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THIS DAY IN HISTORY: JEFF HARDY WINS THE WORLD TITLE, UNDERTAKER & AUSTIN WIN TAG GOLD, THESZ VS. MASCARAS AND MORE

By Buck Woodward on 2010-07-26 08:00:00
July 26th

On this day in history in ....

1946 - Dave Levin defeats Kay Bell for the Texas Heavyweight Title in Houston, Texas, to begin his second reign.

1950 - Ray Clements defeats Frank Murdoch to win Amarillo's Southwest Junior Heavyweight Title in Lubbock, Texas.

1956 - Tommy Rich is born in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

1960 - Curly Gagnon defeats Andy Galipeau in Winnipeg, Manitoba for the Madison Wrestling Club Middleweight Title, to begin his second reign.

1967 - Anthony Durante is born in Hammonton, New Jersey.

1968 - Fritz Von Erich defeats Spoiler #1 in Houston, Texas for the held-up NWA American Heavyweight Title. This was a rematch from a match two weeks earlier in Houston.

1969 - The WWWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results:
- John L. Sullivan (Johnny Valiant) defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- Joe Cox defeated Louis Cerdan.
- Cowboy Bradley and Joey Russell defeated Billy the Kid and Frenchy Lamont.
- Antonio Pugliese defeated Luke Graham.
- WWF International Tag Team Champions The Rising Suns (Mitsu Arakawa and Toru Tanaka) defeated Haystacks Calhoun and Victor Rivera.
- Killer Kowalski defeated Dominic DeNucci.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino fought George Steele to a draw to retain the title.

1970 - Miyoko Hoshino and Yoshiko Miyamoto defeat Masked Killer and Masked Lee in Fuchu, Japan to win the American Girls' Wrestling Association International Tag Team Title.

1972 - Fred Blassie defeats Johnny Barend for the Hawaii NWA North American Heavyweight Title, ending Barend's second reign.

1972 - Miyoko Hoshino defeats Sarah Lee in Kasugabe, Japan for the WWWA World Singles Title. At the same event, Aiko Kyo and Jumbo Miyamoto win their third WWWA World Tag Team Title from Opearl Anston and Masked Lee.

1975 - The WWWF held an event at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Pat Barrett defeated Mike Paidousis.
- Gorilla Monsoond defeated Butcher Vachon.
- Bugsy McGraw defeated Dean Ho.
- George Steele defeated Tony Garea.
- André the Giant and Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Spiros Arion and Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- WWWF World Tag Team Champions Dominic DeNucci and Victor Rivera defeated The Blackjacks (Lanza and Mulligan) by disqualification to retain the title.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Waldo Von Erich to retain the title.

1976 - Mil Máscaras and Lou Thesz wrestle to a time-limit draw in Mexico City, Mexico at Universal Wrestling Association's first event. As a result, Thesz was declared the first UWA World Heavyweight Champion on August 15, 1977.

1977 - Ken Lucas wins his 10th NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title in Mobile, Alabama, ending Kurt Von Hess' second reign.

1980 - Greg Valentine defeats Ric Flair to win the NWA United States Heavyweight Title in Charlotte, North Carolina, ending Flair's fourth reign.

1980 - Barry Windham defeats Masa Saito for the NWA Florida Television Title in St. Petersburg, Florida.

1980 - Cien Caras defeats Tony Benetto for the Mexican National Heavyweight Title in Puebla, Mexico.

1981 - Angelo Mosca defeats Mr. Fuji in Toronto, Ontario to win the Toronto NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title for the third time.

1983 - Roderick Strong is born in Wisconsin.

1983 - Tiger Jeet Singh and Umanosuke Ueda defeat Giant Baba and Jumbo Tsuruta to win the NWA International Tag Team Title in Nagasaki, Japan, to end Baba and Tsuruta's fifth reign.

1984 - The Grapplers (Tony Anthony and Len Denton) defeat The Uptown Boys (Marty Jannetty and Tommy Rogers) for the NWA Central States Tag Team Title in Kansas City, Kansas, to begin their second reign.

1984 - Chamaco Valaguez defeats Mocho Cota to win the NWA World Welterweight Title in Cuernavaca, Mexico.

1986 - Jim Crockett Promotions held the 12th of 13 events of the "Great American Bash" tour at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. The results were.
- Steve Regal defeated Sam Houston.
- NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion Black Bart and Konga the Barbarian defeated NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Denny Brown and The Italian Stallion.
- Manny Fernandez defeated Baron Von Raschke (with Paul Jones) in a Loaded Glove on a Pole match
- Wahoo McDaniel defeated Jimmy Garvin (with Precious) in an Indian Strap match.
- NWA National Heavyweight Champion Tully Blanchard (with James J. Dillon) defeated Ron Garvin in a Taped Fist match.
- The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton) fought The Minnesota Wrecking Crew (NWA World Television Champion Arn and Ole Anderson) to a draw.
- Paul Jones (with Shaska Whatley) defeated Jimmy Valiant in a Hair vs. Hair match.
- Magnum T.A. defeated Nikita Koloff (with Ivan Koloff) to make their best-of-seven series for the NWA United States Heavyweight Title 3-1 in favor of Magnum.
- Baby Doll and NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Champions The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) (with Paul Ellering) defeated Jim Cornette and NWA World Tag Team Champions The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey) in a Steel Cage match.
- NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Champion Dusty Rhodes defeated NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair in a Steel Cage match to win the title. This began Rhodes' third reign and ended Flair's fourth (official and eighth unofficial) reign.

1987 - Espanto, Jr. defeats El Hijo del Santo for the UWA World Lightweight Title in Torreón, Mexico.

1990 - Shinobu Kandori and Rumi Kazama defeat Miss A and Harley Saito to win the JWP Pacific Coast Tag Team Title in Yokohama, Japan, ending their second reign.

1991 - The Can-Am Express (Doug Furnas and Dan Kroffat) defeat Billy Black and Joel Deaton to win the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Title in Matsudo, Japan, to begin their fourth reign.

1994 - Peggy Lee Leather defeats Bambi in East Ridge, Tennessee for the unofficial NWA World Women's Title, recognized by Jim Crockett Promotions.

1996 - Espectrito defeats Super Muñequito to win the Mexican National Minis Title in Actopan, Mexico.

1997 - Octagoncito defeats Pentagoncito in Tulancingo, Mexico for the Mexican National Minis Title.

1998 - The WWF held its 23rd "In Your House" event, "Fully Loaded", at Fresno, California's Selland Arena. 9,855 fans attended the show, which got a 0.9 buyrate. The results were:
- Val Venis pinned Jeff Jarrett (with Tennessee Lee) with a roll-up.
- D'Lo Brown (with The Godfather) pinned X-Pac (with Chyna) with the Sky High.
- Faarooq and Scorpio defeated Justin Bradshaw and Terry Funk, when Scorpio pinned Funk after a 450° splash.
- Mark Henry pinned Vader with a splash.
- The Disciples of Apocalypse (8-Ball and Skull (with Paul Ellering)) defeated L.O.D. 2000 (Animal and Hawk (with Sunny)), when Animal was pinned.
- Owen Hart defeated Ken Shamrock in a Dungeon match, by knocking him out with a dumbbell and tapping Shamrock's hand on the floor as if he tapped out. This match was taped days earlier in the Hart family Dungeon in Calgary, and Dan Severn was the guest referee.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion The Rock fought Triple H (with Chyna) to a 30-minute time-limit draw in a best-of-three falls match to retain the title. Rock pinned Triple H after a Rock Bottom and Triple H pinned Rock after Chyna ran in and DDT'd Rock. The time limit expired right after Triple H had Pedigreed Rock.
- Sable defeated Jacqueline in a Bikini contest. This decision was reversed the following night on RAW due to Sable not wearing a bikini top, as she had handprints painted on her chest.
- WWF Champion Steve Austin and The Undertaker defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Kane and Mankind, when Undertaker pinned Kane after the Tombstone piledriver, to win the title.

1999 - The WWF's "RAW is WAR" more than doubles "WCW Monday Nitro"'s rating in this week of the Monday Night War, 7.1 to 3.4.

"RAW is WAR" was live from Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The results:
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Acolytes (Bradshaw and Faarooq) defeated Edge and Christian.
- The Godfather and Val Venis defeated Droz and Prince Albert in a Street Fight.
- Kane defeated The Big Show and The Undertaker by disqualification in a Handicap match.
- Triple H (with Chyna) defeated Ken Shamrock.
- The Rock fought Chyna and Billy Gunn to a no-contest in a Handicap match.

"Nitro" was live from the historic Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee. The results were:
- Bobby Duncum, Jr. and Kendall Windham (with Barry Windham and Curt Hennig) defeated Juventud Guerrera and Psychosis.
- Rey Misterio, Jr. defeated Vampiro (with The Insane Clown Posse (Shaggy 2 Dope and Violent J)) by disqualification.
- Stevie Ray defeated Vincent (with Horace).
- Prince Iaukea defeated Lash LeRoux by disqualification.
- Evan Karagias defeated Ernest Miller (with Sonny Onoo).
- Steven Regal (with Dave Taylor) defeated Mikey Whipwreck.
- Goldberg defeated Curt Hennig (with Bobby Duncum, Jr. and Barry and Kendall Windham) by disqualification.
- Madusa defeated Patty Stone Grinder.
- Shane Douglas defeated Scott Putski.
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion David Flair (with Asya and Torrie Wilson) defeated Chris Benoit to retain the title.
- WCW World Television Champion Rick Steiner defeated Chase Tatum to retain the title.
- Kevin Nash and& Sid Vicious defeated Hulk Hogan and Sting.

2000 - Rojo del Sol defeats "Showa" for the DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Title in Tokyo, Japan. At the same show, Koichiro Kimura defeats Masao Orihara to win the DDT KO-D Openweight Title.

2000 - The Kingpins defeat The Mean Street Posse (Joey Abs and Rodney) for the Memphis Championship Wrestling Southern Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee.

2002 - Disco Fury defeats Asian Cougar in Surrey, British Columbia to win the NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Title in Surrey, British Columbia, beginning his sixth reign.

2002 - The Lynch Mob (2 Tuff Tony and Corporal Robinson) defeat The Backseat Boyz (Trent Acid and Johnny Kashmere) for the vacant Insane Wrestling Federation Tag Team Title in Hamtramck, Michigan.

2003 - CZW held "Tournament of Death II" at Rack's Bar and Billiards in Dover, Delaware. The results:
Tournament of Death quarterfinals:
- Zandig defeated Nate Webb in a Panes of Glass match.
- Nick Mondo defeated JC Bailey in a Lighttubes and Ladders match.
- Necro Butcher defeated Corporal Robinson in a Four Corners of Pain match.
- Ian Rotten defeated CZW World Tag Team Champion Nick Gage in a Barbed Wire Boards and Lighttube Tables match.
Non-tournament:
- Trent Acid (with Johnny Kashmere) defeated Z-Barr.
- Ian Knoxxx defeated Chris Ca$h, Rick Feinberg, Jude, Cory Kastle and Niles Young in a six-way match. Jon Dahmer was the guest referee.
- Johnny Kashmere (with Trent Acid) defeated Nick Berk.
Tournament of Death semifinals:
- Ian Rotten defeated Necro Butcher in a Fans Bring the Weapons match.
- Nick Mondo defeated Zandig in a Best-of-Three Lighttube Log Cabins match.
Non-tournament:
- The Hi-V (B-Boy and CZW World Heavyweight Champion The Messiah) defeated Sonjay Dutt and Ruckus.
Tournament of Death finals:
- Nick Mondo defeated Ian Rotten in a 200 Lighttubes and Barbed Wire Ropes match.

2003 - Ricky Banderas defeats Chicano for the IWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Title in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

2003 - PWG held its debut event at Frank and Sons in City of Industry, California. The results were:
- Charles Mercury, Sara Del Rey and Supa Badd defeated Ryan Drago, Topgun Talwar and Zokre.
- Excalibur defeated Chris Bosh.
- Super Dragon defeated M-Dogg 20.
- TARO defeated Babi Slymm.
- Hook Bomberry and Apolo Kahn defeated Mr. Excitement and Disco Machine.
- Hardkore, Inc. (The Hardkore Kidd, Alkatrazz and Adam Pearce) defeated The X-Foundation (Funky Billy Kim, Scott Lost and Joey Ryan).
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion A.J. Styles defeated Frankie Kazarian.

2003 - Masahiro Chono defeats Lopaka for the HCW Kamehameha Heritage Title in Kapolei, Hawaii.

2003 - The NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title changes hands twice in Columbia, Tennessee. Jeff Daniels and Lone Star win the title from Justin Sain and Natas in the afternoon, and Kory Williams and Mike Woods beat them for the title that evening.

2003 - One day after losing the title to him, Grail regains the Global Wrestling Alliance United States Heavyweight Title from Draegan Frost, making him the first two-time champion.

2003 - T.J. Dalton and J.T. Stahr defeat Cody Hawk and Chet Jablonski to win the HWA Tag Team Title in Columbus, Ohio, ending Hawk and Jablonski's second reign.

2003 - Breyer Wellington defeats Jimmy Jacobs for the Independent Wrestling Revolution King of the Indies Title in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Jacobs wouldn't be without gold for long, as he and Gavin Starr defeated Truth Martini and Anthony Rivera in the very next match on the show to win the IWR Tag Team Title.

2004 - WWE held a live "RAW" at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which got a 3.6 rating on Spike TV. The results were:
- Randy Orton won a 20-man Battle Royal, last eliminating Chris Jericho, to earn a World Heavyweight Title match at August 15's SummerSlam. Also in the match were: Batista, Rob Conway, WWE Intercontinental Champion Edge, Ric Flair, Sylvain Grenier, Matt Hardy, The Hurricane, Kane, Rodney Mack, Maven, Chuck Palumbo, William Regal, Rhyno, Steven Richards, Rosey, Tajiri, Tyson Tomko and Val Venis.
- World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit defeated Triple H in a 60-minute Iron Man match to retain the title. Benoit pinned Triple H with a crucifix; Triple H pinned Benoit after the Pedigree; Benoit was counted out; Triple H pinned Benoit; Benoit made Triple H submit with the Sharpshooter; Benoit made Triple H submit with the Crippler Crossface; and Benoit pinned Triple H after Eugene gave Triple H a Rock Bottom, after he saved Benoit from a triple-team attack from Triple H, Ric Flair and Batista.

2005 - Katsuhiko Nakajima and Kensuke Sasaki defeated Shuji Kondo and "brother" YASSHI for the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.

2005 - Bully Douglas wins a 16-man Battle Royal in Lebanon, Tennessee, last eliminating Chase Stevens, to win the vacant NWA Southern Heavyweight Title.

2005 - Both of Full Throttle Wrestling's titles are decided in Elkmont, Alabama. In a three-way match, Sinn City (Dave Mitchell & Brandon Smith) defeated BMW (Shaun Peete & Charlie Swinger) and The Dogg Pound (Big T & Little E) to become the first FTW Tag Team Champions. Insane Lane defeats Chris Lee to win the FTW Heavyweight Title, making him the first two-time champion.

2005 - Lotus defeats Rob Matrix for the HWA Television Title in Cincinnati, Ohio.

2007 - Caleb Konley and Sal Rinauro defeat Pretty Boy Floyd and Simon Sermon in Locust Grove, Georgia to become Deep South Wrestling's first post-WWE Deep South Tag Team Champions.

2009 - WWE held their Night Of Champions PPV.  Here is the original report:

The PPV opened with a great video package putting over the importance of a championship, followed by segments on the World and WWE Title matches.

Unified Tag Team Champions Chris Jericho & ??? vs. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase.

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler called this match.  DiBiase & Rhodes entered first, then Jericho.  The announcers noted that Jericho could select someone from any brand to defend the tag belts.  Jericho took the mic, and then said we would have a reminder of what happened to his former partner.  They showed a video package on Edge's injury and surgery, including his promo vowing to come back.  Back live, Jericho cut a promo on Edge, calling him injury prone and selfish.  Jericho said he now had a partner who is worthy to stand next to him.  Jericho then introduced his new partner, Big Show.  Big Show, wearing new ring gear, came out holding the tag belts. 

Big Show shoved Cody in a corner at the bell, but Rhodes avoided a chop.  Show backed him into the opposite corner though, and landed the chop.  Show flung Cody across the ring with a Beel throw, and Cody rolled to the floor.  Cody got on the apron and yanked Show throat first across the top rope, then tagged DiBiase.  Show easily downed DiBiase with a shoulderblock, then chopped him and tagged in Jericho.  Show whipped Jericho into an avalanche on DiBiase.  Jericho hit a back elbow, rammed DiBiase into Show's boot, then tagged him back in.  Show and Jericho worked over DiBiase, including Show slamming Jericho onto a downed DiBiase, which looked awkward.  Cody tagged in, but was elbowed by Show from the apron, allowing Jericho to roll him up for a two count.  DiBiase pulled down the ropes as Jericho went to bounce off, and Jericho went over the top and to the floor. 

Cody went out of the ring and rammed Jericho into the apron.  DiBiase and Rhodes hit Jericho with a legsweep/clothesline combo.  Rhodes worked over Jericho with a cravate, but Jericho came back with a sunset flip.  Cody looked like he wanted to tag before going over, but instead fell through the ropes in another awkward spot.  Jericho battled back, with some fans chanting for him, but DiBiase and Rhodes kept him in their corner and away from tagging Big Show.  Jericho and Rhodes exchanged forearms, and Rhodes hit a top rope moonsault on a standing Jericho for a two count.  Jericho came right back with an enzugiri, but Cody tagged DiBiase, who cut off Jericho from tagging Show.  Jericho rolled DiBiase into a small package for two, but DiBiase kicked out and hit a clothesline.  Jericho kicked away a backdrop, but DiBiase hit a powerslam.  DiBiase rolled Jericho with an armdrag and kicked Jericho in the face.  Jericho avoided a splash in the corner and went for the Walls Of Jericho, but DiBiase blocked it.  DiBiase went for Dream Street, but Jericho blocked it and applied the Walls.  Cody teased running in, getting Big Show to come into the ring and distract the referee.  This allowed Cody to break up the pin.  Jericho finally made a tag, and Big Show came in and teased chokeslamming both opponents, but Priceless pounded Big Show to break his grip. Jericho got Cody out of the ring and Show speared DiBiase, but Cody broke up the cover.  Cody dropkicked Show from behind, and DiBiase clipped his knee from the front.  However, Jericho ran in and gave DiBiase a Codebreaker, while Show swatted Cody from the ring.  Show put DiBiase in the Colossal Clutch for the submission at the ten minute mark. 

Winners: Big Show and Chris Jericho. 

CM Punk started to be interviewed backstage by Josh Mathews, but when he heard the crowd supporting Jeff Hardy, he took the mic and walked into the arena.  Punk stood in the crowd and said he didn't blame the fans for the way they support Jeff Hardy.  He blamed the single-parents, who give their kids whatever they want, because their marriages failed.  Punk said they weren't good parents, they were enablers.  Punk said parents letting their kids look up to Jeff Hardy shows they don't really care at all.  Punk said it "starts with a Jeff Hardy T-Shirt, then they're smoking cigarettes", drinking beer, using illicit street drugs, etc.  It was a great promo, but I wonder if a lot of it went over the heads of the fans. 

ECW Champion Tommy Dreamer vs. Christian.

Dreamer and Christian bumped knuckles at the start in a show of respect.   They locked up and went into a corner, then slapped each other on the break.  Dreamer hit a shoulderblock for a two count, then armdragged Christian.  Christian kipped up and flipped Dreamer to the mat.  Christian slid under Dreamer's legs, then hit a spin kick for a two count.  Dreamer reversed a whip into the corner and charged Christian, and when Christian went for the pendulum kick, Dreamer caught it and hit a neckbreaker off the ropes.  Christian came back with a forearm and a reverse elbow off the ropes.  Dreamer shoulderblocked Christian from the apron and teased suplexing him to the floor.  Christian slid to the outside and tripped Dreamer, sending him face first into the ring apron.  Christian hit a baseball slide kick, then went for a springboard bodypress, but Dreamer moved out of the way.  Dreamer hit a rolling senton off the ring apron, then rolled Christian into the ring for a two count.   

Dreamer powerslammed Christian for a two count.  Dreamer got on the second rope, but Christian pulled Dreamer off, sending him crashing to the mat.  Christian snapmared Dreamer and kicked him in the neck.  Christian went for a Killswitch, but Dreamer blocked it and went for a back suplex.  Christian floated over that and applied a sleeper, but Dreamer fell backwards to the mat to break it.  Christian got back on Dreamer with the sleeper, but Dreamer threw them both over the top rope to break the hold.  They got back into the ring and Christian went to the top rope, but Dreamer hit him as he came off, then delivered a clothesline and a flapjack for a two count.  Dreamer put Christian in the Tree Of Woe, then hit a baseball slide kick.  Dreamer went for a DDT, but Christian blocked it, only to be caught with a spinebuster.  Dreamer went for a pumphandle slam, but Christian floated over it and hit a DDT for two.  Christian went to the middle rope and hit a dropkick.  Christian went to the top rope for another, but Dreamer caught it and applied the Texas Cloverleaf.  Christian rolled under it and traded punches with Dreamer.  Dreamer hit a catapult, but Christian came back with a sunset flip off the ropes.  They traded reversals for two counts.  Dreamer missed a charge in the corner and Christian hit the Pendulum kick, then a top rope dropkick.  Christian went for the Killswitch, but Dreamer reversed it for a DDT, but Christian reversed it again and hit the Killswitch for the win at the eight minute mark. 

Winner and new ECW Champion: Christian.

Dreamer and Christian shook hands and embraced.  Dreamer then raised Christian's hand. 

Backstage, Todd Grisham interviewed Big Show and Chris Jericho.  Show said they aren't friends, this is about business.  Jericho bragged about what a great choice he made, then proclaimed they would be better than the British Bulldogs, Road Warriors and all the other great teams.  Show said they have held 40 championships between the two of them.  They said they would be the most dominant team ever.  Jericho mockingly thanked Edge for making it possible. 

United States Champion Kofi Kingston vs. Primo vs. MVP vs. Carlito vs. Jack Swagger vs. The Miz.

Primo replaces Big Show in this match.  Carlito bailed out of the ring at the bell to avoid Primo, while everyone else went at it.  Lot's of pinfall attempts early.  Kofi and Carlito did a nice sequence that ended with them colliding. Kofi gave Primo a rana, right into a Swagger powerbomb, in a cool spot.  Swagger started throwing people out of the ring at one point.  MVP gave Swagger a belly to belly suplex and brawled with him to the floor.  Swagger threw MVP into a security wall.  Miz and Kofi ended up being the only two in the ring at one point.  Carlito hit a top rope dive on MVP on the floor.  Swagger got in with Kofi, while Miz was kicked to the floor.  Kofi hit a top rope dropkick on Swagger, then hit a double legdrop.  Miz broke up the cover, then nailed Kofi with a clothesline.  Miz hit a corner clothesline on Swagger.  Primo and Miz fought on the top rope, then Kofi joined him.  Swagger powerbombed Primo and Kofi while they superplexed Miz.  Carlito ran in and tried to get covers on the downed wrestlers, but only got a two count.  MVP went to work on Carlito, then Miz yanked him into the middle turnbuckle.  Carlito flipped over Primo on a suplex attempt, then they collided going for bodypresses.  Kofi mounted Swagger in a corner but got powerslammed.  MVP backdropped Miz to the floor, then bodypressed Swagger over the top rope.

This left Carlito in the ring with Kofi.  Kofi and Carlito traded reversals on cradles, then Primo got in on it and we had three wrestlers traded reversals.  Carlito held Kofi and told Primo to hit him, but before he could, Swagger tripped Primo.  Primo and Carlito got double clotheslines by Swagger, who then knocked Miz off the apron.  MVP caught Swagger with a facebuster on the knee, then called for the Ballin' elbowdrop, which he hit.  MVP went for the Playmaker, but as he hit it, Miz gave MVP a full nelson slam.  The Colons tossed MVP out of the ring, then Carlito gave Primo a Backstabber. Kofi then hit Carlito with the Trouble In Paradise kick for the win at the nine minute mark.

Winner: Kofi Kingston.

Josh Mathews interviewed Randy Orton, who said if it was a singles match, he would beat John Cena or Triple H, but in a Triple Threat match, he could lose without being pinned.  Orton said he was counting on their egos to destroy each other.  Randy Orton said maybe someday the fans will cheer him the way they do Cena and HHH, but until then, he will remain the WWE Champion. 

Women's Champion Michelle McCool vs. Melina.

They recapped that incredible angle from Smackdown this week that set up the match (yes, that is sarcasm).  As Melina did her entrance, McCool knocked her off the apron.  Melina got back in and speared McCool.  Melina matrixed under a clothesline, then hit an armdrag.  Melina hit some back elbows, then a back kick in the corner.  McCool tried to get out of the ring, but Melina pulled her back in, then dropkicked her in the face.  Melina hit a tilt-a-whirl back kick, then a boot to the face.  Melina missed a dropkick, and Melina went through the ropes and to the floor.  McCool hit a running knee on the floor, sending Melina into the security wall.  Back in the ring, McCool put Melina in a half Crab, bending her leg past her shoulder.  

Melina made the ropes, and McCool bent her over the middle rope, then shoved her to the floor.  McCool missed a running kick on the floor, catching herself on the security wall.  Melina and McCool stood up on the security wall, jockeying for position, and McCool hit a DDT, driving Melina into the top of the security wall.  Melina got onto the apron, and McCool missed a baseball slide kick and fell to the floor.  Melina used a headscissors on McCool near the apron, then hit a face driver off the apron to the floor.  Back in the ring, McCool hit a kick to the face, but Melina tripped McCool into the ropes, and delivered a double jumping knee to the back.  Melina put McCool across the middle rope, then drilled her with a double kneedrop to the midsection.  Melina hit a spinkick for another two count.  McCool came back with a belly to belly suplex.  McCool rammed Melina in a corner, but Melina hit headscissors, then went for a Thesz Press, but McCool reversed positions and rolled Melina, pushing her legs over her head, up for the pin at the seven minute mark. 

Winner: Michelle McCool.

John Cena was shown in the back getting ready for his match.

The events leading to the WWE Title match were shown.

WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Triple H vs. John Cena in a Triple Threat match.

Cena came out first, then Triple H, then Orton.  They did the "big fight intros" and Triple H got more cheers than Cena.  Orton got more boos than both, but there were cheers as well.  Orton slid out of the ring at the bell, but Cena and Triple H got out on opposite sides and cornered Orton.  Orton went back into the ring, as did his opponents.  Orton went after Triple H, who hit him with right hands.  Orton slid out of the ring, but Cena went out and clotheslined Orton on the floor, then tossed him back in.  Triple H worked over Orton with punches in a corner, then Orton ran into a Triple H boot after reversing a whip.  Cena hit a bulldog on Orton, and Triple H and Cena took turns punching Orton, who bailed out to the floor.  Cena and Triple H went out after him, throwing him into the security wall. Cena threw Orton into the ring, and as Cena got on the apron, Orton knocked him back to the floor, into Triple H.  

Orton tossed Cena into the ring and hit some punches.  There was a chant for Cena as Orton pounded him on the mat, then stomped his arm.  Triple H got onto the apron, but Orton knocked him back to the floor.  Cena gave Orton a pair of shoulderblocks, then a powerbomb.  Cena did the "You Can't See Me" and dropped the five knuckle shuffle fistdrop.  Cena went for an Attitude Adjustment, but Triple H broke it up and threw Cena into the ringpost and to the floor.  Orton went after Triple H, stomping him down in a corner.  Orton hit a dropkick, then put HHH into a chinlock.  Triple H fought up and they exchanged punches, the Orton hit a powerslam for a two count.  Orton measured Triple H for a RKO, but Triple H blocked it and hit a DDT.  Cena came in off the top rope and did what was supposed to be a double Rocker Dropper, but he overshot both of them.  They fell down anyway. 

Orton gave Cena a side backbreaker, sending him to the floor.  Triple H went for a Pedigree on Orton, but Orton backdropped him from the ring.  Cena got on the apron, but Orton kicked him as he got in.  Triple H got on the apron as well, and Orton went to DDT both Cena and HHH off the ropes, but they double backdropped him to the floor instead.  Cena and HHH faced off in the ring, HHH mocked Cena's hand gestures.  Cena and HHH exchanged punches with the crowd doing "Boo" (Cena) and "Yay" (HHH) with every punch.  Cena hit a pair of shoulderblocks, but Triple H caught him with a jumping knee.  Triple H hit a facebuster on the knee, but Cena came right back with a Throwback. They teased their finishers, but neither one could complete them.  Triple H hit Cena with a spinebuster, then delivered the Pedigree.  Orton pulled Triple H from the ring as he went for the cover.  Orton tossed HHH into the ring steps, then cleared the Smackdown table and put him on it.  Triple H got up and teased a Pedigree on the table, but Cena broke it up and tossed Orton into the crowd.  Cena put Triple H in an STF on the table.  Orton broke it up. 

Orton and Cena got back into the ring, and Orton went for an RKO, but Cena threw him away.  Cena put Orton in position for a superplex.  Triple H came in and pulled Cena down.  They traded attempts for finishers, then Cena catapulted HHH into the corner, crotching Orton on the top rope as he was trying to stand up.  Cena put Triple H in an STF, and Orton went for a punt on Cena, but Cena moved, Orton missed the kick, and Cena rolled up Orton for two.  Orton then nailed Cena with a clothesline.  Orton stomped Cena and Triple H, then delivered repeated kneedrops to Cena, then Triple H.  Orton finally missed one on HHH, and Cena chopblocked his leg.  Triple H then dropped a knee on Orton's leg, and Cena then powerbombed Orton.  Cena went for the "You Can't See Me" again, then as he ran the ropes, Triple H pulled down the top rope and Cena fell to the floor.  

Triple H put Orton in a Sharpshooter.  Cena came in and put Orton in an STF.  Orton tapped out, but the referee didn't call for the bell, and stood there looking confused, since Orton was tapping out while in two different holds.  DiBiase and Rhodes ran in and attacked Triple H and  Cena.  The announcers said there was no disqualifications.  DiBiase took Triple H to the floor.  In the ring, Cena lifted Cody for an Attitude Adjustment, and Orton hit Cena with an RKO for the pin at the 24-minute mark. 

Winner: Randy Orton. 

Backstage, Miz flirted with Maryse, but Maryse called him a loser.  Miz said he wasted his time helping her last week.  Maryse said she is a champion.  Miz called her a tease, and said she would lose the title.  Miz said she butchered her chance, the same way she butches the English language, and walked off. 

Divas Champion Maryse vs. Mickie James.

The Divas trash talked before the bell rang.  They locked up, and rolled to the mat in a collar and elbow tieup.  They broke up and Maryse shoved Mickie, then ducked out of the ropes to avoid being hit.   Maryse did her hair flip thing, and Mickie yanked her down, rolling her up for a two count.  Mickie slid under a kick by Maryse, then hit a dropkick for two.  Mickie hit a forearm, then a kick to the gut.  Mickie went for a headscissors and was tossed to the apron.  Mickie went for a springboard, but Maryse kicked her to the floor.  Maryse prompted the referee to count, so she could retain the title.  Mickie made it back in at eight, and Maryse stomped her.  Mickie fought back with forearms, but Maryse hit a back elbow.  Maryse applied a camel clutch, and Mickie battled up.  Maryse threw Mickie to the floor.  Then she threw her back in the ring.  Maryse reached under the ring and pulled out a can of hairspray, but as she got in the ring, Mickie kicked her in the gut.  Mickie grabbed the can, but the referee took it away.  On the floor, Mickie worked over Maryse with shots, then threw her into the ring.  Mickie went to the top rope, but missed a bodypress.  Maryse put Mickie back in a camel clutch, but Mickie stood up and dropped backwards to break it.  Mickie hit a neckbreaker, but Maryse reversed a whip.  Mickie caught a headscissors, but Maryse botched something and rolled up Mickie for a two count.  Mickie kicked Maryse and went to the middle rope, but Maryse slammed her off.  Maryse went for a DDT, but Mickie reversed it and hit a DDT for the pin at the eight minute mark. 

Winner and new Divas Champion: Mickie James.

Backstage, Josh Mathews interviewed Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes.  DiBiase and Rhodes cut a promo that it was more important that Randy Orton retained the WWE title, than it was that they didn't win the tag titles. 

They aired a video package on the events leading to the Intercontinental Title match. 

Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler.

Ziggler was accompanied by Maria, and sat at ringside.  They locked up, with neither getting an advantage.  Rey hit a dropkick, and both faced off again.  Rey then grabbed a quick rollup for two.  Ziggler grabbed a side headlock, then hit a pair of shoulderblocks for quick covers.  Dolph grabbed a rear chinlock, but Rey busted out and leapfrogged him.  Rey hit a headscissors takedown (sort of), then went for a rana, but Dolph blocked it, threw him in a corner, and took him down for a two count.  Dolph stomped him and whipped him hard into the corner.  Dolph put Rey back in a chinlock, kicking his legs up in the air to put more pressure on him.  Rey elbowed out of it, then gave Dolph a headscissors that sent him into the ringpost.  Rey hit a springboard senton, then a springboard bodypress, to score two counts.  Rey kicked Dolph, but Dolph came back with a side slam for a two count.  

Dolph went for a vertical suplex, but Rey floated over and ran Dolph out of the ring.  Rey jumped off the apron and hit a senton on the floor.  Rey went went to the top rope, but Dolph pulled him off into an Electric Chair.  Rey punched out of it, then Dolph went for a double underhook powerbomb, but Rey turned it into a rana, sending Dolph into 619 position.  Dolph got out of the way and threw Rey out of the ring.  Dolph tossed Rey back into the ring, then hit some forearm shots.  Dolph put Rey in a camel clutch, but Rey battled out of it.  Dolph came back with a powerslam for two, then dropped an elbowsmash for another two.  Dolph slapped Rey in the back of the head, and a fired up Rey hit some forearms.  Dolph grabbed a full nelson, and Rey struggled in the hold before stomping Dolph's leg to break out.  Ziggler grabbed the full nelson again, but Rey turned it into a victory roll and Dolph reversed it for two.  Dolph went for a sunset flip and Rey rolled through it and hit a dropkick.  Ziggler came back with a neckbreaker.  

Rey gave Ziggler a drop toe hold into the corner, then went to the top rope, but Ziggler gave him a drop kick as he came off for a two count.  Dolph charged Rey, and Rey kicked Ziggler's leg out from under him, sending him into the corner.  Rey put Ziggler on the top rope, and Rey went up to join him, but ended up being caught with a gut buster off the top by Ziggler for a two count. Ziggler went to slam Rey, but Rey floated over it and gave Ziggler an enzugiri.  Rey hit a 619 and a springboard splash for the pin at the fourteen minute mark. 

Winner: Rey Mysterio. 

The events leading to the main event were shown.

World Champion CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy.

Punk entered first, then Hardy, followed by the big fight introductions.  Punk kicked Hardy in the leg to start, then hit a second leg kick.  Punk said "What do you got?  What are you going to do to me?" then grabbed a side headlock.  Punk chain wrestled around Hardy, then shoved him away.  Punk applied a headlock again, then hit a shoulderblock when Hardy sent him into the ropes.  Hardy hit a leapfrog, but Punk grabbed him for a GTS.  Hardy floated out and hit a shoulderblock.  Hardy then put Punk in a corner with a series of shoulderblocks.  Punk came back with a sunset flip for two, then applied a rear chinlock.  Punk whipped Hardy into the ropes as he was battling out of the headlock, and Hardy went for a bodyblock, but Punk ducked and Hardy fell to the floor. 

Punk went for a tope, but Hardy moved and Punk crashed to the floor.  Hardy rolled Punk back into the ring for a two count.  Hardy hit a neckbreaker and went to the top rope.  Punk rolled out of the ring, and Hardy turned around and dove at Punk.  Punk moved and Hardy crashed into the security wall.  Punk encouraged the countout, but Hardy got back in at nine.  Punk covered Hardy for a one count, then kicked him in the back repeatedly.  Punk whipped Hardy hard into a corner, then went back to kicking him in the back.  Punk covered Hardy for a two count, then dropkicked him on the mat for another two.  Punk put Hardy in a bow and arrow, but Hardy broke out.  Punk kicked Hardy in the gut, then hit some forearms to the back. 

Punk put Hardy on the top rope for a superplex, but Hardy blocked it and hit a second rope gourdbuster.  Punk and Hardy slowly got up and traded shots, then Hardy hit a short arm clothesline and a pair of forearms.  Hardy hit a double legdrop between Punk's legs, then dropkicked his face for a two count.  Jeff went to the top rope, and Punk crotched him.  Punk hit a jumping knee in the corner, but Hardy shoved off the bulldog attempt and hit the Whisper In The Wind for a two count.  Hardy hit a gourdbuster, then went up for the Swanton Bomb.  Punk sat up and Hardy crashed to the mat.  Punk picked up Hardy and hit a double underhook backbreaker.  Punk applied a Dragon Sleeper, but Hardy made the ropes.  

Punk delivered a series of kicks and slaps, but missed a spinning backfist and Hardy hit a Twist Of Fate.  Hardy went to the top rope for a Swanton, but Punk got his knees up.  Hardy kicked out at two.  Punk went for a springboard, but Hardy kicked him in the gut as he came off.  Hardy went for a Twist Of Fate, but Punk reversed it and hit a GTS.  Hardy kicked out at two, then Punk covered him twice more, but Hardy kept kicking out.  Punk got frustrated, grabbed the title belt, and walked away from the ring.  Hardy chased him up the aisle, grabbed Punk and tossed him back into the ring.  Hardy pounded Punk in a corner, then gave him a Twist Of Fate.  Hardy hit a Swanton Bomb and got the three count at the 15-minute mark. 

Winner and new champion: Jeff Hardy.

 

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