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February 18th
On this day in history in ....
1961 - Shortly after wrestling Bruno Sammartino at Sunnyside Gardens in New York, Chick Garibaldi suffers chest pains and dies of a heart attack at the arena.
1978 - WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeats Bruno Sammartino in a steel cage match in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when Sammartino gave Graham a kick that sent him through the ropes and out the open door.
1980 - WWF ran at Madison Square Garden in New York City with the following results:
- Austin Idol defeated Jose Estrada.
- Tommy Rich defeated Johnny Rodz.
- Hulk Hogan defeated Tito Santana via countout.
- Samoan Sika defeated Ivan Putski via countout.
- Bobby Duncum defeated Dominic DeNucci.
- WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Ken Patera via countout. Pat Patterson was the referee.
- Samoan Afa defeated Rene Goulet.
- Cowboy Lang & Lone Eagle defeated Little Tokyo & Dirty Morgan.
- Tony Atlas defeated Hussein Arab (The Iron Sheik).
1983 - WWF ran at Madison Square Garden in New York City with the following results:
- Jose Estrada defeated Curt Hennig.
- Johnny Rodz defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- Mr. Fuji defeated Tony Garea.
- Big John Studd defeated Jules Strongbow.
- Ray Stevens defeated Chief Jay Strongbow.
- Intercontinental Champion Don Muraco defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund via DQ when Backlund shoved the referee down after Muraco reached the ropes and the referee forced Backlund to release the Crossface Chicken Wing.
- Rocky Johnson defeated Superstar Graham via countout.
- Andre The Giant & Jimmy Snuka defeated The Wild Samoans when Snuka pinned Sika after a Superfly Splash from off of Andre's shoulders.
- Eddie Gilbert defeated Charlie Fulton.
- Salvatore Bellomo defeated Swede Hanson.
- Pedro Morales defeated Buddy Rose.
1984 - Brad Armstrong defeated Ted DiBiase in Atlanta, Georgia to win the Georgia National Title. Armstrong was wrestling under a mask as "Mr. R". DiBiase thought it was Tommy Rich under the mask (as Rich had been wrestling as Mr. R in previous weeks). DiBiase pulled off the mask, but then was distracted by Rich, who was waving to DiBiase from the interview platform. A confused DiBiase was quickly rolled up and pinned by Armstrong.
1985 - One of the most famous matches in WWF history, "The War To Settle The Score" between WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan and Rowdy Roddy Piper took place in Madison Square Garden. The match, which saw pop star Cyndi Lauper in Hogan's corner, was aired live on MTV. The referee was knocked out during the match and Paul Orndorff joined Piper in beating down Hogan. Lauper got on the ring apron, and Piper and Orndorff were advancing on her when actor Mr. T, sitting in the crowd, came to Lauper's aid. Hogan & T went at it with Piper & Orndorff until police officers separated them. This is the match that would set up the main event of the first Wrestlemania.
Here are the results from the rest of the show:
- Rick McGraw vs. Moondog Spot ended in a draw.
- Johnny Rodz defeated Jose Luis Rivera.
- Hillbilly Jim defeated Rene Goulet. After the match, Goulet mouthed off at Mr. T, who was at ringside. T threatened to go after him and Goulet ran to the back.
- Lelani Kai defeated Wendi Richter to win the WWF Women's Title.
- David Sammartino defeated Moondog Rex.
- Nikolai Volkoff defeated Swede Hanson.
- Jimmy Snuka defeated Cowboy Bob Orton. During this match, Orton suffered the arm injury that would result in him wearing his famous cast.
- Paul Orndorff defeated Tony Atlas.
- WWF World Tag Team Champions Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo defeated The Spoiler & The Assassin in less than one minute.
- Don Muraco defeated Salvatore Bellomo.
1986 - At a television taping in Poughkeepsie, New York, Roddy Piper and Cowboy Bob Orton shave the hair of midget wrestler The Haiti Kid into a mohawk and taped his mouth shut after Kid admitted to being a friend of Mr. T and saying he hoped Mr. T would beat Piper at Wrestlemania 2.
1989 - Mildred Burke, a pioneer in women's wrestling who helped trained countless female grapplers, dies at the age of 73.
1992 - At a television taping in West Palm Beach, Florida, WWF Intercontinental Champion Roddy Piper and number-one contender Bret Hart were interviewed by Mean Gene Okerlund. Piper noted his history with the Hart family, saying he didn't want to fight Bret Hart at Wrestlemania. Hart said whether Piper wrestled him or not, he was getting the Intercontinental Title back. Piper said that if Hart insisted, then the fight was on. They shook hands, and Bret turned to leave. Piper raised the title belt above his head and stood behind Hart. When the crowd reacted, Hart turned around, and Piper said "I would have had you". This would become a storyline point in their Wrestlemania classic, as Piper would have the opportunity to cheat and win the match, but would opt not to.
1993 - Kerry Von Erich (Adkisson) committed suicide with a handgun on his father's ranch in Texas. Von Erich was 33, and had violated probation by being indicted on a cocaine possession charge and was facing the likelihood of being sent to prison. Von Erich was the fifth of six Von Erich brothers to die at a young age, and was one of only two to reach the age of thirty, the other being Kevin, the lone survivor of the brothers. Kerry had lost his foot in a motorcycle accident years earlier, but came back and wrestled with a prosthetic foot, which many did not know about until after his death.
1995 - "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert died of a heart attack at the age of 33 in his apartment in Puerto Rico. Gilbert, best known for stints in the UWF, Memphis and NWA, was in Puerto Rico as booker and wrestler for WWC after burning bridges with ECW, SMW and USWA. Gilbert's last match, the night before his death, was against a wrestling bear, a old gimmick from his childhood that Gilbert, who was the son of wrestler and referee Tommy Gilbert, brought back in Puerto Rico.
1996 - Johnny B. Badd (Marc Mero) defeated Lex Luger in Norfolk, Virginia to win back the WCW World Television Title, which he lost to Luger the night before in Baltimore, Maryland. This marked the beginning of Badd's third run with the belt.
1996 - WWF held their sixth "In Your House" Pay-per-view at the Louisville Gardens in Kentucky. The original "In Your House" events were short, two hour PPV events at a reduced price. Results from the show were:
- Jake Roberts defeated Tatanka with a DDT. This match aired on the "Free-For-All" pre-show.
- Razor Ramon defeated The 1-2-3 Kid in a "Crybaby" match, where the loser had to wear a diaper after kicking baby powder into Kid's face before he could use it and then hitting two Razor's Edge powerbombs.
- Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeated Duke Droese after hitting him with a trash can lid.
- Yokozuna defeated Davey Boy Smith via disqualification after Jim Cornette hit him with his tennis racquet.
- Shawn Michaels defeated Owen Hart with a superkick.
- WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart defeated Diesel in a steel cage match when Hart escaped the cage as Undertaker came up through the canvas and pulled Diesel into the hole.
The following matches were held after the PPV went off the air:
- Ahmed Johnson defeated Isaac Yankem.
- The Godwinns defeated the Bodydonnas.
- The Undertaker defeated Intercontinental Champion Goldust via countout.
2001 - At a WWF house show in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Steve Blackman defeats Raven to win the Hardcore Title, only to lose it right back to Raven thanks to the 24/7 rule when a masked woman ambushed Blackman from behind with a foreign object.
2006 - At a WWE house show in Long Island, New York, Tazz attempted to make a special announcement, but Matt Striker repeatedly interrupted him until Tazz choked him out with the Tazzmission. Later that night, Paul Heyman came out to make the announcement, which was that there would be a second "ECW One Night Stand" event in New York.
2007 - WWE broadcast their No Way Out PPV. Buck Woodward filed the following PPV report:
Welcome to our coverage of WWE No Way Out! We will be updating this page throughout the evening, so check back often for updates.
No Way Out opened with a video package centering on the main event tag team match and the fact that the partners tonight are opponents at Wrestlemania. Michael Cole (who sounds like he has a cold) and JBL welcomed us to the show. JBL protested the introduction of the Spanish announcers, saying Smackdown shouldn't be bilingual.
Chris Benoit, Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy vs. MNM (Joey Mercury & Johnny Nitro, with Melina) & MVP
After seeing Melina's entrance, JBL commented that he needs to learn Spanish. Johnny Nitro slapped a "You suck" sign out of the hands of a fan. Matt started out with Mercury, as they locked up and went to the ropes. Mercury hit some punches, but Matt returned fire. Mercury rammed Hardy face first into the turnbuckles and hit a bionic elbow. Mercury ran into a boot by Matt, and Matt followed it with a second rope elbow. Jeff tagged in, hitting a shoulderblock and a slingshot dropkick. Matt tagged back in and worked on Mercury's arm. Mercury yanked him down by the hair and tagged in Nitro. Matt hiptossed him, but Nitro got Matt into his corner and tagged MVP. MVP threw some punches and slammed Matt, then missed an elbowdrop. Matt tagged in Benoit, who chopped MVP and delivered some knees to the gut. MVP went to the eyes, then hit some forearms to the back and a snap mare, then a kick to the back for a two count.
Benoit came right back with chops, and went to tag out, but MNM went to the floor, as no one wanted to face Benoit. MVP reluctantly went back towards Benoit, who chopped him and hit a snap suplex for a two count. Jeff tagged in and stomped MVP in the corner. MVP raked Jeff in the eyes and tagged Nitro. Nitro took Hardy down with punches, as the fans chanted for Hardy. Jeff crawled to the corner, and hit Nitro with a back kick. Jeff hit a slingblade clothesline and a legdrop to the groin. Nitro got to his feet and slapped Jeff. Nitro exited the ring and Jeff gave chase, which was a ploy for Mercury to blindside Jeff on the floor and toss him into the security wall. Jeff was tossed back in and Nitro put him in a chinlock.
Jeff battled out, but Mercury hit him with a knee from the apron as he tried to bounce off the ropes. Mercury tagged in and hit an elbowdrop for a two count, then applied a rear chinlock. MVP tagged in and kicked Hardy down in the corner. MNM worked him over as MVP argued with the referee. MVP suplexed Jeff for a two count. Nitro tagged back in and whipped Jeff chest first into a corner. Nitro set up Jeff for a back superplex, but Jeff elbowed him away and hit the Whisper In The Wind. Jeff tagged Matt, who hit Nitro with a back elbow. Mercury ran in and got clotheslines. Matt hit a bulldog/clothesline combo on MNM, then gave Nitro a Side Effect for a two count. Mercury hit Benoit on the apron and Benoit ran in and kicked Mercury out of the ring. As the referee was getting Benoit out, MVP gave Matt a back suplex. Nitro then tagged in MVP, who put Matt in a cravate, then hit a salto suplex. MVP hit his "three point" elbow, but Benoit came in and broke up the cover.
Mercury tagged in and stuck his thumb in Matt's eye. Mercury hit Matt with a short arm clothesline for a two count. Nitro tagged in and gave Matt a neckbreaker for a two count, then put him in a front facelock. Nitro gave Hardy an uppercut, but Matt decked him with a clothesline. Mercury tagged in and knocked Jeff off the ring apron. Matt backdropped Mercury and tagged in Benoit. Benoit cleaned house on all three opponents, suplexing Mercury on top of MVP. Benoit went to German suplex Mercury, but Mercury grabbed Nitro. So Benoit suplexed both members of MNM. The Hardys ran in, and Nitro and MVP were tossed out of the ring. Mercury was given Air Hardy, a Twist Of Fate, a Swanton Bomb, and a top rope headbutt from Benoit, but MVP ran in and broke up the cover.
The match broke down, with MNM and the Hardys on the floor. MVP grabbed the U.S. Title belt and went to hit Benoit with it, but Benoit ducked and put MVP in the Crippler Crossface. MVP was about to tap, but Nitro got in to break it up. The Hardys ended up on the floor with MVP, and MNM went for the Snapshot on Benoit. Matt ran in to break it up, and Benoit floated over Mercury into Crossface position. Mercury resisted, but Benoit pounded on Mercury and got the Crossface on for the tapout win at the fourteen minute mark.
Winners: Chris Benoit, Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy
Backstage, Kristal interviewed Vickie Guerrero. Vickie said her "opportunity on Smackdown" was close to happening, and she would reveal more this Friday night. She thanked Kristal for all of her help and hugged her.
In another backstage area, the Little Bastard was telling Fit Finlay how scared he was of the Little Boogeyman. Finlay gave him a hug to calm him, but really was lifting him up to toss him into a dumpster. Finlay walked off. Of course, Boogeyman was in the dumpster.
Cruiserweight Open
Daivari and Scotty 2 Hotty were the first two "random" participants. Daivari kicked Scotty in the gut and whipped him hard into the corner for a one count. Daivari slammed Scotty and dropped an elbow for two. Daivari hit some punches, but Scotty fought back. Scotty hit the bulldog and went for the Worm. Scotty hit it and got the pin at the two minute mark.
Gregory Helms was out next. Helms hit Scotty with left and rights, then choked him against the bottom rope. Helms catapulted Scotty into the middle rope for a two count. Helms applied a double underhook and drove his knee into Scotty's head. Scotty rammed Helms into a corner, then hit some punches. Scotty hit a back suplex. He went for the Worm, but Helms tripped him into the ropes, then hit a facebuster on his knee for the pin at the two minute mark.
Funaki was out next. Funaki hit a right hand and went to the top rope. He went for a flying bodypress, but Helms rolled through it and held the trunks for the pin in about ten seconds.
Shannon Moore was out next. He pulled Helms to the floor and gave him a headscissors after handspringing off the apron on the outside. Moore tossed Helms into the ring for a two count. Helms reversed a whip and hit a backbreaker for two. Moore tripped Helms and rolled him up for a two count. Helms ran into a Moore boot, and Moore hit a second rope neckbreaker for a two count. Moore went to the top rope, but Helms caught him and hit a double arm suplex. Helms hit Moore with the facebuster to the knee for the pin at the three minute mark.
Jimmy Yang was out next. Yang hit Helms with a back elbow and a standing moonsault for a two count. Yang pounded Helms in the corner with punches, then poked him in the eye and swept hit leg out. Yang cradled Helms for a two count, then hit a Russian legsweep and applied a variation of the abdominal stretch on the mat into a cradle for two. Yang rammed Helms into the corner and went for a moonsault off the top. Helms moved and Yang landed on his feet, but Helms hit him with a clothesline. Helms charged Yang, but Yang caught him with a rana for a three count at the two minute mark. We'll have a new champion tonight.
Jamie Noble was out next. Helms grabbed Yang and gave him the Eye Of The Hurricane before leaving. Noble covered Yang for a two count. Noble hit a neckbreaker for two. Noble slammed Yang and hit a legdrop, then applied a cobra clutch. Yang broke out, but missed a charge in the corner and hit the ringpost. Noble rolled up Yang for a two count. Noble applied a sleeper, but Yang got out with a chinbuster. Noble missed a kick and got crotched on the middle rope. Yang hit a reverse atomic drop, two clotheslines and a spinkick. Noble came back with a jumping knee for a two count. Noble set up Yang for a superplex, hitting chops after sitting him on the top rope. Yang blocked the move and shoved Noble to the mat, then hit a springboard moonsault to pin Noble at the three minute mark.
For some reason they were going to give Yang the belt, even though Chavo Guerrero hadn't come out yet. Chavo's music hit, and Guerrero came out. Michael Cole said he was a "surprise entry". Maybe Cole was the guy that pulled Chavo's picture from the Cruiserweight Open picture on WWE.com this afternoon, since Chavo was listed for the match all day yesterday and much of today.
Chavo snapmared Yang and kicked him in the back. Chavo stomped Yang in the corner and gave him a facewash kick. Yang ducked a right hand and hit a spinkick. Yang backdropped Chavo over the top rope and to the floor. Yang hit a top rope dive on Chavo on the floor. Yang hit a top rope dropkick, but Chavo came back with the Three Amigos suplexes. Cole said doing the move was disrespectful. Chavo went to the top rope, but Yang met him up there and hit a rana for a two count. Yang went for the corkscrew splash, but Chavo moved out of the way and Yang crashed. Chavo hit a frog splash and got the pin at the three minute mark.
Winner and new Cruiserweight Champion: Chavo Guerrero.
Kristal interviewed John Cena, who made jokes about how he and Shawn Michaels haven't been getting along, despite being tag champions. Cena said his concern tonight is the "Deadman" and the "Animal" he is facing. Cena talked about all the speculation regarding whether someone would turn on their partner or not. Cena said tonight he would fight as hard with Shawn Michaels as he would against him at Wrestlemania.
Fit Finlay & Little Bastard vs. Boogeyman & Little Boogeyman.
Bastard ran under the ring as soon as he came out. Finlay started off with Boogey, kicking him in the gut and applying an armbar. Boogey reversed it and took Finlay down with a fireman's carry. Boogey dragged Finlay to the floor and rammed him into the security wall. In the ring, Boogeyman kicked Finlay in the face and rammed him into the turnbuckle. Boogey slammed Finlay. Little Boogey came in and gave Finlay a pair of sitdown splashes. Boogey gave Little Boogey worms. Little Bastard showed up from under the ring, taking off his hat (he put it on Finlay's head) and jacket. As he got ready to go at it with Little Boogey, Finlay kicked Little Boogey in the head. Bastard returned to under the ring. Finlay went to pin Little Boogey, but Little Boogey put him in a small package for a two count. Finlay clothesline Little Boogey, from his knees. Finlay hit a sit down splash and a elbow, then put Little Boogey in a Short Arm Scissors (the announcers called it a Little Armbar). Little Boogey was tapping but I guess it didn't count. Little Boogey was tossed to the floor, and Little Bastard dragged him under the ring. Finlay went to lift the apron, and Boogeyman, who had crawled over from the other side of the ring, popped out. We're back to Boogeyman vs. Finlay. Boogey hit a catapult and a splash in the corner. Little Boogey showed up from under the ring, and Boogey threw Little Boogey on top of Finlay. Little Bastard broke up the cover. Boogey scared off Little Bastard into the crowd with a handful of worms. In the ring, Finlay nailed Little Boogey with the shillelagh for the pin at the six minute mark.
Winners: Fit Finlay & Little Bastard
Backstage, Kristal interviewed Shawn Michaels. Michaels said he didn't trust John Cena, but that he gave his word that he would make sure nothing happened to Cena between now and Wrestlemania.
Kane vs. King Booker, with Queen Sharmell.
As King Booker came to the ring, they showed the events leading to this match. Kane hit an uppercut at the start and worked Booker over with elbows and punches in a corner. Booker fought back with chops and punches, but Kane threw Booker into a corner by the throat and pounded him down to the mat. Kane hit an elbow to the throat on the outside with Booker stretched across the apron. Kane hit a clothesline in the ring and applied a head vice. Booker poked Kane in the eyes and hit a back elbow, but ran into a backbreaker by Kane. Kane drove a knee into Booker's back and Booker rolled to the apron. Booker yanked Kane throat first across the top rope, but Kane came right back with a boot to the face.
Kane clotheslined Booker over the top rope and to the floor. Kane pounded Booker on the floor, but Booker got a mule kick to the gut and rammed Kane into the ring steps twice. Booker rolled Kane back into the ring, and hit a missile dropkick. Booker scored a two count, and stomped Kane on the mat. Booker applied an overhead wristlock on the mat. Kane fought up and armdragged out of it, then hit a clothesline and a series of punches. Kane hit a boot to the face, then went to the top rope. Kane jumped off, but Booker dropkicked him as he came down. Booker hit a back kick for a two count. They traded punches, actually, Booker never landed any, as Kane blocked them and hit his shots. Booker came back with a flying forearm. Booker complained about the slow count by the referee, then pounded Kane on the mat with punches.
Booker chopped Kane in the corner, then hit some punches. Booker went for a vertical suplex, but Kane reversed it and delivered his own suplex. They were both slow to get up, and Booker nailed Kane with a side kick for a two count. Kane and Booker traded shots, with Kane getting the better of it. Booker ducked a clothesline, but Kane grabbed him by the throat. Booker kicked Kane in the gut, then kicked him again, and went for the ax kick. Kane dodged it and flipped Booker with a clothesline. Both men were down, and Kane sat up as Booker was getting to his feet. Kane hit some punches, then rammed Booker into the turnbuckles. Kane pounded Booker in a corner with punches. Kane whipped Booker across the ring and hit a clothesline. Kane hit a second, then dropped Booker with a side slam.
Kane went to the top rope and hit a clothesline. Kane called for the chokeslam. Sharmell got on the apron. Kane and the referee were distracted by her, and Booker nailed Kane with a side kick. Booker went for the ax kick, but Kane dodged it, grabbed Booker by the throat and hit the chokeslam for the win at the twelve minute mark.
Winner: Kane
Backstage, Kristal interviewed Batista. Batista said that Smackdown was going to "beat up on Raw" tonight. They showed the footage of Undertaker chokeslamming Batista on Raw two weeks ago. Kristal asked Batista if he was intimidated by the Undertaker. He's not.
WWE Tag Team Champions Brian Kendrick & Paul London vs. Deuce & Domino, with Cherry.
No Ashley with the tag champs. London started out with Domino, and they exchanged shoves. They locked up, and Domino shoved London on the break in the corner. London piefaced Domino, and they exchanged slaps. London leapfrogged Domino and hit a back elbow. Kendrick tagged in for a double armdrag. Kendrick leapfrogged Domino and armdragged him, then tagged in London, who hit a top rope double stomp on his outstretched arm. Deuce ran in, and was tossed from the ring. Domino was given a double dropkick and went to the floor to regroup. Back in the ring, Deuce gave London a backbreaker and a clothesline and put him in a surfboard. Domino had a bloody mouth. Deuce whipped London into the corner, then whipped him into a double knee by Domino.
Domino slapped London and then slammed him. Domino put London in a surfboard. London broke out, but Domino gave him a double underhook suplex for a two count. Deuce tagged in and slammed London into the turnbuckles. Deuce & Domino gave London a double backdrop. Deuce knocked Kendrick off the apron when London was near his corner. London flipped out of a slam attempt, kicked away Deuce and avoided Deuce and Domino to finally make the tag to Kendrick. Kendrick dropkicked Domino from the ring and put Deuce in a backslide for a two count. Deuce cut off Kendrick's momentum with a clothesline. Deuce ran into a boot by Kendrick. Kendrick climbed the ropes, but was cut off by Domino. Deuce and Domino went for the Doomsday Device. London went to break it up, but Domino knocked him away. Domino went for the clothesline, but Kendrick ducked it and rolled Deuce into a Victory Roll for the pin at the eight minute mark.
Winners: WWE Tag Team Champions Brian Kendrick & Paul London
They showed a background package on Bobby Lashley, including footage of him wrestling in high school.
Kristal interviewed Ken Kennedy and asked his thoughts on Bobby Lashley. Kennedy said Lashley was like everyone in Los Angeles, "phony wannabes". The crowd booed, and Kennedy asked how many of them came to L.A. to be "rich and famous" but got squat. Kennedy noted that he had a dream and they had a dream, and he is standing there, and the fans are sitting there paying to see him. Lashley interrupted him, saying "I have one word for you... halitosis". Kennedy went to hit Lashley, but Lashley blocked it and decked Kennedy, then walked off.
Michael Cole's voice is so bad that JBL is doing the majority of the talking now, and the last two matches have had a lot of silence to them.
ECW Champion Bobby Lashley vs. Ken Kennedy.
Kennedy jumped Lashley in the aisle as he was making his entrance. They brawled near the entrance set, with Lashley getting the better of it. Lashley dragged Kennedy to the ring and tossed him in to start the match. Lashley pounded Kennedy across the back, whipped him across the ring and tossed him with a Beel throw. Kennedy rolled to the apron, and Lashley stomped him. Kennedy crawled to the floor, and Lashley went after him. Kennedy fought back on the floor, but Lashley stayed on offense.
Back in the ring, Kennedy poked Lashley in the eyes and went for a whip, but Lashley reversed it and backdropped Kennedy. Lashley hit a forearm and a bodyslam. Lashley went for a charge, and Kennedy side stepped it, but Lashley put on the breaks and hit a clothesline. Lashley hit a delayed vertical suplex for a two count. Kennedy came back with some knees to the body and kicks to the back. Lashley reversed a whip, and Kennedy kicked away a backdrop attempt, but Lashley scored with a clothesline. Lashley put Kennedy in a Torture Rack, but Kennedy raked his eyes and dropkicked his legs out from under him. Kennedy hit a running kick to the face for a two count. Kennedy applied an inverted figure four leglock. Lashley struggled in the hold, then rolled out of it.
Kennedy dropped a pair of elbows to the leg, then applied a leglace. Kennedy pounded on the leg, but Lashley headbutted and elbowed out of it. Kennedy punched Lashley in the head and then dropped his weight on Lashley's leg. Kennedy scored a two count, then elbowed Lashley's leg. Kennedy drove Lashley's knee into the mat. Kennedy applied a single leg crab, but Lashley made the ropes. Lashley went for a slam, but his leg couldn't support the weight, and Kennedy scored a two count. Kennedy wrapped Lashley's leg in the ropes and dropkicked it. Kennedy got another two count, then kicked Lashley in the gut. Kennedy threw Lashley into the corner and worked him over with right hands. Kennedy choked Lashley in the corner. Lashley shoved Kennedy away and started throwing right hands. Lashley went for a suplex, but Kennedy kicked him in the leg and hit a DDT. Kennedy scored a two count.
Kennedy put Lashley in the single leg crab again. Lashley tripped out of it, but Kennedy grabbed him and hit the forward roll Samoan Drop. Kennedy went to the top rope and went for the Kenton Bomb, but Lashley got his knees up. Lashley hit a belly to belly suplex. Both men were slow to get up. Lashley and Kennedy traded punches, which some in the crowd were mocking by going "Ohh" and "Ahh". Kennedy hit a spinebuster for a two count. Lashley put Kennedy in a Torture Rack and dropped down to his knees, then covered Kennedy for a two count. Lashley went for a backdrop, but Kennedy hit a neckbreaker for a two count. Kennedy accidentally/on purpose elbowed the referee. Lashley scooped up Kennedy for a slam, but Kennedy floated over and knocked out Lashley's leg. The referee was back up. Kennedy went for a chair and blasted Lashley in the back with it. The referee was busy wiping his eyes. Kennedy went for another chairshot, but Lashley kicked Kennedy and grabbed the chair. Lashley swung the chair, but Kennedy ducked it. Kennedy tried to escape the ring, but Lashley hit him in the back with the chair, getting disqualified at the sixteen minute mark. Lashley then proceeded to beat Kennedy down with the chair until officials made him leave.
Winner via disqualification: Ken Kennedy.
They hyped that Rey Mysterio would appear on Smackdown this week, but noted that he isn't ready to return to action yet.
The trailer for The Condemned was shown. Michael Cole, who barely has a voice left, interviewed Vinnie Jones, who is one of the stars of the film. Jones said he is the star of the film, not Steve Austin. Jones said that he kicked Austin's ass in the film and in real life.
The Miz, in street clothes, came out. He's the host for the ....
Diva Talent Invitational
The first contestant(s) was Extreme Expose. They danced in the ring.
The second contestant was Jillian Hall. Jillian got on the mic and said that this was her "big break". Jillian said the only reason she didn't win a Grammy last week is because she wasn't signed to a record deal yet. Jillian said she wrote her own song for tonight, and she was going to sing it. She warmed up with a pitch pipe, and had the sound man adjust the treble and bass for her. She started to warble a song, but Miz interrupted, saying she was the "female William Hung". Jillian freaked over the interruption, then said Extreme Expose didn't have enough talent to be her background dancers. Jillian said none of the other Divas had talent, making fun of Candice, Maria and Ariel, saying they were all "talentless bitches". Candice, Maria and Ariel came to the ring, and they all beat up Jillian. For some reason, Extreme Expose started brawling with them as well, and we had a big catfight in the ring. Referees, to a chorus of boos, broke it up.
Ashley's music hit, and she came out, stood at the entrance, and they unfurled the giant version of her Playboy cover. Ashley stood in the aisle and took off her top. She had Playboy Bunny pasties on her breasts. She then turned and left as The Miz declared her the winner of the competition.
Winner: Ashley.
Kristal, who was involved in all the hype for this competition on Smackdown, never came out.
The events leading to the main event were shown.
Batista & The Undertaker vs. John Cena & Shawn Michaels.
Shawn Michaels came out first, then John Cena, then Batista, then the Undertaker. Taker's entrance included giant flame fountains on the scaffolding that made up the set for the PPV, and looked really cool.
Batista started off with Cena. They locked up, and Batista threw Cena into the ropes and hit a shoulderblock. Batista hit some shoulderblocks in a corner, then whipped Cena across the ring and ran into a Cena boot. Cena hit some right hands, but Batista blocked a whip and hit a forward roll Samoan Drop. Batista gave Cena a jackhammer for a two count. Batista backed Cena in a corner, but missed a charge and ran into the ringpost. Cena worked over Batista with punches and tagged Michaels, who came in to a pop. Michaels chopped Batista, and Batista whipped Michaels into the corner and kicked him in the gut. Michaels kicked away a backdrop attempt but Batista nailed him with a clothesline. Undertaker tagged in to a pop and grabbed Michaels in an armbar. Taker hit a pair of short arm shoulderblocks and a legdrop to the arm. Undertaker did the Old School rope walk and dropped a forearm.
Taker hit Michaels with headbutts, but Michaels fought back with punches. Taker shoved Michaels away, but Michaels came right back with more punches. Taker hit a boot to the face for a two count. Undertaker tagged Batista, who worked on Michaels' arm. Michaels fought back with chops, but Batista slammed him. Batista missed an elbowdrop and Michaels tagged Cena. Fans booed as Cena and Batista went at it. Batista hit a back elbow and tagged in Undertaker. Undertaker hit a running knee in the corner for a two count. Undertaker went for the Old School rope walk, but Cena stopped him and hit some right hands. Cena went for a superplex, but Taker blocked it and headbutted Cena to the mat. Cena got right back on the ropes, punched Taker and got the superplex after all.
Taker sat up on the mat. Cena hit some punches, but Undertaker decked him with a clothesline. Taker missed an elbowdrop, and Michaels tagged in. Shawn hit a flying forearm and kipped up. Undertaker grabbed Shawn by the throat, but Michaels kicked himself free. Undertaker pressed Michaels over his head, and then dropped him over the top rope to the floor. Batista grabbed Shawn on the floor and dropped him face first on the ringsteps. Undertaker went to the outside and punched Michaels, then rolled him back into the ring for a cover, which Cena broke up. Batista tagged in and worked over Michaels with punches, then hit a running kick to the face for a two count. Batista put Shawn in his corner and hit elbows and punches, then tagged in Undertaker.
Michaels fought back, but was overwhelmed being in the Batista-Taker corner. Undertaker missed a running kick in the corner and got caught in the ropes. Michaels threw some punches and chops, but Undertaker caught him with a side slam for a two count. Undertaker tagged in Batista, who hit Michaels with a trio of short arm clotheslines for a two count, then applied a reverse chinlock. Michaels fought out of it and hit some chops, then bounced off the ropes and gabbed Batista, planting him with a DDT. Michaels made the tag to Cena, who was greeted with a mixed reaction.
Cena hit Batista with the Throwback, then hit a top rope Rocker Dropper, which got a pop. Taker came in to break up the pin. Cena hit Taker with a shoulderblock, which got booed. Cena clotheslined Undertaker out of the ring and hit Batista with a back suplex. The crowd booed the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Cena landed the fistdrop. Cena went for an FU, but Undertaker came in and gave Cena a boot to the face. Michaels kicked Taker to the floor, then tried to jump on him from the apron, but Taker caught him and rammed Michaels into the ringpost. Cena went for a bodypress, but Batista powerslammed him. Batista went for the powerbomb on Cena as Undertaker tossed Michaels back into the ring. Michaels clipped Batista's knee to stop the powerbomb.
It settled back into a tag match, with Cena tagging Michaels. Michaels worked over Batista, with Cena taking a shot at Batista from the apron. Michaels hit a clothesline and a stomp, then tagged in Cena, who hit an elbowdrop for two. Cena ran into a boot by Batista, but hit a clothesline. Taker reached into the ring to break up the cover. Cena tagged in Michaels, who chopped Batista and hit an enzugiri for a two count. Michaels put Batista in a front facelock.
JBL is pretty much calling the match solo now, although he isn't doing play-by-play. He is basically doing color commentary without any play by play and carrying the whole match. He keeps calling the match like he is talking with Cole, but Cole hasn't been saying anything.
Michaels tagged in Cena, who put Batista in a sleeper. Batista had some blood coming from near his left eye. Batista backdropped Cena, but was crawling to the wrong corner. Cena did the same, and both men got punched for their efforts. Cena tripped Batista with a drop toe hold and put him in an STF. Taker came in to break it up. Cena slammed Batista and tagged Michaels, who gave Batista a top rope elbowdrop. Michaels did a crotch chop in Taker's direction, then went for Sweet Chin Music. Batista ducked it and hit a spinning sidewalk slam. Michaels tagged Cena and Batista tagged Undertaker. Undertaker cleaned house, giving Michaels Snake Eyes and a bit boot. Taker gave Cena a flying shoulderblock. Taker went back and forth, splashing Cena and Michaels in the corner. Undertaker grabbed both men by the throats. Undertaker tossed Michaels to Batista, who gave him a spinebuster. Undertaker gave Cena a chokeslam. Taker and Batista were standing tall over their Raw opponents, then Batista turned and gave Undertaker a spinebuster.
Batista went to the floor and just watched as Michaels gave Undertaker a superkick, sending him into Cena's FU for the pin at the 22-minute mark.
Winners: John Cena and Shawn Michaels.
Michaels and Cena left quickly, raising each other's arms as they left. Batista picked up his belt, got in the ring and stood over the Undertaker. Batista left, but as he got to the entrance, Undertaker sat up. Undertaker staggered up, glaring at Batista, who stood at the entrance holding up his belt and screaming. That ended the show.
2008 - WWE announced Ric Flair would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for the first time. Flair would be inducted again in 2012 as a member of the Four Horsemen, the first person in history to enter the Hall more than once.
2008 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Last night at No Way Out we found out who will be wrestling in the two main events at Wrestlemania in less than six weeks. Both Randy Orton and Edge retained their titles and they will face Triple H and the Undertaker respectively after their Elimination Chamber victories. We also saw a familiar face return as the Big Show appeared to attack Rey Mysterio and put all of the champions on notice. Will Floyd Mayweather confront Show again after he broke Show's nose when Mayweather defended Rey. Tonight we will find out if Maria will agree to pose for Playboy (for storyline purposes only). Will Santino stay with her if Maria goes to the Bunny side? Who will be the first to qualify for the annual Money in the Bank match? What is next for the men who lost in the Elimination Chamber? How will John Cena react to his disqualification loss from last night and will he try to get into the main event even though he gave up that shot last night? Will Hornswoggle be able to defeat his father in a steel cage match or has Vince finally found a way to out smart his son and Finlay? Will William Regal remember what a brush or comb is this week?
We are live from Anaheim, California and your announcers are Jim 'Disney is my favorite theme park' Ross and Jerry 'Why is there such a long line for Space Mountain' Lawler.
We start off with Triple H coming to the ring to address the people of Anaheim after his victory in the Elimination Chamber and he gives us a Number One Contender GameFountain. Hunter says that he is pretty happy now, but twelve months ago, he was not so happy. Last year he was in a wheelchair watching from the back as 80,000 people went crazy at Wrestlemania. After last night in the Elimination Chamber after beating five men, the Game is back. He is back in the main event at Wrestlemania. He says that he will become a twelve time WWE champion. Hunter says that at Wrestlemania . . . HEY
Hunter is interrupted by the WWE Champion Randy Orton who comes to the ring to bond with his fellow former Evolutioneer. Randy says that they have come full circle. Last night it was John Cena. Before him, it was Jeff Hardy, Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, and before all of them it was Triple H who he beat for the WWE Title. Orton says that Hunter continues to be jealous of him. Four years ago, when he won the World Title, Triple H was jealous of him; and now he is still jealous. Orton likes that Hunter is already proclaiming his victory at Wrestlemania. That makes Hunter like the rest and Orton says that he has beaten the rest.
Trumpets play as John Cena comes to the ring. Cena tells Orton to wait one second and one cotton picking minute. Cena presents everyone the WWE Champion Randy Orton, a very unique individual. He is the first champion to be a liar and a loser. With all of the corruption in sports today, it is fitting that disgrace comes to the WWE Title. Cena suggests that Orton should have an asterisk because he is the only champion to lose his way into Wrestlemania. Cena says that he has an idea. Why not have a rematch tonight with Captain No Nuts defending his title against John Cena to see who faces Triple H at Wrestlemania.
Orton suggests that John Cena should not be out here ruining what he has with Hunter at Wrestlemania. Hunter says that he does not give a crap because he knows that he has the title match at Wrestlemania and he is going to beat whoever it is.
William Regal comes out and he is looking very Prince Valiantly tonight. Regal points out that Triple Heytch won the Elimination Chamber Match so he will be going to Wrestlemania. Regal points out that Orton got disqualified by punching a referee and Regal says that left a bad mark in his eyes. Regal says that Cena will face Randy Orton tonight in a non-title match but if Cena wins, he will get into the main event at Wrestlemania.
Triple Heytch does not like that idea because he earned his way into Wrestlemania. Regal points out that there will be a special guest referee in the main event and it will be Triple Heytch. We go to commercial.
We are back with the announcement that Floyd Mayweather will be on the show tonight as we see him punching Big Show.
Match Number One: Jeff Hardy versus Gene Snitsky in a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
Snitsky sends Hardy to the mat as they lock up at the start of the match. Snitsky with a kick to the midsection and then he slams Hardy into the turnbuckles and then he kicks and chokes Hardy in the corner. Hardy with a drop kick to Snitsky’s knee followed by the delayed baseball slide in the corner. Hardy goes to the apron and up top but he takes too long and Snitsky gets up and crotches Hardy. Snitsky with a boot to the head and Hardy goes to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Snitsky has Hardy in a bear hug but Hardy gets out of the hold with a series of elbows. Snitsky with a shoulder tackle and he gets a near fall. Snitsky with an elbow drop for another near fall. Hardy tries to get to his feet but he falls against the ropes and Snitsky chokes him in the ropes and connects with a forearm to the chest. Snitsky runs Hardy into the turnbuckles and then he tosses Jeff to the mat followed by a series of elbow drops, but Snitsky can only get a two count. Snitsky with yet another elbow drop and then he puts Hardy in a rear chin lock as he leans back. Snitsky turns it into a front face lock. Snitsky with a slam but he misses a leg drop. Hardy with a running forearm but he cannot get Snitsky off his feet. Hardy with a cross body and he gets a near fall. Hardy hits Whisper in the Wind and the gust takes down Snitsky for a near fall. Hardy tries for a Twist of Fate but he pushes Hardy off and connects with a big boot for a near fall. Snitsky sets for the pump handle slam but Hardy gets out of the hold and then he hits a Twist of Fate followed by a Swanton for the three count.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Jerry Lawler talks about the voting on WWE Mobile and the question is whether Maria should pose for Playboy.
We go to commercial with footage of Floyd Mayweather punching Big Show in front of his entourage in matching sweatshirts. We then see Floyd with Rey in the back.
Mike Adamle brings out Shawn Michaels for a Hall of Fame announcement. Shawn says that he is sore, tired, and beat up; but Wrestlemania is around the corner. Shawn says that you cannot have Wrestlemania without the Hall of Fame. Shawn introduces the first nominee. He is the reason why Shawn is in the business and he is the greatest of all time. Shawn says that he is his friend. The first nominee is Ric Flair.
After the video package, Shawn says that no man deserves it as much as Flair. Shawn wants everyone to congratulate Flair and then he wants everyone to Woooo. We go to commercial.
We are back and we will see the Top 10 Slammy Moments of All-Time on wwe.com. It debuts on Saturday.
We hear some comments from earlier today by Paul and Katie. Paul talks about the looks that the guys have been giving her, but Katie says that it is a testament to some good family genes.
Match Number Two: Paul Burchill with Katie Lea Burchill versus Super Crazy
Burchill misses a forearm into the corner but Crazy with a chop and punches. Crazy tries for a float over but Burchill catches him and kicks Crazy in the chest. Burchill with a European uppercut and slam for a near fall. Burchill with a snap mare and an arm bar. Burchill with a kick but Crazy with punches and forearms. Burchill with a head butt to the midsection. Burchill with a clothesline to Crazy and then he stomps Crazy’s head into the match and he gets a three count.
Winner: Paul Burchill
We see the steel cage above the ring.
Big Show and Shane McMahon are in the back and they are talking for a few seconds before they start walking into a commercial.
We are back and we are told that it will be Chavo Guerrero versus CM Punk in their best of Infinity series.
Triple H is in the locker room on the phone and Randy Orton is standing in front of Hunter. Hunter says that he will call whoever is on the phone later. Orton says that their match at Wrestlemania. Orton says that we don’t want to see what happened two years ago when Hunter tapped out to Cena. Hunter wonders if Orton is trying to swerve him and use mind games. Hunter reminds Orton that he taught him the mind games. Hunter says that he will call it the way that he sees it. Hunter says that if it favors anyone, it will favor him.
We see footage from last night when Big Show got on his knees to get face to face with Floyd Mayweather. Then we see Mayweather punch Show and break his nose. Then we see Mayweather escape with his entourage of matching sweatshirts.
Big Show comes to the ring and he is not happy. Show gets a mic and he says that he was asked to come out tonight to apologize for his actions at No Way Out. Show says that he knows what he was doing. He might have been a bit overzealous. Show says that he thinks Mayweather went too far, but that is not the issue tonight. Show says that he knows that Mayweather is in the building and he would like Floyd to come to the ring.
Mayweather comes out but he is not wearing the same sweatshirt as his entourage. Mayweather grabs a mic and he wants to know what is up with everyone in Anaheim. Mayweather says that he loves publicity and he has been a fan of the WWE for many years. He says that he is sorry that things ended up the way they did last night, but he points out that he is the best fighter in the world. He says that when Floyd Mayweather is called out, he has to retaliate.
Show tells Mayweather that he was not calling Mayweather out. He was trying to have a moment. Show says that it does not matter. It is in the past. Show says that he is sorry and he offers his hand to Mayweather and Mayweather shakes it.
Mayweather walks to the back but Show has something else to say to Floyd. Show says that he did what he was supposed to do, but now he wants to get something off his chest. Show says the only way that he could hurt him was on his knees. Even on his knees, he is still bigger than Floyd. Show says that if he wanted to, he could take out Floyd in two minutes. He let Floyd leave the ring, just like he let Mayweather leave his ring tonight. Show asks Floyd if he wants to find out the truth and face him one-on-one. The greatest fighter versus the biggest athlete. Show tells Mayweather if he wants publicity to face the Big Show. Floyd comes to the ring and he is joined by the sweatshirt squad.
Floyd accepts the challenge and Show laughs at Mayweather. Floyd makes Show flinch and then he leaves the ring. We go to commercial.
We are back and Lawler and Ross talk about the Mayweather/Show match. Jim Ross reminds us that Jeff Hardy got into the Money in the Bank Match. It is time for a Money in the Bank video package.
Match Number Three: Ken Kennedy versus Val Venis in a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
Kennedy with a knee to the midsection and then he puts Venis in a hammer lock and sends Val’s shoulder into the turnbuckles. He does it to another turnbuckle. Kennedy with an arm bar and then he drops a knee onto the arm. Kennedy blocks a clothesline and then he hits a Divorce Court for a near fall. Kennedy works on Venis’s arm as Jim Ross mentions Venis’s recent elbow surgery. Venis with a punch to Kennedy but he tries for an arm drag but Kennedy holds on as he rolls through. Venis with a neck breaker and then he tries for a half nelson slam. Kennedy with a kick to the midsection and then he hits the Mic Check for the three count.
Winner: Ken Kennedy
It is time for the official Cage Lowering Music of the WWE as it is almost time for the steel cage match. We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Last week’s Battle of the McMahons.
Match Number Four: Vince McMahon versus Hornswoggle with Fit Finlay in a Steel Cage Match
Before the match begins, Finlay tells Vince that this is wrong but he leaves the cage.
Bradshaw slams the cage door into Finlay’s back and then he attacks Finlay and handcuffs him to the ropes. Bradshaw with kicks to Finlay. Finlay gets to his feet and he punches Bradshaw.
Vince takes off his belt as Hornswoggle begs for mercy. Vince whips Hornswoggle with his belt. Finlay tries to help Hornswoggle and he gets whipped with the belt for his troubles. Vince whips Hornswoggle a few more times. Vince leaves the cage and Bradshaw remains in the cage and he grabs Hornswoggle by the throat. Finlay tells Bradshaw and Vince to stop this. Bradshaw sends Hornswoggle into the cage. Finlay wants Bradshaw to take it out on him instead of Hornswoggle. Bradshaw with a boot to the head of Hornswoggle and then he drops an elbow on Hornswoggle. Bradshaw turns his attention to Finlay and connects with a boot. Bradshaw picks up Hornswoggle and then he hits a fallaway slam into the cage. Vince tells Bradshaw that was enough and it is time to leave the cage.
Vince calls for help as he tells his son that he is okay. Finlay tells Bradshaw and McMahon that they will pay for this. We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of what we just saw moments ago. We then see footage from during the commercial when Finlay carried Hornswoggle to the back.
Jim Ross talks about the situation with Finlay and Hornswoggle and Lawler says that what Bradshaw did was unacceptable.
Maria comes out with Santino Marella. We see the voting and it was 94 percent to 6 percent in favor of Maria posing. Santino says that he has great news. He says what everyone wants, they will get. Santino says that Maria will pose in Playboy. Santino has a contract that looks suspiciously like a WWE contract with a Playboy logo where the WWE logo goes. Santino says that Maria will also face Beth Phoenix tonight.
Match Number Five: Maria with Santino Marella versus WWE Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix
Santino says that the fine print says that she can pose in Playboy only if she beats Beth Phoenix. Santino is in shock that this provision would be in the contract.
Beth sends Maria into the turnbuckles and then she kicks Maria in the midsection. Beth with a snap mare followed by kicks. Beth chokes Maria in the ropes and then gets a near fall. Beth with a backbreaker but Maria with forearms. Beth with a power slam to Maria but she can only get a two count. Maria with punches to Beth but Candice Michelle comes out and that distracts Beth enough to allow Maria to get a rollup for the three count.
Winner: Maria
Santino is ‘so happy’ that Maria won and will pose in Playboy.
We see Triple H put on his special sleeveless referee shirt as we go to commercial.
I wonder if they will hype Floyd Mayweather's appearance on No Way Out?
Match Number Six: John Cena versus Randy Orton in an If he wins, he makes it a Triple Threat Match but if he loses it might still be a Triple Threat Match because we have more than a month until Wrestlemania Match with Guest Referee Triple H
They lock up and Cena backs Orton into the corner but Cena with an Irish whip. Orton floats over and Orton with a European uppercut and punches. Orton punches Cena and the referee lets them go without a warning. Orton with a forearm to the back. Cena with a punch but Orton with a drop kick and then Orton poses as if he was Rhino or Khali. Cena gets up on the apron and Orton with a running shoulder that knocks Cena into the announce table and Triple H starts his count as we go to commercial.
We are back and Orton with punches and kicks in the corner. Cena with a boot when Orton charges into the corner. Cena with a slam and then he hits an elbow drop for a near fall. Orton goes outside the ring to recuperate. Cena goes out after Orton and he slams Orton’s head into the announce table. Orton kicks Cena in the chest as he returns to the ring and then he hits a hangman’s DDT but he can only get a two count. Orton with a forearm to the back but Cena with punches to Orton. Orton with a power slam for a two count. Orton with boots to the arm and ankle. Orton slaps Cena in the head and then he drops a knee to the head. Orton with a reverse chin lock on Cena but Cena gets to his feet and he escapes with a belly-to-back suplex. Cena misses a charge into the corner as Orton moves. Orton with a rollup for a two count. Orton with a European uppercut followed by a forearm. Orton tries for a suplex but Cena collapses in the corner. Orton sends Cena into the turnbuckles around the ring and then he punches Cena. Orton with a kick to the midsection but Cena with punches to Orton. Cena with punches and flying shoulder tackles. Cena with a Blue Thunder Bomb and then it is time for the moves of doom to conclude with the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena sets for the FU but Orton is close enough to the ropes to hold on. Cena’s arm is dropped across the top rope as Orton goes to the floor. Orton charges at Cena across the ring but Cena drops down and Orton goes over the top rope to the floor. Orton and Cena fight outside the ring and Orton with an Irish whip into the ring steps. Orton rolls Can back into the ring and he does his RKO push ups but Cena blocks the RKO attempt and Cena with a drop toe hold into the STFU. Orton reaches for the ropes and he finally gets to the ropes. Cena eventually releases the hold before the referee disqualifies him. Hunter has something to say to Cena and Cena gets nose to nose with Hunter. Orton charges and Cena with an FU for the three count.
Winner: John Cena
After the match, Triple H Pedigrees John Cena and then he asks for the title belt. Hunter stands over Cena and Orton with the title belt in his hand and then he waits for Orton to get to his feet before he gives Orton a Pedigree of his own for President’s Day. Hunter removes his referee’s shirt and poses with the belt as we go to credits.
2010 - The NBC affiliate in Philadelphia featuredan aticle online about the end of ECW, noting the original ECW was born in Philly. The article also notes the difference between the original ECW, which ended in 2001, and the WWE version. Click here to check it out.
2010 - TNA broadcast Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off with the Bischlimo arriving and he is on the phone. He is talking to someone about telling another person about how much better it is here than in that cesspool they are used to.
Do you remember what happened on Sunday night? If not, here is a video recap. D’Angelo Dinero has the title match at Lockdown. Samoa Joe could not overcome Ric Flair, A.J. Styles, or Eric Bischoff to win the TNA Title.
We also go to the biggest press conference that was held at Universal Studio soundstages because Impact is going to move to Monday starting on March 8th.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Taz and Mike ‘Happy Birthday Molly Ringworm and Ed Shirreffs’ Tenay.
D’Angelo Dinero comes to the ring and it rains money. He asks if they are having a party tonight in Orlando. He says that it isn’t because he arrived, but it is because he is pimpin’. He reminds us that he defied the odds at Against All Odds and is the number one contender for the TNA World Title. He says the only thing standing between him and his biggest bling is Arthur ‘I Have No Class’ Jackson and Dick Flair. Dinero corrects himself but he says that Ric is a dick so it is okay. He says that they may be stylin’ and profilin’, they will never be the charismatic pimptacular, hand clapping, foot tapping, pimp slapping Pope that he is. At Lockdown, he will walk into the cage as the challenger but at the end of the night, he will be the new TNA Champion.
Flair’s music plays and he comes out with A.J. Styles. They are accompanied by a bevy of females. Flair wants to know if Dinero can read and write because he wants Dinero to read the label in his jacket. Flair shows his Armani jacket and then he tells some people in the crowd to shut their mouth. Flair tells Dinero his name and that is what it will be. When Dinero was praying to God at night when he was six years old, he wanted to be just like Flair. Flair says that he was bling before there was bling. Flair tells everyone that he is exhausted because he has been with A.J. and his legion since Sunday and it has been an exhausting ordeal. He calls Styles the greatest wrestling machine that he has ever seen. He says that A.J. is custom made and the TNA World Champion. That makes A.J. the greatest athlete alive today.
Dinero tells Flair to listen to him. He says that Flair’s name might be Ric, but he is still a dick. No matter what piece of crap you inherit and how you dress it up, it is still a piece of crap.
Flair tells Dinero that they have a failure to communicate. He says that Dinero is a thief and then talks about Styles’ choice of clothing.
A.J. says that Dinero is funny and he says that while he is the champ, Dinero is a nothing going nowhere.
Dinero says that he is everywhere and then he punches Styles. Flair grabs Dinero but Dinero punches Flair. Styles and Flair attack Dinero as the situation gets to be a two on one beat down. Styles kicks Dinero and then Flair with a low blow. Styles punches Dinero while Flair holds him. Styles punches Dinero and then Flair brings a chair into the ring and he puts it on Dinero’s leg and Flair stomps on the chair. Styles puts Dinero in the figure four leg lock while Flair holds Dinero.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we have a Moments Ago Moment of the attack by Ric Flair and A.J. Styles on D’Angelo Dinero.
Taz and Tenay talk about what is going to happen on March 8th.
Match Number One: Daffney versus Tara in a Non Title Match
They lock up and Daffney backs Tara into the ropes and she misses a punch but Tara does not miss with a few punches. Tara with a kick and a uranage side slam for a near fall. Tara works on the wrist but Daffney with an uppercut and punch. Tara with a back body drop and she takes too much time throwing her shirt into the crowd so Daffney recovers and hits a back kick and sends Tara to the mat. Daffney with snap mares by the hair followed by a kick to the chest. Daffney kicks Tara and then sends the champion to the floor. Daffney laughs and follows Tara to the floor and sends Tara into the guardrails. Tara punches Dafney but Daffney hits Tara with a toolbox and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Tara by disqualification
After the match, Daffney pulls Tara and then sends her into the guardrails. Daffney screams at the referee and he doesn’t know what to do. Daffney puts a guardrail on top of Tara and then she hits the guardrail with a chair. Stevie Richards comes out and takes the chair from Daffney and they go to the back.
Mick knocks on the door to the Bischoffice and he enters. Bischoff says that he wants to talk about Against All Odds and Mick apologizes. Eric says that Mick did his best on Sunday. Eric says that he wants to do something for Mick and he is going to try to give Mick an up to date wardrobe. They are going to give Mick a makeover and it is on Bischoff. Eric wishes Mick ‘Happy Shopping’ and then when Mick leaves, Eric is on the phone and he wants Abyss in his office right now.
We go to commercial.
Kevin Nash is walking in the back and he is only 30 minutes late.
Eric Bischoff tells Samoa Joe to show that Samoan pride since he couldn’t beat A.J. Styles on Sunday. Eric dares Joe to impress him against Orlando Jordan.
Match Number Two: Orlando Jordan versus Samoa Joe
Joe with punches to Jordan followed by kicks. Joe with an Irish whip and a running elbow and an enzuigiri. Jordan runs into a Yakuza kick and gets a near fall. Joe with a chop to Jordan but Jordan with a spinebuster followed by a kick and elbow to Joe. Jordan chokes Joe in the ropes and then he hits a swinging neck breaker and hits an elbow drop or two. Jordan with a leaping knee drop to Jordan for a near fall. Jordan with a rear chin lock but Joe gets to his feet and he connects with elbows and clotheslines. Joe with a back body drop and then he hits a running knee into the corner. Joe sets for the muscle buster after a series of punches but Jordan with a rolling lungblower for the three count.
Winner: Orlando Jordan
Abyss is walking in the back and he sees Jeremy Borash and wants to know if he knows what Bischoff wants him for.
We go to commercial.
We see Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin in the back wondering who the former champion is going to be and Alex thinks that it might be Petey Williams. We go back to commercial.
We have a video package for Lockdown because who cares about Destination X.
We are back and Abyss is in the Bischoffice and Eric tells Abyss that he warned him and told him what he would do on Sunday. He is going to do it. If the bat wasn’t going to be used, he told Abyss what he was going to do. He warned Abyss against any shenanigans or gamesmanship. Abyss says that he didn’t want to hurt Mick. He reminds Eric that he used thumbtacks. Eric says that he didn’t tell Abyss to use the tacks. He told him to use the bat. Eric says that it is going to be his mask. Eric says that Abyss’ mentor is on a shopping spree and Hogan isn’t here so he is in charge. He is going to take Abyss’ mask. Abyss says that the mask is who he is. Eric says that we are going to reveal what Abyss looks like to the world. Eric says that security is at every door to keep Abyss from leaving. Abyss runs out of the office.
Eric Young is with Christy Hemme and Christy asks Eric about Kevin. Eric says that Kevin wants to talk to Waltman and Hall in the ring tonight. He calls Waltman and Hall a couple of slugs.
We go to footage from the press conference and we hear Hogan say that if he laced up the boots he would want to go head to head (is there a bit of foreshadowing going on?)
We go to commercial.
We are back and Eric walks into Jeff Jarrett’s dressing room and Jeff wants to know what Eric is going to do with the bat. Eric tells Jeff he is the one who is going to use the bat. Eric says that he was disappointed when the bat wasn’t used at Against All Odds. Eric tells Jeff that he is going to use it in his match against Abyss tonight. Eric tells Jeff not to disappoint him.
Match Number Three: Doug Williams, Brian Kendrick, Alex Shelley, and Chris Sabin versus Amazing Red, Max Buck, Jeremy Buck, and Kaz
Williams attacks Kaz as the bell rings. Kaz with a break down and then he brings Kendrick into the ring and hits a drop kick. Kaz with a back body drop and then he tags in Jeremy and then Max and Jeremy with a double team kick. Shelley with a rollup on Max and then the Guns with double team moves on Max for a near fall. Sabin sends Max into the turnbuckles and then Sabin tries for a belly to back suplex but Max escapes and he tags in Red. Red with a sunset flip but Sabin rolls through but misses a kick. Red with a tornado DDT for a near fall. Red knocks Shelley off the apron but Sabin with a knee. Williams tags in and he connects with head butts and European uppercuts. Williams with a snap suplex and then he goes up top but Red with a spinning kick and Williams falls to the mat. Kaz tags in and he hits a spin kick followed by a drop kick. Kazarian with a swinging neck breaker. Max with a baseball slide to Kendrick on the floor and then Jeremy with a plancha onto Kendrick. Sabin with a running kick to Kazarian. Red with a missile drop kick to Shelley and Sabin. Red goes up top for a flip dive onto Sabin and Shelley. Kazarian knocks Kendrick off the apron and then Kazarian hits a slingshot DDT on Williams for the three count.
Winners: Generation Me, Amazing Red, and Kazarian
Abyss is running through the back and he is stopped by a referee who tells Abyss that he has a match.
We go to commercial.
We are back to see Jeff Jarrett stare at the barbed wire baseball bat and we go back to commercial.
Match Number Four: Abyss versus Jeff Jarrett in a Jeff Jarrett needs to use the Barbed Wire Baseball Bat because Eric told him he had to use it Match
They lock up and Abyss with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. They lock up and Jarrett with a side head lock and kick to Abyss but Abyss with a clothesline. They lock up again and Abyss misses a punch in the corner. Jarrett tries for a float over but Abyss stops short. Abyss gets Jarrett up for Shock Treatment but Jarrett escapes the hold and he hits an enzuigiri that sends Abyss into the ropes and Jarrett with a splash into the ropes and then he does the Jarrett Strut. Jarrett with a drop kick and then he punches Abyss in the corner. Abyss with a reverse atomic drop but Jarrett with a kick and punch. Jarrett with a clothesline and then he clotheslines Abyss over the top rope to the floor. Jarrett sends Abyss into the guardrails. Jarrett takes a chair and tries to slam Abyss’ head into it but Abyss blocks it and he sends Jarrett into the chair. Abyss brings a chair into the ring and he wedges it into the turnbuckles. Jarrett gets back to his feet as Abyss returns to the floor. Abyss sends Jarrett back into the ring. Abyss punches Jarrett and then Jarrett with a kick and then he tries to send Abyss into the chair but Abyss stops short. Abyss and Jarrett each hit clotheslines and they go down.
Eric Bischoff comes out to watch the match.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Abyss with a side slam and Eric slowly makes his way closer to the ring. Abyss starts to clap before his charge across the ring but he runs into boot. Jarrett comes off the turnbuckles and Abyss hits a choke slam and gets a near fall. Abyss misses an elbow drop when Jarrett moves. Jarrett punches Abyss and then he hits the Stroke. Jarrett sends Abyss into the chair that was still in the turnbuckles. Jarrett gets the barbed wire baseball bat and he refuses to use it despite numerous close ups of Bischoff. Jarrett throws the bat to the floor. Eric has a mic and he tells Jarrett that he couldn’t trust him to get the job done. Jarrett tries for a sunset flip and we see Homicide, Rhino, Raven, Tomko, and Desmond Wolfe come to the ring and they attack Jarrett. The referee calls for the bell.
No Contest
They all hold Abyss for Bischoff as Eric comes into the ring. Eric tells Abyss that he told him what he would do and Abyss wouldn’t believe him. Eric starts to take off the mask, but Hogan’s music plays and he comes out.
Eric changes his demeanor as it relates to Abyss while Hogan makes his way into the ring. Hogan takes the mic and he tells Eric that he has this one. Hogan tells Abyss to get his ass back to his office. Hogan leaves the ring while Bischoff is standing in the ring wondering what just happened.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a moments ago recap of the end of the Abyss/Jarrett and the arrival of Hulk Hogan.
We see Abyss being escorted to Hogan’s office by security.
Match Number Five: Brutus Magnus and Rob Terry versus James Storm and Robert Roode
Magnus and Storm start things off and they lock up with Magnus putting Storm in a side head lock and Magnus with a shoulder tackle. Storm with a punch to Magnus but Magnus with an Irish whip. Terry pulls Storm down and then they double team Storm. Terry is tagged in and he hits a power slam but Magnus wants to be tagged in. Magnus with a near fall and then he tags Terry back in. Terry with an Irish whip and a running splash into the corner. Magnus makes the blind tag and he has something to say to Terry. Storm with a kick and face buster and Roode is tagged in and hits a flying forearm and spinebuster. Terry misses a clothesline and Storm and Roode hit a double suplex and in case you forgot Storm and Roode’s tag team name, they remind us. Storm and Roode clothesline Terry over the top rope and then Roode sends Storm onto Terry. Storm with an enzuigiri to Magnus and then they hit DWI for the three count.
Winners: James Storm and Robert Roode
After the match, Terry returns to the ring and he checks on Magnus before getting the mic. Magnus takes the mic and he blames Rob for the loss. He tells Rob that the belt has cut off the circulation to his head. He says that Rob is a disgrace to the British Invasion. Brutus tells Rob not to turn his back to him and he tells Rob that he is his superior. Magnus hits Terry and then says the belt belongs to him. Terry hits Magnus with a clothesline and then holds the belt over Magnus before he leaves.
Kevin Nash is in the dressing room and he still has his leather jacket on as he paces and we go to commercial.
Abyss is pacing in Hogan’s office as he waits for Hogan to enter. Hogan tells Abyss that he is done with this crap. He tells Abyss to sit down and then he tells Eric to get out of the office. Hogan tells Abyss that he is sick and tired of seeing Abyss shake and chase his own tail. He tells Abyss that it is over now. He points out that Superman has a cape, Popeye has his spinach, so he wants to know if Abyss is a monster. Hogan tells Abyss that he isn’t a monster as big as he is. Hogan tells Abyss that he will never shake or back up again brother. Hogan shows Abyss his Hall of Fame ring brother. He says that is his life and everything. He says that this is the only thing that never left him and the only thing that loved him. Hogan says that he sold out every building for 30 years and he can barely get out of bed for that ring. Hogan tells Abyss to put his hand out and Hogan gives the ring to Abyss. Hogan tells Abyss that ring will give him all of the power in the universe and it will protect, guide, and love him. He says that the ring will make Abyss a god in wrestling. He says that it will make Abyss ten times better, stronger, and bigger than Hulk Hogan. He says that Abyss will be greater than Hogan ever was.
Abyss puts the ring on and he says that the ring stands for the monster Abyss and he screams.
We go to footage from Sunday’s pay per view when Ken Anderson used the dog tags on Kurt Angle’s forehead.
Match Number Six: Daniels versus Kurt Angle
Daniels attacks Angle and punches and kicks him as the referee pulls Daniels away. Daniels with more kicks and punches as he goes for the bandaged forehead. Angle with punches but Daniels with a palm thrust for a near fall. Angle tries for a German suplex but Daniels with an elbow. Angle with the ankle lock and Daniels tries to get to the ropes but Angle with the leg lace and Daniels taps out.
Winner: Kurt Angle
After the match, Kurt Angle gets on the mic and he has something to say to Ken Anderson. He says that he is man enough to admit when he has been beaten. He says that the way Anderson beat him is a different story, but Anderson beat him. Angle says that he is pissed off at what Anderson did with the tag. Angle explains the tag and the purpose. Angle says that he has had a difficult year and a half. He went through a hard divorce, he shamed his kids by being arrested. He says that he was falsely accused, but he was still arrested. Angle says that he sat in the jail cell and he didn’t know what was going on. He says that he prayed so he could know why it happened.
Angle says that he was at Fort Hood in Texas and he met some people who changed his life. He met soldiers and the family members of soldiers who died in battle. Angle says that a soldier came up to him and he told Angle that he believed in him. Angle says that the soldier gave the tag to him to remind Kurt who he is. Angle reads the inscription on the tag. Angle tells Anderson that when he cut him on Sunday, he did not make Kurt bleed, he made the soldiers and their families bleed. He says that he made people who believe in this country bleed. Angle says that when Anderson could have walked away, he put the tag on Angle’s chest and spit on it. Angle tells Anderson that he spit on the soldiers and the United States of America. Angle tells Ken that he is going to make him suffer and bleed until every last drop is out of his body. Angle says that there is no coming back. He tells Anderson that he will see him in hell.
Ken Anderson comes out and we go to commercial.
We are back and Ken is showing some feigned emotion over Kurt’s comments. Anderson says that he is amazed at Kurt’s abilities both in the ring and to suck up to everyone. Anderson mocks Angle’s alleged sensitivity. Anderson says that the hunk of metal around his neck is just a utensil to carve him up and that is what he did. He made Kurt bleed. Anderson says that he likes to make people bleed. Anderson says that if Kurt has a problem with that, he can come up the ramp and get him some.
Angle comes up the ramp to Anderson and Angle punches Anderson as they fight on the stage. Anderson punches Angle and the mic hits Kurt in the rear end. Anderson hits Angle in the head with the mic and then he gets in Angle’s face and he welcomes Kurt to Total Nonstop Anderson.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Samoa Joe is leaving the Impact Zone and Jeremy Borash is trying to get a comment from Joe. A van arrives and four masked men take Joe into the back of the van and the van drives away.
Kevin Nash and Eric Young come to the ring for your MAIN EVENT talking segment. Nash says that he doesn’t remember where or when but it was 17 or 18 years ago that he picked Scott Hall and Sean Waltman to be his friend. He says that he bought a black suit ten years ago because he knew that he would be putting one of them in the dirt real soon. He doesn’t know which is worse, the broken bones or the broken heart. For three weeks, Scott Hall and Sean Watlman found their way into the building and he has tried to keep them employed, but he has done it for the last time. He tells Sean and Scott to find their way into the ring to him. He says this business chews people up and spits them out. He says that he is still standing. Nash says that he will be waiting and says that he will be in the middle of the ring.
Hall and Waltman make their way into the crowd. Young goes out after Waltman and he punches Waltman but Hall kicks Young. Young continues to punch Waltman while Hall and Nash square off in the ring. Hall throws the toothpick at Nash and Nash punches Hall. Security comes into the ring and then Hall and Nash fight through security.
Hulk Hogan walks into the Impact Zone and we go to credits.
2011 - Smackdown held its 600th Episode. Richard Trionfo filed the following report:
Tonight is the 600th episode of Smackdown and we have a twelve man tag team as the main event featuring the participants in the Elimination Chamber matches.
We are live on tape from San Diego, California and your announcers are Michael ‘If Jerry Lawler wins on Sunday, I will get a Coca-Cola tattoo’ Cole, Josh ‘Tough Enough Alumnus’ Mathews, and Booker ‘Happy 600th episode Smackdown’ T.
Tonight, the new World Champion Dolph Ziggler will have his coronation.
We start off our special episode of Smackdown with our main event.
As the wrestlers come to the ring for this match, Edge has the World Title belt, and Cole has to make sure that he yells over the introduction of Edge that he isn’t the champion any more.
Match Number One: Edge, Randy Orton, John Morrison, R Truth, Rey Mysterio, and John Cena versus CM Punk, Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, Dolph Ziggler, Wade Barrett, and Kane in a Super Duper This is Our 600th Episode of Smackdown Main Event of Epic Proportions that has to Open the Show
Sheamus and Edge start things off and McIntyre wants to face Edge for what he did to get Kelly Kelly fired and Sheamus obliges. They lock up and Drew with punches and kicks in the corner until the referee pulls him out of the way. Edge puts Drew in the corner and he punches him. Edge with a boot to the head and Drew goes down. Truth tags in and he punches Drew followed by a kick and he sends Drew into the corner. Drew with a kick and he tags in Dolph. Truth with a hip toss Ziggler and Orton is tagged in.
Orton kicks Ziggler in the ribs and then connects with a European uppercut and kicks. Ziggler with an Irish whip but Orton with a clothesline out of the corner. Orton hits the leaping knee drop for a near fall. Orton tags Cena in and he punches Ziggler and sends him into the turnbuckles. Cena with an Irish whip but Ziggler with an elbow and punches to Cena. Cena with an Irish whip and bulldog and then he tags in Morrison.
Ziggler kicks Morrison in the leg and punches him followed by kicks to the chest. Morrison with an Irish whip and he trips Ziggler as he goes to the apron. Morrison slingshots himself back into the ring and he wants to hit the corkscrew split legged moonsault but Ziggler recovers and he hits a reverse Exploder suplex for a near fall. Sheamus tags in and we go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus with a suplex to Morrison for a near fall. Punk tags in and he kicks Morisson and snap mares him followed by a kick ot the back. Punk mocks Morrison and drops a knee to the head and gets a near fall as he continues to work on the eyes. Punk with a figure four head scissors on Morrison. Punk has the leg but Morrison is able to tag in Rey. Rey hits a seated splash from the turnbuckles and then hits a springboard cross body for a near fall. Punk with a sunset flip on Rey, but you don’t give Rey a sunset flip without Rey rolling through and Rey does that and he kicks Punk in the head and gets a near fall.
Punk with a knee and he gets Rey up for the Go To Sleep but Rey escapes the hold and sends Punk into the ropes with a head scissors. Punk sets for the 619but Punk grabs Rey and hits a back breaker and gets a near fall. Punk tags Kane into the match and Kane kicks Rey in the chest and sends him into the turnbuckles. Kane with knees and kicks to Rey in the corner. Kane with an Irish whip and puts Rey in a bear hug. Rey punches Kane to try to get out of the hold and he hits double sledges to the shoulder. Rey with a kick to Kane but Kane pushes Rey into his corner and Rey is able to fight out of trouble with kicks to Kane and punches to some of the people on the apron. Rey tries to make the tag but Kane grabs Rey by the throat. Rey escapes the choke slam but Kane throws Rey under the bottom rope and Rey lands on Punk’s knee on the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Barrett sends Rey into the corner and he hits a back breaker for a near fall. Sheamus tags in and Rey tries to get to his corner but Sheamus is able to grab Rey. Sheamus with a short arm clothesline to Mysterio and he stands over his opponent. Sheamus with an arm bar and chin lock. Rey with punches and kicks as he gets out of the hold. Rey tries to make the tag again and he cannot reach the outstretched hands of his five partners. Rey with a kick but Sheamus hits the uranage back breaker for a near fall.
Barrett tags back in and he kicks Mysterio in the chest and follows that with a knee drop and gets a near fall. Barrett with a head butt and he gets a near fall. Barrett with a kick in the corner followed by an Irish whip . Rey with a drop kick to the knee and Barrett goes into the turnbuckles. Rey with a moonsault from the top onto Barrett and both men are down. Rey struggles to get to his corner and he makes the tag to Edge. Ziggler tags in as well and Edge with a forearm and clothesline followed by a flapjack and Impaler DDT.
Edge has the look in his eyes as he pulls his hair and sets for the Spear. Sheamus stops Edge’s spear attempt with a pump kick. Morrison with the springboard round kick to Sheamus. Kane with a choke slam to Morrison. Cena gets Kane up for the Attitude Adjustment. Punk gives Cena Go To Sleep. Orton with an RKO to Punk. McIntyre with the Future Shock DDT on Orton. Truth hits the Lie Detector on McIntyre. Barrett with the Boss Man Slam to Truth. Rey with a head scissors from the top that sends Barrett into the ropes. Ziggler tries to stop Rey but Rey sends Ziggler into the ropes and he hits a double 619 (or the 12218 as it was once called). Ziggler staggers out of the corner and Edge spears Ziggler to complete the Finisherpalooza and he gets the three count.
Winners: Edge, Rey Mysterio, John Cena, John Morrison, R Truth, and Randy Orton
After the match, Edge and Rey celebrate in the ring and then Edge stands alone in the ring as he awaits the inevitable.
It does not take long for Vickie Guerrero to come out to the stage. She orders Edge to hand over the championship belt because he is no longer the World Champion. She shows Edge why he is no longer the champion. We go to the footage from last week when Edge speared Dolph in front of Vickie.
Vickie reminds Edge that the spear was illegal and he knew it. Vickie says that she did not know what that football player was doing because he was not a licensed official. Vickie tells Edge that he is no longer the champion, but her boyfriend Dolph Ziggler is. She says that we will see his coronation later tonight. Vickie tells Edge that he can watch the coronation from his hotel room. Vickie says that she knows that Edge attacked Teddy Long and she points out that he has always had a history of built up hatred and uncontrollable rage. That led to the assault on Teddy Long. Vickie says that she might not see eye to eye with Teddy Long, but they respect each other. Because of that respect, with great reluctance she tells Edge . . .
HE’S FIRED.
Vickie turns around and goes to the back while we see Edge for the last time inside a WWE ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that Smackdown has been watched more than 3 billion times in the US?
We have a Moments Ago Moment of Vickie Guerrero’s decision to fire Edge.
Michael Cole defends Vickie’s courageous decision to fire Edge.
Josh points out the absurdity of Cole’s argument but Cole responds with the ‘so you’re an attorney now’ defense. Booker tells Michael Cole, Esquire that Vickie was a woman scorned.
It is time to take a look back at what happened to Cody Rhodes last month when Cody got hit in the face with Rey’s knee brace, causing Cody’s nose to be broken. Cole calls for Vickie Guerrero to fire Rey Mysterio for what he did to Cody.
Josh tells us that Todd Grisham had a chance to talk to Cody Rhodes earlier in the week and we go to that interview.
Todd says that Cody is ready to address his broken nose and successful facial reconstruction surgery. Cody has a plastic mask on and he asks Todd if he gets some sort of sick joy introducing him like that. The world cannot see the pain he has endured or the mental anguish. The operation was a success, but what about his opportunities for success because they have been destroyed. While Rey and other Superstars are on the road to Wrestlemania, his journey has been stalled before it got started. It was all because of some mask. Cody says that he should not badmouth Rey because he is ten times the professional that Rey is. Cody says that he has been cleared to travel so next week he will have a special message for the Smackdown audience.
We go to commercial.
We are back with highlights from the first episode of Smackdown, including footage of the WWE Title match between Triple H and The Rock with guest referee Shawn Michaels when Michaels hit Sweet Chin Music on Rock to save the title for Triple H.
Michelle McCool joins Booker, Cole, and Mathews at the announce table for the next match. Michelle is asked about her foot and she says that she hurt it a few weeks ago because of Layla. She mentions that Layla must be more hardheaded than she thought because she hurt it when she kicked Layla in the head.
Match Number Two: Eve Torres and Beth Phoenix versus Maryse and Layla with Michelle McCool
Maryse and Beth start things off and Maryse slaps Beth. Maryse realizes what she did and she tries to get out of the ring but Beth grabs her before she can make her escape. Beth picks up Maryse by the leg and sends her into the turnbuckles. While this happens, Michelle wonders why Eve is the champion because she points out that she had Natalya covered at the same time. Beth punches Maryse followed by an Irish whip and hits a splash into the corner. Beth with a clothesline and she gets a near fall.
Layla tags in and she kicks Beth in the hip and she has Beth by the wrist but Beth gets free and she sends Layla to the mat. Beth picks up Layla by the arm and sends her back to the mat. Eve tags in and hits a few drop kicks. Eve with an Irish whip and she charges into a boot from Layla, but Eve blocks the kicks and she spins Layla around and hits a suplex and floats over to get a near fall.
Eve with a forearm and a sunset flip but Layla rolls through and hits a clothesline on Eve. Layla misses a round kick but Eve hits a series of kicks and a clothesline. This forces Michelle to get up from the announce table and she goes to the ring and yells at Eve. Beth punches Michelle in her injured leg. Maryse and Layla double team Eve with kicks and Layla gets the three count.
Winners: Layla and Maryse
We go to commercial.
We are back and Josh tells us that Rock is the one who gave us the name Smackdown. Booker says that he thought it should have been called ‘The Book Show’ because of his contributions on the show at the time. In case you missed the whole thing on Monday or the edited versions on Tuesday, or Thursday night, or the whole version on the internet, we have the announcement that the Rock is going to host Wrestlemania 27.
We are reminded that Edge has been fired and Dolph Ziggler will be presented the title.
We go to commercial.
We are back with highlights from the Smackdown that aired on September 13, 2001 (the first major event after the events that took place in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania on September 11th).
Match Number Three: Kofi Kingston versus The Miz with Alex Riley and from a distance Michael ‘It isn’t Marking Out if I don’t say it’ Cole
They lock up and Miz with a waist lock but Kofi with a standing switch. Miz with a wrist lock into a side head lock. Miz with a shoulder tackle but Kofi with an arm drag into an arm bar. Kofi works on the arm and puts Miz in a hammer lock. Miz with an elbow but Kofi with a series of cross bodies for near falls. Kofi with an arm bar on Miz and he returns to the hammer lock. Miz backs Kofi into the corner and Miz with punches while the referee separates them. The referee warns Miz. Kofi with punches and kicks followed by an Irish whip. Kofi leaps into the corner but Miz moves out of the way. Miz kicks Kofi in the back of the leg and Kofi lands on the mat.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Miz kicks Kofi and then he suplexes the Intercontinental Champion and gets a near fall. Miz stretches Kofi but Kofi gets to his feet Miz sends Kofi back to his knees and Miz puts his knee in Kofi’s back. Kofi counters with a back slide and gets a near fall. Kofi with kicks to Miz but Miz kicks back and he punches Kofi. Kofi with kicks and punches. Kofi tries for the SOS but Miz gets away from Kofi and tries to send Kofi into the corner but Kofi slides into the corner and then he connects with a forearm to Miz.
Kofi with a rana that sends Miz into the turnbuckles. Kofi follows that with a drop kick and he gets a near fall. Miz runs Kofi into the corner and then he charges into the corner but Kofi moves and hits the pendulum kick. Kofi with a high cross body from the top turnbuckle and he gets a near fall. Miz with the Reality Check for a near fall. Kofi kicks Miz in the head and then into the leg. Miz tries to throw Kofi out of the ring, but Kofi holds on to the ropes and then he hits the Superman punch.
Kofi with the Boom Drop on Miz and he sets for Trouble in Paradise. Alberto Del Rio makes his way to the ring and Kofi does not realize that Del Rio is about fifty feet away while Miz is only a few feet away and in the ring. The distraction allows Miz to get a near fall with a rollup but Kofi rolls through and gets a near fall of his own. Kofi punches Miz. Del Rio snaps Kofi a few times with his scarf while Riley distracts the referee. Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale for the three count.
Winner: The Miz with an assist from Alberto Del Rio
After the match, Del Rio enters the ring and he stands over Kofi Kingston and smiles as only Alberto Del Rio can. Del Rio then laughs before he does the Del Rio pose. Alberto leaves the ring.
Josh reminds us that this is the 600th episode. It is time for the top ten ‘Longest Running Weekly Episodic Television Shows’ from the home office in Ottumwa, Iowa. Number 10 is My Three Sons with 369 episodes. Number 9 is Bonanza with 430 episodes. Number 8 is Ozzie and Harriet with 435 episodes. Number 7 is Death Valley Days with 452 episodes. Number 6 is Law and Order with 456 episodes. Number 4 is Lassie with 588 episodes. Number 3 is Smackdown with 600 episodes. Number 2 is Gunsmoke with 633 episodes. Number 1 is Raw with 925 episodes.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that Smackdown has aired more episodes than Seinfeld, Scrubs, and Friends combined? (In case you care, they had 597 combined episodes [180 for Seinfeld, 181 for Scrubs, and 236 for Friends]).
We go to highlights from Eddie Guerrero’s celebration after he won the WWE Title in February 2004.
We see footage of The Corre taking care of Kozlov and Marella last week and then what they did to Big Show.
Match Number Four: Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater versus Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov with Tamina for the WWE Tag Titles
Kozlov and Gabriel start things off and Kozlov with a take down. Gabriel tries for a cross body but Kozlov catches him and hits a fallaway slam and Gabriel rolls to the floor.
Wade Barrett and Ezekiel Jackson come to the ring to check on Gabriel and Jackson helps him up while Barrett goes to the other side of the ring. Barrett gets on the apron and Kozlov goes after Barrett but Wade goes to the floor. Gabriel with a kick to the back of the knee and Slater tags in. Slater kicks Kozlov and works on the hamstring. Slater punches and kicks Kozlov. Slater charges into the corner and Kozlov with a head butt to the midsection. Kozlov tags in Santino and he blocks a kick.
Marella with punches and forearms. He splits to avoid a clothesline from Gabriel and then he hits a hip toss and a diving head butt for a near fall. Kozlov sends Slater to the floor. Marella kips up and hits the Cobra but Barrett and Jackson attack Marella and the referee calls for the bell.
Winners: Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov
Barrrett and Jackson attack Marella and Big Show comes to the ring. S hwo with head butts to Gabriel and Barrett. Show brings Slater into the ring. Show with head butts to Barrett and Slater. Show sends Barrett over the top rope to the floor and then he does the same to Slater. Jackson checks on Slater and Barrett.
Show wants a piece of Jackson and Zeke gets on the apron and then he gets one foot into the ring but the rest of Corre suggest that he wait for another day and Jackson leaves the ring.
We see another classic moment from Smackdown when Booker T battled Steve Austin in a supermarket.
We are back and it is time for the World Champion Coronation ceremony and Vickie Guerrero and Dolph Ziggler are joined in the ring by the World Title belt that is sitting atop a table.
Vickie tells us that it is time for the World Championship coronation of Dolph Ziggler. Vickie says that as general manager it is her privilege to introduce the new World Champion Dolph Ziggler. Vickie gives Dolph the title belt and Dolph says this is his forever.
Teddy Long’s music plays and the formerly incapacitated General Manager returns to the show as he makes his way to the ring.
Teddy asks Vickie what is the matter because they look like they have seen a ghost. Teddy says that both of them should be surprised to see him, especially Vickie because of the investigation into his attack. Teddy asks Vickie if her investigation put her in front of a mirror.
Vickie asks Teddy what he means by that comment. She says that is absurd. Teddy says that he is not finished. Teddy says that Vickie had the most to gain from his attack. Teddy says that Vickie is the one who people says was the first person on the scene after the attack. Teddy tells Vickie to shut up. He says that Vickie has been after his job for a long time. Teddy says that Vickie doesn’t have to worry about his job or her job because . . .
Vickie blurts out that it was Dolph who attacked him. She says that it was all Dolph’s idea.
Teddy says that he is glad that this is all coming out now. Teddy says that we can forget about the World Title coronation. Teddy says that they can clear the ring and since he is in charge, we are going to have a World Title Match right now.
Teddy tells Vickie that she had the power to fire people, but Teddy tells Vickie that he has the power to rehire people. Teddy says that Dolph will have to face Edge.
Match Number Five: Edge versus Dolph Ziggler
Ziggler charges at Edge but Edge moves out of the way. Edge with a clothesline or two followed by a half nelson driver and Edge tries for the spear but Ziggler leap frogs Edge and Edge hits the turnbuckle and goes to the floor. Ziggler goes to the floor and he kicks Edge. Ziggler chokes Edge before they return to the ring. Ziggler gets a near fall but Edge is under the ropes. Ziggler chokes Edge in the ropes and connects with an elbow to the chest. Ziggler with a near fall.
Ziggler with a reverse chin lock on Edge but Edge gets to his feet. He punches Ziggler but Ziggler tries to lock in the sleeper but Edge keeps Ziggler from getting the top arm on. Ziggler with the Fameasser. Ziggler waits for the Zig Zag but Edge holds on to the ropes. Edge with a spear and he gets the three count.
Winner: Edge
After the match, while Edge celebrates his latest title victory in the ring, he shows the title belt to Vickie.
Teddy Long comes back out and he tells the Playas that he has one more thing to say. He fires Dolph Ziggler.
Vickie yelling at Dolph and Dolph has a vacant look on his face.
Edge gives a mocking ‘Excuse Me’ and then he says that this has been one big party since it is the 600th episode of Smackdown. Edge says that he was here for the first episode of Smackdown and on the 600th episode he is the World Champion. Edge reminds us that Dolph Ziggler is fired. A couple of hours ago, he was fired so he knows the feeling. He says that it isn’t a good feeling. Edge suggests that it is time for a song and since he doesn’t have the best singing voice, he wants everyone to join him as they sing Dolph into the sunset.
As the confetti falls, it is time for the traditional ‘Na Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye’ song.
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Bang On Casino
