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March 18th
On this day in history in ....
1926 - The legendary Lance Russell, the voice of Memphis Wrestling, is born.
1933 - Joe Dawson defeats Billy Meeske to win the Australian Heavyweight Title in Brisbane, Australia, ending Meeske's second reign.
1936 - Bob Cummings defeats Billy Spendlove for the Montana State Middleweight Title in Great Falls, Montana.
1943 - Whipper Billy Watson defeats Jack Claybourne in Toronto, Ontario to win the Toronto NWA British Empire Heavyweight Title.
1952 - Ben and Mike Sharpe defeat Hombre Montana and Leo Nomellini for the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Title, beginning their sixth reign.
1954 - Roy Shire wins the Midwest Wrestling Association World Junior Heavyweight Title for the second time, defeating Marvin Mercer in Dayton, Ohio.
1956 - Rick Martel is born in Quebec City, Quebec.
1956 - Billy Varga defeats Al Loloati for the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title in Honolulu, Hawaii.
1957 - George and Sandy Scott defeat Jim Austeri and Ali Bey to win the Mid-Atlantic NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Charlotte, North Carolina.
1959 - Papa Pasquale defeats Billy Wicks for the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title in Mobile, Alabama, ending Wicks' third reign.
1960 - Ed Francis wins his fifth NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title from Shag Thomas.
1963 - Louie Tillet defeats Bull Curry for the NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title in Fort Worth, Texas, ending Curry's 12th reign.
1964 - Nick Bockwinkel and Nick Kozak defeat The Destroyer and Art Michalik to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title in Salem, Oregon, ending Destroyer and Michalik's third reign.
1964 - Larry Hennig and The Viking defeat Ken Lucas and Fritz Von Erich for the Amarillo NWA North American Tag Team Title in Lubbock, Texas.
1964 - Lee Fields and Mario Galento defeat The Mysterious Medics to win the Gulf Coast NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Mobile, Alabama, ending the Medics' seventh reign.
1968 - John DaSilva defeats George Gordienko for the New Zealand NWA British Empire Heavyweight Title in Auckland, New Zealand.
1971 - Championship Wrestling from Florida held a tournament for the NWA Florida Television Title in Tampa, Florida. The title was vacated after Tarzan Tyler was suspended after intentionally getting disqualified in a match against Bob Roop earlier in the month. The results:
First round:
- The Texan defeated The Champion (Tarzan Tyler).
- Bob Roop defeated Buddy Austin.
- The Grappler and Sam Steamboat fought to a draw.
Finals:
- The Texan defeated Bob Roop to win the vacant NWA Florida Television Title. After the match, The Texan unmasked, revealing himself to be Terry Funk.
1974 - Lou Thesz defeats Tommy Gilbert to win the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning Thesz's second reign and ending Gilbert's third. At the same event, The Infernos (Ron Gibson and Stan Pulaski) defeat Don Fargo and Rufus R. Jones for the Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Title, beginning their second reign.
1976 - Mike Quackenbush is born in West Lawn, Pennsylvania.
1976 - The Hollywood Blonds (Jerry Brown and Buddy Roberts) defeat Gorgeous George, Jr. and Greg Valentine in New Orleans, Louisiana to win the Tri-State NWA United States Tag Team Title.
1977 - Chavo Guerrero and Victor Rivera defeat Black Gordman and Goliath for the NWA Americas Tag Team Title, ending Gordman and Goliath's 11th reign.
1981 - Jon Cortez defeats Johnny Saint to win the European Lightweight Title in London, England.
1981 - Ricky Cortez defeats Dick Garza for the Michigan Championship Wrestling Michigan Heavyweight Title in Port Huron, Michigan. This began Cortez's third reign and ended Garza's fourth reign.
1983 - EC3 aka Derek Bateman during his time in WWE NXT is born.
1983 - The WWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results were:
- José Estrada defeated Pete Doherty.
- Tony Garea defeated Fred Marzino.
- Pete Sanchez defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- Johnny Rodz defeated Samu.
- Iron Mike Sharpe defeated Special Delivery Jones
- Ray Stevens defeated Jules Strongbow.
- Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Lou Albano.
- Rocky Johnson defeated Superstar Billy Graham.
- André the Giant defeated Big John Studd.
- WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco.
1984 - Ivan Koloff defeats Angelo Mosca, Jr. in Charlotte, North Carolina to win his third NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title.
1984 - Blackman, Kato Kung Lee and Kung Fu defeat Solar I, Super Astro and Últraman in Naucalpan, Mexico to become the first UWA World Trios Champions.
1985 - Ivan and Nikita Koloff defeat Manny Fernandez and Dusty Rhodes for the NWA World Tag Team Title in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Krusher Khrushchev would later join the Koloff's and they would be allowed to defend the title with any combination of the three.
1986 - Black Bart defeats Sam Houston in Mooresville, North Carolina to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title.
1988 - Danielle Kamela aka Vanessa Borne during her time in WWE NXT is born.
1988 - Chris Benoit defeats Gama Singh to win the Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Title in Calgary, Alberta, ending Singh's fourth reign.
1989 - Four wrestling events, two from the WWF and two from the NWA, were held at four major northeastern arenas, in Boston, New York City, Landover and Philadelphia.
The WWF held an afternoon event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results:
- The Young Stallions (Jim Powers and Paul Roma) defeated The Conquistadores, when Roma got the pin after a missile dropkick.
- WWF Women's Champion Rockin Robin defeated Judy Martin to retain the title.
- Mr. Perfect pinned Ronnie Garvin after rolling through a crossbody. This match aired on the April 10 episode of Prime Time Wrestling.
- The Rockers (Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels) defeated The Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard (with Bobby Heenan)) by disqualification, when Anderson pulled the referee out of the ring as Michaels had Blanchard covered.
- The Red Rooster pinned The Brooklyn Brawler with a backslide.
- Hercules fought Bad News Brown to a double countout when both men went over the top to the floor.
- The Bushwhackers (Butch and Luke) and Jim Duggan defeated Dino Bravo (with Frenchy Martin) and The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers (Jacques and Raymond), when Butch pinned Raymond after he was hit by Duggan's 2x4 on the floor.
- Hulk Hogan defeated The Big Bossman (with Slick) in a steel cage match, by escaping over the top of the cage after Hogan handcuffed Bossman to the ring ropes.
That night, the same matches were held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The match with The Young Stallions and The Conquistadores aired on the April 10 Prime Time Wrestling, and the Hercules-Bad News Brown match aired the following week. The match order in New York was unchanged from the Boston show other than the Hogan-Bossman steel cage match took place fourth on the card, instead of last.
The NWA also held two events in the northeast.
In the afternoon, there was a show at Capial Centre in Landover, Maryland. The results were:
- Eddie Gilbert defeated Bob Bradley.
- Butch Reed fought Dick Murdoch to a draw.
- Michael Hayes defeated Joey Maggs.
- Sting defeated Kendall Windham.
- Rick Steiner defeated Kevin Sullivan.
- NWA United States Heavyweight Champion Lex Luger defeated Barry Windham to retain the title.
- NWA World Tag Team Champions The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) defeated NWA World Television Champion Mike Rotunda and Steve Williams to retain the title.
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ricky Steamboat defeated Ric Flair to retain the title.
That evening, the focus moved to the Civic Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Michael Hayes defeated Joey Maggs.
- Dick Murdoch defeated Bob Bradley.
- Rick Steiner defeated Kevin Sullivan.
- NWA United States Heavyweight Champion Lex Luger defeated Kendall Windham to retain the title.
- Barry Windham defeated Eddie Gilbert.
- Sting defeated Butch Reed.
- NWA World Tag Team Champions The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) defeated NWA World Television Champion Mike Rotunda and Steve Williams to retain the title.
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ricky Steamboat defeated Ric Flair to retain the title.
1990 - Khaos, Rambo and Zandokan defeat Los Brazos (El Brazo, Brazo de Oro and Brazo de Plata) for the UWA World Trios Title in Mexico City, Mexico. This ended and began both team's second reigns.
1994 - Canek defeats Yamato for the UWA World Heavyweight Title, beginning his 13th reign, in Netzahualcóyotl, Mexico.
1995 - The next-to-last WWF event is held at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario. The results:
- Henry Godwinn pinned Barry Horowitz after the Slop Drop.
- Hakushi pinned Aldo Montoya after a running senton splash.
- WWF Women's Champion Bull Nakano pinned Alundra Blayze with her feet on the ropes after a powerbomb to retain the title.
- Bret Hart defeated Owen Hart in a No Holds Barred match by submission with the Sharpshooter.
- King Kong Bundy pinned The British Bulldog after the Avalanche.
- The Blu Brothers (Jacob and Eli (with Uncle Zebekiah)) defeated The Headshrinkers (Fatu and Sione (with Afa)), when Fatu was pinned after a clothesline.
- The Undertaker defeated Kama by disqualification after King Kong Bundy interfered.
- Razor Ramon and WWF Champion Diesel defeated Shawn Michaels and WWF Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett, when Diesel pinned Jarrett after the Jackknife Powerbomb.
1995 - ECW held "Extreme Warfare" at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Mikey Whipwreck pinned Jason Knight.
- Ron Simmons pinned Hack Myers.
- Tommy Dreamer pinned Tony Stetson.
- Tommy Dreamer pinned Johnny Hot Body.
- Tommy Dreamer pinned Stevie Richards.
- Raven pinned Tommy Dreamer.
- 2 Cold Scorpio pinned ECW World Television Champion and Tag Team Champion Dean Malenko to win the Television title, beginning his second reign.
- Axl Rotten pinned Ian Rotten in a Strap match.
- The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) defeated The Pitbulls (#1 and #2), when Rock pinned Pitbull #2.
- Sabu defeated Mikey Whipwreck by submission.
- Terry Funk and The Sandman defeated Cactus Jack and ECW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas, when Funk pinned Cactus after a piledriver on a flaming branding iron.
1995 - Greg Valentine wins the NWA North American Heavyweight Title for the second time in Dalals, Texas, defeating John Hawk (JBL).
1995 - Dynamite Kansai and Cutie Suzuki defeat Hikari Fukuoka and Mayumi Ozaki to win the Japan Women's Project Tag Team Title in Osaka, Japan.
1996 - The Monday Night War continued, with WCW Monday Nitro's 3.6 rating beating WWF Monday Night RAW's 2.9 rating.
The 28th WCW Monday Nitro was held live from UTC Arena in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The results:
- WCW World Television Champion Lex Luger defeated Loch Ness by countout to retain the title.
- Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) defeated The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott).
- The Booty Man defeated Arn Anderson.
- The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) defeated The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags).
- Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage defeated Kevin Sullivan and WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair fought to a double-countout in a Texas Tornado match.
The 150th WWF Monday Night RAW was taped one week earlier at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas. The results were:
- The British Bulldog (with Jim Cornette) defeated Jake Roberts by countout after Roberts chased Cornette out of the arena with his snake.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Goldust pinned Fatu after the Curtain Call.
- Diesel pinned Barry Horowitz after a punch.
- WWF Champion Bret Hart pinned Tatanka with a roll-up, after Tatanka bumped into The 1-2-3 Kid, who was on the apron.
1997 - Colonel DeBeers defeats Matt Borne to win the Championship Wrestling USA Television Title in Vancouver, Washington, beginning his fifth reign.
1998 - The Lords of the Ring (Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore) defeat Rip Rogers and Trailer Park Trash for the OVW Southern Tag Team Title.
1999 - WCW held the 55th and 56th episodes of Thunder at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. On TBS, the first show was aired live and got a 3.3 rating. The second show aired one week later and got a 3.1 rating. The results:
March 18:
- Bobby Duncum, Jr. defeated Kenny Kaos.
- Vampiro defeated Prince Iaukea.
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Rey Misterio, Jr. defeated Juventud Guerrera to retain the title.
- Disco Inferno defeated The Disciple.
- Horace defeated Brian Adams.
- Meng defeated Bam Bam Bigelow in a WCW United States Heavyweight Championship tournament first round match. WCW President Ric Flair stripped the injured Scott Hall of the title that night.
- Hollywood Hulk Hogan (with Horace) defeated Curt Hennig.
March 25:
- Jerry Flynn defeated Scotty Riggs.
- Wrath defeated Mike Enos.
- Fit Finlay defeated Chris Adams.
- Billy Kidman defeated Blitzkrieg.
- Horace defeated Kaz Hayashi.
- WCW World Television Champion Booker T defeated Perry Saturn in a WCW United States Heavyweight Championship tournament first round match.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair defeated Barry Windham by countout.
2000 - Mr. Destiny defeats The Luminious Warrior in Mexico, Missouri for the World League Wrestling Heavyweight Title, ending the Warrior's second reign.
2000 - Rikki Nelson defeats Gary Royal in Mayodan, North Carolina, to win his second NWA Mid-Atlantic Junior Heavyweight Title.
2000 - Derrick King and Moondog Spot defeat Wolfie D, who held the title by himself, for the Power Pro Wrestling Tag Team Title.
2000 - Brother Love defeats J.D. McKay in a ladder match in Cleveland, Mississippi to become the first NWA Mississippi Junior Heavyweight Champion.
2000 - At a ECW on TNN taping in Salem, New Hampshire, ECW Television Champion Super Crazy defeated Yoshihiro Tajiri in a "Death Match", ending their long running feud. They would only face each other in a singles match on one other occasion in ECW, in November 2000.
2000 - Bad Boy Patrick defeats The German Patriot for the vacant Athletik Club Wrestling Junior Title in Weinheim, Germany, beginning his second reign. At the same event, Head Hunter defeats Argjend Qufaj in a Ladder match to win the ACW German Title.
2001 - WCW held its "Greed" pay-per-view event at the Memorial Coliseum in Jacksonville, Florida. Greed would be the final pay-per-view event from the company, as it was purchased by the World Wrestling Federation later that week. The next WCW pay-per-view event was scheduled (and was even advertised in the final issue of WCW Magazine) for May 6, and entitled "The Big Bang", billed as "the creation of the new WCW", most likely after Eric Bischoff's intended purchase of WCW from AOL-Time Warner, along with investment group Fusient Media Ventures. Greed got a 0.1 buyrate, and its results were:
- Jason Jett pinned Kwee Wee after a Crash Landing.
- Kid Romeo and Elix Skipper defeated Billy Kidman and Rey Misterio, Jr., when Romeo pinned Misterio after a Last Kiss, to become the first WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions.
- Shawn Stasiak (with Stacy Keibler) pinned Bam Bam Bigelow after a Hangman's Neckbreaker.
- Team Canada (Mike Awesome and Lance Storm) defeated Konnan and Hugh Morrus, when Awesome pinned Morrus after a Awesome Bomb.
- Shane Helms pinned WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero, Jr. after a Vertebreaker to win the title, ending Guerrero's second reign.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions The Natural Born Thrillers (Sean O'Haire and Chuck Palumbo) defeated Totally Buff (Buff Bagwell and Lex Luger) to retain the title. O'Haire pinned Luger after a Jungle Kick from Palumbo and Palumbo pinned Bagwell after a Seanton Bomb from O'Haire.
- Ernest Miller (with Ms. Jones) pinned Kanyon after a Roundhouse kick.
- Booker T pinned WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Rick Steiner after a Book End to win the title.
- Dusty and Dustin Rhodes defeated Ric Flair and Jeff Jarrett, when Dustin pinned Flair with a roll-up. The match stipulation was that the loser of the fall would have to kiss the butt of the winner of the fall. Although Dustin pinned Flair, Jarrett ended up kissing Dusty's.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Scott Steiner (with Midajah) defeated Diamond Dallas Page in a Falls Count Anywhere match, when Page passed out while in the Steiner Recliner, to retain the title.
2001 - Big Dick Dudley defeats Tommy Cairo and Axl Rotten in a three-way match to win the United States Extreme Wrestling Heavyweight Title in Deer Park, New York, beginning Dudley's second reign.
2001 - Emilio Charles, Jr. defeats Ringo Mendoza in Mexico City, Mexico for the CMLL World Middleweight Title, beginning his second reign.
2001 - Sumie Sakai defeats Megumi Yabushita to win the BS Japan Queen of the Ring and American Wrestling Federation Women's Titles in Tokyo, Japan.
2002 - The WWF held a live RAW at the Molson Centre in Montreal, Quebec, which earned a 5.3 rating on TNN. The show featured an opening segment with Hulk Hogan coming to the ring to a huge ovation. The Rock then came out and asked Hogan to show the fans how he felt about the nWo, with Hogan ripping off his nWo shirt and leaving the group. The results:
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Rob Van Dam defeated Christian to retain the title.
- Lita defeated Trish Stratus.
- Edge and Kane defeated Kurt Angle and Booker T, when Edge pinned Angle after the Edgecutioner.
- WWF Hardcore Champion Al Snow and Maven fought to a no contest.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Billy and Chuck defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von (with Stacy Keibler) by disqualification to retain the title.
- Hulk Hogan and The Rock defeated Scott Hall and Kevin Nash by countout.
2004 - Fantasy defeats Avisman I for the IWRG Intercontinental Middleweight Title in Naucalpan, Mexico, which had been stripped from Último Vampiro two days earlier.
2005 - Masato Tanaka won an eight-man battle royal, last eliminating Wataru Sakata, to become the first HUSTLE Hardcore Hero Champion in Tokyo, Japan.
2005 - Juggernaut wins the NWA/ECCW Pacific Northwest Heavywegith Title for the sixth time, defeating Scotty Mac in Surrey, British Columbia, ending Mac's third reign.
2005 - Brian Black defeats Maverick Wild to win the Chaotic Wrestling Heavyweight Title in Methuen, Massachusetts.
2005 - Billy Merciless defeats Shane Matthews for the NWA Mid-America X Division Title in Columbia, Tennessee.
2006 - Saturday Night's Main Event returned to television after nearly 14 years. WWE held the show, the 32nd edition of SNME, at Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Aired on a one-hour tape delay, it got a 3.1 rating on NBC. This was the first SNME since October 27, 1992, and the first on NBC since April 15, 1991. The results were:
- In a dark match, World Tag Team Champion Big Show pinned Carlito.
- Triple H and WWE Champion John Cena defeated Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio and World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle in a handicap match, when Cena pinned Orton with a roll-up. This was a match pitting the individual RAW and SmackDown! WrestleMania 22 main events against one another.
- Mickie James (subbing for Torrie Wilson) and WWE Women's Champion Trish Stratus defeated Candice Michelle and Victoria, when Trish pinned Victoria after the Stratusfaction. After the match, Mickie got on the mic and said she wanted to say goodbye the right way to Trish, as Trish had told her to give her some space. Mickie shook Trish's hand then pulled her in to kiss her but Trish turned her head and pushed Mickie away. Mickie then hugged Trish, but she pushed her away again. Mickie then made her long awaited heel turn and nailed a Chick Kick on Trish followed by the Stratusfaction. This led to their match at WrestleMania.
- Shane McMahon (with Vince McMahon) defeated Shawn Michaels in a Street Fight when Vince called for the bell while Michaels was locked in the Sharpshooter.
- Steve Austin and John "Bradshaw" Layfield were to face off in a beer drinking contest, but Austin caught JBL cheating by not drinking the beer, but rather pouring it on his shirt. Austin then gave JBL a Stone Cold Stunner. This segment was actually aired between the handicap tag team match and the women's tag.
2006 - Mad Man Pondo and Ian Rotten defeat Sal and Vito Thomaselli in Midlothian, Indiana to win the IWA Mid-South Tag Team Title.
2006 - Bobby Roode defeats Josh Daniels for the NWA Cyberspace Internet Title in Deer Park, New York.
2006 - Low Ki defeats John McChesney to win the International Wrestling Cartel Super Indy Title in Elizabeth, PA ending McChesney's second reign.
2006 - Three New England Championship Wrestling titles change hands in Framingham, Massachusetts. John Walters defeats Paul Lombardi for the NECW Heavyweight Title, ending Lombardi's second reign. Frankie Arion wins the NECW Television Title from Johnny Idol. Mark Bourne and Matt Logan defeat Sabotage (D.C. Dillinger and Eddie Edwards) for the NECW Tag Team Title. The Tag Team Title match was originally scheduled to be The A-List (Mark Bourne and Andre Lyonz) defending against The Logan Brothers (Bryan and Matt), but Bryan Logan and Andre Lyonz were injured before the match by Sabotage, so both uninjured team members paired up.
2006 - Bobby Sanford and Chris Stevens defeat John Bogie and Erik Watts for the Great Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title in Columbus, Georgia.
2007 - Cuervo and Ozz defeat Crazy Boy & Joe Lider, Alan Stone & Zumbido and Pegasso & Super Fly in a four-way elimination match to win the AAA World Tag Team Title in Naucalpan, Mexico.
2007 - Fantasma de la Ópera defeats Cerebro Negro to win the IWRG Intercontinental Welterweight Title in Naucalpan, Mexico, ending Negro's fourth reign and beginning Ópera's second.
2008 - WWE broadcast ECW on SciFi. Buck Woodward filed the following TV report:
ECW for March 18th opened with Kane coming to the ring. It was mentioned that Kane would be part of the 24-Man Battle Royale at Wrestlemania, with the winner getting an immediate title match with ECW World Champion Chavo Guerrero. It was also mentioned that the Battle Royale will contain wrestlers from all three brands.
Kane vs. Elijah Burke.
Burke threw a few punches at the start, but Kane caught one and decked Burke. Burke avoided a boot to the face and slid to the floor. He tripped Kane and went to pull him to the outside, but Kane kicked him down. Kane went to the floor, picked up Burke and rammed him into the ring apron. Kane tossed Burke back into the ring and hit a side backbreaker. Kane applied a chinlock, driving his knee into Burke's back. Kane pounded Burke's back with punches, forearms and knees, then slammed Burke. Kane stomped on his back, then reapplied the chinlock, again driving his knee into Kane's back. Burke reached behind himself and poked Kane in the eyes to break the hold. They got to their feet, and Kane nailed Burke with an uppercut. Kane went for a backdrop, but Burke kicked it away. Burke hit some punches and a dropkick. Burke hit more punches, but Kane reversed a whip into the corner. Kane charged in, but Burke moved out of the way. Burke went for the Elijah Express (double jumping knee in the corner), but Kane turned around and grabbed Burke by the throat. Kane hit the chokeslam for the pin at the four minute mark.
Winner: Kane.
Backstage, Mark Henry was shaking hands with Armando Estrada. Estrada said he would "do well". As Henry left, Chavo Guerrero entered, and Henry pushed him out of the way. Chavo approached Estrada, who told Chavo that Henry, along with Big Daddy V, would be in the Wrestlemania Battle Royale. Colin Delaney entered, saying he was supposed to talk to Estrada about getting an ECW contract. Chavo ripped on Delaney for "embarrassing ECW" last night on Raw in his loss to JBL. Chavo ripped on Tommy Dreamer not being around to help Delaney, and said Delaney couldn't have a contract on "his show". Estrada interrupted and told Delaney if he wanted a contract, he could try beating Chavo tonight in a non-title match. Chavo laughed, while Delaney looked worried.
The "please like Floyd Mayweather" video package was shown.
Kofi Kingston vs. James Curtis.
Kingston grabbed a waistlock at the start, but Curtis turned it into a headlock. Curtis hit a shoulderblock, but Kofi leapfrogged him, hit a drop toe hold, and yanked back on a leg grapevine. Kingston put Curtis in a headlock, flipped out of a suplex attempt and hit a dropkick. Kofi grabbed a headlock, and hit a shoulderblock as Curtis shoved it off. Curtis hit a knee to the midsection, then stomped Kofi. Curtis punched Kofi in the mouth, then elbowed him in the back of the head. Curtis applied an armbar, but Kofi spun out of it and kicked Curtis away. Kofi hit some forearms and chops, then a side Russian legsweep. Kofi hit a double legdrop, then started clapping. Kofi charged and Curtis went to backdrop Kofi, but Kofi turned and flipped over Curtis, then hit his buzzsaw kick for the pin at the four minute mark.
Winner: Kofi Kingston.
Backstage, CM Punk was amazed by Festus' mental state. Punk said he had an uncle like that, but only after a bottle of wine. Punk asked if Festus would be ready for the match, and Jesse said "That is the face of a man ready to take it to the Extreme".
John Morrison, The Miz & Shelton Benjamin vs. CM Punk, Jesse & Festus.
It was pointed out that Jesse & Festus will get a tag team title shot at Miz & Morrison on Smackdown this week. Festus chased after Morrison at the bell, throwing him into the ring, then knocking Miz out of his way. Festus battered Morrison in the ring, then slammed him. Jesse tagged in and Festus slammed him on top of Morrison for a two count. Morrison tried a hiptoss, but Jesse reversed it, hit a drop toe hold and dropkicked Morrison in the face. There was a loud "CM Punk" chant. Miz tagged in, but Jesse tagged in Punk. Punk and Jesse dodged a charging Miz and Morrison, then pulled down the ropes and sent them sailing to the floor. Punk springboarded onto them, then picked them up for a Jesse dive. Benjamin ran in and clipped Jesse to prevent his dive, then went to punch Festus on the ring apron. Festus caught Benjamin's attempted punch, then yanked Benjamin, by the arm, over the top rope and onto the wrestlers on the floor as they went to break.
Back from break, Punk was working over The Miz in a corner. Punk snapmared him and hit a kick to the back. Jesse tagged in and cradled Miz for a two count. Jesse hit a rolling neck snap, then tagged Punk back in, who kicked Miz' legs, then landed one to the chest. Punk slammed Miz and hit a kneedrop. Punk hit some kneelifts, but Morrison distracted him by yelling at him. Punk pulled Morrison into the ring, slamming him down. Punk then hit a jumping knee on Miz in the corner, but Benjamin ran over and yanked Punk down by the hair, as the referee was busy getting Morrison out of the ring. Benjamin tagged in and worked over Punk with a chinlock. Punk got to his feet, kicked away a Benjamin backdrop attempt, but got caught by a Benjamin Exploder suplex. Morrison tagged in and hit a twisting legdrop for a two count. Morrison put Punk in a chinlock. Another big chant for Punk broke out. Punk battled up, but Morrison hit a backbreaker. Morrison went for a neckbreaker, but Punk turned it into a backslide for two. Morrison responded by kicked Punk in the head. Morrison decked Punk with a forearm for a two count, then kicked him in the head again. Punk nailed Morrison with an enzugiri.
Punk made the tag to Festus, just as Morrison tagged Miz. Festus cleaned house, knocking Morrison and Benjamin off the apron while taking Miz' head off with a clothesline. Festus hit Miz with a jumping kick, but Benjamin and Morrison broke up the cover. Jesse gave Benjamin a top rope dropkick, and Festus threw Morrison over the top rope. Miz tried to give Festus the Reality Check, but Festus dodged it and hit the one-man flapjack for the pin at the twelve minute mark.
Winners: CM Punk, Jesse & Festus.
The Raw Rebound was shown, followed by a rundown of the Wrestlemania lineup.
It was announced that Eddie Graham will be inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame. The video package on Graham focused on his success as a promoter and his tag team success with Dr. Jerry Graham, as well as his civic contributions in Florida. At the end of the package, it was announced that Dusty Rhodes would be inducting Graham at the Hall Of Fame ceremony. Sorry, Hulkster!
Colin Delaney was shown in the back, heading to the ring.
The "Big Show at home" video package was shown, featuring cameos by Show's dog and wife, both of whom are bigger than Floyd. It segued into a package on Show training, with Show noting how he is in the best shape he has been in since his 20's. It actually was a very endearing video, and made me want to cheer Big Show at Wrestlemania. Yep, WWE still doesn't know where they are going with this match.
Tazz interviewed Colin Delaney in the ring. Delaney admitted he was "a lot beat up" but said wrestling tonight would all be worth it if he wins the match and gets his ECW contract.
ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero vs. Colin Delaney (non-title).
Chavo hit a knee to the gut at the start, then pounded him across the back with a forearm. Chavo hit an uppercut, and there was a slight chant for Colin. Chavo punched Delaney down in a corner and choked him with his boot. Chavo hit a forearm, then went for a hiptoss, but Colin reversed it. Colin ducked a Chavo clothesline and dropkicked Chavo to the floor. Chavo got up angry, saying he was "taking it easy" on him before. There was a louder chant for Delaney. Chavo said "You want a contract" and slugged Delaney to the mat, then pounded him. Chavo hit a backdrop driver, then put him in an armbar. There was a chant for Colin. Chavo choked Colin against the ropes. Chavo whipped Colin into the corner, but missed a charge. Colin hit a pair of back elbows, but Chavo avoided a dropkick. Chavo hit the Three Amigos, dragging a limp Delaney off the mat after two suplexes and just shoving him down instead of hitting the third. Chavo went to the top rope for a frog splash, but Delaney rolled out of the way and Chavo crashed to the mat. Colin covered Chavo, but only got a two count. Chavo grabbed Colin and hit the Gori Bomb for the pin at the four minute mark. Chavo rubbed his forearm on Colin's face for good measure.
Winner: Chavo Guerrero.
Guerrero smiled as the show ended, with Joey Styles noting that 24 men would be gunning for Chavo at Wrestlemania.
Thoughts: Last week Elijah Burke lost to Festus, this week he gets squashed by Kane. Remember when Vince McMahon said he was going to be the future of ECW? ... Nice to see more names announced for the Wrestlemania Battle Royale. For those who care, those now included are Kane, Chuck Palumbo, Great Khali, Jamie Noble, Mark Henry and Big Daddy V. ... Kofi still shows some green in the ring, but is improving. What does it say when James Curtis gets more offense in his four minute loss than Elijah Burke gets in his? ... So, Miz apparently has no ill feelings towards Morrison beating him on Smackdown last week, or the fact that both of his six-man partners are Money In The Bank participants, while he's left hoping for a Battle Royale spot. That's pretty benevolent (and uncharacteristic) of him. ... "Biscuits and Gravy" may be the greatest entrance music since "Badstreet U.S.A." ... Festus' yanking of Benjamin over the top rope and onto the wrestlers on the outside was an awesome spot. The six man tag was just a really great match, with Punk being super over with the crowd, yet Jesse & Festus getting the glory in the end (which makes sense, given their title shot on Friday). Proof there is a solid base of young talent in WWE, if they want to use it. ... With all due respect to the Hulkster, Dusty Rhodes is the perfect choice to induct Eddie Graham. When you think Florida wrestling, you think of three names: Eddie Graham, Dusty Rhodes, and Gordon Solie. ... I don't think WWE knows who they want the fans to cheer at Wrestlemania, since both Mayweather and Show had babyface video packages. ... I didn't expect Delaney to beat Chavo after his getting destroyed last night on Raw, but the crowd really got into Colin's offense and his near fall towards the end of the match. Good stuff. ... ECW did a good job of pushing the Wrestlemania Battle Royale and the Jesse & Festus vs. Miz & Morrison tag title match on Smackdown. Plus, two out of four matches were pretty good, and there was no time wasted on yet another Kelly Kelly-Layla match!
2009 - Mickey Glenn Henry, promoter of American Championship Wrestling in Boaz, Alabama was arrested on charges of fondling a minor female. Henry, who was released on $5,000 property bond, commented to the Sand Mountain Reporter that the incident happened months ago and clamed, “It’s not true. I was shocked. So was everybody else."
2009 - Former WWE Creative team member Freddie Prinze Jr. was cast in the pilot of "No Heroics" a new comedy about four B-Level Superheroes living together. The show was not picked up as a series.
2009 - World Wrestling Entertainment canceled the planned release of an autobiography on former WWF champion The Iron Sheik, which was set to be written by Keith Elliot Greenberg, who worked on the Fred Blassie and Superstar Graham books. WWE made the decision after an initial treatment was submitted. Many years later, ECW Press picked up the book, but then was canceled again. To date, the book was never released.
2009 -The father of actor Armin Armiri, who played the role of a doctor in "The Wrestler" that warns Randy the Ram to give up the business, was reportedly detained by Iranian police, according to the Gawker website.
Armiri's father was accused of helping his smuggle his son out of the country 20 years ago, allowing him to be in a position where he could badmouth Iran via an appearance in the film. Iran has denounced the film because of the "Ayatollah" character portrayed by Ernest Miller.
"They came and picked him up at 7:30 in the morning," said Armiri. "Basically they were asking about me because of my role in The Wrestler. They were saying I was a traitor, and also because of my playing a gay character [in Factory Girl], the F-word got thrown around a couple times."
Armiri's father was later released.
His son has one scene in The Wrestler, a scene that has nothing to do with his nationality.
2009 - Daffney signed a TNA deal.
2010 - TNA ran Hattiesburg, MS. Jay Gunn filed the following live report:
TNA made their debut in Hattiesburg, Mississippi tonight at the Lake Terrace Convention Center, not a large venue but it was packed and LOUD (I think the fact they were giving out backstage passes all night had something to do with it). I'd say the crowd was around 1,000.
Kevin Nash was signing autographs at the merchandise booth before the show and Tara signed during intermission. Also, the night before, Jeff Jarrett made an appearance at a local Chili's restaurant as part of a fundraiser for a child suffering from cancer.
Matches:
- The Motor City Machine Guns def. Generation Me in a fast paced exciting opener. Maybe the best match of the night.
- Women's Division Champion Tara def. Daffney in another good match.
- X-Division champion Doug Williams def. Homicide and Daniels. The crowd hated Williams and taunted him with "USA" chants non-stop.
- Jeff Jarrett def. Desmond Wolfe after hitting the Stroke. Jarrett got a great reaction and Wolfe got the most heat of the night. Lots of traditional wrestling.
- Intermission - Jeremy Borash announced the crowd was a sell-out and that TNA would definitely be returning to Hattiesburg in the future.
- Kevin Nash and Eric Young def. Beer Money - the comedy match of the night. Nash and Young were over big, and Beer Money played the cowardly heels perfectly. At one point Nash pushed James Storm's head into Robert Roode's crotch. Storm acted like his eye had been poked out. He called the ref over to look in Roode's trunks and pulled out a sock. The sock eventually got tossed into the crowd and an older lady ran over and grabbed it for herself.
- World Champion AJ Styles def. 'The Pope' D'Angelo Dinero after Desmond Wolfe ran in and distracted Dinero, allowing Styles to hit a lowblow and the Styles clash.
It was a really good show - I highly recommend checking out a TNA house show even if you're not crazy about the TV product like I am.
2010 - WWE broadcast Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight’s show with a look at the Smackdown brand and your announcers are Matt Striker and Todd Grisham.
Match Number One: Kane versus Shelton Benjamin
The briefcase is above the ring since both men are in the Money in the Bank match at Wrestlemania.
Benjamin tries to stay away from Kane at the start of the match but Benjamin with a side head lock. Kane with a shoulder tackle and Benjamin goes to the apron. Kane with a waist lock take down and Benjamin with a reversal on the mat and he keeps Kane on the mat. Benjamin with a front face lock but Kane backs Benjamin into the turnbuckles and punches Benjamin. Kane with a snap mare and drop kick for a near fall. Kane sends Benjamin shoulder first into the turnbuckles as he continues to work on Shelton’s arm. Kane with an arm bar. Kane with an Irish whip but he misses the charge into the corner. Benjamin does not miss the Stinger Splash and gets a near fall after a cross body. Benjamin with a side head lock but Kane with a belly-to-back suplex to get out of the hold and Kane gets a near fall. Kane returns to the arm bar but Benjamin with punches to get out of the hold. Kane with an Irish whip and when Benjamin tries to float over he is stopped by Kane who tries for the choke slam but Benjamin escapes. Kane with an uppercut and then he goes up top. Benjamin leaps to the turnbuckles and he knocks Kane to the floor. Benjamin with an Arabian press onto Kane and both men are down as we go to commercial.
We are back and Benjamin with a reverse chin lock but Kane gets to his feet and he punches Benjamin. Benjamin with punches of his own but he runs into a big boat and Kane gets a near fall. Kane tries for a power slam but Benjamin gets to the apron and then he sends Kane into the turnbuckles and hits a bulldog from the turnbuckles for a near fall. Kane hits a side slam for a near fall. Kane goes up top and hits the flying clothesline and then he gets ready for the choke slam but Benjamin holds on to the ropes. Kane with a kick but Benjamin with a DDT to counter a back body drop. Benjamin can only get a two count as Kane kicks out. Benjamin tries for Paydirt but Kane pushes him off. Benjamin with a dragon whip to Kane but Kane with an uppercut and then he hits the choke slam for the three count.
Winner: Kane
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Wrestlemania Recall of Pete Rose’s appearance in 1998.
It is time for the Raw half of the show and your announcers are Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler.
Katie Lea tells everyone that she has psychic powers and she will predict that she and Jillian are about to beat the Bellas. Jillian interrupts and ‘sings’.
Match Number Two: Katie Lea Burchill and Jillian Hall versus The Bella Twins
Katie and Nikki start off but Katie with a side head lock and then she pulls Nikki down by the hair and gets a near fall. Katie with a slam but she misses an elbow drop. Nikki with a wrist lock and then he uses the turnbuckles for an arm drag. Brie is tagged in and Nikki with a double sledge followed by a sunset flip by Brie. Katie with a kick and forearm. Katie sends Brie into the turnbuckles but Katie misses a charge into the corner. Brie with a flying mare. Jillian tags in and kicks Brie but Brie with a kick and forearm followed by an Irish whop. Brie with an Irish whip and Nikki tags in and they hit a double clothesline for a near fall. Jillian with forearms followed by an Irish whip but Nikki with an elbow. Katie is kicked off the apron and Jillian with an Electric Chair drop to counter a victory roll but Jillian can only get a near fall. Jillian tosses Nikki by the hair and then tags Katie back in. Katie with a kick to the midsection followed by a back breaker for a near fall. Katie with a seated abdominal stretch. Jillian tags back in and she grabs Nikki by the hair and then slams her head into the mat. Jillian misses a leg drop and Brie tags in and hits a few drop kicks followed by a flying clothesline and leap frog neck snap. The Bellas with a double team move but Katie breaks up the corner. Katie is sent to the floor. Brie counters an X Factor and gets the three count with a rollup.
Winners: The Bella Twins
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound.
Match Number Three: Jack Swagger, William Regal, and Zack Ryder with Rosa Mendes versus Christian, Yoshi Tatsu, and Mark Henry
Ryder and Yoshi start things off and Ryder with a knee and side head lock followed by a shoulder tackle. Yoshi tries for a hip toss but Ryder blocks it. Yoshi with kicks to Ryder and then he works on the wrist and tags in Christian. Christian goes up top and hits an elbow to the arm and he continues to work on the arm but Swagger tags in. Christian tags in Mark Henry to deal with Swagger as the All American American faces the Olympian. Swagger with a forearm to the back and a side head lock. Henry with a shoulder tackle and then he head butts Swagger in the corner. Henry pulls Ryder into the ring but Swagger hits Henry from behind and they try for a double suplex on Henry but Henry blocks it and hits a double suplex of his own. Yoshi and Christian clothesline Swagger to the floor and then Christian knocks Regal to the floor. Henry press slams Ryder onto Swagger on the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and things have calmed down with Regal and Christian in the ring. Regal works on the arm and Christian with a side head lock. Christian with a snap mare and a running forearm to Regal for a near fall. Regal with forearms and a kick to Christian and then he tags in Swagger who hits a spinebuster. Yoshi makes the blind tag and he hits a spin kick from the turnbuckles for a near fall. Yoshi with forearms to Swagger but Swagger sends Yoshi into the ropes and Regal with a knee to Yoshi. Ryder tags in and he connects with a forearm followed by a snap mare and drop kick to the back of the head for a near fall. Ryder with a reverse chin lock on Yoshi and Ryder with a back heel trip before tagging in Regal. Yoshi tries to connect with a forearm and kick but Regal with knees and forearms. Regal with a back elbow to Yoshi and then he hits a butterfly suplex for a near fall. Swagger tags in and he punches Yoshi in the corner. Regal and Ryder with kicks while the referee admonishes Swagger. Swagger sends Yoshi into the turnbuckles and then he connects with shoulders. Swagger with a hard Irish whip and then he tries for the leaping Vader Splash but Yoshi gets his knees up. Christian and Ryder tag in and Christian with punches and then he runs into an elbow from Ryder. Christian with a flap jack when Ryder comes off the turnbuckles. Christian with a slingshot to the floor and then he punches Ryder. Christian with a back elbow to Swagger who tries to interfere. Christian sends Regal to the floor and then Christian goes up top but Ryder tries to stop him. Christian knocks Ryder to the mat and then he misses a cross body. Ryder with a neck breaker for a near fall and then he sets for the leaping leg lariat but Christian with a sit out power bomb. All six men are in the ring until Yoshi and Henry take care of things. Christian with the pendulum kick and then he hits the corkscrew back elbow and the Killswitch for the three count.
Winners: Christian, Mark Henry, and Yoshi Tatsu
We go to credits.
2011 - Representatives of WGN America confirmed via email this that WWE Superstars would conclude its run on the network on Thursday 4/7. They declined to cite a reason the series was leaving the network. That current incarnation of Superstars debuted in 2009 on WGN America.
2011 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Kansas City, Missouri and your announcers are Michael ‘I prefer Kansas City, Kansas’ Cole, Josh ‘What will I do on Thursday nights’ Mathews, and Booker ‘Watch Community . . . Sucka’ T.
In case you were hoping for the main event that was announced on Raw for the Tag Team Titles, we have some bad news. Instead of Edge and Christian teaming up to try for the tag titles, Big Show and Kane will be facing Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater for the titles. You may return to your flash photography to your overhead compartments.
But the Cole Chamber is being assembled while Michael Cole makes his way to the non-hermetically sealed box at ringside with his announcement by the ring announcer and the Raw theme music. Booker and Josh look incredulous at Cole.
Match Number One: Edge versus Brodus Clay with Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez
Edge avoids Clay and he punches the bigger man. Edge tries for an Irish whip but Clay does not move. Clay with an Irish whip but Edge with a kick to a charging Clay. Edge comes off the turnbuckles but Clay catches him and he hits a t-bone suplex. Clay with punches to the shoulder and then he uses his knee for extra pressure with Edge against the ropes.
Clay continues to work on the arm to weaken the shoulder. Clay with a wrist lock followed by a punch to the ribs. Clay with an arm bar on Edge but Edge with punches. Clay stops Edge with a knee. Clay runs into an elbow. Edge tries for a tornado DDT but Clay pushes him off and hits a clothesline and then he tries for a splash but Edge moves out of the way. Edge with a running forearm followed by a clothesline but Clay stays on his feet. Clay sends Edge into the turnbuckles and then Clay charges but Edge with a drop toe hold that sends Clay into the turnbuckles.
Edge goes up top and hits a cross body but Clay kicks out emphatically and Edge is sent to the apron. Clay charges but Edge with a shoulder and then Edge slides back into the ring and tries for a sunset flip but Clay does not go over and Clay drops down and gets a near fall.
Clay puts Edge against the turnbuckles and Clay tries for the running butt splash but Edge moves. Edge goes to the turnbuckles and hits a bulldog. Edge gets that look in his eyes and he pulls his hair and sets for the spear. Rodriguez gets on the apron to distract the referee. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ring, Alberto Del Rio’s evil plan is put into action as he grabs Edge’s leg to prevent the spear. Clay with a running body block but he can only get a two count.
From out of nowhere, Christian attacks Del Rio and they fight against the ring. Clay picks up Christian and then drops him on the apron. Edge with a spear for the three count.
Winner: Edge
After the match, Del Rio with a drop kick and then he punches Edge. Christian comes into the ring and he punches Del Rio. They fight to the floor with Christian getting in the majority of the punches. Del Rio with a knee and then they brawl over the announce table. The referees come out and separate Christian and Del Rio.
Teddy Long’s music plays and he comes out to make an announcement. He says that he is not going to stand by and watch the four of them constantly get in each other’s faces. The main event tonight is going to be Alberto Del Rio versus Christian. In order to ensure that this match is one-on-one, it will take place inside a steel cage.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Sheamus versus Kofi Kingston in a Champion versus Champion Non Title Match
They lock up and Sheamus takes Kofi to the mat and he works on the shoulder. Sheamus with a wrist lock into a key lock but Kofi rolls through. Kofi with forearms and punches to Sheamus but Sheamus with an Irish whip. Sheamus charges into the corner but Kofi moves out of the way and Sheamus hits the turnbuckles shoulder first. Kofi leaps into the corner and he punches Sheamus, but before he can roll off Sheamus, Sheamus drops Kofi onto the turnbuckle. The referee checks on Kofi but Sheamus picks up Kofi and hits a short arm clothesline and gets a near fall.
Sheamus with a neck breaker and he gets another near fall. Sheamus starts to work on the back with a knee and then he puts Kofi in a rear chin lock with his knee in Kofi’s back. Kofi gets to his feet and he uses elbows and forearms to escape the hold. Sheamus with a back elbow to Kofi. Sheamus with an elbow to the back of the head and he wants to give Kofi a neck breaker but Kofi is able to counter with a rollup and he gets a near fall. Sheamus with a kick and Irish whip but Kofi goes to the apron and he hits the pendulum kick.
Kofi goes up top and Kofi with a cross body but Sheamus rolls through and then he tries for a power slam but Kofi gets away from Sheamus. Sheamus charges into boots from Kofi. Kofi follows that with a kick and forearms. Kofi with a side Russian leg sweep and then he hits the Superman punch. Kofi does a lap and then he hits the Boom drop. Kofi sets up for Trouble in Paradise but Sheamus goes to the apron. Sheamus drops Kofi on the top rope.
Sheamus tries for the back breaker but Kofi holds on to the ropes. Kofi hits the SOS but Sheamus is able to get to the rope to stop the count. Sheamus goes to the floor and Kofi uses the steps and he hits another Superman punch. Sheamus tries to get away and when Kofi goes over the steps, Sheamus kicks the steps and Kofi appears to have hurt his knee. Sheamus rolls Kofi back into the ring and then he hits the pump kick for the three count.
Winner: Sheamus
We go to footage from two weeks ago when the Corre got involved in the match between Kane and Big Show only to see Kane attack Justin Gabriel. Then we go to footage fro last week when the Corre attacked Kane during his match against Wade Barrett. Big Show made his way to the ring to go after Corre . . . and Kane.
Kane is in the back with Big Show and Show says that they need to put their differences aside to put a dent into the Corre. United, they can take the tag titles from Corre. Show asks Kane if he can remember when they were the tag champs before. He reminds Kane about how people would quake and shake in their boots when they walked into the room. He says that they can dominate again.
Kane grabs Show by the throat and Show does the same. Kane starts to laugh and then he tells Show that he completes him. Show calls Kane crazy.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Trent Barreta versus Cody Rhodes
Cody walks to the ring in street clothes with a black towel over his head as he walks to the ring. Cody takes off his jacket and tie before entering the ring.
Cody throws the towel down and he kicks and Barreta and then he punches him. Cody with a shoulder to Trent and then he head butts Trent with the mask. Rhodes puts Barreta into the ropes and then he connects with another head butt and gets the three count.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
After the match, Cody puts the towel back over his head as he walks to the back.
We go to footage from last September when Del Rio attacked Christian and put him on the shelf for months.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to talk about the Undertaker/Triple H match. We go to Part Three of Shawn Michaels’ analysis of the match from Monday night where he talks about the Undertaker.
Michelle takes a seat in the DMZ between Cole, Josh, and Booker.
Match Number Four: Layla with Michelle McCool versus Kelly Kelly
Layla and Kelly have some words and then Layla pushes Kelly but Kelly pushes back. Kelly sends Layla into the turnbuckles and then she kicks Layla. Layla with a kick followed by an Irish whip but she runs into a kick from Kelly. Kelly with a head scissors in the ropes but Layla sends Kelly to the floor. Kelly trips Layla and then she walks across Layla’s back and then hits a Thesz Press for a near fall. Kelly sends Layla to the mat by the hair. Kelly with a kick and an X Factor for a near fall.
Kelly with an Irish whip and then Kelly goes for the handspring into a back elbow but Layla knows what is coming and she gets her feet up in plenty of time to kick Kelly. Kelly with an elbow and then she slams Layla’s head into the mat. Kelly tries for the K2 but Layla gets her on her shoulders. Kelly gets out of the hold and she kicks Layla in the back. Kelly gets on the turnbuckles but Michelle rises from her seat in the announcing neutral zone and that distracts Kelly long enough to allow Layla to pull her from the turnbuckles to get the three count.
Winner: Layla
After the match, Layla and Michelle celebrate.
Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel walk in the back as they go to the ring for their tag title match.
Match Number Five: Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel versus Big Show and Kane for the World Tag Titles
Gabriel and Kane start things off and Kane puts Gabriel in the corner and connects with a knee and punch followed by a snap mare and drop kick for a near fall. Gabriel flips over Kane’s back and he tags Slater into the match. Slater walks into an uppercut from Kane followed by an Irish whip and clothesline in the corner. Kane with a side slam for a near fall. Kane with another Irish whip but he misses a boot in the corner and he gets his leg caught in the ropes. Slater kicks Kane in the leg and then he tags Gabriel back in.
Gabriel with an elbow drop to the leg and then he stomps on the knee. Slater is tagged back in and he hits a double sledge followed by a kick to the hamstring. Kane kicks Slater away but he is sent into his corner and that allows him to tag Gabriel back in and Gabriel clips Kane in the back of the leg. Gabriel goes to the turnbuckles and he comes off but he is met with the uppercut.
Show tags in and so does Slater. Show with a few clotheslines followed by a shoulder tackle and back body drop. Show with a running butt splash into the corner and a running shoulder tackle. Show signals for the choke slam and he grabs Slater and he hits the choke slam. Gabriel pulls the referee out of the ring to stop the count and then he calls for the bell.
Winners: Big Show and Kane by disqualification
After the match, Kane punches Gabriel and he sends Justin into the ring for Show to give him a choke slam but Ezekiel Jackson hits the ring and he takes Show down with a clothesline. Barrett sends Kane into the ringside barrier. All four members of the Corre attack Big Show. With some help, Barrett gets Show on his shoulders for Wasteland. Corre turns their attention to Kane on the floor. Kane tries to fight off Corre but the numbers are too great against him. They send Kane into the ring steps and then they put the steps on top of Kane.
Big Show tries to help Kane but he is unable to fight off all four members of The Corre. Barrett uses the other part of the ring steps on the steps that are already on top of Kane. Barrett hits Kane one more time with the steps.
Slater and Gabriel rearrange the announce table for Barrett and Jackson to hit a double flapjack that sends Show through the announce table.
The Corre celebrate their destruction in the ring.
We go to Todd Grisham in the interview area with Alberto Del Rio. Todd asks Alberto about his first WWE Steel Cage match. Todd starts to ask Alberto about the ramifications, but Alberto cuts Todd off. Alberto says that the ramifications are that Teddy Long is trying to interfere with his destiny. Christian is trying to interfere with his destiny. They are locking him in a cage like an animal. He asks Todd if he thinks that is funny. Alberto says that he is not an animal.
We are back and Michael Cole is beaming as if the Miz was making his way to the ring, but it is Cole’s trainer for his match at Wrestlemania. Cole continues to gush/mark out over what he is learning from Swagger. We see the footage from Monday night when Michael Cole put Jim Ross in the ankle lock.
Match Number Six: Jack Swagger versus Chris Masters
Swagger with a go behind but Masters gets to the ropes. Swagger with forearms followed by a punch and clothesline for a near fall. Swagger with a top wrist lock on Masters but Masters with a Samoan drop. Swagger with a kick but Masters tries for the Master Lock but Swagger backs Masters into the turnbuckles and Swagger tries for the ankle lock but Masters kicks Swagger off.
Swagger goes to the floor and he trips Masters and then he sends Masters’ ankle into the ring post. Swagger puts Masters in the ankle lock and Masters has to tap.
Winner: Jack Swagger
After the match, Cole opens Pandora’s Box and he makes his way into the ring to join his trainer.
Swagger gives Cole Masters’ leg so he can put Chris in the ankle lock. Cole screams Lawler’s name as he has Masters in the hold.
Swagger and Cole run laps inside the ring as we go to commercial.
Rey Mysterio is walking in the back as we go to commercial.
Match Number Seven: Rey Mysterio versus Ted DiBiase with Maryse
Ted with a kick and he tries for a slam but Rey escapes and he slides through Ted’s legs. Ted punches Rey and the referee warns him. Ted with a punch to Rey in the corner followed by an Irish whip but Rey floats over and sends Ted into the turnbuckles with a head scissors. Rey goes to the apron and then he goes up top but Ted with a drop kick for a near fall.
Ted with a knee drop and then he kicks Rey in the head. Rey with a kick and then he tries for a rana but Ted pushes Rey off and Rey lands on his feet. Ted hits the short rebound clothesline on Rey and he gets a near fall. Ted with a rear chin lock but Rey with an elbow and forearms. Ted with a neck breaker and then he sends Rey to the apron.
Rey punches Ted and then he slingshots himself back into the ring for a head scissors but Ted grabs Rey and tries for a power slam but Rey is able to counter with a DDT. Rey with a head scissors and then he goes for a second one but Ted turns it into a sit out inverted power bomb for a near fall.
Ted tries for Dream Street but Rey rolls through and then he drop kicks Ted in the knee and that sends him into the ropes. Rey hits the 619 and then he goes up top for the frog splash for the three count.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
After the match, Maryse walks away in disgust because of Ted’s loss.
We go to footage from last month’s Elimination Chamber when Del Rio went after Edge and put him in the cross arm breaker. Then we saw the return of Christian and the Killswitch on Del Rio followed by a spear from Edge.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound of Snooki’s appearance on Raw with some of the media coverage after her appearance.
It is time to run through the card for Wrestlemania.
The steel cage is lowers from the heavens and the most electrifying music in sports entertainment plays. We go to commercial.
Match Number Eight: Christian versus Alberto Del Rio with Ricardo Rodriguez in a Steel Cage Match
The door closes to the cage and Del Rio goes after Christian but he moves out of the way. Christian with punches but Del Rio with a knee followed by a snap mare and kick to the back. Del Rio tries to send Christian into the cage but Christian is able to block it. Christian with a kick followed by punches and a back body drop. Christian tries to send Del Rio into the cage but Del Rio stops him. Christian tries for the Killswitch but Del Rio blocks it an then Del Rio with a clothesline. Christian with an Irish whip and Del Rio tries to escape the cage. Christian follows after him. They fight on the top rope and Del Rio tries for a German suplex from the top rope but Christian holds on to the cage. Christian gets to the top of the cage but Del Rio stops him and he hits a super Samoan drop and both men are down.
The referee checks on both men as we go to commercial.
We are back and Del Rio kicks Christian and then he punches him in the midsection. Christian with a kick but Del Rio sends Christian shoulder first into the cage and then Del Rio presses Christian into the cage. Del Rio kicks Christian in the shoulder and then he hits a belly-to-back suplex and gets a near fall. Del Rio with a reverse chin lock but Christian gets to his feet. Del Rio sends Christian back to the mat. Del Rio tries to climb the cage even though he is only feet away from the door.
Christian pulls Del Rio back to the mat. Del Rio with a kick to the knee. Del Rio tries to ram Christian into the cage but Christian blocks it. Christian with an inverted DDT on Del Rio for a near fall. Christian gets a second wind but he still shows the damage that he has suffered in the match. Christian with punches to Del Rio and then he sends Del Rio into the cage and he gets a near fall.
Del Rio grabs Christian’s ankle when Christian starts to go for the door. Christian kicks Del Rio and then he climbs the cage. Del Rio punches Christian to stop him and then he hits the running enzuigiri that knocks Christian off the middle rope and he gets a two count.
Del Rio starts to walk towards the open cage door but Christian stops him. Del Rio kicks Christian off. Del Rio is partially out of the cage but Christian pulls him back in. Del Rio kicks Christian off and then he kicks him again. Del Rio sets for the float over into the cross arm breaker but Christian counters it into the Killswitch and he hits it but Del Rio kicks out at two.
Christian struggles to get to his feet first and he starts to climb the cage but Del Rio pulls him off and then Del Rio pushes Christian’s back into the cage a few times and Christian slumps in the ropes. Del Rio uses Christian’s back to climb the ropes and get to the top of the cage. Christian grabs Del Rio’s leg and Christian climbs up top. Del Rio and Christian exchange punches on top of the cage.
Del Rio sees the Wrestlemania sign and he gets the encouragement to go over the cage. Christian hangs onto Del Rio and he propels himself over Del Rio and Christian gets to the floor first.
Winner: Christian
After the match, Del Rio shows his anger at losing the match. Del Rio with a drop kick to Christian while the referee raises Christian’s arm over the victory. Del Rio sends Christian into the ring bell pit.
Del Rio tells Christian that now he is going to destroy him like he is going to destroy Edge at Wrestlemania.
Before Del Rio can attack Christian, Alberto’s car horn honks. Edge is in the car and he says that it is a nice car. He asks how much it costs and then he comments on how nice the car is. Alberto wants to know what Edge is doing with his car. Edge says that it would be a shame if something happened to this car. What if he accidentally kicks out the headlight or scratches the paint job. Maybe he could stomp in the roof. Edge tells Alberto to shut up and then he says that he could get the steel chair in the passenger seat.
Before Edge can do anything to the car, Brodus Clay attacks Edge from behind. Del Rio and Rodriguez go to the car while Clay hits Edge with the chair and he hits Edge in the arm. Del Rio stands over Edge and then he puts Edge’s arm in a chair and then Alberto sets for a one man conchairto to the arm and he hits Edge in the arm.
Del Rio squats over Edge before the referees pull him away.
We go to credits.
2012 - WWE ran Madison Square Garden in NYC. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
We are live at WWE's Supershow in Madison Square Garden. They have the new entrance and Titantron screens which look top notch. They have a lighting rig above the ring and are filming it with several cameras.
After the national anthem, they played the standard opening video that opens all their broadcasts.
*Zack Ryder pinned The Miz. Ryder got a monster pop coming out. They went back and forth. Ryder hit a pescado to the floor but as he returned, Miz nailed a shoulderblock on the apron and ran him into the ringpost. Miz worked him over but Ryder mounted a comeback with a back suplex. Miz missed a charge in the corner. Ryder nailed a flying forearm and a facebuster then nailed a boot scrape in the corner. Miz came back with a boot to the face for a two count. Miz went for the Skullcrushing Finale but Ryder slipped out and nailed the Rough Ryder for the pin. He led the crowd in Woo Woo Woo. There was a ton of Zack merchandise in the crowd.
They aired a promo for Rock vs. Cena at Wrestlemania.
*WWE Tag Team champs Epico and Primo defeated Kofi Kingston and R Truth. Truth did some comedy early with Primo bullying Little Jimmy. The challengers tagged in and out working over Primo. The champs cut off Truth and double teamed him in their corner. Epico finally missed a charge and caught his leg on the top. Kofi got the hot tag and was on fire with offense. He nailed the Boom Drop on Epico for a two count. Kingston teased a dive but Primo went to attack him. Kingston nailed the Trouble in Paradise kick for the pin. It looked like new champs but John Laurinaitis came out and said his leg was on the ropes and restarted. Kingston missed a flying bodypress and was rolled up for the pin.
*WWE United States champion Santino Marella defeated Jack Swagger. Vickie Guerrero got so much heat on the mic, you couldnt hear her promo. All comedy early. Crowd was chanting Santino. Swagger tried to slow things down after getting shoulderblocked down, offering his hand to Santino. Marella took it and it turned into Swagger tricking Marella into getting punched. Guerrero slapped Swagger while the ref was distracted. Swagger caught Marella coming off the ropes and powerslammed him and nailed the Vader splash off the ropes. Santino kicked out and made a comeback, hiptossing Swagger and nailing a headbutt. He whipped out the Cobra but Swagger ducked. Swagger used a backslide and the ropes for leverage and scored the pin. This time, Teddy Long came out and said it wasn't going to happen today. He ordered a restart. Swagger went for the anklelock. Hornswoggle came from under the ring to distract Swagger, allowing Marella to use the cobra for the win. Long and Laurinaitis were arguing at ringside the entire final sequence. Long, Swagger and Horny all danced.
*Alberto Del Rio made Mason Ryan tap to the rolling armbar. Blink and you missed it. Obviously just a short bout to protect Del Rio as he heals up.
*Triple H, WWE champ CM Punk and Randy Orton defeated. Chris Jericho, Dolph Ziggler and WWE IC champ Cody Rhodes. HHH got the last entrance for the babyfaces and got a huge pop. The crowd chanted for Jericho before he came out. This is his first time back in MSG since returning. Jericho did mic work saying the fans can chant for Punk but Jericho is the best at what he does. Punk and Rhodes started. Jericho teased going at it with Punk and tagged out to Ziggler. Orton and Rhodes tagged in. Big pop for HHH tagging in. HHH nailed a standing vertical suplex and dropped a knee for a two count on Rhodes. Orton tagged back in and they worked over Rhodes. Team Jericho isolated Orton and took turns working him over. Orton reversed a Jericho suplex attempt but Jericho nailed Punk to prevent a tag. Punk attacked Jericho and chased him to the back. Jericho came back out with a chair but dropped it. He returned to the ring and drilled Orton with a kick. Jericho missed a leaping charge into the corner. Punk made the hot tag and drilled the flying clothesline to Rhodes followed by the kneelift/bulldog combo. He went for the GTS but Cody avoided. Punk nailed a roundhouse kick and went for the flying elbow but Jericho crotched him. Rhodes worked him over and held him for Jericho to work him over. Jericho drilled Punk with a catapult under the ropes. Ziggler tagged in and worked over Punk. Ziggler nailed the Famouser for a two count. Jericho went for the Lionsault but Punk pulled his knees up. Punk tagged HHH who cleaned house on Ziggler and nailed the spinbuter. He then nailed one on Rhodes. HHH went for the pedigree and nailed Ziggler with it. Jericho broke it up. Punk attacked Jericho and they brawled to the back. Rhodes and Ziggler worked over HHH. Orton nailed a RKO on Dolph as Punk nailed the GTS on Ziggler. HHH hit a tombstone on Ziggler to send a message to Undertaker scoring the pin. The babyfaces celebrated to end the segment. Punk was left in the ring. He kissed the belt and kneeled down in the ring thanking the fans.
After intermission, Eve Torres came out and cut a promo saying that she deserved the "Hoski" chants and hoped to show everyone how much she wanted to prove everyone how she's changed just as she's trying to show Zack Ryder how she's changed.
*WWE Divas champion Beth Phoenix & Natalya defeated Kelly Kelly and Tamina Snuka. Except for Kelly running the ropes and being out of position towards the end, a pretty solid match. Snuka hit the Superfly Splash but Natalya interfered and broke up the pin. Kelly nailed a handspring elbow in the corner and went for the K2 but was shoved into the ropes, where Eve tripped her. Beth hit the Glam Slam for the pin.
*World champion Daniel Bryan, making his first title defense in MSG, defeated Big Show and Mark Henry. Bryan's "Yes!" was over bigtime in MSG. Bryan tried to get each to work with him but instead they both shoved him off. Bryan ducked a Show clothesline and Henry was laid out. Show chopped the hell out Bryan early. Henry returned as Bryan ended up on the outside and they went back and forth. Bryan got the LeBell Lock on Show who broke free. Henry and Show each slammed the other. In the end, Show chokeslammed Henry but Bryan took his leg out and make the cover. Entertaining.
*John Cena defeated Kane in a Last Man Standing bout after a Attitude Adjustment through a table. Cena was tossed through a table in the corner earlier, almost being counted out. Lots of brawling on the floor and whips into the guard rails and ring steps. The crowd was into cheering and booing Cena.
Notes: Mick Foley was backstage visiting with his children....They sold signed Punk and Cena matted photos for $20...They heavily pushed Wrestlemania as well as the release of "Bending the Rules." The latter was funny because they kept pushing that it would be exclusively available at Wal-Mart - there are NO Wal-Marts in New York City....Best match on the show by far was the six man tag match....Justin Roberts handled the ring announcements....The addition of the Titantron screen and entrance way added some luster to the show.
2012 - WWE developmental FCW TV was broadcast. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Tampa, Florida and your announcers are Chris ‘Joseph is my brother’s name too’ Russo and William ‘The Voice’ Regal.
Chris mentions that we have a new general manager.
Match Number One: Dante Dash versus James Bronson
They lock up and Bronson with a leg trip. They lock up again and Bronson with a take down and he rolls through and they get to the ropes. Dash with a waist lock and a side head lock. Dash with a shoulder tackle but Bronson with a leg trip and a side head lock. Bronson with forearms to the head and then he sends Dash into the turnbuckles and kicks him.
Bronson with more kicks to Dash followed by an STO for a near fall. Bronson with a choke hold and Dash taps out.
Winner: James Bronson
We go to the man who regained the FCW Championship last week, Leo Kruger and he has something to say. Leo says that he hates to be the person to say I told you so, but I told you so. It took just one week to reclaim the FCW Championship. Mike Dalton beating him last week was a fluke and he does not deal with flukes. The fact is that Leo Kruger is the greatest Florida champion of all time.
They say that Dalton is FCW’s resident Rocky, the underdog story, but Kruger says that he is the true Rocky of FCW. He says that he is the walking, talking, living, breathing main event. He is also the FCW Florida Champion.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Audrey Marie and Kailtyn versus Paige and Sofia Cortez
Kaitlyn and Sofia start things off and they lock up. Kaitlyn spanks Sofia and then she applies a side head lock and gives Sofia a few noogies. Sofia works on the wrist and Kaitlyn with a reversal. Kaitlyn pulls Sofia up by the arm and gets a near fall. Audrey tags in and connects with an arm drag. Audrey with a drop kick and Sofia goes to the floor.
Paige hits Audrey from behind while the referee is distracted. Sofia with a kick and she gets a near fall. Sofia with an Irish whip and she goes after Kaitlyn on the apron. Paige tags back in and she punches Audrey and then they hit a double belly-to-back suplex followed by a kick.
Paige with a suplex and she gets a near fall. Paige with a side slam and she gets a near fall. Paige with a forearm to the back and then she works on the abdomen and applies a step over toe hold into an elevated Scorpion but Audrey is close to the ropes.
Sofia tags in and she hits a Northern Lights suplex and gets a near fall. Audrey with forearms followed by a neck breaker. Paige tags in and Audrey is unable to reach the extra few inches to tag in Kaitlyn because he was not really extending her arm. Paige is kicked away by Audrey and Kaitlyn is tagged in. Kaitlyn with a running shoulder tackle and she knocks Sofia off the apron. Kaitlyn with a drop kick and a cross body for a near fall.
Kaitlyn with a Bubba Bomb followed by a full nelson with her legs and Paige taps out.
Winners: Audrey Marie and Kaitlyn
After the match, Audrey and Kaitlyn celebrate their victory and Sofia and Paige attack Kaitlyn and Audrey. Paige with a full nelson on Audrey and Caylee Turner knocks Sofia off the turnbuckles. Audrey fights back and then Raquel Diaz enters the ring and Kaitlyn stops her with a drop kick.
Aiden English is in the back with Rob Naylor and he asks what is going on. Rob says that we will find out a lot later tonight. James Bronson says that he knows it is Rob’s fault so him and his employer are going to pay. English tells Bronson not to talk to Rob like that and James pushes Aiden before walking away.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Xavier Woods versus Kassius Ohno
They lock up and Ohno with a wrist lock. Woods rolls through to reverse the hold and he takes Ohno to the mat and applies a hammer lock. Woods with a top wrist lock and he takes Ohno to the mat and then he stomps on the elbow. Woods with a hammer lock but Ohno tries for a back body drop but Woods with a sunset flip counter for a near fall. Woods with another hammer lock.
Woods with an arm bar but Ohno with knees. Woods misses a kick but connects with a leg sweep for a near fall. Woods with a wrist lock but Ohno pulls Woods down by the hair. Ohno with a kick and a boot to the head. Ohno with a kick to the shoulder and he gets a near fall.
Ohno with a chop and he sends Woods into the turnbuckles and follows that with an elbow to the head. Ohno with a quarter nelson and chin lock. Woods punches Ohno followed by an uppercut. Ohno misses a boot and Woods with a rollup for a near fall. Ohno throws his elbow pad to the corner and the referee goes after it and that allows Ohno to connect with a thumb to the eye followed by a forearm to the back of the head and more punches to the head.
Ohno with a low drop kick to the head for a near fall. Ohno with a kick to the head and he chokes Woods. Ohno kicks Woods in the head but Woods works on the arm for a moment. Ohno misses a splash into the corner and Woods with a forearm but Ohno with a knee to the head and then Ohno tries for a belly-to-back suplex but Woods escapes and he hits a head scissors take down.
Woods with a shoulder tackle and an arm wringer followed by a drop kick for a near fall. Ohno with a forearm that staggers Woods and Woods with a rollup for a near fall. Ohno charges into the corner and Woods kicks him away. Woods with the somersault springing clothesline to Ohno but he only gets a near fall.
Woods with a drop kick that sends Ohno to the floor. Woods with a pescado onto Ohno but Ohno flap jacks Woods onto the ring steps. Ohno rolls Woods back in and Ohno with the KO for the three count.
Winner: Kassius Ohno
Raquel Diaz is in the interview area and she wonders where is her banner. She says that she is the best Diva here and she is this close to making Audrey Marie snap. Raquel says that she is surprised it hasn’t happened already. Raquel wonders why Audrey needs some WWE muscle in Kaitlyn. Is it because the big bad queen is out to get her. Raquel says that she can fight her own battles.
Audrey attacks Raquel and the official come out to separate the two ladies.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we go to Summer Rae’s office and Jake Carter and Corey Graves are there. She says that what she sees in them, they are for her organization. She will get in touch with them. Summer has Rob make reservations for her.
Maxine enters and she walks past Rob. Maxine says that the office is ‘very you’ when talking to Summer. She tells Summer that she is not finished with her. Maxine slaps Rob. Summer has that look on her face.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Antonio Cesaro versus Richie Steamboat in an FCW 15 Title Match
They lock up and Cesaro with forearms to the chest. Steamboat with forearms to the head. Cesaro with an Irish whip but Steamboat floats over and applies an arm drag into an arm bar. Cesaro tries to escape but Steamboat holds on to the arm bar. Steamboat with a leg trip but Cesaro takes Steamboat to the mat and applies a front face lock.
Cesaro with a punch to the head but Steamboat with an arm drag into an arm bar. Cesaro with an arm bar of his own and he has his knee on Steamboat’s head. Cesaro with a wrist lock and then he forces Steamboat to the mat. Steamboat with a reversal into a front face lock. Cesaro with a forearm and he continues to work on the ribs.
Cesaro with a head butt and Steamboat with forearms and a chop. Cesaro with a European uppercut. Cesaro with a forearm across the chest. Steamboat with forearms and an arm drag into an arm bar. Steamboat pulls Cesaro back to the mat.
Cesaro with punches but Steamboat with a punch and chops. Steamboat with shots in the corner and the referee gets in the way to break things up and Cesaro with a double thrust to the throat and then he sends Steamboat shoulder first into the turnbuckles. Cesaro with a German suplex out of the corner and a bridge for the three count.
Antonio Cesaro 1 Fall . . . Richie Steamboat 0 Falls . . . 10:50 Remaining
Cesaro with a running drop kick and he gets a near fall. Cesaro works on the arm as we go to commercial.
We are back and we have less than eight minutes to go and Steamboat with a rollup for a near fall. Cesaro misses an elbow drop. Steamboat with a chop and Irish whip but he runs into a boot. Cesaro with a knee off the turnbuckles and he gets a near fall. Cesaro shows some frustration even though he has the lead. Cesaro with a side salto for a near fall. Cesaro gets Steamboat on his back and he stretches him.
Steamboat gets to his feet and he punches Cesaro. Cesaro runs Steamboat into the turnbuckles. Steamboat with a kick to Cesaro followed by a chop from the turnbuckles and a drop kick. Steamboat sets for the super kick but Cesaro goes into the turnbuckles. Steamboat with an elbow into the corner followed by a wraparound clothesline for a near fall as the clock approaches five minutes remaining.
Cesaro goes to the apron to avoid the super kick. Steamboat and Cesaro block hip toss until Cesaro sends Steamboat over the top rope. Steamboat lands on the apron and he chops Cesaro. Steamboat goes up top. Cesaro crotches Steamboat and then Cesaro tries for a side salto from the turnbuckles but Steamboat blocks it. Cesaro with forearms to the back and then he returns to the mat. Cesaro climbs the turnbuckles again and tries for the super side salto but Steamboat counters and turns it into a sunset flip power bomb for the three count.
Antonio Cesaro 1 Fall . . . Richie Steamboat 1 Fall . . . 3:53 Remaining
Steamboat and Cesaro struggle to get to their feet but Steamboat is up first. The referee has Steamboat hold back while Antonio talks to the referee. Cesaro tries for a drop kick but Steamboat avoids it. Steamboat and Cesaro with forearms. Steamboat tries for a back slide but Cesaro blocks it. Steamboat with a near fall on a back slide. Steamboat with another sunset flip for a near fall. Cesaro with a near fall with a jackknife cover. Steamboat has a super kick blocked by Cesaro and then Cesaro sends Steamboat into the ropes.
Steamboat with a victory roll for a near fall as we move under two minutes to go. Steamboat with punches but Cesaro with a European uppercut for a near fall. Steamboat with a rollup for a near fall. Cesaro with punches to the head and ribs and then he is warned by the refeee. Cesaro returns to the punches. Steamboat with an inside cradle and we have one minute to go in the match.
Steamboat with a cross body after avoiding a few forearms from Cesaro. Steamboat with another cover and a near fall. Cesaro sends Steamboat into the turnbuckles and tries to use the ropes to get the cover but Steamboat kicks out. Steamboat and Cesaro with near falls on inside cradles. Cesaro with a slam but Steamboat counters into another inside cradle as time runs out.
Winner: Richie Steamboat (1 Fall Each, due to the tie, Steamboat retains the title)
After the match, Steamboat celebrates his victory. Cesaro get up and he hits Steamboat from behind and takes the medal. Cesaro walks over Steamboat and ‘kicks dirt’ on Steamboat. Cesaro turns around and Steamboat with a super kick and Steamboat takes the medal before Cesaro hits the mat.
Steamboat returns the favor by ‘kicking dirt’ on Cesaro.
We go to credits.
2013 - It was announced that the former ECW Arena would host the premiere of "Barbed Wire City" in Philadelphia.
2013 - Steve Austin announced he was launching a podcast series.
2013 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following:
We are now less than three weeks away from Wrestlemania, but before we get there, we need to see who will be the Intercontinental Champion. Will it be the guy who was in the movie that a few people saw in the theaters, the guy from the movie that went straight to DVD, or the guy who is a rock star? What will Triple H say in response to Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman’s challenge for Wrestlemania? Now that CM Punk has poked the bear from HELL, what will Undertaker do to get his urn back?
We are in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and your announcers are Jerry ‘What about the Primanti Sisters’ Lawler and Michael ‘How would I look with Troy Polamalu’s hair’ Cole.
John Cena makes his way to the ring and he has something to say.
He says that there must be some Rock fans in the audience tonight. It is loud on both sides. You have twenty days left to pick a side. Since he stands in the middle of a sold out house divided, he has a message for all of the Rock fans. It is the same message he gave to the Rock a few weeks ago.
He says that Rock’s time is up and his time is now. That is a bitter pill to swallow but he says that because all they have is right now. Starting with the Royal Rumble, it has been a tidal wave of momentum. For those who stuck through the hard times and have been by him, he will not guarantee a victory. Cena says that he is ready for Wrestlemania and he points to the sign to prove it.
Darren Young and Titus O’Neil come out and Titus says that Cena is not the only one ready for Wrestlemania because the Prime Time Players are ready for Wrestlemania. Titus says that he is Rufus Pancake.
Cena mentions that we are in Pittsburgh, the home of the Steelers and Penguins. There are some great doctors who deal with multiple personalities and they will help Titus.
Titus says that the only medication that the WWE Universe needs is the Prime Time Players. Darren says that they put the ‘E’ in WWE Entertainment.
Titus and Darren do the Millions of Dollars Dance and Titus hurt his hip.
Cena says that they have something and they are making him smile. Cena says that their timing is a bit off. Cena says that maybe they will get it right after Wrestlemania.
Titus says that the people don’t want to see him at Wrestlemania. They want to see the Prime Time Players.
Titus says that people say that Darren looks like John Cena. Darren should be on the cover of Cocoa Pebbles. Titus says that his gout has flared up and he is a few days from his first Social Security Check and Friday is bingo night. Darren will tear John limb from limb.
Darren says that John will be crying and weeping on the ramp, the loser he is, just like last year’s Wrestlemania.
Cena asks if that is what it is all about. Cena tells Darren he steps in the ring and he will show Darren what it is like to be ready for the main event of Wrestlemania.
Match Number One: John Cena versus Darren Young (with Titus “Pancake Patterson” O’Neil)
Cena with a punch and he sends Darren into the turnbuckles and then he hits a bulldog after an Irish whip. Young goes to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Cena waits for Young to get up for the two flying shoulder tackles and the Blue Thunder Bomb. It is time for the five knuckle shuffle and he hits it and then gets Young on his shoulders for the Attitude Adjustment and Cena points to the sign first and then he gets the three count.
Winner: John Cena
Michael Cole mentions that John Cena is not the only person who is ready for Wrestlemania. The Undertaker returned last week and he will face CM Punk. Undertaker is on Raw tonight.
Michael Cole mentions the tensions between Mark Henry and Ryback. We see what happened when Godzilla faced King Kong in the ring on Smackdown, only to see The Shield attack Ryback. Then Mark Henry tried to send Ryback through the center of the Earth with a series of World’s Strongest Slams.
Ryback is walking in the back and he is ready to be fed something.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Ryback versus David Otunga
Ryback runs Otunga into the corner and then he chops Otunga a few times and then he punches Otunga. Ryback runs into a boot and then he connects with a boot to the head and a kick to Ryback. Ryback with a running body block and then he spins Otunga into position for a power slam. Ryback with a running clothesline and then it is time for the marching muscle buster and the three count.
Winner: David Otunga
Ryback says that him, Randy Orton, and Sheamus are going to tear The Shield apart. As far as the World’s Strongest Man is concerned, they will cross paths again before Wrestlemania. When that time comes, it will be feeding time.
Mark Henry’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring.
Vickie Guerrero and Teddy Long try to stop Mark from doing anything with Ryback. Teddy tells Mark to wait a moment.
Vickie says that Ryback is out of the six man tag match. If Ryback wants to wrestle at Wrestlemania, he will face Mark Henry.
Ryback appears to be in a good mood because he picks up David Otunga and carries him around the ring on his shoulders before hitting the marching muscle buster.
We might have a new match for Wrestlemania, but we have a Contract Signing between Brock Lesnar and Triple H.
Tout your stipulation choices.
Fandango will be debuting tonight . . . okay, probably not, but he will be walking onto the stage one more time.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Fandango now has a golden shower curtain to come through before he dances.
Fandango makes his way down the ramp.
Fandango tells Stretch that it is quite obvious that he is far too stupid to pronounce his name correctly. Maybe they let the beautiful, sensual Canadian slice of heaven Natalya give it a try. She tells Khali to get him.
Fandango says that tonight was the night when you almost got to see the debut of Fandango.
We are back and Damien Sandow has something to say after they silence his music. Henry David Thoreau says rather than love than money than fame, give me truth. He is rolling over in his grave right now with that man in the ring calling himself R Truth. Judging by his appearance and action, the ‘R’ stands for ‘Repugnant’.
You’re Welcome.
Truth says Thoreau was quite a poet and he has some poetry. Your beard is weird and you talk a lot, I’ve got four sweet words for you. You’re gonnna get got.
Match Number Three:R Truth versus Damien Sandow
Sandow with forearms and then he connects with knees to the midsection. Sandow with a knee drop and he gets a near fall. Sandow with a reverse chin lock. Truth with a punch and a sunset flip for a near fall. Truth with a clothesline and then he punches and kicks Truth.
Sandow with a suplex and he gets a near fall. Sandow returns to the reverse chin lock. Sandow with knees to Truth followed by a side Russian leg sweep and then he hits the elbow of disdain and he gets a near fall. Truth with an elbow and clotheslines. Truth with punches to Sandow and then he connects with an uppercut.
Truth with a head scissors followed by a leaping leg lariat. Truth with a kick and then he hits the scissors kick. Sandow goes up the ramp and he goes to the back and he gets counted out.
Winner: R Truth (by count out)
Cody Rhodes is in the back watching with the Bellas and they comment on the mustache. Kaitlyn interrupts and she says that she has a thing later so they can’t hang out. Kaitlyn tells them that they can have the mustache. She tells Cody he can have theirs.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Kane beating CM Punk due to Undertaker’s chicanery. Then we see CM Punk returning serve and the RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION shown by the announcers.
Undertaker’s gong sounds and the lights go down and he makes his way to the ring.
Taker tells Punk that he sealed his own fate last week when he decided to make this personal. There is no escaping what will happen to him at Wrestlemania. Taker says that he will hurt him, and he will hurt him bad. Punk has one chance to save his soul. Taker says that he wants that urn back.
There is a voice that sounds slightly like Paul Bearer and it is CM Punk playing ventriloquist with the urn. He says that he couldn’t hit the high notes. Paul’s death wasn’t a personal loss, it was a professional loss. At Wrestlemania, if Taker gets counted out or disqualified, it is still a loss.
Punk says that Taker is the best at Wrestlemania. Taker is the best in the world at Wrestlemania, but Taker has never faced Punk before and he is the best in the world 365 days a year. Taker answers to a higher calling and he has powers. Punk says that he is a higher power. Punk says that he will not say that he was born to beat the streak or that it is his destiny.
Punk says that he will endure whatever pain Taker wants to befall on him. Punk says that he will beat the streak and he is the one who will end the undefeated streak at Wrestlemania. Punk says that he is the ‘1’ in ’20-1’. Punk drops the urn and fortunately the top did not come off. Punk tosses the urn in the air some more.
We go to commercial.
We are back and a new name will be added to the Class of 2013.
We take a look back at why CM Punk is a wrestler and not on the Harlem Globetrotters.
Match Number Four: Epico and Primo (with Rosa Mendes) versus Kane and Daniel Bryan
Kane and Primo start things off and Kane with knees and an uppercut. Primo is forced to the floor and Bryan tags in and he tells Kane to calm down. Primo hits Bryan from behind and he connects with knees to the midsection. Primo with a side head lock and shoulder tackle.
Bryan with a knee to the midsection. Bryan sends Primo into the turnbuckles and it is time for Kicks of No. Primo with a sunset flip off the turnbuckles but Bryan rolls through and kicks Primo to get a near fall. Primo with a kick and Epico tags in. Bryan with an arm drag and arm bar.
Bryan with a back body drop to Epico and then Primo gets in the ring to distract Bryan and Epico with a knee to the back that sends Bryan to the floor. Epico gets a near fall and then he sends Bryan into the turnbuckles. Primo tags in and kicks Bryan. Epico tags in and they switch places but continue with the kicks.
Primo tags back in and he hits a drop kick and gets a near fall. Primo with a side Russian leg sweep and Epico with a slingshot senton for a near fall. Bryan with a snap mare but Epico with a clothesline for a near fall. Epico with a punch and then he tags Primo back in. Primo with a splash to the back and then he gets a near fall. Primo with a reverse chin lock and Bryan tries to make the tag but Primo stops him.
Bryan sends Primo into the corner and then he tags in Kane. Kane with clotheslines followed by a back body drop and a running clothesline into the corner. Kane with an Irish whip but Primo gets his boot up. Primo charges at Kane and Kane with a side slam. Kane punches Epico and he goes to the floor. Kane goes up top for the clothesline.
Kane signals for the choke slam and AJ’s music plays and she skips to the ring in her Kane outfit.
Primo gets a near fall with a rollup. Kane grabs Primo and then he catches Epico as he comes off the turnbuckles. Bryan with a drop kick to send Primo to the floor. Kane with a choke slam to Epico for the three count.
Winners: Kane and Daniel Bryan
After the match, AJ stares at Bryan and Kane before skipping to the back.
Chris Jericho is in the interview area and Josh Mathews asks him about the Intercontinental Title Match. Chris says that he has held the Intercontinental Title more than any other person. Tonight he gets the chance to make it ten. They are on the way to the Showcase of the Immortals. From the Rock to the Undertaker to Y2J.
Fandango interrupts and Chris wants to know if he has anything to say. Chris asks him what his name is and he tells Jericho. Chris calls him FanDumbo. FanDjango. FanSweetMango. FanDingoAteMyBabyO and more plays on his name.
Fandango says that was funny and Christopher will learn to pronounce his name properly. Chris say that he never got to order his tickets for Dead Man Down.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Michael Cole mentions that Natalya and Alicia Fox just came back from Rwanda. We see footage from their trip.
We see footage from Del Rio being attacked from behind by Swagger on Main Event.
Match Number Five: Cody Rhodes versus Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez)
Cody with punches to Del Rio but Del Rio with a rana and kick. Del Rio with a wrist lock and punch to the shoulder. Del Rio gets a near fall but Cody with a kick and drop down uppercut. Cody with a head butt and punches. Cody with a hard Irish whip and a boot to the chest. Cody gets tossed into the air by Del Rio and Del Rio with a kick to Rhodes for a near fall.
Del Rio tries for a suplex but Cody blocks it and hits one of his own. Cody chokes Del Rio in the ropes. Cody with a figure four head scissors. Del Rio with a back body drop and Del Rio charges into the corner but Cody moves and Del Rio hits the ring post shoulder first.
Cody with a snap mare and an elbow to the injured shoulder. Del Rio with a savate kick followed by a snap mare and kick to the back. Del Rio with a drop kick to the knees and Rhodes hits the apron before going to the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Rhodes with a forearm and kicks. The referee pulls Cody out of the corner. We see footage from the commercial when Cody hit Beautiful Disaster off the ringside barrier. Back in the ring and Del Rio with a slam and then he goes up for a moonsault but Cody moves and Del Rio lands on his feet but his knee gives out. Cody with a clothesline and kicks. Cody focuses on the good knee.
Cody puts Del Rio on the turnbuckles but Del Rio blocks the superplex. Del Rio with a gourdbuster but he lands awkwardly and both men are down. Cody and Del Rio exchange punches. Del Rio with clotheslines and then he avoids a clothesline and Del Rio with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker.
Del Rio with a super kick for a near fall. Del Rio signals for the cross arm breaker. Cody wit a punch to the midsection followed by an elbow and he hits a moonsault and can only get a two count. Rhodes is sent to the apron and then Del Rio with forearms to the kidneys followed by the lungblower for a near fall.
Del Rio sets for the step up enzuigiri but Rhodes moves. Del Rio stops short and then he applies the cross arm breaker and gets Rhodes to tap out.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
After the match, Del Rio is attacked by Jack Swagger. Ricardo tries to help Del Rio but Swagger with a snap mare and he throws Ricardo to the floor. Del Rio with punches and he goes back and forth with Swagger. They go through the ropes and Del Rio kicks Swagger in the chest. Del Rio sends Swagger into the ringside barrier. Del Rio sees Colter standing a few feet from him.
Del Rio loses his focus on Swagger and that allows Swagger to hit Del Rio from behind. Swagger sends Del Rio into the ring steps. Swagger sends Del Rio over the announce table.
Swagger attacks Ricardo again and he applies the ankle lock and Ricardo screams in pain.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we take a look at the attack by Jack Swagger on Alberto Del Rio and then on Ricardo Rodriguez.
We see footage of Ricardo being stretchered out.
It is time to see the newest inductee into the Hall of Fame: Booker T.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Michael Cole tells us that Ricardo Rodriguez’ ankle was broken by Jack Swagger.
Match Number Six: Randy Orton and Sheamus versus Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre (with Jinder Mahal)
Drew and Sheamus start off and Drew with punches but Sheamus punches back. Drew with a kick but Sheamus gets Drew on his shoulders for a rolling fireman’s carry slam. Orton tags in and he hits a leaping knee drop. Orton with an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow. Orton with a drop kick. Sheamus tags in and he hits the forearms across the chest from the apron. Sheamus with the slingshot shoulder tackle for a near fall.
Sheamus blocks a hip toss and then he hits a short arm clothesline. Jinder distracts Sheamus and Slater tags in and works over Sheamus. Drew tags back in and Drew with a boot to the head for a near fall.
Slater with a jumping side kick for a near fall. Sheamus with a double sledge to Drew from the turnbuckles. Orton tags in and he hits two clotheslines on Slater and ducks a clothesline from Slater and hits a power slam. Orton sends Slater to the apron for the IEDDT. Orton looks around and Sheamus with a Brogue kick to Drew and then to Jinder. Orton twist to the mat and hits the RKO for the three count.
Winners: Sheamus and Randy Orton
After the match, The Shield’s music plays and they come to the ring. They surround three sides of the ring but that leaves one side for Big Show to make his way to the ring. Dean Ambrose is not happy at this development.
The Shield go back into the crowd.
Show points to the Wrestlemania sign and leaves the ring. Randy Orton and Sheamus have a content look on their face because maybe they have found a new tag team partner.
We take a look at footage from the new GI Joe movie featuring The Rock.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Seven: Kofi Kingston versus Dolph Ziggler (with Big E Langston and AJ Lee)
They lock up and Ziggler works on the arm but Kofi with a reversal and arm bar. Kofi with a series of arm drags and an arm bar. Ziggler with a kick and punch. Ziggler with a side head lock take down. Kofi with a leaping back elbow to Ziggler and then he leaps into the corner but Ziggler moves and Kofi appears to have hurt his leg.
Ziggler gets a near fall. Ziggler with a drop kick for a near fall. Ziggler with a reverse chin lock. Ziggler does a headstand to add extra pressure. Ziggler with a kick but he misses a Stinger Splash. Kofi with chops to Ziggler followed by a drop kick. He misses the leaping clothesline. Ziggler with a sleeper but Kofi escapes. Kofi with a springboard twisting splash for a near fall.
Kofi with a leaping clothesline and then he hits the Boom Drop. Kofi sets for Trouble in Paradise but Ziggler catches him. Kofi lands on his feet on a suplex attempt. Kofi with a pendulum kick. AJ distracts the referee. Kofi goes for a splash on Ziggler but he bounces off Langston and goes down.
Ziggler with the Zig Zag for the three count.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
After the match, Daniel Bryan and Kane come out and Daniel Bryan is going to dazzle us with his comments. He congratulates Dolph on being the only person to finally to get him and Kane on the same page.
Kane says that he is not in a good place now. They have seen what Langston can do outside the ring, but what about inside the ring? Kane challenges Dolph Ziggler and Big E Langston to face them.
AJ says that her boyfriend and Big E Langston accept their challenge . . . if an only if they put the tag titles on the line at Wrestlemania.
Bryan and Kane accept the match.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to look back at Undertaker’s comments to CM Punk.
Since The Rock cannot be here this week, we have a video package.
Match Number Eight: Miz versus Wade Barrett versus Chris Jericho in an Intercontinental Title Match
Barrett punches Jericho and then he punches and kicks the Miz. Jericho hits Barrett from behind and then hits a back elbow for a near fall. Barrett misses a clothesline and Jericho clotheslines Barrett over the top rope to the floor. Miz with a rollup on Jericho. Miz knocks Barrett off the apron and back to the floor. Jericho with a pescado onto Barrett and Miz and Jericho checks on the pulse of the crowd.
Jericho rolls Barrett into the ring and he kicks Barrett. Barrett with a punch and head butt followed by a forearm. Jericho with a drop kick for a near fall. Miz trips Jericho and pulls him out of the ring and runs Jericho into the apron. Miz slides in and gets a near fall with a rollup.
Miz punches Barrett and Irish whips him. Miz hits the Awesome Clothesline and then he kicks Jericho from the apron. Miz goes up top but Barrett stops him and Barrett with a knee to the midsection. Barrett tries for a superplex but Jericho stops Barrett and power bombs Barrett while Barrett gives Miz a superplex and all three men are down as we go to commercial.
We are back and Barrett gets a near fall on Jericho. Barrett with an elbow drop and he kicks Miz off the apron again. Jericho with a chop but Barrett with a knee. Barrett gets a near fall. Barrett with a reverse chin lock. Jericho with elbows but Barrett with an Irish whip. Barrett runs into a boot from Jericho and Jerihco with a shoulder tackle or two. Barrett sends Jericho over the top rope but Jericho lands on the apron and then he goes up top and gets a near fall.
Jericho with a bulldog and then he goes for the Lionsault but Miz pulls Jericho over the top rope to the floor. Miz with a double sledge from the turnbuckles. Miz with a neck breaker but he cannot complete Reality Check. Barrett with the Blackpool Slam for a near fall.
Miz with a drop kick to the knee and he applies the figure four leg lock. Jericho with a Lionsault onto Miz for a near fall. Jericho kicks Miz to the floor. Jericho with a kick and forearm. Jericho with a rollup but he tries for the Walls of Jericho and he gets Barrett over.
Barrett reaches for the ropes and Jericho pulls him into the center of the ring. Miz tries for the Skull Crushing Finale on Jericho but Jericho blocks it. Jericho and Miz back body drop Barrett over the top rope to the floor. Jericho with a rollup and then Jericho hits the Codebreaker on Miz. Barrett throws Jericho out of the ring and Barrett covers but Jericho pulls Barrett out of the ring.
Barrett is sent into the ringside barrier and Jericho gets a near fall. Miz with a DDT for a near fall. Miz misses the Awesome Clothesline and Jericho with a springboard drop kick to Barrett on the apron. Miz with a boot to the head and he gets a near fall on Jericho. Jericho with chops to Miz and he misses an enzuigiri. Jericho with an inside cradle for a near fall. Jericho with an elbow and Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale but Barrett with a rollup on Miz for the three count.
Winner: Wade Barrett
In case you missed it on one of the other shows, we take a look at the World Premiere of The Call.
Before the contract signing, we go to Touts with stipulation suggestions.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is main event time and that can mean only one thing . . . CONTRACT SIGNING. The table and chairs are in the ring so things are official.
Triple H comes to the ring first and we get the GameFountain. Paul Heyman comes to the ring with members of security, but there is a man who is conspicuous by his absence.
Hunter says that he would have thought that Brock Lesnar would have come out since he split his head open two weeks ago.
Paul wants to know if Hunter is saying that Brock is afraid of Hunter. Paul says that Brock is fearless. Paul says that he is afraid of Triple H because of the predicament that they have put Hunter in.
Choice A is that Hunter disappoints the WWE Universe by taking away the match the fans want to see the most. Choice B is to sign the contract and face Brock Lesnar without knowing what the stipulations are. He says that Hunter is a frustrated man so Paul says that he has his own security detail.
Hunter says that Paul has spared no expense on his security.
Paul tells Hunter how this will work. Brock has already signed the contract. Only if Hunter signs the contract will he tell Hunter what the stipulations are.
Hunter says that he doesn’t care about the stipulations and he will kick Brock Lesnar’s ass at Wrestlemania.
Paul says that since Hunter is a captive audience, he wants to enjoy this. Brock is really enjoying this. They have spent countless hours watching one piece of footage over and over and over and over again. Paul shows us what happened three weeks ago on Raw.
Paul says this is as big as it gets. Paul asks Hunter how do you top that. Paul says that he knows how to top that. Brock Lesnar versus the Game and the Cerebral Assassin is blindfolded. That isn’t the stipulation because Brock wants Hunter to be able to look in the face of the man who will be beating him up.
Hunter will have his hands cuffed and his legs shackled, but that means that Hunter will have an excuse for a loss.
Paul suggests that the winner of the match gets Stephanie. However, since we are getting personal, it would be more fitting if the loser got Stephanie.
Hunter attacks Paul and the security members. Hunter puts Paul on the table and he slaps Paul’s chest while Paul calls for Brock.
Hunter says that since he knows that Brock is not going to come out, why not sign the contract and he takes his time enjoying this because he has a captive audience. Hunter slaps Paul and then he signs the contract and then Hunter tells Paul to call his monster.
Hunter kicks Paul out of the ring and then he throws the chair on Paul.
Brock Lesnar’s music plays and he slams a chair on the stage before doing the Brock Bounce. Lesnar picks the chair up and goes to the ring.
Lucky for Triple H, he had placed the GameHammer under the table.
Lesnar throws the chair into the ring.
Paul tells Hunter he signed his death warrant.
Paul goes to the stage and he says that he is not tough guy, but Brock is the tough guy. It was worth it to get Hunter to sign the contract.
Brock Lesnar versus Triple H will be in a No Count Out, No Disqualification, No Stoppages Match. It is a No Holds Barred Match. Another stipulation is that Hunter’s career is on the line.
We go to credits
2020 - AEW presented their first Dynamite in the pandemic era from Jacksonville, Florida, featuring the surprise debuts of Brodie Lee and Matt Hardy. Cory Strode filed the following report:
We are on a studio is Jacksonville, Florida, and it's time for AEW Dynamite. Our hosts are Jim Ross, Excalibur and Taz.
We start with Cody explaining that we all need to stand together. He explains that people need to live with science, but not in fear. The first person he asks to help is Matt Jackson. He then asked Adam Page to help as well. He then explains that he and Kenny Omega have their own differences. He says that they all need get over his differences for Blood and Guts next week. He needs the Elite to be Elite.
Matt Jackson and Kenny Omega come to the ring and Kenny takes the microphone. He says it's not in an arena but friends talking to friends, and everything they built could fall apart. They don't even know if there will be a show next week. He says he wants to go out as they came in, as the Elite. Matt then speaks and says that it's just the three of them. Nick is out indefinitely, and Page is nowhere to be seen.
Page comes out with a beer and Matt asks him will he be with them. Kenny says that all they can do is gives the best show they can, hit the lights, hit the pyro and let's start Dynamite.
The announcers run down the card for the night. JR sends us to a video package about the Death Triangle's feud with The Best Friends.
We come back to Tony Schiavone with MJF, and MJF says he doesn't have to wrestle since the winner's purse isn't enough for him, and he'll watch the under card Talent get their ring time with Sean Spears. They trade money and Tony asks if they are gambling on the matches. MJF is shocked, SHOCKED that he would make such allegations, and then asks if he'd like to be in on the action.
Back in the ring it's our first match. Orange Cassidy joins the announcing team.
Best Friends vs The Lucha Brothers
We start with Ray Fenix and Trent. They tie up quickly and go into the corner and break. They lock up a second time and go into the corner again. They trade blows in the middle of the ring. Ray wins the strike, and then they run the ropes and Trent wins that exchange by leaping and driving his knees into Ray's chest. Chuck is tagged in Chuck drops Ray onto his back for a two count. Chuck tags in Trent and double team with a stalling back drop and then Trent gets a two count. He works Ray over and then tags in Chuck who hits a drop kick and gets a two count.
Trent is tagged back in and he hits a double axe handle on Ray and Ray starts to fight his way out. He gains the upper hand and stays in the ring, but when he is tossed into his corner Pentagon gets a blind tag. He enters and they double team Trent. Pentagon gets a two count on Trent. Pentagon is wearing a Venom inspired mask, which pops me as a comics fan. Pentagon beats down Trent and then tags in Ray and they double team him. Pentagon knocks Chuck off the apron, Orange Cassidy wakes up to pay attention, and Trent leaps between the ropes onto Pentagon. Ray follows up with a leap of his own, and Chuck comes in for a clothesline, and all four men on the floor as we go to commercial.
All four men brawl on the outside of the ring on the small screen, and when they screen gets big again, Ray and Trent are in the ring and Ray covers for a two count. He tags in Pentagon who hits a brutal kick and gets a two count. Trent gets up and tries to fight his way free but Pentagon was able to maintain control. Pentagon tries for a pump handle slam, and Trent reverses it. Trent is able to reverse an arm drag and hits a tilt a while DDT. He is able to get the tag to Chuck and Pentagon tags in Ray.
Chuck hits a series of clotheslines, and a tilt a whirl back breaker on Ray. Pentagon comes in Chuck is able to get a rising knee strike on him and then a Cutter on Ray. They go in for the hug, but the Lucha Bros hit them with thrust kicks after the ref says no hugging. Out of the ramp, The Bros set up to give an assisted DDT and Cassidy gets up from the announce position. The Bros stop and while they are distracted, Trent tosses them off the ramp, and Cassidy hits them with a leap of faith. Chuck hits a pile driver on Pentagon for a two count.
Trent is tagged in and he starts to set up Pentagon for Strong Zero, but Ray interferes, breaking up the move. Pentagon pins Trent for a two count as Ray attacks Chuck in the corner. Pentagon hits a low blow on Trent, and then the Bros hit the assisted package pile driver and get the three count.
Your winners, The Lucha Bros.
Tony brings Best Friends over for an interview. Chuck challenges the Lucha Bros to a street fight in the parking lot on the next show.
We got right into the introductions for our next match, interrupted by commercials
Penelope Ford with Kip Sabian vs Riho vs Kris Statlander vs Hikaru Shida
It's a four way dance, and it starts with Ford going after Riho. Shida and Statlander attack Ford, and Kip Sabian pulls Shida and Statlander out of the ring. They take him out and Ford tries to follow up, but missed her dive. As they fight, Riho dives onto them. Back in the ring with everyone but Ford, and Riho takes down Shida, but Statlander is able to stop her. Shida and Statlander team up onto Riho, but when Shida tries to steal the pin, Statlander goes after her.
Shida is able to get an inside cradle on Statlander, but it's only a two count. The leads to Ford coming into the ring, some battle, and Riho and Ford were able to get a suplex on Shida. Ford and Riho are in the ring now, then Riho gets in a series of blows, stopped by outside interference by Sabian, and Ford is able to take control. Ford tries to take down Riho, but Riho tries to pull Ford down into a pinning predicament. Sabian gets on the apron to grab Ford's hands to stop it, and the ref break them up. Ford tries to drop down, but Riho has escaped and launches off of the prone Ford to hit Sabian with a high knee.
Shida and Statlander come in and they become the focus of the match with Statlander able to take down Shida. Statlander then slams Riho onto top of Shida. Ford sneak in and hits a backward Rana from the ropes, taking Statlander out. It looked like Statlander landed on her head and she rolls out of the ring. Ford goes for a back handspring onto Shida, but Shida stops her and hits a Falcon Arrow on Ford for a two count. Shida hits a running knee strike on Ford and covers Ford for a three count.
Your winner: Hikaru Shida
Tony is at ring side with Colt Cabana who says it's all weird. Colt says Ford would have done better if Sabian wasn't interfering, and Sabian comes over to put in his 2 cents, and Colt ends up slapping him, and Sabian leave with Ford as we go to commercial.
Back in the studio, we go to a taped interview between Tony and Mox. Tony asks what it’s like not to be medically cleared. Mox says he goes where he wants, but he will go for a drive. But when Blood and Guts happens, he'll be in the inner circle's blind spot. Mox then drives off in Jericho's super expensive car.
Back at the ring, we get the next match.
Butcher and the Blade without the Bunny vs Jurassic Express without Marco Stunt
MJF pays off Blade before the match starts. We start off with Blade and Jungle Boy. They tie up and Blade is able to force Jungle Boy into the corner and Jungle Boy is able to grab Blade for a flip and a pin for a two count. They then run the ropes, and it ends with Blade nailing Jungle Boy with a kick. Jungle Boy is able to fight his way into his corner and tags in Luchasaurus. They hit a double teamed swinging DDT and Luchasaurus covers for a one count.
Luchasaurus works over Blade, and tags in Jungle Boy. Blade rolls out of the ring, and then gets next to the barricade with Butcher to stop Jungle Boy from a leap onto him. When they walk out from the barricade, Jungle Boy leaps into the arms, and hey toss Jungle Boy into the barricade, They work over Jungle Boy outside the ring, and when they roll him in. Butcher is tagged in and they work Jungle Boy over in the corner. He then drags Jungle Boy across the ropes and tags in Blade. Blade keeps up the attack, and gets a two count after a clothesline. Butcher tags in and they go small screen through the commercials.
The beat down continues through the commercials and when we go full screen again, Blade still has control over Jungle Boy. Blade hits a tilt a whirl and gets a two count afterward. Jungle Boy is able to reverse a move, hit a clothesline and struggles to tag in Luchasaurus, but Blade is able to cut him off and they keep beating him down. Jungle Boy is tossed out of the ring, Butcher tosses him back in for Blade to get a two count. Jungle Boy is finally able to fight out of the opposite corner, leaps over Blade, rolls to his corner and Luchasaurus is tagged in to clear the ring. Luchasaurus ends the sequence to moonsault over the ropes onto Butcher outside the ring. He then beats down Blade in the ring, hits and Extinction Event and Butcher breaks up the tag at two.
Jungle Boy comes in to even the fight and he and Blade tumble outside the ring. Luchasaurus and Butcher come face to face and trade blows. Luchasaurus is able to stop Butcher with a kidney kick and was setting up for a choke slam when Blade comes in to break it up. They double team Luchasaurus, ending with a modified Magic Killer and Blade covers for a two count, broken up by Jungle Boy. Butcher takes out Jungle Boy and MJF calls for them to hit Full Death. The distraction allows for Luchasaurus to hit a head butt, and tail whip and they team up to hit a finishing move on Blade. Luchasaurus covers for the three count and Jungle Boy botches a leap out of the ring onto Butcher.
Your winner: Jurassic Express
We go to commercial and I feel like a goober for not knowing the name of Jurassic Express's finishing move because the announcers were talking over each other.
When we come back, the Dark Order is here. Evil Uno and Stu Grayson enter the ring with a Microphone. Uno asks the production team to focus on his eyes. He says that the Exalted One will bring the Dark Order to a higher level, and he hopes they see what he sees. He promised he would bring in the Exalted One and he never lies.
Uno stated the Exalted One is near, but he is cut off by SCU. Daniels says it's all lies. He hasn't made any of the people's lives better, he's wasted our time and we are sick of it. It's all lies and there is no Exalted One. He cuts off the music and starts a video of the Exalted One.
The Exalted One introduces himself and in a very short time, you will be up to speed on who he is. He says the new rule of the Dark Order is that they do what they want, when they want. If they come to your door, you open the door or he will kick the door open. He brings down his hood and it's Brody Lee. He says Christopher Daniels is unsafe. Daniels is not the first out of touch old man who doesn't believe in him, but he will be the last.
We come back, and Brody Lee is there, and all three of the Dark Order take down SCU and it's time for commercials.
Back in the Arena, Tony Schiavone is with Jack Roberts and Lance Archer. Jake speaks for him, and they laid the gauntlet at Cody's feet and got nothing in return. Jake has a record that will make Cody say Holy Crap. It's one thing to stay out of their way, but to ignoring them is like spitting in their face. He tells Cody to shut him up if he can, and it's time for Cody to stand up and meet The Man.
They are there for a specific reason, and it wouldn't be personal, but now it is and they will get his attention. Tony then gives us a video package introducing Lance Archer at a ring in the woods, and he is told to Try or Die. We see Lance take out a bunch of smaller opponents from around the ring until they are all laying at his feet. Really great video package.
We get a rundown of the next Dynamite, whenever it is. Nick Jackson is out with an internal injury and not cleared to travel, so tonight's match to see who gets the advantage is of VITAL IMPORTANCE.
The Inner Circle is Jake Hager, Santana and Ortiz with Sammy at ringside and Jericho on Commentary. The Elite is Cody with Arn Anderson, Matt Jackson because Nick is not cleared to travel, and Adam Page with Kenny Omega instead of a drink.
When Jericho comes out, Sammy sings along, terribly, to his song and forgets a lot of the words. It's just great stuff here.
Jericho's commentary is gold. You NEED to see this segment just for that.
Inner Circle vs The Elite.
We start with Cody against Santana, who doesn't come out of his corner until Cody turns his back. He beats down Cody until the run the ropes, and Cody is able to hit a power slam on Santana. Santana takes control again and tags in Ortiz, and they hit a double team move. Cody and Ortiz trade blows. Ortiz tires to hit a suplex and Cody reverses and slams Ortiz. Cody tags in Matt and then Matt holds Ortiz for Cody to tag in and hit a punch from the top rope.
Cody tags in Matt after a small argument between Matt and Page. Matt slams Ortiz onto the mat, and when he gets up, Page runs in and hit the big boot to the face of Ortiz. When Matt comes back,. Ortiz gets an eye poke and tags in Santana, who stops Matt's attacks briefly. Matt gets away and hits a spear on Santana.
I think we're in bullet point territory folks:
Your winners and getting an Advantage in Blood and Guts: The Inner Circle.
Jericho interrupts the highlights with his reason for why they won. Jericho bans all fans from all events until he says so. NO FANS ALLOWED.
Jericho's promo is GREAT here.
The Inner Circle has never had any problems, never drank at ringside. All they have done is win. And when it comes time for Blood and Guts, they will dominate as well. Sammy asks if Brandi wants to hit him up. They are interrupted by some buzzing noise.
Matt says they aren't outnumbers and a drone drops into the ring. Matt says he made a phone call to a friend who owes him a favor. And, in the rafters is Matt Hardy!!!
2020 - WWE broadcast NXT on the USA Network. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off with a look back at last week's episode of NXT.
We are at the WWE Headquarters and your hosts are Triple H and Tom Phillips.
Tom mentions that we will hear from Rhea Ripley to talk about her match against Charlotte Flair. We will also hear from Finn Balor.
We take a look at the feud between Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano. Good friends, but better enemies? We will look at them from both sides.
We look at Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano's tryouts.
Ciampa says the tryout was in 2015. Gargano says it was the start of their friendship. They grew a little on the indies, but the tryout brought them together. They were paired together. It was coincidence. Ciampa says that it was happenstance. They drove together. Their tryout match went well. Ciampa says he had instant chemistry with Gargano. They did everything they could and they felt they had a good shot. Gargano said they thought they would get the contracts. CIampa says they were pulled to the side but they did not have enough contracts. Johnny says they could only be given one contract and Ciampa says they were both turned down. Gargano says to be told that his dream job wouldn't happen sucked.
Ciampa says that he was going to make something with this career or he would have to move on. Gargano says that he had Tommaso to help him get through this. That helped their friendship outside the ring. Ciampa says they both had been wrestling for a decade and wanted to be part of the WWE.
Then the Cruiserweight Classic happens. Ciampa says he was not part of it and then he went to Hunter. He suggested putting him out there with Johnny in the first round. Ciampa says everything changed. Gargano says that match was the first encounter between them. Ciampa says you felt an energy during match 15 and there were only two men left. All they had to do was deliver. Ciampa says he gets chills talking about it and they went to the plate and hit a home run. You can hang your hat on that one if you are an artist.
Gargano says so many seeds were planted for the future. Ciampa says there as a moment when he hesitated and Gargano says it was because they were friends. Gargano says he took advantage and won the match. Gargano asks rhetorically if he is the better wrestler and he says he is Johnny Wrestling so yes. Then tney became a tag team. To be at Takeover Brooklyn 2 to have their match. They put their differences aside and they battled for the titles as part of DIY. Things felt like they were coming together. He told Tommaso if they stayed together, they can win the titles. Then they felt they could do it.
We see them losing to the Revival, but that made things stronger for them. Gargano says Ciampa was part of his wedding and they lived in the house together.
Ciampa says he probably wouldn't have tapped out if he was in Johnny's place. DIY worked because of the people. It didn't feel like the people were disappointed in them, but that they didn't win the match. Johnny regrets tapping out and he did not want to let Ciampa down. People wanted to see them win in Brooklyn, but they needed us to win in Toronto. Nothing was going to stop them from winning the titles.
Johnny says those are the moments you work for. When you are told that you don't belong here . . . screw you.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Johnny Gargano says people are loyal to you until their needs change. Ciampa says crowd reception was different. DIY worked well because of the connection to the people. Johnny says you want to take those titles and share them all over the world. Ciampa says their fight and struggle to get to NXT was a hard one and they were living the dream. Johnny says they were lucky to tour Japan and Australia with the titles. Ciampa says the friendship grew. Johnny says they grew as a team. To be able to share those moments with Ciampa . . . it didn't go the way they wanted, but you can't do anything about it.
CIampa says he had two shoulders that needed surgery. He didn't feel like the performer he could have been and should have been. Gargano says Ciampa's heart wasn't in DIY. Ciampa talks about AOP coming in and they were the worst opponents possible when you are not feeling 100%. Gargano says Toronto was a dream come true and San Antonio was a nightmare. Ciampa says AOP won the title on their first try and they couldn't get them back. Gargano says once they go the titles, there was a championship hangover and they couldn't get their footing again. Ciampa says when they were living together, they knew what he was going through. In Orlando, they had a Triple Threat Match. Johnny says that weekend was a blur and he says he doesn't know if their hearts were in it. Johnny says they had dreams to come here and they grew into it.
Ciampa says in Toronto, Johnny was the star. Gargano says there were a lot of chants for both of them. Ciampa says many people called it the greatest tag match. Gargano says doubt and anger about DIY not working crept into Ciampa's head and he started to resent Johnny. They were two alphas and one of the guys . . .
Ciampa let it digest and he says he knows Johnny better than anybody. He knows that Johnny has to be thinking he wants the tag titles back so what is the best play.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Johnny says Ciampa/Gargano is a story of moments. Johnny says Chicago is a night they will never forget because it is a night when everything changed.
We see highlights from the ladder match and Ciampa turning on Gargano after the match.
Ciampa says he did what he had to do. It was a business decision. Gargano says Ciampa knew he was going to have surgery so he wanted to make sure that Johnny was gone as long. Ciampa says he told Johnny tonight wasn't their moment, it was his. Johnny says he had to sit and wait for Ciampa to come back. Ciampa says Johnny had a slump but then he found himself again. Gargano says he knew that Ciampa would be back. Ciampa says he gave Johnny his opportunity to wrestle for the title.
CIampa says that Johnny lost his match and then he came back. Gargano says he wanted the NXT Championship. He put his career on the line against Andrade. Ciampa says he got involved to cost him his career.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Johnny says he put his career on the line against Andrade and Ciampa interfered. Ciampa says that people were chanting for Johnny, not him. Gargano says they booed Ciampa and forced Ciampa into a match in New Orleans to get his career back. Ciampa says he would be able to step on a Takeover stage and be himself.
We go to the Unsanctioned Match from Takeover New Orleans.
Johnny says that was a moment. Ciampa says Johnny won in New Orleans, but he didn't. Ciampa won because he was the star. Johnny says he knew the story wasn't over. Ciampa says he outperformed Johnny in Chicago and he got the win. Then Ciampa gets his first title match and he did what Johnny couldn't do. Gargano says Ciampa won the title because of him. They have the Last Man Standing match in Brooklyn and he costs himself. Ciampa says Johnny is realizing what everyone else is realizing. They missed the boat with Tommaso Ciampa.
Johnny says he had to make Ciampa think that they were on the same page. Ciampa says he found out that he would need neck surgery. We see Ciampa surrendering the NXT Championship.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Ciampa says just like that, his entire career and time as NXT Champion gets derailed. Johnny says he couldn't see that coming. Ciampa says it was the 238 greatest days of his career. Gargano says fate steped in and he faces Adam Cole in New York.
We take a look at the match.
Johnny says maybe he was caught up in the moment because he saw his best friend again. They embraced and he felt like he did it. What is this guy gonna do? He has a broken neck. Ciampa says after seeing Johnny have his moment, it felt right to put it all behind. Then he went away. Time for neck surgery and to figure it all out. He rehabbed and Johnny's first title defense, he lost the title. During all that time he was away, Johnny had trouble getting his feet under him.
Johnny says he watches Ciampa come back and for some reason, the fans give him a hero's welcome. They chant 'Daddy's Home'. Johnny says he couldn't figure out why. Johnny helps out Ciampa and they reform DIY. That is what the people wanted. Ciampa says he is the face of the brand now and he wants his title back. Adam Cole is holding that title and he goes straight for him.
We go to commercial.
We are back in Stamford and Tom resets the Ciampa/Gargano story.
Hunter says Portland is where he saw how much the title meant to him. He was looking for a way to come back faster and participate. Hunter says he knows what it is like to be told that you cannot do it again. Ciampa says he was going to get his life back in Portland and he meant it.
Ciampa says he wanted the title back that he never lost and Adam Cole was holding the title. Gargano talks about how everyone is all about Ciampa. Gargano says he wanted to believe his best friend was back. Ciampa says for 30 minutes he felt he was getting Goldie back. He told Cole he would have to kill him to beat him.
We take a look at highlights from Takeover Portland.
Ciampa says no one was going to keep his shoulders on the mat for three seconds and no one was going to make him tap out. Then Johnny Gargano came out. Johnny went out to help his best friend, but he saw a look that only he would know. The look he saw in Chicago three years ago when he spat on his wedding ring. Ciampa says when Johnny had his title match, he let him have it and he lost. When I had my title match, Johnny didn't give me a chance. Gargano calls Ciampa a snake and a liar. He fixed the mistake. The people are too stupid to see.
Ciampa says the issue has gone beyond the title. It is about being the face of the Black and Gold brand. That brawl at the performance center was just business. Johnny says Ciampa invaded his space and attacked him. They brawled all over the Performance Center and it is appropriate because this is where it started. They had their tryout there, they formed DIY there, and they built their bond there. Ciampa says their paths will collide. When it comes to Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa you can chant Fight Forever because they might just do that.
Hunter says tearing apart the building that brought them together, but you have seen nothing yet as it comes to Gargano and Ciampa.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to talk about Finn Balor. Hunter says many were shocked by his return and his actions, but Hunter says he was pleasantly surprised by what he did. Balor looked to be satisfied with what he has done, but without that spark. This is the Prince he hoped he would get.
We see footage of Finn winning performer of the year in 2015.
Finn Balor says 2014, Prince Devitt was the best wrestler in the world. NXT does what they do best, they sign the best wrestler in the world and Finn Balor is born. Every night, he proved that he is the best wrestler in the world. Shinsuke Nakamura, Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe, every night he proves that he is the best wrestler in the world. He becomes NXT Champion. For 292 days, he proved to everyone that he is the best wrestler in the world.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at Finn Balor being drafted by Raw. Being drafted in the first round by Raw. Raw wants the best wrestler in the world and they pick Finn Balor. First night on Raw, Cesaro, KO, and Rusev. And the Big Dog lose to the best wrestler in the world. Three weeks later, first pay per view. Summerslam, Seth Rollins loses to the best wrestler in the world. Finn Balor, first ever Universal Champion. But he is hurt. Everyone is upset and heartbroken. They are saying poor Finn. FInn is the best wrestler in the world and he proved it to everyone. Nine months . . . torn labrum, torn bicep, torn pec. Nine months of rehab. Come back at 100 percent but something has changed.
The atmosphere has changed. Put Jinder Mahal in the ring with Finn Balor and he is having the best matches of his career. Put Baron Corbin in the ring with Finn Balor and he is having the best matches of his career. Put Bobby Lashley in the ring with Finn Balor and he is having the best matches of his career. You put Finn Balor in the ring with anyone and they get the best matches of their career. Royal Rumble 2019 in Phoenix and Finn Balor faces Brock Lesnar for the Universal Title.
There is that feeling. That feeling he hadn't felt since NXT. That fight feeling and you are in the fight of your life. Brock won that night. Brock made him feel what he had been missing. That feeling he had against Samoa Joe and Kevin Owens. That feeling he had in NXT. He lost that night, but he saved Finn's life. He brought that passion back. He needed to wrestle and he needed to wrestle in NXT. The only place he knew he could get that feeling. Addicted to the adrenaline and pain. It was gone for three years. You have the merchandise and the autograph signings, but what about the wrestling. He wants to prove that he is the best wrestler in the world and it is at NXT.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Finn says he can't sleep at night. He wakes up in his hotel room at 4:00 AM with that adrenaline rush. He had to stop pleasing everyone and he had to please himself. Please the marketing department, the merchandise department, and media department, but what about himself. Finn is sick of pleasing other people. He has to please himself. He does not care about anyone else. He is 38 years old and he has been doing this for 20 years. He is not going to do things he doesn't want for three more years. It was not just about going back to NXT, it was about going back to the Prince. Going back to something he believed in. Doing something he felt was right. Nothing personal Johnny Gargano, this is about him. It is about the Prince.
We take a look at Johnny Gargano versus Finn Balor from Takeover Portland.
He says 2018 Finn Balor is dead a long time ago. He is The Prince, the best wrestler in the world. These are uncertain times and we don't know what is going to happen. What we know is that he will step in the ring with WALTER and he will get what he wants. There are other people here who are addicted to the same thing as The Prince and if you want to dance, I am here.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Tom mentions Wrestlemania is two weeks away and Rhea Ripley will defend the NXT Women's Championship against Charlotte Flair. Hunter says to have Charlotte Flair be challenging for the title. To have the Royal Rumble winner choose the NXT Champion is a bold statement. The bolder statement is the 23 year old who holds the title is not going down without a fight. If she has to beat one of her idols, she will.
Rhea Ripley says NXT is like her mosh pit but it wasn't always that way. Two weeks before the first Mae Young Classic, she was 20 years old and terrified. She knew it was something she wanted since being a little child. She was a big fish in a little pond. Then she became a little fish in a big pond. To be a part of the first Mae Young Classic and to get her name and Australia out there, it meant a lot. She wanted to please everyone and she lost who she was. She got compared to Charlotte Flair, Toni Storm, and Lana because of the blonde hair. It wasn't her. For the second Mae Young Classic, she was going to be herself.
She blew it out of the water in the second Mae Young Classic. That is when she knew she was on the right track and she proved people wrong and that is what she loves. She went into the NXT UK Women's tournament with a different attitude. Going into the finals against Toni Storm was insane. A lot was on the line. She wanted her name in the history books as the first NXT UK Women's Champion. Everyone was wanting Toni to win and expected Toni to win.
Rhea knew she had Toni exactly where she wanted her. She was in NXT UK for a year and a half. There are not many female competitors in NXT UK and she felt that she faced them all and did all she could do. Shayna had gone through everyone in NXT. This was her one chance to show everyone exactly who she was.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at the set up for War Games and Survivor Series.
After Survivor Series, everyone knew who Rhea Ripley was, but what was missing was Rhea Ripley, NXT Women's Champion. The big day came and she finally had Shayna Baszler in a championship match. She says she was stressing but she was excited because she knew this was her moment. She finally accomplished something she worked on for so long. It was such a cool thing to share the ring with the WWE Universe and have them in there celebrating with her. It is a memory she will never forget.
Becoming the NXT Women's Champion was a great way to end 2019. It was super cool and to be one of the hottest new faces on NXT in such a short amount of time. To be at the Royal Rumble. Seeing Charlotte Flair being the last woman in the ring, she knew that she wanted to challenge her. Rhea says she had a feeling that Charlotte would accept. No one wanted to see Charlotte versus Becky Lynch or Bayley again because they had seen it before. You know what they haven't seen?
Charlotte Flair versus Rhea Ripley for the NXT Women's Title. She wanted to try to get her Wrestlemania Golden Ticket. To be the best, you have to beat the best. She had her opportunity and she took her chance.
We see the match between Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair at Takeover Portland.
2020 has had a lot of curve balls so far, but here we are. Wrestlemania is still on and it is not in Charlotte's world. She is used to the stadiums. Instead, we are in her world, the WWE Performance Center. Where she has put her blood, sweat, and tears. Charlotte and her are two different individuals. Charlotte likes to thrive off the crowd. When she wooos, they woooo back. At Wrestlemania, no one is going to wooo back because no one is there for you. You know who is there, just me. That is what you are going to have to focus on. The venue might have changed, but the result is not going to be any different. She will pin Charlotte Flair and walk out as the NXT Women's Champion.
We go to credits.
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