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On this day in history in ....
1946 - Ted Cox defeats Dave Levin in Houston to win the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title. It marked the end of Levin's second title reign and the beginning of Cox's second run with the belt.
1960 - Verne Gagne becomes the AWA World Heavyweight Champion for the first of a record ten times. Pat O'Connor, the defending NWA World Heavyweight Champion, had been recognized as the first AWA World Champion in May of 1960, but was given 90 days to defend against number one contender Gagne, or be stripped of the title. The match never happened, and Gagne was given the title.
1992 - The Great Muta (Keiji Mutoh) defeats Riki Choshu in Fukuoka, Japan to win the IWGP Heavyweight Title. This marked the end of Choshu's third and final reign as New Japan Pro Wrestling's top champion.
1993 - Jimmy Del Ray defeats Ricky Morton to win the vacant Smokey Mountain Wrestling "Beat The Champ" Television Title. The belt, which was only defended on TV tapings, would be surrendered by the champion if they won five consecutive title defenses. However, on this occasion the belt had been vacated because a suspended Tony Anthony had won the title under a mask as the "Mighty Yankee" two months earlier.
2003 - Justin Credible defeats Terry Funk for the 3PW World Heavyweight Title in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the Electric Factory.
2007 - The AP released the following article:
The Associated Press released the following article this afternoon:
WWE Officials Meet With NY Prosecutors
Pro Wrestling Officials Meet With NY Prosecutor Probing Steroids
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Officials from World Wrestling Entertainment met this week with New York prosecutors investigating illegal steroid sales.
The meeting Tuesday came a day after a former pro wrestler was found dead at his Florida home, but a WWE official said it had been scheduled well before the death.
An autopsy on Brian "Crush" Adams, 44, failed to show a specific cause of death. The Hillsborough County medical examiner's office said Tuesday it expects a more complete report in six to eight seeks from tissue and toxicology tests on Adams, who wasn't breathing when his wife found him unconscious in their Tampa home Monday morning.
World Wrestling Entertainment Vice President Jennifer McIntosh said Tuesday's meeting had nothing to do with Adams, that he had not been a wrestler for the sports entertainment company since 2001 and WWE has no knowledge of any involvement by Adams with Signature Pharmacy of Orlando, Fla. Signature is at the center of Albany County District Attorney P. David Soares' investigation into illegal steroid sales in upstate New York.
"WWE was invited to meet with representatives of the investigation being directed by District Attorney Soares prior to Mr. Adams' death, as have representatives of the NFL, NBA, and other entities," McIntosh said in a prepared statement.
McIntosh declined to comment on what was discussed.
Calls to Soares' office were not immediately returned Thursday.
Adams' death came less than two months after pro wrestler Chris Benoit killed his wife and son before hanging himself on the cable of a weight machine in his Georgia home. Prescription anabolic steroids were found in the family's home, raising questions about whether the drugs played a role in the killings.
Benoit had been a client of Signature Pharmacy, Soares' office has confirmed.
Adams was also a Signature client, according to a law enforcement official who did not want to be named.
Nine people, including three current or former physicians, have pleaded guilty in Soares' multistate investigation, most affiliated with Internet and phone-order companies that filled orders for anabolic steroids and growth hormones through Signature and sent drugs to customers around the country, including Albany County.
Signature's owners have pleaded not guilty.
In New York, it is illegal for a doctor to prescribe drugs without examining the patient in person, and illegal for a pharmacy to dispense prescription drugs without a valid prescription.
National Football League officials met with Soares and other investigators in March. An NFL spokesman said they had asked the prosecutors' office for any information relevant to the league.
Soares has said repeatedly he's targeting distributors supplying illicit drugs and physicians writing prescriptions for patients they've never seen, not customers
2009 - TNA presented Hard Justice from Orlando, FL on PPV. Mike Johnson filed the following TV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's TNA Hard Justice 2009 coverage!
Steel Asylum: Suicide vs. Chris Sabin vs. Amazing Red vs. Alex Shelley vs. Black Machismo vs. Daniels vs. Consequences Creed vs. D'Angelo Dinero.
Each competitor had their own entrance into the Six Sides of Steel, at which point the roof of the Asylum. Dinero is the former WWE star Elijah Burke.
It was all chaos from the bell. The Machineguns tossed Daniels into the cage. They then worked over Dinero. Lethal tried to climb out but was pulled down. Sabin and Daniels battled on the top rope but Daniels slammed him off the top. Shelley grabbed Daniels with a jawbreaker. Suicide hit a superplex on Red. The Guns worked over Suicide with Sabin whipping Shelley into a overhead suplex, landing on Dinero. The fans chanted TNA. They were pushing the Guns off TV storyline hard on commentary.
Lethal and Sabin battled while standing on the top rope. Daniels was speared off the top rope by Dinero. Suicide hit a rolling Samoan Drop on Red. Shelley hit a double bodypress on Lethal Consequences. As you can imagine, there is way too much to follow but all of it is entertaining as hell.
Dinero hit a reverse STO on Sabin. Dinero and Daniels went back and forth. They went into the Tower of Doom spot in the corner with tons of car crash bumps out of the superplex/powerbomb combination. Creed went for a fireman's carry but Shelley escaped and sidestepped a dropkick. Shelley went for the Oriental Torture Device but Lethal got involved. Suicide hit an elbow off the ropes on Lethal.
Red and Suicide traded blows in the center of the ring. Dinero hit a huge elevated powerbomb on Suicide. Shelley drilled Sliced Bread #2 on Daniels. Lethal nailed a Faceplant on Shelley but was caught with a Sabin tornado DDT. Red used a rana to drill Creed into the mat in a sweet spot. Red climbed up towards the top but Shelley caught him in the turnbuckles. Everyone followed suit in the same corner,. Daniels hit an uranage off the ropes on Dinero. Creed suplexed Suicide out of the corner. The Guns hit a double team sliced bread/powerbomb on Lethal.
Red was left alone in the corner but went after Guns. He took them both out and the crowd chanted, "He's amazing." Red made his way to the inside of the Asylum roof. Daniels was close behind and puilled Red down. Red crashed onto a bunch of wrestlers standing below. Daniels was left hanging upside down from the Asylum.
Suicide began pulling himself towards the top. Dinero followed him and took him out. Suicide took a clean bump from the inside of the roof into the ring. Insane. Dinero was close to the roof but returned to the ring, limping. He went right after Suicide. Daniels freed himself and made his way through the opening to the outside and won.
Your winner, Daniels!
Daniels wins an X-Division championship bout at No Surrender. Dinero stood over Suicide staring at him after the match as Don West wondered what their history might have been.
Great opener. Tons of fast paced action, car crash bumps and all sorts of innovative action. Really great way to open the PPV. Dinero had a fun debut as well.
Jeremy Borash grabbed Daniels at ringside after the bout. Daniels said what we just saw was what the X-Division was all about. He said he has history with Samoa Joe and Homicide, but would love to get into the ring with Joe over the choices he made. Daniels said whoever wins, they were in a lose-lose situation because in the end, they will be in the ring with him. Daniels addressed AJ Styles at home, saying he was at home and had his doubts but to come back soon. Strong promo.
Backstage, Matt Morgan was interviewed by Lauren Jones. He told her that at one point, he wanted to be in the Main Event Mafia, but Kurt Angle kept jerking him around with all his dirty work. He said that he wanted to make clear that no one can control him and it was his destiny to become the TNA World champion tonight. Good promo. Nice to see the focus on the World title.
Abyss vs. Jethro Holiday (with Dr. Stevie) - Bounty Match with All Weapons Legal
They slugged it out in the middle of the ring and Abyss drilled Holiday with a right as he rebounded off the ropes. He went into the corner but Holiday caught him and drilled Abyss with chops and shoulderblocks. Abyss retaliated with a clothesline. Abyss clotheslined Holiday over the top to the floor. He followed Holiday and they battled outside. Abyss tossed Holiday into the rail and the ring steps. By the way, this new look for Abyss is a BIG improvement.
Abyss and Holiday returned to the ring. Abyss drilled him with rights and lefts in the corner as Holiday covered up. Abyss went to the floor and grabbed a steel chair. Dr. Stevie slid a baton in to Holiday. Holiday drilled Abyss in the leg and began working Abyss over. He pulled Abyss up on the outside of the apron and clubbed him with a forearm over the chest, then shoved him into the rail outside.
While Abyss was on the floor, Stevie began browbeating him. Holiday went to the floor and tossed Abyss into the ring and garnered a two count. Holiday grabbed the chair but before he could use it, was grabbed in a goozle for a chokeslam. Holiday used an elbow to escape but was hit with the big boot to the face, then a backdrop. Abyss charged Holiday in the corner and hit a sideslam for a two count.
Abyss grabbed the chair and placed it over Holiday's chest. Abyss went for the Earthquake splash but Holiday turned the chair around and Abyss crotched himself. Holiday grabbed the baton and cracked him in the head for a two count. Holiday wedged the chair in the corner and tried to whip Abyss into it. Abyss reversed the charge but Holiday saved himself from going into the chair. He acted like he was going to leap up and over a charging Abyss, but the Monster just waited, the grabbed Holiday from the back of the head and slammed him into the chair for a two count.
Stevie got on the apron, which distracted Abyss enough for Holiday to hit a bulldog. Stevie tossed Holiday brass knuckles. He reared back and charged to nail Abyss but was caught with the Black Hole Slam for the pin.
Your winner, Abyss!
After the bout, Stevie got in Holiday's face but was drilled with a right hand.
Good match. These two had really good chemistry in the ring, to the point that it accentuated the usual spots that you usually see in an Abyss bout. This may have been Holiday's best TNA showing to date and it was a good bout. I was glad to see there wasn't a reliance on the usual culprits - blood, tacks and tables - for an Abyss match.
We went backstage to Jeremy Borash interviewing Kurt Angle. No reference to the arrest, obviously. Borash said it was going to be every man for himself tonight and Angle said he didn't think so. Angle said that for weeks, Matt Morgan has been talking about how bad he wants to be in the Main Event Mafia but is now changing his tune. After Angle has a little talk with him, by the time they get to the ring, Morgan will be thinking differently.
Hernandez vs. Big Rob - Feast or Fired Briefcase on the line
Rob has the World title shot briefcase, since he stole it from Hernandez before he took time off for the neck surgery. This has to be a complete squash or else all is lost.
Hernandez took the mic and said he has family in Mexico and the United States. He said that makes him a Latino American and all the fans here are his family. He said the Impact Zone is his house. He said when the British Invasion stole his briefcase, it was the same as breaking into his house and stealing from his family. He told them they could hand over his case and walk out or he could take it and "walk out of here on top of all three of you."
All three attacked Hernandez but he made his own comeback, tossing Brutus Magnus and Doug Williams out of the ring. He drilled Rob with a flying shoulderblock and scored the pin.
Your winner, Hernandez!
Squash city and exactly what it needed to be to get over.
Lauren interviewed Beer Money, Inc. James Storm said that they've shown Scott Steiner and Booker T respect, something they haven't shown anyone. Robert Roode said that the last few months, they've been soft and shown they have emotion and heart. He said he is sick and tired of it. He said tonight, they are going to do what they do best, kicking ass, getting cash and getting trashed. He warned The British Invasion they were coming for them. Another good promo.
IWGP Tag Team champions The British Invasion vs. Beer Money, Inc.
Eric Young, wearing a suit, is at ringside commentating. The crowd chanted, "Wanker" at the champs. James Storm opened up early on Brutus Magnus with a series of rights. Magnus came back to toss Storm over the top but he skinned the cat and came back with a charging right hand. Magnus and Williams ended up on the floor. Roode elevated Storm into a plancha onto both.
Roode tossed Magnus back into the ring and unloaded with rights and turnbuckle smashes. Williams came back, shoulderblocking Roode down. Storm tagged in and they double teamed him, culminating with a big Storm knee drop. Magnus got involved but Storm nailed a double flying clothesline.
All four battled in the corner. Magnus was whipped into his own partner in the corner. Williams was left tied to the tree of woe. Beer Money crotched Magnus into the post, pulling his lower extremities into William's head. Storm was caught with a shoulderblock to the gut. British Invasion began working over Storm with punches and kicks. They continued tagging in and out, working over Storm in their corner as Young took credit for preparing them.
Williams hit a big diving knee drop on Storm for a two count. Magnus began slapping Storm and badmouthed him, leaving himself open for a superkick. Storm made the hot tag to Roode. Roode backdropped Williams, then hit an inverted atomic drop on Brutus. Roode caught Williams with a rolling snap mare off the ropes for a two count. Beer Money caught Magnus with a double suplex, then nailed Williams with DWI. Magnus broke it up at two.
Young grabbed one of the IWGP Tag straps and tossed it into the ring. That caught the attention of Roode, who Young spit on. Roode went after him as the referee removed the belt. That allowed Magnus to drill Roode with a low blow and Williams rolled him forward into a cradle for the pin.
Your winners and still IWGP Tag Team champions The British Invasion.
Beer Money ran Young and the Invasion off after the bout.
Good tag match but I expected way more. Magnus appeared off from recent appearances.
Lauren Jones interviewed ODB and Cody Deaner. Lauren tried to find out what would happen if Cody scored the pin, since the Knockouts title on the line. Note from Mike: Please DO NOT GO THERE. ODB and Cody were both oblivious to the idea as ODB talked about being sexually harassed daily by cougars and ODB talked about winning the strap and shining it up on her boobies. Hey, her words, not mine.
TNA Knockouts champ Angelina Love & Velvet Sky vs. ODB & Cody Deaner - Mixed Tag with Knockouts title on the line.
Hey, uh, whatever happened to Tara?
Love and ODB opened up. ODB caught her and slammed her into the corner, then began beating the champ with forearms and punches. Love fought back with strikes and kicks. Love missed a clothesline and went for a high cross bodyblock but was caught and dumped. ODB missed a charge into the corner and was hit with a facejam for a two count.
Sky tagged in and ripped at ODB kicking and screaming. She rebounded off the ropes but was killed with a shoudlerblock for a two count. ODB grabbed Sky and tagged in Deaner. He slapped Sky in the rear end. It was an open palm strike, so I guess it's legal. He put her on the top rope and spanked her. The last one, he and ODB did a double slap on the blonde's derriere.
Sky tagged in Love, who was caught with a kick to the stomach by ODB. ODB went to the top and shoved away Sky and Madison Rayne. Love caught ODB and slammed her off. The Beautiful People worked over ODB, kicking her in the ribs. The People whipped each other into ODB in the corner. Love nailed a basement dropkick while rebounding off the ropes. Love locked on a sleeper hold while using her weight to hold down ODB. ODB got to her feet and drilled Love backwards.
Deaner tagged in and kissed Sky. Love tried to attack him so he planted one on her too. Rayne jumped on the apron screaming so he puckered her one good one as well. He nailed a drop toehold on Sky, sending her into the ropes, then teased the Big Wiggle, Lord help us. Sky kicked him low. ODB nailed Love with a Thesz Press and they battled on the floor.
Madison Rayne went for the hairspray but Deaner ducked and Sky was blinded. Deaner scored the pin but THANKFULLY, ODB was announced as the new Knockouts champion. Well, nevermind as Deaner grabbed the title belt and walked out with it as ODB chased him. My head hurts.
Your winners ODB and Cody Deaner!
Love got in Sky's face over the loss but Sky told her she was blinded by Rayne. They both turned to Rayne. Sky and Rayne screamed at each other as the referee got in between them. Love walked off angry.
Match was mostly shenanigans. If you liked goofy comedy, you might enjoy the Deaner stuff, but all I could think of was Oklahoma in WCW (and guess who wrote that stuff???). When the women in, it was fine.
Lauren interviewed Taz and Samoa Joe. Taz said that last week, Joe beat himself but tonight Joe is in the zone and is going to win the X-Division championship. Taz said that Homicide was going to leave without the belt because the title was going to the Main Event Mafia right now.
TNA X-Division champ Homicide vs. Samoa Joe
They locked up and Joe jabbed him in the corner early. Homicide avoided a charge and rolled up Joe for a quick two count, then flipped over for another. Joe stalked him in the corner and whipped him out. Homicide ducked under and nailed a leg lariat. Joe retreated to the floor, where Taz instructed him to get his head right and "play your game."
Joe returned to the ring and hit a great overhead suplex, sending Homicide through the ropes to the floor. Joe brought him back to the ring and slammed him down for a two count. Joe tweaked Homicide's neck. The X- champion fought his way to his feet, driving elbows into Joe's stomach but was taken back down. Joe choked him against the ropes. As the ref admonished him, Homicide caught Joe with a kick and several chops.
Homicide went for a suplex but was overpowered by Joe, then caught in a powerbomb. Joe turned him over into a crossface. Joe began working over Homicide in the corner with boots and strikes. The Impact Zone chanted "187." They slugged it out. Homicide took Joe down with a clothesline and several dropkicks and Lucha takedowns.
Homicide went to the top rope with a missile dropkick, sending Joe to the floor. Homicide drilled him with the tope con hilo over the ropes. Homicide and Taz stared each other down and Taz dared him to try but Homicide instead returned to the ring. The announcers pointed out that it gave Joe a chance to catch his breath. Homicide nailed a neckbreaker for a two count. Homicide went for the gringo killer but Joe escaped. Homicide avoided a Joe charge but ended up caught in an attempted choke. Homicide tried to escape but was taken down into the Tazmission and tapped.
Your winner and new X-Division champion, Samoa Joe!
It was solid, but considering the body of work these two have had against each other in the past, I was let down. They could have easily gone 30 minutes, but it was not to be.
Backstage, Kurt Angle entered Matt Morgan's locker room. Morgan screamed at him to knock before coming into his locker room. Angle apologized for the way he spoke to Morgan at Impact. Morgan said he told everyone he wanted to be in the Mafia but Angle made him jump through hoops and now he has to deal with the consequences. Angle told Morgan there was a contract waiting for him in the Mafia but all he has to do is make sure either he or Angle win the World title tonight. If so, Morgan is in but if Sting wins, all bets are off. Morgan made it clear that if he won the title, he'd be in the Main Event Mafia and Angle agreed. They shook on it and Morgan walked off. Angle looked satisfied.
TNA Tag Team champions Scott Steiner & Booker T vs. Team 3D - NO DQ, Two Referees, Falls Count Anywhere
All four began brawling at the bell. Team 3D ran off the champs, who tried to regroup outside on the floor. 3D followed them and they went into the crowd. They all brawled around the Impact Zone as dual cameras followed them going in different directions. Brother Ray slammed a guard rail over Steiner. Devon and Booker battled at the top of the bleachers.
Since it was Falls Count Anywhere, Steiner got a two count after nailing Ray with a chair. Ray missed a chair shot on Steiner, hitting the wall of the Impact Zone. Steiner got the chair back and drilled it over Ray's back. Steiner did a dive off the first alcove of the Zone onto Ray on the floor.
The battle continued in the stands. It looked like the type of brawl that is always a lot more fun live than it is on television since you can't see everything. Booker dropped Devon throat-first over the railing and began kicking and stomping him. Steiner covered Ray on the floor for a two count. Devon choked out Booker on the floor.
Back in the ring, Steiner clotheslined Ray for a two count. Ray scooped up Steiner for a slam and Devon hit the Wazzup headbutt low. They led the fans in a chant for the tables. They set a table up and placed Steiner atop of it. Booker jumped Ray. Devon was stopped on the top rope by Steiner, who was going for a top rope Frankensteiner into the table. Ray dispatched Booker and got Steiner on his shoulders. Devon went for a top rope clothesline but Booker moved the table.
Team 3D took out Booker as the fans chanted for tables. Booker nailed an uranage through a table on Ray for a two count as Devon pulled Booker off. Booker drilled Devon with a kick and Steiner covered him for a two count. They got several two counts on Devon. Devon catches Steiner with a scoop powerslam for a two count. Steiner goes to clothesline Devon but hits Booker but accident. Devon hits a back suplex on Steiner for a two count.
Steiner clotheslined Devon in the corner and worked him over with punches. Devon grabbed him out of the corner with a powerbomb for a two count. Booker missed the scissor kick. They drilled Booker with 3D and Devon covered Booker as Steiner covered Bubba with a rollup The referees couldn't agree on who won so they reviewed the videotape. Seriously.
After a review, they ruled Scott Steiner and Booker T had retained the belts.
Your winners and still TNA Tag Team champions, Scott Steiner and Booker T!
The fans chanted "Bulls***" which is the reaction TNA wanted coming out of this. Good, fun brawl to start and the rest of the bout was fine. If nothing else, the finish was unique and leaves things open for a rematch as it gives the former Dudleys a legitimate gripe.
Jeremy Borash interviewed TNA Legends champion Mick Foley and asked him if he was ready for Nash. Foley said that he doesn't know but tonight, Nash wants the belt to make more money while Foley wants it for the pride he has holding the title. Foley said his entire career is about truth in advertising, noting his lost ear, the stitches he's received and the beatings he's taken. He pointed out he was on the Hard Justice poster with a barbed wire bat but for some reason he couldn't seem to find one around and wanted to know why that was. I'm guessing it's under the ring.
TNA Legends champion Mick Foley vs. Kevin Nash
Nash started off with knee and clobbering shots in the corner on Foley. Nash missed a short-arm clothesline and Foley opened up with punches and slammed Nash into the turnbuckles face-first. Foley nailed a headbutt several times. Foley came off the ropes with a kneelift. Nash kicks off Foley, knocking him off the apron into the rails on the floor.
Foley pulled himself up but Nash punched him back down to the apron and kicked him back to the floor. Nash followed and slammed Foley into the railing face-first. He slammed Foley back-first into the apron. He grabbed a chair and swung, but Foley ducked and Nash hit the ringpost. Foley drilled Nash over the back with a chair.
Foley did his elbow drop onto Nash with the chair, but the chair smashed Foley as well and busted him big-time around the eye. Nash tossed Foley back in the ring and began measuring him with punches to the face and bad eye. The referee asked Foley to stop the match because he couldn't see and Foley refused, so they are going for the underdog factor here.
Foley called for Nash to give him more, then fought back with a series of rights and a forearm smash that looked light. Nash went outside, where Foley smashed him into the ring steps. Nash came up from that with a trickle of blood from his forearm. Foley began beating him with rights to open the cut. The referee tried to get in between them but ended up bumped.
Foley went under the ring and grabbed the barbed wire bat, as he teased earlier. Traci Brooks came to the apron to stop Foley. Nash kicked Foley in the back of the head with a big boot. The impact sent Foley into Brooks and she bumped to the floor. Nash pinned Foley.
Your winner and new TNA Legends champion Kevin Nash!
Nash smashed Foley over the head with the barbed wire bat and threatened to do more, but Abyss' music played and he came out with a barbed wire bat of his own. Nash left the ring, holding the belt above his head. Foley, bloody, lifted a thumbs up to Abyss in thanks.
This was way better than you would have expected going in. They worked a lot better than you'd think given the differences in their work styles and their physical limitations. The blood added a nice gritty feel to their bout as well. The finish came out of nowhere and was forced but that was the only real issue I had with the bout.
Lauren interviewed Sting. Sting warned Matt Morgan that the only person you can trust in this business is yourself. He said that while a lot people in TNA are losing hope, but he never will. He promised that honor, dignity and respect will come back in style in TNA.
TNA champ Kurt Angle vs. Matt Morgan vs. Sting
Morgan and Angle worked over Sting early, as they discussed. Morgan splashed Sting in the corner. Angle charged Sting, but he moved and Angle slammed shoulder-first into the ringpost in spectacular fashion. Sting avoided the Carbon Footprint and Morgan crotched himself on the top rope and went to the floor. Sting whipped Morgan into the railing. He attempted to do the same to Angle but the whip was reversed and Morgan clotheslined Sting.
They tossed Sting back into the ring. Morgan legdropped Sting. He and Angle hit a double back elbow as Sting rebounded off the ropes. Sting kicked Morgan and tossed Angle out of the ring. Sting peppered Morgan with a series of rights in the corner. Angle returned to the ring but was nailed with a Stinger splash. Sting clotheslined Morgan from behind, sending him over the top to the floor.
Sting rolled up Angle for a two count. Sting and Morgan battled outside. Angle went for a bodypress off the apron but Sting moved and Morgan cauight him. Sting took them both out. Back in the ring, Sting locked on the Scorpion Deathlock but broke it when he saw Morgan coming. Angle powerslammed Sting for a two count. Angle locked in the anklelock but Sting kicked him off and out of the ring.
Morgan nailed Sting from behind. Morgan railed away at him with elbows in the corner, then splashed him. He covered Sting for a two count. Morgan nailed a Fall Away Slam on Sting. Angle got involved and Morgan didn't want to hear it. Morgan nailed the Carbon Footprint to Angle on the floor. Angle claimed he injured his arm, playing into the shoulder-ringpost spot earlier. At the same time, Morgan covered Sting but there was no referee to count.
Sting nailed the Scorpion Death Drop for a two count and that time, referee Earl Hebner returned to the ring to count. The referee went back outside and Sting screamed at him to return. Morgan hit the Carbon Footprint for a two count but the referee was pulled out by Angle. Angle grabbed a chair and went to hit Sting but nailed Morgan. Angle covered Morgan. The referee returned to the ring and counted three.
Your winner and still TNA champion, Kurt Angle.
Your typical three-way TNA bout with all three going back and forth with spots and not much in the way of storytelling. The storyline was that in the end, Angle outsmarted everyone. Morgan didn't receive any major elevation coming out of this in my eyes.
2010 - Lou D'Angeli, who worked for World Wrestling Entertainment in the marketing and live events end since 2006, bid farewell to WWE with Summerslam, according to several sources that noted D'Angeli went out of his way to say goodbye to them over the course of the weekend in Los Angeles. D'Angeli, who most fans would know from his runs as Sign Guy Dudley and Lou E. Dangerously in the original ECW, was recruited by Cirque Du Soliel last June to join their company. According to sources within WWE, D'Angeli accepted a job as the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for all the Cirque shows based out of Las Vegas last month and returned to work for WWE this weekend since he was so involved in the production and logistics of the AXXESS events for Summerslam weekend. AXXESS had been one of D'Angeli's main projects during his time in WWE. D'Angeli was telling those he spoke to that while he loved working for WWE, Cirque as a brand was too good a job and new challenge to pass up the chance. He and his family will be relocating to Vegas shortly from the Northeast. D'Angeli was also telling wrestlers this weekend that TNA had contacted him to appear on the Hardcore Justice PPV and while he technically could have made the appearance, he chose not to out of respect for WWE and several executives who went out of their way for his family after the passing of his mother several weeks ago. He joked that with all the ECW reunion shows, he's never had the chance to appear on any of them. With D'Angeli's departure from WWE, Joey Styles remains the only "ECW Original" employed in any fashion by World Wrestling Entertainment to date.
2010 - WWE broadcast Raw from Los Angeles the day after Summerslam. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Los Angeles, California and your announcers are Michael ‘I am wearing every tie that I own’ Cole and Jerry ‘It feels like we were in this building recently’ Lawler.
The losing team from the main event come out and they make their way to the ring in a different formation this time. Barrett is in the middle and he has the mic. He says that that doesn’t kill us will only make us stronger. Team WWE narrowly escaped with a victory last night, but Nexus defeated six of the best that Monday Night Raw had to offer. Rumors of their demise have been greatly exaggerated. They are still here, united, and ready to dominate the WWE. Everybody was so concerned with what would happen if Nexus won at SummerSlam, but nobody thought about what would have happened if they tasted defeat. There are consequences and they will be severe for the Raw roster. There will be more suffering, chaos, and misery for those who get in their way. Last night was just a temporary aberration.
John Cena interrupts Barrett before he can mark his words. He says that he is impressed. He says that Wade Barrett speaks a big game, but he is the fearless leader of Nexus. He has the resolve of Winston Churchill but he is as tough as Snooki from the Jersey Shore. Cena says that Wade tapped out last night and the crowd joins in with the chant. He says that Wade caused Team Nexus to lose at SummerSlam and now he is out here to try to pump up Nexus. Cena says that Nexus are the Expendables. After the surprise last night, he is probably wondering why he got rid of Daniel Bryan. When Daniel Bryan joined Team WWE last night, he eliminated half of Nexus by himself. For weeks, Nexus has been viewed as a group. After SummerSlam, we found out that Nexus is human and they can be beat.
John Cena says that instead of looking at them as a group, we are going to look at them individually. Cena mentions David Otunga. He says that Otunga is nothing more than a below average male escort who hangs on someone’s arm on the red carpet. Michael Tarver looks like an MMA bank robber who works nights as a male stripper. Cena wonders if that is Heath Slater or the chick from Wendy’s. We see the graphic to support Cena’s point. Darren Young says that it hits close to the chest because the existence of Darren Young proves that Cena’s mom had an affair with Buckwheat. Cena moves to Justin Gabriel and mentions that he has an alternative style of living. Cena says that it looks like it went over Skip’s head. Cena says that he can read his thoughts and he is singing the Meow Mix jingle. Cena says that Nexus is nothing more than human. The fear that they instilled in the locker room is gone. They lost last night and SummerSlam will be known as the night that Nexus was history.
Darren Young says that Cena doesn’t know what he is talking about. Cena says that Young tapped out in under a minute last night. Cena says that his name should be changed to the Weakest Link.
We’ve got mail to interrupt the arguing among the members of Nexus.
Michael Cole goes to his viewing stand. He says that Nexus may claim they are stronger than ever. It will be put to a test tonight. SummerSlam will continue tonight. Each member of Nexus will compete against members of Team WWE in a series of matches. Outside interference by Nexus members will be met with swift and appropriate consequences.
Wade says that is not a form of punishment. That is an opportunity for redemption. It is a chance to examine the Nexus. Wade says that they will see if there are any weak links. If there are any weak links, they will be weeded out. If anyone in Nexus is not victorious, they will be exiled from the group. One way or another, by the end of tonight, Nexus will be stronger than ever.
Otunga says that is fine, but it also applies to Wade. Otunga says that if Wade loses tonight, they will be happy to take over.
We have more e-mails. Nexus can choose which member faces Team WWE except Wade Barrett. Wade will face his former mentor Chris Jericho.
We go to commercial.
Match Number One: Wade Barrett versus Chris Jericho
Jericho with forearms and punches to Barrett followed by knees in the corner. Jericho with a running back elbow and kick to the back. Jericho with a kick to the chest followed by a suplex. We see Nexus watching on a smaller monitor this week.
Barrett with a punch and knee but Jericho with a drop kick and Barrett rolls to the apron. Jericho with a springboard drop kick and Barrett goes to the floor. Jericho with a boot to the head and then he sends Barrett back into the ring. Jericho goes to the turnbuckles but Barrett with a boot to the head that sends Jericho to the floor. Barrett runs Jericho’s back into the apron and he follows it with a punch and then he rolls Jericho into the ring. Barrett with a front face lock followed by a hard Irish whip. Jericho with a chop and forearm followed by a punch. Barrett with a kick and elbow to Jericho and then he chokes Jericho in the ropes. Barrett with a surfboard to Jericho. Barrett charges into the corner and he runs into a boot from Jericho. Jericho with a missile drop kick for a near fall. Jericho with punches followed by a shoulder tackle or two. Jericho with a bulldog and he gets ready for the Walls of Jericho but Barrett counters. Jericho is up on Barrett’s shoulders but Jericho counters with the Walls of Jericho but Barrett gets to the ropes.
Jericho runs into a big boot from Barrett for a near fall. Barrett tries for the slingshot belly-to-back suplex but Jericho lands on his feet and he hits an enzuigiri. Barrett blocks a Codebreaker and he gets Jericho on his shoulders for the fireman’s carry slam and gets the three count.
Winner: Wade Barrett
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that SummerSlam was the Number One search term on Google yesterday?
It is time for the guest hosts and they are the stars of Going the Distance. They are in the ring and they welcome everyone to Raw. They get a cheap pop by mentioning the Lakers and how they are the World Champs, but then they mention that they think the Heat will win next year. Justin Long introduces the Hart Dynasty and brings them to the ring.
We have mail to kill the crowd. Cole says that the Unified Tag Titles will now be known as the WWE Tag Team Championships. To present the new titles, Bret Hart will present the new belts. Bret comes to the ring with the belts over his shoulders.
Wade Barrett says that they have chosen Bret’s opponent and it is Justin Gabriel. Justin says that Bret might have experienced many things in his career, but tonight, he will feel the 450 splash.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see Vince McMahon’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Michael talks about Great Khali’s injury and his replacement at SummerSlam in the main event. Cole talks about how Miz would be part of Team WWE and Jerry Lawler talks about how Daniel Bryan took his place.
Match Number Two: Michael Tarver versus Daniel Bryan
They lock up and Tarver backs Bryan into the corner and Tarver with a punch to the midsection but Bryan with forearms. Tarver with punches to the ribs. Bryan with kicks but Tarver with more punches. Tarver runs into boots and then he hits a Yakuza kick for a near fall. Bryan works on the arm and shoulder. Bryan with a take down for a near fall. Bryan with kicks to the chest as Tarver is backed into the corner. The referee warns Bryan. Bryan with a drop kick and then he goes up top for a missile drop kick and he kips up.
The Miz and Alex Riley come to the ring to distract Bryan and Tarver gets the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Michael Tarver
After the match, Bryan with a suicide dive onto Miz and then he hits Riley. Tarver, Miz, and Riley attack Bryan and they hold Bryan for Miz to hit a running shoulder tackle. Miz punches Bryan. Riley puts the case down and Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale on the case. Miz welcomes Bryan back.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of the end of the match and Miz and Alex Riley’s presence at ringside. We see what happened to Bryan after the match.
Josh asks Miz to explain his actions with Daniel Bryan. Miz says that from the moment that Daniel Bryan arrived as his rookie, the WWE Universe heckled him and said that he was better than Miz. Last night, every superstar begged him to be on Team WWE. Then he was put on the back burner for Daniel Bryan. Miz says that if everyone thinks that Daniel Bryan is special, how special is he now. Miz says that if you want to see someone special, look no further than Alex Riley.
Alex calls Daniel Bryan boring. He says that Daniel never appreciated Miz. Alex says that he is not some nerd who is lucky to have a job in the WWE. Alex says that he will be the next break out star thanks to Miz.
Nexus are in their locker room and Darren Young says that he wants John Cena. He reminds us about the brutal attack last month and tonight he takes him out. Otunga mentions that Darren was beaten within an inch of his life.
Before the match starts, we have mail and Michael Cole shows us how he is Hooked on Phonics. Bret is not going to be competing against him tonight. The GM doesn’t like Bret Hart, he never liked Bret Hart and he will never compete on Raw again. The General Manager says that his new opponent is coming to the ring.
Match Number Three: Justin Gabriel versus Randy Orton (Substituting for Bret Hart)
They are face to face and Gabriel pushes Orton. Orton has that vacant stare before they lock up. Orton misses a punch and Gabriel with a punch. Gabriel with a side head lock and then he kicks Orton in the leg a few times. Orton misses a clothesline and Gabriel tries for a kick but Orton blocks the kick. Orton with a short arm clothesline followed by a normal clothesline. Orton with a power slam. Orton with a kick and then he hits the IEDDT. Orton with RKO Pushups but Sheamus comes to the ring and Orton and Sheamus fight on the floor.
They go into the crowd and Orton is counted out.
Winner: Justin Gabriel by countout
Orton and Sheamus fight back into the ringside area and the referees stop Orton as Sheamus gets away.
Orton returns to the ring and hits an RKO on Gabriel. Orton gets a chair and he hits Sheamus repeatedly in the back with the chair.
Orton slithers away while the referees escort him to the back. Orton outsmarts the referees and returns to Sheamus and hits the RKO on Sheamus.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of what happened between Randy Orton and Sheamus.
Match Number Four: David Otunga and Skip Sheffield versus R Truth and John Morrison
Otunga and Morrison start things off and they lock up with Morrison working on the arm followed by a side Russian leg sweep. Truth tags in while we watch Nexus in the back. Truth with a leg drop for a near fall. Sheffield breaks up the cover and then returns to the apron. Skip tags in and Truth dances for Skip. Truth with punches but Skip with an Irish whip and he catches Truth and hits a power slam. Skip with a kick to the back followed by a European uppercut. Skip with a forearm to the back and then he sends him into the turnbuckles. Otunga tags in and he connects with shoulders in the corner. Truth with a Flatline to Otunga and both men are down. Morrison tags in and he connects with a forearm and then he punches Sheffield. Morrison with a drop kick and forearm. Sheffield with a blind tag and he connects with a clothesline and then he knocks Truth off the apron. Sheffield with the lariat and he gets the three count.
Winners: David Otunga and Skip Sheffield
We see Eve Torres, Melina, and Gail Kim walking in the back because they are in the next match. We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Melina winning the Divas Title last night at SummerSlam and photos of Melina being attacked by Michelle McCool and Layla.
We see Jon Lovitz behind Cole and Lawler and he is apparently here to watch Maryse.
Match Number Five: Gail Kim, Eve Torres, and Melina versus Alicia Fox, Maryse, and Jillian Hall
Maryse and Gail start things off. Maryse pushes Gail but Gail with a drop toe hold and she slams Maryse’s head into the apron. Maryse with an Irish whip but Gail with a cross body for a near fall. Gail with a forearm and then she puts Maryse in the tree of woe. Melina tags in and Melina with a splash onto Maryse. Maryse runs Melina into the corner. Melina is able to fight out of the corner but Maryse with a kick for a near fall. Alicia tags in and hits a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Alicia with a snap mare and knee to the back. Alicia with a reverse chin lock but Melina with a jawbreaker. Eve and Jillian tag in and Eve with a drop kick or two. Eve with a slam followed by a flip senton for a near fall. Alicia and Melina fight to the floor. Gail with a clothesline to Maryse and they go to the floor. Jillian with an Irish whip but Eve with a kick and then a springboard kick. Jillian stops a moonsault attempt and gets the three count with a rollup.
Winners: Jillian Hall, Alicia Fox, and Maryse
Josh Mathews is in the interview area with Edge. Josh congratulates him on the victory and wants to know how important it was to be part of Team WWE. Edge says that it is not a surprise that they won because of him.
Heath Slater stops by and Josh leaves. Heath says that he wants to talk to Edge because he patterned himself after Edge. Heath suggests that Edge not show up and take the night off. A forfeit is no big deal. Edge says that normally he would do that, but Edge does not want to have a forfeit loss to a Wendy’s looking, ginger, Edge wannabe.
Slater hits Edge in the back and we go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that more men watched Raw than every show on a lot of networks.
Match Number Six: Heath Slater versus Edge
Edge punches Slater and kicks him as he is warned by the referee. Edge with a punch and Irish whip that sends Slater to his knees. Edge with a kick in the corner. Edge with an Irish whip and clothesline as he stands over Slater. Edge goes up top but Slater drops Edge on the top turnbuckle. Slater with a baseball slide that sends Edge to the floor. Slater runs Edge into the ringside barrier. They return to the ring and Slater gets a near fall. Slater with a seated abdominal stretch. Edge with punches after he gets out of the hold. Slater with a kick to Edge followed by a punch. Slater with a back elbow for a near fall. Edge with punches and a kick. Slater with an Irish whip but Edge moves when Slater tries for a splash in the corner. Edge with clotheslines and an Edge-o-matic for a near fall. Edge with a kick but Slater tosses Edge into the air for a modified flapjack and gets a near fall. Slater with a punch to Edge but Edge with an Irish whip and a running shoulder tackle into the corner. Slater goes to the floor and Edge misses a baseball slide but Slater misses a clothesline. Edge with a boot to Slater and he sets for a spear on the floor but Slater moves and Edge is on the floor when the referee makes the ten count.
Winner: Heath Slater
After the match, Edge gives Slater a spear.
We go to commercial.
Justin Long is with Khali in the back and he talks about the Kiss Cam. Runjin is back to translate about how he is in a long distance relationship. Justin says that he is not the one to help. His co-stars enter and they laugh at the photo of Khali’s girlfriend and then Runjin translates. Khali scares the other two guys away and Khali realizes that his girlfriend is butt ugly. The Bellas stop by and compliment him as they leave together.
It is time for a SummerSlam Recall: We go to the events around Los Angeles from this week.
John Cena is walking in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Darren Young being destroyed by John Cena last month.
Match Number Seven: John Cena versus Darren Young
Before the match starts, Nexus come to the stage to watch.
Young with a rollup for a near fall. Young with a back slide for another near fall. Cena works on the arm and then he hits a side head lock take down into a side head lock. Young gets a near fall. Young with a side head lock. Cena with a shoulder tackle and side head lock take down. Young with a belly-to-back suplex followed by a leg drop for a near fall. Young with a forearm to the back followed by a clothesline and Young with a near fall. Young with a suplex and he gets yet another near fall.
Young with a knee to the head followed by a near fall. Young with a forearm to the back but Cena with punches. Young with a kick and swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Young with a rear chin lock as we continue to see from behind Nexus on the stage. Cena gets to his feet and escapes the hold. He kicks and punches Young. Cena with an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow from Young. Young with an elbow drop for a near fall. Young with a series of leg drops for a near fall. Young waits for Cena to get to his feet and he hits a Northern Lights suplex and bridge for a near fall. Young takes off the elbow pads and he sends Cena to the floor. Young goes to the floor after Cena and he sends Cena into the ring steps. Young returns to the ring and he wants the referee to make the count. Cena is down as they make it to seven. Cena pops up at nine and returns to the ring.
Young misses a leg drop and Cena with punches to Young followed by two flying shoulder tackles. Cena with the Blue Thunder Bomb followed by the five knuckle shuffle. Cena gets Young up for the Attitude Adjustment but Young tries for a sunset flip. Cena counters with the STF. Young taps out.
Winner: John Cena
After the match, Nexus comes to the ring and they circle the ring. Cena leaves the ring while Nexus focus on the man who lost the match. The six winners circle Young and Darren apologizes. Otunga hits Young from behind and then it is a six on one attack. Sheffield with the lariat to Young. Barrett with a fireman’s carry slam to Young. Gabriel goes up top for the 450 splash.
2010 - Ring of Honor aired ROH on HDNet. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the ROH On HDNet Report here on PWInsider.com! Tonight: Davey Richards takes on Roderick Strong with the winner receiving a shot at the ROH World Title!
Let's go right to the ring for our first match...
Rhett Titus vs Jerry Lynn
They start brawling as soon as Lynn enters the ring with Lynn getting the upper hand, but Titus turns the tide and whips Lynn into the corner. He charges Lynn but gets backdropped to the floor and Lynn dives over the top onto Titus, then rolls him back in the ring. Titus thumbs Lynn in the eye and goes for a butterfly suplex but Lynn reverses to a fireman's carry, which Titus escapes and then catches Lynn right in the mush with a dropkick for 2. Titus runs Lynn's eyes across the top rope, whips him hard into the corner, then does it again and catches him coming out with a clothesline for 2. Titus goes to a chinlock, but Lynn escapes and hits a Deathdrop and then a rolling poke to the eye, followed by a bulldog and a springboard elbowdrop for 2. Lynn goes up for the ten punch count and Titus tries to dump him over the top, but Lynn hooks him with his legs and Titus goes to the floor. Lynn prepares to go for a dive but Aries grabs the ankle to distract Lynn, allowing Titus to come from behind and sweep Lynn's legs, sending him crashing hard to the apron. Titus goes back in and covers for 2, then hits a Muff Driver for another 2. Lynn recovers and fires at Titus with forearms, but Titus gets a tilt-a-whirl slam and goes up top, coming off with a flying kneedrop for 2. Titus puts Lynn up top and goes for a superplex, Lynn blocks so Titus goes for the Super Sex Factor, but Lynn blocks that as well and gets a top rope swinging DDT for a close 2. Lynn goes fothe Cradle Piledriver but Aries jumps up on the apron to distract, allowing Titus to nail Lynn from behind and go for a Razor's Edge, but Lynn rolls through that into a sunset flip for the win.
Winner: Jerry Lynn
Kenny King attacks Jerry Lynn in the aisle on his way to the back, but Delirious runs out with a chair to save Lynn from the triple team.
We go backstage to Kyle Durden, with Steve Corino and Kevin Steen. Durden asks Corino where the chain came from and why it's coming out now, and Corino says there's a reason: the chain links Kevin Steen and himself, and it's going to bring them to the top. The chain will never break and neither will they, but what it will do is break El Generico and Colt Cabana. Steen says since this whole thing started, they've used a lot of different weapons in their war, but the chain truly represents their relationship and Steen's career, being chained to Generico since the beginning. Just like Generico, it's heavy and annoying, but it became Steen's new best friend, and very soon Cabana and Generico will be introduced to Steen's new friend, and what they've been through is nothing compared to what's coming.
Time for our next match, with the participants already in the ring...
El Generico vs erick Stevens
This ought to make for an interesting mix of styles, I don't think they've ever wrestled before in ROH. They tie up and Generico can't budge Stevens, but Stevens is easily able to drive Generico into the corner, but breaks clean. Another tieup and Stevens takes him to the corner again, but this time delivers a right to the jaw on the break. stevens takes Generico to the corner a third time and tries another cheap shot, but Generico dodges, hits a few chops and a leg lariat, then a flying headscissors to send Stevens into the corner. Generico goes up for the 10 punch count and Stevens tried charging Generico on the break, but fell victim to a pair of armdrags, but then Stevens holds his base on the third and counters into a Samoan Drop for 2. Stevens with a big bodyslam and comes off the ropes with an elbowdrop for 2, then goes to a bearhug. Generico hits a jawbreaker to escape, but runs right into a powerslam by Stevens for 2. Stevens continues to pound away on Generico, and Generico tries to fight back but one solid forearm from Stevens shuts Generico down. Stevens goes for a backdrop but Generico dropkicks him while being popped up, then follows that with a top rope flying bodypress for 2. Generico with a Blue Thunder Driver for 2, but Stevens recovers and powers Generico into the corner where he again unloads with some powerful offense. He goes to the corner and sets up for the Choo Choo, but Generico comes zipping across the ring with a Yakuza Kick for 2, then goes up top, but Stevens nails him and follows him up for a superplex, but Generico knocks Stevens off and into the Tree Of Woe and then goes up onto the opposite corner for the Van Terminator, but Kevin Steen and Steve Corino run out and hit Generico with the chain to draw the DQ.
Winner: El Generico by DQ
Steen chokes Generico with the chain as Corino fights off referees and security until Colt cabana runs in with a chair to make the save.
We go backstage to Davey Richards and Shane Hagadorn, and Durden brings up Death Before Dishonor VIII and says that he knows Richards still wants the gold around his waist. Richards will agree that it was the fight of their lives, but he lost and is not the World Champion. But in losing, he learned some things: he has respect for Tyler Black and he's learned what it takes to become World Champion, and when he goes through Roderick tonight, he will be the ROH World Champion. Truth Martini crashes the interview and says that everyone knows that Roderick has Tyler's number, and Hagadorn gets in Martini's face and threatens to take his book and shove it down his throat, but Davey tells Hagadorn to stay out of business because when he wrestles, it's about competition. Then Davey tells Martini to ask his buddy Roddy about him, and says that he has a real short temper and Martini will regret it if he gets involved in the match tonight.
We now go to a video package detailing the history of the Steen/Generico relationship and their subsequent war, followed by the announcement that Generico and Cabana will take on Corino and Steen in a Double Chain Match on September 11th in New York City. Also in New York, the Kings Of Wrestling will take on Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin, and we get comments from the Kings Of Wrestling talking about how they think as one and have grown since their first run as a team and dominated the Briscoes. They then talk about how much they're looking forward to facing Haas & Benjamin and put them over as being very talented and athletic, but they're going to overwhelm come New York City because they're the best team in ROH.
Back to the ring and, once again, the participants are already in the ring...
House Of Truth vs Mike Sydal & Aiden Chambers
Truth Martini takes issue with Bobby Cruise's normal introduction, and hands him a card with a much more lavish and wordy introduction to read instead. The HoT attack the jobbers right from the opening bell and toss Sydal to the floor as Able runs over Chambers with a clothesline. Able rams Chambers into Raymond's boot, then hits a neckbreaker off the second rope and holds on so Raymond can come over the top with a senton to Chambers for 2. Raymond charges Chambers in the corner but Chambers moves and tags in Sydal, who wipes out both members of the HoT with a flying bodypress and then goes crazy with dropkicks and flying headscissors, but Able gets ahold of him and lawn darts him facefirst into the top turnbuckle, followed by the Wheelbarrow Suplex/vertical splash combo for the win.
Winners: House Of Truth
Coming up next week: the Embassy takes on the Dark City Fight Club, Skullkrusher Rasche Brown, and Grizzly Redwood. But for right now, it's main event time!
Winner Gets A Guaranteed World Title Shot: Roderick Strong vs Davey Richards
Davey grabs a mic before the match and points out that Shane Hagadorn isn't at ringside, so he tells Roderick to send Truth Martini to the back so they can do this NRC style and do it man to man. Roderick obliges, and Truth Martini vacates the premises. They tie up and Richards takes Roderick to the corner and breaks clean. Davey has some slick looking new tights tonight. They tie up again and Roderick takes Richards to the ropes, and he breaks...with a shove. Roderick with a hammerlock but Davey escapes and Roderick reverses that back to a front facelock. Davey backs Roderick to the ropes for the break and Davey goes to break clean again, but Roderick shoves him so Davey smacks him in the face and Roderick bails out to the floor. Roderick takes a long count and then slowly gets back in the ring and they tie up again. Roderick gets a side headlock, Davey reverses to a headscissors, but Roderick rolls through into a jackknife cradle for 2, then goes back to the front facelock. Davey shoves Roderick off into the ropes and Roderick takes him down with a shoulderblock. Fast paced sequence ends with Davey getting an O'Connor Roll for 2, then converting that into a surfboard which he then reverses to another cradle for 2. Roderick reverses to a rollup of his own for 2 and they take turns reversing each other in a great chain wrestling sequence that ends with Davey landing a stiff kick to send Roderick retreating to the floor again. Roderick comes back in and Davey catches him right away with a spinkick to send Roderick to the floor yet again, and this time Davey goes to the apron and gets a running kick to the chest of Roderick. Davey follows Roderick around ringside and kicks the crap out of him every step of the way, then rolls him back in the ring and gets a modified Rings Of Saturn/surfboard stretch, but Roderick gets his foot on the rope to break. They go toe to toe, but Roderick catches Davey with a back elbow and now Davey goes to the floor but Roderick follows him out and unloads with some stiff chops before they head back into the ring where Roderick continues the assault, drilling Davey right in the face and covering for 2, then going to a bearhug. Davey fights his way out and they go toe to toe again until Davey rams Roderick into the corner and just unloads with about 12 kicks in a row, then follows that up with a charging forearm in the corner, reverse spinkick, and a snap suplex. Davey goes up top and hits a diving headbutt for 2, then goes right to a cross armbreaker. Roderick rolls Davey to his shoulders for 2, then Tullys Davey to the ring apron and nails him with a diving kick through the ropes. Roderick goes out to the floor and gives Davey a backbreaker on the guardrail, then rolls him back in and covers for 2 before going to a modified, sitting abdominal stretch. Roderick goes for a back suplex but Davey escapes and they go toe to toe yet again. this is just so intense. Davey with the handspring enziguiri for 2, then the rolling kick out of the corner and finally a missile dropkick for 2. Another chain wrestling sequence ends with Roderick hitting an enziguiri followed by a Side Effect for 2, then a gutbuster for another 2. They end up on the apron where they exchange kicks to the face, and then Davey grabs Roderick's arm and drops down, just yanking Roderick down onto the apron. They head back in and Roderick goes for a German Suplex, but Davey flips through and lands on his feet and catches davey with a Fujiwara armbar, but Roderick makes the ropes. Roderick goes for a suplex but Davey tilt-a-whirls through and goes back to the armbar, then converts that into a stack for 2. Davey with a slam and goes back up top, but Roderick catches him with an enziguiri and then side suplexes him on the top turnbuckle. Roderick with an over the shoulder backbreaker, then drops Davey with a Widow's Peak for 2. Roderick goes for the Stronghold but Davey won't go, so Roderick slingshots Davey into the top turnbuckle. Roderick goes up top and they go blow for blow again, and Davey sunset flips Roderick off the top rope and then hits a running kick to the chest and a bridging German Suplex for 2, then another German Suplex and Roderick comes right down on the top of his head, so Davey measures him and just takes his head off with another kick to the head and covers for 2. Davey with a cross armbreaker, but Roderick reverses to the Stronghold, and Davey reverses that to a rollup for 2. They go toe to toe yet again, but as Davey goes for a discus clothesline, Roderick pulls the referee in the way and Davey takes his head off with the clothesline as the crowd chants "thank you Davey". funny. Shane Hagadorn comes to ringside and holds Roderick so Davey can nail him, but Davey pulls Roderick out of the way and shoves Hagadorn off the apron and starts yelling at him, then turns around right into a running boot from Strong, who covers Davey and pulls the tights for the win.
Winner: Roderick Strong
And with that win, Roderick Strong will now advance to Glory By Honor IX where he will once more challenge Tyler Black for the ROH World Tite. FABULOUS main event between possibly the two best workers in the company. The rest of the episode was so-so, Generico vs Stevens was pretty good, but other than that the episode was pretty average until the main event which, as I said, was really good. With Tyler on his way out of ROH, I think we just found out who's beating him for the ROH World Title. I'd bet money on it.
Okay, that wraps it up for me, make sure to check out my ROH DVD reviews, as this week I've got reviews of Bitter Friends, Stiffer Enemies 2 and Civil Warfare going up, as well as an ROHotline in the Elite section discussing some of the major recent changes in ROH with both Tyler Black and Adam Pearce departing the company. Thanks again for reading, and I'll see you all back here next week!
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