Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
anuary 28th
On this day in history in ....
1949 - Wild Red Berry defeats Dizzy Davis to win the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title in Houston, Texas, ending Davis' second title reign.
1984 - The Super Medicos defeat Hercules Ayala & King Tonga (Haku/Meng) to win the WWC World Tag Team Title in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico for the second time.
1986 - At a WWF television taping at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York, Roddy Piper announced that his bodyguard, Cowboy Bob Orton, had been forced to remove his arm cast, which he had been wearing for well over a year. Piper then introduced Orton as "Boxing Bob Orton" and announced an open challenge for him to have a boxing match with any wrestler. Jose Luis Rivera accepted the challenge, and was knocked out by Orton. Later in the taping, in another edition of Piper's Pit, Hulk Hogan appeared and signed Mr. T to the open contract to face Orton in a boxing match. This was the beginning of the storyline that would result in Piper vs. Mr. T at Wrestlemania 2.
1988 - The World Class Texas Tag Team Title was held up following a controversial match between champions John Tatum & Jack Victory and challengers The Fantastics. The belts were held up, and the dispute was settled several weeks later, believe it or not, when the teams drew from a deck of cards. Victory and Tatum drew the high card, so they got the belts back.
1991 - The fifth, and final, edition of "The Main Event", WWF's prime time specials on NBC, was taped at the Macon Coliseum in Macon, Georgia (it aired on February 1st). The show would earn a 6.7 broadcast rating (by comparison, the first Main Event, featuring Hogan vs. Andre, was aired live and did a 15.2 broadcast rating). The specials would move to Fox. Here are the results of the show:
- Hulk Hogan & Tugboat defeated Dino Bravo & Earthquake when Hogan pinned Bravo with a legdrop.
- Hacksaw Jim Duggan defeated WWF World Heavyweight Champion Sgt. Slaughter via disqualification when Slaughter used a chair. Hogan tried to make the save, but was also beaten down with the chair by Slaughter and manager General Adnan.
- The Legion Of Doom defeated The Orient Express (Pat Tanaka & Kato) when Hawk pinned Kato after the Doomsday Device.
- WWF President Jack Tunney announced that Hulk Hogan was the number one contender for the WWF World Title, and would be facing Sgt. Slaughter at Wrestlemania VII. Hogan then gave an interview about how he was going to win the title and dedicate it to the U.S. Troops involved in Operation Desert Storm.
On the same show where The Main Event was taped, WWF held their syndicated television taping, which included the debut of Paul Bearer (Percy Pringle) as the manager of the Undertaker. It also featured the final edition of The Brother Love Show, as the Ultimate Warrior destroyed the set and beat up Brother Love after Love claimed Randy Savage would defeated The Warrior at Wrestlemania.
1995 - Jerry "The King" Lawler defeats Tony Anthony in Knoxville, Tennessee to win the Smoky Mountain Wrestling Heavyweight Title, ending Anthony's third reign with the belt.
2002 - During an edition of Raw from the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia, Vince McMahon revealed that if Ric Flair did not sell his half of the WWF to him, he would be forced to "inject the poison" into his "creation" and bring in the NWO. This set the stage for the first appearances of Kevin Nash and Scott Hall since 1995 in the then-WWF and Hulk Hogan's return for the first time since June 1993.
2008 - WWE began requesting that fans turn off their cell phones while at events, trying to curb the number of video being shot via advancing technology.
2009 - A report by the Associated Press announced that Mickey Rourke had pulled out of Wrestlemania 25.
2009 - The Associated Press is reporting that former heavyweight contender Scott LeDoux has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. LeDoux challenged Larry Holmes for the heavyweight title in 1980, losing by 7th-round TKO. In a career that spanned from 1974-83, LeDoux fought some of the biggest names in boxing. He drew with Ken Norton and Leon Spinks. He was knocked out by George Foreman in 1976. In one of his more famous incidents, LeDoux sparked a mini-riot after a fight that was televised on ABC. In the chaos, Howard Cosell's hair piece came off. A lifelong resident of Minnesota, perhaps LeDoux's biggest bouts were against fellow Minnesotan Duane Bobick. The heavyweight contenders fought twice and each bout generated record gates in Minnesota. LeDoux retired with a record of 33-13-4 (21 knockouts) and went on to do work with the AWA.
2010 - TNA ran Coventry, UK. Charlie Greenfield filed the following results:
TNA Maximum Impact Tour Coventry results 28th January
TNA Wrestling continued with its TNA Maximum Impact Tour in Coventry in the United Kingdom. This was a show that had a fan interaction at the start of the event. I attended the fan interaction, 2 hours before the actual house show started and got to see the likes of Kurt Angle, The Pope, Amazing Red, Brutus Magnus, Doug Williams, Earl Hebner, Chris Sabin, Taylor Wilde and Sarita. I got their autographs and spoke to a couple of the stars. Chris Sabin was a nice guy willing to chat to everyone. The Pope was acting in his gimmick and loves the fans. Kurt Angle seemed really tired but told him, he is the best wrestler in the world. All of them seemed happy to interact and talk to the fans, but Earl Hebner did not seem interested and looked miserable.
The Coventry show was held in the Coventry Sky Dome that holds 3,000 fans, was attend by about 1,600. This is way down when they last attended Coventry back in 2008, which was a complete sell out. However the audience was really into the action and they were really happy to see TNA. They were very loud throughout the show and really enjoyed seeing the likes of Kurt Angle and AJ Styles.
Dixie Carter was really happy to be there and she gave a speech during the intermission thanking the fans for attending the event and said that Coventry was where it all started in the UK for TNA, when they first started touring the UK.
The audience gave the biggest reaction to Kurt Angle and was the wrestler everyone wanted to see and they also gave a big reaction to Team 3D. The matches on the show were very good and really enjoyed the show, better than a regular Impact show. The better matches were AJ Styles Vs Samoa Joe, Desmond Wolfe Vs the Pope. My favourite match of the night was Kurt Angle and Hernandez Vs Rhino and Daniels, the reason for this is because Kurt Angle was well over and he made the match strong. They did a match where Hamada faced Amazing Red, which was a bit strange, but it was a good match and Hamada really worked her socks off. Doug Williams was holding the X Division title during the show and Rob Terry was announced as the TNA Global Champion. Overall a very good show and was well worth the money.
The results of the show are as follows:
Suicide defeated Chris Sabin.
The Beautiful People (Madison Rayne and Velvet Sky) defeated Taylor Wilder and Sarita.
The Pope D’Angelo Dinero defeated Desmond Wolfe
Team 3D (Brother Ray and Brother Devon) and Beer Money (Robert Roode and James Storm) defeated British Invasion (Rob Terry, Brutus Magnus, and Doug Williams) and Eric Young. This was a tag team gauntlet match.
Amazing Red defeated Hamada.
Kurt Angle and Hernandez defeated Rhino and Daniels.
TNA World Title Match: AJ Styles defeated Samoa Joe.
2010 - TNA broadcast Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight’s show with a recap of the issues between Mick Foley and Eric Bischoff, leading to Foley’s firing. Then we see a look at Ric Flair unveiling A.J. Styles as the next ‘Nature Boy’. Remember when Hulk Hogan threw a stipulation out the window to give Kurt Angle another title match . . . only to see Kurt Angle think that Hogan was behind the Cast Member Screw Job. What will happen as we get closer to the start of 1998?
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘Finger Poke of Doom Redux’ Tenay and Taz.
If it is the start of the show, it must mean that Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff are going to come to the ring. Hogan tells Bischoff that it is wide open in the Impact Zone brother. He says that he wants to bring out Mick Foley right now, brother.
The fired former Executive Shareholder comes to the ring. Hogan thanks Foley for coming into the Impact Zone brother. Hogan says that he wants to work out things right now between Bischoff and Mick Foley. Eric tells Hogan that there is no situation because he fired Hogan last week after being beaten half to death. Hogan says that a lot of buttons have been pushed and he says that he never had a chance to work with Foley or any of his incarnations, brother. Hogan says that he sees a lot of good things that are on the money. Hogan says that there are a few things that need to be dialed in so Foley can be an asset, brother. Bischoff reminds Hogan that Foley laid his hands on Eric and could have put him in the hospital.
Foley says that he wishes he would have put his hands on Bischoff but he didn’t do it. Bischoff says that it doesn’t matter because last week he came out covered from head to toe (or from the hairline to the eyes) in blood. Foley says that he couldn’t have laid a hand on Bischoff because Eric would have been taken out in an ambulance.
Hogan tells Mick Foley that they need to bring things under control because brother, you need to work it out or walk out. We hear music and Hogan repeats himself.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Bubba the Love Sponge escorts Jeff Jarrett into the Impact Zone and he doesn’t want Jeff to screw him over. Jeff says that he can trust him and they can do it without lawyers.
Christy Hemme is in the interview area with Ken Anderson and Ken tells Christy that it is Mr. Anderson. He wants Christy to show him some respect. Ken says that he has to do everything himself. Since he doesn’t have a match, he has to book himself. He makes an open challenge to anyone in the locker room. He doesn’t care who it is, even Christy Hemme. He is begging that Abyss answers the challenge. He says that it doesn’t matter because the only name that people will remember at the end of the name is Mr. Anderson.
Mike and Taz talk about the 8 Card Stud Tournament at Against All Odds.
Match Number One: Desmond Wolfe with Chelsea versus Sean Morley in an 8 Card Stud Qualifying Match
They lock up and Morley works on the arm and puts Wolfe in a hammer lock. Wolfe with a reversal but Morley makes it to the ropes. Wolfe kicks the ropes before Morley moves away from them. Wolfe chokes Morley in the ropes and then he breaks. Wolfe has a discussion with the referee and he turns around into a few clotheslines and a chop. Morley with a Val Venis knee on an Irish whip and then Wolfe with a hammer lock DDT to Morley. Wolfe works on the wrist and then he drops a knee on the arm and he gets a near fall. Wolfe bridges back but Morley escapes and he kicks and punches Wolfe. Wolfe with an arm wringer and then he runs into a boot. Morley with a back elbow and Wolfe misses a clothesline. Morley with punches and a swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Morley with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot. Morley with an uranage and then he goes up top but Wolfe hits the ropes and it crotches Morley. Wolfe hits the Tower of London for the three count.
Winner: Desmond Wolfe
In the back, Jeff Jarrett enters the Brother Bischoffice. Eric wants to know where Jeff’s attorney is and Jeff says that he doesn’t want to deal with attorneys. He wants to tell Hogan that he is looking at things differently. Jeff says that he might have broken people’s trusts and he wants to repair it. Hogan says that he wants the Jeff Jarrett that he knew when he started working with Jeff’s family. Jarrett says that he is willing to start at the bottom of the ladder and work his way up. Hogan says that they need help immediately. Eric says that he has an idea. Eric suggests that Jarrett be the man to accept the Ken Anderson Challenge. Eric says that he knows that they can have an excellent match in the main event. Eric says that Jeff will be just fine since he is a great athlete. Jarrett says that he will get ready. Eric wishes Jeff luck.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to talk about the Soundstage Screw Job starring Earl Hebner. We see footage from last week and the aftermath.
We see Ric Flair and A.J. Styles admiring a female and his suits since he has 30 days off. Flair says that he needs a friend as well.
Match Number Two: Daniels versus Hernandez in an 8 Card Stud Tournament Qualifying Match
Daniels attacks Hernandez while he poses on the turnbuckles and then he sends Hernandez into the turnbuckles and connects with an elbow and kicks. Hernandez does not move when Daniels tries for an Irish whip and Hernandez with a knee and a delayed vertical suplex. Daniels tries for a sunset flip but Hernandez does not go over and he suplexes Daniels by the neck. Daniels with an enzuigiri that takes Hernandez to the mat and he gets a near fall. Daniels with a cravate but Hernandez with elbows and Daniels with an STO followed by a quebrada for a near fall. Daniels sets for Angel’s Wings but Hernandez with a back body drop. Daniels with a flying knee to the back and Hernandez goes to the floor. Hernandez with a shoulder followed by the slingshot shoulder and a clothesline. Hernandez with a back body drop and a Stinger Splash and then he takes off his shirt to biel Daniels across the ring. Daniels avoids a charge into the corner and Daniels with a forearm. Hernandez with a kick and then he pulls himself up to the turnbuckles but Daniels with a palm thrust. Daniels tries for a superplex but Hernandez pushes him off. Hernandez misses a frog splash and Daniels with a rollup and he tries to use the ropes but he can only get a two count. Daniels with palm strikes but Hernandez with a shoulder toss to Daniels and then he hits the Dominator for the three count.
Winner: Hernandez
We go to commercial.
Velvet is stretching with Madison while Lacey is standing there. We go back to commercial.
Mike Tenay is in the ring and he talks about the battle of the awesome tag teams that will take place at Against All Odds. Out first are the Nasty Boys. Out next are Team 3D. Security tries to keep Team 3D away from the ring. Ray tells the Nastys that they waited until they were in Japan to show up in TNA and mess up their locker room. Then the following week, they waited to blast them in the back of the heads like a couple of punks. Ray reminds them that they used a couple of chairs on them last week. Ray wonders where the Nastys have been for the last ten years. Security holds Team 3D on the ramp.
Sags talks about how nasty they are.
Devon tells them what they have been doing during the ten years that the Nasty Boys have been retired. Devon talks about the companies that they won titles in and mentions ECW, WWE, All Japan, and New Japan in addition to TNA. Devon says that nobody has accomplished what they have done.
Knobs mentions the Road Warriors, Hart Foundation, Steiners, Hall and Nash, and Harlem Heat to mention the teams who felt the wrath of the Nasty Boys. He says that Team 3D are on their chopping block. On Valentine’s Day (February 14th in case you didn’t know), they won’t be giving Team 3D any flowers or chocolates. They will be beating up Team 3D.
Ray says that they can take jabs at each other all day long, but everyone wants to see these two teams beat the crap out of each other. Ray tells Knobs to shut up.
Christy is in the interview area with Lacey Von Erich, Velvet Sky, and Madison Rayne and she wants to know what they think about the return of Angelina Love. Velvet says that she is sick of hearing about them. She knows that everyone wants to be part of the group, but not everyone can do it. Madison says that Angelina is so 2009 and they have moved on to bigger and better things. Madison says that they are going to show everyone where Knockouts Gold belongs. Lacey says something before they hold up something shiny to quiet her.
We see Jeff Jarrett up close as we go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for Bobby and Eric to talk about his current status. He wants to know if Bobby’s flight was okay. Eric tells Bobby that after looking at things, Bobby is fired despite having the guts to not let his wife talk for him. Bobby is escorted out by security.
Match Number Three: Madison Rayne, Lacey Von Erich, and Velvet Sky with their Dance Party USA routine versus Hamada, Awesome Kong, and Tara with Poison
Madison and Hamada start things off and Madison doesn’t take things seriously and Hamada with kicks and chops followed by a head butt and another chop. Hamada with another head butt and a chop. Hamada works on the arm and then does a Spoiler homage with an arm drag. Madison with a kick and then she tags in Velvet. Velvet works on the arm and then she tags in Lacey. Lacey works on the arm and then she tags in Madison who continues to work on the arm. Hamada tries to escape but Madison holds on. Hamada with a drop toe hold and then Tara is tagged in and she punches and slams Madison followed by the shimmy moonsault for a near fall. Tara with a chop and Velvet with a kick to the back and Madison with a clothesline for a near fall. Velvet tags in and she runs Tara into the turnbuckles with shoulders. Madison chokes Tara while the referee is distracted. Velvet rakes the eyes and then Tara and Velvet pull each other down by the hair. Madison and Kong tag in and Lacey joins in with a clothesline that does nothing. Kong with a double clothesline and Hamada tags in with a drop kick to Madison. Madison with an Irish whip but she runs into a kick and then she hits a roundhouse kick on Lacey and Velvet. Tara with a slam to Lacey followed by a moonsault but the referee deals with Velvet and Tara. Madison hits Hamada with the ugly stick and gets the three count.
Winners: Velvet Sky, Lacey Von Erich, and Madison Rayne
After the match, Lacey and Madison attack Tara. From out of nowhere, Angelina Love comes into the ring and she is almost completely dressed. Angelina attacks Madison and Lacey and pushes Lacey out of the ring.
We go to Hogan’s office and he has Earl Hebner in his office wondering why he called for the bell. Earl says that Angle tapped out when he reversed the hold. Hogan says he saw what happened. After 30 years in the business, you know when things happen. He says that it wasn’t time to ring the bell. Hogan says that Earl did this 12 years ago in Montreal. Hogan says that he is his friend and he wants to know the truth. Earl tells Hogan that he screwed Bret and he screwed Angle for the money. He got a check from Flair. Hogan says that is disgusting and as his friend, he doesn’t know what to say. He tells Earl that he is suspended.
We go to commercial.
We see Kurt Angle walking in the back and he will still be walking as we return to commercial.
We are back and Flair is talking to A.J. about the new TNA and there are more women in the dressing room and Flair is in shock. Flair takes one and A.J. is with the other three. Flair woos for a while.
Mick Foley is in the back and Bubba the Love Sponge says that he knows that Bischoff is going to call him into his office. Foley calls Bubba a ‘glass half empty’ person while Foley says that he is a ‘glass half full’ person. He says that things will be resolved.
Kurt Angle comes to the ring to discuss his part in the Theme Park Screw Job last week. Kurt tells A.J. Styles that their match at Genesis is a match that they will never forget. He says that it was the greatest match of his life. That is why he is confused, disappointed, and pissed off. He reminds A.J. that they shook hands to determine who the greatest wrestler in the world was. He says that was supposed to be a match that will be talked about for generations. Angle says that A.J. disappointed him, the boys in the back, and most of all he disappointed the TNA wrestling (cast members) fans. Angle says that A.J. went from a hero to a punk a** b**ch. Angle talks about last week and he says that he didn’t see it coming. He tells A.J. that Flair doesn’t care about him. He says that Flair is the dirtiest player in the game and he wants to know if that is how A.J. wants his legacy to be. Angle talks about his qualifying match and he says that when he wins the tournament, it will be them one more time and A.J. will not get by the greatest wrestler who ever lived.
Hulk Hogan’s muzak plays and he comes to the ring. Hogan says that Angle accused him of something that he didn’t do when they were in the office. Hogan says that years ago, things would have been different. Hogan says that as the leader of TNA, he functions on a whole different level. After last week, when Kurt spit in his face, that is unacceptable. As the leader of TNA, if it ever happens again and Angle crosses the line, he can consider himself unemployed. Hogan wants to know if they have an understanding.
Kurt tells Hulk Hogan that he apologizes for what he did. He says that it was inexcusable. Angle reminds Hogan that he is leading TNA. That means that everything that happens in the ring is Hogan’s responsibility. Angle apologizes and shakes Hogan’s hand.
From out of nowhere, Sean Waltman attacks Angle and he is joined by Scott Hall. Hall punches Angle and Waltman with a snap leg drop to Angle. We go to commercial.
We are back with a moments ago handshake moment followed by the attack by the two guys who aren’t part of the company.
Hall and Waltman are by the door and security pushes them out and Hall says that he will see them next week.
Match Number Four: Brian Kendrick, Alex Shelley, and Chris Sabin versus Generation Me and Amazing Red
Kendrick attacks Red before the match starts and then he connects with forearms. Kendrick misses a charges into the corner and then Red with a drop kick to the back followed by a drop kick and Sabin and Shelley attack Red. Shelley goes into a boot and then Red with a spin kick to Sabin off Shelley’s back. Generation Me come into the match and they go after Shelley and they hit a double thrust kick followed by an alley oop drop kick to Shelley that sends him to the floor. Sabin comes off the ropes for a springboard move and he is caught and is given a gutbuster followed by a swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Sabin with a running knee to Max followed by an Irish whip and running back elbow. Shelley misses a splash into the corner and Max with a rollup on Sabin for a near fall. Jeremy tags in and he tries for a springboard move but he is caught by Shelley who hits a reverse atomic drop followed by a drop kick from Sabin and then Shelley holds Jeremy’s head up for Sabin to complete the dream sequence with another drop kick. Sabin gets a near fall. Jeremy with an elbow and he tags in Red who hits a rana and drop kick followed by a back kick. Red sets for Code Red, but he takes too long and Shelley hits a super kick. Sabin with a drop kick off Shelley’s back to knock Max off the apron. Sabin and Shelley hit a double team spike dominator but Kendrick makes the blind tag and Kendrick with a kick to the head for the three count.
Winners: Brian Kendrick, Alex Shelley, and Chris Sabin
After the match, the referee checks on Red and the British Invasion come to the ring and they have Rob’s X Division brief case. They attack Red in the ring while the referee waves near them. Terry with a choke slam to Red. They have a discussion about the briefcase while Red is able to recover. We go to commercial.
We are back and we have an X Division Title match.
Match Number Five: Doug Wiliams playing the part of Rob Terry versus Amazing Red for the X Division Title
Red hits a tornado DDT for a near fall. We see footage from during the break when Williams got the opportunity to have the match and Williams hits Chaos Theory to get the three count.
Winner: Doug Williams
After the match, Williams and Magnus celebrate in the ring and Terry is not too happy.
Jeff Jarrett is pacing in his locker room as we go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for Foley/Bischoff II: Electric Boogaloo. Foley wants to know who busted Eric open last week or if Eric did it himself. Eric says that they need to work this out and let the past go. Foley wants one more stroll down memory lane. Foley says that he talks about a bowel movement his son made six years ago at a birthday party. Foley says that he would rather pick up crap than work in TNA for a guy like Bischoff. Eric gets a chuckle out of Foley’s story. He says that he can respect Foley’s opinion, there are two people who want Foley in this company. They are Abyss and Jeremy Borash. Eric says that he has their careers in the palm of his hand and he can do what he wants with him. Eric tells Mick to have a nice day and then he leaves with the camera man.
Eric is walking in the back and he walks by A.J. Styles’ dressing room and Flair is wooing as Bischoff opens the door. A.J. asks the women which one wants a shot at the title tonight. Flair says that they are off for 30 days. Eric tells Flair that he will get to that shortly. Eric congratulates Flair because they are stuck with him. He says that Flair was smart enough to have his contract signed before Hogan and him got to TNA. Eric says that it is the Hogan/Bischoff regime. He tells Flair that A.J. doesn’t have 30 days off. He tells them that everyone in the company needs to be ready 24/7 so he better not make any travel plans.
Jeff Jarrett and Ken Anderson are walking in the back and they are separated by a TNA logo as we go to commercial.
Jeff Jarrett has stopped walking and he is thinking about his match against Ken Anderson and we go back to commercial.
Match Number Six: Ken Anderson versus Jeff Jarrett
Jeff Jarrett is starting so far down that he doesn’t even have entrance music or pyro.
They lock up and Anderson backs Jarrett into the corner and he tries to punch Jarrett but Jarrett moves and he punches Anderson. Anderson wants a time out. Jarrett with a side head lock and shoulder tackle or three. Jarrett swings but Anderson falls away and goes to the ropes. Anderson with a knee and then he connects with forearms to the back. Anderson sends Jarrett’s head into the turnbuckles and he punches Jarrett. Jarrett with a hip toss or two followed by a drop kick. Jarrett clotheslines Anderson over the top rope to the floor. Instead of maintaining the advantage, he does the Jarrett strut and we go to commercial.
We are back and Jarrett is on the apron and Anderson kicks Jarrett and then he sends Jarrett into the ring post. Anderson punches Jarrett as the referee warns him. Anderson slams Jarrett’s hand onto the ring steps. Anderson with a hammer lock and then he hits a hammer lock throw on Jarrett and gets a near fall. Anderson with an arm bar. Jarrett with a punch but he runs into a boot after an Irish whip. Anderson with a single arm DDT but he can only get a near fall. Anderson with a forearm and then he puts Jarrett into a sleeper for a second and then he puts Jarrett in a key lock. Jarrett punches Anderson but Anderson with a shoulder tackle for a near fall. Anderson goes up top and he tries for the Kenton Bomb but Jarrett moves (and Anderson overshoots Jarrett anyway). Jarrett gets a second wind and he punches Anderson. Anderson sets for the Mic Check but Jarrett tries for the Stroke. Anderson with a low blow and a three count with an inside cradle.
Winner: Ken Anderson
We see Eric Bischoff in an insert saying that this was great.
After the match, Anderson with a double sledge from the apron onto Jarrett and then he punches Jarrett. Anderson rolls Jarrett back into the ring and he waits for Jeff to get up. Anderson sizes him up and then he hits the Mic Check.
We go to the Bischoffice and he says that it is going to be a long, hard climb for Jarrett.
2011 - WWE announced that Donna Goldsmith will leave her positions as Director and Chief Operating Officer of WWE effective 2/28.
2011 - Ring of Honor ran Los Angeles, CA as part of WrestleReunion at the Hilton LAX. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
Welcome to PWInsider's live coverage of ROH in Los Angeles as part of WrestleReunion!
Pre-Show Notes:
*Adam Pearce, Nick Jackson and Alison Danger are backstage since they are in town for the convention. Dave Lagana is also here.
*There was a pre-show meet and greet with ROH champion Roderick Strong and TV champion Christopher Daniels.
*Promoter Sal Corrente announced that WrestleReunion will return to Los Angeles again next year. He thanked everyone for their support and noted last year, he asked everyone in LA to show their support and everyone was shocked at how much support they've received this year. He thanked everyone in ROH for wanting to come out again we are off to the races.
Ring of Honor's return to Los Angeles opened with the ROH Tag Team champions The Kings of Wrestling coming to the ring. Chris Hero said that a year ago, they were here in LA as the uncrowned Kings and now a year later, they are not only the ROH champions but they've held the belts longer than anyone else. He noted that they've taken the belts to Japan, South America, Canada and Europe.
Hero pointed out all the teams they have beaten and said that on September 11th, they even beat the World's Greatest Tag Team, which tells him that Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin are overrated. Claudio Castagnoli said that Los Angeles knows all about being overrated since it's the home of the Los Angeles Lakers and the best basketball is played in Europe. He then ripped on Disneyland and put over Euro Disney.
Hero said that everyone wants to know who's going to end their title reign, but truth is that the reign is not going to stop because the Kings reign supreme. A hell of a promo from Hero and Claudio's lines were pretty damn funny.
The Bravados vs. Kaleb Konley & Cedric Alexander
They had some nice back and forth wrestling early. Konley tried to clothesline one of the Bravados over the top but it didn't work out and the crowd jumped on them. The Bravados worked over Alexander with chops and kicks. Alexander made a comeback with a leaping enziguiri and tagged in Konley, who hit some good offense. He kicked one Bravado down, using the momentum to hit a torndo DDT on the other for a two count.
One of the Bravados caught Konley with a kick to the back of the head and the other then snapped him with a German suplex for a two count. Alecander broke it. He lifted one of the Bravados over his shoulder for Konley to come off the ropes but Konley was shoved off the top. The Bravado pushed his brother off and Alexander was caught in a pinning position.
OK opener.
Colt Cabana vs. Jay Briscoe
There was a big "Man Up" chant before they locked up. Cabana was clowning around a little bit early. Fans did the dueling chants for both. They locked up and ended up in the corner. Colt broke clean, then did some comedy with his towel.
They locked up and took turns working on each other's arms. Cabana did his European based moves to keep Briscoe off guard and gain several two counts. Briscoe grabbed him around the waist, but Cabana turned that into a headlock takedown. Briscoe escaped and drilled Cabana with a leg lariat, then slammed his head into the turnbuckle. Briscoe cut Cabana off and scored a two count with his legs on the ropes.
Briscoe took Colt down with a running clothesline. He began working over Colt with right hands. Colt ducked another clothesline attempt and drilled Briscoe with some clubberin'. He nailed an elbow to the head for a two count.
Cabana went foir the flying a**hole but missed. Briscoe shoulderblocked him for a two count. He went fior the Jay-Drilla but Cabana backdropped him over. Cabana went for the flying a**hole but was cut off and nailed with the Jay Driller. Fun stuff.
The Cutler Brothers vs. The All Night Express
The Express attacked the Cutlers before the bell. Kenny King and Rhett Titus worked one of them over. Brandon Cutler came back with a backdrop on King. The Express ended up on the floor, where one of the Cutlers hit a plancha. The Cutlers nailed a stereo somersault into a shoulderblock on King. They worked him over in the corner with punches and then antagonized Titus, allowing them to work over King as the referee kept Titus from interfering.
The Express took over, nailing a Hart Attack style clothesline on one of the Cutlers. Titus drilled the Cutler with a kick for a two count. Titus whipped him intoi a King clothesline. The Express continued working him over. The Cutlers mounted a comeback and drilled King with an Ace Crusher for a two count. King came back to snap his throat over the top ropes. The Express drilled him with a series of back and forth kicks.
The Cutlers made a comeback Titus ate a dive to the floor. One of the Cutlers nailed him with a top rope elbow for a two count. They went for a double leaping tombstone but King tackled one. The Express nailed one of the Cutlers with a varation on the old Demolition finisher, except Titus came off the top rope with a flying knee.
Good back and forth match.
Davey Richards vs. TJ Perkins
They shook hands at the bell. They did some nice back and forth wrestling early and ended up in the ropes. They went to the mat and had some nice matwork. Fans began chanting for Richards.
Perkins grabbed Richards in a waistlock but Richards slipped out and began focusing on Perkins' arm. Perkins tried to use a series of kicks but Richards blocked them. Perkins finally took him down to the mat and began tying up Richards on the mat with several pinfall attempts.
Richards came off the ropes and shoulderblocked Perkins down. Perkins came back with a leapfrog into a sunset flip, then leapt and drilled him knees into Richards. Richards retreated to the floor. Perkins cut him off as Richards returned to the ring and kicked away at him. Perkins snapmared him over for a two count.
Perkins kept trying to maneuver Richards into pinfall situations and then used a Dragonscrew variation on Richards' leg. Perkins worked him over in the corner with an uppercut. Richards came back to shock him with a cross armbreaker but Perkins made it to the ropes.
Richards picked up Perkins for a back suplex, hammerlocking the arm so Perkins couldn't try to slip out. Richards locked on an armbar. Perkins slipped out ans they exchanged blows in the center of the ring. Richards caught him with a snap suplex, then nailed the swandive headbutt off the top rope for a two count.
Richards went right back to tying up Perkins on the mat. He began drilling elbows into Perkin's arm and cinched in another armbar. Richards stiffly kicked Perkins in the chest, then elevated and slammed Perkins. He suplexed Perkins over the top to the floor and both were nearly counted out.
Back in the ring, they exchanged punches and kicks. Richards got the better of it. Perkins caught himself in the ropes to avoid Davey and was dropkicked hard by Richards while hanging. Perkins made a comeback with some stiff strikes and kicks. Richards returned with a brutal series of kicks to the chest.
Davey tried to elevate Perkins again but Perkins stopped him and instead elevated Richards, took him down and nailed a Dragon Screw Legwhip. Richards killed him with a series of kicks. He locked in a submission but let it go. He drilled Perkins with an enziguiri and a superplex where both men were standing on the top rope for a two count.
Perkins recovered first and locked in a Sharpshooter on Richards. They kicked each other in the face back and forth,. Perkins picked up Richards for a TKO into a kick to the head. Richards went for a suplex but Perkins small packaged him for a two count. Richards murdered him with several clotheslines and forced Perkins to tap with a Falcon' s Arrow into a armbreaker.
Really great, hard hitting bout.
After the bout, Richards took the mic and said that while he was making his name in ROH, he was also coming to PWG and if there was someone with the heart and soul that worked as hard as anyone, it was TJ Perkins. He said that there are a lot of wrestlers in California that wouldn't be anywhere as good as they are without Perkins. Richards said that he was focusing on the ROH World title, but anytime Perkins wants a rematch, Richards would love to go at it again. The crowd loved this.
ROH TV champion Christopher Daniels vs. Mark Briscoe
In a nice blast from the past, Alison Danger accompanied Daniels. Daniels and Briscoe shook hands before the bell. They locked up and worked their way aroun the ring. They went back and forth before facing off.
Briscoe began to control the pace of the match, holding Daniels in a side headlock. Daniels fought his way out of it but was nailed with a spinning kick for a two count. Daniels came back with a side suplex.
Daniels began to work on Briscoe's back with hard shots, then snapped his neck. Daniels whipped him intio the corner hard. He began chopping away at the back and neck of Briscoe as he was dazed in the corner/
Daniels drilled Mark with a swinging neckbreaker for another two count. He controlled Briscoe on the mat with a side chinlock but Mark fought his way out with a series of elbows. He charged Daniels, but was caught on his shoulders and slammed down.
Daniels was soon caught in a series of strokes and a clothesline. He went to the floor but was nailed with a tope con hilo to the floor. Briscoe began nailing palm thrust and strikes. He nailed an enziguiri for a two count.
Briscoe nailed a top rope sunset flip and then a powerbomb for another near fall. He ascended to the top rope but missed a flying elbow. Daniels locked on a Kokina Clutch but Briscoe made it to the ropes.
Daniels cut off Briscoe in the corner and placed him on the ropes. He nailed a palm thrust and took down Briscoe. Daniels called for Angel's Wings but Briscoe fought his way out. He chopblocked Daniels.
Briscoe went for the burning hammer but Daniels escaped. He avoided a charge and drilled Marc with an Uranage. Briscoe was caught with a kick and then nailed with Angel's Wings for a two count. Daniels then hit the BME and scored the pin.
Your winner and still TV champion, Christopher Daniels!
ROH Tag Team champions The Kings of Wrestling vs. Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin
Castagnoli shoulderblocked Haas down and they went back and forth. The Kings quickly gained control of the match and worked over Haas. He made a comeback with a deep armdrag on Claudio.
Benjamin tagged in and controlled. Claudio and Hero took over on Haas, running his face over the ropes and taking turns kicking and beating him down. They tied up Haas in the ropes and worked him over in the ropes. Haas was whipped into the barricade on the floor.
Claudio tossed Haas back in the ring, where he was nailed with a big kick and tossed into the buckles. Hero and Claudio took turns working him over in the corner. They nailed Benjamin with a double boot, sending him off the apron.
Hero cinched in an armbar on Haas, working him over and antagonizing Benjamin by acting like Haas was almost close enough to tag, then mocking him. He whipped Haas hard into the buckles, then tagged in Claudio. Claudio locked in a hammerlock variation but Haas made a comeback with several chops and an Olympic Slam.
He made the tag to Benjamin who cleaned house on Hero with stomps and a Stinger Splash. He nailed Hero off the apron, then hit an exploder for a near fall. Benjamin whipped Claudio into the corner but was kicked off. Hero held Haas for Claudio to come off the ropes with a flying uppercut. Hero drilled him hard from behind with an elbowsmash.
Hero cinched in a Dragon Sleeper on Benjamin then nailed a suplex for a two count. Benjamin came back with Diamondust out of the corner on Claudio. Haas tagged in and cleaned house on Hero.
Haas hit a stun gun on Hero but Claudio drilled Benjamin as he charged to nail a move. The Kings worked over Haas but Benjamin returned to catch Claudio in a small package for a two count.
Claudio nailed the big swing on Haas, complete with Hero dropkicking him during the swing for a two count. They continued back and forth with fast two counts. Haas caught Hero in the Haas of Pain. Benjamin fought off Claudio and finally Hero tapped.
Your winners, Benjamin and Haas! They battled back and forth early with some good mat and counter wrestling. Generico caught Strong with some hard hitting moves but Strong controlled the flow and the pace, breaking him down methodically.
Genericho went to the ropes but was crotched. They went to the floor and battled on the floor, nearly getting counted out as they whipped each other into the barricades. They battled on the apron and Generico came charging with a running kick, sending Strong to the floor. Genericho then hit a huge dive out of the ring to the floor. Fans chanted "ROH".
Genericho came off the top with a flying bodypress but Strong kicked out. Generico nailed a spinning power bomb for a two count. Generico charged Strong in the corner but missed and bounced hard. Strong killed him with three stiff kicks but Generico kept kicking out.
Strong locked on the Boston Crab. Generico escaped but Strong tied him up and tried to pin him. Strong began stiffing the hell out of Generico, who fed off it and tried to build a comeback. Both men were down as the referee began counting and fans were chanting that "This is awesome."
Generico came back with Boston Crab of his own. They kept going back and forth with pin combinations and near submissions. Great stuff. Generico ended up absorbing a ton of blows but still kicked out. Strong kept kicking away. Talk about a war of attrition.'
Strong killed Generico with a running kick, then a suplex into a lungblower for another two count. Strong went for a suplex but Generico reversed it into a hard suplex. Generico nailed the brainbuster and everyone thought that was the finish but Strong kicked out.
Strong tossed a chair in trhe ring and as the referee was removing it, killed Generico with the ROH title belt and nailed the running leg lariat and the Gibson Driver for the pin.
Your winner and still ROH champion Roderick Strong!
Strong took the mic and bragged about still being the champion, ripping on those who were really over. He ripped on the talents he had beat, leading to The Briscoes, Chris Daniels and Davey Richards coming out. Strong walked out as Daniels and the Briscoes and Richards all cut promos on him, then put over the legends working at Wrestlereunion this weekend.
Notes: They set the building for 900 and it appears they filled it...Edge, The Young Bucks, Raven, Sean Morley, Superstar Graham, Traci Brooks, Jackie Gayda-Hass, DDP, ODB, Adam Pearce, Mike Graham and Shane Helms were all at the show watching....
2011 - Dragon Gate USA held their United NYC event at BB Kings in where else, New York. Stu Carapola filed the following live report:
-Preshow Notes: BB Kings makes for a great, intimate atmosphere for a wrestling show. I have to give Dragon Gate USA credit for continuing to find unique venues to run shows in. They've already announced a return date for Sunday, June 5th. They're going to start at 7pm sharp and run straight through without an intermission.
-Reby Sky started the show by coming out to unveil the Open The United Gate Tag Team Title belts, and then we went right into the first match.
-Akira Tozawa defeated Sami Callihan in an unbelievably stiff match. They started off with a stiff chop exchange and then wiped one another out with a double clothesline before exchangeing more stiff chops. They then took turns missing flying moves off the ropes until Tozawa caught Callihan with a senton for 2 and then Callihan rolled out to the floor and Tozawa went for a dive, but Callihan moved and Tozawa hit the barricade. Callihan hit an exploder suplex on the floor and rolled Tozawa inside for a 2 count. Callihan continued working Tozawa over in the corner and went up top, but Tozawa knocked him to the floor and hit a dive through the ropes, then got back in and hit another one. Tozawa took control on Callihan and went for a superplex but ended up fighting with Callihan on the top rope. Callihan knocked Tozawa off and hit him with a missile dropkick that was like a shotgun blast and then they exchanged chops and forearms that would have had Atlas running for cover. Tozawa hit a quick series of strikes and a lightning fast enziguiri, but Callihan dumped him on his head with a backdrop suplex, then Tozawa responded with one of his own, and they exchanged backdrop suplexes until they started charging at each other with hard running forearms. Callihan with a kick to the head, and then deadlifts Tozawa into a backdrop suplex, Tozawa responds with a deadlift suplex of his own and both men are down. Callihan takes the straps down and they exchange Yakuza kicks and then Callihan knocked his jaw into the next room with a running forearm for 2. Callihan goes for a running powerbomb but Tozawa rolls through and hits a Shining Wizard for 2, then hits another Shining Wizard and deadlifts Callihan into a bridging German Suplex for the win. This was just ridiculous in the sheer stiff violence we saw.
-Jon Moxley gets the mic after the match and says that Akira Tozawa is a winner, unlike the Yankees or the Jets, or the Notorious 187 Homicide, who isn't here tonight defending his turf because he's home in Brooklyn bitching about Vince Russo. Reby Sky comes in and grabs the mic out of Moxley's hands and says that he's lucky that Homicide isn't here because he would kick Moxley's ass, and tells her on behalf of everyone here to shut up. Moxley says that she's obviously got a crush on him, and Reby slaps him, so Moxley says that it's 2011 and he made a resolution not to hit anymore women, but he changed his mind and grabs Reby by the hair. Suddenly, Jigsaw runs in to make the save and jump start their match.
-Jon Moxley defeated Jigsaw by submission with a crossface chickenwing. Jigsaw opens up on Moxley with chops but takes a charge and gets dumped to the floor where Moxley Russian legsweeps him into the guardrail and then sends him back into the ring where he hits an elbowblower and cranks on the arm with a hammerlock. Moxley with a stiff clothesline and then a release vertical suplex and puts on a Kimura Lock. Jigsaw escapes so Moxley sits him up on the top rope and goes for a superplex, but Jigsaw picked him up and dumped him into the ring and came off with an elbowdrop for 2. Jigsaw begins to rally back and goes for the Jig And Tonic, but Moxley escapes and rolls Jigsaw up for 2. Jigsaw with a leaping enziguiri and a brainbuster for 2, then comes off the ropes and Moxley rips his head off with a clothesline and then goes for a Tiger Suplex, but Jigsaw counters to a victory roll for 2. Jigsaw with a superkick then goes up top and hits a double stomp for a very close 2. Jigsaw argues with the referee but Moxley hits the Ace Crusher out of nowhere for 2 and then locks in the crossface chickenwing, but Jigsaw makes the ropes. YAMATO comes out to ringside as Jigsaw nails Moxley with a superkick and YAMATO drags Jigsaw out to the floor and rams him into the guardrail. YAMATO tosses Jigsaw back in the ring and Moxley reapplies the crossface chickenwing for the submission win.
-Moxley asks if we're all enjoying the first part of the show like he is, then introduces the next Open The Freedom Gate Champion, YAMATO. He said he knew that all New Yorkers were quitters, and Jigsaw is afraid to show his face just like Homicide. BxB Hulk's music hits and he comes out to confront Moxley and YAMATO. He tells Moxley to shut up, but YAMATO nails him from behind, and Moxley says he thinks Hulk said he wants to defend the title right now and tells the referee to ring the bell.
-YAMATO defeated BxB Hulk to win the Open The Freedom Gate Title. YAMATO continues his surprise attack, working Hulk over with hard forearms and choking him on the ropes, and suddenly Julius Smokes comes out of the crowd and attacks Jon Moxley and they brawl all the way out of the room. Hulk starts coming back with fast kicks and they do a fast paced sequence as Smokes and Moxley fight back through the room and to the back. Hulk takes YAMATO out with a series of dropkicks, then gets a three quarter nelson and peppers YAMATO with kneestrikes and then hits a diving dropkick for 2. Hulk hits a running Shooting Star Press for 2 and then unloads with kicks but YAMATO catches his heel and trips him into a heel hook. Hulk escapes that and YAMATO charges him in the corner, then ties Hulk's ankle around the top rope and kicks him in the knee, then ties Hulk's arms in the ropes and hits a running dropkick to send Hulk to the floor. YAMATO gets a mouthful of water and spits it in Hulk's face and then stands on his throat. They head back into the ring and YAMATO ties up Hulk's leg in another submission, then lets him out and kicks him right in the face and gets a figure four. Hulk makes the ropes so YAMATO goes for a vertical suplex but Hulk blocks and comes off the ropes and runs right into a hard spear from YAMATO, who follows that right up with an ankle lock. Hulk goes for an enziguiri but YAMATO ducks and gets a half crab but Hulk again made the ropes so YAMATO takes him to the corner and lays in some hard chops. YAMATO tried to whip Hulk across the ring but Hulk's knee went out and he just collapsed. YAMATO breaks into a big grin and continues nailing him and hits a Hot Shot onto the top turnbuckle, but tries a charge and Hulk gets a boot to YAMATO's face and a springboard dropkick. Hulk kips up and unloads on YAMATO with a series of fast kicks and hiits a twisting senton for 2. Hulk clobbers YAMATO with a spinkick to the face but YAMATO gets a sunset flip and rols that right into a high angle half crab. Hulk makes the ropes so YAMATO nails him with a running forearm and goes to the second rope, but Hulk runs in with a leaping spinkick and puts YAMATO up top and hits a moonsault powerbomb. THAT was awesome. Hulk hits a running Yakuza kick in the corner and hits more kneestrikes to the head and a leaping scissor kick for 2. Hulk goes up top but YAMATO hit a leaping dropkick and then hit a superplex where Hulk nearly hit one of the lights. They exchange forearms in the middle of the ring and then exchange kicks until Hulk hit a Guile Kick and a hard clothesline. YAMATO responds with a leaping enziguiri but Hulk hit another series of kicks and the EVO but only got a very close 2. Hulk goes for a second EVO but YAMATO slips out and goes for the sitout piledriver, but Hulk escapes that and kills him with a series of kicks and a superkick to the face for another VERY close 2. Hulk goes for a twisting Phoenix Splash but didn't have enough clearance and fell short, coming down bad on his knee. He hit several more kicks and went for the EVO again but YAMATO slipped out and caught Hulk in a choke. YAMATO suplexed him out of the choke and hit a superkick to the face for 2, then went for the sitout piledriver and the move didn't come out quite right, but Hulk sold it anyway and YAMATO pinned him to become the second DGUSA Champion. Excellent match, though I was a little surprised to see Hulk drop the title on the first night out.
Jimmy Jacobs comes in and says that it looks like YAMATO is at the end of his road to the DGUSA Title, and shakes YAMATO's hand and tells him to enjoy it while it lasts. Jacobs says his road begins here and asked for the biggest and baddest, and tells Brodie Lee to come out right now.
-Brodie Lee defeated Jimmy Jacobs. Brodie tosses Jacobs around like a rag doll and Jacobs goes for a series of chops, but Brodie no-sells and lays in one of his own, so Jacobs goes to the eyes and comes off the ropes right into a dropkick from Brodie. Jacobs knocks Brodie to the floor and tries a dive but Brodie catches him and rams him into the ringpost. They head back into the ring and Brodie picks him up for a big vertical suplex where Jacobs' feet nearly touch the ceiling before dropping him. Brodie continued to work Jacobs over with power moves but Jacobs ducked and dodged until Brodie hit a superkick and Jacobs reversed a Boss Man Slam to a sunset flip attempt, and Brodie yanked him up by the neck and Jacobs countered to the End Time. Brodie slipped out so Jacobs dropkicked him ot the floor and went for a dive, but Brodie moved and then gave Jacobs a running powerbomb onto the stage. They head back in and Brodie rips Jimmy's head off with a clothesline for 2, but missed a running boot in the corner and Jacobs rolled him up for 2. Jacobs with a springboard Ace Crusher and then hits a top rope senton for 2. Brodie immediately recovered and hit a sitout powerbomb for the win.
-Ronin comes out dancing while Rich Swann does an a capella rap and they get in Blood Warriors' faces. Chuck Taylor tells them that tonight, they'll prove that they belong in the ring with the DGUSA wrestlers and they belong in Japan, and challenge them to get the tournament started right now.
-In a first round match in the Open The United Gate Title Tournament, Johnny Gargano & Chuck Taylor defeated Naruki Doi & Ricochet. They did the usual back and forth opening stuff but Gargano hit repeated curb stomps on Doi and a dropkick to the face. Ricochet tags in and goes at it with Taylor in a fast paced sequence but gets Taylor in the Blood Warriors' corner and he and Doi tag in and out on Taylor. They spend several minutes working Taylor over until Taylor rammed Ricochet into Gargano's feet and then they took control. Ronin hit a windmill backbreaker/Shining Wizard combo for 2 and then Gargano got Ricochet in a double guillotine. Ricochet escaped and went for a standing moonsault, but Gargano got the feet up and tagged Taylor, who slammed Ricochet and yelled that he was going to go for a moonsault, but instead just dropped straight backward into a senton for 2. Gargano ran over and nailed Doi, but Ricochet dumped Taylor and then hit a leaping enziguiri and made the hot tag to Doi. Doi dropped Gargano into the ropes and hit a running splash against the ropes. Taylor slammed Doi and went for a moonsault, but Doi nailed him and hung him upside down, then tripped Gargano into him in the corner and followed that up with a Doi/Ricochet double dropkick for 2. Taylor caught Doi with a Blockbuster but Ricochet came in with a big flying headscissors on Taylor and then went for a Guile Kick moonsault, but Taylor caught him and darted him into a Gargano Ace Crusher for 2. Now Doi comes in and nails Taylor and goes to the ropes, but Gargano hit a spear through the ropes and then Ricochet hit Gargano with a flying something off the top for 2. Ricochet hit Gargano and Taylor with the Space Flying Tiger Drop, but Gargano nailed Ricochet as he went for a moonsault off the stage and Ronin hit a Doomsday Device on the floor. Ronin tosses Ricochet back in and they hit an insane combo I can't even describe but Doi comes in and breaks up the fall. Taylor hits Sole Food on Doi but Ricochet catches him with a cartwheel into an inverted Frankensteiner, and thenDoi hits Doi Fives and the sliding kick but Gargano breaks up the cover. Ricochet and Gargano exchange blows in the middle of the ring and Gargano goes for the spear through the ropes, but Ricochet catches him and Doi hits the assisted top rope senton, followed by a Lionsault from Ricochet for 2. Doi with a sitout powerbomb and Ricochet misses a twisting sention, and Gargano hits a superkick and then dives onto Doi on the floor as Taylor hits the Awful Waffle on Ricochet for the win. Awesome match, tons of action and it could have gone either way. Ronin goes up 2 points.
-Gargano grabs the mic and says that they just proved how awesome they are and that they should be in Japan. Rich Swann grabbed the microphone and called them the best group in the world and called out Austin Aries. Aries came out and Swann made the mistake of turning his back to Aries, and Aries hit him with a missile dropkick to jumpstart their match.
-Austin Aries defeated Rich Swann by submission. Aries went right to work on Swann and caught him with the Last Chancery right off the bat, but Taylor and Gargano pulled him out of the hold and Swann was able to nail him. Swann piefaced Aries in the corner and went for a chop, but poked him in the eyes instead. Aries fought back with a chop and ear clap as Swann yelled that he was sorry, but Aries showed mercy by continuing to chop him. Swann goes to the eyes again and runs from Aries, leapfrogging him a pair of times but Aries stops short on the third and Swann just turns around and slaps Aries in the face, then snapmares him and hits an indy kick for 2. Now Aries starts leapfrogging Swann and goes to slap him but just grazes him, so he slaps him again for a more pleasing sound. Aries misses a crossbody out of the corner, but nails Swann with a roaring forearm to send him to the floor and goes for the Heat Seeking Missile, but Swan catches him with a superkick as he came through the ropes. Aries tries to whip Swann into the stage but Swann cartwheels onto the stage, superkicks Aries in the face, then goes for a running Frankensteiner, but Aries catches him and powerbombs him into Taylor, then heads back into the ring and hits the Heat Seeking Missile on all three members of Ronin. Aries rolls Swann onto the apron and hits a slingshot double axhandle, then comes back in with a slingshot senton for 2. Aries gets an STO and the Pendulum Elbow for 2 and then a diving back elbow for another 2. Aries with a figure four stump puller, but Swann escapes and finally gets the advantage with a hanging DDT and a big leaping splash for 2. Swann with a leaping boot to the face but Aries started firing back and Swann hit a spinkick to the ribs and a spinkick in the corner. Swann whips Aries to the corner but Aries dodges the carge and starts firing away with fast rights and lefts. Swann conutered and got Aries in a weird bridging Muta Lock and then set Aries on the top rope, Aries knocked him off but Swann hit a leaping enziguiri for 2, then a running shooting star press for another 2. Swann ran Aries over with a running clothesline and Aries acts like he legitimately hurt himself and rolls to the floor holding his shoulder. Aries takes a moment to walk around the ring and then heads back in where Swann starts working on the arm, but tries a charge and Aries hits a Japanese armdrag and then the kneebreaker/suplex combo. Aries with the IED in the corner and then goes to the Last Chancery, but his shoulder gives out and he has to release the hold so he hits the brainbuster instead and then goes up for the 450 but Swann moves and spikes Aries with a spinning flying headscissors. Swann hits a brainbuster for 2 and goes for the standing 450 but Aries blocks and puts Swann up top for a top rope brainbuster and then locks in the Last Chancery and Swann taps. This was a really good and athletic match, and while there were a couple of spots where Swann's timing was off, Swann looked really good and like he belongs in the ring with guys on Aries' level. He carries himself well and has a ton of athletic ability, and he's only going to get better the more he's in the ring with veterans like Aries.
-CIMA and Naruki Doi come out to confront Ronin after the match, and Taylor said that he'll speak for Swann, and after their earlier win and Swann's great match with Austin Aries, he says they believe they belong in Japan with CIMA. CIMA tells Taylor that what just happened to Swann proves that Ronin doesn't belong in Japan, but Taylor responds that tomorrow in Philadelphia, he and Gargano will face CIMA and Dragon Kid in the second round of the tournament, and after they beat them, CIMA will know damn well that they belong in Japan. CIMA asks Taylor if he's stupid, but then Yoshino's music hits and he and PAC come out for the main event.
-PAC looks like he's put on a lot of muscle mass. He and Dragon Kid do a chain wrestling sequence to start with neither man getting an advantage. They do a test of strength and Dragon Kid turns it into a wristlock and takes PAC down. PAC reverses to a three quarter nelson and goes for a snapmare but Dragon Kid flips through and gets a flying headscissors but PAC lands on his feet and nailss Dragon Kid. CIMA and Yoshino tag in and they do a back and forth sequence until Yoshino hits a flying headscissors and then he and PAC hit a double clothesline to wipe CIMA out. PAC springboards off Yoshino into a twisting sention and then Yoshino tags in and gets a headscissors. CIMA slips out and tags Dragon Kid in, and the rivalrly is back on! Kid with a snapmare and leaping kneedrop for 2, but Yoshino tags out to PAC and PAC holds Kid's arm for a top rope double stomp from Yoshino. Dragon Kid comes back quickly with a spinkick to PAC and then tags CIMA, who comes in with a slingshot senton and traps PAC in an abdominal stretch. CIMA and Kid hit a double dropkick on PAC and Kid follows that with a corner dropkick and a diving dropkick in the corner. CIMA hits a drop toehold on PAC and then taunts Yoshino into the ring and gets him in an upside down stretch thing while keeping PAC trapped in an Indian Deathlock, and then Dragon Kid comes in and dropkicks PAC in the face. Yes, it was that difficult to describe. CIMA gives Kid an assisted senton onto Pac and then hits a senton of his own for 2, and catapults PAC into the bottom rope. He steals some fan in the front row's chair and wedges it under the bottom rope, then catapults PAC into it. Now THAT was an innovative move! PAC and CIMA had a fast paced sequence as PAC tried to escape and finally hit a leaping enziguiri and made the hot tag. Yoshino and Dragon Kid come in and they move faster than I can type, so I'll do my best. Yoshino takes out both Dragon Kid and CIMA, and PAC dropkicks Kid from the outside. Dragon Kid goes for a springboard move but Yoshino nails him and charges and Dragon Kid caught him with a Blockbuster Cutter and a spinning Stunner for 2.CIMA trips Yoshino from the floor and holds him for a Dragon Kid dive, but PAC nails Kid so CIMA comes in and goes at it with him, and that ends with CIMA hitting a double stomp and a somersault senton. CIMA with the Venus Punch and Iconoclasm, but PAC catches him with a slingshot Ace Crusher and then a slingshot dropkick. Yoshino comes in and nails Dragon Kid and they double team CIMA in the corner but Yoshino misses a missile dropkick and accidentally nails PAC. Now CIMA hits a running double kneestrike in the corner on PAC, followed by a running leg lariat from Kid and then a double top rope bulldog from CIMA. Yoshino goes up top and CIMA tries to block, and Yoshino ends up on CIMA's shoulders where Dragon Kid hits a mega Frankensteiner, followed by CIMA hitting the 2K1 Bomb and that only gets 2. CIMA with an enziguiri on Yoshino and then superkicks Yoshino into a crucifix bomb from Dragon Kid for 2. CIMA superkicks PAC as he tries to go for a leapfrog and Dragon Kid hits a windmill DDT for 2. Kid goes up top but misses whatever he was trying and then Yoshino goes for Ghanarea but Kid blocks so PAC hits a slingshot move from the outside and finishes with a twisting 450 splash for the win. There was way more going on here than I was able to keep up with, but this is what you would expect out of a DGUSA main event in terms of just the sheer anarchy of so much going on in the ring. Excellent match to end the show, and Ronin comes back out afterward for a staredown with the two teams that just wrestled. CIMA said that they're better teams than Ronin, and that Ronin doesn't belong in Japan.
So the final tally for Night One of the Open The United Gate Title Tournament is:
2-Chuck Taylor & Johnny Gargano
2-Masato Yoshino & PAC
0-Naruki Doi & Ricochet
0-CIMA & Dragon Kid
Terrific show overall, and a really strong start to their three day tour of the Northeast. My personal favorite match was Hulk vs YAMATO both because it was a great match, but mostly because of the shock title change, and that was the only thing that put it above the tournament matches because all three matches were excellent. There was nothing bad on this show, and it'll be interesting to see how the title change tonight will affect the way Hulk's remaining matches against Moxley and Tozawa play out. DGUSA kept the show to a manageable length, and made maximum use of their airtime by having one segment flow seamlessy into the next with no downtime between matches or intermissions. I thought the format of the show was an improvement over their last iPPV in October, and hopefully gofightlive.tv didn't experience any technical issues during the internet broadcast because everything else came together really well.
Thank you for following PWInsider.com's coverage of United: New York, and I again apologize for the fragmented nature of the updates, I didn't have a good internet connection and couldn't do segment-by-segment updates like usual. We'll be back tomorrow night in Philadelphia with a better internet connection for Night Two of United Weekend.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
