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September 1st
On this day in history in ....
1868 - Homer Lane defeats James H. McLaughlin for the American Collar-and-Elbow Title in Utica, New York.
1923 - Clarence Weber defeats Billy Meeske in Melbourne, Australia to win the Australian Heavyweight Title for the second time.
1941 - Wild Red Berry defeats Danny McShain for the World Light Heavyweight Title in Hollywood, California, ending McShain's third reign and beginning Berry's third.
1946 - George Becker defeats Babe Sharkey in Portland, Oregon to win the Pacific Northwest (later Los Angeles) World Heavyweight Title.
1953 - Ted Petty is born in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey.
1958 - Eddie and Jerry Graham defeat Don Curtis and Mark Lewin in Washington, DC to win the Northeast NWA United States Tag Team Title.
1961 - Bam Bam Bigelow is born in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
1965 - KC Thunder is born in Asheville, North Carolina.
1967 - Killer Kowalski defeats Bearcat Wright in Melbourne, Australia for the International Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Title. This began Kowalski's fifth reign and ended Wright's second.
1968 - Kyoko Okada and Miyuki Yanagi defeat Lucille Duprée and Mary Jane for the American Girls' Wrestling Association International Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.
1971 - Deuce is born in Laie, Hawaii.
1972 - Doug Williams is born in Reading, Berkshire, England.
1972 - The AWA held an event at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The results:
- René Goulet and Don Muraco fought to a 10-minute time-limit draw.
- Ramón Torres defeated Angelo Poffo.
- Art Thomas defeated Hans Harmann.
- Bobo Johnson defeated Little Bruiser.
- Baron Von Raschke defeated Billy Red Cloud.
- André Rousimoff (André the Giant) defeated Larry Hennig and Butcher Vachon in a Handicap match.
- Dusty Rhodes defeated Wahoo McDaniel by disqualification.
- AWA World Tag Team Champions Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens defeated Billy Robinson and Wilbur Snyder in a Best-of-Three Falls match to retain the title.
- AWA World Heavyweight Champion Verne Gagne defeated Ivan Koloff in a Best-of-Three Falls match to retain the title.
- Dick the Bruiser and The Crusher defeated The Blackjacks (Lanza and Mulligan) in a Steel Cage match.
1972 - Johnny Valentine defeats Johnny Powers to win the National Wrestling Federation North American Heavyweight Title in Cleveland, Ohio, ending Powers' third reign.
1977 - Don Leo Jonathan defeats Otto Wanz for the Catch Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title in Johannesburg, South Africa.
1977 - Dory Funk, Jr. defeats Ciclón Negro in Amarillo, Texas to win the Amarillo NWA International Heavyweight Title, ending Negro's third reign and beginning Funk's second.
1977 - Yumi Ikeshita defeats Jane O'Brien in Honolulu, Hawaii for the All Pacific Title.
1978 - Pak Choo and Roddy Piper defeat Ryuma Go and Black Gordman to win the NWA Americas Tag Team Title.
1978 - Paddy Ryan defeats Mr. Sakurada for the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title in Calgary, Alberta.
1979 - Jim Crockett Promotions held a 12-man tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina for the Mid-Atlantic NWA United States Heavyweight Title. The title had been vacated by Ric Flair after he won the NWA World Tag Team Title with Blackjack Mulligan on August 8. The results were:
First round:
- Bruiser Brody defeated Johnny Weaver.
- Jimmy Snuka defeated Tim Woods.
- Buddy Rogers defeated Bob Marcus.
- Wahoo McDaniel and Big John Studd fought to a double-countout, putting Buddy Rogers through to the semifinals.
- Ken Patera defeated Rufus R. Jones.
Quarterfinals:
- Jim Brunzell defeated Bruiser Brody.
- Ricky Steamboat defeated Ken Patera.
Semifinals:
- Jimmy Snuka defeated Jim Brunzell.
- Ricky Steamboat defeated Buddy Rogers.
Final:
- Jimmy Snuka defeated Ricky Steamboat to win vacant Mid-Atlantic NWA United States Heavyweight Title.
1980 - Tommy Rich defeats Jimmy Valiant for the AWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee. This began Rich's third reign and ended Valiant's fourth.
1982 - Paul Jones defeats Jack Brisco to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title in Charlotte, North Carolina, to end Brisco'e second reign.
1984 - The WWF held an event at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results were:
- Iron Mike Sharpe pinned Steve Lombardi after a clothesline.
- David Schultz pinned A.J. Petrucci after a dropkick.
- WWF Women's Tag Team Champions Velvet McIntyre and Princess Victoria defeated Leilani Kai and Despina Mantagus to retain the title, when Victoria pinned Mantagus with a reverse crossbody and McIntyre pinned Kai with a sunset flip.
- Jesse Ventura pinned Ivan Putski after hitting him with a foreign object.
- Rocky Johnson and Greg Valentine fought to a time-limit draw.
- André the Giant defeated Roddy Piper by countout when Piper walked out after a big boot knocked him to the floor.
- Nikolai Volkoff pinned Rick McGraw after a gorilla press gutbuster.
- The Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Adrian Adonis and Dick Murdoch by disqualification after Murdoch threw the referee out of the ring. Adonis and Murdoch retained the title.
1985 - The WWF held an event at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario. The results:
- Randy Savage defeated Dennis Goulet.
- Lanny Poffo defeated Iron Mike Sharpe.
- King Tonga defeated Moondog Spot.
- King Kong Bundy defeated Rick McGraw and George Wells in a Handicap match.
- The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) defeated The British Bulldogs (The Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith) by disqualification.
- Cousin Junior defeated Johnny Valiant.
- Don Muraco and Ricky Steamboat fought to a double-countout.
1985 - American Force (Paul Diamond and Shawn Michaels) are awarded the TASW Texas Tag Team TItle in San Antonio, Texas.
1985 - El Hijo del Santo defeats Aristóteles in Naucalpan, Mexico for the UWA World Lightweight Title, to begin his second reign.
1985 - El Dandy defeats Américo Rocca to win the Mexican National Welterweight Title in Guadalajara, Mexico, ending Rocca's third reign.
1986 - Championship Wrestling from Florida hosted the NWA's "Battle of the Belts III" at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. The results were:
- Jimmy Backlund defeated Bob Cook.
- Tyree Pride defeated The Cuban Assassin.
- NWA Florida United States Tag Team Champions The Fabulous Ones (Steve Keirn and Stan Lane) defeated The Sheepherders (Butch and Luke) to retain the title.
- The White Ninja (Keiji Muto) defeated NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Champion Tim Horner to win the title.
- AWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwinkel defeated Kendo Nagasaki by disqualification to retain the title.
- Ed Gantner and Kareem Muhammad fought The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) to a double-disqualification.
- Kendall Windham defeated NWA Bahamas Heavyweight Champion Chris Champion by disqualification. Champion retained the title.
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair fought NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion Lex Luger to a 45-minute time-limit draw to retain the title.
- Barry Windham defeated NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion Ron Bass to win the title, beginning his fourth reign.
1986 - The World Class Wrestling Association held its fourth-annual "Labor Day Star Wars" event at the Tarrant County Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The show featured an 11-team tournament to crown the first WCWA World Tag Team Champions, following World Class' departure from the NWA, when the company's title was the NWA American Tag Team Title. The results were:
First round:
- Mark Lewin and Kevin Sullivan defeated The Batten Twins (Bart and Brad).
- Matt Borne and WCWA Texas Heavyweight Champion Buzz Sawyer defeated WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Champions Kevin and Mike Von Erich by countout.
- Chris and Mark Youngblood defeated Jos LeDuc and Rick Rude by disqualification.
- The Dingo Warrior and Socko defeated Killer Tim Brooks and The Grappler.
Quarterfinals:
- Matt Borne and WCWA Texas Heavyweight Champion Buzz Sawyer defeated Mark Lewin and Kevin Sullivan.
- Chris and Mark Youngblood defeated Jerry and Ted Oates.
- The Dingo Warrior and Socko defeated Brian Adias and Scott Casey.
Semifinals:
- WCWA World Heavyweight Champion Chris Adams and WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Champion Lance Von Erich defeated The Dingo Warrior and Socko.
- Matt Borne and WCWA Texas Heavyweight Champion Buzz Sawyer defeated Chris and Mark Youngblood.
Finals:
- Matt Borne and WCWA Texas Heavyweight Champion Buzz Sawyer defeated WCWA World Heavyweight Champion Chris Adams and WCWA World Six-Man Tag Team Champion Lance Von Erich to become the first WCWA World Tag Team Champions.
Non-tournament:
- WCWA World Heavyweight Champion Chris Adams defeated Rick Rude by disqualification to retain the title.
- Abdullah the Butcher defeated Bruiser Brody by disqualification.
1986 - Tarzan Goto and Akio Sato defeat Jeff Jarrett and Pat Tanaka for the CWA International Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning their second reign. At the same show, Don Bass and Dirty Rhodes (Roger Smith) defeat Cousin Junior and Giant Hillbilly Elmer to win the AWA Southern Tag Team Title.
1986 - Denny Brown defeats Steve Regal to win the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title in Greenville, South Carolina, beginning his third reign.
1987 - Yoshiaki Fujiwara and Kazuo Yamazaki defeat Akira Maeda and Nobuhiko Takada for the IWGP Tag Team Title in Fukuoka, Japan.
1990 - Fit Finlay defeats Steve Wright in Vienna, Austria to win the CWA World Middleweight Title, to end Wright's second reign.
1990 - One of the most memorable angles in Memphis wrestling took place during a live Saturday morning wrestling broadcast on WMC-TV in Memphis, Tennessee, as Eddie Gilbert attempted to run down Jerry Lawler with his brother Doug's car in the parking lot outside the studio. The car hit Lawler, who rolled over the hood and fell to the ground, suffering a bruised hip. Fans watching the show on television actually called the police to the WMC studios to report what had happened.
1990 - New Japan Pro Wrestling ran their first ever show in Halpin, China, drawing 4,000 fans. Here are the results:
- Kensuke Sasaki defeated Michiyoshi Ohara.
- Kantaro Hoshino defeated Black Cat.
- Masahiro Chono defeated Takayuki Iizuka.
- Jushin Liger defeated Osamu Matsuda.
- Riki Choshu defeated Hiro Saito.
- Antonio Inoki defeated Tatsutoshi Goto.
1991 - The Grappler and Don Harris defeat Demolition Crush and Steve Doll for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title in Seaside, Oregon.
1993 - Los Cowboys (Silver King and El Texano) become the first two-time WWA World Tag Team Champions in Tlanepantla, Mexico, by defeating Corazón de León (Chris Jericho) and El Dandy.
1994 - Hiromichi Fuyuki, Gedo and Jado defeat Bob Backlund, Scott Putski and Warlord to win their second WAR World Six-Man Tag Team Title in Saku, Japan.
1995 - CMLL held its "Second Generation Tag Team Tournament" at Arena Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico, an eight-team one-night tournament featuring second generation wrestlers, whether in name or by blood.
Quarterfinals:
- Apolo Dantés and Emilio Charles, Jr. defeated Brazo de Oro and Brazo de Plata
- Blue Demon, Jr. defeated Tinieblas, Jr. defeated Espectro, Jr. and Pierroth, Jr.
- Negro Casas and El Hijo del Solitario defeated Karloff Lagarde, Jr. and Scorpio, Jr.
- El Hijo del Santo and Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. defeated Gran Markus, Jr. and Dr. Wagner, Jr.
Semifinals:
- Apolo Dantés and Emilio Charles, Jr. defeated Blue Demon, Jr. defeated Tinieblas, Jr.
- El Hijo del Santo and Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. defeated Negro Casas and El Hijo del Solitario.
Final:
- Apolo Dantés and Emilio Charles, Jr. defeated El Hijo del Santo and Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. to win the Second Generation Tag Team Tournament.
1996 - Tomoko Miyaguchi defeats Yoshiko Tamura in Tokyo, Japan for the AJW Junior Title. At the same event, Chikayo Nagashima and Sugar Sato defeat Yumi Fukawa and Rie Tamada to win the AJW Tag Team Title.
1997 - WCW held its 103rd episode of "Monday Nitro" live from the Civic Center in Pensacola, Florida. The show aired unopposed for a second straight week, due to USA covering U.S. Open tennis, and got a 4.74 rating on hours of 4.51, 4.82 and 4.90. The results were:
- Chris Benoit and WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Steve McMichael defeated Eddie Guerrero and Jeff Jarrett (with Debra), when McMichael pinned Guerrero after Dean Malenko interfered.
- Mortis (with James Vandenburg and Wrath) pinned Silver King after the Dead on Arrival.
- Yuji Nagata pinned Dean Malenko after Jeff Jarrett came out and dropped Malenko throat-first on the ropes.
- Ultimo Dragon pinned La Parka (with Sonny Onoo) after dropkicking a chair into Parka's face.
- Buff Bagwell (with Vincent) pinned Glacier after the Blockbuster.
- Lizmark, Jr. pinned Villano IV with a springboard moonsault.
- WCW World Television Champion Alex Wright pinned Hugh Morrus after a spinning heel kick to retain the title.
- Stevie Richards pinned Damien after Raven attacked Damien on his way to the ring.
- Ray Traylor pinned Prince Iaukea after the Traylor Trash.
- Randy Savage and WCW World Tag Team Champion Scott Hall (with Elizabeth) defeated Diamond Dallas Page and Lex Luger, when Hall pinned Page after Luger forearmed Page after Hall ducked.
1998 - Pirata Morgan loses his hair to Vampiro in Houston, Texas.
2000 - The American Dragon (Bryan Danielson) defeats Pokerface to win the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title in Dyersburg, Tennessee, ending Pokerface's second reign.
2000 - Archangel Vincent and Reverend Axl Future defeat Barfly Mike and Corporal Robinson for the Mid American Wrestling Tag Team Title in West Allis, Wisconsin.
2000 - Kevin Duncan defeats Samir in North Richland Hills, Texas to win the NWA Texas Junior Heavyweight Title.
2001 - Tannie Mouse and Yuki Miyazaki defeat Chiaki Nishi and Acute Sae in Tokyo, Japan for the NEO Kitazawa Tag Team Title, beginning their second reign. At the same event, Lioness Asuka defeats Misae Genki to win the NEO/NWA Pacific Women's Title.
2001 - Scott Wrenn defeats Prince Justice (Abyss) to win the NWA Wildside Heavyweight Title in Cornelia, Georgia.
2001 - Daron Smythe defeats Dash Bennett in Parkersburg, West Virginia to become the first NWA West Virginia/Ohio Television Champion.
2001 - Agente Bruno and Zaruxx defeat Huracán Castillo, Jr. and Miguel Pérez, Jr. to win the IWA World Tag Team Title in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, ending Castillo and Perez's second reign. Also at that event, Big Ross McCollough wins the IWA World Hardcore Title from Glamour Boy Shane, ending his third reign, before losing it to Zaruxx, beginning his third reign.
2001 - Two titles change hands at the Frontier Wrestling Alliance's "Back 2 School" in London, England. The New Breed (Ashe and Curve) defeated La Familia (Alex and Jorgé Castano) to become the first FWA British Tag Team Champions, and Paul Travell defeats champion Ahmed Chaer and Scottie Rock in a three-way match to win the FWA All-England Title.
2002 - Jason Dukes and The Skull Crusher defeat The Furies for the MAW Tag Team Title in Big Bend, Wisconsin.
2003 - WWE held its 536th edition of "RAW" live from the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana. The show got a 4.3 rating on USA. The results:
- Jonathan Coachman defeated Jerry Lawler.
- WWE Intercontinental Champion Christian defeated Chris Jericho to retain the title.
- Molly Holly and Gail Kim defeated Ivory and Trish Stratus.
- World Tag Team Champions La Résistance (René Duprée and Sylvain Grenier) defeated The Hurricane and Rosey.
- Stacy Keibler and Test defeated Steven Richards and Victoria in a No Disqualification match.
- Goldberg, Maven and Shawn Michaels defeated Evolution (Ric Flair, Randy Orton and Triple H).
2004 - TNA held its 113th weekly pay-per-view event at the TNA Asylum in Nashville, Tennessee. The results:
Xplosion:
- D-Ray 3000 and Shark Boy defeated C.W. Anderson and Chaz Taylor.
- Monty Brown defeated Eddie Venom and Nate Webb in a Handicap match.
Pay-per-view:
- NWA World Tag Team Champions The Naturals (Andy Douglas and Chase Stevens) defeated America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) and Triple X (Christopher Daniels and Elix Skipper) in a three-way match to retain the title.
- Kazarian and Michael Shane (with Traci) defeated The Amazing Red and Chris Sabin.
- TNA X Division Champion Petey Williams (with Coach D'Amore) defeated Sonjay Dutt to retain the title.
- The 3 Live Kru (B.G. James and Konnan) and The Midnight Rider (Dusty Rhodes) defeated Team Canada (Johnny Devine, Bobby Roode and Eric Young).
- Sonny Siaki and Erik Watts (with Desire) defeated Alex Shelley and Abyss (with Goldylocks).
- Ron Killings and A.J. Styles defeated Kid Kash and Dallas in a Street Fight.
2005 - The final Thursday night edition of WWE Smackdown airs, ending a six-year run in the 8-10pm slot on UPN. The episode, headlined by Randy Orton vs. Rey Mysterio, earns a 3.0 rating.
2006 - Brent Dail defeats Hammett and champion José Rivera, Jr. in a three-way match in Caguas, Puerto Rico to win the WWC Junior Heavyweight Title.
2006 - ChickFight held "ChickFight VI" at Kezar Pavilion in San Francisco, California. The results:
- MsChif defeated Hailey Hatred in a ChickFight VI Tournament quarterfinal match.
- KAORU defeated Tiana Ringer by referee stoppage in a ChickFight VI Tournament quarterfinal match.
- Allison Danger defeated Frankie in a ChickFight VI Tournament quarterfinal match.
- Cheerleader Melissa and Daizee Haze fought to a 35-minute time-limit draw in a ChickFight VI Tournament quarterfinal match. As a result of the draw, both women advanced to the semifinals.
- Vennis DeMarco (with Chris Colione) defeated Scotty Aboot.
- Mr. Primetime defeated Chris Hero and J.J. Perez in a three-way match.
- KAORU defeated MsChif in a ChickFight VI Tournament semifinal match.
- Daizee Haze defeated Cheerleader Melissa and Allison Danger in a three-way ChickFight VI Tournament semifinal match.
- KAORU defeated Daizee Haze to win the ChickFight VI Tournament.
2006 - PWG held the first of three events of its second-annual "Battle of Los Angeles" weekend at the American Legion in Reseda, California. The show featured the first half of the first round of the 24-man Battle of Los Angeles Tournament. The results were:
First round:
- Chris Sabin defeated Colt Cabana.
- El Generico defeated Delirious.
- CIMA defeated M-Dogg 20.
- Kevin Steen defeated Matt Sydal.
- Dragon Kid defeated Quicksilver.
- PWG World Tag Team Champion Roderick Strong defeated Rocky Romero.
Non-tournament:
- B-Boy, Excalibur, Homicide and Human Tornado (with Candice LeRae) defeated The Dynasty (Chris Bosh, Scott Lost and PWG World Champion Joey Ryan (with Jade Chung)) and Petey Williams.
2006 - Mike Bennett defeats Spike Dudley in a Street Fight in Fall River, Massachussetts for the NRG Heavyweight Title.
2006 - The Ruthless Bastards (Heresy and Mark Kodiak) defeated The Remarkables (Bubblegum and Dr. Dirk Feelgood) in a tournament final at "Shockwave III" in Poeldijk, Netherlands to become the first Dutch Championship Wrestling Tag Team Champions.
2007 - WWE taped the 65th edition of "ECW" and the 420th episode "Friday Night SmackDown!" at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. "ECW" got a 1.6 rating on August 4 on SciFi "SmackDown!" got a 2.3 rating on August 7 on The CW. This was a Saturday night taping, due to the Labor Day holiday. The results were:
- In a dark match, The Daltons (Jesse and Festus) defeated Los Locos (Ramón and Raúl).
ECW:
- The Boogeyman defeated Matt Striker (with Big Daddy V) by disqualification, when Big Daddy V clotheslined on Boogeyman as he chased Striker around the ring.
- The Miz (with Brooke, Kelly Kelly and Layla) pinned Balls Mahoney after the Reality Check.
- Elijah Burke and Kevin Thorn defeated Tommy Dreamer and Stevie Richards, when Burke pinned Richards after the Elijah Express.
- CM Punk pinned ECW Champion John Morrison after the GTS to win the title.
SmackDown!:
- WWE Tag Team Champion Matt Hardy (with WWE Tag Team and United States Champion MVP) pinned Deuce (with Cherry and Domino) after the Twist of Fate after MVP tripped Deuce.
- Chuck Palumbo (with Michelle McCool) pinned Kenny Dykstra (with Victoria) after the Full Throttle.
- Batista and Kane defeated Finlay and World Heavyweight Champion The Great Khali (with Runjin Singh), when Kane pinned Finlay after a chokeslam.
- WWE Cruiserweight Champion Hornswoggle defeated Jamie Noble by countout to retain the title, after he didn't make it out to the ring in time.
- Rey Mysterio defeated Chavo Guerrero, Jr. in an I Quit match after hitting Chavo, hung over the top turnbuckle, in the knee repeatedly with a chair until Chavo gave up.
2007 - The IWA hosted the final match of the 16-man "Reclaming the Glory" tournament for the NWA World Heavyweight Title, held after the NWA ended its partnership with TNA, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, with Adam Pearce defeating Brent Albright to win the vacant title. Pearce took the place of Bryan Danielson, who was unable to compete due to a broken orbital bone and injured retina suffered in a match with ROH World Champion Takeshi Morishima on August 25.
Albright's road to the finals included wins over Osamu Nishimura on June 2 at an NWA Bluegrass event in Salyersville, Kentucky, Fred Sampson on June 30 at an NWA Universal event in Wagoner, Oklahoma and Claudio Castagnoli on August 12 at the NWA Legends Fanfest in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Danielson had defeated Nelson Creed on June 16 in Vancouver, British Columbia at an ECCW event, Fergal Devitt on July 21 in Tonawanda, New York at an NWA Empire event, and Adam Pearce on August 18 in North Vancouver, British Columbia at an ECCW event.
Before losing to Danielson in the semifinals, Pearce defeated Aaron Aguilera at an NWA Pro East event in Clifton, New Jersey and Chad Parham at an EWF event in Covina, California on July 13.
2007 - PWG held the second of three events of its third-annual "Battle of Los Angeles" weekend at the American Legion in Reseda, California. The show featured the second-half of the first round of the 24-man Battle of Los Angeles Tournament.The results were:
Non-tournament:
- T.J. Perkins and Ronin defeated Karl Anderson and Bino Gambino.
First round:
- CIMA defeated Human Tornado.
- SHINGO defeated Scott Lost.
- Necro Butcher defeated PWG World Tag Team Champion Kevin Steen.
- Nigel McGuinness defeated Davey Richards.
- PWG World Tag Team Champion El Generico defeated Tony Kozina.
- Dragon Kid defeated Susumu Yokosuka.
2007 - IWA Deep South Heavyweight Champion Mike Quackenbush defeats IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Taylor in a double-title match at IWA Deep South's "2Xtreme Warfare" in Pelham, Alabama to leave with both titles. Taylor, also the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion, had just won title the Light Heavyweight title from Brandon Thomaselli the night before in Midlothian, Illinois.
2007 - Two titles change hands at Athletik Club Wrestling's "Saturday Night #23" in Weinheim, Germany. Kosta Kaperdos defeats Toby Nathland for the ACW German Title and Viktor Krüger defeats Van Miller to win the vacant ACW World Title.
2007 - Valentine defeats Stark Adder and champion Erik Isaksen in a three-way match at "Syyskuun Selkäsauna" in Tikkurila, Finland for the Fight Club Finland Finnish Heavyweight Title.
2007 - Tony Torres defeats Frank Scoleri for the vacant Independent Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Title at "Great Falls Festival Day 1" in Paterson, New Jersey. This began Torres' second reign.
2008 - WWE broadcast Raw. Following the broadcast, they publicly acknowledged Shawn Michaels' torn triceps, something PWInsider.com had reported several days prior.
Richard Trionfo filed the following TV Report:
We are less than a week away from Unforgiven and the trifecta of title scramble matches. Who will walk out of the ring with the World Title. With Raw in St. Louis, will we see anybody who lives in the area make an appearance? What is next for the most powerful couple on the Raw brand? What will Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase do to get their titles back from Cryme Tyme? What will happen during the contract signing between Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho?
We begin with a graphic in memory of Walter Kowalski, who passed away over the weekend.
We are live on tape from St. Louis, Missouri and your announcers are Jerry 'Gateway Arch' Lawler and Michael 'Why is everyone calling me Eckstein' Cole.
Randy Orton comes out and his arm is in a sling. He enters the ring and he has something to say. Orton says that he is still injured and the crowd is pleased. He says that he wanted to wait until he was 100 percent but he has something to get off his chest. He says that a brand is only as strong as its champions. Orton says that when he was champion, Raw was the top brand in the WWE. Now Raw is a joke. The women’s champion Beth Phoenix walks around like a love sick teenager. Randy says that this is not 90210 and she is embarrassing herself. Now it is time to talk about the weakest Intercontinental Champion in the history of the WWE. Randy says that he could beat Santino with a broken clavicle. At least he has a title. Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes don’t even have their titles. They should be called ‘Worthless’. Randy says that if someone took his title, he would beat that person to a pulp. The real problem on Raw is there is a guy who is disgracing the World Heavyweight Title and his name is CM Punk. Four years ago, when he won his first world title, Punk was wrestling in no name towns, wrestling in a no name company. Then he climbed a ladder and lucked into a title match. That is how he became champion. Orton says that insults everything he stands for. Randy says that he would love to challenge CM Punk tonight to take back what is his. Orton says that he cannot do that because he is not medically cleared. When he is cleared, and it won’t be long. He will challenge Punk for the title and he will reclaim his show. Orton says that he will make everyone forget about the sorry history of Raw known as CM Punk.
Speak of the devil, CM Punk’s music plays and he comes to the ring. Punk gets in Orton’s face and he says that he got a headache listening to Randy talking. He says that he does not want to live in the past. Not everyone has daddy and granddaddy to usher them into the WWE. Some people have to earn it. It doesn’t matter how he got the title, he is the champion. Punk says that he does not drink, he does not smoke, and he does not take joyrides on his motorcycle at three in the morning. He went from the Age of Orton to an afterthought. Punk says that Orton is jealous.
Orton says that Punk is the most pathetic champion, but Punk tells Orton that he is not going to get a shot at the title. Punk says that he has a battle royale to win tonight, and a Championship Scramble on Sunday. Then he wants Orton to walk down the aisle and tell him who the joke is. Punk says that there is one person in the ring who is pathetic and it is not him. Orton says that this conversation will have to continue at a later time. Orton leaves the ring. Punk tells Orton that he will do everything to hold on to the title until Orton comes back.
Punk is interrupted by John Bradshaw Layfield who walks to the ring. Bradshaw has a mic and he tells Punk that he does not get it. Fairy tales are not real. In six days, it will strike midnight for Cinderella. The fluke of a title run will be over. There is an eighty percent chance that Punk loses the title. Bradshaw says the odds are higher because out of nowhere, the Clothesline from Hell can hit and he will be the champion. Bradshaw says that he would love for it to be Punk to take the Clothesline, it does not have to be him. It could be Batista, Kane, or Rey Mysterio.
Bradshaw is interrupted with Kane and he is without his child scaring sack. Kane asks Bradshaw about the Clothesline from Hell. Kane says that he has been in hell and he has not seen the clothesline. He says that Rey is in hell and regardless of what Adamle says, Rey Rey will not be there on Sunday. Kane says that he made sure that Rey will not be here tonight. That means that there is one less person in the Scramble.
Batista cannot be left out of this gabfest and he comes to the ring. Batista spears Kane and then he spears Bradshaw while Bradshaw goes after Punk. Batista then spears Punk. Batista leaves the ring and there are bodies in and around the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Cole and Lawler talk about the battle royale. Cole says that there will be some ECW wrestlers on the show tonight. There is an ECW battle royale with the Scramble participants.
John Cena’s music plays and he has turned into Charlie Haas. We see the footage from last week when Charlito debuted. Charlie says that Cena might not be here, but the Haas is here and you can’t see him.
Match Number One: Charlie ‘Master of Thuganomics’ Haas versus Kofi Kingston
They lock up and Haas with a knee but Kofi with a monkey flip. Kofi sends Haas into the turnbuckles. Haas with a punch and it is time for the five knuckle shuffle, but Kofi with a kick and punch. Kofi with a drop kick and flying forearm. Kofi with a cross body and then he hits a side Russian leg sweep. Kofi with the leaping leg drop. Haas with a punch and he gets Kofi up for the FU but Kofi escapes the hold and tries for a rollup. Kofi with Trouble in Paradise for the three count.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
We go to commercial.
We are back and Randy Orton is with the tag team champions. Cody reminds Orton that they are the tag team champions. Orton asks Cody if he remembers the first time they met. He asks if he remembers Randy slapping Cody’s father. Randy slaps Cody. Randy says that they are the toughest in the locker room, but they lost to John Cena and then they got their titles taken from them. Randy tells them to grow a set.
Mike Adamle is with Teddy Long and The Tiffany. Mike thanks them for attending tonight’s show. Mike mentions the scrabble participants from ECW and the ones from Raw. Mike suggests a Labor Day tradition. Maybe it could be like the Jerry Lewis Telethon without the sick kids.
Kane enters the office and he talks deliberately saying that Adamle was wrong to announce that Rey was coming back. Kane asks Mike why he would do that, while reminding Mike his name. Mike says that he was hoping that Rey would come back and accept the invitation. Maybe Rey will be here tonight. Kane says that Rey’s body and soul has been massacred.
Match Number Two: ECW Scrabble Scramble Contender Battle Royale featuring Matt Hardy, Chavo Guerrero with Giant Bam Neely, Finlay with Hornswoggle, The Miz, and Mark Henry with Tony Atlas
Everyone surrounds Henry and they go after him to try to eliminate the champion. Henry pushes everyone off and Henry with punches to everyone. Miz and Hardy with a double DDT to Henry and Miz and Hardy with elbow drops. Miz with a clothesline to Hardy. Finlay slams Chavo onto Henry. Finlay gets Chavo up for a fireman’s carry slam. Hardy with a Side Effect to Miz and Miz is sent to the apron. Finlay and Hardy with a double clothesline and both men are down. Miz and Chavo discuss strategy but Chavo tries to eliminate Miz. Henry eliminates Miz and Chavo at the same time. Henry with a splash to Finlay followed by a boot to Hardy and a clothesline. Hardy with a boot to Finlay’s head and it is time for a splash in the corner. Henry tries for one to Hardy but Matt moves. Hardy with punches and then Finlay and Hardy try to eliminate Henry. Henry eliminates Finlay and then Hardy with clotheslines to Henry but Henry does not go down. Hardy with an elbow from the second turnbuckle and then he tries for the Twist of Fate but Hardy is sent to the floor by Henry.
Winner: Mark Henry
We go to commercial.
We are back and Chris Jericho is reviewing paperwork for the Unsanctioned Match with Lance Cade and another unnamed man.
Jamie Noble is in the ring and Layla is at ringside with him. Noble says that he wants to prove to her that he has what it takes.
Match Number Three: Jamie Noble versus William Regal
Regal with punches to Noble and the referee pulls him off. Regal with an Exploder and then he chokes Noble by the ropes. Regal with a full nelson but Noble stomps on Regal’s foot. Regal with a cover, but Noble rolls through for a two count. Regal with a punch to Noble and Noble goes down. Regal with an Irish whip and then he charges into the corner. Regal kicks Noble in the corner. Regal hits a half nelson German suplex. Noble with an inside cradle for the three count.
Winner: Jamie Noble
After the match, Noble goes over to Layla and Layla seems to be impressed.
Mickie James and Kelly are in the back and they are having an awkward conversation while random Diva music plays. We go to commercial.
We are back and Jillian is in the ring and she is going to perform for the crowd. Jillian starts to scare the kids and she is interrupted by Mickie James’s music. Beth tells Randy Orton to take a look at this. She reminds Orton that she is the Glamazon and she is the most beautiful Diva to enter the ring. There is no one who can match her power or her beauty.
Match Number Four: Jillian Hall, Katie Lea, and Beth Phoenix versus Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, and Candice Michelle
Kelly and Katie start things off and Katie with a hammer lock and a pull of the hair for a near fall. Kelly gets flipped over and then Kelly hits a drop kick. Mickie tags in and hits a Thesz Press and punches Katie. Mickie with a drop kick for a near fall. Jillian tags in and they send Mickie into the corner. Jillian charges into a boot and then Mickie fights her way out of the corner. Mickie tries for a head scissors but Beth pulls Mickie down by the hair. Jillian with a biel by the hair. Beth tags in and she hits a slingshot suplex for a near fall. Beth sends Mickie into the turnbuckles and then she tags in Katie. Katie kicks Mickie in the ribs and then she chokes Mickie in the ropes. Katie with forearms to the back and then Jillian is tagged back in. Katie with an Irish whip but Jillian misses a charge into the corner and Mickie hits a clothesline on Katie. Mickie with a neck breaker to Jillian. Candice and Beth tag in and Candice with forearms. Candice with a jawbreaker to Beth and then she sends Jillian and Katie to the floor. Candice with a breakdown and then she punches Beth. Candice goes up top but Jillian and Katie hold Candice. Mickie and Kelly take care of Jillian and Katie. Candice with a cross body but Beth rolls through and gets Candice up. Candice with an inside cradle for the three count.
Winners: Candice Michelle, Mickie James, and Kelly Kelly
Cole and Lawler talk about the situation between Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho. Video package time.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Santino Marella makes his way to the ring. First, he has something to say to Randy Ortan the sommanagun. He says that Orton insulted him and his girlfriend. He will prove that he is greatest Intercontinental Champion. He wants the Honk-a-Meter. Santino says that the Honkydonkey Man was the champion for 64 weeks while Santino has been champion for two weeks. That means in 62 weeks he will be the greatest of all time.
Match Number Five: D’Lo Brown versus Santino Marella
Santino with a kick and punches followed by shoulders in the corner. D’Lo with a punch but Santino with punches of his own. Brown with a drop kick and a running clothesline into the corner. Santino misses a drop kick when Brown hold on to the ropes. Brown with a Shining Wizard and then he goes up top and misses a frog splash and Santino gets the three count.
Winner: Santino Marella
Shawn Michaels is staring into space as he focuses on the Unsanctioned Match Contract. We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE 24/7 Classics on Demand Moment. In September 1997, Raw was in Madison Square Garden and we saw Steve Austin start stunning people left and right. That night, Vince McMahon got his first Stunner.
Match Number Six: John Morrison and The Miz versus Cryme Tyme
Miz and Morrison confront Shad and JTG and they start fighting on the floor. The referee separates them. Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase attack Cryme Tyme and then DiBiase hits Shad with the title belt. Rhodes and DiBiase wait for JTG in the ring and Rhodes with a DDT onto the title belt. Rhodes and DiBiase reclaim their title belts.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Ted and Cody are walking in the back. They see Orton in the hall and they walk past him without saying anything.
The St. Louis Rams are in the crowd and they hit more than they did during last season.
Time to go to the Republican Convention and Mickie James and Ken Kennedy join Josh Mathews. Kennedy talks about why people should vote. Mickie talks about the issues that she feels are important.
Todd Grisham is with Batista and he is done spearing people. Todd asks Batista about Rey and whether he will be here tonight. Todd asks Batista about his game plan tonight and for Sunday. Batista says that his game plan is to destroy everyone.
We run through the card for Unforgiven
We also get the latest ‘We are watched by a lot of people’ factoid.
Randy Orton is watching the action from the general area of the announce table.
Match Number Six (Take Two): Raw Brand Connect Four Scrabble Scramble Battle Royale featuring Batista with Wonder Woman spin, John Bradshaw Layfield with JBLimo, CM Punk, Kane, and Rey Mysterio . . . Playing the Part of Rey Mysterio Tonight is the Invisible Man
Kane goes after Batista while Punk goes after Bradshaw. Batista with a flying shoulder tackle to Bradshaw and Kane. Batista with a spinebuster to Kane followed by a running clothesline to Bradshaw and Punk. Batista with a spear to Bradshaw. Batista tries to eliminate Punk but Punk kicks him off. Batista with a spinebuster to Punk but Kane with a big boot when Batista tries for a Batista Bomb. Punk clotheslines Batista over the top rope to the floor. Punk does the same to Bradshaw when Bradshaw charges at him. Punk and Kane circle each other in the ring and Punk with kicks to Kane’s legs followed by forearms. Kane with an uppercut and then he slams Punk’s head into the turnbuckle. Kane with a punch and Irish whip followed by a running clothesline in the corner. Kane tries to eliminate Punk, but Punk with forearms to the back. Kane with a boot to the head and Punk goes down. Kane with a side slam while the fans chant 619. Kane with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner. Punk with three knees in the corner but Kane does not go down on the bulldog. Kane with a boot to Punk. Punk tries to get Kane up for the Go To Sleep but Kane is in the ropes. Kane tosses Punk to the apron and Punk tries for a springboard move and Kane tosses Punk over the top rope to the floor.
Winner: Kane
After the match, Punk gets in Orton’s face at the announce table. Punk throws water at Orton.
Rey Mysterio’s music plays and he comes out. Rey with double sledges to the leg followed by a kick and then he clips Kane. Rey with forearms aplenty to Kane. Kane charges and Rey with a drop kick and Kane strategically falls into the ropes but he goes to the floor before Rey can hit the 619. Rey with a drop kick to Kane and then he tries for a rana but Kane catches him. Rey sends Kane into the ring post and then Rey hits a 619 using the ring post. Kane grabs Rey by the throat but Rey stands on the ringside barrier and he sends Kane into the front row.
We go to commercial and the contract signing for the Unsanctioned Match is next.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, and Rebecca Michaels at SummerSlam.
It is time for the Feature Main Event Segment of the Night. Jerry Lawler and the ‘attorneys’ for Shawn and Chris are in the ring while security surrounds the ring. Chris Jericho comes out. Lawler says that he was asked by Mike Adamle to moderate the contract signing for the Unsanctioned Match. All liability will be waived in the match and the WWE will not be subject to any legal action resulting from the match. Shawn Michaels comes out next.
Lawler says that both lawyers have reviewed the contracts. Lawler says that if there is any physicality in the ring during the contract signing, the match will be off. That is according to Mike Adamle. Chris signs the contract first followed by Shawn. Lawler thanks both men, but Jericho cuts off Lawler.
Chris asks Shawn why they need the security. Does he need someone to protect him. Why would he want to throw away his shot at the chance to end Shawn’s career. Shawn says security is not his idea. Jericho says that he does not need to be watched like an animal in the cage. Shawn agrees that there is no need for security because the contract has been signed. Lawler is asked to leave and the attorneys leave as well.
Chris tells Shawn that he followed Shawn’s advice. He asks Shawn to remember when Shawn told him to sit down his wife and kids to tell them that he would not be like Shawn. Chris says that he sat them down and forbade them from watching Unforgiven because of the brutality that will result. Chris says that he will not let up because of what happened to Shawn’s wife. He will end Shawn’s career on Sunday. He will show everyone what happens when you live your life like him. Chris says that he is going to put Shawn out of his misery. Chris says that he will not say that he is sorry, like Shawn said to Ric Flair. With no legal restrictions, he is going to finish off Shawn forever. Chris reminds Shawn that he asked for this match. He tells Shawn to remember that when he sees his disappointed wife and children who think he is a failure, it is all Shawn’s fault.
Shawn says that he takes comfort in the fact that Chris’s family will not be watching. He says that his family will not be watching either. He will tell them about how their father was so close to walking away. While it is good to walk away, sometimes you have to look evil in the face and spit in its eye. All of the pain and suffering will rain down on Jericho at Unforgiven with absolutely no remorse. Shawn says that he will not apologize for what he has done and he will have no regrets for what he will do to Chris. Shawn says that the name is appropriate because he will never forgive Chris for what he has done. Shawn hopes that God will forgive him for what he is going to do to Chris.
Shawn and Chris stare each other down and then they get up. Shawn takes off his jacket and then we see Lance Cade try to attack Shawn, but Shawn sees him out of the corner of his eye. Shawn goes after Jericho and then he turns around and kicks Cade in the head. Jericho attacks Cade in the ring and we go to credits.
2009 - WWE broadcast ECW on Sci Fi. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Cleveland, Ohio and your announcers are Matt ‘Mistake on the Mic’ Striker and Josh ‘Winking Lizard’ Mathews.
We see footage from last week when Shelton Benjamin and Zack Ryder were tag team partners.
Match Number One: Shelton Benjamin versus Zack Ryder
They lock up and Benjamin throws Ryder into the corner and Zack ‘throws’ his WooDana at Shelton and then Zack kicks Shelton and connects with forearms. Benjamin with an Exploder followed by a running clothesline into the corner. Benjamin misses the Stinger Splash but Ryder hits a swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Ryder works on the neck. Benjamin gets Ryder up but Ryder escapes an electric chair move. Ryder with a leg lariat for a near fall and then he applies a rear chin lock into a reverse chin lock. Benjamin gets to his feet and he punches Ryder in the abdomen to escape. Benjamin leaps to the top turnbuckle and hits a cross body. Benjamin with a forearm and kick followed by punches. Benjamin with a back body drop. Benjamin hits the Stinger Splash followed by a neck breaker. Ryder sends Benjamin over the top rope but Benjamin stays on the apron. Benjamin with a springboard blockbuster followed by Paydirt for the three count.
Winner: Shelton Benjamin
Josh and Matt talk about the feud between Sheamus and Goldust and we have the moving pictures to prove it.
We go to commercial.
We are back and The Magic Show transformation is complete for Abraham Washington with his master of ceremonies Tony Atlas. We get some witty banter between Abe and Tony. Abe says that he is happy to be in Cleveland and Tony laughs like Michael Cole. Abe mentions that Arsenio is from Cleveland. Abe brings out his guest, Gregory Helms. Abe has a serious and hard hitting question for Helms. He wants to know if Gregory is the Hurricane. Helms denies that he is the Hurricane and Tony laughs for no apparent reason. Helms says that he was a two time Cruiserweight Champion and then he suffered a neck injury and became an interviewer on ECW. Abe bring out his next guests, Paul Burchill and Katie Lea. Paul wants to know why Abe is wasting his time with Helms because he is a joke, a fraud, and an embarrassment. Paul reminds us that he beat Hurricane last week. We go to the Hurri-Cam and we see Hurricane and he addresses Paul and says that he will be back next week and he challenges Burchill to a match.
We have an Undertaker video package.
Team Bromance of Ezekiel Jackson and Vladimir Kozlov are walking in the back and their evil puppet master William Regal is behind them. We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that ECW has a lot of people watching it and WWE can name a lot of other channels.
We see highlights from last week’s match between Regal and Christian when Kozlov and Jackson helped Regal win.
Match Number Two: Vladimir Kozlov and Ezekiel Jackson with William Regal
versus Jim Parks and Mike Tolar
Tolar and Kozlov start things off and Kozlov with a boot to the chest. Kozlov with an overhead belly-to-belly throw and then he sends Tolar into Jackson’s knee. Jackson comes in and he hits a back breaker on Tolar and then he decides to give him another for luck. Jackson sends Tolar into the corner and then Kozlov tags in and throws Tolar to the mat. Kozlov with a head butt to Tolar’s chest and Jackson is tagged back in. Jackson with a delayed vertical suplex. Jackson knocks Parks off the apron after sending him into the ring post. Jackson with the uranage and then he tags in Kozlov who will finish him for the Flawless Victory after the spinebuster slam.
Winners: Ezekiel Jackson and Vladimir Kozlov
After the match, Regal puts Tolar in the Regal Stretch to add insult to injury.
Christian comes out and Regal wants Sunshine to come to the ring and join them. Christian says he will come to the ring, but he isn’t coming by himself. Tommy Dreamer joins Christian and Regal gets a Tony Atlas like giggle attack. He wonders if Dreamer is okay after the concussion he received. Regal threatens Christian and Dreamer and says that if they take a step to the ring, they have made a mistake.
Dreamer pulls a couple of kendo sticks out of his shirt and he uses them on Kozlov and Jackson who confront Christian and Dreamer on the way to the ring. Christian and Dreamer make it into the ring and Regal escapes.
We now have a Shawn Michaels video package.
We are back and Tiffany presents the match between Shawn Michaels and Undertaker from ‘IT WASN”T’ the 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania. We see the portion of Saturday’s Wrestlemania 25 special featuring the Taker/Michaels match.
We are told by Matt Striker that Taker makes his first appearance on Smackdown since before Wrestlemania (assuming Wrestlemania was after April 17th) this week.
We see Sheamus and Goldust walking in the back and we go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Sheamus versus Goldust in a No Disqualification and No Count Out Match
They lock up to a stalemate. Goldust with a side head lock and he tries for a shoulder tackle but Sheamus stays on his feet. Sheamus with forearms and then Goldust with a kick and punch. Sheamus slaps Goldust but Goldust slaps him back and then hits a drop kick. Sheamus goes to the floor but Goldust follows him and hits a clothesline. We go to commercial.
We are back and Goldust is kicking Sheamus in the ring. Goldust with a clothesline that sends him and Sheamus over the top rope to the floor. Goldust sends Sheamus into the ringside barrier before returning to the ring. Sheamus with a shoulder and then he Irish whips Goldust into the ring post. Sheamus slams Goldust on the floor and then he kicks Goldust. Sheamus sends Goldust back into the ring and he gets a near fall. Sheamus with a knee drop. Sheamus with a chin lock and then he blocks the drop down uppercut and he kicks Goldust in the arm. Sheamus stretches Goldust using the ring post in a crude bow and arrow. Sheamus returns to the ring and gets a near fall before returning to the chin lock. Sheamus works the back but Goldust returns to his feet. Sheamus pulls Goldust back to the mat and returns to the back. Goldust gets to his feet but Sheamus pulls him back down to the mat. Goldust tries again and he punches Sheamus but Sheamus punches back. Goldust with punches while Sheamus responds with forearms. Goldust with a flying clothesline followed by a regular clothesline. Goldust with the reverse atomic drop followed by a bulldog. Sheamus with kicks but Goldust with a small package for a two count. Goldust follows that with a power slam for a near fall. Sheamus goes to the floor again and Goldust follows and hits a clothesline from the apron. Sheamus sends Goldust into the ring post and then Sheamus returns to the ring. Sheamus gets Irish whipped into the ring post by Goldust and then Goldust punches Sheamus. Goldust tries for a bulldog but Sheamus sends him off. Sheamus with kicks in the corner and then he chokes Goldust. Goldust is able to hit the drop down uppercut but Sheamus with a bicycle kick and then he hits a uranage back breaker for the three count.
Winner: Sheamus
2010 - Former WCW World champion Diamond Dallas Page filed a lawsuit against the band 3OH!3 over their unauthorized use of his Diamond Cutter symbol.
2010 - Dwayne Johnson signs on for film "Journey 3D2", a sequel to the Brendan Frasier film "Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D".
2011 - TNA broadcast Impact. Mike Johnson filed the following TV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com’s ongoing (via my DVR) TNA Impact Wrestling report. We are “live” in Huntsville, Alabama as the announcers welcome us. It looks WAY better than the Impact Zone.
Hulk Hogan comes out and says that the Network has decided that Ric Flair’s challenge to Sting is binding, so Flair will wrestle Sting on Thursday 9/15.
Note from Mike: WHAT THE HELL? This is EXACTLY what is wrong with this company. They are going to promote the first Flair vs. Sting match since March 2001 and not charge people to watch it? Really? Egads. I’m not saying it will do a record buyrate but there is certainly a percentage of fans who would be willing to order No Surrender to see them lock up one more time. But, alas, it’s not to be. Sure hope it draws a rating because if not, what a wasted opportunity.
Hogan says that the stips are that if Sting loses, he will retire. If Sting “gets lucky” and beats Flair (you know, like all the times he’s beaten Flair before?), Hogan will have to face Sting. Hogan said that’s all Sting has wanted for the last ten years. He said that if The Network wants to bully him and Immortal, it’s time he stops bowing down to them and they bow down to Hulk Hogan. He says that the only way Sting is going to get him into the ring is when he’s good and ready.
Out comes TNA champion Kurt Angle. Hogan cuts off Angle before he can speak and says that he wants to apologize for showing Angle how Dixie Carter manipulated him and distracted him from seeing how his personal life was falling apart. Hogan said that it shows why Dixie Carter should never run the company again and says TNA was a “sick place” before he got there. Hogan says he’s giving it a clean bill of health. He said there’s still some bacteria in the blood and asked Angle to drag Sting to the ring and “cut the cancer” out of Sting and leave him in pieces. By doing so, he’ll stop Carter from ever returning.
Angle tells Hogan that his enemies are Angle’s enemies. Angle says that he promised to take out all the young talents but would be happy to take out a veteran like Sting. Angle says he’ll do it and do it by the rules – he tells Sting he can have a rematch for the TNA title tonight. Angle tries to sign off the promo, but out comes Sting. Big pop for Sting.
The long shots of the building as Sting comes out look awesome. TNA looks so much like a bigger deal when they are on the road. I really do hope the tapings continue.
Sting says that he’s honored that Angle wants him on a list of people that Angle wants to take out of pro wrestling and it makes him think that Angle likes him a lot. Sting says he’s in. He’s doing his Jim Carrey in the Mask delivery but it’s good. Sting said that it’ll start with taking the belt from Angle, then beating Flair before getting to the grand prize, Hulkamania.
Sting tries to leave but Hogan questions who the hell does Sting think he is. Hogan says Sting must think he has something in his bag of tricks, so Hulk announces he’ll be the special enforcer tonight. Sting is unfazed by all this.
Matt Morgan joins the announcers as we take a look at the three of the final four for the Bound for Glory series with promos from Robert Roode, James Storm, Robert Roode and Gunner. Good promos from both. Well edited video piece. The announcers note that we’ll know who the final man is tonight.
Bound for Glory Series: Gunner vs. Rob Van Dam
The announcers note that they are tied, so the winner will end up in the final four.
They lock up and Gunner is grabbed in a waistlock. Van Dam gets an early pin attempt. Samoa Joe comes out but Morgan gets past him and prevents Joe from entering the ringside area. Joe backs off and kicks Morgan low. Ronnie Lang of Atlas Security holds back Joe.
Decent “RVD” chant early. Van Dam controls the action with several shoulderblocks and goes for his backflip into another but is kicked off and deposited to the floor.
Gunner works him over on the floor, then tosses RVD back into the ring for a near fall. Van Dam nails him with shots to the mid-section and nails a Tully Blanchard slingshot suplex. Van Dam comes back with a rebound clothesline and a spinkick. He slams Gunner and nails Rolling Thunder for a two count.
Gunner reverses an Irish whip but is caught with a shoulder block. Jerry Lynn comes towards the ring but is told by Van Dam to get lost. Lynn tries to tell him that he’s there for support but Rob wants nothing to do with him.
Van Dam returns to the ring and sets up for a Five Star Frog splash but thinks better of it. He’s caught with a small package but kicks up. Van Dam nails a Ryder Kick off the top for a two count. He nails a reverse windmill kick for another two count.
RVD went to the top for the Five Star Frog Splash but Lynn shoves him down. Gunner nails a ring strike and pins RVD.
Your winner, Gunner, who goes into the Final Four!
Lynn does his signature pose on the stage, showing Van Dam that he took away Rob’s chance at the title.
Match itself was decent, although they had waaaay too much going on outside with the Joe-Morgan angle right before the Lynn interference.
All the Knockouts are revealed on the stage and head to the ring for Eric Bischoff’s big announcement.
Bischoff and Traci Brooks come to the ring. The Knockouts are assembled and waiting in the ring. Brooks is all over Bischoff. Does TNA expect us to forget they already established she’s Kazarian’s wife? Brooks looks like she’s about to be named President.
Bischoff butters up the women by saying he’s never worked with a more talented group and they are incredible. He said that the Knockouts are the heart and soul of the company, are ratings getters and one of the keys to success for the company.
He said that doesn’t change the fact that they are women who don’t know when to keep their mouths shut and can’t keep focus. He said all the sexual innuendo is driving him up a wall, which is why when Brooks convinced him that only a woman knows how to “manage another woman.” He says they worked “long and hard” and Brooks proved she’d be able to do “almost anything” for the company, so he’d like to introduce the new VP of the Knockouts division.
He sets up Traci like she’s getting a big introduction but instead introduces Karen Jarrett. Karen comes out with Jeff Jarrett, brandishing the Mexican title. All the women are upset, especially Brooks. Jeff heads to the back.
Karen says its their lucky day and Bischoff made the right decision. “Karen sucks” chant. She told the women that she’s proud of all of them but they have a long way to go. She said that she’s a lady and the rest of them are no and have no etiquette. “She’s a ho” chant. Jarrett said that all of them will learn to walk with honor, dignity and Jarrett. Oh dear God, they are going to do Pygmalion with all the women.
Jarrett announced Jackie Moore and ODB have been hired full-time on the roster. She tells Brooks that she knows that she is disappointed but there is still a place for her in the company – beneath Jarrett. She tells her that Brooks will be Jarrett’s executive assistant. She mocks Brooks and tells her that as long as she kisses Jarrett’s ass, she’ll be employed. She warns the others to do as they are told or they’ll be back stripping.
We come back from commercial and see that Mickie James and Winter got into it during the break, previewing their match later tonight.
Austin Aries & Kid Kash vs. Brian Kendrick & Jesse Sorensen
I got a kick out of Kendrick’s wacky outfit and walk to the ring. Kash and Aries start off. Aries teased locking up, then immediately tagged out to Kash. The announcers tried to claim the weight limit has defined the X-Division.
Kash is caught in an hiptoss and a deep armdrag. Sorensen tagged in and nailed a dropkick then a hiptoss and armdrag of his own. Sorensen doesn’t seem to be too pissed given what happened with Kash a few weeks back. Kash catches him with a slam and tagged Aries, who drops a leaping elbow and stomps his face.
Aries drilled Sorensen into Kash’s boot. The heels tag in and out, cutting the ring off. So far so good. Sorensen battled his way out of the corner but was cut off. He shoved Kash into Aries, then dropkicked them both at the same time.
Sorensen made the tag to Kendrick, who cleaned house on both of his opponents. He nailed Aries with an enziguiri. Sorensen was tagged in but Kendrick was shoved into the corner as Sorensen climbed to the top. This set up a Tower of Doom out of the corner, although it seemed a little off.
Kash charged Soresen but was backdropped to the floor. Sorensen was brought to the floor and shoved into the railing. Aries drilled him with a crazy dive. Kendrick hit a tope to the outside on Aries as well.
Back in the ring, Kash nailed a missile clothesline and went for a powerbomb, but Sorensen rolled through and turned it into a sunset flip on Kash for the pin.
Your winners, X-Division champ Brian Kendrick & Jesse Sorensen!
Solid match given how little TV time they were given. One has to wonder how much better if might have been if there was time to get some real heat on Sorensen to set up the hot tag to Kendrick, but the work from bell to bell was as good as could be expected given the time limitations and was entertaining.
They air a video feature on the Knockouts title rivalry. Mickie James said that she’s tired of Winter’s voodoo bullsh**. She said tonight, she’s going to wrestle Winter’s ass off and we’ll see how good the champion really is. She told Winter to bring her A game.
They aired a video feature with comments from different talents on Jeff Hardy’s personal problems. They announced Hardy would be on next week’s show to address the fans as he’s been given the chance to talk by the Network. Piece was well done. Mike Tenay pushed that Hardy would return.
Kurt Angle was telling a camerman that tonight, he was going to take out Sting. Hulk Hogan came in and said the idea of taking all the talent out had to change and told Angle he needed to go to New York and take out the entire Network for him. The idea of Angle suplexing everyone in the SpikeTV offices is pretty funny, but come on. Hogan was upset that Jeff Hardy was being brought back next week. Angle was shocked and asked Hogan what he wanted him to do. Hogan said that he wanted Angle to come to NYC and help him take out the Network.
They came right out of it with Tenay all shocked that the Network would given Hardy a live mic. Well, uh, why weren’t you shocked two minutes ago when you just promoted it? He said that with Hardy’s personal and legal issues and with Hardy hitting rock bottom last time we saw him, who knows what he’s going to say.
TNA Knockouts champ Winter vs. Mickie James
As James came to the ring, Tenay was in full cheerleading mode, pushing the fact Hardy was back next week. That comes off so goofy.
As Winter came to the ring, I was struck by how good the theme music was. One of the more underrated aspects of the company are the original themes, some of which have been really good in the last year.
James charges Winter in the corner but Winter slips into the ropes to break up the assault. They lock up and James gets the better of it but Winter immediately rolls to the floor. Chant for Mickie.
Back in the ring, James locks in a wristlock but James reverses it and rolls her up for a two count. They do some decent reversals and James works over Winter’s arm. They exchange strikes and kicks. James nailed a Dragon Screw Legwhip. Think Inoki ever slapped her?
Winter is caught with a rana out of the corner. James nailed a neckbreaker and went to the top rope. Angelina Love tried to interfere but was kicked off the apron by Mickie. James hit a top rope Thesz Press.
Love tried to interfere but James cut her off and choked her. Love tried to toss the title belt into the ring but Earl Hebner caught it and threw Love out of ringside. Winter used the distraction to blast James and rub her face into the mat. She continued working over James as the crowd rallied her.
James powered out of a hammerlock but Winter nailed her. James ducked a right hand and locked in a single leg Boston Crab. Winter reached the ropes. She caught James with a back elbow but James still backdropped Winter.
James called for the leaping DDT but Winter broke it. Both women tried to fling the other by the hair and hit the mat hard. The referee began counting them down. Mickie went for a rollup but Winter rolled through and almost got a three cout.
James nailed the leaping DDT but Winter broke it with the ropes. Winter nailed the enziguiri for another near fall. Winter went to use a piece of fabric to choke James but he grabbed it from her. That allowed James to nail the Chick Kick and score the pin.
Your winner and new TNA Knockouts champion, Mickie James!
With the exception of the second attempt at interference by Love, which led to everything falling apart briefly, a solid back and forth match.
Video feature on the Chris Daniels vs. AJ Styles bout later tonight.
Matt Morgan comes to the ring. He said that for weeks, everyone has had to watch Samoa Joe put half the roster on the injured reserve for weeks. He said that was stupid and evil, but lowblowing Morgan was downright suicidal. He challenged Joe to bring his “fat, dumpy ass” to the ring for the asskicking he deserves and told TNA to send an official out here to make it official. Good promo.
Joe made his way to the ring. Joe drilled the referee who came out and hit the ring. They brawled back and forth in the ring. Joe went for Morgan’s eyes and went for a sidewalk slam. Morgan escaped and nailed a right hand and a discus clothesline.
Morgan hit the rapid fire reverse elbows in the corner. He drilled Joe with a charge into the corner. Joe rolled out to the floor, but pulled Morgan out with him. Morgan nailed Joe and slammed him into the ringside barrier. Morgan blocked a shot from Joe and sent him headfirst into the ringpost.
Morgan worked over Joe on the floor. Morgan went for the Carbon Footprint but Joe shoved referee Jackson James in the way. Morgan stopped himself, leaving him open for another low blow. Joe grabbed a chair and drilled Morgan with it across the back. Joe set up and nailed Morgan’s arm with it as Morgan was leaning again the ringpost.
The officials checked out Morgan as Joe stood triumphant. Joe cut a great promo on the way out into the camera. Good, effective angle on all counts.
Somewhere, Robbie E was working out. Rob Terry shows up and E asks him if he’s considered his offer. Before he can respond, Eric Young shows up and thinks Robbie E is Johnny D. He offers him a TV title shot for next week. Young was pretty funny in his delivery. E tried to say this was proof Terry needed to get on board with him.
Backstage, AJ Styles told Christopher Daniels it was almost time and not to hold back, because he won’t. Daniels said he wouldn’t and thanked Styles for the chance. Styles said it would be the last one and asked him if he heard who was coming back. Daniels hadn’t. Styles tells him Hardy and Daniels was surprised. Styles said that he guesses life is all about third and fourth chances but it’s not their problem. He headed out and Daniels finished preparing. Fine for what they needed to establish.
They announced 20% off ShopTNA.com merchandise.
Backstage, Hogan said he was sick of seeing Jeff Hardy’s named everywhere because they were done with him. He said that the good news is that there were seven of them and one of him. Hogan said he was the special enforcer tonight and you never know when you are going to get called into action. He called for an Immortal group affirmation but Abyss just hung around in the background, angry and sulking.
Christopher Daniels vs. AJ Styles
They shook hands before the match and went back and forth with a fast exchange that led to Daniels being caught for a one count. He was already annoyed at himself.
They locked up again and Daniels locked in a side headlock. Styles nailed a leapfrog and rolled Styles into a two count. Styles escaped and drilled him with a dropkick. Daniels shoulderblocked him into the corner and cinched in a side headlock. Styles escaped and slammed Daniels, then came off the ropes with and nailed a big kneedrop across the forehead.
Styles slammed Daniels into the turnbuckles and drilled him with a series of rights. Styles cinched up and suplexed Daniels, covering him for a near fall. Styles was caught with a leg lariat, sending Styles to the outside. Daniels went for a dive but Styles returns to the ring. With Daniels on the outside, Styles hit a rana off the apron to the floor.
They returned to the ring, where Styles covered him for a near fall. Styles locked in the Oriental Torture Device. Daniels fought for the ropes and finally made it. Daniels began to nail some shots to the mid-section but was caught with a knee breaker and a gutbuster for another two count.
Styles whipped Daniels into the corner and nailed a forearm. Chant for Styles. Styles went for a suplex but Daniels landed on his feet and nailed an elbow to the back of the head, followed by an STO. Daniels nailed a series of clotheslines but is kicked off as he charged Styles in the corner. Styles nailed the springboard forearm smash for a two count.
Daniels nailed a barrage of palm strikes. Styles drilled him with chops. They went back and forth. Daniels finally nailed him with a kick to the head. Each man recovered.
Styles charged but Daniels cut him off by raising his legs. He elevates Styles to the apron. Styles went for the moonsault into the reverse DDT but Daniels held onto the ropes. Daniels went for the Arabian Press but Styles pulled his knees up.
AJ went for a powerbomb but Daniels reversed and went for Angel’s wings. They went back and forth with counters with the story being that they knew each other that closely. Styles finally went for a springboard but slipped. Daniels covered him and scored the pin.
Your winner, Christopher Daniels!
As Styles was down hurt, Daniels celebrated on the ropes, having finally proven he was good enough.
After a replay, we see Styles offer a handshake. Daniels backs off and then leaves the ring excited, not taking the hand. He looked into the camera and excitedly said, “I won!”
The usual good back and forth match you’d expect from these two. Nice storytelling here.
They showed Hogan and Angle preparing.
TNA champ Kurt Angle vs. Sting with Hulk Hogan as the guest enforcer
They lock up and Angle breaks clean in the corner. They cinch up again and Angle is shoulderblocked down. Sting halts a hiptoss attempt and nails one of his own, followed by an armdrag. Angle went to the outside. Hogan told Angle to get the job done.
Angle catches Sting with a kick to the midsection. Sting reversed an Irish whip and clotheslines Angle. Angle goes to the outside but Sting follows and sends him into the railing.
Back in the ring, Sting hits the Stinger Splash but Angle caught him and nailed a suplex. I don’t think we’ve ever seen that before. Angle locked in a rear chinlock. Sting used a series of back elbows to escape. Sting nailed a back suplex to finally escape.
Sting went for another Stinger Splash but Angle nailed an elbow. Sting caught him with a DDT for a two count. Angle went into the German suplex symphony for a two count.
Angle went for the Olympic Slam but Sting slipped out and nailed the Scorpion Death Drop for a two count. Angle reversed an attempted Scorpion Deathlock into an anklelock but Sting kicked him off. Angle hit his shoulder in the post but still nailed a suplex and an Olympic Slam for a two count.
Angle pulled down the straps and charged but ate a clothesline. Sting locked on a Scorpion Deathlock and turned it over. Hulk Hogan began looking for something and motioned to the back. Gunner hit the ring with a chair but ref Brian Hebner yanked it out of his hands. Angle began tapping but Hebner missed it, getting rid of Gunner.
Hogan nailed Sting in the chest with the chair but no effect. Angle grabbed Sting and nailed the Olympic Slam on Sting, pinning him.
Your winner and still TNA champ, Kurt Angle!
Sting knocked Angle out of the ring and went nose to nose with Hogan, who backed off. Hogan began doing a poor man’s Flair begging routine. Bully Ray attacked Sting, followed by the rest of Immortal. They all worked over Sting except for Abyss, who just watched.
Mr. Anderson’s theme played and he cleared the ring with a baseball bat. The heels regrouped on the stage as we went off the air.
The expected match you’d get from Sting and Angle as well as the expected shenanigans. The upside was they were doing all this in front of a much more boisterous crowd than usual and it made all the difference.
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