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2/20 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: BACKLUND WINS WWWF TITLE, STEAMBOAT WINS NWA WORLD TITLE, GOLDBERG CHALLENGES AUSTIN ON TONIGHT SHOW, CREATIVE HAS NOTHING FOR COLT CABANA AND MUCH MORE

February 20th

On this day in history in ....

1978 - At Madison Square Garden in New York City, Bob Backlund defeats Superstar Billy Graham with an atomic drop to win the WWWF World Heavyweight Title. In a bit of poetic justice, Graham's foot was on the bottom rope for the pin, but the referee didn't see it, as Graham used the ropes for leverage in his title win over Bruno Sammartino.

1984 - WWF ran at New York's Madison Square Garden, selling out the building in advance, so a closed circuit broadcast was set up at the smaller Felt Forum in the Garden complex.
- Jose Luis Rivera defeated Charlie Fulton.
- Iron Mike Sharpe defeated B. Brian Blair.
- Samoan Afa defeated Tony Garea.
- The Iron Sheik defeated Eddie Gilbert.
- Rowdy Roddy Piper & David Schultz defeated The Invaders.
- Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana defeated Don Muraco via countout.
- Andre The Giant defeated The Masked Superstar. This was Superstar's last appearance in Madison Square Garden, although he would return years later as Demolition Ax.
- Salvatore Bellomo defeated Swede Hanson.
- Pedro Morales defeated Playboy Buddy Rose.
- WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Paul Orndorff via countout.
- Jimmy Snuka defeated Samoan Samula.
- Ivan Putski, Rocky Johnson & Tony Atlas defeated Mr. Fuji, Sgt. Slaughter & Tiger Chung Lee.

1989 - The NWA held the Chi-Town Rumble Pay-per-view at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois, headlined by the first of the three-match classic between Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat. Here are the results of the show:
- Michael Hayes defeated The Russian Assassin (Jack Victory).
- Sting defeated Butch Reed.
- The Midnight Express & Jim Cornette defeated Randy Rose, Jack Victory (subbing for Dennis Condrey) & Paul E. Dangerously in a Loser-Leaves-Town match when Stan Lane pinned Rose. As a result, Rose had to leave the company.
- Mike Rotundo defeated Rick Steiner to win the NWA Television Title.
- Lex Luger defeated Barry Windham to win the United States Title.
- NWA World Tag Team Champions The Road Warriors defeated Steve Williams & Kevin Sullivan when Hawk pinned Sullivan.
- Ricky Steamboat defeated Ric Flair to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title.
- Kendall Windham defeated Steve Casey. This match was held after the PPV for the fans in the arena. Part of the match did air, without commentary, on some cable systems.

1989 - WWF ran at Madison Square Garden in New York City with the following results:
- Jim Powers defeated Iron Mike Sharpe.
- Brooklyn Brawler defeated Red Rooster.
- Big John Studd defeated Akeem via countout. This was Studd's final MSG appearance.
- The Bushwackers defeated The Rougeau Brothers.
- Brutus Beefcake defeated Rick Rude.
- Rick Martel vs. King Haku ended in a draw.
- Greg Valentine defeated Jim Neidhart.
- WWF World Champion Randy Savage defeated Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior via countout when Rick Rude attacked Warrior on the floor.

1992 - WWF Intercontinental Champion Rowdy Roddy Piper defeated WWF World Champion Ric Flair in a steel cage match in Niagara Falls, New York. It was a non-title bout.

1995 - Sid Vicious returns to the national wrestling scene for the first time since the infamous hotel brawl with Arn Anderson in England, appearing on Monday Night Raw in Macon, Georgia as the new bodyguard for Shawn Michaels.

2000 - WCW star Bill Goldberg appears on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno and states that he will put up $100,000 of his own money if WWF star Steve Austin will wrestle or fight him. Goldberg says they can meet anywhere, even in a back alley. A few days later, Howard Stern asks Austin about the challenge, and Austin responded that they can wrestle when Goldberg "makes it to the big leagues". Many felt Goldberg came off looking foolish with his "challenge".

2001 - During a taping of Smackdown from Kansas City, Missouri, The Kat wrestled Ivory to a no-contest when the Right To Censor interfered. Jerry Lawler tried to make the save, but was beaten down by Right To Censor. This was Kat's last WWF match, as she was being released, and Lawler, who had a real-life relationship with her, quit the company in protest.

2005 - WWE held their No Way Out PPV in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Buck Woodward filed the following PPV report:

No Way Out opened with a video putting over the danger of the barbed wire steel cage match between JBL and Big Show.

WWE Tag Team Champions Doug & Danny Basham vs. Rey Mysterio & Eddie Guerrero.

Rey and Eddie both did their traditional entrances. Eddie started off with Danny, exchanging holds. Eddie applied an ankle twist, but Danny tripped out and applied an armbar. Eddie armdragged out and tagged in Rey, who springboarded into a double axhandle on Danny's arm. Rey hit a shoulderblock in a corner and a legdrop for two. Danny rammed Rey into his corner and tagged in Doug, who kicked Rey and slapped him across the head. Danny choked Rey with the tag rope in the corner. Rey came back with a bodyscissors and tagged in Eddie, who hit Doug with a back elbow. Eddie grabbed a rana, sending Doug to the floor. Danny tagged in and worked over Eddie in a corner. Danny grabbed Eddie in a cross-armed chinlock, but Guerrero got out with a back suplex. Doug tagged in, and gave Guerrero a series of elbows to the back of the head. Doug punched Guerrero in a corner, but ran into a Guerrero boot. Doug came right back with a powerslam, but Rey broke up the cover. Doug missed a top rope headbutt, and Guerrero tagged in Rey. Rey hit Doug with a springboard senton and a springboard bodypress for two. Rey grabbed a bulldog out of a bodyscissors, but Danny broke it up. Danny did an illegal switch, and elbowed Rey in the back. Doug tagged back in and stomped Rey. Danny immediately tagged back in and kicked Rey in the gut. Danny put a full nelson on Rey, then switched to a reverse bear hug.

Rey elbowed out, but Danny kicked Rey in the back of the head, then rammed him face first into a turnbuckle. Danny whipped Rey hard into a corner, then elbowed Guerrero on the apron. The Bashams worked over Rey with stomps, and Doug took over in the ring. Danny tagged back in, and they dropped Rey across the top rope with a double Hot Shot for a two count. Danny choked Rey, and Rey tried to crawl between his legs to tag Eddie, but Danny stopped him and tagged in Doug. Doug whipped Rey hard into a corner and set up for a back superplex. Rey punched out of it, and gave a standing Doug a moonsault for two. Doug dragged Rey to his corner and tagged in Danny. Danny applied a cravate to Rey, then switched to a rear naked choke. Guerrero tied two tag ropes together to get further down the apron for a tag, but the referee caught him. Doug tagged in, and the Bashams hit a reverse spinebuster/face smasher (variation of the old Blue Light Special). Rey rallied, leapfrogging and ducking under the Bashams to finally tag Guerrero. Eddie cleaned house with dropkicks, and took down both Bashams with a springboard headscissors/armdrag combo. The Bashams came back, giving Guerrero a sloppy double spinebuster for two. The Bashams went for a double vertical suplex, but Rey broke it up, and Eddie rolled up Danny in a small package for two. Doug and Rey started fighting on the floor, while Guerrero went for the title belt. Rey went and told Eddie not to use the belt as a weapon. Meanwhile, Danny and Doug Basham switched spots in the ring. Eddie went for a frog splash, and Doug rolled away, but Eddie rolled when he hit the mat, and then pretended that he got hurt when he missed the splash. Doug went to pin him, but Eddie rolled him up for two. Danny threw the tag belt to Eddie, to make it look like he was cheating, but Eddie tossed it to Doug. The referee saw Doug with it, and took it away from him. Meanwhile, Rey tossed the other belt to Eddie, who hit Doug with it. Eddie tossed the belt out and lied down in the ring next to Doug. Rey gave Danny a 619 around the ringpost, and Eddie crawled onto an unconscious Doug for the pin at the fourteen minute mark.

Winners and new WWE Tag Team Champions: Rey Mysterio & Eddie Guerrero.

Backstage, General Manager Theodore R. Long was telling a Production Assistant to make sure Batista was catered to when he arrived. Carlito Caribbean Cool entered with Mrs. Rodriquez, saying she was the wife of one of the board of directors. Pleasantries were exchanged, and she left. Carlito then said he was talking with her, and that the board of directors were going to remove Long as General Manager if he didn't sign Batista to Smackdown.

Rookie Diva Contest - Evening Gown Competition

Torrie Wilson and Dawn Marie came out together and joined the announcers. They discussed what they were looking for out of the Divas, and took some shots at each other. Joy Giovanni, Rochelle Loewen, Lauren Jones, and Michelle McCool each came out in their evening gowns. Voting is now open on WWE.com. The live crowd didn't seem to favor any one of them more than the others.

The Pulp Fiction-spoof with Booker T & Eddie Guerrero to promote Wrestlemania was shown.

Heidenreich vs. Booker T.

Heidenreich came out first to read a poem about No Way Out and his match with Booker T, with the fans giving it the "What" treatment. Booker backed Heidenreich into the corner on a lockup, and broke clean. Heidenreich hit a knee to the gut, then dropped Booker T with punches. Heidenreich delivered a clothesline for a two count, but Booker came back with a back kick and some chops and punches against the ropes. Booker hit a knee to the gut, but Heidenreich reversed a whip and hit a sloppy back elbow. Booker went to the floor, and Heidenreich followed. Booker rammed him into the steps and tossed him back into the ring. Booker hit a chop, ducked a Heidenreich clothesline and delivered a superkick for a two count. Heidenreich hit a knee to the gut and slammed Booker. Heidenreich hit another clothesline, and punched Booker on the mat. Heidenreich tossed Booker shoulder first into the ringpost. Heidenreich punched Booker to the mat for a two count, then applied an overhead wristlock.

Booker battled out of it with elbows, but Heidenreich hit a boot to the face for a two count. Heidenreich went back to the wristlock, and Booker eventually battled out, only to be kneed to the gut again. Booker reversed a whip and hit a spinebuster. Booker punched and chopped Heidenreich, then hit a pair of clotheslines. Booker hit a side kick, then did the spinarooni. Booker missed an ax kick, then went for a Bookend, but Heidenreich elbowed that away. Heidenreich charged Booker, who sidestepped him and sent him over the top rope and to the floor. Booker and Heidenreich fought on the floor, and when Booker went to argue with the referee, Heidenreich picked up a chair and (after someone at ringside untangled it from a camera cord) hit Booker in the throat with it. The referee disqualified Heidenreich at the seven minute mark. Winner via disqualification: Booker T.

Heidenreich rolled Booker back into the ring and covered him, but the referee obviously wouldn't count it.

Backstage, Hardcore Holly, Charlie Haas and Scotty 2 Hotty congratulated Eddie Guerrero & Rey Mysterio on their title win. John Cena entered the room, and Guerrero asked to be left alone with him. Eddie Guerrero told John Cena that his match with Kurt Angle tonight was his opportunity to main event Wrestlemania. Guerrero said that Kurt Angle promised to make John Cena tap tonight. Guerrero told Cena not to tap, no matter what. Guerrero said that Angle gets frustrated and makes mistakes when people don't tap. Guerrero wished him Cena luck.

WWE Cruiserweight Champion Sho Funaki vs. Paul London vs. Shannon Moore vs. Spike Dudley vs. Chavo Guerrero vs. Akio.

The match was held gauntlet-style, with entrances determined by a random draw earlier today. The other competitors stayed on the apron until it was their turn to enter the ring. Paul London was wearing a large fur vest. Spike Dudley wore a Tom Brady jersey to infuriate the Pittsburgh fans.

Funaki vs. London. They traded waistlocks and headlocks at the start, then London hit a shoulderblock, but Funaki sweeped his leg. London hit an armdrag, then mulekicked Funaki out of a corner. Funaki dodged a charge and hit a bulldog. Spike kneed Funaki from the apron as Chavo distracted the referee. London rolled up Funaki and pinned him at the one minute mark. Funaki is eliminated.

Spike vs. London. Spike pounded London in a corner. Funaki ran in and superkicked Spike as Moore distracted the referee. London pinned Spike. Spike is eliminated.

Moore vs. London. Moore went for a series of quick covers on London for two counts. London battled back, but Moore whipped London hard into a corner chest first three times. Moore went to the top rope for a twisting senton, but missed. London hit Moore with a 450 splash off the top for the pin at the three minute mark. Moore is eliminated.

Akio vs. London. Akio hit London with a clothesline and stomped London in a corner. Akio applied a headscissors across the top rope, then went to a sleeperhold in the ring. Akio hit a enzugiri for a two count. Akio chopped and pounded London in a corner, then went for a superplex. London battled Akio on the ropes, and they fell off the top rope with a neckbreaker attempt that left both men down. The referee counted both men down, and London got up at nine, but Akio could not answer the count, so he was eliminated via knockout at the six minute mark. Akio is eliminated.

Chavo vs. London. Chavo covered London three times for two counts. London grabbed a small package for a two count. Chavo hit a forearm, then yelled "You want to make me work?" at London, and pounded him on the mat. Chavo went for a neckbreaker, but London held the top rope to block it, then covered Chavo for a two count. London grabbed a Dragon suplex for a two count. London started screaming and pounding his chest. London hit a backdrop and a dropsault for a two count. Chavo hit a knee to the gut, then went for a suplex, but London floated over it. London rolled up Chavo, but Chavo reversed it and hooked the ropes for leverage for the pin. London is eliminated.

Total match time: Nine Minutes. Winner and new Cruiserweight Champion: Chavo Guerrero.

Batista's appearance on Smackdown this past week, destroying JBL's limo and beating up JBL's henchmen, was recapped.

Big Show was shown sitting in the back, thinking about his Barbed Wire Cage match tonight.

Rookie Diva Contest - Talent Competition

Joy's talent was massage, so she gave Torrie Wilson a massage in her bra. She was wearing a short skirt, so she showed off her panties too. Dawn commented that it was a pretty poor message. Torrie made a snap about Dawn giving the boys in the back massages. Rochelle tired to tell jokes, but after one lame joke, Dawn Marie stopped her. Lauren's talent was dancing, so she did a dance/strip routine. Dawn told her not to quit her day job, since she couldn't even make 50 cents stripping. Michelle McCool, wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers outfit, said she was tired of someone running her mouth, and bodyslammed Dawn Marie as her talent display. Voting is open at WWE.com.

Josh Mathews interviewed JBL about the main event. JBL said he knew their would be blood, and it would be his. JBL said that Big Show is a "side show freak" and that he has no guts. JBL said that the fans would realize tonight that he is the "wrestling god".

Luther Reigns, with Mark Jindrak, vs. The Undertaker. Jindrak argued with the referee, as he seemed adamant about staying in the ring and getting revenge on the Undertaker for his loss from last week on Smackdown. The announcers played up Reigns hitting Taker in the head with a TV camera following that match. The referee ordered Jindrak away from ringside before the Undertaker even made his entrance. Undertaker pounded Luther in the corner at the start, but Luther elbowed him in the head as he attempted a backdrop. Luther hit some punches, but Taker hit a boot to the face for a two count. Undertaker hit some short-arm shoulderblocks and went for the Old School ropewalk. Undertaker hit the forearm smash, then hit a faceplant. Taker choked Reigns on the mat, then chased the referee from the ring when he made him break. Reigns pulled the pad off of a turnbuckle. Reigns went to ram Taker into it, but Taker blocked it. Undertaker hit some punches in a different corner, but Reigns came back with a clothesline. Undertaker reversed a whip and sent Reigns into the corner. Taker pulled Reigns across the ring apron drove in an elbow. Taker then hit a ring apron legdrop. Reigns begged off in the ring, but kicked Taker low. Reigns then rammed the back of Taker's head into the exposed steel of the uncovered turnbuckle. The announcers played up that it was the same area where he was hit with the TV camera.

They went to the floor, and Reigns rammed Taker back first into the ring apron and rammed him headfirst into the steps. In the ring, Reigns stomped Taker and whipped him hard into the turnbuckles twice. Reigns delivered a vertical suplex for a two count. Reigns slammed Taker and dropped an elbow for a two count. Reigns applied a single leg crab, and stood on the side of Taker's head. Reigns switched to a kneebar, but Taker punched out if it and kicked Reigns away. Taker hit some body punches and an uppercut, then delivered a clothesline for a two count. Reigns stopped Taker's rally with a spear for a two count. Reigns hit an elbow for another two count. Reigns went for an inverted neckbreaker, but Taker kneed out. Taker ducked a Reigns clothesline and hit a flying clothesline. Taker hit a clothesline in the corner. Undertaker went for Snake Eyes, but Reigns sort of blocked it. Taker hit a big boot and a legdrop for a two count. Undertaker gave Reigns a chokeslam. Undertaker went for a tombstone, but Reigns floated over into an inverted neckbreaker for a two count. Reigns went for the neckbreaker again, but Undertaker reversed it into a DDT. Undertaker hit the tombstone for the pin at the twelve minute mark. Winner: The Undertaker.

Backstage, Theodore R. Long was still awaiting the arrival of Batista.

The Basic Instinct-parody commercial for Wrestlemania was shown.

Rookie Diva Contest - Swimsuit Competition

Torrie hosted this last segment alone, as Dawn would not return after being slammed by Michelle. They replayed the slam, for those that didn't see it twenty minutes ago on a show they paid to see. Joy wore a Steelers jersey to the ring, while the other contestants wore robes. Each woman had 15 seconds to disrobe and show off their bikini. Rochelle almost fell down in her heels. Michelle did a handspring backflip. They asked the audience who they liked while "the votes are tallied". The crowd booed Rochelle and Lauren, and cheered Michelle and Joy (not coincidentally, the two that wore Steelers gear tonight). Joy won, with 65% of the vote. Michelle came in second with 18%. Lauren had 6%. Rochelle had 11%.

Winner: Joy Giovanni.

The Wrestlemania Contender tournament was recapped in a music video.

John Cena vs. Kurt Angle. This was the finals of the tournament to determine the number one contender to the WWE Title. The winner receives a WWE Title match at Wrestlemania (which will be a three way if Batista signs with Smackdown). Cena's U.S. Title is not on the line. Angle took Cena over to the ropes at the start with a chinlock, but broke clean. Angle grabbed a double leg takedown and applied a side headlock. Cena got out, but Angle took him back down with a side mare. Cena got out, but Angle took him back down with a side headlock with a trapped arm. Cena got to the ropes for a break. Cena grabbed a side headlock of his own, but Angle shoved him off and grabbed a drop toehold. Angle went into a front facelock, but Cena got them to the ropes. Cena hit some shoulderblocks against the ropes and right hands. Cena ducked a punch by Angle and clotheslined him over the top rope and to the floor. Cena went after Angle on the outside, clotheslining him over the announcers table and pounding him on the floor. Cena rammed Angle into the table, and tossed him back into the ring.

Cena hit a fisherman's suplex for a two count. Cena punched and kicked Angle in a corner, then booted him in the face when he charged him. Cena hit a clothesline, and Angle went to the floor for a breather. Cena punched Angle down in the corner when he came back in, but Angle mounted a comeback by giving Cena a German suplex into the turnbuckles. The crowd came alive, with pro and anti-Angle chants. Angle worked over Cena with kicks and hit a vertical suplex for two. Angle hit a backbreaker for a two count. The crowd got behind Cena now. Angle punched Cena in a corner, then snapmared him and applied a bodyscissors. Angle rubbed his forearm across the face of Cena. Angle went into a reverse chinlock, but Cena elbowed and punched out. Cena hit a back elbow, but Angle responded with three German suplexes. Cena got his foot on the bottom rope at the two count.

Angle applied a modified Camel Clutch, driving his knee into Cena's back. Cena kneed out of it, ducked a clothesline and hit a flying shoulderblock. Cena hit a series of rights, and a headbutt. Cena hit a pair of clotheslines and a back elbow. Angle raked Cena's eyes, but Cena reversed a whip and hit a spinebuster for two. Angle hit a knee to the gut and a German suplex. Cena broke free of the waistlock and hit a side powerbomb for a two count. Cena went for an FU, but Angle floated out of it and into a sunset flip for two. Angle hit an overhead belly to belly suplex. Angle went for the Angle Slam, but Cena floated out and hit a DDT for two. Cena went for the FU again, but Angle went into a Victory Roll and applied the ankle lock, to a pop. Cena rolled out of it, sending Angle through the ropes and to the floor. Cena went to the top rope as Angle got on the apron, and gave Angle a top rope legdrop to the back of the neck as Angle we getting back into the ring. Cena got a two count. Cena charged into an Angle boot. Angle charged Cena, and Cena grabbed him in the FU. Angle kicked out at two.

Cena argued with the referee, then went back to Angle, but Angle clipped his knee. Angle went to work on the leg, dropping elbows and sitting down on it. Angle hit a chopblock to the back of the leg and stomped it. Angle rammed Cena's leg into the ringpost four times. Angle could audibly be heard saying "turn on your stomach" and Cena rolled over. Angle twisted Cena's legs, then stomped him in a corner. Angle took his straps down, then stomped the leg again. Angle hit the Angle Slam, and then applied the ankle lock. Cena went to the ropes, but Angle pulled him back into the center of the ring. Cena went towards the ropes again, but Angle dropped down, adding a leglace to the hold. Cena made the ropes after struggling, and Angle broke the hold on the four count. Angle went back to it again, and accidentally hit the referee as he released the hold on the four count. Some fans chanted "HBK". Angle went for John Cena's chain, but Cena charged Angle in the corner, then hit an FU. Cena covered, and the referee slowly crawled over and counted three at the twenty minute mark. Winner: John Cena.

Angle was aggravated at ringside, toppling the ring steps as he left. John Cena will receive a WWE Title match at Wrestlemania.

Batista still hadn't arrived, as they showed his hospitality room was empty.

The history leading to the main event was shown.

WWE Champion John Bradshaw Layfield vs. The Big Show, Barbed Wire Steel Cage match.

JBL came to the ring alone. JBL went right at Big Show at the bell, throwing chops, but Big Show pounded him down. Show tried to ram JBL into the cage wall, but JBL blocked it twice. Show hit a chop to the chest and tried again, but JBL blocked it again. Show pounded JBL and choked him. JBL ducked a clothesline and clipped Big Show's leg. JBL hit a neckbreaker. JBL tried to climb up, and attempted to find an opening in the barbed wire. JBL then jumped off the top rope at Show, who caught JBL and hit a fallaway slam for a two count. Show slugged JBL to the mat, then chopped him in the corner. JBL's arm was bleeding from when he was trying to find an opening in the wire. JBL gave Show a thumb to the eye and looked for an opening again. JBL got back down and went for a shoulderblock, but bounced off of Show. Big Show hit a vertical suplex, then chopped JBL in the corner. JBL booted a charging Big Show, then rammed him headfirst into the cage. Big Show was soon bleeding from the head. JBL climbed up again, then hit a top rope shoulderblock. JBL rammed Show into the cage, then chopped and punched him to the mat. JBL dropped an elbow for a two count.

JBL kicked Show in the head and dropped an elbow. JBL pulled one of the tag ropes off of a corner and used it to choke Show. Show reversed a whip and hit a back kick. Show went for a powerbomb, bouncing JBL's face against the cage before driving him into the mat. Show punched JBL to the mat, and JBL was also bleeding. Show rammed JBL into the cage twice, then headbutted him to the mat. Both men were wearing the "crimson mask" now. Big Show catapulted JBL into the cage. Orlando Jordan ran down and tried to climb up the cage, but couldn't get in. The Bashams tried to use wire cutters, and cut a few links. Theodore R. Long came to ringside and ordered Jordan and the Bashams away. Jordan left the wire cutters in the cage, and JBL picked them up and hit Show with them. JBL then hit a Clothesline From Hell for a two count. JBL measured for another one, but Show grabbed JBL and chokeslammed him for a two count. Blood was flowing freely from both JBL and Show. Show signaled for another chokeslam, but JBL hit a low blow and a boot to the face for a two count. JBL went to the chained door, and realized he couldn't get out that way. JBL picked up the wire cutters and went onto the top rope. JBL cut one strand of barbed wire, then dropped them to the floor as Big Show attacked him. Big Show got onto the top rope and rammed JBL into the support beam of the cage over and over. JBL fought back, and the two slugged it out on the top rope. Show grabbed JBL by the throat and chokeslammed him off the top rope. JBL hit the ring, and the mat collapsed under JBL.

Show was still standing on the top rope, and JBL was lying in a hole in the corner of the ring. Show climbed down and tried to kick the door open, then tried to break the lock with his bare hands. Show broke the lock and opened the door. Show stepped out of the cage, onto the ringsteps. The bell rang. Show thought he had won. However, JBL had crawled out from under the ring via the hole he had made when he landed off the chokeslam. So, since JBL's feet had touched the floor first, he retained the title at the sixteen minute mark.

Winner: John Bradshaw Layfield.

Show tossed JBL back into the ring, as a replay showed how JBL crawled out from under the ring to get the win. The Bashams and Jordan hit the ring to attack the Big Show. Batista came out, decking Orlando Jordan and giving both Bashams spinebusters. Batista powerbombed a Basham, as JBL stumbled and crawled up the aisle. John Cena came out of the entranceway and threw JBL into some television equipment. Cena gave JBL a spinebuster into part of the stage, sending him crashing to the floor. Cena, from the stage, and Batista, from the ring, looked at each other and gestured about winning the title belt. JBL was laid out, and Cena did the "You Can't See Me" as the show came to an end.

2006 - During an edition of Raw from Trenton, New Jersey, Shelton Benjamin defeated Ric Flair with an Exploder suplex after hitting him with a oxygen tank while Mama Benjamin distracted the referee to win the Intercontinental Title. On the same show, Triple H defeated Rob Van Dam and Big Show in a three way match by pinning Van Dam with a Pedigree after Van Dam had given Big Show a frog splash to earn a WWE Title match with John Cena at Wrestlemania.

2007 - WWE broadcast ECW on Sci Fi. Mike Johnson filed the following TV report:

Welcome to PWInsider.com's coverage of ECW on Sci Fi. Scheduled for tonight is CM Punk vs. Raw's Johnny Nitro in a Wrestlemania 23 Money in the Bank Qualifier, ECW World champion Bobby Lashley vs. Ken Kennedy vs. Hardcore Holly, plus the next chapter in the Originals vs. New Breed storyline and the looming shadow of the great Snitsky approaching our TV sets. Stay tuned!

ECW opened with a graphic dedicated to the memory of the late Mike Awesome.

They aired footage of the Lashley vs. Kennedy match at the No Way Out PPV, where Lashley was disqualified for using a chair Kennedy brought into the ring. Joey Styles announced that due to the DQ, Kennedy was added to the Holly vs. Lashley title bout tonight.

They aired the ECW opening with lots of new footage interspersed.

They plugged the CM Punk vs. Johnny Nitro match. WWE is really up on the production as Melina was already holding the WWE Women's championship in the graphic.

The New Breed made their way to the ring. I think the New Breed has their own theme now. Elijah Burke said that it wasn't an act of divine intervention that defeated the Originals, but pure brutality, skills, and brilliance. Not to mention a one-sided storyline. Heh. Burke was good on the mic. Striker said that they would teach the Originals a lesson tonight, that being any New Breed member can beat any Original. They picked Kevin Thorn as their representative tonight. The Originals came to the ring to the original ECW theme song. They conferred before agreeing to send Rob Van Dam in as their rep. That makes sense since RVD is from California.

Rob Van Dam (with Originals) vs. Kevin Thorn (with Ariel & New Breed)

Thorn took over on Van Dam with a number of clubbing shots and worked over RVD in the corner. Van Dam used bodyscissors for a near fall, then missed a spinkick. They faced off center ring. Van Dam tried to lead the fans in saying his name, but Thorn attacked. Thorn battered RVD in the corner with kicks. Van Dam caught Thorn with a great looking kick to the face and clotheslined him over the top. Van Dam hit a dive over the ropes onto Thorn. He tossed Thorn back into the ring, but was jumped by the New Breed outside. The Originals made the save and everyone brawled at ringside. A ton of officials hit ringside as they tried to break it up. They went to commercial. So far, so good. Entertaining so far.

They returned with Thorn working over Van Dam. They showed footage of everyone being ejected from ringside. Why would that stop any of the ECW rebels, Originals or otherwise? Thorn hit a number of rights but Van Dam came back with a right hand of his own and several clotheslines. Van Dam nailed Rolling Thunder. Thorn came back but kicked Thorn in the face. RVD hit the Ryder Kick off the top rope and hit a bodypress (just barely) but Thorn kicked up. Thorn nailed a Samoan Drop for a two count. Van Dam came back with the windmill kick. RVD nailed the Five Star Frog Splash for the pin.

Your winner, Rob Van Dam!

Nothing over the top amazing but a solid and fun match. Van Dam was really laying in his kicks in a way I haven't seen in some time which made everything seem fresher and a little different from your typical WWE bout. Van Dam celebrated with fans at ringside as Joey Styles noted he'd like to see some more of the Originals vs. New Breed brawl. I'm sure we will at Wrestlemania.

They plugged Punk vs. Nitro next.

They aired a vignette on Vito, er, Kane...um, I mean Snitsky. It was a slicky produced piece showing him laying out Punk and close-ups of his face, designed to look freakish and scary.

Joey Styles and Tazz noted Wrestlemania was 40 days away and then discussed the importance of the Money In the Bank match in the past as each winner, Rob Van Dam and Edge, each used it to win the WWE championship.

CM Punk vs. Johnny Nitro (with WWE Women's champion Melina)

On paper, this looks strong, so hopefully they are given a chance to have a good match. Punk tried to get the pin early with a quick rollup. Nitro grappled with Punk, who took him down with a headlock takeover. Nitro elbowed Punk to get out of a hammerlock. Punk nailed a leg lariat on Nitro for a two count, then nailed several roundkicks. Nitro whipped Punk into the corner sternum-first then hit a springboard enziguiri for a near fall. Nitro worked over Punk with crossfaces. Punk came off the ropes and rolled up Nitro with a bodyscissors for a two count. Nitro came back with a backbreaker and a spinning legdrop. The crowd began chanting Punk's name as Nitro scored a two count. Nitro worked over Punk with a headvice, turning Punk into a pinning combination. Punk came back with a backfist but missed a crescent kick. Punk nailed a roundkick and followed up with a flurry if offense. Punk nailed a doubleunderhook into a backbreaker over the knee. Punk went outside for a springboard move but was distracted. Nitro hung him over the ropes and nailed a spinning kick for a two count. Nitro slapped Punk and kicked him. Nitro went to the top for a corkscrew moonsault but missed. Punk picked up Nitro into a Fireman's Carry then dropped him forward, kneeing Nitro in the face as he crashed down, aka the Go To Sleep finisher that Pro Wrestling NOAH's KENTA uses. Punk scored the pin, earning his way into the Money in the Bank match and his Wrestlemania debut. Another good, solid match.

Your winner, CM Punk!

Rebecca interviewed Ken Kennedy backstage. He asked if he was in bizarro land. I've often wondered that while watching this version of ECW myself, but this week's is decent so far. Kennedy said that he won the match and wondered why Hardcore Holly was involved. Holly showed up and said that life isn't fair. Holly said this was ECW and it was his world. He said he was damned if Kennedy walked out ECW champion. They faced off.

They aired a DVD commercial for the new ECW DVD, which you can order from our pals at www.Highspots.com.

When we returned the reunited La Resistance made their way to the ring. They did a interview boasting saying that they were the best tag team ever on Raw and would prove no one can defeat them.

La Resistance vs. Los Luchas

Los Luchas are locals who usually work under the ring names Phoenix Star and Zokre. La Resistance squashed them in under a minute, pinning Will Flores with a doubleteam back suplex/neckbreaker.

Your winners, La Resistance!

Snitsky charged the ring and destroyed Los Luchas.

They aired the next video feature on ECW World champion Bobby Lashley. Lashley discussed his father leaving his family behind and being on his own and not having a male role model. It was a good but short piece.

When we returned, it was time for the latest Extreme Expose Dance. Hey, if no one's stopping her, why isn't Kelly Kelly getting naked? Wow, it's so obvious they keep the camera off Kelly Kelly as much as possible during these segments and Layla is the centerpiece of the trio.

They announced Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig would be the next inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame. Absolutely deserving.

ECW World champion Bobby Lashley vs. Ken Kennedy vs. Hardcore Holly.

They noted the match was No DQ. Holly and Kennedy were nose to nose when Lashley made his way to ring. Kennedy went to attack Lashley, but he ducked and speared Holly. Kennedy attacked Lashley and worked him over in the corner. Holly tried to get involved but was shoved off. Lashley clotheslined both. He elbowed Holly. Lahsley picked up Kennedy and drilled him into the corner. Kennedy raked Lashley's face and tossed him shoulder-first into the ringpost. Kennedy hit a back suplex on Holly for a two count. Kennedy turned his attention back to Lashley. He choked Lashley in the corner using his boot, then hit a Facewash. Holly hit a uranage on Kennedy for a two count. Lashley nailed Holly with a series of rights, then hit a belly-to-belly suplex. Lashley backdropped Holly. Lashley rebounded off the ropes but was tripped and pulled out of the ring by Kennedy. He tried to manhandle Lashley, who slammed him into the ring steps. Holly attacked Lashley from behind. Holly jumped on Lashley's back trying to choke him out. Kennedy kept trying to attack Lashley who punched him off as Holly choked him. Lashley broke free and suplexed Kennedy, then clotheslined him over the top. Lashley charged Holly, who nailed him across the ropes with a Hot Shot. Holly grabbed a chair on the floor and drilled Lashley with it. He hit the Alabama Slam but Kennedy pulled the referee out of the ring before he could count three. Holly went after Kennedy, who lowblowed him. Kennedy went to nail Lashley with the chair but Lashley ducked and Holly got drilled. Lashley hitting a running over the shoulder powerslam on Kennedy for the pin.

Your winner and still ECW World champion, Bobby Lashley!

Match was OK. Everyone looked solid. It was way better than the Lashley-Kennedy bout at No Way Out, however. I'd be interested in seeing if there's a Holly-Kennedy program coming out of this. The commentary was all about making Lashley out to be a huge star, which given his role at Wrestlemania, is the right move.

2008 - An episode of old UWF tapes from the Herb Abrams promotion scored a 0.0 in the ratings for ESPN Classic. Yes, no one watched them.

2009 - A sad situation surrounded wrestling legend Verne Gagne following the death of his roommate, Helmut R. Gutmann at an assisted living care facility. Both Gagne and Hermann suffered from dementia related to Alzheimer's disease.

Gutmann's daughter, Ruth Hennig told the Pioneer Press that the attack took place near a nurses' station in a public area of the Friendship Village's memory loss unit. "I don't know what precipitated the attack, if anything. All I know is that Verne Gagne lifted my father off the floor and then threw him down to the ground, and that caused him to crack his hip." The belief was that Gagne used a hiptoss on his roommate.

She noted it was the second incident involving the two.

"I don't blame [Gagne], in the sense that I know he's not fully responsible for what he did," Hennig said. "But on the other hand, I know that my father would still be alive today if they hadn't had this altercation. ... I'm more sad than I am angry."

Hennig told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune today that before her father passed away, he had no memory of the incident and didn't "understand" why his hip was hurting.

Verne's son, AWA star Greg Gagne told the Post that the incident was a terrible accident and referred all other inquiries to the family's attorney.

Police were not initially called to the facility following the incident but later opened an investigation after a call was made by an adult-protection agency. That investigation remains ongoing with no arrests at this point.

Due to the celebrity nature of Gagne's involvement and his past as a legendary professional wrestler, the story has been picked up across the country by a ton of media outlets. Gagne would eventually leave the facility and live with a family member, instead.

2009 - WWE released Scotty Goldman aka Colt Cabana, who had been working on the Smackdown brand. In response, The word at the time was that "Creative had nothing for him". Cabana would later use the term in an online comedy show he stars in.

Goldman announced:

SEEYA!!!!! Yes. I was released by WWE. There's only two things that are on my mind right now.

1) Move back to Chicago.

2) Go to England and Professionally Wrestle Johnny Saint.

There'll be a lot more to come, but for now, sit tight.

Goodbye Scotty Goldman. Hello (again) Colt Cabana!

GOOD TIMES, GREAT MEMORIES!

2009 - The Great Sasuke was arrested for allegedly kicking a man on a train for taking a picture of him with a cellphone. Sasuke was wearing his mask at the time. Sasuke denied there was an assault.

2009 - Mickey Rourke appeared on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross show in the UK to promote The Wrestler. Daniel Jefford filed the following report:

Just thought I'd send further information and more detail on Mickey Rourke's television appearance on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross here in England.

- Said he's very proud of 'The Wrestler' and it's the hardest movie he's ever had to make and the best movie he's ever made. "What I'm most proud about is... I didn't know sh** about wrestling, but the wrestling community, the WWE, Vince McMahon, 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper, the legendary 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair.. they all came to the premier and they've embraced the movie and that really means a lot to me."

- He admitted that before he did 'The Wrestler' he saw pro wrestling in the same light as a lot of people. "I myself had no respect for the wrestling business at all coming from a boxing background. I thought "This is sh**t, it's pre-determined with choreographed outcomes" and was disappointed that this great director that I wanted to work with wanted to make a movie like this."

- Said he had 7 months in which to put on 28 pounds for the role. He went on to say he ate between 6 and 7 times a day with two split work-out routines; lifting heavy weights and 45 minutes of cardio. "It was really hard having to put on not just fat but muscle in 7 months time."

- There was an interesting moment when the host brought up steroids when talking about Mickey getting into shape and asked; "I mean steroids weren't used I'm sure but were drugs used.. did you need supplements as well to help deal with this change?" Mickey just gave an odd look to which the audience started laughing at. He and the host then started smiling which prompted Jonathan to say "In a way, no answer is worse than an answer". Rourke laughed and said "A lot of protein shakes and a lot of push-ups".

- Rourke then got into experiencing the wear and tear wrestling has on the body: "After about a month and a half I went 'Man, these guys ARE athletes!' and I do have a renewed respect for the sport 'cause I ended up with three MRI's in two months because you get some big cat picking you up and throwing you down, and these guys take years learning how to 'flop' they call it, to break the impact.. and I'm landing like a lump of shit and every bone is rattling and I'm struggling to walk and I'm getting people to push me up stairs 'cause my legs couldn't carry the weight." He then went on: "So when you see these guys that are in their late 30's/early 40's that are still doing it everyday... they can barely tie their shoes where they're so beat up... but they feed off the adrenalin of the audience when you got 60,000 people in the arena going crazy and they do a flip off the top rope maybe 40% of the time they're not going to land right and something's going to really pop or break... people are going home hurt every evening."

- Said he was going to attend his first proper wrestling event in the form of Wrestlemania in Houston, Texas. When asked if he was going to wrestle, he replied: "Errr.. we had talked about that but now that I'm listening to other people rather than just myself... I'm not going to be allowed to wrestle.. I'm going to take their advice. He then went on to say: "But I was halfway there.. I like the physical thing, you know?"

Overall it was a very interesting interview and as ever, Rourke came across as very pleasant and funny, even conducting some of the interview in a Lucha Libre mask the host gave him.

2011 - TNA signed Gunner to an official contract.

2011/strong> - WWE held their Elimination Chamber PPV. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:

Welcome to PWInsider.com's live coverage of the 2011 Elimination Chamber PPV from Oakland, CA.

During the countdown show, they announced a sixth Smackdown talent will enter the Elimination Chamber. Interesting to note they spent a lot of time pushing The Rock's return as well. WWE Intercontinental champion Kofi Kingston vs. Alberto De Rio

Del Rio turned his attention to Kofi Kingston, calling him trash and saying Kingston can’t stop destiny. Kingston’s music started, cutting off Del Rio from completing his rant.

They locked up and Kingston backed Del Rio into the turnbuckles but Del Rio slipped out of the ropes to force a break. There was a sizeable chant for Del Rio early. Del Rio called for Ricardo and when the ref stopped Del Rio’s announcer, Del Rio grabbed Kingston and rudely slammed him over. Kingston slipped out of a tiltowhirl backbreaker and dropkicked Del Rio, who escaped to the floor to cut off Kingston’s momentum.

Kingston followed to the floor and kicked Alberto while he was down. He deposited Del Rio back into the ring and followed suit with a series of right hands and forearms. Kingston charged Del Rio but was backdropped over the ropes. Kingston landed on his feet but was knocked off the apron to the floor when Del Rio shoulderblocked him into the ringpost.. Del Rio grabbed the Intercontinental champ and whipped him into the ring steps, then tossed him back into the ring for a two count, Del Rio locked in a submission but Kingston refused to tap.

Del Rio continued the assault on Kingston, beating Kingston with punches as he held him down. Del Rio nailed a nice belly to back suplex for another near fall. He scissored Kingston’s body and squeezed, trying to work Kingston down. Kingston fought back and came off the ropes with a nice forearm for a near fall. Kinbgston and Del Rio fought back and forth until Kofi drilled Del Rio with several double chops and a dropkick. Kingston nailed the Boom Drop and began setting up for Trouble in Paradise. He went for it but Del Rio ducked the kick. Kingston missed a splash in the corner but used the ropes for momentum to kick Del Rio in the head.

Kingston came off the ropes with a flying bodypress but Del Rio pulled his knees up as they connected, changing the tide of the match immediately. Del Rio scored several near falls and went for a superplex but Kingston fought him off. Kingston nailed a missile dropkick for a two count. Del Rio caught Kingston with several strikes to the ribs and scored another near fall.

Kingston countered a move into a DDT but Ricardo Rodriquez distracted the referee, who missed the initial cover. By the time the ref went to count the fall, Del Rio was able to kick out at two. Kingston went to complain but Del Rio caught him and went for the rolling armbar. Kingston slipped out and nailed a kick to the head for a two count. Kingston went for a diving attack in the corner but missed and was nailed by Del Rio.

Del Rio locked on the rolling armbreaker but Kofi locked his fingers to prevent Del Rio from torquing the arm. Del Rio beat on Kofi until he let go. Alberto locked in the move and Kofi, after failing to reach the ropes, finally tapped.

Your winner, Alberto Del Rio!

Real good back and forth opener.

They show Randy Orton backstage, standing around, wondering what was going through his mind. As the announcers spoke, Michael Cole said Booker T headlined Wrestlemania. I guess I missed that show.

Todd Grisham interviewed World champion Edge backstage. Grisham asked Edge his frame of mind after the last few weeks. Edge said that after everything he went through the last few weeks, he knows what he’s walking into. He said that after Vickie Guerrero, ten tons of steel is a walk in the park. He said that he knows no champion has ever survived the Elimination Chamber but he knows what it takes to win a Chamber. Drew McIntyre showed up and asked Edge how he feels knowing that Kelly Kelly lost her job, an innocent victim of Edge’s problems. He said that Edge took something important to him, so he’s going to take Edge’s prized possession, the World title. Edge remarked that Kelly and the World title have one thing in common – neither will ever be seen with Drew and walked off. Drew wasn’t happy.

They replayed the awesome Elimination Chamber video package.

The Chamber began lowering.

Smackdown Elimination Chamber: World champion Edge vs. Kane vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Wade Barrett vs. Rey Mysterio vs. ?

Before the Elimination Chamber began, Teddy Long came out and reminded everyone that he fired Dolphg Ziggler, then announced Ziggler's replacement would be Big Show. Everyone else (except Edge, who wasn’t out here yet) looked shocked and pissed. Drew McIntyre showed some good fire when he came to the ring, getting right in Kane’s face and then banging his head against his pod’s glass to fire himself up.

Edge and Rey started off. Edge backed him into the corner and worked him over but Rey came back with several kicks. Rey rebounded off the ropes but was nailed with a flapjack for a two count. Edge whipped Rey into the corner but Rey kicked him off and nailed a twisting DDT off the ropes. Rey kicked Edge in trhe face as he rebounded off the ropes but Edge backdropped him over the ropes into the Chamber’s steel grate outside the ring. Edge and Mysterio battled in front of McIntyre on the ropes and Rey nailed a top rope rana for a two count.

Back on the grate outside, Edge shoved Mysterio backwards into the cage several times and then began stomping him. Edge slammed Rey’s head into the pod containing Kane. Edge tossed Rey back into the ring and covered him for a two count. Edge grabbed at Rey and whipped him into the corner but Rey slipped out and nailed a drop toe hold.

The countdown kicked off and Wade Barrett was released into the match.

Barrett began attacking Rey. There was a “Let’s go Wade” chant. Edge attacked Wade and beat him down in the corner. Rey and Edge worked over Barrett, but Edge tossed Rey sliding out of the ring and across the grate, which looked nasty. Barrett dropped Edge and scored a two count. Barrett provoked Big Show, who was still locked in his pod.

Barrett grabbed Rey and nailed a scoop slam for a two count, then whipped Rey into the buckles hard. Barrett went after Edge, who was outside the ring on the grate, slamming him into the cage, then covered him for a two count. Edge came back to backdrop Barrett over the ropes onto the grate. Barrett grabbed at his leg. Mysterio nailed Edge and went to the top but Barrett pulled him off. Wade went for Wasteland, nailing Edge with Rey. Rey pulled off and climbed up the cage, then nailed a rana into the ring on Wade. He went for the 619 but Edge killed him with a Yakuza kick for a two count.

Edge began stomping Barrett as the countdown for the next competitor continued. Kane was released and cleaned house on all three, covering Barrett for a two count. Kane then turned his attention to Rey, beating him in the corner. He whipped Edge into Barrett in the corner, then nailed a big boot on Edge. Mysterio nailed a hard shot to Kane, setting Edge up to score a two count with a kick of his own. Wade then kicked Kane and scored a two count.

Drew McIntyre was going nuts demanding to be let out.

Kane mounted a comeback, working over Barrett on the outside, beating him with punches. Barrett fought back and tried to send Kane into the Cage but Kane countered and Barrett was nailed. Rey went to the ropes to prepare for a dive but Kane nailed an uppercut and Rey fell backwards, upside down in the corner. Edge nailed a running kick to Rey and scored a two count.

Kane continued controlling the battle field as the countdown for the fifth competitor let out Drew McIntyre.

Drew went right after Rey, running him like a dart into one of the pods. Drew and Wade doubled up on Kane outside on one of the grates, nailing a double kick. As Barrett entered the ring, Drew kicked the ropes, nutshotting him and then threw Barrett into the pod backwards. The glass exploded, leading to a “holy sh**” chant.

Drew then attacked Edge, screaming and beating on him while gaining several near falls. He went for the Futureshock but Edge escaped, kicked him in the gut and nailed a DDT. Edge was too beaten to make the cover, instead pulling himself up to attempt a spear. Fans were chanting for it. He went for the spear but instead Kane grabbed him for a chokeslam. Edge escaped and nailed Kane. Kane landed in the 619 position but moved before Rey could nail it, killed Edge and then sent Rey headfirst at Mach speed into a pod. Drew went for Futureshock but was backdropped over the ropes onto Barrett on the outside.

The countdown to let Big Show in ended and all six men are now in the bout.

Big Show took out everyone. He sent Drew flying out of the ring with a massive chop. He then went hunting for Barrett. Show finally caught him, sending Wade into another pod, breaking the glass. Wade tried to climb away but was chopped to death across the chest, then run into the cage. Show KO’d Barrett with a right hand and pinned Barrett.

Wade Barrett was eliminated.

Kane came off the top with a clothesline, taking out Show. Edge came off with a top rope elbow for a two count. Drew went for Futureshock and nailed it on Show, but Show kicked out. Rey, perched atop a pod, nailed a seated senton for another two count. They kicked Show into the 619 position. Rey nailed it and Edge speared Show. Kane took out Edge and Rey, then teased a chokeslam on Show. He nailed a chokeslam and scored the pin.

Show is eliminated.

Drew went for a running dive on Kane but was caught and chokeslammed for the pin.

Drew is eliminated.

Rey came off the ropes with a legdrop on Kane for a two count. Kane shoved him off but Rey kicked him. Rey came off the ropes but was caught in a chokeslam. Rey kicked him off and nailed the 619. He came off the top but was caught by Kane. Edge speared them both and covered Kane.

Kane is eliminated.

Kane nailed Edge after he was eliminated and then chokeslammed Rey. He grabbed Edge and chokeslammed him as well.

Kane exited the Chamber with the final competitors, Edge and Rey, the men who kicked off the match, beaten and down.

They finally covered. Edge went for the spear but Rey countered and covered Edge for a two count. Rey hit a high cross bodyblock off the ropes for another two count. Edge whipped Edge into the corner but Edge was kicked off. Rey hit a Lucha takedown into a bulldog for another two count.

Rey went to the top rope but Edge tried to fight him off. Rey got the better of it and went for a rana but Edge caught him and nailed a sitdown powerbomb. Rey kicked out at the last second. Edge went for a powerbomb but Rey escaped and set up for the 619. Edge slipped away and Edge locked on an Indian Death Lock. Rey slipped him into a small package for a two count. This is so great.

Edge went for a spear but Rey slipped out. Rey went after Edge but was caught with another spear. Mysterio just barely kicked out, which Edge was shocked at. Rey nailed the 619 and hit a springboard splash for a two count.

Rey set up for the 619 again and nailed it. He ascended to the top rope and jumped off but Edge speared him in mid-air, scoring the pin.

Your winner and still World champion, Edge!

What a war of attrition!!! A really good Chamber match with some nice storylines within the match, some unique and original spots and brutal looking shots. The sequences at the end with Edge and Rey were nothing short of awesome. Drew McIntyre, Kane and Show had good showings as well. Barrett was fine in his role. I really enjoyed the hell out of this

After the match, Alberto Del Rio attacked Edge in the Chamber and locked on the rolling armbar as a number of referees tried to break him up. Christian's music hit and he made his return, "saving" his best friend. Christian attacked Del Rio and worked him over. Christian ran Del Rio's shoulder into the corner. The referees tried to hold him back but he broke free and nailed the Unprettier before walking off. Christian doesn't check on Edge?

Backstage Matt Striker interviewed Jerry Lawler backstage. Lawler said that this week should have been the most enjoyable week of his life, but as we all know, his mother passed away. He said that’s all he’s been thinking about but he also realizes that things have to move on and the match is going to take place whether he likes it or not. He said that he’s had an OK career and won “a few matches” but he’s never been the WWE champion or competed at Wrestlemania and those are his goals. He said that he’s got friend and family that have been there for him and he’s going to go out and do what he’s got to do to get it done. It was a nice Memphis-style babyface softspoken Lawler promo.

Booker T came into the ring and promoted Tough Enough, announcing Trish Stratus would be one of the trainers for the series. Nice surprise. Booker welcomed her back to WWE. She said she’s excited to be part of the process to find new WWE Superstars.

Stratus said that she’s getting excited to be around the ring and wrestlers and said she’s been working on a new catchphrase. She did The Rock’s “Finally” line, which the crowd loved. She tossed in Booker’s “Sucka” at the end. Booker whipped out his, “Tell me she did not just say that.” It was pretty bad. Stratus seemed like she didn’t expect to be in front of the crowd.

Booker pushed the Tough Enough debut the night after Wrestlemania. He then said that everyone wanted to know why Trish was here tonight. Stratus said she was there to see Jerry Lawler win the WWE championship. Booker signed off the segment.

Nice surprise. The company sure is loading up Tough Enough.

Drew McIntyre is currently trending on Twitter.

WWE Tag Team champions Vladimir Kozlov & Santino Marella (with Tamina) vs. Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel (with Ezekiel)

Kozlov and Santino worked over Slater early. Slater ducked a takeover and began nailing knees and stomps across Santino’s back. Gabriel tagged in and nailed a series of elbowdrops. Santino used a trip to takedown Gabriel, then brought him back into the corner.

Kozlov tagged in and ran Gabriel into the corner with a series of shoulderblocks. Gabriel was bounced across the ring by a battering ram. Gabriel went to the floor. Kozlov grabbed him but was kicked hard in the side of the head. Slater tagged in and worked over the champion.

They worked over Kozlov who made a comeback and tagged in Santino. Santino nailed the Cobra on Gabriel but he wasn’t the legal man. Slater stomped the hell out of Santino and whipped him into the corner. Gabriel tagged in but missed a move and Vladimir tagged in with a big boot to the chest. Slater made a blind tag. Ezekiel pulled out Gabriel. As Vladimir complained to the referee, Slater attacked him from behind. He tagged Gabriel in and drilled Marella off the apron.

Gabriel nailed the 450 splash and scored the pin on Kozlov.

Your winner and new Tag Team champions, The Corre!

Short match. Too short to really be anything of note.

Todd Grisham interviewed WWE champion The Miz, with Alex Riley. Grisham asked if he was nervous since a title just changed hands. Miz said it was 2011, the year of the Miz, not 1983 when it was good to be King or 1999 when we had to smell what the Rock is cooking. Miz said that he would crush 40 years of dreams in one evening. He said that tonight, five men will lose tonight in the Elimination Chamber and at Wrestlemania, number six will lose to the greatest WWE champion ever. He’s the Miz and he’s awesome.

Vickie Guerrero sullenly came to the ring saying, “Excuse me.” Guerrero talked about Dolph Ziggler getting fired. She said they were dealing with some serious issues. Guerrero said that Dolph has an uncontrollable temper and his state of mind was confused. She said all Dolph was doing was trying to show Vickie how much he loved her and that he committed a crime of passion. She said that was she there to say how sorry Dolph was and asked everyone to convince Teddy Long to give Ziggler a second chance. Guerrero, who was AWESOME here, said she deserves just a little bit of compassion and love, asking everyone to give them a second change. Guerrero said she was begging the fans.

Out came Teddy Long, who told her to stop it. Guerrero said that she and Dolph were so sorry. She said that Teddy looked amazing and asked him to do the right thing and re-hire Ziggler. Teddy said that she was lucky because he is in a hiring mood. Guerrero began thanking Teddy and rambling but Teddy stopped her. He said that he didn’t hire Ziggler back but someone who has been given time to personally thank Guerrero for all her time as acting General Manager of Smackdown.

Out came Kelly Kelly, who chased Guerrero around the ring. She finally caught Guerrero in the ring. Guerrero offered Kelly her hand, but Kelly kicked her in the gut and began beating the hell out of Vickie. LayCool hit the ring and attacked Kelly, beating her down and throwing her into the barricade.

Trish Stratus came down to ringside and checked on Kelly. LayCool backed off then attacked Trish. They tossed her into the ring but Stratus nailed McCool with a series of forearms and the Chick Kick. She went for the handstand into the rana in the corner on Layla, but her heels (she was wearing leather boots with huge heels, which can’t be easy to do spots in) messed up the timing of it. They saved the spot and Layla took the rana. McCool went after Trish, who nailed her and Layla with the springboard bulldog.

Trish and Kelly celebrated in the ring.


Trish Stratus is now trending on Twitter.

WWE champion The Miz (with Alex Riley) vs. Jerry Lawler

Lawler came out old school Mid-South Coliseum style with a sequined robe, carrying the crown. Great to see. They did the big fight introductions. Huge Lawler chant at the bell.

They locked up and Lawler rolled up Miz for a quick two count. Miz was pissed about that. Miz ducked under Lawler and began nailing Lawler with strikes and punches. Lawler slipped out and went for a backslide for a two count.

Miz grabbed a headlock and shoulderblocked Lawler down. Lawler blocked a hip toss and clotheslined Miz for another two count. Lawler shoulderblocked Miz down and hit a high cross bodyblock for another near fall.

Lawler caught Miz in the corner and began nailing a series of rights. Lawler clotheslined Miz over the top to the floor. Lawler followed Miz to the floor. He was distracted by Riley, allowing Miz to shove him face-first into the ringpost.

Lawler was dead on his feet. Miz placed him on the apron and nailed a running knee lift to Lawler’s face. Miz covered him but Lawler kicked out. Miz shoved Lawler against the ropes. Riley nailed Lawler. Miz covered Lawler and scored a two count.

Miz continued stalking Lawler. Lawler blocked a punch and nailed a retaliatory shot. Miz reversed an Irish whip into the corner and hit a leaping clothesline. Lawler crumpled to the mat. Miz went to the ropes but Lawler cut him off. They battled back and forth atop the ropes. Lawler got the better of the exchange and nailed a superplex. Lawler covered Miz for a two count.

Lawler and Miz peppered each other with back and forth punches. Miz showed signed of being out of it as Lawler nailed a dropkick. Lawler backdropped Miz and nailed the fistdrop. Miz slipped out of a move but Lawler nailed him. Lawler rebounded off the ropes but Riley tripped him. The referee threw Riley out of ringside.

Miz missed a running charge in the corner, nailing his shoulder in the ringpost. Lawler rolled him up for a two count. Lawler went for the piledriver but Miz escaped. Miz drilled Lawler with a kick for a two count but Lawler reversed it into a pinfall reversal for a two count. Miz got nailed and fell outside of the ring in front of the announcers.

Michael Cole began screaming at Lawler, allowing Miz to attack him from behind. Lawler stopped Miz from sending him into the announcer’s table and drilled Miz into the table face-first a number of times. Lawler tossed Miz over the table into Cole, wiping him out.

Miz was tossed in the ring. Lawler came off the ropes with a modified firstdrop but Miz kicked out at the last second. Miz raked Lawler’s face but Lawler slipped out of the Skull Crushing Finale. Lawler kicked Miz off and nailed a DDT. Lawler went to the middle rope, looked at the Wrestlemania logo, and pulled down the strap. Lawler nailed the fistdrop but Miz got his foot on the ropes at the last second.

Lawler set up for the piledriver but Miz backdropped him and held on for a pin. Lawler reversed it into a sunset flip style pinfall but Miz kicked out. Miz nailed Lawler and nailed the Skull Crushing Finale for the pin.

Your winner and still WWE champion, The Miz!

Really fun match. Lawler had his working boots on and Miz was right there with him. This was extremely well worked and booked all around. What a fun resurgence for Lawler the last few months.

Michael Cole and Miz celebrated in the ring. Miz headed back up the aisle.

Jerry Lawler received a nice ovation as he left. Michael Cole was ranting and raving about how we can all stop talking about Jerry Lawler going to Wrestlemania, embarrassing himself and WWE.

John Cena was backstage eating Fruity Pebbles, so the entire show screeched into lame immediately. Todd Grisham tried to get word from Cena on what The Rock said but Cena said he had to concentrate on the Chamber match. He said he felt “Yabba, Dabba, Delicious.” This was terrible, especially when compared to Rock’s promo.

Matt Striker interviewed CM Punk. Punk said that he’s batting a thousand against Cena and can’t see Cena beating him tonight, can’t see anyone winning the Chamber…except ME. He was mocking Cena’s “Can’t see me” as all this was going on.

Triple H is in all the Wrestlemania promos.

Kelly Kelly, LayCool, Trish Stratus and Alex Riley are all Trending on Twitter.

Raw Elimination Chamber: CM Punk vs. Randy Orton vs. R-Truth vs. John Morrison vs. Sheamus vs. John Cena.

Scott Armstrong is refereeing, so he must have been brought back.

Fruity Pebbles is now trending on Twitter. OK, that’s sort of funny.

John Morrison and Sheamus opened the match. Good choice. You can hear “CM Punk” chants early. Big heel crowd tonight. Sheamus took down Morrison with several headlocks early. They ended up throwing down. Sheamus went to the outside and Morrison hit a dive to the outside over the ropes. Morrison tried to smash Sheamus into the cage but was blocked and nailed in the guts.

Morrison tried to come off the ropes but Sheamus moved. Morrison caught the cage and drilled Sheamus with a kick to the head. He covered Sheamus for a two count. Sheamus cut off Morrison with a big clothesline. Morrison drilled Sheamus and went to the top for Starship Pain but instead was blasted to the outside to the grate outside.

Sheamus continued to assault Morrison dragging him into the ring as the countdown ended, letting Randy Orton loose.

Orton went right after Sheamus, nailing powerslams on both Sheamus and Morrison. He backdropped Morrison onto Sheamus on the outside. He tossed Morrison into an empty pod. Orton ducked a Sheamus kick and clotheslined him over the ropes into the ring. He dragged Sheamus back out and nailed the hanging DDT on the grate to Sheamus.

Orton tossed Morrison back into the ring. Fans began chanting “RKO.” Punk had a maniacally happy look on his face. Orton drilled Morrison with a kneedrop for a two count. He then went after Sheamus, nailing stomps. Orton drilled Morrison with a superplex for a two count. He then nailed a superplex on Sheamus for a two count.

The Chamber released Punk.

The door only partially opened for Punk so he was trapped half in and out. Orton attacked Punk and stomped the hell out of him as he dragged him out of the Chamber. He tossed Punk into the ring and nailed the RKO, then covered Punk.

Punk is eliminated.

The Raw General Manager emailed and Michael Cole announced that due to a malfunctioning pod, Punk wasn’t given a fair chance to compete. Therefore, Punk can re-enter his pod and reinstated in the match. Orton was pissed while Punk cracked up. The crowd began chanting for Punk.

Sheamus attacked Orton and nailed a backbreaker. Before he had the chance to make the cover, Morrison attacked him but was tossed outside to the grate. Sheamus and Orton battled. Morrison nailed a springboard kick on Sheamus but was again tossed out. Morrison grabbed at his ankle. Sheamus tossed him into the Chamber back-first.

The Chamber released John Cena. Sheamus was right next to the pod and attacked Cena in the pod, beating him down as it opened. He sent Cena backwards into the Chamber then tossed him into the ring. Sheamus whipped Cena into the corner but was caught with an elbow. Morrison was tossed back outside but hit a dive into the ring on Orton and Sheamus.

Fans are chanting “Fruity Pebbles.”

Morrison went after Cena but was tossed outside onto the grate. Cena and Morrison battled on the outside. Sheamus hit a double clothesline over the ropes to the outside. Orton attacked Sheamus from behind. Sheamus came back but was caught with a Thesz Press and a series of punches. Orton dropped a knee for a two count.

Sheamus caught Orton with a high knee to the mid-section as he rebounded off the ropes. Sheamus tossed Cena into the ring as the Chamber counted down to release R-Truth. Sheamus tried to catch lightning twice but Truth evaded the attack and worked him over in the pod.

Truth cleaned house, drilling Cena with a spinning forearm but was caught with a high kick and pinned Truth.

R Truth is eliminated.

All four remaining competitors currently in the ring are down. Punk ends up the last man to be released.

Morrison drilled Sheamus with a kick for a two count. Orton and Cena recovered. Morrison beat down Sheamus with kick after kick in the corner as Orton stalked behind them. Morrison sees Orton coming but is still caught and tossed through the glass of a pod.

Orton and Cena began battling back and forth inside the ring with the crowd solidly behind Orton. Orton nails a dropkick and covers Cena for a two count. The Chamber released Punk.

Orton was waiting for Punk but Cena went after him. Orton nailed the RKO. That allowed Punk to attack Orton and toss him in the ring. Punk mocked Orton’s mannerisms, then hit the GTS and scored the pin.

Randy Orton has been eliminated.

There was a huge CM Punk chant after the pin. Punk nailed Cena then tried to bulldog Sheamus, but Sheamus slipped out, slammed him into a pod, then clotheslined him down onto the grate.

Morrison and Sheamus went back and forth in the ring. Morrison nailed a big leg lariat. He charged Sheamus but was backdropped over the ropes. He landed on his feet and began ascending to the top of a pod. Sheamus cut him off and followed him up. Sheamus used a boot to the throat of Morrison atop of the pod.

Sheamus called for the High Cross off the top of the pod but Morrison fought back and kicked him off into the ring. Morrison began scaling the top of the inside of the Chamber Dome. He hung off the top, then came down with a big dive into a clothesline, pinning Sheamus. It looked pretty damn impressive.

Sheamus has been eliminated.

Morrison was down and out from the big bump. Cena made a comeback on Punk with a series of shoulderblocks on Punk. He nailed the five knuckle shuffle on Punk. Punk rolled to the outside and Cena followed him. He grabbed Punk for the Attitude Adjustment but Morrison dove over the ropes and came down on Punk and Cena.

Punk recovered first and covered Cena, who got his shoulder up at the last second. Morrison went for a running knee on Cena outside, who ducked. Morrison nailed the pod and went down, screaming and clutching his knee.

Inside the ring, Punk snapmared Cena over for a two count. He locked in a variation of the Anaconda Vice (it was really a triangle choke using his knees) and began raining down with elbows. Cena powered up to an Electric Chair and Morrison came off the top rope with a clothesline, LOD style on Punk.

All three men were spent and exchanged two counts. Cena nailed the AA on Morrison but Punk drilled Cena with a high roundhouse kick to the head. Cena went to the outside but Punk nailed a springboard clothesline to the grate outside for a two count. Punk ripped open his thigh with the spot. Punk nailed a catapult into a pod.

Punk, tried to do the same to Morrison but Morrison caught himself on the pod, then came off with a big kick to Punk. He went for Starship Pain but Punk rolled out of the way. Morrison grabbed at his bad leg and was nailed with the GTS and pinned.

Morrison is eliminated.

Cena grabbed Punk and hit the AA over the ropes onto the grate and scored the pin.

Your winner, John Cena!

The Miz and Alex Riley came out on stage to staredown his Wrestlemania opponent.

Another brutal Chamber. Excellent PPV all around.


The Wrestlemania main events are set in stone as the Elimination Chamber PPV comes to an end, so PWInsider.com wants to know what you think? What was the best match on the show? Was it worth your time and money? Finally, what do you think of the Wrestlemania main events?

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