August 23rd
On this day in history in ....
1929 - Dick Shikat defeats Jim Londos in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to win the National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title. Shikat was already recognized by the New York State Athletic Commission since defeating Hans Steinke five months earlier in Chicago, Illinois.
1941 - Frank Sexton defeats Bill Longson for the Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title in San Francisco, California, ending Longson's third reign and beginning Sexton's third reign.
1944 - Yvon Robért defeats Frank Sexton to win the Montreal Athletic Commission World Heavyweight Title in Montreal, Quebec. This began Robért's 10th of 16 reigns.
1944 - Sandor Szabo defeats Dean Detton for the Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title, to end Detton's third reign and begin Szabo's eighth.
1958 - Gene Dubuque and Mike Valentino defeat Ramon Torres and Dick Warren for the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Title in Sacramento, California, to end their second reign.
1961 - Whipper Billy Watson defeats Gene Kiniski in Vancouver, British Columbia to become the first two-time Vancouver NWA British Empire Heavyweight Champion.
1961 - Dick Dunn defeats Dr. Jerry Graham for the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title in Mobile, Alabama.
1963 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results:
- Tim Woods defeated The Magnificent Maurice.
- Dory Dixon defeated Tony Nero.
- Johnny Barend defeated Karl Steif.
- Gorilla Monsoon defeated Ron Reed.
- WWWF United States Heavyweight Champion Bobo Brazil and Lucas Pestano defeated The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Roy Heffernan).
- Buddy Rogers defeated Hans Mortier.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Killer Kowalski by submission to retain the title.
- Argentina Apollo and Pedro Morales defeated WWWF United States Tag Team Champions Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy in a Best-of-Three Falls match, 2-0. The match was in the midst of the second fall when the 11:00pm curfew came, and Apollo and Morales won the second fall by referee's decision.
1963 - Bearcat Wright defeats Fred Blassie by countout in Los Angeles, California to win the World Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title. This ended Blassie's third reign.
1964 - TARU is born in Kobe, Japan.
1965 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results were:
- Arnold Skaaland defeated Wild Red Berry.
- Miguel Pérez defeated Rick Sexton.
- Chief Big Heart defeated The Magnificent Maurice.
- Tarzan Tyler defeated Chief White Owl.
- Johnny Valentine defeated The Golden Terror.
- WWWF United States Heavyweight Champion Bobo Brazil and Argentina Apollo defeated Smasher Sloan and Waldo Von Erich.
- Bill Watts defeated Gorilla Monsoon.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated WWWF United States Tag Team Champion Dr. Bill Miller in 48 seconds to retain the title.
1968 - The Professional (Doug Gilbert) defeats Tarzan Tyler to win the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia.
1973 - Ken Lucas defeats Rocket Monroe for the NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Title in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. This ended Monroe's fifth reign and began Lucas' third.
1975 - The Invaders defeat Moondog Mayne and Pat Patterson for the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Title in San Francisco, California, to begin their second reign.
1977 - Championship Wrestling from Florida held an event at the Fort Hesterly Armory in Tampa, Florida. The results:
- Scott Casey and Keith Franks (Adrian Adonis) fought to a draw.
- Mr. Saito defeated Charlie Cook.
- Lars Anderson defeated Tony Rocco.
- Jerry Brisco and Steve Keirn defeated Tony Marino and Buddy Roberts.
- NWA Florida Television Champion Pedro Morales defeated Pat Patterson to retain the title.
- NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion Dusty Rhodes defeated Buddy Wolff to retain the title.
- WWWF Heavyweight Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Rocky Johnson to retain the title.
- Don Muraco defeated NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion Ivan Koloff by disqualification to retain the title.
1977 - The Medics win their fourth Tri-State NWA United States Tag Team Title in Shreveport, Louisiana by defeating Porkchop Cash and Mike George.
1978 - Killer Karl Krupp defeats The Lawman in Abilene, Texas for the NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title.
1980 - The WWF held an event at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Dominic DeNucci defeated The Hangman.
- Hulk Hogan defeated René Goulet.
- André the Giant and Pedro Morales defeated Capt. Lou Albano (subbing for WWF Tag Team Champion Sika) WWF Tag Team Champion Afa, when Morales pinned Afa.
- Pat Patterson defeated Tor Kamata.
- Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Johnny Rodz.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Ken Patera defeated Gorilla Monsoon to retain the title.
- Rick McGraw defeated José Estrada.
- Larry Zbyszko defeated Ivan Putski in a Texas Death match.
1980 - Wahoo McDaniel defeats Tully Blanchard in San Antonio, Texas to win the Southwest Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title, ending Blanchard's fifth reign.
1982 - Dean Ho and Moondog Moretti defeat Bruiser Costa and Butcher Hughes in a tournament final for the Vancouver NWA International Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.
1984 - The Uptown Boys (Marty Jannetty and Tommy Rogers) defeat The Grapplers (Tony Anthony and Len Denton) to win the NWA Central States Tag Team Title in Kansas City, Kansas. This began and ended each team's second reign.
1986 - The WWF held an event at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results were:
- Paul Roma defeated Les Thornton.
- José Luis Rivera defeated Ron Shaw.
- Paul Orndorff (with Bobby Heenan) defeated The Junkyard Dog.
- Big Machine (Blackjack Mulligan) and Super Machine (Bill Eadie) (with Giant Machine (André the Giant)) fought King Kong Bundy and Big John Studd (with Bobby Heenan) to a double-disqualification.
- Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine fought Mike Rotundo and Danny Spivey to a time-limit draw.
- Jake Roberts defeated Cousin Luke.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid) defeated The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff (with Slick), when Dynamite pinned Sheik with a diving headbutt, to retain the title.
1986 - Dump Matsumoto and Bull Nakano defeat The Crush Gals (Lioness Asuka and Chigusa Nagayo) in Kawasaki, Japan to win the WWWA World Tag Team Title, ending the Gals' third reign. At the same event, Yukari Oomori defeats Devil Masami for the WWWA World Singles Title.
1991 - The Patriot defeats Al Perez to become the first GWF North American Heavyweight Champion in Dallas, Texas. As a result, the GWF Television Title was vacated. Perez had beaten The Patriot on August 10 in a tournament final, but it was later shown that his feet were on the ropes during the pin.
1993 - The USWA held "A Matter of Pride" at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee. The results:
- The American Eagle and Billy McGullig defeated Leon Downs and The (Road Warrior) Hawk.
- Miss Texas (Jacqueline) defeated USWA Women's Champion Luna Vachon to win the title, to begin her seventh reign.
- Colin Scott defeated Tony Falk.
- USWA Tag Team Champions The Dog Catchers (#1 and #2) defeated The Moondogs (Cujo and Spike) by disqualification to retain the title.
- Brian Christopher (with Toni Adams) defeated Chris Adams.
- PG-13 (JC Ice and Wolfie D) defeated Jimmy Valiant and Mario.
- Jeff Jarrett defeated USWA Southern Heavyweight Champion The Vampire Warrior (Gangrel) (with Luna Vachon) to win the title. This began Jarrett's ninth reign. This title was renamed as simply the Heavyweight title in September.
- USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion Jerry Lawler defeated referee Paul Neighbors (with Vince McMahon) in a Stretcher match.
- Lex Luger defeated WWF Champion Yokozuna (with Mr. Fuji).
1994 - Super Muñequito defeats Fuercita Guerrera in Zacatecas, Mexico to win the Mexican National Minis Title.
1996 - Super Boy defeats Naohiro Hoshikawa for the vacant WWA World Middleweight Title in Gosen, Japan.
1996 - Mike Legacy defeats Calavera Cortez in Westland, Michigan to win the vacant Great Lakes Wrestling Light Heavyweight Title.
1998 - Aja Kong and Mayumi Ozaki defeat Chikayo Nagashima and Sugar Sato in Osaka, Japan for the AAAW Tag Team Title. At the same event, Chigusa Nagayo becomes the first two-time AAAW Singles Champion by defeating Devil Masami.
1998 - Momoe Nakanishi and Nanae Takahashi win their second AJW Tag Team Title in Kawasaki, Japan, defeating Sumie Sakai and Megumi Yabushita for the vacant title.
1998 - Mitsuhiro Matsunaga defeats The Great Pogo to win the BJW Deathmatch Heavyweight Title in Osaka, Japan.
1998 - Los Vipers (Histeria II, Maniaco, Mosco de la Merced II and Psicosis II) defeat Los Payasos (Coco Amarillo, Coco Azul, Coco Negro and Coco Rojo) in a tournament final in Azcapotzalco, Mexico City, Mexico for the vacant Mexican National Atómicos Title.
1999 - The WWF more than doubled WCW's viewership in this week of the Monday Night War. "Monday Nitro"'s 2.95 rating (hours of 3.34, 2.71 and 2.8) couldn't stack up to "RAW is WAR"'s 5.68 rating (hours of 5.64 and 5.72).
"WCW Monday Nitro" was live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The results:
- Chase Tatum pinned Mikey Whipwreck after a powerbomb.
- Buff Bagwell pinned Ernest Miller (with Sonny Onoo) after the Blockbuster.
- Juventud Guerrera defeated WCW Cruiserweight Champion Lenny (with Lodi) by disqualification when Sid Vicious interfered.
- The Barbarian, Brian Knobbs and Hugh Morrus (with Jimmy Hart) defeated The Revolution (Shane Douglas, Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn), when Knobbs pinned Saturn after a splash.
- Kidman and Rey Misterio, Jr. defeated The Insane Clown Posse (Shaggy 2 Dope and Violent J (with Vampiro)), when Kidman pinned Shaggy after Vampiro hit Shaggy by mistake, intending to hit Kidman.
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Rick Steiner defeated Chris Benoit by disqualification, after Sid Vicious interfered, to retain the title.
- The West Texas Rednecks (Barry and Kendall Windham (with Bobby Duncum, Jr. and Curt Hennig)) defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), when Kendall pinned Booker after Hennig hit Booker with a cowbell, to win the title. This ended Harlem Heat's eighth reign.
- Vampiro pinned Eddie Guerrero.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan fought Sting to a no-contest to retain the title, after Sid Vicious and Rick Steiner interfered.
"WWF RAW is WAR" was live from Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. This night was the debut of new RAW ring announcer Lilian Garcia. The results were:
- WWF Hardcore Champion Al Snow fought Road Dogg to a no-contest to retain the title, after Chris Jericho and Road Dogg fought backstage, after Snow had been powerbombed through a table on the floor. The Big Bossman came out, hit Snow with his nightstick, and stole Snow's dog, Pepper.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Big Show and The Undertaker fought The Acolytes (Bradshaw and Faarooq) to a no-contest to retain the title, after Kane and X-Pac got involved.
- D-Lo Brown (taking Meat's place in the match after attacking him backstage) defeated WWF European Champion Mark Henry (with Debra, WWF Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett and the debuting Miss Kitty) by disqualification when Jarrett broke up the cover after D-Lo had hit Henry with the Lo-Down. Henry retained the title.
- The Rock pinned Gangrel (with the Hardy Boyz) after the People's Elbow.
- Crash and Hardcore Holly fought to a no-contest after they fought outside of the building.
- Mideon and Viscera defeated Kane and X-Pac, when Viscera pinned X-Pac after a splash. The Acolytes attacked Kane on the floor during this.
- Triple H (with Chyna) pinned WWF Champion Mankind after the Pedgree to win the title, ending Mankind's third reign.
1999 - FMW held an event at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The results were:
- Mr. Gannosuke and Jado defeated Flying Kid Ichihara and Naohiro Yamazaki, when Jado pinned Yamazaki.
- Giant Steele defeated Yoshinori Sasaki.
- Kaori Nakayama defeated Emi Motokawa.
- Ricky Fuji and Independent World Heavyweight Champion Masato Tanaka defeated Shoichi Arai and WEW Six-Man Tag Team Champion Kodo Fuyuki, when Fuji pinned Arai.
- Tetsuhiro Kuroda and Hisakatsu Oya defeated WEW Tag Team and Six-Man Tag Team Champions Koji Nakagawa and Gedo, when Oya made Gedo submit, to win the title.
- Hayabusa defeated FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Champion Yukihiro Kanemura to win the title. This began his third reign.
2000 - E.Z. Ryder and Spyder defeat Alex Rain and Gene Swan to win the Canadian Wrestling Federation Tag Team Title in Elmwood, Manitoba.
2000 - Staz defeats Smelly in Santa Ana, California for the UPW Heavyweight Title, ending Smelly's second reign. Also at that show, Mikey Henderson ends Stretch's third UPW Lightweight Title reign.
2002 - Takashi Sasaki and GENTARO defeat Hi69 and TAKA Michinoku in Tokyo, Japan to become the first WEW Tag Team Champions. Also, Kintaro Kanemura defeats Tetsuhiro Kuroda to become the first WEW Heavyweight Champion.
2002 - Madison defeats Bam Bam Bambi at an ECCW event in Surrey, British Columbia to win the vacant NWA World Women's Title.
2003 - Los Broncos (II and III) defeat Brent Dail and Ricky Santana in Caguas, Puerto Rico for the WWC World Tag Team Title, to begin their fourth reign.
2003 - CZW held "Respect" outside at Rack's Bar and Billiards in Dover, Delaware. The results were:
- Zandig defeated Ian Rotten in an Exploding Barbed Wire and Lighttube Steel Cage match.
- Z-Barr defeated Jon Dahmer.
- CZW Junior Heavyweight Champion Ruckus defeated Derek Frazier to retain the title.
- CZW World Tag Team Champions Adam Flash & Ian Knoxxx defeated The Backseat Boyz (Trent Acid & Johnny Kashmere) and The Rebel's Army (Greg Matthews & The Rockin' Rebel) in a three-way match to retain the title.
- IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Champion Sonjay Dutt defeated Jonny Storm to retain the title.
- Necro Butcher defeated JC Bailey in a Fans Bring the Weapons match.
- CZW World Heavyweight Champion The Messiah defeated Corporal Robinson to retain the title.
- BJW Deathmatch Heavyweight Champion Nate Hatred defeated Nick Gage in a 200 Lighttubes match to retain the title.
2003 - Brian Black and The Mighty Mini defeated Attrition (Christian Angers and Big Mike Studd) to win the Chaotic Wrestling Tag Team Title in South Portland, Maine.
2006 - Charles Evans defeats Seth Skyfire in Louisville, Kentucky for the OVW Television Title.
2007 - "Ballpark Brawl VIII" was held at Dunn Tire Park in Buffalo, New York. The results:
- Jake O'Reilly won a 10-man battle royal.
- Krystal Banks and Cody Deaner defeated Cody 45 and Sara Del Rey.
- Xtremo defeated Kevin Dunn.
- Matt Cross besiegt Ruckus.
- Brutus Beefcake besiegt Cody Deaner und Jonny Puma in a Hair vs. Hair vs. Mullet match.
- Sterling James Keenan defeated Trent Acid, El Generico, John McChesney, Pac and Xtremo in an six-way Elimination match.
- Claudio Castagnoli defeated Delirious in a European Rules match. The judges for the match were Headbanger Mosh, Jaime D and Slick.
- Steve Corino & Ricky Reyes defeated Brodie Lee & Big Cat Lemmer and Devon Moore & Detox in a Tag Team Table Turmoil match.
- Kelly Couture and Gail Kim defeated Traci Brooks and Sara Del Rey. Jennifer Blake was the guest referee.
- PWU Heavyweight Champion 2 Cold Scorpio defeated Joey Matthews to retain the title.
- Sterling James Keenan defeated Rikishi and Natural Heavyweight Champion Samoa Joe in a three-way match to win the title.
2008 - WWE ran Madison Square Garden in NYC. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
*Primo Colon (Eddie Colon) pinned Willam Regal with a backslide in his MSG debut. Good solid opener with some back and forth wrestling. Colon celebrated his upset at ringside.
*Kelly Kelly asked a family a trivia question, which was the site of Wrestlemania XXIV. They answered correctly and won front row seat upgrades.
*Lance Cade pinned D'Lo Brown with a sitdown slam after Brown missed a top rope frog splash. Run of the mill.
*Kelly Kelly came to the ring and picked a child up to be a guest manager for the next match.
*WWE Women's champ Beth Phoenix pinned Mickie James with the Dominator. Good back and forth match. James hit a Lou Thesz Press off the apron to the floor during the bout and they had some good near fall sequences. Best thing on the show thus far.
*Jamie Noble defeated Snitsky with a front choke submission.
*WWE Tag Team champions Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase defeated Cryme Time. The champs did a heel promo on the mic before the match. Really good match. Cryme Time showed some real improvement from last time I saw them work live. The crowd popped huge for the hot tag. After the bout, Cryme Time laid out the champs, stole the Tag belts and ran off. The champs threw a fit in the ring, which led to the crowd chanting "You suck".
Kelly Kelly picked a kid to a "guest bellringer."
*WWE Intercontinental champ Santino Marella, with Beth Phoenix, defeated Kofi Kingston. Marella sang a song about himself to the tune of "New York, New York" then told the fans that was free. Marella told Phoenix that he didn't mind her having an off week last week because she "did good too." Santino was hysterical. He promised to win with a new move, the Mazaradi Clutch. It was Kingston's MSG debut. He even had pyro for his entrance. They went back and forth with Marella playing cowardly heel early. Kingston got a 2 count after a big elbow. Kingston went to monkeyflip Marella but Beth saved Santino by holding him. Kingston went down and hit the back of his head. Marella rolled him up for the pin. Kingston got a nice round of applause leaving.
*John Cena & Batista defeated Chris Jericho & Kane. Yet another lineup change! Jericho came out first and cut a promo. He said that he hears chants for HBK. He told the fans to chant all they want because they will never see Shawn Michaels wrestle again and that he was proud of what he did. Jericho said it was Shawn and the fans' fault that Rebecca Michaels was hit by Jericho, because Michaels came back to tell the fans he was retiring. Since the fans wanted to hear it, it was their fault she has a "fractured jaw." Jericho told the fans they should be ashamed for supporting a liar and cheater like Michaels. Jericho said that if the fans had listened to him, none of this would have ever happened and now the fans have to live with that. He promised to lay John Cena and Batista out in a beaten, battered pulp and that the worst was yet to come for everyone thanks to Jericho. Real good promo on the level of what he's been cutting on Raw. Kane had new darker ring music. Cena and Batista posed on the ropes together to signal a ton of pyro going. Of the two, Cena got the bigger pop but both received the biggest reactions of the show thus far. Jericho did a lot of stalling early. Batista hit the floor and threw him into the guard rail. Cena tagged in and cleaned house on Jericho. Kane tagged in and demanded Batista, who tagged in to oblige. They went back and forth until Jericho interfered to help Kane. Jericho dropkicker Batista out of the ring, where Kane lifted and dropped him over the railing. Jericho and Kane worked over Batista as they teased the hot tag several times. Jericho missed a Lionsault and made the hot tag. Cena shoulderblocked Jericho and then knocked Kane off the apron. He went for the FU but Kane blind tagged in. Kane kicked him, then went for a chokeslam. Batista speared Kane. Cena tossed Jericho over the top and hit the FU for the pin. Solid stuff. Cena went into the crowd to celebrate. Batista grabbed a sign that read "Batista Hates Cancer" from the first row and held it up in the ring.
*WWE World champ CM Punk defeated JBL in a Steel Cage match. JBL did mic work saying it was the greatest night of MSG history because it would be the day NY's favorite son JBL comes home. He said that he understands NY needs a savior and it will be JBL. He said he was proud to be NYC's favorite son and promised to top it all by winning the greatest match in wrestling history - the steel cage match - and he'll take his place among the immortals by becoming the World champ. When CM Punk made his way around ringside, he stopped to hug ROH owner Cary Silkin and Larry Sweeney, who were sitting ringside. Punk's pop wasn't as huge as Cena and Batista but healthy for sure. JBL controlled early after a swinging neckbreaker. Punk tried to toss him into the cage but JBL blocked it. JBL tried to walk out after a big boot but Punk grabbed his leg. JBL scrambled up the cage but Punk caught him and hit a Russian leg sweep off the cage while both were standing on the ropes. There were Punk chants throughout the bout scattered in the building. JBL laid out Punk with a series of elbowdrops. JBL tried to slingshot Punk into the cage but he caught himself and tried to scramble out. JBL caught him and they battled atop the cage. Punk slammed his head into the cage several times and JBL fells into the ring. Punk dove off the ropes but was caught and hit with a Fall Away Slam. JBL worked Punk over with punches and uppercuts in the corner. Punk teased a GTS but JBL raked his face and threw him into the cage several times. JBL climbed the cage but Punk grabbed him as he got a leg over. They battled inside the cage in the corner with Punk nailing knees. JBL fell into the ring and the crowd popped as Punk tried to get out. JBL kept grabbing Punk's leg. JBL hit a back suplex off the top rope into the ring with both standing on the top. JBL got a 2 count. JBL opened the cage, pushed Punk's head in between the ropes and pulled the cage door back onto his head. That didn't get the big reaction you'd think.
The cage door legitimately got jammed as the other refs were working frantically to get it opened as the match went on. JBL put Punk up in a corner and teased another superplex but Punk hit a Tornado DDT into the ring for a two count. Punk hit his running high knee into a bulldog combination for a two. JBL came back with the clothesline from hell. Punk kicked up. At that point, the building seemed to get behind him chanting his name. JBL and Punk battled in the corner and Punk tossed off JBL. Punk went to the top and came off the cage with an elbow but JBL moved. Punk was covered but got his shoulder up at the last second. JBL called for the cage door to be open but Punk tackled his legs. JBL tried in vain to stretch his hands and reach the floor but was pulled back. He and Punk exchanged punches by the open door and when JBL hit Punk he bumped to the floor and won. JBL tried to attack Punk but was nailed with the GTS on the floor. Punk celebrated in the ring to close the show. He even dropped in the center of the ring making snow angels like he did in a blizzard outside his last ROH appearance in Long Island. Punk, limping slightly did a long victory lap around the ring before heading to the back. Solid main event.We are live on tape from Los Angeles, California and your announcers are Michael ‘Waiting for the General Messenger’ Cole and Jerry ‘90210’ Lawler.
Sheamus comes to the ring and we see what Randy Orton did to Sheamus last week on Raw.
Sheamus has a serious look on his face fella. He says that one thing that he learned about Americans is that their children are spoiled brats. They are annoying and selfish and they complain until they get their way. Sheamus goes to the front row and he wants to know what they deserved to get such good seats. He calls the kids disgraces. He says that there is a bigger spoiled child here in the WWE and his name is Randy Orton. Since Orton couldn’t win the title at SummerSlam, he attacked him the next night on Raw. He talks about how he got hit with a chair while the fans were chanting for an RKO. Sheamus reminds us that he is the WWE Champion, not Randy Orton. Sheamus says that he hasn’t been on the same page as the General Manager, but with Night of Champions coming up, he does not want the spoiled child to be rewarded. He says that Orton should be punished or locked up in prison. He says that Orton should not get another title match.
The General Messenger dings in and Michael Cole puts on his reading glasses. He says that he has no problem with Sheamus. He has been able to retain his title and he says that Sheamus should be rewarded. Tonight, he is going to do something unprecedented. The General Messenger asks to have a throne brought out. He says that Sheamus will be the one to decide his next challenger. Sheamus will be able to watch and observe the matches to determine who his opponent will be for Night of Champions.
Sheamus says that justice has finally been done in the WWE and he thanks the General Messenger.
Cole says that the first match is taking place now.
Match Number One: Edge versus R Truth
They lock up and Edge with a knee and forearm. Edge misses a clothesline but Truth hits a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and then clotheslines Edge over the top rope to the floor. Truth misses a pescado when Edge moves out of the way. Edge picks up Truth and sends him into the ringside barrier. Edge returns Truth to the ring and Edge follows. Edge with a kick to the head but Truth with punches. Edge with a forearm to the back and kicks to the head. Edge chokes Truth in the ropes and then he hits a cross body to Truth’s back as Truth has nowhere to go and Edge with a near fall. Edge with a surfboard to Truth but Truth gets to his feet and punches Edge. Both men try for cross bodies and both men are down.
Edge misses a clothesline but Truth with a few clotheslines of his own including a flying one. Truth with a punch but Edge with an Irish whip. Truth floats over and then hits a hip toss and does a split before misses a leaping leg lariat. Edge with an Edge-O-Matic to Truth. Edge sets for a spear and misses it when Truth leap frogs him. Truth misses a scissors kick but Edge does not miss the second spear attempt and gets the three count.
Winner: Edge
After the match, Edge tells Sheamus that he can sit in his stupid little throne and brag about who he has beaten, but until you beat a nine time champion and the man who led Team WWE to victory at SummerSlam, and the man who is the Rated R Superstar, you haven’t beaten anybody.
We take a look behind the scenes of Dashing Cody Rhodes’ dashing appearance on Warehouse 13, tomorrow night on Syfy before NXT (that would be 9:00 PM eastern/8:00 PM central for those not familiar with NXT).
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look back at WWE’s tour of China this weekend.
Match Number Two: Great Khali with Dancing Runjin Singh versus Chris Jericho
Khali stares at Sheamus and then Jericho punches Khali in the face but Khali blocks another punch and picks up Jericho and sends him to the mat. Khali with kick and elbows in the corner. Khali with a chop across the chest followed by a forearm to the top of the head. Khali misses a leg drop and Jericho with a kick to the knee. Jericho slams the knee into the mat and then drops an elbow on the knee. Jericho uses the ropes to get more pressure put on the leg. Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho but Khali with the Khali Krush, but Jericho was able to get to the floor. Jericho with a kick to the leg as Khali staggers around the ring. Jericho tries fro the Codebreaker but Khali catches him and drops him to the mat. Khali with clotheslines to Jericho followed by a slam. Khali misses a boot in the corner and Jericho goes for the leg and then he tries to put Khali in the Walls of Jericho and he succeeds and Khali taps out.
Winner: Chris Jericho
After the match, Jericho asks Sheamus if he watched his match. Jericho says that Edge was not the first Undisputed Champion in WWE history. He did not make a giant tap out. He says that Edge is not the best in the world at what he does, Chris says that he does. Jericho tells Sheamus to choose him as his next opponent.
Khali chops Jericho off the turnbuckles to the floor.
We see footage from last week’s Daniel Bryan versus Michael Tarver match that was interrupted by Alex Riley and The Miz.
Josh Mathews is with John Cena in the interview area. Josh asks John about Miz last week. John says that he does not regret choosing Daniel Bryan over Miz. He says that Bryan did great and Miz almost cost them the match. Ever since Miz won his Money in the Bank challenge, he has a bigger mouth and attitude problem. Cena says that he shuts it with an Attitude Adjustment.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Jillian says that she was Divas Champion before and she will be Divas Champion again tonight. Jillian starts to ‘sing’ but she is interrupted by her opponent.
Match Number Three: Melina versus Jillian Hall for the Divas Title
They lock up and Jillian backs Melina into the ropes and breaks. Jillian with a forearm but Melina with a head scissors and kick to the head. Melina does a split and then avoids a boot from Jillian. Melina with a kick and then she tries for a splash in the ropes but Jillian moves. Jillian with a surfboard but Melina with another split but this time Jillian decides to use Melina as a human surfboard. Jillian with a forearm and Melina with a matrix followed by a take down for a near fall. Jillian with a clothesline after Melina floats over. Jillian sends Melina to the mat and Jillian goes to the turnbuckles for a screaming leg drop but she misses when Melina moves. Melina with the Banshee Code Red for the three count.
Winner: Melina
After the match, Michelle and Layla are on the TitanTron. They say that they feel bad for what they did at SummerSlam, but they really didn’t. Since next week is the 900th episode of Raw, they have an offer for Melina that she can’t refuse.
Josh is in the locker room with the Miz and Josh wants to know if Miz wants to respond to what John Cena said earlier. Miz says that he nailed Daniel Bryan in the back of the head, but what about Cena. Cena put Team WWE at risk. The minute Cena chose a nobody over him. Miz says that Cena wants to talk about egos, but really? Miz says that after the WWE Title Match at SummerSlam, Sheamus had to be carried out. Did Miz cash in his Money in the Bank? No, because he was thinking about Team WWE. Cena should have talked to him about the decision. Instead, he tried to embarrass Miz in front of the world. Tonight, he will beat Cena and show him that there will be consequences for his actions. As for Sheamus, he doesn’t think that Sheamus will pick him, but it doesn’t matter because he can pick Sheamus any time he wants and anywhere. He might pick Sheamus tonight.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus is back on his throne.
Wade Barrett and the rest of Nexus come out and we have something from the General Messenger. Cole goes to the Computer of General Managerdom. He says that he requested for Nexus to come out because he was impressed with their performances. The ‘you can’t wrestle for titles’ ban has been lifted.
Wade gets in Sheamus’ face and Sheamus turns paler than usual. Wade tells Sheamus that their truce is over.
Sheamus sits down and thinks about what that means for him.
The Miz and John Cena walk in split screen in their t-shirts which you can get online.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Miz and Alex Riley attacking Daniel Bryan last week.
Match Number Four: John Cena versus Miz
They circle each other in the ring and Miz with a kick and punches. Miz with more kicks and punches to Cena as he pummels Cena. Miz with more punches followed by a hard Irish whip. Cena with punches followed by a side slam for a near fall. Cena with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner and hits the ring post. Miz with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Miz with elbows to the chest followed by punches. Cena responds with punches and a suplex for a near fall. Miz with a kick to Cena followed by a kick to the midsection. Miz with a knee to the back and then he rakes the face. Miz with a leg drop for a near fall. Miz with kicks and punches but Cena with a kick and a leap frog neck breaker. Cena goes up top but Miz knocks Cena to the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Miz has Cena in a reverse chin lock and Miz gets on Cena’s back to add pressure. Cena gets to a three point stance but Cena recovers and backs Miz into the turnbuckles. Cena tries for the bulldog but Miz pushes him out of the way. Miz with a boot for a near fall and Cena goes to the apron. Miz punches Cena and then hits a running knee lift from the floor. Miz with a slingshot into the bottom rope and he gets a near fall. Miz waits for Cena to get to his feet and he hits the Awesome Clothesline in the corner. Miz gets a near fall. Miz waits for Cena to get up again and tries for the Awesome Clothesline but Cena gets out of the way and Miz goes into the turnbuckles. Cena with the two flying shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb and it is time for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena with the Attitude Adjustment set up but Miz with a pair of neck breakers for a near fall. Miz waits for Cena to get to his feet as if he was a snake. Cena avoids the Skull Crushing Finale and he hits a drop toe hold into the STF. Miz reaches for the ropes and gets there. Miz with a boot to Cena’s head and he gets a near fall.
They get to their feet and Miz with a punch and Irish whip. Cena blocks the Skull Crushing Finale, but Miz gets to the apron. From out of nowhere, Daniel Bryan comes out and sends Miz back into the ring and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: The Miz by disqualification
After the match, Cena puts Miz in the Attitude Adjustment and then Bryan comes into the ring and puts Miz in the Omoplata. The referees try to pull Bryan off Miz.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: The Divas Swimsuit Spectacular from two weeks ago.
Match Number Five: Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov versus The Usos with Tamina
Santino and Jimmy start things off and Jimmy backs into the corner to avoid wild kicks. Santino tries for the cobra. Jimmy with a knee and punch to the head. Jey tags in and he hits a flying clothesline as Jimmy sends Santino to him. Jey with a slam and then he hits a leg drop for a near fall. Jimmy tags in and Santino with a hip toss but Jimmy swats a drop kick away. Jimmy gets a near fall. Jimmy with a front face lock. Santino tries to make the tag but Jimmy knocks Kozlov off the apron. Santino with a back body drop. Jey and Kozlov tag in and Kozlov sends Jey into the turnbuckles and he connects with head butts and a power slam. Santino sends Jimmy to the floor but Jey with a savate kick to Santino that sends him to the floor. Kozlov blocks a kick and hits a spinebuster for the three count.
Winners: Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov
After the match Jimmy wants to attack Santino but Tamina stops Jimmy. Tamina gazes at Santino as she leaves with the Usos. Tamina blows a kiss to Santino.
It is time for This Week in WWE History. We go to Toronto in August 1986 when over 70,000 people attended The Big Event at Exhibition Stadium.
The throne is now vacant as we go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus is back on the throne.
Match Number Six: Ted DiBiase with Maryse versus John Morrison versus Randy Orton
Orton looks at Sheamus and he gets off his throne. DiBiase kicks Morrison and sends him to the floor. Orton blocks a punch and Orton with punches of his own. Orton with a European uppercut and Morrison trips DiBiase. Morrison with a double jump round kick to DiBiase before he returns to the ring. Orton with a side head lock and shoulder tackle for a near fall. Orton returns to the reverse chin lock. Orton with a shoulder tackle but Morrison with a kip up and drop kick for a near fall. Orton throws Morrison over the top rope and that means that DiBiase is back in the ring and he kicks Orton and gets a near fall. DiBiase with kicks to Orton. Ted with more kicks in the corner.
Orton with kicks and punches. Orton with more kicks but Ted with the rebound clothesline. DiBiase with a neck breaker to Morrison for a near fall. Ted punches Morrison but Morrison with a jawkbreaker. Orton with clotheslines to Ted and Morrison and then he gives each man a power slam. Orton gets fired up and then he kicks Ted and tries for the IEDDT but Morrison tries for the springboard round kick. Orton ducks and Morrison rolls to the floor as Orton hits the IEDDT and he sets for the RKO with push ups. Ted escapes the RKO and Morrison with a leg lariat. Ted sends Morrison over the top rope to the floor. Orton escapes Dream Street and Morrison tries for a springboard move but Orton with an RKO for the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton
After the match, Ted tries to attack Orton but Randy is too fast and then gives Ted an RKO.
Sheamus is in the interview area and Josh wants to know why Sheamus walked out during the last match. Sheamus says that he has made his decision and he will do it in front of the world in the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back fella and Sheamus is in the ring fella. He says that he has been thinking about it for a while. He says that despite what happened last week, he is still a warrior. A Celtic Warrior. He has a huge announcement tonight. He will not wait for Night of Champions and he is going to defend his title right now.
Sheamus demands a referee come out. Sheamus says that he has seen a lot of Superstars who deserve a title match. Sheamus says that you cannot succeed without a few challenges. He is going to give someone who has never had a WWE Title match before. That man is Zack Ryder.
Zack thanks Sheamus for the opportunity but Sheamus is making the biggest mistake of his life because everyone is looking at the next WWE Champion.
Match Number Seven: Zack Ryder versus Sheamus for the WWE Title
Sheamus with a pump kick for the three count.
Winner: Sheamus
After the match, Sheamus gets on the mic. He says that is another successful title retention for the Celtic Warrior. He says that he wants to bring up some of the WWE rules. He has thirty days to defend his title. That means that this champion is taking the night off.
Sheamus says that he is going to take the whole month off and go back to Ireland.
Wade Barrett interrupts Sheamus and he comes to the ring. Wade says that Sheamus doesn’t have to defend the title for thirty days. Wade reminds us that he won Season One of NXT. Wade says that he gets a title opportunity at a pay per view of his choice. He chooses to face Sheamus at Night of Champions. Wade tells Sheamus that his next title defense is against him.
The General Messenger makes itself known that it is still there. Cole says that Wade Barrett’s request has been upheld. Sheamus will defend against Barrett at Night of Champions. However, Sheamus talked about opportunity and he is going to give four other deserving Superstars a chance. There will be a Six Pack Challenge for the WWE Title. He will face Wade Barrett, Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, Edge, and John Cena.
All six men are in the ring and they stare each other down. Sheamus pushes Barrett in the middle and they surround him. Barrett pleads his case and Cena goes after Barrett. The other four join in. Sheamus throws Barrett out of the ring. Jericho with a Codebreaker to Sheamus followed by a spear to Jericho. Cena with Attitude Adjustment to Edge. Orton with an RKO to Cena and we go to credits with the Viper posing on the turnbuckles.
Again, she is seen talking to potential voters. The Bridgewater County Fair is next. She asked what she would do to get jobs created as there is almost 9% unemployment. She said that being a CEO, she realizes the impact of taxes and regulation on small businesses. She wants to keep money in the pocket of small businesses.
Linda was asked about the NY Times article talking about her being an unusual candidate in that WWE produced a lot of sex and violence. She says WWE is an absolute wonderful company and changed the industry over the past couple of decades and evolved from the sex and violence content to PG.
Video of Edge spearing Big Show and Edge taking on Miz is shown while Linda is talking. She talks about Smackdown Your Vote, being involved in the Make A Wish program, and the Special Olympics. A video of Triple H and Matt Hardy with Make A Wish kids is shown while she is talking.
Linda talked about Get Real helping libraries and literacy. She talked about how there were WWE fans who were supporting her. She said that a lot of them admire her for building a company from the ground up.
Linda was asked how she will overcome the 7 points that Richard Blumenthal (D) is ahead. She said she will keep talking to people. She said the more her opponents focus on WWE, the more she will move up in the polls.The drama will be a period piece set in the 1980s, which the timeframe of WWF's national expansion as the territory system collapsed under the weight of WWF's growing popularity and the growth of cable television.
Brent Fletcher (Friday Night Lights, Spartacus, Angel) and Seamus Kevin Fahey (Spartacus, Battlestar Galactica) are attached to write the pilot. No casting is yet underway.
The pilot commitment does not mean the series will ever see air. It means NBC will cover the production cost of the pilot be shot and then decide whether it needs changes or whether to take it to series. This is simply the first step in a very long process.If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!