November 6th
On this day in history in ....
1989 - Jerry Lawler defeats The Soultaker (Papa Shango/Kama/Godfather) for the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee to begin his third reign (of an eventual 27) as champion.
1994 - AAA hold their one (and to date only) North American Pay-per-view event, "When Worlds Collide". The show was held in conjunction with the IWC promotion, and was advertised on WCW broadcasts in the weeks leading to the event. Hosted in English by Mike Tenay & Chris Cruise (there was also a Spanish language version available), it allowed Lucha Libre it's first chance to impress a wider audience in the U.S. To date, some feel that this is the best PPV, bout for bout, ever. The event was held in Los Angeles, California at the Sports Arena, drawing a live crowd of 13,000. Here are the results:
- Mascarita Sagrada & Octagoncito defeated Espectrito & Jerrito Estrada when Sagrada pinned Espectrito with a moonsault.
- Fuerza Guerrera, Madonna's Boyfriend (Louie Spicolli), & Psicosis defeated Rey Misterio Jr., Heavy Metal, & Latin Lover when Guerrera forced Metal to submit to a reverse hammerlock.
- Pegasus Kid (Chris Benoit), 2 Cold Scorpio & Tito Santana defeated Jerry Estrada, La Parka & Blue Panther when Pegasus pinned Panther with a rana.
- Octagon & El Hijo del Santo defeated Love Machine (Art Barr) & Eddy Guerrero in three falls in a Mask vs. Hair match. The rules of the match (which were pretty much unheard of on U.S. shows) was that each fall was essentially an elimination match, not ending until both members of a team had been defeated.
* In the first fall, Guerrero pinned Santo at the 3:38 mark with a rana, and Love Machine pinned Octagon with a frog splash at the 4:04 mark.
* In the second fall, Guerrero pinned Santo with a top rope rana, Octagon pinned Guerrero with a rana at the 8:49 mark, and Octagon forced Machine to submit with an Octopus at the 8:58 mark.
* In the final fall, Love Machine pinned Octagon at the 14:16 mark with a tombstone piledriver. Octagon was then taken from the ring on a stretcher. Santo pinned Machine at the 16:53 mark after Blue Panther ran in and gave Barr a tombstone piledriver. Santo pinned Guerrero at the 19:20 mark by reversing a dragon suplex attempt into a forward rollup to win the match. As a result, Love Machine and Guerrero had their heads shaved. Sadly, this would be Art Barr's last match, as he passed away a short time later. Many feel, to this day, that this is one of the best matches to ever air on PPV.
- Perro Aguayo defeated Konnan in a Steel Cage match by escaping the cage after a double footstomp. The match saw interference from Eddie Guerrero and Madonna's Boyfriend (for Konnan) and The Dynamite Brothers (for Aguayo).
1995 - Ahmed Johnson defeats Jerry Lawler for the USWA Unified Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee to end Lawler's 21st reign with the belt.
1998 - The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh & D-Von, now known as Team 3D) defeat Masato Tanaka & Balls Mahoney for the ECW World Tag Team Title in New York, starting their fifth title reign, and breaking the record for most ECW Tag Title reigns (Public Enemy had four). The Dudleys would eventually hold the championship on eight separate occasions.
2000 - Bull Buchanan & The Goodfather defeat The Hardy Boyz for the WWF Tag Team Title in Houston, Texas, ending their third title reign.
2000 - Crowbar defeats Reno for the WCW Hardcore Title in Chicago, Illinois.
2002 - Jerry Lynn defeats AJ Styles for the NWA:TNA X Division Title in Nashville, Tennessee, ending Styles' second reign and starting Lynn's second run with the title.
2005 - Joey Styles makes his debut as Raw Play-by-play announcer during an edition of the show from Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Unfortunately, he and color commentators Jonathan Coachman and Jerry Lawler kept referring to the upcoming Survivor Series as the 21st annual event, when in truth it was going to be the 19th edition of the PPV.
2006 - WWE signed TJ Wilson, who would debut as Tyson Kidd on the main roster.
2006 - WWE broadcast Cyber Sunday. Buck Woodward filed the following PPV report:
The pre-show was the usual pre-taped "Free For All", just plugging the different matches and possible stipulations.
Cyber Sunday began with WWE almost immediately saying that ten million people voted. Of course, since people were able to vote as many times as they wanted, that is WWE stretching things right off the bat. The set is a giant computer, pretty much like a Taboo Tuesday. Maria and Todd Grisham hosted the voting results, with Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler doing commentary.
Umaga vs. ???
Umaga came to the ring, then they showed Kane, Chris Benoit and Sandman in the back, standing together. Kane won the vote with 49%.
Armando tried to distract Kane at the start, but Kane caught a charging Umaga with a back elbow and then got the better of an exchange of punches. Kane rammed Umaga head first into the top turnbuckle. They went back and forth, with Umaga hitting a headbutt, but Kane came back with punches and elbows. Umaga gave Kane a belly to belly suplex, then as Kane sat up, Umaga kicked him in the chest. Umaga hit a diving headbutt on Kane. Kane battled up, but Umaga took him down with a spin kick. Umaga choked Kane against the middle rope. Kane came back with a punch, but Umaga gave him a face plant. Umaga chopped Kane, and they exchanged shots again, but Umaga raked his eyes and slammed him.
Umaga went to the middle rope and hit a diving headbutt for a two count. Umaga delivered some kneelifts to Kane, then hit the running posterior charge on Kane as he was slumped in the corner. They went to the floor, and Umaga missed a clothesline and hit the ringpost. Kane rammed Umaga into the steps, then elbowed him as Umaga's neck was stretched off the ring apron. Back in the ring, Kane pounded Umaga in the corner repeatedly, then hit an uppercut. Kane headbutted Umaga, then hit a charging clothesline in the corner. Umaga gave Kane a Samoan Drop. Armando got on the apron to do the cigar breaking, but Kane sat up and grabbed Umaga for a chokeslam as Umaga turned around to do the spike. Umaga raked Kane's eyes to escape the chokeslam, but missed a charge and Kane gave him a back suplex. Kane went to the top rope, and Armando tried to stop him, but Kane kicked him away. Kane came off the top, and Umaga hit him with the spike as he came off. Umaga then lunged at Kane and hit the spike again, and got the pin at the nine minute mark.
Winner: Umaga.
Backstage, Queen Sharmell tried to convince Big Show that it was more important to retain your respective title than be Champion of Champions. Sharmell said Booker would help him if the ECW title was on the line, if he did the same for Booker in case the World Title was on the line. If Cena's title was on the line, Sharmell said it could be every man for himself. Big Show said it was every man for himself regardless, and said being Champion of Champions was important. He started to tell Sharmell what she could do with her scepter, but Sharmell stopped him and said she would inform King Booker of his decision.
Cryme Tyme vs. Highlanders vs. Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch vs. Charlie Haas & Viscera.
Texas Tornado win the voting with 50% of the vote, so it is everyone in the ring at once, with one fall. A huge brawl broke out, with Cryme Tyme fighting Haas & Viscera in the ring and the Highlanders brawling with Cade & Murdoch on the floor. Haas got sent to the floor, while Viscera was double teamed by Cryme Tyme, only for Cade & Murdoch to run in and clean house. Then the Highlanders ran in and knocked Cade and Murdoch to the floor. The Highlanders did pescados on opponents to the floor, and we had no one in the ring. Haas and JTG got in the ring and Haas stomped him down. The traded punches and JTG hit Haas with a dropkick. Haas came back with a German suplex. Chad came in and gave Haas a big boot to the face. Viscera came in and began brawling with Chad, but Viscera planted him with a side slam. Viscera went to avalanche JTG, but he pulled Haas in front of them, and they all squashed together in the corner. The Highlanders and Cade & Murdoch got back in the ring, hitting a big boot combo and then a clothesline combo on Robbie. Cryme Tyme ran in and knocked Cade and Murdoch out, then scored the pin on the downed Robbie at the five minute mark.
Winners: Cryme Tyme.
Cryme Tyme went to ringside and celebrated with JR and Lawler, and while doing so, stole Lawler's laptop.
Backstage, Shawn Michaels was voting on a laptop over and over, trying to get the referee he wanted. Triple H talked about how Eric Bischoff claims that DX doesn't know what controversial is. Shawn said he was the person that put Bret Hart in a Sharpshooter, and that Triple H married "What's Her Name". Shawn got angry over Bischoff's comment, and proved his was "controversial" by superkicking a bunch of backstage workers (including "Stan" who Shawn asked the name of before superkicking). Triple H said that might not be controversial, but it was funny.
Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy vs. ???
Carlito was an overwhelming winner over Shelton Benjamin and Johnny Nitro.
Carlito offered to shake hands at the bell, and they did. There was a "Hardy" chant at the start. Carlito snapmared Hardy at the start and they traded pin attempts with small packages and backslides. Hardy hit a shoulderblock, and Carlito went for a leapfrog, and they awkwardly collided. Carlito dropkicked Hardy's leg out, then hit a back elbow. Carlito suplexed Hardy for a two count, but missed a clothesline and Hardy dropkicked Carlito in the gut. Hardy hit a clothesline, then covered Carlito for a two count. Carlito went for a springboard moonsault off the middle rope, but Hardy moved and Carlito landed on his feet. Hardy sent Carlito to the floor and hit a baseball slide kick. Hardy tried his walking the security wall bit, but Carlito caught him. Back in the ring, Carlito put Hardy in a chinlock, but Hardy got out and pounded Carlito in the corner. Hardy went for a V-Bomb in the corner, but Carlito got his feet up. Carlito put Hardy in a reverse bear hug, but Hardy elbowed out and hit a jawbreaker. Hardy went for a Twist of Fate, but Carlito shoved him into a corner and rolled him up for a two count.
Carlito pounded on Hardy's chest, then went back to the reverse bear hug. Jerry Lawler said 14 and a half million people have voted. I wonder if Shawn Michaels has voted that many times backstage. Hardy started to get out, but Carlito clamped on the reverse bear hug again. The fans chanted "boring". Hardy got out and elbowed Carlito, but Carlito caught him with a flapjack. Carlito got a two count, then hit a backbreaker for a two count. Carlito applied a sleeper, but Hardy got out and hit a DDT. Hardy hit a clothesline, then a second for a two count. Lawler started naming the colors in Jeff's hair. Seriously. Hardy hit a gourdbuster for a two count, then went for a Swanton Bomb, but Carlito got the knees up and scored a two count. Carlito hit a springboard senton and immediately followed with a springboard moonsault for a two count. Carlito went for a reverse DDT, and Hardy tried to reverse, but Carlito punched him. Carlito went for a springboard bodypress, but Hardy ducked. Hardy went for the Twist Of Fate, but Carlito shoved it off, only for Hardy to scale the ropes and hit the Whisper In The Wind for a two count. Hardy went to the top again, but Carlito stopped him with right hands, crotching him. Carlito went to the top rope, mocking Hardy's hand gesture, and went for a top rope rana, but Hardy blocked it, sending Carlito crashing to the mat. Hardy then hit the Swanton Bomb for the pin at the fourteen minute mark.
Winner: Jeff Hardy.
They went over the events leading to DX vs. Edge & Orton.
Triple H & Shawn Michaels vs. Edge & Randy Orton.
DX came out first and played to the crowd, actually taking up more time than two of the matches we've seen so far on the show. The crowd really enjoyed the pre-mic work though. Triple H got on the crowd's case for finishing their trademark slogans before they could, which was funny.
Maria told us she voted for Mr. McMahon, because she didn't want to get fired. Eric Bischoff won with 60% of the vote. McMahon and Coach each had 20%. Bischoff then came to the ring, then Randy Orton and Edge (no Lita) made their entrances.
DX did "Rock, Paper, Scissors" to decide who should start. Edge and Michaels began, with Edge hitting some right hands. Edge tried a leapfrog, but Michaels avoided it and chopped Edge. Triple H hit Edge from the apron. Michaels went for a sunset flip, pulling down Edge's tights with the move. Michaels slapped Edge's bare bottom, then chopped him in a corner. Michaels went for another sunset flip, and Bischoff counted a slow one. Michaels put Edge in an armbar, and Triple H teased that he would climb the ropes, but then climbed back down and just kicked Edge in the arm instead. Triple H peppered Edge with right hands, doing a crotch chop before decking him.
Edge poked Triple H in the eyes and tagged Orton. Orton hit some punches in a corner, but Triple H came back with a clothesline. Triple H delivered a vertical suplex, then hit a kneedrop. Triple H pounded Orton on the mat, then tagged Michaels, who chopped Orton. Orton reversed a whip, but ran into a Michaels boot. Triple H tagged in and hit a right hand, but Orton delivered a knee to the gut and made a tag to Edge. Edge whipped Triple H into the ropes, dropped down, and Orton hit a dropkick. Edge got a two count, then floated over a Triple H slam attempt into a reverse facebuster for a two count. Bischoff's count here was slow too, so he has been consistent so far.
Orton tagged in and hit some punches, then stomped Triple H down in a corner. Edge tagged in and came off the middle rope, but Triple H caught him with a kick and hit a DDT. Triple H tagged Michaels, who hit Edge with a flying forearm, then kipped up and gave Edge a reverse atomic drop. Orton ran in and got the same. Triple H slammed Edge as Orton rolled to the floor. Michaels hit Edge with a top rope elbow, then got set for a superkick. Orton grabbed Michaels by the legs and pulled him down and crotched him on the ringpost. Bischoff said he didn't see anything. Edge pulled Michaels into the middle of the ring for a two count. Orton tagged in and hit a kneedrop on Michaels as Edge had him stretched out. Orton hit a second knee for a two count. Orton decked Michaels with punches over and over, then tagged in Edge as he stepped on Michaels' throat. Edge gave Triple H a chopblock, and Triple H tried to come in, so Bischoff kept him out while Edge and Orton worked over Michaels.
Edge gave Michaels a standing dropkick, then put Michaels in a front facelock. Michaels backdropped Edge, but Edge pulled him by the tights into a sunset flip for a two count, then hit a boot to the face. Orton tagged in, and he gave Michaels a standing dropkick for two. Orton put Michaels in a reverse chinlock. Michaels' shoulders went down in the move and Orton got a two count with a chinlock. Michaels psyched up out of it, and started chopping Orton, but Orton nailed him with a side backbreaker. Edge tagged in and measured Michaels for a spear, but Michaels sidestepped it and Edge speared Bischoff. Bischoff rolled to the floor in pain. Michaels hit Edge with a enzugiri, then crawled to Triple H for the tag as Edge tagged Orton.
Triple H cleaned house on Orton and Edge, hitting Orton with a jumping knee and Edge with a facebuster and clotheslines. Triple H gave Orton a spinebuster, then set up for a Pedigree, but Edge speared him. Michaels threw Edge out of the ring and hit him with a pescado. In the ring, Orton measured Triple H and hit the RKO. Orton covered, and a second referee (Chad Patton) ran in and counted the cover, but Triple H kicked out at two. Orton got set for the move again, but Triple H shoved it off, and Michaels, who had crawled back into the ring, hit the superkick on Orton. Triple H covered Orton, but Bischoff yanked Patton out of the ring and knocked him out. Michaels went after Bischoff on the floor, but Edge blasted Michaels with a chair. Edge got in the ring, and Triple H kicked him and set for a Pedigree, but Orton hit Triple H with a chair (in full view of Bischoff) and gave him an RKO on the chair for the pin at the eighteen minute mark.
Winners: Randy Orton & Edge.
A video package on The Marine was shown, for those of you that live near one of the 1,010 theatres still carrying it.
Edge & Orton were backstage celebrating. Lita came over and congratulated them. After she left, Orton suggested he and Edge go start partying without her. As they were leaving, Todd Grisham interviewed them, and they bragged and boasted about their win, then got in a limo and left.
The WWE Divas (all the Divas from all three brands) came out and stood at ringside.
WWE Women's Championship Tournament Final: Mickie James vs. Lita.
Diva Lumberjack Match won with 46% of the vote, so the women spread out and surrounded the ring.
Lita immediately threw Mickie to the floor, and some of the women went after her. Mickie scooted back into the ring and threw Lita out. Lita punched away the Divas and got back into the ring. Lita applied a side headlock, but Mickie tripped Lita and hit an armdrag. Mickie barely hit a dropkick, and Lita rolled to the apron, but the Divas kept her from going to the floor. Lita pulled Mickie throat first across the top rope on the apron, then got in the ring and stomped her down in a corner. Lita suplexed Mickie for a two count. Lita rammed Mickie into the turnbuckles, but Mickie reversed positions and rammed her into the corner. Lita raked Mickie's eyes and kicked her in the back. Lita stood on Mickie's back and choked her against the bottom rope.
Lita dropped Mickie with a sloppy tilt-a-whirl slam for a two count. Lita jumped on Mickie's back with a sleeper. Mickie dropped back, but Lita kept the sleeper on. Mickie rolled out of it into a jujigatame, but Lita got her feet on the ropes. Lita kicked Mickie, but Mickie grabbed her leg and tripped Lita to the mat. Mickie hit a chop and an elbow, and got a two count. Lita whipped Mickie into a corner, but Mickie caught her with an elbow. Mickie went for a headscissors, and both women fell to the floor. Both were swarmed upon, and rolled into the ring. Lita and Mickie traded punches, then Mickie hit some kicks. Mickie botched a tornado DDT, and Lita rolled her up and used the ropes for a two count. Micke rolled up Lita for a two count. Mickie went to the ropes, but Victoria tripped her. Mickie kicked Victoria down, but that distraction allowed Lita to grab Mickie with a DDT for the win at the nine minute mark.
Winner and new Women's Champion: Lita.
Backstage, the Spirit Squad was getting psyched up. Kenny came in and berated the Squad for being losers lately. Johnny asked Kenny who made him the boss, and the two got into a shoving match. It was broken up, and Johnny said there was no problem, as Kenny pointed out that he pinned Ric Flair. Kenny told Mikey that he had to "rough him up" to get him angry and motivated. It will be Mikey and Kenny defending the belts tonight. They all put their hands in for a cheer, but Johnny kept staring at Kenny.
World Tag Team Champions The Spirit Squad (Kenny & Mikey) vs. Ric Flair & ???
Sgt. Slaughter, Roddy Piper and Dusty Rhodes were shown in the back. Piper won with 46% of the vote. Dusty had 35%, Slaughter had 19%.
The Spirit Squad entered, and since the other three members of the Squad were there, Flair called out Rhodes and Slaughter. Flair started with Kenny, hitting a hiptoss and taking him down with a side mare. Flair hit a shoulderblock, but Kenny leapfrogged him and kit a dropkick. Mikey tagged in and missed two elbowdrops and Piper tagged in. Piper hit some punches and started biting him. Piper started knocking out every member of the Squad with punches as they got on the apron. Piper put Mikey in a sleeper, but Kenny broke it up. Kenny tagged in and rubbed Piper's face into the mat. Kenny asked Piper "Do you like that, boy?" Mikey tagged in and hit a series of forearms on Piper for a two count. Piper turned a neckbreaker attempt into a backslide for a two count. Kenny tagged in and hit Piper with a double axhandle, then dropped an elbow for a two count. Kenny put Piper in a rear chinlock, but Piper fought towards his corner, but Kenny raked his eyes. Mikey tagged in, but Piper poked him in the eyes. Mikey managed to trip him with a drop toe hold and tagged Kenny. Kenny slammed Piper, and he and Mikey went for a Tower Splash from the middle rope, but Piper moved and tagged in Flair. Piper and Flair cleaned house, clotheslining Kenny to the floor. They double suplexed Mikey, and Flair put Mikey in the figure four leglock. Kenny broke it up with a top rope legdrop on Flair. Piper ran in and decked Mikey with a right hand, so Flair and Mikey were down in the ring. Mikey got up, but didn't go for a tag, and Flair caught him with a small package for a two count. Flair chopped Mikey and put him in the figure four again. Kenny ran in, but Piper cut him off and knocked him to the floor. Mikey tapped out at the six minute mark, and the crowd went nuts.
Winners and new World Tag Team Champions: Ric Flair and Roddy Piper.
The Spirit Squad ran in, but Slaughter & Rhodes came in and the legends ran off the Squad, with Rhodes hitting a bunch of bionic elbows (almost giving Piper one). The crowd popped again for the announcement that Flair and Piper were the new champs, and the four legends all danced to Dusty's old WWF music.
Backstage, King Booker approached John Cena and said they should team up to eliminate Big Show first, then fight it out amongst themselves. Cena agreed, if he could have one night with Sharmell. Sharmell freaked out, and Booker sent her away, saying he would take care of the "rogue". Sharmell left, and Booker agreed, but only for one night. Cena said he wasn't serious and called Booker a freak. Booker told Cena to keep quiet. As Cena left, he saw Sharmell in the hallway. Cena said he was out of line, and that Booker wouldn't have any part of it. Cena then said Booker agreed to Sharmell, Hacksaw Duggan's 2x4, Finlay's midget and a case of Jager, while Cena watched. Sharmell and Booker freaked, as Cena walked off. Sharmell started yelling at Booker, and Ron Simmons walked in. Booker and Sharmell quieted, and Simmons delivered a "Damn" to a pop.
The events leading to the main event were shown.
John Cena vs. King Booker T vs. Big Show.
All three champions entered, then we were told that the World Title would be on the line, with 67% of the vote. Booker was not happy. 21% voted for the ECW title, and 12% voted for the WWE Title.
Booker went to Cena and told him they should go after Big Show. Cena slugged Booker, and Show slugged Cena. Booker rolled to the floor, and Show and Cena exchanged shots. Big Show hit a back elbow, and Booker watched from the apron. Big Show whipped Cena into a corner and dared Booker to come in, but he didn't. Show clotheslined Cena, as there was a "Let's Go Cena" chant. Big Show slammed Cena, and Booker kept watching from the outside. Show slugged Cena, then chopped him in the corner. Show hit a kneelift, and Cena tried to fight back, but Show hit another knee and Cena slumped to the mat. Show headbutted Cena, and Booker remained on the floor. Big Show reached over the top rope to get at Cena, and Booker got on the apron and gave Show a scissor kick to the back of the head.
Booker got in the ring an went to work on Show, but Show came back with a clothesline and a headbutt, while Cena recovered on the floor. Big Show hit some headbutts, and as Cena got on the apron, Show knocked him back to the floor. Show slammed Booker, then hit the Final Cut, but Cena broke up the cover. Show swatted Cena down, then gave him and Booker headbutts. Cena and Booker started punching Show, taking turns. Cena and Booker clotheslined Show to the floor, then Booker rolled up Cena for a two count. Booker gave Cena a back elbow, then hit some chops. They traded reversals on a hiptoss, and Cena hit a suplex. Show pulled Cena to the floor and he covered Booker and nailed him with a clothesline.
Big Show pulled the ringsteps apart, then went to hit Cena with them, but Cena dropkicked his legs out and Show fell face first into the ringsteps. Cena got back in the ring, but Booker grabbed him with the Bookend for a two count. Booker hit a back kick for another two count. Booker and Cena traded punches, then Booker caught him with a Hot Shot and a superkick for a two count. Booker gave Cena a sideslam for a two count. Booker whipped Cena into a corner, but Cena caught him with an elbow. Cena kicked away a backdrop attempt and hit Booker with a belly to belly suplex for a two count.
Cena missed a charge in the corner, and Booker got him in a sleeperhold. Cena powered out and hit a back suplex for a two count. Cena went to the top rope and missed a splash, allowing Booker to get a two count. Booker measured Cena, but missed the ax kick. Cena lifted Booker for an FU, but Booker reversed it into a DDT for a two count. Booker went to slam Cena, but Cena floated over into a legsweep for a two count. Cena went for the STFU, but Booker made the ropes. Booker poked Cena in the eyes. Booker missed a sidekick, and Cena hit a weak clothesline. A second one was better, then he hit an elbow in the corner and a vertical suplex for a two count. Booker reversed a whip and backdropped Cena. Booker went to the top rope, but Cena crotched him.
Big Show got in the ring as Cena was climbing the ropes for a superplex. Show picked up Cena on his shoulders for an Electric Chair, but Booker gave Show a missile dropkick off the top rope, sending Show and Cena crashing to the mat. Booker covered Show, who tossed off Booker at two. Cena and Booker double teamed Show, and went for a double suplex. Show blocked it and suplexed Booker and Cena at the same time. Show hit clotheslines and headbutts on both men, then piled them in the corner for an avalanche. Show hit a reverse splash on both in the corner, then hit a double shoulderblock on both men. Show hit a chokeslam on Booker, then speared Cena.
Cena rolled to the floor, and Show went to the outside as well. Show rammed Cena into the announcer's table. Cena battled back with punches and rammed Show into the table. Show hit Cena in the gut, then picked him up for a slam. Cena floated over and rammed Show into the ringpost twice. Cena got into the ring and hit Booker with a pair of shoulderblocks, then a back suplex into a powerbomb. Cena did the "You Can't See Me". Show was getting on the apron with a chair, so Cena kicked the chair into Show's face, sending him back to the floor. Cena hit the five knuckle shuffle on Booker. Sharmell ran in with the belt, but Cena grabbed her and gave an FU to Sharmell.
While the referee tended to Sharmell, Cena put Booker in the STFU. Booker didn't tap out (not that the referee would have seen anyway, as he was busy with Sharmell). Kevin Federline ran in and hit Cena with the belt, but it didn't seem to hurt Cena much. Cena released the hold and Federline ran out of the ring. Cena turned his attention back to Booker, and Booker nailed Cena with the belt. Booker pinned Cena at the twenty one minute mark.
Winner: King Booker T.
With Cena laid out from the belt shot, Federline got back in the ring and mocked Cena while replays were shown. Cena was still recovering in the ring, while Kevin Federline continued to celebrate and brag on the rampway to end the show.
2007 - The Atlanta-Journal Constitution ran a piece on the connection between Dr. Phil Astin and the late WCW and ECW World Tag Team champion Michael "Johnny Grunge" Durham. According to their research, Astin wrote 32 of the final 36 prescriptions Durham received in the last year of his life. Astin, who declined to comment, was said to be one of 11 doctors Durham utilized to get prescription medication from 1999 to the time of his passing in February 2006. The final prescription was for 120 somas that were gone by the next day when Durham passed away. The pharmacy records were provided by Durham's widow Penny. At the time, Astin was under indictment for illegally dispensing medication to two patients. Astin was indicted in the wake of the Benoit family tragedy.
2007 - WWE broadcast ECW on Sci Fi. Mike Johnson filed the following TV report:
This week's edition of ECW on Sci Fi opened with a graphic dedicated to the memory of The Fabulous Moolah.
They aired a video feature on the CM Punk-John Morrison ECW title bout.
After the ECW opening, Kane made his way to the ring. They showed clips of the Monster Mash Battle Royal last week.
Mark Henry vs. Kane
Yes, ECW has (de)evolved to the point where WWE brain trust sees Mark Henry as star power. We're a long way from Philadelphia. Henry went right after Kane, working him over with shots to the back. Kane battled back with elbows and punches. Henry catches him with a powerslam for a two count. Henry worked Kane over in the corner, but Kane fired back with several elbows. Henry took him right back down and hit a running splash in the corner. Henry went for the bearhug, but Kane nailed several kicks. Henry whipped him into the corner and went for another running splash, but Kane hit a big boot, then went to the top for a flying clothesline. Kane nailed an uppercut, then a clothesline in the corner. Henry caught Kane and went for an over the shoulder powerslam, but Kane escaped. He went for a chokeslam, but Henry kicked him off. Henry went outside to the floor to retrieve a steel chair. He drilled Kane with it for a DQ. Henry laid out Kane with a slam on the chair. The crowd chanted, "You suck" at Henry, who screamed into the air.
Your winner by DQ, Kane!
All the commentary was designed to build the Kane vs. Mark Henry feud. Considering who was in it, this wasn't a bad match at all, but the finish completely decimated any momentum. I know the Smackdown "exchange" is helping the ratings, but you know it's pretty bad when you are on an ECW roster of 12 wrestlers and you can't even get on your own show because "bigger stars" are being used.
Joey Styles and Tazz announced Kelly Kelly vs. Leyla El later tonight.
They aired a video feature on fans waiting to buy tickets for Wrestlemania 24. Does no one in Florida own a computer?
Jamie Noble made his way to the ring. They showed clips of Noble beating down Rey Mysterio billed as "courtesy of Jamie Noble." His opponent is Nunzio. This could actually be great on paper.
Nunzio vs. Jamie Noble
They go right to the mat with lots of back and forth go-behinds . Noble grabbed a hammerlock but Nunzio reverses it. Noble slams Nunzio's face into the turnbuckle and hits a powerslam for a near fall. Noble cinches in a rear chinlock before nailing several crossfaces. Noble nails an elbow to the face and goes back to the chinlock. Nunzio struggled to get back to his feet, but Noble takes him back down with strikes to the face and neck. Nunzio gets whipped into the corner, but cuts off Noble and hits the Sicilian Slice off the second turnbuckle for a two count. He goes for a second but Noble yanks him off the ropes and hit a Uranage into a backbreaker. I guess that was a shout out to Roderick Strong. He nails a gutbuster and scores the pin.
Your winner, Jamie Noble!
A short but decent competitive bout. So far we've seen three Smackdown stars, one ECW star and the lone ECW star lost!
They aired a video feature on Punk vs. Morrison before showing a smiling Kelly Kelly walking backstage.
The SaveUs_222 video package aired. The code is the answer. Meanwhile, the Force surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together
Layla El (with straight hair; I prefer her curly look, not that anyone reading this cares) is in the ring with The Miz. No mention of Brooke. Kelly Kelly made her way to the ring, favoring her neck from the beating she took at the hands of WWE Womens champion Beth Phoenix last night on Raw. Boy, ECW doesn't do so well in these inter-brand matches, do they? You'd almost think WWE didn't own it.
The Miz says that he promised to make Kelly Kelly's life miserable and he's doing a good job of it. He took credit for Kelly having to wrestle Beth last night and tells her that tonight, she has Leyla. Miz does a good job acting like a jerk.
Kelly Kelly vs. Layla El
Layla attacks Kelly. Kelly kicks her off and Layla rebounds off the ropes with the weirdest looking running kneedrop off all time. She begins tearing at Kelly's hair. The crowd is chanting for Kelly. Layla slams her and covers her for the three count.
Your winner, Layla El!
The storyline is Kelly was too hurt from Raw to really compete. Balls Mahoney hits the ring to prevent any further damage. He motions for Miz to fight him, but Miz instead talks trash as he and Layla leave. One would think they are building to a mixed tag match.
Tazz and Joey preview the Morrison-Punk match...again.
They plug the new Rey DVD with footage of Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Psicosis from ECW Gangstas Paradise, although they had the wrong date for the match (9/26/05 instead of 9/16). The clips from that bout, 12 years old ago, were light years superior to anything else on the show so far.
Elijah Burke made his way to the ring. Tazz made a joke about Burke dropping his cell phone, a reference to the Ghost Hunters appearance Burke made on Halloween. Yeah, that show's not a total work.
Elijah Burke vs. Shannon Moore
Burke powers Moore into the ropes but there is a clean break. Moore backs him into the ropes but Burke pops him in the mush. Moore hits a nice hurancanrana off the ropes on Burke. Burke reverses an Irish Whip then drills him with several kicks and the F-Up punch. Burke splashed Moore while he was propped against the ropes, landing feet first on the floor and playing up to the announcers at their table. I guess someone's been watching Homicide in TNA. Burke returns to the ring and works over Moore with punches to the gut. Moore hits several kicks and punches but is shoulderblocked into the corner. Burke sets up Moore and hits the Outer Limits Elbow, garnering a two count. Burke drills Moore with the Elijah Express and scores the pin. Hey, ECW wins an inter-brand match!
Your winner, Elijah Burke!
OK match spotlighting Burke. Moore looked fine as well.
Tazz and Joey Styles discussed the passing of the Fabulous Moolah before going to the video package WWE aired on Raw. This really was a tremendous piece of video. They showed the crowd giving a well deserved round of applause.
Backstage, The Miz and John Morrison are going back and forth. Morrison tells says Miz hasn't proven he can do anything except manage a bunch of girls and even that he doesn't do well. Miz promises Morrison he isn't going to win the title tonight. Screw the mixed tag I mentioned earlier - it looks like we are building Miz vs. Punk vs. Morrison, perhaps for Survivor Series or even ECW next week.
They show us clips of DX's reunion on Raw. We see a backstage promo of WWE champion Randy Orton talking to William Regal after Raw where Orton demands Michaels' superkick be banned at Survivor Series. Orton then says that if he intentionally disqualifies himself, Shawn Michaels wins the title. Why the hell would any heel offer that up? Wouldn't it make, like, uh, logical sense for Michaels to somehow one-up Orton on Raw to set up that stipulation? It just seems ass-backwards to me.
Joey and Tazz discuss the Survivor Series matches, none of which feature ECW names.
ECW champion CM Punk vs. John Morrison
They go back and forth early with a fast pace. Punk drills Morrison in the back with a kick. Punk hits a sunset flip off the second rope but Morrison kicks up. Morrison hits his springboard enziguiri but Punk kicks up. Morrison begins pounding Punk with punches and elbows. Morrison ties Punk up in a straightjacket bow and arrow. Morrison drills Punk in the back with a knee. Punk slams himself backwards into the corner to break the hold. Morrison charges Punk, who goes to kick him. Morrison grabs the legs and tosses Punk out of the ring. Punk lands on the apron, nails a roundhouse kick to the head, then springboards into a great flying clothesline.
Punk hits a leg lariat as Morrison rebounds off the ropes. He charges in the corner but gets a boot in the face. Morrison charges but is caught with a powerslam for a two count. The Miz makes his way to ringside. Punk hits his running knee strike in the corner, followed by a bulldog to the center of the ring for a near fall. Morrison misses a springboard enziguiri. Punk rolls him up but Morrison bridges out. He loses his balance but they save it. Morrison goes for a backslide, but it ends up with Punk nearly getting the GTS.
Punk was hit by a buzzsaw kick but kicked out. Morrison went for a suplex but Punk landed on his feet and went for a rollup off the ropes. Morrison shrugged him off and glared at the Miz. He turned to go after Punk, but Miz threw his hat at him. Morrison punted the hat into the crowd (karma for Kelly Kelly's teddy bear?), allowing Punk to roll him up and score the three count.
Your winner and still ECW champion CM Punk!
Miz smiled at ringside, seeing how he foiled Morrison's chances. Morrison looked furious. The match was good and the finish made sense if they are building to a Three-Way but it sure seemed like the focus was on anyone but Punk, which is just plain weird. Punk held the title high above as the show went off the air. Punk vs. Morrison was the best thing on the show.
2008 - Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler" unspooled for the Hollywood community with a sold-out showing at Grauman's Chinese Theater as part of the American Film Institute's annual Film Fest.
2008 - WWE issued the following announcement:
World Wrestling Entertainment issued the following announcement today:
WWE COO Change
STAMFORD, Conn., Nov 06, 2008 -- Effective December 31, 2008, World Wrestling Entertainment will accept Mike Sileck's resignation as COO and member of the Board of Directors. Donna Goldsmith, Executive Vice President of Consumer Products, has been named as his successor. Mike joined the company first as CFO in June, 2005 and was promoted to COO in February, 2007.
"WWE has had the benefit of Mike's former experience from both USA Network and Monster Worldwide, and we appreciate the contributions Mike has made in both of the positions he has held in our company," said Chairman, Vince McMahon. Ms. Goldsmith came to WWE from the NBA and has been with the company for the past eight years.
Per Mr. McMahon, "Donna's business savvy, proven management and leadership skills, along with in depth product knowledge makes her uniquely qualified to fill the COO position." In addition, effective today, Ms. Goldsmith has also been elected to serve on the Board of Directors.
Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE: WWE 13.80, -0.07, -0.5%) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, copyrights and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated.
2008 - TNA broadcast Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight’s show with a look back at last week when A.J. Styles and Samoa Joe wanted to know if there were people who wanted to stand with them. Kurt Angle talks about how they did not want a war. Booker talks about de five and we see Scott Steiner join the Quintet of Terror.We are live on tape from Universal, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘i>I thought it was Orlando’ Tenay and Don ‘Will there be Syxx’ West.
We see footage from last week when there was a brawl after the Abyss/Kurt Angle match when Scott Steiner joined the crew.
The TNA Starting Five comes to the ring and Kurt Angle gets on the mic. He introduces the newest member of the gang who got paychecks signed by Vince McMahon and Sting, Scott Steiner. Scott and Kevin do the Wolfpac salute. Steiner says that he has been rehabbing his knee and he has been seeing the people in the back disrespecting the people who made them what they are today. Scott says that they earned their respect and they come together because of respect. Steiner says that they wrestled all over the world. They have wrestled in the Boston Garden where the Celtics won all of their titles. They wrestled in Madison Square Garden, where Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier. They also fought in Tokyo in front of 70,000 people. The difference is that the punks in the back come out, wrestle, go to the back, play video games and read comic books. Those fans go to the mark wrestling sites to see if they had a four or five star match. Scott says that they can ask them about their match and they will tell them that they suck. Scott says that he has been wrestling for 22 years and he never heard of any of them before he signed with TNA. Scott says that they were here since the beginning because they had nowhere else to go. Scott tells A.J. to go back to his redneck town in Georgia and nobody would know who he was. He says that Joe can fly back to Samoa, and all they will ask is who is the fatass and who is the half-breed.
Scott says that wherever they go, the names on the marquee are the stars, and it is the Main Event Mafia. The people turn on the television to see the stars, not the punks in the back or curtain jerkers. They will only become stars when they get in the ring with stars. They will only see greatness when they get in the ring to sniff their greatness. It is a new day in TNA and they are here to kick ass.
Samoa Joe comes out and he is joined by Consequences Creed, Jay Lethal, Eric Young, and the Motor City Machine Guns. Joe says that those were strong words from Steiner. They are not denying what they have done, but they might be offended if they could understand half of what he said. Joe talks about some of the things they have done. Ultimate X and Lethal Lockdown is them. Anything that shows the death defying moves, it is them. Joe says that the only reason he isn’t stomping Nash’s head right now is because he wants to savor every minute at Turning Point. Joe says that so Steiner can have something to talk about at the Millionaire’s Circle ****, he can tell Nash what is going to happen on Sunday. Joe introduces his newest soldier.
Christian Cage comes out and he tells Joe not so fast. He said that he does not have to pick a side and he will not pick a side. He will give a helping hand when it comes to those veterans. He heard them badmouthing the younger generation, but they better not say anything bad about him because he will slap that rug off Booker’s head. He does not understand their problem trying to work their way up the ladder. Christian tells Booker that he did not jump into the business and become a six time World Champion the next day. Christian says that he busted his ass to become a two time World Champion. That is all that they are trying to do. At Turning Point, he is going to win a different title. The belt on Booker’s shoulder will be his after he beats him and embarrasses him. At the end of the night, he will be standing over his prone body when he will hear Christian say ‘I am legend’.
Booker gets on de mic and he says that is where Christian is wrong. After Turning Point, Christian will be standing wit dem. In his country, he says that Christian will know the true meaning of master because he will own Christian’s punk ass.
TO THE BACK where Jeremy Borash is with A.J. Styles and Mick Foley. Jeremy asks A.J. where he was and he says that Mick was going to tell him something. Mick tells A.J. that he has something to say to everyone. A.J. says that he has no idea why he rode with Mick. He asks about Joe. We go to commercial.
We are back and Don and Mike are here to talk about what is going to happen tonight on the show.
Match Number One: James Storm, Robert Roode, and Booker T with Sharmell and Jackie Moore versus Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, and Christian Cage
Booker holds his ‘I am Awesome . . . I bought my own belt’ title in Christian’s face before the match starts. Shelley and Roode start things off. Roode misses a punch and Shelley with chops. Sabin tags in and Sabin and Shelley with double team moves to Roode including a series of kicks. Sabin gets a near fall. Roode charges into a boot but Storm kicks Sabin and Roode follows that with a spinebuster for a two count. Booker tags in and he punches Sabin and connects with a back heel kick. Roode tags back in and he punches Sabin in the ribs. Roode sends Sabin into Storm’s boot and then Storm is tagged in for a double suplex and then they yell out their team name instead of work on Sabin any more. That allows Sabin to punch Storm, but Storm with a side Russian leg sweep for a near fall.
Storm with a reverse chin lock on Sabin. Storm pulls Sabin down by the hair and then he punches Sabin in the corner. Sabin with an enzuigiri to Storm and both men are down. Christian tags in and he punches Storm and Roode while Booker waits on the apron. Storm and Roode try for a double suplex but Christian hits the double inverted DDT. Christian sends Roode over the top rope with a clothesline. Christian blocks a super kick and he hits an Impaler DDT, but only gets a two count. Roode knocks Christian off the top turnbuckle. Booker comes in and he sends Christian to the apron and then Christian pulls Booker down by the hair. Christian with a frog splash for a near fall. All six men are in the ring and Roode and Storm go out of the ring. Shelley tries for a pescado but he is caught by Storm and Roode. Sabin with a suicide dive that takes Storm and Roode down. Booker misses an axe kick and Christian with a break down, but Jackie gets on the apron. Booker has the big red belt and he hits Christian with it and he gets the three count.
Winners: James Storm, Robert Roode, and Booker T
After the match, Sabin and Shelley check on Christian.
Jeremy is in Jarrett’s office and he says that Kurt Angle is coming to talk to him. Jarrett says that anyone can come into his office. Jeremy says that Angle is trying to get Jarrett back into the ring. Jarrett says that he is not going to get back into the ring until he says he is ready, not when Angle says something.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Kurt Angle enters Jeff Jarrett’s office. Kurt wants to know how long Jeff is going to hide behind a desk. Angle says that he will never forget what Jarrett did to him. He says that Foley is next on his hit list. Jarrett says that it was one and done. Angle says that it is not done and then he talks about Uncle Kurt making a visit when Jeff is out on a business trip.
Don and Mike talk about the card for Turning Point.
We see Awesome Kong and Raisha Saeed attack Roxxi in the back. Kong sends Roxxi into some props in the back. Jeremy Borash and some of the women come to check on Roxxi and Jeremy tells them to go to commercial.
We are back and Lauren is reporting from the Roxxi attack post-mortem. We will get updates later.
Match Number Two: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Volador Junior versus Abyss and Matt Morgan versus Team 3D versus LAX in a Ladder Match for a Future Title Match
All eight men start in the ring as we see the contract that provides us with the address for TNA’s offices in Nashville. We see everyone pair up with Team 3D and the team of Morgan and Abyss battle on the floor. Homicide with a neck breaker to Tanahashi and then Hernandez catches Volador and he hits a suplex. Devon sends Homicide out of the ring. Ray punches Hernandez in the corner. Ray with a slam and then it is time for the Wassup head butt. Morgan with a kick to Devon while Abyss and Ray fight. Morgan with a side slam to Devon after a charge into the corner. We go to commercial.
We are back and Matt Morgan is on the ladder, but Hernandez sends him off the top to the floor. We see Abyss fall victim to the ladder, but Morgan uses it on Team 3D. Back to live on tape action and Hernandez sets for the plancha but he only hits the ladder. Devon climbs the ladder and Homicide climbs up the other side. Homicide with a bulldog and then the ladder falls on Devon. Homicide waits for someone else to come in and then he sets up the ladder instead. Abyss hits Homicide from behind and he hits Shock Treatment. Ray with a uranage to Abyss. Ray hits the referee when Tanahashi moves. Tanahashi with punches and kicks followed by a jawbreaker. Tanahashi with a flying clothesline to Ray. Tanahashi does the same to Devon. Tanahashi goes up top and he misses a frog splash on Devon and then Tanahashi falls to the 3D. Ray gets the ladder for Devon to climb but Storm and Roode come out and they low blow Team 3D. Abyss returns to the ring and he climbs the ladder and he gets the contract.
Winners: Matt Morgan and Abyss
Mick Foley is walking in the back and we go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for a Suicide video segment that is not tailored for non-HD televisions.
Mick Foley comes out and he has something to say. Mick says that he is proud to be back at the new Impact Zone. He is proud to introduce one of the mainstays of TNA, a man who will be wrestling for the TNA Heavyweight Title, A.J. Styles.
A.J. comes to the ring. Mick says that it was gutsy for Jeff Jarrett to bring TNA to the fans six years ago. It was also gutsy to build the company on the back of an unknown wrestler at the time. Mick says that he did not really know A.J., but he saw a guy who did a lot of things that impressed him. Mick says that he asked Raven about A.J. and Raven says that A.J. was phenomenal. Mick points out that A.J. was the first Triple Crown holder. Mick says that his task on Sunday is more daunting. A.J. needs to control his emotions, carry things for the young guys in the back, and he needs to defeat one of the greatest performers in wrestling, Sting. Mick says that change is inevitable. They have a new president-elect and while they might not agree with that, they can agree that things have gotten ugly with Sting. Mick says that A.J. is the new generation of wrestler’s president-elect. Mick tells A.J. that he needs to take his oath of office. Maybe Sting will come to his senses at that time.
The lights go out and Sting comes to the ring and he has turned in his suit for the face paint. Sting says that he never lost his senses. Sting says that he has been speaking the truth since day one. Sting says that these guys need to hear what they want to hear. Sting says that they want to be fed with a silver spoon. Sting says that he respects Mick for what he has done in the ring and for what he is trying to do now. Sting tells Mick that they are going to disrespect him the same way that they disrespected Sting.
A.J. tells Sting that he should look in the mirror. Sting got everything that he asked for. A.J. says that Sting gets first-class flights and limos. A.J. says that he is not sure how they got to this point. Sting tells A.J. that they got to this point as soon as A.J. opened his mouth and when A.J. questioned A.J. his character and A.J. spit in his face, A.J. Sting says that he is not surprised at A.J. Sting asks A.J. if he was always right when he talked to him. Sting asks A.J. if he was always right when he talked to his dad. Sting tells A.J. that his dad was right when he threw him out of their house. Sting tells A.J. that the apple doesn’t fall A.J. too far from the A.J. tree.
We go to A.J. in commercial.
We are back and it is time to go to Lauren with Taylor Wilde. Lauren recaps the history of time and asks Taylor what she is going to do. Taylor says that she is going to go out to fight and she is going to do it for Roxxi. Rhaka stops Taylor and tells her that she better not go into battle without a weapon of mass destruction.
We see footage from Earlier Tonight of the attack on Roxxi.
Match Number Three: Awesome Kong and Raisha Saeed versus Taylor Wilde and playing the part of Roxxi Laveaux . . . Rhaka Khan
Taylor and Kong start things off and Kong catches Wilde but Taylor with a rollup for a two count. Taylor kicks Kong and then hits a drop kick. Kong with a clothesline to Taylor and Saeed is tagged in. Saeed with a kick to Taylor followed by a chop. Saeed with a shoulder in the corner. Taylor with an arm drag off the turnbuckles followed by another arm drag and a tilt-a-whirl head scissors for a near fall. Taylor with a forearm and Irish whip but Taylor charges at Saeed and misses but Kong knocks Taylor down. Saeed with a snap elbow and then she keeps Taylor from making the tag. Kong tags back in and Kong tosses Taylor by the hair. Kong knocks Khan away from Taylor. Taylor with a forearm and then she climbs Kong but Kong with a snap mare. Kong misses a splash. Khan tags in and she gets face to face with Kong. Khan turns around and she grabs Taylor by the throat and hits a choke slam. Khan pushes Taylor into Kong who hits the Implant Buster for the three count.
Winners: Awesome Kong and Raisha Saeed
Jeremy Borash is with Kevin Nash and Jeremy brings up his match with Joe. Nash says that he is ready for Joe. Joe has been walking around like Buford Pusser. Last year, Joe ran down his best friend. At that time, he knew that Joe was a piece of s***. Nash says that he has been training harder than he ever trained. He asks if Joe is ready. He says that he has lost count of the number of times he won a title. He asks the last time that Joe faced anyone his size before. Nash asks if Joe is ready. We go to commercial.
We are back and Mike Tenay had a chance to talk to Sheik Abdul Bashir. Bashir says that when he grew up, he felt like the majority. That was until September 2001. Mike points out that every interview from Bashir has an anti-American slant. Bashir says that he has a lot of animosity building since 2001. It is the American people and American wrestling fans who have been brainwashed to think that he is a bad guy. Bashir is asked about comments where he called the fans ‘mindless sheep’. Bashir says that he is revered everywhere else in the world because he is the best performer. Mike tells Bashir that he was the person who pushed to bring him into TNA. Bashir tells Tenay not to take any credit for what he has done. Mike and Bashir have words about the impact of what happened in September 2001 and then security separates them.
Match Number Four: Sting, Kevin Nash, and Kurt Angle versus Jay Lethal, Consequences Creed, and Eric Young
Lethal and Angle start things off and Angle with a kick and forearm. Angle with a European uppercut. Lethal with a hip toss and cartwheel into a drop kick for a near fall. Angle with a clothesline to Lethal and he tags in Nash. Nash with an elbow to the back of Lethal’s head. Nash with a gingerly placed biel. Nash with a gutwrench into a back breaker and then he drops Lethal to the mat. Nash with knees and punches in the corner and then he chokes Lethal with his boot as he tags in Sting. Sting with a kick to Lethal and then he stomps on Lethal’s hand. Sting with a kick and Angle is tagged in. Angle with a suplex to Lethal for a two count. Sting tags back in and Sting punches Lethal. Lethal avoids a suplex and Young is tagged in. Young knocks Nash off the apron and then he clotheslines Angle. Young with a slam to Sting followed by a baseball slide to Nash. Young has Sting up for a Death Valley Driver but Angle clips Young. Angle goes for the ankle but Young tries for a Death Valley Driver on Angle. Angle with the ankle lock but Young gets out of the hold and he tags in Creed. Creed with a cross body from the top to Angle. Creed with a super kick to Nash followed by a somersault clothesline on Angle for a two count. Lethal with a pescado to Sting. Nash with a knee to Young. Creed has a super kick blocked by Angle and Angle with an Olympic Slam for the three count.
Winners: Kevin Nash, Sting, and Kurt Angle
We go to commercial.
We are back with Lauren and Rhino. Lauren talks about his match with Bashir at Turning Point. Rhino asks how many times are we going to open our arms to people of foreign descent to abuse the freedoms of this country. Rhino points out that this is the land of the free and the home of the brave. Rhino tells him to love it or get out. Lauren corrects Rhino and Rhino tells Lauren to leave before he gores her. Rhino says that he is sick of people who abuse the privilege in this country. Rhino say that he will deport Bashir via the GORE.
Match Number Five: Scott Steiner versus Samoa Joe
We see them battle before the bell rings and Steiner charges into an elbow from Joe. Joe with an enzuigiri to Steiner in the corner. Joe with punches to Steiner in the corner. Joe with a chop, kick, and knee combination for a near fall. Joe sets for a German suplex but Steiner with elbows. Joe with the choke but Steiner with a low kick when Steiner distracted the referee. Steiner with a chop to Joe followed by a T-Bone suplex for a near fall. Steiner with a reverse chin lock but Joe with elbows. Steiner with a rake of the eyes followed by another chop. Steiner with a clothesline and it is time for the flex elbow and push ups. We go to commercial.
We are back and Steiner with a chop in the corner. Joe with a sunset flip attempt but Steiner does not go down. Joe with a running boot to Steiner followed by a senton splash for a near fall. Joe with a head butt and Steiner with a knee and chop. Joe with a head and arm suplex. Kevin Nash makes his way gingerly to the ring and Nash distracts Joe as he tries for the muscle buster. Joe hits a suicide dive on Nash. Back in the ring, Steiner gets brass knuckles and puts them on. The referee does not see it and Steiner hits Joe with the brass knuckles and Steiner gets the three count
Winner: Scott Steiner
After the match, Steiner talks to the referee while Nash punches Joe in the ring. A.J. Styles comes out and he has a chair. Nash leaves the ring with Steiner.
Kurt Angle, Sting, and Booker come out and they applaud Steiner’s victory.
2009 - WWE ran Brussels, Belgium with the following results:
Smackdown/ECW Results
11/06/2009
Forest National
Brussels, Belgium
ECW Championship Match:
Christian (c) beat William Regal (without Ezekiel and Vladimir)
Yoshi Tatsu beat Zack Ryder
#1 Contender's Battle Royal:
Mickie James beat Beth Phoenix, Natalya, Layla, Rosa Mendes & Katie Lea Burchill
Cryme Tyme beat The Hart Dynasty (without Natalya as she just wrestled the battle royal)
Ezekiel Jackson beat Goldust
WWE Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way Match:
John Morrison (c) beat Rey Mysterio, Jr., Dolph Ziggler & Matt Hardy
Intermission
Drew McIntyre beat Finlay
WWE Women's Championship Match:
Michelle McCool (c) beat Mickie James
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Casket Match:
The Undertaker (c) beat CM Punk
Some highlights from the report:
The company's Revenue totaled $111.3 million as compared to $108.8 million in the prior year quarter with their net income at $8.9 million (up from $5.3 million). They listed the company's operating income as $14.5 million, compared to $7.9 million in the prior year's same quarter.
In the report, WWE announced that Summerslam had drawn 369,000 PPV buys, down from 477,000 in 2008. Breaking Point, which replaced Unforgiven, reported 169,000 buys. Night of Champions reported 267,000 buys. WWE noted that this quarter made $14.5 million in PPV revenue, down 10% from this time last year. Those are bad numbers from any point of view. 10% down is scary.
WWE noted their television rights fees were $28.3 million, up from $24.4 million thanks to the rights fees from WWE Superstars on WGN America and new deals for existing contracts.
Home Video revenue was up to $11.2 million from $11 million last year. WWE Classics on Demand dipped to $1.2 million down from $1.4 million last year, partially because they've still been unable to get on Time-Warner and several other cable outlets.
WWE announced their Studios department made $7.5 million this quarter from the DVD sales of their films. It was also noted in the report that the company has yet to recoup its investment in John Cena's theatrical film "12 Rounds" but that is partially due to the DVD release not being included in this quarter.
WWE.com revenue was up to $4.5 million from $4.0 million while revenue from WWEShop.com was down to $2.9 million from $3.9 million. So, they are generating more money for the content and advertising on the site but were unable to prevent those using WWE.com from spending less.
The company's licensing revenues were down to $7.9 million vs. $10.6 million in the prior year quarter. WWE claimed that was a result of royalties being down in sales, specifically in international markets.
The company's magazine end listed revenues at $3.4 million vs. $4.7 million in the prior year quarter due to reduced subscriptions.
WWE reported the following in regard to their live event revenue:
from our Live and Televised Entertainment businesses were $77.9 million for the current quarter as compared to $68.7 million in the prior year quarter, representing a 13% increase.
* Live Event revenues were $27.2 million as compared to $20.3 million in the prior year quarter. Revenues increased 34% primarily due to higher average attendance and an increase in the number of international events.
* There were 94 events, including 17 international events, during the current quarter as compared to 89 events, including 12 international events, in the prior year quarter.
* North American events generated $16.6 million of revenues from 77 events as compared to $15.5 million from 77 events in the prior year quarter. North American average attendance increased 9% to approximately 5,800 from 5,300 in the prior year quarter. The average ticket price for North American events was $36.26 in the current quarter as compared to $38.21 in the prior year quarter.
* International events generated approximately $10.6 million of revenues as compared to $4.8 million in the prior year quarter. The quarter-over-quarter increase reflected five additional events in the current quarter and a 38% increase in average attendance to approximately 9,100 fans. These factors were partially offset by a 19% reduction in average ticket prices to $65.59, in part due to changes in foreign exchange rates.
2009 - TNA broadcast Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We begin with a look at the Hulk Hogan media cavalcade since the signing.We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘Can I get a part in Thunder in Paradise 2: Electric Brotherloo’ Tenay and Taz.
We see footage of Dixie Carter with the roster in the Impact Zone. She says that it is time for a change. There have been a lot of great things that have taken place, but it is time for a change. She says that some people might have differing opinions, but she expects them to support her 100%. She says that when you question her, you question the company. She tells everyone that you can support her, support the direction of the company, or you can do otherwise and look for some place else to work. She asks everyone to step it up because it is their time to move up to the next level.
A.J. Styles comes to the ring. He says that there have been a few changes in TNA, but he wants to make one thing clear. He points out that he is the TNA champion. He says that there have been positive changes since he won the title. Who would have thought that Hulk Hogan would be part of the TNA family. A.J. says that he has dreamed about being at this level the entire seven years he has been here. He says that with the positives, there are negatives. A.J. says that he made it clear that he was a fighting champion. The only problem is that someone has been lurking in the shadows to jump him when they have the opportunity. A.J. wants that person to come to the ring and man up. He does not care if that person is foe or friend.
Daniels comes to the ring and he gets in A.J.’s face. He tells A.J. that it is interesting that he would say foe or friend. A.J. says that he does not have to explain anything to him. Daniels wants to know how A.J. could think that it was him who attacked A.J. because of something that Joe said. Daniels asks if A.J. is gullible or stupid. Daniels calls A.J. arrogant with the title on his shoulder. Daniels says that A.J. has been given opportunity after opportunity to be the face and future of the company. He says that A.J. has been pampered, coddled, and spoiled. He says that A.J. has always gotten special treatment. Daniels points out that they came into the company at the same time and he was never handed anything. Daniels says that he is every bit the wrestler that A.J. is. Daniels says that the fans and even A.J. knows that. The only difference is that every time A.J. was down, the company helped him up. Every time he was up, the company pushes him down. Daniels talks about Dixie Carter’s comments about change in TNA. Daniels says that if he looks at someone the wrong way in the back it will be seven more years of hell for him.
A.J. says that Daniels has never said anything to him like that. A.J. asks Chris if there isn’t anything that he can’t say to him.
Samoa Joe comes out and he tells A.J. that there is a lot that Daniels cannot say to A.J. because Daniels is working him. He calls Daniels a bald faced liar. Joe says that these are hard truths but Daniels has always lied to A.J. because he has always been jealous of A.J. and will always be jealous. They are not friends because A.J. has something that Joe wants. In order to be the best, you have to be TNA champion. Joe says that he has no problem telling that to A.J. face to face and man to man. He does not have to attack A.J. from behind like a cowardly punk.
Daniels says that he can beat A.J. in the ring, face to face and doesn’t have to attack him from behind. A.J. asks Daniels how bad he wants to find out. A.J. tells Daniels that if he wanted a piece of him, all he had to do was ask. He tells Daniels that they can settle this tonight. He tells Daniels that they can take care of it and there can be a winner and a loser. They shake hands and Joe has a dastardly smirk on his face.
We go to commercial.
We see footage from last week’s attack of the White Jump Suit Squad by Storm and Roode.
Match Number One: Eric Young and Rob Terry versus James Storm and Robert Roode
Storm and Rob start things off and Storm poses. They lock up and Rob sends Storm to the mat. They lock up again and Rob does the same. Storm with punches and he avoids a clothesline. Rob with an Irish whip but he charges into an elbow. Storm tries for a cross body and Rob catches Storm and hits a power slam. Rob poses and tags in Young. Young with a series of elbows to Storm and the he knocks Roode off the apron. The referee keeps Roode from getting involved and Storm falls victim to a double team attack. Rob tags back in and he punches Storm. Rob picks up Storm and tries for a running power slam but Storm escapes and drives Rob into the mat. Roode is tagged in and he connects with clotheslines on Young and Roode with a back body drop. Roode with a boot to Rob when he charges. Roode with a Blockbuster to Rob but Young breaks up the cover. Storm with a kick to Young’s back and Young goes to the floor. Roode elevates Storm onto Rob with a back body drop. Rob picks up Roode and drives him to the mat. Young hits Rob with the Legends belt and while Storm takes care of Young, Roode gets the three count.
Winners: Robert Roode and James Storm
After the match, Young tries to use the title belt again but Magnus and Williams come out in their World Elite sweat pants and they attack Storm and Roode. Security makes their way to the ring and the World Elite leave the ring.
Magnus and Williams are attacked by Sabin and Shelley on the stage and security is able to separate them.
Madison, Velvet, and Lacey are walking in the back and they say there is no time for A.J. Styles to be interviewed because they are going to make another movie.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Lacey, Velvet, and Madison enter Sarita’s dressing room, but ODB is in there. Velvet says that it looks like they filming a monster movie. ODB kicks Lacey but Velvet and Madison attack ODB.
Lauren is in the back with Jay Lethal and he is freaking out about Hulk Hogan’s signing. Lethal talks about his history with Hulk Hogan. He mentions what Savage did with Hogan. He wants to be the first to welcome the Hulkster to TNA. He says that he has an announcement of his own. He says that TNA is the new home of the MegaPowers. Lethal says that he is starting the Black Machismo Challenge for any legend.
Jeremy Borash enters Mick’s office and he asks about what the deal is with Abyss. Mick says that he dealt with it last week. Mick says that as executive shareholder he would have been told about the changes. Mick asks Jeremy if he is a Hulkamaniac. Mick reminds Jeremy about the interrogations and he wants to know if Jeremy wants to talk about the security camera footage. Mick says that he has a surprise for Abyss. We go to commercial.
We are back and we see footage from last week’s match between Kurt Angle and Desmond Wolfe and the aftermath on Angle.
Match Number Two: Desmond Wolfe versus Cody Deaner
Kurt Angle is available on the phone and in the time that it took Angle to say hello, Wolfe hits a clothesline and gets the three count.
Winner: Desmond Wolfe
Angle talks about the fact that he has a pinched nerve in his neck but he does not have Wolfe’s respect.
Desmond gets a mic and he says that he wants everyone to take a look at the muppet in the ring. He says that is another victim at the fangs of the wolfe. Desmond wants to know why the common wankers want to get in the ring with him. It is easy to get into the ring, but getting out not so much. Desmond says that he should call Kurt ‘Mr. Mangled’. He wants to know why Kurt wants to get back into the ring with him to suffer more pain and more agony. Desmond says that he is a generous bloke so he will give Kurt the chance.
Lauren is in the back with Suicide and he asks Suicide about Homicide unmasking him. She wants to know if it is time to unmask. He says that there is a reason why he conceals himself and he is not ready to reveal himself to anyone.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Lauren is with Team 3D and she talks about what Rhino has said about Matt Morgan and Hernandez. Ray wants to talk about Hulk Hogan first and he never thought he would have heard those words together. Ray says that Dixie has the biggest set of grapefruits.
Before he can talk about Rhino, Rhino stops by and Rhino says that he is right. Rhino asks them about their match against the Motor City Machine Guns. Was it a ‘mistake’ or a ‘MISTAKE’. Rhino asks if it is a coincidence that Team 3D is wrestling the men trying to take Rhino’s spot. Devon says that they respect both men but they are looking forward to the match.
Match Number Three: A.J. Styles versus Daniels with Guest Referee Samoa Joe in a Non Title Match
A.J. Styles is in the back with Jeremy before he came to the ring. Jeremy asks A.J. about having to face his best friend. A masked man in black attacks A.J.
Joe attacks Daniels in the ring and Joe hits a muscle buster.
We go to commercial.
Tara is walking in the back with her spider and we go to commercial again.
We see footage of Kong’s attack of Tara last week.
Match Number Three . . . Take Two: Tara versus Hamada
They lock up and Hamada with an arm drag but Tara with a hip toss. Hamada with a waist lock and Tara with a standing switch but Hamada with one of her own. Tara and Hamada each get near falls. They lock up and Hamada with head butts and chops. Tara with a few clotheslines and a slam. Tara with the shimmy standing moonsault for a near fall. Tara with shoulders in the corner and then she sends Hamada to the apron. Hamada with a head butt and then she does a tightrope walk and arm drag. Hamada with an enzuigiri for a near fall with a rollup. Hamada with a belly-to-back suplex and then she goes up top for a moonsault but she lands on Tara’s knees. Tara with the Widow’s Peak for the three count.
Winner: Tara
After the match, Awesome Kong comes out and she goes after Tara but security gets in the way but Tara hits a cross body onto Kong and security.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Lauren tells Tara that she never saw anyone take care of Kong like Tara did. Tara says that Kong better think twice about their cage match at Turning Point.
Mick Foley comes to the ring. He says that he has a gift for someone special and he wants Abyss to come to the ring. Mick says that he knows that Abyss might have some issues from what happened in the past, but it won’t happen tonight. He puts the gift down in the corner. Foley says that he ever felt guilty or bad saying something about a wrestler was when he said them about Chris. He did not mean to call Abyss a cheap carbon copy or rip off of him. Foley says that when he found out his caricature was destroyed, he wanted to find out who did it. He realized that he had a situation to deal with. He has been asked about Abyss for six years and whether Abyss reminded him of Foley. Foley says that he knew Chris was good and he needed to get in the ring to find out. He says that Chris is not as good as he thought Chris was . . . Chris is better. Foley talks about wrestlers and their legacies. Foley says that he wanted to be a cross between Bruiser Brody and the Dynamite Kid when he started. He also took a bite off Harley Race and Terry Funk’s plate as well. Foley gives Abyss a caricature of them and he leaves.
Foley says that he put Chris through a hell of a test at Bound for Glory, but Foley has another test for Chris. Next week, it will be Abyss and Dr. Stevie. If Abyss can beat Dr. Stevie, Stevie is gone from TNA.
Jeremy Borash is with Scott Steiner and he asks about the arrival of Hulk Hogan. Steiner talks about his history with Hogan and he mentions the nWo. He says that Hogan is going to put all of the young punks in their place and Hogan can join him in the Main Event Mafia. Steiner talks about Bobby Lashley and Kristal. Steiner says that he knows that Kristal wants to be his biggest freak.
We go to commercial.
We hear comments from Matt Morgan about the signing of Hulk Hogan and what it means to him. He mentions talking with Hogan during their time together on American Gladiators.
We see footage of Homicide pinning Red two weeks ago in a non-title match. We also see Scott Steiner’s obsessive behavior towards Kristal.
Match Number Four: Homicide versus Bobby Lashley
Before the match starts, the referee sends Kristal to the back.
Homicide attacks Lashley as the bell rings but Lashley pushes Homicide away. Lashley with an elbow. Homicide with a kick but Lashley with an Irish whip. Homicide moves when Lashley charges into the corner and Homicide with a missile drop kick for a near fall. Homicide throws his bandana at Lashley. Lashley with a choke slam for the three count.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
After the match, Homicide attacks Lashley and Homicide tries to hit Lashley with his boot but Lashley grabs Homicide and has him up for a press slam.
We see Steiner in the back and he is hitting on Kristal. Lashley makes his way to the back and he attacks Steiner and hits him with a trash can. Wrestlers and agents try to pull Lashley off Steiner.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Homicide is still in the ring and Homicide pushes the referee down.
Amazing Red comes to the ring and Red with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and spin kick. Red goes up top and hits a clothesline. Homicide leaves.
It is time to run through the card for Turning Point.
Match Number Five: Madison Rayne versus Taylor Wilde
Taylor with a side head lock and a kick followed by an arm drag. Taylor tries for a head scissors out of the corner but Madison slams Taylor to the mat and she punches her. Taylor with a trip and punch. Taylor with a rollup and Backlund bridge for the three count.
Winner: Taylor Wilde
After the match, Velvet Sky and Lacey Von Erich attack Taylor. Sarita comes to the ring and she takes care of Velvet and Madison for a second but Velvet attacks Sarita. The three-on-two attack continues until ODB comes to the ring and Velvet, Madison, and Lacey head to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We see A.J. Styles getting ready for his match with Daniels and we return to commercial.
Matt Morgan and Hernandez are with Lauren and she asks them if they want to comment about Rhino. Hernandez says that they are here to win. Matt says that there is no conspiracy theory other than Rhino looking like a bigger ass than he is. Matt says that they will knock Team 3D off their perch. They were the best tag team, but him and Hernandez are the future of TNA.
Match Number Six (or Match Number Three Redux): A.J. Styles versus Daniels with Guest Referee Samoa Joe in a Non-Title Match
They lock up and Styles with a side head lock and he holds on while Daniels tries to send him off the ropes. Styles with a side head lock take down. Daniels gets to the ropes and Styles is forced to release the hold. Daniels with knees to the ribs. Styles with a phenomenal drop kick. Styles tries for a splash into the corner but Daniels gets his knees up. Daniels with an STO and both men are down. Daniels gets up first and he connects with a knee to the midsection as he works on A.J.’s ribs and gets a near fall. Daniels with a gutbuster from a gutwrench followed by a leaping gutbuster. Daniels continues to work on the ribs with a seated abdominal stretch. Daniels with a kick to Styles and then he slams Styles and Daniels with an Arabian press for a near fall. Daniels continues to work on the ribs with his knee on Styles’ chest in a chin lock. Styles gets his foot on the ropes and he forces Daniels to release the hold. Styles with punches but Daniels with knees. Styles blocks a suplex and Styles with a neck breaker out of a suplex set up and both men are down. Daniels gets up first but Styles with clotheslines. Styles with a punch and a springboard phenomenal forearm but Daniels is able to counter it slightly and both men are down. Styles with the springboard moonsault but Daniels counters the inverted DDT attempt with a snap mare. Styles rolls through and hits the Styles Clash for the three count.
Winner: A.J. Styles
After the match, Joe hands Styles the title belt and raises his hand. Joe leaves the ring. Styles checks on Daniels and Joe returns to the ring and he chokes out Styles.
We go to commercial with Joe holding the title belt.
We are back and Hernandez talks about the arrival of Hulk Hogan in TNA and he says that it is good for TNA.
Lauren is with Dr. Stevie and Daffney and she talks about Stevie’s match next week. Stevie says that nobody plays him. He is not played like a pawn on a chessboard. Abyss will not beat him next week. Stevie says that he needs to take out Abyss once and for all. Stevie tells Chris to back out of it now because Abyss does not want to know what he has in store for him next week.
Match Number Seven: Team 3D versus Matt Morgan and Hernandez
Devon and Morgan start things off and they lock up. Morgan with a clean break. They lock up again and Devon with a side head lock and a shoulder tackle but neither man goes down. Devon with a flying shoulder tackle. Devon with a punch but Morgan with a side slam. Morgan with an elbow and then he takes off the elbow pads and connects with a series of elbows and then Morgan with a splash into the corner. Hernandez tags in and he chops Devon. Devon with a kick and a corkscrew back elbow for a near fall. Ray tags in and he works on the arm but Hernandez reverses and works on the shoulder. Ray with jabs but Hernandez with a clothesline before the Bubbonic elbow. Hernandez with a slingshot shoulder tackle for a near fall. Ray with a splash into the corner but Hernandez with a boot and he lifts himself to the turnbuckles. Ray with a chop to Hernandez and he hits a superplex and both men are down and Ray gets a near fall. Devon tags back in and he goes to the turnbuckles for an elbow. Devon favors his knee after landing awkwardly. Hernandez goes for the knee and drops an elbow.
Rhino comes to the ring and he says something to Ray. Morgan tags in and drop kicks the leg and gets a near fall. Ray tells Rhino to leave. Morgan with elbows to the leg. Rhino has a chair for Ray. Morgan with a single leg crab while Rhino continues to try to sell Ray on using the chair. Ray pushes Rhino down and takes the chair and tells Rhino to leave. Ray puts the chair on the apron. Hernandez tags in and he returns to the leg. Morgan tags in and he kicks the leg. Morgan with an atomic drop to the knee and he signals for a choke slam. Ray hits Morgan in the back with the chair and then he drills Hernandez in the head with it. The referee calls for the bell.
After the match, Rhino comes into the ring and he hugs Ray. Ray pushes Rhino away and so does Devon. Rhino with a GORE to Hernandez and he raises his arms because he can. Rhino with a GORE to Morgan as well. Rhino, Ray, and Devon raise their arms as we go to credits and Ray is conflicted.
2009 - WWE broadcast Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight with a Raw match.Match Number One: Santino Marella versus Chavo Guerrero
Santino freezes Chavo in his tracks but Chavo slaps Santino but Santino with arm drags. Santino with the cobra pose and Chavo backs into the corner. Chavo with a kick and forearm to the back and then he sends Santino into the turnbuckles. Santino returns the favor to Chavo. Santino blocks a suplex and Santino hits one of his own. Chavo with a back elbow to Santino and then he kicks Santino in the back. Chavo gets a near fall and then he hits a Saito suplex for a near fall. Santino with a back slide for a near fall but Chavo responds with a drop kick for a near fall. Chavo with a reverse chin lock. Santino gets to his feet but Chavo with a punch that sends him back to the mat. Chavo with a slap to the head and he returns to the reverse chin lock. Santino gets to his feet and he hits a series of punches and then he does a split before hitting a hip toss. Santino misses a diving forearm when Chavo moves out of the way. Chavo with kicks to the chest and then Chavo thinks about going to the turnbuckles but Chavo returns to the ring to move Santino and Santino with an inside cradle for the three count.
Winner: Santino Marella
It is time for Ask the Divas.
Match Number Two: Jack Swagger versus Primo
Primo avoids Swagger when Swagger wants to lock up. They eventually lock up and Primo sends Swagger into the turnbuckles. Primo with a drop toe hold and a leaping head butt to the back and a near fall. Primo with an arm bar but Swagger with a slam. Swagger misses an elbow drop. Primo with punches and a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Primo sets for punches in the corner but Swagger runs Primo into the turnbuckles and then he kicks Primo. The referee pulls Swagger out of the corner. Swagger with a double jump splash and then he hits a second one. Swagger with a seated abdominal stretch. Swagger with a kick and a belly-to-belly suplex. Swagger does some push ups before kicking Primo again. Swagger wants to run Primo into the turnbuckles again, but Primo turns it into a sunset flip. Swagger runs into Primo’s boots and then Primo goes up top and hits an elbow. Primo hits a cross body for a near fall. Primo tries for another tilt-a-whirl head scissors but Swagger counters and he hits the Doctor Bomb for the three count.
Winner: Jack Swagger
It is time for the Raw Rebound.
Chris Jericho is in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the ECW contribution to Superstars.
Match Number Three: Paul Burchill with Katie Lea versus Tyler Reks
They lock up and Burchill with a clean break but Reks with a punch and side head lock. Reks with a shoulder tackle for a near fall. Reks sends Burchill into the turnbuckles but Burchill pulls Reks off the turnbuckles and gets a near fall. Burchill with a short arm clothesline. Burchill chokes Reks in the ropes and then Katie hits Reks while Paul is with the referee. Paul with more punches after he returns to the ropes. Burchill with a neck breaker for a near fall. Burchill with a reverse chin lock but Reks with punches. Burchill with a head butt and shoulder in the corner. Burchill with an Irish whip but he runs into an elbow. Reks with a drop kick followed by a kick and an inverted suplex for a near fall. Burchill with a kick and the Danger Buster for the three count.
Winner: Paul Burchill
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Yoshi Tatsu video package.
We go to a recap of the problems between Batista and Rey Mysterio.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Chris Jericho versus Finlay
Before the match starts, we see what Drew McIntyre did to Finlay last week on Smackdown.
Jericho goes to the floor before they lock up and Finlay shows some frustration. They lock up and Jericho is pushed by Finlay and Jericho pushes back. Finlay pushes again and then Jericho gets into the ropes and the referee pulls Finlay off. Jericho with a punch to Finlay and the attack continues in the corner. Finlay with a leg take down and he punches Jericho and then connects with an elbow to the head and gets a near fall. Jericho with a take down and he punches Finlay and puts Finlay in a reverse chin lock. Finlay escapes the hold and connects with a European uppercut, clothesline and forearms. Finlay with another European uppercut and Jericho goes down. Finlay with boots to the midsection. Finlay with a kick to the chest but Jericho tries to put Finlay in the Walls of Jericho but Finlay powers out. Jericho sends Finlay to the floor and tries for the springboard double jump cross body but Finlay uses the ring skirt to crotch Jericho. We go to commercial.
We are back and Jericho has Finlay in a reverse chin lock. We see footage from the commercial break when Jericho sent Finlay into the ring steps. We are back to live on tape action and Finlay with knees to escape the hold and he gets a near fall with a rollup. Jericho with an enzuigiri for a near fall. Jericho with a series of kicks to Finlay but Finlay responds with chops. Jericho with a standing drop kick and a near fall. Jericho catapults Finlay into the bottom rope. Jericho continues the assault with punches and kick in the corner. Finlay with a clothesline and a near fall. Finlay runs Jericho into the corner and then he hits a snap mare but misses an elbow drop. Jericho with a back senton for a near fall. Jericho with a Dragon Sleeper on Finlay. Jericho misses a charge into the corner but Jericho kicks out. Finlay with clotheslines and then Finlay with a fireman’s carry slam for a near fall. Finlay tries for the seated splash but Jericho is able to grab Finlay and puts Finlay in the Walls of Jericho but Finlay makes it to the ropes. Finlay tries for the Celtic Cross but Jericho grabs the ropes. Jericho hits the Codebreaker for the three count.
Winner: Chris Jericho
2010 - WWE Smackdown ran Liverpool, Great Britain. Phil Grant filed the following live report:
Just like in Belfast, we had Fit Finlay beat Tyler Reks in the opener with help from Hornswoggle and the shillelagh.
Chavo Guerrero lost to a local lad named Mason Ryan. He is signed to a training deal with WWE. He is green, very green. Ryan was billed as being from Liverpool, of course.
Dolph Ziggler won a Fatal Four Way over MVP, Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes to retain the Intercontinental Title. This was a fun match.
Jack Swagger beat Chris Masters. This was better than I thought it would be but not great. The Eagle was there to help Swagger.
They did the Alberto Del Rio jumps Rey Mysterio before the match angle, which led to Kofi Kingston coming out. Kingston beat Del Rio in a really good match. Rey came down and did the 619 on Del Rio after the match,
Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel beat The Hart Dynasty to retain the tag titles. This was another good match. Gabriel and Tyson Kidd were especially good.
Natalya beat Layla in a non-title match. Kelly Kelly was the guest referee. Hornswoggle came down for comedy after the match.
The main event so Kane and Big Show go to a no-contest in the World Title match after all of Nexus (save Wade Barrett) did a run in. The were joined by all of the other heels until the faces from the show made the save. It was a real rip off of a main event.
2011 - The Urban Wrestling Federation presented their Street King PPV, crowning their first champion. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:
The Urban Wrestling Federation's Street King PPV opened with a video showcasing the competitors in the Street King title match that will crown the first UWF champion. We then went into a series of vignettes to set the stage for thes storylines
Somewhere in the street, KC Blade of the Dirty Rotten Scoundrelz (Uncle Murda's crew) was keeping watch when he was attacked and choked out from behind by Eddie Kingston (Melle Mel's crew). Kingston robbed him of his wallet and sneakers and grabbed him by the throat, screaming to pass on to Homicide and Murda that he's looking for them and it's never going to be over. Kingston lost to Homicide at the first PPV and was obsessing over him on the second. He warned Blade that he knows where he lives.
In a car, Blade's partner EC Negro tried to call him but the beaten Blade couldn't answer the call. Negro knew something was wrong and said Murda was going to "f**king kill us."
Billy Blue was browbeating Bestia backstage, telling him he had better not screw up tonight, because Blue wanted his money. The UWF is already doing a better job explaining who each wrestler is and what crew and city they are supposed to be representing. Blue and Beastia entered the room where the crew was. Buck Chyld and Steve Mack were going at it and started going nose to nose arguing, Blue finally had enough of them. He said he has to deal with his kids and his baby mamas and now he needs to deal with them too. Jeez was instigating and Blue yelled at him to shut up. Blue said that if they have problems, they will settle it tonight. He said whichever of them loses, he wants them out of the crew and out of his face. He doesn't want the loser anywhere near him. Everyone suddenly sullied. Blu walked out and said this wouldn't be "no Bestia sh** either", referring to the crew beating down Bestia on the first PPV for not having Blues' money.
We go back to Negro pulling up looking for Blade. He runs down the street.
We go into the usual UWF opening video and then go to the ring where the announcers set the stage and send us to the ring.
Loser Leaves Crew: Steve Mack vs. Buck Chyld
Billy Blue said that Buck Chyld had beef with Steve Mack and asked him if he saw how big Mack was. He told them to fight it out.
Mack shoved him down but Chyld nailed a Thesz Press. They rolled around on the mat fighting. Chyld worked him over but Mack drilled him with a stiff clothesline. Mack choked him against the ropes. Mack controlled him but was drilled with a punch when he went for a suplex.
Mack caught him with a press and slammed Chyld down. Mack set up as Chyld pulled himself up in the corner, but missed a running splash. Mack nailed a sitdown powerbomb for a two count. Mack went to the top rope but was cut off by Chylda, who suplexed him into the ring.
They recovered and battled back and forth with hard strikes . Chyld nailed several rebound elbows and a clotheslines to take Mack down. Chyld nailed a twisting moonsault press, taking down Mack for a two count. Mack came back with a nice half nelson suplex for a two count.
Mack went for an over the shoulder powerslam but Chyld slipped out and nailed the Acid Drop on Mack for the pin.
Your winner, Buck Chyld!
Billy Blue ripped on Mack, saying he had faith in him but can't have a weak link. He mocked Mack for talking trash on Chyld for being white. He told the rest of the crew the way it needed to be and Beastia began putting the boots to Mack. Chyld joined in. Jeez didn't want to do it. Blue called him on it so Jeez nailed Mack with a big right. They kept pulling him up and beating him back down. Jeez went to the top and nailed a double stomp onto Mack's gut after Blue told Mack that Jeez was f***ing his b****. They left Mack beaten.
The LEP Bogus Boys from Chicago cut a promo saying they were here to get all the money.
Back in the streets, EC Negro ran down a block looking for KC Blade. He ran right into Eddie Kingston, who laid him out and held a pipe to his throat, warning him not to move. Kingston told Negro to tell Homicide that he's coming and warned him to stay down or he was done.The Maximos vs. Lance Lude & Brian XL
Mel told the Maximos that those punk shat at them and asked them what they were going to do about it.
Will Maximo started with Lude. They went back and forth. Lude caught him with a Lucha style headscissors. XL and Joel tagged in and XL drilled him with a big rana. XL was caught with an enziguiri. He came back with a sliding kick to the outside but was caught and drilled by Joel. Lude nailed a dive. XL tossed Will out of the ring after cutting him off and nailed a moonsault.
It settled down into Will and XL battling back and forth in the ring. Joel tagged in but Lude nailed him with a flying knee. Will caught Lude with a tilotwhirl backbreaker for a two count. The Maximos worked over Lude and scored several two counts.
XL tried to interfere but was forced back by the referee. Will locked in a rear chinlock, then brought Lude into their corner. The Maximos tagged in and out, working over Lude. XL tagged in and hit a springboard splash on Joel. Lude hit an insane Spiral Tap-esque move to the floor on Will.
The Maximos worked over XL then caught Lude with the Washing Machine. XL was nailed with an elbow as he hit the corner. Joel tried to powerbomb Lude off the ropes but was caught with a rana. XL nailed a twisting DDT out of the other corner on Will for a two count.
Will went to the top but was cut off by Lude. Lude was nailed by Joel. The Maximos hit the Spanish Fly on Lude and scored the pin.
Your winners, The SAT!
Melle Mel and Big Business got into it and Mel clotheslined him out of the ring. 40 Gloc got into Mel's face. The two crews brawled out of the ring and through the crowd. They all fought on the floor. Brian XL was lifted up to the first balcony to do a dive but Will Maximo attacked him up there. Maximo tried to suplex him out of the balcony but XL escaped. He tried to slam Maximo. XLhit a moonsault off the balcony to the floor. Maximo then hit a big dive out of the balcony to the chaos below. The crowd loved that. They brawl continued all around ringside and back towards the locker room. Really chaotic, fun scene.
We went to a package on the issues with Cuban Link, Brisco and 40 Gloc. Gloc told them both they were going to take of their sh** tonight in the club.
Eddie Carnage vs. BC Killer
This was shot in an empty Club Amnesia, a hip hop club in NYC. The two crews were in opposing balconies and had flip cams, which added a unique looking element to the brawl. The announcers noted they were watching the footage for the first time along with the fans, which at least explained how they were calling it.
Carnage and Killer brawled stiffly in the ring and quickly went to the floor. Killer nailed Carnage with a light tube. They had a shot of Gloc concerned for Carnage. Both men were bleeding as Killer drilled Carnage low with another light tibe. Carnage fired back with several chairshots. He placed Killer's arm inside a chair and slammed it with another, then drilled him with a pair of light tubes. Carnagge ripped at Killer's face with the broken tube. He flipped off Glocc's crew.
Killer began to mount a comeback with several right hands but was caught with a right hand by Carnage. They continued to brawl, throwing chairs at each other. Carnage nailed him with a trash can and cut away at Killer's bleeding forehead with a sharp object. Killer drilled him with a chair and tied him up, trying to choke him with a chain. Killer used a staplegun on Carnage's arms and forehead.
Killer went to the restroom. Bad time to need to go! He emerged with a toilet. No kidding. He used the toilet seat on Carnage and stuck his head in it before smashing the toilet apart with Carnage in it. Killer set up a pane of glass but was drilled with a light tube. The glass fell over on Carnage. Killer smashed it over him with a chair. Nasty. Carnage used the staplegun to return the shots from earlier. He drilled Carnage with a suplex through another pane of glass. Carnage then, I kid you not, list his own fish on fire and drilled Killer with a backhand punch, KOing him.
Your winner, Carnage!
If you like the style, it was entertaining and gritty and nasty.
The announcers said it was about proving a point and that's what Carnage did. They said they didn't expect it to get so violent but that's how it is in UWF.
We went into a music video with highlights of each competitor.
UWF Championship Bout: Homicide vs. Ricky Reyes vs. Beastia 666 vs. Rasche Brown
All four battled around the ring to start it out. Rasche and Homicide brawled on the outside. Beastia and Reyes did some nice Lucha inside. Beastia went for a dive but Homicide tripped him and worked him over. Beastia caught him with a powerslam for a two count.
Homicide went for the Three Amigos and nailed it. Before he could cover Beastia, Brown tackled him, then pressed and slammed Homicide. They all went back and forth in the ring. Beastia went for a Lucha takedown on Brown but was caught. He turned it into a sunset flip for a two count.
Homicide returned to the ring and started stalking Beastia from behind. Beastia nailed a suicide dive to the floor on Brown. Homicide then hit a dive through the ropes on Brown. Beastia scored several near falls on Homicide Homicide went for the Cop Killa and nailed Beastia, who was eliminated.
Brown drilled Homicide and took him down. He press Homicide, but Homicide slipped out from behind and nailed Brown. He forced him into the corner and went for a top rope rana but Briown held on. Reyes nailed him with a suplex and pinned Homicide. Homicide was eliminated.
The crowd was yelling "bullsh**" when Homicide was taken out.
Reyes nailed Brown with a suplex and covered him for a two count. He peppered him with forearms but was caught and slammed. Brown speared the hell out of him and scored the pin.
Your winner and the first UWF champion, Rasche Brown!
We fade to black but then return to the club where Uncle Murda's crew finds Big Block and his crew hanging out. They pull out guns and chase them out of the place, shooting at them.
Backstage, Rasche Brown enters a room with the UWF title belt. Someone is clapping and he see the belt enter their hands, but never see who the person is. Cliffhanger city.
A solid back and forth main event but this show was more about showing the wilder side of the UWF with a fun, riotous post-tag brawl and dives out of the balcony, plus the Death Match stuff in the club. For wrestling,Hood Justice was a stronger show, but this showed a different side and was fun to watch. The hour zipped on by, which rarely happens with other promotions. This was another different and unique but entertaining show from the UWF. The storylines have come together, although at times it comes off forced when you realize you've got guys wrestling to get back at others for TRYING TO MURDER THEM. But, when you look at it from a Grand Theft Auto point of view, it's fine. UWF isn't trying to do pro wrestling. They are trying to do a street product that is utilizing pro wresting as a storyline point. It's a damn unique product and I'm enjoying it for what it's meant to be.
2011 -WWE's Smackdown brand ran the home of Torchwood, Cardiff, Wales. Aled Davis filed the following live report:
I attended Sunday evening's Smackdown house show at the Motorpont Arena, in Cardiff, Wales, so I thought I’d send along the results:
Daniel Bryan defeated William Regal.
This was a good opening bout, it was a bit slow to get started but both men worked over each other in the early part of the match with some good mat wrestling and reversals. Bryan eventually got the win via submission after Regal tapped to the LeBell Lock.
Tyson Kidd & Justin Gabriel defeated Jinder Mahal & Johnny Curtis.
This was a good fast paced match with Kidd and Gabriel both showcasing off their athleticism. Mahal and Curtis worked over Kidd in the early goings but then Gabriel got the hot tag and finished it by hitting an awesome looking 450 splash on Curtis to pick up the win.
Brutus Clay defeated Trent Barreta.
Not too many cared about this one. Neither has been on the main Smackdown TV show for quite a while therefore the crowd wasn’t really into in. In the early goings Barreta had the better of the offence but then Clay slowed the pace down and used his over-whelming size to out power Trent. This one finished with Clay hitting a splash on Baretta to pick up the 1,2,3.
Cody Rhodes defeated Ted DiBiase & Wade Barrett.
This one was for the Intercontinental Championship and it was a pretty entertaining match. DiBiase came out doing ‘The Ayatollah’ (A Cardiff City Football Celebration) which got him some positive crowd reaction. Barrett and Rhodes both got decent heat, especially Barrett who is from over the border (England). Barrett and Rhodes both double-teamed DiBiase early on before each took turns to lay on the outside. Barrett hit Wasteland on Ted, and with the crowd thinking we’d have a new IC Champion Rhodes came in to break up the pinfall. This one ended with a triple suplex in the corner where Rhodes power-bombed Barrett who had DiBiase on the top rope. Rhodes rolled DiBiase up with a hand full of tights to retain his title. The crowd was really into this one and all 3 made this an enjoyable match. A side note to the match was that Rhodes worked this one without his protective mask.
Ring announcer Eden Stiles came out to advise us there would be a short intermission and promoted some of the merchandise that was on offer. She also informed us that the WWE would be back in Cardiff for the WrestleMania Revenge Tour in April.
Alicia Fox & AJ defeated Natalya & Tamina.
Decent bout from the Divas in this one, but nothing much of note happened. Aksana worked as the special guest referee, but aside from slapping Natties ass during the pre match pat down she didn’t do much. Fox and AJ picked up the win after Alicia pinned Tamina.
Hunico defeated Yoshi Tatsu.
Hunico came out dressed as Sin Cara and there was a big pop for him. There were a lot of Sin Cara T-Shirts and Masks in the crowd and most of the Kids in attendance were really looking forward to him. As “Sin Cara” got into the ring with a fans sign, he ripped it up and removed his mask to reveal his real identity. The crowed booed and some of them were a bit mystified, but the majority worked out this was the ‘bad Sin Cara’. Hunico got on the mic and said the real Sin Cara wasn’t here tonight as he didn’t like the country, and neither did he as well. Hunico won this one with a Swanton Bomb.
Randy Orton & The Big Show defeated Mark Henry & Christian.
Major Pops for Orton and The Big Show when they were both made their entrances’. Henry and Christian got decent heat too. This one started with a posing contest between Christian and Orton, Show then got involved by grabbing the house mic and did a really good Hulk Hogan impression by taunting Christian by saying “What’cha Gunna do when The Viper RKO’s you Brother?”. This was a decent match with all 4 participants getting their fair share of in ring action. There was one scary moment when Mark Henry appeared to drop The Big Show on his head following a suplex (something which should really not be attempted!) both Christian and Orton had their hands on their head following the spot, and Henry did look a little concerned. Show quickly regained his composure, but soon tagged out of the match to allow him some time to recuperate on the outside. This bout ended with The Big Show grabbing both Henry and Christian for the choke slam before tossing Christian to Orton to hit the RKO, while Show simultaneously choke slammed Henry. With both Christian and Henry out for the count Orton and Show both pinned their opponents for a double pin and the win to send the crowd home happy.
Overall this was a pretty decent show. It wasn’t a sell out, but the arena was about 90% full, and the crowd seemed to enjoy the show. Notable absentees from the card that the crowd were looking forward to see compete were Sin Cara and Sheamus, but that didn’t take away anything from the Superstars that worked the show. Orton and The Big Show got the biggest cheers of the night by far, while Christian, Mark Henry and Hunico probably got the most heat. The latter because he wasn’t Sin Cara.
Match of the night would have to be the main event, but the IC Title Match and the Mahal/Curtis vs. Kidd/Gabriel matches were also strong favorites of the crowd.
2011 - WWE's Raw brand ran Sheffield, England. Graeme Barrie filed the following live report:
Went to the RAW house show today and here are the results:
Match 1: Santino Marella def. Drew McIntyre with the Cobra. Fun opener, crowd were really into Santino. Few cheers for Drew and a few humorous 'England' chants directed at the Scot.
Match 2: Alex Riley & Primo def. David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty when Riley hit the TKO on Otunga. Standard tag fare. Nobody knew who Otunga/McGillicutty were and Primo's only reactions were for his athletic moves. A-Ri looked good on his return.
Jack Swagger attacked Riley post-match and laid out a promo berating the UK before challenging 'anyone British' to a match...
Match 3: Mason Ryan (announced as 'from the UK' rather than 'from Wales') def. Jack Swagger with a powerslam. Ryan was really over and this was a decent match, made twice as funny by my Swagger-loving friend getting mocked. Fun fact: the Sheffield Arena was where Jack Swagger lost his 'unbeaten for the rest of the year' streak in 2009 to Evan Bourne.
After an interval, we had Match 4: Triple Threat for the WWE United States Championship, and Dolph Ziggler retained by pinning John Morrison with the superkick in a match also involving WWE Tag Team Champion Kofi Kingston.
Match 5: WWE Divas Champion Beth Phoenix retained her title from Eve Torres after a Glam Slam. Eve did this weird dance before a standing moonsault, and that's about as interesting as this match got. Oddly, there were 'Let's go Cena/Cena sucks' duel chants during this...
Match 6: John Cena & Zack Ryder def. Awesome Truth when Cena hit the F-U on Miz. R-Truth and Miz cut a promo beforehand on Sheffield (or 'Shayfield' as Truth kept saying). Ryder was really over, surprisingly so even considering his push of late. Cena got the biggest pop of the night, naturally.
Match 7: WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio retained his title but lost to challenger CM Punk by DQ when Ricardo Rodriguez interfered. Punk was pretty over, about on a par with Zack I'd say although his popularity grew during the match. He worked the mic and joined in with the crowd in chanting 'Who are ya?' at Del Rio.
Afterwards, Miz and Truth attacked Punk until the odd trio of Ryder, Cena and, to many people's shock and confusion, Eve Torres(!) made the save. Miz was left to take the finishers, including a top rope moonsault from Eve. Cena and Ryder left Punk to thank the crowd and close the show. Overall, as usual a slick, entertaining show from the RAW roster, and we get SmackDown! back to the same arena in April.
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