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November 23rd
On this day in history in ....
1981 - Pedro Morales defeats Magnificent Muraco for the WWF Intercontinental Title at Madison Square Garden in New York City to become the first two-time Intercontinental Champion ever.
1989 - WWF Survivor Series was held at the Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois, headlined by Ultimate Warrior, Curt Hennig and Hulk Hogan being "sole survivors" in their respective matches, and the final WWF PPV matches for Bobby Heenan and Arn Anderson.
1994 - WWF Survivor Series was held at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas, headlined by Bob Backlund defeating Bret Hart for the WWF World Heavyweight Title more than ten years after losing it, Undertaker defeating Yokozuna in a casket match, and Diesel (Kevin Nash) turning babyface by splitting with WWF World Tag Team Championship partner Shawn Michaels. .
1996 - Steven Dunn & Flash Flanagan defeat The Grim Twins (Ron & Don Harris) for the USWA Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending the fifth and final reign for the Harris brothers.
1997 - WCW held their World War 3 Pay-per-view at The Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Here are the results:
- Meng & The Barbarian defeated Glacier & Ernest Miller when Meng pinned Miller with the Tongan Death Grip.
- WCW Television Champion Perry Saturn defeated Disco Inferno with the Rings Of Saturn.
- Yuji Nagata defeated Ultimo Dragon.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Steven Regal & David Taylor when Rick pinned Regal with a top rope bulldog.
- Raven defeated Scotty Riggs in a no disqualification match with a DDT.
- Steve McMichael defeated Alex Wright with a tombstone piledriver. Wright was a substitute for Bill Goldberg, who McMichael presumably took out with a steel pipe backstage.
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Eddie Guerrero defeated Rey Mysterio, Jr with a frog splash.
- WCW United States Champion Curt Hennig defeated Ric Flair after hitting him with the title belt while being held in a figure four.
- Scott Hall won the three ring, 60-man World War 3 battle royal when Kevin Nash, dressed as Sting, hit The Giant with a baseball bat, sending him over the top rope to the floor. Here are the participants: Chris Adams, Brad Armstrong, Buff Bagwell, The Barbarian, Chris Benoit, Bobby Blaze, Booker T, Ciclope, Damien, El Dandy, Barry Darsow, Disco Inferno, Hacksaw Duggan, Fit Finlay, Hector Garza, The Giant, Glacier, Johnny Grunge, Juventud Guerrera, Chavo Guerrero Jr., Eddie Guerrero, Curt Hennig, Prince Iaukea, Chris Jericho, Lizmark Jr., Lex Luger, Dean Malenko, Steve McMichael, Meng, Ernest Miller, Rey Misterio Jr., Hugh Morrus, Mortis, Yuji Nagata, John Nord, Diamond Dallas Page, La Parka, Steve Regal, The Renegade, Rocco Rock, Randy Savage, Silver King, Norman Smiley, Louie Spicolli, Rick Steiner, Scott Steiner, Stevie Ray, Super Calo, David Taylor, Ray Traylor, Ultimo Dragon, Greg Valentine, Villano IV, Villano V, Vincent, Kendall Windham, Wrath, and Alex Wright.
2003 - Jimmy Hart's autobiography was released.
2007 - Linda Hogan filed for divorce against former WWF and WCW World champion Hulk Hogan, a process that was dragged out in the media due to the success of their "Hogan Knows Best" reality series. The public sniping between the two continues to this day, both in media statements and in dueling autobiographies that have been released since the divorce was finalized.
2008 - WWE broadcast their Survivor Series PPV from Boston, MA. Buck Woodward filed the following PPV report:
Survivor Series opened with a video package of the "tradition" of the event, which lasted less than thirty seconds, after that it was all about John Cena's return and his match with Chris Jericho.
Jim Ross and Tazz opened the show, explaining that Jeff Hardy was found unconscious in his hotel stairwell, and that he was hospitalized and later released. They said his status for later in the show was not known. Ross mentioned the various new sites that were suckers and reported on the storyline. Okay, he didn't use the word "suckers". We have full coverage of what is real and what is storyline regarding Jeff Hardy here on the site.
Shawn Michaels (captain), Rey Mysterio, Great Khali & Cryme Tyme vs. JBL (captain), MVP, Kane, Miz & John Morrison in a Survivor Series elimination match.
Everyone had their own entrance prior to the match, starting with the babyfaces. I can't remember the last time Shawn Michaels was the first wrestler introduced at a PPV. All three announce teams called the match.
Rey Mysterio and MVP started off the match. MVP hit two knees in the gut and worked over Rey in a corner. MVP blocked a Rey kick and hit a short clothesline in the corner. Rey caught MVP with a rana, then hit a dropkick for a two count. JTG tagged and and he and Rey worked over MVP with kicks to the body and a sandwich dropkick to the head. JTG hit MVP with some right hands, but MVP dropkicked his leg out, then hit a Shining Wizard for a three count at the one minute mark.
JTG is eliminated.
Great Khali came in, hit MVP with a chop and stood on his chest for the pin.
MVP is eliminated.
Kane got in and went after Khali, hitting a kick to the gut. Khali kicked Kane down to the mat, then worked him over in a corner with kicks and elbows. There was a "Khali" chant. Seriously. Khali hit some back elbows, but Kane hit an uppercut. Kane went for a chokeslam, but Khali blocked it and hit Kane with the big chop. Rey Mysterio tagged in and got on Khali's shoulders. Rey hit Kane with a splash off the shoulders for a pin at the three minute mark.
Kane is eliminated.
John Morrison attacked Mysterio, but missed a charge in the corner. Rey hit a forearm, booted away a Morrison charge, and hit a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. Shad tagged in and threw Rey into a shoulderblock on Morrison. Shad gave Morrison a gorilla press slam, but Morrison kicked his legs out on a charge. Morrison hit some forearms, then tagged in Miz. Miz and Morrison tagged in and out, working over Shad, who came back with a double clothesline on both men. Shad hit a back elbow on Miz, then powerslammed him. Shad hit an elbowdrop, then went for the uranage, but Morrison ran in. It distracted Shad, and Miz hit Shad with the Reality Check for the pin at the six minute mark.
Shad is eliminated.
Shawn Michaels stepped into the ring for the first time and locked up with Miz. Michaels chopped Miz repeatedly, but Miz came back with his jumping through the ropes clothesline. Miz catapulted Michaels into a Morrison forearm, then Morrison hit a slingshot elbowdrop while Michaels was stretched on Miz' knees. JBL tagged in and punched Michaels to the mat. JBL hit a swinging neckbreaker and an elbowdrop for a two count. Michaels battled back, but JBL got him into his corner and tagged Miz, who decked Shawn and hit a legdrop. Miz delivered a series of right hands, and Michaels had some blood coming from above his eye. Morrison tagged in and continued the assault, as they were targeting his eye. Morrison applied a chinlock, and Michaels fought up, but Morrison tossed him from the ring. Michaels skinned the cat, and kicked Miz to boot. Morrison hit a forearm and did a kip up, ala Michaels, and then slammed him. Morrison then went to the top rope for an elbowsmash, but Shawn moved out of the way and Morrison crashed to the mat. Morrison tagged Miz as Michaels tagged Mysterio. Mysterio went to town on Miz, hitting a springboard rana and a springboard dropkick to the back. Rey hit Miz with 619, then hit a top rope splash for the pin at the 11 minute mark.
The Miz is eliminated.
Morrison ran in, but Rey hit him with a reverse rana. JBL tagged himself in and clipped Rey with a shoulderblock. JBL hit a forearm to the back and a boot to the face, then a series of elbowdrops. Fans chanted "You can't wrestle" at JBL. JBL hit a forearm to Rey's lower back, and Morrison tagged in to stomp Rey and step on his throat. Morrison hit Rey with a backbreaker, and stretched him out over his knee. Rey came back with a kick to the chest, but Morrison countered a bulldog attempt with a backbreaker. JBL tagged in and landed another forearm to the back. JBL put Mysterio in an abdominal stretch with a trapped leg. Mysterio broke out, but JBL stomped him down. JBL hit Rey with a boot to the back of the head. JBL set up Rey for a back superplex off the ropes, but Rey blocked it. Rey elbowed JBL to the mat, then hit a standing JBL with a moonsault. JBL was bleeding from the lip. Mysterio tagged Michaels, who hit JBL with some chops, then a flying forearm. Michaels did the kip up, gave Morrison a DX crotch chop, then gave JBL two reverse atomic drops and a slam. Michaels went to the apron, decked Morrison, then went to the top rope, but JBL rolled to the floor. Michaels dove out of the ring onto JBL, and the fought outside as the referee counted. Michaels went for a superkick, JBL ducked and Michaels dove back into the ring at the nine count. JBL was counted out at the 18 minute mark.
JBL is eliminated.
John Morrison tried to kick Michaels from behind, but Michaels ducked and hit Morrison with a superkick for the pin.
Survivors: Shawn Michaels, Rey Mysterio and Great Khali.
Khali put Mysterio on his shoulder in celebration. Then they did a bit where Khali raised Rey and Shawn's arms, but they were so short, he was yanking their arms. They stood on the ropes so Khali could hold them up.
Eve Torres interviewed Triple H. Triple H said he wouldn't comment much on Jeff Hardy, other than to say that Hardy "scratched and clawed" his way to the top before, and he would do it again. Triple H then said we'd see the match we should have seen all along, HHH vs. Kozlov, one-on-one. Triple H talked about Kozlov having butterflies over his first big PPV match, and that tonight the undefeated Kozlov would have his first loss.
Beth Phoenix (captain), Mickie James, Jillian Hall, Candice Michelle & Kelly Kelly vs. Michelle McCool (captain), Victoria, Maria, Natalya Neidhart & Maryse in a Raw vs. Smackdown Survivor Series elimination match.
Everyone had their own entrance, with the Divas brandishing T-shirts for their respective brand. The Raw and Smackdown announce teams handled this match together.
Phoenix started out with McCool, with Phoenix taking McCool down with a wrislock. Michelle kipped up out of it twice, then took Phoenix down with a headscissors. Michelle hit a forearm, tried a whip, then dropkicked her when the whip didn't work. Maryse tagged herself in, and shoved McCool off the apron. McCool and Maryse started fighting, and their teammates had to break it up. Maryse never locked up with the Glamazon, as Maria tagged herself in. Phoenix picked up Maria by the throat and tossed her in a corner. Maria came back with forearms and a headscissors. Kelly Kelly tagged herself in and hit a sunset flip for two. Maria and Kelly exchanged pinfall attempts on legsweeps and Kelly got one with a backslide. Victoria tagged herself in, told Maria to watch her, and Kelly Kelly grabbed Victoria with a rana for the pin at the four minute mark.
Victoria is eliminated.
Maryse came in and Kelly Kelly caught her with a rana, but Maryse kicked out and pinned Kelly with a backbreaker.
Kelly Kelly is eliminated.
Mickie James came in and worked over Maryse, who tagged out to McCool. Mickie James and McCool traded two counts on bridge attempts, then McCool blocked a crucifix attempt and hit a legsweep for a two count. Mickie came back with a neckbreaker. Maria went in to break up the pin, Mickie moved and Maria accidentally hit McCool. Maria apologized, McCool yelled at her, and Mickie hit McCool with a swinging DDT for the pin.
Michelle McCool is eliminated.
Phoenix made fun of McCool, and Mickie told her to get back in the corner. This distraction allowed Maryse to roll up Mickie from behind for the pin.
Mickie James is eliminated.
Natalya went at it with Candice, and took her down and applied the Sharpshooter, to a pop. Jillian ran in the break it up. This allowed Candice to his a spear on Natalya and roll her up for the pin.
Natalya is eliminated.
Maryse came in and hit Phoenix, then ran out of the ring. Maria and Jillian went at it, with Jillian hitting Maria with a Samoan Drop, then hitting Maryse off the apron, then covering Maria who kicked out. Maria then caught Jillian with a Victory Roll for a pin.
Jillian Hall is eliminated.
Candice Michelle, ran in, stopped short, then hit when Maria grabbed her, Candice delivered a Northern Lights suplex for a pin.
Maria is eliminated.
Maryse knocked Phoenix off the apron, then gave Candice a leglace and Candice tapped out.
Candice Michelle is eliminated.
Maryse and Phoenix exchanged slaps, then Maryse hit a kick to the back of the head for a two count. Maryse went to the ropes and jumped, but Phoenix caught her. Maryse escaped, and grabbed Phoenix but Phoenix reversed it and hit the GlamSlam for the pin at the ten minute mark.
Survivor: Beth Phoenix.
Matt Hardy was interviewed about Jeff Hardy by Todd Grisham. Matt said that Jeff had been hit in the head last night with a "blunt object" at the hotel, which caused his hospitalization. Matt didn't know any more about what happened.
The history leading to the Casket match was shown.
The Undertaker vs. Big Show in a Casket Match.
Druids brought out the casket, then Big Show made his entrance, alone. Undertaker then made his entrance. Jim Ross and Tazz called this match, as you would expect.
Undertaker called for the casket to be opened at the bell, angering Big Show. Big Show went after Undertaker with body shots, but Undertaker dodged a right hook and pushed Show over the top rope. Show narrowly avoided the casket. Undertaker and Show traded shots on the floor, with Show getting the better of it and flinging Undertaker into the security wall. Show hit bodyshots on the floor, then rammed him into the Smackdown announce table. Big Show hit Undertaker with kidney punches and cleared off the ECW table. Show hit Undertaker with a headbutt, but Taker scooped up a TV monitor and hit Show twice in the head with it. Undertaker decked Show, who slumped on the ECW table. Undertaker stood on the Raw table, then jumped off and legdropped Show face first through the ECW table.
Undertaker picked up Big Show and hit some knees to the gut. They made their way back into the ring, and Undertaker grabbed an armwringer. Undertaker hit and headbutted the arm, then went to the ropes for Old School, but Show hit him in the gut and delivered a vertical suplex. Show threw Undertaker in a corner, then delivered a side slam. Show rolled Undertaker into the casket, then called for them to close the lid. The referee told Show that the rules stated he had to close the lid. Show argued, not wanting to touch the lid. When he finally did, Undertaker stuck his leg out to keep the lid from being closed. Undertaker popped up and hit some shots to the gut. He got back into the ring and hit a flying clothesline, then a splash in the corner. Undertaker went for a second, but Big Show caught him with an elbow. Big Show went to the second rope for a V-Bomb, but Undertaker got up, grabbed Show by the throat, and chokeslammed him off the second rope.
Undertaker called for the casket to be opened, then kicked Show into it. Undertaker went to shut the lid, but Show pushed to keep the lid open. Show hit Taker with a jab to knock him away. Show got back in the ring and hit Undertaker with a chokeslam. Big Show got out of the ring and toppled over the casket. Big Show then gestured that he was done and started to walk out of the ring. Show smiled, then Undertaker sat up and headed up the aisle. Show tried to leave, but a wall of flames appeared in his path. The flames apparently caught part of the runaway carpet, as a stagehand ran out to stomp out the flames. Undertaker attacked Show, but Show knocked him down. Show started to walk out, but a group of Druids walked out, with a new casket, and placed it on the stage. Show and Taker fought on the stage, with Show throwing Undertaker into a giant metal "V" that was part of the Survivor Series set. Show stood up the new casket, and rammed Undertaker headfirst into it. Show stood up the casket again, and went after Undertaker. Undertaker hit a series of punches, knocking Big Show to the edge of the stage, where he teetered like he would fall off. Undertaker grabbed Show and whipped him in the opposite direction, into the open, stood up casket. Show fell into the casket, which went down with Show in it, and the lid closed shut at the twelve minute mark.
Winner: The Undertaker.
Carlito & Primo Colon flirted with the Bella Twins, mixing them up. The Gobbledy Gooker showed up. They assumed it was Charlie Haas. Charlie Haas walked in. This left the question, "Who's in the Gooker outfit?" The Gooker, unmasked, and it was the Boogeyman, complete with a mouthful of worms.
Backstage, Randy Orton made it known to his team that he would rather be challenging for the World Title tonight, and that he didn't pick the members of this team, making it a point to look at Cody Rhodes. Rhodes responded by saying if Orton was eliminated first, it would be "addition by subtraction". Orton and Rhodes got nose-to-nose, but the other members broke them apart.
Batista (captain), CM Punk, Kofi Kingston, Matt Hardy & R-Truth vs. Randy Orton (captain), Cody Rhodes, Shelton Benjamin, William Regal & Mark Henry in a Survivor Series elimination match.
Everyone had a separate entrance, with the babyfaces coming out first, like the opening match. Also like the opener, all three announce teams called the match. Manu accompanied Cody Rhodes for the match, Layla accompanied William Regal, and Tony Atlas accompanied Mark Henry.
Punk started out with William Regal, hitting a jumping knee and the GTS to pin Regal almost instantly.
William Regal is eliminated.
Layla jumped on the ring apron and threw a shoe a Punk, hitting him in the head. Shelton Benjamin ran in and cradled CM Punk for a two count, then pounded him, but Punk came back with a spin kick. Punk tagged in Kofi, who went at it with Shelton, giving Benjamin a monkey flip. Benjamin landed on his feet, but Kofi hit him with a dropkick. Shelton went to the eyes and dragged Kofi to his corner, where he tagged in Mark Henry. Henry pounded Kofi into the mat, then tagged in Rhodes. Kofi turned a Rhodes hiptoss into a monkeyflip, then pulled Rhodes into his corner, where he tagged Matt Hardy, who hit an elbowsmash for a two count. R-Truth tagged in, and he and Hardy gave Rhodes a double hiptoss for a two count. Truth tagged Batista, and Rhodes ducked to the floor for a breather. Rhodes got back into the ring, and tagged Benjamin. Shelton hit Batista with some knees to the body, but Batista returned fire with a back elbow, a vertical suplex and a series of shoulderblocks to the corner. Matt Hardy tagged in, but Shelton caught him with a back elbow and tagged in Randy Orton. Hardy gave Orton a bulldog, and a body slam, but missed a moonsault. Mark Henry tagged in and went to work stomping Hardy, then catapulting him into the middle rope. Henry tossed Hardy in his corner and tagged Rhodes, who continued the assault. Rhodes leapfrogged Hardy after Hardy reversed a whip, and both men clotheslined each other. Benjamin and Truth tagged in and Truth took him down with right hands. Benjamin tried to reverse a hiptoss, and Truth rolled him up with a Victory Roll for two. Truth gave Benjamin a side kick for a two count, ducked a clothesine and hit a spinning forearm. Truth missed an ax kick and Benjamin nailed him with Paydirt for the pin at the eight minute mark.
R-Truth is eliminated.
Kofi Kingston game off the top rope with a bodypress on Benjamin for two, and scored another two with a double legdrop. Henry hit Kofi from the apron, then was tagged in and he stood on Kofi's throat. Henry pounded Kofi, then tagged in Orton, who stomped Kofi, but missed a kneedrop. Kofi tried a whip, but Orton pick up Kofi and put him gut first over the top rope. From the apron, Kofi tried to fight, but Orton kneed him in the head, pulled him into the ring so he was hanging off the middle rope by his feet, and Orton delivered a DDT for the pin at the nine minute mark.
Kofi Kingston is eliminated.
Punk worked over Orton, who tagged in Rhodes, who hit Punk with a dropkick, then put him in a hammerlock and drove a knee into his arm. Punk got to his feet, but Rhodes nailed him with a forearm. Punk ducked a Rhodes punch and hit a second rope bodypress, then a neckbreaker for two. Punk hit a jumping knee in the corner and then a bulldog for a two count. Punk kicked Rhodes from the apron, then went to the top rope. Manu distracted Punk, and Rhodes shoved him off the top rope. Rhodes hit Punk with a DDT for the pin at the fourteen minute mark.
CM Punk is eliminated.
Matt Hardy came in and gave Rhodes a Side Effect for a two count. Hardy went for a second, but Rhodes escaped and tagged Mark Henry. Hardy took it to Henry, hitting a second rope elbow smash, then a Side Effect for a two count. Hardy went to the second rope again, but jumped into a Mark Henry powerslam to be pinned.
Matt Hardy is eliminated.
Batista speared Mark Henry to pin him.
Mark Henry is eliminated.
Batista gave Shelton Benjamin a spinebuster and a Batista Bomb for the pin.
Shelton Benjamin is eliminated.
Cody Rhodes ran in, mounted a brief bit of offense, then jumped off the second rope into a clothesline. Batista hit a powerslam and yelled at Orton that he would be next. Manu got on the apron, but Batista knocked him off. Batista lifted Rhodes for a Batista Bomb, and Orton tagged himself in, unseen by Batista. Batista hit the powerbomb, and yelled at the referee to count. Orton was waiting behind Batista. As Batista got up, Orton hit Batista with the RKO for the pin at the seventeen minute mark.
Survivors: Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes.
Orton and Rhodes exchanged glares, and Orton left the ring. After the replays, they showed Orton on the ramp, staring at Batista, who was getting up.
Eve Torres asked Vladimir Kozlov if Jeff Hardy not being in the match tonight changes his strategy. Kozlov said it made no difference, and he would be the champion.
Jim Ross and Tazz pointed out the video package for the WWE Title match was mostly centered on Jeff Hardy, but showed it anyway.
WWE Champion Triple H vs. Vladimir Kozlov.
They did the "big match introductions" for this bout.
There was a "USA" chant at the start. Kozlov grabbed a waistlock takedown, but Triple H worked out of it and took Kozlov down with a side mare. Triple H applied a side headlock, and Kozlov had difficulty pushing it off. There was a "boring" chant by some. Triple H took down Kozlov with a reverse armdrag. There was a loud "We want Hardy" chant. Kozlov grabbed an armdrag and applied a front facelock. Triple H turned it into a hammerlock, took Kozlov down and drove a knee into his arm. Triple H worked the hammerlock, until Kozlov used a fireman's carry takedown to escape, but Triple H reversed right back into the hammerlock. Kozlov broke out, but missed a weak charge into the corner. Triple H went back to work on the arm, applying an armbar. Koz hit some shoulderblocks in the corner to break out, then hit some forearms. Lots of "boring" chants now. Triple H hit a jumping knee after ducking a clothesline, then hot a clothesline in the corner, then a facebuster on a knee. Triple H hit a DDT, then delivered some punches, decking him. I think I heard a slight "TNA" chant from somewhere.
Triple H ran into a Kozlov boot, then Koz ran into a Triple H spinebuster, which woke up some of the crowd. Triple H set up for a Pedigree, but Kozlov shoved Triple H into the ropes and rammed his sternum with his head. Both men were down, then both men got up. Triple H hit some shots, then Kozlov reversed a whip and Triple H oversold it, bumping over the top rope and to the floor. Kozlov rammed Triple H into the security wall, then rammed him into the ring apron. Kozlov threw Triple H back into the ring, and hit a fallaway slam for a two count. Kozlov trapped Triple H's arms and hit some headbutts to the body. Kozlov then hit a powerslam for a two count.
Kozlov applied a reverse bear hug on the mat. The New York Giants went 10-1 today. I'm pretty happy about that. Speaking of the Sport Of Kings, I understand there's a pretty close football game going on right now. Unfortunately, I'm waiting for this match to end.
Kozlov with two backbreaker, then back to the reverse bear hug. More "boring" chants. Triple H punched out of the bear hug, but ran into a Kozlov powerslam for a two count. Kozlov complained to the referee, then went back to the reverse bearhug. Taz and Jim Ross deserve raises for trying to make this match entertaining.
Triple H got to his feet, still in the bearhug, and broke free from it. Kozlov headbutted him in the back, then hit a belly to belly suplex. Kozlov then stared at Triple H. Kozlov charged as Triple H got up, and Triple H moved and Kozlov went headfirst into the top turnbuckle. Kozlov went for a punch, Triple H ducked, and Triple H hit the Pedigree. Triple H collapsed to mat after hitting his move. Maybe out of boredom.
At the thirteen minute mark, Smackdown General Manager Vickie Guerrero ran out and said "He's here! This is now a Triple Threat match!". Edge's music hit, and a bearded Edge came out to a combination of cheers and boos. Edge hit Triple H with a spear. Jeff Hardy, in street clothes and with a bandage on his head, hit the ring to a monster pop. Hardy tackled Edge and hit him with punches. Hardy went to the floor and got a chair. Hardy went to hit Edge with it, but he moved and Triple H ended up getting hit with the chair. Kozlov then went for Hardy, but Hardy ducked and hit Kozlov with the chair. Edge then speared Hardy, then covered Triple H for the three count at the fourteen minute mark.
Winner and new WWE Champion: Edge.
Edge and Vickie Guerrero embraced on the stage. Maybe Koz-HHH was boring on purpose to make the finish more exciting?
A video package on the World Title match was shown. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler will call the main event.
World Champion Chris Jericho vs. John Cena.
Chris Jericho entered the ring first. John Cena then entered, wearing his new AWA-like merchandise. Big reaction for Cena, although you can tell there were some boos mixed in with the cheers. Definitely a loud reaction though, and mostly positive. They did the "big match introductions" again. Comparatively, Jericho is getting almost all boos. The focused on the scar on Cena's neck a lot.
Cena circled Jericho at the start, then went right in for an FU. Jericho jumped off and went to the apron for a breather. There was a "Cena" chant. Jericho grabbed a side headlock, then took Cena down to the mat. Cena got to his feet, tossed Jericho into the ropes, but Jericho hit a shoulderblock. Cena went to the floor to regroup, holding the back of his neck. Cena got back in, then tackled Jericho and hit some right hands. Cena hit a vertical suplex for a one count, then a drop toe hold. Cena went for the STFU, but Jericho kicked it away. Cena smiled at Jericho. Jericho kicked Cena in the gut, then delivered a right hand. Jericho rammed Cena into the top turnbuckle, then kicked him in the back of the neck. Jericho went for a whip, but Cena reversed it and hit a clothesline of his own. Cena slammed Jericho, then hit an elbowdrop for a two count. Cena missed a charge in the corner, then Jericho stomped Cena's head. Jericho went for a whip, Cena kicked Jericho in the gut, then hit the Throwback.
Cena went to climb the ropes, but then stopped, and got back in the ring. Jericho kicked Cena as he stepped through the ropes, and hit a double arm DDT for a two count. Cena was on the mat with his head hanging off the apron. Jericho got on the floor and kicked Cena's head into the ringpost. Cena slumped to the floor. Cena got back into the ring right before the ten count. Jericho went for a punch, but Cena hit two of his own. Jericho then sidestepped a charging Cena and threw him over the top rope and to the floor. Jericho got outside and gave Cena a baseball slide kick to the head. Jericho then threw Cena head first into the ring steps. Jericho tossed Cena back into the ring, then hit a slingshot splash for a two count. Jericho applied a head vice in the ring.
Cena powered up and broke out of the hold, but missed a flying shoulderblock as Jericho ducked. Jericho scored a two count, then choked Cena against the middle rope. Jericho applied a full nelson, but Cena broke out of it by ramming Jericho backwards into a corner. Jericho immediately reapplied the hold though, and Cena sagged to the mat before powering up again. Cena broke free, then shoved Jericho into a corner as he went for a bulldog. Cena hit a shoulderblock, then a second, then went for a back suplex, but Jericho flipped over him and hit a bulldog. Jericho went for the Lionsault, but Cena rolled away, so Jericho landed on his feet, only to be given a back suplex. Cena did the "You Can't See Me", but Jericho tripped Cena and put him in the Walls of Jericho, driving his knee into Cena's neck, similar to the old "Liontamer" version. Cena powered out of it, but got up grabbing his neck. Jericho decked him with a clothesline.
Jericho took Cena down and applied the traditional Walls Of Jericho. Cena struggled to get to the ropes, and finally made it to force the break. Cena got to his feet, and Jericho charged him. Cena scooped up Jericho and hit the FU, then slumped to the mat. Cena crawled onto Jericho for a two count. The got to their feet, and Cena charged Jericho, only to be caught with a back elbow. Jericho and Cena fought onto the middle rope, exchanging right hands. Cena flipped Jericho into the ring, went to the top rope and hit the top rope Rocker Dropper. Cena went for the FU, but Jericho hit a back elbow and delivered the Codebreaker. Jericho crawled onto Cena for a two count. Huge pop for the kickout.
Jericho had a trickle of blood coming from his forehead. Jericho hit a clothesline, and screamed at Cena to get up again. Cena slowly got up, and Jericho blasted him with another clothesline. Jericho then went for a third clothesline, but Cena hit a drop toe hold and applied the STFU. Jericho inched towards the ropes, but Cena rolled off and pulled Jericho back towards the middle of the ring. Jericho kicked Cena in the head and grabbed a small package. Cena rolled through it, got to his feet scooping Jericho up off the mat, put him in FU position and hit the FU for the pin at the 22 minute mark.
Winner and new World Champion: John Cena.
2009 - Jesse Ventura returned to WWE to guest host Monday Night Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Hershey, Pennsylvania and your announcers are Michael ‘M&Ms are my favorite candy’ Cole and Jerry ‘Is TruTV a real channel’ Lawler.
We are told that John Cena will face CM Punk tonight.
Justin Roberts welcomes us and he introduces the host of Conspiracy Theory on TruTV, Jesse Ventura. Jesse’s entrance music is the same as Randy Orton’s . . . Randy Orton comes to the ring.
Randy says that the normal routine is that the guest host comes out to be interrupted by someone. Randy says that he does not care. He knows that Jesse Ventura has a major announcement about the WWE Title. Randy says that his father told him that Jesse considers himself to be a radical and someone who will break the rules and speak his mind. Randy wants Jesse to prove him. Randy says that he is not supposed to face John Cena for the WWE Title any more, but he knows that the guest host has the power to do whatever they want. The guest host can lift the ban to allow him to face John Cena again. Randy says that he deserves to be champion more than anyone else. Randy wants Jesse to give him the chance to be World Champion again. Randy tells Jesse not to listen to the people.
Jesse Ventura comes to the ring and he is the ‘governer’ according to WWE. Jesse says the body is back and he isn’t dressed like a governor, he is dressed like pro wrestling. Jesse says that he is in charge and he is the guest host so what he says goes. Jesse tells Randy that he respects him and likes his style. Jesse says that Randy reminds him of him. Jesse tells Randy that he does not belong to either political party. He is an independent. He stands for revolution in this country and he demands a revolution. Jesse says that he will bring something completely new to the WWE tonight. Randy will not get a title shot. There are too many of the same people who get the shot at the title. It is time to change that. It will not be Randy Orton, Big Show, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, or Chris Jericho. The crowd thinks they have an idea. There will be a series of matches and to qualify, you can never have been a world champion. The winners of the matches will go into a ‘breakthrough battle royal’ later tonight with the winner being the number one contender for the World Title.
Randy tells Jesse that he is making a big mistake. Jesse tells Randy that he has made plenty of mistakes before, but he moves on from his mistakes and what he says goes. Jesse says we will see John Cena versus CM Punk for the first time. The Hart Dynasty faces Degeneration X for the first time. The preliminary matches for the Breakthrough Battle Royal will also take place.
Kofi Kingston comes to the ring for his match and he crosses path with Randy Orton and they stare each other down with Kofi looking over his shoulder.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look back at the brawl between Kofi Kingston and Randy Orton from last week’s Raw.
Match Number One: Kofi Kingston versus Dolph Ziggler in a Breakthrough Battle Royal Qualifying Match
They lock up and Ziggler with a punch instead of a clean break. He follows that with kicks but Kofi with punches and kicks of his own until the referee pulls him away. Kofi hits the turnbuckles when Ziggler moves and Ziggler gets a near fall. Ziggler with a punch to Kofi followed by a kick to the back. Ziggler with a neck snap for a near fall. Kofi with punches as he returns to his feet. Ziggler with a take down for a near fall. Ziggler locks in a reverse chin lock. Ziggler pulls Kofi to the mat by the hair. Ziggler with a series of elbows drops and then he hits the hesitation leaping elbow drop for a near fall. Ziggler with a rear chin lock but Kofi with a take down and chop followed by a drop kick and leaping clothesline. Kofi does a few laps in the ring and then he hits the boom boom leg drop. Kofi misses Trouble in Paradise and Ziggler misses the Zig Zag. Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise the second time for the three count.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
We go to the back where there is a Thanksgiving spread. The Miz is back there and he says that he is thankful for the love, respect, and adoration that everyone gives him every Monday. He is thankful that he was the only member of Raw to win at Bragging Rights. He is thankful for Team Miz, that won at Survivor Series. Miz says that he expects greatness. Everyone should be thankful that they get to watch him. Miz lets us know who he is and that he is awesome.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Sheamus’ Retirement Tour of the production crew and Jerry Lawler last week.
Match Number Two: Sheamus versus Finlay in a Breakthrough Battle Royal Qualifying Match
Finlay with forearms to the back and a kick that sends Sheamus to the floor. Finlay sends Sheamus over the announce table and Cole and Lawler have to scatter. Finlay returns to the ring and he is met with a boot to the head. Sheamus with knees and then he chokes Finlay before getting a near fall. Sheamus runs into a knee from Finlay and Finlay with punches. Sheamus with a running clothesline. Sheamus sends Finlay into the ring post and then he gets Finlay up for the Razor’s Edge and the three count.
Winner: Sheamus
After the match, Sheamus pulls Finlay out of the ring and sends him into the ring steps and then runs Finlay into the ringside barrier and hits a bicycle kick that sends Finlay over the ringside barrier and into the crowd.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to find out what Teddy Long is thankful for. He says that he is thankful that he is interrupted by Vickie Guerrero to let us know that she is Teddy’s consultant. She says that everyone should be thankful that she has power and influence again. Eric Escobar says that she should be thankful to have some eye candy. Vickie asks for Teddy to pass the potatoes. Teddy wants to let Vickie wear the potatoes but Eric grabs them.
It is time to see a video package for Conspiracy Theory, the new show starring Jesse Ventura.
Jesse is in his office and he looks at some of the old tye dye. Randy Orton is in the office and he wants to be in the battle royal because he is the victim of a conspiracy by the WWE. Jesse says that he knows about conspiracies and Randy might be the victim of a conspiracy because of the boss and the way things work here. Randy says that he was tricked into signing a contract to prevent him from being in a title match. Jesse says that Randy is trying to make him go against the rules and what he believes in. Jesse says that a revolution means ‘new’ so people who have never had a title shot will get the chance. Jesse tells Randy that he likes that Orton is retiring the people who stay around too long. Jesse tells Randy not to ask him to change the rules.
CM Punk comes to the ring and he says that he is thankful for a lot of things. First, he is thankful that he is straight edge. He is thankful that it makes him different because he would not want to be anyone. Punk lets everyone know what straight edge means. He says that it means that he is better than everyone. Thanksgiving’s biggest vice is gluttony and he can imagine seeing everyone bellying up to all of the food and then going to the medicine cabinet. Punk says that you can be him or you can continue to be your lazy, drug consuming self. Punk wants to give three cheers to mediocrity and then he mentions that he will be facing a turkey named John Cena. Punk tells Cena that he can see him.
Match Number Three: CM Punk versus John Cena
Before the match, Punk throws his t-shirt at Cena and Cena picks it up and puts it down before Cena throws his into the crowd.
Punk retreats into the ropes before locking up. They finally lock up and Punk with a side head lock. Punk with a shoulder tackle and Cena stays on his feet. Punk with kicks to Cena’s legs and then he kicks Cena in the chest and punches him. Punk with shoulders in the corner. Cena with an Irish whip and bulldog for a near fall. Cena with punches to Punk and he sends Punk into the turnbuckles. Cena with a drop toe hold and Punk makes his way to the floor to avoid an STF. We go to commercial.
We are back and Punk with a figure four head scissors. We see footage during the commercial break when Punk escaped an Attitude Adjustment and then hit a springboard clothesline. Cena gets to his feet and he has Punk in an electric chair position and he hits the electric chair drop. Punk with a clothesline to Cena and gets a near fall. Punk with a hard Irish whip followed by a neck breaker for a near fall. Punk with elbows to Cena’s chest followed by a near fall. Punk punches Cena but Cena avoids a charge into the corner and it is Moves of Doom time as we get the two flying shoulder tackles and the Blue Thunder Bomb before the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Punk sets for the Attitude Adjustment but Punk lands on his feet and he kicks Cena. Punk tries for the Go to Sleep but Cena blocks it and puts Punk in the STF. Punk tries to reach for the ropes and he gets to the ropes. Punk with a roundhouse kick to the head for a near fall. Punk with knees to Cena followed by a high knee into the corner, but Punk takes too long on the bulldog and Cena pushes him off. Cena goes up top and hits the leg drop to the head and gets a near fall. Cena gets Punk up for the Attitude Adjustment but Punk gets out of the hold and Punk with a kick to Cena but he can only get a two count. Punk tries for a splash into the corner but Cena moves and Cena goes for a super Attitude Adjustment for the three count.
Winner: John Cena
Michael Cole reminds us that we are in the middle of a three hour Raw and he reminds us of the revolutionary nature of tonight’s show. Let’s take a look back at Jesse Ventura’s announcement and his ignoring Randy Orton’s plea to get into the Breakthrough Battle Royal. Cole and Lawler mention that the person who wins the battle royal faces their brand’s champion.
Vince McMahon stops by to say hello to Jesse Ventura. Vince says that he is going to decline any challenge for a match. Jesse says that he would not challenge Vince to a match. He would not stoop so low to wrestle Vince because Vince was an announcer. Jesse says that Vince can breathe easy. Jesse is going to hit Vince below the belt tonight. Vince says that he is willing to be a guest on Conspiracy Theory. Jesse tells Vince that he was in charge of $32 billion when he was governor of Minnesota. Jesse says that since tonight is a throwback night, he wants to do what Vince’s dad did to him. Jesse says that since Vince’s dad had so little confidence in him, he didn’t let him make matches, he made Vince an announcer. Tonight, Jesse and Vince are going to be announcing again. Vince says that Jesse hasn’t changed at all. Jesse gives Vince his wardrobe. He gives Vince a bow tie and calls him Bozo.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Chavo Guerrero, Chris Masters, and Jack Swagger versus R Truth, Montel Vontavious Porter, and Mark Henry in a Breakthrough Battle Royal Qualifying Match
Swagger bounces around as he waits for Porter and then he gets a waist lock take down and side head lock. Swagger with a shoulder tackle but Porter with a hip toss and punch. Porter gets a near fall. Swagger with shoulders in the corner and Chavo is tagged in and he goes up top but Porter catches him and Porter with an overhead belly-to-belly throw. Masters makes the blind tag and he hits Porter from behind. Chavo tags back in and he punches Porter. Masters tags back in and he slams Porter and applies a chin lock and arm bar. Masters with a kick but Porter with a clothesline. Truth tags in and he punches Masters. Truth floats over and does a split before hitting a leg lariat and gets a near fall but it is broken up. All six men are in and Henry press slams Chavo onto Swagger on the floor. Masters misses a boot and Truth hits a flying forearm for the three count.
Winners: Mark Henry, R Truth, and Montel Vontavious Porter
Shawn and Hunter are in the ‘what are we thankful for’ room and Hunter stares at Shawn while Shawn tries not to look at Hunter. Hunter wants to know what was the deal with the kick. Shawn says that it was for the title and he was sorry. He says that Hunter would have pedigreed him if Shawn didn’t hit the super kick. Hunter says that Shawn hit him with three super kicks. Shawn mentions his eye thing and he says that he was aiming for Cena. They look down and they are served with legal papers. They are being called to court next week and Hunter mentions that it is short notice and Shawn says that it puts a little damper on Thanksgiving.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Five: Evan Bourne versus Primo in a Breakthrough Battle Royal Qualifying Match
Primo is attacked by Randy Orton and he sends Primo off the ramp and then he kicks Primo on the floor. Orton walks to the ring.
Orton says that he is taking Primo’s spot in the match and he wants the bell to be rung.
Jesse Ventura appears on the TitanTron and he tells Randy Orton that he has a message for him. He tells Randy that he has been persistent and rules are meant to be broken. Randy gets his shot in the battle royal if he can beat Evan Bourne.
Orton with a kick and then he sends Bourne into the ring post and gets a near fall. Orton catapults Bourne’s throat into the bottom rope and gets another near fall. Bourne with kicks but Orton tries for the back breaker. Bourne lands on his feet and he connects with a knee. Bourne goes up top and hits the double knee splash and gets a near fall. Bourne tries for a springboard cross body but Orton catches him and hits a power slam. Orton with an RKO for the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton
We go to some vintage Jesse Ventura and Vince McMahon announcing moments.
If it is a holiday, it means that Divas dress up to commemorate the holiday. We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the World Premiere of the trailer for Marine 2.
Cody and Ted are in the back talking about something.
Michelle gets on the mic and she talks about how they understand that it is Thanksgiving and they are dressed as pilgrims. She says that they have done some stupid things, but this is the stupidest.
Michelle is interrupted by the return of the Gobbledygooker. We see the video of the hatching of the Gobbledygooker in 1990.
Match Number Six: Jillian, Michelle McCool and Layla (as Pilgrims) versus Kelly Kelly, Melina, and Mickie James (as Indians) in a Mayflower Melee Match
Melina and Jillian start things off and Melina works on the arm but Jillian sends Melina to the mat. Melina with an Irish whip and shoulder in the corner. Melina poses on top of Jillian and Jillian pulls Melina to the mat. Jillian tosses Melina around the ring followed by a forearm. Jillian with a back elbow followed by a kick to the midsection. Jillian with an Irish whip and then she tries for the handspring back elbow but Melina with a head scissors and gets a near fall. Layla grabs Melina and that distraction allows Jillian to hit a clothesline. Michelle and Layla have had enough and they leave the ring. Melina with a jackknife cover for the three count.
Winners: Kelly Kelly, Melina, and Mickie James
After the match, Jerry Lawler goes into the ring to interview the winners. The Gobbledygooker is in the ring with Jerry and she asks Melina about the win. Melina says that it was great to be with Kelly and Mickie and to win and then the Gobbledygooker attacks Melina and it is Maryse. She poses in the suit and then removes her outfit and throws it at Melina. Maryse poses again without any constricting clothing.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Seven: Degeneration X (Shawn Michaels and Triple H) versus David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd (with Natalya)
Shawn and Kidd start things off and they lock up with Kidd punching Michaels and connecting with forearms. Michaels with a chop followed by the flying forearm and a kip up. Smith with a suplex for a near fall after a blind tag. Smith punches Michaels and Michaels backs into the corner. Smith with a back breaker for a near fall. Smith with a drop toe hold and Kidd with a drop kick for a near fall. Kidd with a reverse chin lock. Michaels punches Kidd but Kidd with a reverse atomic drop and enzuigiri for a near fall. Smith tags in and they set up for a double suplex until Smith takes over and hits a delayed vertical suplex. Smith with a cross face to Michaels followed by a reverse chin lock. Michaels with a chop but Smith with a kick. Michaels and Smith collide in the corner and the are both down. Hunter and Kidd tag in and Hunter with punches followed by the high knee and facebuster. Hunter with a clothesline to Kidd and a spinebuster to Smith and one to Kidd and then Hunter poses because he can. Hunter tries for a pedigree on Smith but he is stopped by Kidd. Smith punches Hunter and then they get Hunter up for a springboard Hart Attack but Shawn hits Smith from behind with a super kick and Hunter kicks Kidd and hits the Pedigree for the three count.
Winners: Degeneration X
Chris Jericho’s music plays and he comes to the ring and he has his tag title belts. Chris congratulates them on their big win because at the TLC pay per view, they will be challenging Jericho and Show for the Tag Titles. He says that Show is on a personal vacation day. Hunter says that they know about the match and that Show isn’t here. They know the real reason. It is because Show is at the factory and he cannot get out. Shawn tells Jericho that it is serious because there is one thing that Jericho was not told about the title match because it will be a TLC match. Jericho stops Michaels from giving us two words and he says that he is the best in the world at what he does. He says that they are the most dominant tag team of this or any generation. Jericho says that it is not about catchphrases and merchandise. It is about the tag titles. They have never been the tag champions and it will not change at the pay per view. After the pay per view, DX can sell their merchandise while Jericho and Show are still the champions.
Batista is walking in the back and we go to commercial.
Rey Mysterio’s music plays and Batista is the one to come out to the ring. Batista says that Rey will not be joining us tonight. He says that Rey will be spending his Thanksgiving in a hospital bed and he has no one to blame but himself. Last month, his good buddy decided to stab him in the back to cost him his World Title. Batista says that he was the bigger man and did not break him in half that night. Batista says that he gave Rey the chance to walk away and he didn’t. Rey decided to be a tough man and he disrespected Batista. Last night, Batista says that he decided to power bomb Rey until the EMTs scraped him off a chair. No one disrespects him and no one embarrasses him. Batista says that he is putting everyone on notice that the winner of the battle royal better be from Raw because he will take care of a winner from Smackdown. Undertaker is his and the World Title is his. Batista says that no one will stop him . . .
Kane apparently does not understand what Batista just said because he is coming to the ring. Kane asks Batista what constitutes disrespecting Batista. Does interrupting Batista’s empty threats ‘embarrassing him’? Kane says that he wants to see what Batista has to do about it. Kane tells Dave to make an example out of him.
Batista thinks about it and he starts to walk away from Kane and he has an evil smirk on his face. Batista leaves the ring and Kane summons flames from the ring posts.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Eight: Cryme Tyme versus Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase in a Breakthrough Battle Royal Qualifying Match
Cody and JTG start things off and Cody with punches and kicks. JTG with an Irish whip and an X Factor for a near fall. DiBiase tags in and JTG did not notice it and Ted attacks him from behind. DiBiase sends JTG into the turnbuckles and then Cody is tagged back in and they double team JTG. Cody with a suplex set up but he throws JTG to the mat. DiBiase is tagged back in and he kicks JTG in the head. Rhodes is tagged in and Rhodes hits a drop kick for a near fall. Rhodes with a key lock. Shad and DiBiase tag in and Shad with clotheslines, a reverse atomic drop and kick. DiBiase tries for a cross body but Shad catches DiBiase and turns it into a power bomb but Rhodes breaks up the cover. JTG with a drop kick to Rhodes and then they fight to the floor. DiBiase hits Shad from behind and he hits Dream Street for the three count.
Winners: Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes
Your entrants in the Breakthrough Battle Royal: Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, Randy Orton, Sheamus, Kofi Kingston, Montel Vontavious Porter, Mark Henry, and R Truth.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Batista and Kane will be facing each other on Smackdown.
It is time to go to the Giving Thanks area and Gail Kim is thankful for being interrupted by Alicia Fox. Alicia says that she is thankful that she wasn’t the first person eliminated on her team at Survivor Series. We have a pie standoff and Santino Marella comes in to play the role of UN Peacekeeper. Santino says that they should not be fighting, they should be making dinner. Santino does a public service announcement about cooking and he says that he would love to see all of the Divas make him a dinner of epic proportions. Santino gets a pie from Alicia and Gail. The Bellas come into show some sympathy for Sanitno, but that is short lived and he gets two more pies. Eve comes out and Santino says the wrong thing and Eve gives him another pie to the face. Vickie walks over to hit Santino with another pie but Santino knocks it into Vickie’s face.
Match Number Nine: Breakthrough Battle Royal: Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, Randy Orton, Sheamus, Kofi Kingston, Montel Vontavious Porter, Mark Henry, and R Truth
Before the match starts, Jesse Ventura comes to the ring to take his spot as the guest color commentator. He is joined by Vince McMahon who comes out to the original Saturday Night’s Main Event music.
The bell rings and everyone squares off and Legacy goes after Kofi. Everyone pairs up. Henry tries to eliminate Cody while Orton watches from the floor. Sheamus waits in the corner as he watches Cody and Porter fight while DiBiase and Kofi fight. Henry and R Truth battle. DiBiase punches Kofi while Cody holds Kofi. Porter sends Truth to the apron and then Cody goes after Porter. Truth stops Cody. Porter throws Rhodes into the corner while Henry with an Irish whip to DiBiase. Henry runs DiBiase into Rhodes but Rhodes rakes Henry’s eyes. DiBiase tries to eliminate Porter while Henry tries to eliminate Rhodes and connects with a head butt. Sheamus with a short arm clothesline to Truth and Truth is eliminated. Orton returns and he goes after Kofi and punches him. Cody joins in but Porter stops Rhodes. Orton gets Kofi on his shoulders but Kofi gets the ropes. Sheamus with a bicycle kick to Porter and Porter is eliminated. Henry with a head butt to Sheamus followed by a slam attempt. Shamus lands on the apron as DiBiase and Rhodes stop Henry. Henry clotheslines Rhodes and DiBiase and then Sheamus eliminates Henry.
We are down to three men and it is Randy Orton, Kofi Kingston, and Sheamus. Orton punches Kofi while Sheamus watches. Kofi and Orton exchange punches. Orton with a kick and Irish whip. Kofi with a cross body and then he punches Orton. Orton kicks Kofi and then he punches Kofi in the corner. Sheamus grabs Orton but Orton with a back breaker. Kofi punches Orton and hits a drop kick that sends Orton into the corner. Kofi leaps to the corner and because it is a battle royal, Kofi is almost sent to the floor. Kofi skins the cat and he eliminates Orton with a head scissors. Sheamus with a clothesline that sends Kofi over the top rope to the floor to win the battle royal.
Winner: Sheamus
Vince and Jesse talk about the contract signing and we go to commercial.
We are back and Verne Troyer will be the guest host.
Jesse Ventura is in the ring with Sheamus along with the official contract signing table and chairs. Jesse says that he was glad to be back hosting Raw. Jesse says that not only is Sheamus undefeated, he has put people out of wrestling. Jesse brings John Cena to the ring to sign the contract.
Cena sits at the table while Sheamus continues to stand. Sheamus says that he demands that John Cena stand up to face him. Cena says that he has heard from number one contenders so many times but it is usually from a future Hall of Famer. Cena wonders if he should take Sheamus seriously. Is it because he crippled an announcer or retired a wrestler half his size. He asks if he will attack Michael Cole or a camera man next. Cena says that he has been in the ring for the last eight years with the best and he points out that he is the champion. He is the champion because he has never given up and he earned it. Cena says that people know that this is his life and passion and it is all that he has got. Cena tells Sheamus that he will be serious. Cena has gone toe to toe with the meanest toughest and baddest and they have all been compromised. Cena tells Sheamus to look at the title belt so he knows what he is signing. Cena says that Sheamus will not put him in a retirement home. Cena tells Sheamus that when he signs the contract, he will be going to war with Cena and he better be ready to make a statement.
Sheamus tells Cena that he retires people because he can. He beat up Hall of Famers because he can. That is nothing compared to what he is going to do to Cena. Cena throws his hat to the crowd and Jesse reminds them why they are in the ring together with the fancy table and chairs.
Sheamus signs the contract and so does Cena.
Jesse says that he thinks that there is a conspiracy to keep John Cena champion. He talks about how Cena is the perfect looking champion that the company wants. Jesse says that he did not get title matches because he was a rebel and a revolutionary. He says that the WWE wants someone who will get along. Jesse says that he never got a title shot. Sheamus with a boot to Cena as Cena gets a little too close to Jesse Ventura. Sheamus throws Cena into the ring post and then he hits a slam through the table. Jesse says that the match between Cena and Sheamus will be a Table Match.
We go to credits with Sheamus holding the belt over John Cena.
2010 - The Philadelphia Spectrum, which hosted World Wrestling Federation live events for decades, including regular broadcasts on Comcast Sports and the 1995 King of the Ring PPV, among other events, was torn down. WWF debuted in the Spectrum in August 1974 with an event headlined by Bruno Sammartino defeating Killer Kowalski to retain the WWWF championship. WWF last ran the venue in May 1996 for a house show headlined by Shawn Michaels defeating Diesel to retain the WWF title on top. WWE moved on to the Corestate Center, located next door to the Spectrum, after that event.
2010 - Atlanta authorities identified then-31 year old Ahamad Gill as the suspect in the shooting death of Lucha Libre USA star Chris "Solid" Long, who was shot several days before while working as a bouncer at the Shooter Alley strip club. Investigators charged Gill with homicide and aggravated assault, according to the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Gill was believed to have been one of a group of men that Long and other bouncers removed from the club during an altercation. He was alleged to have later returned and opened fire, hitting Long and another unidentified man who is still hospitalized.
2010 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Last week we saw Aksana get screwed from both ends because her run on NXT ended and so did her sham marriage to Goldust because she was served with divorce papers. Which one of our final three rookies will have their dream shattered . . . until they are probably brought back in some capacity in a few weeks. Maybe they can marry John Cena to get him back in the WWE.
We are live on tape on the internet and your announcers are Michael ‘I am the WWE Champion by proxy because my man crush won the title last night’ Cole and Josh ‘I hope next season is on wweenespanol.com so Juan Cena can do the announcing’ Mathews. Your host is Matt ‘The Voice of Reason’ Striker.
Matt Striker is in the ring and he brings out the three remaining rookies. Kaitlyn gives a hat to Vickie on her way to the ring.
They have their air horns for the non-physical challenge and it is WWE Trivia. The first round will be worth 100 points and round two will be worth 200 points, but there is no immunity.
The first question is who won Season One of NXT and Naomi guesses Wade Barrett. The second question is interrupted by the man who doesn’t care about NXT at the announce table. The question is who is the first female pros and AJ guesses LayCool. The third question is who was the immigration officer and AJ guesses Nicholas Dikapopolus and she gets it right. Question number four is who was Daniel Bryan’s pro and AJ guesses the Miz and Michael Cole does not comment when Miz’s name is mentioned. That means we are at the end of round one.
We see Cole not even looking at the action while Josh is playing a game on his iPad.
Round Two starts with where the first Wrestlemania was held and AJ guesses Madison Square Garden and she is correct. The next question is who ended Shawn Michaels’ career and AJ guesses the Undertaker. The third question is which WWE Hall of Famer was the Women’s Champion for more than 27 years and AJ guesses Fabulous Moolah. The fourth question is what is WWE’s annual holiday visit to the Armed Forces and AJ guesses Tribute to the Troops. The next question is which WWE Superstar is known as The Game and AJ guesses Triple H.
AJ wins with 1,300 points with Naomi getting 100 points and Kaitlyn was in the ring for the challenge. For finishing in third place, Kaitlyn gets to wrestle Nikki Bella.
We go to e-mercial.
Match Number One: Kaitlyn with Vickie Guerrero versus Nikki Bella with Brie Bella dressed the same as her sister even though she isn’t wrestling
They lock up and Nikki with a face wash on the break. Kaitlyn sends Nikki to the mat. Nikki with a waist lock but Kaitlyn uses her rear end to get out of the hold. Kaitlyn with a shoulder block but Nikki with an arm drag and a flying mare. Nikki with a drop kick to the hip and she gets a near fall. Nikki kicks Kaitlyn in the leg while Vickie tries to encourage her rookie. Nikki wraps Kaitlyn’s leg in the ropes. Nikki eventually works on the knee but Kaitlyn with a chin lock. Nikki works on the knee some more. Nikki with an Irish whip and then she wraps her leg in the ropes again. Nikki with a kick to the knee and Kaitlyn kicks Nikki away. Kaitlyn with an elbow and clotheslines. Kaitlyn tries for a suplex but Nikki blocks it and hits an X Factor for the three count.
Winner: Nikki Bella
After the match, Vickie yells at Kaitlyn for losing.
Cole and Josh talk about nothing of importance, but then they talk about John Cena’s farewell speech on Raw.
We see highlights from last week’s AJ versus Aksana match.
Match Number Two: Naomi with Kelly Kelly versus AJ with Primo
They lock up and Naomi works on the arm but AJ with a reversal. Naomi with a snap mare and sliding clothesline for a near fall. AJ with a head scissors but Naomi with a kick and a leaping butt bump. AJ kicks Naomi away and then she slides to the floor and trips Naomi. Naomi slams AJ from the turnbuckles but AJ is able to get to the floor before Naomi can do any more.
Primo gives AJ a pep talk before she re-enters the ring. They shake hands but Naomi with a drop kick to the back followed by a slam and a leaping leg drop for a near fall. Naomi with a surfboard on AJ but Naomi gets to her feet and she kicks Naomi. Naomi catches AJ on a cross body attempt but AJ gets to her feet and Naomi with a jawbreaker and an enzuigiri for a near fall. Naomi with a bow and arrow but AJ counters into a lateral press and a near fall. Naomi with a front face lock but AJ with a hammer lock.
Naomi with a rear chin lock with her knee in the back and she turns it into a seated abdominal stretch. AJ gets to her feet and escapes the hold. Naomi with an uppercut and AJ responds with a tornado DDT and both women are down.
Primo and Kelly argue from across the ring as AJ gets a near fall. AJ with clotheslines and a drop kick to Naomi for a near fall. AJ with a kick to Naomi but Naomi with a spinning heel kick for a two count. Naomi with an Irish whip but AJ puts Naomi in the octopus and Noami tries to fight out of it but she finally taps out.
Winner: AJ
After the match, Primo celebrates with AJ in the ring.
AJ and Naomi shake hands and hug before we go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know they are still showing the military gets free tickets graphic.
It is now time for the physical challenge of the night and it is the Last Sumo Standing Challenge. The rookies come out in their sumo suits.
Matt says that this will be the final challenge for someone. Since AJ won the first challenge, AJ gets a bye into the finals. They will battle under sumo rules.
The semifinal match is Kaitlyn versus Naomi and Kaitlyn advances to the finals.
In the finals, AJ meets Kaitlyn and the referee needs to restart because Kaitlyn turtled on the mat. They redo it while Matt throws out legendary larger wrestlers of the past. Kaitlyn is your winner.
It is now time for the pros to discuss their votes and the elimination is coming up next.
We go to commercial, but when we come back, we will see the moment last night that made Michael Cole so happy.
We are back and it is time to take a look at the night when a World Title changed hands in Orlando with the Raw Rebound.
We are in the interview area and Matt Striker asks AJ who should be eliminated and why. She thinks Naomi will be eliminated so she can see what will happen with her and Kaitlyn next week. Matt asks Kaitlyn and she says Aksana, but she is told that Aksana was eliminated. Then she says Naomi to see what will happen next week. Naomi says that Kaitlyn should go home because she can’t wrestle. Naomi says that the winner of NXT should be someone with skills and can do it in the ring.
The pros are meeting on the stage and we have a caucus as we go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to go to ringside where Matt Striker is with the rookies and he mentions that this is probably the most stressful elimination because they have become friends. Time to go to the ColeTron Eliminatrix 2010 to find out who will not be on the final episode.
AJ has been eliminated.
AJ thanks everyone who voted for her. She says that she knows that she isn’t the supermodel or go who went to prom. She says that it is time for a Diva to represent everyone in the crowd. We need a Diva who everyone wants to hang out with. AJ says that she has fought for this her entire life. This will not stop her because this is not the last time you will see her. She will accomplish her dreams and we will see her again.
We go to credits.
2011 - Sin Cara underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL suffered at the Survivor Series PPV several days earlier.
2011 - Ohio independent wrestling Andre Davis was found guilty on 14 counts of felonious assault for not disclosing his status as HIV positive with women he was having unprotected sex with.
Davis was found not guilty on one charge after a jury spent nine hours deliberating. Davis faces over 100 years in prison when he is sentenced.
Davis was accused of having slept with four different women in Deerfield Township, Ohio and 12 women in Hamilton County, Ohio.
Prosecutors argued that Davis had known since 2009 that he was HIV positive but chose not to tell the women he was involved with, even though he was having unprotected sex with them.
Davis learned of his HIV status when undergoing blood testing for a WWE developmental deal as a referee. WWE rescinded the offer after informing him of his status.
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