The ‘Mania Money In The Bank Match, Big Steamboat/HOF Update

As seen on Raw, CM Punk is the first wrestler confirmed for this year’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania as he beat John Morrison and The Miz in a Triple Threat qualifying match. According to WWE.com’s preview for the match, there will be eight participants in the annual contest this year. “With seven spots left in the match, stay tuned to WWE programming over the next several weeks to find out who else will qualify for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match,” according to the preview. “Then watch live on pay-per-view to see who will be the next man to earn the “Mr. Money in the Bank” moniker at WrestleMania XXV at 7 p.m. ET on April 5.” The match will be similar to the 2007 version (2008 had seven participants, 2005 & 2006 had six participants). Last year’s match featured seven participants as a result of Jeff Hardy’s second violation of the company’s drug testing policy last March. Hardy was removed from the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania XXIV after the suspension was announced.

As announced on Raw, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year. His official website, www.RickyTheDragonSteamboat.com, issued an official statement regarding the announcement. Although, just two weeks ago, Bonnie Steamboat issued the following disclaimer when the former webmaster of the site leaked news of the wrestling legend’s forthcoming induction: “INFORMATION REGARDING THE INDUCTION OF RICKY STEAMBOAT INTO THE WWE HALL OF FAME IS FALSE AND WAS INADVERTENTLY PLACED ON THIS WEBSITE. THE OWNERS OF THIS WEBSITE REGRET THIS ERROR AND APOLOGIZE TO THE WWE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE IT MAY HAVE CAUSED.”

Last week’s edition of Friday Night SmackDown on MyNetworkTV drew a 2.2 broadcast rating. Also, the 2/21 edition of A.M. Raw did a 0.5 cable rating.

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