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On this day in history in ....
1906 - Frank Gotch defeats Fred Beel in Kansas City, Missouri to win the American Heavyweight Title for the third time. Gotch would go on to defeat George Hackenschmidt two years later to unify the belt with the World Heavyweight Title.
1965 - Chris and Ken Lucas defeat The Mysterio Medics in Dothan, Alabama to win the Gulf Coast version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Title for the third time, ending the Medics' 10th reign.
1968 - Fritz Von Erich & Dan Miller defeat The Spoiler & Gary Hart to win the NWA American Tag Team Title (later to become the World Class World Tag Team Title) in Dallas, Texas.
1970 - Kim Il and Pak Song defeat Gorgeous George, Jr. and Rufus R. Jones to win the NWA Texas Tag Team Title.
1971 - The Royal Kangaroos (Jonathan Boyd and Norman Frederick Charles) defeat Beauregard and Dutch Savage for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title.
1973 - Buddy Colt defeats Eddie Graham for the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title, beginning his fourth reign.
1973 - Buck Ramstead and Mr. X (Guy Mitchell) defeat The Samoans (Afa and Sika) to win the Vancouver version of the NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.
1977 - The Hollywood Blondes (Jack Evans and Larry Sharpe) defeat Carlos Colon and Victor Jovica for the WWC North American Tag Team Title in San Juan, Puerto Rico. At the same event, Jose Rivera and Invader I defeat The Samoans (Afa and Sika) for the WWC World Tag Team Title, and Joe Novak defeats Hercules Ayala for the WWC Caribbean Heavywight Title.
1978 - Dino Bravo defeats Gene Kinishi in Toronto, Ontario to become the first holder of the Toronto version of the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title.
1978 - Tiger Conway, Jr. and Bull Ramos defeat Killer Karl Krupp and Mark Lewin for the NWA Texas Tag Team Title in Dallas, Texas.
1979 - The WWF ran at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, with a card airing live on the MSG Network in the New York area, but also in Japan, as this card was almost immediately following the Antonio Inoki-Bob Backlund WWF title controversy in Japan, as well as featuring many Japanese stars. This card also featured the Madison Square Garden debut of Hulk Hogan. The results were:
- Larry Zbyszko pinned Bulldog Brower.
- Riki Choshu and Seiji Sakaguchi defeated Bad News Allen and Jo Jo Andrews, when Sakaguchi made Andrews submit with a Boston crab, to retain the NWA North American Tag Team Title. This match was billed as being for the "Japanese Tag Team Title".
- Mike Graham defeated Johnny Rodz by submission with a figure-four leglock.
- Hulk Hogan defeated Ted DiBiase by knockout with a bearhug.
- Bob Backlund defeated Bobby Duncum in a Texas death match to win the vacant WWF World Heavyweight Title. WWF President Hisashi Shinma had possession of the title belt before the match, although the title vacancy was not mentioned to the United States television audience.
- Antonio Inoki pinned Hussein Arab after an enzuigiri to retain the NWF Heavyweight Title. This match was billed as being for the "Japanese Heavyweight Title".
- Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes by referee stoppage, due to Rhodes' excessive bleeding, to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title.
- Pat Patterson pinned Dominic DeNucci, after reversing a monkey flip into a roll-up, to retain the WWF Intercontinental Title.
- Tatsumi Fujinami pinned Johnny Rivera with a back suplex to retain the WWF World Junior Heavyweight Title.
- Ivan Putski and Tito Santana defeated Victor Rivera and Swede Hansen to retain the WWF World Tag Team Title, when Santana pinned Hansen with a top rope crossbody.
1980 - Ayumi Hori and Rimi Yokota defeat Lucy Kayama and Nancy Kumi for the WWWA World Tag Team Title in Nagoya, Japan.
1985 - Bob Brown defeats Brett Sawyer in Ames, Iowa to win his 15th NWA Central States Heavyweight Title.
1987 - El Gran Markus, Jr. defeats Super Halcon in Acapulco, Mexico for the Mexican National Heavyweight Title.
1988 - Hercules Ayala defeats Ricky Santana for the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, ending Santana's second reign and beginning Ayala's fourth.
1989 - Leo Burke defeats Carlos Colon to win the WWC Universal Heavyweight Title in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, ending Colon's ninth reign.
1991 - Blondie Barrett defeats Doc Dean for the British Welterweight Title in Chelmsford, England.
1991 - Los Destructores (Tony Arce and Volcano) defeat Brazo de Oro and Brazo de Plata to win the vacant Mexican National Tag Team Title in Mexico City, Mexico, beginning their second reign. The title had been held up a week earlier after a match between the two teams.
1993 - Gran Hamada defeats Villano IV in Tokyo, Japan for the WWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Title.
1994 - ECW held their "Holiday Hell" show at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here are the results:
- Stevie Richards defeated JT Smith.
- Dean Malenko defeated Ray Odyssey.
- Chris Benoit defeated Hack Myers.
- 911 defeated The Pitbulls in a Handicap match.
- Mikey Whipwreck defeated Don E. Allen.
- Tommy Dreamer & Cactus Jack defeated Tommy Cairo & The Sandman.
- ECW World Champion Shane Douglas defeated Ron Simmons.
- ECW World Tag Team Champions The Public Enemy defeated Sabu & Taz.
1995 - The WWF held the fifth In Your House pay-per-view, subtitled "Season's Beatings" at the Hersheypark Arena in Hershey, Pennsylania, before 7,289 fans. The results:
- Savio Vega pinned Bob Backlund in a dark match.
- Razor Ramon and Marty Jannetty defeated The 1-2-3 Kid and Sycho Sid when Ramon pinned Sid after a bulldog from the second rope.
- Ahmed Johnson pinned Buddy Landel (subbing for Dean Douglas) after the Pearl River Plunge. Prior to the match, Jerry Lawler presented Jeff Jarrett with a gold record for his country album, "Ain't I Great?". Jarrett was guest commentator for the match. After the match, Jarrett attacked Johnson with the gold record.
- Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeated Henry Godwinn in an Arkansas Hog Pen match. Hillbilly Jim was the guest referee.
- Owen Hart defeated Diesel when Diesel was disqualified for shoving the referee.
- The Undertaker defeated King Mabel in a Casket match.
- Bret Hart pinned The British Bulldog to retain the WWF Title.
In dark matches after the broadcast:
- Goldust pinned Duke Droese.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Smokin' Gunns (Billy and Bart), Hakushi, and Barry Horowitz defeated The Bodydonnas (Skip and Zip), Yokozuna, and Isaac Yankem, DDS.
1995 - Dr. Wagner, Jr. defeats Atlantis in Mexico City, Mexico to win the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Title for the second time.
1999 - In a match taped in Nashville, Tennessee for the December 24 edition of ECW on TNN, Masato Tanaka defeats Mike Awesome for the ECW World Heavyweight Title.
1999 - Team Extreme (Kit Carson and Khris Germany) defeat The Brotherhood (Dukes Dalton and Knuckles Nelson) in North Richland Hills, Texas for their second NWA World Tag Team Title.
1999 - Dr. Hurtz defeats champion Magic and Born to Eat to win the JAPW New Jersey State Heavyweight Title in Bayonne, New Jersey.
2000 - The 18th, and final, Starrcade event was held in Washington, DC at the MCI Center. Three months later, WCW would be purchased by the World Wrestling Federation, and thus ending the eighteen year streak of Starrcade events, going back to the days of Jim Crockett Promotions. Here is Tim Whitehead's original report on the show.
WCW put in a decent effort for Starrcade (12/17 from the MCI Center in Washington). It was a show where most of the guys worked hard, and there were a couple of real good matches, and enough entertainment value in those that weren't good to keep everyone's attention. The crowd heat was good early, died for a while in the middle, and picked up greatly for the top matches, even though they weren't the best ones on the show. Commentary was so-so. There was way too much outside interference.
SHANE HELMS & SHANNON MOORE defeated KAZ HAYASHI & YUNG YANG and EVAN KARAGIAS & JAMIE KNOBLE in a ladder match in 13:50. There was a contract for a Cruiserweight Title shot hanging from the ceiling and the wrestler to get it earned the shot. Chavo Guerrero Jr., the reigning champ, did color commentary. Moore nearly killed Hayashi early on with a DDT. Hayashi came back with a spinning headscissors. They all went for the ladders. Helms & Moore went up first but got pulled down and lariated over in a perfectly synchronized spot. Hayashi hit a moonsault but landed on a ladder. They did a few traditional ladder spots, and then went for the dives, with everyone doing one to the floor. They then went to a series of innovative ladder spots. In one, a ladder was propped up like a scaffold over another ladder and the ropes. Karagias was on it and caught Hayashi in mid-air and powerbombed him off. Moore did a Rocker Dropper type move off the top. That looked scary. Helms gave Knoble a neckbreaker off the top. Moore did the same to Yang. Knoble started up the ladder but Leia Meow (did I mention yet what a babe she is?) pulled him down. Hayashi & Yang built another scaffold for a series of bumps. In the end, everyone went down but Helms & Moore, who jointly retrieved the contract. Since that theoretically meant both would get a Cruiserweight shot, Chavo threatened to call his lawyer. Helms was limping after the match. A really great opener!
LANCE STORM beat CAT in 7:23. Cat's not good in the ring but his gimmick is major league entertaining. He does admittedly do some innovative crotch shots. Elix Skipper interfered to help Storm. Miss Jones got into it with Major Gunns. Jones accidentally kicked the ref while trying to kick Gunns. Storm hit a missile kick but there was no ref. Hacksaw Duggan came out and teased hitting Storm with the 2x4, but instead threw the weapon down and hit Cat with a sissy looking forearm shot and Storm won with the Maple Leaf submission hold. Storm & Skipper then attacked Duggan for being a lukewarm Canadian. Cat saved Duggan and threw Storm out for a cool bump, which was way better than anything in the actual match.
Buff Bagwell announced himself as the new interviewer. He's actually better than Pamela Paulshock, though Pam was far better looking.
TERRY FUNK beat CROWBAR to capture the Hardcore Title in 10:32. This was a really good hardcore match, a few notches above the standard stuff we see on almost every PPV. Funk attacked Crowbar backstage with a fire extinguisher to start the match. Daffney was doing the full banshee gimmick, screaming like crazy. The commentators mentioned the many times Funk has supposedly retired, going back to 1983 retirement ceremony in Japan, which was one of those truly magic moments in wrestling (though obviously the actual retirement didn't last long). They fought inside a truck, with Crowbar getting hiptossed out and crashing through a table. Crowbar walloped Funk with a car door. Funk managed to handcuff Crowbar and hit him with some sick chairshots. They fought to the ring where Funk grabbed Daffney but Crowbar made the save. Though still handcuffed, Crowbar vaulted over the ropes and put Funk through a table. Daffney hit Funk with a weak chairshot. Funk then plastered Crowbar with a chair and gave him a piledriver on the chair for the pin.
Gene Okerlund did his angry old man interview with Lance Storm, acting real pissed over his assault on Duggan. He also told Gunns he has a pole she can fly her Canadian flag on. That was funny!
KRONIK defeated BIG VITO & RENO in 8:17. Earlier, Reno had rejoined Vito over the protests of the Natural Born Thrillers. Also, Kronik had been shown discussing taking a payoff from somebody. They kept hinting that Marie (formerly Maria, with no explanation for the change) had paid them off. The match didn't amount to much, and there was a lot of arguing and stalling. The end saw Reno turn against his "brother" and give him the Roll of the Dice for the pin. I guess that made Kronik the winner, though who knows? Anyway, Reno then tossed a bag of money to Kronik, and hugged his Thrillers allies, so his turn against them was all a swerve. Marie acted real upset, though she didn't act real upset well. So let me get this straight....Reno paid Kronik and then beat Vito himself? Maybe the payoff was for the post-match, as Kronik destroyed Vito afterward with the Meltdown and High Times.
Helms & Moore were interviewed and indicated both would get the Cruiserweight shot since both retrieved the contract. Chavo Jr. arrived and flattened both with the title belt.
MIKE AWESOME defeated BAM BAM BIGELOW in an Ambulance Match in 7:00. They both worked hard but the crowd had died. They were putting Awesome over as the "career killer", so maybe they'll phase out the 70's gimmick. Then again, maybe not. They brawled back to the ambulance and Bigelow's fist went through a gimmicked window and he juiced from the arm. Awesome got backdropped through a table. They went up on the ambulance, which was kind of clumsy since the ambulance's hood was very sloped and they kept slipping off. Bigelow made it up on top but Awesome shoved him backwards and he fell through the ambulance top, so Awesome won.
GEN. RECTION defeated SHANE DOUGLAS via DQ to retain the U.S. Title in 9:46. Douglas blamed Rection for the fact that his "beautiful woman" was missing. You mean Rection was responsible for slashing Torrie Wilson's pay to $52,000? Pretty much standard stuff, with no crowd heat. They did a long bearhug spot. Plenty of brawling, with Douglas juicing after being posted. Douglas pulled out a chain but missed when he went to hit Rection and he lost the weapon. Chavo Jr. then came out and tossed another chain to Douglas, but then, just as Douglas was about to use it, Chavo informed the ref, who caught Douglas with the chain and DQ'ed him. Douglas was furious and destroyed both Rection and Chavo with the chain, with Rection juicing. Cpl. Cajun and Sgt. Awall made the save.
JEFF JARRETT & THE HARRIS BOYS defeated REY MYSTERIO JR. & KONNAN & BILLY KIDMAN in a bunkhouse street fight in 12:30. Tygress was on color commentary again and she really was bad. They all worked hard but it was kind of a mess. They used the standard weapons, such as garbage cans and brooms, plus they had a bar set up inside the ring, with Jarrett getting put through in a good spot. They also had a popcorn machine, with Jerrett's face rubbed in the popcorn in a silly spot. Mysterio did some good stuff before being tossed in a dumpster. Konnan actually got in a little offense. Mysterio came back in but got plastered through a table. Kidman hit a tomokaze on Jarrett and went to the top but one of the Harrises busted a bottle over his head and Jarrett pinned him with the stroke. Tony Schiavone said, with some irony and a lot of sarcasm, that they've come a long way since Flair vs. Race at the first Starrcade in 1983.
KEVIN NASH & DALLAS PAGE defeated SHAWN STASIAK & CHUCK PALUMBO to regain the WCW World Tag Titles in 12:04. Didn't we see this on the last PPV? Yes, Nash & Page won the titles at Mayhem, but because they technically pinned the guy who wasn't the legal man in the ring, the belts were later restored to Stasiak & Palumbo. In other words, titles change hands all the time due to the most blatant cheating, interference, use of foreign objects, etc., with no reversals, but cleanly pinning the guy who wasn't the legal man is grounds for voiding the decision. Ric Flair came out and warned Mike Sanders that any interference by him would lead to the belts being given to Nash & Page. So unless otherwise noted, outside interference is okay? Nash didn't do much here, just a flurry at the beginning and the end. Page had the champs reeling but they then tied him up for a long double teaming. When Nash hot tagged there was a huge pop. Mark Jindrak & Sean O'Haire ran in but Page took Jindrak out with a Diamond Cutter while Nash caused O'Haire to get crotched. Nash dropped the strap a la Lawler and laid Palumbo out with the jackknife for the pin. I hope Palumbo was the legal man. Afterward, Nash said "Hey Yo" as his subliminal reference to Scott Hall (since overt references have been banned).
BILL GOLDBERG defeated LEX LUGER in 7:17. Good heat but the match was pretty bad. Goldberg dominated as Lex kept trying to walk out. Lex tried to use the ref as a shield again. Dwayne Bruce (the former Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker) came out but Lex used brass knux on him and on Goldberg, too. Goldberg kicked out at two. Buff Bagwell showed up and acted like he was wanting to put the Blockbuster on Luger but "accidentally" did it to Goldberg. Lex tried for the rack but Goldberg blocked it, hit the spear, pointed to the sky like Sabu, and hit the jackhammer for the pin. Bagwell completed his turn by hitting Goldberg with a chair afterward. On his way out, Goldberg hoisted a kid on his shoulders who had expressed meeting Goldberg as his greatest wish.
SCOTT STEINER beat SID VICIOUS in 10:12 to retain the WCW World Title. Lots of power moves and brawling. Basic stuff but it got great heat. Sid started to take command but Midajah hit him with a pipe. Steiner used the "F" word. Scott hooked the recliner but Sid made the ropes. Midajah went for a crossbody but Sid ducked and Steiner took it. Sid hooked the cobra, with Steiner slugging the ref while locked in the hold. Midajah distracted Sid, allowing Steiner to hit him with the pipe for a near fall. Jarrett ran in an swung at Sid with a guitar but hit Steiner instead. Sid went for the cover but Jarrett broke it up. Scott then hit Sid with a low blow and won with the recliner.
2005 - Ring of Honor held Final Battle 2005 at the Inman Sports Club in Edison, New Jersey. The results:
- Jimmy Rave defeated Milano Collection A.T.
- Colt Cabana defeated Azrieal.
- Nigel McGuinness defeated Claudio Castagnoli by disqualification to retain the ROH Pure Title.
- Alex Shelley defeated Steve Corino.
- Jay Lethal defeated Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels and B.J. Whitmer in a Four Corner Survival match.
- Ricky Reyes defeated Davey Andrews.
- Austin Aries and Roderick Strong defeated Sal Rinauro and Tony Mamaluke to win the ROH Tag Team Title.
- Bryan Danielson defeated Naomichi Marufuji to retain the ROH World Title.
- KENTA defeated Low Ki to retain the GHC Junior Heavyweight Title.
2005 - GAMI and Fang Suzuki defeat The Bloody and Sachie Abe for the vacant JDStar TWF Tag Team Title in Toyko, Japan.
2006 - Fire Blaze defeats Barabbas, Jr. to win the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, beginning his second reign.
2006 - WWE held its Armageddon pay-per-view at the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV coverage:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live coverage of WWE's Armageddon PPV!
Armageddon, live from Richmond, Virginia:
Armageddon opened with a video feature on the triple main event tonight. They are pushing John Cena and Batista as the first time two World champions have teamed up.
Michael Cole and JBL welcomed everyone to the PPV.
Kane vs. MVP: Inferno Match
They announced that the only way you can win the match would be to set your opponent on fire. MVP came to the ring. They aired a video feature on the history between Kane and MVP. Kane made his entrance and made the flames around the ring explode as MVP looked freaked.
MVP tried to escape the ring once Kane entered but the flames shot up and prevented him. He begged Kane for mercy, but instead got a big boot to the face. Kane whipped MVP into the corner. MVP tried to climb out of the ring but had doubts about leaving and returned. Kane pummeled MVP and tried to drag his arm towards the flames. He nailed MVP with a blow to the back of the head, sending him to the mat. Kane grabbed MVP's legs. MVP pulled himself upwards in the corner, so Kane pulled him away and dropped him on his face. Kane put MVP in the corner and attempted a superplex but was shoved off. Kane hit a bodypress onto Kane and peppered him with punches. MVP hit a running boot to the face in the corner, but Kane sat up. They exchanged punches center ring.
MVP tried to break Kane down with kicks to the legs but Kane clotheslined him down. Kane measured him for the goozle, then hit a chokeslam. Kane removed a turnbuckle covering and attempted to light it aflame but the burners on that side of the ring went out. Kane then lit the padding on another side but MVP nailed Kane before he could use it and tossed it to the floor,. MVP tried to hit a sliding kick on Kane into the flames but Kane moved and MVP barely escaped.
Kane unloaded in the corner, finishing with a running clothesline. Kane hit a sideslam in the center of the ring. MVP fought back but his blows didn't effect Kane. He tried to climb out of the ring but Kane shoved him off the ropes. MVP crashed into the announcer's table. Kane went to the top and dove over the flames to the floor. MVP and Kane tried to force each other into the flames. Kane nailed MVP with a big boot on the floor.
MVP tried to run under the ring but Kane pulled him out (cue the finish as they were putting something on MVP to help the effect). Kane grabbed MVP by the throat and forced him up the ring steps, then backwards into the flames. The back of MVP's outfit went up and he made his way around the ring. When he got to the aisle, he dropped down and WWE staffers used fire extinguishers to put out the flames. They used a number of great replays to show the flames climbing up MVP's back.
Interesting choice for the opening match. As an in-ring bout, it was what you would expect give the limitations. The stipulation and setting made it something unique and entertaining. For what it was, I enjoyed it. WWE is sometimes given criticism of not creating new characters, but they've done a good job establishing MVP in recent months. He held up his end of the bargain here.
Jillian Hall, Leyla El, Ashley, and Kristal Marshall were outside Teddy Long's office. Long arrived and said that they had a special guest tonight - Santa Claus. They were all excited about Santa's impending arrival. Long then announced they would have the first-ever Naughty or Nice contest. The Divas were extremely excited about having to dress in lingerie for the fans.
Michael Cole and JBL reviewed the MVP-Kane match. They promised an update on MVP's condition later.
WWE Tag Team champions Paul London & Bryan Kendrick vs. William Regal & Dave Taylor
Teddy Long came out and announced that, as a gift to the fans, the match was now a Ladder Match. Works for me! Teddy Long then announced that he was adding two more teams, which turned out to be MNM and The Hardy Boyz. The Arena loved this and were chanting for the Hardys before they even were announced. Great move!
So....
WWE Tag Team champions Paul London & Bryan Kendrick vs. William Regal & Dave Taylor vs. MNMThe Hardy vs. The Hardy Boyz: Ladder Match
All four teams began to brawl as the bell rang. MNM got tossed out. Kendrick and London took it to Team UK (as I will refer to them for simplicity's sake), then tossed them. The Hardys started battling with London and Kendrick. Jeff Hardy hit a jawbreaker on London. The Hardys worked over Kendrick. MNM and Team UK returned to the ring and worked over the babyfaces. The Hardys were over huge. Regal and Taylor worked over the champions with suplex variations in the Hardys and MNM brought ladders towards the ring.
Matt Hardy nailed Team UK with a ladder to the mush. Jeff Hardy nailed Air Sabu off Matt's back. MNM hit Taylor with the Snapshot. Kendrick and London nailed a double superkick on Regal. Hardy hit a elbow off the ropes on Taylor. Kendrick dropkicked Nitro out of the ring.
Matt whipped Kendrick into Jeff, who threw a ladder into Kendrick's face. Jeff tried to climb the ladder but London dropkicked him off. London climbed towards the top. Nitro tried to hit a springboard towards London to stop him but London moved, so Nitro crashed and burned, landing on the ladder after it tipped over. That looked nasty.
Mercury got to the top of the ladder but the Hardy and London & Kendrick picked up the ladder, walked it over to the ropes and tipped Mercury out of the ring into Nitro on the floor. The Hardys whipped London into the corner, where a ladder was waiting. Jeff Hardy went for Air Sabu into a splash but London moved and Hardy crashed into the ladder. They showed several replays of Hardy hitting his head and claimed he had a concussion on Raw.
London went to the top of the ladder but was shoved off by Matt Hardy. He landed on his feet but Hardy clotheslined him. Kendrick climbed up but was pulled backwards off by Matt. Matt tried to suplex London but London broke free and hit a dropsault, sending Matt onto the ladder, which was hanging off the ropes. Kendrick did a double stomp onto Matt, who was on the ladder.
MNM put Jeff Hardy on the top rope and teased a double superplex onto stacked ladders but Matt saved his brother. Jeff Hardy legdropped the ladder, catapulting it into MNM's faces as Matt held them. Mercury was busted open huge with his eye swollen completely shut. It looked like his nose may have been broken. The announcers played it up like a devastating deal and it very well may have been.
The match broke down to UK vs. London and Kendrick at this point as Mercury was rushed to the back. Regal hit a German suplex on London, sending him upside down into a ladder in the corner. Regal climbed up the ladder but didn't want to be up high and sent Taylor up. Kendrick attacked Taylor to stop him but Regal attacked.
They announced that Joey Mercury was sent to the emergency room at the hospital. Nitro continued alone, dropkicking Jeff, who was standing on a ladder outside the ring, through the ropes, sending him to tumbling to the floor. Nitro cleaned house and climbed the ladder. Kendrick failed at pulling him down, but London hit a springboard dropsault off the ropes. Matt Hardy went to the top of the ladder London scrambled up to the top. Hardy backdropped London from the top of the ladder.
Jeff Hardy and Nitro then battled to the top of the ladder. Hardy hit a sunset flip powerbomb into the ring. By the way, this is fn' awesome. Matt Hardy set up two ladders in the center of the ring. Team UK tried to slam the ladders into Hardy, but he ducked. They worked over Matt in the corner. Taylor held Matt in a Fireman's Carry while Regal hit a running knee to Matt's head.
Regal and Taylor both climbed the ladder. Kendrick pulled Taylor down, then worked over Regal with punches. Taylor pulled Kendrick to the mat and clotheslined him. Regal tried to get the belt but Kendrick returned and hit Sliced Bread #2 off the ladder, nearly decapitating himself on the ropes in the process.
Paul London finally grabbed the tag belts, retaining the titles.
Your winners and still WWE Tag Team champions Paul London and Brian Kendrick!
Totally fn' awesome if you like crazy spots and all out insanity. The addition of the ladders and the two mystery teams were a great twist as well. There was far more going on here then anyone could type a recap for. This match was more "ECW" then anything we saw on the December to Dismember. The only downside was the obvious injuries to Joey Mercury, which underscored how dangerous these matches are, as well as how talented all these athletes are. Awesome, awesome, awesome match. If the rest of the show tanks, WWE earned my $40 here.
They showed Kristal Marshall getting ready for the Naughty or Nice contest.
Boogeyman vs. Mike the Miz
Well, they put this in the right place after that awesome previous match. Miz tried to talk on the mic but was cut off by Boogey's entrance. I love when JBL buries Miz. His disgust for Miz is hysterical.
Miz was scared of Boogey but was tossed into the ring. Boogey whipped him into the corner but Miz caught him with an elbow. Miz tried to work over Boogey's arm and clotheslined him. Michael Cole said if Miz wins, it would be a huge upset. JBL remarked, "Miz being in a wrestling ring is a huge upset." Boogey hit his finisher and pinned Miz, then wormed him. JBL kept burying Miz the entire time.
Your winner, Boogeyman, although JBL gets the "best worker in the match" award.
They showed Jillian Hall (with her back to the camera) previewing her lingerie to Leyla El
WWE United States champion Chris Benoit vs. Chavo Guerrero
Chavo attacked Benoit from behind before the match started. Benoit battled back with knees and chops. Benoit clotheslined Chavo, then worked him over with punches. Vicky Guerrero was at ringside selling her neck in a brace. Benoit backdropped Chavo and went for the Sharpshooter but Chavo kicked him off. Benoit tossed Chavo to the floor and followed. He unloaded with chops on Chavo at ringside, then rolled him back inside the ring.
Back in the ring, Benoit hit his signature series of German suplexes, then signaled for the flying headbutt off the top rope. Guerrero got to the corner and took Benoit's legs out from under him. Benoit and Guerrero battled on the ropes with Benoit getting the better of the exchange and shoving Chavo off. Chavo returned and caught Benoit with a suplerplex into the ring. Good match.
Chavo began working over Benoit's back with punches and kicks. He whipped Benoit into the corner. From outside the ring, he used the ringpost to stretch Benoit around it. Chavo returned to the ring and hit a baseball sliding kick into Benoit, nailing the champion into the post. Guerrero scored a two count off the move, then continued working on Benoit.
Benoit fired back with chops, but was caught with a drop toehold. Chavo kept working on the back, then cinched in a rear chinlock. Benoit fought his way to his feet and tried to backsuplex Guerrero, but Chavo turned in mid-air and ended up on top as they crashed to the mat. Benoit finally got the better of Chavo and went for the crippler crossface, but Chavo grabbed the ropes.
Guerrero continued the assault on Benoit's back with uppercuts and suplexes. Guerrero tied Benoit upside down in the corner. He went for a sliding kick but Benoit pulled himself up and Guerrero nearly crotched himself on the post. Guerrero caught Benoit and went for the Electric Chair but Benoit escaped and landed on his feet. They battled back and forth. Benoit began nailing German suplexes. He nailed seven suplexes total. Really good match.
Benoit covered Chavo for the pin, but Guerrero draped his leg over the bottom rope. Benoit went for the Sharpshooter. Vicky Guerrero grabbed the U.S. title and got into the ring. Benoit yelled at her not to do it, and finally released the hold. Guerrero fell backwards in fear. Benoit grabbed her and teased putting the Sharpshooter on her. Guerrero rolled him up but Benouit rolled through, locked on the Sharpshooter and forced the submission.
Your winner and still United States champion, Chris Benoit!
I thought this was another good match. They told a nice story with Guerrero working over Benoit's back and had some really good physical exchanged. They teased Vicky finally getting hers but it didn't happen yet. It should be interesting to see what they do to get some momentum behind Chavo again after the clean tapout.
They aired a Brian Pillman DVD commercial.
They showed Ashley preparing for the Naughty or Nice Lingerie contest.
WWE Cruiserweight champion Gregory Helms vs. Jimmy Wang Yang
This should be good as they've had solid matches on Smackdown. No mention of the departure of Amy.
Helms and Yang shoved each other back and forth at the bell. They did some good back and forth mat wrestling and counters early. Yang went for a moonsault but Helms retreated to the floor. Yang followed. Helms hit the ring and cut off Yang as he returned. Yang ducked a running knee and hit flying headscissors. He suplexed Helms and floated over but Helms kicked out.
Yang ended up on the floor, where he was dropkicked into the railing. Helms hit a neckbreaker on the floor. Helms worked over Yang in the ropes, clotheslining his throat across the top and snapping it. He whipped Yang into the ropes and caught him with an elbow.
Helms worked over Yang with a top wristlock but Yang fought back. Yang backdropped Helms to the floor, then hit a dive to the floor. They fought back to the ring, where Helms hit a Stun Gun on the ropes and locked on a chinlock. Helms battled back but was caught with a rollup for a nearfall.
They battled back and forth. Yang caught Helms with a clothesline and backdrop. Yang hit a running heel kick to Helms in the corner, floating over to the floor. Yang covered Helms, getting a two count. Yang charged Helms in the corner but Helms sidestepped and Yang crashed into the ringpost.
Helms pulled Yang to the top and hit a swinging neckbreaker off the top into the ring. Helms recovered first and went to the top but was hit with a spinning kick as he came off the top. Helms kicked up at two. Yang was caught with an elbow by Helms and put on the top. He pushed Helms off and went for Yang Time, but Helms evaded. Helms drilled Yang's face into his knees and rolled up Yang, scoring the pin. Helms was bleeding from the mouth as he left the ring. JBL ripped on the fans for not applauding the good match they had just seen. It was a good match.
They aired a video feature on the Ken Kennedy vs. Undertaker feud
Ken Kennedy vs. The Undertaker: Last Ride Match
Kennedy was out first and did his introduction. He called himself the future of Smackdown, then said, "Hell, I am Smackdown." I hate when guys are called the future because if they are on TV now, they are stars. When Kennedy corrected himself, my first thought was, "About time someone did that."
At the bell, Taker came out looking he was fighting in UFC. Kennedy retreated quickly to the floor. Taker finally caught Kennedy in the corner, then chased him to the floor. Taker slammed Kennedy's head into the stairs at ringside, then tossed him onto the Spanish Announce Table. He slammed his head into the table, then launched him into the ring apron.
Back in the ring, Taker charged for a big boot but Kennedy ducked. Undertaker ended up over the ropes and on the floor. Kennedy attacked him in the floor. He went for a running dive off the apron but Take caught him in the air and drove Kennedy backwards into the ringsteps.
Taker began carrying Kennedy towards the hearse but Kennedy slipped out from behind and shoved Taker towards the car. Kennedy worked over Taker and tried to put him in the car. He got Taker in but was unable to close the door. When he opened it, Taker kicked him in the head. They battled back towards the ring. Kennedy tried to escape over the rail into the crowd but Taker pulled him back in.
Taker put Kennedy on the apron and dropped a leg across the throat. Taker dragged him back into the ring and hit a suicide-plex with both men standing on top of the ropes into the ring. Taker tossed Kennedy to the floor.
Kennedy locked Taker in a sleeper on the floor in front of the hearse with the idea that Taker would be out and easy prey to be tossed into the car. Kennedy began dragging Taker to the hearse and tossed him in. He shut the door but needed to drive it out of the Arena. When Kennedy opened the door to get in, Taker was waiting and grabbed him by the throat. He dragged Kennedy back to the ringside area and tossed him into the rail. Taker began clearing off the announce table but was attacked by Kennedy with a chair. Kennedy worked over Taker's ribs and back with the chair. Taker sat up, and Kennedy scampered from the ring.
Kennedy headed towards the hearse with Taker in pursuit. They climbed up the Armageddon set, which was designed to look like a medieval castle. They battled on top of the set. Kennedy teased throwing Taker off the side of the set. Taker caught Kennedy with a goozle and teased a chokeslam but kicked Taker low. He tossed Taker off with Taker taking a big bump into a crash pad below. The crowd gave one of those brief "Holy sh**" chants - the type of chants Kevin Dunn didn't want airing on the ECW PPV that led to a good portion of the crowd audio being muted.
They played it up like Taker was destroyed. Kennedy dragged a limp Taker to the hearse. He tossed Taker into the car, so he's either about to win or we get the undead comeback from Taker.
They had a camera inside the car that showed Kennedy trying to drive and Taker sitting up behind him, like a horror move. Taker dragged Kennedy backwards into the hearse and they spilled out the back. Taker went nuts, unloading with punches and strikes. Undertaker began wrecking Kennedy with a chair. He grabbed a steel pipe, but missed Kennedy and shattered the back window of the hearse. He drilled Kennedy with another chair, this time busting open Kennedy.
Undertaker continued with punches. He tossed Kennedy atop the roof of the hearse. Undertaker grabbed him for a chokeslam and slammed him on the roof of the car. That looked and sounded brutal. Taker then tombstoned Kennedy on the roof. Undertaker opened the hearse door, exposing all the broken glass inside and tossed Kennedy in. Taker then drove the hearse out of the Arena, winning the match.
Your winner, The Undertaker!
Another really solid match. Taker and Kennedy were both working really hard here. I expected blood early, so I was surprised they waited for the ending sequence to bring that aspect out. The big bump off the stage was impressive considering Undertaker's age and stature with the company and looked great but safe. Kennedy more then held his own here and showed some good fire as a heel.
One thing that is standing out all night is that the ladder match burned out the crowd because there haven't been big reactions to a lot of stuff, although nothing's been terribly bad beyond Boogeyman vs. Miz.
King Booker was preparing for his match. Finlay came in and said that despite their history, he wanted to promise Booker that he wasn't going to double cross Booker. Booker said that he wasn't going to doublecross Finlay either. Sharmell stepped in and said that tonight they were partners and needed each other tonight. Finlay noted that he had his shillelagh and his "Little fella" but all Booker had was Sharmell. Sharmell was offended. Oh please don't tell me they are building to a mixed tag match!
They ran down the New Year's Revolution PPV.
Santa Claus (Oh Lord, it's Big Dick Johnson, which they aren't playing up yet) made his way to the ring. He said it's been cold at the North Pole so they were going to heat things up with the Naughty or Nice contest.
Naughty or Nice Lingerie Contest: Leyla El vs. Jillian Hall vs. Kristal Marshall vs. Ashley
They set it up for Ashley go go last, since she's doing Playboy and has to get the big push. JBL called Jillian, "Lillian" and when Cole called him on it, he responded, "Like I remember women's names. They're all hot to me." JBL is really cracking me up here. Leyla looked beyond amazing and if this thing was legitimate, she would have blown everyone else away. Leyla got the biggest reaction it seemed but they pushed that Ashley did.
Santa announced that everyone was the winner, then asked for his music to be hit, revealing himself to be Big Dick He stripped down and danced with the Divas. Must be nice to script yourself segments where you dance with a bunch of hot women and scar children for life all at once. They did a conga line out of the Arena. Egads.
They plugged the Royal Rumble, noting talents from all three brands would be in the match.
WWE champion John Cena & WWE World champion Batista vs. Finlay and King Booker
They did big entrances for everyone. Booker and Cena started out. Booker nailed Cena with a series of forearms but Cena came back with an armbar. Crowd was really quiet beyond the entrances.
Batista and Finlay tagged in. Finlay tried to jump off the turnbuckles but was caught, dropped, and slapped. Batista catapulted Finlay into the ropes. Finlay bounced back and snapped backwards over Batista's knees. Batista hit a muscle buster but Booker broke up the pinfall.
Booker tagged in . He worked over Batista with chops in the corner. He tried to hiptoss Batista, but Batista caught him and clotheslined him down. Batista and Cena tagged in and out, working over Booker. Cena hit the five knuckle shuffle on Booker, teased the F-U, but Booker escaped. He locked on the STFU but Finlay interfered.
Batista and Finlay brawled while the referee broke them up. Booker nailed Cena in the throat with his royal sceptre. Booker and Finlay took turns working over Cena. The Little Bastard tried to interfere but when he measured Cena for a kick, Cena moved and he ended up kicking himself in the head. Booker took back over with a top wristlock. Cena escaped and nailed a DDT.
Cena made the hot tag to Batista, who nailed a spinebuster on Batista and clothesline on Finlay. He sent Finlay crashing into Booker in the corner. Booker ended up kicking Finlay. Batista hit a spinning sideslam. They went back and forth with nothing really clicking. Batista hit the Demon Bomb on Booker for the pin.
Your winners, John Cena and Batista!
The main event couldn't follow the undercard. It was all about the entrances and star power. It reminded me of a house show bout. There wasn't really anything forwarded in terms of storyline or even anything memorable inside the ring. It was just there with a lot of screwy stuff at the end.
2008 - Mickey Rourke was nominated for Best Actor in the Screen Actors Guild Awards for his portrayal of Randy the Ram in "The Wrestler." It was the film's only nomination in the SAG Awards. The award would go to Sean Penn for his leading role in "Milk."
2008 - Bruno Sammartino's 1990 autobiography was re-released.
2008 - Attorneys representing Jamal Grinnage and Eric Murray, two members of the hip hop act The M.O.P. informed the United States District Court of New York that on behalf of their clients, they were voluntarily dismissing their clients' lawsuot against John Cena, World Wrestling Entertainment, Sony Music, Stephanie Music (WWE's music publishing company) and several other entities. Judge Leonard B. Sand signed off on their decision, noting it was without prejudice against the defendants.
The M.O.P. members were upset that a sample of their song "Ante Up" was used in the "My Time is Now (John Cena Theme)" track on Cena's hip hop CD from a few years back and later subsequently used by WWE for Cena's ring entrance theme, on DVDs, CDs, PPV, and ringtones. Two members of the group, Jamal Grinnage and Eric Murray claimed in the initial lawsuit filing that they had turned down WWE's request to sample the song and then someone working for Next Level Publishing, a company owned by the third member of M.O.P, Daryl Pittman, later gave clearance for sampling. The lawsuit alleged the person in question (who identified himself to the defendants as the President of Next Level) was actually just an office worker for Pittman and did not have the rights to do so.
Grinnage and Murray filed suit last October, requesting damages, that they be ruled the owners of the song in question and that all DVDs, CDs, etc. using the sampled music be recalled and destroyed based on the grounds that as 66.9% owners of the original "Ante Up" sing, it couldn't be licensed without their approval, which they never gave. There was no indication regarding why the lawsuit was dropped and there was no mention of a settlement agreement between the two sides in any court documents before the Judge closed the clase.
2009 - WWE issued the following:
WWE(R) Thanks President Obama and General Petraeus for Holiday Messages
STAMFORD, Conn., Dec 17, 2009 -- World Wrestling Entertainment(R) would like to thank both President Obama and General Petraeus for providing the WWE(R) with taped, non-partisan holiday messages to the men and women in the US Armed Forces to be included in our annual special, "Tribute to the Troops," this Saturday on NBC at 9 PM ET. This marks the second year that the Commander in Chief has provided a special message for the troops.
For the last seven years, WWE has traveled to the Middle East to entertain troops serving overseas in appreciation for their service to our country. WWE would also like to thank all those responsible in the White House, First Lady's office and the US Central Command for making this happen.
The request process for the President's video began in April 2009, when WWE met with Trooper Sanders, Deputy Director of Policy and Projects for the First Lady. WWE continued these discussions after Labor Day as requested. In November, WWE was pleased to receive confirmation from Matt Flavin, Director of Veterans and Wounded Warrior Policy at the White House, that a Presidential message would be supplied for "Tribute to the Troops." WWE supplied background information, as well as our production and deadline needs. We received confirmation on Monday that President Obama's message had been taped, and it was delivered on Tuesday morning.
We are hopeful that everyone, especially the service men and women of the Armed Forces and their families, enjoy "Tribute to the Troops."
2009 - During an appearance to promote this weekend's WWE Tribute to the Troops special on NBC on BJ Shea Morning Experience on 99.9 KISW in Seattle, CM Punk was asked his take on Hulk Hogan coming to TNA and the company's head to head special with WWE on 1/4. In a nutshell, Punk noted that he doesn't trust that Hogan is there for TNA as much as himself and referred to him as a 60 year old who dresses like he's "18 and from the Jersey Shore." He then said he hoped Hogan proved him wrong.
2009 - Former WWF champion Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson delivered the commencement speech to the University of Miami graduating class.
2009 - WWE broadcast Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight’s show with a match from the Smackdown brand.
Match Number One: Cryme Tyme versus Mike Knox and Dolph Ziggler
JTG and Ziggler start things off and they lock up with JTG giving Ziggler and arm drag. Ziggler runs into a flying shoulder tackle after Ziggler gives a Hennig-esque leap frog. Ziggler with a fireman’s carry for a near fall and then he tags in Knox who punches JTG and connects with forearms and a knee. Knox takes JTG to the mat with a short arm clothesline followed by knee drops. Ziggler is tagged back in and he kicks JTG while Knox holds him. Ziggler yells at Shad on the apron and then he returns to JTG and he gives JTG a snap mare followed by a leap frog neck snap and gets a near fall. Ziggler with a side head lock. JTG with a snap mare and then he makes the tag to Shad who hits a series of clotheslines on Ziggler and then he hits a back elbow in the corner. Shad with an Irish whip and then he hits a t-bone suplex. Shad gets Ziggler up but Knox makes the blind tag. Shad hot shots Ziggler but he turns around into a cross body from Knox and both men are down. We go to commercial.
We are back and Ziggler with a rear chin lock on Shad while JTG tries to will his partner to escape and make the tag. Ziggler with a kick to the knee and a drop kick to the knee to take Shad to the mat and then Ziggler gets a near fall. Knox is tagged in and he hits a Kamala splash and gets a near fall. Shad punches Knox but Knox with a punch and knee before he puts Shad in a bear hug. Ziggler tags back in and Ziggler with a series of elbow drops finishing up with a single boot cover. Knox is tagged back in and he works on Shad’s back with knee drops and then he keeps the knee in the back as he applies a rear chin lock. Shad with punches but Knox with a drop kick for a near fall. Ziggler re-enters the match and he kicks Shad and then he hits the leaping hesitation elbow drop and gets a near fall. Ziggler with a reverse chin lock but Shad gets Ziggler on his back and he snap mares Ziggler to the mat. Ziggler runs into a clothesline and Shad is still unable to make the tag. He crawls to his corner and finally makes the tag. Knox tags in as well. JTG with a sliding punch followed by more punches. Knox with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner. JTG with a drop kick and then he makes gestures instead of continuing the attack. JTG with an X Factor but the cover is broken up by Ziggler. Shad with an STO to Ziggler but Knox clotheslines Shad over the top rope. Knox misses a bicycle kick and JTG hits the wraparound clothesline for the three count.
Winners: Cryme Tyme
We go to the trailer for Marine 2: No Cena = no wife being kidnapped.
We go to commercial.
It is time for the ECW contribution to tonight’s show.
Before our next match, we see Vance Archer dominating over unnamed talent and Tommy Dreamer in his ECW run.
Match Number Two: Vance Archer versus Tommy Dreamer
They lock up and Archer with a knee in the corner followed by a forearm instead of a clean break. Dreamer tries for a hip toss but Archer pushes him to the mat. Archer kicks Dreamer but Dreamer punches back and hits a drop kick to the knees. Archer with a knee to Dreamer followed by elbow drops. Archer with a waist lock. Archer avoids a sunset flip and hits a leg drop followed by punches and he gets another near fall. Archer with a back elbow followed by a knee to the back and he gets a near fall. Archer with a bear hug to Dreamer. Dreamer with a punch to get out of the hold briefly but Archer with a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Archer with a shoulder to the midsection in the corner followed by a hard Irish whip. Archer misses a running knee into the corner and Dreamer with punches to Archer followed by a bulldog. Dreamer with a DDTfor a near fall because Archer gets his foot on the rope. Dreamer goes to the turnbuckles but he misses a frog splash when Archer moves. Archer with a clothesline and then he hits a running clothesline into the corner followed by a big boot. Archer picks up Dreamer and then hits the inverted DDT for the three count.
Winner: Vance Archer
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Three Hours of My Life I won’t get Back Rebound.
It is time for the main event from the Raw brand.
Match Number Three: Jack Swagger with his magical chest thumping and push ups in the aisle versus Montel Vontavious Porter
They lock up and Swagger backs Porter into the corner and he gives a clean break and follows it with some push ups. They lock up again and Porter with the clean break this time and he poses. Swagger runs into a forearm from Porter and Porter sends Swagger into the turnbuckles. Porter with punches in the corner and Swagger pushes Porter out of the corner. Swagger with a front face lock into a side head lock. Porter with a hip toss to Swagger followed by a slam and knee drop for a near fall. Porter with a suplex for another near fall. Porter kicks Swagger in the corner followed by a forearm. Swagger punches Porter and then he misses a charge into the corner. Porter with a clothesline but Swagger with a knee and he tries to throw Porter over the top rope but Porter tries to skin the cat. Swagger knocks Porter to the floor before he can return to the ring. We go to commercial.
We are back and Swagger with a hammer lock and we see footage from the commercial break when Swagger sent Porter into the ring post and ringside barrier. Porter reverses the hammer lock but Swagger with a take down but Porter gets to the ropes. Swagger with kicks to Porter. Swagger returns to the hammer lock and then he sends Porter shoulder first into the turnbuckles. Swagger continues to work on the arm from the floor. Swagger wraps the arm in the ropes but Porter fights back until Swagger takes Porter down again with an arm drag. Swagger with a key lock followed by a knee to the midsection. Porter with a kick but Swagger with a clothesline for a near fall. Swagger goes back to the hammer lock but Porter is the one who sends Swagger into the turnbuckles. Porter with a back body drop and then he punches Swagger. Porter with a clothesline followed by a back elbow and punch. Porter with a facebuster and it is time to go ballin. Swagger goes to the apron and he drops Porter’s arm on the top rope. Swagger tries for the Doctor Bomb but Porter escapes. Swagger gets a near fall after a forearm to the head. Swagger tries for the double jump splash but Porter gets a rollup for a near fall. Porter escapes the Oklahoma Stampede and hits the Playmaker for the three count.
Winner: Montel Vontavious Porter
2009 - TNA broadcast Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off with the Mick Foley/Jeff Jarrett anti-Dixie Summit from last week. We go back to the A.J. Styles attacks by a mysterious black hooded bald man. Daniels is still angry that A.J. accused him. Remember when Nash was in charge last week? If you watched Raw, you probably forgot what you saw on Thursday night. Daniels and Desmond Wolfe now don’t like each other.
We are live on tape from Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘Remember Final Resolution on Sunday’ Tenay and Taz.
We see Mick Foley walking in the back and Jeremy Borash is trying to calm Mick down but Mick keeps walking. Jeremy tells Mick that Kevin won’t like this. Mick attacks Kevin Nash who is sitting at the announce table. Foley punches Nash and Nash falls into the chairs in the seating area. The members of the World Elite go after Foley as Eric Young tries to check on Nash. Nash wants them to hold Foley for him and Nash punches Foley in the head. Security tires to stop things but they are ineffective until Nash decides that he is done.
It is time to run through the Foley/Jarrett reunion and we see some of the vignettes.
Lauren is with Roxxi who is back in TNA. She says that she is super excited to be back. Lauren asks what Roxxi has been doing. Roxxi says that she has been training and working on her craft in Mexico. She has also been involved in some fitness competitions. Lauren mentions that Roxxi will be facing ODB in a non-title match tonight. Roxxi says that her opponent ODB is almost as unique as her. She respects ODB as a champion but she will try to win tonight.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we have a ten man tag match later tonight.
Jeremy Borash is with Kurt Angle and he asks about his match on Sunday against Desmond Wolfe and the main event tonight. Kurt says that he feels great. He wants TNA to throw everything at him so he can get back on top. Angle points out that he hasn’t lost since September and that was in a four way match. Angle says that his goal is to win his title back. Angle says that he will beat Desmond Wolfe on Sunday. Jeremy asks Angle about Jeff Jarrett’s return to the Impact Zone and he has nothing to say.
We have a Tara video package.
We see footage of the recent incidents involving Tara and ODB leading to their title match on Sunday.
Match Number One: Roxxi versus ODB in a Non Title Match
ODB takes a drink before they lock up and she offers it to Roxxi but it is a trick and she kicks Roxxi and connects with a forearm and punch to the head. ODB with a kick followed by an Irish whip. Roxxi moves when ODB charges into the corner and hits a fallaway slam. Roxxi with an Irish whip and a running butt splash and running boot for a two count. Roxxi misses ODB and ODB pulls Roxxi to the mat and Roxxi with a kick. ODB with chops to Roxxi in the corner and then she hits a running splash into the corner. ODB with a bronco buster and then she gets a near fall. ODB with a bear hug. ODB runs Roxxi into the turnbuckles but ODB misses a splash into the corner. Roxxi slams ODB’s head into the turnbuckles. Roxxi with forearms to ODB followed by a roaring elbow and a drop kick. Roxxi with the Voodoo Drop for a two count. Roxxi tries for another Voodoo Drop but ODB with a knee and rollup for a near fall. Roxxi with a take down and jackknife cover for a two count. ODB with a jawbreaker and then ODB picks up her flask but the referee stops her. Roxxi with a rollup for the three count.
Winner: Roxxi
After the match, ODB hits Roxxi from behind with the flask and then she punches Roxxi and chokes her. Tara comes to the ring and ODB leaves the ring. Tara checks on Roxxi while ODB goes to the back.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for Mick and JB’s Excellent Adventure to Los Angeles. Mick talks about the flight but he is looking forward to getting on the same page with Hogan. Mick is in the gym and Lou Ferrigno enters to give some workout tips. Mick asks if Lou is sitting in for the meeting with ‘Hulk’. Lou says that he is THE Hulk. Mick finally puts two and two together and he realizes that he got screwed by Nash.
We go back to Earlier Tonight footage from Earlier today when Mick Foley showed Nash that he won’t like him when he gets angry.
Jeremy Borash is in the hall and Nash takes the mic. He says that Foley made the biggest mistake of his life by putting his hands on him. Foley signed his death warrant. Nash says that Foley gave them everything they needed. He better use his power before January 4th because that is the day that Foley becomes unemployed.
We go to commercial.
We are back for a second to be told about the lumberjack match that is next.
We are back and Jeremy is with Foley in his office. Jeremy asks Foley to respond to Nash’s comments. Foley wants to make sure they mentioned the right ‘Hulk’. Foley says that he is circling the wagons and Jeremy wonders if that means Jeff Jarrett. Foley says that he might have had problems in the past but he has a lot in common with Jarrett. Abyss enters and he wants to know if they are allies. Abyss reminds Foley that they are in a tag match on Sunday. Abyss says that he has been her and he has been set on fire. Foley says that he has not forgotten about the match. He will not forget about what happened to his eye or to Chris’ leg. Foley says that he was two thousand miles away trying to do what is best for the company. He will have Abyss’ back on Sunday. Foley wants to know if Chris will have his back. Chris says that he has Foley’s back. He says that Raven and Dr. Stevie are done on Sunday.
Lauren is in the back with Matt Morgan, Hernandez, Suicide, and D’Angelo Dinero to talk about their elimination match on Sunday. She mentions how Hernandez has to start the first five minutes alone. Matt says that it is a huge disadvantage. Matt says that he knows that Hernandez will last the first five minutes. Dinero wants to pontificate before they go to the ring. He says that they are the future.
Match Number Two: Brother Ray versus Matt Morgan in a The Other Guys in the Eight Man Tag Match on Sunday are the Lumberjacks Match
They lock up and Ray with a waist lock and forearm to the back and an elbow to the head. Ray with a punch to the head and then he sends Morgan into the turnbuckles. Ray runs into a shoulder tackle from Morgan and Morgan with a head butt. Morgan with a splash and then he goes to the floor and wants a fight among the lumberjacks but it is a Mexican standoff. Morgan sends Ray into the turnbuckles followed by the vintage elbows in the corner. Ray with an elbow to a charging Morgan. Morgan with a side slam to Ray. Morgan misses a bicycle kick into the corner and Ray with a belly-to-back suplex. Ray throws Morgan out of the ring and it is right in front of Ray’s team. They punch Morgan briefly and then Morgan’s partners leave for a second and the attack continues. Morgan is returned to the ring and Ray with a neck breaker for a near fall. Ray with a chop to Morgan and Morgan is not impressed. Morgan wants another one but Morgan blocks it and punches Ray and follows that with a discus clothesline and a splash into the corner. Morgan with a slam for a near fall. Ray goes to the floor and Team Morgan attacks Ray. Ray avoids a choke slam and then Ray sets for the Bubbonic Elbow but he takes too long going for the groin. Morgan with a choke slam but the referee is distracted too easily. Jesse and Rhino pull Morgan out of the ring and then it is lumberjack pandemonium.
Back in the ring, Morgan tries for the Hellevator but Devon distracts the referee again while Jesse hits a low blow and Ray gets the three count after a DDT.
Winner: Brother Ray
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Jeff Jarrett video package.
Mick is in back and it is still sunny in Orlando at this time. Jeff Jarrett emerges from his car and they walk closer to the Impact Zone and we go to commercial.
We are back for a second to see Velvet, Madison, and Lacey walk in the back.
We are back and Lauren is with James Storm and Robert Roode to talk about Feast or Fired. She points out that they could get a title match. Roode also says that they could lose their jobs on Sunday. Storm says that they are putting everything they have done for the last two years on the line. He says that nobody will get in their way. Samoa Joe enters the interview area. Joe says that Storm and Roode aren’t the only ones who are putting things on the line. Joe says that nobody wants to give him a shot. Joe says that he deserves his shot, unlike Storm and Roode.
Eric Young enters the area with Bashir and Homicide. Eric says that Storm and Roode are looking past things and points out that the Feast or Fired match is going to be World Elite-Centric.
Match Number Three: Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne with Lacey Von Erich and their choreographed entrance routine versus Sarita and Taylor Wilde with their choreographed routine on the stage versus Awesome Kong and Hamada with no dancing in a Non Title Match
Wilde and Kong start things off and Wilde with a drop kick that backs Kong into the turnbuckles. Wilde with punches but Kong knocks her off. Hamada and Sarita tag in and Hamada with a monkey flip but Sarita lands on her feet and then Sarita with a satellite head scissors. Hamada with an enzuigiri and Velvet tags in and kicks Hamada and follows that with a DDT for a near fall. Madison tags in and they kick Hamada and go for a double drop kick. Wilde and Sarita trip Velvet and pull her out of the ring. Kong tags in and hits a splash on Madison in the corner while Hamada hits a moonsault from the top onto Sarita and Wilde. Kong tries for a power bomb but Rayne counters with a sunset flip attempt. Kong drops down and gets the three count.
Winners: Awesome Kong and Hamada
After the match, Lauren wants to get comments from Velvet, Madison, and Lacey. Lacey insults Lauren and Lauren slaps Lacey and leaves.
Jarrett is in Foley’s office and he says that it was wrong for him to come down here. Foley says that he came here because he needs to be here. Jarrett says that he needs to give Dixie a piece of his mind. Jeff reminds us that he found this company. Foley says that there are a lot of people who think that what Jeff did was wrong and he deserved to be sent home, but things have changed. Foley says that people are depending on the two of them and Jarrett says that he only has to care about his kids. Foley says that everyone respects him so he needs to talk to Dixie. Jarrett finally agrees to do it. We go to commercial.
We are back and the latest former TNA Knockout Wrestler Christy Hemme is in the interview area with Jay Lethal and they talk about the Open Invitational. She wants to know what the broom is for and he says that he is here to sweep up the competition. He says that Neidhart pulled a fast one. Lethal does not care who it is because they will feel the madness.
Match Number Four: Jay Lethal versus Tatanka in a Black Machismo Invitational Match
They lock up and Lethal backs Tatanka into the turnbuckles and he connects with jabs. Tatanka with a clothesline followed by an elbow drop and a leg drop. Tatanka with another leg drop. Tatanka with a chop in the corner followed by an Irish whip and suplex for a near fall. Lethal with a knee to the back and Tatanka goes into the turnbuckles. Lethal goes up top and hits the double sledge for a near fall. Lethal has his weight belt taken by the referee. Lethal sends Tatanka into the turnbuckles and Tatanka hulks up and he hits a back body drop. Tatanka with more chops and then he goes up top for a chop and connects and gets a two count. Lethal with a neck breaker and he goes up top but he takes too long and Tatanka with a punch to the midsection followed by a Samoan drop for the three count.
Winner: Tatanka
Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin are with Christy Hemme to talk about their match on Sunday. Sabin says that he is surprised that anyone noticed because nobody cares about what they have done around the world. Maybe they don’t hang out with the right people or suck up to the right people. Maybe the right people don’t get their sense of humor or shenanigans. They will not change for anyone. They are the best tag team and they will prove it on Sunday. Alex says that they are proud that nobody has handed them anything and Sunday is a big day. Alex says that they will outclass, outwrestle, outmatch, and outgun the British Invasion at Final Resolution. We go to commercial.
We are back and Mick and Jeff are in the office. Jeff says that if they are going to do it, he is going to do it the right way. It will be a one-on-one situation.
It is time to run through the card for Final Resolution.
Jeff Jarrett is walking in the offices and he sees Dixie in her office and he knocks on the door. She tells him to come in and he asks if he can come in. Jeff tells Dixie that Mick thought it would be a good idea if he came to Orlando to chat with her. Dixie wants to know what he wants to chat about. Jeff wants to come back to Impact and the company that he founded. Dixie tells Jeff that they need to be crystal clear with the past. Dixie says that Jeff put them in a tough position. She mentions the promises that were made to Kurt Angle and being with Kurt’s wife and kids was not one of them. Dixie says that she gave Jeff the best option to be on the sidelines to clear up this mess. Jeff says that he is sorry if he disrespected her and he is sorry about everything. Dixie says that it is not about her. Dixie tells Jeff that he has to set things right with Kurt.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a video package with footage of Desmond Wolfe and Daniels.
Match Number Five: Daniels versus Desmond Wolfe
They lock up and Wolfe with a full nelson into a cravate. Daniels and Wolfe work on the arm briefly before Wolfe returns to the cravate. Wolfe with a front face lock but Daniels escapes and Wolfe returns to the cravate. Daniels tries to escape but Wolfe holds on to the cravate. Daniels with a slam but Wolfe holds on to the cravate. Wolfe with a knee and mare. They lock up and Wolfe returns to the cravate. Daniels escapes and he puts Wolfe into a side head lock. Wolfe tries to send Daniels off the ropes but Daniels holds on to the side head lock. Wolfe tries for a belly-to-back suplex but Daniels lands on his feet and returns to the side head lock. Daniels with a side head lock take down. Wolfe escapes but Daniels returns to the side head lock. Daniels with a shoulder tackle and Wolfe is knocked into the turnbuckles. Daniels works on the arm and he gets a near fall. Wolfe with a European uppercut but Daniels with a running forearm of his own. They get face to face. Wolfe slaps Daniels and Daniels slaps back. Wolfe and Daniels now exchange forearms.
Daniels with a leg lariat to Wolfe followed by kicks followed by a back breaker. Daniels with an STO for a near fall. Daniels with an Arabian Press for a near fall. Wolfe is on the turnbuckles and Daniels with a palm strike. Daniels tries to take Wolfe down but Wolfe with a hammer lock DDT and he gets a near fall. Wolfe with an uppercut and then he hits a running European uppercut. Wolfe gets a near fall. Daniels with a kick to the chest followed by a jawbreaker and enzuigiri. Daniels signals for the Angel’s Wings but Wolfe escapes. Wolfe with a top wrist lock and then he has Daniels in a figure four hammer lock and Wolfe adds a cross face. Daniels bites the hand to escape. Daniels with a Flatline into the Koji Clutch. Wolfe gets Daniels on his shoulders but he can only get a two count. Daniels with a snap mare but Wolfe with a snap mare. Wolfe sends Daniels into the turnbuckles and then Wolfe with a kick to the back followed by a clothesline. Wolfe puts Daniels on the turnbuckles for the Tower of London but Daniels blocks it. Daniels tries for a rollup but Wolfe drops down. Daniels and Wolfe exchange near falls. Daniels tries for a back slide but Wolfe blocks it. They then exchange inside cradles as the time limit runs out.
Time Limit Draw
After the match, Daniels and Wolfe want to continue as we go to commercial.
We are back and we see most of A.J.’s team walking in the back.
We are back and Mick tells Jeff that he was proud of what he did with Dixie but he wants to go into Kurt’s locker room with Jeff. Jeff says that he needs to do it one-on-one. Mick says that he trusts Jeff, but he doesn’t trust Kurt. They enter the locker room. Jeff tells Kurt that man to man, if he disrespected him or offended him in any shape or fashion, he is sorry. Jeff wants to know if Kurt heard him and he says that he is sorry. Kurt says that he is sorry and he says that he has a match and he leaves.
Match Number Six: Scott Steiner, Dr. Stevie, Raven, Brutus Magnus, and Doug Williams versus A.J. Styles, Kurt Angle, Tomko, Abyss, and Bobby Lashley
Abyss goes after Raven and Stevie and he clotheslines Raven over the top rope to the floor. Abyss collapses and then Raven bites the knee. Abyss punches Stevie and Raven. Abyss struggles to walk and he hobbles after Raven and Stevie. They go to the back. Meanwhile, back in the ring, Steiner knocks Lashley to the floor and then Steiner sends Lashley into the guardrails and they fight on the floor and to the back. We go to commercial.
We are back and it is now a five man handicap match. Angle and Magnus start things off and Angle with a German suplex. Tomko is tagged in and Magnus with a rake of the eyes and Williams tags in and Tomko with a big boot and power slam. Angle takes the tag and he punches Williams. Williams with a flying back elbow and he tags Magnus in. Williams and Magnus do a cross arm clothesline and then Magnus and Williams pose and shake hands.
We go to the back where we see two sets of brawls with Steiner and Lashley battling in one area while Abyss takes care of Stevie and Raven. We go back to Lashley choking Steiner.
Meanwhile, there is a match going on and Williams has Angle in a chin lock. Angle runs into a boot from Williams but Angle with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Rob Terry pulls Tomko off the apron and Styles tags in and he hits a cltoehsline and elbow to Magnus. Styles with a spin kick to Magnus and then he tries for a Styles Clash but Williams stops him. Tomko stops Williams and Styles with an inside cradle for the three count.
Winners: A.J. Styles, Tomko, and Kurt Angle
After the match, Angle and Styles are in the ring and Angle has the title belt. A.J. takes his belt back and Kurt and A.J. have some words. They push each other and then they start to fight. Daniels and Desmond Wolfe come into the ring and Wolfe sends Angle into the turnbuckles while Daniels hits Angel’s Wings. Wolfe with a hammer lock divorce court and then Wolfe puts Angle in the London Dungeon.
2010 - Mick Foley was a guest on Fox News Channel’s Red Eye. Richard Trionfo filed the following report:
Foley was on for the entire hour, but during one segment he was interviewed by host Greg Gutfeld about his new comic book series R.P.M. This four issue series chronicles a direct descendant of Paul Revere who is hired to move a priceless package from Boston to Miami.
Foley was asked about the planned movie about his life and Foley confirmed that it is true. He said that Union Square Media is developing the movie. He says that they see it as a more upbeat version of The Wrestler and Foley hopes that it will garner similar awards as The Wrestler. Greg gave some suggestions to play Mick, and Mick got a kick out of them. He was asked if he would play himself but Foley said that he would have to drop a lot of weight and he joked that he didn’t know if there was a price tag for him to do that. Foley says that there have been some ‘interesting inquiries’ for people to play him and he mentioned Joaquin Phoenix because of the weird beard.
Foley talked about when they were giving him his earpiece for the show, that the sound guy had trouble with it and Foley advised the sound guy that he didn’t have that ear so they had to use the other ear. Foley shows the remnant of that ear and joked that the injury cost him his career as a carpenter because they pencil would always fall out.
Foley says that since he had written some other books and mentions that he has written four memoirs, and it puts him one ahead of Kissinger. Foley says that he would go to comic book conventions and he would see people who were into reading, but none had his novels. He says that he liked telling stories, but wasn’t telling them in a forum that people were agreeable to.
Foley mentions that Shane Riches, who did some work in that genre and he suggested to Foley that he should utilize that forum.
Mick was asked if there was a character like him in the comic and Foley mentions that he suggested that he should be in the comic book.
Foley says that when he wrote memoirs, he had to be honest with his material. He says that this was the first time that he had a love interest or did action/adventure.
The comic is available where comic books are sold or at 12 Gauge Comics.
Foley was asked about the way that he wrote his other books and talked about how he wrote them longhand. He says that he had a ghost writer and he thought that the ghostwriter was telling a bland story so he went into the upper deck at the Tallahassee Civic Center and started writing. He went into the locker room to ask the guys if they wanted to hear what he wrote, and they were cringing and laughing at what he wrote. Foley says that they were doing what he came to expect from a wrestling audience, but he wasn’t getting hurt. Mick says that he thought that it could be an extension of his career.
Foley also mentioned TNA Impact on SpikeTV during the show as well as his latest book Countdown to Lockdown. Foley mentioned that half of the proceeds from the book were going to Rainn.org to help victims of sexual abuse.
Foley was very good on the show and appeared to have a lot of fun. He got along well with the hosts and other guests.
2010 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Lafayette, Louisiana and your announcers are Matt ‘Tables’ Striker, Josh ‘Ladders’ Mathews, and Michael ‘Chairs’ Cole.
Edge comes out to the ring, but he is missing his wheelchair buddy Paul Bearer. Edge says that he is not going to lie. The last four weeks with Kane and Paul Bearer have been bizarre to say the least. They might have been the most bizarre of his wrestling career and possibly his entire life. Words cannot properly explain the bizarre nature, so he has made a video package and he has incorporated Yakety Sax (the music from Benny Hill). It ends with Paul Bearer being injured by Kane.
Edge says that actually happened. Edge says that he wishes that it never did happen. Edge says that people asked him why he did it and he says that there is one name to explain why he did it. That is Kane. Edge says that he has known Kane for over twelve years but he knows what Kane has been like since he was born. He says that Kane is evil. He terrorizes people, uses people, ruins their lives for his own amusement. Edge reminds everyone that Kane terrorized the entire Smackdown roster, blaming them for attacking the Undertaker but Kane knew that he did it. Then Kane used Paul Bearer as a pawn so he could bury the Undertaker alive. Edge says that he knew that he would have to get down to Kane’s level. He needed to be the one to fight fire with fire and face Kane at his own game.
Edge asks rhetorically if he went too far, and he is not sure. He says that the ends justify the means because he has gotten inside Kane’s head. The master of the evil mind games has been one upped. It will all be worthwhile on Sunday when he faces Kane in his match, a Table, Ladders, and Chairs Match. It will look like a tornado went through a trailer park when everything is done. Edge says that he will set up a ladder in the center of the ring and rung by rung, climb it so he can become a ten time World Heavyweight Champion.
We go to commercial.
Teddy Long is in his office and Edge enters. Teddy wants to know what Edge is doing. Is he trying to poke the bear. Teddy says that he doesn’t know if Kane will even show up this week. Edge says that if Kane does not show up he is ready for some other competition. Teddy doesn’t even know if Kane will show up at the pay per view. Edge says that he doesn’t want to win the title by forfeit so he asks Teddy what can they do if Kane does not show up.
Alberto Del Rio happens to walk into the office at this moment. Alberto says that Teddy wants to see him so he can apologize to him. If Teddy is looking for someone to destroy Edge, he is the man.
Rey Mysterio comes in through the other open door in the office and interrupts Alberto Del Rio and he doesn’t want Del Rio to get a title shot. Rey says that he deserves a title match. He says that he would like to show Albertito the type of bite that this dog has.
They argue in Spanish and then Teddy says that they all deserve a shot at the title. If Kane does not show up at the pay per view, Edge, Alberto Del Rio, and Rey Mysterio will be in a Triple Threat TLC Match for the World Title.
Rey doesn’t have a problem with that match. Alberto wants to know what is going to happen if Kane show up. Teddy decides to make it a Fatal Four Way TLC Match at the pay per view.
Alberto and Rey leave and Teddy tells Edge that if Kane does show up, that he hopes God has mercy on Edge’s soul.
We see highlights from last week’s Intercontinental Title Match between Dolph Ziggler and Kofi Kingston when Jack Swagger interfered to cause a disqualification.
Match Number One: Kofi Kingston and Kaval versus Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero
Swagger and Kaval start things off and Swagger with a front face lock and then he smothers Kaval in the corner before kicking him. Swagger with a punch to Kaval after the referee warns Swagger. Swagger chokes Kaval in the ropes. Kaval tries for a handspring cross body but Swagger catches him. Swagger pushes Kaval into the corner but Kaval with boots to Swagger when he charges. Kaval with a running spin kick and he gets a near fall. Swagger with a knee to Kaval but Kaval with a kick and a rana that sends Swagger to the floor. Dolph tries to interfere but Kaval moves out of the way and Kofi sends Dolph to the floor. Kofi and Kaval are not content with waiting for Swagger or Dolph to re-enter the ring so Kofi hits a tope on Swagger while Kaval hits one on Dolph.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Swagger and Dolph are back in control of the match and Swagger gets a near fall. Swagger works on the arms and then puts Kaval in an arm bar. We see footage from the commercial break to show why Swagger and Ziggler are in control. Ziggler pulled Kaval to the apron when Kaval tried for a springboard move on Swagger. We are back to the action in the ring and Swagger is also working on Kaval’s neck. Swagger with forearms and a boot to the midsection. Ziggler tags in and he kicks Kaval in the midsection. Ziggler points at Kofi before hitting the leaping elbow drop and gets a near fall. Ziggler with a reverse chin lock on Kaval. Kaval stomps on the foot but Ziggler kicks Kaval in the leg. Swagger tags in and he connects with an elbow drop.
Swagger goes for the double jump Swagger Bomb and gets a near fall. Swagger with an arm bar on Kaval and then he goes to a double underhook. Kaval with punches but Swagger keeps Kaval from making the tag. Swagger goes for a release German suplex but Kaval lands on his feet. Kaval tries to make the tag but Swagger stops him again. Ziggler tags back in and he kicks Kaval. Ziggler chokes Kaval with his boot and then in the ropes. Swagger tags back in and he chokes Kaval. Swagger with a forearm to the back but Kaval with a chop. Swagger with a knee and he tries for the Doctor Bomb but Kaval counters with a sunset flip into a standing double stomp. Kaval tries to get to his corner and he is able to make the tag.
Ziggler also tags in and hits a springboard clothesline and then hits a few chops and a drop kick. Kofi with a Superman punch and then he hits the Boom drop. Kofi says that it is over and he sets up for Trouble in Paradise. Ziggler ducks Trouble in Paradise but Kofi is able to hit the SOS. Swagger breaks up the cover and then all four men get into the ring. Kaval forces Swagger over the top rope and both men go to the floor. Ziggler tries for a rollup but Kofi escapes and then Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise for the three count.
Winners: Kofi Kingston and Kaval
After the match, Swagger helps up Dolph Ziggler after taking Trouble in Paradise, but it is a false alliance because Swagger punches Ziggler in the face. Vickie yells at Jack for hitting her man and Jack ignores the screaming and leaves the ring.
We go to commercial.
Jack Korpela is in the interview area with Michael Cole’s unofficial Man Crush of 2010, The WWE Champion The Miz. The Miz is with his manservant Alex Riley. Jack asks Miz about his match on Sunday in a Tables Match. Miz wonders why he is here tonight because he already beat Rey on Raw. Miz says that he is here because he is the most must see champion in the WWE. Miz says that he beat Rey on Raw. On Tuesday, he did a number of interviews. Wednesday he was the guest of honor at the Knicks game and was on Jimmy Fallon. Thursday, he was a VIP at the hottest club in New York. Tonight, he is on Smackdown to beat Rey again. Saturday, he will be on Tribute to the Troops on NBC. Then on Sunday. . . he is interrupted by Alex Riley who thinks Miz is doing the Twelve Days of Christmas. Miz gives Alex that ‘get out of my face’ look and Alex shuts up. Miz says that Sunday is the TLC pay per view and he is going to put Randy Orton through a table. Miz says that people are talking about him, not the people on Smackdown. Miz says that he is the present and the future and then reminds us that he is Awesome.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a new segment called Str8 Outta Brooklyn with JTG. He welcomes everyone. He talks about TLC and how in his neighborhood it means ‘Take the Loot and Seeya’. But in the WWE, it stands for Tables, Ladders, and Chairs. JTG says that Lebron isn’t doing the job in Miami so maybe they need a new King down there. He suggests that the King of the Ring, Sheamus should go down there but he mentions that Sheamus has a restraining order against the sun. He talks about how Miz says that he is the most sought after WWE Champion, but he says that Randy Orton might want to table that thought. He says that everyone should leave the TLC matches to the professionals because he heard that Justin Bieber fell off a ladder reaching for puberty.
We see Kelly Kelly and Kaitlyn talking in front of a mirror earlier this week and Kaitlyn tells Kelly that Tyson Kidd was wrong and she did a good job last night. Kelly thanks Kaitlyn. Kelly turns around and Drew McIntyre is there. Drew says that he saw the Slammys the other night and he was disgusted with what Tyson and his bodyguard said. Drew says that if he was there, they would be paying for what they said. Kelly appreciates Drew’s comments but wonders when they became friends. Drew says that now seems pretty good. Kelly says that she isn’t naïve and has seen what Drew does in the ring.
Drew says that what you see in the ring is not the real Drew McIntyre. He says that he fights for his life and he fights for the best and he fights to win. He says that he is a different person in the ring. He is just a kid from a faraway land looking to get to know Kelly a little better.
Kaitlyn comes back and tells Drew that Kelly has plans because it is girl’s night. Drew accepts that and suggests another time. Drew leaves.
It is time for another Cody Rhodes Grooming Tip. He says that the average person makes a series of bad decisions when it comes to their hair. When you wake up in the morning, you have several options. You can apply massive amounts of product in a failed attempt at style. You could do nothing, which is the worst decision you can make when it comes to your hair. He suggests that you could make a ‘dashing’ decision. You can blow dry your hair. Find a dryer that feels comfortable in your hands. The first rule of blow drying is to maintain a safe distance. He suggests six to twelve inches. This prevents your hair from burning. You should also brush and style your hair at this time. This gets rid of the moisture in your hair. Now you are ready to present yourself to the world.
We go to commercial.
We are back and the announcers talk about the busy week for the WWE on USA Network, including the two hour Tribute to the Troops special on Wednesday night.
We see footage from last week’s Master Lock Challenge where Cody Rhodes fell victim to the Master Lock.
Match Number Two: Dashing Cody Rhodes versus Chris Masters
Cody pushes Masters and then Cody ducks so Masters slaps Cody in the back. Cody with a slap to the face and Masters slaps back. Masters with chops and punches to Cody and the referee pulls Masters away. Masters with an Irish whip and then he press slams Rhodes. Masters with another chop and then he punches Cody in the corner but Cody pushes Masters onto the ropes. Rhodes kicks Masters from behind and hits CrossRhodes for the three count.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Rey Mysterio is walking in the back as we go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Rey Mysterio versus The Miz with Alex Riley
They circle each other and then Rey gets the crowd behind him. Miz tries to kick Rey but Rey moves out of the way. They finally lock up and Rey with a single leg take down and he tries for a sleeper but Miz gets into the ropes. They lock up again and Miz with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Miz with a clothesline for a near fall. Miz with a kick to the back and then to the chest. Rey with a kick and tilt a whirl head scissors. Rey kicks Miz in the head and hits a baseball slide into the corner. Rey goes to the apron and he sets for a moonsault but Miz clips Rey and Rey hits the mat awkwardly. Miz with kicks to Rey and then when the referee deals with Miz, Alex Riley with a punch to Rey.
Miz with a baseball slide to Rey and it sends Rey into the ring post. Miz punches Rey and then gets a near fall when he returns to the ring. Miz with an elbow to the chest followed by a reverse chin lock. Rey with elbows and a snap mare but he runs into a back elbow from Miz. Miz misses a boot to the head and Rey with kicks followed by a drop kick to the knee and Miz falls into the ropes. Riley pulls Miz to the floor to avoid the hold but Rey with a baseball slide to Miz. Riley helps Miz up and Rey hits a seated splash from the apron on Riley. Miz with a boot to Rey and we go to commercial.
We are back and Rey kicks Miz but Miz with a leaping Side Effect for a near fall. Miz with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot from Rey. Miz catches Rey but Rey counters with a tilt-a-whirl DDT and both men are down. Miz punchers Rey but Rey punches back. Rey with kicks to Miz followed by a springboard cross body for a near fall. Rey with knees to the head. Miz avoids a round kick and he pushes Rey into the turnbuckles. Miz with kicks to Rey and the referee warns Miz. Miz sets up for and hits the Awesome clothesline. Miz goes up top but Rey with a kick that crotches Miz. Rey goes up and hits a Frankensteiner for a near fall. Rey with a drop kick to the back and Miz falls ‘there’. Alberto Del Rio trips Rey when he goes for the 619 and Miz gets a near fall with a rollup, but Alberto thinks that he has cost Rey the match.
Rey with a kick to Miz’s head and then Rey with a drop kick to Del Rio. Rey tries for the springboard dive and Miz gets his knees up and then gets the three count.
Winner: The Miz
After the match, Alberto Del Rio attacks Rey. Edge comes to the ring and goes after Del Rio. Miz attacks Edge but Edge returns fire until Riley pulls Miz out of the ring. Rey sends Alberto Del Rio to the floor.
Teddy Long comes out and he tells everyone to calm down. Teddy reminds Edge that he wanted action tonight. He also points out that Alberto Del Rio has been sticking his nose in Rey’s business. Teddy says that Miz hasn’t proven anything. That means that we will have a tag team match later tonight with Alberto Del Rio and Miz facing Edge and Rey Mysterio.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Michelle McCool and Layla are in the ring in their matching outfits. Michelle says that everyone is looking at the official protest of their tables match against Natalya and Beth Phoenix. They say it is not going to happen because it is barbaric. Layla asks everyone rhetorically if they want to see either of them go through a table. Michelle says that they don’t know what it means to be a Diva. She says that nobody in the back is a Diva. They say that a Diva is Flawless. The table match is off.
Natalya’s music plays and she is joined by Beth Phoenix and they have a Christmas present for Michelle and Layla. They bring it to the ring and put it against the ropes. Natalya says that neither of them is happy about being put through a table, but when did LayCool make the rules.
Michelle and Layla say that they run things. They point out that a Tables Match is not a match for Divas. Layla mentions that it is a man’s match and then Michelle says that if you look like a man and wrestle like a man, you should be somewhere else, like the men’s division.
Beth says that the jokes are getting old and she isn’t laughing at them. Michelle and Layla point out that they are laughing. Beth says that they were laughing six months ago when she got injured by them. Beth says that at TLC, they will make sure that Michelle and Layla will never laugh at them again.
Layla and Michelle say that Beth is too angry but it brings out her masculine side. They want to know how to be put on a table.
Natalya let’s Beth do the honors and they reveal the present of Michelle and Layla’s likeness on a table.
Michelle and Layla do not approve of the gift and instead of going to the table store to return it, they decide to attack the gift givers. That doesn’t work out that good and Natalya goes after Michelle while Beth takes care of Layla with a double sledge. Natalya kicks Michelle to the floor. Beth and Natalya set up the table and they try to double suplex Layla through the table, but Michelle enters the ring and pulls Layla to safety.
Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov are walking in the back as we go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov versus Chavo Guerrero and Tyler Reks in the Chavo Guerrero Runs Through the Roster to try to beat Kozlov and Marella Series
Santino and Tyler start things off and Santino with a side head lock and shoulder tackle but Tyler stays on his feet and he tags in Kozlov. Reks with a kick and uppercut followed by a slam. Kozlov traps the arms and hits head butts to the chest. Reks with a series of kicks to Kozlov and Chavo makes the blind tag. Chavo struts in and hits a drop kick for a near fall. Kozlov with a power slam and then he runs Chavo into the corner. Santino tags in and he punches Chavo followed by a hip lock take down. Chavo moves out of the way of the diving head butt and Chavo slams Santino’s head into the mat.
Reks is tagged back in and he punches Santino and hits a short arm clothesline and tags Chavo back into the match. Chavo with a kick but Santino with a split Stunner. Santino tries to swim through air to make the tag and he succeeds. Chavo with Latino Uppercuts but Kozlov with a boot and then he biels Chavo across the ring. Kozlov with an Irish whip but he runs into Chavo’s boots. Chavo goes to the turnbuckles but when he leaps off he is met with a head butt from Kozlov. Kozlov knocks Reks off the apron and then Santino demands the tag. Santino uncoils the cobra and he hits it and gets the three count with a rollup.
Winners: Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov
We are back and Matt Striker mentions that Ezekiel Jackson will be on Smackdown next week.
It is time for a look back at the Return of John Cena featuring the Slammy Awards.
We run through the card for TLC this Sunday, available on pay per view (or if you don’t want to buy the pay per view, follow the live coverage on PWInsider.com)
Match Number Five: Alberto Del Rio versus The Miz with Alex Riley versus Rey Mysterio and Edge
6:53 Edge and Miz start things off and they lock up. Edge with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Edge with a side head lock take down. Miz with a knee to the midsection followed by a forearm. Del Rio tags in and he kicks Edge in the midsection. Del Rio with a slam for a near fall. Del Rio with a reverse chin lock on Edge and then he knees Edge in the back. Miz tags back in and he kicks Edge followed by a punch. Edge with a back elbow and he tags Rey into the match and then they hit a double team wheelbarrow slam and Rey gets a near fall. Rey with a kick and forearms. Rey with an Irish whip but he misses a charge and goes shoulder first into the ring post. Miz with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall.
Del Rio tags back in and he kicks Rey and then knees Rey in the back before kicking him and getting a near fall. Alberto with his elbow in Rey’s back and then he goes for a rear chin lock. Rey with elbows but Alberto with a forearm to the back. Alberto throws Rey under the bottom rope. Alberto goes to the floor and he kicks Rey on the floor. Alberto rolls Rey back in and gets the near fall. Miz tags in and he kicks Rey. Miz chokes Rey in the ropes but Rey kicks Miz. Rey hits Del Rio on the apron but Miz with a drop toe hold and punches to Rey’s head.
Miz sends Rey into the turnbuckles and tags Del Rio back in. Alberto with a hard Irish whip. Del Rio with a knee to Rey and then he hits a sunset flip but Rey rolls through and kicks Del Rio. Both men are down and Rey crawls to the corner and he tags in Edge. Edge with a clothesline to Miz followed by a running forearm. Edge with a flapjack to Miz and then he sets for the Spear because he pulls his hair. Riley grabs Edge’s leg and distracts him long enough for Miz to recover and try for the Skull Crushing Finale. Edge counters with an Impaler DDT but Del Rio breaks up the cover.
We go to the back and we see carnage in the hallway. We see Kane walking away so it looks like after injuring his father last week, he is going to torment people he is not related to this week.
Back in the ring, Edge with a drop toe hold to Miz and Rey hits the 619 and Edge with a spear to Miz. Before the referee can make his count, Kane’s pyro goes off and even though Kane is not the fastest man in the world as he comes to the ring, Edge ignores his opponent as he waits for Kane to enter the ring.
Kane takes Edge down and he punches him. Miz and Riley head for the hills and Del Rio attacks Rey on the floor. Some of the wrestlers come from the back to try to break up the situation in the ring between Edge and Kane. There is a mass of humanity trying to separate Kane and Edge and they appear to have things under control, but that doesn’t last long. Kane and Edge start punching people so they can fight some more. Kane with a choke slam to Trent Baretta but Edge with a spear to Kane as we go to credits.
2010 - Ring of Honor ran Plymouth, MA. Stu Carapola filed the following report:
-Bobby Cruise opened the show by mentioning anyone who hadn't heard the results of the Louisville tapings that Christopher Daniels defeated Eddie Edwards for the ROH TV Title last weekend.
-Kenny King defeated Adam Cole in a really good opener. Cole is obviously a rookie in ROH but was given a really strong run at King and came really close on several occasions to putting him away. Cole seemed to come down hard on his knee at one point when King dumped him to the outside and it looked tender for a moment or two, but he shook it off and it didn't seem to slow him down too much. King caught Cole coming off the top rope and turned it into the Royal Flush to get the win. Cole got a loud ovation after the match.
-Mike Bennett defeated Colt Cabana in another solid match. Bennett carries himself really well, he's got the look and is a solid worker as well. He's definitely got that star package and had a really competitive match with Cabana. Some comedy stuff found its way in but this was otherwise a straightforward match that ended when Cabana had Bennett in the Billy Goat's Curse but Bob Evans distracted Cabana and allowed Bennett to roll Cabana up and get the win.
-ROH TV Champion Christopher Daniels defeated Andy "Right Leg" Ridge in the final match of Ridge's Trial Series. This was the best match I've ever seen Ridge have, Ridge was very competitive and at one point hit a superkick that knocked Daniels out but the momentum sent Daniels to the floor, and by the time Ridge got him back in the ring, he was only able to get 2. Ridge went for another superkick but Daniels ducked and hit the Angel's Wings to pick up the win. Good match, and definitely not a slam dunk for Daniels. Daniels cut a postmatch promo telling Ridge that he knows he's worked hard to improve and not to be disappointed about losing because he may not have the experience, but he does have the heart and he's got a great future ahead of him.
-Bobby Cruise announced a return date to Plymouth for Friday, March 18th.
-Kevin Steen & Steve Corino defeated Jay & Mark Briscoe in a really good match. They started fighting on the floor to jump start the match and brawled around ringside. Hard hitting match, Steen & Corino got the win when Mark went for the Cutthroat Driver on Corino, but Steen nailed him and hit a Package Piledriver and Corino covered Mark for the win. Steen grabbed a microphone and told Generico that he's going to die tomorrow night. Jay Briscoe grabbed the microphone after Steen & Corino left and said that it didn't matter about tonight, because Papa Briscoe's going to be in the house tomorrow and they're coming for the Kings Of Wrestling, and then reminded us that if we can't be there, that we can order the iPPV on gofightlive.tv. I was a bit surprised to see the Briscoes lose, but it makes sense to make Steen look strong since he's main eventing tomorrow night. Also, it really was a good match and I feel like the Briscoes have gotten back into their groove and have been having some really strong matches in the last few months.
INTERMISSION
-El Generico won a Four Corner Survival over Grizzly Redwood, Rhett Titus, and Ricky Reyes. This match was all about the other three guys building to Generico tagging in and destroying everyone else in the match. Generico won with a brainbuster on Grizzly, then started to pick him up for a second brainbuster, then changed his mind and set him up for a Package Piledriver but Steve Corino came out and stopped him. Corino went on to say that Steen and Generico have been going at it for a year now and it needs to end, and that can happen if Generico just takes the mask off because now it's unsanctioned and Corino can't control Steen anymore. Generico statrts to take the mask off but then kills Corino with a running Yakuza Kick and attacks him until the Jobber Patrol comes out to pull him off.
-TJ Perkins defeated Kyle O'Reilly. I saw these two wrestle one another at EVOLVE earlier this year, and that match was really good but I think they topped it here. They did a lot of mat work early on with chain wrestling and submission, which didn't get over with the crowd at all. They got a better reaction once they moved on and started opening up with the high impact kicks. They did a series of pinfall reversal sequences until O'Reilly went for the Magistral Cradle but Perkins countered to a cradle of his own for the win.
-ROH World Champion Roderick Strong defeated Sonjay Dutt in an excellent non-title match. Sonjay was a last minute replacement for the injured Kenny Omega, and he took advantage of the opportunity and had a good showing for himself, busting his ass out there and being the Sonjay Dutt he should have been during his ROH run last year. Roderick put Dutt away with a vertical suplex into a backbreaker.
-The Kings Of Wrestling defeated the American Wolves in a hard fought, back and forth match that went over a half hour. I'd have to sit and watch all three matches again, but I think this may have been better than either of the KOW-Briscoes matches from Big Bang and Death Before Dishonor VIII. Eddie Edwards in particular looked like a million bucks and it took three rolling elbows from Hero to finally put him down. The KOW attacked the Wolves after the match and left them laying, and then after they were gone and the Wolves were back up, they got a standing ovation and Davey cut a promo saying that this was supposed to be their last match as a team, but he thinks the Kings OF Wrestling are on the run and they were never a team that was put together to be commercially successful, and it doesn't matter what title you put on the DVDs, they're a brotherhood and they're what ROH is all about, and the fans are all a part of that brotherhood.
This show was excellent, it's far and away the best ROH house show (ie not HDNet, iPPV, or in New York) that I've been to in a very long time. For the first time in a long time I felt like a real effort was made to put on a show that was terrific from top to bottom, and the difference was noticeable. The main event blew me away and everything underneath was solid to very good, and as a fan I really hope that ROH continues presenting house shows like this because it was everything I first fell in love with about the company.
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