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THIS DAY IN HISTORY: OWEN HART PASSES AWAY, WWE OVER THE LIMIT DEBUTS, ROMA JOINS THE HORSEMEN AND MORE

By Mike Johnson & Buck Woodward on 2011-05-23 08:00:04

May 23rd

On this day in history in ....

1906 - Frank Gotch defeats Tom Jenkins to regain the American Heavyweight Championship in a three fall match that lasts 57 minutes.

1961 - Wilbur Snyder & Leo Nomellini defeat Hard Boiled Haggerty & Gene Kinisky in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the AWA World Tag Team Championship.

1963 - WWWF ran Washington DC, headlined by WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeating the Shadow.
 
1964 - WWWF ran Philadelphia, PA headlined  by WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeating Hans Mortier
 
1966  - WWWF ran White Plains, NY at the Westchester County Civic Center with the following results:
-Arnold Skaaland defeated Ronnie Etchison.
-Vittorio Apollo defeated Smasher Sloan.
-Chief Big Heart defeated Angelo Savoldi.
-WWWF U.S. Tag Team Champions Johnny Valentine & Antonio Pugliese defeated the Beast & Bill Miller.
-WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Curtis Iaukea via countout.
 
1967 -  WWWF ran Scranton, PA, headlined by Arnold Skaaland pinning  Tank Morgan and WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka.
 
1969 - WWWF ran Springfield, MA with the following results:
-Arnold Skaaland defeated Angelo Savoldi.
-Duke Savage defeated Carlos Colon.
-Baron Mikel Scicluna fought John L. Sullivan.
-Women’s Champion the Fabulous Moolah & Toni Rose defeated Bette Boucher & Vivian Vachon.
-Haystacks Calhoun defeated Luke Graham via disqualification.
-Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Victor Rivera.

1976
- WWWF ran Steubenville, OH at the St. John Arena, drawing 2,000 fans featuring:
-Baron Mikel Scicluna fought Jose Gonzalez to a draw.
-Susan Green & Vivian St. John defeated Kitty Adams & Paula Kaye in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match.
-Haystacks Calhoun defeated Crusher Blackwell via disqualification.
-Ivan Putski defeated Superstar Billy Graham in an arm wrestling contest.
-Ivan Putski defeated Superstar Billy Graham via countout.

1977 - WWWF ran Uniondale, Long Island, NY, headlined by WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeating Billy White Wolf.

1978 - WWWF ran Portland, ME, featuring:
-Spiros Arion defeated Larry Zbyszko.
-Haystacks Calhoun defeated Butcher Vachon.
-Superstar Billy Graham defeated Peter Maivia.
-Tank Patton defeated Johnny Rodz.
-The Golden Terror defeated Jim Ray.
-Strong Kobayashi defeated Johnny Tzansis.
 
1978
- WWWF ran Fairfield, CT with the following results:
-Jose Estrada defeated Steve King.
-Gypsy Rodriguez defeated Moose Monroe.
-Stan Stasiak defeated Mark Tendler.
-The Yukon Lumberjacks defeated WWWF Tag Team Champions Dominic DeNucci & Dino Bravo
-Luke Graham defeated SD Jones.
 
1980 - New Japan Pro Wrestling ran Hasama, Japan, featuring:
-Kuniaki Kobayashi defeated George Takano via submission with a Mexican abdominal stretch
-Kengo Kimura pinned Makoto Arakawa.
-Ryuma Go pinned Haruka Eigen.
-Kantaro Hoshino pinned Osaumu Kido.
-Williem Ruska & Riki Choshu defeated Bad News Allen & Tito Santana when Choshu pinned Santana.
-Strong Kobayashi pinned Chavo Guerrero.
-Andre the Giant defeated Seiji Sakaguchi via countout.
-WWF World Champion Bob Backlund & Tatsumi Fujinami fought Dusty Rhodes & Stan Hansen to a no contest.
-Antonio Inoki defeated Hulk Hogan via disqualification.

1980 - WWF ran Albany, NY featuring:
-Jose Estrada defeated Mike Masters.
-Bobby Duncum defeated Dominic Denucci.
-Jim Duggan defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna via disqualification.
-Larry Zbyszko defeated Pat Patterson via disqualification
-Tor Kamata defeated Johnny Rodz.
-Rick McGraw defeated Fred Marzino.
 
1980 - WWF ran Harrisburg, PA at the Zembo Mosque, featuring:
-Frankie Williams defeated Moose Monroe (sub. for Davey O'Hannon).
-Larry Sharpe defeated Steve King.
-Frank Savage fought El Olympico to a draw.
-WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Samoans defeated Gorilla Monsoon & Rene Goulet.
-Ivan Putski defeated WWF IC Champion Ken Patera.
 
1981 - WWF ran a matinee event in Landover, MD at the Capital Centre featuring the following results:
-Angelo Mosca won a 16-man, $10,000 battle royal; other participants included: the Moondogs, Pedro Morales, Dominic DeNucci, the Hangman, Rick McGraw, Bulldog Brower, SD Jones, Larry Sharpe, Yosiaki Yatsu, Johnny Rodz, Frank Savage, Baron Mikel Scicluna, Tony Garea, and Rick Martel; Sgt. Slaughter was scheduled for the bout but did not appear.
-The Carolina Kid & Kid Chocolate vs. Sky Low Low & Farmer Jerome (Best 2 out of 3 falls, no result known)
-Rick Martel defeated Chris Canyon.
-The Moondogs defeated Dominic DeNucci & Rick McGraw.
-WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Killer Khan in a no holds barred match; Gorilla Monsoon was the guest referee for the bout.
 
1983 - WWF televised a card on both the USA and MSG Networks from Madison Square Garden in NYC, featuring the following results:
-Don Kernodle pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna with a sunset flip at 10:57
-Jose Luis Rivera defeated Pete Doherty at 10:39
-Ivan Koloff (with Freddie Blassie) pinned Jules Strongbow at 11:23 with a knee off the top to the back
-Salvatore Bellomo defeated Swede Hanson at 10:28
-Chief Jay Strongbow fought Iron Mike Sharpe to a double disqualification at 6:48
-WWF World Champion Bob Backlund (with Arnold Skaaland) defeated Sgt. Slaughter (w/ the Grand Wizard) via disqualification at 16:53 when Slaughter hit the champion with his riding crop, handed to him by the Grand Wizard, as he was caught in the Crossface Chicken Wing; after the bout, Slaughter shoved referee Dick Kroll to the floor before Backlund sent Slaughter to the floor after a backdrop.
-Dusty Rhodes pinned Samoan #3 (Samu, with Capt. Lou Albano) with a crossbody at 9:10.
-Susan Starr defeated Leilani Kai at 6:04
-Jimmy Snuka (with Buddy Rogers) pinned Samoan #1 (Afa, with Capt. Lou Albano) at 3:02 with the splash off the top; after the bout, Samoan #1 was taken backstage on a stretcher
-Women's Champion the Fabulous Moolah defeated Princess Victoria at 5:27
-Rocky Johnson fought WWF Intercontinental champion Don Muraco to curfew draw as Muraco was trapped in a sleeper; the crowd believed Johnson had won the title due to the nature of the finish; the USA Network broadcast ended with the champion in the sleeper and the bell ringing
 
1984 - WWE ran Queens, NY with the following results:
-Akira Maeda defeated Isreal Matia.
-Pete Sanchez defeated Tony Colon.
-Ron Shaw defeated Steve Lombardi.
-Roddy Piper defeated Tony Garea.
-Ivan Putski defeated Paul Orndorff via countout.
-David Schultz defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana via disqualification.
 
1985 - WWF ran San Diego, CA featuring the following results:
-Ricky Steamboat defeated Barry O.
-Mr. Wrestling II defeated Moondog Spot.
-Salvatore Bellomo defeated Mr. X.
-Ivan Putski & Tito Santana defeated WWF Intercontinental champion Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake.
-Matt Borne defeated George Wells.
-Jimmy Snuka defeated Don Muraco via disqualification.
-WWF Women's Champion Wendi Richter defeated the Fabulous Moolah.
-The Junkyard Dog defeated Ken Patera.
 
1986 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran the Scope in Norfolk, Virginia, with the following results:
-Hector Guerrero defeated Mark Fleming.
-Denny Brown fought Steve Regal to a draw.
-Black Bart defeated Sam Houston.
-Nelson Royal defeated Thunderfoot.
-Ron Garvin defeated Leo Burke (substituting for an injured NWA National Heavyweight Champion Tully Blanchard) following Tommy Young's standing 10-count.  After the match, Blanchard, who was at ringside jumped Garvin, revealing that his arm in a sling was a fake injury, and repeatedly punched Garvin in the face with a taped fist, bloodying his head.  Moments later, Blanchard dropped Garvin with a piledriver on a steel chair.
-NWA U.S. Champion Magnum TA and others then coming out to make the save
-NWA U.S. Champion Magnum TA & the Road Warriors defeated Baron Von Raschke, Ivan & Nikita Koloff
-Ricky Morton fought NWA World Champion Ric Flair to a no contest

1987
- WWF ran Hartford, CT at the Civic Center, drawing 11,000 fans with the following results:
-Sam Houston defeated Frenchy Martin.
-Ron Bass defeated Outback Jack.
-Jim Duggan defeated the Iron Sheik.
-WWF Women's Tag Team Champions Leilani Kai & Judy Martin defeated Velvet McIntyre & Candice Pardue.
-Jacques & Raymond Rougeau defeated Greg Valentine & Dino Bravo.
-Hercules defeated Billy Jack Haynes in a chain match.
-WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan pinned Randy Savage.

1986 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Columbia, SC, headlined by  NWA World Tag Team Champion Dennis Condrey defeating Todd Champion and The Rock N' Roll Express' Robert Gibson defeating NWA World Tag Team Champion Bobby Eaton in a bout where Jim Cornette was held in a cage for the duration of the match.

1992 - Steve Austin defeats Barry Windham for the WCW Television Title in Atlanta, Georgia.

1993 - The first ever WCW Slamboree takes place in Atlanta, Georgia at the Omni, featuring three "Legends" matches. Here are the results:
- 2 Cold Scorpio & Marcus Bagwell defeated Bobby Eaton & Chris Benoit when Scorpio hit a corkscrew legdrop on Benoit.
- Sid Vicious, in his return to WCW, defeated Van Hammer in less than a minute with a powerbomb.
- Dick Murdoch, Don Muraco & Jimmy Snuka vs. Wahoo McDaniel, Blackjack Mulligan & Jim Brunzell ended in a no-contest as both team brawled.
- Thunderbolt Patterson & Brad Armstrong (subbing for Bob Armstrong) defeated Ivan Koloff & Baron Von Raschke.
- In a special edition of "Flair For The Gold", Ric Flair introduced the new Four Horsemen: Flair, Ole Anderson, Arn Anderson, and .... Paul Roma.  Tully Blanchard had been used in the advertising for the event, with the idea that it would be a reunion of the original unit, but instead, we got Paul Roma.  Blanchard has stated in interviews that WCW had been in contact with him about appearing, but never sent him a contract.
- Dory Funk, Jr. (with Gene Kiniski in his corner) vs. Nick Bockwinkel (with Verne Gagne in his corner) went to a 15-minute draw.
- Rick Rude & Paul Orndorff defeated Dustin Rhodes & Kensuke Sasaki.
- Sting defeated The Prisoner (Nailz).
- Lou Thesz, Mr. Wrestling II, Verne Gagne and Eddie Graham (posthumously) were inducted into the WCW Hall Of Fame.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Steve Austin defeated Dos Hombres in cage match. The masked Hombres were supposedly Ricky Steamboat & Shane Douglas, but it was actually Steamboat & Tom Zenk. Douglas was out with a shoulder injury, and the announcers pretended that Zenk was Douglas. During the match, Steamboat unmasked, but Zenk never did.  Austin pinned Zenk with a Stun Gun for the win.
- NWA World Champion Barry Windham defeated Arn Anderson after hitting him with the title belt for the pin.
- Davey Boy Smith defeated WCW World Champion Big Van Vader via disqualification after use of a chair.

1994 - Ray Candy of the Zambuie Express dies of a heart attack in Georgia. He was 43.

1996 - Mitsuharu Misawa & Jun Akiyama defeat Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue for the All Japan Tag Titles in Sapporo, Japan, ending Kawada and Taue's third reign.

1999 - Owen Hart dies of cardiac arrest after falling from the ceiling in the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri during the WWF Over The Edge Pay-per-view. The fall was not seen on television, as a pre-taped interview was being shown at the time. Owen was to have made a "Blue Blazer" entrance on a cable when his harness malfunctioned, causing the fall. Hart was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead. Owen was 34 years old. The show continued, with Jim Ross informing the home viewer later in the program that Owen had died, but the fans in the building were not told of his passing. The Undertaker defeated Steve Austin in the main event to win the WWF World Heavyweight Title. A lawsuit would later be filed by the Hart family, and WWE would settle with them for $18 million.  WWE would later successfully pursue a lawsuit against the harness company for part of the settlement.

2010 - WWE presented the first-ever Over the Limit PPV.   Buck Woodward filed the following PPV report:

The PPV opened with a funny video about society "setting limits" with stock footage of old speed limit signs, which switched into a package highlighting the top matches on the show, noting the participants would go "over the limit" to win. The announcers welcomed us to the show, and the entranceway includes two sports cars on the stage. 

Intercontinental Champion Drew McIntyre vs. Kofi Kingston.

Kofi went right at McIntyre at the bell, hitting some punches.  Drew shoved him back, but Kofi hit some kicks to the leg and a dropkick.  McIntyre went to the floor, and Kofi hit him with a tope.  McIntyre got the better of the fight on the floor, but back in the ring Kofi hit a splash in the corner and a clothesline.  McIntyre rolled to the floor again, but Kofi got to the apron and pulled Drew up with him.  McIntyre shoved Drew back first into the ringpost, and he fell to the floor.  McIntyre rammed Kofi into the ring apron, and tossed him into the ring.  Drew beat down Kofi in a corner, then hit a knee to the midsection and a gutbuster for a two count. 

McIntyre put Kofi in a seated abdominal stretch, while the fans chanted for Kofi.  Kingston powered up and hiptossed out, then hit some shots to the body.  McIntyre reversed a whip, and when Kofi went for a leapfrog in a corner, Drew kicked him in the gut.  Drew stomped Kingston in the back of the head, then went to the second rope and dove off, but Kofi hit an upkick to the face.  Kofi hit some forearms to Drew's face, then a series of chops and a dropkick.  Kofi straddled McIntyre in the corner and hit some punches, then flipped out and elbowed him.  McIntyre pushed Kofi away, then tossed him into the ropes.  Kofi slipped while landing on the ropes, but pulled himself up on them and back kicked McIntyre.  Kofi hit a top rope bodypress, but Drew rolled through it, lifted Kingston and hit a gutbuster for a two count. 

Kofi reversed a throw and sent McIntyre shoulder first into the ringpost.  Kofi kicked McIntyre into the corner so he was laid across the bottom rope, then gave him the Boom Drop legdrop.  Kofi pulled Drew out and got a two count.  Kofi called for the Trouble In Paradise Kick, but Drew ducked it.  Drew went for his double arm DDT, but Kofi turned it into the SOS (legsweep cradle) for the clean pin at the seven minute mark. 

Winner and new Intercontinental Champion: Kofi Kingston. 

Kingston left with the belt, and McIntyre grabbed a microphone at ringside and started calling for Teddy Long.  McIntyre got in the ring and said the PPV was going to stop until Long comes out and reverses the decision.  Instead, out came Matt Hardy, in street clothes.  Hardy stood in the ring and stared at Drew.  McIntyre charged Hardy, but Hardy laid him out with a Twist Of Fate.  Hardy left, and McIntyre was holding his head and glaring at Hardy.

Backstage, CM Punk did an interview into a mirror, asking who would "save" the drunk fans in Detroit, who would leave with his purity intact, etc.  Luke Gallows and Serena answered every question with "CM Punk."  Punk said Rey Mysterio would be joining them tonight.  Gallows wasn't happy about it, but Punk assured him it was for the best.  Gallows and Serena hugged him, while Punk looked in the mirror and stroked his hair. 

The angle on Raw where Ted DiBiase offered R-Truth the "Virgil" job, and Truth slapped him, was shown. 

R-Truth vs. Ted DiBiase.

DiBiase was accompanied by Virgil.  Matt Striker said that he was paying Virgil a contract three times as big as the one his father gave him.  Cole said DiBiase got his trust fund early because he made it to a Wrestlemania match.  Otherwise, he would have had to wait until he was 30.  Truth and DiBiase traded armbars.  I think there were chants for Virgil.  DiBiase grabbed R-Truth in a waistlock, but Truth grabbed an armbar and flipped him to the mat.  A frustrated DiBiase slapped Truth, and Truth responded with a slap and a flurry of punches.  Truth leapfrogged DiBiase, ducked under a shot, and hit a side kick.  Truth then knocked DiBiase to the floor. 

Virgil went to check on DiBiase, and got in a staredown with Truth.  Truth avoided a DiBiase attack and threw him back in the ring.  Truth got in the ring, but Virgil distracted him and DiBiase hit a neckbreaker.  DiBiase hit some punches, then tossed Truth to the floor.  DiBiase rammed Truth into a security wall, then tossed Truth back in the ring and hit a flapjack for a two count.  DiBiase stomped Truth down in a corner, but Truth came back with right hands, only to be clipped by a DiBiase clothesline.  DiBiase put Truth in a chinlock.  Truth started to fight up, and DiBiase hit a back suplex.  DiBiase went to the second rope, but jumped into a Truth punch to the midsection.  Truth hit a forearm in the corner, then put DiBiase up on the top rope for a superplex. 

Truth and DiBiase fought for position, and DiBiase knocked Truth to the mat.  Truth responded by crotching DiBiase on the top rope.  Truth hit a pair of clotheslines, then a hiptoss. Truth hit a Flatliner for a two count.  Truth missed an ax kick, and DiBiase slammed Truth with an Electric Chair for a two count.  Truth ducked a DiBiase punch, and they fell to the mat as Truth looked to be going for a single leg crab, but DiBiase grabbed the ropes.  Truth gave DiBiase a vertical suplex into a stunner for a two count.  Truth hit the Lie Detector corkscrew forearm for the clean pin at the eight minute mark. 

Winner: R-Truth. 

Backstage, Theodore R. Long was talking with someone on the phone, when Drew McIntyre burst in and demanded that the result of his match be changed.  Long said he couldn't do that.  McIntyre demanded he change the result, and fire Matt Hardy. Long said he wouldn't.  Drew started to rip up Long's office.  When he got to the picture of Martin Luther King Jr., Long told him to stop, and begged him not to damage it.  Drew said he wouldn't, because King was a revolutionary, and that he (McIntyre) was a lot like King.  McIntyre walked off, as Long glared at him. 

The events leading to Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk were shown.  

Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk.  If Mysterio wins, Punk will have his head shaved.  It Punk wins, Mysterio must join the Straight Edge Society.

There was a barber's chair set up at ringside.  Punk entered the ring alone, and the announcers said that all others were banned from ringside by Smackdown General Manager Theodore R. Long, so Gallows and Serena would not be able to interfere.  Punk kept gesturing that Rey would pledge to SES as Mysterio entered.  At the bell, Mysterio mocked the pledge, and Punk kicked him and stomped him down in a corner.  Rey got up and returned fire with punches, but Punk got behind Rey and kneed him in the back.  Rey kicked away a backdrop attempt, but Punk caught a second and sent Rey over the top rope and to the floor.  Punk went for a pescado, but Mysterio moved out of the way.  Rey got in the ring, then slid out and took Punk down with a headscissors.  Rey kicked Punk in the arm, then punched him against the barber's chair.  

Rey tossed Punk in the ring and used a headscissors to put Punk in 619 position.  Punk jumped up and kicked Rey in the gut.  Punk then tossed Rey out of the ring, sending him head first into the barber's chair.  Punk apparently had a cut on his head, and the referee grabbed a towel and held it on his head.  Rey stayed on the floor, selling the toss into the chair.  Punk looked visibly annoyed as the referee, then a trainer, worked on his head wound, which was bleeding pretty freely.  Rey sold his arm on the floor, and got onto the apron.  A replay showed that Punk busted his head on the security wall on the floor after Rey's earlier headscissors. 

The fans started to chant "boring" over the cut being worked on.  Punk jumped up and hit Rey with a baseball slide kick, knocking him back to the floor.  Punk threw Rey into the security wall twice, then hit a vertical suplex.  Punk gave Rey a slingshot senton splash in the ring, then put him in a headscissors. Rey broke out of it and hit some kicks to the legs and stomach.  Rey grabbed a sunset flip for a two count, but then Punk hit him with a clothesline for two.  Punk hit a series of forearms to Rey's back, while reciting the SES pledge.  Punk hit Rey with some knees to the gut, but then Rey caught him with a kick.  Rey hit a sunset flip powerbomb (Code Red/Canadian Destroyer) for a two count.

Punk and Rey traded kicks and punches, with the crowd getting into it.  Punk missed a clothesline and Rey hit a springboard bodypress for a two count.  Rey kneed Punk in the head, then hit a springboard senton.  Rey rolled up Punk with a second senton for a two count. Rey kicked Punk, but Punk tossed Rey into the top turnbuckle with a Hot Shot.  Punk hit a jumping knee in the corner, but Rey threw away a bulldog attempt and set up Punk for a 619.  Punk stood up, grabbed Rey and hit a double underhook into a backbreaker for a two count.  Punk went for a GTS, but Rey elbowed out of it and went to counter into a rana.  However, Punk held onto the rana, hoisted Rey up and powerbombed him into a corner.

Punk hit a second rope bulldog for a two count.  Punk pounded Rey with punches, then hit a series of forearms and kicks.  Punk got a two count after a kick to the head.  Punk ran into a Mysterio elbow.  Mysterio went for a springboard moonsault, but Punk caught it and went for a GTS.  Rey armdragged out of it, and sent Punk into the ropes.  Rey hit the 619.  Rey went for a springboard splash, but Punk sat up and Rey crashed on the mat.  Punk laid across Rey for a cover, but Rey cradled Punk with a crucifix and got the pin at the 14 minute mark.

Winner: Rey Mysterio.

Punk, who was once again bleeding from the head, was stunned.  The masked man ran in and attacked Rey.  Luke Gallows and Serena came down, brandishing handcuffs.  They were beating down Mysterio, when Kane ran out and cleaned house. Kane chokeslammed Punk, and then brawled with Gallows up the aisle.  Rey handcuffed Punk to the ropes and gave him another 619.  Rey grabbed the clippers and kicked Punk a few times before starting to shave his head.  Punk, bleeding, kept struggling, while Rey alternated between hitting him and shaving his head.  Punk started begging Rey to stop, and Rey used his legs to hold Punk while shaving it off.  Rey got a good amount of the hair off, and stood at ringside, holding up two handfuls of it.  Rey went looking under the ring for something, then just left.  Serena covered Punk's head with a towel.  Rey came back out with a mirror, pulled the towel away, and showed Punk how he looked with his new haircut.

The announcers explained that the next PPV, Fatal Four Way, would feature WWE and World Title matches with Fatal Four Way rules, and wrestlers would have to qualify for those bouts. 

Chris Jericho approached Big Show, and sarcastically thanked him, saying that because of his actions, he and Miz are now a team, and they "trimmed the fat".  Jericho said they would win the tag titles tonight, and Show would have nothing. Show made fun of Jericho for being knocked out, and Miz for losing the U.S. Title to Bret Hart.  Miz approached Show from behind.  Show warned Miz, without turning around, that he would knock him out, then knock out Jericho, wake him up, then knock him out again.  Miz and Jericho slowly backed away. 

Unified Tag Team Champions The Hart Dynasty vs. Chris Jericho & The Miz.

As the Miz made his entrance, they reviewed Bret Hart defeating The Miz last week on Raw.  Tyson Kidd and Miz started off, with Miz taking Kidd down and stomping him.  Miz went for a slam, but Kidd floated over it, grabbed a snapmare and delivered a series of kicks.  Smith tagged in and hit a delayed vertical suplex on Miz for a two count.  Smith kicked Miz to the floor, then backdropped Jericho out when he ran in.  Smith picked up Kidd and threw him onto Miz and Jericho on the floor.  Kidd rolled Miz back into the ring for a two count, then put him in a front facelock.  Miz pushed Kidd into his corner and tagged Jericho, who stomped Kidd.  There was a loud "Y2J" chant.  Kidd was backdropped, but landed on his feet, and hit Jericho with a spinkick.  Smith tagged in for a double team legdrop and got a two count. 

Jericho booted a charging Smith and hit a second rope dropkick.  Jericho hit a baseball slide kick, sending Smith to the floor.  Miz hit a kick while the referee wasn't working. Jericho gave Smith a back suplex for a two count.  Jericho charged Smith, but Smith hit a side slam for a two count.  Miz tagged in and stopped Smith from tagging out, pounding him with elbows and punches to the head.  Miz kicked Smith in the head for a two count.  Miz put Smith in a chinlock, but Smith broke out and hit an Electric Chair.  Both men crawled and made tags.  Kidd hit Jericho with a back elbow and a pair of dropkicks, then hit a spinkick and a dropkick to the head.  

Kidd kicked Miz off the apron, then gave Jericho a slingshot rollup for a two count.  Kidd went for a rana, but Jericho blocked it and applied the Walls Of Jericho.  Kidd crawled to the ropes for the break.  Kidd kicked Jericho from the apron, then went for a springboard, but Jericho caught him with a Codebreaker.  Jericho crawled onto Kidd, but only got a two count.  Jericho argued with the referee over the count.  Kidd hit Jericho with an upkick as Jericho stood over him and slapped him.  Kidd tagged in Smith, who clotheslined Jericho and Miz.  Smith knocked Miz out of the ring, then gave Jericho a belly to belly suplex.  Smith ran into a Jericho elbow, but Jericho then ran into a Smith powerslam for a two count.  Smith lifted Jericho, but Jericho floated over him and shoved Smith into the ropes.  Miz tripped up Smith and Jericho rolled him up for a two count. 

Miz argued with the referee, while Natalya tripped Jericho.  Smith powerslammed Jericho, but Jericho kicked out at two.  Smith sent Jericho into the ropes, but he made a blind tag to Miz.  Smith kicked Jericho out of the ring, but Miz grabbed Smith with a backbreaker/neckbreaker combo for two.  Miz went for a Sharpshooter, but Smith rolled him up for a two count.  Miz knocked Smith into a corner and went for his through the ropes clothesline, but Smith caught him in a bearhug.  Kidd tagged in, and hit a Hart Attack clothesline on Miz for the pin at the ten minute mark. 

Winners: The Hart Dynasty.

The events leading to Randy Orton vs. Edge were shown. 

Randy Orton vs. Edge.

They circled each other at the bell, then Orton grabbed a headlock.  Edge threw him into the ropes, and Orton knocked him down with a shoulderblock.  They locked up again, and Edge hit a knee to the gut and punched Orton in a corner.  Orton reversed a whip and hit a clothesline, then stomped Edge.  Randy hit a kneedrop, then pounded Edge while pulling him against the ropes.  Randy gave Edge a catapult into the bottom rope.  Randy kicked Edge in the gut, and Edge rolled to the floor.  Orton followed him and Edge grabbed Orton's trunks and yanked him into the security wall.  Edge dropped Orton ribs first on the security wall, then rolled into the ring to break up the referee's count.  

Edge went back to the floor for Orton, and tossed him into the ring for a cover and a two count.  Edge stomped Orton's midsection, but Orton kicked him in the gut to mount a brief comeback before Edge hit a knee to the cut and put Orton in a bodyscissors.  Edge added a chinlock at one point.  Orton tried to elbow out, but Edge kept the pressure on.  Orton eventually elbowed out, but Edge kicked him in the gut and dropped him across the top rope.  Edge went to climb the ropes, but Orton stopped him and set up for a superplex.  They battled on the ropes, with Edge headbutting him into the ring.  Orton then crotched Edge on the top rope.  Orton got back on the ropes and hit the superplex.  

Both men were slow to get up.  They exchanged punches, then Orton hit some clotheslines and a powerslam for a two count.  Edge reversed a whip and hit a boot to the face.  Orton crawled to the ring apron, and Edge tried to knock him off it, but Orton kicked him.  Orton grabbed Edge's head, switched positions with him, and hit Edge with the elevated DDT.  Edge got his foot on the ropes to break up the count, then rolled to the floor.  Orton picked Edge up to the apron, but Edge dropped to the floor and yanked Orton throat first across the top rope. 

Edge got in the ring and measured for a spear.  Edge ran right into an Orton kick.  Orton then measured Edge for an RKO, but was suddenly favoring his right arm.  Earlier he had been favoring the left one as part of the match.  The referee actually put up an "X" for a moment.  Orton weakly kicked Edge to the floor.  I think Orton may have hurt his arm while he was slapping the mat in in his usual pre-RKO gesturing.  Slowly, Orton came out after Edge, holding his arm.  Edge shoved Orton, then went for a spear, but Orton moved and Edge ran into the security wall.  Both men were counted out at the 13-minute mark. 

Result: Double countout.

A group of referees held Edge back, while Orton walked out favoring the arm.  Looks like they called an audible after Orton got hurt, and did a quick finish with the double countout. 

The events leading to Jack Swagger vs. Big Show was shown. 

World Champion Jack Swagger vs. Big Show.

Swagger tried to to grab a single leg and a waistlock, but Show just shrugged him off.  Swagger went to the floor to regroup, and Big Show mocked him by doing pushups.  Back in the ring, Show put Swagger in a corner and chopped him. Show then stood on Swagger, then choked him against the middle rope.  Show teased a chokeslam and Swagger rolled to the floor.  Show went to pull Swagger back in the ring, but Swagger yanked Show throat first against the top rope.  Swagger got back in and ducked a clothesline, then gave Show a chopblock to the leg.  Swagger followed with a shoulderblock to Show as he was on his knees.  Swagger then hit a pair of reverse splashed off the middle rope.  Swagger covered, but Show tossed Swagger off him, and out of the ring.  

Swagger got back in and put Show in a front facelock.  Show stood up and threw Swagger to the mat.  Show hit two clotheslines, then hit a reverse avalanche in the corner and a shoulderblock.  Show called for a chokeslam.  Swagger kicked Show's leg to stop it, and Show shoved Swagger over the top rope and to the floor.  Swagger grabbed the World Title belt, ran in the ring and hit Show with it. The referee called for the bell at the six minute mark. 

Winner via disqualification: Big Show. 

Swagger hit Show again with the title belt, but Show slowly got up. Swagger got a chair and hit Show across the back with it, knocking him back down.  Show started to get up, and Swagger hit him again.  Show got up and as Swagger approached him, Show grabbed him and hit a chokeslam.  Show then bent the chair across Swagger's back.  Show chokeslammed Swagger onto the chair.  Show then picked up Swagger and hit him with a knockout punch. Swagger was helped out by referees.

The announcers reviewed Batista's recent assaults on Mark Henry.  Josh Mathews interviewed Batista, who said Cena quit last week after Raw went off the air.  Batista promised to make him quit again tonight. 

Divas Champion Eve vs. Maryse.

They went face-to-face at the bell, then Maryse kicked Eve's knee and threw her shoulder first into the ringpost.  Maryse kicked Eve in the stomach and threw her face first into the mat by her hair for a one count.  Maryse tripped Eve to the mat and stepped on her back, then put her in a chinlock.  Eve fought up in it, but Maryse knocked her back down.  Maryse pulled Eve's hair, stretching her against the ropes, then kneed her to the floor.  Maryse went outside and tried to kick Eve, but Eve moved and Maryse kicked the ringpost.  

Eve rolled Maryse into the ring and hit a clothesline, then a pair of dropkicks.  Maryse responded with a slap, but Eve kneed her in the gut and threw her to the mat.  Eve hit a standing moonsault for a two count, then did a sunset flip for two before Maryse kicked Eve in the face and got a two count.  Maryse yelled at the referee to do his "freakin' job" before punching Eve.  Eve hit some punches, then a faceplant for a two count.  Eve kicked Maryse in the face, then went for a somersault senton, but Maryse got her knees up.  Maryse went for the French Kiss DDT, but Eve blocked it and hit a reverse headdriver, followed by rolling Maryse into a pinning position for the win at the five minute mark. 

Winner: Eve.

The events leading to the main event were shown.

WWE Champion John Cena vs. Batista in an I Quit match.

Batista got on the mic after the bell rang and said that he made Cena quit last week.  He told Cena he could say "I Quit" now, before he "put his ass in a world of pain."  The referee asked Cena if he wanted to quit, on the mic.  Cena said "You made your point... I ... I don't think so" and hit Batista with the mic.  Batista fell to the floor. Cena went outside and tried to hit Batista with a chair, but Batista moved and Cena hit the ringpost.  They got back in the ring, and Batista whipped Cena hard into a corner.  Batista pounded Cena, hit a snap mare, then kicked him in the head.  Batista almost went for a cover, but stopped himself.  Batista rammed Cena into the turnbuckles and punched his kidneys.  There were "Cena Sucks" and "Let's Go Cena" chants. 

Cena tried to mount a comeback, but Batista hit a back elbow, then threw Cena shoulder first into the ringpost.  Cena refused to quit.  Batista knocked Cena off the ring apron to the floor.  Batista threw him into the security wall, then back into the ring and stomped him.  Batista hit a vertical suplex.  Cena mounted a comeback, hitting two shoulderblocks and a back suplex into a powerbomb.  Cena did the Five Knuckle Shuffle and hit the fistdrop.  Cena went for an Attitude Adjustment, but Batista grabbed the ropes to block it.  Cena went to charge Batista, but he pulled the referee in front of him and Cena put on the breaks.  Batista kicked Cena's knee, then hit a spear. 

Batista locked on his new submission hold, the double armbar.  Cena refused to quit, then powered out of it and quickly put Batista in an STF.  Batista reached the ropes, but there are no breaks.  Batista refused to quit, and apparently he passed out.  Cena released the hold, and Batista was not responding to the referee.  Cena went to ringside and got a bottle of water and threw it at Batista, waking him up.  Batista refused to quit.  Cena approached Batista, and Batista scooped him up and hit a spinebuster.  Batista then hit a Batista Bomb.  Cena refused to quit.  

Batista cleared off the announce tables. Batista took Cena outside the ring and they got up on one table.  They teased a Batista Bomb, then Cena teased an Attitude Adjustment, then Batista scooped up Cena and powerslammed him off one announce table and through another.  Cena's head was busted open.  Cena refused to quit, while a trainer tended to his cut. Batista then stood over Cena while the trainer fixed his cut.  Batista told the trainer "Come back later, he's going to need it."  

Batista then took Cena into the crowd, and they fought into the upper deck of the arena.  Batista grabbed the mic and told Cena to quit before he tossed him over the rail.  Cena refused to quit, and Batista set up to give Cena a Batista Bomb over the railing.  Cena fought out of it, put Batista on the other side of the rail, and knocked Batista off.  It wasn't a far drop, and he landed on a group of security men.  Batista refused to quit.  They fought their way to the rampway, and Cena stomped Batista.  Batista grabbed a chair and hit Cena in the ribs with it, then across the back twice.  Batista hit Cena in the rinbs again, then five times across the back.  They were on the stage, and Cena refused to quit.  Batista hit him again with the chair, then got in one of the cars on the set.  Apparently the keys were in it, and Batista put the car in reverse and tried to hit Cena.  Cena had crawled away, but the camera shot didn't make it known to the viewer.  Batista backed the car into the entrance way, knocking out some lights.  

Cena popped up and attacked Batista, ramming him into the car repeatedly.  Cena gave Batista an Attitude Adjustment onto the hood of the car.  Batista refused to quit.  Cena took the mic and said "I was really hoping you would say that" and yanked Batista onto the roof of the car.  Cena lifted Batista for an Attitude Adjustment off the roof, and Batista quit, ending the match at the 21-minute mark. 

Winner: John Cena. 

John Cena stood on the roof of the car, holding Batista, then flung him off with the Attitude Adjustment anyway, sending Batista crashing through the stage.  Cena headed back to the ring to celebrate, while trainers climbed down the hole in the stage to check on Batista.  Cena celebrated in the ring, then headed back to the stage.  As he was waving farewell to the fans, Sheamus ran out and hit Cena with a pump kick.  Sheamus stood over Cena to end the show.

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