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July 19th
On this day in history in ....
1960 - Verne Gagne & Leo Nomellini defeat Murder Inc. (Tiny Mills & Stan Kowalski) to win the AWA World Tag team Title in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1961 - Shoulders Newman & Ted Travis defeat Neff Maivia & Billy White Wolf for the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title in Honolulu, Hawaii. Less than a month earlier, Newman & Travis (subbing for champion Tim Rice) had lost the belts to Maivia & Wolf. Neff Maivia is the uncle of the Rock.
1968 - Fritz Von Erich & Grizzly Smith defeat The Spoiler & Gary Hart in Houston, Texas to win the NWA American Tag Team Title (later renamed the World Class World Tag Team Title), ending the second reign for Spoiler & Hart.
1971 - Thunderbolt Patterson & Toru Tanaka defeat Johnny Valentine & Wahoo McDaniel to win the NWA American Tag Team Title (later renamed the World Class World Tag Team Title) in Ft. Worth, Texas.
1980 - Pierre Martel defeats Mr. Fuji to win the WWC North American Heavyweight Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico.
1981 - El Solitario defeats Eric Embry in Mexico City, Mexico to win the UWA World Junior Light-Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign as champion.
1987 - Bruno Sammartino substituted for Jake Roberts in the main event of a WWF show at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, defeated Intercontinental Champion The Honky Tonk Man via countout.
1989 -
WWF held a marathon television taping (which was the norm in those days) at the
Centrum in Worcester, Massachusetts. The show had well over 20 matches taped for
Superstars and Prime Time Wrestling, and also included the taping for the July
29th edition of Saturday Night's Main Event which saw the following results:
- Hulk Hogan defeated The Honky Tonk Man with a legdrop.
- Jimmy Snuka defeated Greg Valentine with a flying bodypress after referee
Ronnie Garvin punched Valentine.
- Brutus Beefcake defeated Randy Savage via disqualification when Zeus
interfered.
- The Brain Busters (Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderson) defeated Demolition to
win the WWF World Tag Team Championship in a three falls match when Anderson
pinned Smash to win the third fall after Blanchard had hit him with a chair.
1996 - Aquarius (Yoshihiro Tajiri under a mask) defeats Dr. Wagner Jr. for the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan on a Big Japan Pro Wrestling event. However, EMLL, the governing body for the title in Mexico, had never agreed to the title change. Wagner won the belt back before returning to Mexico, and the title switch was never recognized by EMLL.
1997 - Ian Rotten defeats Bull Pain in Louisville, Kentucky to win the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title.
1997 - ECW held their "Heatwave"
event at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here are the results:
- Mikey Whipwreck & Spike Dudley defeated PG-13.
- Axl Rotten defeated Tracy Smothers.
- John Kronus defeated Prodigy.
- Chris Candido & Bam Bam Bigelow defeated Balls Mahoney & Chris Chetti.
- ECW World Television Champion Taz defeated Lance Storm with the Tazmission.
- ECW World Champion Terry Funk defeated Shane Douglas via disqualification when
Francine, Douglas' valet, attacked Funk and bit his ear, rendering Funk a bloody
mess. It was heavily hyped on ECW television that the referee had no choice but
to call for a DQ (a rarity in ECW) due to Francine's actions.
- The Gangstas (New Jack & Mustafa) defeated The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray
& D-Von) to win the ECW World Tag Team Title in a Steel Cage Weapons match.
This ended the Dudleys second title reign and began the second, and final, title
reign for the Gangstas. The Gangstas would never defend the belts, as Mustafa
would leave the company, and ECW would push a story that he was injured in this
match.
- Rob Van Dam, Sabu & Jerry Lawler vs. Tommy Dreamer, The Sandman and their
mystery partner never took place. Rick Rude, working as an announcer, came down
to team with Sandman & Dreamer, but then turned on them, leading to a long
brawl. This was also Jerry Lawler's last ECW Arena appearance (at least, last
appearance in this building for ECW).
2000 - WWF taped Smackdown at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York, headlined by Triple H & Chris Benoit defeated The Rock & Chris Jericho via disqualification when Rock hit the referee. After the match, Rock put Benoit in a Crippler Crossface while Jericho but Triple H in the Walls Of Jericho.
2005 - WWE broadcast Raw from the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania featuring Edge defeated Kane in a steel cage match, John Cena defeating Snitsky in a lumberjack match, and Kurt Angle defeating Matt Striker.
2009
- TNA held their Victory Road
Pay-per-view in Orlando, featuring the TNA debut of Taz. Here is the
original PPV report on the show.
The TNA Victory Road opened with a video piece leading into the show.
Fireworks went off as Mike Tenay welcome everyone to the PPV.
TNA Knockouts champion Tara vs. Angelina Love (with Madison Rayne & Velvet Sky)
Tara cleared the ring early but Love came back. She drilled Tara back-first into the corner, then slammed her out of the corner for a two count. She followed up with a clothesline and a headbutt. Don West name-checked Bobo Brazil. Tara kicked out of several pinfall attempts.
Tara knocked Velvet Sky off the apron. Sky went to spray Tara with the hairspray but got Love instead. Referee Slick Johnson threw Sky and Rayne out of ringside. That allowed Love to kick out of a pinfall attempt. Tara went for a top rope moonsault but Love rolled out of the way. Love covered Tara and scored the pin, although Tara had her leg on the rope.
Your winner and new TNA Knockouts champion, Angelina Love!
After the bout, Tara argued with Johnson over the count, then laid her out. She drilled Love with the Widow's Peak and teased putting the tarantula on her, but the other Beautiful People pulled Love out of the ring. Tara then put it on Johnson.
This never seemed to get out of first gear. I have a feeling that if they had been given more time, this really could have been something more memorable, so hopefully down the line. I'll be blunt, I hated the finish too. It came out of nowhere and was weak to me.
Mike Tenay and Don West ran down the rest of the PPV lineup.
Birthday Boy Jeremy Borash was in the Main Event Mafia's locker room. Borash noted to Kurt Angle that 9 months ago, they declared that all the former World champions in one group would dominate wrestling. Angle said that unlike others, he backs up his word. He told the fans not to expect a quality wrestling match, since he was going to "maul Mick Foley as quickly as possible." I guess he's like JYD where he doesn't get paid by the minute. Angle said all the things Foley has done in the past mean nothing. Angle then told everyone else that there was no fun or games tonight and that if they didn't have a clean sweep, with all pinfall and submission wins, Angle would come out and fire them on the spot from the M.E.M. tonight.
Matt Morgan vs. Daniels
Morgan and Daniels locked up. Morgan immediately shoved Daniels over the ropes. Morgan followed him to the floor, raking at his face and slamming him into the railings. Back in the ring, Daniels mounted a quick comeback but was nailed by Morgan. Daniels drilled him with several rights but Morgan nailed him with a knee.
Daniels tricked Morgan through the ropes and then hit a tope through the ropes, drilling Morgan. Morgan staggered to the announcer's table but didn't go down. Daniels continued to rock Morgan outside the ring with strikes. He went to the apron and nailed an Arabian Press off the ropes to the floor. The crowd chanted, "TNA!" Daniels went for a pescado but Morgan moved out of the ring. Daniels began selling the knee that has been injured of late.
Morgan tossed him back into the ring and nailed a discus clothesline. Morgan draped Daniels' leg over the apron and nailed legdrop across it. West called Daniels, "A good kid." KID? Morgan began drilling Daniels with rapid fire elbows. He teased a sideslam, then dropped him in a moment of disrespect. Morgan continued to work over Daniels' leg with stomps and leglocks.
Morgan elevated Daniels, then slammed him into the corner face first for a two count. Morgan missed an elbow and legdrop. Daniels, one on leg, began exchanging blows with Morgan. He nailed Morgan with a jawbreaker, but it tossed into the corner. Morgan charges but eats a Daniels elbow. Daniels hit a high cross bodyblock for a two count off the top, then rolled Morgan up for a second. Daniels used a Crucifix for another near fall.
Morgan came back with a Fall Away Slam and motioned for the Hellevator. When he grabbed Daniels, he was caught in a DDT. Daniels went for the BME but his leg buckled. Morgan caught him with the Carbon Footprint. He nailed the Hellevator for the pin.
Your winner, Matt Morgan!
Solid match with some good storytelling. They did a nice job writing Daniels' knee issue into the bout to explain his loss.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Dr. Stevie (with Daffney) asking why he would even get into the ring with Abyss. Richards said that he respects the mind over the body so he knows he has Abyss where he needs him. He said that tonight's bout will be No DQ and when it's over, everyone will know who the patient was and who the doctor is. As Stevie left, Daffney told him she loves him. He responded, "I know" and walked off. Someone was watching Empire Strikes Back.
Abyss vs. Dr. Stevie Richards - No DQ
Richards attacked Abyss with a a baton immediately at the bell and worked him over. Abyss began to make a comeback. Richards began slapping and chopping away at Abyss to no avail. Richards rebounded off the ropes but was slapped down by Abyss.
Richards retreated to the floor but Abyss followed. They went into the crowd. Abyss catches him on the stairs and begins beating him down. He drags Richards back towards ring. Richards cuts him off and tries to whip Abyss into a wall, but it's reversed. The crowd chanted for a second one and Abyss agrees, sending Richards face-first into the wall. Abyss dumps Stevie back over the railing into the ringside area.
Richards was bleeding after they returned to the ringside area. Abyss ripped off Richards' doctor scrubs and took his time chopping away at Richards in a corner. Abyss set up a chair in the corner, then drilled Stevie into it. Richards was out on his feet. Abyss picked him up for Shock Treatment and nailed it.
Daffney came to the ring with a taser but Lauren came out and shoved her down. Richards got the taser but Abyss nailed the Black Hole Slam. Abyss got the taser and nailed Richards with it. Smoke came out of the taser to give the effect that Abyss burned Richards. Abyss then scored the pin.
Your winner, Abyss!
Abyss and Lauren hugged after the bout.
In terms of finally giving Abyss vindication over Richards, the storyline of the match made sense. It was the Abyss brawl around the Impact Zone that you'd have expected going in.
Mick Foley was having a locker room meeting with TNA Tag Team champions and TNA Legends champion AJ Styles. He said that he may not have been the best boss in the world, but he never messed with their jobs. He said that if they lose the belts tonight, The Mafia will use everything they can to their advantage and everyone's jobs will be in jeopardy, including his own. Kind of funny to see serious Foley after all his goofiness of the last few months in TNA but no one will do a better job of getting the storylines over than him. Foley asked him to retain their belts so at the end, he's not the only defender of TNA when the night comes to an end. He asked them if they were in and they agreed.
IWGP Tag Team champions Team 3D vs. The British Invasion (with Rob Terry)
Doug Williams and Devon opened the bout. Magnus tagged in. Brother Ray handed him some clubbering. Ray clotheslined Magnus over the top to the floor. Magnus improves every month. Putting him in the UK unit was a great idea. Williams distracted Ray for Magnus to attack him but Ray was too smart for it. Still, The Invasion double teamed Ray. Williams nailed an uppercut off the ropes. Magnus choked Ray against the middle rope.
The Invasion began making fast tags in and out. Williams caught Ray with an elbow as he charged the corner. Ray came back. Devon went to the top for the wazzup headbutt but Rob Terry shoved him off the ropes. Williams used his boot to choke out Ray. The Invasion continued to work over Ray. They nailed a double backdrop on Ray. Magnus began punching Ray, who fought back. Ray finally got the better of him and made the hot tag to Devon.
Devon began working over Magnus and Williams. Devon slammed Williams and dropped down into a headbutt for a two count. He nailed a sideslam for a second but Magnus broke it up. Devon and Ray nailed a back suplex/neckbreaker combination for a two count on Magnus. Devon went to the top for the wazzup and this time, nailed it off the top rope. The fans called for 3D to get the tables and chanted for it.
Devon brought onto into the ring but was attacked on the floor by Rob Terry. Ray set up the table but was attacked by Williams and Magnus. Ray tossed Magnus out of the ring. Rob Terry went to clothesline Ray, who ducked and he drilled Williams. 3D tossed Terry out of the ring and then nailed the 3D on Williams for the pin.
Your winners and still IWGP Tag Team champions Team 3D!
Kiyoshi and Sheik Abdul Bashir, allies of the British Invasion, hit the ring and attacked 3D. 3D made their own comeback and Ray nailed a superbomb of the ropes through a table for the big pop.
Good tag match. Williams has always been great, 3D have good showings when they have the time to put together a strong match and Magnus is continuing to improve. Solid, entertaining tag bout here.
Mike Tenay and Don West talked about the controversy of the finish of the Knockouts championship bout with Tara having her leg on the rope. Lauren was standing by with Slick Johnson. He said he was out of position and feels bad that he cost her the title, but the referee's decision is final. Johnson said he was going to Jim Cornette to request Tara get a rematch.
Jenna Morasca (with Awesome Kong) vs. Sharmell (with Sojourner Bolt)
Morasca was slapping hands on the way to the ring. Physically in her ring gear, she didn't stand out compared to some of the women in the company. Hey, isn't she a heel, because she's playing babyface. Sharmell is wrestling in her evening gown. They lock up and Sharmell knees her in the gut. Sharmell slams her head first into the mat. She begins stomping on her and tearing at Jenna's hair but the referee breaks them up. Sharmell covered Morasca for a two count.
Sharmell locked on a camel clutch to make her humble. This is all Sharmell killing Jenna early. Sharmell begins kicking and slapping her in the corner. Jenna landed the WORST slaps in the history of the business. They began doing the catfight roll around on the mat with Hebner ending up rolling around. Jenna began choking Sharmell but Hebner pulled her off. They showed that she had ripped out some of Sharmell's hair.
Sharmell charged Jenna, who moved. Sharmell nailed Sojo, who bumped off the apron to the floor. Jenna gave Kong the hair. Sharmell asked for it back and Kong obliged, then punched out Sharmell. Jenna covered Sharmell and did a pseudo lapdance during the cover.
Your winner, Jenna Morasca!
After the match, Morasca was all riled up by her win and began giving Kong static. Kong laid her out and splashed her.
This may end up being one of the worst segments of the year. WOW.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Kevin Nash, asking him his reaction to Kurt Angle's announcement that if they lost, they'd be fired. Nash said all the stuff Mick Foley said to the other locker room was garbage. Nash said he was so confident tonight that if he didn't win, he would retire. He promised to win the Legends championship.
TNA Legends champ AJ Styles vs. Kevin Nash
Obviously, the size difference should be the story here. They circled each other for a long time. Styles did some hit and run tactics early. Nash finally caught Styles with several knees in the corner. Nash lined up Styles and drilled him with a standing elbow in a corner. Nash drilled Styles with a clothesline for a two count.
Styles came back with a back elbow out of the corner. Styles came off the ropes but Nash nailed him with a big boot and Styles went over the top to the floor. Much slower paced bout than usual for Styles so far. Nash rolled Styles back into the ring. Nash went for a powerbomb but Styles rained down with punches and Nash fell backwards with Styles on top. Styles scored a near fall.
Styles began ducking and weaving while nailing strikes and kicks. Styles began working over Nash with a series of rights. Styles began using the Garvin Stomp on Nash's legs. Styles continued stomping on Nash's knees. He locked up Nash's legs in a submission attempt but Nash fought him off. AJ came back with the springboard forearm smash into the ring for a two count. Styles went for a kick. Nash blocked it and Styles hit the Pele Kick. He went outside for a springboard but was caught by Nash and chokeslammed for the pin.
Your winner and new TNA Legends champion Kevin Nash!
They showed Styles beating the mat in frustration and anger after the bout.
This was about as good as it could have been given the limitations of the match.
Lauren was in the women's locker room trying to get an interview with Tara. Slick Johnson came out of the shower, followed by Madison Rayne, so she was screwing with him in exchange for Love getting the belt back. Rayne told Lauren to mind her business and keep her mouth shut, since, you know, everyone who was watching on CAMERA couldn't see all this to begin with. Dumb.
TNA Tag Team champs Beer Money Inc. vs. Scott Steiner & Booker T
Booker and James Storm started out. Storm got the better of a nice exchange and drilled him with some rights. Storm nails him with a knee to the face and a neckbreaker. Roode and Steiner tagged in. Steiner shoulderblocked him down but Roode came back with a kneedrop for a two count.
Roode and Storm nailed a double suplex. Booker was clotheslined over the top to the floor and Beer Money celebrated. Storm nailed a baseball slide kick to the outside on Steiner. Storm worked over Steiner when they returned to the ring. Booker nailed Storm from behind. Booker pulled him out of the ring and dropped him across the railing.
Steiner and Booker continued to work over Steiner. Storm fought his way out of a Steiner chinlock but was nailed with an overhead belly to belly suplex. Storm tried to fight off Steiner but continued to get worked over with chops in the corner. Storm finally nailed a Tornado DDT out of the corner on Steiner and finally makes the hot tag to Robert Roode.
Roode cleans house on Booker and Steiner. He ducks a clothesline and nailed Steiner with a neckbreaker. Roode elbowed a charging Steiner and went to the middle rope for a snapmare, getting another two count. Booker was going to interfere but Storm nailed an enziguiri. Storm and Roode worked over Steiner, who kicked up at two.
Steiner nailed an STO on Roode for a two count. Storm spits beer in Steiner's face. The ref got bumped. Beer Money hit the DWI but Booker pulled the referee out of the ring. Hebner began yelling at Storm to get out of the ring, allowing Booker to nail the Ax Kick on Roode. They scored the pin.
Your winners and new TNA Tag Team champions Booker T & Scott Steiner!
Match never really got out of first gear, sort of like this show.
Jeremy Borash came out to ringside to interview the new Tag Team champions. Booker said he told everyone they were going to do it, because they were Mafia. Booker said if anyone wants some, they can come get some. Steiner said they were going to get the Tag belts and they did it. He claimed they were the greatest of all time. Steiner promised that Kurt Angle was going to take Mick Foley down tonight.
Backstage, Lauren asked Samoa Joe if the mystery of his advisor will be revealed tonight. Joe said that he's here and ready to war. He said this person was the man who was responsible for everything he's become and as a gift, he's going to deliver him Sting's head. He said it was showtime for Sting and it would be his final scene. Usual good Joe promo.
Sting vs. Samoa Joe
Joe and Sting began brawling as soon as Sting hit the ring. They went to the floor, where Joe slammed Sting into the apron. Joe tossed Sting into the crowd. They brawled towards one of the walls and Joe slammed Sting into it. Sting fought Joe off and threw him into the wall. They brawled back to the ringside area. Joe suplexed Sting onto the rampway leading to the ring.
Joe continued to beat down Sting, who reversed a whip into the railing. They returned to the ring. Sting bit Joe on the face and began kicking away at him. Joe came back and began peppering Sting with punches. Joe hit a running elbow and then a kick in the corner. Joe locked on a chinlock to wear Sting down. Sting fought his way back but Joe began drilling him with chops, punches and headbutts.
Joe continued the assault on Sting, who began making the superman comeback. Joe caught Sting with a sleeper but Sting dropped backwards to take out Joe. Joe began nailing Sting with a series of rights but was caught with a clothesline. Sting and Joe continued going back and forth. Sting took Joe down with a kick to the side of the head.
Sting went to the top rope but changed his mind. He nailed the Stinger Splash and went for the Scorpion Deathlock. He locked it in and music began playing. Out comes Taz in a black suit. Joe escaped and wakes up. Joe and Sting go back and forth. Sting nailed an elbow and nailed a flying clothesline off the top for a two count. Taz began screaming instructions.
Joe cuts off Sting and goes for the muscle buster. Sting fights him off but is caught in the Tazmission. Sting finally taps out clean.
Your winner, Samoa Joe!
Joe and Taz exchanged words afterwards and Joe glared into the camera.
Match was decent but not the off the charts style their Bound for Glory bout last year was. I can't believe they didn't give Taz a chance to cut a promo.
They went right to a video feature on Bobby Lashley announcing he had signed with TNA.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Mick Foley. Foley said perhaps it's just the Main Event Mafia's night. He said that unlike most foes, he doesn't have a weakness to exploit in his opponent. That said, he nailed Angle with an elbow and Angle was out for a minute so he knows he can take out Angle. He said that backstage after Angle won the belt, he was having problems with his left hand because of his ongoing neck issues and knows that Angle was told he'd be OK unless there were extenuating circumstances. Foley said those circumstances were him and said that if Angle wants to be champion, he's going to have to beat Foley. Good promo.
TNA champ Kurt Angle vs. Mick Foley
This is their first-ever singles bout. They really need to tear the house down as this show hasn't had any major memorable bouts, promos or moments. The bad news is Angle has some sort of groin injury, so we'll see how this unfolds. Foley's wife and kids are all sitting ringside in the second row under the hard camera.
They started slow. Foley caught Angle with an elbow and Angle went to the floor to escape. The locked up and Foley clobbered him across the back, then locked in a front facelock. Foley nailed a suplex for a two count. Angle raked Foley's eyes but is favoring his neck and head. Angle began choking Foley against the ropes.
They went to the back. Foley took a backdrop onto the ring steps. Angle then slammed him into the steps face first. Back in the ring, Angle continued to work on Foley's knees and legs. Foley fought back, focusing on Angle's neck. Angle went for a back suplex but Foley turned it into an armbar. Angle rolled through and locked in an anklelock. Foley was able to kick him off but was caught with a clothesline. Angle went for a moonsault but missed.
Foley comes back with the sock but Angle shoved off Foley, who bumped the referee. Angle hit the Olympic Slam for a two count. Angle dropped an elbow on the referee. Don West said he was upset over a slow count. Angle grabbed a chair but Foley caught him with the Mandible Claw. Foley then tossed Angle to the floor and hit the elbow off the apron to the floor. Foley got Angle into the ring for a pin but Angle got his shoulder up before the three count.
Foley locked on the Mandible Claw while scissoring Angle's body. The arm dropped twice but Angle fought Foley off and began mauling him with punches, then locked in the anklelock. Foley fought his way to the ropes and finally made it, forcing a break. Angle dragged Foley back to the center of the ring, then locked in the anklelock again. Foley finally tapped.
Your winner and still TNA champion Kurt Angle!
I don't think anyone was expecting an all-time match classic here but if you were, it didn't happen. It was another solid bout but nothing over the top memorable.
The show ended with the entire Main Event Mafia, holding all the main titles, celebrating in the ring while Foley struggled to recover. Taz was with them.
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