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August 30th
1969 - Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon defeat Crusher & Dick the Bruiser for the AWA World Tag Team Title in Chicago, Illinois, ending Crusher & Bruiser's fourth title reign.
1993 - WWF held their Summerslam Pay-per-view at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Here are the results:
- In a dark match, Owen Hart defeated Barry Horowitz.
- Razor Ramon defeated Ted DiBiase with the Razor's Edge. This was DiBiase's last U.S. PPV match as a wrestler.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated The Heavenly Bodies (Jimmy Del Ray & Tom Pritchard) when Rick pinned Del Rey after Del Rey accidentally moonsaulted Pritchard, and Scott gave Del Rey the Frankensteiner.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels defeated Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig via countout after Diesel pulled Hennig from the ring and rammed him into the ringpost.
- Irwin R. Schyster defeated The 1-2-3 Kid with a clothesline.
- Bret Hart defeated Doink The Clown via submission. Doink was replacing Jerry Lawler, who claimed to have a broken leg. However, as Doink was submitting, Lawler ran into the ring and hit Bret Hart with his crutch. WWF President Jack Tunney ordered Lawler to then wrestle his scheduled match.
- Jerry Lawler defeated Bret Hart via disqualification. Bret won the match via submission with the Sharpshooter, but refused to release the hold, so the decision was reversed, and Bret was disqualified. As a result, Lawler was able to proclaim himself the "Undisputed King Of Wrestling" (Bret had won the King Of The Ring tournament that year, and Lawler attacked him).
- Ludwig Borga defeated Marty Jannetty via submission with a torture rack.
- The Undertaker defeated Giant Gonzalez in a Rest In Peace (No DQ, no countout) match with a top rope clothesline.
- The Smoking Gunns & Tatanka defeated Bam Bam Bigelow & The Headshrinkers when Tatanka pinned Samu after all three members of the Headshrinkers/Bigelow team missed top rope headbutts.
- Lex Luger defeated WWF World Heavyweight Champion Yokozuna via countout after hitting him with a forearm that sent him from the ring (Luger has a steel plate in his forearm). Post-match, there was a huge celebration, as this was the culmination of the "Lex Express" summer bus tour of Luger traveling all over the U.S. that was designed to get Luger over as a patriotic babyface. However, the celebration made no sense, as Luger didn't win the belt, and it had been made clear that he was not going to get another title match after Summerslam (he would eventually, at Wrestlemania X). The whole push of Luger was a disaster, as he never got over the way WWF wanted him to, and stars like Undertaker and Bret Hart were obviously much more popular.
1993 - Dustin Rhodes defeats Rick Rude to reclaim the WCW United States Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia. The title had been vacated since May, following a bout between the two, and several rematches were held before a clean win took place here.
1996 - Sid Vicious defeats Jerry Lawler for the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, starting his second reign with the gold, and ending Lawler's 23rd run with the belt.
1998 - WWF held their Summerslam Pay-per-view at a sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York City. Here are the results:
- In matches shown on Sunday Night Heat:
- Too Cool defeated LOD 2000.
- Gangrel defeated Dustin Runnels.
- DOA defeated Bradshaw & Vader.
In matches from the PPV:
- WWF European Champion D'Lo Brown defeated Val Venis via disqualification when Venis hit the referee.
- The Oddities (Kurrgan, Golga, & Silva) defeated Kaientai (TAKA Michinoku, Men's Teioh, Sho Funaki & Dick Togo) in a handicap match when Golga splashed all of Kaientai for the pin. The Insane Clown Posse performed The Oddities theme song live.
- X-Pac defeated Jeff Jarrett in a Hair vs. Hair match after X-Pac hit Jarrett with his own guitar. Post match, Jarrett had his head shaved while the Headbangers and DX held him down.
- Sable & Edge defeated Marc Mero & Jacquelyn when Edge hit Mero with the Downward Spiral and tossed Sable on top for the pin.
- Ken Shamrock defeated Owen Hart via submission in a "Lion's Den" match with an anklelock. This match was held in a UFC style cage that was set up at The Theater, a smaller venue within the Madison Square Garden complex. Several thousand fans bought tickets to see the Lion's Den match live, and watch the rest of the PPV on a giant screen.
- The New Age Outlaws defeated Mankind in a Falls Count Anywhere match to win the WWF World Tag Team Title after a spike piledriver. Kane, Mankind's partner, abandoned him and the belts before the match, then showed up with a sledgehammer afterwards to attack Mankind.
- Triple H defeated Rocky Maivia in a Ladder match for the WWF Intercontinental Title after Chyna gave Rock a low blow to allow Triple H to climb the ladder and get the belt.
- WWF World Heavyweight Champion Steve Austin defeated The Undertaker with a stunner after blocking the Undertaker ropewalk.
2007 - Huge day for the WWE Wellness Policy.
WWE posted the following on their corporate website:
WWE Statement On Performer Suspensions
STAMFORD, Conn., August 30, 2007 - Based on independent information received from investigators from the Albany County, NY D.A.'s office, WWE has today, under the penalty provisions of its wellness policy, issued suspension notices to 10 of its performers for violations. It has been WWE's practice not to release the names of those who have been suspended, but notice has been sent to all WWE performers that names of anyone who is suspended under the Wellness Policy as of November 1 will be made public.
Following WWE's announcement that it had suspended 10 stars for Wellness Policy violations, the New York Daily News ran an article online listing the names of WWE stars that were identified as clients of Signature Pharmacy in Orlando, the site raided by law enforcement agencies in February for distributing drugs (including steroids) to clients that had not been examined by doctors. The newspaper later added Eddie Fatu (Umaga) and Shoichi Funaki to their list of WWE wrestlers that were clients of Signature Pharmacy.
The same day, Sports Illustrated posted an article online, part of their ongoing investigation of the illegal steroid business in Florida, listing what drugs WWE performers received from the pharmacy that federal agents raided this past February. The list not only includes the substance the wrestler received, but gives dates as to when the wrestler received them.
Three of the wrestlers on the list are deceased:
- Chris Benoit, received nandrolone and anastrozole in February 2006.
- Eddie Guerrero received nadrolone, testosterone and anastrozole two weeks before passing away in November of 2005.
- Brian Adams (Crush) received nandrolone, testosterone, and somatropin in December 2006. He was not employed by WWE at that time, and hadn't worked for the company for several years.
One of the wrestlers on the list no longer works for WWE:
- Sylvain Grenier, who received somatropin, nandrolone, genotropin and stanozolol from February 2005 through July 2006.
The other ten wrestlers on the list are all currently employed by WWE (although some are out injured). Remember, WWE started their Wellness Policy on February 27, 2006.
- Chavo Guerrero received somatropin, nandrolone and anastrozole from April 2005 through May 2006.
- Shane Helms received testosterone, genotropin and nandrolone from November 2003 through February 2007.
- Randy Orton received somatropin, nandrolone, stanozolol form September 2004 through February 2007.
- John Hennigan (Morrison) received somatropin, anastrozole, testosterone, stanozolol and chorionic gonadotropin from June 2006 through February 2007.
- Ken Anderson (Kennedy) received anastrozole, somatropin and testosterone from October 2006 through February 2007.
- Shoichi Funaki received somatropin in March 2006.
- Charlie Haas received anastrozole, somatropin, stanozolol, nandrolone and chorionic gonadotropin from August 2006 through January 2007.
- Edward Fatu (Umaga) received somatropin between July and December 2006.
- Darren Matthews (William Regal) received stanozolol, somatropin, genotropin and anastrozole between November 2004 and November 2006.
- Adam Copeland (Edge) received somatropin, genotropin, andstanozolol between September 2004 and February 2007.
In the end, all of the named wrestlers were suspended, while Bucci (who publicly maintained that he was undergoing testoscerone replacement therapy after retiring and not being under the Wellness Policy, as he was now a WWE employee and retired as a performer), was let go by the company. The lone talent not suspended was Randy Orton, who had already served a suspension stemming from the issue.
2007 - WWE signed former WCW star Johnny Stamboli for the second time.
2007 - TNA broadcast Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We approach the home stretch for the No Surrender pay per view in a little more than a week and tonight we will find out who will be Kurt Angle's tag team partner to face Pacman Jones and Ron Killings for the TNA Tag Team Titles. Will A.J. Styles become a tag team champion one more time or will he be forced to lay down for Christian Cage? Will one of Angle's best friends, Samoa Joe be the man who accepts tags from Angle? Will we see an icon join the Olympic gold medalist and have Sting be the tag team champion with Kurt Angle? We already know that Kurt Angle will be wrestling three times at No Surrender but what other matches will we see on the pay per view? Will we see the next challengers for Kurt Angle's titles emerge on this week's show? Will Christian Cage, A.J. Styles, and Tomko continue to go after Samoa Joe this week? What will Karen Angle be wearing this week? Will we finally see the vein on Jim Cornette's head explode after everything that has happened over the last few weeks?
We start off tonight's show with a look back at last week. We see Eric Young get spray painted by Pacman Jones. We then see Christian unable to appear on Impact only to ambush Samoa Joe from behind. We hear comments from Team 3D that they were sorry, but they were only sorry that they did not attack the Steiners earlier as they helped Kurt Angle defeat the Steiners and save Karen Angle from five minutes alone with Rick and Scott.
Ron Killings and Pacman Jones are walking in the back with Crystal behind them. She asks Killings about the rumors that he is trying to clean up Jones's image. She wonders how spray painting Eric Young's back is cleaning up his image. Killings says that it was charity. Jones asks Crystal if she knows how much he charges for an autograph and then he says that he gave Young a free autograph. Jones says that he could have received five hundred grand for that autograph. Jones says that tonight there is going to be another charity autograph as he shakes the can of spray paint. Crystal asks who it will be.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike Tenay and Don "Deal" West.
Don and Mike talk about the main event where Kurt Angle's tag team partner will be determined in a four way match between Samoa Joe, Sting, Christian Cage, and A.J. Styles.
We go to Jeremy Borash in the back and he is in Kurt Angle's locker room with Kurt, his Wife Karen, and his Svengali Kevin Nash. Kurt says that this does not feel right as he looks at promotional photos of his four potential co-holders of the TNA Tag Team Titles on the wall. He says that none of these guys are suitable to be his tag team partner. He says that they are going to try to hurt him and not look out for Kurt's best interests. They hate him. Nash tells Angle that they don't hate him. Nash points out that Angle is an Olympic gold medalist and hating Kurt is like hating the flag. Nash says that they don't know how much money Kurt gives to charity on a weekly basis. They all start to laugh and Karen says that everything was taken care of last week by Kurt so she is going to take care of things this week. Karen says that she will go out there and do her magic. She tells Kurt to put his feet up, relax, and have a cold drink with Kevin. She says that she is going to pay the usual suspects a visit. Karen leaves the locker room and then Kurt wonders if she is going to talk to Joe.
Team 3D comes to the ring for their match with the Motor City Machine Guns. We see footage of Team 3D attacking Rick Steiner last week and putting him through a table with a power bomb from the second turnbuckle. Before Shelley and Sabin can enter the ring, Scott Steiner comes to the ring. Team 3D wants Scott to come into the ring. Scott comes into the ring and Brother Ray attacks Steiner as he rolls in. Scott with a double clothesline to Ray and Devon. Steiner with an exploder suplex to Ray and then he hit a belly-to-belly suplex on Devon. Scott goes under the ring for a table and he brings it into the ring. Scott gives Ray an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Devon hits Steiner from behind as he gets the table set up. Scott falls victim to the 3D and then Brother Ray gets on the mic and tells the loser to get up. Brother Ray says that it is sorry that he almost destroyed Rick last week. Brother Ray keeps the referees at bay and then he puts a chair on Scott's throat and Devon hits the chair with another chair. Brother Ray tells Scott that it is time to go back to the hospital. Security and EMTs come to check on Scott. Brother Ray gets the hammer from the bell and security leaves the area and Devon helps hold them at bay and attacks a few members of security. Scott is rolled back into the ring and they set up the table but nobody is able to stop Team 3D. Brother Ray power bombs Scott through the table from the turnbuckles. We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment from the commercial break where we saw Scott Steiner taken from the Impact Zone on a stretcher and taken from Universal Studios in an ambulance. We also see footage of the attack again.
Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley are in the ring and Alex is on the mic. He says that if there is one thing he learned and that is that TNA needs heroes just like Detroit needs heroes. They want a match so the Motor City Machine Guns can pump up the ratings.
Match Number One: Motor City Machine Guns of Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley versus the Voodoo Kin Mafia of Kip James and BG James (with Roxxi Laveaux)
As we see Roxxi walk to the ring, the action has already started in the ring with all four men exchanging punches. Sabin is thrown out of the ring by Kip and Shelley is sent into the turnbuckles by BG. Kip chokes Shelley while the referee is focused on Sabin and BG. Sabin hits a springboard drop kick while Shelley hits a Flatliner on BG. Sabin and Shelley follow that with Sabin hitting a running drop kick to Kip off Shelley's back that knocks Kip off the apron. Shelley with a drop toe hold to BG followed by an elbow drop from Sabin. Shelley holds BG's head up for a running drop kick from Sabin. Shelley slides between Kip's legs on the apron and he pulls Kip off the apron. Kip blocks a punch from Shelley and responds with a punch of his own before Kip sends Shelley into the guardrails. Kip gets in the ring and he misses a clothesline on Sabin but he does not miss the Cobra Clutch Slam and BG covers for the three count.
Winners: Voodoo Kin Mafia
After the match, Kip gets on the mic and he says that now that the "Ticket Ride" is over, he wonders if there are any other worthy tag teams in the building who are worthy of the VKM? The Latin American Xchange comes out to the ring. LAX is not the only team who wants a piece of the VKM as we see the team of Elix Skipper, Christopher Daniels, and Senshi emerge from the Chute of Heelish Impact. There is one more team who wants to get involved and that is Shark Boy and Eric Young.
Kip wants all of them to come to the ring and we have all nine men battling in the ring. Homicide and Senshi battle in the ring while Kip takes on Eric Young. Hernandez and Christopher Daniels battle in the corner while we see Elix Skipper, BG James, and Shark Boy fight. While all four teams battle in the ring, we go to the back to Jeremy Borash.
Jeremy is walking in the back with Karen Angle. Jeremy tells Karen that he does not think it is a good idea for her to go into Samoa Joe's locker room. Karen asks Jeremy why and Jeremy reminds Karen about Hard Justice. Karen says that she was not the one to hit Joe with the chair. Jeremy says that it was two weeks ago, but Karen says that Samoans have short memories so it will be fine. Karen knocks on Joe's door and enters and Joe is on the phone. Joe is surprised that Karen is in his locker room. Joe asks Karen if she realizes what she did to him and what he should be doing to her right now. Joe sees the piece of paper in Karen's hand and he says that she should have come in with a SWAT team. Joe tells Karen that before he does something that they will both regret, he tells her to leave or make it quick. Karen tells Joe that she knows that Joe hates her husband and that he probably hates her too, but she wants to know how long this war is going to go on. They could buy this company ten times over. She wonders who is winning this war. She says that it is only dividing the two most powerful forces in wrestling today. She says that this is crazy and none of them are winning. She says they can make it work if they work together. Joe tells Karen to close the door so they can talk about it. Joe says that when you take the emotion out of it, they could be unstoppable and they could run the world. Karen agrees with Joe and says that is what she has been telling Joe. Joe says that he wants to be Kurt's partner in the worst way. Joe says that he wants Karen to be there when he dismembers Kurt and tears him apart piece by piece. Joe says that he is going to take her husband's broken body and lay it at her feet as he backs Karen into the door. He tells Karen that she will know that she caused this. He then tells Karen to tell Kurt that he will see him soon. Karen and Jeremy leave as we go to commercial.
We are back and Jeremy Borash is in another locker room with Christian Cage, A.J. Styles, and Tomko but before Jeremy can ask his first question, Karen Angle enters the locker room. Karen asks what is going on and Christian says that they are a little busy and he wants to know if Karen is in the right place and Christian points out that the strip club is down the street. Karen and Christian yell at each other and A.J. reminds Christian that Karen is a lady. Karen appreciates A.J. defending her. Christian wants to know what is on Karen's mind and she says that she says that she is here for business. She says that she has an offer that she does not think Christian can refuse. Karen says that she helps Christian win the match tonight and then Christian becomes Kurt's partner. Together they successfully defend the tag titles at No Surrender. Christian asks what is in it for him and Karen tells Christian that he would get a title match against Kurt. Christian says that he is not biting at something that easy. Christian says that the only liar bigger than Karen is himself. Christian tells A.J. that tonight they are going to take care of Samoa Joe and Sting and then it will come down to the two of them and the best man is going to win. Christian and Tomko leave and Karen talks about their attitude problem and A.J. asks if the deal was for both of them. Karen says that the offer applied to A.J. as well. A.J. says that he is not gullible or stupid and he leaves. He comes back and asks if Karen is serious. A.J. wants to make sure that he understands the deal. A.J. wants to know if he needs to help Christian win or if he has to win; and Karen tells A.J. that all he has to do is win the match. Karen kisses A.J. on the cheek and leaves. A.J. says that Karen wants him so bad, but then he tells Jeremy not to tell Kurt.
We are back with Don and Mike and they talk about No Surrender and how Kurt Angle will be defending all three TNA titles. We will also see Robert Roode face Frankie Kazarian at the pay per view.
It is time for the latest Cowboy Pub Crawl in search of Rhino. We go to James Storms' vehicle where he says he made a mistake last week by going to bars that were too high class for Rhino. We go to Bullseye Sports Bar. Storm says that there are some ugly people in the bar. Storm wants to know if anyone is aware of where Rhino is. He says that if nobody talks up, he will whoop everybody in the bar. Storm leaves the bar and says that he wants to talk to the owner. Storm was told that they heard about what happened last week and don't want the same thing to happen there. Storm asks if Rhino was there and he is told that Rhino was there yesterday. Storm says that he is going to find Rhino and wants to know if Rhino is coming back. The segment ends with a graphic stating “Have you seen Rhino? If so call 1-888-HAVE-A-BEER."
Before Sting goes to the ring for the main event, Karen and Jeremy are backstage to talk to him. She talks about how Sting and Kurt have a lot in common. They have great family morals and both stand up for what is right. Karen asks Sting what is better than for him to stand side by side. She tells Sting that they can change the world together for the children. Sting tells Karen if she cares so much about the children then she should change her dress.
After all of the wrestlers come to the ring, we see Kurt and Karen Angle rise in the Angle-Vator and come to ringside with the TNA Tag Title belts.
Match Number Two: Christian Cage versus A.J. Styles versus Samoa Joe (with Samoan Dance Troupe) versus Sting to determine the other half of the TNA Tag Team Titles
The match starts with Joe and Sting in the ring and A.J. and Christian on the floor. Joe and Sting attack Christian and A.J. as they enter the ring. Joe punches and kicks Christian while Sting works over Styles. Styles with a double thrust to Sting's throat to stop his offense and Styles starts to work over Sting with a series of punches. Styles attacks Joe and Christian helps with the double team. Christian kicks Joe while Styles returns to Sting and then we cut to the Angles watching from ringside.
We return to the ring where Joe is punching Christian in the corner but Styles comes from behind and hits Joe. Styles and Christian throw Joe out of the ring and they turn their attention to Sting. Sting fights off both men for a few seconds but Christian hits Sting. Christian and A.J. alternate holding Sting for the other to punch Sting. We return to Kurt and Karen watching the match while Kurt holds his title belts.
Back to the ring, and Christian and Styles punch Sting and then they come off the ropes but Sting with a double clothesline. Sting throws Styles out of the ring in front of the Angles. Christian with a boot but Sting with a drop kick. Sting tries for the Scorpion Death Lock but Christian makes it to the ropes. Christian with a kick to Sting followed by a punch and chop. Sting with a kick and bulldog but Styles pulls Sting out of the ring. Sting is sent into the ring steps by Styles, but in the ring, Joe comes up behind Christian and puts him in the Choke. Styles comes in to make the save and Styles kicks Joe in the back. Styles punches Joe but Joe punches and kicks Styles and Christian. Joe hits a running clothesline into the corner on Christian and then he Irish whips Styles into the corner and then he hits a running back elbow and a jumping spin kick. Joe sets for the running boot to Christian with the face wash and he turns around and he sees Styles coming at him. Joe with a kick and then he sends Styles into Christian's nether regions head first. Joe with a belly-to-back suplex on Styles but he can only get a two count. Joe puts Styles on the top turnbuckle to set up for the Muscle buster but Christian hits Joe from behind. Joe slaps Christian and then Styles hits the moonsault into an inverted DDT on Joe. Sting goes up top and he hits a double cross body block on Christian and Styles. Sting throws Christian over the top rope to the floor and then Sting sends Styles to the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Sting and Joe are in the ring and Sting is punching Joe. Joe with a jumping spin kick to Sting. We see footage from during the commercial break of Sting pressing Christian and dropping him to the floor as well as Joe dropping Styles on the top rope sending A.J. to the floor. We return to the live on tape action and Joe catapults Sting into A.J. on the apron and A.J. goes to the floor. Joe with a powerslam for a two count on Sting. We go to the reaction from the Angles. Joe with jabs to Sting followed by an Irish whip but Joe misses an elbow when he charges into the corner. Sting tries for the Stinger Splash but Joe moves out of the corner. Joe goes to the apron and then he climbs to the top and sets for an Island Driver but Sting hits a superplex. Styles covers Sting and gets a two count. Christian covers Joe but Styles breaks up the cover. Christian yells at Styles and then Styles with a small package for a two count on Christian. Christian and Styles alternate near falls on each other. Christian kicks and chops Styles and then he chokes A.J. in the corner. Christian with shoulders in the corner followed by an Irish whip. Styles with a boot to a charging Christian and then he goes to the top. Christian charges into the corner and Styles leaps over Christian. Styles with a kick and then he sets for the Styles Clash. Sting misses a clothesline on Styles but Styles does not miss with the Pele kick. Joe and Styles each hit clotheslines and both are down. Christian goes up top for a Frog Splash but Styles and Joe both move out of the way. All four men are down and the referee starts his count. Sting is the first to his feet followed by Styles. Sting sends Christian to the floor but Styles sends Sting to the floor. Joe sends Styles to the apron and then punches him off the apron. Joe hits a corkscrew plancha onto all three men and we go to commercial.
We are back and Christian kicks and chokes Sting in the ring. We go to footage from the commercial break when Christian gave Joe an Unprettier on the floor. We return to the live on tape action and we see the Angles watching from their chairs at ringside. Christian and Styles with a double suplex to Sting and Christian and Styles choke Sting. Sting punches Styles and Christian and then he sends both men into the corner and he sets for a Stinger Splash on both but Christian moves out of the way. Christian sets for the Unprettier but Sting counters into the Scorpion Death Drop but Styles breaks up the cover. Styles tells Christian to get a chair but Joe takes the chair from Christian and he tries to hit Christian with the chair but Christian moves out of the way. Joe and Christian fight to the announce table and to the back. Styles goes for the turnbuckle and the referee tries to stop him. With the referee out of position, Tomko comes to the ring and hits a big boot on Sting. Styles can only get a two count when he covers Sting. Styles goes for a springboard move but he is met with a reverse atomic drop and then Sting puts Styles in the Scorpion Death Lock and Styles taps out.
Winner: Sting
After the match, Kurt and Karen Angle go into the ring to celebrate with their new tag team partner. Karen holds the ropes for Kurt and then Kurt stares at Sting. Karen gives one of the TNA Tag Team Title belts and hands it to Sting. Kurt offers his hand to Sting and they shake hands in the center of the ring while Karen applauds the new alliance. Karen holds up both men's arms before the Angles leave the ring.
As the Angles go up the Ramp of Heelish Impact, Ron Killings comes into the ring and he attacks Sting from behind while Pacman Jones walks down the Ramp of Facial Impact with the can of spray paint for another charitable autograph. Killings hits the axe kick and then Pacman spray paints Sting's back. Kurt Angle comes back to the ring to make the save for his new tag team partner. We go to credits.
2008 - WWE Hall of Famer Walter "Killer" Kowaslski, one of the top heels of his era before becoming a top flight trainer, passed away. WWE issued the following statement:
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--World Wrestling Entertainment (NYSE: WWE) is saddened by the passing of WWE Hall of Famer Walter “Killer” Kowalski. Kowalski, who was an in-demand performer in the 1950’s and ‘60’s, was a former WWWF (World Wide Wrestling Federation) Tag Team Champion in the late-1970's. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996. He was instrumental in the training of many WWE Superstars, including current WWE Champion Triple H. WWE extends its condolences to the Kowalski family.
2008 - WWE ran Jonesboro, Arkansas, despite a power outage. Brian Thompson filed the following live report:
WWE SmackDown!/ECW Live
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Arkansas State University Convocation Center
Jonesboro, Arkansas
World Wrestling Entertainment fans were treated to an interesting evening of wrestling action with an old school feel. Why you ask? I'll have more on that in a moment!
Crowd looked to be in the 3,700 - 4,000 range. This was the second time that WWE has held a house show in Jonesboro this year. The first was a January SmackDown!/ECW card.
The Big Show defeated Carlito in the opener. Crowd popped huge for Big Show after many around me seem dumbfounded by the new "old" hairstyle of Carlito. Some thought it wasn't even him, thinking it might be his brother.
R. Truth defeated The Brian Kendrick by disqualification when Ezekiel Jackson interfered. It was during this match that the power in the building went out. Those of us in Section B of the arena later learned that power was out all over town.
Ring announcer Justin Roberts was forced to introduce the next match using a bull horn, straight from Jimmy Hart's closet. Okay that was lame, but he really did introduce the next few matches with a bull horn. Also for the next few bouts, participants had to come out to no music. Was definitely an "old school" feel with no music and no overhead ring lights working.
WWE Divas Champion Michelle McCool & Maria defeated Maryse & Natalya in a Divas tag team match.
Vladimir Koslov defeated Super Crazy. Pretty much a squash here. Lots of people took bathroom breaks and visited the merchandise tables or concession stands during this one.
Finlay (with Hornswoggle) defeated Kenny Dykstra.
WWE Tag Team Champions Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins defeated Jesse & Festus to retain their titles. The lights came back on during this match.
Jeff Hardy defeated MVP in a "No Disqualification" match. The match did not start out this way but after a brief brawl on the floor, Hardy got on the house mic and made the challenge. MVP acted like he didn't want to do it and ended up arguing with and then shoving referee Mickey Henson. The referee, after the shove, declared the match to be a "No DQ" contest.
Main Event: WWE Champion Triple H & The Undertaker defeated The Great Khali & WWE U. S. Champion Shelton Benjamin.
The Undertaker, Triple H and Jeff Hardy received the biggest pops of the night. Undertaker was tops with Triple H and Jeff Hardy close seconds. Big Show was next in line.
There was no intermission as it appeared that they were trying to get through the show before dark, in case the lights never came on. The show started at 5 p.m.
Original main event, as advertised, was scheduled to be Triple H & Undertaker vs. Khali & MVP. Also, originally set was Shelton Benjamin vs. Jeff Hardy. Guess those were changed last minute. In addition, Matt Hardy was scheduled to challenge Mark Henry for the ECW Title. That match did not happen.
2009 - WWE's Raw brand ran Valparaiso, Indiana. Matt Carter filed the following live report:
I thought I would send along a quick live report from the WWE RAW House Show on 8-30-09 in Valparaiso, Indiana
This was originally to be a Smackdown/ECW show earlier this year but was postponed because of the commercial free RAW on USA.
I think that is the reason the attendance was very high. Last year's house show at this venue wasn't half as full as today. From what I could tell, it was sell out.
I arrived after the start of the first match...so I didn't catch the name of the new ring announcer lady. She didn't do a bad job at all.
Match 1
Evan Bourne def. Chavo Guerrero
Ending saw Hornswoggle come from under the ring and distracting Chavo...that lead to the Shooting Star Press
Match 2
Primo def. Alex Riley
No one knew who Alex Riley was at all. He did some great heel mic work prior to the match about being from Boston College and being better than everyone. He comes to the ring in a sleeve-less letterman's jacket with an "R" on it. No one seemed to know who Primo was either. Decent match. Primo wins with high cross body off the top rope.
Match 3
Chris Masters def. Santino Marella
The crowd was WAY into Santino. Santino did some opening mic work about getting beaten up by Masters a few years ago. He said that his ex girlfriend Beth Phoenix taught him how to lift weights and he is no longer a rookie. Some fun comedy to start and Masters wins with a Masterlock.
Match 4
6 Diva Tag Team Match
Mickie James/Kelly Kelly/Gail Kim def. Beth Phoenix/Alicia Fox/Rosa Mendez
Match was ok for what it was. What stuck out to me was 2 things. Alicia Fox is getting much better in the ring...she may have that "it" factor. Rosa Mendez doesn't. She looked WAY out of place and very green. She almost killed herself taking a flying head scissor from Mickie James and took a Thez press all wrong. I forget who pinned who...I think Mickie pinned Rosa but not 100%
Intermission
Match 5
Fatal Four Way for United States Championship
Kofi Kingston def. Carlito/The Miz/Jack Swagger
Carlito came out to a lot of cheers. Guess the universe missed the memo. Swagger and Miz got some nice heat. Kofi wins with Trouble In Paradise on Carlito (I think).
Match 6
Special Challenge Match
The Big Show def. Mark Henry
We were never told what the special challenge actually was. After watching the match, the challenge was staying interested. Big Show came out to a pop...again the universe missed the memo. Big Show wins with the knock out punch.
Main Event
John Cena/HHH def. Legacy (Rhodes/DiBiase)
I thought this was a REALLY weak main event. A funny note, when WWE was in Valpo over a year ago....Cena and HHH teamed up for a win. Same thing here with almost the same finish (19 months later). Pedigree and Attitude Adjustment at the same time and Cena pins Rhodes.
Tons and tons of kids. Nice hot crowd. Pretty weak (read safe) wrestling here. I think my ticket to DGUSA for next Sunday will be a whole different experience.
Best Pops:
1. Cena
2. HHH
3. Hornswoggle
Best Heat:
1. The Miz
2. Jack Swagger
3. Chris Masters
2010 - TNA signed Mickie James, although they did not publicly announce it immediately.
2010 - Raw broadcast its milestone 900th episode. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Boston, Massachusetts and your announcers are Michael ‘Official voice of the Raw General Messenger’ Cole and Jerry ‘The King of the 900s’ Lawler.
Bret Hart comes to the ring and he has something to say. Bret says hello to the people of Boston and says that it has been a while. Seventeen years ago, a new show debuted called Monday Night Raw. Bret says that back then, he wondered if the show would catch on. Thanks to everyone, seventeen years and 900 shows later, it looks like it is doing pretty good. Raw has the most shows in the history of primetime television. Bret says that he was there for the very first show. There was only one other wrestler here who was there on the first show as well. That man is the Undertaker. Bret says that it would be appropriate . . .
For Kane to come out and interrupt Bret. Kane mentions the Undertaker. He says that there is no Undertaker any more. Kane says that thanks to him physically decimating him and leaving him to rot in a vegetative state, the Undertaker is a phenom no longer. He is not phenomenal in any way. Kane says that Taker is just a man. Kane says that the man Bret once knew is like Bret. He is weak, feeble, scraggly, over the hill, and irreversibly damaged. The last time that the Undertaker was truly the Phenom it was at Wrestlemania when Taker ended the career of Shawn Michaels. Kane asks Bret if he liked that. Bret made amends with him, but he utterly despised Shawn. He must have enjoyed seeing Shawn laid out to rest.
Bret says that he will savor it when Kane loses to the Undertaker again. Kane tells Bret that he sounds like Taker. Kane says that the only thing he ever wanted was to break out of his brother’s shadow to prove that he is the devil’s favorite demon. Undertaker took out an icon in Shawn Michaels. Kane says that means that he needs to do the same. He needs to take out an icon of his own. Kane says that he needs to take out Bret Hart.
Kane grabs Bret by the throat and the Hart Dynasty comes to the ring. Kane fights off Kidd and Smith. Hart punches Kane but Kane grabs Hart again.
The lights go out and the Undertaker is in the center of the ring when the lights go back on. Kane stares down his brother and he leaves the ring. Kane tells his big brother ‘not yet’.
The General Messenger makes his presence known and Michael Cole gives us the most electrifying introduction in e-mail reading history. Cole tells us that he sees this iconic moment take place. In honor of Raw’s 900th episode, there will be a main event befitting this historic occasion. Bret Hart versus the Undertaker.
We go to a Raw Moment: Footage from the first episode of Raw in January 1993.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you Know that Raw has had more original episodes that a few reality shows combined.
It is time for another Raw moment. Episode 279 when Steve Austin drove a zamboni into the arena in 1998.
Match Number Two: Kofi Kingston and Michael McGillicutty versus Daniel Bryan and Kaval versus The Miz and Alex Riley
Riley, Bryan and Kofi start things off and Riley attacks Bryan from behind and then he knocks Kofi away. Kofi with a drop kick but Bryan breaks up the cover. Bryan with a European uppercut but Kofi with a kick. Bryan with a kick to Kofi and then Bryan punches the Miz. Bryan punches Riley and kicks him in the corner. Kofi with the SOS to Bryan for a near fall. Riley breaks up the cover and he hits a Michinoku Driver on Kofi for a near fall. Riley with an elbow to the head. Bryan with a knee to Riley but Kofi with a forearm to Bryan. Kofi with the Boom drop to Riley but Bryan breaks things up. Kofi with a cross body to Bryan and all three men are down. Kaval and McGillicutty tag in and Michael with a kick but Kaval with a Dragon Sleeper but Riley hits Kaval from behind. Riley punches Michael and Miz tags in but Kaval with a drop kick to Riley and Miz goes to the floor. Michael with a rollup for a near fall on Kaval. Kaval with a Liger kick and then he goes up top for the Warriors Way and he hits it but Miz with the Skull Crushing Finale for the three count.
Winners: Miz and Alex Riley
After the match, Bryan kicks Riley off the apron and then Miz returns to the ring and he hits Bryan in the head with the briefcase.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Melina defeating Jillian last week only to have Michelle and Layla interrupt Melina’s celebration.
Michelle and Layla are in the ring.
Match Number Two: Melina and Eve Torres versus Michelle McCool and Layla
Michelle and Melina start off and Melina with forearms and Melina knocks Layla to the floor. Michelle with a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Layla tags in and she tosses Melina by the hair. Layla is sent into Michelle and Melina with a rollup for the three count.
Winners: Melina featuring Eve Torres
After the match, it is time for some Real Talk. Michelle says that this victory is a lot like Melina, completely forgettable. Layla says that we need to know who the real champion is in WWE. They challenge Melina to a unification match against Melina at Night of Champions. Michelle and Layla ask Melina if they have a deal.
Melina says that she figured they were going to propose something like that, but she will accept only if it is a lumberjack match.
Michelle and Layla accept the stipulation.
The other Divas still in the company come out to show Michelle and Layla who the lumberjacks are.
Time for the next Raw moment: Episode 889 when Nexus was formed and John Cena fell victim to an eight on one attack.
The five remaining members of Nexus are in the locker room. Tarver says that people are saying that they aren’t the same. Otunga says that they are just trimming the fat and he tells Tarver to go if he doesn’t think that way. Wade says that they will be the biggest stars in the WWE tonight and in three weeks, he will become WWE Champion. They need to do something that will be unforgettable and have people talking about them forever. Wade says that he knows what they can do and we go to commercial.
We are back with another Raw 900th Episode flashback. Episode 850 from September 2009 when Bob Barker was the guest host.
Chris Jericho is in the interview area with Josh Mathews. He asks Josh what the future holds for him. Chris asks if people think it is a gimmick when he says that he is the best in the world. He says it because it is true. Jericho says that he is going to take matters into his own hands. He had an epiphany that he is the greatest performer. If he does not win the WWE Title at Night of Champions, it will be the last you see of Chris Jericho in the WWE. Josh mentions that Jericho has been kicked out of the WWE a dozen times. Jericho says that he wants Josh to see what he is going to do to prove that he is the best in the world at what he does.
Match Number Three: John Morrison and R Truth versus Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre in a Number One Contender Match for the WWE Tag Titles
Cody and Truth start things off and Truth gets the crowd into the match. Rhodes with a kick but Truth with a hip toss and then he does a split for no reason. Rhodes with a forearm to Morrison but Truth with a forearm to the back. All four men are in the ring and Drew and Cody are in control for a moment. The referee loses control and he calls for the bell.
No Contest
Truth with a suicide dive onto Rhodes while Drew kicks Morrison on the floor. Morrison with a drop kick that sends Drew into the computer.
We are back and did you know that people in WWE have a lot of free time to figure out when Jersey Shore would hit their 900th episode.
It is time to go to episode 867 on the Greatest Night in Wrestling History on January 4th when Hell Froze Over when Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart buried the hatchet after something that happened in Canada a few years ago.
Match Number Four: Bret Hart versus Undertaker
Before the match can start, Wade Barrett comes out and he tells Bret and Taker to hold their horses because this match is not going to happen. When people talk about the 900th episode of Raw, they don’t want to talk about two legends, they want to talk about the future and that is Nexus. Wade said earlier today that he was going to do something unforgettable. He will do it by delousing Bret Hart and proving that the Undertaker is indeed a dead man.
Barrett goes after Taker but Taker punches Barrett. Taker with a big boot to Barrett and Barrett is clotheslined over the top rope to the floor.
The lights go out and when they go back on, Kane is in the ring and Kane punches Taker but Taker punches Kane back. They stand toe to toe in the ring with Kane punching Taker.
The lights go out again and when they go back on Taker is the only person in the ring.
Nexus music plays again and the other four guys make their way to the ring. They join Barrett and circle Taker’s yard. Taker punches Tarver off the apron and then he takes care of Slater and Otunga. He has Barrett by the throat and the lights go out.
The lights go back on and Barrett has Taker on his shoulders and he hits the fireman’s carry slam.
Kane stands on the stage and watches what Nexus is going to do. They pull Taker towards the corner for the World’s Most Hesitant 450 Splash.
Take tries to sit up like he used to in the day but Kane might be right and he is no longer the top dog in the eyes of the devil.
We go to commercial.
We are back and there’s Fenway Park.
It is time for a Moments Ago Moment of Kane overshadowing Nexus’ plan to take care of the Undertaker and then Kane’s light switch gimmick helped Nexus.
Jack Swagger comes out and he says that they should hail the returning conquering All American Hero. Jack says that when he left Raw he was an All American American American American. He returns a former World Champion. Jack says that he might know why Johnny Damon doesn’t want to return to Boston, but Jack has no problem bringing a little swagger to Monday Night Raw.
Match Number Four: Jack Swagger versus Evan Bourne
Swagger with a kick and forearms to the back. Swagger sends Bourne into the turnbuckles and then Bourne with a kick to the leg and Alberto Del Rio interrupts as he drives into the building.
Swagger with an Irish whip while Ricardo Rodriguez introduces Alberto. Swagger with shoulders in the corner. Swagger tries for a running power slam but Bourne escapes and he hits a back kick. Bourne goes up top for the shooting star press and he lands on his feet when Swagger moves. Swagger clips Bourne and he puts Bourne in the ankle lock and Bourne taps.
Winner: Jack Swagger
Alberto Del Rio introduces himself and he says that the little Chihuahua Rey Mysterio won’t be here tonight. Alberto says that the only place you can see Rey is in the hospital. What he did to Rey last week was phenomenal and incredible. Alberto says that he is not completely happy because the audience on Raw did not see what happened. Alberto says that he is going to recreate that magic moment, but with a different Chihuahua. He goes into the ring and he attacks Evan Bourne and puts him in a cross arm breaker. Alberto kicks Bourne out of the ring and then he puts Bourne’s arm in the chair.
Mark Henry runs to the ring and he punches the chair. Alberto thinks again about going back to the ring.
Michael Cole talks about the first WWE show in China and we have a video package.
We go to commercial.
We are back with another Raw Moment: Episode 331: The Rock “This is Your Life” segment that was the highest rated segment in Raw history.
The Straight Edge Society comes out and they are one member short. They pose in the corner before Punk takes the mic. Punk says that he is better than the Rock. He doesn’t drink. He doesn’t smoke. He doesn’t make crappy movies like the Tooth Fairy. Punk asks if the fans like the Rock. Punk asks if they miss the Rock on Raw. Punk says that he doesn’t miss the Rock. It is because the Rock epitomizes the septic tank of a show that is Monday Night Raw. 900 shows is a milestone, but for 900 shows, Raw has been promoting poor family values. Punk has two words for us: Katie Vick. Punk says that it will drive you to drink, but he will save you. Punk says that he is here to show four of the most atrocious acts committed on Raw. They are not pretty and tonight he is Raw’s judge, jury and executioner. Exhibit A: Property Damage from Episode 824 when Triple destroyed Randy Orton’s house before Wrestlemania. Exhibit B: Irresponsible and Reckless Behavior: Edge and John Cena fighting into the water in Bridgeport in Episode 691. Punk says that he would never throw anyone into a body of water because it is bad sportsmanship. Exhibit C: Trespassing: Episode 257: Invading Nitro in 1998. Exhibit D: Excessive Use of Alcohol via firehose: Episode 304 in 1999 when Steve Austin had the beer hose and unleashed suds on the McMahon family.
Punk says that he cannot find the words that describe the shame that he feels for them. He says that he is ashamed to see the fans cheer someone like that. Punk says that everyone would pay their hard earned money to see Steve Austin walk down the ramp and spray CM Punk with beer via a fire hose.
Glass breaks and Punk has played the crowd because Steve Austin is not coming out. Punk gets a good laugh out of it and he asks if the people of Boston are disappointed and angry with him. Punk says that he is always that disappointed when he comes here to see each and every one of them. He says that he is happy that they are disappointed. Punk says that he has one more clip to leave on a high note. Punk has a clip from a show called Smackdown. We see the 199th episode of Smackdown when Brock Lesnar superplexed Big Show and imploded the ring. Punk says that he could watch that clip over and over because it represents everything he could never be. He could never be criminally obese. He says that Big Show is so big he broke an entire ring.
Big Show’s music plays and he comes out.
Punk mentions that they play Steve Austin’s music and no one comes out, but they play Big Show’s music and we get Captain Insano.
Show is insulted that Punk would make a fat joke. If Punk wants to embarrass him, he can talk about the chronic diarrhea when Eddie Guerrero gave him a tainted burrito. Or the time that he had to do the sumo wrestling thing. That was embarrassing. Show says that Punk should have brought up Show kissing Vickie Guerrero. Show tells Punk that he loves making people laugh. Show says that he does impersonations. Show does a Straight Edge Hogan promo. Punk says that was boring.
Show sulks a little and then Show says that Punk was being mean. Punk says that there is nothing ‘high’ about the straight edge society and that is what makes them better than Show. Show says he is not high, he is just tall. Show chops Punk. Luke punches Show but Show punches back. Show with a forearm to the back and then he clotheslines Luke over the top rope to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that Monday Night Football wishes they have had more games than episodes of Raw.
Time for another Raw moment: Episode 450 in 2002 when Triple H returned from his quad injury.
Josh Mathews brings out Sheamus. Josh asks Sheamus about his match in three weeks, but Sheamus takes the mic. He says that it is a celebration tonight, except for one person, Triple H. He isn’t here because of Sheamus and Triple H is never coming back. Sheamus says that is why he is being punished by having to defend his title against five people. Sheamus wants to know how this is fair. He calls everyone a bunch of Plastic Paddys. He says that he is the only true Irish man. In addition to the match at the pay per view, he has to team with four of his opponents at the pay per view. One of his partners is Randy Orton, the man who tried to end his career. Sheamus says that this is discrimination.
Before the ACLU can come to his side, Edge’s music plays and he comes out. He says that Sheamus is giving him a headache fella. Edge says that since he debuted on Episode 265, he has been thrown into the Long Island Sound, had weddings broken up, had deranged ex-employees come through the crowd and attack him, and hit him with chairs. For everything that has happened to him, he has thrown back three times as many. Edge says that he has won 29 titles. He has won the Royal Rumble, King of the Ring, and Money in the Bank. Edge says that he will win the Six Pack Challenge. He tells Sheamus that he can go back to the lab with Dr. Bunsen Honeydew.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Last week when the Six Pack Challenge was announced by the General Messenger via his spokesman Michael Cole and then the Barrett beat down and finisher-a-palooza.
Match Number Five: Edge, John Cena, Sheamus, Randy Orton, and Chris Jericho versus Wade Barrett, David Otunga, Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel, and Michael Tarver in an Elimination Match
Jericho and Cena have some words as Jericho tells John that he is starting. He will face Michael Tarver. They circle around the ring and then they lock up in the 900th main event on Raw. Jericho decides to leave the ring and he thinks about going back into the ring, but he walks to the back and gets eliminated.
Edge is the next to try to do something, or will he? He pushes the referee and gets disqualified.
Nexus get a good laugh while Cena decides to actually wrestle someone. Cena punches Tarver and sends him into the turnbuckles. Cena with an Irish whip and bulldog. Cena punches Tarver and he tags in Sheamus who attacks Tarver in the corner and kicks him. Sheamus with a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Slater tags in and Sheamus with forearms. Sheamus with a suplex for a near fall. Sheamus punches Slater and sends him into the turnbuckles. Sheamus with knees and they force Slater to the apron. Sheamus with an elbow to the throat and he throws Slater back into the ring and he gets a near fall on Slater.
Otunga tags in and he puts Sheamus in a side head lock. Sheamus tries for a shoulder tackle but Otunga stays on his feet. Otunga poses and Sheamus with a clothesline. Sheamus with another clothesline to Otunga. Sheamus kicks Otunga in the corner and Otunga with a hard Irish whip and he punches Sheamus. Slater tags back in and he kicks Sheamus. The referee warns Slater. Gabriel tags in and he kicks Sheamus and punches him. Gabriel tags in Barrett and he kicks Sheamus and punches him. Slater tags back in and he kicks Sheamus. Slater with a surfboard. Sheamus with a boot and Gabriel stops the Celtic Cross. Slater with a boot to Sheamus followed by punches. Sheamus fights out of the corner but Gabriel with a kick and Slater with Sweetness and he pins Sheamus.
Cena with the flying shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb and Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena with the Attitude Adjustment and he pins Slater.
Barrett attacks Cena and he punches and kicks Cena. Barrett throws Cena to the floor and Tarver, Otunga, and Gabriel attack Cena before Barrett goes out to bring Cena into the ring. Before they return to the ring, Barrett slams Cena’s head into the announce table and he gets a near fall. Barrett kicks Cena and punches him. Gabriel tags back in and he hits a jumping back heel kick. Barrett punches Cena on the apron while Gabriel distracts the referee. Gabriel gets a near fall on Cena. Gabriel with a cross body into the corner for a near fall. Otunga tags in and he tries for a suplex and Cena blocks it and Cena hits a suplex of his own. Otunga knocks Orton off the apron to prevent Cena from making the tag. Cena puts Otunga in the STF and Otunga taps.
Gabriel hits a 450 Splash and he pins Cena. Orton with an RKO on Gabriel to eliminate him.
Tarver misses a Superman punch and Orton with an RKO to pin him. Barrett with the fireman’s carry slam on Orton for the three count.
Winners: Nexus
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