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September 26th
On this day in history in ....
1885 - William Miller defeats Clarence Royal in what is believed to be the first ever professional wrestling match in Australia, held at the Royal Theatre in Melbourne.
1935 - CMLL holds their second anniversary show at Arena Mexico in Mexico City, headlined by Carlos Meza defeating Sammy Levine.
1949 - Danny Dusek defeats Pedro Godoy in a tournament final in Tampa, Florida to win the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title.
1952 - El Santo defeats Bobby Bonales to win the NWA World Welterweight Title for the second time in his career.
1977 - Dusty Rhodes defeats WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham via countout at New York's Madison Square Garden. The grudge match between the two rivals not only sold out the Garden, but drew several thousand to the adjacent Felt Forum to watch the match on closed circuit TV.
1982 - El Canek defeats Riki Choshu in Mexico City, Mexico to win the UWA World Heavyweight Title, beginning his third reign as champion.
1984 - Adrian Street defeats Terry Taylor in Shreveport, Louisiana to win the Mid-South Wrestling Television Title.
1995 - The Gladiator, Mike Awesome, defeats Hayabusa in the finals of a tournament to crown a new FMW World Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Champion in Tokyo, Japan.
1999 - WWF held their Unforgiven Pay-per-view in Charlotte, North Carolina. Here are the results:
- Val Venis defeated Steve Blackman with the Money Shot. After the match, Blackman knocked out Venis with a kendo stick, and Blackman wouldn't leave the ring until he was removed by WWF Head Of Security Jim Dotson.
- D'Lo Brown defeated Mark Henry with a powerbomb out of the corner to win the WWF European Title.
- Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett defeated Chyna after the referee saw that Debra had hit Jeff Jarrett with a guitar to allow Chyna to get the pin.
- The Acolytes defeated The Dudley Bouyz when Stevie Richards interfered and superkicked D-Von, allowing Faarooq to get the pin.
- WWE Women's Champion Ivory defeated Luna Vachon.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Billy Gunn & Road Dogg defeated Edge & Christian when Gunn pinned Edge with a fameasser after the Brood interfered.
- WWF Hardcore Champion Al Snow defeated The Big Bossman in a Kennel From Hell match when he escaped the cage. The structure was a standard steel cage surrounded by the Hell In A Cell cage, with dogs patrolling ringside. The match was a disaster, the dogs hardly ferocious (they were accompanied by handlers) and the bout is considered one of the worst PPV matches in wrestling history. If you're brave enough, you can see the match (with special commentary by Mick Foley and Kevin Kelly) on the Mick Foley: Hard Knocks & Cheap Pops DVD.
- X-Pac defeated Chris Jericho when Mr. Hughes interfered on behalf of Jericho.
- Triple H defeated The Rock, Mankind, Big Show, Davey Boy Smith and Kane to win the vacant WWF World Title in a Six-Pack challenge when he pinned Rock with a Pedigree after Smith had hit Rock with a chair.
2000 - WCW Commissioner Mike Sanders strips Norman Smiley of the WCW Hardcore Title, ending his second reign.
2002 - Major League Wrestling holds their second ever event, "Reload", at the Manhattan Center in New York City. The show sees participation from Mexico's Shocker, La Parka and Super Crazy, as well as rare U.S. appearances by All Japan's Satoshi Kojima and Taiyo Kea. Here are the results:
- Super Crazy defeated Fuego Guerrero (Amazing Red).
- Steve Williams & P.J. Friedman defeated Afterburn & Eric Adams.
- La Parka defeated Shocker.
- Christopher Daniels, Dick Togo, & Ikuto Hidaka defeated Jose & Joel Maximo & Quiet Storm.
- C.W. Anderson defeated Devon Storm.
- Terry Funk defeated Chris Candido.
- Steve Corino defeated Vampiro and The Sandman in a three way dance.
- Taiyo Kea defeated Sabu.
- Satoshi Kojima defeated Jerry Lynn to win the vacant MLW Heavyweight Title.
2005 - The final episode of Raw to air on SpikeTV took place in Waco, Texas, as the show would be moving back to it's former (and current) home, USA Network. The show would earn a 3.2 rating, a low that Raw has yet to hit since switching to USA. Here is the original report by Richard Trionfo:
Raw Report for September 26, 2005
by Richard Trionfo
It is time for the final WWE wrestling show to appear on SpikeTV before Raw moves to USA Network and TNA takes over the Velocity time slot on Saturday night. What will happen on this final show? Will we hear ‘USA’ mentioned at some time during the show? Who will Maria interview tonight? What will Vince McMahon say on tonight’s show? Will we see footage from the last five years of Raw on SpikeTV? Will any of the people scheduled to appear at the ‘Raw Homecoming’ show up tonight?
We are live from Waco, Texas and your announcers are Jim ‘Oklahoma over Baylor by 15’ Ross, Jonathan ‘ Coachman, and Jerry ‘Branch Lawlerians’ Lawler.
There is ‘No Chance’ that Vince McMahon (with Stunt Walk) would come to the ring to start off tonight’s show. Vince says that tonight is going to be a historic night. We will begin with a championship match. Before we get to that match, Vince mentions that this will be the final Raw on Spike. Vince talks about how the WWE left USA five years ago to go to the Nashville Network. He mentions that it became the National Network and then SpikeTV. He talks about how Spike has grown over the years, and so has the WWE. He says that they have made a great tag team partner. Vince wants to thank Spike for being a great partner. Vince says that Raw returns home to the USA Network and what a homecoming it will be. John Cena will defend his title against Eric Bischoff. Before Vince can continue, Kurt Angle’s music plays and he comes to the ring. Vince says that this better be good. Kurt says that he heard about next week’s match and he was a little upset that Eric Bischoff was chosen to be the challenger instead of him. Then Kurt started thinking. He wants to clarify things. Kurt reminds Vince that he defeated John Cena at Unforgiven. Vince reminds Kurt that he won by disqualification. Kurt says regardless, he deserves the next title match. Vince says that Kurt makes a decent point. He is a former champion and he is in line for another title shot. Kurt shows Vince his gold medal and Vince points out that Kurt is a gold medalist. Before Vince can continue, Shawn Michael's music plays and he comes to the ring. Shawn wants to clear things up. He wants to know why Vince is giving ‘The Olympic Guy’ the title matches because he was victorious at Unforgiven. If a victory at Unforgiven is enough to get a title match, why can’t he get a title match? Kurt says that the Master Lock might have cut off circulation to his brain. Kurt reminds Shawn that he defeated John Cena at Unforgiven. In addition, he beat Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania. Shawn says that he remembers Wrestlemania, but what about Vengeance. Shawn reminds Kurt that he won that match and they are even. Kurt says that he beat Shawn first. Shawn wants to know if that is the game that they are going to play. Vince says that there will be no games played tonight. Next week, Kurt Angle will face Shawn Michaels in a rubber match and it will go a long way to determine who will face the WWE Champion. It will not be an ordinary match, it will be a 30 minute Iron Man match. Vince says that it is time for our championship match to begin. While Trish and Ashley come to the ring, Shawn and Kurt stand in the ring. We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Trish defeating Torrie Wilson last week followed by the post match beatdown.
It is time for the first match to begin, Trish Stratus (with Ashley) versus Victoria (with Torrie Wilson-Kidman [with Little Billy] and Candice). Trish with a forearm, but Victoria responds with one of her own. Trish with more punches, but Victoria with a knee. Victoria with an Irish whip, but Trish with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors that sends Victoria outside the ring. Victoria sends Trish’s back into the apron and then she tosses Trish into the crowd. Trish with a forearm followed by a flying clothesline from the ringside barrier before they return to the ring. Torrie pulls Trish off the apron, but Ashley comes over to give Torrie and Candice a double noggin knocker. Victoria comes out and tosses Ashley off Candice. Victoria sends Trish back into the ring and hits the slingshot leg drop from the apron. Victoria with a spinning toe hold and bridge with a crossface. Victoria with a side slam. Trish tries for the handspring rana, but Victoria holds on. Victoria punches Trish and both women fall to the floor when Trish’s momentum pulls Victoria off the apron. Victoria returns to the ring first. Trish with a forearm and then she blocks a few from Victoria before responding with more forearms. Trish ducks a clothesline and hits a spinebuster. Victoria with a rake of the eyes. Trish with the matrix followed by a kick to Victoria. Trish hits Stratusfaction, but Torrie and Candice come in to break things up and the ref calls for the bell.
Winner: Trish Stratus (by disqualification)
After the match, Candice knocks down Ashley, but Trish kicks Candice and then sends Torrie into Victoria that sends Victoria out of the ring. Trish with a ‘Chick Kick’ to Torrie. Ashley pulls Candice down and kicks her. Ashley pulls Candice’s dress off and Candice is embarrassed and leaves the ring. Torrie and Victoria cover Candice up. Candice gets a mic and says that she cannot believe that she was stripped to her bra and panties. Candice calls Trish a ‘slut’. Candice wants to know if Ashley has ever been embarrassed before. Candice says that ‘the initiation’ will end next week in a three-on-two bra and panties match. While Torrie, Victoria, and Candice go to the back, Ashley and Trish play ‘bullfighter and bull’.
Big Show is in the back talking to someone and then he walks into a commercial.
We are back and it is time for our next match, Big Show versus Gene Snitsky (with chair) in a Street Fight. Before the match begins, we see footage from when Big Show was attacked by Gene Snitsky with the ring bell. Then we saw Big Show get his revenge at Unforgiven. Snitsky tries to hit Show with the chair, but Show moves and then he punches the chair and it hits Gene. Show with a chop. Snitsky with a kick to Show’s groin followed by a forearm. Gene goes outside the ring and gets a trash can and lid from under the ring as well as a sign. Gene hits Show three times with the sign and Show goes down to his knees. Gene with another shot and Show goes down. Snitsky hits Show with the trash can, but Show knocks the can out of Gene’s hand before punching Snitsky. Show with an Irish whip into the trash can wedged into the turnbuckles. Show charges, but Snitsky with a kick to the knee that sends Show into the trash can. Snitsky brings another trash can into the ring. Snitsky tries to suplex Show onto the trash can, but Show blocks it and hits a belly-to-back suplex onto the trash can. Show hits Snitsky with the trash can lid before hitting a choke slam. Show gets a kitchen sink from under the apron. Show hits Gene with the sink and gets the three count.
Winner: Big Show.
Ric Flair is in the back with Maria and we go to footage from last week’s match between Ric Flair and Carlito when Flair retained the title. Then we see Ric Flair in the interview area where he was attacked by Chris Masters and Carlito. We return to live action and Maria kisses Flair as he walks into a commercial.
We are back and Ric Flair comes out with a mic. Flair says that it is no secret that he has been beaten down before in his career. One thing that makes the Nature Boy special is that he comes back and he is going to get even. He has always had friends in the business. Back in the day, it was the Four Horsemen. Now it only takes just one. Flair says that he will be right back. Flair brings out the NatureHammer. Flair says that next week, at Raw Homecoming, he will get even because it will be the return of Triple H, the greatest wrestler alive today and his best friend. Flair says Game On . . . woooo. It is time for a Triple H video package.
Eric Bischoff is in the BischOffice. He talks about how Hunter, Hogan, and Piper will be there next week. Eric has to go because John Cena is in the BischOffice. Cena says that next week at the Homecoming, it will be Eric Bischoff versus John Cena for the title. Eric says that it was not his idea. Cena says that he knows about Mr. Karate Man. . . Mr. Kung Fu Master. Cena says that he went on the internet and found out that Eric is a ninja in four states. He tells Eric to bring his weapons next week when he faces John Cena. Cena wants a photo of Eric’s face because it will be the last time that he sees his face like that. Cena tells Eric that he knows Kung Fu too. We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: A Shelton Benjamin highlight package.
It is time for our next match, Shelton Benjamin versus Kerwin White (with golf cart and Nick Nemeth) Before the match begins, Shelton says that he is happy that Kerwin got himself a caddy because now he has someone to hold his clubs and wash his balls. Shelton says it does not matter he is because Chavo sucks. Kerwin punches Shelton, but Shelton punches back. Shelton tosses Kerwin in the air. Kerwin sends Shelton into the turnbuckle and hits a drop kick followed by kicks. Kerwin chokes Shelton with his shirt while the ref is distracted. Benjamin punches Kerwin, but Kerwin responds with punches of his own. Kerwin with a snap mare and arm bar while Nick gives Kerwin a ‘golf clap’. Benjamin punches Kerwin followed by a back body drop. Kerwin sends Benjamin over the top rope, but Benjamin skins the cat and comes back in. Benjamin punches White and then hits an Irish whip. Benjamin tries for the Stinger Splash, but Kerwin moves. Benjamin lands on the top turnbuckle and then hits a flying clothesline. Benjamin with a kick to White. Benjamin with a suplex, but Nick grabs Benjamin’s leg and Kerwin gets the three count. After the match, Benjamin attacks Kerwin, but Nick hits Benjamin in the back with a golf club.
Winner: Kerwin White
We see a ladder being set up in the ring and we go to commercial.
We are back and the lights have gone down, but the ladder remains in the ring. I think you know that Edge (with briefcase and Lita [with neck brace]) is walking to the ring. Lita has a mic and she says poor Matt Hardy because he thinks he accomplished something by giving her a Twist of Fate. Lita calls Matt a pathetic loser who cannot move on. Lita says that everyone will get along without him and we will all move on. Lita says that maybe she spoke too soon because it looks like some of the pathetic losers cannot move on. It was five years ago on the first episode of Raw on Spike TV. It was Edge and Christian versus The Hardy Boys in a ladder match. She was there to support her man. Edge says that in one week and then he says that each rung means one more day left in his career. Next week, they will tear their bodies up and it will be more than for the tag team titles or a title shot. The man who cannot reach the briefcase will lose their life blood. Their reason for being. Edge says that next week, he becomes a career killer. No more bitching and moaning or whining and complaining on the internet. Matt says that he will not die, but when it comes to ‘do or die’ situations, he thrives. How do you think Edge got that shot. One-on-one in ladder matches, he does not lose. He never has and he never will. In life, there are winners and there are loser. Edge says that he is a winner. In this story, Matt is the loser. He is an underachiever. Every opportunity that has come his way, he has blown it. Every time he falls short. From out of nowhere, Matt tilts the ladder while Edge sits on top. Matt steps back and then he pushes it over and Edge goes down.
Eric is still in the BischOffice and Teddy Long enters. He says that he was here to talk about next week’s Homecoming show. Teddy says that it will be one of the biggest shows in the history of the WWE. Eric threatens to throw Teddy out. Teddy reminds Eric that Smackdown moved to Friday night. Teddy says that he would love to see Smackdown get some exposure next week on Raw. Eric tells Teddy to leave and the only way that they will get to see Raw is on television. Vince enters and Teddy says that he would love to see some Smackdown representation on Raw. Vince likes the idea and says that there will be some Smackdown participation. Eric says that it would be a great idea. Vince tells Teddy to put on a great match. What about Benoit, or Rey Mysterio? What about Batista? Vince says that Teddy should announce it on Friday night. Vince wants to talk to Eric about the title match. Eric says that he wants to convince Vince to change the match. Vince tells Eric that his only point should be ‘who the hell are you’. He is Eric Bischoff, the man who almost brought the WWE to his knees. Vince says that Eric had some help from Ted Turner and Time Warner. Eric has the same resources now. He has friends and he is one of the most ruthless sons of bitches he has ever seen. Vince tells Eric that if he wants to provide the most memorable Raw ever, what about Eric Bischoff, WWE Champion. We go to commercial.
We are back with our next match, Val Venis and Viscera versus Trevor Murdoch and Lance Cade in a non-title match. Cade and Val start things off and Cade backs Val into the corner. Venis blocks a punch and comes back with punches of his own. Val with a back elbow to Cade followed by a clothesline to Murdoch and a slam to Cade and an elbow drop. Val with a chop to Cade, but Cade reverses an Irish whip. Val gets on the turnbuckle and Cade distracts the ref and Murdoch knocks Val off the turnbuckle and to the floor. Murdoch rolls Cade back in. Murdoch tags in and he hits a reverse atomic drop followed by a swinging neckbreaker to Venis. Murdoch with crossfaces followed by a modified camel clutch into a front face lock. Val tries to get into the corner, but Murdoch tries to punch Viscera, but Viscera punches Murdoch. Viscera tags in and he connects with clothesline to Cade and an elbow to Murdoch. Viscera continues the attack with a back body drop to Cade followed by a slam to Murdoch. Viscera with a splash on both men in the corner. Viscera throws Cade over the top rope to the floor. Viscera with a power slam to Murdoch. Cade gets a chair, but Viscera knocks Cade off the apron. Viscera with a splash followed by a Money Shot on Murdoch. The ref makes the count, but Cade stops the count and the ref calls for the bell.
Winners: Viscera and Val Venis (by disqualification)
Carlito is yelling at Chris Masters in Spanish and Masters stops him. Carlito wants to know what Bischoff is thinking since he has never been in a tables match. Carlito is worried about splinters and they are not cool. Chris wants Carlito to think about what can happen to Masters’s physique if he goes through a table. Carlito says that they need a plan. Masters says they need a ‘Master Plan’. Carlito likes that as long as there are no splinters. We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for our next match, Eugene versus Rob ‘Buff Bagwell version 2’ Conway. Conway with a side head lock into a hammer lock and another side head lock. Conway with a shoulder tackle that sends Eugene into the corner. Eugene gets a pep talk from his doll. Eugene with an airplane spin followed by a punch and chop. Eugene bites Conway in the rear and Conway leaves the ring. Eugene grabs Conway’s sunglasses and puts them on. Conway with a double sledge to Eugene’s back followed by boots in the corner. Conway punches Eugene and tells him that nobody touches his sunglasses. Conway with a back elbow followed by the flex elbow drop for a two count. Conway with more punches to Eugene and then he has Eugene in a reverse chin lock. Conway with a forearm to Eugene’s back. Eugene feels nothing when Conway slams his head into the turnbuckle. Eugene with the finger point of doom followed by punches. Eugene tries for a Rock Bottom, but Conway with elbows. Eugene hits a spinebuster followed by the special People’s Elbow. Eugene sets up for the running tackle in the corner, but Conway rips the head off Eugene’s doll and then Conway kicks Eugene. Conway with the Ego Trip for the three count.
Winner: Rob Conway
We have the Smackdown Rebound and it is time for a commercial.
We are back and Jim Ross thanks Spike for being great partners for the last five years. We run through next week’s card:
- John Cena versus Eric Bischoff for the WWE Title
- Trish Stratus and Ashley versus Victoria, Torrie Wilson, and Candice in a ‘bra and panties’ match
- Matt Hardy versus Edge in a Money in the Bank ladder match with the loser leaving Raw
- Mick Foley in Piper’s Pit
- Shawn Michaels versus Kurt Angle in a 30 minute Iron Man match.
- Steve Austin’s return to Raw
- A Smackdown brand match
- Hulk Hogan returns to Raw
- Triple H returns to Raw
It is time for our next match, Carlito and Chris Masters (with Golden Shower Version 4.0) versus Shawn Michaels and John Cena in a Tables Match. Before Cena and Michaels can come to the ring, we go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the final two men in the match to come to the ring. Masters and Carlito try to attack Cena and Michaels before the bell, but that does not work. Cena sends Carlito over the top rope to the floor and then sends Carlito into the ringside barrier. Michaels works over Masters while Cena and Carlito returns to the ring. Michaels throws Masters over the top rope to the floor. Cena with a side slam to Carlito and Michaels follows that with an elbow drop. Cena goes outside and he punches Masters. Cena chokes Masters with his shirt. Carlito knocks Michaels down before going outside after Cena. Carlito gets a table and then he kicks Cena again in the ribs. Carlito and Masters set up a table outside the ring. Carlito works on Cena outside the ring, while Masters chokes Michaels in the ring. Michaels chops Masters in the ring. Masters and Michaels exchange punches. Carlito tries to suplex Cena through the table, but Cena blocks it. Cena sends Carlito’s head into the apron. Michaels with a flying forearm followed by a kip up. Michaels sets up for Sweet Chin Music, but Masters gets out of the ring. Michaels tries to super kick Carlito, but Carlito moves out of the way and the ref bounces off the table. Michaels and Cena punch Carlito as a new ref comes to the ring. We go to commercial.
We are back and Carlito sends Michaels over the top rope to the floor. Cena with an Irish whip to Masters followed by a hip toss slam. Cena gets Masters up, but he kicks Carlito. Masters puts Cena in the Master Lock. Michaels hits Masters and he releases the hold. Carlito with a DDT to Carlito. Masters chokes Cena while Carlito continues to work on Michaels. Masters punches Cena on the floor while Carlito punches and kicks Michaels. Masters with an Irish whip that sends Cena into the ring steps. Masters and Carlito with an Irish whip that sends Michaels into the apron. Masters with a press slam to Michaels. Carlito sets up another table outside the ring, but Cena tackles Carlito and turns the table over. Masters has Michaels up for a press slam, but he releases the hold. Masters with a hard Irish whip that flips Shawn to the floor. Masters punches Cena while Carlito directs traffic outside the ring. Masters slams Cena and Carlito sends a table into the ring. Carlito runs Michaels’s back into the ringside barrier. Carlito and Masters work on Cena’s back. Masters with a suplex to Cena and then Masters and Carlito work on Cena in the corner. Michaels makes the save on Cena by spearing him before Cena goes through the table. Cena runs Masters into the corner. Michaels with a back body drop to Carlito followed by a reverse atomic drop. Cena with a bulldog to Masters. Cena and Michaels go up for the punches of ten. Cena and Michaels with Irish whips that send Carlito into Masters. Michaels slams Carlito while Cena slams Masters. We get a double five knuckle shuffle. Michaels clotheslines Carlito and he goes out of the ring. Cena with a Gingerly Placed (trademark Mike Johnson) fireman’s carry slam. Cena moves the table and puts it in the center of the ring. From out of nowhere, Kurt Angle and Eric Bischoff come to ringside. Angle hits Cena from behind, but Michaels goes after Angle and Bischoff. Masters gets on the table. Michaels goes up top and Angle throws Michaels off the top turnbuckle through a table.
Winner: Carlito and Chris Masters
After the match, Cena tackles Angle and gets Kurt up for an F-U, but Bischoff with a low blow. Angle with an Angle Slam on Cena through the table. Angle grabs the belt and hands it to Bischoff who holds the belt over his head. While Cena bleeds in the center of the ring, Angle stands over Michaels and yells at him. We go to credits.
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