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7/8 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: DON MURACO BECOMES THE KING OF THE RING, LUCHA LIBRE USA TV ANNOUNCED AND MORE

By Mike Johnson on 2012-07-08 08:00:00

On this day in history in ....

1980 - WWF taped Championship Wrestling in Allentown, PA at Ag Hall with the following results:
-Pedro Morales defeated Jose Estrada.
-Rick Martel defeated Johnny Rodz.
-Larry Zbyszko defeated Angelo Gomez.
-The Wild Samoans defeated Steve King & Ricky Stallone.
-The Hangman defeated Fred Marzino.
-WWF Intercontinental Champion Ken Patera defeated Rick McGraw.
-Angel Maravilla defeated Frank Savage.
-Pat Patterson & Rene Goulet defeated Ken Sharkey & Jose Estrada.
-Hulk Hogan defeated Ron Shaw.
-The Wild Samoans defeated Rene Goulet & Rick McGraw via countout.
-Rick Martel defeated Lindsey Lyle.
-Angel Maravilla defeated Ken Sharkey.
-Larry Zbyszko defeated Steve King.
-WWF World Champion Bob Backlund & Pedro Morales defeated Tor Kamata & Jose Estrada.
-Hulk Hogan defeated Tony Colon.
-Pat Patterson defeated Johnny Rodz.
-Sika fought Rene Goulet to a double countout.
-The Hangman defeated Angelo Gomez.
-Hulk Hogan defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund via countout.

1982 - WWF ran Worcester, MA, featuring:
-Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Frank Williams.
-Pete Sanchez defeated Laurent Soucie.
-Ivan Putski defeated Bob Orton Jr.
-WWF Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales fought Blackjack Mulligan to a no contest.
-Jimmy Snuka defeated Steve Travis.
-Chief Jay & Jules Strongbow defeated Johnny Rodz & the Blue Demon.

1983 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Richmond, Virginia at the Coliseum, headlined by Roddy Piper & Wahoo McDaniel defeating NWA U.S. Champion Greg Valentine & Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk Jr. and Ric Flair defeating NWA World Champion Harley Race via disqualification.

1983 - WWF ran Harrisburg, PA, featuring:
-SD Jones defeated Israel Matia.
-Samula (Samu) defeated Swede Hanson.
-George Steele defeated Salvatore Bellomo.
-Rocky Johnson defeated Iron Mike Sharpe via disqualification.
-Ivan Putski defeated Ivan Koloff.
-The Wild Samoans fought the Invaders to a double disqualification.

1984 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Asheville, NC at the Civic Center, featuring:
-Barry Hart defeated Bobby Bass.
-Mark Fleming defeated Ali Bey.
-Vinnie Valentino defeated Gary Quartanelli.
-Nikita Koloff defeated Gary Royal.
-The Assassins defeated Buzz Sawyer & Adrian Street.
-Gene & Ole Anderson defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions Ivan Koloff & Don Kernodle via disqualification.

1984 - WWF ran the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, NY, featuring:
Adrian Adonis defeated Steve Lombardi.
Dick Murdoch defeated Salvatore Bellomo.
Moondog Rex fought Jose Luis Rivera to a draw.
Greg Valentine defeated Pat Patterson via countout.
George Steele defeated George Sanders.
Bob Backlund defeated George Steele.

1985 - Don Muraco is crowned the King of the Ring, winning a one night tournament in Foxborough, MA at Sullivan Stadium before 23,000 fans:
First Round:
-Jim Brunzell pinned the Spoiler.
-WWF Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana defeated Terry Funk via disqualification.
-The Iron Sheik pinned B. Brian Blair.
-Ricky Steamboat pinned Greg Valentine.
-Les Thornton pinned Steve Lombardi.
-Don Muraco pinned the Junkyard Dog.
-Pedro Morales pinned Johnny V.
-Paul Orndorff fought Bob Orton Jr. to a double disqualification.

Quarter Finals:
-WWF IC Champion Tito Santana fought Jim Brunzell to a draw; Brunzell won a coin toss to continue.
-The Iron Sheik pinned Ricky Steamboat.
-Don Muraco pinned Les Thornton.

Semi-Finals:
-The Iron Sheik pinned Jim Brunzell.
-Don Muraco pinned Pedro Morales.

Finals: Don Muraco pinned the Iron Sheik in a rare meeting of heels.

In a non-tournament bout, WWF champion Hulk Hogan pinned Nikolai Volkoff.

1985 - WWF ran Syracuse, NY at the Onondaga County War Memorial with the following results:
-The Dynamite Kid pinned Moondog Spot at 9:20.
-Randy Savage pinned Swede Hanson at 11:51.
-Davey Boy Smith pinned Rene Goulet at 12:12.
-The Missing Link pinned George Wells at 5:43.
-Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo in a non-title match at 14:10 when Neidhart pinned Rotundo.
-WWF Tag Team Champion Mike Rotundo won a 16-man battle royal.

1986 - WWF ran Buffalo, NY at the Memorial Auditorium, featuring:
-Tony Garea fought Les Thornton to a draw.
-Billy Jack Haynes defeated Tiger Chung Lee.
-Don Muraco defeated Tony Parisi.
-King Kong Bundy defeated Cousin Luke.
-King Tonga defeated Big John Studd via disqualification.
-WWF Tag Team Champions The British Bulldogs, Davey Boy Smith & the Dynamite Kid defeated Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake in a steel cage match.


1987 - WWF champion Hulk Hogan defeated Killer Khan in the main event of a St. Paul, Minnesota event.

1987 - WWF ran Wheeling, WV at the Civic Center, featuring:
-Pedro Morales pinned Frenchy Martin.
-Sam Houston pinned Jose Estrada.
-Iron Mike Sharpe pinned David Sammartino.
-The Junkyard Dog pinned Nikolai Volkoff.
-Brutus Beefcake pinned Dino Bravo.
-Rick Martel & Tom Zenk defeated the Islanders.

1988 - WWF ran Eugene, OR at The University of Oregon McArthur Court, featuring:
-Bad News Brown defeated Jim Neidhart.
-Jos LeDuc defeated Scott Casey.
-Dino Bravo pinned Ken Patera with the side slam.
-The Powers of Pain defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Demolition in a non-title match.
-Brutus Beefcake defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion the Honkytonk Man via disqualification.
-Andre the Giant pinned Jim Duggan with a sit-down splash.

1988 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Pittsburgh, PA at the Civic Arena, featuring:
-Chris Champion fought Kendall Windham to a draw.
-Rip Morgan fought Bugsy McGraw to a no contest.
-Al Perez & Larry Zbyzsko defeated Brad Armstrong & Tim Horner.
-Ron Garvin defeated Rick Steiner.
-Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated the Sheepherders.
-NWA World TV Champion Mike Rotunda defeated Jimmy Garvin.
-Sting, Nikita Koloff, & Steve Williams defeated Dick Murdoch, Ivan Koloff, & the Russian Assassin.
-The Road Warriors defeated NWA Tag Team Champions Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard via disqualification.
-NWA U.S. Tag Team Champions The Fantastics, Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers defeated The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane in a scaffold match.
-Lex Luger & Dusty Rhodes defeated NWA World Champion Ric Flair & NWA U.S. Champion Barry Windham .

1989 - WWF ran Edmonton, Alberta at Northlands Coliseum, featuring:
-Tim Horner pinned Boris Zhukov.
-The Genius pinned Paul Roma.
-Brutus Beefcake pinned Greg Valentine.
-The Bushwhackers defeated Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard.
-Jimmy Snuka pinned the Honkytonk Man.
-WWF Champion Hulk Hogan pinned Randy Savage.

1989 - The NWA drew 4,800 fans to the Boston Garden, witnessing:
-Scott Hall pinned Bill Irwin.
-The Dynamic Dudes, Shane Douglas & Johnny Ace defeated the New Zealand Militia, Jacko Victory and Rip Morgan.
-Mike Rotunda pinned Dick Murdoch.
-Norman pinned Steve Casey.
-Sid Vicious & Dan Spivey defeated Johnny & Davey Rich.
-Rick Steiner pinned Kevin Sullivan in a Streetfight.
-Terry Gordy & NWA World Tag Team Champions Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin defeated Steve Williams & The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane.
-The Great Muta defeated Eddie Gilbert via count-out in a Dragon Shi match.
-Rick Steiner won a battle royal by last eliminating Mike Rotunda.
-Sting defeated Terry Funk via disqualification when Norman interfered.
-The Road Warriors defeated the Samoan Swat Team.
-NWA U.S. Champion Lex Luger pinned Ricky Steamboat.

1990 - WWF ran Toronto, Ontario at Maple Leaf Gardens, drawing 2,500 fans witnessing:
-Haku pinned Jim Brunzell.
-Nikolai Volkoff pinned Boris Zhukov.
-Hillbilly Jim pinned Black Bart.
-The Warlord pinned Pez Whatley (substituting for Tito Santana) with a powerslam.
-Earthquake pinned Jim Duggan.
-WWF Tag Team Champions Demolition Smash & Crush (with Ax) defeated The Hart Foundation, Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart when Crush pinned Bret Hart after Ax interfered and clotheslined Hart.
-Tito Santana (substituting for Brutus Beefcake) defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect via disqualification after Perfect pulled the referee in front of Santana.

1990 - NWA ran Asbury Park, NJ at the Convention Hall, drawing 1,700 fans with the following results:
-Doug Furnas defeated El Diablo (David Sierra).
-El Gigante defeated Dr. X (Randy Culley).
-Tom Zenk defeated Harley Race via disqualification.
-Paul Orndorff pinned Mark Callous.
-Brian Pillman & Tommy Rich defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin.
-Rick & Scott Steiner defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions Doom in a non-title match.

1990 - NWA ran Roanoke, VA at the Civic Center featuring:
-The New Samoans defeated The Southern Boys, Tracy Smothers & Steve Armstrong.
-Brad Armstrong defeated Buddy Landel.
-The Rock N' Roll Express, Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions Doom.
-The Junkyard Dog defeated NWA World TV Champion Arn Anderson.
-NWA World Champion Sting, in his first match as champion & NWA U.S. Champion Lex Luger defeated Ric Flair & Barry Windham.

1991 - The Barroom Brawlers defeat Jeff Jarrett & Robert Fuller for the USWA Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee.

1991 - WWF ran a TV Taping in Calgary, Alberta at the Saddledome before 13,500 fans featuring the following:

Wrestling Challenge taping:
-In his WWF debut, Sid Justice, formerly Sid Vicious in the NWA and other promotions, pinned Ted Dibiase.
-Bret Hart defeated IRS
-Biff Wellington vs. an unknown
-The Big Bossman & the Bushwhackers defeated WWF Tag Team Champions the Nasty Boys & the Mountie

Prime Time Wrestling:
-Virgil defeated Paul Roma (w/ Slick) via submission with the Million $ Dream at 8:12
-Jimmy Snuka pinned Louie Spicolli at 2:13 with the splash off the top
-The Beverly Brothers (w/ Coach) defeated Bob Jones & Chi Chi Cruz at 2:32 when Beau pinned Jones following the head spike
-Kerry Von Erich pinned Tim Peterson at 4:21 with the Tornado Punch

-Jake Roberts defeated Earthquake
-The Ultimate Warrior defeated the Undertaker via disqualification
-Virgil defeated Hutch Thomas
-WWF Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Sgt. Slaughter via submission with the Camel Clutch

Wrestling Challenge:
-Ricky Steamboat pinned Louie Spicolli with a flying bodypress at 1:41
-IRS pinned Bob Jones with the Write Off fallaway slam at 1:14
-Jim Duggan pinned Ed Moretti with the running clothesline at 1:32
-WWF Tag Team Champions the Nasty Boys (w/ Jimmy Hart) defeated Stan Saxson & Brian Jewels when Saggs pinned Saxson after a running powerslam from Knobbs at 3:25
-The Big Bossman pinned Sam Steel at the 52-second mark with the sidewalk slam
-The Beverly Brothers (w/ Coach) defeated Jeff Wheeler & Randy Thatcher when Beau pinned Thatcher after a double team move at 3:07
-Ted Dibiase (w/ Sensational Sherri) defeated Jason Anderson via submission with the Million $ Dream at 1:38
-The Berzerker pinned Ken Johnson
-The Bushwhackers defeated Jim Peterson & Ronny Starr
-The Mountie defeated Randy Thatcher
-Davey Boy Smith defeated Bob Bradley
-Col. Mustafa defeated Jeff Sanders
-Bret Hart defeated Ed Moretti
-Sgt. Slaughter defeated Vern Sebert & an unknown in a handicap match
-Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty defeated the Black Knight & an unknown
-The Warlord defeated Randy Thatcher
-The Natural Disasters defeated Jeff Wheeler & Hutch Thomas
-The Undertaker defeated Ray Williams

1992 - WWF ran Rockford, IL at the Metro Centre before 2,000 fans, featuring:
-Jim Brunzell defeated Kato (Paul Diamond)
-The Nasty Boys defeated High Energy, Owen Hart & Koko B. Ware.
-Rick Martel defeated Tatanka via countout.
-Jim Duggan defeated Nailz via disqualification after being assaulted with the nightstick.
-The Legion of Doom defeated the Beverly Brothers.
-WWF Intercontinental Champion Bret Hart pinned Shawn Michaels.
-The Ultimate Warrior pinned Papa Shango.

1994 - Tod Gordon's NWA Eastern Championship Wrestling ran Montgomery, PA at Farmers Market, drawing 175 fans with the following results:
-The Rockin Rebel defeated Stevie Richards.
-The Tazmaniac defeated Dino Sendoff & Joel Hartgood in a handicap match.
-ECW Tag Team Champions Public Enemy defeated Mikey Whipwreck & Jim Lano.
-Sabu defeated Mr. Hughes.
-ECW Champion Shane Douglas defeated Tommy Dreamer.

1994 - WWF ran East Rutherford, NJ at the Meadowlands with the "Marathon Tour", drawing 4,000 featuring:
-The 1-2-3 Kid defeated Kwang.
-Duke Drose defeated Rick Martel.
-WWF Tag Team Champions the Headshrinkers defeated Double Trouble (substituting for the Heavenly Bodies).
-Randy Savage defeated Jerry Lawler.
-Nikolai Volkoff defeated Virgil.
-IRS defeated Tatanka via disqualification.
-Yokozuna defeated Typhoon.
-WWF champion Bret Hart defeated Owen Hart in a 60-minute Ironman match, 3 falls to 2.

1994 - WWF ran Wels, Austria before 750 fans, featuring:
-Thurmann "Sparky" Plugg (Bob Holly) defeated Adam Bomb.
-Jeff Jarrett defeated Doink the Clown.
-Mabel defeated Bam Bam Bigelow.
-Lex Luger defeated Crush.
-The Smoking Gunns defeated The Rock N' Roll Express, Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson.
-Razor Ramon defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Diesel via disqualification.

1995 - WWF ran White Plains, NY at the Westchester County Civic Center before 1,800 fans featuring:
-Skip pined Bob Holly.
-Jean Pierre Lafitte defeated Aldo Montoya.
-Adam Bomb defeated Hakushi.
-Savio Vega defeated King Mabel via disqualification.
-Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeated Doink the Clown.
-Bam Bam Bigelow defeated King Kong Bundy.

1996 - Rey Mysterio, Jr. defeats Dean Malenko for the WCW Cruiserweight Title in Lake Buena Vista, Florida at Disney/MGM studios. This was first of eight title reigns (to date) with the belt for Rey in WCW and WWE.

1998 - WCW ran a Thunder taping in Birmingham, AL at BJCC featuring:

-Public Enemy defeated Tokyo Magnum & Shimo Nobunaga.
-Ernest Miller defeated Villano IV.
-Juventud Guerrera defeated Judo Suwa.
-Konnan defeated Stevie Ray via disqualification.
-Raven & Horace defeated Perry Saturn & Kanyon.
-Steve McMichael defeated Rick Fuller.
-WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chris Jericho defeated the Ultimo Dragon.
-Dark match after the show: WCW World & U.S. Champion Bill Goldberg defeated Scott Hall.

1999 - Extreme Championship Wrestling ran Ft. Lauderdale, FL at the War Memorial Auditorium before 1,200 fans featuring:
-Vito Lograsso defeated Simon Diamond.
-Super Crazy defeated Little Guido.
-Rhino defeated CW Anderson.
-Danny Doring & Roadkill defeated Chris Chetti & Nova.
-Jazz defeated Jason Knight.
-Steve Corino defeated Prodigy Tom Marquez.
-ECW World Tag Team Champions Buh Buh Ray & D-Von Dudley defeated Jerry Lynn & Spike Dudley.
-ECW World Champion Taz defeated Yoshihiro Tajiri.
-ECW World TV Champion Rob Van Dam deefeated Lance Storm.
-Sabu defeated Justin Credible.

2000 - WWF ran Anaheim, CA at the  Arrowhead Pond featuring:
-D-Lo Brown defeated the Godfather.
-WWF Light Heavyweight Champion Dean Malenko defeated Perry Saturn with the Texas CloverLeaf.
-T&A defeated the Acolytes following Test's pumphandle slam on Bradshaw.
-Rikishi defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Val Venis via disqualification.
-Chris Benoit defeated Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho in a triangle match when Benoit pinned Jericho with a German suplex after Triple H interfered.
-Crash Holly defeated Gangrel.
-The Undertaker & Kane defeated the Big Bossman & Bull Buchanon following double chokeslams.
-The Dudley Boyz defeated Road Dogg & X-Pac in a tables match.
-WWF Tag Team Champions Edge & Christian defeated Too Cool and Matt & Jeff Hardy.
-WWF Champion the Rock defeated Triple H following the Rock Bottom and People's Elbow after Chris Benoit's interference backfired.

2001- WWF ran Augusta, GA at the Civic Center, featuring:
-Tajiri pinned Raven with a kick to the head.
-Test pinned Rhyno with a boot to the face as Rhyno attempted the Gore.
-Molly Holly defeated Ivory.
-WCW Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman defeated Chavo Guerrero and Gregory Helms by pinning Chavo with the Kid Crusher.
-Hugh Morrus pinned Mark Jindrak with a sit-down powerbomb.
-WWF Tag Team Champions the Dudley Boyz defeated Edge & Christian, Matt & Jeff Hardy, and Crash & Hardcore Holly in an elimination match.
-Bradshaw pinned Bull Buchanon with the Clothesline from Hell.
-WCW Tag Team Champions Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo defeated Chris Kanyon & Shawn Stasiak when Palumbo pinned Kanyon.
-WCW World Champion Booker T pinned Lance Storm with a sunset flip off the middle ropes; after the bout, Kurt Angle ran into the ring and hit the Olympic Slam on Booker.
-The Undertaker & Kane defeated Diamond Dallas Page & Mike Awesome when the Undertaker pinned Awesome with the chokeslam.

2002 - During the end of a 10 man match on Raw, Kevin Nash, in his first match back in action in months after recovering from a biceps injury, suffered an injury to his left quadriceps muscle. Nash tripped over Booker T's foot after Nash hit a big boot to the face on Booker. After he hit the boot, Nash was running across the ring to hit Bubba Ray Dudley, who was on the apron. Because he had tripped on Booker's foot, he landed awkwardly on his left leg. He immediately fell to the ground and screamed loudly. He laid on the apron as Earl Hebner gave a signal to the back that Nash was legitimately hurt while Bubba Ray Dudley broke kayfabe and went over to check on Nash. They went to the finish of the match and after it ended, Nash was helped to the back by Big Show and a WWE employee.

Backstage after the show, Nash was in serious pain. He flew to Birmingham, AL first thing the next day to meet with Dr. James Andrews and have an MRI on his injured quad muscle. After that, it was decided that surgery was needed, putting Nash on the shelf. The truly sad thing about the injury is that Nash didn't even know that he would be wrestling that night until he got to the building. He was scheduled to return to action that coming weekend at the house shows, but when he arrived at Raw, he found out that he was booked on that night's show. He didn't even have his gear with him and they had to have it sent to Raw.  As a result of his injury, WWE decided to let go of the NWO concept, which had already been weakened by Hulk Hogan's face turn and Scott Hall's departure.

The complete results of that taping saw:

-Justin Credible pinned Shelton Benjamin with a superkick at 3:38.

Sunday Night Heat:
-Sean O'Haire pinned Shawn Stasiak at 5:09 with a powerslam.
-The Big Show pinned Matt Hardy with the chokeslam at 4:19.
-WWE Hardcore Champion Bradshaw pinned Raven with the Clothesline from Hell at 5:03.
-WWE Women's Champion Molly Holly pinned Jackie at 4:13 after hitting her with the title belt; Crash Holly was the special referee.

Raw:
-Booker T pinned Eddie Guerrero with a sunset flip at 3:08; after the match, Bubba Ray & Spike Dudley came to Booker's aid against Chris Benoit and Guerrero.
-Chris Benoit (with Eddie Guerrero) defeated Bubba Ray Dudley (w/ Spike Dudley) via submission to the Crippler Crossface at 3:56; after the match, Booker T and Goldust made the save for the Dudleyz against Benoit and Guerrero.
-WWE Hardcore Champion Bradshaw & Trish Stratus defeated Chris Nowinski & Jackie Gayda when Trish pinned Gayda with a bulldog off the top.
-Ric Flair defeated Steven Richards via submission with the figure-4 at 3:42.
-Jeff Hardy pinned WWE European Champion William Regal to win the title following the Swanton at 4:23 after dropkicking the champion into the corner.
-Kevin Nash (w/ Shawn Michaels), X-Pac, the Big Show, Chris Benoit, & Eddie Guerrero defeated WWE IC Champion Rob Van Dam, Booker T, Goldust, Bubba Ray, & Spike Dudley when Show pinned Booker T with the chokeslam at 9:26 following a superkick from Michaels; midway through the match, RVD chased Michaels to the entrance way - where he was attacked by Brock Lesnar, sustained the F5 on the ramp, and was taken out of the match; late in the contest, Nash legitly injured his knee and was also taken out of the match.

2002 - WWE Smackdown ran Salisbury, MD with the following results:
-The Hurricane pinned Albert with a roll up after the referee pushed Albert.
-WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jamie Noble pinned Billy Kidman with the Razor's Edge.
-Tajiri & Chavo Guerrero defeated Rey Mysterio Jr. & Shannon Moore when Tajiri pinned Moore with a series of kicks.
-D-Von Dudley & Batista defeated Mark Henry & Randy Orton when Batista scored the pin with a clothesline.
-Test pinned Nick Dinsmore with a boot to the face.
-Rikishi pinned Kurt Angle with a piledriver, despite outside interference from Billy Gunn, Chuck Palumbo, & Rico; after the match, Val Venis, Randy Orton, and Mark Henry made the save for Rikishi.
-Farooq, Rob Conway, & Sho Funaki defeated Billy Gunn, Chuck Palumbo, & Rico when Farooq pinned Rico.
-Hardcore Holly & Val Venis defeated Christian & Lance Storm when Val pinned Storm with a splash off the top
-Torrie Wilson defeated Dawn Marie (sub. for Stacy Keibler) in a Bra & Panties match.
-Edge pinned Chris Jericho with the spear.

2003 - WWE ran Toronto, Ontario at the Air Canada Centre before 10,000 fans with the following results:

-Tyson Moody pinned Mark Bartilucci.

Velocity:
-Sean O'Haire pinned Bobby Rude with the Widow Maker.
-Orlando Jordon pinned Kanyon with an inverted neckbreaker.
-Albert pinned Sho Funaki with the backbreaker.
-Nunzio pinned Spanky by avoiding the Sliced Bread #2 and hitting the springboard armbar DDT.

Smackdown!:
-WWE Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio Jr. & Billy Kidman defeated the Acolytes, Chuck Palumbo & Johnny Stamboli (w/ Nunzio), and Doug & Danny Basham (w/ Shaniqua) when Mysterio pinned Danny Basham at 10:38; midway through the bout, the Acolytes and the FBI battled backstage, turning the bout into a 2-on-2 altercation; due to prematch stipulations, Mysterio & Kidman earned a tag team title shot at Vengeance.
-Chris Benoit & Rhyno defeated Matt Hardy & Shannon Moore at 4:17 when Benoit applied the Crippler Crossface on Moore.
-WWE U.S. Title Tournament Quarter Finals: Eddie Guerrero pinned the Ultimo Dragon at 3:24 after avoiding an Asai moonsault and using an inside cradle and handful of tights.
-Billy Gunn & Torrie Wilson defeated Jamie Noble & Nidia at 2:19 when Torrie pinned Nidia with a DDT; after the bout, Noble offered Torrie $10,000 to sleep with him before both Gunn and Torrie attacked him and Nidia.
-The Big Show & WWE Smackdown! Tag Team Champions Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas defeated WWE World Champion Brock Lesnar in a falls count anywhere non-title handicap match when Show hit a chokeslam off the ring steps through the commentary table and scored the pin with one foot on the chest.

2006 - WWE Smackdown ran Winnipeg, Ontario before 4,500 fans, featuring:
-WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions Paul London & Brian Kendrick defeated Jamie Noble & Kid Kash.
-Sylvester Terkay defeated Sho Funaki.
-Jillian Hall defeated Kristal.
-Sylvan defeated Scotty 2 Hotty.
-WWE US Champion Bobby Lashley defeated William Regal.
-Vito defeated Simon Dean.
-Matt Hardy defeated Ken Kennedy.
-Super Crazy defeated Psychosis.
-World champion Rey Mysterio & Batista defeated Mark Henry & the Great Khali.

2006 - WWE Raw ran London, Ontario with the following results:
-Robbie & Rory McAllister defeated Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch.
-Gene Snitsky defeated Rob Conway.
-Shelton Benjamin defeated Charlie Haas.
-Carlito & Trish Stratus defeated WWE Intercontinental Champion Johnny Nitro & Melina.
-Randy Orton defeated DH Smith.
-Triple H & Ric Flair defeated WWE Raw Tag Team Champions Kenny, Mitch, Nicky, Mikey, & Johnny in a handicap match.
-John Cena defeated WWE World Champion Edge in a non-title streetfight.

2006 - WWE Smackdown and ECW ran a combined card in Racine, WI at the Civic Center featuring:
-Al Snow pinned Stevie Richards after hitting him with Head.
-Little Guido & Tony Mamaluke defeated Doug & Danny Basham when Mamaluke scored the pin.
-Kelly Kelly defeated Francine in a best body contest; after the event, Mike Knox came out to cover up Kelly.
-Mike Knox pinned Balls Mahoney.
-The Sandman pinned Justin Credible with the White Russian legsweep in a dueling canes match.
-CM Punk defeated Roadkill via submission with the Anaconda Vice.
-Test pinned Tommy Dreamer with the pumphandle slam after avoiding the Spicolli Driver.
-ECW Champion the Big Show pinned Sabu following a chokeslam through a table.

2007 - WWE Smackdown & ECW ran Biloxi, MS at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum, featuring:
-Tommy Dreamer & Stevie Richards defeated Elijah Burke & Kevin Thorn when Dreamer pinned Thorn with the DDT.
-Chris Masters defeated Jimmy Wang Yang via submission with the full nelson.
-Michelle McCool defeated Victoria via submission with a modified triangle choke.
-Brett & Brian Major (Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder) defeated Dave Taylor & Paul Birchill after Taylor accidentally hit Birchill.
-WWE U.S. Champion MVP defeated Matt Hardy and Finlay by pinning Finlay after Hardy hit the Twist of Fate on Finlay and was then knocked to the floor by the champion.
-Chuck Palumbo pinned Cassidy O'Reilly with the Full Throttle.
-ECW World Champion Johnny Nitro pinned CM Punk when the momentum of a crossbody by Punk put Nitro on top.
-Batista pinned World Heavyweight Champion Edge in a non-title match with the sit-down powerbomb.

2008 - Rellik (the former Johnny Stamboli) and James Mitchell were released by TNA.

2009 - Ricky Steamboat returned to the ring at Budokan Hall for the second of WWE's two-night stand, wrestling Chris Jericho.  Jericho won the match with the Walls Of Jericho.  For those that have asked why Steamboat ended up being a special referee for Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio in Hawaii, and not wrestling Jericho on that show, I was told that WWE's plan all along was for Steamboat to only wrestle Jericho once at Budokan, and he was never going to wrestle on the Hawaii show.  Apparently, a Jericho interview was presented the wrong way in a Hawaiian newspaper when Jericho talked about "working" with Steamboat on the tour.

2010 - Triple H underwent surgery on a biceps injury suffered while filming the WWE comedy "The Chaperone."

2010 - Scott Hall's Myspace page issued the following statement: ""Scott is in the hospital with double pneumonia, has a cough for several weeks.. but just thought I guess he was too damned tough to go to the Dr... anyway.. to all of you that Pray.. remember him in your prayers.. He's feeling really rough. Recovery is going to take some time.. but he will be back.."

2010 - MTV2 released the following press release touting the debut of Lucha Libre USA's Masked Warriors series, which ran seven episodes and one preview special before being taken off the air.  As of this date, the series has not returned although the promotion continues with regular tapings in New Mexico:

MTV2 INTRODUCES HIGH FLYING MEXICAN WRESTLING TO AMERICAN AIRWAVES WITH WEEKLY SERIES
“LUCHA LIBRE USA: MASKED WARRIORS”

For The First Time Ever In English, Explosive New Show Premieres On MTV2

Friday, July 16 at 10pm ET/PT with An Encore Presentation on Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más

Saturday, July 17 at 10pm ET/PT

New York, NY (July 8, 2010) – Just when you thought it was safe to leave your house this summer, the wrestlers of Lucha Libre will be landing at your doorstep. Beginning Friday, July 16 at 10pm ET/PT, MTV2 will bring Lucha Libre to America for the first time ever with a new original weekly series “Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors” with an encore presentation on Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más on Saturday, July 17 at 10 pm ET/PT. This show marks the first time that Lucha Libre matches will be filmed in the U.S. and broadcast in English bringing this entertaining and beloved Mexican sport to American mainstream audiences.

Featuring amazing aerial acrobatics and signature masks that have become global symbols of this extreme Mexican sport, Lucha Libre has become an iconic part of the country’s rich culture for over 75 years and continues to be the best-attended live sporting event after soccer. Like no other wrestling show before it, this groundbreaking series on MTV2 and Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más will deliver this raucous, masked wrestling phenomenon that has developed into a cult following around the world.

Each week, Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors will feature explosive, hard-hitting action from some of the biggest names in the sport including Tinieblas Jr, Marco Corleone, Lizmark Jr., Mascarita Dorada and many more. From never-before-seen moves, death defying showmanship, to comedy and over-the-top drama featuring Mini Luchadores and Luchadores Exoticos, audiences have never seen wrestling like this before. Additionally, this show marks the first time ever that an American Lucha Libre league has been formed with the Luchadores competing for a U.S. belt and title.

For more info on “Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors” including sneak peek videos, photos and cast bios please click here

Steven Ship and Louis Silverstein, Managing Directors of Lucha Libre USA, and Tom Mazza, EVP Head of Worldwide TV, Cookie Jar Entertainment, will serve as executive producers of the series. Chris McCarthy, Eric Conte and Paul Ricci are Executive Producers for MTV2.

About Lucha Libre

Lucha Libre is an art form, much beloved by Latino culture. It sells millions of tickets to a mass audience composed of families from across the socioeconomic strata. Lucha Libre USA's mission is to introduce Americans to the global phenomenon that is Mexican wrestling. Lucha Libre USA regularly produces live events in major US venues.

About MTV2

MTV2 is a man's best friend, available in nearly 80 million homes and with the highest concentration of males 12-24 and 12-34 on TV today. A vibrant mix of music, lifestyle and action sports programming, MTV2 has reflected the habits and behavior of young people since its launch in 1996. MTV2 is part of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom, one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.

About Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más

Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más, owned and operated by MTV Networks Latin America, reaches 7.4 million Hispanic TV households (58% of US Hispanic Total TV HH) and 39 million total TV households. The network’s programming embraces the trilogy of cultures that represents Latino life – Latin American plus American equals US Latino - through original productions, key acquisitions, and content from MTV Networks’ portfolio of entertainment brands. Tr3s embraces the key lifestyle aspects of Latino identity -- milestones, making it and music -- as well as social responsibility through its initiative “Agentes de Cambio”, which tackles issues that affect Latinos today. The network also taps into the growing number of Latinos that are digitally connected thru www.tr3s.com.

2010-  WWE Superstars aired on WGN.  Richard Trionfo filed the following report:

We start off tonight’s show with the Raw brand and your announcers are Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler.

Match Number One: Primo and Jillian Hall versus Yoshi Tatsu and Gail Kim with Guest Referees the Bellas

The ladies start off and they lock up with Gail working on the wrist but Jillian with a forearm. Jillian tosses Gail by the hair and Primo approves. Jillian gets a near fall. Jillian follows that with a snap mare and kick to the back. Gail with a kick and flying clothesline but Primo tags in so the men take over in the match. Primo runs into a few Japanese arm drags followed by a drop kick from Yoshi. Jillian grabs Yoshi’s leg but it doesn’t help. Yoshi with a kick and Gail with a head scissors. Yoshi with a series of kicks and chops for a near fall. Primo with a kick followed by an Irish whip and drop kick out of the corner. Primo with punches to Yoshi and Primo is admonished by the referee but Primo maintains control after a snap mare and reverse chin lock. Yoshi with chops but Primo with a kick and Irish whip followed by a shoulder in the corner. Primo with punches and kicks in the corner.

Jillian pulls Yoshi’s hair and the referee warns Jillian. Primo gets a near fall and he follows that with a slam and another near fall. Primo stomps on Yoshi’s chest and then he goes to the turnbuckles but he jumps into a boot when he tries for a fist drop. Jillian tags in and she grabs Yoshi but Yoshi tags in. Gail with a cross body from the top followed by a clothesline and drop kick. Gail with the running cross body into the corner. Jillian punches Gail on top and they fight on the turnbuckles. Gail tries for a sunset flip power bomb but Jillian blocks it. Gail with a flying clothesline but Jillian gets her arm up for a clothesline as well. Yoshi with a spinning heel kick. Jillian grabs Yoshi and the referee warns Jillian. Jillian with a forearm to one of the Bellas but the other warns Jillian. Jillian hits the other Bella and then Gail with a rollup and a slightly faster count for the three.

Winners: Gail Kim and Yoshi Tatsu

We go to commercial.

Match Number Two: Zack Ryder versus Goldust

They lock up and Goldust with an arm drag. They lock up again and Goldust with a side head lock but Goldust with a shoulder tackle and arm drag into an arm bar. Ryder with forearms to Goldust but Goldust avoids a leap frog and hits a clothesline followed by a running butt bump that sends Ryder to the floor as we go to commercial.

We are back and Goldust with a catapult that sends Ryder into the ropes and then Ryder lands on Goldust’s knees. Goldust goes up top but Ryder drops Goldust on the top rope and Goldust is down. Ryder with kicks to Goldust followed by punches in the corner followed by a running boot across the face. Ryder with a near fall and then he puts Goldust in a reverse chin lock. Ryder with a forearm but Goldust with a clothesline. Goldust with the vintage drop down uppercut followed by a reverse atomic drop and bulldog for a near fall. Goldust goes to the corner and he punches Ryder but Ryder pushes Goldust off. Goldust with a power slam to a charging Ryder and he gets a near fall. Ryder sends Goldust into the turnbuckles and Ryder with the Rough Rider for the three count.

Winner: Zack Ryder

We have an NXT Recap.

We go to commercial.

We are back and it is time for the Smackdown half of the show and your announcers are Matt Striker and Todd Grisham.

Instead of a match, we start off this half with the Master Lock Challenge and that means that Chris Masters is coming to the ring.

The man who is going to see if he can survive the Master Lock Challenge is Caylen Croft and he is accompanied by Trent Barreta.

Croft assumes the position and Masters is ready to lock it in but Croft stands up before Masters can apply the hold. Masters locks it in and Croft is out cold.

Trent Barreta enters the ring and Masters wants him to try the challenge. Croft and Barreta attack Masters. Croft with a reverse atomic drop and Barreta with a Yakuza kick to Masters.

We go to commercial.

We are back with the Raw Rebound.

Match Number Three: Michelle McCool and Layla with matching hoodies and dance moves versus Tiffany and Kelly Kelly with matching dance moves

Tiffany and Michelle start things off and they lock up. Tiffany with a clean break but Michelle with a pie face. Michelle gets too overconfident and Tiffany with a waist lock and arm bar. Michelle reverses but Tiffany with an elbow and drop toe hold followed by a reverse atomic drop and forearms. Tiffany with an Irish whip and she hits a monkey flip out of the corner followed by a clothesline for a near fall. Kelly tags in and she hits a sunset flip from the top for a near fall. Michelle with a kick and forearm to the back. Layla tags in and she kicks Kelly in the head. Kelly lands on her feet on a flip and Kelly with a Thesz Press followed by punches. Tiffany tags in and she tosses Layla by the hair followed by a drop kick and Layla goes to the floor. Tiffany follows after Layla and they return to the ring. Tiffany tries to use the ropes but Layla kicks Tiffany and Tiffany lands awkwardly.

Layla slams Tiffany’s head into the mat. Michelle tags in and she kicks Tiffany in the head. Michelle with a kick and knees to Tiffany as the referee warns her. Michelle kicks Tiffany while showing no respect to Tiffany. Michelle knocks Kelly off the apron and that allows Michelle and Layla to double team Tiffany. Layla tags in and chokes Tiffany. Layla stops Tiffany from making the tag after Tiffany goes through Layla’s legs. Layla kicks Kelly’s hand and then Michelle attacks Tiffany while the referee deals with Kelly and Layla. Michelle tags in and connects with a European uppercut and then she chokes Tiffany against the ropes. Michelle keeps Tiffany from making the tag. Layla tags back in and Michelle with a snap mare and Layla with a drop kick to the back for a near fall. Layla with a slam but she misses a leg drop. Kelly tags in and she hits a series of clotheslines before knocking Michelle off the apron. Kelly with a sunset flip for a near fall. Kelly with a kick and X Factor for a near fall. Layla with a back heel kick to Kelly followed by an Irish whip but Kelly with a boot and clothesline to Layla. Kelly kicks Michelle from the apron. Kelly with a rollup but Tiffany distracts the referee and that allows Michelle to kick Kelly to allow Layla to get the three count.

Winners: Michelle McCool and Layla

We go to credits.

2010 - TNA Impact aired on SpikeTV.  Stuart Carapola filed the following TV Report:

Welcome to PWInsider.com's ongoing coverage of TNA Impact!

This week's show opens with a video package taking a look back at what an asshole Mr Anderson is, and then his change of heart and newfound alliance with Jeff Hardy, and finally the incident that ended last week's Impact when Anderson, possibly accidentally, possibly intentionally, hit Jeff Hardy with a chair.

In fact, here comes Mr Anderson now, striding out to the ring with a chair in his hands. He skips the introduction and asks if there are any Creatures of the Night here (getting a nice pop), and then he introduces the leader of the Creatures of the Night, Jeffrey Nero Hardy. Anderson says that last week, he hit Hardy in the back with a folding chair, from behind, when he wasn't looking, but he wants Hardy to know he didn't do it on purpose. Anderson gets a mild boo for that one. He says that he didn't hit him on purpose, because if he did, he'd tell Hardy about it, and would probably tell the whole world about it. He'd be proud and brag about it because he's an asshole. Hardy breaks out in a big smile and applauds Anderson, who says that the world would be a better place if there were more assholes in it, and that's what makes the Impact Zone a great place, because it's full of assholes. Big pop for that one. Anderson proposes a solution: Anderson's going to bring the chair to the ring for their match tonight and if he uses it on Hardy, it'll mean Hardy has a problem with him. If Hardy uses it on Anderson, he probably has it coming, but he'll know he has a problem with Hardy. Anderson takes his chair with him and leaves.

Backstage, AJ Styles says he knows all about stylin' and profilin', and when you're on top everybody loves you, but now AJ is disappointed in himself and has to prove himself tonight against Kazarian, so he hopes Flair is happy with the consequences.

Still backstage, Jeff Hardy says he always questions people who hit him with chairs, but he guesses he'll find out where Anderson's at tonight.

Time to head to the ring for our first match...

Frankie Kazarian vs AJ Styles

AJ jumps Kazarian before the bell, and they trade armdrags, then go toe-to-toe with rights before Kazarian goes to the eyes. The referee pulls Kazarian away from Styles, and AJ goes to the eyes and sends Kazarian to the corner where he puts the boots to him. Kazarian whips AJ to the corner and follows in with a monkey flip, then gets a running dropkick to the chest that sends AJ bouncing off the corner like a pinball. Kazarian covers for 2 then HITS THE CHINLOCK as Flair comes strolling out. AJ escapes and gets his sweet dropkick to Kazarian, then a really weak looking neckbreaker that I guess was supposed to look crisp, but actually looked like he barely touched him. AJ with a backbreaker for 2, and now AJ HITS THE CHINLOCK! Flair looks happy with what he sees. AJ goes for the Styles Clash, Kazarian tries to reverse to his backdrop piledriver, AJ reverses that to another Styles Clash attempt, Kazarian escapes that, and AJ finally finishes a move with a fireman's carry into a neckbreaker. AJ goes for another neckbreaker but Kazarian holds the ropes and follows up with a springboard legdrop for 2. Kazarian puts AJ up top and goes for the Flux Capacitor, but AJ knocks him off the top and goes for the springboard 450, Kazarian moves but AJ lands on his feet and hits the Pelle Kick. Kazarian backdrops AJ to the apron and kicks him in the ribs, then gets a slingshot bulldog onto the apron and both men wind up out on the floor and get counted out. That did not seem like ten seconds to me.

Double Countout

AJ and Kazarian continue fighting after the match, but Flair gets in the ring and says that they're two of the best wrestlers alive and this is over now. He says the fans aren't going to divide them, and that both of them are a special breed of wrestlers. He's signed them up for a match on the PPV this weekend, and isn't going to say against who, but they'd better get it together or they won't be a part of Fortune.

Meanwhile backstage, Angelina Love takes her shirt off, but she has her back to us so we can't see her thingies.

We're back, and it looks like we're heading back to the ring for another match...

Daffney vs Angelina Love

Crowd is cheering for Daffney. Angelina goes to a wristlock, but Daffney counters to a double armbar. Angelina looks bored, and rams a couple of knees to Daffney's ribs and then nails her with a pair of clotheslines before going to a side headlock. Daffney fights her way out, but Angelina goes for a leg lariat and misses by a mile, but luckily this is postproduced so they're able to kind of cover for it. Angelina HITS THE CHINLOCK! Daffney drops down and gives Angelina a jawbreaker and a front powerslam, then another. Angelina with a flatliner for the win.

Winner: Angelina Love

Angelina grabs the mic and says Madison Rayne is watching this from home because she doesn't have the balls to be here, but she wants Madison to know that this weekend, she'll become the first four time Knockouts Champion. Madison and her balls come out and tell Angelina that they've underestimated her, and she needs to make one thing clear: if she's going to put her title on the line, Angelina needs to put something on the line too. Her fake funbags and cheap weave aren't good enough, so she wants Angelina to put her career on the line. Angelina says that's fine, but there's one other thing: she met with the championship committee, and there will be another stipulation for the match: if Lacey Von Erich or Velvet Sky interfere, Madison's going to get disqualified and Angelina will be handed the Knockouts Title.

Still to come tonight, RVD will face Samoa Joe in a first time ever match!

We go backstage to Brother Devon, and the Mystery Questioner asks him what he's going to say to him (I assume he meant Brother Ray), and Devon says we'll all find out.

We go to a video package detailing the history of the Jesse Neal-Brother Ray feud, and then we go to the ring with Brother Devon, Jesse Neal, and Shannon Moore. Devon says this whole thing has gotten out of control, and he calls Brother Ray out to sort this whole thing out once and for all. Ray stands in the aisle, so Devon says fine, but he doesn't get it. The two of them trained Jesse just like they train, and Ray was the one to interview him when he came to the school. Jesse was the first to arrive at the school and the last to leave, and he's shown nothing but respect since day one. He was already through hell long before he came to their school when he served his country, and his ship got blown up by terrorists, and in the process, his best friend was killed in that blast, and he was the one who had to put his body in a bodybag and carry the casket. So, Devon's going to put it this way: what is Ray's problem with Jesse? Ray says first of all, he doesn't answer to Devon because he's Brother Ray and he's the leader of Team 3D, and Devon answers to him. Devon starts to talk, but Ray tells him to shut up. Ray says his problem is with Jesse because he's nothing but a disrespectful punk and now he has a problem with Devon for being an unloyal partner. He asks where's Devon's loyalty for his partner, who made him. Devon says his loyalty is with the both of them, he's never picked sides and never will. Ray says things are about to get a lot worse, because he just spoke to Eric Bischoff, and the match at Victory Road will be Brother Ray vs Jesse Neal...vs Brother Devon. After Victory Road, they'll either continue into further glory or it'll all end that night.

We're back, and it's time for TNA's boneheaded free TV giveaway match of the week...

TNA World Champion Rob Van Dam vs Samoa Joe

This is non-title, in case you were curious. Why they're giving this match away on TV is beyond me. Tieup to start and nobody moves, so they go toe to toe instead then kick for kick, but RVD gets the upper hand with the stepover leg lariat. RVD goes up top for the Five Star Notebook Splash, but Joe pops up and nails him and tries to go for the Muscle Buster, but he can't get it, so he tosses RVD off the top and he lands face first on the ramp. Joe follows him to the floor and lays into him with a stiff chop then tosses him back in the ring. RVD catches Joe coming in with a spinkick and sends him back out to the floor. RVD tries a baseball slide to the floor but Joe dodges by rolling back in the ring and then he hits a dive to RVD on the floor. Tommy Dreamer and his buddies come out of the back and take their usual seats in the crowd as Joe rolls RVD back in the ring and covers for 2. Joe with the snapmare and kick to the back, but RVD ducks another kick and rolls Joe up for 2 then hits him with a dropkick. RVD opens up with kicks to Joe and chokes him in the corner with his boot. RVD with a slingshot legdrop to Joe on the apron, then RVD rolls back in and covers Joe for 2. Joe pops up and starts firing back on RVD, RVD returns with some rights of his own and comes off the ropes right into a crisp powerslam by Joe for 2. Joe with a snapmare and we HIT THE CHINLOCK! RVD gets to his feet and elbows his way out of the chinlock, then hits Joe with a spinkick but Joe rips his head off with a clothesline for 2. Joe kills RVD with a chop in the corner, then whips him to the opposite corner and RVD moves out of the way of the knee and hits a springboard jumpkick out of the corner for 2. RVD with a diving dropkick and Rolling Thunder for 2. RVD goes up top and hits a top rope jumpkick for 2, then nails Joe with a running spinkick in the corner, but Joe kills RVD with another killer clothesline. RVD tries a rolling move in the corner, but Joe catches him coming in and hits the STJoe and a powerbomb for 2, RVD kicks out but Joe turns it right into a modified Boston Crab. RVD starts to slip out so Joe turns it to a half crab, but RVD finally makes the ropes for the break. Joe argues with the ref so RVD nails him from behind, but Joe responds with headbutts, RVD tries a schoolboy rollup but Joe counters into the Kokina Clutch, and RVD kicks off the top turnbuckle and rolls over Joe's shoulders for the win.

Winner: Rob Van Dam

Great match that they NEVER should have given away on TV. Joe looks shocked and slowly gets off the mat and stares down RVD as he leaves the ring. Joe continues arguing with the ref and eventually slaps him, then gives him the Muscle Buster. Joe sits up and stares off into space with a faraway look in his eyes, then finally rolls out of the ring and heads to the back.

Backstage, Kurt Angle says that he works well under pressure, and it makes him do what he does best, and that's wrestle. He's been in the ring with Anderson in the past, and he knows he can't trust him, and he warns Jeff Hardy to be careful.

Back to the ring for more action...

Ladder Match: Douglas Williams vs Jeremy Buck

Williams chain wrestles Buck to start, then comes off the ropes with a shoulderblock. Buck with a back elbow and a springboard crossbody that sends Williams to the floor, but Buck dives out to the apron and hits a moonsault to the floor. Buck grabs the ladder and brings it into the ring and tries to climb it, but Williams comes back in and nails him. Williams puts Buck up top in the Tree Of Woe, then sets up the ladder and starts to climb. He takes too long though, and Buck recovers and hits a top rope dropkick to send Williams crashing off the ladder. Now Buck tries to climb, but Williams nails him and sets the ladder up in the corner and whips Buck into the ladder, but then he tries a charge and Buck moves, sending Williams crashing into the ladder. Buck whips him in a second time, but Williams nails him out to the apron. Williams tries to ram the ladder into Buck, but Buck with a dropkick through the ropes sending the ladder into Williams, then hits a slingshot facebuster on Williams on the ladder. Buck tries to climb and grab the X, but Williams with an electric chair to send Buck to the floor. Williams slowly climbs again, but Buck leaps off the top rope and sunset flips Williams off the ladder. Now Buck tries to climb again, Williams tries to dive off the top at him, but Buck sees him coming and kicks him as he comes off the top and climbs up to grab the X. Wow, didn't expect that to happen.

Winner: Jeremy Buck

Williams is very upset about this and beats up the ladder.

We go to a segment with Alex Shelley, tag team specialist and children's role model. His partner Chris Sabin used to be great, but that was before Sabin learned the evils of Beer Money. Shelley opens the door and shows a drunk Sabin sitting on the couch covered with dollar bills. We then see various clips of Sabin stumbling around and falling off the top rope to drive home what a couple of tools Beer Money are. He says to parents not to let this happen to their kids. I know I didn't make it sound funny, but this was hilarious.

Matt Morgan & Beer Money vs Hernandez & Motor City Machine Guns

Roode & Sabin start out with a fast paced chain wrestling segment, Roode tries charging Sabin in the corner but Sabin gets the boot up and hits a Frankensteiner and a forearm for 1, then tags out to Shelley, and they hit a series of fast paced double team moves. This is a very fast paced match, as you can see. Storm tags in, but Shelley outmaneuvers them and tags in Sabin, who hits a leaping elbow in the corner on Storm. Sabin tries a flying headscissors, Storm sends Sabin to the apron and Morgan comes running in with a big boot to the face. Now Morgan tags in and hits a short clothesline on Sabin, then casually steps on him. Morgan stretches Sabin on the ropes and tags in Storm, who nails Sabin with a series of rights in the corner. Sabin comes firing back but Storm with a boot to the guy and a slam for 2. Roode comes in and chokes Sabin, then whips him hard into the corner for 2. Sabin and Roode trade blows but Sabin with a back spinkick and makes the hot tag to Hernandez, who comes in and starts rolling over both members of Beer Money. Hernandez goes after Morgan, but Morgan leaps off the apron, so Hernandez instead bowls over Roode with a shoulderblock and tags Shelley back in. Shelley whips Herhandez into the corner into Roode, then Hernandez slingshots Roode into a Shelley flatliner in the corner. Beer Money try to double team Shelley, but Hernandez with a double shoulderblock over the top rope lays both of Beer Money out. Hernandez chases Morgan to the back as the MCMG hit a double enziguiri to Roode. Storm tries to spit beer at Sabin but Sabin ducks and dropkicks Storm to the floor, then follows him out with a dive. Shelley with a springboard crossbody out of the corner, but Roode rolls through and hooks the tights for 3.

Winners: Matt Morgan & Beer Money

Backstage, the Pope says Anderson is a manipulator and you can't trust him as far as you can throw him and that's why he was out of action, but his focus right now has to be on Victory Road and his match with Kurt Angle, and Pope will have to bring his A-game to Victory Road.

Also backstage, Kevin Nash is sitting around complaining because he has to wait around for a meeting with Hogan. They discuss the differences between bringing Scott Hall & Sean Waltman and the Nasty Boys in, apparently Nash wants Hall and Waltman to be given another shot, but Hogan says it just isn't going to happen.

Meanwhile, back in the ring, Jay Lethal is talking about how he was overwhelmed when Hogan made his match with Flair at Victory Road, and talks about how much it sucked to watch his brother get beat up by Ric Flair. He said it ripped his heart out, so in return, he's going to rip Flair's heart out. Lethal wants to tell his mom that he loves her very much, and he plans on making her the proudest mother in the world when he beats Ric Flair at Victory Road. Even though his mother is 1000 miles away, she'll always be in his heart standing next to him. Uh oh, Flair's music hits and out he comes. Flair says he could give a rat's ass about Lethal's mother, and in fact, his old lady is living vicariously through Lethal because she wants Flair. Flair says Lethal has three days to live, and he's going to tell it like it is. He's in the ring with Ric By God Flair, his Wrestlemania robe is in the Smithsonian. Lethal's family may love him, but Flair's family put him on the street at 15 and he became the Nature Boy. He'll tell Lethal another thing: if a woman has felt the caress of the Nature Boy, she is changed for life. He's got ex-wives running around wondering where he is, hence the saying ALL NIGHT LONG. He says Lethal dresses like a street punk from New Jersey, and Lethal has three days to think about it. Flair's not a human, he's a god, and he can have any woman he wants. Flair's not a wrestling icon, he's a living, breathing wrestling machine, and hospitals want him to donate his body parts to see what keeps him going. In three days, Lethal is going to look his god in the eyes, and he's going to have his ass handed to him. Three days.

Before our main event, let's take another look back at Anderson hitting Jeff Hardy with a chair last week, then run down the card for Victory Road.

It's main event time!

Ken Anderson vs Jeff Hardy

The participants share a sportsmanlike handshake, then tie up. Hardy goes to the arm, loses it, then gets it back. Anderson shoots Hardy off into the ropes, but Hardy comes off with a shoulderblock. Hardy tries a hiptoss, Anderson blocks, Hardy fires a couple of rights at Anderson, but Anderson with a neckbreaker for 2. Hardy with a jawbreaker and then tries his springboard dropkick thing in the corner, but Anderson moves and Hardy crashes to the mat, allowing Anderson to cover him for 2. Anderson tries a whip but Hardy reverses to a short clothesline for 2. Hardy with a clothesline in the corner and then tries a bulldog, Anderson shoves him off into the turnbuckle and tries a charge but Hardy gets the elbow up and goes for the Whisper In The Wind and misses completely, but Anderson goes down anyway so Hardy covers him for 2. Anderson recovers and hits a Finlay Roll for 2, then goes up top and tries the Swanton, but Hardy moves and Anderson hits the mat. Hardy with the Twist Of Fate and that's all she wrote.

Winner: Jeff Hardy

Hardy and Anderson share a laugh after the match, but not Abyss' music hits and he comes out with the nail bat. Anderson and Hardy both attack Abyss but he lays both of them out. Abyss with a chokeslam on Hardy and a big boot to Anderson. Abyss picks the nail bat back up and swings it at Anderson, but Anderson moves and the bat digs into the turnbuckle. Abyss tries to wrench it free and ends up ripping the turnbuckle off. RVD comes running out and now he goes after Abyss, but Abyss grabs him by the throat and just flings him out to the floor. Now Hardy goes after Abyss, Anderson comes up behind him and yells at him to move, then he nails Anderson, and then RVD comes in, grabs the chair, and uses it to hit a Van Daminator on Abyss to send him scurrying out to the floor. RVD, Hardy, and Anderson all shake in the ring and RVD and Anderson have a staredown as we go off the air.

2011 - Ian's Pizza in Chicago debuts their CM Punk inspired GTS Pizza.

2011 - WWE broadcast Summerslam.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

This week’s show starts off with footage of the contract signing ceremony on last week’s Smackdown that saw Sheamus return to action and he had his sights set on Randy Orton and Christian.

We are live on tape from Tucson, Arizona and your announcers are Michael ‘It still feels like June’ Cole, Josh ‘Captain Jack’ Mathews, and Booker ‘Closed Captioning is your friend’ T.

Josh is in the ring with seven of the eight men in the Money in the Bank match for the Smackdown brand. Already in the ring are Justin Gabriel, Kane, Daniel Bryan, Sin Cara, Cody Rhodes, Heath Slater, and Wade Barrett. Sheamus is the only one who missed the note to be in the ring. Josh reminds us that everyone who has won the Money in the Bank match has successfully cashed it in. Josh reminds us that it can be cashed in at any time over the next year.

Josh asks Daniel Bryan about being in his first Money in the Bank Match. He says that he is both excited and nervous. He has always dreamed of being the World Champion since he was a kid. He says this opportunity is worth every risk that he is going to take.

Cody Rhodes takes the mic and he says that Daniel Bryan is a common man unable of exceptional things that exceptional people do. Cody says that he is one of those exceptional people. He has overcome grave personal tragedy. He will grab the ladder and take the briefcase so he will no longer be the WWE’s blind spot. He will be the World Champion. He says that people will have to swallow their pride and look at him in the eye.

Josh asks Wade for his thoughts. Wade says that he is sick and tired of having to listen to what everybody else is going to do. The achievements of these men in the last twelve months pales in comparison to him. He won NXT Season One. He then spearheaded a group of revolutionary soldiers . . .

Barrett has to stop talking because he sees Sheamus coming to the ring very fast with a chair in his hands. Sheamus hits Bryan, Slater, and Gabriel with glancing blows as well as Barrett with the chair. Sin Cara leaps over Sheamus to get out of the way. Sheamus is left in the ring with Barrett and he hits Wade a few times in the back with the chair.

Sheamus takes the mic as the other seven men head to the back. He says that he is going to tell us what is really going to happen at Money in the Bank. Sheamus says that he is going to win. When Orton beats the scrawny, malnourished, googly eyed, homely weasel Christian for the fiftieth time, on that same night, he is going to cash in his Money in the Bank contract and he will walk out the new World Heavyweight Champion.

As far as tonight, he is coming for Orton fella. He says that he is going to hit Orton so hard that he knocks the voices out of Orton’s head. Sheamus shows us the footage of the kick to his head by Orton last month and we get a number of angles.

Sheamus says that the biggest regret of Randy Orton’s career so far is that Orton didn’t kick him hard enough because he is back.

Christian makes his way to the stage and he has something to say as he goes to the ring. Christian says that Sheamus and the rest of the clueless morons don’t think that he can beat Randy Orton. Christian wants Sheamus to remind him what he called him earlier.

Sheamus wants to know what Christian is going to do about it. Christian says that there isn’t that much he can do, but he reminds Sheamus that he is the same scrawny, malnourished, googly eyed, homely weasel who beat Sheamus a few weeks ago before Orton kicked him in the head. He says that he is also going to be the World Champion after Money in the Bank.

Christian says that because of what Sheamus did last week and another stipulation was added. If Orton is disqualified or a case of bad officiating, then Christian becomes the World Champion. Christian says that Sheamus would probably have had that change made to his contract because he is so smart. Christian points out that Sheamus is only good at fighting.

Christian calls Sheamus ‘Ronald McDonald’ and he asks Sheamus if he knows how to read a contract. Sheamus throws the chair at Christian and that causes Teddy Long to come out.

Teddy tells Sheamus that he is not the Number One Contender, but Christian is. Teddy says that if Sheamus wants to face Randy Orton tonight, he is sure that Randy would oblige. Teddy says that Sheamus will face Randy Orton tonight, but it is not for the title.

Christian is even happy with the decision.

We go to commercial.

We are back with highlights from the first Money in the Bank Ladder match from Wrestlemania 21 that was won by Edge, who was the first to successfully cash in the briefcase.

Match Number One: Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes with the Bag Men versus Daniel Bryan and Ezekiel Jackson

 

Bryan and DiBiase start things off and they lock up with Bryan applying a hammer lock. Ted with an elbow to escapes the hold. Ted with a kick to the throat but Bryan with a round kick to the chest for a near fall. Jackson pie faces Ted and he is tagged in and he sends Ted to the mat and to the turnbuckles. Jackson with a forearm to the back followed by a biel. Ted with a kick but Jackson sends Ted over the top rope to the floor. Jackson knocks Cody off the apron and then he tags in Bryan who hits a suicide dive onto Ted and Cody as we go to commercial.

We are back and Bryan with rapid fire kicks to the chest. Bryan with an Irish whip but Cody catches Bryan and hits an Alabama Slam for a near fall. Ted is tagged in and he kicks Bryan while Cody holds him. Ted with kicks to Bryan in the corner. Bryan with an English uppercut but DiBiase responds with a drop kick and he gets a near fall.

Ted with a reverse chin lock on Bryan and a double thrust to the throat. Cody tags in and he punches Bryan followed by a rolling knee drop. Cody with kicks and punches to Bryan. Ted tags back in and he kicks and chokes Bryan. Jackson gets involved but that only moves the referee out of position and it allows Cody and Ted to double team Bryan. Ted gets a near fall.

Ted with a reverse chin lock on Bryan and he follows that with knees to Bryan in the corner. Ted with an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow. Bryan with a flying Yakuza kick and both men are down.

Jackson tags in and he connects with a clothesline and body block. Jackson with an Irish whip and running clothesline into the corner followed by a slam. Jackson slams Cody and Bryan with a European uppercut. The referee sends Bryan to the apron and while all of that is going on, Jackson gets DiBiase up for the Torture Rack, but Cody hits the springboard round kick and then he knocks Bryan off the apron while Ted hits Dream Street for the three count.

Winners: Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase

The announcers talk about what Mark Henry has done over the last few weeks. We see footage of Mark Henry showing that he is also a music critic in addition to the man who is going to take care of Big Show and Kane.

Mark Henry is in the interview area with Matt Striker and Matt asks Mark to explain his conduct last week. Matt says that Mark is facing fines, suspensions, lawsuits, and potential criminal investigations. In addition, he will be facing Kane tonight and Big Show at Money in the Bank. Mark looks at Matt and Matt leaves. Henry growls as we go to commercial.

Before our next match, Khali joins the announce team to help Booker with his commentary.

Match Number Two: Jinder Mahal with Great Khali versus Trent Barreta

 

They lock up and Mahal with a knee and punches to Barreta. Barreta with a discus forearm for a near fall followed by a European uppercut. Mahal tosses Barreta over his head and Trent hits the turnbuckles. Mahal with a clothesline followed by a leaping knee and then he signals for the full nelson slam and he gets the three count.

Winner: Jinder Mahal

After the match, Khali picks up Trent so Mahal could hit a second full nelson slam.

Sheamus is in the locker room and Todd Grisham asks Sheamus about his recent rampage and Sheamus tells Todd that it is an Irish thing and he wouldn’t understand. Sheamus leaves the locker room and we go to commercial.

Match Number Three: Tamina with Alicia Fox versus AJ Lee with Natalya

 

They lock up and AJ tries for an arm drag but Tamina stays on her feet. Tamina picks up AJ and puts her in the corner. Tamina runs into boots from AJ in the corner and AJ with forearms. Tamina with a chop to AJ. Tamina with a hard Irish whip and a running butt splash into the corner. Tamina sends AJ to the mat and gets a near fall. Tamina with a chin lock with her knee in AJ’s back as she stretches AJ. Tamina with a boot to the midsection but she misses a splash.

AJ with a forearm and back kick followed by a Shining Wizard for a near fall. AJ with a splash into the corner but Tamina with an Irish whip but she misses the splash into the corner and AJ with the rollup for the three count.

Winner: AJ Lee

After the match, Alicia tries to tell Tamina what she did wrong and Tamina looks like she wants to break Alicia in half.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Four: Kane versus Mark Henry

 

Kane with a kick and punches to Henry followed by a clothesline but Henry stays on his feet. Henry with a body block that sends Kane to the mat. Henry with a kick and then he chokes Kane in the corner. Henry with a punch but Kane with a drop kick to the knees followed by one to the head. Kane with another drop kick and Kane gets a near fall.

Kane goes up top for the clothesline but Henry catches him and hits a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Henry stands on Kane’s chest until the referee threatens to disqualify him. Kane blocks a punch and he responds with vintage uppercuts. Henry misses a splash into the corner and Kane with a splash of his own. Kane with a boot to the head that knocks Henry to the mat and Kane gets a near fall. Kane goes back up top and he hits the clothesline.

Kane signals for the choke slam and he grabs Henry by the throat but Henry gets out of the hold and he head butts Kane and then Henry tries for the World’s Strongest Slam. Kane grabs Henry and hits a choke slam but Henry gets his foot on the rope to stop the count.

Kane with kicks to Henry and Mark goes to the floor. Kane joins Mark on the floor and the announce table is being rearranged. Kane sets for a choke slam through the table but Henry sends Kane into the apron and ring post.

They return to the ring and Henry with a splash for a near fall. Henry hits the World’s Strongest Slam for the three count.

Winner: Mark Henry

After the match, Mark makes his way over to the announce table and Booker tries to tell Henry that it is Michael Cole who is bad mouthing him.

Randy Orton is in the interview area with Todd Grisham and Todd asks Randy about the stipulation in the contract. Randy says that he cannot take it any more. He is sick and tired of Christian asking for one more match. Regardless of the contract, the result will be the same. An RKO and a 1-2-3. Sheamus is the most fearsome brawler in the WWE. He knows that he will have to face Sheamus for the World Title when he is done with Christian.

He tells Sheamus to be careful what you wish for because some people have rocks in their head, while some people hear voices. Orton tells Todd to tell Sheamus ‘good luck’ if he sees Sheamus.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a look back at last year’s Money in the Bank match from the Raw brand when Miz won the match and then went on to win the WWE Title.

Match Number Five: Tyson Kidd without a Manager versus Sin Cara con el Trampolino Mas Bueno

 

Kidd with a waist lock but Cara with a standing switch. Kidd with a hammer lock as he takes Cara to the mat. Cara with an elbow and a snap mare. Cara with an arm drag using the roes for extra leverage. Cara with a satellite arm drag that sends Kidd to the floor. Cara goes to the apron and then Kidd pulls Cara off the apron and Cara hits the apron with his head.

Kidd returns to the ring and then he tries for a move to the floor but Cara with a kick to the head followed by a slingshot corkscrew splash for a near fall. Cara tries to go to the turnbuckles again but Kidd kicks Cara in the leg and Cara falls to the mat. Kidd with a drop kick to the head and he gets a near fall.

Kidd with an elbow to the head followed by a kick and a reverse chin lock. Cara gets on Kidd’s shoulders and Kidd is able to send Cara into the mat and then off the ropes with a hot shot. Kidd goes to the apron for a springboard elbow drop but Cara gets his knee up.

Cara with kicks to the arm but Cara with a double leg take down and he punches Kidd until the referee warns him. Cara hits the handspring back elbow followed by a rana. Cara with a kick to Kidd but Kidd with an Irish whip and Cara with an elbow. Cara gets on Kidd’s shoulders and he gets a near fall with a sunset flip. Kidd kicks Cara and goes to the apron.

Kidd goes to the turnbuckles but Car goes up top as well. Kidd pushes Cara off but he lands on his feet. Cara with a drop kick to the legs and it crotches Kidd. They fight on the turnbuckles and Cara with the C4 for the three count.

Winner: Sin Cara

Teddy Long is walking in the back and Matt Striker asks him what he is going to do about Mark Henry. Teddy says that they are continuing their investigation and as soon as they have finished they will make a ruling. Matt says that it sounds like a politically correct answer. Matt asks Teddy if he was intimidated by Mark Henry and Teddy says nothing and leaves.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Six: Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel versus The Usos

 

Jey and Gabirel start things off and Jey with a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Gabriel with a side head lock. Slager with a tag and he punches Jey while Jey looks at Gabriel on the floor. Slater with a kick to the midsection and then he stands on Jey’s hand. Jey with punches but Slater with a knee and punch.

Gabriel tags in and they send Jey into the turnbuckles. Gabriel gets a near fall and then he applies a cravate. Gabriel with a side head lock but Jey with a punch. Each man tries for a kick and they go down. Slater and Jimmy tag in and Jimmy with punches and a forearm. Jimmy with a savate kick followed by a Bubba Bomb and an alley oop Samoan Drop but he can only get a near fall.

Jimmy misses a splash into the corner and Slater with a neck breaker and both men are down. Gabriel tags in and he goes up top but Jimmy kicks Slater into the ropes and Gabriel is crotched. Jey tags in and he hits a superplex while Jimmy hits the superfly plash for the three count.

Winners: The Usos

After the match, Slater and Gabriel argue about the loss.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Johnny Curtis is in the back again and he says that he has the perfect attitude to be a WWE Superstar. He doesn’t know what is missing, but he says that he will take the cake (as he takes a cake from someone sitting at a table).

In case you missed it on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday night, here is the confrontation between John Cena and Vince McMahon from Raw.

They run through the card for Money in the Bank.

Before our main event starts, Christian makes his way to ringside to join the announce team.

Match Number Seven: Randy Orton versus Sheamus in a Non Title Match

 

They lock up and Sheamus backs Orton into the corner but he misses a punch. Orton with punches and European uppercuts. Sheamus with a forearm and elbow followed by a European uppercut. Sheamus with an Irish whip but he misses a charges into the corner and Orton with a drop kick. Sheamus goes to the floor when he sees Orton line up for the kick to the head.

Sheamus gets back into the ring and Orton punches him. Orton with a Thesz Press and punches but Sheamus reverses the situation and he punches Orton. They fight to the floor and Sheamus tries to send Orton into the ringside barrier but Orton blocks it and he sends Sheamus into the ringside barrier. Sheamus Irish whips Orton into the ringside barrier.

Orton kicks Sheamus and he sets for the IEDDT but Sheamus back body drops Orton to the apron and then Sheamus sends Orton shoulder first into the ring post.

Christian leaves the announce table to get a closer look at Orton but Sheamus stops Christian.

Sheamus sends Orton into the ring post as we go to commercial.

We are back and Orton punches Sheamus but Sheamus with a single arm DDT for a near fall. Sheamus continues to work on the arm with a series of knee drops. Sheamus with a top wrist lock on Orton but Orton with a head butt. Sheamus with a knee to the midsection and then he tries for another single arm DDT but Orton holds on to the ropes. Orton sends Sheamus to the apron abut Sheamus drops Orton’s arm on the top rope.

Sheamus tries for the slingshot shoulder tackle but Orton swats him away and Sheamus hits the mat. Orton with a clothesline or two. Orton with a power slam when Sheamus misses a clothesline. Orton runs into a boot but Orton with a belly-to-belly suplex. Sheamus kicks Orton in the knee and then Sheamus pulls himself up to the turnbuckles for a flying shoulder tackle and he gets a near fall.

Orton with a kick to Sheamus but Orton with a uranage back breaker for a near fall. Sheamus hits a running double sledge to Orton and then he hits a series of knee drops to the head. Sheamus waits for Orton to get up for a Brogue kick but Orton moves. Sheamus escapes an RKO attempt but Orton with a neck breaker and he does the push ups before the RKO but Christian comes into the ring and he kicks Orton in the head and the referee calls for the bell.

Winner: Sheamus by disqualification

After the match, Christian punches Orton and the Sheamus pulls Christian off Orton and he gives Christian a Brogue Kick. Orton gives Sheamus an RKO as we go to credits.

 

2011 - WWE Smackdown ran Duban, South Afirca.  David Kruse filed the following results:

Yoshi Tatsu defeated Ted DiBiase.

Ezekiel Jackson defeated Wade Barrett.

Jinder Mahal defeated Daniel Bryan.

Kane defeated Sheamus.

Sin Cara defeated Cody Rhodes.

Natalya defeated Alicia Fox.

Justin Gabriel, Big Show & Randy Orton defeated Mark Henry, Alberto Del Rio & Christian.

2011 - Ring of Honor ran Richmond, VA.  Paul Cornier filed the following live report:

Thought I would send a detailed report of the Ring of Honor show in Richmond, VA last night.

Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin didn’t arrive to the building until about 45 minutes before bell time – probably due to the horrible weather. 

Jim Cornette welcomed the crowd. He advised that Chris Hero was stuck in Newark due to the weather and was not in attendance tonight. He introduced Davey Richards who came out to a nice ovation. Davey thanked everyone for their support. The House of Truth came out to rain on Davey’s parade. Roderick Strong got in a few jabs about Davey crying after his title win in New York last month. Eddie Edwards came out to even the odds. This little angle helped to get everyone pumped for the main event – The American Wolves versus the House of Truth.

Kyle O’Reiley and Adam Cole beat Cedrick Alexander and Caprice Coleman in the first of two Tag Team Lottery matches. Good opener and everyone looked strong here. Kyle and Cole are just tremendous together.

The Briscoe Brothers destroyed The Bravado Brothers in the second Tag Team Lottery match. As Jay went to use a chair, Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin hit the ring. With the referee distracted, Shelton hit Jay with a Spinning Heel Kick into the chair which allowed The Bravado Brothers to pick up a surprise win. This sets up O’Reiley and Cole versus the Bravados later in the night in the Lottery Finals – a future Tag Team Title shot and $5000 goes to the winning team.

Kenny King versus Mike Bennett is next. Bennett gets a pin with a roll-up and a handful of tights. This brings out Rhett Titus, who tells referee Todd Sinclair about the tights. Referee Sinclair does the bit where he asks the crowd if Bennett cheated. He actually reversed the decision and awards the match to King. Bennett goes to work on Titus while King is celebrating but then runs off. Cornette comes out and says that since Chris Hero isn’t here and Titus doesn’t have an opponent, we are going to have Bennett versus Titus later tonight. Bennett refused like any good heel would but Cornette threatened him with a suspension.

Next up is Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin putting the ROH World Tag team Titles on the line against El Generico and Colt Cabana. Haas and Benjamin were playing the perfect foils to Colt’s comedy act. The Briscoe Brothers came out at the beginning and had to be removed from ringside. Cornette officially banned them from the building. Their angle with Haas and Benjamin is really heating up. The first ten minutes was excellent, but things started falling apart at that point and they never did get back on track. Shelton picked up the win on Colt, but was noticeably upset that the match turned out the way it did. Shelton got on the mic and apologized to everyone in attendance for “sucking tonight.” He stormed off and left Haas alone in the ring. It ended up being an odd way to go into intermission. This match wasn't as good as it could have been.

Kyle O’Reiley and Adam Cole beat The Bravado Brothers in the final match of the Tag Team Lottery to earn a future Tag Team Title shot and a giant, gimmicked $5000 check. Both of these teams have really come into their own in the last few months.

Rhett Titus beat Mike Bennett. This went longer than the match Bennett had with Kenny King earlier in the night. Titus is another one who has improved so much this year. Bennett pulled a chain out of his boot, which brought Kenny King back to the ring. He distracted Bennett enough for Rhett to pick up the win. Good match!

The main event has The American Wolves facing off with Roderick Strong and Michael Elgin with Truth Martini. This match was off-the-charts good – get the DVD. Elgin is a monster. I see great things for him in the future. He is an absolute beast. The match went thirty minutes. Richmond has seen quite a few high profile tag team matches in the last year. This topped them all. Tons of false finishes in the last five minutes had the crowd losing their minds. Martini spent the match getting his shots in. In the closing minutes, The Wolves got even and took out Martini. Davey picked up with win on Elgin while Eddie kept Roderick out of the ring. Awesome!

No return date was announced for Richmond. They really hyped the new TV show debuting locally on September 25th at 11:30 PM on Fox 35.
 

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