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November 29th
On this day in history in ....
1962 - Two of the most important figures in the history of Florida wrestling face off, as Eddie Graham defeats Boris Malenko in Jacksonville, Florida for the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title, starting his third reign as champion.
1980 - Killer Karl Kox defeats The Grappler for the Mid-South Mississippi Heavyweight Title in Shreveport, Louisiana.
1986 - NBC airs the eighth WWF "Saturday Night's Main Event" special, which was taped on November 15th in Los Angeles, California. The show, which scored a 9.7 rating, featured the following matches:
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage vs. Jake Roberts ended in a double disqualification when both men hit referee Dave Hebner. After the match, Randy Savage went for a steel chair, but Jake Roberts put his snake Damian on Savage's back, and Savage ran off. This was a very rare (at the time) heel vs. heel match, although the fans ended up siding with Jake Roberts during the match.
- WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Hercules Hernandez with a legdrop.
- Rowdy Roddy Piper defeated Cowboy Bob Orton with a rollup.
- The Killer Bees defeated The Hart Foundation when Jim Brunzell pinned Bret Hart with a small package. Hart had been wrestling B. Brian Blair at the time, but Blair and Brunzell switched places unbeknownst to Hart and the referee, as both were wearing masks.
- Koko B. Ware defeated Nikolai Volkoff with a cradle from behind.
- Magnificent Muraco defeated Dick Slater with a clothesline after Mr. Fuji tripped Slater.
1986 - Al Perez defeats The Mighty Igor in San Juan, Puerto Rico to win the WWC Puerto Rican Heavyweight Title.
1992 - Smoky Mountain Wrestling held their "Thanksgiving Thunder" card at the City Coliseum in Knoxville, Tennessee, drawing over a thousand fans. Here are the results of the show:
- The Night Stalker defeated Robbie Eagle.
- Tracey Smothers defeated Dutch Mantel.
- Robert Fuller & Jimmy Golden defeated Bobby Fulton & Dixie Dynamite.
- Ronnie Garvin & Danny Davis defeated Paul Orndorff in a Handicap match.
- SMW Heavyweight Champion Tony Anthony defeated Tim Horner in a lumberjack match.
- The Mongolian Stomper defeated Kevin Sullivan via disqualification.
- Ronnie Garvin won a battle royal.
- The Rock N' Roll Express defeated The Heavenly Bodies (Stan Lane & Tom Pritchard) in a Steel Cage match to win the SMW Tag Team Championship for the third time. This victory ended Lane & Pritchard's fourth reign after only one day, and ended four straight days of title changes between the two teams.
1994 - Tito Santana defeats Cowboy Bob Orton Jr. in Chicago, Illinois to become the first American Wrestling Federation World Champion. With the exception of a brief exchange with Orton in 1996 (Orton wins the title, but is stripped due to interference, and Santana wins it back in a rematch the same night), Santana would be the champion for the entire existence of the AWF.
2003 - Gedo & Jado defeat Hiroki Goto & Ryusuke Taguchi in a tournament final to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship in Miyagi, Japan. The belts had been vacated by former champions Jushin Liger & Koji Kanemoto when Kanemoto was unable to defend the belts after fracturing his cheekbone. Liger teamed with El Samurai for the tournament, but lost to Gedo & Jado in the semifinals.
2008 - Judge Russell G. Vineyard ruled that there was probable cause in the six search warrants issued against Benoit family physician Dr. Phil Astin for authorities to raid records from his office and storage unites in the wake of the Benoit family tragedy. Those raids left to Astin being indicted on seven counts of overprescribing medication.
2008 - WWE Smackdown became the center of a major controversy in Indonesia, as the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission called for the show to be banned in their country. This comes in the fallout of an investigation into the death of a nine year old boy in Bandung who allegedly died as a result of mimicking wrestlers he saw on the program. It should be pointed out that the official cause of death for the child, who had suffered blows to his body in October before dying a month later, has yet to be determined However, his death has become a major news story in the country, and a platform for those that are against violence on television.
In an article released by Reuters today, Commission member Ade Armando was quoted as saying, "We have SmackDown posters, shirts, cards, and other things. It has become some kind of specific culture with its own community. If there is no television show, we assume those other things will lose audience. So our conclusion is stopping the show altogether. We will not tolerate its showing anytime."
Lativi, a private broadcaster which carries the show, has moved the program from 9pm to 10pm, but has not indicated that they will drop the program.
The Reuters article noted that WWE is also popular on the underground video market (bootleg videos of wrestling, concerts, movies, etc. is big in the country). In the last decade, political changes have resulted in less government censorship when it comes to broadcasts and other forms of entertainment, opening the door for programs that would be seen as "controversial" in the past. The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission does not have the power to ban the show, but they obviously will be putting pressure on Lativi to drop it.
In response to the Reuters article, WWE issued the following press release:
A Statement From World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
WWE first learned on Thanksgiving Day of sketchy and incomplete information that a father of a child in Indonesia was attempting to blame WWE's SmackDown program for the death of his child. Today, the chief of the Detective Bureau charged with investigating the highly suspicious nature of the child's death specifically stated in the media that the accusations of the family could not be taken at face value and that there is no reason to believe the death of this child had anything to do with watching wrestling.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that false allegations of this type have been used to deflect attention away from those directly responsible for the death of a child, and WWE urges caution in making such unsubstantiated, and now repudiated, statements, especially in light of the ongoing police investigation into the actual and true circumstances of this child's death while in the custody of others.
The police noted an autopsy was forbidden by the child's family for religious reasons. As a result the police have indicated in the media that because there is no permission to conduct the autopsy, they are currently asking for the child's medical records from the hospital.
Although the death of any child is a tragedy, WWE is confident that the investigative conclusions will be that the death of this child had nothing to do with WWE programming.
"We are committed to working with the appropriate parties in Indonesia to address any issues, while still allowing Indonesian viewers the choice to watch WWE programming," said Gary Davis, Vice President of WWE.
2009 - WWE Raw ran Charlottesville, Virginia. Derek Clark filed the following live report:
To start off with, the event was in no way near sold out. A LOT of seats were still available. But the ones that were there had a good time and were loud. We had front seats so we saw everything.
I could be wrong, but I do think they used "fake" crowd noise to start off with. The "screaming" was way too loud for those in attendance. But then again, maybe I'm wrong.
Instead of giving an in-depth play by play of every match, I'll just go through win/loss details.
Mark Henry beat Jack Swagger.
Melina and Eva beat Jillian and Maryse in a tag bout.
Shamus pinned Primo after a vicious "Razor's Edge".
Chris Masters beat Alex Riley, who came out in a lettermen's jacket.
Santino Marella pinned Carlito.
INTERMISSION
The Miz comes out and talks some trash then a match against Evan Bourne in which The Miz won. GREAT MATCH though.
HHH and Kofi Kingston vs Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase. Huge pops, great crowd reaction. HORNSWOGGLE came from under the ring and distracts Legacy. HHH, Kingston get the win.
Main Event: John Cena vs...guess who...Randy Orton. For the Championship. Yea, wasn't that a big no no? Anyway, the reason given for the title match was laid on Ventura and said that Ventura made the match happen since he was the guest host earlier that week. Good match but your typical Cena/Orton stuff. Cena gets the win.
2010 - Ignacio Jimenez, 33, who wrestled as El Hijo de Cien Caras, was murdered in Coyoacan, Mexico. Jimenez was not related to the Caras (the Gonzalez family) but was the brother of LA Park (the original La Parka), the nephew of Super Parka and the cousin of Volador Jr. Reports indicate that Jimenez was sitting in a vehicle with an unidentified woman. They were approached by an unknown individual who, without exchanging words, fired four shots at Jimenez before fleeing. Along with Mascara Ano 2000 Jr, El Hijo de Cien Caras was a two time IWRG Tag Team Champion.
2010 - Paul Heyman has signed a deal with Gallery Books to pen an autobiography. The book titled, "The Heyman Hustle: Wrestling's Most Extreme Promoter Tells All" was slated for a summer 2011 release but to this day, has not been released.
2010 - Sheamus is crowned the WWE King of the Ring during a special edition of Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off with a look back at the WWE Title match from last week when Randy Orton was weakened for his match with Wade Barrett but Barrett is not able to finish off the Viper. Then we found out that you need to be AWESOME to kill a Viper and The Miz successfully cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase to become the new WWE Champion.
We are live from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and your announcers are Michael ‘Why did they give me Redskins merchandise to wear tonight’ Cole, Jerry ‘I’m calling gimmick infringement’ Lawler, and ‘The King of Straight Edge’ CM Punk.
Michael Cole is a little too happy that the Miz will be here tonight.
The throne, cape, and crown are on the stage for the man who can outlast seven other men.
Alex Riley comes out and he is wearing a suit. He tells everyone that the Miz is the WWE Champion. Alex says that he is honored to be a part of one of the greatest moment in entertainment. It is the same as knowing where you were when man walked on the moon. Alex says that there is nothing left to do but party and Alex says that he ain’t afraid to party. Alex says that he is going to throw one of the most over the top celebrations in history. The show is going A-Ri tonight and it is going to be awesome.
Match Number One: Alberto Del Rio versus Daniel Bryan in a King of the Ring Quarterfinal Match
Del Rio gives his scarf to Rodriguez and then they lock up and Del Rio backs Bryan into the corner. Del Rio with a kick in the corner and punch. He sends Bryan into the corner and kicks him some more. Del Rio with a side head lock takedown and Bryan gets a near fall with a rollup. Del Rio with a shoulder tackle and then he stands over Bryan before going off the ropes. Bryan with a drop kick to Del Rio and then he gets a near fall. Del Rio sends Bryan into the turnbuckles and then hits a spinebuster but Bryan with a LeBell Lock. Del Rio gets to the ropes and then he goes to the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Del Rio has Bryan in a reverse chin lock. We go to footage from the commercial break when Del Rio knocked Bryan off the apron with an enzuigiri. Del Rio takes Bryan to the mat and gets another near fall. Del Rio with knees to the back of the head and then he stomps on Bryan’s head. Del Rio returns to the reverse chin lock. Bryan with forearms to get out of the hold and Del Rio with a slam. Bryan with a kick to the midsection and then he gets a near fall with a rollup. Bryan with a crucifix take down for another near fall. Del Rio with a knee and kick to Bryan. Bryan with a European uppercut or two. Bryan flips over Del Rio and then we get a series of waist locks and standing switches until Bryan hits a German suplex and gets a near fall. Del Rio with a kick but Bryan with a kick to Del Rio.
Bryan with the drop kick into the corner and Bryan gets a near fall. Bryan with a series of kicks to the chest but Del Rio with a German suplex and bridge of his own for a two count. Bryan side steps Del Rio and Del Rio goes to the floor. Bryan with a suicide dive and Bryan appears to have hurt his shoulder. Bryan goes up top but misses the missile drop kick. Del Rio waits to pounce and he puts Bryan in the cross arm breaker and Bryan taps.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
We see that Del Rio will face the winner of the John Morrison/Cody Rhodes match.
It is time to take a look back at some of the people who have won the King of the Ring since 1985. We see Edge, Steve Austin, Triple H, Bret Hart, and Brock Lesnar.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that WWE is available in a lot of homes.
R Truth comes to the ring and he says last week John Cena was forced to quit WWE. He says that he doesn’t care what nobody says, John is still his friend and he went out like a champ. Truth is that when all of this started, he tried to get John to quit on his own terms, but he wasn’t having that. John had to pay the piper too many times and it cost him what he loved and cherished the most . . . the WWE Universe. Nexus may have won the battle but the war hasn’t even started yet. Truth makes a challenge to any member of Nexus to go one on one with him.
Josh wants to get a word from someone in Nexus and Michael McGillicutty says that Truth wants to issue challenges and be a hero. He will show what happens when you issue a challenge to a member of Nexus.
Michael is attacked by someone who wears jean shorts and tennis shoes as the camera is knocked down. We see someone wearing John Cena wrist bands show that we can’t see him as we go to commercial.
We are back Michael Cole is very very very excited that the Miz is the WWE Champion.
Cole, Lawler, and Punk talk about who could have attacked Michael McGillicutty. Punk knows it is John Cena.
Match Number Two: ‘Dashing’ Cody Rhodes versus ‘Parkour’ John Morrison in a King of the Ring Qualifying Match
They lock up and Morrison with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Morrison tries for a punch but Cody avoids it and then he punches Morrison and chokes him in the corner. Cody misses a charge into the corner and hits the turnbuckles. Cody goes to the floor because someone hit him in the face. Morrison brings him back into the ring and hits a clothesline and then rakes the face with his boot. Rhodes with a clothesline and then he stomps on Morrison and follows it with a punch. Rhodes with a hard Irish whip and gets a near fall. Rhodes with knees as he Irish whips Morrison and then hits a side Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Rhodes with a front face lock with the arms locked. Morrison punches Cody in the midsection and Rhodes kicks Morrison.
Morrison punches Rhodes a number of times in the head and Rhodes backs away. Morrison punches Rhodes in the corner and the referee warns Morrison. Morrison with clotheslines followed by a leg lariat for a near fall. Morrison misses a Shining Wizard and Rhodes gets a rollup for a near fall. Rhodes with an elbow to Morrison and they each go for their springboard moves off the ropes but Morrison is the one who connects. Morrison with a Shining Wizard for the three count.
Winner: John Morrison
Morrison advances to face Alberto Del Rio in the semifinals.
We are told that the new Miss USA will be crowning the new King of the Ring.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Drew McIntyre versus Ezekiel Jackson in a King of the Ring Qualifying Match
They lock up and Jackson backs Drew into the corner and they break. They lock up again and Drew sends him into the corner. Drew pie faces Jackson and Zeke punches Drew and takes him down with shoulder tackles. Zeke with a running clothesline into the corner and then he hits a running splash into the corner and Zeke gets a near fall. Drew takes the pad off the turnbuckle and Drew drops Zeke on the exposed turnbuckle and Drew gets a near fall. Drew runs Zeke into the corner and punches him and then hits a clothesline or two in the corner. Drew with a short arm clothesline.
Zeke takes Drew through the ropes and they go to the floor. They fight on the floor and Drew with a Thesz Press and Zeke punches Drew and they are both unable to get back into the ring before the ten count.
Double Count Out
They return to the ring and Drew tries for the Future Shock DDT but Jackson with a back body drop and then he clotheslines Drew over the top rope to the floor.
This means that the winner of the Kofi Kingston/Sheamus match will advance to the finals.
Brie wants to see how Daniel Bryan is doing and Daniel asks him how he is doing. Nikki stops by and they argue. Alex Riley stops by and tells them to get the dancing girls and stop dealing with the nerd. Alex gets a phone call and he tells the Bellas that they are unneeded.
Alex says that Daniel missed out on the biggest opportunity and be mentored by the Miz.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to take a look back at the way that Wade Barrett couldn’t beat Randy Orton after being injured by Nexus only to see Miz do what he couldn’t.
Cole shows the excitement for all three men that Miz will be here soon. Jerry Lawler says that Randy Orton will not be on Raw tonight because of a knee injury.
Miz comes out with his cheerleader a few feet behind him as well as at the announce table.
Miz says that he had a huge celebration planned for tonight, but in the end, he didn’t need the balloons, streamers or pyro because he has something that would describe the World Wide reaction to his victory. First there was shock and we see ‘I Hate the Miz Girl’. Then there was anger, and we see the same girl. Miz says that those two pictures were better than a thousand celebrations. He wants to thank Miz Girl for reminding him of the struggle he made to get to this point. To all of the people at MTV who said he would never be a WWE Superstar. Then there were the people in the locker room who said he would be nothing. To the JBLs, Triple Hs, and John Cenas . . . the Miz is WWE Champion.
Miz says that Randy Orton isn’t here because of a ‘knee’ injury. The only thing injured on Orton is his pride when Orton lost his title. Now Orton is ashamed to show his face. Orton is simply the first in a long list of people he is going to demoralize. When he says something, he will accomplish it. Miz vows to become the longest reigning WWE Champion in history.
Miz says that if you are going to take anything from this speech, if anyone tells you that you can’t live your dreams, you can’t. It takes an exceptional person to prove them wrong. He says that he is nothing like the people in the arena or at home. Miz says that he is one in a billion because he has achieved his dreams.
Two weeks ago, Roddy Piper came to the ring and he said that people in his generation made things happen. Roddy never made anything happen. Miz has Riley hold up the WWE Title book and Miz says that Roddy Piper and Ricky Steamboat have never won the WWE Title.
Jerry Lawler interrupts Miz and says that as someone not on the list of WWE Champions, he congratulates the Miz but points out that Miz beat someone who was attacked by seven other people before he won. It might make him clever and an opportunist, but it doesn’t make Miz awesome.
Miz lets out a Really and he says that it sounds like ramblings of a bitter old man who couldn’t do in four decades what Miz did in one night.
Cole tells Lawler to stop because he is saying bad things about Miz and his victory. Cole narcs on Lawler and says that Lawler called Miz’s victory a fluke. Cole wants to allow Miz to have his moment.
Lawler tells Miz that if he is a champion, he would call out someone who hasn’t been beaten down by seven guys and give them a title match.
Michael Cole says that if Lawler doesn’t stop, Miz might make an example of him.
Lawler says that some of the people who never became WWE Champion because they never had a title match. Jerry says that he has been here since 1993 and has never had a WWE Title match. Lawler tells Miz to be the champion he says he is and give him a title match.
Miz says that is a great idea, but he isn’t in the mood to defend his title tonight.
Lawler says that Miz just verified what he was saying. Miz might be a champion, but he isn’t awesome. He calls Miz a coward.
Miz says that Lawler is a man who never did anything.
Cole has to take away his devotion to the Miz to deal with his pen pal, the Raw General Messenger.
And Cole quotes. Congratulations Miz, what you did last week was impressive, but that was last week and this is tonight. While you might not be interested in defending the WWE Title, but he is. Miz will face Jerry Lawler for the WWE Title.
In three weeks, there is the TLC pay per view. What better way to start the countdown to the pay per view, not only a title match, but a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know who bought tickets for Wrestlemania already?
We are have 33% fewer announcers on this Cyber Monday announcer sale since Jerry Lawler will be getting ready to become the WWE Champion.
Match Number Four: Kofi Kingston versus Sheamus in a King of the Ring Quarterfinal Match . . . Fella
They lock up and Sheamus with a knee and forearm to the back. Sheamus backs Kofi into the ropes and connects with a forearm. They go over the top rope to the floor. Sheamus sends Kofi back in but Kofi kicks Sheamus and punches him. Kofi with another kick but Sheamus with a back breaker and he gets a near fall. Sheamus with kicks and knees to the back and then he hits a short arm clothesline and drops another knee into the back as he works on Kofi’s back with a rear chin lock. Sheamus with a head butt but Kofi with elbows and a back heel kick. Kofi with kicks to the legs and then he kicks Sheamus in the corner with the referee pulling him out of the corenr.
Kofi with chops and a drop kick and a Superman punch. Kofi with the Boom drop for a near fall. Kofi leaps into the corner but Sheamus moves and he sets for the Celtic Cross and Kofi escapes and hits Trouble in Paradise. Sheamus rolls to the apron and then Kofi tries to pull him into the ring but Kofi grabs the ring apron. Sheamus with a knee to the head and then Kofi hits a pendulum kick. Kofi goes up top but Sheamus with a kick to the head for the three count.
Winner: Sheamus
Sheamus gets to advance to the finals and wait for the winner of the John Morrison/Alberto Del Rio match.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Five: Yoshi Tatsu and Mark Henry versus Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel in a Non Title I forgot those guys are on the Raw Roster Match
Yoshi and Gabriel start things off and Yoshi with an arm drag and drop kick for a near fall. Gabriel with a jawbreaker and he tags in Slater. Slater with kicks after an Irish whip into the corner. Gabriel tags back in and he continues to kick Yoshi. Slater tags in and he punches Yoshi while John Cena goes to his seat in the building.
Gabriel and Slater attack Yoshi. Slater with a snap mare and reverse chin lock. Yoshi tags in Henry and he punches Slater and then he clotheslines Slater and gives him a head butt. Henry with a slam to Slater and then Henry with a splash for a near fall. Yoshi takes Gabriel over the top rope to the floor. Henry charges into boots from Slater. Slater comes off the turnbuckles and he is caught by Henry and Mark hits the World’s Strongest Slam for the three count.
Winners: Mark Henry and Yoshi Tatsu
After the match, John Cena trespasses and grabs Heath Slater out of the ring and gives him an Attitude Adjustment through the table.
The other surviving members of Nexus comes to ringside but they are too late to get Cena but they help Slater out of the ringside area.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we have an Earlier Tonight montage of what John Cena did so far tonight even though he isn’t a member of the WWE roster any more.
Nexus are in their new shirts and Otunga says that this is a mess because John Cena has been fired. Now Cena has no restrictions. He took out McGillicutty and Slater, now they are sitting ducks.
Wade says that there are no restrictions for what they can do to him as well. Wade says that he is going to call out John Cena.
Jerry Lawler is in the back and Arn Anderson stops by to see if it is true that he has a title match. Arn says that it is long overdue. He wants to tell Jerry that TLC matches are dangerous and you can get hurt in those matches. People won’t think less of him if he doesn’t wrestle in that match. Jerry says he has never been in a TLC match, but he has also never been in a WWE Title match. Arn tells Jerry to beat him.
We go to what is left of the announce table and Cole says that there is no way that Jerry Lawler will walk out of the match and might never walk out again. Punk says that Lawler can pull it out and win the title.
Match Number Six: Alberto Del Rio versus John Morrison in the King of the Ring Semifinal Match
Del Rio has to scoff at his opponent before locking up. Del Rio with kicks to the leg and he pushes Morrison into the corner and connects with an elbow and Irish whip. Morrison with kicks and a missile drop kick for a near fall. Del Rio drops Morrison’s arm on the top rope and he starts to focus on the arm. Del Rio with punches to the arm and then he stomps on the arm and gets a near fall. Del Rio with an arm bar on Morrison but Morrison with forearms. Del Rio with a punch to the head. Morrison with a kick and forearm followed by a leg lariat for a near fall. Del Rio with a waist lock and Morrison with a standing switch but Del Rio with an arm breaker on Morrison. Del Rio with an Irish whip followed by a step up enzuigiri.
Someone is honking the horn in Del Rio’s car and we see Rey Mysterio come out of the car. Morrison with a springboard round kick for the three count.
Winner: John Morrison
Morrison advances to the finals to face Sheamus.
Wade Barrett is walking as he prepares to call out a person who is ‘no longer a WWE Superstar’. We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Wade Barrett losing to Randy Orton last week thanks to John Cena’s actions.
Wade Barrett comes to the ring and he says that John Cena must think that he was born yesterday. He can see through Cena’s plan. Wade says that the Raw General Manager says that he is the only person who can get Cena his job back. He figures that Cena will attack the other members of Nexus and him so John will be given his job back so Wade can get revenge on Cena. Wade says that Cena will never work for WWE again. Wade says that Cena had the element of surprise tonight, but that is now gone.
We go to the back where John Cena says that it isn’t about keeping his job. It is about keeping his word. John says that he lost his job for keeping his word. John reminds Wade that he would take out everyone in Nexus.
Wade wants security to take care of John Cena. John points out that Nexus took care of security so they are in no hurry to stop him.
We see Justin Gabriel, David Otunga (in his hoodie), and Husky Harris are in front of Cena. Cena reminds Nexus that he isn’t their only enemies and a lot of the members of the Raw roster ambush them. Cena gives Justin Gabriel an Attitude Adjustment.
Cena says that it does not stop until he gets his hands on each and every one of them. Cena tells Wade he will see him next week.
We are back and we return to the parking lot where Nexus was ambushed. In case you missed it, here is a video recap.
We see what happened last week between Santino and Tamina in the back.
Match Number Seven: Tamina, Maryse, and Alicia Fox versus Natalya, Melina, and Gail Kim
Melina and Maryse start things off and they get face to face and Maryse face washes her. Melina with punches and then they roll around the ring and Maryse goes to the floor but Melina follows after her. Maryse drops Melina on the top rope to stop her from screaming. Maryse gets a near fall. Alicia tags in and she gingerly slams Melina’s head into the mat. Alicia chokes Melina in the ropes. Melina avoids Alicia but she cannot make the tag. Alicia tries to punch Melina but Melina avoids it and she drops Alicia on her knees.
Santino appears on the stage with a guitar and he serenades Tamina as the ghost of Jillian Hall weeps.
While the action in the ring stops, Tamina takes Santino to the back.
Natalya tags in and clotheslines Alicia a few times and she hits a Michinoku Driver and tries to put Alicia in the Sharpshooter. Maryse attacks Maryse from behind but Gail with a clothesline. Natalya with the sharpshooter and Alicia taps out.
Winners: Gail Kim, Melina, and Natalya
Since he will be wrestling later tonight, we have a video package for the birthday boy Jerry Lawler.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know the work that WWE does with Make a Wish Foundation?
WE see Ted DiBiase with the new mechanical WWE belt and Maryse enters asking if he is serious that he is playing with a toy instead of going for the real title. Maryse says that Ted tapped out to a geek smaller than her twice. Maryse has something else to say about Santino and Tamina but Ted tells her to shut up.
Husky and Otunga are traveling together in the back and they are making sure that nobody gets them because no one in Nexus is safe. Otunga says that he has a plan for how to fix this situation.
Josh Mathews is in the interview and he is joined by the participants in the finals of the King of the Ring Tournament. Josh says that Sheamus has an advantage because Sheamus has wrestled one fewer match, but John beat Sheamus at Survivor Series. Sheamus says that the victory at Survivor Series was the biggest win of John’s career. Sheamus says that Morrison’s arm is hurt and he will leave nothing left when he is done.
Morrison says that it is convenient that Sheamus got a bye to the finals. Morrison says that it doesn’t matter because at the end of the night, only one man will walk out King of the Ring.
We get the awkward and dramatic stare down before we see the throne and accessories.
We go to commercial.
We are back and The Slammys are back in two weeks . . . and let’s hope that they are nothing like last year’s.
It is time for the guest ring announcer and it is Rima Fakih, Miss USA 2010 and she is accompanied by the anti-arm candy Santino Marella.
We see the path that each man had to get to the finals. Sheamus had to defeat Kofi Kingston and double count out; while John Morrison had to beat Cody Rhodes and Alberto Del Rio (with an assist from Rey Mysterio and his horn honking abilities).
Match Number Eight: John Morrison versus Sheamus in the King of the Ring Finals
They lock up and Sheamus works on the arm but Morrison with knees but Sheamus with a kick that knocks Morrison to the mat. Sheamus works on the injured arm with kicks and knees. Sheamus with an arm bar. Morrison with a kick and he tries for the springboard round kick but Sheamus pushes Morrison into the ropes and then knees Morrison off the apron as we go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus continues to work on the arm and gets a near fall. We see Sheamus sending Morrison shoulder first into the ringside barrier during the commercial break.
Morrison with punches but Sheamus wraps the bad arm into the ropes and then hits a single arm DDT and gets a near fall. Sheamus with forearms across the chest to wear down Morrison. Sheamus stands over Morrison and then drops a knee and then he puts Morrison in a key lock. We see the empty throne watching the match as Sheamus continues to work on the arm.
Morrison punches and knees Sheamus but Sheamus with a punch and he stays in control of the match. Morrison with punches but Sheamus with a punch of his own. Morrison with a series of forearms followed by a kick and clotheslines. Morrison with a leg lariat for a near fall. Morrison punches Sheamus in the corner. Sheamus pushes Morrison off the turnbuckles and then Sheamus misses the pump kick but Sheamus with a clothesline and he gets a near fall.
Sheamus gets Morrison up for the High Cross but Morrison counters and he tries for a back slide but Sheamus stays on his feet. Morrison with an elbow and then Morrison hits a tornado DDT but Sheamus gets his hand on the rope to stop the count.
Morrison tries for the Shining Wizard but Sheamus kicks Morrison in the thigh. Morrison with a kick when Sheamus tries to send him into the ring post. Morrison goes up top and Sheamus slams him to the mat but he can only get a near fall. Sheamus with a Fujiwara arm bar on Morrison and Morrison gets to his feet. Sheamus with a knee and then he pulls Morrison over his back and he puts Morrison back in the Fujiwara arm bar.
Morrison rolls through and kicks Sheamus. Morrison with an enzuigiri that knocks Sheamus down. Morrison tries for the corkscrew shooting star press but he lands on Sheamus’ knees. Sheamus with the pump kick and then he sets for the High Cross and hits it. Sheamus gets the three count.
Winner: Sheamus
Sheamus goes to the throne area where Miss USA puts on the crown and robe and Sheamus gets his royal scepter.
Sheamus says that finally the royal lineage from the high kings of Ireland has been completed. He says Long Live the King.
We go to commercial.
We are back and the ladders, chairs, and tables are around the ring and the WWE Title belt is above the ring.
Match Number Nine: The Miz with Alex Riley and the briefcase . . . and the Spirit of Michael Cole versus Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler for the WWE Title in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match and for the Sports Fandom Title of Cleveland
They lock up and Miz backs Lawler into the corner and he gives a clean break. Lawler punches Miz and then they circle each other. They lock up again and Miz slams Lawler. Lawler returns the favor with a slam of his own. Miz with a kick and punch followed by kicks and another punch to Lawler. Miz throws Lawler out of the ring and to the floor. Miz grabs a chair and he hits Lawler in the back with it. Lawler takes another chair shot to the back. Miz rolls Lawler back into the ring and he sets up a few chairs in the center of the ring. Miz punches Lawler and then he tries for a suplex onto the chairs but Lawler blocks it and Miz avoids the chairs as well. Miz with a neck breaker combination using the chair. Miz with kicks to the back as he tries to wear down Lawler.
Miz has his manservant bring a ladder into the ring but Miz doesn’t see Lawler recover and he hits Miz repeatedly in the back with the chair. Riley tries to stop Lawler but Jerry punches Riley and then he brings a ladder into the ring but he fights over it with Miz and Lawler hits Miz in the chin with the ladder. Lawler brings the ladder into the ring and he misses Miz when he runs it into the corner. Miz with a forearm to the back and then they avoid the ladder in the corner until Lawler back body drops him onto the ladder. Riley with a clothesline to Lawler. Riley tries to suplex Lawler to the floor but Riley takes a punch from Lawler and he goes through a table.
Lawler sets up the ladder in the center of the ring and he starts to climb but Miz pushes him off. Miz with a boot to the head. Miz with a suplex onto the chair as he works on Lawler’s back. Miz grabs the chair while Punk tells Miz to climb the ladder to win the match. Instead, Miz hits Lawler again with the chair. Miz goes to the top turnbuckle but Lawler crotches him and Lawler tries for a superplex but Miz with a head butt and Lawler goes to the mat. Lawler knocks Miz off the apron and Miz goes through a table.
Lawler is down in the ring but he is next to the ladder. Michael Cole gets up from the announce table and he tries to help Miz up. Lawler climbs the ladder and he is a few feet from the title. Michael Cole grabs Lawler’s leg and Jerry wonders what the heck is going on. Lawler asks Cole and Cole says he didn’t mean it. They circle the ladder and Cole wants to hug it out but Lawler punches Cole and who cares about the title when you can punch Michael Cole.
Miz climbs the ladder and Lawler stops him. They both have their hands on the title. Miz takes some punches from Lawler but Miz hits Lawler with the title belt and then Miz grabs the belt and wins the match.
Winner: The Miz
We go to credits.
2011 - WWE released Stone Cold - The Bottom Line on Wrestling's Most Popular Superstar", looking at WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin on DVD and Blu-Ray.
2011 - Patrice O'Neal, an extremely funny comedian who had a short run on WWE Creative in early part of the decade, passed away today at the age of 41 due to complications of a stroke suffered the previous month. O'Neal, who was a regular on the Comedy Central roasts, often joked about his short run working with WWE during appearances on the Opie & Anthony radio show, noting that when he blew off a meeting to do standup, Stephanie McMahon was so angry she called and fired him, and then called back several times to fire him again and again.
2011 - WWE Smackdown broadcast a live special. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Charlotte, North Carolina and your announcers are Josh ‘Golden Dragon’ Mathews and Michael ‘Nat King’ Cole.
Mick Foley makes his way to the ring to assume his hosting duties. Mick welcomes everyone and wishes them a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays, but Mick says that he is a Christmas fanatic. Mick says that he listens to Christmas music year round. He says that he is to Christmas what Jim Ross is to BBQ sauce and Ultimate Warrior is to colorful arm tassels.
Mick throws out his first Mick Foley Cheap Pop of the night. Mick talks about what is in his bag of goodies. He mentions the World Championship match between ‘Tiny Tim’ Daniel Bryan and the ‘Ghost of Christmas Fear’ Mark Henry inside a steel cage. There is a Miracle on 34th Street Fight, an All I Want for Christmas is an Over the Top Rope Battle Royal with the winner getting his wish from Santa Claus. Mick says that he might have suggested that Michael Cole would not be here tonight, but he is bound by contract to be here tonight. Mick says that he has taken the opportunity to dress Michael tonight and he comes to the ring dressed like something resembling a reindeer.
Mick says that he had the entire announce team dress up and he talks about how Josh Mathews has to get back to the North Pole to help with some toys. Booker T comes out and he is dressed like Santa.
Booker stops in the ring before taking his position at the announce table. Mick tells Booker that he wants this to be inclusive so he wants Booker to show some love for the Jewish people in the WWE Universe and do a Spinaroonie and act like a dreidel. Mick says that he is trying to make up for ‘This is Your Life’ a few weeks ago.
Booker says that the holiday spirit is here and he can dig that.
Cody Rhodes interrupts the holiday party. Cody says that in the past he would have let this farce continue unabated. However, he is no longer wearing a protective piece of plastic so he can see things more clearly. What he is seeing is a lowly announcer making a fool of him in the ring by indulging in childish antics taking away from people like him who still have the skills to compete.
Booker says that he doesn’t know what Cody’s problem is because he doesn’t have any beef with him. Booker says that he can still handle his business inside the ring. Booker tells Cody that before he tests him, he calls Cody ‘son’.
Cody shushes the crowd and he says that Booker does have a beef with him. Cody tells the announcer that it is because he will never hold something like the Intercontinental title belt over his head again. He says that Booker will never be called a champion again.
Mick says that Booker is a man he respects and a friend of his. He says that Cody is affecting his ability to have fun tonight. Cody has a match tonight against Booker T.
Cody says that he is looking forward to it.
Mick asks Booker if he is cool with that and Booker says that he is.
We are back and Mick says that this is a special Mistletoe Match. The winner will get to cash in a special prize between now and Christmas.
Match Number One: Alicia Fox, AJ Lee, Kaitlyn, Rosa Mendes, Natalya, Aksana, Tamina, Nikki Bella, and Brie Bella in a Mistletoe on a Pole Match
Tamina kicks Aksana as they battle in the corner. Kaitlyn battles with the Bellas. Alicia climbs the turnbuckles and then the Bellas stop her. Brie trips Nikki and takes the mistletoe to win the match.
Winner: Brie Bella
Mick tells Brie that the winner did not get a future championship match. The winner gets to give a kiss to the superstar of her choice between now and Christmas.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Jinder Mahal tells a Christmas story in Punjabi. He talks about buying gifts with money they don’t have for people they don’t even like. He says that everyone is living a lie.
Match Number Two: Justin Gabriel versus Jinder Mahal
Gabriel with a wrist lock but Mahal with a knee and forearm to the back. Mahal with a knee to the midsection and then he hits a butterfly suplex and then he kicks Gabriel in the ribs. Mahal drops Gabriel on the top rope and then he chokes Gabriel. Mahal with an Irish whip and he connects with a shoulder into the corner.
Ted DiBiase’s music plays and he comes to the ring with a bag of presents while Mahal Irish whips Gabriel. Mahal is about to put Gabriel in a camel clutch but he releases the hold to argue with DiBiase. Gabriel with a back heel kick and an STO. Gabriel goes up top for the 450 splash and he hits it and gets the three count.
Winner: Justin Gabriel
Mick is in the party room learning the Siva Tau with the Usos. Roddy Piper made it to Charlotte and he has a wish list for Mick and Mick walks away. Maxine and Hornswoggle are also there and so is Dusty Rhodes. Dusty turns around and it is HIS THUN . . . the other one and he snarls at his dad before Dusty walks away. Roddy talks to Trent Barreta about how to spike a drink. David Otunga stops by with his travel mug of boredom.
David has a message for everyone from John Laurinaitis that they can only play public domain Christmas music.
Mick says that Otunga is Smackdown talent tonight and he can put Otunga in the Miracle on 34th Street Fight. Mick tells David that he will be facing Randy Orton.
We are back and it is time to take a look at the issues between Booker T and Cody Rhodes and how they started two weeks ago with the water toss heard round the world.
Matt Striker is in the interview area and he asks Booker if he knows why Cody Rhodes has a problem with him. Cody interrupts Booker and attacks him with the Intercontinental Championship Title and Booker holds his elbow.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Kofi Kingston versus Tyson Kidd
Kidd with a waist lock but Kofi with a standing switch. Kidd with a key lock and Kofi uses the ropes to reverse it and he gets a rollup for a near fall. Kofi goes for a monkey flip but Tyson pushes Kofi off and Kidd with a drop kick for a near fall. Tyson with a running back elbow for a near fall.
Tyson with a Dragon Sleeper but Kofi escapes. Tyson with a front face lock and then each man hits a clothesline and they are both down. Kofi with punches and a clothesline and chops followed by a drop kick and Superman punch.
Kofi with the Boom Drop followed by a set up for Trouble in Paradise but Kidd goes to the floor. Kofi avoids a clothesline on the floor and hits a Yakuza kick. Kofi laughs at Michael Cole’s attire and Cole gets in Kofi’s face. Kidd kicks Kofi and then Kofi with an Irish whip into the apron. Kofi puts on the reindeer head and goes up top and hits the cross body for the three count.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
We go back to the party and Kaitlyn tells Hornswoggle that he should ask Santa to be a little bit taller for Christmas so he could put ornaments on the top of the tree. Sheamus asks Teddy what the rules of the battle royal are tonight. Teddy says that he doesn’t know because it is Mick’s idea.
The Sin Cara lighting goes on and the saxophones play. Aksana talks about Christmas in Lithuania. She asks Teddy what mistletoe is. Teddy tells Aksana to do what comes natural. Aksana eats the mistletoe and Aksana says that it tickles her tonsils.
Randy Orton walks in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back with footage from last night when Wade Barrett assisted Dolph Ziggler against Randy Orton last night.
Match Number Four: Randy Orton versus David Otunga without his travel mug in a Miracle on 34th Street Fight Match
They lock up and Orton with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Otunga with a kick but Orton with a kick of his own and then he clotheslines Otunga over the top rope to the floor. Orton goes to the floor and Otunga with a kick and he tries to send Orton into the apron but Orton blocks it. Orton sends Otunga into a tree and Otunga spears the tree. Orton sends Otunga into a second tree. Otunga sends Orton into the apron a few times and then he connects with a forearm. Orton with a punch and then he sends Otunga into the announce table.
Orton takes some cookies and tastes one and then he hits Otunga with the cookie sheet. Orton puts a wreath over Otunga’s head and then he sends David into the ring steps. Otunga Irish whips Orton into the ring steps and then Otunga with a suplex on the floor. Otunga looks under the ring and he has found the Badd Blaster, or is it a candy Singapore Cane? Orton stops Otunga from using it and he punches Otunga.
Orton hits Otunga with the stick and then he throws a present at Otunga to stop him on the ramp. Orton points to the big tree on the stage and Orton sends Otunga into the scenery. Orton punches Otunga down the ramp. Orton puts Otunga on the apron and hits the IEDDT to the floor.
From out of nowhere, Wade Barrett attacks Orotn from behind and hits a big boot to send Orton into the ringside barrier. Barrett rolls Orton into the ring. Barrett sends Otunga into the ring and Otunga can only get a two count.
Barrett heads to the back while Otunga kicks Orton and chokes him in the corner. Otunga with punches and kicks. Otunga with shoulders in the corner. Orton with a kick and then he hits two clotheslines. He avoids a clothesline from Otunga and hits the power slam. Orton sets for the RKO because he already did the IEDDT. Orton with an RKO for the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton
Mark Henry is getting his ankle taped and Teddy Long wants to know why Mark isn’t in the Christmas Spirit. Mark blames Teddy for having to defend his title. Mark blames Show for being in the walking boot. He will take care of Show at TLC. Mark says that he is in the giving spirit and he is going to give Daniel Bryan the beating of his life. He says that Bryan’s dream will be the Nightmare Before Christmas. Mark tells Teddy that he should be leaving the room.
We see footage from Friday night when Daniel Bryan tried to take advantage of Mark Henry being knocked out.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Five: All I Want for Christmas Battle Royal
Hornswoggle goes under the ring before the bell rings and everyone punches and kicks each other. Sheamus eliminates Darren Young and Jey Uso is eliminated. Percy Watson and Titus O’Neil work over Curt Hawkins while JTG is eliminated. Jinder with a kick to Watson. Reks pushes Titus and kicks him. Ted and Gabriel try to kick Hawkins to the floor. Percy with a kick to Yoshi but he is able to get away. Jackson biels Hawkins over the top rope to the floor.
Jackson and Sheamus stare each other down and they exchange punches in the middle of the battle royal. Sheamus with forearms to Jackson’s back and then he tries to slam Jackson but Jackson with a clothesline and he charges at Sheamus but Sheamus drops down and Jackson gets eliminated. Johnny Curtis is eliminated and so is Jimmy Uso. Kofi Kingston is eliminated while Yoshi Tatsu kicks Tyson Kidd. Yoshi is eliminated and Ted tries to eliminate Tyson but Tyson skins the cat and he eliminates Ted with a head scissors. Hornswoggle emerges from under the ring to eliminate Tyson. Hornswoggle goes back into hiding and we go to commercial.
We are back and we are down to Hunico, Titus O’Neil, Justin Gabriel, Jinder Mahal, Sheamus, Heath Slater, Tyler Reks, and Hornswoggle.
Mahal eliminates Gabriel after he tries for a springboard move and Mahal with a shoulder. Titus sends Hunico into the corner and then he hits Clash of the Titus on Reks but then he barks and gets eliminated by Sheamus. Slater and Mahal work over Sheamus. Sheamus with double sledges to everyone. Reks hits Sheamus from behind and Sheamus with a double leg take down and Reks goes under the ropes to the floor.
Everyone fights on the floor as Hunico, Slater, Reks, and Mahal attack Sheamus. They send Sheamus into the ringside barrier. Everyone not of Irish descent return to the ring and Mahal tells everyone that Hornswoggle is under the ring. They go under the ring to look for Hornswoggle. Mahal picks up Hornswoggle and brings him into the ring.
Hornswoggle realizes that he is probably screwed but he tries to get out of the ring. Slater and Hunico send Hornswoggle to the mat. They debate over how to eliminate Hornswoggle. Sheamus returns to the ring and he cleans house. Reks, Hunico, and Mahal are eliminated. Sheamus sets for the Brogue kick and he eliminates Slater.
We are down to the final two and it is Hornswoggle and Sheamus. Hornswoggle wants a piece of Sheamus and Sheamus tells Hornswoggle to eliminate himself. Hornswoggle tells Sheamus to eliminate himself. Hornswoggle kicks Sheamus in the shins. Sheamus grabs Hornswoggle by the throat and he tries to eliminate Hornswoggle but the little guy holds on to the ropes. Sheamus goes over the top rope to the apron and he tells Hornswoggle to get down.
Hornswoggle wants a hug from Sheamus and he pushes Sheamus to the floor to win the match.
Winner: Hornswoggle
After the match, Sheamus returns to the ring and Hornswoggle thinks that Sheamus is going to destroy him. Sheamus puts Hornswoggle on his shoulder and then he leaves the ring.
We go to a commercial for Neverland, coming to SyFy.
We take a look back at the Fatal Four Way from last week.
We go to commercial.
We are back and the party is still ongoing and the Bellas are making Ricardo get them drinks. Roddy and Dusty are talking about John Cena. Santa shows up and Piper acts like a six year old. Hornswoggle tells Santa his wish. Sheamus stops by and he says that Hornswoggle wants the ability to talk. Santa tells Hornswoggle he always had the power to talk . . . instead he tells Hornswoggle that he needs to hug. Hornswoggle starts rattling off things and he calls Vickie ‘grandma’. She storms off while Hornswoggle is talking again. Mick Foley enters the room and people look to Santa’s chair. Mick wants to know what he missed.
Daniel Bryan is getting ready in the back and AJ stops by to wish him luck and she gives him a good luck kiss.
Matt asks Daniel for his thoughts. He mentions that he pinned the World Champion and it felt great to hold the title belt. Daniel says that he knows that Mark Henry is not 100% and he says that everyone eventually taps. Daniel says that his dream becomes a reality tonight.
Daniel walks in the back as the Official Cage Lowering Music plays.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Six: Daniel Bryan versus Mark Henry for the World Heavyweight Championship in a Steel Cage Match
Bryan tries to climb the cage and Henry pulls him down. Bryan tries to climb the cage one more time and Henry stops him a second time. Bryan avoids Henry in the corner and then he kicks Henry in the leg but Henry pushes Bryan to the mat. Bryan with more kicks to the leg but Henry sends Bryan into the cage. Henry with a splash to Bryan against the cage and we go to commercial.
We are back and Henry continues to use the cage as a weapon and he punches Bryan and wishes him a Merry Christmas. We see footage from the commercial break when Henry sent Bryan face first into the cage. Henry works on the neck and Bryan kicks Henry.
Henry with a shoulder tackle and he wishes Bryan a Happy New Year. Henry wants the door opened and Bryan with a running drop kick to the back to stop the champion. Henry pushes Bryan away and then he hits a clothesline that flips Bryan. Henry covers Bryan and gets a near fall.
Henry wants the door opened again but Bryan grabs Henry by the ankle. Bryan works on the injured leg and Bryan with boots to Henry’s leg. Bryan lands on the leg even though Henry got it off the ropes. Bryan tries to climb the cage again but Henry hits the ropes and Bryan is crotched. Henry with a running clothesline that sends Bryan back to the mat.
Bryan grabs the ankle again but Henry kicks him off. The cage is closed again and Henry with another clothesline. Henry continues to show the damage that has been done to his leg. Henry tries to get Bryan up for a slam but Bryan stops him and he tries for the LeBell Lock and he gets it applied.
Henry is about to tap out but Henry is able to get out of the hold and he gets a near fall. Bryan with an ankle lock to Henry and he pulls him into the center of the cage. Henry rolls over and kicks Bryan into the turnbuckles.
Bryan climbs the cage but Henry pulls him off the cage. Henry climbs the cage and Bryan stops him and Bryan goes over Henry. Henry grabs Bryan by the arm to keep him from getting to the floor. Bryan tries for a rana from the turnbuckles but Henry holds on. Bryan escapes and he gets to the top of the cage but Henry pulls him back.
Henry with a World’s Strongest Slam from the top and he hits it and gets the three count.
Winner: Mark Henry
Henry celebrates his victory as we go to credits.
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