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1978 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran the Greensboro Coliseum, featuring the following results:

-Ted Oates defeated Charlie Fulton.
-Don Kernodle defeated Steve Muslin.
-Swede Hanson defeated Hartford Love.
-Johnny Weaver & Jay Youngblood defeated Mr. X #1 & Mr. X #2.
-Tony Atlas defeated Ciclon Negro.
-Ricky Steamboat & Blackjack Mulligan defeated the Masked Superstar & Baron Von Raschke in a Texas Death Match.
-Wahoo McDaniel fought Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion Ken Patera to a double disqualification.

1979 - Ashura Hara defeats Miles Zrno in Tokyo, Japan to win the World Wrestling Union World Junior Heavyweight Title.

1980 - Masa Saito defeats Steve Keirn for the NWA Florida Television Title in Tampa, Florida.

1982 - Black Tiger (Marc Rocco) defeats Gran Hamada for the WWF Junior Heavyweight Title in Fukuoka, Japan. The title had been vacated in April by The Dynamite Kid due to injury.

1982 - Joyce Grable and Wendi Richter defeat Princess Victoria and Sabrina to win their second NWA Women's World Tag Team Title in Kansas City, Missouri.

1982 - King Kamaka and Baron Von Krupp defeat Mark Lewin and Steve Rickard for the NWA Australasian Tag Team Title in Auckland, New Zealand.

 

1983 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Charleston, SC, headlined by NWA World Tag Team Champions Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood defeating NWA U.S. Champion Greg Valentine & Dick Slater in the main event.

1984 - The first-annual Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions was held by World Class Championship Wrestling at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. 32,123 fans attended the show, held in honor of the recently deceased David Von Erich, who died on February 10 in Japan. The results were:
- Johnny Mantell and Kelly Kiniski fought to a draw.
- Chris Adams and Sunshine defeated Jimmy Garvin and Precious, when Adams pinned Garvin.
- Butch Reed defeated Chick Donovan.
- Kamala and The Great Kabuki fought to a double-disqualification.
- The Junkyard Dog defeated The Missing Link by disqualification.
- Rock 'n' Soul (King Parsons and Buck Zumhofe) defeated WCCW American Tag Team Champioons The Super Destoyers (I and II (Bill and Scott Irwin)), when Parsons pinned Super Destoyer I, to win the title, ending the Super Destroyers' second reign.
- Fritz, Kevin and Mike Von Erich defeated WCCW Six-Man Tag Team Champions The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes and Buddy Roberts), when Kevin pinned Roberts, to win the title. Kerry later replaced the retired Fritz in the championship team.
- Kerry Von Erich defeated NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair to win the title.

1984 - King Kong Bundy and The Masked Superstar defeat The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) to win the NWA National Tag Team Title in Atlanta, Georgia, ending the Road Warriors' second reign.

1984 - Crusher Lisowski and Baron Von Raschke defeat The Sheiks (Jerry Blackwell and Ken Patera) for the AWA World Tag Team Title in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

1984 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran three live events in one day-

 

Savannah, GA matinee at the Civic Center, featuring the following results:

-Ben Alexander defeated Gary Quartenelli.
-Mark Fleming defeated Chuck Marbary.
-Jeff Sword defeated Gene Ligon.
-Johnny Weaver & Larry Hamilton defeated Kurt Von Hess & Bobby Bass.
-Pez Whatley defeated NWA TV Champion Tully Blanchard in a non-title bout.
-Ernie Ladd defeated Rufus R. Jones.
-Jimmy Valiant defeated Adrian Street.

 

Asheville, NC matinee, featuring the following results:
-Vinnie Valentino defeated Doug Vines.
-Sam Houston defeated Ali Bey.
-Jesse Barr defeated Bob Orton Jr..
-Ivan Koloff & Don Kernodle defeated Angelo Mosca Sr. & Jr.
-Dick Slater defeated Brian Adidas.
-NWA World Tag Team Champions Wahoo McDaniel & Mark Youngblood defeated Jack & Jerry Brisco.

 

Charlotte, NC evening, featuring the following:
*Sam Houston defeated Barry O.
*Doug Vines defeated Barry Hart.
*Keith Larson defeated Gary Royal.
*Adrian Street defeated Brian Adidas.
*Jim Valiant defeated Tully Blanchard.
*Angelo Mosca Jr. defeated Ivan Koloff.
*NWA US Champion Ricky Steamboat defeated Dick Slater.
*NWA Tag Team Champions Wahoo McDaniel & Mark Youngblood defeated Jack & Jerry Brisco.

 

1987 - Championship Wrestling from Florida, which at this point was being run by Jim Crockett Promotions,  ran Miami, Florida, featuring:
-Tracy Smothers & Steve Armstrong defeated Bill & Randy Mulkey.
-Jerry Gray defeated Jim Backlund.
-Ed Gantner defeated Ron Bass.
-Jimmy Valiant defeated Colt Steele.
-Ron Simmons defeated Shaska Whtley.
-Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated the MOD Squad via disqualification.
-Dusty Rhodes & Mike Rotundo defeated Kevin Sullivan & Teijo Khan.
-NWA World Champion Ric Flair defeated Jimmy Garvin via disqualification.

 

1988 - Makhan Singh defeats Owen Hart to win the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title in Calgary, Alberta, ending Hart's second reign and beginning Singh's third reign.

1989 - Chigusa Nagayo retires from the ring, as she had reached age 26, the mandatory retirement age for female wrestlers in Japan at the time. At her retirement, she was one-half of the WWWA World Tag Team Champions with Lioness Asuka as The Crush Gals, as well as IWA Women's World and All Pacific Champion. She wrestled her last two matches, at least at the time, that night at AJW's Wrestlemarinpiad event in Yokohama, Japan. The Crush Gals successfully defended the WWWA World Tag Team Title against Akira Hokuto and Mitsuko Nishikawa. Immediately following that match, Asuka defeated Nagayo in her retirement match.
Nagayo returned to competition a few years later, after that retirement rule was waived.

1990 - Matt Derringer defeats The Lightning Kid (Sean Waltman) for the Pro Wrestling America Light Heavyweight Title in Barron, Wisconsin, beginning his second reign.

1991 - WCW ran Johnson City, TN, headlined by WCW World Champion Ric Flair, WCW TV Champion Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, & the One Man Gang fighting El Gigante, Brian Pillman, PN News, & Tommy Rich to a double disqualification.

 

1993 - UWFI ran Tokyo at Budokan Hall, drawing 16,500 for an event headlined by Nobuhiko Takada defeating Dan Severn.  WCW World Champion Big Van Vader defeated Tatsuo Nakano via KO at 3:35 after a punch and uranage; Vader was referred to as Super Vader in ring introductions.  Others on the undercard included Gary Albright, Bad News Allen and Tom Burton.

1993 - WCW ran Terre Haute, Indiana at South High School before 300 fans, with:

-Robbie V (Rob Van Dam) defeated Rip Rogers.
-Chris Benoit defeated Steve Regal.
-Maxx Payne defeated Rip Morgan.
-Marcus Alexander Bagwell defeated Wrecking Crew Rage.
-Erik Watts defeated WCW TV Champion Paul Orndorff via disqualification.
-Sting & Ricky Steamboat, & 2 Cold Scorpio defeated Rick Rude & Unified WCW and NWA World Tag Team Champions The Hollywood Blondes in an elimination match at 18:53; Austin pinned Scorpio at 14:10 by grabbing the bottom rope for leverage after Pillman grabbed Scorpio's leg as he attempted to suplex Austin into the ring; Sting pinned Austin with a roll up at 14:20; Steamboat and Rude were both counted-out at 17:45; Sting pinned Pillman with a roll up after accidentally landing a headbutt to the groin.

-WCW U.S. champion Dustin Rhodes defeated NWA World Champion Barry Windham via disqualification when Windham hit Rhodes with his boot; after the bout, Rhodes cleared Windham from the ring

1994 - Jack Steel defeats Scott D'Amore to win the Border City Wrestling Can-Am Heavyweight Title in North Bay, Ontario.

1994 - The Mongolian Stomper defeats Mike Samson for the Southern States Wrestling Heavyweight Title in Fall Branch, Tennessee.

 

1995 - Extreme Championship Wrestling ran Tampa, Florida at the Expo Park, drawing 735 fans, with the following results:
-Joe Malenko defeated Miguel San Juan.
-Death Row 3260 & Stevie Richards defeated Phi Delta Slam.
-The Tazmaniac defeated the Evil Snake.
-Ron Simmons pinned Marty Jannetty.
-Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko defeated Mikey Whipwreck & Norman Smiley.
-Axl Rotten defeated Ian Rotten in a death match.
-Raven pinned Tommy Dreamer.
-ECW World Champion the Sandman pinned Cactus Jack; Shane Douglas was the guest referee for the bout.

-ECW World Tag Team Champions the Public Enemy defeated the Pitbulls in a dog collar match.

 

1996 - WCW broadcast Monday Nitro from Daytona Beach, FL at The Ocean Center.  The broadcast opened with a graphic noting the recent death of Ray Stevens and that donations could be made in his memory to the Cauliflower Alley Club.

 

-Hugh Morrus defeated Randy Savage via disqualification at around the 5-minute mark after Savage used his ring jacket to hang Morrus over the top rope; moments later, Savage hit the flying elbowsmash on Morrus; the referee then shoved Savage and raised Morrus's hand in victory, with Savage then slapping the referee and throwing Morrus to the floor; referee Nick Patrick then ran out, with Patrick trying to prevent Savage from a further assault but Savage hit the flying elbowsmash on the initial referee anyway; several more referees then arrived ringside flanked by half a dozen armed law enforcement officers; the referee was then tended to in the ring while Savage was escorted backstage.

 

-Dean Malenko pinned Jushin Liger (w/ Sonny Onoo) at around the 8:50 mark with a double underhook into a sit-down powerbomb; prior to the bout, it was noted Shinjiro Ohtani was the new WCW Cruiserweight Champion, would debut on WCW TV with the title during the weekend of May 18, and would defend the belt as part of Slamboree; during the bout, it was announced Randy Savage had been ejected from the building by police; moments later, Ric Flair, wearing a tuxedo, Elizabeth, & Woman appeared and took their seat at the Horsemen's VIP table near the entrance stage.

 

--WCW World Tag Team Champion Sting pinned Lord Steven Regal (w/ Jeeves) at 6:13 when Sting reversed a butterfly suplex into a backdrop and bridge; Regal had tape above his eye and around his right thigh following the parking lot brawl shown the previous week against Fit Finlay; during the bout, it was noted.

 

-WCW World TV Champion & WCW World Tag Team Champion Lex Luger still had not arrived to the arena for his match against WCW World Champion the Giant and that Finlay, who Regal was to team with at Slamboree, was out injured and would be replaced by Dave Taylor.

 

-WCW World Champion the Giant (w/ Jimmy Hart) pinned Jim Duggan (sub. for WCW TV Champion & WCW Tag Team Champion Lex Luger, who had not arrived to the arena) at 3:16 with the chokeslam as Duggan attempted to tape his fist; after the bout, Giant hit the move a second time; after the bout, Cobra, David Sierra, and Alex Wright attempted to make the save but all sustained chokeslams; Ric Flair then came out and smashed a chair over the champion but the Giant was unaffected by it; moments later, Sting ran out, attacked Giant's leg, and eventually knocked him to the mat with a double axe handle off the top; after Flair left ringside, Sting put Giant in the Scorpion Deathlock only for Hart to hit Sting with the megaphone; Luger then ran out with his bag and cleared the ring; moments later, Gene Okerlund conducted an in-ring interview with Sting & Luger, with Sting questioning where Luger was since all the chaos was his doing for not being in the building for his match; Luger then asked Sting if he had ever missed a flight in all his years of wrestling, with the show then coming to a close.

 

1996 - Dick Togo defeats Danny Collins in Nakayama, Japan to win the British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Title.

 

1998 - WCW ran Des Moines, Iowa, headlined by Sting defeating Scott Hall and Lex Luger defeating Scott Norton on top.  WCW United States champion Goldberg pinned Perry Saturn underneath.

1999 - Frenchy Riviera defeats Silky Boom Boom for the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title in Loganville, Georgia.

2000 - The WWF held the first of four annual Insurrextion pay-per-view events, which aired exclusively in the United Kingdom, at Earls Court in London, England. The results were:
- Too Cool (Grandmaster Sexay and Scotty 2 Hotty) defeated The Radicalz (Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn), when Sexay pinned Saturn after the Hip Hop Drop.
- Kane (with Paul Bearer) pinned Bull Buchanan after a chokeslam.
- Road Dogg (with Tori) pinned Bradshaw (with Faarooq) after a pumphandle slam.
- The Kat (with Mae Young) defeated Terri Runnels (with The Fabulous Moolah) in an arm wrestling match.
- The Big Show and Rikishi defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von), when Big Show pinned Bubba Ray after a chokeslam.
- Kurt Angle pinned Chris Benoit after an Angle Slam.
- The British Bulldog pinned WWF Hardcore Champion Crash Holly after a powerslam on a chair to win the title.
- The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Edge and Christian by disqualification, when Edge hit Matt with the ring bell. Edge and Christian retained the title.
- WWF European Champion Eddie Guerrero (with Chyna) pinned Chris Jericho, after hitting him with his title belt while the referee was distracted, to retain the title.
- WWF Champion The Rock defeated Shane McMahon (with Vince McMahon) and Triple H (with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley) in a Triple Threat match, by pinning Shane after the People's Elbow, to retain the title.

2000 - Shane Black defeats Zero Gravity to win the World Xtreme Wrestling Cruiserweight Title in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. This began Black's fourth reign and ended Zero Gravity's second reign.

2000 - Boyce LeGrand and Robert Thompson defeat Frank and Vic Murdoch for the All-Pro Wrestling Tag Team Title in Pacifica, California.

2001 - Steve King defeats Jason Rumble in Melrose, Massachusetts to win the NWA New England Heavyweight Title.

2001 - The Bloody and Fang Suzuki defeat The Masked Angels (Fleia and Rosetta) for the TWF World Women's Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.

2002 - WWE held a live RAW at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut, which got a 4.6 rating on TNN. The results were:
- WWE Women's Champion Jazz (with WWF Hardcore Champion Steven Richards) pinned Trish Stratus in a no-disqualification match, after Richards hit Stratus with the Steven Kick, to retain the title. After the match, Bubba Ray Dudley brought a referee to the ring to go after Richards' title.
- Bubba Ray Dudley pinned WWE Hardcore Champion Steven Richards after the Bubba Bomb to win the title, beginning Bubba Ray's 10th reign and ending Richards' seventh.
- Raven pinned WWE Hardcore Champion Bubba Ray Dudley, after hitting Bubba with a trash can lid and hitting the Evenflow DDT, to win the title, and begin his 17th reign.
- Justin Credible pinned WWE Hardcore Champion Raven after a superkick to win the title, beginning his second reign.
- Crash Holly pinned WWE Hardcore Champion Justin Credible after a missile dropkick to win the title, his 18th.
- Trish Stratus pinned WWE Hardcore Champion Crash Holly, after Bubba Ray Dudley hit Crash with a trash can, to win the title.
- Steven Richards pinned WWE Hardcore Champion Trish Stratus to win the title, after Jazz sprayed Bubba Ray in the face with a fire extinguisher and Bubba Ray put Trish through a table in the ring, thinking he was doing this to Jazz because he was blinded. This began Richards' eighth reign. Bubba Ray carried Trish backstage after the match.
- William Regal defeated WWE European Champion Spike Dudley by submission with a half-crab to win the title, beginning his fourth reign.
- Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) pinned Shawn Stasiak after the F5.
- Jeff Hardy and Rob Van Dam besiegen Booker T and WWE Intercontinental Champion Eddie Guerrero, when RVD pinned Guerrero after Hardy hit a Swanton and RVD hit a Five-Star Frog Splash.
- Steve Austin, Bradshaw and Ric Flair fought The nWo (The Big Show, Scott Hall and X-Pac) to a no-contest.

2003 - All Star Wrestling held an eight-man tournament for the vacant World Heavy-Middleweight Title in Croydon, England at Fairfield Halls. The results were:
Quarterfinals:
- Five-Star Flash defeated Mal Sanders.
- Bryan Danielson defeated Santino Herbert.
- Robbie Dynamite defeated Murat Bosporus.
- James Mason defeated Steve Grey.
Semifinals:
- Bryan Danielson defeated Robbie Dynamite.
- James Mason defeated Five-Star Flash
Non-tournament match:
- PN Newz defeated Ricky Knight and Zebra Kid in a handicap match.
Finals:
- Bryan Danielson defeated James Mason to win the vacant World Heavy-Middleweight Title.

2004 - Paul Gomez, better known as Pepper Gomez, dies from kidney failure at age 77.

2006 - Alex Shelley defeats Acid Jazz, champion Jaysin Strife and Brandon Thomaselli in a four-way match in Streamwood, Illinois for the NWA Midwest X Division Title.

2006 - The Turbanators (Jaheed and Johad) defeated The Hillbillies (Bucky and Cletis) to win the NWA Blue Ridge Tag Team Title in Grundy, Virginia. The Night Prowlers (Mad Dog and Pit Bull) had been stripped of the title due to injury.

2006 - The Beastie Boyz (Ape Atomica and Lupo) defeat La Lesione Straniera (Drago and Manuel Majoli) for the Italian Championship Wrestling Italian Tag Team Title in Lecce, Italy. At the same show, Kaio defeats Chris the Bambikiller to win the ICW Italian Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign.

2006 - Johnny Lightning defeats champion El Fandango and J.T. Hogg in a three-way match in Parkersburg, West Virginia to win the NWA Tri-State X Division Title.

2007 - MIYAWAKI and YOSHIYA defeat Yuji Hino and Saburo Inamatsu to win the Kaientai Dojo Strongest-K Tag Team Title in Chiba, Japan.

2007 - Lupo defeats Kobra for the ICW Interregional Heavyweight Title in Crema, Italy.

 

2008 - WWE announced that Wrestlemania 24, featuring Ric Flair's retirement match against Shawn Michaels, pulled in 1,058,000 buys for the company, bringing in $23.8 million dollars in revenue with an average North American price of $54.95.

 

2008 - ECW on Sci Fi broadcast it's 100th episode.  Buck Woodward filed the following TV Report:

 

ECW for May 6th opened with a package of highlights and clips from the past 99 episodes as this is the 100th episode of ECW on Sci Fi.  The show opening then aired, and we went to the arena, where Tazz welcomed us to the show.  Mike Adamle was then introduced as "the new voice of ECW" and Adamle walked out to a chorus of boos.  Tazz said that Mike walked off commentary last week with no explanation, and Tazz said that he walked off "in support" of Adamle. He said Adamle would now give his side of the story.

 

Adamle came out to boos, and said that he "lost his cool" last week and he needs to apologize.  Adamle apologized to Tazz for "leaving him in a lurch", then apologized to the fans.  Adamle said he was a broadcaster longer than most of the fans were alive.  Adamle ran down his history as a NFL player, then announcer, and mentioned (to boos) his gig as a host of American Gladiators.  Adamle said he had no idea how hard this job would be.  He said he loved WWE, and he "loved working for the ECW".  Adamle said he would work as hard as he could to bring them the product they deserve.  Adamle said we could "despise him" if we want, but told us to enjoy the 100th episode of ECW and "thanks for listening".

 

Tommy Dreamer vs. Mike Knox - Extreme Rules

 

Dreamer came out with a cart of weapons, wearing a Toronto Blue Jays jersey (we're in Canada).  Stevie Richards jointed the announcers for this match.  It was noted that Richards wrestled in the very first ECW match ever, back in 1992.   Dreamer and Knox locked up, with Knox taking Dreamer down, but missing an elbowdrop.  Dreamer clotheslined Knox to the floor and rammed him into the ring steps.  Dreamer went for the cart of weapons, but Knox nailed him with a clothesline.  Knox pulled out a cookie sheet and bent it over Dreamer's back.  Knox put Dreamer back in the ring and hit a vertical suplex for a one count.  Knox straddled Dreamer against the middle rope.  Knox went to the floor and got a garbage can and a hockey stick, but Dreamer used a baseball slide to knock the can into Knox. 

 

Dreamer hit Knox with the hockey stick.  Back in the ring, Dreamer hit Knox with a Singapore Cane and a boating oar.  There was a slight "ECW" chant.  Dreamer put the shopping cart in the ring and set up for a DDT, but Knox blocked it and slammed Dreamer on the cart.  Knox then went to the top rope, but Dreamer crotched him and hung him in the Tree Of Woe.  Dreamer hit Knox with the Singapore Cane.  Dreamer piled a garbage can, then the shopping cart, in front of Knox in the Tree Of Woe.  Dreamer then dropkicked the cart/can into Knox.  Dreamer went under the ring and pulled out a table. Dreamer propped the table against the middle turnbuckle in a corner.  Dreamer went for a bulldog into the table, but Knox blocked it and gave Dreamer a back suplex through the table.  Knox covered, but got a two count.  Knox went to ringside and got a chair.  When Knox got in the ring, Dreamer sort of dodged the chair shot and kicked it at Knox.  Dreamer hit Knox with the chair, then set up for a DDT on it.  Knox blocked it and hit the corkscrew faceplant (Adamle called it the "Knoxout") into the chair for the pin at the eight minute mark. 

 

Winner: Mike Knox.

 

We had a flashback to the 1st episode of ECW, where the Zombie debuted, only to be caned by the Sandman.

 

Kelly Kelly danced, in the long-awaited return of "Kelly's Expose".  Kelly was dancing, then Layla came in and started dancing.  Kelly shoved her and started dancing again.  Apparently we are having some sort of dance battle.  They took turns shoving each other, then dancing, until finally Kelly slapped Layla and the two had a catfight.  Referees came out to break it up. 

 

They showed clips of the Hardcore Holly vs. Rob Van Dam match on September 26, 2006, which resulted in Holly getting 17 stitches to close a gash in his back.

 

We had  flashback to the June 26, 2007 episode, where Roddy Piper rammed a birthday cake into Matt Striker's face, followed by the Boogeyman giving him the worm treatment.

 

Back to the present, they showed a clip of last week's Chuck Palumbo vs. CM Punk match, where Palumbo was disqualified for ignoring the referee, and then laid out Punk after the match.  Lena Yada interviewed Palumbo, who said he would knock out Punk if he got in his face again.

 

Shelton Benjamin came out to join the announcers for the next match.

 

Kofi Kingston vs. Matt Striker

 

Mike Adamle, noting Benjamin's two losses to Kingston, asked if he could beat him.  Benjamin said "Asking if I can beat him is like asking if you can stay out here for a whole broadcast.  Of course I can."  Striker hit a right hand at the start, then delivered a backdrop driver.  Kofi hit an upkick from the mat, then ducked a clothesline and landed a dropkick.  Kofi hit a double legdrop and got a two count.  Striker nailed Kofi with a right hand.  Striker tried to throw Kofi through the ropes, but Kofi bounced off the ropes and hit the Trouble In Paradise kick for the pin in about a minute.

 

Winner: Kofi Kingston.

 

Shelton Benjamin, who had been saying on commentary that Kofi is an incredible athlete and praising him for his two wins, ran into the ring and gave Kofi a jumping faceplant, leaving him laying in the ring.

 

Backstage, Colin Delaney was heading for the ring.  CM Punk led a group of wrestlers and backstage staff in clapping for him, telling Delaney it would be a "piece of cake".

 

They showed clips of the April 3, 2007 Extreme Rules match between the ECW Originals and The New Breed, which ended with Elijah Burke pinning Sabu after an Elijah Express through a table.

 

Colin Delaney vs. Armando Estrada.  If Delaney wins, he receives an ECW contract.

 

The announcers were impressed that Armando, not wearing a shirt, had a cut-up physique.  Adamle said Armando was a former heavyweight champion in Cuba.  Colin went for a cradle at the start, but Armando kicked out and hit a clothesline.  Armando yelled at Colin and slapped him, saying "You want a contract, you stupid punk?  I'm the boss!"  Armando chopped Colin, then hit a hip toss for a two count.  Armando put Colin in an overhead armbar.  Colin punched out of it, but Armando yanked Colin down by the hair.  Armando missed an avalanche in the corner, and Colin hit a series of punches.  Armando tried to avoid a dropkick, but Colin stopped himself, then launched into the drop kick and hit him.  Armando yanked Colin to the apron, then picked him up and bent him over the top rope to pound him in the chest.  Colin, from the apron, slid under Armando's legs and pulled Armando into a sunset flip for the three count at the two minute mark.

 

Winner: Colin Delaney.

 

Colin Delaney ran around the ring in celebration.  Tazz stopped him for comment.  Colin said all the week's of beatings was worth it.  Colin thanked the fans for supporting him, Tommy Dreamer for being his mentor, and thanked everyone who doubted him for giving him the drive to keep coming back out.  Colin thanked Tazz and ran off shaking hands with the fans.

 

The Smackdown Rebound, showing Undertaker being stripped of the World Heavyweight Title, was shown.

 

Miz & John Morrison joined the announcers, applauding Mike Adamle for getting their names correct. They gave Tazz a "Chick Magnet" shirt, then told Adamle they didn't have "kid sizes" for him.

 

Chavo Guerrero & Bam Neely vs. CM Punk & Kane.

 

Miz & Morrison joked about whether Chavo and Bam had recovered from their Cinco De Mayo celebration last night. Bam has wrestling gear on this week.  Kane and Bam started off, with Bam going for a leg while Kane pounded Bam.  Bam started to kick at Kane's leg, but Kane hit some punches and a clothesline.  Kane slammed Bam as Punk tagged in, and Punk hit a slingshot backsplash on Bam.  Punk hit some forearms, but Bam hit a shoulder block and tagged Chavo. Bam slammed Punk, and Chavo went for a slingshot splash, but Punk got his knees up.  Punk hit a vertical suplex, but Chavo hit an uppercut.  Miz asked Adamle if he knew how to call an uppercut.  Tazz helped him.  Punk knocked Bam off the ring apron, then tossed a charging Chavo out of the ring, but Bam caught him as they went to break.

 

Back from the commercial, Punk was kicking Bam, then put him in an armbar.  Bam reversed a whip and sent Punk into a corner.  Miz and Morrison were ripping into Adamle.  Chavo tagged in and hit Punk with an uppercut for a two count. Chavo hit some right hands, but Punk returned fire.  Chavo tripped Punk and hit a somersault splash for a two count, then put him in a crossface chicken wing variation.  Punk tried to fight out of it, but Chavo shoved Punk to the mat.  Bam tagged in and stomped Punk.  Bam hit a back suplex on Punk.  "The Tazz" and "The Miz" were joking around about their "the" status.  Chavo tagged in and gave Punk a backdrop driver for a two count.  Chavo and Bam worked over Punk in their corner, keeping him away from Kane.

 

Punk finally mounted a comeback and hit Bam with a springboard clothesline after a forearm from the apron.  Punk tagged Kane as Bam tagged Chavo.  Kane rammed Chavo in a corner and pummeled him.  Kane hit a kick to the face, then backdropped him.  Kane hit a clothesline in the corner, then a second.  Kane hit a sideslam, then called for the chokeslam.  Kane punched Bam off the apron, then threw Chavo over the top rope.  Chavo caught himself and rolled back into the ring from the apron.  Kane hit a top rope clothesline, then got up, favoring his knee.  Kane tagged Punk, who gave Chavo a lariat, then some knees.  Chavo tried a waistlock, but Punk reversed and hit a jumping knee in the corner. Punk went for a bulldog, but Chavo shoved it off.  Punk hit Chavo with an enzugiri.  Bam ran in to break up the cover.  Kane kicked Bam out of the ring.  Chavo went for Kane's knee, but Kane clipped him with a punch. Punk hit the GTS for the pin at the fourteen minute mark.

 

Winners: Kane & CM Punk.

 

Morrison commented that Kane & Punk have weaknesses that can be exploited.  Miz & Morrison stood up, holding up their WWE Tag Team Championship belts.  In the ring, Kane and CM Punk stared them down, holding up the ECW Title and the Money In The Bank briefcase, as the show ended.

 

2008 - WWE held a conference call for their stockholders, discussing their quarterly filings.  Buck Woodward covered the call and filed the following report:

 

WWE held a conference call today to discuss the first quarter earnings release which was sent out earlier today.  Click here to check out the numbers.  Taking part in the call were WWE Chief Executive Officer Linda McMahon, Chief Operating Officer Michael Sileck and Chief Financial Officer George Barrios. Here is a recap of the conference call.

 

Linda read a prepared statement, putting over the numbers for the quarter and the success of Wrestlemania, noting it was the highest grossing live event in WWE history. She noted that Smackdown would be switching to MyNetwork TV this Fall, saying it was a "better fit" for WWE and would provide "better financial returns over the long haul".  Linda also mentioned the upcoming toy deal with Mattel, and put over the introduction of the kid's magazine, saying it was important to reach fans at a young age.  She also praised new CFO George Barrios, who replaced Frank Serpe, who retired after over 20 years with the company.

 

Michael Sileck read a statement, noting WWE's success in a down economic time.  Sileck noted the increase in PPV buys for No Way Out and Royal Rumble this year versus last, noting that "streamlining" their PPV schedule (in other words, dumping New Year's Revolution and December To Dismember) has helped the buys of the remaining events.  Sileck noted their continued international growth, in particular their successful live events in Latin America and increased television ratings and licensing deals in Spain. He talked about losing some ground on the web (WWE.com traffic dropped this quarter), and that they are refocusing their efforts when it comes to their online output.

 

George Barrios then reviewed the financial numbers, which you can check out at the link above. It should be noted that Wrestlemania was part of the first quarter in 2008, while it was included in the second quarter last year, so it is a no brainer that revenue would be much higher for the first quarter this year versus last year. Having Wrestlemania and the Royal Rumble in the same quarter made it, on paper, an incredibly successful quarter for the company.  Barrios noted that taking Wrestlemania out of the mix, domestic live attendance was down in this quarter while revenue was "essentially flat" in that area. 

 

A brief Q&A session was then held with investors.  Some highlights from this session:

 

- Regarding "slippage" in TV ratings, it was glossed over as being the "ebbs and flows" of television viewer ship, and that USA Network was thrilled with what WWE is giving them.  Sileck noted that Vince McMahon was happy with the creative direction and talent roster.

 

- They stated that a third of the PPV buys for Wrestlemania came internationally, and that was on par with last year. Over time, they are hopeful to raise PPV prices in international markets.

 

- Michael Sileck in saying that Wrestlemania cost more in talent fees this year, stated, point blank "We did not pay Floyd Mayweather $20 million, as reported".  He didn't say the exact amount Floyd got (or is getting, if he gets a piece of the DVD sales).  Sileck noted some of the increased costs for Wrestlemania this year, including the production for the outdoor event and the increased advertising. 

 

- Linda heavily praised Mattel as WWE's new toy partner, noting WWE is providing them a clear "boy's toy" to push.

 

- As always, the JAKKS-Pacific lawsuit was described as "slowly" moving along.

 

- Regarding the 9% drop in domestic live attendance in the quarter (minus Wrestlemania), it was explained as being a result of the routing for their tours, and that they expect that over the course of the year, live attendance will be higher.

 

- Regarding the 6% drop in web traffic and resulting drop in e-commerce, Sileck stated that they making changes to WWE.com and are targeting "lesser known wrestling sites that are existing on our back and divert those users back to WWE.com".  He put over the WWE Fan Nation site, and said they have implemented a new method of uploading photos on the site.  No mention of the "Industry News" section.

 

- They are doing 80 International events this year, as opposed to 75 last year.  They are looking into doing a tour of China next year, noting they wanted to get past the Olympics before running there.

 

- Regarding DVD sales, they noted that they have Wrestlemania, a Rock collection and a Ric Flair collection coming out that they expect all to be big sellers.  As always, they expect the fourth quarter of the year, with holiday sales, to be their big money quarter for DVDs.

 

It should be noted that Linda McMahon didn't field the questions as much as normal, with Sileck handling the majority of responses.  Shockingly, there was no mention made of WWE's achievement of getting all three popular presidential candidates to appear on their programming recently.  Less shocking, there was no mention made of the Wellness Policy, the Jeff Hardy suspension, what Floyd Mayweather really got for Wrestlemania, or the Ashley Massaro situation. 

 

2009 -  WWE videogame licensee THQ announced they were developing "WWE Online" as an online gaming property for the Asian market.  THQ would later abandon the project.

 

2009 - Rob Van Dam and Batista were in Louisiana filming the independent action film "The Wrong Side of Town." 

2010 - New York Giants legend and Wrestlemania 11 headliner Lawrence Taylor was arrested and charged with rape, according to CBS 2 News in New York City.  Taylor later plead guilty to several lesser charges, admitting he had sexual relations with an underage runaway prostitute.  In 1995, Taylor did a series of angles for the then-WWF, culminating in a win against Bam Bam Bigelow at Mania 11 in Hartford, CT. While there were plans discussed for Bigelow and Taylor to team later that year after a Bigelow babyface turn, it never panned out.

 

2010 - Vince McMahon held a conference call with stockholders to discuss WWE's most recent quarterly filings.  Buck Woodward filed the following report:

 

WWE held an investor conference call today to discuss the first quarter numbers which were released this morning.  You can read the numbers at this link.  Participating in the call were Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Vince McMahon, Chief Financial Officer George Barrios and Chief Operating Officer Donna Goldsmith.

 

Vince McMahon started the call with a statement, putting over their profit margin for the quarter as one of the highest in company history.  Regarding the drop in Wrestlemania buys, Vince said it was felt this was due in part to "communal viewing" and people watching Wrestlemania in a group, like the Superbowl.  He also stated that perhaps the show "wasn't exactly what everyone wanted to see" but that the brand remains strong.  Vince praised the upcoming move of Smackdown to SyFy, and put over their international business growth.  Vince said they were "very happy" about the kickoff of their new toy line with Mattel.  Vince actually said "Michelle" instead of Mattel, then joked "This is too early for me."

 

George Barrios then reviewed the financial numbers, which you can check out at the link above. He stressed that live attendance was up, and the continued good returns from their international business.  Barrios noted that Mexico is now WWE's second biggest international PPV market, trailing only the UK.  He remarked that the move of Smackdown to SyFy will be "a very positive development" for WWE. 

 

A Q&A was then held.  Some highlights:

 

- When asked about Wrestlemania losing buys versus last year, Vince said he felt that last year being promoted as the "25th anniversary" of Wrestlemania helped that buyrate, since it created a nostalgia factor.   He noted that Wrestlemania contributed greatly to their profit for the quarter, but it wasn't what they had hoped for. 

 

Vince said that "the content business is one in which we are successful most of the time.  I'm not saying this was a failure, but it didn't measure up to what we had hoped in terms of budget" and noted it was down 12 percent versus last year.   He stated "it was a good attraction, not a great attraction and sometimes you just don't give them great attractions all the time.  It's the creative process, and that's the process we're in."

 

- Vince felt that Phoenix "out performed" what they expected as host of Wrestlemania, and that those involved in that end of the situation should be applauded.

 

- Vince said he would not use the "economy" as an excuse for everything negative, stating too many blame the economy.  Vince said "we're strong, we're not superlative at the moment" and talked about how when he used to just promote live events and they didn't draw, wrestlers would come up with excuses for it, except Bobo Brazil who did not believe in excuses.  Brazil who would simply point out that they didn't draw well that night and it couldn't be blamed on "the all night gas station" or anything else people might have gone to instead of the show that night.

 

- Barrios and Goldsmith commented on the number of live events and PPV events, saying they were constantly reviewing how often they visit certain areas and how many PPV events they put on.  They noted they have decreased the number of PPV events this year compared to last year.

 

- There was a discussion of upcoming WWE Studios releases, and it was noted that unlike past films that cost in the $20 million range, then budgets for the current projects are in the $5 million range.

 

- The decrease in video game sales this quarter was attributed to the changeover in game platforms, with many companies introducing new systems and WWE's titles being for the now "old" systems.

 

- It was pointed out that two our of seven WWE PPVevents have seen a buyrate decrease, and in both of those cases, there was another major PPV event that weekend.  Vince was asked if having that competition hurt the events, and whether WWE was going to avoid those situations going forward.  Vince said that "We're not sure if it has or not, you're talking about two relatively different audiences, completely.  The UFC audience, which I guess is what you are referring to, is more of a boxing audience than an entertainment thing, like we are.  Nonetheless, there has been some of that (where there has been a UFC the night before a WWE event), but from a scheduling standpoint, we can't control that. Going forward, I don't see any on the schedule at the moment."

 

- The model for the WWE cable channel is set, and they are now "knocking on doors" and seeing if cable providers are receptive to carrying it.

Thanks to www.thehistoryofwwe.com for their assistance with archival results.

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