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November 18th
On this day in history in ....
1938 - Jim Londos defeats Bronco Nagurski for the World Heavyweight Title in Philadelphia, Pennsylvani, which he would hold until retirement in 1946.
1983 - Ted DiBiase defeats Brett Wayne Sawyer for the Georgia National Heavyweight Title in Cleveland, Ohio.
1992 - WCW's Clash of the Champions XXI was held in Macon, Georgia at the Macon Coliseum. Here are the results of the show, which aired live on TBS:
- Brian Pillman defeated Brad Armstrong in less than a minute.
- Scotty Flamingo defeated Johnny B. Badd via knockout in the second round of a boxing match after hitting him with a wet glove.
- Erik Watts & Kensuke Sasaki defeated Arn Anderson & Bobby Eaton when Watts forced Eaton to submit to an STF.
- Ron Simmons & 2 Cold Scorpio defeated Tony Atlas, The Barbarian & Cactus Jack in a Handicap match when Scorpio, in his WCW debut, pinned Atlas with a 450 splash.
- Madusa vs. Paul E. Dangerously ended in a five minute draw after Madusa just beat on Dangerously for most of the time limit.
- Sting vs. Rick Rude ended in a twenty minute draw in a King of Cable Tournament match. Sting advanced via judge's decision, two votes to one.
- Ricky Steamboat & Shane Douglas defeated Barry Windham & Dustin Rhodes to win the NWA & WCW World Tag Team Title when Douglas pinned Windham with a belly to belly suplex.
1995 - ECW held their November to Remember event at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here are the results:
- The opening match between Don E. Allen and the Broad Street Bully never actually took place, as special guest ring announcer Buh Buh Ray Dudley, unable to do the introductions without stuttering, took out his frustrations on both men, powerbombing and pinning them himself.
- Paul E. Dangerously comes to the ring, and after apologizing for the "fire incident" from the previous show, has the lights turned out for a surprise. The lights come back on, and Sabu, who was fired from the company six months earlier for missing the Three Way Dance show, stood in the ring.
- Konnan defeated Jason with a crucifix powerbomb. Taz, still recovering from his broken neck, came to the ring and announced that he was going to be a referee, since he wasn't cleared to wrestle. Jason mocked Taz, and Taz punched Jason, setting up for a ten second victory for Konnan.
- Stevie Richards defeated Pablo Marquez with a superkick. Prior to the match, The Blue Meanie makes his debut as a "fan" in the crowd, giving Richards a Flock Of Seagulls T-Shirt. During the match, Richards had Meanie come into the ring to attempt (and miss) his first Meaniesault.
- The Pitbulls defeated The Eliminators with a Superbomb on Kronus.
- Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Psicosis in a Mexican Death Match. Rey pinned Psicosis with a rana for the first fall less than a minute into the match. Psicosis then pinned Rey twice with a moonsault and then a powerbomb. Psicosis got another pin with a senton, then a moonsault with a chair for yet another fall. Each time, Rey was back to his feet by a nine count. They fought into the crowd, and Rey gave Psicosis a rana from the top stage onto the bottom stage, getting his second, and final pinfall of the match, as Psicosis was unable to answer the ten count following this fall.
- Jason came to the ring and offered to manage Rey, which resulted in Rey going at it with the Eliminators, until 911 ran in for the save.
- ECW World Tag Team Champions 2 Cold Scorpio & The Sandman defeated The Public Enemy when Sandman pinned Johnny Grunge after Rocco Rock accidentally gave him the Drive-By (senton). As a result, Sandman received a World Title match with Mikey Whipwreck later in the show. This match was proceeded by one of the more unique moments in ECW history, a "dance off" with 2 Cold Scorpio and Rocco Rock, which ended up involving The Sandman and Woman as well.
- Bill Alfonso defeated Tod Gordon. Beulah was supposed to be the guest referee, but Alfonso knocked her out early in the match. After brawling around the ring, and at ringside, Gordon hit Alfonso with a frying pan, and had the pin. Taz, still in his referee's gear, came down and counted two, then turned on Gordon, knocking him out and putting Alfonso on top for the pin. Taz then got on the microphone and ripped into the fans and Paul E. over not caring for him when he broke his neck. Taz claimed that Bill Alfonso was the only person who called him when he was injured. Fans chanted "Sabu" but Taz said "He's not coming". This heel turn was the beginning of the Taz vs. Sabu feud that would culminate in ECW's first Pay-per-view, Barley Legal on April 13, 1997
- ECW World Champion Mikey Whipwreck defeated Steve Austin. Austin attacked Sandman as he made his entrance, and took his place in the title match. Austin mocked Hulk Hogan during the match, doing a big boot to the face followed by a legdrop. In the end, Austin hit a stun gun, but while showboating, Mikey rolled him up (with a handful of tights) for the pin.
- Sabu defeated Hack Myers with an Atomic Arabian Facebuster.
- Tommy Dreamer & Terry Funk defeated Raven & Cactus Jack when Funk pinned Raven after a Dreamer piledriver. Cactus wore a T-Shirt with pictures of WCW's Dungeon Of Doom on it to infuriate the ECW fans, and when that was ripped off, it revealed a shirt with Eric Bischoff on it, and the words "Uncle Eric, Please Forgive Me". A violent, bloody brawl, the match also featured what I believe was the first "E-C-F***ing-W" chant.
2001 - WWE's Survivor Series were held in Greensboro, North Carolina at the Greensboro Coliseum, and was headlined by the finale of the Invasion storyline with Team WWE vs. Team Alliance. Here are the results from the show:
- Raven, Lance Storm & Justin Credible defeated Albert, Scotty 2 Hotty & Spike Dudley.
- Christian defeated Al Snow with the Unprettier.
- William Regal defeated Yoshihiro Tajiri with a double underhook powerbomb.
- United States Champion Edge defeated Intercontinental Champion Test in a unification match with a rollup out of a full nelson slam.
- WCW Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Matt & Jeff Hardy in a unification match in a steel cage when Bubba pinned Jeff after D-Von moved out of the way of a swanton off the top of the cage and Jeff crashed through a table.
- Test, after attacking Scotty 2 Hotty to take his spot, won a battle royale. As a result, Test was given "immunity" and couldn't be fired by whatever faction controlled the company after the main event.
- Trish Stratus defeated Lita, Jackie, Ivory, Molly Holly and Jazz (making her WWF debut) to win the vacant WWF Women's Title by pinning Ivory with a bulldog.
- Team WWF (Rock, Chris Jericho, Big Show, Kane, Undertaker) defeated Team Alliance (Steve Austin, Shane McMahon, Kurt Angle, Booker T & Rob Van Dam) in an elimination match for control of the company.
- Shane pinned Big Show with a top rope elbowdrop after Show was given an Angle Slam, a Booker ax kick, and an RVD five star frog splash.
- Jericho pinned Shane with a Lionsault after a chokeslam from Kane and a tombstone from Undertaker.
- Van Dam pinned Kane with a top rope kick.
- Angle pinned Undertaker after Austin gave him a stunner.
- Rock pinned Booker T after ramming Booker into Van Dam.
- Jericho pinned Van Dam after putting his knees up on a moonsault attempt.
- Rock made Angle submit to a Sharpshooter.
- Austin pinned Jericho with a rollup.
- Rock pinned Austin with a Rock Bottom after Angle, turning on Austin, hit him with the World Title belt. As a result, the Alliance was forced to disband.
2007 - WWE held the Survivor Series in Miami, FL. Buck Woodward filed the following PPV report:
Survivor Series opened with a video putting over the history of the event, then focusing on the traditional Survivor Series match, the WWE Title bout, and the Hell In A Cell match.
Joey Styles and Tazz welcomed us to the show, as the ECW Title match is the first bout of the evening.
ECW Champion CM Punk vs. The Miz vs. John Morrison.
CM Punk came out first, then Miz and Morrison had separate entrances, each brandishing their WWE Tag Team Championship belt. At the bell, Miz and Morrison worked over Punk in a corner. Punk managed to kick Miz in the head, then rolled Morrison into a sunset flip for a two count. Morrison catapulted Punk into a corner, but Punk jumped onto the ropes and launched into a bodypress on Miz. Punk kicked Morrison in the head, then threw both men to the floor. Punk hit Miz and Morrison with a tope. There was a "CM Punk" chant. Punk put Morrison in the ring and set up for a springboard, but Miz hooked his leg from the floor and Morrison nailed him with a punch. Morrison and Miz hit a double suplex then worked over Punk with punches. Morrison then set up for a springboard kick, but Miz knocked Morrison off the ropes, sending him in the floor.
Miz gave Punk a back suplex for a two count, then put him in a camel clutch. Morrison got on the apron, but Miz knocked him down. Punk gave Miz an enzugiri, then Morrison gave Miz a slingshot kick to send him to the floor. Morrison hit a backbreaker, then a STO for a two count. Morrison applied a cobra clutch on Punk, but Punk fought out of it and hit some kicks. Morrison poked Punk in the eyes and threw him out of the ring. Punk grabbed the ropes, but Miz yanked Punk to the floor. Miz got on the apron and Morrison suplexed him into the ring for a two count. Miz came back with a legsweep for two, then hit his clothesline through the ropes in the corner for a two count. Miz ran into a Morrison kick, and Morrison hit a split legged corkscrew splash. Punk broke up the cover. Punk hit Morrison with some chops, then gave Morrison a top rope rana. As Morrison flipped off the ropes from the rana, Miz grabbed him and powerbombed him. Punk broke up Miz' cover with a dropkick to the face.
Punk hit a series of kicks on Miz, then a jumping knee in the corner. Punk bulldogged Miz for two count. Punk gave Miz a double underhook backbreaker, but Miz kicked out at two. Morrison rolled up Punk from behind and hooked the trunks for two. Punk hit Morrison with a series of kicks to the head, then went for the GTS, but Morrison grabbed the top rope and pulled himself to the apron. Punk hit Morrison with forearms. Miz went to hit Punk, but Punk moved and Miz knocked Morrison off the apron and to the floor. Punk scooped up Miz and hit the GTS for the pin at the eight minute mark.
Winner: CM Punk.
Michael Cole and JBL welcomed us to the show, and discussed the MVP-Matt Hardy situation from this past week on Smackdown. Backstage, Anastasia interviewed MVP and asked him why he turned on Matt Hardy. MVP said that Matt Hardy would not be competing tonight, and that he couldn't walk without a crutch. MVP said Matt's whole career was based on having a crutch, either his brother Jeff or MVP. MVP said he is better than every wrestler in the building and ripped on the crowd as well.
Beth Phoenix, Layla, Jillian Hall, Melina & Victoria vs. Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Michelle McCool, Torrie Wilson & Maria.
Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler got to call this one. Each woman had their own separate entrance. Melina actually slipped off the apron during her trademark leg split. She actually laughed it off, then went back on the apron and did the split again. Kelly and Michelle went for the cheap pop by wearing Miami sports jerseys (no, not the Dolphins). Michelle started with Victoria, hitting a Northern Lights suplex, for a two count, then hitting a boot to the face for another two. Torrie tagged in and hit a clothesline and pair of forearms on Victoria. Victoria came back with a fireman's carry into a side slam for a two count. Layla tagged in and kicked Torrie in the gut. Layla missed a spinkick and Torrie suplexed her for a two count. Kelly tagged in, but so did Jillian. Jillian kicked Kelly in the gut, then smothered her with her breasts. Jillian went for a handspring elbow, but Kelly kicked her in the back and rolled her up for a two count.
Maria tagged in and kneed Jillian in the gut. Maria hit a handstand kick, but Phoenix got a blind tag and powerslammed Maria. Layla tagged in and rammed Maria into the mat, then Melina tagged in and poked Maria in the eye. Melina missed a straddle attempt on the ropes. Mickie James got a hot tag and gave Melina a Thesz Press, and also worked on knocking opponents off the apron. Phoenix grabbed James from the apron, but Torrie & Michelle clotheslined her away. The women started fighting on the floor, except for Mickie and Melina in the ring. Mickie gave Melina a kiss, then hit a back heel kick for the pin at the four minute mark.
Winners: Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Michelle McCool, Torrie Wilson & Maria.
Backstage, William Regal and Jonathan Coachman were smirking, while Hornswoggle paced the floor, looking concerned.
They showed a pre-taped interview with Randy Orton, who claimed that by taking away the superkick, he took away Michaels' "only chance at survival". We then heard from Shawn Michaels, who said that Orton had made his family suffer, so tonight he was going to take the WWE Championship.
World Tag Team Champions Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch vs. Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes.
As Holly & Rhodes came out, they showed how they earned the tag title shot by winning a Triple Threat match over the Highlanders and Brian Kendrick & Paul London. They noted that Rhodes was about to get the win, but Holly tagged himself in so he could give Robbie McAllister and get the pin.
Rhodes started off with Cade, who grabbed a side headlock, then hit a shoulderblock. Rhodes leapfrogged Cade, but Cade reversed a hiptoss attempt. Rhodes hit a dropkick and grabbed an arm wringer, then hit some elbows to the arm. Cade went for a backdrop, but Rhodes hit a sunset flip for a two count. Rhodes grabbed a side headlock. Cade shoved it off and missed an elbow, but caught a Cody bodypress and hit a backbreaker. Murdoch tagged in and slapped Rhodes across the back. Murdoch went for a back suplex, but Rhodes floated over and slapped Murdoch in the back. Holly tagged in and hit a back elbow, then chopped Murdoch in the corner. Murdoch grabbed Holly's trunks to ram him into the turnbuckle, then tagged in Cade.
Cade ran into a Holly boot, then Holly hit a kick to the gut and clotheslined Cade to the floor. Murdoch ran in, and Rhodes threw him out of the ring, onto Cade. Holly threw Cade back into the ring, and there was a chant for Holly. Holly hit Cade with some chops, then dodged a charge after Cade reversed a whip and rolled him up for two. Cade managed to make a tag and grab Holly in a reverse atomic drop, and Murdoch followed it with a boot to the face for a two count. Murdoch worked over Holly in the corner. Murdoch slammed Holly, then tagged in Cade, who dropped Murdoch into a legdrop on Holly. They kept with the quick tags, and Murdoch applied a overhead wristlock/chinlock combo on Holly.
Holly fought out of it, blocked a Murdoch suplex, and hit one of his own. Murdoch tagged Cade, who tried an elbowdrop, but Holly moved out of the way. Cade was able to hit a clothesline, then tagged Murdoch for the legdrop move again. This time Holly moved and Cade dropped Murdoch to the mat. Rhodes got the tag and cleaned house, sending Cade from the ring. Rhodes backdropped Murdoch, then hit a bulldog. Rhodes hit a top rope dropkick, but Cade broke up the cover. Holly clotheslined Cade, and both men fell to the floor. Rhodes grabbed Murdoch, but Murdoch reversed positions and gave Rhodes the Code Red/Canadian Destroyer/flip powerbomb for the pin at the eight minute mark.
Winners: Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch.
Holly yanked Rhodes up off the mat rather firmly, then said something to him and patted him on the shoulder before leaving the ring.
he three announce teams discussed the Survivor Series elimination match. They noted that Matt Hardy was injured, and that Triple H's team would go in one man down.
They interviewed Triple H's team. Jeff Hardy said MVP had painted a huge bulls-eye on him. Rey Mysterio said he wasn't worried about it being four-on-five, as he said he is always an underdog. Kane interrupted, and said he is never an underdog. Kane then brought up that Triple H once accused him of being a murderer, then had sex with a mannequin he pretended with his dead girlfriend. Triple H said "Sorry". Jeff Hardy noted that Triple H once sent him to the hospital. Triple H said "My bad". The comedy continued, with Triple H saying Survivor Series was the one day a year where people who have done terrible things to each other could get together to do terrible things to someone else. That seemed to unify the team.
Triple H, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy (injured, not participating), Rey Mysterio & Kane vs. Umaga, Mr. Kennedy, MVP, Big Daddy V (with Matt Striker) & Finlay in an elimination match.
Each wrestler had their own entrance. All three announce teams are calling this one together. Rey Mysterio started off with Kennedy. Kennedy took Rey down with a waistlock and applied a front facelock, but Rey reversed into a hammerlock. Kennedy went into a wristlock, but Mysterio flipped out of it, only to be hit with a Kennedy forearm. Kennedy missed a clothesline, but hit a shoulderblock. Rey hit Kennedy with a boot to the face, then hit a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. Rey slid under Kennedy's legs and gave Kennedy Trevor Murdoch's finisher move, but only got a two count. Jeff Hardy tagged in to a pop, then jumped off Mysterio's back into a leg lariat on Kennedy in the corner. Hardy went for a Twist Of Fate, but Kennedy shoved it off and hit a clothesline for a two count. MVP tagged in and pounded Jeff Hardy on the mat. MVP kicked Jeff in the back, and acted like his knee was hurt. Big Daddy V tagged in and knocked Hardy to the mat. Big Daddy V headbutted Jeff, then hit a forearm to the chest. BDV stood on Jeff's chest. Big Daddy V chopped Hardy, but Hardy stopped himself as BDV whipped him across the ring and tagged Kane. Kane ran in, and BDV hit a belly to belly suplex. Kane kicked out at two, then hit some right hands. MVP ran in, and Kane gave him a side slam. Kane went to the top rope and hit BDV with a clothesline. Kane called for a chokeslam. Finlay ran in, and Kane chokeslammed Finlay. Big Daddy V grabbed Kane and hit a Samoan Drop, then splashed him for the pin at the six minute mark.
Kane is eliminated.
Triple H came in and went at Big Daddy V, hitting a facebuster on the knee, but getting knocked down by the big man. Umaga tagged in and gave Triple H a belly to belly suplex, then dropped a headbutt on him. There was a big Triple H chant. Umaga went for a second rope headbutt, but took way too long, and Triple H rolled out of the way. Mysterio was tagged in, and he hit Umaga with forearms. Rey tried to slide under Umaga, but Umaga stomped him. Umaga went for a sit down splash, but Rey dodged it and hit a dropkick to the face. Umaga kicked out at two. Rey tried a springboard rana, but Umaga caught him. Rey managed to double pump it and send Umaga to the ropes. Rey hit a 619 and a springboard senton, but Umaga kicked out a two. Rey went for a springboard bodypress, but Umaga hit him with a swinging side slam, then hit the Samoan Spike for the pin at the ten minute mark.
Rey Mysterio is eliminated.
Everyone looked like they were going to go at it (as Finlay kicked Rey to the floor), but the referee managed to get wrestlers back out of the ring. Kennedy tagged himself in off of Umaga. Jeff and Kennedy went at it, with Jeff going for a slingshot kick in the corner, but MVP pulled Kennedy out of the way. Hardy crashed to the mat, but grabbed the bottom rope to break up the cover. MVP tagged in and pounded Jeff, then put him in a chinlock. MVP switched to a sleeper, but Hardy broke out and they exchanged punches. MVP grabbed a fireman's carry and dropped Jeff to the mat. MVP missed the running kick and Jeff hit the Twist Of Fate for the pin at the thirteen minute mark.
MVP is eliminated.
Kennedy ran in and tried to get a quick pin on Hardy, but was given an enzugiri and Triple H tagged in. Triple H gave Kennedy a facebuster to his knee and a clothesline. Kennedy fought back, but was given a spinebuster. BDV ran in and tried to elbow Triple H, but he moved and BDV dropped it on Kennedy instead. Triple H then dodged a charging BDV and pulled down the top rope so he would fall to the floor. Triple H pinned Kennedy at the fifteen minute mark.
Kennedy is eliminated.
BDV pulled Triple H to the floor and pounded him. Hardy tried to jump off the apron, but BDV caught him and threw him into the post. Back in the ring, BDV put Triple H and Hardy in the corner and tried to avalanche him. They moved out of the way, and Hardy & Triple H gave BDV a double DDT. Triple H pinned BDV at the sixteen minute mark.
Big Daddy V is eliminated.
Finlay attacked Triple H, working him over with punches and stomps. Finlay went to the second rope, but jumped into a boot by Triple H. Jeff got tagged in and went to work on Finlay with punches and kicks. Hardy hit a splash in the corner, then a slingshot kick for a two count. Hardy rammed Finlay into a corner and hit some punches from the second rope. Finlay shoved Hardy to the mat hard. Hardy ended up on the apron, and Umaga blasted him with a kick to the face. Finlay hit a short arm clothesline for a two count. Finlay hit some elbows to the shoulder and headbutts, but when he went for a whip in the corner, Hardy climbed the ropes and hit the Whisper In The Wind. Umaga tagged in, and Hardy hit him with a mule kick. Umaga tagged Finlay and Hardy tagged Triple H. Triple H missed a clothesline, but hit a jumping knee. Triple H went for a backdrop, but Finlay kicked it away. Finlay ran into a Triple H spinebuster. Triple H went for the Pedigree, but Umaga stopped it with a kick to the face. Finlay knocked Jeff off the apron. Finlay went for the Celtic Cross, but Triple H floated out and hit the Pedigree for the pin at the twenty two minute mark.
Finlay is eliminated.
Umaga beat Triple H down in a corner, but missed a charge. Triple H made a blind tag to Hardy. Umaga charged Triple H, who kicked him in the gut and hit a Pedigree. Hardy followed it with a Swanton Bomb for the pin at the twenty three minute mark.
Umaga is eliminated. Triple H and Jeff Hardy are the survivors.
Triple H and Jeff Hardy celebrated in the ring, while Umaga stared at them from the floor, before leaving.
Backstage, Hornswoggle was still pacing. Regal told him to sit down and rest his legs. Vince McMahon entered, and Hornswoggle hugged his leg. Vince asked Regal and Coach to leave. Vince talked about the reasons people said he made this match (he wants to see a trainwreck, he doesn't like Hornswoggle, etc.). Vince said he made the match because Hornswoggle is "a McMahon" and because of that, he would win. Vince said he was an underdog against Time Warner and against the government, and he won. Vince gave Hornswoggle a big pep talk, saying they had "grapefruits the size of the Grand Canyon". Vince said that McMahons "stick together", and Hornswoggle seemed confident.
Shaquille O'Neal was shown in the crowd.
JBL and Michael Cole were discussing Hornswoggle vs. Khali when Shane McMahon's music hit, and he came to the ring. Shane then introduced his fater, and Vince came to the ring. Shane and Vince hugged, then Shane introduced his "little brother" and Hornswoggle came out, looking motivated. Vince and Shane applauded him as he came to the ring.
Hornswoggle vs. Great Khali.
Khali came out, and stood in front of Vince and Shane, who slowly backed away and exited the ring. They took seats at ringside. Runjin Singh got on the mic, and said that since this is a sanctioned match, the referee should explain the rules. This allowed for another of those "Khali is a lot bigger than Hornswoggle" shots. Fans were chanting "We Want Shaq" as he had just been shown at ringside during the previous break. I guess he stood up, because the crowd reacted. Vince got on the mic and said it was "too damn bad" what they wanted, and said they needed to start the match. Hornswoggle got psyched up and took off his jacket.
Hornswoggle kicked Khali in the leg. Singh was yelling at ringside, so Hornswoggle ran over and kicked him in the head. Horswoggle went and kicked Khali a few more times in the legs. Khali yelled at Hornswoggle and he ran out of the ring. Hornswoggle, from the apron, spit green mist at Singh, then gave him a Thesz Press off the apron and hit some punches on him. Khali came to ringside and Hornswoggle went under the ring. Hornswoggle came out the other side with a shillelagh. Hornswoggle went to use it, but Khali grabbed it from him and threw it out of the ring. Khali slapped Hornswoggle to the mat. Khali called for the Vice Grip. Finlay ran out with a shillelagh and hit Khali in the leg with it, Hornswoggle was disqualified at the four minute mark.
Winner via DQ: The Great Khali.
Finlay hit Khali in the leg several more times with the shillelagh, dodging his attempted punches. Singh ran in, and was thrown down by Finlay. Finlay cracked Khali in the head with the shillelagh, then got Hornswoggle out of the ring. The fans popped when they realized Finlay really was helping Hornswoggle escape. Vince seemed annoyed, Shane confused, as they exited.
A video package on the WWE Title match was shown.
WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels
- If Michaels uses the superkick, he is disqualified and will not get a return match.
- If Orton gets disqualified, he loses the title.
They locked up and Michaels grabbed a side headlock, then switched to a hammerlock, then a cravate. Michaels took Orton down to the mat with the hold and got a two count. Michaels snapmared Orton and maintained the cravate. Orton punched and tried to slam out of it, but Michaels maintained the hold. Orton backed Michaels into the corner to force a break. Orton hit a series of right hands to the head, then slapped Michaels and trash talked him. Michaels shoved Orton, then seemed to be poised for a superkick, but took Orton down instead and hit a series of punches. Orton shoved Michaels to the ropes and dropped down, but instead of jumping over him, Michaels dropped onto Orton and put on a rear naked choke with a body vice. Orton tried to stand up, but Michaels switched into a front facelock. Orton tried to stand up, but Michaels drove his knee into Orton's head. Orton got to his feet and tried to lift Michaels, but Michaels wouldn't release the hold and hit a series of knees to the head again. Orton managed to get his body under the bottom rope and went to the floor.
Michaels hit a baseball slide kick between the middle and bottom rope. He teased a pescado, and Orton ducked, but Michaels landed on the apron and hit an Asai moonsault to the floor. Back in the ring, Shawn Michaels went for a flying bodypress, but Orton rolled through it for a two count. Orton hit a forearm uppercut, then delivered another one. Orton went for a kick to the gut, but Michaels grabbed it and tripped Orton to the mat. Michaels applied the Sharpshooter. Happy Anniversary! The crowd reacted to the move being applied, but didn't boo it. Orton struggled in the hold, and made the ropes for the break. Orton rolled to the apron and poked Michaels in the eyes. Orton yanked Michaels' neck across the top rope and he dropped to the floor. Back in the ring, Orton stomped Michaels to the apron, and hit a series of punches. Orton hit a DDT with Michaels' feet hanging on the second rope. Orton scored a two count.
Orton applied a rear naked choke and a body vice. Michaels fought to his feet, broke out, and hit a chop. They traded chops and punches. Michaels got the better of it, and hit a flying forearm. Michaels kipped up and gave Orton a reverse atomic drop. Michaels hit a series of punches, but Orton avoided another reverse atomic drop and hit a standing dropkick for a two count. Orton went for another dropkick, but Michaels avoided it and rolled up Orton for a two count. Michaels slammed Orton twice, then went to the top rope. Michaels hit the elbowdrop, then started stomping in the corner. Instead of a superkick, Michaels grabbed Orton with a small package for a two count. Michaels went for a sunset flip, but Orton sat on him to get a two count. They got up, and Michaels took Orton down with an arm-trapped crossface. Yes, the old Crippler Crossface. The crowd reacted to that one too. Certainly didn't expect to see that move again this year on a WWE show. Orton made the ropes to break the hold. Michaels went for it again, but Orton rolled through it and hit a clothesline.
Orton hit a side backbreaker, then measured Michaels for the RKO. Orton then changed his mind and set up for a kick to the head. Orton went for the kick, but Michaels caught it and put Orton in an ankle lock. Hi Kurt! Orton went for the ropes, but Michaels pulled Orton back into the center of the ring. Michaels added a leglace to the ankle lock. Orton managed to turn in the hold and kick Michaels in the head to escape the hold. Orton went to kick Michaels, but Michaels caught the kick and tripped Orton. Michaels went for a spinning toe hold, but Orton kicked Michaels away. Michaels went over the turnbuckles and hit his head on the ringpost. Orton went for an RKO, but Michaels shoved Orton away. Orton went to lift Michaels for a slam, but Michaels floated over and was about to go for a superkick, then stopped himself. That hesitation allowed Orton to hit the RKO for the clean pin at the nineteen minute mark.
Winner: Randy Orton.
Orton started to leave the ring, then went back in and pulled Michaels up off the mat and propped him in the corner. Orton slapped Michaels and said he wanted Michaels to say he was the best. Orton kept bragging, and slapping Michaels. Orton then went to pick up his title belt, and when he turned back around, Michaels decked him with a superkick. Michaels then rolled out of the ring, leaving an unconscious Orton in the ring. Eventually, Orton got up, was announced as the winner, and left.
One of those "Save Us" videos aired. It looked like it will be revealed tomorrow on Raw (in case you didn't know).
Batista was shown in the back, as they began lowering the Cell. They then aired a video package on the main event.
World Champion Batista vs. Undertaker - Hell In A Cell.
Batista grabbed a headlock at the start, then hit a shoulderblock and a clothesline. Taker hit some punches, but Batista returned fire. Batista missed a shot and Taker went for a chokeslam, but Batista elbowed out of it. Undertaker hit a clothesline for a two count. Fans seem to be behind Taker more than Batista. Taker kicked Batista in the head and hit an elbowdrop, then rammed Batista into a corner. Undertaker threw Batista into another corner and hit Snake Eyes, then delivered a big boot that flipped Batista over. Undertaker got a two count, then went under the ring for a chair. As Taker got into the ring with it, Batista hit a spear. Batista charged Undertaker with the chair, but Taker booted it into Batista, then hit a clothesline for a two count. Undertaker went for a triangle choke, but Batista quickly avoided it and rolled to the floor. Undertaker rammed Batista into the steps and hit some punches on the outside.
Undertaker raked Batista's head against the steel fence. Undertaker put Batista in the ring and hit the apron legdrop. Undertaker put a chair under Batista's chin and rammed him into the ringsteps. Batista grabbed at his throat and had blood flowing from his mouth. Taker then jabbed Batista in the ribs with the chair and threw him back into the ring. Undertaker scored a pair of two counts, pushing on Batista's throat on the cover. Undertaker rammed Batista into a corner, then hit some short arm shoulderblocks. Undertaker went for the Old School rope walk, but as he jumped off the ropes, Batista caught him and hit a spinebuster. Batista crawled onto Undertaker for a cover, but he kicked out. They traded punches, with Batista getting the better of it. Batista hit a clothesline for a two count. Batista hit some shoulderblocks in the corner, then a clothesline in the corner. Batista hit a running powerslam for a two count.
Batista threw Undertaker out of the ring and rammed him into the ring steps. Batista threw Taker into the steel fence, then nailed him with a clothesline on the floor. Batista went for a whip, but Undertaker reversed it and sent Batista into the ring steps. Undertaker kicked Batista, then put him over his shoulder and ran him headfirst into the steel fence. Batista was busted open. Undertaker hit Batista in the head with a chairshot. Insert joke about Vince telling CNN they wouldn't be doing those anymore here. Undertaker rolled Batista into the ring for a two count. Undertaker went for the rope walk again, but Batista knocked Taker down on the top rope and set up for a superplex. Batista nailed it, but as he went for the cover, Undertaker grabbed him with a triangle choke. Batista grabbed the ropes and the referee called for a break. The announcers wondered what the referee could do, seeing as he couldn't disqualify anyone. Undertaker jumped through the ropes to the floor to give Batista a bodyblock. Batista was a bloody mess.
Undertaker picked up a section of ring steps and went to hit Batista with them, but Batista kicked the steps back into the Taker. Batista rammed Undertaker head first into the ringpost, then hit him twice with the steps in the head. JBL earned a bonus by saying Taker "may have hurt his hand" when Taker, in clear view of the camera, reached into his glove (presumably to get a blade). Batista rolled a now bleeding Undertaker into the ring and stood on the second rope and bit him. Taker pulled Batista off the ropes and powerbombed him for a two count. Undertaker then delivered a chokeslam for a two count. Undertaker called for the tombstone. Batista floated over it and hit a spinebuster for a two count. Batista hit another spinebuster, then went under the ring and pulled out a table. He slid it into the ring and set it up near a corner. Batista went for a powerbomb, and hit it, throwing Taker through the table. Batista had to pull Taker away from the wreckage of the table to cover him, and Undertaker got his shoulder up just before the three count.
Batista brought a section of the ring steps into the ring. Batista set up for a powerbomb, but Taker backdropped him onto the section of ring steps. Undertaker covered Batista, but Batista grabbed the bottom rope to stop the count. Undertaker lifted Batista and hit a tombstone. Batista got his shoulder up before the three count, and Undertaker's eyes bugged out. Undertaker gave Batista a tombstone piledriver on the ring steps. Undertaker covered Batista, but the referee was pulled from the ring by Edge, (who apparently was masquerading at a camera man or was under the ring all night). Edge entered the ring and hit Undertaker with a television camera. Edge then took Undertaker and put his head on the ring steps. Edge then took a chair and hit a Conchairto, sandwiching Undertaker's head between the steps and chair. Edge then took the unconscious Batista and put him on top of Undertaker. The referee had no choice but to count the pin at the twenty two minute mark.
Winner: Batista.
Edge exited, and Undertaker was starting to get up, so Edge went back to the ring and blasted Undertaker in the head with a chair. Edge started to exit again, and started at Undertaker, who was slumped against the bottom rope with his eyes rolled back. Batista was still unconscious, and the announcers wondered why Edge targeted Undertaker as the show ended.
2010 - WWE broadcast Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off this week’s show with the Smackdown brand and your announcers are Matt Striker and Todd Grisham.
Match Number One: JTG versus Chavo Guerrero in a Yes, they are on the Roster Match
Chavo wants JTG to take off his sunglasses but JTG takes his time and then he puts them on the referee and he kicks Chavo. JTG with a side head lock and JTG with a shoulder tackle. Chavo tries for a kick but JTG blocks it and JTG with a clothesline followed by a forearm. JTG with a sliding punch to Chavo and then he drop kicks Chavo out of the ring. Chavo returns to the ring and he drop kicks JTG in the knee and then he kicks JTG in the ribs. Chavo with punches in the corner while JTG tries to get back to his feet. JTG with punches but Chavo with a knee to the midsection. Chavo with a forearm to the back and then he connects with a Latino uppercut. JTG punches Chavo after blocking a punch but Chavo is able to take JTG down and he connects with a series of blows and then puts JTG in an arm bar. Chavo with a front face lock and JTG gets to his feet. JTG with a back elbow and a forearm to the top of the head. JTG with jabs and then he finishes it off with a roundhouse punch. JTG with a flying flip clothesline. Chavo with a knee but JTG with a back body drop and then he leaps into the corner and hits the Mug Shot for a near fall.
Chavo with a modified Liger kick and then he gives the Guerrero shimmy and it is time for the Three Amigos but JTG blocks the third attempt. Chavo with an elbow and he goes up top. Chavo points to the heavens but JTG is able to get to the turnbuckles. JTG tries for a superplex but Chavo drops JTG on the top rope and then Chavo goes back up top and hits the frog splash and gets the three count.
Winner: Chavo Guerrero
It is time for the Wrestlemania on-sale celebration video package.
Match Number Two: Curt Hawkins versus Trent Barreta in a They were all Dudebusters in FCW Match
They lock up and then Hawkins with a kick to the midsection followed by a side head lock. Hawkins with a shoulder tackle but Trent responds with a running back elbow and a senton splash for a near fall. Barreta misses a charge into the corner and he goes over the top rope to the floor. Hawkins with a kick to Barreta on the floor. Hawkins sends Barreta back first into the apron. They return to the ring and Curt gets a near fall. Hawkins with knees to the back and he puts Barreta in a reverse chin lock. Hawkins trips Barreta as he comes off the ropes and then he kicks Trent before hitting a suplex for a near fall.
Curt returns to the reverse chin lock but Barreta with a belly-to-back suplex to get out of the hold. Trent with a series of forearms followed by a flying clothesline. Trent with a running knee into the corner and then Trent goes to the apron and hits a springboard drop kick to the back but Hawkins is able to kick out. Curt with a suplex for a near fall. Hawkins punches Trent but the referee warns him. Hawkins goes to the top turnbuckle but he takes too long and Trent stops him. Trent tries for a superplex but Curt pushes him off. Trent hits a Frankensteiner followed by a tornado DDT for the three count.
Winner: Trent Barreta
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the Raw half of the show and joining Scott Stanford at the announce table is the three time Straight Edge World Champion, CM Punk.
Match Number Three: Yoshi Tatsu versus Primo with AJ in an International Flavor Match
They lock up and Primo with a side head lock but Yoshi with a hip toss and Japanese arm drag. Yoshi with a rollup for a near fall followed by a side head lock take down. Yoshi holds on to the side head lock but Primo with a chop. Yoshi with a series of chops to respond. Yoshi with a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Yoshi with round kicks followed by running knees into the corner. Yoshi with a handspring back elbow for a near fall. Yoshi with a drop kick that sends Primo to the floor. Yoshi with a drop kick that knocks Primo off the apron and we go to commercial.
We are back and Primo is in control of the match and he puts Yoshi in an arm bar. We see Primo hitting a clothesline during the commercial break. Primo punches Yoshi but Yoshi with chops. Primo with a drop toe hold and then he hits a splash and then he goes through the ropes to the floor and he celebrates with Punk on the floor. Primo with a kick to the back followed by an elbow drop and he gets a near fall. Primo with a punch but Yoshi with chops and punches followed by a cross body for a near fall. Primo with a back elbow and he gets a near fall. Primo with a head butt to the ribs and then he kicks Yoshi. Primo sends Yoshi into the corner and puts him on the top turnbuckle. Primo with a chop to the chest and then he tries for a superplex but Yoshi blocks it and head butts Primo off the turnbuckles. Yoshi with a spinning heel kick for the three count.
Winner: Yoshi Tatsu
We go to commercial.
We are back with the ‘What will John Cena’s Future Be After Sunday’ video package.
Match Number Four; Melina and Gail Kim versus Alicia Fox and Maryse in a Hello Other Divas Match
Melina and Alicia start things off and they lock up and Melina with a split arm drag and drop kick. Melina with knees to the back and she gets a near fall. Melina with an arm bar and she tags in Gail and Gail with a drop kick after a snap mare by Melina. Gail sends Alicia into the turnbuckles but Alicia blocks a second one and connects with a forearm. Gail with a sunset flip for a near fall. Gail with an arm drag and Maryse tags in and she runs into a drop kick. Gail with forearms and Irish whip followed by a cross body into the corner. Gail knocks Alicia off the apron and then she gives Alicia a rana to the floor. Maryse takes Gail down and gets a near fall. Maryse sends Gail into the turnbuckles and gives Gail a snap mare.
Alicia tags in and they lift Gail into the air and drive her to the mat and Alicia gets a near fall. Maryse tags in and she kicks Gail in the midsection and gets a near fall. Maryse slams Gail’s head into the mat and tags Alicia back into the match. Alicia with a reverse chin lock but Gail with elbows to get out of the hold but Alicia pulls Gail to the mat. Alicia misses a punch and Gail hits a neck breaker and both ladies are down.
Maryse and Melina tag in and Melina with a matrix followed by a clothesline or two. Melina with a spin kick followed by forearms. Maryse with an Irish whip and Melina with a kick and Thesz Press but Alicia with a kick to break up the cover. Gail takes care of Alicia. Maryse misses a kick and Melina with a screaming rollup for the three count.
Winners: Melina and Gail Kim
2010 - TNA broadcast Impact. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the TNA Impact Report here on PWInsider.com! I'm doing something a little different here tonight, since Dave Scherer and I aren't doing our usual postgame audio show tonight, I'll be putting a lot of the thoughts and analysis we talk about on the show in tonight's report, so extra bonus for you guys and a bit of a sample of what we do in the Elite section for you free site readers out there. Remember, you can try it for three days free!
We open with a video package looking at the Jeff Hardy heel turn, him receiving the new TNA Divas Title belt, his new feelings towards the fans, and his attack on Matt Morgan last week.
We head to the Impact Zone where Ric Flair comes out to the ring for our opening promo. Flair has a message for Matt Morgan: he's complained about the officiating, he made the mistake of punching out Fortune, so Flair and Bischoff have decided on a special referee for his rematch with Jeff Hardy: it's Ric Flair. Flair wants Morgan to bring his "big lanky ass" out to the ring so he can talk to him face to face. Morgan and his big lanky ass stroll down to the ring, and Flair says that Morgan can't call him Naitch anymore because he's not his friend anymore. He tells Morgan not to look to the fans for support, and not to turn his face away from God. Flair lays it out for Morgan and says that he could have Fortune come out here and kick his ass right now, but being Ric Flair, he's never asked anyone to do anything he couldn't do, so if Morgan doesn't like the referee decision then he'll have to beat Flair right here tonight. Crowd chants at Morgan to do it, and Morgan says that wrestling Flair is number one on his bucket list so he's on. Flair takes exception to the bucket list comment and discusses his previous evening's exploits, then says he's going to embarrass Morgan tonight and make him regret walking away from Fortune, and says that if Hogan was standing in the ring he would have bitchslapped Morgan. Flair says that he'll see Morgan in two hours, and Morgan says he's going to let his actions do his talking when he takes his size 18 and shoves it up Flair's ass.
Really? We're really going to have to watch Flair wrestle again? I get that the guy needs money and thinks he can still do it, but this is Ric Flair we're talking about here, and I've talked at great length about how depressing it is to watch him "wrestle" at his age, but can't it at least be saved for PPV or somewhere else it's going to mean something instead of on a throwaway TV match? And since Flair said he'd see Morgan in two hours (putting it at 11:08pm), I guess that means we're just accepting that Impact runs until 11:15 every week and Reaction is a 45 minute show.
Generation Me are backstage, and they're...WALKING! Tara comes out and wishes them luck, then gives them both a slap on the butt. That's kind of gross, kind of like your friend's mom hitting on you.
Tonight: Jeff Hardy wrestles Raven, and if Raven loses, he gets fired. Also, Flair vs Morgan and Abyss will compete in an Open Casket Challenge, whatever that is.
To the ring for our first match...
Velvet Sky, Motor City Machine Guns & Jay Lethal vs Generation Me & The Shore
Lethal and Max Buck start the match and Lethal armdrags Max around a bunch and then tags in Alex Shelley, who comes off the top with an elbow to the arm, and Max finds himself in the wrong corner and gets beat up by everybody. The boys hang Max upside down in the corner and run over to the heel corner and distract the ref, so Velvet climbs up and steps on Max's groin while Sabin comes back with the hang time dropkick to Max's face. There's some teamwork. Shelley gets tossed to the outside and gets pummelled by Jeremy Buck & Robbie E, then they roll Shelley back in and Max covers for 2. Cookie tags in and stomps Shelley a few times and then tags out to Robbie E, who catches Shelley with a back elbow and tags Jeremy in. Shelley fights his way free and almost makes the tag, but Jeremy catches him and the Bucks hit the neckbreaker/backbreaker combo for 2. Robbie tags in and takes an enziguiri and Shelley makes the hot tag and Lethal comes in and cleans house on everybody. Lethal with the handspring elbow takes out both Bucks, then he pulls Robbie E into the ring and nails him. Cookie comes in and takes a slap but Lethal blocks the shot and gives Jeremy the Lethal Combination. Tag to Chris Sabin who comes in with a springboard clothesline, but only gets 2 and now everybody in the ring. Velvet with a flying headscissors on Max Buck and then the Guns hit a series of double teams in the corner and hit the Skull & Bones on Jeremy as Velvet beats up Cookie in the corner. Referee is distracted by people fighting everywhere and doesn't see Max spraying something aerosol in Sabin's eyes, allowing Jeremy to roll Sabin up and hook the tights for the win.
Winners: Generation Me & The Shore
The underlying story here that Taz and Mike Tenay kept referring to the fact that Sabin and Velvet are an item outside the ring, and it went from them vaguely alluding to it to them beating us over the head with it. The other main point here was that Velvet screwed up and cost herself another match by distracting the ref while her boyfriend was getting sprayed in the face. Good match though, tons of action going on and when it's this hard for me to recap it, you know the Guns and GenMe are in the ring.
Jeff Jarrett is backstage in MMA gear and he's...WARMING UP!
We go to GenMe as they're backstage congratulating themselves for beating the Guns, but the Guns crash the party and say they didn't beat anyone beat anyone, and they're the champions because they don't need cheap tactics like that, and they suggest that the four of them settle it tonight on Reaction. Good idea, take two of the best teams in wrestling and use a confrontation between them to get people to tune in to Reaction.
We go to Jeff Jarrett with Gunner and Murphy, who says that MMA is his new thing and he wants them standing outside to keep Kurt Angle out of the building. He says Kurt is not a man of his word because he said he'd retire but he still comes around breaking windows and attacking him. He tells Jeremy Borash to come over and hands him a piece of paper and tells him that he'd better read it right this time. He smacks Borash and tells him that he'll have six students in the ring and he'd better describe the pain they're in. Borash asks what happened to the Jarrett he used to know, and Jarrett smacks him again and says that he's tired of people looking at him like he sold out because everything's right now, and he, Hogan, Flair and Bischoff are finally going to make the company profitable. He shoves Borash out the door and stares after him.
I liked this segment up until the very end when Jarrett dropped the profitable line. So once again, TNA is basically coming out and saying they suck and this latest plan is going to make everything work. Okay, how about this: no more talking about how the company's not profitable, because all the viewers hear is "We suck so bad that nobody wants to buy what we're selling." Also, instead of talking about how you're going to turn things around, you just turn things around and DON'T TALK ABOUT IT! You never saw Vince McMahon going on TV in late 97-early 98 saying "Well, we've had a rough time and haven't made much money for years now, but we're working to change things and with Austin leading the way, he's going to take us back to the number one spot in the business!" It just makes TNA look so bush league.
Kurt Angle video package to remind us he's alive, then we're at commercial.
We're back and Jeremy Borash is in the ring, informing us that it's time for the...
Double J MMA Exhibition
Jarrett is escorted to the ring by six alleged MMA fighters. Borash informs us that what we are about to see is an exhibition being performed by professionals, and Jarrett grabs the microphone and orders the truck to put a disclaimer at the bottom of the screen to not try this at home. The first move Jarrett demonstrates is a Jujigatame, or cross armbreaker to you laymen. Jarrett describes the mechanics of the move, down to putting the knee into the solar plexus, then torques it until the guy taps. The next move is a Japanese knee lock, which he helpfully reminds us is something his buddy Frank used to tap out a big guy named Brock. Move #3 is one familiar to all of us...the Ankle Lock! Jarrett says his friend used this to become a champion all over the world, and he used it to become a World Champion here in a TNA ring, and it took him years to learn it but Jarrett learned it in a matter of weeks. That's right, he learned it from his friend...Ken Shamrock. He demonstrates the move and the guy taps. Next move is the rear naked choke, which he learned from his good friend...Royce Gracie. He gets the rear naked choke on the guy and won't let go, and now Samoa Joe's music hits and he comes out and says to stop wasting everybody's time and just spar with him. Jarrett says he's got two students left, and if he goes through them, he'll face Joe one-on-one in a submission match right here tonight. Predictably, Joe comes out and goes through both of them in mere seconds, so now he's earned himself his match with Jeff Jarrett, so I guess we've got...
Submission Match: Jeff Jarrett vs Samoa Joe
Jarrett just tosses the students at Joe and Joe plows through all of them while Jarrett runs. The big one he tappes out last suckerpunches Joe from behind and tells him to come on, so Joe destroys him and lays him out with a Muscle Buster. Okay, well I guess it's...
No Contest
I really enjoyed this, it was such a classic "antagonistic heel pushing the babyface's buttons then heading for the hills" moment, and it was informative on top of that! Also, it's fun watching Joe tear through six guys by himself.
Raven and Stevie Richards are backstage, and Stevie says that he knows everyone is trying to screw them, but this is a huge opportunity for Raven. Tommy says that Raven has the opportunity to show what a leader he can be, so Raven stands up, flips the double bird at the camera (directed at Immortal), and heads out the door. Yep, Tommy and Raven beat each other bloody at Hardcore Justice, and once again they're all buddy buddy. This is why I give up every time I think about writing a wrestling history book.
TNA World Champion Jeff Hardy vs Raven
Jeff Hardy has a cool new entrance, and his new belt GLOWS IN THE DARK! Isn't that cute? Jeremy Borash does a great introduction where he announces Hardy's hometown and weight, then calls him the Charismatic Enigma, the Antichrist of Professional Wrestling, and the TNA World Champion, and then says, "And his opponent...Raven." Raven tosses Hardy to the floor to start and gives him a Russian Legsweep into the guardrail, then tosses him back into the ring. Raven with a bulldog off the top and covers for 2 then wedges a chair between the top and middle ropes and goes to whips Hardy into it, but Hardy reverses and Raven crashes into the chair and tumbles out to the floor. Hardy goes out after him and rams him into the apron, then tosses him back in the ring and goes for the Whisper In The Wind, but Raven dodges and hits a discus clothesline, a clothesline in the corner, and a bulldog and covers for 2. Raven is starting to look more and more like Jimmy Valiant. Hardy gets the Twist Of Hate out of nowhere and hits the Swanton for the win.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Raven's outta here, and the remaining members of EV2.0 come out to join Raven in the ring, but Hardy pauses at the top of the ramp as Hulk Hogan comes out to share his thoughts. He says this is quite appropriate for the occasion because Dixie Carter said that EV2.0 meant the same to wrestling as Hogan did. Raven gets out of the ring to go after Hogan, but the rest of EV2.0 hold him back, so Hogan says "You're fired, Raven. Quoth the Hogan...nevermore."
Decent enough for what it was, I don't think losing Raven is exactly going to send this company spiraling into the abyss, and at this point it's pretty clear they're working the ECW guys out one by one. Hardy finally got a chance to come out and squash someone, but he's still standing in the background while Hogan talks and he's not even being portrayed as amongst the leadership of the group with Hogan, Flair and Bischoff. I don't get what the point of the Hardy heel turn was if they weren't going to run all the way with it. And the Borash introductions were hilarious, I love the way Borash is selling being forced to do these ridiculous introductions and announcements with a straight face.
Speaking of EV2.0, after commercial we come back and Tommy Dreamer is in the ring calling Rhino out because, much like Lucy, he has some explaining to do. Rhino tells Dreamer that all the members of EV2.0 at Turning Point knew that after the PPV was over, his contract expired and nobody cared...except Eric Bischoff. Bischoff gave him a choice between employment and unemployment, and he's got to be honest with Tommy: at first he told Eric he could kiss his ass, but he soon realized that he was here years before Tommy and RVD, and when they came to TNA they stole the spotlight and all the glory, and Rhino became an afterthought. He hopes his actions last week made Tommy realize that he doesn't take a backseat to anybody. Tommy says he doesn't think Rhino takes a backseat, he considers him one of the greatest wrestlers in the world. He then says that he and RVD came to TNA because Dixie Carter offered them contracts and they wanted to be a part of TNA. Contracts expiring is just a part of the business and he and RVD had nothing to do with it, but Rhino did what they all swore they would never do, he sold out for the almighty dollar. Rhino asks if he and RVD are going to support him and his little girl, and said that they never thought of him one bit and all Rhino is going to think about from now on is himself. Tommy says that Rhino's right, he gets the part about being a father, but look what happened to Sabu and Raven. They're all at Hogan and Bischoff's mercy, but Sabu and Raven went down with a fight, but Rhino just quit on them and all the people. Rhino has finally heard enough and yanks on Dreamer's dislocated wrist and attacks him, and RVD runs out to make the save, but stops to check on Tommy and gets gored.
We then go backstage to Abyss, who is pushing the casket out for his match, which is up next.
Really good segment, I know I may be in the minority here but I consider Tommy one of the best promo guys in the business, he has a way of conveying the emotion behind his words and making you care about his story like few other people in the business today can. I didn't like how they cut backstage to Abyss almost immediately after Rhino hit the gore and didn't allow it time to sink in before hitting us over the head with the next segment. But great promo, and it illustrates the motivation behind Rhino's actions, and anything that gets him on TV in a position of some importance is okay by me.
We go backstage to Matt Morgan, whos says that if he has to go through Ric Flair to become a World Champion, then so be it.
Time for our next match...
Open Casket Challenge: Shannon Moore vs Abyss
Now wait, Abyss was pushing the casket out from the back, but when we come back from commercial the casket's already at ringside and Abyss is nowhere to be found. What, did Abyss push it out to ringside, then return to the back so he could make his normal entrance? Moore dodges and ducks, but Abyss picks Moore up and goes for a powerslam. Moore ducks out the back and lays in a few shots at Abyss, but he's like 1/4 the size of Abyss, so Abyss catches him on a leaping something into the corner and dumps Moore out to the floor. Abyss goes after him and tries to toss him in the casket (I guess that makes this a Casket Match), but Moore slips away. They head back in the ring where Abyss goes for the Choo Choo, but Moore moves and tries a charge of his own, but gets backdropped to the floor, so he climbs to the top and hits a bulldog and then points to the casket. He rolls Abyss over to the casket, but Abyss comes to his senses and punches Moore in the face and stands up. Moore continues trying to knock Abyss off the apron and into the casket, but Abyss grabs him in a clawhold (he must have been watching his World Class tapes) and tosses Moore to the floor again. Moore fires at Abyss and slumps him over the side of the casket and then slams the lid down on him and hits an Asai Moonsault onto Abyss on the floor. That brings back some fond Ultimo Dragon memories. Moore tries to get Abyss in the casket again and gets him most of the way in, but Abyss kicks him off and slides back out. Abyss grabs him by the head and rams him into the guardrail, they head back in the ring and Abyss tries to chokeslam Moore, and Moore escapes but runs right into the Black Hole Slam. Abyss drags Moore like a dead deer to the casket and opens the lid, and Pope is laying inside. He does the Undertaker situp and viciously attacks Abyss until Abyss rolls out to the floor, grabs Janice, and heads up the ramp where he stares down Pope. Referee called for the bell when Pope went after Abyss, so let's say...
Winner By DQ: Abyss
Much better match than I would have expected, I was thinking total squash, but Moore kept it pretty competitive and they had a great big man/little man match with the casket twist thrown in. That said, the casket gimmick really belongs to the Undertaker and I think everyone watching thought the same thing, but I'll let it go.
Angelina is backstage saying she's the leader of the Knockoots locker room, and she knows Mickie is a great wrestler, but if she thinks she's just going to come into TNA and take over the Knockoots Division, she's got another thing coming.
Mickie James vs Angelina Love
Angelina with a go behind takedown and a cover, but Mickie escapes and gets an Oklahoma Roll for 2. Mickie with an O'Connor Roll for 2. They share a nice handshake and tie up again, and Angelina gets a side headlock, Mickie tries to send her into the ropes but Angelina hangs on to the headlock so Mickie rolls her way out, but Angelina goes right back to the headlock. Angelina into the ropes and takes Mickie down with a shoulderblock and tries a hiptoss, but Mickie reverses to a monkey flip and a dropkick for 2. Tieup again and Angelina takes Mickie to the corner and give her an elbow in the jaw and follows it up with a flying clothesline for 2. Angelina with a front powerslam for 2 and then gets a sleeperhold, Micke goes for a back suplex but Mickie rolls through and Angelina tries the Botox Injection, but Mickie dodges and Angelina looks frustrated. Mickie extends the hand again and Angelina takes it, then yanks Mickie down by the hair and covers for 2. Now Mickie's pissed, and she takes Angelina to the corner and rams several shoulders to the ribs, but Angelina with a really nice leapfrog into a schoolgirl rollup for 2. Now Mickie catches Angelina with a flying headscissors and a neckbreaker for 2. Mickie goes up top, but Angelina dodges whatever she was going for and hits the Botox Injection, but hesitates before going for teh cover and only gets 2. Angelina picks Mickie up and goes for a uranage, but Mickie fights out and gets the DDT for the win.
Winner: Mickie James
With this win, Mickie will now go on to challenge Madison Rayne for the Knockouts Title. I thought this was a really good match, and Angelina showed better psychology and workrate in this match than I think I've ever seen out of her. I was really impressed.
Brother Ray is backstage, and he's...WALKING!
We go to Angelina Love backstage, and she's so pissed off over losing that she trashes the backstage area and starts crying. Winter comes over and puts a hand on Angelina's shoulder, and she says that all this was meant to happen and is happening for a reason. She says that things are going to start falling into place, and it's time the two of them get to know each other.
We go back out to the ring with Brother Ray, and he says everybody wants to know why he turned on Devon. The answer is because he can, but because he's in a good mood he'll give us a better explanation. 15 years ago, he created the greatest tag team move in history, a move that can beat any team, a move that won him 23 World Tag Team Titles. That move was the 3D, and everyone has fallen to the 3D, and rolls off the names of about a zillion people he's beaten after giving them the move. He says nobody ever kicked out of it until Chris Sabin did it at Turning Point, but he didn't kick out because he was so tough, he kicked out because Devon was weak. Devon has always been weak, and the weak link in the team. He was the star of Team 3D, Devon was a co-star. Devon never stood by his side, he always stood two steps behind him where he belonged. He says that he'll put it simply so someone as simple-minded as Devon can get it: Brother Ray is the Shawn Michaels, and Devon is the Marty Jannetty. And for all the people who don't know who Marty Jannetty is, that's exactly his point. Any of the Dudleys could have been his partner: Brother Runt, Big Dick, anyone, because all Devon ever was to him was a guy who got his tables.
Wow, just wow. AWESOME promo, I loved it and it made sense becuase it's what we've all been thinking for years, but it's still so jarring to hear Bubba actually come out and say it. I loved the references to Marty Jannetty, Spike, and Big Dick, and I'm actually okay with him name dropping WWE guys here because he wasn't JUST name dropping WWE guys, he mentioned a bunch of ECW and TNA guys as well to illustrate that for their entire career as a team through all three companies, the 3D always beat everyone until Devon dropped the ball at Turning Point. Great stuff.
It's main event time!
Ric Flair vs Matt Morgan
The bell rings, and I look at flabby, 63 year old Flair standing across the ring from 7 foot tall Morgan and think "Yeah, he has a shot here." They tie up and Morgan shoves him off. Flair manages to take Morgan to the corner and lays in several chops, but Morgan shoves him off into the corner and gives Flair a much bigger backdrop than he ought to be taking at his age. Morgan whips Flair to the corner again and gets the machine guns elbows, and Flair comes out of the corner and does the Flair Flop. Morgan goes for the elbows again but Flair shoves Morgan off and into the referee, who tumbles out to the floor. Flair takes the opportunity to kick Morgan in the groin and pound him with punches and chops, but Morgan goozles Flair from his knees and stands up, but Flair sticks a thumb in his eye and tosses him to the floor. Flair goes out after him and chops him against the guardrail, but Morgan fights back and rams Flair into the guardrail and then repeatedly punches him in the head, and guess what? That's right, Flair is bleeding. Can this guy get through one damn match without getting juice anymore? Morgan tosses Flair back in the ring and Flair begs off, but Morgan nails him anyway and leans him in the corner and repeatedly drills Flair in the face until Flair Flops again. Morgan with a side suplex and a chokeslam, but now Fortune all come running into the ring and beat the Bischoff out of Morgan. Williams appears hesitant and AJ tries to force him to join in the beatdown on Morgan, but Williams instead suckerpunches AJ and lays out all the rest of Fortune, then makes his own exit, leaving Flair and Morgan alone in the ring. Flair gives Morgan his best shots, but Morgan no-sells and whips Flair into the ropes and hits the Carbon Footprint for the win.
Winner: Matt Morgan
Williams stands at the top of the ramp looking really pleased with himself as the rest of Fortune stands there making angry faces at him. Morgan will now challenge Jeff Hardy for the TNA World Title, presumably at Final Resolution, with Ric Flair as the special referee. Good enough match considering that Flair's way too old and limited to be taken seriously as a wrestler, and he's lost so many matches over the last few years that a win over him means nothing, which is just ridiculous to think about. But Williams is out of Fortune, which we all saw coming, and will presumably now be Morgan's ally to counteract Flair at Final Resolution.
Overall, I thought this week's show was a definite step up from the last several weeks. I hate seeing Flair wrestle, but I loved the Dreamer and Bubba promos, Mickie vs Angelina and Abyss vs Moore were both unexpectedly great matches, I enjoyed the mixed tag, and really got a kick out of the Double J MMA Exhibition. There were little details throughout the show that drove me crazy, but in terms of the broad picture, I was happy that it was a step back in the right direction and, for the first time in weeks, I didn't feel stupid just for watching the show. I think we ought to start setting up and announcing matches for the next PPV, but we've still got time. Thumbs up this week.
As I said earlier, no postgame audio with Dave Scherer and myself, but I hope you enjoyed the added thoughts and analysis as a bonus. Thanks for reading!
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