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3/16 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: THE GREAT GARY HART PASSES AWAY

March 16th 

On this day in history in ....

1960 - Joe McCarthy defeats Mario Galento in Mobile, Alabama to win the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title, ending Galento's third reign as champion. 

1963 - WWWF ran Newark, NJ with the following results:

Arnold Skaaland fought Miguel Perez to a draw
Pat Barrett fought Tony Manousos to a draw
Pedro Morales defeated Gordo Chihuahua
The Great Scott defeated Tommy O'Toole
John & Chris Tolos defeated Art Thomas & Dory Dixon
World Champion Buddy Rogers defeated Buddy Austin

1964 - WWWF ran Madison Square Garden with the following results:

Hans Mortier fought Bobo Brazil to a draw
Ernie Ladd defeated Klondike Bill at 2:17
Miguel Perez defeated Lou Bastien at 15:53
Pedro Morales defeated Bobby Davis via disqualification at 5:08
Bill Watts defeated Luke Graham at 12:52
Tiny Tim & Irish Jackie defeated Sky Low Low & Fuzzy Cupid in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match
WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Dr. Jerry Graham at 8:23
Gorilla Monsoon fought Killer Kowalski to a no contest; since state law prevented a match from starting after 11pm, it was not allowed to take place

1965 - WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated the Golden Terror in York, PA

1965 - WWWF U.S. Tag Team Champions Gene Kiniski & Waldo Von Erich defeated Wahoo McDaniel & Don McClarty in Trenton, NJ.

1966 - Bruno Sammartino did double duty at a WWWF TV taping at the Hotel Philadelphia Auditorium, defeating  the Beast in a TV Taping bout and then Magnificent Maurice later on in a dark match to close the show.

1970 - WWWF ran Allentown, PA, featuring the following results:

Gene DuBois fought Eric the Red
Killer Kowalski defeated Arnold Skaaland
Waldo Von Erich defeated Joe Turco
Mario Milano defeated Prof. Toru Tanaka via disqualification
Ivan Koloff defeated Victor Rivera

1972 - WWWF ran Waterville, Maine, featuring the following results:

Debbie Johnson defeated Dottie Downs at 18:22
Donna Christianello fought Lily Thomas to a draw
Susan Green defeated Paula Kaye at 16:22
Sandy White defeated White Venus at 11:22
The Fabulous Moolah defeated Jan Sheridan at 12:36
Victor Rivera defeated Rugged Russian # 1 at 11:10
WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales defeated Rugged Russian #2 at 16:22

1972 - WWWF ran Lowell, MA as well, headlined by Prof. Toru Tanaka defeating Gorilla Monsoon via countout and
WWWF Tag Team Champions Baron Mikel Scicluna & King Curtis defeated Chief Jay Strongbow & Rene Goulet in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-1

1973 - Gene Kiniski defeats Terry Funk in St. Louis, Missouri to win the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title. 

1973 - WWWF ran North Attleboro, MA at Witschi's Sports Arena with the following results:
Ricky Sexton fought Joe Crugnale to a time-limit draw
Freddie Blassie pinned El Olympico
Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Mr. Fuji via submission with the sleeper in an Indian Strap Match
Dean Ross defeated Mike Conrad via disqualification
Gorilla Monsoon defeated Luis Torres & Henry DePaolo in a handicap match

1973 -WWWF ran Harrisburg, PA at the Zembo Mosque with the following results:
Tony Garea pinned Arnold Skaaland at 16:30
Manuel Soto defeated Joe Turco via disqualification when Turco refused to break a choke
Vincenti Pommetti pinned Miguel Feliciano at 16:30
Moondog Mayne defeated Sonny King via count-out
WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales pinned Buddy Wolfe in a Texas Death Match with a sommersault off the ropes at 15:02

1974 -  WWWF ran Harrisburg, PA at Zembo Mosque, featuring the following results:
Arnold Skaaland pinned Ed Sullivan at 9:48
Pete Doherty pinned Joe Turco at 15:37
Larry Zbysco pinned Mike Conrad at 13:04
Nikoli Volkoff pinned Manuel Soto at 2:51
Cheif Jay Strongbow & Pedro Morales defeated Mr. Fuji &Prof. Toru Tanaka in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0; fall #1 - Strongbow & Morales won via disqualification; fall #2 - Strongbow & Morales won via pinfall

1976 - Bad weather forced the cancellation of a planned WWWF event in Portland, Maine.

1977 - WWWF ran Manchester, NH featuring:
Carlos Rocha defeated Doug Gilbert
Joyce Grable won a women's battle royal to earn a women's title shot later in the night
Baron Von Raschke defeated Tony Garea via countout
Vicki Williams & Susan Green defeated Leilani Kai & Terry Shane
Stan Stasiak defeated Larry Zbyzsko via countout
The Fabulous Moolah defeated Joyce Grable

1979 - WWWF ran  Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, Long Island, featuring the following results:
Mr. X fought Mark Tendler to a draw
Allen Coage defeated Frankie Williams
Victor Rivera defeated Mike Hull
Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Johnny Rodz
Jerry & Johnny Valiant fought Larry Zbyszko & Tony Garea to a double disqualification
Bulldog Brower defeated SD Jones
Greg Valentine defeated Dominic DeNucci
Dusty Rhodes defeated Ivan Koloff via countout

1992 - The top two titles in the USWA changed hands on a show in Memphis, Tennessee. Kamala defeated Koko B. Ware to win the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Title for a fourth time, while Jimmy Valiant defeated Dr. Death (not Steve Williams) for the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title, ending Death's reign after only six days.

1996 - D'Lo Brown defeats Bobby Blaze to win the Heartland Wrestling Association Heavyweight Title in Lima, Ohio, starting his second reign as champion. 

1997 - WCW held their "Uncensored" Pay-per-view in South Carolina at the North Charleston Coliseum. Here are the results:
- In a dark match, Ice Train defeated Mad Maxx.
- Dean Malenko defeated Eddie Guerrero to win the WCW United States Title when Syxx came to ringside to try and steal the U.S. Title belt, distracting Guerrero, who had Malenko in a Texas Cloverleaf. Malenko picked up Syxx' video camera and hit Guerrero with it for the pin.
- Ultimo Dragon defeated Psicosis with a Tiger Suplex.
- Diamond Dallas Page came out for an interview, but was interrupted by Randy Savage and Elizabeth. Kimberly Page came out crying, with "NWO" spray painted on her, and Savage attacked Page, laying him out.
- Glacier defeated Mortis with a cryonic kick. After the match, Mortis removed his mask, revealing himself to be Bryan Clarke, and laid out Glacier.
- Buff Bagwell defeated Scotty Riggs in a strap match by touching all four corners after throwing Riggs from the ring. Bagwell choked Scotty with the strap after the match.
- Harlem Heat defeated The Public Enemy in a Texas Tornado match when Booker T pinned Rocco Rock with the Harlem Hangover after Steve McMichael interfered and hit Rocco with a metal briefcase.
- WCW Television Champion Prince Iaukea defeated Rey Mysterio Jr. The match ended in a time limit draw, but they requested more time. Mysterio went for a rana, but Iaukea rolled through it into a sunset flip to pin Mysterio.
- Team NWO (Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Scott Hall & Kevin Nash) defeated Team Piper (Roddy Piper, Chris Benoit, Steve McMichael & Jeff Jarrett) and Team WCW (Lex Luger, The Giant & Scott Steiner). Rick Steiner was supposed to be on Team WCW, but was attacked, presumably by the NWO, and unable to participate. The rules of the match were that wrestlers would enter the ring in intervals (ala a Royal Rumble), and would be eliminated by pinfall, submission or being thrown over the top rope to the floor. Here are the eliminations:
- Scott Hall ducked a charging Giant, who went over the top rope to the floor to be eliminated.
- Kevin Nash clotheslined Jeff Jarrett over the top rope to eliminate him.
- Scott Hall backdropped Steve McMichael over the top rope to eliminate him.
- Scott Hall threw Scott Steiner over the top rope to eliminate him.
- Hulk Hogan threw Roddy Piper over the top rope, with the help of Dennis Rodman, to eliminate him.
- Scott Hall and Kevin Nash threw Chris Benoit over the top rope eliminating him, and ending Team Piper's chances of winning.
- Lex Luger made Randy Savage submit to the Torture Rack to eliminate him.
- Lex Luger threw Kevin Nash over the top rope to eliminate him.
- Lex Luger made Scott Hall submit to the Torture Rack to eliminate him.
- Hulk Hogan pinned Lex Luger after Randy Savage blinded him with spray paint. After the match, Sting repelled into the ring to beat up the NWO.

2003 - Justin Credible defeats Steve Corino in Queens, New York to win the Premier Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Title for the second time, ending Corino's fourth reign as champion. 

2004 - During an edition of Smackdown from Boston, Massachusetts, Rey Mysterio earned a World Title bout by winning a gauntlet match.  Shelton Benjamin defeated Charlie Haas and Billy Gunn in back-to-back matches, but lost to Mysterio, who went on to beat the Big Show via countout (due to John Cena attacking Show) and earned the title shot at Eddie Guerrero, who beat Rey with a small package after Rey attempted a springboard legdrop.

2007 - MTV quietly removed their scheduled airing of the final Wrestling Society X episode from the 10:30 PM slot, replacing it with an airing of The Real World. When reached this morning, one MTV source claimed that the episode was never officially set to air. It was listed until the day of the airing by both TV Guide and the MTV website's schedule.   The finale, which was to feature an exploding steel cage match, would never air in the United States.  It would be finally seen when the promotion's complete season was released on DVD.

2007 - Mick Foley's third memoir "The Hardcore Diaries" debuted at number 12 on the non-fiction side of the Wall Street Journal Best Seller list.  It came in at number 46 on the USA Today Best Seller listing (which covers all books).  It was number 10 in the Non Fiction listing of Publisher Weekly's Best Sellers.

2008 - "Playboy" Gary Hart (real name Gary Williams), best known for his work managing and booking for World Class Championship Wrestling passed away 

Hart was 66 at the time of his death.  Hart had just appeared at a fan signing and recorded a shoot interview in Pennsylvania for KayfabeCommentaries.com the day before returning home to Texas.  He was found at home by one of his sons a short time after arriving home.

Although he originally broke in wrestling as "Playboy" Gary Hart in the mid-west territories and toured internationally for Jim Barnett's WCW in Australia, Hart's true legacy in the business will be his role in booking one of the all-time greatest wrestling promotions, Fritz Von Erich's World Class Championship Wrestling, while managing names like Abdullah the Butcher, King Kong Bundy, Gino Hernandez, Chris Adams and The Great Kabuki, among others with a straight forward, devious, gravely voice.  The straight-man Hart was often paired with the wild characters of the era, doling out the threats as they looked on, colorful and bug-eyed.

During its strength, WCCW was one of the most emotional, popular promotions of all time.  There is not one performer, one company today that comes close to the emotional investment the Texas fans had in their performers during that era in the 1980s.  None.  Hart had a lot to do with that, handling the creative aspect of the booking and evolution of a number of the territory's performers.

Hart left World Class following a dispute with Fritz Von Erich over money as he was promised a percentage of the gate and wasn't getting it after the successful Christmas angle where Terry Gordy slammed the cage door into the head of Kerry Von Erich during his challenge of Ric Flair for the NWA title, which sparked the Von Erich vs. Fabulous Freebirds feud that put the company on the map. Hart returned to World Class in 1986 after his replacement, Johnny Mantel jumped to Bill Watt's UWF with a number of World Class performers, but the promotion never regained its former glory.

Hart moved on to Jim Crockett Promotions in 1987, managing "The Latin Heartthrob" Al Perez and Larry Zbyszko.  He became a central figure during the classic 1989 feud between then-NWA champion Ric Flair and Terry Funk, showing up unannounced as Funk's manager at the Great American Bash '89 PPV in Baltimore and also managing a young Keiji Mutoh, who was on fire as The Great Muta during a feud against Sting at the time.  The storyline was that Muta was the son of Kabuki, who Hart had originally brought to the United States. 

Hart would become the manager of the J-Tex Corporation, adding Dick Slater, Buzz Sawyer and the Dragon Master (Kendo Nagasaki), while Brian Pillman and later Ole and Arn Anderson would join Flair and Sting.  Hart's run continued until the end of 1989, where Flair defeated Funk in an amazing I Quit Match in Troy, NY at Clash of the Champions IX: New York Knockout.  Hart turned on Funk after he quit.  Funk turned babyface, but left the ring for a color commentary role.  Hart left shortly after.

After leaving the NWA, Hart worked on the Global Wrestling Federation, an upstart promotion that had a daily timeslot on ESPN in the early 1990s.  Global was bad beyond words, partially because ESPN didn't want violence on the air, to the point Hart had taken to wearing a terrible toupee on the air.  After Global went down, Hart, like other stars of the World Class area, worked numerous independent promotions in the Texas area, but never regained the glory of the Von Erich era.

Hart's last work on a national level took place in 2004 during the latter days of Court Bauer's MLW, where he did an angle attacking Terry Funk, still upset over Funk having submitted to Ric Flair during that classic 1989 feud.  The plan at the time was to link Hart with Low Ki and Homicide.  Hart's son Chad wrestled briefly as well.

Hart was one of the central figures in the two documentaries released on the legacy of World Class, Brain Harrison's Heroes of World Class and WWE's Triumph and Tragedy of World Class, where he received raves for his insight into the company, the implosion of the Von Erich family, and became very emotional when it came to the overdose death of heel performer Gino Hernandez during the height of World Class' run.

In recent years, Hart had been a regular appearing at fan conventions in Charlotte, North Carolina for Greg Price.  At the time of his death, Hart was working on the finishing touches of a planned book about his experiences in the business, which was likely going to be self-published.  That book was later released via http://playboygaryhart.net/ and was one of the best books ever written on the industry. 

2009 - WWE broadcast Raw.  Ed Sherriffs filed the following TV report:

It's the antepenultimate episode of RAW before Wrestlemania XXV! JBL, the great American, teams up with the Moscow Mauler, Vladimir Kozlov, to take on The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, in the unique situation of opponents at the PPV teaming up to wrestle at a tag team before the big show. Unanswered questions include whether or not Ric Flair will come out of retirement to face Chris Jericho, is Triple H still in jail, and who is paying to repair Randy Orton's window. The show opens with a painstakingly long recap of last week's contract signing with Cena bringing back GTV.

Shawn Michaels & The Undertaker vs. JBL & Vladimir Kozlov

Lawler says that he can't believe that HBK and Taker are teaming, which makes me wonder if he's seen RAW before. Michaels leaps on Kozlov, then quickly tags Taker in. They exchange shots, then Taker blocks a charge. Kozlov is clotheslined out of the ring before going to commercial.

When we return, HBK is tagging in to chop JBL. He comes off the ropes with a flying forearm, followed by an inverted atomic drop and scoop slam. Michaels goes to the top and hits the top rope elbow drop. Kozlov distracts him and JBL gets his own Sweet Chin Music. Kozlov tags in and wastes no time. Headbutts to the chest, followed by a slam for two. JBL comes back in and pounds HBK, then gets two with a clothesline. Kozlov back in, and he applies a bearhug. Michaels fights out and reverses the chokeslam with a DDT.

Michaels crawls to his corner and tags in Taker just as Kozlov tags in JBL. Taker punches JBL, then charges in the corner a couple of times. Taker takes JBL back in time for Old School. Taker hits Snake Eyes (classic Taker), followed by a big boot and elbow drop. Michaels with a blind tag and he hits Sweet Chin Music on JBL for the win.

Your winners, Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker!

Taker is none too happy and he chases Shawn to the back. Michaels seemingly retreats, then he comes back out and tags Taker with Sweet Chin Music and celebrates on the stage. Commercial.

Edge walks into Vickie's office and she is apologetic. He has something he wants to tell her. He forgives her. She tries to say that Big Show forced himself on her. Edge says their love is for real. He blames Cena for their troubles. He says no one can take away what they have, then she says she hopes he wins at Mania. They kiss.

Recap of Randy Orton, the Playboy Model, and Trips Breaking and Entering last week. Too many recaps when there are only three RAWs left including this one. Lawler says that HHH posted bail and Randy Orton decided not to file charges, so HHH is facing Cody Rhodes tonight.

Orton is in the back with the rest of Legacy and Todd Grisham. He asks why Orton dropped the charges. Orton says he the H is a homicidal maniac. If he went to jail, though, his debt to Orton would not be paid. Rather than a court of law, it will be Orton's Law at Wrestlemania, where he will pass sentence and become WWE Champion. Commercial.

In this week's "Wow We're Excellent" graphic, we learn that WWE Smackdown is the fastest episodic program in history to reach 500 episodes...or something.

Mickie James, Kelly Kelly & Melina vs. Beth Phoenix, Rosa Mendes & Jillian

Mickie and Beth start off. Beth powers Mickie into the corner, but misses an attack. She gets the better of Mickie and puts her on the ground, then steps on her throat. Snapmare by Beth. Mickie fights back, but runs into a shoulderblock. Mickie makes the tag to Melina. Melina dicks a punch from Beth, then hits a handspring back elbow. Melina takes Beth to the mat by her hair for two. Melina blocks a charge, then hits a senton off the middle rope. Beth with a backbreaker for two. Santino's interference doesn't go as planned, and Melina rolls up Beth for the win.

Your winners, Mickie James, Kelly Kelly & Melina!

12 Rounds preview. Insert your favorite Orange Sash joke here. I will say that having Governor Carchetti from The Wire makes it more interesting.

Cena vs. Edge is on for tonight.

HHH vs. Cody Rhodes

Orton and DiBiase are there for back up. HHH is not distracted and he easily handles Rhodes. They go outside the ring, and HHH throws him around. The trusty sledgehammer is retrieved from underneath the ring and HHH taunts Orton. Cody gets up, then he is put down with a Pedigree. HHH calls for the steel cage to be lowered. Cole and Lawler are in awe, so I guess they didn't look up tonight. HHH leaves the ring to chase Orton and DiBiase towards the back. The steel cage is completely lowered. The bell rings and the match is officially on.

HHH punches Rhodes in the face. Orton starts to climb up, but HHH tosses Rhodes into the cage, then does it again to stop DiBiase. No one can get in the ring with Trips throwing Rhodes around at will. Orton and HHH go face to face with the cage between them, as HHH taunts him with a sledgehammer. DiBiase makes it to the top, but Triple H stops him from entering. He tells Orton to watch, then nails Rhodes in the face with the sledgehammer.

Your winner, Triple H!

It kind of sucks to see Rhodes beaten so badly with no offense, but you knew it was coming. Makes me wish the Legacy B Team of Manu or Sim were still around to take that beating. HHH sits atop the cage and stares at Orton.

Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler

Dolph gets no entrance music, so we know where this is headed. Dolph with a wrist lock. He takes Rey down and gets some punches. Rey has issued a challenge to wrestle JBL at Wrestlemania. He tries a weak cover for two, followed by two after an elbow drop. Full Nelson by Ziggler. He drops Mysterio on the mat, but Rey kicks back. Rey ranas Dolph into the corner in a vintage move. Senton out of the corner. Another rana sends Dolph into the ropes, followed by a 619 and a splash for the vintage win.

Your winner, Rey Mysterio!

It remains to be seen if JBL will accept Rey's challenge for a match at Wrestlemania.

Another special graphic tells us WWE ran a lot of live events, more than several sporting leagues combined. They might have been playing fast and loose with the facts here, but I'm not doing the math.

Chris Jericho comes out ready to wrestle. He blames Flair for keeping him out of actual Wrestlemania, so tonight will be his Wrestlemania. He calls Flair pathetic and says that he doesn't want to stay on the sidelines, then he calls him a joke, washed up, etc. But Jericho is giving him another chance to bask in the adulation of the hypocrites. He is giving Flair a chance and Flair's music plays. Flair is not dressed to wrestle.

Flair gets on the mic and says even though he knows he can beat Jericho, he is officially retired as an active competitor. He will always be the man, though. He does not want to tarnish the great sendoff last year, calling it the greatest night of his career. He says he can't wrestle Jericho, but he has found some men that can.

Superfly Snuka is out first, followed by Ricky the Dragon Steamboat, and finally, Rowdy Roddy Piper. The Hall of Famers head to the ring. They surround Jericho in the ring. They get on the apron. Go for Snuka first, Jericho! Jericho tries to run, but the olde timers get a couple of shots in, including a right hand from Flair.

Jericho vs. Geritol at Wrestlemania!

The "25th Anniversary" of Wrestlemania brings us clips from Wrestlemania XV, which happened in the home of the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies and the Liberty Bell. Remember the Brawl For All? Bart Gunn is shown getting peppered by Butterbean. The Corporate Champion The Rock faced off with Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austin won the belt that night, in case you forgot.

Jericho, reeling from the Old Folk's Home attacking, says he is upset at them for ruining his Wrestlemania. He is incredulous at the thought that he should be called embarrassed, but then challenges his elderly attackers to a match at Wrestlemania. He demands that Flair be in the corner of the Legends that night, saying the pain the has beens feel will be on his hands. He remembers to tell Mickey Rourke that he is buying a front row seat. And this ending won't be ambiguous, it will be tragic, as Jericho puts the old men out of their misery.

Kane, Shelton Benjamin & Mark Henry vs. Kofi Kingston, MVP & CM Punk

Christian, Finlay and Hornswoggle are on commentary. Kofi and Shelton go at it to start. Henry tags in and headbutts Kingston. Kofi avoids a charge, then tags MVP in. They team to dropkick Henry. MVP dropkicks Henry into his corner, where Kane is tagged in. MVP avoids a charge and hits the Drive By in the corner. The faces and heels stare down like the Sharks and the Jets. Commercial.

During the break, I got a commercial for CHIKARA King of Trios. It's the weekend of March 27 for those who will be in the Philadelphia area. I never see effort like this from CZW, the other local promotion. For information, visit www.CHIKARApro.com.

Back to RAW, Kane is stretching Kofi's back after Kofi ran into a big boot. Side slam by Kane. Shelton Benjamin tags in. Finlay smartly wonders why no one is turning on their partner, saying they should be trying to take each other out. Benjamin keeps Kingston on the mat. Benjamin with an abdominal stretch on Kingston. Finlay says he would cash MITB in at Wrestlemania 25 if he won. Punk tags in and takes Benjamin down with a leg lariat. Charge in the corner, followed by a bulldog for two when Kane breaks the pin up. Kofi takes Kane out of the ring. MVP sends Benjamin into a GTS and Punk pins him for the win.

Your winners, MVP, Kofi Kingston and CM Punk!

A look at John Cena's costar in 12 Rounds, Ashley Scott, she of the late Jericho (Mike Johnson's favorite, cancelled show, not the wrestler). [Note from Mike: Damn you, CBS. Damn you.]

Vickie is wearing a referee's outfit and asking Big Show what he is doing here. She accuses Big Show of using her to get in the title match. He says that isn't true, and says Vickie pursued him. They both know that Show is anatomically superior to Edge. Bigger feet? Big Show tells her to calm down and says Edge is using the tactics he accuses Show of using. Show tells Vickie Edge doesn't love her, but he (Show) does. Show then kisses Vickie before telling her she looks sexy in her shirt. Commercial, and not a moment too soon.

HHH is leaving and Grisham wants to know how he got Vickie Guerrero to cooperate by lowering the cage. He doesn't answer, but we see Stephanie McMahon in the front seat.

Edge vs. John Cena w/ Special Guest Referee Vickie Guerrero

Edge with a side headlock to start. Cena throws him off. Edge throws Cena into the corner, but Cena reverses another whip. Suplex by Cena, but Vickie won't count the cover. Edge attacks from behind and stomps away. Cena takes a spill over the top. Cena's head is slammed on the announcer's table, then he is whipped into the steel stairs. Edge gets ready for the spear, but he finds turnbuckle instead. Blue Thunder by Cena, and you can't see him, Vickie. Vickie covers Edge for a moment, but she gets up and Cena still hits the 5 Knuckle Shuffle. She keeps Cena from hitting the Attitude Adjustment, but Cena applies the STF (no U). Vickie applies her own chinlock.

The Big Show comes out and goes after Cena. Edge joins in. They tie Cena up in the ropes. Edge hits a spear. Big Show with some punches. Edge turns on Show and spears him. Edge stands tall, and now there are only two RAWs before Wrestlemania.

2010 - Mick Foley was on The Daily Show.  Ken sent the following....Funnily enough while equating Congress and the conflict of the filibuster with pro wrestling, correspondent Wyatt Cenac first mentioned how Shawn Michaels is angry with the Undertaker. Jon Stewart also called Shawn "the good guy" and Undertaker "the bad guy" - assuming Stewart really watches wrestling, I guess he thinks Taker's the heel this year.  Then Cenac brought Foley out as Senior Ass Kicker, in a TNA shirt, where Mick cut a promo both for and against the filibuster, while Cenac acted like an old school manager in the background. (In the anti-filibuster promo, Mick also used Blassie's old "pencil necked geeks" line.) After Stewart called pro wrestling fake, Mick left the green screen area and showed Stewart his ripped off ear, to which Stewart climbed on his desk verbally tapped out, and ran away. That ended the segment.

2010 - WWE broadcast NXT.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We are live from Los Angeles, California and your announcers are Josh ‘When does the Summerfest hype begin’ Mathews and Michael ‘Ginormous’ Cole. Your host for the evening is Matt ‘Can we go to the Peach Pit after the show’ Striker.

Matt Striker tells us that in two weeks, the first round of votes will be completed and we will get their evaluations.

Match Number One: CM Punk and Darren Young with Serena and Luke Gallows versus Matt Hardy and Justin Gabriel

Young and Gabriel start things off and they lock up with Young applying a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Young with a snap mare for a near fall. Gabriel reverses but Young with a forearm and punches. Young misses a punch and Gabriel with an arm drag. Hardy tags in and they Irish whip Young into the corner and hit Poetry in Motion followed by a clothesline by Hardy for a near fall. Gabriel tags in and hits a slingshot sunset flip for a near fall. Young with a knee and then he sends Gabriel into the turnbuckles. Punk tags in and he connects with a forearm and slams Gabriel for a near fall. Punk with knees in the corner followed by a forearm and more kicks. The referee pulls Punk out of the corner and Young tags in and he kicks Gabriel. Gabriel lands on his feet and hits a spin kick followed by an Irish whip. Gabriel is sent to the apron and Gabriel misses a springboard cross body and Young gets a near fall. Young with an elbow in the corner followed by a series of shoulders. Young with an Irish whip but Gabriel tries for a float over but Young with a kick to the midsection. Young gets between Gabriel and Hardy and then Young goes to the floor after Gabriel and Young sends Gabriel into the ring steps as we go to commercial.

We are back and Gabriel with a hip toss to Punk to get out of an abdominal stretch. Gabriel tries for a splash but Punk gets his knees up and gets a near fall. Punk with elbows to the ribs. Punk with a kick to the back and he gets a near fall. Young tags back in and he connects with a forearm. Young slaps Gabriel but Gabriel with kicks to the leg followed by a jumping back kick and forearm to the head. Gabriel with a back elbow for a near fall. Gabriel with an STO and then he goes up top but he misses the 450 splash. Hardy tries to encourage Gabriel but Young tags in Punk and Punk can only get a two count. Punk with a body scissors on Gabriel and he punches Gabriel in the midsection. Gabriel with elbows to get out of the hold and he gets a near fall with a jackknife cover. Punk knocks Hardy off the apron and then he tags Young back in. Young with a forearm and belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Young runs Gabriel into the turnbuckles and Punk tags back in. Punk with punches to the midsection. Gabriel with punches but Punk with a knee and a knee as Gabriel is sent off the ropes. Punk goes to the apron and he tries for the springboard clothesline but Gabriel with a desperation drop kick and both men are down. Hardy is tagged in and he clotheslines Punk a few times. Hardy with an Irish whip and running clothesline into the corner followed by a bulldog for a near fall. Hardy with a Side Effect for a two count. Hardy goes to the turnbuckles for the screaming elbow but Punk makes the tag to Young. Hardy brings Young in and hits a neck breaker for a near fall. Young with a kick but Hardy with a clothesline that sends both men over the top rope. Gallows punches Gabriel while the referee was not looking. Hardy avoids a punch from Gallows and hits a Side Effect on the floor. Hardy and Young return to the ring and Gallows distracts the referee and Punk hits the Go To Sleep and Young gets the three count.
Winners: CM Punk and Darren Young

After the match, Gallows with a short arm clothesline to Gabriel and a boot to Hardy. Punk and Young celebrate but Gallows with a kick and spinebuster slam on Young.

Time to see what the Miz is going to do with Daniel Bryan and Bryan will be facing the Great Khali.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Two: Daniel Bryan versus Great Khali with Runjin Singh

Bryan stands face to pectorals with Khali and Khali sends Bryan into the turnbuckles. Bryan with kicks to the leg but Khali sends Bryan into the turnbuckles again. Khali with a chop and Khali tries for a choke slam but Bryan with a Guillotine choke on Khali and Khali is on his knees. Khali gets out of the hold and Bryan with a series of kicks to the chest. Bryan with a roundhouse kick and then he goes up top for a missile drop kick and he gets a near fall but Khali kicks out emphatically. Bryan goes up top but he comes off into a chop from Khali and then Khali with the choke slam and a single boot cover for the three count.
Winner: Great Khali

After the match, the Big Show comes out to the ring. Bryan struggles to get back to his feet and Show picks Bryan up and hits a choke slam. Show leaves the ring and goes to the back.

We go to commercial.

We are back with the Raw Rebound.

Time to run through the card for Wrestlemania.

Cole talks about Cena might be doubting himself.

We go to comments from David Otunga. He says that he is going to win. He says that he is a touch above since he is from Hollywood. He mentions that he is the fiancée of Jennifer Hudson and he has been to Hollywood parties and has been to the White House. David says that he has no flaws. He compares himself to The Rock, Triple H, and John Cena. He also mentions that he went to Harvard Law School. He says that he doesn’t care what the people think about him. He says that he is not going to fail. He says that he will be the next WWE Superstar.

Michael Tarver is walking in the back as we go to commercial.

We are back with the Wrestlemania Recall: Pete Rose from Wrestlemania in 1998 since he will be guest host on Monday.

We see footage from Slater’s victory over Carlito last week.

Match Number Three: Heath Slater versus Michael Tarver

They lock up and Slater with a side head lock. Slater with a flying shoulder followed by an arm drag into an arm bar. Tarver with a knee to Slater but Tarver is sent to the floor. Slater with a corkscrew pescado onto Tarver. Slater misses a charge into the corner and Tarver with a running boot to the head for a near fall.

We see Christian and Carlito watching in the back as Tarver gets a near fall. Tarver with a chin lock and then he sends Slater to the mat. Slater with a cross body and both men are down. Slater with a running forearm and then he gets a near fall. Tarver with an Irish whip but Slater floats over and gets a rollup for the three count.
Winner: Heath Slater

After the match, we see Christian celebrate in the back.

Tarver hits Slater from behind and hits an overhead T-Bone suplex.

Christian wants to know what he just saw.

William Regal and Skip Sheffield are in the back and Skip won’t be quiet while trying to tell Regal what he wants to hear. Regal walks away as we go to commercial.

Match Number Four: Skip Sheffield with William Regal versus Wade Barrett with Chris Jericho

Barrett with a kick and punch to Sheffield followed by an Irish whip but Sheffield goes to the apron and hits a double sledge from the turnbuckles followed by a chop that sends Barrett to the floor. Sheffield tries to send Barrett into the ring post and Barrett counters and eventually sends Skip into the post. Barrett gets a near fall once they return to the ring. Barrett stretches Sheffield in the ropes and the referee warns him. Sheffield with a knee to the back while Jericho berates the announcers. Barrett stretches Sheffield and has his boot in Skip’s back. Barrett tries for a suplex but Sheffield blocks it with Skip hitting a suplex of his own. Both men struggle to get to their feet. Barrett misses a charge into the corner and misses a clothesline. Sheffield does not miss with two double sledges followed by a shoulder tackle. Skip with a slam and then he does the stagger strut and splash for a near fall. Barrett with a shoulder to the midsection followed by an Irish whip. Barrett pulls Sheffield off the turnbuckles and then Barrett with a slam from a fireman’s carry position for the three count.
Winner: Wade Barrett

2011 - TNA announced the following "make good" for fans upset with the short main event at the Victory Road PPV, which featured an out of it Jeff Hardy losing to Sting is less than three minutes:

AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO TNA WRESTLING FANS REGARDING SUNDAY'S VICTORY ROAD PAY-PER-VIEW

TNA Wrestling strives to give fans who purchase our pay-per-views as close to a full three-hour event as possible. This past Sunday's "TNA Victory Road" fell short of that standard. Your support of TNA is never taken for granted. To show you how we value that support, we would like to offer six months of free access to the TNAondemand.com library.

To receive your free offer, please send us a copy of your Victory Road pay-per-view purchase receipt to:

TNA OnDemand Offer
209 10th Avenue South, #302
Nashville, TN 37203

Please be sure and submit your name, address, and email address, as we will be emailing a special code that will unlock over 300 hours of great TNA Wrestling action.

 

 

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