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March 8th
On this day in history in ....
1983 - The Samoans, Afa & Sika, defeat Chief Jay & Jules Strongbow for their third, and final, WWF World Tag Team Title in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
1985 - Wild Bull Curry dies at the age of 70.
1996 - ECW held the first night of their "Big Ass Extreme Bash" weekend, at the Lost Battalion Hall in Queens, New York. The second show would be the next night in Philadelphia. This would be Mick Foley's last weekend in ECW as Cactus Jack before going to the WWF as Mankind. Here are the results from the show:
- Kendo Nagasaki & Chris Michaels defeated Damien Stone & Joel Hartgood. After the match, the Sandman ran in and caned all the participants.
- Shane Douglas came out for an interview, and was goaded into a brawl by Brian Pillman, who was sitting in the front row. Bill Alfonso then came out and got into a confrontation with ECW Commissioner Tod Gordon, ending with Taz and Alfonso laying out Gordon until Bam Bam Bigelow made the save.
- JT Smith defeated Hack Myers.
- Chris Jericho defeated Cactus Jack with a German suplex and bridge. This would be their first meeting in the ring and the only Jericho vs. Cactus bout ever. They would lock up again when Foley was working as Mankind in the WWF.
- Taz defeated Mikey Whipwreck via submission with the Tazmission. Taz would not release the hold until Bam Bam Bigelow came in. Bam Bam went after Alfonso, and Taz clipped his knee and put Bigelow in the Tazmission.
- ECW Tag Team Champions The Eliminators defeated The Pitbulls when Pitbull #2 was pinned.
- Juventud Guerrera defeated Rey Mysterio, Jr. in a two out of three falls match, winning the third fall with a top rope brainbuster.
- Big Titan defeated Judge Dredd.
- ECW Television Champion 2 Cold Scorpio vs. Sabu ended in a twenty minute draw.
- Buh Buh Ray Dudley & Dances with Dudley defeated The Headhunters when Buh Buh pinned Headhunter B with a cradle.
- ECW World Champion Raven defeated The Sandman after a DDT into a section of guardrail.
2002 - An unusual WWF house show took place in Sarnia, Ontario, as the lineup was shifted due to Booker T & Rob Van Dam being unable to attend the event. The card was restructured to also take advantage of the Canadian talent on the show. Here are the results of the event:
- Crash Holly defeated Christian after help from special referee Jacqueline.
- Brock Lesnar defeated Randy Orton.
- Women's Champion Jazz defeated Trish Stratus.
- Test defeated Faarooq. This was originally scheduled as the APA vs. Test & Booker T.
- Lance Storm defeated Bradshaw. This was originally scheduled as Lance Storm vs. Val Venis. Storm, who was a heel at the time, played babyface for the Canadian fans, while Bradshaw, at the time a face, played heel.
- Light Heavyweight Champion X-Pac defeated Spike Dudley.
- Rikishi defeated Mr. Perfect.
- Val Venis defeated Kurt Angle. This match was originally scheduled to be Rob Van Dam vs. Kurt Angle. Angle got on the mic after the match and claimed the bout "didn't count" because he was supposed to face RVD.
2004 - During an edition of Raw from Bridgeport, Connecticut, Steven Richards defeated Chris Jericho by reversing a Walls Of Jericho attempt into a cradle as Jericho was distracted by Trish Stratus' entrance music and Christian, who was on the stage. Jericho beat down Richards after the match.
2005 - During a Smackdown taping, WWE Champion JBL "blew up" the United States "spinner" belt that John Cena had brought into the WWE and presented new U.S. Champion Orlando Jordan with the previous version of the belt. An irate John Cena came out with a pipe, demanding to face JBL, and when General Manager Theodore R. Long offered Cena a rematch with Orlando Jordan instead, Cena gave Long the Attitude Adjustment.
2010 - TNA Impact broadcasts live on Monday night (doing a 1.0 rating) with Hulk Hogan & Abyss vs. Ric Flair & AJ Styles opening the show. The match is interrupted by a returning Sting, who lays out Hogan and Abyss before walking out. Sting is cornered by TNA President Dixie Carter on why he attacked Hogan & Abyss (who were babyfaces at the time) and Sting responded by telling Dixie he owed her nothing and walked off. The match would resume at the end of the program, under No DQ rules, with Hogan & Abyss getting the win.
Richard Trionfo's Impact report:
It is the most important night in the history of professional wrestling since the last time that TNA had a live Impact. Who wants some new music and opening video?
We are live from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘Is that George Clooney in the front row’ Tenay and Taz.
Hulk Hogan and Abyss come to the ring and speaking of rings, Abyss has Hogan’s WWE Hall of Fame ring.
Hogan has the mic and he is going to address the crowd. Hogan tells his blood brother Abyss that it is time to get it started. He says that it is time to take care of the business. Hogan tells Flair and Styles . . . first he waits for the TNA chants to stop. He wants to be the judge, jury, and executioner. He has a list of things for them. He says that when he came here to run the company, he was going to take them to infinity and beyond. However, Flair and Styles changed the rules. They left him in a pool of blood so now it is time for TNA’s reckoning day. For the dirtiest player in the game and his protégé, he wants them to come to the ring because it is time to put an end to all of this.
Match Number One: Hulk Hogan and Abyss versus A.J. Styles and Ric Flair
Styles and Abyss start things off and Abyss doesn’t wait for Styles. Styles with kicks to the leg and chops but Abyss does not budge. Abyss tosses Styles into the air and he goes to the mat. Styles backs into the corner and Flair tags in and he wants a piece of Abyss. Flair with chops to Abyss but Abyss with a punch and chops of his own. Abyss with a back body drop and Flair backs to the ropes but Flair with a low blow to Abyss and then Styles punches Abyss in the ropes. Hogan goes after Flair but Styles with a Pele kick to Hogan. Styles kicks Hogan while Flair kicks Abyss.
The lights go out and Sting’s music plays.
Sting is in the ring and he is staring down Flair and Styles. Sting has his bat and he is going to be the peacekeeper in this match. Sting hits Abyss and Hogan with the bat and Flair and Styles leave the ring but return with a chair. Styles hits Abyss in the head after Sting hits Abyss with the bat. Flair hits Hogan with the chair. Styles kicks Hogan in the head and then Flair takes over and punches Hogan as Hogan bleeds. Abyss is bleeding too as Styles continues the assault.
Security comes into the ring and they try to get A.J. and Flair to leave the ring.
Hogan gets on the mic and he tells Flair and his puppet that this ain’t over. He says that they are going to finish this before the night is over. Hogan says that if Flair is going to change the rules, he is changing the game. It will be a no disqualification match.
We go to commercial.
We are back we have a Moments Ago Moment of the return of Sting and his attack on Hogan and Abyss.
We go to the back where Sting is walking and he is confronted by Dixie Carter. Sting pushes Dixie against the wall and Sting says that he owes her nothing. Sting walks out of the building and Dixie follows.
Taz says that Sting’s behavior wasn’t cool.
Jeremy Borash is in the back with A.J. and Flair. Styles says that there are no do-overs in wrestling. A.J. says that they will beat Hogan up again. Flair says that Sting has finally come to his senses and he said that he always owned Sting. Flair says that he hasn’t even started yet. Ric says that if he is coming out of retirement, he is going to make a statement. They will finish this job and doesn’t care where it happens. Flair wooos a few times.
Abyss is screaming in the back and wants to know why Sting did that. We go to commercial.
We are back and Brooke and Jennifer are in the back. Brooke says that Hulk is not okay. She says that he will say that he is not in pain in front of people.
Frankie Kazarian is in the ring and he has a mic. He says that two years ago, he chose to walk away from TNA. When he did so, he had a lot of doubt about himself. However, after a lot of soul searching, he says that his doubt is gone, live in the Impact Zone tonight. He came back to TNA to reignite the flame of the X Division. He says that the way he sees it, if TNA is going to war, let the warriors of the X Division lead them into battle.
Christopher Daniels comes out and he wants to make something clear. Daniels says that if anyone is going to lead the X Division into battle, it isn’t going to be Kazarian or any of the buffoons in the back. It will be the man who was the X Division before there was an X Division. It will be the longest reigning X Division champion, Christopher Daniels. He is going to tell Eric Bischoff and the world that he will take the X Division to the highest of heights because he is X.
Doug Williams comes out and he says that this is a pretty picture. He talks about two geezers in the ring spouting off like they are superheroes coming to save the X Division. Doug tells them that the X Division is alive and well because he is the X Division title.
Kazarian says that Doug is the X Division champ but when they were pioneering the X Division seven years ago, where was Doug. Daniels wants to know where ‘we’ came from. Frankie tells Daniels that he doesn’t care about what he does because Daniels is a selfish prick.
Eric Bischoff comes out and he says that when Hogan asked him to help out TNA, he was excited because of the X Division because it is the adrenaline of TNA. If he has anything to do about it, he will make it bigger, faster, and stronger. He says that Frankie has a title match at Destination X, the match will happen tonight. Daniels will not be forgotten because it will be a three way match for the X Division Title.
Match Number Two: Doug Williams versus Frankie Kazarian versus Christopher Daniels for the X Division Title
Daniels with a rollup on Williams but Frankie stops it. Frankie and Williams with rollup. Williams with a head butt to Daniels but Daniels with a leg lariat. Daniels punches Kazarian and tries for a leg lariat but Frankie holds on to the ropes. Frankie punches Daniels and Williams with a back elbow followed by a punch to Frankie. Kazarian with a rollup on Williams and a Northern Lights suplex on Daniels for a near fall. Williams with a head scissors and side head lock take down to Daniels and Williams. Kazarian with a somersault dive onto Williams and Daniels on the floor. Daniels pulls Kazarian off the apron and then Kazarian with an Irish whip into thee ring post. Williams misses a punch and Kazarian misses a slingshot leg drop. Williams with a running knee to the head of Kazarian. Williams with a side head lock and punch. Williams gets a near fall while we see Dixie pacing in the back. Kazarian with a jaw breaker but Daniels trips Kazarian and kicks Frankie in the chest. Daniels with an STO to Frankie followed by a quebrada elbow for a near fall. Williams tries to get back into the ring but Daniels with a running knee and Doug returns to the floor. Daniels with a running forearm into the corner followed by a Death Valley Driver for a two count. Williams punches Daniels and goes up top but Daniels stops him. They come to the mat and Williams with a forearm. They each try for a clothesline and then Kazarian with a missile drop kick and all three men are down. Kazarian with a clothesline to Williams and Daniels followed by a clothesline to Daniels and a springboard back elbow and a springboard leg drop to Daniels for a near fall. Frankie puts Daniels on the turnbuckles but Daniels stops him. Daniels sets for Angel’s Wings but Williams with a back elbow. Daniels blocks Chaos Theory with a rollup for a near fall. Frankie with a reverse atomic drop to Daniels followed by a boot and swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Williams struggles to get back into the ring. Daniels with an uranage and he signals for the BME but Kazarian moves. Williams runs Daniels into Kazarian and hits Chaos Theory for the three count.
Winner: Doug Williams
After the match, Shannon Moore comes into the ring and he this a tilt-a-whirl head scissors on Williams and a spinning heel kick. Williams leaves the ring.
Eric Bischoff comes out and he says that is how he likes it. Eric says that Doug’s opponent at Destination X is Shannon Moore.
Jeremy Borash is in the back and he is with Dixie Carter and he asks her about Sting. Dixie says that she is glad that Sting signed his TNA contract because he is in a match. Jeremy asks who the match is against and Dixie says that he will find out.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see Velvet, Madison, and Lacey stretching in the back. We go back to commercial.
Match Number Three: Taylor Wilde and Sarita versus Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne with Lacey Von Erich versus Tara and Angelina Love for the Knockouts Tag Title
Wilde and Sarita try for quick rollups on Tara and Love. Wilde with a leg lariat for a near fall. Tara drops Taylor on the mat and Sarita tags in. Sarita with a cross body but Velvet makes the tag and gets a near fall on Tara as she screams. Madison and Tara attack Tara and then Velvet slaps Tara and then they hit a double side Russian leg sweep on Tara. Taylor and Sarita come in and Lacey trips them. Velvet and Madison with drop kicks. Love with a bicycle kick to Velvet and Angelina is with the referee and Daffney hits Tara with the title belt while setting for the Widow’s Peak and Madison gets the three count.
Winners: Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne
Christy Hemme is with D’Angelo Dinero. She mentions that Dinero will be facing Desmond Wolfe tonight. Dinero says that every dog has his day . . .
Wolfe attacks Dinero and works on the injured leg of Dinero. Wolfe takes off his shoe and then hits the ankle with a chain.
Sting is standing on the steps as he makes his way down the steps.
We go to commercial with a blatant Rob Van Dam reference by Taz.
We are back and Jeremy Borash is in the back with the new tag team champions and Lacey Von Erich. Madison says that they are finally the Knockout Tag Team Champion. Lacey asks if she is a champion too and Velvet says that they can’t be champions without her. It is time to celebrate with some bubbly. Velvet says that as new tag team champions, things are about to explode. They spray Borash with the champagne.
Mike wants to talk about what happened with Sting and Taz says that everyone was taken by surprise. In case you missed it because you were watching something else, we see the attack by Sting on Hogan and Abyss.
Sting and Taz talk about how they are shocked at Sting’s actions in the ring. Then we take a look at what Sting did to Dixie Carter. Taz says that it was wrong to put his hands on a lady. Taz wonders who Sting will be facing. Tenay says that Dixie said she would never get involved in matchmaking but she has broken her rule.
Match Number Four: Sting versus Rob Van Dam
Van Dam comes from behind Sting and hits a side kick followed by Rolling Thunder for a three count.
Winner: Rob Van Dam
After the match, Sting hits Van Dam with the baseball bat. Sting hits Van Dam in the leg. He then hits Van Dam in the throat with the bat before leaving the ring.
Sting comes back to the ring and he hits Van Dam in the chest with the bat. He hits Van Dam again with the bat. He hits Rob in the back with the bat. The officials come out and give Sting a stern talking to as he points and they move out of the way. Sting hits one of the referees with the bat and then they hold their arms up and point for Sting to move. Sting hits a second referee.
Sting returns to the ring and he hits Van Dam again with the bat.
Hulk Hogan has cleaned himself up and he comes out. Bubba the Love Sponge comes out to try to stop Hogan. He is with security and Hogan doesn’t go to the ring. Sting decides that since Van Dam is in the ring, he might as well hit him a few more times.
Hogan goes to the ring but he is held back by a lot of security. More bat shots to Van Dam. Sting hits Hogan in the ribs while he was being held back.
Sting is done with Van Dam so he goes up the ramp after Hogan and he hits security members and then goes after Hogan again. Security holds their hands out so Sting knows not to attack them.
Tenay says that he is disappointed at what Sting did. Taz also wonders why he is doing this. Tenay is incredulous that Sting did not explain himself to Dixie Carter.
No time to relax because Kevin Nash and Eric Young come out to the ring.
Nash gets on the mic and he says that for the last month, no matter what they have done, Hall and Waltman have found their way into the Impact Zone. Nash says that he talked to Hulk today and he has a contract for a one time and one time only match for Hall and Waltman at Destination X against Nash and Young. Nash tells them to work their way to the ring to accept the challenge.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Hall and Waltman walk right into the Impact Zone. We go back to commercial.
We are back and Nash and Young are still in the ring. Nash wants to know where they are. Tenay and Taz wonder how they get into the building each week.
Hall and Waltman finally make their way into the inside of the building. Security is in the ring and they stand behind Nash and Young. Hall lets out a ‘Hey Yo’. Hall says that 2/3 of the Wolfpac are in the building and then he asks the Big Sellout if he is Hogan’s stooge. Hall says that Hogan isn’t running the show after looking at what Sting did to him. Hall says that they want to get into TNA because it is starting to get cool. Hall says that they aren’t cool. Hall says that when they come into the ring at Destination X. They want to get a contract when they win at the pay per view. Nash tells Hall that they can get the match. Hall wants to know if Easy E wants in on it.
Bischoff tells Hall that if they accept the match and win at Destination X, they will get their fat contract. Bischoff says that if they don’t win, they can ride off into the sunset and do it somewhere else. They accept the deal. Hall says that he will be dressed like Elvis. Young gets slapped and then he goes after Waltman.
Eric says that he is sick of the security being paid so Hall and Nash can leave the ring and Young can do what he wants with Waltman.
Match Number Five: Eric Young versus Sean Waltman
Young punches Waltman and Waltman punches back and hits a back heel kick. Waltman with an Irish whip and Young with a clothesline and back elbow and then he back body drops Waltman. Waltman with a spin kick and then he puts Young in the corner but misses a Bronco Buster and Young hits a piledriver for the three count.
Winner: Eric Young
We see a military Hummer drive up and the troops are here.
We go to commercial.
The U.S. Army invades the Impact Zone and they make a wall for Kurt Angle who comes to the ring.
Angle tells Anderson that he brought a few of his closest friends with him tonight. He tells Anderson that they are the men and women who represent the United States and sacrifice to defend our country. Angle tells Anderson that these people chose to stand up for what they believe in. He says that these are the men and women who are willing to fight and die for people like him. He says that these are the men and women who Anderson spit on two weeks ago. Angle wants to explain to Anderson that he had an epiphany that winning an Olympic medal is nothing compared to what these people do for our country. As a proud American it is his duty to protect and serve these soldiers when bitches like Anderson degrade him. If there is one thing that he has learned over the last year is that you don’t mess with an American soldier. At Destination X, Anderson will find out when he kicks Anderson’s ass up and down the Impact Zone.
Anderson is on the DixieTron and he tells Angle to stop making things about him and the high school dropouts around the ring. Angle attacks Anderson and punches him. They fight into the Impact Zone and then into the crowd. They make their way into the ring and Anderson punches Angle and Angle goes down. Anderson tries to leave the ring, but he backs into the troops. Anderson tells them to move and then Angle brings him back into the ring and Angle punches Anderson. Angle throws Anderson out of the ring and they give Anderson a Code Red. Anderson is back in the ring but Angle throws him to the other side of the ring. There is another side so Angle throws Anderson out again. Angle has a flag and then he is put on their shoulders as we go to commercial.
We are back and Bubba is with Hogan for a heart to heart. Bubba tells Hogan to stop it because Brooke is freaking out. He tells Hogan that he needs to look at himself in the mirror. Hogan says that this is the last time to prove himself. He says that he has to do this.
Earl Hebner enters and he wants a second chance. Hogan tells Earl that tonight is out of control and he has so many problems. Bubba interjects and he tells Hogan that everyone gets a second chance. Bubba says that both him and Hogan have gotten second chances so Earl deserves a second chance. Hogan tells Bubba to let this go and get out of his business. Hogan tells Earl that it would be an honor to be in the ring with him. Hogan tells Earl that if he can’t continue, he has to stop the match if it gets out of control because of Brooke and Nick.
It is time to talk about Destination X and run through the card.
Jeff Jarrett is in the back and he is talking to Mick Foley. Jarrett comes up to James Storm and wants to know if they were forced into the match. James says that he volunteered for this match. Jeff reminds Storm that he hand picked Storm to be a part of the company when he started it and that Storm trained in Jarrett’s father’s backyard. James says that it is about what you can do for him. Jarrett punches Storm and Roode hits Jarrett from behind. Foley wants this to be done in the ring.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Six: Jeff Jarrett versus James Storm and Robert Roode in an Epsenhart Special with Guest Referee Mick Foley
We are back and the match has started as Storm and Roode punch Jarrett at ringside.
They return to the ring and we have the match officially start. Jarrett with a kick to Storm and a clothesline to Roode. Jarrett with a drop toe hold to Storm but Roode with a spinebuster to Jarrett. Roode catapults Jarrett into a DDT from Storm. Storm and Roode pinball Jarrett and Storm kicks Jarrett and hits the Eye of the Storm. Roode picks up Jarrett and holds him for Storm who tries to spit beer in Jarrett’s face but Jarrett moves. Jarrett with a back body drop to Roode and then he clotheslines Roode over the top rope. Jarrett sends Storm over the top rope to the floor. Jarrett has Storm and Roode and sends them into each other. Jarrett sends Storm into the guardrails. Storm holds Jarrett’s leg and Roode knocks Jarrett off the apron. Foley gets the barbed wire baseball bat and he gives it to Jarrett. Jarrett wants to use the bat but another referee takes the bat. Roode with a low blow to Jarrett and then it is DWI and the other referee makes the three count.
Winners: James Storm and Robert Roode
After the match, Foley checks on Jarrett.
Hogan is with Abyss in the Brother Office and Brooke enters so Abyss leaves. Brooke wants to know if daddy is okay. She is acting hysterically and Hogan tells her that it is his second chance. He tells her that he has to do this and he will be okay. Hogan says that Abyss has his back. They talk about what they have lost but this is the last time they go out there.
We go to commercial.
We are back for a bit and Flair gives Styles a final pep talk for their second match tonight. More commercials please.
Match Number Seven: Ric Flair and A.J. Styles versus Hulk Hogan and Abyss in a No Disqualification If you liked it 100 minutes ago, you are going to like it now Match
Flair and Hogan start things out and the youngsters lock up and Flair chops Hogan and punches him. Hogan with an Irish whip and back body drop. Hogan punches Flair and they go to the floor and they fight in front of Brooke (who didn’t listen to her daddy). Hogan chokes Flair with the Brotherdana and then Hogan punches Flair in the head and Flair is bleeding. Hogan bites Flair and punches him some more. Flair chops Hogan but Hogan with punches and chops. Hogan punches Flair against the rail and then he returns to the ring and Flair is on the ramp. Abyss punches Flair in the head. Flair is sent into the ring and Hogan whips Flair with his weight belt. Hogan stomps on Flair and kicks him in the head and runs his boot across Flair’s forehead. Flair with a low blow to Hogan and Styles tags in and he kicks Hogan in the knee and works on it to prepare for the figure four. Styles punches Hogan in the head and kicks him to the floor. Hogan falls to the floor in front of Brooke and Styles with elbows to the head and then he sends Hogan into the ring post. Styles punches Hogan in the head and they return to the ring. Flair takes over and he kicks Hogan in the head and he wants Abyss to enter the ring and the referee stops him. Flair kicks Hogan low and then he punches him. Styles tags in and he punches Hogan in the head. Flair tags back in and he kicks Hogan in the abdomen. Flair with a snap mare and then Flair goes up top but you know what happens when Flair goes up top. Hogan with a press slam and both men are down. Styles tags in and so does Abyss. Abyss punches Styles and Flair and then he gets both men by the throat but Styles and Flair kick Abyss. Abyss with a double clothesline and then he hits splashes into the corner and it is time for the Flair Flop. Abyss choke slams Styles and Flair and Flair goes to the floor. Abyss gets the power from the Orange Lantern but Styles punches Abyss. Hogan and Flair fight on the floor. Abyss sends Styles to the apron and Styles with a springboard forearm for a two count. All four men are in the ring and Abyss Hulks Up and Hogan Abysses Up. Time for punches and stereo big boots. Hogan sends Styles into a Black Hole Slam for the three count.
Winners: Abyss and Hulk Hogan
After the match, Desmond Wolfe hits Abyss with a chair, but Hogan blocks the chair shot from Wolfe. Flair clips Hogan and then Dinero goes after Wolfe. Styles hits Wolfe from behind.
In case you missed him, Jeff Hardy makes his way to the ring and he goes after Wolfe, Flair, and Styles. Hardy with a Twist of Fate and then we have no idea because we go to credits.
2010 - WWE Raw (3.4 rating) sees the first, and to date only, Vince McMahon vs. John Cena match. McMahon made it a handicap match, bringing out a slew of wrestlers to lay out Cena before Vince would make the cover, with Cena kicking out every time, until Batista finally beat Cena down, allowing Vince to get the pin.
Stu Carapola's original TV report:
Welcome one and all to tonight's live coverage of Monday Night Raw, as we officially kick off the long awaited Second Monday Night War!
We jump right into the thick of things with the Undertaker, and I bet he's going to talk about Shawn Michaels. The lights dim to Undertaker purple as the Undertaker says that last week was symbolic of what Shawn Michaels' life has become since becoming #17 in the Undertaker's Wrestlemania streak. HBK chant starts. Undertaker says that Shawn's life has a dark cloud hanging over him, and Shawn's obsession with ridding himself of that cloud will cost him the ultimate price: his career. Undertaker says what Shawn needs to understand is that after Wrestlemania, there will be no tomorrows, no celebrations, no sense of triumph, for Shawn there will be no victory, only the same dark cloud hovering over his head for the rest of his life. It brings the Undertaker no joy to say that in three weeks, Shawn's career will REST...IN...uh oh, Shawn Michaels' music hits and here he comes to confront the Undertaker. Shawn says that Undertaker hasn't earned the right to finish his line yet, and admits that Wrestlemania 25 has been hanging over his head like a dark cloud and last week he went to bed full of rage, but when he woke up the cloud was gone. He had an epiphany, because the reason he cost Undertaker the title at the Elimination Chamber was because he had no choice, but when Undertaker interfered last week, he didn't have to. Shawn says that for the first time in the Undertaker's heart, he experienced fear. Undertaker says that if he were Shawn, he'd choose his next words very carefully. Shawns responds by saying...FEAR! Because Undertaker's the only one who knows how close Shawn came to ending it all last year, and that's why he asked Shawn to put his career on the line, because he thought he'd intimidate Shawn into saying no, but he didn't. Shawn says he wouldn't risk everything if he didn't know he could beat Undertaker. Shawn says nobody lives a perfect life, nothing lasts forever, and at Wrestlemania, he's going to prove it. Undertaker says he can't tell if he's looking at a man who exudes confidence or if he's really looking at a man full of pitiful desperation. Shawn responds that he's not desperate, and that last year he would have taken a countout or anything that would have given him a victory, but not this year, and then he proposes that this year there's no countouts, no disqualifications, the match only ends by pinfall or submission, and that this year, he's going to kick Undertaker's teeth down his throat and beat him. Undertaker tells him it's a deal, and that Shawn has chosen his own demise. Undertaker says he can look in Shawn's eyes and see the fire, passion, and will, and can look into his soul and say that he sees that he honestly thinks he can beat Undertaker at Wrestlemania, and that's what makes him the Showstopper, the Main Eventer, and Mr Wrestlemania...but not this year. Undertaker tells Shawn that in his opinion, Shawn may be the greatest to ever step in the ring, but on March 28th, he will open up the gates of Hell and unleash a fury that no mortal man has ever seen to make sure that at Wrestlemania, Shawn's career is over. Shawn tells Undertaker to keep telling himself that, and that after Wrestlemania, the dark cloud is going to come back, but this time it'll be hanging over Undertaker, and the dark cloud is going to follow him everywhere he goes, and inside that dark cloud is going to be an image that will haunt him for the rest of his life, an image of Shawn Michaels ending the streak. Shawn walks off as the Undertaker is left standing, visibly perturbed, in the ring as Shawn turns and stares him down from the entrance ramp.
We're live in Portland three weeks away from Wrestlemania, and later on tonight Randy Orton takes on Dibiase & Rhodes in a handicap match, and Mr McMahon takes on John Cena!
Gail Kim, Eve Torres & Kelly Kelly vs Maryse, Katie Lea Burchill & Alicia Fox
Gail Kim and Alicia Fox start the match, Gail gets a side headlock takedown but Alicia fights her way out and whips Gail into the corner, but Alicia misses a charge and Gail gets a vertical drop to the back of Alicia's neck. Alicia tries another charge to the corner and eats elbow, but Alicia catches Gail with a kick coming out of the corner. Alicia tags out to Maryse who picks Gail up and gets a side backbreaker for 2. Maryse takes a shot at Kelly then gets up in Gail's face, but Gail smacks her in the mouth and tags out to Eve, who comes in with a trilogy of dropkicks, but Maryse goes to the eyes and whips Eve in for a backdrop, but Eve yanks Maryse down by the hair and gets a somersault senton for 2. Alicia and Katie come in, but Kelly and Gail come in with a pair of dropkicks to run them off. Maryse charges Eve in the corner and eats elbow, Eve goes up top and gets Rocky Romero's rolling Fujiwara armbar for the submission win!
Winners: Gail Kim, Eve Torres & Kelly Kelly
We go backstage to guest host Criss Angel, who is hanging out with...you guessed it, Hornswoggle. In come the Bella Twins, who are big fans of Angel's Vegas show. They want to be part of his act, but he has no use for twins, and instead pulls a thread off of one of their sweaters, eats it, and pulls it out his eye. That is just disgusting. They follow this up with Jillian coming in also wanting to be part of Angel's act and she starts singing. He tells her to stops and hypnotizes her so that when she tries to sing, she can't! They should have had him on here months ago.
We see Big Show and Miz walking backstage as we go to commercial.
We're back from commercial, and ShowMiz is on their way to the ring. Miz tells us that John Morrison & R-Truth earned the right to challenge for the Unified Tag Team Title at Wrestlemania, but not since Lex Luger and the British Bulldog have such a boring team gotten a shot at the tag team title, and they'd even rather face the Bushwhackers at Wrestlemania, at least they're an actual team. He says shame on the WWE Universe for not realizing what is standing in front of them, they are hot commodities because they are the last truly great tag team in WWE. This brings out Morrison and R-Truth for a non-title match.
Unified Tag Team Champions ShowMiz vs John Morrison & R-Truth
Truth and Miz start as Morrison baseball slides Show off the apron, and then Truth and Morrison double clothesline Miz over the top, then do a double baseball slide to Miz on the floor. Show comes over to try and grab them, but they ram him into the ringpost and DDT him on the floor as the referee calls for the bell. Truth and Morrison go back to working Miz over and give him a gourdbuster on the guardrail, then get in the ring where Morrison takes the mic and says that Miz says they're not a real team, but they just showed how real they are.
Winner: No Contest
Later tonight: Randy Orton takes on Ted Dibiase & Cody Rhodes, and Mr McMahon takes on John Cena!
We're back from commercial as we go to a recap package of the Cena-Batista feud, including some of Batista's awesome promo from last week and video of Batista breaking Cena's neck at Summerslam 2008. We go backstage to Josh Matthews, who is with John Cena. Cena admits that he's never beaten Batista, Batista has broken his neck, and taken his championship, and obviously has his number, and the only thing he can do is go out there and beat him. Josh asks him if he anticipates Batista getting involved, and Cens says he's counting on it.
Evan Bourne is backstage thanking Criss Angel for his Money In The Bank qualifying match with William Regal tonight, but is interrupted by William Regal and Skip Sheffield, who come in and Skip asks Angel to perform a trick for him. Regal writes 56 on a piece of paper, Angel guesses it, and Skip tells Regal he owes him a Travis Tritt CD. I wonder how many people are going to buy Wrestlemania because of that segment.
We go back to Elimination Chamber to relive Ted Dibiase eliminating Randy Orton from the Elimination Chamber match, leading into our next match:
Handicap Match: Ted Dibiase & Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton
Orton jumps Legacy from behind on their way down the ramp, then jumps in the ring and awaits them as we go to commercial.
We're back from commercial and the bells rings to start the match. Cody starts with Randy, and it looks like we're doing tag rules for this handicap match. Cody takes Randy to the corner and puts the boots to him, but Orton turns it around and goes to work on Cody, whipping him into the ropes and catching him with an elbow. Now, Legacy was able to beat Triple H 2-on-1 so it stands to reason they ought to be able to handle Orton...right? Dibiase tags in and lays in some rights to Orton, but Orton catches Dibiase coming off the ropes with a clothesline and Dibiase backs off. Legacy confers in the corner before Cody tags back in and takes a boot to the gut from Orton, who then whips Cody into the corner, but eats elbow on a charge and Dibiase gets a cheapshot on Orton from the outside. Rhodes lays in a couple of shots on Orton and goes for a cover, but only gets one. Orton backdrops Rhodes over the top and Dibiase tries to sneak in from behind, but Orton catches him and Dibiase hightails it to the floor and Orton stands alone in the ring as we go to commercial.
We're back from commercial as Orton is fighting his way out of Legacy's corner. Rhodes leapfrogs Orton but eats a clothesline, but Orton takes too much time and Rhodes gets a jawbreaker and tosses Orton to the floor where he loses a scuffle with Dibiase. The fact that Legacy hasn't won this match by now makes them look like such chumps. Rhodes goes to the floor and works Orton over and tosses him back in the ring as the crowd starts chanting for Orton. Tag out to Dibiase, who comes in and HITS THE CHINLOCK! Well, he did learn something from Orton after all. Orton fights his way out but Dibiase takes his head off with a stiff clothesline for 2. Dibiase takes Orton back to the Legacy corner and tags in Rhodes, who nails Orton with a beautiful dropkick for 2. Tag back out to Dibiase, who lays in several shots in the corner and chokes Orton with his boot. Dibiase and Rhodes both in now to double team Orton, but Orton fights his way out and has powerslams for both guys. Orton starts working Dibiase over in the corner and gets his pet neckbreaker, stops to admire the Wrestlemania sign, and starts slithering. Rhodes comes in from behind and grabs Orton, and Orton fights him off but Dibiase comes from behind and nails Dreamstreet for the (upset?) win.
Winners: Ted Dibiase & Cody Rhodes
Rhodes hits CrossRhodes after the match and Legacy stands tall doing the Randy Orton pose just to rub salt in the wound.
We go backstage to Batista, as Josh Matthews asks him for his thoughts on John Cena expecting him to get involved in tonight's main event. Batista says Cena is paranoid and gives his word as WWE Champion that he will not get involved in his match tonight, and tells Josh that if he sees John, to tell him that he's pulling for him.
Later tonight: Mr McMahon takes on John Cena!
Triple H is walking backstage...and he looks determined!
We're back, and Triple H is on his way to the ring, spewing water on his way down the ramp and again on the ring apron. I wonder if he does that when he's not at work, like does he do that before dinner and before he goes in the grocery store? Before we hear what Mr H has to say, we take a look back at last week as Sheamus made a surprise return and beat the bejeesus out of Hunter. Back to the ring, as Triple H says he kind of respects Sheamus for what he did last week, because if he got his butt kicked by somebody who cost him his WWE Title and gave him a concussion, he'd want to kick his butt too. Way to put the young guys over, Hunter. Triple H is interrupted by Sheamus, who walks to the ring with a purpose and gets right in Hunter's face. Sheamus says he'll make a statement on Triple H at Wrestlemania if Triple H has the guts. Triple H says Sheamus has probably had the biggest first year of anyone in the business (wink wink), but he's never been to Wrestlemania, and until he's done that, his other accomplishments mean nothing. Triple H says he's been where Sheamus is now, and when he was young he jumped on the biggest star he could get at Wrestlemania, and he got crushed. I wonder whatever happened to that guy? But anyway, Triple H kept at it and became a big star and has fought all the stars at Wrestlemania, and the short list of guys who have beaten him at Wrestlemania have become superstars. But there's a much longer list of guys who have lost to him at Wrestlemania and dropped into a pit of obscurity. Triple H tells Sheamus it's a big gamble, and you have to risk it all for one shot at being immortal at Wrestlemania, or being nothing. Before Sheamus takes that gamble, he had better be sure. Sheamus considers for a moment, then starts to back up...then takes a swing at Hunter. A brawl ensues and Triple H clotheslines Sheamus over the top to the floor, but Sheamus drags him under the bottom rope and works him over on the floor. Triple H dodges the pump kick and dives onto Sheamus, and they both go over the rail. The brawl continues back to the ringside area and back into the ring where Triple H hits a spinebuster and sends Sheamus scurrying to the floor. Sheamus looks really mad as Triple H stares him down from the ring.
We go to the back with Criss Angel, who is deep in conversation with Santino Marella, who talks about all his Italian relatives like Ralph Macchio who were there and then...POOF...disappeared. He name drops Harry Houdini, and Angel says that Houdini wasn't Italian, he was from Budapest. Then he takes out a knife and four cups and tells Santino to hide the knife under one of the cups and not tell Angel which one. Angel turns his back as Santino hides the knife as I wonder what the hell any of this has to do with wrestling. Of course Angel guesses the correct cup and then we go to commercial. See, why would we want wrestling when we can watch this for two hours?
After commercial, we see the Money In The Bank briefcase hanging over the ring as we go to another Money In The Bank qulaifier!
Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Evan Bourne vs William Regal
I would love to see this match in ROH. Christian is at ringside with Heath Slater to observe while Regal is accompanied to the ring by Skip Sheffield. No problem with them getting a little NXT plug in there. Regal pounds away on Bourne to start with forearms, but Bourne comes back with some kicks and comes off the ropes but runs into an elbow by Regal. Regal with a second elbow and a butterfly suplex for 2. Regal with his slamplex thing and goes for the running knee, but Bourne catches him with a leg lariat and goes up top and hits Air Bourne for the win.
Winner: Evan Bourne
With this win, Evan Bourne joins Christian, MVP, Matt Hardy, Dolph Ziggler, Shelton Benjamin, Kane, and Jack Swagger in Money In The Bank at Wrestlemania, and celebrates by pointing at the Wrestlemania 26 banner.
Still to come tonight: Mr McMahon takes on John Cena.
We come back from commercial, and this week's Wrestlemania Recall is of...wow, it's Goldberg and Lesnar from Wrestlemania 20! There's something I never expected to see on WWE TV ever again. Speaking of Austin, he's guest hosting Raw next week!
We get a video package recapping the last few weeks of the Bret Hart-Vince McMahon feud, and then we see McMahon walking backstage, and he'll battle John Cena next!
We're back, and next week is not only going to see Steve Austin guest hosting, but it's also going to be Wrestlemania Rewind week as we'll see John Cena vs Big Show (Wrestlemania 20), Triple H vs Randy Orton (Wrestlemania 25), and Shawn Michaels vs Chris Jericho (Wrestlemania 19), as well as the official contract signing for the Bret Hart-Mr McMahon match!
Criss Angel finally makes his appearance in front of the crowd, as Michael Cole informs us that he's been named Magician Of The Decade for the last five years. That math doesn't quite add up. Criss Angel says he's honored to be here live on Raw and asks us if we're ready. Shouldn't he have asked that before the last fifteen minutes of the show? He hypes the crowd up for the main event and introduces the participants, first John Cena and then Mr McMahon, but before the match starts McMahon grabs the mic and says that he knows Bret is watching this in Calgary, and nothing against Criss Angel, but the result of this match will be no illusion, and by the way, this isn't just any match...it's a gauntlet handicap match! Vince motions to the back and out comes Vladimir Kozlov, who rushes the ring to start the main event.
Gauntlet Match: John Cena vs Mr McMahon And Company
Kozlov comes in and lays Cena right out with a powerslam, then gets a double overhook and rams headbutts into Cena's chest, then hits a big spinebuster and tags Vince in. Vince casually strolls over, salutes, and covers Cena...for 2. Vince motions to the back, and out comes Drew McIntyre, who mounts Cena and rains right hands down on Cena's face. McIntyre with a Flatliner and then tags Vince back in, and Vince shoots the half, hooks the leg...and gets 2 again. Vince motions to the back yet again, and now it's Jack Swagger...as we go to commercial.
We come back and Cena's somehow standing over Swagger, leading us to believe the tables somehow turned during the commercial break. Cena with the Five Knuckle Shuffle and goes for the Attitude Adjustment, but Swagger counters out, rams Cena into the corner, and powerslams him. Vince wants to tag in but Swagger waves him off and hits a running Vader Bomb out of the corner. Swagger says one more time, and nails another running Vader Bomb. Vince tags back in yet again as I wait for Batista to be the last guy to come out. Vince covers and gets 2, then covers him again and gets another 2. Vince motions to the back yet again, and this time it's Mark Henry, and it seems Cena's about to get his wig split. Henry palms Cena's head and gives him the World's Strongest Slam, then tags in Vince, who covers and gets another 2 count. Way to kill the finishers of everybody on your Raw roster! Vince goes to the floor and grabs the mic and ring bell, and declares this to now be a no disqualification handicap Gauntlet Match. Mark Henry tries to talk Vince out of nailing Cena with the ring bell, and Vince says no problem, then hands Henry the bell and tells him to hit Cena. Henry says no way and tosses the bell, then turns around into a spear from Batista. Now here come the reinforcements as Kofi Kingston comes out and attacks Batista, but Batista kills him with a Batista Bomb. Cena attacks Batista and takes him out with a clothesline before turning his attention to Vince. Vince backs off and drops the ring bell, Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment but gets speared by Batista, Batista follows that up with the Batista Bomb and wouldn't you know it, that's enough for Vince to finally score the win over Cena. It was a sloppy cover, but at least he hooked the leg. Monsoon would be proud.
Winner: Vince McMahon
Batista stands over Cena and the lights go down as he raises his hands and screams in victory.
2011 - WWE NXT Season 5 kicked off. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We have survived NXT Season One The Movie, NXT Season Two: The Wrath of Miz, NXT Season Three: The Search for Announcing, and NXT Season Four: The Voyage Home. Now it is time to venture into NXT Season Five: The Final Frontier. Who will make it through this season of NXT and make it to Sha Ka Ree
It is time for the moment that you have been waiting for.
We are live on tape from Houston, Texas via the internet and your announcers are Todd ‘I Come in Peace’ Grisham and William ‘Sunshine’ Regal. Your hosts are Matt ‘It is like Groundhog Day but without the presence of Ned Ryerson’ Striker and ‘Still being booked better than Ted DiBiase’ Maryse.
Todd tells us that this show is all about redemption. Todd has a new announcing partner and it is William Regal. Regal says that it is about redemption for one of the rookies.
Matt Striker is in the ring and he welcomes us to Season Five of NXT. Matt introduces his co-host and it is Maryse. Maryse thank Matt and she says that this season is going to be very different. She introduce the people who are part of Season Five of NXT.
Out first is Darren Young. He is followed by Conor O’Brian. Lucky Cannon comes out and he has a new robe that he modeled after Rick Rude. Byron Saxton is out next. He is followed by another Season Four reject, Jacob Novak. The final rookie to come out is Titus O’Neill.
Matt welcomes everyone back and he says that they have been chosen to return for Redemption. This season will be different. Maryse says that they will be competing to be a part of Season Six of NXT. Matt says that there is no immunity. They will be competing for Redemption Points. If there is a tie in the voting between the pros and the WWE Universe, they can apply their Redemption Points.
It is now time to meet Darren Young’s pro and it is Chavo Guerrero. Chavo says hello to the WWE Universe and he tells Darren Young that he is happy that he is his pro. He has been watching him and has seen him work in the ring. Chavo tells Darren that he can’t take it easy like he did on NXT. He has to be like a Guerrero and separate himself from the pack. He challenges Darren to ‘get noticed’. He tells him to do it any way that he can.
The next pro is for Conor O’Brian and it is Vladimir Kozlov. Vladimir tells Conor that he thought Conor tried to impress people too much. He needs to be himself.
Lucky Cannon’s pro is Tyson Kidd. Tyson congratulates Lucky and says that he is lucky because he has the best pro this season. He says that Lucky has been too nice and he needs to take what he wants. He tells Lucky that this competition is for the taking.
Byron Saxton’s pro is Yoshi Tatsu. Yoshi tells Byron that he was overconfident last season. He tells him to be himself and relax.
Jacob Novak’s pro is JTG. He tells Jacob that he had to deal with the drama between Dolph and Vickie. This season it is just them so there are no distractions. They are going to get it popping.
Titus O’Neill’s pro is Hornswoggle. Hornswoggle is wearing something other than green and he calms himself down and he grunts and speaks in tiny Irish. Apparently no one understands him.
It is time to start things off and Jacob Novak will be facing Darren Young when we come back from commercial.
Match Number One: Darren Young with Chavo Guerrero versus Jacob Novak with JTG
They lock up and they go into the ropes and then they go through the ropes to the floor. Young gets back into the ring first and then Young with a clothesline and then Novak makes it to the ropes. JTG gives Novak some advice. Young with a waist lock and Novak with a punch and shoulder tackle. Young with a roaring elbow followed by a power slam for a near fall.
Young with a cravate but Novak with punches. Young with a European uppercut but Novak with a boot to the head and Young goes down. Novak with elbows in the corner and the referee warns Jacob. Novak with an Irish whip but Young with an elbow. Novak with a clothesline in the corner followed by a boot to the chest and he gets a near fall.
Novak with a chin lock and he uses Young’s arm to restrict Young’s breathing patterns. Young backs Novak into the corner and then he punches Novak. Novak with a clothesline and he gets a near fall. Young with a Northern Lights suplex and bridge for a near fall. Young with a reverse atomic drop and clotheslines followed by a back body drop.
Young hits Heatwave for the three count.
Winner: Darren Young
Maryse is walking in the back and Yoshi Tatsu says that she is going to be a very good host on NXT. Maryse likes the compliment but Byron stops Yoshi from saying anything else to Maryse. Byron says that he would love to work together and strategize for this season.
Maryse leaves and Yoshi tells Byron that his timing is no good.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the Raw Rebound.
Todd and William talk about the situation between Rock, Miz, and John Cena.
It is time for a Conor O’Brian video package. He reminds us that he was on Season Four. He didn’t let the WWE Universe see who Conor O’Brian really is. He hid behind a persona and was not himself. He was raised by his mother because his father left when he was two. He says that it was hard growing up. He says that this is an opportunity to focus on the good things. He says that most people don’t get a second chance. He is going to let the real Conor O’Brian come out and he will get redemption.
We go to commercial and we will be back with the Boot Camp Obstacle Course.
We are back and Maryse tell us it time for first challenge of season. This challenge worth three redemption point.
Matt explains the course to the rookies. They must hop over a wall and then go through the army net. Then they will have to traverse a balance beam. Then they will have to do a slalom through flags. They must then pick up a loaded duffel bag across the finish line.
Titus O’Neill goes first and his time is 29.8 seconds.
The second rookie to go is Jacob Novak and his time is 24.0 seconds and he is in the lead.
Byron Saxton goes third. His time is 26.5 seconds.
In the cleanup position, it is Lucky Cannon. His time is irrelevant because he says that he will not be our circus monkey tonight. Lucky then says that he is going to steal Maryse away from Ted but Maryse tell him to talk to hand. Lucky does not compete.
Conor O’Brian is next and his time is 27.1 seconds.
The final rookie is Darren Young and his time is 23.0 seconds and he wins the challenge and earns Three Redemption Points.
Darren and Chavo celebrate his victory.
We go to commercial but when we come back, we will see the announcement of the guest referee at Wrestlemania in the match between Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler.
We are back and they talk about redemption and Regal says that he has had to deal with redemption as well.
Byron Saxton reminds us that he was on Season Four. We see highlights from Season Four but then we see him being eliminated. He says that he made some mistakes and he will take nothing for granted this year. Byron says that they are a group of guys who have been there and done that before. They have also been eliminated. Byron says that he knows that it is his time. He says that he will win NXT. He says that this is his last chance. It might be cliché to say that, but it is his opportunity and his dream.
Match Number Two: Titus O’Neill with Hornswoggle versus Lucky Cannon with Tyson Kidd
They lock up and Lucky slaps Titus on the break but Lucky hides in the ropes. Titus with kicks to Cannon but Cannon tries for a drop toe hold but Cannon cannot get him down. They go to the floor and Cannon kicks Titus and then sends him back into the ring. Cannon with knees to the back and he puts Titus in a rear chin lock. Titus tries to get to his feet but Cannon drops him to the mat. Cannon with a reverse chin lock on Titus and he gets his foot on the ropes for extra leverage. Cannon chokes O’Neill in the ropes and the referee warns Lucky. Lucky with a forearm to the head but Titus punches back. Lucky with a side head lock. Titus with a forearm followed by a belly-to-back suplex and both men are down.
Titus with punches to Lucky and then he hits a flying shoulder tackle and then connects with an elbow before an Irish whip. Hornswoggle pulls Kidd off the apron and the referee stops Kidd. Hornswoggle pushes Cannon off the turnbuckles and then O’Neill hits a sit out spinebuster for the three count.
Winner: Titus O’Neill
After the match, O’Neill and Hornswoggle celebrate the victory. Tyson Kidd attacks Hornswoggle and tries to put him in the sharpshooter but O’Neill kicks Kidd out of the ring.
2011 - Shelton Benjamin worked a dark match for WWE. Benjamin, who had been working for ROH at the time, did not return to WWE and would sign a ROH deal several months later.
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