8/27 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: ECW GOES EXTREME
By
Mike Johnson on 2012-08-27 08:00:00
August 27th
On this day in history in ....
1972 - Former WWE World champion The Great Khali is born.
1990 - WWF held their Summerslam Pay-per-view at The Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here are the results:
- Hercules & Paul Roma defeated The Rockers via countout.
- Kerry Von Erich defeated Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig to win the WWF Intercontinental Title. Von Erich was a replacement for Brutus Beefcake, who had been seriously injured in a parasailing accident. This would be Von Erich's only championship in the WWF.
- Sherri Martel defeated Sapphire via forfeit when she didn't appear for the match. It was later revealed that Sapphire had joined with Ted DiBiase, leaving Dusty Rhodes.
- The Warlord defeated Tito Santana.
- The Hart Foundation defeated Demolition (Smash & Crush) in three falls to win the WWF World Tag Team Title. Demolition won the first fall when Crush pinned Hart, the Foundation won the second fall when Demolition was disqualified, and the Foundation won the third fall when Hart pinned Crush after an appearance by the Legion Of Doom. Interesting to note that in the past, if a disqualification took place during a three fall tag title match, the title would not change hands in the WWF, however that rule was inexplicably changed for this bout.
- Jake Roberts defeated Bad News Brown via disqualification.
- Hacksaw Jim Duggan & Nikolai Volkoff defeated The Orient Express.
- Randy Savage defeated Dusty Rhodes in under three minutes when Ted DiBiase and Sapphire distracted him.
- Hulk Hogan defeated Earthquake via countout.
- WWF World Champion The Ultimate Warrior defeated Rick Rude in a steel cage match.
1990 - The Snowman is stripped of the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title after no-showing a title defense.
1994 - A pivotal moment in the history of wrestling, as Eastern Championship Wrestling became Extreme Championship Wrestling during a show at the ECW Arena in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The show was based around a tournament to determine a new NWA World Champion (ECW was an NWA member at the time). Current ECW Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas won the tournament, but threw down the NWA belt and proclaimed himself the ECW WORLD Heavyweight Champion. The name change from Eastern to Extreme took place and (would be announced several days later on ECW TV by Tod Gordon) and the NWA, represented by the late Dennis Coraluzzo, was left confused. ECW had legitimately swerved the NWA with the whole angle, to the point that Coraluzzo even taped an interview for ECW television afterwards, not realizing he was playing right into their hands. ECW separated from the NWA and began the "Era Of Extreme". Here are the results of the show:
First Round:
- 2 Cold Scorpio defeated Chris Benoit in Benoit's ECW debut.
- 911 defeated Doink The Clown (Matt Borne) in Borne's ECW debut. Doink was a mystery opponent.
- Dean Malenko defeated Osamu Nishimura in their respective ECW debuts.
- Shane Douglas defeated The Tazmaniac.
Semifinals:
- 2 Cold Scorpio defeated 911 via countout.
- Shane Douglas defeated Dean Malenko.
Finals:
- Shane Douglas defeated 2 Cold Scorpio to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title, but threw it down and proclaimed himself the first ECW World Heavyweight Champion.
- Cactus Jack & Mikey Whipwreck (subbing for Terry Funk) defeated The Public Enemy to win the ECW World Tag Team Championship.
1995 - WWE held their Summerslam Pay-per-view from the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Here are the results:
- Hakushi defeated The 1-2-3 Kid.
- Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeated Bob Holly.
- The Smoking Gunns defeated Eli & Jacob Blu (Ron & Don Harris).
- Barry Horowitz defeated Skip (Chris Candido).
- Bertha Faye defeated Alundra Blayze to win the WWF Women's Title.
- The Undertaker defeated Kama in a Casket Match.
- Bret Hart defeated Isaac Yankem (Kane) via disqualification.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels defeated Razor Ramon in a ladder match.
- WWF World Champion Diesel defeated Mabel.
1999 - ECW get their first national cable television show, debuting on TNN (now SpikeTV) with a one hour show on Friday nights at 8pm. The first edition is a recap of the history of ECW, and an airing of the Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn ECW Television Title match from the Hardcore Heaven Pay-per-view. The show earned a 0.9 rating. During it's run from August of 1999 to October of 2000, the shows ratings would range from a low of 0.7 to a high of 1.3.
2000 - WWF held their Summerslam Pay-per-view in Raleigh, North Carolina at the Entertainment & Sports Complex. Here are the results:
- Steven Richards, The Goodfather & Bull Buchanan defeated Too Cool & Rikishi.
- X-Pac defeated Road Dogg.
- Eddie Guerrero & Chyna defeated Val Venis & Trish Stratus when Chyna pinned Stratus. As a result, Chyna won the WWF Intercontinental Title from Venis, starting her third reign with the belt.
- Jerry Lawler defeated Tazz.
- Steve Blackman defeated Shane McMahon to win the WWF Hardcore Title.
- Chris Benoit beat Chris Jericho in a three fall match. Benoit won via submission in the first fall, Jericho forced Benoit to submit in the second fall, and Benoit pinned Jericho to win the third fall.
- WWF World Tag Team Champions Edge & Christian defeated The Dudley Boyz and Matt & Jeff Hardy in a Tables, Ladders, And Chairs Match.
- The Kat defeated Terri in a Stinkface match.
- The Undertaker vs. Kane ended in a no contest.
- WWF World Heavyweight Champion The Rock defeated Kurt Angle and Triple H in a Triple Threat match.
2001 - The Hurricane defeats Matt Hardy for the WWF European Title in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
2005 - WrestleReunion 2 was held in King of Prussia, PA. Mike Johnson filed the following live report -
The IWA promotion headed by Rob Russen ran their second live event in conjunction with Sal Corrente's WrestleReunion 2 convention this past Saturday 8/27 at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA in front of an estimated 500-600 fans.
This was a show that shouldn't be judged as a regular wrestling event, but more of an “Old Timers Day" as there was no way physically that many of those performing could live up to the levels they worked at in their prime. Still, there was a flat feel to some of the show as opposed to the fun feel of the Tampa event last January.
I've thought about why for some time and I really wonder if part of it was because the show took place before a harder, more jaded Northeastern wrestling audience as opposed to fans in Florida. Whatever the reason, it was still a very unique night for wrestling fans with a lot of major names from the past under one roof.
The Show opened with a ten bell salute for Sailor White, with promoter Sal Corrente coming out and noting that he was one of the Moondogs and for a long time the Moondogs and the Wild Samoans were the biggest teams in the area. Corrente then began discussing that the theme of the weekend was the anniversary of the Shea Stadium bout between Larry Zbyszko and Bruno Sammarino, which brought out Larry. Zbyszko cut a promo saying that tonight was the chance he had to destroy the rumors that Bruno had beaten him all those years ago when the truth was he had the luck to fall out of their Steel Cage match. Zbyszko said that he was the Living Legend and he had retired Bruno Sammartino and Nick Bockwinkel. Bockwinkel came to the ring and was announced by Corrente as being the official commissioner of the evening, but wasn't seen again after this. Bockwinkel reiterated the rules for Larry's match with Diamond Dallas Page, and Larry ran down Bruno again. Sammartino emerged from the locker room and tried to get in the ring but all the referees (including Dick Woerhle, God bless him, still going strong and looking great) held Bruno back.
*In what was billed as father and son tag team attraction, Don and Joe Muraco defeated Bob and Brad Armstrong when Joe pinned Brad with a top rope splash. Joe Muraco, who has been training at Afa's WXW school, is thin and gangly and wore a bandana over his head, making him look like a taller version of New York City indy wrestler Deranged. I don't think the crowd took his offense seriously, so when he scored the pin, it was more a surprise then anything else. I'm sure teaming with his Dad was a major deal for him. There were some “Beach Bum" chants for Muraco. Brad Armstrong did his best to carry the match but it never seemed to get out of the gates. Still, it was nice to see Don Muraco live one more time. The Muracos beat down the Armstrongs after the match until the Samoan Island Tribe made the save.
*In a six person tag match, Wendi Richter & George South Jr. & The Patriot (Tom Brandi) defeated DC Drake & Amy Love & Gary Royal when Richter pinned Love with a powerbomb. South Jr. is the son of famous NWA enhancement talent George South. This was the first match from Drake, a headliner in the old Tri-State Wrestling Alliance and NWF companies in this area since a February 1995 ECW bout against Mick Foley. Drake had his daughter with him the next day at the signing convention and seemed to be very touched by the fans that knew who he was and brought items to be signed, moreso then just about anyone else. Love's offense on Richter looked really bad here. They went back and forth for awhile before going to the finish.
*Ivan Koloff defeated Dominic DeNucci in a Russian Chain match after touching all four corners. Koloff was accompanied by Nikolai Volkoff and they sang the Russian National Anthem. Koloff was limping badly and shouldn't have been in the ring. This was painful to watch at times because as one person said to me after the show, "You're not there to see Whitey Ford pitch a no-hitter. You're there just to see Whitey Ford." They tried to put together a no hitter, but it just wasn't happening. It was also weird to see DeNucci going for pinfalls with the referee counting them when it was a touch all four corners bout.
*The Fantastics won a Four Corners bout by defeating The Thunderfoots, The Backseat Boys and Samoan Island Trible with a double pin on the Thunderfoots as the Tribe beat down the Backseats outside the ring. Trent Acid was trying hard to turn the crowd on them by yelling from the corner. This was decent for what it was.
*Bill Apter and Jimmy Hart brought out Bret Hart, who thanked everyone for their support this weekend, plugged his WWE DVD, which got a huge pop, and said that he was excited to see the true legends like the Funks and the up and coming stars in action. Hart said that he was humbled by the fans remembering him but that there were other names that were the true legends.
*Larry Zbyszko pinned Diamond Dallas Page after Page hit the Diamond Cutter and pulled Larry on top of him and let him score the pin. At one point, Zbyszko ended up on the floor to escape DDP and hit Bruno from behind. Larry "won" five minutes, with no ref, with Bruno Sammartino. Bruno got in the ring and began beating down Larry, then choked the hell out of him in the corner, with all the referees pulling Bruno off. This was fine for what it was, but when you advertise five minutes on the house mic at the start of the segment and then don't deliver, you leave fans scratching their heads. Sammartino really laid the punches in on Zbyszko and looked to be in as good of shape today as he ever did.
*Dusty Rhodes & The Blue Meanie & Tom Prichard & D'Lo Brown defeated Steve Corino & Andrew (Test) Martin & Original Evil Clown Matt Borne (the original Doink) & Masked Superstar when Meanie pinned Corino after a moonsault. Rhodes looked to have lost weight and was wearing tights as opposed to his jeans and t-shirt bunkhouse gear. This was advertised as an elimination bout but I believe Rhodes and Corino called an audible to change it that day to keep the match from getting stale. This was what you would expect. I got a big kick out of all the babyfaces doing the Blue Meanie dance at the end.
*In his first match back since beating cancer, Steve Williams defeated King Kahlua with a powerslam. Kahlua was a longtime Northeastern independent wrestler in the 1980s who actually helped break Steve Corino into the business. Williams wore a bandana over his throat. Before the match he got on the mic said, "I told you'd be back." Williams looked like someone who hadn't been in the ring for some time but given all he went through, he put on a hell of a performance. After the match, he said that anyone can do anything if they put their mind to it. He got a standing ovation from the crowd and looked really touched.
*Tito Santana defeated Greg Valentine with a rollup to win the IWA Title. This was a reprisal of their famous WWF feud for the Intercontinental championship, albeit it a little slower these days. Still, Santana took a hell of a bump to the floor. Fine for what it was.
*The Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey, Stan Lane & Bobby Eaton, with Jim Cornette) defeated Terry Funk, Dory Funk Jr. & Mick Foley (with Bobby Heenan) when Eaton pinned Terry in a fun match. When all eight were in the ring, I joked that they should just pass the mic around the ring and by the time they were done, we'd have our money's worth. Foley was dressed in full Cactus Jack regalia, but then got on the mic and told jokes, which for some reason always strikes a nerve I don't like personally. He was announced as Foley though. Foley's mic work was funny as he ripped on Dennis Condrey for owing him $20 for eight years, on Stan Lane for being a sexual deviant that Foley was “forced to listen to, through a hotel room wall with a glass pressed to his ear and Bobby's....well, I don't have anything bad to say about Bobby." Tremendous! At one point all three members of the Express were trapped in spinning toeholds. Dory is still really fluid in the ring. Terry took a header out of the ring to the floor where he brawled up the aisle with Eaton. Foley pulled out Socko towards the end. Cornette whacked Terry with the tennis racquet to set up the pinfall. In the end, Cornette was left with the babyfaces. The Funks both put spinning toeholds on him, and when Cornette screamed, he got Socko in the mouth. They then depantsed Cornette. It was entertaining.
*3D (aka The Dudleys) defeated Matt Hardy & Rhino in a great main event. 3D worked in T-Shirts and jeans. Bubba said that the fans can call them anything they want, but they know what the fans want and held the mic up. The fans yelled for "Tables." Talia of 3PW fame accompanied Hardy to the ring. 3D were working really hard here in their first post-WWE appearance. Bubba and Rhino had one of the greatest back and forth collar and elbow tieups I can ever recall muscling each other back and forth. Bubba was busting his rear end big time, and D-Von made the hot tag and cleaned house on Rhino and Hardy. Talia got on the apron, but was pulled in by D-Von. They teased a Wazzup headbutt, but Hardy saved her. Rhino walked out and returned with a table. They tried to whip Bubba into it, but D-Von saved him. Hardy hit the Twist Of Fate, but the referee had been bumped. Bubba missed a senton splash off the ropes. Hardy was waiting to hit the Twist Of Fate, but Rhino, aiming for Bubba, gored Hardy through a table. Bubba then pinned Hardy. Great main event.
After the match, Sal Corrente put over 3D and Hardy for working the show, saying there had been a lot of obstacles for them to overcome but they were there and kept their commitment to the fans. Corrente was referring to WWE telling the Dudleys they didn't ave the rights to use the names that they had been using for years prior to their WWE tenure and WWE trying to pull Hardy from the show. Bubba took the mic and said that yesterday was their last day “You know where" but that today was the start of a whole new ride for them and they were looking forward to seeing where it took them. He told Hardy that if they could only dance with one more team for the rest of their lives it would be the Hardy Boyz.
Hardy took the mic and thanked everyone, noting that he was making his last appearance on the indy scene before returning to WWE and said that if the fans cheer or boo him, that's "OK because they have that right", but he hopes they respect him and what they tried to do in the ring for them. He said that if he had the chance to dance with one more team for the rest of his life, it would be the Dudleys.
Rhino, who rarely talks on the mic outside of promos, noted that he was in ECW after the Dudleys and that in ECW, everyone tried to steal moves from the Hardys so that meant Matt was part of it too in a sense. Hardy waved off that suggestion. Rhino said that after all he has been through in the last few years, that hearing the fans chanting ECW and getting behind him means more then he can ever express. He then said that if had the chance to dance with someone for the rest of his life, he wanted it to be "that fine piece of a**" outside the ring, meaning Talia, who popped. They made a few gore jokes on the mic.
The show closed with all four celebrating together, hugging and raising each other's arms. It was a cool way to end the live show and was the perfect match booked the perfect way to end the live card.
Notes:The show was open to any VIP ticketholders for the convention or to the general public for $75. Fans were lining up 2-3 hours early to get ringside seats, as it was general admission seating. Tom Prichard and Jimmy Hart were instrumental in the production end of the show while Afa of the Wild Samoans ran the locker room. Prichard was helping with a lot of the business end of things all weekend including overseeing transportation and other logistical issues on Sunday, which is why he never made the autograph signing...The production for the show was awesome and probably a higher grade production then Extreme Championship Wrestling ever had at any point. There were six cameras filming the action with two hard cameras, two ringside cameramen, a stationary camera sitting above the entranceway shooting the wrestlers as they headed to the ring, and the old NWA Crockett favorite, a camera that was above the center of the ring looking down upon the action's....Lance Russel was the lead commentator with Joey Styles doing color and Jimmy Hart rounding out the team. Clear Channel, which handled the production, had a production truck there doing live editing from shot to shot and even had plasma screens for the commentators to watch....The production used original music for all of the performers, probably to make it easier in the editing process. That's a smart move as removing the music from the DVD releases destroys the atmosphere of the show, as anyone who' seen the Sandman's entrance on the ECW One Night Stand DVD will tell you....So Cal Val handled the ring announcements, incorporating past championships held by the talent into the announcements. The crowd was catcalling her all night, but not in a lewd way....Other referees used including former ECW great John Finnegan and former WWWF referee Billy Caputo.
2007 - WWE broadcast Raw. Ed Sherriffs filed the following TV report:
The August 27th edition of Monday Night RAW IS SCI-FI airing from Boston follows the latest Summerslam. Once one of the biggest events of the year for WWE, this year's incarnation saw nothing happen, aside from Triple H's return. John Cena is still the WWE Champion and Umaga is still Intercontinental Champion. Perhaps the return of Trips will mix things up, and since the show is airing live on Sci-Fi, the audience will hopefully get lucky enough to see the return of Max Moon, the Zombie (I think he was drafted to RAW from ECW), or maybe even an old WCW wrestler like the Yeti.
The big loser of Summerslam, Randy Orton, opens the show by walking out to the ring. Crowd seems hot as they are actively booing Randy. He says that he spent all day at church. He said he had an epiphany while he was on his knees. Insert your own joke. Orton feels he should have won. Cena should be the one praying...thanking God that he is still champion and Orton didn't end his career. Next time, he promises, Cena won't be so lucky and Orton demands a rematch. Orton gives Cena two choices. One, Cena can come out right now for the match and two...
Before he can get to two, John Cena comes out. He greets his family sitting at ringside. Cena says a rematch or what? Orton will keep complaining? Despite all of Orton's bravado and third generation credentials, he still failed to get the job done, according to Cena. The champ claims Orton has been making statements for weeks. Cena has a statement of his own. The champ is here! Cena says Orton lost, so he moves down as others move up. That's the ideal situation, of course. Cena mentions someone who made their return last night. Mae Young? So if they can't have Orton-Cena II, why not Cena-HHH? Wow, way to set up the crowd for a big disappointment, champ!
William Regal comes out and says neither HHH or Orton will be facing Cena. Regal says Cena will be in action against a man of majestic stature who wants to forget about Summerslam. He speaks of King Booker, naturally. That will be the main event. Orton tries to sneak in an RKO, but Cena throws him out of the ring, causing Orton to throw a temper tantrum. Cena poses. Commercial.
A Fatal Four Way between CM Punk, The Miz, Boogeyman, and Big Daddy V is announced for ECW tomorrow night. The winner becomes the #1 Contender.
Mr. Kennedy vs. Jeff Hardy
Kennedy has a struggle with the mic and says he meant to do that. He then does the usual ring intro. Jeff is making his return from a suspension. The two lock up. Kennedy gets a headlock, but Hardy reverses. The lock up again and go into the corner. Kennedy slaps Hardy. Hardy slaps back. Kennedy gets knocked down after a second slap. Kennedy cuts loose with some punches and kicks to Hardy. Hardy dodges a charge in the corner and trips Kennedy. Kennedy comes back with some knees and shots to Hardy's head. He pounds Hardy's head on the turnbuckle then kicks him in the corner. Hardy punches and kicks back. Hardy works over Kennedy in the corner. Kennedy goes to punch Hardy, but Hardy knocks him onto the apron, then sends him to the floor. Hardy with a baseball slide, then he dives over the top rope onto Kennedy. Commercial.
Back from the break, Kennedy has the bodyscissors applied in the middle of the ring. During the break, Kennedy dumped Hardy to the floor. Hardy breaks out of the hold. He kicks Kennedy, but is tossed into the corner. Jeff hits the lower ringpost when he goes down. Kennedy goes to the floor and applies a bow and arrow with the aid of the steel post. Kennedy drags Hardy to the middle of the ring for two. Kennedy knocks Hardy down again for two. Abdominal stretch by Kennedy. Kennedy tries to use the ropes for leverage but Hardy fights back. Kennedy scoops Hardy up and rams him into the corner, putting him in the tree of woe. Kennedy sits Hardy up, back to the ring, but Hardy knocks Kennedy off and hits Whisper in the Wind. Jeff with a Side Russian Legsweep and his modified leg drop pin. Hardy with some lariats. He throws Kennedy into the corner and leaps up to kick him in the chest. Hardy goes to the top rope, but Kennedy gets the knees up at the last moment.
Kennedy begins to pin Hardy, but Umaga comes out. Kennedy bails from the ring. Umaga lifts up Hardy and stares at Kennedy. Umaga turns and kicks Hardy in the head, then begins to pound Hardy in the corner. Kennedy encourages Umaga to hit the Whipsplash, which Umaga does. Samoan Spike and Hardy is down on the mat as Umaga poses over him with the Intercontinental Championship. Match was good.
Coach wants to know what McMahon is going to announce on Carlito's Cabana. Vince says Coach can wait. Vince and Kennedy meet in the back. Vince has some kind words for Kennedy and asks if he knows that Vince's middle name is Kennedy. Kennedy, who just wished Mr. McMahon a happy belated birthday, says he is aware of that WINK WINK. He walks off and McMahon notes to himself that Kennedy is a nice kid, but he walks funny. Carlito goes to the ring before another commercial break.
Carlito's Cabana w/ Special Guest Vince McMahon
Carlito says it is the biggest Cabana ever. They exchanges some pleasantries surrounding McMahon's birthday. McMahon claims he can't be intimidated. That's why he is going to sue the mother of his unknown child if she doesn't tell him who the child is within two weeks. Carlito sucks up as he and McMahon tell the audience that McMahon tells everyone what to do and they all answer to him.
The Game begins to play and Triple H makes his long awaited return to Monday Night Raw. Trips gets a sustained ovation. McMahon tells them to shut up. Triple H incredulously says this is the reaction McMahon gives him? HHH understands since McMahon is celebrating his 75th birthday. And he has to worry about the bastard son. But never fear, because HHH is here. He says he had plenty of downtime to do extensive research. HHH found a number of women who could have had Vince's son, and he's narrowed it down to four women who he brought with him to the arena. Hunter acknowledges that Vince might not remember some of these women, so he made some notes.
The first out is someone Vince had sex with at WrestleMania III. Vince was drunk and thought she was Aretha Franklin. A large black woman named Mary comes out. Vince said she sang like Aretha and hit all the high notes. Carlito says they look alike, too.
Out next is a woman who Vince was with on a night he missed the target. It's One-Eyed Wendy, complete with an eye patch! Vince says poking her in the eye was an accident.
Carlito's Sister is out next and a woman with Carlito fro comes to the stage. Carlito screams at her in Spanish. Vince apologizes and says Carlito was only four years old and they thought he was asleep. Trips says everyone has been with Carlito's sister, then notes that she doesn't spit (she was eating an apple).
The final contender is 'Frank', obviously a man in drag. Frank merits a short chant. Trips asks them to raise their hand if the think they had a child who could be Mr. McMahon's son. Frank does not raise it. Trips asks them to raise their hand if unbeknownst to Mr. McMahon, they have a penis. Frank raises his/her hand. Carlito says that's not cool. Vince yells at them to get off the stage and says he won't take that from Triple H. HHH tells Vince he needs to be worried about his image, especially with the new problems that surfaced today. Vince wonders what it is. Triple H says it is all over the news and with Michael Vick, everyone knows about these things. Vince is running an illegal Rooster-fighting ring. Trips says that PETA is waiting outside with signs saying Vince Hates Animals. He starts listing animals and Vince protests saying he loves them. Triple H says Vince hates cocks, but Vince says, "I Love..." before realizing he's been duped by the Game. Vince says he hates HHH and wishes he never came back. Vince leaves the ring.
Triple H waves at him as he leaves. Carlito turns HHH around and protests, saying that he should respect Mr. McMahon. He threatens to take HHH's quads and put him on the shelf for another 8 months. Trips says he knows that Carlito has spit a few apples, but also knows that he has sucked a few grapefruits. Carlito spits some apple on The Game-Beard. HHH with a right hand and spinebuster to Carlito. He finishes him off with a Pedigree. Good segment that ran too long. A few too many gay double entendres, as well. If you're into 'teh ghey' jokes, you probably got some lulz out of it.
Recap of last week's WGTT beat down of Cody Rhodes is shown. WGTT is already in the ring with Daivari. Shelton has a brand new blonde hair do. He looks almost exactly like Slyck Wagner Brown, an indy wrestler out of the Northeast. It bears a resemblance to Butch Reed, as well.
World's Greatest Tag Team (Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas) & Daivari vs. Cody Rhodes, Paul London, & Brian Kendrick
Daivari and London start. London with a hammerlock. Daivari with a scoop slam but he misses an elbow drop. London with an arm drag and Spanky tags in. London and Kendrick double team Daivari for two. Daivari elbows Kendrick down and tags in Haas. Haas whips Kendrick into the corner and hits a release belly to belly on the rebound. Kick to the chest for two. Shelton tags in with a suplex for two. Daivari tags back in and gives Kendrick a snapmare, then gets a waistlock. Daivari prevents a tag to London, but Kendrick is able to get to Cody. Rhodes with a knee drop to the face. Rhodes hits a powerslam for two. All the tag teams get involved and London & Kendrick hit tandem suicide dives to the WGTT. Cody gives Daivari a crossbody from the top for the win.
Your winners, Cody Rhodes, Paul London, & Brian Kendrick!
Back from the break, Daivari is screaming in his native tongue after losing. Cryme Tyme interrupt the promo. Yoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyo....Yo.....YO! They want to know what he is saying. Shad says no one understands that ying yang. But everyone understands they like to make that money money. The crowd sings along by saying yeah yeah. Something is getting over! Shad says they are selling Daivari's durqa durqa for five dollars, because it is that cheap.
Cade & Murdoch interrupt and come out to the ring in their gear. Cryme Tyme starts to get in the ring, but they take Cade's hat instead and run into the crowd. Shad says normally they would sell it, but tonight they are going to give it away. They start singing their money song, and lord are they over in the crowd. Funny segment and it didn't run long like the Cabana did, or previous Cryme Tyme skits have.
Coach and Vince are speaking in the back. Coach says HHH needs to be punished. Orton kicks the door in and says Vince has the power to give him a rematch with Cena and tells McMahon to give it to him. Vince says that Orton is an extraordinary talent, but he doesn't deserve another title shot. He has to show Vince he earns it. Until then, the answer is no. Orton walks out angrily.
Recap of Beth Phoenix the Glamazon winning the Diva Battle Royal to earn a shot at Candice Michelle and the Women's Championship.
Maria vs. Beth Phoenix
Phoenix attacks immediately with a scoop slam. Maria fights back, but Beth kicks her down. Phoenix slams Maria into the corner then hits a delayed Fisherman's Suplex. The ref won't even let Beth get the pin as he tells her to get out of the ring. The match technically hadn't started.
Grisham is in the back interviewing Candice Michelle. He wants her thoughts on stacking up with Beth Phoenix. Candice says Beth dominated last night, but she is not intimidated, and will take on any challenge. Off screen, someone yells "challenge!?" Snitsky comes up and says it's a challenge for him to know when to stop causing someone pain, because pain is his pleasure. Unspoken, but implied, are how it is also a challenge for Snitsky to get to the dentist and dermatologist.
Vince is with Coach saying that he will know the identity by this weekend at the latest. Regal says that it is his duty to inform Vince when something has happened. Vince wants to know what it is. Regal, initially reluctant to say in front of his assistant Coach, reveals that next week, the entire McMahon family will be present...and this time they'll have their attorneys!
King Booker vs. John Cena
The two circle around each other before locking up. Booker with some knees to Cena but he misses the sidekick. Cena punches back and whips Booker into the corner. Cena with a bulldog for two. Booker kicks Cena in the chest. Booker with a chop and punch to Cena. Fisherman's Suplex by Cena for two. Booker punches Cena to the mat but misses the crescent kick. Cena with a drop toe hold and STFU, but Booker makes the ropes. Booker bails. Commercial.
Back from the break, Booker has the advantage with a Hot Shot. He hits the Crescent Kick and goes for the pin, but only gets two. Cena starts to punch back (to a few boos), but he misses on a charge. King Booker with a spinning heel kick for two. Booker works Cena's shoulder, but the champ powers out. Booker knees and punches Cena to the mat. Dueling Let's Go Booker, Let's Go Cena chants in Cena's hometown. Ouch. Spinebuster from Cena gets two. Booker blocks a charge with his boot. He punches Cena on the apron. Sidewalk slam by Booker for two. Booker works the shoulder again. Cena powers out again and goes for the FU, but Booker elbows out. Booker hits a superkick for two. Booker misses the Scissors Kick and Cena charges. He tosses Booker in the corner and starts to punch him.
Randy Orton runs out to interfere. He and Booker double team Cena. Orton with an inverted backbreaker. Booker hits the Scissors Kick. Orton gets ready to scramble Cena's brain with a kick to the head. Orton goes for it, but suddenly comes to a halt. He runs out of the ring and drags Cena's father over the rail. He kicks Cena's father in the head to give him a concussion. Orton walks off as Cena rushes out of the ring to attend to his father. Cena calls for a doctor as the show ends at exactly 11PM for the first time in awhile. Solid segment to end the show.
2008 - Golden Gladiator" Ron Hill, who worked for many years in the New England and Georgia territories passed away following complications from hip surgery at the age of 73. Hill was actually the first person our own Les Thatcher wrestled and trained Kevin Sullivan. After leaving the business, Hill worked as a private detective. An autobiography on his life was released posthumously.
2008 - In a status report jointly filed with the United States District Court in Texas, Dallas Division by attorneys representing Konnan and TNA Wrestling, the two sides have requested a trial date of 10/26/09 following a lengthy discovery phase involving fact finding and depositions for each side. The Discovery phase of the case would involve, among other topics, Konnan's numerous allegations against TNA, if and when he waived his trademarks and copyrights to LAX, the "racial composition" of TNA's workforce, the salaries paid to TNA's independent contractors "and any disparities between racial and ethnic groups", the implementation of "any drug policies" by TNA, the circumstances and "proximate cause" of Konnan's "alleged kidney failure" (as it was listed in the filing), the medical and financial consequences of his health issues, the basis for Konnan's claims against TNA under the Dug Dealer Act in Florida, the extent of his "emotional or mental distress", whether Konnan ever "voluntarily engaged in racially charged conduct or made prior claims of racial discrimination or harassment", TNA's relationship with parent company Panda Energy, and the validity of the company's Independent Contractor Agreement. Discovery must be completed by August 29, 2009. The two sides have been urged to try and mediate their issues before the case goes to trial by the court. In the end, both sides agreed to withdraw their complaints against the other.
2009 - Big Show, The Great Khali, Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes appeared in a comedy sketch that aired on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien on NBC tonight to promote the 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania special this Saturday on the same network.
In the sketch, which sent up Spanish telenovelas (with everyone speaking in Spanish to boot), O'Brien played "Conando" who was rescuing a pretty Latina waitress from a would-be suitor that threatened to cut her with a broken beer bottle when she refused his advances. After being struck by Conando, he called upon The Legacy.
Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes came out and grabbed "Conando", then lifted him into the air. He noted they were impressive, then called out The Great Khali and The Big Show, with the latter crashing through a wall. Although Show said he wanted to resolve the conflict without violence, it quickly turned into a short, silly brawl. In the end, Show double chokeslammed Legacy through a bar that was part of the restaurant set.
In the end, Show said they needed to return to America for the Wrestlemania special. Conando tried to flirt with the waitress, only to have longtime sidekick (and wrestling fan) Andy Richter show up dressed like a Luchador to ruin the mood.
It was cute, mindless fun.
2009 - Plans to hold a reunion show for the 1990s Tri-State Wrestling Alliance promotion began to be announced. The promotion has been running since, holding family friendly shows, a far cry from the days of blood and guts that forged a trail in the Philadelphia area and laid the seeds for ECW.
2009 - TNA broadcast Impact, featuring Dixie Carter's official TV debut after years serving as the head of the company. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight with a look at the problems between Matt Morgan and Kurt Angle. We are going to have women’s tag titles. Bobby Lashley will be with Dixie Carter tonight.
We see A.J. Styles and Sting arrive. Lauren asks A.J. about his retirement situation. A.J. points out that he has his gear and he is ready to work. Sting says that he smells success. Kip James comes out and he asks to park Sting’s car and Sting says that he doesn’t have to park anyone’s car. Kip says that he had that same car when he was over.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘Abyss probably couldn’t ride the new roller coaster’ Tenay and Taz.
Daniels is with Mike and Taz to watch the first match.
Match Number One: Suicide versus Samoa Joe in a Non Title Match
Joe with a kick to Suicide followed by punches. Joe with an Irish whip followed by a shoulder and pele kick. Suicide punches Joe and then he floats over on a charge by Joe. Suicide with a drop kick that sends Joe into the turnbuckles. Suicide with a kick and then he runs Joe into the turnbuckles. Suicide with a drop kick for a near fall.
D’Angelo Dinero comes out and that distracts Suicide and Joe kicks Suicide to the floor. Dinero attacks Suicide and then Joe and Daniels join in and the match is thrown out.
Thanks to the referee’s decision, we have a tag match involving these four men.
Lauren is with Eric Young and she asks Eric if Hernandez would join the World Elite. Eric says that Hernandez becomes a part of the World Elite tonight. Eric says that Hernandez is just like him, a second class citizen and an outcast. Eric says that he opens his eyes tonight. We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that TNA can do the same thing WWE does, but they hype their British ratings.
The World Elite are in the ring and Eric Young says that Bashir wants to talk to the American public. Bashir has something serious to say. He throws his headdress to the floor to avoid any preconceived notions they have about him so they can listen to him. He wants to talk about the war in Iraq. Bashir remembers when George Bush said that the war was over with the ‘Mission Accomplished’ banner. He talks about people dying. He calls the people brainwashed. He says the truth is that ‘you people’ don’t want their land or democracy. ‘You people’ don’t want to stop terrorism. He calls Americans junkies and addicts for our oil.
Eric thanks Bashir for enlightening everyone. He says that this is not the only reason he came out tonight. He talks about a man who is handcuffed by his corrupt morals. He wants to talk about Hernandez.
Speak of the devil, Hernandez’s music plays and he comes to the ring.
Hernandez says that if Eric has something to say, he should say it to his face. Eric says that he wouldn’t have it any other way and he calls Hernandez ‘brother’. He asks Hernandez how many times he came to the ring in the colors of Mexico. Eric says that the people will never respect him. He says that they will only view him as a street thug and thief. He tells Hernandez to come home to be elite and join the World Elite. Hernandez says that he is home. He tells them if they don’t love this country, they can leave.
Lauren is with Sharmell and Traci and she points out that they will face Kong and Raisha Saeed. Sharmell says that they are not sweating Kong and Saeed. Sharmell says that she is not afraid of them. Traci points out that Sharmell is the first lady of the Main Event Mafia and Traci says that she is the chosen one. They will not only beat them, they will roll over their fat asses.
Kong and Saeed walk in the back and we go to commercial.
We are back and Lauren is being asked to move her mic so the Alex Shelley can get a better shot at Lauren’s cleavage. Chris Sabin is looking at her chest as well. Chris says that the camera man is doing his best. Dr. Stevie asks Sabin if he is ready to make some money. He tells Chris and Alex that they can make some good money if they end Abyss’s career. We see the new Motor City Machine Guns tissue holder.
Match Number Two: Raisha Saeed and Awesome Kong versus Traci Brooks and Sharmell in a Women’s Tag Title Tournament Match
Kong goes after Traci but Traci avoids her and Traci tags in Sharmell and then Traci calls a time out. Traci and Sharmell talk some strategy. Saeed tags in and Sharmell pushes Saeed but Saeed pushes back. Traci tags in and Saeed with a chop and Irish whip followed by a splash in the corner. Saeed with a slam and snap elbow drop for a near fall. Saeed with a snap suplex. Sharmell grabs Saeed but Saeed takes care of Sharmell. Traci gets a near fall. Traci chokes Saeed in the ropes and then connects with knees to the back. Saeed kicks Traci away and Kong is tagged in. Kong with a clothesline or two. Kong with a splash into the corner and then she tries for the Implant Buster but Traci escapes but she runs into Kong. Kong with a splash from the second turnbuckle and Sharmell breaks up the cover but then she runs for the hills. Saeed tags in and gets the three count.
Winners: Awesome Kong and Raisha Saeed
We have a Matt Morgan video package.
Matt Morgan is in the back with Jeremy Borash and he enters the Main Event Mafia dressing room. Kurt tells everyone to calm down. Matt asks Kurt about screwing up last week and going through a table. Angle and Morgan talk about how long they have been in the business and Angle says that Morgan is inexperienced. Angle says that he is going to give Matt more experience by teaming with Booker and Steiner. Matt asks Kurt if Dixie approved the match. Matt says that when Kurt is chilling with Dixie in Nashville, Kurt will be defending his title in a four way match. Matt says that he is going to be in the match at No Surrender. Matt says that he will have Kurt’s back like Kurt had his back at Hard Justice and last week. Matt wants a hug and gets it.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Homicide was mentioned in The Source magazine.
We have a Jesse Neal video package.
Match Number Three: Jesse Neal versus Rhino
Rhino offers his hand but it is a trap and he kicks and punches Jesse. Rhino sends Jesse into the turnbuckles and he kicks Jesse. Rhino raises his arms because he can and then he chokes Jesse with his boot and the ropes. Rhino with a punch to the head and then he chokes Jesse. Jesse with a punch or two but Rhino with kicks to Jesse. Rhino with a boot and a kick to the head for a two count. Rhino with a spinebuster for the three count.
Winner: Rhino
After the match, while Jesse gets to his feet, Rhino hits a Gore. The referee has reversed the decision. Rhino continues the attack and Devon comes to the ring. Devon stands over Jesse and Rhino leaves the ring.
Jeremy Borash is in Mick’s office with Cody Deaner and ODB. Mick has a British barrister’s wig and court is in session. Abyss interrupts and he gives Mick his barbed wire bat back. Mick has a present for Abyss and it is groceries. Mick tells Abyss to hit Cody with the bat, but he is kidding. Mick wishes Abyss luck in his match and he tells Abyss to take it easy on Shelley. ODB pleads her case for being the women’s title. Cody has some demonstrative evidence to support his position as women’s champion. Mick says that the title has been held up until No Surrender when Cody and ODB will meet for the title.
Mick talks about getting vengeance and says that time will tell what that vengeance is.
Abyss is walking and clapping as we go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Motor City Machine Guns with Dr. Stevie versus Abyss in the Dr. Stevie $50,000 End Abyss’ Career Bounty Match
Sabin grabs Abyss’ leg and Shelley attacks. They connect with some tandem kicks and then they pose. Shelley and Sabin with elbows and they try for a double suplex but Abyss with a double suplex of his own. Abyss with a side slam to Shelley and then he choke slams Sabin onto Shelley. Abyss claps and then he hits a splash into the corner on Sabin. He misses one on Shelley and then they connect with a tandem kick. Sabin with a drop kick as he comes off Shelley’s back and Abyss goes to the floor. Shelley with a pescado but Abyss catches him. Sabin with a suicide dive and that takes Abyss down. Shelley goes up top for a cross body and Abyss catches him again. Sabin with a missile drop kick for a near fall. Sabin and Shelley wait for Abyss to get to his feet and then hit a double super kick. Abyss gets Shelley up and Sabin gets a kick for his troubles. Abyss hits Shock Treatment and adds a leg drop. Dr. Stevie interferes but Abyss sees Sabin on the apron and he lets go of Stevie to catch Sabin and hit a Black Hole Slam for the three count.
Winner: Abyss
After the match, Stevie yells at Sabin and Shelley and Shelley puts Stevie in the tree of woe and Sabin with the hesitation drop kick. Abyss returns to the ring with a chair but Kevin Nash’s music plays. He comes out and we go to commercial.
We are back and Nash asks Stevie if he has $50,000 and that works for him. Nash says that he has a couple of problems. Abyss stuck his nose in Nash’s match at Hard Justice. Nash says that he will take Richards’ monster and give him Abyss’ head for the money. He tells Abyss that he made it personal.
Lauren is with Daffney and she asks about her match with Hamada. Daffney says that she is nuts and she lives minute by minute. She relies on violence because it is always there. Daffney asks Lauren if she ever counted sheep. Daffney says that she does and she does not let them get over the fence. Daffney says that Hamada will see how crazy she is.
Match Number Five: Daffney versus Hamada in a No Disqualification Match
Daffney with forearms and then she tosses Hamada by the hair and then hits a neck breaker. Daffney with a kick for a near fall. Hamada and Daffney exchange chops but Daffney with a European uppercut. Hamada with a kick and then she kicks Daffney in the corner. Daffney with a kick but Hamada sends Daffney to the apron and then Hamada kicks Daffney off the apron to the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Daffney with an Irish whip and a running forearm into the corner. Daffney with an elbow from the turnbuckles for a near fall. Hamada with a kick to Daffney followed by an enzuigiri. Hamada with a chop and clothesline. Hamada with a head butt or two and Daffney goes down. Hamada with a DDT for a two count. Hamada misses a spin kick and Daffney with a kick and a Shining Wizard for a two count. Daffney sends Hamada to the floor and Daffney goes out after her and works on the back. We see the table that was set up during the commercial break. Daffney gets a chair but Hamada moves out of the way. Hamada puts the chair around Daffney’s neck and sends Daffney into the post. Hamada puts Daffney on the table and then Hamada goes to the apron and she hits a moonsault through the table. They return to the ring and Hamada with a Hamada Driver for the three count.
Winner: Hamada
Angelina Love and Velvet Sky are walking in the back looking for Madison as we go to commercial.
We are back and Angelina and Velvet are walking and Jeremy is trying to stop them. They find Madison in the dressing room and Angelina is still not happy that Madison cost her the title. Angelina mentions Madison’s mystery partner and Angelina talks about the coincidence that they will be meeting in the first round of the tournament. Madison tells Angelina to do something about it. Madison pushes Angelina away and then they double team Madison until Borash is able to shield Madison from the attack.
Match Number One Restarted: D’Angelo Dinero and Samoa Joe versus Daniels and Suicide
Suicide and Joe start things off and Joe with an shoulder throw and Dinero tags in. Suicide with an arm drag and drop kick and Daniels is tagged in. Daniels sends Suicide into Dinero and then Daniels with a leg lariat off Suicide’s back. Suicide with a slam and an Arabian press for a near fall. Daniels with jabs to Dinero and Joe with a knee to the back and Dinero with an STO as we go to commercial.
We are back and Joe with punches to Daniels but Daniels with an enzuigiri followed by a kick and STO. Dinero and Suicide tag in and Suicide with a springboard back elbow and clothesline. Suicide with a corkscrew side Russian leg sweep for a near fall that Joe gets involved in breaking up. Suicide with a fireman’s carry slam and Joe gets into the ring. All four men are involved. Joe with a clothesline for Suicide and Dinero with a German suplex to Daniels. Daniels gets into the ring before Joe hits his suicide dive. Daniels with an Arabian press. Suicide misses a springboard cross body but he moves when Dinero tries for the running knees into the back. Suicide with a rollup for a near fall.
Winners: Daniels and Suicide
We go to commercial.
We are back and Jeremy Borash is with Dixie Carter and Bobby Lashley. Jeremy points out that it is Dixie’s first time on camera. Dixie announces the new three year deal with SpikeTV and says that there will be some specials coming in the future. Jeremy asks Bobby about walking away from wrestling and coming back. Bobby says that he still has the passion for professional wrestling and he talks about the meetings that he had with Dixie to figure out a way that he can do both MMA and wrestling. Dixie talks about how this signing makes a mark in the business. Bobby says that his goal in TNA is to make an impact. He wants to face Kurt Angle and he is aiming for the top. Dixie says that she would like to see Bobby be the champion in both wrestling and MMA. Bobby will be wrestling at No Surrender against Rhino.
Kurt Angle comes to the ring and he joins Mike and Taz at the announce table.
Match Number Six: A.J. Styles, Sting, and Hernandez versus Booker T, Scott Steiner, and Matt Morgan
Sting and Booker start things off and Booker has some words for Morgan. Booker does some Tai Chi before locking up and Booker with punches to Sting in the corner. Sting with punches followed by a reverse atomic drop and drop kick. Sting with a hip toss and then Styles tags in. Booker backs Styles into his corner and Steiner tags in. Steiner chokes A.J. in the ropes. Steiner with a kick after Styles hits the ropes awkwardly. Styles hits a phenomenal drop kick followed by a phenomenal knee drop. Hernandez tags in and he connects with a forearm but Morgan tags in. Morgan shows Hernandez that he is taller and Hernandez tries for a few shoulder tackles but Morgan stays up. Morgan with a clothesline. Hernandez with a knee and delayed vertical suplex. We see Morgan, Steiner, and Booker argue on the floor and Hernandez hits the plancha onto all three men. We go to commercial.
We are back and Steiner with a reverse chin lock on Styles. Styles with elbows and a punch. Steiner with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Morgan tags in and he kicks Styles in the head. Morgan with a head butt to Styles. Styles tags in Hernandez and Hernandez with the slingshot shoulder followed by forearms and a spinebuster to Booker. Morgan with a punch to Hernandez followed by an Irish whip. Hernandez takes Morgan down and gets a near fall. All six men are in the ring but Styles and Steiner go to the floor. Hernandez and Morgan are all that remains in the ring and Hernandez misses a Stinger splash. Morgan sets for the Hellevator and Steiner has a chair. Hernandez sends Morgan into the chair and Styles with a springboard cross body for the three count.
Winners: Sting, Hernandez, and A.J. Styles
We go to credits with Kurt Angle blaming Matt Morgan for the loss and Steiner and Booker are yelling at Morgan. Morgan punches Steiner and Booker. Tenay confirms the four way match at No Surrender and Matt Morgan is one of the opponents.
2009 - WWE broadcast WWE Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight’s show with a Raw match.
Match Number One: Jack Swagger versus Primo
Primo rolls around before they lock up and Primo with a waist lock but Swagger with a standing switch and take down. Swagger with a hammer lock but Primo with an elbow. Swagger with an arm bar and take down into a hammer lock. Swagger with an arm wringer but Primo with a kick and a leg sweep and leg drop for a near fall. Primo kicks Swagger in the ribs. Swagger kicks Primo and then he Irish whips Primo, but Primo with a head scissors. Primo is sent to the apron and he comes back into the ring and tries for a wheelbarrow move but Swagger turns it into a wheelbarrow suplex. Swagger with a hard Irish whip and then Swagger with a Vader splash followed by Steiner pushups. Swagger with a waist lock and he adds extra pressure to work on the ribs and abdomen. Primo with a punch and kick but Swagger with an abdominal stretch and Primo is able to reverse but Swagger throws Primo to the apron and then he hits a shoulder that knocks him off the apron. We go to commercial.
We are back and Swagger with a back body drop followed by a forearm to the back. Swagger with an arm submission into an arm bar. Primo with a sunset flip but he can only get a near fall. Swagger with a catapult into the turnbuckles and then he tries for the Vader Splash again but he takes too long and Primo moves out of the way. Primo with a springboard chop and a flying back elbow and clothesline. Primo with a cartwheel followed by a drop kick. Primo with a springboard cross body for a near fall. Primo with a side Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Swagger with a belly-to-belly suplex. Swagger tries for the Doctor Bomb but Primo blocks it and Primo with a rollup for a two count. Swagger with an Irish whip but he charges into boots from Primo. Primo hurts his knee as he comes off the ropes and Swagger with a Northern Lariat followed by the Doctor Bomb for the three count.
Winner: Jack Swagger
After the match, Swagger gets on the mic. He says that he was born to be the United States Champion. Swagger tells Kofi to forget everyone else because he needs to worry about Jack Swagger.
It is time to continue to shoot for the middle of the road so we have the Ask The Divas segment.
Gregory Helms walks into a room and then Hurricane emerges. We go to commercial wondering where did Gregory go.
We are back and it is time for the ECW match.
Match Number Two: Hurricane versus Paul Burchill with Katie Lea
Hurricane with a snap mare and a chop to the back. Hurricane with a side head lock but Burchill with a shoulder tackle. Burchill blocks a hip toss but Hurricane with a double leg take down and a boot to the chest. Burchill with a European uppercut but Hurricane with a clothesline that sends Burchill over the top rope. Hurricane misses a pescado when Burchill moves. They return to the ring and Burchill works on the back and neck with a knee to the back and a reverse chin lock. Hurricane punches Burchill but Paul with a neck breaker and a near fall. Burchill with a chin lock and then he tries to send Hurricane into the turnbuckles but Hurricane blocks it and he punches Burchill followed by a Thesz Press and punches. Hurricane with a breakdown for a near fall. Burchill charges into an uppercut in the corner and then Hurricane misses a clothesline but Burchill hits a pele kick for a near fall. Burchill tries for a suplex but Hurricane blocks it and hits a neck breaker. Hurricane goes up top and hits a cross body for a near fall. Hurricane signals for the Shining Wizard but Burchill goes to the floor. Hurricane goes out after him and he brings Burchill back to the ring and sends Burchill’s head into the apron. Hurricane brings Burchill to the apron and he tries to suplex Burchill but Katie holds on to Paul’s leg. This distraction allows Burchill to drop Hurricane on the top rope and get the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Paul Burchill
We go to commercial.
We are back and so is Undertaker.
Todd and JR talk about the return of the Undertaker as well as the main event on Smackdown where we will see Jeff Hardy try to get his title back from CM Punk in a Steel Cage Match.
Before our next match, Ziggler comes out and he says Rey’s win at Summerslam was a fluke. Ziggler says that after he wins tonight, he will go to Breaking Point to become the new Intercontinental Title. Dolph reminds us what his name is.
Match Number Three: Dolph Ziggler versus Mike Knox versus Finlay in a Number One Contender Match to face the Intercontinental Champion
Finlay wants both of them but he goes to the floor and he punches Ziggler who comes out first. Knox hits Finlay and then Irish whips him and hits a splash in the corner. Knox with a power slam but Ziggler breaks up the cover. Knox with a splash into the corner and Ziggler goes down. Finlay clotheslines Knox over the top rope to the floor and then Finlay kicks Ziggler to the apron. Finlay sends Knox into the ringside barrier and then he kicks Knox in the ribs. Knox is sent into the ring post and then Finlay traps Ziggler in the ring skirt. Knox knocks Finlay out of the way and Knox punches Ziggler. Knox breaks up Finlay’s cover on Ziggler. Knox punches Ziggler and punches Finlay but Ziggler with a drop kick to Knox. Finlay with a European uppercut to Ziggler and then he gets a near fall. Ziggler punches Finlay but Finlay with a short arm clothesline followed by a near fall. Finlay puts Ziggler on the turnbuckles but Ziggler tries to knock Finlay off. Finlay with a head butt to Ziggler but Knox hits an Electric Chair drop on Finlay. Ziggler tries for a leg drop on Finlay but he misses. We go to commercial.
We are back and Knox with a big boot to Ziggler followed by knees to the back of the head. Finlay makes his way back into the ring and Knox chokes him. Ziggler with a kick and punches Knox and then he hits a drop kick to the knee. Ziggler with a front face lock but Knox picks up Ziggler. Ziggler and Finlay with a double DDT and then Finlay and Ziggler fight over the cover. Finlay throws Ziggler out of the ring and then he kicks Knox and hits the seated splash on Knox for a near fall. Finlay with elbow drops to Knox for a near fall. Finlay with a baseball slide to keep Ziggler out of the ring. Finlay runs Ziggler’s back into the ring apron. Knox with a forearm to the back and then he slams Finlay’s head into the apron. Ziggler kicks and punches Knox but Knox sends Ziggler’s back into the apron. Finlay with a kick to Knox after Knox rolls Ziggler into the ring. Finlay and Ziggler bump heads and then Knox with a cross body to both but Ziggler breaks up the cover. Ziggler with punches and a bulldog. Finlay with a fireman’s carry slam for a near fall. Ziggler punches Finlay and then misses a splash into the corner. Finlay tries for an arm bar submission but Knox takes care of Finlay. Knox with a butterfly suplex to Ziggler. Finlay with a cross body from the turnbuckles for a near fall. Finlay with a kick to the chest. Knox grabs the shillelagh and Finlay avoids the shot. Finlay sets for the Celtic Cross and hits it. Ziggler sends Finlay into the ring post and then Ziggler gets the three count.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
2010 - Viva La Lucha Extreme Rebellion debuted on PPV.
2010 - Michael Benoit, the father of the late Chris Benoit, appeared on ABC's Nightline. Terri Bey filed the following report:
The subject of the show is about how brains in murderers may work.
Mike Benoit said Chris always wanted to be a wrestler. The show gives an overview of Chris Benoit's career. Michael Benoit said the Benoit we saw in the ring was not the Benoit he knew. He said he knew Chris as a devoted dad. The show goes over the June 2007 murder/suicide. The show reveals that Chris Benoit looked up the prophet Elijah on the internet.. One story from Elijah was about how a prophet could rise a child from the dead and lay him on his own bed. They reveal that Daniel was laying in his bed.
Michael Benoit then said he watched tv 24 hours a day waiting to hear someone say something nice about his son, and he said it wasn't happening. He said the event was a nightmare.
Dr. Julian Bailes wanted to examine Chris' brain, and he said that Chris Benoit's brain had a neurobehavioral change much like the athletes' brains Dr. Bailes studied. They went over Benoit's being hit with chairs, ladders, etc. Michael said his son told him that he had so many concussions, he stopped counting.
The show talks about the media coverage of the case focusing on "roid rage." Toxology reports revealed that Chris Benoit had steroids in his system. Dr. Bailes said since the murders happened over the course of three days, he didn't think that roid rage which is a snap judgement/emotions. He didn't think roid rage explained his behavior. Michael questioned the roid rage explanation, and wanted answers so he allowed his son's brain for research.
Michael Benoit then talked about his son's accomplishments and he said his son destroyed that image in three days.
When brain was examined, the examination revealed Benoit's brain was extensively damaged. They talked about how Pittsburgh Steeler center Mike Webster was a shell of himself when he retired. Webster died homeless. Webster's brain was examined. They talk about a condition called CTE, which the doctor wants to call "Mike Webster's Disease." Dr. Bailes said Webster's and Benoit's brains were similarly damaged.
Michael Benoit said the research gave him a good understanding of what happened to his son. He still gets emotional hearing that his son's brain was heavily damaged. He said he thought that is why Chris suffered from insomnia, mood swings, and drank heavily right before the tragedy happened. He said Chris was going downhill. He said Chris had become an extremely religious person who could quote Bible Scriptures and that is not how Chris was. Dr. Bailes said in some cases a person with this sort of brain damage can develop a religiosity and he thinks it is very likely the case with Chris Benoit
Michael Benoit feels that if his son had not become a professional wrestler, Chris would still be alive.
The show revealed that WWE has questioned these medical findings and said that Michael Benoit's claim that head trauma cause his son's behaviour is impossible and said if Benoit had brain damage, he would not have been able to perform as a wrestler.
Michael Benoit , in response to those who say his son's brain damage is an excuse said, "What's their excuse?" and reiterated that his son's choice of profession was the reason his son committed the tragedy.
2010 - Tony Borne, father of Matt, passed away at his home. He was 84 years old.
2010 - WWE confirmed the release of Serena Deeb, holding off the news until her final TV appearance. PWInsider.com had broken the news several days earlier.
2010 - Luna Vachon was found to have passed away in her home. Mike Johnson penned the following career retrospective on a truly unique female performer:
With the passing of Gertrude Angelle "Luna" Vachon on Friday, a very colorful and unique career ended on a very sad, quiet note, which is a true shame. While considered one of the toughest women amongst her peers, men and women alike, Vachon was also quite the enigma as a person. At times, she was sweetest, most caring person anyone could ask to know. At other times, especially when she thought she was being wronged, it's a miracle she hadn't, quite frankly, murdered someone.
The dual sides of Vachon's personality were never made more public than when Howard Brody, the former NWA President, spotlighted Vachon in his excellent book Swimming with Piranha. Promoting a women's independent at the time, Brody found out the television company that was backing them was falling apart and with it went the weekly salaries for himself and Vachon, who was doubling as his secretary and booking talent. Not realizing the entire situation but realizing she was getting fired, Vachon went completely berserk and on the offensive against Brody verbally, trashing him loudly before storming out.
It was so wild and abusive that others in the same office complex believed that the pair were having a sexual relationship that went South. The reality was that the company was dead and Vachon's real concern wasn't for herself, but that she was counting on the salary to cover Christmas gifts for her children. When Brody (as he had already planned) paid her a final two weeks salary, the venom was gone, replaced by the sweet and quiet Angel, with a baby voice saying "thank you" before demurely leaving.
While demure is hardly how anyone would think of Luna Vachon, that story fully explains the ying and yang of Angel and Luna, who as one performer cultivated such an intense, unique persona. It's not hard to consider her one of the toughest female wrestlers of all time. Vachon was more than willing to stand toe to toe with men physically and there aren't many stories of men being willing to test her in the ring, likely because she could have taken them apart. Of the few stories there are about women being on Vachon's wrong side, none ended up happy when they were in Vachon's sights.
Like many other children of wrestlers (Paul "Butcher" Vachon was her stepfather), she was dissuaded from entering the ring. Like many other children, she ignored it. She had been in the ring playing with wrestlers from the time she was a teenager and caught the bug hard. There was no denying it was what she loved.
She was soon training under her "aunt" Vivian Vachon and the late Fabulous Moolah before debuting for Florida Championship Wrestling as part of Kevin Sullivan's band of evil followers. Following that run, she had runs in Japan (managed by her stepfather), Memphis and Puerto Rico's AWF, among other companies in Florida and beyond.
Vachon also managed the masked duo known as the Blackharts, which led to a unique situation where Vachon, then married to Tom Nash of the team, soon split with Nash to date David Heath. That ended the team but Heath was soon working as the Vampire Warrior. He made appearances in the AWF and ECW under that name before ending up in the WWF as Gangrel, the persona he is best known under today. He and Vachon later divorced.
Vachon signed with the WWF in 1993, debuting at Wrestlemania IX as Shawn Michaels' valet as Michaels defended the Intercontinental championship against Tatanka. With the painted veins, muscular body, shaved head and incredible facials, Vachon was a natural for the cartoonish WWF of the era. While she and Michaels never really clicked together character-wise, the debut was more to bring in Vachon as heel foil against the late Sherri Martel, who had been wronged by Shawn Michaels and accompanied Tatanka to the PPV bout as a way to get into Michaels' head. Vachon and Martel soon split off into a feud of their own.
Vachon's next angle was one of the strangest romantic pairings in the history of even the WWF, as the late Bam Bam Bigelow announced he had "fallen in love" with Vachon. That set the pair up as a most unique couple, eventually feuding with the babyface version of Doink the Clown (Ray Apollo) and Dink the Clown, his midget sidekick. The storyline culminated at Vachon's Wrestlemania in-ring debut at Wrestlemania XX in Madison Square Garden, with Bigelow and Vachon going over. Bigelow soon headed for an angle as part of the Ted DiBiase-led Million Dollar Corporation. Vachon was involved for a short time against then WWF Ladies champion Alundra Blayze before leaving the promotion.
In 1995, Vachon's journeys took her to the original Extreme Championship Wrestling, where she attacked Stevie Richards during a Tommy Dreamer vs. Raven match to offset Richards' interference. While Raven vs. Dreamer is remembered now as the hardcore epic feud of ECW, at the time, ECW management was having a hard time getting the Philadelphia fans to take to Dreamer, who was still seen more as a pretty boy than as the John McLaine-esque every man persona that he eventually morphed into. Vachon was a perfect choice to toughen up Dreamer's character, teaming with him against the likes of Raven, Richards and The Pitbulls during the summer of 1995.
While Vachon's run was short in ECW, there were a number of memorable brawls and matches, spotlighted by Vachon defeating Stevie in a man vs. woman steel cage match at Heatwave '95, utilizing the first-ever testicular claw for a submission win. The match was actually billed as one of the two main events that night, sharing the stage with The Public Enemy vs. The Gangstas. Luna departed ECW in August 1995 after transportation issues kept her out of a scheduled eight person tag match. ECW claimed travel problems due to a hurricane in Florida, which also prevented Bill Alfonso and Marty Jannetty from appearing, so it was likely the case. Mick Foley substituted for Vachon and turned heel, setting Foley off on one of the greatest periods of his career as the anti-hardcore, demented Cactus Jack. She was mentioned one final time during a Dreamer promo, but the woman who was the original "Queen of Extreme" before Francine was known by that moniker, never returned.
Vachon then popped up in the Paul Alperstein version of the AWF, working with Honkytonk Man under a wig as Peggy Sue, a takeoff of Elvis' Peggy Lee. The AWF spent a lot of money hard and fast. While they had huge coverage, it was all due to buying syndicated shows nationally. The business plan was an abject failure and the promotion was dead faster than you could assume.
Vachon was then picked up by WCW for a series against Madusa, then the WCW Women's champion, putting her over in a series of matches in 1997. Once the feud ran its course, the company had no further use for her, and Vachon was quietly working in Florida, having removed herself from the business.
Then one day a private detective showed up and informed her the WWF was looking to use her. Vachon was back in, working with Goldust, pushing the boundaries of how far the company could go with the character during the Attitude era. But the real reason Vachon was back was to carry and make Rena Mero (now Lesnar). Mero was taking off as Sable, the hottest female act the company had ever seen. A beautiful blonde with massive implants, she was a ratings draw during the Attitude era and had become one of the most popular characters in the company, something that bothered the hell out of the wrestlers on the card. The decision was made to put Sable in the ring. The angle was that her then-husband Marc Mero would be jealous of her popularity and try to hold her down. She would break out and declare her independence and Mero would be paired with Luna Vachon. The idea here was that Vachon could play a great heel and carry Sable in the ring, because Sable was beyond green and would be learning on the job.
At Wrestlemania XIV, Sable made her in-ring debut in a mixed tag, teaming with Mero against Goldust and Luna. In the ring with Luna, Sable was amazingly good, although due to her upcoming Playboy shoot, Vachon was under strict orders to stick to exactly what was booked out in advance and not do anything that could injure Sable's looks. Vachon, who had toiled all over the world to make her name, was pained by that, often saying it was the one and only "choreographed" match in her career. In the end, Vachon had done her job, but like a lot of good workers, she was overlooked for the bigger star who was drawing the money. Sable's attitude towards others backstage was said to have been anything but gracious, which drove Vachon equally nuts. She had been brought up a Vachon, with respect. Sable walked into main events thanks to her cups and looks. For the male wrestlers, it was a grave annoyance. For a female wrestler brought up old school, it was a haunting anger.
Vachon remained with WWF for several more years, doing such unique roles as the manager of the comedic Oddities, a collection of Giants and strange characters that WWF got more mileage out of than anyone deserved to, but not without bumps in the road. After Sable was attached to the Oddities (don't ask), Vachon turned heel under a mask and began another run with her, this time for the Women's title. The two personalities backstage led to a blow up and as the much lesser star when it came to political favor, Vachon was out.
Vachon was brought back several months later and feuded with Ivory, including a Hardcore match on PPV, before managing Gangrel for the first time on WWF television. Another incident backstage led to her final dismissal and she was never brought back.
While she worked a number of independents in the years that followed, with no other national companies to have a run with, Vachon's chances of making huge money were pretty much done. There were the occasional tours overseas and lots of independent companies everywhere from New York to Puerto Rico and beyond, but it was a fly by night way to make a living. Vachon and Heath parted the ways.
On December 5, 2007, Luna Vachon announced her retirement. Her last official bout took place just days later for Great Lakes Championship Wrestling in Milwaukee. She successfully defended her GLCW Ladies Championship against Traci Brooks and then retired as champion. GLCW promoter Dave Herro had been one of her closer confidantes in recent years and often was the middleman when it came to arranging her appearances.
Before she opted to retire, she was a big part of the New Jersery-based Womens' Superstars Uncensored, helping to get that group, which runs monthly DVD tapings, off the ground, playing the same role she held in real life, the tough veteran you didn't want to cross. She made several convention appearances but for the most part, quietly disappeared, partially because she couldn't be paid to wrestle if she wanted to receive the benefits she was receiving.
After, Vachon had pulled herself out of the ring, she was working as a tow truck operator and kept a low profile. She had a number of personal issues from her battles with a bi-polar condition, which was only exacerbated by substance issues that came with running her body hard in the wrestling world. She had been through rehab sponsored by WWE at least once that I was aware of.
Vachon nearly made one last public appearance in wrestling on television, but turned it down. When Mick Foley learned of Vachon losing her home and many of her possessions in a house fire, he pitched Vachon working the TNA Hardcore Justice PPV to Tommy Dreamer. Dreamer agreed and passed on her information to Terry Taylor. However, when Taylor called Vachon to book her as a surprise for the PPV, she turned down the opportunity, which surprised everyone. I don't know how she would have been used but my guess would have been that she'd have made a cameo during the Raven and Dreamer bout.
The announcement of her death took the world by surprise since it was just a few weeks earlier that Mick Foley had publicly disclosed Vachon had lost much of her belongings in a fire and asked fans for help in building her memorabilia collection of her own career. At one point, her passing was the top trending topic, not just in the United States, but worldwide on twitter. More than than that, Luna's passing was a death that a number of people in and around the industry took very hard because while many of them had seen the wrath of Luna firsthand, they all loved Angel, the woman behind her. Like many of them, she had her dark side but she was one of them and they understood why she was who she was, because she walked in their shoes and vice versa.
While Vachon was never a drawing main event player on the national scene when you look at the numbers and the placement of the stars on a list, she was one of those performers that wrestling needed to make the bigger companies run. She worked hard, making matches and situations that were ridiculous work. She was unique and tough in a business that did and still does, favor soft, sexual females as their stars. She was a hardcore brawler before that was a buzz word in marketing wrestling. She was widely respected by her peers and friends and had been everywhere, working with just about everyone and more than many women that come in and out of the business, was considered one of the boys.
More than that, she was a Vachon, which carried more than it's own weight (and stress) in both respect and in work ethic.
Vachon was survived by two sons, one of whom has become a well known chef and was featured on the FOX reality series Hell's Kitchen.
Her family has announced there will be no public funeral.
2010 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Fresno, California and your announcers are Todd ‘Slightly Better than Some’ Grisham and Matt ‘Not So Bad’ Striker.
Matt and Todd talk about the two SummerSlam rematches tonight as well as the return of the Undertaker to Smackdown.
As Rey walks to the ring, he still shows the effect of his match against Alberto Del Rio last week.
Match Number One: Rey Mysterio versus World Champion Kane in a No Disqualification Match
Rey with forearms and kicks to Kane and Kane misses with a kick. Rey with more kicks but Kane with an uppercut. Kane with an Irish whip that sends Rey under the bottom rope to the floor. Kane kicks Rey in the injured arm and then he hot shots Rey onto the ringside barrier. Kane throws Rey back into the ring and Kane goes under the ring and he gets a kendo stick. Rey with a kick to the leg as Kane enters the ring and Rey hits Kane with the kendo stick. Rey comes off the ropes but Kane with a big boot. Kane gets a near fall on Rey. Kane punches Rey in the corner and then he chokes Rey in the ropes again. Kane with a hard Irish whip followed by a kick to the head and Kane gets another near fall.
Kane with a cravate on Rey but Rey with punches and kicks to get out of the hold. Rey goes to the apron for a slingshot move but Kane with a boot to Rey and that sends Rey to the floor again. Kane follows Rey to the floor again. Kane goes into the ring steps after a drop toe hold. Rey goes onto the announce table to hit a seated senton on Kane.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Kane connects with an uppercut as Rey comes off the ropes and Kane gets a near fall. Kane with a snap mare and reverse chin lock. Kane works on the neck and then he returns to the reverse chin lock. Kane with kicks to Kane but Kane with an emphatic side slam and he gets yet another side slam. Kane goes to the floor and grabs a chair. Kane brings the chair into the ring but Rey with a few kicks to Kane. Rey with a springboard seated senton followed by a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Kane falls into the ropes but he recovers and Kane grabs Rey by the throat. Rey tries to counter the choke slam with a rana but Kane holds on to Rey and stays on his feet. Rey lands on his feet and then Rey clips Kane. Rey gets the chair and he hits Kane in the back of the knee with it a few times. Rey hits Kane in the back with the chair and Kane falls into the ropes. Rey hits the 619 and it staggers Kane. Rey tries for a springboard move and Kane catches Rey and hits a choke slam on the chair for the three count.
Winner: Kane
After the match, Kane stands over Rey and he summons the fire from the ring posts. Kane leaves the ring while the referee checks on Rey. Rey is favoring his arm and Alberto Del Rio makes his way into the arena.
Alberto introduces himself but he says that we already know who he is. He walks to the ring and he asks Rey if he is okay. Alberto wants to know what happened to him and he asks his amigito if he is okay. Alberto wants to know from the doctor if Rey is going to be okay. Alberto says that Rey looks like a dying dog. He says that someone needs to put him down and Alberto sends Rey shoulder first into the ringside barrier. Alberto takes off his jacket and scarf and he yells at Rey before locking in the cross arm breaker. Alberto releases the hold and he smiles at what he has done to Rey. He walks away and he is very proud of his actions. Alberto walks back to the ring and he grabs the chair that was used during the match. He wants Rey to have a memento from the match and he puts Rey’s arm in the chair and sends Rey into the ring post.
Alberto picks up his jacket and scarf and walks to the back.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for a look back at what Alberto Del Rio did to Rey Mysterio after Rey’s match with Kane.
Match Number Two: CM Punk with Luke Gallows, Joseph Mercury, and Serena versus JTG
Punk charges at JTG but JTG with a rollup for a near fall. Punk with kicks and punches to JTG as the referee warns him. Punk with an Irish whip and running clothesline followed by a snap mare and elbows to the chest. Punk with a kick and knees to JTG. JTG with a punch but it is not able to stop Punk’s momentum. Punk with more punches and knees. Punk with an Irish whip and running knee into the corner followed by the bulldog. Punk gets JTG up for the Go To Sleep and he hits it and instead of going for the cover, he applies the Anaconda Vice and JTG taps out.
Winner: CM Punk
After the match, he yells at the Straight Edge Society and he tells them to get in the ring and get on their knees. He tells them that is how you operate when you are part of the Straight Edge Society. That is how you treat the weak. That is how you spread the message of purity to the rotten world we live in. He says that he leads by example and the example has been set. He tells Luke to follow his example. He wants Big Show, face down, unconscious in a pool of his own drool. He wants the stamp of the Straight Edge Society on his giant face. He tells Luke that this is the last time that he tells him. He tells Luke to be better or be gone.
Rosa is in Teddy Long’s office and she has a Shake Weight. Teddy says that it is working for her and he tells her to keep training. Rosa walks away and Teddy needs a break. Teddy reads the WWE Magazine and the tree from last week is in Teddy’s office and it is walking behind Teddy. Teddy thinks that he is seeing things and then the plant reveals himself to Teddy. Teddy says that Hornswoggle almost gave him another heart attack and he wants to know if Hornswoggle is spying on anyone else besides him. Hornswoggle plays charades and he looks like he is going to take a nap in Teddy’s lap but Teddy says that he doesn’t lay like that. Hornswoggle grunts that Teddy got the first part of the clue. The second word is a guy wearing sunglasses and Teddy wonders if Hornswoggle is an Elvis impersonator and then he says that Hornswoggle looks pretty cool. Teddy puts two and two together and gets LayCool. Teddy wants to know what they are up to and Hornswoggle recreates their conversation. Teddy says that he doesn’t understand what he is saying. Hornswoggle decides to write down what they said and he gives it to Teddy. Hornswoggle gets frustrated that Teddy can’t read what he wrote. Teddy says that he has an idea. He says that there is a way that they can work together.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound.
We take a look back at last week when Vickie Guerrero cost Kofi Kingston the Intercontinental Title last week and Dolph’s post match attack on Kofi.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is now time for the Dashing Cody Rhodes Grooming Tips. This week Cody is here to tell us about how a clean shaven face is important to embellish a chiseled jawline. He says that to achieve the masculinity you desire, shaving the entire body is of equal importance. Cody says that you should shave your arms, chest, and especially your legs. We see Cody use a straight razor on his leg. Cody says that a smooth, shaven body is sexually attractive to the opposite sex. We are now one step closer to ‘Dashing’.
Match Number Three: Kofi Kingston versus Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero in an If Dolph gets disqualified, Kofi is your new Intercontinental Champion Match for the Intercontinental Title
Kofi corners Dolph and kicks him and then connects with knees and more kicks. Dolph goes to the floor and Kofi hits a running clothesline on the floor. Kofi slams Ziggler’s head into the ringside barrier and then he punches Dolph and sends him back into the ring. Kofi gets a near fall with a rollup. Kofi with a clothesline and he gets a near fall. Kofi with a forearm and Dolph holds on to the ropes and that forces Kofi to miss Trouble in Paradise. Kofi with SOS for a near fall. We go to commercial.
We are back and Kofi misses a leg drop from the top turnbuckles and both men are down. Dolph with a forearm to Kofi but Kofi responds. They go back and forth with forearms. Then they exchange kicks until Kofi with punches and more kicks. They go into the corner and the referee pulls Kofi away. That allows Dolph to connect with a kick to the head and he gets a near fall. Dolph with a leaping elbow drop for a near fall. Dolph with an elbow to the head and then he applies a rear chin lock. Kofi gets to his feet and then he gets out of the hold and connects with a forearm. Dolph holds on to the ropes as Kofi tries for Trouble in Paradise again. Kofi runs into a boot from Dolph. Kofi with an SOS again and he gets the three count, but the referee sees Dolph’s hand on the rope so the match must continue.
We see the replay and Dolph did get to the ropes before the three count. Kofi with another near fall. Ziggler gets back to his feet and he avoids a charge by Kofi and Kofi hits the ring post. Ziggler gets a near fall. Ziggler with a snap mare and leap frog neck snap and he gets a near fall. Ziggler with a neck breaker and Dolph gets another near fall. Ziggler with an arm bar on Kofi as he sits on Kofi’s back to get extra pressure. Kofi with punches and then when he swings wildly, Ziggler applies the sleeper but Kofi gets to the ropes. While the referee warns Ziggler, Vickie slaps Kofi but the referee did not see it. Ziggler yells at Vickie and tells her not to screw it up. Ziggler with a knee to Kofi and he gets another near fall. Ziggler with double sledges to the back and then he hits the leaping elbow drop and gets a near fall. Ziggler with a reverse chin lock and Kofi gets back to his feet.
Kofi with a forearm and then he connects with chops. Kofi tries for a drop kick but Ziggler blocks it and he catapults Kofi into the turnbuckles but Kofi lands on the middle turnbuckle. Kofi with a back heel kick and Kofi with a Superman punch from the turnbuckles but he can only get a two count. Ziggler with a knee and Ziggler with an Irish whip but Kofi moves out of the way and hits the pendulum kick. Kofi goes up top and hits a cross body for a near fall.
Kofi picks Ziggler up and tries for SOS one ore time but Ziggler with a knee and then he gets a near fall after a fireman’s carry. Ziggler tries for the Zig Zag but Kofi holds on to the ropes. Kofi with a drop kick and Ziggler goes to the floor. Kofi goes to the apron but Vickie gets in the way. Kofi is able to hit a cross body onto Ziggler and Ziggler is down. Ziggler and Kofi each hit clotheslines on the floor and the referee starts his count. They try to get to the ring but Vickie pulls Dolph from the apron as the referee gets to ten and Kofi wins by count out.
Winner: Kofi Kingston by count out
After the match, Vickie celebrates with Dolph but Kofi chases after Dolph and Vickie. Dolph goes into the crowd and Kofi follows after him.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to take a look back at what Kane said last week about why he attacked his brother.
Matt and Todd talk about how Taker must feel about being stabbed in the back by his brother.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we are told that the winner of the Jack Swagger Senior Invitational is the first person to get five take downs.
Match Number Four: Jack Swagger versus Montel Vontavious Porter in a Jack Swagger Senior Invitational
Swagger puts on his headgear but Porter refuses. Swagger gets warmed up and he has something to say to Porter but Porter slaps him.
Porter tries for the legs but Swagger gets the first take down. Swagger offers Porter his leg and Porter gets the leg but Swagger avoids Porter and gets a second take down. Swagger goes for the leg and he turns it into a waist lock. Porter blocks and gets a standing switch. Swagger with a gutwrench take down to make it three to nothing. Jack with a front face lock and he rolls through the ring. Porter with a punch and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Jack Swagger by disqualification
After the match, Swagger attacks Porter and puts him in the ankle lock and Porter taps out even though there is no match.
Michelle and Layla are having a photo shoot and Kaval is watching intently. They ask him how they look and he approves. They go to check the photos and they really like it. Michelle and Layla appreciate that Kaval thought they were flawless. Michelle and Layla talk about someone who needs their help and they mention Melina. Layla wonders if Teddy will okay what they want to do with Melina on the 900th episode of Raw, which happens to be this Monday. Michelle says that they are never wrong. Michelle and Layla wonder what Melina was wearing at SummerSlam. Kaval has everyone leave while Michelle and Layla discuss something.
We go to commercial.
We go to the press clippings and photos from the WWE debut in China.
We take a look back at what happened last week when Christian defeated Drew McIntyre only to see Drew and Cody attack Christian. Then Matt Hardy hobbled to the ring to help Christian until Cody and Drew took control of the situation.
Before our next match, Ricardo Rodriguez does the honors of introducing Alberto Del Rio.
We also see what Alberto did to Rey Mysterio earlier tonight on Smackdown.
Match Number Five: Alberto Del Rio versus Carlos Sanchez
They lock up and Del Rio with a slap to the head followed by kicks to the leg. Del Rio with more kicks in the corner. Del Rio with a short arm clothesline and then he hits a German suplex. Del Rio with a reverse chin lock. Sanchez with elbows but Del Rio with a forearm. Del Rio with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner and Sanchez with forearms but Del Rio puts Sanchez on the top rope and then he pushes Sanchez to the floor. Del Rio sends Sanchez back into the ring and he hits the Cross Arm Breaker and Sanchez taps out.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
Kelly Kelly is walking in the back with Big Show as they laugh about something. We go to commercial.
Match Number Six: Big Show with Kelly Kelly versus Luke Gallows with Joseph Mercury and Serena
Show with a kick and forearm to the back. Show sends Luke into the turnbuckles and then he chops Luke in the corner. Show with a kick and another chop in another corner. We see Punk watching from the locker room while Show kicks Luke in the chest. Show with a third corner and a third chop, but this time to the back. Show biels Luke across the ring and Luke goes to the floor. Show goes to the floor as Serena talks to Luke. Show chops Luke as Luke laid across the announce table. Kelly with a Thesz Press on Serena and she kicks Kelly. Show tries for a chop but Luke with an elbow and punches. Show pushes Luke away and then Luke with kicks but Show with a chop from his knees. Show sets up for the punch and he connects and Luke goes down and Show gets the three count.
Winner: Big Show
Matt and Todd talk about Taker and how he must feel. We will find out when we come back from this commercial break.
We are back and the gong sounds as the lights go out and the building has a bluish tinge to it along with fire on the stage for the Smackdown return of the Undertaker.
Undertaker says that although he may look dead, he is not dead yet. Taker says that he is still very much the dead man. He says that this is still his yard. He says that there is one thing that he needs to make perfectly clear. That is that he will never pardon the guilty. Speaking of guilty, that brings him to his brother Kane. Kane is guilty of a treacherous betrayal. A betrayal that he will pay dearly for. Taker says that Kane has a diseased soul and that disease has festered and turned into a web of lies. Lies that Kane thinks that he can fill Taker’s boots. The biggest lie of them all is that he thinks that he can carry Taker’s holy grail, the World Title.
Kane’s pyro goes off and he makes his presence known on the stage. Kane says that the only one spinning a web of lies is his big brother. He says that he hears the weakness in Taker’s voice and in his eyes. Kane wonders if he is the one who is diseased and delusional. He wonders if Taker has looked at himself. He says that Taker is not the phenom any more. He is only a shadow of himself. Kane says that he will have no problem dropping Taker on his head like he did at SummerSlam. He tells Taker that he is living in a fantasy world. He is bigger and stronger than Taker and he is now the dominant brother. Kane says that he has nothing left to prove.
Taker tells Kane that there is a reason why Kane walked in his shadow. Taker tries to remember what Kane called himself because his memory isn’t that good these days. Taker remembers and he says that Kane called himself the Devil’s Favorite Demon. Taker asks Kane if he remembers that the house that the devil lives in was built by him, brick by fiery brick. Taker says that when he comes calling, the devil still answers to him with ‘sir’. Taker says that Kane has never been worthy and he never will be worthy. Kane is not worthy to carry that championship. He is not worthy of the power that he steals with the power he inspires. Taker says that most of all, Kane is unworthy of being his brother. Taker tells Kane to listen to him and listen to him good. Taker says that he taught Kane everything that Kane knows about evil, but Taker says that he did not teach Kane everything he knows. He tells Kane that when the mood strikes, he will be waiting. When the fight starts, it will always end the same way.
Kane says that it will not end that way this time. Kane says that they know that this time it ends the same way it did at SummerSlam. It ends with Taker sprawled helpless at his feet. Kane promises . . . no he vows on the grave of their mother that Taker will never rest in peace.
Kane laughs as we go to credits.
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