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March 20th
On this day in history in ....
1959 - Former NWA, WCW and TNA champion Sting is born.
1972 - Danny Hodge defeats Dr X to win the NWA Junior Heavyweight Title.
1973 - Former WCW star and WWE developmental talent Scott "Sickboy" Vick is born.
1977 - Former ROH champion Homicide is born.
1977 - Caprice Coleman is born.
1978 - WWWF ran at Madison Square Garden in New York City with Superstar Billy Graham defeating WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund when the match was stopped due to a cut over Backlund's eye. Because the champion wasn't pinned or forced to submit, the title did not change hands. On the undercard, the unique six-man tag team of Andre The Giant, Mil Mascaras & Dusty Rhodes defeated Mr. Fuji, Toru Tanaka & Ken Patera.
1981 - At a WWF house show in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Andre The Giant defeats Hulk Hogan.
1982 - KC James was born.
1983 - WWF ran at Madison Square Garden in New York City in front of a sold-out crowd, with additional fans viewing the event on closed-circuit television at the adjacent Felt Forum. Here are the results:
- Jose Luis Rivera defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- Tony Garea defeated Johnny Rodz.
- SD Jones defeated Jose Estrada.
- Salvatore Bellomo vs. Ray Stevens ended in a double-countout.
- Andre The Giant, Jimmy Snuka & Rocky Johnson defeated Big John Studd, Afa & Capt. Lou Albano in a three out of five falls match, with the winners taking three straight falls.
- In a midgets match, Pancho Boy & Sonny Hayes defeated Butch Cassidy & Farmer Pete.
- Superstar Billy Graham defeated Jules Strongbow.
- WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco in a Texas Death match.
1984 - WWF ran in New York City at a sold-out Madison Square Garden, with additional fans viewing the show on closed circuit TV at the Felt Forum. Here are the results:
- SD Jones defeated Rene Goulet.
- B. Brian Blair defeated Charlie Fulton.
- Akira Maeda defeated Pierre Lefebrve.
- The Iron Sheik defeated Ivan Putski.
- Sgt. Slaughter defeated Mr. Fuji & Tiger Chung Lee in a handicap match.
- Roddy Piper & David Schultz defeated Jimmy Snuka via disqualification in a handicap match when Andre The Giant attacked Piper & Schultz. The match started as a tag team bout, but Piper used a foreign object to bloody Andre, and he was taken to the locker room for medical attention. Snuka challenged Piper & Schultz to a handicap match, and when Andre returned, his attacking Piper & Schultz was considered outside interference, resulting in the DQ.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Tony Atlas & Rocky Johnson vs. The Wild Samoans ended in a double-DQ.
- Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana vs. Paul Orndorff ended in a time limit draw.
- Bob Backlund vs. Greg Valentine ended in a double countout.
1985 - Former ROH Champion Matt Taven is born.
1988 - Jonathan Gresham is born.
1994 - Wrestlemania X was held. Mike Johnson penned the following:
WRESTLEMANIA X
March 20, 1994
Location: New York City
Arena: Madison Square Garden
Announced Attendance: 19,444
RESULTS
*In a tremendous match, Owen Hart pinned Bret Hart with a rollup. This was designed to put Owen into main event status as a heel and had been building since November 1993. Hart would go on to main event the rest of the year against Bret on the house shows. The original plan for the brother vs. brother storyline was to bring in Bruce Hart, but Bret pushed for Owen and got his wish. Hart injured his leg hitting a plancha on Owen and sold it for the rest of the bout as well as his title match later in the night. An awesome match.
*In a mixed tag match, Bam Bam Bigelow & Luna Vachon beat Doink the Clown and Dink the Clown when Bigelow pinned Doink in a comedy bout.
*Randy Savage defeated Crush in a Falls Count Anywhere bout. The match was held under old school Texas Death match rules where after a pinfall, the wrestlers had 60 seconds to return to the ring and continue the match. Savage ended up winning by pinning Crush in the Rotunda of the building, then hogtying him upside down where he was unable to escape. This was the blowoff of their feud.
WWF Women's champion Alundra Blayze pinned Leilani Kai with a German suplex. Kai became the only performer to work both Wrestlemania 1 and 10. Blayze was in the midst of a heavy promotional push at the time, including pyro for her entrance. She would stay with the company for another year and a half before returning to WCW under her old ring name of Madusa, tossing the WWF Women's championship in the garbage on live television. In other words, don't expect her to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
*Men on A Mission, Mo and Mabel (managed by Oscar, mentioned as the fan from Wrestlemania IX) defeated WWF Tag Team champions The Quebecers, Jacques Rougeau and Pierre Oulette (managed by Johnny Polo, who would go on to greater heights elsewhere as Raven) by countout. Men on A Mission did a rap gimmick, and their Wrestlemania X rap was played endlessly in the weeks leading up to the PPV.
*WWF champion Yokozuna defeated Lex Luger by disqualification. The match featured the returning mystery guest referee Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig who had feuded with Luger just a year ago. The finish of the bout saw Luger have Yokozuna finished but be disqualified by Hennig for accidently (and it was an "error" in the storylines so Luger was screwed), hitting Hennig. As a funny aside, Luger confronted Hennig backstage where they were held back by WWF officials. When the big screen in MSG was turned off during the fracas, the crowd chanted "Bullsh-t." On camera, Vince McMahon used the chant to express how unhappy the fans were with the decision when all they wanted was the screen turned back on! Yokozuna was defending the belt twice because Luger and Bret Hart had "tied" in the Royal Rumble when both men hit the floor at the same time at the end. Jim Cornette cut an awesome interview after the match backstage.
*Earthquake pinned Adam Bomb in 30 seconds with the Earthquake squash.
*In what is one of the most talked about Wrestlemania matches of all time, WWF Intercontinental champion Razor Ramon defeated Shawn Michaels to become the undisputed IC champion. Michaels had walked out of the company during a disagreement in September 1993 and Ramon defeated Rick Martel to win the vacant belt. When Michaels returned, he claimed to be the true champion. Both belts were hung above the ring for the competitors to grab. Michaels bumped like crazy here. The finish of the bout saw Michaels climbing the ladder, and Ramon showing it down. Michaels crotched himself on the ropes and then fell into them, entangling himself. Ramon set up the ladder and climbed up. Michaels pulled himself free, only to entangle his arm in the ropes. As he helplessly reached for the ladder while trapped, Razor captured the belts and the undisputed distinction. Michaels, meanwhile, made himself a Wrestlemania legend. In the years to come, the evolution of the TLC matches during the "Attitude" era could all be pointed back to this singular starting point.
*Bret Hart pinned Yokozuna to win the WWF championship with Roddy Piper as the mystery guest referee. Hart sold his leg like a champ the entire time. The Garden erupted for the finish with all the babyfaces and the celebrities parading Hart on their shoulders. After an entire year of wanting the belt back on Bret Hart to the point a heavy Lex Luger promotional push fizzled, the fans had their wish.
Celebrities: Burt Reynolds, the famous movie star turned TV actor (at this point starring in Evening Shade) was the guest ring announcer for Bret vs. Yokozuna....Rhonda Shear, who hosted the USA Network's Up All Night program was the guest timekeeper....Donnie Wahlberg of New Kids on the Block fame was booed out of MSG as the guest ring announcer for Luger vs. Yokozuna....Jenny Garth of Beverly Hills 90210 was the guest timekeeper....Sy Sperling, president of the Hair Club for Men made an appearance, complete with giving Howard Finkel hair for the only time of his WWF tenure....Little Richard and a choir opened the show singing "America The Beautiful"
Notes: The event was billed as "Ten Years in The Making" and "Back on Broadway" in advertising....Jerry Lawler returned to the promotion with this event, commentating with Vince McMahon. Lawler's return was a surprise...This event would mark the first PPV where WWF would offer a special edition take home chair for ringside fans....Ticket prices for the show were $300, $150, $75, $50, $35, and $20....The Rotunda of the Garden was turned into the first-ever WWF Fan Fest with exhibits and autograph signings for the fans including a "Dunk Doink" tank, a setup where fans could commentate matches with each other and WWF stars ($10), sit in the Event Center for photos, exhibits for WWF licensees like Hasbro (action figures) and much more....The show was a near immediate sellout in part due to WWF doing a heavy mailing and giving away flyers for pre-show tickets. The practice was used to sell out The Boston Garden for Survivor Series months before and was used regularly until Ticketmaster.com took off....This was the final Wrestlemania appearance for former headliner Randy Savage....The Bushwhackers defeated The Heavenly Bodies in a dark match. Clips of the match including the finish were seen during the countdown show to Wrestlemania going live on PPV....The ladder match was the first ever on a PPV broadcast.....The Paramount (now known as the Theatre) in Madison Square Garden was sold out for a closed circuit broadcast. After his victory, Randy Savage went into the location to pose for the fans and thank them for coming....Wrestlemania X would prove to be the first Wrestlemania without Hulk Hogan appearing....This would prove to be Jim Cornette's first Wrestlemania.....Diesel (Kevin Nash) also made his Wrestlemania debut, in Shawn Michaels' bodyguard. Diesel would headline the following year....There was a ten man tag scheduled but it was yanked due to timing purposes. The bout would take place several weeks later on Raw. They actually did a skit backstage where none of the heels could agree on who was team captain to explain its absence....The format sheet of the show actually listed 42 minutes of ringtime for Yokozuna....The Undertaker was in the midst of a hiatus, making this the first Wrestlemania he had missed since coming to the company. He would return in August 1994 at Summerslam.
Mike Johnson: I attended this Wrestlemania live and I remember just loving the spectacle of the show. This was the highlight of the year for WWF as the workers had new outfits, some had new music (I recall Luger having much better entrance music), and there were two off the charts matches within a three hour span. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart was as perfect a wrestling match as one could have and I recall thinking it was an awesome performance for Bret, who even sold the leg greatly hours later against Yokozuna. The Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon match is often talked about influencing the next generation of talent and with good reason. Scott Hall had his career performance here and Michaels was given the ball to steal the show and made people forget that 2 hours earlier they saw a near perfect match, by giving them a Perfect match. There was some silliness underneath but between the surprises (Lawler, Piper, Hennig), two great matches, and an awesome atmosphere, this ranks alongside 3 and 17 as one of the best Mania presentations.
Jess McGrath: As far as in-ring, this was the best Wrestlemania until the most recent boom period. You had two matches that were just unbelievable, Bret vs. Owen and the ladder match. Too bad for Bret and Owen that they had to share the card, because without the ladder match, people would have remembered, and been buzzing about, their match for a long time. Instead, it's largely forgotten because of Shawn-Razor. The influence of the ladder match can't be understated. It introduced the concept of the ladder match in the U.S. While there may have been a few done on indies before this, they absolutely exploded once this match happened. And Shawn cemented his reputation as a legendary performer here. The good stuff was so good on this show, I can forgive the bad.
Dave Scherer: I agree with my colleagues in that this show had a lot more good wrestling on it than the previous editions. I was actually excited to watch this one. Between the battle of the Harts and the Ladder match, this was the first show, maybe in the event's history that truly lived up to the name "WrestleMania" for me. They actually added some steak to their sizzle.
1995 - John Minton, known in the ring as Big John Studd, died of Hodgkin's disease at age 46. Studd, trained by Killer Kowalski, went on to become a huge star during the WWF's national expansion in the 1980's, feuding with Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant while being managed by Bobby Heenan.
2000 - During an edition of Raw from Chicago, Illinois, WWF World Champion Triple H, accompanied by Stephanie McMahon, defeated The Rock, accompanied by Vince McMahon, and The Big Show, accompanied by Shane McMahon, in a Triple Threat match by pinning Show with a Pedigree. After the match, Linda McMahon came out and announced that the main event for Wrestlemania 2000 would be a four-way elimination match for the World Title with "a McMahon in every corner". She then introduced her participant for the match, a returning Mick Foley. Foley, who had "retired" the previous month, came out and attacked Triple H.
2003 - Sailor Art Thomas, who achieved most of his career success on the East Coast, and helped to break down the color barrier in wrestling, died of cancer at age 79.
2007 - WWE broadcast ECW on SAci Fi. Mike Johnson filed the following TV report:
The episode opened up with a memorial graphic dedicated to Arnold Skaaland.
They aired a video feature on Bobby Lashley breaking the Master Lock last night on Raw. Chris Masters cut a promo backstage saying that last night Lashley broke the Master Lock, so tonight he was going to break Lashley in half.
ECW opening montage.
Sabu & Rob Van Dam vs. Marcus Cor Von and Kevin Thorn (with Ariel)
Van Dam kicked Thorn hard in the face then nailed a spin kick. Sabu nailed Air Sabu off Van Dam's back in the corner. He dropkicked Thorn's legs out from under him and drilled him with a legdrop for a near fall. Thorn caught Van Dam coming off the ropes. He ducked a spinkick and Van Dam caught himself in the ropes. Cor Von clotheslined RVD to the floor. Not good so far. Cor Von drilled RVD with a pair of over the knee backbreakers for a near fall.
The New Breed kept working over Van Dam as the crowd tried to rally him. Thorn locked on a rear chinlock. Cor Von slammed RVD and cinched in a side chinlock. Sabu tagged in and hit a springboard into a clothelines, then hit a slingshot leg lariat. Sabu hit a DDT on Cor Von but Thorn broke up the pinfall. Van Dam nailed a windmill kick, then pulled Thorn over the ropes with a headscissors to the floor. Sabu and Cor Von went at it. Sabu bounced off the ropes and Thorn missed an interference spot because time stood still. Thorn finally grabbed Sabu's hair and he was distracted. He drilled Thorn with a punch, then turned to face Marcus. Cor Von nailed an awesome looking pounce and scored the pin. Seriously, that pounce was better than anything else in the match. Sabu bumped clear across the ring for it.
Your winners, Marcus Cor Von and Kevin Thorn!
Outside of the Pounce, not a great way to start the show.
They announced Tommy Dreamer vs. Elijah Burke for later tonight.
Snitsky vs. Mike Tolar (spelling made phonetically)
When they locked up, I thought I was watching WWF Superstars in 1986. Snitsky whipped him into the corner and killed him with a big boot the face for the pin.
Your winner, Snitsky!
Joey Styles and Tazz discussed the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2007 and announced the Original Sheik would be inducted. They aired a great video feature on Sheik as a performer and promoter. It was an awesome piece, even showing the infamous FMW match that saw the ring go up in flames.
They plugged CM Punk vs. Hardcore Holly was coming up next.
CM Punk vs. Hardcore Holly
They plugged Punk was interviewed in the new issue of Spin Magazine. The crowd was chanting Punk's name immediately. Holly shoulderblocked Punk down after coming off the ropes. Punk came back and caught Holly with an armbar. Elijah Burke made his way to the ring. Holly worked over Punk's shoulder. Holly kicked Punk in the shoulder and clotheslined him down for a near fall. Holly tried to nail the Alabama Slam on Punk but he held onto the ropes. Holly nailed Punk low. Holly placed him on the ropes for a superplex, but Punk punched him off the ropes. Punk came off the ropes with a legdrop. Burke jumped up on the apron. Punk turned to face Burke. Thorn attacked Holly from behind and snapped his neck on the ropes. Punk looked surprised, then nailed the Go To Sleep knee to the face on Holly for the pin.
Your winner, CM Punk!
OK solid and methodical bout with Punk getting his win back on Holly. The New Breed getting involved was a good way to tease that Punk might side with them.
Backstage, Burke approached Punk. Punk said that he told Burke he doesn't need anyone's help. Burke said he understands but the New Breed takes care of their own. He reminded Punk to think about what the New Breed could do for him at Wrestlemania during the Money in the Bank match. Punk looked like he was considering it.
Extreme Expose is dancing to Def Leppard. Buck Woodward's head just exploded. Seriously.
Tommy Dreamer (with Sandman) vs. Elijah Burke (with Matt Striker)
They showed clips of Dreamer winning the Battle Royal last week. That was a fun finish.
Burke kicked Dreamer in the gut and whipped him into the ropes. Dreamer reversed and hit a hip toss. Burke retreated and they battled on the floor briefly. Dreamer teased suplexing Burke out of the ring to the floor but Burke escaped and ran Dreamer into the cornerpost. Dreamer came back with a neckbreaker. Dreamer unloaded with punches. Burke tried to hit a high crossbodyblock off the ropes but Dreamer caught him and nailed a Fall Away Slam. Dreamer hit a running dropkick of sorts into Burke, who was hanging upside down in the corner. Dreamer went for his DDT, but Burke held onto the ropes. Burke hit the running knees to the back of Dreamer in the corner and scored the pin.
Your winner, Elijah Burke!
Burke looked solid here. Match was OK. Dreamer didn't have the fire he showed last week. WWE needed the New Breed to get a few wins here to build heat going into the PPV and accomplished that tonight.
They aired a look back at Lashley breaking the Master Lock.
They showed a bunch of celebrities discussing who would get their head shaved at Wrestlemania.
ECW champion Bobby Lashley vs. Chris Masters
Lashley is really coming into his own as a presence. He seems much more comfortable in recent weeks. They lock up but neither gets an advantage. Repeat. They jaw and Lashley clotheslined Masters. Masters comes back with a series of punches in the corner, but they are shrugged off. Lashley drilled him with punches and backdrops Masters. Masters goes to the floor. Lashley follows. Masters drills him back-first into the ringpost on the floor. Back in the ring, Masters calls for the Masterlock but Lashley avoids. He nails a suplex and drives Master's head into the turnbuckle. Lashley clotheslines him in the corner and nailed the Dominator for the pin.
Your winner, Bobby Lashley!
A little more competitive than I expected but nothing out of the ordinary.
They pushed Lashley vs. Mr. McMahon for Raw as they went off the air. Vince vs. the ECW champ. Who would have thunk it?
2008 - Former TNA performer Konnan served the company with a lawsuit pertaining to his departure from the company and their treatment of him as he was dealing with several health issues, including a hip replacement. The company did lend Konnan money for the operation, which led to Konnan learning he needed a kidney transplant. Konnan later underwent the transplant procedure after a fan donated his kidney. The lawsuit would eventually be withdrawn, as was a lawsuit firing back at Konnan from the company.
2008 - World Wrestling Entertainment announced that Afa Anoai Jr., the son of Afa the Wild Samoan, currently considered one of the top performers in Florida Championship Wrestling has been suspended for 30 days due to a Wellness Policy violation.
2009 - ROH on HDNet debuted, kicking off a two year run on the cable network. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Tonight marks the national television debut of Ring of Honor on a weekly basis. On the night when the company marks the seventh anniversary of its existence, it is fitting that the company would make its national debut.
Your announcers in the ROH mobile studio are Dave Prazak and Mike Hogewood. Mike mentions the Code of Honor and Dave talks about the sportsmanship in every match. Dave and Mike talk about the main event, Tyler Black versus Jimmy Jacobs.
We go to the opening match from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Match Number One: Jerry Lynn versus Delirious
Before the match starts, we get comments from Delirious and your guess is as good as mine as to what he just said. Jerry talks about how Delirious is a bit off center, but he has been in the business for twenty years and he can also be off center.
The bell rings and Delirious goes crazy but Lynn with a front face lock. Delirious with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Lynn trips Delirious and then applies a drop toe hold before putting Delirious in a bow and arrow. Delirious gets a near fall but Lynn with a side head lock after avoiding a leg sweep. Lynn hits a tilt-a-whirl head scissors followed by a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a near fall. Lynn with a kick to the back followed by a forearm. Delirious catches Lynn when Lynn tries to float over in the corner. Delirious drops Lynn onto the mat and then hits a senton splash for a near fall. Delirious with a side head lock take down and he keeps the arm isolated. Lynn with elbows but Delirious with a knee. Delirious with a series of clotheslines but Lynn blocks a third and gets a near fall with a back slide. Lynn gets Delirious up in a Gory Special and spins around to disorient Delirious and then hits the move but can only get a two count. Lynn misses a clothesline into the corner and Delirious with a drop toe hold that sends Lynn into the corner. Delirious sets for Panic Attack and hits it. Delirious goes up top for Shadows Over Hell but Lynn moves and then Lynn tries for a TKO but Delirious counters with a sunset flip for a near fall. Lynn tries for a sunset flip but it is Delirious who gets the near fall. Delirious goes to the turnbuckles and Lynn stops him. Lynn with a rana from the top turnbuckle followed by a TKO but he can only get a two count. Lynn sets for the cradle piledriver but Delirious drives Lynn into the corner. Delirious with shoulders and a chop. Lynn avoids a charge into the corner and Lynn hits the cradle piledriver for the three count.
Winner: Jerry Lynn
Kyle Durden is in the back and he is with Tyler Black. Kyle asks Jimmy about his match with Jimmy Jacobs and he mentions how Jimmy turned on Tyler. Tyler says that revenge is an interesting concept. He says that he is looking forward to punching Jimmy Jacobs, but the toll that it will take is something that has to be considered. It takes a lot to get down to Jimmy Jacobs’ level. Tyler points out that Jimmy was the one who brought him into Ring of Honor, but their revolution was not about changing people. It was about setting an example for hope. Now Jimmy has turned his back on him. Tonight, he will get his revenge.
We hear from Sami Callihan and Kenny King before we go to our next match.
Match Number Two: Sami Callihan versus Kenny King
King avoids Callihan before they finally lock up and Callihan works on the arm and puts King in a hammer lock. King escapes and hits a Japanese arm drag and King kips up. Callihan with a double leg take down when King turns around. Callihan follows with a leg sweep into a front face lock. King goes over the top rope to the floor and he drops Callihan on the top rope. King returns to the ring and hits a clothesline and gets a near fall. King kicks Callihan in the ribs and King chokes him with his boot. Callihan punches King in the midsection but King with knees to the midsection and then he chokes Sami in the ropes. King with a slam and then he hits a springboard corkscrew leg drop for a near fall. King with a reverse chin lock but Callihan with punches to get out of the hold. Callihan with a rollup for a near fall. King with a spin kick and a spinebuster that would make Arn Anderson proud for a near fall. King with a forearm to the back but Callihan responds with punches. King misses a spin kick and Callihan with a reverse atomic drop and then he hits a package suplex and both men are down. Callihan is the first to his feet and he punches King and then hits a forearm. King with a knee to the midsection and then Callihan hits a series of kicks followed by a clothesline for a near fall. Callihan with the Koji Clutch but King makes it to the ropes to break the hold. Callihan hits a forearm into the corner but he tries for a leg lariat but King moves out of the way. King with knees to the back and Callihan goes into the turnbuckles and then King hits the Coronation for the three count.
Winner: Kenny King
Kyle Durden is in the back with Jimmy Jacobs. Kyle asks Jimmy about the Age of the Fall and Tyler Black’s involvement in the group. Jimmy says that he brought Tyler Black into Ring of Honor to help carry out a movement. Jimmy says that they were going to spread his message in the Age of the Fall, but Tyler Black decided to change the plans. Tyler decided to ignore the message of fighting against the masses and he fought for the masses. Jimmy says that Tyler is a great wrestler, but tonight he will break Tyler. Tyler says that the war is waiting, but it is no longer waiting. The war is now and the war is here.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a video package showing highlights of some of the wrestlers who have been in Ring of Honor.
Before our next match, we get comments from Rhett Titus and Brent Albright.
Match Number Three: Rhett Titus versus Brent Albright
Albright with chops right after the handshake. Albright with a running back elbow. Titus with a knee to the midsection and he tries for the sexy suplex but Albright blocks it and Albright hits a delayed vertical suplex. Albright with a chop and kick to Titus followed by forearms. Albright with an Irish whip but he charges into a boot. Albright pulls Titus off the turnbuckles and hits a back breaker. Albright gets a near fall. Albright misses a short arm clothesline but he hits Splash Mountain for a near fall. Albright clotheslines Titus over the top rope to the floor. Albright with a pescado onto Titus. Albright with a punch from the apron and then he tries to send Titus into the turnbuckles but Titus blocks it. Rhett with a thumb to the eyes and then he kicks Albright off the apron. Titus gets a near fall and then he says that he has things under control. Titus sends Albright into the turnbuckles and then he kicks him. Albright chops Titus but Titus with a rake of the eyes. Titus with a snap mare and a drop kick to the back of the head for a near fall. Titus with a slam and a knee drop for a near fall. Titus returns to the eyes and the referee warns Titus. Titus with forearms to the back and then he punches Albright before applying a rear chin lock. Titus with a kick to Albright but Albright with a leg lariat and a clothesline. Albright with a drop kick but Titus gets his foot on the rope. Albright with an Exploder suplex followed by a forearm. Albright misses a charge into the corner but Titus charges into a boot. Titus with a drop kick for a near fall. Albright with an uranage followed by a half nelson suplex and then he puts Titus in the Crowbar and Titus taps out.
Winner: Brent Albright
We see footage from the feud between Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black when Tyler left Jacobs at Rising Above. Then we see footage of Jimmy Jacobs attacking Tyler Black and then we see Austin Aries join Jacobs in the attack on Black.
Match Number Four: Tyler Black versus Jimmy Jacobs
They lock up and then Jacobs pushes Black but Black pushes back and Jacobs is sent into the corner. They lock up again and Jacobs with a knee and forearm to the back. Jacobs with a side head lock and Black with a drop kick and punches. Jacobs goes to the floor and he pulls Black to the floor. Black punches Jacobs and he sends Jacobs back into the ring. Jacobs goes to the floor again and he gets a couple of chairs. Jacobs throws the chairs into the ring and Black gets rid of them but Jacobs attacks Black from behind.
Jacobs with a forearms across the chest. Jacobs sends Black into the turnbuckles and then he punches Black. Jacobs chokes Black with the ropes. Jacobs holds on to the ropes on a drop kick attempt by Black and Black simply does a back flip. Jacobs ducks down when Black charges at him and Black goes to the apron. Black with a shoulder from the apron and then he hits a slingshot leg lariat back into the ring. Black follows that with a slam and then he chokes Jacobs with his boot. Black gets a near fall after stomping on the jaw. Black with punches in the corner. Black with an Irish whip but he charges into a boot. Jacobs comes off the turnbuckles but Black with a reverse atomic drop and then he continues the attack with kicks in the corner. Black tries to pull Jacobs out of the corner but Jacobs turns it into a head scissors that sends Black into the turnbuckles. Jacobs with a chokes and then he kicks Black. Jacobs puts Black in the corner and then he hits a forearm from the turnbuckles for a near fall. Jacobs with a rear chin lock. Jacobs with a head butt to Black and then he slams Black’s head into the turnbuckles. Jacobs with an elbow to Black. Black with a back body drop and clothesline and back elbow followed by a slam. Black goes to the apron but Jacobs pushes Black off and Black collides into the guardrails.
Jacobs goes to the apron and he hits an elbow drop. Jacobs sets up a chair and he puts Black in the chair. They return to the ring and Jacobs with a boot to the midsection. Jacobs sends Black’s head into the turnbuckles again and then Jacobs with a shoulder in the corner and a punch. Jacobs with a running shoulder into the corner followed by a snap mare and drop kick to the back of the neck for a near fall. Jacobs punches Black in the corner and Jacobs tries for another running shoulder but Black gets his knees up. Jacobs charges at Black again and hits a clothesline and turns it into a choke. Jacobs mounts Black and punches him in the head.
Jacobs pulls Black towards the corner and Jacobs stomps on the chest and follows that with an elbow drop. Jacobs slaps Black as he tries to get inside Black’s head. Black with a double leg take down and punches. Black with more punches to Jacobs but Jacobs with a kick. Black presses Jacobs over his head and then he drops Jimmy. Black gets ready for the running forearm and he hits it. Black with a biel and then Black is sent to the apron. Black with an enzuigiri and then Black hits a springboard lariat for a near fall. Black tries for a quebrada but Jacobs moves and Black lands on his feet. Black hits a standing shooting star press for a near fall. Black goes up top and he tries for the Phoenix Splash but Jacobs moves. Black lands on his feet and rolls out of the way. Jacobs with a spear for a near fall.
Jacobs with a forearm to the back. Black and Jacobs with a series of standing switches. Black with an enzuigiri but Jacobs throws Black to the floor. Jacobs with a corkscrew pescado and Black lands on a chair. Jacobs rolls Black into the ring and Jacobs gets a near fall. Jacobs chokes Black and then he pulls Black into the corner. Jacobs goes up top and goes for the senton splash but Black gets his knees up. Black goes for God’s Last Gift but Jacobs locks in End Time. Black runs Jacobs into the turnbuckles but Jacobs holds on. Black tosses Jacobs off. Black tries for a super kick but Jacobs ducks. Jacobs with a rollup but he only gets a two count. Jacobs locks in End Time and the referee checks on the arm but Black with a bridge for the three count.
Winner: Tyler Black
2009 - Ring of Honor held their seventh anniversary show in New York City at the Manhattan Center. Stu Carapola filed the following live report:
guess attendance isn't quite what they expected, they just broke down two sections of GA seating. I'm really bad at gauging attendance, but this place is nowhere near full.
Roderick Strong and Erick Stevens defeated Rhett Titus and Kenny King
While Titus was handing out his card with his numbers to the girls at ringside, one girl handed him a card with her number. Pretty funny. Roderick and Stevens are looking pretty badass tonight. Strong has improved a million percent, looks in great shape, and is so on the money tonight, I wish they'd find a direction for him. Stevens has gotten really lean and cut as well, the two of the look pretty intimidating. Strong and Stevens batter Titus to start, killing him with an endless series of chops, but a cheapshot from the outside by King on Stevens turns the tide. Fans start chanting HepaTitus at Rhett. King kills Stevens with a clothesline for two. Titus and King have gelled great as a team and are terrific at cuttin the ring off. Roderick makes the hot tag and cleans house, then it's back and forth for several minutes until Stevens puts Titus away with the Doctorbomb.
Brent Albright defeated Claudio Castagnoli by DQ
Claudio has a new robe with the Swiss cross thing and is doing the tried and true heel European gimmick of having his weight announced in kilos rather than pounds. Albright is really over with the NY crowd. Claudio cheapshots him from behind to start and then they start trading blows. Claudio bails to the floor and Albright hits a tope and tosses him back in. Albright gets the (very) delayed vertical suplex for 2, but misses a crossbody and shish kebabs himself on the ropes to give Claudio control. Claudio's looking a lot more cut tonight too. Did somebody hire these guys a dietician? Albright makes a comeback, but Claudio takes his head off with a big bicycle kick. Albright with an Air Raid Crash for 2 and gets him in the Crippler Crossface (drawing a surprisingly large Benoit chant) but Claudio makes the ropes so Albright does the Benoit snot blow. Albright comes off the top and Claudio catches him with a European uppercut for 2, then they go to the outside where Albright gets a wicked suplex. Both men beat the count and Claudio starts working him over, but Albright gets the Crowbar. Claudio escapes and hot shots him on the top rope, but Albright gets a big superplex with one minute left in the time limit, drawing a groan from the crowd. Toe to toe until the bell rings and they keep going after the match ends. The crowd starts chanting for five more minutes, which of course always works. Claudio grabs the mic and says he knows he can beat Albright if he has five more minutes, and for the first time in history we actually get it. Albright with the Crowbar, Claudio reverses into a Crowbar of his own, Albright escapes and tries to get the half nelson suplex, but Claudio kicks him low for the DQ. Claudio with the Ricola Bomb and then fights off security before delivering the headstomp with the chair. Great match with a fun ending that left you unsatisfied, but in a good way.
Bobby Dempsey defeated Adam Pearce
Some guy from NBC is the guest timekeeper. Okay. This is a "Sweet N Sour Challenge Match." Okay. Adam does a bit with the NBC guy and threatens to John Stossel him, then shoves him into the ropes. Okay, I really can't see Dempsey beating Pearce. Pearce looks way better than last time I saw him, maybe he's preaching his secrets to the roster? Just to make me look bad, Dempsey hits the Death Valley Driver for the win in like 30 seconds, then parties in the ring with the NBC guy. The lights briefly went out in the middle of the match, the second time that happened. I figured the first was a mistake, but this makes me think it's some kind of angle.
Jerry Lynn defeated Mike Quackenbush
This is gonna be good. Counter wrestling to start as they trade armbars and wristlocks. Lynn with a flying headscissors and corner clothesline, but Quack blocks a bulldog and counters to a leg lace. Quack with a beautiful springboard headscissors and a rolling fireman's carry into a crossed leglock. Lynn with the springboard dropkick sends Quack to the floor, Quack dives over Lynn's baseball dropkick attempt, but Lynn gets the guillotine legdrop on the ropes. Quack counters by sweeping Lynn off the apron, but Lynn then counters another headscissors by swinging Quack into the guardrail. Back in the ring Lynn hits a nasty German suplex and a tornado DDT. Quack counters another tornado DDT and gets a nice magistral cradle for 2. This is really awesome. Lynn with a backslide for 2, then a series of reversals ends with Lynn trying to slam Quack off the top, but Quack rolls through and goes for a superplex, but Lynn with a top rope sunset flip/ powerbomb for 2. Quack with his version of the Jig And Tonic for 2, but Lynn gets the cradle piledriver out of nowhere for the win. This was a counterwrestling fan's Christmas present. They shake hands after and Lynn raises Quack's hand.
Tyler Black, Necro Butcher, and Delirious defeated Jimmy Jacobs, Brodie Lee, and Austin Aries
This is elimination rules, with a different stip for each fall and the whole thing being No DQ. Aries now not only has the "strip club for lunch" mustache, but also a soul patch as well. Joey Ryan has nothing on this guy when it comes to sleaze. Delirious is back in the green and black.
Fall #1
Brodie lays out Tyler and Delirious then calls out Necro, which ends badly for him. Jimmy winds up alone in the ring with all three opponents and gets destroyed. I guess the first fall is tornado rules? All six men end up brawling on the floor. Necro goes for the dive to the floor, but Brodie yanks him down and hits the big boot. All six men back in the ring as Aries and Jacobs continue to snipe at each other even as they try to work together. Tyler with the big dive to the floor and then Necro hits his to a big pop. Now Daizee goes for hers but Aries grabs her, drawing Delirious in to the rescue. Aries misses the corner dropkick, Brodie comes in but Delirious takes out both men. Delirious gets Jacobs in the Cobra Stretch, but Brodie with the Black Hole Slam and Aries with the brainbuster to eliminate Delirious.
Fall #2
This fall cannot be won by pinfall. Aries and Jacobs start their repressed love thing again, allowing Black to come back, but Brodie comes in and shuts him down. Heels triple team Tyler until Necro comes in and cleans house. Everyone's back to the floor where Necro and Brodie end up brawling through the crowd and to the back, and the ref used that excuse to DQ both men. This whole fall got TNA chants.
Fall #3
No stip announced for this fall. Jacobs and Aries double team Black but spend as much time shoving each other around. Jacobs blocks Aries from hitting the missile dive to the floor so Aries attacks him and they start brawling. Black uses the distraction to try a comeback, but quickly gets shut down. I guess Aries and Jacobs are working together again. Jacobs gets 2, so I guess pinfalls count again. Aries misses a corner dropkick and kills Jacobs with it, but hits a second one for 2. Black and Aries go back and forth until Black gets the corner powerbomb and superkick, then locks in the End Time to eliminate Aries.
Fall #4
This fall can't end by submission. That may be the least creative stip of all time. This match has gone beyond boring chants and now the crowd is just laughing. Jimmy gets the spike out, Tyler gets ahold of it, but misses and buries the spike in the top turnbuckle. Jimmy gets the Contra Code for 2, then locks in the End Time but there's NO SUBMISSIONS! Tyler reverses the End Time to God's Last Gift to mercifully end this one.
Not only did this not get over at all, but this may have been one of the worst matches in ROH history.
Bryan Danielson and Colt Cabana defeated Bison Smith and Jimmy Rave
Prince Nana came out in a Barack Obama shirt and made stimulus remarks to a girl at ringside. This guy's hilarious. He announces Jimmy Rave as Bison's mystery partner, which got a big pop from the crowd. Rave gets a big welcome back chant. Danielson ran into the ring before he could even be announced and got destroyed. Grizzley Redwood came out to make us think he was the mystery partner and was quickly disposed of, then the real partner came out...Colt Cabana! He got an even bigger reaction than Rave did. This match has gotten the biggest reaction of the night so far and they haven't even started wrestling yet. Cabana and Rave start and the crowd starts a "die Jimmy die" chant. This match is bringing me right back to 2005. Danielson and Cabana take turns working Rave over until Rave tags to Bison, who presses Danielson into the corner. Heat segment on Danielson, but Cabana tags in after only a couple of minutes, but Bison no-sells everything and hits a big shoulder block. Danielson comes in and together they're able to turn the tide, but Danielson tries a dive to the floor, and Bison catches and slams him. Bison with the claw slam onto Jimmy's knee, and then tries another claw slam, but Danielson comes in and together they send Bison to the floor where Danielson hits the big dive. Rave catches Cabana in the heel hook, but Cabana reverses into a rolling press for the win. After the match Cabana calls for the Final Countdown and it begins playing over the sound system. This came totally unglued, but was still pretty good. I was a bit bummed that Bison didn't get into total destruction mode.
D'Lo Brown defeated Jay Briscoe
D'Lo gets on the mic before the match and thanks WWE for releasing him and wishing him luck in his future endevours, because his future endevours are right here in ROH. Brown overpowers Jay to start and does the head thing, but Jay with a Frankensteiner and a dropkick and they do the indy stalemate. Jay with a series of legsweeps frustrates Brown, but Brown distracts the ref and gets a low blow to take control, then hits a big short clothesline. Brown working a very methodical style here, measuring Jay before getting a big running clothesline in the corner and a vertical suplex for 2. I want to see someone try a horizontal or, even better, diagonal suplex someday. Jay tries to go toe-to-toe with Brown but that doesn't end well for him. They go chop-for-chop, but Brown goes to the eyes and catches him in a top wristlock/half nelson combo. Jay escapes, but eats the flying heel kick. Brown with a series of stiff short clotheslines gets 2. Brown with a springboard dropkick sends Jay to the floor and fakes a dive, but Jay caught him with a dropkick to the face when he did the dive for real. Dueling chants start as both men get back in the ring and Jay hits an inverted STO into the turnbuckle, big boot, and clothesline for 2. Brown with the Sky High for 2, then a Death Valley Driver for another two count. Brown moves out of the way of the top rope legdrop and rolls up Jay with the tights for the win. Crowd was asleep, but it was fun to watch D'Lo play the grizzled veteran who doesn't mind doing whatever he has to to win.
Kevin Steen and El Generico defeated the American Wolves to retain the ROH World Tag Team Title.
I will be very surprised if the Wolves don't get the straps tonight. This is no DQ. Good for Eddie Edwards, who first appeared as an occasional undercard guy two or three years ago and is now working the semi-main on one of ROH's big four events. Steen and Generico run in before their announcement and attack the Wolves, sending them to the floor where Steen hits the big dive. Generico throws a bunch of chairs in the ring and Steen gets a flipping legdrop/conchairto on Edwards. Richards drags Steen to the floor and launches him into the rail, then gets in the ring and Tomvstones Generico on the chairs. Wolves start working Steen's knee over with a chair. Crowd is dead for this one. I just noticed Edwards seems to be sporting a shiner. Wolves are pretty brutally working Steen over while Generico's on the floor. They tie Steen's knee in the ropes and take a run, but Steen moves and they go to the floor, where Generico hits a top rope somersault on both opponents. Back in the ring, Generico kills Edwards with a chairshot then gets a top rope splash on Richards for 2. Steen brings out a ladder and rams it into Edwards' face in a pretty brutal display. Now it's Steen and Generico's turn to double team Richards, beating him up in the corner before Irish whipping him into the ladder and suplexing him on it. Generico with a split legged moonsault for 2. Edwards runs in and nails Steen, but eats a corner Yakuza kick from Generico. Generico misses a dive and audibly crunches onto the ladder as the crowd finally comes alive. Wolves with the double team alarm clock and a sick chairshot to Generico, but Steen breaks up the fall and takes out both men, then hits the corner cannonball. Steen places the ladder over the Wolves and Generico hits the coast to coast somersault dropkick, but that only gets 2. Great match. Steen gives Edwards a Fisherman's Buster on a chair for 2. Richards takes out Generico on the floor then pushes Steen off the top rope and he lands on the knee. Richards with a chairshot to the knee and a Texas Cloverleaf, but he toughs it out until Generico makes the save. Generico misses a chairshot and nails Steen and Richards tosses Generico to the floor. Richards misses a shooting star press and Steen starts working Richards' knee over with a chair then traps him in the Sharpshooter for the win. So much for my theory. Wolves attack after the match and Edwards just kills Steen with a chairshot, then put Generico through a table in the ring. Steen still tries to fight back, but they tape him to the ropes and work over his knees with a couple of chairs before finally finishing with a conchairto and walking off with the belts.
ROH Champion Nigel McGuiness vs. KENTA.
Nigel looks awful, he's got both arms taped up. KENTA gets a lukewarm welcome back chant, and Nigel doesn't get much reaction either. How does KENTA always end up wrestling badly injured ROH World Champions in New York? KENTA goes right to work with a pair of big kicks to Nigel's arms that drop him immediately. KENTA continues kicking away on the arm and rams him shoulderfirst into the ringpost before putting Nigel in an armbar. KENTA is just mercilessly kicking away at Nigel, getting some big cheers from the strongly anti-Nigel crowd. KENTA with a big running boot for 2 and a key lock, but Nigel makes the ropes. Ref keeps checking on Nigel after each barrage to see if he wants to continue. Finally Nigel gets in some offense by moving out of the way of a kneedrop and getting a Tower of London to the floor. Back in the ring, Nigel starts working on KENTA's arm. You'd think he'd go after the legs since kicks have been KENTA's main offense, but what do I know? Anyway, Nigel gets 2 off of an arm-assisted suplex and gets a chickenwing, then catches KENTA with a surprise dropkick, which we never see him do. KENTA comes back with a vertical suplex and a flying clothesline for 2, then it's back to the key lock, but Nigel makes the ropes. More vicious kicks from KENTA, but Nigel with a big forearm in the corner. He's dramatizing it, but Nigel is obviously in pain. Nigel knocks KENTA off the ropes to the outside and then whips him into the rail, but misses a charge and eats the rail himself. KENTA drapes Nigel over the rail and hits a top rope kneedrop to the outside. Nigel just beat the count, and KENTA started killing him with kicks and a fisherman's buster for 2. Flying clothesline gets 2 on Nigel, series of pinfall reversals ends with Nigel catching KENTA in the London Dungeon. He makes the ropes, so Nigel hits another Tower of London for 2. He tries a third, but KENTA blocks, so Nigel goes for a superplex instead. KENTA turns that into a top rope Falcon Arrow for 2 then another series of reversals into a German Suplex for 2 by KENTA. KENTA finally hits Go To Sleep, butNigel gets his foot on the rope. Crowd didn't like that one. They battle on the apron and Nigel hits a Tower of London to the apron. Both men again just beat the count and Nigel reverses out of the Go To Sleep and hits one of his own for 2, then gets KENTA in the London Dungeon again, but KENTA reverses to a cradle for 2. Nigel catches him in the London Dungeon yet again and bridges all the way back until KENTA taps. Awesome match, on the level of KENTA-Danielson from 2006. Some idiot fan got a little overzealous after the match and Zack had to eject him.
Well, there were two awesome matches and two good matches, but the rest was moderate to really bad, and the crowd was dead. It was good, but not as good as it looked on paper.
2010 - WWE Hall of Famer Baron Mikel Scicluna passed away at the age of 80 following a long battle with cancer.
2010 - Ring of Honoe ran Mississauga, Ontario. Dustin Dinoff filed the following live report:
Ring of Honor returned to the International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario last night. It was a good show, but not without its issues. Roderick Strong and Marc Briscoe didn’t clear the border, so the main event had to be revised. This was a pretty big disappointment right off the bat, because many of us were anticipating a really intense 2 out of 3 fall tag main event as voted on for weeks by the fans. This whole concept was entirely scrapped for an 8-man tag team main event between Tyler Black, Jay Briscoe, Tyson Dux and Rasche Brown vs. Austin Aries, Kenny King, Rhett Titus and a mystery partner. It didn’t seem like much consolation, but hopes were high for a cool mystery partner, and theories ran wild.
Anyway, the night started with pre-show wins by The Bravado Brothers, Pee Wee, and Bobby Dempsey, who hosted the first ever “Bobby Dempsey Invitational Gauntlet Match”. It was pretty fun. The crowd was full of energy and excited for good things when the lights went down.
And then we got the announcement about Strong and Marc Briscoe. Still the mystery partner thing could be this whole thing’s saving grace… right? Maybe there was a big return they’ve been saving, or a big, recently-signed new talent they’ve been keep quiet about. Maybe its Homicide or Samoa Joe – no one’s seen them for weeks! Oh, the possibilities. Anyway, a brawl ensued between all the wrestlers involved in the match, save the mystery man, of course.
The first match of the show was between The House of Truth and local guys The Flatliners, who opened the last International Centre show against The Young Bucks. This was actually a better match, with both teams doing some really good double team spots. In the end, House of Truth cheated and got the win.
Next was the surprisingly compelling and hard fought match between Super Smash Brother Player Dos and Kevin Steen. Dos really impressed, but Steen got the win after two package pile drivers, then a third one after the match just to be a dick.
Petey Williams made his first Toronto-area appearance for ROH by taking on TV champ Eddie Edwards. After hearing Eddie run down Canada and the local fans, Williams challenged Edwards to put the title on the line. Eddie agreed. I have to admit, I was surprised by how quiet the crowd was at times during this one, especially with Petey in the match, but the place certainly popped when he teased the Destroyer. It got louder when he actually nailed it on Edwards, and louder still when he teased doing it to Shane Hagadorn. But that only proved to distract Petey, who seconds later tapped to Eddie’s single leg crab.
Surprisingly to most, next up was the main event – the eight-man tag. The mystery man was none other than…. Adam Pierce. I, for one, was happy to see him there, with his NWA title around his waist, because Toronto had never seen Pierce wrestle in ROH before he took over booking. I’m not sure if it was that no one knew who he was, or if everyone was just really, really disappointed about his being the big mystery partner, but the crowd was almost completely non-responsive when he appeared. It seemed almost stunned. It wasn’t a bad match at all, but I was really surprised by what a mixed reception Tyler Black got. There seemed to be a lot of fans that resent his title win, and I can’t help but wonder if that’s true of other markets too. Anyway, all eight guys worked really hard, and Tyson Dux – who wrestled Black for an injured Nigel McGuiness last July in Toronto - was really over. But it was not the caliber of main event we paid to see. Tyler won for his team.
So with our main event in the books, the show restarted with a sort of pedestrian grudge match between Colt Cabana and Steve Corino. There was a lot of support for both wrestlers. It was certainly great to see Corino in his first Toronto ROH show, and it is always great to see Cabana, but it was a pretty slow start to the second half after a disappointing pre-intermission main event. The fact that it ended with a DQ when Steen interfered on behalf of Corino didn’t really improve things either. All that said, it was still a better match than anything on WWE this week.
El Generico coming out to help Cabana segued into Generico’s match versus Chris Hero. It took the crowd a bit to get into it after the Cabana/Corino thing, but these two worked well together, and Hero was really trying hard to draw some heat. He was in really fine form tonight, and, to be fair, so was Generico. Hero seemed pretty dominant, and despite a late but short lived comeback for Generico, and his refusal to stay down after several big roaring elbows, the ref stopped the match after Hero applied a nasty looking, sitting arm bar.
After the match, Steen came out and did a long promo about why he turned on Generico a few months back. The gist was that it was because Generico was a pest, and always made moments that should have been about Steen about himself by being an overly-supportive attention whore. Then he offered Generico the chance to hit him. Generico wouldn’t take it.
The final match of the evening was Davey Richards vs. Kenny Omega. It was easily the best match of the night. It moved at a crazy-fast pace, featured a ton of hard hitting action, wild out-of-the-ring brawling, and fine technical work from both, but especially Richards. Really good stuff. Richards picked up the win after about a half-hour, using an arm submission. Lots of “ROH” and “This is Awesome” chants during this one.
2011 - One of the all time great managers, Sir Oliver Humperdink passed away due to cancer following a long battle.
2011 - TVWeek.com put out a headline mentioning 'Drew Carey inducted into pro wrestling Hall of Fame'. Later, they received an email from WWE publicist, Kellie Baldyga, demanding that they change the headline, mentioning that "We are no longer a wrestling company but rather a global entertainment company with a movie studio, international licensing deals, publisher of three magazines, consumer good distributor and more."
Baldyga added "No, we don't do wrestling events. They're entertainments. And we don’t call them wrestlers. They’re superstars and divas."
TVWeek refused to change the headline. They just removed it. She then followed up, writing "I know the perception is that we are a wrestling company but we are actually much more than that--we are a global media company which is how our Chairman and CEO, Vince McMahon, positions us."
2011 - WWE ran Newark, NJ. Michael Bruno sent the following live report:
ohn Morrison vs. Ted DiBiase: Morrison wins with Starship Pain. Ziggler runs down afterwards and hits the ZigZag on Morrison. Ziggler goes to the back, then returns and hits another ZigZag.
Santino/Kozlov vs. Zak Ryder/Primo: Santino hits the Cobra on Primo for the win. Ryder gets on the mic and is upset that he lost, and in front of his mother no less. He demands another match and the RAW GM chimes in, giving him a match with the Great Khali.
Great Khali vs. Zak Ryder: quick squash, Khali hits the choke-powerbomb for the win
Daniel Bryan vs. Tyson Kidd: Bryan wins with the Lebell Lock
Vickie Guerrero comes out to HUGE heat. Complains about New Jersey for more boos and introduces Dolph Ziggler vs. Evan Bourne.
Bourne vs. Ziggler: Bourne goes to the top for AirBourne, but Vickie crotches him for the DQ. Morrison runs down, attacks Dolph, and Evan hits the AirBourne.
The Miz vs. Randy Orton-Steel Cage match for the WWE championship: Alex Riley comes in from the crowd and distracts Orton while Miz escapes for the win. They gang up on Orton until he fights back and they both get RKO'd.
R-Truth holds a dance contest for tickets to the next event in New Jersey. Local kid wins with his breakdancing routine.
Maryse and the Bellas vs. Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim, and Eve: Eve hits swinging neckbreaker for the win.
Sheamus/CM Punk vs. Triple H/John Cena: big pop for HHH, bigger pop for Cena. HHH gets beaten for most of the match, hot tag to Cena who hits his signature moves on CM Punk. He goes for the AA and Sheamus breaks it up. Punk and Sheamus go for a double move, but HHH catches Sheamus for the Pedigree while Punk gets caught in the AA. Cena pins Punk for the win.
2011 - WWE Smackdown ran Charleston, WV. Nick Bolyard filed the following results:
Kane and Big Show defeat Slater and Gabriel via DQ, when rest of Corre interfered. Slater got a nice hometown pop
Chavo defeats Tyler Rex after Frog Splash
Percy Watson defeats Curt Hawkins by pinfall
IC title match: Kofi Kingston defeats Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes, when Kofi pinned McIntyre after Trouble in Paradise. Drew and Cody had good heat
Layla beats Beth Phoenix with a roll up. After the match, Layla got the Glam Slam for taunting Beth. Layla had a mix of cheers and boos
Jack Swagger cut a promo about Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler. He brought up WVU losing to Kentucky, which angered quite a few people. Good Heat
Jack Swagger beats Chris Masters with the Ankle Lock.
Edge and Alberto del Rio were to face off for the WHC, but it was changed to a tag match.
Edge and Christian defeated Brodus Clay and Del Rio after Edge pinned Clay with a Spear. E&C mingled with the fans afterwards.
2012 -WWE announces they will induct Yokozuna into the WWE Hall of Fame during a Smackdown taping in East Rutherford, NJ.
2013 - WWE broadcast Main Event. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
It is time for the show that features the superstars of the WWE and is slowly morphing into another version of Superstars.
We are in Cincinnati, Ohio and your announcers are Michael ‘Les Nessman’ Cole and The Miz.
We see footage from Monday night when Wade Barrett was able to retain the Intercontinental Title, taking advantage of the situation. What a coincidence because the Intercontinental Champion is in the opening match.
Match Number One: R Truth versus Wade Barrett in a Non Title Match
Barrett with a kick and elbow to the back of the head followed by forearms. Truth with a punch and forearm followed by a kick and a standing leg lariat for a near fall. Truth clotheslines Barrett over the top rope to the floor.
Barrett returns to the ring and he gives Barrett a drop toe hold. Truth with a wrist lock but Barrett with a punch and knee. Barrett with a forearm to the back. Truth with an arm drag and kick to Barrett. Wade goes to the floor to regroup.
Truth is tripped on the apron and he lands on the apron and goes to the floor. Barrett slams Truth’s head into the ring steps and then rolls Truth back into the ring. Barrett looks at Miz before returning to the ring. Barrett with a kick and neck breaker for a near fall. Barrett with punches to Truth in the midsection followed by a forearm to the head and he gets a near fall.
Barrett chokes Truth in the ropes and then he puts Truth in the ropes and connects with a series of knees to the chest and a boot to the head and Truth goes to the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Barrett gets a near fall. Barrett keeps the pressure on Truth with an elbow drop and a reverse chin lock. Truth with punches but Barrett with a knee. Barrett runs into boots and Truth with clotheslines followed by a head scissors. Truth with a kick and DDT for a near fall. Truth misses the scissors kick. Truth counters the Blackpool Slam and gets a near fall. Barrett with a boot to the head and he gets a near fall.
Barrett gets Truth on his shoulders for Wasteland but Truth counters into a side Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Barrett goes to the floor and Truth tries to pull him in and Barrett pulls Truth into the ropes and Truth goes down. Barrett returns to the ring and hits the Bull Hammer for the three count.
Winner:Wade Barrett
After the match, Barrett says that is what you call a Barrage. When he started talking about the Barrett Barrage, people were laughing but they are not laughing now. That was bloodthirsty trench warfare. Sooner or later, all comers will fall victim to the Bull Hammer.
On Monday night, he destroyed Chris Jericho and the ponce over there. Tonight, he took care of R Truth. He says that is a lesson for anyone who comes up to Wade Barrett and tries to take his Intercontinental Title. . . Barrett pushes Miz and Miz attacks Barrett and they go into the ring momentarily until Barrett is able to escape.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that there was a contract signing on Monday night? We have a video package to prove it.
MIz says that it is ironic that two of Triple H’s best friends were forced to retire at Wrestlemania, but will Triple H join them?
Michael Cole reminds us that Ryback is no longer in the six man tag match at Wrestlemania. Who will join Orton and Sheamus? Will it be Big Show?
Sheamus is in the interview area with Matt Striker and Matt asks Sheamus if they will choose Big Show to be their tag team partner. Sheamus says that it is a complicated answer. Sheamus says that you have to ask if Big Show is a major threat to the Shield and the answer is yes. Is Show a good tag team partner because he has held every title and the answer is yes. Is Show also underhanded, malicious, and unethical, you have no idea. Will he choose Big Show to replace Ryback. When sheep fly out of his arse, they will consider it.
We go to commercial.
Before our next match starts, Alicia Fox takes the mic and reminds everyone that she just got back from Rwanda with Natalya to do work for Nothing But Net. It really changed their lives. But she says that she took the most from this experience because all Natalya talked about was that she missed her boyfriend, the Great Khali.
Aksana and the referee have to hold Natalya back.
Match Number Two: Askana and Alicia Fox versus Layla El and Natalya
Natalya and Aksana lock up and Natalya with a side head lock take down. Aksana with a head scissors but Natalya escapes. Aksana pushes Natalya. Layla tags in and she connects with a clothesline and a jackknife cover.
Layla with a rollup for a near fall. Layla plays around with Aksana, who tries to make the tag. Layla spanks Aksana. Alicia with a kick to the back and Aksana pulls Layla to the mat and gets a near fall. Aksana with a figure four head scissors to Layla and then she drives Layla’s head into the mat. Aksana with an Irish whip and then she crawls into the corner and chokes Layla. Alicia tags in and she sends Layla into the turnbuckles. Alicia with a snap mare and reverse chin lock.
Alicia with a kick and Irish whip but she misses a kick in the corner. Natalya tags in and she hits a drop kick and follows with a few clotheslines. Natalya with a kick and spinning back fist. Natalya misses a shoulder in the corner but Natalya avoids a rollup and tries for a Sharpshooter but Alicia with a kick.
Natalya with a discus clothesline but Aksana interferes. Natalya sends Alicia to the mat and she applies the Sharpshooter and Alicia taps out.
Winners: Natalya and Layla El
We go to commercial.
We are back and the Kane/Undertaker situation is not going to be given the short straw. We have a Raw Rebound.
Match Number Three: Darren Young and Titus O’Neill versus Jimmy and Jey Uso
Jimmy and Young start things off. They lock up and Young with a side head lock and then he takes Jimmy to the mat with a wrist lock. Young with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Jimmy with a thrust to the throat followed by a chop. Jey tags in and he connects with a forearm for a near fall. Young misses a punch but Jey with punches of his own.
Jimmy tags in. Jey with a slam and Jimmy with a knee drop for a near fall. Jimmy with an arm drag. Young with punches but Jimmy with a punch and he tags in his brother. Jey with a forearm off the turnbuckles. Jey with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Jimmy tags back in and they hit a double chop and double back elbow. Titus pulls Darren to their corner and we go to commercial.
We are back and Titus with a back elbow to Jimmy. Titus with elbows in the corner followed by a snap mare but he misses an elbow drop. Jey tags in and he chops Titus. Titus with an Irish whip but Titus runs into a boot. Titus sends Jey into the turnbuckles with a hip toss and he collapses to the floor as Titus barks.
They return to the ring and Titus gets a near fall. Titus sends Jey to the mat and then he tags in Darren and Titus with a gourdbuster of Darren onto Jey for a near fall. Young with knees and a European uppercut. Darren with shoulders followed by a bear hug. Titus tags in and he punches Jey and he hits a back breaker and gets a near fall. Titus with a forearm and kicks to the back. Young chokes Jey while Titus distracts the referee. Titus with a hard Irish whip. Titus with a European uppercut but Jey with punches. Titus catches Jey and he throws him over his shoulders to the mat and then hits a clothesline for a near fall.
Titus with a bear hug on Jey. Titus with a shoulder tackle but he misses a charge into the corner and Jey with a back body drop. Both men are down. Jimmy and Young tag in and Jimmy with clotheslines followed by a flying corkscrew forearm. Jimmy with a Bubba Bomb to Young and he hits the running butt splash into the corner and he gets a near fall.
Titus runs into a boot from Jey. Jimmy with a Samoan Drop and Jey goes up top for the Superfly splash and the three count.
Winner: The Usos
2013 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Over the last few weeks, the Wyatt Family has attempted to get under the skin of many of the wrestlers in NXT. Two of those people are the first NXT Tag Team Champions, Oliver Grey and Adrian Neville. What will the Wyatt Family do this week when Adrian faces Luke Harper?
We are in Winter Park, Florida and your announcers are William ‘Kassius . . . don’t be a hero’ Regal and Tony ‘I don’t know why people ask me about a creek’ Dawson.
Match Number One: Justin Gabriel versus Leo Kruger
Kruger takes his time getting out of the corner and they lock up. Kruger backs Gabriel into the ropes but Gabriel is the one who gives the clean break. Kruger with a kick and side head lock and Gabriel tries for an Irish whip but Kruger holds on to the side head lock. Kruger does the same when Gabriel tries for another Irish whip. Kruger with a punch.
Gabriel with a kick and side head lock take down. Gabriel gives Kruger a taste of his own medicine by pulling the hair on Irish whip attempts. Gabriel with a side head lock take down. Kruger backs Gabriel into the corner and Leo tries for a punch but Gabriel blocks it and he tosses Kruger across the ring by the hair. Kruger with a shot to the throat to send Gabriel to the mat.
Kruger with an elbow drop to the back of the neck and then he kicks Gabriel. We go to commercial.
We are back and Kruger with a hammer lock on Gabriel. Kruger puts his knee on the other arm to add more pressure to Gabriel to get out of the hold. Kruger adds more pressure to the hammer lock. Gabriel gets back to his feet but he cannot escape the hammer lock. Kruger with knees to the arm.
Kruger turns it into a key lock but Gabriel with a punch. Kruger stops Gabriel’s attempt at offense. Both men bump heads and they go down. Kruger and Gabriel exchange punches as they try to get back to their feet. The exchange continues and Kruger with a knee. Gabriel with a kick. Kruger with a head butt. Gabriel with a forearm and Kruger with one of his own. They go to chops and then Gabriel with the advantage. Kruger with a spinebuster for a near fall.
Kruger signals that it is over and he tries for the key lock but Gabriel with a back drop to escape the hold. Kruger charges into the corner but Gabriel with a drop kick to the knee and Kruger hits the turnbuckles. Gabriel goes into the corner but Kruger moves. Gabriel lands on the turnbuckles and he hits a leaping back heel kick and he gets a near fall.
Gabriel with a kick to the chest. Gabriel adds two more kicks and then he hits a back heel kick to the head but Kruger kicks out at two. Gabriel with a Blue Thunder Driver for a near fall. Kruger tries to get out of the ring but Gabriel pulls him back in and hits an STO. Gabriel goes up top for the 450 splash but Kruger rolls away and Gabriel goes to the mat and he shows some frustration.
Kruger with a thumb to the eye that the referee does not see and then he drops Gabriel’s arm on the top rope. Kruger with a lariat to the back of the head and then he applies the key lock clutch and Gabriel tries to make it to the ropes and he succeeds.
Kruger with a cross face chicken wing face buster and he hesitates before trying to finish off Gabriel. Kruger reapplies the key lock clutch and Gabriel taps out.
Winner: Leo Kruger
Renee Young is in the interview area with Audrey Marie. Renee asks Audrey about her issues with Sasha Banks. Audrey says that it is always calmest before the storm. Now Sasha knows that she is coming and there is nothing that Sasha can do about it.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look back at the end of Raw when we found out the stipulation for the Triple H versus Brock Lesnar match.
William Regal is in the ring and he says he let his emotions get the better of him last week. He let everyone down because he always tries to be a professional. He owes someone an apology and he wants Kassius Ohno to come to the ring.
Kassius makes his way to the ring with a mic.
Regal says that he is here to apologize to Kassius. He says that he is truly sorry. What has happened between them is not worth it. He says that Kassius does not want to be the person that he is, lying awake every night about all of the liberties that he has taken.
He wants to shake Kassius’ hand.
Kassius tells William that he has practically idolized him since he stepped on US soil. Regal is ruthless and vicious and he admired that style. Kassius says that he traveled with CM Punk for a week to learn from the bit of villainy that Regal brings to the ring. Ohno says that he followed in Regal’s footsteps, going to England to train in the camps. He went to Europe and fought in the tournaments. He went to the dojos. He kept in touch with Regal so he could get his chance and now he is in the WWE.
Regal says that he brought Ohno to the WWE because of the potential Ohno has. He wants Ohno to have a great career because of the time that Ohno has put into it.
Ohno says that Regal is in the twilight of his career while Ohno says that he is on the rise. Ohno says that he does not want Regal’s advice and he does not want his career.
Ohno asks Regal what he has to show for his legacy. Regal is the once proud villain who took pride in destroying people. Now Regal is content to sit back and laugh with these people. These people are laughing at Regal because Regal is a joke.
Ohno says that he is telling the truth. Regal has no legacy. Ohno says that he will leave Regal with this. A thirty year career and the only thing that people will remember about him is the time he got on his knees and put his lips on Vince McMahon’s. . .
Regal with a forearm to Ohno and Ohno goes down holding his jaw.
Ohno leaves the ring and Regal appears to regret what he did.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at the Undertaker/CM Punk situation.
Match Number Two: Bayley versus Paige
They lock up and Paige with an arm drag. They lock up again and Bayley works on the wrist. Paige rolls through and counters with an arm drag. Paige with a rollup for a near fall. Bayley sends Paige to the mat and gets a near fall. Bayley with an arm bar. Bayley works on the other arm as well and she adds a chin lock. Bayley with a rollup for a near fall.
Paige with a back heel kick and then she tosses Bayley across the ring. Paige stomps Bayley in the corner and screams. Paige with an Irish whip and she blocks a boot and sends Bayley to the mat. Paige with a Cloverleaf and Bayley taps out.
Winner: Paige
After the match, Summer tries to sneak attack Paige but Paige sees her and Summer decides to wait. Paige holds the ropes open for her but Summer goes up the ramp.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Adrian Neville versus Luke Harper (with Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan)
The bell rings and Neville with a drop kick and forearms. Harper with a punch to the head and Neville goes down. Neville lands on his feet on a belly-to-back suplex attempt and Neville with a drop kick to the knees and kicks to the head and chest. Neville with a forearm and then he goes to the turnbuckles but Harper with a hot shot and a belly-to-back suplex that is turned into a uranage and we go to commercial.
We are back and Harper with a European uppercut. Harper with a slam and then he picks up Neville by the hair and connects with a head butt and elbow drop. Harper with a reverse chin lock and he moves around the ring to force Neville to exert more energy as he tries to escape.
Neville gets back to his feet but Harper forces Neville down to the mat again. Harper with another European uppercut but Harper runs into an elbow and boots from Neville. Neville with kicks to the leg but Harper with a double thrust to the throat and then he kicks Neville and gets a near fall. Harper with an elbow drop or two and he gets a near fall.
Harper gets Neville on his shoulder for a back breaker and Neville with elbows to escape. Harper with a boot to the head and gets a near fall. Harper with another near fall. Harper with more near falls and Neville is expending a lot of energy as Harper continues.
Neville rolls to the apron and Harper tries to pull him up but the referee warns Harper. Neville with a shoulder to Harper and then he connects with forearms. Neville with more forearms and then he hits a running forearm. Harper stays on his feet. Neville charges at Harper but Harper sends Neville over the top rope. Neville lands on the apron and connects with an enzuigiri.
Neville goes up top for a springboard drop kick and he gets a near fall. Harper misses an elbow and Neville sees Rowan trying to interfere so Neville hits a corkscrew pescado onto Rowan on the floor.
Harper charges at Neville and Neville drop down and Harper goes over the top rope to the floor. Neville with an Asai Moonsault and then Neville looks at Wyatt. They return to the ring and Neville kicks Harper. Neville with a tornado DDT and Harper is down. Neville thinks about the cover but he looks to the turnbuckles. Adrian goes to the apron but Bray Wyatt distracts the referee.
Rowan’s attempts to interfere fail when Neville kicks him. Neville goes up top but Harper is able to recover and he press slams Neville to the mat. Harper with the discus lariat for the three count.
Winner: Luke Harper
After the match, Bray tells Rowan to pick up Neville. Harper holds Neville as well but Oliver Grey makes his way to the ring to try to protect his tag team partner. It is a three on one attack on Grey until Bo Dallas makes his way to the ring. Wyatt punches Dallas while Neville fights with Harper and Grey fights with Rowan. The Wyatt Family leaves the ring and we go to credits.
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