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10/19 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: STEPHANIE VS. VINCE I QUIT MATCH

By Mike Johnson on 2012-10-19 08:00:59

October 19th

On this day in history in ....

1956 - Fred Blassie defeats Wild Bull Curry to win the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title for the fourth time.

1972 - Johnny Valentine defeats Abdullah The Butcher to win the National Wrestling Federation World Heavyweight Title in Cleveland, Ohio.

1972 - Bobby Shane defeats Tim Woods in Tampa, Florida to win the NWA Florida Television Title for the second time.

1985 - Carlos Colon defeats Abdullah The Butcher in San Juan, Puerto Rico to win the WWC Universal Heavyweight Title for the fourth time. The belt had been held up following a September 21st match between the two.

1987 - Hector Guerrero & Dr. D defeat Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee for the AWA World Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee.

1997 - Keiji Mutoh & Masahiro Chono defeat Kensuke Sasaki & Kazuo Yamazaki to win the IWGP Tag Team Title in Kobe, Japan.

1997 - Atsushi Onita & Kintaro Kanemura defeat Hisakatsu Oya & Mr. Gannosuke to win the FMW World Brass Knuckles Tag Team Title in Sendai, Japan.

2001 - Vader & 2 Cold Scorpio become the first Pro Wrestling Noah Global Honored Crown Tag Team Champions by defeating Jun Akiyama & Akitoshi Saito in the finals of a tournament in Yokohama, Japan. On the same card, Tatsuhito Takaiwa defeats Yoshinobu Kanemaru to win the Pro Wrestling Noah Global Honored Crown Junior Heavyweight Title.

2001 - Road Dogg (BG James) defeats Jeff Jarrett to become the first World Wrestling All-Stars World Heavyweight Champion in Perth, Australia.

2001 - Black Warrior defeats Negro Casas to win CMLL's Legend Of The Silver Mask tournament.

2002 - Sabu defeats Pitbull Gary Wolfe in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in a tables match to become the 3PW Heavyweight Champion.

2003 - WWE holds their No Mercy Pay-per-view in Baltimore, Maryland. The show is especially notable for an "I Quit" match between Vince and Stephanie McMahon in which Vince promised to give up ownership of WWE if he lost, and Stephanie agreed to step down as General Manager of Smackdown if she lost. Stephanie lost, and would not appear on WWE programming (in a storyline sense, as she did attend the WWE Hall Of Fame events) until October 3, 2005. It is also interesting to note that the Maryland State Athletic Commission had a rule that prevented male vs. female wrestling matches, and WWE had to pay a fine (which they were prepared to do in advance) in order to have the match. Here is Tim Whitehead's original report on the show.

WWE's No Mercy was an easy thumb's up show from my perspective. It had some very strong matches, and some well-booked matches that enabled wrestlers to perform at levels above their nominal skill level. There was one weak match and one nonsensical McMahon family ego match, but that wasn't enough to hurt the show. And in the case of the McMahon match, it's fair to note that the crowd was big time into it. I continue to be impressed with Tazz & Michael Cole on the mic. The live crowd was hot for most of the show. This show made it clear that Smackdown has the goods when it comes to in-ring talent.

TAJIRI defeated REY MYSTERIO JR. to retain the Cruiserweight Title in 11:40. They made a big deal out of the fact that Tajiri is now spraying black mist, reporting that Nidia may have suffered permanent eye damage from being sprayed with the black stuff on Smackdown. The ref checked Tajiri's mouth before the match to see if he was carrying any of that stuff. Hey, ref, he pops it in later. They traded kicks early. Mysterio hooked a leglock, which Tajiri escaped. Tajiri unleashed the chops. Mysterio hit an armdrag and a low dropkick. He then kicked Tajiri out of the air as he was attempting a springboard elbow. Tajiri bumped out and Mysterio hit a plancha on him. Tajiri caused Mysterio to take a bump on his shoulder, and he began working on the shoulder to wear him down. Mysterio came back with a tornado DDT off the top and a springboard crossbody. Mysterio went for a crucifix but Tajiri dropped on him. Each guy was scoring some twos as the match progressed. Mysterio hit a huracanrana on Tajiri off the apron on the floor. Back in the ring, they did a cool spot where Tajiri threw Mysterio through the ropes but he swung back and hit the 619. Mysterio went for the West Coast Pop, but Tajiri blocked it and hit a powerbomb. The crowd was major into all this. Mysterio fought back and hit a second 619 and W.C. Pop, but as he was about to go for the pin, two disguised men in black came out of the crowd and charged the ring. One was stopped immediately, while the other made it into the ring before security grabbed him. The mystery men were Jimmy Yang & Keiji Sakoda, and this was an angle, though it was sold as if two "fans" had charged in. Mysterio was distracted, and Tajiri kicked him in the head and scored the pin. Great opening match!

Vince McMahon arrived at the arena and did an arrogant promo claiming it hurts him to have to fight his own daughter. He said he'll fire anyone from the locker room who tries to interfere to help Steph, and said they would not only be fired from WWE but that he'd see to it they were out of the business, as if this was the old days where blackballing could occur.

CHRIS BENOIT defeated A-TRAIN in 12:23. Train did a lot of trash talking as the match began. He dominated the match so thoroughly that it almost telegraphed that Benoit was going over. Literally, for like eight minutes A-Train stomped, clubbed, slammed, and shoulderblocked Benoit all over the ring. It was actually a very effective way to book A-Train. He looked good doing this and Benoit sold great for him. A-Train also used his power to block Benoit's offensive moves. He kept working on Benoit's bad neck. It wasn't always smooth, though, as Benoit got a busted lip from a stiff shot, and A-Train lost him on one move and dropped him on his head on a chair (that A-Train had earlier brought into the ring). That was potentially very dangerous but Benoit seemed okay afterward. Benoit finally rallied and hit the multiple German suplexes. A-Train hit the derailer. A-Train placed the chair in the corner between the turnbuckles, but when he went for a big boot on Benoit, his own leg went through the chair. Benoit won with the sharpshooter (a tribute to the Hart family following Stu's passing). Good match.

Backstage, Jon Heidenreich choked Shannon Moore for throwing away his match tape earlier. Matt Hardy arrived and insisted they threw away a different tape, not Heidenreich's. Heidenreich apologized, but again invoked the mysterious Little Johnny name.

They did a nice segment honoring the troops, as there were a lot of servicemen in the crowd.

ZACH GOWEN defeated MATT HARDY in 5:32. Hardy bullied Gowen early, slapping him. Gowen came back with a series of his impressive moves off the ropes. Hardy was left reeling. Shannon Moore caused Gowen to bump off the ropes on one of his move attempts. Hardy hit the snake eyes and a lariat, but crashed to the canvas on a moonsault attempt when Gowen moved. Gowen hit a dropkick and an amazing tope con hilo off the top. Hardy briefly rallied but Gowen scored a surprise pin with a moonsault. Good stuff, and the crowd once again liked it.

Linda pleaded with Vince not to go through with his match against Stephanie. She talked about how she's looked the other way on Vince's transgressions for their entire marriage, but that she can't look the other way this time. She said Vince was dividing the family in a way that will never heal, or whatever. Vince said that out of the goodness of his heart, he'd give Stephanie one advantage in the match, namely that she could win by either pinfall or submission, while he could win only by submission. But he then announced that he was adding No Holds Barred stips to the match. Linda walked out in disgust.

THE BASHAM BROTHERS defeated THE A.P.A. in 8:53. Shaniqua wasn't out there, selling her recent "injury". The APA used power moves to dominate early. It wasn't very smooth. Faarooq got trapped and doubled on for a while in the Basham corner. The crowd heat didn't die, but it did cool from what it had been, and what it would be for the next match. Bradshaw hot tagged and cleaned house, including a big powerbomb on Doug. Bradshaw hit the last call on Danny but Doug broke the pin up. The ref took a bump. Naturally, with the ref down, Bradshaw hit the lariat from hell on Doug. Shaniqua then showed up and walloped Bradshaw with a nightstick and Doug covered him for the pin. Not very good. Afterward, Shaniqua did an interview displaying her new implants, which she claimed was swelling from her injury, or something like that.

VINCE McMAHON defeated STEPHANIE McMAHON in a No Holds Barred “I Quit" match in 9:24. Sable and Linda were there in the respective corners. Vince blindsided Steph at the bell. She hooked a sleeper, but Vince dumped her to the mat. Vince tossed her around the ring. Sable reached in and slapped Steph, prompting Linda to chase Sable. Vince got between them, and acted like he was ready to wallop Linda, but didn't. Steph tried for a comeback but Vince lariated her and put her in a half crab. She refused to submit, even though probably 95% of the guys in the locker room would be expected to tap to a Vince submission hold. Vince tried to choke her out, but she raked his eyes. This wasn't good, but the crowd did get big time into it due to the characters involved. Sable tossed a pipe into the ring. Vince went for it but Linda slapped him and Steph got the weapon. Steph hit Vince with several pipe shots, one of which apparently connected and Vince got a facial cut. She also hit Vince in the balls with the pipe. But when she went for the pin, Vince got his foot on the ropes. Sable got on the apron. Vince ended up colliding with her, and Steph bulldogged Vince for a near fall. The crowd was going wild for the two counts. Vince got the pipe and hit Stephanie in the belly with it. He then choked her with the pipe. As before, she refused to quit, but eventually Linda threw in the towel for her. I guess that will be the escape clause for her to come back after the honeymoon. As for the match, it was a spectacle of some sort, and the fans live did enjoy it. Afterward, Vince pie-faced Linda and shoved her down before kissing Sable.

KURT ANGLE defeated JOHN CENA in 18:27. Cena ran down Angle in a pre-match street rap. Angle started off fast. He flipped Cena off after avoiding a lariat. Cena shoved Angle, who responded by pounding Cena with fists. Cena hit a lariat and came back with a flurry of fists of his own. Angle gave Cena a high backdrop, followed by chops and fists. Angle charged Cena but hit the post when Cena moved. Cena went to work on the “injured"shoulder. Angle got a busted lip somehow. Cena scored some twos, continuing to dominate Angle. Cena hooked a front headlock and hit a spinebuster. Cena came off the top, and Angle rallied by dropkicking him from the air. Angle scored two after a lariat and a Russian legsweep. Cena made the ropes to escape the ankle lock. The crowd was loving this, as well they should have. Angle tried to German suplex Cena off the apron. Cena blocked it and DDT'd Angle on the apron. Cena hit a guillotine legdrop on Angle's neck as he was returning to the ring. Cena scored two with a rolling neckbreaker. Angle hit the multiple Germans for a near fall. Cena powerbombed Angle against the turnbuckles. This stuff can't be good for Angle's neck. Cena hit the FU and scored two. Angle hit his Angle Slam for a near pin. The crowd popped huge for each near fall. Cena got a chain, but the ref took it from him. As the ref disposed of the chain, Cena punched Angle out with his medals. Again, Angle kicked out at two. Angle scored two with a backslide. Cena went for the FU again. Angle escaped and hooked the ankle lock for the tap out. Excellent match, and Cena proved himself a top player with his performance here. Great stuff from both guys!

BIG SHOW defeated EDDIE GUERRERO in 11:27 to capture the U.S. Title. Eddie's back was all bandaged from the cuts he received on Smackdown from being smashed on a car. Show overpowered Eddie early, tossing him around. Eddie caused Show to bump out, where Eddie hit him with a garbage can lid, after first tossing a chair in the ring to distract the ref. Show posted Eddie and began the slow, methodical big man offense. Show exposed a turnbuckle and rammed Eddie's back into it. Eddie hit a high crossbody off the top for a near fall. The ref almost got killed when Show crashed down on him. With the ref out, Eddie used brass knux on Show. But Show was superman in this match and kicked out at two. The same thing happened when Eddie hit him with the title belt and did the frog splash. Show hit a spinebuster for a near fall, followed by a chokeslam, with Eddie draping his foot over the ropes to stop the count. Eddie scored two with a low blow and a DDT. But in the end, Show hit a second chokeslam and got the pin. An okay match, though below what we would have gotten had Eddie had a fast-paced opponent. Show did a bragging promo afterward. Chavo Guerrero Jr. ran in to help Eddie to the back, but Eddie shoved him. Say your prayers tonight that they don't break Eddie and Chavo up.

BROCK LESNAR defeated UNDERTAKER in a biker chain on a pole match to retain the WWE World Title in 24:16. Undertaker started off with kicks and fists. He hit a legdrop and elbowed Lesnar's face on the apron. Lesnar sent UT into the stairs and suplexed him for an early pin attempt. UT came back with the boots and stomps. They brawled on the floor, where Lesnar rammed UT into the Spanish broadcast table. Back in the ring, UT hit a flying lariat for a near fall. They waited so long to try to climb the pole that I almost forgot this was a chain on a pole match. When UT finally started climbing, the lights went out. This looked like an angle but apparently is was just a case of the lights going out for a few seconds. Lesnar caught UT and powerslammed him. Lesnar brought in the stairs, and he send UT face first into them. UT lariated Lesnar out and piledrived him on the stairs. UT started to climb the pole again, but again Lesnar caught up to him. UT hooked a triangle choke. Lesnar escaped with a low blow and hit UT with the stairs. UT kicked the stairs into Lesnar's face when he tried to use them as a weapon again. Lesnar powered back and beat UT down. Lesnar started up the pole but UT nailed him from behind and nearly hit the Last Ride, but Lesnar escaped. Both men went down after a double lariat. UT hit the snake eyes and a boot to the face. Lesnar hit a spinebuster. UT caught Lesnar with an arm bar. Lesnar powered out. UT hooked a sleeper, which Lesnar escaped from by hitting the F5. This got the crowd, which had been a little bit off-and-on, fully into the match. UT avoided being pinned by getting his boot up on the rope. Lesnar started to climb, but UT chokeslammed him off. At this point, all three FBI members attacked UT. This was legal, by the way, since this was a no-DQ stip match. UT disposed of all three, and then gave Lesnar the Last Ride to a big pop. UT finished off Chuck Palumbo & Johnny Stamboli with a neat suicide tope across the ropes onto them. Nunzio tried to climb up for the chain, but UT threw him off to the floor. UT climbed up and got the chain, to a huge pop. Vince then arrived out of nowhere, causing UT to get crotched, which allowed Lesnar to get the chain and he clocked UT with it for the pin. I thought this was a decent match overall, though the FBI run-in was overkill. The match dig drag in spots.

2004 - WWE held their Taboo Tuesday Pay-per-view at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, headlined by Randy Orton defeating Ric Flair in a steel cage match and WWE Champion Triple H defeating Shawn Michaels, who was wrestling with a torn meniscus.  Tim Whitehead's original report on the event is below:
WWE TABOO TUESDAY PPV REPORT
by Tim Whitehead

WWE's Taboo Tuesday (10/19/04 Milwaukee) was a mixed bag show. I'm giving it a thumbs' up because the main event was great and there was enough good wrestling and booking to pull the show through. One bad match was passable because of entertainment value. Some of the show sucked, though.

After the usual opening formalities, Jonathan Coachman reported that the fans gave a whopping 53% of the vote for the schoolgirl outfits to be worn in the women's battle royal. That was a good thing.

Coach then reported that 37% of the fans voted for Shelton Benjamin to get the IC Title shot at Chris Jericho. That was a solid plurality considering that more than a dozen guys were in the running. Benjamin's closest rival was Batista at 20%.

SHELTON BENJAMIN defeated CHRIS JERICHO in 10:56 to capture the IC belt. Benjamin started with an armdrag takedown. Jericho hit some chops. Benjamin vaulted Jericho out for a big bump. Jericho came back with an enzuigiri and a suplex. Benjamin went for a dropkick and missed, prompting Jericho to go after his "hurt" back with kicks and stomps. Jericho hit a backbreaker. Benjamin hit a sunset flip. Jericho retaliated with a lariat. They were trading two counts throughout all this, but the crowd wasn't all that heated. This was one of those crowds that picked up as the show went along, and they were red hot by the main event. Benjamin hit a superplex, backdrop, and spinkick. Jericho hit the bulldog but missed on the lionsault when Benjamin rolled clear. Benjamin hit a lariat off the top. Jericho tried for the walls hold but Benjamin blocked it with an inside cradle. Jericho laid Benjamin out and successfully did the lionsault, but only scored two. Jericho came off the second rope, but was caught by Benjamin and suplexed into a clean pin. Good opener, though the crowd never really got into it. Jericho shook Benjamin's hand afterward. Good to see Benjamin getting a push, as at first it looked as if he was about to get lost in the shuffle during the build-up for this PPV.

Todd Grisham interviewed Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit, and Edge, the three men in contention for the World Title shot against Triple H. Edge said his win over the other two last night in the three-way match on RAW proves he deserves the title shot and if there's any justice in the world, he'll win the fan vote and take HHH's belt. Benoit said he hasn't lost to HHH since returning to RAW, that he made HHH submit once, and he'll do it again. Heartbreak Kid denied HHH's allegations that he's faking a knee injury (his injury is legit). He asked fans to give him the shot, promising to take the belt. The fan vote was then revealed as 39% for HBK, 33% for Edge, and 28% for Benoit. This gave HBK the title shot, and also meant that Edge & Benoit would team for a run at the tag titles. Edge didn't take this well, storming off in anger. Benoit congratulated HBK and shook his hand.

TRISH STRATUS retained the Women's Title by winning a Battle Royal in 5:36. This one was pretty bad, though the main attraction here was the ladies in their schoolgirl outfits. Trish, Stacy Keibler, and Gail Kim especially looked pretty damn hot. Molly Holly was (deliberately) wearing a bland outfit. Jazz tore Nidia's top off and threw her out for an elimination. Victoria eliminated Jazz. She then eliminated Gail. Molly & Trish joined forces to eliminate Victoria. They struggled with Stacy for a while, but Molly eliminated her, only to be blindsided by Trish and eliminated. Trish thus retained her belt.

Grisham interviewed La Resistance. They were angry at having to face Edge & Benoit, claiming that the voting was corrupt. They claimed they were wrestling under protest.

GENE SNITSKY defeated KANE in a chain match in 14:15. The fans surprisingly voted 41% for the chain match. I had thought the lead pipe match would win since it was pushed on TV. This match turned out to be awful, and it was made worse by the lack of crowd heat. It was also way too long. Historically, a chain match is one where the wrestlers are chained together at the wrist. In this case, the chain was just lying in the ring. Kane got the chain first, but then nonsensically threw it out of the ring. They brawled, badly, for a while. Kane finally retrieved the chain and punched Snitsky with it. No juice. They brawled around slowly some more, not paying much attention to the chain. Snitsky eventually picked it up and used it to whip Kane. They brawled a little on the floor. Lita, who came out with Kane, picked the chain up but did nothing with it. Snitsky rammed a chair three times into Kane's throat in full view of the ref. Shouldn't that have been a DQ since the fans voted for a chain, not a chair, to be legal? I mean, if the match was an overall no-DQ match, why bother having fans vote to permit a particular weapon? Snitsky choked Kane out with the chain and then put his head through the chair. He did the exact same thing to Kane that Kane did to HBK a few months ago, namely, he jumped on the chair and "ruptured" Kane's windpipe, or whatever. Kane began spitting up blood. The ending was confusing as at first the ref seemed to signal for the match to be stopped. Snitsky started to leave, but then returned and pinned Kane. EMTs ran in as Lita looked all concerned over her "husband." Kane was strapped down to a gurney, still spitting up blood and gasping for air. This part was okay in that it was a standard angle of this type, but the match itself sucked. Jim Ross noted that this was the exact same injury that had befallen HBK at the hands Kane not too long ago, but then enigmatically claimed to have never seen anything like this in his life. JR seemed a little bit off throughout the show. Kane was carted out on the gurney, but of course Snitsky was waiting in the wings to turn the gurney over and stomp Kane a few more times. Kane will be taking some time off.

Edge was interviewed again. He was furious that the fans gave 39% of the vote to a broken-down has-been while giving him only 33%. He put over the tag titles as important but said he's held then ten times before and it's now time for him to win the big belt. He said it's his destiny to be World Champion but the fans let him down. He sarcastically thanked them.

EUGENE defeated ERIC BISCHOFF in 2:11. The proposed stips here were that the loser would be shaved bald, the loser would have to wear a dress for a month, or the loser would become the winner's servant. They held off announcing which stip won the fan vote until after the match for dramatic effect, and also as part of an angle. The match sucked. Bischoff sneak attacked Eugene before the bell with martial arts kicks. Eugene started a comeback. Bischoff faked an injury to get in another sucker kick. Eugene then did the Hogan comeback and pinned Bischoff after an airplane spin and a legdrop. Coach came down to the ring and revealed that the fans gave a whopping 59% of the vote to the head shaving stip. However, he then asked the live crowd which of the three they wanted. They popped huge for the head shaving, but Coach falsely claimed they popped for the servant stip. He then made some kind of convoluted claim that he had the authority to substitute the live crowd vote for the interactive fan vote. He thus announced that Bischoff would be Eugene's servant for five minutes, and that all Bischoff had to do was get Eugene a coke or maybe carry his bags to the car and the stip would be fulfilled. Bischoff was delighted to get off so easily, but Vince McMahon arrived to rain on his parade. Vince overruled Coach and said Bischoff would have to be shaved because that's what the fans voted for. Bischoff refused and started to walk out, but he came back when Vince threatened to fire his ass. He ordered Bischoff to sit his ass down in the barber's chair. Eugene grabbed the clippers. Bischoff balked again and started walking out. This time Coach ran after him and talked him out of leaving. Bischoff now seemed resigned to having his head shaved as the only way to keep his General Manager job. So Eugene began chopping away as Vince smirked. A few strokes with the clippers revealed that Bischoff has gray roots. Vince laughed at him for using hair coloring, calling him a phony son of a bitch. Coach tried to slink away, but Vince called him back. He forced Coach to put on the dress they had at ringside in case that stip won. He then called Coach a slut. Eugene chopped off about half of Bischoff's hair before it was announced that they would finish the job backstage so the show could go on. This was very entertaining, overriding the fact that the short match was bad.

Edge barged into HBK's locker room. He said HBK should have dropped out of the fan balloting due to his injury. Edge said he would have won the vote then and would have gone on to win the World Title. He told HBK he can't possibly beat HHH while wrestling injured and called him a selfish son of a bitch for not stepping aside. HBK listened in silence.

CHRIS BENOIT & EDGE defeated LA RESISTANCE in 16:14 to capture the RAW Tag Titles. Sylvan Grenier sang "O Canada". Frankly, I'd rather have seen some more of Bischoff's head being shaved. Edge and Rob Conway brawled to start things off. Benoit came in and suplexed Conway. Grenier suplexed Edge. Edge fought back with a lariat and a bodyslam. Edge went to the top, but then left the ring to argue with some heckling fans, allowing Grenier to recover. The story here was that Edge's heart wasn't in the match because he was disappointed at losing the World Title shot. Benoit tagged in and scored some twos on Grenier with a suplex and a backbreaker. Edge came back in but got beaten down and tied up in La Resistance's corner. They worked him over and scored some twos before he finally hot tagged Benoit. Benoit came in fast but got double teamed and tied up in the bad corner just as had happened to Edge. Benoit managed to fight his way out and tag Edge, but the ref didn't see the tag and disallowed it. Edge started to argue with the ref, but then seemed to get a "why am I wasting my time" look on his face. He turned and walked out, leaving Benoit alone. Edge walked to the back, got his bags, got in his car, and drove off. When Benoit realized he was abandoned, he grew furious and rallied. He fought both foes off, superplexing Grenier and then forcing Conway to tap to the crossface after two German suplexes. The victorious Benoit hoisted both tag belts as the crowd popped. The match was okay, but I really liked the angle.

Grisham interviewed HHH, who repeated his opinion that it's stupid to let the fans pick his opponent. He accused HBK of faking an injury to try and lure him into letting his guard down. He said it won't happen and that he'll remain champ.

CHRISTY defeated CARMELLA in a lingerie pillow fight in 1:48. This was awful as wrestling, though it was meant as a display of female flesh, and in that sense it was fine. The lingerie gimmick won with 57% of the vote, by the way. They had some of those silhouette screens set up on the stage so we could watch the gals change into their lingerie in silhouette. Christy had the hang of this but Carmella was too far from the screen for us to see much of her in silhouette. It took forever for them to change. They finally went down to the ring in their lingerie. Christy reached inside Carmella's top and pulled out a falsie, which was funny. They then just sort of hit each other with pillows. The pillows were gimmicked to bust open on contact so feathers were flying all over. Christy eventually knocked Carmella down and pinned her.

TRIPLE H defeated SHAWN MICHAELS to retain the RAW World Title in 14:04. HBK deserves a lot of credit for putting in such a good showing while injured. The injury was the story here as HHH immediately attacked the bad knee. He stomped, kicked, and wrenched the knee for several minutes as HBK sold the pain big time. HBK rallied by throwing chops but HHH just kept attacking the leg. HHH hooked the figure four. They did a great drama job here with the ref wanting HBK to give it up. HBK, in agony, begged the ref not to stop the match while HHH yelled for him to do just that. HBK made the ropes after a great struggle. HHH dragged HBK over to the post and was about to wrap the knee around it, but HBK managed to evade it and ended up posting HHH. HBK went on a brief offensive on one leg, and evaded a pedigree with a low blow. HBK hit a DDT, and despite the pain, he forced himself to climb to the top to deliver a flying elbow. HBK was ready to try for the sweet chin music. Batista ran out and got on the apron. HBK slugged him. HBK then hit the chin music as well as he could given the injury. Batista tried to get in the ring. The ref struggled with him. As the ref was distracted, Edge came from the other side and speared HBK. HHH crawled on top for the pin as the ref returned to action. The Edge run in was great. The match wasn't a classic HHH vs. HBK encounter, due to HBK's necessary limitations here, but they booked it great considering this and it was a good match.

Bischoff was shown leaving the arena. He wasn't totally bald, but almost was and what little hair he had was gray. He passed a bunch of tech crew guys and accused them of laughing at him. He threatened to fire all of them.

RANDY ORTON defeated RIC FLAIR in a cage match in 10:35. The cage stip won with a huge 68% of the vote. Coach, still wearing the dress, called 68% unanimous. Uh, no, Coach, 68% is a landslide. It requires 100% to be unanimous. They started off with brawling and chops. Flair was fired up, stemming from the Jimmy Kimmel deal. Orton backdropped Flair. Flair took full advantage of the no-DQ rules, hitting a low blow. Flair raked Orton across the cage and he juiced a gusher. JR said neither Bush nor Kerry could hope to get 68% of the vote. Jerry Lawler said Bush should get that much but he doubted he will. Considering that the biggest presidential landslides in history never came close to 68%, it's safe to say JR's prediction was right. Maybe the cage should run for president. Anyway, Orton brawled back and bloodied Flair on the cage. Both went to the top, with Flair getting crotched. Orton pounded the cut and caused Flair to bleed more. This was certainly a double juice bloodbath. Orton hit a bodyslam and a crossbody for a near fall. The crowd heat here was enormous. Flair pulled out brass knux and flattened Orton, but only scored a two count, which caused the crowd to get hotter. Flair tried to go out through the door. Orton dragged him back, but Flair managed to haul a chair in with him. Flair swung the chair and missed, and Orton then nailed Flair with a surprise RKO and scored the pin. The crowd popped huge for the finish. Great match and great heat! The post-match stuff was awesome as Flair and Orton first shook hands and then hugged. It put over the idea that Flair, though past his prime, could still hang in there in a dangerous cage match and he put a beating on the younger and stronger Orton before losing a close contest. Both kept looking at one another through all the blood as if to say they mutually respected the other. Flair, God bless him, put another young star over and, as JR noted, legitimized his "legend killer" claim. Orton seemed legitimately emotional over this. Each raised the other's hand as the show left the air.

2007 - WWE released Kristal Marshall after Marshall turned down an angle where she would turn heel and become Edge's second.    Marshall, a former Price is Right model, was hired after competing in the 2005 Diva Search.  She had worked on the Smackdown side as a backstage interviewer and occasionally a wrestler, most recently doing the romance storyline with Teddy Long that climaxed with the Smackdown "season premiere" wedding episode.

2007 - Ring of Honor debuted in Las Vegas with the following results:

Ring of Honor debuted last night in Las Vegas in front of a crowd is estimated between 200-300.  The event featured the promotion's Survival of the Fittest 2007 tournament with the following results:

*Roderick Strong defeated Brent Albright to advance to the SoTF Finale with a gutbuster.

*Chris Hero beat the debuting Karl Anderson with an STF. Anderson looked impressive in a "give and take" match.

*Rocky Romero defeated the debuting TJ Perkins.

*Austin Aries beat Delirious via submission. This match woke up the crowd and was said to be very, very good.

*Claudio Castagnoli defeated Davey Richards with a Ricola Bomb.

*ROH champion Nigel McGuinness and Bryan Danielson fought to a 20-minute draw, eliminating both.

*It was announced that the winner of the next match would get into the Finals.  The Human Tornado defeated Tony Kozina and Shane Hagadorn when he pinned Kozina.

*The Age of The Fall, Jimmy Jacobs & Necro Butcher defeated ROH Tag Team champions Jay & Mark Briscoe in a Streetfight when Jacobs made Mark pass out following a DDT on a chair and Jacobs' submission.  Non-title match.

In the Survival of the Fittest 2007 championship, Chris Hero was not only victorious, but scored every elimination.  Hero pinned Tornado after Hero's Welcome.  Hero pinned Romero after Aries hit 450 splash.  Hero pinned Aries with a roll-up. Hero pinned Strong after Hero's Welcome.  Chris Hero defeated Claudio Castagnoli after referee Todd Sinclair stopped the match when Claudio passed out in a submission hold by Hero.

2007 - WWE broadcast Smackdown.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We move closer to Cyber Sunday and we now know that after Finlay and Rey Mysterio could not determine a winner that a third party has entered the mix and will be facing Batista for the World Title at Cyber Sunday. We also know that Montel Vontavious Porter and his fellow tag team champion Matt Hardy will be facing each other at Cyber Sunday. The most important question going into the pay per view is who will be the referee for the World Title Match. Will it be Steve Austin, Mick Foley, or John Layfield? Who will emerge as the favorite to become the new Cruiserweight Champion?
We are live on tape from Birmingham, England and your announcers are Michael Cole and JBL.

We start off with a look back at last week's main event when Rey Mysterio faced Finlay to determine who would face Batista for the World Title at Cyber Sunday. We see the referee lose control of the match and disqualify Finlay and Rey. We then see Undertaker emerge in the ring and signal to Batista that he wanted the title. We know that Undertaker will face Batista for the World Title. Bradshaw reminds us that we can vote for the referee. Bradshaw says that he will be interviewing Batista tonight.

Match Number One: Great Khali with Runjin Singh versus Kane
Kane with a kick and punches to Khali but Khali responds with a punch that knocks Kane to his knee. Khali with a head butt followed by a chop. Khali with a big boot and then he applies a nerve hold. Kane gets back to his feet but then he falls back to his knees. Kane gets up and backs Khali into the corner to get out of the hold. Khali with the chop to the top of Kane'ss head and then he wants Kane to get up for the Khali Krush and he applies it but Kane gets to the ropes. Khali with kicks to Kane in the corner followed by a series of back elbows. Kane with an uppercut and punches followed by a kick to the knee. Kane goes up top for the jumping clothesline and hits it. Kane sets for the choke slam but Khali with an elbow to get out of the hold. Khali clotheslines Kane over the top rope to the floor and then he goes out after Kane. Khali gets a camera cable and chokes Kane. Khali does not release the choke and the referee disqualifies Khali.
Winner: Kane by disqualification

After the match, Khali continues to choke Kane and then he sends Khali into the ring steps. Khali rearranges the announce table but that delay allows Kane to get the ring bell and he hits Khali with it.

Kane returns to the ring but before he can summon his pyro, he is interrupted by the music for Big Daddy V who comes to the ring with Matt Striker. Khali tries to get back into the ring and Kane punches Khali. Big Daddy V enters the ring and attacks Kane from behind. Big Daddy V with the Samoan Drop. We go to commercial.

We are back and we are reminded that Batista has his autobiography.

We have a Moments Ago Moment of Big Daddy V attacking Kane after his match with Khali.

Matt Striker and Big Daddy V are in the back and Striker says that since Kane decided to stick his nose in Big Daddy V's business, he has opened a Pandora's Box. Striker tells Kane to look at Big Daddy V's girth. Striker says that Big Daddy V is his ticket to stardom. Striker says that the ECW fans already know what Big Daddy V can do and now the Smackdown fans will be able to see what he can do.

We take a look back at the feud between Chuck Palumbo and Chris Masters and the post-match attack by Masters after his loss.

Match Number Two: Chuck Palumbo with motorcycle and Michelle McCool versus Chris Masters
Masters and Palumbo lock up and Palumbo with a side head lock take down. Masters rolls out of the ring and he goes after Michelle McCool but Palumbo comes out to the aide of the damsel in distress and punches Masters. They return to the ring and Palumbo blocks a punch and Palumbo with punches followed by a running back elbow. Palumbo runs Masters into the corner but Masters with a kick followed by punches. Masters goes for the punches of ten but Palumbo pushes him off. Masters tries for a suplex and Palumbo blocks it and responds with a delayed vertical suplex on Masters for a two count. Palumbo misses an elbow drop and Masters sends Palumbo chest first into the turnbuckles. Masters with a belly-to-back suplex for a two count. Masters works on Palumbo's back but Palumbo gets back to his feet. Masters with a forearm to Palumbo but Palumbo shakes it off and he hulks up and staggers Masters with a series of punches followed by a clothesline. Palumbo with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Palumbo goes up top and he hits a flying shoulder tackle. From out of nowhere, Victoria attacks Michelle McCool and that distraction allows Masters to attack Palumbo from behind and get the rollup for the three count.
Winner: Chuck Palumbo

Victoria and Masters leave the ring together while Palumbo checks on Michelle McCool.

Matt Hardy is in the locker room and Montel Vontavious Porter stops by and he tells Hardy he is not digging the idea that they are going to square off at Cyber Sunday. Porter says that he is starting to dig Hardy and he feels like a partner. Porter says that they have become friends and a team. They are champions like Michael Jordan and Steve Kerr. Like Jeff Garcia and Terrell Owens. Like Tiger Woods and his caddy. They need to keep the focus on the tag team titles. Hardy says that they are looking forward to their match at Cyber Sunday and how the fans can choose a wrestling match, boxing match, or a mixed martial arts match. He thinks it is going to be fun. Porter wonders if Matt cares about the team. Porter says that he is sincere so during Matt's match with Finlay, he will be there to watch. Hardy tells Porter not to worry about that because Finlay is as tough as they come. Hardy talks about Porter's match with Rey Mysterio and wishes him luck. Matt leaves and Porter appears frustrated that Hardy would not back out of the match. Hardy returns and tells Porter that he is much more than a caddy. We go to commercial.

We are back with a Raw Rebound.

Match Number Three: Matt Hardy versus Fit Finlay
They lock up and Finlay with a side head lock. Hardy with forearms to try to get out of the hold but Finlay with a shoulder tackle for a near fall. Hardy with a side head lock and Finlay backs Hardy into the ropes. Finlay with a clean break. Finlay and Hardy have some words and Finlay pushes Hardy and Hardy pushes back. Hardy takes Finlay down and then he punches Finlay. Hardy with a kick and Finlay goes out of the ring. Matt with a baseball slide to Finlay and then he rolls Finlay back into the ring. Finlay sends Hardy into the ring post on the apron and then Hardy falls off the apron onto the ringside barrier. Finlay kicks Hardy before he gets into the ring. Finlay with a hard Irish whip and then Finlay hits a seated senton on Hardy's ack for a two count. Finlay with a single leg crab but Hardy fights out of the hold with kicks. Finlay hits Hardy in the back with a forearm followed by a short arm clothesline. Finlay with an elbow drop for a near fall. Finlay with a series of knees to Hardy's back. Finlay with a rear chin lock as he works on Hardy and tries to wear him down. Hardy with punches and forearms followed by an elbow and Irish whip. Hardy with a running clothesline into the corner followed by a bulldog for a two count. Hardy with a Side Effect for a near fall. Hardy tries for the Twist of Fate but Finlay sends Hardy into the corner. Hardy with an elbow but Finlay pulls Hardy off the turnbuckles to the mat. Finlay with a near fall and in the process he removes one of the turnbuckle pads. While the referee fixes the turnbuckle pad, Finlay goes for the shillelagh. Montel Vontavious Porter knocks the shillelagh out of the ring before Finlay can get to it. Hardy hits a Twist of Fate for the three count.
Winner: Matt Hardy

After the match, Porter tells Hardy that he has his back.

The Major Brothers walk in the back and we go to commercial.

We are back with the Smack of the Night: Drew McIntyre's debut last week.

Match Number Four: Drew McIntyre with David Taylor versus Brian Major with Brett Major
They lock up and Major with a hammer lock and McIntyre gets to the ropes. McIntyre with an arm bar and cover. McIntyre returns to the arm but Major with a few arm drags followed by an arm bar. Major with a shoulder tackle and then he tries for a cross body but McIntyre catches him and hot shots Major for a near fall. McIntyre with am arm bar with the neck locked. McIntyre with a neck breaker for a near fall. McIntyre with a cravate and a forearm. McIntyre returns to the neck with a cravate. Major with a dropkick and clotheslines. Major with a slam to McIntyre and then he knocks Taylor off the apron. Major ties for a pescado onto Taylor but he misses. McIntyre talks to the referee and that allows Taylor to hit a European uppercut. McIntyre brings Major back in and hits a Breakdown for the three count.
Winner: Drew McIntyre

We see a video package for the Undertaker/Batista match at Cyber Sunday and then we see Bradshaw walk to the ring for his interview with Batista.

We are back and Bradshaw is in the ring and he says that he will be interviewing Batista. He reminds everyone about Batista's match against Undertaker and he takes a shot at England's football prowess. Bradshaw reminds everyone about the referee choices. The first man is a man who came out of retirement twenty times who is a best selling author, Mick Foley. There is the toughest SOB in the WWE, Steve Austin. The final choice is the choice that the fans are going to make, the longest reigning champion in Smackdown television history and wrestling God, Bradshaw.

Batista comes to the ring for his interview. Batista wonders if Bradshaw was still talking and Bradshaw points out that the fans were chanting his name. Bradshaw says that Batista could be back in the ring with the wrestling God as the referee of his match with the Undertaker. Bradshaw says that he heard from his internet stooges that he was in the lead in the voting. Batista says that when he faces the Undertaker, he is going to tell the referee the same thing that he is telling Bradshaw right now. That is stay out of his way. Bradshaw says that he will not be in anybody's way and he will call it down the middle. Bradshaw says that problem is not with him as referee, but it is with himself. Bradshaw brings up their match at Wrestlemania that he lost. Bradshaw asks Batista if he beat Taker. Bradshaw reads from Batista'a book about the Undertaker. Batista tells Bradshaw that he is afraid of Taker and cannot beat him. Batista says that he is not afraid of the Undertaker. Bradshaw says that we will find out at Cyber Sunday. Batista starts to leave the ring and Bradshaw calls him a coward. Batista with a spear on Bradshaw. We go to commercial.

We are back and Bradshaw is angry about the potshot that Batista took. Bradshaw vows that when he is named referee, he will make sure that Batista does not win. Bradshaw says that he will get retribution on Batista.

We go to the latest Diva Search: The Silicone Menace segment.

We see footage from last week's match between Jimmy Yang and Deuce that Yang won. We also see the attack by Deuce, Domino, and Cherry.

Match Number Five: Deuce and Domino with Cherry versus Shannon Moore and Jimmy Wang Yang
Yang starts off and Deuce wants to face him but Domino calms him down before starting off the match. Yang with a Thesz Press and punches to Domino. Yang with a chop and then he goes out of the ring. Yang hits a pescado onto Domino and Moore hits a cross body on Deuce from the apron. Yang rolls Domino back into the ring and Moore tags in and hits a drop kick followed by an arm drag and a spinning heel kick. Moore with a hammer lock but Domino tries to reverse it but Moore with a front face lock. Domino backs Moore into the corner and Domino with a double knee to the head followed by a side slam for a near fall. Deuce tags in and he connects with a double sledge to the back followed by a rear chin lock. Moore punches out of the hold but Deuce keeps Moore from making the tag. Moore eventually tags in Yang and Yang hits a number of clotheslines followed by a kick to the back of the head. Yang with a running kick to Deuce in the corner. Domino charges into the ring and Yang hits a double leg sweep. Moore with a head scissors that sends Domino over the top rope to the floor. Deuce with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner. Yang hits a moonsault from the top on Deuce for a three count.
Winners: Jimmy Wang Yang and Shannon Moore

Vickie Guerrero is on the phone about a delivery to Teddy Long. Jamie Noble enters the office and he does not appear to be in a good mood. Noble says that he is not alright because of what Vickie did to him last week by putting him in a match last week against the Great Khali. Noble thought they were on the same page. Noble wonders what he did to anger Vickie and he wants to suck it up and apologize to Vickie. Vickie accepts the apology but Noble continues and says that he did not take into consideration that there is a lot of pressure on her. Noble says since Vickie is a woman and has to deal with hormonal issues that she could make such an irrational decision. Vickie thanks Noble for being so understanding. Noble says that he does not hold any grudges and he tells Vickie that if she needs anything to help out the show, he will do it. Vickie says that she wants to put Noble in a match. Vickie tells Noble that he will be wrestling the Undertaker. Noble freaks out and wants to know what he did to Vickie to have her put him in the ring with the Undertaker. Noble continues to scream frantically and says that he is praying that Teddy Long comes back to work soon. We go to commercial.

We are back with the Stay in the Game Moment: Highlights from the Mysterio/Finlay match from last week and Taker's interference post-match.

Match Number Six: Undertaker versus Jamie Noble
Noble avoids Taker and then he kicks and punches Taker. Noble punches Taker in the corner but Taker pushes Noble off. Taker grabs Noble by the throat and hits a choke slam. Taker signals that things are over and Taker with a tombstone piledriver for the three count.
Winner: Undertaker

We go to commercial.

We are back and Cole and Bradshaw discuss the card for Cyber Sunday:
WWE Title Match: Randy Orton versus Jeff Hardy, Ken Kennedy, or Shawn Michaels
Umaga versus Triple H in a Street Fight, First Blood Match, or Steel Cage Match
Rey Mysterio versus Fit Finlay in a Stretcher Match, Shillelagh on a Pole Match, or a No Disqualification Match
World Title Match: Batista versus Undertaker with guest referee Bradshaw, Steve Austin, or Mick Foley

We see Bradshaw vote for himself as guest referee.

Match Number Seven: Montel Vontavious Porter versus Rey Mysterio
They lock up and Porter backs Mysterio into the corner and he makes a clean break due to the referee but then he goes after Mysterio. Mysterio with kicks to Porter’s leg. Mysterio with a snap mare followed by a slingshot baseball slide from the apron followed by a slingshot press for a near fall. Rey with a drop toe hold that sends Porter into the ropes, but Porter avoids the 619 attempt. Porter with a jawbreaker and then he kicks Mysterio and gets a near fall. Porter misses a boot when Mysterio holds on to the ropes. Porter charges at Mysterio and Porter goes over the top rope to the floor. Mysterio goes up top and hits a cross body. Mysterio kicks Porter in the leg before rolling him onto the apron. Mysterio with a kick on the apron but Porter gets Mysterio on his shoulders and Porter presses Mysterio back into the ring. Porter with a running boot to the head that sends Mysterio to the floor. We go to commercial.

We are back and Porter has Mysterio in an arm bar and he gets a near fall. Porter with a front face lock and Mysterio punches Porter. Mysterio with a kick to the leg but Porter with an overhead belly-to-belly for a near fall. Porter misses the running boot in the corner and Mysterio returns to the leg with kicks. Mysterio with a springboard cross body for a two count. Mysterio goes to the apron for a springboard seated senton and Rey gets a two count. Porter with an Irish whip and he charges into a boot. Mysterio tries for a tilt-a-whirl DDT, but Porter counters with an uranage for a two count. Porter misses another running boot and Mysterio with a drop kick that sends Porter into the ropes. Mysterio with a 619 but he misses the springboard senton and Porter with a big boot for a two count. Porter stands over Mysterio and then sets for the Playmaker but Finlay pulls Porter out of the ring and slams his head into the apron and hits a short arm clothesline.
Winner: Montel Vontavious Porter by disqualification

Mysterio with a baseball slide that hits Porter. Finlay punches Mysterio and hits a short arm clothesline. Finlay rolls Mysterio into the ring and then Mysterio with a drop toe hold followed by a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and Finlay leaves the ring. We go to credits.


2008 - The first SHIMMER Tag Team Champions were crowned in a gauntlet match during Vol 21. Ashley Lane & Nevaeh defeated Rain & Jetta in the second-to-last fall, and then defeated Lexie Fyfe & Malia Hosaka of "The Experience" to win the gold. They would go on to retain the titles during Vol 22, defeated Portia Perez and Nicole Matthews of the "Canadian Ninjas."

2008 - Dr. Death Steve Williams issued the following announcement:

Former All Japan Triple Crown and UWF champ "Dr. Death" Steve Williams sent out the following email announcing doctors have determined that after his recent scare, he is indeed still cancer free:

OK QUACK, QUACK AND DUCK THE CLOTHESLINE

That's what I was telling the Doctor's the whole time if they even thought I had more cancer left in me.

Thanks to everyone for all the prays and thoughts you all are the best family friend's and foe the e mail's to prays were great and the phone call's to the Tex's.

Here's The smack down  this Tuesday the 14 they put me under at 10;00 am and at 11:30 I was back to being DOC again I felt great with Shannon my niece at my side I just had this good feeling you know Doctor feel good. the Doctor came in and said to me he thought that there wasn't any Cancer but to be for sure it would take them 48 hours to get in to the lymphoid. the Biopsies was hard the doctor said they went down my Stomach in to my lung with a ultrasound that would find the lymphoid and then they put a needle through my lung to get the biopsies. They had to be careful of this so my lung wouldn't inflate.

So as for the next day they wanted me to do more test like a pet scan as I ask the doctor do we need all those tests the next day or can I get on the plane and head home. The doctor canceled all the test and told me to call in 48 hour's I was out of there as quick as I could thanking the Lord the whole time. I felt like that 800 lb ape was off my back.

Now for 48 hours it felt like a life time to me I called 3 times Thursday nothing I am starting to let it get the best of me Friday roll's around morning I am  on the phone calling leaving massages about 3 of them I need to know something been up at night from 1 2 3 4 am no sleep. At 5 PM on Friday the doctor calls wow I want to cross face him or even better side suplex him. But as God was telling me all the time it's ok.

The doctor said to me I had some FLUMATION around the Lymphoid and I know your asking how did this happen will he said that because I do not breath  in and out of my nose or mouth that I get all the germs in my stomach and so the Flumation of the Lymphoid is right by my breathing place.  Now your asking yourself what can we do about this will they are try to fit me for a hand's free but it cost.

About $18,000.00, so we are asking God to help me with this in good time.  So now the doctor asks me to come back to MD ANDERSON every 3 month for 2 years, he said I could do it up here in Denver.  I said are you crazy I am going where they know me and where the best is

So WE ARE 4 YEAR'S CANCER FREE BY THE GRACE OF GOD

WE HAVE AWESOME GOD WE DO. IF WE JUST LET HIM HAVE IT ALL IT'S SO EASY.

Thank you all.
God Bless Steve

Sadly, the cancer would eventually return and one of the toughest men to ever walk the face of the earth would pass away on December 29, 2009.

2008 - Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling debuted on CMT.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We start off with a voice over saying that one man is king, and that man is Hulk Hogan. We see Hogan posing in the ring and then we see the ten people who will be trying to become the CCW champion. We hear some comments from some of the participants. Then we see the two trainers, Brutus Beefcake and Brian Knobs. There will be two five person teams. We see them training and in front of the fans. The three judges are announced. Joining Hogan are Eric Bischoff and Jimmy Hart. There is going to be some tension and there will be some pros who are there to work with the celebrities. We see Rob Van Dam and Bill Goldberg making appearances. We see one of the celebrities taken out with a neck brace and Hogan says better them than him.

The ten participants are Danny Bonaduce, Butterbean, Dustin Diamond, Todd Bridges, Dennis Rodman, Erin Murphy, Trishelle Cannatella, Tiffany, Nikki Ziering, and Frank Stallone.

We get some comments from the participants as they enter the building. The first person to enter is Dennis Rodman and he reminds us that he is a bad boy basketball star. The next person you see is Trishelle Cannatella who reminds us that was on the Real World. Next is Dustin Diamond who says that he is not a wrestler, but he is going to bring it. Next is Danny Bonaduce and he says that he will do more than anyone else to win. Time for Nikki Ziering to come out and she tells us of times that she showed off her talents on television and in magazines. Nikki points out that she has never watched wrestling but is looking forward to the competition.

Butterbean comes out next and he lets us know about his record as a fighter. Tiffany comes out next and says that she did not expect to be on a wrestling show. Erin Murphy is the next one to arrive in the building and she reminds us that she was Tabitha on Bewitched and that she has six children. Todd Bridges comes out and talks about working on Diff’rent Strokes and that he had a bit of a bad side. The final person is Frank Stallone. He talks about how he still works out and does some boxing.

The two non Hogan judges come out next as Eric Bischoff and Jimmy Hart get into the ring. Eric welcomes them and he says that they will have to be physically and mentally prepared so they have two trainers who will do that for them. Brian Knobbs and Brutus Beefcake come out. Eric then introduces the man who made the industry. Hulk Hogan comes out.

Hogan says that he sees a great group of people and he expects a lot out of them. Hogan tells them that wrestling, performed at its best is an art form. Hogan says that they have the personality to make it, but he is going to give them the skills. Hogan asks Dustin if he can call him Screech and he says that Hogan can call him whatever he wants. Hogan asks him if he can outperform them all. Hogan asks Trishelle if she is nervous. Hogan tells Bonaduce that he should be in the business. Danny says that he wishes the canvas wasn’t red because he wants to see the blood.

Nikki says that it is an honor to learn from Hogan and some of the best trainers in the world. Hogan tells them that they better be ready because if they work hard, they will move on. If not, you will be tossed out.

Eric says that each trainer will pick a team and the coaches will teach their trainees three moves a week. The teams will have matches in front of a live crowd. They will be judged on showmanship and technical ability. The team that best exhibits these two features will be safe, but the other team will have one person who will face elimination.

Hogan says that the person who is left standing will be taking home the CCW Championship belt. Bonaduce says that he broke one of the ten commandments when he saw the belt. He says that he covets that belt and he will take it home.

Hogan says that they are getting an awesome opportunity to learn wrestling from the inside, and then he tells them to get out of his ring.

We go to commercial.

We are back and the teams are split up. On Team Nasty is Erin Murphy, Nikki Ziering, Dennis Rodman, Frank Stallone, and Dustin Diamond. Team Beefcake is Danny Bonaduce, Trishelle Cannatella, Todd Bridges, Butterbean, and Tiffany. Erin Murphy says that she has known Danny since he broke into acting and she is so glad that she is not on his team. She calls him a loose cannon. Rodman says that they will give it everything they need.

We return to the ring and Hogan asks the trainers if they are happy with their team because they are stuck with them. Bischoff tells the participants that the trainers will be trying to teach them three moves to use in the ring. Jimmy Hart says that both teams will be performing and they will need to impress the fans as well as the judges.

This week’s ‘Three Moves of Doom’ are the kick to the midsection, a forearm smash, and a clothesline. We see the moves demonstrated in the ring. Knobbs tell them that it is not as easy as it looks.

We go to commercial.

We are back and it is time to see Team Beefcake in the ring to practice. Brutus has a few people to help with the training as they learn their three moves. We see the forearm smash. Then we go to the Team Nasty training ring. Knobs tells them to take it seriously because if they lose, someone is going home. Time for the kick to the midsection. Knobbs tells them not to try to kill them, but Nikki has trouble connecting. Erin suggests that Nikki is easily distracted. We see Team Beefcake practicing their kicks without any opponent, but then they get real people to kick. Todd kicks a little low.

Time for the clothesline and we see both teams giving and taking. We see them taking a back bump for the clothesline. Erin hits the mat a few times in her head. Frank says that wrestling is not fake after taking some bumps.

We see the matches get set up with each team being split into a tag team match with one team as a face and the other as the heel. We see the teams go through the match.

We hear Team Beefcake talking some trash. Meanwhile we see Team Nasty in their locker room and Nikki is putting on some makeup. Dustin says that Nikki is not too focused on things and he says that he needs to be the general in the ring.

It is time for the show and Nikki is still checking her makeup.

We go to commercial.

We are back and the judges are introduced and the crowd are not big Bischoff fans, but they like Jimmy Hart and they love Hogan. Hogan welcomes everyone to the first CCW main event, brothers.

The first match is from Team Beefcake. Tiffany and Danny Bonaduce with Todd Bridges versus Trishelle Cannatella and Butterbean.

Your commentary is from Bubba the Love Sponge.

In the match, Bonaduce and Tiffany are the heels while Butterbean and Trishelle are the faces. Butterbean has his way with the smaller Bonaduce. Bonaduce even gets manhandled by Trishelle. Bonaduce isn’t above hitting a woman and he takes it out on Trishelle. The ladies each hit clotheslines and then the men are tagged in. Butterbean misses a charge into the corner. Butterbean catches Bonaduce and hits a power slam for the three count.

After the match, Trishelle hits Bridges on the apron and then we see Butterbean and Trishelle do the Jarrett strut.

Bonaduce and Bridges go after Butterbean but it does not work.

Time for the match from Team Nasty. Frank Stallone and Dustin Diamond with Nikki Ziering versus Erin Murphy and Dennis Rodman.

The two men with in ring experience start things off and the fans hate Dustin while they love Dennis. Hogan comments on how Dennis looks good in the ring. Dustin is getting beaten up by Dennis and Erin. Dustin shows that he likes beating up women as he goes after Murphy. Stallone distracts the referee and Rodman as Ziering attacks Murphy. Dustin misses a charge into the corner and Rodman is tagged in and he is a clotheslining machine. Rodman hits a clothesline from the second turnbuckle for the win.

We go to commercial.

We are back and all ten wrestlers are in the ring. Hogan says that he was proud of everyone and he says the judges were impressed. Hogan says that Team Nasty is safe. Hogan tells the members of Team Beefcake that one of them is going home. Eric says that Trishelle has a great look, but that does not mean that she deserves a chance to be in the business. Eric says that she does not have to worry about being eliminated. We are down to four people. Jimmy addresses Danny. He says that he looked like he didn’t belong when he got in the ring, but he caught on fire and still has a shot at the belt. Hogan moves on to Butterbean. Hogan tells him to listen to the crowd because they are behind him. Hogan says that the times have changed. He tells Butterbean that because he is big, he cannot work the Hulk Hogan gimmick. He tells Butterbean that he has to be agile and step up his game each time. He will get a chance to move on.

The two on the brink of elimination are Todd Bridges and Tiffany. Hogan tells Tiffany that her showmanship prevailed, but her physicality was lacking. Hogan tells Todd that being a manager is a tough thing. Todd had no presence and people did not know he was there until the final run in. He says that Todd stepped his game up. The person going home is Tiffany and Hogan calls her a jabronie.

Tiffany takes the ‘Walk of Doom . . . Brother’ and she says that she had fun and she did not think that she would be a wrestler. It was a great experience and she is okay with the decision.

We go to credits.


2009 - WWE broadcast Raw.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We are live from Jacksonville, Florida and your announcers are Jerry ‘Raw doesn’t have local black outs when it doesn’t sell out’ Lawler and Michael ‘I think we have a larger crowd than the Jaguars/Rams game’ Cole.

Tonight’s guest host is introduced as Snoop Dogg comes to the ring. Snoop is with the official arm candy of the guest host, the Bellas and the newest member of the Raw roster, Eve. Snoop asks everyone to make some noise. He says that he is honored to be the host tonight because he is a huge fan of Raw and the WWE. He says that it is all business tonight. He says that Raw will embarrass Smackdown on Sunday night. Snoop mentions that this might be Cena’s last night on Raw, but he will be facing Triple H. Randy Orton has a match tonight as well. Orton will face Ted DiBiase tonight. Chris Jericho will face Shawn Michaels tonight as well. Snoop asks if we are ready.

Degeneration X comes out to the ring. The opening act leaves the ring for Shawn and Hunter to address the crowd. Hunter says that all of the white guys have to speak like Snoop when he is on the show. Hunter gives Shawn the honors. Shawn and Hunter with some jokes that didn’t get on the Abraham Washington Show. Hunter talks about the seven on seven tag match and their great roster. We see the graphic for Team Smackdown. Hunter points out that they have defeated Chris Jericho at different Wrestlemanias. Shawn mentions a fling that Hunter had with one of Kane’s ex girlfriends. Then they turn their comments to Cryme Tyme. He says that they are selling the unused tickets at Smackdown. Then they talk about the guy who introduces himself and he cannot remember his name. Hunter says that he has no idea who the other two guys are. He asks the fans if they know who the other two are. Hunter suggests that Teddy Long had a guess the number of jelly beans contest or sold the spots on eBay. Shawn says that Drew McIntyre was hired by Vince McMahon and could be a champion some day. Shawn has no idea who Eric Escobar is. Hunter says that he parked his car last week. Shawn says that he is probably the bravest and gutsiest guys around. Shawn whispers something into Hunter’s ear and he does a spit take. Hunter says that he is a tough guy for being with Vickie Guerrero. Hunter says that if you are going to sleep your way to the top, do it with someone who weighs less than you. Shawn says that Hunter knows something about that.

Hunter brings out Team Raw to the ring. Shawn talks about the impressive mass of humanity. They go down the line and add comments about everyone. Shawn puts over the members of the team. Hunter says that their team has millions of dollars of talent . . . and Cody Rhodes. Cody says that he will not listen to any of them. Cody says that if it was based on talent, he would be the captain. Cody says that he might not tag anyone into the match and he might beat Smackdown all by himself.

Show gets in Cody’s face and takes the mic. Show tells Cody that he does not care if Cody insults DX, but Cody will respect him. Show says that if it looks like Cody is going to let the team down, he will take care of Cody. Show says that it goes for everyone on the team.

Mark Henry asks if that is a threat and Show asks what if it is. Henry says that if it is, they will have a problem.

Jack Swagger says that they might be big, but athletically he is miles ahead of each of them. Swagger tells Henry and Show to stand in the back and look intimidating.

Kofi tells everyone to calm down because the only way that Smackdown wins is if they fight among themselves. Hunter asks Kofi where his accent went. Shawn says that Kofi is right and they need to focus on being a team. Shawn says that they knew it would happen. Shawn has a test for them in a five on five tag match. Hunter says that if any of them loses, the person who beats them takes their place.

We go to commercial.

Match Number One: Montel Vontavious Porter, Evan Bourne, Primo, Chavo Guerrero, and Chris Masters versus Big Show, Jack Swagger, Mark Henry, Kofi Kingston, and Cody Rhodes

Chavo kicks Kofi and then hits a Latino uppercut for a near fall as the match is joined in progress. Kofi with a back body drop but Chavo with forearms. Chavo misses a charge into the corner and Kofi leaps onto Chavo and punches him. Kofi with a clothesline from the turnbuckles. Kofi gets tagged in by Big Show and Mark Henry and they argue over who tagged in. Cody comes in and gets drop kicked by Chavo. Chavo with a Latino uppercut and Porter tags in. Porter with punches and an elbow. Cody with a kick and then Porter with an overhead belly-to-belly throw. Evan Bourne is tagged in and he kicks Cody and then hits a cross body but Cody rolls through. Cody with a kick and side head lock. Bourne with kicks to the leg and Cody with a forearm. Bourne with a knee to escape a suplex. Primo tags in and hits clotheslines and punches. Primo with a side Russian leg sweep but Primo misses a drop kick. Cody hits Cross Rhodes and Swagger tags in and pins Primo.
Winners: Cody Rhodes, Jack Swagger, Kofi Kingston, Big Show, and Mark Henry

After the match, we see problems among the members of Team Raw. Cody is sent to the floor. Kofi is pushed into Mark Henry. Henry throws Swagger out of the ring and then Show with a spear to Henry. Show leaves the ring.

We go to footage from last week’s main event when Ted DiBiase pinned Randy Orton as Legacy starts to fall apart.

Ted DiBiase is with Josh Mathews. Josh asks if what happened last week affected things in Legacy. Ted says that he did what Orton would have done in the same situation. Josh asks Ted about Randy’s reaction. Ted says that Randy hasn’t returned any of his calls. Randy slithers into the locker room and he wants to know what he has to understand from Ted. He wants to know what he doesn’t understand about Ted’s betrayal. Randy thinks about it and he says that if he was Ted, he would have listened to him carefully. Randy tells Ted that he is not going to lift a finger or fight back tonight in their match. Randy says that Ted is going to show him the respect that he deserves. Randy says that he might throw Ted out of Legacy. Randy says that if Ted does anything in the match, Ted will regret it for the rest of his life.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Two: Ted DiBiase versus Randy Orton

The bell rings and Orton makes his way across the ring as only Randy can. He stands face to face with Ted and then he backs up. Orton with a kick to the midsection and then Orton stands in front of him. Orton with a European uppercut and Ted goes down. Orton stands over Ted and tells him to think about it as he kicks Ted in the knee. Orton with a boot to the arm. Randy asks Ted if he wants to hit him. Orton with another kick. Ted gets to his feet and Orton pie faces him. Ted wants to do something but he doesn’t Orton pie faces him again and Ted gets forehead to forehead with him. Orton with a third pie face and then he pushes Ted. Ted comes off the ropes and he pushes Orton back. Orton backs into the corner and Ted looks like he is about to explode and his leg is shaking but he does nothing. Ted looks like he is about to cry. Randy hits the RKO on DiBiase for the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton

Michael Cole mentions the loss of Captain Lou Albano, who passed away last week. Jerry says that Lou was one of the most colorful and charismatic people and a great manager. We have a video tribute for Lou Albano. After the video package, the crowd gives a standing ovation. We go to commercial.

We are back and the Jacksonville Jaguars are in the crowd.

Time for a look at Snoop Dogg’s new video.

The Bellas and Eve are still with Snoop and they are in the back. They ask Snoop when the CD comes out. Hornswoggle stops by and Chavo is in. Chavo says that nobody takes Hornswoggle seriously. Chavo says that he wants to be a part of Team Raw. He says that he is wrestling royalty. Jillian comes in and demands a rematch tonight. Jillian starts to rap and Santino comes in and he is dressed like Charlie Brown. He talks about how they had some problems in the past. Snoop tells everyone to get out of his office. Snoop asks Eve for ‘the bag’ and he says that he needs to light up. We go to a Technical Difficulties graphic with Hornswoggle and Cole as we get some muzak.

Snoop says that he is in the right mood because of his scented candles. Santino comes back into the room.

John Cena is in the back getting ready for his potential swan song on Raw.

We go to commercial.

We are back and did you know that people look at a lot of Divas photos on WWE.com.

Match Number Three: John Cena versus Triple H

They lock up and Cena with a side head lock take down and Hunter with a head scissors but Cena escapes. This repeats a few times and then Cena gets Hunter up for the Attitude Adjustment but Hunter gets free of the hold. They lock up and Cena with a side head lock take down. Cena with a shoulder tackle and Cena blocks a hip toss and hits one of his own and gets a near fall. They lock up again and Hunter with a side head lock. Cena with a top wrist lock. Hunter sends Cena into the turnbuckles but Cena with punches. Cena with an Irish whip but you don’t Irish whip Hunter into the turnbuckles because he comes out and hits a clothesline for a near fall. Hunter with a hard Irish whip.

Hunter with another hard Irish whip to Cena as he works on the back and Hunter gets a near fall. Hunter with a third hard Irish whip and Hunter with a kick and he tries for a Pedigree but Hunter escapes the hold and he Irish whips Hunter into the corner and Hunter does the Hunter flip to the floor.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Hunter with a back breaker for a near fall. We see footage from the commercial break when Hunter knocked Cena off the apron onto the announce table. We are back to live action and Hunter continues to work on the back. Hunter with shoulders in the corner. Cena and Hunter with punches as the crowd boos and yays for each punch. Cena with the vintage shoulder tackle but Hunter knew a second one was coming and he avoids it. Cena tries to get Hunter up for Attitude Adjustment but Hunter gets out of the hold and Hunter clips Cena. Cena tries for the STF and Hunter gets to the ropes. Hunter with a kick to a charging John Cena. Cena with a fisherman suplex and a punch to Hunter. Cena tries for a bulldog but Hunter pushes him off. Cena avoids a Pedigree and he puts Hunter in the STF.

Hunter reaches for the ropes but Cena pulls Hunter into the center of the ring. Hunter is able to get to the ropes. Hunter kicks Cena off. Hunter with a kick and Pedigree but Cena gets his foot on the ropes.

We go to commercial.

We are back and John Cena rolls back into the ring in what could be John Cena’s final Raw match. Hunter with a punch to Cena’s head and then we see Hunter sending Cena into the ring steps during the commercial. Back to live action, Hunter with a sharpshooter after escaping the Attitude Adjustment.

We see Orton in the locker room as he tries to use his telepathic powers to get Cena to tap but Cena makes it to the ropes. Cena with the two shoulder tackles and then it is time for the Blue Thunder Bomb. The moves of doom are completed with the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena tries for Attitude Adjustment again. Hunter with the high knee followed by the facebuster and clothesline. Hunter with the spinebuster and it is time to pose as he sets for the Pedigree and he hits it. Cena is able to kick out at two and Superman Returns. Cena hits Attitude Adjustment but Hunter kicks out. Cena goes up top but he misses the leg drop. Hunter with a kick and Cena and Hunter with a series of reversals. Hunter with a Pedigree and the Kryptonite is out as Hunter gets the three count.
Winner: Triple H

After the match, Hunter helps Cena up and shakes his hand. Hunter leaves the ring to give Cena his potential final moment on Raw in front of his fans.

We see Randy Orton sending more telepathic messages to Cena from the locker room.

We go to commercial.

We are back with the Slam of the Week: The Dirt Sheet and Miz’s comments about Marty Jannetty.

Snoop stops The Miz before his match. He says that Snoop did not appreciate what Miz said about Marty Jannetty. Miz will be facing Marty tonight.

Match Number Four: The Miz versus Marty Jannetty

They lock up and Miz backs Jannetty into the corner. Jannetty with a punch and a rollup for a near fall. Miz backs into the ropes. Miz with a kick but Jannetty with punches. Miz with a clothesline that flips Jannetty. Miz with a rear chin lock. Jannetty with a belly-to-back suplex. Jannetty with punches and then he hits a leaping back elbow and clothesline. Jannetty with a back body drop and he goes to the turnbuckles. Jannetty with a fist drop from the turnbuckles. Miz with a kick but Jannetty with a kick of his own. Miz hot shots Jannetty and then hits the Skull Crushing Finale for the three count.
Winner: The Miz

It is time to talk about the release of Smackdown versus Raw 2010 that comes out tomorrow.

Chavo and Jillian are in the back talking as we go to commercial.

We are back and did you know that Raw has had a lot of episodes?

Match Number Five: Jillian Hall with Chavo Guerrero versus Melina for the Divas Title

Chavo distracts Melina and Jillian with a Samoan drop for a near fall. Jillian with knees to the head followed by an Irish whip. Jillian tries for a handspring back elbow but Melina with knees to the back and a head scissors. Chavo gets on the apron but Hornswoggle grabs Chavo’s leg. Melina with the step over leg lariat for the three count.
Winner: Melina

After the match, Chavo attacks Hornswoggle. Snoop comes out and Chavo pushes Hornswoggle aside. Chavo pushes Snoop and Snoop does not appreciate it. Hornswoggle gets behind Chavo and Snoop clotheslines Chavo over Hornswoggle. Snoop with a spear to Chavo. It is time to relive Wrestlemania 24 as the Divas come to the ring to dance with Snoop.

We go to commercial.

We are back and it is time to look at the video package for the Iron Man Match at Bragging Rights.

Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler are in the ring for the hard sell for the pay per view as they run through the card.

Chris Jericho is walking and we go to commercial.

We are back and Joey Lagano and Kyle Busch are the guest hosts next week.

Match Number Six: Chris Jericho versus Shawn Michaels

Jericho grabs the mic before the match and he tells HBK that he could knock him out right now and the parasites know it. Jericho says that he doesn’t have to do it. He could send Team Raw a message but Team Smackdown has an insurmountable advantage because he is the captain. Jericho says that his leadership skills are enough to win. He has assembled a well oiled machine with only one modus operandi. That is to embarrass and beat Team Raw. They are going to start with Shawn Michaels.

The members of Team Smackdown come to the ring as they come to the ring as a sign of solidarity.

Jericho says that while Team Raw argues like little children . . .

Triple H comes out and he has Team Raw following him to the ringside area.

Fourteen men are in the ring and we have a Duval County Standoff.

Hunter has a mic and he congratulates Chris for bringing Team Raw together because they don’t like Chris Jericho or any of the members of Team Smackdown or Smackdown as a show. They might have walked onto the show, but they are going to get thrown off this one.

Vickie Guerrero comes out and it is time for some Vintage and Classic EXCUSE MES. Vickie says that she can see where this is going and as a consultant for Team Smackdown, she will not allow it. They will have to wait until Sunday because Team Smackdown is leaving now.

Hunter tells Chris to listen to Vickie and leave. He says that Chris doesn’t want to get into any trouble . . . but they are already in trouble because they don’t work for Vickie Guerrero.

Time for a fourteen man brawl as we go to credits.

2010- Christopher Daniels, who main evented the very first Ring of Honor event in 2002, signed an official ROH contract today, the promotion announced:

Fresh off his match with Davey Richards, ROH officials are extremely excited to announce that “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels has officially signed a contract with Ring of Honor Wrestling!

As one of the men who put ROH on the map with a classic 3-way match at “The Era of Honor Begins”, Daniels has set the standard for every Ring of Honor competitor that has come along in the last 8-plus years. He reigned as the first-ever ROH Tag Team Champion and with his unparalleled technical ability, the devastating Angel’s Wings, and the BME, Daniels has earned the title of “ROH Legend”. Those are the same tools he now uses as he strives to earn the moniker “best wrestler in the world” and the title of ROH World Champion.

ROH is happy to have “The Fallen Angel” on board as Chris gets his opportunity to take care of both goals when he battles ROH World Champion Roderick Strong in Mississauga , ON , Canada on November 13th for the ROH World Title. Click here to purchase tickets for ROH’s return to Canada .

2010 - In a radio interview with DC 101 in the nation's capital, Dave Batista told the hosts that he is close to signing with Strikeforce to compete in MMA.  He told the station that the sides were close, that they agreed on a figure last week and that he hopes to have a deal done soon so that he can fight in March of next year.  The deal never came to pass, partially because UFC purchased the promotion.

2010 - Ring of Honor owner Cary Silkin penned a long piece responding to "Who" Ring of Honor is at www.rohwrestling.com.

In the piece, Silkin makes reference to the promotion being called a "vanity company" several weeks back by Eric Bischoff of TNA and responded:

"The level of competition and athleticism in [Saturday's Davey Richards vs. Christopher Daniels match] blew me away. Christopher Daniels spoke in the ring after the match that he came back to Ring of Honor to be pushed physically like he was by Davey Richards. In Ring of Honor, you’ll not see any hocus pocus or reality stars cashing paychecks. Our brand and our company, is pushed a locker room who wants to show their wrestling skills in the ring and by our fans thirst for matches like Christopher Daniels vs. Davey Richards. "

2010 - WWE broadcast NXT.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:We are on the internet and your announcers are Josh ‘wwe.ca’ Mathews and Michael ‘Grand Slam of WWE Announcing’ Cole. Your host is Matt ‘Hornswoggle is my new hero’ Striker.

Matt Striker is in the ring and he brings out the five remaining rookies.

We see all seven pros on the stage to watch the rookies.

Matt says that we are now half way through the season and Matt congratulates AJ and Naomi on their victories last week in the competitions. We are two weeks from our next elimination, but we are interrupted by Vickie Guerrero and Michael Cole’s inappropriate comments.

Vickie says that she cannot sit around and listen to the way that Matt talks about the rookies because it strikes a nerve in her. She throws out a few excuse mes. She asks Kaitlyn what is she thinking wearing what she is wearing in the ring tonight. She says that she agreed to be the better person and let bygones be bygones. Vickie says that she is recommitted to being Kaitlyn’s pro to help her win NXT. Vickie says that she is going to help with her outfit. She mentions that she has a gift for Kaitlyn. Vickie wonders what is right about Kaitlyn’s look and save her from this disaster.

Vickie gives Kaitlyn a sweatshirt for her to put on but she refuses. Maxine tells Kaitlyn to show her some respect. Maxine says that she would like to have Vickie as her pro.

Alicia wants to know what Maxine meant by saying that she would rather have Vickie as her pro.

Maxine says that she did not mean to disrespect Alicia and she says that she thinks that Kaitlyn should appreciate her pro.

Vickie says that Maxine appreciates her accomplishments, talents, and charisma.

Alicia says that she can coach her rookie to beat Vickie’s rookie’s butt any time one on one.

Alicia says that this challenge should take place right now. Vickie begrudgingly accepts the challenge and we will have a match.

We go to e-commercial, including a reminder that Rey will be returning to the ring two weeks ago on Smackdown.

We are back with a look back at what happened two weeks ago when Kaitlyn defeated Vickie in a match.

Match Number One: Maxine with Alicia Fox versus Kaitlyn with Vickie Guerrero

Kaitlyn will be wrestling the match in her sweatshirt.

They lock up and Kaitlyn throws Maxine to the mat while Vickie is on a live mic as well as Alicia. Kaitlyn with a waist lock take down. They get to their feet and Kaitlyn with a waist lock. Kaitlyn with a shoulder tackle. Kaitlyn with an Irish whip and she runs into a knee. Maxine with a clothesline for a near fall. Maxine sends Kaitlyn into the turnbuckles and then she connects with shoulders. Maxine kicks Kaitlyn and then tosses her to the mat. Maxine uses the sweatshirt to her advantage and then she kicks Kaitlyn. Maxine with a snap mare like maneuver and gets a near fall. Maxine with a reverse chin lock while Michael Cole is on a phone call as he ignores his role as an actual announcer.

Kaitlyn sends Maxine into the turnbuckles and hits a side slam and gets a near fall. Kaitlyn with a clothesline followed by the female version of the World’s Most Dangerous Spinebuster. Kaitlyn knocks Vickie off the apron and Kaitlyn with an inside cradle. Maxine with a sunset flip for the three count.

Winner: Maxine

While Michael Cole doesn’t care about NXT, he takes enough time to tell us that WWE is not properly depicted by the media. It is time for the Stand Up for WWE video package.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Did You Know that WWE is matching Battlestar Galactica’s ratings from 5 years ago on Friday nights?

It is time for the Who’s That Body Challenge. We will see a photo of a WWE superstar from the neck down on the TitanTron. Naomi guesses Cody Rhodes correctly before choices are given by Matt Striker. It is time for the next body and Naomi guesses wrong, but Kaitlyn correctly guesses Kelly Kelly. Kaitlyn correctly guesses John Morrison as she takes the lead. The next body is shown and AJ is wrong. Kaitlyn guesses wrong as well. Matt gives options and Naomi guesses Maryse and she ties Kaitlyn. The next body is shown and AJ guesses John Cena and is correct. The next body is given and Matt actually gives choices and Maxine is wrong with a guess of Rosa Mendes. Aksana guesses Michelle and that wasn’t even an option. AJ guesses Gail Kim and they tie. Naomi guesses William Regal but is wrong. Kaitlyn guess Great Khali and she is wrong. Matt gives options and Maxine guesses Vladimir Kozlov. We have our final body and Naomi guesses Melina and she is correct.

That means that Naomi is your winner.

We have an airhorn battle as Matt sends it to the guys at the announce table.

We go to commercial.

We are back and it is time to talk about the Raw versus Smackdown seven on seven match and the WWE Title match.

Now we take a look at the way that John Cena became a member of Nexus.

Cole and Mathews talk about Bragging Rights, but now it is time to talk about the upcoming marriage between Aksana and Goldust.

Goldust admires the Million Dollar Title. He says that it was a bit out of the blue to ask her to marry him, but all of her immigration problems will go away. Now Aksana can stay in the country. Goldust says that they will be married in two years. Goldust says that there is one thing left to make it official and he gives her a ring. Aksana love ring. Goldust says that Aksana will do well in the next competition.

We go to commercial.

We are back in the ring and it is time for the second rookie competition. Now it is time for the rookies to test their flexibility in the physical challenge. It is time for the limbo challenge.

We have our first elimination in the competition and it is Kaitlyn. AJ is the next person to be eliminated. Aksana is the next person to be eliminated and they are down to the final two, Naomi and Maxine.

Maxine is eliminated and Naomi is the winner.

Josh wonders if Naomi should have had to participate in the final round after Maxine was eliminated and Cole talks about how he isn’t even watching.

Josh then talks about our main event and how Naomi is the only rookie in the match. Then Cole says something and Josh clams up as we go to commercial.

Match Number Three: Naomi and Kelly Kelly versus The Bellas

Kelly and Nikki shake hands before locking up. Kelly with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors but Nikki with a drop toe hold and forearm to the back followed by a sunset flip for a near fall. Brie tags in and they roll through and take Kelly down with Brie getting a near fall. Kelly with a kick to the back but Brie works on the arm and wrist.

Kelly uses the ropes to escape with an arm drag. Naomi tags in and she works on Brie’s arm with an arm bar. Naomi with an arm wringer but Brie with a flying mare. Naomi with an enzuigiri and Nikki checks on Brie and then Nikki with a Thesz Press. Brie pulls Nikki off and Naomi goes after Nikki. Brie and Naomi shake hands and Naomi with a punch. Nikki comes in and she goes after Naomi. Nikki charges into an elbow but Nikki sends Naomi to the apron. Nikki with a kick to the back and midsection. Nikki stretches Naomi. Naomi with a jawbreaker and then Nikki knocks Kelly off the apron and follows that with a shoulder tackle on Naomi. Brie tags in and Naomi fights out of the corner. Nikki trips Naomi and then she sends Brie to the floor and Nikki gets the three count.

Winners: The Bella Twins

2010 - syFy issued the following press release:

YFY’S SANCTUARY SOARS IN SEASON THREE PREMIERE, UP 17 PERCENT IN TOTAL VIEWERS
WWE FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN® VIEWERSHIP RISES FOR SECOND STRAIGHT WEEK

SMACKDOWN RANKS AS #1 PRIMETIME CABLE ENTERTAINMENT TELECAST IN ADULTS 18-49 AND ADULTS 25-54 – MOST WATCHED SYFY FRIDAY NIGHT TELECAST IN FIVE YEARS!

NEW YORK – October 18, 2010 – Powered by the second consecutive week of WWE Friday Night SmackDown® audience gains, the season three premiere of Sanctuary jumped 17% in total viewers and 12% among Adults 18-49 during its return Friday, October 15, on Syfy, compared to the season two average.

During its 10-11PM (ET/PT) time period, Sanctuary averaged 1.8 million total viewers, 860,000 Adults 25-54 and 728,000 Adults 18-49 while averaging a 1.3 HH rating.

The Friday, October 15 telecast of SmackDown leg locked 2.88 million total viewers, 1.21 million Adults 25-54, 1.13 million Adults 18-49 and a 1.9 HH rating. This was Syfy's most-watched Friday telecast in more than five years (July 2005, the season two premiere of Battlestar Galactica).

SmackDown was the #1 primetime cable entertainment telecast in both Adults18-49 and Adults 25-54. Since premiering on Syfy Friday, October 1, the telecast has risen 14% in Adults 18-49 and total viewers, and 13% in Adults 25-54.

One of television’s most groundbreaking series, shooting almost entirely on green screen, Sanctuary was the first television series in North America to use the RED camera exclusively. Its stunning visual effects were nominated for a 2008 Emmy Award. Created by Damian Kindler (Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis), Sanctuary is produced in association with Syfy and is distributed by Tricon Films and Television. Season three of the series is executive produced by Damian Kindler, Amanda Tapping, Martin Wood, Keith Beedie and Tricon Films.

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly, PG content across all of its platforms including television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 500 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Shanghai, Sydney, Tokyo and Toronto. Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. can be found at corporate.wwe.com.

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 98 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)

2011 - WWE broadcasts NXT.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We are live on tape from Mexico City, Mexico and your announcers are Jack ‘South of the Border’ Korpela and William ‘How do you say Sunshine in Spanish’ Regal.

Your host is Matt ‘Don’t Drink the Water’ Striker.

Matt says that we are getting back to what NXT is about and it is about Redemption. Matt says that the flags are on the ropes for a Capture the Flag Challenge. Percy Watson says that it won’t be a problem for Titus. Maxine says that Derrick has more flexibility and stamina than Titus.

Titus tells fish lips that he isn’t worried about Derrick because the only person he has been concerned with is himself because he has thirty points. Titus says that Derrick zero points.

Titus and Derrick are tied together and this challenge is worth fifteen redemption points. Matt reminds us the purpose of the Redemption Points (assuming we ever get another elimination).

Titus barks before they start the challenge.

Derrick says that there might be a language barrier here but the language of love is universal. Derrick wants a kiss from Maxine before the contest begins.

The contest starts and Titus is grabbing flags all over the ring but Derrick attacks Titus and gets out of the ring.

Matt announces that Derrick has been disqualified so Titus wins the fifteen points. That leaves Titus with forty-five points.

Matt tells Derrick that he will be facing Titus and Percy in a tag match with the partner of Derrick’s choice.

We go to commercial.

We are back and we see Curt Hawkins accompany Tyler Reks to the ring but Curt is walking with the assistance of a cane. They mention that Curt suffered a fractured ankle and Regal points out that Curt is not sitting at home.

Curt says that he is in no condition to compete tonight and he says that he needs the cane to get around. He says that he has no interest in seeing how The Usos derailed the once flourishing career of Curt Hawkins. We see the footage from last week’s match on NXT and Reks knocked Curt off the apron and we see Hawkins holding his ankle.

Tyler says that the unprofessionalism is why they have a problem with the Usos. They will redefine the definition of revenge when Curt comes back. Tyler says that he will take out all of his anger during his matches and he will dedicate each match to Curt.

Match Number One: Yoshi Tatsu versus Tyler Reks

 

They lock up and Yoshi with a side head lock but Reks with a shoulder tackle. Reks has something to say to Yoshi and he pie faces Yoshi. Yoshi responds with chops to Reks. Yoshi with a spinning heel kick and Reks backs to the corner. Reks retreats into the ropes when Yoshi wants to chop him again. Yoshi kicks Reks.

Reks comes out of the corner and he pushes Yoshi down and then he sends Yoshi to the apron. Yoshi with a shoulder but Reks with a boot to the head. Reks with a punch to Yoshi’s head and then he hits a belly-to-back suplex and he gets a near fall. Reks with a reverse chin lock on Yoshi and he brings Yoshi back to the mat.

Reks with a gutwrench into a gutbuster and then he kicks Yoshi in the head and he chokes him in the ropes. Yoshi with more chops and then Yoshi with a lateral press when Reks tries for a belly-to-back suplex.

Yoshi tries for an O’Connor Roll but Reks holds on to the ropes. Reks with a boot to the head and he gets a near fall. Reks works on the back and then he applies a rear chin lock. Yoshi with punches to get out of the hold followed by a kick to the head but Reks with a boot when Yoshi charges at him. Reks sends Yoshi into the turnbuckles and Reks kicks Yoshi. Reks is pulled out of the corner by the referee and Reks charges at Yoshi but Yoshi moves and Reks hits the ringpost.

Yoshi goes up top and hits the spinning heel kick for the three count.

Winner: Yoshi Tatsu

After the match, Hawkins tries to attack Yoshi but Yoshi stops him. Reks holds Yoshi’s leg and Hawkins hits Yoshi in the head with his cane. Hawkins chokes Yoshi with his cane. The Usos come to the ring and they hit Reks with a double super kick.

AJ is in the locker room and Kaitlyn enters. AJ reads a letter that she thinks is from Hornswoggle. Kaitlyn says that Maxine wrote the letter. Kaitlyn tells AJ that she is going to beat Maxine tonight.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Kaitlyn has something to say on the way to the ring. She tells Maxine that she is tired of all of the mind games. She tells Maxine to stop picking on her best friend and she is going to show why Maxine lost NXT and why Kaitlyn won. Kaitlyn calls Maxine fish lips in Spanish.

Match Number Two: Kaitlyn with AJ Lee versus Maxine

 

They lock up and Kaitlyn with a waist lock take down. Maxine with a waist lock but Kaitlyn with a hip lock. Maxine with a front face lock but Kaitlyn picks up Maxine and puts her on the top rope. Maxine sends Kaitlyn into the ropes. Maxine with chops for a near fall. Maxine runs into an elbow but she applies a Dragon Sleeper with a body scissors.

Kaitlyn gets to her knees but she falls to the ropes and Maxine releases the hold. Maxine slams Kaitlyn’s head into the mat and gets a near fall. Kaitlyn with a forearm but Maxine with an elbow to the midsection and Maxine chokes Kaitlyn in the ropes.

Maxine with a reverse chin lock but Kaitlyn gets to her feet. Maxine pulls Kaitlyn back to the mat by her hair and she gets a near fall. Maxine with a reverse chin lock but Kaitlyn gets to her feet and she backs Maxine into the corner and snap mares Maxine.

Kaitlyn with a running back elbow and then she charges into the corner with a forearm. Kaitlyn throws Maxine to the mat and then hits a seated splash for a near fall. Maxine with chops but she misses a clothesline. Kaitlyn with a Bubba Bomb into a full nelson with the legs and Maxine taps out.

Winner: Kaitlyn

Derrick Bateman says that he wants to be in the ring with a ring technician. Tyson Kidd says that he doesn’t want to be his partner. He says that Raw is out of whack and he says that Maxine is whacko. Derrick says that his girlfriend is an angel. Derrick says that he needs to find a partner and none of the luchadores speak English. Maxine kisses Derrick and tells him to shave his moustache.

JTG stops by and he tells Derrick that he will help him out because the people he is going to wrestle show no respect.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Three: Titus O’Neil and Percy Watson versus Derrick Bateman and JTG

 

Derrick and Percy start things off. They lock up and Watson with an arm drag. Derrick jumps and touches his feet and he is proud of what he did. Percy with a waist lock and side head lock take down. Derrick with a head scissors but Percy escapes and he takes Derrick down with an arm drag. Derrick leaps and touches his feet again. They lock up and Bateman with a side head lock take down.

Watson with an arm drag and drop kicks after a few leap frogs and Watson gets a near fall. Watson with a side head lock and Titus tags in. Derrick gets out of the corner and he tags JTG into the match. JTG with a forearm to the back and a kick to the midsection followed by a punch. Titus with a boot to the head and he hits a short arm clothesline and a bark. Watson tags in and Titus with an Irish whip into a shoulder tackle.

Titus tags back in and he punches JTG and connects with forearms. Percy tags back in and they hit a double back elbow and double shoulder tackle. They both clothesline JTG over the top rope to the floor.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Bateman with a forearm and then he sends Watson into the corner. Derrick with a chop but Percy with chops of his own. Watson is sent to the apron and he kicks JTG. Bateman clotheslines Watson on the apron and then he hits a drop kick off the apron. They return to the ring and Bateman gets a near fall. Bateman with a key lock and chin lock. Watson with a punch but Bateman with a neck breaker for a near fall.

Bateman sends Watson into the corner and JTG tags back in and he punches Watson. JTG with a front face lock followed by a swinging neck breaker and he gets a near fall. JTG punches Watson in the head and then he chokes Percy in the ropes. Derrick with a boot to Watson when the referee was not looking. JTG covers but the referee was out of position.

JTG sends Percy into the turnbuckles but Watson with an elbow to Derrick on the apron. JTG with a Mug Shot and Derrick with a near fall. Watson with a jackknife cover for a near fall. Bateman keeps Watson from making the tag and Derrick with an elbow drop for a near fall.

Derrick with a forearm to the back and knees to stop Watson. Derrick with a rear chin lock followed by forearms across the chest. Watson with a desperation move to get Bateman off him.

Titus and JTG tag in and Titus iwht a running shoulder tackle or two followed by a punch and clothesline. Titus shakes the ropes and barks. Titsu with a power slam for a near fall. Watson tries to send Bateman to the floor but Derrick sends Percy to the floor. JTG with a kick to Titus’ leg and Derrick is tagged in and he goes up top but Titus moves out of the way and Derrick lands on the mat. Titus with Clash of the Titus for the three count.

Winners: Titus O’Neil and Percy Watson

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