October 12th
On this day in ....
1945 - Former NWA World champion Dusty Rhodes is born.
1992 - Bret "Hitman" Hart defeats Ric Flair for the WWF World Heavyweight Title in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Flair submitted clean to the Sharpshooter, beginning Hart's first run with the World Title and ending Flair's second reign with the WWF belt. Here is Buck Woodward's look at that match:
Mat Classic: WWF World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair vs. Bret Hart
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada - October 12, 1992
The History
The WWF was in a period of transition. Vince McMahon was still handling the steroid and sex scandals, and had made the decision away from muscular monsters like Ultimate Warrior and Davey Boy Smith, and instead push smaller, more athletic wrestlers like Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. Ric Flair, the WWF World Champion, had won the title from Randy Savage only six weeks earlier in Hershey, Pennsylvania. No one was expecting this title change, as Hart was seen as an "Intercontinental Title-level" worker at the time.
The Match
They circled each other, then locked up, with Flair backing Hart into a corner, and Earl Hebner getting a clean break out of the two. Flair let out a pair of "Whoo's" before moving back in to lock up. Flair grabbed a side headlock, trapping Hart's left arm as well, and took him to the mat. Hart got to his feet, ducked out of the hold, and and the two exchanged hammerlocks. Hart grinded in his, pulling up on the arm, and Flair made the ropes. Hart broke, and Flair slumped to the mat, clutching his arm. They locked up again, and Hart stood on the bottom rope in a corner, grabbing an armtwist. Flair kept Bret in the corner, and broke up the hold. Flair grabbed a wristlock and kicked Bret in the leg. Flair, then whipped Hart hard in the corner. Flair went for a vertical suplex, but Bret blocked the attempt twice, then hit his own vertical suplex for the first two count of the match. Bret Hart hit a headbutt, and then backdropped Flair. Bret stomped Flair in the gut, after teasing a Sharpshooter first. Flair rolled to the floor for a breather.
Ric Flair walked around ringside, shaking things off then reentered the squared circle. Hart placed Flair in a side headlock, but Flair turned it into a top wristlock, bending Hart backwards towards the mat. Hart bridged back, forcing Flair down and applying an armbar. Hart again stood on the bottom rope, gaining more leverage on the arm, as Flair tried to maneuver them into the corner. Hart went back to the arm after a break, using an armdrag to bring Flair down, then went into an armbar. Hart pounded the arm, twisted it, and yanked down on it. Flair rolled into a front facelock, but Hart reversed into a hammerlock and drove his knee into Flair's arm.
Hart maintained the hammerlock, as flair got to his feet. Hart went into an armbar, and Flair forced Hart into a corner for a break. Flair tried to grab an armtwist on the break, but Hart reversed and flipped Flair to the mat with an arm twist. Hart legdropped the arm, but Flair hit a kick to the midsection and sent Hart over the top rope and to the floor. Hart jumped onto the apron and shoulderblocked Flair through the ropes, then went for a slingshot sunset flip. However, Flair got his balance and punched Hart in the head to break up the hold. Hart rolled out of the ring and to the floor. Flair regained his confidence and let out a "Whoo" before moving towards Hart, who was now on the apron. Hart did the shoulderblock and sunset flip combo again, this time pulling Flair's trunks down and taking the Nature Boy over for a two count. Hart hit a reverse atomic drop and a pair of clotheslines to an ovation from the Canadian crowd. Flair rolled to the floor and flopped onto his face.
Back in the ring, a headbutt sent Flair down again, but the "dirtiest player in the game" thumbed Hart in the eyes. Flair whipped Hart into the corner, and the challenger slammed into the buckles chest first. Flair whipped him in again, and then backed up and kicked Hart in the left knee. Flair hit a shinbuster, then punched Hart in the face twice in a corner before kicking at the leg again. Flair delivered a chop, then another punch to the face. Flair snapmared Hart, then dropped a knee, but Hart rolled out of the way. Hart went for a spinning toe hold, but Flair kicked him off. Flair applied a side headlock, but Bret escaped it with a shinbuster, then dropped a trio of elbows to the right leg. He applied a leglace briefly before grabbing a Figure Four Leglock. Flair struggled in the hold, his shoulders going down on the mat for two counts on two occasions. Flair finally made the bottom rope to break the hold.
Hart went for an elbowdrop, but Flair rolled out of the way. Flair went for a beckbreaker, but Bret turned it into a backslide for two. Flair hit a punch to the gut, then decked Hart with a right hand. Hart reversed a whip and grabbed a sleeperhold, but Flair got out with a back suplex. As both men got up, Flair grabbed a small package for a two count. Flair delivered a double underhook suplex for a two count, then hooked the leg for a second two count. Flair, limping, went for the knee drop, this time hitting it, but obviously caused himself some pain as well. Flair whipped Hart hard into the corner, then covered Bret twice for two counts. Flair complained to Henber about the count, allowing Bret to roll him up from behind for a two count with a school boy.
Hart delivered a punch and grabbed a headlock, but Flair hit a shinbuster and applied the Figure Four. Hart strained in the hold, which was applied in the center of the ring. Bret's shoulders went down for a two count, but then he managed to turn the hold. Flair turned it back over, and they reached the ropes. Flair got to his feet first, put Hart in the corner and kicked at Hart's leg. Flair threw a chop, then kicked Bret in the back of the left leg. Flair stomped the leg twice in the corner. Flair yanked on the leg, and said "Now we go to school" then went for the figure four, but Bret turned it into a small package for two.
Bret and Flair traded punches in a corner. Bret started to mount a comeback with punches, but ran into a Flair boot after a whip into the corner. Flair went to the top rope, but Hart grabbed him and slammed Flair hard into the mat. Bret slugged Flair, then whipped him into the corner and backdropped him. Hart drove an elbow into Flair's chest and covered him for two, then hit a Russian legsweep for another two. Flair begged off, and Hart hit a side backbreaker. Hart hit a second rope elbow and hooked the leg for two, but Perfect yanked Flair's leg to assist with the kickout.
Hart gave Flair a vertical suplex for two. Flair begged off, as Hart yelled at him to get up and the crowd cheered Bret on. Flair chopped Hart in a corner, but Hart pulled down his straps, daring him to to it again. Hart absorbed the second chop and hit a series of punches, then delivered a superplex off the second rope. Hart applied the Sharpshooter, and Perfect tried to interfere, but the referee was standing between him and the wrestlers, and ordered him off the apron. Perfect had no sooner gotten down from the apron than the referee turned and Flair submitted. In twenty eight minutes, Bret Hart had won the World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Title from Ric Flair, Flair's first submission loss in the WWF.
The Aftermath
Hart and Flair would have several rematches on house shows, including an incredible Ironman match in Boston in January of 1993, right before Flair left the company to return to WCW. They wouldn't meet up again until Hart went to WCW in 1997. They wrestled several times in WCW, most notably at Souled Out '98.
1992 - Butch Reed defeats Junkyard Dog for the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee.
1998 - Ken Shamrock defeats X-Pac in a tournament final for the WWF Intercontinental Title at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, Long Island. The belt had been vacated when current champion Triple H suffered a knee injury. Here are full results from the tournament:
First Round:
- Ken Shamrock defeated Steve Blackman.
- Val Venis defeated Marc Mero.
- X-Pac defeated Jeff Jarrett.
- Mankind defeated Mark Henry (This match saw the debut of the "Mr. Socko Mandible Claw").
Semifinals:
- Ken Shamrock defeated Val Venis.
- X-Pac defeated Mankind.
Finals:
- Ken Shamrock defeated X-Pac.
1999 - Mankind & the Rock defeat The New Age Outlaws for the WWF World Tag Team Title in Birmingham, Alabama, starting their third tag title reign, and ending the fourth reign for Billy Gunn & Road Dogg. On the same show, Big Bossman won the WWF Hardcore Title by defeating champion Al Snow and The Big Show in a three way match. This began the fourth and final Hardcore title reign for the Bossman.
2006 - WWE announces that Francine and Gunner Scott were being released. Francine had been hired prior to the ECW relaunch, but rarely appeared on WWE television. Scott had been brought up from OVW for a brief run on Smackdown, then sent back to OVW before being released. At the same time, WWE announced that Pat Patterson, who had gone into semi-retirement and was dealing with some health issues, was returning to the company full-time as a producer (agent) for the company.
2006 - Kurt Angle makes hiS TNA debut on Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following report:
Tonight marks the start of a new era for Total Nonstop Action as Kurt Angle makes his Impact debut. What will Kurt say when he is interviewed? Will Jeff Jarrett get his title belt back or will Samoa Joe continue to possess it? What is the next step in the battle between LAX and the tag team champions? Will A.J. Styles get revenge for his attack in Mexico or will the challengers remain one step ahead of the champions as they prepare for their six sides of steel match? How will Kevin Nash's return impact the X Division? What new matches will be announced for Bound for Glory?
We start off tonight's show with footage from last week when Abyss tried to get the title belt back from Samoa Joe, only to fail. Then we see Jarrett get the belt back for a moment before Joe got it back. We are also told that tonight we will hear from Kurt Angle why he signed with TNA.
Jeremy Borash is in the back outside Jim Cornette's door and Jeff Jarrett comes out of Cornette's office. Jeremy asks Jeff if he is going to get his title belt back tonight. Jeff says that sometimes the fight is not worth fighting for. Jarrett walks away.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike Tenay and Don West.
Samoa Joe is in the ring and he has the NWA World Title belt. Joe addresses the crowd. He mentions that some people probably wonder why he is out here, but since the jackass that normally carries around the belt gets to have all the time he wants to talk, it is his time to talk. Joe says the real question is Why does Samoa Joe have the NWA World Heavyweight Championship? Why have you stolen the belt? Why are you holding it hostage? For the last four years, the fans have seen the belt held hostage by the worst of men. For the past four years, they have seen paper champion after paper champion. They have seen the most prestigious title in wrestling used as a political leveraging tool. For the past four years, the title has not been treated with the respect that it deserves. The NWA World Title was borne on the back with the blood, sweat, and tears of real men. Men like Dory Funk Junior and Harley Race. Men who treated this title for what it was, a testament for being the best. Joe tells TNA and the fans of the Impact Zone that he will hand the belt back to the winner at Bound for Glory if they give him a title match.
Christian Cage's music plays and he comes out. He says that he was standing in the back, minding his own business and he heard Joe talk about paper champions. He came out and assumed that Joe was not talking about him. Joe says that Jarrett was his number one choice, but Christian was a very close second. Christian says that Joe has bragged about beating everyone, but he is missing one person on the list. That person is Christian Cage and he says that Joe will never beat him. Christian says that the belt that Joe is holding was stolen from him the same way that Joe stole it from Jarrett. Christian says that he is taking his belt back tonight. Joe tells Christian that he can come to the ring to take it from him. Christian says that he is not talking about a wrestling match. He is talking about a fight. This is not about winning or losing, it is about the NWA World Title belt. He suggests hanging the belt above the ring and it does not matter how you get it down, or it can be done with a ladder. Whoever grabs the belt is the better man, and Christian says that it will be him.
Don and Mike are at the announce table and they talk about the Ladder Brawl between Christian and Samoa Joe. Don also talks about the man whose career is on the line at Bound for Glory, and they will hear from Sting. Mike talks about how we will hear from Kurt Angle tonight.
Jeremy Borash is in the back with LAX. Jeremy asks Konnan about the Six Sides of Steel match. Konnan says not to worry about Bound for Glory tonight because they are on the hunt for some gringo meat. They are looking for Daniels and Styles. Before Konnan can finish, A.J. Styles and Christopher Daniels attack Homicide and Hernandez. Daniels sends Hernandez into the lockers as we go to commercial.
We are back and Styles and Daniels have taken the battle with LAX into the Impact Zone as they fight up the Chute of Heelish Impact. The brawl moves to the ringside area and Styles slams Homicide's head into the ring steps. Things move into the ring and Styles punches Hernandez while Daniels holds him. Daniels chokes Homicide and punches him. Styles sends Hernandez over the top rope to the floor. Daniels hits a pescado on Homicide as things move to the floor. They fight towards the Spanish Announce Table. Konnan hits Styles from behind and that gives Hernandez a chance to work over Styles. Hernandez and Homicide pull Daniels behind the cage door and Konnan locks it to keep Styles away while Daniels is pummeled by Homicide and Hernandez. Homicide prevents A.J. from getting over the cage door. Security tries to pull LAX away from Daniels while the beat down continues.
Ron Killings talks about the Sting/Jarrett match and he thinks Sting will win the match. Rhino is next to give his opinion on the match, but then he changes the subject to his match with Christian. He talks about the concussions that he has suffered as well as what has happened to his ten year friendship with Christian. He says that now is not the time to talk about the match. We go to commercial.
We are back and Bobby Roode is on the phone telling Bobby Heenan, Colonel Robert Parker, and Sherri Martel that they did not get the job as his manager. He tells Bobby Heenan that it is 2006, not 1986. He tells the Colonel to save his breath because the job has been filled. He will reveal his manager at Bound for Glory. He tells Sherri that if she is in Canada, she has his number but she hangs up on him. Bobby calls someone in to fax off some paperwork to make it official. He says that he has made the right choice.
Jeremy Borash is in the back and Jerry Lynn is telling Shark Boy, Chris Sabin, Jay Lethal, and Sonjay Dutt that he hopes they have learned their lesson that what matters most is what the fans think of you. Right now, the fans think that they are a bunch of jackasses, and not in a good way. He tells them to go out there and do what they do best, and that is wrestle. Chris Sabin tells the old man to come to the ring to watch what the X Division is all about.
Match Number One: Senshi, Johnny Devine, Alex Shelley, and Petey Williams versus Sonjay Dutt, Chris Sabin, Jay Lethal, and Shark Boy
Shelley and Lethal start things off and Shelley spits some water in Lethal's face as they lock up and Alex sends Lethal to the mat. Lethal kips up and then he hits an arm drag. Shelley with a back elbow but Lethal responds with a jumping leg lariat. Shelley grabs Lethal with a testicular claw and then he tags in Williams. Lethal with a hip toss into a cartwheel and a drop kick before he tags Shark Boy into the match. Shark Boy with a drop kick and then he slams Williams' head into the turnbuckle. Shark Boy goes for the punches of ten, but Williams is able to stop him and he moves into the center of the ring. Shark Boy tries for a sunset flip, but Williams does not go down. Williams tries for a leg drop but Shark Boy moves out of the way and it is time for Shark Boy to take a bite out of Williams' rear end. Dutt and Devine tag in and Dutt with a drop toe hold followed by a rolling senton splash and a moonsault for a two count. Shelley breaks up the cover and the referee deals with Devine, allowing Senshi to come into the ring and he hits a running forearm. Senshi tags in and he hits a running back elbow. Williams tags in and he puts Dutt in the tree of woe. Petey sings and then he punches Dutt before Dutt can get out of the tree of woe. Devine tags in with a snap mare and a series of knees to Dutt's head. Devine with a snap suplex but he misses a running knee and Dutt hits a reverse hurricanrana. Sabin and Shelley tag in. Sabin with a drop kick to Shelley's knees followed by a running drop kick. Shelley charges at Sabin, but Sabin with a back kick followed by a tornado DDT. All eight men are in the ring briefly until Sabin, Shark Boy, Dutt, and Lethal send their opponents out of the ring. Shark Boy with a pescado to Williams. Lethal hits a flapjack on Shelley, followed by a shooting star press from Dutt, and Sabin with a La Magistral for the three count.
Winners: Chris Sabin, Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, and Shark Boy
After the match, Kevin Nash appears on the video screen. He says that he has been gone two months and the X Division has gone into the crapper. Nash says that he has built the X Division over his thirty year career; he doesn't know what is going on. The X Division is at an all time low, and it sickens him. He will announce at a press conference next week, the details of the Kevin Nash Open Invitational X Division Gauntlet Battle Royal.
A.J. Styles gives his comments about the Sting/Jarrett match. He hoped that things were the other way around so they could get rid of Jeff Jarrett. He tells Sting to remember "his boy" when he wins the title. Christian talks about how they want him to hype the Jarrett/Sting match, but when they are ready to talk to the real world champion, he will turn around. We go to commercial.
We are back with another Sting video package.
Match Number Two: Diamonds in the Rough (David Young and Elix Skipper [with Simon Diamond]) versus Ron Killings and Lance Hoyt
Young and Skipper attack Hoyt and Killings before the bell rings while Killings was still dancing for the crowd. Killings is sent out of the ring and Young and Skipper work over Hoyt. Skipper and Young with kicks to Hoyt followed by a kick to the head by Skipper and a neck breaker by Young for a two count. Young with a forearm and Skipper tags in.
We go to the back where Jeremy Borash is with Abyss, Raven, and Brother Runt. Raven is telling Abyss and Runt that the "Fat Coconut Eater" is not respecting them because he is off running to the NWA World Title.
We return to the action in the ring and Young has tagged back in. Young chokes Hoyt in the ropes and then he connects with a forearm to the back. Skipper with a drop toe hold but Young misses the baseball slide when Hoyt moves out of the way. Young yells at Skipper and that allows Hoyt to hit a double clothesline. Killings tags in and he punches Skipper and Young. Killings with a modified DDT to Young. Killings avoids a double clothesline and he comes back with a drop kick to the Diamonds. Hoyt with an F5 and then he clotheslines Young over the top rope and both men go to the floor. Skipper charges at Killings in the corner, but Killings floats over and he hits a sunset flip for the three count.
Winners: Ron Killings and Lance Hoyt
After the match, Diamond yells at Skipper and Young joins in. Diamond throws his jacket at Skipper and then Diamond leaves the ring. Skipper goes after Diamond, but Young stops Elix. Young yells at Skipper before leaving the ring. Ron Killings comes back into the ring and he shakes Elix's hand and hugs him. Killings leaves the ring.
Shane Douglas talks about how the men will be separated from the boys at Bound for Glory. He tells Andy and Chase to watch and learn. Kip James says that the Jarrett/Sting match puts a smile on his face because Jeff Jarrett is going to get what he deserves. Kip talks about how everyone needs to walk on egg shells around Jarrett, and BG walks away. He tells Kip that everyone was right and he is an ass. We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to go to the interview that was conducted earlier in the day with Kurt Angle. Angle says that his dream was to win an Olympic Gold Medal. After he won, he did not know what he was going to do after that. He went into pro wrestling and put his body on the line. He won six WWE titles and then someone came up to him and said that he was not that special. There was nothing else to prove over there and he saw a company on the rise, and that was TNA. When he had the chance, he was going to take the opportunity and prove to the world that not only can he dominate in the WWE, but he can dominate in TNA. The guys in TNA want to be the best in the world. All of them have that look in their eyes, the "eye of the tiger". That is the same look he had when he won the gold medal and that is the same look that he has right now. Angle says that there was a point where he hit rock bottom, and that was when he was addicted to Vicodin. That was when he broke his neck and he had surgery. The doctor tried to wean him down, but Kurt said that he wanted to quit immediately. He says that TNA management told him that they were going to take care of him and make sure that his health is good. He is going to make sure that things are alright with his wife and children. He found out this year that his family is the most important thing. Bound for Glory will be historic and a revitalized Kurt Angle will be there. He talks about how Vince McMahon told him to his face that an Olympic gold medal and a cup of coffee don't mean s***. He tells his former employer to watch what he does. If you thought you saw Kurt Angle when he was there, you haven't seen nothing yet.
Match Number Three: Samoa Joe versus Christian Cage in an unsanctioned ladder fight
Christian goes after Joe as he enters the ring and they exchange punches, but Joe with a knee and a series of punches. Joe with a running shoulder tackle and punches. Joe with a running boot to Christian. Christian with a thumb to the eyes and a forearm to Joe. Joe with a running knee to Christian and then Joe goes outside the ring and he gets a ladder. Christian with a baseball slide that sends Joe to the ground. Christian goes outside the ring and then he rolls Joe back in. Christian gets the ladder, but Joe with a suicide dive into the ladder and Christian goes down. We go to commercial.
We are back and a ladder is set up in the ring while Christian punches Joe. Christian puts the ladder in the corner and then he tries to Irish whip Joe into the ladder, but Joe reverses and the ladder falls on Christian. Joe puts Christian in the corner and then Joe with the face wash and then he puts the ladder in Christian's groin and Joe kicks the ladder and Christian rolls around the ring in pain. Joe climbs the ladder, but Christian stops Joe and Christian hits an inverted DDT from the ladder and both men are down. Christian climbs the ladder but then he goes back down. He moves the ladder and after he tries to climb it but Joe pulls Christian off. Joe puts the ladder on top of Christian and he hits a senton splash on the ladder. Joe with punches and he sets up for the muscle buster but Christian gets out of the hold. Christian grabs the ladder and he knocks Joe out of the ring. Christian climbs the ladder and Joe stops Christian and then Joe hits a palm thrust on Christian and then he hits an enzuigiri followed by the muscle buster. Joe climbs the ladder, but Abyss comes to the ring. Joe punches Abyss and Abyss hits the Black Hole Slam. Abyss climbs the ladder, but Brother Runt and Raven come out and they powerbomb Abyss off the ladder. Runt and Raven fight in the ring and Raven hits the discuss clothesline. Abyss trips Raven and he pulls Raven out of the ring. Runt climbs the ladder and he hits a cross body onto Raven and Abyss. Christian climbs the ladder and he removes the belt and then him and Joe fight on top of the ladder over the belt. Rhino comes out and he pushes the ladder over and Joe hits the ground with the belt.
Winner: Samoa Joe
After the match, Rhino gets in Joe's face and then Rhino GORES Christian and then they fight outside the ring and to the back. We go to credits.
2007 - WWE released Robert Gibson, who had been working as a trainer for WWE developmental.
2008 - An enthusiastic crowd of 2,600 were in attendance for the United Stated debut of Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler" at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in New York City. The critically acclaimed film closed the New York Film Festival. In attendance from the cast were Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, former WCW and WWE star Ernest Miller, Evan Rachel Wood and Judah Friedlander, among others. Freidlander attended the screening wearing a cap that read "Kayfabe." Aronofsky gave a long speech before the screening thanking those who had helped with the film and telling the crowd that Rourke gave everything for the film. Rourke quipped back, "I had no choice", which brought the house down.
ROH owner Cary Silkin, ring announcer Bobby Cruise and several other members of ROH management were in attendance at the screening. The final 15 minutes of the film, including an in-ring sequence that is the movie's climax, was filmed at a pair of ROH events in Dover, NJ. Silkin was thrilled with ROH's involvement in the film and credited Associate Producer Evan Ginzburg (who publishes Wrestling Then & Now) for the film coming to ROH. ROH champ Nigel McGuinness and Claudio Castagnoli also appear in brief cameos. Necro Butcher was listed fifth from the top in the cast billing for the film in the Film Festival program. Butcher appears in a hardcore wrestling sequence involving Rourke's character, Randy the Ram, that was filmed at a CZW event at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia.
2008 - TNA held their Bound for Glory PPV in Chicago. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off with a video package that details the history of organized crime in Chicago.
We are live from Chicago, Illinois and your announcers are Mike Tenay and Don West.
The giant red bird cage is set up as we see the arena and get the pyro.
Match Number One: Steel Asylum featuring Alex Shelley, Jay Lethal, Curry Man, Chris Sabin, Sonjay Dutt with So Cal Val, Jimmy Rave with Christy Hemme, Johnny Devine, Petey Williams, Shark Boy, and Super Eric for an X Division Title Match
The door closes and the match begins with the referee perched on the top of the cage to determine the winner. The bell ring and we have the wrestlers paired off. Dutt with a satellite head scissors to Rave. Williams with a kick and jaw breaker to Dutt followed by the spinning heel kick. Shark Boy tries to climb the cage, but Shelley stops him. Devine with a knee to Williams. Eric punches Devine and Devine goes down. Shelley and Sabin run Eric across the rope and he is probably not feeling super. Sabin with a drop kick to Eric off Shelley’s back. Shark Boy and Curry man work against the Machine Guns. Sabin and Shelley with a missile drop kick and flatline combination to Shark Boy. Shelley and Sabin continue to work over Shark Boy and others join in but Devine misses. Now everyone works over Devine in the corner. Shelley and Sabin work over Curry Man. We see a triple suplex of Curry Man, Shark Boy, and Super Eric by Shelley, Sabin, and Rave. Williams with a side Russian leg sweep to Rave. Williams goes up the cage but Rave stops him. Rave and Williams are in the corner and Shelley and Sabin with a running boot and drop kick combination.
Curry Man sends Shelley into Sabin. Curry Man climbs the cage but Shelley stops him. Shelley and Curry Man fight on the top turnbuckle. Shelley with a jawbreaker on the turnbuckles and Sabin hits a drop kick on Curry Man. Shark Boy with a side Russian leg sweep to Sabin off the top rope. Williams climbs the cage while Super Eric with a clothesline from the top rope to the mat on Devine. Dutt and Lethal fight on the top rope while Shelley tops Shark Boy. Dutt sends Lethal into the cage. Dutt gets crotched by Curry Man and then he hits an atomic drop from the turnbuckles. Rave with a clothesline to Curry Man. Rave puts Shelley on the top turnbuckle and he sets for a superplex, but Lethal stops him. Lethal uses Shelley to climb the cage but Rave stops him. Lethal with a rana from the cage followed by a frog splash from Shelley. Eric with a clothesline to Shelley.
Eric punches Devine and then Eric with a double Death Valley Driver on Dutt and Devine. Eric climbs the cage but Shelley and Sabin stop him. Lethal pulls Sabin off but Sabin with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker. Shelley with an Ace Cutter of Eric onto Lethal. Sabin and Shelley send Eric into the cage wall. They turn their attention to Curry Man and make a wish. They do the same to Shark Boy. They move on to Rave. Shelley and Sabin pose in the ring because there is nothing else to do. Williams punches Sabin and Shelley. Shelley with a clothesline to Williams. Shelley accidentally clotheslines Sabin. Williams gets out of Sliced Bread #2 by Shelley and Williams hits the Canadian Destroyer. Sabin stops Williams on the cage. Shark Boy with a double Stunner from the top rope on Williams and Sabin. Rave hits Ghanarhea on Shark Boy. Devine hits a piledriver on Rave. Devine hits a suplex into a stunner on Lethal and then hits a moonsault.
Dutt and Devine climb the cage. Curry Man joins in. Curry Man with the Spice Rack. Curry Man pulls Sonjay off the turnbuckles and then Curry Man press slams Dutt into the turnbuckles. Curry Man gets to the top of the cage and climbs the underbody of the roof. Dutt gets up there too. Dutt pulls Curry Man off the cage and he hits the mat hard. Lethal climbs after Dutt and they fight under the cage with Lethal throwing a flurry of punches. Dutt is caught in the cage and Lethal escapes.
Winner: Jay Lethal
Don and Mike welcome us to the pay per view and they run through the rest of the card for tonight’s pay per view.
We go to Jeremy Borash with Jim Cornette. Cornette says that this will be his crowning moment. There is a knock on the door and it is Mick Foley. Mick and Jim hug. Jim says that Mick is a big part of tonight’s success. Mick talks about riding with the Midnight Express and then he is stopped before he talks about Sweet Stan. Cornette points out that Impact is going to be on HD. Cornette needs to talk to some of the Spike people in the building.
Angelina Love and Velvet Sky enter the office and they are looking for Jim Cornette. Angelina says that they wanted blue M&Ms, not yellow, green, or orange. Mick says hello to Velvet and Angelina. Velvet and Angelina do not like Mick’s fashion sense. Angelina wants the M&M situation solved. Mick notices a blue M&M and considers their anger misplaced.
Match Number Two: Rhino, ODB, and Rhaka Khan versus Kip James, Angelina Love, and Velvet Sky in a Bimbo Brawl with Guest Referee Traci Brooks
ODB and Angelina start things off and they have some words for each other before ODB pushes Angelina to the mat. ODB with chops to Angelina followed by a boob splash into the corner. ODB tries for the fallaway slam but Angelina with a rake of the eyes. Velvet tags in and she kicks ODB and then she draws Rhino in. ODB punches Velvet and then Rhino is tagged in. Rhino with an arm wringer followed by an Irish whip and hip toss. Rhino sets for the GORE but Kip pulls Velvet out of the way. Rhino chases Kip around the ring. Velvet tries for a clothesline on Rhino and Rhino avoids it. Rhaka tags in and Velvet is able to tag in Kip. Kip and Rhaka get eye to eye and Kip grabs Rhaka by the throat. Then Rhaka grabs Kip. Kip chokes Khan but she goes with the testicular claw. Kip tags in Angelina and Angelina will not let Khan talk down to her like that. Khan misses a kick and then she puts Angelina in an arm bar. ODB tags in and she slams Angelina. Kip hits ODB with the make up case while Traci was distracted by Velvet. Angelina can only get a two count. Angelina talks to Traci while Velvet and Kip attack ODB. Angelina with a reverse chin lock. ODB with a belly-to-back suplex and Rhino is tagged in. Rhino punches Kip and hits a flying clothesline. Rhino with a shoulder into the corner and then he hits a belly-to-belly suplex for a two count. All six are in and the women eventually fight out of the ring. Kip and Rhino with punches but Kip with a knee. Kip hits a splash into the corner. Kip sets for the Fameasser but Rhino with a GORE for the three count.
Winners: Rhino, ODB, and Rhaka Khan
Lauren is in the back with Consequences Creed. Creed says that everything falls into place. Last year, he debuted at Bound for Glory. Now he has a chance to win the title. He does not appreciate the way that Bashir spits on the red, white, and blue. He tells Bashir if he does not love it to leave it. He says that the glory will be everyone’s when he wins tonight.
Before our next match, a war veteran who received the Purple Heart comes to the ring to introduce Consequences Creed.
Bashir gets on the mic and he wants to say something to the man who introduced Creed. Match Number Three: Sheik Abdul Bashir versus Consequences Creed for the X Division Title
Creed with a somersault clothesline and then he throws Bashir out of the ring. Creed hits a somersault plancha onto Creed. Creed with a cross body for a two count. Bashir with a kick and forearm followed by a chop. Creed with a snap mare and clothesline for a two count. Creed chops Bashir followed by a forearm. Creed with more chops followed by an Irish whip. Creed is sent to the apron and Bashir with a knee lift and then he sends Creed into the guardrails with a shoulder block. Bashir hot shots Creed onto the guard rail and then he gets a near fall. Bashir trips Creed and hits an elbow drop for a near fall. Bashir with a gutwrench but Creed with elbows. Bashir with a knee to Creed and Bashir with a near fall. Bashir with a hard Irish whip.
Bashir with a chop and then Creed joins in and Creed misses a splash. Bashir with a body scissors to Creed and applies a sleeper at the same time. Creed gets to his feet and he gets a rollup for a two count. Creed with punches to Bashir and Bashir punches back. Bashir with a sleeper. Creed is able to get out of the hold Creed with a kick to the hip and both men are down. Creed sends Bashir into the turnbuckle and then he punches Bashir. Creed with a clothesline and back elbow. Creed with a back body drop for a near fall. Creed with a kick and then he presses Bashir into a gutbuster for a two count. Bashir with a jaw breaker but Creed with a forearm and spin kick. Creed returns to his feet and then he goes to the turnbuckles but Creed is crotched. Bashir with a rana from the turnbuckles but Creed kicks out at two. Creed gets Bashir on his shoulder but Bashir rakes the eyes and then gets a rollup with his hand on the ropes for the three count.
Winner: Sheik Abdul Bashir
Jeremy Borash is with Mick Foley and Mick is telling Jim Ross stories about Foley in a Hell in a Cell Match. There is a knock at the door and Awesome Kong and Raisha Saeed enter. Saeed wants to know where Cornette is and why Foley is here. Saeed says it doesn’t matter. Foley says that is gimmick infringement. Saeed says that Kong will not be responsible for what she does to the two swine tonight. She says Kong isn’t in a good mood. Mick says that Saeed needs a visit from Yurple the Clown.
Match Number Four: Taylor Wilde versus Roxxi Laveaux versus Awesome Kong with Raisha Saeed for the TNA Women’s Title
Wilde and Roxxi talk and Kong tries to ambush them but they avoid Kong. Roxxi and Taylor take down Kong and then Taylor almost hits Roxxi. Taylor and Roxxi with a double drop kick and Kong goes to the floor. Roxxi with a knee followed by an Irish whip. Taylor with arm drags and a rana. Taylor hits a jumping leg lariat for a near fall. Kong grabs Taylor while Saeed pulls Roxxi out of the ring. Kong with a splash into the corner and Taylor goes down. Kong tries for a choke slam but Taylor with a victory roll and Roxxi breaks it up. Roxxi sends Taylor out of the ring. Roxxi backs into Kong and Kong takes Roxxi to the mat followed by a chop. Kong misses a charge into the corner and Roxxi with chops and punches. Roxxi with a kick to Kong followed by a swinging neck breaker and back splash. Roxxi goes up top and Roxxi with a double knee to Kong but Taylor breaks up the cover.
Roxxi with a back breaker but Kong with a boot to Roxxi and Taylor goes down too. Kong picks up Roxxi but Roxxi with a jawbreaker. Kong with a cross body for a two count. Kong sets for the implant buster and hits it but Taylor kicks Kong to break up the cover. Kong with a clothesline to Taylor and Kong says that it is over. Kong goes up top but Taylor stops her. Taylor with a kick that sends Kong to the floor. Roxxi with a kick to Taylor for a two count. Roxxi with the Voodoo Drop set up but Taylor escapes the hold. Taylor with a German suplex and bridge for the three count.
Winner: Taylor Wilde
Back to Jeremy Borash and Mick Foley. A.J. Styles is in the office and he tells Mick that he is happy that Foley is here. A.J. says that he is not too happy about some of the people from the ‘other company’. Foley says that A.J. doesn’t have to apologize.
Team 3D come in and they call A.J. a mark and suggest that A.J. kiss Foley. Ray says that A.J. better relax and focus on his match. Foley wants to know why Ray had to raid his wardrobe. Ray tells Cactus hello and he says that he looks better in the red flannel than Foley. Ray says that they are here because they can be here. Just like in ECW and WWE, they run rampant. They are twenty time world tag team champions. Foley says that he has heard so many times since he got to TNA. Ray tells Foley to stay out of each other’s ways. Foley says that he has to get ready to be guest enforcer for the Jarrett/Angle match.
Jim Cornette is back and he is in a good mood. Cornette asks if anything happened while he was out. Foley says that he is going to be the ‘Sock of the Walk’.
Match Number Five: Robert Roode and James Storm versus Team 3D versus Matt Morgan and Abyss versus LAX in the Monster’s Ball Match with Guest Referee Steve McMichael
The champions are the victims at the start of the match but then Team 3D square off with Abyss and Morgan. Morgan punches Ray on the floor. Devon sends Abyss into the post. LAX double team James Storm and Hernandez with a body block. Storm is catapulted into a clothesline and senton splash from Homicide. Roode punches Homicide and then he punches and chops Hernandez. Hernandez with a body block that sends Roode out of the ring. Homicide hits the tope con hilo on Roode and Storm. Hernandez with the plancha onto Roode and Storm. Hernandez sets his sights on Jackie and then Ray hits Hernandez with the trash can lid.
Devon and Homicide battle in the ring and Homicide with a back elbow to Devon and then he uses a crutch on Devon and it shatters. Homicide has a fork and he uses it on Devon. Roode is sent into the ring steps by Abyss. Homicide continues to use the fork on Devon. Hernandez chokes Roode on the floor. Abyss punches Ray on the floor. Homicide with more of the fork on Devon’s forehead. Abyss is in the ring and Homicide wants some. Abyss with a boot to Homicide and then he hits Shock Treatment. Ray has a cheese grater and he hits Abyss in the lower groin. Ray uses it on Abyss’s head and then Ray licks the grater. Ray continues to use the cheese grater and we see the blood. Ray licks the blood again. Hernandez comes in and he punches Ray. Ray with a splash in the corner but he runs into a boot. Hernandez pulls himself up but he gets hit in the head with a trash can lid. Ray with a superplex. Roode breaks up the cover and he goes after Ray.
Roode with a kick to Ray and then Storm with an enzuigiri and then Roode with a blockbuster for a near fall. Storm and Roode try for a double suplex on Morgan but Morgan blocks it and hits a double suplex of his own. Morgan goes to the turnbuckles and he goes old school and hits a cross body onto Storm. A table is set up on the floor and Roode makes the save. Devon with trash can lid shots to Roode and Morgan. Devon with an inverted suplex. Abyss with a choke slam on Devon. Abyss with a choke slam set up on Roode. Storm brings in a back of tacks. The referee takes the thumbtacks and then Rood hits Abyss with a chair. Roode yells at McMichael. Storm with the beer helmet and he wants to get on the line with McMichael. There is a football. McMichael with a clothesline to Storm but Homicide can only get a two count because Mongo is slower than molasses with his count. Hernandez with a flying clothesline that sends him and Roode over the top rope. Morgan is in the ring and the fans want tables. LAX, Storm, and Roode battle on the floor and Morgan with a cross body onto all four men.
Devon and Abyss battle in the aisle and then Ray hits Abyss with a chair. Devon hits Abyss with a trash can lid and Ray hits him with the trash can. Ray has a staple gun and it goes into Abyss’s forehead. Ray and Devon pull Abyss to the entrance. Devon punches Ray when Abyss moves. Abyss punches Ray and Devon but Johnny Devine comes out with a kendo stick and he hits Abyss. Devine brings out a table and they set it up.
Ray has some lighter fluid and so does Devon. They spray the table and then Devine lights it. Team 3D with a double choke slam that sends Abyss through the flaming table. Abyss is aflame and then he is extinguished. Morgan chases Roode back to the ring but Storm with a super kick. Storm and Roode with a chest bump, but Hernandez hits Storm with the kendo stick. Roode punches Homicide on the top turnbuckle and then Homicide hits a double drop kick from the top. Homicide with a back elbow to Storm. Roode puts Homicide up top but Homicide with a DDT from the turnbuckles for a two count. Storm punches Homicide but Storm with an elbow. Hernandez catches Storm and hits a sit out power bomb for a two count. Hernandez with a gutwrench into a Samoan drop followed by a frog splash by Homicide for a two count.
Storm’s super kick is blocked and Hernandez with a clothesline. Hernandez gets Storm up and Homicide with the Ace Cutter and Hernandez with the cover but Jackie breaks up the cover. Mongo spanks Jackie for interfering. Morgan punches Homicide and hits a bicycle kick on Hernandez. Morgan drives Homicide into the mat and then he hits the fallaway slam on Hernandez. Morgan puts Homicide on the top turnbuckle and Homicide punches him. Hernandez with the border toss to Morgan. A table is brought into the ring. Ray slams Homicide and it is Wassup time. Ray says that it time to get the tables, but Hernandez with the slingshot clothesline to Team 3D. Hernandez sets up the table in the ring and Hernandez gets the thumbtacks and Mongo pours them on the table. Hernandez tries to set Devon onto the table. Hernandez gets a 3D through the table. Storm spits beer into Devon’s eyes and Roode get the three count.
Winners: James Storm and Robert Roode
Match Number Six: Booker T with Sharmell and Mongo’s Halliburton versus A.J. Styles versus Christian Cage
Booker and A.J. go at it at the start of the match but Styles with a punch and chop. Styles with a back breaker and then A.J. stares at Christian and that allows Booker to attack Styles. Booker with a spin kick. Booker has words for Christian and there is an alliance, but it was a trap. Christian with an inverted DDT to Booker. A.J. and Christian exchange punches. Christian and A.J. exchange near falls. Styles is sent to the apron and when Styles tries for a springboard move, Christian hits the ropes and Styles hits the ropes and Christian with a knee lift. Booker with chops followed by a super kick. Styles appears to set for a springboard move on Booker in the ring, but he hits an Asai moonsault on Christian on the floor. Booker tries to slam A.J.’s head into the announce table but A.J. does it to Booker. A.J. throws the referee down and the referee does not see Booker hit A.J. with the briefcase. Booker and Christian are in the ring and Christian with chops. Booker with a chop. Booker with a flap jack to Christian for a two count. Booker with knees to Christian followed by a jumping spin kick. Booker with a reverse chin lock on Christian. Booker with a jumping leg lariat and he gets a two count. Booker punches Christian and then he punches Styles on the apron as he tries to get back into the ring. Christian with an inside cradle for a near fall. Booker with a clothesline to Christian. Booker punches Christian and then he chops Cage. Christian with chops to Booker. Booker sets for a Bookend, but Christian escapes the hold. Booker and Christian with a double clothesline and both men go down. Styles hits the Phenomenal forearm on Booker when Christian moves. Styles with punches, forearms, and elbows to Booker and Christian. Styles with a clothesline to Booker and a flying forearm into the corner on Christian.
Styles sets for the drop kick but Christian goes under a flip from Styles and Booker gets clotheslined over the rope to the floor. Styles with a drop kick. Styles with a moonsault but Christian blocks the inverted DDT. A.J. hits it when he gets a second chance. Styles with punches to Christian. Christian punches Styles and Booker with a double clothesline followed by a clothesline to Christian and a super kick that sends Christian out of the ring. Booker with knees and chops to Styles. Booker with a kick and he tries for the axe kick but Styles with a flying arm bar. Christian makes his way into the ring and he rakes Styles’s eyes. Booker with a bookend to Styles and all three men are down. Booker gets a two count. Booker signals and it is spinaroonie time. He gets up and turns into a back elbow from the turnbuckles. Christian mocks Booker and Styles with a flying forearm to Booker off Christian’s knee. Styles with a Pele to Booker. Christian with a DDT to Styles for a two count.
Christian puts Styles on the turnbuckles and he sets for a rana, but Booker gets under Christian. A.J. sends Christian to the mat and Styles misses the Spiral Tap. Booker with an axe kick to Christian and A.J. Booker covers A.J. but Styles kicks out. He can only get a two count on Christian. Booker goes up top but Christian sends A.J. into the corner and Booker is crotched. Christian with a spear and Booker holds on to the referee to stop the referee from making the count. Christian catapults A.J. into the turnbuckles and all three men are on the ropes. Christian punches A.J. and he hits an Unprettier from the turnbuckles. Booker with an axe kick from the second turnbuckle for the three count.
Winner: Booker T
Lauren is in the locker room with Kurt Angle. Kurt asks if it is really going to be a one-on-one match with Mick Foley as the ring enforcer. It is to protect Jeff Jarrett. He does not care if Jarrett is the founder of TNA or if he hasn’t wrestled for two years. Nobody makes Kurt Angle look like this and get away with it.
Jeff Jarrett is with Jeremy Borash and he asks for Jeff’s comments and what will happen to the company if something happens to Jeff. Jeff says that he has been thinking about the agony and pain that he has been going through for the last two years. There are three beautiful girls who have allowed him to continue. Jeff leaves with his guitar.
Match Number Seven: Jeff Jarrett versus Kurt Angle with Special Enforcer Mick Foley
Angle with a double leg take down and Jarrett gets to the ropes. Angle with a single leg take down and he slaps Jarrett in the head. They lock up and Angle with a side head lock and take down. Angle with a shoulder tackle and Angle with a side head lock take down. Jarrett with an arm drag and side head lock take down of his own. Jarrett with a shoulder tackle and side head lock take down. Angle with a belly-to-back suplex but Jarrett holds on to the side head lock. Angle backs Jarrett into the corner and Angle with knees and punches to Jarrett. Angle with a European uppercut. Jarrett with a drop kick and then he clotheslines Angle over the top rope to the floor. Jarrett with a pescado onto Angle. Jarrett sends Angle into the guardrails and he punches Angle. Jarrett comes off the apron but he misses Angle and goes into the guardrail. Angle kicks Jarrett as they return to the ring.
Angle with a European uppercut and Jarrett is in the ropes and Angle chokes Jarrett. Jarrett with a reverse atomic drop followed by an enzuigiri. Jarrett with a splash into the ropes and then we see the Jarrett Strut. Angle with a clothesline and both men are down. Angle with a back breaker for a near fall. Angle with a reverse chin lock. Jarrett with a rollup for a two count. Angle with another clothesline and another two count. Angle with a suplex for a two count. Angle with a reverse chin lock as he continues to wear down Jarrett. Jarrett with punches and kicks. Angle with shoulders in the corner but he misses a charge into the corner. Jarrett with a DDT and both men are down.
Angle and Jarrett exchange punches and Angle with a knee, but Jarrett with clotheslines. Jarrett with a Blue Thunder Driver for a two count. Angle with an Irish whip but he charges into a boot. Angle with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex for a two count. Angle tries for the Olympic slam but Jarrett counters with a DDT for a two count. Jarrett puts Angle on the top turnbuckle and he tries for a superplex but Angle punches Jarrett and he tries for a belly-to-belly suplex to the floor. Jarrett hits the superplex and both men are down again and Jarrett gets a two count. Jarrett with the figure four leg lock and Angle tries to get the ropes and he finally gets to the ropes. Jarrett kicks Angle in the knee. Angle with a German suplex but he can only get a two count. Angle holds on and he hits two more German suplexes but Jarrett kicks out at two.
The straps come down and Jarrett with an arm drag and he tries for a piledriver. Angle with a sunset flip and then Angle puts Jarrett in the ankle lock. Jarrett tries to get the ropes but Angle pulls Jarrett into the center of the ring. Jarrett rolls through to get out of the hold. Angle tries for the Olympic slam and hits it for a two count. Angle goes up top for the moonsault but Jarrett moves out of the way and Angle misses. Angle with a clothesline that hits the referee when Jarrett moves out of the way. Jarrett with the Stroke and Foley comes in to make the count and Jarrett can only get a two count. Angle with a low blow while Foley checks on the referee. Angle rolls out of the ring and he gets a chair. Foley tries to stop him from using the chair and Angle drills Foley in the head with the chair. Angle returns to the ring and he hits Jarrett with the chair. Angle gets the ref back to consciousness and Foley pulls the referee out of the ring. Foley yells at Angle and then Foley punches Angle and it is time for Mr. Socko. Jarrett hits Angle with the guitar and Foley makes the three count.
Winner: Jeff Jarrett
Match Number Eight: Samoa Joe versus Sting for the TNA Heavyweight Title
Joe punches Sting and Sting punches back. Sting with kicks and more punches but Joe sends Sting over the top rope to the floor. Sting with the suicide dive and forearm into Sting. Joe slams Sting’s head into the apron and then he chops Sting. Joe with punches and Sting falls into the crowd. Joe joins Sting in the crowd. Joe with a side head lock and he slams Sting’s head into the wall. Sting punches Joe and slams him into the wall. They go higher into crowd and they continue to battle. Joe punches Sting and they head for the concourse. Joe goes into a luxury box and he hits a Yakuza kick from the luxury box. They fight down the steps. They continue to battle into the crowd and Sting punches Joe. Sting with a cross body onto Joe. Sting sends Joe’s head into the wall and Sting takes time to scream. Joe trips Sting and Sting is crotched and Joe with a boot to the head. Joe sends Sting back into the ringside area.
Sting and Joe finally return to the ring. Joe with a running back elbow into the corner followed by a spin kick. There is a bat in the ring and Joe puts Sting on the turnbuckles for the muscle buster. Sting punches Joe and hits a DDT. Sting goes up top and hits a frog splash. Joe with a power bomb into the STF. Joe turns it into a crossface. Joe flips the bird and then he puts Sting in the Rings of Saturn. Sting gets to the ropes. Sting punches Joe but Joe with a power slam for a two count. Joe misses an elbow in the corner and Sting hits the Stinger Splash and Sting puts Joe on the turnbuckles and hits a fisherman’s buster but Joe pops up. Joe chops Sting and Joe with a running clothesline and Joe with the Scorpion Death Drop. Sting pops up. Sting punches Joe and Sting with a Stinger Splash to the back. Sting with another Stinger Splash. Sting tries for a third but Joe with the STO.
Joe wants Sting to get up and then Joe with knees to Sting’s head. Joe tells the referee to make the count and then Joe poses for the camera. Sting gets up and Joe kicks Sting in the leg. Joe with a kick to Sting’s head and the referee checks on Sting and starts to count. Joe punches Sting in the ropes and the referee pulls Joe off. Joe argues with the referee.
Kevin Nash makes his way to the ring and he is not in a good mood. Nash walks over to Sting and stands there. Joe continues to argue with the referee. Joe with punches to Sting and a chop. Joe with a DDT to Sting and then he argues with the referee. Sting grabs the bat and Nash takes it from Sting. Joe with a clothesline but he can only get a two count. Joe with punches to Sting and Nash hits Joe with the bat when the referee is out of the way. Sting with the Scorpion Death Drop for the three count.
Winner: Sting
After the match, Nash walks towards the back.
Sting celebrates in the ring as we go to credits.
2009 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Tronfo filed the following TV report:
We start off with Chris Jericho in the interview area and he introduces himself as the best in the world. Chris talks about the Bragging Rights pay per view and he mentions the epic seven on seven tag match between Raw and Smackdown stars to see who are the best. Jericho points out that he can be on both shows, but he is proud to be a member of the Smackdown roster. He is the captain of Team Smackdown. Nancy interrupts Chris and says that they don’t start Raw with him, they start with Degeneration X. Chris wonders who she is and she introduces herself as Nancy O’Dell the guest host of Raw. Are you ready?
We are live from Indianapolis, Indiana and your announcers are Jerry ‘Can we get Danica Patrick to be a guest host’ Lawler and Michael ‘Will Robert Downey Junior get involved in the Iron Man Match’ Cole.
Triple H comes to the ring and he is missing a tag team partner. Hunter brings a production worker into the ring to play the part of Shawn Michaels and he does laps around Triple H before handing him the mic. Hunter says that he is going to do things differently but he still asks if we are rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrready. Hunter does his vintage introduction and mentions that Shawn Michaels is not here tonight. Hunter says that they were going to be the leaders of Team Raw, but then he gets a call from Shawn saying that he had to stay home. Hunter says that he can live with that and move on . . . or he can call his friend at home and badger him at home. The fans appear to like the idea of calling Shawn at home.
Hunter gets Shawn’s voicemail and it is to the tune of his entrance music. Apparently Shawn was monitoring his calls and he wants to make sure they didn’t hear his message. Hunter says that he is with a few members of the DX Army and they want to know where he is. Shawn says that his daughter got sick and he had to stay home with her. Shawn says that he got most of the vomit cleaned up and he just read her a story. Hunter asks if the story was from the Unauthorized Story of DX. Shawn says that he wouldn’t read from that piece of . . . then he changes his story and says that he read about shoving people’s heads up other people’s rear ends. Speaking of rear ends, we see the photo of Vince getting a close look at Big Show’s rear end.
Hunter is about to talk about Bragging Rights, but he is interrupted by Big Show and Chris Jericho. Hunter asks Show to hold up the book and smile into the camera, but Show throws the book down. Jericho points out that he is the captain of Team Smackdown and he points out the number of episodes of Smackdown that have aired and points out that it is a better show because he is on that show. Hunter says that Smackdown is a good show with a spineless general manager who does whatever Vince wants. It is a show with a grumpy little troll. Hunter talks about the great wrestling, especially with the likes of the Great Khali. Hunter says that Smackdown is nothing like Raw. Jericho compares himself to the delinquents who are the Raw captains. Even though Big Show is with the Raw roster, he wants Big Show on his team at Bragging Rights. Hunter wants to know if Show is going to do whatever the boss tells him. Show tells Hunter that Jericho didn’t say that. Hunter suggests that Jericho is on top of the food chain. Show says that they are equals and Show is the one who carries the team. Hunter wants to make sure that he heard things right. Jericho wants to know what Show just said. Show points out that he was not the one who got pinned last week. Jericho points out that he wasn’t the one who was the laughing stock of Sportscenter after being humiliated by Shaquille O’Neal. Show points out that he was not humiliated by a 200 year old fossil named Bob Barker. Jericho says that he will fight Bob Barker. Jericho points out that he has rejuvenated Show’s career. He is no longer remembered as the man who was knocked out by Floyd Mayweather at Wrestlemania 24. Show tells Hunter that he has changed his mind and he wants to be on Team Raw at Bragging Rights. Hunter asks Show if he wants to be on Team Raw, but Hunter says that there aren’t any spaces open. He tells Show that he talked to the guest hosts to allow Show to earn his slot into the Raw team. Hunter tells Show that he has to beat his opponent. Hunter says that Show’s opponent is Chris Jericho.
That match is going to take place now.
We go to commercial.
Match Number One: Big Show versus Chris Jericho in an If Big Show wins, he gets to be on Team Raw Match
Fortunately the match did not start during the commercial break.
Jericho and Show go face to pectoral and then they shake hands. They lock up and Show backs Jericho into the corner and Show with a clean break. They lock up again and Show backs Jericho into the corner and Show with another clean break. Jericho with a waist lock and Show thinks he feels something but he connects with an Andre-esque butt bump. Jericho with a chop and Show decides to chop Jericho and Jericho is regretting his earlier decision as he rolls to the floor. Jericho teases returning to the ring. Show pulls Jericho into the ring by the head. Show wants Jericho to calm down and points out that they are tag team partners but Jericho pushes Show. Jericho pie faces Show but Show grabs Jericho by the throat and sends him into the corner. Jericho tries for the Codebreaker but Show catches him and puts Jericho on the turnbuckles. Jericho slaps Show and then Show chops Jericho to the floor. Jericho is holding his knee and Show checks on Jericho. Jericho was playing a game and he tries to get back into the ring before the ten count. Show pulls Jericho back out of the ring and he gets back in before the ten count.
Winner: Big Show by count out
Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler talk about the co-host and correspondent, Maria Menunous. Maria is with Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. She asks them about their return to Raw after Hell in a Cell. Ted says that he is doing good, but he wasn’t carried off on a stretcher. Cody says that he is ready. Maria asks Ted and Cody if they want to be on Team Raw and both say that they want to be on Team Raw. Maria says that Cody and Ted are in a Triple Threat Match and the winner gets a spot on Team Raw. The third man is John Cena.
We go to commercial.
We are back and members of the Indiana Pacers are in the crowd.
Match Number Two: Mickie James versus Jillian Hall for the Divas Title
They lock up and Jillian with a side head lock and Mickie with a forearm. Jillian with a monkey flip but Mickie responds with a Thesz Press. Mickie gets a near fall and she sets for the DDT but Jillian blocks and tries for an X Factor, but Mickie blocks that and gets a near fall with a jackknife cover. Jillian with a power bomb and she uses the ropes to get the three count.
Winner: Jillian Hall
After the match, Jillian takes the mic and she says that it is time to take photos of the new champion. She says the only thing that would make things better is if she could sing her favorite song.
Jillian is interrupted by Nancy O’Dell. She tells Jillian to stop because her ears are hurting so bad. Nancy says that she made a call to the other general managers and she made a Divas trade. Jillian has to defend her title against Raw’s newest acquisition. Melina comes out to the ring.
Match Number Three: Melina versus Jillian Hall for the Divas Title
Jillian does not want to let go of the belt but eventually she does. Melina with an attempted Banshee leg drop but Jillian kicks out. Melina with Code Red for the three count.
Winner: Melina
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that if you have WWEClassics.com, you can watch the first 100 episodes of the most prolific episodic show in television history.
We are told that next week’s Raw guest host is Snoop Dogg.
Hunter is in the locker room talking to a stand up of Shawn Michaels while Shawn is on speaker phone. Shawn wonders why his music is playing and we have the Hornswoggle Break Kid. Hunter tells Shawn not to turn on the show. Hunter accuses Hornswoggle of gimmick infringement. Hornswoggle gives Sweet Kneecap Music to the cardboard Shawn. Hornswoggle grunts and crotch chops his way out of the office.
Cole mentions that the trade details will be available on the website after Raw.
Santino cannot believe that he is standing next to the WWE Sexy Superfan of the Month. Santino makes an audition for an anchor role on Access Hollywood. Beth pushes Santino out of the way and she cannot believe that she is on Smackdown. Beth demands that they get her back on Raw or she will take care of them. Beth attacks Maria after she appears to be happy that she is gone from Raw. Santino says that Maria is not afraid of her and Maria would love to be in a match tonight. Santino tells Maria to make it happen and Santino says that it is official. Santino tells Beth that he faked every organism with her.
We take a look back at why we have an Iron Man Match at Bragging Rights.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Wrestlemania tickets are going on sale soon so we have a video package.
Match Number Four: John Cena versus Cody Rhodes versus Ted DiBiase in a Bragging Rights Qualifying Match
Cena with a clothesline to Cody and then he punches Ted and hits a bulldog. Cody with a drop kick and Ted punches Cena. Ted and Cody both kick Cena and Cody chokes Cena with his boot. Rhodes and DiBiase both punch Cena but Cena with a double clothesline and then he Irish whips Cody and then he punches Ted. Cena with a side slam to Ted and then she sends Cody to the apron. Cena gets Ted up on his shoulders but Ted escapes and they go high and low on Cena. Rhodes with a near fall. DiBiase and Rhodes pin ball Cena. DiBiase with a front face lock and Cody and Ted both attack Cena. They hit a double suplex on Cena. Ted chokes Cena in the corner and then Cody kicks Cena. Rhodes goes to the second turnbuckle and hits a bulldog on Cena. Ted kicks Cena and Cody punches Cena. Cody with a snap mare and Ted with a kick. Ted gets a viper-like look on his face. Ted and Cody with a double drop kick to Cena. Rhodes kicks Cena and Ted joins in. Ted and Cody with a hard Irish whip to Cena. Ted chokes Cena in the ropes and Cody takes over with a punch to the head. Cena is in the ropes and Ted and Cody figure out which one of them will hit the 619. Instead, Cody chokes Cena in the ropes. Ted tries for a slam but Cena escapes the hold. Cena knocks Rhodes off the apron and then he turns around the Ted hits a clothesline for a near fall. Cena is sent out of the ring as we go to commercial.
We are back and Cena punches DiBiase but DiBiase with a clothesline. We see Cody break up the cover made by DiBiase. We see Cody and Ted argue and then we see all three men fight outside the ring during the commercial break.
Back to live action and Cena gets Rhodes up and sends him to the floor. DiBiase with a drop kick and then he gets a near fall. DiBiase goes into the ring post but Cody gets back into the ring and he hits a neck breaker for a near fall. Cody punches Cena and kicks him. Cody with a vintage Flair knee drop to the head for a near fall. Cena with a suplex and both men are down while Ted is still on the floor until Cena makes the cover and Ted reappears. Rhodes and DiBiase try for another double suplex, but Cena blocks it and the power of the yellow sun allows Cena to hit a double suplex of his own. Cena sends Rhodes to the floor. Cena punches DiBiase and then hits a clothesline followed by a belly-to-belly suplex. Cena with a back body drop to Rhodes and then Cena puts DiBiase in the STF. Randy Orton comes out and Cena releases the hold. Cody rolls up DiBiase and gets the three count.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
After the match, Orton tries to stop Rhodes and DiBiase from attacking each other.
Nancy is on the TitanTron and she tells everyone to settle down. Nancy says that since they are not getting along. Nancy is going to put Ted and Cody in a tag match against John Cena and Randy Orton.
We go to commercial.
We are back and even Michael Cole is in shock about the main event.
Some Indianapolis Colts are in the front row trying to glom off Ben Roethlisberger’s publicity.
Match Number Five: Jack Swagger versus Montel Vontavious Porter in a Bragging Rights Qualifying Match
Swagger with a kick and he tries for a quick Doctor Bomb but Porter with a back body drop and a slam. Swagger goes into the turnbuckles and Porter with a flying clothesline. Porter with a forearm but Swagger with a kick in the corner. Swagger sends Porter into the ring post and then he starts to work on the arm. Swagger with a near fall. Swagger with a key lock. Swagger with a kick to Porter and then Porter responds with an overhead belly-to-belly throw. Porter with a facebuster and then it is time for a Ballin Elbow Hoosier Style but he can only get a two count. Swagger with a divorce court and then he hits the Doctor Bomb for the three count.
Winner: Jack Swagger
Cody and Ted are still arguing in the back and their opponent later tonight interrupts and Orton says that he will not team with John Cena. He will not tag in. It will be an Epsenhart Special (Randy didn’t say it). Ted wonders if Cody is thinking about what would happen if Cody pinned Ted and Randy tonight. Cody says that Ted is thinking about pinning Randy to redeem himself. Randy tells both men to keep on thinking if they are thinking about pinning Randy.
Match Number Six: Kofi Kingston versus Evan Bourne in a Bragging Rights Qualifying Match
The match is joined in progress with Kofi applying a side head lock. We see Bourne avoid Trouble in Paradise during the commercial break. We are back to live action and Kofi with a top wrist lock. Bourne with an arm drag and a jumping spin kick for a near fall. Bourne with a single leg crab but Kofi gets out of the hold and then he hits a European uppercut for a near fall. Kofi gets caught in the ropes and hits the mat but Bourne cannot capitalize. Kofi hits the SOS for a near fall. Bourne with a jumping back kick and another jumping kick. Bourne goes to the apron and he goes up top. Bourne lands on the mat and then he goes to the turnbuckles again and Kofi catches Bourne with Trouble in Paradise for the three count.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
We are back in the DX Office and Hunter says that they are almost set with their team. Nancy and Maria enter and it is time to plug the book. Hunter tells Nancy that Maria has it and is ready. Maria is a bit hesitant. Maria talks about the two kicks she learned as well as putting him in a head scissors for fifteen minutes. Chavo enters and he wants to know what Hunter and Hornswoggle are up to. Hunter says that he doesn’t like that troll any more than Chavo does. Chavo says that he does not believe Hunter and he thinks that Hunter and Hornswoggle are conspiring against him. Chavo wants to know why he is not going to be part of Team Raw. Chavo says that he is more talented than any of the other team members. Chavo says that he should be the captain of the team. Hunter has Maria kick and he gets Chavo in the Guerreros.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that ECW has Did You Know Moments?
Match Number Seven: Beth Phoenix, Rosa Mendes, and Alicia Fox versus Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim, and Maria Menunous
Gail and Alicia start things off and Gail with a rollup for a near fall. Gail works on the arm and tags in Maria. They hit a double back elbow on Alicia and then she tosses Alicia by the hair a few times. Alicia picks up Maria but Maria with a sunset flip for a near fall. Alicia with a kick and Beth is tagged in. Maria with a kick to the knee and then she slaps Beth and tags in Kelly Kelly. Beth with a satellite back breaker and then she slams Kelly’s head into the mat. Rosa is tagged in but Kelly with a kick and forearms. Kelly with an Irish whip and then Kelly hits the handspring back elbow. Rosa with a drop toe hold and then she hits Gail on the apron. Maria drops Rosa on the ropes and then Kelly hits the leg drop off Rosa’s back for the three count.
Winners: Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim, and Maria Menunous
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Kofi losing the US Title to The Miz last week.
The Miz makes his way into the arena and he is dressed to talk, not to wrestle. He wants people to show respect to the new United States Champion. Miz asks if he is bragging too much and he tells everyone to get used to it. Miz says that the United States Champion will face the Intercontinental Champion. He will be facing his former tag team partner, John Morrison. Miz says that they were the greatest tag team of the 21st Century and he was the talent of that tag team. Miz calls Morrison a hairdo with abs and compares him to Richard Simmons. Miz says that while Morrison will be wearing bedazzled tank tops in ten years, he will be the face of the top sports entertainment show. Miz tells us who he is and that he is awesome.
It is time to run through the card for Bragging Rights.
Before our main event starts, Legacy are in the ring and Randy Orton says that he was on the phone with Snoop Dogg and he told Snoop that it will be Cena’s last night on Raw. They agreed that John Cena will compete in one of the biggest matches of his career.
Randy does not tell us now, but we will find out after this match.
Match Number Eight: Randy Orton and John Cena versus Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase
Orton goes to the floor before the bell rings and we have déjà vu with Rhodes, DiBiase, and Cena in the ring together. Cena and DiBiase start things off and Cena with a waist lock take down for a near fall. Cena with a front face lock into a waist lock. DiBiase with an elbow and punches followed by kicks. The referee pulls DiBiase away and Rhodes works over Cena. Rhodes tags in and he kicks Cena. DiBiase tags in and he hits a drop kick for a near fall. Cena and DiBiase with punches and DiBiase with a power slam for a near fall. Rhodes tags in and he punches Cena in the ribs. Rhodes works on the arm and has Cena in a rear chin lock. Cena gets Rhodes on his back as he tries to get to his feet. Cena tags in Orton who was not paying attention and Cena goes to the floor.
They lock up and Orton with a side head lock but Rhodes with a rollup for a near fall. DiBiase tags in and he gets a near fall with a rollup followed by a small package. Orton tags Cena in. Cena and Orton snarl at each other and Cena with the flying shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb. Time for the Five Knuckle Shuffle but Orton makes the blind tag. Cena gets DiBiase up for Attitude Adjustment and Orton attacks Cena. DiBiase rolls up Orton and gets the three count.
Winners: Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes
After the match, Cena gives Orton an Attitude Adjustment.
We are told that John Cena will be wrestling Triple H in a first time ever . . . next week match on what may be Cena’s final Raw.
2010 - Jamie Keynes was released from her WWE developmental deal after being eliminated on NXT.
2010 - CBS Big Brother reality star Jessie Godderz, who had been wrestling in Canada for WFX, worked a TNA Impact taping, defeating Stevie Richards in a dark match.
2010 - FOXNews.com featured a piece on celebrities being susceptible gto bedbugs because of their travel schedule and stays in hotels, noting that "WWE announcer" (oops!) Jeremy Borash had his own recent run-in, being bitten on the face while staying in New Jersey and that he was offered a payout in exchange for signing a release for the hotel, I guess to waive them of their responsibilities in the attack.
2010 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are on the internet again and your announcers are Michael ‘I am on the internet but I dislike the internet’ Cole and Josh ‘Get me to Gemenon’ Mathews. Your host is Matt ‘The Good One’ Striker.
Matt is in the ring and he brings the five remaining rookies to the ring as they go past the pros. The rookies have air horns so it is probably trivia time. There is an elimination in three weeks. Matt reminds us that Kaitlyn had immunity but now we are all back to zero.
And it is WWE Name That Tune. We will hear a five second snippet of a superstar’s entrance music.
The first song plays and AJ gets it right by guessing Sheamus. The second one plays and AJ gets it right by guessing Teddy Long. The third one plays and Naomi gets it right when she guesses Santino. AJ gets the next one right by guessing Edge. AJ gets a fourth one when she correctly guesses John Cena. AJ gets the next one as well when she guesses Kofi Kingston. AJ guesses the next one and gets it right with the Miz while Michael Cole suggests that AJ get a life. AJ continues to dominate by guessing Melina. The first round is over and round two will be three seconds.
AJ continues to dominate by guessing Degeneration X. The streak continues with AJ guessing Randy Orton. Guess who gets the next one because she guesses Zack Ryder correctly. AJ even gets the legends one with Dusty Rhodes. Another correct answer for AJ with Trish Stratus. Everyone draws a blank when the Legion of Doom’s music plays. AJ gets the last one with Vince McMahon.
Naomi will be facing Alicia Fox next as a reward for breaking the clean sweep by AJ.
We go to commercial.
Match Number One: Naomi with Kelly Kelly versus Alicia Fox with Maxine
They lock up and Alicia sends Naomi into the corner and Naomi pushes Alicia. Alicia works on the arm but Naomi with a rollup for a near fall. Alicia with an Irhs whip but Naomi floats over and leap frogs Alicia and follows it with a few drop kicks and forearm. Naomi with an Iceman King Parsons’ butt bump and Alicia goes to the floor. Naomi goes to the floor and brings Alicia back in. Alicia wants Naomi to stop for a second and the referee obliges. Alicia with a kick and then she connects with a forearm. Alicia sends Naomi into the turnbuckles and then connects with a snap mare. Alicia with a reverse chin lock and pulls Naomi to the mat by her hair and gets a near fall. Alicia with a chin lock on Naomi but Naomi with forearms followed by an enzuigiri and she gets a near fall on Alicia. Naomi takes time to deal with the crowd and then she hits a running kick into the corner but Naomi misses a cross body. Alicia with two axe kicks for the three count.
Winner: Alicia Fox
We go to the back where Goldust is with Aksana. He praises her on her performance but Aksana remind Goldust about papers and attorney tell her she go home for six months to fix things. Aksana says that it kill her hopes and dreams. Goldust says that he will do anything for her and he tells Aksana to focus for her match and the other competition. Goldust says that he believes in her and he tells her to trust him. Goldust tells her some strategy as we go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to talk about the second competition and it is going to be a physical challenge with the power of the punch. First, we are going to hear from the rookies. They have a minute to talk
Naomi says that she needs to vent. There is someone who has been working on her last nerve. That person is Michael Cole. She is so sick of his negativity and bad attitude. She says that Cole is no Jim Ross. Naomi wonders why Cole is here if he is embarrassed. Naomi tells Cole to do something about his gray hair.
AJ is next and she is going to give a personal ad. AJ mentions that she is single and she talks about her dream date. They go back to her place, turn the lights down low, and light some candles. Then they turn something on . . . her X Box. She has ordered a pizza and they can watch a movie.
Kaitlyn is next and she is going to talk about age before beauty. Kaitlyn turns to Vickie. She says that Vickie has so much experience and she says that Vickie is like a fine wine that she gets better with age. Kaitlyn says that she got together with Dolph and got her a gift. She was told that her favorite perfume is Ben Gay. She calls Vickie a minty, cheesy, fine wine.
Aksana is next and she talk about America. Aksana says she hope someone from immigration watching. She think America is most beautiful country. Without America there be no WWE Universe. Without WWE there be no Goldust or Aksana. Without WWE there wouldn’t be such beautiful people in the crowd. She thank Christopher Columbus for discovering America.
Maxine is going to talk about disrespect. She was disrespected by Hornswoggle who pushed a pie in her face. She did get one on top of her, but Maxine reminds us that she always ends up on top. Maxine turns to Kaitlyn and she says that she is lucky to have Vickie as her pro. Instead, Kailtyn disrespected her relationship with Dolph. She calls Kaitlyn a home wrecker and says that isn’t how ladies do business.
We go to the Raw Rebound.
They talk about Team Raw and that give Michael Cole his chance to enjoy something on the show because he gets to talk about Miz.
Josh talks about how NXT is on demand starting at midnight and then we see highlights from the Vickie Guerrero/Kaitlyn match last week.
Kaitlyn is in the back and Vickie stops by. Vickie says that she was hoping it would happen, but unfortunately Kailtyn did not get eliminated. She says that they can work together for the next three weeks and let bygones be bygones. Vickie tells Kaitlyn to stay away from Dolph for the next three weeks or elimination won’t be the worst thing for Kaitlyn.
It is now time to take a look at Knucklehead.
We move to the stage and it is time for the second challenge with the Power of the Punch Challenge. Naomi goes first and her total is 814, but since she hit the bag with two hands, she has to do it again but with one hand. Naomi’s score is 801. AJ is next and her total is 362 and Michael Cole gloats about being able to punch harder than a woman. Kaitlyn is next and her score is she whiffs with a 5. Cole mentions that he is playing a game on his phone. Matt asks Kaitlyn for her strategy and she says that she was trying to numb her arm to avoid any pain. Aksana is next and her total is 666. Maxine is last and her score is 605. That means that Naomi is the winner.
Matt asks Cole about Naomi’s performance. Cole mentions that Naomi got cheap heat by mentioning him and then won this contest.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Aksana with Goldust versus AJ with Primo
Goldust gives Aksana some advice and they lock up. AJ with an arm drag and drop kick followed by a crucifix for a near fall. Aksana goes to the floor and Goldust reminds Aksana of plan. Goldust hugs Aksana and then he tries to motivate her. Aksana returns to the ring and AJ works on the arm and wrist. Aksana with a slap and Goldust tells her to continue the attack. AJ gets out of a slam attempt and AJ with a reverse chin lock. Aksana with an elbow and she slides into a forearm. AJ with an inside cradle for the three count.
Winner: AJ
After the match, Goldust tells Aksana to stand up. He knows that the immigration stuff is driving her crazy but Goldust says that there are options. Aksana says there no options. Goldust says that they could get married and Aksana would be able to stay in the country. Goldust reminds Aksana that he told her he would do anything to help her. Goldust gets down on one knee and proposes to her. Aksana says yes and Michael Cole celebrates as if he is going to be the matron of honor.
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