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May 31st
On this day in history in ....
1937 - Red Berry defeats Hugh Nichols to win the World Light Heavyweight Title in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ending Nichols' third reign.
1940 - Jules Larance defeats Gil Knutsen for the Midwest Wrestling Association World Junior Heavyweight Title in Columbus, Ohio.
1944 - El Santo wins his third Mexican National Middleweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico, defeating Tuffy Truesdale in a tournament final. Tarzan López had won the title from Santo on April 1, but it was vacated on April 8 because López already was World Middleweight Champion.
1965 - Pepper Martin defeats The Mad Russian for the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title, beginning his fourth reign.
1967 - Vampiro is born in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
1968 - Alberto and Enrique Torres defeat El Mongol and Hans Schmidt in Atlanta, Georgia to win their fourth Georgia NWA Southern Tag Team Title.
1969 - The WWWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results:
- John L. Sullivan (Johnny Valiant) defeated Chuck Richards (subbing for Ricky Sexton).
- Bulldog Brower defeated Ricky Sexton (subbing for Carlos Colón).
- Angelo Savoldi (subbing for Pete Sanchez) defeated Johnny Rodz.
- Arnold Skaaland (subbing for Angelo Savoldi) defeated Duke Savage.
- Haystacks Calhoun and Dominic DeNucci defeated Luke Graham and Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- Victor Rivera fought Toru Tanaka to a draw.
- Killer Kowalski defeated WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino in a Texas death match.
1971 - Tom Jones and Billy Red Lyons defeat The Spoilers for the Tri-State NWA United States Tag Team Title in Shreveport, Louisiana.
1972 - Karl and Kurt Von Brauner defeat Robert Fuller and Kevin Sullivan for the Mid-America NWA World Tag Team Title in Nashville, Tennessee, to begin their 10th reign.
1972 - The Professional (Doug Gilbert) and Mike Webster win the NWA Florida Tag Team Title from Boris Malenko and Bob Roop in Miami, Florida.
1974 - Gene and Ole Anderson defeat Bob Armstrong and Robert Fuller to win the NWA Georgia Tag Team Title in Atlanta, Georgia, ending Armstrong and Fuller's second reign.
1975 - Ed Wiskoski defeats Jerry Oates for the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title in Kansas City, Kansas.
1976 - Jim Breaks defeats Vic Faulkner to win the British Welterweight Title in Bradford, England, beginning his second reign.
1979 - Great Kojika and Motoshi Okuma win their fourth AJPW All Asia Tag Team Title, defeating The Kiwis (Butch Miller and Sweet William) in Noshiro, Japan.
1980 - Dick the Bruiser defeats King Kong (Bruiser) Brody in Indianapolis, Indiana for the World Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title, his ninth.
1981 - Jake Roberts defeats The Grappler to win the Mid-South North American Heavyweight Title in Shrevport, Louisiana.
1981 - Caballero Blanco lost his mask to Águila Solitaria in Mexico City, Mexico.
1982 - El Hijo del Canek is born in Tabasco, Mexico.
1982 - Al Tomko defeats Silvano Sousa for the Vancouver NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title.
1982 - The Continental Wrestling Association held an event at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee. The results:
- Roy Rogers defeated The Invader.
- Ron Bass defeated Pat Hutchinson and Tom Maley in a handicap match.
- The Iron Sheik defeated Bobby Fulton.
- Koko Ware defeated Bill Dundee by disqualification.
- King Cobra defeated NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Champion Bobby Eaton to win the title, ending Eaton's fifth reign.
- AWA Southern Tag Team Champions The Midnight Express (Norvell Austin and Dennis Condrey) defeated The Fabulous Ones (Steve Keirn and Stan Lane) by disqualification to retain the title.
- AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion Jerry Lawler defeated Kamala by disqualification to retain the title.
1984 - The WWF held an event at the Forum in Montreal, Quebec. The results:
- Jacques Rougeau defeated Dan Ferris.
- George Steele defeated Tom Stanton.
- Jesse Ventura defeated Willie Tremblay.
- Bob Backlund fought Paul Orndorff to a double disqualification.
- Pat Patterson defeated Salvatore Bellomo.
- Salvatore Bellomo and Tony Garea defeated Mr. Fuji and Tiger Chung Lee.
- WWF Champion Hulk Hogan defeated David Schultz.
1986 - The WWF held an event at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results were:
- David Sammartino defeated Les Thornton.
- Bob Orton, Jr. defeated Lanny Poffo.
- Adrian Adonis defeated Sivi Afi.
- Dan Spivey defeated Iron Mike Sharpe.
- Paul Orndorff defeated Don Muraco (with Mr. Fuji) by countout.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage defeated Tito Santana in a no-disqualification match to retain the title.
- The Killer Bees (B. Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell) defeated The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart), when Brunzell pinned Bret.
- Jake Roberts and Ricky Steamboat fought to a double-disqualification.
1986 - Ron Bass defeats Tyree Pride in Nassau, Bahamas to win the NWA Bahamas Heavyweight Title, ending Pride's second reign.
1986 - Eric Embry wins his second WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, ending Super Medico I's third reign.
1991 - Los Villanos (I, IV and V) defeat The Hawaiian Beasts (Kokina (Yokozuna), Fatu and the Samoan Savage) for the UWA World Trios Title in Naucalpan, Mexico. This began Los Villanos' fourth reign.
1991 - Bill Dundee defeats Tom Prichard (subbing for Eric Embry) for the USWA Texas Heavyweight Title in Dallas, Texas, beginning his third reign.
1992 - Chi Chi Cruz (Corey Peloquin) defeats Gerry Morrow in Winnipeg, Manitoba to win the West Four Wrestling Alliance Canadian Heavyweight Title.
1993 - The WWF held a live Monday Night RAW at the Manhattan Center in New York City, New York. The results:
Dark matches:
- The Bastion Booger fought Bob Backlund to a draw.
- Russ Greenburg defeated LA Gore.
- Jim Duggan and Rick Steiner defeated Bam Bam Bigelow and Yokozuna by disqualification.
Monday Night RAW:
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Marty Jannetty (with Sensational Sherri) defeated Bam Bam Bigelow (with Luna Vachon) by countout to retain the title.
- The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) defeated The Executioner (Donn Lewin) and Rich Myers.
- Mr. Hughes defeated Bert Centeno.
- Jim Duggan defeated Bill Thomas.
- Razor Ramon defeated Tony Roy.
- After RAW ended, Mr. Hughes and Tatanka were both disqualified after both hit the referee. This match aired on WWF Mania on June 12.
1995 - Espectrito lost his hair to Octagoncito in Veracruz, Mexico.
1996 - Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. defeats Apolo Dantés in Mexico City, Mexico for the CMLL World Heavyweight Title.
1996 - Scott Sterling defeats Beau James to win the Southern States Wrestling Appalachian Heavyweight Title in Pennington Gap, Virginia.
1998 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin's Wisconsin Center Arena played host to the first of two WWF Over the Edge pay-per-view events, which got a 0.58 buyrate. 9,822 fans attended the show. The results were:
- LOD 2000 (Animal and Hawk (with Sunny and Droz)) defeated The Disciples of Apocalypse (8-Ball and Skull (with Chainz)), when Animal pinned 8-Ball after a Powerslam.
- Jeff Jarrett (with Tennessee Lee) pinned Steve Blackman after Lee hit Blackman with a kendo stick.
- Marc Mero pinned Sable with a cradle. Before the pin, Mero laid down to let Sable pin him and win. Sable, hesitant at first, went for the pin on Mero, who reversed it into a cradle for the win. With the loss, Sable was forced to leave the WWF.
- Kaientai (Funaki, Teioh and Togo) defeated Bradshaw and Taka Michinoku in a handicap match, when Togo pinned Michinoku after a senton bomb.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion The Rock pinned Faarooq with a roll-up and his feet on the ropes to retain the title.
- Kane (with Paul Bearer) pinned Vader in a mask vs. mask match after a Tombstone piledriver.
- The Nation (D'Lo Brown, Owen Hart and Kama Mustafa (with Mark Henry)) defeated D-Generation X (Billy Gunn, Road Dogg and Triple H (with Chyna and X-Pac)), when Hart pinned Triple H after a Pedigree on the European title belt.
- WWF Champion Steve Austin defeated Dude Love in a no disqualification, falls count anywhere match to retain the title. Vince McMahon was special guest referee, Gerald Brisco was guest timekeeper and Pat Patterson was guest ring announcer. McMahon said that his and only his hand could make the three-count. Patterson announced the no disqualification and the falls count anywhere stipulations as the match was in progress. Love blasted McMahon with a chair by mistake, knocking him unconscious. Dude had Austin down for the cover, with Patterson trying to make the count. The Undertaker prevented this, pulling Patterson out of the ring and chokeslamming him through an announce table. The same fate waited for Brisco as he attempted to count as well. Austin hit the Stone Cold Stunner on Dude Love, made the cover, and slapped McMahon's hand three times on the mat for the victory.
1999 - The Monday Night War continued, with WWF RAW is WAR's 6.9 rating beating WCW Monday Nitro's 3.3.
WCW Monday Nitro was live from the Astrodome in Houston, Texas. The results:
- Hak (with Chastity) defeated Kidman by disqualification.
- Van Hammer defeated Evan Karagias.
- Konnan and Rey Misterio, Jr. defeated The West Texas Rednecks (Bobby Duncum, Jr. and Curt Hennig) by disqualification.
- David Flair (with Arn Anderson, Asya, Ric Flair and Torrie Wilson) defeated Erik Watts.
- Ernest Miller (with Sonny Onoo) defeated Scott Norton.
- Randy Savage (with Madusa) defeated Fake Kevin Nash.
- Buff Bagwell defeated Bobby Eaton.
- Bam Bam Bigelow and Diamond Dallas Page defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions Kanyon and Saturn (subbing for Raven) to win the title.
- WCW World Television Champion Rick Steiner fought Sting to a no-contest in a steel cage match to retain the title.
WWF RAW is WAR was taped May 25 at the Mark of the Quad Cities in Moline, Illinois. The results were:
- The Big Show defeated Billy Gunn by countout.
- Beaver Cleavage (with Mrs. Cleavage) defeated Christian.
- Jeff Jarrett (with Debra) defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion The Godfather to win the title. This began Jarrett's fourth reign.
- Vince McMahon defeated The Undertaker (with Paul Bearer) by disqualification.
- Road Dogg defeated The Big Bossman by disqualification.
- The Acolytes (Bradshaw and Faarooq) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Kane and X-Pac to win the title.
- Val Venis (with Nicole Bass) defeated Ken Shamrock.
- Triple H (with Chyna) defeated Mankind.
- WWF Champion Steve Austin defeated The Undertaker (with Paul Bearer) by disqualification to retain the title.
2001 - Mazada and Nosawa lost their hair to Mike Segura and Último Vampiro in Naucalpan, Mexico.
2002 - OVW held the first of the year's Summer Sizzler Series events at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, Kentucky. The results:
- Redd Dogg (Rodney Mack) defeated Sean O'Haire.
- Shelton Benjamin defeated Chris Kanyon.
- David Flair defeated Bull Buchanan.
- Seven (Kevin Thorn) defeated Leviathan (Batista).
- Flash Flanagan and Trailer Park Trash defeated OVW Southern Tag Team Champions The Lords of the Ring (Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore), when Trash pinned Dinsmore, to win the title. This ended Conway and Dinsmore's ninth reign and began Flanagan and Trash's second.
- OVW Heavyweight Champion Nova defeated The Prototype (John Cena) to retain the title. Mick Foley was the guest referee.
2002 - Rey Bucanero and Último Guerrero defeat Negro Casas and El Hijo del Santo in Mexico City, Mexico to win the CMLL World Tag Team Title. This ended Casas and Santo's third reign and began Bucanero and Guerrero's second.
2002 - Kintaro Kanemura defeats Sanshiro Takagi to win the DDT KO-D Openweight Title in Tokyo, Japan, ending Takagi's second reign.
2002 - Scotty Mac defeats Black Dragon for the NWA/ECCW Heavyweight Title in Surrey, British Columbia.
2002 - Rooftop defeats A.C. Brown to win the NWA Mississippi Junior Heavyweight Title in Yazoo City, Mississippi.
2003 - ROH held Do or Die at the Murphy Recreation Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Dan Maff (with Allison Danger) defeated B.J. Whitmer.
- Tony Mamaluke defeated Jason Cross.
- Iceberg defeated Oman Tortuga (with Diablo Santiago).
- Matt Stryker defeated Tom Carter.
- The Second City Saints (Colt Cabana and CM Punk (with Lucy)) defeated The Briscoes (Jay and Mark), The Carnage Crew (DeVito and Loc) and Special K (Dixie and Izzy) in a scramble match.
- Andy Anderson defeated John Walters.
- Christopher Daniels (with Allison Danger) defeated Frankie Kazarian, CM Punk and Jimmy Rave in a four-way match.
- The Backseat Boyz (Trent Acid and Johnny Kashmere) defeated Special K (Jody Fleisch and Slim J).
- ROH World Champion Samoa Joe defeated Homicide (with Julius Smokes) to retain the title.
2003 - In Carolina, Puerto Rico, Carly Colón wins his eighth WWC Universal Heavyweight Title by defeating Sabu, and Alex Montalvo defeats Pablo Marquez for the WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title, beginning his third reign. Also at that show, Eddie Colón won the vacant WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title by defeating Dominican Boy in a tournament final.
2003 - USA Pro Wrestling held the second-annual Big Dick Dudley Memorial Show at the Franklin Square Firehouse in Franklin Square, New York. The results:
- The Solution (Havok and Papadon (with Miss Michelle)) besiegen Team Target (Devious and Tekno Heat).
- Chris Caliber defeated Chewy, Javi-Air and Cody Surekill in a four-way elimination match.
- Monsta Mack defeated Prince Nana.
- USA Pro Xtreme Champion Grim Reefer defeated Deranged to retain the title.
- Tony Lo defeated The Masked Maniac.
- Dan Barry defeated Azrieal and Smoked Out in a three-way elimination match.
- James Newblood (with Mr. Big) defeated Johnny TNT.
- The Boogie Knights (Danny Drake and Mike Tobin) defeated The Christopher Street Connection (Buff-E and Mace).
- The S.A.T. (Joél and José Maximo) defeated The Flock (Mikey Whipwreck and Wayne) in a tables, ladders and chairs match.
- Louie Ramos defeated Johnny Bravado in a hardcore match.
- USA Pro New York State Heavyweight Champion Tim Arson won the second-annual Big Dick Dudley Memorial battle royal. Other participants were: Adolph, Bad Boy KRACKA, Chris Caliber, Chewy, Danny Demanto, Danny Drake, Pat Gunner, Jim Hustler, J-Kronik, Javi-Air, Tony Lo, Kevin Matthews, Prince Nana, Poppalicious, Psycho, Rayza, Norman Smiley, Smoked Out, Vinny Stylin', Cody Surekill, Johnny TNT, Mike Tobin and Danny Yamz.
- USA Pro America's Heavyweight Champion Skinhead Ivan defeated Tim Arson to retain the title.
- Simon Diamond and Matt Striker (with Becky Bayless and Simply Luscious) defeated USA Pro Tag Team Champions The Dirty Rotten Scoundrelz (K.C. Blade and E.C. Negro) to win the title.
- Billy Reil defeated Josh Deeley.
- USA Pro United States Heavyweight Champion Mike Kruel defeated Xavier to retain the title.
- Raven defeated USA Pro Heavyweight Champion Balls Mahoney to win the title, ending Mahoney's fifth reign.
2003 - JC Bailey defeats Michael Todd Stratton (Todd Morton) in Clarksville, Indiana to win the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Title for the second time.
2003 - The Hawaiian Power Company (Kapu and Tiki) defeat The Iraqi Regime (Al-Ahmed Mohammed and Dumas Shiite) to win the vacant NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title in Honolulu, Hawaii.
2003 - J.P. Black wins his third NWA Texas Heavyweight Title in Pasadena, Texas, ending Steve DeMarco's second reign.
2003 - Tiger Mulligan last defeats John Brooks in a 17-man gauntlet match in Lynn, Massachusetts to become the first Millennium Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion.
2004 - WWE held a live RAW at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, which got a 3.2 rating on Spike TV. The results:
Sunday Night Heat:
- Maven pinned Steven Richards with a face-first Russian leg sweep.
- The Hurricane and Rosey defeated Jean Frederic Clement and Eric Mastrocola, when Rosey pinned Clement.
- Rhyno pinned Rory McGregor after the Gore.
- Batista pinned Val Venis after the Batista Bomb.
RAW:
- La Résistance (Robért Conway and Sylvain Grenier) defeated World Tag Team Champions Edge and World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit, when Grenier pinned Edge after Edge accidentally speared Benoit, to win the title. The new champions celebrated with the fans during and after the following commercial break. Sylvain Grenier was especially emotional, winning the title in his hometown.
- WWE Women's Champion Victoria pinned Jazz by reversing a suplex into a roll-up.
- Shelton Benjamin pinned WWE Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton (with Batista) with a powerslam.
- Matt Hardy (with Lita) pinned Garrison Cade after the Twist of Fate.
- Eugene defeated Kane by disqualification when the referee got knocked down.
2007 - El Hijo del Cien Caras and Máscara Año 2000, Jr. defeat Felino and Pantera for the IWRG Intercontinental Tag Team Title in Naucalpan, Mexico.
2010 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Austin, Texas and your announcers are Michael ‘Stone Cold’ Cole and Jerry ‘Do you think Ashton brought his wife or stepdaughters with him tonight’ Lawler.
We start off with Edge attacking Evan Bourne in the ring. Edge yells at Bourne and he wants to know if Bourne wants to get in his face because it is his ring. We are told that Bourne wanted to take advantage of Edge’s promo time but it looks like it didn’t work. Edge tosses Bourne in the air, but Bourne with a double knee splash. Bourne with a series of kicks and a knee to the head but Bourne misses a jumping kick. Bourne does not miss a spin kick. Bourne goes up top but Edge moves when Bourne tries for the Shooting Star Press. Edge waits for Bourne to get up and Edge hits the spear.
Edge takes the mic and he breathes heavily before saying that what happened to Evan Bourne is what is going to happen to his opponents at Fatal Four Way. Sheamus, John Cena, and Randy Orton, no matter what he does and no matter how many times he proves his dominance, people like Evan Bourne disrespect him. The fans disrespect him. It all changes at Fatal Four Way. He is nothing like his opponents. John Cena is the ‘super hero’ and the strongest person in this industry. Sheamus doesn’t care who gets in his way because he will bulldoze through them and take what he wants. Randy Orton, the snake in the grass, waits to pounce and sink his fangs into the situation. Edge says that everyone gets into it and jumps on the bandwagon. Edge says RKO and they join in. Edge says that they are sheep who fell into the snake pit. At Fatal Four Way, he proves everyone wrong when he becomes a ten time WWE Champion.
Randy Orton’s music plays and he comes out to the ring. Edge says speak of the devil, the silent assassin, the Viper comes out. Edge says that Orton thinks he is going to do something to him. Is he going to coil up and try to drop him? Edge says that isn’t going to happen because they know that Orton is not 100 percent because of what he did to Orton at Over the Limit. Edge says that he is going to give Orton a chance because Orton will not win at Fatal Four Way and he will hurt Orton. Edge tells Orton to look into his eyes because he says that he is not kidding.
Orton stares at Edge and then hits an RKO. Orton goes to the turnbuckles to pose without looking at Edge on the mat.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that WWE goes to a lot of military bases and facilities.
Ashton Kutcher is online looking at stuff that Zack Ryder is saying. Eve stops by and gives Ashton a hug. Ashton can’t believe that Zack is talking smack about him. He wonders if Zack knows that Ashton is hosting tonight. Ashton mentions that he is in a movie called The Killers so he is going to ‘put a hit’ on Zack Ryder. The Miz stops by and asks Ashton if he wanted to see him because he wanted to know if Ashton wanted to be around the biggest star in WWE. Ashton mentions Bret Hart and he says that they talked about a match tonight against Daniel Bryan, who has a one night contract. Miz wants to know if he should be scared. Miz says that he will beat Bryan to a bloody pulp. Ashton says that will be tough after Daniel Bryan makes him tap out. Miz tells Ashton to get a Nikon camera to take pictures of what he is going to do to Bryan. Miz leaves and Ashton says that he could take Miz because he looks like he is a buck-five.
We see highlights from last week when R Truth defeated The Miz to become the new United States Champion.
Match Number One: R Truth versus Chris Jericho
Jericho has some words for Truth but Truth responds with a dance move. They lock up and Jericho with a side head lock. Jericho with a side head lock but Truth with a hip toss. Truth blocks a drop kick and he catapults Jericho to the floor and Truth with a pescado and we go to commercial.
We are back and Jericho has Truth in a reverse chin lock. We see footage from the commercial break when Jericho dropped Truth on the top rope and then he hit a baseball slide into the ribs, sending Truth to the floor. We are back to the live action and Truth with a punch and a rollup for a near fall. Jericho with an enzuigiri and he gets a near fall. Jericho chokes Truth in the ropes and stands on his back to add more pressure. Jericho punches Truth in the corner followed by a suplex. Truth with a flying forearm and punches to Jericho. Truth with a tilt a whirl head scissors followed by a side kick and he gets a near fall. Truth runs into a boot from Jericho and Jericho with a bulldog and then he goes for the Lionsault but Truth moves and Jericho hits the mat hard. Truth misses the scissors kick and Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho but Truth powers out of the hold. Truth with a sitout gourdbuster for a near fall. Jericho with a thumb to the eyes followed by a clothesline for a near fall. Jericho with a kick to the head as he taunts Truth and wants to know what’s up. Truth with a kick and then he does the split to avoid Jericho. Truth misses a side kick and Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho and he puts Truth in the hold but Truth with an inside cradle for the three count.
Winner: R Truth
The four men in the Fatal Four Way main event are in a tag match later tonight. We go to commercial.
We are back and Cole and Lawler talk about the Fatal Four Way pay per view. We take a look back at how Randy Orton got into the match because Batista didn’t want to wrestle and he quit the WWE.
Zack Ryder and Alicia Fox are in the office and he thinks that Kutcher hired Bret to take care of him. Bret says that he has bigger things on his plate and Alicia and Zack leave. The Hart Dynasty come in and he says that he signed the Usos to Raw but did not know that they would attack them last week. Bret says that he cannot cut them any favors since they are family. Bret says that the Usos are trying to make a name at their expense so Bret wants to know what they are going to do.
Before the match starts, Santino wants them to stop playing the Darth Vader music for William Regal. Santino wants to know why Vladimir comes out with Regal when he could be part of the greatest Tag Team in the WWE. The irremovable object and the irresistible force. Santino says that Eve has agreed to make love to Vladimir. Eve stops Santino and then he says that she would love for him to be his tag team partner. Santino mentions the cobra.
Match Number Two: Eve Torres and Santino Marella versus Maryse and William Regal with Vladimir Kozlov
The women start things off and Maryse with a knee and forearm. Eve with a drop kick and Maryse backs into the corner and tags in Regal. Santino comes in as well and Santino with a spin kick that catches some air. Santino tries for a leg trip but Regal does not budge and Regal with a knee and forearms. Regal with a forearm to the chest. Regal with an Irish whip and forearm to Santino. Regal with an Exploder Suplex and then he puts Santino in the Regal Stretch but Eve breaks it up. Eve and Maryse brawl and Kozlov comes in and Kozlov gives Regal a choke slam and Santino gets the three count as Kozlov and Maryse leave the ringside area.
Winners: Eve Torres and Santino Marella
Bret Hart is walking in the back and he is going to make an announcement for next week’s Raw. We go to commercial.
We are back with a video package to dedicate tonight’s show to the Armed Forces on Memorial Day.
It is time for the Raw General Manager Bret Hart to come to the ring. Bret says hello to the people of Austin and he says that it has been a long time. He says that he has been the General Manager of Raw for about a week and he has been having a lot of fun. He says that he got back together with Smackdown General Manager Teddy Long and next week, they are going to do something special. All Raw and Smackdown superstars will be there next week for a three hour Raw. Bret said that it would be good for the fans to participate so he wants some ideas from them. He says that if the superstars in the back have any ideas, they can tell him. Bret says that it is going to be a night to remember.
Ted DiBiase and Virgil come to the ring. Ted tells Bret that if him and Teddy Long are truly accepting suggestions, give him the show so he can be General Manager for the night. Ted says that he wants complete control. Ted says that he is willing and able to pay Bret and Teddy whatever it takes. Ted says that Bret is not too good to be bought. Ted reminds us about his dad and Ted Sr. used to say that everyone had their price. Ted says that Bret is part of everyone. Bret says that he can check with Teddy about that. Ted says that he can take care of Teddy, but Bret is too good for that. Ted says that Bret came back as General Manager because he needs money. Ted tells Bret not to let his pride get in his way. Ted says that Bret has to name his price.
Ashton appears on the TitanTron and he wants Bret to think about something. Ashton says that next week they can do a Raw Viewer’s Choice where they can pick the matches and stipulations for the show.
Bret thinks about it and says that next week will be a Viewer’s Choice night.
Vince McMahon makes his return to Raw and he comes to the ring. Vince wants everyone to cheer for him and then for Bret Hart. Vince says that Bret looks ten years older than he did at Wrestlemania. Vince says that he never looked or felt better. Vince says that he wasn’t doing to well at Wrestlemania when his entire family bashed him over and over and over and over with a steel chair. Bret says he did it 18 times and Vince says that would have injured a normal person. Vince says that he hoped that Bret got it out of his system and Bret says that he got most of it out of his system.
The fans chant ‘You Tapped Out’ and then Vince says that when Bret was given the opportunity to become the general manager of Raw, he jumped on it. Vince says that he allowed Bret to become general manager because maybe he is setting Bret up for something because he has been vengeful in the past. Maybe he is keeping his enemies close. Maybe he thinks Bret is the right man for the job. Vince says that Bret has been making the popular decisions and Vince says that he will be watching next week. Vince says that he will not always have easy decisions to make and you need to treat the fans like children. Vince says that he means it in the most complementary way. He says that you have to make decisions that might not always be popular but are the right decision. Bret says that he is ready for anything. Vince says that he is out here to wish him luck and Vince wants to know if Bret believes him and Bret is not sure if he believes Vince. Vince says that it is a wonderful story that a man who was banished 13 years ago from this show to return triumphantly to becomes the general manager. Vince says that he hopes Bret’s story has a happy ending.
Zack Ryder is in the back and he is wondering if Randy Orton is the one to take him out. Zack says that he is a future legend while Orton is the legend killer. Orton says that if he was there to take him out, he wouldn’t be talking now.
A door closes on Orton’s injured shoulder and it was Edge who slammed the door into Orton’s arm. Someone comes by to check on Orton and wants to get some help for Orton as we go to commercial.
We are back and in case you missed it, we see Orton being attacked by his dressing room door and Edge’s involvement in the attack.
They are checking on Orton and Cole wonders if Orton can team with John Cena or will we have the never before seen ‘Handicap Match’?
We see highlights from last week’s NXT when Michael Cole got in a cheap shot on Daniel Bryan. Then we see Miz and Bryan brawl while Cole runs down Bryan.
Match Number Three: The Miz versus Daniel Bryan
Bryan with a forearm and then he punches Miz. The referee pulls Bryan off and Bryan with an arm submission. Miz with a clothesline to the back of the head and Miz with crossfaces to Bryan. Miz with a running boot and he gets a near fall. Miz with a shoulder and punches followed by forearms. The referee pulls Miz off Bryan. Miz with the clothesline into the corner and Bryan goes down. Miz goes up top and hits a double sledge. Miz slaps Bryan but Bryan puts Miz in an Omoplata and Miz rolls through but so does Bryan and Bryan gets the three count.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
After the match, Miz attack Bryan from behind and throws him out of the ring. Miz with a kick to the head on the floor in front of the announce table. Miz tells Bryan to apologize to Cole but Bryan sends Miz into the announce table and then he throws Miz onto Cole.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Cole says that he was assaulted again. Lawler says it was an ambush, kind of like the way the Usos ambushed The Hart Dynasty. We go to the Slam of the Week, which happens to be that ambush.
The Usos and Tamina are in the ring. They say that they have the world tripping over them. The only way to make a name for themselves is to put the Unified Tag Champions on their backs. He says that it was Jay and Jimmy Uso standing tall along with Tamina. Jimmy says that their family isn’t the only family that runs deep in this business. He says that their family goes back to the Wild Samoans. They are not the stereotypical Samoans. The bottom line is that they had to make a name and the Hart Dynasty happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Tamina says that they respect where the Hart Dynasty comes from. The WWE Universe respects the Harts but they do not respect them. Tamina mentions that her father is Jimmy Snuka and he was put in the corner for the first Wrestlemania. She says that isn’t going to happen no more. They were born and created for one purpose . . . to dominate.
The Hart Dynasty hit the ring and we have a six person brawl. They try for the Hart Attack but Tamina trips Kidd and then she clotheslines Natalya. They hit an alley oop Samoan drop on Kidd and then it is time for a triple splash from the top.
It is time to take a look back at what happened tonight between Randy Orton and Edge. We start off with Orton’s RKO in the ring at the start of the show. Then we see Edge attack Orton with the door to Orton’s dressing room later in the show.
We are back and it is time for a video for Ashton Kutcher’s new movie The Killers.
Zack has the mic and he says that Ashton Kutcher wants to mimic his movie and put a hit out on him. He says that Alicia has a great idea and that is why he is in the ring. He wants to know who the ‘hit man’ is. He says that Ashton doesn’t want to make him mad.
Ashton tells Zack that he will let him know who it is and Jerry Lawler comes into the ring and he sits in his chair. The Great Khali comes to the ring but Ashton says that it isn’t him either. Goldust comes out and we have our third red herring.
Zack says that he is paranoid and wants to know who it is. Ashton wants to know if Zack really wants to know, he will never see it coming.
Alicia gets on the mic and she says that she is tired of this joke. She gives the mic back to Zack but drops it and then Alicia with a leg drop to Ryder.
Ashton applauds Alicia’s job. He says that is why you don’t mess with the farm hand or his Twitter followers.
Sheamus and Edge meet in the dressing room and Sheamus tells Edge that he saw what Edge did to Randy Orton and he tells the fella that he liked it. Sheamus says that Edge was right but then Edge cuts off Sheamus and says that he has already weakened Orton so now they can both weaken John Cena. Sheamus says that if Edge takes advantage at his expense, it will be the last mistake that Edge makes.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a This Week in WWE History Moment. This week in 1998, the Junk Yard Dog passed away.
Next week, your guests hosts are the cast of the A Team.
John Cena has a mic with him when he comes to the ring. John has some unfortunate news for the WWE Universe. Due to the actions of Edge earlier tonight, Randy Orton has reinjured his shoulder and will not be able to compete tonight. Cena tells Edge that was a brilliant plan to leave him shorthanded on short notice, but everyone in the back hates Edge and Sheamus. He says that his partner is a human wrecking ball who would love to kick his teeth in.
Match Number Four: Edge and Sheamus versus John Cena and Evan Bourne
Edge and Cena start things off and Edge with forearms and punches to Cena. Cena with an Irish whip and a bulldog out of the corner and Bourne tags in and hits a knee from the turnbuckles to the arm. Bourne with a kick to Edge and he takes Edge to the mat and works on the arm. Edge with a forearm to the back but Bourne with a head scissors and drop kick followed by a spinning heel kick. Edge goes to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Cena punches Sheamus and Bourne is tagged in and he hits a running drop kick into the corner and he gets a near fall. Bourne with kicks to the leg but Sheamus with a back elbow. Sheamus sends Bourne into the turnbuckles and connects with a forearm to the back. Edge tags in and connects with a forearm to the back. Edge kicks Bourne and connects with forearms and he kicks Bourne in the head as Bourne hangs over the apron. Edge comes off the apron with a forearm to the back of the neck. Sheamus tags in and Edge holds Bourne for Sheamus to kick him. Sheamus tries for a suplex but Bourne with a knee to the head to get out of the hold. Bourne with a kick to the leg that staggers Sheamus as Bourne tries to make the tag. Sheamus picks up Bourne and pushes him away and then hits a double sledge to the head for a near fall. Edge tags back in and he kicks Bourne in the ribs. Edge with a hard Irish whip and he gets a near fall on Bourne. Edge with a boot to the head and he gets a near fall. Bourne with kicks but Edge with forearms. Bourne with an enzuigiri and both men are down. Bourne makes the tag and so does Edge. Cena with the two flying shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb and then it is time for the Five Knuckle Shuffle as the moves of doom are finished. Cena gets Sheamus up for the Attitude Adjustment but Sheamus with a thumb to the eyes and he hits a power slam. Sheamus misses the Pump Kick and Bourne with a kick form the apron. Cena with Attitude Adjustment and Edge tries for the spear on Cena but Cena moves and Edge hits the ring post. Cena tags in Bourne who hits the Shooting Star Press for the three count.
Winners: Evan Bourne and John Cena
2011 - The Urban Wrestling Federation announced they had signed 40 Glocc to their first PPV taping at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC.
2012 - Chris Powell of the Journal Inquirer in Connecticut fired back hard after WWE threatened legal action for referring to Linda McMahon having made her fortune off violence and porn.
In his latest editorial, Powell WWE because they want to "discourage complaints" made about their product "prior to 2008, before [Linda McMahon] began to think about using her fortune to acquire high public office and started cleaning up her act."
Powell noted that the complaints destroyed McMahon's first political run and noted that the depositions for the potential libel case would be entertainment in themselves, writing some potential questions he would pose:
"Mrs. McMahon, in the video playing now, who is the man in the wrestling ring with the microphone instructing that shapely young woman to undress and get down on her hands and knees and bark like a dog? Your husband? What do you think of that?"
"In this video who are the young women undressing, kissing, and touching each other sexually in the ring? What is conveyed by the big man jumping on top of them as they lie naked on the mat?"
"Mrs. McMahon, this video shows your husband and son pouring paint over the head of a wrestler who seems meant to appear mentally retarded. They beat him up and push his head into a toilet. Did you approve this scene?"
"In this video a bed has been placed in the ring. A man undresses a woman down to her bra and panties, simulates sex with her as they stand next to the bed, places her under the covers, follows her there, and emerges to toss her bra and panties on the mat. Your daughter is now WWE's creative director. Was this scene her idea?"
"The scene in the next video appears to take place in a funeral parlor, where a male wrestler undresses himself and then undresses the corpse of a woman in a casket before climbing on top of her. Is this meant to depict necrophilia?"
"This video shows your husband and daughter in the ring with the shapely young woman who barked like a dog in the first video. Your husband and daughter force her face into a slop bucket and your husband taunts her for having been 'daddy's little toy.' Then your husband pours the slop bucket on her head. In your campaign's television and radio commercials you describe yourself as a 'job creator.' What are the job descriptions of the women who undress in the ring, behave lasciviously, and are pushed into a slop bucket? If this stuff is not pornography, what is it exactly?"
Powell also noted that "people McMahon can't buy, she bullies."
2012 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the first live Impact Wrestling of the summer, covered here on PWInsider.com!
We kick the show off with wrestlers surrounding the ring for our opening match...
Lumberjack Match: World Champion Bobby Roode vs Sting
Roode tries to jump Sting before the bell, but winds up on the receiving end of a beating. Roode takes a Flair flip in the corner, but doesn't go to the floor. Instead, he falls back inside and continues taking a pounding. Sting with the Beell and a dropkick, but Roode avoids the Scorpion Deathlock. He starts to slide out to the floor for a breather, but remembers the ugly mob of lumberjacks and goes back in. Sting quickly attacks and sends him back out to the floor, where the lumberjacks beat him up and roll him back in. Sting dumps him outside for another 7-on-1 beatdown, then Roode rolls back inside and dodges a Stinger Splash, then throws Sting outside on the heel lumberjack side. Sting survives the pounding and goes back after Roode, who tries to escape to the floor and gets dumped back inside yet again. Roode lures Sting into charging him and dodges, sending Sting rolling out to the floor for another round with lumberjacks, then Roode finally gets an advantage when he comes back in. Roode gets an inverted bearhug, Sting escapes and goes for another Stinger splash, but Roode gets the boot up. Roode throws Sting back outside, but this time he fights back against the lumberjacks as we go to commercial.
We're back, and Roode gives Sting a vertical suplex for 2, then gives him a series of hard chops in the corner. Sting no-sells and slowly walks out of the corner just like he did in 1988, and this time he unloads on Roode and hits the Stinger splash. Roode rolls out to the floor on the heel lumberjack side, and they try to protect Roode as the babyface lumberjacks come around the ring after him, but Sting comes over the top rope and wipes everyone out. They go back inside where Sting goes for the Scorpion Deathlock, Roode counters to the Crippler Crossface, and Sting makes it to the ropes. Sting slides out the back on another suplex attempt and hits the Deathdrop, then gets Roode in the Deathlock right in the middle of the ring. Roode can't make the ropes and, with nowhere else to go, taps out.
Winner: Sting
Sting beat the World Champion, and I'm guessing that puts him in line for a title shot. Hulk Hogan comes out to applaud Sting and inform us that the main event of Slammiversary will be Roode vs Sting for the World Title. Hogan gives Sting a big thumbs up as an irate Roode clutches the belt with the classic "my number is up" look on his face.
Later tonight: AJ Styles takes on Christopher Daniels, the fans at home pick the challenger for the TV Title, and Brooke Hogan makes her debut as the top executive in the Knockouts division!
Madison Rayne is backstage ironing her sash and saying that she heard Brooke's going to be here tonight, and she's sure they're going to get along fine.
Bully Ray is in the ring saying he wants Joseph Park in the ring tonight, and asks if he remembers what he did to him last week. Just in case we forgot, he told the guys in the truck to play the footage of him beating Park up. He wants to fight Park right now, so Park (looking very worried) puts down his popcorn and soda and slowly makes his way down to the ring as Bubba yells at him to stop wasting time and just go. Park insists he doesn't want to fight, and Bubba says that's because he's a coward, his mother's a coward, his father's a coward, and most of all, his brother Abyss is a coward. That's finally too much for Park and he tries to come over the rail, but security runs over to stop him. Bubba yells at security to get away from him and let Park in the ring. Park doesn't look particularly enthusiastic about this and acts like he doesn't know how to get in the ring, and Bubba reiterates that he wants to fight him right now (crowd chants at him to fight), and Bubba tells him to come on, but Park insists he's not a fighter. Bubba says that's fine, but he'd like to change his plea to guilty because he left Abyss for dead. Park grabs him by the shirt and Bubba drops down to his knees as Park looks at the crowd asking if he should hit him, but Bubba says he'll sue Park if he hits him. Park thinks about it for a moment before letting Bubba go, and Bubba says that he's just like his brother because he's a coward. Bubba walks off, so Park picks the microphone up and tells Bubba to wait a minute, because if he wants to fight, they can do it right now. Bubba says that if he wants to fight, they can do it at Slammiversary.
During the commercial break, Jimmy Jay and Socal Val promoted the ShopTNA.com website and noted that Sting was going to be their star of the month. Jay said he was pulling for Sting at Slammiversary. They promoted the social media aspect of the show.
We see a video package looking at the undefeated streak of Crimson, which now stands at 462 days, and then we go to the back with Crimson, who says he can't be beaten.
Austin Aries is backstage chatting with D-Lo Brown as he gets ready to go to the ring, but sprays his hair and it accidentally sprays over his head and in Samoa Joe's face. He stops to glare at Aries, who doesn't even notice Joe as he heads to the ring.
X Division Title Match: Austin Aries vs Chris Sabin
They do a quick exchange at the start with neither man getting an advantage, Sabin winds up on the ring apron and goes for a sunset flip into the ring, but he's obviously never watched Austin Aries tapes, because Aries rolls through and hits a dropkick, followed by a leaping froggy elbow for 2. Sabin goes for a crucifix, Aries rolls through so Sabin gets La Magistral cradle instead and gets 2. Sabin goes back to the ring apron, so Aries dropkicks him to the floor and hits the heat seeking missile through the ropes. Aries sends Sabin back inside and goes up top, but Sabin hangs him in the Tree of Woe. Sabin misses a baseball slide, Aries misses an IED, and Sabin baseball slides Aries to the floor. Sabin hits a dive and seems to hurt himself, but has the wherewithal to pull Aries back in and hit a slingshot rolling neckbreaker for 2. Sabin goes for the Cradle Shock, Aries escapes, Sabin goes for it again but Aries rolls through the move and cradles Sabin for 3.
Winner: Austin Aries
Sabin looks really, really pissed as he rolls out to the floor, then we go to the back as Hulk Hogan and Taz talk about the Gut Check. Taz is happy for the chance to be a part of it, but wants Hogan to know that we're getting the real Taz tonight, and not everyone likes the real Taz.
During the commercial break, Jeremy Borash had all the TNA TV title challengers. Borash asked if there were any guesses as to who was winning the voting. Everyone cut a quick promo saying they were the one that was going to win the voting. Hardy said that he wished everyone good luck. RVD said that everyone was still working about his match at Sacrifice and he'd love to have a title shot and win the TV title. Robbie E said that he must have won because he's the only one who deserves to have the TV title around his waist.
We go to the group of judges, who critique Joey Ryan's performance last week in the Gut Check. They debate his 70s persona, and Taz said it bothered him that Ryan didn't seem to look like he was going into a fight for his life when the X Division Champion entered the ring. He has another chance to make an impression tonight, and we'll find out later if he gets a contract.
Jeremy Borash is backstage with the four contenders for a TV Title shot tonight: Robbie E, Ken Anderson, Rob Van Dam, and Jeff Hardy, and we have very little time left to vote at impactwrestling.com.
But enough of that wrestling stuff, here comes Dixie Carter and her entrance music (which sounds like the chick from the Cranberries getting strangled), and she says how hard it is to believe that TNA is celebrating ten years at Slammiversary, and she thanks everyone who helped get them there, including the fans. On September 10th (which I guess is when Impact is happening in her mind), they will announce the first TNA Hall Of Fame inductees, but tonight is a special night as well, and we may have heard some exciting things coming up for Impact Wrestling. They have the best female wrestlers in the world, but she wants to take them even further over the next ten years, and she needs someone really awesome to do that. She can't impress how smart and enthusiastic this person is and how great she is about thinking outside the box, and that woman is...BROOKE HOGAN! She gets booed out of the building, but comes striding out with a big smile on her face nonetheless. Dixie and Brooke talked it over, and Brooke told Dixie to tell her dad, but Dixie's really looking forward to everything she's going to do for them. Brooke thinks this is great, and she wants to thank everyone for welcoming her there with open arms (more boos mixed in with applause), and Brooke says she grew up in wrestling and loves this just as much as Dixie does, but she has big, yellow boots to fill and she's taking this very seriously, and she can't thank everyone for the opportunity because she's going to work her butt off.
Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian are backstage and they can't believe that Dixie didn't touch on the AJ Styles thing, but they'll have something else to say after Daniels beats AJ tonight.
During the commercial, Jeremy Borash was backstage with the TNA TV title challengers. Other than some silliness with Robbie E, which was cute, nothing much here.
We look back at another Slammiversary moment, when Christian Cage jumped from WWE to TNA back in 2005. We then go backstage to the contenders as Jeremy Borash announces that the winner of the fan poll, with over 40%, is Jeff Hardy.
TV Title Match: Devon vs Jeff Hardy
Boy, have these guys been in the ring with each other a million times, or what? They chain wrestle for a bit in the middle of the ring, Devon comes off the ropes and takes Hardy down with a shoulderblock for 2, Hardy gets a rollup for 2, and then Devon gets a rollups of his own for 2. Hardy with a flying headscissors, but Devon just rolls over him with a clothesline and plants Hardy with a slam. Hardy dodges a diving headbutt and hits the inverted enziguiri, then comes off the top rope with the Whisper In The Wind for 2. Hardy charges Devon in the corner, but Devon charges and Hardy shish kebabs himself in the corner, allowing Devon to hit an elevated neckbreaker for 2. Hardy escapes another slam attempt and hits the Twist of Fate, then does the chick screaming t-shirt removal. He goes to the top rope, but Robbie E and Robbie T run in and attack him to draw a...
NO CONTEST
They go after Devon as well, and Devon joins into the fray as he and Hardy take the Robbies out.
We catch up with James Storm, who seems to have mentally calmed himself down since being home and riding horses with his daughter. He says that Bobby Roode calls himself the It Factor of professional wrestling, but this (indicating his home) is his It. Storm isn't sure if it hurt more losing to Roode, or seeing the looks on the faces of people who came to watch him beat Roode. He doesn't like letting people down, but he made his decision. His daughter asks if he's going back to wrestling, and Storm decides to cut this interview off.
We go to the ring where Jeremy Borash introduces the Gut Check judges: Bruce Prichard, Al Snow, and Taz. Jeremy asks Bruce if they've seen enough to decide whether he gets a contract or not, and he says they have, so Jeremy calls Joey out to the ring. Ryan says he's a big deal, people know him, and he's trending worldwide on Twitter. 87% of the fans on impactwrestling.com said yes to Joey Ryan, but JB asks the judges what they thought of Joey. Bruce says he saw him last week and this week, and he's a hell of a talent, but after 12 years in the business for Joey, his answer is no. Al Snow says that he doesn't like Joey and his attitude because he acts like he already has a job here, but it's not about whether Al likes him, it's whether he has the potential to be a star, so Al says yes. We come down to Taz, and Jeremy gives Joey the chance to explain one last time how he belongs in Impact Wrestling, and Joey says that for Bruce Prichard to ignore 87% of the fanbase is irresponsible. Joey thinks Taz knows that Joey is too good to not have a contract, and he doesn't want to leave money on the table. Taz says that if that's the promo he wants to use to get in the door, he's out of his mind. He says that he's forgotten more about wrestling than Joey has learned and the answer is no. Joey gets right in his face, and Taz said he didn't cut the promo of his life, and to get back on the road and come back down the line to prove him wrong.
During the commercial break, Jeremy Borash and Earl Hebner recounted the Gutcheck segment. Earl Hebner said that Joey Ryan was a lucky man to speak to Taz that way and live. Hebner said he was getting ready to referee AJ Styles and Daniels and was excited to be on live TV. Borash brought in TNA Production Manager Steve Small, who said he was excited to be there. Borash said that they were bringing in people who normally don't get interviewed on camera since they were around to give fans a look into the backstage scene. Brian Hebner was interviewed. Hebner said that if Joey Ryan had dialed it back a little, he may have had a chance but he pushed too hard and "that was a no go."
We go to London, where Bobby Roode tells a group of fans that he was here defending his title five months ago, and nobody thought he could defend his title against the top stars in TNA, but he showed them and became the longest reigning World Champion in Impact Wrestling history.
It's main event time!
AJ Styles vs Christopher Daniels
Daniels slaps AJ in the face and runs, AJ chases him to the floor, around the ring, and back inside where he takes Daniels out with a dropkick. Daniels sees a leapfrog coming and jabs AJ in the face, AJ winds up on the apron and they fight over a suplex, but Daniels drops AJ's throat across the top rope, then gets a running start and drives AJ off the apron and into the guardrail as we go to commercial.
During commercial, Jeremy Borash asked Robbie E who was going to win Styles vs. Daniels. E said that he didn't care because he was upset the hamsters out there voted for Jeff Hardy, not him. He said that he deserved to get the title back. Borash asked him what happened out there. E said that they deserved hamster beatings. Borash said E only received 8% of the vote. Robbie T didn't like that so Borash signed off.
We're back, and Daniels has AJ in a nasty wristlock, then stomps him in the ribs and hits an Arabian moonsault for 2. AJ fires back with forearms and chops, but Daniels whips him fact first into the corner, AJ slips out the back on a suplex attempt and takes Daniels out with a leg lariat. AJ with more right hands and the twirly rack bomb for 2. Daniels drives AJ into the corner and puts him on the top rope, but AJ blocks Iconoclasm. He drops to the apron and hits the springboard forearm, kips up, and goes for the moonsault deathdrop, Daniels snapmares out, and AJ hits the Pelle kick. AJ goes for the Styles Clash, Kazarian runs out to distract AJ and allows Daniels to roll AJ up for 2, but AJ hits the moonsault deathdrop on the second try and gets 3.
Winner: AJ Styles
Kazarian runs in and beats the crap out of AJ, but Kurt Angle runs out and tears through the tag team champs by himself. He puts Kazarian in an anklelock, but Daniels comes in and hits Angle low, then they hit Goozle Elimination. They tie Angle to the ropes with zip ties, then lay AJ out with one of the title belts before giving Angle a shot as well. Daniels takes a mic from So Cal Val, and he says that they've showed pictures and video, but people still don't believe him, so he has proof positive of the affair between AJ and Dixie straight from their own mouths. They play a phone call where Dixie tells AJ to come over and not tell Serge, while AJ says he wouldn't miss it for the world and asks how much time they have until he gets home. It sound to me like they're planning some kind of surprise birthday party for Serge, but Dixie comes out to the broadcast booth freaking out and telling "Dave" to cut it, and she yells "That's it, you're through!" as we go off the air.
2013 - Impact Championship Wrestling presented "Back on the Boulevard" in Queens, NY. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's coverage of Impact Championship Wrestling's "Back on the Boulevard" in Queens, NY.
Grimm Reefer vs. Ricky Reyes
They locked up and Reyes backed Reefer into the corner. Reefer reversed but the referee broke them up before anything could happen. They exchanged wrestling holds. Reyes used a drop toehold but Reefer escaped and locked on a side headlock. Reyes sent him into the ropes but was shoulderblocked down. Reefer hit a series of hiptosses
Reefer used a slingshot kick on Reyes. Reyes came out of the corner with a clothesline for a two count. Reyes whipped him hard into the corner and posed for the crowd. Reyes used a gut wretch suplex for a two count.
Reyes chopped Reefer hard against the ropes. Reefer came back with a spining head scissors takeover that sent Reyes to the outside. He went for a sliding kick to the outside but Reyes caught him and grabbed him for a superplex across the guard rail.
Back in the ring, Reyes kicked him in the head but Reefer kicked out at two. Reyes ripped his face against the ropes. Reyes hit a back suplex for a two count. He locked on a side chinlock but Reefer fought out with a series of elbows.
Reefer nailed a series of chops and nailed an enziguiri. Reefer went to the top and hit a twisting moonsault for a two count. Reefer missed a move off the top and was nailed with a kick to the head, then a running clothesline for a two count.
Reyes nailed a powerbomb for another two count. Reefer caught him with a forward roll and scored the pin.
Your winner, The Grimm Reefer!
Promoter Jac Sabboth came out and thanked everyone for coming. He said it was time for wrestling to come back to the Elks Lodge and they need to do it regularly. Out came Danny Demanto who took the mic and ripped on the audience. He said that he loves the idea of wrestling back in the Elks. He then said that ICW didn't make this building , he did. He said he put it on his back and carried it. He ripped on Sabboth and dared him to hit him. Sabboth slapped him, Demanto grabbed him by the throat but Tommy Dreamer made the save.
Dreamer took the mic and knocked Demanto for not having respect for anyone and challenged him to a old school, hardcore Falls Count Anywhere on Queens Boulevard tonight. The crowd popped. Dreamer said it was booked. Dreamer put over several of the veterans signing in the back.
VSK & ROH TV champion Matt Taven vs. Azrieal & Bandido Jr.
They went back and forth early. Taven did a delayed vertical suplex. He and VSK took turns working over Bandido. Bandido finally came back and nailed Taven with a dropkick. He and Taven exchanged strikes, Taven cut him off with a Russian legsweep for a two count.
VSK slammed and splashed Bandido. Taven came off the top for a splash but was dropkicked on the way down. Bandido and Azrieal made a comeback with a dazzling series of moves and scored the pin following a double stomp off the ropes for the pin.
Your winners, Bandido & Azrieal!
After the match, Nana blamed VSK for the loss and Taven turned on him, leaving him laying.
Smith James vs. Dan Maff
They started out doing some power spots. Maff took Smith down with a bg shoulderblock. Maff nailed a series of chops and a big boot to the face. Smith took him down with a big clothesline and peppered Maff with right hands.
They battled to the outside and nailed each other with big shots. Maff whipped James into the ringpost on the floor. They battled back and forth into the ring. Maff was nailed with a big splash in the corner. James went up for Vader splash off the ropes but Maff got up, slipped underneath and nailed a Burning Hammer for the pin.
Your winner, Dan Maff
Maff took the mic after and pulled James up. Maff said he's been coming here since 1999. He apologized if he gets a little emotional but when you do it for as long as he's doing it. He started breaking down in the ring. He said that you have to ask yourself what makes you keep doing it. He said he has a beautiful five month old baby girl. He said that it's his dream to walk the aisle at Wrestlemania or a sold out Madison Square Garden. He said that there was someone who used run around in a diaper and no one took him seriously and he was trying to do what he could do find a gimmick. Everyone told him to keep his head up and keep trying and now he got his OK and got a contract and is going to WWE.
Maff said that a lot of fans don't realize how often the boys talk about how crappy the business can be, and how they don't want to go to some small town or work for some promoter that can be a hard guy to deal with, but they all have a love for the business and a passion for it and through all the bad stuff, they love the business. Maff said that James got his dream and the chance to make it and Maff feels like he's making it through James. He said he wants to see James making his name and his career. He said that Smith used to be the one who wanted to be like someone else and one day, he's going to be the one making a little kid scared or making someone say they want to be like him.
James took the mic and said he used to be a kid getting autographs until one day he went to the Rexplex in New Jersey and saw Maff in the ring. He said he loves Maff and will do everything he can to make it and thanked everyone who he worked with on the indy scene. They hugged and James said goodbye to the audience.
Brian XL & Anthony Gangone vs. Tru Talent. Gangone and Talent are all students from The House of Glory school. Everyone worked, almost too hard, and pulled out lots of crazy dives.
The match slowed down with XL working over Talent. tagging in and out with Gargone. Tru Talent took over on Gangone and worked him over. XL made the hot tag and cleaned house on Talent.
XL finally scored the pin with a double decker DDT.
Your winners, Brian XL & Anthony Gangone!
Hip Shiwvel Towel champion Maximus Sex Powers vs. Little Guido
Sex Powers cut a promo saying he grew up in Queens and then the second he could, he moved to Florida. He did the Rick Rude "remove my robe" deal but had a horrible physique to play up the comedy of the gimmick.
Guido did the hip swivel like Rick Rude to mock Powers, who attacked him. He sent Guido into the ropes and Guido hit a sunset flip. Powers held on and tried to do a sit down splash but Guido moved. He jumped on Powers' back and rode him.
Powers cut off Guido and worked on his knee. Powers went for a swanton but Guido rolled out of the way. Guido made a comeback and nailed a Russian Legsweep for a two count. Guido finally scored the pin.
Your winner and new ICW Hip Swivel Towel champion, Little Guido!
Papadon vs. Homicide
Papadon took the mic and said he hates the fans but Homicide was his trainer and he respected him. They shook hands.
Papadon worked over Homicide's wrist early but it was reversed. They went back and forth and faced off. Homicide took control but Papadon made it to the ropes and they faced off again.
They locked up for a test of strength. Papadon grabbed a side headlock and then worked over Homicide's arm. Homicide fought his way out and went for a neckbreaker but was kneed in the gut. Homicide fought back and nailed a headscissors takeover to the outside.
Homicide went for a dive but was kicked by Papadon as he hit the ropes. Papadon rolled him up for a two count. Papadon went for a monkey flip but Homicide landed on his feet. Papadon drilled him with a running knee strike, sending Homicide to the floor. Papadon followed him and slammed him into the guard rail and the ring apron.
They battled around ringside and then back into the ring. Papadon worked him over with elbows to the neck and head. Homicide fought back but Papadon cut him off. Homicide fiually chopped him down. Papadon worked over Homicide.
They battled back and forth with near falls. Papadon hit a back suplex. Homicide caught him with a leg submission. Homicide caught him with an overhead belly to belly suplex. Homicide rolled him up but was pulled into a DVDR by Papadon for a two count.
Papadon hit a DVDR into a gutbuster and then a standing suplex for a two count. Papadon went for a knee strike but Homicide ducked and turned it into an STF. Papadon escaped and nailed a series of elbows. Homicide rolled him up for a two count.
Papadon went for a right hand but was caught with a T-Bone suplex for a two count. They battled back and forth with right hands. Papadon cut him off with a big right hand. Homicide cut him off and went for the Gringo Killer. Papadon slipped out and nailed the running knee strke for the pin.
Your winner, Papadon!
Alicia's Open Challenge
Alicia demanded that the strongest, toughest girl in the back come out and face her. Out came Rick Cataldo, a guy who does an effeminate He said that she had to fight the girls since she already went through all the men in the back. Cataldo said he heard Alicia likes to swallow which is fine, because he likes to...and spit on her.
Alicia attacked him and worked him over with forearms and chops. She whipped him into the corner but missed a back splash when Cataldo moved. Cataldo scissored her face and used his legs to pull her face into his rear end.
Cataldo nailed Alicia but was caught and whipped into the corner. She nailed him with a back splash. Cataldo nailed a Northern Lights suplex for a two count. Cataldo went to the top but was crotched and nailed with a rana off the top for the pin.
Your winner, Alicia!
Falls Count Anywhere: ICW champion Tommy Dreamer vs. Danny Demanto
They went back and forth on the mic, then battled to the floor. Dreamer put the ring bell on Demanto's groin and rang the bell. They battled in the ring back and forth. Dreamer missed a charge in the corner. Demanto placed the bell on Dreamer and drilled ithard with a hammer.
They went to the outside, where Demanto choked out Dreamer with a short. Demanto placed him in a Camel Clutch. Demanto placed Dreamer in a chair and locked in a side chinlock.
Dreamer finally made a comeback and punched Demanto in the corner. Demanto nailed him and went to the top rope. Dreamer crotched him and was hung upside down. Dreamer placed a chair on his head and hit the running dropkick in the corner.
Dreamer grabbed the Singapore Cane but missed and was DDT'd by Demanto. He fought back and pulled a door out from under the ring. He nailed the Spicoli Driver through a door and scored the pin.
Your winner and still ICW champion, Tommy Dreamer.
2014 - Robbie E and Brooke Tessmacher began filming the 25th edition of CBS' The Amazing Race.
2014 - MVP suffered a knee injury while touring Great Britain for Preston City Wrestling. The injury occurred during a brawl outside the ring during a tag match and was limping badly after. The injury would lead to plans for MVP to win the TNA title to be changed to Bobby Lashley getting the belt instead.
2015 - WWE held their Elimination Chamber PPV. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing coverage of the 2015 WWE Elimination Chamber from Corpus Christi, Texas, the first ever "PPV" special exclusively on the WWE Network here in the United States.
KICKOFF SHOW
Renee Young, Byron Saxtin, Booker T and Corey Graves are the pre-show panel. They acknowledged Rusev was out of the Chamber match due to the ankle injury.
Lana will be taking part in a Twitter chat.
The New Day went to Kane looking for help. He announced all three would be allowed into the Elimination Chamber, but in the same pod. Xavier Woods was worried due to being trapped in one pod, so Kane suggested they start the bout and have to go through everyone. Big E and Kofi Kingston wanted nothing to do with that and thanked Kane, pulling Woods away.
The panel discussed John Cena vs. Kevin Owens. They aired a great video feature on the bout.
They discussed the WWE Divas championship bout.
Stardust vs. Zack Ryder
They had a good match with Ryder getting far more offense than usual coming off of the John Cena match, including a dropkick off the apron to the floor. It looks like WWE might have realized they've got a solid hand with Ryder. The announcers noted Stardust's issues with actor Stephen Annell coming off Raw and said he was going to unveil a new move. It was the Queen's Crossbow (really the Crossrhodes) to continue the issue. JBL said that Ryder failed his city, a reference to Oliver Queen on "Arrow" being obsessed with saving Starling City. Some solid wrestling here.
In the social media lounge, Lana said she didn't have any information on Rusev's injury but doesn't wish anyone harm. She said they no longer speak. On Dolph Ziggler, she said they have a good time and she has a legitimate interest in him. She was asked how she feels about the United States now. She said that she's judged people in her life but when Rusev judged her, it made her realize she perhaps has made a mistake and now she is trying to see things from other people's perspectives. When asked how she feels about being free from Rusev, she said she chooses to be free and happy despite the circumstances.
MizTV
Summer Rae gave Miz a big introduction, so they are still together in storyline. Miz came out wearing a new ridiculous black outfit. The crowd crapped on Miz, so he told the crowd to stop booing Summer. He plugged his "Marine 4" film then asked everyone how much they missed him. They showed footage of Daniel Bryan forfeiting the Intercontinental championship several weeks ago. Miz introduced Bryan, who came out smiling and did his "Yes" entrance.
Miz said they have had differences in the past, but the footage was hard for him to watch. He said he wishes Bryan a speedy recovery. Miz asked how Bryan is doing, but every time Bryan tried to answer, Miz made it all about him. Miz said it's tragic Bryan's "career is over" but it's tragic because of all the time Miz put into his career. Bryan said his career is not over and he will be back. He said that while he was out, however, he wrote a book that will be out this July. I've read an advance copy and it's absolutely great - one of the most honest books about current day WWE.
Miz began knocking Bryan for not promoting his "Five Day Energy Drink" commercial and said Bryan looks like just another fan instead of looking like a star like Miz and real movie stars do. He offered to help Bryan and would only take 10%. Bryan told him to shut up. That got a huge "Yes" chant. Bryan said he's here to present the IC title to whoever wins the belt tonight. He said again, his career is not over and he will be back.
Miz said he would normally slap Bryan out of that chair but due to doctor's orders, he can't touch Bryan and Bryan can't touch him. Bryan said he was tired of listening to Miz's advice and said that he finds MizTV to be boring. He said he had a great way to fix it and brought out Macho Mando and Axelmania. Macho charged the ring but was laid out by Miz. Axelmania ripped his t-shirt to distract Miz. Macho laid out Miz and Axel dropped the leg.
Bryan, Macho and Axel did the posedown to close the segment. Odd they never plugged the Bryan DVD coming out.
Backstage Eden interviewed Dean Ambrose. Ambrose said he feels no pressure on one hand because he has nothing to lose. On the other hand, he feels pressure and it's bubbling hatred for The Authority. He said punching Seth in the face is good for it. He said he wasn't worried about anyone intefering. Roman Reigns showed up and said he would be in Ambrose's corner tonight.
They went to the ring with JBL inside the Chamber to explain the rules and show what it's like inside the structure.
Elimination Chamber PPV
They aired a great video to open the show.
WWE Tag Team champions The New Day vs. The Primetime Players vs. Los Matadores vs. The Ascension vs. Tyson Kidd & Cesaro vs. The Lucha Dragons
Torito went to the top of the pod and stayed there, so he's getting involved at some point. Natalya, sadly, did not do the same. The Ascension and The Lucha Dragons are starting off. The Ascension tried to bully the Dragons but were upended by the Dragons' aerial moves. The Dragons worked over Konnor. Kalisto went to the top of a pod but were grabbed by New Day. That left Sin Cara to be beaten by Ascension, who then came after Kalisto. The crowd was all over New Day. Kalisto kicked them down. Cara climbed up to another pod and nailed a swanton on Viktor. Kalisto went for a move but New Day grabbed his legs and pulled him down, crotching him.
The next team released were Cesaro and Tyson Kidd. They double teamed Cara before turning their attention to The Ascension. They nailed a variation of 3D with an uppercut for a two count on Konnor. Cesaro drilled Kalisto with an uppercut while he was trapped on top of the pod, then nailed a big superplex that showed off Cesaro's strength. Kidd nailed a springboard elbow but Cara broke up the pin. All three teams battled with some good action.
The next team released were Los Matadores. Torito dove off the pod into a rana. Kalisto climbed to the top of the chamber, hung upside down, then dropped down on everyone. Well, that was insane. The Ascension wiped out one of the Matadors. Torito climbed to the top of the Chamber and dropped down on them. They caught him, charged and tossed him at the other Matador, then hit the Fall of Man for the pin. This is the best the Ascension has looked since making it to the main roster.
The Ascension then wiped out and pinned Kalisto, wiping out the Lucha Dragons as well. This left them with Kidd and Cesaro. The teams battle back and forth with The Ascension getting the better of them. The Primetime Players were next out and brawled with The Ascension. Titus manhandles Viktor and looked great. The Players double teamed Viktor and pinned him, eliminating The Ascension.
The Players began working over Kidd and Cesaro. Cesaro cut off Darren Young with a standing dropkick to the top rope. Cesaro went for a top rope gutwrench superplex on Young but Titus slipped underneath and nailed a powerbomb. Cool looking spot. Kidd worked over Titus but was caught with a spinebuster. Young covered Kidd but Cesaro broke it up.
New Day were the last team released and they attacked everyone. Everyone battled over a suplex and in the end the challengers suplexed over the champions. Kidd and Cesaro attacks Xavier Woods and shoved him back into a pod, closing it. They began working over Kingston and went for the big swing into the Kidd dropkick. Young rolled up Cesaro from behind and scored the surprise pin.
It's down to The New Day vs. The Primetime Players. New Day worked them over three on two. They beat down Young, then beat Titus against the chains of the structure. They went after Young again but he ducked an clothesline and knocked Woods and Kingston off the top. Young sent E into one of the pods.
They Players worked over New Day, sending them into the steel and chains on the outside. Titus nailed E with a big clothesline after tossing him into the ring. Young nailed the Gutbuster on Kingston for a close two count. Young nailed the Cactus clothesline over the top to the steel outside. E drilled him with an overhead belly to bellly suplex on the steel. New Day swarmed over Titus and piled up, all pinning him.
Your winners and still WWE Tag Team champions, The New Day!
A really good chamber match. Primetime Players and Ascension looked the best they have looked in, well, forever. Lots of crazy spots and dives, especially the Kalisto and Torito spots. A good opening with a lot of hard work. A lot of those working here busted their ass trying to make the most of the opportunity.
They noted Rusev suffered a fractured foot and wouldn't be competing.
Backstage, Dolph Ziggler told Lana how much he wanted to beat Rusev first. She said it wasn't about Rusev but about getting the IC title. Ziggler said that when he came back with the belt, maybe it would be about them. Lana said she would like that. Ziggler said he was going to go do what he does better than anyone.
WWE Divas champion Nikki Bella vs. Paige vs. Naomi
No Brie or Tamina with the story being that they were banned by the Authority from ringside. All three went after each other. Nikki kicked Naomi down and Paige went after her. Nikki was pulled to the outside and sent into the ringside announcer's table. Paige grabbed Naomi by the hair and pulled her back in the ring, working her over.
Nikki returned but couldn't get it going and was tossed back to the floor. Naomi worked over Paige, nailing a nice suplex. She placed Paige on the top rope and began working her over. She tried to set up for a a back suplex but Nikki slipped underneath with a powerbomb. Nikki covered each of her challengers for a two count. :Paige locked on the PTO on Nikki but was dropkicked by Naomi for a two count.
Naomi went to the ropes but Paige grabbed her and placed her on her shoulders. Naomi nailed a reverse rana, which looked scary as hell. Paige went to the floor. Nikki nailed Naomi, scored with the Rack Attack (Shock Treatment) and grabbed the pin.
Your winner and still WWE Divas champion, Nikki Bella!
Brie came out to celebrate after.
A decent match. They worked really hard. The reverse rana scared the hell out of me.
WWE United States champion John Cena vs. WWE NXT champion Kevin Owens
It's a cliche but this really is the biggest match of Owens' career. You could tell parts of the crowd knew who he was and were chanting for him. There was a nice big fight feel to this for the entrances.
They locked up and the Owens chants got louder. They went into a criss cross exchange that ended with Cena shoulderblocking Owens. down. They went to lock up again but Owens kicked Cena in the gut. Owens worked on Cena with right hands and knees in the corner. Cena reversed an Irish Whip into the corner and nailed a bulldog.
Undaunted, Owens nailed Cena and beat him down on the apron. Owens whipped Cena into the buckles with authority. He badmouthed Cena and worked him over with right hands for a near fall, then locked Cena in Chinlock City. Cena tried to power out and finally did, grabbing him for the AA. Owens slipped out and nailed DDT for a two count. Nice exchange.
Owens continued to work over Cena, who responded with a series of right hands before nailing a shoulder tackle. Owens caught Cena going for a high cross bodyblock and nailed a crucifix bomb for a two count. Owens nailed the cannonball in the corner. He scored a two count and wasn't happy about not getting the three.
Owens yelled, "Never give up? It's time to give up, Johnny Boy." Cena fired back, avoided the Pop up Powerbomb and nailed all his signature offense. He nailed the Five Knuckle Shuffle on Owens and went for the AA. Cena lost Owens and was caught with the Pop up Powerbomb for a two. Owens went to the top rope but was crotched by Cena. Cena went to the top but was fought off. Owens went for a reverse moonsault but Cena moved and nailed the AA, but Owens kicked up at the last second.
The battle continued with back and forth right hands. Owens nailed a superkick that wiped Cena out. Owens mocked Cena's mannerisms and went for the Five Knuckle Shuffle but was caught in the STF. Owens tried to fight to the ropes but Cena pulled him back. That allowed Owens to toss him off and nail the AA himself for a two count.
Cena caught Owens with a tornado DDT for another two count. He nailed his legdrop off the top but Owens kicked out again. Owens teased the package piledriver but slammed Cena down for another two count. Owens was visibly pissed he couldn't get Cena pinned. Owens pulled Cena up and drilled him with a right, yelling at Cena tot stay down. Owens missed a clothesline and was caught with the springboard stunner for a two count.
Cena placed Owens on the top but Owens turned it into a DVDR only to see Cena again kick up. Owens nailed a swanton but again, no three count. Owens charged Cena but was killed with a clothesline. Owens caught Cena with the Pop up Powerbomb and scored the pin.
Your winner, WWE NXT champion Kevin Owens!
A star is born and they are throwing babies into the air all over the Internet. A really, really damn good match and I have to admit, I was totally surprised by the clean finish. This is well worth going out of your way to see.
Owens took the mic after the match. He said on his first night of Raw, he said anyone who didn't know him wasn't worth his time, but now everyone knows who Kevin Owens is. He said he's the one who started a fight with John Cena, but he's also the one who just finished that fight. Owens said that now he's beaten Cena, he has some veteran advice for Cena - it's time Cena to go, because Owens' time is now, because the champ is here.
Bo Dallas vs. Neville
Dallas did mic work on the way to the ring and said that he was trying to help Neville but now he's going to force Neville to "Bo-lieve."
NXT chant at the bell. They went back and forth early. Neville scored with a series of kicks and did all his really great looking athletic. He went to the top but Dallas rolled outside. He wasn't safe there as he ate a moonsault to the floor. Back in the ring, Neville locked in a chinlock. Dallas escaped and tried to tell Neville they were really friends. Dallas whipped out an old NXT favorite move of mine, rolling up Neville near the ropes and sending him to the floor. Dallas beat down Neville and scored with a big clothesline.
Dallas controlled the match for a long time, beating on Neville. It's probably the most TV time Dallas has gotten and been on offense in forever. Dallas played to the crowd like a babyface to mock them. Neville finally slipped free and Dallas took a crazy spot where he slid out of the ring but not before smacking his face on the bottom turnbuckle. Dallas returned and Neville nailed a series of right hands and a great dropkick. Neville nailed a flying forearm and a standing shooting star press for a two count.
Dallas nailed a DDT but only scored a two count. Dallas went for the Bo-Dawg but was tossed off and nailed. Neville went to the top for the Red Arrow and scored the pin.
Your winner, Neville!
A good, solid match. Best Dallas has had a chance to show in some time and Neville did all his spots. Good showing from both.
Backstage, Triple H found Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns. He said it was admirable Reigns wanted to be in Dean's corner but he doesn't have the authority to do that. Kane will be there in an official capacity but Reigns would just be a distraction. He told Reigns that if he gets involved, Dean will be DQ'd.
Vacant Intercontinental Championship inside the Elimination Chamber: Dolph Ziggler vs. Bad News Barrett vs. Sheamus vs. mystery opponent vs. Ryback vs. R-Truth
Daniel Bryan is at ringside.
The mystery competitor is Mark Henry. He's from Texas so that's a good surprise for the local fans.
Barrett and Ziggler will start out. As they did, my Network feed died. I had to reboot my Roku to get it going again. When I returned, Ziggler was down and Barrett was attacking Truth as his pod opened. I guess Barrett has been having a good showing so far. Truth began nailing some offense and scored a two count coming off a missile dropkick. Truth nailed a scissor kick but Barrett rolled to the corner. Truth nailed a Stinger Splash but was caught with a Winds of Change (Black Hole Slam) for a two count.
Ziggler returned to the fray but was nailed with a superkick to the face for another two count. Barrett drilled Ziggler into Mark Henry's pod, shattering it. Henry entered the bout and began working over Barrett, nailing a slam and a legdrop. Henry scored a two count. Ryback was released and slugged it out with Henry. Ryback nailed a series of shoulderblocks in the corner and then tackled him down for a two count.
Network out again. When it returned, Barrett had been eliminated. Ryback, Ziggler, Henry and truth all started battling with each other. Sheamus was released and they all waited for him. The door was stuck and they couldn't get the door open. The others all used that distraction to try rolling each other up. Ryback, Ziggler and Truth all decided to team up working over Henry. That lasted for a short time until Ryback nailed Truth with Shellshock and scored the pin. Truth is eliminated.
With Henry down, Ryback nailed a delayed vertical suplex on Ziggler. Ryback went for the Meathook but Ziggler drilled him with a kick. Sheamus finally got out of the pod and sent Ziggler into the pod's plexiglass. He knocked Ryback over the ropes and onto the steel. He began beating down Henry with stomps but was grabbed. Sheamus avoided the world's strongest slam but was nailed with a splash for a two count. Henry picked up Sheamus for a move but Sheamus slipped out and nailed the Brogue Kick for the pin. Henry is eliminated.
Ziggler and Sheamus went back and forth as Ryback was out on the steel. Sheamus missed a charge and was caught with a DDT for a two count. Ryback returned and ate a superkick. Sheamus missed the Brogue Kick. Ziggler missed the Famouser. Sheamus wiped him out and scored the pin. Ziggler eliminated. The crowd didn't like that one.
It's down to Ryback and Sheamus. Sheamus nailed an over the shoulder powerslam for a two count. Sheamus called for the Brogue Kick and gloated but Ryback came alive with strikes and big forearms. Sheamus kicked him off during a charge but was caught with a powerslam. Ryback called for The Meathook but Sheamus rolled to the outside and tried to get back inside his pod. Ryback followed and they battled. Sheamus nailed him with White Noise on the steel but Ryback got his shoulder up at the last second.
Sheamus began beating Ryback with clubbing shots across the chest. Ryback pulled him outside and Sheamus nailed the steel hard. He came back with a rolling Samoan Drop on the steel. Sheamus went for the Brouge Kick but Ryback caught him and powerbombed him into the steel and then from the steel into the ring. Ryback nailed the Shellshock and scored the pin.
Your winner and new WWE Intercontinental champion, Ryback!
A solid match with everyone working hard but I never felt this got into that third gear where things are awesome. It was easily the biggest win of Ryback's career. Sheamus and Ziggler had really good showings.
Daniel Bryan entered the ring and said congratulations are in order. Bryan asked the crowd if Ryback deserved it and said he believes Ryback deserves it. He handed the belt to Ryback. Ryback said that Bryan isn't just an inspiration to the people but also to him and thanked Bryan.
WWE World Heavyweight champion Seth Rollins (with Kane and J&J Security) vs. Dean Ambrose
Lilian Garcia was back for the main event.
Ambrose controlled Rollins early. Rollins made a comeback but Ambrose's unusual antics kept him off guard. Ambrose nailed a guillotine legdrop. He went to the top but J& Security got on the apron to distract him. Rollins tried Ambrose to the tree of woe and worked him over. He drilled him across the back with a series of kicks before cinching in a side chinlock. The crowd was all over Rollins with "Justin Bieber" chants.
Ambrose finally escaped but was sent into the buckles face first and rolled up for a two count. Rollins measured and punched Ambrose over and over again. Ambrose made a comeback but was nailed with a bodypress for a two count. Rollins and J&J complained to the referee about his count.
Rollins began picking apart Ambrose. Rollins sent Ambrose into the ropes and they went for a cross bodyblock at the same time and were down. The referee began counting them down but they returned to their feet. Ambrose began beating down Rollins. They went into a nice series of pinfall reversals. Rollins missed a big kick. Ambrose nailed a sitout facefirst powerbomb. Rollins was sent into the corner but J&J pulled him to the floor. Ambrose hit a tope through the ropes to the outside. He and Rollins tumbled over the announcer's table.
Ambrose tossed Rollins back into the ring. He went for a backslide but Rollins reversed it and tried to use the ropes to his advantage but the referee saw it and prevented it. J&J tried to argue but were knocked off the apron. Ambrose rolled up Rollins for a two count. He went for another but Rollins rolled through and nailed a superkick. Rollins went to the top but Ambrose cut him off. They battled on the top. Rollins went for a sunset flip powerbomb. They ended up tumbling over the top to the floor.
J&J Security tried to get involved but Ambrose backed them down. That allowed Rollins to nail him from behind. Rollins nailed a running powerbomb into the barricade outside for a two count. Rollins nailed a flying knee for a two count. Rollins nailed an inverted DDT for a two count. Rollins verbally tore at Ambrose then drilled him in the corner. Ambrose tried to fire back but was nailed. He exploded into offense including a tornado DDT for a near fall.
Rollins tried to leave but was caught up in the ropes by Ambrose, who nailed a dropkick to the chest. Rolling made a comeback but was caught with the rebound lariat for a two count. Ambrose came off the top with a big elbow for a two count. Ambrose set up for Dirty Deeds but J&J got on the apron. Ambrose went after him, allowing Rollins to nail a kick and send Ambrose over the top to the floor with a clothesline.
Dusty Finish?
They announced Ambrose as the new WWE World Heavyweight champion.
The first referee returned to the scene and told the second what Seth Rollins did. Dusty finish. They told Lilian that Dean did win, but by DQ. So, Seth is still the champ.
The Authority attacked Ambrose, who refused to give up the title belt. Roman Reigns' music hit. Rollins tried to escape as everyone waited for Reigns to come out from the crowd. Reigns ran down the ramp and nailed the Superman Punch on Rollins. He and Ambrose wiped out Kane and J&J Security. Ambrose held onto the title belt and took the mic. He said he won the match and he's taking the belt. Rollins wanted to do something but was outnumbered. Reigns and Ambrose left through the crowd.
Good main event. It's been awhile since we've seen this sort of finish in WWE, so for a new generation of fans, it was something new. It should be worth setting up Reigns vs. Ambrose with a stipulation for Money in the Bank.
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