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ctober 24th 2011 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report: We are live from Austin, Texas and your announcers are Michael ‘The Sounds of Silence’ Cole and Jerry ‘Will Jim Ross be back Sooner or later’ Lawler. Jerry and Michael talk about what happened at Vengeance. Michael discusses what the fallout might be. Then we see a photo of what happened to the ring after Big Show was superplexed. Jerry reminds us of the return of Kevin Nash and we see him setting up Hunter for a jackknife power bomb in Nash speed. Hunter says that this is a tough business and he was taught real early by Killer Kowalski that you can either make friends or make money. He says that he has always lived by that credo in this business. Hunter says that he thought he was the lucky one. He made money and had success as well as having his share of friends. Hunter says that he thought he had guys he could count on when the lights went out in the arena. Hunter mentions Shawn Michaels, Sean Waltman, Kevin Nash. Somewhere along the way, things changed and money became more important. Position and power became more important. As Hunter got in the position of power, some of his friends were there for a reason. Hunter says that he thought that Nash was there for his whole life and then Hunter says that he saw everything change. He saw what was important to him. Hunter throws up the Cliq hand signal. Then it all changed when Nash came to the ring last night and tried to break his damn neck. Hunter says that he is not worried about his neck or physical wellbeing. Hunter says that Kevin Nash broke his heart. Hunter says that he wants to take that out on Kevin Nash. Hunter mentions that he has known him for twenty years and he knows that Nash is in the building. Hunter wants Nash to get his ass (did not specify if it was a ‘skinny fat one’) because Hunter wants to kick it. Hunter wants Nash to ‘be a man’ but he is interrupted by John Laurinaitis Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and Interim Raw General Manager. John tells Hunter that Nash isn’t here and Hunter tells John to shut up. Hunter tells John that he is not in the mood for this and if he walks through the ropes, it will not end well for him. John understands that Hunter is upset but he doesn’t want Hunter to embarrass the company. Hunter tells John to shut up. Hunter reminds John that he is the COO so that means that John reports to him. Hunter tells John that he will be the guy who tries to find Kevin Nash to bring him out to Hunter. Hunter tells John that if he doesn’t want him to embarrass the company, he will find Nash and offer him a contract. A contract that he cannot refuse. If John cannot do that, Hunter will go to his house and find him. He doesn’t care if it is a mall or airport, but he will be arrested for what he does. Hunter tells John to find Nash again and offer him the biggest contract he can so Hunter can kick his ass. John tells Hunter that he is being unreasonable. John wants to work this out. From out of nowhere, Nash hits Hunter with the Slowhammer. John tells Nash to leave and it almost looks sincere. Nash pushes down some security who do their best to hold their hands up to make sure that nothing else happens. Referees and medical staff come out to check on Hunter. Nash walks through the back as wrestlers, bag men, and David Otunga watch him leave. Hunter is helped through the Gorilla position but when he sees other wrestlers, he wants to walk away. Hunter starts to walk but he collapses. We go to commercial. We are back and Michael Cole is very somber talking about Triple H’s condition. Jerry talks about how Nash must feel betrayed. Hunter is being put onto the ambulance and Nash tells them to put his buddy down. Nash stands over Hunter and he picks him up on the back board for the stretcher. Nash is about to hit Hunter with the sledgehammer and Michael Hayes calls for security. Nash hits Hunter in the head with the sledge hammer. John comes over to apologize to Hunter for all of this. They check for a pulse and then they lift him onto a stretcher. We go to commercial. We are back and we see the ambulance drive away. In case you missed the first twenty minutes, here are the Cliff’s Notes in video form. Match Number One: Randy Orton and Sheamus versus Cody Rhodes and Christian Christian and Orton start things off as we see what is trending on Twitter now that is WWE related. Christian with punches to Orton followed by an Irish whip but you don’t Irish whip Orton into the corner because he clotheslines Christian. Orton with a back body drop followed by a boot to the midsection. Orton works on the arm and tags in Sheamus. Orton Irish whips Christian towards Sheamus for a slingshot shoulder and a near fall. Rhodes tags in and gets a back body drop. Sheamus puts Rhodes in the ropes and connects with a series of forearms and then Sheamus punches Christian on the apron. Sheamus with a short arm clothesline and then he goes to the turnbuckles but he sees Christian moving towards him and he hits a shoulder tackle off the apron. Rhodes with kicks to Sheamus followed by a side Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Rhodes with a reverse chin lock as we go to commercial. We are back and Christian is choking Sheamus in the ropes and Rhodes with a forearm to the head while the referee deals with Christian. Sheamus punches Christian and Christian tries for the Killswitch but Sheamus with a belly-to-back suplex and both men are down. Orton makes the tag and he clotheslines Christian a few times and then he hits a power slam. Orton with a kick followed by a back drop driver from the shoulders. Orton sends Christian into the ropes for the IEDDT but Christian stops him. Orton is able to hits the IEDDT and then he pounds the mat for the RKO but Cody comes up from behind and Orton almost RKOs Rhodes but Rhodes gets away. Orton runs into a pendulum kick from Christian and Christian hits a back elbow from the turnbuckles and Rhodes tags back in. Rhodes with kicks to Orton followed by punches. Rhodes with punches and kicks to Orton and Randy with punches of his own. Cody with a drop kick and he tags Christian back in and Christian kicks Orton in the midsection and then Christian works on the neck. Orton punches Christian but Christian with a knee. Christian goes to the turnbuckles but he is met with a drop kick from Orton and both men are down. Sheamus and Rhodes tag in and Sheamus with running double sledges followed by a tilt-a-whirl slam, running knee lift, and a uranage back breaker for a near fall. Sheamus misses the Brogue kick and Rhodes hits Beautiful Disaster. Rhodes goes after Orton and the referee does not see Christian hit a spear. Sheamus with a near fall and all four men are in the ring. Orton with an RKO to Christian and Rhodes sends Orton over the top rope. Sheamus catches Rhodes glancingly with a Brogue Kick when Rhodes tries for the Beautiful Disaster. Sheamus hit the Celtic Cross for the three count. Winners: Sheamus and Randy Orton We go to photos of Miz and R Truth attacking John Cena during the main event and tribute to Bloodsport during Vengeance. John Laurinaitis is on the phone and he is telling someone that he is okay. John wonders if he is being accused of it being his fault. John wants to know if it is because it is her husband. David tells John that Stephanie is just upset. Cena enters the office and he tells Carlton to hit the bricks and then he makes a number of Fresh Prince references. Cena tells John a few things to do and then he wants a match against Miz and R Truth. John says that Cena will face Miz and Truth in a tag match where Laurinaitis picks his partner. Cena says that as long as that person doesn’t carry a skateboard, he will be alright. We go to commercial and the Muppets are coming. Match Number Two: Santino Marella versus Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero and Jack Swagger They lock up and Santino with an arm drag and Santino celebrates. Ziggler grabs Santino and Santino teases the cobra and Ziggler goes to the ropes. Ziggler punches and kicks Santino. Ziggler with a drop kick. Santino with a split followed by a hip toss and diving head butt. Santino unfurls the cobra and he goes for Swagger and that allows Ziggler to hit the Zig Zag for the three count. Winner: Dolph Ziggler After the match, Swagger attacks Santino and puts him in the ankle lock. Mason Ryan makes his way to the ring and he clotheslines Ziggler and hits a big boot. The Bellas are in the back and Zack Ryder walks by happy that he is going to be John Cena’s tag team partner. We go to commercial. We are back and it is time for Ricardo Rodriguez, sporting the wounds of being the ring announcer for the WWE Champion as he introduces Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio says that everyone thought that John Cena would be the winner of the Last Man Standing Match, but Alberto proved them wrong. Cena was lying on the floor like a dying dog. Alberto says that he proved once and for all that he is the better man. Alberto says that he is done with John Cena so he is going to move on to new challengers. The problem is that there is no one better than Alberto Del Rio in the WWE. He says that you better get used to seeing him as the WWE Champion for a long long long long time. CM Punk interrupts Del Rio and he makes his way to the ring. He apologizes for interrupting Alberto but he heard Alberto say that nobody could beat him. Punk calls Alberto a tough hombre because Punk points out that he has beaten Del Rio numerous times. Punk says that he beat him four weeks ago and it was in Gray’s Sports Almanac. Punk reminds Del Rio that he never got his one-on-one title shot after Del Rio cashed in his money in the bank contract. Punk asks Alberto if he has the cajones to put the title on the line against him. Del Rio says that he will defend his title against any worthy opponent but Punk is not worthy. Alberto reminds Punk that he did not even win at Vengeance, so that makes Punk a loser. Alberto says that losers do not deserve title shots. Alberto tells Punk to see him when he does something right. He tells him to come and see him when he wins a match. Del Rio tells Punk that he is at the back of the line. Punk thinks about it and he says that he had a feeling that Alberto would say that. He wants to subscribe to Del Rio’s newsletter. Punk says that maybe he doesn’t deserve a title shot and maybe he is at the back of the line. Punk says that maybe he is a loser. Punk says that maybe if Del Rio isn’t going to give him a title shot, he will put him to sleep anyway. Johnny Buzzkill comes out and he says that he is in charge of this. Punk gives John some advice on holding the mic so he could be heard. John says that each man has made some good points. Maybe they will wrestle for the WWE Championship at Survivor Series. Punk says that was what he wanted, but he wants to know what the catch is. John tells Punk that there is one thing that he has to do to get the title match. Punk asks if he needs to regrip his skateboard. John says that he is not playing the part of Executive Vice President of Talent Relations, he is really in that position. John tells Punk that he has to say that he respects John. Punk wonders if John is Aretha Franklin. Punk says that John doesn’t respect him because he doesn’t wear a suit or toe the company line. Punk asks John if he has been watching the product because it is no better with John in charge. John tells Punk that he is making a mistake. He wants Punk to say that he respects him. Punk tells John that he respects him ‘Funkman’. John did not like that so Punk better do it again. Punk tells John that he respects him. He respects the fact that each week, he comes out in front of the millions of fans in the WWE Universe live on the USA Network with a deer in the headlights look on his face. He respects that John doesn’t know where to hold the microphone. He respects that John used to compete in the ring with his awesome mullet and despite not being very good, he is at the top of the WWE corporate structure showing new levels of brown nosery. He respects the fact that John has achieved so much with so little. John says that doesn’t suit him and Punk is not suitable for a WWE title shot. John will take another week to think about it. Punk tells John to think about something else and Punk kicks and punches Del Rio and gets Del Rio up for the Go To Sleep but Ricardo makes the save. Del Rio gets out of the ring and Punk gives Ricardo a Go To Sleep. We go to commercial. We are back and Beth Phoenix makes her way to the announce table to join Cole and Lawler. Match Number Three: Natalya versus Alicia Fox Natalya removes Alicia’s head band and Alicia tries for a float over but Natalya does not bite and Natalya clips Alicia before throwing her to the mat by the hair. Beth wit ha kick to the leg and then she slams Alicia’s head into the mat. Natalya with a clothesline and then she works on the leg with a step over toe hold. Natalya slaps Alicia but Alicia slaps back. Alicia with a forearm and she reverses the hold. Natalya gets to the ropes and she kicks Alicia in the ribs. Natalya says that it is tear time but she runs into a boot. Alicia with a sunset flip for the three count. Winner: Alicia Fox We see Eve Torres and Kelly Kelly watching in the back. After the match, Natalya attacks Alicia but Alicia is able to escape. Match Number Four: John Morrison versus Wade Barrett They lock up and Barrett with an elbow to Morrison. They lock up and Morrison with a flying forearm and kicks. Barrett misses a running boot and Morrison kips up but Barrett with a punch. Morrison with a drop kick. Barrett goes to the floor and Morrison goes to the apron and back into the ring before hitting a suicide dive onto Barrett. Barrett with a back heel kick to Morrison and then he sends him into the ringside barrier. We go to commercial. We are back and Barrett with a rear chin lock as Morrison tries to get back to his feet. Barrett with a big boot to the head and he gets a near fall. Barrett chokes Morrison in the ropes and then chokes Morrison in the ropes. Barrett keeps Morrison in the ropes and he connects with knees and then he kicks Morrison to the floor with another big boot. Barrett runs Morrison’s back into the apron and then they return to the ring and Barrett gets a near fall. Barrett with a knee to the back and then he applies a surfboard. Morrison with punches but Barrett with a kick and Irish whip. Barrett blocks a kick but Morrison with a back elbow and a sliding clothesline followed by a leg lariat. Morrison hits the Shining Wizard and Barrett gets his foot on the ropes to stop the count. Morrison with a sunset flip and he gets a near fall. Barrett with the Black Pool Slam for a near fall. Barrett gets Morrison on his shoulders for Wasteland but Morrison with elbows and a side Russian leg sweep. Morrison goes to the corner for the split legged corkscrew moonsault and Barrett had moved out of the way and he lands on his feet. Morrison with a shoulder to Barrett. Morrison comes off the ropes and Barrett catches him and drops him to the mat. Barrett hits Wasteland for the three count. Winner: Wade Barrett It is time to see what happened at the start of the night one more time. We are told that Triple H has suffered a concussion and a neck injury, maybe a broken neck. After this somber moment, it is time for Michael Cole to embarrass himself and Jim Ross. Cole mentions that Jim Ross has been on Twitter and in the WWE.com chat room spreading lies about how he beat Michael Cole last week. Cole mentions that Jim Ross has tweeted some photos and they are Cole-tacular. Cole challenges Jim Ross to a ‘Michael Cole Challenge’ for next week. Cole says that if Jim Ross beats him next week, Ross can have his seat back because if Jim Ross wins, Cole will quit. We go to commercial. We are back and Zack Ryder is in the interview area with Josh Mathews. Zack mentions that this is his first Raw main event and he is a broski with Cena. Miz and Truth attack Ryder and then Truth punches Ryder while Miz holds him. They switch places and then they send Ryder into the scenery and Miz with a running boot. Looks like Cena needs a new partner. Miz says that Hunter fired them to stop the revolution that they started. Miz say to look at Triple H now. Truth says that Triple H got exactly what he deserved. Miz says that they stood up to the faces of this conspiracy. When they rise up, no one will be safe from the Truth. Zack Ryder and Triple H have found out. Truth says that everyone thought that they were done when they won their match on Sunday and attacked John Cena. The party is just getting started. Truth says that Cena thought the conspiracy was going to help him with that joke of a tag team partner. Truth says that nothing is going to save him until he gets got. Miz tells Cena that he can wear all of the dippy catchphrases but he cannot rise above them. Match Number Five: Miz and R Truth versus John Cena and nobody else because this is a Handicap Match Miz starts off but he has something to say to Truth before trying to lock up. Cena wih a kick and punches to Miz as he sends him into the corner. Cena with a suplex and Truth tags in. Cena with punches and knees to Truth followed by a snap mare and elbow drop. Miz is tagged back in. Miz tries for a kick and Cena blocks it and Cena with a punch and hip toss. Truth teases getting involved and Miz with a DDT for a near fall based on the distraction. Miz with kicks and he tags in Truth who kicks Cena and applies a snap mare and chin lock. Miz tags in and he punches Cena. Miz with a kick and he gets a near fall. Miz sets for the Awesome Clothesline and he hits it and Cena goes to the mat. Miz goes up top with a double sledge and he chokes Cena. Truth tags back in and Truth with an uppercut and he gets a near fall. Truth kicks Cena in the corner and the referee checks on Cena. Cena kicks Truth and then he hits a Blue Thunder Bomb. Miz tags in and Miz misses the Awesome Clothesline when Cena moves. Cena with two flying shoulder tackles followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb and (sing along if you know the lyrics) it is time for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena gets Miz up but Truth hits Cena with a water bottle and the referee calls for the bell. Winner: John Cena by disqualification Miz and Truth punch Cena and then Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale. Truth hits Shut Up. Miz takes a chair and he gives it to Truth. Miz gets a chair of his own. John Laurinaitis comes out and he tells them to stop because he will not stand for this chaos. John says that Miz and Truth have disrespected him. John tells Miz and Truth to get out. Miz and Truth start up the ramp but John stops them. John says that they are going to be put in a legitimate tag match. John will get to pick his partner for a match at Survivor Series to face Miz and R Truth. John says that he says that it is another set up. John has an environmentally safe light bulb go off over his head and he realizes that he can choose anyone he wants. Cena says that he is sick of Miz and Truth thinking that they run the show. If they are going to defeat the Miz and R Truth, his partner will have to be someone who brings it. John Cena says that his tag team partner will be The Rock.
On this day in history in ....
1956 - Mitsuo Surugaumi defeats Michiaki Yoshimura in a tournament final to become the first Japanese Junior Heavyweight Champion in Tokyo, Japan.
1967 - Paul DeMarco and Lorenzo Parente defeat Kurt and Skull Von Stroheim to win the Florida version of the NWA World Tag Team Title in Tampa, Florida.
1970 - Moondog Mayne defeats Mr. Fuji to win his 11th NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title.
1974 - Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens defeat Crusher & Billy Robinson in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to win the AWA World Tag Team Title for their third and final time.
1976 - Alfonso Dantes wins his second NWA World Light Heavyweight Title in Guadalajara, Mexico, defeating Carlos Plata.
1979 - Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood win the Mid-Atlantic version of the NWA World Tag Team Title in Raleigh, North Carolina, ending the second reign of Paul Jones and Baron Von Raschke.
1979 - Bobby Eaton wins his second NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title, ending the fifth reign of Dutch Mantel in Nashville, Tennessee.
1980 - Tiger Jeet Singh scores the biggest win of his career, defeating Antonio Inoki in Okinawa, Japan for the UWA World Heavyweight Title.
1980 - Tony Atlas defeats Dennis Condrey to win the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia.
1981 - "Mr. Electricity" Steve Regal defeats "Playboy" Buddy Rose for the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title, ending Rose's seventh reign and beginning his second.
1982 - Jumbo Tsuruta defeats Harley Race to win the NWA United National Heavyweight Title for the fifth time in Kitami, Japan.
1983 - Jimmy Garvin defeats Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title in Fort Worth, Texas.
1993 - WCW held their Halloween Havoc Pay-per-view in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Lakefront Arean. Here are the results:
- Ice Train, Charlie Norris & The Shockmaster defeated Harlem Heat & The Equalizer when Shockmaster pinned Kole (Booker T) after giving him a bearhug.
- Paul Orndorff defeated Ricky Steamboat via countout after the Assassin, seconding Orndorff at ringside, headbutted Steamboat with a foreign object.
- WCW Television Champion Steven Regal vs. Davey Boy Smith ended in a time-limit draw just as Smith was covering Regal for the pin after a piledriver.
- United States Champion Dustin Rhodes defeated Steve Austin. Austin pinned Rhodes with his feet on the ropes, but the referee restarted the match, and Rhodes rolled up Austin from behind for the pin as he argued with the referee.
- The Nasty Boys defeated Marcus Bagwell & 2 Cold Scorpio to win the WCW World Tag Team Title when Knobbs pinned Scorpio after Saggs hit him with his boot.
- Sting defeated Sid Vicious when Col. Robert Parker accidentally hit Sid.
- WCW International World Champion Rick Rude defeated Ric Flair via DQ. After both the original referee and second referee Terry Taylor were knocked out, Rude pulled out a foreign object, but Flair got control of it and knocked out Rude. Flair covered Rude, and Taylor counted the pin, but the original referee disqualified Flair for using the foreign object.
- Vader defeated Cactus Jack in a Texas Death match. This was a "Spin The Wheel, Make The Deal" match, where Cactus spun a wheel with various match stipulations to determine what type of match this would be. The finish saw Cactus hit Vader with a DDT after losing a fall, but manager Harley Race zapped Cactus with a taser. When the rest period after the fall ended, Cactus couldn't answer the ten count and Vader was declared the winner.
1994 - The Moondogs (Spot & Rex) defeat the Phantoms for the USWA Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee, starting their second reign.
1998 - A card held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey sees three championships decided. Doug Gilbert wins the NWA National Heavyweight Title from Stevie Richards, starting his second reign. Christopher Daniels and Kevin Quinn defeat Danny Dominion and Ace Steel to become the first NWA Midwest Tag Team Champions, and E.Z. Ryder defeats Paul Atlas to win the revived NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title.
1998 - The Dudley Boys defeat Rob Van Dam & Sabu in Cleveland, Ohio to win their fourth ECW World Tag Team Title.
1999 - WCW held their Halloween Havoc Pay-per-view at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This was the first WCW PPV since the arrival of writers Vince Russo and Ed Ferrara from the WWF. Here are the results:
- Cruiserweight Champion Disco Inferno defeated Lash LeRoux with the Last Dance (stunner). After the match, LeRoux powerbombed Disco on the title belt.
- Harlem Heat defeated Konnan & Billy Kidman (subbing for Rey Mysterio) and Brian Knobbs & Hugh Morrus in a Falls Count Anywhere, Streetfight, Triangle Match to win the WCW World Tag Team Title. Harlem Heat pinned Knobbs at the same time Kidman pinned Morrus, but the referee ruled that Harlem Heat's pin came first, so they got the belts.
- Eddie Guerrero defeated Perry Saturn via DQ when Ric Flair ran in and hit Guerrero with a crowbar. Flair also hit Billy Kidman with a crowbar, and kissed Torrie Wilson, before leaving.
- A backstage brawl saw Bill Goldberg bloody Sid Vicious.
- Jeff Jarrett vs. Buff Bagwell never takes place as Lex Luger tried to hit Jarrett with a guitar, but instead hits Bagwell, knocking him out.
- Brad Armstrong defeated Berlyn when he blocked a neckbreaker by holding onto the top rope and got the pin.
- Rick Steiner defeated Chris Benoit to win the WCW Television Title when Dean Malenko turned on Benoit and hit him with a chair.
- Lex Luger defeated Bret Hart via submission with a single leg Boston crab on Hart's previously injured leg.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Sting defeated Hulk Hogan in three seconds. Hogan walked to the ring, said something to Sting, then laid down on the mat and let Sting pin him before leaving.
- Bill Goldberg defeated Sid Vicious when the referee stopped the match due to Sid's bleeding. Sid kept wanting to continue, and finally Rick Steiner convinced him to return to the locker room after the referee ended the match.
- Diamond Dallas Page defeated Ric Flair in a Strap match with a Diamond Cutter. After the match, The Filthy Animals attack Flair and drive off with him in an ambulance.
- Bill Goldberg defeated Sting in three minutes to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title in an impromptu match with a spear and jackhammer. The next night, the title was held up due to this being an unsanctioned match, and due to Sting hitting the referee during the bout.
1999 - Bombero Infernal defeats Mr. Niebla to win the IWRG Intercontinental Middleweight Title in Naucalpan, Mexico.
2008 - Ring of Honor ran Danbury, CT. Stu Carapola filed the following live report:
I'm horrible at estimating crowd sizes, but this seemed to be a small crowd in the 500 or so range.
-Show opened with Jimmy Jacobs coming out to cut a promo about how nothing matters, but he was interrupted by Homicide, who came out and, in his own unique vernacular, asked Jimmy what had happened to the lucky go, happy kid that he was when Homicide left. This led to the rest of Age Of The Fall coming out and attacking Homicide, with Ruckus running out to make the save. After asking about Julius Smokes, who apparently could not make the show because he had been "pulled over", this leads into Ruckus beating Jason Blade in a decent opener. Blade was getting a lot of heel heat, and Ruckus was really over with the crowd.
-That match was followed by Sara Del Rey defeating Portuguese Princess Ariel. Sara has really gone in a different direction with her new look and character, with a cold personality kind of like the Terminator. Match was only about five minuntes long, and Sara put Ariel away with her butterfly powerslam. Ariel looked good and she has this unique cute quality that I think would make her a favorite with kids.
-Rhett Titus defeated Grizzly Redwood to retain the Top Of The Class Trophy. Rhett was attacked before the match by Daizee Haze, who came out of the crowd in street clothes. ROH security pulled her off and dragged her to the back. I really liked how both Rhett and Grizzly have developed, they've both got entertaining characters that connect with the fans. Rhett scored the win, and Daizee came out and attacked him again after the match and had to be dragged away again.
-Brent Albright defeated Jay Briscoe in a somewhat disappointing match. I think this could have had the chance to be better than it was if it was given more time and was higher on the card, but this was a slow paced match with a lot of restholds. Things picked up toward the end, and Albright put Briscoe away clean with the half nelson suplex. After the match, Brent Albright challenged Larry Sweeney to send out one of his guys for Albright to beat up, and Sweeney, predictably, sent out Bobby Dempsey. Dempsey hesitantly made his way to the ring, obviously scared out of his mind, and Albright told him to stand up for himself because the fans love him and he doesn't need Larry Sweeney. Albright then took off after Sweeney, leaving Dempsey in the ring with the fans chanting his name.
-In a wild No DQ match, Necro Butcher picked up a win over Delirious and Mark Briscoe. Delirious is doing a phenomenal job being this wretched creature who was once happy and full of life, but has his soul crushed by things he has experienced and is now just filled with pain. Necro Butcher and Mark Briscoe were over as always. Delirious attacked Briscoe before Necro even came out to the ring, but Necro came out and started laying everyone out, then the match quickly spilled out of the ring and into the crowd. They brawled right through my section and over to the bleachers, where Mark hit a moonsault off the top of the bleachers onto Delirious. While this was going on, Necro took a piece of the barricade into the ring along with several chairs. All three got back into the ring where they were just killing each other, including Mark hitting as stiff a chairshot as I've ever seen right on Necro's head, and the crash of the chair hitting Necro's skull was very loud, and it made me worry for the guy that he takes shots like that so regularly. Necro ended up getting the win after hitting the Tiger Driver on Delirious.
-After intermission, we returned with Jerry Lynn taking on Claudio Castagnoli, but before the match even started, Prince Nana came out of the crowd and got in the ring. He grabbed a mic and said that he had lost his throne and all his money, and was begging ROH to take him back, even pleading with Jerry Lynn to help put in a good word for him. He ended up getting escorted out by security and the match was allowed to begin. Jerry wrestled circles around Claudio early, and then Claudio took over and started brutalizing Lynn with European uppercuts and punches to the ribs. Claudio spent much of the match working over Lynn's knee, but Lynn caught him with the Jack Brisco sunset flip out of the corner for the win. Claudio celebrated his loss by trashing the ring announcer's table.
-Go Shiozaki defeated Austin Aries to retain the FIP Title in a really good match. Aries was able to get out of the way of several chops from Shiozaki early on, but Aries was distracted by Larry Sweeney on the outside, allowing Shiozaki to take over. From there it turned stiff, as each man started laying in stiff chops and forearm shots to one another. Aries eventually took over and had Shiozaki in the Horns Of Aries several times, but Go made the ropes each time. Finally they went up to the top and Shiozaki hit an amazing Falcon Arrow suplex off the top rope for the clean win. Very impressive outing by Shiozaki, and nice to see him start winning more consistently.
-In the main event, LAX won the Iron Team Match over Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black, Chris Hero & Davey Richards, and ROH World Tag Team Champions Kevin Steen & El Generico, who did not bring the belts to the ring with them. The rules were announced as being a standard tag match for the first 20 minutes, and then Scramble rules for the last 10. Shockingly, LAX were the ones who lost the first fall when Tyler Black hit Homicide with a Phoenix Splash to win a fall. Just seconds after this first fall, we hit 20 minutes and went to Scramble rules and everybody was in the ring. It was a real sight to see. Hero & Richards scored a fall when Richards forced Steen to tap out to a Texas Cloverleaf, and then shortly after that, LAX scored a win over AOTF to make it a three way tie. In the closing minutes, Homicide hit the Cop Killer on Jacobs to go up to 2 falls, and then just rode out the clock to pick up the win, with the final score being LAX 2, AOTF 1, Richards/Hero 1, and Steen/Generico 0. Steen & Generico shook hands with LAX and left the ring, and Homicide got on the mic and put over ROH as having the best fans in the world and to keep supporting the company, and to also make sure to be in New Jersey the following night to see LAX take on the Briscoes to find out who the best team in the world is.
-Just a few other notes, I liked the venue a lot, it was a smaller venue reminiscent of ROH's shows from 2005 and earlier before they really started growing, and even the people in the general admission bleachers had a great view of the action. It was also very easy to get to from the Interstate, which is always a plus, especially when compared to places like Boston where you get off the highway and spend half your life driving through the town to get to the place.
Hernandez seemed to be nursing a sore knee, it was pretty noticeable how he was limping around, though I don't know how it'll play into tonight's match with the Briscoes. He was still able to toss around everyone pretty good, so I would doubt too much.
2008 - Multiple news outlets in Mexico were reporting that Dos Caras Jr., despite denials, has in fact signed a contract with the WWE starting in January and he would be making his debut at the Royal Rumble. While he did not appear at the Rumble, Caras Jr., now billed as Alberto Del Rio, would indeed become a major part of WWE in the years to come.
2008 - Chicago-based Sports Publishing, which released autobiographies on a number of professional wrestlers, including Terry Funk, Tito Santana, Harley Race and Dusty Rhodes, officially filed for bankruptcy.
2008 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Mike Grimaldi filed the following TV report:
-"In Memory" of Leah Maivia
-WWE Open
-Smackdown Open
-Jim Ross welcomes us to Laredo and hypes the Undertaker/Triple H main event.
-"King of Kings" music hits and Triple walks out to the ring half dressed for his match. Triple H asks if anybody in the crowd is as sick of Vickie Guerrero as he is. He says it's not just her voice or that she in an "annoying hag" and then says that well, most of it is because she's an "annoying hag." His main problem with Vickie is that she thinks she can tell everyone what to do, and while he doesn't mind when she does it to other people, when she does it to him, he's got an issue. He says that he knows everyone is thinking that Vickie will come out right now and he'll get in trouble with her, but not to worry, he saw a giant Twinkie truck pull up before he came out, so she'll be "grazing for hours." HHH points out that in 48 hours he has to defend the title against wither Jeff Hardy, Vladimir Kozlov or both and tonight he's in a match with the Undertaker because it benefits the agenda of Vickie Guerrero because he and Taker will try to destroy each other and there's a chance he might not even be able to make it to Cyber Sunday if that happens which would mean all the fans votes would be for not.
Jeff Hardy's music hits and he makes his way to the ring as HHH looks on, not very pleased. Hardy says that he thinks he knows the WWE fans better than HHH does and is confident he'll be voted in at Cyber Sunday and if he is, it's very possible that he will leave the WWE champion.
Since as HHH pointed out last month, no one can get a full thought out, Kozlov's music plays and out he comes to the top of the ramp. Kozlov says that the fans won't vote him in because they know he would beat HHH, but that will only delay him becoming champion for a short time. Triple H says that he didn't understand a word Kozlov said, but either way at Cyber Sunday, "this is going to happen" and HHH promptly hits the Pedigree on Jeff Hardy. Tazz says, "I didn't see that coming." Helen Keller calls Tazz a moron.
-JR and Tazz run down the text options for the WWE title match at Cyber Sunday.
-Backstage, HHH is walking down the hallway and the lights flicker out. Triple H looks back and when he turns forward, Undertaker is in his face. They have a stare down.
BREAK (keep in mind that since this isn't the MyNetwork TV feed, sometimes I get the part where the breaks happen wrong)
-WWE Rewind has the "Divas Las Vegas" match from last week.
1. Michelle McCool and Maria vs. Natalya and Maryse- Before the match, pop up Gregory Helms, which apparently is now called the "Hurrapop" comes up and he says something about Divas, but he's "just sayin'." Michelle and Maryse start off and Michelle gets a few quick near falls. Michelle then does a backflip off the middle rope while holding on to Maryse's arm, into an arm drag (at least it didn't take he 10 seconds to set up like Kelly Kelly's backflip spots). Natalya provided a distraction to allow Maryse to take advantage. Natalya was tagged in to throw some shots in the corner and then quickly tagged back out. Out of no where, music started to play and cut to the entrance where Jesse was leading Festus, dressed in a mariachi band get up, to the ring, along with a full mariachi band. Michelle was distracted by this, as was her tag partner, and Festus presented Maria with a flower. Michelle tried to make a tag to Maria, but Maria wasn't paying attention, which gave Maryse the opportunity to roll Michelle up and get the pin. Of course, ending the match, the bell sounded and that set Festus off, who chased the mariachi band around the ring and back up the ramp. Michelle was not pleased.
BREAK
-Did You Know WWE Magazine sells more copies at newsstands that SI and ESPN Magazine combined? I bet subscriptions have nothing to do with that.
2. Chavo Guerrero and Bam Neely vs. Carltio and Primo- Non title match- Chavo and Carlito started out, with Chavo getting a headlock. Carltio got out and hit a standing dropkick. Primo got the tag and came running off the ropes with a diving headbutt after Carltio had taken Chavo down. Chavo made the tag out to Bam who came in firing away with punches. Bam whipped Primo into the corner but Primo did a tip up in the corner and went over the charging Bam, but then was quickly taken off his feet by a running shoulder block from Bam. Chavo and Bam were jawing back and forth to each other about getting the job done, and Primo was allowed to make the tag. Primo and Carltio hit a double suplex on Bam. Chavo came in and was hip tossed onto his own partner. Carlito powerbombed Primo onto Bam but on the subsequent cover Primo only got a one count. Chavo got the legal tag back in. He whipped Primo to the corner but got caught coming in with a back elbow. Primo went to the top but Bam came up the apron so Primo jumped off and hit bam with a double axe handle blow, the distraction was enough to allow Chavo to catch Primo with the rolling Liger kick and Chavo got a near fall. Chavo asked Bam what he was doing and Bam asked for the tag back in. Primo was backed into the corner of Chavo and Chavo tried to choke him from the outside, but Bam came running in and Primo moved cause him to collided with Chavo. Primo got the tag to Carltio who came in with a rather awkward looking springboard somersault dive onto Bam then a big knee lift and a clothesline and finally a roll of the dice neckbreaker which got him a near fall that Chavo broke up. Chavo yelled at Bam to get up and "get him." Chavo and Bam argued some more until Chavo slapped Bam which sent Neely off. The distraction allowed Carltio to hit the backstabber from behind and get the pin. Chavo yelled back at Bam. "Hurrapop" came up with Helms saying "if you guys break up, I just don't think I could bear it...I'm just sayin'"
-Kizarny vignette (Apparently these haven't been on the international feeds yet, so this probably already aired) with Kizarny at the carnival saying (translated) "Rides, fun, cotton candy? What is not to like?"
BREAK
-John Cena video with all the great "entertainment superstars" talking about him. It has only been two months he's been out, right?
-Backstage Michelle and Maria are bickering in some horribly acted altercation Maria says her "friend" is very upset and she needs to talk to him while Michelle says she needs to focus (were they going for the non-existent Divas Tag Titles or something?). Maria runs off to find Festus, while Primo is trying his magic on Brie Bella. Carltio comes in to cock-block Primo, they argue in Spanish and Brie has to run off for a photo shoot. Carltio tells Primo that it's his fault she left. The mariachi band comes running through with Festus chasing them as Primo and Carltio jump to get out of the way. Hmmm...brothers fighting over a chick that happens to have a twin...I be Tazz doesn't see where this is going either.
BREAK
-A rewind gimmick moment of where we were introduced to Funaki's full name, "Kung Fu Naki." A side note, this finally puts to bed my hope from the RVD vs. Funaki battle over the "Whole F'n Show" vs. the " Whole F'n Sho."
3. R-Truth and Kung Fu Naki vs. MVP and Shelton Benjamin- Hurrapop asks where MVP's inflatable entrance tunnel is, "lemme guess, you lost that too. I'm just sayin'." No annoying "Gold Standard" promo form Shelton this week and Fu Naki has a rip off "Kung Fu Fighting" theme song now and he wears a gui. Also, at Cyber Sunday, you can choose who Shelton will defend the US title against. This is another WWE.com vote and the choices are: R-Truth, MVP or Festus.
Truth goes to start out with MVP, but MVP wants Kung Fu Naki. Fu Naki obliges and goes off with some old school generic Japanese guy "martial arts blows" and then a Ricky Steamboat like arm drag. MVP calls for a time out and tags the US Champ in. Benjamin comes in and gets caught with a kick to the cut and Fu Naki tags in Truth. Truth goes for a move but gets countered in to a back suplex by Benjamin. Shelton gets Truth into the heel team's corner and MVP tags in. MVP hits a big belly to belly over head throw followed up by a clothesline to get a near fall on Truth. Truth comes back with the corkscrew forearm to take MVP down allowing Truth to tag in Fu Naki. Fu Naki comes in with a chop off the top rope onto MVP and follows that up with some kicks and a double thrust chop that leads to a near fall broken up by Shelton . Truth comes in and knocks Benjamin out of the ring and MVP proceeds to toss Truth out of the ring. Fu Naki loads up for the Karate Kid Crane Kick and catches MVP when he turns around with it and gets the pin, much to Fu Naki's own surprise.
-Backstage to Colon Brothers are bickering some more and Primo wants to go up to a girl he sees but Carlito says he's been here longer, so he should get the shot at her. Carlito decides to let his younger brother go first and Primo walks up to, who he thinks is Brie Bella trying to put the moves on her. Bella, who is on her cell phone seems creeped out and blows Primo off. Carlito asks what happened and Primo says he thinks he's in love. The Great Khali and Ranjin Singh come in to the picture and Singh translates to Primo that The Great Khali says Primo has no game. Khali and Singh depart to head to the ring while Primo says that "those guys...are cool" which gets the brothers arguing again.
BREAK
-Khali and Singh make their way out for Khali's Rick Rude impersonation. Singh has a giant back that says "US Mail" (sadly, it didn't read "US Male" and then Curtis Thompson would be revealed to be in it) full of letters that he dumped out in the ring, which he claimed were love letters that have been sent to Khali. To make a long segment short, Singh read two letters, one was from a gay dude (haha! gay humor...oh that WWE), then Sing brought two chicks from the crowd into the ring, one kinda hot, the other morbidly obese. Singh said anyone can kiss the hot one, but it takes a real "Giant" to kiss "that one" (so apparently he was supposed to kiss Barack Obama?!?). Khali kisses the fat girl and we all go home happy...or someone on the writing crew does...I have no idea who though. Had he been asked to run a girls feet, I would have thought David Lagana was rehired...wait what?
BREAK
-Another Kizarny vignette airs (which again could have already aired), this one he says (translated) "The side show is here. Real Fun."
-JR and Tazz run down the main matches for Cyber Sunday.
-Undertaker cuts a backstage tight shot promo about how Vickie and Show think the have sealed his fate at Cyber Sunday, but in fact it is he would will seal theirs' and tonight Triple H will walk with him into the darkness.
BREAK
5. The Brian Kendrick (w/ Ezekiel Jackson) vs. Super Crazy- Crazy comes out with some energy and is apparently angry that he got squashed last week by Zeke. The ref pulls Crazy off of Kendrick who was in the ropes. This allows Kendrick to hit a leg lariat on Crazy and the quickly nail "The Kendrick" for the pin. After the match, Zeke plants Crazy with the ura nage slam for good measure.
BREAK
-Quick video with wrestlers talking about the recent Mexico shows.
6. Triple H vs. The Undertaker- Taker starts out locking on a side headlock and then takes the Game down with a big shoulder tackle. Triple H then locks in a side headlock but gets shoved off and taken down with another shoulder tackle. Deciding that wouldn't work, HHH then kicks Taker in the gut and backs in into the corner with punches. Taker then comes out and tosses HHH into the corner and starts whaling away on him. Taker whips HHH into the far corner and comes running in with a clothesline that sends HHH to the mat and Taker gets a 2 count on the subsequent cover. Undertaker goes to work on HHH's left arm. He applies a hammerlock on the mat, then adds a half nelson into a pinning attempt and gets a 1 count. Taker drops his leg on the arm and goes for another cover, which yields another 2 count. Taker goes for "Old School" but HHH prevents him from getting to the top. Taker is staggered and HHH catches him from behind with a chop block to the left leg. Triple H goes to work on the leg but Taker kicks him off. The both hit the ropes and a double clothesline knocks both men down. They both get back to their feet and trade punches, with Triple H getting more blows in, but HHH sells to the mat when Taker lands a punch. Taker backs HHH into the corner and headbutts him. Taker hits "snake eyes" on HHH, but "fighting spirit" (that's what no selling is called now, right?) allows HHH to get up quickly and hit a big high knee to take Undertaker down and he gets a two count on a pin fall attempt. HHH hits a face buster and goes for the Pedigree but Taker blocks and double legs HHH and then slingshot's him into the corner. Taker the channels Hogan and hits a big boot followed by a leg drop for a near fall. Undertaker goes for "Old School" again, but this time gets crotched (or as Todd Grisham would say, "just got the capital of Thailand ") on the top rope. Triple H superplexes Taker off the top and gets a near fall. Taker gets back to his feet and HHH clotheslines him over the top rope and to the floor but Taker lands on his feet. Undertaker pulls HHH out of the ring and HHH gets sent into the ring steps. Taker hits his leg drop on HHH on the apron and then gets in the ring for a quick cover and a 2 count. Undertaker signals it's over and goes for "The Last Ride" but HHH slides out and hits a neckbreaker coming down, again for a near fall. Taker comes back with his running/leaping clothesline for...you guessed it, a two count. Taker sets up for the choke slam but HHH blocks it with a boot to the gut followed up by a spinebuster for another near fall. Taker sits up and he goes for the chokeslam again and HHH blocks it and goes for the Pedigree, which Taker blocks, who then goes for a tombstone, which HHH blocks. Triple H has Undertake back into the corner and gets on the second rope for the 10 count punches; but after a few shots Taker picks him up and hits the Last Ride. At this point, both men are down so after about 15 minutes of a legit match, here comes the Big Show to cause the DQ. Show goes after Taker and pummels him in the corner with big right and left handed body blows. Triple H has retrieved a chair and hits Show over the back with it, which Show sells...a little. HHH tries to run at Show with the chair but gets caught and chokeslammed. Show then takes the chair and hits Taker in the gut and then over the back with it, before laying him out with a (blocked) chair shot to the head.
BREAK
Back from break we see HHH trying to get up and Ross tells us that Taker had already been able to leave the ring. As replays are shown of Show taking HHH and Undertaker out, Kozlov's music hits and he marches to the ring. Triple H tries to fight him off but Kozlov traps him with the Al Snow headbutts and then hits the running headbutt before laying out the WWE Champion with the slop drop (they need to give Kozlov's finish a name). Kozlov stands over the champion as Ross is left to wonder if HHH stands any chance at Cyber Sunday.
2009 - The following press conference was announced to promote Hulk Hogan's new book, but actually to announce that he had signed with TNA:
HULK HOGAN HOSTS PRESS CONFERENCE AND Q&A FOR FANS TO LAUNCH HIS NEW BOOK "MY LIFE OUTSIDE THE RING"
-The wrestling legend will field questions from wrestling fans about his book, his recent personal struggles, his storied career and the next chapter of his life-
What:
Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea will hold a press conference and extended Question & Answer session for wrestling fans, in celebration of the release of his new book "My Life Outside The Ring" (St. Martin's Press; October 27, 2009; $25.99; 0-312-58889-5).
In "My Life Outside The Ring," Hulk Hogan reveals, for the first time, the private person behind his very public persona-opening up about his childhood, his thirty-year wrestling career and his more recent personal, and much publicized heartbreak.
Where:
Madison Square Garden
Mall Area
7th Ave. & 32nd St.
When:
Tuesday, October 27th
2:00 PM
2009 - The Tri-State Wrestling Alliance, which had not run since 1991, held a reunion show that actually kicked off a new regular series of shows for the promotion, in Voorhees, NJ with the following report filed by Frank Douglas:
Here are the results for the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance reunion show results:
Flyers Skate Zone
Voorhees, NJ
10/24/09
Approximate attendance: 300
Our ring announcer Bob Artese gives a brief history of the TWA..
1. Blue Meanie, Crybaby Waldo & Kid America defeated Cueball Carmichael, Jimmy Cicero & Johnny Calzone.
2. "Hitman" Michael Bruno defeated Don E Allen. After the match Johnny Calzone attacked Bruno until "Hitman" Tony Stetson made the save.
At this point Bob Artese introduces Joel Goodheart who basically announced an 8 man battle royal for the TWA heavyweight title on December 5th in Williamstown, NJ. This brought out Buddy Landel who demanded that he be named the champion since he never lost the title 17 years ago when the TWA folded. Joel Goodheart asks the crowd if Landel should be named the champion and they replied yes. Goodheart went with the crowd and gave the TWA title to Landel. Landel proceeds to call out, Glen Osbourne, his opponent for tonigh. Landel asks Goodheart to make the match between the two a title match. Goodheart then declares that the TWA title will be on the line in their match.
3. Cujo the Hellhound defeated Brian Rancid. Hunter Q. Robbins III was out scouting Cujo.
4. Al Snow defeated Steve Corino w/Rob Dimension after a shot with head.
5. Larry Winters w/Johnny Hotbody defeated Jimmy Jannetty after a cheapshot from Johnny Hotbody. Hunter Q Robbins III was out scouting Larry Winters during the match.
6."Hitman" Tony Stetson defeated Breaker Morant. After the match Morant attacked Stetson's bad knee until "Hitman"Michael Bruno made the save. Johnny Calzone then attacked Bruno until the Hitmen ran off Morant and Calzone. The Hitmen challenged Calzone & Morant to a tag match on December 5th.
7. Glen Osbourne Defeated Buddy Landel w/Matt Rivera to win the TWA Title. Afterwards Landel and Osbourne hugged and Landel raised Osbourne's arm in victory.
Overall the show was family friendly and very enjoyable.
2009 - TNA ran Racine, Wisconsin. Jason Bennett filed the following live report:
Just got back from the TNA Show in Racine, which is about 30 minutes from where I live. Was my first time seeing a TNA event Live, and it was one of the best wrestling shows I've ever been to.
It was held in a old hall in the downtown part of the city, set up for about 500 people on the floor with a additional 250 up on the balcony. All the floor seat where full, and the balcony was prob half full, so all in all about 650 people there. JB was there doing all the announcing, and Earl Hebner was signing autographs during breaks. Anyways on to the results:
Match #1: Kip James VS Alex Shelley. Kip came out to pretty much no pop, and personally I was not happy to see the guy on the card. Shelley came out to a huge pop, and a ton of "Motor City" chants. Match was slow throughout with James pretty much doing holds on Shelley. Actually got started a pretty big "You're a Janitor" chant mid way through the match. Shelley won with a Slice Bread in what was one of the least exciting matches of the night.
Match #2: Kiyoshi VS Shark Boy: Kiy got a ton of heat and a few US chants, all the little kids in the audience where pretty much going crazy for Shark Boy. Fun match though, really fast paced, and Kiyoshi got the win after using the ropes to get the pin fall.
Match #3:ODB VS Allissa Flash: Everyone went crazy for ODB, when Allissa came out I think I was the only one there actually cheering for her. Another solid match with some comedy spots with Hebner grabbing ODB's chest, and ODB spanking Hebner. ODB got the win.
Match #4: Rhino VS Matt Morgan: Rhino came out to a huge pop, and Morgan came out to a few cheers, but nowhere near Rhino's. Rhino got on the Mic, and pretty much ripped on the crowd, still most people where cheering him during this. He laid into the crowd more and eventually he got people to start booing him some. Match was another solid one, with the crowd really getting into Morgan as it went along. Rhino got the pin after a gore on Morgan. Post match he went to take Morgan out again with a chair, but got the carbon footprint again.
Intermission
Match #5: Kiyoshi/Bashir VS Lethal Consequences: Best match of the night and the crowd was really into it. Bashir cut a anti America promo before the match, which resulted in a ton of USA chants. Match had a ton of big spots, with Lethal and Creed doing dives to the floor a few times. LC got the win after a Lethal Combination from Lethal.
Match #6 AJ VS Steiner: Was suppose to be AJ taking on Joe, but Joe came out before the match and said he wasn't medically cleared to wrestle so Steiner would be taking his spot. Both Steiner and AJ came out to huge pops from the crowd. Match was another solid one with both guys hitting a ton of there signature moves. Steiner was great at working the crowd, and he was going to the apron and getting in everyone face. AJ got the pin after a flying foreman.
Overall a awesome show. Crowd was into pretty much everything the whole night, and post show I went and got my picture with AJ in the ring. Took awhile because the majority of the people there ponied up the $20 to do it. Would recommend anyone to see TNA if they come to your area.
2009 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off with a recap of the situation between CM Punk and the Undertaker and the submission match that will take place with all of the participants in Montreal Screwjob II: Straight Edge Boogaloo involved.
We are live on tape from Columbia, South Carolina and your announcers are Jerry ‘Get well soon JR’ Lawler and Michael ‘Congrats on your wedding Todd’ Cole.
Chris Jericho comes out to the ring and we see the face off between Team Raw and Team Smackdown during the scheduled Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho match. Jericho says on Sunday his legendary status will be further cemented because in addition to being one half of the tag team champions and the face of Smackdown, he will be known as the mastermind of Team Smackdown after their crushing victory over Team Raw. Jericho says that his greatness is omnipotent. In order to shut up DX, he needs to tweak his team a little. He wants to know if the men on his team are worthy of standing in the same ring as Chris Jericho. Jericho says that they will prove their dominance at Bragging Rights, just like him and Kane will prove their dominance by beating Rey Mysterio and Batista.
Cryme Tyme’s music plays and JTG comes out and yo yos his way to the ring. He appreciates Jericho’s comments, but he is going to pass tonight. Jericho asks JTG where his partner is and Jericho suggests that maybe Shad is in jail. JTG says that Shad has the flu and he wanted to tell Jericho. Jericho says that it makes him sick that he has to be on the same team as JTG. Shad might have gotten the flu from the parasites and germ incubators, but he does not care. Jericho asks JTG if he knows what kind of an honor it is to be in the ring with him or stand up to his standards.
Before JTG can answer, we get a few Excuse Mes from Vickie Guerrero and she says that as the official consultant for Team Smackdown, it gives her great pleasure to introduce the future of Smackdown and her boyfriend, Eric Escobar. They come to the ring. Eric says that he heard a lot of talk on Monday from DX saying that they don’t know who he is. He says that after he leads his team to victory on Bragging Rights, they will never forget the name Eric Escobar.
Dolph Ziggler comes out and he throws out his own excuse me. He wants to get down to business. If anyone is going to be responsible for Team Smackdown winning, it will be him. He is not going to let anyone screw it up for him. JTG asks Dolph what he knows about winning because he lost his last four Intercontinental Title matches. JTG also talks about Dolph dumping Maria.
Drew McIntyre makes his way to the ring. Drew says that he is the ace up the sleeve because he was personally picked by Vince McMahon and signed. Drew wonders why he wasn’t named captain.
Not to be outdone, Kane comes out to complete the Team. Kane says that as far as he is concerned, none of them deserve to fight next to him. Jericho agrees. Kane says that he advised Chris Jericho that since they are busy with Rey and Batista, the four of them should be busy tonight. Kane asks them if they want to be on the team. Jericho wants to know if they have the tenacity to be on the team and since one of the team members called in sick, he doubts it. Jericho says that they were going to have a ten man tag match since Raw had one, but there is a bigger twist than Monday. If they lose, they will be replaced by their opponents at Bragging Rights.
Match Number One: Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre, JTG, and Eric Escobar versus Matt Hardy, David Hart Smith, Tyson Kidd, Finlay, and R Truth in an Epsenhart Special to be Team Smackdown at Bragging Rights
JTG and Kidd start things off and lock up. JTG with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. JTG with a kick and leap frog leg drop for a near fall. Finlay tags in and puts JTG in a side head lock and hits a shoulder tackle and gets a near fall after briefly working on the arm. Finlay with a European uppercut and clothesline followed by a kick. JTG sends Finlay into his corner and Ziggler tags in and kicks Finlay. Ziggler punches and kicks Finlay but Finlay with a short arm clothesline. Finlay with an Irish whip and shoulder in the corner. Ziggler with a forearm to the back but he misses a splash into the corner and goes to the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Escobar has Finlay in a reverse chin lock and Finlay escapes the hold. Escobar with a clothesline and kick. McIntyre tags in and he punches Finlay in the corner. McIntyre stops Finlay from making the tag and then he kicks Finlay while we see Kane and Jericho watching in the back. Ziggler tags in and he gets a rollup and a near fall. Ziggler with a leaping elbow drop for a near fall. Ziggler with a reverse chin lock as Finlay tries to make the tag. McIntyre tags in and Finlay tries to escape but McIntyre and Ziggler stop him. McIntyre with an elbow and then he tags Ziggler back in. Ziggler returns to the chin lock. Ziggler knocks Truth off the apron but that distraction allows Finlay to tag in Hardy. Hardy with clotheslines and a flapjack for a near fall. Hardy with a slam and then he goes to the turnbuckles for the screaming elbow to the head and he gets a near fall. Hardy with a side effect for a near fall. Escobar breaks up the cover and Finlay comes in and hits a clothesline that sends both men over the top. JTG tags in and he hits the wrap around clothesline. Smith interferes and McIntyre breaks it up and sends Smith to the floor. Kidd tries to interfere but McIntyre back body drops him onto Smith. Truth clotheslines McIntyre over the top rope and he joins Drew on the floor. Escobar sends Hardy into the turnbuckles and JTG waits for Hardy to get up. This gives Finlay enough time to get his shillelagh and use it on JTG’s leg, allowing Hardy to hit the Twist of Fate for the victory.
Winners: Finlay, R Truth, Matt Hardy, Tyson Kidd, and David Hart Smith
CM Punk is in the office with Scott Armstrong and Punk does not think that Scott understands the severity of the situation. Scott says that he does understand the severity of the situation. Scott talks about what this has done to his reputation and his family’s reputation. Punk calls Scott selfish. Teddy Long is also in the room. Punk says that this is about him becoming Straight Edge Champion for the fourth time. Teddy reminds Punk that he is still on probation and he could lose his job, or worse, lose his life over this. Punk has heard enough from them and wonders how they understood what needed to be done in Montreal but they don’t understand it tonight. Scott says that his father taught him that a man is nothing without his good name. Scott leaves the room after telling someone else to do the dirty work. Scott bumps into Vince McMahon and Vince tells Scott that they need to talk.
John Morrison is walking in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and we see Miz facing Marty Jannetty on the last Raw.
As Mike Knox comes to the ring, he gives us an interesting dissertation about the human liver.
Match Number Two: John Morrison versus Mike Knox
Morrison with a side head lock followed by a back elbow and forearm. Morrison with a kick but when he comes off the ropes, he is met with a Knox cross body. Knox with a gutbuster for a near fall. Knox with an Irish whip as he continues to work on the abdominals and then he puts Morrison in an abdominal stretch. Morrison with a rollup for a near fall. Knox misses a punch but Morrison does not miss. Morrison with a clip to the knee and then he returns to punches. Morrison with a leg lariat followed by a Shining Wizard for a near fall. Morrison slides short of the turnbuckles on an Irish whip but he runs into a bicycle kick from Knox. Knox tries for another cross body but Morrison drops down and Knox bounces off the ropes. Morrison hits the split legged corkscrew moonsault on Knox for the three count.
Winner: John Morrison
After the match, John Morrison gets on the mic and he reminds us that he faces his former tag team partner, the Miz at Bragging Rights. While the Miz is trying to prove that he is Shawn Michaels and not Marty Jannetty, Morrison goes through his nicknames and then he poses.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that a lot of photos were viewed in WWE.com?
We are in the interview area and Chris Jericho and Kane stop by to address the members of Team Smackdown Version 2.0. Jericho applauds their performance and says that they are worthy of being on his team. Kane says that they expect them to follow their lead on Sunday. Truth tells Jericho to save the Patton speech. He says that they might not like him, but they respect Jericho. Finlay says that they do not have to question their loyalty. Matt says that they are looking forward to embarrassing Raw on Sunday to show them who the superior team is. Jericho says that is what he wanted to hear from them. Jericho tells everyone to watch him and Kane destroy Batista and Rey Mysterio in the same manner in which they will win on Sunday. Jericho leaves and Kane stays behind to tell them ‘good talk’.
Mae Young and Mickie James are in the back and they are talking. Michelle McCool interrupts the conversation to say hello to Mae. Michelle says that it is good to see Mae, but not so much for Mickie. Michelle says that it is a shame that Mickie didn’t make the Smackdown team for Bragging Rights. Mickie can tell how sincere Michelle is. Michelle tells Mickie that there is always next year. Mickie tries to tell Michelle why she didn’t make the team and Michelle jumps in and says that Beth Phoenix and Natalya are better than her. Mickie says that she knows and they know that Michelle is scared because Mickie would show her up and that she is Michelle’s biggest threat. Mickie says that Michelle knows that she is going to take the title from Michelle. Mickie tells Michelle to break a leg on Sunday. Beth stops by and says that Mae looks great. Beth tells Michelle that she is proud to be a part of Team Smackdown but she tells Michelle not to hold the title so long. Mae tells Michelle that Beth told her. Michelle tells Mae to shut up and Mae slaps Michelle in the face. Michelle walks away.
It is time to take a look at the match between Rey Mysterio and Batista from last week.
We go to the locker room and Batista and Rey are still arguing about whether Batista’s shoulder was up. Rey tells Batista that he watched the Batista DVD with his family and he learned a lot about Batista that he did not know. Batista says that there was something he wishes there was something they would have put on the DVD and that is him winning the World Title for the sixth time at Bragging Rights. Rey and Batista show that they are still BFFs and we go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Rey Mysterio and Batista versus Chris Jericho and Kane
Jericho and Batista start things off and Jericho slaps Batista and Batista responds with a clothesline and gets a near fall. Batista with an Irish whip and Rey is tagged in and Batista Irish whips Rey into Jericho’s yam bag. Rey with a snap leg drop for a near fall. Rey with a forearm and then he hits the drop toe hold that sends Jericho into the ropes. While the referee is dealing with Batista, Kane trips Rey and pulls him to the floor. Batista goes to check on Rey as we go to commercial.
We are back and Kane has Rey on his knee. Kane with an uppercut and then he tags in Jericho. Kane with another back breaker and Jericho kicks Rey in the head. Jericho with a forearm but Rey with a bulldog out of a wheelbarrow position and both men are down. Kane tags in and he knocks Batista down to stop Rey from making the tag. Jericho punches Rey while the referee reminds Batista to stay in the corner. Kane with a snap mare and drop kick for a near fall. Kane with forearms to the upper chest and then he steps on Rey’s head while he tags Jericho back in. Jericho with a delayed vertical suplex and then he gets a near fall. Jericho with a chin lock and he has one of Rey’s arms isolated. Rey gets to his feet but Jericho with a knee and Irish whip. Jericho gets Rey up for a power bomb, but Rey is able to send Jericho to the floor with a rana. Rey crawls to the corner and he makes the tag and Kane is in as well. Batista punches Kane and then hits a running clothesline into the corner after an Irish whip. Kane misses a splash into the corner and Batista with a flying shoulder tackle. Batista with the spinebuster and it is time to shake the ropes. Batista sets for the Batista Bomb but Jericho with an enzuigiri. Jericho gets a spinebuster from Batista but Kane with a big boot to the head. Kane sends Batista shoulder first into the ring post. Kane sets for the choke slam but Rey takes one for the team. Batista with a spear for the three count.
Winners: Batista and Rey Mysterio
After the match, Batista checks on his little buddy to see if he is okay.
We are in Vince’s office and he is talking to Scott Armstrong while Punk watches intently and Teddy looks like he is there against his will. Vince says that he is excited about the title match. Punk is happy too. Vince says that he is proud of Punk’s accomplishments. Vince tells Teddy that he is proud of this match and gives Teddy a gold star. Vince wants an impartial referee to do their jobs. Vince says that you can smell the change in the air like something is going to happen and is imminent. Vince mentions Wrestlemania and what starts here ends at Wrestlemania. Vince mentions Fan Axess and the Hall of Fame during Wrestlemania weekend. Vince tells Scott that he is thinking about having Scott’s father Bullet Bob Armstrong in the Hall of Fame. Vince thanks everyone for their contribution to the title match tonight. Scott says that he is ready, but his eyes are saying something else. We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Mickie James versus Layla
They lock up and Mickie with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Mickie with a drop kick for a near fall. Layla throws Mickie to the floor but Mickie trips Layla. Mickie goes up top and Layla with a snap mare by the hair and Layla gets a near fall. Layla with knees to the back while we see Michelle watching from the back. Layla with a rollup for a near fall and Mickie with a rollup of her own. Mickie with a forearm but Layla with a side slam. Layla slaps Mickie in the head but Mickie slaps back. Mickie with forearms and a clothesline or two followed by a running back elbow. Mickie with a neck breaker for a near fall. Layla with a knee but she misses a kick. Mickie with a Thesz Press and punches. Mickie with a back kick for the three count.
Winner: Mickie James
Michael Cole makes reference to the song ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ and that leads to some comments about the late Captain Lou Albano. We go to the video package paying tribute to Lou Albano.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a video package to remind us why John Cena and Randy Orton will be meeting in an Iron Man Match on Sunday night.
Cole and Lawler are in the ring to run through the card for Bragging Rights.
CM Punk says that he cannot explain how empowering it is when he walks into the arena like this one when he knows that he can dissect and beat down everyone. He knows that he could reduce everyone at home to tears in the blink of an eye. All of that does not add up to how he feels when he makes the Undertaker tap out for the second time. Punk looks at Scott Armstrong after that comment. Punk says that he knows that everyone thinks that the Undertaker might be able to come up with some dark miracle to win, but he can’t and he won’t. Punk says that his bragging rights start tonight when he becomes the Straight Edge champion one more time. Punk says that there is not a thing that anyone can do about it.
Match Number Five: CM Punk versus Undertaker in a Submission Match for the World Title
Taker reluctantly gives referee Scott Armstrong the belt as he gives Scott ‘the look’.
Taker with a punch that knocks Punk to the mat. Taker with punches in the corner and then he works on the arm. Taker with a slam but he misses an elbow. Punk tries for the Anaconda Vice but Taker escapes the hold. We go to commercial.
We are back and Taker throws Punk over the top rope and follows after him. Taker throws Punk into the ring bell pit. Taker sends Punk into the announce table and then connects with a forearm across the chest. Taker slams Punk’s head into the ring steps and then they return to the ring. Punk moves out of the way when Taker tries for a big boot in the ropes. Punk with an enzuigiri to Taker on the floor and then he slams Taker’s head into the ring steps. Punk Irish whips Taker into the ring steps and Taker hits them with his knees. Punk with kicks to the head. Punk tries for the springboard clothesline but Taker grabs him by the throat. Punk escapes the hold with a kick. Taker and Punk with punches and then they exchange head butts and more punches with Taker gaining the advantage. Taker with an Irish whip and splash in the corner. Taker with snake eyes and a running boot and a vintage leg drop. Taker tries for Hell’s Gate but Punk is able to escape the attempt. Taker slams Punk’s head into the turnbuckles. Taker goes Old School but Teddy Long rises from his seat and that allows Punk to pull Taker from the turnbuckles. Punk with a running knee into the corner followed by a bulldog. Punk wants the chair from Teddy Long but Teddy hesitates to give it to Punk and Teddy gives it to the referee. Punk takes the chair but he charges into the corner and Taker kicks the chair into Punk’s face. Taker choke slams the referee for his chair conspiracy. Teddy Long has the urge to go to the back and Taker signals that he is finished. Punk hits Taker in the ribs and back with the chair. Punk hits Taker in the head with the chair. Punk tries to wake up the referee and then Punk tells Teddy to get another referee. Punk puts Taker in the Anaconda Vice and Teddy wants them to ring the bell. We have another referee and Taker is able to put Punk in the Hell’s Gate and Punk taps out.
Winner: The Undertaker
Match Number Three: World Title Match: Undertaker versus CM Punk versus Rey Mysterio versus Batista
The bell rings and Punk goes after Rey and leaves the ring. Batista runs after Punk and Taker clotheslines Batista as they re-enter. Punk with forearms to Taker and kicks in the corner. Taker tosses Punk over the top rope to the floor and Rey with a seated senton onto Punk. Batista punches Taker and Taker with a leaping clothesline. Rey kicks Taker in the legs and then hits a springboard drop kick that sends Taker over the top rope to the floor. Taker returns to the ring and hits a big boot on Rey. Taker slams Batista’s head into the turnbuckles and then he works on Batista’s arm. Taker goes up for Old School and hits it. Taker tries to go Old School on Rey but Punk pulls Taker down. Punk throws Rey under the bottom rope to the floor. Punk tries for a superplex but he head butts Punk off the turnbuckles. Punk with a punch and he hits a superplex. Rey with a springboard splash but Punk pulls Rey up and throws Rey under the bottom rope again. Batista punches Punk and hits a clothesline. Batista with a clothesline into the corner followed by a power slam. Batista shakes the ropes and turns around into a big boot. Rey tries for a rana off the turnbuckles and Taker tries for Last Ride but Batista with a spear. Rey and Batista’s eyes meet and they do absolutely nothing until Taker sits up.
Taker grabs Rey but Batista sends Taker into the ropes. Rey with a 619 and Batista with a spinebuster for a near fall but Punk breaks it up. Rey with a forearm to Punk and then Rey tries for a springboard move but Punk hits Go To Sleep but Batista breaks up the cover. Taker puts Batista in Hell’s Gate but Punk breaks up the hold and makes the save. Punk punches Taker and then kicks Batista. Punk with the running knee into the corner, but he spends too much time on the turnbuckles and Taker hits Last Ride on Punk and Batista breaks up the cover.
Taker and Batista with punches back and forth as the crowd cheers and boos. Taker with a choke slam for a two count. Punk punches Taker but Taker grabs Punk by the throat. Punk with kicks to Taker. Taker throws Punk over the top rope to the floor. Taker signals that it is all over and he tries to get Batista up for the Tombstone. Batista hits the Batista Bomb on Taker but Rey breaks up the cover and Rey covers Taker. Batista breaks up the cover by Rey. Batista and Rey yell at each other while the match is still going on. Batista throws Rey down and then Taker hits the choke slam on Batista. Taker gets a two count on Batista in a very lax cover. Taker waits for Batista to get up and we have no sign of Punk or Rey. Taker tries for another choke slam and Batista escapes. Batista and Taker with clotheslines to each other. Punk with a near fall on Batista followed by one on Taker. Batista throws Punk out of the ring. Batista catches Rey and throws him onto Punk. Taker hits the Tombstone on Batista for the three count.
Winner: Undertaker
2010 - NBC's The Marriage Ref series began looking for wrestling fan couples to appear on the show, although it never happened.
2010 - The Undertaker was interviewed by MMA reporter Ariel Helwani after Brock Lesnar's loss to Cain Velasquez. Lesnar, who was circling the Octagon heading to the back, exchanged glances with Taker, who asked him if he wanted to "do this." Fans immediately assumed this was a tease for a Wrestlemania match between the two, but the reality was there was nothing to it. TMZ.com spoke to UFC President Dana White regarding WWE's interest in having Brock Lesnar work Wrestlemania 27. White commented, "Brock Lesnar is still under contract with the UFC ... he is not going to wrestle in the WWE. He cannot wrestle, box or fight anywhere else." After seeing the attention, WWE would reach out to Dana White about the idea but he would shoot it down.
2010 - Perry Saturn made his first appearance within the wrestling world in years, visiting backstage at the WWE Bragging Rights PPV. Saturn, who had been dealing with drug issues, would begin making wrestling appearances again later in the year and would return to the ring in October 2011 at the AWE Night of the Legends PPV.
2010 - WWE presented the second and final Bragging Rights PPV. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:
Matt Striker, Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler opened up the show. They showed the grave set up near the entrance stage for the Buried Alive match.
Blackjack Lanza, Wild Bill Irwin and Perry Saturn (yes, Perry Saturn) are all visiting at the show. Irwin is a regular at the events in Minnesota. This may be the first time Saturn has been at a wrestling show since departing WWE.
Vickie Guerrero came out on the stage to introduce Dolph Ziggler.
WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION DOLPH ZIGGLER with Vickie Guerrero vs. WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPION DANIEL BRYAN
A chant for Bryan began as soon as the bell rang. They locked up with Ziggler taking Bryan to the mat, but Bryan reversed it and went for an anklelock. Ziggler scrambled out of the ring to escape. Bryan went for the LeBell Lock but Ziggler again went to the floor. Bryan nailed a running knee dive over Guerrero to take out Ziggler.
Back in the ring, Bryan nailed him with a dropkick in the corner but was quickly taken down by Ziggler, who scored several near falls. Ziggler began measuring Bryan for punches and kicks. The crowd began chanting for Bryan to rally him. Ziggler set up Bryan for a neckbreaker but Bryan slipped out and went for a backslide, getting a two count.
Ziggler nailed Bryan with an inverted bodyslam for a two count, then cinched in a rear chinlock. Bryan began working his way out, using several elbows but was cut off and hit with a rolling snapmare by Ziggler.
Ziggler nailed an elbow on Bryan, then scissored him with his legs, trying to force a submission. Bryan fought his way out, then kicked Ziggler coming out of a charge. Bryan went for a running dropkick in the corner but Ziggler moved and Bryan crashed and burned. Ziggler covered him for a two count with Bryan barely getting out.
Ziggler continued working over Bryan, getting several near falls. Ziggler used a Fireman’s Carry into a throw for a two count. Ziggler scissored Bryan again with his legs, pulling him into a submission attempt. Bryan finally fought his way up.
Ziggler missed a splash in the corner and was drilled with a series of kicks to the chest and face. Bryan backflipped to avoid a charge out of the corner then nailed Ziggler with a running leg lariat to the face for a two count. Bryan whipped Ziggler into the ropes but put his head down and was kicked. Ziggler rebounded off the ropes but Bryan caught him with a kick to the head, then nailed a missile dropkick across the ring for a two count.
Zigger tried to sneak out a pin with a rollup but Bryan kicked out. Ziggler drilled Bryan and scored another two count. Ziggler went for the ZigZag but Bryan held onto the ropes. Bryan kicked Ziggler and scored another two count.
Bryan, holding his neck, went to the top rope but was cut off and crotched by Ziggler. Ziggler went up for a superplex but Bryan slipped out underneath and shoved Ziggler’s feet out from under him. Bryan nailed a top rope belly to back suplex but Ziggler turned in mid-air and crashed atop of him, scoring a two count. Bryan kicked out and rolled right through into a pinfall attempt for another two count.
Ziggler went for the sleeperhold but Bryan slipped out. Each man rebounded off the ropes and collided in mid-air with high cross bodyblock attempts. They exchanged strikes and headcutts before going into a great series of pinfall attempts and reversals.
Ziggler finally nailed the ZigZag but Bryan got his feet on the ropes, breaking the count. Ziggler argued with the referee, then locked on a sleeper. Bryan fought to get to the ropes before it could be effectively locked in but failed. Ziggler locked it in but Bryan finally made it to the ropes.
Ziggler lost his cool and began trash talking Bryan, who caught him in the LeBell Lock and forced him to tap out.
Your winner, WWE United States champion Daniel Bryan!
An absolutely excellent back and forth opener to kick off the night. This really was a fun match.
Ziggler and Guerrero argued with the referee to no avail.
Backstage. Miz and Alex Riley were watching the monitor and Miz took credit for the win, pointing out that Bryan learned everything he knew from being Miz’s Rookie. Miz said that as long as everyone listens to him, Raw will be triumphant because he’s the captain. Sheamus and CM Punk took umbrage to that and all three began arguing. Santino Marella tried to calm everyone down and asked where the snacks and beverages were. Miz said that he said there might be snacks. Punk said that he just came from Smackdown and no one knows them better than him, so if anyone is going to be giving orders, it’s him. Sheamus said that if anyone gets in his way tonight, he’s going to kick their heads in. Miz said that he didn’t care if they didn’t like anyone else on the team, they were all united for one goal and they would win because they are awesome. Punk said some of them are, and walked off. Alex Riley told Miz he had to get the team together because they were all on different pages. Miz smiled and said that everyone is exactly where they need to be, because “where there is order, there is opportunity.”
WWE Tag Team champions Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes came to the ring. Rhodes said that the PPV was perfectly named because no one has more to brag about than them. McIntyre said that since becoming the champions a month ago, they have absolutely dominated everyone from Raw and Smackdown. He said that they have a dilemma in that no one wants to face them since everyone is scared of them. Drew said that he doesn’t blame them.
The Raw GM Email went off, which Michael Cole read. Cole said there was a team from Raw worthy of challenging them for the tag team belts. Drew and Cody said that he wanted to see who they were. The Nexus’ theme played and out came Wade Barrett.
Barrett said that tonight was the biggest night in the history of the Nexus because he was just minutes away from becoming the next WWE champion, then introduces the challengers, John Cena and David Otunga. He mentions that he has ordered John Cena “not to fail” in bringing home the Tag Team championships.
WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS DREW MCINTYRE & CODY RHODES VS. THE NEXUS’ JOHN CENA & DAVID OTUNGA
Otunga and Rhodes start off. The champions quickly trap Otunga in their corner and tag in and out, working over Otunga. Drew gets a quick cover and the champions double suplex Otunga. Otunga escapes and tags Cena in.
Cena holds Cody for a hesitation suplex, scoring a two count. Otunga wanted to be tagged in and Cena ignored it, so they had words, allowing Drew to tag in and attack Cena from behind. Cena was beaten down by Drew and Cody. Cody stomped away at Cena in the corner. Drew tagged in and began stomping away on Cena. Cena began firing back but was caught with a facebuster for a two count.
Rhodes tagged in and tied up Cena with a hammerlock, using his legs for leverage, then cinched in a chinlock. Nice unique move. Cena powered his way up to his feet and dropped backwards. Cena came back with a series of shoulderblocks on Rhodes and clotheslined Drew. Cena did the “You Can’t See Me” to Otunga and went for the five knuckle shuffle on Drew.
Cody broke it up. Cena backdropped Drew over the top, not knowing Cody had just tagged in. Cena grabbed him in an STF and submitted Rhodes.
Your winners and new WWE Tag Team champions John Cena and David Otunga!
Otunga celebrated with both belts, with the story being that he had hardly done anything in the match. Cena grabbed Otunga and drilled him with the Attitude Adjustment, then walked out with both belts.
The match was decent, but nothing you would need to go out of your way to see. The storyline was the more important aspect with the idea that Cena just trapped himself as champion.
They aired a Knucklehead promo. I think its playing in ONE market as of tonight.
The announcers reviewed the recent Goldust vs. Ted DiBiase feud.
Josh Mathews interviewed Ted DiBiase, asking him how he planned to get his Million Dollar championship back. Maryse began cutting a promo in French, but DiBiase asked her to stop. DiBiase said that Goldust is weird and he doesn’t like him. He said that he gives Goldust credit for what he pulled in to steal the championship, but tonight, he’s going to be direct about it. He said he’s going to beat Goldust, get the title back and then have Goldust’s NXT girlfriend deported.
TED DIBIASE (with Maryse) vs. GOLDUST (with Aksana)
They were pushing the Goldust-Aksana wedding on NXT on commentary. They started out fast, going back and forth, until Goldust clotheslined DiBiase over the top to the floor. Goldust went to the top but was cut off. DiBiase drilled him with a series of rights and dropkicked him for a two count.
DiBiase took Goldust to the mat, locking in a rear chinlock. Goldust fought his way back to his feet but was cut off with a clothesline. DiBiase drilled him with several kneedrops. The crowd began chanting for Goldust. DiBiase began setting up for the Dreamstreet, working on Goldust’s back.
DiBiase kicked Goldust down for another two count. He rode Dust back to the mat. Goldust fought him off and both men went down after a double clothesline.
Goldust drilled DiBiase with a right hand and a cloithesline. DiBiase went for a backdrop but Goldust dropped down and punched him, then nailed a bulldog for a two count. Goldust missed a high cross bodyblock when DiBiase ducked, sending Dust flying through the ropes to the floor.
DiBiase was caught with a punch as he reached for Goldust. Dust went to the top rope but waqs caught with a dropkick as Dust came off the ropes for a two count. DiBiase whipped him into the corner and charged but was caught with a scoop slam for a two count.
DiBiase reversed a whip into a DreamStreet attempt but Goldust escaped. DiBiase caught him with a spinebuster for a two count. They went back and forth until they collided in mid-air.
Maryse attacked Aksana outside the ring and tossed her into the ring. Aksana didn’t try to defend herself. Goldust went to check on her, allowing DiBiase to attack him from behind. DiBiase nailed the Dreamstreet and scored the pin.
Your winner, Ted DiBiase!
Aksana attacked Marsye when she went to take the Million Dollar championship and ran her off. DiBiase approached her and she flirted with him and acted like she was going to kiss him. Allowing Goldust to attack and lay out DiBiase. So, Goldust walked out with the Million Dollar belt.
Solid match. I enjoyed it.
Bryan Danielson and Ziggler are both trending on Twitter currently.
LayCool came out and cut a promo, saying that it was fitting that Natalya had a title shot in Minnesota since they both had lame accents. They promised to beat Natalya faster than the time it takes to delete the text messages Brett Farve sends them.
WWE DIVAS CHAMP LAYLA EL VS. NATALYA
Natalya started off strong, even holding Layla up for a long hesitation suplex, doing a few squats before dropping her. Natalya got sent out of the ring. She nailed McCool when McCool got too close. Back in the ring, Layla locked in a submission but Natalya escaped and suplexed Layla.
Natalya took control until being kicked in the face as she charged Layla in the corner. Natalya naikled a discus clothesline and went for the Sharpshooter but Layla pulled herself out of the ring, grabbed her belt and tried to walk out with McCool.
Natalya laid out McCool and dragged Layla back to the ring. As the referee tossed her belt out of the ring, McCool kicked Natalya in the face. Layla scored the pin.
Your winner and still Divas champion, Layla El!
Short but entertaining.
Michael Cole did a voiceover showing the Mall of America since they were in Minnesota. He said to Jerry Lawler that he was there earlier today and Lawler told him that wasn't true as he had a problem with his flight getting to the show as the plane went on fire.
Josh Mathews, standing in the grave, pushed the Buried Alive match.
David Otunga is now trending on twitter. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not, because if people are talking about the PPV online or following it online, that doesn’t necessarily mean they BOUGHT the PPV.
WWE WORLD CHAMPION KANE with Paul Bearer VS. THE UNDERTAKER: BURIED ALIVE MATCH
Taker attacked Kane in the aisle and they brawled with Taker controlling him early. Taker slammed Kane’s head into the ring steps. Fans began chanting for Undertaker early. He whipped Kane into the guard rail, then slammed him backward into the barricade.
Taker ripped the top section of the ring steps off and slammed Kane into the bottom piece, then tossed him into the ring. There was a loud “We want blood” chant, which the announcers ignored. Kane scrambled back outside and into the crowd trying to escape. Undertaker followed but was caught with a right hand. Taker chased Kane into the crowd and towards the production area. They battled on stairs leading to the arena’s second level.
Back on the Arena floor, Taker continued the assault before being cut off with a kick to the gut. Taker battled back with strikes, dragging Kane back into the ringside area. Taker began throwing chairs into the ring. He set up Kane on the apron for a guillotine legdrop, then began preparing the announcer’s table for more carnage.
They brawled around ringside and back into the stairs towards the second level. They battled back to the ring. Kane grabbed a chair and nailed Undertaker with it in the gut. He nailed Taker with it over the back. He choked Taker with the chair before slamming it in Taker’s gut.
Kane grabbed Taker and nailed him with a pair of chokeslams. He began dragging Taker out of the ring. He pulled Taker to the floor, nailing Taker with an uppercut before carrying Taker over his shoulder towards the grave. Taker slipped out from behind and nailed a big right hand of his own.
Kane and Taker slugged it out in the aisle. Undertaker finally got the better of it, laying out Kane. Taker continued the beating as Kane staggered towards some production equipment. Kane retreated towards the mound of dirt containing the gravesite.
Taker grabbed Kane by the throat but Kane threw dirt in Taker’s eyes, blinding him. Kane began dragging Taker to the grave but Taker sat up and locked in the Hell’s Gate submission. Kane tapped out on the grass but that didn’t count. Paul Bearer made his way to Kane and Taker as Kane was choked out. Taker began rolling Kane into the grave and succeeded.
Bearer hid behind the gravestone but Taker spotted him. Taker grabbed him and shoved Bearer’s face into a mound of dirt. He then grabbed Paul to toss him in the grave but The Nexus (sans John Cena) hit the scene and tried to attack Taker. Taker fought them off but was soon overwhelmed. Kane recovered as this was going down.
Kane nailed Taker with Paul Bearer’s urn, sending him into the grave. Wade Barrett and Heath Slater grabbed shovels and began burying Taker. Kane screamed at them to leave. Kane used “his powers” to set off fire and a dump truck dropped a ton of dirt into the grave.
Your winner and still World champion, Kane!
The lights went out and lightning struck the grave. The Undertaker’s symbol appeared on the gravestone. The announcers pushed it as if Kane had crushed Undertaker by dropping tons of dirt on him.
Of their recent PPV matches, this was the best of them. They put this together smartly, having them battle in the crowd and out of the ring instead of doing a straight-forward brawl. The style of match is all about the over the top nature of the gimmick and it worked here.
Josh Mathews interviewed Randy Orton and asked him if he was worried about John Cena costing him the title tonight. Orton said that Cena is confused right now but if he interferes, Randy is going to “drop him.”
ELIMINATION BOUT FOR WWE BRAGGING RIGHTS TROPHY: TEAM RAW’S THE MIZ & CM PUNK & SHEAMUS & R TRUTH & SANTINO MARELLA & JOHN MORRISON & EZEKIEL JACKSON (with Alex Riley) vs. TEAM SMACKDOWN’S BIG SHOW & REY MYSTERIO & EDGE & ALBERTO DEL RIO & TYLER REKS & JACK SWAGGER & KOFI KINGSTON (with Hornswoggle)
Tyler Reks and John Morrison started the bout, going back and forth early. Morrison blocked a kick and took down Reks for a near fall. Reks shoulderblocked Morrison down and began drilling him with shots to the mid-section. Morrison nailed a jawbreaker and nailed a spinning kick. He tagged in Santino Marella. The pair set up Reks for a Morrison dropkick. Santino went for the Cobra but Reks killed him and nailed the Burning Hammer scoring the pin.
Santino Marella has been eliminated from Team Raw.
Ezekiel Jackson hit the ring and nailed Reks with a back elbow. Jackson had Reks outmatched on power, so Big Show tagged in. Jackson caught him with several punches but Show drilled him down with shots to the back. Show beat down Jackson, then tagged in Rey. Rey nailed a springboard legdrop for a two count. Kofi Kingston tagged in but was overpowered by Jackson.
Sheamus tagged in and beat down Kingston with a slam. Sheamus began peppering Kofi with a series of shots to the chest. Kingston avoided a kick and nailed a bodyblock for a two count. Kingston nailed the Boom Drop and set up for the Trouble in Paradise. Sheamus avoided it but was nailed with the S.O.S. for a two count. Sheamus got to the ropes to break it up. Kofi went to the ropes but was caught up on the turnbuckles. Sheamus nailed the High Cross and scored the pin.
Kofi Kingston has been eliminated from Team Smackdown.
Mysterio began attacking Sheamus with a series of punches but was killed. CM Punk tagged in and the crowd started chanting his name. Punk worked over Rey. He whipped Rey into the corner but Rey kicked him off. Punk drilled Rey and covered him for a two count, then tagged in Sheamus. Sheamus clotheslined Rey for a two count. Punk tagged in and the crowd chanted for him again. Apparently there are a lot of Chicagoans in Minnesota.
Del Rio tagged in but Punk tricked him into taking out Rey and knocking him off the apron. Del Rio took out Punk, then attacked Rey and threw his own partner into the barricade. Show was angry, screaming at Del Rio for what he did. Officials took Rey out of the ringside area. Del Rio controlled Punk, then tagged in Swagger, who suplexed Punk.
Punk finally made a tag to Morrison, who worked over Swagger in a corner. Morrison hit a Flash Kick on Swagger for a two count. Swagger rolled up Morrison for a two count. Morrison came back with a sunset flip for a two count. Morrison went for head scissors but was caught and nailed with an over the shoulder slam for a two count. Morrison came back with Starship Pain for the pin.
Jack Swagger has been eliminated from Team Smackdown.
Reks attacked Morrison and began wearing him down on the mat. Morrison flipped out, kicking Reks down. Sheamus tagged in and whipped Reks into the corner but kicked off Sheamus. Lawler asked Striker how big of a star he is on Smackdown and Striker responded, “I’m sorry, I didn’t get to book my own territory.” Sheamus nailed the Brouge Kick and pinned Reks.
Tyler Reks has been eliminated from Team Smackdown,
Show went after Sheamus. They brawled to the outside and both were counted out.
Big Show was eliminated from Team Smackdown.
Sheamus was eliminated from Team Raw.
R Truth and Edge went back and forth. Truth flipped his way out of an Edge charge and nailed his sequence to take out Edge. Killings missed a kick and was speared by Edge, then pinned.
R Truth has been eliminated from Team Raw.
Edge and Morrison went back and forth until Edge speared him as well.
John Morrison has been eliminated from Team Raw.
Punk went for the GTS but Edge escaped and kicked him. Edge went for the spear but missed. Del Rio tagged himself in and attacked Punk. Del Rio went for his finisher but Punk slipped out and nailed a backslide for the pin.
Alberto Del Rio has been eliminated from Team Smackdown, leaving Edge vs. Team Raw. As Del Rio left, Mysterio attacked him in the aisle and returned to the ring.
Edge dropkicked Punk down and went to make the tag to the “one armed” Rey, but Miz caught off Edge and worked him over. A “Miz is awesome” chant started, which the announcers pointed out. Miz , Jackson and Punk worked over Edge in the Raw corner.
Jackson used his power to smother Edge into the mat. He worked over Edge and tagged in Miz, who nailed Edge with a kick to the head. Miz locked in a side chinlock on Edge. Miz nailed a knee to the back, then a neckbreaker for a two count.
Punk tagged in and began stomping the hell out of Edge. Mysterio finally made the hot tag to Mysterio, who took out Punk with a springboard Thesz Press. Mysterio nailed a springboard cross bodyblock for a two count. Punk whipped him into the corner. Rey went up and over but was caught for a GTS attempt. Rey rolled him through for a pin attempt, setting up a nice back and forth pinfall attempt sequence. Rey finally set Punk up in the ropes and scored the 619 for the pin.
CM Punk was eliminated from Team Raw.
Jackson immediately went after Rey, killing him with his power moves. Mysterio stunned Jasckson with a kick in the corner as he charged. Jackson shrugged it off and continued his assault on Mysterio. Mysterio kicked out Jackson’s knee and went for the 619 but Jackson recovered and shoulderblocked Rey. He grabbed Rey, who pulled him down into a DDT. Rey nailed the 619 on Jackson and a springboard splash for the pin.
Ezekiel Jackson has been eliminated from Team Raw.
Miz immediately attacked Rey. Rey set up for the 619 but Alex Riley tripped him in full view of the referee. Rey set up Miz again but Riley grabbed Miz and took the shot instead. Miz drilled Rey into the mat and scored a two count. Miz went for the Skull Crushing Finale but Rey rolled through, allowing Edge, who recovered after a long time on the floor, speared Miz and scored the pin.
For the second straight year, your winners, Team Smackdown!
Fun back and forth match. I really enjoyed this one a lot, especially the last few minutes. Having the guys wrestle in t-shirts was silly, but beyond that, they did a nice job with the booking, giving Reks and Jackson some strong spots before their eliminations, pushing the Mysterio-Del Rio issues, using Rey as the ultimate sympathetic underdog, positioning Edge as a strong babyface by having him save the day for the team when they were outgunned, and protecting monsters like Show and Sheamus with the only eliminations that weren't "clean." The wrestling ranged from OK to good but the overall story was very, very good.
WWE CHAMPION RANDY ORTON vs. WADE BARRETT (with John Cena)
Barrett took the mic and told Cena that if he didn’t “win the match”, he would be firing Cena tonight.
Orton took control early, nailing Barrett with punches, elbows and whipping him into the corner. Fans were chanting “Fire Cena.” Barrett tossed Orton to the floor, in front of Cena. Cena and Orton just stared at each other. Barrett was mad Cena didn’t take advantage.
Back in the ring, Barrett caught Orton with a kick to the gut and beat him down in the corner. Orton fought his way out and caught Barrett with a clothesline. Orton nailed a high kneedrop for a two count. Barrett came back with a number of strikes and kicks.
Barrett and Cena again had words outside when Cena didn’t nail Orton, allowing Orton to nail Barrett from behind. Orton tossed him back in the ring and scored a two count. Orton cinched in a tight side chinlock. Orton nailed a belly to back suplex. Barrett went to the floor. Orton followed and they battled, leading to Orton being whipped into the ring steps.
Back in the ring, Barrett covered Orton for a two count. He worked over Orton and nailed a flying elbow off the middle ropes for another two count. Very slow, methodical bout so far. Barrett nailed Orton in the head for a two count.
Barrett continued to work over Orton, including beating him on the outside, before tossing him back in for several near falls. Barrett wore down Orton on the mat with a rear chinlock. Cena walked around outside, looking sad and downtrodden. Orton made his way to his feet but Barrett cut him off. He went for a pump handle slam but Orton slipped out and nailed several right hands and a dropkick. A dazed Barrett rolled to the outside.
Orton pulled him into the ring for the hanging DDT but Orton was shoved backwards into the referee, who was bumped down. Barrett clotheslined Orton and demanded Cena get up on the apron. Orton nailed Barrett, who knocked Cena off into the apron. Orton went after Barrett but the other members of Nexus hit the ring and began beating Orton, taking him apart.
The fans began chanting for Cena, who went after the other members of Nexus as Barrett drilled Cena with a big boot. Barrett began screaming at Cena, who told him that if he gets disqualified, you will lose. Barrett ordered him out of the ring as the referee returned . Orton slipped out of Barrett’s finisher and began working over Barrett. Orton drilled him with the hanging DDT off the ropes and set up for the RKO.
Cena hit the ring and attacked Wade Barrett, hitting him with the Attitude Adjustment.
Your winner by DQ, Wade Barrett!
So, Orton retains the belt and Barrett “wins the match” so Cena can’t be fired.
Orton looked at Cena in shock, then nailed him with the RKO to get the big pop, then nailed another on Barrett.
The main event was decent, but nothing blowaway. Again, the storyline of the Nexus-Cena storyline was played as more important than what was going on in the ring, since that’s the long term focus.
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