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September 16th
On this day in history in ....
1963 - Bruno Sammartino & Bobo Brazil battle Gorilla Monsoon & Hans Mortier to a draw in the main event of a show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Each team scored one fall before the time limit expired during the third fall.
1972 - Harley Race defeats Pak Song in a tournament final to become the first ever NWA Missouri Champion. Race would go on to hold the title a total of seven times, and would be the reigning champion when the territory closes in 1985.
1978 - WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeats Superstar Billy Graham in a Stretcher Match at the Philadelphia Spectrum in Pennsylvania when Backlund hit Graham with a chair and the stretcher itself, enabling Graham to be wheeled off on the stretcher.
1986 - At a WWF television taping in Baltimore, Maryland, Roddy Piper hosts his "Piper's Pit" segment at the same time that Adrian Adonis hosts an edition of "The Flower Shop". Piper's guest, Don Muraco, joins Adonis and Cowboy Bob Orton in attacking Piper and beating him down and destroying the Pit set. Later in the show (shown on a different TV episode), Piper returned with a baseball bat and destroyed the Flower Shop set. A new Piper's Pit set would be constructed, and the Flower Shop would never return.
1990 - Brian Pillman lost to Danny Spivey in the final phase of his attempt to "Run The Gauntlet". The Gauntlet was a concept (briefly) employed by WCW where a wrestler would attempt to win three consecutive matches on WCW Saturday Night. Pillman won the first two, defeating Tim Horner and Buddy Landell, then lost to Spivey.
1994 - SMW Tag Team Champions The Rock N' Roll Express defeat The Gangstas in Knoxville, Tennessee. However, New Jack & Mustafa would later threaten to sue SMW, saying tape of the match proves that they should have won the belts. As a result, Smoky Mountain Wrestling awarded the titles to the Gangstas, ending the ninth title reign for Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson.
1995 - ECW held their "Gangsta's Paradise" event at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here are the results:
- Bull Pain defeated Tony Stetson with a DDT.
- Dudley Dudley & Dances With Dudley defeated Chad Austin & Don E. Allen.
- Hack Myers defeated JT Smith via countout when Smith fell off the top rope to the floor and was counted out.
- Jason & The Eliminators defeated Rick & Scott Steiner & Taz when 2 Cold Scorpio knocked out Taz and put Jason on top for the pin.
- The Pitbulls defeated Raven & Steven Richards in a two out of three falls Dog Collar match to win the ECW World Tag Team Championship. This match also saw, after months of teasing, 911 chokeslam referee Bill Alfonso. Raven won the first fall for his team by piledriving Pitbull #2 through a table for the pin. The Pitbull's took the second fall, and interference began in the form of the Dudley's. Pitbull #2 was stretchered out, and Tommy Dreamer took his place, pinning Raven, but referee Bill Alfonso refused to allow the pin, since Dreamer was not a scheduled participant. 911 got involved, and in the end, the Pitbulls, with the help of Dreamer and 911, hit a double superbomb on Raven and Richards, and ECW Commissioner Tod Gordon counted the pin.
- In their ECW debuts, Rey Misterio Jr. (now Rey Mysterio) defeated Psicosis with a springboard rana.
- Mikey Whipwreck & Public Enemy defeated The Sandman, 2 Cold Scorpio & New Jack in a steel cage match when Whipwreck pinned Sandman after a splash off the top. During the match, Rocco Rock and Scorpio fell off the top of the cage through three tables stacked in the ring.
1996 - The Monday Night Wars raged on, with Nitro doing a 3.7 to Raw's 2.1. Nitro was headlined by Ric Flair & Arn Anderson defeated Chris Jericho & Marcus Bagwell, Lex Luger defeated Chris Benoit & Steve McMichael via disqualification in a handicap match, and Rey Mysterio defeated Juventud Guerrero. Raw countered with Marc Mero defeating Owen Hart, Faarooq defeating Sid Vicious via disqualification, and The Sultan defeating Jake Roberts.
1998 - Olympico defeats Karloff Lagarde Jr. to win the CMLL World Welterweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.
2002 - Low Ki defeats Spanky in Tokyo, Japan on a Zero-One event to win the NWA International Light Heavyweight Title. Low Ki's first championship in Japan, he would hold it for almost a full year.
2002 - During an edition of Raw from Denver, Colorado, Rico scores a shocking upset by pinning Ric Flair with a spin kick.
2003 - During a Smackdown taping in Raleigh, North Carolina, Eddie & Chavo Guerrero defeat Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas for the WWE Tag Team Championship. This would end Haas & Benjamin's second (and final) tag title reign, and was the start of Eddie & Chavo's second run with the belts. In the main event of the show, Brock Lesnar would defeat Kurt Angle in a 60-minute Ironman match to win the WWE World Title, 5 falls to 4. Angle, who scored two falls in the last ten minutes of the match, had Brock Lesnar in an ankle lock when time ran out, but was unable to get Lesnar to tap before the bell rang (which would have forced the match into overtime).
2006 - Ring of Honor debuted in The Manhattan Center in New York City. Mike Johnson filed the following results:
Davey Richards defeated Jack Evans via submission in a hot opener. The story was Evans using his quickness and fast aerial moves to try and outclass Richards. Richards nailed Evans with a powerbomb and locked on a submission for the win.
The entire ROH roster came to ringside for a special ceremony honoring Bruno Sammartino. Fans chanted Sammartino and gave him a standing ovation. Bruno joked most of the fans here weren't even born when he retired. Sammartino said he was 71 years old and said he wrestled for 23 years around the world, noting 20 tours of Japan. He said he loved wrestling but when a new promotion took over the sport, he didn't like the way the sport turned and expressed his feelings to dear ears. He said that recently he watched some of the ROH DVDs and he said he was impressed by some of the talent in the company. The crowd chanted ROH. He said that he believes that the dedication of these young wrestlers and the talent assembled he sees the type of matches he used to have in his day. He said ROH is going to grow and he wishes them the best because he'd love to see what he considers wrestling to come back to the forefront. He said there are a lot more to enjoy tonight and thanked the fans for appreciating legitimately good talent. As everyone left, Samoa Joe and NOAH's Takeshi Morishima bumped each other and ended up in a pull apart brawl inside the ring. That looks to be a match here for ROH's December return, but I'm just guessing.
Adam Pearce pinned Delirious with a piledriver after Shane Hagadorn tripped Delirious while he was on the top rope. Crowd was into Delirious' wackiness. Pearce announced Hagadorn was now his official man servant. They hugged.
Jimmy Jacobs defeated Christopher Daniels and Colt Cabana in a Three-Way. The story was Jacob's manager Lacey wanted him to work with Cabana, who she's sleeping with. After a bunch of spots that saw Jacobs get the worst of it, he ended up pinning Colt. Lacey was furious. The idea is Jacobs is the sap who's in love with Lacey and will do anything for her even though she obviously doesn't care about his feelings and is only out for herself.ÂÂÂÂ
ROH Commissioner Jim Cornette and the Briscoes came to the ring. He said that he's had issues with Homicide but he thought everything was settled when he explained his point of view. Cornette said that he wasn't going to let someone who was in the business for 15 minutes disrespect him. Cornette said he loves ROH, the wrestlers and the fans except Homicide and anyone who stands with him against Cornette. Cornette said he came out with the Briscoes in case Homicide tries to attack him like a coward. He said he had an announcement and wanted to know who was on his side. Most of the crowd sided with Homicide. Cornette thanked the fans who sided with him. He then went off on NYC as a place to live and the fans, saying New York was a microcosm of everything that was wrong with the world.
Cornette said that he promised Homicide a shot at the ROH title. He said that since everyone loves Homicide, he'll get a ROH title shot here when ROH returns in December...if he wins tonight. Cornette said that if he doesn't win, Homicide will have to wait for next year to get a title shot. He pointed out Homicide promised that if he didn't win a ROH title by the end of the year, he'd leave ROH and we'll see him slink out the back door, so he better win tonight. Cornette then told the Briscoes they better take care of Homicide tonight.
Homicide and Samoa Joe defeated The Brisoces in an awesome match when Homicide pinned Jay Briscoe with a CopKilla. Jim Cornette came out and said he'll get his title shot in December, but he promises it'll be a long time to get there, implying he'll try to have Homicide taken out before that show.
The Kings of Wrestling, Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli defeated Austin Aries and Roderick Strong to win the ROH Tag Team championships.
Pro Wrestling NOAH Global Honored Crown champion Naomichi Marufuji pinned Nigel McGuinness in an off the charts match, the first GHC title bout held in the United States.
ROH champion Bryan Danielson forced KENTA to tap out to Cattle Mutilation in a great match.
2007 - WWE held their Unforgiven event. Here is the original report on the show:
The show opened with a video package focusing mainly on the return of the Undertaker.
Joey Styles and Tazz welcomed us to the PPV, and they went right to the ECW match of the night, without even going to the other announce teams.
ECW Champion CM Punk vs. Elijah Burke.
After Punk entered the ring, they did a video package on CM Punk's ECW Title win over John Morrison. When they came back from the package, Burke was already in the ring.
There was a chant for Punk at the bell. They locked up and the referee broke them up on the ropes. Punk shoved Burke, and grabbed a front facelock. They exchanged holds on the mat, with Punk bridging out of a waistlock and hitting a drop toe hold and applying a chinlock. Punk switched into a jujigatame armbar, but Burke grabbed the ropes. Burke backed Punk into the corner, then hit an elbow to the side of the head. Burke hit some more elbows, but Punk leapfrogged Burke and hit a kick to the gut. Punk followed up with a side Russian legsweep, then hit a forearm to the chest. Punk hit a chop to the chest and a few kicks, including a hard kick to the back after a snap mare. Punk hit a backbreaker for a two count. Punk hit a right hand in the corner, then they botched up an Irish Whip spot. Burke caught a Punk kick and threw Punk to the mat after hanging him on the middle rope. Burke stomped Punk for a two count.
Burke hit some kicks and put Punk in a surfboard. Punk broke out of it with a mule kick. Punk hit a jumping knee in the corner, then a bulldog. Punk followed with a springboard clothesline for a two count. Burke went to the floor, and when Punk came out after him, Burke yanked him off the apron to the floor. Burke rammed Punk back first into the ring apron. Burke showboated a bit, then rolled Punk into the ring. Burke got a two count and hit a forearm to the back for another pair of two counts. Burke went for a Boston Crab, and Punk tried to block it, but Burke rolled it over. Punk struggled and made the ropes for the break. Burke gave Punk a pair of German suplexes, but on the third attempt Punk elbowed out of it. Punk went for a clothesline, but Burke blocked it and hit an STO for a two count. Burke grapevined Punk's legs into a reverse Cloverleaf variation. Punk tripped out of it, but Burke hit a series of forearms to Punk's back and said "Why don't you quit?"
Burke kicked Punk, but Punk came back with an enzugiri. Burke returned fire with a kick to the gut and an uppercut to Punk for a two count. Burke raked Punk's eyes with his boot. Burke slapped a downed Punk on the mat twice, and when he reached down to slap him again, Punk cradled him into a Victory Roll and got the pin at the 12 minute mark.
Winner: CM Punk.
JBL and Michael Cole then got to welcome us to the show, and reviewed the Matt Hardy-MVP feud.
WWE Tag Team Champions MVP & Matt Hardy vs. Deuce & Domino.
MVP and Hardy had separate entrances, and came out before the challengers. Hardy and MVP argued over who would start. MVP ended up starting with Domino. They locked up, and MVP took Domino to the mat with a wristlock. MVP hit an armdrag and bragged to Hardy. MVP slammed Domino and then tagged in Hardy off the chest. Deuce tagged in as well. Hardy and Deuce locked up and Hardy hit an armdrag, then slammed Deuce. Hardy hit a swinging neckbreaker, and noted to MVP that he hit three moves. Hardy pulled Deuce into the corner and tagged MVP. Deuce punched to an advantage on MVP, but MVP reversed a whip to the corner then hit a clothesline in the corner and a bulldog. MVP for on the second rope and mocked Hardy's gesture. The two argued and Domino tagged in. Matt tagged in as well, and slammed Domino. Hardy then did his gesture on the second rope and hit an elbow to the back of the head. Hardy then did MVP's "Ballin'" bit and dropped an elbow. MVP tried to come in, and while the referee stopped him, Deuce ran in and knocked down Hardy.
Deuce tagged in and worked over Hardy with a cobra clutch. Deuce missed a charge in the corner and Hardy rolled him up for two, then Deuce hit a kick to the gut and tagged in Domino. Domino slammed Hardy and hit a legdrop for two. Domino yanked Hardy throat first across the top rope and Deuce tagged in and applied an armbar. Hardy punched and kicked out of it, then Cherry tried to trip Hardy. Deuce charged Hardy and MVP yelled to Hardy to look out for him. Hardy ducked the charge and hit the Side Effect. Domino tagged in before Hardy could crawl to his corner, knocked MVP off the apron, then gave Hardy a double knee lift and applied a cobra. MVP stood on the floor annoyed. Hardy broke out of the cobra, but Domino pulled him into his corner. MVP walked up the aisle. Deuce and Domino hit the Rockerplex on Hardy, but Hardy kicked out. MVP changed his mind and went back to the ring and got on the apron.
Matt broke out of a Deuce headlock, and bulldogged Deuce while clotheslining Domino on the apron. Matt ducked a Deuce clothesline and tagged MVP on the chest. Deuce punched Hardy out of the ring, then went after MVP on the apron. MVP returned fire and started to clean house, backdropping Deuce and giving Domino a facebuster on the knee. MVP then did the Ballin' kneedrop on Deuce, but Matt tagged himself in off of MVP's back as he bounced off the ropes. Matt rammed MVP into Domino on the apron, then hit the Twist of Fate on Deuce for the pin at the ten minute mark.
Winners: MVP & Matt Hardy.
Hardy celebrated with all the title belts, then dropped the U.S. belt on MVP, who was sitting on the mat and fuming. Hardy then left with both tag belts.
They showed a "WWE Mobile Exclusive" interview with Rey Mysterio. Mysterio said he is not hundred percent, but that he would be in the match at Unforgiven. The whole point of the segment was Rey putting over Khali's Vice Grip. Rey said the key to the match was not breaking the hold, but staying out of it. Rey said the "experts" said he couldn't win the World Title at Wrestlemania, but he shocked the world, and he hoped to do the same at Unforgiven.
Triple H vs. Carlito.
Lilian Garcia explained that this was a No DQ match, but only for Carlito. Carlito was allowed to use any weapon or break any rule and not be disqualified. Triple H entered first, which allowed Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross to welcome us to the show. Highlights of Triple H defeating King Booker at Summerslam was shown. Carlito then made his entrance. He wasn't carrying weapons.
Triple H hit some right hands at the bell and hit a back elbow, knocking Carlito to the floor. Carlito went to look under the ring for a weapon, but Triple H grabbed him and yanked him back into the ring. Triple H hit a shoulderblock in the corner and a backdrop. Carlito rolled out of the ring again. Carlito went under the ring and grabbed a trash can. As he got into the ring, Triple H flipped him in. Triple H went for the can, but the referee took it and put it in the corner. Triple H clotheslined Carlito to the floor. Triple He went to the outside and Carlito hit some punches. Carlito grabbed a chair, but Triple H ducked and Carlito hit the ringpost. Triple H rammed Carlito back first into the security wall and the ring apron, then threw him into the ring. Triple H hit two elbows to the back, then a side backbreaker.
Triple H applied an abdominal stretch and grabbed the top rope for more leverage while the referee wasn't looking. While the ref discussed the ropes with Triple H, he would pull Carlito's hair with his other hand. The ref finally caught him grabbing the hair and made him break the hold. Carlito went to the floor and grabbed a monitor, but Triple H cut him off and flung him over the ECW announce table. Triple H told the referee "I'm trying to get him in the ring". Triple H went after Carlito, but Carlito hit him in the head with the ring bell, then hit a body shot with it. Carlito then choked Triple H with a cable. Carlito then went for his apple, and took a few bites. He went to spit it at Triple H, but Triple H hit him in the gut and Carlito spat apple everywhere. Carlito grabbed the trash can that the ref had left in the ring and blasted Triple H in the head with it. Carlito hit Triple H repeatedly with the can, but only got a two count.
Carlito went under the ring and got another trash can. Carlito gave Triple H a back suplex into the side of the trash can, crushing it, and got a two count. Carlito then went for a third trash can and wedged it in a corner between the ropes. Carlito went for a whip, but ending up getting clotheslined by Triple H. Carlito ducked another clothesline, but was hit with a jumping knee. Carlito reversed a whip and went for a backdrop, but Triple H gave him a facebuster on the knee for a two count. Triple H hit some punches in the corner, but Carlito came back with powder to the face. Carlito went to the floor and grabbed a chair. As he went for the chairshot, Triple H scooped him up and hit a spinebuster. Triple H picked up the chair, but the referee took it away. As the ref was putting it back at ringside, Carlito went after Triple H with a trash can. Triple H hit Carlito with a low blow (unseen by the referee) and hit the Pedigree for the win at the eleven minute mark.
Winner: Triple H.
Backstage, Maria interviewed Batista, who seemed more interested in flirting with Maria than his title match. He eventually focused on the match, noting that it is "every man for himself" tonight. Batista said the time for talking is over, and he was going to leave Unforgiven as a three-time World Heavyweight Champion. No reference to being laid out by Khali on Smackdown.
A video package on the Beth Phoenix vs. Candice Michelle feud was shown.
Women's Champion Candice Michelle vs. Beth Phoenix.
Jim Ross noted that Beth Phoenix was the strongest female competitor in WWE since Bull Nakano. They locked up at the bell, and Phoenix shoved Candice to the mat. Candice jumped onto her for a headlock, but Phoenix tossed her to the mat. Candice tried a waistlock, but Phoenix powered out and started working on Candice's arm, doing the old Davey Boy Smith wristlock lift. Candice slid to the apron to avoid Phoenix and hit a kick, then hit a top rope armdrag. Candice went for a headscissors, but Phoenix turned it into a backbreaker. Phoenix hit a kick to the back, then rammed her into the corner. Phoenix whipped Candice into a corner, then rammed her face first into the mat. Phoenix drove her elbow into Candice's back. Candice got a two count, then applied a double arm chicken wing, ala 1989 Ricky Steamboat. Phoenix threw Candice to the mat for a two count, then applied a chinlock. Phoenix applied a surfboard.
Phoenix threw Candice in the corner and hit a forearm to the back, then two to the chest. Candice applied a bodyscissors in the corner, then a headscissors and kicked Phoenix in the head. Phoenix stopped her rally with an elbow, then sent Candice to the mat by snapping her off the ropes. Phoenix put Candice in an over-the-shoulder backbreaker, circa 1980's Big John Studd. Yes, I have been watching a lot of old wrestling lately. Candice struggled, then managed to elbow out of the hold. Candice hit some forearms and a weak dropkick, then delivered a clothesline. Candice leapfrogged Phoenix in a corner and yanked her to the mat by the hair. Candice charged Phoenix, who scooped her up and rammed her hard into a corner. Beth Phenix then did a full extension Gorilla Press and dropped Candice to the mat. Phoenix scored a two count. Phoenix then went for another slam, but Candice floated over and grabbed a crucifix for a three count at the eight minute mark.
Winner: Candice Michelle.
Candice went right to the floor, while Phoenix just boiled with anger in the ring. They showed strands of Candice's hair on the mat.
The Great Khali and Singh were backstage for an interview. Khali jabbered, then Singh translated that Mysterio and Batista's comments made him laugh. They put over the Vice Grip, then Singh put a Rey Mysterio mask on a cantaloupe. Khali then squashed it. Singh then gave Khali a watermelon to represent Batista's head, and Khali squashed that. Singh chanted for Khali as the segment ended.
A video package on the World Title match was shown.
World Champion The Great Khali vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Batista.
Batista entered first, then Rey Mysterio, neither looking hurt, then Khali. Batista and Rey went at Khali and he shoved them both away, with Rey rolling to the floor. Khali went to work on Batista, kicking him down in a corner. Khali hit what I think were supposed to be elbows in the corner. Khali then missed a shot and Batista hit shoulderblocks in the corner. Batista then whipped Mysterio shoulder first into Khali. Mysterio and Batista double teamed Khali in the corner, then Mysterio cradled Batista for a two count. Batista looked stunned. Mysterio hit a headscissors for a two count. Mysterio hit Batista with some shoulderblocks from the apron, then hit a springboard senton on Batista. Khali then kicked Rey in the head, and Mysterio went to the floor.
Khali went for the Vice Grip on Batista, but Batista blocked it. Khali hit a chop to the head. Batista was bleeding from his ear, I think from the headscissors. Khali put Batista in a Vice Grip. Rey ran in with a chair and hit Khali in the back with it (no DQ in a Triple Threat match). Khali released Batista, who rolled to the floor. Khali decked Rey with one punch. Khali went to the floor and threw Batista over the ECW announce table. Khali got into the ring, and Rey tried to avoid him, but was thrown into a corner and kicked over and over.
Khali choked Rey in the corner, then hit a short arm clothesline. Khali decided to pose for a while. Khali then applied a nervehold, because why would he go for his Vice Grip? Sorry for the sarcasm. Rey broke out with punches to the body, but Khali decked him with a boot to the face. Khali then applied the Vice Grip. Batista ran in to break it up, hitting shots to the back. Batista hit a shoulderblock and Khali got tied up in the ropes. Batista hit a series of rights on Khali. Batista went for a Batista Bomb on Mysterio, but Mysterio turned it into a rana and put Batista in 619 position. Mysterio gave Batista the 619, then gave Khali the 619. Khali was in a seated position on the mat. Mysterio gave Khali the springboard senton. Batista then powerbombed Mysterio onto Khali. Batista then shoved Rey to the floor, and gave Khali a spinebuster for the pin at the eight minute mark. Crowd popped huge for the finishing sequence.
Winner and new World Heavyweight Champion: Batista.
As Batista celebrated in the ring, Mysterio gave him props from the aisle before exiting.
A video package on Vince McMahon finding out Hornswoggle is his illegitimate son was shown. They plugged that "Mr. McMahon and Hornswoggle McMahon" would be on Raw tomorrow.
Backstage, Triple H approached Batista. Triple H gave him a bottle of water, then congratulated him and they shook hands and embraced. Triple H then said "You and I both know, it is one thing to win it, it is another thing to keep it" before walking off.
World Tag Team Champions Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch vs. Paul London & Brian Kendrick.
Kendrick started out with Cade. They locked up and went to the corner, and Cade broke clean. Kendrick grabbed a hammerlock, but Cade reversed. Kendrick rolled through it and went to the ropes, leapfrogging Cade, but being caught with a hiptoss. Cade grabbed a side headlock, and Kendrick struggled until he broke free. Kendrick hit a dropkick, then nailed Murdoch with one when he ran in, which allowed Cade to hit Murdoch with a shoulderblock. Murdoch tagged in and went for a suplex, but Kendrick turned it into a small package for a two count, then hit an armdrag. London tagged in and hit an elbow to Murdoch's outstretched arm. Kendrick tagged in and did the same. London then tagged in and stomped the arm off the top rope. Murdoch backdropped London to the apron, but London hit a slingshot dropkick. Kendrick came in with a sunset flip on Murdoch for two, but Murdoch kicked out and hit a lariat. Cade tagged in and hit some hard shots to the back of Kendrick. Kendrick flipped over a back suplex attempt and hit a headscissors. Murdoch ran in and London dropkicked him. Kendrick and London clotheslined Cade to the floor, then sent Murdoch outside as well. London and Kendrick hit stereo topes on their opponents.
In the ring, Kendrick missed Cade with a top rope bodypress. Murdoch hit a running forearm, knocking Kendrick to the floor. Kendrick was almost counted out, but made it back in. Murdoch hit a forearm, and Cade tagged in for a clothesline. Murdoch tagged in and Cade picked him up and dropped him into a legdrop on Kendrick. Murdoch went for a backdrop, but Kendrick kicked it away. Cade tagged in and knocked London off the apron. Cade set up Kendrick for a superplex, but Kendrick knocked him down off the ropes. Cade recovered and powerslammed Kendrick off the ropes, but London broke up the cover. Murdoch tagged in and hit Kendrick with an elbowdrop for a two count. Murdoch put Kendrick in a chinlock, but Kendrick broke out and hit a side kick. Cade tagged in and ran into a Kendrick boot. Cade came back with an elbow, then tagged Murdoch. Murdoch jumped off the top rope into Kendrick's boot. Cade tagged in, but Kendrick made the hot tag to London. London gave Cade two dropkicks, a reverse atomic drop and a standing rana. Murdoch ran in, but London knocked him out of the ring with a forearm. London came off the top rope with a double stomp to the back of a slumped over Cade for a two count. London ran into a Cade boot, then Cade missed a second rope elbow and London hit a standing Shooting Star for a two count. Kendrick tagged in and hit a top rope bodypress on Cade for a two count. Cade managed a blind tag to Murdoch as Kendrick was going for a whip. Cade scooped up Kendrick and Murdoch hit the running boot to the head for a two count.
Murdoch missed a charge in the corner. London ran in and hit Cade, and the referee went to get London out. Kendrick was going for Sliced Bread #2 on Murdoch, but Cade grabbed him and hit a spinebuster. London ran in and Cade sent him over the top rope and to the floor, while Murdoch covered Kendrick for the pin at the twelve minute mark.
Winners: Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch.
WWE then begged us to buy the DVD of The Condemned on Tuesday, so that they can get some money back on that disaster of a film. Jim Ross said he saw it three times, and he is going to buy the DVD. JR really is a good friend to Steve Austin.
The events leading to John Cena vs. Randy Orton were recapped.
WWE Champion John Cena vs. Randy Orton.
John Cena's father was at ringside, staring at Randy Orton. Orton was about to approach him at ringside when John Cena's music hit. Cena walked right out and stood between his father sitting at ringside and Orton in the ring. JR noted it was Cena's 364th day as champion. There was a "Randy" chant from part of the crowd.
Cena stared at Orton at the bell, got angry and charged Orton and the two exchanged punches, with Cena getting the better of it. Cena pounded Orton on the mat with right hands. Cena hit a lariat, then rammed Orton face first into a turnbuckle. Orton rolled to the floor, but Cena went outside and hit a clothesline, then stood on Orton's throat. Back in the ring, Cena went for an STFU, but Orton rolled away from it. Cena decked Orton with a punch, and Orton rolled to the floor. Cena threw Orton back in the ring, and as Cena got in, Orton hit an uppercut. Orton pulled Cena into the ring, his feet hanging off the second rope, and hit a DDT for a two count. Orton pounded Cena with punches to the head, but Cena tackled Orton and hit some punches. Cena missed a charge in the corner and Orton applied a sleeper. Cena tried to get out, but Orton switched to a side headlock to take Cena to the mat, then went to a chinlock. There were "Let's Go Orton" and "Let's Go Cena" chants.
Cena struggled up in the chinlock, broke free and hot some body and head shots to Orton. Cena hit a clothesline, then a splash in the corner. Cena pounded Orton with punches, and shoved the referee out of the way twice. Cena kept throwing punches, and the referee called for the bell at the seven minute mark.
Winner via DQ: Randy Orton.
Orton, from the apron, pulled Cena throat first across the top rope. Orton then grabbed Cena's dad and pulled him over the barricade to the floor. Orton was measuring for a kick, but Cena tackled Orton on the floor and put him in the STFU. Cena then yelled to his dad, and Papa Cena kicked Orton in the head while he was in the STFU. Papa Cena then walked out, followed by security, while Cena stood over the unconscious Orton.
Backstage, Jonathan Coachman read Papa Cena the riot act, saying he came here tonight to distract Randy Orton. Coach said Cena intentionally got disqualified to save his title. Coachman said next time Orton and Cena meet, there will be no DQs, countouts, pinfalls or submissions. Coachman said Cena will face Orton in a Last Man Standing match. John Cena entered and roughed up Coachman, saying you mess with his family, you mess with him. Cena shoved down Coachman, hugged his dad, and the Cena's left.
Back in the arena, JBL said we would be seeing Cena vs. Orton in a Last Man Standing match at No Mercy. Coach didn't say that, but JBL did.
A video package on The Undertaker vs. Mark Henry feud was shown.
The Undertaker vs. Mark Henry.
Mark Henry entered first, then there was a pause before Undertaker's long entrance (which I think was longer than both big title matches tonight). Undertaker and Henry had a staredown, then Taker hit a barrage of punches. Henry came back by picking up Taker and ramming him into the corner for a few shots. Taker came back with punches, then knocked Henry down with a headbutt. Undertaker started to work on Henry's arm, and went for the Old School rope walk, but Henry stopped him and went for a superplex. Taker knocked Henry off the ropes, but Henry nailed him with a punch and went for it again. Henry hit a headbutt, then delivered the superplex.
Henry hit some punches in a corner, but Taker reversed positions and hit a series of body shots. Henry came back with a clothesline. Taker reversed a whip and went for a backdrop, but Henry kicked Taker in the chest. Undertaker stared at Henry, then clotheslined (more like shoved) Henry over the top rope and to the floor. Undertaker pounded Henry at ringside, and took the top off of the ECW announce table. Henry caught Taker with a shot on the floor and rammed him back first into the ring apron twice, then tossed him into the ring.
Mark Henry hit a clothesline for a two count, then hit a big splash for another two. Henry hit another splash for another two count. Mark Henry missed a third splash. Undertaker and Mark Henry exchanged punches, with Undertaker getting the better of it. Mark Henry came back with a STO variation, then argued with the referee for some reason. Henry choked Undertaker briefly, then awkwardly slammed Taker and hit a splash. Mark Henry smiled, and Undertaker sat up and grabbed Henry by the throat. Undertaker hit a series of punches to Henry, then a pair of running splashes in the corner. Undertaker hit the Old School rope walk forearm on Henry. Chokeslam on Mark Henry, then Undertaker folded Henry's arms across his chest, but Henry kicked out at two. Undertaker set up for the Last Ride, but Henry punched out of it. Undertaker hit Henry with a big boot, but then ran into a Mark Henry bear hug. Taker grabbed Henry by the throat, and Henry rammed Taker into the corner. Henry hit a few punches, then stood on the second rope to hit more punches, but before he could land one, Taker walked out of the corner with the powerbomb for the pin at the twelve minute mark.
Winner: The Undertaker.
The announcers speculated as to what the Undertaker would "want next" now that he has taken care of Mark Henry. Undertaker then gestured that he wants the title, and they ended the PPV with Michael Cole saying he wants was was "wrongfully taken" from him to end the show.
2008 - WWE executives had a massive heart attack when word came out that the rating for the 9/15/08 edition of Raw was down in a major way to a 2.6 rating. It turned out to be an issue with the Nielsen rating system and the correct number was more in line with the regular viewing pattern.
2008 - WWE announced plans for the Smackdown debut on MyNetworkTV with a bout featuring the World, WWE and ECW champion meeting in a Three-Way match.
2009 - The following statement was posted on the Facebook page for Cornette's Collectibles:
"Thanks everyone for your kind words but, we are REALLY OK about all of this. Gives us more time to make QUALITY products for Cornette's Collectibles and devote our time to wrestling we actually enjoy being apart of."
Within two weeks, Cornette would return to Ring of Honor, setting the stage for the promotion to be sold to Sinclair Broadcasting.
2009 - WWE announced the following:
"WWE®’s Linda McMahon Resigns to Run for U.S. Senate
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Linda McMahon has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer after announcing her candidacy for the United States Senate, representing the state of Connecticut. Vince McMahon assumes the duties of Chief Executive Officer in addition to his current position as WWE® Chairman. McMahon will be supported by the seasoned executive management team already in place and led by Chief Operating Officer and board member, Donna Goldsmith."
2009 - The Great Khali underwent knee surgery.
2010 - Aloisia (Lindsay Hayward) announced in an interview on the Diva-Dirt.com website that she has been released from her WWE developmental deal and is free and clear from the company at the end of the month. The company pulled her from the current NXT season after concerns were raised internally following a background check turned up photos and other concerns. Once she started doing interviews outside of company auspices with different outlets, it was probably a forgone conclusion.
2010 - WWE broadcast WWE Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight’s show with the Raw brand and your announcers are Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler.
Before our first match, we go back two weeks ago when Tamina leied Santino and puckered up to Santino’s cobra.
Match Number One: Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov versus The Usos with Tamina
Santino and Jey start things off and Santino swings at air and then Jey with a leg sweep. Santino gets up and tells Jey not to do his move. Kozlov tags in while Santino sulks on the apron. They lock up and Kozlov with a hip toss and Jimmy tags in. Jimmy with a waist lock but Kozlov with a hip toss. Jimmy has something to say to Santino and that allows Jey to attack Kozlov while the referee dealt with Santino. They kick Kozlov and Jey is tagged back in and he punches Kozlov. Jimmy comes back in and then Jey sends Jimmy into Kozlov in the corner. Jimmy with kicks and then he puts Vladimir in a reverse chin lock. Kozlov escapes and hits a power slam for a near fall. Santino tags back in and he works on Jimmy’s arm. Santino with an Irish whip but he misses a charge. Jimmy with a savate kick and Jey is tagged back in and he punches and kicks Santino. Santino with an ankle lock but Jimmy tags in and he connects with a forearm and he gets a near fall on Santino. Jimmy with a chin lock as we go to commercial.
We are back and Jey gets a near fall on Santino. Jey with a suplex for a near fall. Jey with a reverse chin lock on Santino but Santino gets to his feet and Santino hits a Saito suplex and both men are down. Kozlov makes the tag and so does Jimmy. Kozlov with a head butt and then he sends Jimmy into the turnbuckles before connecting with a kick. Kozlov with a power slam but Jey breaks up the cover. Santino charges but he goes over the top rope. Kozlov kicks Jey out of the ring. Kozlov with the spinebuster for the three count.
Winners: Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov
After the match, Tamina comes into the ring and she wants him to show her the cobra. Santino gets hands on and there is even a musical accompaniment. Santino kisses Tamina’s cobra and then wants to take a bite out of her snake.
It is time to go to the NXT recap and Michael Cole is not disgusted as we go to the ‘highlights’.
Great Khali is walking in the back with Runjin Singh as we go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Great Khali versus Primo with AJ
Primo moves around Khali before they lock up. Khali blocks a few kicks and then he throws Primo to the mat. Primo is sent into the turnbuckles and Khali with kicks and then he connects with an elbow in the corner. Khali with a chop in the corner and Primo goes down. Primo holds on to the ropes and he goes to the floor. Primo starts to walk to the back but AJ convinces Primo to get back into the ring. Primo breaks the count and then he goes around the ring and hits Khali from behind. Khali grabs Primo but Primo kicks Khali to escape. Primo with a forearm into the corner. Khali with an elbow to a charging Primo and Primo goes down. Khali with a clothesline and then he hits the chop to the top of the head. Khali waits for Primo to get up and Khali with the choke slam for the three count.
Winner: Great Khali
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that WWE gives free tickets to members of the military?
We have a video package of Randy Orton giving everyone RKOs.
It is time for the Smackdown half of the show and your announcers are Matt Striker and Todd Grisham.
We go to the Undertaker/Kane video package.
We run through the card for Night of Champions.
Before our main event, Luke gets on the mic and he says that he is here to prove that he is his own man. Luke Gallows can and will stand on his own two feet and he will come out victorious. He says that he is going to make an example of ‘Your Party Hero’ MVP.
Porter asks Gallows if he was just called a party hero. Porter says that he is flattered because that means that he gets the party started. Porter raps for the fans and Gallows interrupts and says that this isn’t a rap concert. Porter tells Gallows that he needs to lighten up and have a good time. Porter says that Luke needs a makeover. He says that Luke needs a nickname. He thinks of one for Luke and comes up with ‘Big LG’. Porter says it isn’t the best, but it is better than what the guys call him in the back. He says ‘Big LG’ is better than ‘Big Dummy’. Porter says that one way or another, Luke will be straight up Ballin.
Match Number Three: Montel Vontavious Porter versus Luke Gallows
They lock up and Porter with a side head lock and Gallows escapes. Luke with a kick and side head lock. Gallows with a shoulder tackle and then Porter tries for a hip toss. Luke misses a clothesline and Porter with a drop toe hold and a running knee to the back of the head for a near fall. Porter with an Irish whip and then he hits a Chono kick that sends Gallows over the top rope to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Porter with a cravate and Luke with punches. Porter gets sent to the apron and Gallows with a kick that knocks Porter to the floor. Gallows pushes Porter into the corner of the ringside barrier and then he returns Porter to the ring. Gallows with a few elbow drops and he gets a near fall. Gallows punches Porter in the head and then he mocks Porter’s ‘ballin’ gesture. Gallows with a suplex as he continues to work on Porter’s back. Gallows gets a near fall and then he puts Porter in an arm bar. Porter with punches to Gallows but Luke with a big boot and Porter crumples to the mat. Gallows with a splash and he gets a near fall. Gallows with an uppercut followed by an Irish whip into the corner. Gallows with a splash into the corner and then he gets another near fall. Gallows with a Japanese choke on Porter. Porter gets to his feet and he stomps on Gallows’ foot. Gallows with an Irish whip but Porter tries to float over and Gallows catches Porter and hits a power slam for a near fall. Gallows goes for the Ballin’ elbow of his own and he lands on Porter’s knees. Porter with punches to Gallows and an overhead belly-to-belly throw followed by clotheslines and a back elbow. Porter with an Exploder suplex and then he kicks Gallows and hits the Playmaker for the three count.
Winner: Montel Vontavious Porter
After the match, Porter offers his hand to Gallows and helps him up. Luke tries to punch Porter and he hits the Play of the Day. Then it is time for the Ballin’ Elbow.
2010 - TNA broadcast Impact on SpikeTV. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
We open this week's event with a video package recapping the Kurt Angle-Jeff Hardy match at No Surrender, during which Angle said he never even knew there was a 20 minute time limit. Neither did we, Kurt. Neither did we.
We start with Kurt Angle and Jeff Hardy already in the ring, and they are soon joined by Eric Bischoff and the lady who almost makes Eric Bischoff segments bearable: ladies and gentlemen, Miss Tessmacher. He starts by congratulating Ken Anderson for making it to the finals of the tournament at Bound For Glory, and as for who his opponent will be, that is what Bischoff will address right now. After 24 years in the wrestling business, Bischoff has never seen a match as intense and hard fought as what these two did at No Surrender. He agrees with the crowd that it was awesome, and it's an honor to be in the ring with these guys, and asks the crowd to give it up for them one more time. The crowd obliges. Bischoff says that the problem they face now is that since there wasn't a winner between these two, we still need a TNA World Champion, so the main event of Bound For Glory will be Ken Anderson, Kurt Angle, and Jeff Hardy in a Three Way Dance. Wait, we're not done yet: Dixie Carter comes out from the back and said she just wants to take a moment to recognize that Kurt and Jeff gave it everything they have and they never let up (crowd starts a Thank You Both chant), and she says it was one of her favorite matches in TNA history, but she knows they weren't happy with the finish. Dixie says that a few weeks ago, Eric overruled her where Ric Flair was concerned, and now she's going to return the favor and overrule him. Tonight: Kurt Angle faces Jeff Hardy with no time limit, and the winner will face Ken Anderson at Bound For Glory.
We go backstage to the Pope, who is going to find Eric Bischoff because this is BS. He walks over to Kevin Nash and Sting and shares a handshake. Uh oh, what's that about?
Last week, a TNA camera crew caught up with Tommy Dreamer at a gas station in Yonkers and asked him what's next for EV2.0, and Tommy gets in his car and says it's time to go home, and that's all he has to say. He drives away.
Time for our opening match...
Kevin Nash vs Samoa Joe
Nash opens with a kneelift to the gut and pounds away at Joe, then works him over in the corner with elbows and kneelifts and Joe is flat on the mat early. Nash whips Joe to the ropes and Joe ducks a clothesline and nails him with a running boot, then drops him again with a clothesline. Joe whips Nash to the corner and follows in with a running forearm and an enziguiri, and Nash rolls to the floor. He pulls Joe out by the ankle and rams him into the ring apron, then continues beating him up around ringside. Joe fires back at Nash, but Sting attacks Joe from behind, Jeff Jarrett (who is in Joe's corner) runs over to make the save, and it turns into a big brawl at ringside and both men get counted out. I bet Dave Scherer loves this show already.
Double Countout
Security comes out and tries unsuccessfully to break the fight up as all four men continue brawling around ringside.
We go backstage to Madison Rayne and Tara with Lacey Von Erich, who is wearing nothing but a towel. Lacey says she hasn't made her decision yet, so Madison tells her not to hurt herself by thinking and get ready.
We go to Sting and Nash backstage, who say they're having fun and plan to continue having fun on 10-10-10.
Back to the ring for our next match...
X-Division Title Match: Doug Williams vs Jay Lethal
Hey, Jay Lethal still works here! Lethal earned this title shot by beating Williams on Xplosion, which nobody watches. Williams is mad and goes right after Lethal and they go toe to toe. Williams comes out on top, slams Lethal, and gets a kneedrop for 2. He whips Lethal to the corner, catches his boot on a charge, but Lethal hits the pendulum kick. Williams no sells and gets a salto for 2, then he HITS THE CHINLOCK! He quickly releases it and opts to kick him in the head instead, Lethal tries to fire back but Williams cracks him hard in the face and covers for 2, then whips Lethal hard into the corner and covers again for another 2, then goes to an abdominal stretch. Lethal gets out, but runs off the ropes into a back elbow from Williams, who follows that up with a snap suplex for 2. Williams dropkicks Lethal's knees out from under him and gets a bow and arrow, and he sets up for Chaos Theory but Lethal fights out. Williams gets backdropped to the apron, but nails Lethal and goes up top, but eats a dropkick coming off the top and both men are down. Lethal goes for a handspring elbow but Williams catches him and tries the Chaos Theory, Lethal blocks and hits the Lethal Combination and covers but only gets 2. Lethal goes for the Macho Man elbow, but takes too long and Williams moves, Williams goes for a second rope tornado DDT but Lethal shoves him off and hits the Lethal Injection for the win and the X-Division Title.
Winner and NEW X-Division Champion: Jay Lethal
Lethal goes out and celebrates in the crowd.
We go backstage to Abyss, who is dragging a body through the backstage area. Okay then.
Also backstage, Kurt Angle says that Jeff Hardy went the distance and proved himself to Angle. Hardy's great, but he's not a champion. Angle is a champion, and he's going to beat Hardy and then go on to Bound For Glory and become TNA World Champion.
Time for our next match...
Knockouts Tag Team Title Match: Taylor Wilde & Hamada vs Madison Rayne & Lacey Von Erich
Oh god, Lacey's starting. Taylor wrestles circles around her, then gets a hammerlock. Lacey manages to reverse to a headlock, but Taylor reverses to a headlock of her own. Lacey rams Taylor into her own corner, but eats boot on a charge and Hamada tags in and comes in with a top rope sunset flip for 2. Lacey tags out to Madison, who knees Hamada in the gut and pounds her down, then screams at Lacey and tags her back in so she can hit her stupid backflip elbow. She tries it a second time but Hamada moved out of the way, then slams Lacey and hits the top rope moonsault and Lacey seems to have forgotten to put her shoulder down so the ref can count, so he counts 2 anyway. Taylor tags in and hits a top rope crossbody for 2, and Madison yanks Taylor down by the hair from the outside and tags herself in. Madison with a three quarter nelson and rams knees into Taylor's face, then hits a running clothesline. Madison tags Lacey in and they hit the worst double suplex in history for 2, and Lacey HITS THE CHINLOCK! Taylor escapes with a chinbreaker and tags in Hamada, who kills Lacey with several running kicks and a headbutt, then tags in Taylor, who nails Madison off the apron, then the champs hit a double team rolling neckbreaker thingy for the win.
Winners: Taylor Wilde & Hamada
Madison comes in as the champs leave and she does not look happy. She starts screaming at Lacey and shoves her, so Lacey shoves Madison on her butt. Tara comes in and nails Lacey with the motorcycle helmet from behind. Suddenly the Beautiful People music hits and Angelina Love and Velvet Sky come trotting out to make the save, and Tara and Madison bail.
Still to come: Jeff Hardy vs Kurt Angle, but up next, Tommy Dreamer has a message for Fortune!
Backstage, Jeff Hardy said he was happy with the three way idea, but now he's got to beat Kurt Angle to advance to Bound For Glory, and if the boss says to work, he's going to go work.
We go back out to the Impact Zone, as Tommy Dreamer makes his way out to the ring and we see clips of the Dreamer-AJ Styles match from No Surrender. Tommy, uncharacteristically, is wearing a suit and tie. He says that EV2.0 is not here tonight, and asks Fortune for no tricks, but to just come out to the ring. Fortune, minus Douglas Williams, comes out and flashes the Fortune hand signal at him. Dreamer thanks them for coming out and says he's sick of seeing his friends get hurt, and wants to call a truce because when he first came here, he tried to make a difference, and this place is so damn special and Dreamer has a history with all of them and saw his company go away, and says that Fortune is the future of this company. If, one day, they can look at him in his shoes, this is his last chance and he's happy to contribute. This is the house that AJ built, but he's just looking for a place to call home. He tells Storm that never has someone gone from as much success as he had with America's Most Wanted and then exceeded that as part of Beer Money, and the only other guy who's done that is Stan Lane. He tells Kazarian that he got him his first job with WWE, but he left because he wasn't happy anymore, and what was bad for WWE worked out great for TNA, and he rembers the kid that came to the Boston shows when he was only in the business for six months, and if it weren't for this business he'd never have met his wife just like Tommy did. Tommy goes to Matt Morgan and says he remembers him when he was just a bouncer at a nightclub, and when he came to WWE, people said he could be the next Undertaker or Kane, but he came to TNA and proved that next time there's some big goofy kid there, he's going to be the next Matt Morgan. Tommy tells Bobby Roode that his tryout with WWE was against him, and when he offered Roode a WWE contract, he turned it down to stay with TNA because he believed in this place and he could help be a cornerstone with building this place. Tommy knows that Roode's favorite wrestlers growing up were Rick Rude and Curt Hennig, and both would look at Bobby Roode and say he's got it. He tells Flair that if he ever thought he'd be standing in a ring with Ric Flair, the one thing he'd ever say to him is thank you. He's seen Flair wrestle Steamboat and do one hour broadways, and he knows he doesn't get hardcore wrestling, but he wants to thank Flair because hardcore wrestling is all about hard work and giving it your all no matter what, and that makes Flair a hardcore wrestler. Flair calls himself the Dirtiest Player In The Game, but Dreamer says he IS the business, and the day Flair decides to never walk the aisle again, it will be the saddest day of all. And finally, to AJ Styles, he did something at the PPV that nobody else has ever done, and he didn't do it because Dreamer had a bad knee, he didn't do it by cheating, he made Dreamer quit because he was better than him. He helped Dreamer elevate his game and he is the best wrestler in the game today. The one thing he wants to do and was not able to do, and the reason he wanted to call Fortune out here for, was because he wanted to shake AJ's hand because AJ was better. AJ takes the mic from Dreamer and says that he can appreciate what Dreamer said about all of them because it takes a big man and that is commendable, and if there's one thing that can be said about Tommy Dreamer, he is all heart because he took a wrestling company in South Philadelphia and turned it into a revolution like no other. He never asked for respect, but he always seemed to get it, and with that being said, he has AJ's respect and he will shake his hand. AJ puts down the TV Title belt and tells Fortune to stay back, and shakes Tommy's hand. AJ says there's one last thing: in his 20 years of wrestling, how many other wrestlers ever made Dreamer say I Quit, then answers his own question: just one, AJ Styles. He doesn't need Dreamer's endorsement and he doesn't need his praise, and then he suckerpunches Dreamer and the entire group engages in an old school, Four Horsemen-style beatdown. Suddenly, Brian Kendrick comes running out and throws himself over Dreamer to save him from a further beating, but Fortune just kicks the crap out of him, too. AJ tosses Kendrick out to the floor and continues the beating on Dreamer, but Kendrick drags himself back in...and gets laid out again. Storm holds Dreamer up for AJ, who just clocks him with a stiff right hand and Dreamer goes down like a ton of bricks. Finally, security comes out to stop the beating and drag Dreamer and Kendrick to safety. AJ says if Dreamer wanted a truce, now he's got it. Fortune leaves, but Brian Kendrick grabs the mic and asks if anyone in Fortune is man enough to fight him now. They thrive on intimidation, but...whatever, he rambles about stuff. The point is that he's not afraid of Fortune, and he wants to know which of them if brave enough to fight him now. We'll find out if anyone will answer his challenge...after this!
Okay, we're back and looks like we have our match, already in progress...
Brian Kendrick vs Matt Morgan
Morgan rips Kendrick's head off with a clothesline, then follows that with a big boot and then mounts Kendrick and rains down punches. Morgan with a nasty kick to the ribs and then hits the rapid fire elbows in the corner. Morgan with a charging splash in the corner and a fallaway slam and goes for the cover, but pulls Kendrick up at 2. Morgan just flings Kendrick across the ring, but wastes time playing to the crowd, and Kendrick hits a running boot and covers Morgan for the win.
Winner: Brian Kendrick
Morgan grabs a mic and says that didn't count because he wasn't ready, and he wants the match stricken from his record and wants Kendrick back out here now. Kendrick doesn't come
Backstage, the Pope walks into Eric Bischoff's office and only finds Miss Tessmacher. She says Bischoff is in a very important meeting right now, so Pope invites Miss Tessmacher to his dressing room instead. She says she thinks she can squeeze him in, then bends over so we can see her boobs. This girl is great.
Backstage, Abyss has one victim chained to the ceiling and another one strapped to a platform. He tears the second guy's shirt off, and he says that Janice would never cheat on him, and you can't have Janice without love. He then pulls out a hot branding iron (which he has named Bob) that says 10-10-10 on it and uses it to brand the guy strapped to the platform.
Speaking of people Abyss has messed up, we've got Rob Van Dam on the phone. Mike asks him how the recovery is going, and RVD says that Abyss has set him back a bit and he's had to train hard to get back to where he was, and nobody knows how to take care of RVD better than RVD does. Taz asks RVD if he was upset about being stripped of the TNA World Title, and RVD says he wasn't happy about it, but he understood that TNA did what they have to do, and when he comes back he'll have to do what he'll have to do because, in his mind, he's still the champion. Tenay asks RVD if he knows when he'll be returning to TNA, and RVD says he feels good and he'll be back in the Impact Zone next week.
Generation Me come out to the ring looking very pleased with themselves. Nick asks if we saw what happened to RVD, and says that if a champion gets injured and can't defend his title within 30 days, the title gets relinquished. Matt says that after what they did to Alex Shelley at No Surrender, they don't think he's going to be around for quite some time. People have to realize that they are Generation Me, and they represent the Me Generation: it's all about us (meaning them). It took the Motor City Machine Guns about five years to finally just barely win the TNA World Tag Team Title, but Generation Me is not here to pay any dues, they know what they want and they always get what they want, and what they want is for Chris Sabin to come down to the ring and hand them THEIR TNA World Tag Team Title. Chris Sabin comes out by himself and gets in the ring and attacks Generation Me. As you might imagine...yep, there it is, the numbers are too much and Generation Me overwhelms Sabin and...we see Nick Jackson wearing a thong? Whatever, I won't judge. They put Sabin on the top rope and hit a double DDT, then Matt stands over Sabin while holding up the belt.
Up next: Jeff Hardy faces Kurt Angle to decide who will face Ken Anderson at Bound For Glory!
By the way, the Shore is coming on 10/7!
We have another video package hyping the Angle-Hardy match we're about to see, and then, it's main event time!
TNA World Title Tournament - Semifinals: Jeff Hardy vs Kurt Angle
They circle each other and tie up, Angle gets a duck under and takes Hardy to the corner and breaks clean. Hardy with a wristlock and changes it up into an armbar, but Angle armdrags out and gets an armbar of his own and Hardy makes the ropes for the break. Angle with a headlock, Hardy fires him into the ropes and Angle takes him down with a shoulderblock and then a side headlock takeover. Hardy gets to his feet and takes Angle to the corner, but instead of breaking clean he kicks Angle in the gut, beats him down, then runs him shoulder first into the ringpost and follows it up with a baseball slide to drive Angle into the post again. Hardy goes after Angle on the floor and rolls him back in and starts putting the boots to Angle. Hardy with a gourdbuster for 2, then he HITS THE CHINLOCK! Hardy fires forearms down at Angle's rib that he dislocated at No Surrender, but Angle elbows his way out of the chinlock, and Hardy tries a charge at Angle but Angle moves and Hardy sails through the ropes to the floor and the ref starts counting. Hardy makes it back to his feet and Angle with a slingshot dive over the top onto Hardy. Ken Anderson comes out from the back and sits down with Mike and Taz at ringside as we go to commercial.
We come back just as Hardy and Angle hit a double clothesline and both men are down. The referee starts their count as Dixie Carter sits and watches at ringside. Angle recovers first and nails Hardy with a couple of clotheslines and a backdrop. Anderson is with Mike and Taz in the booth and Taz asks him who he'd rather face, to which Anderson says both of them and neither of them. Angle with an overhead belly to belly suplex on Hardy and then goes for the Angle Slam, but Hardy escapes and hits the Twist Of Fate for 2. Hardy slowly goes to the top and tries a dive, but Angle runs underneath Hardy and hits a moonsault, coming down on his head but covering Hardy for 2 anyway. He pulls the straps down as he begins bleeding hardway as he hooks the Ankle Lock on Hardy. Hardy tries to mule kick his way out, but Angle holds on, but Hardy successfully kicks Angle off the second time and hits another spinning kick, then goes up top and hits the Swanton for a very close 2. Hardy goes up top for the Whisper In The Wind, but Angle moves and Hardy wipes out the referee. Hardy checks on the ref, so Angle comes from behind and hits the Angle Slam as a second referee slides in and counts another close 2. Angle with a second Angle Slam, and Hardy kicks out at 2 again. Angle picks Hardy up and brings him to the corner and starts unloading with hard right hands and...the show is off the air. The match rolls over into Reaction.
Okay, guess we're going into overtime. Angle with a bodyscissors on Hardy, but Hardy regains his feet and fights his way out. He comes off the ropes and runs right into a knee to the midsection from Angle. Angle HITS THE CHINLOCK, but Hardy fights out again and starts hitting running forearms on Angle, followed by a springboard dropkick for 2. Hardy clotheslines Angle to the floor and goes out after him, ramming Angle repeatedly into the ring apron and then rolls him back into the ring. Hardy tries a wild swing, but Angle ducks under and hits the Rolling Germans, hitting five before finally covering and getting...that's right, a 2 count. Angle goes up top and tries a flying headbutt, but Hardy moves and goes for the Twist Of Fate but Angle slips out, rolls Hardy to the mat, and catches him in the Ankle Lock again as the second ref revives. Angle changes it up to a heel hook and cranks back on it so far that not only are Hardy's shoulders down from the pain, but Angle's as well. Each ref counts one man's shoulders down to the mat, and it looks like we have another inconclusive finish. Dixie Carter is standing at ringside looking perplexed, and Eric Bischoff comes out to sort this out as we go to commercial.
We're back and Dixie and Bischoff are talking it over at ringside, and then Bischoff gets in the ring with a mic and says that he's never seen two competitors who have given it all like they did, and both of them deserve a shot at the World Title, so right now he's going to book the same three way we started with at the beginning of this show. Angle and Hardy share a moment and a hug, and then head to the back. Okay, as far as I'm concerned, we're done. Call it...
Double Pin
That's it, we're off the air. Thanks for reading, and see you all back here next week!
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