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July 21st
On this day in history in ....
1982 - Abdullah The Butcher is named the first World Wrestling Council World Heavyweight Champion in Puerto Rico. The title would later become the WWC Universal Heavyweight Title.
1995 - Dean Malenko defeats Eddie Guerrero in Tampa, Florida to win the ECW World Television Title, beginning his second reign as champion.
2002 - Cody Hawk defeats Lance (Garrison) Cade in Jeffersonville, Indiana to win the Heartland Wrestling Association Heavyweight Title for the second time.
2002 - WWE held their Vengeance Pay-per-view in Detroit, Michigan at the Joe Louis Arena. The Rock would win his seventh and last WWE Championship at this event. Here is Tim Whitehead's original report on the show:
WWE rebounded from a lackluster King of the Ring to produce a clear thumbs' up effort for Vengeance (7/21 Detroit). The show had good action from start to finish with all the major matches delivering. Good crowd heat, too, especially for the top bouts. They did something different on commentary, with Tazz & Michael Cole doing the first half of the show, with Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler doing the upper tier. I thought it worked well. All too often JR & Lawler have spent much of the lower card hyping the main matches or getting off on tangents. On this show, Tazz & Cole mostly stayed focused on the on-going bouts, and when JR & Lawler came out later, they were fresh and did a great job, especially on the main event. The only negative was the booking of the finish in two of the main matches. I hated the screwjob in the IC Title match, though otherwise the match was very good. And in the main event, which was a tremendous match, I didn't like the title switching without Undertaker being pinned. That's an inherent problem with three-way matches. It isn't good for the title when it can switch without the reigning champ actually being pinned or submitted.
THE DUDLEYS defeated CHRIS BENOIT & EDDIE GUERRERO in a Tables Match in 14:58. Tazz & Cole put over that this was Benoit's first PPV bout in thirteen months. Benoit tossed Spike around to start things. Bubba came in and got tied up in the wrong corner. There was a big "Eddie sucks" chant aimed at Guerrero. They kept getting heat on Bubba. Guerrero got a table but it took him a while to set it up, as the table legs didn't want to cooperate. Spike nailed Guerrero with a somersault plancha. Benoit hurled Spike hard into the stairs. Benoit & Guerrero tried to double suplex Bubba through the table, but Spike moved it out of the way. Bubba then saved Spike from being put through a table. Bubba gave high backdrops to both opponents. Spike gave the double foot stomp to Benoit. They gave Benoit the wazzup. Benoit came back and put the crossface on Spike to weaken him (it couldn't be used for a finish due to the table match rules). Bubba laid Benoit out and put him on a table. But when Bubba came off the top, Benoit rolled clear and Bubba went through the table alone. It didn't eliminate Bubba since he went through on an offensive move. Spike then gave Guerrero a Dudley Dog through a table, which looked rough, for the first elimination. Benoit quickly hurled Spike out through a table on the floor to even things up. Bubba then caught Benoit by surprise and slammed him through a table for the win. Good opener, but I guess I'm wondering a little why Benoit & Guerrero aren't getting a better push.
Backstage, Jonathan Coachman interviewed Eric Bischoff. Bischoff praised all four participants in the table match as an example of the Ruthless Aggression of RAW wrestlers. Triple H came in and Bischoff ran after him, wanting him to sign with RAW. HHH told him to calm down. He said he wants to hear both sides before making a decision. Bischoff acted offended that HHH would negotiate with his estranged wife, but HHH reminded Bischoff that he's the one who said to always negotiate. Bischoff looked worried.
JAMIE NOBLE defeated BILLY KIDMAN in 7:33 to retain the Cruiserweight Title. Kidman outmaneuvered Noble early, causing him to bail out to the floor in frustration. Kidman hit a huracanrana. Noble used Nidia as a shield to get the advantage on Kidman. Nidia, by the way, is great in this gimmick. He posted Kidman's shoulder. Kidman sold it as an injury and Noble went to work on the shoulder. Kidman hit his shoulder on the post a second time when trying to charge Noble in the corner. Kidman fought back and hit another huracanrana. He did a great counter when Noble went for a powerbomb. Kidman flattened Noble with an enzuigiri, but when Kidman went for the shooting star press, Noble rolled clear. Noble then won clean with a powerbomb. Good match!
Kurt Angle was being interviewed when Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman arrived. Heyman told Angle that Brock is the Next Big Thing. Brock and Angle shook hands, but both appeared a little distrustful. Angle warned Brock not to ever try to attack him the way he attacked Undertaker on RAW. He said this isn't the Summer of Brock, it's All Year Angle. Lesnar just said, "Good luck tonight, Kurt", with sort of a sneer. After Lesnar & Heyman left, Angle said he can't stand pompous people.
JEFF HARDY beat WILLIAM REGAL to retain the European Title in 4:15. Regal overpowered Jeff and got a lot of near falls early. Jeff did a huracanrana on Regal on the floor, but when he ran along the ring barrier and tried to nail Regal, it didn't work. Jeff hit a springboard senton. He went for the swanton but Regal got his knees up. Regal mounted a comeback but Jeff then won out of nowhere with a schoolboy. Regal cried again, just as he did when he lost the belt to Jeff on RAW a couple of weeks ago. The match was okay, but short.
Ric Flair praised Jeff backstage. Hulk Hogan arrived and joked that he might try a swanton in his match later. Flair and Hogan both expressed concern about Bischoff running RAW and Stephanie running Smackdown. Flair said if Bischoff doesn't get his way, he's likely to run the company out of business. Hulk agreed.
JOHN CENA defeated CHRIS JERICHO in 6:15. Jericho tried to ambush Cena with a chair before the bell, but Cena managed to get the chair and he walloped Jericho with it. Cena dominated after the bell and scored an early two count. Jericho dropped Cena's throat across the ropes and worked him over. Cena came back and scored some more twos. Jericho dropkicked Cena out of the air in a great move to score a near fall. Cena scored two with a belly-to-belly suplex. Jericho missed a lionsault when Cena moved. Jericho hit a second lionsault and went for the walls submission hold, but Cena blocked it and rolled a surprised Jericho up for the pin. Cena celebrated his debut PPV win as Jericho threw a major tantrum in the ring. A solid match, with Cena, who has great potential, getting a good push.
Bischoff and Coach waited outside Stephanie's office. Triple H was inside, supposedly negotiating. A man arrived and started to enter the office. Bischoff blocked him and demanded to know what he was doing there. He identified himself as Stephanie's attorney and said he had some legal documents with him. He refused to tell Bischoff what the documents were. The attorney entered the office and Bischoff looked more worried than before, fearing the attorney had delivered a new Smackdown contract for HHH.
JR & Lawler came out to do the announcing for the remainder of the show. JR came out to the Oklahoma fight song. JR shook hands with Cole & Tazz. Lawler did, too, but was a little wary of shaking Tazz's hand.
ROB VAN DAM defeated BROCK LESNAR by DQ in 9:37 to retain the IC Title. Lesnar started off with his clubbing blows. RVD retaliated with kicks. Lesnar hurled RVD halfway across the ring. Lesnar bumped out, but when RVD went for a moonsault, Lesnar caught him and bodyslammed him on the floor. Lesnar hit a suplex. RVD came back with a stiff kick that had Heyman looking worried. Lesnar tossed RVD out and he landed on the stairs. Lesnar pounded RVD. There was great heat encouraging an RVD comeback. RVD was way over since he's from the Detroit area. RVD hit a thrust kick off the top and the rolling thunder for a near fall. In an excellent maneuver, RVD countered the F5 and converted it into a DDT. RVD then hit the frog splash. The ref began a count. Heyman pulled the ref out at two, though Lesnar pretty much kicked out at the same time, so it wasn't as if RVD necessarily had Lesnar beat. The ref called for the lame DQ. RVD flattened Heyman and the ref (Charles Robinson) began pounding him. Lesnar went to Heyman's aid, but RVD caught Lesnar with a somersault senton off the top. RVD put Lesnar down in the ring with a kick and was about to go for the Van Terminator. Heyman held RVD and Lesnar slammed him on a chair and then gave him an F5 on the chair. A really good match other than the awful DQ. Lesnar continues to improve in the ring and in character development.
Stephanie emerged from her office looking dejected. Bischoff smirked, assuming she had failed to sign HHH. But Steph then said, "He signed", and walked off with her head down. HHH came out and Bischoff lit into him, screaming at him for signing to stay with Smackdown. HHH told Bischoff to back off. He said he still hasn't decided which side to sign with, and that the papers he signed in the office were his divorce papers. Bischoff looked relieved. After HHH left, Bischoff told Coach, "He's mine!"
BOOKER T defeated BIG SHOW in 6:12 in a no count-out, no DQ match. Show destroyed Booker for the first half of the match. They went to the floor where Show sent Booker into the stairs. Booker came back, using a monitor on Show. He then scissor kicked Show through the Spanish table. Back in the ring, Booker hit another scissor kick and won with the somersault legdrop off the top (Harlem Hangover back in Booker's WCW days). Booker did the spinaroonie afterward. A solid bout, and I guess it sealed the demise of the NWO.
Torrie Wilson and Dawn Marie strutted their stuff at The World. Torrie predicted Rock would win the main event, while Dawn Marie predicted an Undertaker win. They ended up arguing over who has the nicest ass, but unfortunately didn't strip one another so we could judge for ourselves.
HHH came out to the ring to make his decision. Bischoff arrived and quickly apologized for yelling at him backstage. He said it would be better for HHH to sign with RAW, because working with his ex-wife on Smackdown would introduce all kinds of personal issues and problems. He said that by signing with RAW, HHH would be assured of a relationship with his general manager which is all business, with no personal baggage to get in the way. Bischoff also claimed to have ties with Hollywood. He said that with Rock's success, all the movie producers are on the lookout for the next big breakout WWE star, and HHH is at the top of that list. Bischoff even claimed to have a deal in the works for HHH to do commercials for sneakers. Stephanie then arrived and told Bischoff to shut up. She told HHH that she stood by him and supported him as he rose to the top, and claimed that when they work together they're unstoppable. She pledged that she will put personal issues aside and that their relationship on Smackdown will be all business. She admitted, though, that signing those divorce papers was the hardest thing she had ever had to do. Bischoff told her to stop crying. Steph then reminded HHH that early in his career, when he was in WCW, Bischoff told him he had no talent and no charisma and wasn't worth a damn. HHH got in Bischoff's face over this, with Bischoff backing down and claiming he was young when he made those statements but that now he has the experience to recognize what a great talent HHH is. He claimed to have more experience than Steph, but she spoke up and said she's a McMahon and the wrestling business is in her blood. So HHH thought it over. He said that on the one hand, he could look at the arrogant prick (Bischoff) and say, "Screw you!", or, on the other hand, he could look at the cold-hearted bitch (Stephanie) and say, "Screw you!" He then got a huge pop by saying Steph likes it when he says he's gonna screw her. HHH seemed like he was about to side with Stephanie, saying he prefers a devil he knows to one he doesn't, when Shawn Michaels suddenly came out. The Heartbreak Kid said the last thing he wants to do is cause trouble, prompting JR to say, "bulls**t". He acted like things hadn't gone too well lately, with Kevin Nash injured and Vince McMahon disbanding the NWO (no mention made of X-Pac). But he had an offer to make to HHH. He told him that before deciding which group to go with, he should think of two things: Friendship and Fun. He reminded HHH that he's his best friend and that they had a ton of fun together back when they were a part of the same group. A "DX" chant started. HBK told HHH that by signing with RAW, they can be together in the same division and can have a blast making Bischoff's life a living hell. That was enough to convince HHH, who told Stephanie to "suck it". He and HBK left together. Bischoff gloated that he won, and Stephanie lost. He told Steph the big difference between them is that he has testicles, and she doesn't. Steph flattened Bischoff with a punch and stormed out. A little long, but a good segment overall.
Backstage, Rikishi was asked about the HHH decision. As a Smackdown wrestler, he was disappointed that HHH went to RAW, but said he guesses HHH did what he felt he had to do.
Terri went in to interview Booker T & Goldust. Goldust got nervous when he saw her (she's his ex-wife). Booker said that if HHH arrives on RAW and tries to mess with him, he'll get his ass kicked. Goldust said HHH may be the Game, but he and Booker have bigger joysticks. Booker finished with his "can you dig it, sucka" promo.
LANCE STORM & CHRISTIAN defeated HULK HOGAN & EDGE to capture the WWE World Tag Titles in 10:00. Storm got on the mic and said Hogan has a lot in common with America, as both are past their prime and living on past glory. Christian said the only good thing about being in Detroit is that Canada is just across the river and they can quickly get out of the U.S. after their victory. Hogan came out to a huge pop. JR got a little mixed up talking about Edge attending Wrestlemania III as a teenager to see Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior. He corrected himself, noting that that match was actually at WM VI in Toronto. He then jokingly said WM III had been right here in Chicago. A good-humored way to correct an error! The heels doubled on Hulk until he hot tagged to Edge. Edge got in some offense but also got tied up in the wrong corner. Hogan came back in and cleaned house. Christian and Storm pounded him but he did the old no-sell Hulkamania comeback. This all drew tremendous heat. Edge came in and hit the Edgecution but there was no ref to make the count because of an earlier bump. Test ran in and posted Hogan before giving Edge the big boot to the face. Edge was almost pinned but kicked out at two to a huge pop. Rikishi came out and went after Test. They fought to the back. Edge speared Storm but the ref was distracted by Hogan and Christian brawling on the apron. This allowed fellow-Canadian Chris Jericho to run in and clock Edge with one of the tag belts. Storm pinned Edge as the ref returned to action. Hogan is past his prime but he worked hard, and it was a good match with excellent heat. I was scared to death they were going to turn Edge here. He's starting to get over as a babyface, which is just the time they usually turn someone heel.
Bischoff tried to recruit Angle. Angle was flattered but had to leave because it was time for his match.
Stephanie was interviewed. She was disappointed over HHH, but claimed to be in contact with several RAW stars and said when the time is right, she will rip the heart right out of RAW. JR & Lawler wondered who she meant when she referred to the heart of RAW.
ROCK defeated UNDERTAKER and KURT ANGLE in a three-way to capture the WWE Undisputed World Title in 19:33. UT and Rock immediately got in each other's face. Angle felt left out and tried to get their attention. They both slugged him. Angle got dumped over to the floor. UT pounded Rock and hit a big lariat. Angle got on the apron but UT bumped him off. Rock threw UT out, where Angle hurled him hard into the stairs. UT worked like crazy in this match, as did the other two. Angle suplexed Rock and put the boots to him. They traded hard chops. Rock hit a DDT on Angle, who rolled out to the floor after a near fall. UT lariated Angle on the floor. UT went after Rock but Angle chokeslammed him. This was the first of a series of spots where each wrestler used the trademark move of one of the others. Angle broke up Rock's pin attempt on UT, but Rock put Angle in the ankle lock. Angle escaped. Angle then used the Rock Bottom on Rock but UT stopped the count. UT gave Angle an Olympic slam, with Rock making the save. This was a great series of moves. Rock put UT down and hit the People's Elbow but Angle dragged Rock out and slammed him on the broadcast desk. UT posted Angle, who juiced, and also slammed Rock on the desk. UT scored a two count on Rock with a DDT. Rock put the sharpshooter on Angle, but UT made the save. Angle put the ankle lock on UT. UT countered and lifted Angle up for the last ride, but Angle caught UT with the triangle choke. Rock broke the hold up. Angle tried the ankle lock on Rock. UT chokeslammed Angle. Rock hit the Rock Bottom on UT. Angle then Olympic slammed UT but Rock caught Angle with a Rock Bottom and pinned him, for a title change in which the champ didn't lose. Other than that it was an excellent main event. I guess this will be a short-term reign for Rock given his movie schedule. They had actually built up a good angle for UT and Lesnar on RAW, but that didn't lead them to keep the belt on UT
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