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January 17th
On this day in history in ....
1952 - Art Bull defeats Milt Olsen in a tournament final for the vacant Wisconsin Junior Heavyweight Title in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
1953 - Alan Pinfold defeats Bern Tamprine in Leichhardt, Australia to win the Australian Light Heavyweight Title.
1967 - Louie Tillet defeats Bobby Hart for the Georgia NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Title in Macon, Georgia, to begin his second reign.
1971 - Jack Brisco won and lost a title in the same match in Tampa, Florida. Brisco, the NWA Florida Television Champion, faced Tarzan Tyler, the NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion, in a two-out-of three falls match. The rules for the match stipulated that the Television Title was on the line in the first fall only, while the Heavyweight Title would go to the winner of the match. Tyler pinned Brisco in the first fall to win the Television Title. However, Brisco won the second and third falls to win the match, and claim the Heavyweight Title. So, both men went into the match with a belt, and left with a belt, but it was a different title!
1972 - Mark Lewin defeats Bob Brown to win the Vancouver NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title in Vancouver, British Columbia, ending Brown's second reign and beginning Lewin's second as well.
1973 - Big Bad John and Tim Woods defeat Chris Markoff and Bobby Shane for the NWA Florida Tag Team Title in Miami, Florida.
1973 - Ed Francis defeats The Sheik in Honolulu, Hawaii to win his third NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title.
1974 - Lord Alfred Hayes and Roger Kirby defeat Jim Brunzell and Mike George to win the Central States NWA World Tag Team Title in Kansas City, Kansas.
1974 - Bob Kelly defeats Duke Miller for the NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Title in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, beginning his 12th reign.
1974 - Mariko Akagi and Peggy Kuroda win their third WWWA World Tag Team Title in Kagoshima, Japan, defeating Sharon Lee and Jackie West.
1975 - Porkchop Cash and Special Delivery Jones defeat The Hollywood Blonds (Jerry Brown and Buddy Roberts) to win the NWA Americas Heavyweight Title in Los Angeles, California.
1976 - The WWWF runs an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results were:
- Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Pat McGinness.
- Kevin Sullivan defeated Pete Sanchez.
- Pat Barrett defeated Frank Monte.
- Jerry Blackwell defeated Francisco Flores.
- Ernie Ladd defeated Dominic DeNucci.
- WWWF World Tag Team Champions Louis Cerdan and Tony Parisi defeated Spiros Arion and Bugsy McGraw.
- Superstar Billy Graham and Ivan Koloff defeated Gorilla Monsoon and WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino, when Koloff pinned Sammartino.
1976 - Jesse Ventura defeats Jimmy Snuka for the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title in Portland, Oregon, ending Snuka's fifth reign.
1976 - The Infernos defeat The Interns to win the WWC North American Tag Team Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico.
1977 - Kevin Fertig, better known as WWE's Kevin Thorn, is born in Memphis, Tennessee.
1977 - The WWWF holds an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results:
- Jose Gonzalez and Pete Sanchez fought to a draw.
- Doug Gilbert defeated Don Serrano.
- Greg Gagne defeated Johnny Rodz.
- Tor Kamata and Nikolai Volkoff defeated Dominic DeNucci and Manuel Soto.
- Pat Patterson, billed as "North American Heavyweight Champion" (the WWF had no such title until 1979) defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- Bobo Brazil defeated Stan Stasiak by disqualification.
- WWWF Tag Team Champions Chief Jay Strongbow and Billy White Wolf defeated The Executioners.
- Ivan Putski vs. Bruiser Brody ended in a double disqualification.
- Ken Patera defeated WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino by countout.
1977 - Don Leo Jonathan and Dutch Savage defeat John Quinn and Kurt Von Hess for the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.
1977 - The Hollywood Blonds (Jerry Brown and Buddy Roberts) defeat Dino Bravo and Tim Woods to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Title in Greenville, South Carolina.
1980 - Tiger Jeet Singh defeats El Canek for the UWA World Heavyweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.
1980 - Mike Sharpe defeats Mike George to win the NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Title in Greenville, Mississippi. This ended George's second reign and began Sharpe's second.
1981 - Jimmy Valiant wins his sixth AWA Southern Heavyweight Title by defeating Hector Guerrero in a tournament final in Memphis, Tennessee.
1981 - The Destroyer and Rip Oliver defeat Joe Lightfoot and Jay Youngblood for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title.
1982 - The WWF holds an event at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario. The results:
- John Bonello and Tim Gerard fought to a 15-minute time-limit draw.
- Pat Patterson defeated Kurt Von Hess.
- Dino Bravo defeated Frankie Lane.
- The East-West Connection (Adrian Adonis and Jesse Ventura) defeated Dominic DeNucci and Tony Parisi.
- WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund defeated Greg Valentine.
- Johnny Weaver defeated Lord Alfred Hayes in a steel cage match.
- Angelo Mosca defeated Toronto NWA Canadian Heavyweight Champion Big John Studd in a steel cage match to win the title, beginning his fourth reign.
1982 - Tommy Rich defeats The Masked Superstar for the NWA National Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia, ending the Superstar's second reign and beginning Rich's second.
1984 - Mal Sanders wins his fourth European Middleweight Title in Croydon, England, ending the second reign of Keith Haward.
1986 - Ron Bass defeats Black Bart to win the Mid-Atlantic NWA Brass Knuckles Title in Richmond, Virginia.
1987 - Jason the Terrible defeats Invader I in Caguas, Puerto Rico for the WWC Television Title.
1987 - Zandokan defeats Villano I to win the UWA World Light Heavyweight Title in Naucalpan, Mexico.
1989 - Jake Murdock defeats Steve Gatorwolf for the Western States Wrestling Alliance Western States Heavyweight Title in Safford, Arizona. This ended Gatorwolf's second reign and began Murdock's second.
1990 - Atsushi Onita defeats Beast the Barbarian (who had been declared the first champion two weeks prior) to win the World Wrestling Association World Brass Knuckles Title in Tokyo, Japan. He would hold the title until the WWA World Martial Arts Title replaced it in February. The World Brass Knuckles Title was revived by FMW in 1993.
1991 - Big Van Vader defeats Tatsumi Fujinami for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title in Yokohama, Japan, ending and beginning both men's third reign.
1992 - At a house show in Springfield, Massachusetts, The Mountie defeats Bret Hart for the WWF Intercontinental Title. The storyline reason for Hart's loss was that he had a high fever, but it actually took place due to contract negotiations. After the match, The Mountie attacked Hart with the title belt, before Roddy Piper made the save.
1994 - The WWF holds an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results were:
- Scott Putski pinned Iron Mike Sharpe after the Polish Hammer.
- Rick Steiner and Ludvig Borga fought to a double countout. This would be Borga's last match in the WWF as he suffered an serious ankle injury during, which ultimately led to his release from the company. It has been rumored that Borga was possibly in line for a WWF Title run in the future.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon defeated Jeff Jarrett by disqualification after Shawn Michaels interfered.
- WWF Champion Yokozuna pinned Tatanka with the Banzai Drop.
- The Quebecers (Jacques and Pierre) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions The 1-2-3 Kid and Marty Jannetty, after the Kid was pinned after the Tower of Quebec, to win the title, beginning their second reign.
- Owen Hart won a 30-man Royal Rumble match, last eliminating Fatu.
1997 - Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue defeat Johnny Ace and Steve Williams to win the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Title in Matsumoto, Japan, beginning their fourth reign.
1997 - Beau James defeats The War Machine by forfeit for the Southern States Wrestling Appalachian Heavyweight Title in Fall Branch, Tennessee.
1998 - Erich Sbraccia defeats Vic Steamboat in a tournament final to become the first NWA New England Heavyweight Champion.
1998 - Miss Britannia defeats Julie Starr for the British Women's Title in Norwich, England.
1999 - WCW holds the third-annual Souled Out pay-per-view at the Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, West Virginia. The results were:
- Chris Benoit defeated Mike Enos by submission with the Crippler Crossface.
- Norman Smiley defeated Chavo Guerrero, Jr. by submission with the Norman Conquest.
- Fit Finlay pinned Van Hammer after a Tombstone Piledriver.
- Bam Bam Bigelow pinned Wrath after Greetings from Asbury Park.
- Lex Luger defeated Konnan by submission with the Torture Rack.
- Chris Jericho pinned Saturn with a small package. As a result, Saturn had to wear a dress for 30 days.
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman defeated Rey Misterio, Jr., Juventud Guerrera and Psicosis in a four-way match to retain the title, when he pinned Guerrera.
- David and Ric Flair defeated Curt Hennig and Barry Windham, after David pinned Hennig after Arn Anderson hit Hennig with a tire iron.
- Goldberg defeated Scott Hall in a Ladder Stun Gun match, in which the only way to win was to use the stun gun on your opponent. The match came about from Scott Hall costing Goldberg the WCW World Title at Starrcade in December. Hall hit Goldberg with a stun gun as he had Kevin Nash up for the Jackhammer, after which Nash hit the Jackknife Powerbomb and won the title, giving Goldberg his first loss in WCW.
2000 - The Monday Night War continued, with WWF RAW is WAR doubling up WCW Monday Nitro in the ratings, 6.0 to 3.0.
WCW Monday Nitro came live from Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The results were:
- Billy Kidman pinned Psychosis.
- Big T (Ahmed Johnson) pinned Booker T.
- Vampiro pinned Disco Inferno.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions Crowbar and David Flair defeated 3 Count (Shane Helms and Shannon Moore).
- Tank Abbott defeated The Maestro in a shootfight rules match.
- Masahiro Chono and Super J (Jeff Farmer) defeated Rick Steiner and Mike Rotunda.
- Sid Vicious pinned The Wall.
- Lex Luger defeated Bam Bam Bigelow.
- Diamond Dallas Page pinned Buff Bagwell.
- Also, Jeff Jarrett was awarded the WCW United States Heavyweight Title by Commissioner Kevin Nash, one day after he was stripped of the title due to a concussion, This began Jarrett's third reign.
WWF RAW is WAR was live from the New Haven Coliseum in New Haven, Connecticut. The event also featured a taping of the coming weekend's Jakked. The results:
Jakked:
- Crash and Hardcore Holly defeated The Mean Street Posse (Joey Abs and Pete Gas)
- Too Cool (Grandmaster Sexay and Scotty 2 Hotty) defeated Kaientai (Funaki and Taka Michinoku).
- Gangrel vs. Viscera ended in a double countout.
- The British Bulldog defeated Kevin Landry.
RAW is WAR:
- Test pinned WWF Hardcore Champion The Big Bossman, after a flying elbow drop, to win the title, ending Bossman's fourth reign.
- Kurt Angle pinned Steve Blackman, after The British Bulldog interfered and hit Blackman with Blackman's own kendo stick.
- The Acolytes (Bradshaw and Faarooq) defeated WWF Champion Triple H and X-Pac by disqualification when The New Age Outlaws interfered.
- Jeff Hardy pinned Bubba Ray Dudley after the Swanton. After the match, both Hardys got hit with the 3D and put through tables by the Dudleys.
- Rikishi defeated WWF Intercontinental Co-Champion Chris Jericho by disqualification, after the other co-Champion, Chyna, and Crash and Hardcore Holly interfered, and Hardcore hit Rikishi with a chair.
- Kane pinned Albert after the chokeslam.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The New Age Outlaws (Billy Gunn and Road Dogg) defeated Big Show and The Rock, after Rock hit Show with a chair.
2000 - Steve Austin undergoes neck surgery to remove a bone spur that was touching his spinal cord. He had written off television with an attack at the Survivor Series in November, with Austin being hit by a car in the parking lot of the arena upon arrival. Austin's surgery was performed by Dr. Lloyd Youngblood in San Antonio, Texas. Youngblood has done surgery on several other WWE performers as well.
2001 - WCW holds a live Thunder at the Allen County War Memorial Fieldhouse in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The show earned a rating of 2.2 on TBS. The results were:
- Rick Steiner pinned Kwee Wee.
- WCW Hardcore Champion Meng pinned Bam Bam Bigelow.
- Big Ron pinned Norman Smiley.
- Totally Buff (Buff Bagwell and Lex Luger) defeated Kronik (Brian Adams and Bryan Clark).
- Mike Awesome pinned Billy Kidman.
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero, Jr. pinned General Rection.
- Diamond Dallas Page and Jeff Jarrett fought to a no contest.
2002 - Jonny Storm defeats Joey Fleisch to win the British Welterweight Title in Southampton, England.
2003 - XPW holds an event at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results were:
- Pogo the Clown defeated Simon Diamond.
- Mexico's Most Wanted (Damien 666 and Halloween) defeated XPW Tag Team Champions Youthanazia (M-Dogg 20 and Josh Prohibition) to win the title.
- Psicosis defeated Chris Chetti, Sonny Siaki and Christian York in a four-way match.
- Julio Dinero defeated Chris Candido.
- XPW King of the Deathmatch Champion Supreme defeated Justice Pain to retain the title.
- Vic Grimes and Lucy defeated Shane Douglas and Lizzy Borden.
- Super Crazy defeated Malice.
- Chris Hamrick and Tracy Smothers defeated Angel and Shark Boy.
- Juventud Guerrera defeated Danny Doring.
- Jonny Storm defeated Jerry Lynn in a XPW Television Title contender's match.
2003 - El Tornado and Tyson Dux defeat Hacker and Gutter for the Border City Wrestling Can-Am Tag Team Title in Ottawa, Ontario.
2004 - Adam Evans defeats Eric Priest and Chris Jordan in a three-way match to win the vacant NWA Midwest Heavyweight Title in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Previous champion, Danny Dominion, failed to appear.
2004 - Matt Sydal defeats JC Bailey for the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Title in Highland, Indiana, ending Bailey's third reign.
2004 - Derek Frazier and Greg Matthews defeat Nick Gage and Nate Hatred to win the CZW World Tag Team Title in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ending Gage and Hatred's second reign.
2004 - Kenjiro Katahira and Kensuke Sasaki defeat Ahuna and Kaniela for the Hawai'i Championship Wrestling Kekaulike Heritage Tag Team Title in Kaneohe, Hawaii.
2005 - WWE airs a live RAW and tapes the upcoming weekend's WWE.com Heat at Toronto, Ontario's Air Canada Centre. RAW earned a 3.8 rating on USA. The results were:
- In a dark match, Chris Masters pinned Tyson Dux.
Heat:
- Rhyno pinned Steven Richards after the Gore.
- Tajiri pinned Wavell Starr after the Buzzsaw Kick.
- Simon Dean pinned Val Venis after punching Venis as he attempted a Blue Thunder Bomb.
RAW:
- Maven and WWE World Tag Team Champions La Résistance (Robért Conway and Sylvain Grenier) defeated The Hurricane, Rosey and WWE Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin, when Conway pinned Rosey after the Au Revoir.
- Shawn Michaels pinned Christian after the Sweet Chin Music.
- Batista pinned Viscera after a spinebuster.
- Chris Jericho pinned Chris Benoit by reversing a Sharpshooter attempt into a cradle.
- Gene Snitsky vs. Kane in a No Holds Barred match ended in a no contest after Kane chokeslammed Snitsky off the stage through several tables.
- In a dark match after the show, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho and Randy Orton defeated Batista, Edge and World Heavyweight Champion Triple H, when Orton pinned Triple H after the RKO.
2007 - Vic Viper defeats The Ballymun Bruiser, Kid Kash and Mad Man Manson to win the vacant Irish Whip Wrestling International Heavyweight Title in Dublin, Ireland. The title had been stripped from Drew Galloway for missing several title defenses due to booking conflicts.
2008 - Tommy Dreamer wrote a column on the ECW website asking who he pissed off...seriously. Dreamer mentions in the column that he was recently stopped in an airport and asked why he doesn't appear on ECW anymore. He writes about not being used and challenges the company to do a storyline with him similar to Rocky with the idea being that he's going for one last chance of glory.
2008 - TNA broadcast a Global Impact special on Spike. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off with a look at a video package of highlights from the Tokyo Dome show while we hear a voiceover.
We see the wrestlers as they arrive in Tokyo before the New Japan show. We see the Tokyo Dome before the building is set up. Christian talks about how this is the biggest show for TNA.
Kurt talks about being a part of the show and what it means for TNA. Angle says that he will not lose to Nagata and it will be a really good match. Angle says that the fans are skeptical and they expect a great match. Angle says that you are not doing yourself any favors if you do not have a good match.
We talk about Tomko and how he wrestles often in Japan and is a tag team champion. Tomko says that he is looking forward to showing the guys some of the culture. Tomko says that the Japanese fans are different and used to a strong-style of wrestling.
Brother Ray talks about how it is special to wrestle in the Tokyo Dome because they never did it in All Japan or in the WWE.
Scott Steiner talks about the fans and how they appreciate their work.
Brother Ray says that the fans have wanted to see the TNA wrestlers. Ray says that wrestling in Japan is different than in the United States because there is not as much entertainment.
Christian talks about how the fans are familiar with the product and now the Japanese fans can experience what they see on Impact in person.
Scott Steiner says that it is a big deal to be in Japan and see how they work with New Japan.
Brother Ray says that TNA will take a giant step in Japan and overseas. We go to commercial.
We are back and it is now the day before the show. We see Tomko traveling in Tokyo to go to the gym. We see Tomko work out and he talks about how he can show how much he has grown as a wrestler.
We see Kurt Angle at a photo shoot as he walks with his two title belts.
We see a press conference with all of the wrestlers from TNA. Brother Ray talks about how this is the first time wrestling for New Japan. Devon says that they are going to make history in their match. Christian talks about how it is great to be back in Japan and to bring TNA to Japan. Angle talks about the test of wrestling Yuji Nagata and how he will make Nagata tap out. We go to commercial.
We are back and Kurt Angle is talking about how he is going to enjoy making Nagata tap out. He says that this will be one of the greatest days of his life.
We see the wrestlers arrive at the arena. We see the wrestlers get ready for their matches.
We see footage from the tag match involving A.J. Styles, Petey Williams, and Christian Cage. We see the press conference after the match.
We next see footage from Abyss’s match and what a surprise that there were thumbtacks involved.
It is time to see Team 3D get ready for their match. Devon talks about how he is honored to wrestle in Japan. He talks about how the fans respect what they do. We hear the comments from Brother Ray and he talks about how they have never lost a match in Japan.
We see Tomko talk about the match against the Steiners. We see Tomko talk about how it was great to defeat the Steiners. We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to talk about the Nagata/Angle match. Angle says that someone will tap out and it will not be him. Angle says that Nagata will get his ass kicked but both wrestlers will come out better. Nagata comments about Angle and says that he respects Angle but he does not feel that he is the true champion because he did not beat Japan’s best.
Match Number One: Kurt Angle versus Yuji Nagata for the iWGP Title
Angle goes after Nagata as the bell rings and he kicks Nagata in the corner and chokes Nagata. Nagata pushes Angle and he punches Angle and connects with forearms. Angle with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Nagata responds with an overhead belly-to-belly of his own but he misses a kick when Angle moves out of the way and goes to the floor. Angle returns to the ring and Nagata with a waist lock and arm bar. Angle with a reversal into a side head lock take down. Nagata with a head scissors but Angle escapes. Nagata with a side head lock take down and then they return to their feet. Nagata misses a kick and Nagata with a drop toe hold and he applies a crossface on Angle. Angle goes to the floor. Angle returns to the ring and Nagata with a waist lock and a series of reversals. Nagata with an arm bar but Angle with a forearm but Nagata with kicks to Angle’s leg and midsection. Angle with a belly-to-belly suplex and he gets a two count. Angle with a European uppercut but Nagata with a back elbow. Nagata with a reverse chin lock on Angle. Angle works on the upper legs of Nagata and Nagata rolls to the floor. Angle goes outside the ring and he kicks Nagata in the leg and rolls Nagata back into the leg. Angle works on the hamstring with kicks. Angle with a step over toe hold but Nagata is able to get Angle out of the hold. Angle with a figure four leg lock and Nagata tries to reverse the hold but Angle is able to roll back and maintain control. Nagata is able to reverse the figure four but it is for a short period of time as Angle is able to turn over. Nagata gets to the ropes and Angle releases the hold. Angle with elbows to the knee. Nagata with kicks to the back and then Nagata with a seated arm bar and we go to commercial.
We are back and Angle with a series of German suplexes. We see footage of what happened during the commercial. Angle tries for the Olympic slam but Nagata blocks it and hits the Exploder suplex. Nagata with a front face lock and suplex. Nagata holds on and hits a second suplex. Nagata tries for a third but Angle counters. Nagata with a crossface. Angle counters into the ankle lock as he escapes the hold. Nagata returns to the crossface on Angle. Angle counters one more time into the ankle lock. Nagata with the crossface but on the other side of Angle. Angle rolls through and gets to his feet and he hits the Olympic slam for a two count. The straps are down and Angle goes up top for the moonsault and he misses it when Nagata rolls out of the way. Nagata with a running knee to Angle’s head. Nagata puts Angle on the top turnbuckle and hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex from the turnbuckles and he gets a two count. Nagata returns to the crossface on Angle. Nagata with a rollup for a two count. Nagata tries for a Saito suplex, but Angle gets out of the hold. Nagata with forearms while Angle responds with European uppercuts. Angle and Nagata exchange forearms and uppercuts. Nagata with a knee and boot but Angle bounces off the ropes with a clothesline. Nagata with a Saito suplex for a two count. Nagata tries for a kick but Angle blocks it and applies the ankle lock. Angle grapevines the leg and gets Nagata to tap out.
Winner: Kurt Angle
After the match, Angle and Nagata shake hands and hug after the match.
We go to footage from the post-match press conference. He says that Nagata was better than he expected in this match.
We go to credits.
Global Impact Thoughts
As someone who has a history of not being the most boisterous fans at a wrestling show, I had a lot of trouble listening to all of the comments from the wrestlers talking about they appreciate the Japanese fans because of the way they react. Maybe if fans in some buildings were able to sit back and enjoy the show instead of being forced to react a certain way or pop to a wrestler’s music, things would be different here.
I also did not like the way that the wrestlers talked about the different style in Japan. There is a style like that in the United States and it is called Ring of Honor.
If you have a chance, check out the Japanese feed of the Nagata/Angle match.
I thought the match was very good.
2009 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Dr. Phil Astin III, the Benoit family doctor at the time of the Benoit tragedy may have reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors. Astin was indicted on 175 counts of illegal prescription abuse for a number of patients. Beyond his relationship to the Benoit family, he was Mike "Johnny Grunge" Durham's doctor at the time of his death and is linked to several other wrestlers.
Neither Astin nor his public defender were able to be reached for comment, but there was a conference set for 1/29 in regard to Astin's plea change. He had pleaded "not guilty" previously.
2010 - TNA held Genesis 2010 on PPV from Orlando, FL. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live coverage of the first PPV of the decade, TNA Genesis 2010.
After a great opening video pushing the TNA title bout and a lot of pyro, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff made their way to the ring. The fans chanted for Hogan. He welcomed everyone to Genesis. The fans popped. Hogan welcomed them to the Impact Zone. The fans booed and chanted, "We want six sides." Hogan said, "You had it and it only got you so far. We're going all the way now." The fans booed him. Hogan said they wouldn't have any six sides, eight sides or playpen rings. He said this is where men wrestle. The fans didn't like that.
Hogan said their competitor talks all about sports-entertainment but Hogan is proud to be part of a wrestling company and to be partners with Dixie Carter and Eric Bischoff. Bischoff said that no one likes change and that's human nature, but it only started with the ring. He said there's a lot more change coming. Hogan looked at the mic and said, "What are you going to do Vince McMahon, now that TNA is coming for you?"
Mike Tenay and Taz welcomed everyone to the PPV and discussed the change to the ring. They previewed the main events and sent it to the ring.
TNA X-Division champion The Amazing Red vs. Brian Kendrick
Red came out alone, as the Don West manager role is dead. Kendrick came out to a big response. Taz and Tenay sold it as a big shock. Kendrick went for a kick but missed. He and Red faced off. They did some solid mat wrestling early. They locked up. Kendrick rode Red to the mat and worked over his arm with knees. Red made his way back to his feet but Kendrick took him down with a sick looking Oklahoma Roll.
Red knocked Kendrick to the floor but he returned to the ring before Red could dive outside. Kendrick dropkicked Red's knee while he was on the apron. Red was knocked to the floor, right in front of Brooke Hogan and one of her friends, The friend was showing more cleavage than most of Miami. Kendrick worked over Red on the floor and tossed him back into the ring. Kendrick worked over Red's knee on the mat.
The announcers talked about Bobby Lashley refusing to wrestle tonight as he didn't want TNA to make money off of him tonight and they'd have more about this later.
Kendrick continued to work over Red's knee. Kendrick tossed Red out of the corner and went to the top rope. Red dropkicked Kendrick off the top to the floor. Red went to to the top rope and hit a forward flip to the floor on Kendrick. Red tossed Kendrick back into the ring and nailed a big missile dropkick for a two count.
Kendrick was kicked off by Red several times. Red came off the ropes but Kendrick avoided him and locked in a single leg Boston Crab and cinched back. Red tried to get to the ropes but was pulled back towards the center of the ring. Kendrick cinched in a hold around Kendrick's neck and began headbutting him.
Red came back with an enziguiri. Red dropkicked him in the back of his head as Kendrick got back to his feet. They went back and forth with strikes and forearms. Red nailed a glancing headscissors for a two count. Red continued to sell his leg. Kendrick came back with a leg lariat for a two count.
Kendrick began stomping Red's head and tossed him to the floor. Red came back out of nowhere with Code Red and scored the clean pinfall.
Your winner and still X-Division champion The Amazing Red!
A fun opener. The look of the building looks and feels fresh. This was Kendrick's best showing I've seen some time.
Backstage, Eric Bischoff thanked The Band for having back against Mick Foley a few weeks back. Eric Bischoff noted that Scott Hall and Sean Waltman were not under contract so this is their shot. Hogan said they are all for life, but this was for real, so they had to prove themselves tonight. Hogan and Bischoff left. Hall said to Nash that he needs the contract tonight and he needs to make money. Waltman tried to talk Hall into giving him the match instead. Hall said he and Nash were advertised and it wasn't his shot tonight. Waltman convinced Hall to do rock, paper, scissors for the right to tag with Nash tonight. Waltman won.
Sean Morley vs. Daniels
Morley came out and flirted with Brooke Hogan and her friends. He took the mic as there was a small, "we want wrestling." Morley said he would premiere his first TNA Productions film tonight, a "full frontal production" featuring himself. He promised tonight would be the rise of Morley and the fall of a Fallen Angel.
Daniels came out and said that was his problem with Morley. He kicked the hell out of Morley three days ago and all Morley is talking about is films and sexual innuendos. He said this is TNA and it's wrestling. The fans popped. Daniels told the fans to shut up because he wasn't saying it for them, but for himself. He said that tonight, he was Morley's worst critic. He said he wasn't giving Morley a thumbs down but "this" and shoved a middle finger in his face.
Morley chased him out of the ring and when returning in the ring, Daniels cut him off and nailed a leg lariat. Morley came back with a clothesline and Daniels.retreated to the apron. Morley flipped him back in but Daniels landed on his feet and nailed a number of palm thrusts. Morley nailed a Russian legsweep for a two count. Morley began working over Daniels' ribs and mid-section. Daniels dropped Morley's face over the ropes and nailed a neckbreaker.
Daniels began choking Morley against the ropes, then snapped him backwards using the ropes. Daniels locked in a triangle choke but the referee broke it. Daniels continued to work over Morley's throat with chops and thrusts. The fans were chanting, "Keep on going." Morley began mounting a comeback but Daniels used another palm thrust.
Daniels pulled Morley to the ropes and scissored Morley's head to the ropes with his legs. Daniels then used the ropes for momentum to kick Morley in the face for a two count. Morley countered and began mounting a comeback with clotheslines and strikes. Morley picked up and Daniels and dropped him across the top rope. Morley hit a pumphandle sitdown powerbomb for a two count. He then nailed a butterfly suplex but missed a clothesline. Daniels nailed a STOP and locked in a Koji Clutch submission. Morley nearly tapped but rolled Daniels into a pinning combination for a two count.
By the way, the crowd is all over Brooke Hogan with chants.
Daniels nailed another STO for a two count. He went to the ropes for the BME but Morley rolled out of the way. Morley went after the ribs and nailed a half nelson slam. Morley went to the top rope for a splash but Daniels cut him off and nailed another palm strike to the throat. Daniels went for a top rope hurancanrana but was shoved off. Morley hits the Money Shot splash for the pin.
Your winner, Sean Morley!
Good match. The crowd hated Morley and some turned their back after the finish. They may have been better off having Morley lose to "prove himself" to the crowd by putting over Daniels, who went from an awesome main event last month to losing in the second match of a PPV by a guy the crowd wasn't buying as even being there yet.
They aired a video feature on ODB vs. Tara
TNA Knockouts champion ODB vs. Tara Best of Three Falls.
ODB grabbed at Tara and ripped out some hair extensions early Tara came back with some hard shots and a standing moonsault press for a two count. They began chopping at each other. ODB was nailed with a series of kicks to the body and head. ODB went down and Tara nailed a somersault legdrop into the ring for a two count. Tara was surprised she didn't get the first pin.
ODB missed a clothesline. Tara went for a high cross bodyblock but was caught and nailed with a Fall Away Slam. Tara caught her with a small package for the pin.
Tara 1, ODB 0.
ODB attacked Tara immediately. She grabbed Tara and ran her into the turnbuckles and used her leg to choke her against the buckles. ODB choked her against the ropes, using her weight to shove Tara's throat into the ropes. ODB charged into the corner but Tara nailed an elbow. Tara locked her in the Tarantula. ODB escaped and nailed a baseball sliding kick. Tara went to the floor. Tara was dropped face-first on the apron. ODB got in Brooke Hogan's face.
Back in the ring, ODB tossed Tara over the ropes. She covered Tara for a two count. ODB scissored Tara's mid-section with her legs. ODB used a roll around pin for a two count, holding the body scissors. ODB locked in a rear choke to add to the submission. The fans tried to rally Tara.
ODB pulled something out of her bra and discarded it. She slammed down Tara for a two count. She whipped Tara into the ropes but Tara avoided her and nailed the Widow's Peak for the three count.
Your winner and new TNA Knockouts champion, Tara!
Christy Hemme interviewed D'Angelo Dinero. He said he was told there was a party tonight and it must be because he's here and "Pope is pimping." Hemme asked him about his match with Desmond Wolfe. Dinero went into a great promo and said he was going to beat Wolfe like he did on 1/4. Really entertaining.
Nick Hogan and Joey Fatone are at ringside.
TNA Tag Team champions The British Invasion vs. Matt Morgan & Hernandez
Brutus Magnus was stalling early. He caught Morgan with a thumb to the eye. Hernandez tagged in. So did Doug Williams. Williams nailed a running knee in the corner and went for a suplex but Hernandez was too strong. Hernandez reversed but Williams landed on his feet. Hernandez backdropped him (bad bump) and hit a running splash into the corner.
Williams came back with a flying bodypress but was caught. Hernandez went for a powerbomb but Magnus clipped Hernandez' leg. Williams covered him for a two count. Williams worked him over with kicks in the corner. Hernandez kicked him off and pulled himself to the top rope. Williams nailed him and went for a superplex. Magnus nailed Morgan, then helped and they hit a double team superplex.
The Invasion worked over Hernandez with double team maneuvers. Magnus cinched in a side headlock. He locked in an abdominal stretch. The referee caught Doug Williams helping Magnus and kicked his arm. Hernandez hit a hiptoss and tagged in Morgan who cleaned house. Morgan nailed the elbows in the corner. Taz threw out a vintage line to mock Michael Cole.
Williams charged Morgan and was tossed over the top to the apron. He thumbed Morgan and came into the ring with a splash. Hernandez took him out but was attacked by Magnus. Morgan drilled Magnus with a clothesline and everyone was out. Williams rebounded off the ropes but was caught and chokeslammed by Morgan for a two count.
Magnus nailed Hernandez then kicked Morgan in the chest as Williams nailed a German suplex for a two count. Williams went to the top but Morgan shoved Magnus into him in the corner. He tossed Magnus out of the ring, then slammed Williams off the top. Hernandez nailed a shoulder. He powerbombed Magnus. Morgan hit the Carbon Footprint and scored the pin.
Your winners and new TNA Tag Team champions Hernandez and Matt Morgan!
Backstage, Bobby Lashley entered Eric Bischoff's office. Abyss was in there arguing with Bischoff about not getting to wrestle and attacked Lashley and destroyed him. Lashley was knocked out. Bischoff just screamed at Abyss for knocking out his opponent in "our semi-main event." Hogan walked in and asked what the hell is going on. Abyss apologized and said he was trying to protect Mr. Bischoff. Hogan told Abyss he was crazed and overwhelmed. Hogan promised Abyss was going to have his match tonight. Hogan told Abyss to leave all the hardcore stuff in the locker room and show him what Abyss was really made of, because he and everyone else has to make an impression tonight. Abyss promised he would. Abyss asked who his opponent would be and Hogan told him not to worry about it and he'd find out later. Hogan walked off and Abyss said to himself that he had to make an impression tonight.
They never went back to Lashley, so it seemed like they were writing him off.
Desmond Wolfe vs. D'Angelo Dinero
Wolfe came out with a hot brunette, who disrobed him of his pants while he posed like Rick Rude. Dinero kissed her as she left the ring and fans chanted "Pope is pimping." Dinero came out fast with several shots and a shoulderblock. Desmond charged into the corner and nailed a back elbow.
Dinero came back with a leg sweep. He charged for a splash out of the corner but Wolfe shoved him to the floor. Pope tied up Wolfe in the ropes. Dinero nailed a fistdrop off the rope for a two count. Dinero laid out Wolfe and then slid across his back, landing on the floor. Wolfe attacked him on the floor with elbows to the leg and back.
Wolfe started working over Dinero and cranked his neck as he snapmared him into the ropes several times. Wolfe locked in a single leg Boston Crab. Dinero finally made it to the ropes. Wolfe continued to work over his legs, scissoring them and tying them up in several different leglocks. Wolfe continued to control the bout with a ton of great mat wrestling and holds. He snapped Pope's hamstring in the ropes and dropkicked the knee.
Pope began chopping away but Wolfe took him out. Pope finally came back with a clothesline. He picked up Wolfe for a nice spike into a suplex. He covered Wolfe for a two but Wolfe got his foot on the rope. Wolfe draped Pope in the ropes, nailed his back and clobbered him down in the chest. Wolfe tied Pope around the ringpost and twisted him. Dinero tried to walk off all the damage.
Wolfe began arguing with the referee. He turned into Dinero, who caught him with a spinebuster. Dinero began selling the knee. Dinero came back with a series of rights. Wolfe went for a backslide but Dinero turned it around into a small package for a two count. Dinero came back with a head snap onto the mat, using the ropes for momentum for a two count. Wolfe went for the handstand in the corner but Pope caught him with a flapjack powerbomb for a two count.
Dinero teased the Elijah Experience but was caught with a lariat as he was charged and pinned.
Your winner, Desmond Wolfe!
From a technical standpoint, this was easily the best thing on the show so far. Lots of unique and innovative moves and submissions. Dinero did a great job as the babyface in peril and showed a lot of charisma as well. Wolfe may be the most well rounded guy in TNA. Great stuff.
Jeremy Borash was going to introduce someone for an interview. Eric Bischoff showed up and told him he was being taken off television until further notice as punishment for helping Mick Foley because Borash's "head wasn't in the game. The crowd HATED this. You usually hear nothing during the pre-tapes and you heard tons of boos. It came off like he was being written off, which would be insane if true. The dude is the modern day Gene Okerlund. Bischoff teased he might be used in catering or to drive the ring truck. Bischoff handed the mic to Christy Hemme. Hemme then interviewed Ric Flair. Flair said why he was in TNA was his business and did his usual Flair spiel and a Woo.
Beer Money vs. Kevin Nash & Sean Waltman
Kind of lame they advertised Scott Hall and then he doesn't wrestle, but probably better for the actual match. Robert Roode and Kevin Nash opened. Roode nailed several clotheslines but Nash wouldn't budge. Beer Money worked over Nash. James Storm nailed Waltman off the apron but was caught with a Nash clothesline.
Waltman tagged in and nailed a spinkick to Storm's face. Nash tagged back in and worked over Storm in the corner. Waltman whipped Storm into the corner and Nash hit a big boot. Waltman hit the bronco buster and the crowd crapped all over it. It's obvious the core TNA fans aren't accepting some of the new faces.
Nash hit a sideslam and covered Storm but Roode broke up the pin. Nash nailed Roode and he got knocked onto the ramp. Storm nailed a lungblower to Nash's chest. Waltman tagged in but Storm made the hot tag. Roode nailed several clotheslines on Waltman and backdropped him. Nash hit the ring but Roode met him with chops. Roode nailed Nash with a knee. Waltman charged but was caught by a Roode spinebuster. Nash broke up the pin.
Nash got nailed in the corner. Beer Money set up for DWI on Waltman. Scott Hall came down the ramp, distracting Beer Money. Nash clotheslined them. Nash chokeslammed Roode but Roode kicked up at two. Hall pulled a fan over the rail and attacked him. Waltman tried to stop him.
Nash went for a powerbomb on Roode. Storm superkicked Nash and Roode rolled through and scored Nash clean.
Your winners, Beer Money!
Nash was pissed at the others for getting pinned.
Backstage, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff were watching what happened. Hogan said he can't believe these guys are still pulling their crap. Bischoff said he had hopes for those guys but he's giving up. Hogan said on Impact he was calling them out. Hogan then referenced JFK, saying it was time not to show what TNA could do for Hulk Hogan, but what Hulk Hogan could do for TNA.
Abyss came out to the ring to face his opponent.
The lights went out and you heard "MISSSTEEEEEEEEEEER." Ken Anderson did his old WWE entrance, complete with the mic coming down. Cue WWE legal.
Anderson said, "Looks like I just crossed the line. You know folks, I've read your twitters, your Facebooks, your emails. I know you people missed me. Quite frankly, I missed myself. This next little part is for the history books, for VHS, for DVD, for Blu-Ray, for Youtube..."
He did his entire self-introduction with all the fans screaming along. He stopped at Kennedy...and then called himself "Mr. Anderson."
Abyss vs. Ken Anderson
Mr. Anderson slapped Abyss, who responded in kind. Anderson sat in the corner as Abyss warned him not to do that again. Anderson grabbed a headlock. He sent Anderson into the ropes for a back bodydrop but was kicked in the face. Anderson rolled out of the ropes to break the momentum. Fans were chanting for Anderson.
Abyss chopped a charging Anderson down. Abyss whipped him into the corner. Anderson kicked him off and went to the top. Abyss caught him on the top but Anderson dropped down and slammed Abyss' arm over the ropes. He continued the attack on Abyss' arm and shoulder, then clipped him from behind with a chop block.
Anderson worked over Abyss on the floor and wrapped his arm around the ringpost. Some fans began chanting, "Overated" as they battled outside. Anderson mocked them. He grabbed a chair but Abyss kicked it out of his hand. Abyss tossed him into the ring. On the apron, Anderson caught him and tossed Abyss into the ringpost. Anderson kept beating down Abyss. He tossed Abyss into the ringpost, shoulder-first.
Abyss whipped Anderson into the ropes and Anderson shoulderblocked Abyss' bad shoulder. He covered Abyss for a two count. Some fans were chanting for Abyss while a larger group were chanting "Boring." Anderson continued to work over the arm. Abyss escaped and went for the running charge in the corner, only to meet a boot to the face. Abyss nailed a boot of his own and then whipped Anderson into the corner.
Abyss hit his running charge into the corner. Abyss nailed a sideslam for a near fall. Abyss went for a chokeslam but Anderson avoided it. Abyss went for Shock Treatment and Anderson escaped and nailed a Hangman's neckbreaker (er, sort of?) for a two count. Anderson came off the ropes but was caught and chokeslammed for a two count.
Anderson went for a float over out of the corner but Abyss stopped short. Abyss nailed Shock Treatment but Anderson escaped the pinfall. Abyss went to the crowd and took a chair from a fan. Anderson went into his tights for brass knuckles. The referee took the chair from Abyss. Anderson nailed Abyss with the knucks and scored the pin.
Your winner, Mr. Anderson.Once the ring introduction was over, not a strong debut for Anderson. The match was slow and plodding and neither came out of this looking strong. Anderson really needed a kickass introduction and it may have been better to just have him show up and do his intro.
There were some fans turning their back on Anderson after the bout but not as many as Morley earlier. The Impact Zone fans are going to be loyal to their own.
TNA champion AJ Styles vs. Kurt Angle
They were missing the big-time Jeremy Borash intros here. By the time AJ hit the ring, they had 35-40 minutes of TV time left, which sounds awesome to me.
They went right into some counter-wrestling. The crowd was going nuts with the back and forth chants for both. They did some awesome stuff early including a fast exchange of near falls and counters before they faced off as AJ beckoned him to continue.
They did a test of strength with Angle getting the advantage early. AJ rolled through and grabbed control of it. AJ controlled the match, locking in a chinlock. Styles nailed Angle with several chops and nailed a backbreaker in the center of the ring. He cinched in another chinlock. Angle began nailing elbows to the midsection, but Styles nauled a running back elbow.
Angle went to the floor. Styles teased a plancha but Angle moved and Styles landed outside on the apron. Angle took Styles' legs out from him. He tossed Styles into the ring and covered him for a two count. Angle nailed a snap suplex on Styles for another near fall. He drilled Styles with a tiltowhirl backbreaker and covered him for another two count. Angle charged Styles so hard his own mouthpiece went flying.
Angle slammed Styles for a near fall. He locked on a chinlock and Styles used an elbow to break free. Styles came back with a series of punches and clotheslines. AJ kicked him with a boot and rebounded off the ropes but was caught with a release German suplex. Angle stomped Styles in the corner. Angle dropped Styles into a backbreaker and covered him for a two count. Angle planted his knee across Styles' back as he torqued Styles with a crossface. Styles made his way back to his feet. Angle ducked a Styles clothesline and they both went for high cross bodyblocks at the same time, crashing to the mat.
Ric Flair made his way towards the ring as Styles and Angle battled back and forth in the center of the ring. Angle charged Styles in the corner and was tossed over onto the apron. Styles nailed him to the floor, then hit a flip dive on the floor. Back in the ring, Angle charged Styles who caught him with a Fireman's Carry and dropped Angle across his knee. Styles hit a springboard forearm for a two count.
Styles called for the Styles Clash but Angle backfropped him and nailed a German suplex. Angle nailed a series of suplexes. Styles came back with the Pele Kick for a near fall. Angle escaped a charge in the corner and drilled Styles with a clothesline for a near fall.
Angle cinched in the ankle lock but Styles rolled out of it. Styles drilled Angle with a clothesline of his own. Styles worked over Angle in the corner with a series of punches. Angle dropped out and suplexed Styles into the corner. He went for a moonsault but Styles avoided it.
Styles grabbed Angle and went for the Styles Clash but it was reversed into an anklelock. Styles went for the ropes but was pulled to the back. Styles kicked him off and hit a crossbody for a two count. Styles draped Angle in a corner over where Ric Flair was. He attempted to pull Angle into a Styles Clash. They rolled off the ropes and Angle caught AJ with a Styles Clash of his own for a near fall.
Angle went for the Olympic Slam but Styles turned it into a DDT. Angle charges him in the corner but Styles sidesteps it and Angle nails it shoulder-first. Styles hit the Olympic Slam on Angle for a two count. Styles went to the top rope but Angle jumped up and nailed an Angleslam off the top rope. He covered Styles, who kicked up at the last moment.
Angle pulled down the straps and locked in the anklelock in the center. AJ almost got to the ropes but was pulled back to the center. Styles teased tapping but just as he was about to, Ric Flair pulled the referee out of the ring. Styles tapped but there was no one to see it. Angle was pissed and let it go. Angle chased Flair into the ring but is clotheslined by Styles. Flair throws Styles the TNA title belt and tells Styles to hit him. After wondering what to do, Styles finally nails him with the belt.
Flair tosses Hebner into the ring and Hebner counts Angle out.
Your winner and still TNA champion AJ Styles!
Flair and Styles celebrated with the belt. So, Styles is a heel managed by Flair.
They went off the air with highlights of the main event, followed by Flair and Styles strutting up the ramp.
2011 - Alex Shelley suffered a broken collarbone.
2011 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Little Rock, Arkansas and your announcers are Michael ‘Vintage I Have a Dream’ Cole and Jerry ‘Gennifer Flowers’ Lawler.
We begin with the annual footage of Martin Luther King, Junior’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.
John Cena’s music plays and he comes out to the ring and he is going to address the fans in Little Rock and on television all over the world. We see the footage of Nexus attacking John Cena three weeks ago and the revelation that CM Punk was in fact the leader of Nexus.
John Cena says that was three weeks ago and was last year. He says that this is the first time that he has been in a WWE ring in 2011 and he is ready. John says that he has his New Year’s Resolution. One, take care of the world’s most deranged psychopath, CM Punk. Two, find a copy of Reggie’s Prayer for later in the show. Three, win the Royal Rumble. Four, win the main event at Wrestlemania.
John Cena wants CM Punk to come out but instead, Michael Cole’s favorite person comes out and he is joined by his minion Alex Riley. Miz gives us a ‘really’ and says that Cena thinks that he is going to win the WWE Title at Wrestlemania. Miz says that nobody wants that because Cena is played out. Miz says that he is the most must see champion in WWE history. Since he became champion, Raw and the WWE have been more entertaining and exciting than they have been in years. Miz says that the odds state that John Cena is not going to win the Royal Rumble. Miz tells Cena and everyone else that there will be forty men in the Royal Rumble match so he wishes Cena luck. The winner can choose which champion they will face at Wrestlemania. Miz tells whoever wins the Royal Rumble, not to come after him.
Miz says that if that person comes after him, they will face the same fate as Randy Orton in their title match in two weeks. They will lose.
Cena applauds Miz’s comments and then does an Andre/Arnold hybrid. Cena says that he sounded like Ivan Drago in Rocky IV. Cena gives us the post match speech from the end of the movie. Cena says that if it wasn’t for Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler would be the WWE Champion. If it wasn’t for Alex Riley, Randy Orton would be the WWE Champion. Miz compares Cena and Riley to the Kardashians and The Jonas Brothers. Cena then goes for the poopy level. He says that the only thing he must see about the WWE Champion is see him actually have a match. Miz could have faced Randy Orton but he let his human Mogwai lose to Jerry Lawler. Cena congratulates Lawler for actually wanting to fight.
Miz tells Cena that he is so corny. He says that he is so sick of the label that Miz is afraid to fight because it is lame and generic, just like Cena. Miz says that he can fight with the best brawlers in WWE history. Everyone knows that is true. There is no doubt that he can outwrestle the greatest technicians in WWE history. Miz tells us that he is . . . going to finish that sentence when he beats Randy Orton.
Cena says that is the first thing that made sense from Miz. Cena says that he has seen Orton versus Cena at Wrestlemania and that is a title worthy match. He says that is Wrestlemania. Cena says that Miz will not make it past the Royal Rumble and he won’t make it to Wrestlemania. Cena says that if they have a difference of opinion, he must see Miz do something about that.
Music plays and the Nexus B Team comes out to the stage. Punk is joined by Harris, McGillicutty, and Otunga and he has something to say. Punk apologizes to the Miz for the interruption and says that he does not have to explain himself to the jerk known as John Cena. Punk points out that Miz is the WWE Champion and Cena is not. Punk says that John Cena will not be WWE Champion because there are forty participants in the Royal Rumble so the odds of him winning are lower than ever. Punk says that he is in the Royal Rumble match along with the rest of Newxus. He says that they have proven their toughness with last week’s initiation. Every member of the Newxus is going to be in the Royal Rumble to ensure that Punk wins the Royal Rumble. Punk says that he cannot and will not wait to see Cena take on those odds.
Harris, Otunga, and McGillicutty go to the ring and Cena is ready for them. Cena tries to fight all three men off and Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov come out and the Newxus leaves the ring.
Nexus B Team meet and then Punk asks if he is ready for these odds.
Before they get to the ring, the mood is destroyed by the dingy dingy from the General Messenger and Michael Cole climbs the podium of computers. He wonders what the odds of Punk beating Cena tonight if the Nexus members are barred from ringside. If any Nexus member is involved in the Punk/Cena match, they will be out of the Royal Rumble match.
We go to commercial.
Match Number One: Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov with Tamina versus The Usos for the WWE Tag Titles
Jey and Santino start things off and Santino with a hip toss and Irish whip. Jimmy distracts Santino and Jey hits a drop kick for a near fall. Jimmy tags in and they hit a double back elbow and they get a near fall. Jimmy with a boot and Jey tags back in and he punches and kicks Santino. Jey gets a near fall and he applies a reverse chin lock. Santino with an arm drag and he kicks Jey off the ropes and hits a monkey flip. Santino rolls to make the tag to Kozlov and Jimmy tags in and he sends Jimmy into the turnbuckles and follows it with a boot and head butt. Kozlov with a power slam but Jey breaks it up. Kozlov throws Jey to the floor but Jimmy with a thrust kick to the midsection but Kozlov with a head butt to the midsection. Santino tags in and he winds up for the cobra and he hits it and gets the three count.
Winners: Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov
Nexus Part Two are in the locker room and they are arguing until CM Punk enters. Punk looks at his followers and then he tells them to have faith.
John Morrison walks up to Daniel Bryan in the back but he is intercepted by the Bellas and they walk away as we go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: John Morrison defeating Sheamus last week on Raw.
Match Number Two: John Morrison versus Daniel Bryan with the Bellas
They lock up and Bryan with a waist lock and then he works on the arm. Morrison rolls through and he reverses with an arm wringer. Morrison with an arm bar. Bryan reverses with an overhead arm drag into a hammer lock. Morrison with an elbow but Bryan with a drop kick that sends Morrison to the floor. Bryan goes to the floor on a baseball slide but Morrison moves out of the way. They return to the ring and we go to commercial.
We are back and Morrison has Bryan in a chin lock but Bryan gets to his feet and he punches Morrison. Morrison with a kick and then he takes Bryan down. Morrison sets for the corkscrew split legged moonsault, but he takes way too long and he misses. Bryan with a kick to Morrison for a near fall. Bryan with an arm bar but Morrison gets to his feet. Both men try for a cross body and both men go down. Bryan with forearms and Morrison with punches. Bryan with kicks to the leg and then he kicks the arm. Morrison with a release German suplex but Morrison lands on his feet. Morrison with a rana but Bryan rolls through for a near fall. Morrison avoids a round kick and Bryan tries to apply the LaBell Lock but Morrison escapes and he catapults Bryan into the turnbuckles. Morrison with a springboard round kick and then he hits the Shining Wizard for the three count.
Winner: John Morrison
After the match, they shake hands. Then Sheamus’ music plays and he comes out with his robe and walking stick.
Sheamus says that Morrison must have thought a lot about himself. He says that before he got to Sheamus, Morrison was languishing in a pool of mediocrity. He says that he made Morrison and he can break him. He tells Bryan and Morrison that neither of them are in his league. Sheamus says that when he beats thirty-nine men at the Royal Rumble, he will prove himself. He says that the Royal Rumble is a match designed for a king. He says that he will eliminate Morrison and Bryan in the Royal Rumble.
We go to commercial with the Slam of the Week: Jerry Lawler and Randy Orton beat the Miz and Alex Riley last week.
We are back and the Stand Up for WWE campaign won two social media awards.
The Bellas are walking in the back and they are talking about John Morrison now that Daniel Bryan lost. Nikki and Brie talk about being Daniel’s first.
Since we are on Raw, what better place for the official consultant of Smackdown, Vickie Guerrero.
Vickie throws out a few ‘excuse mes’. She says that she is here to introduce the man who will beat Edge at the Royal Rumble. He will become the new World Heavyweight Champion.
Match Number Three: Randy Orton versus Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero in a Number One Contenders Challenge Match
They lock up and Ziggler backs Orton into the corner. Ziggler with a punch while the referee tries to separate them in the corner. Ziggler with kicks to Orton and then he punches Orton in the head and it staggers Orton. Orton with a Thesz Press and he punches Ziggler. Ziggler with an Irish whip but Orton comes out of the corner with a clothesline. Orton with a forearm across the chest and then he keeps Ziggler from getting to the floor. Orton with boots to Ziggler’s chest and then he catapults him into the bottom rope.
Orton gets a near fall on Ziggler. Orton applies a reverse chin lock on Ziggler. Ziggler gets to his feet and he hits a jaw breaker followed by a drop kick to the knee for a near fall. Ziggler with boots to the knee as he tries to limit Orton’s mobility. Ziggler uses the ropes to add more leverage as he continues to work on the leg. Ziggler slams Orton’s leg into the ring apron. Ziggler wrings Orton’s knee into the ring post. Ziggler returns to the ring and Orton with a kick and punch followed by a European uppercut. Orton with more punches in the corner and the referee warns him. Ziggler with a drop kick to Orton and he gets a near fall.
Ziggler returns to the knee but Orton with punches to get Ziggler to release the hold. Orton punches Ziggler and Ziggler returns fire. Orton with a European uppercut but Ziggler with a kick. Orton with a back breaker but he cannot capitalize on the situation. Vickie tells Dolph to finish Orton. Ziggler tries for a splash into the corner but Ziggler hits the ring post when Orton moves. Orton with clotheslines followed by a power slam. Ziggler rolls to the apron again to stop Orton. Orton with a kick to Ziggler and he sets for the IEDDT but Ziggler gets into the ring and he hits Orton behind the knee. Ziggler with a Fameasser for a near fall.
Orton with another European uppercut and then he tries for the Olympic Slam but Ziggler escapes it and he tries to lock in the sleeper. Ziggler gets on Orton’s back to prevent Orton from escaping the hold. Orton gets to the ropes. Ziggler tries for the Zig Zag but Orton holds on to the ropes. Orton is able to counter the Zig Zag with an RKO for the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton
After the match, Alex Riley and Miz attack Randy Orton. They pick up Orton and Orton with a kick to both men but Miz sends Orton into the ring steps. Miz decides to rearrange the announce table but Jerry Lawler protects Orton. Riley tries to stop Lawler but Lawler punches him. Miz sends Lawler over the ringside barrier into the crowd. Miz sends Orton into the announce table. Miz runs Orton’s back into the ring post. Miz and Riley send Orton through the ringside barrier that separates the ring announcer and ring bell.
Miz tells Orton that he is the Miz . . . and he is awesome.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that a lot of people who buy WWE Magazine do it at Wal-Mart.
We have a Moments Ago Moment of Randy Orton’s victory over Dolph Ziggler and the post match beat down by Miz with an assist from Alex Riley.
CM Punk is with the Newxus and he keeps saying faith. He says that you need humility to have faith. You need to bow before the temptation of the bloodthirsty. The soul must be sanctified. Millions of voices of the undead will ring out in the heart and soul of the manbeast.
Eve Torres and Melina join Michael Cole at the announce table for our next match.
Maryse versus Natalya in a Non Title Match
Maryse with a slap but Natalya with a double leg take down and she tries for the sharpshooter but Maryse makes it to the ropes. Maryse with a take down for a near fall. Maryse slams Natalya’s head into the mat and then applies a rear chin lock. Natalya gets Maryse on her back and runs her into the turnbuckles. Maryse with a slap but Natalya with a kick. Natalya with a discus clothesline and she puts Maryse in the Sharpshooter and Maryse taps out.
Winner: Natalya
After the match, Maryse walks over to the announce table and Eve pushes her. Maryse yells at Cole and then Ted DiBiase shows up and Maryse yells at her again. Maryse calls Ted a loser and Ted gets the mic and says that Maryse doesn’t think he can win the Royal Rumble. Ted says that he will thrown anyone over the top rope right now.
Ted makes a challenge to anyone on the Raw roster.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Ted DiBiase says that no one has accepted his challenge because they know they can’t beat him.
Mark Henry comes to the ring.
Match Number Five: Mark Henry versus Ted DiBiase in an Over the Top Rope Royal Rumble Preview
Ted with a punch but Henry with an Irish whip and splash into the corner. Ted with a drop kick but he runs into an elbow from Henry and Henry throws him over the top rope to the floor.
William Regal, Tyson Kidd, and Yoshi Tatsu come to the ring. So does Zack Ryder, R Truth, Darren Young, David Hart Smith, and Primo. They fight in the ring in a preview of the Royal Rumble. Truth throws Regal over the top rope to the floor. Primo punches Kidd and then Primo clotheslines Primo over the top rope and both go to the floor. Sheamus comes from behind and he clips Mark Henry while he presses Ryder over his head. Sheamus sends Ryder and a few others over the top rope. Henry sends Sheamus over the top rope to the apron. Henry throws Sheamus over the top rope to the floor.
It is time for Alberto Del Rio to make his way into Raw as he drives his way to this week’s Smackdown.
Alberto reminds us who he is. He says that it is his destiny to win the biggest Royal Rumble in history. It is his destiny to be a champion at Wrestlemania. It is his destiny to be the greatest of the great.
Mark Henry wants Del Rio to come to the ring but Del Rio does not oblige Henry.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Derrick Bateman talks about a new cologne called ‘World’s Strongest Man” because it comes from Mark Henry. The warning talks about the side effects.
Cole says something about Lawler sticking his nose in Orton’s business again and he wants to punch Cole but Cole says that he can’t.
It is time for the annual ‘Royal Rumble by the Numbers’ video package.
It is time to run through the card for the Royal Rumble.
Michael Cole tells us that we have a main event for next week thanks to the General Blackberry Messenger. Miz will face Edge in a Champion versus Champion match
John Cena walks in the back as we go to commercial for the main event.
We see the highlights from last week when the people who decided to join the Nexus B Team passed their initiations.
Match Number Six: CM Punk versus John Cena
They get face to face before doing anything. Punk and Cena have words before the punches start flying. Cena with an Irish whip and bulldog. Cena with punches as Punk tries to get away. Cena sends Punk into the turnbuckles and then he punches Punk. Cena with a hard Irish whip. Cena with a forearm to the back of the head and then he punches Punk in the midsection and head. Cena gets a near fall. Punk with a kick to the chest and then he hits a baseball slide that sends Cena to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Punk has Cena in a figure four head scissors and he connects with a series of elbows to the head. Punk gets a near fall. Cena gets out of the hold but Punk takes Cena back to the mat and gets a near fall. Punk with kicks to the back and to the head and he gets another near fall. Punk returns to the figure four head scissors. Cena escapes but Punk kicks Cena away. Cena with two flying shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb and it is time to finish the Legendary sequence with the five knuckle shuffle. Cena gets Punk up for the Attitude Adjustment but Punk gets out of the hold and hits a leg lariat for a near fall.
Punk sets for the running knee into the corner and he hits it followed by the bulldog and he gets a near fall. Punk signals that it is time for the Go To Sleep but Cena counters and takes Punk to the mat with a modified dragon screw leg whip and he puts Punk in the STF and Punk gets to the ropes.
Punk and Cena each hit clotheslines and they go down again. They get to their feet at eight and Cena gets Punk up for the Attitude Adjustment but Punk was close enough to the ropes to get to the apron. Punk with a kick to Cena and then he hits a springboard clothesline for a near fall.
Punk with kicks and forearms to Cena but Cena gets Punk on his shoulders. Punk gets to his feet and Punk with a Flatline and a Koji Clutch. Cena tries to roll over to get Punk on his shoulders. Then Cena tries to get to his feet, but he cannot. Cena gets to the ropes and Punk has to release the hold. Cena rolls to the apron to recover. Punk with a limping boot to the head and Cena goes to the floor.
Punk with a pescado but Cena catches Punk and he sends Punk back first into the ring post. Punk is back in the ring and Cena makes his way back to the ring. He goes up top but Punk punches Cena and he kicks Cena in the chest. Punk with a head butt and then he tries for a superplex but Cena uses his Kryptonian powers to send Punk to the mat with a head butt. Cena sets for the Rocker Dropper and he hits it but Punk kicks out at two.
A man gets on the apron and distracts John Cena. Punk with a kick to the head. Punk smiles at this man (Mason Ryan) and he appears to be happy that he is on Raw. Punk holds his arms out for this man but he gives Punk a boot to the head.
Winner: CM Punk by disqualification
Ryan gives Cena a spinebuster. The members of Nexus Version 2.0 come out to protect their leader. Punk tells them that it is okay. Ryan gets down on his knee to accept the arm band.
We go to credits.
2012 - Evan Bourne, who had just returned from a WWE suspension, is suspended again for a second violation of the WWE Wellness Policy. On Twitter, he commented, "Sorry y'all. Sometimes we become our own worst enemy." B Bourne has yet to return to a WWE ring as he was injured in a car accident while suspended.
2012 - Tommy Dreamer ended his TheTommyDreamerTV Youtube series with a cliffhanger where he was shot. To this day, no word whether he lived or died.
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