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October 6th
On this day in history in ....
1935 - Two time former WWWF champion "The Living Legend" Bruno Sammartino is born in Italy. His life story is available in the autobiography "Bruno".
1971 - Marie Vagnone & Jane Sherill defeat Jumbo Miyamoto & Aiko Kyo to win back the WWWA World Tag Team Title in Niigata, Japan, only one day after losing the belts.
1975 - Dusty Rhodes defeats Bob Roop to begin his second reign as NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion in Tampa.
1982 - Kevin Sullivan defeats Barry Windham in a tournament final for the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title in Tampa. The belt had been vacated on August 23, 1982 following a controversial match between champion B. Brian Blair and Bruiser Brody where Brody was declared the winner, but the decision was then reversed.
1985 - World Class Championship Wrestling held it's second "Cotton Bowl Extravaganza" at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, drawing over 25,000 fans. Here are the results of the show:
- Killer Tim Brooks defeated Steve Casey.
- Kelly Kiniski defeated Tommy Montana.
- The Fantastics defeated John Tatum & Dave Peterson.
- The Great Kabuki defeated Mark Lewin by disqualification.
- Texas Heavyweight Champion Brian Adidas defeated Jack Victory.
- Iceman King Parsons defeated The One Man Gang in the third round of a Taped Fist match via knockout.
- In a No DQ, "Hair vs. Hair" match, Kerry & Kevin Von Erich defeated Chris Adams & Gino Hernandez.
1990 - Tony Anthony & Doug Gilbert defeat Jeff Jarrett & Jeff Gaylord for the USWA World Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Jarrett & Gaylord's second title reign. However, on the same show, Jeff Jarrett defeats Dick Slater to win the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title.
1997 - The Monday Night Wars continued, with WCW Monday Nitro getting a 3.9 victory over WWF Monday Night Raw's 3.0. Nitro featured Cruiserweight Champion Eddie Guerrero defeating Ultimo Dragon and United States Champion Curt Hennig defeating Chris Benoit, while Raw saw Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeat World Champion Bret Hart via countout and Intercontinental Champion Owen Hart defeat Hawk. However, while Nitro had the larger audience, Raw definitely left a more lasting impression due to two very different, yet very controversial, segments.
One day after Brian Pillman was found dead in a hotel room, Vince McMahon conducted a live interview with Melanie Pillman, Brian's widow, via satellite from her home on Raw. An obviously devastated Melanie made comments about other wrestlers seeing her husband's death as a "wake up call", as it was believed at the time (before autopsy reports were completed) that prescription drug abuse was possibly the cause of his death. McMahon at one point asked Melanie how she was going to provide for her children, and when she was unable to answer, it made an already uncomfortable segment seem downright cruel. WWF was universally blasted for the segment, in particular the way it was hyped for the duration of the show and saved for one of the final segments. However, both WWE and Melanie have defended the segments in interviews since then.
The other segment saw Jim Cornette, appearing out of character, blasting WCW and Eric Bischoff in an interview. This unprecedented "shoot" on the competition was born out of an appearance Cornette had made on WWF.com's audio show in which he blasted WCW. The decision was made to have Cornette state his opinions again for a larger audience, on Raw. Here is a full transcript of Cornette's promo, which became the talk of wrestling for some time afterwards, and resulted in Cornette later making a second, similar appearance during an edition of Raw:
"This is Jim Cornette, and the views that I'm about to express are not necessarily those of anybody else but me. But they ought to be. And as a matter of fact, they probably are.
You know, a lot of things in the wrestling world make me cranky these days. Especially the way some talent is treated and some talent is looked at, by not only the promoters, but some wrestling fans as well.
For example, a man like Arn Anderson, who just had to retire from this sport, after giving it his entire life, because of some injury he suffered. A guy like "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, who in my opinion, is one of the greatest talents in the history of this business. Guys like Mankind, Cactus Jack, Dude Love, whatever you want to call him. Great talents in the WWF or WCW.
But who gets a lot of the attention, from the wrestling fans especially? Guys like the NWO, the New World Order. You know, all the fans think these guys are so cool and so 'sweet', and so funny. Well, as far as I'm concerned, the NWO is like a bunch of guys meeting out in the backyard in a clubhouse in a tree. They're guys who, all they have to do, they've got the easiest job in the world, all they have to do is go out there and be themselves. Childish, obnoxious, adolescent guys with a case of severe arrested emotional development, and a fixation on trying to act macho.
You've got a guy like Kevin Nash, 40 years old, trying to act like a teenager. Far as I'm concerned, the biggest "no talent" in the business. He's got six moves, no mobility, and enough timing to cover up for some of it. But what he does is he goes around and manipulates. Kevin Nash had a multi-million dollar promotional company, the WWF, push him to the moon to make him a star, and what does he do? He leaves, after he gives his word he's staying, so by the way, he's a liar too, he leaves and he goes to WCW for a big contract. Why? More on that later.
You've got a guy like Scott Hall, who's a good wrestler, but good is about it. He's the best of the bunch. But he had the same million dollar promotional company make him a star, after being in the business 10 years without putting three asses in a seat. And what does he do? He goes to WCW for a big contract. Why? More on that later.
And then you've got a guy, Syxx, 1-2-3 Kid, his name's Sean Waltman. Whatever you want to call him. As far as I'm concerned, the only reason he's employed is because the other guys think he's funny when he gets drunk and throws up on himself. He has the distinction, in case you haven't noticed, of being the only guy since this wrestling war got started, that was released from a valid contract for one company to go to the other side, which shows you how valuable he is.
You know why they're all employed? Why they're all in the spot they are today? Because of Eric Bischoff. The boss of WCW, not the NWO. Look at the credits on the PPV, if you can get one for free. The idiot's name is on it. He's the boss of WCW. He works for Ted Turner, and he throws a billionaire's money around, just like water, so he can have guys that he likes to hang out with.
Because, even more than being a mark, yeah, for his own face and his own voice, Eric Bischoff is a guy who's a big fan of hanging around studly guys with long hair and beards, that smoke cigars, and ride Harley's, so that some of that can rub off on his little pansy-ass frame. So he takes that billionaire's money, and he throws that around like water to buy guys that he can hang around, to prove that his "johnson" is bigger than everybody else's.
And that's the sole reason the NWO guys are employed.
I think, me personally, that it's about time that the wrestling fans and the promoters, all of them in this business, start recognizing guys like "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, like Arn Anderson, like Cactus Jack. Guys who bust their ass, who work hard, and have ability and talent to get where they are. Instead of a bunch of guys that get to their spot by hanging around with the boss and sucking-up.
I'm Jim Cornette, and that's my opinion."
Note: It should be pointed out that in several interviews since then, Cornette has stated that he apologizes for the comments he made about Waltman. However, he has made no apologies or retractions for anything else he said in the interview.
2006 - TNA signed Kevin Nash to a new deal.
2006 - Canadian star TJ Wilson reported to WWE developmental Deep South Wrestling for a one week tryout. He was signed and later made it to the main roster as Tyson Kidd.
2006 - Former WWE and WCW star Chris Kanyon appeared on Howard Stern's radio show. The following notes were sent into PWInsider.com by readers:
*Chris is making sense and is an amazing guest. He actually comes across extremely intelligent. They are attempting to call VKM on the air to discuss Kanyon's claims of being fired because he was gay but Vince was not in the office.
*Kanyon knows everything about the show so he fit in. He hit Stern with trivia. He bet Artie on the Yankees, Mets in playoffs. He brought gifts. He played a game with Richard & Sal and offered to play gay dial-a-date. He said he thinks Vince might be gay. Howard thought he was a great guest.
2006 - Wrestling Society X began booking talent for their first (and as it turned out, last) set of TV Tapings in Los Angeles. The series would run for one season on MTV.
2006 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Phil Lowe filed the following TV report:
The show starts with some very cool pre-recorded comments from King Booker and Lashley to hype their matches tonight and on Sunday at No Mercy. They had the feel of the old pre-recorded comments that WWE used on Saturday Night's Main Event, and were a very cool way to the start the show.
No opening credits, and after a brief rundown from JBL and Michael Cole at ringside, we're straight into things as Rey Mysterio's music hits for a first match - Rey Mysterio & Matt Hardy vs Chavo Guerrero & Gregory Helms. The match gets underway with Mysterio and Helms in the ring, with the former World Champion getting in an early head scissors before tagging in Hardy, who hits a reverse elbow and an elbow drop. Mysterio gets tagged back in and dominates both Helms and Chavo before Hardy is again tagged back in and continues the babyfaces' domination until all four enter the ring and a springboard attempt by Mysterio is blocked by a forearm by Chavo.
In the ring, Helms gets the upper hand on Hardy with a series of forearms and right hands. He tags in Chavo, who continues to take it to the lesser-pushed Hardy Boy as "Chavo Sucks" chants start. Helms gets tagged back but Hardy makes his comeback with a clothesline then hits a Side Effect on Chavo before making the hot tag to Rey, who clears house. A really good pace to the match, and the crowd are totally into it as well. Mysterio and Hardy team up to set up both Chavo and Helms for the 619, which Mysterio connects with. JBL calls the double 619 spot a "1228". I may have misheard, but I'm sure he said 1228. If so, I'm sure 619x2 is 1238. And you give financial advice? Ok. Anyway, Hardy then hits the Side Effect on Helms before Mysterio comes off the top rope and connects with Helms to get the pin.
Really good opening match. Hardy and Mysterio celebrate as we head off to commercials.
We return with Elijah Burke heading to ringside, accompanied by Sylvester Terkay. Burke grabs the mic and tells of how he has over 100 wins in boxing, and is the only man crazy enough to spur with Terkay. Tatanka's music hits, and we get our first Hogan-esque dubbed pop of the night. The match gets underway with Tatanka hitting a series of chops of Burke and following it up with a big right hand as JBL and Cole discuss Tatanka's losing streak. Burke reverses an Irish Whip and follows it up with a sweet looking dropkick to the face. Burke's boxing background is put into use with a series of left and right hands with Tatanka cornered, before he follows it up with an elbow drop of sorts from the top rope.
The momentum swings back in Tatanka's favour as JBL tells of how when Bret Hart, Sid Vicious and The Ultimate Warrior were in town, Tatanka knew what he was doing in the ring. Terkay distracts Tatanka, allowing Burke to capitalise. With the referee's back turned, Terkay hits Tatanka with a right hand, and the assist is enough for Burke to pick up the pinfall win.
Cole hypes up this evening's "Pick Your Poison" matches, with King Booker facing Finlay, and Lashley taking on his buddy Batista.
After a plug for Sunday's PPV (live coverage here at WrestleMag from 8pm ET/1am UK time), we cut backstage to see King Booker talking to William Regal and Finlay. Booker tells Finlay to "lie down for your King" when the opening bell sounds in their match. Finlay asks Regal if he'd lay down if he was in the same situation. Regal unconvincingly says he would, and makes his excuses to leave. Finlay then tells the King that he didn't make the match, and that he won't lay down for him. He reminds Booker that his name is Finlay, and he loves to fight. That match is next.
We return from commercial in time for Sharmell and King Booker making their way to the ring. JBL and Cole really go to town in trying to put over this match and the possibility of a split in the King's Court as we get underway with Finlay and King Booker locking up with Booker screaming at him to lay down. Finlay rolls to the outside and stares out Sharmell, allowing Booker to nail him with a baseball slide. Booker rolls him back into the ring and hits a series of knife edge chops before Finlay counters a backdrop and hits a clothesline for a near fall. Finlay follows it up with some uppercuts and follows it up with several boots to Booker in the corner before rolling him up for another near fall.
Booker gets back into the match, hitting Finlay with a spinebuster that sees Finlay landing flat with his head bouncing hard off the mat. Booker gets a two count and the pace slows down momentarily before Book levels him with a right hand. Booker then goes for an ax kick but Finlay ducks it, but as he comes off the ropes, Sharmell trips him up and Booker hits him with the kick. The Little Bastard appears from under the ring and chases off Sharmell with a mouse in his hand. This distracts Booker, allowing Finlay to nail him from behind with the shillelagh and pick up the win. Another really fun match, and the crowd were really into the finish.
We cut backstage to see Lashley and Batista (with stubble and looking like Rob Conway) preparing for their match, which gets underway after a quick promo for the UK tour (likely a commercial break when this goes out later tonight on The CW Network).
Lashley comes out to a decent pop, and the place goes nuts for the arrival of Conw Batista. They stare down in the middle of the ring and shake hands, and for a match that has been made out of nothing really, this has a big match feel to it. Why it's wasted as a throw away match a week before a "B" PPV rather than saved for something in say six months time on PPV is beyond me. They lock up with neither guy getting an upper hand, then go old school with a test of strength before Lashley goes for a takedown. The crowd are pretty split on who to get behind as Lashley takes Batista down with a shoulder tackle. Batista fights back with right hands and a tackle of his own. He goes for a Batista Bomb but Lashley escapes, and they both stare down again. A very cool, old school, big man vs big man start to the match.
Lashley reverses an Irish Whip and hits Batista with two shoulder tackles in the corner, but Batista gets straight back into it with a kick to the head. Lashley returns the favour and goes for a running powerslam but Batista escapes and hits a clothesline that sends both men down. With both men down, Finlay and King Booker hit the ring and attack their respective opponents for No Mercy on Sunday. They get split up by referees and officials (Ricky Steamboat and the recently hired Mike Rotunda making cameo appearances) as Teddy Long enters the Arena, and announces the change for Sunday's PPV main event, with King Booker defending against Lashley, Batista and Finlay in a fatal-fourway.
We return from commercials with all four wrestlers involved in Sunday's main event arguing backstage with Teddy Long. Batista tells Long he's made a good decision, Long agrees, and makes Booker/Finlay vs Batista/Lashley for later tonight.
For the record, we're one hour into the show. Three good matches, no "comedy" attempts or meaningless, time consuming sketches. The opening hour of the show has been hands down the best WWE TV in weeks. As I type that, Jimmy Wang Yang makes his way to the ring. As he does his best cowboy impression the ring, we get pre-recorded comments from Yang. Sylvan is Yang's opponent tonight in a rematch from last week's match. Yang starts up a USA chant and we get underway. It's a pretty basic match which is overshadowed by JBL going off on his weekly "I hate everything" rant. Yet again I've loved JBL on commentary tonight. The relatively short match ends after Sylvan gets the pinfall win after using the ropes for the second week in a row.
Highlights from this week's No Mercy press conference are shown, before Tony Chimmel introduces Smackdown's newest signing, MVP. MVP of course debuts this Sunday at No Mercy. He takes the stage near the Smackdown! set and cuts a promo saying that he's the best athlete on the planet and that at No Mercy this Sunday he will make history. A very bland promo.
We've yet more pre-recorded comments up next as Ken Kennedy talks up Sunday's match with The Undertaker. He tells 'Taker that "his well has ran dry", and his pyro tricks and scare tactics mean nothing. He says that the decade-and-a-half of destruction will end at No Mercy, and that Mr Kennedy is the future.
We return from commercials to hear Michelle McCool, Idol Stevens and KC James hyping up their Tag Team Title match with Paul London and Brian Kendrick at this Sunday's PPV before Michelle makes her way to the ring to take on Ashley Massaro. A horrible promo, for the record. Ashley is joined at ringside by London and Kendrick. Thankfully, the match is kept short, although not short enough as it was truly awful to watch. McCool gets the win after a sloppy reverse of a sloppy cross body from the top rope to pick up the win.
Michael Cole hypes up tonight's main event of Batista/Lashley vs King Booker/Finlay, which is up next.
After another commercial break, it's main event time, and after all four make their separate ways to the ring, we get straight into it with Finlay taking it straight to Batista. They briefly take it outside before Batista gets the upper hand and tags in Lashley, who shoulder charges Finlay in the corner. They break it up, and Finlay manages to take in King Booker. Booker quickly takes the advantage over Lashley, and they too go to the outside where Finlay uses the ring steps to his advantage. They head back into the ring and Finlay slows the pace, wearing down Lashley with a rear headlock. Booker is tagged back in, and continues to dominate Lashley with a dropkick to the head, getting a two count for his troubles.
The crowd starts to chant for Batista as Finlay is tagged back in and goes back to the rest holds. Lashley makes the tag, but the referee didn't see it, allowing Finlay and Booker to double team Lashley as Batista protests to referee Nick Patrick. Booker then slips up as Lashley ducks a clothesline and hits a spear to take him down, allowing him to make the tag into Batista. Batsista clears house, but William Regal hits the ring, causing for Patrick to call for the DQ. Batista gives Booker and Regal spinebusters, then takes out Lashley with one as well. The Little Bastard gives Batista a low blow, but he takes him out before giving Finlay a spinebuster as well. Batista shakes the ropes and poses on the turnbuckles as the show comes to a close.
Compare this to RAW, and based on this week's TV, Smackdown! was by far the superior show. Take away the Divas match, and Yang vs Sylvan, and overall you've got what I thought was the best edition of Smackdown! in many weeks.
2007 - Ring of Honor taped their Undeniable PPV in Edison, NJ. Mike Johnson filed the following report:
*Alex "Sugarfoot Payne & "Nearly Erect" Ernie Osiris (Hey, that's what the ring announcer said) defeated Rhett Titus & Mitch Franklin. Someone was ribbing the guys in the ring as it was announced as having "TV Time remaining" and after one minute, they announced that 20 minutes had gone by in the time limit.
Ring of Honor Undeniable PPV Spoilers from Edison, NJ:
*The PPV opened with Claudio Castagnoli in the ring for his match with Chris Hero. Larry Sweeney comes out and says he doesn't like the terms of the match so he's having Hero sit out. Dave Prazak said they would have to get Claudio another opponent. Claudio left.
*The Age of the Fall came to the ring. Jimmy Jacobs cuts a promo saying that ROH won't let them get to the Briscoes until they beat some teams so he issues an open challenge. The Vulture Squad hit the ring.
*The Age of the Falls's Tyler Black & Jimmy Jacobs defeated The Vulture Squad's Jack Evans & Ruckus when Jacobs forced Evans to submit. Fun opener with some really good high spotsand fast offense once it got going. Hero and company were in the ring upset when Bryan Danielson's music hit. He said they represent all that's wrong about sports by holding ROH up and challenges Chris Hero to prove he's the great athlete he prolaims himself to be.
*In a very good match, Bryan Danielson defeated Chris Hero when Danielson began nailing Hero repeatedly with a curb stomp. When Hero wouldn't respond to the referee Todd Sinclaire, Sinclaire called for the bell.
*Adam Pearce comes to the ring and says he needs to speak to Kevin Steen, who comes to the ring. Pearce says he represents the Hangmen 3. He says that Steen associates himself with El Generico who cost him a tag title shot. He offers Steen a spot with the Hangmen and presents him an "offering" to show he's serious. BJ Whitmer, Shane Hagadorn and Brent Albright drag out Generico. They hold him and Pearce tries to goad Steen into destroying his partner. Steen considers but then attacked the Hangmen. They get the advantage but Delirious makes the save. This starts a six man tag....
*The Hangmen 3 defeated Kevin Steen & El Generico & Delirious when Brent Albright pinned Delirous after an exploder suplex. Another good match with a great, fast pace, some dives and a good story being told.
*Austin Aries pinned Roderick Strong in an excellent back and forth, hard hitting match. Aries gave Strong a brainbuster off the apron through a table. He then nailed a 450 splash for the pin. At this point, the best match on the PPV, although everything was been solid to good.
*in an excellent match, Nigel McGuinnness captured the ROH championship, pinning Takeshi Morishima after a lariat. Unbelieveable match. ROH's roster hit the ring for a big celebration.. Bryan Danielson got in Nigel's face and there was a brief pullapart. Once that settled down, Morishima awarded Nigel the belt. They slightly teased an Aries-Nigel deal when Aries congratulated him.
In matches not taped for the Undeniable PPV:
*Claudio Castagnoli defeating Jigsaw with a European Uppercut in a very good match.
*The No Remorse Corp of Rocky Romero & Davey Richards defeated The Resilience's Matt Cross & Erick Stevens when Romero pinned Cross sending him out of ROH for 60 days. They did an angle after the match where No Remorse attacked and destroyed Erick Stevens' arm.
*Necro Butcher defeats Jay Briscoe in an Anything Goes Match. Butcher worked this past weekend with a huge infection in his elbow. The elbow was swollen to an insanely disgusting degree after the ROH event in Boston, MA and he had it drained prior to the Edison, NJ show before going out and tearing the building apart, literally, as they brawled through the crowd, had the audience tossing chairs into the ring and just had a fun, kickass bout that harkened back to the old Abdullah the Butcher vs. Bruiser Brody rip the building apart brawls of yesteryear. Necro won after a sideslam on a chair, which was also the finish of their match in Boston. The Age of the Fall brought out the kidnapped Mark Briscoe wrapped in barbed wire, to give the idea that they had been torturing him.
2008 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Last night at No Mercy, we saw Chris Jericho retain the World Heavyweight Title in a ladder match against Shawn Michaels. Tonight, Chris Jericho gets to celebrate his victory by being in charge of the Raw brand since Mike Adamle is in a meeting with Shane and Stephanie McMahon. Now that the power couple of the company still has their titles after No Mercy, what is next for Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix? Who will challenge Santino’s attempt to add another week to the Honk-A-Meter? Who is the next woman to challenge Beth for her title? What about the power trio of Ted DiBiase, Cody Rhodes, and Manu? Will they get a chance to talk a lot tonight like they did on Sunday? Who will Randy Orton confront and will Mike Adamle’s ‘No Touch Orton’ Initiative be in effect when Adamle is not there? Who will challenge it? What is next for Rey Mysterio after he got waffled by a chair shot from Kane? Will Kane still want Rey’s mask or will he move on? What will Bradshaw ramble on about tonight? Did he have to clean up any ‘stains’ in the JBLimo? How will Batista prepare for his title match? Will we find out any of the voting options for Cyber Sunday?
We are live from Seattle, Washington and your announcers are Michael ‘I have my NBA season tickets, what happened to the team’ Cole and Jerry ‘Who wants to see a Grizzlies game’ Lawler.
The show begins with the General Manager du jour and current World Heavyweight Champion, Chris Jericho. Jericho shows the marks of last night’s ladder match as he walks to the ring. He says that it was announced that Mike Adamle had a high profile meeting with Shane and Stephanie McMahon so he will not be at Raw. Jericho says that he was asked to take his place since he is the champion. Jericho says that he has full decision making power and he will run this show to the best of his abilities. Jericho talks about his ladder match. The man who revolutionized the ladder match lost last night. Jericho says that Shawn Michaels was able to permanently disfigure him. Jericho says that he will have to live with that for the rest of his life. He will always think about Michaels when he smiles or looks in a mirror. Every time he thinks about Shawn Michaels, he will smile because he was able to beat Shawn Michaels. Jericho says that he brutalized Michaels and embarrassed him in a match that Shawn could not lose. Chris says that he knows that Shawn is here tonight, but he will not get any revenge because he is done with him. Jericho announces that Shawn Michaels will face Lance Cade in an Anything Goes, No Disqualification Match tonight. Jericho says that he has nothing left to prove to Shawn Michaels or the hypocrites in the crowd or the people watching at home. Everyone is forced to acknowledge that he is the one true World Champion and the most dominant performer in the business today.
Batista’s music plays and he comes to the ring and he is going to say something because he has a mic. Batista congratulates Jericho and he wants Jericho to pick a number. Batista says that he needs Jericho to pick the number of days until they have their World Title match. Batista suggests they do it in 7 days, 14 days, or to-day. Jericho says that he expected this posturing but Batista might get what he expects. Jericho says that he might have had one of the most brutal matches last night, he would still find a way to beat Batista. Jericho says that he is an animal because he will fight and scratch and bite to come out on top to survive. Jericho says that when it is all said and done, he will make sure that the name Batista is synonymous with failure. Jericho tells Batista to get out of his face and his ring right now. Batista chuckles and he tells Jericho that he will defend the World Title against him. Batista hits a spinebuster on Jericho and he says that if you mess with the bull, you get the horn. We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Batista attacking the acting general manager Chris Jericho. We see footage during the commercial where Chris Jericho says that he cannot strip Batista of his number one contendership, but he can make him defend it. Batista will face Bradshaw one more time. There will be a guest referee and he will look a lot like the general manager for a day.
William Regal and his two pieces of furniture, a throne and Layla are with him.
Match Number One: Jamie Noble and Mickie James versus Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix
Before the match starts, Santino gets on the mic and he says that he has been criticized for being too ethnic and not American enough. Santino says that he has made an effort to be more American just for the people. Santino says that he has a new favorite NBA Team and it is the Oklahoma City Thunder. Finally a team like Oklahoma in Arkansas has a team. Santino says that this thunder is going to rain down on Mickie Noble.
Beth and Mickie start thing off and Beth with a waist lock but Mickie with an elbow. Beth with forearms and then Mickie lands on her feet on a belly-to-back attempt. Mickie with a Thesz Press and punches. Santino tags in and Noble comes in. Noble with punches to Santino and he kicks him in the corner. Noble with a head butt and an running elbow. Noble with a Northern Lights suplex into a cross arm breaker but Beth gets in the ring. Mickie stops Beth. Noble with a sunset flip for a near fall. Santino with an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow. Noble gets distracted by Beth and Santino with a rollup for the three count.
Winners: Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix
Santino and Beth celebrate at ringside and Noble goes after Santino. Santino goes into the crowd and then Noble with a back body drop to Regal. Regal and Noble fight and the referee tries to break things up. Mickie tries to keep Noble from going after Regal who is still fighting on the floor.
Shawn Michaels is with Todd Grisham in the locker room. Todd with a monologue about what Shawn has going for him tonight against Lance Cade. Shawn wonders if he should go and beg Chris Jericho that he does not want to compete because he is sore and in pain? Shawn asks Todd if he has a better question. He wants Todd to ask Chris if he is going to defend the title tonight. He doesn’t think Chris will. Instead, Lance Cade is being sent in to do the dirty work and finish him off. Shawn says that he is going to show Chris Jericho and Lance Cade that he still has plenty of gas in the tank.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Kofi Kingston versus Ted DiBiase with Manu and Cody Rhodes
Before the match starts, CM Punk comes out to almost even the odds.
DiBiase with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Kofi with a leaping back elbow and a standing drop kick. Kofi with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner. DiBiase pulls Kofi into the center of the ring and Kofi lands on his chest. Ted with a double stomp from the second turnbuckle followed by a kick for a near fall. DiBiase with a body scissors. Kofi with elbows to get out of the hold. DiBiase tries for a belly-to-back suplex but Kofi lands on his feet. Kofi with punches and chops followed by a drop kick and flying forearm. DiBiase back into the corner and he misses a charge. DiBiase charges into a boot from Kingston and Kingston with a cross body. Kofi knocks Manu off the apron and Kofi follows that with a side Russian leg sweep. Rhodes interrupts the leg drop and Kofi goes after Rhodes. Punk deals with Rhodes but DiBiase is able to hit a side Russian leg sweep out of a Million Dollar Dream for the three count.
Winner: Ted DiBiase
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that Raw was the most watched entertainment program on cable?
Chris Jericho is in his office and he says that he does not like someone off camera, but they both can agree that Batista as number one contender does not benefit them. We see that Chris is talking to Randy Orton. Randy asks Chris what he wants. Chris says that he is going to put Orton to work tonight.
Michael Cole mentions that John Cena recently underwent neck surgery. Time for a John Cena video package. Batista says that it was like facing a mirror image of himself when they met in the ring. Batista says that he did not know what he would expect from Cena and he was so much stronger than he expected. Batista talks about the single mistake that Cena did and they talk about the power bomb that injured Cena. Batista says that there is no quit in John Cena. We hear Mike Adamle’s announcement of Cena’s injury. Batista says that it is the nature of the business to have injuries. We see x-rays of the neck injury. The doctor says that Cena should be back without any problems.
Mark Henry and Kane are walking in the back with Tony Atlas and Dolph Ziggler stops them and he decides he shouldn’t introduce himself to Kane or Henry. He introduces himself to Tony Atlas and Atlas walks past. We go to commercial.
We are back with the No Mercy recap video package. Did you know that there is a replay . . . and that Smackdown is on MyNetworkTV?
We see footage from two weeks ago when Kane tossed Rey around the ring.
Match Number Three: Rey Mysterio and Matt Hardy versus Mark Henry with Tony Atlas and Kane
Rey goes after Kane as the bell rings, but Kane with a knee. Rey with an enzuigiri and then Hardy is tagged in. Matt and Rey kick and punch Kane in the corner. Hardy with a side head lock but Kane with a punch to the head. Kane with an uppercut and then he tags in Mark Henry. Henry with a punch to Hardy followed by an Irish whip. Henry misses a charge into the corner. Rey is tagged in and Hardy with a charge. Rey tries for a rana off Hardy’s back but Henry holds Rey. Hardy with a clip and then they hit a double drop kick on Kane as we go to commercial.
We are back and Kane with a reverse chin lock. We see Matt and Rey work on Henry’s leg. Kane with a shoulder tackle to Hardy and Henry is tagged back in. Henry with an attempted power slam but Hardy gets out of the hold and he clips Henry and Henry goes to a knee. Hardy with punches but Henry with a body block, but he misses a splash. Rey tags in and he hits a drop kick. Rey with a springboard seated senton followed by a kick for a near fall and he tosses Rey off on the cover. Kane with a forearm to the back and then Henry tosses Rey to the floor under the bottom rope.
Henry brings Rey back into the ring and he tags Kane in. Kane with a head butt and then he sends Rey into the turnbuckles followed by kicks. Henry tags back in and he head butts Rey. Henry puts Rey near the ropes and then Mark stands on Rey’s chest. Henry gets a near fall. Kane tags back in and he hits an elbow drop on Rey. Rey with a kick but Kane with a punch. Rey with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors that sends Rey into the turnbuckles. Hardy is tagged in and he comes off the turnbuckles and punches Kane followed by a swinging neck breaker. Hardy with a drop kick that knocks Henry off the apron. Hardy with a boot to Kane and then he hits a bulldog from the turnbuckles. Henry gingerly charges at Hardy but Hardy drops down. Hardy with a drop toe hold that conveniently sends Kane into the ropes. Rey hits a 619. Henry catches Rey on the floor and he throws Rey at the ropes to knock Hardy off the turnbuckles. Kane with a choke slam for the three count.
Winners: Kane and Mark Henry
Shawn Michaels is limping in the back as we go to commercial.
It is time for the WWE 24/7 Classics Moment. We go to footage from Wrestlemania 14 when Pete Rose made his appearance in Boston and he got tombstoned by a Big Red Machine that did not win the 1975 World Series.
We see footage from two weeks ago when Lance Cade pinned Shawn Michaels.
Match Number Four: Shawn Michaels versus Lance Cade in a No Disqualification Match
Michaels and Cade exchange punches. Cade throws Michaels out of the ring and then Cade gets a table. Cade hot shots Michaels on the announce table and then he punches Michaels on the floor. Cade sets up the table on the floor. Cade punches Michaels and then he sends Michaels through the table with a spinebuster. Cade picks up Michaels and then he rolls him back into the ring. Cade gets a chair and brings it into the ring. Michaels attacks Cade and punches him before Cade can use the chair. Michaels hits Cade with the chair and then he hits Cade a few dozen more times in the torso. The referee tries to beg Michaels to stop and then Michaels gets the three count.
Winner: Shawn Michaels
After the match, the referee checks on Cade who is face down on the mat. Michaels goes after Cade with more chair shots to the body. Shawn tosses the chair out of the ring and he walks to the back in a semi-catatonic condition. We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that Smackdown was the most watched show on MyNetwork TV (now name three other shows).
Jerry Lawler is in the ring and he says that Santino Marella claims to be the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time. Santino will get to prove it at Cyber Sunday and choose Santino’s opponent. Will it be Roddy Piper, Goldust, or the Honky Tonk Man?
The Great Khali and Runjin Singh come out and Khali raises his arms in the air. Singh takes the mic and he gives it to Khali and he calls out Johnny Knoxville and then says a lot of other things. Singh translates and says that the interview did not go well. To the video tape. We see Johnny ask how ‘great’ Khali really is. Khali challenges Johnny Knoxville to appear on Raw. Khali will show that he has a sense of fun. It is time for the Kiss Cam. It stops on Lillian and Khali saunters over and he kisses Lillian. Lillian is intrigued as we go to commercial.
We are back and John Morrison and the Miz are at the announce table.
Jillian Hall is in the ring and she is going to sing a song from Kurt Cobain.
Match Number Five: Jillian Hall versus Kelly Kelly
Before the match starts, Cryme Tyme comes to the announce table and it is time for an episode of Yo Mamma WWE Style.
Jillian sends Kelly to the mat but Kelly with a rana for a near fall. Kelly with an arm drag with help of the ropes. Kelly with forearms but Jillian sends Kelly to the apron. Jillian with a shoulder tackle that knocks Kelly to the floor. Jillian runs Kelly into the apron and then they return to the ring. Jillian pulls Kelly’s hair and then she steps on Kelly’s face. Jillian tosses Kelly by the hair. Jillian chokes Kelly and then she hits a back breaker. Jillian runs Kelly into the turnbuckles and punches her. Jillian sends Kelly into the turnbuckles and connects with an Irish whip and running shoulder into the corner. Kelly with forearms but Jillian with a forearm to the head. Jillian punches Kelly. Jillian slams Kelly’s head into the mat. Kelly gets out of a belly-to-back attempt and gets the three count with a rollup.
Winner: Kelly Kelly
Batista is standing in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to look at John Cena . . . After the Surgery. Everyone talks about how you need to respect John and Shawn Michaels calls him a freak of nature. Triple H says that John Cena came to the arena that night to see everyone.
We go to an Earlier Tonight Moment of Batista giving Chris Jericho a spinebuster.
Match Number Six: Batista versus John Bradshaw Layfield with JBLimo with Guest Referee Chris Jericho and Guest Timekeeper William Regal and Guest Commentator Randy Orton in a Number One Contender’s Match
They lock up and Batista backs Bradshaw into the corner and he gives a clean break. Bradshaw with a knee and punch. Bradshaw with an Irish whip but Batista with a clothesline and Jericho makes the count eventually. Batista punches Bradshaw and then punches him in the knee. Batista focuses on the knee and hits an atomic drop on the knee. Batista with a figure four leg lock and Bradshaw gets near the ropes and Jericho makes Batista break the hold. Bradshaw with a kick and swinging neck breaker for a quick two count. Bradshaw with a forearm and punches. Bradshaw with a clothesline for a two count. Bradshaw tries for a suplex, but Batista blocks it and hits one of his own. Jericho sees Batista covering Bradshaw and Jericho leaves the ring. Bradshaw punches Batista and they go to the floor. Jericho tells Bradshaw to get back into the ring and that allows Regal to attack Batista while Jericho is not looking at what happened. They both return to the ring and Jericho with a fast count but Batista kicks out. Bradshaw with a full nelson. Batista gets out of the hold with a jaw breaker. Bradshaw with a sleeper but Batista with a belly-to-back suplex to get out of the hold. Jericho tries to help Bradshaw get up. Batista with a clothesline and running clothesline into the corner followed by shoulders. Jericho trips Batista as he charges into the corner. Batista with a power slam and then Regal drops Batista on the top rope. Batista with a spear to Jericho and Bradshaw.
Mike Adamle shows up and he calls for another referee and Batista gets a two count. Batista avoids the Clothesline from Wall Street and Batista with a spinebuster and Batista Bomb for the three count.
Winner: Batista
After the match, Mike Adamle says that it is fitting that Chris Jericho is the guest referee tonight because he was thinking about that idea for Cyber Sunday. Chris Jericho will face Batista and the fans will choose the guest referee. Will it be Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels, or Steve Austin. Chris Jericho looks Condemned as we go to credits . . . where you can watch The Condemned.
2009 - WWE broadcast ECW on SyFy. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight’s show with a look back at ECW’s contribution to the Hell in a Cell . . . wait, there was no ECW match? Instead we get a video package of William Regal’s attempt to usurp power from Tiffany after her accident.
We are live on tape from Trenton, New Jersey and your announcers are Josh ‘Bazinga’ Mathews and Matt ‘Would you like a chocolate’ Striker.
Interim General Manager William Regal comes out and he is joined by his interim buddies in red, Vladimir Kozlov and Ezekiel Jackson. Regal welcomes everyone to ECW. He gives his best wishes to Tiffany as she continues to recover. Regal knows that the decision to make him interim general manager but he has the experience to do what is right for the WWE Universe. Regal talks about how he was prohibited from making any changes to the ECW title, (but since it wasn’t on the pay per view who cares [not that Regal didn’t say that]). Regal announces himself the number one contender.
Zack Ryder comes out and he says that he is not going to have this happen again. He had his match taken away and then Regal cost them the eight man tag match. Ryder calls Regal ‘bro’ and Regal calls Ryder ‘Sunshine’. They argue until Christian’s music plays and he comes out.
Christian talks about how this is compelling television to see them argue about who should be the number one contender. Christian has some proof to show why they should not be the number one contender. Christian brings out a janitor, Laughing Tony Atlas, and Yoshi Tatsu. Christian talks about Angelo the janitor and how he changed all of the urinal cakes in the bathroom by section 105 so he has done more than Regal or Ryder and deserves a title match. Christian reminds us that despite being with Abraham Washington, he is still a WWE Hall of Famer. Christian has Tony laugh for the fans. Christian moves on to bachelor number three. Yoshi won a few matches and even pinned Regal and Ryder. Regal complains about Ryder’s inexperience and then Christian tells Bill to calm down. Regal tells Christian to stop calling him Bill and in an instant poll, Christian is still going to call him Bill. Christian says that Yoshi is the most deserving of a title match. Yoshi and Christian thank each other a few too many times. Christian tells Bill it is not up to either of them. Christian says that he found the General Manager.
Tiffany comes out in a sling and she thanks Regal for filling in last week and she says that he did an admirable job. Tiffany says that nothing is going to stop her from presenting the youngest and hottest talents in the WWE. Tiffany has not chosen a number one contender and all of them will be in action tonight. Zack Ryder will get his rematch against Christian. Regal will get to face Yoshi Tatsu again. Zeke and Vlad will be in a tag match.
We go to commercial.
Match Number One: Ezekiel Jackson and Vladimir Kozlov versus Tommy Dreamer and Goldust
Dreamer and Kozlov start things off and Kozlov takes Dreamer to the mat with a front face lock. Kozlov with shoulders in the corner but Dreamer with a knee to stop Kozlov. Dreamer with an elbow and kick before tagging in Goldust. Goldust sends Kozlov’s shoulder into the ring post and then Dreamer and Goldust with a double side Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Kozlov with a knee and slam before tagging in Jackson but Dreamer avoids an elbow and Dreamer works on the arm with a series of kicks. Goldust tags in and he hits a knee lift and a punch. Jackson charges at Goldust but Goldust side steps him and Jackson goes to the floor. Dreamer with a senton onto Jackson. Goldust sends Jackson into the ring post and then they return to the ring. Jackson hits Goldust from behind after Kozlov distracts Goldust. Kozlov runs Goldust into the apron and then Jackson gets a near fall. Kozlov tags in and connects with head butts followed by a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Kozlov with punches to Goldust and then he applies a bear hug. Jackson tags in and he punches Goldust as he keeps Goldust in his corner to prevent Dreamer from getting into the match. Jackson gets a near fall and then he has Goldust in a double underhook. Goldust with punches but Jackson with a clothesline for a near fall. Goldust is able to hit the drop down uppercut and then he tags in Dreamer who hits a clothesline from the turnbuckles followed by a neck breaker. Dreamer takes Kozlov off the apron and then Dreamer with a cross body and punches to Jackson. Jackson with a knee but Dreamer with another neck breaker for a near fall. Goldust with a bulldog to Kozlov. Dreamer kicks Kozlov off the apron but Jackson hits the uranage for the three count.
Winners: Ezekiel Jackson and Vladimir Kozlov
Tiffany and Regal are in the office and he comments on his charges. Regal is amazed at Tiffany’s recuperative powers. Tiffany talks about Bragging Rights and the Iron Man match. She says that depending on the results of the match, John Cena might be on ECW. Regal suggests that Tiffany has come back too soon. Tiffany tells Regal that his match is next and he should focus on it.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound . . . with more DX than ever.
Match Number Two: Yoshi Tatsu versus William Regal
Regal’s boot is untied and he asks the referee to keep Yoshi back. Yoshi goes after Regal and Regal cowers in the corner and ties his boot again. Yoshi with forearms and a Eurasian uppercut. Yoshi with a wrist lock into an arm bar. Regal gets to the ropes and Yoshi releases the hold. Regal does some more work on his boot and Yoshi gets frustrated. They lock up and Yoshi works on the arm and he tries for a suplex but Regal blocks it. Regal with a side head lock and both men go down on a shoulder tackle. Regal with a European uppercut and he works on the arm. Regal with a side Russian leg sweep. Yoshi with a drop kick and Regal goes to the floor. Yoshi with a baseball slide and then he rolls Regal back in. We go to commercial.
We are back and Yoshi with a kick to Regal’s back. Yoshi with a cross body and Regal catches him and then drops Yoshi through the ropes to the floor. Regal sends Yoshi into the announce table and then back into the ring. Regal with a chin lock. Yoshi punches Regal to get out of the hold and then he kicks Regal, but Regal responds with forearms and knees. Regal returns to the chin lock and then goes for a front face lock. Regal with a butterfly suplex for a near fall. Regal with another reverse chin lock. Regal with a forearm but Yoshi with a kick. Regal with a knee and forearms. Yoshi with a dragon screw to Regal followed by kicks to the ribs. Yoshi with a back heel kick and a roaring elbow for a near fall. Yoshi goes up top but he misses a spin heel kick. Regal charges and Yoshi with a roundhouse kick for the three count.
Winner: Yoshi Tatsu
After the match, Kozlov and Jackson come to ringside. Regal argues that his foot was under the rope. Regal and his men in red corner the referee.
We go to footage from last week when Sheamus attacked Shelton Benjamin before Shelton’s match with Paul Burchill. Sheamus and Shelton will meet on Superstars.
Regal continues to argue with the referee and stays at ringside as Zack Ryder makes his way to the ring for his match.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Zack Ryder versus Christian
Regal, Jackson, and Kozlov watch the match from ringside.
They lock up and Christian with a waist lock but Ryder makes it to the ropes. Christian with an arm wringer but Ryder reverses. Ryder kicks Christian in the leg to get him to the mat. Christian with a clothesline and a near fall. Ryder holds on to the ropes when Christian tries a drop kick. Ryder with a jackknife cover but Christian with a sunset flip. Christian with an elbow and then he leap frogs Ryder before going to the other corner for a corkscrew back elbow for a near fall. Christian with a springboard sunset flip but Ryder kicks out and he slingshots Christian’s throat into the bottom rope. Christian goes to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back Ryder with a reverse chin lock on Christian. Ryder with a single leg trip as he holds on to the chin lock. Christian punches Ryder and Ryder punches back. Ryder with a head butt and then he hits a leaping leg lariat for a near fall. Ryder gets another near fall on Christian. Christian with an elbow but Ryder responds with one of his own and gets another near fall. Ryder slaps Christian in the head and then he puts the champion in a front face lock before hitting a neck breaker and gets another near fall. Ryder returns to the chin lock. Ryder with a knee and Christian lands on his feet after a belly-to-back suplex attempt and he hits a breakdown on Ryder for a near fall. Christian with punches but Ryder with a kick. Christian with a spinning heel kick. Christian with a forearm and then Ryder lies in the ropes and Christian does not do the 619 but he stands on Ryder’s back and then Christian slingshots to the floor and punches Ryder. Christian with the pendulum kick and then he hits the tornado DDT and gets a near fall. Ryder with a forearm to the back of the head and then he hits a power bomb for a near fall. Christian goes to the apron and Ryder tries to pull him up. Christian back body drops Ryder to the floor. Christian goes up top and hits a cross body onto Ryder. Kozlov with a running head butt and then Jackson joins in the fun.
No Contest
After the match, Jackson returns Christian into the ring and Regal with a running knee to the head. Ryder wants to know what is going on and then Jackson and Kozlov attack Ryder. Kozlov with the spinebuster and then they celebrate in the ring.
2010 - Stamford, CT contractor James Pasciolla, who had been charged with felony larceny for allegedly padding almost $23,000 to a job for World Wrestling Entertainment, was cleared of the charges. Pasciolla owns The Granite Group and was doing a roofing job for WWE that he billed at $39,800. It was alleged that the job usually cost around $17,000 and that he had forged estimates to get to the higher number. He produced documents yesterday that cleared him of any wrongdoing, and thus avoided a potential 10-year prison sentence.
2011 - Bruce Prichard replaced Vince Russo as the head creative force in TNA.
2011 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the Impact Wrestling Report here on PWInsider.com!
We start with a recap of Hulk Hogan making the announcement that he will retire on tonight's show, then we head to Knoxville as Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff arrive at Impact, then we go to the arena Beer Money comes to the ring in front of a very enthusiastic crowd. James Storm says it's about damn time Hulk Hogan steps aside, and he knows they're going on right before Hogan comes out, but Hogan will have a tough time following them because they're going to tear it up tonight. Bobby Roode welcomes Storm home to Tennessee, and talks about how Kurt Angle tried to destroy Fortune by forcing them all to wrestle him. Fortune is a family, but Roode needed the matches to get himself mentally ready because he knew that if he could beat Kazarian and Styles at their best, he knew he could beat Angle. He wants James Storm to give him his best as well because he's been his tag team partner, his best friend, and his brother (crowd chants Next World Champ at him). Storm says he knew that when he shook Roode's hand to form Beer Money, he was shaking the hand of the future World Champion, but he knows Roode thought the same thing. Storm has something to prove to himself and he might just beat Roode tonight, and he's going to drink his beer, look Roode right in the eye, and tell him he's sorry about Roode's damn luck.
Sting is backstage in a red jacket and a Hulkamania t-shirt, and he's...WALKING LIKE HE'S GOT SOMETHING WRONG WITH HIM!
In light of Hulk Hogan's impending fake retirement, we're going to look back throughout the evening at some of Hogan's top moments in Impact Wrestling. This ought to be entertaining. We go back to January 4th, 2010 when Hogan arrived in TNA for the first time.
To the ring for our first match...
Gunner vs Frankie Kazarian
This is based off of last week when Kazarian got into it with the Jarretts and Gunner came out to kick the crap out of him. They trade wristlocks until Kazarian dropkicks Gunner and clotheslines him to the floor. Kazarian goes to the apron but Gunner pulls his ankle and sends him crashing to the floor. Gunner starts working over the arm of Kazarian, slamming it into the ringpost and then yanking it like a water pump. Gunner with a hammerlock slam, but Kazarian comes out of nowhere with a springboard leg lariat and then a springboard legdrop for 2. Gunner rams Kazarian's shoulder into the ringpost and then goes to a really nasty, high-angle armbar until Kazarian taps.
Winner: Gunner
Holy crap, a clean finish? Based on psychology? What company am I watching again? Oh wait, Gunner attacks Kazarian after the match so the referee reverses the decision.
Winner by DQ: Frankie Kazarian
Yep, this is Impact Wrestling! Gunner goes to the back and yells at fat wrestling fans on his way up the ramp.
Ken Anderson comes out to the ring, makes a lame joke about his hat, and is about to do something he's not known for doing: he'd like to apologize to the people who matter the most to him, the people he turned his back on in a moment of weakness, his assholes. He's not good at playing the political game in this business and he's seen others swing from the boss' nuts and get ahead, while he's done things his own way and he's had to fight for everything he's got. He joined Immortal in a moment of weakness (crowd boos him) and he's not sure what he was thinking, but he has no regrets and he learned a lot from the experience. For instance, Bully Ray is a giant douchebag...oh, here comes Bully Ray now. Holy crap, he looks like he's dropped a lot of weight. Anderson says that for months now, Bubba's attacked him from behind and hit him with his giant chain and a kendo stick. He's always seemed to get the upper hand on Anderson, and Bubba proudly tells Anderson he's laid him out and demoralized him in front of his jackoffs. Anderson corrects him that they're assholes and not jackoffs, but Bubba refuses to give Anderson another match. Anderson says Bound For Glory is in Philadephia where Bubba cut his teeth doing the hardcore style, and he challenges Bubba to a Philadelphia falls count anywhere match, and dares Bubba and his ego to back down from that one. For some reason, Anderson's music hits before Bubba can answer, so Bubba just looks angry and walks off. Boy, was that an abrupt end to the promo, or what?
Bobby Roode and James Storm are working out backstage, and then the Mystery Cameraman catches up with Eric Bischoff to get his thoughts on Hogan's retirement. Bischoff says it's been tough and they've got all their affairs in order, and tonight's going to be the end of an era. From there, we go to Brian Kendrick as he cuts a Brian Kendrick promo and says Austin Aries is a bad person and inspires people like Kid Kash to come in and disrespect the X Division. Kash walks in and says he couldn't help but overhear Kendrick talking and says that if he's got something to say, to say it to his face. Kendrick starts to, but Kash lays him out and pounds the bejeezus out of him.
Mickie James & Velvet Sky vs Winter & Madison Rayne
Madison cracked me up with the over the top smile and wave while she was walking out with Winter and Angelina. Hey, remember when almost everyone in this match was in the Beautiful People? Yeah, me neither. Mickie and Winter start and Winter quickly tags out to Madison, who goes back and forth with Mickie until Velvet comes in and lays Madison out with a dropkick. Winter tags in and Velvet lays her out with a series of clotheslines before tagging in Mickie for a top rope Thesz press. Mickie with a flying headscissors and a hanging neckbreaker for 2, but Angelina Love hooks Mickie's ankle from the outside and Winter nails her and hits an elbowdrop for 2. Winter and Madison double team Mickie for a moment or two until Mickie makes the hot tag and goes to work on Winter. Velvet hits a sitout Pedigree on Winter for 2, and Angelina tries to hook Velvet's leg, but accidentally catches Winter. Angelina gets up on the apron and Velvet knocks her off, then Madison rolls Velvet up from behind and gets the win.
Winners: Winter & Madison Rayne
Jeff Hardy is backstage, and he's...WALKING!
Time for another Hulk Hogan moment, as he teamed with Abyss, proud owner of Ric Flair's Hall of Fame ring. We then go to Kurt Angle complaining to Eric Bischoff about Jeff Hardy, who he told to never come back to TNA again. Eric says not to worry about it because he'll take care of Hardy.
We go out to the arena as Bischoff makes his way to the ring and tells the fans to sit down, shut up, and take notes. He promised Angle he would take care of a little administrative detail, so he calls Jeff Hardy out to his ring. Jeff comes out so Eric could tell him that he's worked with great starts like Verne Gagne, Ray Stevens, Nick Bockwinkel, Hulk Hogan, and Kurt Angle who paved the way and gave them all an opportunity to feed their families and take care of friends in need so they could live an amazing lifestyle. Bischoff took advantage of his opportunities, while Hardy made dropping the ball an artform. Hardy is an amazing athlete and one of the most charismatic guys he's ever met, but he's also a colossal screwup. He's spent weeks walking around asking for second chances, but Bischoff is done giving him chances because Hardy showed up all pilled up at Victory Road and let everyone down, so Hardy is officially done in TNA. Hardy says he's glad Bischoff got all this off his chest in front of these people, and maybe some agree with him but some probably don't, so he's got one thing to say. Bischoff tells him to say goodbye if he wants to, so Hardy kicks him in the gut and gives him the Twist of Fate, yells "screw you" at him, then escapes through the crowd as Immortal runs out to make the save.
We go backstage to Jeff Hardy, who's mad because he tried to apologize to everybody, but what Bischoff did was just wrong and he's not going to take it anymore. We go to another Hulk Hogan moment, as he won the lawsuit to retain ownership of the company on March 3rd, 2011 as Dixie Carter stood there crying.
Samoa Joe vs Crimson
Crimson jumps Joe as soon as the bell rings and beats him down in the corner. Joe fires back with rapid fire right hands, but Crimson wipes him out with a short clothesline. Crimson gets a three quarter nelson and rams kneestrikes into Joe's skull and covers for 1. Joe rams Crimson into the corner and hits a leaping enziguiri, but Crimson ducks a clothesline and hits a T-bone suplex. Joe rolls out to the floor and Crimson goes out after him, ramming Joe's back into the ring apron. Joe catches Crimson's foot on a kick attempt and rams it into the guardrail, then wedges Crimson's foot in the barricade and shoves him on his back, torquing the leg in the barricade. They head back inside where Joe sweeps Crimson's legs out from under him. Crimson tries the Sky High, but Joe slips out and clips Crimson's legs from behind and hits a senton. Joe locks Crimson in a heel hook and Crimson tries to make the ropes, but Joe drags him back out to the middle of the ring. His shoulders are flat on the mat in this hold, but nobody notices and he rolls Joe into a small package for 3.
Winner: Crimson
Oooh, Joe does NOT look happy. So instead of staying with him, we go to the back as Bubba Ray says that Anderson's got huge balls for challenging him to this match in Philadelphia. Anderson thinks he's got Bubba where he wants him, but screw him and screw Philadelphia because he's from New York City.
James Storm is backstage and again says he's happy for Bobby Roode getting a shot at the title at Bound For Glory, but it's also time for him to prove that he's one of the greatest wrestlers in the world. We then go to a video package of Bobby Roode talking about how he's been wrestling for 13 years and he's been here since the beginning with guys like AJ Styles and Samoa Joe. We see Roode going to the building where he saw his first wrestling show, and then we get comments from Roode's parents as they talk about his determination and work ethic. He respects Kurt Angle as a wrestler, but is going to take Angle's vendetta against the younger wrestlers and turn it against him when he wins the title at Bound For Glory. Another great video package.
It's main event time!
James Storm vs Bobby Roode
The bell rings, they shake hands, and we're off. Storm goes right to work on Roode's arm, blocks a hiptoss attempt by Roode, and then they manage to dodge the next half dozen moves each other tries because they know each other so well. Storm hits a nice duck under into a rear waistlock, Roode hits a switch and then a series of armdrags on Storm. Roode goes for the Crippler Crossface, but Storm makes it to the ropes. They start exchanging words as we head into a commercial break.
We're back, and Storm is ramming shoulderblocks into Roode's ribs in the corner. Roode responds with some hard chops and then hits the Mr Perfect necksnap. Storm and Roode shove each other and then trade right hands in the middle of the ring until Storm clocks Roode, who goes down like a ton of bricks. Roode responds with a boot to the face and a Blockbuster for 2, but Storm drapes Roode on the second rope and hits a DDT for 2. Roode backdrops Storm to the apron, Storm hits a leaping enziguiri from the outside, then comes back in and walks right into a spinebuster for 2. Roode goes up top, Storm shakes the rope and causes Roode to crotch himself, then hits a superplex. Storm crawls over and makes a cover, but only gets 2. He sets up for the superkick, Roode ducks and goes for the Perfectplex, Storm blocks and goes for another superkick, and Roode catches Storm in the Crippler crossface. Storm makes it to the ropes to force the break, then hits a Codebreaker followed by a lungblower, but only gets 2. Crowd chants "this is awesome" as Storm picks Roode up and they run head to head and wipe out the referee all in one motion. Storm rolls out to the floor as Kurt Angle runs down to ringside and rams Storm into the ring steps before rolling him back into the ring. Angle heads to the back and Roode starts to come to and crawls over to make a cover. The referee comes to and makes the count, but Storm gets his shoulder up at 2. Roode hauls Storm to his feet and Storm shoves Roode off and goes for the superkick, but collapses before he gets the move off and Roode hits the Perfectplex for the win.
Winner: Bobby Roode
Excellent match and I liked that Angle's interference didn't lead directly to the finish.
Hulk Hogan is backstage, and he's...PREPARING TO FAKE RETIRE!
Hulk Hogan wobbles his way down to the ring for his fake retirement, pauses for a Hogan chant, and says that he realized that today was the final day he would be in the wrestling business and it was a tough thing to swallow. But he came to Knoxville where he was welcomed with open arms, and the fans showed him so much love it felt like his first night back in TNA. It was weird telling his family he was going to be home all the time after being on the road for so many years. It's going to be tough finding something to do with all his new free time, and this is definitely the end of the line for him and he profusely thanks the fans for all their support over the years. He holds up his Hulkamania weightlifting belt and says that there have been generations and generations...(he pauses for a "thank you Hogan" chant)...and this could go on for another 30 years, but it's time to put Hulkamania to rest. He lays the belt in the middle of the ring, and says it's time to let the celebration begin.
Sting's music hits, and he comes out in his bright red and yellow Hulkamania garb. Hogan tells Sting he's not welcome here, and Sting says he's sorry to bring a little bit of rain to this, but he wants to know if anyone buys this stuff about retirement. Hogan says that nothing lasts forever in this business and Sting needs to know when it's time to leave him alone because he's said his goodbyes and he's retired. Sting says it's possible he's just jaded because of the business, or it could be that he knows Hogan better than anyone in the business. It's amazing about all the cameras that are all over every building and every street, and he's got some compelling footage of Hogan. Hogan says it's time for Sting to leave, and Sting says he will after we watch this footage. We see a GTV recording where he and Bischoff are laughing and having a really over the top conversation about fooling the fans into believing he's really retiring and tricking them into selling their trailers to buy Hulk Hogan merchandise.
Hogan says that Sting's broken every rule and he's ruined everything and he's had enough. He still refuses to wrestle Sting, but he'll damn sure fight Sting at Bound For Glory and if Sting wins, he'll hand the company back to Dixie Carter. Hogan immediately claps his hand over his mouth since he apparently didn't mean to say that, and Sting says he got what he wanted and heads to the back as this week's show comes to a close.
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