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On this day in history in ....
1905 - Tom Jenkins defeats Frank Gotch in New York City, New York to win the
American Heavyweight Title for the third time.
1943 - The Iron Sheik is born in Tehran, Iran.
1946 - El Santo defeats Pete Pancof in an eight-man tournament final in Mexico
City, Mexico to become the NWA World Welterweight Champion.
1951 - Roy Shire defeats Jackie Nichols in Columbus, Ohio for the Midwest
Wrestling Association World Junior Heavyweight Title.
1953 - Joakim Murietta defeats Daniel Aladana to win the Mexican National
Heavyweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.
1956 - Whipper Billy Watson defeats Lou Thesz by countout to win the NWA World
Heavyweight Title in Toronto, Ontario. As a result, the Toronto NWA British
Empire Heavyweight Title, which Watson had held for over five years, was
vacated.
1957 - Don and Red McIntyre defeat Don and Mark Lewin to win the Georgia NWA
International Tag Team Title in Atlanta, Georgia.
1961 - Skull Murphy defeats Bill Dromo in the finals of an eight-man one-night
tournament for the Georgia NWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Columbus, Georgia.
1962 - Chris and John Tolos win their third Toronto NWA International Tag Team
Title in Toronto, Ontario, defeating Bill Soloweyko and Whipper Billy Watson.
1962 - Mario LaPentero and Billy Varga defeat Nick Bockwinkel and King Koenig
for the World Wrestling Association International Television Tag Team Title in
Long Beach, California. The title had been vacated after Fred Blassie and Mr.
Moto split up in February.
1966 - Mario Galento defeats Chin Lee in Macon, Georgia to win the Georgia NWA
United States Junior Heavyweight Title, beginning his third reign.
1967 - Jim Hady defeats Ripper Collins for the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title in
Honolulu, Hawaii, ending Collins' second reign.
1968 - Bob Orton and Mad Dog Vachon defeat Doug Gilbert and Reggie Parks to win
the AWA Midwest Tag Team Title in Omaha, Nebraska, ending Gilbert and Parks'
second reign.
1968 - Waldo Von Erich defeats Ox Baker in Calgary, Alberta for the Stampede
North American Heavyweight Title.
1968 - Ripper Collins and Curtis Iaukea defeat Jim Hady and The Missing Link (Pampero
Firpo) to win the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title in Honolulu, Hawaii, to begin their
second reign.
1968 - Cobra Kid and Scorpion defeat Dennis Hall and Ken Lucas for the NWA Gulf
Coast Tag Team Title in Dothan, Alabama.
1971 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New
York. The results were:
- Little Brutus and Sky Low Low defeated Sonny Boy Hayes and Joey Russell in a
best-of-three falls match.
- Manuel Soto defeated Johnny Rodz.
- Jose Luis Rivera defeated Jack Evans.
- Tony Marino defeated Mike Conrad.
- Chief Jay Strongbow and Bulldog Brower fought to a draw.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Pedro Morales defeated Blackjack Mulligan.
1971 - Dean Higuchi and Steven Little Bear defeats John Quinn and Dutch Savage
to win the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.
1972 - Aiko Kyo wins her second WWWA World Singles Title from Jean Antoine in
Nagoya, Japan. At the same show, Masked Lee and Sharon Lee won the WWWA World
Tag Team Title from Miyoko Hoshino and Jumbo Miyamoto.
1974 - Ron and Terry Garvin defeat Bob Armstrong and Robert Fuller to win the
NWA Georgia Tag Team Title in Atlanta, Georgia, to begin their second reign.
1976 - Eight-time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Danny Hodge retires from
wrestling after he suffered a broken neck in an automobile accident.
1976 - Mariko Akagi defeats Jumbo Miyamoto to win the WWWA World Singles Title
in Tokyo, Japan, ending Miyamoto's fourth reign.
1977 - Antonino Rocca dies as a result of a urinary tract infection in New York
City, New York at age 65.
1980 - Monster Ripper (Rhonda Singh) defeats Jackie Sato for the WWWA World
Singles Title in Kawasaki, Japan, ending Sato's second reign and beginning
Ripper's second reign.
1981 - The WWF held an event at Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. The
results:
- Special Delivery Jones defeated Larry Sharpe by countout.
- Tony Garea defeated The Hangman.
- Rick Martel defeated Bulldog Brower.
- Pat Patterson defeated Lou Albano by disqualification.
- Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- The Moondogs (Rex and Spot) defeated Rick McGraw and Dominic DeNucci.
- Johnny Rodz defeated Frank Savage.
- André the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan.
- WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund defeated Sgt. Slaughter in a lumberjack
match
1982 - World Class Championship Wrestling held a "Wrestling Star Wars"
event at the Tarrant County Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The results
were:
- Tom Shaft defeated Carlos Zapata.
- WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion Jose Lothario and Arman Hussein fought to a
draw.
- WCCW American Tag Team and Texas Heavyweight Champion Al Madril defeated Bill
Irwin by disqualification.
- Bugsy McGraw defeated The Spoiler.
- Bill Irwin defeated Frank Dusek.
- Fritz Von Erich defeated The Great Kabuki.
- Kevin and WCCW American Heavyweight and Tag Team Champion Kerry Von Erich
fought King Kong Bundy and Gary Hart to a double-disqualification in a Texas
Death Steel Cage match.
1982 - Ron Bass defeats Tommy Rich to win the NWA National Heavyweight Title in
Augusta, Georgia, ending Rich's second reign.
1986 - Tyree Pride defeats Jerry Grey for the NWA Bahamas Heavyweight Title in
Nassau, Bahamas, beginning his second reign.
1987 - The WWF held the Frank Tunney, Sr. Memorial Tag Team Tournament at Maple
Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario. The results were:
- Sivi Afi defeated The Red Demon (José Luis Rivera).
- Hillbilly Jim defeated Dino Bravo by disqualification.
- The Killer Bees (B. Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell) defeated Kamala and Sika in
a Tunney Tournament first round match.
- The Can-Am Connection (Rick Martel and Tom Zenk) defeated Jerry Allen and
Danny Spivey in a Tunney Tournament first round match.
- Demolition (Ax and Smash) defeated The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and
The Dynamite Kid) by disqualification in a Tunney Tournament first round match.
- King Kong Bundy and Paul Orndorff defeated Don Muraco and Bob Orton, Jr. in a
Tunney Tournament first round match.
- Demoltion defeated The Can-Am Connection in a Tunney Tournament semifinal
match.
- The Killer Bees defeated King Kong Bundy and Paul Orndorff in a Tunney
Tournament semifinal match.
- The Killer Bees defeated Demoltion to win the Tunney Tournament and earn an
immediate WWF Tag Team Title match.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart)
defeated The Killer Bees to retain the title.
1987 - Mike Rotunda wins the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title for the second time,
defeating Ed Gantner in Daytona Beach, Florida. At the same event, The MOD Squad
(Basher and Spike) defeat The Southern Boys (Steve Armstrong and Tracy Smothers)
to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Title.
1989 - Hurácan Castillo, Jr. and Miguel Pérez, Jr. are awarded the WWC
Caribbean Tag Team Title, beginning their second reign. The title was vacated on
March 6, when Chris and Mark Youngblood left the promotion.
1989 - Bret and Mark Derringer defeat Tommy Ferrera and Johnny Love to win the
Pro Wrestling America Tag Team Title in Fridley, Minnesota.
1991 - The WWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New
York. The results were:
- Marty Jannetty defeated Tanaka.
- The Mountie defeated Koko B. Ware.
- The British Bulldog defeated The Warlord.
- The Undertaker defeated Tugboat.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart)
defeated Dino Bravo and Earthquake.
- The Barbarian defeated Jim Brunzell.
- Kerry Von Erich defeated Ted DiBiase.
- Kato defeated Shawn Michaels.
- Jim Duggan defeated WWF Champion Sgt. Slaughter.
1991 - Tom Prichard defeats Jeff Jarrett for the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title
in Dallas, Texas, ending Jarrett's second reign.
1993 - The Moondogs (Splat and Spot) defeat The Big Black Dog and Brian
Christopher to win the USWA Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee, to begin their
third reign.
1997 - The WWF held an event at USAir Arena in Landover, Maryland. The results:
- The New Blackjacks (Bradshaw and Windham) defeated The Godwinns (Henry and
Phineas).
- Crush defeated Aldo Montoya.
- Mankind defeated Flash Funk.
- WWF Tag Team Champions - WWF European Champion The British Bulldog and Owen
Hart defeated Doug Furnas and Philip LaFon.
- Savio Vega defeated Goldust.
- WWF Champion Sycho Sid defeated Vader.
- Ahmed Johnson defeated The Sultan.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Rocky Maivia defeated Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
- The Undertaker defeated Faarooq.
1997 - ECW held the fourth-annual Hostile City Showdown event at the ECW Arena
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- The Full Blooded Italians (Little Guido and Tommy Rich) defeats Chris Chetti
and Tracy Smothers.
- Taz defeated Rob Van Dam by submission.
- Sabu defeated Spike Dudley by submission.
- Chris Candido defeats Louie Spicolli in a two-out-of-three falls match. Both
each won a pinfall, and Candido made Spicolli submit to win the match.
- ECW World Television Champion Shane Douglas defeated Pitbull #1 in an I Quit
match to retain the title.
- The Sandman pinned Balls Mahoney.
- The Dudley Boyz (Buh-Buh Ray and D-Von) defeated ECW World Tag Team Champions
The Eliminators (Saturn and Kronus), when Buh-Buh Ray pinned Saturn, to win the
title. This began the first of eight Dudley ECW Tag Team Title reigns, and ended
the Eliminators' second reign.
- ECW World Heavyweight Champion Raven defeated Tommy Dreamer and Stevie
Richards in a three-way dance to retain the title.
1998 - WCW held the fourth-annual Uncensored pay-per-view at the Mobile Civic
Center in Mobile, Alabama. The results were:
- WCW World Television Champion Booker T pinned Eddie Guerrero (with Chavo
Guerrero, Jr.) after a Missile Dropkick to retain the title.
- Juventud Guerrera pinned Konnan with a roll-up.
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chris Jericho defeated Dean Malenko by submission
with the Liontamer to retain the title.
- Lex Luger pinned Scott Steiner.
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Diamond Dallas Page defeated Chris
Benoit and Raven in a Triple Threat match to retain the title, when he pinned
Raven after a Diamond Cutter through a table.
- The Giant defeated Kevin Nash by disqualification, after Brian Adams
interfered.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Sting pinned Scott Hall after a Scorpion
Deathdrop to retain the title.
- Hulk Hogan fought Randy Savage to a no-contest in a Steel Cage match, after
the referee was knocked out.
1998 - Tank defeats Jerry Lawler for the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Title in
Memphis, Tennessee, ending Lawler's 25th reign.
1998 - Vance Nevada defeats Bobby Collins to win the Canadian Wrestling
Federation Light Heavyweight Title, ending Collins' fourth reign, and unify it
with his Canadian Junior Heavyweight Title. During Nevada's reign, it was
renamed the NWA Canadian Light Heavyweight Title when the CWF joined the
National Wrestling Alliance.
1999 - The Monday Night War continued on, with WWF RAW is WAR defeating WCW
Monday Nitro, 5.8 to 4.3 in the ratings.
WCW Monday Nitro, the 183rd episode, was live from the Firstar Center in
Cincinnati, Ohio. The results:
- Meng defeated Jerry Flynn.
- Rick Steiner defeated Brian Adams.
- Rey Misterio, Jr. defeated WCW Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman to win the
title.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko defeated The
Barbarian and Hugh Morrus (with Jimmy Hart) to retain the title.
- Stevie Ray defeated Horace.
- Disco Inferno defeated Konnan.
- WCW World Television Champion Booker T defeated Chris Jericho by
disqualification to retain the title.
- Hollywood Hulk Hogan and Kevin Nash defeated Goldberg and WCW World
Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair.
The WWF's 303rd edition of WWF RAW is WAR was held live, along with a taping of
the 34th Sunday Night Heat, and the March 28 Super Astros, at San Jose Arena in
San Jose, California. RAW was done first, as RAW began at 6pm Pacific time, and
also because there were title changes, with those champions appearing on Heat as
well as RAW. The results were:
In a dark match, Christopher Daniels defeated ???.
RAW:
- Road Dogg defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Val Venis to win the title.
- Shane McMahon defeated Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson in a handicap match.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett (with Debra) defeated Public
Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) to retain the title.
- Mideon vs. The Big Bossman in a Steel Cage match ended in a no-contest.
- Billy Gunn defeated WWF Hardcore Champion Hardcore Holly to win the title.
- Steve Austin and Mankind vs. Paul Wight and WWF Champion The Rock ended in a
no-contest.
Heat:
- WWF Hardcore Champion Billy Gunn defeated Al Snow to retain the title.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Road Dogg defeated Ken Shamrock by
disqualification to retain the title.
- Steve Williams defeated The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff) in a handicap match.
- Triple H defeated The Godfather.
- WWF Champion The Rock and The Big Bossman fought to a no-contest. Rock
retained the title.
Super Astros:
- Armando Fernandez defeated El Bandito.
- Apolo Dantes and ??? fought to a no-contest.
- Negro Casas and El Hijo del Santo defeated Papi Chulo (Essa Rios) and Funaki.
2000 - Marie Apache defeats Chaparita Asari for the Sky High of ARSION Title in
Tokyo, Japan.
2000 - The Enterprise (Andy Judge) defeats Rick Bassman to win the UPW
Lightweight Title in Hollywood, California.
2000 - Sean Casey defeats Chris Michaels for the OVW Light Heavyweight Title in
Louisville, Kentucky, to begin his third reign. At the same show, B.J. Payne and
Scotty Sabre defeat Mr. Black and Bull Buchanan to win the OVW Southern Tag Team
Title.
2001 - Guillotine LeGrande wins a battle royal in Pottstown, Pennsylvania to
become the first Premier Wrestling Federation Television Champion.
2002 - Rico Constantino defeats E.Z. Money for the HWA Heavyweight Title in
Dayton, Ohio, ending Money's second reign.
2002 - SUWA defeats Magnum TOKYO to win the Michinoku Pro Wrestling British
Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Title in Yokohama, Japan.
2002 - Rick Michaels wins a battle royal, last eliminating Sal del Rio, for the
NWA Wildside Beat the Champ Title.
2002 - Moondog Manson wins his sixth NWA Pacific Northwest Hardcore Title in
Surrey, British Columbia, defeating Prince Aladdin.
2003 - The Amazing Red and A.J. Styles defeat Christopher Daniels and Donovan
Morgan to win the ROH Tag Team Title in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
2003 - Sabu defeats Carly Colón for the WWC Universal Heavyweight Title in
Carolina, Puerto Rico, ending Colón's seventh reign.
2003 - Bobby and Donnie York win a four-way match to become the first NWA South
Atlantic Tag Team Champions in Ocoee, Florida.
2003 - Shawn Parks defeats Carlton Kaz to win the NWA Tri-State United States
Heavyweight Title in Minford, Ohio.
2003 - Jason Ray and Stevie Slick defeat Los Mochis (Paco and Pedro) for the
Ultra Championship Wrestling Zero Tag Team Title in Salt Lake City, Utah.
2003 - Baine and Youngblood defeat Corporal Chaos and Krazy Kat in a tournament
final to become the first Alabama Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions in
Childersburg, Alabama. APW joined the National Wrestling Alliance in April 2004
and was renamed NWA Xtreme.
2005 - Ala Hussein defeats Quinten Lee to win the HWA Television Title in
Cincinnati, Ohio.
2008 - Jeff Hardy, who was serving a 60 day suspension from WWE due to a Wellness Policy violation, lost his North Carolina home in a fire. Jim Ross posted the following about the incident.
The fall out of the 60 day suspension of Jeff Hardy for a second violation of the WWE Wellness Policy is still making news. Sadly, Friday night, Jeff's home in North Carolina burned to the ground and he lost essentially every thing he had and most sadly his dog. Losing an animal one is close to is just like losing a family member to many people and we just experienced that with the death of our 18 year old cat Molly who had to be put down after suffering a serious of strokes.
Apparently Matt Hardy saw smoke coming from Jeff's home on Friday night, discovered that no one was home, but arrived at the house too late todo any thing but watch it burn to the ground.
These are challenging times for Jeff to say the least. Not only has he incurred his second strikewith only one remaining before he would be terminated from the WWE, his situation has been underscored by the fact that his suspension went public per the WWE policy, which went into effect on November 1 and with which I wholeheartedly agree.Now Jeff's home has been destroyed with the heart breaking reality that his beloved dog died in the fire as well.
Jeff's career can be rebuilt if he so chooses to committing to do such. This commitment cannot be a short term commitment, but a life time commitment that must see him takeit one day at a time and have the expressed goal of being successful in 24 hours intervals. I am one that truly believes that Jeff can make this happen, especially if those close to him offer Jeff the kind of support that he needs and that he seeks the wisdom and advise of a counselor who can help Jeff understand why these life and career threatening mistakes are being made.
Jeff's home can be rebuilt materially, as well, but his many personal affects now nothing more than a memory. I hope this tragedy doesn't push Jeff to the edge of the proverbial cliff to where his wrestling career becomes nothing more than a memory as well.
I grieve for the loss of the animal. I can only imagine what Jeff Hardy must be going through at this time. without question Jeff is being sternly tested. I hope he passes this test and the one's to come admirably.
Jeff Hardy will be 31 years old on August 31, 2008 and without question his wrestling career can be re-ignited if Jeff can prove to those that make the all important decisions that Jeff can be trusted and has become a responsible professional who understands how important it is to do the right things.
The trust factor is one that cannot be underscored enough. Over my30+ years in the wrestling business I often wondered why so many of the men in charge were also their territories top stars. Owners/Promoters/Bookers like Eddie Graham, Verne Gagne, Fritz Von Erich, Bob Geigel, Bill Watts, Jerry Jarret and Jerry Lawler, The Funks, and so many more were their area's top stars more often than not and did so because they knew they could trust and depend on their top stars, them.Being responsible and trust worthy are great traits to have in any field of endeavor, but it seems to be especially viable in the wrestling business based on my personal experiences.
Jeff Hardy can rebuild his home, hopefully he can somehow replace his beloved dog, I know that won't be easy, but can he rebuild the trust with the WWE that allowsJeff to be provided with more opportunities to be the star that we all know that he can be?No one has this answer today. Only time will tell but I will say that my opinion is that it can be done but it certainly won't be easy.
2009 - TNA held their Destination X PPV. Here is Mike Johnson's original report on the show:The Beautiful People vs. Roxxi & Taylor Wilde & The Governor
The Governor and Madison Rayne start the bout. Rayne chokes her in the corner, then sets her up for an Angelina Love dropkick. Roxxi tagged in and nailed several forearms on Love, then slammed Rayne. She elevated Taylor Wilde into the air onto Love. Roxxi gets distracted by Sky on the outside and turns into a Love clothesline.
A sign in the front row reads "Botchamania = This Match." I can't believe that's actually remaining on the air.
Roxxi caught Sky with a boot to the face and tagged in Wilde. They go back and forth until a hot tag to Wilde, who cleans house on everyone. She nailed a tilt or whirl backbreaker, then goes to the top. She nailed a flying bodypress on Rayne but the other heels hit the ring.
All six brawled in the ring. The Governor hit a plancha to the outside. Wilde caught Rayne with a German suplex into a bridge for the pin.
Your winners, Roxxi & Taylor Wilde & The Governor!
Too short to even have any hope of meshing together.
Lauren was backstage with Jeff Jarrett, in a referee's shirt, and Mick Foley. Jarrett promised to call the Sting vs. Kurt Angle match right down the middle and the best man will win. Foley said that as an enforcer, he's going to have to make sure that Jeff is able to call it down the middle by making sure The Main Event Mafia doesn't interfere. He said he's got a feeling and thanks Angle for that. He says he'll see Kurt at ringside.
Brutus Magnus Open Challenge.
Magnus came to the ring first, then ring announcer Dave Penzer introduced a serviceman who served on the USS Cole. He's actually a Team 3D student. He introduced Magnus' opponent, Eric Young.
Magnus attacked Young before the bell and leveled him with several right hands. He leaped into the air with an elbow to the chest. He picked up Young for a suplex but Young rolled through and landed on his feet. Young nailed several dropkicks and a flying forearm. Young went up and over as Magnus charged him in the corner. They had a miscue, which the crowd picked up on, then Magnus slammed Young.
Magnus continued working over Young, powerbombing him. Magnus missed a splash off the top rope. Young came back with a backdrop, then nailed his finisher, the death valley driver. Magnus kicked up at two. Magnus whipped Young into the corner, where he did the Flair flop. Young went to the top rope. Magnus met him but was fought off. Young hit a top rope elbow for a two count.
Magnus tried to catch Young with a pinfall attempt by putting his feet on the ropes but Young escaped. Young went to the top but was caught with a European Uppercut. Magnus hit his finisher, The Tormenta, off the top for the pin.
Your winner, Brutus Magnus!
Just your basic short bout designed to give Magnus a win. Nothing more, nothing less but Young worked really hard here.
Mike Tenay and Don West began running down the main events of the PPV. Sheik Abdul Bashir's music started to play and he came to the ring with a mic. He said that we are now three months into 2009 and now it's another PPV without the Middle Eastern Nightmare. He said that he has had enough and said that he wants to know if its a conspiracy against him because of the color of his skin. He said that President Obama talks about change and hope, and asks what hope is there for a man like him. He wanted to know why a man walking the ramp in a military uniform gets a hero's welcome but he gets treated like a terrorist because he wears a turban. He said he is a victim of the concentration camp known as the United States and began tearing up.
Jim Cornette came to the ring and said that Bashir wants to know why he isn't involved tonight, so he'll answer him. Cornette said it's not because he's not a great wrestler because he is and he's wrestled everywhere in the world. Cornette said that it's really simple - "I don't like you." He said that no one in the back nor any of the fans like him because of his big, fat mouth. Cornette said that he whines about his race and how everyone is prejudiced against him. Cornette said no one cares about his race or religion but hate Bashir because he's a big, obnoxious jerk. He told Bashir, "Get the hell out of my building." Cornette then said that he wanted to make sure everyone was fair so he asked the serviceman from earlier to come back to the ring and sing Bashir out. He began singing "God bless America." He couldn't hold a note but got through the entire song, then led everyone in a "U.S.A." chant.
Backstage, Kurt Angle was screaming at the rest of the Main Event Mafia. He said everyone was in on it against them and was trying to break up the Mafia. He said that if it happened, he was going to hold all of them responsible. Booker T said he was responsible for Booker T and had AJ Styles to worry about tonight. He said that whatever happened between Angle and Sting was between them. He said he had to go to Jim Cornette's office and walked out. Angle freaked that he was going to see Cornette. Scott Steiner told Angle that he was being paranoid. He said he had to deal with Samoa Joe and Angle was on his own. Angle tried to complain to Kevin Nash. Nash told Angle to stop blaming everyone else, because this wasn't anyone's fault but his own. Nash told him to relax because Sting wasn't in bed with Jeff Jarrett and Mick Foley. Angle got annoyed and decreed that he didn't want anyone at ringside for the main event tonight.
Matt Morgan vs. Abyss - Match of 10,000 Tacks
Hopefully this will be a lot better than their first match, which was badly hampered by his shoulder issues. The only way to win is to drop your opponent onto the tacks.
Don West was siding with Bashir during Matt Morgan's entrance, so they are continuing with West's slow descent into the heel side. He was basically saying that Bashir had the right to say what he wanted due to freedom of speech. Earlier, he was praising the "serviceman" as well so perhaps he'll be the guy who points out the logic where it doesn't jibe in TNA.
Morgan and Abyss brawled back and forth to open the bout. Morgan clotheslined him over the top to the floor. Abyss landed on his feet and grabbed Morgan's legs, slamming them into the ring post.
Abyss began picking up the beds of tacks and setting them up by the entrance stage. They returned to the ring. Morgan splashed Abyss in the corner, then slammed him. Morgan opened a bag of tacks and tried to shove his face into the tacks. Morgan rebounded off the ropes but was caught in a goozle. Abyss went for a chokeslam but Morgan escaped. Morgan missed a clothesline and was knocked into a corner. He went down and Abyss charged him in the corner.
The crowd started chanting, "We want tacks." Abyss began climbing up a pole to get another bag of tacks. Morgan cut him off and set a chair in the corner, wedging it between turnbuckles. Abyss caught Morgan with a low blow as he attempted to float over Abyss in the corner, then shoved him face-first into the chair.
With Morgan down, Abyss continued to pour tacks into the pile in the ring. Morgan tried to fight off Abyss but was nailed with a Black Hole Slam on the mat. Abyss poured broken glass into the ring. Morgan tried to walk out but Abyss caught him on the aisle. Abyss nailed him with several punches and teased a chokeslam off the ramp onto the beds of tacks. Morgan kicked him low then hit the big boot, sending Abyss off the ramp onto the tacks below.
Your winner, Matt Morgan!
The match was OK but the finish was telegraphed the second Abyss began setting up the tacks by the stage. No one believed for a second that Morgan would take that bump, so that really hurt the match.
Backstage, Booker T was complaining that he never agreed to defend his Legends title. Cornette pointed out that he had Booker T's signature on the contract. Sharmell said that it wasn't binding without her consent. Cornette said that unless they could resurrect Johnny Cochran in the next 15 minutes, it was legal and binding. Sharmell got Booker to say he signed it under duress. Cornette said that they could try and get lawyers involved tomorrow but tonight it was legal and binding and that was that, "Oh hell yeah." Please don't tell me that means AJ Styles gets a win that is erased on Impact.
One Night with ODB Finals
Oh lord, here we go. ODB came out obviously "tanked", but was made up to look prettier than she has in recent months (i.e. more of what she looks like in real life). Rudy Charles escorted her to the ring. Jeremy Borash was the master of ceremonies.
The first contestant was Ontario indy wrestler Cody Deaner, who's been signed by TNA for a long time and never used before. The second contestant was Shark Boy. The third contestant was a mortgage broker named Bernie Weber (TNA's Mike Weber). They were playing game show music.
They played the Dating Game. The first question was why did they think they should get the night with ODB. Deaner said he didn't need the whole night, just 60 minutes. They even had a drummer for the rim shot. Shark Boy said he could get the job done in 23 minutes. Weber said something I didn't catch.
The next segment saw ODB demand the contestants dance. Borash was calling moves. They made Octamom jokes. This was dying a fast death, falling faster than Watchmen in its second week at the box office. Shark Boy hit his moves and said, "You just got finned, Shell Yeah." I would say you couldn't pay me to watch this, except I am getting paid to watch this. Cody Deaner dedicated his dance to the late Dale Earnheart. He actually whipped out the Karate Kid crane kick, then quipped his mullet wasn't the longest part on his body. This is like a VH-1 reality show broadcast from hell.
They went to the fans for their opinions. Weber was booed out of the place. Shark Boy got the best ovation, but not by much over Deaner. They went to the dramatic reality elimination music as ODB looked over the contenders to make her decision. In the end, she picked Cody Deaner and I think they played the exact same music they used in "Mallrats" back in the day.
Jeremy Borash said cameras would be there to document the date, "God help us all." Don West said, "Lord, please don't let these two have children."
If you like bad comedy, you'd love this. If you want straight forward serious wrestling, this was going to make you pull your hair out. Jeremy Borash's delivery was the ONLY saving grace.
Lauren interviewed TNA Tag Team champions Beer Money Inc. Robert Roode called her a b****. Roode said he was tired of listening to how many titles Team 3D won in the past but that was then. Roode said they had to go to Japan to get titles. James Storm said everyone talks about respect in the locker room, but Beer Money still isn't getting the respect they deserve. He said that perhaps it's because they don't care about or brownnose the fans and management. Storm said 3D were a great tag team, but tonight, Beer Money writes their legacy in the ring. Really good promo.
TNA Knockout champ Awesome Kong vs. Sojourner Bolt
Kong was playing unstoppable monster early, even no-selling a top rope clothesline from Bolt. Kong laid out Bolt and cinched in a sleeper, then snapper her aside to the mat. Kong missed a charge in the corner. Bolt hit a running knee but then ran into Kong, who laid her out. Kong slammed Bolt and went to the second turnbuckle. Kong went for a splash but Bolt rolled out of the way.
Bolt rolled up Kong with a La Magistral but Kong kicked up at two. Raiessha Saied tried to get involved and was kicked to the floor. Kong charged Bolt, who ducked down and Kong went over the ropes to the floor. Bolt began dropping elbows on Kong as she returned to the ring. She nailed a sledgehammer off the ropes. Bolt went for a hurancanrana but was caught and hit with the Awesome Bomb.
Your winner and still TNA Knockout champion, Awesome Kong!
Not good. I am wondering how much Kong's back is still bothering her as she was nowhere near her usual self.
They REALLY need a second hell of a show.
Samoa Joe vs. Scott Steiner
Joe charged the ring and attacked Steiner immediately. Steiner was buster open immediately. Joe nailed a back suplex on Steiner. Steiner was worked over with punches. Steiner hit an STO on Joe. He went under the ring for a lead piper but Joe caught him and began beating him with knees to the face. Joe nailed Steiner with the pipe and then threw the referee out of the ring. He then punched the ref in the face.
Your winner by DQ, Scott Steiner!
Joe hit a dive into a forearm on the floor on Steiner. He dragged Steiner into the crowd and slammed him into a wall. He began biting Steiner's face and whipped him into a trash can. He dragged Steiner out of the building.
A nothing match that was more designed to debut the new Samoa Joe character and direction.
Backstage, Lauren said that a win from AJ Styles could change the balance of power in TNA. Styles said that there's a time to put up and shut up. He thanked Rhino and Team 3D for helping the TNA Originals when they needed it, but he can't allow them to do it anymore. Styles said this was about the veterans who only care about the money and young lions who wrestle because they love it and have a passion for the business. He said tonight Booker T was going to get the original AJ Styles. Styles has really grown into a hell of a promo.
TNA Legends champ Booker T vs. AJ Styles
They started off slow with some nice counter wrestling and reversals early. The crowd is into Styles They went outside briefly. Styles garnered a one count after a backbreaker. He went for a suplex but it was stopped. Booker nailed him with a knee. Styles charged Booker but was dropped over the ropes. Booker worked over Styles but was kicked as he charged into the corner. Styles nailed several clotheslines, followed by a running splash in a corner.
Styles grabbed Booker in a hammerlock, then slammed him down on the mat. Booker cut off AJ. Good stuff. Styles came back with the Pele Kick and the Styles Clash for the pin clean.
Your winner and new TNA Legends champion, AJ Styles!
Easily the best thing on the show at this point. Styles ran into the crowd to celebrate with the fans. It came off like a real, legitimate moment.
Outside, Samoa Joe was found by Lauren. Joe was covered in dirt. He said Scott Steiner and the world were introduced to his Nation of Violence. He told Lauren that when she sees the scars on Steiner, she'll know what Joe did. Joe was carrying a bloody "tribal knife." He told Lauren to go tell the rest of the Main Event Mafia that one by one, "Joe was going to kill them too. "
TNA Tag Team champions Beer Money Inc vs. Team 3D
No Jacqueline with Beer Money. If they give this time, they have the chance to put together a really great old school tag team bout.
Roode and Devon started. Roode rode Devon to the mat, floated over and slapped the veteran upside the head. Devon and Roode went back and fort. Devon took Roode down and tagged Bubba, who was immediately nailed with a droptoehold. Storm tagged in and tagged Brother Ray with several shots. Ray catches Storm with a neckbreaker. 3D nailed a flapjack on Storm. Roode hits the ring but 3D takes him out. Devon goes to the top for the wazzzup headbutt but is pushed off by Roode.
Beer Money took control. Roode nailed a dropkick on Devon for a two count. Devon finally broke free and made the hot tag to Brother Ray. Ray whipped Beer Money into the same corner, then hit a running splash. Beer Money landed in a homoerotic position and had a funny staredown. Ray began clubbering.
Ray played to the crowd and ended up caught with a kick by Roode, who then snapped him over for a two count. Beer Money doubled up on Ray but he nailed them. Ray went to the middle rope but Roode grabbed his leg. Storm hit a top rope hurancanrana on Ray. Roode then nailed a big cross body off the top for a pinfall attempt but Ray kicked up. Beer Money rebounded off the ropes but Storm was tripped by Devon and Ray caught Roode with a sit-down inverted atomic drop for a two count.
Storm tried to spit beer in Ray's face but got his partner instead. 3D nailed a reverse backbreaker on Roode for a two count. They called for a 3D but Storm nailed Ray with a chair. Lame.
Your winners by DQ, Team 3D!
Well, no it aren't. Jim Cornette came out and channeled Bill Watts, saying the fans came to see a winner and a loser. He demanded the match be re-started with no disqualification. Good false finish.
All four brawled. They nailed the 3D on James Storm but Robert Roode dragged the referee out of the ring. They left, complete with Don West handing them the tag belts. They were counted out as Jim Cornette followed them out ranting.
OK, that was lame after all, although you can make an argument they can build a return match out of it. When Brother Ray was complaining to the announcers, Don West tried to explain what happened, which led to Bubba screaming at him and warning West that he should take some advice from Tenay.
They went to promos from earlier today with the competitors for the Ultimate X match tonight. They were treated really serious. Chris Sabin talked about how he's competed in more UX matches then anyone in the world. They played up that the Motor City Machineguns would have been happy with either of them winning. Creed played up that he's not sure he's prepared as he's never competed in such a match and that it's the most dangerous match he's ever been involved in. Jay Lethal kept up the Black Machismo persona but talked about the importance of being the X-Division champion and how it will come down to what you are willing to do to become the champion. No promo from Suicide but that's in keeping with his character.
Ultimate X - X-Division champ Alex Shelley vs. Suicide (Chris Daniels) vs. Chris Sabin vs. Jay Lethal vs. Consequences Creed
They really need for this match to be one hell of a bout. The Guns attacked Suicide as Lethal Consequences went for the cables. The Guns cut them off. The Guns nailed several synchronized double-team moves on Lethal and Creed. Suicide returned and tossed Sabin to the floor. Shelley was going for the ropes but Suicide cut him off. Creed got tossed out, leaving Lethal and Suicide.
Lethal nailed the back handspring elbow. Fans were chanting "Fallen Angel." Shelley returned and went after Lethal. Lethal dropkicked him in the corner. Shelley drilled him head-first into the turnbuckles. He climbed for the cables but was pulled off by Creed. Creed tossed him to the floor but was nailed by Sabin with a leaping elbow.
Sabin got to the cables and climbed towards the belt but was pulled off by Creed. One by One, everyone returned to the ring. Shelley missed a sliding kick to the outside and was nailed with a superkick by Lethal. Lethal went to climb up but was slammed to the outside by Shelley, who then held the ropes open for Sabin to hit a tope to the floor. Suicide went for a dive but was cut off by Shelley kicking him. Creed went to the top but Suicide grabbed him in a Fireman's Carry on the apron, then hit a forward roll onto the other three competitors on the floor. That was pretty original.
Suicide began climbing the cables but Lethal nailed a dropkick to send him flying to the mat. The Guns hit the ring and began battling with Lethal Consequences while Suicide attempted the cables again. Lethal pulled him down and hit the Lethal Combination. He gave Creed a boost to the cables. Creed got to the belt but before he could figure out how to unhook it, Shelley speared him off the cables. Crowd chanted, 'That was awesome."
The Guns went to one of the corners. Lethal pulled Sabin onto the ropes, crotching him. Shelley went for a top rope splash but Creed got his knees up. Creed followed Suicide to the corner. Lethal and Sabin got involved and they went for the Tower of Doom but Suicide grabbed the cables and began propelling himself across. Lethal made his way to the cables and pulled him into a powerbomb down onto the mat.
Lots of great spots here. Creed went for his somersault into clothesline on Sabin but missed. Shelley nailed a frog splash on Suicide. Lethal took out Shelley but was nailed by Sabin with a Tornado DDT off the top. Creed nailed Sabin. Shelley grabbed Creed and nailed a brainbuster.
They continued with lots of back and forth action. Shelley drilled Suicide in the corner. They each climbed up the scaffolding towards the cables and battled. Shelley locked Suicide's leg in the trust and shoved him backwards. Creed nailed Shelley and drove him to the mat. Suicide was struggling to free himself as Lethal Consequences and Sabin all battled in the center of the cables. Suicide hit a splash onto the top of the cables, knocking all three off and grabbed the belt for the win.
Your winner and new X-Division champion Suicide!
Really good match and one hell of a finish. Loved all the work here. That finish is one of the ages in terms of craziness.
Backstage, Jeremy Borash interviewed TNA champion Sting. Sting said that whatever Angle wanted to do, brawl, wrestle or use tables, he could do that. He said he was going to retain the belt and go onto handle Main Event Mafia business.
TNA champion Sting vs. Kurt Angle with Jeff Jarrett as the special referee and Mick Foley as the ringside enforcer
They started off slow, circling each other and feeling the other out. Angle took control early with a series of rights, driving Sting into the corner. He whipped Sting to the opposite corner but Sting got his boot in Angle's face. Sting hit a clothesline over the top, sending Angle to the floor. They brawled on the floor, with Sting whipping Angle into the guard rail. Angle briefly went into the crowd before they returned to the ring.
Sting rained down punches in the corner on Angle. Angle cut Sting off. He suplexed Sting for a two count. Angle and Jarrett had a brief glare over his count. Angle tried for a belly to belly over the top but Sting blocked. Angle drove him over but to the mat, not outside. Angle scored another two count, then hit a backbreaker for another near fall.
Sting fought his way to his feet and they battled back and forth. Sting caught Angle with a clothesline, then hit a second. Sting nailed the Stinger Splash in the corner, then suplexed him for a two count. Angle went for the Angleslam but Sting turned it into an armdrag. Sting nailed a powerbomb for a two count.
Angle came back with several German suplexes. Sting finally reversed with a Scorpion Death Drop for a two count. Angle came back for a clothesline but Sting ducked and Jarrett got nailed. Sting locked in the Scorpion Death Lock. Angle began tapping but Mick Foley was checking on the fallen Jarrett. Sting turned his attention to Jarrett but Angle nailed the Angleslam. Foley counted two but Sting got his shoulder up.
Angle and Foley had words and Angle nailed him low. Angle retrieved a chair but Foley got it. He went to hit Angle but Angle ducked. Sting got nailed. Angle made the cover. Jarrett began counting but Sting kicked up at the last second. Don West complained it was a slow count. Angle and Jarrett had words. Jarrett decked Angle, who fell into the Death Drop and was pinned.
Your winner and still TNA champion, Sting!
After the match, Foley and Sting had words but nothing that would make you think that's a direction the company is building. Kurt Angle followed Jeff Jarrett up the aisle yelling at him and blaming him for the loss.
Show ended with Sting holding the World title above his head.
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