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November 15th
On this day in history in ....
1952 - Former WWF and WCW World champion Randy "Macho Man" Savage is born.
1954 - Tex McKenzie & Ilio DiPaolo defeat Tiny & Al Mills in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to win the NWA Canadian Tag Team Title.
1976 - Greg Valentine defeats Tim Woods to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Title.
1983 - Tony Atlas & Rocky Johnson defeat The Samoans (Afa & Sika) for the WWF World Tag Team Title in Allentown, Pennsylvania, ending The Samoans third, and final, tag title reign. The Samoans would continue to defend the tag straps on house shows until the title change airs on TV on December 9, 1983.
1989 - The NWA holds their ninth Clash Of The Champions event at the RPI Fieldhouse in Troy, New York. Titled "New York Knockout", the show aired a 4.9 rating for TBS, and featured the final battle in the classic 1989 feud between Ric Flair and Terry Funk. Here are the results:
- The Freebirds (Jim Garvin & Michael Hayes) defeated The Road Warriors via DQ when Hawk threw the referee to the side after getting annoyed with the Freebirds double teaming Animal.
- Ric Flair was presented with the Pro Wrestling Illustrated "Wrestler Of The Decade" trophy, and Sting was given the NWA "Most Popular Wrestler" trophy.
- Doom defeated Eddie Gilbert & Tommy Rich when Butch Reed pinned Rich after a clothesline/bearhug combo.
- The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane) defeated The Dynamic Dudes (Johnny Ace & Shane Douglas) when Eaton pinned Douglas. The story of the match was that Jim Cornette was standing in a "neutral" corner, as he had been advising the Dudes while managing the Midnights. At the end of the match, Bobby Eaton was going to use a chain on Douglas, but Cornette grabbed it and tossed it away. Then, Cornette turned and blasted Douglas with his tennis racket so Eaton could get the pin. Cornette then celebrated with the Midnights, having tricked the Dudes.
- Steve Williams defeated The Super Destroyer (Jack Victory under a mask) in under two minutes with an Oklahoma Stampede.
- Rick & Scott Steiner defeated The Skyscrapers (Dan Spivey & Sid Vicious) via DQ when Doom interfered. This was followed by The Road Warriors running in, and a huge brawl breaking out.
- United States Champion Lex Luger defeated Brian Pillman after a chair shot. Post-match, Sting came out for a brawl with Luger.
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair defeated Terry Funk in an "I Quit" match when Funk was forced to submit to the figure four leglock. Post-match, Funk shook Flair's hand, as he had promised in a pre-match interview. Manager Gary Hart then attacked Funk, and was joined in his assault by the Great Muta and the Dragonmaster. Sting came out for the save, but Lex Luger attacked him. Hart, Muta, Dragonmaster and Luger beat down Sting, Funk and Flair. Luger then took a steel chair and destroyed the trophies that had been presented to Flair and Sting earlier in the evening. Recognized as one of the best matches of Flair's career, this bout is included on the "Ultimate Ric Flair Collection" DVD, which is available from Highspots.com.
1998 - WWE's Survivor Series Pay-per-view is held in St. Louis, Missouri. Here is a "Survivor Series Retro" look back at the show by Matt Shalk.
SURVIVOR SERIES 1998
November 15, 1998
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Arena: Kiel Center
Attendance: 19, 322
Survivor Series 1998 featured a 14 man tournament to determine a new World Wrestling Federation Champion. Two months earlier at Breakdown: In Your House, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin lost the championship in a Triple Threat Match when Kane and the Undertaker pinned him simultaneously. Mr. McMahon declared the title vacant, and ordered a match between Kane and the Undertaker at Judgment Day: In Your House to determine a new champion. To add insult to his loss, Steve Austin was forced to referee the match. The match ended when the Undertaker hit Kane with a chair and covered him, but Austin refused to count the pin. Instead, Austin stunned the Undertaker and hit him with the chair, counted both men down, and declared himself the winner. Mr. McMahon was furious, and fired Steve Austin on the spot. The next night on RAW McMahon announced there would be a tournament at Survivor Series to determine a new WWF Champion. Despite his termination, Steve Austin still appeared on RAW that night, kidnapping Mr. McMahon and embarrassing him in the ring (think "Bang 3:16"). The next week, it was revealed that Shane McMahon had rehired Steve Austin and but promised him a WWF Championship match the night after Survivor Series. Instead, Mr. McMahon entered Austin into the tournament, noting that he would need to win four matches to capture the championship instead of just one. Elsewhere in the company, the Rock was quickly gaining fan support despite still being a heel, and Mr. McMahon and the Corporation seemed determined to help Mankind win the championship tournament at Survivor Series… or were they?
RESULTS:
â–º First Round Match: Mankind advanced in the tournament when he quickly pinned Duane Gill following a double-arm DDT. Gill was a "mystery opponent" handpicked for Mankind by Mr. McMahon.
â–º First Round Match: Al Snow advanced in the tournament when he pinned Jeff Jarrett following a Head shot. Debra McMichael, making her WWF debut, accompanied Jeff Jarrett to ringside.
â–º First Round Match: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin defeated the Big Bossman when the Bossman was disqualified for hitting Austin with his nightstick. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin advanced in the tournament.
â–º First Round Match: Stephen Regal and X-Pac fought to a double count out. Commissioner Slaughter ordered a five minute overtime period, but X-Pac could not continue and the match was ruled a draw. Because neither man advanced in the tournament, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin received a bye into the semi-finals.
â–º First Round Match: Ken Shamrock forced Goldust to submit with the ankle lock. Shamrock advanced in the tournament.
â–º First Round Match: The Rock pinned Big Bossman with a small package to advance in the in the tournament. Triple H was originally scheduled to face The Rock, but Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson announced that the Big Bossman, making his second appearance of the evening, would face The Rock instead.
â–º Second Round Match: The Undertaker defeated Kane following a tombstone piledriver. Paul Bearer accompanied the Undertaker to ringside. Both men had received a bye into the second round. The Undertaker advanced in the tournament.
â–º Second Round Match: Mankind advanced in the tournament when he forced Al Snow to submit with the "Mr. Socko" mandible claw.
â–º Second Round Match: The Rock pinned Ken Shamrock to advance in the tournament. The Big Bossman tried to throw his nightstick to Ken Shamrock, but The Rock intercepted it and used it on Shamrock, scoring the pin.
► Sable pinned Jacqueline following a Sable Bomb to regain the WWF Women’s Championship.
â–º Semi-Final Match: Mankind pinned "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Steve Austin covered Mankind following a Stone Cold Stunner, but Mr. McMahon broke up the count and incapacitated the referee. Austin hit Mankind with a second Stunner, and Shane McMahon ran in to make the count, but stopped at two and gave Austin a pair of middle fingers. Austin chased Shane, but Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson stopped him with a chair shot, allowing Mankind to make the pin and advance to the tournament final.
â–º Semi-Final Match: The Rock advanced to the tournament final when he defeated The Undertaker via disqualification. The Undertaker was disqualified when Kane chokeslammed The Rock. Following the match, the Undertaker attacked the referee, the he and Kane fought into the crowd.
â–º The New Age Outlaws (Billy Gunn & Road Dogg) retained the WWF Tag Team Championship by defeating The Headbangers (Mosh & Thrasher) and D-Lo Brown & Mark Henry in a Triple Threat Match. Billy Gunn pinned Headbanger Mosh to win the match.
â–º Tournament Final: The Rock defeated Mankind to win the vacant WWF Championship. The Rock had Mankind in the Sharpshooter, and Mr. McMahon called for the bell and screwed Mankind in a repeat of the finish to the Survivor Series 1997 main event. McMahon and the Corporation celebrated with the new "Corporate Champion," until "Stone Cold" Steve Austin returned and cleared the ring, hitting The Rock with a Stone Cold Stunner to end the show.
CARD SUBJECT TO CHANGE: Big Bossman substituted for Triple H in his first round match against The Rock. Triple H was out of action with a knee injury.
NOTES: Jim Ross & Jerry "The King" Lawler did commentary for the event. Carlos Cabrera and Hugo Savinovich did Spanish commentary. Michael Cole, Kevin Kelly, & Dok Hendrix handled backstage interviews. Howard Finkel was the ring announcer....Too Much (Brian Christopher & Scott Taylor) defeated The Hardy Boyz (Matt & Jeff Hardy), The J.O.B. Squad (Bob Holly & Scorpio) defeated LOD 2000 (Animal & Darren Drozdov), Val Venis defeated Tiger Ali Singh, and Gangrel defeated Steve Blackman in matches featured on Sunday Night Heat prior to the pay-per-view....The theme for the pay-per-view was "Deadly Game" complete with its own original theme music.
Buck Woodward: I remember thinking that this tournament has so much potential, and loved the way they had Rock, Undertaker, Austin and Foley in the semifinals. But, everything was so overbooked, with the interference and screwjobs, that it killed the show for me, especially when they redid the 1997 finish for the Foley double-cross. Of course, it wouldn't be the last time they overdid the '97 screwjob.
Mike Johnson: Like Buck, I thought the finish was overbooked, although it was more a middle finger to Bret Hart than anything else....The bit introducing Duane Gill was brilliance, as was the Titantron video of him getting totally wrecked....I thought this was a really entertaining show, as the booking made sense once you looked back at the final result and saw all the small pieces that built to a larger story....That Foley victory over Austin is pretty much forgotten by history, but I believe it was his first WWF victory over him.
COMPLETE TNA TURNING POINT COVERAGE: TNA BLOWS THE ROOF OFF WITH BACK TO BACK AWESOME MAIN EVENTS: STYLES VS. DANIELS VS. JOE AND DESMOND WOLFE VS. KURT ANGLE
by Mike Johnson @ 8:12 PM on 11/15/2009
TNA Turning Point opened with a video feature on the changes of late in TNA, focusing on Hulk Hogan signing on with the company, the TNA championship bout tonight and Dixie Carter's recent meeting with the TNA talent.
TNA X-Division champ THE AMAZING RED (with Don West) vs. HOMICIDE
Homicide began poking Red in the chest, but Red wasn't having any of that. Red leapfrogged over him and nailed an armdrag. Homicide went to the floor and shoved West as he passed him. Red kicked Homicide through the ropes. Back in the ring, Red nailed a high cross bodyblock for a two count. He went for a monkey flip, but Homicide landed on his feet. Red nailed a head scissors but was nailed with a lariat.
Homicide bit Red on the ear and went for a belly to back suplex. Red landed on his feet and nailed a series of strikes and a clothesline to the legs for a two count. Red went to the the top and went for a senton splash, but Homicide moved. Red averted his dive and rolled through, but Homicide caught him with a backbreaker. Homicide began ripping at Red's face in the ropes.
Homicide beat on Red as Don West began rallying the champ. Homicide nailed a hangman's neckbreaker for a two count. The crowd began chanting for Red. Red began mounting a comeback with a series of rights, but Homicide caught him with a thrust to the throat. He tied Red up on the mat with a submission but Red refused to tap out. Homicide thought Red tapped out and argued with the referee. Red made his way to his feet in the corner but Homicide bit him on the face.
Homicide continued beating Red in the corner. Red went to the top rope, but Homicide choked him and slapped him. Homicide was shoved off the ropes. Red came off with a Lucha style armdrag, dropkicked him in the corner, then flipped around into a DDT for a two count.
Red came off the ropes with a twisting DDT for a two count. The fans chanted, "That was three." Red began nailing several kicks but was caught with a Dragon Screw Legwhip. Homicide nailed the Bronx Bomber for a two count. Homicide went for the Gringo Killer but Red evaded it. Red missed a kick. Homicide caught him with a catapult into the corner. Homicide missed a charge and Red nailed a standing Shooting Star Press for a two count.
Red hit a big standing moonsault but Homicide nailed an Ace Crusher during the rotation for another two count. Homicide set Red up for a top rope hurancanrana but was shoved off. Red hit the Code Red and scored the pin.
Your winner and still X-Division champion, The Amazing Red!
Solid opener with some good back and forth action. Really fun way to kick off the show.
Taz and Mike Tenay discussed some of the other matches for tonight's card, including Desmond Wolfe vs. Kurt Angle. Taz put over Wolfe for being able to play mind games with Kurt Angle. They discussed the TNA title match and discussed how Samoa Joe has been manipulating his opponents of late.
TNA Knockouts champ ODB & TNA Knockouts Tag Team champions SARITA & TAYLOR WILDE vs. THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE - Both titles on the line
The titles will only change hand if a champion is pinned and if so, only that title, so ODB can't lose her title if Sarita is pinned, etc.
Velvet Sky and ODB opened the match. ODB caught her with a headbutt low early but Sky moved her into the BP's corner. Madison worked over ODB but lost the momentum. Sarita tagged in and schoolgirled her, then attempted a bridge for a near fall. Sarita worked her over with some technical wrestling, then hit a dropkick. She tagged in Wilde. Lacey tagged in and clotheslined her. Rayne caught Wilde with a front facelock, then a neckbreaker.
The BP double-teamed Wilde. Sky began peppering her with right hands. She snapmared Wilde over then kicked her in the back. Sky followed up with a dropkick to the face. The BP choked Wilde in their corner. Von Erich tagged in and choked Sky with her boot. The crowd chanted, "You can't wrestle." Sky locked on an Octopus on Wilde. They actually pulled out an Antonio Inoki reference during that move.
Wilde finally made the hot tag to ODB. ODB clotheslined everyone and their mother. ODB caught Sky's attempted bodypress and nailed a Fall Away Slam for a two count. Von Erich broke up the pin. Pandemonium broke out. Lacey tossed Sarita out of the ring. Wilde was tossed as well, leaving ODB in a three on one situation. ODB kicked Von Erich and laid out Rayne and Sky. ODB scored the pin on Rayne with the TKO.
Your winners and still Knockouts champions, ODB, Taylor Wilde & Sarita!
OK match. This probably the best Velvet Sky has looked as she worked the lion's share of the bout. They laid this out to the best they of their ability. The crowd was merciless on Von Erich, and they wisely kept her out of the ring except for specific spots. It was obvious watching this that Sarita was far and away the best out of the six.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Desmond Wolfe. Borash said Wolfe's impact has been great. Wolfe said it started with a simple handshake and ended it with a closed fist. He promised that Kurt Angle will never forget his name again. He said that he would devour whatever was left of Kurt Angle after the last four weeks. He said he was a gracious and accommodating fellow. He said he's been studying Angle since day one and he knows Angle better than he knows himself. Angle, however, knows nothing about Wolfe. He said tonight Wolfe 101 was in session and he would end Angle's career. Real good serious promo. One thing that sets Wolfe apart is that he's convincing as a heel in that you can buy he's a jerk as opposed to playing a role.
TNA Tag Team champions THE BRITISH INVASION vs. BEER MONEY, INC. vs. THE MOTOR CITY MACHINEGUNS
Lots of back and forth wrestling early involving all three teams. Alex Shelley caught Roode with a series of deep armdrags. The story early was the Invasion were letting the other two teams beat each other down but at the same time, wanted to make sure they didn't lose the belts. The Guns worked over Roode with a number of tag moves. Sabin used several strikes but Roode came back with a running forearm.
Williams blind tagged in but was rolled up by Sabin for a two count. Williams and Sabin had a beautiful series of counters, ending with Sabin drilling Williams with a kick to the face. The Guns doubled on Williams with stereo kicks. Shelley used his knee as the base for a surfboard style submission. He legdropped Williams for a two count. Sabin tagged in and leapfrogged over Shelley, coming down on Williams' arm.
Magnus was able to tag in and used several right hands on Sabin in the corner. The Invasion used a wrap around necktie for a two count. The crowd began chanting USA to rally Sabin. Storm blind tagged himself in and scored a uranage into a backbreaker over the knee on Magnus. Beer Money nailed Williams with a suplex. They hang Williams in the corner and whip Magnus into him. The Guns then pull Magnus' legs, crotching him into Williams' face.
The Guns and Money worked over The Invasion in the corner with a series of hard hitting moves. Sabin came off the top with a splash as Shelley nailed a neckbreaker. Sabin went for a slingshot off the ropes but was shoved to the floor. The Invasion took out Shelley as well. Beer Money jumped right in and nailed a catapult DDT on Williams, then the DWI. Magnus broke up the pin at two.
Outside, TNA Global champ Eric Young pulled Storm off the apron. The Invasion rolled up Roode and hooked the tights for a two count. Earl Hebner threw Young out of ringside. Young refused to leave, so Kevin Nash came out and snatched the former TNA Legends title belt from him. James Storm went to grab Young but Nash drilled Storm with the title belt. Young seemed as shocked as anyone.
Roode went for a tag but Storm was out on the floor. He was caught with a double team clothesline by the Invasion and pinned.
Your winners and still TNA Tag Team champions The British Invasion!
There was a lot going on here, but at times, the action was real good. There was probably no real reason for The Guns to be in here, given that the match was a backdrop for the Eric Young and Kevin Nash interference to lead to the finish but everything they did looked great. British Invasion have to be the most underrated team in the business right now. The Nash-Young mystery begins. They really need a hell of an explanation to that one given the fact that Young just beat him for the title.
Taz and Mike Tenay wondered what Kevin Nash's motives might have been.
They showed footage of Impact this past Thursday with Raven throwing a fireball in Mick Foley's face. Mike Tenay said that while doctors have told Foley to stay away from TNA while he's recovering, Foley has promised to be at the Impact Zone this Thursday.
They noted they've got Kevin Nash. Jeremy Borash said everyone was confused and asked him, "What the hell was that?" Nash said that he does everything for a reason. Nash said that he was told to do it by Hulk Hogan. Nash said that's all he has to say. He said that if Hogan tells him to explain to the world why he did it, then he'll tell everyone on Thursday. If not, then he won't. He gave Hogan a shout out and lifted the belt, saying, "Hulk, we did it!"
AWESOME KONG vs. TARA - Six Sides of Steel
They begin slugging out in the ring. Kong missed an Earthquake splash. Tara grabs Kong's hand and begins slamming it into the cage after Kong misses a spinning back fist. Tara climbs the cage but Kong comes from behind and slams her backwards with the Electric Chair.
Kong goes to the top rope. Tara follows but is shoved off. Kong nails a missile dropkick off the top - yes, KONG. Tara kicked out at two. Kong slammed her into the turnbuckles. Kong braced her against the cage face-first and charged her into the cage. Kong grabbed Tara's legs and swung her into the cage. Kong used her boot to smother Tara against the cage. So far, so good.
Kong began unleashing a number of chops, then flung Tara across the ring. Kong suplexed Tara into the cage, bounces her off and dropped her facefirst on the mat. The fans began dueling chants. Kong tried for another but Tara turned it into a DDT. Kong went for the Implant Buster but Tara escaped and began unloading with a series of rights.
Tara dragged Kong around the six sides of the cage, slamming Kong's head into it. She dropkicked Kong. Tara nailed a standing moonsault press for a two count. Tara began scaling the cage as Kong followed. They battled while standing on the top rope. Both slipped and crotched themselves, then continued exchanging punches.
They continued battling and Tara powerbombed Kong off the ropes. Awesome. Kong kicked out. Tara got the better of her, went to the top and hit a flying bodypress off the top of the cage for the pin. Great stuff!
Your winner, Tara!
One hell of a match. This would have been considered a good cage match for anyone.
Lauren interviewed Tara afterwards. Tara was nearly in tears as she said he promised to beat the best female wrestler of all time, Kong and did it. She said she was coming after ODB and was going to become the next TNA Knockouts champion.
They aired a good video feature on Hulk Hogan's partnership with TNA President Dixie Carter. Mike Tenay said there are a lot of questions left to be answered, including Hogan's role in the company.
RHINO & TEAM 3D vs. MATT MORGAN & D'ANGELO DINERO & HERNANDEZ
Whatever happened to Dinero's feud with Suicide? Hell, after that bump last month at Bound for Glory, where is Suicide? Didn't they start a program where Homicide knew his identity?
Devon and Hernandez started off with Hernandez getting the better of a shoulderblock exchange. Dinero tagged himself in, missed a clothesline and scored with several kicks and a shoulderblock. Ray tagged in. He and Pope went back and forth. Ray shoved him down. Dinero took him down with a killer double leg takedown.
Ray retreated to the floor to kill his momentum. They locked up and Ray attacked his back. Ray began slapping and chopping Dinero. Ray did his clubbering routine but Dinero cut him off and drilled him with his own version. Dinero is showing a ton of fire. Ray cut him off with a sit down Bubbabomb.
Rhino tagged in and whipped Dinero into the corner. Morgan was able to tag in. Morgan got the better of their exchange. He clotheslined Rhino in the corner. Rhino missed a punting kick and was chopped down. Morgan missed a charge in the corner. Rhino goes for his own charge but is drilled with a discus clothesline. 3D hit the ring to break up the pin. 3D went to drill Hernandez with 3D but Dinero shoulderblocked him to get him out of the way. 3D attacked him instead but whether Hernandez realized what Dinero was doing wasn't obvious as he threw up his arms.
3D worked over Dinero. Rhino tagged in and continued the beating. Rhino choked Dinero against the ropes. Ray locked on a bear hug. Ray hit a back bodydrop on Dinero, then knocked Morgan and Hernandez off the apron. 3D and Rhino continued working over Dinero. Devon splashed him but Dinero got his shoulder up. Devon cinched in a rear chinlock on Dinero, who eventually made his way to his feet. He attempted a schoolboy for a two count. He went for a tag but went to the wrong corner and Devon cut him off.
Rhino tagged in as the fans chanted that her sucked. They brought Dinero into their corner. Dinero was tossed to the floor where Ray dropped an elbow on him. Bubba went for a senton back splash but Dinero moved. He made the hot tag to Morgan, who cleaned Rhino's clock. 3D backed off rather than get involved. Morgan hit the series of back elbows and a running splash in the corner for a two count. Devon interfered. Morgan nailed a double clothesline on Devon and Rhino.
Hernandez tagged in and nailed all three with lariats. He picked up and slammed Ray, then scored a two count on Rhino. Hernandez hit a huge running dive over the top rope onto Rhino and 3D on the floor. He tossed Rhino back into the ring and scaled the top rope. He nailed a big splash for a two count. Everyone began hitting big moves. Dinero powerbombed Rhino out of the corner. Hernandez hit an elbow for a two count. Ray grabbed Dinero and crotched him in the corner. Hernandez went for the Border Toss but Devon nailed him in the chest with a chair. Rhino gored Hernandez and pinned him.
Your winners, Rhino & Team 3D!
Some good spots here, particularly with Dinero, who was the standout here. I was surprised they didn't go for the all out brawl here but they laid out a good match. Rhino really needed the win here given how he's been used in recent months, so I thought that was the right call as well.
Lauren interviewed Scott Steiner. She claimed he was stalking Bobby Lashley's wife in recent weeks, so TNA has made it a Falls Count Anywhere No DQ match. Steiner claimed he was trying to be Lashley's friend by telling him his wife is in love with a better man. He said Lashley's muscles were all show and no go. Steiner said that since Kristal knows he beat Wilt Chamberlin's record, she knows he can go and wants Steiner to "bust her out." Steiner said he was going to cover Bobby Lashley for the win, then cover Kristal later and make her a "big winner." I guess now we knows why the 3D six man wasn't a brawl! Usual good Steiner promo.
SCOTT STEINER vs. BOBBY LASHLEY - No DQ, Falls Count Anywhere Match
Lashley looked furious, but still posed for his pyro. I hate when wrestlers do that. They brawled into the crowd immediately. Lashley tossed Steiner into the crowd near the announcers. Lashley nailed him with a weak chair shot, then tossed him back into the ring. He began kicking and punching Steiner in the corner.
Lashley whipped him into the corner and shoulderblocked him. Lashley nailed a suplex for a two count. Lashley nailed a spinebuster and charged him but Steiner got his boot up. Steiner was still caught with a T-Bone suplex for a two count. Lashley nailed a running clothesline, sending Steiner over the top to the floor.
Lashley followed Steiner to the floor, but was kicked low. Steiner covered him for a two count on the floor after another low blow. Lashley's head was slammed into the guard rail. Steiner hit him with a chair across the back for another two count. Steiner brought him back into the ring and nailed a belly to belly suplex for a two count. Steiner drilled him with another overhead release suplex, then another for a two count.
Steiner placed Lashley on the top rope and hit the top rope frankensteiner. He slammed Lashley and went to the top. Lashey caught him with a slam, then press and dropped him over the ropes. Steiner went to the floor in a scary moment. Lashley followed him to the floor and slammed him into the apron. They made their way to the announcer's table. Steiner was drilled with another chair as they made their way backstage.
The cameras followed Lashley stalking Steiner backstage and then they lost the shot. When they returned, Steiner was bloody. Lashley nailed him with a trash can and tossed him into a guard rail by :"the TV Production area." Lashley cleaned a table and suplexed Steiner through it for a two count.
Lashley grabbed a 2x4. Taz yellled, "Hooo!" Lashley drilled Steiner with it twice. Lashley went for a spear but Steiner moved and Lashley crashed into a wooden pallet. Steiner began choking Steiner with an electrical cord. Steiner covered Lashley, who kicked up at two.
Steiner returned to the Impact Zone. Lashley made his way to his feet and returned. They made their way towards the Spanish announcing team. Steiner kicked Lashley off the stairs, then pulled a metal rod from the scaffolding behind the announcers. He drilled Lashley in the head with it and scored the pin.
Your winner, Scott Steiner!
Good brawl. Both worked really hard here. There were some scary moments but I thought this was worlds better than anyone expected it to be going out there. The added stips helped them a lot, but there were some good suplexes here and it was a lot more competitive than I'd have guessed. Lashley losing clean was a minor surprise.
Lashley made his way to his feet and looked furious about the loss.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Kurt Angle. Angle said Desmond Wolfe is trying to act under prison rules - by taking out the biggest badass in the yard, you make your reputation. Angle said that Wolfe wanted him and now he's got him. He said he doesn't need to know Wolfe to beat him. He said that he's going to beat him and he's the best wrestler in the world. Angle had a nice, serious intensity, as opposed to a scripted delivery.
KURT ANGLE vs. DESMOND WOLFE
This will be Wolfe's first-ever live PPV appearance, as his ROH bouts were on taped PPVs.
They had some awesome technical mat wrestling early. Angle caught him with a pair of hiptosses and locked in a top wristlock. Wolfe made his way to his feet and locked in a keylock while cranking Angle's neckbreak. Wolfe maneuvered Angle into a corner, then kicked his arm. Wolfe continued to work on Angle's wrist and arm. Taz did a good job explaining that would hinder Angle's grip during moves including suplexes.
Angle caught Wolfe with a slam and then drilled an over the knee backbreaker. Angle drilled him with a European forearm and shoulderblock in the corner. Wolfe began nailing Angle with a series of suplexes, using the arm as a focal point to continue the strategy.
Angle went for a sunset flip but Wolfe attacked the arm to escape it. Wolfe began using European style matwork and submissions. This is awesome. Taz said it was like watching Billy Robinson. Taz is awesome. Wolfe charged Angle into the corner and drilled him with a European uppercut upon impact.
Wolfe went to charge out of the corner but Angle caught him with a belly to belly suplex. Angle lariated Wolfe with a series of clotheslines. Angle nailed a flying forearm off the ropes. Wolfe continued with several headbutts but Angle ducked a clothesline and began hitting a series of six German suplexes. The audience chanted, "TNA."
Angle went for the Angleslam but Wolfe countered with the jawbreaker lariat for a two count. Wolfe set up Angle for the Tower of London but Angle escaped and rolled him up for a two count. Wolfe yanked Angle's bad arm then locked on a keylock while on Angle's back. Angle escaped and locked in the anklelock. Wolfe thought about tapping but reversed it, cinching Angle in a figure four hammerlock. Angle escaped and it was back to the anklelock in the center. He pulls himself to the center as Wolfe gets to the ropes. Wolfe finally gets back to the ropes.
The fans are chanting "This is awesome" and it sure as hell is.
Wolfe drills Angle down. Wolfe drills the Tower of London for a two count. Wolfe is shocked Angle kicked out. Wolfe went for the jawbreaker lariat but Angle clotheslined him first. Angle went for a standing moonsault off the top rope but Wolfe escaped and went back to the London Dungeon.
They battled their way to to top and exchanged headbutts. Angle got the better and hit a frog splash off the top onto Wolfe for a two count. Angle went for a tombstone. Wolfe reversed but before he could snap it, Angle grabbed the anklelock. Wolfe kicked him off but Angle grabbed it. Angle went into a side triangle choke and Wolfe finally tapped.
Absolutely f***ing awesome. There is no other way to describe that match. It was so good, I wish I had been there. The announcers did a beautiful job building Wolfe in the commentary as someone who had all the answers to everything Angle had to show, since he had studied him so hard. Easily the best match on the card so far and well worth the price of the PPV.
As he left, Wolfe warned Angle he hasn't seen the last of Desmond. I certainly hope not. TNA made a star tonight.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Samoa Joe. He said all the manipulation being Joe's fault was a false perception. Joe said he only shined the light on the truth that was already there. He said when you put your faith into someone else, you end up getting screwed. Joe said that it's all inconsequential because no one has beaten them more than him and no one has sent them to the hospital more than him. He said that tonight, he only has to beat one of them, and that's exactly what he's going to do. Good promo. It's so good to see this version of Samoa Joe back. I hope we never see the Nation of Violence era version again.
TNA champ AJ STYLES vs. SAMOA JOE vs. DANIELS
Daniels punched Styles right in the face at the bell. Joe and Daniels went at it. Styles clubbed both with right hands, then shoulderblocked Joe in the corner. Styles hit a flying forearm smash in the corner on Joe. Joe came back with a charge and enziguiri. Joe unleashed a series of kicks and chops to Styles but Daniels nailed a leg lariat. Styles covered Joe for a two count. Daniels ducked under a leapfrog from Styles and evaded a dropkick but was caught with one. Styles then drilled Joe with one.
Joe punted Styles, then hit a running high knee on Daniels. Joe cinched in a legbar on Daniels. Styles came off the ropes with a big knee drop for a two count. Styles worked over Joe and Daniels. He cinched the Mutalock on Joe, but Daniels dropped a double axehandle over Styles' exposed stomach. Daniels caught Styles with a drop toehold, then dropped a knee across the back of the head. Daniels cranked Styles' neck.
Daniels tripped Joe and then slammed Styles atop of him. He locked on a Boston Crab on Styles at the same time he cinched a camel clutch on Joe. Joe bit his fingers to break it. Daniels punched Styles in the corner. He charged Joe but was caught with an uranage. Joe began killing Styles with boots to the face before unleashing the facewash. Joe drilled Daniels with a chop/kick combination. Styles charged but Joe tossed him aside to the floor and senton splashed Daniels.
Joe went for a running dive through the ropes but Styles kicked him in the face. Joe went to the floor. Styles whipped Daniels, but who pulled short and forearmed him. Daniels was caught with a suplex. AJ went to the outside after Joe but Joe kicked his legs out from under him and Styles smashed into the apron in nasty fashion. Daniels hit a dive to the floor.
Daniels went for the Arabian Press but Styles grabbed his legs. Joe was able to cinch in the choke on the floor and Styles hit a great twisting dive to the floor on both. Back in the ring, Styles got a two count on Daniels and nailed a great headscissors. Some fans began chanting, "Screw Hulk Hogan!"
Styles hit a springboard into a hurancanrana on Daniels for a two count. Styles peppered both with punches. Daniels maneuvered Joe and Styles into the same corner and chopped them both. Daniels hit a monkeyflip on Styles, who went right into Joe's arms. Joe powerbombed Styles atop of Daniels. He covered Styles for a two count, but AJ kicked out. Joe locked in a Boston Crab, then turned it into an STF. Styles finally makes it to the ropes.
Joe nailed a snap powerslam for a two count. Joe clobbered Daniels as he rebounded off the ropes. Daniels grabbed Joe and hit an inverted DDT at the same time he nailed Styles with a uranage onto Joe. This is awesome. Daniels caught Styles with a running high knee in the corner, then a death valley driver. AJ and Daniels fought for position with a suplex, ending with Styles catching Daniels with something of a neckbreaker.
Joe returned to the ring. Styles and Joe began punching and slapping each other. Joe got the better of the exchange. Daniels and Joe went back and forth. Daniels caught him with a palm thrust. Styles catches Daniels with a boot and the Pele Kick. The fans chanted TNA. AJ went outside. Joe charged and was caught with a shoulderblock. Styles jumped in and hit a discus clothesline on Daniels.
Styles backdropped Daniels to the floor, then hit a springboard leaping forearm smash on Joe. Styles covered him for a two count. Styles hits the flip into an inverted DDT for a two count. He went for another, this time on Daniels, but it's caught and turned into Last Rites. Joe went for a Samoan Drop but Daniels used elbows to break free and hit a German suplex on Joe. He leaped at Joe but Joe crotched him and hit the muscle buster,. Styles broke up the pin at two.
Daniels and Styles went back and forth with some incredible moves and pinfall combination. In the end, Daniels went for the Styles Clash but Joe hit a superkick on him. Styles rolled up Daniels but Joe broke it up. Daniels and Styles used the old Midnight Express double goozle to take down Joe. They showed respect to each other and Daniels immediately went to hit AJ who was smart to him. Styles and Daniels battled on the rope, trying to suplex each other to the floor. Joe came in and chopped Styles off the top to the floor.
Joe went for a muscle buster but Daniels avoided it and hit a STO. Daniels went for the Best Moonsault Ever but Styles hit a springboard 450 splash and covered Joe for the pin.
Your winner and still TNA champion AJ Styles!
Another absolutely awesome match. In fact, these may have been the best TNA PPV ever in terms of the top two matches delivering. For all the grief we give TNA about the way Impact is booked, they gave us two awesome wrestling matches with clean finishes on top tonight and some good stuff underneath. If there is a show you want to order from TNA, this is the one. Thumbs up all the way here. I friggin' loved this main event. They totally lived up to the hype of their last PPV main event in 2005 and at the same time, had a completely different, original match. Between the athleticism and the creativity, this was TNA at its best.
2010 -WWE broadcast an "Old School" Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Hershey, Pennsylvania and your announcers are Michael ‘Gorilla’ Cole and Jerry ‘Thank You Mr. McMahon’ Lawler.
We have the old school opening and old school pyro as Cole and Lawler talk about the vintage show that we will see tonight.
Justin Roberts, dressed like he is going to prom introduces Mean Gene Okerlund.
Gene tells us that Raw goes ‘old school’ tonight and he brings out WWE Hall of Famer Cowboy Bob Orton with his vintage cast on his arm. Gene mentions that Bob’s son is the WWE Champion. Bob says that Randy isn’t here yet because he might not have known that the show was starting an hour early and Randy will be here. Gene asks Bob if he thinks that Randy will win on Sunday. Bob says that Randy knows how to deal with adversity and getting things done. Bob says that he would get calls when Randy was a kid that Randy threatened the teachers and Bob says that he didn’t care. Bob doesn’t care if Cena is the referee. Orton says that he doesn’t care if Randy gives Barrett and Cena RKOs.
Speaking of Randy’s opponent on Sunday, Wade Barrett comes out to the interview area and he is alone.
Barrett tells the old man that his prediction for Sunday is as phony as Bob’s cast. Wade says that he will do something that Bob couldn’t do and that is become WWE Champion. Wade says that he doesn’t owe anything to the ‘old school’ because he did it on his own. Barrett says that his goals will be realized when his arm is raised on Sunday.
Wade says that he didn’t bring out the rest of Nexus because he wants Bob conscious on Sunday to see the beating.
The Miz comes out with Alex Riley and Michael Cole gushes from the announce table. Miz throws out a few ‘reallys’ and then asks if it is just that simple. Miz says that Orton didn’t thank him when he announce that he was going to be on Randy’s team. Miz says that he sent a message back to Randy and he changed the landscape of the ten man tag match. Miz says that he can change the landscape of the WWE by cashing in his briefcase.
Miz suggests that he might cash it in tonight when he arrives. That would mean that Wade and Randy wouldn’t fight for the WWE title and John Cena would have to be in Nexus forever.
John Cena appears in the locker room and he says that Miz has a knack of ruining everything he touches. He will make sure that Miz cannot cash in tonight. Cena says that the stipulation will stand tonight. John says that he is going to protect Wade tonight, because he is doing it for himself. John Cena says that he will challenge Miz to a match tonight.
Cena says that the ‘normal’ Miz is probably looking at Alex Riley to whine and complain. Cena says that if Miz is as awesome as he says, he can say that he accepts the match.
Miz says that it is his time and he will make the decisions and he accepts the challenge.
We go to commercial with Barrett looking at Orton as if this is not the last time that they will meet tonight.
Dolph says that he was ripped off last time he was on Raw, but things will be different this time with him and Vickie, the best couple since Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth.
Match Number One: Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero versus ‘Sexual Chocolate’ Mark Henry
Ziggler with forearms to the back and he tries for the sleeper but Henry with a snap mare and Ziggler goes to the floor. Ziggler returns to the ring and he gets a clothesline for his trouble. Henry with a forearm and he misses a clothesline. Ziggler tries for another sleeper but Henry backs Ziggler into the turnbuckles. Henry chops Ziggler on the turnbuckles and Ziggler goes to the floor. Henry goes towards Vickie but he decides to throw Ziggler back into the ring. Henry tells Vickie to wait a minute but Ziggler with a drop kick to the knee followed by more kicks to the back. Ziggler with an elbow drop to Henry and he gets a near fall. Henry pushes Ziggler away and hits a clothesline or two. Henry with a head butt.
Ziggler kicks and punches Henry but Henry with a power slam but Ziggler gets his foot on the ropes. Henry sets for the splash but Ziggler moves out of the way. Ziggler with a Rocker Dropper for a near fall. Ziggler with a Zig Zag and Henry kicks out. Ziggler locks in the sleeper and Henry is out after one arm drop.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
David Hart Smith is in the back telling Tyson that they didn’t always get along. Tony Atlas stops them and he talks about how him and Rocky Johnson had problems too. He says that they always took care of business. They even disagreed about things in the gym. Tony says that Rocky thought he was weird, but Tony didn’t think he was weird. Tony sprays his arms with WD-40. Tony talks about their chicken other eating habits. We go to commercial with Kidd and Smith running away.
We are back and Tony Atlas is still talking and Yoshi Tatsu is the one who gets to hear about Rocky and Tony’s travel habits. Tony tapes his wrists while Yoshi tries to simulate hari kari.
Match Number Two: Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel versus Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith in a This isn’t going to end well for one team Match
Smith and Gabriel start things off and Gabriel with a kick to the leg. Smith with a side head lock take down but Gabriel with a head scissors. Gabriel with a series of kicks but Smith blocks one and he stomps on the midsection. Smith with punches to Gabriel followed by an Irish whip and a belly-to-belly suplex or three and he gets a near fall with Slater breaking things up. Gabriel with a kick and Slater tags in and Smith with a power slam and leg drop for a near fall.
Smith with a running clothesline into the corner and then he tries for a power slam but he sees Gabriel interfere. Smith hits Gabriel and Slater with a forearm and then he kicks Smith. Gabriel tags in and he kicks Smith. Slater tags back in and he punches Smith and gets a near fall. Slater with an Irish whip but he misses a running forearm into the corner. Kidd wants the tag but Kidd moves out of the way and he kicks Smith. Gabriel tags in and he hits the 450 Splash for the three count.
Winners: Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel
Mean Gene is in the back and he brings in Randy Orton who is with his dad. Gene asks Randy if he thinks he will walk out of Survivor Series as champion. R Truth interrupts and he says that last week John Cena knew exactly what he was doing when he counted Orton’s shoulders down. Truth says that Cena doesn’t have a choice. He will be free. Truth tells Orton that he can do something about that.
Orton says that it appears that everyone has it figured out. There is a way that John Cena will not screw him over at Survivor Series and that is if he punts Cena in the head tonight.
We go to an old school Knucklehead commercial.
We are back with a WWE Update: Gene is in the control center with some Old School merchandise.
It is time for the next ‘Old School’ representative and Justin Roberts brings out Howard Finkel. He brings out one of the greatest superstars to ever step inside the squared circle. He is accompanied by Harvey Wippleman, it is The Brooklyn Brawler.
The Brawler gets on the mic and he wonders why people aren’t respecting ‘old school’. He says that he expected a standing ovation when he came to the ring. He expects a standing ovation when his match is over. Harvey says that the Brooklyn Brawler is challenging any of the ‘new generation’ of superstar in the back.
Match Number Three: Brooklyn Brawler with Harvey Wippleman versus Ezekiel Jackson in a No Takebacks Match
Jackson with a shoulder tackle and then Brawler pushes Zeke and then tries to slam him with no luck. Jackson with a body block followed by an Irish whip. Jackson with a running clothesline into the corner followed by a uranage for the three count.
Winner: Ezekiel Jackson
We go to commercial.
We are back and Nexus are in the locker room. Otunga mentions that he was ‘this close’ to being excommunicated. Now it is time for someone else to step up and deal with R Truth. Otunga says that being the leader here . . .
Wade Barrett enters and wants to know if he heard Otunga. Barrett says that someone will stand up to R Truth and it will be David Otunga.
Despite being ‘old school’, we have the new generation of Raw General Messenger Buzzkill. Cole climbs Mount Chocolate and says that David Otunga will not face R Truth tonight because he will be in a special match later tonight. R Truth will face Wade Barrett tonight. This will show that Barrett is WWE Championship material.
Barrett says that is a good point and Nexus says that they have Wade’s back and Wade thanks Husky for his loyalty (while looking at Otunga). Barrett says that he does not need their help because he will prove that he can beat anyone on the Raw roster.
John Cena enters and he wants a thank you for taking care of the Miz tonight. Barrett tells the minions to protect John Cena from Randy Orton. Cena says that isn’t necessary because if he wants some, he can get some.
We go to commercial.
We are back with an Old School Did You Know about the WWE Hall of Fame.
We see highlights from last week when Miz turned on Team Orton last week and Cena made the count on Randy Orton.
Match Number Four: John Cena versus The Miz with Alex Riley in a ‘You’re Either Awesome or Against Us Match’
Miz says that Cena always thinks he is one step ahead. If Cena wins, that means that Miz won’t be able to cash in his briefcase to ruin Cena’s freedom on Sunday. Miz says that the GM never officially sanctioned this match so if the GM doesn’t have a problem, he can make a substitution. That means that Miz won’t be competing against John Cena. Taking his place is Alex Riley. Miz says that Cena wants to face him, but he will have to wait until Wrestlemania when he is the WWE Champion.
Match Number Four Part Two: John Cena versus Alex Riley with The Miz in a Welcome to the WWE Kid Match
Cena with a full nelson into a snap mare on Riley. Cena works on the arm and takes Riley down again. Cena with a double leg take down on Riley. They lock up again and Cena with an Irish whip but Riley with an elbow and Miz hits Cena while Riley distracts the referee. Riley punches Cena and the referee warns him. Riley gets a near fall. Cena with an Irish whip but he misses a charge into the corner and he kicks Cena in the corner. Riley with a hard Irish whip and then he takes Cena to the mat and gets a near fall. Cena with a back body drop to Riley and he follows it with two flying shoulder tackles and a Blue Thunder Bomb. Cena with the Five Knuckle Shuffle to finish off the Legendary Sequence. Cena gets Riley up for the Attitude Adjustment and he puts Riley in the STF and Riley taps out.
Winner: John Cena
After the match, Randy Orton comes out and he exchanges punches with Miz. McGillicutty and Harris come out and Orton takes care of both of them.
Orton and Cena square off in the center of the ring and Cena punches Orton and then they exchange punches. The referees come into the ring and they separate Cena and Orton.
Time for a Buzzkill as Cole gets on his high chair. Since Cena and Orton have issues to work out and since this is old school, what better forum to do things with the man who will ask the tough questions. They will both be guests on Piper’s Pit.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the old generation WWF opening and a replay of the open for this week’s show.
Cole and Lawler welcome us back and they talk about what we have seen so far.
Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik are in the ring with The Fink. Volkoff wants everyone to rise for the singing of the Soviet National Anthem.
He is interrupted by Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov. Santino apologizes for interrupting but his tag team partner would love to join in to sing the Russian National Anthem.
The fans chant USA before the duet can begin. They sing and Santino says that it was crushingly terrible. Santino says that there is a song that he wants everyone to hear. Santino brings out the Doctor of Style and Slick comes to the ring and he sings Jive Soul Bro.
Santino asks Sheik what he thought of that. Sheik says that without him, there would be no Hulkamania. He does not want anyone to chant USA. Sheik with a vintage Iran . . . Number One, Russia . . . Number One, USA. . . hatchtooey.
Match Number Five: The Usos with Tamina and Jimmy Snuka versus Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov in a Number One Contender Match
The match is joined in progress and Jimmy punches Santino. Jey tags in and they hit a double back elbow and hit a double elbow drop for a near fall. Jey with a punch and Jimmy tags in and then Jimmy stomps on Marella. Santino with an arm drag and then he puts Jimmy in a front face lock and rolls to the corner. Kozlov tags in and he catches Jimmy on a cross body and hits a fallaway slam. Kozlov with shoulders in the corner and Santino tags in and he is sent into the corner. Santino with a hip lock take down and he gets a near fall. Kozlov tags back in and Kozlov kicks Jimmy. Kozlov sends Jimmy into the ring post and then he kicks Jimmy to the mat. Kozlov sets for a power slam but Jey makes the blind tag and he clips Kozlov. Jey with a diving head butt and Kozlov kicks out. Jey with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Jey with a sliding head lock on Kozlov. Kozlov with a head butt and Jimmy tags in and he keeps Kozlov from making the tag and he knocks Santino off the apron. Jey is tagged back in and he connects with a running butt splash into the corner and he gets a near fall.
Jey with a front face lock while Kozlov tries to make the tag. Santino blocks a punch and Kozlov with a back body drop and Santino tags in and he connects with a series of punches. Santino with a split and then he hits a belly-to-back suplex. Santino with a diving head butt to the midsection. Kozlov with a shoulder tackle that knocks Jimmy out of the ring. Santino with a shot to the knee and then he connects with the cobra for the three count.
Winners: Vladimir Kozlov and Santino Marella
After the match, Sheamus with a pump kick to Vladimir Kozlov and one of the Usos. Sheamus pushes Santino down. John Morrison comes to the ring and Sheamus charges at him but Morrison ducks down. Morrison with an enzuigiri to Sheamus.
Morrison calls Sheamus a bully and he says that is why he keeps doing this. When a bully feels threatened he walks away. Morrison says that if Sheamus wants a fight he is right here.
Sheamus is ready for a fight and then he backs away because he has nothing to prove.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Six: David Otunga versus Kofi Kingston
We get comments before the match with Kofi saying that he wanted to pay a visit to Raw because of Nexus’ visits to Smackdown. He says that he might fly around like Koko B. Ware.
Kofi with kicks to the leg and then he puts Otunga in a side head lock. Kofi with a cross body but Otunga catches him and hits a slam. Otunga with another slam or two and he gets a near fall. Otunga with a reverse chin lock. Kofi with punches but Otunga with a forearm to the back. Otunga with a running elbow that looked like a Pounce and he gets a near fall. Otunga with a rear chin lock but Kofi with punches and forearms. Kofi with a kick and punches in the corner as the referee warns him. Kofi with a drop kick and then they hit a double clothesline and both men are down.
George ‘The Animal’ Steele comes to the ring. Steele decides to take a bite out of the turnbuckle pad, but the referee gets in the way so he goes to another one.
Otunga wonders what is going on and Kofi sends him into the exposed turnbuckle and Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise for the three count.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
John Morrison is in the back with Gerry Brisco and Arn Anderson. They are proud of what he is doing with Sheamus. Morrison says that he is sick of Sheamus acting like a bully. Sheamus comes from out of nowhere and connects with a pump kick that drills Morrison. Sheamus tells Arn to tell Morrison when he wakes up that he accepts his challenge for a match at Survivor Series.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that WWE was once known as the World Wide Wrestling Federation?
Aksana is walking in the back with her Million Dollar Belt and Jim Duggan says that Aksana has a special visitor, her mother. Duggan says that Aksana has been stealing his ‘USA’ chant.
Dusty is playing the part of Aksana’s mother and he has Kelly Kelly drop a net on Aksana. Goldust comes to get the belt and he says that he is ready to give it to its rightful owner. Goldust gives it to Ted DiBiase senior and IRS says that he is going to find a good tax shelter for him. Ted wants to give it to his son but he decides to let dad keep it. Cody Rhodes says that is dashing. Goldust asks Cody for some grooming tips. Dusty says that he has raised some weird kids. Dusty calls for the music and Tatanka stops by to do a war dance. Hacksaw Jim Duggan dances too.
Ron Simmons enters and he waits a bit before letting out a vintage “DAMN”.
We have an Earlier Tonight Moment of the brawl between John Cena and Randy Orton that led to a Vintage Piper’s Pit later tonight.
R Truth and his Fly Girl Eve Torres are walking in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and ‘Lord Alfred Hayes’ tells us the sponsors in an old school manner.
Match Number Seven: R Truth with Eve Torres versus Wade Barrett in a Chocolate Crunk with a Nexus Nougat Match
Truth wants to know what’s up before they lock up. Barrett with kicks and Truth with punches. Barrett with a forearm and Irish whip but Truth with a split and leg lariat. Truth with a clothesline that sends Barrett over the top rope to the floor. Truth with a somersault plancha onto Barrett. Truth rolls Barrett back in and he jumps over Barrett but Barrett with a Blackpool Slam. Barrett chokes Truth in the ropes. Barrett with a suplex for a near fall. Barrett goes to the turnbuckles and he sets for an elbow drop and he hits it and gets a near fall. Barrett with an Irish whip and back breaker and he gets a near fall.
We see Orton and Cena watch in split screen as we return to the ring and Truth gets a near fall with an inside cradle. Barrett with punches and then he puts Truth in a reverse chin lock. Truth with punches but Barrett with a knee. Barrett with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot. Truth with clotheslines and a victory roll for a near fall. Truth with a kick and he hits a sit out gourdbuster for a near fall. Truth misses a scissors kick but he escapes Wasteland. Barrett with a boot to the head and then he gets Truth on his shoulders and hits Wasteland for the three count.
Winner: Wade Barrett
We go to commercial.
We are back and since it is the top of the hour, it is time for the opening video package again.
Jerry Lawler chokes Michael Cole for no reason.
Ricardo Rodriguez is in the ring and he brings out . . .
Tito Santana comes out and says that isn’t the way it is done. He says they will do it his way. He introduces Alberto Del Rio . . . arriba.
Alberto has a chauffeur this week and it is Chavo Classic.
Alberto thanks Tito and Chavo Classic. He lets everyone know who he is, but we already know that. He tells Hershey, Pennsylvania, the home of chocolate and thousands of fat Americans. He says that he is in the heart of the nation, a heart that will soon be stopped by the rising levels of cholesterol and obesity. He says that we are here because we should be celebrating the Old School. He says that the other legends should follow Tito and Chavo Classic’s example and pay respect to him.
Sergeant Slaughter comes out and he tells the puke to shut up. He says that there are two things you don’t mess with. Legends and America. He says that Del Rio should earn some respect by facing him right now. Slaughter calls him a puke, slime, and a maggot.
Del Rio tells him to bring it.
Match Number Eight: Alberto Del Rio versus Sergeant Slaughter in a Boot Camp Respect Match
Del Rio with a kick and forearms and punches to the back. Del Rio mocks Slaughter with a salute and kicks. Slaughter blocks a hip toss and so does Del Rio. Slaughter puts Del Rio in the Cobra Clutch and Del Rio makes it to the ropes. Del Rio punches Slaughter and then he hits a running clothesline. Del Rio gets a near fall. Del Rio with a reverse chin lock but Slaughter with elbows. Slaughter with the cobra clutch again but Del Rio backs Slaughter into the turnbuckles. Del Rio with a kick and Irish whip followed by a step up enzuigiri for a three count.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
After the match, Del Rio puts Slaughter in a cross arm breaker but Montel Vontavious Porter comes to the ring and Del Rio leaves.
It is time for a WWE Update and Mean Gene is back in the control room with merchandise.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Lawler talks about how things were ‘back in his day’.
We have a video package of people in Atlanta who did not realize that there were pre-sales online for Wrestlemania tickets.
Gene Okerlund is in the interview area with Mae Young. She is accompanied by the Bellas. Gene points out that Mae was the first Diva. Mae says that she will wrestle when she is 100 years old. We go to a Mae Young video package.
The interview is interrupted by Layla and Michelle McCool. Michelle wants to know if they are serious. Michelle says that they are confused. Is this Old School Raw or Jurassic Park. Layla wants to know how Mae feels about never having a title. Michelle says that they need to show love for the person who is old enough to be Betty White’s grandmother. Michelle and Layla throw out a few Depends jokes and Gene asks Mae if she has anything to say. Mae demands a match with those sluts.
Michelle and Layla laugh at Mae as the Bellas hold Mae up.
The rest of the Divas come out to help Mae and then they are attacked by the other Divas as the bullying continues. Natalya sends Michelle into the guardrail while Mae slaps Layla and then Natalya punches Layla. Mae covers Layla and gets the three count.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that WWE was named one of America’s hottest brands?
Howard Finkel brings out the guest commentator for the next match. Jim Ross. While Jerry Lawler is happy to see Jim Ross, Michael Cole wonders why he is here. Jim ignores Cole.
Match Number Nine: Daniel Bryan versus Jack Swagger in a Jim Ross Dream Announcing Match
They lock up and Swagger with a take down and he puts Bryan in a waist lock. Bryan gets to his feet and he kicks Swagger in the leg. Swagger with a single leg take down and Bryan tries for the LeBell Lock but Swagger turns it into an ankle lock. Bryan with a kick but he barely misses Swagger and Swagger backs off.
Swagger with a kick and forearm to the back and he takes Bryan down with a waist lock and gets a near fall with a rollup. Swagger maintains the waist lock and Bryan takes Swagger to the mat and puts him in a hammer lock. Swagger with an elbow but Bryan with a drop kick and he gets a near fall. Bryan with kicks to the leg and then he kicks Swagger in the chest in the turnbuckles. Swagger with an Irish whip but Bryan flips over Bryan. Swagger with a big boot and Bryan goes to the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Swagger with a waist lock but Bryan with elbows to the head. Swagger with a take down for a near fall. Swagger with a front face lock and he rolls through the ring and then he chokes Bryan in the ropes and punches him while the referee warns him. Swagger returns to the ring but Bryan with a kick and then he drops down and Swagger goes over the top rope to the floor. Bryan with a baseball slide that sends Swagger into the guardrails. Bryan with a flying knee off the apron.
Bryan goes up top and hits a missile drop kick and he gets a near fall. Bryan waits for Swagger to get to his knees and Bryan with kicks to the chest. Swagger blocks a kick and Swagger tries for the ankle lock but Bryan rolls through. Bryan misses the drop kick into the corner and he lands on the back of his head. Swagger with the double jump Swagger bomb for a near fall. Swagger sets for a second Swagger Bomb and he hits it. Swagger waits for Bryan to get back to his feet and he tries for the Doctor Bomb but Bryan blocks it and he tries to put Swagger in the LaBell Lock. Swagger counters with a back breaker and then Bryan avoids another Doctor Bomb and Bryan with a roundhouse kick for the three count.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
After the match, Ted DiBiase attacks Bryan and he hits Dream Street on Bryan.
Ted gets the United States Title Belt and he returns to the ring and holds it over Bryan and puts it on his chest.
Maryse comes out to join Ted.
It is time to run through the card for Survivor Series.
Jim Ross leaves the announce table, but first he hits Cole with the black Resistol hat.
John Cena and Randy Orton walk in the back as they make their way to the Pit.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the Legends to come back out and they are introduced. It looks like Tony Atlas is still talking about him and Rocky Johnson.
It is now time for Piper’s Pit with your host Rowdy Roddy Piper.
Piper says that ‘old school’ is not about nostalgia or a ‘happy feely time’. It was a time when you had to man up. It was a time when you had to stand up to the plate. Like when Captain Lou was being honored with an award, he smashed him in the face with a gold record. When Jimmy Snuka became a hot shot, he hit him in the head with a coconut. When you had a problem, you did something about it. That is what he hopes to accomplish tonight.
Piper brings out John Cena first. He says hello to Cena and calls him a ‘big boy’. He says that he has been a fan of his for a long time. Piper says that he has been competing over thirty years and he has never been WWE Champion. He says that many Hall of Famers like Ted DiBiase, Ricky Steamboat, Jimmy Snuka, and Mr. Perfect never became the WWE Champion. He says that if John is going to do what he thinks he is going to do and he is going to give that SOB Wade Barrett the title without him deserving it, he is spitting in the face of all of those legends he is saying that he respects. Piper says that he is asking John Cena not to spit in his face. Cena has been the man ever since he came into the company. Consequences be damned, he tells Cena to do the right thing.
Cena says that for weeks he has had to hear ‘free or fired’ and at times he doesn’t know what the right thing is. It is not that easy. He says that from the moment he got to the WWE, he has worked as hard as he can so people like Piper can look at the WWE they will say that that kid can hang with them. Cena says that old school is a term. He says that he looked up to them as a kid and they were his heroes. Cena says that he has been thinking about this a lot and all of the work he has been doing. He hands over a title, he is free, but he is only known as the guy who gave the title to Wade Barrett. John says that if Randy Orton wins at Survivor Series, he earns it. If Wade Barrett wins at Survivor Series, he earns it. Cena says that he will call the match down the middle.
Wade Barrett comes out and he tells Cena ‘bravo’ and ‘well said’. He agrees that the match should be called down the middle. Wade says that he has proven that he can beat anyone on the Raw roster without anyone’s help. Wade says that those were magnificent words, but they are only words. There is a reality at place. The reality is that if Wade doesn’t get his hand raised and win the WWE Title, Cena is history. There will be no Wrestlemania moment and no Cenation.
Piper tells Barrett to shut up. If Wade lets Cena give him the WWE Title, at the end of the day, he might have the title, but he won’t be a champion. He will be a joke.
Barrett wants to know who Roddy Piper is to cast judgment on him. Wade says that one way or another, this is John Cena’s final night on Raw as a part of Nexus. It might be his final night on Raw. On Sunday, he either sets him free or he fires him. Barrett says that if this is his final Raw as a part of Nexus, he makes Cena put on the black and gold of Nexus. He tells Cena to put it on or he will fire Cena on the spot.
John puts on the Nexus shirt and he is finally one of them. Cena asks Barrett if he is happy. He tells Wade that he is his boss until Sunday, but win or lose, he is going to turn Barrett’s face into mush.
Barrett says that he has heard all of his comments, and he knows that Nexus is banned from ringside. The moment the match ends, Nexus will hit the ring and neutralize any threat.
The other guest on Piper’s Pit finally comes out and Randy Orton is a man with a purpose as he comes to the ring.
Orton tells Cena ever since he counted 1-2-3 on him last week, he thought of a way to end this by kicking him in the skull and taking him out.
Cena asks Randy what is stopping him because he tried earlier tonight.
Randy says that he could take out Cena or . . .
Orton punches Barrett and then he hits a power slam. Orton goes to his knees and he does the RKO push ups. Cena stands between Barrett and Orton and Orton gives Cena an RKO.
Orton backs up and he sends Barrett out of the ring before lining up for the field goal. Orton misses wide right and Cena hits the Attitude Adjustment on Orton.
Barrett returns to the ring and he wants Barrett to raise his hand. Cena thinks about it he gives Barrett an Attitude Adjustment instead. Cena throws off the Nexus shirt and he leaves the ring as we go to credits.
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