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June 10th
On this day in history in ....
1960 - In St. Joseph, Missouri, Ernie and Emil Dusek defeat George and Sandy Scott to win the Central States version of the NWA World Tag Team Title for the third time.
1960 - Ray Gunkel defeats Fred Blassie to win the Florida version of the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title, ending Blassie's 13th reign and beginning his sixth.
1961 - Luther Lindsay and Bing Ki Lee defeat Bill Savage and Tito Kopa for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title.
1968 - Polish wrestler and strongman Wladek Zbyszko, born Wladek Cyganiewicz, passes away at age 76.
1970 - Sam Steamboat defeats Ripper Collins in Honolulu, Hawaii for the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title, ending Collins' fourth reign and beginning Steamboat's second.
1974 - Jerry Lawler defeats Ricky Gibson to win the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning his second reign.
1978 - Dutch Savage and Jimmy Snuka win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title for the sixth time, defeating Bull Ramos and The Iron Sheik.
1979 - In Asheville, North Carolina, Ricky Steamboat defeats Paul Jones to win the NWA Television Title, beginning his second reign and ending Jones' third.
1979 - Bruiser Brody defeats Mark Lewin to win his second WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title in Dallas, Texas, ending Lewin's second reign.
1983 - Harley Race defeats Ric Flair in St. Louis, Missouri, to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title, beginning his seventh reign (the first wrestler to ever hold the title seven times) and ending Flair's first. As a result, Race vacated the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title, held since May 13, and the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title, held since June 2, ending the fifth and eighth respective reigns of those titles.
1984 - Superstar Billy Graham defeats Billy Jack for the Florida State Heavyweight title in Orlando, his second and final run with the belt.
1984 - Angelo Mosca, Jr. defeats Ivan Koloff to win the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title in Toronto, Ontario.
1988 - All Japan Pro Wrestling runs at Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan, before 11,800 fans. The results were:
- Mitsuo Momota pinned Tsuyoshi Kikuchi.
- Masa Fuchi pinned Tatsumi Kitamura.
- Motoshi Okuma and Haruka Eigen defeated Takagi and Kenta Kobashi.
- Shunji Takano defeated Boone by submission.
- Rusher Kimura and Goro Tsurumi defeated Mighty Inoue and Isamu Teranishi.
- John Tenta defeated Havana the Terror by submission.
- The Great Kabuki defeated Rip Rogers by submission.
- Ashura Hara, Toshiaki Kawada and Samson Fuyuki defeated Tiger Mask (Mitsuharu Misawa), Shinichi Nakano and Takashi Ishikawa.
- Genichiro Tenryu pinned Danny Spivey to retain the NWA United National Heavyweight Title.
- PWF World Tag Team Champions Jumbo Tsuruta and Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated NWA International Tag Team Champions The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) by disqualification, to retain the PWF title and win the NWA International title. The titles were unified, and became the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Title.
1988 - Masa Saito and Riki Choshu end the third IWGP World Tag Team Title reign of Tatsumi Fujinami and Kengo Kimura in Hiroshima, Japan.
1988 - Johnny Smith defeats Chris Benoit to win the Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Title in Calgary, Alberta, beginning Smith's second reign.
1988 - Atlantis defeats Kung Fu for the NWA World Middleweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico, ending Kung Fu's second reign.
1994 - Smoky Mountain Wrestling ran Paintsville, KY at the High School, drawing 450 fans with the following results:
The Thrillseekers, Chris Jericho & Lance Storm defeated Steven Dunn & Chris Candido (substituting for Timothy Well, at home due to a family illness)
The Dirty White Boy defeated Kendo the Samurai
Bruiser Bedlam defeated Tracy Smothers in a coal miner's glove match
SMW Tag Team Champions Brian Lee & Chris Candido fought The Rock N' Roll Express to a no contest in a piledriver match
1995 - Smoky Mountain Wrestling ran Johnson City, TN at Freedom Hall, drawing 400 fans with the following results:
D-Lo Brown pinned Bobby Blaze
Boo Bradley pinned Killer Kyle in a Jersey dog fight match
SMW Heavyweight Champion Buddy Landel pinned Steve Armstrong in a No DQ match
Tracy Smothers & the Dirty White Boy defeated Gangstas members New Jack & D-Lo Brown in a stretcher match
The Rock N' Roll Express defeated SMW Tag Team Champions Al Snow & Unabom (the future Kane) when Morton pinned Snow
1996 - The Monday Night Wars were in their infantile months at this time, with WWF Monday Night RAW scoring a 2.7 for their show, taped two weeks earlier on May 27. The show featured The British Bulldog defeating The Undertaker by countout in the main event. WCW Monday Nitro's live show fell just short with a 2.6 rating. Nitro's main event saw WCW World Tag Team Champions Sting and Lex Luger defeating Ric Flair and Arn Anderson by disqualification.
1998 - David C. defeats Nick Dinsmore to win the NWA Ohio Valley Heavyweight Title in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
1999 - WCW airs a live edition of Thunder from Syracuse, New York, which picked up a 3.1 rating. The results:
- Konnan and Rey Mysterio, Jr. defeated Psychosis and Villano V.
- Buff Bagwell defeated Ernest Miller by disqualification.
- Randy Savage pinned Brian Adams.
- WCW World Television Champion Rick Steiner pinned Fit Finlay.
- Perry Saturn and Kanyon fought to a no contest.
- Perry Saturn and Chris Benoit defeated Diamond Dallas Page and Kanyon to win the WCW World Tag Team Title.
1999 - In Dallas, Texas, The Brotherhood (Knuckles Nelson and Rick Fuller) defeat Team Extreme (Kit Carson and Khris Germany) by disqualification to win the held up NWA World Tag Team Title. It was held up March 3 when The Brotherhood failed to appear to defend against Team Extreme in North Richland Hills, Texas due to heavy snow. At the same event, Kevin Northcutt defeats Rodney Begnaud to win the vacant NWA Texas Heavyweight Title, which had been stripped from Steven Dunn for no-showing that night. Also, Jimmy James defeats Canyon to win his second NWA Texas Hardcore Title.
1999 - Vic Violent and Rukkus defeat Faku and Mark Davis to win the vacant NWA Wildside Tag Team Title in Loganville, Georgia. The title had been stripped from Billy Black and Joel Deaton on the same night, due to Black's attack on NWA Wildside promoter Bill Behrens.
1999 - Extreme Championship Wrestling ran Charlotte, NC at the Grady Cole Center with the following results:
-Chris Chetti pinned Tony Devito (w/ Bill Wiles) with the springboard moonsault.
-Skull Von Krush pinned Roadkill with a DDT.
-El Mosco pinned Super Crazy with the Sky Twister Splash.
-Buh Buh Ray & D-Von Dudley defeated Little Guido & Tracey Smothers following the 3D.
-Jerry Lynn pinned Yoshihiro Tajiri with the cradle piledriver.
-Steve Corino pinned Tom Marquez with the fisherman's suplex.
-ECW World Champion Taz defeated Spike Dudley via submission with the Tazmission.
-Sabu (w/ Bill Alfonso) pinned Justin Credible (w/ Jason) with the triple jump moonsault.
-ECW TV Champion Rob Van Dam (w/ Bill Alfonso) pinned Balls Mahoney with the Five Star Frog Splash.
2000 - Boomer Payne defeats Super Hentai for the Pittsburgh Wrestling League (now NWA East) Three Rivers Heavyweight Title in North Versailles, Pennsylvania.
2000 - Extreme Championship Wrestling ran a TV Taping in Pittsburgh, PA at the Lawrence Convention Center, featuring:
Julio Fantastico defeated the Hellraiser
Kid Kash defeated EZ Money
Bill Wiles & CW Anderson defeated Chris Chetti & Nova
Danny Doring & Roadkill defeated Johnny Swinger & Simon Diamond
Jean Pierre Lafitte defeated HC Loc
Rob Van Dam defeated Little Guido
ECW World Champion Justin Credible defeated Jerry Lynn
2002 - Steve Austin walked out of a Raw taping in Atlanta and did not appear on the show. Without clearing it with anyone in management, he booked a ticket home for himself and wife Debra and left Atlanta after working the Raw house shows the previous weekend.
Originally, Austin was scheduled to face Brock Lesnar on the show. Apparently, no one in WWE management communicated with Austin as to what he was going to do on Raw until Jim Ross called him the day before and told him. Austin then chose to walk out and go home, feeling that him losing to Lesnar with no prior buildup between the two didn't make sense from a business perspective.
Due to Austin's leaving, the whole show had to be rewritten since it was to have focused on Austin beating Ric Flair the previous week and having Flair become his assistant. Austin's absence caused major rewrites and a totally new direction on the show. WWE changed things up and booked a Vince McMahon vs. Ric Flair match on the spot where Vince McMahon "won control" of Raw and Smackdown. Vince had no plans on wrestling before arriving at the show to find out that Austin was gone. It also put Flair in the confusing position of being a heel to Austin one week and a face to Vince the next.
WWE later released a statement on Austin's leaving, saying "On Monday, June 10, 2002, Stone Cold Steve Austin again failed to appear for the scheduled Raw event in Atlanta, instead choosing to return home to San Antonio without notice and without company approval." The story went on to say that they understand that Austin wasn't happy with his character's direction, but what he did was unprofessional. They finished with this line: "Therefore, Stone Cold Steve Austin is no longer an active member of WWE's talent roster." He would return to the company by the end of the year.
Raw itself scored a 4.2 rating. Tim Whitehead filed the following Raw TV report:
The 6/10 episode of RAW IS AUSTINLESS aired live from Atlanta. It was a pretty good show, especially considering that they had to re-write a big chunk of it at the last minute due to Steve Austin walking out. Apparently Austin, on his own and without office permission, flew back home in protest against the latest booking plans for him. Austin has been upset in recent weeks over the way he has been booked. Tonight's show was to build upon the angle that Ric Flair became Austin's personal assistant in last week's main event. This was reportedly to somehow lead to an Austin match against Brock Lesnar, which presumably Brock would have to win, though it could also have ended in a DQ or count-out screwjob since, after all, Giant Baba isn't the booker here. It was far too early for an Austin vs. Lesnar feud, particularly since Austin had already been set up for feuds against Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit, but if an Austin vs. Lesnar match were to take place, a Lesnar win would be the only way to go to create a Goldberg type momentum. It isn't fully known at press time exactly what it was that upset Austin enough for him to hit the bricks, but it forced them to go with a match to apparently blow-off the split angle. I say "apparently" because it's probably an angle to give the split new life, though it could also set the stage for ending the split if that becomes the goal.
Ric Flair came out to open the show. Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler put over that Flair would have to do Austin's bidding tonight. Flair got on the mic and admitted to losing to Stone Cold last week via a stunner and a 1-2-3. He said he isn't proud of losing, but it happened and he'll now have to be Austin's personal assistant. Flair vowed to accept the stipulation like a man. He was practically turning himself babyface here, though the crowd was too busy screaming "what" to notice. Well, maybe he was only turning himself half babyface, because he also announced that Austin wasn't there, so he couldn't do the personal assistant gig after all. This brought Vince McMahon out for a shocking appearance on RAW. JR put over that he belongs on Smackdown. Vince admitted that he shouldn't be there, but said he created RAW almost ten years ago. He said Flair must be sorry that Austin no-showed, walking out on not only Flair but also the fans. He added that not only is Flair sorry about Austin, but he's the sorriest excuse for an owner he's ever seen. He accused Flair of driving RAW into the toilet. JR sort of defended Flair by saying it wasn't completely in the toilet. Vince said that as a wrestler Flair may be a 16 time world champion but as an owner he sucks. This was said with that famous Mr. McMahon snarl, "You suck!" Flair asked Vince what he plans to do about it. Vince said that unlike Austin, who lacked the balls to show up and look Flair in the eye, he had a proposal. He noted that he doesn't have to get up and go to work every day like the fans do. Boasting that he's a certified billionaire who has more than enough money to retire, he said he keeps doing what he does purely out of ego. And because of this ego, he said he can't stand seeing Flair own half of what he created. So, being a gambling man, he said he's willing to face Flair in a No Holds Barred match with the winner getting 100% control of the company. "I don't have a damn thing to lose," said Vince. JR & Lawler said Vince did indeed have something to lose, though I think the idea being conveyed was that with his billions for retirement, Vince would rather lose the WWE than continue on as half owner with Flair. Flair called Vince a Nature Boy wannabe, strutted around the ring, and accepted the winner-takes-all match challenge. He said Vince will bleed, sweat, and pay the price of a wrestling lifetime. JR thought Vince must have gone crazy. Flair left as Vince glared after him with contempt. This came off like an angle to set up an Austin run-in later in the show, though it didn't occur, obviously.
They aired some footage shot earlier in the day. Kevin Nash was sitting outside the NWO locker room reading a newspaper. Shawn Michaels was inside with the door locked, not ready yet to see anyone. X-Pac showed up and Nash shared his newspaper with him. Then, Big Show arrived. He wanted in the locker room to use the toilet since the Mexican food he ate earlier was giving him problems. Nash directed him to another restroom, thankfully. Finally, Booker showed up. He wanted to "collaboratize" with Michaels about music. He "sang" a version of the Heartbreak Kid's "Sexy Boy" music, which went, "I'm just a Booker T, I'm not your sucka!" But the door remained locked as HBK stayed in seclusion.
Booker T & X-Pac & Big Show beat Spike Dudley & Shawn Stasiak & Tommy Dreamer in 2:50. This match was set up by Michaels because he wanted to see what all three NWO guys could do. Show & X-Pac came out to the NWO music but Booker came out separately to his own music. X-Pac put Spike down in the corner and did the bronco. Spike did a spinning headscissors on X-Pac. Show gave Stasiak a big suplex. The cameras cut to the back where HBK & Nash could be seen watching this match on a monitor, but Nash shut the door in the cameraman's face. Back to the match, Dreamer went in with the vomit bucket he had last week. They were supposed to do a spot where he threw confetti on Booker, who at first would think Tommy was throwing vomit on him. But the spot was mis-timed and the confetti was thrown before Booker even saw it coming. So they stood there a few seconds before reacting. Show threw Spike out onto Stasiak on the floor. Booker hit a kick on Dreamer and scored the pin. Afterward, Booker stopped the NWO music from being played and had his own music played so he could do a spinaroonie.
Goldust approached Booker in private after the commercial break. He was wearing the biggest Afro wig of all time and was talking like that Undercover Brother character in the new movie they've, not coincidentally, been advertising on WWE shows. Booker told Goldust there was no way he could get him into the NWO. Goldust said he no longer wants in. Instead, he wanted Booker to quit, saying his days are numbered there already. He said Nash is the same type of guy he always was and that Mr. Sexy Boy HBK doesn't like "our kind". Booker shouted, "I ain't your kind!' Goldust walked off. JR wanted to know exactly what "kind" Goldust is.
Terri interviewed Molly Holly. She asked Molly why she has such a vendetta against Trish Stratus. Molly complained that Trish hit her with the title belt last week. But she was more upset with a magazine centerfold of a scantily-clad Terri, which Molly said nearly showed nipples. She said photos like that, as well as her Raw Sex column, set a bad example. Trish walked up and said she's figured out why Molly is always so upset with the other Divas. It's because her ass is so big. Trish said Molly's ass is big enough to show a drive-in movie on. Molly went on her usual tirade about how women's champs need to be pure and wholesome. Trish challenged Molly to a non-title match where, if Molly wins, she'd get a title match, but if she loses, she must wear a thong. Molly accepted, but as she walked off she held the magazine over her ass, obviously self-conscious over Trish's comments.
Chris Benoit & Eddie Guerrero confronted Flair. They were upset that Flair had put half the company on the line without consulting them. Flair got defensive and said he'd been trying to maneuver Vince into a match like this for a long time. He added that if he beats Vince, he'll own it all. Guerrero said it had better not be IF, but WHEN, and Flair acted cocky like he was sure of victory. Benoit looked angry and basically said Flair had better win.
William Regal beat Bradshaw in 3:41 to retain the European Title. Bradshaw's Hardcore belt wasn't on the line. There were also no 24/7 run-ins so I guess during the match the rule was suspended, or something like that. Regal did some good mat wrestling, but there was no heat. Lawler questioned whether Bradshaw is a real cowboy, saying he thinks a quarter horse is the kiddie ride in front of Wal-Mart. Lennox Lewis' name was invoked as it regards the power of the punch. Bradshaw hit some short lariats in the corner. He hit a big boot to the face on Regal but Chris Nowinski (Harvard Chris from Tough Enough I) did a run-in from the crowd. Security seized him but he was able to distract the ref and toss the brass knux to Regal. Regal used the knux and scored the pin. Regal & Nowinski left together. This was a good surprise angle.
Molly beat Trish in the non-title match in 2:26. Lawler told a lot of big ass jokes. He also wanted to marry Trish. JR asked him how many times he's been married and he said he's had lots of wives, three of whom have been his own. Molly attacked immediately. She hit a handspring elbow. Trish hit a neckbreaker. Molly blocked the stratusfaction and hit a somersault splash off the top for a surprise clean pin. Afterward, Molly choked Trish with the panties she threw in her face last week.
Arn Anderson visited Vince. He said we all know Vince is a better businessman than Flair, and even Flair knows that. But Arn acted like Vince must be insane to think he can outwrestle the Nature Boy. Vince gave his famous calculated risk speech, and ended up shoving Arn hard. Arn told Vince to prepare for early retirement.
Rob Van Dam defeated Eddie Guerrero in a King of the Ring qualifier in 9:40 to open hour two. RVD's IC Title was not on the line. RVD was way over with the fans, though the heat cooled a few times during the match. They started with mat wrestling. RVD splashed Guerrero from the apron to the floor. Guerrero made a comeback with brawling before hooking the Fujiwara arm bar. Guerrero scored several twos. JR & Lawler got off on tangents a little on commentary here. RVD hit a powerslam. Guerrero did a superplex. RVD did an awesome roll-through into an Asai moonsault off the second rope. RVD missed (on purpose) a split-leg moonsault. The ending came off a little bad as they were trading roll-ups and RVD scored a pin with Guerrero still rolling and it looked like his shoulder was up. JR admitted it looked like the ref counted three in error. But the ruling stood. An okay match but not in the same league as most of their encounters.
Undertaker arrived at the building on his motorcycle.
Jonathan Coachman tried to interview HBK but both he and Nash brushed him off.
UT came to the ring. He made a crew guy hold the undisputed WWE title belt up so everyone could see it. UT said some people just don't get it, and went into a tirade about how he's the champ and deserves to be treated with respect. The "whats" started, but this time they died out fairly quickly. He said the people in Atlanta aren't known for being smart but even they know he should be respected. UT continued, saying that Triple H is supposed to be smart, and that JR calls him the cerebral assassin. But, UT wondered, if HHH is so smart, then why didn't he see him lurking in the shadows on Smackdown a couple of weeks ago? Footage aired of the UT attack on HHH from that Smackdown show. UT vowed to destroy HHH at King of the Ring and said, "there's blood in the water, and I'm the great white shark". UT then turned his attention to Jeff Hardy. He described the incident last week where Hardy kicked him from behind and he fell face-first into the vomit. A clip aired of that incident. UT said Jeff likes to live for the moment, but asked if he's also ready to die for that same moment. He did the old "easy way, hard way" deal. He said the easy way would be for Jeff to come down to the ring, get slapped around like the little bitch he is, and that will be the end of it. But UT said if he has to go backstage to find Jeff, he'll inflict more pain on him than is humanly possible. The Hardy music began playing, but instead of Jeff, Matt came out carrying a ladder. Matt accused UT of disrespecting him last week (when UT beat him up in the locker room). UT told him to come on down to the ring and get disrespected some more. As Matt was on his way down, Jeff ran in through the crowd and got on the top rope. But UT caught Jeff coming off and chokeslammed the hell out of him. Matt went after UT and got in quite a few shots before being put down with a big boot to the face. UT had Matt up for the last ride but Jeff clipped him and Matt fell on him. Matt pounded UT with fists. They used the ladder on UT. Jeff set the ladder up and gave UT a legdrop off of it. The Hardys fled after the attack. When UT revived he was ultra-pissed. JR & Lawler acted like the Hardys had signed their own death warrant. It was a good run-in angle.
Terri interviewed Regal & Nowinski. Regal acted like Nowinski was someone in his aristocratic league since he graduated from Harvard. Nowinski boasted that he was in the top 5% of his class, was captain of the football team, and had perfect attendance. Suddenly, Jeff Hardy ran in and got in front of the camera. He enigmatically said, "The plate remains unfilled," before running to his car and driving off. Nowinski dismissed Hardy as having no class. Good seeing a new guy get moved into a regular spot like this.
Brock Lesnar defeated Bubba Ray Dudley in a King of the Ring qualifier in 4:49. JR & Lawler put over that Lesnar will be on the cover of the new WWE Magazine. Lesnar did his power moves. Bubba hit a neckbreaker and went to get a table. He encountered Paul Heyman, who was so scared he jumped over the broadcast desk to escape. Lesnar blocked Bubba from getting the table and gave him a released suplex on the floor. Back in the ring, they did more suplexes and Bubba did his Dusty routine. Bubba hit a big senton but Heyman broke up the pin. Bubba chased Heyman and eventually cornered him but Lesnar nailed Bubba and won with his finisher. Some readers have told me this move is called the F5 on the WWE website, which is a category of hurricane used to calculate magnitude. Thanks to those readers who sent this info. I guess it's not the Brockbuster for us any more. With Bubba out of the KOTR tourney, that rules out a tourney match with D-Von.
They replayed highlights of the earlier Flair-Vince encounter.
Heyman & Lesnar visited Vince. Heyman said they don't exactly see eye to eye, but that doesn't mean they can't do mutually beneficial business together. He told Vince to forget about Austin since the next big thing is Lesnar. Vince looked pretty impressed with Lesnar. Heyman told Vince to concentrate fully on beating Flair, and afterward to give him a call about doing business. Heyman said he has an awesome idea for King of the Ring. Vince said he may indeed be in touch with Heyman after he downs Flair.
HBK finally left his locker room, heading to the ring to make his first statement.
Footage aired of an interview with Rock that aired on Confidential where Rock simply said that he would be coming back, though without elaboration. By the way, the Velocity/Confidential format is getting rave reviews.
HBK came to the ring to a good pop. The whole NWO crew was with him. He said wrestling is a funny business, and noted that back in his heyday the WWF (he said WWF first and then corrected himself by emphasizing WWE) was full of garbage men (Duke "Dumpster" Droese), clowns (Doink), and other characters. But he added that there was one thing that was real back then....himself! He said he was the Heartbreak Kid, the Show Stopper, and that he gave everything he had in the ring, including his body. That was true, as his awesome ring performances left him with serious back damage. He said that at Wrestlemania XIV, Vince and the boys decided that with his back being broken, they needed to go a different way, toward "attitude". Michaels' erratic behavior back then had a little to do with that also. HBK said he was attitude before it became a catch phrase. He accused Stone Cold Steve Austin of stealing his spotlight, but said he wasn't there to blame Austin. Rather, he blamed the fans for turning their backs on him. He said they dumped him and ran to Austin the way a cheap prostitute runs to a millionaire. HBK said he didn't come back to wrestle, since he wrestled for the fans before and won't make that mistake again. He brought up his statement a couple of weeks ago on Confidential where he said HBK is dead. He said it's true, and the fans killed him. He added that only one man stood by him when everyone else hated him, and that was Nash. That was also a little historical revisionism, but at this point they were mixing storylines with reality so it was pretty hard to tell which was supposed to be which. He praised Nash for starting out as his bodyguard Diesel and rising to become one of the biggest names in the industry and the leader of the most dominant group ever. But he then said something is wrong in the NWO and it makes him uneasy. He turned to Big Show and mentioned his height and weight. Show acted concerned, but Michaels assured him that he likes the fact that he's huge and that a monster like him is an asset to the NWO. He then turned to X-Pac and suggested he's had a lack of focus and some poor short-term memory, but in the end he hugged X-Pac after calling him the most talented performer in the business today. That last part was a satire on a similar statement Flair made a few weeks ago during an NWO pep talk that had the internet message boards all lit up. At this point, out of the blue, HBK delivered the sweet chin music superkick to Booker T. It was a great kick, sudden enough to be just perfect! HBK told the downed Booker that he's the problem in the NWO. He accused him of trying to steal the NWO spotlight, just as Austin tried to steal his spotlight, and just as Rock tried to steal "Hunter's" spotlight. That was an apparent reference to hints Rock has dropped in shoot interviews about HHH's backstage maneuvering. This was resembling D-X more and more every minute. They tore Booker's NWO shirt off and gave one another the NWO high sign. Booker was left laying, as if he were a government mule. It was a great angle and promo.
Vince beat Flair in the No Holds Barred match to gain full control of the WWE in 8:55. Vince looked like the guy who kicked sand in the dweeb's face in all those old Charles Atlas ads. Or rather, he looked like that guy's grandfather. Flair threw a bunch of chops. They brawled out and Vince bumped over the rail. They fought in the crowd. They returned to the ring, but Vince left long enough to get the ring bell, which he used as a weapon. Referee Earl Hebner complained, and Vince shoved him. Flair juiced. Actually, he spouted a major gusher. Vince posted Flair and kicked him in the face. Vince was a little off throughout the match, with his blows often looking weak, and other times looking a little too stiff. Of course, he's also a non-wrestler in his late 50's. Flair did the face-first bump. Vince was ultra-aggressive, using low blows. Vince got a chair but Flair took it and hit Vince across the back. He worked on Vince's knee to set up a figure four. He locked Vince in the hold as Arn Anderson, who had come down to the ring, taunted Vince. It looked as if Vince would have to submit, but Lesnar ran in. Arn backed off. Lesnar attacked Flair and gave him the F5, allowing Vince to crawl on top for the pin. Lawler, who had been cheering for Vince, gave him a standing ovation. Vince staggered up the ramp, battered but victorious, shouting "It's mine!" in reference to his full control of the company.
RHETORICAL QUESTIONS:
Does Vince spend too much time in the tanning bed?
What happened to the Austin vs. Guerrero feud?
What happened to the Austin vs. Benoit feud?
What happened to Austin?
What type of women's clothing would Flair have had to wear if Austin hadn't bailed out?
Would you like to see Spiderman in wide screen on Molly's ass?
Why do refs get upset about foreign objects in matches where such objects are legal?
Don't you love it when panties are used as a weapon?
Weren't Trish and Terri enemies last week?
2003 - The annual Licensing Convention opeend in New York City. Mike Johnson filed the following notes from the convention:
After skipping last year's edition, World Wrestling Entertainment returned to the annual Licensing Show in New York City, with a booth featuring the timelime of the WWF's history from the early 1980s to the forthcoming Wrestlemania XX, lots of merchandise (including Mania XX T-shirts) displayed, and an appearance from Stacy Keibler. The booth, smaller than previous WWE efforts, also featured life size cardboard cutouts of WWE performer action figures. They were giving away postcards of Keibler advertising the Mania XX date. Edge and Kurt Angle are also scheduled for appearances before the show closes out.
NWA TNA was represented by Stanley Shenker & Associates. The Shenker booth featured two banners advertising the company, one with the TNA logo and quotes from different writers about the company, and a second with photos of Low Ki, Rick Steamboat, Ken Shamrock, Ron Killings, and two other wrestlers performing a superplex that aren't easily identified. There are no appearances scheduled by TNA personalities.
Spike TV had a huge booth pushing the new station, patterned around cartoon Ren & Stimpy, which hosted a free open bar happy hour during the show. There was no mention of WWE in any of the Spike TV licensing information.
2004 - Richard "Dirty Dick" Van Slater was sentenced to a year of house arrest followed by two year's probation for stabbing his former girlfriend. Van Slater was sentenced in Pinellas Circuit Court after pleading no contest to one count of aggravated battery in the December stabbing. Besides the house arrest and probation, Slater was ordered to stay away from the victim and pay restitution, fines, and investigative and court costs of more than $1,800.
Slater, 52 at the time, was arrested 12/27/03 after he stabbed Theresa Marie Halbert with an 8-inch butcher knife and "watched her bleed" in her home, according to the arrest report from 2003. Prosecutors charged him with aggravated battery.
2004 - TNA taped Impact at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida with the following results:
Kid Kash pinned the Amazing Red
NWA X Division Champion AJ Styles pinned Frankie Kazarian
3 Live Kru, BG James & Ron Killings, & Konnan defeated The Naturals & David Young
Monty Brown pinned Sonny Siaki
Team Canada - Bobby Roode & Eric Young, & Petey Williams defeated Abismo Negro & Heavy Metal & Mr. Aquila
2005 - The first of two nights of the third-annual Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup is held at Brandon All-Stars in Brandon, Florida. The results:
- Ricky Reyes defeated Jay Fury in a first round tournament match.
- Matt Sydal defeated Tony Kozina in a first round match.
- Petey Williams defeated Jerrelle Clark in a first round match.
- SCW Heavyweight Champion Vordell Walker defeated Tony Mamaluke in a first round match.
- Roderick and Sedrick Strong defeated Steve Madison and Erick Stevens.
- Sonjay Dutt defeated Todd Sexton in a first round match.
- Chris Sabin defeated Delirious in a first round match.
- Jimmy Rave defeated Eddie Vegas in a first round match.
- NWA Florida X Division Champion Mikey Batts defeated James Gibson in a first round match.
- A.J. Styles defeated NWA Southern Heavyweight Champion Lex Lovett to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title. After the match, Lovett announced his retirement.
2005 - TNA negotiations with WGN to pick up Impact end without a deal. The promotion would go on to sign a deal with SpikeTV, which continues through today.
2005 - On the same weekend as WWE held their "ECW One Night Stand" Pay-per-view in New York City, the first ever "Hardcore Homecoming" event, put together by former ECW World Champion Shane Douglas and TNA's Jeremy Borash, was held in the former ECW Arena in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Interesting to note, Terry Funk turned down a lucrative offer from WWE to work the One Night Stand PPV, instead wanting to wrestle at this event (Funk felt he could not give his best effort in two high profile matches that weekend). Here is Buck Woodward's original live coverage of the event:
We are live in the Viking... er, New Ala .... uh, the sweatbox in South Philadelphia best known as the ECW Arena, with live coverage of tonight's "Hardcore Homecoming" event.
The show unofficially got kicked off with the appearance of John "Hat Guy" Bailey taking his traditional seat in the front row to a big ovation and "Where's Your Hat" chant. When he produced the hat, an "ECW" chant started, followed by a "Hat Guy" chant. There was a "We want Styles" and a "We want Gertner" chant as well.
Ring announcer Bob Artese (complete with hats to throw to the crowd) and timekeeper Rocky Musciano came out to officially begin the show. Bob Artese then said he wanted to thank the man that made everything possible all those years ago, and a "Gordon" chant started up. Artese introduced "the founder of our promotion" and Tod Gordon came out to a big ovation. Gordon stopped to greet all the ringside fans before entering the ring. A huge "ECW" chant broke out. Tod thanked the fans, and put over the talent in the locker room. A huge round of applause, and another ECW chant started. Tod thanked the fans for making it all possible. Another ECW chant rang out. The mic stopped working (wow this is authentic), and a "You f***** up" chant rang out. Gordon then left the ring, and Joey Styles and Cyrus came to the ring.
There was a huge "Joey" chant, which Joey quieted so he could yell out "Oh my God". Another ECW chant. Get the feeling there will be a lot of those tonight? Joey said he was glad to be there, and a "Welcome Back" chant started up. Joey started to continue, but was interrupted by a "Well, well, well" as Joel Gertner came to the ring, to a huge ovation. Joey held the ropes open for Joel, and Gertner did the "floppy dance" to another pop. Joel then delivered one of his classic innuendo laced introductions. Even Cyrus was smiling. After Joel finished, a "F*** you Cyrus" chant started, and Cyrus acted like he was moved by it. Cyrus shook Joel's hand, and said he was going to try and stay in character, but Joel cracked him up. Cyrus said the building was still hot, Joey still takes all his heat, and Joel still does the funniest two minute promo in wrestling. Cyrus then turned heel on Joel and said he was still fat and pathetic. Joel tackled Cyrus, and Styles had to pull them apart. Cyrus rolled out of the ring and stomped off to the back, as Joey raised the arm of Gertner and officially kicked off the show.
Simon Diamond & CW Anderson vs. Mikey Whipwreck & Chris Chetti.
Mikey started off the match with Simon, hitting a shoulderblock, then trading armdrags. Mikey hit a series of rights in the corner, then shoved off Simon's monkey flip attempt. Mikey hit a second rope bodypress, then tried for a Whippersnapper, but Simon shrugged it off. Anderson tagged in, and said he wanted Chetti. Chetti tagged in, and soon he and Mikey were playing ping pong with Anderson's head, punching him back and forth. Anderson mounted a comeback, and went for a spinebuster, but Chetti blocked it and hit an ax kick for two. Simon clotheslined Chetti from the apron to give his team the advantage, and tagged in. Diamond and Anderson worked over Chetti for a while, hitting a double facedriver for two when Mikey broke up the pin. Chetti battled back against Anderson, and dodged a charging CW, who slammed into the buckles. Chetti made the hot tag to Mikey as Simon tagged in as well. Mikey cleaned house, dropkicking Simon and giving Anderson a FrankenMikey. Mikey and Chetti took their opponents in opposite corners and pounded them. Simon and Chetti were whipped together (with Chetti then falling into Simon's groin) in the melee, and Anderson superkicked Mikey for a two count. Anderson set up for a superplex, Mikey reversed it into a DDT, but Anderson blocked that and hit a spinebuster. Chetti grabbed Anderson and hit the Amityville Horror. Simon grabbed Chetti and gave him the Simon Series. Mikey then grabbed Simon and hit the Whippersnapper for the pin at the seven minute mark.
Winners: Mikey Whipwreck & Chris Chetti.
After Mikey & Chetti left, the fans gave Diamond & Anderson a round of applause and an ECW chant.
Tracey Smothers vs. The Blue Meanie.
Tracey Smothers was accompanied to the ring by original FBI member J.T. Smith. J.T. took the mic and said "When you think we're out, you pull us back in". J.T. began to sing "Fly Me To The Moon" but was interrupted by The Blue Meanie and the BWO theme. Meanie did his old dance routine, to a pop. A "BWO" chant broke out. Then we had a "Where's My Pizza?" and "Meanie Ate It" chants. Meanie grabbed a headlock to start, then hit a shoulderblock and began doing some Hulk Hogan style posing. Smothers grabbed a waistlock, but Meanie butt-butted his way out of it. Meanie slammed Smothers twice, and when Smothers stumbled into referee John Finnegan, Finnegan slammed him! Meanie, then Finnegan, took turns covering Smothers for two counts, as Smith protested from the floor. Tracey regrouped on the outside, then reentered the ring. Smothers got on the mic and said "If I hear another BWO chant, everyone dies." So, there was another BWO chant. Smothers then complained about Meanie cheating, and double teaming him with the referee. Smothers said he wanted to settle things right now ... with a dance off. Smothers danced first, to "Stayin' Alive". Meanie then did his classic dance, to the BWO theme. Both got ovations for their performances. Tracey ambushed Meanie as he was finishing his performance, and the match was back on.
Smothers beat down Meanie in the corner, then distracted the referee so J.T. could get some shots in. Meanie came back, hitting a bulldog and a bodyslam. Meanie then delivered the People's legdrop, and an avalanche in the corner. J.T. got on the apron, and Meanie knocked him off. Meanie then hit another avalanche, and went to the top rope. J.T. hit him with brass knucks before he could do the Meaniesault, and Smothers got the pin at the eight minute mark.
Winner: Tracey Smothers.
After the FBI had left, Meanie was given a round of applause and a "Meanie" chant.
Bob Artese then talked about how over the years, we've lost some of the people who used to entertain fans in this building. Images of Louie Spicolli, Road Warrior Hawk, Rocco Rock, Big Dick Dudley, Pitbull #2, Eddie Gilbert and Chris Candido were shown, with each getting an ovation from the crowd.
"Here Comes The Hotstepper" began playing, and Johnny Grunge and Pitbull Gary Wolfe came to the ring, as the fans swung their arms like it was an old Public Enemy entrance. "Back In Black" then started playing, and Tammy Sytch came out to a huge ovation. A "Candido" chant rang out. Bob Artese then introduced all three people to the crowd. A "Rocco Rock" chant then broke out. Grunge thanked the fans for letting them make a dream come true. An "ECW" chant rang out. Grunge put over the tag team legacy of the Public Enemy and the Pitbulls, then gave the mic to Candido. Tammy got a "Show your t***" chant. Tammy joked that enough of them were being shown off in the dress she was wearing. Tammy said that everyone who was watching "on the monitor in the sky" had the best times of their lives in this building.
Roadkill and Danny Doring then came out, to a big ovation. A "You f***** sheep" chant started.
Doring got on the mic, and started arguing with Hat Guy. Doring said he was trying to pay homage. He said he didn't want to downplay the accomplishments of anyone who had just been shown on the screen. However, he wondered how they could pay homage to any teams without mentioning the greatest tag team of all time. Wolfe cut him off, saying Doring and Roadkill weren't worth "the sweat on his balls". Roadkill and Doring attacked Wolfe and Grunge, beating them down in the ring. Roadkill brought a table into the ring, while Tammy ran off to the back, then returned .... with 911. 911 chokeslammed Doring, then Roadkill. Grunge and Wolfe set up the table in the ring. Roadkill was put on the table, and Grunge gave him a top rope elbow drop, putting Roadkill through it. Hotstepper started back up, and as the fans danced, 911 gave Roadkill another chokeslam into the remnants of the table. 911 went to lift Tammy on his shoulder, and slipped, starting a "You f***ed up" chant. All four then took a knee in the ring, and paid tribute to those up above, before exiting the ring. Sytch did the Candido strut and held up the Triple Threat sign before leaving.
Kid Kash vs. 2 Cold Scorpio.
Kash came out and complained about being called in as a substitute for this show (he is subbing for Chris Candido). Some fans chanted "You sold out" and Kash ripped on them. Kash said he did all the work to get himself over in Philadelphia, and all he got for it was "not being paid, and a bad back". The fans chanted for him to shut up. Kash continued to heel the crowd, and said it was time to see "the old hardcore vs. the new hardcore". 2 Cold Scorpio then came out, carrying his Noah GHC Tag Team Title belt. Scorpio got on the mic and said it was good to be back, getting a "Welcome Back" chant from the crowd.
Scorpio tried to shake hands to start, but Kash gave him a middle finger in response. They shoved each other, then traded punches and forearms. Stalemating, they broke off the exchange. They ran the ropes, each dodging the other one's moves, and stalemated again. They traded holds, with Scorpio starting to work on the arm of Kash. Kash broke free of an armbar and dropped an elbow for a two count. Scorpio kicked Kash in the gut, then applied a rear chinlock. Scorpio chopped Kash against the ropes, then hit a dropkick and followed it with a superkick. Scorpio sent Kash to the floor, then went for a pescado, but Kash moved out of the way. With Scorpio on the floor, Kash dove into the ring, then hit a slingshot rana onto Scorpio on the floor. Kash kicked Scorpio on the outside, sending him into the guardrail. Kash chopped Scorpio against the rail, and raked his back with his nails. Scorpio battled back with chops and punches, and they fought up the rampway. Kash tossed Scorpio off the ramp and into the chairs. Kash then dove off the rampway into a somersault senton in the crowd, hitting Scorpio.
Kash went back to the ring, and Scorpio eventually made his way back as well. Kash hit a baseball slide as he made his way back to the ring, then tried to use Scorpio's title belt, but Scorpio avoided it, and hit a series of rights on Kash. Scorpio and Kash battled on the floor, but back in the ring it was all Scorpio, hitting a second rope somersault legdrop and a Tumbleweed off the top for a two count. Scorpio missed a bodypress attempt, and Kash hit a moonsault on a standing Scorpio for a two count. Kash hit a walking the ropes rana for another two. Scorpio hit a superkick, followed by a buzzsaw kick, for a two count. The crowd was popping for the near falls. Scorpio then hit a powerbomb and the 450 splash for the pin at the seventeen minute mark.
Winner: 2 Cold Scorpio.
After Scorpio left, the fans gave Kid Kash a big ovation.
John Kronus came to the ring, and Bob Artese talked about how The Eliminators were supposed to have an "open challenge" reunion tonight, but Perry Saturn had broken his neck. Artese said that Kronus had agreed to stand behind the open challenge anyway. Out came Axl Rotten, followed by Ian Rotten, the Bad Breed.
Axl took the mic and asked the crowd if it had been too long since they had seen "the violence". Axl talked about his feud with Ian, and said they were going to "beat the s***" out of someone Bad Breed-style. They attacked Kronus, with Ian dropkicking a chair into Kronus' face in a corner. Kronus was soon busted open, and the Bad Breed gave him Conchairto.
"Natural Born Killaz" then blared, and New Jack hit the ring to a huge pop. Jack, armed with a chain and garden shovel, attacked the Bad Breed, and the bloody brawl was on. Ian and Axl were soon bleeding, with Kronus choking Axl with the chain, and New Jack producing a fork and stabbing Ian in the head with it. On the floor, Axl hit Kronus with a chairshot, while Ian got control of the fork and went to work on New Jack with it. Kronus whipped Axl into a table on the floor. Jack hit Ian with a sign, and piece of it flew into the crowd, which someone caught as a souvenir. Axl and Kronus fought up to the top of the ramp, then Axl hiptossed him back down it. Jack pointed to various ledges in the building that he had jumped off of. Almost on cue, security wheeled a scaffolding to ringside. Axl blasted Kronus, who was a bloody mess, with a chairshot on the floor. Kronus poked Axl in the eyes, and they got back into the ring, where Kronus hit a chairshot. Jack and Ian battled on the floor now, and were soon joined by Axl and Kronus.
An ECW chant broke out, and New Jack started to climb the scaffold. In the ring, Kronus set up a table, and kept Axl Rotten on the floor. Kronus put Ian on the table, and kicked Axl out of the ring again. Jack dove off the scaffold and put Ian through the table. It just dawned on me that we don't have a referee in the ring, so I guess this isn't "officially" a match. Ian was tossed out of the ring, as was Axl, and New Jack and Kronus celebrated, holding up the old Gangsta "X".
The music stopped, and New Jack took the mic. Jack put over the Bad Breed, to a lot of applause. Jack thanked the fans for remaining loyal to all of them over the years. New Jack said there were three letters that mean more in the alphabet than any other, and the fans knew what they were. The fans chanted "ECW". New Jack then mentioned the "Invasion" show on Sunday night, and a "F*** You Vince" chant started up. New Jack then commented, in his own unique way, that no one from Atlanta or Connecticut was truly ECW. New Jack put over the ECW locker room, and said that ten years ago to this month, he came into the ECW Arena and turned it upside down. New Jack said if he dies tonight, he can die proud, because he came back home tonight. New Jack again thanked the fans, and said there was still another half of the show yet to come. Jack said the show was like sex with a "fine ass bitch" and promised everyone would go home satisfied. New Jack then talked about having the, ahem, females in the crowd come back to the Hilton tonight for a party. Of course, New Jack used a lot more profanity and colorful language to get his point across.
Ring Announcer Stephen DeAngelis came out to begin the second half of the show.
Justin Credible, with Jason, vs. Jerry Lynn.
DeAngelis introduced Lynn, back from an extended absence, as "The New F***ing Show". Credible stalled at the start, jawing with the fans. The fans began clapping for action, and Credible bailed to the floor. They finally locked up, and Lynn hit a shoulderblock, sending Credible to the floor. Lynn and Credible traded armbars, and Lynn armdragged Credible to the mat. Credible shoved referee Pee Wee Moore, and Moore shoved him back. Credible went to punching Lynn, then chopped him in the corner. Lynn fired back with punches of his own, and took Credible down with a headscissors and an armdrag. Lynn went to work on the arm, but Credible fired back with punches. Lynn hit a bulldog, slid under Credible, and tripped him, setting up for a guillotine legdrop on the apron. Credible and Lynn battled on the floor, and Lynn hit a running senton off the apron, off a table, into the third row, hitting Credible. An ECW chant rang out.
Lynn tossed Credible back over the rail and into the ring. Jason tossed Credible a chair, but Lynn DDT'd him into it. Credible was busted open, and Lynn worked Credible over, using his blood as war paint. Jason tried to toss in another chair, but Lynn intercepted it. Credible kicked the chair into Lynn, however, to take the advantage. Credible stomped Lynn down in a corner, and with Jason holding a chair in front of his face, Credible hit a running knee. Credible gave Lynn a powerbomb out of a corner into the chair for a two count. Credible applied a rear chinlock, but Lynn came back with a sunset flip out of the corner for two. Credible hit a spinning side slam, then flung Jerry to the floor. Jason worked over Lynn on the floor, while Credible distracted the referee. Credible pulled Lynn into the ring for a two count, then went back to the chinlock. Credible hit a powerslam, and the fans chanted "F*** You Aldo". Credible went for a baseball slide in the corner, but Lynn moved and Credible crotched himself on the ringpost.
Lynn hit a short arm clothesline, followed by a traditional clothesline. Credible tried to block a backdrop into a piledriver, but Lynn turned it into a Kryptonite Krunch for a two count. Jason hit Lynn with a chair as he bounced off the ropes, and Credible grabbed him and hit That's Incredible (spinning tombstone) for a two count. A "Let's Go Jerry" chant broke out. Justin went for the piledriver again, but Lynn blocked it and hit a cradle piledriver. Credible barely got his shoulder up at two, and the crowd applauded. An ECW chant broke out. Lynn went to the top rope, but Jason shoved him off and into the ring. Credible went to the top rope, but Lynn fell into the ropes and crotched him. Jason got on the apron, but Lynn gave him a springboard dropkick to knock him down. Lynn then gave Credible a top rope rana through the announcers table on the floor. An ECW chant broke out, followed by a "Holy S***" chant.
Lynn rolled Credible into the ring and covered him, but Jason pulled the referee out of the ring and knocked him out. Lynn went after Jason, but this allowed Credible to attack Lynn. Jason and Credible set up Lynn for a spike piledriver, but Jazz ran in from the crowd and knocked Jason off the ropes, into Credible. Jason and Jazz went at it, with Jazz hitting a neckbreaker on Jason, then doing the old Rick Rude hip swivel. Jason went to the floor, where Jazz followed. Jason grabbed Jazz and kissed her, and Jazz responded by kicking him in the nads. In the ring, Lynn grabbed Credible for a tombstone, but Credible reversed it, only to have Lynn reverse it again and hit a cradle tombstone for the pin at the 23 minute mark.
Winner: Jerry Lynn.
A "New F'N Show" chant rang out, followed by a "Welcome Back" chant. Lynn got on the mic and said he would "toot his own horn for a minute". Lynn said his birthday was this Sunday, and that he "wasn't bad for a forty two year old". Lynn left to a big ovation.
As Justin Credible got up in the ring, he was given a big ovation and an ECW chant.
Sandman vs. Raven.
Raven came to the ring accompanied by his Flock, consisting of The Blue Meanie and The Musketeer. The Sandman then made his famous entrance, the the delight of the crowd, he also dragged out a ladder, which he left at ringside. After the introductions, Raven took the mic, and said he got twice the pop The Sandman did, because he is a "much bigger star". Raven said Sandman's pop was just below that of Jason. A "F*** him up, Sandman" chant started up. Raven said it was an embarrassment for a star of his magnitude to be here, since he had action figures made in WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. Raven then ripped on the fans and the building, pointing out that they were even too stupid to know they were being insulted. Raven said Sandman wasn't worth his time, and said Sandman couldn't even get through the Musketeer. Musketeer drew his sword, and we had a dual, with Sandman caning both him and Meanie. Raven hit Sandman with the mic, and the match was on.
Raven caned Sandman repeatedly with the cane, and when it had no affect, he hit him in the groin with it. The fans chanted "Johnny Polo" at Raven. Raven hit a series of rights, but Sandman came back with a series of European Savate Kicks. They battled to the floor, and Sandman put on the Musketeer's hat as he pounded Raven around the ringside area. Sandman tried to suplex Raven into the ladder that was lying on the floor, but Raven reversed it and sent Sandman into the ladder. Raven whipped Sandman into the ladder after putting it up against the guardrail, then tossed it into the ring. Raven whipped Sandman upside down into the rails. They made their way back into the ring, where Meanie had tossed in a table. Sandman teeter-tootered the ladder into Raven's face. Raven was busted open, and Sandman set up a table in a corner. Meanie tossed a handful of powder into Sandman's face, and Raven hit a DDT.
Raven went to bulldog Sandman into the table in the corner, but Sandman threw Raven off into the table. The Flock tried to run in again, but Sandman caned them away. Sandman then put the ladder on top of Raven and gave him a top rope somersault senton. Sandman set up another table, ducked a cane shot from Raven, and gave him a Russian legsweep. Sandman put Raven on top of the table, and gave him a top rope senton through it. Sandman covered, but Meanie pulled the referee from the ring. Meanie attacked Sandman and gave him a neckbreaker, then a Meaniesault. Meanie gave him a second, and Raven called for a third. Meanie's pants fell down on the second and third ones, but he still hit the move. Raven covered, but Sandman kicked out at two. Raven set up a chair and went for a drop toe hold, but Sandman stopped him and threw the chair at him. Sandman hit Meanie with the chair as well, then put the ladder on his head and spun around, hitting Raven and Meanie. Sandman then threw the ladder at the Musketeer.
DONN E. ALLEN then hit the ring, laid out the Sandman, and pulled off his shirt to reveal a shirt that said "49 F'N 8" (a play off his ranking in the PWI 500). Mikey Whipwreck ran down, and knocked Donn E. out of the ring. Sandman moved like he was going to attack him, but Mikey pulled out a couple of beers. They toasted, then Mikey kicked Sandman and gave him a Whippersnapper. Raven covered Sandman and got the pin.
Winner: Raven.
Raven, a now bloody Meanie, and the Musketeer walked off, and the Sandman was given an ovation as he got up.
Terry Funk vs. Sabu vs. Shane Douglas is next. Terry Funk came to the ring, to a huge ovation and chants. Funk took the mic, and asked if the fans would indulge him for 20 minutes. Funk said they wanted to get "wired" tonight. With that, a ring crew came out .... with barbed wire.
The main event will now be a no-ropes barbed wire match.
Or so it seemed. After the ropes were taken down, the crew was ordered to bring the barbed wire back into the locker room. There appears to be a lot of debate going on in the locker room over the situation. The fans have chanted "We Want Wire" but now music is playing, and there seems to be a lot of confusion.
After about two minutes, the crew came back out and started stringing up the barbed wire again! I guess the match is on!
Terry Funk vs. Sabu vs. Shane Douglas - No Ropes Barbed Wire Match
Shane Douglas came out first, wearing jeans and a T-shirt, his arms heavily taped. He pointed to the curtain, and out came the Queen of Extreme, Francine. The two were very careful to avoid the barbs as they entered the ring. Shane took the mic and said "Cut the F****** Music". A "Thank You Shane" chant broke out. Shane thanked the fans, and a "ECW" chant broke out. Shane said the man that owns that company now can "Kiss our hardcore asses". Shane said they had "brought hardcore back to life". Shane said that in every family, there are squabbles, and he and Francine were no different. Shane said that tonight was the night for them to put their differences aside and do things right. Shane said that the last time he wrestled in this building, it was against Terry Funk, and he made a promise that the next time he faced the Funker, he would cripple him and retire him permanently.
Sabu then made his entrance, accompanied by whistle-blowing Bill Alfonso. Sabu was given a "Welcome Back" chant from the fans, and was wearing his usual wrestling gear.
Terry Funk, accompanied by Tammy Sytch, then made his entrance. Funk is wearing his wrestling tights and a T-shirt, and has also taped up his arms. After Funk got into the ring, streamers were thrown in from the crowd, and an "ECW" chant rang out. Sytch then returned to the back.
The ring introductions were made, and a "Terry" chant broke out. The match is on!
All three men circled the ring, and they had a three way lockup. They did a two-way headlock spot, with Shane grabbing Funk, and Sabu grabbing Shane, then running behind Funk and pushing Shane into the barbed wire. Sabu whipped Funk into the barbed wire, then did the same to Shane. Sabu called for a chair, then hit a leg lariat off the chair into Funk, who was against the wire. Sabu covered Funk for a two count, then applied a short-arm scissors. Douglas broke it up, then Funk and Sabu double teamed Douglas. They whipped him into the wire, but Shane slid out of the ring. Funk and Shane started fighting on the floor. Sabu dove off a chair in the ring and hit a plancha on both men on the floor. Sabu and Shane went back into the ring, but Terry pulled Sabu back out and threw him into a table. Shane and Sabu then worked over Terry on the floor, rubbing his head against the bottom strand of wire. Shane then grabbed Sabu and raked his face against the wire.
Sabu and Funk were both bleeding from the forehead now. Shane whipped Sabu chest first into the wire. Funk hit a series of rights on Shane, but stumbled backwards into the wire. Sabu rubbed Shane's face into the wire, then put Terry in a camel clutch briefly. Sabu went for a chair launch on Shane, but Funk pulled the chair away and Sabu went into the wire. A "Sabu" chant rang out. Funk gave Sabu a neckbreaker. Sabu's pants were torn up from the wire. Shane twisted Funk between two strands of wire, but Sabu pulled Shane off and put him in a sleeper. Shane reversed into his own sleeper, then Funk got behind Shane and applied a sleeper. The fans applauded the spot. Funk covered Shane for a two count, then rolled off and covered Sabu for a two count.
Shane then covered Sabu and Funk, but they both kicked out, tossing Shane into the bottom strand of wire. Shane rolled to the floor, and Sabu taped up his leg. Funk gave Sabu a stunner. They went to the floor, and Funk gave Sabu a piledriver on the concrete. Funk tossed Sabu into the crowd, and Funk followed him. Sabu threw a chair at Funk, then hit Shane, who was at ringside, with one as well. Back in the ring, Shane dropped Sabu gut first across the top strand of wire. Terry Funk tossed several chairs into the ring. Funk got back in and threw a chair into Sabu's head. Funk hit Sabu with another chair shot, sending him into the wire, then whipped him across the ring into the opposite strands. Shane attacked Funk, then ripped at the face of Sabu. Funk got his arm entangled in the wire, and it had to be cut free. Bill Alfonso got on the apron and pulled Douglas into the wire, prompting Francine to attack him. The two had a catfight on the floor, with Fonzie yanking up her dress. Security broke them apart.
Funk gave Sabu a hangman in the barbed wire, twisting it around the neck of Sabu. Shane hit Funk with a chair, then hit the referee as well. Sabu was cut free of the wire on the floor, which was tangled in his hair and tights. We got a new referee, as Douglas tried to pin Sabu and Funk. Funk hit the chicken punches on Shane, then threw a chair into his back. Most of the locker room came out on the entranceway to watch the match.
Funk rubbed Sabu's face in the barbed wire, as Shane knocked out referee #2. Shane took a chair and laid out both opponents, then drove the chair into the back of Funk's neck. Shane went back and forth, hitting both men with chairshots. Douglas gave Funk a rolling reverse necksnap. Douglas called for a ladder, then dropped Sabu chest first across the barbed wire. Shane was given a ladder, and set it up in a corner. The ladder was very wobbly. As Shane climbed up it, the lights went out.
When the lights came back on, Cactus Jack was in the ring. The place went ballistic.
Cactus pulled Shane off the ladder, then gave him Mr. Socko, which the fans actually booed. Cactus then gave him a double arm DDT, which was cheered. Cactus, then wrapped Mr. Socko in barbed wire, and gave it to Shane, which got a big pop. Funk put Shane in the Kiwi Roll, and rolled him around the ring. Shane managed to reverse it, but Sabu hit him with a chair, and Funk got him back down. Cactus (who had a ref's shirt over his Cactus Jack shirt) counted the pin.
Shane Douglas is eliminated. Douglas received an ovation as he left the ring.
Funk and Sabu tried reversals in a sunset flip, then Funk catapulted Sabu into the wire. Funk set up a ladder in the ring, and a table. Sabu was placed on the table, and Funk climbed the ladder. The ladder collapsed under Funk's weight, and he fell through the table at the front. The table collapsed, and Sabu fell to the mat as well. They were both down in a heap of broken table and crushed ladder. Sabu got up first, set up a chair and gave Funk an Arabian Facebuster off the chair. Foley counted the pin.
Terry Funk is eliminated.
Winner: Sabu.
The locker room came out and circled the ring, as Sabu, Alfonso and Cactus helped Funk to his feet. A "Terry" chant broke out, followed by a "Sabu" chant, then a "Foley" chant. A "Thank You Shane" chant then started (with Shane not even out). Funk was then applauded as he left, and a "Please come back" chant started. Shane Douglas came back out, took a bow, then returned to the back. Funk and the rest of the crew walked out, as a final "ECW" chant rang out.
Mike Johnson explains the backstory behind the barbed wire match, which was touch and go for most of the day. ... At one point after Terry Funk announced the match to the live crowd, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission ordered the wire returned to the locker room. They were able to come to an agreement to have the match, which saved the show on so many levels it's impossible to write in one article. Had they been unable to salvage the barbed wire aspect after announcing it, the show would have been ruined despite anything Sabu, Terry Funk, and Shane Douglas could have conjured up. There was a lot of irony behind the match taking place as well, as Hardcore Homecoming used CZW's promoter Maven Bentley for the license for the show and the last barbed wire bout in Philadelphia was April 2003 at a CZW event. There's no word on what led the Commission to giving the go ahead on the bout, but my feeling is that they loosened up on the rules due to the percentage of the gate they were receiving since the ticket prices were so high. The Commission's Frank Talent actually told several fans after the New Jack match, "You got your blood and later you'll get your barbed wire." The barbed wire match itself was a Terry Funk idea.
2006 - TNA debuted in Wayne, New Jersey. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
Petey Williams pinned Shark Boy with the Canadian Destroyer.
In a great match with tons of false finishes, Jerry Lynn pinned Homicide with a cradle piledriver. While on the floor, Lynn hit a running dive into the crowd on Homicide.
In a segment taped for Spike TV, Simon Diamond introduced his new talk segment, "Simon Says". He introduces Jeff Jarrett. Jarrrett said he had an open challenge for tonight saying he'd fight two men or five women or a dozen kids. No one came out. Diamond called Jeremy Borash into the ring to declare Jarrett the King of the Mountain, but Borash instead introduced Jay Lethal as Jarrett's challenger.
Jeff Jarrett pinned Jay Lethal in a good match with the Stroke. Lethal challenged Jarrett to put up his King of the Mountain nickname before the match. Jarrett insulted Lethal's family before the match, which led to a later spot where Lethal's mom grabbed the guitar and chased Diamond.
James Gang defeated Team 3D. Team 3D came out to Highway to Hell, which was their theme in ECW in 1995 and 1996. They did a ton of fun stuff in this match playing off the crowd, which is mostly families. Kip pinned Devon after a chairshot when BG attacked Bubba as they were preparing to hit the 3D. James Gang set up a table in the ring after the pin but 3D made a comeback and his the Deadly Death Drop through a table on Kip.
Traci Brooks pinned Gail Kim. In a TNA Knockouts match. Shark Boy was the special referee. There were fans doing the Bentley Bounce when Brooks came out.
AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels defeated NWA Tag Team champions America's Most Wanted in a non-title match in a double pin situation with the ref ruling Styles and Daniels won. A good match, but not at the level of their last PPV bout. Gail Kim tried to interfere. They two traded mic work afterwards to build their Slammiversary PPV bout.
In the main event, Samoa Joe, Rhino and Abyss brawled through the crowd, including Samoa Joe skateboarding a chair dropkick to Abyss' face while he was against the guard rail. Joe got the biggest pop of the night. Joe was whipped face first into a chair wedged in a corner. Abyss chokeslammed Rhino through two chairs. Abyss went outside to grab tacks but was gored through a table. He went to gore Rhino but was stopped with a kick to the face and choked out.
2006 - Full Impact Wrestling ran Impact of Honor in Orlando, FL at the Downtown Recreation Center before 200 fans, featuring:
Sal Rinauro defeated the Canadian Cougar at 12:31
Alex Porteau defeated Seth Delay at 5:44
Chasyn Rance defeated Kenny King, Rainman, and Ryan Drago at 8:02
Shingo Takagi defeated Davey Richards at 12:36
Steve Madison defeated Erick Stevens at 12:41
Phil & Sean Davis defeated Super FIP Machine & the Masked FIPper #13 at 3:48
ROH World Champion & FIP World Champion Bryan Danielson defeated Colt Cabana at 22:15; only the ROH title was on the line
ROH Tag Team Champions Austin Aries & Roderick Strong defeated Jay Fury & Jerrelle Clark at 21:40
2007 - Former WWF Intercontinental and Tag Team champion Tito Santana was inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame in Texas. "This means a lot to me.I'm very proud to be a Hispanic and come from being a migrant worker and growing up with nothing, really. I'm very grateful to have gone as far as I have," Santana, who grew up in the area, commented.
2008 - Taryn Terrell debuted on WWE TV as Tiffany, an assistant to Teddy Long.
2008 - Variety reported that former WWF champion Steve Austin signed a deal with Original Media, the company behind reality series "L.A. Ink" and "Miami Ink" to develop a reality series that would be based around Austin. Original Media will partner with management/production company Caliber Media to create the series and also develop additional projects for Austin. According to the report, WWE would not be involved in the project, nor would Austin be using the "Stone Cold" moniker in the project. The project never saw fruition, although Austin would go on to host the revived WWE Tough Enough and Redneck Island on CMT.
2008 - Hulk Hogan went on Larry King Live to defend himself and his family after tapes of phone conversations Hogan had with his then-incarcerated son Nick painted the family in a terrible, uncaring light. While on the show, Hogan commented, "Well, my gosh, if you rewind back to the original sentence from the judge, the judge sentenced Nick to eight months minimum security. And from the moment he was sentenced, he walked out of jail. And we were all thinking he would be in minimum security for eight months.
They took him straight to the mental part -- the mental ward of the hospital and put him in a very small padded cell. And from that padded cell, we worked all through that weekend -- because it was on a Friday, waited until the next week and we thought were having him moved to a better spot, but they moved him to a maximum security area, where most of the prisoners were altogether in cell with pods, and 10 or 15 prisoners per pod that they had the use of a phone and they could see a TV.
But Nick was moved to maximum security, but at the end of the hallway in a solitary confinement, so -- which is usually used for punishing hardened criminals. Well, you know, the tape that you just heard was my son, who was -- at the time of the accident, he had just turned 17. When he was sentenced, he was still a 17-year-old child, a juvenile, however you would like to, you know, classify him.
For him to walk out of the courtroom on a Friday thinking he was going to probably be following the guidelines of the judge's sentence, minimum security for eight months -- for him to be walked into the mental ward of the jail and be locked in a padded cell, it caught all of us off guard. We had no idea that, you know, there was not adequate housing for a juvenile in an adult prison.
So when he first went in there, it was on a Friday and there was -- we panicked because this is -- wasn't what he was sentenced to. So we fought through this weekend and being locked up with no door or a window or no human contact, you know, for a 17-year-old, was tough when you didn't expect that.
So as we -- I mean I've sat in the same chair -- you know, from the day he was sentenced, he would call me if he had an opportunity to get to a phone. And they'd let him call early in the morning, like 5:30 or 6:00. I would sit in that chair from the moment I got the call until 11:00, 12:00 at night making phone calls. And I've been there ever since, until he got moved to where he's at now.
But it just -- it just never ended, because after that move, he went to the maximum security solitary confinement, where even the hardened criminals...
Well, at the end of the day, if you were in my situation, a desperate father with this tragic accident that happened with John, who we love to death, especially when I knew Nick couldn't be moved, when the sheriff and the judge and the prosecuting attorney said yes, we should move him, when the legal team shut us down. We were desperate. It was like the whole world crashing around my son.
Solitary confinement; most hardened criminal unravel after two or three days. Nick survived in there 28, 29 days. During that period of time, as I'm sitting there, 28, 29 days with hardly any sleep, I did everything I could, from laugh to cry with my son, to try to tell jokes, to try to be serious, to try to keep him present and aware and walking in the spirit of god and say, be grateful if we get a break. Be grateful if somebody hits us with another slam-dunk where emotions do -- be grateful that we know what is in front of us.
As I was going through these motions, I was trying to help give Nick some type of relief, because he is consumed with the unknown, solitary confinement, where nobody ever agreed this would be the punishment to unravel this kid mentally. As I was just digging to try to find a way for my son to get through another day or another hour, you know, I was trying to explain to him that it is in god's hand or god's will or it is what people have said for thousands of years.
Did I say things wrong? Yes.
Yes, sir. I said it incorrectly because my son, every could tell, every time I called or every time he would call me, that as the days went by and we couldn't get him out, especially when the sheriff, the prosecuting attorney, everybody said we want to move him and then there was no movement. We were desperate. I didn't, even though they were trying to protect him physically because he's a juvenile in an adult prison, his mental state was unraveling. And I just had no way to help him. I was desperate. And I never meant to hurt John or the Graziano family."
2009 - PWInsider.com broke the following story: "Ring of Honor's current PPV run will end as of this Friday's Take No Prisoners PPV, sources have confirmed. I am told that ROH opted not to renew their deal with PPV producer G-Funk Entertainment several months back and the contractual agreement between the two sides ends with this PPV.
One source stated the company was "suspending" PPVs, with the wording given in a way that could mean that down the line, they will return to PPV in some fashion. With HDNet involved in ROH's weekly series, one could surmise they could conceivably handle production for PPV down the line.
In speaking to several ROH talents, the news wasn't much of a shock as nothing had been taped or announced for PPV of late and ROH needed to hand a final product in to InDemand for the PPV provider to give final approval a month before airing. The feeling among the wrestlers I spoke to was that the weekly TV show was far more important in the long-term scheme of things.
ROH debuted on PPV in July 2007 with "Respect is Earned", the first in a series of bi-monthly PPVs. The final PPV, Take No Prisoners (which will air this coming Friday) was taped last April during Wrestlemania XXV weekend.
In related news, the final PPV will not be airing on DirecTV. ROH had a per-PPV deal with DirecTV and with this being the final PPV, DirecTV opted not to go forward with airing it via that provider. As you can guess, the planned Video on Demand ROH service on DirecTV is also kaput. "
2009 - LAX's Shawn Hernandez was cleared to return to the ring by doctors from a neck injury, far sooner than originally expected.
2009 - Mick Foley announced he was working on a fourth memoir, "Countdown to Lockdown."
2010 - TNA President promised a "nice surprise" for the upcoming TNA Slammiversary PPV. That surprise turned out to be the debut of Tommy Dreamer, who would only last a year with the company before departing.
2010 - WWE aired an episode of Superstars on WGN, drawing a 0.8 rating, with 1,017,000 viewers. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight’s show with the Raw brand and your announcers are the convalescing Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole.
Match Number One: Alicia Fox versus Gail Kim
They lock up and Fox with a side head lock and take down. Gail with forearms but Alicia pulls Gail down by the hair and gets a near fall. Alicia returns to the side head lock and connects with a shoulder tackle but she takes too long and Gail trips her and gets a jackknife cover for a near fall. Gail with a clothesline for another near fall. Alicia with an Irish whip but Gail with a kick and she hits a head scissors take down from the turnbuckles. Alicia gets into the ropes but Gail misses a charge. Alicia catches Gail on a cross body attempt and Fox with a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Alicia punches Gail and then she slams Gail but Gail with a forearm. Alicia blocks a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and hits a back breaker for a near fall. Alicia with a hard Irish whip and gets a near fall. Alicia with a chin lock and her knee in Gail’s back. Gail with elbows but Alicia with another tilt-a-whirl back breaker for another near fall. Alicia misses the scissors kick and Gail with a back elbow and clotheslines. Alicia with a knee to the midsection and a kick to the back. Alicia with an Irish whip but she misses a charge into the corner and Gail with a power slam for a near fall. Gail with a cross body into the corner and then she goes up top but Alicia knocks her down and Alicia with a scissors kick while Gail was on the top rope for the three count.
Winner: Alicia Fox
Match Number Two: Zack Ryder and Primo versus Yoshi Tatsu and Goldust
Zack and Yoshi start things off and they lock up. Zack backs Yoshi into the corner and he woo woo woos and pushes Yoshi but Yoshi chops back. Zack with a knee and side head lock followed by a shoulder tackle. Yoshi with a hip toss and arm drag into an arm bar. Goldust tags in and he hits an elbow from the turnbuckles to the arm followed by a shoulder tackle and clothesline for a near fall. Ryder with a kick and forearms but Goldust with a leaping butt bump. Ryder with a knee and he tags in Primo. Primo with punches and kicks to Goldust. Goldust with a reverse atomic drop followed by a catapult onto the knees and Yoshi with a senton for a near fall. Yoshi with more chops to Primo and forearms. Yoshi with a cravate but Primo with a knee and kick. Yoshi sends Primo over the top rope to the floor and Yoshi misses a pescado. Primo with a kick as we go to commercial.
We are back and Ryder with a head lock on Yoshi and the arm is isolated. Yoshi with a chop but Ryder with a flap jack and he gets a near fall. Primo tags back in and he hits an elbow drop for a near fall. Primo with kicks to the back and an Irish whip followed by a drop kick. Primo gets a near fall and Yoshi with his foot on the ropes. Ryder tags in and hits a knee drop for a near fall. Ryder with a body scissors. Ryder with a kick to the head and then he chokes Yoshi in the ropes. The referee is distracted by Zack and Goldut and Primo kicks Yoshi in the head. Primo tags in and hits a diving head butt and gets a near fall. Primo works on the neck but Yoshi with elbows and hits a spinning heel kick and both men are down. Primo grabs Yoshi’s leg for a moment but Ryder and Goldust tag in. Goldust with clotheslines followed by the drop down uppercut followed by a reverse atomic drop and bulldog. Goldust with punches in the corner and Ryder pushes him off and Goldust with a near fall after a power slam. Primo and Yoshi get involved and Primo suplexes Yoshi over the top rope. Goldust sends Primo to the floor but Goldust turns around into the leaping leg lariat and Ryder gets the three count.
Winners: Zack Ryder and Primo
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the Smackdown half of the show and your hosts are Matt Striker and Todd Grisham.
We start off this half by looking at the final part of Raw when the NXT Originals made an impact.
Match Number Three: Kofi Kingston with Michael McGillicutty versus Luke Gallows with Serena
They lock up and Gallows backs Kofi into the corner and gives a clean break. Kofi with a drop toe hold into a front face lock. Kofi with a side head lock and Gallows tries to power out of the hold. Kofi blocks a hip toss but he cannot avoid a shoulder tackle. Kofi escapes a slam and he kicks Gallows in the leg. Kofi with forearms and punches but Gallows with a knee and uppercut followed by another punch. Kofi with a drop kick and Gallows goes to the apron. Kofi with another drop kick and Gallows is sent to the floor. Kofi goes to the apron and he hits a cross body onto Gallows as we go to commercial.
We are back and Kofi gets a near fall on Gallows. Kofi with a forearm but Gallows with a forearm and a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Gallows with a series of elbow drops for a near fall. Gallows with a Japanese choke on Kofi but Kofi with a kick to escape. Kofi tries for a cross body but Gallows catches him and hits a fallaway slam for a near fall. Gallows with an uppercut and suplex for a near fall. Gallows returns to the Japanese choke. Gallows with a knee and forearm to the back. Gallows with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner. Kofi with chops to Gallows followed by a leaping clothesline and it is time for the Boom Drop and he leaps into the corner and punches Gallows and backs off but Gallows with a big boot for a near fall. Kofi avoids a slam but Kofi misses Trouble in Paradise when Gallows holds on to the ropes. Gallows with a body block and he gets a near fall. Gallows tries for the spinebuster slam but Kofi with SOS for the three count.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
We go to credits.
2010- TNA aired an episode of Impact, drawing a 1.0 rating, with 1,276,000 viewers.. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
We open the show with a look back at last week's episode as Mr Anderson solidified his alliance with Jeff Hardy against Beer Money, AJ Styles and Frankie Kazarian fought over the favor of Ric Flair, and RVD won a four way main event...after stealing Samoa Joe's win.
Slammiversary is just days away, but tonight, Kurt Angle returns to the ring and footage of Jeff Jarrett and Sting from Sacrifice!
But for right now, let's go to the ring with AJ Styles, Frankie Kazarian, Desmond Wolfe, and Beer Money, and Ric Flair is nowhere in sight. AJ acknowledges this, and says that in his absence, he's going to take control of the situation, the situation being that he just discovered that they're in an 8 man tag tonight, but the problem is that there are five of them, and in this world, five does not work. AJ says there were four Beatles, four members of the Fantastic Four, and four members of the Four Horsemen. But AJ has a simple solution to the problem...and he tells Kazarian to hit the bricks. This leads to Kazarian getting in AJ's face, but then Ric Flair's music hits...and out comes Jay Lethal in his Ric Flair gimmick. Lethal says that AJ is not The Man and he never will be, there's only one man who can be in charge and that's...the Nature Boy, and AJ is looking at God right now. Lethal tells us how much his outfit cost and then rips on AJ's outfit, and says that AJ will never be like him because he's the 16 time (stops to take off his jacket, dance, and elbowdrop it) CHAMPION! AJ was right about one thing, there is an 8 man tag tonight, and he's going to start by introducing his time. He specializes in big men, and the first member of his team tonight is...ABYSS! Big surprise there. Lethal says that as far as Chelsea's concerned, she's going to come around when she comes, WHOOOOO! Up next is a man so nice they named him twice, Mr Anderson! Wait, I'm going to guess the fourth guy will be Jeff Hardy. Just a shot in the dark. AJ points out that Lethal only has three guys, but Lethal responds that Abyss is big enough to count for two, and then Lethal's team rushes the ring...and lose the brawl. At least until some music hits, and it's Jeff Hardy! He comes running out of the crowd looking like Doink the Clown and clears the ring. Looks like we have our teams for tonight!
We go backstage to Brian Kendrick, who's meditating and now understands his purpose: he's here in TNA to capture the X-Division Title, a title for the truly courageous that knows no limitations.
Let's go to the ring for our first match...
Brian Kendrick vs Homicide
Ahhhh, I can just imagine the kind of match these two could have on the indies. Douglas Williams' music hits before the match starts and he comes out to do commentary. Kendrick and Homicide patiently wait for him to sit down before starting. This whole segment is like an ROH 2002 reunion. Homicide backs Kendrick to the corner and breaks clean, but Kendrick makes the mistake of mouthing off to Homicide and gets laid out. Homicide tries to tear his mouth open before laying him out again with a clubbing forearm to the back. Another face gouge, but Kendrick boots him in the gut on the break. This just pisses Homicide off, and he goes back to beating up Kendrick. Homicide goes for the Cop Killa but Kendrick escapes and tries a charge but eats elbow. Homicide with a t-bone suplex for 2, then puts the boots to Kendrick and chokes him out with his foot. Homicide with a facewash and then another one, then hauls Kendrick to his feet and hits a Michinoku Driver for 2. Homicide goes for the Ace Crusher but Kendrick blocks and gets Homicide in the corner and works him over. Kendrick goes for a whip but instead Homicide yanks Kendrick face first into the corner and hits a flying mare, then chokes Kendrick with the wrist tape. Kendrick fires back with a pair of forearms and an enziguiri that sends Homicide out of the ring to the ramp. Kendrick follows him out and repeatedly rams Homicide's head into the ramp and then rolls back in the ring. Homicide goes under the ring and dumps out a toolbox and picks up a hammer and a screwdriver, and tries to decide which to use on Kendrick. He settles on the screwdriver, but that stupid referee is a killjoy and won't let him use it, and as they argue Kendrick boots Homicide in the face and gets the 3 count.
Winner: Brian Kendrick
We go backstage as about ten guys are trying to pull Jesse Neal and Brother Ray apart.
After commercial, we come back and Jesse Neal is in the ring calling out Brother Ray as Shannon Moore tries to calm him down. Team 3D comes out as security blocks them from getting in the ring. Well, at least Brother Ray is, because Brother Devon is still trying to calm him down. Ray finally gets in the ring and tells Neal to go ahead and say what he has to say. Jesse says that if Ray has a problem, to be a man and say it to his face and to stop laying them out and leaving cards on them. Ray says he doesn't know what he's talking about, but Jesse's turned into an arrogant punk, and he needs to remind Jesse that he's one of the most legit tough guys in the business and it's getting to the point where he needs to take him out. Jesse says he always showed him respect, and Ray says he doesn't need his accolades because he's nobody, and before he came to Team 3D he was nothing more than a failure in the Navy. After Slammiversary, if Brother Ray has anything to do with it, he'll be a failure in the wrestling business too. Ray calls Shannon a bitch and says that if he has something to say, then say it. Shannon says that the Book Of DILLIGAF says he's a bully and a douchebag, then tells him to take his puppet and get out of here. Devon seems to take offense to that, but tells Shannon he'll give him a pass on that. Jesse gets a pass because they trained him, but Devon never liked Shannon from the beginning, but he understood the situation. Devon then turns around and tells Ray that he needs to get his head on straight and leave Jesse alone, then Devon drops the mic and walks off. Ray pauses to consider this, then suckerpunches Jesse from behind and runs off.
Now that we've got a break in the action, let's take a look back at Sacrifice as Sting brutalized Jeff Jarrett, bloodied him, injured his arm, and pinned him, then confronted Hulk Hogan when he came out to attend to Jarrett and get him into an ambulance. Coming up next, Jeff Jarrett will speak for the first time since Sacrifice, from his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
But before that, we go backstage to Eric Bischoff and Miss Tessmacher, who are with Matt Morgan. Morgan wants to know who his partner is going to be at Slammiversary, and Bischoff says he's found the perfect partner for Morgan, and Morgan's going to love him. He then informs Morgan that Hogan is at the top of the ramp with Morgan's partner, and their rematch for the tag title is up next! Wait a minute, I thought Jeff Jarrett was next! HOW CAN THIS BE???
Okay, we go to the Jeff Jarrett interview, which is interspersed with video clips flashing us back in the Jarrett-Sting feud. Jarrett says that at Sacrifice, the guy we saw was not the Sting he's known for years. He's going to get his revenge, but it won't be for a while. Jarrett goes on to say that Hogan coming to TNA was a blessing, but Sting doesn't see it that way. Jarrett has a special connection to Slammiversary, but now he'll have to explain to his three daughters why he'll be home instead of at Slammiversary this year. He promises that he'll be back, and he'll get his answers.
Matt Morgan comes out to get ready for his tag title match, and he is followed by Hulk Hogan, who makes fun of Morgan for crying about the tag title situation. He says there's a reason he's in the ring by himself: he's never seen someone stab so many people in the back as fast as Morgan has. Hogan says everything he's done is about to come back to him right now, and introduces his partner...Hernandez! Hernandez comes running down the ramp and dives over the ropes onto Morgan and starts kicking the crap out of him. Hernandez beats Morgan out of the ring, around ringside, and back in the ring. Hernandez with a running shoulderblock in the corner and then nearly plants Morgan through the mat with a huge spinebuster, then chokes him out with his t-shirt. Morgan is out cold as Hernandez walks off and Hogan, on commentary, says that he's going to make it official for Slammiversary: Matt Morgan will take on Hernandez. Hogan gets up and raises Hernandez' hand and they walk off together as security and the trainers come out and strap Morgan onto the gurney. They're about to carry Morgan out of the ring when the Wolfpac music hits, and here comes the Band for our next match!
TNA World Tag Team Title Match: The Band vs Matt Morgan & Hernandez
Hey, that's the official match at least. Bell rings, Young covers Morgan, and the referee counts three.
Winners: The Band
We go backstage to Christy with Rob Van Dam, and she wants to know what RVD thinks of Sting's recent unpredictable behavior. RVD says his strategy's the same, and he knows Sting wants the belt, but he's going to have to come get it from him because he's Rob...Van...Dam, not some- oh wait, Sting nails RVD from behind with the bat, chokes him with the bat, then stands over him and starts raining down rights and lefts to the face of RVD. Sting grabs the title belt and walks off as RVD is left laying.
We go to commercial, and when we come back RVD is being attended to backstage. He asks where his belt is, and Christy says Sting took it. RVD gets a determined look on his face and goes stalking off in search of Sting.
Kurt Angle comes to the ring and says that he's going to wrestle Frankie Kazarian at Slammiverary, and Kazarian is an excellent X-Division wrestler. With that in mind, he asked a good friend of his to come out and face him tonight to help him prepare for Kazarian, and he told him to hold nothing back. Amazing Red comes out, shakes Kurt's hand, and our next match starts...
Kurt Angle vs Amazing Red
Angle takes Red down with a shoulderblock, but Red catches him with an armdrag and a flying headscissors. Red flips out of a German Suplex attempt, but Angle gets an overhead belly to belly instead. Angle takes a charge but Red uses his momentum to send him to the floor. Red comes off the apron with another flying headscissors on the floor, then rolls Kurt back in. Red goes for a springboard something, but Angle moves and Red crashes into the mat, and Angle follows that up by flattening him with a clothesline. Angle goes for another suplex and Red reverses to a DDT. Red goes to the apron and gets a springboard DDT for a very close 2, but Angle comes out of nowhere with a German Suplex. The straps come down and Angle goes for the Angle Slam, Red slips out and gets a Shining Wizard and a really ugly kneeling Frankensteiner that drove Angle's head right into the mat. Red misses another high flying move and Angle hits the Angle Slam for the win.
Winner: Kurt Angle
Angle helps Red to his feet and raises his hand.
We go backstage to Sting, who says that he is in possession of the belt, but after this Sunday he'll own it. Right now the word of the day is deception, and that's what the belt represents right now: deception. He turns the belt around to show that he's defaced it by scrawling the word "deception" across the front. Sting continues: change is coming, and it's showtime. Sting gets a good chuckle out of that one as we go to commercial.
We go to a video package hyping the history of TNA leading into Slammiversary, and we get comments from Dixie Carter, Hulk Hogan, Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, and Sting as they debate the World Title Match. We then run through the rest of the card and Dixie wraps us up by putting over the roster for all their hard work in building TNA into the brand it is today.
We're backstage and following Rob Van Dam as he searches for Sting. He has an epiphany, and decides to head up to the rafters and search for Sting up there.
Time to go back to the ring for our next match...
AJ Styles, Desmond Wolfe & Beer Money vs Jay Lethal, Abyss, Mr Anderson & Jeff Hardy
Lethal and Roode start and Roode with a knee to the gut and a forearm, then lays in a stiff chop on the ropes, but Lethal with a handspring elbow, Tajiri-style. Lethal tags in Abyss and he starts working Roode over in the corner. Abyss tries a charge in the corner but Roode moves and Storm comes in to double team Abyss, Abyss goes for a double chokeslam, they fight their way out, but Abyss kills them with a double clothesline anyway and tags in Anderson. Anderson works on the arm and then he and Hardy do some quick tags while working over Storm's arm. Hardy goes up for the 10 punches in the corner, then mares Storm for 2. Storm goes to the eyes and tags in Wolfe, but Hardy with a vertical suplex for 2. Wolfe gets to his feet and takes Hardy to the corner and tags in Styles, who repeatedly rams shoulders into Hardy's midsection. Styles with a slam and a kneedrop for 2. Styles HITS THE CHINLOCK! Wolfe tags back in and all three heels in the corner put up their boots so Wolfe can ram Hardy into them. He tries it again but of course Hardy reverses and Wolfe eats the boots. Hardy gets caught in the corner though, and gets stomped out. Anderson and Lethal both try to help, but as usual, the ref is so busy getting them out of the ring that he doesn't notice the heels beating Hardy up. Beer Money with a double suplex on Hardy and Roode blatantly chokes him before dropping a knee for 2. Roode catapults Hardy into the bottom rope and covers for 2. Hardy tries to make a break for the corner but Beer Money shuts him down and Storm goes to a front facelock. Hardy makes the tag, but the referee was distracted by AJ Styles in the ring so he didn't allow it. Styles tags in and puts the boots to Hardy, but Hardy hits a chinbreaker, spinkicks Styles, and finally makes the hot tag to Jay Lethal. Lethal comes in like a house of fire and beats up all the heels. Lethal with a backdrop and a pop up neckbreaker on Styles. Wolfe with a DDT on Lethal, but Anderson comes in and hits the Finlay Roll on Anderson, and...well, everyone comes in and hits their finishers on everyone else, ending with Wolfe killing Abyss with a lariat. He tells Chelsea, sitting at ringside, to give him her chair, and she hesitates but Desmond ends up grabbing it from her...then turns around and gets the chair punched into his face by Abyss. Styles nails Abyss from behind and sends him to the floor and then winds up in a skirmish with Lethal that ends when he hits the Styles Clash for the win.
Winners: AJ Styles, Desmond Wolfe & Beer Money
Great match and an awesome finish!
We go backstage to Sting, who says that he wasn't going to make it easy for RVD because it's all about deception, and he's going to be waiting right there for RVD.
We go backstage and RVD is still looking for Sting, and finds him as Sting jumps him from behind (wearing the title belt) and proceeds to beat him up with whatever he can find backstage. RVD fights back as they make their way out toward the concession stand and RVD chokes Sting out with the t-shirt rack. RVD rams Sting into the scaffolding under what appears to be the bleachers, and then the brawl makes its way under the bleachers with RVD in control, but Sting gets a shot in and rams RVD into a garbage can on the other side. They finally make their way out through the crowd and onto the rampway and finally back into the ring. RVD regains control and tears off Sting's jacket then chokes him with it. RVD yanks the title belt off of Sting, then chokes him out in the corner with his boot before hitting a basement dropkick. RVD goes outside and grabs a chair and wedges it in the corner. Sting recovers briefly and starts a comeback, but RVD superkicks him in the face and Sting goes down. RVD comes in for the kill but Sting Tullys RVD into the chair, then takes it and slams it across RVD's back. Sting reclaims the belt and grabs a mic. Sting tells RVD that the belt is deception and it's his until Sunday, then he tosses the belt to RVD and walks off.
2011 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Roanoke, Virginia and your announcers are Michael ‘I’m good now . . . just look at my shirt for proof’ Cole, Josh ‘I’ve always been good . . . just check the note from my mom’ Mathews, and Booker ‘I’m undefeated on Raw . . . just watch Monday’s show’ T.
Christian makes his way to the ring and he says that he has to be honest because he was curious about the type of reaction he would get tonight. If people cheered for him, that means that they got it. That means that you understood that he got screwed out of the title, just five days after winning it. It means that you got that he was screwed out of the number one contender spot two weeks ago. That means you got that he was justified in doing what he did to Randy Orton last week on Smackdown.
Christian says that as he looks around the audience tonight and looks at their faces, he is convinced that most of the people don’t quite get it. That is why Christian wanted to tell everyone that he is through with them. He is through with his ‘so called’ Peeps. Christian says that he does not want to talk to them any more. Christian says that he doesn’t know if he ever wants to talk to any of you again.
Christian says that there is one person that he will talk about tonight. That person is sitting at the announce table. Christian wants Michael Cole to come into the ring so they could talk.
Cole makes his way to the ring and he asks Cole for one more match for the World Title. He feels that he earned it and he deserves it. Christian says that he has a lot of things to get off his chest. He does not understand why the same people who cheered him and supported him all these years, the Peeps, cheered so loudly when he won the title. The people who blew up Twitter with anger that he lost the title after only five days. Those same people were disgusted with him when he hit Randy Orton with the title belt.
Christian wants to know what kind of show Teddy Long is running by polling the crowd to make decisions. Christian decides to give Cole a ‘real world’ example with ‘Bob in Accounting’. Does Bob’s boss base a promotion on merit and what they have earned or does his boss go to the street and ask a bunch of clueless and worthless people their opinion on things?
Christian says that is what Teddy Long is doing. Christian says that these people had no right to try to control his life. Christian says that these people had no right ruining something that Christian fought for so hard in his seventeen year career. Christian tells Cole that it is disrespectful and he has never been so disrespected in his life. There is one person who stands out in that group of disrespectful people is Randy Orton.
He says that if Randy Orton is a man, there is no way that he would have accepted that title match knowing that Christian had competed in a grueling ladder match five days earlier. Christian tells Cole that he needs him to help him and do him a solid. Since Christian is not talking to them, he wants Cole to ask everyone if they think that Christian deserves to be the World Heavyweight Champion.
Cole asks everyone if they think Christian deserves to be the World Champion.
Christian says that was just what he expected. He saw that everyone is completely and utterly clueless. Christian says that he will be the World Champion again and when that happens, he will be doing it for himself because he won’t be sharing with any of them.
Christian thanks Cole for a good talk before leaving the ring. We go to commercial.
The members of the Corre walk in the back as they go to the ring for their six man tag match and we go to commercial.
Match Number One: Ezekiel Jackson, Jimmy Uso, and Jey Uso versus Wade Barrett, Heath Slater, and Justin Gabriel
Jackson and Slater start things off but Jackson wants Barrett. Wade goes to the floor so he can’t be tagged in. Slater tries for a kick but Jackson blocks it and he sends Slater to the mat. Jackson with a shoulder tackle followed by an Irish whip and splash into the corner. Jackson with a forearm to the back and then he sends Slater into the corner and he punches Heath. Jimmy tags in and he gets a near fall.
Jimmy with a side head lock and a flying shoulder tackle and a running forearm that forces Slater into the corner. The referee checks on Slater and then Gabriel tags in. Jimmy with an arm drag to Gabriel. They exchange forearms while Jimmy holds on to the arm bar. Jimmy does a little dancing and then he hits a savate kick followed by a leg lariat for a near fall.
Jey tags in and they hit a double back elbow followed by a double elbow drop. Jey misses a running butt splash into the corner and Gabriel with a drop toe hold into a side head lock. Gabriel backs Jey into the corner and Jey with elbows to escapes a bad situation. Jey falls to the floor when Slater pulls the ropes apart but Jey takes care of Slater before he reenters the ring.
Gabriel with a drop kick that knocks Jey off the apron. Slater with a hot shot to Jey onto the announce table. Barrett stands over Jey as we go to commercial.
We are back and Barrett punches Jey and then he hits a side slam for a near fall. Barrett tries to draw Jackson in and that allows the Corre to interfere. Slater tags in and he kicks Jey. Slater gets a near fall and then he applies a reverse chin lock. Jey backs Slater into the corner. Slater pulls Jey by the hair and then he hits a neck breaker and gets a near fall. Gabriel tags in and he slams Jey. Gabriel with a boot from the top rope for a near fall. Barrett tags in and he punches Jey followed by a head butt to Jey.
Jey with a kick and he tags in Jackson. Barrett sees the tag and he immediately makes the tag to Gabriel. Jackson with clotheslines and a slam. Barrett starts to walk away and Slater wants to know what is going on with the Corre. Barrett walks up the ramp and that confuses Jackson. Slater tries to take advantage of Jackson’s confusion but Jackson slams him.
While Jackson focuses on the legal man in the match, The Usos with a double super kick to Slater to take care of him. Jackson slams Gabriel twice and then he gets Gabriel on his shoulders and Gabriel taps to the Torture Rack.
Winners: Ezekiel Jackson and The Usos
Jackson celebrates in the ring with the Usos while we wonder what is going on with The Corre.
We go to Teddy Long in his office and he is taking some time out from polling crowds to book shows to make some bets on a horse race. Sheamus enters and Teddy has to change his cover story. Sheamus demands a match with Christian and he wants that match tonight fella. Teddy tells Sheamus he isn’t going to get that match. Sheamus blames Teddy because he was the one who made Christian the guest referee last week. Then Christian was ready to make the three count but he pretended that he had an arm injury. Sheamus says that Christian cost him the World Title. Sheamus tells Teddy that he is not asking him and he wants a match with Christian tonight.
Teddy says that he will put Sheamus in a match so he can release some energy. He gives him a match against someone else who is ready to explode so Sheamus will be facing Randy Orton in a No Disqualification Match.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Barrett, Gabriel, and Slater are still arguing about what happened during their match. Barrett points out that Gabriel and Slater don’t have to defend the Intercontinental Title against Zeke so what just happened helps everyone. Gabriel and Slater tells Wade that it only helps Barrett. They wonder what happened to the ‘everyone is equal’ deal. Barrett tells them that they would be nothing without him. Gabriel tells Barrett that he will find out what it is like to defend the title alone because the Corre is over. Slater tells Barrett that it is done.
Before our next match begins, we hear that Randy Orton has finally arrived at the arena.
Match Number Two: Trent Barreta versus Jinder Mahal with Great Khali
Barreeta pushes Mahal as the bell rings. Mahhal with a knee and forearm followed by a kick and punch. Mahal with a big back body drop to Trent followed by a kick to the back. Mahal tries for a belly to beack suplex but Trent gets to his feet and Trent hits an enzuigiri that staggers Mahal. Trent with a running back elbow into the corner. Trent goes up top but Khali gets on the steps to distract Trent and Mahal pulls him off the turnbuckles. Mahal finishes off Trent with a full nelson slam.
Winner: Jinder Mahal
After the match, Khali attacks Trent and gives him the Khali Krush.
Jack Korpela is in the interview area with AJ Lee and he asks her how it feels to be in the WWE. AJ says that she is excited to have her first singles match, but her interview is interrupted by Tamina and Rosa Mendes who call AJ ‘Minnie Mouse’ and they tell her that they have a gift for her. AJ opens the box and it is a block of cheese. Rosa calls AJ a mousy loser. Rosa and Tamina giggle and AJ tells them that LayCool would like to have their gimmick back. Tamina says that it is big talk from a little girl who is going to be alone in the ring.
AJ is not going to be alone because Natalya shows up while Tamina and Rosa leave.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: AJ Lee with Natalya versus Tamina with Rosa Mendes
AJ with a waist lock but Tamina with an elbow and then she picks AJ up by the neck. AJ with a back heel kick and a drop kick. Tamina with a forearm and head butt to AJ. Tamina with a slam and then she applies an arm bar. Tamina throws AJ to the mat by the hair. Tamina misses a big splash and AJ responds with a drop kick to the knees followed by a Shining Wizard for a near fall. AJ with punches but Tamina with an Irish whip. AJ with an elbow and then she comes off the turnbuckles. Tamina catches AJ and sets up for a Samoan drop but AJ escapes and gets a rollup and the three count.
Winner: AJ Lee
Randy Orton is walking in the back and we go to commercial.
We are back with a video package focusing on Christian’s attack on Randy Orton after Orton successfully defended his title against Sheamus last week.
Randy Orton comes to the ring and he has something to say. Randy addresses Christian and he says that he heard that Christian was running his mouth before Orton showed up. Orton wants Christian to come to the ring to say what he has to say to his face.
Christian appears on the TitanTron and he tells Orton to ask the crowd to see what they want. Then he suggests that Orton ‘pull a Teddy’ and ask the crowd by calling them playas and seeing if they want Christian to come to the ring to confront Randy Orton holla holla holla. Christian says that Orton wants to do more than talk so he isn’t coming to the ring.
Orton tells Christian that he wants Christian to be a man and deal with this man to man and face to face. He says that beating the hell out of Christian is only going to be an added bonus.
Christian wants one more match for the World Title. Christian starts a one man one more match change.
Orton says that he doesn’t care what Christian wants.
Christian says that Orton should care because before he smashed Orton in the face with the title belt, he was the guest referee and he could have counted Orton’s shoulders down on the mat, but he didn’t do it. Christian says that he did not want to face Sheamus for the World Title. He wanted to beat Orton for the title. Christian says that he knows that he can beat Orton. He says that Orton should be thanking him.
Orton thanks Christian and then he reminds Christian that five days after Christian won the title, he beat him. Three weeks later, he says that he is ready to beat Christian right now so why not do it now.
Christian starts to walk towards the building, but then he thinks about it and decides that he is finished doing things on the terms of Orton, Teddy Long, or the Peeps. Christian is going to set his terms. Christian says that his terms are Randy Orton versus Christian for the World Title at Capitol Punishment.
Orton says that it doesn’t matter where they meet next, but the result will be the same. He will beat Christian like he always does and he will remain the World Champion.
Christian tells Orton that he will see him in DC and Christian drives away.
Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase are in the locker room and they are commenting on photos being sent by members of Congress over Twitter. Cody asks Ted if he doesn’t mind if he calls the shots in the ring tonight the way that things are going. Ted reminds Cody that they were on the same side on Legacy. Cody says that while Ted was distracted by money and women, Cody kept his focus. Ted says that it wasn’t focus. He got his face busted up and turned his mental complex into a life strategy. He calls Cody ‘nuts’. Cody calls for a bagger and he tells him to put it over his head. Cody tells him to get out of his face. Cody tells Ted to look at him. He is hideous. He says that this was premature enlightenment. It was only after he lost everything that he felt free to do anything. He may be nuts, but he may be a genius too.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Ted DiBiase with Cody Rhodes and the Bag Men versus Sin Cara
The lights go down and they lock up. Ted with a side head lock and he applies a hammer lock. Cara with a snap mare followed by a springboard cross body for a near fall. Cara with kicks and then he uses the ropes for an arm drag. Cara with kicks to Ted and then Ted anticipates that Sin Cara is going to go for the handspring back elbow so he moves out of the way and Cara does a back flip instead. Cara with a head scissors take down.
DiBiase with a boot to the head followed by a kick and then he tries for Dream Street but Cara lands on his feet and hits a drop kick that sends Ted to the corner. Sin Cara is sent to the apron and Cara with a kick to the head and then he sets for a springboard move from the apron, but Cody Rhodes is standing nearby and he pulls Cara face first to the apron. Since the referee saw that, he calls for the bell.
Winner: Sin Cara by disqualification
After the match, Rhodes sends Sin Cara into the ring and Ted joins him in the two on one attack. Ted and Cody work over Sin Cara until Daniel Bryan makes his way to the ring and he hits a flying clothesline on Rhodes and then he connects with a big boot to DiBiase.
Ted and Cody go to the floor and Teddy Long makes his way out. Teddy tells Cody and Ted that isn’t how we do it on Smackdown playas. If they all want to mix it up, we are going to have a tag match. Holla time and commercial too.
Match Number Five: Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes versus Daniel Bryan and Sin Cara
We join the match in progress and Bryan with an arm drag to DiBiase and arm bar. Bryan tries for the LeBell Lock but DiBiase gets away and Cody tags in. Cody takes his time getting into the ring. Rhodes has a kick blocked but Bryan does not miss with his kicks followed by a European uppercut. Bryan floats over and Sin Cara is tagged in. Cara with a springboard drop kick to Rhodes followed by kicks to the leg. Rhodes sends Cara shoulder first into the ring post.
DiBiase tags in and he kicks Cara. Ted chokes Sin Cara against the turnbuckles and the referee warns him but that allows Cody to punch Cara. Ted with a snap mare and kick to the arm for a near fall. Cara rolls through into a cross arm breaker but he is in the ropes so he has to release the hold. Ted with a kick and he tags Cody back in.
Ted and Cody punch Cara in the midsection and Cody kicks Cara. Cody with an arm bar. Cody continues to work on the arm but Cara with a kick but Rhodes with a single arm DDT and he gets a near fall. Rhodes with an Irish whip and Ted is tagged back in and he kicks Cara. Ted kicks Cara and then he yells at Cara to tell him to make the tag until Ted brings him back into his corner. Cody tags in and goes to the turnbuckles and he connects with an elbow. Rhodes knocks Bryan off the apron and then Bryan tries to get into the ring and the referee stops him, allowing Ted and Cody to double team Cara.
Rhodes with a snap mare and a key lock. Cara with kicks to get back to his feet. Cara goes through the legs to try to make the tag but Cody grabs the leg. Cara with an enzuigiri and both men are down. Ted and Bryan tag in and Bryan with a forearm to Ted followed by an overhead belly-to-belly throw. Bryan with a running drop kick into the corner for a near fall.
Bryan goes up top and Cody tries to interfere but Bryan kicks Cody to the floor. Cara with a suicide dive onto Rhodes while DiBiase stops Bryan on top. Bryan pushes Ted down and Bryan is caught by DiBiase but Bryan with a guillotine choke into the LeBell Lock and Ted taps out.
Winners: Daniel Bryan and Sin Cara
We go to commercial.
We are back and Johnny Curtis reminds us that he won Season 4 of NXT. He says that he won that season three months ago, but we have only seen him on television twice. That does not mean that he is bitter. Johnny shows that he has a chip on his shoulder and then he eats it.
The announcers congratulate Andy for winning Tough Enough.
Booker has a dream and it is the Truth ‘Little Jimmy has a boat’ dream.
Randy Orton is in the interview area with Matt Striker and Matt asks if Randy could focus on his match tonight. Randy says that he did everything possible to keep his head above water last week against Sheamus. This is his kind of match because Sheamus is a brawler. Over the past few years he has had anger management issues so with his current state of mind, this match will be therapy for him.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Six: Sheamus versus Randy Orton in a No Disqualification Match
They lock up and Sheamus backs Orton into the corner and he punches and kicks Orton in the corner as Sheamus chokes Orton. Sheamus with elbows to Orton’s head followed by a forearm across the chest. Orton with a Thesz Press and he punches Sheamus. Sheamus with an Irish whip but Orton comes out of the corner with a clothesline. Orton with a kick to the chest and then he throws Sheamus to the floor. Orton with a European uppercut as they fight onto the ramp.
Orton sends Sheamus into the ringside barrier and he follows that with a clothesline to Sheamus. They return to the ring and Orton blocks a kick and he takes Sheamus down with a single leg sweep. Orton with a boot to the chest but he misses a leaping knee drop and Orton holds his knee. Sheamus chokes Orton in the ropes and connects with a forearm. Sheamus goes to the apron and he connects with a running knee lift.
Sheamus tries for the slingshot shoulder tackle but Orton knew it was coming and he hits a drop kick that sends Sheamus to the floor. Orton starts to favor his injured knee and he sends Sheamus into the apron and ringside barrier. Orton with European uppercuts and then he sends Sheamus head first into the ring steps.
Orton tries to stomp Sheamus’ head on the top step but Sheamus moves out of the way and he drops Orton on the ring steps and then Sheamus follows that with a clothesline as we go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus with a quarter nelson and chin lock on Orton. Sheamus with forearms across the chest to Orton. Orton with punches to Sheamus followed by a head butt. Sheamus with a back elbow and he gets a near fall. Sheamus returns to the arm bar and chin lock. Orton with a head butt but Sheamus with a knee. Sheamus with a knee drop and then he goes to the apron. Sheamus hits the slingshot shoulder tackle and gets a near fall. Sheamus rakes the eyes and he does not have to worry about warnings from the referee.
Sheamus and Orton with punches. Orton gets a second wind but Sheamus with a double axe handle for a near fall. Sheamus returns to the arm bar and then makes it a side head lock. Orton with a belly-to-back suplex and both men are down. Orton is the first to start moving and he slithers back to his feet. Orton with punches but Sheamus gets in a few punches too. Orton with more punches and a European uppercut. Sheamus with punches and elbows. Orton with more punches of his own. Orton with a kick followed by a clothesline or two. Orton with a power slam and Sheamus rolls to the apron. Orton tries for the IEDDT but Sheamus gets back into the ring and he back body drops Orton over the top rope to the floor.
Orton slams Sheamus’ head into the ringside barrier and then Sheamus with an Irish whip that sends Orton into the ring steps. Orton is now holding his right arm after hitting the steps. Sheamus grabs the top step and he hits Orton in the back with it. Sheamus throws Orton back into the ring. Sheamus brings the rest of the steps into the ring to use them. Orton struggles to get back to his feet but Orton is able to get up and he hits a back breaker and gets a near fall. Orton sees Sheamus in the corner and Orton moves the ring steps into the center of the ring. Sheamus sends Orton into the turnbuckles and then Sheamus kicks Orton in the chest. Sheamus gets Orton up and he sets for a power slam on the steps but Orton gets away and Orton hits a power slam onto the ring steps, but Orton can only get a two count.
Orton tries to send Sheamus’ head into the ring steps but Sheamus blocks it. Orton with a uranage back breaker and he gets a near fall. Sheamus goes to the floor and he looks under the apron and he finds a kendo stick. Sheamus returns to the ring and he hits Orton in the ribs and then the back with the stick. Sheamus focuses his attack on the arm and then he hits Orton in the head but when Sheamus goes for the cover, Orton is able to kick out.
Sheamus throws the kendo stick to the floor and he sets for the Brogue kick, but he misses it and he crotches himself on the rope. Orton punches Sheamus and Sheamus’ foot is caught in the ropes. Orton sees the kendo stick on the ground and he thinks about using Sheamus as a piñata. Orton hits Sheamus repeatedly but there is no candy coming out of Sheamus.
Sheamus is finally able to get his foot loose but this only means that Orton is able to hit the IEDDT. Orton looks at the TitanTron and then he twists into the RKO push ups. Orton waits for Sheamus to get up but from out of nowhere, Christian attacks Orton from behind and tries for the Killswitch. Orton is able to avoid the hold and he tries for an RKO. Christian escapes it and then Christian pushes Orton towards Sheamus and Sheamus with a clothesline for a near fall.
Sheamus signals that we are done and he gets ready for the High Cross but Orton gets to his feet. Sheamus misses a Brogue kick but Orton does not miss with an RKO. Christian comes into the ring and he hits Orton with the title belt. Christian stands over Orton with the title belt in his hand and he tells the referee to make the three count for Sheamus.
Winner: Sheamus
After the match, Sheamus leaves the ring and Christian stands over Orton and Christian holds the belt over Orton as we go to credits.
2010 - WWE Raw ran Syracuse, NY. Jason Ouimette filed the following live report:
Almost all of the people scheduled were here, with the exception of Alberto Del Rio [as he is touring with the SD crew]. They went though the usual pre-show information as lights went down and when they came back up Justin Roberts was in the ring. They did the national anthem and we were off and running for our opening match.
Jack Swagger v. Evan "Air" Bourne - this was an awesome opener and the kids and crowd popped for Bourne and booed Swagger great back and forth match with Bourne getting out of The Ankle Lock and hitting his shooting star splash for the win. Great way to open the show and get a hot crowd already hotter and pumped up.
Next Justin Roberts announced our guest hostess for the show, Eve Torres. She comes out and wow she is in a nice purple/black dress and looked as hot as ever. She announced that later in the show 4 fans would be picked to be in a contest [the usual dance contest for prizes]. At this point out come the Bella Twins to run their mouths and talk down to the hostess routine when Kelly Kelly and Beth Phoenix come out to Eve's aid. This leads us to our next match:
Kelly Kelly/ Beth Phoenix v. The Bellas - standard divas match. The kids were loving the faces and hating on the Bellas al though all were hot. Kelly played the face in peril until making the hot tag to Beth, who cleaned house. At one point the Bellas tried to leave and Eve threw them in the ring. After Beth hits a beautiful slingshot suplex, ala Tully Blanchard, Kelly gets the pin and the win. After the match Beth goes out and hugs Rick the sign guy.
Percy Watson v. Zack Ryder - wow the pop Ryder got coming out was amazing and he legit looked taken aback from the reaction [why Vince doesn't push the guy more then he is is beyond me, super over w/ crowd and everyone loves him]. Percy comes out [sans the funky glasses and dancing from his Showtime days] and very few knew who he was, which is a shame. This was a decent match with both guys working hard. Watson gets the win and Ryder gets cheered on way out.
US Title match Kofi Kingston [c] v. Dolph Ziggler - Dolph comes out first to garner cheap heat by running down Syracuse, which of course he got. Kofi comes out and the place explodes. Kids were loving him. It was deafening. As for the match, wow it was an amazing match, back and forth, with both men delivering. Both guys hit their finishers and at some points you thought perhaps Dolph could pull it off and win title. In the end Kofi wins and the crowd explodes.
So now its intermission and time for Eve to come back out and do the dance contest. They selected 4 fans [1 adult male who was trying to get the crowd pumped, a young boy, 2 girls]. Well they hit the music and the guy goes first and he sucked but it was funny watching him. Then he suddenly runs over and tries doing a bronco buster to the turnbuckles and the ref. had to run over and catch him before he fell. Justin Roberts told him he had to get down. The next was the 1st young girl and she was ok. Then the other girl went and wow is all I can say. She got down and dirty and was on verge of winning until the little boy went. He was next and last and when he came up wow he pulled out some amazing and awesome dance moves, including The Worm and more. Of course he won and got to go back stage to meet WWE superstars. All the rest got some shirts. After the contest they took a 15 minute break.
Six Man tag team match - Nexus [Otunga, McGillicutty and Mason Ryan] v. Chris Masters, Kozlov and Santino and wow the crowd popped for both teams but Santino got the loudest and best of all. This was a really good 6 man match with Masters playing the face in peril before making the hot tag. Santino pulled off all his moves and hit The Cobra, which got a standing pop from the crowd. Winner Santino, Kozlov and Master after the match they posed and did the trumpet pose. Awesome match.
Miz v. Alex Riley - Miz comes out and has the crowd ripping him, getting the cheap heat. A-RI comes down and Miz takes off, playing the cowardly heel running away from A-RI until the old trick of the face/heel cat and mouse game with heel sliding into ring and face getting a beatdown for being stupid and going in after him. This wasn't that great a match, more a brawl with Miz owning A-RI for about half the match until Alex makes his comeback. Then out of the blue the Miz hits Alex with the briefcase and gets DQ'd. Probably the worst match of the night hopefully they make the PPV match some sort of a brawl or something.
After this match Justin Roberts comes in and thanks the crowd and says they usual we plan on being back in Syracuse, NY in the very near future.
Main Event of the evening: Triple threat match for the WWE Championship - John Cena[c] v. R-Truth v. CM Punk - Punk comes out first and he got quite the pop from the older crowd, which again he looked legit taken back from. Out next was Truth and he comes out singing "It's a wonderful world" before going into I wish I wasn't here in Syracuse, NY to garner heel heat and boy he did. Finally out comes Cena and holy crap what a pop. I thought the roof was going to blow off. This was another great match with Cena fighting off both guys and the heels trying to do the evil double- team stuff but messing up. In the end Cena gets the win after hitting the FU on, I believe, Truth.
All in all an awesome house show. The crowd was hot all night> Cena was the most over with all the kids. There was the dueling chant of "Lets go Cena, Lets go Punk/Truth" depending on who he was fighting with at time.
Note: Even though I am not a fan of the Superman Cena character you have to give him his due as he is the most fan- friendly guy ever. After the show ended Cena, instead of heading to the showers or his car to leave, went outside by the buses/truck and met the crowd of fans and gave out his wrist and head bands [my nephew caught his head band and gave it to his brother, which was really special].
2011 - TNA held a Basebrawl event in Marion, Illinois with the following results:
TNA World Television Champion Eric Young (with the Southern Illinois Miners' mascot) defeated Robbie E (with Cookie). Young's win allowed backstage passes to be handed out to fans.
Matt Morgan defeated Scott Steiner.
Velvet Sky defeated Angelina Love (with Winter).
Kazarian defeated Matt Hardy.
A.J. Styles & Devon defeated Bully Ray & Tommy Dreamer
Kurt Angle defeated Jeff Jarrett.
2012 - TNA broadcast Slammiversary 2012 on PPV. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing TNA Slammiversary PPV coverage. Slammiversary opened with a video piece looking at the history of the company with lots of clips.
Mike Tenay and Taz welcomed us to Arlington, Texas and the PPV. They did a great job in showcasing the crowd size here. I'd guess 5000-6000 fans there.
Hulk Hogan made his way to the ring. Big reaction to Hogan. Hogan said that the ten years have been awesome and he hopes everyone has their seatbelts bolted in, because the next ten years are going to be twice as awesome. Big "TNA" chant. Hogan said he's been around the block a few times and TNA is shooting for the moon. He said things are changing and as the GM, he loves pushing people's buttons around here.
Hogan said the first button he's pushing is the first match because he's going old school. He announced Samoa Joe would indeed challenge X-Division champ Austin Aries for the title, throwing the weight limit they instituted out. I love that.
TNA X-Division champion Austin Aries vs. Samoa Joe
The sight of the crowd makes this show look so big time.
They locked up. Joe took Aries to the mat but Aries slipped out and returned to his feet. Aries grabbed a side headlock and was sent into the ropes, eating a shoulderblock. Joe had this look on his face, smirking like he knew he had Aries' number.
They went to lock up but Aries through a roundkick at Joe's legs. Aries went for some strikes but was blocked. Joe drilled Aries with a series of kicks to the chest. Aries came back with a rana, sending Joe to the outside. He went for a suicide dive but was kicked in the face as he hit the ropes.
Joe returned to the ring and chopped Aries hard in the corner. He whipped Aries into the corner and drilled him with a hard back elbow. Aries crumbled in the corner and Joe nailed a series of Facewash kicks. Joe sent Aries into the corner and was drilled with punch after punch.
Aries kicked him off during a charge but was nailed with an inverted atomic drop, leg lariat and a back senton splash, but Aries pulled his knees up on the splash. Aries drilled Joe but was nailed with a big strike, sending him to the outside. Joe went for a dive but Aries got out of the way. Aries hit the ring and nailed his suicide dive to the outside. There was a big chant for Aries, which led into dueling chants for both men.
Aries nailed a neckbreaker and a missile dropkick. He was caught by Joe in a running shoulderbreaker for a two count. Big "Joe" count. Aries and Joe exchanged chops and strikes Aries went for a rana but was caught and powerbombed then turned into a Boston Crab. Joe then turned it into an STF.
Aries grabbed the ropes and fought Joe off in the corner. He went to the top but was nailed by a series of kicks. Joe went for a superplex but Aries nailed some headbutts and strikes. Joe fell into the ring, where Aries nailed him with a 450 splash for a two count.
Both men down but battled to their feet, slugging it out back and forth. Aries got the better of the exchange as the dueling chants broke out again. Aries went for a discus clothesline but Joe caught him with the sleeper. Aries tried to get to the ropes but Joe scissored him and took him down. Aries flipped over trying to trap Joe in a pinfall but Joe kicked out at two.
Aries charged Joe but was hit with a big Uranage. This is great stuff. Joe placed Aries on the top for the muscle buster attempt. He picked up Aries, who slipped out and used a crucifix like move to drilled Joe hard backwards into the mat. Aries nailed a big dropkick and discus clothesline. He killed Joe with a hard dropkick in the corner and nailed the brainbuster for the pin.
Your winner, Austin Aries!
Great, hard hitting and physical back and forth match. Really great way to open the show. The crowd is alive. I just wished TNA had them mic'd better but this shows feels so different than most TNA shows already.
Joe and Aries shook hands after. Joe had a little blood under his nose.
Mike Tenay and Taz talked about the show and TNA's big anniversary.
Kid Kash vs. Hernandez
Hernandez was announced as one half of Mexican America, even though the other one was released awhile back. Hernandez got a big reaction since he's from Texas.
Kash nailed several shots but was nailed with a massive shoulderblock, sending him to the floor. Hernandez went for a dive but Kash retreated from the area. Kash argued with the referee but was slingshot into the ring by Hernandez.
Hernandez went for a running charge but Kash used a droptoehold to drape him over the ropes. Kash tied up his arm and used the ropes for leverage while pulling at it. Kash nailed a series of kicks and bit Hernandez on the nose.
Kash chopped Hernandez hard in the corner and locked on an armbar. Kash continued the beating until they messed up a rana, with it looking like Kash instead drove him into the mat like a DDT. Kash nailed a tornado DDT, sending Hernandez to the outside on the apron.
Hernandez leapt over the ropes back in with a big shoulderblock. Both men were down and the crowd was counting along with the referee. Hernandez splashed Kash in the corner. He rolled to the floor. Hernandez hit a crazy dive over the top to the floor onto Kash in the aisle. That was nuts.
Back in the ring, Kash slipped out of the Border Toss and nailed Hernandez with a dropkick. Hernandez was cut off on the top but nailed Kash back down into the ring. Hernandez came off with a top rope splash for the pin.
Your winner, Hernandez!
There were a few moments of awkwardness but a lot of smooth moments spotlighting Hernandez' power and insane agility. Kash is so smooth as a worker, it's nuts. Easily the most underrated and underused talent on the national scene. Good match that did what it was designed to do.
The #3 Top Moment in TNA History was AJ Styles becoming the first X-Division champion.
TNA TV champ Devon & Garett Bischoff vs. Robbie E and Robbie T.
Garett went back and forth with E, nailing a series of clotheslines. E backed back off into his corner. T tagged in and the clotheslines didn't work. E tripped Garett and pulled him to the outside, working over him. Devon argued with the referee.
Madison Rayne showed up in a red dress smiling all over someone since she's got a secret crush on Garett. The crowd was chanting, "We want Devon." E takes down Garett and locks him in a side chinlock.
Garett gets out and comes back with the oddest looking flapjack ever to hit PPV. Devon makes the hot and cleans house with a series of elbows on E. E was drilled with a shoulderblock. Devon nailed T off the apron and hit E with a Thesz Press.
Devon nailed E with an Avalanche in the corner and a shoulderblock but T interfered to break up the pinfall. Garett pulled down the ropes as T rebounded, sending him over the top to the floor. Bischoff hit a bodypress to the floor.
Devon nailed a sidewalk slam on E for the pin.
Your winners, Devon & Garett Bischoff!
As entertaining as a match of this length was going to be. They are trying hard to get Garett over with Madison and he's showing a little more charisma, doing a silly dance with Devon after. He still needs a lot of work but was in the right role here. He's absolutely trying so you can't fault him for his effort. The crowd wasn't in love with him but man, did they friggin' love Devon. Devon was just on with everything he did. E is really good in his role and T is a hell of a frightening looking monster of a man. They did everything on point here. The crowd was bigtime into the entire scene with the crowd clapping like crazy and going nuts for the babyfaces. It's a hell of a scene.
Jeremy Borash said it's been his honor and pleasure to be with TNA from day one. He brought in the TNA Tag Team champions Daniels and Kazarian. Kazarian said you always remember your firsts, mentioning all the things he did first in TNA. Daniels handed Borash a glass of champagne and said that they promised to continue to be the champions, to make fans want to be more like them and to continue to reveal the truth. Solid promo.
Jeff Hardy vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Mr. Anderson to crown number one contender for TNA title.
The winner gets a title shot at the TNA belt this Thursday on Impact. All three battled back and forth early. Anderson did his usual mic work. The entrances come off so much big time here than usual.
RVD nailed a series of shoulderblocks in the corner including his backflip into one. Van Dan took out Hardy with a stiff kick but Jeff was under the ropes so the referee wouldn't count it.
RVD went for a monkey flip out of the corner on Anderson but was dropped down for a two count. He charged Hardy, who kicked him off. Hardy went to the ropes for a legdrop but was nailed. Anderson went for a superplex. RVD slipped under for a Tower of Doom but Anderson realized it and drilled RVD, removing him from the equation. Anderson nailed the superplex. RVD jumped to the top for a splash but they rolled out of the way. Good stuff with a nice pace early.
The referee counted everyone down on the mat. RVD nailed the Ryder kick off the ropes on Hardy for a two count. Anderson reversed a whip into the corner but was kicked away by RVD. The crowd chanted, "This is wrestling." RVD hit the Hollywood Star Press onto Anderson but Hardy broke up the pin.
RVD nailed the monkey flip out of the corner, launching Anderson onto Hardy. RVD covered him for a two count. This has been fun stuff with lots of RVD signature spots and near falls. RVD drilled Hardy with a thrust kick. RVD flipped over an Anderson backdrop attempt. Anderson caught him and nailed a backslide. Hardy hit the Cruncher legdrop on RVD, covering him for a two. That was cool as hell.
RVD tripped Anderson when he was whipped into the ropes by Hardy. They battled on the outside but Hardy hit a bodypress to the outside on them. Hardy tossed RVD into the ring and brought him to the corner. He whipped RVD out. RVD reversed but was nailed with an elbow charging. Hardy leapt to the top and hit a twisting moonsault to RVD. The crowd chanted, "This is awesome" after the near fall.
Hardy drilled RVD with a sick looking bulldog. He nailed Anderson and came off the top with a swanton on RVD for a two count when Anderson pulled referee Brian Hebner away. Anderson tossed Hardy out hard to the floor and slammed RVD into the turnbuckles. RVD blocked it and nailed Anderson.
RVD went for Rolling Thunder but Anderson caught him with the Mic Check and pinned him clean. Wow, didn't see that coming.
Your winner and number one contender, Mr. Anderson!
Real good and frenetic match with everyone working their ass off and doing their signature spots. This was the best match Anderson has had in a long time. Hardy and RVD, as much as they are talented, can sometimes be hit and miss but this was absolutely a strong showing for all three here. I love a good motivated RVD and wow, this was a motivated RVD.
So far, a really enjoyable first hour.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Crimson. Crimson's heel demeanor is great. He said that he didn't know who had accepted his open challenge but it didn't matter because unlike a perfect game where you need nine innings, he has been perfect for over 470 days. He said that would continue tonight and said let's go see who my opponent is.
Crimson's Open Challenge
Crimson took the mic and said that he's been undefeated for 470 days. He said that they claim everything in Texas is bigger and he agrees since he's looking at the biggest group of losers he's ever seen in his life. Crimson said he came here to fight. He said that no one in the back wants to fight him, so he'll fight one of their Mavericks, Cowboys and Rangers if he to. Crimson said he was going to wait until someone accepts his challenge.
The crowd was chanting "Goldberg". I don't see that. It was James Storm accepting.
Storm clotheslined Crimson out of the ring immediately. He suplexed Crimson back into the ring and began beating him with a series of right hands. Storm kept wearing his jacket in the ring. He began chopping the hell out of Crimson in the corner. Crimson nailed him the second he turned his back.
Crimson began choking Storm with his own jacket. The crowd chanted, "Let's go Cowboy." Storm made a comeback with a series of rights and a leaping forearm. Storm nailed an inverted atomic drop and leapt into a move that drove Crimson's head to the mat. Storm began playing to the crowd and nailed the Last Call superkick.
The streak has ended.
Your winner, James Storm!
A short match and more of a spectacle but Crimson did well on the mic and the scene was well done. An interesting way to bring Storm back into the storylines. The crowd loved this.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Austin Aries. He said that in less than a year he went from someone fighting for a contract to the most dominant champion here. He said that next, he wants to be the man to set the bar in TNA. Aries said he wants to be the main event and he's going to do anything he can to get there.
The number two moment in TNA history was Hulk Hogan signing with the company.
TNA President Dixie Carter came to the ring, all smiles. Someone had a sign that said "Dixie does Dallas." The crowd chanted a thank you but Carter thanked them instead. She said it's a very surreal moment for her. They said it was the largest crowd in TNA history for the United States. There was a big "TNA" chant. Carter said that they have the best wrestlers in the world working for the company and asked the roster to come out on the stage. Everyone came out, including backstage types.
Carter thanked everyone and said that in honor of their decade in the business, they welcomed the first inductee in the TNA Hall of Fame. It was Sting. You can't argue that one as a first choice unless you want to argue the merits of Jeff Jarrett as the first one in. They did a great video package on him. Sting came out. The crowd chanted, "Thank you Sting."
Carter said that everywhere they go, that's the response Sting gets. The crowd chanted, "Yes!" Carter said that when they were a small struggling company and they needed an icon, he came in to help them for a little while. Every year, he keeps saying yes. Carter said he keeps reinventing himself again and again and is doing his best work ever. Carter said the formal induction ceremony will be held at Bound for Glory. Then, what the heck is this?'
Sting took the mic. He said that he wasn't prepared for this. He said that everyone is telling him thank you but he'd like to thank Dixie and thanks to everyone on the roster. He chanted "Thank you" at the fans. Sting said that tonight, it will be showtime.
TNA Knockouts champion Gail Kim vs. Miss Tessmacher
I guess we can't have two Brookes.
They locked up and Kim used a takeover to get out of it. They went face to face and Kim shoved her away. Kim used a rollup for a quick two count and nailed her hard and cheap.
Tessmacher used a takedown and went for a suplex but Kim rolled out of the ring. Tessmacher went for a sliding dropkick to the outside but Kim avoided and slammed her into the apron several times.
Back in the ring, Kim nailed several chops. He went Tessmacher into the corner, where she came off with a flying clothesline. Tess went for a move but was caught and dropped throat-first over the ropes. Kim choked her in the corner.
Kim chopped away at her. Tess tried to go up and over but was caught and nailed with a shoulderbreaker. Kim slammed her into the mat. Kim tied her up on the mat. She scissored Tessmacher's neck and twisted it, trying to force a submission. There was a "Let's go Tess."
Kim drilled her with a series of rights and slammed her face into the bottom rope, then choked her. Kim was caught out of nowhere with a neckbreaker. They battled back and forth with shots. Tessmacher nailed a series of clotheslines and a flying forearm.
Kim shoved Tess off in the corner but was nailed with a dropkick. She went for a suplex but something went amiss. Kim nailed a necktie neckbreaker. She sized up Tessmacher for something. Tessmacher pulled herself up on the apron outside. Kim shoulderblocked her off the apron to the floor.
Kim brought her back into the ring and went for a move but Tess caught her with a forward roll and scored the pinfall.
Your winner, Miss Tessmacher!
There were a few miscues but they worked a harder athletic style than you'd see from most women on a national level these days. They were really trying to put together something special and worked hard.
Christy Hemme texted Brooke. Tessmacher was starting crying. She said that she's never thought she would be here and to win it in her home State was special. She said she's overcome a lot of obstacles and the best wrestling roster to be here and said "God bless Texas."
Jeremy Borash interviewed Bully Ray. He asked Borash if he knows who he is. Ray said he was from God's Country, New York City. He said he's got Joseph Park exactly where he wants him, in the middle of a wrestling ring. Ray said he's going to have an all out assault. He showed the contract. He said that he if he breaks his arms or legs, he won't be held responsible because anything goes. Ray said that maybe Abyss wasn't left for dead after all, but if he shows up tonight, he swears to God he won't be wrong twice. Usual good promo.
Bully Ray vs. Joseph Park
Park, wearing a jumpsuit, was scared to death. His range in this role is just great. The crowd was all over Ray with Pro-Texas, anti-NYC chants. The bell rang and Ray demanded Park take the first shot. He threw one but Ray easily ducked it and asked him if he was serious. He nailed Park with a hard slap.
Ray ducked a series of punches and nailed him again. Ray put his hands behind his back and spit in Park's face. He kept yelling and slapping Park. The crowd chanted for "Joseph."
Park ducked a charge and slapped Ray, which the crowd popped for. He turned to them and was nailed from behind by Ray. Ray worked over Park as the crowd chanted that New York Sucks. They obviously have never visited.
Ray grabbed a chair from the outside. Park kicked the ropes as he returned to the ring, tripping Ray. He grabbed the chair, holding it upside down. Ray began begging off but jumped Park when he turned his back. Ray nailed him across the back with the chair. Taz said, "He didn't learn about that in law school." Ray lit him up with another shot.
Park went to the outside, where Ray slammed him into the announcer's table. Ray drilled him with a series of right hands. Ray brought him back in but missed a back senton splash when Park rolled out of the way.
Park came up with his fists balled up and unloaded on Ray with a series of punches. Ray charged but was shoulderblocked down. That looked bad but I guess Park isn't "supposed" to know how to wrestle, so you can excuse it, somewhat. Park went to charge Ray in the corner but was nailed with a big boot.
Ray pulled a table and a kendo stick from under the ring. Big "ECW" chant from the crowd. Ray went to nail Park but was punched in the mid-section. Park ended up with the stick and nailed Ray in the head with it for a two count. They are telling a really good, enjoyable story.
Park charged Ray but was nailed in the corner. He rolled to the outside and went under the ring. Someone dressed as Abyss rolled out the opposite side. He comes out from behind Ray. Ray did the Hansen yell and turned into a chokeslam through a table. Taz said, "Not even Stan Hansen can help you now." They shot him from behind so you couldn't see who it was playing the roll.
Abyss returned to under the ring. Park rolled out and covered Ray for the pin,
Your winner, Joseph Park!
The finish was a little hokey if you are a purist but the entire scenario was well executed. Everyone did a good job in their roles.
TNA champion Bobby Roode was interviewed. Roode said that it was all about celebrating all these things tonight but they should only be celebrating him. Roode said that without him, there would be no TNA Impact Wrestling. He said he is the most dominant for a reason. He congratulated Sting on his Hall of Fame induction, but he "doesn't give a crap." Roode said he was going to end Sting's career and retain his title.
Hulk Hogan came back out to the ring. Hogan said he had a surprise for everyone and introduced Christian Cage aka WWE Intercontinental champion Christian. Cage was in street clothes and made his way to the ring. No title belt with him. Old TNA theme music. Taz said he was shocked to see him and that he hasn't seen him in forever. Cage saluted the audience. The crowd chanted, "Welcome back."
Christian took the mic and asked if anyone can guess the question he was asked the most this week. He was asked if he would be appearing on Slammiversary. The crowd chanted, "Yes!" Cage asked who would have thunk it - Cage standing right here in a TNA ring. He started talking and stopped, counting how many corners they had. He said the last time he was here, there had a few more corners. He said that there may be changes in the ring and in the competitors and who competes but the one thing that hasn't changed are the fans.
Cage said that the fans gave TNA the chance to exist and asked everyone to stand and give themselves a round of applause. How surreal to see a WWE guy doing that. Cage said that the fans voted for the top ten moment in TNA history and it was his pleasure to present it to the fans.
The top moment was Sting's return to wrestling in TNA in 2006. I can see some being disappointed that this was all Cage did but the fact TNA event got him here is pretty damn amazing, especially considering they are currently suing WWE! There was no way he was going to be taking a bump so using him to put over the TNA fans was a nice idea.
TNA Tag Team champion Daniels and Kazarian vs. AJ Styles and Kurt Angle
The video feature before the bout was all about the Styles/Carter allegations. Styles and Kazarian started and went back and forth. Styles dropkicked Kazarian out of the ring, then nailed Daniels. Styles followed Kazarian to the floor. Kazarian reversed a whip but Styles slide under the guard rail, nailed him and came off the guard rail with a flying forearm.
Daniels tried to come interfere but Angle saw him coming and nailed a flying clothesline off the apron. Back in the ring, Styles nailed a big kneedrop on Kazarian for a one count. Angle and Daniels tagged in. Daniels nailed a leg lariat and slammed him into the turnbuckles.
Angle reversed a whip into the ropes and backdropped Daniels off the rebound. Styles tagged in and nailed a series of rights and an over the knee backbreaker. Kazarian tagged in. Styles was caught tied up around the top rope hanging outside. Daniels and Kazarian took turns working it over. Angle tried to help but was held back by the referee.
The champs nailed Styles with a series of moves but Angle broke it up. Daniels dragged Styles back to their corner and tagged in Kazarian. Mike Tenay did a nice job explaining why they would do that, to make it farther for Styles to get to make a tag. Kazarian worked over Styles but was nailed with a neckbreaker.
Styles made the hot tag to Angle, who went nuts with offense. Daniels caught him with an elbow but Angle shrugged it off and nailed a big belly to belly overhead suplex. Angle started suplexing everyone. He nailed the Angleslam on Daniels for a two count. He nailed a pair of German suplexes on Kazarian. Kaz grabbed Daniels by the waist to stop it. Styles nailed Daniels and Angle German suplexed both. That was awesome.
Angle locked in the anklelock on Daniels but Kaz nailed him. Daniels went for Angel's Wings but Angle backdropped him. Kaz tagged in but was nailed with a springboard forearm smash. The champs doubled on Styles but he made his own save with a combo inverted and traditional DDT on both at the same time. Styles missed a leaping splash in the corner and kicked him to Daniels, who laid him out.
Angle nailed a T-Bone Tazplex on Daniels but Kazarian nailed him with a leaping DDT. Styles caught him with a forward facebuster for a two count. This is really good stuff. Styles placed Kazarian on the top for a superplex but was shoved into the ring. Angle leapt to the corner and nailed a superplex on Kazarian. Daniels drilled him with a STO.
Daniels and Styles brawled back and forth in the center of the ring. Styles used a headbutt to get the advantage. Styles goes for the discus clothesline but is caught with a Uranage. Daniels goes for the BME but missed and is caught with a German suplex. Kazarian is drilled with the Pele Kick. Angle goes to the top with a Frog Splash for a two count but Daniels pulled the referee outside.
Styles hit a shooting star springboard press to the floor on Daniels. Holy sh** that was freaking insane. Kazarian went for the Fade To Black but Angle rolled through and locked in the anklelock. Kazarian tried to make it to the ropes but was just inches away. It may as well have been miles as he finally tapped.
Your winners and new TNA Tag Team champions, Kurt Angle and AJ Styles!
Really great match that serviced the work ethic and athletic style that was at one point the hallmark of TNA PPV. Just great stuff. Loved this. This has been a really well done show tonight.
TNA champ Bobby Roode vs. Sting
The crowd was bigtime into Sting, who had the offense on Roode early. Sting tried a few times to go for the Scorpion Deathlock, only for Roode to go outside to break up the momentum. Sting finally followed him when he realized Roode was trying to walk out, nailing him and slamming him into the ringsteps.
Sting tossed Roode back into the ring but the champion rolled outside again. Sting tried to pull him but Roode snapped him throat-first over the ropes. Sting was choked against the ropes. Roode nailed a series of kicks and drilled him across the throat with a shot while Sting was laid out on the apron.
Back in the ring, Roode worked over Sting and chopped him hard. Roode snapmared him over and drilled him with the rolling snap. Roode drilled Sting but it was blocked. Roode kicked him and covered Sting for a two count.
Roode locked in a sleeper. The crowd kept chanting for Sting. Sting fired back with a series of elbows to break free and locked in a sleeper of his own. Roode nailed a back suplex to escape.
Sting nailed Roode with a right hand as Roode went to the top. Sting superplexed Roode into the ring and went for the Scorpion Deathlock. Roode teased tapping but fought through the pain and finally made it to the ropes. He went right to the floor and tried to walk out.
Sting caught up to him in the aisle and sent him into the guard rail. Roode tried to get away but Sting caught him and sent him into another rail near the production stage. The crowd chanted, "You still got it." Sting tossed him in but Roode rolls out to the floor. Sting nailed the Sting Splash against the rail.
Roode climbed on the announcer's table. Sting locked him in the Scorpion Deathlock on the table and Roode tapped but it didn't matter. Roode returned to the ring carrying some of the beer left over from James Storm's celebration earlier. He tried to nail Sting with a bottle but was stopped by Sting. The referee got rid of the bottle but Roode nailed him with another, busting him open. Roode covered Sting.
Your winner and still TNA champion, Bobby Roode!
The main event was what you would expect from a Sting match. They worked hard and the crowd was into the drama but it was missing something. I was glad to see Roode actually get a win here and the way he got it sets up the eventual Storm vs. Roode rematch at what I am assuming will be Bound for Glory. Not awesome but solid. In no way should that be seen as a negative - It was impossible for them to follow that Tag title bout.
Sting got up, pissed and nailed the referee and attacked Roode. He brought Roode up to the ramp and suplexed Roode on it. Sting slammed Roode head-first into a piece of the steel stage. Sting nailed him with the Scorpion Death Drop off the stage through a table on the floor that conveniently was set up to look like a safe landing. I can't complain about that. The crowd chanted "Holy sh**." The show went off the air with Sting returning to ringside.
Overall, a very, very good show.
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