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March 7th
On this day in history in ....
1939 - Dean Detton defeats Lou Plummer for the San Francisco Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title in San Francisco, California.
1940 - Ray Steele defeats Bronko Nagurski to win the National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title in St. Louis, Missouri.
1953 - Gorgeous George defeats Don McIntyre for the Georgia NWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia, ending McIntyre's eighth reign.
1955 - Gloria Barattini wins her second NWA Florida Women's Title in Tampa, Florida, ending Betty Hawkins' third reign.
1961 - Eddie Graham defeats Buddy Austin for the Florida NWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Tampa, Florida.
1963 - Bruce Prichard is born.
1963 - Buddy Austin and Great Scott defeat Johnny Barend and Buddy Rogers to win the Northeast NWA United States Tag Team Title in Washington, DC. During Austin and Scott's reign, NWA Capitol Wrestling left the NWA and became the World Wide Wrestling Federation, with the title becoming the WWWF United States Tag Team Title.
1967 - In Tokyo, Japan, NWA International Heavyweight Champion Giant Baba fought WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino to a draw in a two-out-of-three falls match to retain his title. Each man one a fall each by pinfall with bodypresses, taking just over a half-hour in total. The match ended in a draw when the third fall reached the 60-minute time limit for the match. The WWWF title was not at stake.
1969 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results:
- Irish Jackie and Little Beaver defeated Little Brutus and Sky Low Low in a two-out-of-three falls match.
- Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Tom Branden.
- Bulldog Brower defeated Louis Cerdan.
- Johnny Rodz defeated Bob Harmon.
- Baron Mikel Scicluna and John L. Sullivan (Johnny Valiant) fought to a draw.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Killer Kowalski by countout to retain the title.
1969 - Mario Milano and The Spoiler (Don Jardine) defeat Don Leo Jonathan and Antonio Pugiliese to win the International Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title in Sydney, Australia.
1970 - Baron Von Raschke wins the World Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title from Dick the Bruiser in Chicago, Illinois, ending his fourth reign.
1973 - Championship Wrestling from Florida held an event at the Convention Center in Miami Beach, Florida. The results were:
- Scott Casey and Ron Starr fought to a draw.
- José Azzeri and Treach Phillips fought to a draw.
- NWA Florida Women's Champion Bonnie Watson defeated Kathy O'Day to retain the title.
- NWA Florida Tag Team Champions Mike Graham and Kevin Sullivan defeated Gorgeous George, Jr. and Ron Wright to retain the title.
- Paul Jones defeated Florida NWA Southern Heavyweight Champion Mr. Kleen by disqualification. Kleen retained the title.
- NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion Buddy Colt defeated Mark Lewin to retain the title.
1975 - George Gouliovas wins his second NWA Austra-Asian Heavyweight Title in Sydney, Australia, from The Great Mephisto.
1975 - Terry Latham and Ron Starr defeat The Hell's Angels for the NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Title in Dothan, Alabama, ending the Angels' second reign.
1977 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results:
- Don Kent and Jose Gonzalez fought to a draw.
- Gino Hernandez defeated Johnny Rodz.
- Larry Zbyszko defeated Doug Gilbert.
- Bobo Brazil defeated Jan Nelson.
- Carlos Rocha defeated Executioner #2 (Big John Studd).
- Ivan Putski defeated Executioner #1 (Killer Kowalski).
- Tony Garea defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- Dusty Rhodes defeated Rocky Tomayo.
- WWWF World Tag Team Champions Chief Jay Strongbow and Billy White Wolf defeated Tor Kamata and Stan Stasiak to retain the title.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Ken Patera to retain the title, after guest referee Gorilla Monsoon stopped the match due to Patera's excessive bleeding.
1977 - John Anson and Ski-Hi Morse defeat Don Leo Jonathan and Dutch Savage to win the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.
1978 - Mike Graham and Steve Keirn win their second Florida NWA United States Tag Team Title in Miami, Florida, defeating Jack and Jerry Brisco.
1980 - Larry Lane defeats Bob Morgan in Amarillo, Texas to win the NWA Western States Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign.
1981 - Medic II defeats Maravilla for the WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Title in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
1982 - The Cadillac Tournament was held at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario. The results were:
First round:
- Jimmy Valiant defeated Tim Gerard.
- Austin Idol defeated Jake Roberts.
- Johnny Weaver defeated Jay Youngblood.
- Jesse Ventura defeated Mike Rotundo.
- Big John Studd defeated John Bonello.
- Blackjack Mulligan, Jr. (Barry Windham) defeated The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) by disqualification.
- Ricky Steamboat defeated Adrian Adonis.
- Roddy Piper defeated Dino Bravo.
Quarterfinals:
- Jimmy Valiant defeated Austin Idol.
- Jesse Ventura defeated Johnny Weaver.
- Blackjack Mulligan, Jr. and Big John Studd fought to a double-countout.
- Ricky Steamboat defeated Roddy Piper, however, Steamboat was assaulted and injured by Roddy Piper after the match, leaving Steamboat unable to continue in the tournament. This changed Valiant and Ventura's semifinal match to the tournament final.
Finals:
- Jimmy Valiant defeated Jesse Ventura to win the Cadillac Tournament.
1983 - Dino Bravo defeats Billy Robinson in Montreal, Quebec to win the International Wrestling International Heavyweight Title for the fourth time, ending Robinson's second reign.
1983 - Stagger Lee (Koko B. Ware) defeats Bobby Eaton for the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning his second reign and ending Eaton's fourth. At the same show, Jerry Lawler defeats Austin Idol to win the AWA International Heavyweight Title.
1984 - Mark Youngblood defeats Dick Slater in a tournament final to win the NWA Television Title in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The title had been vacated in January when Jimmy Valiant, who held the title and was wrestling under the name Charlie Brown, went back to using his other name.
1985 - Gary Royal defeats Marty Jannetty to win the NWA Central States Television Title in Kansas City, Kansas.
1986 - Al Perez defeats Jos LeDuc for the WWC North American Heavyweight Title in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
1987 - The WWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, with nearly all the matches taped for future editions of Prime Time Wrestling. The results were:
- Pedro Morales pinned Jimmy Jack Funk after a backbreaker. This match aired on March 16.
- Jim Duggan pinned Moondog Spot after a running clothesline. This match aired on March 16.
- Don Muraco and Bob Orton, Jr. (with Mr. Fuji) defeated Jerry Allen and Dan Spivey, when Orton pinned Allen after a superplex. This match aired on March 16.
- Ron Bass pinned Special Delivery Jones after a flying back elbow. This match aired on March 16.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart (with Danny Davis and Jimmy Hart)) defeated The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers (Jacques and Raymond), when Bret pinned Jacques after Davis came in the ring and reversed Jacques' small package behind the referee's back. This match aired on April 13.
- Outback Jack pinned Jimmy Jack Funk (subbing for Barry O) after a bulldog.
- Billy Jack Haynes, WWF Champion Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper defeated Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart), Hercules and Paul Orndorff (with Bobby Heenan) in an Elimination match. Piper and Adonis were both counted out, Hogan pinned Orndorff with a roll-up, Hercules pinned Haynes after a running clothesline from the corner, and Hogan pinned Hercules after a legdrop. This match aired on April 20.
1987 - Lazer Tron (Hector Guerrero) defeats Denny Brown in Atlanta, Georgia to win the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title, ending Brown's third reign.
1988 - Max Pain and Gary Young defeat The Bruise Brothers (Ron and Don) for the Championship (formerly Continental) Wrestling Association Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning their second reign.
1989 - Houston Wrestling promoter and announcer Paul Boesch dies after a heart attack in Sugar Land, Texas. He was 76 years old.
1993 - Nick Tarentino defeats The Lightning Kid (Sean Waltman) to win the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation Maryland Title in Baltimore, Maryland, beginning his second reign.
1994 - The USWA held "Memphis Memories" at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee. The results:
- The Nightmares (Ken Wayne and Danny Davis) and Skull Von Krush defeated Jeff Gaylord, King Corba and Spellbinder, when Davis pinned Gaylord.
- JC Ice vs. Wolfie D ended in a double-countout.
- Koko B. Ware pinned Billy Joe Travis.
- Tommy Rich defeated Jimmy Valiant by disqualification.
- USWA Tag Team Champions The Moondogs (Rex and Spot) defeated Frankenstein and Leatherface.
- Austin Idol, Jerry Lawler and USWA Southern Heavyweight Champion Brian Christopher defeated Terry Funk, Doug Gilbert and USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion Eddie Gilbert by disqualification.
- Tommy Gilbert, Al Greene, Don Greene, Jerry Jarrett, Sputnik Monroe and Lance Russell were inducted to the Memphis Hall of Fame.
- Jerry Lawler defeated USWA Southern Heavyweight Champion Brian Christopher, Terry Funk, Doug Gilbert, USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion Eddie Gilbert, Austin Idol, Moondog Spot, Tommy Rich, Jimmy Valiant and Koko B. Ware in a 10-man Four Corners Elimination match.
1994 - Mike Furnas defeats Killer Kyle for the SMW Television Title in Dungannon, Virginia.
1995 - Ricky Fuji and Hisakatsu Ooya defeat Yukihiro Kanemura and Mr. Pogo for the FMW World Brass Knuckles Tag Team Title in Iwate, Japan.
1997 - Salvatore Sincere defeats Brian Anthony to win the NWA Pro Wrestling eXpress Heavyweight Title in North Versailles, Pennsylvania.
1998 - The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt) are awarded the NWA 2000 Tag Team Title in Hope Mills, North Carolina. The Hardys gave up the title on June 29 when they left NWA 2000 after officially signing with the WWF. At the same event, Eddie Brown defeats The Iron Sheik for the NWA 2000 American Heritage Heavyweight Title.
1999 - Michael Hayes pins champion Baldo (Albert/A-Train/Giant Bernard) in a tag team match in Jonesboro, Arkansas, with Hayes and Brandon Baxter against Baldo and Randy Hales, to win the Power Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title. At the same event, Derrick King and Kid Wikkid win a tournament for the vacant PPW Tag Team Title.
1999 - Ringo Mendoza defeats Satánico for the CMLL World Middleweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.
2000 - WCW held the 103rd edition of Thunder at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which aired live on TBS and got a 1.9 rating. The results were:
- The Artist Formerly Known as Prince Iaukea (with Paisley) defeated Psychosis (with Juventud Guerrera) by disqualification in a WCW Cruiserweight Title Tournament match.
- The Demon defeated Idol (Lodi) (with (Lenny) Lane).
- The Cat defeated The Maestro (with Symphony).
- Dustin Rhodes defeated Lash LeRoux.
- Fit Finlay vs. Meng ended in a no-contest.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions The Mamalukes (Big Vito & Johnny The Bull (with Disco Inferno)) defeated Billy Kidman & Booker (with Torrie Wilson), Harlem Heat 2000 (Big T & Stevie Ray (with Cash & J. Biggs)) and The Harris Boys (Don & Ron) in a Four Corners Elimination match to retain the title.
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett defeated Vampiro to retain the title.
2000 - Lioness Asuka defeats Sumie Sakai by forfeit in Tokyo, Japan to retain her Trans-World Wrestling Federation
World Singles Title and win the TWF World Tag Team Title. Asuka was originally scheduled to face Sakai for both titles, but Sakai was injured. Asuka awarded the title to Crusher Maedomari and Drake Morimatsu.
2001 - Tommy Dreamer defeats Scott D'Amore and Rhino in a three-way match to win the Border City Wrestling Can-Am Heavyweight Title, which was stripped from Sabu that day, in Oldcastle, Ontario. Also at that event, Otis Apollo and Johnny Swinger defeat Geza Kalman, Jr. and Dyson Pryce for the BCW Can-Am Tag Team Title.
2002 - Troy Thompson, Jr., better known to Memphis wrestling fans as "Dream Machine" Troy Graham, dies of a heart attack at age 47.
2003 - Zack Mercury defeats Brian Jewel for the vacant NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Spyder was stripped of the title the same day and was suspended from the NWA. At the same event, Brian Jewel defeats Dick Walker to win his fourth Canadian Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Title.
2003 - Vince Vicallo defeats Billy Kryptonite (Chad Toland) to win the Chaotic Wrestling New England Heavyweight Title in Methuen, Massachusetts.
2005 - WWE taped the 615th episode of RAW and the 340th Sunday Night Heat at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. On Spike TV, the ratings were 3.8 for RAW and 0.8 for Heat. The results were:
- In a dark match, Shamus Young pinned Murray Happer with a sunset flip off the middle turnbuckle.
Heat:
- Gene Snitsky pinned Val Venis after a pumphandle slam.
- Chris Masters defeated Caprice Coleman by submission with the Masterlock.
- World Tag Team Champions William Regal and Tajiri defeated Simon Dean and Maven, when Regal pinned Dean after a running kneelift.
RAW:
- World Heavyweight Champion Triple H pinned Rosey after the Pedigree.
- Kane pinned Christian after a chokeslam.
- Edge pinned Chris Jericho after a DDT.
- Chris Benoit defeated WWE Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin by submission with the Crippler Crossface.
- Batista pinned Ric Flair (with World Heavyweight Champion Triple H) after the Batista Bomb.
- In a dark match after the show, Batista pinned World Heavyweight Champion Triple H after the Batista Bomb.
2006 - WWE taped the 343rd edition of Friday Night SmackDown! and 189th Velocity at the Civic Center in Mobile, Alabama. The results:
Velocity:
- Super Crazy defeated Simon Dean.
- The Pitbulls (Kid Kash and Jamie Noble) defeated Funaki and Scotty 2 Hotty.
- Tatanka defeated Frankie Ciatso (Frankie Capone/Coverdale).
- WWE Tag Team Champions MNM (Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro (with Melina)) defeated Brian Kendrick and Paul London.
SmackDown!:
- Bobby Lashley and Finlay fought to a no contest in a Money in the Bank qualifying match.
- Paul Birchill defeated William Regal.
- Kristal defeated Jillian Hall in a Divas Uncovered match.
- WWE United States Champion Chris Benoit defeated WWE Cruiserweight Champion Gregory Helms.
- Rey Mysterio and World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle defeated Mark Henry (with Daivari) and Randy Orton by disqualification.
2007 - OVW held its weekly television taping at Davis Arena in Louisville, Kentucky. The results:
Dark matches:
- Vito defeated Ramón.
- Cassidy Riley defeated T.J. Dalton.
- Vladimir Kozlov defeated Judge Reason.
- The Basham Brothers (Danny and Doug) defeated Mike Tolar and Wyatt Young.
- Tony Braddock (Roadkill) defeated Adam Evans.
- Beth Phoenix defeated Maryse.
- Deuce, Domino and OVW Television Champion Mike Kruel defeated Johnny Jeter, Cody Runnels and Shawn Spears.
Television matches:
- Jake Hager defeated Dewey.
- Tommaso defeated Jamin Olivencia.
- OVW Heavyweight Champion Paul Birchill defeated Little Guido to retain the title.
- OVW Southern Tag Team Champions Ox and Hammer (Charles Evans & Justin LaRouche) defeated Chet the Jett & Steve Lewington, Gothic Mayhem (Pat Buck & Johnny Punch) and The Belgium Brawler & Nick Sinn.
2008 - TNA broadcast Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Sunday night is Destination X and it is time to see the six men who are in the main event will battle in three different matches. If you are a fan of battle royales (and if you name is Buck Woodward, the answer is obvious), we will have one tonight with the winner getting to choose his match for the pay per view. What is next for Jay Lethal as he gets ready to defend his X Division title? Will ODB or Gail Kim get an advantage on the TNA Women’s Champion Awesome Kong tonight? What will Shark Boy say this week? What about the newishlyweds of Karen and A.J. Styles-Angle-Angle-Angle-Styles? What is next for Abyss since he left his mask in the Impact Zone a few weeks ago? What new matches will be announced for Destination X?
We start off tonight’s show with a look back at Robert Roode and Payton Banks whipping Booker T and Traci Brooks. What about Eric Young and his fear of monsters? Rhino appeared during the Drinking Title match and GORED James Storm. ODB laid down the challenge to Awesome Kong. Kurt Angle
Jeremy Borash is in the dressing room and he tells Tomko and A.J. that they need to win two of the three matches tonight to get the advantage on Sunday. A.J. asks where Karen is and Kurt yells at him. Kurt says that Karen is at home. A.J. says that he called Karen and Kurt wonders why he called Karen. Angle tells A.J. to take out Nash’s knees to beat him. Angle points out that Samoans love to bleed when he talks about the First Blood Match that Tomko has with Joe. Kurt talks about his Six Sides of Steel Match against Christian Cage. Angle calls for a Whoa Angle cheer.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike Tenay and Don West.
Jim Cornette is in the ring and he is with Matt Morgan. Jim Cornette talks about the matches that have already been announced for the pay per view. Cornette points out that the teams for the six man tag match will be in three separate matches. Kevin Nash will face A.J. Styles in a Street Fight. Tomko will wrestle Samoa Joe in a First Blood Match. Kurt Angle will meet Christian Cage in a Six Sides of Steel Match. The team that wins the most matches tonight will have an advantage. Cornette turns his attention to the Robert Roode/Booker T match and he brings out Booker T.
We look at the whipping from last week one more time as Booker comes to the ring.
Cornette reminds Booker about the things that have happened involving Robert Roode. Cornette talks about how they will be joined together by a ten foot leather strap. Cornette says that Traci will be in Booker’s corner while Payton will be in Roode’s corner. If Roode wins, Payton Banks will be able to whip Traci ten times, but if Booker wins, Traci will be able to do the same to Payton.
Booker is interrupted by Robert Roode and his music. Roode says ‘screw you’ to Cornette and Booker T. Roode says that unlike Booker, he does not want to put a woman like Payton Banks in harm’s way. To him, it is pathetic to see Payton get strapped. He says that it is against his moral fiber. It is between him and Booker, not the ladies. He tells Booker to stop hiding behind his skanks and for once in his life, be a man and fight his own battles. Booker says that he is ready right now.
Booker and Roode fight on the ramp and security comes out and they separate Booker and Roode, but that does not work so well.
TO THE BACK where Crystal is with Samoa Joe, Christian Cage, and Kevin Nash. Joe says that Kurt has been warned and tonight they will take advantage and gain an advantage. Christian says that they have come to an understanding and they all understand business. In order to make it, you should never take no for an answer. Christian says that it is all about working the system. Christian says that they are two former World Champions and a future World Champion. Tonight, he gets revenge on Angle for the two times he got screwed out of the title. Christian encourages Nash to follow him and Nash figures that if you can’t beat them, mimic a star from the 80s as he cuts a promo like Hulk Hogan. We go to commercial.
Match Number One: A.J. Styles-Angle-Styles-Styles-Angle-Angle versus Kevin Nash in a Street Fight
A.J. goes to the apron when Nash enters the ring before the bell rings. Styles goes after Nash with punches but Nash punches Styles and A.J. staggers to the match. Styles goes for the legs, but Nash with punches and A.J. goes to the floor. Nash goes out after Styles. Nash pushes Styles off the guardrail and they fight into the crowd. We go to commercial.
We are back and they are back in the ring and Styles punches Nash and then he kicks him in the knee. We see footage from during the break and Styles hits a forearm from the bleachers. We are back to live on tape action and Styles works on the leg but Nash hits a side slam for a near fall. Nash with knees in the corner followed by a series of elbows. Nash with snake eyes and Styles staggers. Nash with a powerbomb like move but Nash’s knee appears to have given out. Styles goes up top but Nash grabs Styles as he comes off and Nash hits a choke slam for the three count.
Winner: Kevin Nash
Crystal is in the back with Black Reign. Crystal says something bad about Misty and Black Reign yells at Crystal. He talks about how he enjoys torturing people like Eric Young. Black Reign says that if Kaz makes it to Destination X, he will eat Kazarian’s face off (I am not making this up). We go to commercial.
We are back and Crystal is with Randy and Elizabeth and she asks Jay about his match at the pay per view and tonight, but who cares about wrestling because Val and Jay are going to go on a date. Jay tells Crystal ‘business’ first. Jay talks about eliminating 29 others tonight in the battle royale before beating Petey at the pay per view.
We go TO THE BACK where Traci Brooks and Payton banks are fighting. Traci sends Payton into a number of doors.
Jeremy Borash is with Eric Young and Eric gets scared at the sight of Borash. Jeremy asks Eric about his tag match with Frankie Kazarian against Black Reign and Rellik. Jeremy tries to give Eric a pep talk, but Eric Young is no Rudy.
We see the weight problems that Team 3D has experienced over the last few weeks. I wonder if this means something for the match?
Brother Ray gets on the mic and says that after they make weight, Team 3D will win the battle royale. Earl Hebner turns his thumbs down to Devon. Ray has no luck with his weight. Ray says that they don’t want to be in this stupid battle royale anyway. He says that they cannot make the weight because muscle weighs more than fat.
Match Number Two: Destination X Battle Royale where the winner gets to add a stipulation to their match featuring Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Rellik, Black Reign, Jimmy Rave, Lance Hoyt, Homicide, Hernandez, Eric Young, Jay Lethal, Petey Williams, Shark Boy, Curry Man, Brother Ray, and Brother Devon
The match begins and we see pandemonium in the ring, but Sonjay Dutt comes out to hit on Val. Scott Steiner and Rhaka Khan come out as Petey Williams goes to the apron. Homicide is sent to the apron and Chris Sabin with a drop kick that knocks Homicide off the apron to eliminate them. Shelley and Sabin turn their attention to Rave, but Shelley and Sabin are quickly eliminated by Hernandez. Williams with a drop kick to Hernandez while Hernandez is on the apron, Rhaka Khan distracts Earl Hebner because it is after his bedtime and Steiner eliminated Hernandez. Williams sends Young to the apron and Young skins the cat and he tries to take Williams to the floor. Another referee stops Steiner but Young is still eliminated when Williams hits a drop kick.
Curry Man and Shark Boy eliminate Lance Hoyt. Rellik presses Shark Boy over his head but Shark Boy goes into the deep end on the floor. Rellik hits a slingshot face plant to Curry Man. Lethal sends Black Reign to the floor. Lethal and Williams fight in the ring and Williams hits a Canadian Destroyer to eliminate Lethal. Curry Man sends Williams to the floor to eliminate him. We are down to the final three and it is Rellik, Jimmy Rave, and Curry Man. Curry Man punches Rellik and Rave does the same. Rave with a Shining Wizard to Rellik. Curry Man sends Rave over the top rope to the floor. Rellik hits Curry Man in the back. Curry Man lands on Jimmy Rave’s back and he dances on Rave before returning to the ring. Curry Man with a clothesline that sends Rellik over the top rope to the floor.
Winner: Curry Man
After the match, Curry Man gets a mic and he goes through a number of Japanese wrestler’s names but he is interrupted by another masked man who sounds like a foreigner. Shark Boy says that if Team 3D cannot make the weight at Destination X, they are gone from TNA. If they make the weight, there will be a Fish Market Street Fight.
TO THE BACK for Jeremy Borash to interview Angelina Love and Velvet Sky. Jeremy asks about last week’s premonition from Roxxi Laveaux. They see Roxxi walking behind. Angelina says that they want to apologize for mocking Roxxi last week. Angelina says that next week, they are going to give Roxxi a makeover.
Match Number Three: Tomko versus Samoa Joe in a First Blood Match
Tomko goes to the floor and Joe goes after him. Joe with a chop and then he slams Tomko’s head into the table. Joe gets the hammer but Tomko stops him. Tomko misses with the hammer and Joe sends Tomko into the apron. Joe sends Tomko into the ring post and Tomko is not bleeding yet. Joe with a head butt to Tomko but no blood. Joe slams Tomko’s head into the ring steps. Tomko slams Joe on the ramp. Tomko gets a chair but Joe moves out of the way. Joe gets Tomko up and hits a piledriver on the ramp, but there is no blood. The action returns to the ring and Joe falls victim to a clothesline from Tomko. Tomko with a chop and punch to Joe. Tomko with more punches to Joe as the referee checks on Joe. Tomko with a snap mare and neck vise. Tomko with a reverse chin lock but Joe gets out of the hold. Tomko with a big boot to Joe. Tomko gets a chair and he tosses it into the ring. Tomko wedges the chair into the turnbuckles. Joe stops short of the chair and he connects with a forearm. Tomko is sent into the chair and the referee looks for blood. Joe grabs the chair. Tomko with a knee and Joe with a Van Yakuzanator but Tomko is not bleeding. Tomko hits Joe with the chair, but Joe gets his arm up. Joe puts Tomko in the Choke and the referee calls for the bell, but Tomko is the winner because Joe’s arm is bleeding.
Winner: Tomko
We have an Elevation X video package.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for Rough Cut with BG and Kip James. Kip talks about how he first worked with BG James. They talk about how they begged to be put together since they weren’t really doing anything. Kip talks about how he was the workhorse while BG was the one on the mic. He says that BG did not have to be in shape. They talk about the problems that existed between the two.
James Mitchell and Judas Mesias are with Jeremy Borash and Jeremy asks about Abyss/Chris’s whereabouts. Mitchell says that nobody should doubt him again. His number one son, Judas Mesias did what he promised he would do. Abyss is no more. He removed his mask and the nightmare is over. Now ChrisAbyssParksMitchellStyles can go with his mother. Mitchell talks about Wino and his problems with alcohol. He reminds Rhino that you need to control things, not overindulge. He says that he will enjoy seeing Judas biting chunks of Rhino’s flesh.
Rhino gets on the mic before his match and he calls Storm a piece of crap and he destroys the most prestigious title in TNA history. Rhino wants his opponent to come to the ring for some GOREs.
Match Number Four: Rhino versus Judas Mesias with James Parks-Mitchell
Rhino with a side head lock to Mesias but Rhino with a shoulder tackle. Rhino blocks at hip toss and then he sends Mesias over the top rope to the floor. Rhino with a punch on the floor and then he sends Mesias into the guardrail as Rhino raises his arms for no apparent reason. Rhino with a forearm and then he Irish whips Mesias into the guardrails. Rhino with chops and a punch to Mesias. Mesias with a clothesline to Rhino and then he punches Rhino in the head. Mesias with a hard Irish whip to Rhino and Mesias with a side Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Mesias goes to the apron and then he goes up top but misses a frog splash when Rhino moves. Rhino sets for the GORE and he hits it and gets the three count.
Winner: Rhino
After the match, James Storm makes his way into the ring and he hits a super kick on Rhino.
We go to the back where Crystal is with Awesome Kong and Raisha Saeed. Saeed apologizes in advance to what Kong is going to do to Salinas. Apparently Kong must destroy her. Saeed turns her attention to Gail Kim and ODB. Each have committed an act of war and they will suffer the Wrath of Kong. The fatwah has been issued.
LAX enter the interview area and they get too close to Saeed and Kong goes after Homicide and we go to commercial.
Match Number Five: Salinas with Homicide and Hernandez versus Awesome Kong Raisha Saeed in a Non-Title Match
Kong misses a spinning back fist but Salinas with kicks to Kong. Kong with a body block that takes Salinas to the mat. Kong with a torture rack and then she throws Salinas to the mat. Kong tosses Salinas by the hair. Salinas with forearms and kicks but they have no effect on Kong. Kong with the spinning back fist followed by a sit out power bomb for the three count.
Winner: Awesome Kong
TO THE BACK for comments from Gail Kim and ODB. Crystal is with them. Gail says that Kong seems unstoppable and invincible, but she can be beat. There are two of them at Destination X. Gail says that Kong’s weakness is when she gets knocked off her feet. Crystal asks which one of them gets the pin. Gail says the better wrestler will be the winner.
Don and Mike run through the card for Destination X
The six sides of steel mysteriously appears in the Impact Zone as it is time for our main event.
Match Number Six: Christian Cage versus Kurt Angle in a Six Sides of Steel Match to determine who gets a five minute advantage at Destination X
Christian with a waist lock but Angle with a side head lock take down. Angle with a shoulder tackle and side head lock take down. Angle with a knee followed by European uppercut. Christian with a flap jack and then he punches and chokes Angle. Christian with a chop followed by an Irish whip but he charges into an elbow. Angle tries to climb the cage but Cage gets him off the cage. Angle with elbows and knees. Angle tries to send Cage’s face into the cage but Christian blocks it. Angel with a kick and then he tries for a power bomb and he sends Christian into the cage. We go to commercial.
We are back and Christian is down as Angle goes for the door but he takes his time and Christian keeps Angle in the cage. Christian with chops but Angle with a knee. Angle with a suplex. Angle sends Christian into the cage and then he connects with a European uppercut and a reverse chin lock. Angle catapults Christian into the cage one more time but Christian responds with a DDT. Christian with punches to Angle but Angle with an Irish whip. Christian with an inverted DDT and Cage climbs his namesake. Angle gets to the top rope and he tries for a superplex from the top but Christian knocks Angle off the turnbuckles and Cage with a frog splash but both men are down. Angle sends Christian into the cage one more time. Cage tries for a spear but Angle moves and Cage hits the cage one more time. Angle climbs the cage and he is on top. Cage pulls Angle back into the cage and they fight on the top. Angle tries for a German suplex from the top rope but Christian holds on to the cage. They fight on the top rope and Cage tries to go over the top but Angle stops Cage and hits an Olympic Slam and both men are down. The cage door is opened again but Christian grabs Angle’s boot. Angle puts Christian in the ankle lock but Cage gets out of the hold. Cage gets his hand almost on the floor but Angle has Christian by the leg and in the ankle lock. Angle tries for the Olympic slam but Christian counters and tries for the Unprettier. Angle gets out of the hold and he hits two rolling German suplex. Christian with a German suplex that sees Angle land on his chest as he flips. Christian almost gets over the top of the cage. Angle has Christian in an ankle lock on the top rope. Christian dives to the mat and Angle goes down as well. The door is open one more time and Cage is walking out the door but Angle kicks Christian in the back of the leg. Christian is caught in the ropes and Angle continues to kick Christian. Angle tries to climb the cage and he gets on top. Angle is over but Christian pulls his way up and he is also on the outside of the cage. They both fall and we have no idea who won the match but Earl Hebner is standing right in front of the two men and Earl Hebner makes good for Canada as he awards the match to Christian Cage.
Winner: Christian Cage
After the match, A.J. Styles and Tomko bring Christian into the cage. Angle, Christian, and Styles work over Cage and Angle with the Olympic slam. Styles hits the Styles Clash but Joe is unable to get into the cage. Tomko with his TKO from a torture rack. Joe tries to get into the cage while Nash stands on the steps. We go to credits.
2009 - Former ECW original Francine announced plans to hold a Legends of the Arena charity event in March of that year featuring all former ECW talent at the ECW Arena. The event would raise money for cancer charities and mark the final appearance of the former "Queen of Extreme" at a wrestling event, with the lone exception of appearing via a video message on the TNA Hardcore Justice ECW themed show a year later.
2010 - Linda McMahon announced via Twitter that Stephanie McMahon and HHH were expecting another child.
2010 - AAA in Mexico officially announced a talent agreement with TNA, opening the doors for TNA stars to work major TNA shows.
2011 - Former WWE, WCW and TNA star Scott Hall was sentenced to three months of probation by a Judge in Tampa, Florida. Hall had been charged with disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer, stemming from the incident last year where he got into it with a female bartender after she refused to keep serving him towards the end of his most recent TNA run.
2011 - WWE broadcast Raw. Mike Johnson & Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Undertaker is in the ring and says that two legends and icons will collide at Wrestlemania, and in the end, there can only be one last outlaw. He says the word on the street is that many feel that this is the year the streak will be broken, and that Father Time and all the injuries have caught up to him. There are also those that feel like it's Triple H who is the one guy that has what it takes to bring him down and end the streak. Undertaker wants to remind everyone what happened at the last two Wrestlemanias when someone else thought they had what it took to end the streak, perhaps the greatest of all time, Shawn Michaels.
We go to a great video package recapping the events of those two Wrestlemania matches, and then we come back and Undertaker says that at Wrestlemania, there will be no excuses or regrets, no disqualifications or countouts, and no rules. The match at Wrestlemania will be No Holds Barred, and anything can happen but one thing is ironclad: Triple H ends the streak and he dies, or Triple H dies trying because at Wrestlemania, he will REST...IN...PEACE.
Coming up tonight: John Cena responds to the Rock and, for the first time in a year, Stone Cold Steve Austin returns to Monday Night Raw!
Before the commercial, we go backstage to Randy Orton beating up all of Nexus by himself until Mason Ryan tackles him into the wall and the four of them are finally able to overwhelm him and allow CM Punk to get right in his face and repeatedly ram the back of his head into the wall before giving him the GTS. Punk tells his crew to pick "this piece of garbage" up and bring him to the ring NOW.
Mike tags in.
We return from commercial with Randy Orton in the ring being beaten down by CM Punk and the Nexus. A number of officials hit the ring, trying to halt the damage. Cue Steve Austin? Nope. David Otunga takes off his shirt and demands the referee ring the bell. So, the plot here was so the Nexus could defeat Orton and be at ringside for Wrestlemania during Orton vs. CM Punk.
Orton says he is ready and they ring the bell.
Randy Orton vs. David Otunga
Otunga attacks Orton in the corner and takes him down, stomping and beating him. Otunga slammed Orton and scored a near fall. He pulled up Orton and nailed a sidewalk slam for another near fall. He pulls Orton up again but Orton snaps him with an RKO for the pin.
Your winner, Randy Orton!
Orton teases the punt but Mason Ryan hits the ring and takes down Orton, He begins talking trash but Orton catches him with an RKO as well. CM Punk charges the ring but balks at hitting the ring. Orton and Punk meet eye to eye and Orton decides to punt Otunga. Punk races around the ring to pulled Otunga to safely but isn't fast enough and Otunga is punted into oblivion.
Michael Cole laughs about Jerry Lawler agreeing to Cole's choice of a special referee at Wrestlemania.
They show clips of John Cena defeating Alex Riley last week in a Steel Cage match, forcing Riley to be fired by WWE champion The Miz.
They showed Miz's comments on Twitter announcing he was refusing to appear on Raw tonight. Michael Cole pushed that Miz shouldn't be an afterthought in the Cena vs. Rock issue.
Christian came to the ring. Ricardo Rodriguez then introduced Alberto Del Rio. Brodus Clay came out with Del Rio. Del Rio cut a promo as he walked to the ring, saying it was his destiny to become the World champion at Wrestlemania. He said that he and Christian were going to fight but not tonight. He said that if Christian wants to fight him, he has to get through Clay.
Christian vs. Brodus Clay
Clay controlled Christian early, overpowering him but Christian came back with several rights. Clay destroyed him and dropped several big elbows for a two count. Clay went after Christian's pectoral injury, locking on a deep armbar. Christian tried to fight him off but was picked up for an thrown exploder suplex.
Clay went for a big splash but Christian rolled out of the way. Christian nailed several dropkicks including a missile dropkick but only received a two count. Clay decimated Christian but Christian got his shoulder up. Clay went for an over the shoulder powerslam but Christian slipped out. He avoided a charge in the corner and nailed a tornado DDT for a pinfall.
Your winner, Christian!
Alberto Del Rio attacked Christian immediately. Christian tried to fight him off but was caught in the rolling armbreaker. Del Rio released it and continued to stomp on Christian's arm and smiled as he left.
We go to Rock's comments about John Cena last night.
We return with an excellent video introducing us to Sin Cara, That was the former Alex Kozlov of AAA taking all the big spots, by the way.
Michael Cole and Josh Mathews announce the latest inductee of the 2011 WWE Hall of Fame, Sunny.
WWE Divas champion Eve Torres vs. Nikki Bella
Gail Kim is in Eve's corner.
They lock up with Eve backing her into the ropes. She controls Bella early, slamming her face-first into the turnbuckles and flinging her across the ring by her hair. She continues the beating and covers Bella for a one count.
Bella sidesteps Eve and sends her into the ropes, then chokes her against them. Nikki flings Eve across the ring and covers her for a two count as Michael Cole takes the mic and demands they get this over with. He says that while their family wanted to see them compete tonight, no one else does because everyone cares about Michael Cole's announcement.
The match continues as Cole continues ranting and raving on the mic that he's the main event. The Bella try to pull Twin Magic but the referee catches it and forces Nikki back in the ring, Eve hits a float over DDT and scores the pin.
Your winner and still WWE Divas champion Eve Torres!
Michael Cole takes the mic and says that next he's going to make his big announcement.
They run a promo for Smackdown saying that Undertaker will have a message for Triple H. Didn't he have that an hour ago?
They promo Snooki's appearance on Raw next week.
Michael Cole is in the ring doing his full Andy Kaufman. The ring is covered in a red carpet. Cole bragged that he would compete in his first match ever at Wrestlemania, claiming it was the main event. Cole said that he has a document in his hand and the man who signs them will have the honor of being the guest referee and holding his hand high when he defeats Jerry Lawler at Wrestlemania. Remember those words.
Cole said that he does have respect for Lawler so he's chosen a referee that would be impartial. Cole said that he wanted someone that would give Lawler a fighting champion at Wrestlemania. He introduced a former WWE champion and an "iconic figure". He said that much like him, he's a legendary Texan. He started an "Austin" chant but then said he fooled them all.
Cole introduced JBL. JBL said that he understands that the fans in Dallas have been without champions so he looked down at them from NYC and decided to return. JBL said that tonight was so much more important than the fans in Dallas. JBL said he was going to Wrestlemania and that no one has ever debuted in the main event of Wrestlemania until now (Brock Lesnar says hello, by the way). JBL said that he watched over the years as Jerry Lawler bullied Cole. JBL said that if there's one thing he hates in life, it's bullies and people that prey on the weak. (Blue Meanie says hello, by the way).
JBL said that it's great to see Michael Cole training and he's going to do great with Jack Swagger training him. He said that he is a man of integrity and when he signs his contract, it will be a moment that everyone will remember forever, because when he does, its the moment JBL begins his journey back to Wrestlemania.
The glass breaks!
Steve Austin comes down to the ring wearing his new WWE t-shirt. He does the middle fingers during his salute, which he didn't do last time out. He gets in JBL's face as JBL begins berating him. Fans are chanting for Austin. JBL says that he doesn't care who Austin is, he's messing with JBL. JBL eats a stunner and begins catching some beers for the beer bash. Michael Cole returns to the announcing table and says that Austin ruined his night. Austin pours a beer over JBL's beaten and prone body.
As Austin makes his way around the ring, he finds the contract for Wrestlemania and smiles. Michaels begins begging and crying as Steve Austin looks over the contract. Austin asks the crowd if they want him to sign the contract. They give him a "Hell Yeah" and he gives them a John Hancock. Cole was tremendous here crying and asking why Austin did this to him. Austin announced he would be the referee as Cole said he was going to be sick. Cole began asking Austin why he did this to him. Austin shook Cole's hand and wished him luck, then poured two beers over Cole's head.
Austin returned to the ring as JBL began recovering. Michael Cole began walking out and Austin poured another beer on Cole's head. JBL recovered. Austin handed him a beer and they toasted. Austin kicked him in the gut and JBL ate another Stunned. Austin looked like he was having the time of his life.
Backstage, Michael Cole was freaking out about Steve Austin being the guest referee. Jack Swagger told him to relax and focus. He asked if Cole trusted him. Cole said that he did. Swagger told him to worry about Jerry Lawler and Swagger would worry about Steve Austin. He said that he would break Austin's ankle like a twig.
A happy Jerry Lawler made his way to the ring as they showed a replay of the Austin stuff.
WWE United States champion Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus
Sheamus has a totally defeated and lost look on his face, just demoralized. They locked up and Sheamus caught Bryan in the corner with a series of knees and punches. He slammed Bryan and clotheslined him low for a two count.
Sheamus went for a short arm clothesline but Bryan ducked. Sheamus ended up on the apron and Bryan dropkicked him off. Sheamus went down and "injured" his ankle. He wasn't able to return to the ring in time and was counted out.
Your winner, Daniel Bryan!
Sheamus pounded on the announcing table in frustration. He took the mic and said that he's had a losing streak the last few months but that will end next week. He challenged Bryan to a title match last week, and said that if he doesn't win, he'll quit. Bryan accepted.
CM Punk vs. R Truth
Punk slams Truth's shoulder into the ringpost several times. Punk beat on Truth and locked on an armbar. Truth began psyching himself up and came back with a rebound clothesline. He whipped Punk into the corner but Punk reversed it. Truth tried to go up and over but his shoulder hurt. Punk went for the GTS but Truth slipped out and nailed a kick.
Truth missed a charge in the corner, hurting his shoulder. Punk slammed him down on the shoulder, beat it with strikes and then locked on the Anaconda Vice for the submission.
Your winner, CM Punk!
After the match, Punk ordered Mason Ryan to hit Truth with a shoulderbreaker.
We go to a video piece with Shawn Michaels discussing how his relationship with Triple H over the years. He said that Triple H is never satisfied and that's why he takes on a challenge like The Undertaker. After you've accomplished everything that HHH has, you have to create your own new mountains to climb. He said that you have to respect his ability and talent but he can be straight out vicious, mean and brutal, taking delight in hurting others. Michaels said that if there's anyone that can defeat the Undertaker, it's Triple H. He says that HHH can do what he couldn't do and take all the emotion out of it and systematically defeat the Undertaker.
They show the Snooki video again and Vickie Guerrero begins screaming "Excuse Me!" She said that due to her exclusive negotiating efforts, Dolph Ziggler was now the newest member of the Raw roster. She called him a former World champion. World champion of poor booking perhaps.
Dolph Ziggler vs. John Morrison
Vickie joined the announcers on commentary. Guerrero said she and Dolph are now having a "business relationship." Ziggler took Morrison down and he ended up outside the ring as we went to commercial.
When we return from commercial, Ziggler continued working over Morrison until he missed a Stinger Splash in the corner. Morrison cleaned house with a series of aerial kicks. Morrison went for his twisting neckbreaker and covered Dolph but Ziggler draped his foot over the bottom rope.
Ziggler catches Morrison with the Zig Zag for the pin.
Your winner, Dolph Ziggler!
Guerrero celebrates and it's obvious that she cares more for Dolph than more as just a professional interest.
We get an email from the General Manager who informs us that while he's signed Dolph Ziggler, he hasn't signed Vickie Guerrero. He then announces that Vickie can have a job if she defeats her opponent next week, Trish Stratus. Guerrero freaks out as security removes her from the ring. Ziggler doesn't do anything to prevent this from happening, which Vickie isn't thrilled about.
John Cena came out for his promised "knockout" of The Rock, which the company had been pushing all night. Cena received a mixed reaction. He said that it's true, everything is bigger in Texas. He said that they have a lot of different people in the crowd - some that excited and some that are angry.
Cena said that he has one person mad at him because apparently Cena struck a nerve and we all know he's talking about The Rock. He said that he doesn't get it. He said that what Rock has to say about him is pretty funny. He says that Rock does an impression of him, but when Cena said something, Rock got mad Cena.
He said that Rock was angry that Cena addressed him in rap and that he should never address Rock in rap. Cena said that he would then address Rock in Hip Hop, which should clear everything up.
Cena cut a promo about Rock "staying home and reading off a teleprompter" instead of actually coming to Raw. He said that everyone is talking about Rock beating him and putting Cena on the shelf, but the only thing Rock is beating is himself.
Cena said that Rock bragged about himself for 30 minutes but if he wanted to be The People's Champ, "just show up."
Cena said that he didn't mean to make Rock angry, so he bought Rock's new shirt. It read "I Bring It Via Satellite."
Cena told Rock to have fun and make everyone laugh, but don't ever bring him out again, because that's "like bringing a knife to a gun fight."
Cena's music started but from behind, The Miz hit the scene and drilled Cena with the WWE title belt. He nailed Cena again. The angle could have used some blood to add to the effectiveness but that wasn't going to happen.
Miz took the mic and kneeled before the unconscious Cena. Miz said that Cena, The Rock and everyone else has disrespected him for the last time. Miz said that every time he and Rock get into it, this is what happens to him, and the same would happen to The Rock if he was there. Miz then did a quick rap saying that no one compares to The Miz.
Miz then addressed The Rock, saying that they haven't been properly introduced. Miz said that he was the star of Wrestlemania while Rock is just the Guest Host, so he needs to know his role and be the "Best Ryan Seacrest he can be." Miz said that if Rock shows up at Raw or Mania, Miz is going to take his eyebrow, his 40 catchphrases, his sunglasses, his father and his grandfather and shove them up his....
Miz saw Cena recovering, so he nailed Cena with the Skull Crushing Finale. He then hit the People's Elbow to mock Rock and declared he was awesome.
2012 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are wild, young, and online from Uncasville, Connecticut and your announcers are William ‘All in . . . Sunshine’ Regal and Josh ‘If you have 21, I have twenty-two’ Mathews. Your host is Matt ‘Pit Boss’ Striker.
Matt Striker is in the ring and he welcomes everyone to the show. He says that every match comes from the twisted mind of William Regal. William makes his way into the ring and he thanks Matt.
William says that it is his honor to serve everyone on NXT and give everyone the best matches possible. He will try to shake things up while giving us the best match. The main event will be a one on one match between Titus O’Neil and Percy Watson.
Maxine interrupts William’s announcement of the other matches on the show.
Maxine takes the mic and she tells Mr. Regal that she is looking forward to working underneath him. William gets close to Maxine and he says that he is looking forward to seeing Maxine . . . in action tonight against the daughter of the Superfly, Tamina Snuka.
Match Number One: Maxine versus Tamina Snuka
Maxine pushes Tamina and Tamina pushes back and Maxine goes to the mat. Maxine tries for a crucifix but Tamina stays on her feet. Maxine with a rollup for a near fall. Maxine with a back heel kick but Maxine pulls Tamina to the mat. Maxine holds on to the ropes and she seems impressed with that, but she turns around into a chop from Tamina.
Maxine goes to the floor and walks away from Tamina. Maxine with a kick and then she slams Tamina’s head into the mat. Maxine sends Tamina into the turnbuckles and chokes her but Tamina kicks Maxine away. Maxine with a snap mare and reverse chin lock.
Maxine sends Tamina to the mat and then she goes to the turnbuckles but misses a splash when Tamina gets out of the way. Tamina with a Samoan drop and then she goes up top for the Daughter of Superfly Splash and the three count.
Winner: Tamina Snuka
We go to commercial.
We are back and Tyler and Curt have something to say. Curt says that Matt Striker was supposed to announce that he was the new guy in charge, but we got Sir William Regal instead. Tyler talks about what William does every week. He walks his geezerly butt to the ring and flaps his gums all night. Now he has sequed into Matt’s role as match coordinator.
They talk a lot because him and Matt are a couple of has beens.
William gets up and he says that he will choose to ignore Tyler’s speech at this moment. If they want to get into the ring next week, he has another job for them. William takes a few mops and buckets. After the way that they have treated Matt Striker and the entire roster, they will do whatever he wants. William says that the only thing that they are good enough to do tonight is clean the toilets at the Mohegan Sun. They can do it or they can risk appearing next week. William says that he does not have to book them again so it is entirely up to them.
Curt and Tyler take the mops and leave while William calls them sunshine.
Match Number Two: Yoshi Tatsu versus Johnny Curtis
Curtis with a kick and forearm to the back followed by a punch and Irish whip. Curtis runs into the corner and Yoshi with a kick and a chop from the turnbuckles. Curtis goes to the floor and Yoshi with a pescado onto Curtis.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Yoshi with a forearm and kick. Yoshi with a Japanese arm drag and hip toss followed by a drop kick and he gets a near fall. Curtis goes to the apron and Curtis drops the arm across the top rope. Curtis sends Yoshi shoulder first into the turnbuckles and then he slams the arm to the mat and then he applies a key lock.
Curtis with a head scissors as he continues with the key lock. Curtis sends Yoshi to the mat and then he drops a knee on the injured arm. Curtis with chips to Yoshi followed by a butterfly hammer lock suplex. Curtis drops a knee to the arm on the mat and he continues to wear down the shoulder.
Curtis with an arm bar. Yoshi with punches and kicks to Curtis. Curtis with kicks and a European uppercut followed by Irish whip but Curtis misses a charge into the corner. Yoshi with chops to Curtis followed by kicks.
Yoshi with a running knee into the corner followed by a rolling mare and a kick to the chest for a near fall. Yoshi sets for a round kick but Curtis ducks and he sends Yoshi into the turnbuckles and returns to the arm. Curtis with a chop and head butts. Curtis puts Yosh on top and chops him across the chest. Curtis sets for a superplex but Yoshi pushes Curtis to the mat. Yoshi goes for the spinning heel kick but Curtis moves out of the way.
Curtis with a kick and Falcon Arrow for the three count.
Winner: Johnny Curtis
Josh asks William about last week’s match between Tyson Kidd and Michael McGillicutty.
Michael is in the back with Matt Striker and Michael says that is why Tyson is a loser. Tyson wonders why Michael is still watching it. Tyson says that he wants a rematch. Michael says that there will not be a rematch. Tyson says that Michael did not finish him and he says that he will be waiting. Tyson attacks Michael and reminds him about the rematch. Tyson walks away and we go to commercial.
We are back and Johnny Curtis is rubbing himself with lotion. Maxine reminds Johnny that she hates him but she wants him to play along because Derrick Bateman is about to come into the locker room.
Maxine looks like she is kissing Johnny and Derrick enters wondering where Kaitlyn is and what Maxine did to keep Kaitlyn away. Johnny says that Maxine had nothing to do with Kaitlyn not being here tonight. He says that Kaitlyn came down with a case of gingivitis.
Maxine says that there is a mixed tag match next week. Derrick and Kaitlyn will face Maxine and Johnny.
Maxine and Johnny leave and Derrick figures that they are broken up again.
Tyler and Curt enter the room and they tell Derrick to leave because they are taking out the trash. Derrick tells Reks that they stink.
Percy Watson enters and calls them Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez. Watson says that he doesn’t want to make fun of them because everyone has a job to do. Percy tells them that they missed a spot and Hawkins tells Percy that he loved him on Family Matters.
Tyler says that he is done with this.
We go to the Raw Rebound.
Match Number Three: Jey Uso with Jimmy Uso versus Darren Young
Young goes for the legs before locking up. Young with a knee and forearm to the back instead of a clean break. Jey with chops and a knee to the chest. Jey with a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Jey with a slam and he gets a near fall. Young with a knee and side head lock followed by a shoulder tackle and a power slam.
Young with a back breaker for a near fall. Young with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Young with kicks to Jey followed by a forearm across the chest. Young has something to say to Jimmy before connecting with another forearm. Young slingshots Jey’s throat into the bottom rope and he gets a near fall. Young with a body scissors. Jey with punches but Young with a clothesline and he gets a near fall.
Young slaps Jey in the back of the head and he applies a chin lock. Jey with punches but Young with a knee and Irish whip but Jey with a European uppercut and running forearms followed by a savate kick and thrust to the throat. Jey with a spinning forearm and Young backs into the corner. Jey misses the running butt splash into the corner and Young gets the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Darren Young
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Titus O’Neil versus Percy Watson
Titus with a kick and punch but Watson with a leg lariat ad he kicks Titus in the corner followed by a punch. Watson with a forearm to the head but Titus with an Irish whip. Percy tries to float over but Titus with a kick to the midsection and then he barks. Titus with another kick.
Titus with shoulders in the corner and he tells the referee he has until five. Titus with a knee to the midsection and he gets a near fall. Titus with a back breaker after yelling at the fans and Titus gets a near fall. Titus with a kick and he chokes Percy in the ropes. Titus with an abdominal stretch.
Titus kicks Percy while taunting him. Titus with another kick and he gets a near fall. Titus with more near falls and he yells at the referee. Titus with a reverse chin lock. Percy with a jawbreaker to escape. Percy blocks a punch and then he hits a drop kick and flying clothesline. Percy with a butterfly slam and then he does the Showtime Splash and gets a near fall.
Percy misses a splash into the corner and Titus tries for Clash of the Titus and Watson with a drop kick. Watson hits Percycution for the three count.
Winner: Percy Watson
After the match, the clean up crew make their way to the ring and Tyler Reks attacks Watson while Hawkins sweeps the ring. Hawkins throws Watson out of the ring.
Hawkins tells Regal to continue their mess cleaned up. They are just getting started.
2013 - Sami Zayn is revealed as the official WWE ring name for the former El Generico.
2013 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling, an episode that was originally planned to be the final episode filmed at Universal Studios Orlando. As it would turn out, TNA going on the road did not work out well for the company and they would eventually return to taping semi-regularly out of the theme park:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live coverage of the final ever episode of Impact Wrestling from the Impact Zone in Orlando, Florida!
We open with a graphic in memory to the late Bill "Paul Bearer" Moody, then we have an opening video package looking back at last week when Bully Ray and Jeff Hardy teamed up just weeks before battling for the TNA World Title, the Lethal Lockdown teams came together, and Kurt Angle discovered who the VP of Aces & Eights is. The Mystery Cameraman catches up with Kurt Angle on his way to the ring, and Angle says he's shocked and pissed off over who the VP of Aces & Eights is, and that this is a problem that will have a rippling effect throughout TNA. He promises that we'll find out who the VP is later tonight.
Austin Aries comes out to the ring to kick off the final Impact in the Impact Zone, and says that him coming out is the best way to start the show, and he hasn't been able to get ahold of his tag team partner Bobby Roode, but he did just fine when he took out Hernandez by himself. After his win, Aries went and found Bully Ray and Jeff Hardy and gave them confidence for their match this weekend, but neither one of them appreciated it a damn bit. They disrespected him, so now it's a whole new game, and after Bubba told him that he'd never again be the World Champion, he's about to prove him wrong because he's calling out the World Champion Jeff Hardy, and he's challenging him to a match right here. If Hardy's the man he says he is, he'll come out and prove it. Jeff Hardy comes out to the ring, stopping to high five all the ringside fans, but Aries got the jump on him with a sneak attack dive through the ropes. Aries dumps Hardy into the ring, and we have an impromptu opening match!
TNA World Champion Jeff Hardy vs Austin Aries
Aries keeps up the pressure on Hardy, drilling him with kneestrikes to the head and covering for 2. Aries chokes Hardy on the ropes and drags him into the middle of the ring to cover for 2. Hardy fights back and gets Aries in the corner for the ten punch count, he tries a leapfrog out of the opposite corner but gets caught and dumped out to the floor by Aries as we go to commercial.
We're back, and both men are trading blows in the middle of the ring until Hardy takes Aries down with a headscissors, Aries nips out and dropkicks Hardy in the face for 2. Aries mocks the crowd with a chant for Hardy and goes for the brainbuster, Hardy counters to a small package for 2, but Aries lays Hardy right back out with a clothesline for 2. Hardy knocks Aries into the corner and tries a charge, Aries moves out of the way and Hardy goes down, Aries goes to the second rope and mocks Hardy's convulsion dance thing before coming off with a second rope splash for 2. Aries argues with the referee about the count and gets rolled up for 2, then Hardy hits a sitout jawbreaker and connects with a running clothesline in the corner. Hardy with a flying clothesline, then comes off the second rope with a howling splash of his own for 2. Hardy unzips his shirt and goes for the Twist of Fate, Aries shoves him off into the corner, but charges right into a headscissors and Hardy leverages him out to the floor. Hardy comes off the apron with a crossbody that wipes Aries out, then rolls Aries inside the ring and goes to the top rope for the Swanton. Aries stops him and knocks Hardy back out to the apron, Aries tries to suplex him in, but Hardy slips out the back and hits a pair of Twists of Fate. The shirt comes off and Hardy's ready to party, but Matt Morgan comes into the ring out of nowhere and plants the Carbon Footprint down Hardy's throat.
Winner: Jeff Hardy by DQ
Morgan drags Hardy outside the ring and puts his head against the post and prepares for another Carbon Footprint that would destroy Hardy's head. Bully Ray runs out before Morgan can hit the move and chases him off with a chain, then goes to check on Hardy.
Sting is backstage and gives James Storm, Samoa Joe, Eric Young, and Brutus Magnus a pep talk going into this weekend's Lethal Lockdown match. Sting gives a really impassioned speech, and says he's going to kick the fun off tonight.
Kurt Angle is backstage, and he's...WALKING! Will we find out who the VP is after this commercial break?
The Mystery Cameraman catches up with Matt Morgan backstage and asks him to explain his actions, and Morgan said when he returned that he was going to tear through the roster. Bubba's the handpicked challenger, but Morgan's just getting started.
We see a video package looking back at the history between Kurt Angle and Wes Brisco, then we go back out to the ring as Brisco comes out to get something off his chest before Angle reveals who the VP of Aces & Eights is. His dad and uncle are two of the greatest wrestlers ever, and they said that Angle is the best wrestler they've ever seen. Wes believe it, he studied Angle, and wanted to be him...until he got the chance to meet him and realized how worthless he really is. He got that tin metal around his neck for a sport the Olympics kicked out, and this weekend in the cage, Wes Brisco will be on top and will use Angle as a stepping stone because everyone knows that a Brisco is better than an Angle. Angle comes out to the top of the ramp with the VP's mask in hand, and says he remembers is differently. He remembered a little snot-nosed kid asking him all kinds of questions about the sport that's not good enough for the Olympics. Wes isn't like his dad and uncle because he doesn't respect wrestling, Angle made a mistake by trusting him, and it's a mistake he's going to correct. Angle says he's not going to wait for Lockdown because he's going to kick Brisco's ass right now, Brisco tries shooting on Angle's legs as he gets in the ring, but Angle gains control and they brawl out to the floor. Al Snow, Pat Kenney, and D-Lo Brown run in to break the fight up, and Angle starts yelling at Kenney and Snow that "IT'S HIM! IT'S HIM!" while pointing at D-Lo. D-Lo responds to this accusation by kicking Angle in the uprights before laying Kenney and Snow out, then picking up the mask Angle had in hand. D-Lo gets a microphone and says that he thought he'd come down and reclaim a little club property and spoil Angle's big surprise by revealing that D-Lo Brown is the VP of Aces & Eights. D-Lo tells Angle to recognize that, and we go to commercial.
Aces & Eights is backstage celebrating, and D-Lo says that when he joined Aces & Eights, he was told he'd never walk alone, and he trusts Aces & Eights with his life. He asks Sting if he can trust his teammates, and says that he doesn't think so.
Devon vs Sting
Sting attacks Devon as soon as he gets in the ring, but Devon spears Sting to shut down that momentum right away. Devon unloads with right hands in the corner, then waits for him to get to his feet and hits a clothesline for 2. Devon with a neck vice, Sting tries to fight his way out and gets his eyes gouged before Devon hits a neckbreaker for 2. Devon slams Sting and comes off the second rope with a headbutt, Sting moves out of the way and starts running Devon over with clotheslines. Sting with a Stinger Splash and then clotheslines Devon out to the floor. Sting goes after him and they brawl around ringside as Sting rams Devon back and forth between the barricades, the ring, and the steps. Some guy in the front row throws his drink in Sting's face, apparently disabling him enough that Devon rolls Sting inside and drills him with a big boot for the win.
Winner: Devon
Devon holds the TV Title belt I forgot he held high after scoring probably the biggest singles win of his career.
Last week's Gut Check contestants are backstage looking tense, and we'll find out their fate tonight!
Velvet Sky is backstage telling the Mystery Cameraman how great it feels to have the Knockouts Title back, but Gail Kim comes in and accuses Velvet of conspiring with Taryn Terrell to screw her out of the Knockouts Title. She says she beat Tara and she's beaten Velvet, too. Velvet ignores her, so Gail flips Velvet's hair to try and get her attention, so Velvet slaps her in the face and walks off while Gail seethes.
We go backstage to the Gut Check judges, and Bruce and Al announce that Taz will no longer be a aprt of Gut Check because they can't have a member of Aces & Eights deciding who gets a contract, then they introduce Danny Davis as his replacement. They say that this is an extremely tough decision and he even hesitates in announcing their decision, but Ivalisse Velez is eliminated and Lady T'apa will find out if she earned a contract later on tonight. Velez was clearly very disappointed, but graciously thanked the judges and left as the focus shifted back to Lady T'apa thanking the judges, who say not to thank them because she doesn't have a contract yet.
Chavo Guerrero Jr, Hernandez & Velvet Sky vs Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian & Gail Kim
Daniels and Hernandez start us off, Daniels dances around Hernandez but tries an ill-advised bodyslam and gets tossed himself. Chavo and Hernandez tag in and out on Daniels and double team him, then Daniels and Kazarian try for a double clothesline of their own, but Hernandez breaks through and plows them both over. Chavo and Hernandez are in control on Daniels, but the heels draw Velvet into the ring to distract the referee so Kazarian can blindside Chavo with a clothesline from the apron. Kazarian comes in and hits a rolling neckbreaker on Chavo for 2, then Gail chokes Chavo from the floor while Daniels distracts the referee. Kazarian gets a chinlock, Chavo fights out, and Kazarian drills him with a dropkick to the face. Daniels makes the mistake of stopping to blow a kiss to Velvet and gets dropkicked by Chavo, who finally makes the (really) hot tag to Velvet, who comes in and cleans house on Gail. Velvet with a spear for 2, but Daniels drags Velvet off of Gail and gets slapped. Daniels grabs Velvet by the arm and gets Pounced into next week by Hernandez, who is then taken out by a missile dropkick from Kazarian. Chavo dropkicks Kazarian to the outside and goes after him, Daniels tries an Asai moonsault on the outside, Chavo moves and Daniels takes out Kazarian, then Hernandez takes them both out with a dive. Meanwhile in the ring, Gail hits Eat DaFeet for the win.
Winners: Gail Kim, Frankie Kazarian & Christopher Daniels
Gail smugly tells Taryn Terrell to raise her hand in victory, then gives her a piece of her mind as Daniels and Kazarian do their Two Dudes With Attitudes pose.
Sting is backstage flipping out and smashing stuff over what happened with Devon and D-Lo Brown, then we do the requisite "I need to know where you're at" promo they do EVERY DAMN TIME Sting or Hogan is in a tag match with anyone. Everyone swears their loyalty, and Sting is happy again now that he knows where everyone's at.
The TNA Stalker Crew is still in Georgia, and they catch up with AJ Styles hanging out at some redneck bar. He grabs the cameraman by the shirt, slams him into their truck, and tells him to leave before turning around and shoving the camera out of his face.
Doc & Garett Bischoff vs Samoa Joe & Brutus Magnus
Finally, the reunion of the team that should have never split up in the first place. No, not Doc and Garett. Joe and Garett start off as Joe goes after the arm, Garett goes to the eyes but Joe runs him over with a back elbow and tags Magnus in. They stop to argue and Garett goes to the eyes again and bails out to the floor where Doc cheapshots him. Garett unloads with double axhandles to Magnus, Magnus tries to fight back but Garett outpunches Magnus. Right. The crowd seems to agree with me since they're giving Garett the highly sought after "you can't wrestle" chant. Garett and Doc with a series of charging clotheslines in the corner before Doc unloads with hard right and left hands. We see a tweet from AJ Styles, who says that since TNA came to his house uninvited, he's coming to Chicago next week uninvited. That's right AJ, you get them to leave you alone by showing up for TV. Way to go. Magnus lays Doc out and tags in Joe, who nearly turns Bischoff inside out with clotheslines and a suplex before dealing out a series of double teams on Doc. Magnus flattens Garett with the Marufuji clothesline, then they hit their finish on Doc for the win.
Winners: Samoa Joe & Brutus Magnus
Joe and Magnus smile at each other and high five, and Stuart is a happy man. The crowd loved seeing them back together, let's hope this becomes a more permanent arrangement.
Kenny King is backstage and has said since he got here that he's the main event, and he's the star of the X Division. He took the belt from Rob Van Dam last week and never looked back, and it doesn't matter who he faces at Lockdown, because he'll do whatever it takes to hold onto that title now that he's won it.
Eric Young and James Storm are backstage as Sting walks in, and he says that he knows he's the funny guy, but there's nothing funny about what Aces & Eights did to him. They tried to take away what he loves the most, and Sting better not be waiting for a punchline because there isn't one. He's been in some wars and has met every challenge head on, and he wants the last match tonight. Sting says he appreciates that, but he's Sting's wildcard and Storm gets the match tonight.
It's Gut Check time! Jeremy Borash introduces the judges, then brings Lady T'apa out to face the music. Borash asks her if she felt like the judges saw her best last week in this ring, and as the fans chant "NO" at her, she says she showed the judges and the fans (who she yells at to be quiet) her best, and she may have lost that match last week, but she got here in less than two years and she'd show them what else she can do as her career continues if she got that contract. Davis says the fans are chanting no, but she sees a future for her and he votes yes. Prichard starts off by saying we lost a member of our family a few years ago, and the fans applaud as he tells Paul Bearer/Percy Pringle that he will be missed. The fans chant "rest in peace" as Prichard gets back to the matter at hand, and he says that Lady T'apa has all the tools, she looks like she belongs here, but he agrees with the fans and the answer is no. Borash gives her 30 seconds to convince Al Snow that she deserves the shot, and she says she started her career two years ago, and she came here last week to show what she's capable of doing, and she knows what she can do in the future to help TNA and bring to the Knockouts division. Kind of an underwhelming promo, but the decision rests on Al's shoulders in that hideous leisure suit jacket. Al says he knows her pedigree, he sees a lot of things in her like how she evokes a reaction from the crowd, so his answer is yes, Lady T'apa earns the contract and is the newest member of the TNA roster!
Robbie E is backstage saying that Robbie T violated the rules in the Book of Bro, and he'll never be on the list again. Sucks to be him, I guess.
Ken Anderson vs James Storm
The teams are one apiece, and this will determine who gets the one man advantage in Lethal Lockdown. Storm hiptosses Anderson into the ropes, but gets thumbed in the eye and clotheslined. Anderson beats Storm down in the corner and whips him hard into the opposite corner and covers for 1. Anderson kicks and punches and covers for 2, then bars Storm's arm. Storm gets out and they trade punches, then Storm hits a bulldog and hits a leaping enziguiri and a running neckbreaker. Storm charges Anderson and gets backdropped out of the ring, he skins the cat back in and hits Closing Time as the rest of Aces & Eights comes out of their secret entrance. Storm is distracted, Team TNA comes out to even the odds, but Storm spent so much time gawking at everyone on the floor that he gave Anderson time to recover and hit the Mic Check for the win.
Winner: Ken Anderson
Aces & Eights will now have the advantage in Lethal Lockdown, which I'm sure nobody saw coming.
Bully Ray and Brooke Hogan are backstage, and they're...KISSING!
It's time for Bully Ray and Jeff Hardy's final face-to-face meeting before Lockdown this weekend. They both come out to the ring (Bubba brings Brooke with him), and Bubba says that it's only three days until Lockdown, and the word on the street is that this will be the biggest TNA PPV of all time. Three days until they do what they do best: make professional wrestling history. They've done it before and they'll do it again, and he'll tell Hardy something he's never said before: holding that title is a big deal, but Hardy battling back from all those personal demons is an even bigger deal, and he speaks for the fans and himself when he tells Jeff that he's proud of him. The crowd chants for Hardy, who says that he's been through wars with all his challengers, but he's still the champion. He knows Bubba will beat the hell out of him this weekend, but he's not sure it'll be enough. Regardless of who wins, he wants Bubba to know he's proud of him too for everything he's done. Bubba says he's proud of his accomplishments and the history they've made, but he's not proud of himself. He expected to be the greatest of all time, and the only way he can do that and be proud of himself is to beat Hardy. He's not going over the top of the cage or through the door, he's pinning Hardy in the middle of the ring, taking the title, and holding it up high as he declares that he's the World Heavyweight Champion. Hulk Hogan's music hits and he comes hobbling out on crutches to say that Hardy and Bubba are two of the best, and this little company became a good little company (?), and now everyone in TNA is looking for the next leader, the one who's going to lead them into the future. If he has to crawl to Lockdown, he's going to find out who the World Champion will be after Lockdown. Hardy's been a great champion the last six months, Bubba's been like family to him, and at the end of the day, may the best man win. Hardy and Bubba shake hands, but Bubba suddenly hustles Brooke out of hte ring as Aces & Eights rushes the ring and attacks both men. Team TNA runs out to even the odds, and a huge brawl erupts in the ring as we call it a week.
Thanks for reading this week's Impact Wrestling Report, I'll be back tomorrow to discuss Impact and more with Dave Scherer on the Stu & Pid Show!
2013 - Sean Waltman announced he signed a Legends contract with WWE.
2014 - Kurt Angle officially announced that he would be not be working the TNA Lockdown PPV that was taking place two days later. TNA's storyline explanation was that an attack from EC3 caused Angle to need surgery with the idea is to do that match as a program when he returns. The reality is that Angle already had the surgery scheduled following a TNA European tour. The surgery had been set for before the tour but pushed back so Angle could gut through the tour. Angle had not been locally advertised for Lockdown beyond TNA storylines and PWInsider had reported some time back, he wasn't expected to work the show.
2014 - WWE ran Winnipeg, Manitoba. The show was marred by an incident involving Batista and a local morning DJ, Cam Carson, who worked for Winnipeg radio station Power 97. The station had been promoting the show and was listed as a sponsor for the event. Batista began jawing with Carson before the match and when he turned to return to the ring, Carson hit him in the back/shoulder area, according to one fan that was sitting nearby. That led to Batista forcefully shoving him down. Carson tried to get over the rail but was stopped and spoken to by security - yet allowed to remain. Batista then began wrestling Big Show in a singles match. Later on, Batista flipped the finger to Carson as he passed him while circling the ring. That led to Carson "losing it" and trying again to hop the rail, at which point he was walked out by security. Carson was let go from his position two weeks later.
Jamie Ference filed the following live report:
Just got home from the WWE house show from the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, MB and here's what went down....
Kofi Kingston pinned Damien Sandow after hitting Trouble in Paradise when Sandow was arguing with the referee.
Dolph Ziggler beat The Miz with the Zig Zag after a REALLY great match!! Seemed like they were going to let the crowd decide who would be heel and who would be face and crowd was solidly behind Ziggler. They raised each others arm in the air after the match.
Next The Usos defeated Goldust and Cody Rhodes when Cody was pinned by one of the Usos after they're finisher. Most of the match was the Usos working the leg of Goldust. Pretty dull match unfortunately considering the talent.
The Shield defeated The Wyatts when Reigns pinned Rowan after a spear in a 6 man tag match. Not as good as the PPV match but still an awesome brawl and the crowd split 50/50 on cheering for both sides.
After intermission The Bellas beat Alicia Fox and Aksana when Bella gave back breaker to Fox then pinned her for the win. The match was typical diva fare. Nothing too exciting.
Next Batista defeated the Big Show by count out after hitting the steel stairs. Before the match started Batista got into argument with fan at ringside which then followed by Batista shoving the fan to the ground then flipping he crowd off and leaving to the back. Big Show called him "Ba Bitch Ta" at which point a pouting Batista came back out and match finally begun. It didn't look like a plant in the crowd or anything pre-planned to get Batista heat it sure looked like a shoot as it looked loke either the fan or Batista were seconds away from jumping the rail. I thought Batista came off incredibly unprofessional!!
The main event saw Daniel Bryan pin Kane with the flying knee in a steel cage match. It seemed like the match was rushed possibly from the Batista incident taking up a lot of time earlier. Not the greatest match but Bryan was HUGE over and sent the crowd home happy.
Overall a decent show. The Batista incident with the fan stands out but an enjoyable night none the less. I'm horrible at guessing crowds but I'd say easily 8-9000 in attendance.
2015 - House of Hardcore ran Philadelphia, PA with HOH 8 featuring an unadvertised surprise appearance from Rey Mysterio Jr. and more. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
adding standing room but opted against it.
The Blue Meanie and Homicide, who are both injured and can't wrestle, are visiting at the show. Homicide is dealing with a torn rotator cuff. Meanie broke his hands in several places slipping on the ice in Philadelphia. Surgery is imminent for both men.
We are told there are several surprises scheduled tonight. I didn't see anyone out of the ordinary backstage, so they may be hiding them outside of the building until it's their time to appear.
Stephen DeAngelis welcomed everyone to the show. They aired a video spotlighting the top matches.
Brian Myers vs. PJ Black
Black is the former Justin Gabriel. Myers is the former Curt Hawkins. Black was on offense early, including hitting a flying bodypress for a two count. Myers gained control and locked in a side chinlock. Gabriel tried to mount a comeback but Myers tripped him up as he rebounded off the ropes. Myers nailed an elbow for a two count.
Myers continued the assault. Gabriel fired back with right hands but was caught with a slam. Myers tried to charge but was caught with a sidekick. Gabriel went to the top and nailed a beautiful 450 splash for the pin.
Your winner, PJ Black!
Black is victorious in his debut at the former ECW Arena.
A good, athletic match to kick off the event. Solid stuff.
The crowd, which was all over Myers for a New York Mets-inspired shirt, chanted, "Get the F*** out" at Myers.
Matt Striker vs. The Amazing Red
Striker came out to the old Starrcade theme. Red received a huge pop.
Shane Helms is guest commentating on the iPPV.
They went back and forth with some good counter wrestling early. Red surprised Striker with a fast two count, which aggravated Striker, who began getting more aggressive with his smaller foe. Striker used several shoulderblocks and tried to cover Red, but Red would escape every time, which the Arena loved.
Striker forced Red into the corner and kicked him stiff in the back. He began focusing on Red's mid-section and back, slamming Red down. Red fired back with chops but Striker caught him arm, twisted it and forced him to the mat. Striker used a forward roll to mount an armbar submission attempt. Red made a comeback and nailed a float-over DDT for a two count.
They went back and forth. Striker and Red fought on the top. Red gained control and nailed the Code Red off the ropes and scored the pin.
Your winner, The Amazing Red!
Good bout. Striker worked harder than I can remember him working in a long time and was a good, aggressive heel. Red did a great job as the babyface in peril making the comeback.
The crowd gave Striker a big ovation and a "Thank you Striker" chant. He acted moved, then heeled the crowd. They then chanted, "F*** you Striker."
Alex Reynolds vs. JT Dunn
They had some really good wrestling early. Dunn nailed a spinkick for a two count on Reynolds. Dunn was tossed to the floor. Reynolds teased a dive, but stopped and flipped off the crowd. Dunn hit the ring pissed but was taken down to the mat and locked in a side chinlock. Dunn fired back but was taken back down to the mat. Dunn fired back with several elbows to the mid-section and rebounded off the ropes with a clothesline.
Dunn nailed a sick looking double-stomp to the back of Reynolds' neck and head. Reynolds was sent to the floor. Dunn hit a tope suicida to the outside. Reynolds was draped over the railing. Dunn came off the ropes with a legdrop. The crowd chanted, "Holy sh**." Dunn charged Reynolds in the corner but was kicked down.
Dunn went to nail a lariat but Reynolds nailed a kick to the face. Dunn went for a move but someone got on the apron and distracted him. That alowed Reynolds to nail a superkick and then tossed him into the air, drilling him with a knee for the pin.
Your winner,
Eddie Kingston vs. Rhino
Kingston attacked Rhino as he came to the ringside area and they battled on the floor. Kingston drilled Rhino backwards into the apron. Kingston suplexed Rhino on the apron. He sent Rhino into the ringpost. He went for a suplex on the floor but Rhino reversed it. Rhino tossed him into the ring and Kingston begged off. They officially rang the bell.
Kingston tried to nail Rhino who blocked it and nailed a series of rights. Rhino went for the gore but was kicked in the face. Kingston covered him for a two count. Kingston kept working over Rhino, who tried to mount a comeback. Kingston nailed a snapmare and dropped a kneedrop for a two count.
Rhino nailed a series of rights and a big elbow. Rhino nailed a shoulderblock in the corner. Kingston tried to fight back but was nailed with a big piledriver for a two count. They battled back and forth while on their knees with punches and slaps. They battled back and forth until Rhino caught him with the Gore for the pin.
Your winner, Rhino!
Easily the best Kingston showing in HOH to date as he actually had a chance to really work and be a heel. The crowd loved seeing Rhino and popped huge for all his offense. Solid stuff.
Ben Ortiz & Hale Collins & Vik Dalishus vs. Team Tremendous & Tony Nese
Team Tremendous frisked the referee and found contraband. They "ejected" the referee and demanded a special guest referee. Out came Mikey Whipwreck. That was funny!
Collins and Barry started out. They went back and forth until Barry nailed a springboard reverse elbow. Nese and Ortiz tagged. Ortiz used his size and girth to take Nese out early and aired a nice spinebuster. Bill Carr tagged in and cleaned house with a double clothesline. Barry nailed a nice missile dropkick.
Carr, Nese and Barry all had their way with Collins in the corner, drilling him with chops. Mikey tossed the manager for Ortiz' team. Team Collins gained control and worked over Barry. Ortiz tagged in and drilled Barry with an elbow drop for a two count. They went back and forth. Carr shocked the Arena whipping out a rana on Ortiz. They all battled on the floor. Hale nailed a dive off the top to the floor. Nese nailed his backwards flip to the floor. Barry nailed a spinning dive over the ropes to the floor. Carr nailed a forward senton over the top to the floor, wiping out everyone. Mikey, having enough, hit a flip dive off the top to the floor.
Nese and Ortiz returned to the ring and did some great back and forth sequences. Hale hit the scene but Nese lifted him and nailed a one-arm powerbomb in the corner. At this point, they all went crazy with big spots and the crowd loved it. Vik tried to use a foreign object but Mikey took it away. He went to hit Mikey and ate a Whippersnapper for his troubles.
Bill Carr nailed him with a Canadian Destroyer for the pin.
Your winners, Team Tremendous and Tony Nese!
It started a little dicey but once they turned up the juice, the crowd really liked it. There were a ton of tremendous spots here that really dazzled.
Papadon, Amazing Red and Brian Myers came out. They announced tonight, they were paying tribute to Mikey and played a nice video showing highlights of his career and the wrestlers he trained. Whipwreck, who didn't know this was coming, was stunned. The crowd called for a speech. Mikey said he doesn't really talk but his first bump was right here in this building. The crowd chanted "ECW." Mikey said someone of his size (at the time) didn't deserve a chance in Philadelphia but the fans gave him one. He said that he worked hard and he appreciated them all. He thanked everyone from the bottom of his heart.
Matt Hardy vs. Carlito vs. Lance Hoyt
Hoyt attacked Hardy as he came out and took out Carlito as well, controlling the scene early. The crowd was all over him, chanting, "Tramp stamp." That made me laugh. Hoyt brought a ladder into the ring but Hardy and Carlito returned with chairs and nailed the ladder in unison, knocking Hoyt down.
Carlito slammed Hoyt into the chair. Carlito set up the ladder and climbed up but there was nothing to grab. Hoyt chokeslammed him off the ladder. That was goofy. Hardy and Hoyt battled. Hoyt got the better of him and nailed a double arm suplex. The Arena fans were all over Hoyt's tattoo again.
Hardy set up the ladder against the rope and went for a suplex but Hoyt reversed it and nailed a suplex onto it Hoyt charged Hardy who ducked and Hoyt ate a chair. Carlito and Hardy faced off, then agreed to team together. They suplexed Hoyt into the ladder. They did it again, breaking the ladder.
Hoyt was drilled with a chair. Carlito stood over Hoyt but Hardy rolled him up for a two count. That set off a battle between the two. The crowd turned on Hardy, chanting, "F*** Matt Hardy." The ladder was placed across the turnbuckles and Carlito picked up and dropped Hardy on the ladder.
Hoyt took advantage and worked over both. He went for a moonsault but they each stepped out of the way. Carlito went to use a chair but Hoyt punched it into him. Hoyt went to hit a Razor's Edge on the ladder but Hardy kicked him and went for the Twist of Fate. He was shoved off but Carlito nailed the backcracker on Hoyt. Hardy caught Carlito with the Twist of Fate for the pin.
Your winner, Matt Hardy!
OK match. Something wasn't clicking here.
Stephen DeAngelis introduced a guest ring announcer, Rocco, from a New Jersey radio station. The crowd chanted, "F*** you Rocco" and "You suck d***" before he even came to the ring. He began talking and was pretty bad. The crowd chanted for him to shut the f*** up. He tried to get the crowd to chant his name. They crapped all over him. I hope this is leading somewhere. Out came former WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts who said that the audience put him in his place just like they are for him now. He offered to take over.
Roberts said that he was at Wrestlemania and called the announcements of all these major names and felt nothing but tonight, he's feeling nervous and he knows the fans are going to give it to him and he's OK with that. The fans chanted, "Bring back Rocco." He said that's what he likes, that the fans let people know what they like and don't like. He said that the problem today with pro wrestling is that. He said the last few years in pro wrestling, he lost his passion and there were a lot of politics.
A little kid was sitting on his dad's shoulders and gave him the finger. The crowd popped for it. Roberts ripped the WWE for sending garbage out to the ring every week on Monday. He said the fans deserve better and that's why they d here. They are here for a good f***ing show. The crowd popped for the F word. He said he's loved professional wrestling his entire life and wondered if he should leave it, but then he saw that Tommy Dreamer, who loves pro wrestling, was running shows. He knows what the fans love and there's no politics and no glass ceiling here. If you suck, you are gone.
He said the business is healthy on the surface but inside it's dying a slow death. The wrong people are making the decisions and the fans deserve better. He said he was tired of talking so, he announced the next match.
Team 3D vs. The Addiction
There was electricity and a big fight feel once the former Dudleys came out. The Addiction attacked them before the bell. They controlled the the early portion of the bout, working over Devon with double-team maneuvers. Devon tried to fight his way out but Kazarian drilled him from behind.
Bubba was smashed through a table and was out on the floor. Kazarian took the mic and started saying that this is just proof that Devon was Bubba's b**ch. They ripped on the Dudleys and said this is the end of the Dudley story. This fired up Devon who made a comeback on both and nailed a sideslam on Kazarian.
Bubba returned to the ring for some clubbering and he and Devon set up for the Wazzup headbutt. They called the tables and brought one into the ring. Rosita hit the ring and low-blowed the Dudleys. She trash-talked them but Velvet Sky made the save. There was a Catfight. They set up for the Wazzup headbutt on Rosita and Devon stayed there like he was enjoying the taste of where he landed. I don't even know what else to say. The crowd loved it and chanted for Devon to keep going....except in a crude way.
Sky disposed of Rosita. The Dudleys finished off Addiction with a 3D through a table on Daniels for the pin.
Your winners, Team 3D!
The crowd chanted, "You still got it." Bubba took the mic and said, "It might not always be pretty but it was damn entertaining." Devon took the mic and told Rosita, "I'll eat out with you anyday."
Velvet Sky took the mic and said, "As you all know, I was recently fired by a company." The crowd chanted, "F*** TNA." Bubba took the mic and said, "What?" The crowd chanted it again. Sky joked, "I'd rather not, thank you." She said she was fired from a company that she dedicated the last eight years of her life to and she had never had the chance to say goodbye. She said she wanted to say that to all the fans that supported her and said thank you to everyone who's suppported her over her career.
Devon closed it out with a big "Testify!"
South Philly Streetfight: Tommy Dreamer vs. Eric Young.
Young asked if this was the world famous Arena. Uh, you've been here before. He said he hated all the old tapes he watched from here, that the fans ruined wrestling and that they think they are someone and part of the show but they really are nothing. He said that brings him to their appointed leader, Tommy Dreamer. He said the fans want to cheer and support Dreamer but they are all going to lead him to getting beaten. He said that the fans see themselves in him and he agrees. He said that when he beats Dreamer down, he's beating down all "you fat marks" and he's going to burn this place to the ground. Uh, I already lived through one fire incident here, so ixnay on the fire, OK?
They brawled on the floor as soon as Dreamer got to the ringside area. Young got the better of Dreamer and tossed him from the ring back to the floor. He placed a chair over Dreamer's face and ran him into the ringpost. Young got a stop sign and stomped it on Dreame's face. Young continued to work over Dreamer but missed a flying elbow off the ropes when Dreamer rolled out of the way.
Dreamer and Young battled back and forth with punches. Dreamer got the better of the exchange, and whipped him into the corner nailing a big boot for a two count Dreamer grabbed a Singapore Cane from under the ring but Young nailed a dropkick through the ropes. Dreamer ducked a cane shot and used it for a Russian legsweep. Dreamer caned Young, then whipped him into the corner. Young did the Flair Flop and was nailed several times with the cane, before crashing off the apron to the floor.
Dreamer went under the ring and retrieved a number of weapons. Young came up bleeding a gusher and was beaten with the cookie sheers. Dreamer used a cheese grater to the face, then to his groin. Dreamer bit Young's bloody face. Ugh. Dreamer pulled a barbed wire board out from under the ring. He set it in the corner.
Young cut off Dreamer and went for a piledriver. Oh, no, Dreamer's pants are going to split! No, Dreamer escaped and went for the Spicoli Driver. Young slipped out and nailed the referee. Dreamer gained control and nailed a catapult into the barbed wire board. That looked awesome. Dreamer nailed a piledriver but there was no referee to make the count. Another hit the ring for the count but stopped and took his shirt off to reveal he was EC3. The crowd chanted, "F*** TNA."
Dreamer nailed EC3 and went for the Spicoli Driver but Young kicked him low and hit a piledriver. The referee counted three.
Your winner, Eric Young!
EC3 and Young kept beating on Dreamer. Some students hit the ring but were beaten and thrown out. The crowdikrst again chanted, "F*** TNA." The lights went out and when they returned, it was Rey Mysterio Jr. making his first appearance here since March 1996. He cleaned house on Young and EC3 and drilled both with a 619. The crowd chanted, "Welcome back" and then chanted Rey's name. The crowd then chanted, "Si!"
Mysterio took the mic and said that he would have been one pissed off little Mexican if Dreamer hadn't invited him here tonight. He said that the first city to welcome him to pro wrestling here was Philly. He said the first company to witness Rey in the States was ECW. The crowd chanted for that company. He said that he wanted to say thank you and led a "Muchas Gracias" chant.
Dreamer said that the Rey Mysterio, Konnan and Paul Heyman brought Lucha Libre to the United States. He said that we are La Familia for life and no matter what you can always go home to the best fans in the world. He thanked the fans.
Great brawl. Young REALLY worked his ass off here. The Mysterio surprise was great.
The Young Bucks vs. Bobby Roode & Austin Aries
Slow start as they were feeling each other out. Bobby and Aries took turns tagging in and out, working over Nick Jackson's arm. Matt Jackson tagged in but Aries gained control and he and Roode continued controlling the slow, early minutes of the bout. After several minutes, the Bucks finally knocked Roode to the floor and caught Austin with a double team dropkick. The crowd reacted to that big-time. Aries cut off the momentum and nailed a slingshot splash on Nick Roode and Aries worked over Nick in their corner.
Roode and Aries continued the assault, working Matt over. Nick finally made the hot and began hitting all sorts of hot offense. He hit a dive to the floor but Aries followed suit. They all brawled on the floor. They made their way back to the ring at which point, it became all sort of crazy Bucks sequences. The Bucks went for the Meltzer Driver but Roodek knocked Nick off the apron and supericked Matt. Roode worked over Matt and locked him in the Crossface.
All four battled on the top. The Bucks knocked Roode and Aries to the mat. They went for stereo 450 splashes but Roode and Aries got their knees up. They started killing the Bucks will all sorts of big-time offense. The Bucks fought back with the Super Kick Party. Aries killed them with forearms but they came back with superkicks galore. They nailed the Meltzer Driver on Aries and scored the pin.
Your winners, The Young Bucks!
A hell of a main event. What a work ethic all four of these had.
They all showed respect to each other. The Sandman's music played and he came to the ring. Big beer bash to close us out.
Overall, the top end of the card really delivered. The undercard ranged from solid to good to stuff that didn't click but I got the impression fans live left really happy.
That's all from Philly! Good night everyone!
Alex Reynolds!
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