Cyber Sunday blog

It's a frenzied atmosphere in the Queen City of Cincinnati today. The Superstars of WWE have invaded the U.S. Bank Arena for Cyber Sunday, the most unique and interactive pay-per-view in all of sports-entertainment. To chronicle this historic day that includes the first-ever Champion of Champions Match, WWE.com is on site to keep the WWE fans involved in all aspects of the show. Here is what's been observed thus far. Check back throughout the day for more updates as the day unfolds.

7:00 p.m.

The doors have opened and the fans have begun to file into the U.S. Bank Arena. Two of Rowdy Roddy Piper's biggest fans sprung for ringside seats in hopes of seeing their favorite WWE Hall of Famer team up with the "Nature Boy" Ric Flair to take on the World Tag Team Champions the Spirit Squad. Glenn Hensley and Andrew Francis (wearing a hat) drove four and a half hours from Detroit, Mich. and were decked out in the Hot Rod's signature leather jacket, T-shirts and the traditional Scottish kilt to show their support for Piper.

4:45 p.m.

Tonight Sgt. Slaughter, Roddy Piper or Dusty Rhodes will team with up with Ric Flair to take on the Spirit Squad. While most guys are in the locker-room focusing on their match, Legend Roddy Piper has a different strategy.

"I'm trying to think of anything I can except wrestling right now because if I start thinking about wrestling this early, I'll burn myself out before the match. I'm thinking about how much I love my little ‘Corn Muffin.' She's 11 years old. I'll be ready, though. The fans are our bread and potatoes. Without them, we're nothing. So if they want me to go, I'll go and I'll fight for them just as hard as I can."


4:15 p.m.

With the mood growing ever tenser, Carlito, Shelton Benjamin and Johnny Nitro stared each other down in the locker-room area as they wondered who would get their chance at the Intercontinental Championship tonight. The arena doesn't appear to be big enough for the three of them. Maybe these guys should take a cue from Sandman and get to voting.

 

3:45 p.m.

Most Superstars drink water, protein shakes or Red Bull. Not Sandman. He maintains his physique by curling a few cold ones. Who needs the exercise bike with as many reps this Extremist will be doing with his "giggle water." He also appears to be voting online. Guess the big computer set reminded him why he was here.

3:15 p.m.

The Sandman looks at the Cyber Sunday set for a bit. He looks at it some more. He then walks over to Mr. McMahon and cameraman Marty Miller and says "I get it, it's supposed to be a computer screen. I guess that's why it's called Cyber Sunday."

2:45 p.m.
Tensions are running high as all of the combatants are anxious to find out the results of the voting for tonight. Some of the Superstars are blowing off steam by ribbing the production crew. In the effort to keep the mood light, Victoria burst out of the bathroom and yelled, "Anybody got a match?"

1:30 p.m.

Maria, the absent-minded Diva, has just arrived at the U.S. Bank Arena. As always, she looks phenomenal, which is a good thing because she is co-hosting tonight's pay-per-view with Todd Grisham. Hundreds of fans have lined the surrounding streets, hoping for an autograph or a picture with their favorite WWE Superstars, and Maria has obliged. These lucky fans, who just hours from now will be joined by thousands of their closest friends inside the arena have been provided with a moment they will never forget.

On her way into the arena, Maria was overheard asking security where the "computer machine" was. WWE.com was able to direct her towards a working "machine", and will document her exploits with the modern technology throughout the day.

12:45 p.m.
Inside the arena, the WWE crew is putting the finishing touches on one of the year's most unusual stage setups. The theme for Cyber Sunday is of course the computer, which WWE fans used to log on and cast a record number of votes. Lining the ringside area are the commemorative chairs, complete with the pay-per-view logo and a sexy view of Maria's most valuable assets.

NOON
The landscape outside the U.S. Bank Arena offers some of the more scenic views in all of the Midwest. Directly outside the arena is the Ohio River, which provides the barrier between Cincinnati and the Bluegrass State of Kentucky. Showboats line the river, but none are in motion due to high water levels caused by recent stretches of bad weather in the region. On this day however, the weather is beautiful and the sunny landscape provides for some incredible shots.