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5/5 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: WWF BECOMES WWE, FLAIR DEBUTS FOR ROH TV, FIRST WORLD CHAMPION CROWNED, AWA AND NWA TEAM FOR 'TWIN WARS' AND MORE

By Mike Johnson & Ryan Martinez on 2011-05-05 08:00:00

May 5th - Happy Cinco del Mayo! 

On this day in history in ....
 
1905 - At Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, World Greco-Roman Champion George Hackenschmidt defeated American Heavyweight Champion Tom Jenkins in two straight falls, to become the World Catch-as-Catch Can Heavyweight Champion. This match is the origin of the first World Heavyweight Title in America.
 
1937 - Floyd Hanson defeats Abdul Khan for the Montana State Middleweight Title in Great Falls, Montana.
 
1939 - Bill Watts is born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
 
1940 - Bobby Bonales defeats Jack O'Brien to win the Mexican National Lightweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico, ending O'Brien's second reign.
 
1947 - Danny McShain defeats Martino Angelo for the World Light Heavyweight Title in Hollywood, California, ending Angelo's third reign and beginning McShain's ninth.
 
1948 - Johnny Demchuk defeats Billy Weidner to win the Midwest Wrestling Association World Junior Heavyweight Title in Columbus, Ohio. This began Demchuk's fourth reign and ended Weidner's fourth reign.
 
1950 - Danny McShain defeats Miguel Guzmán for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title in Houston, Texas. This began and ended both wrestlers' sixth reign.
 
1950 - Don Kernodle was born.
 
1958 - Jim Larock defeats Sandor Kovacs to become the first Tri-State NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Champion in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
 
1961 - Hiroshi Hase is born in Oyabe, Japan.
 
1961 - Dory Dixon and Rito Romero defeat The Corsicans (Jean and Joe) to win the Texas NWA World Tag Team Title in Houston, Texas.
 
1962 - Bill Howes defeats Jacques Lageat in London, England to win the European Mid-Heavyweight Title.
 
1964 - Don Curtis and Abe Jacobs defeat Duke Keomuka and Hiro Matsuda for the Florida NWA World Tag Team Title in Tampa, Florida, ending Keomuka and Matsuda's fourth reign.
 
1965 - Alfonso Dantés defeats Raul Reyes for the Mexican National Light Heavyweight Title.
 
1971 - Dale Lewis defeats The Champion (Tarzan Tyler) for the NWA Florida Brass Knuckles Title in Miami, Florida, ending Tyler's second reign and beginning Lewis' second.
 
1972 - Roberto Soto defeats Buddy Colt to win the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia, ending Colt's fourth reign.
 
1972 - Raul Mata and Rey Mendoza defeat Killer Kowalski and Kinji Shibuya for the NWA Americas Tag Team Title in Los Angeles, California.
 
1976 - Dino Bravo and Mr. Wrestling defeat Gene and Ole Andersno to win the NWA World Tag Team Title in Raleigh, North Carolina, ending the Andersons' third reign.
 
1978 - Bruno Sammartino defeats Gorilla Monsoon for the WWC North American Heavyweight Title in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
 
1978 - Jerry Brown and Bobby Jaggers defeat Ray Candy and Steven Little Bear to win the Tri-State NWA United States Tag Team Title in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, ending Candy and Little Bear's second reign.
 
1979 - Hurácan Castillo and Carlos Colón defeat Frankie Laine and Dutch Mantel for the WWC North American Tag Team Title in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
 
1981 - Salvatore Bellomo and Victor Rivera defeat John and Rick Davidson to win the NWA Americas Tag Team Title.
 
1982 - King Kong Bundy defeats Kerry Von Erich for the World Class American Heavyweight Title in Lawton, Oklahoma, ending Von Erich's third reign.
 
1982 - The Junkyard Dog and Mr. Olympia (Jerry Stubbs) defeat The Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika) to win the Mid-South Tag Team Title in Jackson, Mississippi, ending the Samoans' third reign.
 
1983 - Jerry Brown defeats Roger Kirby for the NWA Central States Television Title in Kansas City, Kansas.
 
1984 - Wahoo McDaniel and Mark Youngblood defeat Jack and Jerry Brisco for the NWA World Tag Team Title in Greensboro, North Carolina. This ended the Briscos' third reign and began McDaniel and Youngblood's second.  The undercard of the event saw the following results:
 
-Mark Fleming defeated Bob Bass
-Johnny Weaver defeated Bob Orton. Jr.
-Brian Adidas defeated Doug Vines.
-Pez Whatley defeated Jeff Sword.
-Ernie Ladd defeated Rufus R. Jones.
-Wahoo McDaniel defeated Tully Blanchard.
-NWA United States Champion Ricky Steamboat defeated Dick Slater.
 
1984 - Blackjack Mulligan wins his second NWA Florida Brass Knuckles Title in St. Petersburg, Florida, defeating Black Bart.
 
1985 - World Class' second-annual Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions was held before 26,153 fans at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The results:
- Johnny Mantell and Skip Young fought to a draw.
- Brian Adias and WCCW Television Champion Scott Casey defeated Kelly and Nick Kiniski.
- Terry Gordy defeated Kamala by disqualification.
- Mike Von Erich defeated Rip Oliver.
- WCCW American Heavyweight Champion Chris Adams and WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion Gino Hernandez defeated WCCW Television Champion Scott Casey and The Great Kabuki, when Adams pinned Casey.
- Kerry Von Erich defeated One Man Gang in a Kerry's hair vs. Gary Hart's hair match.
- In a two-ring no-disqualification match, The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers) defeated The Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton), when Rogers pinned Eaton, to win the WCCW American Tag Team Title. The title had been held up since Jim Cornette interfered in a match against the teams on March 8 in Dallas.
- The Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes and Buddy Roberts) and WCCW Six-Man Tag Team Champions Kevin, Kerry and Mike Von Erich defeated Chris Adams, Gino Hernandez, Kamala, Rip Oliver, One Man Gang and Steve Williams in a two-ring best-of-five falls match, 3-2. Adams pinned Roberts, Hernandez pinned Hayes, Kerry pinned Oliver, Roberts pinned Hernandez and Kevin pinned Williams.
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair fought WCCW Six-Man Tag Team Champion Kevin Von Erich to a double-countout to retain the title.
 
1986 - Rick Rude defeats Lance Von Erich to win the World Class Television Title in Fort Worth, Texas.
 
1986 - Steve DiSalvo defeats Ron Ritchie for the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title in Vancouver, British Columbia, ending Ritchie's second reign.
 
1986 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Fayetteville, NC, featuring the following results:
-The Italian Stallion fought Thunderfoot to a draw.
-Barbarian & Teijo Khan defeated Nelson Royal & Sam Houston.
-Jimmy Garvin defeated Hector Guerrero.
-Jimmy Valiant defeated Pez Whatley.
-NWA National Heavyweight Champion Tully Blanchard defeated Ron Garvin.
-NWA World Tag Team Champions The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey defeated Dusty Rhodes & NWA US Champion Magnum TA.
 
1987 - Jim Crockett Promotions taped TV in Spartanburg, SC, featuring Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, The Road Warriors and more. 
 
1988 - Canek defeats Perro Aguayo for the UWA World Heavyweight Title, ending Canek's ninth reign.
 
1989 - At a Continental Wrestling Federation event in Knoxville, Tennessee, Kevin Dillinger defeats Danny Davis to win the Southeast NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Title, ending Davis' fourth reign. Also at that show, Masahiro Chono and Mike Davis won the CWF Tag Team Title from Davey and Johnny Rich.
 
1990 - The NWA sent a World title match to an event promoted by Verne Gagne's AWA in St. Paul, Minnesota.  The event, dubbed "Twin Wars", featured Ric Flair defeating Brian Pillman to retain the World title with Nick Bockwinkel as the special referee.  Bockwinkel also appeared as the referee for the AWA World title bout, which saw Larry Zbyszko defeat Nikita Koloff.  The undercard for the show, which drew a reported 4,000 fans, saw:
 
-Tony DeNucci defeated Todd Becker.
-D.J. Peterson defeated Jonnie Stewart.
-John Nord (the future Bezerker) & Scott Norton fought the Texas Hangmen to a double disqualification.
-Bob Lurtsema, The Trooper (the future masked Patriot) & Brad Rheingans defeated The Destruction Crew & Tully Blanchard.
 
1990 - Jerry Lawler defeats Jimmy Valiant to win the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee. This ended Valiant's second reign and began Lawler's sixth.
 
1990 - Invaders I and IV win their second WWC Caribbean Tag Team Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico, by defeating Leo Burke and Chicky Starr.
 
1991 - WCW ran Roanoke, Virginia, headlined by Rick Steiner defeating World champion Ric Flair by DQ when Flair threw him over the top rope to the floor.  The top matches on the undercard saw Scott Steiner defeat The Angel of Death and Ron Simmons defeat The One Man Gang by DQ.
 
1993 - FMW held its Fourth Anniversary Show at Kawasaki Stadium in Kawasaki, Japan before 41,000 fans. The results:
- Eiji Ezaki defeated Koji Nakagawa.
- Rie Nakamura defeated Keiko Iwame.
- Mikiko Futagami, Yasha Kurenai, Utako Ozumi, Midori Saito and Eagle Sawai defeated Yoshika Maedomari, Kumiko Matsuda, Yukie Nabeno, Miwa Sato and Erica Tsuchiya.
- Sabu and The Sheik defeated Dr. Hannibal and Dr. Looser, when Sabu pinned Looser.
- Battle Ranger, The Great Sasuke and Kendo defeated Super Delfin and Espantos IV and V, when Kendo pinned Espanto V.
- Shinobu Kandori defeated Victoria Kazumiya by submission.
- WWA World Women's Champion Megumi Kudo and Combat Toyoda defeated Manami Toyota and Toshiyo Yamada, when Kudo pinned Toyota.
- Big Titan, Ricky Fuji and The Gladiator defeated Great Punk, FMW World Martial Arts Tag Team Champion Tarzan Goto and Katsuji Ueda in a Loser Leaves Town, No Rope, Barbed Wire Street Fight Death match, when Fuji pinned Punk.
- FMW World Martial Arts Tag Team Champion Gregori Veritchev defeated Leon Spinks by submission.
- FMW World Martial Arts Champion Atsushi Onita defeated Terry Funk in an Exploding Ring Barbed Wire Land Mine match.
 
1995 - Megumi Kudo defeats Bad Nurse Nakamura to win the World Wrestling Association and Independent World Women's Titles in Kawasaki, Japan. This began Kudo's fourth and second respective reigns. At the same event, Ricky Fuji and Hisakatsu Oya win the FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Title from Yukihiro Kanemura and Mr. Pogo. Also, Atsushi Onita defeated Hayabusa, and then retired.
 
1995 - Extreme Championship Wrestling returned to the War Memorial in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, drawing 1,009 fans with the following results:
-Joe Malenko defeated Alex G via submission at 13:22.
-The Tazmaniac pinned the Evil Snake at 4:05.
-Axl Rotten pinned Ian Rotten in a barbed wire baseball bat match.
-Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko defeated Norman Smiley & Mikey Whipwreck at 7:17 when Benoit pinned Smiley.
-Raven pinned Tommy Dreamer.
-Death Row 3260 pinned D-Day.
-Cactus Jack pinned ECW World Champion the Sandman (w/ith Woman) in a non-title barbed wire match at 12:14; the ring ropes were replaced with barbed wire for the bout; pre-match stipulations stated Cactus would become the #1 contender to the title if he won.  The match was later released on ECW's Extreme Warfare home video.
-ECW World Tag Team Champions the Public Enemy defeated the Pitbulls at 22:00 when Grunge scored the pin.
 
1995 - Ray "The Crippler" Stevens passes away at the age of 60.
 
1995 - WCW taped several hours of WCW Worldwide at the Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando, Florida, including, most notably, Sting & the Renegade defeating Dick Slater & Bunkhouse Buck.  The taping featured three appearances in the ring by Arn Anderson, who at the time was the WCW World TV champion.
 
1996 - The Head Hunters and Super Leather (Corporal Kirchner) defeat Horace Boulder (Horace Hogan), The Gladiator (Mike Awesome) and Hisakatsu Oya in Kawasaki, Japan to become the first FMW World Street Fight Six-Man Tag Team Champions. At the same event, Megumi Kudo defeats Combat Toyoda to win the WWA and Independent World Women's Titles, ending Toyota's fifth and second reigns and beginning Kudo's fifth and third reigns.
 
1996 - Danny Collins defeats The Great Sasuke in Sendai, Japan to win the British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Title.
 
1997- WCW broadcast Monday Nitro from Lakeland, Florida, headlined by The Giant & Diamond Dallas Page defeating WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage via disqualification. 
1998 - Kodo Fuyuki, Hido and Yukihiro Kanemura defeat Tetsuhiro Kuroda, Koji Nakagawa and Atsushi Onita for the FMW World Street Fight Six-Man Tag Team Title in Wakayama, Japan.
 
1998 - Kumiko Maekawa defeats Zap T (Tomoko Watanabe) for the All Pacific Title in Tokyo, Japan. At the same event, Tomezo Tsunokake defeats Little Frankie to win the WWWA World Midgets' Title.
 
1998 - ARSION held the ARS Tournament in Kawasaki, Japan. The winner of the ARS Tournament would face the winner of the ZION tournament to be held in August to determine the first Queen of ARSION Champion. The results were:
Quarterfinals:
- Candy Okutsu defeated Yumi Fukawa.
- Rie Tamada defeated Michiko Ohmukai.
- Mariko Yoshida defeated Mikiko Futagami.
- Reggie Bennett defeated Aja Kong.
Semifinals:
- Candy Okutsu defeated Rie Tamada.
- Mariko Yoshida defeated Reggie Bennett.
Finals:
- Candy Okutsu defeated Mariko Yoshida to win the ARS Tournament.
 
1998 - WCW taped several WCW Saturday Night episodes in Springfield, IL, featuring Juventud Guerrera defeating WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chris Jericho in a lumberjack match via disqualification, WCW United States Champion Bill Goldberg defeating Yuji Nagata and a dark match main event of The Giant defeating Scott Norton via disqualification.
 
1999 - Minoru Tanaka defeats Ricky Fuji in Yokohama, Japan to become the first FMW Junior Heavyweight Champion.
 
1999 - Chaparita Asari defeats Sumie Sakai in a six-woman tournament final to win the WWWA World Super Lightweight Title in Kawasaki, Japan. Asari had vacated the title on June 1, 1997 due to an illness. The tournament results were:
Quarterfinals:
- Kayo Noumi defeated Acute Sae.
- Chaparita Asari defeated Morimatsu.
Semifinals:
- Sumie Sakai defeated Kayo Noumi.
- Chaparita Asari defeated Commando Bolshoi.
Finals:
- Chaparita Asari defeated Sumie Sakai.
 
1999 - Octagóncito defeats Mini Abismo Negro to win the Mexican National Mini-Estralla Title in Tecámac, Mexico, beginning his second reign.
 
2000 - Kodo Fuyuki defeats Tetsuhiro Kuroda for the WEW Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan, beginning his second reign.
 
2000 - Mark Southern defeats Joey Venture for the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title in Dyersburg, Tennessee, ending Venture's second reign.
 
2000 - Tony Hunter defeats Jeff Justice and Madd Maxx in a three-way match in Pendleton, South Carolina to become the first NWA Mid-Atlantic Hardcore Champion.
 
2001 - The WWF held its second-annual Insurrextion pay-per-view event, which aired exclusively in the United Kingdom, at Earls Court in London, England. The results:
- Eddie Guerrero pinned Grandmaster Sexay with a roll-up and holding the ropes.
- Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn defeated Crash Holly and Hardcore Holly, when Saturn pinned Crash after a three-handled credenza.
- Bradshaw pinned The Big Show after a Clothesline from Hell. Test was originally scheduled to face The Big Show, but was injured.
- Edge and Christian defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von), The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and WWF European Champion Matt) and X-Factor (Justin Credible and X-Pac) in a fatal four-way elimination match. Jeff pinned X-Pac after a Swanton, Christian pinned Jeff after an Unprettier, and Edge pinned Bubba Ray after a Gore from WWF Hardcore Champion Rhyno.
- Chris Benoit defeated Kurt Angle in a Two out of three falls match, 2-0. Benoit pinned Angle after a diving headbutt and after a roll-up.
- Chris Jericho defeated William Regal by submission with the Walls of Jericho to win the Queen's Cup.
- The Undertaker defeated WWF Tag Team Champions - WWF Champion Steve Austin and WWF Intercontinental Champion Triple H in a Handicap match, by pinning Triple H after a chokeslam. Had Austin been pinned, he would have lost his title.
 
2001 - Randy Orton becomes the final and only two-time OVW Hardcore Champion in Jeffersonville, Indiana by defeating Flash Flanagan. Sometime after this win, the title was retired.
 
2001 - Prince Justice (Abyss) defeats Stone Mountain to win the NWA Wildside Heavyweight Title in Cornelia, Georgia.
 
2001 - The L.A. Connection (Gunny Marvelous and Shane Somers) defeat Tony Luza and Jake Steel in Plato, Missouri to become the first, and only, NWA Missouri Tag Team Champions.
 
2001 - Che Physique defeats Heather Savage for the World League Wrestling Women's Title in Forsythe, Missouri.
 
2002 - World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc., after losing a case a British court to the World Wide Fund for Nature (formerly the World Wildlife Fund) in October 2001 over the use of the WWF initials, officially changes its name to World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
 
2002 - C.W. Anderson defeats Chris Hamrick for the vacant Premier Wrestling Federation Universal Heavyweight Title in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Steve Corino had vacated the title due to injury.
 
2002 - Héctor Garza defeats Latin Lover for the Mexican National Heavyweight Title in Monterrey, Mexico, ending Latin Lover's second reign.
 
2002 - El Zorro defeats Héctor Garza to win the Mexican National Heavyweight Title in Monterrey, Mexico. At the same event, Lady Apache wins the Mexican National Women's Title from Tiffany.
 
2003 - World Entertainment Wrestling holds its last event before shutting down. The promotion was founded by Kodo Fuyuki shortly after the closing of FMW.
 
2003 - Ultimo Dragon defeats The Great Sasuke for the NWA World Middleweight Title in Sendai, Japan. Dragon vacated the title later that same month after signing with WWE.
 
2003 - Yoshiko Tamura defeats Azumi Hyuga in Tokyo, Japan to win her fourth NWA Pacific Women's Title. At the same event, Misae Genki defeats Etsuko Mita for the AWF Women's Title.
 
2004 - Aja Kong and Amazing Kong defeat The Crush Gals (Lioness Asuka and Chigusa Nagayo) for the AAAW Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.
 
2006 - Canek defeats Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. for the IWRG Intercontinental Heavyweight Title in Nezahualcoyótl, Mexico.
 
2006 - Black Listed (Marco Cordova and Jayson Reign) defeat Tyler Black and Marek Brave for the NWA Midwest Tag Team Title in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
 
2007 - NWA Midwest held "No Gimmicks Needed" at the Streamwood Park District Recreation Center in Streamwood, Illinois. The show featured a four-man tournament to fill the NWA Midwest Heavyweight Title vacancy left by Johnny Candido, as well as the debut of the new NWA Midwest Heavyweight Title belt, the design of which is based on the NWA World Heavyweight Title belt of the 1960s. The results were:
- Jay Ryan defeated Michael Strider in an NWA Midwest Heavyweight Title tournament semifinal match.
- Marek Brave defeated Skull Crusher in an NWA Midwest Heavyweight Title tournament semifinal match.
- NWA Midwest X Division Champion Jason Dukes defeated Jay Lethal and Jaysin Strife to retain the title.
- Team Underground (Chandler McClure and Eric Priest) defeated The Phoenix Twins (Dash and Tweek).
- TNA X Division Champion Chris Sabin defeated Jerry Lynn to retain the title.
- AWA World Women's Champion Amazing Kong defeated NWA World Women's Champion MsChif to leave with both titles.
- NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Tiger Mask IV defeated Low Ki to retain the title.
- Jay Ryan defeated Marek Brave to win the vacant NWA Midwest Heavyweight Title. Tyler Black was the guest referee.
- The Extreme Dream Team (Hardcore Craig and Corporal Robinson) defeated NWA Midwest Tag Team Champions Black Listed (Marco Cordova and Jayson Reign) in a falls count anywhere loser leaves town match to win the title. This ended Black Listed's third reign.
 
2007 - Chance Prophet defeats Kory Williams to win the NWA National Heavyweight Title in Salyersville, Kentucky. Prophet held the title until being stripped by the NWA Board of Directors on October 12, due to breaking his leg in a match on September 9.
 
2007 - Blade Boudreaux defeats Steve Anthony for the NWA New South Heavyweight Title in Greenville, Mississippi. At the same event, Brother Love ends Joe Cain's second NWA New South Cruiserweight Title reign.
 
2007 - Josh Daniels defeats Papadon for the NWA Shockwave Internet Title in Clifton, New Jersey, to begin his second reign.
 
2007 - The Masked Dudes of Doom (Amazing Halo and El Phantasmo) defeat Chill Town (Scotty Mac and D.K. Roc) to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia, ending Chill Town's third reign.
 
2008 - WWE announced that the 100th episode of ECW on SciFi would air that week.    “Airing 100 episodes of ECW is a huge milestone for WWE and SCI FI,” said Geof Rochester, Executive Vice President, Marketing in a press release. “We guarantee that ECW fans can expect the next 100 episodes to be even more compelling, more exciting, and more action-packed.”
 
2008 - WWE also released the following press release:
 
WWE® Slams Toronto with Sold Out Monday Night RAW™
 
TORONTO, Ont., May 5, 2008— World Wrestling Entertainment® is excited to announce that Monday Night RAW was a sell-out in Toronto. More than 14,000 WWE fans were in attendance to see their favourite Superstars and Divas when RAW was broadcast live to the world in high-definition from Toronto’s Air Canada Centre tonight.
 
“We are thrilled that so many Canadian fans had the opportunity to experience Monday Night RAW in person," said Carl de Marco, President, WWE Canada, Latin America and China. “The sell-out in Toronto is a real testament to the continuing popularity of the WWE brand in Canada.”
 
Fans can keep up with all the action on Monday Night RAW by tuning in weekly to The Score on Monday at 9:00 p.m.
 
That episode of Raw featured, as reported by Richard Trionfo:
 
Last week, the WWE set up a pre-emptive strike on their trip to Canada, otherwise known as BizarroLand with three shows that had to have many of their regular viewers shaking their heads or wondering if Vince Russo was back. We saw one show abruptly end, one show's commentary abruptly end, and one show's champion's reign abruptly end. Now that we are in Canada it is time to celebrate a special anniversary. I am not talking about the 'holiday' when people drink cheap Corona and Tequila. I am talking about the anniversary shows that Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling used to run. So raise your swords high in the air and wait for the clock to run out before the explosives attached to the steel cage are set off because it is time for Raw (which is War spelled backwards). Will Ken Kennedy continue to torment William Regal? What is next for Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho after last week’s Highlight Reel? What about Santino and Roddy Piper?
 
We start off tonight’s show with a look back at the Royal coronation of William Regal and Ken Kennedy’s interruption. We then see Regal pull the plug on the main event.
 
We are live from Toronto, Ontario, Canada and your announcers are Jim 'We are going to need a bigger boat to get to the ring' Ross and Jerry 'Is Trish Stratus going to be here tonight' Lawler.
 
Vince McMahon is in the arena and he says that last week no man has ever done what William Regal did last week. That was pull the plug in the middle of a championship match. Many protested by complaining to the WWE and demanded that Vince appear tonight. McMahon says that he found Regal’s action devoid of any interest in the fans. McMahon finds them innovative and daring as well as visionary. McMahon says that William Regal reminds Vince of himself. Vince says that he supports and endorses Regal as the King and General Manager. Vince demands that the fans show Regal the same respect that the fans give to Vince.
 
Lillian Garcia is in the ring and she introduces the General King Manager of the Raw WWE William Regal. Regal gets on the mic and he says that you might not like him, but you will respect him. Regal asks the fans if he has their respect. Regal says that he is prepared to turn out the lights at his discretion. Regal tells them to turn off the lights. Regal turns the lights back on and he says that the show will continue but the fans might not see it. Regal says that he is ready to have this entire show in eternal darkness because he will not be disrespected . . .
 
Ken Kennedy’s music plays and he comes out to the ring. Kennedy says that if Regal wants respect so much then all he has to do is take Kennedy up on his offer and go one-on-one with him in the ring tonight. Regal says that it is a dreadful shame when people don’t know their place. Regal points out that he is Kennedy’s superior and Kennedy asks Regal to prove it. Regal says that Kennedy is in the main event and he will be facing the ECW Champion Kane, as well as the WWE Tag Team Champions John Morrison and the Miz, as well as the Money in the Bank Winner CM Punk, plus Chavo Guerrero and Bam Neely. Oh heck, Kennedy will be facing the entire ECW roster. Regal says that he has agreed to promote the 100th episode of ECW. Regal says that he will not be disrespected by any one man.
 
Time for the Game to come out as Triple H joins Regal and Kennedy in the ring. Hunter apologizes for the intrusion. Unlike Mr. Kennedy Kennedy, he means Regal no disrespect. He wants to congratulate Regal on his new power, as well as give him some advice. If Regal wants to stay in that position, he needs to not make mistakes. Take for example last week. Regal turned the lights out on his match. Hunter says that was a mistake. Then after the show went off the air, Regal came out and ended the match. Regal has disrespected Hunter, and that is a mistake. Hunter tells William Regal that if he wants to maintain his position, you do not want to go to war with him. Regal says that he does not want to do that because he is too busy with his Steel Cage Match at Judgment Day. Hunter has been added to the main event as Ken Kennedy’s tag team partner.
 
We go to commercial.
 
Match Number One: Beth Phoenix versus Mickie James in a Lumberjack Match for the WWE Women’s Title
Beth backs Mickie into the corner on the collar and elbow tie up and Beth with a clean break. They lock up again and Beth tosses Mickie to the mat. Mickie with a waist lock and she tries for a rollup but Beth holds on to the ropes. Beth with a shoulder tackle and a near fall. Beth throws Mickie out on the heel side and it is time to pound on Mickie until the face lumberjacks stop things. Beth gets a near fall when Mickie returns to the ring. Mickie with forearms but Beth with a knee. Beth tries for a hip toss but Mickie blocks it. Mickie hits a neck breaker for a near fall. Mickie with a kick but someone tries to trip Mickie and Mickie goes outside. There is pandemonium outside the ring but Beth gets a near fall as we go to commercial.
 
We are back and Beth is in control of the match as Beth works on Mickie’s back. Mickie gets to her feet but Beth with knees to the ribs to get Mickie back on the mat. Beth with a double arm submission but Mickie gets to her feet again and she drops down and kicks Beth. Beth misses an elbow drop and Mickie tries for a sunset flip but Beth picks up Mickie. Mickie with a drop kick. Beth responds with a forearm. Mickie with a forearm and kicks to Beth. Mickie with more forearms followed by a series of kicks. Beth throws Mickie to the apron but she stays on the apron. Some of the lumberjacks try to stop Mickie from climbing to the top. Mickie with a Thesz Press for a near fall. Beth chokes Mickie but Mickie with a kick to the back followed by an enzuigiri that sends Beth to the floor. It is time for more Lumberjack fighting. Maria is pulled into the ring by Beth. While all of this is going on, Melina tries to hit Mickie with her boot but she hits Beth instead. Mickie takes care of Melina and then gets the three count with an inside cradle.
Winner: Mickie James
 
William Regal is in his office and Chris Jericho enters. Regal points out that Chris Jericho suggests that Shawn Michaels is feigning a knee injury. Jericho says that he knows Michaels is faking it. Regal tells Jericho that he will be teaming with Shawn Michaels to face John Morrison and the Miz. Regal tells Jericho that if Michaels is okay, then he has nothing to worry about. We go to commercial.
 
We are back and Trevor Murdoch is singing again and this time he is singing for the make up girl. Trevor turns around and Trish Stratus is there. Ron Simmons walks by and stops to let his shirt do the DAMN talking.
 
Jerry is happy to see Trish at Raw and Jim Ross mentions that Ron Simmons was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
 
Todd Grisham is with Randy Orton in the locker room. Todd wants Randy’s reaction to what William Regal did to their match. Randy says that Hunter would make everyone think that he was winning the match. Orton says that he might disagree with Regal’s decision, but Regal is the man in charge. Orton says that CM Punk will see the harsh reality of what happens if Punk decides to cash in his Money in the Bank when he gets his title back. In two weeks, the Age of Orton resumes.
 
We go to commercial.
 
Match Number Two: Paul Burchill and Katie Lea versus John Cutler
 
William Regal comes out and says that he wants Jim Ross’s microphone turned off so a man who has also been disrespected can come out and announce this match. That man is Mike Adamle. Mike joins Lawler at the announce table and Jim takes a seat nearby.
 
The match begins and Katie pushes Cutler. Burchill attacks Cutler and he connects with a series of forearms. Cutler tries for a sunset flip but Lea holds Burchill up. Burchill with a knee drop and Lea with a kick. Burchill chokes Cutler in the ropes and then Lea with a kick. Burchill with a reverse chin lock and Lea taunts Cutler and then she kicks Cutler in the midsection. Burchill slams Cutler’s head into the turnbuckles. Burchill with an Irish whip and then he sends Lea into the corner. Burchill misses a charge into the corner and then Cutler with a shoulder tackle on Lea. Burchill with a series of kicks to the chest. Burchill puts Cutler in a bow and arrow and Lea with a double stomp to the chest. Burchill stands over Cutler as he waits for the curb stomp and the three count from Lea.
Winners: Katie Lea and Paul Burchill
 
Mike Adamle leaves and Jerry Lawler says that he will not criticize Adamle because the line is too long.
 
Shawn Michaels is in the locker room and he shows his knee brace. Jericho tells Shawn that he is going to start the match, but if he wants Michaels in the match, he better be out there. Shawn says that he really is hurt and then Jericho tells him that he better be there. We go to commercial.
 
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Shawn Michaels beating Batista after injuring one of his knees at Backlash. We then see Batista’s threat to Shawn Michaels.
 
Match Number Three: John ‘Slow Mo’ Morrison and The Miz versus Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho
Jericho starts off with the Miz and Jericho with a waist lock but Miz with a standing switch. Jericho with a standing switch of his own. Miz with a kick but Jericho with a running back elbow and a suplex. Jericho with forearms followed by a drop kick. Morrison tags in and Jericho with a hip toss into a near fall. Jericho misses a charge into the corner and Morrison with a kick to the midsection. Morrison with a sunset flip but Jericho rolls through and tries for the Walls but Jericho with a springboard drop kick to Miz on the apron. Morrison with a springboard round kick to Jericho followed by punches. Miz tags in and they hit a double gut buster. Miz with a rear chin lock but Jericho with elbows to get out of the hold. Miz with the clothesline in the corner to stop Jericho’s attempt to get out of the corner. Morrison tags back in and connects with European uppercuts. Jericho with a kick and he tries for the tag but Morrison catches Jericho and runs him into the corner. Morrison with an Irish whip but Jericho with a boot to the charging Morrison followed by the bulldog. Jericho puts Miz in the Walls of Jericho but Morrison with a kick to the back of Jericho’s head. Morrison knocks Michaels down and Morrison sets for his flip neck breaker but Michaels with Sweet Chin Music. Jericho hits a Lionsault for the three count.
Winners: Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels
 
After the match, Michaels limps back up the ramp and Jericho looks confused.
 
We go to commercial. Did you know that there is a fourteen on two match? I wonder who will win.
 
HHHHHHHHHEY, we are back and it is time for our next match.
 
Match Number Four: Randy Orton versus CM Punk
They lock up and Orton with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Orton and Punk stare each other down and then they lock up again and Orton with another side head lock and shoulder tackle. Punk with a series of kicks and then he clotheslines Orton over the top rope to the floor. Punk sets for a pescado but Punk changes his flight pattern when Orton moves. Punk lands on the apron but Orton pulls Punk off the apron. They return to the ring and Orton with a near fall. Orton with the Garvin Stomp (which is Ron Garvin beat Andre spelled in Morse Code) but he misses the knee drop. Punk with more kicks but Punk misses a springboard cross body and Orton with a near fall. Orton goes to the reverse chin lock. Punk gets out of the hold and connects with two kicks and the running knee into the corner followed by a bulldog. Punk gets a two count. Punk with a jumping leg lariat.
 
William Regal comes out and he says that because of the lack of respect for his authority, he will be turning off the lights and he ends the match.
 
We go to commercial.
 
We are back and Todd Grisham stops Orton as he walks in the back. Orton wants to know what is going on because he had no problem with what Regal did last week. He is going to confront Regal right now.
 
It is time for Carlito’s Cabana (which is Piper’s Pit spelled backwards). Carlito says that something happened last week involving a future tag team champion and a Hall of Famer that was not cool. We see Roddy Piper and Santino Marella with the slap heard round the backstage area.
 
Carlito says that it is time to clear the air with his guest Rowdy Roddy Piper. Piper comes to the ring. Carlito welcomes Piper to the Cabana. Carlito says that he knows how annoying Santino can be, but Piper took it too far. Piper tells Buckwheat that his whole life has been about taking it too far. If he was a normal guy, he might have taken exception to the insult. Someone might have turned the other cheek. Someone might have insulted him back. Piper says that he beat Mr. T, Hulk Hogan, and cancer. He is sorry if he does not have time to play nice nice to the Super Mario Brother. He apologizes for not taking time to sit here because his name is not Dr. Phil. He is Roddy Piper and he did it his way. That is with a slap. Carlito says that the guy Piper slapped is his tag team partner and future tag team champion. Carlito says that he would have slapped Piper if he was there last week. Piper says that Carlito is lucky that he did not bring a seagull.
 
Santino’s music plays and he comes out to the ring. Santino tells Carlito that he does not have to lay a hand on Piper because Piper is all his. Santino tells Rodney the Piper that he comes out and says that he is so tough and that he did it his way. Santino says that it took Piper eight years to become Intercontinental Champion while he did it his first night in the company. Santino says that him and Carlito are soon going to be tag team champions. Piper tells Santino that he needs to get a designated driver.
 
Cody Rhodes’s music plays and he comes out with a mic. Rhodes says that this is not how to treat a legend. He suggests that nobody gets hurt. Carlito says that they know that Cody’s boyfriend Hardcore Holly is not here so he should not want to get involved. Cody says that he knows two people who want to meet the Hot Rod. Cryme Tyme come out and they join Rhodes as they come to the ring. Carlito and Santino leave the ring.
 
Shad gets on the mic and he calls Santino and Carlito two chumps. It is not about money money, but it is about Rowdy Rowdy. Piper starts to ‘dance’ in the ring.
 
We go to commercial.
 
We are back and it is time to run through the card for Judgment Day.
 
Bradshaw is standing by the JBLimo and he says that nobody can understand what it is like to be him and be the CEO of his own company. It is time to take a ride with Bradshaw inside the JBLimo. We ride into the arena in the JBLimo. Bradshaw says that he always has to be connected. Bradshaw tells Cena that at Judgment Day, he says that it will not be an opulent car ride, but a 120 mile per hour car crash. It is time for a preview of Judgment Day.
 
Bradshaw says that if he cannot beat John Cena, at least he gets to beat up a Canadian. He points out that the Hart Foundation is dead. Bradshaw tells D.H. that his daddy can’t help him. Bret Hart can’t help him now. Bradshaw says that God can’t even help him.
 
Match Number Five: Bradshaw with JBLimo versus D.H. Smith
Bradshaw with knees and a boot to the head. Bradshaw with a big boot followed by a kick to the back. Bradshaw with punches. Bradshaw with a series of clotheslines followed by a kick to the back and the Clothesline from Wall Street for the three count.
Winner: Bradshaw
 
After the match, Bradshaw slaps and punches Smith. Bradshaw adds some kicks to the punishment before returning to punches. Out to make the save is . . .
 
The rest of the Raw brand referees. We go to commercial.
 
We are back and William Regal is with ECW. He tells everyone to put their silly squabbles and petty differences behind them because they get to do something before their 100th episode. They will get to have a definitive victory over WWE Champion Triple Haitch and Kennedy. Regal also says that they will get to show Kennedy and Triple Haitch not to disrespect him. Regal says that he will not turn off the lights. They leave the locker room and head towards the ring. Kane and Regal stare each other down for a few seconds.
 
Jim Ross talks about the abuse of power by William Regal, but Jerry Lawler talks about the abuse of power by Vickie Guerrero on Smackdown. Time for a Smackdown Rebound showing a history of the choke hold that happens when you try to get a rollup or sunset flip on Undertaker. We see the Undertaker stripped of his title, but first we see Great Khali fall victim to the Bloody Shin Choke.
 
The ECW roster comes to the ring for their match and we go to commercial.
 
Match Number Six: ECW (Tommy Dreamer, Bam ‘Big Bubba Roadkill’ Neely, John Morrison, The Miz, Chavo Guerrero, CM Punk, Elijah Burke, Mike Knox, Nunzio, Stevie Richards, Kofi Kingston, Shelton Benjamin, and Matt Striker, and Kane) versus Ken Kennedy and Triple Haitch with GameFountain
Burke starts things off for ECW against Kennedy. They lock up and Burke with a knee and side head lock. Burke with a shoulder tackle. Burke tries for a hip toss but Kennedy with a short arm clothesline. Kennedy with a front face lock and Hunter is tagged in. Hunter works on Burke’s arm but Burke with a thumb to the eye and Matt Striker tags in and he punches Hunter. Hunter with the high knee to Striker followed by a punch. Kennedy tags back in and he kicks and punches Striker. Kennedy with kicks in the corner but Striker with a tag and he tags in Mike Knox. Knox with a punch, but Kennedy with punches and kicks. Knox with a clothesline and Chavo is tagged in. Chavo with a Saito suplex for a near fall. Kingston is tagged in and he gets a near fall. Kingston with a cravate and forearms to the neck. Tommy Dreamer is tagged in and he hits a suplex and elbow drop for a two count. Kingston is tagged back in and he puts Kennedy in a side head lock. Benjamin is tagged in and Kingston accidentally hits Benjamin and Benjamin goes after Kingston. Benjamin with knees and punches. Kennedy with a belly-to-back suplex but Nunzio is tagged in. Nunzio kicks Kennedy in the chest but Kennedy hits a fireman’s carry slam. Chavo is tagged in and he goes after Hunter, but Hunter punches Chavo. Hunter with punches to everyone who wishes to come into the ring. Hunter with a back body drop to Kingston that sends Kofi over the top rope to the floor. Hunter with a spinebuster to Richards. Hunter sets up for the Pedigree on Chavo but Benjamin with a super kick to Hunter. Kennedy throws Benjamin out of the ring. Kennedy gives Striker a Mic Check but Kane with a choke slam to Kennedy. Chavo goes up top but Kane grabs Chavo by the throat. Neely goes after Kane and they go to the floor. Chavo hits a frog splash on Kennedy for the three count.
Winners: ECW
 
After the match, Hunter punches Chavo and Knox. Knox attacks Hunter while the rest of the ECW roster go after each other. Now they decide to go after Hunter. Knox gets a chair and he brings it into the ring. Dreamer holds Hunter, but Hunter gets out of the way and he kicks Knox and takes the chair. Hunter hits Punk, Morrison Dreamer, Knox, and Nunzio with the chair.
 
The lights go out and when they go back on, Sabu . . . I mean Randy Orton appears in the ring and he gives Hunter an RKO.
 
We go to credits.
 
2009 - Elijah Burke was visiting backstage at TNA's Impact taping.  He would eventually debut as Pope D'Angelo Dinero.
 
2009- Ric Flair made his debut on ROH on HDNet.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV Report:
 
We are live on tape from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and your announcers are Mike ‘They Call him Flipper’ Hogewood and Dave ‘Shimmer’ Prazak.
 
Ric Flair is introduced as the ROH Ambassador and he comes to the ring. Flair talks about being on HDNet in Ring of Honor. He says that he will not leave professional wrestling. When Ring of Honor called him, he did not have to blink or think for a second. He says that Ric Flair and Ring of Honor works. He says that this is a great company with great ownership and some great talent in the back. He says that there might even be a Nature Boy back there, a Shawn Michaels, or a Triple H. It is not about that. It is about the growth of the sport of professional wrestling. He says that he is honored to be the ambassador of this great company. He talks about the Ring of Honor Champion, a guy he has wrestled before, Jerry Lynn.
 
Jerry Lynn comes to the ring. Flair congratulates Jerry on his title win. Flair tells Jerry that he is the man right now. Jerry thanks Cary Silkin for the opportunity to come to Ring of Honor to show everyone that he still has what it takes. Jerry also thanks Ric for the first time they wrestled in 1995. He mentions that Flair was in an auto accident a few days before the match, but he still showed up and wrestled. Jerry says that Ric taught him about honor, pride and passion. Jerry says that he adopted those principles. He says that he was able to beat the man in Ring of Honor, but it is tough to stay the man and he has to work twice as hard to stay there.
 
Austin Aries comes out and he says that there has been a lot of talk about beating men and the type of guys in the locker room. Aries says that he has nothing but respect for both gentlemen but the facts are that before Ric Flair became the ambassador of Ring of Honor and before Jerry Lynn came to Ring of Honor, Austin Aries says that he was the man. He is a former ROH World Champion. He backed up his walk and his talk. Aries says that he is still on the top and he is going to come after the ROH World Title. After he destroys Roderick Strong tonight, there will be no doubt who the man is.
 
Flair says that he likes Aries’ attitude. He says that if Aries is in the main event, he has to be pretty good. Flair says that he is looking forward to seeing Aries in the ring and he hopes that Aries can back up what he is saying.
 
Match Number One: Chris Hero with Shane Hagadorn and Sara Del Rey versus Kenny Omega
 
Hero refuses the handshake and Hero with a waist lock into a trip and arm bar. Omega reverses but so does Hero. Omega with a drop toe hold into a front face lock. Hero returns to the arm and Omega tries to escape. Omega is able to escape and he gets Hero in a side head lock. Omega with an arm drag and drop kick that sends Hero to the floor. Omega hits a somersault plancha onto Hero. Omega with a cross body and a La Magistral for a two count. Hero with an Irish whip but Omega avoids the charge into the corner. Omega tries for a moonsault out of the corner but Hero moves out of the way. Omega lands on his feet but Hero throws him down to the mat. Hero throws Omega to the floor and Hero with a drop kick through the ropes. Hero rolls Omega back into the ring and he charges into an elbow and a boot. Hero with a European uppercut. Omega with a running elbow into the corner but Hero with an elbow of his own. Omega with an enzuigiri and a Dragon suplex for a near fall. Omega sets for the electric chair suplex but Hero gets out of the hold. Del Rey distracts the referee and that allows Hero to hit the Roaring Elbow for the three count.
Winner: Chris Hero
 
Kyle Durden is with Roderick Strong in the back. He asks Roderick about being back from Japan. Roderick talks about how tonight is not about him, it is about what Austin Aries says about him. They had a big brother/little brother relationship before. Roderick says that he respected Austin but Austin only respects himself. Tonight is not about beating Austin, it is about respecting him.
 
We see footage from two weeks ago when Brodie Lee attacked Necro Butcher during Necro’s match against Jimmy Jacobs.
 
Match Number Two: Necro Butcher versus Brodie Lee with Jimmy Jacobs
 
Necro brings a chair to the ring with him and Necro hits a somersault senton off the apron onto Lee. Necro hits Lee with a chair and then he puts the chair around Lee’s head and he sends Lee into the ring post. Necro chases Jimmy around the ring and Lee tries to ambush Necro but Necro avoids him and then Necro throws the chair at Lee and it connects. Necro chops Lee and then they fight towards the entrance. Jacobs distracts Necro and Lee attacks from behind and Lee hits a Black Hole Slam on the ramp. Lee picks up Necro and he brings Necro into the ring.
 
The bell rings to start off the match and Lee gets a near fall. Lee with an uppercut and Jacobs hits Necro while the ref was with Lee. Lee with a rake of the eyes. Lee with an Irish whip but Lee misses a boot into the corner. Necro with chops and punches and then Necro tries for a bulldog but Lee escapes the hold and sends Necro into the corner and Lee follows up with a big boot to the head. Lee follows that with another big boot and Necro kicks out at two. Jacobs gets on the apron to yell at the referee. Necro pushes Lee into Jacobs and they collide, and this allows Necro to get the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Necro Butcher
 
After the match, Lee charges at Necro and Necro back body drops Lee to the floor. Jacobs throws a chair into the ring and Necro catches it and takes a seat in it.
 
Match Number Three: Erick Stevens versus Sal Rinauro
 
Sal punches Stevens during the handshake but Stevens with a power slam and a German suplex. Stevens sets for the Choo Choo and he hits it. Stevens with a lariat and then he hits the Doctor Bomb for the three count.
Winner: Erick Stevens
 
Match Number Four: Austin Aries versus Roderick Strong
 
They shake hands before the match starts and they lock up. Aries with a clean break. Aries with a waist lock take down but Strong escapes and they go face to face before Aries backs away. Aries with a side head lock into a wrist lock and Strong reverses. Aries with a reversal and fireman’s carry followed by a leg drop to the arm. Strong with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Aries with a Japanese arm drag followed by another arm drag and arm bar. Strong with a head scissors, but Aries escapes and hits the drop kick and Aries wonders why someone who knows him so well would put him in a head scissors.
 
Aries with an elbow in the corner followed by a chop. Strong tries for a chop but Aries gets out of the way and he leaves the ring. Aries chops Strong again and now it is Roderick’s turn but he misses again. Aries continues to avoid Strong’s chops and then Roderick hits a running shoulder tackle from the apron and then he sends Aries into the guardrail, but Aries continues to avoid the chop. Strong runs Aries into the guardrail again and he misses another chop. Strong with a forearm and they return to the ring. Strong with a forearm but Aries with a drop kick that sends Strong to the floor. Aries with a double axe handle from the top turnbuckle. Aries puts Strong on the apron and then he hits a running knee. Strong with a forearm and a chop to the face. Aries throws Strong to the floor. Aries with an Irish whip into the guardrails and they return to the ring. Aries with the pendulum elbow drop for a near fall. Strong with kicks to Aries but Aries with a knee. Strong with a back kick and cross body for a near fall. Aries with an elbow to the head. Aries with a punch to the midsection. Strong with a kick when Aries charges into the corner. Strong with chops that knock Aries to the mat. Aries with a knee but Strong with a drop kick for a near fall. Strong chops Aries in the corner and Aries tries to escapes but Strong continues with the chops. Strong with an Irish whip and clothesline into the corner followed by a running forearm and a back breaker for a near fall. Strong tries for the gutbuster but Aries escapes and Strong goes to the floor. Aries with a suicide dive onto Strong and both men are down on the floor.
 
They return to the ring and Aries with the slingshot corkscrew splash for a near fall. Strong with a half nelson back breaker but Aries kicks out. Strong with a chop in the corner and then Strong charges into an elbow but Strong with an enzuigiri for a near fall. Strong misses the Yakuza kick and Aries with a rollup into the Last Chancery. Strong gets to the ropes and Aries with forearms in the corner and then he bites Strong. Aries sets for the running drop kick into the corner but Strong catches Aries and hits the gutbuster followed by a Yakuza kick and Strong applies the Boston Crab but Aries gets to the ropes. Strong pulls Aries into the center of the ring and he tries to apply the Strong Hold. Aries gets to the ropes again. Aries sends Strong to the floor and Aries hits a drop kick as Strong returns to the ring. Aries sets for the brainbuster but Strong blocks it. Strong with the Boston Crab but Aries gets to the ropes. Aries counters a Gibson Driver with a head scissors and he follows that with a forearm. Aries with his version of a Strong Hold but Strong with a rollup for a two count. Aries with a kick to Strong’s head and Strong blocks the brainbuster once, but he cannot get out of it the second time and Aries gets the three count.
Winner: Austin Aries
 

2010 - The WWE Raw crew, touring Mexico, were warned to remain in their hotels for fear of kidnapping attempts due to the unrest in the country.

2011 - WWE held a conference call to discuss their 2011 first quarter results. Mike Johnson filed the following report:
 
Vince McMahon, WWE’s Investor Contact Michael Weitz, and WWE CFO George Barrios were present.
 
McMahon started out discussing the “somewhat disappointing” quarter, noting that Wrestlemania was not factored in to this quarter as it was last year at this time. He said that the film division did better than this time last year but due to accounting, it reflected an impairment.
 
Vince said that PPV was “flat” this quarter compared to last year but television ratings, their new WWE direction and the success of Tough Enough thus far has shown their power.
 
Vince then there was a misunderstanding of what the new WWE is and went into detail in explaining how they wouldn’t depart from their current product but would use their expertise in television production, live event production and licensing to create new revenue prospects for the company with other acquisitions and projects.
 
George Barrios said that Wrestlemania was in the second quarter this year, as opposed to last year, where it was in the first quarter, so they dropped in comparison. He said that increased costs in film and live event costs cut into increased revenue from licensing and toys. He noted they had an impairment of several million dollars from WWE Films as well.
 
Barrios broke down some of the changes in the numbers. They explained the drop in the Elimination Chamber PPV buys being due to their TV partner in the UK broadcasting it as a live event for free, not a PPV event.
 
Their revenue from toys increased 86% from a year ago due to their partnering with Mattel. Videogame revenue was up over $2 million due to more “favorable” agreements with THQ. They noted that WWE All Star videogame sales are not reflected here but would be in the new quarter.
 
They took on a loss of $1.5 million on the WWE Studios’ film “The Chaperone”, as they now take on all the costs of marketing and advertising themselves as part of their self-distribution of the film.
 
They continue to look for potential TV partners for WWE Superstars and WWE NXT as they continue them as internet series domestically.
 
Barrios said they are being cautious over their short-term business but excited for the long-term possibilities.
Barrios brought up the WWE dividend changes and reiterated what he said at the stockholder’s meeting about how WWE is in a cherry position as the competition for content increases with new emerging platforms. He also mentioned the idea of creating the WWE Network as an alternative product.
 
They then went into the Q&A Session:
 
WWE was asked to comment on how MMA has impacted WWE’s PPV business, potential alternatives for the Network. McMahon said that he didn’t see MMA as a direct competition for them outside of the fact that they are also on PPV. He did say that if they are on the night before a WWE PPV, it does have an effect because all of the promotional material on the cable companies is “gobbled up” by the fact there are two events, not because of MMA is taking money from fans choosing one over the other. He said MMA doesn’t hurt them any more than boxing did back in the day.
 
McMahon said that have received a “very favorable” reception to doing a traditional Network. However, he believes their Network will likely be a hybrid into a traditional network and an alternative, such as Netflix’s streaming on demand. He said they will be very flexible in that regard.
 
George Barrios noted will have 27,000 hours of library material digitized by the middle of 2010 at a cost of $4 million. They will be looking at a future investment of $4-$5 million into creating new programming. The network will be something that will be ad-based in some areas and subscription based in others. He noted that by owning 100% of their library, they are in a great position. They are looking into all opportunities to use their library for future programming ideas on all platforms, traditional and emerging.
 
McMahon said will have two new “Live event” television programs that they will be rolling out in the “not too distant future” and that finding a home for them won’t be “a problem.”
 
Barrios said there is a “whole world out there” for intellectual property and WWE has created a lot of their own in the last 20 years. He said they can use their infrastructure to acquire assets and put them through the WWE machine.
 
They were asked about the timing of acquiring new assets given the economy still recovering and whether we are far enough along in that recovery to launch a Network. Barrios said that with the balance sheet and debt capacity that WWE currently has, the real discipline on their end will be making sure they are acquiring something that WWE can add value to it strategically and operationally. Barrios said there is never a good time to do anything but they have to take a chance and maximize the opportunities that exist. Barrios said there is a real opportunity to do that during a time period where there is a “land grab” for programming.
They were asked about adding additional infrastructure to help handle any new acquisitions. Barrios said that there is a real opportunity by not having to duplicate the infrastructure of companies and there is an opportunity by adding value on the top line without having to duplicate the infrastructure.
 
The next question regarded WWE talent, asking whether there was any traction with the current storylines. Vince said that Rock’s return has brought them greater awareness by having older names “brushing up” with younger talents like Miz and Alberto Del Rio. Vince said talent development is “going very well.” Vince said they were insulted with their talent pool, noting that Edge’s unexpected retirement wouldn’t effect their bottom line because they are doing so well with developing talents. He pointed out that Wrestlemania had talents in main event positions that were never there before. He said you can look at how the ratings are doing for proof of how that is going.
 
Vince was asked about ticket prices going up. Vince said that they like being the best value for everyone with the lowest ticket prices, especially as the costs of everything else goes up. He intimated they could raise the price of the higher priced tickets but not a wholesale increase overall to the ticket prices.
PPV revenue was asked about. Barrios said they aren’t adding more promotional dollars to the marketing to the events but they continue to get more value by doing promotions with their partners. He said the marketing team gets better by the year at creating new opportunities outside of money-driven marketing materials.
 
There were no additional questions at that time so they closed up the call and thanked everyone for listening in.

Thanks to www.thehistoryofwwe.com for their assistance with archival results.

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