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September 4th
On this day in history in ....
1902 - George Hackenschmidt defeats Tom Cannon for the European Greco-Roman Heavyweight Title in Liverpool, England, ending Cannon's second reign.
1911 - In their second meeting, Frank Gotch defeats Georg Hackenschmidt in two straight falls to retain the World Heavyweight Title before 30,000 at Chicago's Comiskey Park.
1941 - George Wagner (Gorgeous George) defeats Billy McEuin for the Pacific Coast Junior Heavyweight Title in Eugene, Oregon, ending McEuin's second reign.
1941 - Pat Barrett is born.
1942 - Jerry Jarrett is born in Nashville, Tennessee.
1944 - Bill Ludwig defeats Billy Williams to win the Florida Junior Heavyweight Title in Tampa, Florida.
1951 - Ray Gunkel defeats Duke Keomuka for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title in Dallas, Texas.
1953 - Kengo Kimura is born.
1958 - Mario Galento to win the NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Title in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
1963 - Georgia Championship Wrestling held a 12-man tournament in Columbus, Georgia to determine the first Georgia NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Champion. The results:
First round:
- Joe McCarthy defeated Randy Curtis.
- George Wolfe defeated Red Dugan.
- Honey Boy Hannigan defeated Rocky Stone
- Chris Averoff defeated The Green Hornet.
- Steve Dalton defeated Dick Barkley.
- Marco Polo defeated Ken Fryer.
Quarterfinals:
- Joe McCarthy defeated George Wolfe.
- Chris Averoff defeated Honey Boy Hannigan.
- Marco Polo defeated Steve Dalton to advance to the final.
Semifinal:
- Joe McCarthy defeated Chris Averoff.
Final:
- Joe McCarthy defeated Marco Polo to become the first Georgia NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Champion.
1964 - Dick the Bruiser and Wilbur Snyder defeat Angelo Poffo and Nicoli Volkoff to become the first two-time WWA World Tag Team Champions.
1968 - Bob Kelly defeats Bobby Fields to win the NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Title in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, ending Fields' second reign.
1969 - Bob Kelly defeats The Blue Yankee for the NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Title in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to begin Fields' third reign.
1970 - Buddy Colt defeats Nick Bockwinkel for the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia, ending Bockwinkel's second reign.
1970 - Bobby and Jerry Christy win their fourth Stampede International Tag Team Title in Calgary, Alberta, defeating Bud and Ray Osborne.
1972 - Jerry Brisco defeats Rip Hawk for the NWA Eastern States Heavyweight Title in Greenville, South Carolina. This began Brisco's second reign and ended Hawk's third.
1972 - Bob Brown and John Quinn defeat Steven Little Bear and Dutch Savage for the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in New Westminster, British Columbia, to end Steven and Savage's second reign and begin Brown and Quinn's third.
1976 - Dusty Rhodes defeats Ric Flair in Richmond, Virginia to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title. However, the title change was nullified because Rhodes had his feet on the ropes during the pin.
1977 - TNA star Awesome Kong is born.
1978 - David and Kevin Von Erich defeat Bruiser Brody and Gino Hernandez to win the NWA Texas Tag Team Title in Fort Worth, Texas to begin their second reign.
1980 - Giant Baba defeats Harley Race for the NWA World Heavyweight Title in Saga, Japan, ending Race's fourth reign and beginning Baba's third.
1980 - Roddy Piper defeats Buddy Rose to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title, to end Rose's second reign and begin Piper's second reign.
1986 - WWE star Xavier Woods was born.
1987 - The WWF held its third-annual "King of the Ring" event at the Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The results were:
First round:
- Haku (with Tama) pinned Brutus Beefcake with a roll-up after Tama distracted Beefcake.
- Rick Martel pinned Dan Spivey with a small package.
- King Kong Bundy defeated The One Man Gang by countout.
- Special Delivery Jones pinned Sika with a small package.
- Danny Davis (with Jimmy Hart) defeated Tito Santana by countout.
- The Junkyard Dog pinned Tama with a cradle.
- Jim Brunzell pinned Ron Bass after a dropkick.
- Randy Savage pinned Nikolai Volkoff after a flying elbowdrop.
Quarterfinals:
- Haku and Rick Martel fought to a 15-minute time-limit draw, with neither man advancing.
- King Kong Bundy pinned Special Delivery Jones after an elbowdrop to advance to the final.
- Danny Davis (with Jimmy Hart) defeated The Junkyard Dog by countout.
- Randy Savage pinned Jim Brunzell after a flying elbowdrop.
Semifinal:
- Randy Savage defeated Danny Davis after a flying elbowdrop.
Non-tournament:
- Jake Roberts defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion The Honky Tonk Man (with Jimmy Hart) by disqualification, after Honky hit Roberts with Hart's megaphone. Honky retained the title.
Final:
- Randy Savage defeated King Kong Bundy after a flying elbowdrop to win the King of the Ring tournament.
1989 - Cuchillo defeats Yoshihiro Asai (Ultimo Dragon) for the UWA World Middleweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.
1989 - Texas Dirt (Dutch Mantel) defeats Black Bart to win the CWA Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning his second reign.
1990 - Danny Collins defeats Richie Brooks for the British Heavy-Middleweight Title in Croydon, England, to begin his second reign.
1991 - Alex Porteau ends Ricky Santana's third WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title reign in Cataño, Puerto Rico.
1992 - Bestia Salvaje defeat El Dandy for the CMLL World Middleweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.
1994 - Pierroth, Jr. defeats Vampiro in Monterrey, Mexico to win the Federación Internacional de Lucha Libre Heavyweight Title.
1995 - "WCW Monday Nitro" debuts on TNT, live from the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. The show got a 2.9 rating. "WWF Monday Night RAW" did not air on USA due to U.S. Open tennis coverage. The results were:
- The American Males (Mark Bagwell and Scott Riggs) defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions Bunkhouse Buck and Dick Slater (with Col. Robert Parker).
- Brian Pillman defeated Jushin Liger.
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Sting defeated Ric Flair by disqualification to retain the title. During this match, Lex Luger made his surprise return to WCW. He signed with the company after working for the WWF without a contract for several weeks. In fact, Luger had just wrestled for the WWF the night before in Saint John, New Brunswick.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan (with Jimmy Hart) defeated Big Bubba Rogers to retain the title.
1996 - Vance Nevada wins his fourth Canadian Junior Heavyweight Title in Winnipeg, Manitoba, from J.T. Atlas.
1997 - IWA Mid-South held an event in Louisville, Kentucky. The results:
- Reckless Youth defeated The American Kickboxer to win the vacant IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Title.
- Mad Man Pondo defeated Ox Harley in a Make a Wish match.
- Blaze defeated Salvatore Sincere.
- The Misfits (Derek Domino and Harley Lewis) defeated IWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions The War Machines (#1 and #2) to win the title.
- Pitbull #2 defeated J.R. Ryder.
- The Tower of Doom defeated Twiggy Ramirez.
- NWA World Women's Champion Sherri Martel defeated Debbie Combs in a Dog Collar match to retain the title.
- The Vampire Warrior defeated Ian Rotten.
- IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion Bull Pain defeated Tracy Smothers to retain the title.
1998 - Adam Pearce defeats Billy Joe Eaton in West Allis, Wisconsin to win the Mid American Wrestling Heayweight Title, ending Eaton's third reign.
1999 - Blade Boudreaux becomes the first two-time NWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title in Brownsville, Tennessee, by defeating Don Bass.
2000 - The Monday Night War celebrated its fifth birthday, and the WWF won the night. "RAW is WAR"'s 4.22 rating (hours of 4.20 and 4.23) beat out "WCW Monday Nitro"'s 3.62 rating (hours of 3.20 and 4.04).
"Nitro" was live from Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas. The results:
- WCW World Tag Team Champions Juventud Guerrera and Rey Misterio, Jr. (with Disco Inferno, Konnan and Tygress) defeated The Insane Clown Posse (Shaggy 2 Dope and Violent J), when Misterio pinned Violent J, to retain the title.
- Sting defeated The Great Muta and Vampiro in a War Games Qualifying Handicap match, by pinned Sting after the Scorpion Death Drop.
- Booker T pinned Stevie Ray after a Book End in a War Games Qualifying match.
- Kronik (Brian Adams and Bryan Clark) defeated Ernest Miller (with Ms. Jones) in a War Games Qualifying Handicap match after the High Times.
- Goldberg pinned Shane Douglas (with Torrie Wilson) after the Jackhammer in a War Games Qualifying match.
- The Natural Born Thrillers (Mark Jindrak, Sean O'Haire, Chuck Palumbo, Reno, Mike Sanders and Shawn Stasiak) defeated Big Vito in a Handicap match, when Sanders got the pin after O'Haire hit a Seanton Bomb.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Kevin Nash defeated Brian Adams, Booker T, Goldberg, Heavy D, Ernest Miller, Vince Russo and Scott Steiner in a War Games match to retain the title.
"RAW is WAR" was live from Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. The results were:
- Kane defeated Chris Benoit by disqualification after Benoit hit Kane with a chair. The match was to decide the #1 contender to the WWF Title at "Unforgiven".
- The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) defeated The A.P.A. (Bradshaw and Faarooq) (with Kaientai (Taka Michinoku and Funaki)) in a Tables match, when Bubba Ray powerbombed Bradshaw backwards through a table as he tried to superplex D-Von through it.
- Eddie Guerrero defeated Kurt Angle and WWF Intercontinental Champion Chyna by disqualification, by pinning Chyna, to win the title. Angle had hit Chyna with the belt and run off, with Guerrero appearing to give chase. He checked on the unconscious Chyna, picking her up off her back and holding her, before leaning back down on top of her for the win. This ended Chyna's third reign.
- Triple H pinned Test (with Albert and Trish Stratus) after the Pedigree.
- WWF Hardcore Champion Steve Blackman pinned The Big Bossman after a superkick to retain the title.
- Road Dogg and Val Venis defeated The Right to Censor (Bull Buchanan and The Goodfather (with Steven Richards)), when Road Dogg pinned Goodfather after a flying forearm.
- Chris Jericho and Jerry Lawler defeated Naked Mideon and Tazz, when Lawler pinned Tazz with a roll-up.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Edge and Christian defeated The Undertaker and WWF Champion The Rock, when Rock was pinned after a Conchairto, to retain the title.
2001 - The WWF held a special live edition of "SmackDown!" on UPN from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, which got a 3.4 rating. The results:
- The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt (with Lita)) defeated Justin Credible and Raven (with Terri) after Jeff pinned Credible after the Swanton and the Twist of Fate from Matt. Lita gave Terri a Twist of Fate of her own after the match.
- WWF and WCW Tag Team Champion The Undertaker fought Steven Richards to a no-contest, after Taker followed Richards up the aisle and punched him out. We then saw the WWF debut of Kronik, as Brian Adams appeared and kicked over The Undertaker's motorcycle, with Taker attacking Adams for the deed, before Bryan Clark attacking Taker from behind. Both men beat Taker down in the ring before hitting the High Times.
- Test pinned Billy Gunn after a big boot.
- The Big Show defeated WWF European Champion The Hurricane by disqualification when Lance Storm interfered and dropkicked Show when he was about to chokeslam Hurricane. Big Show chokeslammed both men afterwards.
- Booker T (with Shane McMahon), The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) and Rhyno defeated The A.P.A. (Bradshaw and Faarooq), Chris Jericho and WCW Champion The Rock, when Booker pinned Jericho after Rhyno hit the Gore on him while he had Shane McMahon in the Walls of Jericho.
- WWF Hardcore Champion Rob Van Dam pinned WWF Champion Steve Austin with a roll-up after Austin was distracted by Kurt Angle's entrance music and pyro.
2002 - NWA: TNA aired a taped PPV special spotlighting the X-Division. Buck Woodward filed the following PPV report:
NWA: Total Nonstop Action for September 4th was "Special X", an episode devoted to the X-Division.
The program opened with clips of Low Ki, Kid Kash, Ron Killings, Jorge Estrada, Monty Brown, Sonny Siaki, Mike Tenay, and several fans commenting about the X-Division. Then the usual opening video aired.
Jeremy Borash and Goldylocks hosted the special, and introduced the matches.
The Flying Elvises vs. Jerry Lynn, AJ Styles, and Low Ki, the first match in TNA history, from June 19, 2002, was shown. The match was edited, and ended with Jimmy Yang hitting Styles with YangTime for the pin after Low Ki accidentally kicked Styles. Estrada talked about the pressure in being in the first TNA match. Mike Tenay commented on the uniqueness of the Flying Elvises. Yang said he enjoys watching Red, Low Ki and AJ Styles, commenting that he and Styles have been working together for years. Yang & Estrada talked about the X-Division, and Yang compared TNA to WCW, saying he could actually become an impact player here. Sonny Siaki commented that he is the star of the X-Division.
AJ Styles vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Psicosis vs. Low Ki, the Double Elimination match for X-Division Title from June 19, 2002 (aired on the 26th) was shown. Ricky Steamboat was the special referee for the match. The match was heavily edited, but all the pinfalls were shown. The final fall saw Styles pin Lynn with Spiral Tap to become the first champion.
They said they would show clips of AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn winning the NWA World Tag Team Title, then showed Lynn asking Bill Behrens for the chance to find a partner and compete in the tournament. No actual clips of the tournament were shown, and a voiceover by Borash led into their first tag title defense, against Slash & Tempest, from July 10, 2002. Styles pinned Tempest after the Spiral Tap to retain the tag titles, after tagging himself into the ring.
The discussion continued to center around Styles and Lynn, and the next match was AJ Styles & Jerry Lynn vs. Flying Elvises from July 24, 2002. This match ended with Lynn pinning Estrada with a slingshot splash while Styles was trying to set for Spiral Tap on Yang, resulting in Styles walking off.
Lynn and Styles backstage brawl from the following week was shown, but there was no voiceover or graphic to say where the brawl was from. Lynn laid out Styles with a piledriver on a road case. A Styles-Lynn in-ring confrontation from the following week was shown, with Lynn cutting a promo on Styles about paying dues and having respect. Styles said he understood, then attacked Lynn and laid him out with the Styles Clash.
They went right into Elix Skipper vs. AJ Styles from July 31, 2002, with no introduction. Styles got the pin with the Spiral Tap. Very little of this match was shown. Lynn and Styles high-fived after this match. They probably should have shown the Mike Tenay interview where Styles and Lynn buried the hatchet.
Clips of Jerry Lynn vs. Low Ki, which was a X-Division #1 contender match, from July 31, 2002 was shown. Styles kicked Lynn from the apron, resulting in Low Ki being disqualified. Styles mouthed off to the downed Lynn, and Low Ki kicked Styles from the ring.
Borash and Goldylocks then talked about the SAT, and how they traveled 16 hours on a bus for their first match in TNA. Clips of Amazing Red vs. Low Ki, which was Amazing Red’s TNA debut, from July 24th was shown. Low Ki won with the Ki Krusher. Clips of The Maximos and Red vs. the Flying Elvises from August 7, 2002, which was the Maximo Brothers debut, was shown next. Sonny Siaki pinned Red after Estrada & Yang hit a double splash/legdrop combo from the top rope on him, in a match where Siaki and the other Elvises weren't getting along.
Mike Tenay talked about the SAT. The Maximos commented on being asked to be on the show. Kid Kash praised them, and Tenay talked about the Spanish Fly. The Maximos then praised Kid Kash, Jerry Lynn and the experienced competition in the company. Sonny Siaki praised Red, and some more clips of his match with Low Ki was shown. Red talked about being influenced by Rey Mysterio and Japanese tapes. The SAT talked about how you only see cruiserweights main eventing in TNA.
The show then focused on Low Ki. Mike Tenay, Jorge Estrada, and The SAT talked about his style, while clips of him in action were shown. Extensive highlights of the AJ Styles vs. Low Ki vs. Jerry Lynn Triple Threat match from August 7, 2002 was shown, which saw the title change hands for the first time as Low Ki pinned Lynn to win the title after a Styles chairshot. Styles came off the top rope with the Spiral Tap onto the two, but since Low Ki was still on top of Lynn, he got the pin.
Goldylocks interviewed Low Ki, who talked about the opportunity he has been given in the NWA:TNA X-Division. He praised the division, and the competitors in it. Low Ki referred to Styles as a "character" and said he takes advantage of situations. He praised Jerry Lynn as being an experienced competitor. Concerning himself, Low Ki said he can only get better. Clips of his first title defense against the Flying Elvises in a four way elimination match from August 14, 2002 was shown. Low Ki won the match by eliminating all three members of the Flying Elvises, finishing with Sonny Siaki after Yang kicked him.
They went right into Low Ki defending the title against the SAT on August 21, 2002 in another four way elimination match. This one ended with Low Ki pinning Red after a second rope Ki Krusher.
Next came the AJ Styles vs. Jerry Lynn best of three falls match from August 21, 2002. Lynn won the Falls Count Anywhere first fall with a cradle piledriver on the stage. Styles won the second fall, a no DQ match, with a chairshot. The two ended in a tie in the ten minute Ironman third fall, ending the match in a draw. Low Ki laid out both men after the match, then made the challenge for the Triple Threat Ladder match.
Mike Tenay, Ron Killings, and Red talked about AJ Styles, as clips of him in action were shown. AJ talked about how the X-Division was the perfect title for him. Saying it was not a title determined by weight class, but it was a title for people who were extreme. Styles put over Low Ki's kicks, and commended Jerry Lynn's experience. Speaking about himself, Styles said his future is "limitless".
Mike Tenay then talked about the X-Division, saying they steal the shows, and deserve to be in the main events. He feels they can sell tickets as well as the heavyweights. He talked about being impressed with Low Ki, saying as a fan, he is his favorite. Tenay then said his favorite match so far in the X-Division was the Triple Threat Ladder match between Low Ki, AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn, which was taped on August 21, 2002 (aired August 28th). This match was aired next and, like every match on this show, was edited. Lynn won the match, with Low Ki toppling Styles off one ladder to the floor, and Lynn piledriving Low Ki off the middle of a ladder before climbing up to snatch the title belt and the win.
Mike Tenay referred to Jerry Lynn as "the glue that holds the X-Division together". The SAT praised Lynn, and Tenay referred to Lynn as the best wrestler in the division.
Jeremy Borash and Goldylocks hyped the Tag Team Gauntlet for the Gold, which will take place on September 18th.
Goldylocks interviewed Jerry Lynn. Lynn said he was going to take advantage of every minute of TV time he was given with this Division. Lynn said you can't top yourself every time, but you just have to adapt to your opponent and have the best match you can. Lynn said he would like to see an X-Division Invitational every five weeks, to allow some of the best talent on the Independent scene an opportunity. Lynn said his first match with AJ Styles was in Australia, and said he needed an attitude adjustment. He said Low Ki knows his strengths and weaknesses well, and put over his kicking power.
AJ Styles interrupted the interview, shaking Lynn's hand and congratulating him on his title win, but then calling him an "old man" and saying two weeks from now would be a "new beginning". As Styles turned to leave, Low Ki was standing right in his face. Styles cautiously walked around him and away. Low Ki walked up to Lynn, and informed him that Styles was not the only one gunning for him. Jerry Lynn said he welcomed the challenge, and he and Low Ki stood nose to nose to end the show.
2004 - Nuevo Gran Apolo defeats Ray Gonzalez for the IWA World Heavyweight Title in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. This began Apolo's eighth reign and ended Gonzalez's third.
2004 - PWG held "The Next Show" at the Hollywood-Los Feliz Jewish Community Center in Los Angeles, California. The results were:
- The First Family (Brad Bradley and Babi Slymm (with C. Edward Vander Pyle)) defeated Human Tornado and Supa Badd.
- Chris Bosh defeated Hook Bomberry and Quicksilver in a three-way match.
- Charles Mercury and Top Gun Talwar defeated S.B.S. (Disco Machine and Excalibur).
- The American Dragon defeated The UK Kid.
- The Dangerous Players (Puma, Ricky Reyes and Rocky Romero) defeated B-Boy, Christopher Daniels and Bobby Quance.
- Super Dragon defeated Chris Hero.
- Samoa Joe defeated PWG Champion Frankie Kazarian by disqualification. Kazarian retained the title.
- PWG Tag Team Champion Scott Lost defeated PWG Tag Team Champion Joey Ryan in a Ladder match to gain sole possession of the title.
2004 - Steve Madison wins his second NWA Florida Heavyweight Title from Todd Shane in Clearwater, Florida. At the same event, Scoot Andrews defeats Lex Lovett for the vacant NWA Southern Heavyweight Title.
2004 - Jason Cross defeats Onyx in Cornelia, Georgia to win the NWA Wildside Heavyweight Title, to begin his second reign.
2004 - The Psycho defeats Brother Love for the NWA Mississippi Junior Heavyweight Title in Magee, Mississippi, ending and beginning both men's third reign.
2005 - PWG held the second of two events of its first-annual "Battle of Los Angeles" at the Hollywood-Los Feliz Jewish Community Center in Los Angeles, California. The show featured the final three rounds of the 16-man Battle of Los Angeles tournament. The results:
Non-tournament:
- Hook Bomberry, T.J. Perkins (with Ed Powers) and Chris Sabin defeated Disco Machine, Excalibur and Ronin.
Quarterfinals:
- Quicksilver defeated Rocky Romero.
- Chris Bosh defeated James Gibson.
- Bryan Danielson defeated Christopher Daniels.
- A.J. Styles defeated PWG Champion Kevin Steen.
Non-tournament:
- Samoa Joe and NOSAWA defeated Kikutaro and Top Gun Talwar.
Semifinals:
- Chris Bosh defeated Quicksilver.
- A.J. Styles defeated Bryan Danielson.
Non-tournament:
- Jack Evans, PWG Tag Team Champion El Generico, Frankie Kazarian and Super Dragon defeated Scott Lost, Ricky Reyes, Davey Richards and Joey Ryan.
Final:
- Chris Bosh defeated A.J. Styles to win the Battle of Los Angeles.
2007 - Boso Boy Raito defeats Shiori Asahi for the UWA World Middleweight Title in Tokyo, Japan, beginning his second reign. At the same show, Ryota Chikuzen and KAZMA win the Kaientai Dojo STRONGEST-K Tag Team Title from MIYAWAKI and Naoki Tanizaki.
2008 - TNA ran Westbury, Long Island, New York. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
TNA made their sophomore appearance tonight in Westbury, Long Island at the Capital One Bank Theater. The show opened with Jeremy Borash warming up the crowd.
*Jay Lethal defeated Sonjay Dutt - They started off fast with a back and forth exchange of athletic moves. Dutt hid under the ring to fake out Lethal but it failed as he was hit in the gut coming off the ropes. They did a lot of back and forth athletic moves. The crowd popped for everything easy as it was a family crowd. Lethal scored a two count with a faceplant. Dutt missed coming off the ropes and was nailed with the Lethal Combination. Lethal played to the crowd then went up for the flying elbow. He nailed it for the pin. Crowd pleasing opener, although based on their body language, you never would have guessed these two were feuding for the same girl in a heated rivalry.
*TNA X-Division champ Petey Williams defeated Consequences Creed. Earl Hebner was the referee and had to be held back by Jeremy Borash from leaving the ring when a fan gave him grief about Bret Hart. Williams controlled the match early after some brief Creed offense. This was a little slower paced than the opener with Williams playing to the crowd and posing a la Scott Steiner after hitting offensive maneuvers. He dropped Creed's jaw over his knees. Creed responded with an enziguiri. Creed used that to mount his babyface comeback using a lot of athletic moves. He pressed Williams over his head, then dropped down into a gutbuster for a two count. Williams went for a Sharpshooter and Hebner played off Montreal. Half the crowd yelled for Hebner to ring the bell, which was funny. Creed made it to the ropes. Williams finally nailed the Canadian Destroyer for the pin. Solid back and forth stuff here. Creed has a lot of really innovative moves, so I hope at some point he really gets a chance to showcase himself.
*Awesome Kong defeated Roxxi. Traci Brooks was the special referee. There were people that literally gasped when Kong came out because of her aura as a monster. She also received the biggest heel reaction of the night thus far. Roxxi was accompanied by Brian Powers, a local DJ. Not much of a reaction for Roxxi coming out. Kong played immovable object and when Roxxi bumped off her, then splashed Roxxi. She brought Roxxi around the corners, chopping and choking her. She hit a running splash in the corner. After Kong was in control for several minutes, Roxxi began fighting back with chops and forearms. She took down Kong with a running big boot. Roxxi ducked a spinning backhand. She tried for a suplex, was unable. Kong nailed the Impact Buster for the clean pin. Kong tried to nail Roxxi again, but Brooks tried to stop her. Kong nailed her with an Implant Buster as well. Several officials came to help the babyfaces out.
*TNA Tag Team champions Robert Roode & James Storm (with Jacqueline) vs. Eric Young & Johnny Devine. Johnny Devine came out and said he was booked into an unusual situation by TNA with a Tag Team title match. He said his first choice of a partner, The Iron Sheik wasn't available, so he chose Eric Young since Young hated Bobby Roode more than anyone during the days of Team Canada. The Sheik joke didn't get over live. Even though he's "not" Super Eric, Young came out in his tights. The Beer Money, Inc. ring entrance comes off pretty polished with Roode especially looking like a well traveled veteran heel. You can really sense he's got the right swagger for the role. Storm began ripping on the local sports team and was pretty entertaining in doing so. Young took the mic and said when his mom dropped him off today, he didn't know he was going to be in a tag title match but was happy to have one, hoping he could party like a champ with all the New York fans. The fans chanted "Brokeback Mountain." They did lots of basic tag stuff early with the makeshift challengers catching the champs with armbars and hiptosses. The champs came back with double team moves. Storm missed a charge in the corner on Devine and crotched himself. Young made the hot tag. They did an spot where Young hit an airplane spin into a DVDR on both but when he spun, he nailed Devine. When Young went for the pin, Devine threw him out of the ring and turned on him. He then walked into a Storm superkick and was pinned. Devin started trashing Young on the mic. Young morphed into Super Eric under the ring. The music played and he emerged to lay out Devine.
*Booker T vs. Christian Cage - Cage played to the crowd asking how many peeps he had in the house. They did lots of playing to the crowd. After some back and forth, Cage missed a top rope splash. Booker used a scissor into a sunset flip for a two count. He missed an Axe Kick and hit with a reverse DDT for a two count. Booker named the Bookend but Cage got his shoulder up. Cage finally hit the Unprettier for the pin. The match didn't receive a bigger reaction than anything on the undercard, which surprised me as both have been coming into the area for years for WWE and WCW. Pedestrian stuff here.
TNA went to intermission, which was a little behind schedule according to a building source, so the show was running a little longer than scheduled at this point.
When Borash returned, he said that after speaking to Jim Cornette on the phone, the next match was changed to a Long Island Tables match. The crowd popped for it.
*Team 3D defeated Abyss & Rhino. Brother Ray grew up in the area and 3D are billed from NYC so they got a big pop coming out. Abyss (who needs to lose the white outfit bad and go back to his old look, in my opinion) and Rhino attacked 3D when they posed on the ropes. Devon and Rhino brawled on the floor and out into the crowd to the back of the theater. The crowd chanted for tables. Lots of brawling crowd shots using drinks and popcorn flying into the air. It settled into a traditional match with tags. Devon got worked over for a long time before Rhino missed a charge in the corner. Ray got the hot tag. He splashed both Rhino and Abyss in the corner at once. Devon did the Wazzup Headbutt off the top on Rhino. They nailed Abyss with 3D through the table for the win. Brother Ray gave a speech and said that as of right now, their contracts had expired and they had a big decision to make. He plugged tomorrow's show and said at the Manhattan Center, the future of "Team 3D...or The Dudley Boyz" would be decided. They brought several kids in the ring. One of them was wearing a WWE shirt, which Bubba ribbed him about, then said, "I like Hunter, Batista's a moron and John Cena's cool." 3D gave the kids pieces of table. Bubba thanked everyone again and said they didn't know what was going to happen but thanked them for the support. Devon did the Testify line and they left to a big pop. In terms of connecting with the audience. 3D was the most over act. Based on the mic work, my guess is they'll announce they signed a new TNA deal tomorrow and everything tonight was an attempt to pop the house since the NYC sales are lackluster.
Jeremy Borash said that they were happy to be in Long Island because Long Island's most popular wrestling fan was backstage. He introduced Mick Foley, who made several laps around ringside. Foley said tonight was one of the first times all his children were at the matches together and had the crowd chant the names of his youngest sons. He said he wouldn't be part of TNA if he didn't love the company and hoped to make an Impact. Short and it seemed like he was there just because he was the hometown guy, not because it was a big historic moment. I don't believe it was even filmed, which will probably be the only time a former WWE champ jumps to the competition and it's not documented for future DVD documentary release.
*TNA World champ Samoa Joe defeated Kurt Angle. They did lots of mat wrestling holds early. Angle threw Joe out of the ring. Joe sold his leg after landing and Angle started working on it. He tossed Joe in the ring and hit a back suplex. Angle began whipping out suplexes, which the crowd liked. It was a more of an old school match with holds and suplexes. Joe came back with a series of rights and an enziguiri. Joe hit a big running boot to the face and back splash. He caught Angle with a snap powerslam for a two count. Joe cut off an Angle charge in the corner and hit a leg lariat off the ropes. Angle came back and locked on the anklelock. They did lots of reversals until Joe locked on the Joe for the choke. OK main event. Obviously, it wasn't coming close to touching their better PPV bouts.
Joe took the mic after the main event and welcomed New York "to TNA." He said they made a mistake tonight trying to pick a few good fans when they have a crowd full of great ones. He brought out the locker room to sign autographs and take pictures for free to close the show. Joe spent a long time after the show posing for photos for $20 a pop inside the ring. When I left, there were 250-300 fans waiting in line.
Overall, it was a house show. There were no blow away matches and I got the impression that the fans that were there fell into two categories - a small segment of hardcore fans that watch everything and a much larger group of families who came because it was wrestling locally. I didn't get this feeling that it was die-hard TNA fans as much as wrestling fans who wanted to watch some matches. Team 3D were the most over act by far on the entire show, even with names you would think on paper to be "bigger" stars, like Angle and Booker. The show almost felt like the house show performances you'd see the day before a PPV where the purpose was to get through the show and try and send the crowd happy, not physically burn yourself out performing in the ring. If you were an ROH fan, this wasn't the show for you, but I didn't think it was a terrible night of wrestling as nothing was really bad and the only match that really dragged was Booker vs. Cage in my opinion.
Live Notes: They did the usual "backstage pass" spiel and glad handling of the crowd to get the fans into the show. It worked well since it was a big family crowd....The crowd looked to be around the 1,200 mark, down from a sellout last time. Ticket prices were $10 higher this time around....Although LAX wasn't booked, there were shirts for the team everywhere, it appears so not using them on this loop was a mistake...They introduced Earl Hebner as the "Most Infamous Referee in Professional Wrestling History."....Before the show started, they had messages from TNA talent playing over the sound system welcoming fans in NY to the event and telling them how long until belltime. A nice idea....Lots of TNA videogame plugs....TNA sold out of the $20 programs....Although he didn't work the show, they sold Sting shirts. Strangely, they were selling Team 3D and Black Machismo shirts, but only if you asked for them as they weren't displayed with the other merchandise at the gimmick table.....Kurt Angle appeared this afternoon at a local Best Buy, drawing under 100 fans according to one person who attended....Kevin Nash was in NYC for interviews this weekend but didn't appear here....In what had to be a first, there were bootleggers selling TNA shirts outside the venue in the parking lot. I was told there were arrests and merchandise was confiscated, but I can't confirm that at this time....Pat "Simon Diamond" Kenney ran the locker room backstage....Dixie Carter and Jeff Jarrett were not in attendance...
2009 - Visa issues lead to TNA releasing Angelina Love. Shortly after she finished repairing those issues, the company brought her back. Love remains a regular with the company to this day.
2009 - Ring of Honor released the following statement regarding the departure of Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuiness:
Nigel McGuinness has agreed in principle to a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment.
Nigel has been a tremendous leader in the Ring of Honor locker room and, without question, a wonderful performer. His merits, both in and out of the ring, are extraordinary and any locker room with Nigel McGuinness in it is better for it. We couldn’t be happier for Nigel as he takes the next step in his stellar wrestling career, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Nigel for all he’s worked for and through.
Nigel has pledged to fulfill his scheduled Ring of Honor commitments. Please join us in Philadelphia, Boston, and New York as we bid an extremely fond farewell to another member of our family.
Everyone at Ring of Honor is extremely proud to have called both Nigel McGuinness and Bryan Danielson their own; and we looking forward to seeing their stars shine brighter than ever. Like many of the wonderful sons of Ring of Honor that have written new chapters in their wrestling annals, we will look on with a bittersweet smile to the future where we have no doubt that Nigel and Bryan will amaze the masses – just like they’ve done so many times in Ring of Honor.
With the closing of this chapter a new one opens in Ring of Honor. We now look to an exciting time where new stars will blaze their own paths, while looking back in reverence to those who came before them. Who will seize the opportunity and carry the torch for ROH? We only hope that whoever it is will carry it with the same respect - the same honor - that Bryan and Nigel have.
2009 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight’s show with a look back at the steel cage match between CM Punk and Jeff Hardy that saw Jeff Hardy being forced to leave WWE after losing the match. We see Jeff’s heart felt farewell for now speech, only to be overshadowed by CM Punk heinous attack.
We are live on tape from Cleveland, Ohio and your announcers are Jim ‘Who Wants a Labor Day Weekend BBQ’ Ross and Todd ‘Why aren’t New Kids on the Block in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ Grisham.
Jeff Hardy’s music plays . . . but he is gone from WWE? It is not Jeff Hardy, but it is CM Punk dressed like Jeff Hardy. Punk asks the fans if they were expecting someone else, but he points out that Jeff is gone. He tells the fans to soak it up because this is the last time that you will see a trace of Jeff Hardy again on Smackdown. That means no more ridiculous face paint (as Punk wipes his off), no more stupid arm bands, and no more excuses. Now that the Charismatic Enabler is gone, he asks if the living in the moment life of excess was the way to live and he says that it was not the answer. Punk says that he knows how weak everyone really is. Punk is handed his title belt and he says that everyone has a champion they can be proud of . . . a Straight Edge champion. Punk says that he is the only one who can pick people up from their downward spiral of a life. Punk says that he will not miss a show due to a hotel incident or miss a Wrestlemania because of a drug suspension. Punk turns his attention to the Undertaker. Punk says that he might be a legend, but he is not the solitary icon. Punk points out that he is the only back to back Money in the Bank winner and the man who ended Jeff Hardy’s career. Punk says that if the Undertaker wants to test his breaking point, he will be waiting. Punk says that he is waiting for the lights to go out so Taker can appear before him. Punk tells Taker to come to the ring and he will be waiting for him. Punk looks at his invisible watch and then he says that it is not in Taker’s best interest to face him in the ring but to use his psychological games. Punk says that all it takes is smoke and mirrors, especially the smoke, to get the fan’s interest in something. Punk says that Undertaker fails to realize that his mind is clear and strong and has not been polluted like everyone else. There will not be any tricks, it will be two icons in the ring in a fight to the finish. Punk says that Undertaker has never faced someone like him because he has no breaking point. Punk says that he has never tapped out to society’s attempts at peer pressure. Punk says that he has one vice and it is more dangerous than anything that the fans are addicted to. Punk says that it is like an anaconda.
Punk is interrupted by the lone surviving member of the Hardy family in WWE and Matt Hardy comes out. Matt comes to the ring and he takes Punk down and punches him. Matt and Punk roll around the ring and punch each other. Referees make their way to the ring to try to separate them and Punk is rolled out of the ring while Matt is restrained in the corner.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that if you are between 18 and 34 and were watching television last Friday, you were probably watching Smackdown.
CM Punk is in the back and he wants to talk to Teddy Long about Matt Hardy attacking him during his time in the ring. He wants to know what Teddy is going to do about that. Teddy says that if he has a problem with what Matt did, then they can settle it in the ring. Punk does not want it for the title. Teddy announces a match between Punk and Matt tonight.
We see footage from last week when Great Khali confronted Kane last week and Khali’s use of a kendo stick on Kane as Kane did not run away from Khali.
Match Number One: Finlay and Great Khali with Runjin Singh versus Kane and Mike Knox
Knox and Finlay start things off and Knox with forearms but Finlay punches back. Knox with punches as well followed by a power slam for a near fall. Knox sends Finlay into the turnbuckles and Kane tags in. Kane with an Irish whip and a vintage side slam. Kane goes up top but he misses the clothesline. Khali is tagged in and Kane tags Knox in. Khali with a clothesline and then Khali punches Kane off the apron. Khali with a boot to a charging Knox. Khali with the Khali Krush and Kane pulls Knox out of the ring. We go to commercial.
We are back and Khali with a clothesline to Kane and then he sends Kane into the turnbuckles and chops Kane in the corner. Knox is tagged in and he runs into a clothesline and is sent into the corner where Khali kicks Knox and then connects with elbows and a chop. Finlay tags in and he kicks Knox and hits a short arm clothesline and a normal clothesline followed by a seated splash. Knox with an elbow and Irish whip but Finlay with a kick. Finlay gets on the turnbuckles but since the referee was dealing with Khali, he does not see Kane knock Finlay off the turnbuckles. Finlay is favoring his left arm and Knox targets that arm when he returns to the ring. Kane tags in and he wraps Finlay’s arm in the ropes. Kane with an arm drag and then he works on the arm. Knox tags in and he works on the shoulder and arm. Knox with a key lock. Finlay with knees and a kick but Knox with a cross body for a near fall. Kane is tagged in and they keep Finlay from making the tag. Kane punches Finlay and Finlay goes down. Kane with kicks to the head followed by a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Knox tags back in and he hits Finlay in the back and kicks Finlay too. Knox with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner and both men are down. Kane tries to stop Finlay but Finlay ducks down and he goes over the top rope to the floor. Kane goes after Runjin Singh so Khali leaves the apron. While the referee is looking at what is going on outside the ring, Finlay gets his shillelagh and uses it on Knox to get the three count.
Winners: Finlay and Great Khali
Teddy Long is in his office holding the Rise and Fall of WCW DVD and watching it as Vince McMahon enters the office dressed like he is going to spend Labor Day Weekend in the Hamptons. Teddy reminds Vince that he was in WCW for the rise but Vince doubts that. Vince talks about the steel cage match and Vince says that it was good stuff. Now the Undertaker is wrestling for the title and Vince likes that too. Vince mentions Teddy’s conservative look and Teddy says that he wants to look like a General Manager. Vince wonders if Teddy does not think Vince should wear a jacket that looks like Pepto Bismol. Vince says that he will let Teddy wear his jacket one day and Teddy says that he is looking forward to it.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Maria and Eve are at the makeup station. Eve says that after the match on Superstars, she is looking forward to wrestling Natalya tonight. Maria says that they have to go out there with confidence and passion. Maria and Eve are interrupted by Michelle who says that they will still be losers and then Michelle tells Eve to hold one of her crutches. Michelle says that no matter what Maria wears, it won’t be enough to keep her boyfriend Dolph from looking at her. Michelle says that Maria is Dolph’s flavor of the week. Maria says that Michelle is the most self-centered and egotistical Diva on the roster. Maria says that Michelle has no idea of what to do when she is not in the spotlight due to her injury. Melina stops by to see if there is a problem. Michelle tells Melina to back up and she tells Melina if she lays a finger on her again, she will have Melina arrested.
Michelle leaves and Melina wants to talk to Maria about Dolph. Maria says that she appreciates the help but she wants Melina to stay out of her business.
Match Number Two: John Morrison versus Rey Mysterio for the Intercontinental Title
They shake hands at the start of the match and then they lock up with Rey trying for a quick victory with a rollup and he gets a one count. They lock up again and Morrison with a rollup for a one count. They go to a Greco Roman knuckle lock and Morrison with the advantage but Rey is able to get back to his feet and he kicks Morrison but they remain locked together. Morrison with a monkey flip and then he floats over and gets a near fall but Rey gets his shoulder up. Rey with a sunset flip for a two count. Morrison with a kick and side head lock take down.
We see Dolph Ziggler watching in the locker room, but Maria is not by his side.
Back to the ring and Morrison still has the side head lock applied but Rey tries to roll Morrison onto his shoulders. Morrison with a shoulder block and then he sweeps the leg and gets a near fall. Rey does the same and gets the same result. Rey misses a drop kick and Morrison tries for a jackknife cover but gets a near fall. Rey with a drop toe hold and La Magistral for a near fall. They return to their feet and we go to commercial.
We are back and Morrison with a forearm to Rey’s head followed by an Irish whip but Rey with a knee. Rey tries for a rana but Morrison holds on and then both men go over the top rope to the floor. Both men make it back into the ring at nine. Rey with kicks to Morrison followed by an Irish whip but Rey tries for a dive into the corner but Rey hits the ring post when Morrison moves. Morrison with a rollup for a near fall. Morrison with an arm bar. Rey with a satellite head scissors for a near fall. Rey with a knee to the head and that sends Morrison into the corner. Rey with a forearm. Rey floats over but Morrison goes to the apron and he tries for a sunset flip when he returns to the ring. Rey rolls through and kicks Morrison in the head and he follows that with an Arabian Press for a near fall. Rey with a series of snap leg drops and he gets a near fall. Rey with a reverse chin lock and then he kicks Morrison in the back. Rey with a knee in the back and Morrison tries to fight out of the hold but Rey continues to over power him. Morrison gets to his feet and Morrison does a mule kick to escape the hold and he gets a near fall. Morrison with a flap jack and then he kips up and hits a clothesline followed by a drop kick. Morrison poses and then he hits the standing shooting star press for a two count. Rey with a forearm and kick but Morrison throws Rey under the bottom rope to the floor. Morrison is still dazed as the referee starts his count. Morrison remembers that he cannot win on a count out so he brings Rey back into the ring. Morrison gets a two count. Morrison stomps on Rey’s chest and hits the pommel horse leg drop for a near fall. Morrison with a reverse chin lock but Rey punches Morrison. Rey with a rollup for a near fall. Rey gets another two count with a rollup. Rey is sent to the apron but Rey with a shoulder and then he sends Morrison into ‘that position’ with a head scissors. Morrison recovers and clotheslines Rey before Rey can make the connection. Both men try for cross bodies and both men are down. We have to go to commercial.
We are back and Morrison with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Morrison with a reverse chin lock and then Morrison adds a body scissors to add more pressure on the champion. Rey with elbows to escape the hold and then Rey follows that with a fierce kick. Morrison is sent to the apron and then Rey with a baseball slide to send Morrison into the apron. Rey with a head scissors onto the floor. Rey with a springboard leg drop for a two count. Rey cannot believe that Morrison kicked out. Rey tries for a wheelbarrow move but Morrison counters with a front driver and he gets a near fall. Morrison with the Shining Wizard but Rey kicks out at two. Morrison waits for Rey to get back to his feet but he misses a charge into the corner. Rey with a springboard cross body for a near fall. Morrison with a kick and a sunset flip but Rey rolls through and hits a drop kick for a near fall. Rey tries to find the strength to get to the top turnbuckle but he is met with a drop kick from Morrison and Morrison can only get a two count. Morrison pulls Rey into the corner for the corkscrew split legged moonsault but Rey moves out of the way and Morrison lands on his feet. Rey with a shoulder from the apron and then he hits a springboard seated splash. Rey sends Morrison to ‘that place’ and Rey hits the 619. Morrison moves when Rey comes off the ropes and Morrison hits the springboard spin kick but Rey kicks out. Morrison with an Irish whip but Rey with an elbow. Morrison with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker and then Morrison tries for the moonsault, but Rey crotches Morrison. Rey tries for a reverse super rana but Morrison holds on to the ropes. Morrison hits the corkscrew split legged moonsault for the three count.
Winner: John Morrison
After the match, Morrison pulls Rey up to his feet and they hug in the center of the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Smack of the Night: Drew McIntyre attacking R Truth last week.
R Truth comes to the ring for his match and while he asks ‘What’s Up’, Drew McIntyre attacks Truth from behind. McIntyre with a clothesline and punches. McINtyre with the double underhook DDT and then he gets a mic to tell everyone what’s up with him.
Drew says that he was overlooked last week so he decided to make a statement with the dancing fool. McIntyre points out that Truth has a match while he is not even on the show. Drew says that he is going to continue to come out and ruin everyone’s party until people recognize him as the superstar he is.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that WWE programming is ‘original’?
We see footage from the Superstars match featuring the Smackdown brand and Natalya getting the victory over Eve in a six person tag match.
Match Number Three: Eve Torres and Maria versus Natalya and Layla
Layla and Maria start things off. Natalya decides to start and they lock up and Natalya works on the arm. Maria tries for a cross body but Natalya catches Maria and slams her. Natalya misses an elbow drop and Maria hits a drop kick. Maria with a running knee near the corner and then Maria chokes Natalya in the corner. Maria swings at Layla and Layla pulls Maria to the floor. Layla runs away from Maria and Maria follows, but it was a trap and Natalya connects with a devastating clothesline on the floor. Natalya with a forearm and slap. Natalya sends Maria into the apron and then they return to the ring and Natalya gets a near fall. Natalya slams Maria’s head into the mat and then puts her in an Dragon Sleeper. Natalya runs Maria into the corner and Layla is tagged in. Layla with a head scissors in the ropes and then she kicks Maria and hits a double sledge from the ropes for a near fall. Natalya tags back in and they send Maria to the mat again and Natalya gets a near fall. Natalya with a snap suplex and a near fall. Natalya sends Maria into Layla’s boot and Layla tags back in and she kicks Maria and has her in a version of a bow and arrow as she stretches Maria. Maria with a jawbreaker and a tag. Eve with shoulders and a kick from the apron. Eve with a clothesline to Layla followed by a forearm that knocks Natalya off the apron. Eve with a drop kick followed by a forearm. Eve with a sunset flip but Layla rolls through and hits a drop kick for a near fall. Layla with a forearm but she misses a kick. Eve with a slam and a flip leg drop but Natalya breaks up the cover. Maria takes care of Natalya and they go to the floor. Eve hits the handspring moonsault for the three count.
Winners: Eve Torres and Maria
Josh Mathews is in the interview area with Matt Hardy. Josh asks Matt about his match with CM Punk and what happened earlier tonight. Matt says that Punk should be worried about the return of the Undertaker, but Punk should also be worried about him. Hardy says that he is not here for Punk’s title or soul. Matt says that he is here to take Punk’s health, livelihood, well-being, and everything that Punk took from his brother, including Punk’s career. We go to commercial.
We are back and sometime in the next twenty minutes so will the Undertaker.
Match Number Four: CM Punk versus Matt Hardy in a Non-Title Match
Punk tries to stay away from Hardy and uses the referee to run interference. Punk goes to the floor and he tells the referee to keep Matt at bay. Punk gets to the ropes but Hardy punches him. Hardy and Punk exchange punches and forearms. Matt sends Punk into the turnbuckles and then he hits a clothesline. Hardy with a hard Irish whip to Punk followed by a punch to the head and Punk goes to the floor. Hardy chases after Punk but Punk returns to the ring first and he kicks Hardy. Hardy with a swinging neck breaker and then he chokes Punk in the ropes. Hardy with a seated splash into Punk while Punk is in the ropes. Hardy with a series of elbows in the corner. Punk with forearms and a kick before he sends Matt into the turnbuckles. Hardy tries for the Side Effect but Punk with elbows to the head to avoid the hold. Punk goes up top but Hardy recovers and he punches Punk. Hardy tries for a superplex and he hits it. Hardy gets a near fall and then he hits an elbow drop followed by a knee and a forearm. Punk blocks a suplex and then Punk drops Hardy on the top rope and then Punk with a running shoulder tackle that sends Hardy into the ringside barrier. We go to commercial.
We are back and Punk has Hardy in an abdominal stretch to exploit Matt’s recent surgery and favoring of his abdomen. Punk with punches to the abdomen followed by a knee. Punk with kicks to the abdomen. Punk with a forearm to Matt and then he chokes Matt in the ropes. Punk with a body scissors on Hardy but Hardy gets free and he connects with forearms. Punk with a hard Irish whip and Punk gets a near fall. Punk with a punch to the abdomen and then he hits a back kick. Punk leaps onto Hardy’s abdomen and gets a near fall. Punk returns to the body scissors. Punk with a shoulder in the corner followed by Val Venis knees as Hardy comes off the ropes. Punk reapplies the abdominal stretch. Hardy escapes the hold but Punk gets a near fall with a rollup. Punk with forearms to the midsection followed by an Irish whip. Punk misses a charge into the corner and Punk hits the ring post when Hardy moves. Matt with a running clothesline and he hits the first bulldog out of the corner and gets a near fall. Matt goes to the turnbuckles for a leg drop to the back of the head and he gets a near fall. Matt tries for the Twist of Fate but Punk blocks it. Each man tries for a back slide but Hardy with an inside cradle for a near fall. Punk with a roundhouse kick for a two count. Punk tries for the springboard clothesline but Hardy stops him and hits a Side Effect for a two count.
Hardy with a punch that sends Punk to the floor. Hardy comes off the apron but he is met with a kick to the abdomen. Punk hot shots Hardy onto the ringside barrier. Punk grabs a chair and he hits Matt in the abdomen with it. He then hits Hardy in the back with the chair. Punk puts the chair around Matt’s head and he is going to send Matt into the post but before he can do it, the lights go out and there is a gong. We see the Undertaker in front of the ring post Punk would have used. Undertaker choke slams Punk through the table.
We see replays of the choke slam and when we return to live on tape action, Taker raises his arm and pyro goes off by the entrance. We go to credits.
2010 - WWE ran San Juan, Puerto Rico. Jose Perez filed the following live report:
Hola!!! from San Juan, PR. It has been a while since I last typed a report, but it is good to be back here with you all.
Really hot show tonight in San Juan. This was the farewell show from the 3 day tour in the island and they delivered with really good performances all throughout the night. Here is the match rundown as it happened:
1. US Title Match
The Miz defeated Evan Bourne in what was a really good opener. The crowd was hot from the beginning of the match, as Miz took the mic and started to rant in Spanish about how great he was and that he was the US Champion and, of course, he is awesome. Good back and forth of offense, with each of them getting some really cool spots, ending with Miz hitting the "Skull Crushing Finale" for the pin.
After the match, Miz came back to the ring and tried to take advantage of Bourne. Bourne countered and hit a sidekick that knocked Miz out, setting up Bourne to go up to the third rope to try to hit the "Shooting Star Press". While the fans were going crazy, he was not able to take off due to NEXUS coming out and attacking him as Miz slipped out of the ring. Nexus decimated Bourne before letting everyone know that it was just a sample of what was going to happen to Cena, Henry and Morrison later tonight.
2. Goldust defeated Zack Ryder with a really nice reverse suplex. Short but good match. "WooWooWoo" got some offense in, but Goldust was able to mount a good comeback and get the win here.
3. WWE Tag Title Match
Hart Dynasty (w/ Natalya) defeated The Usos (w/ Tamina) with the "Heart Attack". Fun match to watch, although nothing out of the ordinary. This is my first time seeing Tyson Kidd in action live and he is really good. Very fast and really good spots.
4. The American Dragon... I mean, Daniel Bryan defeated Ted DiBiase Jr. (w/ Maryse) with the "Crossface". Really good to finally be able to see Danielson in action live. It was not a long match; probably not more than 8 minutes, but he showed why he is the best. DiBiase was really good too, which made for a really fun match. My wife, who is not as big a Danielson fan as I am, turned to me and told me she was impressed with him. (NOTE: Danielson will be back in Puerto Rico in a couple of weeks working an IWA house show in which he has a match with Savio Vega for the IWA PR Heavyweight Title. Danielson is the champion at the moment.)
5. WWE Title Match
Randy Orton defeated Sheamus via DQ when Sheamus bumped "Little Naitch" on purpose and was immediately disqualified. Orton was not happy with the outcome and delivered a really good RKO on Sheamus. Orton left the ring to shake hands with some fans at ringside and Miz came in running asking to the ref to ring the bell because he was catching in his Money in the Bank title shot right then and there. The ref turned to set up the match, but before he could signal for the bell to ring, Orton came in and hit an "awesome" (pun intended) RKO on the Miz. The crowd ate it up as we went into a 15 minute intermission.
6. WWE Divas Title Match
Melina defeated Alicia Fox with some help from the special guest referee, Eve Torres.
7. Chris Jericho defeated Primo (Eddie Colon) with the "Walls of Jericho". This was a really fun match. Jericho had the crowd eating from the palm of his hand from the minute he walked through the curtains. You could see how much he was enjoying himself. He got into some heated argument with a couple of fans at ringside and would smirk as he turned, almost not being able to contain his laughter. But being a true heel, he kept his cool and laid out a really good match with Primo. Believe it or not, Primo did not get the favor of the crowd tonight in San Juan. He was even booed when he came out. This was not the case in Ponce and Arecibo the last two nights, in which he actually got two wins.
8. Main Event
John Cena, Mark Henry and John Morrison defeated "NEXUS" Michael Tarver, Heath Slater and Wade Barrett. Otunga and Gabriel were at ringside but were sent to the back due to them interfering in the match. Cena and Henry got some offense in the beginning. Lot of punishment on Morrison during the match, with the hot tag for Cena, which brought the house down as the crowd went crazy. Cena did his spots and got the pin over Slater. After the match, NEXUS came in, including Otunga and Gabriel who ran in and attacked the "faces" until Orton and Bourne came in for the save. The "faces" isolated Justin Gabriel as the rest of Nexus watch from the aisle. Henry hit his "Slam/Splash", Morrison hit then hit the "Starship Pain", Orton then hit an RKO, Bourne hit the "Shooting Star Press", with Cena hitting the "Attitude Adjustment"... ok... the "FU" to finish Gabriel. After this, the faces came down from the ring, except for Orton and Cena. They had a staredown for a few seconds, shook hands and the crown went into a frenzy as they both stood in the ring posing for a minute, before going around the ring shaking hands with the fans.
Overall, a really good show. The crowd was hot all night, which made the show even better. The Coliseum was about 90% full, not sold out. There was tickets available at the ticket booth at 7:35pm when we arrived at the arena. That I can remember, this is the first time they do not sell out a show in San Juan since they started coming a few years ago.
Biggest Pops:
Cena
Orton
Daniel Bryan / Hart Dynasty
Most Heat:
Jericho
The Miz
NEXUS
No return date announced, although Justin Roberts did say that it would be in the very near future. Until next time...
2012 - Bruce Hart is looking to relaunch a version of Stampede Wrestling via a televised special in November 2012, according to an interview Hart gave to the Canadian Broadcasting Channel. The article did not cite whether CBC would be airing the special or if any TV deal had even been reached for the potential broadcast. As it turned out, no special was ever taped, much less broadcast.
Hart had long tried to revive the Stampede Wrestling name and promotion since the company fell from its place as the top wrestling promotion in Western Canada during the late 1980s. Formed by Hart family patriarch Stu Hart in the 1940s, the promotion had a long history of ups and downs until it was sold to the WWF in the 1980s.
As part of that deal, a number of top Stampede talents were brought over to the WWF, including Bret Hart, The British Bulldogs and Jim Neidhart. When WWF opted out of the deal and stopped making agreed upon monthly payments to Hart, the promotion re-opened and while it provided a fertile training ground for another generation of talents, most notably Owen Hart. The original incarnation shut down in 1989.
Hart, who had turns as booker for the original version, had attempted to revive Stampede numerous times in the past, providing a place for names like Natalya, Teddy Hart, Harry Smith and Tyson Kidd to develop, but never with any great, regular success.
WWE purchased the original Stampede video library in 2006, with the exception of matches that Bret Hart already had ownership of. In the case of those matches, WWE has to make a separate licensing deal with Hart in order to use them.
2013 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are in Winter Park, Florida and your announcers are Alex ‘Did you see me on Main Event’ Riley and Tom ‘Did you see me watching Alex Riley on Main Event’ Phillips.
Match Number One: Bayley and Charlotte versus Alicia Fox and Aksana
Bayley and Aksana start things off. Aksana wants a hug from Bayley and Bayley gets suckered in and Aksana with a knee. Aksana with a side slam and Aksana crawls around the ring. Aksana with a kick for a near fall. Aksana with elbow drops and she gets a near fall. Aksana sends Bayley into the turnbuckles and Alicia tags in and hits a drop kick for a near fall. Alicia sends Bayley into the turnbuckles.
Alicia with a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Alicia with a hard Irish whip and Aksana tags in. Aksana with kicks to Bayley and Alicia is tagged in. Alicia with a kick and she tags Aksana back in. Aksana sends Bayley to the mat. Aksana with a quarter nelson and chin lock.
Aksana with a forearm to the back and Aksana sends Bayley into the turnbuckles and she chokes Bayley.
Bayley with a hug into a belly-to-belly suplex and both women are down. Alicia and Charlotte tag in and Charlotte with a rollup and bridge. Alicia with a kick followed by an Irish whip but Charlotte does the Flair Flip. Charlotte with a shoulder and she goes up top but Alicia with a press slam but Charlotte rolls through and hits a clothesline for a near fall.
Charlotte gets Alicia on her shoulders and Bayley tags herself in. Alicia with a kick to Bayley and an Irish whip. Bayley knocks Aksana off the apron and then Bayley gets a three count on a rollup.
Winners: Bayley and Charlotte
Sylvester Lefort and Scott Dawson are in the back and Alexander Rusev is there too. Sylvester says that it is about getting revenge on Mason Ryan for what he did to Scott. Sylvester says that he will guide Alexander and someone will have his back. Sylvester asks Alexander what is he going to do to Mason Ryan. Alexander shows a board with Mason’s name on it and he breaks it.
Sylvester says that when they win, they will get the money and then they will go to Sizzler. Scott says that he loves Sizzler.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Rick Victor (with Conor O’Brian) versus Corey Graves (with Adrian Neville)
Victor holds Graves’ title belt as the bell rings. Graves with a double leg take down and he punches Victor. Graves kicks Victor and then he sends him into the turnbuckles. Graves sends Victor into the opposite turnbuckles and then he punches Victor. Graves chokes Victor in the ropes and the referee warns him. Graves with a kick.
Victor with a punch to the ribs followed by a forearm to the back. Graves with punches and a head butt. Graves with a back elbow and he gets a near fall. Graves with a kick to the hamstring and a step over toe hold. Victor kicks Graves away. Graves with a front face lock. Victor backs Graves into the corner and he punches him in the ribs. Victor with a knee and forearm to Graves’ back. Victor with a forearm.
Victor with a European uppercut followed by a chop. Graves with a chop and punches. Graves with a suplex and he gets a near fall. Graves punches Victor and he connects with a cross body but he cannot make the cover due to the injury to his ribs.
Victor with boots to the ribs. Victor rakes at the eyes and the referee warns him. Graves with punches and Victor with a kick to the midsection. Graves has a kick blocked and he hits a spinning kick but when Graves charges at Victor, Victor sends Graves into the air and Graves lands on the ropes and he goes to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Victor continues to work on the ribs with kicks. Graves with punches but Victor with shots to the ribs. Victor removes the tape from Graves’ ribs and he continues to work on the ribs. Victor with a forearm followed by chops and European uppercuts. Victor gets Graves on his shoulders and he hits a gutbuster for a near fall.
Victor with knees to the ribs and he rubs his knee across Graves’ ribs and Victor with a rear chin lock while working on the back as well to add more pressure to the ribs. Victor with boots to Graves’ ribs and he stomps on the abdomen. Graves tries for a punch but Victor stays out of reach.
Victor with a double sledge to the back and he gets a near fall. Victor with a rear chin lock and he puts his knee in Graves’ back. Victor continues to work on the back and then he connects with an elbow drop to the back and he gets a near fall.
Victor runs into a boot and Graves with elbows. Graves with punches to Victor. Graves with a leaping knee to the head. Graves with jabs to Victor followed by back fists. Graves with an STO followed by a forearm to the back of the head.
O’Brian tries to interfere but Neville with a drop kick to send O’Brian to the floor followed by a pescado onto Conor.
Meanwhile, back in the ring, Victor with a kick and he gets Graves on his shoulders. Graves counters with an inside cradle for the three count.
Winner: Corey Graves
After the match, O’Brian attacks Neville and sends him to the floor from the apron while Victor is shocked at the result of the match.
Sasha Banks is in the make up area and Summer Rae asks Sasha if she is thinking about becoming relevant next week. Sasha tells Summer to get away from her. The match next week can be life changing for her but Summer is trying to stir up trouble.
Summer says this match could make Sasha relevant. Paige is an Anti-Diva. It means that she thinks she is better than everyone else. Summer says that Paige is not better than her. She tells Sasha that she should give Paige the beating of her life. Summer says that she knows that Sasha has an inner rage and she needs to let it loose. Summer asks Sasha if she really has that inner rage.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Renee Young is in the interview area and she is with the NXT Women’s Champion Paige. Renee asks Paige about her match next week with Sasha. Paige says that she doesn’t know what Summer is up to but she does not care. Sasha is good but Paige reminds us that she is the champion.
Paige tells Renee what it means to be an Anti-Diva. Paige says that she is not her to be a cover girl. She is here to cover girls in the ring. She will be the most dominant Diva in the WWE. Sasha has to go to Summer to find out what it is like to be in the ring with Paige. She tells Sasha that she will give her the fight of her life next week.
Sylvester Lefort introduces himself and his protégé Scott Dawson. He introduces the newest member of his Fighting Legion . . . Alexander Rusev.
Match Number Three: Mason Ryan versus Alexander Rusev (with Scott Dawson and Sylvester Lefort)
They lock up and go to a stalemate. They lock up again and Ryan sends Rusev into the corner but they lock up again and Rusev with a knee and forearm. Ryan with a back elbow and a boot in the corner. Ryan with a shoulder tackle. Rusev with a flying spinning heel kick. Rusev gets a near fall.
Rusev with a series of diving head butts to Ryan. Rusev with a head butt to the chest and then he traps the arms and he connects with head butts to the sternum. Rusev with a splash to Ryan against the ropes and Rusev gets a near fall.
Ryan with punches but Rusev with kicks. Rusev misses a splash into the corner and Rusev hits the ring post. Ryan grabs Rusev by the throat but Rusev with a punch. Ryan with punches to Rusev followed by a clothesline. Ryan with a running clothesline into the corner. Ryan with another Irish whip and clothlesine. Ryan with a boot to the head.
Dawson gets on the apron and Ryan brings Dawson into the ring. Ryan with a clothesline to Rusev and then he sends Dawson over the top rope to the floor with a clothesline. Lefort gets on the apron to try to distract Ryan. Ryan grabs Lefort and Rusev with a shoulder into the corner. Rusev puts Ryan in the Camel Clutch and Ryan taps out.
Winner: Alexander Rusev
We see Leo Kruger outside and he stands over Xavier Woods. He tells Xavier ta-ta.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Sami Zayn versus Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter)
They lock up and Swagger misses a punch and Zayn with punches to Swagger. The referee warns Zayn and Swagger with a kick and shoulder tackle. Swagger with a shoulder tackle and he throws out a We The People. Zayn with a drop kick and punches.
Zayn sends Swagger into the turnbuckles. Zayn with an elbow to the back of the head followed by chops. Zayn with a forearm and he gets a near fall. Zayn with a punch. Zayn with a drop kick and Swagger goes to the floor. Zayn teases a plancha but Swagger moves. Zayn does an Arabian Press and lands on his feet.
Zayn wants Swagger to return to the ring and Zayn slides to the floor and he punches Swagger. Zayn sends Swagger’s head into the apron and then they return to the ring. Colter distracts Zayn on the apron and Swagger with a clothesline when Zayn returns to the ring. Swagger with kicks and then he backs Zayn into the corner and he connects with knees and then he connects with Panic Attack as we go to commercial.
We are back and Swagger with a key lock on Zayn. Zayn with punches and kicks. Swagger with a belly-to-belly for a near fall. Swagger sends Zayn to the apron and Zayn with a shoulder. Swagger with a suplex. Zayn with punches but Swagger with knees.
Swagger with a short arm clothesline and Zayn has trouble maintaining his balance and he falls to the mat. Swagger chokes Zayn in the ropes. Swagger traps the arms and he sends Zayn to the mat. Zayn with chops but Swagger with a knee. Swagger charges at Zayn but Zayn drops down and Swagger goes over the top rope to the floor. Zayn with a plancha onto Swagger and he gets a second wind.
Zayn sends Swagger back into the ring and then Zayn goes up top and he hits a cross body for a near fall. Zayn sets for the Yakuza Kick but Swagger blocks it and he tries for a throw to the mat but Zayn counters with a sunset flip. Swagger with a waist lock throw for a near fall. Swagger tries for the Oklahoma Stampede but Zayn counters into a Blue Thunder Driver for a near fall.
Swagger with a single leg take down and he tries for the ankle lock but Zayn fights out of it. Swagger with a Doctor Bomb but Zayn kicks out at two. The straps come down and Swagger applies the ankle lock. Zayn kicks Swagger in the arm but Swagger holds on to the ankle lock. Zayn tries to fight through the pain and grab for the ropes. Zayn gets to the ropes and Swagger releases the hold.
Swagger pie faces Zayn. Zayn kicks at Swagger while trying to protect his injured ankle. Swagger with boots to Zayn and Swagger tries for the Swagger Bomb but Zayn gets his knees up. Zayn hits the Yakuza Kick but he can only get a near fall.
Zayn with punches but Swagger punches back. Zayn in control with forearms to the back followed by double sledges. Zayn points to the turnbuckles and he struggles to get up top. Swagger is able to recover and he crotches Zayn. They fight on the turnbuckles. Zayn with a sunset flip power bomb but Swagger kicks out at two.
Bo Dallas makes his way to the ring to give some moral support for someone, maybe himself.
Zayn gets distracted by Dallas and Swagger applies the ankle lock and Zayn has to tap out.
Winner: Jack Swagger
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