WWE four years later

Inspired by WWE.com’s list of 20 things that did exist when Raw began, I came up with my own list of items/events that were going on when I began work on the first WWE Encyclopedia (April 1, 2008). It’s amazing how much has changed in just four years.

With that in mind, don’t forget that the second WWE Encyclopedia is now available in Amazon. Pre-order yours now before they sell out. With no further ado, here’s what was going on when work for the first Encyclopedia began:

WWE Champion: Randy Orton

World Heavyweight Champion: Undertaker

Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho

U.S. Champion: MVP

WWE Tag Team Champions: Miz & Morrison

World Tag Team Champions: Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes

Divas Champion: N/A … the title came into existence in July 2008

Women’s Champion: Beth Phoenix

ECW Champion: Kane

Assessment:

• 3 of the title holders at the time work on the first WWE Encyclopedia began are no longer with WWE (MVP, Morrison, Holl)
• 3 of the title are now defunct (World Tag Team, Women’s, ECW)
• 1 title has been created (Divas)

Work on the first Encyclopedia began right after WrestleMania XXIV and before Backlash. A large number of Superstars that were on those cards are no longer active. They include:

• Edge
• Batista
• Shawn Michaels
• Melina
• Jillian
• Victoria
• Mickie
• Maria
• Ashley
• Michelle McCool
• Cherry
• Chavo Guerrero
• Bam Neely
• Matt Hardy
• MVP
• Todd Grisham
• Tazz
• Mike Adamle
• Finlay
• JBL
• Shelton Benjamin
• Carlito
• Mr. Kennedy
• Umaga
• Ric Flair

Assessment: So much happens in WWE that it’s sometimes tough to keep up. That’s why there’s the new WWE Encyclopedia. PRE-ORDER your copy today.

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