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On this day in history in ....
1946 - Ted Cox defeats Dave Levin in Houston to win the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title. It marked the end of Levin's second title reign and the beginning of Cox's second run with the belt.
1960 - Verne Gagne becomes the AWA World Heavyweight Champion for the first of a record ten times. Pat O'Connor, the defending NWA World Heavyweight Champion, had been recognized as the first AWA World Champion in May of 1960, but was given 90 days to defend against number one contender Gagne, or be stripped of the title. The match never happened, and Gagne was given the title.
1992 - The Great Muta (Keiji Mutoh) defeats Riki Choshu in Fukuoka, Japan to win the IWGP Heavyweight Title. This marked the end of Choshu's third and final reign as New Japan Pro Wrestling's top champion.
1993 - Jimmy Del Ray defeats Ricky Morton to win the vacant Smokey Mountain Wrestling "Beat The Champ" Television Title. The belt, which was only defended on TV tapings, would be surrendered by the champion if they won five consecutive title defenses. However, on this occasion the belt had been vacated because a suspended Tony Anthony had won the title under a mask as the "Mighty Yankee" two months earlier.
2002 - The Backyard, the Paul Hough documentary focusing on the lives of backyard wrestling and those who practice it, won Edinburgh International Film Festival's "Best of Fest 2002" Award in Great Britain.
2002 - WWE broadcast Byte This on their website. Joe Shearer filed the following report:
The show starts by noting the passing of Ronnie Lamons a frequent Byte This caller who passed away Aug. 1. Kevin Kelly and Dr. Tom Pritchard dedicated the show to Ronnie.
The show began with the closing scrum from the RAW 8-man match. Excellent action and commentary from J.R.- "Come get some you Un-Americans!" Classic stuff as always.
Byte This's Dynamic Duo of Dr. Tom and Hermie Kelly started by discussing the differences between the "edgy" RAW and "Solid wrestling" of SmackDown, and the two discuss how the brand extension allows for pushes of deserving people, including today's guests, the Un-Americans. SmackDown is more old school, according to Dr. Tom.
Droz makes his weekly appearance, discussing those "dirty bastards," the Un-Americans. He says that we should kick their Canadian asses out of the country. Dr. Tom defends their freedom to say what they want. From there, they discuss Booker T and Goldust, and Dr. all three agree that Booker is ready for a big-time push. They also discussed the phantom-Takerooni after RAW went off the air, and mentioned that they would try to have footage of the incident next week. That segment was, from what I've heard, very funny, and the Byte This crew is trying to pare the 40-minute clips into an efficient video segment.
Droz also mentions that he thinks the Rock will emerge victorious over Brock at Summer Slam, and the three men compared Lesnar to the number one pick in the NFL draft, saying it's time for him to step up. Droz also didn't take too kindly to Matt Hardy turning on his brother, and says that he thinks that Matt's time to shine will be later rather than sooner. Kevin Kelly compared the Hardyz's break-up to Edge and Christian's and the Rockers, saying that Matt could either fade away or take center stage very quickly.
Droz excuses himself and Dr. Tom talks about Kev's positive review of Rollerball. Kelly recommends the movie, saying that he has more in common with Roger Ebert than build. I'm glad Kev doesn't review movies for my local paper, I can tell you that.
They move on to HHH and Shawn Michaels, and get ready to read an instant response before Dr. Tom pulls the plug on the computer, so they go to the phones. Jason from Tallahassee says that he'll be at Summer Slam in the third row because his little sister bought him tickets. Jason asked about the Hulkster and why he wasn't in Australia. Kev mentioned that he wasn't there because the Next Big Thing beat him down. Nothing like a little spin control. Anyhow, Kev said not to expect Hollywood back for awhile.
Next was a replay of the priceless SmackDown promo between Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio and Mark Henry (ok, so the memorable part was Kurt and Rey, but Henry was involved in it). Angle does it all, doesn’t he? Unmatched in the ring, and just as good on the mic. No one in the company deserves a push more than Angle. But I digress.
Tales from the Hook with Tazz was up next, and the Thug Superstar didn’t appreciate Kevin Kelly’s segue way into the segment with talk of Mini-dust and dwarfs. Kelly said that SmackDown was excellent and Tazz agreed. The SmackDown color man was interrupted by lightning out in the Red Hook section, but said not to worry about him being struck by lightning because he had a Trojan on his cell phone. Tazz then discussed Chris Benoit’s return, saying that with his barnburner match against the Rock (and especially finally delivering the diving head butt) the Wolverine had finally gotten back to where he was before his injury. At this point Tazz stops again, saying there were Mexicans surrounding his house. He then went off on a tangent, talking about how he buys Mexicans by the dozen (clarifying that they were mixed with several other unnamed nationalities), wraps them with bubble wrap and throws rocks at them. Most of them were around four feet tall (which, Tazz noted, was a foot taller than him), except for one that he suspected was El Gigante. All of this really happened.
Kevin Kelly changed the subject and asked Tazz why Kurt Angle got busted open by Rey’s huracanrana on SmackDown, and Tazz responded that he must have either caught his head on the canvas (stretched mat canvas and stretched skin often causes cuts, he said) or else he hit it on the side of the ring on his way out. Either way, Tazz said Kurt needed 10 stitches to close the wound. The former ECW champion then praised Rey and Edge’s match with Eddie and Chavo, saying that all four performers were great stars.
Someone from the chat room asked Tazz if he felt threatened by Funaki’s interview skills. Tazz said no, but Funaki was still much better than Marc Loyd. He also added that Brock Lesnar was a pressure player and wouldn’t choke at Summer Slam. Tazz then excused himself to deal with his Mexicans.
Mike from New Jersey thought that Goldust is getting more popular, and Kevin Kelly and Dr. Tom discussed whether Goldust and Booker T would make it in singles action. Kelly said that Booker should be next in line for a shot at the Undisputed Title, and Goldust has the talent and experience to make it in the singles ranks as well. Mike closed by asking Dr. Tom what he was a doctor of. “I’m a doctor of life,” he replied.
Kevin and Dr. Tom welcomed WWE Tag Team Champions Lance Storm and Christian to the show, and Lance opened by saying that Dr. Tom deserved a PhD. in wrestling. The Canadian said that he was feeling great other than a case of jet lag from the trip to Australia.
Kevin mentioned that Storm, Christian, and Kurt Angle had a little excursion to a park in the land Down Under, and had an encounter with a man in big yellow boots, and he wasn’t Hulk Hogan. Christian said the man looked as if he hadn’t had a bath in months and had a dog with him. The man said things like Jimi Hendrix was still alive. Storm said he thought the man was a woman at first.
A chat roomer asked if everyone behaved on the plane. Lance chuckled and said “Of course. This is the SmackDown roster.” They then got into the Un-Americans gimmick. Lance said that he liked the gimmick and that it had an element of truth that they, of course, took to the extreme. Christian added that with patriotism at such a high in America (and rightfully so, he noted), it was natural to have an Un-American gimmick. Storm jumped back in, saying that WWE parallels the United States in that they are both under attack by un-American forces. Some people are taking the angle too seriously.
They did say, though, that most fans can tell the difference between the angle and reality. Storm said he gets spit at after the events but when he’s recognized in the malls fans tend to be warm and friendly. They discussed the difference between their angle and Sgt. Slaughter’s pro-Iraq angle during the Gulf War, which caused him to receive death threats and almost ended his marriage. Storm says the Un-Americans are different because they aren’t pigeonholed to support one country like Slaughter was, they’re simply against Americans (though they are also pro-Canada).
Christian called it an honor to win the belts from Hulk Hogan and Edge, especially since Christian grew up worshiping Hogan. He said that as a child he had a poster on his wall six feet wide of the Hulkster. Lance chimed in that though Hogan is derided by internet fans for his workrate, Hollywood brings an amazing amount of energy to a match and gets the crowd into it.
Christian loved Funaki’s interview skills, and Storm said that if all of his interviews were like that he was watching SmackDown every week. Marc Loyd may be in trouble, they added. Both men said they loved the live aspect of RAW, and it was a refreshing change of pace from the taped SmackDown.
Kelly asked about their most embarrassing moments in the ring, and Storm mentioned his Power Rangers underwear on RAW, which Christian revealed. How times have changed.
Christian mentioned that he didn’t have any indication from Stone Cold Steve Austin that he was unhappy, and that he hasn’t spoken with the Rattlesnake since his departure. Storm added that Austin’s situation goes to show you that anyone in WWE can be replaced. He recalled the time when Bret and Shawn Michaels were lost to the company at virtually the same time and Rock, Austin and HHH emerged. Today, he said, Edge, Lesnar, and Mysterio are ready to step up. Kelly then described the business as a tree—you cut off the big branches from time to time to let the smaller ones grow out.
The Un-Americans departed at this point, and Kelly and Dr. Tom went into point/counterpoint. This week’s topic was the cross-promotion of the brands. Kelly said that cross-promotion is good for business. He said that the differences between the shows are evident: RAW’s defining moment of late, he said, was Stacy Kiebler dancing on the announce table while a midget (Mini-dust) was being carted off after being destroyed by Rosie and Jamal. No kidding there. And they say business isn’t down.
Dr. Tom argues that WWE should be careful in cross-promoting. The shows, and the talent, should be speaking for themselves, not the GMs. The shows should be about the superstars, not Eric Bischoff shilling Subway and RAW during SmackDown.
Sunday is Dr. Tom’s birthday, and Byte This celebrated with a cake bearing a picture of Dr. Tom as Zip from the Bodydonnas. Then they cut to a picture of Slick in a party hat, then Sunny in a party hat. Various random shots included the obligatory Heyman skullet shot. Kevin Kelly mentioned that next week Coach would be taking his place and that they would try to have the Takerooni footage. He also mentioned that Howard Finkel was on probation and would not be allowed on the show until he apologized to Lillian Garcia, or next week, which ever came first. With that the show ended with the tail end of the “Match made in Hell” between Iraqi sympathizer Sgt. Slaughter (too bad that wasn’t a G. I. Joe figure; I would have bought that one in a second), General Adnan and Col. Mustafa against Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior. Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan added their timeless commentary to the match.
2003 - Justin Credible defeats Terry Funk for the 3PW Heavyweight Title in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the Electric Factory.
2007 - The AP released the following article:
WWE Officials Meet With NY Prosecutors
Pro Wrestling Officials Meet With NY Prosecutor Probing Steroids
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Officials from World Wrestling Entertainment met this week with New York prosecutors investigating illegal steroid sales.
The meeting Tuesday came a day after a former pro wrestler was found dead at his Florida home, but a WWE official said it had been scheduled well before the death.
An autopsy on Brian "Crush" Adams, 44, failed to show a specific cause of death. The Hillsborough County medical examiner's office said Tuesday it expects a more complete report in six to eight seeks from tissue and toxicology tests on Adams, who wasn't breathing when his wife found him unconscious in their Tampa home Monday morning.
World Wrestling Entertainment Vice President Jennifer McIntosh said Tuesday's meeting had nothing to do with Adams, that he had not been a wrestler for the sports entertainment company since 2001 and WWE has no knowledge of any involvement by Adams with Signature Pharmacy of Orlando, Fla. Signature is at the center of Albany County District Attorney P. David Soares' investigation into illegal steroid sales in upstate New York.
"WWE was invited to meet with representatives of the investigation being directed by District Attorney Soares prior to Mr. Adams' death, as have representatives of the NFL, NBA, and other entities," McIntosh said in a prepared statement.
McIntosh declined to comment on what was discussed.
Calls to Soares' office were not immediately returned Thursday.
Adams' death came less than two months after pro wrestler Chris Benoit killed his wife and son before hanging himself on the cable of a weight machine in his Georgia home. Prescription anabolic steroids were found in the family's home, raising questions about whether the drugs played a role in the killings.
Benoit had been a client of Signature Pharmacy, Soares' office has confirmed.
Adams was also a Signature client, according to a law enforcement official who did not want to be named.
Nine people, including three current or former physicians, have pleaded guilty in Soares' multistate investigation, most affiliated with Internet and phone-order companies that filled orders for anabolic steroids and growth hormones through Signature and sent drugs to customers around the country, including Albany County.
Signature's owners have pleaded not guilty.
In New York, it is illegal for a doctor to prescribe drugs without examining the patient in person, and illegal for a pharmacy to dispense prescription drugs without a valid prescription.
National Football League officials met with Soares and other investigators in March. An NFL spokesman said they had asked the prosecutors' office for any information relevant to the league.
Soares has said repeatedly he's targeting distributors supplying illicit drugs and physicians writing prescriptions for patients they've never seen, not customers
2009 - TNA presented Hard Justice from Orlando, FL on PPV. Mike Johnson filed the following TV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's TNA Hard Justice 2009 coverage!
Steel Asylum: Suicide vs. Chris Sabin vs. Amazing Red vs. Alex Shelley vs. Black Machismo vs. Daniels vs. Consequences Creed vs. D'Angelo Dinero.
Each competitor had their own entrance into the Six Sides of Steel, at which point the roof of the Asylum. Dinero is the former WWE star Elijah Burke.
It was all chaos from the bell. The Machineguns tossed Daniels into the cage. They then worked over Dinero. Lethal tried to climb out but was pulled down. Sabin and Daniels battled on the top rope but Daniels slammed him off the top. Shelley grabbed Daniels with a jawbreaker. Suicide hit a superplex on Red. The Guns worked over Suicide with Sabin whipping Shelley into a overhead suplex, landing on Dinero. The fans chanted TNA. They were pushing the Guns off TV storyline hard on commentary.
Lethal and Sabin battled while standing on the top rope. Daniels was speared off the top rope by Dinero. Suicide hit a rolling Samoan Drop on Red. Shelley hit a double bodypress on Lethal Consequences. As you can imagine, there is way too much to follow but all of it is entertaining as hell.
Dinero hit a reverse STO on Sabin. Dinero and Daniels went back and forth. They went into the Tower of Doom spot in the corner with tons of car crash bumps out of the superplex/powerbomb combination. Creed went for a fireman's carry but Shelley escaped and sidestepped a dropkick. Shelley went for the Oriental Torture Device but Lethal got involved. Suicide hit an elbow off the ropes on Lethal.
Red and Suicide traded blows in the center of the ring. Dinero hit a huge elevated powerbomb on Suicide. Shelley drilled Sliced Bread #2 on Daniels. Lethal nailed a Faceplant on Shelley but was caught with a Sabin tornado DDT. Red used a rana to drill Creed into the mat in a sweet spot. Red climbed up towards the top but Shelley caught him in the turnbuckles. Everyone followed suit in the same corner,. Daniels hit an uranage off the ropes on Dinero. Creed suplexed Suicide out of the corner. The Guns hit a double team sliced bread/powerbomb on Lethal.
Red was left alone in the corner but went after Guns. He took them both out and the crowd chanted, "He's amazing." Red made his way to the inside of the Asylum roof. Daniels was close behind and puilled Red down. Red crashed onto a bunch of wrestlers standing below. Daniels was left hanging upside down from the Asylum.
Suicide began pulling himself towards the top. Dinero followed him and took him out. Suicide took a clean bump from the inside of the roof into the ring. Insane. Dinero was close to the roof but returned to the ring, limping. He went right after Suicide. Daniels freed himself and made his way through the opening to the outside and won.
Your winner, Daniels!
Daniels wins an X-Division championship bout at No Surrender. Dinero stood over Suicide staring at him after the match as Don West wondered what their history might have been.
Great opener. Tons of fast paced action, car crash bumps and all sorts of innovative action. Really great way to open the PPV. Dinero had a fun debut as well.
Jeremy Borash grabbed Daniels at ringside after the bout. Daniels said what we just saw was what the X-Division was all about. He said he has history with Samoa Joe and Homicide, but would love to get into the ring with Joe over the choices he made. Daniels said whoever wins, they were in a lose-lose situation because in the end, they will be in the ring with him. Daniels addressed AJ Styles at home, saying he was at home and had his doubts but to come back soon. Strong promo.
Backstage, Matt Morgan was interviewed by Lauren Jones. He told her that at one point, he wanted to be in the Main Event Mafia, but Kurt Angle kept jerking him around with all his dirty work. He said that he wanted to make clear that no one can control him and it was his destiny to become the TNA World champion tonight. Good promo. Nice to see the focus on the World title.
Abyss vs. Jethro Holiday (with Dr. Stevie) - Bounty Match with All Weapons Legal
They slugged it out in the middle of the ring and Abyss drilled Holiday with a right as he rebounded off the ropes. He went into the corner but Holiday caught him and drilled Abyss with chops and shoulderblocks. Abyss retaliated with a clothesline. Abyss clotheslined Holiday over the top to the floor. He followed Holiday and they battled outside. Abyss tossed Holiday into the rail and the ring steps. By the way, this new look for Abyss is a BIG improvement.
Abyss and Holiday returned to the ring. Abyss drilled him with rights and lefts in the corner as Holiday covered up. Abyss went to the floor and grabbed a steel chair. Dr. Stevie slid a baton in to Holiday. Holiday drilled Abyss in the leg and began working Abyss over. He pulled Abyss up on the outside of the apron and clubbed him with a forearm over the chest, then shoved him into the rail outside.
While Abyss was on the floor, Stevie began browbeating him. Holiday went to the floor and tossed Abyss into the ring and garnered a two count. Holiday grabbed the chair but before he could use it, was grabbed in a goozle for a chokeslam. Holiday used an elbow to escape but was hit with the big boot to the face, then a backdrop. Abyss charged Holiday in the corner and hit a sideslam for a two count.
Abyss grabbed the chair and placed it over Holiday's chest. Abyss went for the Earthquake splash but Holiday turned the chair around and Abyss crotched himself. Holiday grabbed the baton and cracked him in the head for a two count. Holiday wedged the chair in the corner and tried to whip Abyss into it. Abyss reversed the charge but Holiday saved himself from going into the chair. He acted like he was going to leap up and over a charging Abyss, but the Monster just waited, the grabbed Holiday from the back of the head and slammed him into the chair for a two count.
Stevie got on the apron, which distracted Abyss enough for Holiday to hit a bulldog. Stevie tossed Holiday brass knuckles. He reared back and charged to nail Abyss but was caught with the Black Hole Slam for the pin.
Your winner, Abyss!
After the bout, Stevie got in Holiday's face but was drilled with a right hand.
Good match. These two had really good chemistry in the ring, to the point that it accentuated the usual spots that you usually see in an Abyss bout. This may have been Holiday's best TNA showing to date and it was a good bout. I was glad to see there wasn't a reliance on the usual culprits - blood, tacks and tables - for an Abyss match.
We went backstage to Jeremy Borash interviewing Kurt Angle. No reference to the arrest, obviously. Borash said it was going to be every man for himself tonight and Angle said he didn't think so. Angle said that for weeks, Matt Morgan has been talking about how bad he wants to be in the Main Event Mafia but is now changing his tune. After Angle has a little talk with him, by the time they get to the ring, Morgan will be thinking differently.
Hernandez vs. Big Rob - Feast or Fired Briefcase on the line
Rob has the World title shot briefcase, since he stole it from Hernandez before he took time off for the neck surgery. This has to be a complete squash or else all is lost.
Hernandez took the mic and said he has family in Mexico and the United States. He said that makes him a Latino American and all the fans here are his family. He said the Impact Zone is his house. He said when the British Invasion stole his briefcase, it was the same as breaking into his house and stealing from his family. He told them they could hand over his case and walk out or he could take it and "walk out of here on top of all three of you."
All three attacked Hernandez but he made his own comeback, tossing Brutus Magnus and Doug Williams out of the ring. He drilled Rob with a flying shoulderblock and scored the pin.
Your winner, Hernandez!
Squash city and exactly what it needed to be to get over.
Lauren interviewed Beer Money, Inc. James Storm said that they've shown Scott Steiner and Booker T respect, something they haven't shown anyone. Robert Roode said that the last few months, they've been soft and shown they have emotion and heart. He said he is sick and tired of it. He said tonight, they are going to do what they do best, kicking ass, getting cash and getting trashed. He warned The British Invasion they were coming for them. Another good promo.
IWGP Tag Team champions The British Invasion vs. Beer Money, Inc.
Eric Young, wearing a suit, is at ringside commentating. The crowd chanted, "Wanker" at the champs. James Storm opened up early on Brutus Magnus with a series of rights. Magnus came back to toss Storm over the top but he skinned the cat and came back with a charging right hand. Magnus and Williams ended up on the floor. Roode elevated Storm into a plancha onto both.
Roode tossed Magnus back into the ring and unloaded with rights and turnbuckle smashes. Williams came back, shoulderblocking Roode down. Storm tagged in and they double teamed him, culminating with a big Storm knee drop. Magnus got involved but Storm nailed a double flying clothesline.
All four battled in the corner. Magnus was whipped into his own partner in the corner. Williams was left tied to the tree of woe. Beer Money crotched Magnus into the post, pulling his lower extremities into William's head. Storm was caught with a shoulderblock to the gut. British Invasion began working over Storm with punches and kicks. They continued tagging in and out, working over Storm in their corner as Young took credit for preparing them.
Williams hit a big diving knee drop on Storm for a two count. Magnus began slapping Storm and badmouthed him, leaving himself open for a superkick. Storm made the hot tag to Roode. Roode backdropped Williams, then hit an inverted atomic drop on Brutus. Roode caught Williams with a rolling snap mare off the ropes for a two count. Beer Money caught Magnus with a double suplex, then nailed Williams with DWI. Magnus broke it up at two.
Young grabbed one of the IWGP Tag straps and tossed it into the ring. That caught the attention of Roode, who Young spit on. Roode went after him as the referee removed the belt. That allowed Magnus to drill Roode with a low blow and Williams rolled him forward into a cradle for the pin.
Your winners and still IWGP Tag Team champions The British Invasion.
Beer Money ran Young and the Invasion off after the bout.
Good tag match but I expected way more. Magnus appeared off from recent appearances.
Lauren Jones interviewed ODB and Cody Deaner. Lauren tried to find out what would happen if Cody scored the pin, since the Knockouts title on the line. Note from Mike: Please DO NOT GO THERE. ODB and Cody were both oblivious to the idea as ODB talked about being sexually harassed daily by cougars and ODB talked about winning the strap and shining it up on her boobies. Hey, her words, not mine.
TNA Knockouts champ Angelina Love & Velvet Sky vs. ODB & Cody Deaner - Mixed Tag with Knockouts title on the line.
Hey, uh, whatever happened to Tara?
Love and ODB opened up. ODB caught her and slammed her into the corner, then began beating the champ with forearms and punches. Love fought back with strikes and kicks. Love missed a clothesline and went for a high cross bodyblock but was caught and dumped. ODB missed a charge into the corner and was hit with a facejam for a two count.
Sky tagged in and ripped at ODB kicking and screaming. She rebounded off the ropes but was killed with a shoudlerblock for a two count. ODB grabbed Sky and tagged in Deaner. He slapped Sky in the rear end. It was an open palm strike, so I guess it's legal. He put her on the top rope and spanked her. The last one, he and ODB did a double slap on the blonde's derriere.
Sky tagged in Love, who was caught with a kick to the stomach by ODB. ODB went to the top and shoved away Sky and Madison Rayne. Love caught ODB and slammed her off. The Beautiful People worked over ODB, kicking her in the ribs. The People whipped each other into ODB in the corner. Love nailed a basement dropkick while rebounding off the ropes. Love locked on a sleeper hold while using her weight to hold down ODB. ODB got to her feet and drilled Love backwards.
Deaner tagged in and kissed Sky. Love tried to attack him so he planted one on her too. Rayne jumped on the apron screaming so he puckered her one good one as well. He nailed a drop toehold on Sky, sending her into the ropes, then teased the Big Wiggle, Lord help us. Sky kicked him low. ODB nailed Love with a Thesz Press and they battled on the floor.
Madison Rayne went for the hairspray but Deaner ducked and Sky was blinded. Deaner scored the pin but THANKFULLY, ODB was announced as the new Knockouts champion. Well, nevermind as Deaner grabbed the title belt and walked out with it as ODB chased him. My head hurts.
Your winners ODB and Cody Deaner!
Love got in Sky's face over the loss but Sky told her she was blinded by Rayne. They both turned to Rayne. Sky and Rayne screamed at each other as the referee got in between them. Love walked off angry.
Match was mostly shenanigans. If you liked goofy comedy, you might enjoy the Deaner stuff, but all I could think of was Oklahoma in WCW (and guess who wrote that stuff???). When the women in, it was fine.
Lauren interviewed Taz and Samoa Joe. Taz said that last week, Joe beat himself but tonight Joe is in the zone and is going to win the X-Division championship. Taz said that Homicide was going to leave without the belt because the title was going to the Main Event Mafia right now.
TNA X-Division champ Homicide vs. Samoa Joe
They locked up and Joe jabbed him in the corner early. Homicide avoided a charge and rolled up Joe for a quick two count, then flipped over for another. Joe stalked him in the corner and whipped him out. Homicide ducked under and nailed a leg lariat. Joe retreated to the floor, where Taz instructed him to get his head right and "play your game."
Joe returned to the ring and hit a great overhead suplex, sending Homicide through the ropes to the floor. Joe brought him back to the ring and slammed him down for a two count. Joe tweaked Homicide's neck. The X- champion fought his way to his feet, driving elbows into Joe's stomach but was taken back down. Joe choked him against the ropes. As the ref admonished him, Homicide caught Joe with a kick and several chops.
Homicide went for a suplex but was overpowered by Joe, then caught in a powerbomb. Joe turned him over into a crossface. Joe began working over Homicide in the corner with boots and strikes. The Impact Zone chanted "187." They slugged it out. Homicide took Joe down with a clothesline and several dropkicks and Lucha takedowns.
Homicide went to the top rope with a missile dropkick, sending Joe to the floor. Homicide drilled him with the tope con hilo over the ropes. Homicide and Taz stared each other down and Taz dared him to try but Homicide instead returned to the ring. The announcers pointed out that it gave Joe a chance to catch his breath. Homicide nailed a neckbreaker for a two count. Homicide went for the gringo killer but Joe escaped. Homicide avoided a Joe charge but ended up caught in an attempted choke. Homicide tried to escape but was taken down into the Tazmission and tapped.
Your winner and new X-Division champion, Samoa Joe!
It was solid, but considering the body of work these two have had against each other in the past, I was let down. They could have easily gone 30 minutes, but it was not to be.
Backstage, Kurt Angle entered Matt Morgan's locker room. Morgan screamed at him to knock before coming into his locker room. Angle apologized for the way he spoke to Morgan at Impact. Morgan said he told everyone he wanted to be in the Mafia but Angle made him jump through hoops and now he has to deal with the consequences. Angle told Morgan there was a contract waiting for him in the Mafia but all he has to do is make sure either he or Angle win the World title tonight. If so, Morgan is in but if Sting wins, all bets are off. Morgan made it clear that if he won the title, he'd be in the Main Event Mafia and Angle agreed. They shook on it and Morgan walked off. Angle looked satisfied.
TNA Tag Team champions Scott Steiner & Booker T vs. Team 3D - NO DQ, Two Referees, Falls Count Anywhere
All four began brawling at the bell. Team 3D ran off the champs, who tried to regroup outside on the floor. 3D followed them and they went into the crowd. They all brawled around the Impact Zone as dual cameras followed them going in different directions. Brother Ray slammed a guard rail over Steiner. Devon and Booker battled at the top of the bleachers.
Since it was Falls Count Anywhere, Steiner got a two count after nailing Ray with a chair. Ray missed a chair shot on Steiner, hitting the wall of the Impact Zone. Steiner got the chair back and drilled it over Ray's back. Steiner did a dive off the first alcove of the Zone onto Ray on the floor.
The battle continued in the stands. It looked like the type of brawl that is always a lot more fun live than it is on television since you can't see everything. Booker dropped Devon throat-first over the railing and began kicking and stomping him. Steiner covered Ray on the floor for a two count. Devon choked out Booker on the floor.
Back in the ring, Steiner clotheslined Ray for a two count. Ray scooped up Steiner for a slam and Devon hit the Wazzup headbutt low. They led the fans in a chant for the tables. They set a table up and placed Steiner atop of it. Booker jumped Ray. Devon was stopped on the top rope by Steiner, who was going for a top rope Frankensteiner into the table. Ray dispatched Booker and got Steiner on his shoulders. Devon went for a top rope clothesline but Booker moved the table.
Team 3D took out Booker as the fans chanted for tables. Booker nailed an uranage through a table on Ray for a two count as Devon pulled Booker off. Booker drilled Devon with a kick and Steiner covered him for a two count. They got several two counts on Devon. Devon catches Steiner with a scoop powerslam for a two count. Steiner goes to clothesline Devon but hits Booker but accident. Devon hits a back suplex on Steiner for a two count.
Steiner clotheslined Devon in the corner and worked him over with punches. Devon grabbed him out of the corner with a powerbomb for a two count. Booker missed the scissor kick. They drilled Booker with 3D and Devon covered Booker as Steiner covered Bubba with a rollup The referees couldn't agree on who won so they reviewed the videotape. Seriously.
After a review, they ruled Scott Steiner and Booker T had retained the belts.
Your winners and still TNA Tag Team champions, Scott Steiner and Booker T!
The fans chanted "Bulls***" which is the reaction TNA wanted coming out of this. Good, fun brawl to start and the rest of the bout was fine. If nothing else, the finish was unique and leaves things open for a rematch as it gives the former Dudleys a legitimate gripe.
Jeremy Borash interviewed TNA Legends champion Mick Foley and asked him if he was ready for Nash. Foley said that he doesn't know but tonight, Nash wants the belt to make more money while Foley wants it for the pride he has holding the title. Foley said his entire career is about truth in advertising, noting his lost ear, the stitches he's received and the beatings he's taken. He pointed out he was on the Hard Justice poster with a barbed wire bat but for some reason he couldn't seem to find one around and wanted to know why that was. I'm guessing it's under the ring.
TNA Legends champion Mick Foley vs. Kevin Nash
Nash started off with knee and clobbering shots in the corner on Foley. Nash missed a short-arm clothesline and Foley opened up with punches and slammed Nash into the turnbuckles face-first. Foley nailed a headbutt several times. Foley came off the ropes with a kneelift. Nash kicks off Foley, knocking him off the apron into the rails on the floor.
Foley pulled himself up but Nash punched him back down to the apron and kicked him back to the floor. Nash followed and slammed Foley into the railing face-first. He slammed Foley back-first into the apron. He grabbed a chair and swung, but Foley ducked and Nash hit the ringpost. Foley drilled Nash over the back with a chair.
Foley did his elbow drop onto Nash with the chair, but the chair smashed Foley as well and busted him big-time around the eye. Nash tossed Foley back in the ring and began measuring him with punches to the face and bad eye. The referee asked Foley to stop the match because he couldn't see and Foley refused, so they are going for the underdog factor here.
Foley called for Nash to give him more, then fought back with a series of rights and a forearm smash that looked light. Nash went outside, where Foley smashed him into the ring steps. Nash came up from that with a trickle of blood from his forearm. Foley began beating him with rights to open the cut. The referee tried to get in between them but ended up bumped.
Foley went under the ring and grabbed the barbed wire bat, as he teased earlier. Traci Brooks came to the apron to stop Foley. Nash kicked Foley in the back of the head with a big boot. The impact sent Foley into Brooks and she bumped to the floor. Nash pinned Foley.
Your winner and new TNA Legends champion Kevin Nash!
Nash smashed Foley over the head with the barbed wire bat and threatened to do more, but Abyss' music played and he came out with a barbed wire bat of his own. Nash left the ring, holding the belt above his head. Foley, bloody, lifted a thumbs up to Abyss in thanks.
This was way better than you would have expected going in. They worked a lot better than you'd think given the differences in their work styles and their physical limitations. The blood added a nice gritty feel to their bout as well. The finish came out of nowhere and was forced but that was the only real issue I had with the bout.
Lauren interviewed Sting. Sting warned Matt Morgan that the only person you can trust in this business is yourself. He said that while a lot people in TNA are losing hope, but he never will. He promised that honor, dignity and respect will come back in style in TNA.
TNA champ Kurt Angle vs. Matt Morgan vs. Sting
Morgan and Angle worked over Sting early, as they discussed. Morgan splashed Sting in the corner. Angle charged Sting, but he moved and Angle slammed shoulder-first into the ringpost in spectacular fashion. Sting avoided the Carbon Footprint and Morgan crotched himself on the top rope and went to the floor. Sting whipped Morgan into the railing. He attempted to do the same to Angle but the whip was reversed and Morgan clotheslined Sting.
They tossed Sting back into the ring. Morgan legdropped Sting. He and Angle hit a double back elbow as Sting rebounded off the ropes. Sting kicked Morgan and tossed Angle out of the ring. Sting peppered Morgan with a series of rights in the corner. Angle returned to the ring but was nailed with a Stinger splash. Sting clotheslined Morgan from behind, sending him over the top to the floor.
Sting rolled up Angle for a two count. Sting and Morgan battled outside. Angle went for a bodypress off the apron but Sting moved and Morgan cauight him. Sting took them both out. Back in the ring, Sting locked on the Scorpion Deathlock but broke it when he saw Morgan coming. Angle powerslammed Sting for a two count. Angle locked in the anklelock but Sting kicked him off and out of the ring.
Morgan nailed Sting from behind. Morgan railed away at him with elbows in the corner, then splashed him. He covered Sting for a two count. Morgan nailed a Fall Away Slam on Sting. Angle got involved and Morgan didn't want to hear it. Morgan nailed the Carbon Footprint to Angle on the floor. Angle claimed he injured his arm, playing into the shoulder-ringpost spot earlier. At the same time, Morgan covered Sting but there was no referee to count.
Sting nailed the Scorpion Death Drop for a two count and that time, referee Earl Hebner returned to the ring to count. The referee went back outside and Sting screamed at him to return. Morgan hit the Carbon Footprint for a two count but the referee was pulled out by Angle. Angle grabbed a chair and went to hit Sting but nailed Morgan. Angle covered Morgan. The referee returned to the ring and counted three.
Your winner and still TNA champion, Kurt Angle.
Your typical three-way TNA bout with all three going back and forth with spots and not much in the way of storytelling. The storyline was that in the end, Angle outsmarted everyone. Morgan didn't receive any major elevation coming out of this in my eyes.
2010 - Lou D'Angeli, who worked for World Wrestling Entertainment in the marketing and live events end since 2006, bid farewell to WWE with Summerslam, according to several sources that noted D'Angeli went out of his way to say goodbye to them over the course of the weekend in Los Angeles. D'Angeli, who most fans would know from his runs as Sign Guy Dudley and Lou E. Dangerously in the original ECW, was recruited by Cirque Du Soliel last June to join their company. According to sources within WWE, D'Angeli accepted a job as the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for all the Cirque shows based out of Las Vegas last month and returned to work for WWE this weekend since he was so involved in the production and logistics of the AXXESS events for Summerslam weekend. AXXESS had been one of D'Angeli's main projects during his time in WWE. D'Angeli was telling those he spoke to that while he loved working for WWE, Cirque as a brand was too good a job and new challenge to pass up the chance. He and his family will be relocating to Vegas shortly from the Northeast. D'Angeli was also telling wrestlers this weekend that TNA had contacted him to appear on the Hardcore Justice PPV and while he technically could have made the appearance, he chose not to out of respect for WWE and several executives who went out of their way for his family after the passing of his mother several weeks ago. He joked that with all the ECW reunion shows, he's never had the chance to appear on any of them. With D'Angeli's departure from WWE, Joey Styles remains the only "ECW Original" employed in any fashion by World Wrestling Entertainment to date.
2010 - WWE broadcast Raw from Los Angeles the day after Summerslam. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Los Angeles, California and your announcers are Michael ‘I am wearing every tie that I own’ Cole and Jerry ‘It feels like we were in this building recently’ Lawler.
The losing team from the main event come out and they make their way to the ring in a different formation this time. Barrett is in the middle and he has the mic. He says that that doesn’t kill us will only make us stronger. Team WWE narrowly escaped with a victory last night, but Nexus defeated six of the best that Monday Night Raw had to offer. Rumors of their demise have been greatly exaggerated. They are still here, united, and ready to dominate the WWE. Everybody was so concerned with what would happen if Nexus won at SummerSlam, but nobody thought about what would have happened if they tasted defeat. There are consequences and they will be severe for the Raw roster. There will be more suffering, chaos, and misery for those who get in their way. Last night was just a temporary aberration.
John Cena interrupts Barrett before he can mark his words. He says that he is impressed. He says that Wade Barrett speaks a big game, but he is the fearless leader of Nexus. He has the resolve of Winston Churchill but he is as tough as Snooki from the Jersey Shore. Cena says that Wade tapped out last night and the crowd joins in with the chant. He says that Wade caused Team Nexus to lose at SummerSlam and now he is out here to try to pump up Nexus. Cena says that Nexus are the Expendables. After the surprise last night, he is probably wondering why he got rid of Daniel Bryan. When Daniel Bryan joined Team WWE last night, he eliminated half of Nexus by himself. For weeks, Nexus has been viewed as a group. After SummerSlam, we found out that Nexus is human and they can be beat.
John Cena says that instead of looking at them as a group, we are going to look at them individually. Cena mentions David Otunga. He says that Otunga is nothing more than a below average male escort who hangs on someone’s arm on the red carpet. Michael Tarver looks like an MMA bank robber who works nights as a male stripper. Cena wonders if that is Heath Slater or the chick from Wendy’s. We see the graphic to support Cena’s point. Darren Young says that it hits close to the chest because the existence of Darren Young proves that Cena’s mom had an affair with Buckwheat. Cena moves to Justin Gabriel and mentions that he has an alternative style of living. Cena says that it looks like it went over Skip’s head. Cena says that he can read his thoughts and he is singing the Meow Mix jingle. Cena says that Nexus is nothing more than human. The fear that they instilled in the locker room is gone. They lost last night and SummerSlam will be known as the night that Nexus was history.
Darren Young says that Cena doesn’t know what he is talking about. Cena says that Young tapped out in under a minute last night. Cena says that his name should be changed to the Weakest Link.
We’ve got mail to interrupt the arguing among the members of Nexus.
Michael Cole goes to his viewing stand. He says that Nexus may claim they are stronger than ever. It will be put to a test tonight. SummerSlam will continue tonight. Each member of Nexus will compete against members of Team WWE in a series of matches. Outside interference by Nexus members will be met with swift and appropriate consequences.
Wade says that is not a form of punishment. That is an opportunity for redemption. It is a chance to examine the Nexus. Wade says that they will see if there are any weak links. If there are any weak links, they will be weeded out. If anyone in Nexus is not victorious, they will be exiled from the group. One way or another, by the end of tonight, Nexus will be stronger than ever.
Otunga says that is fine, but it also applies to Wade. Otunga says that if Wade loses tonight, they will be happy to take over.
We have more e-mails. Nexus can choose which member faces Team WWE except Wade Barrett. Wade will face his former mentor Chris Jericho.
We go to commercial.
Match Number One: Wade Barrett versus Chris Jericho
Jericho with forearms and punches to Barrett followed by knees in the corner. Jericho with a running back elbow and kick to the back. Jericho with a kick to the chest followed by a suplex. We see Nexus watching on a smaller monitor this week.
Barrett with a punch and knee but Jericho with a drop kick and Barrett rolls to the apron. Jericho with a springboard drop kick and Barrett goes to the floor. Jericho with a boot to the head and then he sends Barrett back into the ring. Jericho goes to the turnbuckles but Barrett with a boot to the head that sends Jericho to the floor. Barrett runs Jericho’s back into the apron and he follows it with a punch and then he rolls Jericho into the ring. Barrett with a front face lock followed by a hard Irish whip. Jericho with a chop and forearm followed by a punch. Barrett with a kick and elbow to Jericho and then he chokes Jericho in the ropes. Barrett with a surfboard to Jericho. Barrett charges into the corner and he runs into a boot from Jericho. Jericho with a missile drop kick for a near fall. Jericho with punches followed by a shoulder tackle or two. Jericho with a bulldog and he gets ready for the Walls of Jericho but Barrett counters. Jericho is up on Barrett’s shoulders but Jericho counters with the Walls of Jericho but Barrett gets to the ropes.
Jericho runs into a big boot from Barrett for a near fall. Barrett tries for the slingshot belly-to-back suplex but Jericho lands on his feet and he hits an enzuigiri. Barrett blocks a Codebreaker and he gets Jericho on his shoulders for the fireman’s carry slam and gets the three count.
Winner: Wade Barrett
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that SummerSlam was the Number One search term on Google yesterday?
It is time for the guest hosts and they are the stars of Going the Distance. They are in the ring and they welcome everyone to Raw. They get a cheap pop by mentioning the Lakers and how they are the World Champs, but then they mention that they think the Heat will win next year. Justin Long introduces the Hart Dynasty and brings them to the ring.
We have mail to kill the crowd. Cole says that the Unified Tag Titles will now be known as the WWE Tag Team Championships. To present the new titles, Bret Hart will present the new belts. Bret comes to the ring with the belts over his shoulders.
Wade Barrett says that they have chosen Bret’s opponent and it is Justin Gabriel. Justin says that Bret might have experienced many things in his career, but tonight, he will feel the 450 splash.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see Vince McMahon’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Michael talks about Great Khali’s injury and his replacement at SummerSlam in the main event. Cole talks about how Miz would be part of Team WWE and Jerry Lawler talks about how Daniel Bryan took his place.
Match Number Two: Michael Tarver versus Daniel Bryan
They lock up and Tarver backs Bryan into the corner and Tarver with a punch to the midsection but Bryan with forearms. Tarver with punches to the ribs. Bryan with kicks but Tarver with more punches. Tarver runs into boots and then he hits a Yakuza kick for a near fall. Bryan works on the arm and shoulder. Bryan with a take down for a near fall. Bryan with kicks to the chest as Tarver is backed into the corner. The referee warns Bryan. Bryan with a drop kick and then he goes up top for a missile drop kick and he kips up.
The Miz and Alex Riley come to the ring to distract Bryan and Tarver gets the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Michael Tarver
After the match, Bryan with a suicide dive onto Miz and then he hits Riley. Tarver, Miz, and Riley attack Bryan and they hold Bryan for Miz to hit a running shoulder tackle. Miz punches Bryan. Riley puts the case down and Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale on the case. Miz welcomes Bryan back.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of the end of the match and Miz and Alex Riley’s presence at ringside. We see what happened to Bryan after the match.
Josh asks Miz to explain his actions with Daniel Bryan. Miz says that from the moment that Daniel Bryan arrived as his rookie, the WWE Universe heckled him and said that he was better than Miz. Last night, every superstar begged him to be on Team WWE. Then he was put on the back burner for Daniel Bryan. Miz says that if everyone thinks that Daniel Bryan is special, how special is he now. Miz says that if you want to see someone special, look no further than Alex Riley.
Alex calls Daniel Bryan boring. He says that Daniel never appreciated Miz. Alex says that he is not some nerd who is lucky to have a job in the WWE. Alex says that he will be the next break out star thanks to Miz.
Nexus are in their locker room and Darren Young says that he wants John Cena. He reminds us about the brutal attack last month and tonight he takes him out. Otunga mentions that Darren was beaten within an inch of his life.
Before the match starts, we have mail and Michael Cole shows us how he is Hooked on Phonics. Bret is not going to be competing against him tonight. The GM doesn’t like Bret Hart, he never liked Bret Hart and he will never compete on Raw again. The General Manager says that his new opponent is coming to the ring.
Match Number Three: Justin Gabriel versus Randy Orton (Substituting for Bret Hart)
They are face to face and Gabriel pushes Orton. Orton has that vacant stare before they lock up. Orton misses a punch and Gabriel with a punch. Gabriel with a side head lock and then he kicks Orton in the leg a few times. Orton misses a clothesline and Gabriel tries for a kick but Orton blocks the kick. Orton with a short arm clothesline followed by a normal clothesline. Orton with a power slam. Orton with a kick and then he hits the IEDDT. Orton with RKO Pushups but Sheamus comes to the ring and Orton and Sheamus fight on the floor.
They go into the crowd and Orton is counted out.
Winner: Justin Gabriel by countout
Orton and Sheamus fight back into the ringside area and the referees stop Orton as Sheamus gets away.
Orton returns to the ring and hits an RKO on Gabriel. Orton gets a chair and he hits Sheamus repeatedly in the back with the chair.
Orton slithers away while the referees escort him to the back. Orton outsmarts the referees and returns to Sheamus and hits the RKO on Sheamus.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of what happened between Randy Orton and Sheamus.
Match Number Four: David Otunga and Skip Sheffield versus R Truth and John Morrison
Otunga and Morrison start things off and they lock up with Morrison working on the arm followed by a side Russian leg sweep. Truth tags in while we watch Nexus in the back. Truth with a leg drop for a near fall. Sheffield breaks up the cover and then returns to the apron. Skip tags in and Truth dances for Skip. Truth with punches but Skip with an Irish whip and he catches Truth and hits a power slam. Skip with a kick to the back followed by a European uppercut. Skip with a forearm to the back and then he sends him into the turnbuckles. Otunga tags in and he connects with shoulders in the corner. Truth with a Flatline to Otunga and both men are down. Morrison tags in and he connects with a forearm and then he punches Sheffield. Morrison with a drop kick and forearm. Sheffield with a blind tag and he connects with a clothesline and then he knocks Truth off the apron. Sheffield with the lariat and he gets the three count.
Winners: David Otunga and Skip Sheffield
We see Eve Torres, Melina, and Gail Kim walking in the back because they are in the next match. We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Melina winning the Divas Title last night at SummerSlam and photos of Melina being attacked by Michelle McCool and Layla.
We see Jon Lovitz behind Cole and Lawler and he is apparently here to watch Maryse.
Match Number Five: Gail Kim, Eve Torres, and Melina versus Alicia Fox, Maryse, and Jillian Hall
Maryse and Gail start things off. Maryse pushes Gail but Gail with a drop toe hold and she slams Maryse’s head into the apron. Maryse with an Irish whip but Gail with a cross body for a near fall. Gail with a forearm and then she puts Maryse in the tree of woe. Melina tags in and Melina with a splash onto Maryse. Maryse runs Melina into the corner. Melina is able to fight out of the corner but Maryse with a kick for a near fall. Alicia tags in and hits a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Alicia with a snap mare and knee to the back. Alicia with a reverse chin lock but Melina with a jawbreaker. Eve and Jillian tag in and Eve with a drop kick or two. Eve with a slam followed by a flip senton for a near fall. Alicia and Melina fight to the floor. Gail with a clothesline to Maryse and they go to the floor. Jillian with an Irish whip but Eve with a kick and then a springboard kick. Jillian stops a moonsault attempt and gets the three count with a rollup.
Winners: Jillian Hall, Alicia Fox, and Maryse
Josh Mathews is in the interview area with Edge. Josh congratulates him on the victory and wants to know how important it was to be part of Team WWE. Edge says that it is not a surprise that they won because of him.
Heath Slater stops by and Josh leaves. Heath says that he wants to talk to Edge because he patterned himself after Edge. Heath suggests that Edge not show up and take the night off. A forfeit is no big deal. Edge says that normally he would do that, but Edge does not want to have a forfeit loss to a Wendy’s looking, ginger, Edge wannabe.
Slater hits Edge in the back and we go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that more men watched Raw than every show on a lot of networks.
Match Number Six: Heath Slater versus Edge
Edge punches Slater and kicks him as he is warned by the referee. Edge with a punch and Irish whip that sends Slater to his knees. Edge with a kick in the corner. Edge with an Irish whip and clothesline as he stands over Slater. Edge goes up top but Slater drops Edge on the top turnbuckle. Slater with a baseball slide that sends Edge to the floor. Slater runs Edge into the ringside barrier. They return to the ring and Slater gets a near fall. Slater with a seated abdominal stretch. Edge with punches after he gets out of the hold. Slater with a kick to Edge followed by a punch. Slater with a back elbow for a near fall. Edge with punches and a kick. Slater with an Irish whip but Edge moves when Slater tries for a splash in the corner. Edge with clotheslines and an Edge-o-matic for a near fall. Edge with a kick but Slater tosses Edge into the air for a modified flapjack and gets a near fall. Slater with a punch to Edge but Edge with an Irish whip and a running shoulder tackle into the corner. Slater goes to the floor and Edge misses a baseball slide but Slater misses a clothesline. Edge with a boot to Slater and he sets for a spear on the floor but Slater moves and Edge is on the floor when the referee makes the ten count.
Winner: Heath Slater
After the match, Edge gives Slater a spear.
We go to commercial.
Justin Long is with Khali in the back and he talks about the Kiss Cam. Runjin is back to translate about how he is in a long distance relationship. Justin says that he is not the one to help. His co-stars enter and they laugh at the photo of Khali’s girlfriend and then Runjin translates. Khali scares the other two guys away and Khali realizes that his girlfriend is butt ugly. The Bellas stop by and compliment him as they leave together.
It is time for a SummerSlam Recall: We go to the events around Los Angeles from this week.
John Cena is walking in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Darren Young being destroyed by John Cena last month.
Match Number Seven: John Cena versus Darren Young
Before the match starts, Nexus come to the stage to watch.
Young with a rollup for a near fall. Young with a back slide for another near fall. Cena works on the arm and then he hits a side head lock take down into a side head lock. Young gets a near fall. Young with a side head lock. Cena with a shoulder tackle and side head lock take down. Young with a belly-to-back suplex followed by a leg drop for a near fall. Young with a forearm to the back followed by a clothesline and Young with a near fall. Young with a suplex and he gets yet another near fall.
Young with a knee to the head followed by a near fall. Young with a forearm to the back but Cena with punches. Young with a kick and swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Young with a rear chin lock as we continue to see from behind Nexus on the stage. Cena gets to his feet and escapes the hold. He kicks and punches Young. Cena with an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow from Young. Young with an elbow drop for a near fall. Young with a series of leg drops for a near fall. Young waits for Cena to get to his feet and he hits a Northern Lights suplex and bridge for a near fall. Young takes off the elbow pads and he sends Cena to the floor. Young goes to the floor after Cena and he sends Cena into the ring steps. Young returns to the ring and he wants the referee to make the count. Cena is down as they make it to seven. Cena pops up at nine and returns to the ring.
Young misses a leg drop and Cena with punches to Young followed by two flying shoulder tackles. Cena with the Blue Thunder Bomb followed by the five knuckle shuffle. Cena gets Young up for the Attitude Adjustment but Young tries for a sunset flip. Cena counters with the STF. Young taps out.
Winner: John Cena
After the match, Nexus comes to the ring and they circle the ring. Cena leaves the ring while Nexus focus on the man who lost the match. The six winners circle Young and Darren apologizes. Otunga hits Young from behind and then it is a six on one attack. Sheffield with the lariat to Young. Barrett with a fireman’s carry slam to Young. Gabriel goes up top for the 450 splash.
2010 - Ring of Honor aired ROH on HDNet. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the ROH On HDNet Report here on PWInsider.com! Tonight: Davey Richards takes on Roderick Strong with the winner receiving a shot at the ROH World Title!
Let's go right to the ring for our first match...
Rhett Titus vs Jerry Lynn
They start brawling as soon as Lynn enters the ring with Lynn getting the upper hand, but Titus turns the tide and whips Lynn into the corner. He charges Lynn but gets backdropped to the floor and Lynn dives over the top onto Titus, then rolls him back in the ring. Titus thumbs Lynn in the eye and goes for a butterfly suplex but Lynn reverses to a fireman's carry, which Titus escapes and then catches Lynn right in the mush with a dropkick for 2. Titus runs Lynn's eyes across the top rope, whips him hard into the corner, then does it again and catches him coming out with a clothesline for 2. Titus goes to a chinlock, but Lynn escapes and hits a Deathdrop and then a rolling poke to the eye, followed by a bulldog and a springboard elbowdrop for 2. Lynn goes up for the ten punch count and Titus tries to dump him over the top, but Lynn hooks him with his legs and Titus goes to the floor. Lynn prepares to go for a dive but Aries grabs the ankle to distract Lynn, allowing Titus to come from behind and sweep Lynn's legs, sending him crashing hard to the apron. Titus goes back in and covers for 2, then hits a Muff Driver for another 2. Lynn recovers and fires at Titus with forearms, but Titus gets a tilt-a-whirl slam and goes up top, coming off with a flying kneedrop for 2. Titus puts Lynn up top and goes for a superplex, Lynn blocks so Titus goes for the Super Sex Factor, but Lynn blocks that as well and gets a top rope swinging DDT for a close 2. Lynn goes fothe Cradle Piledriver but Aries jumps up on the apron to distract, allowing Titus to nail Lynn from behind and go for a Razor's Edge, but Lynn rolls through that into a sunset flip for the win.
Winner: Jerry Lynn
Kenny King attacks Jerry Lynn in the aisle on his way to the back, but Delirious runs out with a chair to save Lynn from the triple team.
We go backstage to Kyle Durden, with Steve Corino and Kevin Steen. Durden asks Corino where the chain came from and why it's coming out now, and Corino says there's a reason: the chain links Kevin Steen and himself, and it's going to bring them to the top. The chain will never break and neither will they, but what it will do is break El Generico and Colt Cabana. Steen says since this whole thing started, they've used a lot of different weapons in their war, but the chain truly represents their relationship and Steen's career, being chained to Generico since the beginning. Just like Generico, it's heavy and annoying, but it became Steen's new best friend, and very soon Cabana and Generico will be introduced to Steen's new friend, and what they've been through is nothing compared to what's coming.
Time for our next match, with the participants already in the ring...
El Generico vs erick Stevens
This ought to make for an interesting mix of styles, I don't think they've ever wrestled before in ROH. They tie up and Generico can't budge Stevens, but Stevens is easily able to drive Generico into the corner, but breaks clean. Another tieup and Stevens takes him to the corner again, but this time delivers a right to the jaw on the break. stevens takes Generico to the corner a third time and tries another cheap shot, but Generico dodges, hits a few chops and a leg lariat, then a flying headscissors to send Stevens into the corner. Generico goes up for the 10 punch count and Stevens tried charging Generico on the break, but fell victim to a pair of armdrags, but then Stevens holds his base on the third and counters into a Samoan Drop for 2. Stevens with a big bodyslam and comes off the ropes with an elbowdrop for 2, then goes to a bearhug. Generico hits a jawbreaker to escape, but runs right into a powerslam by Stevens for 2. Stevens continues to pound away on Generico, and Generico tries to fight back but one solid forearm from Stevens shuts Generico down. Stevens goes for a backdrop but Generico dropkicks him while being popped up, then follows that with a top rope flying bodypress for 2. Generico with a Blue Thunder Driver for 2, but Stevens recovers and powers Generico into the corner where he again unloads with some powerful offense. He goes to the corner and sets up for the Choo Choo, but Generico comes zipping across the ring with a Yakuza Kick for 2, then goes up top, but Stevens nails him and follows him up for a superplex, but Generico knocks Stevens off and into the Tree Of Woe and then goes up onto the opposite corner for the Van Terminator, but Kevin Steen and Steve Corino run out and hit Generico with the chain to draw the DQ.
Winner: El Generico by DQ
Steen chokes Generico with the chain as Corino fights off referees and security until Colt cabana runs in with a chair to make the save.
We go backstage to Davey Richards and Shane Hagadorn, and Durden brings up Death Before Dishonor VIII and says that he knows Richards still wants the gold around his waist. Richards will agree that it was the fight of their lives, but he lost and is not the World Champion. But in losing, he learned some things: he has respect for Tyler Black and he's learned what it takes to become World Champion, and when he goes through Roderick tonight, he will be the ROH World Champion. Truth Martini crashes the interview and says that everyone knows that Roderick has Tyler's number, and Hagadorn gets in Martini's face and threatens to take his book and shove it down his throat, but Davey tells Hagadorn to stay out of business because when he wrestles, it's about competition. Then Davey tells Martini to ask his buddy Roddy about him, and says that he has a real short temper and Martini will regret it if he gets involved in the match tonight.
We now go to a video package detailing the history of the Steen/Generico relationship and their subsequent war, followed by the announcement that Generico and Cabana will take on Corino and Steen in a Double Chain Match on September 11th in New York City. Also in New York, the Kings Of Wrestling will take on Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin, and we get comments from the Kings Of Wrestling talking about how they think as one and have grown since their first run as a team and dominated the Briscoes. They then talk about how much they're looking forward to facing Haas & Benjamin and put them over as being very talented and athletic, but they're going to overwhelm come New York City because they're the best team in ROH.
Back to the ring and, once again, the participants are already in the ring...
House Of Truth vs Mike Sydal & Aiden Chambers
Truth Martini takes issue with Bobby Cruise's normal introduction, and hands him a card with a much more lavish and wordy introduction to read instead. The HoT attack the jobbers right from the opening bell and toss Sydal to the floor as Able runs over Chambers with a clothesline. Able rams Chambers into Raymond's boot, then hits a neckbreaker off the second rope and holds on so Raymond can come over the top with a senton to Chambers for 2. Raymond charges Chambers in the corner but Chambers moves and tags in Sydal, who wipes out both members of the HoT with a flying bodypress and then goes crazy with dropkicks and flying headscissors, but Able gets ahold of him and lawn darts him facefirst into the top turnbuckle, followed by the Wheelbarrow Suplex/vertical splash combo for the win.
Winners: House Of Truth
Coming up next week: the Embassy takes on the Dark City Fight Club, Skullkrusher Rasche Brown, and Grizzly Redwood. But for right now, it's main event time!
Winner Gets A Guaranteed World Title Shot: Roderick Strong vs Davey Richards
Davey grabs a mic before the match and points out that Shane Hagadorn isn't at ringside, so he tells Roderick to send Truth Martini to the back so they can do this NRC style and do it man to man. Roderick obliges, and Truth Martini vacates the premises. They tie up and Richards takes Roderick to the corner and breaks clean. Davey has some slick looking new tights tonight. They tie up again and Roderick takes Richards to the ropes, and he breaks...with a shove. Roderick with a hammerlock but Davey escapes and Roderick reverses that back to a front facelock. Davey backs Roderick to the ropes for the break and Davey goes to break clean again, but Roderick shoves him so Davey smacks him in the face and Roderick bails out to the floor. Roderick takes a long count and then slowly gets back in the ring and they tie up again. Roderick gets a side headlock, Davey reverses to a headscissors, but Roderick rolls through into a jackknife cradle for 2, then goes back to the front facelock. Davey shoves Roderick off into the ropes and Roderick takes him down with a shoulderblock. Fast paced sequence ends with Davey getting an O'Connor Roll for 2, then converting that into a surfboard which he then reverses to another cradle for 2. Roderick reverses to a rollup of his own for 2 and they take turns reversing each other in a great chain wrestling sequence that ends with Davey landing a stiff kick to send Roderick retreating to the floor again. Roderick comes back in and Davey catches him right away with a spinkick to send Roderick to the floor yet again, and this time Davey goes to the apron and gets a running kick to the chest of Roderick. Davey follows Roderick around ringside and kicks the crap out of him every step of the way, then rolls him back in the ring and gets a modified Rings Of Saturn/surfboard stretch, but Roderick gets his foot on the rope to break. They go toe to toe, but Roderick catches Davey with a back elbow and now Davey goes to the floor but Roderick follows him out and unloads with some stiff chops before they head back into the ring where Roderick continues the assault, drilling Davey right in the face and covering for 2, then going to a bearhug. Davey fights his way out and they go toe to toe again until Davey rams Roderick into the corner and just unloads with about 12 kicks in a row, then follows that up with a charging forearm in the corner, reverse spinkick, and a snap suplex. Davey goes up top and hits a diving headbutt for 2, then goes right to a cross armbreaker. Roderick rolls Davey to his shoulders for 2, then Tullys Davey to the ring apron and nails him with a diving kick through the ropes. Roderick goes out to the floor and gives Davey a backbreaker on the guardrail, then rolls him back in and covers for 2 before going to a modified, sitting abdominal stretch. Roderick goes for a back suplex but Davey escapes and they go toe to toe yet again. this is just so intense. Davey with the handspring enziguiri for 2, then the rolling kick out of the corner and finally a missile dropkick for 2. Another chain wrestling sequence ends with Roderick hitting an enziguiri followed by a Side Effect for 2, then a gutbuster for another 2. They end up on the apron where they exchange kicks to the face, and then Davey grabs Roderick's arm and drops down, just yanking Roderick down onto the apron. They head back in and Roderick goes for a German Suplex, but Davey flips through and lands on his feet and catches davey with a Fujiwara armbar, but Roderick makes the ropes. Roderick goes for a suplex but Davey tilt-a-whirls through and goes back to the armbar, then converts that into a stack for 2. Davey with a slam and goes back up top, but Roderick catches him with an enziguiri and then side suplexes him on the top turnbuckle. Roderick with an over the shoulder backbreaker, then drops Davey with a Widow's Peak for 2. Roderick goes for the Stronghold but Davey won't go, so Roderick slingshots Davey into the top turnbuckle. Roderick goes up top and they go blow for blow again, and Davey sunset flips Roderick off the top rope and then hits a running kick to the chest and a bridging German Suplex for 2, then another German Suplex and Roderick comes right down on the top of his head, so Davey measures him and just takes his head off with another kick to the head and covers for 2. Davey with a cross armbreaker, but Roderick reverses to the Stronghold, and Davey reverses that to a rollup for 2. They go toe to toe yet again, but as Davey goes for a discus clothesline, Roderick pulls the referee in the way and Davey takes his head off with the clothesline as the crowd chants "thank you Davey". funny. Shane Hagadorn comes to ringside and holds Roderick so Davey can nail him, but Davey pulls Roderick out of the way and shoves Hagadorn off the apron and starts yelling at him, then turns around right into a running boot from Strong, who covers Davey and pulls the tights for the win.
Winner: Roderick Strong
And with that win, Roderick Strong will now advance to Glory By Honor IX where he will once more challenge Tyler Black for the ROH World Tite. FABULOUS main event between possibly the two best workers in the company. The rest of the episode was so-so, Generico vs Stevens was pretty good, but other than that the episode was pretty average until the main event which, as I said, was really good. With Tyler on his way out of ROH, I think we just found out who's beating him for the ROH World Title. I'd bet money on it.
Okay, that wraps it up for me, make sure to check out my ROH DVD reviews, as this week I've got reviews of Bitter Friends, Stiffer Enemies 2 and Civil Warfare going up, as well as an ROHotline in the Elite section discussing some of the major recent changes in ROH with both Tyler Black and Adam Pearce departing the company. Thanks again for reading, and I'll see you all back here next week!
2011 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Bakersfield, California and your announcers are Todd ‘If you play the Raw commentary backwards, it makes sense’ Grisham and William ‘Goosebumps Optional Tonight’ Regal. Your host is Matt ‘I think my Smackdown Post Game Post Show co-host has an unhealthy obsession with him’ Striker.
Titus O’Neil comes to the ring with AJ Lee and Hornswoggle. He welcomes everyone to NXT. He says that he is on his journey to become the next breakout star, but he is not the only one on a journey. He says that Hornswoggle is on a journey to find true love. Titus tells AJ that Hornswoggle has something to say to her.
Hornswoggle speaks and Titus translates and says that of all the Divas in the Universe he couldn’t find anyone more special for him to spend time with. Hornswoggle gets on his knee and he gives her a candy ring and he says that it is more than a piece of candy or a piece of jewelry. It is a promise that he will be loyal and faithful forever. It is just a small token of how much she means to him.
Titus asks the WWE Universe if she should accept.
AJ says that for her this has never been about size. She says that it doesn’t matter how big he is or the presents he gives her. She says that all that matters is the size of his heart.
Derrick Bateman interrupts AJ’s response. He tells them to hold the phone because this is nauseating. He says that everyone in the back is regurgitating their dinners. He says that this is not a bad episode of As the Leprechaun Turns. If anyone could love Hornswoggle, Hornswoggle is dumber than Titus looks.
Titus tells Derrick that the only dumb one is Derrick. He says that it isn’t his fault that Derrick wears tight jeans and he has a yeast infection.
Derrick says that the ladies like his jeans. He says that he is a Gentleman’s Gentleman. He says that he is going to win this season of NXT. Derrick says that he doesn’t know which one of them is the leprechaun and which one is the troll.
Hornswoggle wants Derrick to tell that to them in the ring. Derrick tells Titus to make him and then Titus and Hornswoggle follow Derrick up the ramp and to the back.
AJ gets attacked from behind and she gets sent into the turnbuckles. It turns out that it is Maxine who attacked AJ. Maxine leaves the ring and walks away.
Match Number One: JTG versus Tyson Kidd
Kid has something to say to JTG and JTG responds. Kidd ties for a kick but JTG blocks it and he gets a near fall with a rollup. Kidd with forearms in the corner but JTG puts him in the corner and JTG with forearms. JTG with a clothesline or two. JTG with a knee to the midsection and then he hits a swinging neck breaker for a near fall. JTG rolls the dice and then he tries to leap into the corner but Kidd kicks him away. Kidd with a back heel kick followed by a drop kick to the head for a near fall. Kidd with a knee drop to the back of the neck. Kidd tries for a single leg Boston Crab but he cannot get JTG over. JTG kicks Kidd away and then JTG with a neck breaker to Kidd and he gets a near fall.
JTG with a neck breaker and then he gets another near fall. JTG punches Kidd in the head and then he goes to the turnbuckles. He leaps over Kidd and Kidd with a rolling Maple Leaf and JTG tries to get to the ropes. Kidd puts his leg on JTG’s neck to stop him from moving to the ropes and JTG taps out.
Winner: Tyson Kidd
After the match, a Japanese symbol appears on the TitanTron and Kidd doesn’t know what is going on.
Todd mentions that Matt Striker is wrestling again and that he has made a challenge to Darren Young. Matt is in the back and he says that he is not embarrassed by his loss last week because he is not an active wrestler. He has seen a lot of guys come and go like Darren Young. When something goes wrong, people point a finger at someone else. Matt says that there is a fine line between making excuses and getting respect. Matt says that if Darren wants redemption, he will have to earn it.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see highlights from last week’s match between Matt Striker and Darren Young.
Match Number Two: Darren Young versus Matt Striker
Matt with punches to Young and then he backs him into the corner. The referee holds Striker back and Young punches Striker and he sends Matt into the turnbuckles. Young with a chop and forearm to the chest. Matt with chops and forearms that force Young to the floor. Striker kicks Young’s hand against the ring step. Striker with a rolling arm bar into a Fujiwara arm bar. Young struggles to get to the ropes but Young with a rollup for a near fall. Young with a clothesline.
They fight on the apron and Young tries for a neck breaker on the apron but Striker with elbows. Young with a kick and then he hits a belly-to-back suplex on the apron. Young returns to the ring and he gets a near fall. Young with forearms to the chest as he tries to wear down Striker. Young with a body scissors but Striker gets out. Young with a reverse chin lock followed by a knee to the upper back.
Young with a cravate into a side head lock and Striker backs Young into the corner and Striker with an elbow. Striker misses a charge into the corner but he does not miss a running boot. Young with a shoulder from the apron and then Young tries for a sunset flip but Striker stops him and hits a swinging suplex and gets a near fall when Young gets his foot on the rope. Young gets Striker on his shoulders but Striker escapes and hits a lungblower for a near fall.
Striker pushes Young down and then he lets out a scream before applying a La Magistral but Young rolls through and hits the gutbuster from a fireman’s carry position for the three count.
Winner: Darren Young
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see highlights from earlier tonight when Maxine attacked AJ Lee.
Derrick says that standing next to him is more than a woman. More than just a Diva. He wants everyone to stand up and show some respect for the love of his life, his soul mate and his girlfriend Maxine.
Maxine tells Hornswoggle that he wishes he could handle a real woman like him. Just like every other man who couldn’t handle a real woman, Hornswoggle has settled for less. If they think that she is causing problems for them now, just wait because they are just getting started.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Regal wonders where Hornswoggle is.
Match Number Three: Derrick Bateman with Maxine versus Titus O’Neil
They lock up and Titus backs Derrick into the corner and he gives a clean break. They lock up again and Titus backs Derrick into the corner and Titus punches Derrick and connects with a forearm. Titus sends Derrick into the corner and then he connects with a forearm. Titus with a hard Irish whip and then he slams Derrick and connects with an elbow drop for a near fall. Titus with a back elbow and then he barks.
Titus with shoulders in the corner followed by an elbow. Derrick with a drop kick to O’Neil for a near fall. Derrick with forearms and punches to the head. Derrick kicks Titus in the corner and then he connects with forearms. Titus with a kick and the corner followed by punches and kicks. Derrick with a kick to Titus and then he hits a neck breaker and gets a near fall.
Derrick sends Titus into the turnbuckles and then he chokes Titus. Derrick with a flying clothesline and he gets a near fall. Derrick with a quarter nelson and a chin lock but Titus gets to his feet. Derrick with a knee to the midsection and he gets a near fall. Bateman with a cravate but Titus gets to his feet and Titus with punches. Derrick tries to kick Titus in the knee but Titus avoids it and he hits a spinebuster.
Derrick with an Irish whip but he misses a splash. Titus with a clothesline and then he hits a shoulder breaker for a near fall. Titus with another bark. Derrick with a knee and a side head lock. Titus catches Derrick and hits a fallaway slam. Derrick smartly rolls to the floor and Titus barks again.
Titus goes to the floor and he sends Derrick back in. Titus says something to Maxine and then Maxine grabs Titus’s leg. Derrick uses the distraction to get the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Derrick Bateman
We go to commercial, but when we come back we will see the WWE Championship Match between Rey Mysterio and Alberto Del Rio from last night. They then broadcast that match to close out the episode.
2012 - WWE released developmental talent Caylee Turner, who was the reigning FCW Divas champion. Real name Christina Crawford, she is the younger sister of Diva Alicia Fox and was featured in the cast of the most recent season of Tough Enough on the USA Network. Turner was signed to developmental in June 2010. She left developmental to film the reality series and returned to the developmental system after being dropped from the series.
2012 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Welcome to tonight's Impact Wrestling Report on PWInsider.com!
We start off by recapping the events of Hardcore Justice and last week's episode of Impact Wrestling, and then we're off to the Impact Zone! We run down tonight's Bound For Glory Series matches and then head to the ring as Austin Aries comes out to address the TNA fans following his win over Bobby Roode this past weekend. Aries says that Bobby Roode spent the last month calling him a fluke, but Aries proved that he is no fluke by beating Roode for the second straight time. Anybody who thought he was going to be a placeholder was wrong, he's the face of TNA now and nobody's going to tell him what to think, say, or do because he's running the show, and as long as he's running the show, it won't be held hostage. He says the BFG Series is close to an end, but no matter who wins or what Aces & Eights do, he's walking in and out of Bound For Glory with the World Title.
Jeff Hardy's music hits, and he comes out holding his back after the beating it took this past weekend. Aries says Hardy must have something important to say, and after saying hello to his creatures, he says that he's been chasing the title for the last year and wants to congratulate Aries on how great he's doing. Hardy says he's going to win the BFG Series and then he and Aries are going to tear it up, but Aces & Eights cost him 20 points this past weekend and he wants to call them out now.
Instead, Bully Ray comes out and gets in Hardy's face to tell him how stupid he is because James Storm is behind Aces & Eights. A&E said they were coming for Bubba at Hardcore Justice, but they didn't touch him because Storm superkicked him right in the jaw. Hardy says Bubba has a point, and Bubba continues by saying that Hardy had James Storm in trouble later and he was lucky enough to get the 20 points by putting Hardy through a table. Lucky or not, he's going to Bound For Glory and will become the new champion. Aries stops Calfzilla long enough to remind him that he tapped out to Aries, and he has a lot of aspirations and ambitions and maybe that means he's behind Aces & Eights. Bubba tells Aries to get the fact that Storm is behind Aces & Eights through his skull, and Aries says that he doesn't care who wins the series because nobody has managed to beat him yet.
Aces & Eights pop up on the screen to say that they're going to make their presence felt in a big way tonight.
We see a video package recapping the Bound For Glory Series matches from Hardcore Justice, then we look at the leaderboard where James Storm is back in first place with 66 points., Rob Van Dam in second with 55, and Samoa Joe right behind in third with 54. We go backstage to Brutus Magnus, who says that he studied Samoa Joe long before they were in the same company, and he and Joe know each other better than anyone. He also knows Samoa Joe the man, and if you can get in his head, you can beat him.
Bound For Glory Series: Samoa Joe vs Brutus Magnus
Quick back and forth sequence to start, Joe gets an inverted atomic drop and a running boot, then nearly gets him in the LeBell Lock, but Magnus escapes to the floor. He comes back in and Joe just drills him with a hard forearm and straight jabs in the corner, but Magnus big boots Joe square in the face and covers for 1. Joe comes off the ropes but Magnus outmaneuvers him and hits a hard clothesline for 2. Magnus picks Joe up in a bodyslam position, holds him up, and then hits a Snowplow for 2. Magnus with a European uppercut, but Joe hits a leaping enziguiri and goes for the Muscle Buster, Magnus kneestrikes his way out and knocks Joe into the ring, but Joe rolls out of the way of the elbowdrop. Magnus charges Joe in the corner and Joe hits an STJoe, then gets the Kokina Clutch. Magnus kicks off the top rope and rolls over Joe, but Joe quickly escapes and gets La Magistral cradle (!) for the win.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Joe is back in second place with this win, and he extends his hand to Magnus, but Magnus is in shock and doesn't shake his hand so Joe just pats him on the back and walks off. Magnus finally rolls out of the ring and gets a chair and swings it at Joe. Joe saw it coming and got his arm up, but the arm is hurt as Magnus hightails it.
Madison Rayne is backstage saying that she hasn't been the Knockouts Champion in almost a year and a half, with no help at all, because she's the greatest Knockouts Champion ever. A stagehand pops in to tell her that Brooke Hogan wants to see her in the ring, and she says it must be for her championshiop celebration and that she hopes Brooke remembered that she likes chocolate cake.
Madison comes out to the ring with her little tiara on and nearly gets booed out of the building and says that Brooke Hogan made a special request to see her because she obviously knows what an important occasion it is because the queen has regained her throne. She hopes Brooke brings cake, but behind every great woman is a great referee, and she wouldn't be where she is now without the man who was standing behind her every step of the way, and she asks Earl to come down to the ring and join her. He comes out to "you screwed Brooke" chants and gives Madison a big hug, but Balls Deep comes out to say that this is the kind of behavior she was talking about. She's known Earl her whole life and asks if there's been any kind of shady stuff going on, and Earl says that there hasn't, but she's going to make sure nothing shady happens because Earl isn't refereeing any more knockouts matches. Balls Deep is giving Brooke Tessmacher a rematch tonight, and there's going to be a special referee who will be revealed later. Madison says this is just like a Hogan and challenges her to get into the ring, but when Brooke obliges, Madison heads for the hills. Suddenly, two of Aces & Eights run in and they prepare to take Brooke out once and for all (becoming the biggest babyfaces in TNA history in the process), but Austin Aries, Bully Ray, Jeff Hardy, and Kurt Angle run in and they decide to get out of Dodge. James Storm slowly comes wandering out to ringside with a totally unreadable look on his face as we go to commercial.
We come back and all the TNA wrestlers are still in the ring, and now Sting has joined them to say that he promised Hulk Hogan that Brooke would be protected, and they will be. If Aces & Eights want to run like a pack, they have a pack right now with Angle, Hardy, Aries, and himself with the list growing by the hour. Everyone has called them out, so he wants to make it nice and easy: next week at Open Fight Night, he wants ACes & Eights to meet them right at 8pm so they can have it out.
We go backstage to Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian, who are admiring the issue of Amazing Spider Man that they're on the back cover of. Kazarian makes more jokes about AJ and Claire, but AJ Styles comes in and says he's tired of this, so since they're convinced that AJ is the baby, he'll accept that he's the father if Daniels wins tonight, but if AJ wins, then he wants a paternity test. Well wait a minute, don't they need Claire's consent to do something like that?
Bound For Glory Series/Paternity Test Match: Christopher Daniels vs AJ Styles
The referee kicks Kazarian out from ringside, and the match immediately turns into a footrace with AJ chasing Daniels. Daniels rolls AJ up and puts his feet on the ropes, but the referee catches him and AJ unloads with hard hitting chops and right hands. AJ off the ropes with the big fancy kneedrop and then he chokes Daniels on the bottom rope. Daniels yells at the referee to DQ him, but AJ simply puts the boots to AJ. Daniels throws some weak punches at AJ, but AJ unloads with more punches and they go out to the floor. Daniels rolls back inside and tries to nail AJ coming back in, but AJ continues destroying Daniels, and Daniels tries begging for mercy, but AJ just takes Daniels' head off with a hard clothesline for 2 as we go to commercial.
We're back as AJ fights to escape a side headlock from Daniels, which he finally does before drilling Daniels with a dropkick for 2. AJ with a bridging Muta Lock to try for the submission, but Daniels refuses to submit, so AJ gets a seated half crab instead before going back to the Muta Lock. Daniels finally bites AJ's hand to get him to break and hotshots him onto the top rope before drilling him with a northern lariat for a pair of 2 counts. Daniels kicks AJ out to the floor and tells the referee to count him out. AJ makes it back in, so Daniels rams AJ hard into the corner and then punts him in the ribs. Daniels with a backdrop suplex for 1 and then a side neckbreaker for 2. Daniels tries yet again to put his feet on the ropes for a pinfall, but the referee catches him, so Daniels tosses AJ back out to the floor for another attempt at the countout. AJ tries getting back in, but Daniels charges and knocks AJ off the apron and onto the guardrail. AJ finally manages to sunset flip in and goes for the Styles Clash, Daniels goes to the eyes and tries for a uranage, AJ blocks that and Daniels goes to a standing version of the Koji Clutch. AJ starts to fade out and collapses to the mat, but avoids defeat by biting Daniels' thumb. Daniels breaks the hold, but rams a pair of nasty elbows into the back of AJ's head and then takes him ot the corner for the 10 punch count. AJ blocks midway through the count and powerbombs Daniels into the middle of the ring. AJ with a gutbuster and a hard clothesline for 2, a suplex into a neckbreaker for another 2. AJ charges Daniels, but Daniels pulls down the top rope and AJ once again sails to the floor. Daniels goes out after AJ, but AJ heads back inside and quickly wipes Daniels out with a dive. Kazarian sneaks back out to ringside and hooks AJ's ankle as he tries to suplex Daniels back in, allowing Daniels to fall on top for 3.
Winner: Christopher Daniels
Wait a minute, the referee sees Kazarian and realizes that he interfered, so he restarts the match and AJ quickly pins Daniels with a Pelle kick.
Real Winner: AJ Styles
AJ hits another Styles Clash for good measure and has now picked up a big 7 points.
Sting is backstage listening to Hogan on the phone saying that he's going to be there next week when Sting has it out with Aces & Eights, and he's going to have Sting's back. We then go to the locker room where Jeff Hardy comes up behind James Storm and says that he doesn't care what people are saying, but he does care that Aces & Eights cost him 20 points and helped Storm twice. Storm says he's sick of being accused by everyone else and is surprised that Hardy would fall in with that, then says he'll be at ringside for Hardy's match tonight to make sure that Aces & Eights don't get involved.
Bobby Roode comes out to the ring to address the fans and say that he had an opportunity to come out here and right a wrong and prove to the world that what he said about Aries getting a fluke victory was true. He did prove that because he defeated Austin Aries right in the middle of the ring when the referee counted three and raised his hand in victory. But then one thing led to another, the match he already won was restarted, and now he's standing there emptyhanded. The crowd starts chanting "loser" at him as Roode says he should be the World Champion, but he'll never get a rematch as long as Aries is the champion. The World Title meant everything of him because he's what people think of when they think World Heavyweight Champion, but he looked in the mirror and realized that there's only one person to blame...and that's Austin Aries. And Sting. And the referees. And all the TNA fans. He comes out and gives the fans everything he has, but they treat him with disrespect and call him a loser and say he sucks. The big question has been what's next for Roode, and he starts to say what's next but stops because, apparently, he has no idea. He drops the microphone and walks off.
Madison Rayne and Brooke Tessmacher are backstage, and they're...STRETCHING!
We see a video of the guy in this month's Gut Check who will be showing up next week, and he's got a great backstory about being from a really bad area in Mississippi where he saw someone murdered for the first time when he was six and how his brother was shot and he dedicates his career to him because he was such a huge wrestling fan. I wish they'd told us who this wrestler is because his backstory is already solid!
Brooke Hogan comes out to introduce the referee for the next match...Taryn Terrell! Tiffany from WWECW, for those who don't know.
Knockouts Title Match: Madison Rayne vs Brooke Tessmacher
Brooke and Madison go at it right from the start, and Taryn tries to keep control as best she can. Madison lays Brooke out with a clothesline and chokes her in the corner with her boot, then tosses Brooke across the ring by the hair. Madison with a northern lights suplex for 2, then rolls Brooke up with a handful of tights. Terrell sees and refuses to count, and Brooke gets a big spear out of nowhere. Brooke with a series of great clotheslines and a dropkick, then a victory bulldog gets 2. Madison gets a back elbow and whips Brooke hard into the corner, but charges right into her boot. Madison dodges a second rope crossbody and tries to pin Brooke with her feet on the ropes, but Terrell sees and again refuses to count. Madison gets right in Terrell's face and argues with her just long enough for Brooke to recover and hit the atomic flapjack to regain the title.
Winner: Brooke Tessmacher
I think this makes Madison the shortest reigning Knockouts Champion in history.
Bully Ray and Jeff Hardy are backstage, and they're...WALKING!
After a look back at the events of earlier tonight, we go to Aces & Eights, who say that this is the invitation they've been waiting for and that Sting had better watch what he asks for since they're showing up in full force. One of the A&E guys adds that they do have a little unfinished business to take care of tonight.
It's main event time!
Bound For Glory Series: Bully Ray vs Jeff Hardy
Boy, have these guys faced off a million times, or what? They barely have a chance to make contact before James Storm comes out to ringside. Bubba asks him where his boys are at, but Storm just stands at ringside minding his own business as Bubba begins to beat Hardy down. Bubba rams Hardy into the corner and drills him in the face with right hands before going out to the floor to get in Storm's face. Bubba shoves Storm, but Hardy comes under the bottom rope with a baseball slide before Storm can retaliate. Hardy wipes Bubba out with another dive off the apron as we go to commercial.
We're back and Bubba is furiously trying to catch a fall on Hardy but can't get more than a two count. Bubba gets a running clothesline in the corner and tries to tear Hardy's hair out before dropping an elbow for 2. Bubba legscissors the head of Hardy, but Hardy makes it to the ropes. bubba with a vertical suplex for 2, but misses a big splash and they end up going toe to toe. Hardy comes out on top and takes Bubba out with a series of clotheslines, the double legdrop to the crotch, and the seated dropkick for 2. Bubba with a uranage for 2, but Hardy blocks the Bubba Bomb and lays Bubba out with another clothesline. Hardy takes the shirt off and goes up top, hitting the Swanton for 2. Bubba rolls out to the floor and lands right next to Storm, and Storm doesn't touch Bubba, but Bubba pulls Storm in front as Hardy dove over the ropes and Hardy lands on Storm. Bubba and Hardy go back inside where Hardy hits the Whisper In The Wind. Aces & Eights come into the ring and prepare to attack the TNA guys, but Austin Aries, Sting, and Kurt Angle run out to chase them out through the crowd. Bubba looks off after them briefly before picking Hardy up, but Hardy hits the Twist of Fate and rolls Bubba up for 3.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Bubba lays Hardy out with a clothesline and grabs his chain, but stops and turns to Storm to again accuse him of being behind Aces & Eights. Storm gets in the ring and goes face to face with Bubba, Bubba shoves Storm and Storm tries to retaliate with the Last Call, but Bubba ducks out of the way and Storm accidentally nails Hardy. Aces & Eights comes back into the ring as Storm checks on Hardy and applaud him, then they lay him out and put the boots to him as we go off the air.
2020 - Former Ring of Honor Champion John "Xavier" Bedoya passed away. PWInsider.com reported the following:
PWInsider.com is extremely saddened to report the passing of former Ring of Honor World Champion John Bedoya, who wrestled as Xavier, at the age of 42. There is no word on the circumstances of his passing but members of his family have confirmed it with Bedoya's closest friends in the New York City wrestling scene. He had been in contact with family members overnight and all signs are this was a sudden, unexpected passing as family members began to get word around 10 AM this morning.
Xavier was born and raised in the New York City area and was trained by former ECW star Tony Devito and quickly became a top star in the New York City independent scene, working the earlier events for Mike Lombardi's Northeast Wrestling, where he was a young, athletic performer with a great looking 450 splash.
Within the confines of NYC, Xavier headlined, as a heel, for Jac Sabboth's ICW and USA Pro Wrestling. Billed as "The All Around Best", Bedoya and Low Ki had a classic feud for those promotions that culminated in an incredible ICW Championhip Ladder match in June 2001 that, at the time, headlined was scheduled to be the final ever event at the Elks Lodge aka "Madhouse of Extreme" that was so good, StrictlyECW.com head Tony Lewis declared the match "was the spirit of ECW" just a few months after that promotion died. In USA Pro, he was also tasked as Champion, regularly working 30-45 minute or longer main event matches, including a great 45 minute match with Balls Mahoney.
During that time period, the consensus was that the top NYC independent wrestlers were Low Ki, The Amazing Red and Xavier and all three were imported into Ring of Honor. The Xavier vs. Low Ki feud, in fact, was so good that Gabe Sapolsky began planning for it from the beginning of ROH and credited the ICW Ladder Match with being one of the inspirations for the birth of Ring of Honor as a promotion.
Both Xavier and Ki debuted on the first ROH event in February 2002 and eventually, Xavier shocked ROH fans by winning the belt from Low Ki shortly after Ki became the first champion at ROH Unscripted. With that very physical title win (I remember after the match, Ki told me he made Bedoya "earn it" in the ring), Xavier joined Christopher Daniels' Prophecy and was the heel champion that multiple babyfaces, including Paul London, AJ Styles and Jay Briscoe chased. Bedoya, as Xavier, held the belt for months before finally losing it to Samoa Joe in March 2003, kicking off Joe's legendary reign as ROH Champion. In that time period as champion, Xavier played the classic heel champion always on the brink of losing but somehow eking out a victory. He was an excellent and extremely underrated performer at the time, who's work in helping to build the foundation of Ring of Honor has never truly been properly acknowledged or celebrated.
Beyond ROH. Xavier was used regularly by WWF/WWE for enhancement work in the New York City area, billed as John Jirius, so he didn't lose under the Xavier ring name. Bedoya was so highly thought of at the time that there would be occasions he would be booked to lose quickly, only to be pulled from the matches as those in talent relations at the time felt WWE might be able to do something with him down the line and they didn't want to job him out on TV immediately. For whatever reason, however, he was never signed, last working a date for WWE back in 2007. Xavier always credited not being signed to being lost in the shuffle when there were changes in the talent relations office, leading to him being back to square one, as opposed to being seen as someone the company saw momentum in.
After his ROH title loss, Xavier took time off but returned to the promotion to break off from The Prophecy, joining Prince Nana's Embassy, where he feuded with John Walter (including an off the charts "Fight Without Honor" match to blow off the feud), leaving after he suffered a shoulder injury. Bedoya would make a number of other appearances, including challenging Bryan Danielson for the ROH title but was never a consistent regular for the company after 2006. He was slated to return to ROH earlier this year to face Jay Lethal at the Past vs. Present ROH TV taping in Las Vegas, an event that was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He would be the first ROH World Champion to pass away.
While he continued working in professional wrestling for just about every independent promotion one could name and also had a tryout for Impact Wrestling in 2010.
Outside of pro wrestling, Xavier had been training heavily in MMA, believing that once it was made legal in New York State, it was going to take off in a massive way and that he wanted to be in front of the wave. He debuted in MMA in 2009, competing as John Xavier, winning his first fight via KO in 14 seconds in the first round. He lost the second fight via decision and continued to train and compete. He very much used his frustrations over his stalling pro wrestling career as fire to fuel his push and training in the MMA world and in fact, his interest in MMA led to Xavier waning towards performing in professional wrestling circles. He last regularly wrestled in 2011 for Sabboth's ICW promotion in New York. His last match, that I am aware of, was for ICW in 2016, defeating Indigo Child (aka Deranged).
Beyond combat sports, Xavier had worked the door at a number of NYC clubs.
On behalf of everyone associated with PWInsider.com, I'd like to express my deepest condolences to Xavier's friends, family and fans. In all my interactions with him, he was a truly great person who loved two things - his family and performing in professional wrestling. He leaves behind a son, who he loved very much and I am especially saddened for him and the rest of John's family.
RIP to “The All Around Best” XAVIER ????
— ? ICW: No Holds Barred ? (@ICWNHB) August 17, 2020
1st ICW Champion
2nd ROH Champion
GREAT DAD
GREAT FRIEND
Art - @Toms_Customs pic.twitter.com/Ih6g5mn3os
A special thank you to Billy Krotchsen for all his help.
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