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January 25th
On this day in history in ....
1914 - Walter Miller defeats Eugene Tremblay to win the World Lightweight Title in Fort William, Ontario, ending Tremblay's second reign.
1940 - Pantaleon Manlapig defeats Sandor Szabo in Salinas, California for the San Francisco Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title, ending Szabo's sixth reign.
1949 - Lee Henning wins his fourth San Francisco NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title, ending the 10th reign for Sandor Szabo in San Francisco, California.
1950 - Yvon Robert defeats Whipper Billy Watson to win the Toronto NWA British Empire Heavyweight Title in Montreal, Quebec. This began Robért's third reign and ended Watson's ninth.
1951 - Tarzan Kowalski defeats Bill Longson in Kansas City, Kansas for the NWA Heart of America (later known as Central States) Heavyweight Title.
1952 - Ivan Kalmikoff and Duke Keomuka defeat Miguel Gúzman and Rito Romero to win the vacant NWA Texas Tag Team Title in Houston, Texas.
1954 - Wilbur Snyder and Sandor Szabo defeat Lord James Blears and John Tolos to become the first NWA International Television Tag Team Champions in Hollywood, California.
1961 - Sam Steamboat defeats Dick Hutton for the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title in Honolulu, Hawaii.
1963 - Buddy Rogers makes his first defense of the WWWF World Heavyweight Title, defeating Bobo Brazil in New Haven, Connecticut.
1964 - Dominic DeNucci defeats Ray Stevens for the San Francisco NWA United States Heavyweight Title in San Francisco, California, ending Stevens' fourth reign.
1965 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results:
- The Golden Terror defeated Steve Stanlee.
- Don McClarity defeated Smasher Sloan.
- Sweet Daddy Siki defeated Luke Graham.
- Wahoo McDaniel defeated Boris Malenko.
- Dr. Jerry and Eddie Graham defeated Haystacks Calhoun and Miguel Pérez.
- Bobo Brazil and Gorilla Monsoon fought to a 20-minute time-limit draw.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino and Bill Watts defeated Gene Kiniski and Waldo Von Erich by disqualification.
1965 - The Mad Russian and El Shareef defeat Luther Lindsay and Pepper Martin to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title, ending Lindsay and Martin's second reign.
1969 - Stan Pulaski and Chris Tolos defeat Butcher and Mad Dog Vachon in Omaha, Nebraska for the AWA Midwest Tag Team Title.
1969 - Assassin #2 (Tom Renesto) and The Professional (Doug Gilbert) defeat Alberto and Ramon Torres to win the NWA Georgia Tag Team Title, ending the Torres' fourth reign.
1972 - Dean Ho and Fritz Von Erich defeat Thunderbolt Patterson and Johnny Valentine for the NWA American Tag Team Title in Dallas, Texas.
1972 - El Mongol wins his eighth NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title, defeating Buddy Colt in Macon, Georgia, ending Colt's third reign. At the same event, Flash and Rocket Monroe defeat Bob Armstrong and Bill Dromo for the NWA Macon Tag Team Title.
1974 - The Wrestling Pro defeats Dick Dunn to win the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title in Dothan, Alabama, beginning the Pro's third reign and ended Dunn's third.
1975 - Bobo Brazil defeats The Sheik in Detroit, Michigan for his seventh Detroit NWA United States Heavyweight Title, ending Sheik's seventh reign.
1978 - Championship Wrestling from Florida hosted the "Superbowl of Wrestling" at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, with 12,000 fans attending. The show was given its name because it took place just over a week after Super Bowl XII. It was headlined by a world title unification match between WWWF Champion Superstar Billy Graham and NWA Champion Harley Race. The results were:
- Keith Franks (Adrian Adonis, subbing for Black Angus) pinned John Ruffin after a neckbreaker.
- Bobby Duncum pinned Don Serrano after a shoulderbreaker.
- NWA Americas Tag Team Champion Chavo Guerrero pinned Tank Patton after a neckbreaker.
- Joyce Grable won a ladies' battle royal. Also in the match were: Suzette Ferriera, Leilani Kai, Pepper LaBianca, Wenona Little Heart, Tandy Rich, Terry Shane, and Vicki Williams.
- Ivan Putski defeated Ox Baker by TKO with a full nelson.
- Rocky Johnson defeated Killer Karl Kox by reverse decision. Kox had won the match by pinning Johnson after hitting him with a foreign object, but Jack and Jerry Brisco came to the ring and informed the referee as to what happened.
- Jack and Jerry Brisco defeated NWA Florida Tag Team Champions Ivan Koloff and Mr. Saito, when Jack pinned Koloff with a cradle, to win the title. This ended Koloff and Saito's third reign and began the Briscos' sixth.
- NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion Pedro Morales pinned Lars Anderson with a cradle.
- Mike Graham and Steve Keirn defeated NWA Florida United States Tag Team Champions Jimmy and Johnny Valiant, when Keirn made Johnny submit with a sleeper hold, to win the title.
- NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Champion Dusty Rhodes defeated Ken Patera by countout.
- WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham and NWA World Champion Harley Race fought to a 60-minute time-limit draw in a two-out-of-three falls title unification match. Gorilla Monsoon and Don Curtis were the alternating special referees for the match. Graham defeated Race by submission with a bearhug in the first fall, and Race pinned Graham with suplex from the apron into the ring in the second fall. The time limit expired during the third fall, just as the count was beginning for Race having Graham covered after knocking him out with a sleeper hold.
1978 - The Dynamite Kid wins the British Welterweight Title in Preston, England, defeating Jim Breaks, ending his fourth reign.
1978 - The Black Avenger and Don Wayt defeat Gama Singh and Igor Volkoff in Vancouver, British Columbia to win the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Title.
1979 - The Angel and The Assassin defeat Dusty Rhodes and The Spoiler, after Spoiler turned on Rhodes, for the Tri-State NWA United States Tag Team Title.
1982 - Roger Kirby and Jerry Valiant (Guy Mitchell) defeat Eddie Gilbert and Ricky Romero for the NWA Central States Tag Team Title in Wichita, Kansas.
1983 - The Fabulous Kangaroos (Johnny Heffernan and Don Kent) defeat Ron Bass and Barry Windham to win the NWA Florida Global Tag Team Title in Miami, Florida.
1983 - Kwick-Kick Lee (Akira Maeda) defeats Wayne Bridges for the European Heavyweight Title in London, England.
1984 - Angelo Mosca, Jr. defeats Iwan Koloff to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title in Shelby, North Carolina.
1986 - Jerry Lawler defeats Lars Anderson in Singapore for the NWA Polynesian Wrestling Polynesian Pacific Heavyweight Title, ending Anderson's fourth reign.
1988 - The WWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results were:
- Scott Casey pinned José Estrada after a shoulderbreaker. This match aired on the February 11 edition of Prime Time Wrestling.
- Sam Houston pinned Danny Davis with a small package. This match aired on the March 14 edition of Prime Time Wrestling.
- Butch Reed (with Slick) pinned The Junkyard Dog with a roll-up and a handful of tights, after JYD chased Slick into the ring.
- Omar Atlas pinned Dusty Wolfe with a roll-up. This match aired on the February 11 edition of Prime Time Wrestling.
- The One Man Gang (with Slick) pinned Don Muraco (with Billy Graham), after Butch Reed interfered and hit Muraco with Slick's cane while the refere was distracted.
- Bam Bam Bigelow (with Oliver Humperdink) and WWF Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Ted DiBiase and Virgil (with Andre the Giant), when Bigelow pinned Virgil with a splash after Hogan hit the legdrop.
- The Young Stallions (Jim Powers and Paul Roma) defeated Barry Horowitz and Steve Lombardi, when Powers pinned Lombardi after a powerslam.
- Jim Duggan pinned King Harley Race (with Bobby Heenan), by reversing a crossbody off the top rope.
- Ron Bass pinned Hillbilly Jim with a double-underhook facebuster. This match aired on the February 19 edition of Prime Time Wrestling.
- The Islanders (Haku and Tama) defeated The British Bulldogs (The Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith) by disqualification, when the Bulldogs used a leash on their opponents that was originally brought to the ring by Bobby Heenan.
1989 - Mighty Inoue defeats Joe Malenko to win the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Title in Osaka, Japan.
1990 - Al Madril defeats Rex King for the NWA Pacific Northwest Television Title in Salem, Oregon, beginning Madril's third reign.
1991 - The USWA held a 12-man tournament for the vacant Texas Heavyweight Title in Dallas, Texas at the Sportatorium. This show took place shortly after the USWA took over the World Class territory. The results were:
First round:
- Mike Davis defeated Billy Travis.
- Bill Dundee defeated John Tatum.
- Jeff Jarrett defeated Sumo Ricky.
- Gary Young defeated Eric Embry.
- Steve Austin defeated Steven Dane.
- The California Stud defeated Khris Germany.
Semifinals:
- Bill Dundee defeated Mike Davis.
- Gary Young defeated Jeff Jarrett.
- Steve Austin and The California Stud fought to a double disqualification.
Finals:
- Bill Dundee defeated Gary Young to win the vacant USWA Texas Heavyweight Title.
1992 - Brad Rhenigans and Baron Von Raschke defeat The Punishers (Sledge and Hammer) to win the Pro Wrestling America Tag Team Title in Annandale, Minnesota.
1992 - Ole Olsen defeats Moondog Moretti for the West Coast Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title in Chilliwack, British Columbia.
1993 - Ron and Don Harris win their second USWA Tag Team Title, defeating Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Lawler in a tournament final in Memphis, Tennessee.
1995 - WCW held Clash of the Champions XXX at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. The aired live on TBS, earning a 3.5 rating. The results:
- In a dark match, Brad and Scott Armstrong defeated Bunkhouse Buck and Dick Slater.
- WCW World Television Champion Arn Anderson (with Col. Robert Parker and Meng) pinned Johnny B. Badd after a DDT to retain the title, after Parker and Meng interfered.
- Alex Wright pinned Bobby Eaton with a reverse crossbody off the top rope.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray (with Sister Sherri)) defeated Stars-N-Stripes (Marcus Alexander Bagwell and The Patriot) to retain the title, when Stevie Ray pinned Bagwell with a rollup after Booker hit a scissors kick on Bagwell.
- Sting defeated Avalanche by submission with the Scorpion Deathlock.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan (with Jimmy Hart) and Randy Savage defeated The Butcher and Kevin Sullivan, when Hogan pinned Butcher with the legdrop.
1997 - The WWF held two events at two seperate venues in New York City, New York.
In the afternoon, there was a show at Madison Square Garden. The results were:
- Rocky Maivia defeated Salvatore Sincere.
- Crush and Faarooq defeated Ahmed Johnson and Savio Vega when Vega turned on Johnson. The Nation of Domination all attacked Johnson after the match.
- Steve Austin defeated Goldust.
- The Godwinns (Henry and Phineas) defeated Bob Holly and WWF Tag Team Champion Owen Hart.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeated Jake Roberts.
- Bret Hart defeated Vader by disqualification.
- Sycho Sid defeated The Undertaker by countout.
- WWF Champion Shawn Michaels defeated Mankind.
That evening, the focus shifted to just three miles to the southeast of the Garden, Webster Hall, for a live Shotgun Saturday Night. In an interesting note, footage of Webster Hall dancers from this show is still used to this day in the D-Generation X entrance video. The results were:
- Bret Hart defeated Mankind by disqualification, after Owen Hart attacked Bret while he had Mankind in the Sharpshooter.
- Savio Vega defeated Rocky Maivia by countout after Maivia injured his leg after being thrown to the floor. Before the match, Todd Pettingill interviewed Vega about turning on Ahmed Johnson earlier in the day at Madison Square Garden, with Savio apologizing and blaming his Latin temper for the incident and denying that he had joined the Nation of Domination. After the match, Savio, Crush and Faarooq all attacked Rocky Maivia.
- Jake Roberts pinned Salvatore Sincere after the DDT. Sincere received a Pedigree from WWF Intercontinental Champion Hunter Hearst Helmsley after the match.
- Crush defeated Sycho Sid by disqualification, after Sid hit Crush with a chair.
1997 - WCW held the first-annual Souled Out pay-per-view, billed as an nWo pay-per-view not promoted by WCW, with Eric Bischoff and Ted DiBiase on commentary, and featuring all WCW vs. nWo matches. The show was held at the Five Seasons Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. All matches were overseen by nWo referee Nick Patrick. The "nWo promoted" format only mustered a 0.47 buyrate, and the show was rebranded as a WCW show the next year. The results were:
- Masahiro Chono (nWo) pinned Chris Jericho (WCW) after a Yakuza kick.
- Big Bubba Rogers (nWo) defeated Hugh Morrus (with Jimmy Hart) (WCW) in a Mexican Death (last man standing) match, after Morrus was hit by Rogers on a motorcycle.
- Jeff Jarrett (WCW) pinned Mr. Wallstreet (nWo), after interference from Steve McMichael.
- Buff Bagwell (nWo) pinned Scotty Riggs (WCW) after the Blockbuster.
- Scott Norton (nWo) defeated Diamond Dallas Page by countout. Page was surrounded by members of the nWo and they offered for him to join them. DDP gave a Diamond Cutter to Norton and escaped through the crowd.
- The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) (WCW) defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions The Outsiders (Scott Hall and Kevin Nash) (nWo), when Rick pinned Hall after a diving Bulldog, to win the title. Nick Patrick had been knocked out, with WCW referee Randy Anderson running in to make the count. As a result, the title was returned to The Outsiders two nights later on Monday Nitro.
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Eddy Guerrero (WCW) defeated Syxx (nWo) in a Ladder match to retain the title.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hollywood Hulk Hogan (nWo) fought The Giant (WCW) to a no contest to retain the title, after other members of the nWo came out and attacked The Giant.
1998 - Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue defeat Johnny Ace and Kenta Kobashi for the AJPW Unified World Tag Team title in Yokohama, Japan. This ended Ace and Kobashi's second reign and began Kawada and Taue's fifth.
1999 - The Monday Night War waged on, with WWF RAW is WAR defeating WCW Monday Nitro by a half-point, 5.5 to 5.0 in the ratings.
WCW Monday Nitro came live from Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas. The results:
- Disco Inferno pinned Al Greene.
- Bam Bam Bigelow and Scott Hall fought to a no contest in a ladder match.
- The Faces of Fear (The Barbarian and Meng) defeated Dave Taylor and Fit Finlay.
- Perry Saturn pinned Norman Smiley.
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart pinned Booker T.
- Bill Goldberg pinned Scott Norton.
- Chris Benoit, Ric Flair and Steve McMichael defeated WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan, WCW World Television Champion Scott Steiner and Kevin Nash by disqualification.
WWF RAW is WAR was live from America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. Also taped were matches for the January 30 Shotgun Saturday Night, January 31 Sunday Night Heat (all but the Rock-Mankind Empty Arena match, which was taped the next night in Tucson) and February 7 Super Astros. A total of 15 matches were held. The show's results were:
- In a pre-show dark match, The Navajo Kid defeated Lee Ickle.
Shotgun Saturday Night:
- The Godfather defeated D'Lo Brown by disqualification.
- The Disciples of Apocalypse (8-Ball and Skull) defeated Bob Holly and Scorpio.
RAW is WAR:
- Billy Gunn (with Triple H) pinned Goldust.
- Droz defeated George Steele.
- Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett defeated WWF Tag Team Champions The Big Bossman and WWF Intercontinental Champion Ken Shamrock, after the Blue Blazer interfered and hit Shamrock over the head with Jarrett's guitar, to win the title.
- Test pinned Val Venis, after Ken Shamrock interfered and hit Venis with a chair. Billy Gunn made the save but Venis attacked Gunn, as he thought he was the one that attacked him.
- Al Snow and WWF Hardcore Champion Road Dogg defeated Edge and Gangrel in a hardcore match.
- WWF Champion The Rock defeated Triple H (with Chyna) in an I Quit match to retain the title, after Triple H said agreed to lose the match if The Corporation wouldn't hurt Chyna. After the match, Chyna turned on Triple H and joined The Corporation.
Sunday Night Heat:
- The Big Bossman pinned WWF Tag Team Champion Jeff Jarrett.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Ken Shamrock pinned WWF Tag Team Champion Owen Hart, after interference from the Blue Blazer backfired.
Super Astros:
- El Hijo del Santo defeated ÃÂguila.
- Armando Fernandez defeated El Merenguero.
- El Bandito defeated Negro Casas.
In a dark match after all the tapings:
- The Undertaker defeated WWF Champion The Rock by disqualification.
2000 - WCW tapes Thunder at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show aired the next night on TBS, earning a 2.7 rating. The show featured WCW Commissioner Kevin Nash, who had just been defeated by Sid Vicious the previous night on Nitro in Los Angeles for the vacant WCW World Heavyweight Title, stripping Sid of the title and awarding it to himself, to begin his third reign. The results of the show:
- The Maestro defeated Norman Smiley in a hardcore match.
- The Artist Formerly Known as Prince Iaukea pinned Kid Romeo in a WCW Cruiserweight Title Tournament match.
- Terry Funk pinned The Demon.
- Lex Luger defeated Buff Bagwell by disqualification.
- Disco Inferno and WCW World Tag Team Champions The Mamalukes (Big Vito and Johnny the Bull) defeated 3 Count (Evan Karagias, Shannon Moore and Shane Helms).
- Booker T pinned Jerry Flynn.
- Bam Bam Bigelow pinned Fit Finlay in a hardcore match.
- Sid Vicious defeated Ron Harris and WCW World Heavyweight Champion Kevin Nash in a three-way steel cage match to win the title, beginning his second reign.
2002 - Dennis McHawes defeats Butch Reed for the World League Wrestling Heavyweight Title in Imperial, Missouri.
2003 - Alexis Laree (Mickie James) defeats April Hunter and Serena in a three-way match in Flemington, New Jersey to become the first CyberSpace Wrestling Federation (later NWA Cyberspace and NWA Shockwave) Women's Champion.
2003 - Tommy Diablo defeats Alex Montalvo in Cayey, Puerto Rico to win the WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign.
2003 - The NWA Florida Heavyweight Title switches hands twice in Pinellas Park, Florida. Billy Fives won the title from Danny Doring, ending his second reign. Fives then lost the title to Agent Steele.
2003 - In Ocoee, Florida, two NWA Florida titles are decided. Mr. Wrestling 4 defeats Donnie York to win the vacant NWA Florida Junior Heavyweight Title, and Big Bad John (Jon Heidenreich) defeats Magnum Steele to become the first NWA Mid-Florida Heavyweight Champion.
2003 - The Dirty Rotten Scoundrelz (K.C. Blade and E.C. Negro) defeat Mafia and Johnny D. for the Jersey All-Pro Wrestling Tag Team Title in Bayonne, New Jersey.
2003 - Church defeats Biggie Biggs to win the NWA New Jersey State Heavyweight Title in Manahawkin, New Jersey. At the same show, The Power Company (Dave and Dean Power) are awarded the NWA Over-the-Top Tag Team Title, formerly known as the NWA Jersey Tag Team Title.
2004 - The Royal Rumble was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the Wachovia Center, and featured Chris Benoit setting a new Royal Rumble longevity record (later to be broken by Rey Mysterio) of 61 minutes and 30 seconds, besting Bob Backlund's 1993 record by 20 seconds, while also winning the main event. Here is Tim Whitehead's original report on the show:
WWE held their annual Royal Rumble PPV live from Philadelphia. I thought it was a thumbs' up show, largely thanks to the Rumble itself and the overall effort. It was, in my opinion, an improvement over last month's bland Armageddon PPV, which I missed reviewing due to work commitments. The two world title matches on the show included one that was basically average and one that was great until the terrible finish, which the crowd hated so badly that Jim Ross had to acknowledge it. The live crowd did seem up for most of the show, which helped, and commentary was solid. The JR & Tazz combo for the Rumble match was interesting.
RIC FLAIR & BATISTA defeated THE DUDLEYS in a tables match in 4:23 to retain the RAW World Tag Titles. Jonathan Coachman joined JR & Jerry Lawler on the mic here, which fortunately was a short-term deal. Batista ran down the Eagles, likely because there was some concern that the Philly fans would cheer any tag team with Flair on it. The Dudleys attacked Flair & Batista on the floor before the bell. In the ring, they set Flair up to be suplexed through a table. Batista moved the table in time, but unfortunately it fell back down on Flair & the Dudleys, which looked dangerous. D-Von hit a neckbreaker on Batista and lariated him out. Flair backed Bubba Ray up against the table and chopped him. Bubba did his Dusty Rhodes fisticuffs deal on Flair. Flair went to the top, but got tossed off as always. At this point, Coach left the desk and got on the apron, presumably to distract the Dudleys. Bubba dragged him in the ring and tore his shirt off, to reveal bandaged ribs from being put through a table on RAW. The Dudleys set Coach up for the wazzup, but Flair made the save by tossing Bubba from the ring. Batista then came out of nowhere and put D-Von through the table for the sudden win. The match was pretty clumsy as they weren't in synch with one another at all. Not a good opener for the show.
John Cena did a rapping promo predicting victory in the Rumble.
They showed an empty front row seat, which had been set aside by Steve Austin for Mick Foley. Austin had demanded on RAW that Foley show up and kick Randy Orton's ass.
REY MYSTERIO JR. defeated JAMIE NOBLE in 3:13 to retain the Cruiserweight Title. The blind Nidia accompanied Noble. Mysterio went for the 619 early but Noble caught him and slammed him. Noble chopped and hot-shotted Mysterio, scoring some twos. On commentary, Michael Cole said that Nidia was watching the match from ringside, and Tazz had to remind him that she's blind. Mysterio hit a great dropkick, huracanrana, and bulldog combo for a near fall. Noble got his knees up when Mysterio went for a splash. Mysterio then blocked a tiger driver. Noble rebounded off the ropes and Nidia tripped him, though it was unclear whether she tripped him on purpose or thought she was tripping Mysterio. Either way, it led to Mysterio connecting with the 619 and scoring the pin. The match was hot, but way too short to be meaningful. Noble yelled at Nidia afterward for causing him to lose, though she insisted it was an accident.
EDDIE GUERRERO defeated CHAVO GUERRERO JR. in 8:04. There were huge "Eddie" chants here, as he was over at a superstar level. Chavo slapped his face. They felt each other out slowly at first, with the story being that they know each other's moves so well. Eddie began scoring takedowns, leading a frustrated Chavo to take a cheap shot at him. Eddie kept avoiding using brawling tactics, since he wanted to prove he could out-wrestle Chavo. However, Eddie did jab a thumb into Chavo's eye. Both ended up bumping out, where Chavo Sr. was waiting. Sr. rammed Eddie into the stairs. Back in the ring, Eddie hooked an armbar submission. Chavo made the ropes. Chavo used brawling tactics, which Eddie continued to avoid. Each scored a few twos. Chavo went for the multiple suplexes, but only hit two before Eddie blocked him. Eddie then hit three straight suplexes and won with the frog splash. The match was okay, and Eddie got great heat in spots, but it wasn't as action-packed as you'd expect. Afterward, Eddie snapped and began beating the hell out of the downed Chavo. Sr. tried to make the save but Eddie tied him to the ropes and put the boots to him. Eddie continued to beat Chavo, who juiced big, right in front of Sr., who was tied up and helpless to save his son. Chavo was left laying in a bloody heap.
Chris Benoit was doing a promo about the Rumble when he was interrupted by Flair, Batista, and Orton. Flair cut a great promo, boasting about Evolution, and saying that Benoit's status as the greatest technical wrestler on earth wouldn't be enough to stop Orton in the Rumble.
BROCK LESNAR defeated HARDCORE HOLLY in 6:30 to retain the WWE World Title. Holly attacked Lesnar on the floor and posted him twice before the bell. Lesnar made a comeback when Holly missed an elbow. Lesnar stomped and kicked Holly and threw some suplexes. Lesnar kept tying Holly up in an abdominal hold on the mat, with the storyline being that he feared Holly's brawling and was trying to keep him on the mat. Lesnar also applied a bearhug. Holly brawled free, but Lesnar suplexed the hell out of him. Lesnar applied another mat hold. Holly escaped and flapjacked Lesnar. He applied the full nelson on Lesnar, with Cole & Tazz screaming that he was trying to break Lesnar's neck. Lesnar escaped on the ropes, hot-shotted Holly, and hit the F5 for the pin, which drew a big babyface pop. Match was average.
TRIPLE H retained the RAW World Title in a draw with SHAWN MICHAELS in 22:47 of a Last Man Standing match. This was the match that began pulling the show into the thumbs' up category, though the ending came close to ruining it. They opened with fists and chops and then traded spots on the mat. HHH laid Heartbreak Kid out with a knee. He twice sent HBK's back crashing into the turnbuckles and then began working on the back. HBK hooked a figure four out of nowhere and kept it on for a while, hoping to put HHH down for the count. But HHH got back up pretty quickly when the ref started to count to ten. HBK went for a flying crossbody. HHH ducked and HBK sailed out for a major bump to the floor. HHH tried to pedigree HBK through the broadcast desk but HBK blocked it and they ended up returning to the ring. HHH went for another pedigree but this time HBK backdropped him out to the floor. HBK went for a springboard crossbody, but HHH ducked once again and HBK crashed through the Spanish desk. HBK juiced a major gusher. Back once again in the ring, HHH kept pounding on HBK's open wound. Each time HBK would stagger back up at a seven or eight count. HHH had a look on his face like he couldn't believe HBK kept fighting back. HHH got a chair (legal, by the way, under last man standing rules) and walloped HBK across the back. HBK got back up at the count of nine. HBK blocked a pedigree attempt on the chair and instead catapulted HHH, somewhat weakly, into the turnbuckles. HBK then nailed HHH with a hard chairshot and HHH began juicing heavily, though not at HBK's level. HBK hit a flying forearm and both went down for a count of eight, with HBK kipping up. The crowd popped big for most of these moves. HBK laid HHH out again and hit an elbow off the top. He went for the sweet chin music, but HHH avoided it and hit a low blow. Both went down for another eight count. HBK put HHH down for nine with a sleeper. HHH hit a DDT which put HBK down for seven. HBK countered a superplex and both went down for eight yet again. HHH finally connected with the pedigree, and HBK made it back up at like nine and three-quarters. Then, out of the blue, HBK hit the sweet chin music to a huge pop. That was awesome, but it came to a big anti-climax when both went down and couldn't make it back up at ten. The story was that HBK lost so much blood that hitting the sweet chin music drained him of his last ounce of strength and he went down along with HHH. The crowd booed the hell out of the announcement that the match was a draw. JR had to admit the crowd was pissed. Great match, bad ending. Both guys did stretcher jobs, but HBK got off his stretcher on the ramp, insisting on walking out.
Eric Bischoff came out and bragged that the RAW brand has superior "entertainers" and a smarter general manager than Smackdown. He called Paul Heyman a joke who once ran shows in a run-down rinky-dink bingo hall. He laughed about Heyman getting his mouth washed out with soap by Benoit & Cena two weeks ago, claiming that he (Bischoff) has the respect of his wrestlers. Heyman came out and attacked Bischoff. As they were rolling around on the mat, Austin arrived on his ATV. He called Bischoff & Heyman a couple of jackasses who were wasting PPV time in violation of the law. He demanded to know who started the fight. Each, of course, blamed the other. Austin acted like he believed Heyman, and gave Bischoff a stunner. He offered Heyman a beer, but then stunned him as well. Kind of entertaining.
Goldberg was being interviewed when Lesnar walked up. Lesnar recalled that Goldberg had once interrupted one of his interviews. He laughed at Goldberg for no longer having a title. Goldberg acted like he saw Hardcore Holly standing behind Lesnar, and Lesnar freaked out and started looking all over like he was scared. That was funny. Goldberg then said that everyone is calling Mick Foley a coward, but it's really someone else who's the coward. Lesnar looked pissed as Goldberg departed.
Foley, by the way, still hadn't arrived, which led JR to sadly admit to Tazz that Foley indeed appeared to have turned coward.
CHRIS BENOIT won the Royal Rumble at 1:01:34. You already know the rules, so here's how it went! BENOIT (#1) went in first, having been forced into this position by Paul Heyman. RANDY ORTON (#2) arrived and they went at it. Benoit suplexed Orton and put the boots to him. MARK HENRY (#3) arrived. He headbutted Benoit and stomped both Benoit and Orton. TAJIRI (#4) went in. He caught Orton with a handspring elbow before being flattened by Benoit. BRADSHAW (#5) arrived and lariated everyone but Benoit. Benoit ended up eliminating Bradshaw quickly as they struggled against the ropes. RHYNO (#6) came in and gored Henry. Tajiri sprayed the mist in Henry's eyes and Benoit tipped Henry over the ropes for an elimination. Rhyno eliminated Tajiri. MATT HARDY (#7) came in, followed by SCOTT STEINER (#8). Steiner went to town with lariats and suplexes before being suplexed himself by Benoit, who was the superstar of the Rumble. MATT MORGAN (#9) came in. He cleaned house but looked a little green. HURRICANE (#10) blew in but blew right back out when Morgan hurled him like a dart from the ring for an elimination. BOOKER T (#11) arrived. He chopped the hell out of Steiner and scissor kicked Orton. Booker eliminated Steiner. KANE (#12) came in. Kane chokeslammed Benoit, Morgan, and Orton. He blocked a gore from Rhyno. SPIKE DUDLEY (#13) started to the ring, but instead of his music, Undertaker's music played. This frightened Kane, who was distracted and eliminated by Booker. Kane blamed Spike, who apparently was a victim of circumstances here, and assulted him on the ramp with a sick chokeslam. Spike was thus unable to continue and was eliminated before even getting in the ring. Undertaker, by the way, wasn't there, as his music playing was a tease by him to get at Kane. RIKISHI (#14) came in and used his girth to bounce everyone around. He backed his ass up on Morgan. Benoit, meanwhile, eliminated Rhyno. RENE DUPREE (#15) arrived. He immediately eliminated Hardy. Rikishi then quickly eliminated Dupree. A-TRAIN (#16) came in. Benoit eliminated Morgan. Orton, who made a good showing in the Rumble, eliminated both Rikishi and Booker. SHELTON BENJAMIN (#17) came in and eliminated A-Train, but Orton then eliminated Benjamin. This left only Benoit and Orton (the first two entrants) in the ring, and they went back at it with one another. ERNEST MILLER (#18) arrived, accompanied by Lamont. They danced. Benoit threw Lamont out and Orton eliminated Miller. KURT ANGLE (#19) arrived to a big pop. a good three-way erupted between him and Benoit and Orton. RICO (#20) arrived. Rico got in some good moves, but he was eliminated by Orton following an RKO. TEST (#21) was supposed to be next, but no one arrived when his music played. The cameras cut backstage where Test was shown lying unconscious on the floor, a victim of an assault by someone. It turned out that Foley was the assailant, and Austin allowed Foley to take Test's place in the Rumble. Foley ran in to a huge pop and went immediately after Orton. They brawled wildly and both ended up bumping over the top together for a double elimination. They continued to brawl on the floor. CHRISTIAN (#22) came in. He went at it with Benoit and Angle, as Orton and Foley continued fighting on the ramp. Orton hit Foley with a sick (and I mean SICK) chairshot. Foley blocked a second chairshot attempt with a low blow. NUNZIO (#23) was in next, but he had the misfortune of meeting Foley on the ramp. The crazed Foley applied the socko claw to him, though that gave Orton the opening to flee and escape. Foley ran after Orton. Nunzio decided to hide out at ringside for a while rather then go in. BIG SHOW (#24) arrived. He was put over big, manhandling Benoit, Angle, and Christian. CHRIS JERICHO (#25) was next. Everyone jumped Show, trying to lift him over but he overpowered them all and sent them scattering. CHARLIE HAAS (#26) came in. Jericho & Christian joined forces to suplex Haas, but Christian then turned on Jericho and tried to eliminate him. But it was Jericho who ended up eliminating Christian, which will no doubt be a story on RAW. The returning BILLY GUNN (#27) came in. He gave famousers to Angle, Benoit, and Show. JOHN CENA (#28) arrived and found Nunzio hiding at ringside. He threw Nunzio in. ROB VAN DAM (#29) went in and they all went at it like in an old-fashioned battle royal. Cena gave Angle an FU. The final entrant was GOLDBERG (#30), who earned the cherished final entry position on RAW last week. Goldberg went wild with spears, sending everyone flying. He eliminated Haas, Gunn, and Nunzio in quick succession. He had Show up, incredibly, for a jackhammer but Lesnar illegally ran in and attacked him. Lesnar gave Goldberg an F5. Goldberg staggered back up but was eliminated from behind by Angle. This may lead to Goldberg jumping to Smackdown. We'll see. This left Angle, Benoit, Cena, Jericho, RVD, and Show. Show became the target as the other five all went after him. Jericho hit him with a lionsault and RVD hit him with the frog splash. Benoit nailed Show with the diving headbutt. They all five tried to lift him over but he was dead weight. But it was a ruse as he suddenly revived and eliminated Cena and RVD out of nowhere. He nearly eliminated Jericho, but he skinned the cat. Jericho bulldogged Show and hooked the walls. Show tapped, but it was meaningless, of course. Angle went after Jericho, allowing Show to revive. Show chokeslammed Jericho out to the floor, eliminating him. Show chokeslammed Benoit in the ring. Angle hit the Olympic slam on Show and hooked the ankle lock, with Show tapping again. Angle released the hold and tried to leverage Show out over the top, but it was Show who eliminated Angle. Angle, who had earlier vowed to win the Rumble as a tribute to our armed forces, acted pissed and heelish at being eliminated. Benoit caught Show with a legdrop and hooked the crossace. Show suplexed his way out. Benoit then hooked the crossface in a standing position as they struggled against the ropes. Show finally went limp enough for Benoit to tip him over for the elimination. Benoit became the second man (Shawn Michaels was the first) to enter as #1 and win the Rumble. Ironically, no one has ever won with #30. It was a very strong Rumble which puts Benoit in the main event at 'Mania XX for a big title match push.
2004 - Teppei Ishizaka and Daigoro Kashiwa defeat Mike Lee, Jr. and Super X for the Kaientai Dojo UWA/UWF Intercontinental Tag Team Title in Chiba, Japan.
2004 - El Cobarde, Jr. defeats El Hijo del Santo to win the World Wrestling Association World Welterweight Title in Juarez, Mexico. This ended El Hijo del Santo's eighth reign.
2004 - Kayoko Haruyama and Kaori Yoneyama defeat Misae Genki and Etsuko Mita in Tokyo, Japan for the vacant JWP Tag Team Title.
2004 - Takako and Shinobu Kandori defeat Amazing Kong and Eagle Sawai to win the Ladies' Legend Pro Wrestling Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.
2007 - Vito defeats champion Bradley Jay and Ryan O'Reilly in a three-way round-robin match in McDonough, Georgia for the Deep South Wrestling Heavyweight Title.
2009 - Mickey Rourke was interviewed about the support of the professional wrestling industry when it comes to "The Wrestler". Rourke said the wrestling industry has been very supportive, specifically naming Ric Flair and Roddy Piper. Rourke then said "It looks like I'm going to Houston for Wrestlemania. Y2J better look out, I'm going to kick his a-s-s". Rourke had come to terms to make an appearance but let the cat out of the bat. Critical reaction to Rourke led to the angle being scrapped and some felt also cost him his Academy Award for the role that year. Rourke did appear at Wrestlemania 25 in a reduced role, punching out Jericho.
2009 - WWE held the Royal Rumble PPV. Buck Woodward filed the following PPV report:
The Royal Rumble opened with a cool video montage of past Royal Rumble moments, leading into shots of entrants in this year's event. When it got to Randy Orton, the video package turned into a recap of Orton insulting Stephanie McMahon and punting Vince McMahon on Raw. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler, in somber tones, said that the McMahon family were keeping details of Vince's injury quiet. They also said Randy Orton would be reprimanded, but didn't know if it would be a fine, suspension or termination (Uh, wasn't Vince going to fire him BEFORE the kick to the head?). They then said "the show must go on".
ECW Champion Jack Swagger vs. Matt Hardy.
Matt Striker and Todd Grisham called this match. Matt and Swagger had a staredown before the introductions, which were done "big fight" style. They locked up, with Hardy breaking clean in the corner, but threatening to throw a punch. They locked up again, and the fans chanted for Hardy as Swagger backed Matt in a corner and tried to punch him, but Hardy blocked it and decked Swagger. Matt hit a series of punches, and Swagger bailed out to the floor. Matt went outside and hit another punch, rammed Swagger into the apron and tossed him into the ring. Matt caught a kick attempt and hit a clothesline. Swagger bailed out of the ring again and tried to regroup.
Swagger got back in and went for a takedown, finally pulling Matt down and applying a hammerlock. Hardy got to his feet, but Swagger rolled him back to the mat and continued to work on the arm. Matt elbowed out of the hammerlock and went for a Twist Of Fate, but Swagger pulled off and fell in a corner. Hardy dropkicked him into the turnbuckles, then hit a bulldog for a two count. Hardy went to the second rope, but Swagger shoved Hardy over the top and to the floor, landing on his shoulder. Swagger threw Matt back in and hit some short-arm shoulderblocks. Swagger tossed Matt into the ropes for another shoulderblock and a two count. Swagger applied an overhead wristlock. Swagger kicked Hardy in a corner, but Matt fought back with punches. Swagger yanked Hardy's arm against the top rope. Hardy went for a clothesline, but Swagger blocked it and hit a boot to the face for a two count.
Swagger went back to work on the arm with an armbar, yanking Hardy up off the mat with it twice. Hardy got to his feet and hit Swagger with his good arm. Hardy then hit an upkick from the mat, and a pair of clotheslines with his good arm. Hardy hit a inverted bulldog for a two count, then a regular bulldog for two. Hardy went to the second rope and hit an elbow to the back of the head for a two count. Hardy called for a Twist Of Fate, but Swagger grabbed him and hit an overhead belly-to-belly suplex for a two count. Swagger went for a cradle suplex, which Hardy blocked, but Swagger then hit a armbreaker for a two count. Swagger put Hardy on the top rope and went for a superplex, but Hardy knocked him to the mat. Matt hit a moonsault for a near fall. Matt then went for a Twist Of Fate, but Swagger shoved it off. Swagger ran into an elbow, and Matt went for a Side Effect. Swagger elbowed out of it and threw Hardy shoulder first into the ringpost. The announcers speculated that Hardy might have hit his head as well. Swagger pulled Hardy out of the corner and hit the gut wrench powerbomb for the pin at the ten minute mark.
Winner: Jack Swagger.
Matt Hardy looked dejected as he left the ring, actually sitting on the ringsteps at one point to collect himself.
They showed how earlier tonight, Randy Orton arrived, with a lot of people staring at him in silence.
Women's Champion Beth Phoenix vs. Melina.
Santino Marella accompanied Phoenix. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler are calling this match. They locked up, and Phoenix threw Melina down on her knees. Melina grabbed a headlock, but Phoenix powered out of it and flipped her to the mat. Phoenix applied a reverse bear hug. There was a chant for Santino, and he actually gave the crowd the "cut it" gesture. Melina foot stomped and elbowed out of the bearhug, but went down when she tried a shoulderblock. Melina used a flying headscissors to go into am armbar. Phoenix lifted Melina while in the amrbar, then put her in a corner. Melina jumped on Phoenix, but Beth dumped her to the mat. Phoenix hit a running knee in the corner for a two count, then applied a kneebar. Melina went for the ropes, but Phoenix pulled her back to center ring. Phoenix bent the kneebar so far, Melina was being in hit in the head with her own foot! Phoenix released it, and Melina hit a kick near the ropes, but Phoenix planted her with a side slam. Phoenix put Melina in a corner, then pressed her overhead and walked around the ring with her. Melina slid out and there seemed to be some miscommunication. Melina hit a jawbreaker, and slid under Phoenix and grabbed a sunset flip for two. Melina rammed Phoenix to the mat by her hair and scored a two count, then booted a charging Phoenix and hit a second rope Thesz Press, followed by a mulekick. Melina went for a legdrop on a standing Phoenix, but Phoenix stopped it. Melina went for a bodyscissors, which Phoenix blocked, but Melina swung around her, rolled up Phoenix with a sunset flip and got the three count at the six minute mark.
Winner and new Women's Champion: Melina.
A video package on JBL and Shawn Michaels' "business arrangement" and how it led to JBL vs. Cena was shown.
Backstage, Shawn Michaels was staring at himself in a mirror. JBL told him if he wins the World Title tonight, he would give Shawn Michaels all of the money he said he would, tonight, and Shawn would not have to work for him ever again. JBL said if he wins the World Title tonight, he would allow Shawn to compete in the Royal Rumble, so he could go on and headline Wrestlemania once again. JBL left the room. Shawn turned to leave, and found himself face-to-face with the Undertaker. Undertaker said "Sometimes, it's hell getting to heaven." Shawn and Undertaker stared at each other, then JBL called to him from the hallway, and Shawn exited the room.
World Heavyweight Champion John Cena vs. JBL, with Shawn Michaels in his corner.
Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler called this match. No limo for JBL's entrance tonight. They did the "big fight" introductions again. JBL got all boos, Cena got a mixed reaction. Cena grabbed an arm and took JBL down at the start, then applied a side headlock. JBL kneed out of it and hit a side mare. JBL hit a shoulderblock, but Cena leapfrogged him and hit a back elbow. JBL rolled to the floor to regroup, and he whispered something to Michaels. Back in the ring, JBL hit a forearm, then a series of punches and a boot to the face in the corner. Cena reversed a whip by JBL and hit a bulldog for a two count, then Cena hit the Throwback for a two count. JBL rolled to the floor again. Cena chased after JBL, who ducked a Cena clothesline. Cena came face to face with Michaels, and JBL hit Cena from behind. JBL rammed Cena into the ringsteps, then rolled him back into the ring for a two count.
JBL hit a kick to the head and decked Cena. There were dueling chants, pro and con Cena. JBL hit a short arm clothesline, then five consecutive elbowdrops for a two count. JBL snapmared Cena, then applied a crossface. Cena powered up to his feet, broke out, but got caught in a side slam for a two count. Cena rolled to the apron, and JBL shoulderblocked him off and to the floor. JBL threw Cena into the ringsteps, then tossed him back into the ring for a two count. JBL slugged Cena in a corner, then set up for a superplex. Cena blocked the move, and punched JBL off the ropes. Cena hit a top rope Rocker Dropper, then crawled over onto JBL for a two count. Both men got to their feet, and JBL booted a charging Cena. JBL set up for a Clothesline From Hell, but Cena tripped him to the mat. Cena hit two shoulderblocks and a back suplex into a powerbomb.
Cena did the "You can't see me" gesture and hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle fistdrop. Cena lifted JBL for the FU, but JBL elbowed out of it. JBL went to bounce off the ropes, but Cena tripped him and applied the STF, right near the side of the ring where Michaels was standing. Michaels put his hands on the ropes, and Cena let go of the hold and kicked at them. This allowed JBL to kick Cena, and he fell through the ropes, which Michaels was "sort of" holding open. Cena stared at Michaels as he got in the ring. JBL hit the Clothesline From Hell, but Cena kicked out. JBL stared at Michaels, who stared back. JBL picked Cena up off the mat. Cena tried to grab an FU, but JBL elbowed out. JBL went for a kick, Cena moved, and the referee got caught with it. JBL and Cena clotheslined each other, so everyone is down in the ring.
Shawn Michaels climbed into the ring. He prepared for a superkick, and JBL said "kick him". Michaels kicked JBL. Cena smiled. There was an "HBK" chant. Michaels then superkicked Cena. A lot of fans still chanted "HBK". Michaels rolled unconscious JBL on top of Cena and went to leave. There were boos for this. Michaels stopped, but then exited the ring and walked up the aisle. There was a chant for Cena. A second referee ran down, and began to count, but Cena got his shoulder up at two. JBL and Cena got up, and JBL went for a short arm-clothesline, but Cena ducked it and hit an FU (don't we have a new, child friendly name for it? Lawler called it the "patented move") for the pin at the 15-minute mark.
Winner: John Cena.
A commercial for the "Legends Of Wrestlemania" game featuring Hulk Hogan, Andre The Giant, The Rock, Steve Austin, Roddy Piper and the Ultimate Warrior was shown.
Jim Ross and Tazz finally appeared on the show, and sent us to a video package hyping the World Title match.
WWE Champion Jeff Hardy vs. Edge.
Jim Ross and Tazz called this match. For some reason, the champion, Jeff Hardy, entered the ring first. Smackdown General Manager Vickie Guerrero then came out (that's probably why), and said she changed the bout to a no DQ match, so Hardy couldn't try to save the title with a DQ. Vickie then brought out Edge, who was accompanied by Chavo Guerrero. Vickie returned to the back, while Chavo went to ringside. They then had the "big fight" introductions.
Hardy charged Edge at the bell and stomped him down in a corner. Hardy worked over Edge, hitting a flying forearm. Jeff stomped Edge, who bailed out of the ring. Jeff chased him back in, but Hardy stopped and grabbed a chair. As Hardy got on the apron, Edge kicked the chair away. Edge punched Hardy back into the ring, then hit a forearm in the corner. Hardy leapfrogged Edge and clotheslined him. Hardy snapmared Edge and dropkicked him in the back of the head. Hardy slammed Edge. Some fans chanted for tables. Edge fought back hitting punched and ramming him into a corner. Edge threw out Hardy, who landed on his feet, then slid in as Edge slid out. Hardy teased a dive, and Edge ducked, but Hardy put on the breaks, then hit Edge with a clothesline from the apron. Hardy put Edge in the ring and got on the apron. Chavo distracted Hardy. Hardy then went for a springboard, but Edge booted him to the floor. Edge hit a baseball slide kick to the outside.
Edge worked over Hardy on the outside, ramming him into all the announce tables at ringside. Edge threw Hardy back in the ring and hit an elbowdrop. Edge kicked Hardy in the ribs, then punched him in a corner. Edge hit a spear in the corner, then whipped Hardy into the opposite turnbuckles. Edge charged, but Hardy grabbed a sunset flip for two, and Edge hit a clothesline after rolling out of it. Edge then applied a reverse bearhug on the mat. Hardy got to his feet and elbowed out, but Edge yanked him to the mat by his hair. Hardy threw some punches and hit a mule kick, then went to the top rope. Edge met him there, and went for a superplex. Hardy shoved Edge to the mat, then jumped off the top rope, but Edge caught him with a dropkick for a two count.
Edge went to ringside and grabbed a pair of chairs. As Edge got on the apron, Hardy shoulderblocked Edge between the ropes, sending Edge to the floor. Hardy hit a pescado, and then they fought on the apron. Jeff hit a Twist Of Fate on Edge on the ring apron, and both of them bounced off and to the floor. Jeff rammed Edge into the announce tables, and cleared off the Raw table. Jeff then reached under the ring and pulled out a ladder. Jeff set it up on the floor, and put Edge on the Raw announce table. Hardy climbed the ladder, but Chavo climbed up the other side. Hardy knocked him down. Edge slid off the table. Hardy jumped off the ladder and hit Chavo with a clothesline. Hardy rammed Edge into the ringpost. Hardy rammed Chavo into the ringsteps. Hardy put Chavo on the announce table, then jumped off the ladder (the ladder toppling as Hardy jumped off) and put Chavo through the table with a splash.
Hardy got up and dropkicked Edge, who was slumped over on the floor. Hardy tossed Edge into the ring and hit a top rope bodypress for a two count. Hardy stomped Edge, but Edge reversed a whip and hit a big boot to the face. Edge pulled the cover off a turnbuckle. Edge went to ram Hardy in the corner, but Hardy blocked it and then jumped onto the ropes and hit Whisper In The Wind. Hardy went for a Twist Of Fate, but Edge blocked it and hit an elevated DDT for a two count. Edge went to the second rope and jumped off, but Hardy got his feet up. Edge stopped himself and grabbed Jeff's feet, but Jeff upkicked and rolled Edge into a small package for a two count. Jeff hit a gourdbuster. Jeff went to climb the ropes, but Edge was rolling away, so Hardy kicked him into the corner. Hardy went for his elevated kick in the corner, but Edge grabbed him and hit a Hot Shot onto the exposed corner. Hardy kicked out at two. Edge set up for a spear, but as Edge charged, Jeff turned it into a Twist Of Fate. Jeff went to the top rope, and Vickie Guerrero ran out to stop him, but got knocked off the apron. Hardy hit the Swanton Bomb.
The referee started to count, but Vickie Guerrero pulled the referee away from the corner. Matt Hardy ran out with a chair, and threw Vickie Guerrero into the ring. Matt gave Jeff the chair, then went to get another one. Jeff slid a chair under Edge's head for the Conchairto. Matt then wound up ... and blasted Jeff with a chairshot. Edge looked stunned. Matt just stared at Jeff. Edge covered Jeff and got the three count at the twenty minute mark.
Winner and new World Champion: Edge.
Matt Hardy, showing no emotion, walked off to the back. Edge and Vickie celebrated in the ring.
They showed a commercial for No Way Out, noting that the "Road To Wrestlemania" will go through the Elimination Chamber, as both the World and WWE Championships will be defended in Elimination Chamber matches at the PPV.
Todd Grisham interviewed Randy Orton backstage about the "rumors" that legal action would be taken against him tomorrow on Raw. Orton said he hasn't heard anything from the McMahons, but as far as he was concerned, he was still in the Royal Rumble. Chris Jericho entered, saying he didn't blame Orton for what he did. Jericho said he was a different Vince McMahon than he used to be. Jericho said "The real Mr. McMahon was already dead and buried" and the McMahon that showed up last week was just pandering to his daughter. Orton accused Jericho of siding with him so he would lower his defenses in the Rumble. Jericho said he wasn't worried about that, since he said the McMahon are vengeful people, and that Orton would probably be gone from the company tomorrow. Jericho wised Orton luck and left.
The video package for the Rumble was shown. Apparently, there was a technical problem, as they abruptly left the package and went to the ring.
The 30-Man Royal Rumble, with the winner receiving a title match at Wrestlemania.
As always, we will do our best to update during the Rumble match itself.
Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler are calling the Rumble, with Ross saying "The band's back together".
Rey Mysterio is the first entrant.
John Morrison is the second entrant.
Morrison shoved Rey in the face, and Mysterio responded with kicks to the body. Rey kicked away a Morrison backdrop attempt, but Morrison tossed Rey over the top rope. Rey grabbed the ropes to stop himself, and Morrison tried to kicked him off. Rey springboarded back into the ring with a bodypress on Morrison, then hit a double tilt-a-whirl takeover. Rey tossed Morrison over the top, but he held on.
Carlito is number three.
Carlito spat apple at Morrison, and went at it with Mysterio. Mysterio hit Carlito with a springboard moonsault, but Carlito turned it into a neckbreaker. Carlito hit Morrison with a double springboard moonsault as Morrison tried to toss him out. Carlito went after Rey, and Morrison hit him with a running knee. Morrison stomped Mysterio, then hit a forearm uppercut.
MVP is number four.
MVP hit Carlito with a clothesline, then Rey with an elbow, then slammed Morrison. There was a chant for MVP. MVP gave Rey Mysterio a belly to belly suplex. Morrison went for a springboard kick, and MVP ducked, and it hit Carlito. MVP gave Morrison a Shining Wizard. Mysterio gave MVP a flying headscissors.
Great Khali is number five.
Everyone went at Khali, but he swatted them all away. Khali easily threw around everyone in the ring, then Rey went for a springboard dropkick, which did nothing. Carlito tried a Backstabber, which didn't work. Khali gave Carlito the Punjabi Plunge.
Vladimir Kozlov is number six.
Khali and Kozlov went at it, with Kozlov needing just a headbutt, a kick and a punch to sent Khali over the top rope.
Great Khali is eliminated.
MVP went to work on Kozlov, but missed a running kick in the corner. Kozlov tossed MVP to the floor.
MVP is eliminated.
Kozlov tossed Carlito to the apron. Carlito did a springboard back in, but Kozlov caught him and slammed him down. Kozlov then tossed Carlito out.
Carlito is eliminated.
Rey hit some kicks and punches on Kozlov, but Kozlov downed him with a headbutt. Morrison was just lying on the apron.
Triple H is number seven.
Kozlov and Triple H stared each other down. They traded punches, with Triple H getting the better of it. Kozlov hit his battering ram headbutt, but missed a charge in the corner. Triple H hit a facebuster on the knee, gave him a DX crotch chop, and tossed him over the top rope and to the floor.
Vladimir Kozlov is eliminated.
Morrison attacked Triple H, hitting forearms and punches. Triple H came back with a jumping knee to Morrison.
Randy Orton is number eight.
Triple H and Orton went at it with punches, while Morrison and Mysterio fought near the apron. Orton hit Triple H with a side neckbreaker. Orton measured up for a RKO, but Triple H blocked it and went for a Pedigree, but Morrison hit Triple H with a springboard kick. Mysterio gave Orton a springboard senton. Rey tripped Morrison in the ropes and hit a 619.
Cryme Tyme came out as number nine, and tossed a coin to see who would go in. JTG won, and headed to the ring. Shad then realized it was a two-headed coin.
JTG shoulderblocked Morrison in the corner, then got slugged by HHH. Orton was trying to toss Mysterio out of the ring. HHH rammed Morrison and JTG's heads together.
Ted DiBiase is number ten.
At one point, JTG and Morrison went over the ropes on one side of the ring, Mysterio and DiBiase went out on another, and all four men held on and got back into the ring. Orton and Triple H slugged it out.
Chris Jerico is number eleven.
Jericho tried to toss Randy Orton out, but he held onto the bottom rope. Jericho bulldogged HHH, HHH dodged a Lionsault, Jericho avoided a Pedigree and went for a Walls Of Jericho, but HHH flipped him over. Triple H and Mysterio tried to eliminated Jericho. Orton and DiBiase worked over Morrison.
Mike Knox is number twelve.
Knox kicked Mysterio in the head, then splashed JTG in a corner and clotheslined Mysterio. Knox beat down Mysterio in a corner. DiBiase and Orton went after JTG. Morrison and Jericho went at it. HHH went after Knox, who almost had Mysterio eliminated. Jericho went after DiBiase. Orton, JTG and Morrison were all going at it.
The Miz is number thirteen.
Miz went after JTG and DiBiase. Jericho and Mysterio went at it. Miz hit Triple H with a clothesline in the corner, then did the same to Mysterio. Miz then saved John Morrison from Randy Orton. Miz and Morrison hit Orton with a double gut buster. Mysterio shoved Morrison into an RKO. Orton then gave RKO's to Miz and JTG. Triple H gave Orton a Pedigree. Triple H tossed Miz into Morrison, and they both fell over the top.
Miz and Morrison are elminated.
Finlay is number fourteen.
Rey Mysterio was tossed out, but he walked on Miz and Morrison's backs and got back into the ring. Finlay cleaned house on everyone, including a sit down splash on HHH. Finlay and Mysterio tried to toss out Jericho, but he held on. Finlay then went after DiBiase, but Knox cut him off. Finlay gave Knox a clothesline. Orton and DiBiase double teamed Finlay.
Cody Rhodes is number fifteen.
Rhodes, DiBiase and Orton attacked JTG, then Triple H, then Finlay. Rhodes and DiBiase then went after Knox. Mysterio went for a springboard, but Orton caught him with an RKO.
The Undertaker is number sixteen.
Undertaker cleaned house and tossed out JTG.
JTG is eliminated.
Undertaker gave Cody Rhodes Snake Eyes and a boot to the face. Undertaker went to chokeslam Knox, but he blocked it.
Goldust is number seventeen.
Goldust decked DiBiase. Rhodes stopped him and they stared at each other. Goldust slapped Cody, then threw him out. Cody landed on the apron. Cody got back in, but Goldust tossed him out again. Cody landed on the apron again. Goldust punched DiBiase and Rhodes, and Orton hit Goldust with an RKO. Orton told Rhodes to toss him out, and Cody eliminated Goldust.
Goldust is eliminated.
CM Punk is number eighteen.
Punk gave Rhodes and DiBiase clotheslines, then gave Jericho a flying knee. Punk gave Mysterio a knee, then bulldogged Jericho. Triple H went to Pedigree Triple H, but Punk reversed it and gave HHH the GTS. Punk then went after the Undertaker, who decked him. Orton and Rhdoes were going after Jericho. Finlay and the Undertaker slugged it out. Knox tossed out Mysterio, who held on.
Mark Henry is number nineteen.
Henry decked Priceless, then Jericho, then headbutted Orton to the mat. Henry gave Undertaker a clothesline. Henry stood on the chest of Punk. Jericho dropkicked Undertaker. Henry powerslammed Triple H. Punk jumped into a Henry bearhug.
Shelton Benjamin is number twenty.
Benjamin went after DiBiase, then Mysterio. Benjamin then went after Finlay and hit Paydirt. Punk and Jericho were fighting on the top rope. Benjamin leaped up there and pulled both to the mat with a double Paydirt. Benjamin gave Henry a back heel kick. HHH tossed out Punk, who held onto the ropes. The ring is getting crowded.
William Regal is number twenty one.
Regal went right after Punk, hitting a suplex. Undertaker clotheslined Benjamin. Finlay went at it with Knox. DiBiase and Rhodes fought with HHH. Undertaker kicked Henry, and Mysterio pulled the top rope down, and Henry fell to the floor.
Mark Henry is eliminated.
Kofi Kingston is number twenty two.
Mysterio backdropped Cody to the apron, but he skinned the cat back in. Kofi gave Knox a legsweep and a legdrop. Jericho clotheslined Kofi. Undertaker was busted open. Benjamin kicked Knox in the head. Benjamin went to splash Taker in a corner, but Undertaker chokeslammed him, then tossed him out.
Shelton Benjamin is eliminated.
Kane is number twenty three.
Kane took down both members of Priceless. Kane and Undertaker had a staredown. Then they both grabbed DiBiase and gave him a double chokeslam. Kofi got a chokeslam from Kane. Undertaker tossed Jericho into a ringpost. Regal and Punk fought on the apron and Punk pulled Regal over the top and to the floor.
William Regal is eliminated.
R-Truth is number twenty four.
Truth went after Rhodes. Undertaker and Knox went at it. Truth gave HHH a spinning forearm. Orton and Kofi and Mysterio worked over Kane. Jericho went after Truth. Punk and Finlay fought in a corner. Undertaker and Kane pounded Orton. Punk went after Undertaker.
Rob Van Dam is number twenty five.
Van Dam gave Kane a springboard kick, then started cleaning house with kicks and punches. RVD hit Punk with a springboard kick. Van Dam gave Truth a legdrop and went for a a five star frog splash, but Triple H blocked the attempt, so RVD jumped over him and gabe him a kick, then splashed both HHH and Truth with a rolling backsplash.
Brian Kendrick is number twenty six.
Kendrick ran in and tossed out Kofi Kingston.
Kofi Kingston is eliminated.
Triple H tossed Kendrick into the ropes, he bounced off, and HHH tossed Kendrick over the top rope.
Brian Kendrick is eliminated.
RVD tried to eliminate Punk, but he held on.
Dolph Ziggler is number twenty seven.
Dolph ran in, tried to introduce himself to Kane when punching him didn't work, and Kane tossed him over the top rope.
Dolph Ziggler is eliminated.
Rhodes gave Punk an Electric CHair. Undertaker and Triple H went at it. Finlay and Truth went at it.
Santino Marella is number twenty eight.
Kane kicked Marella out as soon as he got in.
Santino Marella is eliminated. New record for shortest time!
Santino, from the floor, said he wasn't ready.
Jericho and Undertaker went at it in a corner, Orton pounded Mysterio. Rhodes and DiBiase went after Knox and RVD. Kane tried to eliminate HHH, but he held on.
Hacksaw Duggan is number twenty nine.
Hacksaw decked DiBiase and Punk, then went after Kane and Jericho. Duggan went after the Undertaker, decking him. Duggan went after Rhodes. Jericho tried to eliminated HHH. Finlay and Mysterio went at it. Punk tried to eliminated DiBiase.
Big Show is number thirty. All participants have entered.
Big Show entered, with Undertaker staring him down. They went face to face, but Kane clipped Show with a punch from the blind side. Duggan went after Show and tried to slam him, which didn't work. Finlay and RVD went at it. Show tossed out Duggan, to a lot of boos.
Hacksaw Duggan is eliminated.
Chris Jericho jumped on Show's back and tried to put him in a sleeper. Taker threw out Punk, but he held on. Show chopped Truth against the ropes. Knox stomped Mysterio in a corner. Kane and tried to push DiBiase out. Big Show pressed Truth over his head and tossed him out.
R-Truth is eliminated.
Undertaker tossed out Rhodes, who held onto the ropes. Show did the same with Punk. Punk went right back at Show, and Show tossed him, but he held on again. Show tossed Punk a third time, and this time punched him off the apron.
CM Punk is eliminated.
Rey Mysterio and Mike Knox were both eliminated by Big Show while struggling by the ropes with Finlay.
Rey Mysterio is eliminated.
Mike Knox is eliminated.
Hornswoggle came in and tried to help Finlay against Kane. Kane chokeslammed Finlay, and Hornswoggle scooted out. Kane backdropped Finlay from the ring.
Finlay is eliminated.
Jericho gave a Codebreaker to Kane. RVD gave Big Show a springboard kick. Orton gave HHH a DDT. Big Show and Undertaker went face to face again. Undertaker hit some punches, and Jericho hit Big Show from behind. RVD gave Orton a five star frog splash, but hurt himself doing it and Jericho tossed out RVD.
Rob Van Dam is eliminated.
Jericho turned around, and Undertaker was staring at him. Jericho hit Undertaker with a Codebreaker, but Undertaker side stepped a charge and tossed Jericho out.
Chris Jericho is eliminated.
Kane went at it with Orton, but Rhodes and DiBiase ran up and tossed Kane out.
Kane is eliminated.
Rhodes, Orton, DiBiase, Big Show, Undertaker and HHH are the final six. HHH and Show went at it, and Legacy attacked Undertaker. Big Show chokeslammed Triple H. Undertaker fought back, clotheslining Rhodes and DiBiase, then chokeslamming Orton, then DiBiase, then Rhodes. Big Show and Undertaker faced off again. There was a chant for the Undertaker. They traded punches, then Taker hit a boot to the face and a clothesline, taking down Big Show. Undertaker hit a big boot, and Show went over the top rope, but held on to the ropes. Undertaker punched Show on the apron. Orton went for an RKO on Undertaker, but he shoved it off. Big Show grabbed Undertaker by the throat and pulled him over the top. They fought on the apron, trading chokes. Orton gave Show an RKO across the top rope, and Show fell to the floor.
Big Show is eliminated.
DiBiase and Rhodes went after Undertaker, but he grabbed them by the throats. Big Show, from the floor, yanked Undertaker down, eliminating him.
Undertaker is eliminated.
Undertaker and Big Show fought into the crowd. Triple H, left in the ring with the Legacy, gave them a crotch chop and charged at Rhodes. Soon, the Legacy were just beating up on Triple H. Triple H fought back, shoving off an RKO attempt, hitting a facebuster on Rhodes and a spinebuster on DiBiase. Orton charged and Triple H backdropped him, but Orton landed on the apron. Triple H gave Rhodes a Pedigree. HHH tosed out DiBiase.
Ted DiBiase is eliminated.
Triple H tossed out Cody Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes is eliminated.
Orton ran up behind Triple H as he eliminated Rhodes and tossed him out.
Triple H is eliminated.
Royal Rumble Winner: Randy Orton.
Orton had Rhodes and DiBiase get back in the ring, and raised their hands. Orton then pointed at the Wrestlemania sign, and fireworks went off as the show ended.
2010 - One of the nicest people ever associated with pro wrestling, longtime Wrestling Chatterbox editor Georgiann Makropoulos earlier today at the age of 67.
Georgie, as she was known to her friends, was one of the kindest people to ever become involved in any aspect of professional wrestling. She was a long-time friend and fan of many of those who came through the WWWF as she grew up in New York, including Bruno Sammartino, Buddy Rogers and Bill Watts, among others who she maintained fan clubs as a young fan and later befriended. She actually maintained the same ringside seats at Madison Square Garden in NYC for decades, until the building ended their long-standing subscription service for fans.
Over the years, Georgie worked with Bob Ryder's www.1wrestling.com and in recent years, had been working as Editor-in-Chief of Ringside Collectibles' www.wrestlingfigs.com website. Georgie's newsletters and later, her online work, was probably the most "fan friendly" in that she loved to focus on personal touches and things most other news outlets passed aside for the bigger news stories, probably because she was a life-long fan herself, discovering the business as a teenager while sick with meningitis. After recovering, she was a regular at the Sunnyside Garden, the Ridgewood Grove Arena and many other regular WWF haunts.
Georgie liked to humanize those in the business, trying to give fans a window into the friendships she had made over the years, often focusing on wrestler birthdays, appearances, and the personal aspects of their lives beyond the news of their exploits around the business. Her Chatterbox ran monthly for years, most recently publishing as late as a few weeks ago with an issue featuring Jeff Hardy on the cover.
There was more to Georgie than her fandom of the business and her writing. In many cases, she was the silent third-party going back and forth between wrestlers and different promotions to help set up negotiations. She would champion independent talents to help them get tryouts with WCW and the WWF. She was a huge supporter of independent wrestling and was beaming when she was honored by the East Coast chapter of the Cauliflower Alley Club in 1998 for all her had done to help the business. She was a historian, a networker and in many cases, the common bond between a number of different wrestling generations.
Georgie was a woman of many hats, but if there was ever one word to truly describe her, it was passionate. She loved pro wrestling and the many friends she made in those circles. She legitimately cared for everyone she came across, often calling her friends "baby." When a star she was friends with passed away, she took it to heart, even while so many others that followed the business would instead become jaded. She was the type of good person you usually hear about third-hand. She was one of a kind..
Even when wrestling was at it's lowest point, Georgie loved the business. She was fond of helping anyone and everyone she could, from Herb Abrams' UWF to ECW to various conventions to many of the indies that populate the country today, especially those in the Northeast, as she lived in New York City. It would be impossible to come across the run of any promotion that ran in the NYC area for any length of time and not find her at one of their shows.
Georgiann loved the business and there will be a great void with her passing. She was a bridge through the different generations and evolutions of the sport, one that we will never, ever be able to replace.
2010 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Columbus, Ohio and your announcers are Michael ‘Greg Oden or Maurice Clarett’ Cole and Jerry ‘I can see Jacob’s Field from my hotel window’ Lawler.
We are reminded of our guest hosts, but forget that, we have Degeneration X coming to the ring.
We see highlights from last week’s ‘I’m in the Royal Rumble Match’ moment when Hunter revealed that he is in the Rumble match.
Shawn and Hunter have mics and Hunter asks if they are ready. He really wants to know if they are rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrready but the crowd says it first. Hunter also wants to know where the leprechaun is but Shawn says that he sent Hornswoggle home. Hunter wants to know if they have to go over this again. Shawn wants Hunter to understand the position that he is in. Shawn says that if he wins the Rumble, he has a guaranteed shot at the Undertaker. He asks Hunter to look at it from his position. Shawn says that he wants his shot to end the streak. Shawn asks if that is too much to ask. Hunter tells Shawn that it is too much to ask. Hunter says that it is the Royal Rumble and it is serious. Over the last six months, they have been telling jokes and having fun. Now it is Rumble time. It is about getting a shot at the championship and getting in the main event at Wrestlemania. Hunter says that if it isn’t their goal, they shouldn’t be in the business. Hunter says that he knows that Shawn wants to face Taker. Hunter says that they can go to the Rumble and throw 28 others out and do it pretty easily. Then it would come down to the two of them and Hunter tells Shawn that they are friends and will always be friends. Hunter says that if he has to step on Shawn’s dream to get to his, he will do it. Shawn says that he understands Hunter.
Match Number One: Degeneration X versus Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes in a Non Title Match
Cody and Hunter start things off and they lock up and Cody with punches and kicks. Hunter with punches to Cody in the corner. Cody misses a drop kick and then he tries for a Pedigree but Ted pulls Cody out of the ring.
We go to commercial and we are told that there is breaking news about the guest hosts (something that you knew if you read the site earlier today).
We are back Cody and Hunter are down . . . and so is James Roday. Shawn Michaels tags in and he punches Cody. Shawn with a flying forearm and a kip up followed by a reverse atomic drop and chop. Shawn with another reverse atomic drop and chop. Michaels knocks Ted off the apron and then Shawn with a slam and he goes up top for the elbow drop but Ted tries to stop him. Shawn punches Ted and then Cody rolls to the floor. Shawn with a cross body onto Ted and Cody. Shawn rolls Cody back into the ring and he punches Ted on the floor. Ted tries to pull Shawn off the apron but he delays Shawn enough to allow Cody to hit a swinging neckbreaker on Shawn. Ted tags in and he punches and kicks Shawn. The referee pulls Ted out of the corner. Cody tags back in and they punch Shawn in the midsection. Cody punches Shawn and gets a near fall. Cody stomps on Shawn and connects with a knee drop for a near fall. Ted tags in and he hits a drop kick on Michaels and gets a near fall.
Ted punches Shawn and then snap mares Michaels followed by a kick to the head for a near fall. Ted argues with the referee about the speed of the count. Cody tags in and he punches Shawn and then he taunts Michaels as he keeps Shawn from making the tag. Rhodes with a side Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Cody with a front face lock and Shawn tries to get to the corner but Cody punches Hunter. Shawn with a back body drop and both men are down and Shawn is almost to his corner. Hunter is not on the apron. Ted tags in and he tries for Dream Street but Shawn with an arm drag. Shawn with an okey dokey kick and Hunter is tagged in. Hunter with the Harley Race knee followed by the face buster. Hunter with a spinebuster to Cody and then one to Ted and it is time to pose. Hunter kicks Cody and tries to pedigree him but Shawn tags in. Cody pushes Hunter into Michaels and they bump heads. Hunter and Shawn continue to stare each other down. Shawn with Sweet Chin Music to Ted and then Hunter punches Cody to allow Shawn to get the three count.
Winners: Degeneration X
After the match, Hunter and Shawn shake hands.
We are reminded that Shawn and Hunter will be facing the founder and vice president of the Straight Edge Society, CM Punk and Luke Gallows.
It is time to take a look at the season premiere of Psych featuring John Cena in a guest starring role. It is also a reunion between Marine co-star Robert Patrick.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Big Show punching MVP last week on Raw.
Montel Vontavious Porter has something to say before his match. He wants to say something to the Miz. He reminds Miz that Miz is the United States Champion. Porter says that he is the number one contender. He says that Miz can hide behind the guest hosts, his new 500 pound protector but he cannot run away. He will have to face him and defend the title. Porter says that he will become a three time United States Champion.
The Miz comes out and he says that he doesn’t even know what straight up ballin’ is and wonders if it is a reference to Porter’s time behind bars. Miz says that everyone accepts MVP even though he has been in jail but the same people cannot stand him and treat him like an outcast. Miz points out that he was a star on multiple reality shows and was a bigger star than anyone while MVP was taking mug shots and license plates.
Porter says that everyone dislikes Miz because he is a jackass. Porter says that Miz is not a ‘baller’ and will never be a ‘baller’. Porter says that Miz would be very popular if he was in jail and would have a lot of friends fighting to be his ‘exclusive friend’. Porter suggests that is the type of friendship that Miz has with Big Show.
Miz says that he would like nothing more than give Porter his title match right now. Porter suggests that Miz do that right now. Miz says that he has a friend who wants to make a statement about the Royal Rumble match. Miz says that he will enjoy still being the United States Champion.
Match Number Two: Montel Vontavious Porter versus Big Show
Show misses a punch and Porter connects with a few punches. Show with a head butt and a punch to the midsection. Show with another head butt and then he chokes Porter in the corner before connecting with a chop. Show misses a charge into the corner and Porter with a facebuster that staggers Show and then he connects with a running boot in the corner. Porter charges into Show’s hand and Show hits a choke slam for the three count.
Winner: Big Show
After the match, Miz comes to the ring and he stands over Porter with the United States Title and holds it over Porter.
We are told that there is more breaking news and it relates to Bret Hart. We will find out later tonight.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes are in the locker room and there is some heavy breathing. Cody says that he shouldn’t have questioned Ted about his loyalty last week and then he thanks Ted for taking the kick. Randy Orton enters and he talks about the tension in Legacy. Randy points out that they are on the same page for a while, but then Cody and Ted lose to DX. Randy talks about being jumped last week by Sheamus and his back up was nowhere to be found. Randy says that he has been waiting a long time for a shot at the title. Orton reminds Ted and Cody that only one man can win. Randy says that he will become the WWE Champion again and he will do it with or without Cody and Ted.
John Cena is in the guest host office with Dule Hill. They talk about the season premiere of Psych and John wants to know where James Roday is. Dule mentions that James had an emergency appendectomy. Cena tells Dule that it is his show tonight and he tells Dule to make it his night. Dule says that he is ready.
There is a knock on the door and it is the Miz. The Miz is shocked that Psych is wasting their time with John Cena when they could have the Miz. Miz tells Dule not to patronize him because he says that he is more famous than Dule or his hospitalized co-star.
Dule tells Miz that he has a match tonight and then he leaves before telling Miz who his opponent is.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Maryse is on the mics. She giggle and then she say the other Diva with their little championship dreams, they are wasting their time. She starts to talk in French but it is interrupted by Dule Hill messing with the pyro. Maryse does not appreciate being interrupted. Dule apologizes and tells Maryse to continue. Maryse does not accept the apology and then she returns to the French.
Match Number Three: Maryse versus Eve in a Divas Tournament Semifinal match
They lock up and Maryse with a forearm but Eve with punches and kicks. Maryse with a punch but Eve with her unique drop kick for a near fall. Maryse with a forearm but Eve with a kick and then she sends Maryse to the mat by the hair. Eve with a flip senton for a near fall. Eve with a clothesline into the corner followed by a slam. Eve goes up top but she misses a moonsault when Maryse rolls out of the way. Maryse sets for the DDT but Eve with a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Maryse holds on to the ropes and Maryse with a kick and a DDT for the not so PG cover and the three count.
Winner: Maryse
After the match, Maryse has to do two poses because her hair was not in the proper position.
Vince McMahon is walking in the back and we go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that a lot of people go to WWE.com.
It is time for Vince McMahon to come to the ring as only Vince McMahon can.
We see footage from last week when Undertaker told Vince to let it go about the Montreal Screw Job and called Vince a coward.
Vince says that if the Undertaker was here tonight, he would have Taker come to the ring and he would dare Taker to call him a coward tonight. Vince says that his son-in-law told him that if he doesn’t bring back Bret, the fans might consider Vince to be a coward. Vince says that there isn’t a single reason to bring Bret back. Vince says that he sold Bret down the river to WCW and he was never seen or heard from again. Vince says that everyone forgot about Bret until Shawn Michaels forced him to bring Bret back. Vince rhetorically asks if there is a reason to bring Bret back. Vince asks the fans if they want Bret. Vince makes an announcement that Bret Hart will never appear again in the WWE. The crowd does not like that announcement. Vince says that he is a businessman and he does what is best for business. Vince asks them if they are businessmen like him and a bunch of billionaires. Vince says that if they think they are smarter than him, he wants one good reason why Bret should be brought back. Someone in the crowd thinks that Bret would beat Vince in the ring. Vince goes into the crowd and he asks if he is afraid of Bret. Vince wants a good reason to bring Bret back. Someone suggests that he is awesome. Vince has some more fun with the fans. Vince returns to the ring and he says that he hasn’t heard one good business reason to bring Bret back. Vince says that Bret is a part of the past. The crowd starts to chant that they want Bret. Vince says that he is concerned about the present and the future, not the past. Vince thanks everyone for their time.
John Cena’s music plays and he comes to the ring with a mission. Vince tells Cena that if he is out here to change Vince’s mind, don’t bother. Cena says that everyone knows where Vince stands. Cena says that he never had a problem with Vince until he called Bret a used up piece of gum that should be thrown away when it loses its flavor. Cena mentions the way that Vince treated Roddy Piper in Madison Square Garden. Cena and Vince insult each other’s attire for the night. Cena tells Vince that he had a lot of help from a lot of people who helped Vince become successful. Cena says that Vince considers everyone in the company a commodity who they can throw away when their time is up. Cena asks Vince if that is what he thinks of people like Shawn Michaels, Batista, the Undertaker, or him. Cena says that all Vince cares about is lining his pockets and building his ego. Cena says that Vince brought Bret back so people would remember Vince kicking Bret in the gut. Cena says that Vince is not a coward, he is pathetic. Cena tells Vince that he will invite Bret Hart to Raw next week. Cena says that Bret deserves a chance to confront Vince face-to-face. Cena tells Vince that if Bret is not invited, Vince has proved to everyone that they are just a commodity to line his pockets. Cena then mentions Vince’s 90th birthday when Cena says that he will find Vince and he will pick Vince up out of his wheelchair and knock his false teeth out of his mouth. Cena tells Vince to do the right thing.
Cena leaves the ring and Vince tells him to stop on the ramp. Vince says that he will invite Bret to come back next week. He says that Bret can come in the ring and Vince says that he won’t flinch. Vince tells Cena that he will have a match tonight. He will face the man who has humbled Cena and took his title away from him. He will face Sheamus.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: The Miz versus Kofi Kingston in a Non Title Match
Kofi with a waist lock and Miz with a standing switch but Kofi with a take down and Miz with a head scissors. Kofi escapes and he hits an arm drag into an arm bar. Miz with an arm bar and punches. Kofi with a cross body for a near fall and then he hits another one. Kofi tries for another cross body but Miz with a boot to the head and Miz gets a near fall. Miz with knees to the back and then he puts Kofi in a reverse chin lock. Miz sends Kofi into the mat and then he hits a running boot to the head for a near fall. Miz with more kicks to the head followed by a leg drop before returning to the reverse chin lock. Kofi with a kick to Miz but Miz with an Irish whip. Miz misses a charge into the corner and Kofi kicks Miz and then Kofi goes up top and hits Shadows over Hell. Miz with a back breaker followed by a neck breaker for a near fall.
Montel Vontavious Porter’s music plays and that distracts Miz long enough to violate Rule #2 and Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise for the three count.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
After the match, Porter walks out and smirks at Miz.
Dule Hill and Carlito go into the production truck and they talk about the pyro situation earlier. Carlito tells Dule that he should have stopped by to talk to him. Carlito says that he dressed up like Napoleon Dynamite last week. We see a graphic for Carlito and it is time for Carlito to be put into a match. Carlito will be facing Kelly Kelly. Carlito’s hesitation at wrestling has turned into a good situation for Carlito. Carlito says that he has to get ready for his match.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Five: Carlito versus Kelly Kelly in a Random Generator Guest Host’s Selection Match
Before Kelly comes to the ring, the official comic relief of the guest host segments, Santino Marella comes out. He tells Kelly not to take another step because he has the Best of Raw 2009 DVD. Santino says that he looked like a fool in 2009 but he wants to be spectacular in 2010. Santino says that he is going to take Kelly’s place in the match and win a spot in the Royal Rumble, which he will win.
Jack Swagger attacks Santino from behind and he punches Santino. Swagger throws Santino over the top rope to the floor. Swagger with a front face lock and then he drives Santino into the ring post. Swagger does push ups in front of a motionless Santino and then Swagger pounds on his chest before heading to the back.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we have a video package for the Royal Rumble match which allows the first person to get to point at the Wrestlemania sign. We are reminded that the 2002 Royal Rumble was in Atlanta and that Triple H won that year.
Lawler and Cole talk about the Royal Rumble and we run through the rest of the card.
Cena is with Dule in the back and it is time to talk about Psych again. Cena wants to talk about his match against Sheamus. We see a photo of James Roday and he is on the phone. James says that he wishes he was in the building tonight. James makes some jokes about Sheamus’ appearance.
Alicia walks in and she asks Dule if he is a psychic. James says that he is the psychic and he is hung up on. Dule says that he sees a fox victorious in the ring and he says that he will be at ringside with her. Alicia says that if Dule is wrong . . . then she walks away. Cena brings up some suggestions and then says that Mark Henry will remove Dule’s appendix the hard way.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Dule Hill is at the announce table and he talks about his job tonight and Cole comments on his performance.
Match Number Five: Gail Kim versus Alicia Fox in a Divas Tournament Semifinal Match
They lock up and Alicia with a side head lock take down. Alicia with a shoulder tackle but Gail with a monkey flip. Gail with a reverse rana and Alicia makes it to the apron. Gail brings Alicia back into the ring and connects with forearms. Alicia runs Gail into the turnbuckles and then Alicia with a vintage tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a near fall. Alicia with a hard Irish whip and then she misses a boot in the corner and Gail with a power slam for a near fall. Alicia with an inside cradle for a near fall. Gail with a kick and forearm to Alicia. Gail with a shoulder breaker for the three count.
Winner: Gail Kim
After the match, Alicia is not happy with the result and she stares and Michael Cole and wants to know what happened to her victory. Dule says that he is an actor and then he says that he is the friend of the psychic on the show. Alicia slaps Dule and Dule goes down and he goes down hard.
Sheamus is walking in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and even though Vince said it earlier, we have confirmation from Michael Cole that Bret Hart will be on Raw. Jerry Lawler lets us know that William Shatner will be the guest host next week.
Match Number Six: Sheamus versus John Cena in a Non Title Match
They lock up and Sheamus backs Cena into the turnbuckles and then Sheamus with a clean break and he celebrates that clean break. Cena with a waist lock and he takes Sheamus into the corner and Cena breaks and he celebrates. Sheamus misses a punch and Cena punches him. Cena with an Irish whip and a bulldog for a near fall. Cena with an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow and a clothesline from Sheamus. Sheamus with a knee to the back of the head and then he punches and kicks Cena in the corner. The referee warns Sheamus. Cena with an Irish whip and a fisherman suplex for a near fall. Sheamus with a clothesline and then he suplexes Cena and he gets a near fall. Sheamus with punches to Cena’s head. Sheamus with a hard Irish whip and Sheamus raises his arm in front of Cena and then gets a near fall. Cena rolls to the apron and Sheamus chokes Cena with his boot. Sheamus with a knee lift as Cena tries to return to the ring and Cena goes to the floor.
Cena tries to get back into the ring and Sheamus misses a knee lift. Cena tries for Attitude Adjustment but Sheamus counters with a DDT and a near fall. Sheamus with a power slam and a near fall. Sheamus with an arm bar and cross face. Cena powers out of the hold and he takes Sheamus down with a drop toe hold. Sheamus kicks Cena out of the ring on an STF attempt. Sheamus goes out after Cena and punches him. Sheamus Irish whips Cena into the ring steps. The referee starts his count and as the referee gets close to ten, Cena makes it in at nine and then he is down in the ring. Sheamus misses an elbow drop. Cena gets out of a slam attempt and Cena with the two flying shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb and the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena cannot get Sheamus up and Sheamus with a back breaker for a near fall. Sheamus waits for Cena to get up but he misses the bicycle kick and Cena with a drop toe hold and STF but Sheamus gets to the ropes.
Cena goes out after Sheamus and Sheamus with the bicycle kick. While the referee makes the count, Randy Orton comes to the ring and hits the RKO on Sheamus, who was not looking. The referee calls for the bell.
No Contest
After the match, Orton does his RKO push ups as he waits for Sheamus to get up and then he stares into Sheamus’ soul. Cena almost gets back into the ring and he is in IEDDT position and Orton takes too long and Cena hits the Attitude Adjustment on Randy Orton.
We go to credits with the two men in the WWE Title match on the mat while Cena stands in the ring.
2011 - Ric Flair missed a TNA house show event in Berlin, Germany after sources within the company claimed that, "Flair was refusing to get on the plane to Germany".
There were a number of stories making the rounds as to what the exact issue was, but TNA sources have confirmed there was some sort of blow-up between Flair and a member of TNA Management in Dublin, Ireland.
"He threw a fit," said the source, who would speak only under condition of anonymity. "He was playing 'Nature Boy' on the tour and got pissed off and threw a tantrum. As far as we all know, he's in Dublin still. He said he wasn't coming and he wasn't in Berlin."
There are stories making the rounds that the issue was financial, but I haven't confirmed that as accurate.
This wouldn't be the first time we've heard of a Flair outburst since he signed with TNA a year ago, although most were incidents after events that wouldn't have caused a change to scheduled cards.
Flair was not advertised to wrestle in Berlin but was scheduled to appear. He is still advertised as teaming with Kazarian against Douglas Williams & Matt Morgan on 1/27 in Glasgow, Scotland. Flair did eventually make it to Scotland and apologized to the locker room.
When reached at the TNA offices in Nashville, TNA's head of publicity, Steven Godfrey noted, "TNA does not comment on personnel matters."
There were a number of wrestlers who rolled their eyes when they heard Flair was coming back to the tour, but I've heard the decision was strictly a financial one. Since the European tours are sold shows and TNA has had a number of changes (AJ Styles and Alex Shelley injuries, Kurt Angle leaving early due to the premature birth of his daughter, etc.), the feeling was that TNA needed to keep Flair on the tour as a way to maintain good relations with both the local promoters and the European fans who kept supporting the company even as their TV was on hiatus. TNA added Matt Hardy to the tour, initially unadvertised, for the same reasons.
The decision to bring back Flair is not going to be a popular one among at least some of the wrestlers. The majority of the crew was in favor of leaving Flair behind in Dublin and now he has to face them. I was told that several talents spoke up to management in the last 24 hours, pushing for Flair to be sent home and even let go from the company. Talents were burying Flair for his antics, noting that he was ruining the vibe of what had otherwise been a calm, happy tour. A few were comparing Flair to Booker T, who fell out of favor with several in the company during the 2009 Germany tour, something that was a factor in his eventual departure from TNA.
A number of wrestlers were making light of the entire situation after it went down, cutting "Flair promos" after the situation and quoting comments from his outburst, including Flair's claims that he was going to have a member of TNA management fired. One person I spoke to joked that Jay Lethal should have been booked on the tour, just so he could have been doing his Flair impersonation after everything went down.
While there are some who are angry at Flair for the incident in Dublin, there are also some who feel sorry for Flair. One talent who emailed PWInsider.com this morning gave us permission to repeat the following under condition of anonymity:
"The whole thing was stupid but most of us feel more sorry for him than upset. If someone told you everyone is mad, that's a lie. But, there are some pissed because it makes the entire crew look like a**holes and we are certainly tired of his sh**. Flair's asked several of us for money when he's had his credit cards declined. When that happens, the bar tab comes and others get stuck paying for the very drinks he said were on the house in the first place. Everyone loves the "Nature Boy", but when the limousines and party lifestyle is based on bad credit and lies, it suddenly becomes more pathetic than anything else. There is nothing glamorous about a guy who has no concept of money management and then lies to try and get out of it. The fact he has no money should be a lesson every wrestler today should take note of. Don't let this happen to you. If you read the Gorgeous George book that came out and then take an honest look at Ric, you realize, wow, that book is pretty much predicting his future - and that's not a happy ending."
Another source commented that the Flair incident was the best thing that could have happened to the company, since it forces management to deal with it first-hand and might make TNA a little more leery of continuing to bring in expensive veteran talent when the last year has shown no upside to it based on the current ratings. That source noted that the younger side of the locker room has started to unite against the veterans, feeling they are the ones pulling the cart with their work and working regularly on the road, while a number of the veterans (but not all) treat the company like it's their "country club".
That source noted, "I respect what the older guys have done, but they aren't making us any money. Nothing reflects that. We would draw the exact same if 99% of them were gone. Sometimes you have to take a step backwards to take a leap forward and I really think more and more that's where TNA is. Obviously, you need some veteran talents but there's a crew here that wants to build a company and we want to focus on that, not paying someone's bar tab and having to wait for him to fight it out with Craig Jenkins [TNA Management] when he doesn't get his way."
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