July 16th, 2008 Universal Orlando Update - Rip Ride Rockit, TNA & More

[NemoRocks78]

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Welcome to the July 16th, 2008 Universal Orlando Update. Just a few things to update on here...

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You can see the typical summer afternoon storm rolling through.

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Despite the weather, guests donned ponchos and used umbrellas to continue on with their day... and the wait times prove it:

Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast - 55 min.
Shrek 4-D - 15 min.
Twister... Ride It Out - 40 min.
Revenge of the Mummy - 30 min.
Disaster Studios - 40 min.
Men In Black Alien Attack - 65 min.
The Simpsons Ride - 80 min.
E.T. Adventure - 40 min.

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They even stood out in the rain to get into the TNA iMPACT! tapings later in the day.

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Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit construction is moving along.

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Twister's queue now goes out into the street...

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And this area in front of the NY Public Library is walled off.

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Revenge of the Mummy is all decked out for the opening of the third film.

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Disaster's queue is also being pushed outside for HHN construction.

 

[NemoRocks78]

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Word of warning: do NOT walk in front of the entrance to this store when you are soaked... it's ssssoooo cold. :lol:

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The Simpsons Ride keeps pulling 'em in - 80 min. wait right here.

Time for some TNA iMPACT! tapings photos. If you do not wish for next Thursday's show to be spoiled... SKIP PAST THE REST OF THIS POST AND THE NEXT!

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The show started off with TNA World Champion Samoa Joe and "Big Sexy" Kevin Nash in the ring. Joe wants to face Booker T at the next PPV (Hard Justice) in a Six Sides of Steel match.

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Consequences Creed, "Showtime" Eric Young, "Hotshot" Johnny Devine & Jimmy Rave had a four-way X-Division match.

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After the match, Jimmy Rave's tag team partner Lance Rock and Johnny Devine beat down Consequences Creed. "The Monster" Abyss made the save and hit the Black Hole Slam on Lance Rock.

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"Cowboy" James Storm & Robert Roode, aka Beer Money, took on Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin, who are the Motor City Machine Guns in a strap match.

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Angelina Love & Velvet Sky, aka The Beautiful People...

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Oh how I love their entrance...

 

[NemoRocks78]

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Velvet Sky was taking on TNA Women's Knockout Champion Taylor Wilde in a title match.

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TNA X-Division Champion Petey Williams (w/Rhaka Khan) defeated "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal (w/SoCal Val) in a title match.

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Booker T and Samoa Joe had a contract signing for their match at Hard Justice. During the middle of it, the lights went out and Sting's theme music hit. When they came back on, Joe was on the ground and Booker T stood over him with Sting's signature bat.

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The main event of the evening was "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, "The Instant Classic" Christian Cage & "The War Machine Rhino vs. "Olympic Gold Medalist" Kurt Angle & Team 3D in a tables elimination match.

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Brother Devon of Team 3D and Rhino came into the crowd and fought right in front of me.

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Kurt Angle picked up the final elimination on AJ Styles with the help of MMA fighter Frank Trigg.

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That's about it... hope y'all enjoyed.

 

[kap91]

Nice to see construction work for the coaster. I'd also like to add that at IOA there is now a new bridge that connects the Lost Continent to Jurassic Park. No pictures but it starts around the 8th Voyage of Sinbad and ends right above the old boat dock in Jurassic Park. I was surprised. Not expecting it at all but it sort of is a necessity now that the whole area between DD and JP is closed off.

 

[Timmay]

Great stuff..thanks!

 

[krankenstein]

Thanks for the update, it is greatly appreciated.

 

[EpcotServo]

Yeah, but I did love the chilly AC from that store on a HOT day though...

Thanks for the great Universal updates!

 

[coasterphil]

Universal really does a great job keeping things cool, with the only exception that I can think of being the queue for Hulk. I was there this morning and it was unbearable, even though it was only 9:30 and I only had to wait 25 minutes.

 

[crazydaveh]

Uni can get hot during the summer, but so can SeaWorld and the WDW parks too.

Great update! TNA is always fun to go to! WHOOOOOOOO!

 

[bayoutinkbelle]

Thanks for the update! With all the work going on, I'm going to be lost in October!