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March 15th
On this day in history in ....
1905 - Tom Jenkins defeats Frank Gotch in New York City, New York to win the American Heavyweight Title for the third time.
1943 - The Iron Sheik is born in Tehran, Iran.
1946 - El Santo defeats Pete Pancof in an eight-man tournament final in Mexico City, Mexico to become the NWA World Welterweight Champion.
1951 - Roy Shire defeats Jackie Nichols in Columbus, Ohio for the Midwest Wrestling Association World Junior Heavyweight Title.
1953 - Joakim Murietta defeats Daniel Aladana to win the Mexican National Heavyweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.
1956 - Whipper Billy Watson defeats Lou Thesz by countout to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title in Toronto, Ontario. As a result, the Toronto NWA British Empire Heavyweight Title, which Watson had held for over five years, was vacated.
1957 - Don and Red McIntyre defeat Don and Mark Lewin to win the Georgia NWA International Tag Team Title in Atlanta, Georgia.
1961 - Skull Murphy defeats Bill Dromo in the finals of an eight-man one-night tournament for the Georgia NWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Columbus, Georgia.
1962 - Chris and John Tolos win their third Toronto NWA International Tag Team Title in Toronto, Ontario, defeating Bill Soloweyko and Whipper Billy Watson.
1962 - Mario LaPentero and Billy Varga defeat Nick Bockwinkel and King Koenig for the World Wrestling Association International Television Tag Team Title in Long Beach, California. The title had been vacated after Fred Blassie and Mr. Moto split up in February.
1963 - An event in Chicago, IL at the Coliseum featured the following results:
Rudi Jacobs & Harry Henzl defeated Black Bart & Johnny Kace
Black Orchid defeated Kurt Von Stroheim
Argentina Apollo defeated Gordo Chihuahua
Jackie Fargo defeated Santiago Acosta
Bobo Brazil, Dory Dixon, & Art Thomas defeated WWWF World Champion Buddy Rogers, Johnny Barend, & the Magnificent Maurice
Larry Chene fought Moose Cholak to a draw
1965 - WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Gene Kiniski by countout.
1966 - Mario Galento defeats Chin Lee in Macon, Georgia to win the Georgia NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Title, beginning his third reign.
1967 - Jim Hady defeats Ripper Collins for the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title in Honolulu, Hawaii, ending Collins' second reign.
1968 - Bob Orton and Mad Dog Vachon defeat Doug Gilbert and Reggie Parks to win the AWA Midwest Tag Team Title in Omaha, Nebraska, ending Gilbert and Parks' second reign.
1968 - Waldo Von Erich defeats Ox Baker in Calgary, Alberta for the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title.
1968 - Ripper Collins and Curtis Iaukea defeat Jim Hady and The Missing Link (Pampero Firpo) to win the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title in Honolulu, Hawaii, to begin their second reign.
1968 - Cobra Kid and Scorpion defeat Dennis Hall and Ken Lucas for the NWA Gulf Coast Tag Team Title in Dothan, Alabama.
1971 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results were:
- Little Brutus and Sky Low Low defeated Sonny Boy Hayes and Joey Russell in a best-of-three falls match.
- Manuel Soto defeated Johnny Rodz.
- Jose Luis Rivera defeated Jack Evans.
- Tony Marino defeated Mike Conrad.
- Chief Jay Strongbow and Bulldog Brower fought to a draw.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Pedro Morales defeated Blackjack Mulligan.
1971 - Dean Higuchi and Steven Little Bear defeats John Quinn and Dutch Savage to win the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.
1972 - Aiko Kyo wins her second WWWA World Singles Title from Jean Antoine in Nagoya, Japan. At the same show, Masked Lee and Sharon Lee won the WWWA World Tag Team Title from Miyoko Hoshino and Jumbo Miyamoto.
1974 - Ron and Terry Garvin defeat Bob Armstrong and Robert Fuller to win the NWA Georgia Tag Team Title in Atlanta, Georgia, to begin their second reign.
1975 - WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino, Pepper Gomez, & Dick the Bruiser defeated Ox Baker & the Legionaires in Indianapolis, Indiana.
1976 - Eight-time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Danny Hodge retires from wrestling after he suffered a broken neck in an automobile accident. Hodge's car actually went off an embankment into a river. He freed himself from the car, swam and made his way back to the road, all while holding a broken neck in place with one arm.
1976 - Mariko Akagi defeats Jumbo Miyamoto to win the WWWA World Singles Title in Tokyo, Japan, ending Miyamoto's fourth reign.
1976 - WWWF ran the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, NY with the following results:
Mark Tendler defeated Pete Reeves
Irish Pat Barrett defeated Vincente Pometti
Louis Cyr defeated Pinky Larsen
WWWF Tag Team Champion Tony Parisi defeated Rocky Tamayo
WWWF Tag Team Champion Louis Cerdan defeated Tony Altamore
Ernie Ladd defeated Kevin Sullivan
Bobo Brazil defeated Crusher Blackwell
WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino fought Superstar Billy Graham to a double disqualification
1977 - Antonino Rocca dies as a result of a urinary tract infection in New York City, New York at age 65.
1977 - WWWF ran Scranton, PA at the CYX featuring the following results:
Johnny Rivera fought Johnny Rodz to a draw
Jan Nelson defeated Frank Monroe
Billy Whitewolf defeated Executioner #2
Larry Zbyzsko defeated Executioner #1
Carlos Rocha defeated Doug Gilbert
SD Jones defeated Mike Santocapito
Stan Stasiak defeated Tony Garea via countout
1977 - WWWF ran Stamford, CT at the Catholic High School, featuring:
Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Don Serrano
Tor Kamata defeated Jose Gonzalez
Susan Green won a women's battle royal; stipulations stated the winner would earn a women's title shot later in the night
Joyce Grable & Vicki Williams defeated Kitty Adams & Judy Mansfield
Baron Von Raschke defeated Chief Jay Strongbow via count-out
The Fabulous Moolah defeated Susan Green
1978 - WWWF ran Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY featuring the following:
Pete Reeves defeated Dennis Johnson
Davey O'Hannon defeated Pete Austin
Ken Patera defeated SD Jones
Wilhelm Ruska fought Seiji Sakaguchi to a draw in a judo jacket match
Pete Austin defeated Pete Reeves
Mark Tendler defeated Silvano Sousa
Dusty Rhodes & Mil Mascaras defeated Mr. Fuji & Prof. Toru Tanaka
1978 - WWWF taped three weeks of All Star Wrestling in Hamburg, PA with the following results:
Dino Bravo & Dominic DeNucci defeated Jose Estrada & Johnny Rodz
Spiros Arion defeated Paul Freidman
The Yukon Lumberjacks defeated Frank Williams & Terry York
The Golden Terror defeated Bob Marcus
Superstar Billy Graham defeated Tony Garea via count-out at 6:38 when Garea knocked Graham back into the ring just before the 10-count when both men were fighting on the floor
Larry Zbyszko defeated the Golden Terror via disqualification
The Yukon Lumberjacks defeated Paul Freidman & Frank Williams
Butcher Vachon defeated Frank Marconi
Dino Bravo & Dominic DeNucci defeated Joe Turco & Johnny Rodz
Peter Maivia defeated Jose Estrada
Spiros Arion defeated Frank Marconi
In dark matches after the taping:
Larry Zbyszko fought Butcher Vachon to a draw
Dominic DeNucci, Dino Bravo, & Tony Garea defeated Johnny Rodz, Baron Mikel Scicluna, & the Golden Terror
1979 - WWWF ran Worcester, MA with the following results:
SD Jones fought Johnny Rodz to a 20-minute time-limit draw
Steve Travis defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna
Jerry Valiant defeated Dominic DeNucci
Tony Garea defeated Johnny Rodz
Bulldog Brower defeated Larry Zbyszko
Ivan Putski defeated Johnny Valiant
WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Peter Maivia via count-out
1980 - Monster Ripper (Rhonda Singh) defeats Jackie Sato for the WWWA World Singles Title in Kawasaki, Japan, ending Sato's second reign and beginning Ripper's second reign.
1980 - WWF ran Randolph, NJ, featuring:
Davey O'Hannon defeated Angelo Gomez
Johnny Rodz defeated Frank Williams
Rene Goulet defeated Bulldog Brower via disqualification
Hulk Hogan defeated WWF Tag Team Champion Tito Santana
Ken Patera defeated WWF IC Champion Pat Patterson via countout
1980 - WWF ran Fall River, MA, featuring the following results:
Sylvano Sousa defeated Fred Marzino
Joe Crugnale defeated Pete Doherty via disqualificiation
Larry Zbyszko defeated Jose Estrada
The Wild Samoans defeated Mike Masters & Dominic DeNucci
WWF Tag Team Champion Ivan Putski defeated Bobby Duncum
1981 - The WWF held an event at Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. The results:
- Special Delivery Jones defeated Larry Sharpe by countout.
- Tony Garea defeated The Hangman.
- Rick Martel defeated Bulldog Brower.
- Pat Patterson defeated Lou Albano by disqualification.
- Yoshiaki Yatsu defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- The Moondogs (Rex and Spot) defeated Rick McGraw and Dominic DeNucci.
- Johnny Rodz defeated Frank Savage.
- André the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan.
- WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund defeated Sgt. Slaughter in a lumberjack match
1982 - World Class Championship Wrestling held a "Wrestling Star Wars" event at the Tarrant County Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The results were:
- Tom Shaft defeated Carlos Zapata.
- WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion Jose Lothario and Arman Hussein fought to a draw.
- WCCW American Tag Team and Texas Heavyweight Champion Al Madril defeated Bill Irwin by disqualification.
- Bugsy McGraw defeated The Spoiler.
- Bill Irwin defeated Frank Dusek.
- Fritz Von Erich defeated The Great Kabuki.
- Kevin and WCCW American Heavyweight and Tag Team Champion Kerry Von Erich fought King Kong Bundy and Gary Hart to a double-disqualification in a Texas Death Steel Cage match.
1982 - Ron Bass defeats Tommy Rich to win the NWA National Heavyweight Title in Augusta, Georgia, ending Rich's second reign.
1982 - WWF ran Atlantic City, NJ, featuring the following results:
SD Jones defeated Charlie Fulton
Steve Travis defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna
Larry Sharpe fought Rick McGraw to a draw
WWF Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales defeated Adrian Adonis
WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Greg Valentine
1982 - WWF ran Blackwood, NJ, with the following results:
Rick McGraw defeated Johnny Rodz
Ivan Putski defeated the Masked Executioner
Jesse Ventura & Adrian Adonis fought Rick Martel & Tony Garea to a draw
Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Jose Estrada
SD Jones & Steve Travis defeated Mr. Fuji & Mr. Saito via disqualification
1983 - WWF ran Methuen, MA with the following results:
Fred Marzino fought Pete Doherty to a draw
Mac Rivera fought Pete Sanchez to a draw
Big John Studd defeated SD Jones
Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Swede Hanson
WWF IC Champion Don Muraco defeated Jules Strongbow
Jimmy Snuka defeated Capt. Lou Albano via countout
1983 - WWF ran Weston, MA featuring:
Pancho Boy & Sonny Boy Hayes defeated Tiger Jackson & Butch Cassidy
Jose Estrada defeated Barry Hart
Tony Garea defeated Johnny Rodz
Andre the Giant defeated Superstar Billy Graham
Rocky Johnson defeated WWF Tag Team Champion Afa
1984 - WWF ran Waterville, NY with the following results:
Jose Luis Rivera defeated John Callahan
The Iron Sheik defeated Invader #1
Sgt. Slaughter & Chief Jay Strongbow defeated the Wild Samoans via disqualification
The Masked Superstar defeated SD Jone
Invader #2 defeated Fred Marzino
1985 - WWF ran three live events the same night. Results courtesy www.thehistoryofwwe.com:
WWF @ Miami, FL - Knight Center - March 15, 1985 (2,954)
RT Reynolds defeated Jim Young
SD Jones defeated Rusty Brooks
Bret Hart defeated the Cobra
Swede Hanson defeated Joe Mirto
Brutus Beefcake defeated Aldo Marino
WWF Tag Team Champions Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo defeated Nikolai Volkoff & the Iron Sheik
WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Ken Patera
WWF @ Pittsburgh, PA - Civic Arena - March 15, 1985
Fracture Frantzberg pinned Jimmy Jackson at 11:10
George Wells pinned Terry Gibbs at 9:55
Rocky Johnson pinned Moondog Spot at 10:05
Don Muraco pinned Barry O at 10:12
Ricky Steamboat pinned Buddy Rose at 14:25
Tony Atlas pinned Matt Borne at 11:45
WWF IC Champion Greg Valentine pinned Tito Santana at 14:59
Jimmy Snuka fought Roddy Piper to a double disqualification at 6:20
Bruno & David Sammartino defeated Paul Orndorff & Bobby Heenan at 13:00 when David pinned Heenan
WWF @ Kingston, PA - Bishop O'Reily High School - March 15, 1985
Brutus Beefcake defeated Jimmy Snuka via disqualification
Hillbilly Jim defeated Frankie Williams
WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Ken Patera
Mike Rotundo defeated Nikolia Volkoff
Andre the Giant defeated Big John Studd
Barry Windham won a $15,000 battle royal
1986 - Tyree Pride defeats Jerry Grey for the NWA Bahamas Heavyweight Title in Nassau, Bahamas, beginning his second reign.
1986 - WWF ran event in Chicago's Rosemont Horizon, featuring the following results:
Ted Arcidi defeated Tiger Chung Lee
Nikolai Volkoff defeated George Wells
Cpl. Kirchner defeated the Iron Sheik
Davey Boy Smith & the Dynamite Kid defeated Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart when Dynamite pinned Bret
Dory Funk Jr. defeated SD Jones
The Junkyard Dog defeated Terry Funk via disqualification
Adrian Adonis pinned George Steele
Tito Santana defeated WWF IC Champion Randy Savage via disqualification
King Kong Bundy pinned Hillbilly Jim
1987 - The WWF held the Frank Tunney, Sr. Memorial Tag Team Tournament at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario. The results were:
- Sivi Afi defeated The Red Demon (José Luis Rivera).
- Hillbilly Jim defeated Dino Bravo by disqualification.
- The Killer Bees (B. Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell) defeated Kamala and Sika in a Tunney Tournament first round match.
- The Can-Am Connection (Rick Martel and Tom Zenk) defeated Jerry Allen and Danny Spivey in a Tunney Tournament first round match.
- Demolition (Ax and Smash) defeated The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid) by disqualification in a Tunney Tournament first round match.
- King Kong Bundy and Paul Orndorff defeated Don Muraco and Bob Orton, Jr. in a Tunney Tournament first round match.
- Demoltion defeated The Can-Am Connection in a Tunney Tournament semifinal match.
- The Killer Bees defeated King Kong Bundy and Paul Orndorff in a Tunney Tournament semifinal match.
- The Killer Bees defeated Demoltion to win the Tunney Tournament and earn an immediate WWF Tag Team Title match.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) defeated The Killer Bees to retain the title.
1987 - Mike Rotunda wins the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title for the second time, defeating Ed Gantner in Daytona Beach, Florida. At the same event, The MOD Squad (Basher and Spike) defeat The Southern Boys (Steve Armstrong and Tracy Smothers) to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Title.
1989 - Hurácan Castillo, Jr. and Miguel Pérez, Jr. are awarded the WWC Caribbean Tag Team Title, beginning their second reign. The title was vacated on March 6, when Chris and Mark Youngblood left the promotion.
1989 - Bret and Mark Derringer defeat Tommy Ferrera and Johnny Love to win the Pro Wrestling America Tag Team Title in Fridley, Minnesota.
1991 - The WWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results were:
- Marty Jannetty defeated Tanaka.
- The Mountie defeated Koko B. Ware.
- The British Bulldog defeated The Warlord.
- The Undertaker defeated Tugboat.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) defeated Dino Bravo and Earthquake.
- The Barbarian defeated Jim Brunzell.
- Kerry Von Erich defeated Ted DiBiase.
- Kato defeated Shawn Michaels.
- Jim Duggan defeated WWF Champion Sgt. Slaughter.
1991 - Tom Prichard defeats Jeff Jarrett for the USWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Dallas, Texas, ending Jarrett's second reign.
1993 - The Moondogs (Splat and Spot) defeat The Big Black Dog and Brian Christopher to win the USWA Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee, to begin their third reign.
1996 - ECW ran The Flagstaff in Jim Thorpe, PA with the following results:
The Bad Crew defeated El Puerto Ricano & Chubby Dudley
Buh Buh Ray Dudley pinned Spiros Grekko
Taz defeated Mikey Whipwreck
Chris Jericho pinned Mikey Whipwreck
Rob Van Dam defeated Damien Stone (the future Little Guido)
ECW World TV Champion 2 Cold Scorpio fought Sabu to a 20-minute time-limit draw
ECW World Tag Team Champions Perry Saturn & John Kronus defeated the Pitbulls
Ron & Don Harris defeated Shane Douglas & Tommy Dreamer
1997 - The WWF held an event at USAir Arena in Landover, Maryland. The results:
- The New Blackjacks (Bradshaw and Windham) defeated The Godwinns (Henry and Phineas).
- Crush defeated Aldo Montoya.
- Mankind defeated Flash Funk.
- WWF Tag Team Champions - WWF European Champion The British Bulldog and Owen Hart defeated Doug Furnas and Philip LaFon.
- Savio Vega defeated Goldust.
- WWF Champion Sycho Sid defeated Vader.
- Ahmed Johnson defeated The Sultan.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Rocky Maivia defeated Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
- The Undertaker defeated Faarooq.
1997 - ECW held the fourth-annual Hostile City Showdown event at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- The Full Blooded Italians (Little Guido and Tommy Rich) defeats Chris Chetti and Tracy Smothers when Smothers turned heel, joining the FBI.
- Taz defeated Rob Van Dam by submission.
- Sabu defeated Spike Dudley by submission. He dared Taz to face him, leading to a pull apart brawl.
- Chris Candido defeats Louie Spicolli in a two-out-of-three falls match. Both each won a pinfall, and Candido made Spicolli submit to win the match.
- ECW World Television Champion Shane Douglas defeated Pitbull #1 in an I Quit match to retain the title.
- The Sandman pinned Balls Mahoney.
- The Dudley Boyz (Buh-Buh Ray and D-Von) defeated ECW World Tag Team Champions The Eliminators (Saturn and Kronus), when Buh-Buh Ray pinned Saturn, to win the title. This began the first of eight Dudley ECW Tag Team Title reigns, and ended the Eliminators' second reign.
- ECW World Heavyweight Champion Raven defeated Tommy Dreamer and Stevie Richards in a three-way dance to retain the title.
1998 - WCW held the fourth-annual Uncensored pay-per-view at the Mobile Civic Center in Mobile, Alabama. The results were:
- WCW World Television Champion Booker T pinned Eddie Guerrero (with Chavo Guerrero, Jr.) after a Missile Dropkick to retain the title.
- Juventud Guerrera pinned Konnan with a roll-up.
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chris Jericho defeated Dean Malenko by submission with the Liontamer to retain the title.
- Lex Luger pinned Scott Steiner.
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Diamond Dallas Page defeated Chris Benoit and Raven in a Triple Threat match to retain the title, when he pinned Raven after a Diamond Cutter through a table.
- The Giant defeated Kevin Nash by disqualification, after Brian Adams interfered.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Sting pinned Scott Hall after a Scorpion Deathdrop to retain the title.
- Hulk Hogan fought Randy Savage to a no-contest in a Steel Cage match, after the referee was knocked out.
1998 - Tank defeats Jerry Lawler for the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Lawler's 25th reign.
1998 - Vance Nevada defeats Bobby Collins to win the Canadian Wrestling Federation Light Heavyweight Title, ending Collins' fourth reign, and unify it with his Canadian Junior Heavyweight Title. During Nevada's reign, it was renamed the NWA Canadian Light Heavyweight Title when the CWF joined the National Wrestling Alliance.
1999 - The Monday Night War continued on, with WWF RAW is WAR defeating WCW Monday Nitro, 5.8 to 4.3 in the ratings.
WCW Monday Nitro, the 183rd episode, was live from the Firstar Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. The results:
- Meng defeated Jerry Flynn.
- Rick Steiner defeated Brian Adams.
- Rey Misterio, Jr. defeated WCW Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman to win the title.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko defeated The Barbarian and Hugh Morrus (with Jimmy Hart) to retain the title.
- Stevie Ray defeated Horace.
- Disco Inferno defeated Konnan.
- WCW World Television Champion Booker T defeated Chris Jericho by disqualification to retain the title.
- Hollywood Hulk Hogan and Kevin Nash defeated Goldberg and WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair.
The WWF's 303rd edition of WWF RAW is WAR was held live, along with a taping of the 34th Sunday Night Heat, and the March 28 Super Astros, at San Jose Arena in San Jose, California. RAW was done first, as RAW began at 6pm Pacific time, and also because there were title changes, with those champions appearing on Heat as well as RAW. The results were:
In a dark match, Christopher Daniels defeated ???.
RAW:
- Road Dogg defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Val Venis to win the title.
- Shane McMahon defeated Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson in a handicap match.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett (with Debra) defeated Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) to retain the title.
- Mideon vs. The Big Bossman in a Steel Cage match ended in a no-contest.
- Billy Gunn defeated WWF Hardcore Champion Hardcore Holly to win the title.
- Steve Austin and Mankind vs. Paul Wight and WWF Champion The Rock ended in a no-contest.
Heat:
- WWF Hardcore Champion Billy Gunn defeated Al Snow to retain the title.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Road Dogg defeated Ken Shamrock by disqualification to retain the title.
- Steve Williams defeated The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff) in a handicap match.
- Triple H defeated The Godfather.
- WWF Champion The Rock and The Big Bossman fought to a no-contest. Rock retained the title.
Super Astros:
- Armando Fernandez defeated El Bandito.
- Apolo Dantes and ??? fought to a no-contest.
- Negro Casas and El Hijo del Santo defeated Papi Chulo (Essa Rios) and Funaki.
2000 - Marie Apache defeats Chaparita Asari for the Sky High of ARSION Title in Tokyo, Japan.
2000 - The Enterprise (Andy Judge) defeats Rick Bassman to win the UPW Lightweight Title in Hollywood, California.
2000 - Sean Casey defeats Chris Michaels for the OVW Light Heavyweight Title in Louisville, Kentucky, to begin his third reign. At the same show, B.J. Payne and Scotty Sabre defeat Mr. Black and Bull Buchanan to win the OVW Southern Tag Team Title.
2001 - Guillotine LeGrande wins a battle royal in Pottstown, Pennsylvania to become the first Premier Wrestling Federation Television Champion.
2002 - Rico Constantino defeats E.Z. Money for the HWA Heavyweight Title in Dayton, Ohio, ending Money's second reign.
2002 - SUWA defeats Magnum TOKYO to win the Michinoku Pro Wrestling British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Title in Yokohama, Japan.
2002 - Rick Michaels wins a battle royal, last eliminating Sal del Rio, for the NWA Wildside Beat the Champ Title.
2002 - Moondog Manson wins his sixth NWA Pacific Northwest Hardcore Title in Surrey, British Columbia, defeating Prince Aladdin.
2003 - The Amazing Red and A.J. Styles defeat Christopher Daniels and Donovan Morgan to win the ROH Tag Team Title in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Joe Mistretta filed the following live report:
I attended the Ring of Honor event on June 15th in Boston, MA. It was a great ROH show, perhaps in the top five of their events. There was a big crowd - I would say in the 500-600 range, who were very loud and into the action all night.
Chad Collyer beat Matt Stryker in 20:00. This was a really great match and easily Collyer's best ROH match yet. During the intro's the crowd chanted "You're not Stryker" to Matt Stryker although I don't know how the Boston fans know NYC Stryker.
Amazing Red beat Slim J in 15:00. Great match. These two guys clicked really well and the match was really fast paced and had a lot of great spots. After the match Slugga took out Red.
-Next was an interview segment where Gary Michael Cappetta announced Paul London wouldn' be there due to his injury. CM Punk came out and turned himself into a heel. He used his great mic skills to turn the crowd on him and bashed Raven, the city of Boston and even said "I think Raven is gonna stink up this place worse then Konnan did in Philly." This promo put him over big as a heel. As he was leaving Raven met him the aisle and forced him back to the ring. They wound up agreeing that if Raven could go 10 minutes in a regular ROH rules match, then it would become a Raven's Rules match. Raven was over big as a babyface.
AJ Styles beat the Backseat Boyz, the SAT, and The Carnage Crew in a great Scramble match. This blew away the NYC scramble and is right up there with the 11/15 scramble. The spot of the match was Styles' shooting star press from the top rope onto the floor. Words can't do the match justice. AJ did wrestle the match by himself.
Alex Arion beat Hotstuff Hernandez in 10:00.. Every show must have one bad match I guess and this was it. It wasn't that bad at the beginning but then Hotstuff slipped off the top rope when trying to do a moonsault and he just unraveled after that.
Low Ki and Da Hit Squad beat Deranged, Angeldust, and Dixie in 25:00. STIFF - That pretty much summed up this match. Low Ki just brutalized Angeldust with chops and kicks for the first part of the match, and his back was turning all different kinds of colors. Monsta Mack tried to do his van terminator that he pulled off at the USA Pro show but this time it didn't work out. He was way too short and didn't even graze them in the corner. After that, the Special K members at ringside (Brian XL, Jay Lethal and Slim J) interfered for a DQ, but as they were leaving Low Ki took the mic and said, "This aint over, ring the bell its 6 vs 3!" Special K took out the Hit Squad and then cornered Ki in the ring. Dixie offered him a pill and he took it. Low Ki then acted as if he was getting high and he started to "pass out" as this happened Special K got all happy and started dancing but Low Ki was just messing with them and sprung up and Dixie went after him with his cane. Low Ki grabbed it and in what looked like a scene out of a Jet Li movie he used the cane like a sword to take out all of Special K. This spot is hard to describe but it was awesome to see.. After that DHS came back in and they all hit their finishers for the win.
Quiet Storm and Ghost Shadow beat Dunn and Marcos. A short match after intermission that served its purpose.
CM Punk beat Raven in 20:00. This match was off the charts. This could have been the main event and I would have went home happy. Trinity came out with Raven just like in TNA and USA Pro and was in his corner for the match. CM Punk was great in this match, he could be a really good heel for the promotion if Corino is only going to work ROH on a part time basis. Raven was also great. He was energized and doing great moves, he reopened his cut from TNA so he was a bloody mess. Punk did a legdrop off the top rope through a table with Trinity on it. Raven went the 10 minutes so it became a hardcore match. Raven hit the evenflow onto a chair but there was a ref bump. Punk then hooked Raven in a submission and he tapped out. Post match, Raven attempted a evenflow but Punk got away. This match was awesome I hope there's a rematch soon.
Samoa Joe beat Homicide, BJ Whitmer, and EZ Money in 20:00 to become the top contender to the ROH championship. The match was great when Joe and Homicide were in because of the stiff brutal stuff they were doing. Whitmer was kinda just there as he didn't do anything notable. Money looked good hitting all of his spots. After the match NY indy workers J train, Becky Bayless and another guy were going crazy on Samoa Joe from behind the guard rails, where they had been sitting all night. They ran around and tried to get to Joe in the aisle. The locker room cleared and a huge brawl happened but it was in the back so the crowd could not see it. This was I guess a follow up to the NYC riot but the Boston fans didn't know what the hell was going on.
AJ Styles and Red beat Chris Daniels and Xavier in 30:00 to become the new ROH tag champs in an awesome match. Red came out to huge ovation to team with AJ. Like I said, this was a great match. Daniels worked his ass off as usual and everyone looked good in the match. Styles hit the styles clash on Daniels and as Xavier was gonna break it up, Red speared him from the top rope to keep him away and the new champs were crowned. The return date in Boston is June 14th.
Ring of Honor Notes from Mike Johnson: All reports I have on the show indicate it was at the level of the promotion's great anniversary event, if not better. That's saying quite a lot....Paul London missed the show after undergoing emergency surgery to clear a passage in his sinus canal on Friday. I believe (but do not have confirmed) that he and Styles were set to win the belts here. ROH has already announced Red will take London's place against The Briscoe Brothers in Philadelphia on 3/22. London's status on the Philly show is still 50/50....Chris Devine will be working in IWA Puerto Rico for at least the next month, but is slated to return here down the line....Samoa Joe vs. Xavier for the ROH title has been added to the group's 3/22 event in Philadelphia, PA as well....Alex Arion who worked here is slated for the ECWA Super 8. Hot Stuff Hernandez worked several All Japan tours last year.
2003 - Sabu defeats Carly Colón for the WWC Universal Heavyweight Title in Carolina, Puerto Rico, ending Colón's seventh reign.
2003 - Bobby and Donnie York win a four-way match to become the first NWA South Atlantic Tag Team Champions in Ocoee, Florida.
2003 - Shawn Parks defeats Carlton Kaz to win the NWA Tri-State United States Heavyweight Title in Minford, Ohio.
2003 - Jason Ray and Stevie Slick defeat Los Mochis (Paco and Pedro) for the Ultra Championship Wrestling Zero Tag Team Title in Salt Lake City, Utah.
2003 - Baine and Youngblood defeat Corporal Chaos and Krazy Kat in a tournament final to become the first Alabama Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions in Childersburg, Alabama. APW joined the National Wrestling Alliance in April 2004 and was renamed NWA Xtreme.
2004- Chris Benoit made his first appearance as WWE World champion on Raw from The Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ. Tim Whitehead filed the folllowing TV report:
he 3/15 episode of RAW IS RESTARTING aired live from East Rutherford, NJ. It was a mixed bag of a show, and it was mostly a question mark after the Vince McMahon announcement.
Lilian Garcia opened the show by introducing Triple H. Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler said it was hard to imagine HHH no longer having the RAW World Title. HHH came down to the ring with his head bandaged and his arm in a sling to sell the crossface that led to him tapping out at WrestleMania XX. The crowd greeted him with a "you tapped out" chant. HHH looked pretty pissed over it. He asked the crowd if they think winning one match makes someone the best, or if holding the world title once makes someone the best. He answered his own questions by asserting that to be the best you have to win matches night after night and have to hold the world title for week after week, month after month, and year after year. He said he's done that, defeating all the top names in the business and holding the world belt for long periods against all odds. He admitted he tapped out to Chris Benoit, but insisted that he only lost because the match was "two on one", implying that Benoit and "Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels worked together against him in that match. HHH said he looked himself in the mirror and told himself he's still the greatest wrestler in the world. Turning his attention to Benoit, HHH warned him that he now has a target on his chest. He said that soon his arm will be out of the sling and that he'll get a rematch, and it'll be one vs. one and not a three-way match where Benoit can have help. Benoit came out. As the fans chanted his name, Benoit displayed the title belt and taunted HHH with it. He said he was tired of listening to HHH pissing and moaning. He noted that he won the title by overcoming both HHH and HBK, and that by doing that he became the best there is. HHH looked ready to explode. Benoit invited him to get back in the ring with him when his arm heals, promising to make him tap, tap, tap, tap week after week, month after month, year after year. HHH said Benoit couldn't do that on his best day. Benoit said maybe this wasn't his best day, and lit into HHH, knocking him down and putting the boots to him. HHH bailed out as his three Evolution cohorts came to his rescue. They all surrounded the ring and were about to go in and do the four-on-one beatdown on Benoit, but HBK ran in swinging a chair. HBK & Benoit held Evolution at bay. Eric Bischoff ended up coming out to break the stalemate. He ordered a Benoit & HBK vs. Ric Flair & Randy Orton & Batista match for the TV main event. Evolution was pleased with those odds. Bischoff also reported that Mr. McMahon was on his way to the arena to make an announcement. An okay opening segment, but couldn't they have brought Benoit out first and let him do a solo promo as the new champ before doing the angle?
Jonathan Coachman asked HBK why he rescued Benoit. HBK said only a healthy Benoit can get in the ring to defend his title, so by rescuing him he was protecting his investment. He noted that he beat Benoit in a singles match a few weeks ago, but that at WM XX Benoit didn't pin him or make him tap. So he felt he was in line for a title shot, and said he'd do whatever is necessary to keep Benoit safe in the meantime. That made sense.
Victoria & Lita defeated Molly Holly & Jazz in 3:07. Theodore Long was there with Jazz, and once again they made the mistake of not giving him the mic. Before the match they showed video of Molly being shaved bald at WM XX. But when she came out, she was wearing a long blonde wig held on by a chin strap. Molly quickly attacked Victoria. Jazz powerslammed and chopped Victoria. Victoria hit a moonsault on Jazz. The crowd chanted "Molly's bald". I'm surprised Lawler didn't make a sexual reference out of that. Lita suplexed Jazz and gave her a spinning headscissors. Lita ended up ripping Molly's wig off. Sinead O'Molly was exposed bald. She fled in humiliation. Jazz, left at a disadvantage, was DDT'd and pinned by Lita. A typical short women's match, but there was a huge pop when the wig came off.
JR & Lawler reported that Trish Stratus turned on Chris Jericho at WM XX and helped Christian beat him. Still photos were shown of that match. It was also reported that Christian & Trish were not at the arena, with JR implying they were cowards who were afraid of Jericho.
Matt Hardy beat Jericho by DQ in 2:11. Before the match, Todd Grisham tried to interview Jericho over the Trish situation, but he just looked furious and wouldn't speak. Hell hath no fury like an Ayatollah of Rock & Rollah scorned. Jericho tore into Hardy with rage. Hardy had a few flurries of offense but mostly it was an enraged Jericho on a rampage. They ended up on the floor where the ref DQ'ed Jericho for choking Hardy. Lawler joked that Jericho's band Fozzy can record "I Can't Get No Stratusfaction". After the match, Jericho simply walked out, got in his car, and drove off without saying a word. He did a good job appearing enraged.
Orton did a promo. He said his clean win over Mick Foley with the RKO at WM XX proved he was the better wrestler. But he added that Foley and his family refuse to accept it. So he challenged Foley to a singles match with all his Evolution allies banned from ringside. He said he'll prove his dominance once and for all, and that Foley will see his little son grow up idolizing him (Orton) rather than his daddy.
La Resistance were back to being a trio, as Sylvan Grenier has returned from his injury. They had a French poodle with them named Fifi. Austin walked up to them and called them French bastards, and accused the poodle of crapping in the hallway. He said he would have to write the French bitch a ticket. Rene Dupree got mad over Fifi being called a bitch, but Austin said he was talking about him. Dupree said he wouldn't stand for that. Austin dared him to do something about it. The Frenchmen ended up backing down, muttering something in French. Also during this segment, Austin managed to casually mention giving stunners to both Bill Goldberg and Brock Lesnar at WM XX.
Kane squashed Val Venis in 0:43. Before the match, Venis brought a chick into the ring and had her remove his towel. She was about to flash her boobs when Kane arrived. She fled quickly, which means she's too bright to appear in any slasher films. Kane hit a boot to the face, a lariat, and a chokeslam for the pin. It seems kind of counter-productive the way they bury guys like Venis, Hardy, Rico, and some others.
Footage aired from the Hall of Fame ceremony at WM XX.
Hour two began with Stacy Keibler vs. Miss Jackie ending in a no-contest in 1:15. I guess the legendary Legs n' Boobs Connection team has broken up. A gaping chasm separates how these girls look from how they wrestle. The match ended up being interrupted by Vince McMahon's arrival. He simply showed up and stopped the match so he could make his announcement.
Vince grabbed a mic and said he had some things to discuss. He said the WM XX slogan about it all beginning again was a real promise. He said certain general managers have allowed things to get stale, accusing them of protecting their friends. You don't think he could be talking about Bischoff and Paul Heyman, do you? He said the fans want to see new match-ups and new directions. Vince then dropped the bombshell. He said that on next week's RAW, all the Smackdown roster will be in attendance, along with the RAW crew. The plan is to hold another lottery to reshuffle the deck, with a "random draw" being used to assign everyone to either the RAW or Smackdown roster. He said everyone will be in the lottery, no exceptions, including champions, individual team members, and even members of his own family. That sent cold chills down a lot of spines, as Paul Heyman wasn't seen on WM XX and Stephanie no doubt wants back on TV. Vince vowed that next week will be the beginning of a new RAW and a new Smackdown. JR & Lawler put over that tag teams could be broken up, Evolution could be broken up, champs could end up being sent to another division, and more. They also worried that commentators might be included in the lottery. This all came off as worrisome. While it will result in some new match-ups, a re-start makes it look like the period not so long ago when WWE ran through WCW & ECW in record time with re-start after re-start. Not to mention the obvious comparisons with WCW, which re-started its way into oblivion. I hope they don't screw up the Benoit and Eddie Guerrero title reigns with this.
Bischoff indicated to Johnny Spade that he was worried over Vince's announcement. All four Evolution members barged in. HHH said there's no way he'll stand for Evolution being split up by a lottery. He also said he wasn't leaving RAW because his sights are set on beating Benoit to get his RAW belt back. HHH demanded that Bischoff do something, but Bischoff said Vince is the boss and there's nothing that can be done. Bischoff didn't look happy about this. Neither did anyone else.
Rob Van Dam & Booker T defeated The Dudleys in 18:10 to retain the RAW World Tag Titles. JR & Lawler spent most of the match talking about the lottery, noting that each of these teams could be broken up next week. The first part of this match was bad. They got off on the wrong page somehow and were missing spots all over the place and also potato shotting each other by accident. Bubba Ray got a busted nose and RVD had a busted lip. The live crowd noticed, and booed them in spots. After D-Von hit a rough looking neckbreaker on RVD, it was time for a commercial break. When the action returned, RVD was getting pounded. Booker had been laid out on the floor. The match began improving after a poor start. After a long period tied up in the wrong corner, RVD made the hot tag. Booker cleaned house on both Dudleys and did the spinaroonie. Booker hit a scissor kick on Bubba, who was then frog splashed by RVD. D-Von made the save. RVD and D-Von brawled, with both bumping to the floor. Bubba got pinned by Booker after the bookend. In theory it was good to give this match 18:00 since the tag belts need to be rehabbed, but in practice it didn't work since the first part of the match wasn't good. They recovered somewhat after the break, and the latter half was fine. One positive this week was that they had more actual wrestling on the show, at least during hour two.
A WM XX highlight video aired. WWE always does fine with these videos.
Spike Dudley headed down to the ring for a match against Hurricane. Actually, they never announced his opponent, but I always try to fill in the blanks when a match gets cancelled, as Spike's bouts often do. On second thought. maybe Hurricane wasn't the opponent because surely a superhero would have rescued Spike when he was assaulted from behind by Christian. Yes, it turned out that Christian & Trish were there after all. Christian beat Spike down and pinned him on the floor as Trish counted to three. Christian said Spike was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and that Trish had something to say. Trish had a few things to get off her chest, so to speak. She said before we rush to judge her, we should recall that Jericho once bet a Canadian dollar that he could have his way with her sexually. She asked, "What kind of cheap slut do you think I am?" Well, she did have an affair with Vince, and that's how those rumors get started. She said, with a giggle, that it's too bad Jericho's night ended prematurely, and noted how ironic it is that Jericho set out to screw her and she ended up screwing him. And she did it all by herself, with no involvement by Earl Hebner. She indicated that she screwed Christian in a different way. Christian said New Jersey is full of creepy little bastards, but he isn't one, and he proved it by getting the girl. He said Jericho got soft, so Trish dumped him since she doesn't want a lovesick little puppy. Instead, she wants a real man who can get a little rough. Trish stole Lawler's line by saying Jericho can't get no stratusfaction. They ended the segment with a passionate kiss. An okay promo, but Trish needs to add some evil to the sluttiness for maximum effect.
Rene Dupree told his three allies (including Fifi the poodle) that he was tired of Austin pushing them around. So he headed down to the ring to defend his culture.
Dupree arrived in the ring waving a French flag. No, it wasn't solid white. He accused Austin and other Americans of thinking the French are all cowards and sissies. He said the opposite is the truth, claiming the only reason the French won't fight is because they don't want to risk getting shot defending Americans, whom he referred to as pieces of crap. He challenged Austin. Austin responded by coming down to the ring and beating the hell out of Dupree, ending with a stunner. Austin celebrated with beer afterward.
A taped segment with Rock featured him discussing "Walking Tall", with some highlights shown from the film.
Benoit & HBK defeated Flair & Orton & Batista in the handicap match in 11:47. Batista overpowered HBK. Flair tagged in and traded chops with HBK. Flair did his face first bump. Benoit punched out Orton. Orton gave HBK a backbreaker. The cameras cut to the back where Foley was shown arriving in his car. The live crowd popped huge for this. As if timed to accommodate Foley, which it was, there was a major ref bump. The three Evolution guys began beating down Benoit & HBK with no ref to restore order. Foley ran in for the save and immediately attacked Orton. Foley and Orton brawled out of the ring and through the crowd, vanishing into the arena recesses. They weren't seen again, so this evened the teams at two members apiece. Benoit and Batista brawled with one another on the floor. Meanwhile, HBK laid Flair out in the ring and hit an elbow off the top. He was about to hit Flair with the sweet chin music, but HHH ran in. It turned out his arm was okay after all, as he removed it from the sling and pedigreed HBK. Another ref ran in as Flair covered HBK, but it was only a two count. Order was restored. HBK tossed Flair off the top, which is a ritual by now. Batista came in and scored a series of twos on HBK with powerslam (rough looking), a spinebuster, and some lariats. Flair used his fists to re-open HBK's cut from WM XX and he juiced. HHH took a cheap shot at HBK. Benoit finally got the hot tag and came in against Batista. He hit the multiple German suplexes and a diving headbutt on Batista. Flair broke the pin up. Flair distracted the ref, allowing HHH to sneak in to try to pedigree Benoit. But HBK flattened HHH with the chin music before he could execute the move. Benoit then forced Batista to tap to the Sharpshooter. Good main event to end the show.
2005 - Ala Hussein defeats Quinten Lee to win the HWA Television Title in Cincinnati, Ohio.
2008 - Jeff Hardy, who was serving a 60 day suspension from WWE due to a Wellness Policy violation, lost his North Carolina home in a fire. Jim Ross posted the following about the incident.
The fall out of the 60 day suspension of Jeff Hardy for a second violation of the WWE Wellness Policy is still making news. Sadly, Friday night, Jeff's home in North Carolina burned to the ground and he lost essentially every thing he had and most sadly his dog. Losing an animal one is close to is just like losing a family member to many people and we just experienced that with the death of our 18 year old cat Molly who had to be put down after suffering a serious of strokes./i>
Apparently Matt Hardy saw smoke coming from Jeff's home on Friday night, discovered that no one was home, but arrived at the house too late todo any thing but watch it burn to the ground.
These are challenging times for Jeff to say the least. Not only has he incurred his second strikewith only one remaining before he would be terminated from the WWE, his situation has been underscored by the fact that his suspension went public per the WWE policy, which went into effect on November 1 and with which I wholeheartedly agree.Now Jeff's home has been destroyed with the heart breaking reality that his beloved dog died in the fire as well.
Jeff's career can be rebuilt if he so chooses to committing to do such. This commitment cannot be a short term commitment, but a life time commitment that must see him takeit one day at a time and have the expressed goal of being successful in 24 hours intervals. I am one that truly believes that Jeff can make this happen, especially if those close to him offer Jeff the kind of support that he needs and that he seeks the wisdom and advise of a counselor who can help Jeff understand why these life and career threatening mistakes are being made.
Jeff's home can be rebuilt materially, as well, but his many personal affects now nothing more than a memory. I hope this tragedy doesn't push Jeff to the edge of the proverbial cliff to where his wrestling career becomes nothing more than a memory as well.
I grieve for the loss of the animal. I can only imagine what Jeff Hardy must be going through at this time. without question Jeff is being sternly tested. I hope he passes this test and the one's to come admirably.
Jeff Hardy will be 31 years old on August 31, 2008 and without question his wrestling career can be re-ignited if Jeff can prove to those that make the all important decisions that Jeff can be trusted and has become a responsible professional who understands how important it is to do the right things.
The trust factor is one that cannot be underscored enough. Over my30+ years in the wrestling business I often wondered why so many of the men in charge were also their territories top stars. Owners/Promoters/Bookers like Eddie Graham, Verne Gagne, Fritz Von Erich, Bob Geigel, Bill Watts, Jerry Jarret and Jerry Lawler, The Funks, and so many more were their area's top stars more often than not and did so because they knew they could trust and depend on their top stars, them.Being responsible and trust worthy are great traits to have in any field of endeavor, but it seems to be especially viable in the wrestling business based on my personal experiences.
Jeff Hardy can rebuild his home, hopefully he can somehow replace his beloved dog, I know that won't be easy, but can he rebuild the trust with the WWE that allowsJeff to be provided with more opportunities to be the star that we all know that he can be?No one has this answer today. Only time will tell but I will say that my opinion is that it can be done but it certainly won't be easy.
2009 - TNA held their Destination X PPV. Here is Mike Johnson's original report on the show:
The Beautiful People vs. Roxxi & Taylor Wilde & The Governor
The Governor and Madison Rayne start the bout. Rayne chokes her in the corner, then sets her up for an Angelina Love dropkick. Roxxi tagged in and nailed several forearms on Love, then slammed Rayne. She elevated Taylor Wilde into the air onto Love. Roxxi gets distracted by Sky on the outside and turns into a Love clothesline.
A sign in the front row reads "Botchamania = This Match." I can't believe that's actually remaining on the air.
Roxxi caught Sky with a boot to the face and tagged in Wilde. They go back and forth until a hot tag to Wilde, who cleans house on everyone. She nailed a tilt or whirl backbreaker, then goes to the top. She nailed a flying bodypress on Rayne but the other heels hit the ring.
All six brawled in the ring. The Governor hit a plancha to the outside. Wilde caught Rayne with a German suplex into a bridge for the pin.
Your winners, Roxxi & Taylor Wilde & The Governor!
Too short to even have any hope of meshing together.
Lauren was backstage with Jeff Jarrett, in a referee's shirt, and Mick Foley. Jarrett promised to call the Sting vs. Kurt Angle match right down the middle and the best man will win. Foley said that as an enforcer, he's going to have to make sure that Jeff is able to call it down the middle by making sure The Main Event Mafia doesn't interfere. He said he's got a feeling and thanks Angle for that. He says he'll see Kurt at ringside.
Brutus Magnus Open Challenge.
Magnus came to the ring first, then ring announcer Dave Penzer introduced a serviceman who served on the USS Cole. He's actually a Team 3D student. He introduced Magnus' opponent, Eric Young.
Magnus attacked Young before the bell and leveled him with several right hands. He leaped into the air with an elbow to the chest. He picked up Young for a suplex but Young rolled through and landed on his feet. Young nailed several dropkicks and a flying forearm. Young went up and over as Magnus charged him in the corner. They had a miscue, which the crowd picked up on, then Magnus slammed Young.
Magnus continued working over Young, powerbombing him. Magnus missed a splash off the top rope. Young came back with a backdrop, then nailed his finisher, the death valley driver. Magnus kicked up at two. Magnus whipped Young into the corner, where he did the Flair flop. Young went to the top rope. Magnus met him but was fought off. Young hit a top rope elbow for a two count.
Magnus tried to catch Young with a pinfall attempt by putting his feet on the ropes but Young escaped. Young went to the top but was caught with a European Uppercut. Magnus hit his finisher, The Tormenta, off the top for the pin.
Your winner, Brutus Magnus!
Just your basic short bout designed to give Magnus a win. Nothing more, nothing less but Young worked really hard here.
Mike Tenay and Don West began running down the main events of the PPV. Sheik Abdul Bashir's music started to play and he came to the ring with a mic. He said that we are now three months into 2009 and now it's another PPV without the Middle Eastern Nightmare. He said that he has had enough and said that he wants to know if its a conspiracy against him because of the color of his skin. He said that President Obama talks about change and hope, and asks what hope is there for a man like him. He wanted to know why a man walking the ramp in a military uniform gets a hero's welcome but he gets treated like a terrorist because he wears a turban. He said he is a victim of the concentration camp known as the United States and began tearing up.
Jim Cornette came to the ring and said that Bashir wants to know why he isn't involved tonight, so he'll answer him. Cornette said it's not because he's not a great wrestler because he is and he's wrestled everywhere in the world. Cornette said that it's really simple - "I don't like you." He said that no one in the back nor any of the fans like him because of his big, fat mouth. Cornette said that he whines about his race and how everyone is prejudiced against him. Cornette said no one cares about his race or religion but hate Bashir because he's a big, obnoxious jerk. He told Bashir, "Get the hell out of my building." Cornette then said that he wanted to make sure everyone was fair so he asked the serviceman from earlier to come back to the ring and sing Bashir out. He began singing "God bless America." He couldn't hold a note but got through the entire song, then led everyone in a "U.S.A." chant.
Backstage, Kurt Angle was screaming at the rest of the Main Event Mafia. He said everyone was in on it against them and was trying to break up the Mafia. He said that if it happened, he was going to hold all of them responsible. Booker T said he was responsible for Booker T and had AJ Styles to worry about tonight. He said that whatever happened between Angle and Sting was between them. He said he had to go to Jim Cornette's office and walked out. Angle freaked that he was going to see Cornette. Scott Steiner told Angle that he was being paranoid. He said he had to deal with Samoa Joe and Angle was on his own. Angle tried to complain to Kevin Nash. Nash told Angle to stop blaming everyone else, because this wasn't anyone's fault but his own. Nash told him to relax because Sting wasn't in bed with Jeff Jarrett and Mick Foley. Angle got annoyed and decreed that he didn't want anyone at ringside for the main event tonight.
Matt Morgan vs. Abyss - Match of 10,000 Tacks
Hopefully this will be a lot better than their first match, which was badly hampered by his shoulder issues. The only way to win is to drop your opponent onto the tacks.
Don West was siding with Bashir during Matt Morgan's entrance, so they are continuing with West's slow descent into the heel side. He was basically saying that Bashir had the right to say what he wanted due to freedom of speech. Earlier, he was praising the "serviceman" as well so perhaps he'll be the guy who points out the logic where it doesn't jibe in TNA.
Morgan and Abyss brawled back and forth to open the bout. Morgan clotheslined him over the top to the floor. Abyss landed on his feet and grabbed Morgan's legs, slamming them into the ring post.
Abyss began picking up the beds of tacks and setting them up by the entrance stage. They returned to the ring. Morgan splashed Abyss in the corner, then slammed him. Morgan opened a bag of tacks and tried to shove his face into the tacks. Morgan rebounded off the ropes but was caught in a goozle. Abyss went for a chokeslam but Morgan escaped. Morgan missed a clothesline and was knocked into a corner. He went down and Abyss charged him in the corner.
The crowd started chanting, "We want tacks." Abyss began climbing up a pole to get another bag of tacks. Morgan cut him off and set a chair in the corner, wedging it between turnbuckles. Abyss caught Morgan with a low blow as he attempted to float over Abyss in the corner, then shoved him face-first into the chair.
With Morgan down, Abyss continued to pour tacks into the pile in the ring. Morgan tried to fight off Abyss but was nailed with a Black Hole Slam on the mat. Abyss poured broken glass into the ring. Morgan tried to walk out but Abyss caught him on the aisle. Abyss nailed him with several punches and teased a chokeslam off the ramp onto the beds of tacks. Morgan kicked him low then hit the big boot, sending Abyss off the ramp onto the tacks below.
Your winner, Matt Morgan!
The match was OK but the finish was telegraphed the second Abyss began setting up the tacks by the stage. No one believed for a second that Morgan would take that bump, so that really hurt the match.
Backstage, Booker T was complaining that he never agreed to defend his Legends title. Cornette pointed out that he had Booker T's signature on the contract. Sharmell said that it wasn't binding without her consent. Cornette said that unless they could resurrect Johnny Cochran in the next 15 minutes, it was legal and binding. Sharmell got Booker to say he signed it under duress. Cornette said that they could try and get lawyers involved tomorrow but tonight it was legal and binding and that was that, "Oh hell yeah." Please don't tell me that means AJ Styles gets a win that is erased on Impact.
One Night with ODB Finals
Oh lord, here we go. ODB came out obviously "tanked", but was made up to look prettier than she has in recent months (i.e. more of what she looks like in real life). Rudy Charles escorted her to the ring. Jeremy Borash was the master of ceremonies.
The first contestant was Ontario indy wrestler Cody Deaner, who's been signed by TNA for a long time and never used before. The second contestant was Shark Boy. The third contestant was a mortgage broker named Bernie Weber (TNA's Mike Weber). They were playing game show music.
They played the Dating Game. The first question was why did they think they should get the night with ODB. Deaner said he didn't need the whole night, just 60 minutes. They even had a drummer for the rim shot. Shark Boy said he could get the job done in 23 minutes. Weber said something I didn't catch.
The next segment saw ODB demand the contestants dance. Borash was calling moves. They made Octamom jokes. This was dying a fast death, falling faster than Watchmen in its second week at the box office. Shark Boy hit his moves and said, "You just got finned, Shell Yeah." I would say you couldn't pay me to watch this, except I am getting paid to watch this. Cody Deaner dedicated his dance to the late Dale Earnheart. He actually whipped out the Karate Kid crane kick, then quipped his mullet wasn't the longest part on his body. This is like a VH-1 reality show broadcast from hell.
They went to the fans for their opinions. Weber was booed out of the place. Shark Boy got the best ovation, but not by much over Deaner. They went to the dramatic reality elimination music as ODB looked over the contenders to make her decision. In the end, she picked Cody Deaner and I think they played the exact same music they used in "Mallrats" back in the day.
Jeremy Borash said cameras would be there to document the date, "God help us all." Don West said, "Lord, please don't let these two have children."
If you like bad comedy, you'd love this. If you want straight forward serious wrestling, this was going to make you pull your hair out. Jeremy Borash's delivery was the ONLY saving grace.
Lauren interviewed TNA Tag Team champions Beer Money Inc. Robert Roode called her a b****. Roode said he was tired of listening to how many titles Team 3D won in the past but that was then. Roode said they had to go to Japan to get titles. James Storm said everyone talks about respect in the locker room, but Beer Money still isn't getting the respect they deserve. He said that perhaps it's because they don't care about or brownnose the fans and management. Storm said 3D were a great tag team, but tonight, Beer Money writes their legacy in the ring. Really good promo.
TNA Knockout champ Awesome Kong vs. Sojourner Bolt
Kong was playing unstoppable monster early, even no-selling a top rope clothesline from Bolt. Kong laid out Bolt and cinched in a sleeper, then snapper her aside to the mat. Kong missed a charge in the corner. Bolt hit a running knee but then ran into Kong, who laid her out. Kong slammed Bolt and went to the second turnbuckle. Kong went for a splash but Bolt rolled out of the way.
Bolt rolled up Kong with a La Magistral but Kong kicked up at two. Raiessha Saied tried to get involved and was kicked to the floor. Kong charged Bolt, who ducked down and Kong went over the ropes to the floor. Bolt began dropping elbows on Kong as she returned to the ring. She nailed a sledgehammer off the ropes. Bolt went for a hurancanrana but was caught and hit with the Awesome Bomb.
Your winner and still TNA Knockout champion, Awesome Kong!
Not good. I am wondering how much Kong's back is still bothering her as she was nowhere near her usual self.
They REALLY need a second hell of a show.
Samoa Joe vs. Scott Steiner
Joe charged the ring and attacked Steiner immediately. Steiner was buster open immediately. Joe nailed a back suplex on Steiner. Steiner was worked over with punches. Steiner hit an STO on Joe. He went under the ring for a lead piper but Joe caught him and began beating him with knees to the face. Joe nailed Steiner with the pipe and then threw the referee out of the ring. He then punched the ref in the face.
Your winner by DQ, Scott Steiner!
Joe hit a dive into a forearm on the floor on Steiner. He dragged Steiner into the crowd and slammed him into a wall. He began biting Steiner's face and whipped him into a trash can. He dragged Steiner out of the building.
A nothing match that was more designed to debut the new Samoa Joe character and direction.
Backstage, Lauren said that a win from AJ Styles could change the balance of power in TNA. Styles said that there's a time to put up and shut up. He thanked Rhino and Team 3D for helping the TNA Originals when they needed it, but he can't allow them to do it anymore. Styles said this was about the veterans who only care about the money and young lions who wrestle because they love it and have a passion for the business. He said tonight Booker T was going to get the original AJ Styles. Styles has really grown into a hell of a promo.
TNA Legends champ Booker T vs. AJ Styles
They started off slow with some nice counter wrestling and reversals early. The crowd is into Styles They went outside briefly. Styles garnered a one count after a backbreaker. He went for a suplex but it was stopped. Booker nailed him with a knee. Styles charged Booker but was dropped over the ropes. Booker worked over Styles but was kicked as he charged into the corner. Styles nailed several clotheslines, followed by a running splash in a corner.
Styles grabbed Booker in a hammerlock, then slammed him down on the mat. Booker cut off AJ. Good stuff. Styles came back with the Pele Kick and the Styles Clash for the pin clean.
Your winner and new TNA Legends champion, AJ Styles!
Easily the best thing on the show at this point. Styles ran into the crowd to celebrate with the fans. It came off like a real, legitimate moment.
Outside, Samoa Joe was found by Lauren. Joe was covered in dirt. He said Scott Steiner and the world were introduced to his Nation of Violence. He told Lauren that when she sees the scars on Steiner, she'll know what Joe did. Joe was carrying a bloody "tribal knife." He told Lauren to go tell the rest of the Main Event Mafia that one by one, "Joe was going to kill them too. "
TNA Tag Team champions Beer Money Inc vs. Team 3D
No Jacqueline with Beer Money. If they give this time, they have the chance to put together a really great old school tag team bout.
Roode and Devon started. Roode rode Devon to the mat, floated over and slapped the veteran upside the head. Devon and Roode went back and fort. Devon took Roode down and tagged Bubba, who was immediately nailed with a droptoehold. Storm tagged in and tagged Brother Ray with several shots. Ray catches Storm with a neckbreaker. 3D nailed a flapjack on Storm. Roode hits the ring but 3D takes him out. Devon goes to the top for the wazzzup headbutt but is pushed off by Roode.
Beer Money took control. Roode nailed a dropkick on Devon for a two count. Devon finally broke free and made the hot tag to Brother Ray. Ray whipped Beer Money into the same corner, then hit a running splash. Beer Money landed in a homoerotic position and had a funny staredown. Ray began clubbering.
Ray played to the crowd and ended up caught with a kick by Roode, who then snapped him over for a two count. Beer Money doubled up on Ray but he nailed them. Ray went to the middle rope but Roode grabbed his leg. Storm hit a top rope hurancanrana on Ray. Roode then nailed a big cross body off the top for a pinfall attempt but Ray kicked up. Beer Money rebounded off the ropes but Storm was tripped by Devon and Ray caught Roode with a sit-down inverted atomic drop for a two count.
Storm tried to spit beer in Ray's face but got his partner instead. 3D nailed a reverse backbreaker on Roode for a two count. They called for a 3D but Storm nailed Ray with a chair. Lame.
Your winners by DQ, Team 3D!
Well, no it aren't. Jim Cornette came out and channeled Bill Watts, saying the fans came to see a winner and a loser. He demanded the match be re-started with no disqualification. Good false finish.
All four brawled. They nailed the 3D on James Storm but Robert Roode dragged the referee out of the ring. They left, complete with Don West handing them the tag belts. They were counted out as Jim Cornette followed them out ranting.
OK, that was lame after all, although you can make an argument they can build a return match out of it. When Brother Ray was complaining to the announcers, Don West tried to explain what happened, which led to Bubba screaming at him and warning West that he should take some advice from Tenay.
They went to promos from earlier today with the competitors for the Ultimate X match tonight. They were treated really serious. Chris Sabin talked about how he's competed in more UX matches then anyone in the world. They played up that the Motor City Machineguns would have been happy with either of them winning. Creed played up that he's not sure he's prepared as he's never competed in such a match and that it's the most dangerous match he's ever been involved in. Jay Lethal kept up the Black Machismo persona but talked about the importance of being the X-Division champion and how it will come down to what you are willing to do to become the champion. No promo from Suicide but that's in keeping with his character.
Ultimate X - X-Division champ Alex Shelley vs. Suicide (Chris Daniels) vs. Chris Sabin vs. Jay Lethal vs. Consequences Creed
They really need for this match to be one hell of a bout. The Guns attacked Suicide as Lethal Consequences went for the cables. The Guns cut them off. The Guns nailed several synchronized double-team moves on Lethal and Creed. Suicide returned and tossed Sabin to the floor. Shelley was going for the ropes but Suicide cut him off. Creed got tossed out, leaving Lethal and Suicide.
Lethal nailed the back handspring elbow. Fans were chanting "Fallen Angel." Shelley returned and went after Lethal. Lethal dropkicked him in the corner. Shelley drilled him head-first into the turnbuckles. He climbed for the cables but was pulled off by Creed. Creed tossed him to the floor but was nailed by Sabin with a leaping elbow.
Sabin got to the cables and climbed towards the belt but was pulled off by Creed. One by One, everyone returned to the ring. Shelley missed a sliding kick to the outside and was nailed with a superkick by Lethal. Lethal went to climb up but was slammed to the outside by Shelley, who then held the ropes open for Sabin to hit a tope to the floor. Suicide went for a dive but was cut off by Shelley kicking him. Creed went to the top but Suicide grabbed him in a Fireman's Carry on the apron, then hit a forward roll onto the other three competitors on the floor. That was pretty original.
Suicide began climbing the cables but Lethal nailed a dropkick to send him flying to the mat. The Guns hit the ring and began battling with Lethal Consequences while Suicide attempted the cables again. Lethal pulled him down and hit the Lethal Combination. He gave Creed a boost to the cables. Creed got to the belt but before he could figure out how to unhook it, Shelley speared him off the cables. Crowd chanted, 'That was awesome."
The Guns went to one of the corners. Lethal pulled Sabin onto the ropes, crotching him. Shelley went for a top rope splash but Creed got his knees up. Creed followed Suicide to the corner. Lethal and Sabin got involved and they went for the Tower of Doom but Suicide grabbed the cables and began propelling himself across. Lethal made his way to the cables and pulled him into a powerbomb down onto the mat.
Lots of great spots here. Creed went for his somersault into clothesline on Sabin but missed. Shelley nailed a frog splash on Suicide. Lethal took out Shelley but was nailed by Sabin with a Tornado DDT off the top. Creed nailed Sabin. Shelley grabbed Creed and nailed a brainbuster.
They continued with lots of back and forth action. Shelley drilled Suicide in the corner. They each climbed up the scaffolding towards the cables and battled. Shelley locked Suicide's leg in the trust and shoved him backwards. Creed nailed Shelley and drove him to the mat. Suicide was struggling to free himself as Lethal Consequences and Sabin all battled in the center of the cables. Suicide hit a splash onto the top of the cables, knocking all three off and grabbed the belt for the win.
Your winner and new X-Division champion Suicide!
Really good match and one hell of a finish. Loved all the work here. That finish is one of the ages in terms of craziness.
Backstage, Jeremy Borash interviewed TNA champion Sting. Sting said that whatever Angle wanted to do, brawl, wrestle or use tables, he could do that. He said he was going to retain the belt and go onto handle Main Event Mafia business.
TNA champion Sting vs. Kurt Angle with Jeff Jarrett as the special referee and Mick Foley as the ringside enforcer
They started off slow, circling each other and feeling the other out. Angle took control early with a series of rights, driving Sting into the corner. He whipped Sting to the opposite corner but Sting got his boot in Angle's face. Sting hit a clothesline over the top, sending Angle to the floor. They brawled on the floor, with Sting whipping Angle into the guard rail. Angle briefly went into the crowd before they returned to the ring.
Sting rained down punches in the corner on Angle. Angle cut Sting off. He suplexed Sting for a two count. Angle and Jarrett had a brief glare over his count. Angle tried for a belly to belly over the top but Sting blocked. Angle drove him over but to the mat, not outside. Angle scored another two count, then hit a backbreaker for another near fall.
Sting fought his way to his feet and they battled back and forth. Sting caught Angle with a clothesline, then hit a second. Sting nailed the Stinger Splash in the corner, then suplexed him for a two count. Angle went for the Angleslam but Sting turned it into an armdrag. Sting nailed a powerbomb for a two count.
Angle came back with several German suplexes. Sting finally reversed with a Scorpion Death Drop for a two count. Angle came back for a clothesline but Sting ducked and Jarrett got nailed. Sting locked in the Scorpion Death Lock. Angle began tapping but Mick Foley was checking on the fallen Jarrett. Sting turned his attention to Jarrett but Angle nailed the Angleslam. Foley counted two but Sting got his shoulder up.
Angle and Foley had words and Angle nailed him low. Angle retrieved a chair but Foley got it. He went to hit Angle but Angle ducked. Sting got nailed. Angle made the cover. Jarrett began counting but Sting kicked up at the last second. Don West complained it was a slow count. Angle and Jarrett had words. Jarrett decked Angle, who fell into the Death Drop and was pinned.
Your winner and still TNA champion, Sting!
AAfter the match, Foley and Sting had words but nothing that would make you think that's a direction the company is building. Kurt Angle followed Jeff Jarrett up the aisle yelling at him and blaming him for the loss.
Show ended with Sting holding the World title above his head.
2010 - The WWE vs. TNA Monday Night wars continued head to head with Raw scoring a 3.7 rating to TNA's 0.8.
Stu Carapola's Raw report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live coverage of Monday Night Raw!
We open with a video package taking us back to last week's Gauntlet Match which saw John Cena kill the finishers of half the Raw roster before Batista finally came out and destroyed Cena, allowing Mr McMahon to pin him. It's funny how Vince McMahon, at 62 or whatever he is, looks to be in ten times as good of shape as Ric Flair is at roughly the same age.
Monday Night Raw is on the air, live from San Diego, California! Our hosts are Michael Cole and Jerry "The King" Lawler.
On tonight's show, three rematches of previous Wrestlemania matches as Shawn Michaels faced World Champion Chris Jericho, Triple H battles Randy Orton, and John Cena takes on the Big Show!
Tonight's Guest Host, Stone Cold Steve Austin makes his way to the ring looking all of 180 lbs. It's seriously shocking how skinny the guy looks. Austin gets a huge ovation from the crowd. Cena wishes he could get a reaction like this. So does Hogan for that matter. Austin says it's good to be back as the crowd does the "WHAT" gimmick. He says that walking down the rampway made him thirsty and had his guy at ringside toss him a couple of beers and then tells the crowd if they're ready for Raw and Wrestlemania, to give him a Hell Yeah. The crowd obliges. He says that nobody knows the importance of Wrestlemania like Steve Austin, and says his match at Wrestlemania 13 against Bret Hart was one of the defining moments of his career. He says you put it all on the line at Wrestlemania, and having faced Bret on many occasions, he says Bret is one of the best he's ever been in the ring with, which he never would have said on TV ten years ago. He also knows Vince McMahon very well and appreciates what Vince brings to the ring, which isn't scientific wrestling skills but that he's one of the most cutthroat people he's ever been in the ring with. Tonight, we're here to sign the contract for the Bret-Vince match at Wrestlemania, and he's here to oversee the signing of that contract, and he wants to make sure this match goes into Wrestlemania without any hitches. He pauses for another sip of beer, then goes back to Vince and Bret. Vince is dealing with Stone Cold Steve Austin, and then Austin says ass and gets bleeped, and tonight we're going to settle things in this very ring because Stone Cold said so!
Suddenly, John Cena's music hits and I wish it was ten years ago so Austin would crush Cena like a bug. Instead of talking to Cena, Austin just grabs a beer and walks away...but suddenly the Big Show's music hits and out comes the big man. Austin waves at him and continues to the back as Show gets in the ring and it looks like our first Wrestlemania Rewind match is on!
John Cena vs Big Show
Cena ducks several punches and comes back with some of his own, but Show clocks him and goes for a powerbomb, but instead of dropping him forward like a traditional powerbomb, Show drops straight back and drops Cena on his face, and we're off to commercial.
We're back and Cena's in trouble, as he's stuck in a big, vicious Big Show crossface. Cena escapes and goes for the STF, but Show kicks him off to the floor. Show yanks him back up to the apron by the head, but Cena drops down and clotheslines Show on the top rope, then pops back in and goes for a slam, but Show does the Andre block on Cena for 2. Show rams Cena hard into the corner and goes up for the Vader Bomb but Cena moves and Show crashes hard. Show gets up and charges Cena in the corner, but Cena gets the boot up, dropkicks the knee, then goes up and hits a Fameasser off the top rope. Show can't see Cena, but before we get the Five Knuckle Shuffle, Batista's music hits and according to WWE rules, that means Cena has to stop what he's doing immediately and gape at him. Cena recovers more quickly than usual and hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but gets distracted again and walks right into a chokeslam...for 2. John Cena, the Finisher Killer. Show cocks up for the big right, but Cena ducks it and goes for the Attitude Adjustment, but Batista jumps up on the apron and distracts Cena enough that he drops the Big Show and then eats the big right, and that's enough to put Superman down for the count.
Winner: Big Show
Batista crawls into the ring and talks trash to Cena, then slides back out of the ring and walks off.
After a brief commercial break, we're going right back to the ring for...
Evan Bourne vs Sheamus
This ought to be quick. Sheamus takes the mic and says that before he starts his match...then changes his mind and cracks Bourne over the head with the mic, then kills him with a bicycle kick followed by the Celtic Cross. Bourne rolls to the floor so Sheamus takes the mic back and as he was saying, when he was growing up in Ireland he was always fascinated by WWE and its superstars, and one man stood out to him, a man who would sell his mother to get ahead, who would use a sledgehammer to get ahead, and that man is Triple H. Triple H beat them all, and over the years has won countless World Championships. But within one year, Sheamus has ended careers, dominated Raw, and become WWE Champion. He was supposed to defend the WWE Title at Wrestlemania and Triple H ruined that, but he can thank Triple H now because Triple H was the man he wanted at Wrestlemania, and in two weeks he's going to get his chance. Triple H said Wrestlemania can be a turning point in his career, but it will actually be a turning point in Triple H's career because after the beating Sheamus is going to give him, he'll never be the same again. Triple H may be the King of Kings, but at Wrestlemania, Sheamus is going to take his throne. Then he points at the Wrestlemania banner. As for the match, let's call it...
No Contest
Steve Austin is hanging out backstage, and Shawn Michaels stops by to ask him if he thinks Shawn can beat the Undertaker. Austin says he thinks he can, but doesn't think he's going to. Shawn says he knew at the very least he'd get the truth out of him, then says that after Austin beat him at Wrestlemania 14, everyone thought Shawn's career was over, but he proved them wrong, and at Wrestlemania he's going to prove them wrong again by beating the Undertaker. Chris Jericho interrupts to thank Austin for the match with Shawn Michaels tonight, because it gives Jericho one last chance to embarass Shawn before Undertaker retires him once and for all. Shawn says he's going to destroy Chris Jericho to send a message to the Undertaker, then leaves. Jericho suggests calling the match off and going for a couple of Steveweisers and they share a big laugh...but then Austin stops laughing and tells Jericho to get out of his office. Austin looks really old up close. I think those hopes of one last match are becoming more and more of a pipe dream with every passing day.
Quick commercial break, then we're back to the ring yet again for...
Kelly Kelly vs Divas Champion Maryse
HELLOHELLOHELLO. Maryse nails Kelly while she's jutting for the crowd, but Kelly comes back with a kick, a backflip, and another kick. Kelly jumps on Maryse and they catfight, then Kelly...kicks her again! Kelly does a Rocker Dropper for 2, but Maryse Tullys her into the middle turnbuckle and then hits her spike DDT for the win. At least it was quick.
Winner: Maryse
Maryse Goes after Kelly again after the match, tosses her to the floor, then rams her into the barricade. Maryse tosses her back in the ring, but before she can do more damage, Gail Kim and Eve Torres come out to make the save. They lay out Maryse and go to check on Kelly, but Layla and Michelle McCool come out and jump Eve and Gail! Wait, what are they doing here?? They're Smackdown Divas! McCool does a weak Panic Attack in the corner, but Eve recovers and nails Layla. Before she can nail McCool though, Layla grabs her leg, McCool misses her kick, then does it again and connects this time. McCool and Layla head for the back as Vickie Guerrero stands at the top of the ramp applauding.
Still to come tonight, Steve Austin presides over the Bret Hart-Vince McMahon contract signing!
Commercial, then we're back for a video package of various WWE superstars talking about the Undertaker's Wrestlemania streak and scenes of the Undertaker's victories over the years. Then the stars talk about how Shawn is the one man who can probably end the Undertaker's streak. The build for this match is epic, and they can probably do an entire DVD set just of the two Wrestlemania matches and the build to them. Seriously, if this doesn't close Wrestlemania then there is no justice.
Back to the ring for main event #2!
Shawn Michaels vs World Champion Chris Jericho
Both men make their entrance, and then we go to commercial. We come back and the bell rings. Shawn goes right after Jericho and pounds away, whipping him into the ropes and catches him coming off with an elbow. Shawn with a pair of chops, a flying mare, and a stomp to the head. Shawn whips Jericho into the corner and follows him into, but Jericho moves and Shawn hits the ringpost. Jericho goes for a backdrop, but Shawn gets the boot up and follows that up with a Thesz Press, which Cole said is in tribute to Steve Austin. Moron. Jericho backdrops Shawn over the top to the floor, then goes out after him and rams him facefirst into the apron then tosses him back in the ring. Jericho slingshots Shawn into the bottom rope, then stands over him and rains punches down on Shawn's prone body. Jericho gets a sloppy Tazmission, but Shawn fights his way out. Jericho reverses an Irish Whip and Shawn goes hard into the corner and goes down and Jericho starts laying in the boots to him. Jericho HITS THE CHINLOCK, but Shawn fights his way out and hits the flying forearm. He kips up, hits the inverted atomic drop and then goes for another, but Jericho rolls through and goes for the Walls of Jericho. Shawn reverses that to an inside cradle for 2, but Jericho comes back with a bulldog and the Lionsault, but Shawn gets the knees up. Shawn goes up top and hits the top rope elbow and goes for the superkick, but Jericho bails to the floor and takes a hike and gets counted out.
Winner: Shawn Michaels by countout
As soon as the bell rings, Edge's music hits and he runs out and goes after Jericho, beating him all through the crowd and back into the ring and kills him with the spear. Edge grabs the mic, crawls back in right on top of Jericho, and says "Spear" then walks off.
Still to come, Triple H takes on Randy Orton, and Steve Austin oversees the Bret Hart-Vince McMahon contract signing!
Commercial break, then we come back to Cole and Lawler bringing us back to clips of last week as Legacy finally got one up (sort of) on Randy Orton, and then announce Randy Orton vs Cody Rhodes vs Ted Dibiase in a Triple Threat Match at Wrestlemania. Josh Matthews catches Orton backstage and asks if this announcement affects his mindset going into his match with Triple H tonight. Orton says he hates Triple H, but respects him and takes him seriously. He then says that he doesn't take Rhodes and Dibiase seriously. Neither do we, Randy. Neither do we. At Wrestlemania, it's every man for himself and Legacy is going to discover that they're absolutely nothing without Orton.
Triple H is backstage, and he's...WALKING! We're off to commercial.
We're back, and it's time for the Raw Rewind, as we go back to Triple H's conversation with Sheamus from last week and the subsequent brawl.
Cole and Lawler bring us up to speed on the events of earlier tonight, and then send us back to the ring for the third of our three main events!
Triple H vs Randy Orton
I find it interesting how Triple H can flip back and forth from DX Triple H to The Game Triple H and back with little to no effort. I wonder if he could flip back to Hunter Hearst Helmsley as easily. No matter which character he's portraying though, you can't help but admire the Evian Spew Of Doom. It's not as easy as it looks. Bell rings and we're off with a repeat of the main event of last year's Wrestlemania! WWE is smart not to charge for it this time. Orton goes right to work with right hands and boots in the corner, but Hunter comes back with some haymakers of his own. Orton reverses an Irish Whip into the corner but Hunter comes out with a clothesline and follows that up with a big vertical suplex and the kneedrop for 2. Orton comes back with a few shots and goes for a dropkick, but Hunter HHHolds onto the ropes and Orton comes crashing down. Orton turns it around and dumps Hunter to the floor and he crashes down hard. Hunter climbs back into the ring and Orton goes for the second rope DDT, but Hunter climbs through and backdrops Orton to the floor then follows him out. Hunter goes to whip Orton into the stairs but Orton reverses then does the second rope DDT off the the stairs onto the floor and Orton ducks back into the ring as we go to commercial.
We're back and Randy Orton has HIT THE CHINLOCK! Hunter tries to fight out but Orton with the NeckBackBreaker and gets pumped up for the RKO. Triple H gets to his feet and Orton goes for it, but Hunter pushes him off and hits a clothesline and both men are down. They both get up and start going toe to toe but Triple H takes the advantage with a high knee. Hunter with the knee smash and comes off the ropes right into a powerslam by Orton, which gets 2. Triple H comes back with a spinebuster for 2 then goes for the Pedigree, but Orton backdrops out. Double clothesline and both men are down again. Orton clotheslines Hunter over the top rope, but Hunter catches him coming back into the ring and hits the Pedigree. Before he can make the cover, Legacy runs in and attacks Triple H and toss him to the floor, then start attacking Orton 2-on-1. Triple H comes back in to try and make the save, but Sheamus comes in out of nowhere and hits the bicycle kick on Triple H. Sheamus has a staredown with Legacy, and Legacy backs off to the floor. They pull Orton out to the floor and Rhodes hits CrossRhodes in the floor as Sheamus plants his foot on Hunter's chest and raises his arms in victory. As for the match we just saw...
Winner: Triple H by DQ
Batista is backstage, and he's...WALKING! He faces Kofi Kingston next!
The Hall Of Fame is the night before Wrestlemania as always, and this year's inductees include the Million Dollar Man, Antonio Inoki, Mad Dog Vachon, and Wendi Richter, plus the latest inductee, Gorgeous George. We are treated to a video package of George's career, and I couldn't help but get a chuckle out of the Destroyer, Dick Beyer, making his comments while wearing the mask even though he's like 100 years old.
But of course the night after the Hall Of Fame is Wrestlemania, and we run down the entire card. Just out of curiosity, why doesn't everybody reading this write me and let me know which match they think will close the show out of Michaels-Undertaker, Batista-Cena, Jericho-Edge, and Hart-McMahon? While we're at it, why don't we actually do which match WILL close the show, and which match SHOULD close the show. I'd be interested to hear what everyone thinks.
But for right now, let's head back to the ring!
WWE Champion Batista vs Kofi Kingston
The events of last week's show closing angle would lead one to believe that Kofi won't fare very well here. Batista rams Kingston into the corner to start and rams shoulders into his solar plexus, then whips Kingston hard across the ring into the opposite corner. Batista continues brutalizing Kingston, choking him in the corner with his boot. Batista goes for a powerslam but Kingston wriggles free and takes a couple of kicks at Batista's leg, ducks a wild clothesline, and lays in some shots to Batista before nailing him with a dropkick and a flying clothesline. Batista bails to the floor and Kingston tries a baseball slide to the floor, but Batista moves out of the way and rams Kingston into the barricade. Batista tosses Kingston back in the ring and tries a corner charge, but Kingston ducks out of the way and out to the apron. He tries a springboard something, but Batista clotheslines him out of the air, and as I notice that Batista seems to have been busted open hardway, Batista hits a spinebuster and finishes Kofi with the Batista Bomb.
Winner: Batista
Coming up next, Steve Austin supervises the contract signing for Bret Hart vs Vince McMahon!
Our Wrestlemania Recall brings us back to Wrestlemania 14 with the infamous Kane-Pete Rose Incident. All time classic, and Pete Rose is back next week for the final Raw before Wrestlemania. Already signed for next week...that's right, a HANDICAP MATCH! Triple H & Randy Orton take on Sheamus, Ted Dibiase, and Cody Rhodes.
It's contract signing time! Bret Hart comes hobbling out to the ring and god bless Bret, he's selling the fake leg injury like a champ. There are none better. He is soon joined by Mr McMahon, who comes hobbling out because that's just the way he walks, then ruins my joke by hobbling more than usual to mock Bret. Finally, out comes the Master of Ceremonies himself, Stone Cold Steve Austin. The amount of history in that ring right now is just staggering to anyone who lived through it. Austin has some business to take care of before we get down to business with the contract signing. Austin was inducted into the Hall Of Fame last year and that's something he's very proud of, and this year Stu Hart was supposed to go into the Hall Of Fame. Vince stands up to interrupt, but Austin tells him to sit down, and then says that just because he's Vince McMahon, he said Stu isn't going into the Hall Of Fame. Austin says that if anyone deserves to go in, it's Stu Hart, so he's officially announcing that Stu Hart is going into the Hall Of Fame. Vince says he's okay with Stu going in because that means the entire Hart family will be in Phoenix, and while they're a bunch of dysfunctional derelicts, but Bret is different because he's a handicapped dysfunctional derelict. He then says that Bret can be a man and sign the contract for Wrestlemania, but once he does it's ironclad, and if Bret doesn't show up then Vince will sue him for everything he's got. Bret says that he'd show up even if both his legs were broken, and then he says that neither of them want this to be a wrestling match, they want it to be a fight, then challenges Vince to make it a No Holds Barred match. Does that mean Zeus will show up too? Vince says, in the words of Steve Austin, oh hell yeah! Vince said that after Montreal, Vince said that Bret screwed Bret. For the last few weeks it's been Vince screwing Bret, but with this stipulation, once again it's Bret who has screwed Bret, then tells Bret to sign it. Bret signs the contract, then passes it to Vince. Vince hesitates, then signs the contract as well. Austin says it's official: Bret Hart will face Vince McMahon in a No Holds Barred match at Wrestlemania, and tells the crowd that if they're ready for it, to give him a hell yeah! Austin says he's looking forward to seeing Vince taking as ass whipping, which again gets bleeped out. Austin starts to head to the back, but gets to the top of the ramp and stops and says there's one thing he forgot to tell Vince, and he'll let Bret tell him himself. Vince turns around and sees...Bret's cast laying on the table. Bret says he doesn't need the crutch or the cast, what he needed was for Vince to think Bret was hurt, then reveals that it was all a ruse and that Bret is 100%, and if Vince tries to back out of this match, Bret is going to sue him for everything he's worth. For 13 years, Vince has said that Bret screwed Bret, but tonight, Vince screwed Vince. Bret turns to the crowd with the cast in hand and asks if anyone wants a souvenir, and as Vince slowly rises to suckerpunch Bret from behind, Bret turns around and cracks Vince in the face with the cast, tosses him over the table, then nails him again. This just got real interesting.
Thank you for following PWInsider.com's live coverage of Raw, and we'll see you back here next week for the last Raw before Wrestlemania with Guest Host Pete Rose!
Richard Trionfo's Impact report:
We start off with a look back at last week’s Impact when Sting made his return to attack Hulk Hogan. Then we saw Rob Van Dam defeat Sting in a few seconds only to be attacked by Sting and his baseball bat for what felt like hours. Then Jeff Hardy came back.
We see a hummer arrive at the Impact Zone and there are no military coming out. Hulk Hogan, Abyss, Rob Van Dam, and Jeff Hardy emerge.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘Beware the Ides of March . . . Brother’ Tenay and Taz.
Things start off with A.J. Styles coming to the ring and he is joined by Ric Flair. A.J. calls Abyss a six foot eight scary looking but stupid monster. He asks Abyss if a magical ring can help him at Destination X. Does Abyss think that he has a chance at the pay per view? A.J. says that they had classic battles in the past at the Asylum in Tennessee as well as in the Impact Zone. They took each other to the limit, but in the end, it was A.J. Styles up and Abyss down. A.J. says that he doesn’t know where Abyss gets his inspiration from but A.J. says that he does not believe in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, or magical rings. A.J. says that he believes that he is the best wrestler in the world. A.J. says that he is a gift from God and on Sunday, Abyss will find out first hand . . .
Flair takes the mic and he says that he wishes that he could be as under control as A.J. Flair starts to talk about last Monday and then he takes off his jacket and shows the scars on his forehead. Flair punches himself in the forehead and starts to bleed. Flair says that he will never forget it and says that Abyss is a dead man. He tells Jeff Hardy that they had Hogan and Abyss where they wanted and he ruined things. He says that he hates Jeff Hardy. Flair tells Hardy that if he wants to play ball, expect this treatment every day.
Jeff Hardy’s music plays and he comes to the ring and he has his game face paint on. A.J. wants to know who Hardy thinks he is coming into his house. A.J. calls Hardy a nobody. Flair tells Hardy to look him in the eye. A.J. says that Jeff did nothing in TNA and he is a nobody. A.J. says that Hardy wants to come in here and put his hands on Ric Flair and the champ? A.J. says that if Jeff wants to be in the spotlight, it doesn’t get any bigger than A.J. Styles. A.J. says that if Hardy wants to put his hands on the champ, why not do it in the ring tonight. A.J. says that he is the spotlight.
Hardy points to the fans chanting his name and then he says that it will be a breeze.
Flair tells Hardy that a breeze is Jeff going to the back to paint a picture and get as high as he can on the paint. Flair woos in Hardy’s face and Hardy says that he will be flying high on the backs of his creatures of the night.
We go to the Bischoffice and Foley wants to talk to Eric. Eric yells at Foley for helping Jeff last week during Jeff’s match. Eric says that he wants to seize the moment so Foley can be a corporate citizen and he can do it tonight. Eric says that they are going to make Foley into the corporate executive that he wants and Foley will have his head and beard shaved off.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Taz and Tenay talk about what just happened and we are reminded about the main event. Tenay says that Sting is going to confront Hulk Hogan and Taz says that Foley is getting a haircut.
We go to an incident from earlier today when the Nasty Boys with Jimmy Hart attack Jesse Neal and power bomb him through a table of food.
The Nasty Boys are in the ring and Knobs says that it looks like their six man tag match is now a handicap match.
Ray says that it isn’t going to be a handicap match and they have a partner and it is Brother Runt.
Match Number One: The Nasty Boys and Jimmy Hart versus Team 3D
Sags and Devon start things off and Sags with a knee and punch followed by a forearm. Sags misses a clothesline and Devon with a flying shoulder tackle and he works on the arm before tagging Runt in and he hits a double sledge from the turnbuckles. Sags with an Irish whip but he misses a charge and knocks Knobs down and hits a head butt to the midsection. Sags hits Runt from behind when Runt goes for Hart. Sags sends Runt into Knobs arm pit. Sags with a slam and Knobs tags in and he sends Runt into the turnbuckles. Knobs sends Runt into Sags’ boot and then Hart tags in and he kicks Runt and gets a belt and he is ready to hit Runt but Runt moves and Ray tags in. Ray hits Knobs and Sags while Hart leaves. Ray sends Sags into Knobs in the corner and hits a splash onto both men. Sags goes to the floor and Runt with a double sledge from the top. Ray with punches and the Bubbonic Elbow. Knobs has the helmet while Hart distracts the referee. Knobs hits Ray from behind with the helmet and Hart gets the three count.
Winners: Nasty Boys and Jimmy Hart
After the match, Knobs attacks Devon and throws Runt into the turnbuckles. Sags hits Devon as well. Hart brings a table into the ring and they set it up while Hart whips Devon and Runt. Jesse Neal comes out with his ribs taped up and he takes care of the Nastys and Hart. They hit a 3D on Sags through the table.
We go to the back and Christy Hemme is with Angelina Love. Christy asks Angelina about her loss last week and wonders how she feels about Velvet and Madison winning the titles. Angelina says that it sucked and she is making an open challenge to any member of her former group tonight. She doesn’t care who it is. She says that they are trying to be her and she is the original.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Jeremy Borash is in the back with Scott Hall and Sean Waltman as Borash reminds us of the stipulation for Sunday’s match. Waltman says that they have been kicked out of better places than this and talks about being fired by FedEx. Scott says that they will give the Big Sellout and Eric Young what they deserve. Scott says that you are going to be looking at the two new big money players next Monday.
Nash and Young stop by and Nash talks about having big money. Nash challenges Hall to a five minute match and if Hall can last that long, he will get $25,000. Hall says that he will be the one dressed like Elvis.
We take a look back at what Kurt Angle did to Ken Anderson last week on Impact.
Dinero waits for the referee to hold the ropes open for him.
Match Number Two: Ken Anderson and Desmond Wolfe with Chelsea versus Kurt Angle and D’Angelo Dinero
Angle and Wolfe start things off and they lock up with Angle working on the arm with a key lock but Wolfe with a hammer lock. Angle with a snap mare but Wolfe with a wrist lock. Angle with a reversal and Anderson refuses to make the tag. Wolfe with an elbow but Angle with a hip toss. Angle with a hammer lock but Wolfe with a reversal and Angle gets to the ropes. Anderson punches Angle while Wolfe was with the referee. Anderson wants to tag in now and he kicks Angle while Wolfe holds him. Anderson kicks Angle in the midsection and then he rakes the eyes. Anderson with a front face lock and then he sends Angle into the turnbuckles before tagging Wolfe in. Wolfe with a head lock but Angle with an Irish whip. Angle with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex and both men are down. Dinero makes the tag and he comes in and hobbles for a clothesline and elbows. Dinero with a back body drop and he follows it with elbows to the head. Anderson tries to interfere but Dinero with a palm thrust. Dinero with an STO for a near fall. Angle with an Olympic slam on Anderson. Wolfe with a hammerlock DDT to Angle but Wolfe tries for a figure four but Dinero with a rollup for the three count.
Winners: D’Angelo Dinero and Kurt Angle
After the match, Angle and Dinero are attacked by Wolfe and Wolfe sends Dinero over the top rope onto the ramp. Wolfe with a European uppercut. Meanwhile back in the ring, Anderson hits the Mic Check on Angle. Dinero and Wolfe fight up the ramp and Anderson takes Angle’s medal. Anderson cuts Angle’s forehead with the medal.
The mic comes down for Ken Anderson and he gets in Angle’s face and he asks Angle if he is bleeding. Anderson tells Angle that this is just a small example of what he has in store for him on Sunday at Destination X. Anderson hits Angle in the head with the mic.
We go to commercial.
We are back for a bit as Madison, Velvet, and Lacey try to figure out who will face Angelina as they all make excuses.
We are back and Hogan is with Hardy and Van Dam. Hogan tells Hardy to focus on A.J. since Abyss is the guest enforcer. He tells Van Dam that he has something fun for him.
Eric Bischoff enters after the left and Eric wants to make sure that everyone is on the same page. Hogan says that he has a few surprises for tonight. Eric says that he loves surprises and Hardy and Van Dam were a stroke of genius. Eric says that he would love to have been involved. Hogan says that Eric has had his hands full with Mick Foley and Jeff Jarrett. Hogan says that he knew that Eric would love it. Eric says that it is time that certain people get reminded who is in charge. Hogan says that you don’t have to apologize because it sounds like his ex-wife. Hogan says that Van Dam and Hardy know what to do.
Match Number Three: Angelina Love versus Someone from her former Group
It turns out that Angelina will be facing all three members tonight and she doesn’t look surprised.
Velvet says that Angelina looks like a tough person making an open challenge. Velvet says that if they want them, they have an honorary member for one night and it is Daffney.
Daffney hits Angelina from behind with a forearm and then she connects with a forearm as she chokes her and has her in a modified camel clutch. Daffney rubs Angelina’s face in the mat and then she gets her toolbox and decides on a hammer. The referee takes the hammer and then Angelina punches Daffney and that means that Velvet, Lacey, and Madison pull Angelina into the ring post and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Angelina Love by disqualification
After the match, Angelina is sent into the side of the ramp by Daffney. There is a lot of screeching instructions as Angelina is rolled into the ring.
Tara comes through the crowd and she punches Velvet, Madison, and Lacey. Tara with the Widow’s Peak to Madison. Tara points at Daffney on the ramp.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a ‘What is Wrong with Sting’ video package.
It is time for Hulk Hogan to come to the ring. Hogan wants his damn music stopped. He says that game time is over and he says that he has been around the block a few times. Hogan says that last week was more than a trainwreck. He has been left bleeding next to his partner before. He has felt like being run over by a train before. The one image he cannot get past is hearing Abyss ask ‘Why Sting Why’. Hogan says that he can smell and feel the low class dog and he wants Sting to come out to find out why a man who helped build TNA from the ground up could do what he did last week. Hogan wonders if he doesn’t think he is a big enough star. Hogan tells Sting to be a man and face him in the ring. Sting walks on the catwalk and then he comes down into the Impact Zone. Sting continues to walk and he finally gets to the main staircase that he goes down every appearance. Sting makes his way to the ring as only Sting can, but he is attacked from behind by Rob Van Dam. Van Dam punches Sting and chokes him with his boot. Van Dam with a side kick off the ramp and he sends Sting into the ring post. Van Dam punches Sting and sends him into the ring post again. Van Dam kicks Sting a few more times and Van Dam has the baseball bat and he throws it to Hogan. Sting is sent into the ring and Hogan is about to hit Sting.
Bischoff comes to the ring and he stops Hogan from hitting Sting. Bischoff says that it is not the right thing to do. Bischoff tells Hogan that he is the leader of the company and not a wrestler any more. Bischoff gets security to escort Sting out of the ring. Eric tells Hogan that this is out of control. Eric tells Hogan that he didn’t come here to wrestle. They came to lead the company, not fight the battles in the ring. Eric tells Hogan that he made a promise to his daughter that he was done with it last week. He wants Hogan to be done with it.
Taz and Tenay talk about what just transpired and wonder if Eric is doing the right thing. Hogan hugs his daughter.
We go to the back and Hernandez stops Jarrett and says that he is there for Jeff because Jeff gave him his first shot. Bischoff hears that and stops the party. Eric tells Jeff that his days of making matches are over. Eric says that Hernandez will be in a handicap match against Storm and Roode tonight. Jeff tells Eric not to take his frustrations out on Hernandez because it is between the two of them. Eric tells Jeff that since he wants to get into the ring, he will be a referee, just like when he broke into the business. Eric tells Jeff that if he screws up just a little bit, he is done. The only way that Jeff gets in the ring is if he puts it up or breaks it down on the road. He reminds Jeff to call it right down the middle.
We go to commercial.
Scott Hall and Kevin Nash are walking in the back.
Match Number Four: Kevin Nash versus Scott Hall in a $25,000 Challenge
Hall is already in the ring and he waits for Nash to get into the ring. Nash gives the referee the money as the match starts. Hall takes his time before locking up and he throws his toothpick at Nash. Nash with a knee and elbow followed by a punch. Nash with a forearm to the kidneys and then he does it again. Hall with a punch on the third attempt. Hall with more punches and then he wrings the arm and works on the shoulder. Nash with a short arm clothesline. Nash with knees in the corner followed by elbows and then he frames one up but Waltman comes into the ring and clips Nash. Waltman has handcuffs and cuffs him to the ropes. Waltman and Hall punch Nash but Eric Young comes to the ring and Hall and Waltman take control of the situation. Hall with a punch and Waltman with an X Factor. Hall and Waltman take the money and they have music.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Jeremy Borash is with James Storm and Robert Roode and Roode says that all they wanted was an opportunity to show Hogan and Bischoff what they are about because they have been pushed aside like a couple of nobodies. Roode asks if that is the way to treat the greatest tag team in the world, because the answer is not just no, but hell no. Storm says that Bischoff gave them the opportunity to whip someone’s ass and last week it was the founder Jeff Jarrett. This week, they have an opportunity against Hernandez. Storm says that they are sick of being the nice guys and caring about the fans.
Match Number Five: James Storm and Robert Roode versus Hernandez with Guest Referee Jeff Jarrett
Storm and Roode attack Hernandez as he comes into the ring and they continue to double team Hernandez. Storm chops Hernandez and Roode chokes him.
Matt Morgan comes to the ring to join his tag team partner, but he turns around and goes to the announce table. Roode with a reverse atomic drop followed by a side Russian leg sweep by Storm. Roode gets a near fall and then Storm chokes Hernandez. Roode chokes Hernandez in the ropes and Storm with a splash into the ropes. Roode and Storm punch Hernandez and he goes down again. Roode slaps Hernandez in the head and Storm kicks him. Hernandez with a double clothesline to Storm and Roode but Roode with punches and then he runs into a shoulder tackle by Hernandez. Hernandez with a splash to Storm. Roode with a cross body and Hernandez catches him. Hernandez blocks a double suplex and counters with a double suplex of his own. Hernandez with a kick to Roode and then he tries for the Border Toss but Storm with a super kick and Storm and Roode hit the DWI and get the three count.
Winners: James Storm and Robert Roode
After the match, Storm and Roode demand that Jarrett raise his hands since they won the match and Jarrett is a good employee/founder.
Storm and Roode attack Hernandez and Jarrett holds them off but there is only one Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett is pushed down and he has had enough so the referee shirt comes off and he joins the skins. Jarrett punches Storm and Roode. Jarrett sends Storm and Roode into each other and then Hernandez with a slingshot double shoulder and Storm and Roode leave the ring.
Eric Bischoff is walking in the back with his tribute to Brutus ‘The Barber’ Beefcake and the Narcissist. We go to commercial.
We are back and Eric Bischoff is in the ring with his barber chair. He tells Jeff Jarrett that he will deal with him next week. Eric says that he is going to change the look of the company, especially Mick Foley. They have been trying to make something of Foley but it is impossible. It is time to clean up Mick Foley once and for all.
Foley comes to the ring for TNA’s contribution to Shear Genius. Eric tells Foley to sit down and Foley obliges Eric. Foley has his hand in his pocket and before Bischoff can start clipping, Foley brings out Mr. Socko and he applies the Mandible Claw and Bischoff passes out. Foley has the clippers and it is time to take a little of the top of Bischoff. Foley wakes up Bischoff and he has a Hogan starter cut.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to take a look back at the Sweeney Todd moment of the night.
Christy Hemme is in the back with Shannon Moore to talk about the match on Sunday. Shannon says that the X Division will be spotlighted more than ever on Sunday. Shannon says that he has been studying from the Book of Dillygaf. He says that he has made a promise to his people that he will be the new X Division Champion. He welcomes Doug Williams to Glam Rock.
The Elimination X apparatus is up and the Machine Guns are in the ring. Sabin says that Sunday will be a night to remember. It is not only the return of the Ultimate X match with the winners becoming the Number One Contenders to the Tag Titles, but Destination X will be known as the start of the Rise of the Machine Guns. Sabin tells Generation Me that it starts with them. Sabin wants to know who they are to come into their company and try to compete with them. He says that it can’t be done. He wants to know what they have done to earn a spot in this match. He wonders what dues they have paid and who they have beaten.
Generation Me comes out and Max points out that they beat this team known as the Motor City Machine Guns in their debut match. Shelley says that they remember that but there is a thing called luck. Anyone can win a match. Shelley calls them good, but says that they aren’t great. Shelley says that they are great. He says that they are the Xbox to their Atari. They are the station wagon to their Ferraris. Shelley starts to talk about Generation Me’s girlfriends and they start to fight.
Brian Kendrick comes out and he goes after Generation Me. Amazing Red goes after Kendrick and hits a cross body. Daniels comes out and he goes after Red. Daniels and Kendrick go after Red. Kazarian brings a ladder to the ring and he throws it at Daniels. Shelley and Sabin work over Kazarian and then Generation Me take care of the Machine Guns. Shelley and Sabin are sent into one of the towers and then they climb the towers and land on the Machine Guns. Kendrick and Daniels miss with a ladder shot to Red. Kazarian throws Daniels out of the ring while Red takes care of Kendrick. Red climbs the ladder and he hits flip dive onto the Machine Guns, Daniels, and Kendrick.
Jeremy Borash is with the man with the ring who is the guest enforcer. Destination X will be when he gets his hands on A.J. Styles. Styles and Flair have been trying to take his ring from him. Abyss says that for the first time in his life, someone is jealous of him. Abyss says that they can’t have it because it is his time to start taking. Abyss says that it starts when he takes A.J.’s title. Abyss says that he hopes Flair gets involved tonight because he will show Flair what it is like to come face to face with the Monster of the Ring. Abyss wants to know what they are going to do when the monster runs wild and crazy on them.
We go to commercial.
We are back for a bit to see Jeff Hardy bouncing in his locker room
Match Number Six: Jeff Hardy versus A.J. Styles with Special Enforcer Abyss [and his WWE Hall of Fame Decoder Ring]
Styles kicks and punches Hardy and chops him a few times. Styles with an Irish whip and he runs into boots from Hardy. Hardy with a clothesline and slam before going to the turnbuckles for a vintage screaming leg drop for a near fall. Hardy with a reverse chin lock. Styles backs Hardy into the corner and he kicks and punches Hardy before chopping him a few times. Hardy with chops of his own and then he sends Styles into the corner. Styles sends Hardy to the floor and Flair wants to do something but Abyss does his job as special enforcer. Flair throws his jacket at Abyss and then backs away. Styles was going to go to the floor, but then he remembered that he is a heel and doesn’t do it. Styles kicks Hardy as he gets back into the ring. Styles with an elbow to the neck followed by a Phenomenal drop kick for a near fall. Styles works on the leg to set up for the figure four and then he drops onto the leg. Styles tries one too many times and Hardy kicks Styles over the top rope to the ramp. Styles drops Hardy on the top rope. Styles with a rear chin lock. Hardy with elbows followed by a short arm flying clothesline and gets a near fall. Hardy with a running forearm and then he hits the sit out gourdbuster and hits the hesitation baseball slide for a near fall. Hardy with an Irish whip but Styles with an elbow and chop. Styles with an elbow to the head and then he hits a brainbuster on Hardy for a near fall. Styles tries to use the turnbuckles but Hardy blocks it and hits Whisper in the Wind and gets a near fall. Hardy sets for the Twist of Fate but Styles escapes and hits the Pele kick and both men are down. Styles waits for Hardy to get up but Hardy sends Styles to the apron and Styles takes Hardy and the referee down with a springboard cross body. Styles goes to the floor and he takes a chair from ringside. Abyss tells Styles that is a no no. Styles tries for a springboard 450 but Hardy moves and Hardy hits the Twist of Fate followed by a Swanton and hits it. Abyss makes the three count.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
After the match, Flair hits Abyss with the chair. They go to the ramp and Abyss is using the power of the ring and Abyss finally does the finger point of doom after punching the chair out of Flair’s hands. Abyss with a choke slam that causes the ramp to break.
2011 - Netflix added a TON of WWE content to their streaming service as part of a new deal they signed with WWE.
2011 - Daffney announced via Twitter that she had filed a workman's compensation claim against TNA, stemming from issues following her concussion. There had been issues between Daffney and the company over how her medical expenses were being covered after she suffered a really bad concussion taking a bump through a barbed wire board, which is why she hadn't been used in the final months of her deal by TNA. The announced was timed with the final day of her TNA contract, which the company did not renew. The lawsuit was settled in March 2013. The terms were not announced.
2012 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the Impact Wrestling Report here on PWInsider.com!
We see Sting and Bobby Roode arriving at the Impact Zone as they prepare to sign the contract for Victory Road later this evening. We kick off with the recap video package that shows Roode cheating his way to victory time and time again until Sting snapped, leading to Sting declaring that he's going to kick Roode's ass at Victory Road.
James Storm comes out to start the show proper, and says he's looking forward to winning the title at Victory Road and maybe getting a little revenge while he's at it. Roode's as selfish as he says he is, and that makes him everything that's wrong with the world today. He's going to give Roode the ass kicking of a lifetime, he wants the World Title, and he's going to take it from Roode at Lockdown. Storm cuts himself off in the middle of his own catchphrase and says he's not sorry because Roode's going to need all the luck he can get. Storm gets ready to head to the back, but is cut off by Bully Ray, who reminds Storm that he kicked the steel chair right into his head, but Storm says he remembers differently because he's the guy who kicked Bubba's teeth down his throat to become the #1 contender. Storm says to stop talking and get in the ring so he can kick his ass in front of everyone, but Bubba tells him to kick his calves because he's not going to make it to Lockdown, he's not going to beat Bobby Roode, and it's going to be because he's got to face Bully Ray in three days, and Bubba's going to take him out and make sure his dreams never come true. Storm gets out of the ring and walks up the ramp toward Bubba, saying that his long hair doesn't just cover up his red neck, and wants to fight right now. Bubba asks him if he wants to fight, and Storm's all in, but Bubba says that if he wants a fight, he can take on one of the toughest guys he knows, and brings out Gunner to go face to face with Storm. Gunner warns Storm that he's going to take him out tonight, and Storm simply drops the microphone and goes after Gunner, with the two of them trading blows until the Snowy Brown Diamonds come out to break them up. Bubba cheapshots Storm while he's being held back and then quickly escapes up the rampway.
Gail Kim and Madison Rayne are arguing backstage and blaming each other for their loss of the Knockouts Tag Team Title. They find Sting and complain to him, but Sting says he's got Bobby Roode on his mind and doesn't have time for this, so Gail's wrestling Mickie James tonight and Madison has Velvet Sky. By the way, that match is next!
Bobby Roode is backstage wondering who the hell Sting thinks he is booking himself into the main event of a PPV when there's a locker room full of guys who are more deserving than a guy who hasn't been an active wrestler for months.
Madison Rayne vs Velvet Sky
We have no time for any pigeons getting loose because Velvet goes right after Madison as soon as she gets into the ring and batters her from pillar to post. Velvet with a series of shoulderblocks to the ribs in the corner, then a snapmare and indy kick to the back followed by a baseball slide for 2. Madison rams Velvet into the corner and tries a charge, but Velvet gets the boot up. Velvet tries the boot again on another charge by Madison, but Madison catches her boots and swings her across the middle rope for a pendulum backbreaker. Madison with a boot to the head for 2, then locks in a three quarter nelson. Velvet fights free but gets dumped hard to the floor. Velvet gets back onto the ring apron and Madison quickly gets a neckbreaker across the middle rope and covers for a pair of quick two counts. Velvet finally makes a comeback and gets a clothesline, back elbow, and a bulldog. Madison goes for her weird neckbreaker, Velvet reverses to an O'Connor Roll, and Madison reverses to one of her own and we get a real nice view as Madison gets 3 with a handful of tights.
Winner: Madison Rayne
Matt Morgan is backstage congratulating Crimson for his great teamwork last week, but Crimson said that he won after all, and it's not about his undefeated streak, it's about winning their tag team title back. Morgan says it's about winning big and making the money, and Crimson says that to make the money, you have to win matches and he's been undefeated for 14 months.
Crimson vs Samoa Joe
Crimson takes Joe to the corner and puts the boots to him, but Joe fires back with right jabs and whips him across the ring for a running back elbow and leaping enziguiri. Nice flurry there, and Joe follows with the snapmare/chop to the back/kick to the chest/kneedrop combo for 2. Crimson comes back with a hard clothesline for 2, then a snapmare, elbow to the top of the head, and running knee to the face for 2 on Joe. Crimson gets a three quarter nelson and rams kneestrikes into Joe's face and follows it up with a rolling neckbreaker for 1. Crimson gets a rear chinlock and bashes a hard forearm into Joe's chest with an audible thud. Joe fights free and Crimson tries coming off the second rope, but Joe counters to an inverted atomic drop, running boot, and back senton for 2. Crimson comes off the ropes right into a snap powerslam for 2, but comes off the ropes and walks right into a spinebuster for 2. Crimson charges Joe in the corner and Joe nails the STJoe, then puts Crimson up top for the Muscle Buster. Matt Morgan gets on the apron to distract Joe and ends up brawling with Magnus on the floor. Joe goes after Morgan and gets snapped down on the top rope, and Crimson takes advantage by hitting a spear for the win.
Winner: Crimson
Austin Aries is backstage with a bottle of champagne and he's going to come out to celebrate some milestone tonight. Oh yeah, and he's...WALKING!
Austin Aries is out here to say it's a great day to be a great man, and a great day to break records. He doesn't normally pay attention to numbers and statistics, but 53 people have held the X Division Title and as of now, he's officially the longest reigning X Division Champion of all time, surpassing the previous record of 182 days. He celebrates by directing our attention to the ImpactTron for what's actually a really good video package that makes Aries look like the biggest damn star on the planet. Seriously, if WWE did stuff like this they could make Michael Tarver look like a PPV main eventer. Aries thanks all the guys we saw him beating in the video package for being good, and then wants the fans to give it up for him for being even better. Zema Ion comes out to interrupt the party, and Aries says he didn't send him an invitation, but it's okay because he has to give Ion credit for doing what nobody ever did before and beat him at his own game. Ion says he didn't beat Aries at his own game, he beat him at HIS game, and he's not as smart as he thinks he is because if he was, he'd hand the title over to him now before he winds up like Jesse Sorensen. Aries says it's nice that Ion showed that he has some "hair on his nuts" and he'll reward him by letting him make the first toast. Aries hands him the glass of champagne and Ion says that he'd like to toast this weekend when he ends Aries' record setting title reign. Ion tosses the champagne in Aries' face, and Aries straight up kicks his ass and dumps him to the floor.
We pause for a few quick backstage segments: Abyss' "brother" is backstage again looking for Chris, but Gunner doesn't have time to talk because he's got a match tonight to prepare for. ODB and Eric Young are backstage doing some wedding planning, as they try to decide where to hold the wedding before deciding on just doing it in the ring on Impact. Young thinks that's a great idea since they met there, had their first match their, became champions there, and got engaged there, and ODB reminds him that it was also the first place he hammered her. I'm paraphrasing, of course. Finally, Kurt Angle says he hates disrespectful punks and is looking forward to facing Garett in a five minute match so we can see if he can even last, andalso mentions how much he hates Jeff Hardy while he's at it. Oh yeah, and Sting is really looking forward to Victory Road because it's going to be a very good night when he gets his hands on Bobby Roode.
Gail Kim vs Mickie James
Gail takes Mickie right down with a side headlock and goes to a rolling cradle, Mickie bridges out and tries a backslide, but Gail blocks so Mickie gets a snapmare and baseball slide for 2 instead. Gail comes back with some hard kicks and forearms, but Mickie dodges a corner charge and Gail tumbles out to the floor. She grabs her title belt and tries to hit Mickie with it, but Mickie knocks it out of her hands and slingshots Gail into the ring and tries her headscissors out of the corner, but Gail catches the leg and drops right down into an innovative kneebreaker and then starts dropping elbows onto the knee. Gail continues working on the knee and locks in a Stretch Muffler as Mickie struggles to get to the ropes. Mickie counters to a rollup for 2 and then a neckbreaker, and both girls are down. Mickie comes off the second rope with the flying crotch to the face for 2, then baseball slides Gail out to the floor...right next to her title belt. Gail picks it up and awaits Mickie, bashes her right in the head when she comes over and knocks her out, then covers Mickie for 3.
Winner: Gail Kim
Ken Anderson is backstage saying it's a little weird that AJ's associating himself with an asshole, but he threw up the Bat Signal, so...oh wait, Christopher Daniels and Franke Kazarian come over to tell Anderson that the situation with AJ had nothing to do with him, but he wants to know why Anderson chose AJ's side when they all know how this movie's going to end. Daniels says Anderson will find out how everything will go when he teams with AJ against Kazarian and himself this weekend, but Anderson says we can find out how it'll happen tonight when it's them one on one.
Ken Anderson vs Christopher Daniels
Daniels jumps Anderson on his way into the ring and sends him to the ropes, but Anderson boots him in the face and fires off some right hands and goes for the Mic Check, but Daniels bails out to the floor and seems to have had his cheek busted open hardway. Anderson goes out after him and sends him back into the ring and continues the assault, hitting an elbowdrop for 2, but Daniels goes on the offensive and puts the boots to Anderson in the corner. Daniels drags Anderson out to the middle of the ring and covers for 2, but Anderson gets a quick schoolboy rollup for 2. Daniels quickly recovers and hits a Northern Lights suplex for 2, he goes for a springboard moonsault but Anderson gets the knees up and makes it back to his feet, as they go toe to to in the middle of the ring. Anderson with a rolling neckbreaker for 2 and then a spinning enziguiri for another 2 as Daniels makes it to the ropes. Anderson catches Daniels on a leapfrog attempt and hits the Finlay roll, but Dainels quickly makes it to the ropes and safety as Kazarian comes down to ringside and makes angry faces at Anderson. He gets up on the ring apron, but AJ Styles comes running out and pulls Kazarian off the apron, allowing Anderson to hit the Mic Check for the win.
Winner: Ken Anderson
Jeff Hardy is backstage saying Kurt Angle is the reason he's not the World Champion right now, and he's going to take him out at Victory Road.
Five Minute Challenge: Kurt Angle vs Garett Bischoff
I'd just liketo say that if this was a shoot, Garett wouldn't last thirty seconds, much less five minutes. Angle has his game face on for the first time in months, and he goes right after Garett with right hands, then takes his legs out and puts the boots to him. Angle with a snap vertical suplex and goes for the cover, but pulls Garett up at 2 and goes to a rear chinlock. Garett breaks away and fires back with right hands of his own, but Angle shuts him right down and nearly crossfaces Garett's nose off before going back to stomping him in the face. Angle dumps Garett out to the floor and goes after him, Garett fires off right and left hands, but Angle shrugs him off and hits another snap suplex on the floor before dumping Garett back inside and making another cover before again pulling him up at 2. Angle plants his knee right across Garett's jaw and pulls up on his hair in a real nasty visual, and Garett still tries firing back but Angle hits an overhead release suplex, goes for another cover, and again pulls him up at 2 and drills him right in the face with a right hand. Angle pulls the straps downand goes for the Angle Slam, but Garett escapes and dumps Angle to the floor with 20 seconds left. Angle slowly comes back in and charges Garett again, but runs right into his boot. He finally hits the Angle Slam and goes for the cover, but Garett is saved by the bell and, officially, wins the match.
Winner: Garett Bischoff
Angle is livid and knocks out the referee before putting Garett in the anklelock, holding him there until Jeff Hardy runs in and chases Angle off. They have a tense staredown before Angle backs his way up the rampway.
It's main event time!
Gunner vs James Storm
Storm comes into the ring, goes nose to nose with Gunner, and we're off as they trade blows until Storm takes Gunner out with a clothesline and Gunner tries to escape to the floor for a breather. Storm goes after him and sends him right back in, Gunner nails Storm as he tries to climb back into the ring, but Storm turns the tide for a brief moment before he comes off the ropes and runs into a flying chokeslam from Gunner for 2. Storm tries to elbow his way free from a rear chinlock, but Gunner drops an elbow right onto the top of Storm's head and fires a couple of crossfaces into Storm's face as Bully Ray cheers him on from the floor. Gunner gets Storm in a neck vice, but Storm fights his way free and rocks Gunner with another clothesline. Storm unloads with a series of clotheslines and back elbows and then a running forearm off the ropes. Storm gets a BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK BODYDROP and hits Closing Time, then sets up for the Last Call. Gunner makes it back to his feet, Storm hits the superkick, and that's all she wrote.
Winner: James Storm
Storm gives Bully Ray a death stare, and Bubba turns his hat around and charges down to the ring, but then backs off just short of the ring and backs up the rampway, saying he'll take care of Storm in three days.
Sting and Bobby Roode are backstage, and they're...WALKING!
After one last hype video, we go to the ring for the Sting-Bobby Roode contract signing, mediated by Jeremy Borash. The match is No Holds Barred, one fall to a finish, and Sting signs the contract first, then slides it over to Bobby Roode, who puts his John Hancock on the contract, though I guess I'd have to find a better analogy since he's Canadian. Roode reminisces on the day he won the World Title and became the It Factor, and says that Sting has been nothing but a pain in his ass since then. He's tried to figure out why Sting holds so much animosity toward him, and he believes that it's because Sting is jealous of him. Roode reminds Sting of 22 years ago when he beat Ric Flair for his first World Title, 22 long years ago, and he remembers when he watched that match as a fan. Sting had it all and was on top of the world, and Roode wanted to be just like him, but the fact is that 22 long years later, Sting looks at Roode and sees himself because he has all the same traits Sting had those 22 years ago, except that he's better. He's bigger, stronger, faster, smarter, better looking, and he's a better World Champion than Sting ever was. It's not just jealousy, it's Sting's ego as well because he's one of those guys who hangs around the business and steals the young guys' spotlight. He wonders if Sting thinks people will forget about him after he's gone, but the business has passed Sting by and this Sunday, he steps into the ring with the World Champion. Sting doesn't get out of bed as quick as he used to, he doesn't get around the airports or even his house as well as he used to, and the stupid facepaint he puts on doesn't scare Roode. As a matter of fact, he puts that facepaint on to mask himself because he knows he doesn't have what it takes to hang in this business anymore. On Sunday, in the main event of Victory Road, he's going to expose Sting for who he really is: a washed up has-been who should have left the business a long, long time ago. Roode asks Sting what's wrong and if he has nothing to say for the first time in his career. Roode asks if the truth hurts, then he puts down the microphone, picks up his title belt, and turns to walk away, but Sting stands up, flips the table over, kicks his chair across the ring, takes off his sunglasses, and smears facepaint on himself. Roode doesn't look at all impressed, and yells at Sting that the facepaint doesn't scare him, so Sting smears the facepaint on Roode's face, makes Roode jump by going "BOO!" at him, then unleashes a beating on the World Champion. Sting stomps on Roode's hands and starts punting him in the ribs, kicking his legs out from under him, and clotheslines him out to the floor. Roode stares up at Sting in disbelief as he pounds his chest, and it looks like he's got his work cut out for him at Victory Road.
That wraps it up for this week's Impact, I'll be back tomorrow in the Elite section to discuss Impact and more with Dave Scherer on the Stu & Pid Show!If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
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