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March 17th
On this day in history in ....
1975 - Andrew "Test" Martin was born.
1977 - Former TNA and ROH champion Samoa Joe was born.
1977 - Former TNA talent Lollipop, who actually went topless during a TNA PPV, was born.
1981 - The Moondogs (Rex & King) defeat Tony Garea & Rick Martel for the WWF World Tag Team Title in Allentown, Pennsylvania.? This would end Garea & Martel's first tag title reign. Two months later, when King was unable to enter the country from Canada due to legal problems, Moondog Spot took him place in the championship team.
1982 - Bob Roop defeats Ted DiBiase for the Mid-South North American Heavyweight Title in Shreveport, Louisiana, ending DiBiase's third run with the belt.
1993 - Big Van Vader defeats Sting for the WCW World Heavyweight Title in Dublin, Ireland. Vader had lost the title to Sting six days earlier in London, England. This would mark the beginning of Vader's third WCW title reign, and the end of Sting's second (third if you count the NWA World Title).
1999 - Johnny Spade defeats Jason Lee for the Ohio Valley Light Heavyweight Title.
1999 - Koji Kanemomot defeated Jushin Liger for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight championship.
2000 - Beyond The Mat, a documentary on professional wrestling directed by Hollywood screenwriter Barry W. Blaustein, opens in theaters. The film focuses on Jake Roberts, Terry Funk, and Mick Foley, and also includes sections on Vince McMahon, Droz, New Jack, Koko B. Ware, and ECW's first Pay-per-view, Barely Legal. The film was originally set for only a small limited run in Los Angeles and New York City, but a fan campaign launched by the Strictly ECW fan organization leads to a full national rollout for the film in 298 theaters. The film would open at number 19 for the week and make $2,053,648 over its nine week theatrical run. The film would do well in the home video market with several different VHS and DVD releases.
2001 - Scott Norton defeated Kensuke Sasaki to win the IWGP Heavyweight championship.
2002 - El Canek wins the AAA Rey de Reyes Tournament, defeating Pirata Morgan, Cibernetico & Octagon.
2002 - Wrestlemania X8 takes place. Mike Johnson penned the following recap of the event.
Wrestlemania X8
March 17, 2002
Location: Toronto, Ontario Canada
Arena: Skydome
Announced Attendance: 68,237
*Rob Van Dam pinned William Regal with the five star frog splash to win the WWF Intercontinental championship.
*WWF European Champ Diamond Dallas Page pinned Christian. This was Page's only Wrestlemania appearance before he retired.
*In his Wrestlemania debut, WWF Hardcore Champ Maven fought Goldust, which ended with several others running in and Spike Dudley pinning Maven to win the title. The Hurricane later pinned Spike to win the belt and spent the rest of the PPV running around in the back in a series of vignettes trying not to be pinned, only to be attacked and pinned by his sidekick Molly Holly. Holly was then hit by a door as she was walking through it and pinned by Christian. Christian attempted to flee the building but was rolled up and pinned by Maven, who then stole Christian's taxi to boot, exiting as Hardcore champion. Maven would also be the first Tough Enough winner to make it to Mania.
*Kurt Angle pinned Kane
*The Undertaker pinned Ric Flair in a great street fight with a tombstone. Flair used a steel bar from the Undertaker's motorcycle on him. Arn Anderson hit the ring and hit Taker with a spinebuster at one point as well.
*In a grudge match over a fictional shampoo commercial in Japan, Edge pinned Booker T.
*Steve Austin pinned Scott Hall (with Kevin Nash) with several stone cold stunners. This would be the first and only appearance of the New World Order gimmick in the WWE, which quickly stalled and died out. Austin would walk out of the company the next day over unhappiness with the promotion and his own health issues, which began the build to his retirement the next year.
*WWF Tag Champs Billy Gunn & Chuck Palumbo beat The Acolytes, The Hardy Boyz, and The Dudley Boys in a Four-Way Elimination bout which saw D-Von pin Bradhsaw, Jeff Hardy pin Bubba Dudley, and Billy Gunn pin Jeff.
*The Rock pinned Hulk Hogan with a rock bottom in a tremendously heated match that saw the Toronto crowd just go wild for Hogan. This is really entertaining to watch on video just for the crowd reactions as just like last year, the crowd turned on Rocky for his opponent. Hall and Nash turned on Hogan after the bout with Rocky making the save. Rock and Hogan posed to end the segment. Much like the Hogan vs. Warrior match at Wrestlemania VI, Hogan was supposed to pass the torch but made himself so sympathetic, he was more over walking out. This would set up his babyface run here.
*WWF Women's Champ Jazz beat Trish Stratus and Lita in a Triple Threat Match when she pinned Lita. OK match that saw them in the death slot after the Hogan match.
*Triple H pinned Chris Jericho (with Stephanie McMahon) to win the Undisputed WWF championship with the Pedigree.
Celebrities: Bands Drowning Pool and Saliva were brought in to play live during the PPV, including "telling the story" of Jericho vs. HHH which was more based around Stephanie and HHH.
Notes: The attendance was another Skydome record....The promotion did another round of AXXESS events, although the first one was marred by a fan pulling a fire alarm and having to end the session early?. Rikishi, Scotty Too Hotty, & Albert beat Mr. Perfect, Test, & Lance Storm (3:06) when Rikishi pinned Perfect during Sunday Night Heat. It would be the final Wrestlemania appearance for Curt Hennig prior to his passing.
Jess McGrath: Another one-match show, Hogan vs. Rock. I remember the buildup to this match not exactly being the best. They did that stupid angle where Rock was trapped in an ambulance and they ran a tractor trailer into it, or some such stupidity. Hogan vs. Rock was enough to stand on its own, it didn't need the theatrics or the peripheral involvement of the NWO. But when it came match time, they pulled off some great magic. I suspect, watching this match a second time (which I haven't done), it would be a lot like Hogan vs. Warrior, ironically from the same building, the Skydome. But live that night, it was great stuff. Aside from that match, and Flair-Undertaker, there wasn't much of note. The finale with HHH and Jericho was anticlimactic after Hogan-Rock, and it didn't help that the match was no better than some of their previous free TV matches.
Mike Johnson: I attended this Wrestlemania live and after the previous year, I felt let down once I walked into the building. There was no "feel" that this was something special except for when Hulk Hogan was out there and at that point it was all fans who wanted to relive Wrestlemania VI. I remember the ultra lame build to this show with horrid vivid memories: Undisputed champion Chris Jericho walking Stephanie's dog? Booker T and Edge over a shampoo commercial? DDP vs. Christian? Ugh. This is a show that was a throwback to the older shows as the hype involved was greater than any of the work, and that's a real shame seeing how strong the roster was. Flair vs. Undertaker was the only real saving grace on the card, especially the appearance of Arn Anderson out of nowhere. While I loved my visit to the city of Toronto, this show is an afterthought at best to me.
Dave Scherer: This was the "We are not in Kansas anymore Toto" version of Mania. By this time, Chris Kreski was long gone and Stephanie McMahon had taken over creative, and it showed. The changes had become obvious and this show was a huge letdown from the previous year. The match of the night was Hogan vs. Rock. They blew me away.
2003 - During an edition of Raw from St. Louis, Missouri, Steve Austin defeated Eric Bischoff in a No DQ match after hitting Stunners on Bischoff, Chief Morley (Val Venis) and The Rock.
2007 - Deep South Wrestling ran the first “Park Slam"Â show of the 2007 season at Six Flags over Georgia featuring a St. Patrick's Day appearance by the team of Fit Finlay, William Regal and David Taylor.
They were rolling the dice with the March weather and came up with snake eyes. It was a perfect Saturday afternoon for college football but for an outdoor wrestling show, not so much, as the temperature barely cracked 50, which was 15 degrees below normal. As the sun dropped in the sky, so did the crowd, from 400 at bell time down to around 200 for the main event.
The arena they use has great acoustics for heat, but like all the previous Six Flags shows, there was no ringside seating, which always feels weird to me.
In the ring, it was a solid show across the board, with the main event and the woman's match being the standouts.
(1) Heath Miller pinned T. J. Wilson in 7:35 with a neckbreaker. Wilson was wearing his Stampede gear. Miller is so over with the DSW hardcores, that Wilson was the heel by default. Wilson went with it by taking advantage on the break and then looking at the crowd after every move he did on their boy. Wilson used a fisherman suplex for a near fall. Miller finally made his comeback, hitting a flapjack for a near fall. Wilson went for another suplex and Miller countered with his finisher. Good match.
(2) Ray Gordy pinned Brian Cage after a Slop Drop at 7:50. With the high steppin' and that simpleton grin, Gordy is in full blown hillbilly mode these days. The crowd liked him well enough but they were louder for Miller. It was all Gordy early. Cage took over and worked on Gordy's back. Gordy used that goofy ax kick to the top of Cage's head and a bulldog to set up the trademark Godwin finisher.
(3) Eric Perez pinned Afa Jr. in 9:14 with a stiff kick in the face. The story here is that Afa and Siaki turned on Perez. Afa was wrestling barefoot. He made a point of getting heat. Based on surface appearance, Perez doesn't make for a sympathetic babyface. You have to know the storyline and get into his selling. Perez turned his back on Afa to play to the crowd and Afa clubbed him. Afa worked over Perez's back for the majority of the match. Afa did the Samoan hard head no sell deal. Afa hit a superplex, but there was no water in the pool for his frogsplash. Perez pulled the straps down and made the comeback, which included a variation of the Black Hole Slam.
(4) Robert Anthony & Johnny Curtis beat Shawn Osborne & Jon Bolen in 13:18. Curtis and Anthony got one of the better entrance pops. Anthony is the guy under contract, but Curtis appears to be the more technically sound of the two. They worked over the arms of Osborne and Bolen for the first five minutes. Osborne is pretty comical with his selling. Curtis took the heat. He hit a sunset powerbomb on Bolen and made the crawling hot tag. Anthony did his signature spot - a high leapfrog, a backflip as his opponent as underneath and a standing dropkick. Anthony elevated Osborne and Curtis came off the top with a flying bodypress for the pin.
(5) Nattie Neidhart & Shantelle beat Krissy Vaine & Angel Williams in 10:27. Now the co-general managers of DSW, Vaine and Wiliams have great chemistry as a heel tag team. They connected, and the crowd's love/hate relationship with them made this one of the most entertaining matches of the day. Based on the crowd response, I see a spot on the main roster in their future. The other notable thing was Shantelle's breathtaking athleticism. She did a better arm drag than any of the men. When Shantelle came up empty on a high crossbody, the heels took over. Vaine hit a sidewalk slam for a near fall. Williams got one with a stiff basement dropkick. Vaine used a camel clutch. Double down on the flying hair pull spot. Neidhart hit a Michinoku driver on Vaine, but Williams broke up the pin. Moments later, Shantelle made a blind tag and surprised Williams with a swinging neckbreaker to score the pinfall.
(6) Freakin' Deacon & G-Rilla beat Team Elite (Derrick Niekirk & Mike Knox) in a non-title match (11:00). Deacon and Rilla were wearing matching Justice League shirts and being their usual bizarre selves. Early in the match, Deacon licked Neikirk's face. G-Rilla took his shirt off, which got the biggest crowd reaction of the match, and it wasn't positive. Fans were calling for him to put it back on. He clotheslined Knox with the shirt. G-Rilla had Neikirk up for a running powerslam, but Knox clipped his knee. Knox went for a bodyslam on G-Rilla and collapsed under all that weight. Deacon cleaned house. He hit a top rope lariat on Knox and Neikirk saved. Finish saw Knox connect with the big boot on Niekirk when Deacon ducked. Deacon rolled Knox up.
(7) Fit Finlay & William Regal & David Taylor beat Brad Armstrong & Brian Majors & Brett Majors in 14:17 after Finlay used the shillelagh on Armstrong. Fans were down at the rail for the introduction of the Smackdown superstars. Regal shushed the fans that started chanting for him. The trio from the United Kingdom looked to be enjoying every moment of their time together. They beat the holy hell out of Brian for most of the match. Finlay had a special St. Patrick's Day stretching in store for him. Brad got the hot tag. Finlay, Regal and Taylor feed him beautifully. The faces set Regal on the second rope and used Taylor's head as a battering ram into Regal's. But the ensuing euphoria gave Finlay an opening to use the gimmick on Armstrong to get the 1-2-3.
(8) Bradley Jay beat Ryan O'Reilly to retain the DSW Heavyweight Title.
NOTES: There was an autograph session with Finlay, Regal, Taylor, Vaine and Williams prior to the show, with the line for Finlay by far the longest...DSW had shows Wednesday afternoon and Friday night in conjunction with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution auto show. The Wednesday mini-show was a matinee for high school kids. The Friday night show drew a full house and was said to be very good....Armstrong was replacing Vito, who canceled off of....Siaki has been shelved by a back injury that he suffered on the RAW tour. He's scheduled to return after one more week....DSW returns to Six Flags on 4/21. In addition, DSW has house shows scheduled for 3/31 and 4/20 at the North Georgia Fairgrounds in Dalton and 4/7 Gray Georgia at the Jones County Recreation Complex.
2008 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:It is St. Patrick's Day in the WWE and that means one thing, we are less than two weeks from Wrestlemania. Since it is a holiday that celebrates Irish heritage, I guess we will see a lot of McMahons on the show. Will Fit Finlay get his hands on Bradshaw tonight or will that have to wait until Orlando? Will we see the person who everyone should expect to see on St. Patrick's Day? I am talking about the epitome of Irish, YouManga. Will Hornswoggle be back or will his torture at the hands of Bradshaw continue? Tonight, Triple H is in charge of things and he told us last week that his two opponents in the main event for the Raw brand at Wrestlemania will be tag team partners tonight and they will be facing some of their friends on the Raw brand . . . all of the Raw brand. How many combinations of matches will we see them in tonight? Will Batista confront YouManga after what Umaga did during his match with Montel Vontavious Porter? What other surprises will be on the other side of the rainbow as the Raw roster tries to get their pot of gold at Wrestlemania?
We are live from Lafayette, Louisiana and your announcers are Jim 'Get Him Ki Low' Ross and Jerry 'Honorary Kardashian' Lawler.
Chris Jericho is in the ring for the Highlight Reel and he welcomes his first guest, who is already in the ring. It is the Intercontinental Title belt. He says that he is an eight time Intercontinental Champion, breaking his own record of seven. He talks about how his next guest set a record for having his face punched the most times on television, the Big Show.
Jericho thanks Show for giving us a new clip to watch as we go to the Jeritron 6000. We see Big Show press slam Floyd Mayweather to the floor on last week’s Raw. Show says that is what he calls a highlight. That proves that nobody likes Floyd Mayweather. He says that no one in the locker room likes him and no one in the crowd likes him. He wants Floyd to know how much trouble he is in. Show says that Jericho is more skilled in the ring than Mayweather and he outweighs Mayweather by 60 or 70 pounds. If Jericho has no chance in the ring against Show, then what chance does Mayweather have? Jericho says that he has to agree to disagree. It is true that nobody likes Mayweather, but everyone thinks that Show is a jackass. Jericho disagrees with what Show said about how he could not last two minutes with Show. Jericho says that while he is climbing the ladder reaching for the briefcase in the Money in the Bank, Show will be reaching for his teeth on the floor. Show says that Jericho is the WWE equivalent of Floyd Mayweather. He is loud, arrogant, and way over his head. Show suggests that he wrestle Chris Jericho tonight for the Intercontinental Title. Show asks Jericho if the cat has his tongue or if he is ready to sing some karaoke. Jericho says that Show has been bombing since he was on Saturday Night Live eight years ago. Jericho gives Show the match.
We go to comments from Vince McMahon. Vince talks about being the biggest and brightest star of them all, getting his star on the Walk of Fame. Vince asks what can be better than what he has gone through. He is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and he could end Ric Flair’s career tonight. Tonight, Ric Flair will be wrestling Vince McMahon. Vince says that he is going to retire Ric Flair because it was his edict that Flair would retire the next time he loses. Tonight, they will meet in a Street Fight. We go to commercial.
Match Number One: CM Punk versus Carlito
They lock up to a stalemate. Punk with a series of kicks to Carlito but he misses a round kick and Carlito throws Punk out of the ring. Punk returns to the ring and he gets a punch for his return. Carlito with punches in the corner. Punk with an elbow and punch to Carlito. Punk with an Irish whip but he is sent to the apron. Punk tries a shoulder but Carlito moves and he connects with a knee for a two count. Punk with a rollup for a near fall. Carlito hits the springboard back elbow for a two count. Carlito with a rear chin lock on Punk and Carlito adds more pressure with a knee to the back. Punk sends Carlito into the corner and he hits the running knee and bulldog for a two count. Punk tries for a springboard move and Carlito counters with a drop kick for a two count. Punk uses the ropes to block a lungblower and Punk tries for the Go To Sleep, but Carlito gets out of the hold. Carlito hits a neck breaker for a two count. Punk gets up and connects with a kick. Punk hits the Go To Sleep for the three count.
Winner: CM Punk
We go to comments from Snoop Dogg. Snoop starts to talk about how Maria never should have posed for Playboy and then he wonders who wrote this. We see Santino and he wants Snoop to stay with the script. We go to commercial.
We are back and if you want hard news on Wednesday, don’t worry it will not happen on Larry King because it is softball central.
William Regal appears by the TitanTron. Regal talks about the match for brand supremacy between Batista and YOUMANGA.
We see footage of Umaga attacking Batista last week during his match against Montel Vontavious Porter.
Match Number Two: Brian Kendrick and Paul London versus Youmanga
London and Kendrick try to surround Umaga and they kick him. Umaga gets London up and then Kendrick jumps on top of his tag team partner as Umaga hits a double Samoan Drop. Umaga tosses Kendrick into the corner. Umaga follows that with a chop to London. Both men are down in the corner and Umaga chokes Kendrick with his foot. Umaga with a punch. Umaga with a running butt splash to London followed by an attempt to Kendrick, but Kendrick gets out of the ring. Kendrick walks away while Umaga with a Samoan Spike to London for the three count.
Winner: YouManga
We see William Regal in his office and his GM for the night, Triple Haitch enters. Regal talks about how Kendrick walked out on his tag team partner, and if he was Randy Orton or John Cena, he would leave his tag team partner. Hunter says that cannot happen because if Cena leaves the match, he is out of the main event. If Orton leaves, Hunter will strip Orton of the title and he will face Cena for the title at Wrestlemania. Regal wonders why Hunter couldn’t just strip Orton of the title. Hunter says that this is just too much fun, and he has been handed the title before and it is better to win it. We go to commercial.
It is time for a video package about Triple H and how he missed last year’s Wrestlemania due to an injury.
Jerry Lawler talks about another king as Vince McMahon got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. We have footage of the ceremony. Vince talks about the honor of having his star next to Kermit the Frog.
Shawn Michaels is in the locker room and Ric Flair wants to know why he is even here tonight. Flair says that he will not lose at Wrestlemania. Flair says that Michaels is only here to make sure that Vince McMahon does not beat him. Flair tells Michaels that he is his own man and he does not want Shawn to get involved in anything he does until Wrestlemania. We go to commercial.
We see Finlay’s comments about Bradshaw from this week’s Smackdown as Bradshaw walks to the ring for his match.
Bradshaw has something to say before his match. He says that he was so looking forward to confronting Finlay, but unfortunately Hornswoggle is having a few complications and Finlay has to take care of his freak son. Since it is St. Patrick’s Day, he has to do something for the Irish who have made him rich. He will face the second greatest Irish wrestler in the WWE, the man who is taking ECW by storm, Colin Delaney.
Match Number Three: Bradshaw with JBLimo versus Colin Delaney
Bradshaw wants Delaney to hit him and he does but Bradshaw responds with a slap and forearm to the back. Bradshaw with a big boot to Delaney followed by a short arm clothesline. Bradshaw with a second short arm clothesline. Bradshaw with the Clothesline from Wall Street for the three count.
Winner: Bradshaw
After the match, Bradshaw tells Finlay that if he has any hope of winning, he wants Finlay to listen to him. Irish need not apply.
We see Flair and McMahon walking in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and we go back four months to when Ric Flair said that he would not retire. Then we see Vince McMahon’s statement that when Flair loses, he is done.
Match Number Four: Ric Flair versus Vince McMahon in a Street Fight
Flair blocks a punch and he punches and chops McMahon. Flair goes to the kicks and then he kicks McMahon to the floor. Flair puts Vince on the announce table and Flair punches Vince in the head. Flair with chops and punches to McMahon. Vince goes into the crowd and Flair follows after him. Flair with a kick and punches. Vince sends Flair into the ring post and he is down. Vince rearranges the announce table and he grabs a monitor and hits Flair in the head area with it. Flair is now starting to wear a crimson mask. McMahon with punches and then they return to the ring and Vince gets a two count. Vince with more punches and another two count. Vince goes back to the floor and he grabs a trash can and he hits Flair in the head with it and Vince can only get a two count. Vince with more punches to the head and then he throws the trash can at the announce table.
Vince goes back under the ring and he gets a kendo stick. Vince hits Flair twice in the head with the kendo stick but Flair kicks out at two. Vince goes back to the floor and he goes under the ring for a third time. Vince grabs a steel chair and Vince drills Flair in the head with the chair. Shawn Michaels pulls the referee out of the ring to stop the count. Shawn walks to the back after his work is done. Vince goes under the ring one more time and he gets a table. Vince sets up the table in the corner. Flair with a bloody low blow to Vince and then he hits Vince in the other grapefruit. Flair puts Vince on the table and starts to punch him. Flair goes up top and hits a frog splash on Vince and Flair gets the three count.
Winner: Ric Flair
It is time for a John Cena video package about what Wrestlemania means to him. We go to commercial.
We are back and Jerry Lawler is with Jared. Jared says that he is a huge WWE fan and he has some sandwiches for Jerry. Jared talks about how his fifteen minutes have lasted ten years. He talks about his commercial with John Cena.
Match Number Five: Maria and Candice Michelle versus Jillian Hall and Victoria
Before the match starts, Santino Marella comes to the ring.
Maria and Jillian start things off and Maria with a snap mare and kick. Maria with a handstand kick but Victoria interferes. Jillian with a handspring elbow into the corner. Victoria tags in and she slams Maria’s face to the mat and then she tosses Maria by the hair. Victoria with a slam and then she tries for a standing moonsault but Maria gets her knees up. Maria with an enzuigiri and Candice tags in and clothesline Victoria twice followed by a drop kick. Candice hits Jillian on the apron. Candice with a breakdown to Victoria for a two count. Candice kicks Jillian to the apron. Victoria with a back breaker to Candice and then Victoria with a cover for a near fall. Jillian is tagged in and she tries for a 450 splash but Candice moves out of the way. Candice knocks Victoria off the apron and then she hits the Unprettier on Jillian for the three count.
Winners: Candice Michelle and Maria
After the match, Santino attacks Jerry Lawler and he takes Jerry’s sandwich.
We go to a Floyd Mayweather video package.
Big Show is walking in the back as he almost hits the sprinkler in the ceiling with his head. We go to commercial.
We are back with the Hall of Fame commercial hyping Ric Flair’s induction and the appearance of the ‘Most Electrifying Family’ in sports entertainment.
We are told that tomorrow night we will find out the next inductee.
Match Number Six: Big Show versus Chris Jericho for the Intercontinental Title
Jericho with kicks to Show’s leg but Show with a big boot to Jericho. Show with chops to Jericho. Jericho with a jawbreaker followed by punches. Show picks up Jericho and drops Jericho but Jericho lands on his feet. Show charges at Jericho but Jericho drops down and Show goes to the floor. Jericho tries for a baseball slide and Show grabs Jericho and swings Jericho into the ringside barrier. Show returns to the ring and he walks all over Jericho. Show goes to the second turnbuckle and tries for an elbow drop but Jericho moves. Jericho hits the Lionsault for a two count but Show sends Jericho through the ropes on the kick out. Jericho grabs the title belt and he hits Show with it to get disqualified.
Winner: Big Show by disqualification
After the match, Show punches Jericho and then he hits a choke slam.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Big Show punching Chris Jericho and then we see Jericho staggering to the back.
We go to a pre-recorded message from Kim Kardashian and she is joined by Big Dick Johnson.
It is time for Randy Orton to get his equal time with a video package.
Randy Orton is in the locker room gazing at his video package and he is joined by his BFF tonight and tag team partner, John Cena. Orton tells Cena that Triple H is doing this to see them get hurt tonight. Orton suggests that they take a dive so neither of them get hurt. Cena thinks about that plan and says that if Orton wants to lose on purpose, go ahead and do it. Orton tells Cena that if anyone is going to lie down, it will be Cena. Cena says that he is not a coward so he is not going to lose on purpose. Orton reminds Cena that he is the WWE Champion so he better listen. Cena says that he is not going to listen to Orton. Cena tells Orton that he should go out there and fight like a man.
Hunter joins the party and he says that they have no chance. They face the entire roster and the match continues until they beat everyone or can no longer continue. Hunter says that he is rooting for them. We go to commercial.
Match Number Seven: Randy Orton and John Cena versus seventeen Raw wrestlers
Umaga, Bob Holly, Lance Cade, Trevor Murdoch, Paul Burchill, Gene Snitsky, Cody Rhodes, Brian Kendrick, Charlie Haas and many more come to the ring.
Gene Snitsky starts off and Cena tries for an FU but Snitsky hits a clothesline. He follows that with kicks and a slam. Santino tags in and he misses a forearm. Cena with a rollup to pin Santino.
In next is Trevor Murdoch who gets a near fall. Murdoch with punches to Cena for another near fall. Cena puts Murdoch in the STFU and Murdoch taps while Cade is stopped by Orton.
Orton hits an RKO on Cade and Cena gets the cover.
YOUMANGA with a double clothesline to Cena and Orton as we go to commercial.
We are back and Bradshaw with a knee to Orton followed by a side Russian leg sweep for a two count. We see Super Crazy get eliminated during the commercial with an RKO.
We are back to live action. Jim Duggan is tagged in and he connects with a forearm before he tags in Cody Rhodes. Rhodes with punches and kicks. Paul Burchill tags in and he stomps on Orton. Val Venis tags in and he connects with a forearm and short arm clothesline. Carlito tags in and he connects with forearms to the back. Bob Holly tags in and he kicks Orton followed by a running forearm for a near fall. Robbie McAllister tags in and he gets a back breaker for his troubles. Cena tags in and he gets a leg drop for the three count.
Cena with a Blue Thunder Bomb to DH Smith and it is time for the five knuckle shuffle and the FU to eliminate him.
Orton tags in and he hits an RKO on Burchill for the three count.
Val Venis is the next to taste the RKO.
Cena catches Cody Rhodes and he tosses Rhodes into an RKO to eliminate him.
Most of the rest of the wrestlers come in and they have been eliminated by the referee. Cena gets a chair and he hits Holly, Snitsky, Carlito, and Haas. Umaga with the Samoan Spike to Cena and then Bradshaw gets the chair ready for Orton. Orton moves out of the way and he hits Umaga. Umaga does not even feel the chair shot and he gives Orton the Samoan Spike. Bradshaw leaves the ring and is chased by Umaga.
Just when you thought it was over, it is Game Time as Hunter comes to the ring. Hunter crawls in and he tries to figure out which one to beat. Hunter sets for the Pedigree on Orton and he hits it. Cena gets to his feet and then Hunter with a Pedigree.
Hunter holds the title belt while he points at someone sitting behind the Wrestlemania sign. We go to credits.
2008 - WWE announced the following:
World Wrestling Entertainment issued the following press release today:
Superstar George Barrios Leaves NY Times For WWE(r) Ring
STAMFORD, Conn., March 17, 2008 - World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.announced today that George Barrios has been named its new Chief Financial Officer, effective March 24, 2008.
Barrios joins WWE as the company has been making headlines with record annual revenues and a recently announced 50% boost in dividends paid to public shareholders. "We welcome George Barrios as our new CFO," said Linda McMahon, CEO. "At a time when we are focused on growth initiatives around the world, we are confident that George's experience will be a tremendous asset for WWE's future."
Barrios was formerly Vice President and Treasurer of The New York Times Company. He replaces Frank Serpe, who is retiring as CFO after 21 years with WWE. "WWE thanks Frank Serpe for his commitment and dedication to the company through the years, and we wish him well," said Mrs. McMahon.
Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (NYSE:
WWE), can be found at www.wwe.com and www.corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
2009 - WWE announced the Von Erich family would be inducted into the Hall of Fame over Wrestlemania 26 weekend in Phoenix, Arizona.
2009 - WWE broadcast ECW on SyFy. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:We start off with Finlay and Hornswoggle walking in the back and Hornswoggle is laughing. We see Teddy Long dressed up for the holiday. Teddy wishes Finlay a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Teddy wants to know where Finlay has been. Finlay says that he is going to do two things on St. Patrick’s Day, celebrate and fight. He says that Hornswoggle has been celebrating so we are in trouble.
We are live on tape from San Antonio, Texas and your announcers are Todd ‘Chow Mein of Sexy’ Grisham and Matt ‘Just like Bruiser Bob Sweetan on USA in Southwest Championship Wrestling’ Striker.
We see footage of Christian winning last week’s battle royal to qualify for Money in the Bank.
Match Number One: Christian and Montel Vontavious Porter versus Shelton Benjamin and Mark Henry with Tony Atlas
Porter and Benjamin start things off and they lock up and Benjamin with a fireman’s carry into a front face lock and side head lock. Porter with a hip toss followed by a knee drop to the head for a near fall. Porter with a front face lock but Benjamin runs Porter into his corner. Porter fights his way out of the corner but Benjamin sends Porter into the ropes and Henry with a head butt when Benjamin distracted the referee. We go to commercial.
We are back and Henry has Porter in a bear hug and Porter tries to fight out but Henry runs Porter into the turnbuckles. Benjamin tags in and he punches Porter. Benjamin follows it with a suplex and kick to the back. Benjamin with a rear chin lock and a knee to the back. Porter escapes the hold but Benjamin with a knee to the midsection. Benjamin waits for Porter to return to his feet and he tries for Paydirt but Porter with an overhead belly-to-belly. Christian tags in and he punches Benjamin. Benjamin misses the dragon screw leg whip and Christian with an inverted DDT for a near fall. Christian with a punch to Henry on the apron. Christian with a monkey flip but Benjamin lands on his feet. Christian with a sunset flip from the turnbuckles for a near fall. Benjamin with a knee and he sends Christian into the corner but Christian with a kick in the ropes and then he hits a tornado DDT but Mark Henry breaks up the cover. Porter joins in and then Porter and Christian pull Henry out of the ring. Christian knocks Atlas off the apron and then Benjamin hits Paydirt for the three count.
Winners: Mark Henry and Shelton Benjamin
It is time to see a feature on the lucky woman to be John Cena’s kidnapped wife in 12 Rounds.
Finlay is in the back and he is looking for Hornswoggle. We see DJ Gabriel and Alicia Fox dancing and Finlay wants to know if they saw Hornswoggle.
It is time for the Extreme Rewind: A video package of Evan Bourne.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to take a look back at the 20th anniversary of Wrestlemania in Madison Square Garden where the show ended at 11:30 that night.
Match Number Two: Jamie Noble versus Evan Bourne
Noble goes for the leg but Bourne escapes. They lock up and Noble with a forearm to the head. Bourne with an arm drag and spinning heel kick for a near fall. Bourne with a rollup and we see Tyson Kidd and Natalya watching in the back.
Bourne works on Noble’s arm but Noble sends Bourne into the turnbuckles. Noble with kicks to Bourne followed by a short arm clothesline and a snap leg drop and knee to the head for a near fall. Noble with a camel clutch on Bourne with a rear chin lock. Bourne with punches and a kick to the head followed by a clothesline. Bourne with a rana using the ropes and then he hits a kick and standing moonsault for a near fall. Bourne goes towards the turnbuckles but Noble stops him. Bourne sends Noble into the turnbuckles and Bourne with a spin kick. Bourne goes to the apron and up top for the Shooting Star Press and he hits it for the three count.
Winner: Evan Bourne
Finlay is still looking for Hornswoggle and he is throwing stuff at Katie Lea and grunting uncontrollably. Katie is not happy. We go to commercial.
We are back with a WWE We are Awesome factoid about Smackdown.
Jack Swagger comes to the ramp but he is not here to wrestle. He says that everyone must have missed him last week and he is not competing tonight. As a service to everyone and because he is so good looking, he wants to give everyone the pleasure of laying their eyes on the two time All American American. Jack reminds us that he is the ECW Champion.
Teddy Long is with Tiffany and Tiffany has some ideas for the show. Tiffany suggests Divas night as a way to promote the Divas Battle Royal. Paul Burchill enters with Katie Lea and Paul says that Teddy shouldn’t be letting Finlay bring his kid to work with him. Teddy says that since Finlay loves to fight, he should go to the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the That’s Amore 90210 Raw Rebound.
Match Number Three: Paul Burchill with Katie Lea versus Fit Finlay with Hornswoggle
They lock up and Finlay with an elbow to the head and a European uppercut and a boot to the solar plexus. Finlay with a short arm clothesline and a back breaker for a near fall. Hornswoggle gets on the announce table and Finlay gets distracted, but Burchill cannot take advantage and Finlay with a back body drop. Burchill sends Finlay’s back into the apron and then Burchill with a short arm clothesline when they return to the ring. Burchill with a reverse chin lock. Finaly with a jaw breaker and punches but Burchill with a body block that sends Finlay to the floor. Burchill tries for a pescado but Burchill lands awkwardly in the ring skirt. Finlay walks into a kick but he blocks a neckbreaker from Burchill and hits the Celtic Cross for the three count.
Winner: Fit Finlay
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Dirt Sheet. John Morrison and The Miz are with the Bellas. Morrison insults the people of Texas and Miz corrects John’s mistake. Miz says that the Bellas are their girlfriends and one looks happy and the other is not. Miz calls Brie ‘Twin A’ and he asks why they chose them over the Colons. Nikki says that they choose winners. We go to footage of last Friday’s match between the two tag champions.
Miz introduces their guests, Primo and Carlito. They put on their butt masks and Miz raps as Primo.
Carlito and Primo come out to confront Miz and Morrison. They bring out the Cabana set and we have a BrundleFly effect. Carlito corrects their pronunciation and he says that Miz and Morrison look better in the masks. Carlito says that Miz and Morrison are their guests. Primo has a special challenge. Primo points at the sign and has a challenge for Wrestlemania. Carlito mentions that each team has defended their titles in matches so why not put the titles up in a unification match. Miz accepts the challenge because they will prove why they are the greatest tag team of the 21st Century. Carlito and Primo try to spit apple at Miz and Morrison but they duck and Brie gets hit by accident. Brie pushes down Nikki for laughing at her. We have a catfight and then they are separated by the men in the ring. Brie stays with Carlito and Primo while Nikki leaves with Miz and Morrison. We go to credits.
2010 - A report by the Hartford Courtant revealed that World Wrestling Entertainment officially banned chair shots to the head at the onset of 2010.
The article stemmed from the ongoing political warfare in Connecticut stemming from Linda McMahon's campaign to become Senator. One of McMahon's political rivals, Rob Simmons, who has been taking shots at McMahon's campaign being based around her background running World Wrestling Entertainment, questioned whether McMahon would testify at a local education committee about preventing and treating concussions among High School athletes.
In researching the article, writer Daniela Altimari received the following email from WWE spokesperson Robert Zimmerman:
"In January 2010, WWE amended its Talent Wellness Program, specifically regarding the ImPACT™ Concussion Management Program originally instituted in 2008, eliminating the use of folding chairs or props to "strike" an opponent in the head. Prior to this policy change, The Tables, Ladders and Chairs event in question took place on December 13, 2009. "Incidentally, no performer suffered a concussion during the TLC event."
The company's concussion program features annual examinations of talents as well as evaluations of whether they can return to active competition following head trauma.
The verbiage involving chair shots reads as follows:
*The WWE has eliminated using folding metal chairs to "strike" an opponent in the head.
*The WWE penalizes through fine and/or suspension the following:
-The intentional use of a folding metal chair to "strike" an opponent in the head.
-Any blow to the head that is deemed an INTENTIONAL act.
*The fine and/or suspension will be directed by the EVP of Talent Relations.
2011 - WWE broadcast Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:We start off this week’s show with the Smackdown brand and your announcers are Matt Striker and Jack Korpela.
Match Number One: JTG versus Tyler Reks
They lock up and Reks backs JTG into the corner and he pushes JTG a few times and pie faces him. JTG with a punch but Reks with a punch of his own. Reks misses a charge into the corner and JTG with a drop kick. The referee has to separate Reks and JTG. Reks with a kick and forearm to the back followed by a slam. He misses a knee drop and JTG with forearms to Reks. Reks with a kick and then he sends JTG to the floor.
Reks follows after JTG and he kicks him. Reks runs JTG into the apron and then back into the ring. Reks with a back breaker for a near fall. Reks works on JTG’s back. Reks with an arm bar and chin lock but JTG with punches and he gets out of the hold. Reks with a clothesline and elbow to the chest and he gets a near fall. Reks with a kick to the back and then he pushes JTG into the corner. Reks with a series of kicks and he chokes JTG.
JTG with a punch and back fist but Reks with a kick and Irish whip. JTG moves out of the way and he gets a near fall with a rollup. JTG escapes a power slam attempt and then he gets a near fall with a rollup. JTG with punches and kicks followed by a head butt. Reks pushes JTG off the ropes and JTG with a sliding uppercut. Reks misses a charge at JTG when JTG goes down and Reks goes to the floor. JTG with a flying shoulder off the apron.
JTG with a DDT for a near fall. JTG rolls the dice and he goes to the turnbuckles. Reks avoids JTG and Reks with a kick to the chest. Reks hits the Burning Hammer for the three count.
Winner: Tyler Reks
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to take a look back at Snooki’s appearance on Raw this past Monday night as well as Vickie Guerrero’s match against Trish Stratus.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the Raw portion of the show and your announcers are Josh Mathews and Scott Stanford.
Match Number Two: Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov versus The Usos
Jey and Santino start things off and Jey punches Santino but Santino teases the Cobra and Jey falls back. Santino with a side head lock and he tries to take him down but he cannot accomplish the job. Jey goes after Kozlov but Santino with a side head lock. Santino with an arm drag into an arm bar. Jimmy tags in and he punches Santino followed by a kick and slam. Jimmy with a diving head butt and he gets a near fall. Jey tags back in and he hits a running butt splash into the corner and Santino is knocked loopy. Jey gets a near fall. Jey goes after Vladimir again and the referee is distracted, allowing Jimmy to connect with a kick and he gets a near fall.
Santino with forearms but Jimmy with a kick and he gets a near fall. Jimmy with a reverse chin lock on Santino as he tries to wear him out. Santino with a split followed by a hip toss and both men are down. Santino reaches for the wrong corner but he eventually makes the tag.
Kozlov sends Jey into the turnbuckles and then connects with a kick. Kozlov with a head butt followed by a power slam for a near fall when Jimmy breaks up the cover. Santino tries to get involved but he is sent to the floor. Santino back body drops Jimmy and Kozlov with a kick. Santino makes the blind tag and he hits the Cobra for the three count.
Winners: Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the Raw Rebound and to run down the card for Wrestlemania.
Match Number Three: The Bellas, Alicia Fox, and Melina versus Eve Torres, Tamina, Natalya, and Gail Kim
Tamina and Brie start things off and they lock up and Tamina sends her to the mat. They lock up again and Tamina sends her to the mat again. Brie goes for a leg but Tamina does not go down. Tamina with a head butt and Alicia is tagged in. Alicia with a kick and forearms to the back. Alicia runs into a shoulder from Tamina and Tamina with a forearm and Gail tags in.
Alicia sends Gail to the mat and then Alicia with a waist lock and take down. Gail with a drop kick and flying clothesline for a near fall on Alicia. Natalya tags in and they hit a double suplex and Natalya tries for the Sharpshooter but Alicia gets to the ropes. Nikki tags in reluctantly and Natalya with a rollup for a near fall.
Natalya with a slam and a kick to Nikki but Brie hits Natalya on the apron and Nikki attacks Natalya from behind and she chokes Natalya in the ropes. Brie punches Natalya while Nikki distracts the referee. Brie tags in and she sends Natalya into the turnbuckles. Alicia tags in and she drops a knee across the throat. Melina tags in and she sends Natalya face first into the mat.
Melina with a boot to the head and she turns it into a split and she gets a near fall.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Nikki sends Natalya into the mat again. Melina tags back in and she sends her head into the mat and gets a near fall. Melina screams her frustration with not being able to get the win. Natalya with an inside cradle for a near fall but Melina retursn to the rear chin lock. Natalya falls back and gets out of the hold. Eve tries to make the tag but Melina grabs Natalya’s leg. Natalya misses an enzuigiri when Melina drops down. Nikki pulls Eve off the apron but Tamina with a clothesline to Nikki and then one to Brie. Natalya with a clothesline and then she tags in Eve. Natalya with a slam and then Eve with a moonsault for the three count despite Alicia’s valiant effort to break up the cover.
Winners: Eve Torres, Tamina, Natalya, and Gail Kim
We go to credits.
2011 - TNA broadcast Impact. Dave Scherer filed the following TV report:
The show opens with Sting coming out to the ring. He has a new TNA Title belt, as well as the old, odd strap. The new belt looks like a real belt. Sting said that he has been waiting a while to say this and called our Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. On the way to the ring, Hogan did the "pound my chest because you mean a lot to me" thing to a fan or two. Why a heel does that, I have no idea.
They hit the ring and Sting said that the old belt was all that was left of Jeff Hardy. He told Hogan he could do whatever he wanted with it. Hogan tossed it out of the ring. Sting asked Hogan how he could destroy a man like he did with Jeff Hardy (so Hardy's problems are Hogan's fault I guess). Then Sting said that Jeff was a grown man who chose to go down a bad road and it's all his fault, except that Hogan and Bischoff had influence on him and sold him on whatever it was that made Jeff F up at the PPV.
Sting said he can't do anything for Jeff, but he can do whatever needs to be done for the guys in the back.
Hogan said that Sting was a part time guy and asked Sting what he was trying to do, blaming Hogan and Bischoff for what Hardy did. Hardy let Immortal down. Hogan ran down Hardy. Hardy's problems were his own fault, not theirs. Everyone in Immortal are top guys at the top of their game. Hogan told Sting that "everybody makes their own deal around here" and told Sting he better save his own ass. Since he came back, Hogan's cell has been ringing off the hook. Everyone in this business is calling him to be part of what he is doing. Sting is replacable.
Sting said if his phone is ringing off the hook, why is it he is only seeing those two, and no real talent. Brother Ray's music hit and he came out.
Ray took the mic and said he has been ringing Hogan's phone off the hook. He said he has been waiting for this opportunity all his life, 20 years. He said that there would be no wrestling business today if it wasn't for Hogan. He said that it burns Sting's ass. He called Sting a co-star and he said he understands because he has been carrying Devon for 15 years. He said Sting was jealous and he has the fans fooled. He said he could never upstage Hogan and that is why Sting came back. Fans booed and Hogan said for them to shut up. Ray said he would like to be a part of Immortal and said that he wanted to the first step of taking out Sting and winning the title. He told Sting no matter what he does, he will never be out of Hogan's shadow.
Hogan was about to give Ray a title shot when AJ Styles, Kazarian and Beer Money hit the ring. After a commercial we come back and AJ has the mic. He said that there are four men in the ring named Fortune and they have Sting's back 100%. AJ told Ray that when he got into the business, he wanted to be a singles wrestler. It didn't happen but he had a singles wrestler that carried the load. Ray was not happy. AJ said that Devon was the star and without him he would have never had any titles because Devon carried the load.
Bubba said that he wanted to slap AJ. AJ was ready to go. Ray said that Dixie carried AJ and that he is shot that Dixie wasn't breast feeding him. Ray tried to move on from AJ and get his title shot and AJ slapped Ray in the face. Hogan kept him from fighting with AJ and Mr. Anderson't music hit. Out he came.
He did the a hole commentary and then asked where his rematch was. Hogan called him an a hole. Anderson feigned that it hurt him to hear, falling to the mat, then said he owned being an a hole and said it over and over again. Hogan told Anderson he couldn't the job done against RVD. Anderson said RVD couldn't either, and called Hogan Terrence (cuz that is his real name you know!).
Bischoff piped in and said that since the network wants ratings, he has an idea. There will be a four way to be the guy who will fight Sting. He says it should be Ray, Anderson, RVD and AJ. Anderson said no, he should get his shot. Bischoff said that they have the power and it's going to happen.
If I missed anything, I apologize. It's 9:22 and that was a lot of stuff to type. No wrestling at all.
Backstage, we saw Kurt Angle with a big box, which is a present for the newlyweds, Jeff and Karen Angle.
A video aired for the 4/17 Lockdown PPV.
In the back, AJ talked to RVD. He told him that the other two guys in the match tonight were heels and offered to watch RVD's back if he would do the same. RVD mentioned they had a bad history. He said he never lost the title and would win it on his own tonight. AJ didn't seem to like that. They are not pals and won't be working together if that segment is to be believed.
Alyssa Flash was on her way to the ring for a Knockouts title match and Madison Rayne, with Tara, attacked her on the ramp. She took her into the ring and pinned her. Yes, at 9:29 we got out first minute of match and it lasted less than a minute. Mickie James came out and said that Madison is whatever she is and that she would fight Madison. She told Mickie she had her chance and she needed Mickie to put something on the line. Mickie asked what she wanted. Madison said she wanted her hair. So Lockdown is Title vs. Hair.
The Pope is was in the back with a blind guy, a fat woman and a guy in a wheelchair. The gist is that they are workers and he is gonna do an evangelist gimmick on them, you know because we didn't just see the guy in the wheelchair practice jumping out of it for their work which I am guessing will come later.
It's 9:33 and we have had less than a minute of wrestling. That doesn't sound like Total Nonstop Action to me.
Anderson asked Hogan to explain how he has to wrestle for a title shot he already owns. Hogan runs this place so he can do it his way or the hard way. What's it gonna be? Anderson throws the camera out so he can talk to Hogan alone.
The Pope was in the ring with his three friends from the back. Pope said miracles need to be performed in this world. He has them in front of him and asked for an amen. He asked again. Some fools amened him. He said he is gonna perform miracles like "Jesus Christ that have been done over 10,000 years ago by that Jesus Christ". See, Pope isn't really religious because he didn't know when Jesus lived.
He turned to the afflicted to heal them. He went to the blind man. He asked him to kiss Pope's ring. Of course, the blind guy couldn't get it, because being blind is funny in TNA. Pope took off his glasses. He spit in his hand and called it holy oil, and rubbed it on the guy's face. The guy can see. Pope asked for a HA men, and the guy gave him a hallelujah. Close enough for Pope.
Pope went over to the guy in the wheelchair and made fun of him for being a cripple, and mocked him for diving in water on his head. He then felt the guy's legs, and slapped him in the head. The guy got out of the chair and danced. Taz said it's like The Oddities. Yes it is, but at least they were funny.
Now, it's time for the fat chick. She is too fat for even the Pope to help.
Samoa Joe came out with the green hornet. Pope hid behind the marks. Pope rolled to the floor and grabbed the hornet. He held something, which appeared to be a knife, to hornet's throat. He hit hornet with the mic and laid him out on the ran. The knife was actually a prop.
9:46, still less than one minute of wrestling.
We see Pope in the back. He has hornet stung up. OK, it's Okada. He pulls off his mask and says he is ugly. Pope told him to not take the beating he was giving personal, then said it was personal. Pope is schizophrenic I guess. He hit Okada in the nuts and called it chopped sushi. Joe yelled from far away so Pope got in one last shot and ran. Joe thinks Pope is a son of a bitch. He spoke in Japanese to Okada.
RVD faces off with Mr. Anderson. RVD thinks he sucks for just wanting a title shot and not being a better man. Anderson said he owns the fact that he's an a hole. They fight about who is in bed with Hogan. I know the answer, it's Linda Hogan! She's the only sure bet.
It's 9:54 and we still have less than one mother f'n minute of wrestling. Stu Carapola deserves a huge raise. Recapping this is not stop typing, not action. If I have made typos, I don't even care anymore. These people don't give a person time to proof read anything.
Velvet Sky, Angelina Love and Winter were in the back. Velvet was happy. Then Winter came in. She is not happy anymore. Winter and Angelina fought over who would get to hop into bed with, er wrestle with, Angie tonight. Angie chose to go with the European food. Velvet isn't happy.
Jeff and Karen Jarrett came out. Apparently she forgot how made she was at Victory Road because she is happy now. Jeff has nothing left to prove. He has done it all to Kurt Angle and there is not one shred of dignity left in that man. For the good of the kids, he can't do anything more to their father. He is offering a truce to Kurt. Karen thanked him. Jeff then told Kurt he could come out now and ask for forgiveness (yeah, don't ask, it made no sense).
Kurt came out with the gift he had earlier. Kurt told Jeff he is right and he is the better man. The gift is a symbol so that they can move on and coexist. Jeff asked if he was sincere. Kurt told him to look at him and said, don't I look sincere. He didn't in case you were curious, but Jeff missed that. he opened the gift and it was a red, white and blue guitar. Kurt raised Jeff and Karen's hands. Can you guess what happened next? In case you can't, Kurt nailed Jeff in the head with it and he gigged. Karen hit Kurt in the nuts twice but Kurt laughed. And then he pulled out a cup. He protected his angle-nuts.
Angle said it was time to get medieval on someone's ass and he would cut Jeff a deal, those two in a steel cage in Lockdown. Jeff shook his head no. Kurt said that he would hunt him and Karen down if not. Karen told Jeff not to say yes but he did, to save the family I guess. We have another match.
In the back Bischoff was with Gunner, Murphy and Rob Terry giving them a promo about how they need all of the titles. Abyss did that and won the TV title but he can't defend it due to losing his spleen and all so the three of them will win it in a match for the vacant belt. Could we actually get another minute of wrestling? It's 10:10, so why would we want that?
Karen Angle is in the back screaming. Her ex-husband is crazy and she needs the police sent to the Impact Zone. Jeff said tell them who your husband is. She does.
Then we see a promo for the TV Title match. Yes, 75 minutes in and we get a promo for the first real match and it's Terry, Gunner and Murphy. Gunner and Murphy came out first.
Gunner and Murphy came out first. Then came Terry. At 10:17, the match starts. Almost at the opening bell they go to the back where cops are coming for Angle. Rob Terry was in charge early on. Gunner then went after Terry and his partner. He has crazy eyes and wants the title. He lays out his partner and at 10:19 pins him to win the title. He gets the belt and puts it in his mouth. He's happy.
In the back, AJ said he was looking out for RVD earlier, but he gets it, he can take care of himself. He is going to jump into the driver's seat and take care of himself. He said he has three guys to deal with. No, he has four. In comes Ric Flair. AJ nails Flair and down he goes. AJ said that felt good.
They showed TNA action figures, which you can get from our friends at www.RingsideCollectibles.com. Desmond Wolfe has one of the six. Wow, maybe they should put him on TV or something.
Karen Angle is with the cops. She wants her ex husband Kurt arrested. He attacked Jeff. She is going crazy until Jeff tells her to calm down. She is nuts, so Jeff said go with the cops because he knows what to do. She does.
Six person mixed tag next as Matt Morgan, Winter and Angelina Love take on Sarita, Rosie and Hernandez. They reviewed the finish of the Hernandez-Morgan match from the PPV. Yeah, the lame fake blood one. Hernandez came out with the cousins and did a promo. He said that Mexico was taking over. This was our land and now it's theirs. I can't make this up. Out come the faces and it's on. The men are in the ring to start but it ended quickly when Winter pinned one of the cousins in a minute. The fan from the PPV jumped out of the crowd into the ring and attacked Morgan.
90 minutes, less than four minutes of wrestling. I don't care what Spike TV wants, this is a frickin' travesty.
Well, it's 10:30 and we have the four way. It SHOULD get some time. We will see.
OK, the intros are done and its 10:38. The bell rings. Wow, I expected a commercial but no, they all face off. I will not do a blow by blow because my fingers are fatigued from the typing above. At 10:44, while Ray and AJ are on the floor, Ray tried to hit AJ with a chair. Earl Hebner stopped him and the chair fell into the ring. RVD is back suplexed by Anderson on the chair and Hebner counts what looks like a double pin. As Hebner was about to tell Jeremy Borash the decision, Ray hit Earl, then Borash. AJ then attacked Ray on the floor and they brawled really stiffly on the floor. They were laying them in there. RVD and Anderson were still in the ring I guess, we weren't shown them. Ray went up to the stage, with AJ in pursuit with a chair. Just as AJ was about to hit Ray, Ric Flair hit AJ in the nuts. The two of them worked over AJ on the stage. Flair signed to the floor and Ray did a sit out powerbomb from the stage through a table on AJ. Great spot. Two refs were at ringside with one doing a fake X symbol Al Snow and some other managers came out. The announcers said we needed to take a break and we went to commercial.
We come back and Ray and AJ are still on the floor, being attended to. Before we got an update on what happened or if Anderson or RVD were still alive, they went to a video recap of what we just saw. On one replay you could actually see Flair positioning Ray's back before the big spot. Call it a hunch but I think Ray knows how to do that spot Naitch. As they attended to AJ the floor, Ray was on the stage heeling AJ as Snow and Simon Diamond/Pat Kenny pulled him away. They stretchered out AJ as the rest of Fortune watched AJ (but didn't go after Ray).
They slowly immobilized AJ and prepared him for transit. They showed many fan shows, with some of them looking concerned.
Mike Tenay then said, "As tough as this is to watch, let's go back and take another look". That, my friends, is empathy. As AJ was being rolled away, Tenay wondered what the finish of the match was. Taz, who apparently has a heart, seemed more concerned with the immobile AJ.
As AJ was put into the ambulance Fortune was concerned. Kaz went and called Wendy to tell her that her husband/his best friend was really hurt. The show ends as the ambulance pulls away with AJ inside. Mike Tenay is probably still more concerned about what the actual decision of the match was.
2012 - On his Twitter, Matt "Albert" Bloom denied reports he had signed with WWE, writing, "Haha! False. Wife just had a baby. I'll be on next tour." Bloom, currently working for New Japan, also commented that he had no idea where the story came from.
Within weeks, vignettes began airing to promote the debut of his new WWE persona, Tensai. He has been with WWE since.
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