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July 4th
On this day in history in ....
1966 - Don Leo Jonathan & Haystacks Calhoun defeat John Tolos & Tony Borne to win the NWA Canadian Tag Team Title.
1968 - WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino & Johnny DeFazio defeated Lou Albano & Tony Altimore in Indiana, PA.
1970 - WWWF ran Harrisburg, PA at Zembo Mosque with the following results:
-Arnold Skaaland pinned Chuck Richards at 15:02.
-Joe Turco fought Johnny Rodz to a 20-minute draw.
-Crusher Verdu defeated John L. Sullivan via submission with a bear hug at 7:03.
-Mario Milano pinned Prof. Toru Tanaka at 18:03.
-The Mongols defeated Victor & Jose Rivera in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match; fall #1 - the Mongols won at 15:03; fall #2 - Victor & Jose won at 3:02; fall #3 - the Mongols won at 8:03.
1974 - Gary Michael Capetta made his official debut as a ring announcer at a WWWF event in Wildwood, NJ, headlined by WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeating Nikolai Volkoff.
1974 - Ric Flair & Rip Hawk defeat Paul Jones & Bob Bruggers in Greensboro, North Carolina to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Title.
1982 - The Atlanta Omni was the site for a rare WWF vs. NWA World title match, which saw WWF champion Bob Backlund go to a double countout against NWA World champion Ric Flair. Other results of the card saw:
-Ivan Putski & Tom Prichard (sub. for Tommy Rich) defeated NWA Tag Team Champions Stan Hansen & Ole Anderson via disqualification at 9:00.
-Kevin Sullivan defeated Mr. Saito at 7:02.
-National Tag Team Champions Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy vs. the Wild Samoans (w/ Sonny King).
-The Masked Superstar pinned Mr. Wrestling II.
-Don Muraco (w/ Roddy Piper) pinned Dusty Rhodes at the 49-second mark.
-Super Destroyer defeated Tom Pritchard at 11:00.
-Leroy Brown defeated Big John Studd in a Texas Death Match.
-Paul Orndorff defeated Jimmy Snuka via disqualification.
1983 - Ric Flair fought NWA World Champion Harley Race to a double disqualification in the main event of a Jim Crockett Promotions event in Greenville, SC at the Memorial Auditorium.
1983 - World Class Championship Wrestling held their "Independence Day Star Wars" event in Fort Worth, Texas, with the following results:
- Michael Hayes defeated Iceman King Parsons in a Lights Out match.
- Bruiser Brody vs. Kamala ended in a double disqualification.
- David Von Erich defeated Jimmy Garvin to win the vacant World Class Texas Heavyweight Title.
- The Von Erichs (Kerry, Kevin & David) defeated The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) in a three falls match when Kevin pinned Hayes to win the deciding fall.
1983 - WWF ran Wildwood, New Jersey, featuring the following results:
-Salvatore Bellomo fought Samula to a draw.
-Bob Bradley defeated Jeff Craney.
-Ivan Putski defeated George Steele via countout.
-Rocky Johnson defeated WWF IC Champion Don Muraco via disqualification.
-SD Jones & Pete Sanchez defeated Victor Rivera & Johnny Rodz.
-Tony Garea defeated Iron Mike Sharpe via countout.
1984 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Myrtle Beach, SC with NWA World champion Ric Flair defeating Gary Royal and then Wahoo McFaniel by DQ at the event.
1984 - World Class Championship Wrestling held their "Independence Day Star Wars" event in Fort Worth, Texas, with the following results:
- Killer Khan defeated Mike Reed.
- Scott Irwin & The Missing Link defeated Jose Lothario & Buck Zumhoffe.
- World Class American Heavyweight Champion Gino Hernandez defeated Jules Strongbow.
- Kelly Kiniski defeated George Weingroff.
- The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) defeated The Von Erichs (Kerry, Kevin & Mike) to win the World Class Six-Man Tag Team Title when Hayes pinned Kevin.
- Iceman King Parsons defeated Bill Irwin in a singles match to win the World Class American Tag Team Title. Parsons chose Buck Zumhoffe as his partner.
- Gino Hernandez won a "Pole Battle Royal" in which a check was affixed to the top of a pole in the corner of the ring and the wrestlers had to try and climb the pole to be the first to get it.
- Chris Adams & Stella Mae French defeated Jimmy Garvin & Precious in a Loser Leaves Town steel cage match when Adams pinned Garvin.
1984 - Bob Backlund fougHt Bob Orton to a draw in the main event of a WWWF event in Clearfield, PA at St. Francis High School. Backlund was a substitute for Andre the Giant. Underneath, SD Jones defeated Rene Goulet and Salvatore Bellomo defeated Joe Abby, who was substituting for Greg Valentine.
1985 - World Class Championship Wrestling held their "Independence Day Star Wars" event in Fort Worth, Texas, with the following results:
- Steve Casey defeated Jack Victory.
- Brian Adidas vs. Jim Powers ended in a no-contest.
- The Fantastics defeated Rip Oliver & Kelly Kiniski in a three falls match in two straight falls.
- Iceman King Parsons defeated Tim Brooks.
- Kerry Von Erich defeated The One Man Gang in a Chicago Death Match.
- The Great Kabuki defeated Chris Adams.
- Sunshine defeated Jim Cornette. Cornette had to wrestle with one arm tied behind his back and a blindfold on.
- Chris Adams & Gino Hernandez defeated Kerry & Kevin Von Erich when Adams pinned Kerry.
1985 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran the Omni in Atlanta, GA, drawing 13,000 fans with the following results:
-The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey defeated Brett Sawyer & the Italian Stallion in their Omni debut.
-Thunderbolt Patterson defeated Kevin Sullivan via disqualification.
-National Tag Team Champions Ole & Arn Anderson defeated Buzz & Brett Sawyer.
-Ron Garvin fought Black Bart to a no contest.
-Krusher Kruschev, NWA Tag Team Champions Ivan & Nikita Koloff defeated Dick Slater, Pez Whatley & Bill Watts.
-NWA World Champion Ric Flair defeated NWA U.S. Champion Magnum TA.
1985 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Norfolk, VA with the following:
-Ricky Reeves fought Tommy Lane to a draw.
-Denny Brown defeated Mike Davis.
-Kendo Nagasaki defeated Stoney Burke.
-Superstar Billy Graham defeated Pat Tanaka.
-Buddy Landell defeated Ron Bass.
-Jimmy Valiant, Manny Fernandez & Buzz Tyler defeated the Barbarian, Abdullah the Butcher, & Paul Jones.
1985 - WWF ran New Haven, CT at the Coliseum with the following results:
-Big John Studd & Bobby Heenan defeated George Wells & SD Jones,
-George Steele defeated Nikolai Volkoff via disqualification.
-Ricky Steamboat defeated the Iron Sheik.
-Don Muraco defeated Tito Santana.
-Paul Orndorff defeated Bob Orton.
1985 - WWF ran Los Angeles, CA at the Sports Arena, drawing 14,800 fans with the following results:
-Davey Boy Smith defeated Rene Goulet.
-Rick McGraw defated Steve Lombardi.
-Ivan Putski (substituting for Jimmy Snuka) defeated Bob Orton via disqualification.
-Adrian Adonis defeated Jack Armstrong.
-Paul Orndorff fought Roddy Piper to a draw.
-Les Thornton defeated Gama Singh.
-WWF Intercontinental Champion Greg Valentine & Jesse Ventura defeated the Junkyard Dog & George Wells.
-The Dynamite Kid defeated Alexis Smirnoff via countout.
-WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan pinned Brutus Beefcake.
1986 - WWF and Stampede Wrestling ran a rare combined card in Calgary, Alberta at the Saddledown, featuring a crowd of 15,000 fans witnessing:
-Keith Hart defeated the Great Gama.
-Stampede International Tag Team Champions Duke Myers & Kerry Brown defeated Owen Hart & Ben Bassarab.
-Stampede North American Champion Honkytonk Wayne defeated Dan Kroffat via disqualification.
-Billy Jack Haynes defeated Rene Goulet.
-Hercules Hernandez defeated Lanny Poffo.
-Pedro Morales defeated Tiger Chung Lee.
-Adrian Adonis defeated Cousin Luke.
-Big John Studd pinned Tito Santana when Santana failed a bodyslam attempt and Studd fell on top for the win.
-Bret Hart defeated Sivi Afi.
-WWF Tag Team Champions The British Bulldogs Davey Boy Smith & the Dynamite Kid defeated Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake.
-WWF champion Hulk Hogan defeated King Kong Bundy via disqualification.
1986 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Memphis, TN at the Liberty Bowl, drawing 1,900 fans with the following:
-Black Bart defeated Todd Champion.
-Hector Guerrero defeated Thunderfoot.
-Wahoo McDaniel defeated Jimmy Garvin.
-Manny Fernandez defeated Shaska Whatley in a Bunkhouse match.
-Jimmy Valiant defeated Baron Von Raschke.
-The Rock N' Roll Express,Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson fought Ole & NWA TV Champion Arn Anderson to a draw.
-NWA National Heavyweight Champion Tully Blanchard defeated Ron Garvin via disqualification in a taped fist match.
-The Road Warriors defeated Ivan Koloff & Krusher Kruschev in a double chain match.
-NWA World Champion Ric Flair defeated Nikita Koloff.
-Dusty Rhodes, Magnum TA, & Baby Doll defeated Jim Cornette, NWA Tag Team Champions Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey in a steel cage match.
1986 - World Class Championship Wrestling held their "Independence Day Star Wars" event in Dallas, Texas, with the following results:
- The Grapplers defeated Brad & Bart Batten.
- Buzz Sawyer defeated Brian Adidas to win the World Class Texas Heavyweight Title.
- Abdullah the Butcher defeated The Great Kabuki to win the World Class Brass Knuckles Title.
- Sunshine defeated The Raven.
- Steve Simpson defeated Tim Brooks.
- Bruiser Brody vs. Abdullah The Butcher ended in a double disqualification.
- Chris Adams defeated Rick Rude to win the World Class World Heavyweight Title.
- World Class Six-Man Tag Champions The Von Erichs (Kevin, Mike & Lance) defeated Butch Reed, Buzz Sawyer, & Matt Borne.
1986 - WWF ran Sydney, Australia at the Entertainment Center, featuring:
-Jose Luis Rivera defeated Jim.
-Tony Atlas defeated Terry Gibbs.
-SD Jones & Paul Roma defeated Jimmy Jack & Dory Funk Jr. via disqualification.
-Cpl. Kirchner defeated Nikolai Volkoff.
-Bob Orton defeated George Steele.
1987 - Jim Crockett Promotions holds the main show of their 1987 Great American Bash tour in Atlanta, Georgia at the Omni, featuring the debut of "War Games: The Match Beyond". The match features two rings, side by side, covered by a large steel cage with a roof. The bout saw The Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard & Lex Luger) & manager JJ Dillon vs. Dusty Rhodes, Nikita Koloff, The Road Warriors & manager Paul Ellering. The match started with Rhodes vs. Anderson for five minutes, then the teams alternated sending in a wrestler in two minute intervals. Once both teams were completely inside the cage, the match could only end by submission or surrender. Dillon surrendered after being bloodied by the Warriors and Ellering, giving Rhodes' team the victory. Dillon was injured during the match, and was replaced in the other War Games matches on the Bash tour by "The War Machine" (Bubba Rogers under a mask). The match would become a staple of Jim Crockett Promotions/WCW for years to come.
Here are results from the rest of the card:
- Kendall Windham defeated Gladiator #1.
- Sting defeated Thunderfoot #1.
- Lazertron defeated Spike of the Mod Squad.
- Jimmy Valiant defeated Basher of the Mod Squad.
- UWF Western States Champion Barry Windham defeated Rick Steiner.
- Ronnie & Jimmy Garvin defeated Vladimir Petrov & The Barbarian.
- UWF Tag Team Champions Tim Horner & Brad Armstrong defeated Big Bubba Rogers & Angel Of Death.
- Chris Adams defeated Black Bart via DQ.
- The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) defeated Ivan Koloff, Manny Fernandez & Paul Jones.
- NWA World Tag Team Champions The Rock N' Roll Express defeated The Midnight Express via DQ.
- Steve Williams defeated Dick Murdoch in a Texas Death Match.
1987 - WWF held a live card before a CFL football game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Toronto Argonauts in Regina, Saskatchewan at Taylor Field featuring The Hart Foundation vs. The Killer Bees on top.
1987 - WWE ran Los Angeles, CA at Sports Arena, drawing 8,818 fans with the following results:
-SD Jones defeated Tiger Chung Lee.
-Ken Patera pinned Hercules.
-Tito Santana fought Butch Reed to a time-limit draw.
-WWF champion Hulk Hogan pinned Randy Savage with the legdrop after Elizabeth took a chair away from the challenger.
-Don Muraco & Bob Orton Jr. defeated Jerry Allen & Steve Gatorwolf; after the bout, Orton & Muraco argued.
-The Jumping Bomb Angels defeated WWF Women's Tag Team Champions Judy Martin & Leilani Kai via countout.
1988 - Keith Franke, who performed as Adrian Adonis in the WWF, the AWA and a number of other promotions, passed away in Lewisporte, Newfoundland while riding in a minivan when wrestler William "Mike Kelly" Arko swerved to avoid a moose and crashed into a lake. Wrestlers Victor "Pat Kelly" Arko, and Dave "Wildman" McKigney, McKigney, and Pat Kelly also passed away in the crash while Arko suffered severe leg injuries.
1989 - WCW held a TV Taping in Fayetteville, NC with partial results featuring:
-The Great Muta (with Gary Hart) pinned Ray Lloyd with a backbreaker and the moonsault at 2:25. NWA World TV champion Stuing and Muta faced off after the bout.
-Rick & Scott Steiner (w/ Missy Hyatt) defeated Mike Rotunda & Kevin Sullivan via disqualification at 5:13 when Sullivan hit Rick in the head with a chailr as the two fought outside the ring, with Rick then grabbing the chair away and chasing Sullivan with it.
1990 - Brutus Beefcake suffered serious facial injuries during a parasailing accident in Lutz, FL. His nose was crushed, his jaw was wired shut, and eight steel plates, 40 screws, and more than 100 staples were surgically inserted. B. Brian Blair was with Beefcake when the accident happened and was credited with saving his life by insuring Beefcake was able to breath after the accident. Beefcake made a full recovery but would not return to the ring until 1993.
1990 - John Tatum defeats Bill Dundee in Dallas, Texas to win the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title for a third time, ending Dundee's third reign, and putting an end to a back and forth series of title switches between the two.
1990 - NWA ran Greensboro, NC at the Coliseum with the following results:
-Tommy Rich defeated Dutch Mantell.
-Tracey Smothers & Steve Armstrong defeated NWA U.S. Tag Team Champions Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane in a non-title match.
-El Gigante defeated Dr. X.
-The Junkyard Dog defeated NWA TV Champion Arn Anderson via disqualification,
-Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated NWA Tag Team Champions Doom via disqualification.
-Buddy Landell defeated Tom Zenk.
-NWA U.S. Champion Lex Luger & Paul Orndorff defeated NWA World Champion Ric Flair & Barry Windham.
1991 - Dr. George T. Zahorian III, who at one time served as Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission physician and was positioned ringside at many pro wrestling events in the state, was found guilty on 12 counts following a trial in Harrisburg. Four counts were for selling steroids without medical purpose to former University of Virginia strength coach William Dunn, four were for selling controlled substances to Dunn, and four were for selling steroids without medical purpose to Roddy Piper, B. Brian Blair, Dan Spivey, and Rick Martel. He was found innocent on two additional steroid distribution charges. WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan was to have testified during the trial but Judge William Caldwell dismissed his subpoena. This was the first physician to be convicted on steroid charges following the passing of the Nov. 1988 steroid law. During the trial, it was revealed Zahorian also sold steroids over the years to Vince McMahon, Lord Alfred Hayes, Freddie Blassie, Superstar Billy Graham, and Hogan.
1992 - WCW ran Baltimore, MD at the Arena, drawing 2,500 fans with the following results:
-Larry Zbyzsko pinned Bobby Eaton.
-WCW Light Heavyweight Champion Scotty Flamingo pinned Jushin Liger.
-Ron Simmons & Ricky Steamboat defeated Cactus Jack & Arn Anderson.
-Dustin Rhodes pinned Greg Valentine.
-WCW World TV Champion Steve Austin pinned Barry Windham.
-WCW World Champion Sting pinned the Super Invader.
-WCW U.S. Champion Rick Rude pinned Nikita Koloff after hitting him with a foreign object.
-WCW World Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Steve Williams & Terry Gordy via disqualification.
1993 - WCW ran Greenville, SC at the Coliseum, drawing 1,300 fans with the following results:
-Marcus Alexander Bagwell pinned Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker with the fisherman's suplex at 8:01; prior to the bout, Tex Slazenger offered Parker $500 if he could beat Bagwell; because Bagwell won, he earned the money.
-2 Cold Scorpio & Marcus Alexander Bagwell defeated Tex Slazenger & Shanghai Pierce at 9:48 when Scorpio pinned Pierce with a sunset flip.
-Davey Boy Smith pinned Big Sky with the running powerslam at 11:21.
-Johnny B. Badd defeated Maxx Payne at 7:39.
-Arn Anderson & Paul Roma fought WCW/NWA Unified World Tag Team Champions Steve Austin & Brian Pillman to a 30-minute time-limit draw.
-Sting, Ric Flair, & Dustin Rhodes defeated Sid Vicious, Rick Rude, & Bobby Eaton at 18:55 when Flair pinned Eaton with an elbowsmash.
1993 - In an angle designed to catapult him to the top of the WWF as an All American babyface, Lex Luger arrived via helicopter on the deck of the U.S.S Intrepid in New York City to bodyslam WWF champion Yokozuna. Yokozuna had offered an open challenge for any athlete to try and slam him as a way to mock the United States. Among those attempting, but failing, before Luger arrived including Randy Savage,
Crush, Scott Steiner, Tatanaka, Bob Backlund, Rick Steiner, former NFL star Russ Francis, Lee Rouson, Peter Taglinati, Scott Burrell, Bill Fralic and more. The event drew $1,500 fans, granting them admission to the museum and standing room general admission to the event. Before the Bodyslam challenge, WWF filmed a music video for Randy Savage's song "Speaking from the Heart."
1994 - Longtime WWF referee Joey Marella, the adopted son of Gorilla Monsoon, passed away due to an auto accident in New Jersey while traveling from a WWF TV taping.
1997 - Michael Modest defeat Donovan Morgan in a tournament final to win the APW Universal Heavyweight Title.
1998 - WWE ran Vancouver, British Columbia at GM Place, drawing 12,746 fans with the following results:
-X-Pac and Road Dogg defeated Kama and D-Lo Brown at 7:44 when X-Pac pinned D-Lo following a double DDT by DX.
-Bradshaw pinned Savio Vega at 2:55 with a roll up.
-Scorpio pinned Marc Mero at 7:33 with a moonsault.
-DOA defeated the LOD 2000 at 1:45.
-WWF European Champion Triple H defeated WWF IC Champion the Rock via disqualification at 11:04 when the Nation interfered; DX made the save.
-Vader defeated Mark Henry via disqualification at 6:38 after a chair shot.
-Jeff Jarrett pinned Steve Blackman with Tennessee Lee's help at 3:59.
-Ken Shamrock defeated Owen Hart in a submission match with the ankle lock at 7:43.
-The Undertaker pinned Kane at 7:54 following the tombstone.
1999 - Extreme Championship Wrestling ran an outdoor event at Bar A in Belmawr, New Jersey, drawing 500 fans wioth the following results:
-Nova & Chris Chetti defeated Tony Devito & Angel at 5:58 when Nova pinned Devito following a top rope splash/legdrop double team.
-Jazz pinned Jason with a low blow from behind and a roll up at 7:20.
-Jerry Lynn pinned Vito Lagrasso at 8:50 with a roll up into a bridge.
-Francine (substituting for Tommy Dreamer) pinned Steve Corino with a DDT; prior to the bout, Corino cut an in-ring promo saying Dreamer injured himself working an extreme style and insulted Dreamer before Dreamer came out with Francine; after the two shared words for several minutes, during which Dreamer cut a promo on the WWF for thinking they are too big to work Belmar, Corino attacked Dreamer with Dreamer fighting back, Francine getting involved, hitting Corino with a DDT, the referee counting 3, and the ring announcer naming her as the winner.
-Yoshihiro Tajiri (with Steve Corino, Jack Victory, & Rhino) defeated Super Crazy and El Mosco in an elimination match at 4:10; Crazy pinned Mosco at 3:12 with a springboard sunset flip into the ring as Mosco had Tajiri covered following a powerbomb; Tajiri pinned Crazy with a brainbuster; after the bout, ECW World Champion Taz came out, scaring Corino and his enterage backstage; Taz then issued an open challenge for a title shot.
-ECW World Champion Taz defeated Little Guido (with Sal E. Graziano) at 2:18 via submission with the Tazmission; after the match, Taz challenged Graziano to get in the ring but Graziano instead left ringside with Guido.
-Sabu pinned Roadkill (wuth Danny Doring) at 7:56 with an Atomic Arabian Facebuster; prior to the bout, Judge Jeff Jones came out and ordered Sabu not to wrestle on the night's card until Sabu knocked him to the floor.
-ECW World Tag Team Champions Buh Buh Ray & D-Von Dudley (with Joel Gertner & Sign Guy Dudley) defeated Balls Mahoney & Spike Dudley in a flaming tables match at 15:00 when the champions hit simultaneous powerbombs on the challengers through two flaming tables set up inside the ring.
2000 - WWF taped TV in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at the National Car Rental Center with the following results:
-The Dupps defeated the Mean Street Posse
-Scott Vick pinned Pete Gas
Sunday Night Heat:
-Perry Saturn defeated the Godfather via disqualification after Godfather hit his opponent with a stick moments after Steven Richards came ringside to censor the hos.
-Al Snow defeated Essa Rios via submission.
-Bull Buchanon pinned Crash Holly with the scissors kick.
-Bradshaw defetaed Gangrel & Mideon in a handicap match by pinning Mideon with the Clothesline from Hell.
-Too Cool defeated Matt & Jeff Hardy (w/ Lita) when Grandmaster Sexay pinned Jeff with a roll up as Jeff was distracted by T&A and Trish Stratus attacking Matt and Lita at ringside; after the bout, Too Cool and the Hardyz fought off T&A.
Smackdown!:
-Kurt Angle (w/ Stephanie McMahon) pinned Chris Jericho with the Olympic Slam after Stephanie hit Jericho with a low blow by using Angle's KOTR sceptor.
-The Dudley Boyz defeated D-Lo Brown & Chaz following the 3D on Chaz
-Jackie & Ivory defeated Dean Malenko in a handicap match when Crash Holly held Malenko's foot down during the cover; Malenko attacked Crash after the match.
-Val Venis pinned WWF IC Champion Rikishi to win the title with the Money Shot after Tazz interfered and hit the champion with a TV camera; T&A interfered earlier in the match but were run off by Too Cool.
-WWF Hardcore Champion Steve Blackman pinned the Big Bossman after Al Snow interfered and hit the challenger with a chair.
-The Undertaker & Kane defeated Test & Albert (w/ Trish Stratus) after Kane hit the chokeslam on Albert.
-The Brooklyn Brawler, Taka Michinoku, & Sho Funaki defeated Triple H in a handicap elimination match when Brawler scored the pin after Chris Jericho interfered and hit a bulldog and the Lionsault; Triple H had eliminated Taka and Funaki earlier after the Pedigree; Triple H beat up his opponents after the match.
-WWF Champion the Rock, WWF European Champion Eddie Guerrero, & Chyna defeated Chris Benoit & WWF Tag Team Champions Edge & Christian when Chyna pinned Christian with a powerbomb; Benoit locked Chyna in the Crippler Crossface after the match until the Rock made the save.
2003 - WWE Raw ran London, Ontario at LaBatt Centre with the following results:
-Randy Orton defeated Val Venis.
-Maven defeated Rico.
-Tommy Dreamer defeated Rosey.
-WWE Raw Tag Team Champions Sylvian Grenier & Rene Dupree defeated Bubba Ray & Spike Dudley; after the bout, Tommy Dreamer made the save for the challengers.
-WWE Intercontinental Champion Christian pinned Booker T with a roll up and holding onto the ropes for leverage.
-The Hurricane defeated Steven Richards.
-Rob Van Dam pinned Test with the Five Star Frog Splash; after the bout, Kane arrived at ringside and hit a chokeslam on RVD as well as numerous other wrestlers that attempted to intervene.
2004 - WWE Smackdown ran Sudbury, Ontario with the following results:
-Rob Van Dam pinned D-Von Dudley.
-Kenzo Suzuki defeated Billy Gunn.
-Nunzio & Johnny Stamboli defeated Akio & Sakoda.
-Mark Jindrak defeated Billy Kidman.
-Luther Reigns defeated Charlie Haas.
-WWE U.S. Champion John Cena defeated Rene Dupree and Booker T.
-Torrie Wilson defeated Sable and Jackie in a bikini contest; Scotty 2 Hotty hosted the event.
-WWE Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Chavo Guerrero.
-WWE Champion John Bradshaw Layfield defeated Eddie Guerrero in a Streetfight.
2004 - WWE Raw ran Regina, Saskatchewan with the following results:
-WWE Raw Tag Team Champions Rob Conway & Sylvian Grenier defeated the Hurricane & Rosey.
-Eugene pinned Garrison (Lance) Cade.
-Maven pinned Val Venis.
-Rhyno & Tajiri defeated Chuck Palumbo & Tyson Tomko.
-Batista pinned William Regal.
-WWE IC Champion Randy Orton defeated Edge.
-Matt Hardy pinned Stevie Richards.
-World champion Chris Benoit defeated Kane.
2005 - WWE broadcast Raw from Sacramento, CA. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV Report:
We are ready to celebrate the birth of the United States with the traditional holiday offering, professional wrestling. Since TNA got Canada Day, it looks like the WWE gets Independence Day. What will happen when Hulk Hogan enters Carlito's Cabana? Will he be accompanied by his daughter Brooke, brother? What about his son, Nick, brother? Will he talk about his new television show that premieres this Sunday, brother? How many times will Hogan say "Brothe", brother? How will Kenzo Suzuki or Hiroko being traded to Raw affect the product? Did you even remember that they were still on the roster? Will we see a reunion of La Resistance since Rene Dupree will be back on Raw? How will Raw cope with the loss of the people traded to Smackdown? What will Chavo Guerrero Junior do on Raw since Smackdown and Velocity are the home of the Cruiserweights in the WWE?
We begin tonight's show with a reminder that Hulk Hogan will be in Carlito's Cabana. How about some music?
We are live from Sacramento, California.
We begin with Carlito's Cabana and Carlito walks to the ring. Carlito reminds us that it is the Fourth of July, the only night of the year for fireworks. However, there are fireworks every night, especially tonight. How often does a star as big, as huge as Carlito. It is time for his guest to come out, and he has a new reality show on VH1 this Sunday night. He will be promoting his show on The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel, and Regis and Kelly. However, the first place he wanted to go was Carlito's Cabana . . . not the Highlight Reel. If you think the Osbornes are dysfunctional, you haven't seen anything yet. We see a clip of Hogan Knows Best where Hulk talks to one of Brooke's potential suitors. We find out that Brooke, at age 16 wants to go out with someone who is 22. It is time to bring out Hulk Hogan. Carlito is impressed by Hogan's appearance, and he has a red apple in his hand. Carlito says that this is huge, and it is an honor because Hogan has done it all. He is the most recognized name in wrestling, maybe even the world. Carlito says that the show is the biggest thing in his career. Hogan starts to talk about his show, but Carlito says the biggest thing is Hogan being on the show. If Hogan wanted to promote his show, why not bring out Brooke. Hogan threatens to throw Carlito, brother, into the top of the building. Carlito says that he is cool, but Brooke is hot. Carlito wants to take Brooke out. Carlito starts to talk about getting to know Brooke, and Hogan punches Carlito. From out of nowhere, Kurt Angle comes out and he says that nobody cares about his daughter. They should care about the fact that Shawn Michaels tapped at Wrestlemania; and Ric Flair tapped last week. Kurt is not happy that people think that Flair is still the man. Angle is not happy that the people are cheering for Hulk Hogan. Is it because he has a reality show? Whoopty freaking do. Angle reminds Hogan that the last time they were in the ring, Angle made Hogan tap, and he can do it again . . . anytime anywhere. Angle says that the person he wants to make tap out more is Brooke. Hogan punches Angle, but Carlito attacks Hogan from behind and gives Hogan a DDT. Carlito and Angle punch Hogan. From out of nowhere, Shawn Michaels comes out and he makes the save for Hogan. We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Kurt Angle moving from wives to daughters by suggesting things about Brooke.
Todd Grisham is standing outside the BischOffice. He tells us that Shawn Michaels entered the room and he is not a happy man. Todd will have further details.
It is time for our first match. Out first is Edge (with Lita and briefcase) and Gene Snitsky. We see footage from last week when Kane chased Edge and Lita into the back and then Lita seeing her ex-husband in the locker room. It is time for one of their opponents to come out and it is the Big Show. His tag team partner is Kane. Kane and Edge start things off. Snitsky hits Kane from behind to allow Edge to punch Kane. Kane throws Edge into the corner, but Edge is too quick. Snitsky tags in, but Kane with punches to Snitsky. Edge hits Kane from the apron and Snitsky with a clothesline. Snitsky with an Irish whip, but Kane with an elbow and punches. Show tags in and it is time for some open hand slaps to Snitsky's chest. Show with clotheslines to Snitsky followed by a hard Irish whip. Show with a shoulder to Edge who tries to come in and interfere. Show prepares for the choke slam, but Lita pulls Edge out. Kane chases Lita around the ring and to the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and Snitsky with an elbow drop on Show's leg. We see footage during the commercial where Edge clipped Snitsky. We are back to live action and Snitsky continues to work on Show's leg. Show with a boot to Snitsky's head and he gets out of the hold. Snitsky with a kick to Show's knee and then he continues to work on the leg. Edge tags back in and he drops an elbow on Show's leg followed by a knee. Edge with a drop kick to Show's injured leg and then he tags Snitsky back in. Snitsky distracts the ref and Edge slams Show's leg into the apron. Show with punches to Snitsky. Snitsky with a kick to the knee off an Irish whip. Snitsky with more kicks to the leg. Show with a punch to Snitsky. Snitsky with another kick to Show's leg. Show sends Snitsky into the corner and Edge with a tag. Snitsky and Edge with a double shoulder block from the second turnbuckle. Edge and Snitsky try a double suplex, but Show counters and suplexes Edge and Snitsky. All three men are down. Kane makes the tag and he punches Snitsky followed by a big boot. Kane with a running clothesline in the corner followed by a side slam. Kane goes up top for the jumping clothesline. Kane pulls Edge back into the ring. Show with a head butt to Edge. Kane with an Irish whip to Snitsky that sends him into Edge. Show sends Kane into both men. Show with a big boot to Snitsky while Show clotheslines Edge over the top rope to the floor. Kane with a choke slam to Snitsky for the three count.
We return to the BischOffice where Todd Grisham has nothing new to add. Shawn leaves the BischOffice and he knocks the door into Todd's back. Shawn says that he moaned and groaned until he got his way. It will be Kurt Angle and Carlito against Shawn Michaels and Hulk Hogan. We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Lillian's failed proposal to Viscera and the return of the Godfather at Vengeance.
It is time for our next match and out come The Heart Throbs. Romeo gets the mic and tells Lillian that they are here for her. Antonio has something to say as well. Romeo tells Lillian that they will make Viscera scream "no no" in the match and hope that after the show, Lillian will say, "oh oh". Their opponent in this handicap match is Viscera, and Lillian is driven to tears as Viscera comes to the ring. Antonio and Romeo attack Viscera before the bell ring. Viscera slams Romeo followed by Antonio. Viscera throws Romeo into Antonio, but he charges into a double boot. Romeo and Antonio with a double shoulder block to Viscera and he goes down. Romeo holds Viscera while Antonio punches him. Romeo with forearms to Viscera, but he charges into a forearm from Viscera. Viscera with a splash to Romeo. Then Viscera spanks Romeo and then dry humps Romeo. Antonio kicks Viscera off. It is time for Romeo and Antonio to pull Viscera into the ring post in the groin. The ref calls for the bell and disqualifies Romeo and Antonio. After the match, Romeo and Antonio come over to Lillian and she does not look happy.
We go to the back and all of the women in Diva Search II: Saline Away are standing at the makeup area waiting for Chris Jericho to finish with his hair as we go to commercial.
We are back and Maria is in the interview area. She talks about the trade between Raw and Smackdown. She tells us to go to WWE.com for info. She introduces Chavo Guerrero. Maria wants to know if he has done something different. He is no longer Chavo since his achievements never lived up to his abilities. There is only one place to put the blame, and that is on Hispanic people because they stood behind him. "Real America" does not like Hispanics so he does not want to be held back any more. He is no longer Hispanic. He is going to join "Middle class America". He will no longer be known as Chavo Guerrero. It is Kerwin White. Kerwin wants to know what nationality Maria is. He says that she is stupid. Maria sulks as Kerwin leaves.
Hurricane is with Rosey and Stacy and they are here to wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July. They have some safety tips for the proper disposal of used sparklers. Rosey's hand catches on fire and Hurricane uses a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. They wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July.
Maria is in the back and she does not look happy. From out of nowhere, John Cena stops by. Maria is not happy that Kerwin called her stupid. John is shocked that Chavo changed his name. John says that Maria has a lot going for her. She looks good, and then he stalls. He tells her to show her strengths and hide her weaknesses. John leaves and Maria giggles. We go to commercial.
We are back and we see a commercial for SummerSlam set at a "Divas Car Wash" SummerSlam is seven weeks away.
It is time for the Highlight Reel as we countdown to the host, Chris Jericho. He welcomes us to the Highlight Reel. Chris says that we won't see any cheesy deck chairs or stupid palm trees because this is the Highlight Reel. Jericho talks about how he watched the Cabana earlier and saw Hulk Hogan on the show. Jericho says that he wanted as big a guest. However, there is no bigger guest than himself, but he has the next best thing. His guest also has successful musical careers as well as being world class athletes. It is time for John Cena to come out. John is glad to be back on the Highlight Reel and thanks Jericho for bringing him back. Chris says that he is excited because John is doing great. He is the WWE champion with a spinning belt; he has a hit album, another video coming out, and a concert in Philadelphia in a few weeks. Jericho says that Cena is hot. However, Chris wants to remind Cena of a few things. Jericho was the first Undisputed champion. He has three albums, five videos, and has done hundreds of concerts. His latest show was in England in front of 50,000 people. We have footage from that concert. Jericho asks Cena what he thinks of that. Cena says that Jericho has a lot of good things going, and he gets ready to leave the ring. He wishes Jericho luck, and Chris wants to know what he meant by that. Jericho says that it has nothing to do with luck. Cena asks Jericho if he wants a batch of hero cookies and congratulates Jericho again. Chris wants to know if that means something to him. Jericho reminds Cena of who he is talking. He has reached legendary status in his fifteen years in the business and tells Cena that he is a much bigger star than Cena. Jericho says that people don't realize that because Cena has the title right now. Jericho says that he can take the title any time he wants. Cena realizes that the title is all Jericho thinks about and that he knows that Jericho is nothing without the WWE title. Cena says that is why Jericho comes out every week and tells people to look at all of his cool stuff. He says that Jericho is the first to tell everyone how great he is. Cena tells Jericho that he wants to be the first to tell Jericho that he is an asshole. Cena tells Jericho that he is trying to put one by everyone, and they are not stupid. Cena says that everyone remembers when Raw was Jericho. Now Jericho is cheap. He has taken everything and covered it in a big bag of cheap sauce. Cena says that he sees Y2Cheap, not Y2J. Jericho slaps Cena, but Cena tackles Jericho. They exchange punches until Cena with a shoulder tackle. Jericho leaves the ring and he attacks a camera man. The referees come out to hold Jericho back. Cena wants Jericho to get back in the ring, but the refs continue to hold Jericho back. Cena gets a foam Cena hand and shows Jericho that he is "number one" We go to the back where the Diva Search II: Saline Away contestants are walking to the ring for their Bikini Boot Camp. We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for Beauty and the Beast, Christy and Coach, to come out to introduce the Diva Search II: Saline Away contest. It is a bikini Boot Camp. Coach wants to talk about how Christy had to hit on Kamala, but Christy no sells it. She introduces Sergeant Slaughter. It is time for the eight contestants to come out, and one of them eats the carpet when she falls down. Slaughter likes what they are wearing and feel that it is very patriotic. He wants to know if they are ready to participate in the obstacle course. He wants to know if they want to blow on the Sarge's whistle. Coach stops any whistle blowing. Coach says that there is a reward. The Diva with the best time gets immunity for the week. Coach explains what needs to be done for the contest. Christy suggests that Coach demonstrate the obstacle course. Christy guilts Coach into demonstrating. The second contestant has so much fun that she pops out of her top and was disqualified. Make sure to check out Buck's detailed analysis of the Diva Search II: Saline Away Bikini Boot Camp to get a full appreciation of this segment.
We see footage of Hulk Hogan punching Kurt Angle for suggesting that he would make Brooke tap followed by Carlito and Angle attacking Hogan until Shawn Michaels makes the save. We go to commercial.
We are back and Coach and Christy run through the seven who are subject to the voting.
It is time for Val Venis to come out for his match. He stops to take a look at the women before going to the ring. His opponent is Rene Dupree (with flag and Johnny B. Badd's facial hair). Before the match, Dupree gets on the mic and he says that the French Phenom has arrived on Raw. He is here to prove that he is the greatest specimen to set foot in the squared circle, and that he is simply phenomenal. He calls Val "simply pathetic". Val punches Dupree followed by Irish whips and knees to Dupree. Val with a side Russian leg sweep. Dupree drops Venis on the top rope and then punches and chops Venis. Dupree with a kick to Venis' back. Dupree with a suplex. Dupree with a chop, but Venis responds with a chop of his own. Dupree with an Irish whip, but Venis with a kick and knee to Dupree followed by a back body drop and clothesline. Venis with a full nelson slam for a two count. Dupree with a rollup and the help of the ropes for the three count. We go to commercial.
Todd Grisham is in the interview area and he is with Carlito and Kurt Angle. He asks them how they feel about facing two icons. Carlito says that nobody comes to the Cabana to disrespect the Intercontinental champion and the only Olympic champion. Angle says that it is the Fourth of July and time to celebrate American heroes like him. The grand finale is going to be when he snaps someone's ankle in two tonight. Carlito takes a bite out of his apple and makes Todd flinch. We go to commercial.
We are back and Carlito is already in the ring. It is time for his partner Kurt Angle to come to the ring, and he is greeted by people telling him that he sucks. Out next is one of their opponents, Shawn Michaels. He is joined by his tag team partner Hulk Hogan. Hogan and Carlito start things off. Hogan throws Carlito down and stares at Angle. Angle tags in. Hogan throws Angle down on a collar and elbow tie up. Angle with a go behind, but Hogan with an arm bar. Michaels tags in and he comes off the second turnbuckle with a double sledge. Angle with a knee to Michaels followed by a punch. Michaels with an arm drag and arm bar. Angle with an eye rake followed by a slam. Carlito tags in but he misses an elbow. Michaels with an arm drag and arm bar. Hogan tags back in. Hogan with a punch to Carlito followed by a clothesline. Hogan slams Carlito and then sends Carlito into Michaels' boots. Michaels tags in, but Carlito sends Michaels into their corner. Angle tags in and slams Michaels' head into the turnbuckle. Michaels with chops to Angle. Angle with an Irish whip. Michaels with a clothesline to Angle and Carlito. Angle is clotheslined over the top rope to the floor by Michaels. Hogan throws Carlito over the top rope to the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Angle with European uppercuts to Michaels. Angle puts Michaels on the top turnbuckle and sets for an overhead belly-to-belly suplex, but Michaels punches Angle off. Michaels with the flying elbow drop to Angle and he sets up for Sweet Chin Music. Michaels ducks a clothesline from Carlito from the apron and Michaels chops Angle. Carlito with a knee to Michaels on the apron. Angle with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex to Michaels. Carlito tags in and he chops Michaels. Carlito draws Hogan into the ring so the ref is distracted, allowing Carlito to punch Michaels. Carlito with a hard Irish whip to Michaels and he works on Michaels' back. Carlito chokes Michaels and then he distracts the ref to allow Angle to hit Michaels in the throat. Angle tags in and he kicks Michaels on the mat. Angle with a belly-to-back suplex to Michaels for a two count. Angle with an Irish whip and he tags Carlito back into the match. Carlito distracts the ref allowing Angle to use the tag rope to choke Michaels. Michaels tries to fight out, but Carlito with a suplex. Angle tags in and he snap mares Michaels and has him in a reverse bear hug. Michaels with elbows to escape the hold. Angle holds on to the ropes when Michaels tries for a drop kick. Angle mocks Hogan and then the straps come down. Angle puts Michaels in the ankle lock, but Michaels powers out. Angle tries for the Angle slam, but Michaels counters with a DDT and both men are down. Carlito tags in and so does Hogan. Hogan punches Carlito followed by the Big Boot of Doom. Angle charges at Hogan, but Hogan with a back body drop that sends Angle to the floor. Hogan with the Leg Drop of Doom for the three count. After the match, Hogan and Michaels pose for the crowd. Shawn Michaels with Sweet Chin Music to Hulk Hogan as the music stops. Shawn stands over Hogan and then leaves the ring as we go to credits.
2006 - WWE's ECW ran their first and only TV Taping in Philadelphia, PA at the Wachovia Center, drawing 1,500 fans with the following results:
-Roadkill pinned Tony Mamaluke with a splash off the top
-CM Punk defeated CW Anderson via submission with the Anaconda Vice
-Sabu pinned Stevie Richards with an Atomic Arabian Facebuster through a table set up inside the ring
-Tommy Dreamer pinned Justin Credible with a DDT
ECW on Sci Fi:
-Test pinned Al Snow at 1:03
-The Big Show pinned ECW World Champion Rob Van Dam to win the title at around the 17:30 mark with a steel chair shot to the head and the chokeslam onto the chair after Paul Heyman came in the ring to count the champion's cover after he hit the Five Star Frog Splash but then stopped at 2; after Show hit the chokeslam, Heyman counted the pinfall and celebrated with the new champion as the fans threw trash into the ring to close the show.
2007 - Chris Benoit's mother questioned whether her son might still be alive if the federal investigation into steroid distribution, where Benoit's name surfaced, had been more aggressive, in comments made to the Toronto Star. When asked if quicker action by the investigators may have prevented the Benoit family tragedy, Margaret Benoit said, "We would certainly hope so. We just don't know. We're dealing with so many things. It's incredible." In response, DEA spokesman Rusty Payne said "it's ridiculous for anyone to think we could have known that anything like that could have happened." Payne noted that most investigations are done to stop traffickers and distributors, not users. "We can arrest and prosecute users, but they are not the target or focus of most investigations"
2007 - Former WWF champion Ultimate Warrior appeared on Fox News' Hannity & Colmes to discuss the Chris Benoit tragedy. Mike Johnson filed the following report:
Warrior was asked by Sean Hannity if steroid use was fairly rampant in wrestling. Warrior said that steroids are rampant in the industry and it's easier to point out which guys aren't on them. He said that there's no "stupid button" on him that makes him not see what is right in front of his eyes.
Warrior was asked about his personal steroid use and experiences with "roid rage." Warrior said that he did use steroids and had been open and candid about his use of them throughout the past. He said he doesn't have to go back and cover up about it. Warrior said there's a difference between "use and abuse." Warrior said that the difference between he and the other "crybaby former talents" is that he isn't broken down and has no whining or complaining to do.
Warrior was asked if any use that isn't medically prescribed is actually abuse. Warrior said that there are sacrifices that any athlete of a professional level will make to succeed at the business that they participate in. He said that "roid rage, to me, is a pie in the sky theory that is sought out by people that have no business discussing the frame of mind of an elite, physical athlete."
Warrior said that they are trying to paint a picture that taking steroids are bad and he doesn't believe it is. Warrior said he's all for personal freedom. "This is your program and you get to talk all the time so give me a chance. I'm all for personal freedom. I'm not on a crusade to abolish steroids in professional wrestling or other professional sports. What I'm tired of, is I'm tired of having my intelligence insulted and I'm tired of the integrity of positive mentoring assaulted all the time." Warrior and Hannity argued over whether he had any right to judge whether any use is abuse.
Hannity tried to segue into the Chris Benoit case and Warrior loudly said, "Back up a second. I'm not going to make excuses for this monster. Don't attack me like I'm trying to make excuses for this guy. There are no excuses."
Hannity asked how widespread steroid use is within WWE.
Note from Mike: Before we go any further, it's important to note that (and this is not just Warrior I am singling out here), many of the name being asked about the drug testing have never been employed by the company under the current Wellness Test's outlines, not even Chris Jericho. It's interesting to see wrestlers who haven't worked for the company in many years like Marc Mero (who I believe left in 1999) and Warrior (who last wrestled for WWF in 1996) commenting on a drug testing problem that they never took any part in. I don't doubt that many of them want to see the industry be healthier but in many cases, they are making broad statements based on what test they did (or didn't) have to experience during their run in the company. I think it's somewhat unfair to WWE to comment like that, although it's not unfair to be skeptical based on their personal experiences.
Warrior's response to the steroid use question was, "The drug test is a ruse. It's an artifice designed for the sensationalized, high-profile tragedies when people come forward and they make reasonable allegations that the talent is using drugs. This is this simple for me. For me to believe that the drug tests on the live bodies are legit, I've got to believe all the autopsies on the dead bodies are lies and it doesn't work for me."
Warrior was asked about all of the wrestlers that have died in recent years. He responded, "Those other guys in the industry, it goes back to the difference between use and abuse. Those guys were rotten on the inside. I would use this illustration - look at guys like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dave Zane, classic bodybuilding - those guys used steroids and they are still alive. They approached bodybuilding from a holistic perspective and that's been my approach. Wrestlers take steroids so they can look healthy on the outside, but they do everything else that makes them rotten on the inside. The autopsies that reveal they have enlarged hearts and other organs that have been affected by the steroids, that's the reason why, because they don't live healthy lives overall. If you are going to attribute his snapping and breaking like he did, and losing self-control the way he did, I'd attribute it more to the prescription drugs that you can get from any mark doctor that will sit there and go through a whole prescription pad."
Warrior was asked if he knew Benoit and he responded, "Sure." When asked what type of a guy Benoit was, "Yes I knew him...I did not have a [relationship with Benoit]" He trailed off, paused and said, "I think we're always surprised when talent goes this far, or when people go this far and commit these kind of heinous crimes, but I'm a little ashamed that people want to spend all this time discussing "roid rage" or parsing the language, parsing the concepts to find a reason to have greater sympathy, greater heart for the acts that this guy committed. There is no excuse for this guy - whether it was other pharmaceutical drugs, whether it was steroids, whether it was because of the difficulties of raising a child with disabilities, the stress and the strife of his wife over that, there's no excuse for any man- and I use the term man specifically here - to turn his back on his protective responsibilities to his wife and his son."
2007 - WWE Raw ran Tijuana, Mexico before 7,808 fans with the following results:
-Super Crazy defeated Daivari.
-WWE Raw Tag Team Champions Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch defeated Paul London & Brian Kendrick.
-Mickie James defeated Melina.
-William Regal defeated Val Venis.
-Jeff Hardy defeated Snitsky.
-Carlito pinned Santino Marella.
-WWE Champion John Cena, Bobby Lashley, & Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Randy Orton, Booker T, & Umaga when Cena pinned Booker with the FU. The match marked Mysterio's in-ring return after a 9-month absence due to injuries.
2008 - WWE ran Panama City, Panama at the Figali Convention Center with the following results:
-Lance Cade defeated Paul London.
-Jim Duggan defeated Charlie Haas.
-WWE Raw Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase Jr. defeated Cryme Tyme.
-WWE Women's Champion Mickie James defeated Beth Phoenix; Santino Marella was the guest referee for the match.
-Shawn Michaels defeated Chris Jericho.
-World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk defeated Kane.
-John Cena defeated John Bradshaw Layfield.
2009 - WWE ran Sydney, Australia at Acer Arena. Ivan Craddy sent the following live report:
I attended the 7/4 Raw show, in Sydney Australia.
There was an almost full house, with 18, 500 announced as the attendance.
1. Goldust defeated Chavo Guerrero with a suplex into a neckbreaker. Goldust got a good pop (?). Lots of stalling, mixed with some comedy. Two veterans, who know how to get a live crowd going
2. Sheamus defeated Jamie Noble with a backbreaker. Sheamus needs some work in between spots. Went way too long.
3. Santino defeated Brain Kendrick with a roll up. Santino got a good pop. Similar spots to the one described on Superstars.
4. The Miz defeated MVP. with a school boy roll up. Mass heat for The Miz. Great promo from The Miz, ripping into MVP about dating the fat chick from 'The View' and how the crowd can relate to him (MVP). Also, ripping into the crowd about being in Australia on Independence day. Decent match, way better than the first three matches.
5. Kofi Kingston defeated William Regal with trouble in paradise to retain the U.S Title. Some more stalling (story of the night), with the crowd really getting into Regal. (Englishman in Australia, not hard). Good match, with only a few rest spots and some stiff shots. In the middle of the match, there was a cool spot where they did dueling European uppercuts, with the crowd booing went Regal hit one and cheering when Kofi hit one. Finish came when Regal lined up for the running knee, but Kofi hit Trouble in paradise. After the match, Regal jawed with a fan for a few minutes.
Intermission
6. Priceless defeated the Colons with Cody hitting Crossing Rhodes on Carlito. Usual tag team match. Some stalling to start. DiBiase had his right bicep taped, which was worked in the story of the early part of the match.
7. Maryse defeated Kelly Kelly with a DDT to retain the Diva title. Not much to say about this match, expect they are really hot in person.
Attendance was announced.
8. John Cena and Triple H defeated Big Show and Randy Orton with Triple H pinning Big Show after the faces hit their finishes on him. Randy got decent heat, but took some stalling to get to the heat Miz had. John Cena got a really pop, but was nothing compared to Triple H. Usual tag team match. Decent match with the faces hitting all their signature moves. Randy got run off during the match and
only to come back to break up a STF on Big Show.
Overall, it was a decent show. More sports entertainment than wrestling, but that's Raw for you. Lots of stalling.
Biggest Pops:
1. Triple H.
2. John Cena.
3. Santino.
4. Kofi.
Biggest Heat:
1. The Miz.
2. Randy Orton (during the match).
3. William Regal.
4. Priceless
2010 - During a post-fight press conference, Brock Lesnar announced Paul Heyman was working with him on a book project. That book, Lesnar's autobiography "Death Clutch" was released in 2011.
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