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2/2 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: VINCE MCMAHON ANNOUNCES THE DEMISE OF WWE'S VERSION OF ECW

By Mike Johnson on 2014-02-02 08:00:23

February 2nd

On this day in history in ....

1914 - Charlie Cutler, American Heavyweight Champion for just over a year at this point, defeats Henry Ordemann, who claimed the title, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

1928 - Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats Wayne Munn in Michigan City, Indiana win the Illinois and Michigan version of the World Heavyweight Title and unify it with his undisputed title.

1939 - Lou Plummer defeats Sandor Szabo to win the San Francisco Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title in Salinas, California, ending Szabo's fifth reign.

1949 - Rube Wright defeats Albert Mills for the Montana Heavyweight Title in Great Falls, Montana.

1950 - Genichiro Tenryu is born in Katsuyama, Japan.

1956 - Gene Stanlee defeats Bill Miller for the Ohio Heavyweight Title in Columbus, Ohio.

1957 - Ed Francis and Henry Lenz defeat Red Bastien and Roy Heffernan to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title.

1965 - Naoki Sano is born in Yokohama, Japan.

1966 - Johnny Barend defeats Nick Kozak to win the Hawaii NWA United States Heavyweight Title in Honolulu, Hawaii.

1970 - Raúl Reyes defeats Goliath in Monterrey, Mexico for the Mexican National Heavyweight Title.

1970 - Ricky Romero defeats The Beast to win the NWA Western States Heavyweight Title in El Paso, Texas.

1971 - Kintaro Ohki defeats Bill Dromo in Hiroshima, Japan to win the JWA All Asia Heavyweight Title. This made Ohki the first to hold the title twice.

1973 - Mariko Akagi and Jumbo Miyamoto defeat Masked Lee and Princess War Star to win the WWWA World Tag Team Title in Okayama, Japan. This began their third title reign.

1973 - Fred Curry and Tony Marino defeat Kurt Von Hess and Karl Von Shotz in Detroit, Michigan for the Detroit NWA World Tag Team Title. This began and ended both teams' second reigns.

1976 - Dragon Kid is born in Tokai, Japan.

1976 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results were:
- Frank Monte defeated Pete Sanchez.
- Louis Cyr defeated Francisco Flores.
- Spiros Arion defeated Kevin Sullivan.
- Ernie Ladd defeated Dominic DeNucci.
- Ivan Putski and Ivan Koloff fought to a time-limit draw.
- The Coco Kid and Little Louie defeated Billy the Kid and Little Johnny in Best-of-Three Falls match, 2-0.
- WWWF Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Superstar Billy Graham by referee stoppage due to blood to retain the title.
- Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Pat Barrett.
- Bobo Brazil (subbing for Louis Cerdan) and WWWF Tag Team Champion Tony Parisi defeated Jerry Blackwell and Bugsy McGraw in Best-of-Three Falls match, 2-0.

1977 - Conrad Kennedy III is born in Toledo, Ohio.

1977 - Tiger Jeet Singh and Umanosuke Ueda defeat Strong Kobayashi and Seiji Sakaguchi for the New Japan NWA North American Tag Team Title in Osaka, Japan.

1978 - Yuki Miyazaki is born in Anjo City, Japan.

1978 - Dory Funk, Jr. and Larry Lane defeat Brute Bernard and Frank Morrell in Amarillo, Texas for the NWA Western States Tag Team Title.

1980 - Teddy Hart is born in Calgary, Alberta.

1981 - The Bounty Hunters (David and Jerry Novak) defeat Bill Dundee and Tommy Rich in a no-disqualification Title vs. Hair match for the AWA Southern Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Dundee and Rich's second reign and beginning the Hunters' fifth. The hair at stake was that of the Bounty Hunters' manager, Jimmy Kent.

1983 - Mia Martinez is born in Chicago, Illinois.

1985 - The WWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results:
- Moondog Spot defeated José Luis Rivera.
- Brutus Beefcake defeated Rick McGraw.
- WWF Tag Team Champion Mike Rotundo defeated The Iron Sheik.
- Nikolai Volkoff defeated WWF Tag Team Champion Barry Windham.
- Paul Orndorff defeated Ivan Putski.
- Don Muraco defeated George Wells.
- Bret Hart defeated Mr. X.
- WWF Women's Champion Wendi Richter defeated Judy Martin to retain the title.
- André the Giant and the Junkyard Dog defeated Ken Patera and Big John Studd in a Texas Tornado match.

1986 - The Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton) defeat The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton) in Atlanta, Georgia to win the NWA World Tag Team Title, ending Gibson and Morton's second reign. This match aired five days later on "Superstars on the Superstation" on TBS.

1986 - Dirty Rhodes (Roger Smith) defeats Buddy Landel for the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Landel's third reign. At the same show, Rick Casey (Wendell Cooley) ends Dutch Mantel's second CWA International Heavyweight title reign.

1987 - The Continental Wrestling Association held a 14-man tournament at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee. It was to fill the AWA Southern Heavyweight Title vacancy left when Jerry Lawler was injured earlier in the month. The results were:
First round:
- Austin Idol defeated Billy Travis to advance to the semifinals.
- Jeff Jarrett defeated Boy Tony.
- Big Bubba defeated Tracy Smothers.
- CWA International Heavyweight Champion Soul Train Jones defeated Tommy Rich.
- The Hunter defeated CWA International Tag Team Champion Paul Diamond.
- Goliath defeated CWA International Tag Team Champion Pat Tanaka.
- Alan West defeated Tarzan Goto.
Quarterfinals:
- Jeff Jarrett defeated Big Bubba.
- CWA International Heavyweight Champion Soul Train Jones defeated The Hunter.
- Goliath defeated Alan West.
Semifinals:
- Austin Idol defeated Jeff Jarrett.
- CWA International Heavyweight Champion Soul Train Jones defeated Goliath.
Non-tournament:
- The Fabulous Ones (Steve Keirn and Stan Lane) and The Sheepherders (Butch Miller and Luke Williams) fought to a no-contest.
Final:
- Austin Idol defeated CWA International Heavyweight Champion Soul Train Jones to win the vacant AWA Southern Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign.

1987 - The World Class Wrestling Association held a "Wrestling Star Wars" event at the Tarrant County Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The results:
- Steve Simpson defeated Roberto Soto.
- The Dingo Warrior defeated WCWA Texas Heavyweight Champion Bob Bradley to win the title. This was the future WWF World and Intercontinental Champion's first career singles title win. The Warrior had held the WCWA World Tag Team Title with Lance Von Erich for two weeks in late 1986.
- Matt Borne defeated Scott Casey.
- Red River Jack defeated Killer Tim Brooks.
- David Manning defeated Gary Hart.
- WCWA World Heavyweight Champion Kevin Von Erich defeated WCWA World Tag Team Champion Al Madril to retain the title.
- Abdullah the Butcher defeated Tony Atlas by countout.
- The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers) and The Rock 'n' Roll RPM's (Mike Davis and Tommy Lane) fought to a double-countout.
- Kerry Von Erich defeated WCWA World Tag Team Champion Brian Adias.

1989 - The World Wrestling Alliance (the former Central States Wrestling), in conjunction with All Japan Pro Wrestling, held "International Bash" at Memorial Hall in Kansas Vity, Kansas. The results were:
- Rick McCord defeated Bobby Jaggers.
- Tiger Mask (Mitsuharu Misawa) defeated Tommy Sharpe.
- Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk defeated Doug Somers and Gary Young, when Terry made Young submit.
- Genichiro Tenryu defeated Bill Irwin.
- Akio Sato defeated Curtis Hughes.
- The British Bulldogs (The Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith) and The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton) fought to a 30-minute draw. Pat O'Connor was referee.
- NWA International Heavyweight Champion Jumbo Tsuruta and Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated AJPW Unified World Tag Team Champions - NWA United National and PWF Heavyweight Champion Stan Hansen and Terry Gordy, when Tsuruta pinned Gordy, to win the title. This ended Gordy and Hansen's second reign and began Tsuruta and Yatsu's fourth.
- WWA World Heavyweight Champion Mike George defeated Stevie Ray by countout to retain the title.

1991 - The WWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results:
- The Bushwhackers (Butch and Luke) defeated Demolition (Ax and Smash) by disqualification.
- The Big Bossman defeated Haku.
- The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) defeated The Rockers (Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels), when Saggs pinned Michaels.
- The Barbarian defeated Koko B. Ware.
- The Undertaker defeated Tugboat.
- Roddy Piper defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect by countout. Perfect retained the title.
- Jim Duggan defeated Gen. Adnan (subbing for WWF Champion Sgt. Slaughter) in 48 seconds.
- WWF Champion Sgt. Slaughter (subbing for Randy Savage) defeated The Ultimate Warrior in a Steel Cage match to retain the title, after Sensational Queen Sherri interfered.

1991 - Carlos Colón defeats Greg Valentine in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, in a rematch from December 15, to win the vacant WWC Universal Heavyweight Title, and begin his 12th reign.

1991 - Brad Anderson and The Hood (Ricky Santana) defeat The Wrecking Crew (The Equalizer and The Grappler) for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title in Portland, Oregon, ending the Crew's second reign.

1992 - Dos Caras defeats Canek to win the UWA World Heavyweight Title in Naucalpan, Mexico. This began Caras' third reign and ended Canek's 10th.

1995 - Vance Nevada defeats Mr. Torture in Miami, Manitoba for the Canadian Unified Junior Heavyweight Title.

1996 - Konnan defeats The Killer in Querétaro, Mexico to become the first AAA Americas Heavyweight Champion.

1997 - Stevie Richards defeats Axl Rotten for the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Title in Gaithersburg, Maryland, ending Rotten's second reign.

1999 - Damaja and David C win their second OVW Southern Tag Team Title, ending the seventh reign for The Lords of the Ring (Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore) in Louisville, Kentucky. Also at that event, Rod Steele ends Rip Rogers' third OVW Heavyweight Title reign.

1999 - Harry Palmer defeats BDL in Louisville, Kentucky to win the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Title, his second.

2000 - WCW's 98th episode of "Thunder", taped the previous night at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton, New York, airs on TBS. The show got a 2.2 rating, and the results were:
- Norman Smiley defeated The Demon.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Sid Vicious defeated Mike Rotunda in a Submission match.
- Shannon Moore defeated Shane Helms in a WCW Cruiserweight Title Tournament quarterfinal match.
- The Wall defeated Kidman (with Torrie Wilson) and Vampiro in a three-way match.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Sid Vicious defeated Rick Steiner in a Hardcore match.
- Diamond Dallas Page (with Kimberly) defeated The Machine (Emory Hale).
- Tank Abbott defeated Villano IV.
- David Flair and Crowbar (with Daffney) defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions The Mamalukes (Big Vito and Johnny The Bull (with Disco Inferno)).
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Sid Vicious defeated The Harris Boys (Don and Ron) in a Handicap Caged Heat match.

2002 - Jersey All-Pro Wrestling held its Russ Haas Memorial Show at Charity Hall in Bayonne, New Jersey, held in honor of Russ Haas, brother of Charlie Haas, who died of a heart attack in his sleep on December 15. Haas was just 27 years old. The results:
- Ghost Shadow and Jay Lethal defeated Deranged and Rainchild in a Lucha Rules match.
- NWA Virginia Heavyweight Champion Jacey North defeated Chino Martinez to retain the title.
- Seijin Akki defeated Crazy Ivan.
- JT Jobber defeated Katarina Heiss.
- Slyk Wagner Brown (with April Hunter) defeated Matt Striker.
- The Big Unit (Dave Desire and Rick Silver) defeated Don Montoya and Mike Quackenbush.
- The Boogie Knights (Danny Drake and Mike Tobin) defeated Ric Blade and Elax.
- Kid Kruel (Mike Kruel) defeated Low Ki.
- Charlie Haas defeated Crowbar and Simon Diamond in a three-way dance.  The was going to be a singles match between Diamond and Crowbar, when Haas came out and was added to the match. 
- JAPW Tag Team Champions Da Hit Squad (Mafia and Monsta Mack) defeated The Shane Twins (Mike and Todd) to retain the title.
- JAPW New Jersey State Champion Dixie defeated JAPW Heavyweight Champion Homicide and JAPW Light Heavyweight Champion The Insane Dragon in a three-way match to leave with all the titles.

2002 - Lobo defeats Fujita in Bayamón, Puerto Rico to win his second IWA World Junior Heavyweight Title.

2002 - Rocky Reynolds defeats Jason Rumble at a Pro Wrestling eXpress event in Titusville, Pennsylvania to win the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign.

2002 - Hobo Joe defeats The Hurricane Kid in Beaumont, Texas to win the Extreme Texas Wrestling Television Title.

2003 - Kyoko Inoue defeats Yoshiko Tamura for the NWA Pacific Women's/NEO Title in Tokyo, Japan. This began Inoue's second reign and ended Tamura's third.

2005 - Bull Buchanan and Rico defeated Mitsuya Nagai and Masayuki Naruse on the first event of the "Excite Series" in Tokyo, Japan to win the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Title.

2007 - Brian Milonas defeated Thomas Penmanship at "Cold Fury 6: Into the Fire" in Lowell, Massachusetts to win the Chaotic Wrestling Heavyweight Title.

2007 - Shane Hollister defeated Marek Brave in Fairfield, Iowa for the NWA Iowa Heavyweight Title.

2008 - The UFC held "UFC 81: Breaking Point" at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, with 10,583 fans in attendance. The show featured former three-time WWE Champion Brock Lesnar making his anticipated Octagon debut. The results were:
Preliminary card:
- In a lightweight bout, Rob Emerson defeated Keita Nakamura by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27).
- In a middleweight bout, Marvin Eastman defeated Terry Martin by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27).
- In a light heavyweight bout, Tim Boetsch defeated David Heath by TKO (strikes) at 4:52 of round one.
- In a welterweight bout, Chris Lytle defeated Kyle Bradley by TKO (strikes) at 0:33 of round one.
Main card:
- In a lightweight bout, Tyson Griffin defeated Gleison Tibau by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
- In a middleweight bout, Ricardo Almeida defeated Rob Yundt by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:08 of round one.
- In a middleweight bout, Nate Marquardt defeated Jeremy Horn by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:37 of round two.
- In a heavyweight bout, Frank Mir defeated Brock Lesnar by submission (kneebar) at 1:30 of round one.
- Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira defeated Tim Sylvia by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:28 of round three to become the interim UFC Heavyweight Champion.

2008 - Thunder and Lightning defeat Juventud Rebelde (Chris Joel and Noriega) for the WWC World Tag Team Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

2008 - Jimmy Jacobs defeats Josh Abercrombie in Kalkaska, Michigan to win the Mr. Chainsaw Productions Wrestling World Heavyweight Title.

2008 - Jackson Florida defeats champion Masaaki Mochizuki and Hollywood Stalker Ichikawa in Ukiha, Japan to become Dragon Gate's first two-time Open the Owarai Gate Champion.

2008 - Joey Owens defeats Botch, PT Hustla and Dustin Lee in a Gauntlet match at "Sacrifice" in Indianapolis, Indiana to win the vacant Insanity Pro Wrestling Mid-American Title.

2008 - SuperFunk (Freddy Funk and Volcano) defeat Models, Inc. (Memphis Raines and MR2) for the NWA/ECCW Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.

2008 - Mantis defeats Dash Bennett to win the NWA East Brass Knuckles Title in McKeesport, Pennsylvania.

2008 - Chris Black and Calvin Rose defeats Jesse and Dinky Dalton for the NWA Mississippi Tag Team Title in Magee, Mississippi.

2010 - During an edition of ECW on SyFy, Vince McMahon made the following announcement:

"I would like to proudly announce in three weeks' time that ECW will be going off the air. I would like to thank all the technicians, cameramen, directors, producers, everyone, and certainly all the Superstars who made ECW the success that it truly was. But, I'd also like to thank in advance all of you who will be responsible for the success in bringing a new, innovative, never before seen program broadcast at the very same time here on SyFy. This will be the next, next evolution of the WWE. This will be the next evolution of television history. Thank you very much."

The new show would be WWE NXT, which would last less than a year before being moved to WWE.com.

2012 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling.  Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:

Welcome to the Impact Wrestling Report here on PWInsider.com!

Tonight's show comes to you tonight from the United Kingdom, and we kick off the show tonight with Bobby Roode and Bully Ray coming out to the ring to admire Bubba's legs and do our show-opening promo. Oh, by the way, Hogan's back tonight. Bubba tells everyone that even though they want to see Jeff Hardy tonight, they're not going to because they put him through a table and now we're never going to see him again. Roode says it's great to be back here in Ireland, and he wants to make it clear that they do not suck because Bubba has the largest calves in the world and is the toughest guy and his best friend, Bully Ray. And Roode is the it factor, the leader of the Me Generation, and our World Heavyweight Champion. They're very proud of what they did to Jeff Hardy last week, but they didn't get the job completely done, so he demands that James Storm come out right now. Storm comes out and Bubba tells him to stand back and not think about coming near the World Champion, but now Sting's music hits and he comes out to join the party. Mike Tenay mentions when Sting beat Vader for the title over here 19 years ago, and Sting says he wants to give an update on Jeff Hardy: he says he's doing fine and will be find when we get to Against All Odds. And since that PPV is coming up quickly, the main event will be a four way between Roode, Bubba, Storm, and Hardy. Storm says he wants Bubba and Roode tonight, so Sting says he's going to get both of them tonight, starting with Roode and ending with Bully Ray.

Garett Bischoff is walking around backstage telling his trainer that he's here and he'll see whoever it is when he gets there. Gee, I wonder who it could be. I don't know, maybe the guy they've been heavily hyping as returning tonight.

Samoa Joe & Brutus Magnus vs Matt Morgan & Crimson

This one is a Buckingham Brawl and the winning team can both stay in the ring without having to make tags, and the loser has to go by standard tag team rules. So Crimson is the lucky winner, and Joe and Magnus go right after Morgan and knock him off the apron before laying Crimson out with an inverted atomic drop/big boot/senton combo. They work Crimson over in the corner, and Crimson tries to fire back but gets his head taken off by a lariat from Magnus and Joe follows up with a leaping kneedrop for 2. Crimson finally manages to dodge a charge from Joe and suplex Magnus and finally tag out to Morgan. Morgan goes nuts and hits a fallaway slam on Magnus, then dumps Joe to the floor and hits a side suplex on Magnus for 2. Joe is back in but Crimson spears him and they go out to the floor as Morgan flattens Magnus with a clothesline. Morgan sets up for the Carbon Footprint but Magnus ducks and Morgan lands on the top rope, then Joe and Magnus hit the running knee/snapmare/elbowdrop and get the win.

Winners: Samoa Joe & Brutus Magnus

Great stuff, I'm really enjoying this feud and both teams get better by the day.

Eric Bischoff arrives at the arena, and we'll find out what he wants later on tonight!

Actually, looks like we'll find out right now. Eric Bischoff comes out of the back, gets flipped off by a ringside fan, and gets in the ring to say that he thought Brits were supposed to be civilized. We've all followed the last few weeks as Garett has lived his fantasy about becoming a pro wrestler and trying to become half the man he is. He's here tonight to burst that bubble with a good shot of reality, so he wants Garett to come to the ring. Garett comes out and Eric says it's okay to have goals, but his goals became a fantasy, and to think for a second that he can get a trainer to bring him to higher levels, it's just a sad waste of time because they both know it's never going to happen. The trainer's a coward, he'll never step in the ring to back him up, it was a bad choice, and he's disappointed in Garett. Garett's sad he's upset about his choice, but if he has a problem, he can tell the guy himself. Eric says we all know he's never going to come to London to back him up or help anybody. Garett cuts the promo off to take a phone call, and Eric looks really amused, but Garett says when he's right he's right...but when he's wrong, he's dead wrong because he's here, he's in the building, and he wants to see Eric right here tonight.

We're back and we go to a promo/video package with Mark Haskins, who you might remember from his appearances in TNA last year. He's wrestled all over the world and we're in his house tonight and he's on a level the other guys in the X Division aren't.

X Division Champion Austin Aries vs Mark Haskins

Aries quickly takes Haskins down and outwrestles him to get the crowd chanting for him. Then Haskins takes Aries down and goes through the exact same sequence, to a round of boos. Aries with a knee to the midsection and tries to dump Haskins to the floor, but Haskins skins the cat into a flying headscissors and hits a series of moves. Haskins tries to dumps Aries to the floor and now Aries tries to skin the cat, but Haskins dropkicks him to the floor. Haskins goes for a springboard move, but Aries shoves him off and Haskins shish kebabs himself on the top rope before being knocked to the floor by Aries. Aries comes off the top with a shot to Haskins on the floor as the crowd goes nuts for him, and he rolls Haskins back in and hits a slingshot senton and an elbowdrop off the ropes for 2. Aries puts Haskins on the top rope and Haskins fights him off, but Aries again shakes the ropes and crotches Haskins on the top rope. Aries goes for the IED, but Haskins moves out of the way and starts a fiery comeback. He hits a monkey flip, Aries blocks a second one, but he follows right up with a crossbody out of the corner for 2. Haskins with an Ace Crusher for 2 then he goes to the top again and goes for a shooting star press, but Aries moves and Haskins nearly breaks his neck by landing on his face. Aries quickly hits a brainbuster and gets the Last Chancery and Haskins taps.

Winner: Austin Aries

We see five replays of Haskins coming down badly on the shooting star press before we see the replay of Aries finishing him.

Eric Bischoff is on his cell phone backstage trying to call for a cab, but Sting comes out to cut his phone call short and tell him to relax since Garett's trainer won't be here tonight...right? Besides, there's a show to do, so he shows Eric back inside as we head back out to the ring for the first part of the main event.

World Champion Robert Roode vs James Storm

They tie up and feel each other out, Roode comes off the ropes and gets a shoulderblock, but Storm comes back with a hiptoss, bodyslam, elbowdrop, and a legdrop for 2. Storm goes for the Last Call but Roode bails out to the floor for a breather. While he's out there, why don't we take a commercial break?

We're back and Storm is working Roode over in the corner, but comes off the ropes right into a running knee to the gut from Roode. Roode continues working over Storm's midsection with shoulderblocks in the corner, followed by a running shoulderblock to the gut and a gourdbuster for 2. Roode rakes the back and continues kicking at Storm's abdomen, Storm tries to fire back but Roode ducks a shot and picks Storm up in a fireman's carry for an inverted F5 that gets 2. Roode with the Bret Hart stomp to the lower abdomen and then goes to a bearhug on the mat. Storm fights his way to his feet as the camera pulls back and you see that TNA packed a lot of people in here. Storm escapes and comes off the ropes, Roode goes for the knee to the gut again but Storm dives past him and gets a schoolboy rollup for 2. They go toe to toe in the middle of the ring, Roode with a kick to the gut and then he goes to the second rope but Storm cracks him with a right hand to the jaw and hits a top rope Frankensteiner. Storm takes control with a series of clotheslines and a running forearm. Storm with a lungblower and then he goes to the top rope and comes off with a flying elbow for 2. Roode catches Storm out of nowhere with the Crippler Crossface, but Storm rolls through the move and gets to the ropes. Roode with a straight kick to Storm's ribs and goes for the Perfectplex, Storm escapes and goes for the Eye of the Storm, but his midsection's too badly hurt and he drops Roode. Roode hits the Perfectplex but only gets 2, so he goes outside the ring and gets the title belt, then brings it into the ring. He shoves the referee out of the way but Storm comes out of nowhere with Closing Time. He sets for the Last Call but Bully Ray comes running out and grabs Storm ankle to keep him from hitting the move. The interference gave Roode just enough time to hit a spear and get the win.

Winner: Robert Roode

They're not done with Storm, and Roode lays the belt in the middle of the ring so Bubba can hit a Rock Bottom onto the belt. Sting runs out to make the save as Roode and Bubba bail out to the floor. Storm's still got one match to go, and Sting tells Roode he's going to keep his eye on him.

Knockouts Champion Gail Kim vs Tara

Anyone else notice that Gail's music sounds like the old Sid Justice entrace music from 1991-92? Tara overwhelms Gail to start, slams her, tears her shirt off, and hits a standing moonsault for 2. Madison grabs Tara's ankle from the outside and allows Gail to spear her in the corner (wait a minute, that was the finish of the last damn match!), then Gail slumps Tara on the second rope and hits her with a vertical splash. Gail with a leaping clothesline ot the back and a running knee to the back for 2. Gail goes for another fall and again gets 2. Gail with a horse collar on Tara's bad knee, Tara gets out but Gail with a stiff clothesline and plays to the crowd instead of going for a fall. Gail plays with Tara, shoving her around before hitting a hard kick to the back and getting a Dragon sleeper. Tara snapmares out of the hold but Gail with another hard kick and a neckbreaker. Gail comes off the top with a back senton, but Tara moves and Gail hits hard. Tara with right hands and a snap suplex, then a BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK BODYDROP. Tara with a snap powerslam and Madison gets up on the apron, but Tara goes and slugs her. Madison sneaks in and tries to hit Tara from behind, but Tara sees her coming and moves, and Madison hits Gail. Tara dumps Madison to the floor and hits the Widow's Peak to get the win.

Winner: Tara

I believe that's the first time somebody's caught a fall on Gail since she's been back in TNA, but I'm sure some sharp-eyed reader out there would be kind enough to correct me if I'm wrong about that.

Garett Bischoff is backstage, and he's...WALKING! We'll find out who his trainer is next!

Garett Bischoff comes out to the ring and thanks the fans for being so supportive through his time in the business so far, and he's about to introduce his trainer when Eric Bischoff comes out with Gunner. Eric says they've got eyes everywhere and they know he's not here, so he should give it up before he gets hurt. Apparently Eric wasn't looking that hard because here comes the Hulkster, looking as orange as ever. Hogan celebrates his return by beating up Gunner and then ping ponging him between Hogan and Garett. Gunner rolls to the outside and then Hogan and Garett turn their attention to Eric, but Gunner drags Eric to the floor to save his neck. Hogan and Garett shake hands as Eric and Gunner head to the back while looking mad. Oh, and Hogan appears to have gotten more ink, this time across the back of his shoulders. It's still really weird seeing him all tatted up.

By the way, did I mention how awesome Matt Morgan is in the Direct Auto Insurance commercials?

We go backstage to Hogan and Garett, and Hogan says that Eric Bischoff knows he has a target on his back, and what better way to drive it home by having all the fans in England tell him what they think of him? He tries to incite the fans to riot by saying how great it would be to attack him in a mob assault, and Garett says it was great to see the look on his father's face because it was like someone walked over his grave. Hogan makes fun of Eric's tiny soldier, then says how great it is to be back in England because it's been 18 years, but the fans are as ravenous as ever. TNA is this close to being the best in the world, and he knows they can get there because they're doing everything right.

Time for the second half of tonight's main event!

Bully Ray vs James Storm

Bubba asks Storm how his ribs are, then tells him he's going to break his ribs, but ducks through the ropes when Storm goes after him. They head into the corner where Bubba opens him up so he can gently slap Storm on the ribs to get in his head. Storm spits in his face and fires off some right hands and hits a BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK BODYDROP, but Bubba with a kick to the ribs and Storm goes down in a heap. Bubba takes free shots at Storm's ribs and picks him up for a suplex, but drops him gut first on the top rope, then stands right on Storm's chest. Bubba with a camel clutch and fishhooks his mouth, then stands up and drops all his weight on Storm's back before tearing the bandages off of Storm's ribs. Bubba with a big bodyslam as Robert Roode wanders out to ringside to give Bubba a thumbs up. We're at commercial.

We're back, and Sting wanders out to the ring but, instead of the standard baseball bat, Sting's got a cricket bat over his shoulder. How clever! Bubba gets Storm in a side bearhug which is actually more effective for working over the ribs, but Storm boxes his ears repeatedly to get out of the hold. Storm comes off the ropes, but runs right into a big boot from Bubba, who turns to Sting and says that one was for him. Bubba with a pair of elbowdrops for 2, then kneels on Storm's back while pulling his arm up at an awkward angle. Storm fires back but Bubba yanks him down to the mat by the hair as Roode smiles at ringside. Bubba with what I can only call the People's Big Splash for 2, then yells back at fans for chanting Devon's name at him. Bubba with a STIFF chop in the corner and a big vertical suplex, then he comes off the second rope with a senton, but Storm moves out of the way and it looks like the momentum has shifted. Storm starts firing off right hands at Bubba, then hits a series of clotheslines. Storm snaps Bubba's neck down on the top rope and comes off the top rope with a crossbody, but only gets 2. He should have sold the impact of that move a little more. Bubba catches Storm coming off the ropes with a side suplex for 2, but then the both of them and the referee all collide in the corner and everyone's down. Roode tries to get in the ring to interfere, but Sting comes in and chases him off. Roode backs down as Storm and Bubba make it back to their feet and Storm hits the Last Call for the win.

Winner: James Storm

Great main event and a really well booked angle tonight with Storm facing the both of them and losing to Roode, but coming back and overcoming pretty rough odds to beat Bubba. Terrific show overall, but next week will be the special "Star Wars" edition of Impact Wrestling, so who knows what that's going to bring. Hopefully it won't be like the Muppets on Raw, but as far as tonight goes, great show and probably the best wrestling show any company did this week.

That's it for the Impact Wrestling Report, I'll be back tomorrow with Dave Scherer to discuss Impact and more on the Stu & Pid Show!

2013 - CM Punk called into the The Abe Kanan Show on SiriusXM Howard 101 to talk with the 77 year old Punk fan who was shot in the eye during a robbery, losing sight in that eye, but noted he was more upset Punk lost the WWE championship to the Rock at the Royal Rumble PPV.   Punk would later meet with the fan.

2013 - The first National Pro Wrestling Day is held in Philadelphia, PA with loads of independent promotions each sending a match to represent them.  Here is Mike Johnson's live report from the double header events:

Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing coverage of National Pro Wrestling Day in Philadelphia, PA.  The events are taking place on iPPV and can be ordered now at www.SMVOD.com.

We are posting photos from the event on our Instagram site at www.Instagram.com/PWInsider including a pretty interesting reunion.

ROH Tag Team champions The Briscoes vs. Jimmy Jacobs & Steve Corino

Corino cut a promo before the show saying that Ring of Honor wouldn't send the ROH champion Kevin Steen because they didn't want him to represent the company.  He said that the ROH that Philadelphia knew and loved is dead and tonight they will continue to kill the company by taking back their ROH Tag Team belts.

Cary Silkin, as the official ROH rep, came out with the Briscoes.  They did the code of honor handshake before the bout.

Corino and Jay Briscoe locked up.  Corino backed him into a corner and nailed several chops.  Jay fought his way out.  Mark nailed a missile dropkick off the top and the Briscoes nailed a double shoulderblock to send the challengers to the floor.  Mark then hit a great flip dive over the top to the floor.

The Briscoes worked over Corino and Jacobs on the floor and used some Red Neck Kung Fu.  Back in the ring, Jay nailed a running boot to the face of Jacobs in the corner.  Jacobs reversed a whip into the corner and Corino nailed Jay from behind.  Corino tagged in and S.C.U.M. beat down Jay, double teaming him.

The challengers worked over Jay until he sent Corino into the buckles and made the hot tag to Mark.  Mark cleaned house with his Kung Fu.   He was awesome.  He nailed a sitdown powerbomb on Jacobs for a two count.  The Briscoes then nailed a double team neckbreaker for another two count but Corino returned to the fray.

Jacobs speared Mark and Corino took out Jay.  Jacobs nailed Sliced Bread #2 for a near fall.  The Briscoes finally nailed the Doomsday Device for the pin.

Your winners and still ROH Tag Team champions, The Briscoes!

Steve Corino attacked them and laid them out from behind.  He took the mic and said he wanted ROH to die and they would take them out at the March 2nd iPPV.  He said evil was coming and ROH would become Ring of S.C.U.M.

Saturyne vs. Juan Francisco de Coronado (with his man servent Herbert) -presented by Wrestling Is Fun

They locked up and Saturyne cinched in a side headlock.  Coranado used his power to shrug her off.   She nailed several nice athletic moves including a rana to send him to the floor.  She went for a dive but Herbert got in the way.  She stopped, then wiped them both out.

Coronado took control when they returned to the ring and cheated, choking her against the ropes.  He distracted the referee, allowing Herbet to do the same.   Saturyne fought back but he cut her off .  She tried to mount a comeback but when she rebounded off the ropes, was tripped up.  Coronado drilled her with a kick for a two count.

Saturyne made a comeback but was tossed off the top.  She finally escaped an atomic drop attempt and dropkicked Coronado in the corner.  She nailed a kick to the head for a two count. 

Saturyne finally rolled up Coronado with a small package and scored the pin.

Your winner, Saturyne!

Fun

Vik Delicious & Ben Ortiz vs. Tommy Dreamer & Hale Collins, presented by House of Hardcore

Dreamer took the mic and said it was great to be here.  The fans chanted ECW.  He said when he heard of the show, he said he had to be here because the fans are his family and he loves wrestling.  He said everything he has is because of wrestling.   He said he's here because he's a fan and explained Ortiz is an MMA fighter who is having his first match tonight.

Collins and Delicious, who feuded all over the Northeast for NEW, started out.  They went back and forth.  Ortiz and Dreamer tagged in.  The crowd chanted for Dreamer.   Ortiz overpowered Dreamer and nailed a big suplex.    He went for an elbowdrop but Dreamer rolled out of the way.

Dreamer and Collins double teamed Ortiz for several near falls.  Collins went for a kick but was caught in a head and arms Tazplex for a two count.   Ortiz began working over Collins' leg, snapping and twisting it.

Delicious and Ortiz continued working over Collins, who finally came back with a Famouser.    Dreamer ade the hot tag and cleaned house.   He nailed a neckbreaker on Delicious.  Collins worked over Ortiz on the floor.

Dreamer snapped Delicious into the buckles and covered him for a two count.   Dreamer nailed a DDT on one.  Collins hit a top rope frog splash and they pinned their opponents in stereo.

Your winners, Tommy Dreamer and Hale Collins!

Another decent bout.

Ortiz and Delicious laid out the referee after.

Ethan Page vs. Josh Alexander, presented by Absolute Intense Wrestling

Alexander attacked Page at the bell.  Page was run into the buckles and sent to the floor.  Alexander hit a sliding kick to the floor.   He then powerbombed Page on the apron for a two count.

Alexander went for a slam but Page's manager (a hot brunette, didn't catch her name), distracted him.  This allowed Page to get the upper hand and choked Alexander against the ropes.  He nailed a series of strikes.  Aleander fought back but missed a discus punch.  Page wiped his legs out and nailed a big elbow for a two count.  Page used his feet to choke him against the buckles.

Page was drilled in the corner but fought back and nailed a big suplex.  Aleander drilled him in mid-air with a knee and reversed it.  He locked in a surfboard variation on the mat.  They battled back and forth with reversal and uppercuts.

Page drilled Alexander with a big forearm smash for a two count,  Alexander came back with a sitting inverted piledriver for a two count.    Page returned with a big lariat for a two count.  Good back and forth match.

Alexander was drilled with several shots but used a big forearm to escape.  The manager tried to grab his leg so she was pulled onto the apron.  Page went for a big boot but Alexander caught it and sent it into the manager.  Nice spot.  Alexander finished it up with a tombstone for the pin.

Your winner, Josh Alexander!

Good match!

 

Arik Royal & Chiva Kid vs. Ric Converse & Trevor Lee, presented by CWF Mid-Atlantic

Royal and Converse started out.  Converse controlled early.  Lee and Kid tagged in.  Kid hit a series of hot moves that the crowd got into.    Lee cut him off with a big elbow.     They worked over Kid in their corner.  He fired his way out with elbows and punches, then nailed a springboard dropkick on both.  Kid followed that up with a leaping dive to the floor on Lee, then returned to hit onto on Converse, who was on the opposite side.

Back in the ring, Kid was cut off by Converse, who drilled him with rights and a back suplex.  Lee tagged in and cut Kid off, working him over on the mat.  Converse tagged in and worked over Kid, including a nasty spike DDT. 

They went back and forth with some great stuff.  Royal tagged in and hit some nice stuff.  Kid went for a springboard but was caught with a sitdown slam.  Converse drilled Royal with a big kick.  Kid tricked Lee into nailing Converse. Converse was nailed with a brainbuster.  Kid went to the top  and hit an insane double rotation moonsault.  THAT brought down the house.

Your winners, Arik Royal & Chiva Kid!

Excellent old school match with Kid bringing some kickass flying.  NC was well represented today.

p>Matt Tremont vs. Latin Dragon vs. Rory Mondo, presented by CZW.

Tremont overpowered the others when he locked up with them.  Everyone is wearing "Wrestling Fears CZW" shirts.   They sent Tremont to the outside.  Mondo went for a dive through the ropes but caught his legs on the ropes and nearly died.  How he was OK is beyond me, but he was.  He came back to hit an Arabian Press on Dragon.

Tremont returned to the fray and began beating the piss out of both men.   He nailed Dragon with a Facewash, then did the same to Mondo.   Mondo went for a flying head scissor but slipped, so he ended up taking a back suple to the floor.  Dragon hit a dive over the top on both.

Dragon continued to work over Mondo but was caught with a big head and arms suplex by Tremont.     Tremont chopped away at Mondo.    Mondo fought back and drilled Tremont with a double stomp off the top.  Dragon caught him with a full nelson suplex and went to the top for a 450 splash.  Tremont came off the top with a frog splash on both as Dragon tried to pin Mondo, then powerbombed Dragon for the pin.

Your winner, Matt Tremont!

Good match but man some of those spots scared me.  Mondo is lucky not to be dead.

Wrestling Is Art presents Colt Cabana vs. Mike Quackenbush

They battled back and forth with some nice counter wrestling.  Cabana pulled out some trademark silliness.  Quackenbush tied up Cabana on the mat but was caught in flying head scissors.    Quack finally bounced his way out of it and landed on his feet.

Quack began working over Cabana's arm but Cabana rolled to the mat and kicked him off.  They did a series of reversals, leading to Cabana cinching in a rear chinlock.  The crowd rallied Quack.

They went into some fun Johnny Saint inspired British comedy and takedowns.  It was awesome.   They went into a great back and forth series of pinfall combinations. 

They continued going back and forth until Cabana shocked the entire place getting the pin with a forward roll.  They shook hands after.  Great match that was a totally different spin on pro wrestling.

Your winner, Colt Cabana!

After the bout, Bill Apter came out to present an award to Cabana for being the ambassador for independent pro wrestling.  That is certainly a deserved honor.  Cabana said that everyone came here because they love pro wrestling.  He said when he was a kid, he read the old Pro Wrestling Illustrated issues and had a dream to be one of those heroes, so he's touched that he gets to come full circle and get an award from Bill and give something back to pro wrestling means the world to him.   He told a story about going to WWE and being treated like crap but coming back and being welcomed with open arms by the family that is independent wrestling.  He said that indy wrestling isn't a taboo but a family and it has some of the best athletes and performers in the world.  Great speech.

Beyond Wrestling: Sugar Dunkerton & Aaron Epic vs. Eric Corvis & Chris Dickinson

They started off hot with Dunkerton and Epic working over Corvis.    Epic controlled Corvis but was cut off.  Dickinson tagged in and controlled Epic, who was trapped in the opposition's corner.  They tagged in and out working him over.

They continued working over Epic as Dunkerston rallied the troops.   Dickinson suplexed Dunkerton on the floor.  Corvis missed a charge in the corner and was nailed by Epic.  Epic went for a superplex but was shoved off.  Corvis hit a splash.  Dickinson hit the scene  and drilled Epic with a series of kicks.  Epic fought back with several hard shots as Dunkerton finally pulled  himself to the apron and tagged in.

Dickinson tagged Sugar with a series of kicks but Dunkerton got right into his face and challenged him for more.   They traded some stiff headbutts and forearms.   Dunkerton nailed a back suplex but was grabbed by Corvis for a tombstone.

Corvis whipped Epic into the corner but was nailed with a stunner.   They continued going back and forth.  I missed the finish because they had so many guys around the ring.

Your winners, Sugar Dunkerton & Aaron Epic!

 

Rey De Voladores Tournament: 2 Cold Scorpio vs. Jojo Bravo vs. Oliver Grimsley vs. Shane Hollister

They went back and forth with some fun combinations early.  Bravo is a smaller guy billed from Monster Island, which led to some creative stuff where he needed help to leap up, etc.   Hollister has an unbelievably hot redhead with him.  He nailed Bravo with a tilotwhirl backbreaker as Scorpio returned to the ring.

They ran off everyone else.  Bravo tried to slam Scorpio but failed.  Scorp nailed him with a big shot across the back and a series of forearms.   Bravo came off the top with a double knee to the chest for a two count.  Hollister returned to the scene and battered both with forearms.   Bravo used a head scissors to send him into the buckles.

Bravo was eliminated.  He had a good showing.

Scorpio was grabbed by Grimsley in the well, nipples.  Grimsley used them for momentum to send Scorp up and over to the mat.  That was funny.  Hollister drilled Grimsley with a running boot.  He redhead grabbed him but Scorp nailed Hollister.

Grimsley reversed and grabbed the redhead, who I am told is nailed Scarlett.  Scorp teased a powerbomb but was superkicked by Hollister.  Hollister was nailed with a 619 by Grimsley.  Scorpio then nailed Hollister with a kick, sending him to the floor.  Hollister and Scorpio battered each other back and forth.

They battled to the top but Scorp failed to nail a top rope rana.  Hollister called him and old man and drilled him from the top for a two count.   Scorpio nailed a 450 splash and pinned Hollister who was eliminated.   Grimsley immediately nailed Scorp with a splash and covered him for a two count.

They battled back and forth.  Grimsley nailed a springboard into a bodypress for a two count.   Scorp went for a slam but it was turned into a twisting DDT.  Hollister nailed a backcracker on Scorpio for a two count.

They had some nice exchanges and near falls until Scorpio nailed the 450 splash for the win.

Your winner, advancing to the finals tonight, 2 Cold Scorpio!

Really fun match!

Kaiju Big Battel will feature American Beetle & Neo Teppen vs. Dr. Cube & Sekmet.

Kaiju Big Battel features characters that are "monsters", inspired by the old great Kaiju films (think Gamera and Godzilla).  It's awesome but there are so many wacky characters I don't know where to begin, but if you haven't had a chance to check them out, you should.  American Beetle's team won.  It was great.  When no less an authority than Tony Lewis loves it, you know it's good.

Wrestling is Respect presents Drew Gulak vs. Francis O'Rourke.

They did some really good back and forth mat wrestling and reversals early.  Gulak trapped O'Roure in a head scissors.  Just as he was about to escape, Gulak snapped on a side headlock.

They went back and forth  and finally battled their way to the top and Gulak was drilled with a monster superplex.  Gulak was worked over but came back with a rolleup into a submission and forced O'Rourke to tap.

Really good submission style match.

Your winner, Drew Gulak!

 

Rey de Voladores Opening Round: Bolt Brady vs. ACH vs. Lukas Sharp vs. Surfer Mitch

Bradley and Sharp opened up the bout.  Lots of ACH chants.   Sharp called time out and left the ring, opening the door for ACH to get involved.  He nailed Brady with an inverted atomic drop.  Mitch tagged in and nailed a series of armdrags and a splash for a two count. 

Sharp and Mitch went back and forth and exchanged kicks.  Mitch was wiped out with a big clothesline that sent him inside out.  ACH nailed a series of chops on Lukas and drilled him with punches and leaping kickss.  Mitch cut him off during a charge but was sent to the outside.  ACH hit an awesome clothesline that sent him flying feet first through the ropes to the floor.

He nailed Brady with a leaping leg lariat.  He drilled Brady with a right hand then hit an awesome leaping, twisting dive to the floor.  ACH missed a big flying bodypress .  Lukas grabbed him in a Torture Rack with a death valley driver.  ACH was worked over by Lukas but came back with a series of thrusts to the chest.

Brady tagged in and nailed a leaping back elbow.  He nailed a Thesz Press for a two count but Mitch interfered.  Brady nailed a Jay Driller over his own knees for a two count.   ACH cut him off ad whipped Brady into the corner.  Brady caught him coming in with a knee, then nailed diving knees to the mat for a two count.  Brady was drilled by Lukas and pinned.  Mitch then wiped out Lukas and pinned him.

ACH killed Mitch with a series of hard big boots.  ACH nailed Code Red for a two count.   They rebounded off the ropes and nailed a double clothesline.  Mitch used a head scissors takedown to send ACH into the ropes, then drilled him with a dropkick on the apron.

Mitch came off the top with a body press for a two count.  The crowd tried to rally ACH.  Mitch went for a move but ACH battled him off with a series of elbows.  He went to grab Mitch but was suplexed in a nasty way into the buckles.

Mitch went to the top but took too long.  ACH reached him but was shoved off.  He leapt back up and hit a leaping rana and a splash for the pin.

Your winner, ACH!

OK match that got really good when it came down to the last two.  It will be Scorpio vs. ACH later on!

Welcome to the evening event from National Pro Wrestling Day in Philadelphia, PA at the National Guard Armory! The events are taking place on iPPV and can be ordered now at www.SMVOD.com.

We are posting photos from the event on our Instagram site at www.Instagram.com/PWInsider including a pretty interesting reunion.

Wrestling Is Heart presents Heidi Lovelace & Mat Russo vs. "The League" of Reed Bentley & Tripp Cassidy

 

The League attacked Lovelace and Russo, who fought them off.  She had some really athletic moves and looked the most impressive of the quartet early.

Cassidy worked over Lovelace and nailed her with a suplex, followed by a forearm smash to the face.  He tagged out to Bentley, who locked in a camel clutch, then smashed down on her back.

They kept beating down Lovelace, including flipping her over in a Pendulum but she kept kicking out.  The crowd got into that.  She finally made the hot tag to Russo, who came off the top with a rear elbow.  Lovelace used a head scissor like move to drill Bentley's head into the mat.  Russo missed a splash off the top on Cassidy.

Lovelace went for a Lucha takedown of some sort but was shoved off and punched hard in the face with a forearm by Bentley, who covered her for the win.

Your winners, Reed Bentley and Tripp Cassidy.

The match was pretty much a spotlight for Lovelace who took some incredible bumps and a beating that Spike Dudley would have cringed at.

The Maximos vs. Angel Ortiz & Mike Draztik, presented by Fighting Spirit Wrestling

They started out fast with a hot opening sequence before Ortiz and Draztik took control on Joel Maximo.  Joel slid out of the ring to escap Draztik who followed and was caught following him back into the ring.  Will Maximo tagged in and the SAT hit several double team moves before Will brought him back to the mat with a chinlock.

Ortiz finally tagged in but was trapped in a number of pinfall attempts by Will.  Draztik tagged back in, took control of Will Maximo and nailed a cannonball in the corner.  Draztik continued working over Will with some good offense.

Joel drilled Draztik with a kick and went to DDT him off the apron to the floor but was wiped out when Ortiz hit a tope on him.  Draztik returned to the ring and dropkicked Will  to the floor, then hit a nice moonsault off the buckles to the outside on everyone.

When they returned to the ring, they continued with a good pace with some back and forth action.  Draztik failed with a top rope rana.  Will sent him into the air, where Joel speared him.    Draztik went for a rana off the top but was caught and powerbombed by Joel.  Joel then hit a Kryptonite Krunch on Ortiz.

Will went for a powerbomb but was backdropped over.  Ortiz and Draztik double teamed him.  The Maximos finally hit the Spanish Fly on Ortiz to score the pin.

Your winners, The Maximos!

It started out iffy but it got very good as they went farther along.  Draztik has some real potential.  Ortiz was good.  Solid.

Christina Von Eerie vs. Ezavel

Von Eeris is a substitute for Marti Belle.  She's working heel.  Ezavel, a masked blonde, had control early but was cut off with several kicks to the gut.

Von Eerie controlled the flow of the match and worked over Ezavel with a series of knees to the gut.  She continued cutting off Ezavel until finally she was speared and beaten into the mat.

Ezavel faked out Von Eerie, who sailed through the ropes to the floor.  Ezavel followed and they battled back and forth with forearms.  They fought back into the ring, where Ezavel caught Von Eerie with a sunset flip for the win.

Your winner, Ezavel!

OK match.

After the match, Ezavel was attacked by Von Eerie and choked out with a studded belt. Several officials had to drag Von Eerie off of her.

Resistance Pro presents Jay Bradley & Darcy Dixon vs.  Resistance Pro champion Robert Anthony & Thunder Kitty.

Kitty and Bradley started out  She went for a waistlock from behind but couldn't budge him.  Bradley spun in circles until she let go and fell to the mat, then stomped her.

Dixon and Anthony tagged in.   Anthony grabbed a wristlock but she rolled through and took him down.  He fought to his feet and backed her up into the corner.  She ducked a backhanded and nailed several punches, but was scooped and slammed down.

Thunder Kitty tagged in and they began fighting back and forth with chops and stiff forearms.  Kitty sent Dixon hard into the corner, then nailed her with a rolling cannonball.  Bradley hit the ring and drilled Kitty with a lariat from behind.

Anthony and Bradley went back and forth.  Anthony got free and drilled Dion square in the face with a big boot.  The crowd was shocked at that one.  Bradley sent Anthony into the ropes and drilled him with a back elbow on the rebound. 

He dropped a knee across Anthony's back for a two count but was caught in the gut with a hard shot.  He stomped Anthony off.   Anthony caught him with a death valley driver.  Dixon tagged in and tried to go for a fisherman's buster.  He reversed it but she landed on her feet, which he didn't realize.  Anthony preened to the crowd and when he turned around, she drilled him with a forearm and death valley driver for a two count.   She then nailed him with a powerbomb out of the corner.

Thunder Kitty grabbed Dixon for a loing airplane spin which ended when she fell dizzy.  Dixon tossed her to the outside but was nailed by Anthony.   Bradley tagged in and drilled Anthony, then called for the Boomstick.   Dixon wanted to be tagged in and they had words.  That allowed Anthony to catch him with a small package for the win.

Your winners, Resistance Pro champion Robert Anthony and Thunder Kitty!

 

Dixon and Bradley had words so he shoved her down.  She got back in his face so he drilled her flush with a running lariat and left her laying.  Bradley covered her and counted his own pin, then walked out.

Real good match.  Dixon is a real talent to watch.  Thunder Kitty plays a great throwback female talent, almost like a female version of Matt Classic.  Anthony and Bradley are polished like hell.  Good showing for Resistance Pro.

CHIKARA presents F.I.S.T & Los Ice Creams vs. 3.0 & The Colony.

LOTS of fun comedy early.  They did a bit where Scott Parker played matador to one of the Ice Creams, then blinded him with the cape.  He then went for a bodypress and missed because the blinded Ice Cream didn't walk into the line of fire.

They then went into a full blow Lucha style match some great takedowns, exchanges and guys entering the ring as others were tossed out.  They worked over 3.0 for a long time, leading to a "defense" chant.  The Colonh finally got involved and cleaned house on Icarus, including a double dropkick in the corner.

They went into a great series of dives before the Colony and 3.0 scored the win.

Fun match with a great mix.  The crowd was really into this and chanted "CHIKARA" after.

NYWC presents the Slop Hunters vs. Tony Nese & Apollyon

Silver started with Apllyon but couldn't budge him.  Apollyon exploded and killed Silver with a clothelines.  Nese tagged in and went back and forth with Reynolds in an awesome sequence, then killed Silver with a clothesline.  Everyone ended up on the floor so Apollyon hit a dive through the ropes, which is quite the sight to see.

Nese hit a double jump moonsault on Reynolds for a two count,    Silver came back and nailed a running boot to the back of the head, then a splash off the ropes for a two count.     He nailed several knees and covered Nese for a two count.

Nese began killing Silver with a series of stiff  kicks and went for a back suplex but Silver landed on his feet and drilled Nese with a double knee attack to the chest.  Reynolds tagged in but was caught with a gutwrench powerbomb for a two count.

Apollyon tagged in and clotheslined both Slop Hunters, then nailed a spinebuster on Reynolds.  He chokeslammed Reynolds and driller Silver down with an over the shoulder Michinoku Driver at the same time.   He charged Reynolds, who ducked and Apollyon went  to the floor.  Nese sent Reynolds to the floor, then hit a reverse dive over the top.

Back in the ring, Apollyon and Nese double teamed Silver.  The Slop Hunters nailed a series of double team kicks on Apollyon, who finally went down.  Reynolds nailed a back suplex on Nese, who kicked out at the last second.

They went into a series of near falls until Apollyon squashed Silver with a big splash off the top for the pin.

Your winners, Apollyon and Tony Nese!

Awesome match. NYWC is the best training ground going right now. So underrated.

Your winners, Apollyon and Tony Nese!

EVOLVE: AR Fox vs. Shane Strickland

They went back and forth with some good athletic reversals and faced off.   They battled onto the apron.   Strickland jumped away  from the apron to the floor. Fox hit a running moonsault off the guard rail to the floor, the hit his springboard back first dive, wiping out Strickland.

Back in the ring, Strickland was wiped out in the corner and Fox cinched in a rear chinlock.  Strickland elbowed Fox to stop a charge and used a handstand into a head scissor takedown to bring Fox down.  Strickland nailed a series of leaping kicks and a dive to the outside.  Really good, athletic stuff.

Fox caught Strickland with a kick while he was on the top rope but was shoved off when he went for a move.  Strickland came off with a leaping kick and covered Fox for a two count.   Fox fought back and wiped out Strickland with a series of dives to the outside.  He nailed a swanton off the top for a two count.

Strickland nailed a leap into a tombstone that was awesome. He got a two count out of that.  The crowd rallied both men while they were down.  Strickland went for a running boot but was caught, flipped to the mat and nailed with a big kick.  Fox came back with a leaping spanish fly and scored the pin.

Your winner, AR Fox!

A fellow named Sidney Bakabella, who echoed the great Tony Clifton (google it!) cut a promo saying Fritz Von Erich now owned Wrestling Is Awesome and if Vince McMahon Jr. wanted to steal Kerry, they would take his entire territory. Uh.... OK! Wrestling is Awesome! presents Devastation Corporation vs. Proud Oak & Thunderfrog

Devastation are bigger burly guys who were killing their opponents.  Thunderfrog is well, a frog with a big hammer.  Not sure what Proud Oak is but he ate a flapjack.  Thunder frog came off the top with a leaping attack but was laid out.  They werent able to lift his hammer, just like Thor's opponents can't.  They tried to get Thunderfrog to lift it then shoved him away, but it was too heavy to hold.

Thunderfrog was chokeslammed on the apron.  Oak was pressed and dropped.  They splashed Oak and pinned him.

Your winners, Devastation Corporation.

 

IWC presents John McChesney vs. Logan Shulo

They almost immediately began brawling on the floor.  Shulo drilled McChesney with a series of chops and used the ringpost as a weapon.   McChesney came back with a nice dive through the ropes.  They battled back into the ring.  McChesney drilled him with a backbreaker and locked on a rear chinlock.

McChesney came back with a big throw suplex off the top and a discus punch for a two count.  Shulo used a straightjacket into a backcracker.   Shulo drilled McChesney with a big boot and covered him but McChesney grabbed the ropes.

They went back and forth untl McChesney scored the pin.

Your winner, John McChesney!

Good match.

Shulo attacked McChesney after and hit him with a sitdown powerbomb.  

 

 Hurricane Helms & Matty de Nero vs. Ophidian and Kobald.

Nero and Ophidian started.  Lots of playing to the crowd.  Hurricane tagged in and Ophidian did his break dancing, so Hurricane responded with some silly hoe-down dancing.

Ophidian shoulderblocked Helsm down but was backed off when Helms got into his trademark pose as Ophidian rebounded off the ropes.  Helms tossed him and went into the karate kid Crane Kick pose, which freaked Ophidian.

Kobald tagged in and dropkicked Helms off the apron to the floor, which was a far bigger bump than you'd expect Helms to take.  Helms tricked Ophidian into taking out Kobald on the floor, then hiptossed his partner over the top onto them.  Helms put on his cape and dove off the top onto everyone.

Back in the ring, Nero and Kobald battled with Kobald getting the better of the exchange.  They battled back and forth and at one point, tried to hypnotize Helms.

In the end, the heroes won out.

 2013 Rey De Voladores Final: 2 Cold Scorpio vs. ACH

 

They did the old 2 Cold Scorpio "buff, cut, chiseled and jacked" ring intro.  They locked up and ACH was backed into the corner.  Scorpio broke clean.     They locked up again and this time, Scorpio was shoved and trapped into the corner.  ACH broke clean and danced to mock Scorpio.  Scorp laughed and shook his hand.

They locked up again and ACH used the ropes as a springboard to slip out of a wristlock.   He grabbed Scorpio in a hammerlock.  Scorp backed them up into the corner and went for an elbow to break free but ACH evaded it.

ACH grabbed a side headlock but Scorpio maneuvered him into a back suplex.  ACH refused to break the hold and held on.  They went back and forth until Scorpio shoulderblocked him down hard.  ACH acted dizzy.

They went to the floor and exchanged punches and forearms on the outside until ACH stopped and went "ooowww!"  They battled back to the ring, where ACH regained control and nailed a standing splash ion the corner following by the running clothesline that sends him out of the ring feet first.

ACH went to the top with a big flying bodypress for a two count.  ACH continued the assault on Scorpio but couldn't finish him off.  He tied Scorp to the tree of woe, then did a handstand on the top turnbuckle, using it to swing back in with a dropkick to the face.

ACH continued working over Scorpio, who battled to his feet.  Scorpio came back with several kicks and a big superkick in the corner.   Scorpio mounted a comeback, including an awesome twisting bodypress off the top for a two count.  The crowd chanted for ACH.  Scorpio responded by drilling him over and over with knees

They battled outside onto the apron, where ACH was kicked down but came back with a kick to Scorp that sent him to the floor.  ACH hit a springboard dive to the floor.  They brawled around ringside.   They were close to being counted out so Scorp rolled in to break it and went back to the outside.  The battled continued.   ACH hit a big dive over the top onto Scorpio.

They battled back and forth.  ACH draped Scorp over the second rope and nailed a kick on the outside to his face.  ACH hit a springboard into an Ace Cutter for a two count.  ACH naiked a 450 splash but Scorpio kicked up. 

ACH whipped Scorpip, who reversed it and nailed a flip into a kick in the corner.  Scorp went to the top and dropped the bomb, then scored the pin.

Your winner, 2 Cold Scorpio.

Scorpio is the 2013 Rey de Voladores tournament winner!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

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