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September 6th
On this day in history in ....
1972 - The Sheik defeats Seiji Sakaguchi in Tokyo, Japan to win the NWA United National Heavyweight Title. That belt is now part of the All Japan Triple Crown.
1975 - WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeats Bugsy McGraw & Lou Albano in a handicap match at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
1981 - Ron Bass defeats Greg Valentine to win the NWA Television Title in Ashville, North Carolina, ending Valentine's fourth, and final, run with the belt.
1993 - The Moondogs (Spike& Cujo) defeat The Dogcatchers for the USWA Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee, starting their second reign.
1996 - During a Friday night edition of Raw (due to U.S. Open Tennis) Jim Ross shocks and confuses fans by saying that Razor Ramon and Diesel were in talks to return to the WWF. Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, working for WCW, deny Ross' claim. Ross would repeat the statement again on WWF shows, and would later introduce the "new" Diesel (Glen Jacobs, aka Kane) and "new" Razor Ramon (Rick Bogner, aka Big Titan). Since WWF did own the names and characters of Diesel and Razor Ramon, they were within their rights to have new wrestlers portray the roles. However, the idea was not warmly accepted by the fans.
1997 - Steven Dunn defeats Doomsday (Kane) for the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee. He would be the last man to hold the title, as the company would close down two months later.
2002 - At a non-televised event in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, WWE Champion Brock Lesnar defeats World Champion Triple H in a rare bout between the Smackdown and Raw champions. Before the match, it was announced that only Lesnar's title was on the line.
2003 - Toshiaki Kawada defeats Shinjiro Ohtani in a tournament final to win the Triple Crown in Tokyo, Japan. This would begin Kawada's fifth reign as champion, tying for the record of most Triple Crown wins with Mitsuharu Misawa.
2003 - Nigel McGuiness defeats Chad Collyer for the Heartland Wrestling Association Title in Batavia, Ohio.
2005 - WWE tapes the first edition of Friday Night Smackdown in Atlanta, Georgia, with Eddie Guerrero defeating Rey Mysterio in a steel cage match, U.S. Champion Chris Benoit defeating Orlando Jordan with the Crippler Crossface in 22.5 seconds, and World Champion Batista defeated JBL in a bullrope match. Unfortunately, due to a benefit concert pre-empting the show in many markets, WWE's loaded lineup would not be a ratings success.
2005 - TNA announced that they have signed Gail Kim to the company. Kim would go on to become the first ever TNA Knockouts champion.
2006 - "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton was released from Holston Valley Medical Center in Tennessee after suffering a heart attack and undergoing procedures to have a stent implanted.
2007 - Former WWE announcer Jonathan Coachman began his new job at ESPN.
2007 - Chris Nowinski appeared on the Joe McDonnell Experience in California. Brian Washington filed the following report:
For the second night in a row, Joe McDonnell had a former WWE wrestler on his show on KLAC AM 570 to discuss the findings on the Benoit tragedy. The guest was none other than Chris Nowinski, whose promising career ended as a result of concussions he suffered in the ring. In fact, it was Nowinski who helped to spearhead the examination of Benoit's brain to see if concussions played any role in the tragic events. The interview is available for download at http://www.am570radio.com. However, here are some of the points touched during the interview.
Joe began the interview by asking Chris how his foundation, the Sports Legacy Institute, was founded. Chris said that it began as a cooperative between several doctors, a lawyer and himself. He said that a lot of the reason he did it was to investigate the connection between brain injuries and the deaths of several football players including Andre Watters, Terry Long, Mike Webster and Justin Strelzic. The main connection between all of them is that many of them died before they reached the age of 50 and in the case of three of them (Watters, Strelzic and Long) they all suffered from depression which lead to them committing suicide. He also mentioned that ten days after the foundation was founded the Benoit tragedy happened. Chris also said that when he found out the circumstances of Benoit's death, he had a gut feeling that there might have been a connection between his repeated concussions and what happened. That prompted him to get in touch with Benoit's father Michael, who allowed them to check out his son's brain.
Chris then went on to talk about how WWE should make a serous effort to look into the effects of concussions. He said that if a wrestler suffers a concussion in the ring that WWE should take him off the road for at least a week. He also said that wrestlers need to mitigate what happens in the ring. He said that the best way for them to do that is to stop taking unprotected chair shots. That way, they can keep on working.
Chris then plugged his foundation and the Benoit Family fund for Brain Injury Research. He said that donations to the Benoit Foundation could be made through the Sports Legacy Foundation's website, http://www.sportslegacy.org.
After the interview, Joe continued the discussion with his co-host Tim Cates and Joe brought up the names of football players who suffered concussions during their playing careers including Troy Aikman, Lynn Swann and Steve Young, who either had their careers ended because of concussions or who suffered concussions during their careers. Joe said it will be very interesting to see what happens in the next few years with them.
2008 - Darren Aronosfsky's "The Wrestler" was awarded the Golden Lion for best picture at the Venice film festival.
2008 - WWE held a Supershow in Jamestown, NY. Mike Effinger filed the following report:
The show opened with Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi and City Councilman Michael Taylor presenting CM Punk with a key to the city. It was a nice moment.
In the opener, Chavo Guerrero beat Paul London. London was in control for most of the match before losing at the end.
Glamorella beat Kelly Kelly and Kofi.
They did the text message deal again for the ECW Title match, which ended up being a No DQ match. Just like in Rochester, Mark Henry beat Matt Hardy, with help from Tony Atlas.
The Big Show destroyed Carlito. Thanks for coming!
Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase beat Cryme Tyme to retain the tag belts.
The main event saw the team of HHH, CM Punk and Rey Mysterio beat Kane, the Great Khali and MVP.
Overall it was a good show and a fun night.
2009 - WWE ran Madison, Wisconsin. Gregory Davis filed the following live report:
The venue was only about half full. Your ring announcer was Tony Chimmel. There was no diva "guest hostess", as I'll get into in a minute.
Evan Bourne defeated Chavo Guerrero with the Air Bourne. Fun opener, which was mostly dominated by Chavo. He is very underrated, getting under the crowd's skin with ease. Of course, Hornswoggle appeared from under the ring as a distraction, leading to an Air Bourne for the win. Afterward, little Horny put Evan on his shoulders. Again, what does that say about Evan?
Chris Masters defeated Alex Riley with the Masterlock. Dull match. Unlike the last few weeks where he had been portraying a college athlete, Riley was simply a high-fiving generic babyface, and there was simply no reason to care about him. Heck I lost track of who was who at times. By the end, the crowd was somewhat cheering for the Masterlock, just so the match would end.
Sheamus defeated Santino Marella with a Rock Bottom backbreaker. These two played off each other well. Santino thought he saw a ghost, and encouraged the crowd to chant something along the lines of "get some sun!" By the way, Sheamus arrived with Arn Anderson before the show, just so you know.
Kelly Kelly and Gail Kim defeated Beth Phoenix and Rosa Mendes with a K2 (a jumping famouser). Mickie James wasn't here tonight, despite being advertised, and appearing on the tour's other shows, so Kelly was removed from her guest hostess role and placed in the match. Ironically, the same thing happened in Madison earlier this year, when Beth disappeared off the road mid-tour, and was replaced by Candice Michelle. Anyway, it was a decent match, with the match being good or bad depending on when the veterans and young guns were in the ring.
Kofi Kingston defeated The Miz and MVP with Trouble in Paradise to retain the United States Championship. The Miz came out first, and Tony Chimel, while not having Lillian's legs, is still a great ring announcer, announced Miz's name in a quick "THA MIZ" manner that he had done on the Dirt Sheet, which I really enjoyed. Miz noted that they booed him, despite all the charity work he's done, name dropping each charity, including one in Madison. I'm not sure what point he was trying to make there. This was the usual solid work from all involved. One fun sequence saw one roll up the other in some manner, while the third would break it up, roll him up, and the process repeated about ten times. The TIP was hit on Miz for the win. Afterward, Kofi and MVP raised each other's hand, which I found odd.
A couple kids came out to model some T-shirts and throw more in the crowd, which means it was time for intermission.
Mark Henry defeated Jack Swagger with the World's Strongest Slam. This was sorta slow, but OK. By the way, I haven't really mentioned this, but in all the Raw live shows I've seen of late, Henry has worn his traditional black ring gear, even though he's been wearing the unflattering red ring gear on Raw. I'm going to buy into the theory that someone is trying to bury him. Anyway, it was the usual "chop down the legs" match. Swagger never really had a chance.
In a complete and total surprise of the decade, Triple H defeated Legacy, Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes, with a Pedigree. Legacy did some mic work, noting the DX signs and glow sticks, saying they were going to revenge what happened at SummerSlam. When HHH came out, the lights were shut off, cueing everyone to break out the DX glow sticks, although he still came out to The Game. Hunter did some mic work, noting how they enjoyed performing two on one. In fairness, Legacy did dominate most of the match. But in the end, Cody fell to the Pedigree. Afterward, Legacy took him out and laid him out. At this point, the WWE-constructed ring light starting going on and off, prompting the crew to shine the spotlights on the ring for the rest of that moment. We though it was some how related to the Triple H entrance, but then someone checked under the ring from where the cables were hooked up to, so there was some accident. There were no further incidents.
In the main event, John Cena defeated Randy Orton by DQ; Orton retained the WWE Championship. Orton is slow. By the time he posed with the belt on a corner, his song had played entirely. Chimel did an old-school boxing announcement. It was your standard house show match between the two. Cena was in control early, Orton dominated a lot, and Cena made a couple comebacks. When Cena put on the STF, Legacy hit the ring for a DQ. Triple H made the save, and the two hit stereo Attitude Adjustments and Pedigrees. I left at that point, but I'm sure they played with the crowd for about ten more minutes.
Another note is that for the last few shows, one of the matches has been "sponsored" by the nearest MyNetwork TV station.
2009 - The National Wrestling Alliance announced their 2009 Hall of Fame Class:
The 2009 NWA Hall of Fame Class will be comprised of:
*Paul Orndorff
*Dennis Coralluzzo.
*Jerry Jarrett
*Terry Funk
*Mil Mascaras
*Tully Blanchard
*Gene Kiniski
2009 - Dragon Gate USA made their debut in Chicago, IL. Matt Carter filed the following live report:
The first thing I noticed is that it was a huge internet wrestling crowd. Very VERY smart fans. Its amazing how Gabe can book for this kind of crowd and put a huge one over on all of us (that's coming up)
I did watch the DGUSA PPV on Friday night, so I had a bit of an idea what to expect with the action. I had never been to the Congress Theatre. Interesting venue for wrestling. Its a large concert hall. At one time, it was probably awesome. Now all the seats are tore out and its a concert pit.
The ring was right up next to the stage. There was one row of seats in front of the stage. The wrestlers all made their entrance from a "tunnel" on the stage under a video screen.
I had a Golden Ticket so I got in early (around 4:20 pm). To my surprise Gabe was the one giving directions on where to go (in my case anyway). I walked right past good ol' JR and the King at the Highspots table.
Our Bonus Match was FRAY! It started around 4:35 pm.
It started with Hallowicked and Arik Cannon, followed by Louis Lyndon, Prince Mustafa Ali, Shiima Xion, Johnny Gargono, The Great Malaki, and Flip Kendrick. I may have a couple mixed up. Hallowicked took a beating from everyone. Prince Mustafa Ali looked good and Flip Kendrick didn't (just my opinion). The last two in the match were Hallowicked and Johnny Gargano with Gargano getting the win (to most everyone's surprise).
We counted down the start of the PPV and got going around 6 pm.
Match 1 Dragon Kid over Masato Yoshino
This match seemed even more fun than the PPV match. Crazy speed from these two guys. Great way to get the night started!
Match 2 Mike Quackenbush and Jigsaw over YAMATO and Gran Akuma
Yamato and Akuma had great heat before they even walked out to the ring. Everyone else watched the PPV too! A really fun match with a bit of comedy and some good wrestling.
Match 3 Nauki Doi over Bryan Danielson
Danielson was given no intro. He came out first after our live host said, "and this man needs no introduction". The lights went out and out came The Dragon. Lots of "Best In The World" chants. No Europe...so some fans sang it during the intro. During the match Danielson was wicked nasty with Doi's arm. In the end, Doi was just too much
After the match, Danielson cut a promo. He said goodbye to the Indies without really saying goodbye...but the entire crowd knew what was up. He wanted everyone to support independent wrestling. He also put over Davey Richards in a BIG WAY! Saying he is the next to be called "Best In The World".
Now we go to intermission. Danielson was doing autographs for cash. I saw Dragon Kid, Yamamoto, Doi, and Yoshino all doing autographs as well.
Match 4 CIMA over Brian Kendrick
Lots of love for Kendrick from the fans. Plenty of Spanky chants. Fun match with both guys working hard. Great way to get the crowd back into the show.
Match 5 Davey Richards over Shingo
This match was simply amazing. These two beat the tar out of each other in and out of the ring. There were so many near falls at the end. Multiple "This Is Awesome" chants. Even a couple "Please don't stop" and a faint "Match of The Year". This could be the best match I have ever seen live. I can't say much more.
After the match, Davey gets the mic. Since Danielson's promo and the way the match went, Davey was the fan favorite. Everyone was loving him. He wanted Danielson to come out and confirm that he is the "next Best In The World". Davey made some small talk thanking Bryan and then out of the blue decks him and gives him a beat down. Davey screams "I
don't need anyone's endorsement". Says he is coming back after the title.
During the entire night, I didn't notice Gabe Sapolsky watching any matches. During this promo time, Gabe was in the entrance tunnel. I saw him pump his fists in the air as Davey's beatdown started. He fooled everyone in there....and that isn't easy.
After this match and the promo...its going to be hard to follow this up
Match 6 Main Event (Non Title) Genki Horiguchi and Ryo Saito over The Young Bucks
This was a great tag team match. It might not have been as good as the Bucks did in the PPV, but I could habe been a bit burnt from the Richards match. Lots of fun spots and even some blue mist that gives us the finish.
I am sure others can go into better detail.
The Young Bucks got some interview time about being "not the best tag team of the future but the present" during which Jimmy Jacobs showed up with Prince Mustafa Ali at his side looking to "recruit" wrestlers. The guys told Jimmy no and got a beat down. As for the crowd, very hot crowd through the night. I saw some familiar faces from IWA-MS and ROH shows in Chicago. The venue was no where near sold out. The entire balcony was closed off. That in mind, the seats were all full that were set up. This venue can easily handle double (possibly triple) tonight's crowd...which is pretty handy because they announced a return to Chicago and the Congress on January 23rd! I'll be there.
Next time, I may not spring for the ring side seats...here is why...if you are not on a camera side your view is RUINED ALL NIGHT. They had 7...that is right 7 STILL photographers PLUS 2 video cameras ring side. 9 people in your way all night was not fun...so way pay the extra?
2009 - AJ Styles and The Beautiful People appeared on an episode of MTV's Made, training a teenage girl who wanted to one day become a pro wrestler.
2010 - Mr. Wrestling II, Johnny Walker, was finally released from a hospital in Charlotte, NC. Walker had been hospitalized since Sunday afternoon 8/8 after suffering a heart attack while in town for the NWA Legends Fanfest. II would go on to make a full recovery and return the following year for another appearance at the Fanfest.
2010 - Hulk Hogan announced he was hospitalized due to bad back spasms.
2010 - TNA taped Impact at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL. John Benoit filed the following report:
Dark Match:
*Jesse Neal pinned a name I didn't catch in a tryout.
Impact:
*Impact opens with Kurt Angle and Jeff Hardy in the ring. Eric Bischoff and his assistant come to the ring. Bischoff gives congratulations to Ken Anderson for winning at No Surrender before putting over both Angle and Hardy for their match at the PPV. The crowd starts a "That was awesome" chant. Bischoff announces a Three-Way match for the TNA title at Bound for Glory but Dixie Carter overrules him and announces Angle vs. Hardy in a no time limit rematch for later tonight with the winner wrestling Anderson at BFG.
*Samoa Joe vs. Kevin Nash with Sting and Jeff Jarrett at ringside ends up a double countout as all four brawl outside the ring. Security finally separates them.
*Backstage, Madison Rayne tells Lacey Von Erich to get dressed as they have a tag bout later.
*Jay Lethal pinned Douglas Williams to capture the TNA X-Division championship. Post-match, TNA sets off orange and white and confetti in the ring. Lethal celebrates in the crowd.
*TNA Knockouts Tag Team champions Hamada & Taylor Wilde defeated Madison Rayne and Lacey Von Erich. Tara and Rayne attacked Lacey for losing but Angelina Love and Velvet Sky made the save and Lacey left with them.
*Tommy Dreamer comes out alone and says EV2.0 aren't here tonight and he's here alone. He calls out Fortune. Fortune come out in suits. Dreamer says he told his friends to stay home because he's tired of seeing his friends getting hurt and he's calling for a truce. Tommy puts over Fortune as a group, then puts over each member of Fortune one by one. Dreamer says he got Kaz his job in WWE, but Kaz left as he was unhappy and went on to meet his wife in TNA. Dreamer put over Matt Morgan and said he wrestled Bobby Roode in Roode's WWE tryout match but Roode turned down the job to stick with TNA. He called Ric Flair the "Ultimate hardcore person" and says the day Flair retires for good will be the saddest day in wrestling history. Dreamer then put over AJ Styles and said Styles is the best performer in wrestling today. He offers Styles his hand and says that if the situation was reversed last night, Dreamer would have done the same thing to him. Styles begins putting over Dreamer and the original ECW. Styles then said that if Dreamer was ECW and Dreamer wants to show him respect, Styles doesn't need his endorsement and Fortune attacks Dreamer. Brian Kendrick hit the ring and was laid out as well as he tried to protect Dreamer. Security hit the ring and Styles told Dreamer that if he wants his damn truce, now he can have it. Fortune walked off.
*Brian Kendrick took the mic and challenged anyone from Fortune to fight him right now. Matt Morgan took him up on the offer for an impromptu match....
*Brian Kendrick pinned Matt Morgan. Morgan demands the match be started over and struck from the record books but Kendrick doesn't return.
*Backstage, Abyss is torturing and branding people backstage with a branding iron. He screams "10/10/10" over and over.
*Generation Me come out and cut a promo saying the TNA Tag Team championships are supposed to be defended every 30 days but after what they did to Alex Shelley, there's no way that will happen. They demand Chris Sabin come out and hand them the tag team belts. Sabin hits the ring and attacks them but is overwhelmed and laid out.
*Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Hardy is a long match. Ken Anderson comes out to do commentary. Brian Hebner is bumped accidentally so Earl Hebner comes out to referee. Brian eventually recovers and there is a double pin. The referees argue over who won, so they watch an instant replay and there's no clear cut winner. Bischoff announces the Three-Way match for Bound for Glory. Angle and Hardy hug.
2010 - WWE broadcast a Labor Day edition of Monday Night Raw from Washington, DC. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Washington, D.C. and your announcers are Michael ‘Why did they give me a number 87 Penguins’ sweater’ Cole and Jerry ‘Senator’ Lawler.
Nexus is in the ring as we start the 901st episode of Raw. Wade steps forward because he has something to say. He says that it is fitting that tonight’s Raw emanates from the nation’s capital. The site of so many historic rallies and groundbreaking speeches. Last week, he said that Nexus would do something that would be talked about forever. That happened last week when they systematically destroyed a WWE institution. We see footage of what they did to the Undertaker.
Nexus like what they see and then Otunga says that should put to rest any doubts about Nexus and their weakness. Otunga says that they are the new phenoms of the WWE. He says that they are it. They trimmed the fat with Darren Young and lost Skip Sheffield to injury, but they still had the best night of their lives.
Tarver says that if anyone else did something as unprecedented to the Undertaker, they would sit back and talk about it the rest of their lives. Then they took out five of Raw’s top superstars. Tarver says that Jericho and Edge were so scared they took themselves out of the match because they wanted nothing to do with the Nexus.
Heath says that he pinned the WWE Champion. He reminds us that he . . . Heath Slater pinned the WWE Champion Sheamus. Heath says that the people in the cheap seats didn’t hear him so he says it again (at the same volume).
Justin tells Heath that was well done. Justin asks who can say that they gave their finisher to the Undertaker and John Cena in the same night. Justin says that he hit Taker with a 450 and then he did the same to John Cena. If you don’t believe him, we see the footage again. Justin says that was the third time he hit that move on John Cena. He says that every time he hits that move, it gets more satisfying. Justin tells Cena that he can see him and see him crashing down on his lifeless body over and over and over and over again.
Wade takes the mic back and Wade says that he devenomized the Viper. Wade says that is a taste of what is to come in the WWE. Wade says that he will beat everyone in the Six Pack Challenge at Night of Champions to bring the title back home to the Nexus. Wade says that it will be historic, groundbreaking, and everything that he has said. . .
Randy Orton’s music plays and he slithers onto the stage. Orton says that what he took away from last week is that he took out two of them in less than 30 seconds. He says that Wade won’t roll footage on that will he. Orton says that it doesn’t matter because he will do it again. Randy says that it doesn’t matter who he pins at Night of Champions to win the WWE Title, but he will make it his business to hit Wade with an RKO.
Wade tells Randy to try to be the tough guy and give him an RKO right now.
Orton walks to the ring and we get the General Messenger to stop the momentum.
The official press secretary of the Raw General Messenger says that last week was an historic night for Nexus as a unit. Now we will see how they fare individually. Tonight, for the first time ever, the master of the 450 splash, the South African sensation will face John Cena. In addition, Randy Orton won’t have to wait until Night of Champions to hit an RKO on Wade Barrett because for the first time the fearless leader of Nexus will go one on one with Randy Orton. To ensure both matches are fair, Nexus is banned from ringside tonight.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Edge getting disqualified last week in the five on five elimination match.
The General Messenger rears its ugly head as Chris Jericho comes to the ring for his match. Last week when Chris Jericho and Edge took themselves out of the main event, it was a slap in the face to the WWE Universe and the Raw General Messenger. If Edge or Chris Jericho lose their matches tonight, they will be taken out of the Six Pack Challenge.
Match Number One: Chris Jericho versus John Morrison
Jericho attacks Morrison before the bell rings and Jericho with kicks and forearms to Morrison. Jericho with a forearm to the head. Morrison with a rollup for a near fall. Morrison with another rollup for another near fall. Jericho with a forearm to the head and he gets a near fall. Jericho throws Morrison over the top rope to the floor.
Jericho yells at Cole to demand who the General Messenger is and then we go to commercial.
We are back and Jericho with a reverse chin lock on Morrison. We see the footage of Chris Jericho walking away from the match last week. We return to tonight’s match and we see footage of Jericho pushing Morrison over the top rope to the floor and then back to live action where Jericho hits a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Jericho with a knee to the chest followed by a forearm. Jericho tries for another belly-to-back suplex but Morrison lands on his feet and he hits a few clotheslines followed by a leg lariat and a neck breaker for a near fall. Morrison with kicks to the leg. Jericho tries to put Morrison in the Walls of Jericho but Morrison powers out. Jericho with a forearm and then Jericho tries for a Lionsault but he lands on his feet when Morrison moves. Morrison with a springboard round kick and he gets a near fall. Jericho sends Morrison into the mat and Jericho tries for the Codebreaker but Morrison holds on to the ropes. Morrison misses a Shining Wizard and Jericho gets a near fall. Jericho with an enzuigiri and he gets a near fall. Jericho yells at Morrison and calls him a stupid man.
Jericho misses a charge into the corner and Morrison tries for the split legged corkscrew moonsault but Morrison lands on his feet when Jericho moves. Jericho locks in the Walls of Jericho and Morrison tries to get to the ropes. Morrison gets to the ropes. Jericho yells at the referee and says that Morrison tapped. Jericho kicks Morrison and then they fight onto the turnbuckles. Jericho tries for a superplex but Morrison with punches that knock Jericho off the turnbuckles. Morrison hits the corkscrew split legged moonsault and gets the three count.
Winner: John Morrison
After the match, Jericho gets to his feet and he leaves the ring. Jericho sits on the ring steps and ponders what is next for him.
We go to commercial.
Before our next match starts, Alicia Fox has something to say. She tells Melina that she is sorry to inform her that she will not be competing at Night of Champions because if anyone is going to be the Undefined Champion of Divas, it is her because she has more followers on Twitter than Melina or Laycool combined. She will be at Night of Champions, but not as a Lumberjill, she will be the most fierce Diva’s Champion in history.
Match Number Two: Melina versus Alicia Fox for the Diva’s Championship
They lock up and Melina backs Alicia into the corner and Alicia pushes Melina. Melina with a back body drop and a boot to the head into a split. Alicia goes to the floor and then she says that she is leaving. Melina brings her back into the ring and Alicia misses an elbow drop. Melina with kicks to Alicia and then Melina with a cross body from the top for a near fall. Alicia sends Melina into the ropes and then she stomps on Melina’s back. Melina with a Matrix and back kick. Melina with a kick to Alicia followed by a clothesline. Melina screams very loudly and Alicia sends Melina to the apron. Melina with a kick and then she hits the extra loud screaming step over leg lariat for the three count.
Winner: Melina
Miz is in the back admiring something and he says that it is absolutely perfect. Miz says that tonight is all about the Miz. Everyone will know the Journey on the Road to Awesome. Josh wants to see what is under the cover but Miz slaps Josh’s hand and he tells Josh to leave.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Cole talks about WWEPoker.com.
Edge is in the locker room and he cannot believe that Chris Jericho is out of the Six PackChallenge. Why does he have to put his spot on the line since the referee said something about his mom. Zack Ryder is with Edge and he says that he loves Edge’s mom. Zack points out that he is a former number one contender and he knows that title matches are precious. Zack wants to be Edge’s opponent tonight. Edge says that he thought Zack was the biggest tool in the world, but that is a brilliant idea. He says that Zack sucks so he cannot lose. Edge tells the Anonymous General Messenger as he looks for it. He says that he accepts Zack Ryder’s challenge. Edge says that if they don’t agree to it, they will have problems with their top superstar. Edge says that if he does not hear Zack Ryder’s music, he will destroy the computer and break it into a million pieces.
Zack asks Edge if he called him a tool. Zack says that he hurt his feelings.
Ted DiBiase is on the phone and he says that he feels good when he is with that person. Maryse enters and Maryse want to know who Ted is talking to. Ted says goodbye to his mom. Maryse believe him and she tell him ‘Me Too’. Maryse tells Ted to stop playing innocent with her. Maryse went to the limo to get her purse and she found Ted’s note. The note says ‘I want you so bad’. Ted says that he doesn’t need to leave a note since he can tell her. Maryse asks who else could the note be for and Ted reminds her that he is a millionaire in his twenties. There are movie stars and six new Diva rookies who would love to be in her shoes. Maryse starts to talk in French and Ted tells her ‘No French’. Ted says that he is walking away and he does while she continue talking.
Match Number Three: Justin Gabriel versus John Cena
They lock up and Gabriel with a side head lock and Cena with a take down to escape the hold. They lock up again and Gabriel with an arm drag and arm bar. Cena with an arm bar mare and then he puts Gabriel in a head scissors. Gabriel with forearms to Cena and Cena goes down in the corner. Gabriel stands on Cena’s head and the referee warns him. Cena punches Gabriel followed by an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow and Cena goes to the floor. Gabriel goes to the floor and he connects with a forearm and then Gabriel sends Cena back in and Gabriel with a slingshot senton for a near fall.
Gabriel with kicks followed by a jumping back spin kick and he gets a near fall. Cena gets back to his feet and Gabriel with a cross body into the corner and then he hits a springboard cross body from the apron for a near fall. Gabriel with a side Russian leg sweep and then he puts Cena in a version of a Koji Clutch. Cena picks up Gabriel but Gabriel with a Blue Thunder Driver for a near fall. Gabriel pulls Cena into the center of the ring and then he tries for a quebrada from the top rope but Cena moves and Gabriel lands on his chest. Cena with two flying shoulder tackles followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb and then it is time for the five knuckle shuffle. Cena gets Gabriel up for the Attitude Adjustment but Gabriel escapes the hold and hits an STO followed by a running boot. Gabriel goes up top but Cena crotches Gabriel and then he gets Gabriel on his shoulder for a super Attitude Adjustment for the three count.
Winner: John Cena
It is time for a sneak preview of Legendary and they talk about how you can go to WWE.com to find out what theaters are showing the movie.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a commercial for Season Three of NXT and the five participants.
The Miz is in the ring and Michael Cole is happy to see him. Miz has the item that he had covered in the back. Miz tells us that his name is Mike Mizanin and he has no right to be here. That is what they said to him six years ago. He was the lowest form on the planet because he was a reality television star. Miz says that he had to start at the bottom and he had to be on Tough Enough. Miz says that on Tough Enough, he heard the voices of superstars, of so called legends, and the voices of everyone asking why is he here. He was told that he should go back to MTV. Miz says that he refused to leave and to cave in to the pressure.
Miz says that he moved on and did whatever he did to get a job. He started off as the Host of Smackdown. He says the voices got louder and they told him to leave. They said that he had no talent, that there is no respect for him, and that he does not belong. He says that everyone else would have left, but Miz reminds us that he stayed. He formed a tag team with John Morrison and he thought he made it. Even though he became a tag team champion, they said that Morrison was the star and he was the sidekick. He was riding on Morrison’s coattails and if they split, he would go into obscurity. Miz reminds us that they split up and he became the US Champion. Miz says that he was called a fluke.
Miz says that the next thing happened. Miz holds up the briefcase and he says that he won Money in the Bank. Miz says that he punched the ticket for the WWE Title. The man who did not belong, the man who was shunned, and the man who was ostracized can be seen as the biggest star in the company.
Miz unveils the poster and it is his cover of WWE Magazine. Miz says that as a child he bought every issue of WWE Magazine. He would put them in his bedroom and he would dream of getting the cover of the magazine. Now it has happened.
Miz says that he wants to hear it from everyone in the arena. He wants everyone to stand up and do what they should have done a long time ago. They should admit that they were wrong. Miz says that he is the poster child . . . not Orton, not Cena.
Miz says that you can’t deny it or hide from it. He says that everyone watching in the arena and on television because they were wrong. Miz says that he is the Miz and he has earned that he can say that he is AWESOME.
Daniel Bryan comes out and he is chuckling as he comes to the ring. Bryan says hello to Mike Mizanin and he says that his name is Daniel Bryan. He says that he came out to congratulate Miz. He says that they have a lot in common. A lot of people didn’t think he would make it and Miz tells Bryan that he hasn’t accomplished anything in the WWE. Bryan says that he is not the superstar that Miz is. Bryan came out to generic rock music that he cannot identify. He doesn’t have the style of the Miz. He says that he has to wear his wreslting gear in the back so he isn’t thrown out by security. Bryan says that he is the anti-Superstar. Bryan tells Miz that if he faces Miz for the US Title, he can beat him.
Miz agrees with Bryan that he paid ten dollars for his haircut. Miz asks Bryan what makes him worthy to face him for the US Title.
Bryan says that Miz is right, then next month’s WWE Magazine might have Bryan putting Miz in the Omoplata. Cole tries to say that it never happened in a match.
Bryan says that he wants Miz to know that he can beat him and he can make him tap out. Bryan says that he can be the next United States Champion.
Miz tells Daniel that he doesn’t like him and he never liked him. He didn’t like him when he was his NXT rookie. He didn’t like him when he took his spot at SummerSlam. He didn’t like Bryan when he interrupted him tonight. He says that he can beat Bryan so bad that he will have to go to the minor leagues.
Bryan wants to know if Miz will accept his challenge.
Miz accepts the challenge. Bryan likes the opportunity. Miz thanks Bryan and he tries to punch him but Bryan locks in the Lebell Lock. Riley attacks Bryan and Bryan with a kick to Riley. Bryan back body drops Miz over the top rope to the floor. Bryan puts Riley in the Lebell Lock and Riley taps like there is no tomorrow.
Bryan looks at the poster in the ring and he kicks it over.
It is time for This Week in WWE History. We go to September 4, 1995 when WCW held its first Nitro at the Mall of America and the debut of Lex Luger. They talk about the Monday Night Wars.
Edge is walking in the back and we go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Edge getting DQed last week (because we needed to see it again).
Michael Cole got an email on his Blackberry and next week John Cena will face the winner of the match between Wade Barrett and John Cena.
Match Number Four: Edge versus Great Khali with Dancing Runjin Singh
Before the match starts, Edge walks to the General Messenger’s computer and Edge wants to destroy it. The referee tells Edge to get back into the ring.
Edge goes to the floor and he mocks Khali’s lumbering style and he chops air. The referee starts his count. Edge gets back into the ring and goes back to the floor for some more Khali-ing. Edge grabs Singh but Khali grabs Edge. Edge goes up the ramp and Khali lumbers after him. Edge falls down but Edge kicks Khali in the knee and Khali is counted out because he is slow.
Winner: Edge
After the match, the General Messenger summons Michael Cole to make an announcement. He will not acknowledge Edge’s cheap count out victory. The match is a no disqualification over the top rope challenge.
Match Number Five: Edge versus Great Khali in an Over the Top Rope No Disqualification Challenge
Edge punches Khali and Khali pushes Edge into the ropes and chops him. Khali sends Edge into the turnbuckles and he chops Edge and Edge falls to his knees. Edge goes to the floor and Khali goes to the floor but the referee did not stop the match. Edge kicks the ropes and it crotches Khali. Edge sets for the spear but Khali grabs him and throws him to the floor. Khali starts to go over the ropes and Edge grabs the leg and pulls Khali to the floor.
Winner: Edge
We go to commercial.
We are back and Jerry and Michael talk about Undertaker’s return to the ring on Smackdown. Now it is time to run through the card for Night of Champions.
Chris Jericho is in the back and he is staring into space as Josh Mathews interrupts him to ask him a few questions. Josh reminds Chris that he said that if he did not win the title at Night of Champions, he would leave the WWE. Josh reminds Chris what happened earlier tonight and asks him what his plans are. Chris does not answer Josh and he leaves.
John Morrison appears next to Jericho and he asks Chris if he is having a bad day. John asks Chris if he still thinks he is the best in the world at what he does. John tells Chris that things will get better. Chris turns to Morrison and John wants to know if Chris understands him.
Sheamus comes to the ring area and he joins Cole and Lawler at the announce table for the main event as we go to commercial.
We are back and John Cena and Edge are at the announce table. Cena talks about his match next week while Edge doesn’t look too happy to be at ringside.
Match Number Six: Wade Barrett versus Randy Orton
Orton with forearms and then he sends Barrett into the turnbuckles. Orton with punches to Barrett followed by an Irish whip and a running shoulder. Barrett goes to the floor and Orton follows after him. They fight by the announce table and Orton sends Barrett into the announce table a few times. Orton kicks Barrett in the ribs and then he punches Barrett on the apron. Orton returns to the ring and then he stomps on Barrett’s chest. Barrett with an Irish whip but Orton with an elbow. Barrett with a big boot to Orton. Barrett punches and kicks Orton. Barrett chokes Orotn in the ropes but Orton with kicks. Barrett with a neck breaker and he gets a near fall. Barrett with a reverse chin lock. Orton with a belly-to-back suplex and both men are down.
Barrett with a back breaker to Orton and he gets a near fall. Barrett waits for Orton to get to his feet. Barrett with punches to Orton and Orton goes down. Orton counters Wasteland and hits a back breaker on Sheamus. Orton stares into space and then he focuses on Sheamus and then hits a few clotheslines. Orton with a power slam and then Orton stares at Barrett on the floor. Orton tries for the IEDDT but Barrett gets into the ring and Barrett with a back body drop to the floor.
Darren Young comes out and he asks Wade if he remembers him. He says that Barrett can’t kick him out of Nexus and get away with it. Darren says that he is going to show why he isn’t the weakest link, he is the missing link.
Darren distracts Barrett and Orton hits an RKO for the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton
After the match, Orton has Darren Young come into the ring and he gives Young an RKO. Sheamus gets on the apron and Edge tries to take advantage with a spear but Orotn with an RKO. Orton with an RKO to Sheamus after Sheamus misses a pump kick.
We see Cena and Orton face to face in the ring. Cena takes off his hat and shirt as we are going to get a preview of next week’s match. They stare each other down as we go to credits
2011 - Stan Hansen released his official autobiography through Crowbar Press.
2011 - Legendary midget wrestler Little Tokyo (real name Shigeri Akabane) passed away at the age of 70. It is believed Akabane suffered a heart attack, although he had been battling tongue cancer for much of the last year.
Akebane was a regular member of the troupe of midgets who worked a number of territories in the United States in the 1970s and early to mid 1980s, where midget matches were used semi-regularly as comedy undercard attractions. Tokyo pretty much always worked heel, teaming with the likes of Lord Littlebrook. By all accounts from those I spoke to tonight, he was well liked and respected and was considered vastly underrated as an in-ring worker.
Tokyo held the NWA World Midgets championship several times in the early 1970s with the belt being recognized in a number of strong territories, including Georgia and Texas. Tokyo captured the belt in 1971 and would hold it several times through 1983.
When WWF made their national expansion in the 1980s, Tokyo made a number of memorable appearances, including Wrestlemania III where he teamed with King Kong Bundy and Littlebrook in a mixed tag against Hillbilly Jim, Little Beaver and The Haiti Kid. When Bundy slammed Beaver, his team was DQ'd, leading to all of the midgets and Jim joining forces against the behemoth.
Tokyo was also involved in a silly but memorable skit on Tuesday Night Titans where he came out dressed identical to manager Mr. Fuji, who then tried to claim that he was only going to give Tokyo a "little money" because Tokyo was "little" and that's all he needed.
Tokyo's last major national TV appearance was for Herb Abrams's Universal Wrestling Federation's final event. Broadcast via Sportschannel America as a live special titled "The Blackjack Brawl" before a sparse crowd in Las Vegas, Tokyo was among the talents to win UWF titles that would never be defended, defeating The Karate Kid for the promotion's Midget championship.
Tokyo, who was living in St Joseph, Missouri at the time of his passing, made one final public appearance that I am aware of earlier the summer of 2011 for the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in Amsterdam, NY.
2011 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We go back two weeks to start off tonight’s show with a look at Darren Young confronting Matt Striker at the start of the show. Young commented on how he has done against Matt Striker in the ring, but we saw someone else potentially throw his microphone into the ring. What will happen this week? Who replaces Todd Grisham tonight?
The introduction video with the theme song has eliminated all references to pros.
We are live on tape from Toledo, Ohio and your announcers are William ‘Tony Packo’s’ Regal and Jack ‘I only have to wear this dress because we are in Toledo’ Korpela.
Darren Young comes to the ring and he says that this is where he welcomes everyone to NXT Redemption. Darren says that he is not here to talk about Redemption. He is here to talk about how this is over. Darren says that he has already won because he is the best in the ring. Matt Striker would have been in the ring to talk about stupid challenges but based on the video, Striker won’t be here.
Darren says that he is out here to thank William Regal because last week, Darren could have gotten himself fined, suspended or fired if he did not come into the ring to save Striker.
Regal takes a mic and he enters the ring. He tells Darren that he believes that he has a future in the WWE, but Regal says that he has seen Darren take some liberties against the likes of Matt Striker. That isn’t the way to get ahead in the WWE.
Darren yells at Regal for talking to him that way because he invited him into the ring to thank him and Regal is stealing his spotlight.
Regal says that he doesn’t need a spotlight because people know who he is. Regal says that he is the diabolical Englishman who wears nice clothes and has beautiful hair and has committed more crimes in and out of the ring. Regal calls Darren ‘sunshine’ and says that he doesn’t have a clue.
Darren challenges Regal to a match so he can show William how much he knows.
Regal says that he is not doing this for anyone out here or Matt Striker because Darren needs to be taught a lesson. He is doing this for Darren.
We have a main event.
We have commercial.
We are back and we see footage from two weeks ago when Maxine beat AJ thanks to Derrick Bateman’s attack on Hornswoggle that distracted AJ.
Match Number One: Maxine and Derrick Bateman versus AJ Lee and Titus O’Neil with Hornswoggle
The men start off and they lock up and Derrick with a slap to Titus. Derrick goes into the ropes to avoid Titus. They lock up and Derrick with a waist lock but Titus with an elbow and European uppercut followed by a slam and elbow drop. Titus with a boot to Derrick followed by a hard Irish whip. Titus with a forearm across the chest in the corner followed by another Irish whip and power slam for a near fall. Derrick retreats into the corner and Maxine tags in so the women get involved.
AJ with forearms to Maxine but Maxine with a kick but AJ with a back spin kick and a running back elbow. Maxine with a jawbreaker followed by a slam attempt but AJ escapes and she kicks Maxine in the back of the legs followed by a drop kick for a near fall. Maxine with an Irish whip but she runs into boots from AJ.
AJ comes off the turnbuckles but Maxine kicks AJ and she gets a near fall. Maxine with a reverse chin lock. AJ with elbows but Maxine with a reverse atomic drop and then she sends AJ to the mat and Maxine gets a near fall.
Maxine with a snap mare and a knee to the back followed by a chin lock. Maxine gets another near fall. Maxine with a forearm and kick to AJ’s midsection. AJ avoids a boot from Maxine and she gets out of the way and both ladies are down.
Derrick tags in and Titus with a shoulder followed by a flying clothesline and it is time to bark. Titus does his Ultimate Warrior rope shaking followed by a shoulder breaker for a near fall. Maxine tries to break up the cover and AJ takes care of Maxine with a flying clothesline. Titus hits Clash of the Titus for the three count.
Winners: Titus O’Neil and AJ Lee
We go to commercial.
We are back and Maxine yells at Derrick in the back. Derrick says that his blood is boiling and he says that maybe Maxine should have beaten AJ. Derrick says that maybe they should have watched Road House instead of Dirty Dancing, he would have fought better. Then they argue about each other’s hairstyle. Maxine tells them they can’t fight. They need to separate AJ from Hornswoggle. Maxine says that they can end up on top. Maxine and Derrick kiss in the hallway.
Jack asks Regal if he is worried about what Darren Young has done to Matt Striker. William says that he is looking forward to getting back into it and he goes to the back to get ready for his match.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Matt Striker joins Jack at the announce table since Regal is getting ready for his match against Darren Young.
Tyson has something to say before his match. He says that for the past few weeks someone has been messing with him. They have been playing mind games with him, trashing his locker room, flashing Japanese letters on the TitanTron. We know who it is and Tyson tells Yoshi to come out. Tyson says that Yoshi never takes anything seriously and is always playing games. Tyson reminds everyone that he came from the Hart Dungeon and he was trained by the best so that makes him better than everyone. Tyson says that he knows for a fact that he is better than a limping action figure loving loser like Yoshi Tatsu. When he started with his leg, it was just the beginning. Yoshi doesn’t know what Tyson is capable of. Japanese letters and sound effects will not scare him.
Yoshi’s music plays to interrupt Tyson’s comments and Yoshi comes to the ring wearing a red and white mask and new ring gear. Yoshi takes off the mask and half of his face is covered with red and white paint. We also find out that the letters on the TitanTron are for the word ‘hokori’ which stands for ‘pride’.
Match Number Two: Tyson Kidd versus Yoshi Tatsu
Kidd with a kick and forearms but Yoshi avoids being sent into the turnbuckles. Yoshi with a chop but Kidd with a kick. Yoshi chops Kidd repeatedly and Yoshi gets a near fall. Yoshi with an Irish whip but he misses the running knees into the corner. Kidd with punches to Yoshi in the corner and the referee warns Kidd. Yoshi with a kick and snap mare followed by a kick to the back. Yoshi gets a near fall.
Yoshi drops Kidd on the top rope and then Yoshi with a series of kicks to the chest and then a kick to the back and Kidd goes to the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Kidd floats over and he tries for a rollup but Yoshi holds on to the ropes. Yoshi slingshots Kidd over the top rope but Kidd holds on and he tries to skin the cat but Yoshi with a drop kick that sends Kidd to the floor. Kidd avoids a baseball slide by Yoshi and Kidd runs Yoshi’s back into the ringside barrier.
Kidd with a kick to Yoshi and then he sends Yoshi back into the ring and he gets a near fall. Kidd slaps Yoshi in the back of the head and then he kicks Yoshi. Kidd with a running back elbow and he gets a near fall. Kidd with a reverse chin lock. Yoshi with elbows but Kidd with a neck breaker and then he floats over to get a near fall. Kidd with a drop kick to the back and then he chokes Yoshi in the ropes. Kidd with a suplex for a near fall.
Kidd returns to the reverse chin lock and then he chokes Yoshi in the ropes and then hits a slingshot leg drop to the apron. Kidd gets a near fall on Yoshi. Kidd returns to the side head lock but Yoshi with a belly-to-back suplex to get out of the hold. Kidd rolls to the apron and then to the floor. Kidd pulls Yoshi to the floor and then he runs Yoshi’s back into the apron.
Yoshi with a kick to Tyson and then he sends Kidd back into the ring. Yoshi goes up top and hits a chop to the top fo the head. Yoshi with a Mutoh style elbow drop for a near fall. Yoshi with kicks followed by a running boot to the head and then he hits a running kick to the chest for a near fall.
Yoshi waits for Kidd to get up as he sets for a round kick but he takes too long and Kidd with a drop kick to the knee to stop Yoshi. Kidd follows that with a suplex and he gets a near fall. Kidd goes to the apron for the springboard elbow drop but he lands on Yoshi’s knees and both men are down.
Yoshi goes up top but Kidd stops Yoshi with a drop kick to the leg to trap Yoshi on the ropes. Kidd with a slap to Yoshi and then he sets for a rana but Yoshi holds on to the top rope and then Yoshi hits the spinning heel kick from the top for the three count.
Winner: Yoshi Tatsu
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Darren Young versus William Regal
Young charges at Regal but Regal gets a boot up. Regal with a forearm followed by another forearm and knees in the corner. Regal stands on Young’s chest and the referee warns him. Regal with a back elbow and then he thinks about a boot to the solar plexus. Regal is a gentleman and he puts the legs down and then stomps on the chest. Regal with an Irish whip that sends Young over the turnbuckles to the floor.
Regal sends Young into the apron and then he chops Young. Regal with a forearm to Young and then Regal puts on the headset and he asks Young to apologize and Young refuses. Regal gives the headset back to Striker and they return to the ring.
Young backs up as he begs for mercy. Regal thinks about it and he grabs Young’s hand and puts it on the mat and he stomps on it. Regal with chops to the chest but Young with a hard Irish whip and Regal goes down and holds his ribs. Young with forearms to the chest and Young follows it up with an elbow drop for a near fall.
Young chokes Regal in the ropes and the referee warns Young while Young tells Striker that this should be him. Young with forearms to Regal but Regal has had enough. The referee was out of position and Young with a sneak attack on Regal. Young works on Regal’s face to affect his breathing. Young stomps on Regal’s hand followed by a forearm.
Young gets a near fall. Young with a body scissors and a reverse chin lock. Regal gets out of the hold and he works on the ankle and turns it into a brief knee bar. Young with European uppercuts, but you don’t give Regal a European uppercut without expecting one from Regal. Young with a drop toe hold but Regal with an elbow and forearms in the corner.
Regal with knees to Young in the corner and the referee warns Regal again. Regal and the referee talk while Regal with back kicks to Young without the referee looking. Young with a kick and side head lock. Regal with an exploder and then he goes for the Regal Stretch.
JTG tries to interfere and Striker stops him by pulling him off the apron. Regal looks at what is happening on the floor and then Regal hits the knee trembler for the three count.
Winner: William Regal
After the match, Striker has some words for JTG and then he gets into the ring with William Regal and we go to credits.
2012 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the Impact Wrestling Report here on PWInsider.com!
We start off with an awesome video package looking at the final five competitors in the Bound For Glory Series, and we'll have the final two regular season matches tonight...starting right now!
Bound For Glory Series: Jeff Hardy vs Samoa Joe
The crowd is going nuts tonight. They tie up and trade wristlocks, Hardy goes to the ropes to force a break and then gets a headlock, Joe escapesand goes to the ropes and runs Hardy over with a running shoulderblock that sends Hardy out to the floor. Hardy takes a breather for a moment before coming back in and quickly gets pummeled in the corner with right jabs. Joe dumps Hardy back out to the floor, then follows him out and drives a straight knee right into Hardy's grill. Joe tries to ram Hardy into the steps, but Hardy blocks and rams Joe into the steps instead, then springboards off the steps to hit Poetry In Motion against the guardrail. Both men are down on the floor as we go to commercial.
We're back as Joe takes Hardy out with a double sledge in the middle of the ring that gets 2. Joe with a headbutt and then takes Hardy back to the corner for more right hands, then hits a charging elbow and a leaping enziguiri for 2. Joe picks Hardy up and fires off a hard forearm, and Hardy tries coming off the ropes but walks right into a snap powerslam for 2. Hardy finally starts a comeback with clotheslines, the double legdrop to the crotch, and basement dropkick for 2. Hardy hitsa jawbreaker and goes to the top rope, Joe tries to grab him but Hardy leaps into the ring and Joe catches him in the Kokina clutch. Hardy runs forward and rams him into the turnbuckle, hits a crappy Whisper In The Wind that barely grazes Joe's arm, then hits the Twist of Fate, hiptosses Joe, and locks him in a modified version of the Anaconda Vice until Joe taps out.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
I don't think I've ever seen Hardy win a match by submission before, though I think most people expected him to win. Looks like whoever loses RVD vs Bully Ray later is out of the series.
We see a video package of last week's incident where Aces & Eights tried to take Austin Aries out, then we go backstage where Aries is asking Hulk Hogan how much longer this is going to go on. Hogan says the guy who attacked him last week was someone who was hired as part of the TV crew, but Hogan has him back this week and he'll be at Aries' disposal. Aries asks if Hogan actually thinks he'll be able to get any info out of him, but Hogan says it's okay to break his legs to get him to talk.
We go to Christy Hemme, who wants to get comments from Samoa Joe following his loss to Hardy. Joe barely gets a word out before Brutus Magnus comes out to explain why he lost his temper on Joe a few weeks ago. He said they were good as a team...he was great,but the team was good until Joe got slefish and threw it all away. Magnus is over it, and he just wants Joe to know he's over it and he just wants to wish Joe the best. Joe turns around to continue the interview, but Magnus runs back out and hits Joe from behind in the bad arm before taking off.
We go to Hulk Hogan, who has the four teams in contention for tonight's title shot in his office to plead their case. Robbie E says they're the youngest and they want an opportunity, then Kid Kash and Chavo Guerrero go back and forth until AJ Styles comes in saying he deserves revenge on Daniels & Kazarian. Hogan says the first elimination is easy, and AJ is out because he can't have two tag belts on one guy.
Speaking of Hogans, Brooke puts Tara overfor answering Brooke Tessmacher's challenge on Open Fight Night, and says she's glad she brought Taryn Terrell to ensure there won't be any shady booking. Gail Kim comes in and protests being shoved aside, and Hogan says that if she wants the spotlight, she can wrestle Tara tonight.
Taryn Terrell is in the ring, and we're ready for tonight's Knockouts match!
Gail Kim vs Tara
They tie up and Gail takes a side headlock, then armdrags Tara and catches her in the face with a standing dropkick. Tara gives her a right hand and an armdrag, then sends Gail to the ropes for a big backdrop. Gail quickly grabs Tara's arm and hits a divorce court, then whips her hard to the corner and hits a running crossbody in the corner before springboarding off the ropes with a stomp to the head for 2. Gail stands over Tara to play to the crowd and gets caught in a sunset flip for 2, but Gail takes her headoff with a kick and makes a cover, and Terrell takes a bit of time to get down and count and Gail only gets 2. Tara capitalizes and gets a powerslam for 2, then starts running Gail over with clotheslines and gets a delayed vertical suplex for 2. Tara plants her boot in Gail's chest to step over her, but Gail grabs the ankle and drops Tara onto the second rope. Gail goes up top but gets caught by Tara, who picks Gail off the corner and hits the Widow's Peak for the win.
Winner: Tara
We see a video package looking back at Joey Ryan's appearance in the Gut Check that resulted in him not getting a contract, then last week's appearance where he got into it with Al Snow, who needed to be held back by Bruce Prichard.
Speaking of Snow, he's backstage, and he's...WALKING!
We come back from commercial, and Al Snow is in the ring saying that if Joey Ryan wants his attention, he's got it. He knows Ryan is here because security saw him, so he can come out to the ring so Snow can talk to him. He asks what Ryan would like to say, and Ryan says he's here and he's bringing sleazy back. Snow says this is it, he's just got to go through Gut Check one more time, but with no judges, he wins and he gets a contract. Snow takes his jacket off and rolls his sleeves up, and he says if Ryan wants a contract, he's going to need to earn it by going through him. Ryan says it's not the 90s and nobody wants to see Snow in spandex, then Snow says he'll whip his ass in jeans and smacks Ryan in the face. Ryan leaves through the crowd threatening to sue Snow.
Bully Ray catches up with Joseph Park last week saying they both want to know about Aces & Eights, and wants to know if he found anything. Park says he's not going to violate attorney/client privileges and he'll report back to Hogan, and Bubba just warns him to watch himself because he knows people like this.
A security guard throws the handcuffed member of Aces & Eights into a broom closet where Austin Aries gets ready to "question" him.
We go back to Hogan and the tag teams, and Kid Kash & Gunner are eliminated because the animosity with Chavo & Hernandez is too personal. Okay.
Bound For Glory Series: Rob Van Dam vs Bully Ray
They have a staredown and yellback and forth trying to psych each other out, but Bubba shows off his calves and RVD responds by kicking him in the leg. Bubba with a kick to the gut and he starts unloading with right hands and forearms, then catches RVD with a back elbow. Bubba unloads with more right hands and RVD gets quick rollup for 2, then they're back to a stalemate. RVD gets a side headlock, Bubba uses RVD's ponytail to send him to the ropes but RVD gets a back kick and then rolls through a hiptoss to superkick Bubba for 2. Bubba rolls out to the floor to take a quick break, but RVD takes him out again with a baseball slide and then a somersault dive. RVD rolls Bubba back inside and goes to the top, but Bubba shakes the ropes and RVD gets crotched on the top rope. Bubba tries to drag RVD into the ring, but RVD's leg gets caught in the ropes so Bubba starts pounding on the leg while RVD is totally unable to protect himself. Bubba puts a grapevine on the leg and cranks on it to further soften the knee up, then drives right hands into the knee until RVD is desperate enough to go to the eyes to force the break. Bubba continues with the heavy right hands and then gets into it with the referee, a distraction that lasts just long enough for RVD to hit a leg lariat. That turns the tide, and now RVD gets right hands of his own and a series of clotheslines and the stepover leg lariat. RVD with Rolling Thunder for 2 followed by the rolling monkey flip out of the corner. RVD with a second rope crossbody for 2, but Bubba dodges a springboard thrust kick and big boots RVD in the face for 2. Bubba misses the Vader Bomb, but rolls out of the way of the split-legged moonsault, so RVD hits the springboard thrust kick and comes off the top with the five star...oh wait, Bubba pops up and hits the Bubba Cutter for the win!
Winner: Bully Ray
Wow, I really didn't think he was going to win. Great surprise.
We go backstage to Aries interrogating the Aces & Eights guy, saying that he's got all of "Mike's" information and Aces & Eights doesn't care about him anymore. He wants to find out who everyone in the group is, and Mike can do it the easy way by telling Aries what he wants to know, or they can do it the hard way. Aries takes his jacket off and slaps Mike in the face, then threatens him with a pair of pliers. Aries sticks the pliers down his throat and tries to rip his tongue out, but Hogan comes in and says Aries can't do this to the guy...because he wants some too. Hogan slaps the taste out of his mouth for cornering his daughter, but his cell phone rings before he can take the guy out and it's the VP of Aces & Eights. Hogan makes a deal where they'll give Mike back if they send the guy who broke Aries' arm down to the ring alone before the end of the night, and then he wants the armbreaker to face Aries at No Surrender. The Aces & Eights VP agrees, and Hogan takes one more free shot on Mike before telling Aries to let him live for now.
James Storm comes out to the ring to say that 2012 has been a year of highs and lows because the way he lost at Lockdown made him doubt himself and whether he still wanted to be a wrestler, but after spending time with his family and drinking with his friends, he realized that something was missing because he loved hearing the crowd go crazy. He came back at Slammiversary, ended Crimson's undefeated streak, and got into the BFG Series, and as the competition got stiffer, he got just a bit better. He knows there's three more guys standing in his way from him becoming World Champion again, so he wants them to come out so he can pick his semifinal opponent. He selects Bully Ray as his first opponent, and he wants Bubba to come down to the ring because he has something to say to his face. He says Bubba was pointing his finger at him as the leader of Aces & Eights and Storm proved him wrong, and after Bubba ended his run in the BFG Series last year, he's going to end Bubba's run this year before winning the title back.
Mike is backstage, and he's...BEING HELD HOSTAGE! And Daniels and Kazarian are...LOOKING CONSTERNATED!
Christy Hemme catches up with Rob Van Dam backstage toask for his thoughts on being eliminated from the BFG Series, but Magnus butts in again to say that RVD is devastated because the old RVD wouldn't fall at the final hurdle. Magnus grew up watching him and RVD set the bar so high, and maybe he just can't reach the bar anymore and isn't hte man he once was. RVD punches Magnus in the face and they start fighting until Al Snow and D-Lo Brown run in to separate them.
Okay, it's time for the tag title match, and Hulk Hogan announces that the challengers are...
World Tag Team Title Match: Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian vs Chavo Guerrero Jr & Hernandez
The champions jump Chavo & Hernandez on their way into the ring, but the challengers clear them out quickly and all four men go outside and brawl on the floor. They head back in where Hernandez slams Daniels and tags in Chavo, who comes over the top rope with a rolling senton. Hernandez is back in with a bearhug on Daniels, then htis an overhead release suplex. Chavo is back in with a basement dropkick for 2, then beats Daniels down in the corner with right hands. Hernandez slams Chavo onto Daniels for 2, Daniels finally makes the tag out, but Kazarian walks right into a hiptoss and then an elbowdrop from Hernandez. Daniels tags in and tries a side suplex, but Chavo gets a headscissors and then tags in Hernandez, who hits an over the shoulder backbreaker on Kazarian. Hernandez with a delayed vertical suplex on Kazarian while Chavo hits the Three Amigos on Daniels. The champions appear totally overmatched as we go to commercial.
We're back and the champions finally get an advantage when Kazarian drops Chavo throat first across the top rope and Daniels follows up with an STO. He dumps Chavo out to the floor so Kazarian can get some cheapshots in, then he rolls Chavo back in where Daniels hits a side bulldog for 2. Daniels hiptosses Kazarian onto Chavo for 2, then Kazarian goes to a double chickenwing. Chavo gets away and tags in Hernandez, who comes over the top rope with a flying shoulderblock on Hernandez and then cleans house on both men. Hernandez shoudler tackles Daniels into next week, then catches Kazarian coming off the ropes and muscles him into a sitout powerbomb for 2. Daniels comes in and they double team Hernandez, but Hernandez obots Daniels to the floor, skins the cat onto the top rope, and he fights with Kazarian until Chavo yanks Kazarian off the ropes and headscissors Hernandez onto Kazarian. Hernandez makes a cover, but Daniels comes in and jumps on the referee to break the count. Chavo and Kazarian brawl out to the floor, Daniels goes for a springboard moonsault but Chavo moves and he takes Kazarian out. Hernandez wipes both champions out with a dive, then they go inside where Hernandez hits a splash in the corner. Daniels backdrops Chavo out to the floor and then uses one of the title belts to hit Hernandez in the ribs so Kazarian can roll him up for the win.
Winners: Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian
Hulk Hogan's music hits and he comes out to interrupt the celebration, congratulating them on their win and saying that AJ Styles is backstage saying he can beat both of them by himself. Hogan disagrees with that, so Daniels & Kazarian are going to give Styles and Kurt Angle their rematch this weekend at No Surrender.
Austin Aries is backstage herding his hostage out to the ring, and we'll see if Aces & Eights answers the challenge next!
Okay, Aries is in the ring with Mike and he says that Aces & Eights obviously wants him back because he was ready to beat the truth out of him, but he obviously holds some value to the group, so he'll trade him back without doing any more damage as long as tghe man who broke his arm comes down to accept a fight with Aries, not a match, but a fight with Aries this Sunday. Nobody shows up, so Aries asks if his mic is working because he's tired of waiting and is ready to call the deal off if nobody comes out. Aries picks Mike up and drags him to the corner and starts slapping him around, but finally the bigdude from Aces & Eights comes out of the crowd and pulls Mike to the floor...and knocks him out with a hammer. Aries comes out of the ring with a dive, and they go into the ring and keep brawling as we go off the air.
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