5/17 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: THE LEGEND OF BRUNO SAMMARTINO IS BORN, DUAL UPSETS ON MONDAY NIGHT RAW, THE DANGEROUS ALLIANCE VS. STING'S SQUADRON, ECW BEING REVIVED FOR SCI FI, DANA WHITE DOESN'T THINK ANY PRO WRESTLERS WOULD SUCCEED IN UFC & MORE
By
Mike Johnson on 2012-05-17 08:00:00
May 17th
On this day in history in ....
1938 - Memphis legend Jackie Fargo is born.
1949 - Dave and Earl Hebner are born.
1963 - Bruno Sammartino defeats WWWF World Champion Buddy
Rogers in under a minute with an over-the-shoulder backbreaker to win the
championship at Madison Square Garden in New York City, starting the longest
WWWF/WWF/WWE Title reign in history, lasting seven years. Other results
from the event, which drew 19.639 fans, saw:
-The Magnificent Maurice pinned Karl Steif at 9:53.
-Pat Barrett pinned Good Chihuahua at 10:11.
-Johnny Barend pinned Tim Woods at 11:14.
-Pedro Morales pinned Willie Bath at 9:58.
-The Great Mortimer pinned the Great Scott at 8:29.
-The Fabulous Kangaroos defeated Pete Sanchez & Vittorio Apollo after 30
minutes.
-Bobo Brazil & Dory Dixon fought WWWF U.S. Tag Team Champions Skull Murphy &
Brute Bernard to a curfew draw.
1965 - WWWF ran at Madison Square Garden in New York City,
headlined by WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Bill Watts when
Watts was unable to continue in 22:08 in a Best of Three Falls match. The
undercard results saw:
-Arnold Skaaland defeated Tony Newberry at 16:49.
-Miguel Perez defeated Steve Stanlee at 12:34.
-Don McClarity defeated Magnificent Maurice at 16:53.
-Haystacks Calhoun & Argentina Apollo fought Jerry Graham & the Goden Terror
to a no contest in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match at 24:14.
-Chief Big Heart & White Owl defeated Waldo Von Erich & Smasher Sloan in a
Best 2 out of 3 falls match at 14:10.
1966 - WWWF ran Scranton, PA at the Catholic Youth Center
with the following results:
-Arnold Skaaland defeated Ronnie Etchison.
-Bobo Brazil defeated Smasher Sloan.
-Waldo Von Erich defeated Chief Big Heart via disqualification.
-WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
1966 - A live event in Macon, GA was headlined by Enrique
Torres & Alberto Torres beating The Medics by DQ, Swede Karlson beating
Danny Little Bear and Billy Hines beating Red Dugan.
1967 - The AWA World title was defended in Denver, Colorado
as champion Verne Gagne defeated Larry Hennig in a bout with no time limit.
Other results from the event saw:
Johnny Powers beat Ernie Ladd in a Best of Three Falls bout.
Danny Hodge beat Johnny Valentine in a Best of Three Falls, winning the
final fall by DQ.
Harley Race beat Silento Rodriguez via pin
1968 - A live event in Atlanta, GA at the Paul Jones Sports
Arena saw the following results:
Dick Steinborn beat Hans Schmidt via DQ.
El Mongol beat Mr. Wrestling and unmasked him as Dick Steinborn
Enrique Torres & Alberto Torres beat Tony Nero & Tank Morgan
Louie Tillet beat Oki Shikina
Johnny Walker & Jim Wilson beat Rising Suns
Pedro Valdez drew Silento Rodrgiuez
1969 - A live event in Cincinatti, Ohio at the Gardens saw Mark Lewin defeat
Thunderbolt Patterson using a reverse crandle in this one-fall match.
Patterson was without the services of his valet "Man Hamilton" due to what
took place in a special handicap match just before the main event.
That match saw Patterson handcuffed to the ring post. Lewin destroyed
Hamilton before the match and slammed him, laying him out. He was
carried to the back.
In other matches:
Rocky Johnson pinned Dr. Jerry Graham after knocking him off his feet with a
drop kick.
The Mighty Igor defeated Man Mountain Mike.
Lou Klein downed George "Cry Baby" Cannon.
Dan Miller and Kojika fought to a time-limit draw.
The Stomper defeated Bob Harmon.
The Scufflin' Hillbillies (Rip Collins & Chuck Conley) won over the team of
Mike Loren & Jack Armstrong.
1973 - WWWF ran New London, CT with the following results:
-Louis Torres fought Mike Feliciano to a draw.
-Joe Esposito defeated Vincenti Pometti via submission with a bearhug.
-Ricky Sexton pinned Juan Caruso.
-WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales pinned Moondog Mayne.
1974 - A Georgia Championship Wrestling event at the Omni
in Atlanta, GA saw the following live results:
In a Lights Out Match, Andre The Giant & Mr. Wrestling II beat Bill Watts &
Big Bad John
NWA World Champion Jack Brisco beat Dusty Rhodes via DQ
Georgia Tag Team Champions Ronnie Garvin & Terry Garvin beat Bob Armstrong &
Haystack Calhoun
Southern States Champion Jerry Brisco beat Bobby Duncum
Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson beat Steve Keirn & Dennis Stamp
Art Nelson drew Jerry Oates
Bob Sweetan beat Mike Stallings
Ali Vaziri beat Zebra Kid
1975 - Former WCW star Alex Wright is born.
1975 - WWWF ran Philadelphia, PA, headlined by Spiros Arion
defeating WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino via count-out at 12:03.
1976 - WWWF ran at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The scheduled main event was to be WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino vs.
Stan Hansen, but Hansen had broken Sammartino's neck at the previous MSG
show. Instead Hansen wrestled Ivan Putski in the main event, defeating him
via countout. Undercard results for the show saw:
-Vivian St. John defeated Paula Kaye at 7:10.
-The Fabulous Moolah defeated Susan Green at 11:14.
-Baron Mikel Scicluna fought Jose Gonzalez to a draw.
-Tony Parisi defeated Rocky Tamayo at 6:09.
-Scandor Akbar defeated Louis Cerdan at 5:09.
-Billy White Wolf defeated Crusher Blackwell at 8:46.
-The Executioners defeated Pat Barrett & Kevin Sullivan at 11:43.
-Gorilla Monsoon, Haystacks Calhoun, & Bobo Brazil defeated Superstar Billy
Graham, Ivan Koloff, & Ernie Ladd.
1978 - WWWF taped television at the Fieldhouse in Hamburg,
PA featuring the following results:
-The Yukon Lumberjacks defeated Larry Zbyszko & Peter Maivia via countout.
-Spiros Arion defeated Mike Busick.
-George Steele defeated Jim Ray.
-Luke Graham defeated Jim Oliver.
-WWWF Tag Team Champions Dino Bravo & Dominic DeNucci defeated Strong
Kobayashi & the Golden Terror.
-The Yukon Lumberjacks defeated Jim Oliver & Johnny Rivera.
-Strong Kobayashi defeated Pete Austin.
-George Steele defeated Fred Marzino.
-Spiros Arion defeated Charlie Brown.
-Stan Stasiak fought Larry Zbyszko to a draw.
-Luke Graham defeated Jim Ray.
-Stan Stasiak defeated Jim Oliver.
-Haystacks Calhoun & Larry Zbyszko defeated Sylvano Sousa & Frank Monroe.
-WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Strong Kobayashi.
-WWWF Tag Team Champions Dino Bravo & Dominic DeNucci defeated Tank Patton &
Butcher Vachon.
-WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated George Steele via countout.
1978 - Georgia Championship Wrestling ran Columbus, GA at
the Municipal Auditorium featuring the following results:
Dusty Rhodes & Mr. Wrestling II beat Rock Hunter & Abdullah the Butcher
Thunderbolt Patterson beat Ole Anderson
Tommy Rich & Adrian Adonis beat Ken Dillinger & Helmut Schmidt
The French Angel beat Paul Ellering
Hartford Love beat Steve Regal
1978 - A live event at Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii
saw the following results:
George Wells defeated Rocky Tomayo
John Tolos defeated Chris Markoff by disqualification
Buddy Rose and Big John Studd defeated Bill and Russ Francis
Tor Kamata defeated Billy Whitewolf in a loser leaves town match
Joyce Grable and Vicki Williams defeated Pepper LeBlanco and Leilani Kai
Nick Bockwinkel defeated Rick Martel in a bout that saw Bobby Heenan locked
in a cage at ringside
1979 - WWF ran Brooklyn, NY with the following results:
-Johnny Rodz defeated Steve King.
-Jose Estrada fought Johnny Rivera to a draw.
-Bulldog Brower defeated SD Jones.
-Cowboy Lang & Tiny Thumb defeated Little Tokyo & Butch Cassidy.
-Ivan Putski defeated Jimmy Valiant via countout.
1980 - WWF ran Brooklyn, NY with the following results:
-Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Larry Williams.
-Manuel Soto defeated Marc Pole.
-WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Samoans defeated Mike Masters & Rick
McGraw.
-Jose Estrada fought Johnny Rodz to a draw.
-Ivan Putski defeated Bobby Duncum.
1981 - Tommy Rich won a tournament for the Georgia
Heavyweight championship at the Omni in Atlanta, GA. The full results
of the event saw:
In a No Time Limit, No DQ Match, Ted Dibiase & Junkyard Dog beat The
Freebirds' Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts
Round One:
Tommy Rich beat Bill Irwin
Ken Patera beat Ray Candy
Dusty Rhodes beat French Angel
Greg Valentine beat Mr. Wrestling II
Mike Sharpe beat Jim Duggan
Nikolai Volkoff received a bye.
Semi Finals:
Tommy Rich beat Nikolai Volkoff
Dusty Rhodes went to a double DQ against Ken Patera
Greg Valentine beat Mike Sharpe
Finals
Tommy Rich beat Greg Valentine to win the Georgia Heavyweight title.
In other bouts on the event, Ricky Gibson beat Gypsy Joe, Roberto Soto beat
Bobby Eaton and Robert Gibson beat Bryan St. John.
1982 - NWA World champion Ric Flair defeated Terry Gordy in
the main event of an event in Birmingham, Alabama. The event also
featured the following results:
Roy Welch beat Tommy Wright
Scott McGhee beat Ted Oates
Jacques Rougeau beat Jos LeDuc by DQ
Ron & Robert Fuller beat New Zealand Sheepherders
1982 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Greenville, SC with the
following results:
Mike Rotundo beat Tony Russo
King Parsons beat Bill White
Killer Kahn beat Mike Davis
Don Muraco & Jake Roberts beat Ole & Gen Anderson
Jimmy Valiant & Paul Jones beat Ivan Koloff & The Ninja.
1982 - Georgia Championship Wrestling ran Augusta, GA with
the following live results:
Bob Armstrong beat Gary Hart
Tommy Rich beat Buzz Sawyer via DQ
Leroy Brown beat Masked Superstar
Tom Prichard drew Ray Stevens
Brad Armstrong beat Chick Donovan
1983 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Raleigh, NC with the
following results:
-Rick McCord defeated Masa Fuchi.
-Mike Rotundo defeated Gene Anderson.
-Jimmy Valiant & Bugsy McGraw defeated the Great Kabuki & the Magic Dragon.
-Rufus R. Jones defeated Jake Roberts via disqualification.
-NWA U.S. Champion Greg Valentine defeated Dory Funk Jr.
1983 - Georgia Championship Wrestling, empowered by WTBS'
national cable outlet, ran Grand Rapids, Michigan with the following
results:
Tommy Rich & Paul Orndorff beat Killer Brooks & Larry Zbyszko
Tony Atlas beat Buzz Sawyer via DQ
Dick Murdoch beat Iron Sheik
Ronnie Garvin beat Bob Roop
Matt Borne & Arn Anderson beat Brian Blair & Brett Wayne
1984 - NWA World champion Kerry Von Erich defeated Black
Bart in the main event of a Championship Wrestling from Florida event in
Melbourne, Florida.
1984 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Sumter, SC with the
following results:
-Kurt Von Hess defeated Keith Larson.
-Brian Adidas defeated Jeff Sword.
-Rufus R. Jones & Pez Whatley defeated Ernie Ladd & Jesse Barr.
-Angelo Mosca Jr. defeated the Outlaw.
-Jimmy Valiant defeated Adrian Street.
1984 - New Japan Pro Wrestling ran Nagasaki, Japan with the
following results:
-Tatsutoshi Gotoh defeated Pat Tanaka.
-Shunji Kosugi defeated Naoki Sano.
-Kuniaki Kobayashi & Black Cat defeated Norio Honaga & Fumihiro Niikura.
-Big John Studd & Otto Wanz defeated Animal Hamaguchi & Isamu Teranishi.
-Adrian Adonis defeated Osamu Kido.
-Riki Choshu & Yoshikai Yatsu fought Fujiwara & Kengo Kimura to a double
countout.
-Dick Murdoch defeated Ken Patera.
-Andre The Giant defeated Mr. Saito via disqualification.
-Antonio Inoki, Seigi Sakaguchi, & Tatsumi Fujinami defeated WWF World
Champion Hulk Hogan, the Masked Superstar, & John Quinn.
1984 - WWF ran Johnstown, PA at the Cambria County War
Memorial Arena featuring:
-Butcher Vachon defeated Steve Lombardi.
-B. Brian Blair fought Johnny Valiant to a draw.
-Pat Patterson & Rocky Johnson defeated Sika & Samula (Samu).
-Ivan Putski defeated Greg Valentine via count-out.
-Bob Backlund defeated the Iron Sheik via disqualification .
1984 - WWF ran Plymouth Meeting, PA, with the following results:
-Terry Daniels fought Akira Maeda to a draw.
-Tony Garea defeated Tiger Chung Lee via disqualification.
-David Schultz defeated Chief Jay Strongbow.
-Jose Gonzalez defeated SD Jones.
-David Schultz, Mr. Fuji, & Tiger Chung Lee defeated Tony Garea, Terry
Daniels, & Akira Maeda.
1985 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Wheeling, WV with the
folllowing results:
-Scott Irwin defeated Joel Deaton.
-The Italian Stallion defeated Mike Davis via disqualification.
-Buzz Sawyer defeated Tommy Lane.
-Pez Whatley fought Bob Roop to a draw.
-Ron Garvin defeated John Tatum.
-Manny Fernandez & Thunderbolt Patterson defeated National Tag Team
Champions Ole & Arn Anderson.
1985 - WWF ran Augusta, GA at the Civic Center, featuring
the following:
-Rocky Johnson defeated Rene Goulet.
-George Wells pinned Bret Hart by reversing a roll up.
-Ricky Steamboat pinned Moondog Spot with the crossbody off the top.
-Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo defeated WWF Tag Team Champions the Iron Sheik
& Nikolai Volkoff.
1986 - Playboy Buddy Rose & Doug Somers defeat Scott Hall &
Curt Hennig in Hammond, Indiana, to win the AWA World Tag Team Championship.
The finish of the match saw Col. DeBeers (who Hall had run off during an
interview segment where DeBeers was ripping on Americans) come to ringside
and ram Hall headfirst into the steel ringpost. A bloodied Hall was then
counted out of the ring, and for some reason, the referee gave the tag team
championship belts to Rose & Somers. It was later explained that for this
one match, titles could change hands on a countout (although they never gave
a reason why).
1986 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Baltimore, MD at the
Civic Center with the following results:
-Denny Brown fought Steve Regal to a draw.
-Black Bart defeated Sam Houston.
-Manny Fernandez defeated Leo Burke.
-The Rock N' Roll Express,Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated NWA World
Tag Team Champions The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey in a
non-title match; Jim Cornette was held in a cage for the duration of the
match.
-Ron Garvin defeated Arn Anderson.
-NWA US Champion Magnum TA fought NWA National Heavyweight Champion Tully
Blanchard to a no contest.
-Dusty Rhodes & the Road Warriors defeated NWA Six Man Tag Team Champions
Baron Von Raschke, Ivan & Nikita Koloff to win the titles.
1986 - WWF ran Minneapolis, Minnesota at The Met Center
before 2,800 fans, featuring:
-Jim Neidhart pinned Lanny Poffo.
-Jim Brunzell pinned Hercules.
-Danny Spivey pinned Bret Hart.
-Big John Studd & King Kong Bundy defeated George Steele & Cousin Luke
(substituting for Uncle Elmer) when Bundy pinned Luke.
-Ricky Steamboat fought Jake Roberts to a double disqualification.
-Tito Santana defeated WWF IC Champion Randy Savage via disqualification.
-WWF champion Hulk Hogan defeated Adrian Adonis via disqualification.
1986 - WWF ran Tacoma, WA at the Tacoma Dome, featuring:
-Moondog Rex defeated Scott McGee.
-King Tonga defeated Bob Orton Jr..
-Nikolai Volkoff defeated Cpl. Kirchner.
-The Iron Sheik defeated George Wells.
-Pedro Morales fought Moondog Spot to a draw.
-Paul Orndorff fought Don Muraco to a double disqualification.
-WWF Tag Team Champions The British Bulldogs defeated Greg Valentine &
Brutus Beefcake.
1987 -The Lightning Express, Brad Armstrong & Tim Horner,
defeat Rick Steiner & Sting to win the UWF Tag Team Titles.
1987 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran two events on this day.
A matinee event was held in Asheville, NC at the Civic Center, headlined by
NWA U.S. Tag Team Champion Stan Lane defeating Todd Champion and Ron Garvin
defeating NWA U.S. Tag Team Champion Bobby Eaton. The promotion then ran an
evening event in Daytona Beach, FL at the Ocean Center headlined by The Rock
N' Roll Express defeating NWA U.S. Tag Team Champions The Midnight Express,
Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane in a non-title match.
1987 - WWF ran Toronto, Ontario at the Maple Leaf Gardens
featuring:
-Sam Houston pinned Johnny K-9 with a bulldog at 7:41.
-Bob Orton Jr. pinned Frankie Laine with a running powerslam at 4:42.
-Don Muraco pinned Lanny Poffo with the tombstone at 6:50.
-WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan defeated King Harley Race; after the bout,
Race attacked Hogan as he was posing and bloodied him; later on in the card,
the champion returned ringside and challenged Race to a Texas Death Match
for the following month's card and if he couldn't beat Race then he would
quit pro wrestling.
-Outback Jack pinned Frenchy Martin with a bulldog at 4:21.
-Nikolai Volkoff pinned Cpl. Kirschner at 13:05 with a backbreaker.
-Demolition defeated The Killer Bees.
-Ken Patera (substituting. for Jake Roberts) defeated the Honkytonk Man.
1990 - WWF ran San Diego, CA at The Sports Arena, drawing
3,800 fans with the following results:
-Koko B. Ware defeated Boris Zhukov.
-Hercules defeated Haku.
-The Warlord defeated Tito Santana.
-Rick Martel defeated Ron Garvin.
-Earthquake defeated Jim Duggan.
-The Hart Foundation fought WWF Tag Team Champions Demolition to a double
disqualification.
1990 -WWF ran Hartford, CT at the Civic Center, drawing
6,000 fans:
-Hillbilly Jim defeated the Brooklyn Brawler.
-Brutus Beefcake defeated the Genius.
-The Bushwhackers defeated Greg Valentine & the Honky Tonk Man via
disqualification.
-The Barbarian defeated Jimmy Snuka.
-The Big Bossman pinned Ted Dibiase.
-Dino Bravo pinned the Red Rooster.
-Jim Powers pinned Pez Whatley.
-WWF World Champion the Ultimate Warrior pinned WWF IC Champion Mr. Perfect.
1991 - WCW ran Ft. Pierce, FL at the St. Lucie County Civic
Center with the following results:
-Dan Spivey defeated Big Josh via count-out.
-Jack Victory defeated David Johnson.
-The Junkyard Dog defeated El Cubano.
-Dustin Rhodes defeated Black Bart.
-El Gigante defeated the One Man Gang via disqualification.
-WCW World TV Champion Arn Anderson defeated Tommy Rich.
-Bobby Eaton defeated Terrance Taylor via disqualification.
-Sting & Brian Pillman defeated WCW World Champion Ric Flair & Barry
Windham.
1992 - WCW held their "WrestleWar" Pay-per-view at the
Jacksonville Coliseum in Jacksonville, Florida. Here are the results:
- Dark match: Diamond Dallas Page & Tommy Rich defeated Bob Cook &
Firebreaker Chip.
- The Freebirds (Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin) defeated Terry Taylor & Greg
Valentine to win the United States Tag Team Championship.
- Johnny B. Badd defeated Tracey Smothers.
- Scotty Flamingo defeated Marcus Bagwell.
- Ron Simmons defeated Mr. Hughes.
- Super Invader defeated Todd Champion.
- Big Josh defeated Richard Morton.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Tatsumi
Fujinami & Takayuki Iizuka.
- WCW Light Heavyweight Champion Brian Pillman defeated Tom Zenk.
- Sting, Nikita Koloff, Dustin Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat & Barry Windham
defeated Arn Anderson, Bobby Eaton, Rick Rude, Steve Austin & Larry Zbyszko
in a War Games match. The finish saw Zbyszko accidentally hit Bobby Eaton in
the arm with a steel connecting pole from the turnbuckle that Eaton had
taken apart during the match. Sting then put Eaton in an armbar for the
submission win.
1992 - Smoky Mountain Wrestling ran Beckley, West Virginia
at the Raleigh County Armory with the following results:
Thunder Tiger defeated the Master of Disaster
Dixie Dynamite (a masked Brian Armstrong aka Road Dogg) pinned Dutch Mantell
Tim Horner pinned Buddy Landel
Robert Gibson pinned Jimmy Golden
Brian Lee pinned the Dirty White Boy. Bob Armstrong was the guest
referee for the bout
Brad & Bart Batten defeated SMW Tag Team Champions The Heavenly Bodies, Stan
Lane & Tom Prichard via disqualification
1992 - WWF ran Nashville, TN at the Municipal Auditorium,
drawing 2,400 fans with the following results:
-Jim Powers pinned the Brooklyn Brawler.
-Tatanka pinned Col. Mustafa.
-Kamala pinned Sgt. Slaughter after the Mountie interfered.
-Virgil pinned the Genius.
-Kerry Von Erich pinned Skinner.
-The Undertaker defeated the Mountie.
-The Natural Disasters defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Money, Inc. - Ted
DiBiase & IRS via count-out.
-WWF World Champion Randy Savage defeated Ric Flair via disqualification.
1993 - Monday Night Raw was broadcast live from the
Manhattan Center in New York City, and provided one of the more memorable
one-hour shows in the history of the program. Here are the results:
- The Smoking Gunns defeated Tony Vadja and Glenn Ruth.
- The Kid pinned Razor Ramon with a top rope moonsault on a standing Ramon.
This was the match where the 1-2-3 Kid gimmick for Sean Waltman was created.
The Kid, who had wrestled as "Lightning Kid", "Cannonball Kid", and
"Kamikaze Kid" over the previous weeks on WWF television (and lost to the
likes of Doink The Clown and Mr. Hughes) scored the huge upset. After the
match, color commentator Randy Savage led the crowd in a chant of "1-2-3" to
infuriate Ramon.
- Tatanka defeated Scott Taylor (who later would become Scotty 2 Hotty).
- Yokozuna defeated Kamala.
- Marty Jannetty defeated Shawn Michaels to win the Intercontinental Title.
Earlier in the show Jannetty, who had not been seen in months, came in from
the crowd in street clothes, his face hidden by a hood and sunglasses, to
accept an open challenge Michaels had made to anyone who wanted a shot at
the Intercontinental Title. Curt Hennig came to ringside during the
bout to prevent Michaels from walking out.
In other matches taped during the show, used on future episodes of Raw:
-Bret Hart defeated Bam Bam Bigelow.
- King of the Ring Qualifying Match: Mr. Perfect pinned Doink the Clown with
the Perfect Plex at around the 15-minute mark after the initial Doink
switched places with a second Doink underneath the ring. After the bout,
the two Doinks attacked Perfect until Crush made the save and cleared them
from the ring.
-WWF Tag Team Champions Ted DiBiase & IRS defeated Mike Bell & Tony Devito.
-Crush defeated Bobby Who via submission with the head vice.
-Adam Bomb pinned Phil Apollo with the powerbomb.
1995 - WWF announced Ernie Ladd would be inducted into
their Hall of Fame.
1995 - WWF taped Wrestling Challenge and Action Zone
in Springfield, MA at the Civic Center featuriong the following results:
-Adam Bomb defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett via countout
when Jarrett left ringside.
-WWF Tag Team Champions Owen Hart & Yokozuna defeated Lex Luger & Davey Boy
Smith via disqualification when Smith made the save after Luger recieved the
Bonzai Drop.
-Bret Hart pinned Hakushi (with Shinja) with a roll up after Hakushi
accidentally hit Shinja.
-Howard Finkel pinned Harvey Wippleman with an elbow drop.
-Shawn Michaels & the Undertaker defeated Psycho Sid & Kama.
-Action Zone - 5/21/95: Psycho Sid pinned Bob Holly with the powerbomb.
-Action Zone - 5/28/95: In his official WWF in-ring debut, Savio Vega pinned
Eli Blu (with Uncle Zebakiah - Dutch Mantel) with a roll up at around the
11-minute mark after ducking a punch; Jacob Blu was in Eli's corner but was
ejected from ringside mid-way through after interfering and prompting Razor
Ramon to come out; moments later, both men brawled around ringside until
about a half dozen referees appeared and sent both men backstage; after the
match, both Jacob and Razor returned ringside, with Razor holding the Blus
from entering the ring.
-Action Zone - 6/4/95: Jacob & Eli Blu (with Uncle Zebakiah) defeated Razor
Ramon & Savio Vega at 9:46 after Jacob kicked Razor in the side of the face
as Ramon prepared Eli for the Razor's Edge.
-King Kong Bundy defeated Tim McNeeny.
-The Blu Brothers defeated Ross Greenberg & Brian Walsh.
-Aldo Montoya defeated Nick Barberry.
-Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeated Bert Centenno.
-The Bushwhackers defeated Barry Horowitz & the Brooklyn Brawler when
Brawler was pinned.
-The Undertaker defeated Mike Bell.
-Lex Luger & Davey Boy Smith defeated Roy Raymond & Laurice Moralis.
-Kama (w/ Ted Dibiase) pinned Bill Weaver with a right hand punch.
-Adam Bomb defeated Gus Kantarrakis at 2:41 with a clothesline off the top.
-Henry Godwinn pinned John Crystal at 2:35 with the Slop Drop.
-Rad Radford pinned Mike Khoury at 2:29 with a northern lights suplex into a
bridge.
-Duke Drose defeated Bob Cook.
-Techno Team 2000 defeated Bob Cook & Howard Nalley.
-Jean Pierre Lafitte defeated Brian Walsh.
-Shawn Michaels defeated Barry Horowitz
-Men on a Mission defeated Aaron Ferguson & Laurice Moralis.
-Hakushi defeated Bill Payne.
-Savio Vega defeated the Brooklyn Brawler.
1996 - Extreme Championship Wrestling ran Glenolden, PA at
the Briarcliffe Fieldhouse, drawing 250 fans with the following results:
-Rob Van Dam defeated El Puerto Ricano.
-Big Titan defeated Hack Myers.
-Taz defeated Axl Rotten.
-Pitbull 2 defeated Buh Buh Ray Dudley via disqualification.
-ECW World Champion Raven defeated Mikey Whipwreck.
-John Kronus defeated Mustafa.
-New Jack pinned Perry Saturn.
-2 Cold Scorpio defeated Chris Jericho.
-Brian Lee defeated Tommy Dreamer in a falls count anywhere match that saw
them brawl out of the building and into the backyard of a residence next
door.
1996 - WWF ran Baltimore, MD at the Arena, drawing 6,559
fans with the following:
-The Bushwhackers defeated Marty Jannetty & Leif Cassidy at 7:38 when Butch
pinned Cassidy after Luke interfered behind the referee's back.
-Justin Bradshaw pinned Aldo Montoya at 8:01 with a superkick.
-Savio Vega pinned Mike Khoury at the 58-second mark with a back kick.
-Ahmed Johnson defeated Davey Boy Smith via disqualification at 10:45 when
Owen Hart interfered as Ahmed prepared to hit the Pearl River Plunge; after
the bout, Ahmed chased both men to the back
-Steve Austin pinned Jake Roberts at 17:10 with a roll up and using the
tights for leverage after Roberts thought he had won the match with the DDT;
Ted Dibiase had placed Austin's foot on the ropes to break the cover moments
prior to the finish.
-The Ultimate Warrior pinned Owen Hart at 7:25 with a flying shoulder block.
-Vader pinned Yokozuna at 12:22 after hitting him with Jim Cornette's tennis
racquet.
-WWF Tag Team Champions Skip & Zip defeated Henry & Phinneas Godwinn at
13:10.
-Hunter Hearst Helmsley pinned Razor Ramon at 12:32 with the Pedigree as
Razor tried to revive the referee
-WWF champion Shawn Michaels defeated Diesel.
1997 - WWF ran in Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Mike Johnson filed the following live report for the Wrestling Lariat
Newsletter, which is archived in the Elite section of PWInsider.com:
The World Wrestling Federation returned to their flagship building, Madison
Square Garden in New York City, for the first time since Wrestlemania
highlighted by one of the first in-ring appearances of Brian Pillman for
Titan Sports, as well as Steve Austin’s first appearance in the Garden as a
babyface.
The main event was originally supposed to be the Undertaker & Sycho Sid
meeting Mankind & Vader, but Sid is wherever the heck he is (and does anyone
REALLY care? I sure don’t.). The day of the show, local promos in NY listed
Ken Shamrock as UT’s partner, as did the program, but they made an
announcement that “due to injuryâ€, The Undertaker would defend against
Mankind in a Lumberjack match instead.
The show opened with Life Cassidy, who has signed an extension on his
contract with the WWF and is going to be pushed soon, defeating Bob Holly
with the reverse powerbomb, which looks awesome. They started on the mat,
and soon began trading headlocks. Holly hit a hurancanrana and Life hit
several superkicks. After the second, Life began pointing to the lights, so
some fans at ringside were chanting “Snowbuâ€. He missed a moonsault off the
top and Holly took over. Life did a sloppy looking Flair flop over the
turnbuckles but came back with the powerbomb for the pin. The crowd was
really into the opener.
Crush meeting Jesse Jammes followed. Crush got a slight pop, coming out to
the Nation of Domination music, while Jammes was booed as he came out
singing his song. Crush dominated in the beginning until he missed a charge
in the corner. Jammes leapfrogged over and hit a superkick. He goes for a
high cross bodyblock during a crisscross, but Crush catches him and drops
him on his knees in a backbreaker. The place starts chanting “Boring†and
they were right. Crush throws a bearhug on Double J, and throws him down
into a slam. Jammes comes back with a DDT and a flying forearm, but gets cut
off and hit with the heartpunch for the pin. Jammes is booed on the way out.
Next up was a match where the Godwins defeated Dan Kroffat & Doug Furnas. I
immediately went to the bathroom and got sick. The Godwins got a standing
ovation. There was really nothing to this match at all. The Godwins got the
pin after Kroffat & Furnas butted heads by accident. The two teams argues
afterwards. The misuse of Kroffat & Furnas in Titan is criminal.
Next up was Flash Funk taking Rockabilly. Funk came out to an “ECW†chant.
They started on the mat counter-wrestling, and Flash got several two counts.
Billy Gunn hit a stiff sounding clothesline on Funk for a two count. Gunn
followed up with a spinning kick, but Funk returned to offense with a flying
elbow off the first rope. Funk went to the top and hit a bodypress. Gunn
followed up with a exploder-style chokeslam and hit a swinging DDT off the
top for the pin. The Rockabilly gimmick is pretty funny.
Mankind came out to do an awesome promo next, talking about how 30 years ago
Bruno Sammartino had defeated Buddy Rogers for the WWF title in the same
building (34 years ago in the old Garden facility, actually, but who really
cares?). Mankind spoke about how he once hitchhiked 500 miles to see Jimmy
Snuka superfly off the top of the steel cage against Bob Backlund. He said
that although New York has the ugliest women in the world, and 99% of the
males in attendance wanted to touch him in an impure way, the Garden was a
very special building to him. He said the only thing that would make tonight
a more special day for him would be if his “Uncle Paul†was here, but the
Undertaker had burnt Paul Bearer, so it was impossible. He asked the
timekeeper to ring the bell 10 times, but the crowd booed loudly. Mankind
got angry telling everyone they had ruined the greatest night of his life
and swore he would defeat the Undertaker tonight. Excellent promo, and most
of the lines were derived from his farewell days in ECW, so it was kind of
cool in a nostalgic sense as well.
Next up was Rocky Maivia meeting Savio Vega of the NOD. Vega got a slight
pop and Maivia got a big pop as well. Faarooq and Crush come out with Savio.
Savio attacks Rocky with a sidekick and applies a nerve hold. Rocky comes
back to hit a bodyblock for two, then slingshots Savio in the turnbuckles.
He hits a DDT and hits a flying bodypress off the top rope for the pin, but
Crush is distracting the referee. Maivia hits him, and turns into a Savio
sidekick for the pin. The NOD whips Maivia and the WWF officials drag him
out of the ring. Faarooq tells him, “Take your ass kicking like a man and go
back to the locker room.†He does. Rocky sucks!
Next up was the main event, with the Undertaker defending the WWF World
title against Mankind. Everyone who had previously worked was a lumberjack,
as were Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Chyna. Undertaker got a huge pop as he
came out in the dark. Mankind gives the NOD their salute before the match.
Mankind attacks UT, but is tossed out of the ring, The Lumberjacks toss him
back in. The Undertaker throws him throat first into the corner and pummels
him. Mankind tries to kick him, but UT catches his leg and spins him around.
Mankind hits a clothesline out of the spin. Undertaker comes back with a
bodyslam, and tries to walk the ropes, but Rockabilly shakes them and he
gets crotched. The faces argue with the heels, who all hide behind Chyna.
Chyna not backing down to the faces is hysterical. The Undertaker gets
thrown out on the heel side and they all attack him. The faces jump on the
heels and UT rolls back in the ring. Mankind throws him back out of the
ring, in front of the NOD, who stood around ding nothing the entire time.
They put the boots to UT as well. Mankind comes out and throws Undertaker
into the rail and hits him with a chair. Back in the ring, the Undertaker
hits his flying clothesline. Undertaker rips off Mankind’s mask. He goes for
the tombstone but Mankind gets the Mandible Claw on him. The Nation of
Domination, sensing a title change, dragged Mankind out of the ring and
attacked him, trying to save Faarooq’s King of the Ring title shot. As all
this is going on, the lumberjacks are brawling. Undertaker attacks the NOD.
Back in the ring, he hit the tombstone on Mankind for the pin. Good match.
After intermission, during which the ring crew tried to fix a raised board
but were unable to, Goldust took on Hunter-Hearst Helmsley. Good match.
Dustin came out himself and asked the crowd is they were ready to see
Marlena. The place popped. He said he had two Marlenas for New York: his
wife Terri and their daughter Dakota dressed identically. They did a gimmick
where they gave Dakota the mic, but she didn’t want to give it back and kept
telling the crowd, “Hiâ€. It was cute in a kidsy sort of way, but this is
from a promotion where Mankind and the Undertaker are throwing fire? Can we
say “unfocused� The match was good and the two worked well together. They
started fast and went back and forth trading spots. HHH hit his cool flip
bump into the corner. Goldust hit a bulldog, and then threw Helmsley into
the turnbuckles, where he bumped to the floor. Goldust suplexed him back in,
but Chyna hooked his leg and HHH fell atop for the pinfall.
Next up was Faarooq with Crush & Savio scheduled to meet Ahmed Johnson.
Faarooq called the crowd a bunch of morons who were going to be shocked
because one of their heroes was going to join the NOD tonight. Ahmed’s music
came on and he came to the ring, and gave the NOD salute. He hugged Savio &
Crush and they left the ring. He saluted Faarooq to a lot of jeers, and
hugged him, but grabbed him into a belly-to-belly suplex. The place popped
and the tease was cool. They brawl in the ring with Ahmed dominating, until
Faarooq hits a low blow. He bodyslams Ahmed. They go back and forth and they
stumble into the ref, knocking him out. One of my buddies that I usually go
to shows with said “That was a very bad ref bump, and you can quote meâ€.
Ahmed hits the tiger driver, but Savio comes in and hits a horrible chair
shot. He puts Faarooq on top for pin, and the three trash Ahmed. Pretty bad
match.
This left us with Steve Austin & The Road Warriors taking on Hart Foundation
members Owen Hart, Davey Boy Smith and Brian Pillman. Pillman looked a bit
thinner than before his accident, but was in great shape and despite still
having some pain in his ankles, one of which is fused, bumped his butt off
and seems to be well on the way to his old form. Austin got the biggest pop
of the night. Pillman was in full force, trying to go over the rails after
the crowd and never stopped moving. When Austin hit the ring, the heels ran
from it. Austin & Owen start and Austin slaps him down and throws the
sharpshooter on him. Davey Boy jumps on him, but Austin clotheslines him
down, then knocks Pillman off the apron. Pillman landed on his feet and
showed no sign of pain. Hawk tags in and powerslams Owen, dropping a fist on
him. Pillman tags in, but jumps out of the ring when Austin tags in. Pillman
tries to run away, but is caught by Animal and pressed thru the ropes.
Pillman gets his throat caught between the middle and bottom ropes and the
crowd pops. He gets free and Hawk hits a weak looking powerbomb. Owen tags
in, and evades a hawk charge. Hawk his the corner fast. Pillman hits him on
the floor with a chair. They drag Hawk to the heels’ corner and they triple
team him. The crowd starting chanting “Pillman sucks†so he spit at them.
Pillman holds Hawk down in a chinlock, putting his feet on the ropes. Owen
tags in and piledrives him, but Hawk no-sells. He tags in Austin and all
three heels jump on him. The LOD jump in and all six brawl. Pillman & Hawk
fly thru the ropes and brawl on the floor. Austin hits the Stone Cold
Stunner for the pin. The place pops. Austin gives the Warriors the double
finger salute and leaves them in the ring. Really good, fast paced main
event. I was very happy to see how great Pillman looked. 1996 should have
been his year. Hopefuilly, 1997 will turn out to be
MSG Notes:
The show was way too short, running from 8:00 to 10:20 with a 15 minute
intermission didn’t like nor hate the show, it was “ehâ€. Had it not been for
the main event and the UT match. I would have hated it.
The crowd looked to be in the 11,000 range, with at least a third papered as
the WWF gave away 2,500 pairs of tickets thru a promotion with the New York
Daily News. The idea here was that if the fans came for free, they'd spend
money on merchandise and concessions.
When they ran down the card at the beginning of the show Steve Austin and
Ahmed Johnson’s names got the loudest reaction.
They announced a return on Saturday June 13th and those who bought their
tickets at intermission got a surprise: a rise in prices for ringside from
$25 to $32. Add in Ticketmaster charges and WWF tix in NY could be as
expensive as $40 per.
From the “I wouldn’t have believed this if I hadn’t seen it†Department: The
plastic LOD shoulderpads for children sold at the gimmick tables had the WCW
name and logo (!) on the instruction booklets.
There were scattered chants of “ECW†during the first half of the show, lead
by two fans walking an ECW banner around the building on a sheet.
Austin 3:16 shirts were on at least every third person in the building, and
Mankind shirts were selling briskly. The Mankind shirt has a yellow smiley
face with the Mankind mask over it. It's a cool looking shirt.
The WWF’s next show in the NY market is on June 21st at the Nassau Coliseum
in Long Island featuring European champ Davey Boy Smith vs. Shawn Michaels
and a tag encounter with the Undertaker & Steve Austin taking on Brian
Pillman & Bret Hart.
1997 - WWF ran Birmingham, AL, drawing 10,292 with the
following results:
-The Headbangers defeated Los Boricuas.
-Jeff Jarrett defeated Steve Blackman.
-Kurrgan defeated D-Lo Brown.
-WWF Tag Team Champions Road Dogg & Billy Gunn defeated the Legion of Doom.
-Terry Funk defeated Marc Mero.
-Bradshaw defeated Owen Hart via countout.
-The Undertaker defeated Kane via disqualification.
-Vader defeated WWF IC Champion the Rock via disqualification.
-WWF World Champion Steve Austin defeated WWF European Champion Triple H.
1997 - WCW ran Winston-Salem, NC at the Lawrence Joel
Memorial Coliseum:
-Lord Steven Regal defeated Alex Wright via submission with the Regal
Stretch at around the 18-minute mark
-Buff Bagwell defeated Scotty Riggs via forfeit when Riggs failed to appear
as scheduled.
-Rey Mysterio Jr. pinned Psychosis at around the 15-minute mark with a
springboard hurricanrana into a cover.
-Jeff Jarrett defeated WCW TV Champion the Ultimo Dragon in a non-title
match via submission with the figure-4 at around the 19-minute mark.
-Dean Malenko (sub. for Chris Jericho) defeated WCW Cruiserweight Champion
Syxx via disqualification when WCW Tag Team Champions Scott Hall & Kevin
Nash attacked Malenko as he had the Texas Clover Leaf applied.
-Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Public Enemy at around the 25-minute mark
when Rick pinned Johnny Grunge after avoiding an elbow off the top through a
table.
-The Giant defeated WCW Tag Team Champions Scott Hall & Kevin Nash via
disqualification in a handicap match at around the 12-minute mark when Syxx
interfered; Lex Luger was scheduled to be the Giant's partner but wasn't
allowed to compete; after the bout, Luger made the save against the nWo.
-Diamond Dallas Page defeated Randy Savage via disqualification at around
the 8-minute mark when Buff Bagwell interfered as DDP attempted the Diamond
Cutter; after the bout, Page dropped Bagwell with the Diamond Cutter,
prompting Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Syxx to come out; moments later, the
Giant, Lex Luger, and Rick & Scott Steiner made the save.
1997 - Extreme Championship Wrestling ran Buffalo, NY at
the Bert Flickinger Center, drawing 1,697 fans. The show, which was
released on ECW Home Video as "The Buffalo Invasion" featured the following
results:
-The Pitbulls defeated Little Guido & Tracy Smothers (w/ Tommy Rich) at
14:04 when Pitbull #2 pinned Guido following the Super Bomb
-Balls Mahoney pinned Bill Wiles at 4:53 after a chairshot to the head
-Taz defeated Spike Dudley via submission with the Tazmission at 5:30.
-ECW World TV Champion Shane Douglas pinned Chris Chetti at 13:10 with the
belly to belly suplex after avoiding a springboard moonsault; Rick Rude came
out at the 11-minute mark, pulled up Francine's dress to reveal her panties,
and then carried her backstage in a very suggestive piledriver position,
leaving Douglas by himself
-Raven (with Chasity & Lupus) & Stevie Richards (mystery partner) defeated
Tommy Dreamer (with Beulah McGillicutty wearing a neckbrace) & ECW World
Champion Terry Funk (Dreamer's mystery partner) at 16:16 when Richards
pinned Funk after saving him from an interfering Louie Spicolli by dropping
Spicolli with the Stevie Kick as Funk was set up for the Spicolli Driver.
-ECW World Tag Team Champions The Eliminators defeated Big Dick & D-Von
Dudley (w/ Joel Gertner & Buh Buh Ray Dudley) and the Gangstas in an
elimination match at 18:09; Saturn pinned Mustafa and Kronus pinned Big Dick
after the champions hit the Total Elimination on both men at the same time;
the Gangstas didn't appear until 4:30 into the match; after the bout, Saturn
& Kronus hit Total Elimination on Buh Buh Ray as well
-Tommy Dreamer pinned Louie Spicolli at 7:35 with the DDT after Beulah
McGuillicuty, who Spicolli held in front of him to block a chairshot from
Dreamer, gave Spicolli a mule kick low blow; prior to the bout, Spicolli cut
an in-ring promo putting over the fact his interference cost Dreamer & Funk
their win earlier in the show, the fact he broke Beulah's neck, and Dreamer
was too hurt to compete - with Dreamer then appearing as the referee began
counting him out; after the bout, Spicolli dropped Dreamer with the Spicolli
Driver to abruptly end his victory celebration
-ECW World Champion Terry Funk defeated Raven (with Lupus & Chasity), Stevie
Richards, and the Sandman in an elimination match at 10:41; Sandman pinned
Raven at 5:07 following the Stevie Kick from Richards; Richards pinned
Sandman with the Stevie Kick at 10:30; Funk pinned Richards after dropping
the steel retaining barrier across Richards' back. Richards' injury would
keep him out of the ring for the remainder of his initial ECW run. He would
sign with WCW shortly thereafter.
1998 - WCW ran their Slamboree '98 PPV in Worcester, MA at
the Centrum before 11,592 fans with the following results:
-WCW World TV Champion Fit Finlay pinned Chris Benoit with the tombstone.
-Lex Luger defeated Brian Adams via submission with the Torture Rack.
-Ciclope won a cruiserweight battle royal; due to pre-match stipulations, he
earned an immediate WCW Cruiserweight Title match; other participants
included Evan Karagias, Damien, El Dandy, El Grio, Juventud Guerrera, Chavo
Guerrero Jr., Marty Jannetty, Kidman, Lenny Lane, Psychosis, Super Calo,
Johnny Swinger, and Villano IV; After the match, Ciclope unmasked to reveal
himself as Dean Malenko.
Dean Malenko defeated WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chris Jericho to win the
title via submission with the Texas Cloverleaf.
-Eddie Guerrero (with Chavo Guerrero Jr.) pinned Ultimo Dragon at 11:10 with
a brainbuster and the frog splash after Dragon accidentally knocked Chavo
off the ring apron when Eddie moved out of the way; stipulations stated
Chavo would win his freedom from Eddie if Dragon won; after the contest,
Chavo cornered Eddie and acted as though he was going to attack him but then
attacked Dragon instead, with Chavo shoving Eddie away when Eddie tried to
stop him.
-Diamond Dallas Page pinned Raven in a Bowery Death Match.
-WCW U.S. Champion Bill Goldberg pinned Perry Saturn.
-Bret Hart defeated Randy Savage. Roddy Piper was the guest referee.
-Sting & the Giant defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions Scott Hall & Kevin
Nash (with Dusty Rhodes) to win the titles.
1999 - WCW broadcast Monday Nitro from Cedar Rapids, IA at
the Five Seasons Center with the following results:
-WCW World Champion Kevin Nash defeated Diamond Dallas Page via
disqualification.
-WCW Tag Team Champions Raven & Perry Saturn defeated Chris Benoit & Dean
Malenko.
-WCW Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio Jr. pinned Evan Karagias.
-Randy Savage & Madusa defeated Ric Flair & Charles Robinson.
-Hardcore Hak fought Fit Finlay to a no contest.
-WCW World TV Champion Rick Stiener fought Sting to a no contest.
-Curt Hennig pinned Konnan.
2002 -
2002 - WWE Raw ran Louisville, KY at Freedom Hall, drawing
6,000 fans with the following results:
-Jackie pinned Crash Holly with a roll up
-Brock Lesnar pinned D-Lo Brown with the Brockbuster.
-WWE Women's Champion Trish Stratus pinned Molly Holly with the bulldog.
-Nick Dinsmore (the future Eugene) & Rob Conway defeated OVW Southern Tag
Team Champions Doug Basham & Damaja(Danny Basham), with Victoria with a
double team move to win the titles.
-WWF Intercontinental champion Eddie Guerrero pinned Rob Van Dam with a roll
up and using the ropes for leverage.
-Matt & Jeff Hardy defeated Shawn Stasiak & Goldust following the swanton.
-WWE Hardcore Champion Steven Richards pinned Bubba Ray Dudley after Raven
interfered and hit the DDT on the challenger, before suffering the Steven
Kick from Richards.
-William Regal pinned Spike Dudley after using the brass knuckles as a
weapon.
-The Undertaker pinned Bradshaw after kicking a chair into Bradshaw's face.
-Steve Austin defeated Ric Flair & the Big Show in a handicap steel cage
match by pinning Flair with the Stunner after outside interference from
Booker T backfired.
2003 - Frontier Wrestling and Ring of Honor ran a joint
event titled "Frontiers of Honor" in London, Great Britain featuring the
following results:
James Tighe pinned Paul London with a standing star press at 10:37
Jack Xavier pinned Mikey Whipwreck with a wheelbarrow roll up at 11:58
Paul Burchill defeated the Double Dragons in a handicap match at 6:39, the
referee stopped the match after Burchill hit both men with a standing
moonsaults followed by a standing star press
AJ Styles pinned Jonny Storm with a springboard 450 Splash at 16:03; after
the match, Storm attacked Styles after a feined handshake and Jody Fleisch
made the save
ROH champion Samoa Joe pinned the Zebra Kid after a rolling german suplex
into a rolling dragon suplex into bridging german suplex pin at 9:27; as a
result of the win, the ROH Heavyweight Title was renamed the ROH World Title
Low Ki fought Flash Barker to a 20-minute time-limit draw
Christopher Daniels pinned Jody Fleisch with the Angels Wings at 23:55
2004 - WWE Smackdown ran Palm Springs, CA with the
following results:
-WWE Smackdown! Tag Team Champions Rico & Charlie Haas defeated Billy Gunn &
Hardcore Holly when Haas pinned Gunn with a roll up.
-Mordecai pinned Orlando Jordan.
-Mark Jindrak pinned Sho Funaki with the Mark of Excellence.
-Billy Kidman & Paul London defeated Doug & Danny Basham and Nunzio & Johnny
Stamboli in an elimination match; a Basham pinned Stamboli with a roll up;
London pinned a Basham with the 450 splash.
-The Undertaker pinned Booker T with the tombstone.
-WWE US Champion John Cena pinned Rene Dupree with the FU.
-WWE Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero defeated Jamie Noble and Spike
Dudley by pinning Spike.
-Rob Van Dam & Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated the Dudley Boys in a No DQ match by
scoring simultaneous pins.
2004 - WWE broadcast Raw from San Diego, CA at the Sports
Arena, drawing 5,600 fans with the following results:
Sunday Night Heat:
-Rhyno pinned Steven Richards with the Gore at 5:05
-Rob Conway & Sylvan Grenier defeated Aaron Aguilera & Chad Wicks when
Grenier pinned Wicks following a double team move at 4:59
-Garrison Cade pinned the Hurricane with the flying elbowsmash at 4:42.
Tim Whitehead filed the following TV Report from
the Raw broadcast:
The 5/17 edition of RAW IS ROCK & ROYAL aired live from San Diego. The
streak continued with yet another hot show.
They opened with Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler announcing that Chris Benoit & Edge
would defend the World Tag Titles against Randy Orton & Batista on the show,
and that the main event would be the twenty man over-the-top rope battle
royal to choose the contender for the singles World Title at the Bad Blood
PPV.
Trish Stratus defeated Lita in 6:07. It was reported that Eric Bischoff
banned both ladies' male allies from ringside for this match. Trish mocked
Lita, prompting Lita to slug her and pound her on the mat. Trish fought back
with kicks and punches. Lita hit a spinning headscissors. Trish hotshotted
Lita and choked her. She then hit Lita with a lariat and a neckbreaker. They
each scored a bunch of twos. Trish hit a spinebuster. Lita blocked the
stratusfaction and hit a suplex. Lita did the Russian legsweep and a twist
of fate but again could only score a two count. Kane then appeared on the
TitanTron. Lita was startled, allowing Trish to cradle her and use the ropes
for the pin. Good match! Afterward, Kane told Lita she would have to answer
"yes or no" before the show ended, and that she'd better answer correctly.
Of course, JR & Lawler wondered aloud what this was all about. Lita was no
help, as she just looked scared and said nothing.
Orton came out. He admitted that he likes to talk about himself. No kidding.
He bragged about beating Mick Foley at WrestleMania and Backlash, about
beating Edge last week, and about being the longest reigning IC champ in
seven years. He predicted that he and Batista would win the tag belts. He
called his accomplishments endless. He then put over Evolution as a group,
particularly Triple H, whom he called the greatest wrestler alive. He
pledged that HHH would win the battle royal and get the Bad Blood World
Title shot, hinting that he, Batista, and Ric Flair would back HHH up during
that match and insure his victory. Out came Shelton Benjamin. He reminded
Orton that he beat HHH, the supposed greatest wrestler alive, twice. He said
he would win the battle royal and there would be nothing Evolution could do
about it. Orton said Benjamin has had some good luck, but that luck soon
runs out. He called Benjamin no match for Evolution. Benjamin challenged
Orton to put up his IC belt against him. Orton called Benjamin uppity and
made a heel racial comment about Benjamin's "people" taking a mile if you
give them an inch. He said he wouldn't soil the IC belt by giving Benjamin a
title shot. Benjamin slugged Orton and put the fists to him, followed by a
lariat and a splash. Flair ran out and pulled Orton from the ring to safety.
As Flair helped Orton retreat, JR said he had a case of limbertail. A strong
set-up for what will presumably be a Benjamin run at the IC Title, which
should be good.
Backstage, Orton told the other Evolution members that he'll eventually take
care of Benjamin, but on his own terms. For tonight, he wanted to
concentrate on winning the Tag Titles and guaranteeing HHH victory in the
battle royal. HHH asserted that in a battle royal, it's every man for
himself, but he said this in a "wink, wink" kind of way. The other Evolution
guys all agreed to protect HHH and give him the win.
William Regal commended Eugene for his successful debut match last week.
Eugene wanted another match, but Regal downplayed the possibility. Bischoff
walked up. He hypocritically congratulated Eugene, but then pulled Regal
aside for another private conversation. Regal apologized for failing to
sabotage Eugene last week. Bischoff said trying to cause Eugene to lose had
been the wrong tactic and that a better plan would be to humiliate Eugene
during an interview. He said he would set up an interview in the ring for
Eugene where he'd be ridiculed very badly, and would go home crying and
never come back. JR was disgusted by this insidious plan. Regal seemed to
support Bischoff, but also seemed to be developing some sympathy for Eugene,
as many fans predicted last week.
Footage aired from last week of Shawn Michaels attacking HHH, leading to
Michaels being suspended.
Kane destroyed Val Venis in 1:07. Venis demanded this match in response to
Kane's locker room attack on him last week. Venis started strong with
brawling, but Kane soon took control. Venis rolled clear on a Kane elbow
drop, but Kane hit a hard boot to the face and the chokeslam for the pin.
Poor Val, a talented guy who never gets a break.
After the match, Matt Hardy ran in and attacked Kane. He managed to lariat
Kane out to the floor and to hit him in the gut with a chair. But Kane
blocked a hard chairshot and beat Matt up. He chokeslammed Matt and put his
head through the chair. He used the chair to choke Matt out, as JR freaked
out over it. With Matt getting killed, Lita ran out and begged Kane to stop.
Finally, she got him to release the choke on Matt by saying "yes". Kane
grabbed Lita and appeared to whisper something to her. He then left with a
huge grin on his face, leaving the distraught Lita to attend to the wounded
and unconscious Matt. Guess we'll find out more on this mystery next week.
Footage aired of a Smackdown the Vote rally with Republican Party chairman
Ed Gillespie.
Chris Benoit & Edge defeated Orton & Batista to retain the RAW World Tag
Titles in 17:30. Orton and Edge started out brawling. Orton took a high
backdrop. Benoit punched Orton out. Batista tagged in and overpowered
Benoit. Batista has improved tons in recent weeks. Orton returned, but
Benoit chopped him down. Edge came in and backdropped Orton out to the floor
as Benoit lariated Batista out. Spike TV went to a commercial break and when
the action returned, it was the start of hour two. Edge crashed into the
post, hurting his shoulder. This gave Orton & Batista the opening to work
the bad shoulder over. Orton missed a high dropkick, which gave Edge the
opportunity to recover. He catapulted Orton into the turnbuckles. He gave
Orton a DDT. Benoit hot tagged and gave Orton a suplex and a backbreaker.
Batista made the save when Benoit put Orton in the sharpshooter. Batista
lariated the hell out of both Benoit & Edge. The ref took a major bump.
Benoit did the triple German suplexes on Orton. Batista slipped Orton one of
the tag belts, and when Benoit went for the diving headbutt, Orton held it
up and Benoit crashed into it. But Orton only scored two when the revived
ref did the count. Flair got on the apron, and Edge ended up spearing Orton
into him. Flair bumped off to the floor. Edge brawled out to the floor with
Batista. Isolated once again, Benoit hooked the crossface on Orton and he
tapped. A definite setback for Evolution. Good match and good crowd heat!
Regal told Eugene to be sure to stand straight during his interview. Eugene
was worried that Regal wasn't going out there with him. Regal encouraged
Eugene to be a man and stand on his own, and wished him luck. Regal looked
sad about all this, definitely developing a soft spot for the innocent and
naive Eugene.
Todd Grisham was in the ring, all set to do the interview. He asked Eugene
about his victory last week, but before Eugene could answer, Jonathan
Coachman arrived. Coach told Grisham to take a hike, calling himself the
A-Team and saying he had been given this assignment. Grisham left, which
begged the question as to why he was out there in the first place. Anyway,
for the next couple of minutes, Coach arrogantly insulted Eugene. He told
Eugene the entire arena last week was laughing at him when he won his match,
calling him a laughingstock and a joke. Coach said he was ashamed to be in
the same ring with Eugene. The crowd booed Coach, but Coach claimed they
were booing Eugene. Eugene looked like he was about to cry. Coach continued,
saying the only reason Eugene was even there was because he was Mr.
Bischoff's nephew. He told Eugene no one likes him, including Regal, and
that no girl would ever even look at him. He told Eugene to hit the road,
and to go home and tell his friends that he almost fulfilled his dream of
becoming a wrestler, but in the end fell short. Coach then corrected himself
and said Eugene has no friends so he'd just have to go home alone and say
nothing. Eugene left with his head down, crying his way up the ramp as the
crowd chanted "a**hole" at Coach. Just as Eugene reached the exit, the sound
of "If you smell what the Rock is cookin'" blared over the PA system. The
crowd popped huge as Rock emerged onto the ramp top. This was awesome! Rock
led Eugene back to the ring. Eugene acted totally in awe of Rock as he posed
for the crowd. Rock lit into Coach for saying the people don't like Eugene.
Rock said he is the expert on what the people think, and that they think
Coach is nothing but a walking popcorn fart. Rock said he saw Eugene kick
ass last week in his debut match and that the people love him. The crowd
chanted "Eugene", which perked Eugene up. Rock said "screw the Coach", and
the crowd chanted that, too. Rock told Coach that from this day forward the
people will call him a popcorn fart. Yes, they chanted that as well. Coach
said the last time he saw Rock was at 'Mania, where Rock got his ass kicked.
Eugene got a huge pop when he said "it doesn't matter" what Coach thinks.
Rock and Eugene were getting along very well, but when Rock asked who
Eugene's favorite wrestler is, Eugene said Triple H. That was funny! Rock
took it in stride, and asked why HHH is his favorite. Eugene said it's
because HHH likes to play games. Rock said the only game HHH plays is "hide
the strudel", but he seemed satisfied to be Eugene's second favorite
wrestler. Rock told Eugene a fun new game would be one where Coach's candy
ass gets kicked all over San Diego. They were about to put a whipping on the
distraught Coach, but Garrison Cade, Coach's ally, ran in and attacked Rock.
Rock quickly rallied and beat the crap out of Cade, flattening him with a
spinebuster. Rock then lariated Coach and gave him a Rock Bottom. He allowed
Eugene to nail Coach with the people's elbow. Great segment!
Smackdown Rebound featured highlights of the Eddie Guerrero vs. John
Bradshaw Layfield feud, including clips of their bloodbath match at Judgment
Day.
Kane won the over-the-top rope battle royal in 22:00 to earn the World Title
shot at the Bad Blood PPV in June. This match ended up having only 18
participants instead of the previously announced 20. Matt Hardy was reported
to be too injured to participate due to the earlier beating, and Christian
was said to still be injured from last week's cage match. Couldn't they have
at least put a couple of jobbers in as substitutes? Anyway, as the match
began, the four Evolution guys all stood side-by-side as if to say to the
other 14 that they were a unit. That didn't seem like a smart move, as it
would only encourage the other 14 to operate as a unit against them. The
bell rang and Kane almost immediately eliminated Johnny Nitro. Steven
Richards went out next. Kane then ousted Rosey. Kane, who got put over huge
in this match, hurled Hurricane out. But Rosey caught Hurricane, and the
rules were that both feet must hit the floor for an elimination. Actually,
it kind of looked like both did hit the floor, as Rosey didn't catch
Hurricane all that well, though I can't be sure that that's the case. Rosey
rolled Hurricane back in as the show went into a commercial break. When the
action returned, Rob Conway was eliminated. HHH eliminated both Val Venis
and Maven. This was Maven's first RAW appearance in months due to a legit
injury. Soon, Sylvan Grenier, Garrison Cade, Rhyno, and Hurricane were
ousted. And they went to another commercial break. Jericho backdropped Flair
and eliminated him, for the first Evolution setback in this match. Jericho,
by the way, was nearly eliminated several times but kept skinning the cat
and holding on. Batista finally managed to hurl Jericho out, and he landed
kind of dangerously on the stairs. Kane went wild and chokeslammed HHH,
Orton, Edge, and Benjamin. Kane and Batista slugged it out, ending with
Batista giving Kane a spinebuster. Edge came up and eliminated Batista. Edge
then speared HHH, but before Edge could go further, Orton eliminated him.
HHH & Orton went at it with Benjamin as Kane remained laid out from
Batista's spinebuster. Benjamin was nearly ousted several times. He did a
great springboard splash on both HHH & Orton. Benjamin eliminated Orton,
followed by HHH ousting Benjamin. This left HHH and Kane in there. Just as
HHH seemed to have Kane reeling, Shawn Michaels charged in. The Heartbreak
Kid pounded HHH and hit him with a flying forearm. HBK hurled HHH over the
top for the final elimination. It didn't make a whole lot of sense that a
guy who was not only not in the match, but was under suspension, could
eliminate someone, but that's what happened. So Kane was the winner. HBK
escaped through the crowd as HHH threw a fit. JR was happy to see HBK get
revenge on HHH for costing him the World Title two weeks ago. He kept
screaming "How does it feel?" at HHH, as in, how does it feel to be screwed?
Lawler said HBK would regret doing this. HHH seethed in the ring as the
broadcast ended. It was an above average battle royal with strong heat.
RHETORICAL QUESTIONS:
Does Orton ever wine and dine himself, and then take himself to a cheap
motel?
Why didn't they at least let Maven cut a promo on his first night back?
If Bischoff really wants rid of Eugene, why not put him in a handicap match
against all four Evolution members?
Or how about a steel cage match against Kane, in which fire is legal?
If HHH is Eugene's favorite, does that mean Eugene will start using a
sledgehammer in his matches?
Any bets on how likely it is that the Bad Blood title match ends up a three
way?
2005 - WWE ran Sioux City, IA at the Tyson Events
Center, drawing 3,000 fans for a Smackdown taping with the following
results:
-Rene Dupree defeated Chad Murdock.
Velocity:
-WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions Johnny Nitro & Joey Mercury (with Melina)
defeated Stevie Lee & Jason Bates at 4:38 when Mercury pinned Lee following
the Snapshot.
-Nunzio & Sho Funaki defeated Akio & Spike Dudley at 6:40 when Funaki pinned
Spike with an Oklahoma side roll.
-Chavo Guerrero pinned Shannon Moore with the Gory Bomb at 5:53.
Smackdown:
-Scotty 2 Hotty defeated John Bradshaw Layfield via disqualification at 1:54
when JBL refused to let Scotty out of the corner; after the bout, JBL choked
Scotty with a belt until he said "I quit".
-Booker T pinned Mark Jindrak at 2:44 with the scissors kick; moments prior
to the bout, Booker confronted Jindrak backstage after he implied Sharmell
was a gutter slut; Booker then brawled with Jindrak through the backstage
area, through the crowd, and into the ring.
-John Heidenreich pinned WWE US Champion Orlando Jordan in a non-title match
at 3:03 with a sidewalk slam.
-Hardcore Holly pinned WWE Smackdown! Tag Team Champion Joey Mercury (with
WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champion Johnny Nitro & Melina) at 4:51 with the
Alabama Slam.
-WWE World Champion John Cena defeated Doug & Danny Basham in a handicap
match at 8:53 by pinning Danny with the FU.
2006 - PWInsider.com broke news that WWE was in
negotiations to bring a revived ECW series to the Sci Fi Channel.
2007 - UFC's Dana White was interviewed by the Daily
Star in Great Britain, discussing their planned UFC event in Belfast
when the subject of TNA star and Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle and Brock
Lesnar came up. White responded, "I have a three o'clock conference call
with Angle this afternoon. Lesnar would be interesting but I do think it
would be very hard for anyone from pro-wrestling to make the jump into UFC
right now." Angle wouldn't go on to sign with TNA (or compete in MMA
anywhere, for that matter). Lesnar would go on to become the top PPV draw
for UFC as well as UFC Heavyweight champion before retiring and returning to
WWE.
2009 – WWE ran their Judgment Day 2009 PPV. Buck
Woodward filed the following PPV Report:
The usual PPV opening video was a lot shorter than usual, then they showed
CM Punk entering to a big hometown pop, as Jim Ross and Todd Grisham
reviewed the recent events between Punk and Umaga.
CM Punk vs. Umaga.
Punk opened up with kicks, and Umaga knocked Punk down with a shove, but
missed a headbutt to the mat. Punk continued with his kick-based offense,
then tried a springboard bodypress, but Umaga caught it and hit a spinning
side slam. Umaga stomped Punk, then worked him over in a corner. Punk
battled back with right hands, but was taken down with a back elbow. Umaga
whipped Punk hard into a corner, then did the same into the opposite
turnbuckles. Umaga pounded Punk's shoulder, then applied a nervehold. Punk
grabbed the ropes to break it, and Umaga jumped on the outstretched arm.
Umaga threw Punk shoulder-first into the ringpost, then applied a double
nervehold. Punk upkicked to try and break out, but Umaga switched to an
armbar.
Punk got to his feet, but Umaga threw him to the mat and delivered a
kneedrop. Umaga scored a two count, but Punk rolled to the apron. Umaga
kicked Punk off the apron, and into the security wall at ringside. Punk got
on the apron and hit some shoulderblocks, then went for a slingshot sunset
flip, but couldn't get him over. Umaga dropped all his weight on Punk's
chest, then did it a second time. Umaga went to do it a third time, but
Punk got his feet up and kicked Umaga in the face.
Punk picked up Umaga for a bodyslam, but collapsed under the weight and fell
to the mat for a two count. Umaga went back to work on the arm, but Punk
battled up and hit some right hands, only to be decked by a thrust chop.
Umaga then went for a flying headbutt from the second rope, but Punk rolled
out of the way. The fans have been chanting for Punk a lot here. Punk hit
some right hands, then dodged a charging Umaga, pulling down the top rope so
Umaga would fall to the floor. Punk then hit a pescado. Back in the ring,
Punk hit a series of kicks, then a kneelift and a leg lariat. Punk went for
a whip, but Umaga reversed it. Umaga charged into a Punk boot, then charged
again and Punk moved, sending Umaga into the ringpost. Punk hit a jumping
knee, then went for a bulldog, but Umaga shoved Punk into a corner.
Umaga went for the running posterior butt, but Punk moved out of the way and
Umaga crashed in the corner. Punk hit a second rope bulldog for a two
count. From the apron, Punk hit a kick to the head, then delivered a
springboard clothesline onto Umaga for a two count. Punk called for the
GTS, but couldn't lift Umaga. Umaga reversed positions and hit a Samoan
Drop for a two count. Umaga called for the Samoan Spike. Punk ducked the
Spike, hit three kicks to the head in a row, and went to lift Umaga for the
GTS. Punk's back gave out on him, and Umaga hit a thrust kick. Punk fell
into a corner, and Umaga hit the running posterior butt, then the Samoan
Spike for the pin at the thirteen minute mark.
Winner: Umaga.
Backstage, Chavo Guerrero informed Vickie Guerrero that John Cena was
medically cleared to wrestle tonight. Vickie Guerrero told Big Show, who
was sitting on the couch across from her, that the match is on. Big Show
said that Raw has already lost Triple H, and now they would lose John Cena,
and it was "bad for business." Vickie said WWE was bigger than one man, and
if Show takes out Cena, someone else would step up to take his place. Show
said "I know who will take his place" and walked out. Edge entered, and
Show stared him down and said "Hello Edge." Edge said he needed to talk to
his wife, and Big Show left. Edge approached Vickie, and Chavo excused
himself, while Vickie was not looking Edge in the face.
Matt Striker and Josh Mathews reviewed the events leading to the ECW Title
match.
ECW Champion Christian vs. Jack Swagger.
They did the "big match" intros for the title match. Swagger lunged at
Christian at the start, but Christian sidestepped him and hit some right
hands. Swagger whipped Christian to the ropes, but Christian slid to the
floor. Swagger gave chase, and back in the ring went for a press slam, but
Christian floated out and went for the Killswitch. Swagger broke out, and
Christian gestured that he almost had him. Swagger applied a waistlock to
Christian, but Christian elbowed out, only to be hit by a shoulderblock.
Swagger whipped Christian hard into a corner, but missed a clothesline.
Christian dodged a charging Swagger and sent him over the top rope. As
Swagger tried to get back in the ring, Christian dropkicked him between the
ropes, sending him back to the floor. Christian then hit a springboard
bodypress onto Swagger on the floor.
Christian rolled Swagger in the ring, and as Christian got in, Swagger hit a
kneelift, and knocked him to the floor. Back outside, Swagger threw
Christian ribs first into the ringpost, then stood on his midsection. Back
in the ring, Swagger scored a two count. Swagger applied a bodyscissors,
using the ropes for leverage at one point without the referee seeing.
Swagger stomped Christian's gut, but Christian battled back with backhands
before being hit with a knee to the midsection. Swagger slammed Christian,
then went for a V-Bomb, but Christian got his knees up. Christian hit a
second rope back elbow, but Swagger hoisted him in a slam position and
rammed him into a corner. Swagger went for a second, but Christian floated
over into a reverse facebuster for a two count. Christian hit a pair of
pendulum kicks in the corner, but missed a top rope splash. Swagger rolled
up Christian for a two count.
Swagger went for a powerbomb, but Christian blocked it. Swagger tossed
Christian into a corner, but Christian ducked the charge. Christian went to
the top rope, but Swagger met him there and hit a top rope belly to belly
suplex for a two count. Swagger went to pick up Christian, but Christian
rolled him into a small package for two. The two men clotheslined each
other. Christian went for a second rope sunset flip, but Swagger dropped
down on him for a two count. Christian went for a tornado DDT, which
Swagger blocked, but Christian managed to reverse back into position and hit
a reverse DDT for a two count. Swagger cradled Christian with a handful of
tights, but only got a two count as the referee caught him. Christian and
Swagger went into a series of reversals, with Swagger trying to get the gut
wrench powerbomb and Christian tried to get the Killswitch. At one point,
Christian pulled down Swagger's straps, and he rolled up Swagger and pulled
the tights (out of view of the ref) to get the win at the ten minute mark.
They showed replays of how Swagger was unable to pull the tights and get the
win, but Christian was.
Winner: Christian.
Backstage, Chavo Guerrero was at the door of Vickie Guerrero's office. Edge
came out, and Chavo wanted to know what was going on. Edge said he was
talking to his wife, and Chavo pointed out they aren't living together.
Edge ripped into Chavo for not defending Vickie against a "cross dresser"
who called his aunt a pig. Edge said Chavo was an embarrassment and walked
off.
John Morrison vs. Shelton Benjamin.
Charlie Haas accompanied Benjamin to the ring. Right as they locked up,
Benjamin hit an Exploder suplex and applied an armbar, then kicked him in
the gut hard. Benjamin hit a shoulderblock, but Morrison came back with
some right hands. Benjamin bailed out to the floor, and Morrison teased a
dive to the outside. Benjamin ducked and walked away, but when he walked
back towards the ring, Morrison did a springboard 450 onto Shelton. If
Shelton wasn't there, Morrison could have landed ugly on his leg. Insane
spot. Morrison threw Benjamin back into the ring and went to the top rope.
Morrison was distracted by Haas, and Benjamin clipped him, then hit an
elevated kick that sent Morrison off the ropes and to the floor. Back in the
ring, Benjamin grounded him with a chinlock.
Morrison battled out, but Benjamin hit a back elbow for a two count.
Benjamin stomped and kicked Morrison, then rubbed his face in the mat before
applying a camel clutch variation. Morrison fought out of it, but Benjamin
grabbed a cravate and delivered a knee to the head. Benjamin applied a
sleeper, but Morrison fought out and reversed into his own. Benjamin tossed
Morrison into the ropes to escape, and they collided heads. Both got to
their feet slowly, and Benjamin went for a back suplex, but Morrison shifted
his weight and landed on top for a two count. Morrison hit an uppercut, but
ran into an elbow. Morrison came back with a dropkick, a clothesline and a
back elbow, then a tilt-a-whirl side legsweep for a two count.
Morrison went for the Moonlight Drive, but Benjamin reversed it into a
inverted backbreaker for a two count. Benjamin went off the ropes, but
Morrison hit a back kick, then a running knee to the face for a two count.
Morrison went for a whip in the corner, but Benjamin went for a leapfrog,
which Morrison sidestepped and hit a springboard kick. Morrison went for a
rana, but Benjamin threw Morrison off into the turnbuckles, where Morrison
had a ugly landing. Benjamin went for a whip, but Morrison reversed and
went for a monkey flip. Benjamin landed on his feet. Haas got on the
apron, but Morrison knocked him off. Benjamin dove for, and missed, a
Stinger Splash, and Morrison hit the Flying Chuck kick and then Starship
Pain (corkscrew split leg moonsault) for the win at the ten minute mark.
Winner: John Morrison.
There was a commercial for the Wrestlemania DVD, which you can order in the
PWInsider.com Superstore.
The Miz came to the ring. He said he wanted to give it up for the winner of
the previous match... Marty Jannetty. Miz corrected himself, and said this
won't be the last time he follows Morrison and puts on a superior
performance. The fans were giving Miz the "What" treatment and Miz said
they sounded like a bunch of quacking ducks. Miz ripped on John Cena,
saying he won't take his challenge. Miz said Cena is a "loveable loser" and
said he was just like the Chicago Cubs. Miz then pointed out Alfonso
Soriano of the Cubs, who was in the front row. Miz did the "You can't see
me" and said Alfonso won't see a World Series ring while he is playing for
the Cubs. Miz said he wanted to apologize to anyone who was born before
1908, and actually saw a Cubs World Series victory. Miz said if Alfonso had
a problem with him, he could either win a World Series, or serve as a "Cena
surrogate" and get in the ring. Miz then said he got a phone call, and said
"Really?" into his phone over and over. Miz said it was Lou Pinella, and he
preferred Soriano get his "yearly injury" on the field, instead of off. Miz
said since Soriano couldn't do it, it was a forfeit, and since Soriano was a
substitute for Cena, Miz is now 4-0 against John Cena.
Santino Marella entered, and Miz asked what he wanted. Santino called him
"The Fiz" and said he can't let Miz continue to talk about a "fellow
Italian" like Alfonso Soriano. BTW, Soriano isn't Italian. Miz said he has
noticed some WWE stars represent animals. Vickie Guerrero looks like a pig,
and Vladimir Kozlov looks like Sam The American Eagle (of Muppets fame).
Miz asked what animal he was, and Santino said "a jackass" and made donkey
noises. Miz said he had no problem beating down Santino. Santino said he
hoped Miz brought his "metal detector" because he "brought some guns."
Santino flexed, Miz decked him and the two started exchanging punches on the
mat. The crowd cheered when Santino was on top, and booed when Miz was.
Miz finally got the better of it, and laid out Santino with a DDT.
Miz left, and Chavo Guerrero walked out. Chavo gave the downed Santino a
frog splash, and yelled "Who's a pig now?"
Backstage, Josh Mathews interviewed Chris Jericho. Mathews asked if there
was a "controversy" against him, but Jericho corrected him that it is a
conspiracy. Jericho said it was more than that, it was an "attack" on him,
noting he was screwed out of a World Title match twice. Jericho said Rey
Mysterio has gotten by on the back of a biased General Manager and the fans,
who he insulted in classic Jericho style. Jericho said there would be a new
Intercontinental Champion tonight, and there would be no 619.
Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho.
Rey called for a 619 chant at the start of the match, playing off Jericho's
promo. Mysterio hit a drop toe hold right away, and set up Jericho for the
move, but Jericho slid to the floor. Jericho got back in and hit some right
hands and kicks. Jericho rammed Rey into the turnbuckles, delivered a snap
mare and kicked Rey in the back. Rey hit a series of forearms, then Jericho
caught him with a back elbow and threw Rey to the floor. Jericho slid out
of the ring, but Rey slid in, and then hit a baseball slide kick. Rey then
hit a senton off the apron onto Jericho, and kicked him in the chest. Rey
went for a whip on the floor, but Jericho reversed it and sent Rey into the
security wall.
Back in the ring, Rey kicked Jericho so he was hanging off the ropes, then
hit a guillotine legdrop off the top rope for a two count. Rey went for a
headscissors, but Jericho shoved Rey off and onto the apron. Rey hit a
shoulderblock between the ropes, then went to the top, but Jericho shoved
him and Rey got crotched, catching his leg on the turnbuckle connector. Rey
got up on the apron, but Jericho hit a springboard dropkick and sent him to
the floor. Jericho went outside and dropped Mysterio across the security
wall, then sent him back into the ring and hit a slingshot splash for a two
count.
Jericho applied a crossface chickenwing, but Rey got out of it. Rey tried
to boot a charging Jericho, but Jericho caught it. Rey hit an enzugiri, and
Jericho fell into 619 position. Rey ran the ropes, but Jericho sprung up
and backdropped Rey. Rey landed on his leg, and went to the floor to try
and shake it off. Jericho pulled Rey onto the apron and went to suplex him
back in the ring. Rey floated over and ran the ropes, but Jericho picked
him up in a spinning torture rack, then dropped to his knees with it and
covered Rey for a two count. Jericho then catapulted Rey into the middle
rope for another two count. Rey tried to kick up from the mat, but Jericho
sidestepped it and stomped him.
Jericho put Rey on the top rope and tried to pull off his mask. Rey elbowed
Jericho to the mat, then hit a top rope senton. Rey is favoring his leg.
Rey followed with a springboard bodypress for a two count. Jericho kicked
Rey in the gut and went for a sunset flip, but Rey rolled through and kicked
Jericho in the head for a two count. Mysterio went for a leapfrog, Jericho
grabbed him and went for an electric chair, but Rey turned it into a sunset
flip, but Jericho turned it into a Walls Of Jericho attempt. Rey wrangled
out of that and ran the ropes, but Jericho caught him with a tilt-a-whirl
backbreaker for a two count.
Jericho kicked Rey in the gut, then headbutted him in a corner. Jericho
went for a bulldog, but Rey shoved him off into a corner, then gave him a
headscissors into 619 position. Jericho dodged the 619 attempt, and Rey
went for a rana, but Jericho caught it and went for the Walls Of Jericho.
Rey kicked it away, and Jericho fell back into 619 position. Rey went for
the move again, but Jericho caught it and applied the Walls Of Jericho. Rey
crawled for the ropes, but Jericho pulled Rey back into the center of the
ring. He pulled too hard, and Rey rolled under the move and cradled Jericho
into a small package for a two count. Rey went for a rana, but Jericho
countered with a powerbomb for a two count.
Jericho pounded Rey and slapped him across the head. Jericho threw Rey in a
corner, but then as he charged in, Rey gave him a drop toe hold, sending
Jericho face first into the middle turnbuckle. Rey then hit a 619 in the
corner, just avoiding catching his own legs on the ringpost, and immediately
delivered a springboard splash for the pin at the 14 minute mark.
Winner: Rey Mysterio.
The events leading to Randy Orton vs. Batista was shown. Yep, the first Raw
match of the night is going to be the WWE Title match.
WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Batista.
Batista has a nasty scab above his left eye. Mixed reactions for both men
during the introductions. Orton slid out of the ring at the bell. Jerry
Lawler said the scar on Batista's forehead was actually eight stitches from
a "confrontation" this weekend, and the announcers speculated that Orton had
something to do with it. Orton got in the ring and Batista grabbed a
headlock. Orton shoved him into the ropes and Batista knocked him down with
a shoulderblock. Orton went to the floor to regroup. Orton kicked Batista
in the gut, and Batista hit a clothesline. There was a faint "RKO" chant.
Batista hit a suplex for a two count, then hit Orton with a forearm to the
back. Batista dropped his weight on Orton's back twice, then hit some
shoulderblocks to the back in a corner.
Batista whipped Orton hard into a corner, and stalked him around the ring.
Orton grabbed his trunks and pulled Batista through the ropes and to the
floor. Batista got on the apron, but Orton dropkicked him back to the
floor. Orton went outside and dropped Batista back first across the
security wall. Orton rolled Batista back in for a two count, then raked
Batista's face across the laces of his boot. Orton hit a series of
kneedrops to the chest, then got a two count. Orton applied a chinlock, but
Batista powered out. Orton grabbed Batista with his side backbreaker and
then stomped Batista. Orton applied a chinlock, and the "RKO" chants were
there again.
Batista broke out of the chinlock with a back suplex, then hit some
punches. Orton grabbed a sleeper, which Batista shoved off, and Orton hit a
dropkick. It definitely seems Orton has more crowd support than Batista
does. Batista hit some shoulderblocks from the apron, then Orton caught him
with a knee. Orton stretched Batista on the ropes, then hit a DDT for a two
count. Orton began measuring Batista for the RKO. Orton changed his mind,
and instead lined up for the punt. Randy charged, but Batista nailed him
with a spear. Positive reaction from the crowd for the spear. They
exchanged punches, and the crowd definitely was more pro-Orton on the
exchange. Batista hit some shoulderblocks in a corner, a clothesline, and
then a powerslam for a two count. Orton hit a back elbow and rolled to the
floor. Orton yelled at the referee to count him out.
Batista came out after Orton and pounded him around ringside. Orton ran
around the ring, with Batista chasing him. Orton then hugged onto the
ringpost to avoid Batista pulling him back into the ring. They got back in,
and Orton hit a clothesline, but Batista responded with a more powerful
one. Batista hit a kick to Orton's face, and Orton rolled out of the ring
again. Batista reached out to grab him, and Orton pulled Batista throat
first across the top rope. Orton went for a chair, but Batista hit him as
he got on the apron and the chair was dropped. Batista threw Orton back in
the ring, then hit a top rope shoulderblock for a two count. Batista has
more crowd support now. Batista went for a Batista Bomb, but Orton pulled
out and rolled out of the ring again. Orton grabbed the title belt and
headed up the aisle.
Batista grabbed Orton and threw him into the ring. Orton went to hit
Batista with the belt, but Batista ducked it and hit a spinebuster. Batista
went for a powerbomb, but Orton shoved out if it. Orton went for an RKO,
but Batista shoved it off. Batista went for a spear, but Orton dodged it
and Batista went into ringpost. Orton lined up Batista for the RKO.
Batista shoved off the attempt, and Orton almost ran into the referee.
Batista put his hands on Orton, and Orton slapped the referee, getting
disqualified at the sixteen minute mark.
Winner via disqualification: Batista.
Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes hit the ring and attacked Batista. There was a
"Whoo!" and Ric Flair ran out. Flair started chopping and punching Legacy,
helping Batista clean house. Batista gave Orton a Batista Bomb. DiBiase
ate a Batista spinebuster. Flair stomped Rhodes out of the ring. Flair and
Batista hugged, and the crowd popped for Flair. Legacy regrouped on the
stage and stared at Flair and Batista.
The events leading to John Cena vs. Big Show were shown.
John Cena vs. Big Show.
They pushed the idea that John Cena wasn't a hundred percent for the match.
Show smiled as he backed Cena into a corner, but Cena rolled away, and
appeared to be hurt doing so. Show yelled "You're hurt" and smiled at
Cena. Cena kept trying to avoid Show. Dueling chants, pro and con, for
Cena. Show finally caught Cena and punched him in the back. Show then hit
a shot to the gut and Cena winced on the mat in pain. Show delivered
another body blow, then another. Show yelled "I told you, you couldn't do
this, your career ends tonight" and punched him in the gut again. Cena
battled back with some shots, but a shoulderblock attempt bounced off of
Show. Show stood on Cena's midsection. Show scooped up Cena and slammed
him.
Show dared Cena to get up, and went to slam him again. Cena floated over
and hit a few shots, but then was given a side slam for a two count. Show
acted surprised that Cena kicked out. Show headbutted Cena to the mat, then
went for a running kick. Cena moved out of the way, but Show stopped short
of crotching himself on the top rope. Cena charged and Show flung Cena over
the top rope and to the floor. Show went outside, picked up Cena and drove
him ribs first into the ringpost.
Show tossed Cena back into the ring, then went for the camel clutch, but
Cena scooted out from under Show. Cena attempted a running bulldog, but
Show tossed Cena across the ring. Show chopped Cena in a corner, then
slugged him in the gut again. Show whipped Cena hard across the ring, but
Cena kicked Show as he charged him. Cena got on the second rope and jumped
right into a Big Show bearhug. Cena struggled, turning himself around in
the hold, and managed to break Show's grip. Show headbutted Cena in the
back and shoved him into the corner.
Show hit Cena with a reverse avalanche in a corner, then whipped him hard
across the ring into the other corner. Show picked up Cena's armband, which
had come off, and tossed it away in disgust. Show went for an avalanche,
but Cena moved and Show hit the corner hard. Cena threw some punches, then
hit a shoulderblock to Show's knee, taking him down. Cena hit the
Throwback, then did the "You Can't See Me" and hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle
fistdrop. Show grabbed Cena by the throat as he got up, but Cena grabbed
Show with a DDT. Cena went for an STF, but Show's body was too long to
apply it. Show shrugged him off, then hit a clothesline.
Show set up Cena in a corner and went for a V-Bomb, which he hit for a two
count. Show stood on Cena's stomach and went for a second V-Bomb. Cena
rolled out of the way, and Show crashed to the mat. Cena went for the STF
again, but Show is just too long. Show kicked Cena out of the ring. Show
reached down and pulled Cena onto the ring apron. Cena punched Show and
kicked him in the head. Cena hit the top rope Rocker Dropper, and tried for
the STF again. Again, Show is too tall for it, and Show elbowed Cena away.
Big Show kicked Cena in the gut and then lifted him for a powerbomb and
tossed him backwards, so Cena would land face first on the mat. Show called
for the Knockout Punch. Show threw it, Cena ducked, lifted Big Show and hit
the Attitude Adjustment for the pin at the 15 minute mark.
Winner: John Cena.
Cena went to ringside and did the "You can't see me" with Alfonso Soriano.
They played it up as a "miracle win" for Cena. As Cena walked out, not
selling being hurt at all, a fan at ringside was wearing a veterans hat.
Cena put it on, saluted the camera, then gave it back to the fan.
The events leading to Edge vs. Jeff Hardy were shown.
World Champion Edge vs. Jeff Hardy.
They played up that this could be the "final chapter" in the Edge-Jeff Hardy
feud. They circled each other at the bell, and Edge grabbed a wristlock.
They traded reversals and Edge kicked Hardy in the gut and applied a
headlock. Hardy tossed Edge into the ropes, but Edge hit a shoulderblock.
Hardy hit a pair of armdrags in response, and when Edge tried to shove Jeff
in a corner, fell victim to a third armdrag. Hardy drove a knee into Edge's
arm, and there was a chant for Hardy. Edge put Jeff in a corner and hit a
knee to the gut, but Jeff responded with a headscissors and an armdrag.
Edge tossed Hardy into the ropes, but Hardy put on the brakes. Edge charged
and Hardy backdropped him onto the apron. Hardy mulekicked Edge to the
floor, then hit a somersault dive onto him on the outside. Back in the
ring, Cena went for a Whisper In The Wind, but Edge dodged it. Hardy rolled
to the apron and Edge whipped Hardy into the ringpost, then gave him a spear
to the back that sent Hardy to the floor. Edge tossed Hardy back in the
ring and stomped his back. Edge hit an elbowdrop to the back for a two
count. Jeff Hardy was placed up against the ropes, and Edge splashed his
back for a two count. Edge put Hardy in a surfboard variation, using his
head against Hardy's lower back while pulling on the arms.
Hardy got to his feet and broke out of the hold. He went for a Twist Of
Fate, but Edge blocked it and drove Hardy back first into the mat for a two
count. Edge punched Hardy and went for a clothesline, but Hardy ducked it
and hit a cross bodyblock for a two count. Hardy hit a jawbreaker, then a
gourdbuster. Hardy went to the top rope, but missed a flying bodypress.
Edge covered Hardy for a two count. Edge missed a boot to the face and Hardy
hit a pair of clotheslines, then a reverse atomic drop, a double legdrop
between the legs, and a dropkick to the face for a two count.
Hardy whipped Edge across the ring, slid under him as he tried a kick and
tripped him from the floor. Hardy hit the top rope bodypress for a two
count, but missed a dropkick when Edge put on the brakes on a whip. Hardy
upkicked Edge and rolled him into a small package for a two count. Edge
kicked Hardy in the gut and went for a DDT, but Hardy blocked it, tripped
Edge and put him in a Sharpshooter. Edge made the ropes to force the
break. Hardy pulled Edge back towards him by the leg and hit the Twist Of
Fate for a two count.
Hardy clotheslined Edge in a corner and went for the elevated kick, but Edge
caught it and went for a powerbomb, but Hardy floated over Edge and into a
sunset flip for a two count. Hardy went to the top rope, but Edge slugged
him and went for a superplex. They battled it out on the ropes, and Hardy
dove over Edge into a sunset flip off the ropes for a two count. Hardy
dropkicked Edge into a corner, and went for the elevated kick again. Edge
rolled to the apron to avoid it, and Jeff shifted his body to kick Edge to
the floor. Hardy went to the floor and pulled the padding off the security
wall. Jeff rammed Edge into the exposed security wall.
Jeff placed Edge on the Smackdown table, and prepared to run along the top
of the security wall. Jeff started his run, but Edge got up and jumped off
the table, spearing Hardy as he was jumping off the security wall, driving
him into the ringside mats. Edge rolled into the ring and told the referee
to count. The referee got up to nine before Hardy, to a pop, rolled in.
Edge kicked Hardy into the apron, and there was a chant for Hardy. Edge went
to spear Hardy off the apron, but Hardy dodged it and kicked Edge, and gave
him a Twist of Fate from the apron, snapping Edge across the middle rope.
Hardy gave Edge a slingshot legdrop and covered him, but Edge got his foot
on the bottom rope. Hardy gave Edge a Whisper In The Wind for another two
count.
Edge rolled to the floor. Jeff went after him, and moved the ringsteps.
Jeff jumped off the ringsteps and hit Edge with a leg lariat, sending both
of them over the security wall and into the crowd. Hardy threw Edge back
over the wall, but as Jeff was slowly crawling over the wall, Matt Hardy ran
up behind Jeff and hit him with his cast. Matt then hid behind the security
wall so the referee wouldn't see him. Edge tossed Jeff into the ring, but
only got a two count. Edge went for a spear, but Hardy dodged it and Edge
hit the turnbuckles. Hardy went to climb the ropes, but was woozy from the
cast shot. He lost his balance and crotched himself. Edge got onto the
ropes and hit a DDT/superplex variation off the ropes for the pin at the
twenty minute mark.
Winner: Edge.
The announcers played up that the cast shot was what kept Hardy from being
able to climb the ropes. Trainers checked on Hardy and Edge held up the
title belt on the stage as the show ended.
2010 - It was revealed that former WWF Intercontinental
champion Chyna would not be charged in connection to a recent battery case
she was under investigation for. in April 2010, a female friend claimed
that she was in invited to a Sherman Oaks motel by Chyna, but when she
arrived, she was immediately attacked, choked and beaten with a hanger. She
escaped and tracked down two nearby police officers to file a report. The
case was closed.
2010 - WWE broadcast Raw from Toronto, Ontario. The
episode scored a 3.4 rating (not rounded up) with 4.9 million viewers. The
show did hours of 3.37 and 3.50. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV
Report:
We are live from Toronto, Canada and your announcers are Jerry ‘I shouldn’t
have had that large coffee from Tim Horton’s tonight’ Lawler and Michael
‘Vintage Zamboni’ Cole.
Bret Hart comes out to the ring and he has something to say. Bret says hello
to the people of Toronto and he says that it has been a long time. He says
that he was home last week watching Raw on TV and he could not believe that
the Miz would challenge him to a US Title match in Toronto. Bret says that
he did not take challenges lightly and he called WWF (sic) headquarters and
told them to book it. Bret says that you get hot tempered and you put
yourself in certain positions. He says that it is important for being
remembered the right way and not one of the old wrestlers who hang on too
long. Bret says that he will not be wrestling anyone tonight because it is
not the right way to go out.
Bret is interrupted by Chris Jericho who makes his way to the ring.
Chris has one question for Bret and he wants to know ‘Why’. Bret says that
he was explaining himself. Chris wants to know why Bret came back to the WWE
in the first place. He says that Bret can fool all of the sycophants in this
country, but Chris knows that Bret is a shell of his former self. He says
that Bret was one of the greatest of all time, but now he is a pathetic has
been tarnishing his status. Chris tells Bret that he has already hung on too
late. Chris say that the worst thing is that Bret has become the biggest
hypocrite of them all. Chris says that Bret doesn’t care about closure. He
says that Bret is an ego driven phony. He says that was why Bret was screwed
in Montreal and he says that Bret deserved it.
Bret wants to know how Jericho could call anyone a phony. He talks about
remembering seeing Chris hanging out at the dungeon while being taught how
to apply a headlock. He says that Chris is a phony and he needs to take a
good look in the mirror at himself.
Chris says that he looked in the mirror and he saw a man who was much better
than Bret ever was. Chris says that he is the best there is, the best there
was, and the best there ever will be. Chris wants to know why Bret had to
come out because he could deliver his message any number of ways. He says
that Bret wanted to be in the spotlight for one last moment to hear the
parasites chant his name and make him feel like he still matters. Jericho
says that the only person who matters in the locker room is Chris Jericho.
Chris says that it must be a terrible feeling that all of the fans who were
happy to see him return are now sickened by what they see. He says that
nobody wants him here. Chris says that Bret’s legacy will be based on
tonight and he will be remembered for being too scared to take on the Miz in
a fight. He says that the Hart family name means nothing. Chris says that
Bret’s father would be ashamed of Bret.
Jericho leaves the ring and Bret tells Jericho that he can tell Miz to put
his boots on because he is going to have a match tonight.
Chris says that Bret is a con man and he will get himself disqualified for
having the guts to fight. He suggests that the match be made a No
Disqualification Match.
Bret says that he wouldn’t want it any other way. He says that he is not a
hypocrite. Bret says that he is a man of his word. Bret says that he is
going to walk around Yonge Street with the title belt. On Sunday, the Hart
Dynasty will continue to be the Unified Tag Champions and he tells Chris to
put that in his pipe and smoke it.
We will have a Pick Your Poison Match.
It is time for a WWE Shopzone commercial that parodies the Geico Commercials
if you can save 15% on merchandise at WWE.Shopzone.com. It asks if Great
Khali hates rental cars. We see him in a compact car while Hornswoggle is in
a Hummer.
Edge mentions Wayne Brady, Meat Loaf, and Vickie Guerrero and he wonders if
Orton thinks he can go around and RKO everyone. Edge says that Orton will
not RKO him and he says that he will show the depths that he will. . .
Edge is interrupted by his opponent and it is someone Edge knows well.
Match Number One: Edge versus Christian in a Pick Your Poison Match
They lock up and Christian with a clean break. They lock up again and Edge
with a waist lock but Christian with a take down. They lock up again and
Edge works on the arm and into a hammer lock. Edge with a side head lock and
Christian with a back elbow for a near fall. Edge slaps Christian and then
Christian follows Edge to the floor and then Edge with punches when they
return. Edge with a punch to Christian. Christian with a punch to Edge and
then he avoids a punch from Edge and Christian with another punch. Christian
leaps onto Edge’s back and then he slingshots to the floor and Christian
goes for a punch but Edge blocks it. Edge with a baseball slide but
Christian returns to the ring. Christian with a hesitation drop kick and
then he hits a double jump cross body onto Edge and both men are down.
Christian goes after Edge but Edge moves and Christian goes into the
ringside barrier. The referee gets to nine and Christian returns to the
ring. Edge kicks Christian in his shoulder as he works on the apparent
injury. Edge with a knee to the shoulder as he applies more pressure with an
arm bar. Christian gets to his feet and Christian with punches and an
uppercut.
Edge with a shoulder tackle and Christian is holding his shoulder. Edge with
a kick to Christian’s head and then he returns to the arm. Edge with an
elbow drop and then he puts Christian in an arm bar submission. Edge with
another arm submission but Christian gets to his feet but Edge brings
Christian back to the mat. Christian with a side head lock after escaping
the hold. Edge with a hammer lock but Christian with elbows. Edge runs
Christian into the turnbuckles and then Edge runs into the turnbuckles but
Christian moves out of the way. Edge blocks the pendulum kick and then he
pulls Christian to the mat and gets a near fall. Edge wraps Christian’s arm
in the rope but Christian with punches to Edge and then Christian goes up
top. Edge punches Christian and then he goes up top as well. Christian
knocks Edge off and then he hits the tornado DDT and Christian gets a near
fall.
Christian punches Edge and then he hits a running forearm. Christian charges
into an elbow in the corner but Christian with a flap jack. Christian goes
to the turnbuckles and waits for Edge to get up and hits a drop kick for a
near fall. Edge with a kick but Christian sets for the Killswitch but Edge
escapes. Christian lands on his feet on a belly-to-back attempt and then he
hits the slingshot into the uppercut. Christian drops Edge against the ropes
and then Christian goes up top for a diving head butt, but Christian misses
and Edge hits the Implant DDT but only gets a two count.
Edge misses a boot to the head and Christian with a rollup for a two count.
Edge sends Christian into the ropes and then Edge sets for the spear but
Christian stops Edge and hits a sunset flip from the turnbuckles for a near
fall. Edge sends Christian’s arm into the mat and he sets for another spear.
Christian moves out of the way and Christian hits the pendulum kick.
Christian with the back elbow from the turnbuckles and then he sets for the
Killswitch but Edge hits Christian in the arm and Edge sends Christian into
the ring post and hits the spear for the three count.
Winner: Edge
Randy Orton is on the TitanTron and he congratulates Edge for winning his
match. Orton says that he doesn’t get why Christian is out there because
that is not who Edge is facing tonight. The gong sounds and it is the
Undertaker.
Match Number Two: Edge versus Undertaker in the Pick Your Poison Challenge
The bell rings and Edge goes to the apron and he wants to be counted out.
The referee starts to count and Taker paces in the opposite corner. Edge
goes to the floor and gets counted out.
Winner: Undertaker by count out
After the match, Christian rolls Edge back into the ring and Taker with a
choke slam to Edge.
We go to a video package for the Cena/Batista match at Over the Limit.
We see Maryse reading a magazine with Trish Stratus on the cover. Maryse
wonder why the Canadian think Trish is a celebrity. Maryse is asked if she
is Canadian, but she says that she is French Canadian. She talks about her
photo session and then says that Eve has no personality or charisma as Eve
comes up behind her and pours baby powder on Maryse. Eve slaps Maryse and
slam her head into the table as referee carry her away.
We go to Buzz Aldrin’s office and he talks about how it is great to be back
in Canada. Vickie Guerrero comes by and she welcomes Buzz to Raw and Buzz
introduces Vickie to his wife. Vickie and Buzz have some issues about whose
office this is. Buzz reminds Vickie that he was the second man to walk on
the moon and Vickie walked out of Raw last week as General Manager. Buzz
says that he talked to WWE Management and she is not GM and we will see the
new GM next week.
Buzz talks about his iPhone application but Vickie says that she does not
care because she is the General Manager. The Bellas arrive and Buzz tells
them to escort Vickie to the parking lot.
We have a video from last week when Batista attacked Mark Henry and hit him
with a chair.
Batista hits Mark Henry from behind with a 2x4. Batista sends Henry into the
ring post. Batista runs Henry into the ring post. Batista Irish whips Henry
into the ring steps and Henry hits it with his injured shoulder. Batista
walks over Henry to get into the ring.
Batista demands his spotlight to pose on the turnbuckles. Then Batista
leaves and says ‘you’ll be alright Kool-Aid’. Batista poses under the
TitanTron.
We go to footage of the feud between Sheamus and John Cena starting with
Sheamus’ WWE Title victory at TLC in December.
It is time for an R Truth ‘Priceless’ non-commercial showing that he will
not be Ted DiBiase’s Virgil.
We are told that R Truth will be facing Ted DiBiase at Over the Limit.
Match Number Three: Ted DiBiase with Virgil versus Yoshi Tatsu
Ted with a waist lock take down into a front face lock. Ted works on the arm
but Yoshi reverses. Ted backs Yoshi into the corner and punches Yoshi. Yoshi
and Ted block hip tosses. Yoshi with a knee and hip toss followed by a
Japanese arm drag and drop kick for a near fall. Ted with a punch in the
corner followed by an Irish whip. Yoshi tries for a float over but Ted
catches Yoshi and hits a gut buster followed by a kick to the gut and then
he drops Yoshi on the top rope and gets a near fall. Ted with a reverse chin
lock before they get to their feet. Ted with a punch followed by an Irish
whip but he runs into an elbow and boot. Yoshi with a spinning heel kick and
both men are down. Yoshi with a forearm and kicks to Ted and then he hits
the running knees into the corner followed by a rolling snap mare and kick
to the chest for a near fall. Yoshi misses a roundhouse kick and Ted hits
Dream Street for the three count.
Winner: Ted DiBiase
Ted tells Virgil to get a mic.
Ted tells R Truth that the person who is not ashamed to be the new Virgil is
the original Virgil. Virgil will be in his corner on Sunday when he beats
him at Over the Limit. Now that the trust fund has kicked in he has no
limits and he can buy anything he wants. Ted says that if he can’t buy it,
he will beat it.
We see a video package for the CM Punk/Rey Mysterio match at Over the Limit.
Cole and Lawler talk about the matches at Over the Limit.
The Miz and Chris Jericho are talking in the back. Miz walks away and he is
stopped by Josh Mathews but Miz takes the mic. Miz says that he shocked the
world last week when he announced that he would defend his title against
Bret Hart. How often do you get to defeat a legend and a national hero in
one match. Miz talks about how there should be a National Holiday because
Bret Hart is wrestling. Miz says that he is excited to see Bret Hart
competing tonight.
Miz reminds Bret that he cost them the Unified Titles but this will cost him
more. Tonight, not only is he going to beat Bret, but he will humiliate him
so much that he will eradicate Bret’s family name and spit on the Hart
family heritage. Miz says that Bret will be in the ring and lying on his
stomach screaming in pain. He will be screaming in pain in front of his own
country. He will be calling for help from his very own family. He will make
Bret tap out to his very own sharpshooter.
Match Number Four: Miz versus Bret Hart for the United States Title in a No
Disqualification No Count Out Match
Miz goes to the floor and he asks for the mic. Miz says that he doesn’t
trust Bret because he knows that the Hart Dynasty will get involved. Miz
paid some people to neutralize them if they get involved. Vladimir Kozlov
and William Regal come out to ringside.
The Harts come through the crowd and they brawl on the ramp.
Jericho comes into the ring to assist the Miz. Natalya comes into the ring
to stand by Bret. Jericho yells at Natalya but she slaps Jericho. Bret
punches Miz when he grabs Natalya. Jericho punches Bret. Smith hits Jericho
from behind and punches him. Smith clotheslines Jeircho over the top rope to
the floor. Miz hits Smith from behind and sends Smith to the floor.
Miz kicks Hart in the ribs and then he sets for the Sharpshooter. Kidd with
a springboard missile drop kick and then they hit the Hart Attack on Miz and
Bret puts Miz in the sharpshooter and Miz taps out.
Winner: Bret Hart
After the match, Bret celebrates in the ring with the Hart Dynasty.
Cole and Lawler talk about what just happened and Cole does not think this
is right.
It is time for a Moments Ago Moment of Bret Hart’s celebration.
Cole and Lawler talk about how there is a Money in the Bank pay per view and
tickets go on sale this weekend.
It is time to look at Sheamus’ attack on John Cena after the Beat the Clock
Challenge.
It is time for another word from our sponsors and it is a Santino Marella
‘The Most Irritating Man in the World’ commercial.
We see highlights from last week’s Women’s Title victory by Layla over Beth
Phoenix.
On Sunday, Eve will face Maryse for the Divas Title.
Match Number Five: Michelle McCool, Layla, and Maryse versus Eve Torres and
the Bellas
Maryse goes after Eve and we have a scrum as the Bellas pull Eve off and
Michelle and Layla pull Maryse away.
Layla and Eve start things off and Layla pushes Eve and then they lock up
and Layla with a side head lock. Eve with elbows and Layla with a shoulder
tackle but Eve stays on her feet. Layla with a near fall followed by kicks.
Eve with a torture rack drop and then she puts Layla in a rear chin lock.
Eve with a neck breaker for a near fall. Eve brings Layla into the corner
and Brie with a flying mare but Layla with a near fall. Layla with an Irish
whip and she sends Brie to the apron. Michelle with a kick that knocks Brie
off the apron. Michelle tags in and she runs Brie into the ringside barrier.
Michelle rolls Brie in and then she drops knees to the midsection. Layla
tags back in and Layla with a snap mare and she slams Brie’s head to the
mat. Layla misses a leg drop and Michelle tags in and knocks Eve off the
apron and Nikki is brought in. Nikki with a clothesline and drop kicks.
Nikki with a monkey flip and then she hits another drop kick. Nikki gets a
near fall. Nikki with forearms to Layla and Maryse. Nikki misses a cross
body and Maryse tags in and hits the DDT for the three count.
Winners: Maryse, Michelle McCool, and Layla
After the match, Maryse goes after Eve but Brie stops Eve from getting
involved. Maryse eventually gets close to Eve while Brie remembers that her
sister got planted on her head during the match.
Josh Mathews is in the interview area and he got his mic back to interview
John Cena. Josh asks about some of John’s decisions and he brings up the
match with Sheamus. Cena says that a critic’s job is to criticize and find a
flaw in everything you do. He will not give the critics his time. Cena wants
to address the people who still support him in the C-Nation. He says that
they have tasted victory as well as the agony of defeat. Cena says that he
has never failed to deliver on a promise. He says that he is facing Sheamus
tonight so Sheamus is not an obstacle at Over the Limit. Tonight, he takes
out Sheamus. The I Quit match will be the last time that they will meet and
he wants no dispute over who is the best. Cena says that he gave up his
rematch clause because if he says I Quit, he does not deserve to have
another shot. A champion should not be a quitter. He has seen what Batista
has done and he reminds us that he gave Cena a broken neck and he still
wears the scar. Batista has failed to do one thing and that is to get him to
quit. Cena says that he has a plan and a promise. He says that he will not
quit but Batista will be the quitter.
Match Number Six: Randy Orton versus Jack Swagger in a Pick Your Poison
Challenge Match
Swagger with a waist lock take down. They lock up and Swagger with another
waist lock. Orton with a reversal and take down. Orton with a boot to the
hand. Swagger with a kick and punch followed by shoulders in the corner.
Swagger with a forearm to the back but Orton with the chin lock back breaker
followed by the Garvin stomp. Orton misses the leaping knee drop and Swagger
with a clothesline for a near fall. Swagger with a reverse chin lock.
Swagger with an Irish whip but Orton with an elbow and clothesline followed
by a back elbow. Swagger goes to the floor and Orton goes after him. Swagger
sends Orton into the announce table and they return to the ring. Orton with
a kick and he sets for the IEDDT but Swagger gets into the ring and he hits
a gutwrench suplex and hits the double jump Vader Splash. Swagger goes for a
second one and he hits it again. Orton goes to the floor and Swagger knocks
Orton off the apron and Orton hits the announce table. Swagger pounds his
chest like he is the king of the jungle. Swagger kicks Orton on the floor.
Swagger runs Orton into the apron.
Swagger returns Orton to the ring and gets a near fall. Swagger with a
reverse chin lock. Orton with elbows to get out of the hold. Swagger with a
belly-to-belly suplex and then he sets for another double jump Vader Splash
but Orton gets up and kicks Swagger in the chest. Orton with clotheslines
and then he hits the power slam. Orton with a kick and he sets for the IEDDT
and he hits it. Orton twists into RKO push ups and then Edge comes into the
ring and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Jack Swagger by disqualification
After the match, Orton goes for the RKO on Edge, but Orton is pushed off and
Orton hits an RKO on Swagger instead. Edge spears Orton and stands over
Orton and Swagger.
It is time to run through the card for Over the Limit.
It is time for Buzz Aldrin to come out and he addresses the people of
Canada. Buzz says that it has been a great night and he has had a wonderful
time. Buzz talks about making the space program better over the last 30
years. He talks about how he supports the President about the space program.
He talks about how the Canadians built the landing gear for the Eagle
landing craft.
Zack Ryder and Alicia Fox come to the ring and he says that the Canadians
don’t have a space program and how the science program of Canada stopped
with maple syrup. Zack says that he doesn’t even believe Buzz landing on the
moon. Zack says that he would rather be homeless than live in a mansion in
Canada eating moose meat.
Buzz says that the last person who said that they staged the moon landing,
he hit that person. We have the video tape.
Buzz says that he isn’t going to pounce Zack. He says that he has someone to
take care of Zack.
Match Number Seven: Evan Bourne and Gail Kim versus Zack Ryder and Alicia
Fox
Ryder and Bourne start things off and Ryder with a punch but Bourne with a
drop kick and kicks to the leg. Ryder with a knee and he sends Bourne into
the turnbuckles followed by a forearm. Bourne with a rollup but Ryder with a
neck breaker and he kicks Bourne in the back. Bourne blocks the leg lariat
but Bourne with a rollup. The women get into the ring and Gail sends Alicia
into Zack and Gail hits the cross body into the corner. Bourne with a drop
kick into the corner and then Gail with a missile drop kick for a near fall
on Alicia. Ryder grabs Alicia and Gail kicks Alicia into Ryder. Zack pulls
the ropes open and Gail goes to the floor. Alicia rolls Gail into the ring
and gets a near fall. Alicia with a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall.
The men are back in and Bourne with a head scissors followed by a back kick.
Ryder with a kick to Bourne but Bourne with a leaping knee and then Bourne
goes up top but Alicia rolls Zack to the floor. Bourne with a cross body
onto Ryder. Gail with Eat Defeat for the three count.
Winners: Evan Bourne and Gail Kim
We have a video package for the Swagger/Big Show match at Over the Limit.
We are told that next week’s Guest Host is Jon Lovitz.
It is time for another ‘non commercial’ commercial. It is another
WWEShopzone.com ‘Geico’ commercial with Goldust being an awkward blind date.
Match Number Eight: Sheamus versus John Cena
They lock up and Sheamus backs Cena into the corner and connects with
punches and kicks. Cena punches back and the crowd shows their love. Cena
with an Irish whip and running back elbow before he sends Sheamus to the
floor. Cena sends Sheamus into the ring steps. Cena sends Sheamus into
another set of ring steps. Cena is Irish whipped into the ringside barrier.
Sheamus with a running boot to the head and then he rolls Cena back into the
ring. Sheamus gets a near fall. Sheamus with a punch to the head and then he
connects with a European uppercut. Sheamus with an Irish whip and a running
double sledge to the back for a near fall. Cena with a clothesline and then
she sends Sheamus shoulder first into the ring post and Sheamus goes to the
floor. Cena waits for Sheamus to get back into the ring and then he gets
Sheamus up for the Attitude Adjustment but Sheamus gets out of the hold and
hits a uranage back breaker for a near fall. Cena with a side slam and he
gets a near fall. Cena with punches to Sheamus followed by an Irish whip but
Cena runs into a back elbow and Cena goes to the apron. Sheamus with a
running knee to the head and Cena falls to the floor. Sheamus with another
running knee to the head and Cena goes to the floor again. Cena goes to the
apron one more time and Cena avoids the third knee. Cena with an Irish whip
but Sheamus pushes Cena away when he tries for the bulldog. Sheamus with a
baseball slide that sends Cena to the floor.
Sheamus slams Cena’s head into the announce table. Sheamus rolls Cena back
in and gets a near fall. Sheamus with a knee to the head. Sheamus with a
forearm across the chest. Sheamus with another forearm across Cena’s chest.
Cena with the two flying shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb.
That means that it is time for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena gets Sheamus
up for the Attitude Adjustment but Sheamus holds on to the ropes. Batista is
in the ring as Cena sends Sheamus to the floor. Batista with a spinebuster
and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: John Cena by disqualification
After the match, Batista gives Cena another spinebuster. Batista with
another spinebuster and now it is time for a Batista to put Cena in a
modified Border City Stretch and wants Cena to say ‘I Quit’ as we go to
credits.
2011 - Kristoffer Diaz' "The Elaborate Entrance of Chad
Deity" an Off-Broadway drama about race and how it is portrayed in the world of
professional wrestling was named the Best New American Play in the 2011 OBIE
Awards, a prestigious theater awards ceremony in New York City.
2011 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the
following TV report:
This week sees one of the six men seeking redemption have their quest end before
they reach the promised land. Who will not be able to make it a win?
We are live on tape from Corpus Christi, Texas and your announcers are
William ‘Anyone gets on my bad side, they are going into the Gulf’ Regal
and Todd ‘Where are these Texicans that Jesse Ventura talked about’
Grisham. Your hosts are Matt ‘Teaching the three Rs’ Striker and Maryse.
Todd asks William who he thinks is on the hot seat and Regal says that they
have all been working hard to stay in the competition.
Darren Young comes out to the ring and he has a purpose tonight. Darren says
that next week he did something that no other rookie had done and that was
defeat Titus O’Neil. For weeks, he has been dominating NXT. He has dominated the
Redemption Points and the challenges. Darren talks about Titus’ bark and he says
that it makes him sick. Darren tells Titus that he knows his weakness. Darren
says that he has the key to Titus’ weakness. He says that Titus will never see
Hornswoggle again, he will never beat Darren again, and he will not win NXT.
Titus O’Neil comes out to the ring to confront Darren Young.
Match Number One: Titus O’Neil versus Darren Young
Titus backs Young into the corner and he wants to know where Hornswoggle is.
They lock up and Titus backs Darren into the corner. Young with a kick and a
back elbow followed by a knee drop. Young with a kick to the back of O’Neil.
Young hits a short arm clothesline on Titus and gets a near fall. O’Neil with a
shoulder tackle that sends Young into the ropes and Titus hits a power slam for
a near fall.
Titus with a hard Irish whip followed by a short arm clothesline. Titus barks
for the fans and he gets a near fall. Young with a kick to the head but Titus
kicks back and connects with an English uppercut. Titus with a kick to the back.
Titus gets ready for Sky High but we see Chavo in the back with a trunk and we
hear Hornswoggle grunting.
Titus gets the key and he leaves the ring. Titus shows his 40 speed that got
him on the University of Florida football team.
Titus is counted out.
Winner: Darren Young by count out
After the match, we see Titus get Hornswoggle out of the trunk and then Chavo
attacks Titus from behind and then Chavo grabs Hornswoggle by the beard and they
leave.
Darren Young wants Chavo to bring Hornswoggle into the ring for him while
Regal is surprised at how Darren and Chavo had him buying that Chavo was okay
with Hornswoggle.
Hornswoggle is brought into the ring and Darren yells at Hornswoggle with his
knee on his chest. Young holds Hornswoggle for Chavo to hit a frog splash on
Hornswoggle. Chavo hits the frog splash on Hornswoggle.
Titus O’Neil has recovered and he makes his way back into the arena and he
forces Young and Chavo out of the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Titus O’Neil saving Hornswoggle only
to have Chavo and Darren Young attacking Hornswoggle after Chavo got done with
Titus in the back.
We see Titus carrying Hornswoggle out of the ring during the commercial break
and Hornswoggle is being taken to a medical facility and Titus went with
Hornswoggle.
It is time to take a look at the I Quit Match between John Cena and Miz at
Over the Limit.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Yoshi Tatsu versus Byron Saxton in a Pro and Rookie
Civil War Match
They lock up and Byron backs Yoshi into the corner and Byron with a forearm
instead of a clean break. Yoshi turns things around and he chops Saxton. Saxton
pushes Yoshi but Yoshi chops back. Saxton wants Yoshi to back off as he retreats
into the corner. Yoshi with a Japanese arm drag and a regular arm drag into an
arm bar.
Yoshi continues to work on the arm and he misses a Shining Wizard. Saxton
hits Yoshi from behind and then he kicks Yoshi around the ring. Saxton sends
Yoshi into the turnbuckles followed by a hard Irish whip.
Saxton gets a near fall on Yoshi and he applies a reverse chin lock. Yoshi
kicks and chops Saxton but Saxton with a head butt to Yoshi’s midsection. Yoshi
with a kick to the chest followed by more kicks from Yoshi. Yoshi hits the
Shining Wizard but he can only get a near fall.
Yoshi with an Irish whip followed by running knees into the corner. Yoshi
goes up top for the spinning heel kick and he connects for the three count.
Winner: Yoshi Tatsu
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know how many houses can get WWE programming?
Matt Striker is in the ring and he brings out his co-host Maryse.
Maryse say that peoples are happy to see her. She say that tonight is the
first elimination. However, there is some unfinished business that needs to be
dealt with. She brings out Vladimir Kozlov and Conor O’Brian.
Matt reminds everyone that Vladimir Kozlov and JTG have a gentlemen’s wager
to mold their rookie into their own likeness. Vladimir says that he trained him
and he is best of the best just like him.
Matt brings out the other half of this situation so JTG and Jacob Novak come
out to the ring. William Regal gives his thoughts on JTG and Jacob Novak and he
challenges Steve Austin for his blunt opinions.
Maryse tells Jacob and Conor that they will be performing for us tonight, but
we need a judge. Matt suggests that it be the audience in Corpus Christi.
JTG introduces his boy, his rookie, and his homie. He calls Jacob ‘Glacier
Thug’. Jacob says that the people of Corpus Christi sound like haters, just like
the stupid English commentator. Novak says that he took Regal to the max and he
lost only because he hurt his back. Jacob insults Conor and he tells him that he
should have learned how to wrestle from his pro. People may not like him, but he
will win redemption. Jacob calls Conor and Vladimir clowns.
It is time for the rebuttal from Conor and Vladimir. Now is the time on NXT
when we dance. Fortunately, there will be no monkey touching. Kozlov and Conor
toss each other around the ring and then it is time for some board breaking.
In a major shocker, Conor O’Brian is your winner.
JTG pushes Kozlov and Kozlov kicks JTG down to the mat. Jacob and JTG leave
the ring, but we might have a tag match.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: JTG with Jacob Novak versus Vladimir Kozlov
with Conor O’Brian
The match was joined in progress and JTG with chops but Kozlov with a
belly-to-belly suplex followed by a slam. Kozlov with a hip lock take down and
then he puts JTG in a side head lock. Kozlov with a shoulder tackle that sends
JTG to the floor. JTG tells Regal that this isn’t funny and Kozlov sends JTG
into the ring. JTG with a drop kick that knocks Kozlov off the apron after Novak
distracts him. JTG sends Kozlov into the announce table and then back first into
the ring post. JTG gets a near fall when they return to the ring.
JTG punches Kozlov in the head and the referee pulls JTG off. JTG chokes
Kozlov in the ropes. JTG has Kozlov in the corner and he punches Kozlov and then
hits the Mug Shot but he can only get a near fall. JTG with a front face lock on
Kozlov but Kozlov gets back to his feet and he sends JTG into the corner. Kozlov
sends JTG into the turnbuckles and then Kozlov with a boot to the chest. Kozlov
traps the arm and he connects with a series of head butts. Kozlov sets for a
power slam but JTG escapes and JTG hits a neck breaker.
JTG gets a near fall on Kozlov. JTG with a front face lock but Kozlov runs
JTG into the turnbuckles again. JTG with a drop kick to the knees and then he
goes to the turnbuckles but he takes too long and Kozlov with a head butt to the
chest and then Kozlov with a uranage for the three count.
Winner: Vladimir Kozlov
Maryse is in the back and Yoshi Tatsu asks her if she saw his match. Yoshi
tells her that he won. Maryse talks to Yoshi about the purses that Lucky bought
for her. Yoshi says that he thinks Maryse likes things more than people so it is
time that they broke up. Maryse says that they cannot break up because they are
not in a relationship.
Lucky Cannon enters and he tells her that she needs a shopping spree and he
tells her that it is a date.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to see who will not be redeemed.
Titus O’Neil is not with the other rookies because he is still with
Hornswoggle.
Maryse says that it is sad that someone is going home tonight.
We go to the Redemptron 5000 for the first elimination. We say goodbye to
Jacob Novak. Novak shows some anger at his elimination while Regal is ready to
throw a party.
Novak says that this is twice that the people have shoved him out. He says
that maybe NXT isn’t the place where Jacob Novak gets his redemption. Jacob says
that he will be in the WWE and redemption will be his. The day that you don’t
flinch is the day that he knocks you out. That day will be soon.
Regal says that it was the most charismatic and passionate that he was the
entire time on NXT this season.
JTG tells Jacob not to worry about the haters.
We go to credits.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section,
which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts,
interviews and more by clicking here!