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12/15 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: THE FATHER OF JAPANESE PRO WRESTLING DIES FOLLOWING STABBING, WRESTLING WORLD HONORS STU HART AND MORE

On this day in ....

1963 - The most important figure in the history of professional wrestling in Japan, Rikidozan, dies of complications from a stab wound suffered on December 8th at the age of 38.  Rikidozan, who debuted in 1951, helped to popularize professional wrestling in post-WWII Japan, and would train Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba, who would become two of the most influential and powerful individuals in Japanese wrestling.  While it was thought that Rikidozan, whose Japanese name was Mitsuhiro Momota, was born in Nagasaki, Japan, in truth he was Korean.  Because Koreans were heavily discriminated against in Japan, his real background was kept secret, not being revealed until long after his death. Rikidozan's final match was on December 7th, teaming with Great Togo & Michiaki Yoshimura to battle The Destroyer, Buddy Austin & Illio DiPaolo to a draw.   Stories of what happened the night Rikidozan was stabbed are cloudy, with legend and fact often getting mixed up.  He was stabbed in a nightclub and allegedly it was by a member of the Yakuza, the Japanese Mafia.  However, stories have circulated for years that he beat up his attacker and partied into the night before going to the hospital, which is why the wound got infected and ended up killing him. Obviously, there are many that doubt that account of the stabbing.

1977 - In one of the most famous matches in Japanese wrestling history, Terry & Dory Funk Jr. defeat Abdullah The Butcher & The Sheik to win the first All Japan Pro Wrestling Real World Tag League tournament at Sumo Hall in Tokyo. For years, the Real World Tag League Final would be considered the biggest event of the year for All Japan.  The Funks had become hugely popular in the country, breaking the unwritten rule that American wrestlers were always the heels in Japan.  The tag tournament would go on to become the annual highlight and biggest money making tour of All Japan's year.

1979 - Abdullah The Butcher defeats Carlos Colon (father of WWE star Carlito) in Bayamon, Puerto Rico to win the WWC Puerto Rican Heavyweight Title, ending Colon's fourth reign as champion, and starting his own second run with the belt.

1995 - A tribute show to Stu Hart was held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at the Calgary Corral, the site of many Stampede Wrestling shows.  Here are the results of the show, which obviously had a heavy WWF involvement:
- The Cuban Assassin & Jerry Morrow defeated King Lau & Mike Anthony.
- Makhan Singh defeated Gothic Warrior.
- Rhonda Singh defeated KC Houston.
- Chris Benoit defeated Rad Radford (Louis Spicolli).
- 1-2-3 Kid defeated Keith Hart.
- Brian Pillman & Bruce Hart defeated Terry & Dory Funk Jr. via DQ.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon defeated Owen Hart.
- WWF World Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart defeated Davey Boy Smith.

2001 - WWE developmental wrestler Russ Haas passed away due to a cardiac issue.

2002 - WWE held their Armageddon Pay-per-view in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at the Office Depot Center, featuring three title changes, including a Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels two out of three falls match where each fall had a different stipulation. In a pre-PPV Heat match, Jeff Hardy defeated D' Lo Brown.  Here is Tim Whitehead's original report on the PPV:

WWE put in their usual strong showing on PPV with Armageddon (12/15 from Ft. Lauderdale). The key matches were all strong, as was the commentary. The crowd was great. The Torrie & Dawn Marie & Al Wilson angle was awful, though. There were three title changes, so they're still throwing stuff out there.

BOOKER T & GOLDUST defeated CHRIS JERICHO & CHRISTIAN and THE DUDLEYS and WILLIAM REGAL & LANCE STORM to capture the RAW World Tag Titles in an elimination match in 16:42. Bubba and Storm started things off, the result of a pre-match "random drawing". Bubba splashed Storm and then hauled Christian in. They did a lot of fast tags early, many of them blind tags where someone would tag himself in. Booker stayed out for most of the early going to build anticipation. Goldust got destroyed for a while, to further the storyline that he's been a weak link on his team. Bubba came back in and did his Dusty Rhodes routine, with Goldust doing the same spots. Christian took a wazzup. The Dudleys did the 3D on Christian but didn't realize that Regal had blind tagged him before the move. In the confusion, Regal rolled Bubba up using the tights for a pin at 5:16. Goldust immediately bodyslammed Regal and pinned him at 5:31. With two teams remaining, Goldust got destroyed yet again. He got really good heat making comebacks. Booker hot tagged and traded chops with Jericho. Jericho hooked the walls on Booker but Goldust made the save. Christian went up on top and was about to come off on Booker with one of the title belts but Goldust crotched him. Booker gave Jericho a missile kick. He laid Jericho out again and did the spinaroonie. Booker scored a near fall with a scissor kick to excellent heat. Jericho used the belt on Booker and hit the lionsault but only scored a two count. Booker then won with the bookend on Jericho for the title change. Afterward, Booker put over that Goldust proved he isn't a weak link. Great opener!

EDGE defeated A-TRAIN by DQ in 7:10. Footage aired of A-Train (formerly Albert) injuring Rey Mysterio Jr. and using a chair on Edge to try and put him over as a major threat. I'm afraid Albertrain is a permanent mid-carder, though. Train overpowered Edge until missing a charge and posting himself. Train thwarted Edge again and hooked he sleeper. Edge escaped and chopped the hell out of Train. Edge hit a flying forearm and scored a series of twos. Edge came off the top but Train kicked him out of the air. Train hit the powerbomb. Edge speared Train but only scored a two, which was another spot to put Train over. The match up to this point was okay, but Train used a chair in front of the ref for a cheap DQ ending. Edge got the chair afterward and mauled Train with it.

Paul Heyman argued with Big Show. Show wanted to barge into Stephanie's office and throw a fit over Brock Lesnar's suspension being lifted, but Heyman said that would only make her angry. He promised to talk to her in calm and logical tones and get her to change her mind.

CHRIS BENOIT beat EDDIE GUERRERO in 16:46. They did a lot of great mat stuff. Guerrero took a high backdrop. Guerrero battled back and tied Benoit up in an arm lock. Benoit finally escaped by lifting Guerrero and dropping him, which the announcers correctly described as an old Bob Backlund escape. Benoit took a bump out, and Guerrero destroyed him on the floor after doing a plancha on him. Guerrero tied Benoit up in a leg lock, but Benoit made the ropes. Guerrero pounded Benoit with elbows. Benoit did his multiple German suplexes. Guerrero escaped a powerbomb attempt and hit German suplexes of his own, followed by a frog splash, and scored a two count. Both wrestlers bumped out, where Chavo Guerrero Jr. walloped Benoit with one of the Smackdown tag belts. Guerrero hooked the lasso. Benoit escaped by making the ropes. Benoit hit a bunch of chops followed by a powerbomb. Benoit went up to the top, where Chavo grabbed him. Benoit sent Chavo to the floor and hit the flying headbutt. Guerrero hooked the lasso again, but Benoit reversed it into a crossface and, after a struggle, Guerrero tapped. Excellent match.

Heyman tried to talk to Stephanie about Lesnar's suspension, but she stood by her decision to reinstate him. Heyman wasn't pleased.

Dawn Marie and Al Wilson came out for one of the lamest segments ever. The whole idea was that Torrie had had lesbian sex with Dawn to try and stop her from marrying Al. Dawn showed the footage, with Torrie stripping to her undies in a desperate attempt to bribe Dawn into dumping Al. They did actually kiss. But then Al said he didn't want the video shown any further since it involved his daughter. So Dawn simply called off showing the rest of the video, after hyping it as the next hot lesbo action angle. Ultra-lame.

BATISTA beat KANE in 6:38. Lots of power moves and "big man" brawling. Kane bumped out at one point, where Ric Flair tried to attack him. Naturally, Kane killed him. Batista lost Kane on a powerbomb spot. Kane came back and twice had Batista pinned but Flair distracted the ref. Kane went after Flair, allowing Batista to blindside him and hit the sit-down powerbomb for the win. Not all that good.

John Cena came out doing a rap act. It was awful. They should call him Vanilla Ass. This gimmick has Disco Inferno or Maestro level written all over it.

VICTORIA beat TRISH STRATUS and JACQUELINE in 4:27 to retain the women's title. Jackie looked pretty good out there. It was the basic WWE female stuff. Victoria bumped a lot for both opponents. Trish took a big bump out but came back with a high crossbody on Jackie. The finish was kind of odd, as Trish hit Jackie with a forearm and went for the pin. Victoria hit Trish with the title belt, and then pinned Jackie. A forearm usually isn't a finisher.

Kurt Angle tried to talk Brock Lesnar into helping him beat Big Show. Lesnar acted sympathetic but gave no commitment.

KURT ANGLE defeated BIG SHOW in 12:35 to capture the WWE World Title. Show overpowered Angle to start. Show hurled Angle over and he landed on Heyman, which was a neat spot. Show continued to work on Angle, scoring a lot of twos. Angle bit Show's nose to escape a bearhug. Angle scored with a tornado DDT and a missile kick. The DDT didn't quite connect. Angle, who was over as a babyface, scored more twos with a moonsault and an Olympic slam. Angle tried for the ankle lock but Show kicked him off and the ref got bumped. Heyman threw a chair in. Angle got it and used it but only scored a two count. The ref got bumped again. A-Train ran in gave Angle a backbreaker. Show chokeslammed Angle. Lesnar then ran in to a huge ovation and gave the F5 to Show. He then chased Heyman out as Angle crawled on top of Show and got the pin as the ref revived. Angle carried it to a good match.

Rob Van Dam appeared at The World. Man, is he ever mired down.

TRIPLE H defeated SHAWN MICHAELS in a two-out-of-three falls match in 38:30 to capture the RAW World Title. Referee Earl Hebner ejected Flair from ringside. The first fall was under street fight rules. They brawled, with HHH bumping out. Heartbreak Kid tried to come over onto him with a plancha but hit a garbage can HHH had pulled from under the ring. They brawled around outside the ring with the can. HBK set up some tables and tried to suplex HHH out onto him, but HHH suplexed him into the ring instead. HHH went after HBK's bad back. HBK slammed HHH on a chair. HHH blocked the sweet chin music and went to work on HBK's knee. This included a figure four, which HBK reversed. HHH pounded HBK up the aisle, where he retrieved a 2x4 wrapped in barbed wire. HHH set the board on fire, but HBK ended up retrieving it and using it to bloody HHH up. Back in the ring, HHH recovered and gave HBK the drop toe hold spot on a chair. HHH hit a DDT but HBK used a low blow to block a pedigree. HBK did the kip up but HHH chop blocked him and hit the pedigree to win the first fall via a three count at 20:32. As the cage was lowring for fall #2 (cage match rules), HHH tossed a bunch of weapons into the ring, including a table. HHH methodically dominated, using the cage to bloody HBK up. HBK brawled back, and both climbed to the cage top where they continued to slug it out. Flair returned and set up some more tables outside. He then went in the cage. I guess Hebner's order expired or something. HBK used a chair on both HHH and Flair. He totally massacred Flair, who juiced a huge gusher. HBK gave them both the sweet chin music. He then came off the cage top, putting HHH through a table and scoring the pin to even things up at 31:06. The final fall was a ladder match. They only went about five minutes on this one, doing mostly standard ladder spots. HBK did try for a splash off the ladder but HHH rolled clear. HHH hit a pedigree and tried to climb (the belt was now hanging over the ring) but HBK pulled him down. HBK hit the sweet chin music and started up. He almost made it but HHH tipped the ladder over for the one spectacular ladder bump as HBK sailed out and through the tables set up on the floor. HBK sold it like it killed him, and HHH climbed up to seize the belt for the title change. Excellent main event!

2005 - It was announced Chris Jericho signed a book deal to publish his autobiography "A Lion's Tale."  The success of the book would lead to a sequel "Undisputed" and a three book is currently in development.

2006 - WWE released Danny Doring, who had been hired as part of the ECW relaunch.

2006 - CBS issued the following press release with details on reality series "Armed and Famous", which will feature former WWE Women's champion Trish Stratus, among other celebrities who train and become police officers in Muncie, Indiana:  As it turned out, the series was yanked after just two episodes.

CELEBRITY COPS HIT THE STREETS

"ARMED & FAMOUS," A New Reality Series, Premieres Wednesday, Jan. 10 on the CBS Television Network

Erik Estrada, La Toya Jackson, Jack Osbourne, Jason "Wee-Man" Acuna and Trish Stratus Star In A New Series Which Follows Celebrities As They Become Working Police Officers in Muncie, Indiana

ARMED & FAMOUS, a new reality series that turns celebrities into crime fighters, will follow five brave stars through the Police Academy and onto patrol in Muncie, Indiana. ARMED & FAMOUS will premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 10 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) followed by a special original broadcast on Thursday, Jan. 11 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. ARMED & FAMOUS moves to its regular time period, Wednesdays (8:00 - 9:00 PM, ET/PT) on Jan. 17.

ARMED & FAMOUS features actor Erik Estrada ("CHiPs"), singer and author La Toya Jackson, television personality Jack Osbourne ("The Osbournes"), professional skateboarder Jason "Wee-Man" Acua ("Jackass") and former WWE champion wrestler, Trish Stratus.

The series follows the five stars as they become sworn police officers in the Midwestern town of Muncie, Indiana -- a city of nearly 70,000 residents located 60 miles northeast of Indianapolis. It's also home to Ball State University.

Done with the full cooperation of the Muncie Police Department, the celebrities will undergo police training to become reserve police officers in the Muncie Police Department. They'll learn everything from firearms to hand-to-hand combat, and even learn what it's like to be on the receiving end of a taser shock as a part of the process to be certified to carry stun guns. Upon completion of their training, they'll be issued badges and guns, partnered with veteran officers and immediately hit the streets of Muncie. The five celebrities will protect and serve on the busiest shift of the night, 6 PM to 2 AM, responding to emergency calls, helping victims and making arrests.

ARMED & FAMOUS is produced by Emmy Award winner Tom Forman ("Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"), Jeffrey Kramer ("Ally McBeal") and Michael Braverman ("Jesse Ventura's America") for Tom Forman Prods. and Good TV, Inc.

2006 - Hermie Sadler's UWF ran Raleigh, NC with the following results:

*Petey Williams defeated Alex Shelly and Jay Lethal in a Three Way X Division for the right to face X Division Champion Christopher Daniels in South Hill, Virginia tonight.
 
*Ron Killings and Buff Bagwell defeated Diamonds in the Rough.
 
*Rhino Defeated Maven.
 
AJ Styles defeated Brother Runt in their first-ever meeting.
 
*NWA champion Abyss defeated TNA X-Division champion Christopher Daniels.
 

2007 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that WWE has rejected a deal offered by the estate of Chris Benoit where the family asked that WWE pay $2 million to Benoit's two surviving children.  The offer came from the lawyer for Benoit's father Michael, saying that WWE should pay the amount as "recognition of their father's contributions to the company."  The paper reported that they expect Michael Benoit to sue WWE, but as of 2011, no suit was ever filed.

2008 - "Mad Dog" Mike Bell, a Northeastern independent talent best known for enhancement work in the WWF and a regular performer during the latter end of ECW's run, passed away at the age of 37.

Bell broke into the business in the early 1990s, often teaming with future ECW Baldies and ROH Carnage crew team member Tony Devito doing jobs during Northeastern WWF TV tapings and a lot of the early Monday Night Raws at the Manhattan Center. Bell usually worked as a heel, so he was in the ring with a lot of the top babyfaces of the period.

Bell regularly worked the Northeastern independents and later earned a regular roster spot with the original ECW, in a lower card position, during that company's run on TNN. I don't believe he ever worked any PPV bouts for the company but worked a number of house shows and TV tapings.

At one point, Bell relocated to the West Coast and worked for Rick Bassman's UPW as both a wrestler and trainer (including working with a very young John Cena and one-time WWE talent turned actor Nathan Jones) while also appearing for Dave Marquez' New Japan satellite events in the Los Angeles area and other California-based companies.

Despite all the years he worked in the business, Bell may best be remembered by fans for an incident that took place in May 2001 at a WWF TV taping.  Bell was to do the job for then-WWF wrestler Perry Saturn at the Nassau Coliseum.  When a spot went awry during an enhancement bout being taped for the Metal/Jakked syndicated series, Saturn threw Bell out of the ring with reckless abandon, then stiffly smacked his head into the metal steps outside the ring.  Saturn ended up with a lot of heat over the incident at the time. The beating pretty much aired unedited shortly after it happened.

Bell was used in dark matches as late as 2003 by WWE but was never signed by the company.

Bell was featured in the steroid documentary "Bigger, Stronger, Faster" which came out last year on the festival circuit before a short theatrical run and DVD release earlier this year.  The film, which was directed by his brother Chris and featured a look at how steroid use affected all three brothers in the family, two of which looked to get into the wrestling industry and one, who was a professional bodybuilder.

There is no known cause of death at this time, although in the documentary, he had previous health issues that were noted  It was also reported when the film began getting reviewed in the national media that Bell had previously attempted suicide.

2009 - WWE broadcast ECW on SyFy.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

We start off with a look at the special guest sports entertainer on tonight’s show and it is Kane. He says that he is back. Shame it isn’t May 19th.

We are live on tape from Laredo, Texas and your announcers are Josh ‘Not Striker’ Mathews and Byron ‘Also Not Striker’ Saxton.

Tiffany is in the ring and she is smiling like she has something to be proud of. She says that the TLC pay per view was a must see event from top to bottom and she says that she is proud of one of the matches. She brings out Shelton Benjamin and he limps to the ring while showing the effects of that match. She also brings out the man who won the ladder match, Christian.

They shake hands before Tiffany says anything. She says that their match was awesome and they represented ECW to its fullest and stole the show. She thanks both of them for their performance.

Shelton thanks the fans because they inspired him and to make ECW what it is today. Shelton says that he did not know if he was going to shake Christian’s hand or punch him, but Sunday was one of the proudest moments of his career. Shelton says that he wants a rematch.

Tiffany says that Shelton can get that opportunity, but instead, William Regal comes out with the most miserable couple without a show on TLC or a golf career. Regal wants to know what is wrong with Tiffany’s voice because it sounds like a goose blowing a kazoo. Regal tells Shelton to stop thinking about himself because there is something more important and that is Kane.

Tiffany says that she was about to explain everything but Regal cuts her off again and she calls Kane a monster and a menace. Regal wants to know if Tiffany is okay in the head by allowing Kane back on the show. Tiffany points out that Kane is a former ECW champion and Kane is one of many former ECW champions to face the current ECW roster. She is calling it the ‘ECW Homecoming’. The winner gets a match against Christian at the Royal Rumble. Tonight Zack Ryder will face Kane. Vladimir Kozlov will face Ezekiel Jackson.

The Ripper and the Ripperette are walking in the back while they adjust their masks for the commercial.

We are back and we see footage from two weeks ago when the Ripper made his mysterious debut.

Match Number One: Hurricane versus The Ripper with the Nightmare

They lock up and Ripper with a waist lock and he goes for Hurricane’s mask. Hurricane with a side head lock and he tries for a shoulder tackle but Ripper stays on his feet. Hurricane takes Ripper down and goes for the mask. Ripper throws Hurricane to the floor and then hits a drop kick to keep Hurricane on the floor. Ripper drops Hurricane on the ringside barrier. Ripper suplexes Hurricane back into the ring and gets a near fall. Ripper with a chin lock but Hurricane with a cross body for a near fall. Ripper with a running back elbow and then he kicks Hurricane. Ripper continues the attack with a slam and then he goes up top. Hurricane with a punch to the midsection when Ripper comes off the turnbuckles and then Hurricane with a clothesline. Hurricane with a rana for a near fall. Ripper avoids a Shining Wizard and Ripper with a neck breaker for a near fall. Ripper with a European uppercut but he runs into a boot. Hurricane with a tornado DDT and then he goes for the mask and it is taken off to reveal a man who looks a lot like Paul Burchill. Hurricane with a Shining Wizard for the three count.
Winner: The Hurricane

After the match, Hurricane lectures the mask while Paul is shocked what happened.

It is time to take a look back at the three hours that Mike Johnson, Mike Epsenhart, and I do not want to relive and will curse WWE in perpetuity. We have a Raw Brick.

We go to commercial with Josh Mathews telling a lie that the Abraham Washington Show is entertaining.

We are back and Paul Burchill and Katie Lea are walking in the back. Gregory Helms stops them and wants to know how it worked out for Paul. Burchill looks like he is going to cry but he screams instead and storms off. Helms wonders what’s up with that and we see he has the Hurricape on.

It is time for those of you with repressed memories of bad things to come back because it is time for the Abraham Washington Show. Tony welcomes us as he introduces Abe. Abe welcomes everyone and he wants to report a crime because he was robbed of the Breakout Star of the Year. Tony suggests that Abe should have won Diva of the Year after Abe says he should have won multiple awards last night.

Abe brings out his guest, Maria and people cheer for something on the Abraham Washington Show for the first time in its history. Maria brings her trophy and the Slammy. Abe says that it must have been embarrassing last night and we see the Kanye Batista moment. Abe says that he feels Maria’s pain. Maria says that it might have been embarrassing, but at least she won a Slammy. Abe says that he was robbed last night and Maria says that she has seen Abe’s show and Tony jumps in and says the show stinks. Abe insults Tony’s dental hygiene. Maria asks someone if they want to hold her Slammy. Maria tells Abe that she was talking to Tony, not him. Maria says that maybe Abe will be able to hold one when he wins next year and Tony doubts that he will win. Abe says that he voted for Michelle McCool and he was glad Batista interrupted Maria last night and he wants to know if Batista could come out tonight.

We go to commercial with Vladimir Kozlov sweating to the oldies in the locker room with William Regal at his side.

Match Number Two: Vladimir Kozlov With William Regal versus Ezekiel Jackson in a ECW Homecoming Qualifying Match

They get face to face and Jackson pie faces Kozlov. Kozlov with a forearm and kick but Jackson with a forearm and slam of his own. Jackson with another slam and Regal removes his jacket while watching the match. Jackson seeks the approval from Regal but that delay allows Kozlov to hit Jackson from behind and hit elbow drops. Kozlov with head butts to Jackson’s chet. Regal trips Kozlov and then Jackson with an uranage for the three count.
Winner: Ezekiel Jackson

After the match, Jackson and Regal celebrate on the floor. Regal goes back for his jacket and Kozlov grabs Regal. Jackson attacks Kozlov from behind and then Jackson and Regal send Kozlov into the announce table.

We see current FCW Tag Team Champion Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft playing Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 and defeating DX. We go to commercial.

Match Number Three: Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft versus Julio Cruz and Jorge Arias

Barreta with a knee and punch but Cruz with a drop kick. Barreta with a clip when Croft distracts Cruz. Barreta works on Cruz’ leg and then he tags in Croft and they double team Cruz before Croft focuses on the leg. Barreta tags in and he hits a running knee to the leg. Cruz with a boot to Barreta and a spin kick but Barreta keeps Cruz from making the tag and he knocks Arias off the apron. Croft tags in and they hit a neck breaker and power bomb combination for the three count.
Winners: Caylen Croft and Trent Barreta

Goldust and Yoshi Tatsu are in the back and Goldust talks about his comments from last night. Goldust congratulates Yoshi on his big Raw victory. Kane shows up and Yoshi says something in Japanese and Kane asks Goldust for a translation. Goldust has no idea and Kane wonders why they call him a freak. Kane walks into commercial.

We are told that next week Jack Swagger faces Yoshi Tatsu in a Qualifying Match (at least Swagger’s ‘I won’t lose in 2009 promise’ is over for Yoshi’s benefit)

Match Number Four: Kane versus Zack Ryder with Rosa Mendes in an ECW Homecoming Qualifying Match

Ryder punches Kane but that was not a smart thing because Kane punches Ryder followed by a snap mare and drop kick for a near fall. Ryder with a boot to Kane but Kane catches Ryder as he comes off the turnbuckles. Kane with a slam but he misses an elbow drop. Ryder with punches to Kane and then he puts Kane in a reverse chin lock. Kane with a belly-to-back suplex followed by a big boot. Kane with an Irish whip and running clothesline followed by a side slam attempt but Ryder escapes the hold. Kane misses a big boot after avoiding the choke slam attempt. Ryder kicks Kane in the leg and then he works on the knee. Ryder chokes Kane in the corner but Kane with a kick and punch. Ryder with a kick to the back of the leg and then he tries to clip Kane but Kane stays on his feet. Kane with a vintage uppercut and punches to Ryder. Ryder with a drop kick to the knee but Kane stays on his feet. Ryder with a leg lariat but he can only get a two count. Ryder tries for another leg lariat but Kane stops him and then Kane with a choke slam for the three count.
Winner: Kane

2010 - Hans Mortier (Jacob "Dutch" Grobbe) passed away following a long illness.

Mortier, a former bodybuilder who was billed as the former bodyguard for actress Bridget Bardot (I believe that wasn't actually the case), was a headliner for the WWWF.

Billed from Germany (all the German personas were massive heels in that era, just a few decades removed from World War II) but really from Holland, Mortier feuded with Bruno Sammartino, challenging for the WWWF championship.

Mortier used the full nelson as his submission hold with the storyline being that due to his size and muscle mass, no one could break the hold. He was built up as a killer challenger for Sammartino, who did indeed break the hold in the blow-off matches to their program, en route to retaining the belt. Like many other top challengers, the initial matches would have some sort of inconclusive finishes, building to a blowoff. In Mortier's case, he worked several Texas Death Matches against Sammartino.

Outside of the WWWF, Mortier also wrestled under a number of aliases in different territories, including Dutch Howlett, the masked Dr. X, Tarzan Zorra (after X was unmasked), The Great Zorro and Lord Charles Montegue.

In Florida, he held the Florida Heavyweight championship on multiple occasions. As Lord Charles Montegue in the old Houston, Texas territory, he teamed with the late Professor Boris Malenko the American Tag Team titles. In Hawaii, he was one half of the Tag Team champions with Johnny Barend, defeating Pamero Firpo & Neff Maiva. He also held what was billed as the European Heavyweight championship during his career.

2010 - World Wrestling Entertainment settled a lawsuit brought against the company by former WWE Global Licensing Coordinator Fara D'Angelo, according to court records.

In October 2008, D'Angelo, who had worked for WWE from April 2004 through May 2006, filed a suit against the company, alleging that she was sexually harassed by then-Senior Director of International Consumer Products Alex Romer.

D'Angelo claimed that Romer pursued an intimate relationship with her almost immediately after she started working at WWE even though Romer was married.  D'Angelo claimed that Romer would do so in person, via text messages, late night phone calls, etc.

In her lawsuit, D'Angelo alleged that another employee who witnessed the harassment told her to "switch jobs" and that when she took her complaint to WWE's Senior Director of Quality Assurance, Mike Archer, Archer also encouraged her to look for a new job.

D'Angelo claimed in her suit that she felt as if her job would be put in jeopardy if she continued to shed light on the harassment, so she resigned her position after informing WWE of the harassment and filed the lawsuit.

According to court documents filed during the course of the case, WWE offered D'Angelo a promotion and raise if she would stay with the company - after she filed her harassment charges with the company's Human Resources department - rather than leave to start a new position with another company.

The settlement followed a ruling by the Judge denying WWE's attempts to have the case thrown out, ruling that a jury could conceivably side with D'Angelo's claims based on the evidence presented to the court by both sides and that the case needed to go forward to trial.

Romer was no longer with World Wrestling Entertainment by the time the case was settled.

2011 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling.  Mike Johnson filed the following TV report:

Impact Wrestling opened up with a look at Jeff Hardy becoming the number one contender for the TNA title and the controversial ending to the TNA title bout at Final Resolution.

Mike Tenay noted that Sting ordered they deal with the TNA title situation to kick off this week.

TNA champion Bobby Roode vs. AJ Styles - Five Minutes Overtime from Final Resolution.

Roode mocked Styles, holding the belt up in his face before the bell.    Styles decked Roode and took him down.  Styles hit a springboard into a high cross bodyblock for a near fall.  He nailed a dropkick for another.    Styles grabbed in a side headlock takedown and cranked it around Roode's neck.  Roode reversed but Styles took him down again for a two count.   Roode grabbed head scissors but Styles fights out of it.  Roode launched Styles up, trying to slam him knees down but Styles rolled through and nearly pinned the champion again.  Styles chopped Roode in the corner and stomped him.   Roode kicked Styles in the leg and tried to slam it into the ringpost but Styles kicked Roode off.  He went for a dive but Roode took his legs out and Styles crashed hard.

Back in the ring, Roode began working over Styles knees.  Roode set Styles on the top but was kicked off.  Styles dove on him and covered the champ but Roode got his foot on the ropes with under a minute left.  Roode cut him off with 30 seconds left and decided to run out the clock.  Styles nailed him with a Pele Kick, then nailed a springboard into a 450 kneedrop as the bell rang.

Time limit draw.  Good action from bell to bell.  The crowd chanted for five more minutes.  I feel like we've been here before.

Sting came out and said that we can do it all night long and re-started another five minutes.

As the bell rang, Roode drilled Styles from behind with a chop block and locked in a single leg crab in the center.  Styles was trapped and tried to fight it off, but had no choice but to tap.

Your winner and still TNA champion, Bobby Roode!

The segment was solid but I can't help but shake the feeling that TNA squandered something special here. They could have taken that Iron Man bout and turned it into a storyline where these two are evenly matched, giving them longer time limits to have classic matches. Instead, four days later, Roode kills off the challenge and is onto the next. TNA really missed out on a great possible storyline here and that's a shame in my opinion.

Backstage, Robert Roode said that it didn't matter how long it took, as long as he got the job done.  They interspersed comments from Styles, saying he had Roode's number.  Roode said that he spits in the face of authority and if Jeff Hardy wants a shot, good, he can have one.  Good promos from both.  Roode is really on as champ and Styles was his normal great self.

Tag Team Title Shot Tournament: Scott Steiner & Abyss vs. Robby T & Hernandez (with Rosita and Sarita)

This is the tournament where they do Battlebowl style teams with weird combinations. 

Backstage, Steiner said that he owes Abyss one but he's under orders from Eric Bischoff to make this work.  He said they are a team, right?  Abyss didn't really respond.  Mike Tenay reminded everyone that Immortal has been trying to get Abyss back into the fold.

Steiner and Hernandez started off.   Steiner kicked him in the gut and ran him into the corner.  He worked over Hernandez with several punches and chops.   He whipped Hernandez hard into the buckles and Hernandez went down. Hernandez placed him on the top and nailed the top rope Fall Away Slam.  T tried to interfere so Steiner nailed an overhead belly to bell release suplex.  On a guy that big, that is DAMN impressive.  Steiner clotheslined Hernandez and dropped an elbow for a two count.

Steiner offered a tag to Abyss, who just stood there miserable.  Abyss' facial expression was perfect.  This allowed T to attack Steiner from behind.  Hernandez and T worked over Steiner.  The announcers asked fans to go on Twitter and give their opinions on Sting having the overtime tonight.  WWE should take notes here because while they beat you over the head with the buzzwords, this came off more like a chance for fans to interact and not a commercial.  Much better in presentation.  Hernandez and T double teamed Steiner.

T picked up Hernandez for a suplex, dropping him down over Steiner.  T covered Steiner for a two count.   They nailed a double shoulderblock.  Abyss finally entered the ring behind them and nailed a double clothesline and an Avalanche in the corner.  He chokeslammed Hernandez but was jumped by T.  Abyss shook him off and nailed the Black Hole Slam.  He got into Steiner's face and reluctantly tagged Steiner.  Steiner covered T and scored the pin.

Your winners, Abyss and Scott Steiner!

Steiner went to leave but Abyss grabbed him and raised his arm.  He left, smiling and pointing to his head, as if he was getting into Steiner's.

Solid match.  This one overachieved given who was in it.  Everyone worked hard and they told the story with Abyss.  Steiner's suplexes are damn impressive when he's throwing someone as big as T.  I was really worried about how this one would mesh and while it wasn't a classic, it wasn't anything bad either.  Everyone was booked to show their strengths.

Backstage, Kurt Angle said he was sick of Sting.   He said it was time for him to do something about it.  I hope it isn't a Dylan Dog sequel.

When we returned from commercial, Angle came to the ring and called out Sting.  Angle told him that for the first time in his life, Sting was going to shut up and listen.  He complained that he was thrown into a title bout with James Storm with 90 minutes to prepare and claimed he lost due to a loaded boot.  He said that he then got a rematch and the same loaded boot caused his loss.  Angle threatened Sting and demanded a rematch with Storm.  Sting said that Storm beat him fair and square and needs to move upward and onward towards Booby Roode.  Angle said that Sting had it out for Roode and Angle.  Angle said that Sting wants to be a Cowboy like James Storm (Sting was wearing a fringed jacket) so Angle was going to go to Storm's hometown and kick everyone's ass there.  I have visions of a Gamera sized Angle wiping out a city.  He said that once he does that, maybe Storm will grant him his rematch.

Zema Ion vs. Tony Nese: Best of Three Series - Match One

The winner gets a X-Division title bout at Genesis.  I think this is the first time they've used Nese since they signed him.  I seriously forgot he was working here.  Nese took Ion down with a waistlock but Ion gets to his feet.  They trade armdrags and reversals.  Nese drilled him with a running knee and started working over his arm.  They are going back and forth really fast. Nese drilled him with an elbow to the neck but Nese took his legs out as Ion rebounded off the ropes and hit a springboard moonsault.  He followed up with a running knee that sent Ion to the floor.  Nese hit a great forward flip dive to the floor.  Good, frenetic pace so far.

Nese nailed a flying clothesline off the top for another near fall but was kicked off while charging into the corner.  Ion went for a tornado DDT out of the corner but Nese blocked it.  Nese went for a top rope rana but it was blocked when Ion held on.  Ion hit an awesome missile dropkick for a two count.  Ion drilled Nese's chin into his knees and covered him, then pulled him up.  He nailed it again and pulled Nese up again, so they are establishing Ion is the heel here.

Ion went to the top and hit a 450 splash, scoring the pin.

Your winner, Zema Ion!

Really good X-Division match.

The Jarrett entered the building backstage.  Jeff and Karen both tried to tell the other one that they should be the one fired, trying to sacrifice themselves for the other.  They both said they were going to talk to Sting.

Backstage, Zema Ion said he's got the prettiest great, boots and is the prettiest wrestler in the company.  He said he was tired of waiting for his opportunities, so he took one.  He said, "It's all about me, myself and Ion."  Cute catchphrase.

Backstage, Ric Flair told Gunner to forget Garrett Bischoff because he's done.  He said that tonight, Gunner has Jesse Neal.  He said Jesse was a good wrestler but compared to Gunner, he doesn't exist.  He told Gunner to get the job done.

Jesse Neal vs. Gunner (with Ric Flair)

Gunner slammed Neal down to the mat and just wrecked him with punches.  He shoulderblocked Neal into the corner and worked him over viciously.     Flair looked on approvingly.   Gunner drilled Neal in the corner again and he went down.   Neal went to the floor.  Gunner went after him but the referee tried to stop him.  Gunner shoved the referee off and got DQ'd.

Your winner, Jesse Neal by DQ.

Flair attacked Neal and stomped him low.  Flair removed the mats from ringside and Gunner DDT'd Neal on the exposed concrete.  They showed EMTs working over Neal.

The match was basically a beatdown to continue establishing Gunner as a vicious heel, which is great.  It's the type of old school build we rarely see anymore. However, they immediately went to a shot of Jeff Hardy walking in the back instead of staying with Neal being worked on and I would suppose stretchered off.  By lingering on the moment, they would have reinforced that Gunner was someone who wasn't playing and someone who was dangerous.  You don't want to glaze over that, even if the announcers talk about it later, because you've lost the moment to really make an impression.

Backstage, Karen Jarrett was trying to charm Sting by complimenting him.   He cut to the chase and asked her what she wanted.  Karen said that she knew Sting was going to send one of them home and immediately threw Jeff Jarrett under the bus!  She told Sting that he can't fire her.  She admitted that Jeff was a great wrestler but there's 100 Jarretts out there who can take his spot on the roster.  She said God broke the mold when he created Karen Jarrett.  She said that Jeff can watch the kids while she helps Sting run the show.  Sting said that he's known Jeff since Jeff was a little kid and he can't make a decision until he hears Jeff out too.  She asked him if he saw where she was coming from and Sting said that he did.  She excitedly hugged Sting and ran off.  Sting looked at her leaving and muttered "Poor Jeff."

Jeff Hardy came to the ring and took the mic.  He said that his neck hurts and his body is sore from Sunday, but he's the number one contender and will face the champion at Genesis.  He said he's going to do everything in his power to make 2012 the most memorable year of his career....and Bully Ray's music played.  Ray came to the ring.  He said that Hardy is in a really good mood for someone who has no clue who he has to fight tonight.  Ray said they are fighting tonight and mocked Hardy for interacting with his fans instead of having a life and doing something creative.   Ray said he was the most feared guy in the company and he's been kicking Jeff's head in for 15 years.  Usual good Ray delivery.  He said that he's not really that pissed off at Jeff and said that he really has to thank Jeff.  He said that at the PPV Jeff screwed up, Ray stepped into Hardy's shoes the next day and took Hardy's spot in Immortal.  He said that he's better than Hardy and won't be a stepping stone.  Ray said he's a freight train and Hardy is standing on his tracks.  Ray's delivery is easily the best in the entire company. 

Backstage, Samoa Joe told Magnus that he doesn't know him and he doesn't care to know him.  Joe said he doesn't play politics, he just wants to fight his way to get what he earned.  He said Magnus is an achor to get his opportunity at the belts.  Magnus said he didn't care about friendship or about Joe.  He said he never gets a chance and he just wants to go out there and win the tag tournament.  Good segment.

Tag Team Tournament: Robbie E & Douglas Williams vs. Samoa Joe & Magnus

Magnus and Williams, usually partners, started off as opponents.   Williams took him down to the mat with headscissors and a headlock takedown.  Magnus escaped and they faced off.   E tagged in and scored with a kick but started grandstanding and ate a clothesline.    Williams kicked Magnus from behind, setting up the chance for E to stomp away at Williams.  Williams nailed a running knee in the corner and snapped a suplex over.  E nailed a fistdrop for a two count but Samoa Joe hit the ring to break up the pin with a kick.

E continued to work over Magnus.  Magnus came out of the corner with a clothesline and tagged Joe.  Joe nailed an inverted atomic drop, a kick to the face and a back senton splash for a two count.  Joe nailed a powerslam but E tried to interfere.  Joe moved and E nailed his partner.  Joe destroyed E and snapmared him over.   Magnus came off the top with a big elbow.  He drilled Williams, setting him up for a muscle buster.  Joe scored the pin on Williams.

Your winners, Samoa Joe & Magnus!

Good pace to the match.  Solid, well worked stuff here.  I'm enjoying getting to see some of the overlooked talents have a chance to actually work in the ring.

Backstage, Jeff Jarrett was buttering up Sting, reminding him that they've known each other 25 years.  Jeff said that he knows Karen has been talking to Jeff about this for days.  He tells Sting that he knows it would be publicly humilating but then asked Sting to let Karen down easy, noting that it's his wife and he cares about her - yeah, enough to toss out a window apparently!  Jeff reminded Sting that he's the reigning Mexican heavyweight champion.  He said that Karen loves to be home with the kids and asked Sting to be gentle and nice.  Sting asked Jeff if he was sure and whether she was looking for a Nanny or really wanted to stay home with the kids.  Jeff said he was sure and asked him again to let her down easy.  Sting said that he needed a few minutes.

 Backstage, Eric Young was cutting his usual promo when ODB showed up and told him that she was her partner tonight.   It was all silliness.  Young was impressed with her strength when they locked up.

Devon cut a promo and called out Pope, who brought out Devon's kids.  He said he's the one who is their father, he was there for them, he raised them and he's the one training them, not Pope.  He told Pope he was going to bring them up the way that he wants them brought up.  He told them it was time for them to leave.  As they tried to walk out, Pope cut a promo and said it was time for Devon to get with the times.  He put himself over, saying the boys were tired of living a boring lifestyle when Pope is giving them a chance to learn how to live the high life.  He said Devon will never be as fly or pimping as the Pope.  Devon tried to walk away and Pope told him not to walk away from him like his wife did to Devon.  Pope said those kids should have been his seed but he and Devon's ex-wife are working on that.  Devon attacked him but the kids pulled him off trying to calm him down.  Devon hugged them and Pope kicked Devon low from behind.  Devon's kids smiled at Pope and stood aside as Pope worked over Devon.. Pope screamed that the boys were his now.  They raised his hand.  Angle was fine but they really need to follow up with a great Devon promo to sell this as a legitimate issue as in 2011, people aren't going to buy it, but the storyline can work.  Everyone was fine in their role.

Backstage, Karen and Jeff were trying to snow each other by saying they were sacrificing themselves.  A PA showed up and said that Sting wanted to see them both.  They were shocked that Sting wanted to see them together at the same time.

Traci Brooks vs. Madison Rayne

Brooks charged Rayne and tackled her on the stage. Brooks dragged her to the ring and slammed her into the apron.,  She dragged Rayne into the ring and choked her in he corner.  Rayne cut her off and choked her against the ropes.    Rayne choked her and stepped over Brooks' back.  She nailed a neckbreaker through the ropes on Brooks, who fell to the floor.  Rayne has good poise as a character. 

Back in the ring, she slammed Brooks facefirst to the mat and covered her for a two count.  Rayne used her foot to choke Brooks in the corner.  Rayne was nailed with a jawbreaker to break it.  Brooks charged her and drill her knees into Rayn'e's back.   Rayne used her legs to snap Brooks neck but Traci kicked up at two.  Rayne charged and kicked her in the head.  She covered Brooks for the pin.

Your winner, Madison Rayne!

OK match. 

Backstage, Sting was meeting with the Jarretts.  Now, the Jarretts were putting each other over and saying they should be the one to be sent home.  Sting said that it's obvious neither of them have seen anything from the show tonight.  Jeff praised Sting for the way he was running it.  Sting then exposed them both for burying the other.   Karen accused Sting of lying, so he ran the footage from earlier.   Jeff lost it when he heard Karen burying him.  She then lost it when she saw the footage of Jeff burying her.  They went nuts.  Sting cut them off and said that they can't have Jeff without Karen or Karen without Jeff and fired both of them.  The announcers put it over like the end of an era.  That was a pretty funny deal.

Jeff Hardy vs. Bully Ray.

Jeremy Borash did the ring introductions.

Ray immediately went to work on Hardy in the corner with elbows and shoulderblocks.   He stalked Hardy and measured him with punches.  Bobby Roode was doing commentary, scouting Hardy.    Ray controlled the early portion.   Hardy was tied to the tree of woe and beaten with punches to the mid-section.  Ray held him overhead for a standing vertical suplex and dropped him down.

Ray locked in a bearhug and squeezed hard.    Hardy broke free but Ray backdropped him for a two count.   Ray slammed him and tried to come out of the corner with a Vader splash but Hardy rolled out of the ring.   Hardy made a comeback with a series of rights.  He whipped Ray and drilled him with a leaping forearm and a clothesline for a near fall.  Solid stuff so far.

Hardy nailed a head scissors out of the corner.  Ray went for the Bubba Bomb but Hardy slipped out and nailed the Twist of Fate for a two count.  Ray caught him with a sideslam for a two count.   He missed a splash and was caught with a Twist of Fate for the pin.

Your winner, Jeff Hardy!

Nothing of any long substance but for the amount of time they had, it was fine.

Hardy turned to Roode and told him time was ticking on his title run.  Roode started heading to the ring, allowing Ray to attack Jeff from behind.  They double teamed Hardy and Ray brought a table into the ring.   Roode fed him to Ray, who powerbombed Hardy through the table.  I kept waiting for James Storm to make the save but instead it was Sting.  He faced off with Roode but Ray went to nail him.  Sting got in his face and nailed him.  Roode nailed Sting from behind, getting over his spit in authority's face deal.  They put the boots to Sting and Hardy.  Roode shoved the belt in Hardy's face and said he was the World champion.  We go off the air.

Overall, a strong episode with solid wrestling and decent storytelling.  I thought they did a fine job setting the stage for the next PPV, beyond the abrupt dropping of some of the storylines from Final Resolution.  The lack of James Storm was the most glaring issue as he's the strongest babyface they have right now outside of Hardy, so even just a good promo following up and reminding us that he's coming for Roode would have been a good idea.

 

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