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10/3 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: RUSSO BOLTS FOR WCW, RAW HOMECOMING ON USA NETWORK, CENA JOINS THE NEXUS, BULLDOG WINS BATTLE ROYAL IN ROYAL ALBERT HALL, JBL VS. TAKER IN LAST RIDE MATCH AND MORE

By Mike Johnson on 2011-10-03 08:00:00

October 3rd

On this day in history in ....

1967 - Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis defeat Fritz & Waldo Von Erich for the NWA American Tag Team Title in Dallas, Texas, ending the Von Erich's second reign as champs, and starting their own second run with the belts.

1983 - Austin Idol defeats Stan Hansen for the AWA International Heavyweight Title, starting his third reign with the belt.

1991 - WWF holds an event at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England, and broadcasts the event on Sky Movies in the UK. Here are the results:
- The Nasty Boys defeat The Rockers.
- Ric Flair defeats Tito Santana.
- Earthquake defeated The Big Boss Man.
- The Mountie defeats Kerry Von Erich.
- WWF World Tag Team Champions The Legion Of Doom defeat Power & Glory.
- The Undertaker defeated Hacksaw Jim Duggan via countout.
- Davey Boy Smith defeated The Barbarian.
- Davey Boy Smith won a 20-man battle royal that included Roddy Piper, Typhoon, and everyone that had already wrestled on the card.

1998 - WWF ran Fayetteville, NC with the following results:
-Matt & Jeff Hardy defeated Brian Christopher & Scott Taylor
-Mark Henry pinned Golga with a powerslam
-DOA defeated Scorpio & Farooq
-Edge pinned Gangrel with the Downward Spiral
-WWF Tag Team Champions the Road Dogg & Billy Gunn defeated Jeff Jarrett (sub. for Mark Cantabury) & Dennis Knight when Gunn pinned Knight with the Rocker Dropper
-Steve Blackman pinned Owen Hart with a roll up
-WWF European Champion D-Lo Brown pinned X-Pac with the Lo Down
-Sable & Val Venis defeated Marc Mero & WWF Women's Champion Jackie when Sable powerbombed Jackie
-The Rock pinned Ken Shamrock with the Rock Bottom
-Steve Austin defeated Kane, Undertaker, and Mankind when Austin pinned Kane with the Stunner

1999 - Vince Russo and Ed Ferrara, writers for the World Wrestling Federation, jump to WCW shortly after a weekend meeting with WCW management. Neither Russo or Ferrara were under contract with WWF, leaving them free and clear to make the jump. Russo called Vince McMahon to inform him that neither he or Ferrara would be at Raw the next night. WWF.com posted a brief message stating " Effective Sunday, October 3 at 9:45 pm ET, Vince Russo, one of the creative writers, will no longer be with the World Wrestling Federation. Russo abruptly resigned over the phone and will now be working for WCW." This was seen as a devastating blow to WWF, who were preparing for their Initial Public Offering into the stock market.

2003 - WWE Raw ran Guelph, Ontario with the following results:
-Maven pinned Rodney Mack with a swinging DDT
-Trish Stratus & Lita defeated WWE Women's Champion Molly Holly & Gail Kim; Jazz was the guest referee for the contest and became biased toward the heels late in the match; Charles Robinson made the eventual pinfall after she was taken out by Lita's Twist of Fate
-Lance Storm pinned Test with a superkick after Test became distracted by Stacy Keibler
-Garrison Cade & Mark Jindrak defeated Steven Richards & Tommy Dreamer when Jindrak pinned Richards
-Shane McMahon pinned Kane in a streetfight with the Van Terminator
-Mark Henry pinned Val Venis with the powerslam
-WWE IC Champion Rob Van Dam pinned Randy Orton with the Five Star Frog Splash
-WWE Raw Tag Team Champions the Dudley Boyz defeated Rob Conway & Rene Dupree in a tables match after Spike Dudley interfered, allowing Bubba Ray to hit a powerbomb on Conway through a table

2004 - WWE presented their No Mercy PPV.  Buck Woodward filed the following PPV report:

WWE No Mercy began with a video setting up the show, interspersed with comments from Big Show, Kurt Angle, Booker T, John Cena, John Bradshaw Layfield, and The Undertaker.

Eddie Guerrero vs. Luther Reigns. Guerrero made his usual low rider entrance. Luther was accompanied by Mark Jindrak. The crowd started an "Eddie" chant at the bell. They locked up and Luther powered Eddie into the corner and shoved him in the chest. They locked up again, and Luther pulled Guerrero into a short arm clothesline. Eddie responded with a thumb to the eye, then hit a back elbow and drove Luther into the turnbuckle face first. Eddie hooked a drop toe hold and applied a side headlock. Luther tried to punch out of it, then tossed Eddie into the ropes and hit a shoulderblock. Eddie grabbed a single leg takedown, then went back to the headlock. Eddie hit a dropkick to the midsection, snapmared Luther, and got a two count. Eddie applied an armbar, but Luther reversed a whip and gave Guerrero a press slam for a two count. Luther kicked Eddie down in a corner, then whipped him hard into the opposite turnbuckle. Luther applied a bearhug, and Eddie dug his thumbs into Luther's eyes and headbutted out. Luther hit a boot to the face for a two count. Luther hit a series of punches, then a backhand punch for a two count. Luther applied a rear chinlock, then switched it into a surfboard. Guerrero escaped, falling back and kicking Luther to break free.

Luther hit a back suplex for a two count, then hit a side backbreaker, pushing down on Eddie's chin to add pressure to it. Luther sent Eddie to the floor, and Jindrak got some kicks in when the referee wasn't looking. Back in the ring, Eddie ducked a Luther kick and grabbed a waistlock. Luther powered out of it and hit a knee to the midsection. Luther hit a back elbow for another two count. Luther hit a side backbreaker, and again pushed down on the chin, bending Guerrero over his knee. Luther scooped Guerrero and planted him with a powerslam for two. Luther got set for his reverse neckbreaker, but Eddie kneed him in the head and walked up the ropes to float over Luther and into a reverse DDT. Eddie started punching Luther in the ribs, pounding him in the corner. Eddie drove back elbows into Luther's midsection, then hit a standing dropkick. Eddie hit some short lariats, then delivered two consecutive vertical suplexes. On the third, Luther blocked it and threw Eddie with a gourdbuster. Eddie rolled to the floor to regroup. While Eddie was on the floor, he "accidentally" bumped into a police officer on the floor. Eddie stole something off the officer's belt and placed it in his boot. Eddie grabbed a chair and headed into the ring. Luther grabbed it from him, almost hitting Jindrak. Guerrero dropkicked the chair into Luther (and into Jindrak) and went to the top rope. Eddie missed the frog splash, and both men were down. The referee was getting the chair out of the ring, and Eddie pulled an extendable baton (what he took from the officer) out of his boot and clocked Luther with it. Eddie then got back down on the mat as the referee turned around. Eddie went to the top rope and hit the frog splash for the win at the thirteen minute mark. Winner: Eddie Guerrero.

The Miss Jackie-Dawn Marie catfight was recapped. Dawn Marie was interviewed, saying what she said about her and Charlie Haas having an affair was true, and that she was going to tell Miss Jackie again, right now. Dawn walked in on Miss Jackie, who was topless. Dawn said that Jackie probably proposed to Haas, and that their engagement would never last. Dawn said she was with Haas last night. They exchanged more pleasantries, with Dawn telling Jackie (who was holding her breasts in her hands) that she didn't "measure up" to her.

Cruiserweight Champion Spike Dudley vs. Nunzio. Nunzio was accompanied by Johnny Stamboli. Spike was accompanied by D-Von & Bubba Ray Dudley. They locked up and grappled on the mat in a collar and elbow tie-up, until Spike went to the ropes for a break. Nunzio hit a forearm and a shoulderblock. Spike hit a shot to the midsection, but Nunzio delivered a pair of hiptosses to send Spike to the floor. Back in the ring, Spike kicked Nunzio in the gut, but missed a leapfrog. Spike flipped out of a suplex attempt, but Nunzio shifted his weight on a slam attempt to land on top of Spike. Nunzio went to an armbar, but Spike punched out and applied a hammerlock. Nunzio escaped, sending Spike to the floor. Spike tried to pull Nunzio outside, but Nunzio kicked Spike down and hit a pescado on the outside. Nunzio rolled Spike into the ring for a two count. Nunzio hit a slam and went to the top rope, but Bubba distracted the referee and D-Von shoved Nunzio off the top rope. Spike covered Nunzio for a two count. Spike put Nunzio into a full nelson, but Nunzio elbowed out, and kicked away a backdrop. Spike hit a drop toe hold and went for a La Magistral, but Nunzio blocked it for a two count. Nunzio went to the middle rope, but Spike dropkicked him on the way off for a two count.

The Dudleys took a cheap shot at Nunzio when he was against the ropes. Spike went back to the full nelson, but Nunzio rammed him into the corner to break free. Nunzio hit a pair of shoulderblocks in a corner, and when Spike went to the second rope off an Irish whip, Nunzio grabbed him in a one-arm powerbomb for a two count. Nunzio hit some punches, then a back suplex for a two count. Nunzio hit the Sicilian Slice (second rope Rocker Dropper) for a two count, but Bubba put Spike's foot on the ropes. They battle spilled to the floor, and Nunzio backdropped Spike on the outside. Back in the ring, Spike hit a headbutt to the midsection and went for the Dudley Dog, but Nunzio turned it into a backslide for two. Nunzio hit some right hands. Bubba got on the apron, but Nunzio knocked him down. D-Von grabbed Nunzio's leg from the floor, and Stamboli attacked D-Von. Nunzio went for an avalanche, but Spike moved out of the way. Spike then distracted the referee while Bubba tripped Nunzio and pulled him groin first into the ringpost. Spike then covered Nunzio for the pin at the nine minute mark while Stamboli brawled with D-Von. Winner: Spike Dudley.

They did a flashback to when Undertaker won his first WWF World Title by defeating Hulk Hogan at the Survivor Series in 1991.

The events leading to Billy Kidman vs. Paul London were shown.

Billy Kidman vs. Paul London. London charged the ring as he came out, and Kidman bailed out to the floor. London hit Kidman with a baseball slide kick and tossed him into the ring to start the match. London hit some forearms and a backdrop. London snapmared Kidman and hit a kick to the back. Kidman reversed a whip, but London caught him with a back elbow, kicked Kidman in the back and he leapfrogged him off the second rope, then hit a spinkick. London stopped short as Kidman went for a leapfrog, hit him, then hit a Dropsault, sending Kidman to the floor. London hit a springboard moonsault off the middle rope in the ring to the floor, hitting Kidman. Back in the ring, London hit a slingshot splash for a two count. Kidman poked London in the eyes and kicked him in the face. Kidman threw London into the ringpost, sliding him across the ring so that London would hit it ribs first. London was up against the post, and Kidman kicked him into it. Kidman applied a ground Cobra Twist (like a seated abdominal stretch) and punched London in the gut. London battled back with punches, but Kidman kicked him to the mat for two, then applied a surfboard. London was bleeding slightly from the nose.

London struggled in the surfboard, and broke out, hitting a series of rights. London went for a leapfrog in the corner, but Kidman caught him in a fireman's carry, then turned it into a gutbuster for two. Kidman hit a high flapjack on London, and scored a two count. Kidman went back to the ground Cobra Twist, and again punched at London's ribs. London broke free, but Kidman punches and kicked at London's ribs. London came back with a hard forearm to the head. London avoided a charging Kidman then hit a series of forearms in the corner. London hit a spinkick, but Kidman kicked him in the gut. Kidman went for a walking the ropes bulldog, but London threw it off and hit an enzugiri. London went for a powerbomb, but Kidman turned it into a BK Bomb for a two count. Kidman charged, but London backdropped him to the apron. They battled across the ropes, with London ramming Kidman into the turnbuckle. Kidman floated back into the ring and went for a flapjack, but London turned it into a rana for a two count. London whipped Kidman into the corner, but Kidman came back with a dropkick. Kidman went to the ropes, then stopped, and started walking down the aisle. The referee counted, and Kidman decided to come back to the ring. Kidman picked up London and went for a back suplex, but London floated over and hit a superkick. London went to the top rope and went for a Shooting Star Press, but Kidman got his knees up. Kidman then went to the top rope and hit the Shooting Star Press for the win at the eleven minute mark. Winner: Billy Kidman.

Blood was pouring out of the mouth of Paul London. Kidman got on the mic and told the crowd that they "made him do it" and now London has "broken ribs or internal injures". London was being loaded on a stretcher, as the announcers put over that Kidman drove his knees into London's ribs on the Shooting Star Press. Kidman went to the top rope again and gave London, who was strapped onto the hardboard, another Shooting Star Press. Kidman walked off as London was finally loaded onto the stretcher and carried out.

The showed a flashback to Undertaker's second WWF World Title win, at Wrestlemania 13 over Sid Vicious in 1997.

Josh Matthews interviewed John Bradshaw Layfield, who said the show was biased for the Undertaker, due to them showing all his World Title wins tonight. JBL said the WWE was as biased as Dan Rather. JBL said he has guaranteed victory every time he has had to defend the WWE Title. However, he didn't say he guaranteed victory tonight. Instead, he said that Undertaker would have to take the WWE Title "over his dead body".

WWE Tag Team Champions Rene Dupree & Kenzo Suzuki, with Hiroko, vs. Rey Mysterio & Rob Van Dam. Rene Dupree did some pre-match mic work in French. Hiroko then got on the mic, and said Suzuki had something to say in honor of New Jersey's Bruce Springsteen. Kenzo then sang "Born In The U.S.A.". Well, actually, all he knew was the title of the song, which he sang over and over. Dupree started things off with Rob Van Dam, trading holds on the mat. Dupree floated over a slam attempt and went for a piledriver, but RVD backdropped him, and they went into a series of reversals for two counts. Both men then missed or countered elbowdrops and legdrops. After stalemating, Dupree went for a kick, but RVD caught it, grabbed a headlock, and tagged Mysterio. RVD and Rey did a double leapfrog, then RVD split under Dupree while Rey dropkicked him. Dupree rammed Rey into his corner and tagged in Suzuki. Rey and Suzuki battled back and forth, until Rey ducked under Suzuki and kicked him in the face, then hit a baseball slide kick in the corner. Suzuki rolled to the floor. Dupree ran in, Rey ducked, and Dupree went over the top rope to the floor. RVD and Rey hit stereo dives over the top rope onto their opponents. Back in the ring, RVD worked over Suzuki with kicks and went to the top rope, but Dupree shoved him off and to the floor, crashing into the security wall.

Back in the ring, Suzuki worked over RVD with kicks and chops in a corner. Suzuki slammed RVD and drove his knee into RVD's throat. Suzuki hit a snapmare and tagged Dupree, who hit a rolling reverse neck snap. Dupree applied a head vice, but RVD elbowed out. Dupree pulled RVD down by the hair, then knocked Rey off the apron. Dupree tagged in Suzuki and held RVD in a surfboard while Suzuki chopped him. Suzuki hit RVD with a kneedrop, but Rey broke up the cover. Suzuki put RVD in an armbar, then hit some punches to the head. RVD stopped an attempt to ram him into the corner, and RVD kicked Suzuki in the head. RVD tagged Rey, who hit a springboard headbutt on Suzuki, then delivered Tornado DDT. Dupree ran in to break up the cover, and Rey knocked him to the floor. Rey punched Kenzo in a corner, then hit a springboard seated senton on Suzuki for a two count. Suzuki came back with a chop, but Rey tripped him into the ropes for a 619. Dupree ran in to stop him, but as he tried to powerbomb Rey, RVD legsweeped him. RVD tossed Rey onto Dupree, then hit Rolling Thunder on him. RVD hit Kenzo with an enzugiri, sending him into 619 position. Rey hit the 619, and was setting for a springboard, but Dupree yanked on his leg, causing Rey to fall throat first across the top rope. RVD dove off the apron onto Dupree. In the ring, Suzuki rolled up a stunned Rey for the pin, grabbing the ropes for leverage, at the ten minute mark. Winners: Rene Dupree & Kenzo Suzuki.

The events leading to The Big Show vs. Kurt Angle were shown.

The Big Show vs. Kurt Angle. If anyone interferes in this match, they will be fired. Both men looked very serious as they came to the ring. Angle rolled out of the ring as Big Show entered. Angle slowly entered the ring, and the bell rang. Show backed Angle into the corner on a lock up, broke clean and said "your ass is mine". Show and Angle locked up, and Show tossed Angle to the mat. Angle rolled to the floor to regroup. Angle grabbed a headlock out of a lock up, but Show lifted Angle, tossed him into the ropes and hit a shoulderblock, downing Angle. Show dared Angle to come at him. Angle grabbed a waistlock, but Show back him into a corner and rammed his rear end into Angle. Show flung Angle across the ring with a Beel throw, then hit a vertical suplex. Show stepped on the chest of Angle. Show whipped Angle hard into a corner and then pressed Angle over his head before slamming him. Angle rolled to the floor again, and this time headed up the aisle. Angle ran back towards the ring, but then stopped and let the referee count him out. Big Show was declared the winner at the four minute mark via countout. Angle jumped into the crowd to get away from the Big Show, when General Manager Theodore R. Long came out. Long ordered Angle back into the ring, saying he wanted a decisive winner tonight. Long told Angle he had another ten count to get back in the ring, otherwise he would be fired.

Angle finally came back to the ring (tripping on the ring steps on his way in) and the match continued. Show hit Angle with some chops, then stood on his chest. Show hit a Beel throw, then threw Angle into a corner, sending him over the top rope and to the floor. Angle picked up a chair on the floor, but Show came outside and punched the chair into Angle's face. Show tossed Angle back into the ring, then hit a legdrop. Show chopped Angle in a corner, but Angle elbowed a charging Show in the head. Angle jumped off the second rope onto Show, who caught him and slammed him. Show called for the Chokeslam, and lifted Angle, but Angle turned it into a bodyscissors and rolled into an anklelock. Angle added a leglace to the anklelock, and Show was down in the middle of the ring. Angle stood up with the anklelock, and Show screamed in pain. Show managed to roll over and kick Angle off, and Angle fell into the referee.

Seeing the referee was down, Angle went for a chair. Angle clipped Show's left leg from behind with the chair, then slammed the chair across the left knee of Show. Angle dropped an elbow on the knee, then drove his weight onto it. Angle then pulled Show's leg across the ring apron, yanking down on it with all his weight from the outside. The referee was up again, and had Angle break the hold. Angle clipped Show's leg in the ring, and applied a spinning toehold. Angle dropped an elbow on the leg and applied a leglace. Angle applied a stepover toehold, but Show kicked him away. Angle charged Show, who hit a lariat and a slam. Show hit a big boot to the face, but missed a second kick and hung his own leg over the top rope. Show staggered back, and Angle lifted Show and hit an Angle Slam for a two count. Angle went to the floor and reached under the ring for a Tranquilizer Gun and brought it into the ring. However, before he could get it loaded, Show grabbed it and broke it in half. Angle hit a few punches, but Show grabbed Angle and lifted him into a powerbomb. However, instead of throwing Angle down, Show tossed Angle over his head and fell back, sending Angle face first into the mat. Show then grabbed Angle for a Chokeslam, stood him on the top rope, and flung him to the mat with a wide arc Chokeslam. Show got the clean pin at the fifteen minute mark. Winner: Big Show.

Luther Reigns and Mark Jindrak came out to help Kurt Angle to the back.

The history between Booker T and John Cena was shown. Booker T was shown in the back, heading for the ring.

U.S. Champion Booker T vs. John Cena, final match in a Best of Five series (series tied 2-2). John Cena wore a Nets throwback (Erving) jersey to the ring. Both men went face to face in the ring, as the referee explained that a disqualification could cause the title to change hands, since this is a Best Of Five series. Booker and Cena went at it as the bell rang, with Cena grabbing quick two counts with shoulderblocks before Booker grabbed a drop toe hold and applying a front facelock. Cena avoided a back kick and knocked Booker to the floor, where Booker regrouped. Booker hit a series of punches and kicks when he got back in, but Cena caught him with a boot to the face and a lariat for a two count. Cena went for a whip, but Booker reversed it and hit a spinebuster for a two count. Booker tossed Cena to the floor, then flung him into the ringsteps. Cena reversed a second attempt and sent Booker into the steps. Back in the ring, Booker gave Cena a Hot Shot on the ropes, and then hit a superkick for a two count. Booker applied a reverse chinlock, but Cena kneed out and got Booker down for a two count. Booker reversed a whip and sent Cena hard into the corner.

Booker put Cena in a sleeperhold. Cena battled up, blocked a Booker T suplex, and hit a Fisherman's suplex. Cena then charged Booker, who caught Cena with a flapjack for two. Booker pounded Cena on the mat with right hands. Cena rallied, and hit a clothesline, a back elbow and a shoulderblock for a two count. Cena hit a bulldog and did his "You can't see me" gesture. Cena hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle fistdrop for a two count. Cena pumped up his sneakers, and went for the FU, but Booker floated over and hit the Bookend for a two count. Booker went to the floor and grabbed a chair, but the referee threatened to disqualify him, so Booker tossed the chair down. Booker got back into the ring and went for an ax kick, but Cena ducked it and Booker crashed to the mat. Cena hit the FU for the pin at the eleven minute mark. Winner and New U.S. Champion: John Cena.

John Cena grabbed a sign in the crowd that said "New Champ In New Jersey". Cena grabbed a Sharpie and autographed his jersey, and tossed it into the crowd.

They showed a clip of Undertaker defeating Steve Austin for the WWF World Title at Over The Edge in 1999. This is one of the only times I recall WWE ever showing ANY footage from that event since it took place.

The Dudleys (Bubba Ray & D-Von) & Dawn Marie vs. Charlie Haas, Rico & Miss Jackie. Dawn Marie had a shirt on that said "Charlie *heart*'s Dawn Marie). Bubba started out with Haas, but it was just a ruse so D-Von could hit Haas from behind. D-Von and Haas went at it, and when Haas was down, Dawn Marie ran in to "console" him. Miss Jackie came in, tore the shirt off of Dawn, and choked her with it. Bubba yanked Jackie down by the hair on a whip attempt, and Dawn tagged in Bubba. Bubba grabbed Jackie by the hair and stuck his tongue out for a kiss. He then closed his eyes (and let go of her hair) so Jackie could kiss him. Jackie, of course, tagged in Rico and he kissed Bubba. Bubba, disgusted, rolled to the floor and started washing his mouth out with anything he could get his hands on. Bubba walked off, disgusted, as D-Von and Rico traded pinfall attempts. Rico hit a back kick and went to the top rope. Bubba got back in time to crotch Rico on the top rope. D-Von hit Rico with an elbow for two. Bubba tagged in and mauled Rico for the kiss. Bubba tossed Rico to the floor, and D-Von rammed him into the ringsteps. Back in the ring, Bubba choked Rico with his wrist tape. Bubba stepped on Rico's face, saying "Kiss this". Rico came back with a DDT, and both men were down. D-Von and Haas tagged in, and Haas cleaned house on both Dudleys. Haas gave Bubba an Exploder, and D-Von a flying forearm. Haas gave D-Von a German suplex, and made a blind tag to Rico, who gave D-Von a flying bodypress. Dawn Marie ran in to break it up, and Miss Jackie came in for a catfight. Miss Jackie was thrown to the floor. The Dudleys went to work on Rico, and set up for the "What's Up" headbutt, but Rico waved it on, as if he wanted D-Von to drive his head into his crotch. D-Von didn't want to do the move, and this distraction allowed Rico and Haas to take over. Miss Jackie speared Dawn Marie. Rico gave Bubba a superkick, and Haas gave D-Von a flying forearm off the top rope. Rico then hit D-Von with a moonsault for the pin at the nine minute mark. Winners: Charlie Haas, Rico & Miss Jackie.

They showed Undertaker defeating Hulk Hogan for his fourth WWE Title at Judgment Day 2002.

The events leading to the main event were shown.

WWE Champion John Bradshaw Layfield vs. The Undertaker in a Last Ride match. To win the match, you had to place your opponent in a hearse that was parked near the entrance set. Bradshaw attacked before the bell, hitting a series of right hands. Undertaker returned fire, pounding JBL in a corner and headbutting him. Taker stomped him down, then dropped a pair of elbows. Taker hit a headbutt and grabbed an armbar. Taker did the Old School rope walk and dropped a forearm on JBL. Taker hit some punches and choked JBL against the ropes. Undertaker went for a backdrop, but JBL hit a forearm across the back. Taker just glared at JBL, hit a short right hand, and a boot to the face. Undertaker missed an elbowdrop, but sat right up. JBL went on the attack with punches and kicks, but missed a clothesline and Undertaker planted him with a chokeslam. Undertaker started to drag JBL from the ring, but he clutched onto the ropes, so Undertaker drove an elbow into his head across the ring apron, then kicked him in the head. With JBL's head hanging over the apron, Undertaker hit a legdrop on the apron. JBL fell to the floor, and Taker started to drag him up the aisle.

Undertaker drove JBL back first into the security wall and then whipped him into the ringsteps. Undertaker decked JBL on the floor, then cleared off the Spanish Announce table. JBL picked up a section of the ringsteps and hit Undertaker in the head with them. JBL hit a series of punches as they went around the ring, then hit a big boot. They went up the aisle, and JBL rammed Taker into the guardrails. JBL picked up another section of the steps and hit Taker with them. JBL dropped an elbow on the floor and dragged Taker closer to the hearse. Taker hit an uppercut, and staggered back towards the ring. JBL went after him, hit a pair of rights, and tossed Taker back into the ring. JBL went to the top rope and hit a flying shoulderblock. JBL hit a neckbreaker, but Taker grabbed JBL's arm and applied a jujigatame/triangle choke variation. JBL tapped, but there are no submissions in this match. JBL faded out, and Taker released the hold. Undertaker sent JBL to the floor, hit him with a right hand, and kicked him in the head. Bradshaw reversed a whip, and sent the Undertaker knees first into the steps. Bradshaw went for a piledriver on the bottom half of the ringsteps, but Undertaker backdropped him to the floor.

Undertaker knocked Bradshaw over the security wall and into the crowd. Undertaker went after him and hit some right hands. Taker threw Bradshaw into a barricade, then back over the security wall into the ringside area. Undertaker scooped up JBL and gave him a tombstone piledriver on the bottom half of the ringsteps. JBL was busted open, and bleeding a gusher. Taker lifted him up and gave him a bionic elbow, then unloaded with punches on the bloody Bradshaw. Undertaker tossed JBL over the announce table. JBL picked up a chair and cracked Undertaker in the head with it. JBL grabbed a TV monitor and hit Taker in the head with it. JBL tossed Taker on the announce table, then got up on it with him, holding a steel chair. JBL lifted the chair to hit him, but Taker grabbed him by the throat and chokeslammed him off the announce table and through the Spanish Announce table. Taker lifted JBL in a fireman's carry and carried him to the hearse. Undertaker went to open the hearse, when Heidenreich popped out of it. Heidenreich hit a series of right hands, and pulled out some ether and a towel. Heidenreich smothered him with it, and placed Taker in the hearse. The door was closed, and the hearse started to drive off. From the camera in the hearse, we could see Undertaker sit up. Taker got out of the hearse and ran back over to Heidenreich and JBL. However, as Taker went after Heidenreich, JBL hit him with the Clothesline From Hell. Heidenreich and JBL put Taker back in the hearse, and it drove off, as the bell rang at the twenty minute mark. Winner: John Bradshaw Layfield.

JBL got on the microphone and bragged about how he was unbeatable.

Backstage, the hearse pulled into a spot, and the driver, Paul Heyman, emerged. Heidenreich was standing next to a SUV, and at Heyman's command got in. Heidenreich got in the SUV and drove it into the side of the hearse. There was an explosion (not quite sure how) from the SUV hitting the side of the hearse. Heidenreich, his nose bloodied and clutching his shoulder from the crash, got out of the SUV as Heyman screamed "We did it, we did it". Heyman and Heidenreich then left the scene of the crash as the show ended.

2005 - Raw returned to the USA Network for a "Homecoming" episode with the following results:
Shawn Michaels fought Kurt Angle to a draw in a 30-minute Ironman match, 2-2; fall #1: Angle pinned Michaels with the Olympic Slam off the top at 8:08; fall #2: Michaels pinned Angle by reversing an ankle lock attempt into a modified victory roll at 14:48; fall #3: Michaels submitted to the ankle lock into a heel hook at 18:46; fall #4: Michaels pinned Angle with the superkick at 25:14; fall #5: the time limit expired just as Michaels covered Angle following the superkick; after the bout, Michaels grabbed the mic and challenged Angle to continue in sudden death but Angle rejected the offer and left ringside
Edge (w/ Lita) defeated Matt Hardy in a ladder match at 13:48 after swinging Hardy from the cable so that he landed across the top rope, then tying Hardy's arms in the ropes and having Lita lock him in a crucifix to prevent him from escaping; due to pre-match stipulations, Hardy was forced to leave Raw; had Hardy won, he would have claimed Edge's Money in the Bank world title shot and Edge would have been forced to leave the Raw brand (The Ladder Match)
Triple H & WWE IC Champion Ric Flair defeated Carlito Caribbean Colon & Chris Masters at 9:56 when Triple H pinned Carlito with the Pedigree after Flair prevented Masters from using the sledgehammer on HHH; after the bout, Triple H and Flair celebrated until Hunter hit Flair in the face with the weapon, busting him open; moments later, Triple H slapped Flair, punched him in the face, hit him in the face with the sledgehammer a second time, and continued to assault him at ringside right in front of the legends sitting in the front row; during and after the commercial break, Hunter continued to attack Flair backstage and even punched Michael Hayes when he tried to intervene; moments later, Triple H threw Flair into a limo and smashed the window with his sledgehammer before it drove off (Triple H's return to the ring following Vengeance)
WWE Women's Champion Trish Stratus & Ashley defeated Torrie Wilson, Victoria, & Candice Michelle in a handicap bra & panties match at 3:37 when both Trish & Ashley depantsed Torrie
World Heavyweight Champion Batista, WWE US Champion Chris Benoit, & Rey Mysterio Jr. fought John Bradshaw Layfield, Eddie Guerrero, & Christian to a no contest when Eric Bischoff came out on the stage immediately after the match started, said he was in charge since Vince McMahon had left the building, ordered that the lights be shut off so that the wrestlers couldn't compete, and then ordered that the show go to commercial break; Michael Cole, Tazz, & Teddy Long did guest commentary for the bout; during the commercial break, Todd Grisham interviewed JBL backstage, who said he once beat Kevin Von Erich for the NWA World Title and then cut a promo on Bischoff, saying someone would pay later in the night
WWE World Champion John Cena pinned Eric Bischoff (w/ Kurt Angle) in a No DQ match with the FU at 1:45 after fighting off an interfering Kurt Angle; earlier in the broadcast, Bischoff asked Vince McMahon to make the match No DQ but Vince rejected the offer; since McMahon had left the building, Bischoff made the stipulation himself; after the bout, Teddy Long interrupted Cena and Angle's fight in the ring and sent in the 6 previous Smackdown! wrestlers, along with Ken Kennedy, to the ring; moments later, a number of Raw wrestlers came out as Batista attempted to hit the powerbomb on Bischoff; the show came to a close as all the Raw and Smackdown! stars brawled in the ring

2006 - WWE announced the following:

WWE's Eight-Day Promotion Across Multiple Media Platforms Demonstrates Unparalleled Command Of New Media World
Tuesday October 3, 11:26 am ET
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--World Wrestling Entertainment will showcase a wide array of original programming across multiple distribution partners for eight consecutive days starting Friday, October 6, through the opening of WWE's new theatrical movie, "THE MARINE."

Starring WWE Champion John Cena, Kelly Carlson and Robert Patrick, "THE MARINE" opens in theaters on Friday, October 13.

During the "8 Days A Week" promotion, WWE will produce and distribute original programming, specials and world premieres on broadcast and cable television, pay-per-view, the On Demand platform, broadband, satellite, WWE.com and mobile, all highlighting WWE's powerful and unparalleled consumer reach.

"Our '8 Days A Week' promotion demonstrates that WWE is harnessing the future of entertainment, today. As a cutting edge content provider, WWE is uniquely positioned in the entertainment world to utilize and capitalize on each and every medium that currently exists, and to drive our passionate fans to those media," said Kurt Schneider, Executive Vice President, Marketing. "Whether it's broadcast and cable television, pay-per-view, movies, video on demand, the web, broadband, mobile phones, or home entertainment products, WWE is meeting our goal of providing our fans around the world with WWE content, how they want it, when they want it and where they want it. We are the ubiquitous global content provider."

The lineup for "8 Days A Week" is:  Friday, October 6:        "Friday Night SmackDown(R)" on the new CW,                           8 p.m./7C (Broadcast TV), and "THE MARINE"                           SMS Alert Initiative Kick-Off (Mobile).  Saturday, October 7:      Live, interactive chat with Mr. McMahon(TM)                           on WWE.com, Noon ET/9 a.m. PT (Web), in                           which fans can ask the controversial                           Chairman anything they want.  Sunday, October 8:        WWE SmackDown presents "No Mercy(R),"                           8 p.m.ET/ 5 p.m. PT (Pay-Per-View).  Monday, October 9:        Live, three-hour season premiere of "Monday                           Night RAW(R)" on USA, at a special start                           time of 8 p.m./7C (Cable TV).  Tuesday, October 10:      "ECW(R): Extreme Championship Wrestling"                           airs on SCI FI, 10 p.m./9 C (Cable TV),                           featuring Extreme Strip Poker starring all                           WWE Divas and ECW Vixens.  Wednesday, October 11:    "WWE 24/7 Presents Legends of Wrestling:                           Hulk Hogan" (Free On Demand-Digital Cable,                           and Satellite TV), 8 p.m. ET.  Thursday, October 12:     "WWE's Top Ten Divalicious Moments,"                           streamed on WWE.com, Noon/11 a.m. C                           (Broadband).  Friday, October 13:       "THE MARINE(TM)" opens in theaters                           nationwide (Movies) and "Friday Night                           SmackDown" airs on CW, 8 p.m./7C (Broadcast                           TV).

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE - News), is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.

Trademarks: The names of all World Wrestling Entertainment televised and live programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and wrestling moves and all World Wrestling Entertainment logos are trademarks which are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, our dividend is based on a number of factors, including our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan, our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends and such other factors as our board of directors may consider relevant.

2007 - TNA champion Kurt Angle was arrested in Moon Township, PA on a DUI charge.  After getting a report of an erratic driver that matched Angle and his vehicle, police went to his home.  The story stated that Angle admitted driving his car home from a local bar.  They said that Angle failed a field sobriety test but refused a blood test. Angle was the charged with driving under the influence and careless driving.   The charges were dropped when the original witness did not testify in the case.

2007 - Hulk Hogan signed a deal to become the host of a revived American Gladiators on NBC.  The series, which was launched as a prime time series to fill the void from an upcoming writer's strike, would start strong in the ratings before sliding backward over the course of its two seasons.

2007 - TNA President Dixie Carter did a short conference call with members of the wrestling media this afternoon in association with SpikeTV to discuss the company's move to two hours.  Mike Johnson penned the following Highlights from the conference call:

-When asked about TNA expanding to two hours, she noted that they have changed timeslots on SpikeTV several times since they debuted on the network, which is unheard of.     She praised SpikeTV for their role as a broadcast partner, saying that "they know how to market wrestling."   Carter noted they currently have a "four year deal" with the network, although she didn't go into detail on that and said that live specials and other "forms of programming" could be in the future for the company on Spike.

-Carter commented that she had hoped for a Monday night timeslot but Spike opted to leave Impact on Thursdays.  Carter stated that a move to Monday to compete with WWE's Raw "would be an ultimate goal, obviously."  Carter noted changes to the company's TV taping schedule but did not clearly answer whether live broadcasts could be in their future.

-During the conference I asked Carter about whether she felt criticisms of the TNA Creative Team were fair and what she herself wanted to see changed about the creative process now that the company had a longer timeslot to work with.  In regard to the criticism, she said that everyone is entitled to their opinion and not everyone is going to like everything the company produces.   She then stated that their audience size has grown tremendously since they debuted on Spike, praising it as something that any company would be happy with.  I brought up Vince Russo's name as someone that is often criticized by the online fan base, but she didn't respond to that.  Regarding changes Carter would like to see in the TNA product, she stated that she wants to see longer in-ring matches and more characters being developed.  She said that with their previous 42 minute time slot (discounting commercial time for a 60 minute series), there were performers who deserved TV time and TNA was forced to either feature them in rushed segments or to slow down and only focus on a smaller crop of performers and storylines.   

-I also asked Carter about the presentation of the X-Division in today's TNA product, comparing it to the earlier days of the company where names such as Senshi and Christopher Daniels were given a chance to shine and build their names while today names such as Jay Lethal and Sonjay Dutt are not often provided that same forum to have stellar bouts and break out, noting that criticism is something fan response here on PWInsider.com has been vocal about.  Carter pointed out that Lethal had just had "one of the best matches I've seen in a long time" against Kurt Angle at No Surrender.  She said that when the company was formed, they had the time and ability to give the X-Division stars a chance to perform on the two hour Wednesday PPVs.  She stated that the two hour expansion will give the X-Division a chance to go back to doing what it does best.

-When asked about a company steroid policy, Carter stated that they have a drug policy in place that prohibits all illegal drugs, including steroids that is reviewed regularly.

-Carter was asked about TNA running live events in several markets including Canada and New York City.  She noted that TNA has a firm commitment to getting out on the road with live events in 2008 and that it will be a big expansion year.  Carter didn't confirm any new markets but said that the company is working on a lot of new cities.

-When asked about Judas Mesias' status for Bound for Glory next week, Carter stated that they learned of his injuries just the day before their first two hours tapings and she couldn't confirm anything in regard to his appearing on the PPV.  She noted he was going to need at least 4-6 weeks of recovery from the back injuries suffered falling off a ladder in Mexico working for AAA.

-When asked about signing any additional free agents, Carter said there are some performers out there that could do "exciting things" with TNA but she's proud that the two hour debut features wrestlers that "brought [TNA] to the dance" and it's a testament to those wrestlers that they've helped TNA come so far.


2008 - Former ECW World champio  James "The Sandman" Fullington plead guilty in a Yonkers, NY court to a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest, stemming from a fight that happened at Captain Lou Albano's birthday party in July 2008.  Fullington was fined $1,000, had to pay another $200 in court costs and was given a one-year conditional discharge.  Criminal mischief and assault charges were dropped in return for the guilty plea.

2008 - WWE Smackdown debuted on MyNetwork TV.  Mike Grimaldi filed the following TV report:

-WWE Open

-Smackdown Open w/ a new...and really bad theme song

-Jim Ross and Tazz voice over a preview of tonight's show, with images of the majority of superstars on the show, last of which was the Undertaker.

1. Jeff Hardy/Rey Misterio/Finlay (w/ Hornswoggle)/Batista vs. MVP/JBL/The Brian Kendrick (w/ Ezekiel Jackson)/Kane- During the entrances, JR mentions that Vickie Guerrero is not at the show tonight and he hopes we'll get an update on who is running the show.  Also, during MVP's entrance, we get the pop-up Gregory Helms talking about MVP being the highest paid athlete on Smackdown and says, " man we got hosed on that...I want my money back" and closed with I guess his new catch phrase, "I'm just sayin'."

Finlay and The Brian Kendrick started the match off and Finlay took to laying the beating.  Batista made a quick tag in, go a few shots in and then tagged back out to Finlay.  Finlay pounded on Kendrick again.  Kendrick went for a baseball slide on Finlay (who was on the outside) but Finlay did his "pull the ring apron up" gimmick and slugged away on Kendrick.  Hornswoggle came running along the apron and dove off on to MVP who was coming around the corner.

BREAK

Back from commercial, Finlay laid Kendrick out with a clothesline and then tagged in Misterio.  Rey landed a kick on Kendrick who was out of it.  Jeff Hardy got the tag and come off the top down onto Kendrick.  Hardy hit a dropkick to a seated Kendrick's back and got a two count.  Kendrick knocked Hardy back to his corner and Finlay tagged in again, but he was caught by a standing dropkick.  Kendrick made it to his feet and started to strut around a bit, even though he had taken all the heat in the match.  Hornswoggle then entered from behind wearing Kendrick's jacket and mocking his struts.  Kendrick chased Hornswoggle to the outside and around the ring and was met with a clothesline from Finlay.  While the ref ordered Hornswoggle to the other side, Big Zeke came through w/ a clothesline on Finlay, finally turning the tide of the match.  Now, the heels took their turns tagging in and out and working over Finlay.  First JBL, then Kane, then MVP with knee strikes and a knee drop.  JBL was back in with a big clothesline on Finlay, but moments later Finlay hit a DDT on JBL.  Both men made tags and Batista and MVP came in.  The match started to break down as the heels took turns taking a run at Batista.  Both Kane and MVP got hit w/ spine busters.  Batista set MVP up for the Batista bomb, but Kendrick rushed him, and was back dropped to the corner.  Batista powerslamed MVP and then tagged in Misterio, who ascended to the top, stood and Batista's shoulders and came off with a splash.  Misterio, who had both MVP and Brian Kendrick set up for the 619, hit the ropes but Kane, from the outside, grabbed Rey's leg and pulled him out of the ring to the floor.

BREAK

Kane hit a low drop kick on Misterio and was in control out of the break.  As Kane wore down Rey, Tazz told us how losing one's mask, in Mexico, is like being disgraced and what would happen if Rey is forced to unmask this Sunday (if history proves out, he'll lose some of his popularity and join a lame group led by Konnan...just a guess).  Brian Kendrick was tagged in and laid a few kicks in and got a two count.  Kendrick applied a seated Japanese strangle hold on Rey, who eventually fought to his feet but was cut off quickly.  JBL then came in and taunted Batista and hit a fall away slam on Rey, which brought Batista in to break up a pin attempt.  MVP tagged in, but referee Scott Armstrong made them do the tag again because he didn't see it (every once in a while it's a good move to have the refs bring a little reality into their jobs).  After a few moments, MVP tagged in Kendrick who came in with a stomp off the top.  Rey made a comeback reversing a tilt-a-whirl into a inverted DDT.  Rey made the hot tag to Hardy while Kendrick tagged in MVP.  Hardy came in with a few hooking clotheslines.  MVP blocked an attempted Twist of Fate, pushing Hardy off, but Hardy the hit the Whisper in the Wind.  The match broke down again as each man came in and hit a move and then was knocked out.  Rey hit a missile dropkick off the top on Kane and then a 619 on MVP.  Rey then hit a seated senton onto Kane on the outside while Hardy came off with the Swanton on to MVP for the pin.

Slow start to the match, but it got better when the heels had the advantage (oddly since that normally isn't the case).  The last segment was pretty good and the finish was a good way to make fans happy who may be tuning in for the first time.

-JR and Tazz talked about the move to MyNetwork and then Big Show/Undertaker.

-A video recapping the Big Show/Undertaker feud aired

-Big Show was shown walking backstage.

BREAK

-Teddy Long and Tiffany as well as Mike Adamle were in the GM's office.  Big Show came in and asked why they were there and then proceeded to kick them out of, as he called it, "My office."  Chavo then came in complaining about his back..  Show said it was Chavo's fault Taker got to Vickie last week.  Big Show said Chavo was abducted and Chavo exclaimed, "Abducted?  I was kidnapped!"  Ummmm...Chavo...that's the same thing.  Hell, in the definition of "abduct" it says, "see Kidnap."  Anyways, English semantics aside, Big Show told Chavo that he (Show) was in charge.  Chavo said he's a Guerrero so he should be in charge.  Show said he Chavo has a match, and if he kept questioning him, his match was going to be with Show.  Chavo left, because he had a match to prepare for.

-Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix made their way to the ring.  Pop Up Helms appeared again saying the Honky Tonk Man would roll over in his grave...and the was informed that HTM isn't dead.  But, he's just sayin.  Apparently during his year off from injuries and suspensions, Helms put in a tape of a 1990 WWF show and just figured it was a safe bet that one in three of the guys on those shows is no longer alive.  Maybe they should have re thought that line...I'm just sayin.  Santino had them put up the Honk-a-Meter, and now Santino has been champion for 6.71 weeks, which means he is only 57.29 weeks short of the Honky Donkey Man's record.  He then said Shelton Benjamin was only champion of one country, but he (Santino) was champion of the planet.

BREAK

2. WWE IC Champion Santino Marella vs. WWE US Champion Shelton Benjamin-  We get another faux Titan-Tron promo from Shelton before hand where he calls Santino Beth Phoenix's girlfriend and a joke.  Very short match with Shelton hitting "Pay Dirt" early.  As he was setting up to hit the move, R-Truth's music hit.  Truth came from the crowd doing his rap.  Shelton tried to keep focused, but eventually, while Shelton was on the middle rope looking out to Truth, Santino powerbomed him off the ropes into a pinfall.  Truth just keep rapping up the aisle while Shelton fumed.  Truth asked, "What's Up" and then walked to the back.

BREAK

-Big Show made his way to the ring.  He said he knows Vickie is watching and that he was in control of the show and had a special surprise for Chavo.  Chavo came out, looking unsure.  Justin Roberts introduced his opponent...Mark Henry.  Then, Roberts introduced Henry's partner in this "Handicap Match," The Great Khali.

3. Chavo Guerrero vs. Mark Henry (w/ Tony Atlas) & The Great Khali (w/ Ranjin Singh)-  Show stayed at ringside for the match.  Henry headbutted Chavo and tagged out to Khali, who came in and hit Chavo with the big head chop.  Henry was tagged back in and hit the World's Strongest Slam to Big Show's approval.  Khali finished off Chavo with the head vice.  Chavo was tossed out to Big Show's feet.  Show ko'ed Chavo with a punch and then got in the ring and told said that the Undertaker needed to start being scared.  The bell tolled and lights went out and Show got out of the ring.  2 bell tolls later, Undertaker appeared in the ring and stared down the aisle at Show.  Taker did a throat slash as we fade to break.

BREAK

Priceless is already in the ring and we get some pre-recorded comments from the trio on their opponents.  The new WWE Tag Team Champions, Carlito and Primo make their way to the ring (with new matching pleather pants).  Carltio says that since it was supposed to be a tag match, but they didn't want Manu to stand around looking like an idiot...more than he normally does, they're making it a 6 man tag.  Primo then steals Carltio's "That's cool" line and the bicker about the line.  Too bad as the Colons were waking their way to the ring, Justin Roberts had already announced it as a 6 man tag.  Anyway, Carlito and Primo's partner is CM Punk, who comes out to a good reaction.  Punk immediately slapped Cody Rhodes in the face.

4. CM Punk & WWE Tag Team Champions Primo & Carltio vs. Priceless (Manu & World Tag Team Champions Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes)-  Primo and DiBiase start off and quickly, both tag team championship teams are in the ring.  Primo and Carltio hit a double dropkick on DiBiase, Carltio is low bridged by Manu and tumbles over the top rope and to the floor.  Manu tags in and hits a running/diving headbutt on Carlito.  Carlito fought to the corner and Primo made the tag (I don't know if he was supposed to make it, but the ref did enforce the tag).  Cody came in and took down Primo with a Russian leg sweep and then an arm bar/chin lock hold.  Primo made a tag to CM Punk he came in with the springboard clothesline on DiBiase who was tagged in as well.  Punk hit his combo of strikes and then the running knee/bulldog combo.  The heels hit the ring but were run off by the Colons.  Primo hit a pescado on Cody and Carltio hit a flip plancha on to Manu to the outside.  Punk had DiBiase up and hit the GTS and got the pin.

-Jesse and Festus were shown backstage and JR congratulated them on helping the move to MyNetwork TV.

-All the WWE Divas were shown making their down the aisle for a lumberjack match

BREAK

5. WWE Women's Champion Beth Phoenix vs. WWE Diva's Champion Michelle McCool (lumberjack match)- Beth used her power early to gain the advantage.  McCool got a two count with a school-girl roll up.  She tried a victory roll but Phoenix didn't go over and then pulled her back up into a high angle back suplex.  Phoenix then locked McCool into an over the shoulder back breaker.  McCool got out and got a near fall on a sloppy jackknife cradle.  McCool fired away with forearms and Beth bailed to the outside.  The heel lumberjacks didn't protected Beth, but when Michelle went to the outside, they jumped her.  The babyface girls made their way over and we had a brawl on our hands.  Maryse pulled Michelle's leg out while she tried to get back in the ring and then later got involved again while Michelle was on the middle rope.  Beth hooked the double chicken wing and hit the "Glam Slam" (sit out implant buster) for the pin.  Candace Michelle looked on from outside with a little worry on her face.

BREAK

-A video recap of the Jericho/Michaels lead up to Sunday's ladder match is shown

-JR and Tazz run down the No Mercy card (I'll have a preview late Saturday/early Sunday on CarltonPrescott.com)

-Matt Hardy, then Triple H make their way to the ring for the main event.

BREAK

6. ECW Champion Matt Hardy vs. WWE Champion Triple H vs. World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho-  I'd like to tell you about the first segment of this match...but I don't have it.  My copy picks up, I assume after Jericho makes his way to the ring and they do some stuff and then take a break.  So, out of this second break Matt Hardy delivers and elbow to the back of Jericho's head "off the second tunrbuckle on the inside" (my shout out to Gorilla Monsoon).  Hardy sets up for the Twist of Fate but is shoved off towards the ropes and Triple H, who was on the outside, pulls down the top rope and Hardy goes over it and to the floor.  Jericho catches HHH with a kick as HHH is stepping into the ring to gain the advantage.  During (I guess) the most recent commercial break, Jericho and Triple H were fighting on the outside and Jericho sent The Game into the steel steps.  Back to the present, after laying some kicks into Triple H, Jericho is hit with a spine buster.  As Triple H tries to go for the Pedigree, Matt Hardy slowly makes his way back up, climbing the the top rope.  Jericho blocks the Pedigree with a double leg take down, and then sling shots HHH into the corner that Hardy was climbing, crotching him on the top turnbuckle.  Jericho goes for a superplex, but HHH comes underneath and provides the powerbomb part of a powerbomb/suplex tower of doom move.  Triple H applies a sleep, but Jericho turns in to it and counters with a back suplex.  Jericho goes for the Lionsault but HHH moves and Jericho lands on his feet and sells "tweaking" his knee on the landing.  Triple H goes to apply a figure 4 but is kicked off into Hardy, who was still selling the superplex.  Jericho locks in the Walls of Jericho on Triple H.  The Game tries to power out but is dragged back into the middle of the ring.  Hardy comes in and breaks the hold, but Jericho double legs him and goes for the Walls on Hardy, but Matt catches him in a small package for a two count.  Hardy blocks a bulldog attempt and send Jericho into the corner.  Hardy hits a bulldog for a two count.  Jericho ducks a clothesline but his attempt at the Code Breaker is blocked and turned into a jackknife pin attempt for another 2 count.  Jericho counters another Twist of Fate attempt, but Hardy hits the Side Effect.  Triple H slides in from the outside and hits the Pedigree on Hardy for the win.

After the match, Jericho hits the Code Breaker on HHH and the grabs a ladder from under the ring.  Jericho hits Matt Hardy with the ladder and then goes to do more damage until Jeff Hardy makes the save.  Jeff takes Jericho out and over the top rope.  Triple H comes to his feet and goes to turn Jeff around, Jeff does and hit HHH with the Twist of Fate.  Hardy then sets the ladder up and climbs it about to come off on HHH when Vladimir Kozlov comes into the ring.  Hardy jumps off the ladder at Kozlov and gets headbutted.  Kozlov then hits his slop drop move on Triple H and the only one left standing in the ring as the show ends.

Final Thought:

The first match was decent, and what I saw of the last match, it was really good.  The counter wrestling between Jericho and Hardy was particularly smooth.  Kozlov is certainly getting a shot...and having seen a decent amount of his OVW work, he's going to need to be protected and so far they are doing just that.  All in all, a good show, but hardly a great sell job for the PPV Sunday.  Other than the Big Show/Undertaker thing, the PPV is matches are not hyped well during these "all star" matches.



2009 - TNA ran Dublin, Ireland.  David Long filed the following live report:
TNA House Show results from The O2 in Dublin October 3rd 2009.

TNA got the show underway with JB telling the fans he had lots of backstage passes to give away during the night.

Match 1: Sheik Abdul Bashir v Super Mex Hernandez

Sheik got great heat when he went on the mic and spoke in his native tongue, fans were fully behind Super Mex in this one.

Winner: Super Mex Hernandez

Earl Hebner was introduced by JB as the most controversial referee in wrestling history, lots of " You Screwed Bret" chants.

Match 2: Taylor Wilde v Awesome Kong v Velvet Sky

Lots of chants for Angelina Love during this one, Velvet and Taylor are incredibly hot in person.

Winner: Velvet Sky

Match 3: Samoa Joe v Black Machismo Jay Lethal for the TNA X Division Championship

When Joe came to Dublin in January he got an unbelievable response. It was slightly different this time because he was heel and he wasn't doing all the crazy things that he did as a face but he was still awesome in the ring and so was Jay. Loads of near pin falls in this one. Fans were really into it.

Winner: Samoa Joe

Match 4: British Invasion v Beer Money Inc

This was the match of the night without a doubt. British Invasion came out to solid heat and built on that by talking about the Lisbon Treaty and how Ireland would be better off rejoining the United Kingdom than being part of the EU, this did not go down well with the Irish fans and they then proceeded to sing God Save The Queen until Beer Money came out to an amazing response that lasted for their whole entrance music. They got on the mic and got the fans on one side of the arena to chant Beer and the other side to chant Money, great back and forth match with plenty of near pin falls.

At the interval I got handed a card for Irelands only dedicated wrestling radio show World Wrestling Revolution on www.wwr.ie, will check that out at some stage

Match 5: Rhino v Suicide

Rhino came out to a great response at first but quickly turned it around by rejecting the ECW chants and saying Ireland sucks.

Winner: Suicide

Match 6: Kurt Angle and TNA Tag Team Titles Booker T & Scott Steiner v Abyss & Team 3D

Team 3D came through the crowd to a great response, great heat by Booker T having a go at security to make sure no kids touch him. Tables and chairs were legal.

Winner: Team 3D & Abyss

At the end of the match Team 3D went on the microphone and said that Ireland has the toughest tables to break, they invited a fan into the ring and gave him a piece of the table. The fans mother was invited in, and Bubba dared D Von to kiss her and he did! There were chants to put the kid and the mother through a table and Bubba laughed and said, "You are sick son of a bitches!"

Even though the arena was nowhere near capacity this was a great TNA show and hats off to the roster for pulling out a great event and giving a 110% effort.
 
2010 - WWE held their Hell in A Cell PPV.  Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:

The PPV opened with a video package featuring the "Cell" speaking about its excitement over "it's two favorite sons" Kane and Undertaker battling within it.

WWE United States champion Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz vs. John Morrison: Submissions Count Anywhere.

They made it clear before the match that the first submission wins the match.  Miz had the last entrance and said that the entire situation was ridiculous, as he was "mentor to both" of them and that none of the fans would know who Bryan and Morrison would be without the Miz, but without them, he would still be the champion.  Miz said that he has "it" and would be the new champion tonight.  He claimed that he never tapped out before going into his catch phrase.

Miz was overwhelmed early by Bryan and Morrison before powdered out of the ring.  They chased him around before taking him out in the ring and knocking Miz back outside of the ring.  Bryan and Morrison went back and forth with some solid mat wrestling.  Bryan locked in a leglock.  Morrison grabbed the ropes but due to the rules, that wouldn't force a break.  They go to the floor, where Bryan holds onto the move.  Miz attacks both, breaking it up and tosses Morrison back into the ring.

Morrison was whipped into the corner but slipped away from Miz as Miz charged and locked in a Tarantula.  Bryan dropkicked both, sending Miz to the floor.  Danielson went for the Cattle Mutilation, which Matt Striker called under that name.  Miz tried to get involved but Danielson caught him in a leglock.  The crowd came alive when they thought Miz would tap.  Miz kicked Bryan in the face and went for a heel hook.  Bryan reversed it back into a leglock.    Morrison came off the top with a corkscrew moonsault on both, then locked in a Haas of Pain on Bryan.  Miz broke up the submission.

Morrison nailed a corkscrew plancha over the top onto Miz on the floor.  He charged Miz but was backdropped into the crowd.  Miz followed him and they battled back and forth into the crowd.  Miz slammed Morrison into the barricade, then locked on an armbar in the crowd.  Morrison punched Miz and followed him through the crowd as Miz tried to escape.  They began battling up a flight of stairs, where Miz slammed Morrison into a steel guardrail.  Miz slipped Morrison through the rail and tried a Dragon Sleeper but Bryan joined the fray to break it up.  Miz kicked him down some stairs, then slammed him into a plastic trash can cover.

Danielson grabbed Miz., surprising him with a Fujiwara armbar submission.  Morrison got involved but was elevated and dropped across a piece of the arena's steel sectioning.  Miz threw Bryan into a guard rail, which collapsed, by the stage area.  Morrison grabbed Miz and tossed him out of sight with Miz disappearing behind the stage.  Morrison tossed Bryan into a wall.  Miz returned with a large box on wheels, slamming it into Morrison.  He placed Bryan atop of it and rammed it into the entrance ramp, with Bryan bumping off the box and onto the ramp.  Morrison tried to lock a triangle choke on Miz on the box but Bryan interfered.  Miz slammed Bryan into the barricade, then hit the Skull Crushing Finale on Morrison.

Miz and Bryan brawled up to the entrance stage.  Morrison recovered and scaled the fencing that was used as decoration on the stage, then dove off a good 8-10 feet down onto Miz and Morrison.  Morrison went for a Texas Cloverleaf on Miz but as Miz was about to tap, Alex Riley hit the scene and attacked Morrison.  Bryan took out Riley (and a cameraman) before locking the LeBell Lock on Miz, who tapped.

Your winner and still United States champion, Daniel Bryan!

You knew we were getting a good match with these guys involved and they delivered.  Real interesting stuff and a very entertaining brawl here.  Lots of unique submissions.  I really enjoyed this.

After the match, Michael Cole finally admitted, "I get it.  Daniel Bryan is for real."

Legendary promo.  I'm at the point I am hearing "I want my son back" in my dreams.

HELL IN A CELL: WWE champion Randy Orton vs. Sheamus

They showed a replay of Orton punt kicking Chris Jericho on Monday.   They did the big ring introductions for the title match.  They locked up once the cage was locked and went back and forth across the ring without either getting the advantage.  They began slugging it out with Orton getting the better of it early but Sheamus mounted a comeback.  Orton cut him off with a kick to the gut.  He went to slam Sheamus into the turnbuckles, but it was blocked and Sheamus worked him over in the corner.

Sheamus whipped Orton into the ropes but Orton nailed a clothesline and tossed him to the floor.  Orton followed and tried to slam Sheamus into the cage but it was blocked.  Sheamus jumped right back into the ring to avoid the cage.  Orton took him down and began stomping away at him.  Sheamus came back with a slingshot shoulderblock off the apron into the ring, then began pounding Orton with elbows and punches.  Sheamus brought him out to the cage but Orton fought him off.  Sheamus finally whipped Orton into the cage and clotheslined him on the floor.

Sheamus grabbed the upper half of the steel ring steps and threw them at Orton but missed.  Orton attacked Sheamus and rammed him backwards into the cage several times.  Orton then grabbed the stairs and nailed Sheamus with them.  Orton brought him back into the ring and attempted a suplex but Sheamus reversed it and draped Orton over the ropes.  Sheamus tackled him, knocking Orton off the apron and into the cage.  Sheamus tossed Orton into the ring for a two count.

Sheamus began stomping the hell out of Orton in the corner.  Orton pulled himself up and fired back but was caught with a series of knees to the mid-section.    Sheamus ripped the top turnbuckle off one of the corners.  He tried to ram Orton into it but Orton blocked himself and fought back before being cut off.  Orton rolled out of the ring to regroup but Sheamus grabbed him and raked his face against the cage.  Sheamus grabbed the ring steps again.  He set them up, picked up Orton for a suplex and dropped him across them.  Orton began selling the ribs in a major way as Sheamus dropped a knee on them.  He tossed Orton into the ring and scored a two count.    Sheamus locked in a body scissor but Orton finally fought his way to his feet.

Orton began using rear elbows to fight off Sheamus, dropping him with a suplex.  Orton sold the ribs as he made his way back to his feet.  Sheamus charged but Orton evaded him and Sheamus nailed the buckle corner he removed.  Both men went down, hurting but made their way back to their feet.    They began slugging it back and forth.  Sheamus went for a slam but Orton nailed a clothesline and powerslammed Sheamus.  He whipped Sheamus into the corner but was caught with an elbow.  Orton came back with a suplex for a two count.

Orton nailed a backbreaker but when he went for the RKO, Sheamus kneed him in the ribs.    Sheamus pulled the ring steps into the ring.  Orton began firing with rights but a knee to the ribs ended that.    Sheamus picked up Orton for a slam but Orton escaped and ended up nailing a scoop slam on the stairs.  Orton covered him but Sheamus got the shoulder up at the last second.  Sheamus and Orton battled back and forth, ending with Orton snapping Sheamus' throat over the ropes.  Back on the floor, Sheamus tackled Orton on the floor.  They were treating it like a war of attrition where both were taking extreme punishment and were hurting.  Both were doing a really good selling job.

Sheamus brought Orton back into the ring and nailed an over the knee backbreaker on Orton on the stairs.  He nailed Orton with the pump kick but Orton kicked out and Sheamus' facial expression of shock was just plain awesome.  Sheamus went under the ring and pulled out a chair, bringing it down over Orton's back and ribs a number of times, but only getting a two count.  As Orton made his way to his feet, Sheamus went for a swing with the chair but missed.  Orton nailed an RKO but Sheamus rolled out of the ring, killing the effectiveness of the move.

On the outside, Orton snapped to attention and teased the punt kick but missed it.  Sheamus nailed the pump kick to Orton on the outside.    He rolled Orton back into the ring but only garnered a two count.  Frustrated, Sheamus set the stairs up in the ring again, then pulled Orton toward them.  He went for the High Cross but Orton took Sheamus' legs out from under him, slamming Sheamus back-first on the stairs.  Orton was too tired to take advantage so Sheamus went for another High Cross but Orton slipped out and nailed the RKO on the stairs for the pin.

Your winner and still WWE champion, Randy Orton!

Really well worked match but I don't think people will be touting this when the night is over.  That said, I think they did a really good job telling their story.

Orton scaled the Cell to celebrate atop of it after the bout.

They aired a Bragging Rights PPV commercial, with Nexus as one of the selling points.

Josh Mathews was with all the NXT Season 3 Rookies, pushing that one of them may be eliminated this Tuesday.  Mathews asked Kaitlin how worried she was about elimination, but before she had a chance to answer, The Nexus came on the scene.  Mathews asked Wade Barrett if he was worried about the Raw GM's ruling that if Nexus interferes, Barrett loses and the Nexus will be no more.  Barrett said that he's already shown that he can beat Cena on his own and tomorrow, they will have a special gift for Cena on Raw, showing a Nexus armband.

Alberto Del Rio made his way to the ring with Rodrigo Rodriguez doing his big introduction in Spanish.  Del Rio took the mic and bragged that tonight was his PPV debut and he wanted to make it special.  He said that a man like him can take days counting his fortune but instead he's in Dallas, trying to help the fans.  He told the fans not to cheer him, but they can thank him.  He mocked Rey Mysterio and Christian, then asked who was going to be the next man to face him.  He said that since this was Texas, he thought things were bigger but said he could buy each and every one of you.    He continued ripping on the fans until Edge came out.

Edge said he was not out here to defend anyone but he was in a battle against stupidity.  He ripped on the little dog on Smackdown dressed like Rey Mysterio and Del Rio's scarf.  Del Rio told him to think very carefully about what he said.  Edge began insulting Del Rio in broken Spanish.  Edge ripped on Del Rio's announcer, calling him stupid and ripped his jacket.  Del Rio and Edge looked like they were about to go down when Jack Swagger came out and said what's stupid is a Mexican and a Canadian fighting on the PPV when Swagger isn't wrestling.    Swagger complained about Edge beating up his mascot.  Edge said he would pay the mascot's medical bills and then he'd pay Swagger's as well.  Del Rio attacked Edge from behind and Swagger joined in.

The General Manager's email advisory came through.  Michael Cole announced that Edge would have to issue a public apology tomorrow and right now, it will be Edge vs. Jack Swagger.

Jack Swagger vs. Edge

Swagger worked over Edge early.  Edge came back to nail several rights but Swagger whipped Edge into the turnbuckles.  Swagger used a step over toehold but Edge escaped and began fighting is way back to his feet.  Swagger took Edge out and covered him for a two count.  Swagger locked in a body scissors to work over Edge on the mat.  Edge escaped and used the Hot Shot on the ropes.  Edge went for the spear but Swagger dropped down and Edge bounced off the ropes.  Swagger covered him for a two count.

Swagger teased hitting a back suplex off the apron to the floor on Edge.  Swagger locked on an abdominal stretch as both were between the ropes.  Edge came back with a boot to the face as Swagger jumped over the ropes to return to the ring.  Edge had a swollen eye at this point.  Edge came back with several clotheslines.  Swagger went for the ankle lock but edge escaoed.  Edge ducked a clothesline and nailed the inverted DDT, then pulled swagger into a pinfall combination.  Swagger kicked out and went for the ankle lock but Edge grabbed the ropes to force a break.  Striker mentioned Edge's Achille's Heel injury.

Swagger charged Edge, who backdropped him over the top to the floor.  Edge went for a shoulderblock but Swagger avoided it.  He went for the anklelock on the floor but was kicked off, with Swagger taking a bump into the ring steps.  Edge rolled Swagger back into the ring and went to the top rope.  Swagger leaped up to grab a suplex but Edge battled him off.  Edge nailed a missile dropkick to the face.  He covered Swagger for a two count.

Swagger came back to whip Edge into the corner but Edge slipped out of the ring, nearly taking out another cameraman in the process.  Edge went to the ropes but Swagger caught him with a top rope Belly to Belly suplex.  Swagger nailed a back suplex.  Swagger had a bloody bottom lip.  He went for the Vader Bomb out of the corner but Edge kicked him as he came down and set up for the spear.  He went for it but Swagger nailed the Doctor Bomb for a two count with Edge kicking up at the last second.

Edge went for an enziguiri as Swagger went for a Dragon Screw, which looked bad.  The referee checked on Edge before they kept going.  Swagger locked in the ankle lock but Edge rolled through and nailed the spear and scored the pin.

Your winner, Edge!

Solid match.  Fans didn't seem to know what to think about Edge in the babyface position.  Other than one spot towards the end, this was solid all the way through.

Backstage, the Nexus were talking about Wade Barrett's match against John Cena.  Barrett was not there.  David Otunga had a plan on how they can get involved but not get disqualified.  The others didn't seem to believe in the idea but Otunga dismissed them and told them he would explain on the way.

John Cena vs. Wade Barrett: Cena joins Nexus vs. the end of the group

They played up that there was a huge amount of pressure on Cena tonight.  They noted that since Cena was the face of the company, a lot of the stars on both brands were rooting for him to come through.

They went back and forth early with several near falls in a feeling out process.  There were some dueling chants early.  Cena nailed a hiptoss and  a dropkick for a two count.  Cena got the better of Barrett in wrestling early.  Barrett worked over Cena with right hands but Cena came back with a double leg takedown and peppered him with punches.  Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment but saw Nexus coming out to ringside.  Cena was distracted so Barrett nailed him from behind.  Barrett got out of the ring and told them to stick get away from ringside and that he had it.  Otunga told them that the plan would work.  Nexus remained at ringside.

Barrett whipped Cena into the barricade and then back into the ring for a two count.    Barrett drilled Cena with a right hand and covered him for a two count.  Barrett drilled Cena with an over the knee backbreaker.  Barrett drilled Cena with an elbowdrop off the middle rope but Cena kicked out at two.   Barrett controlled Cena, stomping and punching him.  Cena fired back but missed a charge into the corner.  Barrett drilled him with a hangman's neckbreaker for a two count.

Barrett drilled his knee into the small of Cena's back and extended his arms backward.  Barrett catapulted him into the ropes and Cena snapped backwards over Barrett's knees.  Barrett went right back to working over Cena's back.  Cena finally came back with a pair of flying shoulder tackles, a suplex and went for the five knuckle shuffle.  Nexus surrounded the ring as Cena nailed it.    Big Show came running down to the ring and began brawling with Nexus.  A ton of Raw and Smackdown babyfaces followed and they beat the hell out of the Nexus, running them off into the crowd.  Cena had a big smile on his face.  Officials removed the others from ringside as Cena smiled that it was now one on one.

Cena went for the STF but Barrett escaped and drilled him, working on Cena's back.  Cena mounted a comeback.  He went for the Attitude Adjustment but Barrett escaped and whipped out an AWESOME Billy Robinson style Butterfly suplex for a two count.  Barrett went after Cena in the corner, but Cena kept kicked him off.  He charged but Cena was caught with a side slam for a two count.  Barrett went for the second rope elbow but missed.    Cena went to the top rope but Barrett recovered.  They battled back and forth until Barrett finally set up for a superplex.  Cena powered his way out of it and headbutt Barrett down, dazing himself in the process.  Cena came off with a top rope legdrop for a two count.

Cena went for the AA but Barrett turned it into his finisher, the Wasteland, which Cena kicked out at the last second.  Barrett looked to be thinking about what to do before he finally went to grab Cena.  Cena nailed the AA for another two count.  Barrett missed a punch and Cena locked in an STF.  Michael McGuillicuty (not identified) hit the ring from the crowd but was tackled by the referee and the security guard.  Husky Harris then hit the ring from another part of the crowd (not identified either) and drilled Cena.  Barrett scored the pin.

Your winner, Wade Barrett!

Your new member of Nexus, John Cena ...and obviously, Harris and McGuillicuty will be soon as well.

John Cena spent a long time in the ring after his match.  They showed a lot of shots of shocked fans.  Cena hugged some kids before leaving the ringside area.

Backstage, Josh Mathews was wandering through the darkness and found Paul Bearer.  Mathews asked why he returned after a six year absence.  He said that Kane may think he is the only one with a master plan, Bearer has his own plans and he's been biding his time for the last few years waiting.  He said that Kane may be the "Devil's favorite demon" but he'll never be the "Father of Destruction's favorite son."

They ran the WWE promotional video on the company's work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

WWE Unified Divas champion Michelle McCool vs. Natalya

Natalya took McCool down immediately and controlled her but McCool went to the ropes.  McCool went outside.  Natalya followed, drilling Layla El in the process, but was caught with a clothesline on the floor.  McCool dropped a number of knees to Natalya's back once when they returned to the ring.  McCool snapmared her over and cinched in a body scissor to wear down Natalya.  Natalya got to her feet with the scissor still locked on and ran McCool into the buckles.  McCool held onto into and ran her back down to the mat.  Natalya began firing her way out of the move.  Natalya finally escaped and drilled McCool with a clothesline.  Layla got on the apron and Natalya grabbed her.  McCool threw a kick but got her partner instead.  Natalya rolled her up for a two count.

McCool went for the Styles Clash but Natalya turned it into the Sharpshooter.  McCool reversed it into a heel hook but Natalya turned it back into another Sharpshooter.  Just as McCool was about to tap (and she started tapping), Layla tossed a shoe at Natalya.  J.J. Dillon would approve.

Your winner by DQ, Natalya.

Obviously, no title change.

WWE World champion Kane vs. The Undertaker.

They brawled outside of the Cell, but the bell never rang.  They finally battled inside the cage and around ringside.  Kane grabbed a chair but Taker battled him off.  They locked the Cell and rang the bell.

Taker followed Kane into the ring and clotheslined him in the corner several times.  He dropped Kane into the corner with snake eyes, then dropped a legdrop for a two count.  Kane grabbed a chair and drilled Taker over the back.  Kane worked over Taker with a series of punches and kicks in the corner, then kicked him off the apron to the floor.  On the floor, Taker battled back with a series of rights.  He rammed Kane backwards into the cage.

Taker went to whip Kane into the steel steps at ringside but Kane reversed it and Taker ate the steel.  Kane grabbed a chair and drilled Taker in the back of Taker's leg.  He ran Taker's leg into the ringpost.  He then wedged Taker's leg between the post and the steps and slammed them.    Kane continued beating on Taker.  He charged Taker on the floor but missed, eating the cage face-first.  Taker began working over Kane in the corner with boxing combinations, wearing him down.  Taker nailed the guillotine legdrop on the apron.

Back in the ring, Kane went right back to attacking Taker's bad leg.  Kane, who had a trickle of blood running from the back of his head,  went after Taker's leg and ankle.  Taker made his way back to his feet and they battled back and forth, slugging it out.  Taker ducked a clothesline and nailed the heat seeking missile.  He grabbed Kane's arm and went to the ropes for the Old School walk but Kane took his bad leg out and Taker crotched himself.  Kane superplexed Taker into the ring.

Kane went to the top rope for a clothesline but was drilled with a right hand in mid-air.  Taker locked in the Hell's Gate submission but Kane pulled himself out of the ring to break the hold.  Kane returned and they each went for big boots at the same time, connecting with each other and crumbling to the mat.  Both did the sit up and began fighting back and forth on their knees.   Kane whipped Taker into the ropes but left his head down and Taker caught him with a DDT for a two count.

Taker nailed a chokeslam for a two count.  Taker went for the Last Ride but Kane attacked the bad leg and chokeslammed Taker.  He covered Taker, who kicked up at the last second.  Kane drilled Taker a number of times in the corner and mounted the corner to throw punches but Taker pulled him into a Last Ride for a two count.  Undertaker went for the tombstone but Kane reversed it and drilled it.  Taker kicked out at two.  Kane began screaming, "No" and punched the referee out.

The officials opened the cage so they could attend to the referee.  Paul Bearer entered the cage and began trying to rally the Undertaker.  Kane forced Bearer into the ring and screamed at him that he shouldn't have come back.  Taker sat up behind them and grabbed Kane for a chokeslam.  Bearer motioned at Taker.  Taker did the throat slash and the lights began flickering as pyro exploded on stage.  Undertaker went to grab Kane when Bearer opened his urn and a light came out, blinding Taker.  Everything went back to normal as Taker looked confused.  Kane recovered and Bearer was between them.  He looked back and forth, then handed the urn to Kane.  Kane drilled Taker with it, then chokeslammed him for the pin.

Your winner and still WWE World champion, Kane!

So, the story was Bearer took Taker's power and handed it to Kane, all along.

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