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February 16th
On this day in history in ....
1971 - Jack & Jerry Brisco defeat The Infernos in Tampa, Florida to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Title.
1981 - WWF ran at Madison Square Garden in New York City with the following results:
- Killer Khan defeated Dominic DeNucci.
- The Great Yatsu defeated Johnny Rodz.
- Hulk Hogan defeated Rick McGraw.
- The Hangman defeated Frank Savage.
- S.D. Jones defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales defeated Sgt. Slaughter via DQ when the referee caught Slaughter using a pair of brass knuckles.
- WWF World Champion Bob Backlund vs. Stan Hansen was ruled a draw when the referee decided that both men were bleeding too heavily to continue. They kept brawling anyway, until security separated them.
- Rick Martel, Tony Garea & Pat Patterson defeated The Moondogs & Captain Lou Albano in a three falls match.
1985 - Bruno Sammartino ended his retirement, which had lasted for over three years, at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, teaming with his son David to defeat Paul Orndorff & Bobby Heenan when Orndroff hit Sammartino with a chair as Bruno had Heenan in a bearhug.
1987 - At a WWF television taping in New Haven, Connecticut, Rick Martel, Tom Zenk & Lanny Poffo defeated Adrian Adonis, Brutus Beefcake & Greg Valentine. Adonis, who had been cutting locks of his opponents hair in building towards his Wrestlemania III Hair Vs. Hair match with Roddy Piper, went to cut Martel's hair as he was worked over in the corner by Beefcake. However, as Adonis reached for his scissors, Martel grabbed Beefcake and reversed positions with him. Adonis turned, and not realizing the switch, cut off some of Beefcake's hair. Adonis soon realized his mistake, and as he and Beefcake argued, Martel rolled up Beefcake for the pin. This was the first step towards the creation of Beefcake's "Barber" persona.
1989 - During a television taping in Hershey, Pennsylvania, WWF taped Saturday Night's Main Event, which would air on March 11th on NBC, earning a 10.0 rating and helping to set up Wrestlemania V. One of the big angles coming out of the show was the announcement that Miss Elizabeth would not be in the corner of Randy Savage or Hulk Hogan for the main event of Wrestlemania, and that she would instead be in a "neutral" corner for the match. Here are the results from the show:
- Brutus Beefcake defeated Rick Rude via DQ when Andre The Giant interfered. This led to a brawl with Jake Roberts getting involved, going after Andre. Big John Studd came out and had a staredown with Andre, allowing Roberts to use his snake, Damien, to scare off Andre.
- Hulk Hogan, with Miss Elizabeth in his corner, defeated Bad News Brown with a legdrop.
- Ted DiBiase made the first defense of his Million Dollar Belt, defeating The Blue Blazer (Owen Hart) with a powerslam as Blazer attempted a flying bodypress.
- Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty vs. Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderson ended in a double countout.
- Red Rooster defeated The Brooklyn Brawler with a small package.
1997 - WWF held their "Final Four" Pay-per-view in Chattanooga, Tennessee at the UTC Arena. This show took on new meaning three days earlier, when Shawn Michaels vacated the WWF World Heavyweight Title due to a knee injury and "losing his smile". As a result, the main event became a "Final Four" match to determine a new WWF World Heavyweight Champion. Here are results from the show:
- The Godwinns defeated The Headbangers. This match aired on the "Free-For-All" pre-show.
- Marc Mero defeated Leif Cassidy (Al Snow) with the Wild Thing (Shooting Star Press).
- Faarooq, Crush & Savio Vega defeated Bart Gunn, Flash Funk & Goldust when Bart was pinned after a legdrop by Crush.
- Intercontinental Champion Rocky Maivia defeated Hunter Hearst Helmsley with a German suplex after Goldust distracted HHH.
- Doug Furnas & Phil Lafon defeated World Tag Team Champions Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith via disqualification when Owen hit LaFon with his Slammy award.
- Bret Hart defeated Steve Austin, Vader and The Undertaker to win the vacant WWF World Heavyweight Title in a "Final Four" elimination match. This marked the beginning of Hart's fourth (and as it turns out, shortest, since he would lose it the next night to Sid Vicious) title reign.
* Hart eliminated Austin by throwing him over the top rope to the floor.
* Undertaker eliminated Vader by throwing him over the top rope to the floor.
* Hart eliminated Undertaker by throwing him over the top rope to the floor.
1999 - During an edition of Raw from Chattanooga, Tennessee, The Undertaker defeated Kane in an Inferno match when Kane's boot caught on fire. After the match, Undertaker burned a toy bear in front of Vince McMahon, and McMahon broke down in tears. The storyline was that it was Stephanie McMahon's childhood toy, and proved to Vince that Undertaker had been in McMahon's home (start of what would become the "Higher Power" storyline, where it would eventually be revealed that McMahon was the Higher Power and had given the bear to Undertaker). Also on this show, The Public Enemy made their WWF television debut, defeating Edge & Gangrel via DQ, then becoming the victims of a Brood "bloodbath".
2002 - The Bruiser defeats Orlando Jordan in Harrington, Delaware to win the Maryland Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title for the fifth and final time.
2002 - Tadao Yasuda defeats Yuji Nagata to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Title in a tournament final. The belt had been vacated in December 2001 when champion Kazuyuki Fujita was injured.
2004 - At an edition of Raw from Bakersfield, California, Booker T & Rob Van Dam defeated Ric Flair & Batista to win the World Tag Team Title when Booker pinned Flair after Van Dam gave Flair the Five Star Frog Splash while Flair had Booker in the Figure Four. Batista and Randy Orton (at ringside with Flair & Batista) were brawling with Mick Foley on the floor during the finish. Also on this show, Steve Austin, the "Sheriff" of the company, settled the Wrestlemania XX World Title controversy by announcing that Triple H would defend the title against Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels in a Triple Threat match at the PPV.
2010 - WWE's version of Extreme Championship Wrestling comes to an end with a broadcast on SyFy from Kansas City, Missouri that sees Ezekiel Jackson defeat Christian to become the final ECW Champion before the title is retired. Here is Richard Trionfo's original report from the show:
Tonight is the end of an era that was created out of the restart of an era that was established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania back in the 1990s to see its first ‘death’ in the ECW hotbed of Arkansas.
We are live on tape from Kansas City, Missouri and your announcers are Josh ‘Who’s NXT’ Mathews and Byron ‘When I think ECW, I think Kansas City’ Saxton.
Josh talks about NXT and Byron says that we will see the cast for NXT. The 8 pros and 8 rookies who will be on the show.
We see footage of the win by The Miz and Big Show eight days ago on Raw.
Match Number One: The Shiz (Big Show and The Miz) versus Goldust and Yoshi Tatsu for the Unified Tag Titles
The Miz and Goldust start things off and they lock up with Miz putting Goldust in the corner and he gets pushed to the mat by Goldust. Goldust with a side head lock and shoulder tackle or two for a near fall. Goldust with a punch followed by a reverse atomic drop and catapult into a forearm from Yoshi and a senton splash for a near fall. Yoshi with a cross body or two but Miz throws Yoshi to the floor. Yoshi with a rollup and chops. Goldust tags back in and he hits the flying butt bump and gets a near fall. Miz goes to the floor and Goldust chases him. Show makes the tag when they return to the ring and Show with a head butt to the back of Goldust’s head and then Miz with an elbow to add insult to injury. We go to commercial.
We are back and Miz avoids an enzuigiri from Goldust but Goldust kicks him away. Show and Yoshi tag in and Yoshi with kicks to Show but Show with a chop to Yoshi and a second one that sends Yoshi to the mat. Show walks across Yoshi’s chest followed by a head butt. Miz tags in and he taunts Yoshi before choking him again. Miz with a reverse chin lock and then he runs Yoshi into the turnbuckles. Show tags in and Show sends Miz into Yoshi with a shoulder. Show with a chin lock on Yoshi and Yoshi fights to escape before Show releases the hold. Miz is tagged back in and Show Irish whips Miz into Yoshi and Miz with the turnbuckle clothesline for a near fall. Yoshi with a roaring elbow and both men are down. Yoshi tries to make the tag to Goldust but Miz grabs the leg but he still makes the tag. Goldust with clotheslines and a drop down uppercut. Goldust with a reverse atomic drop followed by a bulldog. Goldust with a power slam for a near fall but Show climbs over the ropes and he sends Yoshi over the top rope. Show punches Goldust on the turnbuckles and Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale for the three count.
Winners: Big Show and The Miz
Josh and Byron talk about NXT some more and we see some of the combinations: Chris Jericho will be mentoring Wade Barrett. Matt Hardy will be mentoring Justin Gabriel. We will find out the other six combinations later.
Tiffany is ready to address ECW for a final time and she has sobered up. She says that as an era ends, another one begins. She talks about the NXT concept and she is interrupted by Zack Ryder. Zack suggests that he be in the final match of ECW since he is the heart and soul of ECW. Tiffany says that Zack doesn’t deserve to be in the match because he lost. Zack says that match was on Superstars. After Rosa says something in Spanish, Tiffany still says no regardless of the language the argument is made. Zack then says that since it is Extreme Rules, he can do whatever he wants.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that NXT debuts next week.
The next pairing is MVP and Skip Sheffield.
Since the ship is going down, what better way to send it to its grave than the Abraham Washington Show. This time they are in the ring. Abe welcomes everyone to the show and Tony laughs a lot. Abe forgets what side of Missouri he is in because he says that they are in St. Louis. Abe reminds us that this is the last show and there is a silver lining because Abraham Washington will be a free agent and he says that means that he will be rich. Abe says that Raw and Smackdown will have to open the big bank to bring him to their shows. He says that he is a bigger free agent than Lebron James. Abe talks about NXT and then he brings out his final guest. Abe brings out ‘the biggest star in the company’ and Vince McMahon said that he would do anything for him. Abe stands on the couch and brings out himself as the guest.
Before Abe can ask himself the first question, Shelton Benjamin comes out and he is not in the best of moods. Abe tells Shelton to leave but Shelton tells Abe to check his tone. He says that this show is unwatchable when there is a guest, so who would want to watch when Abe is his own guest. Shelton says that since this is the last night of ECW, everybody is a free agent. Shelton says that he is going to take his experience in ECW . . .
To be interrupted by Vance Archer. Abe stands between Shelton and Vance. Vance says that Shelton’s future better not put him on the same show because Shelton won’t have a future.
Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft come out and they call this boring and Trent says that nobody cares about what show Vance or Shelton will be. People only care where they are going to be.
Vladimir Kozlov comes to the ring and he announces something in Russian. Archer pushes Kozlov but Kozlov takes care of him and then Barreta and Croft. Kozlov and Benjamin stare each other down and then they shake hands.
The next pairing is Carlito and Michael Tarver.
We go to commercial.
We are back and the Miz will be mentoring Daniel Bryan.
It is time for the Elimination Chamber Match video that we saw debut last night.
We run through the card for the Elimination Chamber.
We see another pairing and it is Christian mentoring Heath Slater.
Christian gets on the mic before the match and he says that it was a year ago he debuted on ECW. A lot of people said that he should have made a bigger impact and ECW was a demotion. Christian says that he has been doing this for 15 years and this feels like home. He was given the ball and the chance to run it. He was given the chance to face Tommy Dreamer, mentor up and coming superstars like Yoshi Tatsu. He says that he did most of it as the ECW Champion. He points out that he is the longest reigning current champion. He is fighting for everyone who wanted to make these three letters mean something. He is fighting for everyone in the back. He says that ECW goes away forever tonight but he will always be proud to be part of something great. He will be proud to be known as the last champion in ECW history.
We go to commercial.
We are back and the next set are CM Punk who will be mentoring Darren Young.
Match Number Two: Christian with Son of New Jack’s Buggy versus Ezekiel Jackson with William Regal in an Extreme Rules Match for the ECW Title
They lock up and Zeke sends Christian forcefully to the mat. They lock up again and Zeke with a knee to the midsection followed by a punch. Jackson misses a clothesline and elbow and Christian with a punch and then he sends Jackson to the floor. Jackson pulls Christian to the floor and he connects with forearms before returning to the ring. Jackson throws weapons into the ring and Christian punches Jackson on the apron and then he hits Zeke’s hand with a kendo stick.
From out of nowhere, Zack Ryder comes to the ring and he hits Christian from behind. Christian with a flapjack onto the trash can and then he throws Zack out of the ring. Rose Mendes comes out and she slaps Christian. Tiffany runs to the ring and spears Rosa and removes her from the ring. We go to commercial.
We are back and Jackson with a back elbow and forearm to the back. Jackson with an Irish whip but Christian with an elbow and then he goes up top but Jackson pushes Christian to the floor. Jackson moves the ring steps and he slams Christian’s head into the steps. Jackson wants to use the trash can but Christian moves his head from the steps. Christian with a drop kick from the stairs into the trash can in front of Jackson’s face. Jackson sends Christian into the steps and then he throws Christian’s weapons into the ring and he runs the shopping cart at Christian but Christian moves. Jackson sends Christian into the shopping cart and then he rolls Christian into the ring and gets a near fall. Jackson has the trash can lid but misses and Christian hits the pendulum kick into the lid and then he hits a cross body from the top for a near fall. Christian grabs the trash can but Jackson with a body block and a near fall. Regal tells Jackson to get a table but Christian with a baseball slide into the table and Jackson and Regal are down. Christian sends the table into the ring and then he rolls Jackson in and gets a near fall. Jackson drops Christian on the table and gets a near fall. Jackson with a forearm to Christian and then he puts Christian on the turnbuckles. Jackson goes to set up the table and Christian waits on the turnbuckles for Jackson to set up for a superplex but Christian blocks it. Jackson avoids a tornado DDT through the table. Christian hits Jackson with the kendo stick and then he chases Regal away. Christian limps back into the ring and he hits Jackson in the leg with the kendo stick. Christian with a back elbow from the turnbuckles. Regal hits Christian from behind but Christian with a Killswitch to Regal. Jackson hits the uranage through the table and gets the three count.
Winner: Ezekiel Jackson
Before we go off the air, we see Ezekiel Jackson celebrate in the ring with William Regal.
It is time for the final pairing and it is R Truth mentoring David Otunga.
Turn out the lights on ECW.
2012 - WWE issued the following just seconds ago:
WrestleMania(R) to Hit New York/New Jersey Region and MetLife Stadium
Week-long Festivities to Feature WWE(R) Superstars and WWE's Biggest Event of the Year at Home of New York Jets and New York Football Giants
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Feb 16, 2012 -- New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and WWE WWE announced today that its annual pop culture extravaganza, WrestleMania XXIX, will come to MetLife Stadium on Sunday, April 7, 2013 with events throughout the New York/New Jersey region.
Governor Christie was joined by WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, New York Football Giants President and CEO John Mara, New York Jets Chairman and CEO Woody Johnson, NYC & Company CEO, George Fertitta and WWE's Senior Vice President of Special Events John Saboor to make the announcement at a press conference held earlier today. WWE Superstars John Cena(R), Triple H(R), Sheamus(R), Mark Henry(R), Brie and Nikki Bella(TM) and special guest Dwayne "The Rock(R)" Johnson were also on hand at MetLife Stadium for the historic announcement.
"We are excited to be hosting WrestleMania XXIX in the great state of New Jersey," said Governor Chris Christie. "Having WWE's preeminent international event here will strengthen both the regional and local economies and continue to showcase MetLife Stadium as a world-class venue for sports and entertainment. Fans will travel from around the world to enjoy and participate in the WWE's biggest event of the year."
A week-long celebration, WrestleMania has generated more than $200 million in cumulative economic impact for its past four host regions. The 2013 event will mark WrestleMania's fifth trip to the metropolitan area with past visits in 1985, 1986, 1994, and 2004.
"WWE would like to thank Governor Christie, the New York Jets, the New York Giants and NYC & Company for rolling out the red carpet to host WWE's biggest event of the year," said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman and CEO. "We look forward to making history and adding MetLife Stadium to the list of iconic venues that have hosted WrestleMania."
"When WrestleMania comes to town, related activities will occur throughout the New York and New Jersey area, but we are looking forward to hosting the main event," said New York Jets Chairman and CEO, Woody Johnson. "We are confident that both the Superstars and fans of WWE will feel at home in MetLife Stadium."
"WrestleMania has long been considered one of the most successful sports entertainment events in the world," said John Mara, President and CEO of the New York Giants. "We are thrilled to welcome the highly-anticipated 29th installment to MetLife Stadium."
WrestleMania Week activities will occur throughout the New York/New Jersey region including: the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony; WrestleMania Axxess, WWE's interactive fan festival; Make-A-Wish Pizza Party hosted by John Cena; Monday Night Raw; the finals of the WrestleMania Reading Challenge and other community-based events.
"NYC & Company looks forward to partnering with New Jersey on another world-class event in the tri-state area," said NYC & Company CEO, George Fertitta. "We invite all WWE fans to visit New York City for its unparalleled shopping, dining, cultural and entertainment options across the five boroughs that will surely make WrestleMania Week an unforgettable experience."
The pay-per-view event will be televised in more than 100 countries and 30 languages. In 2011, a sold-out crowd of 71,617 fans from all 50 states and 30 countries converged on the Georgia Dome for WrestleMania XXVII. This year WrestleMania XXVIII takes place Sunday, April 1 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, FL. The main event will feature the highly-anticipated match between John Cena and The Rock.
About WWE
WWE, Inc., a publicly traded company WWE +0.52% , is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly US PG rated content across all of its platforms, including television programming, pay-per-view, digital media, publishing and studios. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages, reaching more than 500 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo and Mexico City. Additional information on WWE WWE +0.52% can be found at corporate.wwe.com.
About MetLife Stadium
MetLife Stadium, home to the New York Jets and New York Football Giants, sets the standard for venue excellence, with state-of-the-art technology, comfort and amenities. The only active venue to serve as the home stadium for two NFL teams, MetLife Stadium hosts 20 NFL games per season, more than any other Stadium. With a full, game-day seating capacity of 82,500, MetLife Stadium is the largest stadium in the National Football League. It boasts numerous dining options and a rail line that drops guests directly at the front door. During its inaugural year in 2010, MetLife Stadium was selected to host Super Bowl XLVIII and in 2014, the venue will become history's first open-air venue in a cold-weather region to hold football's biggest game.
In 2011, MetLife Stadium was ranked No. 1 for safety by Security magazine's "Security 500" in the Arenas/Stadiums/Leagues/ Entertainment division, and for the second consecutive year was cited by Billboard magazine as the highest-grossing stadium in North America. For more information, visit www.metlifestadium.com .
About NYC & Company
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For more information, visit nycgo.com.
About New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority
The New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority manages the MetLife Sports Complex property in East Rutherford, NJ consisting of the IZOD Center, the Meadowlands Racetrack, and MetLife Stadium. The Authority operates the IZOD Center, one of North America's top entertainment venues, provides substantial services to MetLife Stadium, and leases the Meadowlands Racetrack to a private operator. In addition, the Sports Authority owns and operates Monmouth Park Racetrack, Woodbridge Off-Track Wagering, 4 NJ Bets Account Wagering, and oversees the Wildwoods Convention Center. The NJSEA constructed the Atlantic City Convention Center, state Aquarium in Camden, athletic facilities at Rutgers the State University, and renovated the historic Boardwalk Hall.
Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; the need for continually developing creative and entertaining programming; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent McMahon; the conditions of the markets in which we compete and acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; our exposure to bad debt risk; uncertainties relating to regulatory and litigation matters; risks resulting from the highly competitive nature of our markets; uncertainties associated with international markets; the importance of protecting our intellectual property and complying with the intellectual property rights of others; risks associated with producing and travelling to and from our large live events, both domestically and internationally; the risk of accidents or injuries during our physically demanding events; risks relating to our film business and any new business initiative which we may undertake; risks relating to the large number of shares of common stock controlled by members of the McMahon family and the possibility of the sale of their stock by the McMahons or the perception of the possibility of such sales; the relatively small public float of our stock; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition, our dividend is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends, general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant.
2012 - TNA broadcast Impact. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the Impact Wrestling Report here on PWInsider.com!
We open the show with a look back at this weekend's Against All Odds PPV...beginning, of course, with Garett Bischoff vs Gunner before moving on to the main event. Roode and Hardy give their comments, with Hardy saying he wants Roode in a No DQ match, and then we're off to the arena to kick off tonight's show with an in-ring promo with Roode. He thanks everyone for their warm reaction, and asks Christy Hemme to introduce him a second time so he can soak in the deafening cheers. He asks how many people in the building thought he wouldn't walk out of Against All Odds with the title, but then says screw you because he's still the champion. It was sweet for Sting to have to raise his hand, but even though Sting's been trying to screw him, he can't get the job done. Sting's been pointing the finger of blame at Roode for months, but he needs to point the finger at himself because he made it possible for him to retain on Sunday.
Sting and his gloves come out to have a word with Roode, and he admits that he let his anger affect him so much that it affected the outcome of the match, but he's going to make it right for Jeff Hardy. Since Roode is a fighting champion who takes on every challenge, he's going to defend against Jeff Hardy tonight with no time limit and no DQ. Okay, so three months in a row now they repeat the PPV main event (or at least some form of it) on the very next Impact. Oh, and one other thing: that match starts right after the break!
The guy from the Giants is in the front row, and now it's time for our monthly PPV main event rematch!
World Title Match: Robert Roode vs Jeff Hardy
No time for introductions as Hardy goes right after Roode and destroys him with a flurry of moves. He hits the double legdrop to the uprights and then a running forearm in the corner, but Roode quickly recovers and hits the inverted F5. Roode charges and gets backdropped to the floor, then Hardy dropkicks him through the ropes and slingshots over the top rope to wipe Roode out on the floor. Hardy gets a chair and rams it into Roode's midsection before bashing Roode over the back with it. Hardy rams Roode into the guardrail and then takes him the other way and smashes his face into the ring apron, the steel steps, and then suplexes him on the floor. Hardy is just destroying Roode, springboarding off the steps to lay Roode out on the floor before smashing another chair over his back. Roode goes into the guardrail again, back into the ring apron, and into the ring apron yet again. Roode is in a really, really bad way as Hardy asks the fans where he should throw him next. The distraction gave Roode an opening and started firing back at Hardy, but Hardy reverses a whip and Roode crashes into the steps yet again. Hardy drags the steps away from the ring and comes off of them to hit Poetry In Motion against the guardrail as we go to commercial.
We're back and Hardy hits a gourdbuster right in the middle of the ring and makes a cover, but Roode is out at 2. Hardy goes up for the Whisper In The Wind, but Roode shoves the referee into the ropes, causing Hardy to crotch himself on the top rope, and Roode skee balls Hardy under the bottom rope and out to the floor. Roode goes out after him and now it's Roode's turn to dish out punishment as he starts ramming Hardy into the guardrail. Roode sets for a piledriver on the ramp, but hesitates too long and Hardy backdrops him onto the ramp with an audible thud. It's back to Hardy in control as he drops a leg across the back of Roode's neck, almost giving him a Fameasser on the ramp. They fight their way all the way up to the top of the ramp where Hardy launches Roode off the stage and onto the concrete floor below. Hardy follows him off with a running dive and then whips Roode into the back side of the guardrail. He tries for the Twist of Fate, Roode shoves him off and he smashes hard into the stage, but Hardy dodges a charge and Roode crashes into the stage and goes down yet again. Hardy rams Roode face first into the ramp and then drags him back down to the ring and rolls Roode back inside. Hardy pulls his shirt off and appears ready to put Roode away when Kurt Angle comes running down to the ring and blindsides Hardy with a shot from behind, then rams him into the steps and rolls him inside. Roode quickly hits a spear and covers Hardy for the 3.
Winner: Robert Roode
Angle stares back at Roode as the champion clutches his precious title and we go to commercial.
We go to Roode backstage saying the It Factor prevails again,and Sting keeps stacking the deck, but he keeps outsmarting him. Sting busts in on Roode's promo and says that he cheated the system again, so he's not done yet and that means Roode isn't done yet. He's going to defend the title again, and he's got two more guys who want a title shot and he's going to have a #1 contender's match tonight to see who gets Roode tonight.
Eric Young is backstage with a guitar and he forgot to get ODB a Valentine's Day present, so even though he lost his driver's license and he had to walk three hours to play Backgammon with his blind mom, he wrote a song for ODB and we get to hear it tonight.
Sting is backstage telling James Storm and Bully Ray that they're all pissed off, they both got cheated last time they were in the ring with Roode, so maybe they ought to wrestle tonight. Bully Ray says this match shouldn't be happening because he should be the champion right now, but Storm says he's the #1 contender and he'll prove that tonight.
We go to a video package looking back at the unfortunate injury suffered by Jesse Sorensen at Against All Odds, as well as an update on his condition of his neck injury. They did mention that he's doing much better, and as we heard earlier in the week, he's already been released from the hospital, which is great news.
X Division Champion Austin Aries & Zema Ion vs Alex Shelley & Shannon Moore
Aries is obviously the captain of his team, ordering Ion out to the ring apron as he goes at it with Moore. Aries takes him down with a side headlock, Moore escapes with a headscissors, but Moore obviously has never seen Aries wrestle because he's caught completely unaware by the kickout and dropkick to the face. Ion tags in and he goes at it with Moore, but he quickly winds up in the wrong part of town and Shelley tags in to work over his arm. Ion blatantly grabs Shelley's hair in front of the referee, Shelley hits a headscissors, but Ion catches him with an enziguiri. Ion tells Aries that's how it's done, so Aries tags himself in and their miscommunication leads to Moore getting an opening to clean house on both guys. Aries rolls out to the floor and Moore takes him out with a baseball slide and then hits the same Asai moonsault that took Sorensen out at the PPV. Moore grabbed Ion's hairspray can, but this infuriates Ion and he baseball slides Moore, then gets takes outby Shelley. Moore slams Aries and tags out to Shelley, who misses a double stomp, but he hits a superkick and goes for Sliced Bread #2. Aries shoves him off into the corner and he hits the IED and goes for the brainbuster, but Ion tags himself in and rolls Shelley up for the win.
Winners: Austin Aries & Zema Ion
Aries looks confused at what happened and Ion gets into a shoving match with Ion, but that gets cooled off quickly and Ion and Aries get in each other's faces.
Gail Kim and Madison Rayne are backstage and Madison says they've gotten in each other's faces lately, but they're both under pressure and she just wants to be friends.
We look back to earlier tonight when Bobby Roode retained the World Title thanks to the interference of Kurt Angle, and then we head to the ring for...
Knockouts #1 Contender's Battle Royal
Okay, the participants are Tara, Brooke Tessmacher, Sarita, Rosita, ODB,Mickie James, Velvet Sky, Winter, and Angelina Love. Oh, and Gail Kim and Madison Rayne are sitting ringside to observe the match in their eveningwear. Madison cuts a prematch promo saying what a gracious champion Gail Kim is because she's giving everyone in the ring the chance to become the #1 contender for the Knockouts Title, then tells the timekeeper to ring the bell. He obliges and we're off. Winter voluntarily hops over to choke Mickie from the apron and gets driven off the apron by ODB, then Brooke gets tossed right behind her. ODB picks Rosita up and press slams her onto Brooke and Winter to eliminate her as well. Mickie tries to headscissor ODB to the floor and several others try to dump the both of them, but they save themselves on the apron. Mickie goes up top but ODB shoves her off to the floor and then everyone else rushes ODB and sends her to the floor as well. Sarita dumps Tara to the apron and Angelina dropkicks her out to the floor where she appears to tweak her knee, and we're down to Velvet, Angelina, and Sarita. Angelina and Sarita try to work together on Velvet but she fights them both off, taking Sarita out with a clothesline before Angelina blindsides her. Velvet still takes them both out with a double clothesline and tries to dump Angelina, but Sarita nails Velvet from behind and the two of them double team Velvet in the corner. Velvet comes back with more clotheslines and back elbows and she tries to dump Sarita but Angelina stops her and she tries to eliminate Velvet. Sarita comes over and goes after Angelina now, they argue briefly before Angelina lays Velvet out with the Botox Injection and Gail and Madison laugh it up at ringside. Angelina tries to dump Velvet but Sarita comes up and "accidentally" dumps her from behind. We're down to Velvet and Sarita, and Sarita drills Velvet with a dropkick, but Sarita charges and Velvet pulls the top rope down and Sarita sails out to the floor. Velvet thinks she's won, but suddenly Madison Rayne pops out of her chair and rushes the ring, dumps Velvet over the top rope, and apparently she is now the #1 contender to the Knockouts Title.
Winner: Madison Rayne
Gail is flabbergasted that Madison has doublecrossed her, but now her partner is the #1 contender to her title.
James Storm cuts a heated promo backstage, punches a hole in the wall, and says that there's only one man who can be the #1 contender and he'll prove that it's him tonight.
Samoa Joe and Brutus Magnus are backstage talking about how good it feels to win the title and how they said they were going to go into Against All Odds and win the titles and they did it. Magnus says they're the right guys to hold the title, and they're not afraid to face Crimson and Matt Morgan in a rematch next week because they've got momentum.
We go to a video package recapping the events of Gunner vs Garett Bischoff from the PPV and the immense punishment Garett suffered to his neck, and then we go back to the building as Eric Bischoff and Gunner come out to gloat, and they're joined by Ric Flair and Chelsea, who coincidentally, I was discussing with Dave Scherer last week on Elite audio as we wondered what happened to her. Eric thanks everyone for helping him put an end to his son's dream of following in his footsteps, which had to be done as sad as it may have been. Chelsea gives them all cigars as the gentlemen no doubt think Bill Clinton thoughts, and Eric wants to tell his son that he tried to tell him that following in his footsteps was a waste of time because he'll never accomplish what his father did because he's not his father. He tells Garett to get a job as a dogcatcher, an electrician, or whatever he wants, but not to ever think about stepping foot into his business ever again. He wishes Garett luck in his future endeavors, and they enjoy some champagne together.
Bully Ray is backstage calling himself Calfzilla, and he's not going to bitch and moan, but everyone knows he should be the World Champion right now because he beat Hardy at Against All Odds. If he has to beat Storm tonight, then so be it because he's going to go through Storm with the Bully Bomb and then he's going to face his good personal friend Bobby Roode later tonight.
I zone out as Christy Hemme talks to some dude who does an MMA show on Spike, then we go to Eric Young as he apologizes for not getting her anything for Valentine's Day or even calling her, but sits her down so he can sing the ODE To ODB. She likes it so much that she grabs him by the shirt and drags him off to give him his present. There's a visual for you.
#1 Contender's Match: Bully Ray vs James Storm
They tie up and Storm takes Bubba to the ropes and gives him a playful shove to the head that wasn't really playful. Now Bubba takes Storm to the corner and tries a cheapshot, but Storm ducks under him and starts unloading with right hands and kicks to the midsection. Storm whips him across the ring and follows in with a clothesline in the corner. Storm tries to go after Bubba's arm, but Bubba picks his leg and drops a series of elbows to the inside of Storm's knee, then drags him over to the corner and rams his leg downward onto the edge of the ring apron. He tears Storm's boot off while pausing every now and then to fire more shots at his knee, then goes back inside and gets a leglock on Storm's exposed ankle. Storm makes the ropes, so Bubba drops all his weight on Storm's leg and then pulls off his kneepad and sock before going back to work on his bad leg and turning Storm over in a half crab. Storm gets out but Bubba covers and hooks a leg for 2, then grabs his chain. The referee pulls it away so Bubba goes back to ramming kneedrops into Storm's injured leg as we go to commercial.
We're back as Bubba hits a running splash in the corner, Storm starts to fire back and sends Bubba to the ropes, but Bubba comes off with a dropkick to the knee and goes for a couple of two counts before ramming Storm's knee into the mat. Bubba blows his nose on the referee and fires more right hands at Storm's knee before hitting a rolling snap on the leg. Bubba claps along with the fans as they chant "Cowboy" at Storm, and this gives Storm an opening to hit a Codebreaker out of nowhere, Storm ducks a running big boot and hits a superkick for the win.
Winner: James Storm
Storm is now the #1 contender to Roode and he celebrates by pouring a beer down the front of So Cal Val's shirt. Hey, can't blame the guy forbeing excited. The guy from the Giants comes over the rail and they enjoy a beer together, but Bully Ray comes out of nowhere and blindsides Storm, then has a staredown with the football dude. Bubba gets in his face and asks him where his ring is because he doesn't have one in Bubba's house, then he takes the guy's beer and drinks it, then spits it back in his face. Football Man responds by shoving Bubba so hard he literally flies backward into the ring apron and lands on his butt. Football Man has his "come on, let's fight so I can destroy you" look on his face as Bubba cowers against the guardrail.
After a quick recap of what just happened after our main event, we go backstage where Brandon Jacobs says he came here to watch his buddy Storm beat Bully and he beat Bully, and now Storm wants to celebrate Giants style. Jacobs says Bully Ray was out of line and he stood there trying to grasp everything before he finally lost his mind and got the last word. Next week, payback is coming, and Storm and Jacobs are off to celebrate.
Sting is in the ring and has some good news, but first he wants Bobby Roode to come join him in the ring. Roode comes out to the ring and Sting informs the champion that he gets to finally announce the match he's wanted to see for months, and says that Roode will defend against James Storm in a cage at Lockdown in April. Roode responds by kicking Sting low, then doing it again, before hitting a running punt to Sting's ribs. Sting tries to pull himself up on Roode's legs, but Roode steals his sunglasses and puts them on, then knocks Sting out with the belt and Sting is busted open. Roode gets on top of Sting and repeatedly drills right hands into Sting's bloody forehead, then thoughtfully puts the sunglasses back on Sting. He crouches over the Commissioner and tells him that he should really learn to mind his own business, then pats him on the face and walks off as we call it a night.
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