologized for anything in their past that Sheik found offensive. Sheik went on to tell Blair he accepts the apology but is still better than Blair and then smacked Blair in the face (and none of us were sure it was a “work” or “shoot!”)

Despite these two incidents the fans left (many told me afterwards) very happy with the initial “Ring Roast.” Tomorrow the “Ring Roast” crew hosts the “Legends of the Ring” convention. Check it out at www.legendsofthering.com. I hope to see you there!”

Smackdown Scramble shakes up status quo

As soon as Mike Adamle announced on Raw Monday that there was going to be a five-man Championship Scramble for the world heavyweight title at Unforgiven, I’m betting that most viewers knew exactly who the four men were that would be challenging champion CM Punk. Excluding Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels – who will likely face each other at the pay-per-view – John Cena, Batista, JBL and Kane are the top stars on Raw, and, not surprisingly, they are all in the title match.

WWE decided to get more creative with the Smackdown version of the Championship Scramble, which is for the WWE title. Rather than being handpicked, the participants had to win qualifying matches on last night’s show. And instead of putting together a match comprised of the usual suspects (neither The Undertaker nor Edge, who was off the show selling the angle from SummerSlam, are in it), WWE made the bold move to include MVP, Shelton Benjamin and The Brian Kendrick in the contest along with champion Triple H and the ever-popular Jeff Hardy.

Before I give WWE too much credit for thinking outside the box, however, I do need to point out that Mr. Kennedy and Umaga would probably have been in the match if they weren’t injured. Still, WWE could have opted for guys such as The Big Show, The Great Khali, Finlay and Kozlov, and they chose to go with wrestlers who have more upside.

No matter the outcome of the match, it should give a rub to MVP, Benjamin and Kendrick. A main event-level push for MVP is overdue, and a case can be made that the same goes for Benjamin. The biggest surprise was the inclusion of Kendrick. Hopefully, this is a sign that WWE believes Kendrick, despite his lack of size, can hang with the big boys.

Other thoughts on last night’s show:

A babyface turn for Vickie Guerrero and the rest of La Familia doesn’t seem to be the plan, which is for the best. It will be interesting to see what happens next with her and The Undertaker, who said he was coming for her soul. I hate when that happens. I’m also curious as to how things will be resolved between Guerrero and her “husband” Edge when he returns. With The Undertaker-Edge feud having run its course, both guys need fresh opponents. …

It looks as if the seeds were planted for a Triple H-Hardy feud, as Triple H’s outside interference led to Hardy defeating Khali and qualifying for the Scramble. Triple H had a strange look on his face after he realized that he had given Hardy a big assist. …

Had I not read the spoilers for the show earlier this week, I would have bet anything that Kozlov was going to win the battle royal and land a spot in the Scramble. He ended up being the first man out. I liked how the finish was done, with Kendrick winning because Ezekiel caught him after he was thrown over the top rope, and his feet never hit the floor. A tainted victory like that will get Kendrick more heel heat. …

Benjamin and Finlay had a good, physical match. If Benjamin could just show a little more personality on the mic, there really would be no stopping him. …

I’m not sure if the Kenny Dykstra/Triple H stuff is going to lead to a push for Dykstra or if it signifies that Dykstra is in the doghouse and WWE is just going to have Triple H humiliate him on TV every week. …

OK, I’ll admit it. Even though she is far from a great worker, I enjoy watching Maria wrestle. Actually, I just enjoy watching Maria. Is that so wrong?

Smack Down Friday Night

SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero came to Edge's aid - at the culmination of his devastating No Disqualification Match with Big Show - and a tearful reunion ensued. Now that "The Family" issues appear to be settled, will the seemingly reconciled couple focus on knocking WWE Champion Triple H off his throne? Or will The Game put a frown on their faces just two days before The Great American Bash?

Shelton Benjamin celebrated his reemergence on SmackDown with an important non-title win over ECW's United States Champion Matt Hardy. Can Benjamin capitalize on his success and bring the coveted championship back to Friday nights? Or will Hardy twist the fate of the Gold Standard?

Although Mr. Kennedy proved victorious over Domino, his real conflict was with guest commentator and former friend, Montel Vontavious Porter. After Kennedy made a crack at MVP’s expense before the match, a telling stare between the two allowed the Samoan Bulldozer, Umaga, to steamroll an unsuspecting Kennedy. Could this incident fuel the fire between the Green Bay Loudmouth & the Ballin' Superstar?

Meanwhile, Finlay & Hornswoggle continued to be a thorn in the side of WWE Tag Team Champions The Miz & John Morrison, scoring a non-title victory with the help of the Belfast brawler's shillelagh. Will the champions ever be able to move past the father-son combination? Or could their titles drown in a sea of green?

After scoring a tag-team victory over Michelle McCool & Cherry, with her partner Maryse, Natalya attacked her Great American Bash opponent with a devastating suplex outside the ring. Will McCool be able to get revenge on the third-generation Diva before they do battle for the new Divas Championship? Or will Natalya prove to be too much to handle?

The devastating Vladimir Kozlov continued his undefeated streak. Is there anyone who can stop the Moscow Mauler?

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

Triple H shows Booker who’s king

To the roar of the Continental Airlines Arena crowd, The King of Kings made his return to the ring after a eight-month absence due to a torn quadriceps. In typical Triple H fashion, he spewed water to the delight of a rabid crowd that chanted his name. With “Time to Play the Game,” pulsating in the background, The Game smiled at the crowd. It was like he’d never left.

With Latin words "Genibus Nitito Canus" in the background, Triple H stared down King Booker – the man who had, for the past month, demanded that he give up his kingly moniker. For your information, Triple H’s Latin text, "Genibus Nitito Canus," translates to “On Your Knees, Dog.” And The Game was determined to bring King Booker to his knees.

However, King Booker tested The Cerebral Assassin and his surgically repaired leg. But when the final bell rang, Triple H stood tall over the defeated monarch. And as both grapplers took the battle outside, each took advantage of the surroundings and slammed each other into the ringside barriers and ring steps. But Triple H continued to bounce back.

King Booker was able to avoid a Pedigree attempt from Triple H, and delivered a Book-End to The Game, nearly getting a three-count. But when Booker climbed to the top rope to deliver a somersault leg drop, Triple H caught the monarch and set him up for the Pedigree. King Booker escaped, but missed a spinning kick and was trapped into the Pedigree again for the pinfall.

The crowd roared as Triple H scored the pin. “The Game is back, and he’s as amazing as ever,” exclaimed Jim Ross, as The Game soaked in an extended celebration.

Will the Raw locker room kneel down to honor the returning King of Kings? Knowing the ultra-competitive Raw locker room, it’s not likely. But after a successful return to the ring, Triple H looks more than ready to defend his throne and claim his spot in the championship hunt.

WWE Mobile on AT&T: Wedding bell blues

Edge and Vickie Guerrero’s post-wedding SmackDown celebration was interrupted by WWE Champion Triple H. The Game offered a special gift to the couple – a scandalous video highlighting the tryst of Edge and wedding planner Alicia Fox. Watch exclusive, un-aired footage of their rendezvous only on WWE Mobile on AT&T.