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5/4 THIS DAY IN HISTORY

May 4th
On this day in history in ....

1963 - The WWWF ran Baltimore, Maryland, headlined by Eduard Carpentier defeating Pedro Rodriguez.

1980 - Blackjack Mulligan & Dewey Robertson defeated Masked Superstar #1 & #2 in the main event of a live card held at the Toronto Maple Leaf Gardens.

1980 - Georgia Championship Wrestling returning to the Omni in Atlanta, featuring:
-Lars Anderson defeated Rocket Monroe.
-Leroy Brown defeated Bill Dromo.
-Bob Sweetan defeated Eddie Gilbert.
-Iron Mike Sharpe defeated the French Angel.
-Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Ernie Ladd via disqualification.
-Georgia Tag Team Champions Ivan Koloff & Alexis Smirnoff (with Rock Hunter) defeated Tony Atlas & Kevin Sullivan.
-Georgia TV Champion Tommy Rich defeated Baron Von Raschke.
-NWA World Champion Harley Race defeated Georgia Heavyweight Champion Austin Idol.
-Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated Dory Funk Jr.
-Mr. Wrestling #2 defeated NWA World Champion Harley Race in a non-title lights out match.

1981 - WWF ran Madison Square Garden featuring:
-SD Jones defeated Johnny Rodz at 15:36
-The Great Yatsu defeated the Hangman at 10:31; the bout was originally scheduled for Yatsu & Antonio Inoki vs. Hangman & Frank Savage.
-WWF Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales defeated Killer Khan at 4:26
-Dominic DeNucci pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna at 6:53 with a backslide
-Peter Miavia pinned Rick McGraw at 7:08 with a backbreaker
-In his Garden debut, Angelo Mosca defeated WWF World Champion Bob Backlund via disqualification at 13:51 when Backlund accidentally punched the referee when Mosca ducked the blow; after the bout, Mosca ran backstage with the title belt.
-Pat Patterson defeated Sgt. Slaugther in an alley fight at 14:25 when the Grand Wizard, who escorted Slaughter to the ring before the match, returned ringside and threw in the towel after Slaughter had been beaten a bloody mess.
-The Carolina Kid & Farmer Jerome defeated Sky Low Low & Kid Chocolate
-Tony Garea, Rick Martel, & Gorilla Monsoon (sub. for Andre the Giant) defeated Stan Hansen, Moondog Rex, & Cpt. Lou Albano (sub. for Moondog King) in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match at 14:01, 2-0; fall #1: Monsoon's team won via disqualification at 11:39 when all three heels began attacking Martel; fall #2: Monsoon pinned Rex at 2:22 with a splash.
-The Carolina Kid & Farmer Jerome defeated Sky Low Low & Kid Chocolate when Carolina pinned Chocolate.

1981 - It was announced by Vince McMahon that Andre the Giant had suffered a broken ankle.  The injury was blamed on Killer Khan, setting up a series of grudge matches after Andre recovered.  WWE maintained ownership of the giant cast used to set the ankle and often displays it at their annual Wrestlemania AXXESS events.

1983 - Tony Atlas defeated NWA champion Ric Flair in a non-title match in the main event of a GCW event in Akron, Ohio.  The undercard featured:
-Matt Borne & Arn Anderson (with Paul Ellering) defeated Tito Santana & Brian Blair.
-Paul Ellering defeated Joe Lightfoot.
-Ron Garvin defeated the Iron Sheik (with Paul Ellering).
-Dick Murdoch defeated Killer Brooks.
-Tommy Rich defeated Larry Zbyszko.

1984 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Hampton, Virginia, featuring:
-Barry Hart (the future Barry Horowitz) defeated Jeff Sword.
-Jesse Barr defeated Bobby Bass.
-Brian Adidas defeated Doug Vines.
-The Junkyard Dog defeated Gary Hart.
-Ernie Ladd defeated Rufus R. Jones.
-The Junkyard Dog defeated Adrian Street.
-Dick Slater defeated Jay Youngblood.
-Wahoo McDaniel & Mark Youngblood defeated Jack & Jerry Brisco.

1985 - The WWF ran Baltimore, Maryland, featuring the following results:
-Tony Atlas defeated Bob Bradley.
-David Sammartino defeated Matt Borne.
-King Kong Bundy defeated Salvatore Bellomo.
-Ricky Steamboat defeated Steve Lombardi.
-WWF Women's Champion Wendi Richter defeated Lelani Kai.
-Ken Patera defeated Ivan Putski.
-WWF Champion Hulk Hogan & Jimmy Snuka defeated Roddy Piper & Bob Orton Jr.

1987 - The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers) defeated The RPMs in a tournament final in Lubbock, Texas to win the World Class Tag Team Title. 

1987 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Fayetteville, NC, headlined by The Road Warriors beating the New Breed, Dusty Rhodes defeating Dick Murdoch and Lex Luger wrestling Barry Windham to a no contest.  The same evening, at the same time, the promotion ran Greenville, SC, headlined by the Rock N' Roll Express defeating The Midnight Express combination of Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane.

1990 - The NWA ran Boston, MA, drawing 1,500 fans to the Walter Brown Arena  featuring:
-Johnny Ace pinned Bobby Eaton
-Stan Lane pinned Dutch Mantell
-Bam Bam Bigelow pinned Mike Rotunda
-NWA World Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Doom via disqualification
-NWA U.S. Champion Lex Luger defeated NWA World Champion Ric Flair via disqualification at the 18-minute mark.  Luger, who had travel problems, didn't arrive at the show until 10 PM, well after it was announced that Rick Steiner would substitute.

1991 - WCW ran Charleston, West Virginia, headlined by Sting & Brian Pillman defeating the One Man Gang & the Angel of Death and Vader defeating Stan Hansen by DQ.

1994 - New Japan Pro Wrestling holds their "Wrestling Dontaku" at the Fukuoka Dome in Fukuoka, Japan, drawing 53,500 fans.  Results of the show:
- Satoshi Kojima defeated Yuji Nagata.
- Tokimitsu Ishizawa & El Samurai defeated Shinjiro Ohtani & Tatsuhito Takaiwa when Samurai pinned Takaiwa.
- Akira Nogami, Takayuki Iizuka, & Osamu Kido defeated Akitoshi Saito, Michiyoshi Ohara, & Tatsutoshi Goto when Kido forced Ohara to submit.
- Kuniaki Kobayashi, The Great Kabuki, & Kengo Kimura defeated Norio Honaga, Hiro Saito, & Shinichi Nakano when Kimura pinned Honaga.
- El Gigante defeated Tadao Yasuda.
- Jushin Liger vs. Satoru Sayama (the original Tiger Mash) fought to a ten-minute draw.
- Shiro Koshinaka defeated Yoshiaki Yatsu.
- IWGP World Tag Team Champions The Hellraisers (Road Warrior Hawk & Power Warrior Kensuke Sasaki) defeated Rick & Scott Steiner when Hawk pinned Scott.
- Rick Rude defeated Sting to win the WCW International World Heavyweight Title (the big gold belt).  This would be Rick Rude's final match, as Rude severely injured his neck during the bout, ending his in-ring career. Rude would be stripped of the title on a technicality, and Rude would disappear from the wrestling scene until resurfacing in ECW in January 1997.
- Masahiro Chono defeated Yoshiaki Fujiwara.
- Riki Choshu defeated Hiroshi Hase.
- Shinya Hashimoto defeated Tatsumi Fujinami to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Title.
- Antonio Inoki defeated The Great Muta.

1995 - Atsushi Onita defeats Mr. Pogo in Nagoya, Japan to win the FMW World Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Title for the fourth time.  Onita would vacate the title the next day after defeating Hayabusa in his retirement match.  The retirement didn't last, with Onita coining the nickname "Mr. Liar" for breaking his vows to retire.

1998 - WCW held a Nitro taping in Indianapolis featuring: Fit Finlay winning the WCW World TV championship from Booker T after Booker was distracted by Chris Benoit.  Other results from the taping saw:

-Scott Norton defeated Chavo Guerrero Jr.
-Scott Putski defeated Billy Kidman via disqualification
-WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chris Jericho defeated "Bore Us Malenko" via submission
-Public Enemy defeated the Barbarian, Hugh Morrus, & Jimmy Hart in a handicap streetfight at 2:57 when Johnny Grunge pinned Hart
-Hammer defeated Perry Saturn in a Loser Leaves the Flock match
-Juventud Guerrera defeated Sick Boy via disqualification
-Brian Adams defeated Konnan via disqualification
-Lex Luger defeated WCW World Tag Team Champion Kevin Nash via disqualification

2001 - John Zandig defeats Kintaro Kanemura in a tournament final to win the Big Japan Pro Wrestling Death Match Heavyweight Title in Sapporo, Japan.  The belt had been vacated when Tomokai Honma walked out of the promotion.

2002 - WWE held Insurrection 2002, a UK only PPV event.  Nick Spence filed the following live report from the PPV:

15 minutes to kick-off and The Fink gives the same speech he gave this time last year about professional photography, laser pens and throwing things into the ring (last year the PPV ended with a several full bottles of coke thrown towards Steph and Co.) as Fink introduces Debra who makes a small speech about how great London is and the UK fans are. JR and especially The King get massive pops from the vocal Wembley crowd.

In a dark match 8 minutes to the hour Mr. Perfect gets the win over Goldust with his patented finisher, a popular choice after ‘Goldust Sucks’ chants. Fink, ever the company man, plugs the encore presentation which starts at 9am Sunday morning on Sky Box Office “so fans can see themselves live” – which in reality means paying twice. A large ‘X’ dominates the entrance ramp. A Insurrextion promo is shown featuring tonight’s participants and brief run-down of recent storyline history. JR and The King are shown at ringside, Lawler waving a small Union Jack flag.

Up first is Eddie Guerrero vs. Rob Van Dam for the Intercontinental gold. Eddie was last here a few months ago, the star of the indie supershow Revival. Both Eddie and Rob get massive pops. JR comments that as they are both evenly matched we are in for a treat. Van Dam catches Guerrero with a baseball slide and moonsault followed by a spilt-leg moonsault of the ropes. Both Eddie then Rob are in turn thrown out of the ring. A brief ‘Eddie Sucks’ chant begins as The King calls the UK fans ‘loopy’. The match after a flying start slows down and heads for the mat. A hold is broken as the ref spots Rob’s foot on the ropes. More ‘Eddie Sucks’ chants, Eddie nearly gets caught in a quick cradle as the action picks up, The King mentions ‘Latino heat’ for the 50th time tonight. JR puts over their high-risk offense , Eddie gets Rob in a painful looking leg hold as the action once again moves back to the mat. Eddie focuses again on Ron’s ‘injured’ leg using the ropes for leverage. Rob gets in a super kick as the momentum briefly changes. RVD gets in his rolling’ thunder move for a near falls count, followed by a moonsault. Heel kick takes Eddie down, but Eddie now bleeding from the mouth avoids another fall, grabs the Intercontinental belt brings it in the ring, pushes the ref, and gets a DQ on PPV. Great finish I don’t think although Van Dam lays out Guerrero after the bell with a frog splash. Van Dam wins by DQ. Good opening match running to 15 minutes.

Backstage the ‘Divas’ are interviewed by Terri who is called ‘trash’ by Mighty Morality Molly and the ever-silent Jazz. Mighty Molly berates the UK for its low morals and holds up a copy of the Daily Sport tabloid showing women topless which leads to Terri claiming Molly might be jealous and reforms her top to reveal a flesh colored bra.

Divas Tag Match - Trish Stratus & Jacqueline vs. Mighty Molly & Jazz in ‘victory for morality’ match. Molly & Jazz double-team Jackie, Jazz catches Jackie in mid-air, followed by a big boot and clothesline. Trish is in to make the big save, gets the better of Jazz and drags Molly over the ropes into the action. Trish is fast becoming a great worker. The King mentions puppies for the 69th time tonight, Trish’s head again bounces of the ring as the ‘virgin like’ Molly gets the upper hand. Trish makes the comeback much the approval of The King, Trish gets a long count missed by the ref attending to Jackie. Jackie hot-tags in but Jazz reverses a cradle and Molly interrupts a count. Jazz get a half-Boston crab on Jackie which JR does his best to sell. Jackie reaches for the ropes as a puppies chant briefly starts and Trish breaks up a STF. All four women are in the ring for the finale – a double pin as Trish Stratus & Jacqueline gets a popular win. The King asks if we can see the ‘whole match again’, those puppies are ‘heaving’ Lawler adds.

Backstage the NWO cut a promo on Bradshaw…

Match number three live from Wembley is Bradshaw (nice pop) Vs. X-Pac, still wearing the Kane mask. ‘X-Pac Sucks’ chants much to The King’s displeasure. Bradshaw gets in some big power moves early throwing X-Pac around like a doll. JR plugs the double main event. X-Pac tries to take the bigger Bradshaw down, making use of the exposed turnbuckle which opens up Bradshaw across the forehead. X-Pac continues to maintain the upper hand; JR hints that the ref may be forced to stop the match as Bradshaw continues to bleed. Bradshaw briefly regains the offense catching X-Pac with some big rights. X-Pac misses a kick, Bradshaw with a powerslam for a near fall. Bradshaw with a shoulder block off the top rope. Spinning heel-kick lays Bradshaw out. The Texan regains the advantage which brings Scott Hall to ringside with some unsuccessful interference. However after a second attempt by Hall makes some sort of impact and X-Pac wins with the X-factor after a low blow following Hall’s brief distraction.

Backstage, stood in front of a large WWF union jack flag, Coach interviews Undertaker as the first ‘WHAT’ chant starts up from the Wembley crowd. We cut live to the car park of the sold out Wembley Arena, which is hardly the Skydome. I was there last month for The Monkees.

Steven Richards is up next as JR fills in the recent history (from Raw) of the Hardcore belt, although what the challenger Booker T is doing tonight in a hardcore match is a mystery, still a great ovation from the UK crowd. Hardcore match starts off with a very softcore armbar drag. Booker T finally reaches for the trash cans and bounty under the ring. The action is taken outside the ring as Booker T reaches for a broom. Richards get in some Flair style chops back in the ring as JR says Richards is in the best shape of his life. Booker makes use of a trashcan, but Richards hits back with more chops and another low blow, this time legal under hardcore rules. More near falls as Booker T gets more positive chants, JR puts over his 5 WCW world titles, which is good to hear. Match is a bit disjointed as both Richards and Booker T can’t decide if it’s a hardcore rules match or a technical wrestling fest. Booker T makes use of the trashcan and eventually gets the win.

While he celebrates Crash Holly sneaks in under the 24-7 rule for the pin but Booker get the belt back in double quick time which brings out Justin Credible and Tommy Dreamer who grab a table, setting up Booker T. However Booker T fends them off only for Richards to return this time with Jazz who lows blows Booker T for Richards to regain the Hardcore belt. Match went much longer than any Raw hardcore match.

A major Brock Lesnar promo is shown – who looks like one of the Toy Soldiers come to life. Impressive. Backstage, an unhappy Shawn Stasiak is told by Paul Heyman to stay on the ringside apron and let Lesnar inflict the damage on the Hardy Boyz (minus Lita) as Lesnar looks menacingly on. Brock is actually allowed to cut a short promo on Stasiak as Heyman heads for the ring.

Lesnar & Stasiak vs. Hardy Boyz. Stasiak playing the fall guy again is pinned by the Hardys after having failed to read the Heyman endorsed script and getting himself involved from the outset, sliding into the ring as the bell rings for some brief offense as an indignant Heyman at ringside shouts ‘you suck’ at Stasiak. Lesnar, as expected eventually gets involved and squashes both Hardys with power moves but mistimes a charge across the ring which leaves a dazed Lesnar briefly winded against the ring post, which leads to an unexpected tag from the surprised Stasiak. In predictable fashion ,The Hardys set up a pin via a swanton bomb, which only further angers a now recovered Lesnar. After the bell, Lesnar, aided by Heyman now in the ring with his prodigy, squashes all three men including Stasiak who receives some stiff looking moves from the monster Lesnar. JR puts him over and his major future potential.

Following a taped plug and auction for the Make A Wish Foundation where Linda McMahon makes an appearance, William Regal cuts an excellent heel promo on the entire British nation. JR says Regal has a little of Boy George in him but doesn’t specify which bit. In a short, nothing-sort-of-match Spike Dudley retains the European Championship with an inside cradle having sold an ankle injury for most of the brief match. Prior to the win, a WWF trainer is brought into the ring to remove Spike’s boot following a nasty looking bump, but as he and the ref lift Spike carefully out the ring William drags him back in to dominate the remaining minute or two. After the shock win for Spike Dudley, Regal retaliates as predicted with the patented power of the punch flooring Spike. Regal slowly leaves the ring receiving the biggest heat of the night so far.

Next we see a recap of the recent Austin/Undertaker/NWO/Flair angles from Backlash and Raw. Which brings out Ric Flair wearing a WWF ref’s shirt. Flair cuts a promo saying although Nick Patrick will be tonight’s ref, Ric will officiate as second ref at ringside presumably fending off any NWO run-ins. Big Show is shown in NWO black & white heading to the ring, JR mentions he is full off Indian spices from his recent trip, let’s hope he doesn’t explode in the ring. Austin is out next, posing, after a brief stare down at ringside with our guest referee number two Ric Flair.

Steve Austin vs. The Big Show. The first half of the double main event sees both men starting on auto-pilot and stalling for time, exchanging tests and locking up, remember this is a UK only PPV, so don’t expect to see anyone busting a gut. Show looks like he enjoyed those Indian spices as he lumbers around the ring the size of a baby elephant. Neither man takes the advantage early on, lots of collar and tie ups, before Austin tries to ‘cut the big tree down’ with chops to the knee. Big Show takes another breather before indulging in some massive chops. More chants of “WHAT’ and ‘you fat b**tard’ (only in the UK) before Austin tries to take the legs away from Big Show, working over the left leg of Big Show. The King and JR acknowledge the ‘fat b**tard’ chants to comical effect, the action stays on the mat, so far Flair has not made his presence felt. JR claims Big Show is now visibly limping but Big Show regains the advantage and delivers a few boots followed by more big slaps. Big Show ‘stands’ on Austin’s kidneys, which JR claims, makes you urinate blood for several days. Big Show continues to manhandle Austin. Big Show throws Austin 8 feet (JR) no make that 10 feet (The King) into the air, Jerry Springer …sorry Lawler joins in with the ‘you fat b**tard’ chant which is laugh out loud funny. Lawler wonders if the crowd are talking about Big Show or JR. Flair continues to look on silently, so sign of Hall, X-Pac or Nash…yet. Big Show gets Austin in a bear hug, we may not need a run in as Show gets a near three count. Austin seemingly fading away from a second bear hug makes a Hogan style finger in the air comeback and from nowhere makes a big comeback before a big boot in the face from Big Show. Big Show nails the ref (Patrick not Flair) for some reason before getting a stunner and a three-four-five count from Austin who is unable to get the pin as the ref is out cold. X-Pac and Hall head down for a brief run-in but Flair springs into action with a mop and two sticks, sending the nWo running. Or so we think – out of the crowd comes Nash with the ‘nucks to aid Big Show. Austin double stuns both as Patrick recovers long enough for the rattlesnake to win. Which version of the New World Order did Vince sign up exactly?

As the heels flee, Ric the ref tries to make peace with Austin but after a couple of optimistic cold beers Flair receives a weak looking stunner from Austin and is left lying. The second main event is up next.

We are heading for another UK PPV early finish as Backlash and the history between Undertaker and Triple H is recapped, footage is shown of Triple H on Smackdown and the carnage that followed. UT is out first on his Harley, both JR and The King are anticipating an ugly war tonight. The Game stalks around the ring as the two finally connect with a series of right hands and a hard knee from Triple H. UT gets back dropped, the actions spills out to ringside. Triple H tries to open UT with another hard right hand before back in the ring UT gets in a clothesline. UT has the advantage now, several two counts follow. Arm ringer from UT using his height advantage, UT climbs the ring ropes only to be foiled by HHH. Suplex from HHH, more near falls, UT briefly begging for mercy before UT takes the action briefly back around the ring. UT gains the advantage, back in the ring with a clothesline. JR says UT eyes ‘scare him’, UT performs a leg drop off the apron as HHH hangs perilously out of the ring. HHH recovers make a comeback before UT finally remembers HHH’s dodgy knee that kept him out for a year and starts working over it the same way Austin worked over Big Show. Both take a breather on the mat as UT ties up HHH, match is a major improvement of Austin vs. Show. As HHH throws UT against the ring the top turnbuckle appears to snap and goes limp as UT is almost inadvertently tossed over the top rope. The ref briefly looks at the top rope, The King believes the ring post may have snapped. HHH recovers to suplex UT, good physical encounter from both men, UT misses a big boot to HHH’s face, the Game performs a second neck breaker and a spine buster on UT for a near fall as UT kicks out. HHH attempts a pedigree, UT goes for a chokeslam, but counters it for another exciting near fall. More damage – an audible crack – to that dodgy turnbuckle, the top rope is now very wobbly; UT gets another near fall with a high impact chokeslam then reaches for a steel chair despite Earl Hebnar’s attempts to stop him. HHH counters kicking the chair into UT’s face for another near fall. UT recovers enough to execute DDT, but HHH hits back to finally perform the pedigree. Triple H wins an excellent headline encounter on British soil. UT walking up the ramp looks back to Triple H celebrating in what’s left of the ring, with a look that implies their feud is far from over. (Show wraps up after 2 hours 25 minutes).

After the cameras went off air Triple H stayed in the ring posing for several minutes for the appreciative audience. However as he slowly made his way up the ramp an over enthusiastic fan wrapped his arms around the back of Triple H’s neck at the entrance which briefly led to an ugly scene before security bundled him towards one side. Triple H turned towards the crowd and mouthed: “what the f*** was that” before heading for the plane and back to the US.

2003 - The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported that the daughter of former WWF World Heavyweight Champion the Iron Sheik, Marissa Vaziri, 27, the daughter of Hossein Vaziri was found dead by Clayton County police in bed in the apartment she shared with boyfriend Charles Reynolds. According to the medical examiners report, Vaziri was strangled to death.  Reynolds apparently contacted his pastor after killing her, who in turn convinced Reynolds to turn himself in. When police arrived, Reverend Mark Medlin and two members of his church were present at the apartment. Reynolds confessed, according to the initial report, saying it was his fault. Reynolds was arrested. Captain Jeff Turner said that the couple had been drinking and taking pills prior to the incident.

2003 - WWE broadcast Sunday Night Heat.  John Keane filed the following TV report:

Matches taped on 4/28 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Your Announcers are Jonathan Coachman and Al Snow.

We open with video from the closing moments of last Monday’s Raw-Linda McMahon, making one of her rare appearances on WWE TV, introduced Eric Bischoff to his new co-General Manager: Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Pyros go, Coach welcomes us in and announces Al as our newest Heat color commentator-Al, apparently oblivious to the fates of the last 3 people to occupy that position, seems pleased as punch to be here. We go to work…

1st Match: Lance Storm vs. Spike Dudley. Referee is Nick Patrick.

Good heat for Lance, surprisingly big pop for the youngest Dudley. Pre-match we get footage from last Sunday’s Backlash PPV. Spike’s brothers D-Von and Bubba Ray, after an unsuccessful attempt to wrest the World Tag Team Championships from Rob Van Dam and Kane, abruptly severed their ties with the Bischoff/Morley regime, laying out both Chief Morley (who’d served as guest referee during the match) and his occasional tag partner Lance. We’re reminded the elder Dudz are once again under suspension without pay.

Enough storyline stuff, bell rings, circling into a lockup, Lance goes behind, cinches in a waistlock, slams Spike face first to the canvas. Lance lays in a couple of slaps to the back of the head, gets to his feet, Spike grabs the boots, takes Lance down. Spike gets to his feet, takes a quick stroll down Lance’s spine, Lance up, Spike ducks under a clothesline attempt, trips Lance up, takes him down. Slaps to the back of the head by Spike, both men quickly up, Spike goes for the taunt, Lance wants a test of strength, gets it, forces Spike to his knees. Spike gets in a headbutt to the gut, maintains a hold on the arms, rolls through the test of strength, Lance in agony over the twisting of his wrists. Spike pulls Lance’s hands to the canvas, lets go, gets in a quick stomp. Lance doubled over, Spike grabs the arm, move that I want to describe as a fisherman’s backslide takes Lance down for 2. Lance rolls outside for a breather, Spike scores with a baseball slide to the chest, Lance down outside. Spike ascends a top turnbuckle, Lance gets to his feet, Spike flies, suicide dive sends both men down on the outside. Spike rolls Lance in, follows, goes for the quick cover, just gets 2. Spike gets to his feet, cinches in an armbar, Lance up slowly, knee to the gut forces Spike to break hold. Lance goes for the whip, Spike scores with the battering ram on the rebound, Lance doubled over, Spike looks for the Dudley Dog, Lance wriggles free, puts on the brakes, Spike drops to canvas after being whipped hard into a corner, Lance slowly covers, gets 2. Lance up, Spike to ropes, Lance goes for the boot choke, is quickly warned off by ref. Lance brings Spike up, delayed vertical suplex is good for another 2. Lance tries for the submission with a rear chinlock/modified hammerlock combo hold I have NO idea what to call, Spike gets to his feet, elbows out, Lance quickly whips him into a corner, charges, Spike gets the boot up to the face, Lance knocked goofy, Spike goes up top, hurricanrana follows, Lance down and up. Spike goes off ropes, Lance goes down to a shoulder charge, quickly gets to his feet, Spike again sends him down with a shoulder off the ropes, Spike brings Lance up, shoots him off ropes, Spike scores with the inverted Atomic Drop, clothesline follows, Lance down for 2. Spike quickly up, Lance begs off, Spike connects with the dropkick, sends Lance to a seated position in corner. Spike performs his trademark tapdance on the chest, takes a pose break before a roll-up, Lance kicks out at 2. Spike goes off the ropes, Lance gets to his feet, Spike tries for a sunset flip, Lance keeps his leverage, brings Spike up and sets him on a top turnbuckle. Lance gets in an elbow to the face, ascends 2nd turnbuckle, sets for superplex, Spike fires off punches to no effect, making a meal of Lance’s forehead and ear follows, Spike shoves Lance to canvas, flies, lands feet first on Lance’s chest, quickly covers, Lance gets his foot on the ropes before the count of 3. Spike signals for finisher, gets in a forearm to the back, brings Lance up at ropes, tries for the whip, Lance puts on brakes, Spike leaps atop his shoulders, grabs the ankles, tries for a victory roll, no luck, Lance again maintains his leverage, move can’t be completed. Lance keeps Spike’s shoulders pinned to the canvas for the count of 3.

Winner: Lance Storm.

During the match Coach and Al hinted that Stone Cold has already made his presence felt as Raw co-GM (case in point-I remember reading on a very recent house show report that Bubba Ray and D-Von claimed they’d already been reinstated by the Rattler.) More on Austin and Bischoff later, for now we break.

We return to footage from last Monday-some veterans of the Iraqi war were in the house for Raw.

Back to the ring…

2nd Match: Ivory vs. Molly Holly. Referee is Jacqueline.

Mild heat for Molly, OK pop for Ivory. Bell rings, usual bit of circling into a lockup, Ivory goes behind, applies the waistlock, takes Molly down. Waistlock is maintained, Molly gets to her feet, scores with the armdrag, Ivory down, Molly retains hold of the arm, can’t get Ivory’s shoulders to the canvas. Ivory somersaults through, applies a hammerlock, Molly gets to her feet, manages to turn to face, reaches under the leg, takes Ivory down. Molly cinches in an armbar, Ivory somersaults through, Molly wrenches the shoulder, Ivory remains down, Molly covers, just gets 1. Molly brings Ivory up, wristlock is applied, Ivory flails around in a vain attempt to break free, she finally gets to ropes, grabs hold, flips through the wristlock, takes Molly down with an armdrag. Both women down and up, Ivory charges, Molly drops to knees, shoves Ivory face first into 2nd rope. Ivory down, Molly gets in a quick boot before bringing her up in a corner, goes back to work on the arm before being warned off by ref. Molly STRAIGHT back to work on the arm in the corner, another warning follows, Molly wrenches the shoulder before backing off. Molly goes for the armdrag, scores big time, Ivory down for 2. Molly brings her up for more work on the arm, sit-out armdrag sends Ivory down for 2. Molly up for yet MORE work on the arm, Ivory slowly gets to her feet, forearms to the face force Molly to break hold. Ivory scores with a knockdown forearm to the face, follows up by bringing her up, Death Valley Driver is good for 2. Ivory brings Molly up, sets for DDT, Molly evades, sends Ivory face first to canvas with a wrench of the arm. Molly goes to ascend top turnbuckle, Ivory approaches from behind, sets her on shoulders, Electric Chair into a bridge is good for the 1-2-3.

Winner: Ivory.

Before we break, we get a quick clip from last Monday. World Champion HHH and Ric Flair were challenging RVD and Kane for the tag titles when the camera cut backstage to Shawn Michaels on his celphone informing parties unknown ‘He’s in the ring right now. He’s a sitting duck.’ Break.

Call of the Night: At last Sunday’s Backlash PPV, Kevin Nash, Booker T and Shawn Michaels took on HHH, Ric Flair and Chris Jericho in a 6-man tag match. Ref bump and a sledgehammer shot to Big Kev helped Hunter and co. pick up the win.

Coach and Al return for more Raw recap. We go to footage of the aforementioned tag titles match. End saw Hunter hitting Kane with the Pedigree and getting ready to put things away-when Kevin Nash, sledgehammer in hand, made his way down the ramp. Hunter performed the ol’ scalded dog routine and hightailed it backstage, Big Kev followed, tag champs quickly hit Flair with their Chokeslam/5 Star Frog Splash combo to pick up the win and retain their titles. In the back, Hunter jumped in a limo, Nash bashed in a couple of windows with the sledge before it peeled out of the arena.

Coach and Al guess we’ll see a continuation of the Nash/HHH saga tomorrow night. Break.

Back for more recap from last Monday. Raw opened with a new segment, ‘Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel’. Last week’s guest was Bill Goldberg, who was questioned as to why he came, uninvited, to WWE. Christian then took the stage to get in his 2 cents, taunting Bill about drawing boos at Backlash. Bill quickly got sick of the bigmouthed duo and invited them to come get their butts kicked-Jericho backed off, while Christian made his way down, Rosey, Jamal, Rico, Victoria and Steven Richards providing back-up. However, only Wacko Stevie had the guts to actually, you know, enter the ring. Goldberg quickly treated him to the spear as the gutless wonders backed off in abject terror. Later, Bill and Booker T traded notes about being newcomers to WWE-Book showed his class by extending his welcome to Raw. Next segment saw Booker and Christian going one on one until Rico, Jamal and Rosey interfered on the latter’s behalf. Post-DQ beatdown was halted when Goldberg arrived to make the save. Rico took the spear, Jamal the jackhammer (impressive!), Christian clotheslined Bill out of the ring and bailed. Goldberg quickly recovered, speared Rosey through a guard barrier and made his exit through the crowd.

And speaking of the burly Samoans….

3rd Match: Rosey and Jamal vs. Arch Kincaid and Jason Pacaro. Referee is Charles Robinson.

Arch and Jason already in the ring, low heat for the 3 Minute Warning boys-Rosey walks to the ring with a noticeable limp, presumably due to taking the spear last Monday.

(Commentary: But I thought all of tonight’s matches were taped before Raw went on the air last week…)

Anyway, bell rings, Jamal and Jason start, latter ducks under a clothesline, throws a couple of forearms to the face, Jamal shrugs the shots off, throws a forearm of his own, miraculously Jason stays on his feet. Jamal whips him into neutral corner, charges, Jason sidesteps, Jamal into turnbuckles. Jason tags in Arch, they go for the double-team whip to the ropes, Jamal easily puts on the brakes, sends both men down with a pair of clotheslines. Ref shoos Jason out of the ring, Arch crawls toward the ropes, Jamal gets in a quick boot before bringing him up, textbook body slam follows, Arch down. No cover, Jamal backs up to a neutral corner, charges in, drops the knee, Arch rolls clear, Jamal says ‘OW’, no other effect. Arch still down, Jamal drops a forearm to the face, brings Arch up, slams him right back down and drops a pair of elbows. Jamal taunts Arch to his feet, scores with a straight punch for a knockdown, Arch wisely tries to roll out of the ring, Jamal holds him back with a tug on the tights. Jamal props Arch up in neutral corner, whips him to opposite, charges, Avalanche sends the seemingly-unconscious Arch sprawling to the canvas. Jamal brings him up for another slam, Arch floats over, manages to tag in Jason before falling to the canvas. Jamal gets in a forearm shot to the side of Jason’s head before simply hoisting him up and tossing him back first to the center of the ring. Jamal notices Arch seated in the corner, decides to break off from Jason to administer the Butt-Splash of Obvious Total Death, guessing Arch is done for the evening. And after an elaborate sidewalk slam and the 1-2-3, so’s Jason.

Winners: Rosey and Jamal. (And yep, Rosey was never tagged in.)

Post-match Rico comes to the ring to congratulate his pals. Straight to break.

Coach and Al return to explain the whole ‘Austin as co-GM’ situation. Last Monday’s Main Event saw Trish Stratus taking on Bischoff. Odd match came about due to Trish requesting a shot at Jazz and her Women’s Championship. Eric, in complete slimebag mode, told her she could have the match next week provided she get a win over himself-BUT if she lost, she’d had to spend the night with him. Trish agreed, match ended up being a screw-job for the ages-right before the bell rang Eric decreed a no-DQ affair, and after run-ins by Jazz and Victoria on his behalf Eric picked up the easy win. As Eric gloated, Linda McMahon appeared on the Titantron and made her way to the ring. Eric’s attempt to kiss butt met with no success, WWE’s #1 lady quickly informed him his recent despicable behavior had earned him a partner as GM-Stone Cold. Show ended with Austin offering a handshake and Eric nervously accepting-until the Rattler reminded him their partnership didn’t officially start until the next morning and delivered the inevitable Stunner.

Coach mentions Austin has been spending some time at WWE HQ-looks like changes may be on the way. Final break.

WWE Rewind: From last Monday, the French team of Sylvan Grenier and René Dupree made their Raw debut with an old-school style beatdown of Scott Steiner.

4th Match: Rico vs. Maven. Referee is Chad Patton.

Looks like Rico and his buds have been hanging out in the ring all through the preceding recap! Maven gets a nice pop as he walks to the ring, ref quickly tells Rosey and Jamal to take a walk. They sullenly comply as Rico protests, Maven enters, bell rings, Rico gets in a bit more kvetching before laying into Maven with a slap to the face and a knee to the gut. Maven to ropes, Rico gets in a forearm to the face, Maven gets whipped off ropes, Rico misses with a clothesline, Maven goes off opposite ropes, Rico turns, goes down to a dropkick. Both men down and up quickly, Maven connects with another dropkick, Rico bails, heads up the ramp, Maven gives chase, tosses him back in, tries to follow, Rico drops the elbow, Maven rolls to apron, Rico to canvas. Both men up, Maven scores with an armdrag, Rico down, Maven follows up with an armbar. Rico gets to his feet, fakes trying to get to the ropes, instead tries for an armdrag-Maven rolls through, maintaining the armbar. Rico again gets to his feet, forces Maven to ropes, ref calls for the break. Rico gets in a knee to the gut, attempts a whip, Maven puts on the brakes, ducks under a clothesline, sends Rico down with another armdrag into an armbar. Rico gets to his feet, Maven wrings the arm, Rico gets out with my all-time favorite move, the ol’ thumb to the eye. Rico gets in a knee to the gut, Maven doubled over, Rico grabs the arm, steps over, scores with his trademark back calf kick to the face, Maven down for 2. Rico gets to his feet, lays in a pair of quick boots before laying in a rear chinlock, ref calls for the break when Rico adds in a raking of the face. Maven gets to a kneeling position, Rico again rakes the face, elbow drop to the forehead follows, Maven crawls toward ropes, gets in a quick kick to the chongs. Rico responds with a rear chinlock as Maven is tied up in the ropes, ref calls for the break, Rico gets in a nice chop to the neck before complying. Maven drops to canvas, Rico covers for 2. Both men attempt to get to their feet, Rico gets up first, Maven fires off forearms from the kneeling position, Rico keeps him down with another rake of the face. Rico gets in a straight punch to the side of the head, Maven crawls to corner, Rico brings him up, attempts whip, reversed, Rico to corner, Maven misses with a clothesline as he rebounds, Rico scores with a back kick to the gut, Maven doubled over. Rico sets him for what looks like a slight variant of the Edge-O-Matic, scores, Maven down for 2. Rico brings Maven to a seated position, wrenches the neck, Rico gets to his feet, elbows out, goes for the kick to the gut, Rico catches the boot, Maven connects with the enzugiri, both men down. Maven crawls to corner, Rico gets to his feet, charges, Maven scores with a drop toe hold, Rico goes face first into 2nd turnbuckle. Rico slowly to feet, Maven goes off ropes, Rico goes down to an elbow to the face, gets up slowly, Maven scores with a spinning calf kick, Rico down for 2. Maven tries to bring him up, Rico fires off a chop to the throat, tries for a whip, reversed, Rico off ropes, Maven brings him up, Rico gets pancaked to canvas. Maven ascends a 2nd turnbuckle as Rico gets to his feet, flying bulldog sends him right back down, Maven covers for 2. Maven goes up top, Rico staggers to his feet, Maven goes for the missile dropkick, Rico side-staggers, Maven to canvas. Both men up slowly, Rico goes for the desperation high spinning kick to the face, scores, Maven down for the 1-2-3.

Winner: Rico.

Coach and Al quickly hype tomorrow night’s Raw to end the show.

Decent show this week, matches went from passable to pretty good, recap was the usual. Al did a nice job, as he always did during a brief stint calling Heat while the Alliance storyline was playing out. I’m really wondering about this ‘co-General Manager’s’ angle-I hate being negative, but this one has me thinking train wreck.

2003 - WWE ran New Brunswick, Canada.  James Fearn filed the following live report:

Smackdown House Show Results from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada Sunday May 4th 2003

First off, the Aitken Centre holds maybe 6 thousand tops, and was not anywhere near sold out. The floor seats were full but the upper deck was almost completely empty. I was in the second row and have to say it was a very good show. Matches could be out of order

Match 1 - Crash Holly with Shannon Moore vs. Funaki

Typical match. Not much in the way of high flying, a lot of ground action. Funaki was over with the crowd huge, Crash got an Elroy chant. Shannon tried to interfere with the Hardy Boys book but it backfired and Funaki got the win. Shannon told Crash to read the book and learn how to win.

Winner - Funaki

Match 2 - Sean O'Haire vs. Brian Kendrick

O'Haire is ripped. Basic match of Kendrick trying all his high flying moves and O'Haire dominating. Kendrick does some awesome high flying moves but loses to O'Haire's finisher.

Winner - Sean O'Haire

Match 3 - A-Train vs. Rhyno

A-Train nearly jumped the rail right in front of me to get at a guy. Big Shave Your Back Chant at A-Train. Rhyno seemed to hurt his shoulder early on, the referee came out of the ring to check on him to see if he was alright. Not much for excitement, Rhyno hit the gore for the win.

Winner - Rhyno

Match 4 - Cruiserweight Title - Matt Hardy with Shannon Moore vs. Jamie Knoble

No Nidia with Noble, she was out later. Good match. Noble had it won but Shannon interfered and set up the Twist of Fate for the win for Mattitude.

Winner - Matt Hardy

Match 5 - The FBI vs. Rikishi and Tajiri
Nunzio ripped the crowd to start, but still got no heat. The women cheered for Johnny the Bull a lot. Rikishi was mad over. Got one of the loudest pops of the night. Basic tag match with Tajiri doing most of the work. Johnny the Bull was cursing out the fans, called the woman next to me a B**ch and told another guy to F*ck off. The F.B.I got the win with help from Nunzio. Rikshi was going to stink face the referee for blowing the call, but Nunzio came back it with a chair and got it slammed into his face and got stinkfaced. Then Rikishi, Tajiri and the referee all danced.

Winners - FBI

Match 6 - The Big Show vs. Chris Benoit

Big Show is the biggest man in the world! HE came out with a backboard with REY, R.I.P on it. Benoit came out to a huge pop and Canada chant. Lots of whoooo's for Benoit's chops to the Big Show. The Big Show got the win with the Chokeslam. Benoit got up and put the crossface on the Big Show, A-Train ran in and attacked Benoit, Rhyno came in for the save and gored the Big Show while Benoit had A-Train in the Crossface.

Winner - The Big Show

Match 7 - Diva's Match - Dawn Marie vs. Nidia Special Referee Funaki

Torrie Wilson was advertised, with Dawn Marie being the referee. Huge heat for no Torrie even though she was on all the ads. Basic woman's match, Nidia got the win. Dawn attacked after the match, Funaki tried to restrain her and ended up in the doggy style position which he got a slap for. Nidia pulled Dawns pants off and she exited in just a thong.

Winner - Nidia

Match 8 - Tag Titles - Team Angle vs. Los Guerreros

Match of the night by far. The Guerreros, especially Eddie was huge over and kept cracking the crowd up. Eddie took the microphone and said that the referee told him that Charlie Hass nickname was Doyle, so everyone chanted Doyle at him and he got mad. Eddie did some more talking and cracking jokes and it ended up with Team Angle laughing as well. Charlie Hass was trying to act mad but was smiling, and Benjamin had his face in his arms laughing wildly. Once the match got started it was basically the tag match they had at Backlash. Eddie fought with the ref a lot about holding the tag rope, he would untie it and move it around and beg with the referee to not have to hold it. Hilarious for me since his tag corner was right in front of me. Team Angle got the win but the Guerreros attacked and stole the Tag titles. The Guerreros left with the Tag Titles and the Gold Medals (which they had when they came out).

Winners - Team Angle

Match 9 - World Title - Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena

Cena cut a rap about Fredericton people being ugly and fat. Brock got the biggest pop of the night by far. Match was quite short with a lot of rest holds. Brock hit the F-5 out of nowhere to end it.

Winner - Brock Lesnar

Overall it was a very good show, with Los Guerreros stealing the show. My first show in over 10 years and I loved it.

Biggest pops

1) Brock Lesnar
2) Los Guerreros
3) Rikishi
4) Chris Benoit
5) Rhyno

Biggest Heat

1) Team Angle, especially Charlie Haas
2) Johnny the Bull for cursing everyone out
3) John Cena
4) A-Train - Huge Shave Your Back Chant
5) The Big Show

2004 - During an edition of Smackdown in Tucson, Arizona, Jacquelyn (aka Jackie Moore) answered an open challenge from WWE Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero, defeating him with a low blow inside of three minutes to win the Cruiserweight Title, the first woman to do so since the belt became a WWE property.

2005 - The Jeremy Borash promoted Hardcore Homecoming event, set for June 2005 at the ECW Arena, sold out nearly a month in advance.  The show, headlined by Terry Funk vs. Shane Douglas vs. Sabu in a no ropes barbed wire match, set the venue record with a $100,000 plus gate as the event was timed to take place the same weekend at the first-ever ECW One Night Stand PPV.

2006 - WWE publicly confirmed they were bringing the ECW brand back as a full-time entity and were signing talents to deals with the brand slated to debut at the June 2006 One Night Stand PPV.  PWInsider.com had broken the news several weeks prior.

2007 - Ring of Honor publicly confirmed that The Briscoes, Nigel McGuinness, Bryan Danielson, Roderick Strong, Rocky Romero, and Davey Richards had been signed to contracts in anticipation of their debut PPV taping.

2008 - In a column on WWE's ECW website, Tommy Dreamer addressed criticism of the new brand, writing, "There are many armchair critics of the show. Hell, I am one of them of every show. The Sopranos ending was the worst ever. The ending of Seinfeld, horrible. Those two examples made the ECW Zombie seem like a good idea. (OK, maybe not.) I watch a lot of TV and wish the writers did other things, but guess what: It is their show and they can do as they please. I, as the viewer, have two choices: Watch or change the channel.  The Original ECW is still held dear in so many people's hearts, myself included. That is why the new ECW is so critiqued. The best part about sports-entertainment is things can change in a heartbeat.  I would never have been in WrestleMania 23 standing with Rob Van Dam, Sandman and Sabu if it wasn't for the new ECW. The rematch against the New Breed was a great match. Remember Hardcore Holly and RVD matches? Or how about the rise of CM Punk, John Morrison, Shelton Benjamin, Elijah Burke, Big Daddy V ... hell even The Miz got better on ECW, and he sucked. Kofi Kingston will be a force in WWE because he is talented. I am sure Kelly Kelly will be the first ECW Diva on the cover of Playboy. I enjoy the Colin Delaney struggle for a contract and really loved our Extreme Rules Match in Chicago against The Miz & John Morrison. Bottom line is there are some great things about ECW and it is still a work in progress. I am happy to still be representing as the OG of ECW.  You, the viewer, have two options: One, watch and don't give up, or two, change the channel. I will never stop trying to fight. I won't give up on you, the viewer, so please don't give up on me."

2009 - The Necro Butcher's scene with Mickey Rourke in "The Wrestler" where they brandish a staple gun in the midst of their hardcore CZW match was nominated for the very dignified "WTF Moment" MTV Movie Award.   The scene did not win, but was one of many notable mainstream media mentions for Butcher that year, including a shout-out during the Academy Awards.

2009 - WWE Monday Night Raw aired live from Buffalo, NY.  Ed Sherriffs filed the following report:

The date is May 4, 2009 and it's the "Go Capitals!" edition of Monday Night Raw.  There's a lot going on heading into Judgment Day, and the big news tonight is that Randy Orton will be taking on Shane McMahon.  And it's kicking the show off!

Randy Orton vs. Shane McMahon

Randy Orton is caught off guard when Shane McMahon sneaks up in the ring.  They spill out to the floor and fight up the aisle.  Shane with some punches to Orton.  As they go through the crowd, Orton regains control.  Shane punches back and kicks Orton in the stomach.  Shane throws Orton back to ringside, then leaps off the barricade with a clothesline.  Orton is put on the announcer's table and Shane goes to the top rope, but Legacy strikes and all three of them beat up on Shane.  MVP runs out to make the save, but Legacy is able to overwhelm him, too.  They dump him from the ring and focus on Shane.  Batista runs out and makes the save, chasing Legacy off.

Vickie Guerrero comes out to restore some order.  She mixes it up a bit.  Ted DiBiase will fight Batista.  Cody Rhodes will face MVP.  Win and you're in the main event and you get to join Shane or Randy Orton.  So potentially, it could be a tag team match, or it could be a 3 on 1 beatdown.

Matt Hardy vs. Kofi Kingston

Kofi and Matt trade hammerlocks.  Kofi goes after the injured hand.  He knocks Matt to the mat.  Kofi misses a springboard crossbody out of the corner.  Matt pounces and kicks Kofi in the stomach, then he drops him stomach first on the top rope.  Hardy with a vertical suplex.  He goes for another, but Kofi escapes and hits a neckbreaker.  Kofi back with a big drop kick.  Cross body connects, but Kofi looks hurt, too.  Kofi with his leg drop across Hardy's chest for two.  Kofi avoids a back body drop and wins with a kick to Hardy's head.

Your winner, Kofi Kingston!

After the match, Kofi goes down when Matt hits him with the cast.

Santino is in the back with Kelly Kelly calling Vickie Guerrero pig like and making a swine flu joke.  Chavo walks up and doesn't like that.  He warns Santino not to make fun of his family.  Santino agrees, then squeals like a pig.

Recap of John Cena costing Big Show the match for the number one contendership last week.  Big Show walks into Vickie's office and says he wants to end Cena's career.  Vickie says he is physically unable to compete, and he won't be cleared for two weeks.  She offers to make the match at Judgment Day.

The Bella Twins walk up to MVP to find out about his View appearance tomorrow, then ask him out.

William Regal joins Cole and Lawler on commentary.

MVP vs. Cody Rhodes

They lock up and MVP gets the advantage with a side headlock.  Rhodes with headscissors.  MVP with a side headlock on the mat.  MVP gets some early covers and knocks Rhodes down.  Cody with a drop toe hold.  MVP with a side headlock and shoulderblock.  Rhodes attacks MVP's leg, then punches him in the head.  Leg lock by Cody.

MVP with some crossfaces.  MVP blocks a charge.  Belly to belly suplex by MVP.  MVP is Ballin'.  Rhodes gets out of the ring as Regal offers Rhodes some assistance by taking out MVP's bad leg.  MVP can't make it back in the ring, so Cody wins by count out.  It goes without saying that he will pick Randy Orton's side.

Your winner, Cody Rhodes!

Jerry the King Lawler is in the middle of the ring.  Tonight, there will be a sing off instead of a dance off.  It's Jillian Hall vs. Festus, who looks spiffy in a bow tie.  I'm sure Jillian is singing a song that's on the charts right now, but I don't listen to the radio.  It's terrible, though.  Festus does his best Chief imitation until Lawler has the bell rung.  Festus sings "Tomorrow" from Annie.  For whatever reason, Buffalo seems really into it.  The bell rings and Festus stops.  Festus is the winner by an overwhelming margin.

The Miz comes out as Jillian pleads for another shot.  He takes the mic out of Festus' hand and tosses him out of the ring.  He orders them to take the fat, bald virgin out of his ring (he's already out at this point).  He recalls that Cena didn't come out to the ring last week, so he surmises that Cena is afraid of him.  He asks him where his Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect is.  While we ponder that, someone find out where Larry David's Judaism is.  He says if he was being called out, he would come to the ring.  Cena appears on the Titantron and walks towards the ring.  Commercial.
Back from the break, Miz has been killing time waiting for the commercials to end and he is asking where Cena is.  Maybe he is looking for his next movie script.  Too late, Miz mailed it to the Rock, who needed more toilet paper.  He is packaged for the kiddies and their Cougar moms.  Miz calls himself the most talented Raw Superstar there is.  He continues to ask Cena to come out.  He wants the whole dame thing, not just some.  Since Cena didn't show up again, he calls the score Miz 2, Cena 0.  Lillian again refuses to count the "win", so he goes to do it himself.

Before he can, Cena slowly walks out from behind the curtain.  He makes it to the ring, but just then Big Show comes out.  Cena puts his hands up as if ready to fight, but he's in no condition and Show easily kicks him to the mat.  Show kicks Cena and keeps him from getting up.  He sits on Cena and stretches back with a Camel Clutch.  Cena is face down on the mat as Show gets up and glares at him.  It lasted longer than it looks when you read about it here, but I covered all the action.

Jared the Subway Guy of all people is the guest ring announcer.  I hope Subway is giving WWE a lot of money.

Mickie James vs. Maryse

Mickie James wastes no time in attacking Maryse.  Mickie with a Lou Thesz Press.  Maryse gets the advantage and a two count with a weak cover.  She applies a Camel Clutch.  Mickie gets up, but Maryse keeps her on the mat.  James fights back and kicks Maryse.  Mickie blocks a charge, but is thrown off the top turnbuckle.  Mickie comes back with a DDT for the win.

Your winner, Mickie James!

Batista vs. Ted DiBiase

They lock up and Batista pushes him off.  DiBiase bails from the ring, then gets back in and stomps Batista.  Batista is unfazed and he slams DiBiase on the mat.  DiBiase floats over and tries to attack, but he is clotheslined to the mat.  Batista with an elbow to DiBiase's back.  DiBiase back with some punches to Batista's head.  Dibiase scores with a neckbreaker, but Batista kicks out at two.

DiBiase with a chinlock.  Batista gets him off and charges in the corner.  DiBiase comes off the second rope, but Batista gets his foot up, then spears DiBiase in the corner.  DiBiase with a slap to Batista, so he gets more spears in the corner.  Batista doesn't listen to the ref count to five, so he gets disqualified.  What a lousy finish.

Your winner, Ted DiBiase!

So Shane McMahon is on his own against Legacy.

In the back, Chavo reassures Vickie about taking care of Santino.  He then says she has to make sure that MVP and Batista stay out of the main event tonight.  If HE were GM, he would threaten to strip MVP of his title and Batista of his title shot.  Chavo is clearly playing the role of GM by proxy now, or a less subtle Jeeves.

The Brian Kendrick vs. Carlito

Kendrick gets an early advantage.  He whips Carlito in the corner, but Carlito comes out with a clothesline, back body drop, and a sit out spinebuster for two.  Kendrick kicks Carlito in the head for two.  Kendrick goes for Sliced Bread #2, but Carlito shoves him into the corner and gives him a backcracker for the win.

Your winner, Carlito!

Recap of Jeff Hardy becoming the number one contender on Smackdown.

Another Smackdown recap, this time it's how Sherri Shepherd came to be on Smackdown and how MVP will be on the View tomorrow morning.  Will any of the View's viewers know who he is?  Michael Cole claims to love it.

Batista apologizes to Shane in the back for messing up.  He says Shane can count on him taking the title from Orton in two weeks.  Well, Shane's got that going for him, then.

Legacy (Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase & Randy Orton) vs. Shane McMahon

Shane peppers Cody with punches to start.  He clotheslines Rhodes to the mat, but Cody gets Shane into his corner.  Shane quickly gets out.  Cody tags Orton in.  Orton punches Shane in the head.  Shane back with some lefts and DiBiase tags in.  DiBiase stomps Shane.  Shane takes over and knees DiBiase in the back.  Shane with a neckbreaker.  He goes to the top rope and hits a top rope elbow drop and slowly covers for two when Cody breaks the pin up.

On the floor, Cody is thrown into steps and so is DiBiase.  Shane gets a chair, but he is blindsided by Orton.  Orton tags in and kicks Shane in the stomach, then stomps him.  Orton with a knee drop to McMahon's chest.  Cody tags in and stomps Shane.  Cody goes for a moonsault, but Shane rolls out of the way.  DiBiase tags in and punches Shane.  Shane blocks a charge and clotheslines DiBiase.

Orton tags in.  Shane tees off on Orton.  Shane with a back elbow and he clotheslines Orton out of the ring, then knocks the rest of Legacy out.  Shane takes the monitors out of the table and puts Orton on it.  Shane goes to the top rope and jumps off, but Orton moves.

Legacy put Shane's leg on the steel ring steps.  Orton smacks it against the steel with a chair.  Orton takes the top step and drops it right on the foot that he had hit with the chair.  The camera's catch it missing Shane's foot by accident.  Orton admires his handiwork.  Batista comes out to make sure no further damage comes to Shane.  At the top of the stage, Orton tells Batista his Judgment Day is coming.  Batista sets up for the post RAW dark match by saying the don't have to wait.  Awful main event.  Shane was beating three guys on his own for about ten minutes.  A 20 minute segment that should have been done in five.  Orton stares at Batista to end the show.

2010 - SpikeTV issued a press release confirming TNA Impact would be returning to Thursdays on 5/13/10.  “The fans have spoken and with their input we have determined the best timeslot to maximize the TNA audience is on Thursday nights where we are confident it will be among the most-watched shows with young men,” said Brian J. Diamond, senior vice president, sports and specials for Spike TV, in the release, which also announced the addition of Reaction, a well produced series that followed up on Impact's developments.  Reaction ended up running several months and on some weeks, was better than Impact.

2010 - It was announced that WWE Celebrity Hall of Famer and Major League baseball legend Bob Uecker's heart surgery the previous week was a "complete success."  Doctors replaced Uecker's aortic valve, aortic root and part of his ascending aorta. Uecker also underwent a coronary bypass.

2010 - A fan who threatened to bomb WWE Headquarters because they released Mickie James was banned from going to WWE events.  Zavr Peygumbari of Brooklyn, New York, described as an "emotionally disturbed" man in media reports, was ordered by Judge William Wenzel to not to contact WWE employees, go near the company's Stamford offices or attend WWE events following his arrest the previous Friday following after making a series of threats against WWE employees.   He called the offices more than 20 times, "making threats to blow up the company's offices and saying he would visit the building with a machete and a machine gun."  This resulted in him being charged with four counts of fourth-degree threatening, one count of second-degree harassment and two counts of second-degree threatening.  Currently out on bond, he is due in court to face the charges on May 25th.  His attorney, in responding to the charges, stated "It's a testament to the WWE that they get people so psyched up in the story lines."    The release of James was not a storyline.

2011 - It was announced that Edge would join the Syfy series Haven as a guest star.  Edge's work would lead to him becoming a recurring character on the series.

2011-  It was announced that Mick Foley had raised over $500,000 for the RAINN charity.

Thanks to www.thehistoryofwwe.com for their assistance with archival results.

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