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Vengeance opened with a video highlighting Cena vs. Christian vs. Jericho and Triple H vs. Batista.

The entrance set has a Las Vegas theme (they are in Vegas, after all) and WWE is using a three-man announce team with Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler and Jonathan Coachman.

Intercontinental Champion Carlito Caribbean Cool vs. Shelton Benjamin.

They locked up to start, with Shelton breaking clean in the corner. Shelton took Carlito down with a fireman's carry for a quick two count, and Carlito backed away. Shelton grabbed a side headlock and took Carlito down to the mat.  Carlito grabbed a headscissors, but Shelton turned it into a rollup for another two. Carlito came back with some forearms, but Shelton downed him with a clothesline, then chopped and punched him in the corner.  Shelton hit a knee to the gut for another two, but Carlito elbowed him in the head. Carlito hit a shoulderblock, but Benjamin kipped up and hit a clothesline.  Carlito rolled to the floor to regroup, and teased that he was leaving. Benjamin went after him, knocking Carlito back down the ramp.

Shelton tossed Carlito back in the ring and hit a snap suplex for two. Carlito hit a thumb to the eye, and went for a whip.  Shelton reversed it, then charged.  Carlito ducked, but Shelton jumped onto the top rope, turned around, and hit a top rope clothesline for a near fall. Shelton pounded Carlito in a corner, but Carlito returned fire, then scraped his boot across Shelton's face. Carlito choked Benjamin against the ropes and then kicked him to the floor. Back in the ring, Carlito got a two count, then slammed Benjamin twice.  Some fans were chanting for Carlito.  Carlito gave Benjamin a third slam and got a two count. Carlito complained about the count, and Shelton rolled him up from behind for a two count.

Carlito applied a reverse chinlock.  Shelton elbowed out, ducked a clothesline and hit a back elbow. Both men were slow to get up, and Carlito began punching Benjamin.  Benjamin reversed a whip and hit a Samoan Drop for two. The announcers played up that they thought Shelton had a concussion. Shelton and Carlito traded punches, with Shelton getting the better of it.  Benjamin hit a series of clotheslines and a backdrop.  Benjamin hit a backbreaker for a two count. Benjamin went to climb the ropes, but was having trouble.  Carlito met him on the ropes, and they battled, with Shelton jumping to the floor and yanking Carlito chest first across the top rope.   Shelton hit the springboard bulldog for a very close fall. Fans booed the two count.  Carlito pulled the cover off a top turnbuckle, to loud boos, as Shelton went after him in the corner and the referee would back him up. Carlito got a two count with a side slam, but Benjamin came back with a spinning heel kick. Shelton went for a Stinger Splash, but Carlito moved and Shelton hit the exposed turnbuckle.  Carlito pulled the trunks and got the pin at the thirteen minute mark.

Winner: Carlito Caribbean Cool.

Triple H and Ric Flair were shown arriving at the building.

The events leading to Christy Hemme vs. Victoria were shown.

Victoria vs. Christy Hemme.

Victoria bailed out of the ring as Christy came out, and made Christy chase her around the ring. When they got in, Victoria nailed her, but Christy came right back with chokes and punches.  Victoria turned thinks around with a Hot Shot, then gave her a Hangman, using the hair.  Victoria choked Christy in the corner, and threw her down to the mat for a pair of two counts. Victoria worked Christy over with a rear naked choke, and Christy tried to float into a rollup, but Victoria shrugged it off.  Victoria went for the Widow's Peak, which Christy tried to counter into a sunset flip, but Victoria was too strong.  Victoria rammed Christy into a corner, then went for a second rope moonsault.  Christy rolled out of the way, and Victoria crashed to the mat.  Christy threw Victoria to the mat by the hair a few times.  A lot of fans were booing.  Christy hit a DDT for a two count.  Christy tried a sunset flip out of the corner, but Victoria dropped down and grabbed the ropes for leverage to get the pin at the six minute mark.

Winner: Victoria.

Todd Grisham interviewed John Cena, and it was revealed that Todd Grisham once peed his pants in high school (I kid you not).  Cena talked about being the "new kid" on Raw, and compared it to being the new kid at school. Cena promised to keep the WWE Title.

The events leading to Kane vs. Edge were shown.

Edge, with Lita, vs. Kane.

Edge had his "Money In The Bank" briefcase with him. Kane chased Edge around the ring at the start, and Edge started stomping Kane as they got into the ring.  Kane pounded Edge in the corner with lefts and rights, then slugged him to the mat.  Kane backdropped Edge, then choked Edge against the middle rope and kept up the assault.  A "We want Matt" chant rang out as Kane whipped Edge across the ring.  Kane clotheslined Edge to the floor, then went after Lita on the outside.  Edge tried to sneak up behind Kane, but Kane nailed him and tossed him back into the ring.  Kane pounded Edge, while fans chanted "She's A Crack Whore" at Lita.  Kane hit an elbowdrop then choked Edge. Edge poked Kane in the eyes, but Kane tossed Edge to the ring apron, rammed him into the connecting cable on a turnbuckle, then punched him to the floor.  More "We want Matt" chants. 

Kane rammed Edge back first into the security wall, then lifted him for a slam, but Lita grabbed Edge's legs to help him float over.  Edge rammed Kane into the ringpost, then hit a spear on the floor. Edge got back in the ring, as the referee got to nine on a countout before Kane got on the apron.  Edge hit a baseball slide to knock Kane to the floor. Kane made it back in, and Edge stomped him and kicked him in the gut and back.  Edge hit a shoulderblock in the corner on Kane.  "You screwed Matt" chants now.  Edge choked Kane and dropped a series of knees to the midsection near the ropes. Edge pounded Kane, who psyched himself back up, then dared Edge to hit him some more.  Kane finally fired off some punches and went for a slam, but Edge floated over and pulled Kane to the mat by the back of the head.  Kane sat up.  Edge dropkicked him, but Kane sat up again.  Edge elbowed a charging Kane, then went to the second rope, but Kane nailed him with a right hand as he came off. 

Kane hit Snake Eyes in the corner, and followed with a clothesline for a two count. Edge kicked away a backdrop attempt, but Kane nailed him with a side slam. Kane went to the top rope for a clothesline, but Edge nailed him with a dropkick on the way down. Edge measured for a spear, but Kane hit him with a boot to the face.  Kane set for a chokeslam, but Gene Snitsky ran down and got on the apron.  Kane booted him off the apron. Kane grabbed Edge for the chokeslam again, but Lita came in with a chair.  Kane saw her, and Lita dropped the chair.  Lita tried to play up to Kane and then leave, but Kane choked her to the mat.  Kane put the steel chair over Lita's head, with the idea that he was going to break her neck.  Snitsky hit Kane with a boot to the face (referee was getting the chair off of Lita). Edge got a two count. Kane grabbed Edge by the throat. Snitsky went to the top rope (Lita distracting the referee) but Kane grabbed him as he came off and set him up for a chokeslam.  Edge grabbed his briefcase and went to hit Kane, but Kane ducked and Edge hit Snitsky.  Kane then chokeslammed Edge for the pin at the eleven minute mark.

Winner: Kane.

With Edge and Snitsky down, Kane smiled at Lita, who had backed up the rampway.

The events leading to Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle was shown.  Michaels was interviewed and told about Angle's comments from earlier on Heat, and how Angle promised to make Michaels tap out again.  Michaels was confident that wouldn't be happening. 

Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels. 

Huge "HBK" chant before the bell rang.  They locked up, and Angle broke clean in the corner.  Angle grabbed a waistlock and they went to the mat, with Michaels making the ropes. Michaels looked frustrated.  Michaels grabbed a side headlock and they went to the mat, then Angle pushed them to the corner, where there was a clean break. Angle went for a single leg takedown, but Michaels grabbed the ropes. An "Angle Sucks" chant rang out.  Angle grabbed a side headlock, and hit a shoulderblock.  Michaels hit a hiptoss and an armdrag, then applied an armbar. Angle pulled Michaels to the mat by the hair and slapped on his own armbar.  Angle went into a top wristlock on the mat, then drove his knee into the arm. Michaels went to the floor to shake it off. 

Angle dared Michaels to get back into the ring.  Michaels ducked a punch and hit a pair of chops.  Now it was Angle who rolled to the floor for a breather.  Angle grabbed a single leg takedown, but Michaels scooted out of the ring before Angle could do anything.  Back in the ring, Angle kept grabbing at Michaels' leg, with Michaels trying to kick him away.  Angle applied a half Crab, but Michaels made the ropes.  Angle took his time breaking, and the referee admonished him.  Michaels put Angle in a corner and hit some chops.  Angle reversed a whip, but Michaels booted him as he charged in.  Michaels hit a reverse bodypress into a sunset flip off the second rope, but Angle rolled through it into an ankle lock.  Michaels rolled through it, sending Angle to the mat.  Michaels clotheslined Angle over the top rope and to the floor. 

They battled on the outside, trading chops and punches.  They teased an Angle Slam on the floor, then Michaels teased throwing Angle into the ringpost, when Angle suddenly grabbed Michaels and gave him a German suplex into the Spanish Announce table.  Michaels landed hard and rolled to the floor behind the table.  Angle rolled into the ring to break the count, then went and got Michaels.  Angle covered Michaels for a two count.  Angle gave Michaels a kneelift, then a reverse neckbreaker for a series of two counts. Angle choked Michaels against the middle rope, then choked him with his boot in the corner.  Angle stomped Michaels down, then picked him up and hit a European uppercut.  Angle hit a second, and there was some blood under Michaels' eye.  

Angle and Michaels started trading punches, but Angle hit a kick to the gut then powerbombed Michaels into the turnbuckles. Angle covered Michaels for a two count, then dropped an elbow to the back of the neck, then one to the chest as Michaels rolled over.  Angle gave Michaels a vertical suplex for a two count, then applied a reverse chinlock. They replayed the powerbomb into the corner over and over. Michaels battled back and hit some chops, but Angle dodged a charge in the corner and gave Michaels a German suplex for a two count. Angle went for an Angle Slam, but Michaels reversed it into an armdrag.  Angle came right back with a clothesline for a two count. 

Angle sat Michaels in a corner and set up for a belly to belly superplex.  Shawn blocked it, and hit some forearms, knocking him to the mat. Shawn went for a second rope axhandle, but Angle caught it and hit an overhead belly to belly suplex for a two count. Angle applied a reverse chinlock, and Angle was bleeding from his lower lip.  Michaels struggled in the chinlock, starting to fade, and slumped to the mat. Angle maintained the hold, shifting Michaels so his shoulders would go on the mat. Michaels avoided being pinned, battled back up, and broke out with a back suplex. 

Both men were slow to get up, and when they did, they exchanged punches. Michaels began throwing chops, and then hit a flying forearm.  Both men were down again, and as Angle rose, Michaels did his kip up. Michaels hit a series of rights, decking Angle each time.  Michaels hit a reverse atomic drop, a clothesline and a bodyslam.  Michaels went to the top rope, then hit a flying elbowsmash.  Michaels measured for the superkick, but Angle charged him with a lariat for a two count. Angle went for an Angle Slam, but Michaels spun out of it and turned it into a swinging DDT for a two count.  Michaels kept his arm on Angle for two more near falls, but Angle kept popping his shoulder back up. Michaels went for a vertical suplex, but Angle floated over and hit a German suplex.  Angle maintained his grip, but Michaels blocked a second and elbowed out.  Angle ducked a right hand, and Angle hit the Angle Slam for a two count. 

Angle grabbed for Shawn's foot, but Michaels turned it into a small package for a two count.  Michaels went to pick Angle up off the mat, but Angle grabbed the ankle lock.  Michaels rolled through it, and Angle crashed into the referee. Michaels charged Angle, but Angle backdropped Michaels over the top rope and to the floor.  Michaels hit hard on the floor and began grabbing his knee.  Officials came down to check on Michaels, but Angle grabbed Michaels and tossed him back into the ring. Angle grabbed a single leg and applied the ankle lock in the center of the ring. Michaels rolled over and kicked Angle, but Angle fell with it and maintained his grip.  Angle got back to his feet.  Michaels twisted his body around, but Angle rolled with it and maintained the ankle lock.  Michaels went for the ropes, but Angle dragged him back to the center of the ring and yelled for him to tap.  Michaels rolled through again, and sent Angle shoulder first into the ringpost.

Angle got out of the corner and moved towards Michaels, who was just regaining his feet, and Michaels fired a superkick right to Angle's jaw, then collapsed on the mat.  Both men were down, and the referee got to a nine count before Michaels managed to drape an arm over Angle for a two count. Michaels clutched at his knee on the mat, and Angle rolled to the ring apron. Angle slowly climbed up the ropes and jumped off, but Michaels caught him with a superkick as he came down.  Michaels scored the pin at the 26 minute mark.

Winner: Shawn Michaels.

After the match, and after Michaels had exited, Angle was helped out by the referee, and appeared to be crying. 

Jonathan Coachman interviewed Batista, saying the "odds weren't in his favor" against Triple H tonight, and that Batista only kept the belt at Backlash due to "bad officiating".  Coachman said Batista looked scared.  Batista called Coach an "ass-kissing suck up" and said he wasn't afraid of anything.  Batista said Triple H would have to "kill him" to take the title.  Triple H entered, and went nose to nose with Batista.  Triple H said no one beats him in Hell In A Cell.  They started shoving each other, and officials broke them apart. 

A couch was in the ring, and Lilian Garcia was introduced.  Lilian said it had been a "whirlwind" couple of weeks.  She introduced Viscera, who came to the ring in a very stylish smoking jacket. Lilian said that she was scared of Viscera at first, but now she knew what a loving and sexy man he could be. Lilian had Viscera sit on the couch, and said she wanted to sing for Viscera. Lilian sang a song for Viscera, proclaiming her love for him. Lilian then got down on one knee and asked Viscera to marry her. Viscera said that was "heavy" and that he would "take it under consideration" when suddenly, some familiar music started playing. 

The Godfather, complete with a bevy of Ho's, came to the ring, to a big pop! 

Godfather got on the mic and said that Vis was a "Pimp in training".  The Godfather said there were lots of ladies in Vegas that wanted a piece of the "500 pound lover", and they were surprised to hear he was thinking about getting married. Godfather said it was nothing against Lilian, but he asked Vis if he really wanted to be with one woman for the rest of his life, or if he wanted to "take a ride on the Ho Train".  Viscera stumbled on his words as he checked out the Ho's, and a "Take the Ho's" chant rang out.  Viscera went back to Lilian, then said he only had one thing to say: "All aboard the Ho Train!"  Viscera and the Godfather then danced with the Ho's, while Lilian cried.  Vis left with the Godfather and the Ho's, while Lilian cried away in the ring. Viscera looked back from the stage and said "I'm sorry" then left with the Ho's. 

The events leading to John Cena vs. Chris Jericho vs. Christian was recapped.

WWE Champion John Cena vs. Chris Jericho vs. Christian, with Tyson Tomko.

At the bell, all three men were trash talking each other in the center of the ring. Jericho slapped Cena, who tackled Jericho, but Christian then stomped Cena.  Christian and Jericho shoved each other out of the way to be the one to kick Cena in a corner. Jericho chopped Cena in the corner, then whopped him hard to the opposite site.  Christian then chopped Cena and kicked him down in a corner, but Jericho decked Christian and hit a back elbow. Jericho hit a pair of elbowdrops on Christian, then Tyson, after failing to pull the ropes down low enough to get Jericho to fall out of the ring, pulled Jericho out under the bottom rope.  Cena hiptossed Christian and worked him over in a corner.  Tomko got on the apron and decked Cena behind the referee's back.  The referee, who figured out what happened, ordered Tomko away from ringside.

Cena gave Christian a flaphjack and teased an FU, but Christian held onto the top rope, so Cena dumped Christian to the floor.  Jericho hit Cena with a top rope reverse elbow for a two count, then hit a suplex and a dropkick.  Jericho and Cena traded punches, and Jericho chopped Cena against the ropes. Jericho ran into a Cena boot, and Cena punched Jericho in a corner. Jericho reversed a whip and hit a bulldog, then went for the Lionsault.  Cena moved, but Jericho landed on his feet and hit a reverse elbow.  Jericho gave Cena a baseball slide, sending him to the floor. Jericho whipped Cena into the security wall, then rammed him into a chair.  Jericho cleared off the Spanish announcers table, and there was an "ECW" chant.  Jericho went to suplex Cena through the table, but Cena blocked it and DDT'd Jericho on the title belt on the floor.

Christian attacked Cena and rolled him into the ring. Christian pounded Cena, then choked him, then applied a reverse chinlock. Cena mounted a comeback, hitting clotheslines and a shoulderblock.  Christian kicked away a backdrop, but Cena grabbed a back suplex into a powerbomb.  Cena went for a fistdrop, but Jericho pulled him out of the ring and threw him into the steps.  Christian gave Jericho a baseball slide kick.  Back in the ring, Jericho went for Walls of Jericho on Cena, but Christian kicked him away, and into Cena, who was on the apron.  Cena fell to the floor, and Christian rolled up Jericho in a small package for two.  Christian went to the top rope, but Jericho met him there and went for a superplex.  Cena got in, and powerbombed Jericho as he superplexed Christian.  The spot got a big pop from the crowd.

Cena crawled onto Jericho for a two count, then crawled onto Christian for another two. Cena worked over Jericho with punches, then went back and forth, clotheslining both opponents.  Cena slammed Jericho, then gave Christian a drop toe hold, and Christian collided heads with Jericho on the mat.  Cena gave Jericho and Christian a double Five Knuckle Shuffle fistdrop.  The three men went into a series of rollups, counters and reversals, ending with Cena and Christian clotheslining Jericho, then clotheslining each other.  There was a "Cena" chant.  Jericho went to the top rope, but Cena crotched him, then sent Christian into Jericho in the corner, knocking Jericho to the floor.  Cena rolled up Christian for two, then went for the FU.  Christian eyeraked out, then hit a reverse facebuster for two.  Christian went for the title belt, but while the referee stopped him, Tomko ran back out and nailed Cena.  Christian covered for a two count.

Christian charged Cena, but Cena backdropped him to the floor.  Jericho came in and tripped Cena, then put him in the Walls of Jericho.  Christian got on the apron, and Jericho gave him a springboard dropkick to knock him down.  Jericho put Cena back in the Walls.  Christian came in and rolled up Jericho for two.  Christian went for the Unprettier on Jericho, but Jericho blocked it and shoved Christian towards Cena.  Cena lifted Christian for the FU.  Jericho charged, and Cena swung Christian so his legs would wipe out Jericho.  Jericho rolled to the floor, and Cena hit the FU on Christian for the pin at the fifteen minute mark.

Winner: John Cena.

The events leading to the Hell In A Cell match were shown. 

Hell In A Cell: World Champion Batista vs. Triple H, with Ric Flair.

Ric Flair returned to the back after Triple H's entrance. Triple H trash talked Batista as soon as the champion came out on the stage.  JR wondered if Triple H could lose three "high profile" main events in a row to Batista. The cell was lowered, and the match began. Triple H pounded Batista in a corner with right hands, but Batista reversed a whip in the corner and hit a clothesline, then followed with a side slam.  Triple H went to the floor, and when Batista followed, they teased going into the steel, but both men blocked attempts by the other.  They returned to the ring, and Triple H grabbed a headlock.  Batista came out on the winning end of a Triple H shoulderblock, then tackled him in a corner and clotheslined him to the floor.  Batista rammed Triple H into the cage, and whipped him into the mesh. Triple H came back by whipping Batista into the ringpost.  

Batista threw some punches from the apron, but Triple H yanked him throat first across the top rope.  Triple H charged, knocking Batista off the apron and into the steel mesh. Back on the floor, Triple H whipped Batista into the cage and hit a clothesline.  Triple H tossed Batista back into the cage, then went under the ring and pulled out a chain.  Triple H whipped Batista across the back with the chain twice, and Batista rolled to the apron.  Triple H then wrapped the chain around Batista's throat and choked him against the ropes with it. Batista tried to punch out of it, but Triple H kneed him off the apron and hung him with the chain. Batista got his feet back under him on the apron, and dropped Triple H throat first across the top rope to break free. 

Now it was Batista's turn, as he whipped Triple H twice across the back with the chain.  Triple H rolled to the floor, and Batista whipped him with it again. Batista picked up Triple H and rammed him back first into the ringpost, then the mesh, then the ringpost, then the mesh again. Batista then rammed Triple H face first into the cage. Triple H was bleeding from the forehead as Batista threw him back in the ring. Triple H reversed a whip and hit a spinebuster. Triple H went under the ring, and pulled out a chair wrapped in barbed wire. Triple H hit Batista across the back with the barbed wire covered chair. Triple H hit Batista across the back again, and there was blood on his back.  Triple H's face was a bloody mess. Batista mounted a comeback, but Triple H hit a facebuster on a knee. 

Triple H charged Batista, and Batista decked him with a clothesline. Batista picked up the barbed wire chair and hit Triple H in the head with it. Batista then grinded the barbed wire chair into the forehead of Triple H.  Triple H rolled to the floor, and Batista followed, ramming him into the ring steps, then rubbing his face across the steel mesh. Batista picked up Triple H over his shoulder and rammed him face first into the steel.  Triple H collapsed on the floor. Back in the ring, Batista rammed Triple H in the corner with shoulderblocks.  He backed up to charge, and Triple H moved, and Batista went shoulder first into the ringpost.  

Triple H went for a Pedigree on the barbed wire chair, but Batista backdropped out. Batista scooped up Triple H and powerslammed him on the barbed wire chair for a two count. Batista went back to the chain, wrapping it around his fist. Batista lifted Triple H up off the mat, but Triple H grabbed him with a DDT into the barbed wire chair. Batista rolled out of the ring and to the floor. Triple H had trouble standing up, and went to ringside.  Batista was now bleeding from the head.  Triple H rammed Batista into the cage wall, then rubbed his face across the mesh. Triple H tossed Batista into the ring, then went under it again and pulled out the sledgehammer. Batista staggered to his feet.  Triple H advanced, but Batista kneed him in the gut, and Triple H dropped the sledgehammer.  They traded punches, and Batista set up for a powerbomb, but Triple H backdropped him. 

Triple H went for the sledgehammer again, and as Batista charged, Triple H hit him with it.  Triple H covered Batista, but the champion kicked out at two. Triple H picked up the hammer again, but Batista, from the mat, kicked Triple H in the groin. Batista picked up the sledgehammer, and glared at Triple H.  Batista charged Triple H with the sledgehammer, but Triple H beat him to the punch, decking him with the chain (which he had wrapped around his fist off camera).  Triple H covered Batista for a two count.  Triple H wrapped the chain around his hand again and got on the second rope.  Triple H jumped off the ropes, and Batista pulled up the sledgehammer, hitting Triple H in the jaw.  Triple H spit blood, then flopped to the mat.  Both men got to their feet, and Batista knocked Triple H to his knees and battered him with right hands. 

Batista whipped Triple H into a corner, and Triple H flipped over the turnbuckles and crashed to the floor.  Batista threw Triple H into the ringsteps, then pulled off a section of them.  Batista rammed Triple H with the top section of the steps, then put the bottom half of the steps in the ring. Batista propped the steps in the corner as Triple H got back in the ring.  Batista rammed Triple H repeatedly into the section of steps.  Batista then whipped Triple H back first into the steel steps.  Batista gave the "thumbs up, thumbs down" signal, and set up for a powerbomb, but Triple H hit him with a low blow.  Triple H hit the Pedigree, but Batista kicked out at two. 

A "Batista" chant rang out. Triple H set the lower section of ringsteps in the ring, and set up for a Pedigree on the steps.  Batista blocked it and gave Triple H a slow spinebuster on the steel steps. Batista grabbed Triple H and set up for the powerbomb.  Triple H grabbed the sledgehammer.  Batista lifted Triple H for the powerbomb, and Triple H prepared to hit him with the sledgehammer, but Batista drove down the powerbomb before Triple H could hit him with the hammer, and got the pin at the 27 minute mark.  

Winner: Batista. 

Triple H was laid out, the hammer still in his hand, as Batista celebrated in the ring with the World Title belt to end the show. 

2007 -The first-ever Florida Championship Wrestling event was held at the Dallas Bull in Tampa , FL.  Michael Spears sent the following results for the brand new WWE developmental territory:

Johnny Curtis pinned Robert Anthony.

Don Rodman & Tyson beat Mike Knox & Derrick Neikirk.

Nattie Neidhart (Natalya) defeated Shantelle (Shantelle Taylor, later to be known as Taylor Wilde in TNA) and Krissy Vaine in a 3-way match.

Keith Walker & Ryklon Stephens beat Eric Perez and Kofi Kingston.

G-Rilla (the future Brodus Clay) pinned Shawn Osbourne.

Harry Smith (DH Smith) & TJ Wilson (Tyson Kidd) defeated Afa Jr  (Manu) and Sonny Siaki.

Rene Dupree pinned Steve Madison.

Harry Smith won a 21 person battle royal to win the Florida Championship Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship.

Notes: Jim the Anvil Neidhart was in attendance and was cordial to fans who approaching him, singing autographs and taking pictures....Steve Keirn, Mike Bucci and Tom Pritchard were all in attendance since they run the promotion....ROH's Roderick Strong was also at the event.

2007 - WWE issued the following press release in the wake of the Benoit tragedy, noting the text messages Chris Benoit sent this weekend, as well as reviewing the timeline that had been posted on WWE.com earlier in the same day:

WWE(R) Shares Internal Timeline And Details Relating To Chris Benoit Tragedy
Tuesday June 26, 10:39 pm ET

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--World Wrestling Entertainment today released additional details of what it knows concerning communication with Chris Benoit and authorities before and after the tragic double homicide-suicide involving Benoit, his wife Nancy, and his son, Daniel.

WWE's timeline of events began on Saturday:

    On Saturday, June 23, Chris Benoit was slated to appear at a WWE live event in Beaumont, Texas. That afternoon, Benoit contacted WWE to inform them that his wife and child were ill, and that he would not be able to attend the show.
    WWE executives rebooked Benoit's flight for the following morning, allowing Benoit to miss the Beaumont event and making alternate arrangements for him to attend the pay-per-view event in Houston on Sunday.
    WWE employees attempted to confirm with Benoit his travel plans but were unable to contact him.
    Early Sunday morning, between 3:51 and 3:58 a.m., Benoit sent five text messages to co-workers:

Text Message 1 to two co-workers (sent 6/24 at 3:53am)- Chris Benoit's cell phone "My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane, Fayetteville Georgia. 30215"  Text Message 2 to two co-workers (sent 6/24 at 3:53am)- Chris Benoit's cell phone "The dogs are in the enclosed pool area. Garage side door is open"  Text Message 3 to two co-workers (sent 6/24 at 3:54am)- Nancy Benoit's cell phone "My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane. Fayetteville Georgia. 30215"  Text Message 4 to two co-workers (sent 6/24 at 3:55am)- Nancy Benoit's cell phone "My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane. Fayetteville Georgia. 30215."  Text Message 5 to one co-worker (sent 6/24 at 3:58am)- Nancy Benoit's cell phone "My address is 130 Green Meadow Lane. Fayetteville Georgia. 30215"

    Throughout the day on Sunday, WWE made numerous attempts to contact Benoit both at home and at local hospitals in the Atlanta area. As of 11:00 p.m., WWE officials were unable to establish contact with Chris Benoit.

    At 12:30 p.m. on Monday, June 25, WWE officials were notified of the text messages sent to the co-workers the previous day. By 12:45 p.m., WWE had contacted Fayetteville County Sheriff's office requesting they check on the Benoit family.

    Fayetteville County Sheriffs office made contact with WWE at approximately 4:00 p.m. advising that they had entered the house of Chris Benoit and found three deceased bodies - an adult male, adult female and a male child. WWE was told that Benoit's home was now considered a major crime scene.

    The decision to cancel the live event scheduled in Corpus Christi that night was made between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. In keeping with company policy, and with limited knowledge regarding facts of the case, WWE choose to air a memorial dedicated to the career of Chris Benoit. As facts emerged surrounding the case, all tributes to Chris Benoit were removed both on-air and on WWE.com.

WWE was stunned and saddened by the details released today by local authorities and is continuing to monitor the ongoing investigation.

2007 - Chris Benoit's name is uttered for the final time on WWE TV during the opening of ECW on Scifi.  Mike Johnson filed the following TV report:

ECW on SciFi Report 6/26/07

ECW on SciFi opened with Vince McMahon stating that last night, Monday Night Raw was a tribute show to the late Chris Benoit.  He then stated that 26 hours later, "the facts of this "horrific tragedy are now apparent."  McMahon said that after his comments, there will be no mention of Benoit's name and the show will be dedicated to everyone affected by the Benoit tragedy.  McMahon said, "Tonight will be the start of the healing process and WWE performers will do what they do better than anyone else in the world - entertain you."

ECW champion Johnny Nitro vs. WWE champion John Cena

WWE champion John Cena's music hit and he came to the ring for what was announced as a "champion vs. champion" match.  Joey Styles pointed out that Cena was on ECW for the first time in over a year.  Nitro entered the ring second.  Cena took Nitro down with a side headlock and controlled the action.  Nitro caught him with a back elbow, but Cena caught him with a fisherman's suplex for a two count.  Cena pounded him into the turnbuckle but missed a charge into the corner.  Nitro ducked a shoulderblock attempt, sending Cena to the floor.  Nitro whipped him into the ring steps on the floor.  Nitro continued to work over Cena.   Nitro elbowed Cena and caught him with a clothesline.  He ducked a Cena charge and Cena went over the top to the floor.  ECW went to commercial.

When they returned, Cena was on the top rope as Nitro worked him over.  Nitro went for a superplex but was shoved off.  Cena tried to prepare for a move off the top but Nitro dropkicked him and he bumped to the apron, then the floor.  Nitro continued to punch and pound Cena, who started to pysch himself up.  Cena came back with a flurry of offense.  He nailed the five knuckle shuffle and went for the F-U but Nitro escaped.  Nitro nailed a kick off the ropes but Cena kicked out at two.  Nitro climbed on Cena's back and cinched in a sleeper.  Cena escaped and drilled Nitro into the mat. Cena nailed a top rope legdrop across the back of Nitro's neck, the cinched in the STFU for the submission. 

Good back and forth match.  The one thing that really stood out was the live crowd, especially ringside, was into everything and trying to enjoy themselves.

Joey Styles announced CM Punk vs. Elijah Burke in a Best of Three Falls match to determine the top contender for the ECW title will be held later tonight.

They aired a video feature on the Vengeance PPV.  It was only two nights ago, but it sure feels like it was years ago.

Roddy Piper made his way to the ring, which would technically be his ECW debut.  Piper said, "So this is ECW, eh?  Hardcore." Piper said he doesn't consider someone hardcore unless you've had your hearing taken away by a Dog Collar (Greg Valentine reference) or wrestling Paul Orndorff.  Matt Striker's came to the ring with a birthday cake.  Piper asked him if he wanted to get hardcore.  Striker introduced himself as your teacher.  Piper said he wasn't his sex education teacher.  Striker said that it's that wit that makes it an honor to be in the ring with him.  Striker said today is a special day because it's his birthday.  He said a lot of Superstars want to throw him a party.  He asks Piper to sing him Happy Birthday and says Piper is his all-time favorite.  I am pretty sure Striker was telling the truth on that one.  Piper says he's never let the audience down and asks the crowd to sing "to the mark."   He sings the song, then forgets Striker's name.  He asked Matt who it is, and when Matt answers, Piper shoves cake in his face and leaves.

As if that wasn't enough. Boogeyman's music hit and he popped up in the ring.  Striker backed out to the floor but Piper tossed him back in.  Boogey hits the his finisher and worms Striker.  Lucky us.

Promo for the Miz.

They discussed Johnny Nitro's ECW title win.

Joey Styles interviewed ECW champion Johnny Nitro.  Nitro claimed he was suffering from a cold and fever but still fought.  He said he would be watching the next match.

CM Punk vs. Elijah Burke - Best of Three Falls

The match started slow with some back and forth wrestling.  Punk shoulder tackled Burke for a quick near fall.  Punk nailed a series of hiptosses and worked over Burke with a headlock on the mat.  Punk caught Burke with a legdrop for a two count.  Burke slammed Punk's face into the turnbuckle and worked over Punk's back with knees and kicks.  Elijah went for the Elijah Express but was caught with a leg lariat for a two count.  Punk went to the top but Burke crotched him.  Punk fell forward upside down, hanging in the corner.  Elijah drilled him with the Express and scored the pin for the first fall.

Elijah tried to roll up Punk quick for a pinfall but Punk kicked out.  Elijah peppered him with punches.  Punk made a comeback and charges Burke, who drops down and grabs the top rope.  Punk sails over and lands on the floor.  He's nearly counted out but gets to the apron.  Burke tries to suplex him in but Punk escapes and rolls up Burke, scoring the pin.  It's evened up.

Burke worked over Punk with a surfboard, but Punk used a flip out of into a mule kick to escape.  Burke grabbed Punk and slammed him backwards into the mat.  Burke tried to come off the top with an elbow, but Punk rolled out of the way.  Punk rolled Burke into a small package but only got a two count.  Burke drilled Punk with an uppercut, scoring a near fall.  Burke rebounded off the ropes but Punk nailed him with a clothesline.  He flipped Burke over the top but Burke landed on his feet.  Burke went to the top and dove off, but Punk nailed a spin kick.  The referee counted them down but they got to their feet, exchanging strikes.  Punk hits a running knee lift in the corner followed by a bulldog.  Elijah kicked out at the last second.  They battled on the top rope.  Punk nailed a tornado DDT but Burke kicked out.  Punk went for the GTS but Burke kicked him.  He slapped Punk.  They went into a series of two count reversals, a la Malenko-Guerrero.  Punk escaped a backslide attempt and hit the GTS for the pin. 

As Punk celebrated, Johnny Nitro came down the aisle and held the ECW title in the air.  Joey Styles noted that Punk was coming for the title.

Due to the nature of the show and the events of this week, I'm going to refrain from thoughts. 

2008 - Harvey Whippleman releases and autobiography "Wrestling with the Truth."

2009 - Ring of Honor ran Detroit, Michigan.  Aaron McMann filed the following results:

*The show opened with a 10 bell salute to Mitsuharu Misawa.

*Grizzly Redwood defeated Silas Young with a rollup.

*Rhett Titus & Kenny King defeated  Brent Albright & Erick Stevens when King rolled up Albright.  Albright was busted open in the back of the head hardway early on.

*Ric Flair came out and cut a short promo putting over ROH, Cary Silkin and Detroit.

*Nigel McGuiness fought Claudio Castagnoli to a double countout.

*Kevin Steen & El Generico defeated The House of Truth, Christian Able & Josh Raymond with Truth Martini. So far, the best match of the night.

*ROH champion Austin Aries won a non-title Six Man Mayhem bout, pinning Joey Ryan. Also competing were Delirious, Petey Williams, Sami Callihan and Rasche Brown.

*Colt Cabana defeated D'Lo Brown after using the ring bell. A lot of comedy.

*ROH Tag Team champions The American Wolves defeated KENTA & Roderick Strong.

*Tyler Black defeated Jimmy Jacobs in a Steel Cage Match. After the match, a collection of masked men hit the ring and destroyed Jacobs as screaming played over the sound system.

2010 - CZW held their ninth annual Tournament of Death in Townsend, DE.  Mike Johnson filed the following report:

Combat Zone Wrestling, as a promotion, has been in an interesting position in recent months.  In the early part of the decade, it was the promotion that really kicked off the revival of independent wrestling in Philadelphia and the former ECW Arena.  It featured a new and fresh crop of talents, some of whom were extremely violent brawlers and some of whom were equally entertaining wrestlers.  The shows drew, especially at first, and it would have seemed like they were poised to conquer the scene and then expand onward.  It didn't really happen that way.  In hindsight, the infrastructure wasn't prepared in the least.   Injuries, age and personal problems would catch up to a number of roster members.  Some like former TOD champion Nick Mondo, retired.  Some, like Lobo, were forced to bow out due to injuries.  Others, like the Briscoes, moved on to other places. 

The Pennsylvania Commission began cracking down on the violence and weapons aspects of the show.  Bookers changed.  Fans moved on.  The wrestling business cooled overall.  CZW Television moved from a weekly series to nothing to a semi-regular special broadcast.  CZW changed venues before returning to the Arena.  PPV projects and national DVD releases were attempted.  Momentum was lost and for every great event or moment, there were others that didn't follow up to maintain the buzz.  One step forward, one step back.  Over time,  founder John Zandig eventually sold the company to DJ Hyde, who had worked his way up from student to eventual owner of the company, a decision that had to be heartbreaking for Zandig. 

Since that time, Hyde has worked to find a balance between good wrestling and the violence that has become known as CZW's calling card.  It's been an ongoing process, but the company is still hanging in there and trying to build itself back up at a grass roots level.  Such things take time, effort and money - three things Hyde has slowly been pouring into CZW.  It's certainly a trial and error process, especially in the current economic state of the world, not to mention a wrestling business that has cooled considerably from the height of CZW's hype and buzz.

All that brought up to Combat Zone Wrestling holding their Tournament of Death 9 event on Saturday 6/26 in Townsend, Delaware on the estate owned by CZW owner Dave "DJ Hyde" Markland's family.  To say the experience was one of a kind goes without saying.  It was a surreal scene, standing in a field on farmland with mother nature serving as the background for the most violent event of Combat Zone Wrestling's year.  Surveying the scene through a heavy nicotine haze, one couldn't help but shake their head and laugh while thinking what someone who wasn't a wrestling fan would think if they suddenly stumbled out of those woods and arrived upon this gathering - breaking glass, insane bumps, blood running deep in every match and some unique, twisted characters populating the ring and the audience alike. 

CZW's Tournament of Death is sort of the wrestling equivalent of a punk rock festival.  If you like the style and the scene, you are home.  If not, you'll never understand it.  That is certainly the best way to describe the show.  If you are into the extremely violent Death Match style matches, this was the show for you.  If blood, crazy (and sometimes contrived) spots, all out violence and weapons shots aren't your thing, this certainly was not the show for you, not in the least and you would have hated every minute of it.  Perhaps another CZW event would have been for you, but not this one.  It was all or nothing when it came to the violence and CZW delivered in that regard.

The show opened with a ten bell salute for former CZW star Michael "Trent Acid" Verdi.  I believe DJ Hyde made a speech about Verdi, but I hadn't arrived yet due to traffic issues, so I'm not sure what was said. 

CZW TOD Round One:  In a Lighttube Bundles and Structures match, JC Bailey pinned Havok with a Michinoku Driver onto a ton of light tubes.  Lots  of back and forth brawling and a tons of light tube destruction.  Bailey hit a double stomp off the top through tubes as well.  He continued beating down with tubes after the match, leaving him laying.  Really violent and entertaining opener setting the stage for the carnage from what I saw.

CZW TOD Round One: In a "Weapons of Mass Destruction" match, Big Japan Wrestling's Abdullah Kobayashi pinned Nick Gage in what was Kobayashi's first ever appearance in the United States.  Gage took the mic before the match and  said that he's beat the hell out of everyone who's ever come into CZW, so now they want to bring a Japanese P**** into the company.  He said he was going to kick Abdullah Kobayashi's teeth down his throat.   When Kobayashi came to the ring, Gage warned him he was in the ring with him and who did he think he was.  Kobayashi screamed his name in response.   Gage hit Kobayahi over the head with a light tube.  He no sold it and then ate one.  Sick!  He smashed another one over Gage's back and ate the remnants.  He dropped Gage over broken shards then r ipped at his face with a piece.   Gage came back with several kicks to the groin.  Gage drilled him in the back with a barbed wire chair.  He smashed a keyboard over Kobayashi's head, then smashed him with a giant plastic water jug with Christmas ornaments.  Gage nailed a diving attack off the top for a two count.  Kobayashi came back with a dropkick and a shining wizard, then dropped an elbow for a two count.  Kobayashi nailed a belly to back suplex for a two count.  Gage put a Tekken, which has a LOT of tiny little spikes and is used to hold flowers in place on Kobayashi's head, then drilled it into his head with a chairshot,  Then, he repeated it.  SICK!  Kobayahi has done that in Japan before but seeing it live was a hell of a sight.  Fans began chanting for CZW.  Gage then tried to pull them out but they were too deeply embedded.  He nailed Kobayashi with a plastic bat that had thumbtacks glues around it.  He went to use the jug but Kobayashi stole it and beat Gage with it.  He drilled Gage with a leaping DDT, then placed a number of tubes on Gage's chest and stomach.  Kobayashi came off the ropes with an elbow and pinned Gage.  Crowd didn't like that and a lot of people were catcalling about it.  Kobayashi screamed into the mic he loves Death Matches and American people.  Gage warned him if he ever sees another Big Japan talent in CZW again, he was going to f*** them up.  Since the plan is to bring others in, I guess Gage will be doing a lot of f***ing them up.  Great stuff - this was my favorite Gage match in sometime.

CZW TOD Round One: Thumbtack Kick Pads and Panes of Glass Martch:  Scotty Vortez pinned Vortex.  They choppd the hell out of each other early.  Dysfunction suplexed Vortez into a plane of plexiglass but it didn't break.  So, he powerbombed him into it.  Glass showered the audience.  That would be why I don't sit ringside for these things.  Dysfunction nailed Vortex with an over the knee backbreaker.   Vortex came back with a diving kneedrop off the top through a glass pane bridged between two chairs.  Dysfunction was killed but came back with a superkick.  Dsyfunction sat Vortex on his shoulders and slammed him down through a pane.  He drilled Vortex with a chair, then set up another pane between two chairs.  They battled on the top until Vortex hit a Flux Capacitor off the top through the glass for the pin.  Decent with some incredible bumps.

CZW TOD Round One: Masada pinned Drew Moore, who substituted for John Zandig.  Masada came out first but when Zandig's music hit, out came Devon Moore driving a farm vehicle.  Masada demanded to know why he was there but there was no explanation and they rang the bell. The reality was Zandig has been dealing with a bad back injury for well over a year stemming from a car wreck where he was hit by a woman driving with such force it flipped his truck.  The morning of the TOD, he woke up in such pain, there was no way he could have worked the date.  The promotion probably should have made an announcement before the show.  Zandig wasn't at the event.  Moore went for a discus clothesline but bounced off.  Masada tossed him out of the ring and called for Zandig.  The crowd was deflated by no Zandig.  Moore returned to the ring and hit a flip dive over the top to the floor.   Masada returned to the ring and backdropped Moore over, then clotheslined him to the floor.  Masada beat Moore around the outside.  Masada set up several chairs near the station where the announcers were set up.  He knocked  off some wood from the structure and set it between the chairs, then suplexed Moore through it.  Fans began chanting,    "This is bullsh**" but I don't know if it was because of bad sightlines or no Zandig.   Moore hit a shooting star press off the station.  They battled back to the ring where they destroyed a car windshield. Masada pinned him with a stiff clothesline.  The crowd never gave this a chance in my eyes but it was OK.

In a non-tournament match, Joe Gacy and Sami Callihan beat DJ Hyde and Greg Excellent in a great a Fans Bring the Weapons Falls Count Anywhere match.  Callihan and Gacy attacked their foes in the aisle and they immediately brawled all over the field through the crowd.  They used a wood backboard stretcher that the EMTS the company had hired had with them on Hyde's back.  They worked over Hyde and whipped him into a wooden fence, which collapsed.  They ripped a branch off a tree and whipped Excellent with it.  They dragged Excellent back to the ring and worked him over with weapons.  Hyde returned and they worked him over and hit him with a watermelon, which didn't break.  Hyde speared them and then destroyed them with the melon.  They went back and forth with some crazy weapons shots.  Hyde was sent off the apron through some  nutty barbed wire construction a fan brought.  They finally powerbombed Excellent off the top through a barbed wire glass pane that was placed atop a TELEVISION.  That was a pretty sickening bump and Excellent looked to be badly hurting after the match but later on seemed to be moving around OK. Really, really fun brawl.

*TOD Semi Final: In a barbed wire board and log cabin lighttubes match, JC Bailey pinned Abdullah Kobayashi.  Kobayashi was all bandaged up from earlier.  Bailey used headbutts early but Kobayashi fought back with chops. Bailey nailed him over the back with a chair and peppered him with rights.  He placed a log cabin across his chest and then did a double stomp off the top on Kobayashi.  He began beating Kobayashi with the remnants of the tubes. Bailey set up another on Kobayashi and went to the top but Kobayashi escaped and threw a steel chair in Bailey's face.  Kobayashi hit a Samoan Drop then put a log cabin over Bailey, then splashed off the ropes, destroying the structure.  Bailey was bleeding hard from the chest.  Kobayashi placed a circular structure over Bailey's body and used shooting kicks to destroy it.  So it was 2-1 for Abdullah.  Bailey and Kobayashi carved each other with tubes.  Kobayashi got the better and went to the ropes for an elbow.  Bailey fought him off and superplexed Kobayashi through a log cabin, tying it up.  They faced off with chairs with Bailey getting the better and killing Kobayashi with two stiff shots to the head.  Bailey finally nailed a back senton off the top through a log cabin for the win.  The crowd went from apathetic for Kobayashi to loving him over the course of his two appearances, with a large crowd lining up for photos later in the day.  I've always loved his work so it was really cool to get to see him do his thing live.

*In a Barbed Wire Boards Death Match, Scotty Vortex pinned Masada.  The story here was Masada beat the holy hell out of Vortex to make him "earn" the win.  Vortex caught him with head scissors early.   They battled back and forth.  Masada hit a reverse suplex through a barbed wire board propped in the corner.  Masada slammed a cinder block over the remnants of the board, then covered Vortex for a two count.  Masada nailed a butterfly suplex onto the board wire for a two count.        Outside, Masada stiffly powerbombed Vortex through a glass tubes board.  Masada's manager Bill Gram got into it with the referee and shoved him  The ref shoved him back, knocking Gram into a barbed wire board.   Masada bridged another barbed wire board between the guard rail and the apron, then used it as a teeter totter as Masada came off the top with a chair, slamming it into Vortex's head.   Masada beat Vortex with light tubes.   Back in the ring, Vortez mounted a comeback with a series of chops.  Masada returned in kind.  Masada nailed a charging elbow in the corner.  He pulled several cinder blocks into the center of the ring and slammed Vortex onto them several times.  The first slam was nasty as hell and I can't see how Vortex wouldn't be feeling that tomorrow.  Vortex kept battling back but Masada caught him with a kick to the back for a two count.  Masada leaned a barbed wire board against two chairs in the middle of the ring.  He tried to powerbomb Vortex, but Vortex escaped.  Vortex fought off Masada, then hit diving knees, drilling Masada through the board.  Bill Gram attacked Vortex who got the better of him, nailing him with a kid's bat surrounded by thumbtacks, then killing him with light tubes.  The ref tossed  Gram, who was possibly the bloodiest mess out of everyone all day, out.  His long hair got caught up in barbed wire and some of it was ripped out.  Ouch.  Masada went for a powerbomb but Vortex slipped out.  He nailed him a second time.  Masada called for his manager to be taken to the back.  Vortex caught him with a kick to the head and used a forward cradle for the pin.  Masada shoved several fans on the way out.  I know he's a heel and all but perhaps getting physical with fans while on the property of the owner of the company (who would be completely liable if anything happened) wouldn't be the smartest of ideas.

*In a Taipei Death Match, Brain Damage pinned Drake Younger.  For this world, Damage is one hell of a great brawler and has this intense look.  He spit in the face of a woman as he made his way to the ring.  Wow.  They punched each other.  Younger filled Damage's mouth with glass and punched him.  Younger came off the ropes but got punched in the face for a two count.   Damage tossed him to the floor.  Damage beat Younger down with a pair of water jugs connected by a stick (think an American Gladiator-like joust).  Younger made a comeback but was kicked down.  Younger fought off Damage and splashed him with a light tube.  Younger nailed a Death Valley Driver for a two count.  Damage nailed a Michinoku Driver on light tubes for a two count.  Damage went to the top rope but Younger fought him off and nailed a superplex onto light tubes and another water jug jousting stick.  Younger went for a Gringo Killer on tubes but Damage came back with a powerbomb through them for a two count.  Damage nailed a package piledriver for the pin.  Intense brawl.

TOD Finals: Scotty Vortex pinned JC Bailey in a Tables, Ladders, Light Tubes and Anything Else Still Left in the Back Match.  Vortex pushed Bailey off the top through a table covered in light tubes.  They battled on the floor.  Back in the ring, Vortex covered Bailey  with light tubes around the groin, then slammed a ladder into them.  Bailey fought back with kicks and Vortex responded in kind.  Bailey got the best and nailed a fisherman's buster suplex into the broken glass.  Bailey was whipped into the corner, where he ran up a ladder but was caught with a back suplex.    Vortex brought a table into the ring and set it up.  At the same time, Bailey set up a ladder.  They began battling and Bailey got the better of it.  Bailey set up another ladder.  Bailey put a log cabin light tube on top of the table.  He clobbered Vortex with a light tube over the head.  Bailey dragged Vortex up the ladder then hit a Side Russian Legsweep through the table and log cabin.  Both men were down as the referee began counting them out.  They got up right before the 10 count.  Vortex came back with several light tube shots to the head and chest. Bailey caught and stopped Vortex,then kicked one into Vortex' chest.  He grabbed a light tube contraction wrapped in barbed wire and set it up over Vortex's chest, then nailed a double stomp for a two count.   They battled back and forth with punches, forearms and headbutts as fans chanted back and forth for each man.  Bailey slid a light tube between Vortex's legs and shattered it.  Vortex made a big comeback and set up Bailey on the top rope.  He grabbed a massive amount of light tubes and smashed them over Bailey's head.  He finally superplexed Bailey in and scored the pin.  They were obviously tired and from the standpoint of a climactic moment, this didn't have that but given all they went through in the course of the show, you can't fault them one bit.

Notes: JAPW's Steve Mack was in attendance...The promotion was heavily pushing the 7/10 Acidfest Memorial Event...They were also plugging upcoming dates in North Carolina and Germany...While it was a hot, humid day, everyone really worked hard and if you enjoy that style of wrestling, this would be one hell of a DVD purchase....For more on CZW, visit www.CZWrestling.com.

2011 - Ring of Honor held their Best in the World iPPV, featuring Davey Richards capturing the ROH title at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC.  Mike Johnson filed the following live report from the PPV:

We are live at the Hammerstein Ballroom for Ring of Honor Best in the World 2011! There were less than 300 tickets left this morning, so it appears the company will end up with a sellout as there is a HUGE walk-up.

Announcing for the PPV tonight will be handled by Kevin Kelly and Eric Santamaria. They entered the ring and did a live pre-game show inside the ring.

Kelly and Santamaria previewed the main event and introduced ROH champion Eddie Edwards, who came to the ring. Kelly said it was the biggest match in his career and the first time that the champion has ever challenged the challenger and asked for his thoughts. Edwards said that he challenged Davey Richards not because he disliked Richards or has a problem with Davey, but one with himself. He said that he asks himself if he deserves the championship and whether he's better than Richards. He said that at an event titled "Best in the World" they are going to leave it all in the ring and find out who the better man is. Edwards said that ROH is going to show everyone why they, the company, are the best in the the world tonight.

Generation Me vs. Adam Cole & Kyle O'Reily

Generation Me got a huge "welcome back" chant from the NYC faithful, followed by a louder "F*** TNA" chant.

O'Reily and Jeremy started out. O'Reily nailed him with some offense. Cole and Kyle double teamed Jeremy with some hot, fast attraction. Jeremy ended up on the outside and O'Riley went for a running dive off the apron but Max grabbed his leg. He kicked off Max and Cole hit a dive to the outside on Max. O'Riley then hit a running dropkick off the apron on Jeremy. Huge "ROH" chant.

The former Bucks took over and hit a dive on Cole. They took turns working over Cole, tagging in and out. Jeremy stomped away at Cole and cinched in an armbar. He brought Cole over to the corner and Max came off with a double stomp to the arm, screaming "Yoshino" as he did it.

Gen Me continued double teaming Cole as O'Riley rallied the crowd for his partner. Cole nailed a jawbreaker and made the hot tag. O'Riley nailed a kick to Jeremy sending him to the floor. He nailed both Bucks with a series of kicks and nailed a double Dragon Screw legwhip on both at the same time. He then nailed a missile dropkick on Max for a two count. The crowd chanted, "This is awesome."

O'Riley nailed a series of butterfly supleses. Cole hit a German on Max for a two count. Max backdropped Cole to the floor and hit a twisting springboard Ace Crusher on O'Riley for a two count. He tried to nail a sunset flip bomb on Cole who fought it but was nailed by Jeremy and finally Max hit it. The Bucks nailed O'Riley and Max hit a 450 splash for a two count.

Max accidentally nailed his brother on a charge. O'Riley drilled him with a kick. He nailed a tornado DDT. Cole superkicked Max as he was picked up for a suplex. Cole and O'Riley sunk in stereo guillotine chokes but before anyone could tap, the Bravado Brothers.

Winners by DQ, Generation Me!

The other teams dispatched the Bravados. The crowd chanted, "Let them fight" but it was not to be. They all shook hands and showed respect to each other. The crowd applauded but you could hear some people yelling, "Bullsh**" as well.

Dave Prazak is now at ringside, so he is doing announcing tonight after all.

Jim Cornette and Cary Silkin came to ringside to a big pop. Cornette joined the announcing team in the ring.

The PPV opened with all three in the ring. Kelly welcomed everyone. Cornette said that for everyone in the Hammerstein Ballroom for being the biggest crowd in ROH history. He said that it's not only the biggest crowd in company history but the early indications are that today's PPV is the most watched company event in history.

Cornette said that thanks to all the support of the fans around the world, today is a new era for ROH. He said that for everyone that thinks pro wrestling is dead and it's all sports-entertainment now, he has a message for them and that's, "kiss my bit fat white butt."

Cornette asked the crowd if they were ready to see the ROH wrestlers set the ring on fire and said let's get to it.

Colt Cabana vs. Tommaso Ciampa (with Prince Nana, RE Barrister andErnesto Osiris)

No Princess Mia Yim.

They locked up and Cabana got the better of the early exchange. Ciampa grabbed an arm but Cabana reversed it and maneuvered him into an elbow to the mush. Cabana played games with Ciampa's head and rolled him up for a two count. Cabana began working over his leg but was kicked in the head.

Cabana continued to thwart Ciampa's offense until turning his attention to Nana and Osiris, kicking at them. That allowed Ciampa to nail a flap jack, hanging Cabana on the ropes and nailing him with a dropkick.

Ciampa worked over Cabana, including stomping him hard in the corner. He nailed a running knee to Cabana's face for a two count. Ciampa drilled him with a right hand and slammed him facefirst into the turnbuckles. Ciampa snapmared Cabana over and cinched in a side chinlock.

Cabana fought his way out and nailed a series of rights. He went for a quebrada but Ciampa saw it coming and pulled his knees up. Cabana kicked him off from a charge. He Hotshotted him into the turnbuckles. Cabana nailed a series of rights and did some clubbering.

Cabana nailed the Butt Butt on Ciampa and went to whip him into the corner. Ciampa reversed and sent Cabana into the corner. He positioned Cabana on the second rope and nailed a bridging German suplex for a two count.

Cabana tried to go for the Billy Goat's Curse but Ciampa grabbed the ropes. Cabana went for the Flying A****le but Ciampa kicked him. He nailed his finisher, the powerbomb over the knees and it didn't look smooth but did the job.

Your winner, Tommaso Ciampa!

Decent opener. I liked it.

Mike Bennett (with Brutal Bob Evans) vs. Jay Lethal

Lethal got a huge welcoming committee as the ring was showered with streamers. He looked surprised by that. Big "welcome back" chant followed by a "F**k TNA" chant followed by a "F*** Hulk Hogan" chant.

The crowd then began chanting, "Randy Savage." Lethal did the Savage finger twirl.

They locked up and Bennet forced Lethal into the corner. He gave a clean break in a condenscending way and laughed at Lethal. They locked up again and Bennett grabbed an arm. He again did the clean break, mocking Lethal.

Lethal shoulderblocked him down, evaded a leapfrog and nailed a hard chop. Lethal nailed the cartwheel into the dropkick and covered Bennett for a two count. The crows chanted for Lethal as he chopped away at Bennett in the corner.

He whipped Bennett into the corner but was lifted up and over. Lethal came back into the ring with a leaping rana that sent Bennett to the outside, then followed up with a great suicide dive.

Bennett kicked off Lethal as he returned to the ring. Evans grabbed him and nailed a sideslam on the apron. Bennett worked over Lethal on the floor and posed, mocking him. Bennett tossed Lethal back into the ring for a two count.

Bennett continued to work over Lethal with chops and headbutts. Lethal fired back but was kicked in the gut. Bennett nailed a nice vertical suplex for another two count. Bennett used a surfboard to try and force a submission but Lethal forced his way to his feet and out of the move. Bennett maneuvered him back into it and twisted Lethal's back.

Lethal elbowed his way out but Bennett drilled him. Lethal escaped a charge in the corner and unloaded with a series of hot moves, including a springboard handspring elbow. Lethal went to the middle rope and nailed a leaping leg lariat for a two count. Lethal went to the top rope but Evans distracted him. Lethal nailed him but Bennett drilled Lethal and superplexed him into the ring for a two count.

Bennett went to the top rope but missed an elbow. Lethal nailed a superkick and went to the top for the flying elbow, scoring the pin.

Your winner, Jay Lethal!

Very good back and forth match. This may have been the best Bennett has looked to date in ROH. Lethal's homecoming was a great one.

Lethal led a huge "Macho Man" chant before heading out.

Ghetto Street Fight: Homicide vs. Rhino

Homicide took the mic and told Nana and Rhino to get out and get his ass kicked in the best city in the world - "F*** Michigan!" Rhino hit the ring and they brawled. Rhino drilled him with a monster shoulderblock. Homicide came back with a Lucha armdrag. Rhino went to the outside where he was nailed with a tope con hilo to the floor.

They returned to the ring, where Rhino sent Homicide into the air and crashing to the mat. Homicide rolled to the outside where Rhino nailed a pescado to the floor. That's so damn impressive for him to pull that out.

They battled on the outside. Homicide tried to piledrive Rhino through a table but instead was backdropped through it. Rhino pulled a ladder out from under the ring and tossed it into the ring. Homicide nailed him and drilled Rhino with a series of punches in the corner on the outside and bit him in the face. Homicide chased Nana around the ring but was nailed by Rhino. Rhino whipped him into the railing and charged him.

Back in the ring, Rhino drilled Homicide with the ladder. Rhino worked him over with punches and kicks. He went for a suplex but Homicide reversed it and sent Rhino down across the ladder. Rhino reversed a whip attempt and hiptossed Homicide onto part of the ladder.

Rhino pressed and dropped Homicide onto the ladder. Homicide kicked up at two and Nana screamed at the referee. Homicide went for him but Rhino attacked him. They battled back and forth. Homicide nailed a drop toehold into the corner and went to the middle turnbuckle for a flying shoulderblock, getting a two count.

Homicide continued working over Rhino but was caught and spiked with a piledriver. Rhino covered him but Homicide got his shoulder up at the last second. The crowd chanted, "F**k you Rhino." Rhino set up Homicide for a superplex in the corner and drilled him with a right. Rhino went for the superplex but Homicide nailed a series of headbutts and took Rhino down to the mat. Homicide went a frog splash but Rhino got his knees up.

Rhino went for the gore but Homicide kicked him in the face and nailed the Ace Crusher. Rhino kicked up at two. Rhino pulled another table from under the ring. Fans began chanting for fire. Yeah, good luck with that. Homicide was cut off. Rhino set up the table in the corner for an eventual gore.

Rhino nailed a belly to belly suplex and geared up for the gore. He went for it but Homicide sunset flipped him and scored the pin.

Your winner, Homicide!

Homicide got his hands on Nana and drilled him with a right hand but Rhino charged and gored hm through the table. A number of referees and trainees came out to check on Homicide's condition. He was carried out.

Steve Corino (with Jimmy Jacobs) vs. Michael Elgin (with Truth Martini)

Corino took the mic and introduced himself. He said he was an evil person, but each day, Jimmy Jacobs and himself are trying to get a little better. He said that for the last six months. he's been trying to become a better person and thanked everyone for cheering for him. He said Jacobs came to him and said they needed to make a change, and they are trying to do just that. He said there is someone else that wants to make a change and wants his own redemption. The fans chanted, "Mr. Wrestling."

Corino apologized to the ROH officials and new owners, but everyone needs a new chance. He introduced Kevin Steen, returning for the first time sine Final Battle. Steen was in the balcony of the Hammerstein and got a big reaction. Steen ran down to ringside but when he tried to hop the railing, Jim Cornette and an army of officials stopped him. Steen saluted the fans and stopped trying to get into the ringside area. He's lost a ton of weight.

Elgin tried to attack Corino who sidestepped him and flew to the outside. He nailed a shoulderblock into the ring. They went back and forth with chops and punches. Elgin drilled him with a series of shoulderblocks in the corner but missed a charge.

Corino nailed him with a back suplex but Elgin popped right up. He challenged Corino to hit him. Corino nailed a lariat and locked in an abdominal stretch, then stuck a thumb in the rectum. Elgin was sent to the outside and drilled with a sliding kick. Corino went a dive but was caught by Elgin. Elgin nailed a running Oklahoma Slam into the railing and then hit a running powerslam on the floor. That' insane.

Back in the ride, Corino kicked off several attempts at a charge by Elgin but was finally nailed and run into the corner, then hit with a Northern Lights suplex for a two count. Elgin went for Kevin Steen's package piledriver finisher but Corino backdropped him. Corino was sent into the ringpost corner first. Elgin locked in a Boston Crab while on the ropes.

Elgin drilled Corino with a series of clotheslines. Corino fired back with a spinning backfist. He went for a running lariat but Martini tripped him. Jimmy Jacobs chased and caught Martino but Elgin went for him. Corino rolled him up for a two count, then nailing a running knee .

Elgin caught Corino and nailed him with a TKO and a high knee. He grabbed Corino, who was on his knees and pulled him into the air for a vertical suplex. This guy's power is insane. He powerbombed Corino down for a two count. The crowd rallied Corino but Elgin powerbombed him into the corner, then nailed a sitdown powerbomb for the clean pin.

Your winner, Michael Elgin!

Elgin and Truth worked over Corino. Jacobs hit the ring but was overwhelmed. The crowd chanted for Steen. Elgin powerbombed Jacobs hard in the ring. Corino covered Jacobs to protect him. Steen finally charged the rail and hit the ring and the place exploded. Steen and Elgin brawled. Steen ended up powerbombing him and superkicked Martini out of the ring.

ROH officials and Jim Cornette hit the ring and went to throw him out of the building. Corino took the mic and asked them to wait and said that Steen deserved to talk. He led a chance to "Let Kevin Talk."

ROH officials and Jim Cornette hit the ring and went to throw him out of the building. Corino took the mic and asked them to wait and said that Steen deserved to talk. He led a chance to "Let Kevin Talk."

Steen took the mic and said that he won't take long. Steen said he's thankful for the chance to stand in the ring. He said that he wanted everyone to know how sorry he was for everything. He said that he wanted to thank everyone, like Cary Silkin, Jim Cornette and the new owners for having the chance to say what he needed to say.

"My name is Kevin Steen...and F*** Ring of Honor!"

Corino went after Steen, who drilled him and nailed a Package Piledriver. Everyone from ROH grabbed him and dragged him out of the building. Jim Cornette took the mic and swore on his mother's grave that was the last time we'd ever see him in an ROH building again. The crowd still booed him for that.

They went to intermission as they attempted to help Corino out of the ring.

They just announced a return to the upstairs Ballroom on Saturday 9/17.

Daniels drilled Generico with a big boot as they kicked off the match. He worked over Generico and drilled him with a leg lariat. Daniels ran Generico into the turnbuckles but Generico is able to block a second one and drilled Daniels. They go into a nice sequence that ends with Daniels taking headscissors to the outside.

Generico nailed a dropkick through the ropes to the outside. Generico whipped Daniels hard into the railing. Daniels nailed Generico and whipped him into the railing but Generico jumped up and moonsaulted off the railing onto Daniels. That really brought the crowd up.

Generico sent Daniels into the ringpost and then tossed him back into the ring. Daniels begged off and asked for a handshake. Daniels wants a handshake? Generico took his hand and then slapped him hard. Generico worked him over with punches in the corner.

Daniels drilled Generico with a clothesline and then peppered him with right hands on the mat. Daniels choked Generico against the buckles with his boot. He strangled Generico against the ropes, then came down across his back. Daniels did the Jeff Jarrett strut to get heat and the crowd was all over him with a "F*** TNA."

Daniels snapped Generico on the ropes and forced his knee down on Generico's chest. He deposited Generico rudely to the floor. Generico sunset flippped Daniels for a two count. Daniels caught Generico and locked in a scissor choke using the ropes. Daniels kicked Generico down and stalked him. Daniels covered him for a two count, then cinched in a side chinlock.

Daniels locked on a Cobra Clutch. Generico fought out of it but was slammed down. Daniels nailed an Arabian Press. Daniels chopped Generico but Generico made the comeback. He sent Daniels to the outside and scored with a huge flip dive to the outside.

Generico tossed Daniels into the ring and nailed a flying bodypres for a two count. Generico nailed a Blue Thunder Driver for another two count. Generico went for a move but was caught with an STO and then rolled into the Kokina Clutch. Generico tried to fight his way out of it. Generico got his foot to the rope, forcing a break.

Daniels nailed a jawbreaker and an enziguiri. He went for Angel's Wings but Generico backdropped his way out of it. Daniels then caught him with Last Rites but Generico kicked up at two. Daniels popped him with a right. They battled back and forth. Daniels caught him with a palm thrust but Generico nailed a big boot.

They battled into the corner. Daniels went to charge but Generico nailed him with a running Yakuka Kick. He drilled Daniels with a brainbuster for a two count. The crowd began chanting "Ole Ole" for Generico. Generico tied Daniels to the tree of woe and nailed a flip Van Terminator. Daniels again kicked out at the last second.

Generico followed Daniels, who had rolled out to the apron. He tried for the brainbuster but Daniels nailed him and shoved him off into the barriers on the floor. Daniels suplexed him on the floor. Daniels grabbed the TV title belt and wrapped it around his waist, as if he expected to win while Generico was being counted out.

Behind him, Generico rolled back into the ring, surprising Daniels. Generico chopped him hard but was caught with an Uranage. Generico fought back and got his legs up during a BME attempt. Generico nailed the turnbuckle brainbuster and scored the pinfall.

Your winner and new ROH TV champion, El Generico!

A very good match. They had some great near falls towards the end and it built well.

KOW were rapped in by the guy that does their music. Titus and Haas started the match. Haas gave his hat to a kid in the front row. The NYC crowd chanted "Little Jimmy". Haas and Titus went back and forth. Haas caught him with a big kick. He took down Titus and began working over his leg, then tied him up on the mat.

Titus slipped out and locked in an abdominal stretch variation. Haas hiptossed his way out of it and backdropped Titus to the apron. Titus nailed him and went for a slingshot splash but Hass pulled his knees up. Kenny King and Shelton Benjamin tagged in.

They locked up. Benjamin and King went back and forth. King scored with a high dropkick. They had a great back and forth until Benjamin hit him with a cross bodyblock for a two count. Haas tagged in and slammed King for another two count. One of the Briscoes took a shot at King, who fired back. King drilled Haas but Claudio blind tagged in and nailed him with a big forearm.

Claudio rolled him down on the mat. He forced King into the corner and tagged in Hero. They nailed a double boot to the face. Hero drilled King with a chop. Briscoe tagged King with a punch and goit punched again. They allowed Hero to work on him but King made a comeback. He monkeyflipped Hero out and Titus dropkicked him.

Titus and King double teamed Hero. The fans chanted, "Let's go Hero." The ANE continued beating on him and getting a two count. Hero regained control and tagged in Claudio, who cinched in a side chinlock. Titus fought his way out but was shoved into the Briscoes' corner. They started working him over. Haas tossed Jay out of the ring and hit a pescado to the outside. Titus hit a flip dive to the outside on them.

Mark looked to do a dive but was jumped by the Kings. He backdropped Claudio out of the ring and went to the top for a moonsault to the floor. King was going to do a dive but Hero laid him out with a running forearm, then hit a moonsault backflip out of the ring to the floor. King went to the top to do a move but was cut off by Claudio, who drilled him wth a forearm.

Claudio went for a Ricola Bomb off the top. They battled on top when Benjamin leapt to the top and suplexed them both off the top. Briscoes jumped Benjamin and began doubling him, clearing the ring. The Briscoes took control of the match and covered Benjamin several times. They beat down Benjamin in their corner. Jay drilled him with a high knee as Benjamin rebounded off the ropes.

Jay locked in a chinlock on Benjamin, who tried to fight his way up but was forced back down. Jay tagged in Hero. The Kings made a wish with Benjamin's legs several times. Claudio cinched in an armbar and worked over Benjmamin's arm. Benjamin tried to force his way up to his feet and did, forcing Claudio into a corner. Unfortunately for him, it was the Briscoes' corner and they blindtagged in and continued beating down Shelton.

Haas finally made the hot tag and clotheslined everyone, then drilled the Kings in the corner. He nailed a back suplex on one of the Briscoes. Titus tagged uin and worked over The Briscoes. Mark caught him with a nasty throw and Jay drilled him with a killer clothesline. King and Jay traded blows and Jay took King's head off with a running boot.

The Briscoes went for the Doomsday Device but Titus nailed a forward roll for a near fall. The Briscoes killed Titus with several moves but he kept kicking out. King jumped into the fray as did Mark. King drilled Jay with a nice dropkick in the corner and hit a backbreaker. The ANE hit a varation on the old Demolition finisher, except Titus nailed a flying kneedrop.

Titus pinned Jay, eliminating the Briscoes.

Half the crowd sang "Nah Nah Nah Nah, Hey Hey Hey Goodbye" while others were chanting "Bullsh**."

Titus waited to see who would challenge him next and it was the Kings' Claudio. Hero tried to attack Titus from behind asnd he fired against them both with chops. King chased Hero to the floor. Claudio tagged Benjamin and left. The Kings acted like they were brilliant since they were safe from being eliminated and the other teams would destroy each other.

Titus battled Benjamin. He went for a big dropkick but Titus held onto the ropes. Hero tagged in and nailed a back senton splash. Hero drilled Benjamin into the turnbuckles. Claudio came off with a big axehandle. Claudio locked in a Camel Clutch, trying to force the submission.

Benjamin fought out of it and used the Electric Chair. He tried to tag out but Claudio caught his leg and tagged Hero. Hero nailed Haas and then started working over Benjamin on the mat. Haas tried to get in but was held back by the referee. That distraction allowed Hero the chance to nail Benjamin with a stiff jumping kick for a two count.

The Kings whipped Benjamin hard into the buckles for a two count. Benjamin caught Claudio with a back elbow and ducked down, sending Hero out of the ring. Claudio tried to prevent a tag but was nailed with a kick. Benjamin went for the tag but Hero pulled Haas off the apron, stopping the tag.

The Kings went for their double boot but Benjamin nailed them and tagged in King. King nailed some nice offense, including a standing moonsault for a two count, Claudio attacked but was caught with a Sidewalk Slam. King nailed Hero with a Fisherman's suplex for a two count. ANE double teamed on Hero, who kicked up after a series of kicks.

Hero came back with a kick to the head and a roaring elbow for a two count on Titus. Some fan threw streamers from the balcony. NYC pointed him out and chanted, "what a d***." Hope he gets tossed. Claudio tagged in but was caught by ANE with a double team move. Hero drilled him with a loaded elbowpad and Claudio covered Titus.

The ANE is eliminated.

Hero continued working over Haas, getting several near falls. Claudio and Hero tagged in and out, nailing Haas with double team maneuvers. Haas ducked a move and forced the Kings into each other, then hit a release German suplex on Hero.

Benjamin made the hot tag and nailed the Stinger Splash, then a bulldog off the ropes. Hero and Claudio went for a double suplex but Benjamin turned it into a double DDT. Haas and Benjamin set up Hero for their patented double team hanging splash. Haas hit the Olympic Slam for a two count.

Haas charged Hero in the corner but was nailed with a high knee and a leg lariat. Claudio tagged in and covered him for a near fall. Claufio went for the airplane spin and nailed it, then covered Haas for a two count.

Claudio nailed the big swing into a Hero dropkick for a two count. The Kings went for their finisher but Haas escaped and Hero accidentally speared Claudio. Haas and Benjamin drilled Hero with a double sidewalk slam and scored the pin.

Your winners and still ROH Tag Team champions, Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas!

Lots of really good wrestling here.

After the match, The Briscoes returned to blast the champions with chairs to the head. Hero and Claudio were challenged but instead sat on the turnbuckles and offered the champs up to the Briscoes. Briscoes beat the hell out of the champs with chairshot after chairshot. The KOW left the ring. The ANE hit the ring, tossing a trash can in while wielding sticks.

ROH champion Eddie Edwards vs. Davey Richards

Lots of back and forth chanting as they faced off. They locked up and went back and forth trying to gain an advantage. Edwards was forced against the ropes and they broke clean. They locked up again and this time they broke clean. Richards tried to throw a kick but Edwards evaded it and they faced off.

They went back and forth wrestling and went for a test of strength. Richards was forced down to the mat but forced his way back up. He then forced Edwards back up and Edwards forced his way back up. Richards snapmared him over and drilled him in the back. Edwards responded in kind. They began battled back and forth. Richards drilled him with a running kick to the chest. Unbelievably stiff.

Richards nailed a snap suplex for a two count. He tied up Edwards on the map and used a Texas Cloverleaf variation. Edwards escaped and fought back with sit-out F5. Edwards tagged Richards with a kick and a gutwretch suplex.

Edwards locked on an armbar but Richards made it to the ropes to break it. Richards fired his way out of the corner with massive shots but was taken down by Edwards and covered for a two count. Edwards drilled him with a headbutt and a kick to the face. He tagged Davey with a chop. He whipped Richards into the corner but was tossed up and over to the floor. Richards went for a kick off the apron, but Edwards ducked. Richards tagged him on the rebound, then hit an inside suicide dive to the floor.

Edwards was tossed bacck into the ring and Richards nailed him with a missile dropkick. He charged Eddie but was kicked off Edwards hit a leaping enziguiri. Richards rolled him over in a crossarm breaker but Edwards escaped. Richards locked in a Kimura.

He forced Edwards into the corner and tagged him with a series of stiff kicks to the chest. Edwards was hoisted to the top rope, where Richards went for a superplex. They battled back and forth with headbutts. Richards was sent to the mat but rebounded with a leaping kick. He nailed a superplex with both standing on the top and then pulled him into a cross arm breaker. Edwards broke the move and turned it into a Boston Crab.

Richards made it to the ropes and they tagged each other with hot slaps. They continued to go back and forth with near falls. Incredible stuff. Richards drilled Edwards with another kick to the chest. He went for a handspring elbow but was caught and tossed, landing rudely on his face.

Edwards nailed a running knee to the face. Richards cut him off but was caught with a fisherman's buster for two count. Edwards, now selling his arm, chopped Richards with the other one. Richards tried to pull himself together and nailed a hard knee to Edwards' bad arm. Edward fired back but was caught with a rolling cross armbreaker.

Edwards slipped out and stomped away on Richards, who fired back and caught him with an armbreaker. They went back and forth beating the hell out of each other. Edwards drilled Richards with a hard kick to the back, sending him to the floor. Edwards nailed a moonsault to the floor, crashing into Richards and the guard rail in a scary moment.

Edwards killed Richards with a missile dropkick. Richards chopped away at Edwards. Edwards caught him with a back suplex for a two count. They fired away with forearms. Richards started to stagger. They battled back and forth with strikes like an MMA match. Edwards drilled Richards with a flying knee. This pretty much a war of attrition.

They battled to the outside, where Edwards attempted a suplex. Richards nailed several kick. Edwards nailed a 2K1 Bomb on the apron. That was insane. They teased a double countout but both returned at the 17 count. Edwards nailed a double stomp off the top through a table on the floor. The crowd chanted, "You just killed him."

Back in the ring, Edwards nailed another double stomp off the ropes but Richards kicked up. Edwards tagged him with slaps but was nailed with a kick. Edwards' leg was caught up in the ropes but Richards came off the top with a big knee drop.

Richards locked on the anklelock in the center of the ring but Eddie made it to the ropes. He drilled Richards with a kick. The crowd chanted, "This is awesome" and they were right. This was just all out pro wrestling greatness with kickass physicality.

They battled on the ropes. Edwards nailed several back elbows sending Richards to the mat. Richards returned and was sent off again. A third time, Richards beat the hell out of him with headbutts. Richards tossed him with a back superplex. Richards drilled him with an awesome superkick and locked on the anklelock. Edwards rolled through and locked in one of his own. Richards reversed and locked in a heel hook. Edwards reversed but Richards rolled through with an anklelock. Edwards finally made it to the ropes.

They battled atop the announcing table with Richards beating down Edwards. They exchanged kicks. Edwards ducked and Davey kicked the ringpost, going down. They recovered and each climbed the turnbuckle, battling. Edwards was shoved off and landed on the apron. He rolled into the ring and went after Richards, who was still on the top. Edwards tried to go for a top rope rana but Richards caught him for a powerbomb. In mid-air, Edwards turned it into a rana.

Edwards followed up with a powerbomb for a two count, then a massive lariat. He nailed Davey with a 2K1 Bomb for a two count, then locked on a single legged crab. Richards rolled over and began beating Edwards in the face with kicks but was forced back over. Edwards then locked in a full Texas Cloverleaf.

He covered Richards for another two count. He pulled Richards up but was caught with a nasty back suplex. Edwards then returned the favor with one of his own. They were almost counted down on the mat but returned to their knees, then their feet. They battled back and forth with forearms and chops, then kicks. They were showing their exhaustion but didn't let up. Richards tagged him with a kick to the gut and a hard lariat that sent Edwards spinning for a two count.

Richards tagged Edwards with hard punches and clothesline but he kicked up at one and fired up. Richards KILLED HIM with stiff kicks to the face but Edwards kicked up. Richards repeated the assault but Edwards kicked up at the last second. Richards drilled him with a hard running punt kick to the head and scored the pin.

Your winner and NEW ROH champion, Davey Richards!

OFF THE F**KING CHARTS, HARD HITTING MATCH. Unbelievably sick main event.

A number of wrestlers and ROH officials came out to check on both men, who took a long time to recover. Fans chanted "Match of the year" and "Best in the World." Richards and Edwards, spent, embraced each other. Edwards left the ring and Richards put on the title he's been chasing for the first time.

Fans began chanting his name as Richards took the ring mic. Edwards returned to the ring. Fans chanted Edwards' name. Richards said that this is his moment and said the fans and the boys are all the family he has. He told them they were there for him when his grandparents dying and his marriage ending and they are all his family. Richards said he has nothing but ROH and this and he thanked everyone for giving him a reason to get up when everything bad had gone down in his life and given him a reason to live. He said that the title means everything to him. He thanked Richards for setting the example and showing what a good person in. Edwards took the mic and told him that Richards is always talking about how good everyone else is but Edwards wouldn't be here right now if Davey hadn't believed in him. He thanked him and told him to take his moment and raise his arm like the champion he is.

Richards took the mic and apologized to everyone for doing this but he always wanted to and closed out saying, "Hey grandma. Hey grandpa. I did it!"

Incredible emotional, real closing to the evening. Hell of a main event, going 36 minutes and what a final scene. Off the charts.

That's it from NYC!

2011 - The Urban Wrestling Federation debuted on PPV with First Blood.  Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:

URBAN WRESTLING FEDERATION ‘FIRST BLOOD’ PPV REPORT

The Urban Wrestling Federation’s “First Blood” PPV opened with a “news report” from AllHipHop.com’s Gina Torres, who told the audience that Brooklyn-based rapper Uncle Murda was arrested after an altercation with a Miami rapper and a pro wrestler. Torres said, “He was last seen being taken away, saying over and over, it’s a man’s game now.”

We then went into an opening montage that looked great. Think the old ECW open in an alternative hip hop universe, Steve O'Neil produced this well.

We go to a vignette where Steve The Hustler (UWF owner Steve Karel and NO ONE was more shocked to see him as an on-camera personality then yours truly.) telling two large thug types that they weren’t making money anymore on the street, so they had to reach out to all the crews and tell them “the ring is the new block” and make the money in wrestling. Somehow, this would take down all the renegades in the hood. They ran down the different crews they should invite to be part of this gathering of well,Warriors, I guess. I guess that makes Steve Karel Cyrus? Of all the people to open this PPV, the last person I expected was Karel!

We go to the Hammerstein Ballroom. Ring announcer Larry Legend introduces us to the UWF.

Lowlife Louie Ramos comes out and says the UWF has brought the streets to the ring. He says it’s all about Uncle Murda’s crew. Music starts playing and Ramos asked who has beef. Murder-One hits the ring from the crowd and attacks Ramos, destroying him with BRUTAL (and trust me, these were BRUTAL) chairshots to the head. Ramos is busted open. Murder One brandished a shank and started stabbing Ramos in the head and the arm. He drilled Ramos with a big boot and an Ace Crusher.

Murder One cut a promo saying he drew first blood and was doing it in the name of Atlanta. He told Murda that if he thinks he’s got a hard crew, no one has seen a hard crew until we’ve seen his and introduces Big Block with his tag team, Grim Reefer and Ruckus. Block said he was there to get that money.

This brought out Uncle Murda, who brought out his team, The Dirty Rotten Scoundrelz. Ruckus tried to throw a chair at EC Negro, who caught it and threw it back in the ring. Murda said this was his town and they were going to give them a NYC ass-kicking.

This brought out Brisco and his team of Dope and Creed. He said while everyone else was out partying, he was f***ing all the Atlanta and NYC b***hes. As you can guess, the show will be syndicated on the Hallmark Channel.

Ghetto Mafia vs. Dirty Rotten Scoundrelz vs. Grimm Reefer & Ruckus

All six brawled around and inside the ring. KC Blade hit a nice powerslam on one of the Mafia, Reefer and Blade chopped back and forth. Reefer missed a clothesline but nailed a secind one. Negro nailed a nice cobra clutch slam. One of the Mafia ducked a charge and Negro took a bump to the floor.

One of the Mafia hit a nice pescado to the floor on everyone as they brawled. Reefer went to the top and hit a springboard flip into the chaos. Ruckus hit a backflip moonsault off the apron, followed by Reefer hitting a splash to the floor on a DRS member. He tossed Negro back into the ring and worked him over with a series of rights.

Reefer hit a flying headscissors into a crippler crossface on Negro but Blade broke it up. DRS drilled Reefer with his finisher but The Mafia returned to the ring and broke up the pinfall. The fans began chanting "Let's go New York." Murda started chanting it on the mic

Mafia tried to work over Negro, who fired back against both. They nailed a variation of the old Demolition finisher on him. Ruckus and Reefer returned to the fray. Ruckus hit the Razzle Dazzle on a member of the Mafia. Reefer worked him over with chops. The Mafia made a comeback and worked over Reefer, nailing a double powerbomb into the corner.

DRS attacked and threw the Mafia out of the ring. They nailed a spike reverse tombstone on Reefer. Blade played to the crowd as Negro sold an arm injury, allowing the Mafia to score the pinfall.

Your winners, The Ghetto Mafia!

Reefer attacked Blade and they brawled backstage. Hard working, chaotic tag match.

Backstage, Brisco and his team celebrated their win and said, “F*** New York.”

Somewhere in Brooklyn, Red Café and the SAT cut a promo. Café said they were here to take over the UWF and the gloves were off. Will Maximo said when it comes to wrestling and Urban, they are the best. Joel Maximo said that when you cross the bridge in Brooklyn, you have to pay the toll and when it’s time to fight, they fight. Café said they are going to get all the money because they have to eat.

In a limo, Brisco met with Cuban Links, paying him off to bring in some muscle through his connection to help him get the UWF championship. The muscle in question will be Ricky Reyes.

Billy Blue’s crew were hanging out. Blue showed up and asked Bestia if he had Blue's money. Bestia, who looked worried when Blue showed up, said he had it and started rifling through his bags. Blue told the woman who was with him that it was her shopping money and she started looking through the bags. Blue accused Bestia of trying to make him look like a clown. He told Bestia he had an hour to get his money, and told Buck Chyld that if Bestia didn’t come back with it, it was going to be Buck’s problem as well.

Big Block was backstage macking on a hottie (I think this show is starting to rub off on me) when Rache Brown arrived. He told Block that he had his back and anything Block wanted him to do, he would take care of it. He said all the other crews were nothing compared to Block.

Uncle Murda told his crew that his crew is not to lose. He told Homicide that he was the only shot they have for the UWF title and Homicide was to whip Eddie Kingston’s ass. Homicide told him no problem. Murda told Wagner Brown that he’s heard something about Red Café getting involved in their business. He told Brown that if he can find him, “smoke him.” He said they were all about the street money and now they are here for the PPV money.

Buck Chyld was on the phone talking up Bily Blue to someone when Rasche Brown approached him in the hallway and laid him out, slamming his head against the wall and nailing a running kick to the face. Brown walked off.

As Chyld was out cold, Façade walked past him and entered a locker room. “Security footage” showed him entering, only to find Bestia rifling through bags, obviously stealing the money he owed to Uncle Murda. Façade chased him out and down the hall.

Larry Legend was making announcements as Facade and Beastia 666 brawled out of the entranceway and onto the floor. Facade got the better of their brawl , backdropping Bestia on a ladder propped against the stage. They brawled to the ring.

UWF Title Tournament: Facade vs. Bestia 666

Facade hit a springboard into a Lucha armdrag but was backdropped over the top. He skinned the cat and returned to the ring, only to be nailed with a clotheslines. Facade nailed one of his own and then hit an Asai Moonsault for a two count.

Facade chopped away at Bestia. He whipped Beastia into the ropes but was shoulderblocked down. Bestia nailed a twisting rana. He avoided a legsweep and hit a leaping kick then a sunset flip legdrop for a two count.

They battled to the outside where Bestia sent Facade into the railing with a rana, then picked up and dropped him across the railings, which broke apart. Beastia set up a table at ringside. Facade nailed him and drilled Bestia with a chair. He slammed Bestia into the table and tossed him into the ring.

Facade leapt to the top rope and nailed a double springboard into a missile Van Daminator. Bestia kicked up at two. Facade hit a springboard into a bulldog. He nailed a springboard split legged Asai moonsault for a two count

Facade went to the top rope and walked the ropes, trying to nail a move. Bestia grabbed him from underneath for a powerbomb and nailed a sitdown piledriver through a table. He pinned Façade on the floor.

Your winner, Bestia 666!

A little scatterbrained, but never boring. When the spots hit, it looked good. When it didn't hit as smoothly, you could see they were off the beaten track and trying to get back to what was planned. They were absolutely working to the best of their ability.

Billy Blue and his crew came out. He told the crowd that usually you celebrate a winner but all he sees is someone who owes him his money. He demanded to know where his money was and told Bestia that his crew was going to reward him. Steve Mack, Black Jeez, Buck Chyld worked him over. They tossed him back into the ring. Mack was going to press Bestia out of the ring but Blue told them not to kill him. He asked Bestia if he understands how he does business now. Jeez kept working Bastia over but Blue told him to stop. Mack carried the beaten Bestia out of the ring.

Somewhere, Steve the Hustler met with Melle Mel. Steve said Red Café’s boys are here but Café didn’t show yet. Steve got a phone call from Red and something happened that would prevent Red from appearing. Mel took the phone and told Red he would take care of the business for him while Red dealt with his situation. Mel said he tries to stay away from the young dudes since he and Steve are older and hang on yachts with the “hos.” Mel said that if Red wants him to take over the crew, it’s going to cost him. Red asked to speak to Eddie Kingston, who took the phone. Red told them “to ride with Mel” and the crew agreed.

Somewhere, Blk Jeez was doing a drug deal (yes, sir) when Wagner Brown approached him and challenged him for “f**ing with Murda’s sh**.” Jeez asked him what he meant. Wagner asked if he was Jeez. Jeez told him to stop playing because Brown knew who he was. Brown told him he was the “chosen one from the streets of Brooklyn”. He said their “products” went missing and they are hearing it was Billy Blue’s crew starting the problem. Jeez told that if they are having problems, they should look to the other side of Miami. Wagner said “other side of Miami, eh?” and walked off. He and Jeez stared each other down.

Backstage, Homicide cut a promo on Kingston. He said Kingston may be saying he’s old but Homicide gets more b***hes than Kingston and it’s his hustle, his block and he gets everything while Kingston will get nothing.

Melle Mel was with Eddie Kingston. He said the fight was about the UWF title but more than that, it was about that carjacker Homicide. He told Kingston that Homicide had carjacked Kingston’s career. Kingston said that no matter where he goes, all he gets asked about is Homicide and tonight’s going to end all that.

UWF Title Tournament: Homicide vs. Eddie Kingston

Kingston attacked Homicide and threw him to the floor. Homicide fought back and tossed him into the rail. He went for a tope con hilo but Kingston walked away. Homicide went to the apron and nailed a flip off to the floor on Kingston.

They chopped the hell out of each other oin the floor. Homicide tossed him back in the ring and nailed a running knee to the prone Kingston in the corner. He nailed a Facewash. Kingston was placed on the top rope but tried to scrape his way out. Homicide got the better of the exchange and tossed him into the ring. Homicide and Melle Mel started going at it, jawing with the other so Homicide ripped at Kingston's face, holding him in front of Mel.

Kingston made a comeback and nailed a gourd buster. He ripped at Homicide's face and stomped on his chest. Homicide tried to fight back but ate a thumb to the eye. Kingston chopped away at him in the corner. Homicide fought back and slammed him into the buckles. Homicide nailed a running clothesline but was caught and slammed into the mat.

Kingston locked on a waistlock, trying to wear Homicide down. Homicide began to fight his way to his feet and reversed Kingston into a pinning combination for a two count. Kingston slipped out and cinched in a side chinlock. He whipped Homicide into the corners. The second time Homicide grabbed his arm and went down. Kingston scissored Homicide's body with his legs, trying to force a submission. Homicide made it to the ropes and help Kingston's leg as he went to the floor, slamming his leg over the apron.

They battled on the floor. Homicide ran a section of the barricade into Kingston's chest and then threw it atop of him. They battled back to the ring. Kingston went for the rapid fire chops in the corner but they only fired Homicide up. Homicide nailed several leaping forearm smashes in the corner. He went for another but was caught with a Yakuza kick. This is good stuff!

Kingston avalanched him in the corner. He whipped Homicide to the opposite corner but was caught with a drop toehold when he charged. Homicide slammed him and nailed a flying headbutt off the top for a two count. Homicide nailed a hangman's neckbreaker for another two cout. He went for an Ace Crusher but was sent into the corner and nailed with a backdrop driver. Homicide kicked up at two.

Kingston caught Homicide with a lariat but again, Homicide kicked up. Kingston was getting frustrated. He made his way to the ropes but was caught by Homicide. Homicide nailed the Ace Crusher out of the corner and the Gringo Killer. He covered Kingston for the pin.

Your winner, Homicide!

Very good match and thus far, the best thing on the show. I really enjoyed this one.

Uncle Murda said that Homicide "was the one" and proclaimed Brooklyn's dominance.

Somewhere, The SAT were walking the streets. Wagner Brown came up to them and said that he hears Café Red caused problems with Uncle Murda’s product. He said that everyone expects them to be cool because they are all from Brooklyn but when Murda has a problem, Slyck has a problem. That means they have a problem. Joel told them they have nothing to do with any problem and anything that comes from the South, goes through Miami and Wagner needs to do the math. Wagner walked off.

Backstage, Kingston ranted “F*** you” about Homicide and warned him that Kingston is still here and standing. He said he just got an idea and laughing maniacally.

The Dirty Rotten Scoundrelz came across a drug dealing friend and asked him if he wanted to make real money. He said he does. They told him the Miami crew is trying to take money and run game on Uncle Murda. They told they needed a favor. They told him to get them to the spot. He said that he had it covered.

Outside the Hammerstein, Bestia said he can’t believe he got beat down by his own crew but understood he didn’t have the money.

Dope and Creed declared their tag team dominance in the UWF. They bragged about beating the hell out of DRS and now they are on DRS’ own turf making money. They said Brisco’s crew was the most dominant and Brisco was going to be the most dominant. DRS’ friend came up to them and said he wanted to get some. They asked him if he had money and he flashed it. Creed went to go “get the product”, leaving Dope alone with him. DRS and their friend attacked Creed and laid him out. They then jumped Dope at the car, beat the hell out of him, stole the “product” and dumped him in the trunk of the car, before running off.

In a club, Homicide and Wagner were talking trash on the Atlanta crew when the crew showed up. Homicide kept talking trash and one of the Atlanta crew flashed a gun. Yes sir, a gun. Homicide and Wagner ran out of the club to a parked car and drove off. The Atlanta crew shot at them as they fled.

THE END.

THOUGHTS:

Well, they were going for different and they certainly went for the juggular with that.  While I am hardly the demographic they were aiming for with this show, I enjoyed the wrestling aspect, especially seeing guys like DRS, Reefer, and Lowlife Louie, who have been killing themselves on the independents and really needed a break like this if they hoped to get to the next level.  The matches were all different and unique from each other.  Nothing on the wrestling side was boring, although I hated seeing Ramos taking those shots to the head for a short segment that really meant nothing here - although it leads to more with Murder One down the line.

I can see that a lot of people are going to hate the guns and the drug dealing in the storylines but the idea here is not that this is a wrestling company but more of an urban movie using wrestling in place of the shoot-outs.  So, as long as you throw out your ideas of what wrestling is normally, it's easier to get used to. 

With the exception of the Brooklyn shots at the end where DRS beats down Dope and Creed, the show looked really good.  They did a great job of hiding how empty the Hammerstein.  There was a different feel to everything from the ring to the entrance to even the referees.  In a day and age where branding is king, this was a good first step.

The biggest problem with the show was the one hour time slot.  They tried to introduce DOZENS of characters all at once.  It was impossible to keep track of the rappers and the crews without background knowledge or a scorecard.  So, if you weren't well versed, a lot of the names and faces started to blur together after awhile.  The same thing I hate about TNA I also hated here - there was so much thrown at me, that I was getting confused half the time.   Why were these wrestlers loyal to these rappers?  If they were dealing drugs, why did they need to wrestle?  Why do they respect Steve The Hustler so much that they aren't just taking each other down once and for all?   By just throwing us into the battles without an explanation, you leave wondering why you should care about what's going on.

In my opinion, UWF needs to either expand the show to 90 minutes (and $15 for a one hour PPV is a lot to ask) or do less on the show.  The only way this thing can ever take off is it viewers get emotionally connected to the characters and you can't do that if you are watching the show on fast forward.  I enjoyed the wrestling when it was taped live in NYC.  I didn't feel the outside vignettes added to that enjoyment as much as I was trying to figure out who was with what crew and why things were going down.  I'd almost advise each crew have their own garb but then you run dangerously close to looking like you have Smackdown and Raw in the same t-shirts, diluting all the personalities.

Of the rappers, Uncle Murda and Melle Mel came off the strongest to a new viewer, especially Mel since he looked so distinctive and different from everyone else on the show.  Homicide and Kingston had the best wrestling match but I thought this was the best I've seen DRS look in a long, long time.  BLK Jeez stood out as an evil little jerkoff pr**k.  Wagner showed some good intensity in his segments, but it was hard to figure out where the hell he was supposed to be with all the Miami references.  At one point, I thought he was in Miami and then back in Brooklyn.  One thing I can say is that everyone wrestling worked their asses off in the ring and that was what I wanted to see out of a wrestling show.

It's an interesting look into an alternative pro wrestling universe but be prepared to be playing lots of catch up if you want to try and decipher what is going on.  They took their first step.  Now, if they can tighten things up going forward and get people interested, they might just be onto something.  Time will tell.

2011 - ROH announces that Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin have been signed by the company.

On their Facebook page, they posted the following: "Letting our own social media get the scoop, we have FINALLY been paid by Ric Flair for the debt dating back years ago. No jail time for Naitch. Whichever Angel pitched in the $ for him THANK YOU."

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