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June 15th
On this day in history in ....
1961 - Scott Norton is born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Brad Armstrong is born in Marietta, Georgia.
1962 - Sailor Art Thomas defeats The Mummy for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title in Houston, Texas.
1971 - Chuck Palumbo is born in Providence, Rhode Island.
1979 - Seiji Sakaguchi and Riki Choshu defeat Hiro Matsuda and Masa Saito in Los Angeles, California for the NWA North American Tag Team Title.
1979 - The Blond Bombers (Larry Latham and Wayne Farris) defeat Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee to win the AWA Southern Tag Team Title in Tupelo, Mississippi, ending Lawler and Dundee's third reign.
1980 - Sangre Chicana defeats Cachorro Mendoza for the NWA World Middleweight Title in Monterrey, Mexico.
1982 - One day after losing the World Class American Title to Fritz Von Erich in Fritz' retirement match, King Kong Bundy is awarded the title due to Fritz vacating it. This was Fritz' 15th and final reign.
1986 - Rufus R. Jones and Mike George defeat Hacksaw Higgins and J.R . Hogg in Sedalia, Missouri, to win the NWA Central States Tag Team Title.
1990 - John Tatum defeats Bill Dundee for the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Dallas, Texas, ending Dundee's second reign and beginning Tatum's second.
1992 - Eddie Gilbert defeats Jerry Lawler for the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Lawler's 12th reign with the gold.
1996 - Dick Murdoch dies from a heart attack at age 49.
1996 - Brickhouse Brown defeats Bart Sawyer for the vacant USWA Television Title in Memphis, Tennessee.
1997 - WCW held their Great American Bash Pay-per-view in Moline, Illinois, earning a 0.60 buyrate. Here are the results:
- Ultimo Dragon defeated Psicosis via submission with the Dragon Sleeper after Psicosis accidentally kicked his manager, Sonny Ono, who was holding Dragon for the kick.
- Harlem Heat defeated Rick & Scott Steiner via disqualification when Vincent ran in and elbowdropped Booker T. This was done because the Outsiders wanted the Steiners to lose, and not be in line for a tag title match down the road.
- Konnan defeated Hugh Morrus via submission with the Tequila Sunrise.
- Glacier defeated Wrath after hitting him with a chair that Mortis had tossed in for Wrath to lose. Post-match, Mortis, Wrath and James Vandenburg handcuffed Glacier to the ropes and beat him up.
- WCW Women's Champion Akira Hokuto defeated Madusa with a brainbuster, forcing her to retire due to a pre-match stipulation. Following the match, there was an unintentionally funny moment when Mean Gene Okerlund asked a crying Madusa what she would do to make a living now.
- Chris Benoit defeated Meng via submission in a Death match with the Crippler Crossface.
- Kevin Greene defeated Steve McMichael after Jeff Jarrett mistakenly hit McMichael with a metal briefcase.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions Scott Hall & Kevin Nash defeated Ric Flair & Roddy Piper. Flair ended up fighting with Syxx to the locker room, and Piper was left alone, where he got pinned by Hall after an Outsider Edge.
- Randy Savage defeated Diamond Dallas Page in a Falls Count Anywhere match. Page hit Savage with a Diamond Cutter, but Scott Hall ran in and kicked referee Nick Patrick to stop the count. Savage hit Page with Hall's tag title belt, Hall delivered the Outsider Edge, and Savage hit the top rope elbowdrop for the pin (after Hall revived the referee).
1997 - Cibernetico defeats Mascara Sagrada for the Mexico National Heavyweight Title in Pantitlo, Mexico.
1998 - The Monday Night War waged on, with WWF RAW is WAR posting a 4.3 rating, and winning the night, with their show from San Antonio, Texas, featuring a Hell in a Cell match in the main event (a match that has since been ignored when discussing Hell In The Cell matches every since). Steve Austin and The Undertaker fought Mankind and Kane to a no contest. Meanwhile, in Uniondale, New York on WCW Monday Nitro, which got a 4.0 rating, the show featured WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Bill Goldberg defeating Glacier, a no contest in a Randy Savage-Diamond Dallas Page Steel Cage match and Chris Jericho being awarded his fourth WCW Cruiserweight Title.
1999 - FMW holds their monthly pay-per-view event at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The results:
- Ricky Fuji defeated Nanjyo Hayato.
- Jado defeated Flying Kid Ichihara.
- Hisakatsu Oya and Hideki Hosaka defeated Yoshinori Sasaki and Naohiro Yamazaki, when Hosaka pinned Yamazaki.
- Chikako Shiratori defeated Kaori Nakayama.
- Koji Nakagawa and Gedo defeated Sabu and Super Leather, when Gedo pinned Leather, to retain the FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Title.
- Hayabusa, Masato Tanaka and Tetsuhiro Kuroda defeated FMW World Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Champion Yukihiro Kanemura, Mr. Gannosuke and Hido in a "Scramble Ladder Dog Food match" when Kuroda pinned Hido. As a result, Kodo Fuyuki had to eat dog food.
2001 - The "Memphis Clash of the Legends" is held at the historic Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee, before 4,700 fans. The results:
- PG-13 (J.C. Ice and Wolfie D.) defeated Spellbinder and Reggie B. Fine.
- Brian Christopher defeated Mike Rapada.
- King Cobra, Chris Harris and Tommy Rogers beat Porkchop Cash, Mad Dog and Tracy Smothers.
- The Kat defeated Ying Yang.
- Bill Dundee and Robert Gibson defeated The Galaxians.
- The Moondogs and The Bushwhackers (Luke Williams and Butch Miller) fought to a double disqualification.
- Rocky Johnson and Jimmy Valiant defeated Buddy Landell and Billy Joe Travis.
- The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) fought Stan Lane and Curt Hennig to a no contest.
- Jerry Lawler defeated Lord Humongous. Guest referee was Lance Russell.
- Jimmy Hart won a 20-man battle royal to win a 2002 Cadillac Escalade.
2001 - Misae Genki defeats Kyoko Inoue for the NWA Pacific Women's Title in Tokyo, Japan.
2002 - Major League Wrestling holds its first-ever event, "Genesis" at Viking Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, featuring an eight-man MLW World Heavyweight Title tournament. The results:
- Jerry Lynn defeated La Parka in a quarterfinal match.
- Vampiro defeated Christopher Daniels in a quarterfinal match.
- Taiyo Kea defeated The Wall in a quarterfinal match.
- Shane Douglas defeated Steve Corino in a quarterfinal match.
- Prince Nana, Super Hentai and Ultra Taro, Jr. defeated Devon Storm, Abunai and Rising Son.
- P.J. Friedman defeated Shirley Doe.
- Shane Douglas defeated Jerry Lynn in a semifinal match.
- Vampiro and Taiyo Kea fought to a draw. Both men advanced to the finals as a result.
- Shane Douglas defeated Vampiro and Taiyo Kea in a three-way match to become the first MLW World Heavyweight Champion. Post-match, Douglas threatened to throw down the belt (as he did with the NWA World Title many years earlier) but was informed that he would be forced to defend the title.
2002 - Ricky Murdock defeats Doug Gilbert in Greenville, Mississippi to win the NWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title. This began and ended each's second reign.
2002 - Steve Austin's then-wife Debra called the San Antonio police to their home to investigate an incident of alleged violence. The story would receive mainstream news coverage over the next several months.
KMOL, the NBC affiliate in San Antonio, TX, would later report that Stone Cold Steve Austin had been "arrested on charges of spousal abuse". With the charges stemming from the June 15 incident where police were called to Austin's home after an alleged altercation with his wife Debra. At the time, Debra claimed that her husband punched her in the face and back when she called police. Austin fled the home before police arrived that day. Austin was charged with a class A misdemeanor assault. Austin turned himself into authorities, arriving at a court house with his lawyers. He was charged with an assault that caused a bodily injury, was booked and fingerprinted before posting his bond.
On November 25th Steve Austin pleaded No Contest to the assault charges. Austin was given a $1,000 fine, one year's probation, forced to perform 80 hours of community service and told to undergo domestic violence counseling. As part of the plea, Austin will be prohibited from drinking alcohol for the year.
2003 - WWE holds Bad Blood at the Compaq Center in Houston, Texas. The results:
- On Sunday Night Heat, Ivory pinned Molly Holly after a Poison Ivory.
- Rodney Mack and Christopher Nowinski defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von), when Nowinski pinned Bubba after hitting him with his protective face mask.
- Scott Steiner pinned Test after a Steiner Flatliner to win the managerial services of Stacy Keibler.
- Booker T defeated WWE Intercontinental Champion Christian by disqualification, when Christian hit Booker with the title belt.
- La Resistance defeated Rob Van Dam and Kane, when Grenier and Dupre pinned Van Dam after a Bonsoir, to win the World Tag Team Title.
- Goldberg pinned Chris Jericho after a Spear and Jackhammer.
- Ric Flair pinned Shawn Michaels after Randy Orton interfered and hit Michaels with a steel chair.
- Steve Austin defeated Eric Bischoff in a "Redneck Triathlon" held throughout the event. Austin defeated Bischoff in a Burping Contest. Bischoff defeated Austin in a Pie-Eating Contest (featuring Mae Young as the pie) by forfeit, which then results in Mae giving Bischoff a bronco buster. Both men agreed they were horrible singers, so the Singing Contest was a draw. Austin won the tie breaker by throwing Bischoff into a pig pen.
- Triple H defeated Kevin Nash in a Hell in a Cell match to retain the World Heavyweight Title, pinning Nash after a sledgehammer shot and a Pedigree.
2004 - At a WWE SmackDown! taping in Chicago, Illinois, Rey Mysterio defeats Chavo Guerrero, Sr., who was on his way out of the company, for the WWE Cruiserweight Title, beginning his eighth reign overall, and third in WWE. At the same taping, The Dudley Boyz (Buh-Buh Ray and D-Von Dudley) defeat Charlie Haas and Rico to win the WWE Tag Team Title, becoming the first team to win both current WWE Tag Team Titles (the other being the World Tag Team Title).
2004 - Tack defeats Gotti to win the HWA Television Title in Cincinnati, Ohio.
2006 - ECW Founder Tod Gordon issued the following statement to PWInsider.com following the debut of ECW on Sci Fi:
From the Desk of Tod Gordon:
I have received hundreds of calls and e-mails regarding what the WWE's version of ECW looked like to me last night. Actually, nothing about the show was surprising to me in any way. It was what it was; a third brand extension of a stale wrestling product. If Paul Heyman and Tommy Dreamer have to worry about serving all of these masters from WWE creative (you know who I mean) to the Sci-Fi network, then any fan must realize you're not going to get authentic crowd reactions, let alone chants on basic cable. I assume that rather than dub over the crowd's vulgarity, it was easier to just feed them a crappy show so they could never get truly riled up. Enjoy it for what it is, but don't fool yourselves into thinking that it really IS possible to catch lightning in a bottle twice, because that is not the case.
2007 -WWE Hall of Famer Sherri Martel, real name Sherri Russal, passed away. A former WWF and AWA Women's champion, Martel is probably best remembered for her role of one of the best female heel managers of all time during her 1990s WWF run, working alongside Shawn Michaels, Ted DiBiase, and Randy Savage, among others. Moving to World Championship Wrestling in 1994, Martel worked on top with Ric Flair during his feud with Hulk Hogan before moving on to manage The Harlem Heat tag team. Martel was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in Chicago during Wrestlemania 22 weekend and still made semi-regular appearances at conventions and media events. Jakks Pacific had just released a Classic Superstars action figure in her honor just prior to her passing at the age of 49.
2008 - WWE Smackdown and ECW ran a combined show in Sydney, Australia. Arthur Crowley filed the following report:
G'Day gents, just thought I'd send you guys a brief report of the 15/06 SmackDown!/ECW show in Sydney.
BIGGEST POPS:
Undertaker
Hornswoggle & Finlay
Batista
BIGGEST HEAT:
Edge
Chavo, Neely the Great Khali
MVP
Overall, it was a great night and by far the best live WWE show that I have attended. The joint was a near sellout with a crap load of kids in attendance. The deeper voices chanting for Edge were drowned out by the higher pitched voices chanting for Batista during the main event, which made for good fun.
2009 -Long-time referee Ted Tanabe, who worked for Super Delphin's Osaka Pro Wrestling, passed away after suffering a heart attack during an OPW event. Tanabe was working a bout when he suffered the attack. They used CPR and rushed him to the hospital, but he passed away shortly afterwards. Tanabe worked for years for a number of promotions, including FMW, Battlarts and Michinoku Pro during its really hot era in the 1990s and came over with Michinoku to referee their show stealing six-man tag at the ECW Barely Legal PPV in 1995. He also helped out backstage with a number of promotions, including Michinoku, as well over the years. Tanabe always stood out visually because he was a short, squat referee (I can recall NECW promoter Sheldon Goldberg describing him as Lou Costello-esque, which is better than anything I could come up with) keeping up with all these incredibly athletic flyers and fast-paced matches. Tanabe had also promoted some independent events in Japan and truly loved the business. On his visit to the United States in 1997, Tanabe was grabbing every American-wrestling related magazine and item he could find because he was such a huge fan.
2009 - Vince McMahon announced during a special "Three For All" extended episode of Raw that he had "sold" Monday Night Raw, which will now be "independently owned and operated" by Donald Trump. Trump appeared "via satellite" to announce he was going to give back to the WWE audience and present next week's episode commercial free - as originally broken by PWInsider.com last week. Trump also announced he'll be at Raw live next week to run things "the right way." The next week, Vince would "buy back" Raw and the angle would kick off a series of celebrity hosts appearing on WWE's flagship series.
Richard Trionfo's coverage of Raw:
We are live from Charlotte, North Carolina and your announcers are Jerry ‘The Hornets could be a good GM’ Lawler and Michael ‘Just like the Baltimore Colts’ Cole.
Michael Cole reminds us that Vince McMahon is here and he is expected to announce a new General Manager. Jerry Lawler says that Vince is here for something else.
Do you remember last week when Batista celebrated his victory by being interrupted by Randy Orton and his deliberate walk to the ring as a set up for the attack by Legacy. At least Triple H was available to get revenge for what Legacy did to Dave Batista’s arm.
We are also joined by Josh ‘so this is what Mondays are like’ Mathews and Matt ‘Jim Mitchell ’ Striker to talk about the ECW Title Match. Jim ‘RIP Misawa’ Ross and Todd ‘Who does the interviews tonight’ Grisham are here to talk about the World Title Match.
Chris Jericho comes to the ring and he says that since he was drafted to Smackdown, Raw has gone into the toilet. It is in a tailspin that they will not be able to recover from. He talks about the General Manager situation as well as the title being vacated. Chris does not have nice things to say about the fans and then he says that they will someday realize how important he is to Raw. Jericho says that someday Rey Mysterio will realize that his mask will be his downfall and only Chris Jericho can be his salvation and set him free.
Match Number One: Chris Jericho versus Rey Mysterio for the Intercontinental Title
Rey goes for the legs and takes Jericho down. Rey with a kick to the legs and then Rey with a kick in the corner followed by a rana and a clothesline that sends Jericho over the top rope to the floor. Rey with a kick when Jericho tries to re-enter the ring. Rey with a leg drop while Jericho is hanging in the ropes but Jericho gets his foot on the rope. Rey charges and Jericho moves as Rey goes to the ring post. Jericho tries for the springboard drop kick but Rey counters and he sends Jericho to the floor. Jericho tries for a seated splash but Jericho sends Rey into the announce table. We go to commercial.
We are back and Jericho with a reverse chin lock but Rey escapes with kicks. Jericho with an Irish whip and Rey with an enzuigiri that sends Jericho into the ropes in 619 position. Jericho is able to get out of the ropes and hit a version of Shock Treatment on Rey. Jericho goes for the mask and Rey is able to get away and goes to the floor to adjust his mask. Rey with more kicks as Jericho continues to go for the mask. Jericho with a sunset flip but Rey rolls through and hits a drop kick. Rey with a kick to the leg and a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Rey drops Jericho on the top rope and then he hits the springboard seated splash for a near fall. Rey with a forearm to Jericho in the corner. Jericho tries for a bulldog but Rey sends Jericho into the turnbuckles and Jericho hangs from the second turnbuckle. Rey with a drop kick and Jericho goes to the floor.
Rey with a suicide dive onto Jericho. Rey sends Jericho back into the ring and then he goes up top but Jericho stops him. Jericho tries for a superplex but Rey blocks it and hits the sunset flip power bomb for a near fall. Rey tries for a victory roll but Jericho drops down and gets a near fall. Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho and Jericho goes into the ropes again in that position. Rey is hit with a drop kick and Rey goes into the ropes. Jericho has a thought go through his head and it does not work as Rey hits a springboard moonsault. Rey with a rana and Jericho is in the ropes again. Rey with a 619 followed by a springboard seated senton attempt but Jericho catches Rey and adjusts the mask and then hits the Codebreaker for the three count.
Winner: Chris Jericho
Vince McMahon is in his chair in the office and we are going to have his announcement after the commercial.
We are back with a Striker Fact that almost two million women watched Raw last week.
Josh Mathews is in the interview area with Randy Orton. Josh asks Randy about his attempt to win the title by forfeit only to be stopped by Triple H. Randy asks Josh if he is going to try to show him up by giving his recap. Randy reminds Josh that he put Hunter out six weeks ago, just like he did to Batista and Flair. Orton says that Hunter cannot get back at him alone. Randy says that he will get back the WWE Championship.
We see John Cena when the camera pans and Josh is asked to leave. John mentions that the WWE Universe will still talk about Randy Orton. They will talk about how a WWE superstar with so much talent will whine about everything. John reminds Orton that there are two more people in the match. He has five hundred pounds of angry giant as well as him. They will not take the night off.
It is time to take a look back at the end of Vickie Guerrero’s time as the head of Raw. We are excused into her official announcement that she quit the company.
We go to Vince McMahon who is in the office. They ask if he is going to announce the new General Manager. Vince says that he has considered all of the candidates but someone else will make the announcement. Vince says that when opportunity knocks, you need to seize the moment. When you are given an offer you can’t refuse, don’t refuse it. Vince says that with mixed emotions, he is selling Monday Night Raw. Vince says that he will announce who he is selling Raw to after the WWE Title situation is cleared up. Vince says that if he was going to announce this person as the new owner of Monday Night Raw, they would have no chance in hell.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the sale heard round the world that Vince is selling Raw.
We go to Lawler and Cole and they are in shock about the announcement.
Match Number Two: Christian versus Tommy Dreamer for the ECW Title
They lock up and Dreamer with a side head lock but Christian with a hammer lock and side head lock. Christian with a spin kick for a near fall. Dreamer charges into the corner and he blocks the Pendulum kick and hits a neck breaker. Dreamer puts Christian in the Tree of Woe but Christian escapes and hits a back elbow for a near fall. Christian throws Dreamer out of the ring and then he hits a springboard cross body. They return to the ring and Christian with a near fall. Christian works on the neck but Dreamer with punches. Dreamer throws Christian off on a Tornado DDT attempt. Dreamer tosses Christian in the air and then hits an inverted DDT for a near fall. Christian backs Dreamer into the turnbuckles and then he charges but runs into a Dreamer clothesline for a near fall. Christian hits the pendulum kick and goes up top and tries for a sunset flip but Dreamer drops down. Christian with a near fall of his own. Christian goes up top and avoids a charge by Dreamer but Christian appears to have hurt his ankle and Dreamer with an inside cradle for the three count.
Winner: Tommy Dreamer
We go to commercial.
We are back and the Bellas are talking to Kelly about who is going to buy Raw. The Bellas look like they might have found a new man to fleece while Kelly wonders if they still have jobs.
Did you miss the opening video package? We have it again.
We go to footage from Batista’s surgery last week. We are told that he will be out for a number of months.
Match Number Three: John Cena versus Randy Orton versus Triple H versus Big Show for the WWE Title
The bell rings and Hunter goes after Orton while Show goes after Cena. Hunter and Orton fight on the floor by the announce table. Orton is sent into the bell area. Show sends Cena out of the ring and Hunter returns as we go to commercial.
We are back and Orton is punching Hunter while Show works on Cena in the other corner. Orton kicks Hunter and Show has Cena in the ropes. Orton with a leaping knee drop and more punches. Orton tries for another leaping knee drop but Hunter moves. Cena kicks Show as he charges into the corner. Hunter with the facebuster to Show and then we see Cena and Hunter with clotheslines. Cena with a flying shoulder tackle and Show goes to the floor.
Hunter and Cena realize they are in the ring together and the crowd clamors for them to lock up. Hunter with a shoulder tackle but Cena with flying shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb. Hunter with a spinebuster instead of getting the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena blocks a Pedigree and sets up for the Attitude Adjustment but Show with a double clothesline. Orton kicks Hunter to the floor while Show and Cena stay in the ring. Orton kicks Hunter while Show suplexes Cena. Orton sends Hunter into the ring steps and punches Hunter in the head. Cena punches Show and tries to slam him but Cena collapses under Show’s immense size. Orton breaks up the cover and then leaves the ring. Show gets Cena and Hunter by the throat but they stop him and they hit a double suplex. Orton hits Hunter and Cena. Show blocks the field goal kick but Orton and then Show with a short arm clothesline followed by a head butt and punches. Show with clotheslines to Hunter, Orton and Show. Time for head butts for Hunter and Orton. Hunter goes to the floor and Show gets Orton out of the ring so he can focus on Cena. Show slams Cena and then he goes to the second turnbuckle for the Vader Splash but Orton breaks up the cover. Show throws Orton out of the ring. Show with a spear to Hunter for a two count. Show goes to the turnbuckles for the elbow but Hunter moves. Orton waits for the RKO but Show pushes him away. Show misses a charge into the corner. Hunter tries for the Pedigree and hits it. Cena with Attitude Adjustment to Hunter but Show kicks out at two. Cena waits for Show to get up and he gets Show for Attitude Adjustment but Orton breaks up the cover. Orton throws Cena into the ring post. Orton with the RKO for the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton
Vince McMahon is walking as only a McMahon can as we go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of the return of the Age of Orton.
It is time to find out who is the new owner of Raw. Vince walks to the ring and he has something to say. Vince says that he comes to us tonight with a heavy heart. He has done a lot of soul searching. He has talked with his family, friends, and financial advisors. He has made the right decision to sell Monday Night Raw. Raw will be independently owned and operated with a man he has a history with. You never let your feelings get in the way of a good business decision. Vince says that he has been well compensated, even for himself. We go live via satellite to the new owner, Donald Trump.
Trump tells Vince that he finally put his ego aside to make a good business decision. Trump says that he never saw Vince show his appreciation to the Raw fans. People deserve something special. It is about time that they give something back to the fans. Vince says that the WWE Universe should give back to him. Trump says that it is because of the WWE Universe that they got something back. As his first act, he will do something unprecedented. Next week’s Raw will be commercial free on USA. Vince says that Trump cannot be serious. Trump says that he will be at Raw to run things his way, the right way. Trump tells Vince not to get in his way.
Vince says that he wanted to come out and give his farewell address to the fans, but he says that he is a bit too emotional tonight, so maybe he can do it next week. Vince says that we will find out who will face Randy Orton at The Bash. It will be determined in a ten man battle royal.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we are reminded that Donald Trump is the new owner of Raw.
We have the WWE Rewind: Last Month’s Divas Battle Royal and the issue between Maryse and Mickie James.
Match Number Four: Mickie James versus Rosa Mendes
Rosa tells Beth Phoenix that she has things under control and sends her to the back. Maryse comes to ringside.
Rosa with forearms to Mickie but Mickie with forearms of her own followed by a clothesline. Mickie goes up top but Rosa goes to the floor. Mickie pulls Rosa to the apron but Rosa drops Mickie on the top rope. Rosa with a neck breaker for a series of near falls. Rosa kicks Mickie and then connects with forearms. Rosa with a rear chin lock but Mickie escapes. Mickie sends Rosa into the turnbuckles and then hits some clotheslines and a drop kick for a near fall. Rosa tries for a neck breaker but Mickie blocks it and hits the DDT for the three count.
Winner: Mickie James
After the match, Maryse storms away from the ring. Then Maryse gets on the apron and poses but she gets to the floor before Mickie can knock her off.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Hornswoggle and Goldust are shooting shirts into the crowd.
The Miz comes out and he has a message for Donald Trump. Miz says that if he is really looking to take this show to the next level and do something unprecedented, it is to make The Miz the new face of Raw. He says that Cena is the past while he is the future. Miz says that he told everyone that he backs up everything he says about John Cena. He left Cena unconscious in the middle of the ring. Tonight, he will throw Cena over the top rope and win the battle royal to earn a WWE Title match at The Bash. Miz says that he is not going to stop at the WWE Title. He says that he wants it all. He wants the magazines, the t-shirts, and the movies. He says that the fans will eat it up and beg for more. Miz tells Goldust and Hornswoggle to get out of the ring.
Goldust says that he has been watching Miz trying to play mind games with Cena, but he is not working. He wonders where the imagination is. Goldust reminds Miz that he gave Ahmed Johnson mouth to mouth to get inside his head. He tells Miz to change his name to ‘The Whiz’ because that is what everyone gets up to do when he talks.
Miz wants to know what Hornswoggle said and Goldust tells him that he called Miz a loser. Miz tells Hornswoggle to grow up. Miz wants to know if this is Goldust’s fourth or fifth time in the WWE as he attempts to find some of his old glory. Goldust of 2009 is nothing. Miz says that he would beat him now, but nobody would care. Miz says that he is going to show Donald Trump that he is not afraid to take risks. Miz hits Goldust with the mic and then he hits a DDT. Miz throws Hornswoggle down and then he points the t-shirt gun at him. Miz shoots Hornswoggle with a t-shirt and Hornswoggle goes down and he goes down hard.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: photos of the Ladder Match and photos of Punk cashing in Money in the Bank.
CM Punk is in the locker room and Josh Mathews is there to interview him. He asks Punk if he has any regrets. Punk says that last year, he saw Batista attack Edge and he was able to cash in Money in the Bank. Everyone loved that one. Punk says that if Edge had won the ladder match, he would have been back as the conquering hero. Punk says that now he is the villain because of Jeff. Punk says that most of the WWE Universe believes him, but there is a vocal minority.
Matt Hardy enters and he tells Punk that was really good stuff. Matt tells Punk that he should not feel any regret because if he was in the same situation, he would have done the same thing. Punk points out that Matt never won Money in the Bank and was never champion twice. Punk says that they are not friends. Punk says that Hardy did everything because of jealousy and spite, while Punk has done everything by earning it.
We go to footage from Edge demanding a divorce from Vickie.
Match Number Five: Edge versus CM Punk versus Jeff Hardy for the World Title
The match starts and Hardy goes after Punk and then Edge. Hardy punches Punk and then he sends Punk into Edge. Hardy with forearms as he is the obvious aggressor at the start. Hardy with a rollup but Edge with one and then Punk gets one too. Punk takes over and then he clotheslines Edge over the top rope to the floor. Punk with a suicide dive onto Edge but Punk is favoring his knee. Hardy with a pescado as Edge and Punk are about to get back into the ring.
Hardy with a snap mare and drop kick to Punk for a near fall. Punk with a boot to a charging Hardy. Punk with a clothesline for a near fall on Hardy. Punk with a slam and a snap elbow drop for a near fall. Punk with a reverse chin lock. Edge with a boot to Punk followed by one to Hardy. Edge throws Hardy to the floor and then Edge gets a near fall on Punk. Edge kicks Punk and then he connects with a forearm and punches. Edge with an elbow to the top of the head. Punk punches Edge but Edge is about to superplex Punk but Hardy pulls Edge to the mat. Hardy tries for the superplex on Punk but Edge gets Hardy on his shoulders. Punk tries for a clothesline but Hardy avoids it and gets a victory roll for a near fall. All three men are down and we go to commercial.
We are back and Edge with a waist lock but Punk with elbows to escape. Punk with a kick and then he hits a running knee lift. Punk with a drop kick to Edge while Hardy is on the floor. Hardy gets back into the ring and Punk with the running knee to Hardy followed by one to Edge. Punk with the bulldog to Edge while he clotheslines Hardy. Punk gets a series of near falls. Punk gets Hardy up for the Go To Sleep but Edge with a clip and then Edge with a Sharpshooter but he turns his back to Hardy and Hardy with a sleeper. Edge releases the Sharpshooter while Hardy keeps the sleeper applied and then he gets a near fall on Edge. Edge sends Punk into Hardy in the turnbuckles. Punk with a sunset flip but Edge would not go down. Hardy with a clothesline but Hardy kicks Punk. Hardy with a leg drop to Edge and then a double drop kick for a near fall. Edge is on the apron and Punk goes over to him and tries to suplex him back into the ring, but Hardy goes outside and he pulls Edge down to the floor and Punk is down. Hardy goes up top but Edge knocks Hardy off the turnbuckles.
Edge sets for the spear and Punk with a power slam for a two count. Punk gets Edge up for Go To Sleep but Edge sends Punk into Hardy. Hardy cannot hit the Twist of Fate on Punk and Edge with a spear to Hardy when Punk leap frogs him. Edge gets a near fall. Punk with a forearm to Edge but Punk misses the knee in the corner and then Edge pushes Punk over the top rope and Punk lands on the ring steps. The medical staff checks on his knee.
Back in the ring Hardy and Edge both hit cross bodies and both are down. Hardy hits Whisper in the Wind but Punk struggles his way to break up the cover. Hardy and Punk are on the floor and Hardy kicks Punk repeatedly in the leg. Hardy returns to the ring and Edge with an inside cradle for a near fall. Hardy with a Twist of Fate and then he goes up top for the Swanton and he hits it but Punk pulls Hardy out of the ring. Punk sends Hardy into the apron and steps and then Punk rolls back in and gets the three count on Edge.
Winner: CM Punk
Teddy Long comes out after the match. He tells Punk that his next title match will be at The Bash against Jeff Hardy.
Lawler and Cole talk about the momentous and vintage night we have seen. Lawler talks about how there is no general manager, but they have an owner and a champion.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that men love watching Raw.
Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes are at ringside with the Raw announce team as we go to our next match.
Match Number Six: Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith with Natalya versus Carlito and Primo
Primo and Smith start things off and Smith with a shoulder tackle and punches. Smith with an Irish whip but Primo with an elbow. Primo tries for a rana but he cannot connect. Primo with a drop kick to the knee and Natalya distracts the referee and Kidd and Smith are able to double team Primo. Smith with a back breaker and he puts Primo in a reverse chin lock. Smith goes to the turnbuckles and he tries for a leg drop but Primo moves. Primo is able to tag in Carlito and he this a missile drop kick followed by a punch. Smith with a kick but Carlito with a kick of his own and a springboard back elbow but Kidd breaks up the cover. Kidd charges at Primo but Primo moves and Kidd goes to the floor. Primo with a splash onto Kidd. Carlito with a lungblower but Legacy attack Carlito and the referee calls for the bell.
Winners: Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith by disqualification
After the match, Rhodes and DiBiase throw Carlito and Primo out of the ring.
Triple H is walking in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and the Raw brand was in Europe last week.
In case you missed it live, or on one of the many replays, we see the announcement of the new owner of Raw.
Santino is in Vince’s office and Vince wants to know what Santino has to tell him. Santino wants to make sure that he still has his job. Vince says that Donald might be attracted to Santina but there is no guarantee. Trump will do whatever he wants.
Vince’s phone rings and there’s no chance he won’t answer it. Vince is on the phone with Trump and Vince says that it was supposed to be a smooth transition. Vince tells Trump that he should save some time and tell him the announcement that needs to be made. Trump won’t tell Vince because he wants to make an impact. Vince tries to convince him to wait until next week, but Trump won’t have any of it. Vince says that he hates billionaires with massive egos. Santino says that Vince must hate himself. Santino is digging a deep hole for himself, and he gets out of the office before Vince can fire him.
We see footage of The Miz attacking Big Show and John Cena last week on Raw.
Match Number Seven: Number One Contender Battle Royal featuring Ted DiBiase, Cody Rhodes, Montel Vontavious Porter, Kofi Kingston, Matt Hardy, Big Show, John Cena, Triple H, The Miz, and William Regal
The bell rings and they separate into groups. Show goes after Miz and chops him. Hunter sends Rhodes over the top but Rhodes returns to the ring. Cena punches Show but Show with a head butt.
Randy Orton slowly makes his way to the ring to see who his opponent will be.
Regal tries to eliminate Kofi while Show with a head butt to Cena. Hunter tries to eliminate Rhodes again but DiBiase makes the save. Show stands on MVP while Rhodes and DiBiase work on Hunter. Hardy tries to eliminate Miz and he goes to the apron. Kofi tries to eliminate Regal. Miz and Hardy work on Cena. Regal with a forearm to Porter followed by a European uppercut. Show makes a save for Cena as he goes after Miz. Rhodes tries to get Hunter off DiBiase in the corner. Regal and Hardy fight as the alliance is over now that Vickie is gone. Show with head butts to anyone who gets in his way. Now it is clotheslines. Hardy thinks the better of the situation and he goes to the floor but under the ropes. Show brings Hardy back in and then he eliminates Hardy. Porter with a running boot and he goes to the apron and Show knocks him to the floor. Regal and Miz try to eliminate Show but Show choke slams Miz and Miz rolls under the ropes. Everyone in the ring goes after Show and they eliminate him.
Randy Orton looks at the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Cena is fighting off Rhodes and DiBiase while Hunter and Kofi work on Regal. Hunter punches Regal and then he kicks him. Kofi punches DiBiase while Rhodes deals with Cena. Rhodes tries for a pile driver near the ropes but Cena with a back body drop and Rhodes rolls back in from the apron. DiBiase and Rhodes continue to work over Cena. Hunter with a Harley Race knee to Kingston. Regal with a running knee to Cena. Hunter fights with Rhodes and DiBiase. Regal works on Cena but Kofi stops him. Hunter is almost over the top rope but he hangs on. Kofi with a belly-to-back suplex to Regal. Rhodes punches Cena and connects with an elbow to the head. Hunter joins Kofi to try to eliminate DiBiase but Regal makes the save and so does Rhodes. Hunter with a spinebuster to Regal while Cena fights DiBiase and Rhodes. Cena watches Hunter kicking Regal but he does not try to eliminate him. Hunter and Cena get face to face in the center of the ring and it is time to exchange punches. Hunter has Cena but Cena holds on to the ropes. Cena gets Hunter up but Hunter stays in. Both men with clotheslines and they are both down. Rhodes and DiBiase send Kingston into the turnbuckles. Kofi with a pendulum kick to DiBiase. Kofi with the leap onto the turnbuckles and he stays in. Rhodes and DiBiase eliminate Kofi and then they ‘celebrate’ but Regal attacks them from behind. Regal is eliminated by Rhodes and DiBiase. They figure out whether to go after Cena or Hunter and Orton starts to move down the ramp inch by inch.
DiBiase goes after Hunter while Rhodes goes after Cena. Cena is left alone as they work on Hunter. DiBiase punches Cena and then he wants Cody to help him. They give Cena a double flapjack and then they return to Hunter. Cena punches DiBiase and he hits the bulldog and then he clotheslines Rhodes. Cena with a fisherman’s suplex on DiBiase. Cena with a back body drop to Rhodes. DiBiase charges at Cena and Cena with a back body drop. Cena throws Rhodes over the top but Cody skins the cat. Hunter eliminates Rhodes and Orton is livid.
Hunter kicks Cena and hits the Pedigree. Rhodes and DiBiase come into the ring and they attack Hunter. Referees come out and pull Rhodes and DiBiase off Hunter. Both men are down and Orton hears voices in his head and they talk to him. The Miz emerges from Hornswoggle’s home and he enters the ring slowly while Hunter and Cena are down. He waits for them to get to their feet and he charges at them but they both duck down and Miz is eliminated. Hunter throws Cena over the top rope and is eliminated.
Winner: Triple H
After the match, Donald Trump appears on the TrumpTron and he congratulates Hunter on his victory. Trump says that he was going to do things unprecedented. They are not going to wait for the Bash, it is going to happen next week. It will be a Last Man Standing Match.
2009 - ROH aired ROH on HDNet. Stu Carapola filed the following report:
Welcome to this week's ROH On HDNet report! Before we get started, I've got a lot to say about the Ric Flair situation from this past weekend's show in New York City, and that'll come later this week in the ROHotline on the Elite site and the pROHfile on Xtra, so stay tuned for that one.
We open the show with a flashback to highlights from last week's four way ROH Title Match, then go to promo time in the ring with Austin Aries. He says that he's fooled people into thinking he's some kind of hot, up and coming youngster, but the truth is he's a seasoned professional wrestler who has come out there for years and given the fans more and more, but the fans just keep demanding more and more. Now he's tired of giving, and it's time for him to start taking, and he's started by taking the spotlight, because he's been the star since the beginning of ROH On HDNet. The second thing he took was everything that Tyler Black, Bryan Danielson, and Jerry Lynn threw at him last week, but nobody was able to beat him. He says that Jerry Lynn is too worried about the fans and it's gotten him nowhere, so if he wants to do the right thing, he should come to the ring and hand Aries the ROH World Title. Shockingly, Jerry Lynn doesn't show up, so Aries tells him that if he can't accept reality and give Aries what he deserves, then reality's going to have to go smack him upside the head.
We go backstage with Kyle Durden and Chris Hero. Durden asks Hero for thoughts on tonight's match with Jerry Lynn, and Hero says that HD stands for "Hero Destroys" and "Hero Decapitates" and that Lynn doesn't have Hero's hunger and Lynn doesn't need it as bad as Hero. Hero says Lynn knows what Hero is all about and that tonight he's going to get his bell rung courtesy of a KO from Hero's elbow.
We go to the studio with Mike Hogewood and a suddenly dark haired Dave Prazak. Not a bad look for you, Dave! They deliver the bad news that Ric Flair has stepped down as ROH Ambassador, but will still be making all his advertised appearances. Unless, of course, they involve refereeing a heavily hyped main event of a major show in ROH's largest market.
Match Number One: Jay Briscoe vs D'Lo Brown
This is a rematch of a bout they had in New York City some months back that didn't exactly connect with the crowd, let's see what they do here. Actually I already know because I was at the taping, but it'd be no fun if I told you here, would it? Briscoe catches Brown with a big boot before the bell, then goes to work pounding away on Brown in the corner, then gets a cross corner clothesline. Brown tries to bail to the floor, but Briscoe goes after him and tosses him back in. Briscoe continues working him over in the ring and gets a crossbody for 2. D'Lo with a leapfrog out of the corner and a lungblower to take control. D'Lo with a stiff lariat shuts down a Briscoe comeback attempt and then he talks trash! D'Lo smacks him in the mouth and continues pounding away. Vertical suplex gets 2 for D'Lo as Mark cheers his brother on from ringside. D'Lo quiets the crowd down and then hits a really wussy chop that I guess was meant to sound a lot more impressive. Briscoe gets the foot up on a corner charge, then ducks a clothesline and gives D'Lo a flatliner into the second turnbuckle. Briscoe starts firing back and gets a superkick and a Death Valley Driver for 2. Briscoe countered the Sky High into a Frankensteiner and D'Lo bails to the floor, where he runs away before Briscoe can dive onto him, and he sits in a chair at ringside and takes the countout. Well, it was a lot better than the New York match but had a really lame finish, and you can hear the groans from the crowd.
Winner: Jay Briscoe by countout
After the match, Briscoe tells him to bring his patootie back into the ring and stop being a coward. I'm paraphrasing to make it a little more PG. D'Lo starts back to the ring...then changes his mind and heads to the back.
We go back to the American Wolves title victory from two weeks ago (or, as the graphic says, one week ago...gotta update those recycled video packages, guys!)
Match Number Two: Kevin Steen & El Generico vs Bobby Fish & Silas Young
Steen overpowers Fish to start and gets a spinkick to Fish, then tags out to Generico, leading to the drop toehold/somersault legdrop combo for 1. Fish tags out to Young, who runs right into a backdrop and diez punches in the corner from Generico, followed by a spinkick from Generico for 2. A distraction from Fish allows Young to take Generico down with a clothesline and the heels are in control! Fish with a vertical suplex for 2 and a tag back out to Young, and the two of them mug Generico in the corner. Generico tries a sunset flip but Young turns it into a Northern Lights Suplex for 2. That was really cool. Fish back in the ring and Generico tries the tornado DDT, but slips off the ropes (which may or may not have been done to play up the knee injury, I couldn't tell), but still slips away and tags out to Steen, who comes in and cleans house. Steen with the pop-up powerbomb on Fish and a lungblower on Young, then hits a vertical suplex and a Swanton on Fish, but Young breaks the count at 2. Generico back in and hits the Yakuza Kick on Young and then one for Fish, followed by the Package Piledriver/Brainbuster combo on Fish for the win. SLAP THE PORPOISE!
Winners; Kevin Steen & El Generico
After the match, Kyle Durden gets in the ring and asks them where they're going from here. Steen makes fun of Durden's hair, then tells the American Wolves that they made a mistake by thinking they had them down after the Tables Match, but that just made them hungrier. The hunt is on, and Steen & Generico want their titles back, and they're going to gosh darn skin them. (Again, that last line was edited for PG.)
Coming up, ROH World Champion Jerry Lynn faces Chris Hero!
We come back to a shot of a kid in the crowd making faces, then we go to Mike Hogewood making fun of Dave Prazak's hair. Hey, whoever said ROH was just about the wrestling?
We go to Kyle Durden backstage with Jerry Lynn, who says last week's four way was one of the toughest matches of his career. Nigel McGuinness comes in and shakes Lynn's hand and tells him he knows how it feels when the fans turn on you after you win the title, then reminds Lynn that he's getting healthy and will be back. Lynn responds by saying he had several chances, and he can't wait for Nigel to come back.
Back in the ring, Prince Nana introduces a man who brings a tear to his eye with his greatness, an ROH legend, a man who has sold out ROH arenas from England to New York City, and tonight he's going to beat Grizzly's butt...the crown jewel of the Embassy, Jimmy Rave! Prince Nana is so awesome.
Match Number Three: Jimmy Rave vs Grizzly Redwood
Rave gets the usual toilet paper treatment during his entrance, which gets more of a reaction than anything he does during his matches. Rave with a cheapshot to start and goes to work pounding away on Grizz. Rave misses a charge in the corner and Grizz starts chopping him down, but Rave with an STO for 2. Rave rams Grizz into the corner and starts working him over, but Grizz crawls away and hits a flying forearm and THE STRAPS COME DOWN!! Unfortunately, he walks right into Ghanarhea and that's enough to get the win for Rave.
Winner: Jimmy Rave
Rave puts the heel hook on Grizz after the match, but Necro Butcher runs out with a chair to make the save.
Hogewood and Prazak put over next week's main event between Roderick Strong and KENTA, and trust me when I say you do not want to miss that one.
Match Number Four: ROH World Champion Jerry Lynn vs Chris Hero
This match is non-title, not that it matters since Lynn lost the title to Austin Aries about an hour after this in the real world. Lynn and Hero exchange wristlocks and headlocks to start, but Lynn gets a schoolboy rollup for 2 and a crossbody for 2, then takes an armdrag into an armbar. It's funny how many people don't know the difference between an armbar and a wristlock, or a top wristlock for that matter, which is what Lynn transitions into next. Hero escapes, but Lynn gets a flying headscissors and goes back to the armbar. Hero takes Lynn to the corner and goes for an elbow, but Lynn moves out of the way and gets a monkey flip, but Hero cartwheels out, but thel Lynn gets another headscissors to send Hero to the floor. Great sequence. Hero back up to the apron, but Lynn with the springboard dropkick sends Hero back to the floor. Lynn rolls Hero back in and goes for the cover, but only gets 1. Lynn puts his head down for a backdrop and Hero yanks his hair and rams him backwards into the mat, then hits a kick to the head. Hero works Lynn over in the corner, then distracts the ref while Sara Del Rey chokes Lynn on the bottom rope. Hero continues laying into Lynn in the corner, and Lynn botches his twisting sunset flip out of the corner, but turns it into a schoolboy rollup for 2, followed by a big boot from Hero for another 2. The fans start chanting for Hero to knock him out, and Hero does his best with a series of elbows and chops. Lynn gets an inverted sunset flip for 2 out of nowhere, but another kick from Hero puts him back in the driver's seat. Hero starts stomping away but puts his head down and Lynn reverses the favor from earlier with a hair yank of his own, then hits a series of shoulderblocks and a flying clothesline on Hero. Lynn eats boot on a corner charge, but blocks a second boot and gets a top rope bulldog for 2. Lynn goes for the Cradle Piledriver, but Sara distracts the referee while Shane Hagadorn grabs Lynn's ankle from the floor and drags him out. Hero misses a dive to the floor and Lynn hits a somersault dive off the apron onto Hero. Hero gets a boot to Lynn and hits a forearm off the guardrail, then starts pulling up the mats off the floor. Hero goes for a running senton on the floor, but Lynn moves out of the way and tosses Hero back in the ring. Lynn goes for the Cradle Piledriver again, but Hero rolls through, and a series of reversals leads to Hero getting the rolling elbow to the back of Lynn's head for a close 2. Lynn ducks another rolling elbow and hits an inverted windmill DDT for 2. Hero reverses a corner whip and gets a forearm on Lynn, but Lynn catches him in the opposite corner and goes for a top rope Frankensteiner, but Hero fights out and sends Lynn to the floor. Lynn rolls back in and Hero goes for a cover, but only gets 2. Hero tries going for the Cradle Piledriver, but Lynn escapes and goes for it himself, then Hero escapes that and hits a pair of rolling elbows for another close 2. Hero puts on the loaded elbowpad, but Lynn ducks the elbow and catches Hero in an inside cradle for the win.
Winner: Jerry Lynn
Austin Aries comes in the ring after the match and knocks Lynn out with the ROH World Title belt, then stands over him holding up the belt as we fade to black.
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