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March 26th
On this day in history in ....
1945 - Dick Trout defeats Danny McShain for the World Light Heavyweight Title in Hollywood, California, ending McShain's fourth reign and beginning Trout's second.
1945 - George Dussette defeats Gust Johnson to win the Pacific Coast Junior Heavyweight Title.
1949 - Buck Weaver defeats Ben Sherman for the Pacific Coast Light Heavyweight Title.
1951 - Andy Tremaine defeats Frank Stojack to win the Pacific Coast Junior Heavyweight Title in Portland, Oregon, ending Stojack's third reign.
1956 - Bull Curry wins his fourth NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title in Fort Worth, Texas by defeating Don Evans.
1957 - Fred Blassie defeats Mike Clancy for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title in Nashville, Tennessee, but the title was immediately held up.
1962 - Hard Boiled Haggerty and Gene Kiniski defeat Mr. Kleen and Whipper Billy Watson for the Vancouver NWA Pacific Coast Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.
1966 - Chris and Ken Lucas are awarded their fourth Gulf Coast NWA Southern Tag Team Title. Don Carson and Mazie York had held the title since February 11, but the title was vacated on February 23 after Carson broke his leg.
1970 - Gene and Ole Anderson defeat George Becker and Johnny Weaver to win the NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Title in Greensboro, North Carolina, ending Becker and Weaver's second reign.
1971 - Antonio Inoki defeats John Tolos for the NWA United National Heavyweight Title in Los Angeles, California, ending Tolos' second reign.
1973 - Jerry Lawler and Jim White defeat Jackie Fargo and Jerry Jarrett in a Hair vs. Title match in Memphis, Tennessee to win the Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Title.
1976 - The Great Kojika and Motoshi Okuma defeat two Korean wrestlers in Seoul, South Korea to win the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Title.
1977 - Ken Medlin defeats Mike Dallas to win the Australian Light Heavyweight Title in Melbourne, Australia, beginning his second reign.
1977 - The Medics win the Tri-State NWA United States Tag Team Title for the third time, defeating Tony Rocco and Bob Sweetan in Shreveport, Louisiana.
1978 - Jack Brisco wins the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title for the fifth time, ending Bob Roop's second reign in Orlando, Florida.
1978 - Baron Von Raschke defeats Johnny Weaver in Greensboro, North Carolina to win the NWA Television Title, beginning his second reign.
1978 - Dutch Mantel defeats Randy Savage for the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
1980 - Don Muraco wins the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title from Manny Fernandex in Miami, Florida.
1981 - Perro Aguayo defeats Gran Hamada in a tournament final in Shimizu, Japan to become the first WWF Light Heavyweight Champion.
1984 - Eddie Gilbert and Tommy Rich defeat The Pretty Young Things (Norvell Austin and Sweet Brown Sugar) to win the vacant AWA Southern Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee.
1984 - Johnny Rich defeats Rip Rogers for the Southeast NWA United States Junior Heavyweight Title in Birmingham, Alabama, ending Rogers' second reign.
1986 - Tui Selinga defeats Jerry Lawler in Honolulu, Hawaii to win the NWA Polynesian Pacific Heavyweight Title.
1987 - Akira Maeda and Nobuhiko Takada defeat Shiro Koshinaka and Keiji Muto for the IWGP Tag Team Title in Osaka, Japan.
1987 - Masakre and MS-1 defeat Cien Caras and Máscara Año 2000 for the Mexican National Tag Team Title in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
1988 - Avalanche (P.N. News) and Mike Golden defeat The Southern Rockers (Steve Doll and Scott Peterson) to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title in Portland, Oregon.
1991 - The Texas Hangmen (Killer and Psycho) defeat Eddie Gilbert (subbing for Jerry Lawler) and Jeff Jarrett to win the USWA Tag Team Title in Louisville, Kentucky.
1993 - Canek and Dr. Wagner, Jr. defeat Canadian Vampire Casanova (Vampiro) and Pierrorth, Jr. in the final of a best-of-three match series in Mexico City, Mexico to become the first CMLL World Tag Team Champions.
1993 - Ultimo Dragon wins his third UWA World Middleweight Title from Negro Casas in Mexico City.
1994 - ECW held Ultimate Jeopardy at the Valley Forge Music Center in Devon, Pennsylvania. The results were:
- Crash the Terminator (Bill DeMott) defeated The Pitbull.
- 911 defeated Don E. Allen, Blue Mask (Chad Austin) and Hack Myers in a handicap match.
- ECW Television Champion J.T. Smith defeated Rockin' Rebel.
- The Bruise Brothers (Ron and Don) defeated Badd Company (Paul Diamond and Pat Tanaka).
- Tommy Cairo defeated The Sandman.
- Jimmy Snuka defeated Tommy Dreamer in a steel cage match.
- Shane Douglas, Mr. Hughes and The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) defeated ECW Heavyweight Champion Terry Funk, Road Warrior Hawk, Kevin Sullivan and The Tazmaniac in a War Games match, when Douglas pinned Funk after suffocating him with a plastic bag. Due to pre-match stiupulations, Douglas won the title, beginning his second reign.
1994 - Octagóncito defeats Jerrito Estrada for the Mexican National Mini-Estralla Title in Merida, Mexico.
1995 - Gedo defeats Lion Heart (Chris Jericho) in a tournament final to become the first WAR International Junior Heavyweight Champion in Tokyo, Japan.
1995 - All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling held the third annual Wrestling Queendom event at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan. The results:
- AJW Tag Team Champion Rie Tamada pinned Kumiko Maekawa.
- Chaparita Asari pinned AJW Junior Champion Candy Okutsu to win the title, beginning her second reign.
- Kaoru Ito and Noriko Tsunada fought to a draw in a Shootboxing match after five rounds.
- Lady Apache and Jaguar Yokota defeated Felina and AJW Tag Team Champion Mariko Yoshida in a Lucha Libre rules (elimination) match. Apache pinned Felina, Yoshida pinned Apache, and Yokota pinned Yoshida.
- UWA World Women's Tag Team Champions Etsuko Mita and Mimi Shimoda defeated Suzuka Minami and Tomoko Watanabe, when Mita pinned Minami to retain the title.
- Saki Hasegawa pinned Bison Kimura.
- Toshiyo Yamada defeated Reggie Bennett and WWWA World Tag Team Champion Takako Inoue in a three-way match to win the vacant AJW All Pacific Title, beginning her second reign. The winner of the match was the first to defeat the other two opponents. Inoue pinned Yamada, Bennett made Inoue submit, Yamada pinned Bennett, and Yamada pinned Inoue.
- Yumiko Hotta defeated Lioness Asuka by knockout in an "Ultimate fight" match.
- WWF Women's Champion Bull Nakano defeated WWWA World Tag Team Champion Kyoko Inoue to retain her title.
- Manami Toyota pinned WWWA World Singles Champion Aja Kong to win the title.
1999 - Steven Dunn wins the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title from Brian Adias in North Richland Hills, Texas, ending Adias' second reign.
1999 - Biohazard and Juggernaut defeat The Glamour Order of Discipline (Johnny Canuck and Michelle Starr) for the ECCW/NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title in New Westminster, British Columbia, ending their third reign.
2000 - Titan defeats Rex King to win the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title in Carolina, Puerto Rico.
2001 - The five-and-a-half year long Monday Night War officially ended. The World Wrestling Federation had purchased World Championship Wrestling from AOL-Time Warner on March 23 and this night saw the final edition of WCW Monday Nitro on TNT, which got a 3.0 rating live from Panama City Beach, Florida.
WWF RAW is WAR was live at Cleveland, Ohio's Gund Arena and got a 4.7 rating live on TNN.
The 286th and final Nitro began at 8:00pm with Vince McMahon standing in front of the RAW is WAR interview set in Cleveland, and announcing that he had bought WCW. McMahon said that the very fate of WCW was in his hands. Ric Flair came out in Panama City and cut an immensely emotional promo on McMahon and the buyout, saying that no matter what Vince did, and no matter what he "held in his hands" he couldn't truly hold in his hands the history and legacy of WCW, nor any of the WCW wrestlers' livelihoods. He also challenged to a match, his "greatest opponent" in WCW, Sting. The final WCW Monday Nitro results featured:
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Booker T pinned WCW World Heavyweight Champion Scott Steiner (with Midajah) after the Book End to retain the United States title and win the World title. This began Booker's fourth WCW World Title reign.
- The Filthy Animals (Billy Kidman and Rey Misterio, Jr.) defeated 3 Count (Evan Karagias and Shannon Moore) and The Jung Dragons (Kaz Hayashi and Yang), when Misterio pinned Moore after a guillotine legdrop. The win earned Kidman and Misterio a shot at the WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Title later in the night.
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Shane Helms pinned Chavo Guerrero, Jr. after the Vertebreaker to retain the title.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions Sean O'Haire and Chuck Palumbo defeated Team Canada (Mike Awesome and Lance Storm), when O'Haire pinned Awesome after the Seanton Bomb, to retain the title.
- Shawn Stasiak (with Stacy Keibler) pinned Bam Bam Bigelow after a reverse neckbreaker, after Keibler pulled Stasiak out of Bigelow's attempted Greetings from Asbury Park. If Stasiak had lost the match, he would have had to get a tattoo.
- The Filthy Animals (Billy Kidman and Rey Misterio, Jr.) defeated WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions Kid Romeo and Elix Skipper, when Kidman pinned Skipper after the Kid Krusher, to win the title.
- Sting defeated Ric Flair by submission with the Scorpion Deathlock. After the match, Flair and Sting hugged and shared an emotional moment together, which was then cut off by Vince McMahon's entrance in Cleveland.
- McMahon actually did the entrance twice, because the first time wasn't seen on TNT, only on TNN. It was now time for Vince McMahon's simulcast address of the acquisition of WCW. It certainly was surreal to see the WWF logo in the left corner and the WCW Monday Nitro logo on the right. Vince said that his effort and his money was the sole reason why he won the Monday Night War, and that the only way to beat a billionare like Ted Turner was to become one yourself. He said he would sign the contract and make the deal official when Ted Turner personally delivered the contract on the coming Sunday at WrestleMania X-Seven in Houston. McMahon said he could put WCW on the shelf, and then began polling the audience on their approval of several WCW talent, including Scott Steiner, Booker T, Buff Bagwell, Sting and Goldberg, and after asking the question, "How appropriate is it that WCW's last broadcast is in a beer hall?", said he would look every WCW wrestler in the face and fire them. "WCW is buried. WCW will remain buried." Vince closed by saying anyone who would try to compete with him would also be buried."
The fans began to chant negatively at Vince, with him threatening to walk out, before being interrupted by Shane McMahon's entrance music. Shane was coming to the ring, not in Cleveland, but in Panama City. Shane said the deal was already final, and the signature did say McMahon, but it was Shane McMahon, not Vince. Shane told his father that WCW would beat Vince again, just like he would at WrestleMania. The WCW "Copyright 2001" banner appeared on screen as Vince looked dumbfounded in the ring in Cleveland, as Shane smiled in the ring in Florida.
Nitro closed, with of all things, RAW advertising the main event for the show later, Steve Austin and The Rock vs. Kane and The Undertaker, and a commercial for WrestleMania. At around 10:00pm, WCW was officially over.
WWF RAW is WAR's results from Cleveland were:
Dark matches:
- Steve Bradley defeated Chad Collier.
- Scott Vick defeated B.J. Payne.
- Chris Chetti defeated Johnny Swinger.
- William Regal defeated Crash Holly via submission.
Jakked:
- Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn defeated Mark Benarucci and Rudy Rude.
- Billy Gunn pinned Larry Destiny after the One and Only.
- Essa Rios pinned Ken Anderson after a moonsault.
- K-Kwik pinned Funaki (with Taka Michinoku) after the Hat Rack Crack.
RAW is WAR:
- Tazz defeated Val Venis in a Lumberjack match.
- William Regal defeated Crash Holly (with Molly Holly) by disqualification.
- Chris Benoit and The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt (with Lita)) defeated Kurt Angle, Christian and Edge, when Benoit made Christian submit with the Crippler Crossface.
- X-Pac (with Albert) pinned WWF European Champion Test after Albert interfered and hit Test with a Baldo Bomb. Eddie Guerrero was the guest referee, and he also attacked Test after the match.
- Big Show defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho.
- Steve Austin (with Debra) and WWF Champion The Rock defeated Kane and The Undertaker.
2001 - During a pre-Raw meeting, Vince McMahon held a meeting with the wrestlers where he thanked everyone in the WWF for their hard work in helping bring the company to the momentous day when they took full control of the wrestling business. In the meeting, Vince, who was very happy all day, obviously felt proud of what the WWF had done and he thanked all of the employees for their hard work that led to the WWF buying WCW. Vince said that he could have let WCW go under, but there were people in WCW who had families to feed and that by letting the company go under, he would have been putting those people out on the street with nowhere to work. He said that WCW would be run as its own company and that the goal was to make it successful, not close it down in a year or so. He also said that there would be minimal "swapping of talent" between the two companies and they would be run as two separate companies. He did say that a few WWF wrestlers could leave and go become part of WCW, but don't expect inter-promotional matches. Obviously, those plans changed rather quickly as the WCW "Invasion" storyline began within months.
2001 - Zak Mason defeats Joel Davis for the NWA New England Junior Heavyweight Title in Somerville, Massachusetts.
2002 - The First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania hosts a WWF SmackDown! and Sunday Night Heat taping. The results were:
Dark matches:
- Crash Holly and Billy Kidman defeated Hugh Morrus and Perry Saturn.
- Mr. Perfect defeated Randy Orton.
Sunday Night Heat:
- WWF Women's Champion Jazz defeated Molly Holly by submission with an STF.
- Lance Storm pinned Scotty 2 Hotty after a superkick.
- Edge pinned Goldust after a spear.
- WWF European Champion William Regal pinned WWF Cruiserweight Champion Tajiri after a double underhook powerbomb.
SmackDown!:
- Diamond Dallas Page defeated Booker T by disqualification when Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman came from out of the crowd and Lesnar gave Page and F5.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Billy and Chuck (with Rico) defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von), when Chuck pinned Bubba Ray after Billy gave Bubba Ray a Fameasser behind the referee's back. After the match, the Dudleys gave Chuck a 3D and then hit the Wazzup on Billy, before hugging in the ring. This was their last match together at the time as they were heading to seperate brands as a result of the WWE Draft.
- Hulk Hogan, Kane and The Rock defeated The nWo (Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and X-Pac), when Kane pinned X-Pac after a chokeslam.
- Chris Jericho defeated Matt Hardy by submission with the Walls of Jericho.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Rob Van Dam pinned Test after reversing a powerbomb into a sunset flip.
- Raven pinned WWF Hardcore Champion Maven to win the title after the Evenflow DDT.
- Kurt Angle and Vince McMahon defeated Ric Flair and WWF Undisputed Champion Triple H, when McMahon pinned Flair after The Undertaker interfered and kicked Flair in the face while he was trying to put the Figure Four Leglock on McMahon.
2004 - Rick Steiner defeats Takeshi Morishima in Chariton, Iowa to win the World League Wrestling Heavyweight Title.
2004 - Apocalypse and Harry Smith defeat Johnny Devine and Dave Swift in a tournament final for the Stampede International Tag Team Title in Calgary, Alberta.
2004 - Rick Michaels defeats Jason Blackmon in Cornelia, Georgia to win his second NWA Wildside United States Heavyweight Title.
2005 - Jack Evans and Teddy Hart defeat The Strong Style Thugs (B-Boy and Homicide) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to win the Jersey All Pro Wrestling Tag Team Title. Homicide wouldn't be without gold for long, as he defeated Jay Lethal later in the night to win his sixth JAPW Heavyweight Title. The title was vacated that night when Dan Maff retired.
2005 - El Dandy defeats L.A. Park in Acapulco, Mexico for the Mexican National Light Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign.
2005 - Amanezá Bryan defeats Eric Alexander to win the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico.
2005 - Southside Trash (Big Daddy and Rowdy) defeat Sean Evans and Sonny Siaki in a tournament final in Columbus, Georgia for the vacant Georgia Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title.
2005 - The Twin Terrors (Koko and Razz Mansour) defeat Aftershock in a tournament final for the vacant NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Montreal, Quebec.
2005 - Slim J. wins his second NWA Wildside Junior Heavyweight Title from Fast Eddie in a three-way match also including Jay Fury in Cornelia, Georgia. At the same event, Iceberg and Tank win their second NWA Wildside Tag Team Title from Pomp and Circumstance (Ace Rockwell and Shaun Tempers). Also, Rainman ends Onyx's second NWA Wildside Heavyweight Title reign.
2005 - Danny Daniels defeats Ryan Boz in a tournament final to become the first NWA Heartland State Heavyweight Champion in Streamwood, Illinois.
2006 - Two NWA Cyberspace titles change hands in Dover, New Jersey. The S.A.T. (Joél and José Maximo) defeat champions All Money is Legal (Kayotic Kid & Luda Kash) and Archadia & Grim Reefer in a three-way match to win the NWA Cyberspace Tag Team Title. Bobby Roode won the NWA Cyberspace Heavyweight Title in a four-way match over Matt Bentley, Rodney Mack and Mana. That title was vacated by Abyss on March 1, and Roode's NWA Cyberspace Internet Title was vacated as a result of his winning the Heavyweight title. Roode had held that one since March 18, when he won it from Josh Daniels.
2006 - Three of the four Championship Pro Wrestling (now NWA Oregon) titles change hands in Milwaukie, Oregon. George Michael wins his second CPW Heavyweight Title from C.W. Bergstrom, The Cascadian Colossus takes the CPW Television Title from Dr. Kliever, and Critter defeats Kevin Brandt and champion Cedric in a three-way match for the CPW Hardcore Title. CPW became NWA Oregon on July 6.
2006 - Danny Doring and Danny Jaxx defeat champions The James Gang (B.G. and Kip James), The Holy Rollers (Earl the Pearl and Rich Myers) and The Slackers (Chad and Dino) for the Maryland Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title in Dundalk, Maryland. At the same event, Julio Dinero defeats Genesis in a tournament final to win the MCW Heavyweight Title.
2006 - Nightmare wins the NWA Hawaii Junior Heavyweight Title for the second time, defeating The Filipino Crippler in Wahiawa, Hawaii.
2006 - Shawn Cook wins the Central Wrestling Federation (now NWA Indiana) Heavyweight Title from P.T. Hussla in Lafayette, Indiana, beginning his second reign.
2007 - WWE released Joey Mercury. He would eventually return to the company as a wrestler and a trainer for their developmental territory.
2007 - Team 3D announced the formation of their wrestling school in Florida, which would develop Jesse Neal, Jesse Sorensen and several others talents to date.
2007 - WWE canceled a 6/10 Smackdown/ECW house show at the Hammerstein Ballroom. The company had originally had a hold on the venue for the third One Night Stand PPV, but opted to move that event to Jacksonville, Florida. They then decided to run the venue for a house show before discarding the idea and canceling the show. It would be the last time WWE attempted to run the venue, which would become home for Ring of Honor in NYC.
2007 - WWE ran the final Raw before Wrestlemania 23 in Detroit, Michigan. Ed Sherriffs filed the following live report:
The last RAW before Wrestlemania this Sunday comes to us from Chicago, Illinois, the site of last year's Mania. It follows an episode that saw more dissension between Michaels & Cena, Mr. McMahon challenging Lashley to a match, and Edge maintain his spot in the Money in the Bank match. On Smackdown, Undertaker and Batista, partners tonight, found it harder to get along with each other.
Jonathan Coachman is in the ring announcing that the McMahon-Lashley match is now No DQ. Any unauthorized outside interference will result in a fine or suspension. Just as he is about to leave, Stone Cold's music plays and Austin walks to the ring. Austin has a story to tell about what happened to him in Texas. A delivery man was unloading presents at his ranch. New car, hunting gear, etc. All the presents had a card that said "From: Donald Trump". Austin wonders if Trump was trying to buy him off. Coach interrupts and says that is typical Trump and McMahon has too much respect to do that. Austin ignores him and continues the story. He says that he told the delivery man to take the gifts back to New York City. As it turns out, the gifts were from Stamford, and the office of Vince McMahon. Austin asks Coach if Vince thinks he's stupid. Coach says no one thinks that. Austin says if he is trying to get him to think that, it is grounds for automatic DQ. Austin asks the crowd if they think that he should shave McMahon right there. Coach stops him and says it was he who authorized the gifts, and that Vince had nothing to do with it. Coach apologizes and my sound goes out. When it comes back, Austin is talking about pulling someone's eye out. He is demonstrating what he will do if Umaga doesn't listen to Austin's instructions. He plans to stomp whoever doesn't listen. He tells Coach not to miss with him in or out of the ring. Coach says he doesn't know why Vince and Trump are worried about losing their hair. He complements Austin and says he proves bald is beautiful. That complement results in a Stone Cold Stunner for Coachman.
In the back, Austin gets in his 4x4 and tries to leave, but a limo blocks his path. They honk horns. The limo passes, but stops next to Stone Cold's truck. Vince pokes out of the moon roof and asks who the hell is in the car. When he realizes it is Austin, he tries to apologize. Austin gives him the Stone Cold salute and drives off. Vince tells the driver to unlock his door. McMahon gets out of the car, drags the driver out through the window, throws him on the ground, and let's him know that he is "faaaaahhhhhhrrreeeeddd".
Melina, Victoria, & Jillian Hall vs. Torrie Wilson, Candice Michelle, & Ashley
The Women's Championship match at Mania is now a Lumberjill match. Melina slaps Ashley to start, but bails. Torrie puts her back in the ring and Melina is rolled up for two. Victoria tags in. Ashley tags in Candice. Candice with a spinning heel kick. She does the Go Daddy dance, but Melina kicks her when she goes off the ropes. Victoria puts Candice in the Tree of Woe and Melina splashes her. Melina ties up Candice in the ropes. Jillian tags in and tosses Candice by the hair. Jillian with a scoop slam. She misses a leg drop. Candice goes for the tag, but Jillian prevents it. Candice kicks Jillian off and tags Ashley in. Ashley with clotheslines and a headscissors take down. Ashley hits a rana on Victoria. Torrie spears Victoria from the ring. Ashley tosses Melina in, but gets blind sided by Jillian. a handspring back elbow by Jillian is blocked. Ashley gets a victory roll for the win.
Your winners, Torrie, Candice, & Ashley!
CM Punk vs. Kenny Dykstra
Punk gets a big ovation and chant, Chicago being his hometown. Dykstra pounces on Punk early, but Punk gets the advantage back. Welcome to Chicago (Motherf'er) from Punk. Dykstra crotches Punk on the turnbuckle and gets a chinlock. Dykstra dropkicks Punk and for some reason, I get a Tastycake commercial. Thanks, Comcast! When the feed comes back, Punk is in a chinlock again. He fights out, but Kenny gets a front facelock. Punk blocks a suplex and they trade punches. Punk with a drop kick and elbows to Kenny. Punk misses the splash, but he kicks Kenny in the head and hits a springboard clothesline. Punk knees Kenny in the head, then hits the splash/bulldog combo in the corner for two. Dykstra trips Punk and sends him into the rope. He tries to whip Punk, but it is reversed into a Go 2 Sleep from Punk for the win.
Your winner, CM Punk!
Edge is clapping on the Titantron for his opponent in the MITB match at Mania. Edge says to savor the feeling of victory now, since he won't feel it this Sunday. But Punk does get to be a part of the first ever 8 man Cutting Edge segment.
When we come back from commercial, King Booker, Finlay, the Hardy Brothers, CM Punk, Randy Orton, & Mr. Kennedy are in the ring. Edge comes out next. The ladder and briefcase hanging above the ring are set up. Edge reminds everyone he won the first MITB match and went on to be champion. He was won ladder matches at WrestleManias 16, 17, and 21. He's won more ladder matches than all his opponents combined. He wants to know why they think they can win. Edge starts with Matt and asks why he is even at Mania. Matt tells Edge that he will beat him up bad so Edge is lying flat on his back, just like his ex. Edge takes the mic away and goes to Booker, saying he hopefully has something intelligent to say. Booker says indeed, and says no one else has reigned as King like Booker. Finlay takes exception to being called a peasant and grabs the mic. He is sick of the verbal diarrhea and says that he feels like he is with a bunch of old women. He gets in Edge's face, but Orton takes that mic and tells him not to hurt Edge's feelings or Edge might not compete in the match, just like he hasn't for the last month.
Edge starts to say that's not true, but Kennedy says it is. He tries to get his name in, but Edge takes the mic back. He goes up to Jeff Hardy, and makes fun of Jeff not getting any promo time. Jeff takes the mic and says it his first Mania in 5 years. He plans to do what he always does in ladder matches and steal the show, even if it means going through his own brother. Last is CM Punk, who the crowd loudly cheers for. Edge says his addictions are sex, violence, and championship gold around his waist. Punk says Edge's only addiction right now is running his mouth. Edge shoves Punk into the other wrestlers and a brawl breaks out. Edge steps out of the ring to enjoy his handiwork, smiling as everyone beats on each other. Matt bounces Finlay's head off the ladder and tosses him from the ring. Matt, Jeff, and Punk go after Edge and chase him to the back as we go to commercial.
Maria is in the back with John Cena, who gets a fair amount of boos. Maria wants to know what will happen at WrestleMania. Cena says Mania will be a magical place, where ladders lead to briefcases full of gold. He goes over all the nicknames (Big Red Machines, Wolverines, etc) of people who will be there. One billionaire will be bald as a baby's bottom. And when you think there is nothing left, the two most controversial, intense, charismatic individuals of all time will step in the ring for the richest prize in the business. It will be a war so epic they will talk about it year's from now.
Cena says they will one day talking about one man who can say he was the best. One man will have his hand high, proudly saying the champ is here. Good promo.
A recap of some Vince-Lashley goings on is shown.
No DQ Match: Vince McMahon vs. Bobby Lashley
Vince has a sweatshirt on. Why not show off the physique, Vince? Nevermind. Like DDP, I'm not touching that one. Vince says he won't embarrass Lashley tonight with his physical or intellectual superiority. He is going to do it by pinning him, 1, 2, 3. Vince orders the bell to be rung, but gets out of the ring. Cade and Murdoch run down. They double team Lashley, but he quickly squashes them. Belly to Belly Suplex to cade and a lariat to Murdoch. Chris Masters comes down next and goes for the Masterlock. Lashley reverses and slams down Masters. Nitro is the next lamb to the slaughter. Lashley with a military press to Nitro. He tosses Masters out, then hits the old Bulldog Slam on Nitro. Umaga comes down trades blows with Lashley. Lashley gets the advantage, but McMahon low blows him. Umaga hits a Samoan Drop. Vince pins Lashley.
Your winner, Vince McMahon!
Post match, Umaga hits a Superfly Splash on Lashley. Umaga hits two whipsplashes in the corner. The Samoan Spike puts down Lashley. Vince orders the ref to count the pin again. He demands the bell to be rung, and for Lillian to announce his victory again.
Your winner, Vince McMahon!
Vince orders another Samoan Spike and Umaga obliges.
During the commercial break, Todd Grisham implies that the result of the match was controversial. Vince says he pinned Lashley just like he promised, and Umaga will pin Lashley on Sunday. This means Donald will get his head shaved. He bullies Todd into saying that he believes him. He brings "Donald" in (Eugene with a wig). He says if anyone thinks Trump will win, they are, and I quote, "clinically retarded". He pulls the wig off then tells "Trump" to open his limo door.
Mr. Kennedy & Randy Orton vs. The Hardy Boyz
Orton and Matt start off with a lock up. Matt blocks a charge and connects with an elbow to Orton's head from the middle rope for two. Jeff tags in and kicks Orton down for two. Orton brings Jeff to his corner and tags in Kennedy. Kennedy stomps and punches Jeff in the corner. Kennedy whips Jeff into the corner, but Jeff blocks a charge with a rana. Kennedy runs back in and throws Jeff from the ring. Orton tosses him back in for two. Orton tags back in and punches Jeff in the head. Orton applies a headlock. Kennedy tags in and kicks Hardy. He puts Hardy on the top turnbuckle. Hardy blocks a suplex attempt and hits Whisper in the Wind. Orton tags in, but Jeff mule kicks Orton. Matt tags in and clotheslines Orton. He punches Kennedy and hits a bulldog/clothesline combo to knock them down. Side Effects to Kennedy then Orton for two. Kennedy prevents a Twist of Fate on Orton. That Hardy Boyz hit Poetry in Motion on Orton in the corner. Kennedy whips Matt into Randy Orton, who hits an RKO for the win.
Your winners, Randy Orton & Mr. Kennedy!
The newest inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame is Jim Ross. Austin and Rock comment on him, along with Lawler, Michaels, Foley, JBL, Ron Simmons, Benoit, and Ric Flair doing impersonations of him. Foley says that "As God as my witness, he is broken in half" is the greatest call of all time. HHH and Dusty Rhodes also have kind words for him. Ric Flair says that a lot are good, but very few are great. JR is great. HHH says he would tell Ross he is as good as Gordon Solie. Austin calls him the best of all time. After the great video, Lawler introduces Ross to the crowd, who give him a big reaction. Ross and Lawler hug. It's a great moment, especially when you consider all the firings and assorted shenanigans that Ross has had to put up with over the years. The crowd chants JR, and Ross looks to be very humbled by the moment.
The Great Khali vs. Ric Flair
Flair goes for a lock up, but Khali throws him off. Khali no sells some chops. Flair gets back body dropped. Khali with a scoop slam. Flair rolls out of the ring. Khali follows him to the floor. He knocks one of the steps off. Carlito runs out before Khali can slam Flair and hits Khali in the back.
Your winner by disqualification, The Great Khali!
Khali hits an HBHB on Carlito. He tosses Flair aside, then rolls Carlito in the ring. Khali with a chokebomb. Kane comes to the ring with his See No Evil brand Meathook. Khali with an HBHB to Kane. Kane punches Khali in the corner. Kane throws the meathook at Khali, but misses as Khali retreats. Kane stands victorious in the ring.
A commercial for the Hall of Fame ceremony on USA shows that Stone Cold will be inducting JR.
Shill for The Condemned.
JR and King run down the Mania card (see below).
Shawn Michaels stands alone in the back for his promo. He says he's faced Cena hundreds of times. Cena represents everyone he's ever been in the ring with. Every legend, icon, immortal, and more have stood across from Michaels. My brother says that Michaels looks like an Oompa Loompa he's so orange. Steamroller on the CZWFans message board: "Did HBK fall in a vat of Tang?" Shawn Michaels says he is the Showstopper, and tells Cena to strap in tight, because they are going to the top of the mountain in Detroit, and before 70,000 people, Michaels is walking out champion. Shawn says that tonight, however, he has Cena's back.
More celebrities weigh in on the Battle of the Billionaires. It's Al from Home Improvement! We also see Academy Award Winners Three 6 Mafia (seriously), Shatner, and Laura Prepon.
John Cena & Shawn Michaels vs. Batista & The Undertaker
Taker starts by punching Cena in the corner as soon as he takes his hat off.
Cena blocks a charge and punches back (to boos). Cena strikes Undertaker in the corner. Taker tries to counter, but Cena hits more punches to the body. Taker with Snake Eyes, but he misses the big boot. Cena goes for the FU, but Taker goozles him. Michaels helps Cena and they go for a double team. Taker blocks it, and Batista and Taker clear the ring. They start to square off, but Cena goes for the Undertaker. Cena clotheslines him from the ring. HBK throws Taker into the ring steps multiple times. Cena does the same, then puts Taker back in the ring. Michaels tags in and punches Taker in the head. HBK with some chops. Michaels hits a swinging neckbreaker and tags in Cena. Cena and Taker trade punches. Taker with a flying clothesline. Taker goes for a tombstone, but Batista gets a blind tag. Batista clotheslines Cena, but it looks like he was going for Taker. Batista charges Cena in the corner. Cena counters with a bulldog and tags in HBK. Michaels with a flying forearm to Batista. Michaels blocks a chokeslam, but Taker knocks him down. Batista hits a spinebuster on Cena. Taker lifts Michaels up and throws him on Batista, who was looking for a Batista Bomb on Cena. Taker walks off.
Cena with a shoulderblock and Blue Thunder Driver to Batista. HBK hits a flying elbow off the top. Double 5 Knuckle Shuffle by HBK and Cena. When Cena turns around, Michaels nails him with Sweet Chin Music. Batista puts his arm on Cena for the win. Awesome main event with great heat from the crowd.
Your winners, Batista & The Undertaker!
Michaels stands over Cena and does the "You Can't See Me" wave, then some crotch chops. Commercial (at 11:06).
Back from the break, we get a replay of the end of the match, when Michaels kicked Cena's head off. That ends the show. We needed another commercial break for that?
2008 - WWE held a Wrestlemania 24 press conference in New York City. George T. filed the following report:
Vince McMahon gave a short speech thanking everyone. Shane followed that with an even bigger pep talk. The crowd spent most of the time heckling Floyd Mayweather and John Cena. Triple H spoke and the place went wild. He did the Degeneration X "Are you Ready Chant and gave a speech about how glad he is to be able to wrestle at Mania. Orton followed him and spoke for a few minutes and kissed the belt.
Maria, Ashley, and Edge all paraded out to cheers. Most just gave canned promos and everything was kept moving nice and brisk. When Floyd Mayweather came out he just got railed by the fans. That was, until he pulled out a wad of cash and hurled $100 bills to both sides of the stage. Fans trampled each other grabbing the money, but it was broken up pretty quickly. Floyd then went back to get "The Little Show," and out came Big Show. Both gave the usual promotional speeches and the whole thing ended with a photo op featuring Big Show and Mayweather. Mayweather at one point pulled out his big golden glove and posed for more photos.
After the event was over, HHH and Big Show signed some autographs and HHH pulled a kid out of the crowd and signed his figure and posed for photos. The guy was pretty magnanimous. All the other wrestlers pretty much bolted.
Once everyone cleared out, press was allowed to do one on one interviews with the wrestlers.
All in all, the event was fun but not too wild. I'm sure it was crazier in the back where the fans were, but the floor was kept secure and everyone stayed in their seats.
2009 - TNA broadcast Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight with a video package for Lockdown and tonight we will have a 20 man gauntlet in the six sides of steel to determine the captains for the Lethal Lockdown match.
We are live on tape from Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Don ‘I can see Buck Woodward’s house from here’ West and Mike ‘Welcome to the Stanley Cup Playoffs Washington Capitals’ Tenay.
Jim Cornette is in the ring and he mentions that Lockdown is coming on April 19th. Cornette says that one half of the main event will be Mick Foley versus Sting for the title. The other half of the main event is the Lethal Lockdown match. There will be two teams of four to settle the score (hey that rhymes). Jim mentions the rules for the match. Jim says that there will be a match to determine the captains for the Lethal Lockdown match. It will be done in a 20 man gauntlet in the six sides of steel. Cornette says that it is a new day . . .
Until the Main Event Mafia music plays and they come to the ring because they don’t have to stand on the ramp. Cornette appreciates the Main Event Mafia’s grand entrance. Kurt wants to know how the Jabronies are going to get the same opportunity when the Main Event Mafia is in the match. Angle also says that they won’t get the same opportunity, they won’t get any opportunity. Angle says that the Main Event Mafia is going to position him as captain so when he is one of the final two, he will gain the advantage for his team at Lockdown. Kurt says that his team will be Booker, Kevin, and Scotty. Kurt points out that they have been dominating since October and they will continue to dominate. Angle says that there is not a thing that Cornette or Los Jabronies can do about it.
Maybe a Founder can do something because Jeff Jarrett comes to the ring. Jarrett tells Kurt that the only J-brone he sees is Angle. Jarrett says that he is going to take up Angle on his manning up challenge and he will be one of the twenty competitors. He is doing this to make sure that Angle is not a captain. Jarrett punches Angle and there is pandemonium in the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and there are a lot of similar shirts in the crowd. We have a moments ago moment of Jeff Jarrett attacking Kurt Angle for no reason.
Don and Mike talk about the main event.
Jeremy Borash is with the Main Event Mafia and Booker wonders what the women are doing in the locker room. Angle tells Nash to leave with his woman. Jeremy asks Angle about Jarrett’s comments. Angle says that Jeff Jarrett won’t even make it to the match. Angle asks Steiner for his pipe and Angle says that he is going to bash Jarrett in the head with the pipe.
We see footage of Suicide winning the X Division Title at Destination X.
Match Number One: Suicide versus Kiyoshi with No Limit for the X Division Title
Kiyoshi with a spinning heel kick to Suicide followed by a kick to the head. Kiyoshi with a neck breaker and then Kiyoshi goes up top for a chop to the top of the head for a near fall. Suicide with a head butt but Kiyoshi with a slam and a clothesline for a near fall. Kiyoshi sends Suicide to the floor and then No Limit attack Suicide on the floor before returning him to the ring. Kiyoshi with a clothesline for a near fall. Suicide with elbows punches. Kiyoshi charges into an elbow. Kiyoshi with a shoulder and then he flips back in and hits an overhead belly-to-belly throw for a near fall. Kiyoshi goes up top but misses a diving head butt. Suicide with kicks to Kiyoshi followed by a running drop kick. Suicide with a DDT for a two count. Kiyoshi runs Suicide into the corner and then he hits a slam from a fireman’s carry position for a near fall. Kiyoshi goes up top again and then Suicide pulls him off and Suicide with knees to the head and then Suicide sends Kiyoshi into Yujiro on the apron. Suicide hits the Suicide Solution for the three count.
Winner: Suicide
Kurt Angle is walking in the back with security flanking him. Kurt sees a poster of Jeff Jarrett on the wall and Angle uses the pipe on it. We go to commercial.
We are back with footage from during the break when Kurt Angle and Jeff Jarrett were yelling at each other while they tried to get Angle out of the Founder’s Lounge.
Lauren is with Angelina Love, Velvet Sky, and Madison Rayne. Lauren asks Angelina about her comments regarding Kong. Angelina says that she knows that her and Velvet will face Kong and Saeed. Angelina forces Lauren out of the room. Angelina says that she is glad that somebody heard. They are not afraid of Kong. Angelina says that they get what they want when they want it. They want the Women’s Title. Velvet tells Madison that the hazing continues. She says that tonight Madison to rip the braids out of Awesome Kong’s head. Velvet says that Kong will be their next victim.
We go to commercial.
We are back with Rough Cut of Brother Ray. He says that he always wanted to be a wrestler. We see Ray talk about the school he trained at and he talks about how he was not trained well by a man who was a WWF Enhancement Talent. Ray talks about his start in ECW and how he started teaming with Devon. He talks about how they are a tag team and they know their role and their egos were checked at the door. Ray talks about how Steve Austin says that if you don’t want to be a champion, you shouldn’t be in the business; but he wonders why you wouldn’t want to be one half of the greatest tag teams of all time.
We go to a video package for the problems between Team 3D and the team of James Storm and Robert Roode.
The two teams are in an interview area with Mike Tenay. Mike asks about having the match in Philadelphia. Storm says that it is just another town. Ray says that they are going to be in a cage in front of the most rabid wrestling fans. Devon says that Philadelphia was where they won their first title. Storm says that he has been with the company since day one. Storm says that TNA is their back yard. When they win, they will be bigger than the Steiners, the Road Warriors, and Team 3D. Ray says that they understand that they have been with the company since day one. Ray quotes and paraphrases Taz. Roode says that it is just the two of them. The match at Lockdown means more to them than anything. Roode asks Team 3D if they know what they are getting into.
We see footage of the many chair shots by Mick Foley to Sting that set up the match between them at Lockdown.
Lauren is with Sting and she asks him about Mick’s chair shot. Sting says that he does not know why Mick did it because there is no logical explanation. Sting says that there is not much logical with Mick Foley. Sting tells Mick that he does not know if it was the shirt or tie, there are no excuses. He is just like Joe and A.J. Styles. Sting tells Mick that if he comes to the ring, he will be armed as well for Mick.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Lauren is now with Mick Foley. Lauren asks Mick about Sting’s comments. Mick says that he was wrong and he is going to apologize. Mick says that TNA fans love to watch men hug. Mick says that there will be no need for violence.
We see footage of Taylor Wilde saluting her way to another victory over Awesome Kong. We also see Sheer Madness with the Governor.
Match Number Two: Raisha Saeed and Awesome Kong versus Angelina Love and Velvet Sky with Madison Rayne
Velvet and Saeed start things off and Saeed with a waist lock but Sky with a standing switch. Velvet with a snap mare and kick to the back. Saeed with a forearm and then she blocks a kick and hits a leg sweep. Sky with a clothesline and then she tags in Angelina. Angelina says that she wants Kong and Saeed obliges. They lock up and Kong chokes Angelina and throws her into the corner. Velvet attacks Kong from behind and that was not a smart idea because Kong with a choke slam to Velvet. Kong tosses Angelina across the ring and hits a splash into the corner. Saeed tags in and Saeed with a seated splash for a near fall. Angelina with a neck breaker and Velvet is tagged in. Velvet and Angelina kick Saeed in the corner. Velvet with a reverse chin lock on Saeed. Saeed with elbows and a jaw breaker. Angelina tags in and Saeed with a series of double sledges and a slam. Saeed punches Love and then hits a flapjack but Sky breaks up the cover. All four are in the ring and Kong throws Velvet out of the ring. Angelina hits Lights Out on Saeed for the three count.
Winners: Angelina Love and Velvet Sky
After the match, Sky, Love, and Rayne surround Kong and they triple team her. Madison gets the scissors but Kong stops them and she is not happy.
Sting and Mick Foley are walking in the back as we go to commercial.
Sting comes to the ring and he has his bat, his belt, and his mic. Sting tells Mick that he has been trying to work it out with Mick so he needs Mick to come out to explain it to him.
Mick comes to the ring and he tells Sting that he does not blame Sting for being angry at him. Mick says that he will have an explanation for Sting. He says that it was a big misunderstanding. Foley says that he has a video to straighten things out. Mick points out that he took a beating during the match last week so he might have been in a slightly altered state at the end of the match. Mick says that he was defending the honor of the Founder and he saved the Founder’s Life.
Sting asks Mick if he thinks this is funny. Sting tells Mick that it was not funny last week. He tells Mick that it is not funny now. Sting also tells Mick that he was trying to defend Mick. Sting tells Mick that he understands Mick’s physical pain. Sting tells Mick that his body is ravaged and he left a piece of himself in the ring. Sting tells Mick that he did it for the wrestling fans. Sting tells Mick that he not only did it for the fans, he did it for the boys in the back. Sting tells Mick that he was trying to protect Mick last week because he respected him, but now he is losing that respect for Mick.
Mick calls Sting a humanitarian during these tough economic times. Foley wants to know who Sting is to pity him. He could have used the pity a few weeks ago but things have changed. When that steel chair made impact with Sting’s skull, the tables of time have turned. Foley says that you can feel it in the air. Nobody is talking about that other wrestling show in April, they are talking about Lockdown (the 5th Anniversary) where it is Icon against Hardcore Legend. Foley says that when they are inside the six sides of steel, it is not going to be some loser sitting in the corner of the bar reliving history, they will be making history. Foley says that the big dives off the cage may show up at Lockdown because he has a few left.
A.J. Styles and Abyss are walking in the back because they will be starting off in the Captain’s Gauntlet for Lethal Lockdown Match.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Captain’s Gauntlet inside the Six Sides of Steel
The first two men in the match are A.J. Styles and Abyss. Styles with kicks to the leg and punches. Abyss with a shoulder tackle and Styles responds with a Phenomenal drop kick. Styles punches Abyss in the corner but Abyss pushes him off. Abyss with a kick to Styles as he charges into the corner. Abyss with a forearm to the back followed by punches. Abyss presses Styles over his head but Styles lands on his feet and he punches Abyss. Abyss with Shock Treatment.
The next man in is Alex Shelley and he spits water in Abyss’s face and then he kicks Abyss in the leg. Shelley uses Styles for a kick to Abyss. Shelley with a drop kick to Abyss but Abyss tosses Shelley into the air. Styles goes to the top rope for a Phenomenal forearm. Styles kicks Abyss and the he connects with an elbow to Shelley’s head. Shelley runs A.J. into the corner and connects with shoulders. Shelley chokes Abyss. Styles sends Shelley into the turnbuckles. It is time for number four and it is Jay Lethal. Styles charges into a boot and Lethal with a drop kick from the turnbuckles. Lethal with punches to Shelley but Lethal with the handspring back elbow. Lethal with jabs followed by an Irish whip. Shelley with a running clothesline to Lethal but Lethal with a drop kick to Shelley in the corner as we go to commercial.
We are back and Abyss throws Styles into the cage. The next man in is Matt Morgan. We are told that Chris Sabin entered during the commercial. Morgan goes after Abyss. We see footage of the Machine Guns work over Lethal. Back to live on tape action and Morgan presses Shelley into the cage. Morgan power bombs Lethal into the cage. Morgan tries for a choke slam on Styles but A.J. flips out of the hold and hits a Pele kick. Styles sends Morgan into Abyss for a Black Hole Slam to pin Morgan.
The next man into the match is Homicide. Homicide with a punch to Sabin followed by an overhead belly-to-belly throw. Homicide with a suplex to Shelley and then he clotheslines Sabin. Homicide sends Shelley and Sabin into the cage. Homicide with a belly-to-back suplex on Shelley and then he punches Sabin in the throat. Shelley punches Lethal while Styles chokes Abyss with his boot. Homicide puts Sabin on the tip turnbuckle whole Shelley has Lethal in a Liontamer. Homicide chokes Sabin with his boot but Shelley pulls him off the cage.
In next is Scott Steiner. Steiner with a clothesline to Homicide, Shelley, Sabin, Lethal, and Abyss, and then he does pushups into commercial.
We are back and Homicide was pinned after a Cradle Shock. Meanwhile, Consequences Creed was the next to enter. Lethal with a moonsault onto Shelley and Sabin but he cannot finish off either. Abyss goes after Steiner. Lethal and Creed with a double flapjack. The next man in is Rhino. Rhino goes after Steiner and Steiner goes down. Rhino raises his arms because he kicked Steiner a lot. Rhino chokes Steiner. Shelley and Sabin with kicks to Creed and then Shelley with a near fall on Creed. Rhino with more punches while Abyss and Styles battle. Creed punches Sabin while Shelley ties up Lethal. Creed with a bulldog to Shelley for a two count. Shelley with a face buster.
Jeff Jarrett is the next man in the match and he gets ambushed by Kurt Angle. Angle punches Jarrett and sends him into the guardrails and the crowd. Angle attacks security while attacking Jarrett as well. Angle hits Jarrett in the arm with the chair. Security checks on Jarrett and they have to take him away. Angle returns to the back.
Back to the action in the ring and Sabin gets a near fall on Lethal. Naito is the next man in the match. Naito with a forearm to Creed and then he hits a cross body on Lethal followed by a power slam for a two count. Jarrett is still down on the ground. Rhino punches Sabin but Sabin punches back. We see a triple drop kick with Naito and the Machine Guns to Creed who was in the Tree of Woe. Sabin and Shelley work on Lethal and then Naito joins in. Naito with a slam to Lethal and then he goes up top but misses a Phoenix Splash. Lethal pins Alex Shelley after the Lethal Combination.
The next man in the match is Kurt Angle. Angle walks past Jarrett and he punches Jarrett and kicks him. Angle puts Creed in the ankle lock and Creed taps. Sabin with a kick to Angle but Angle with a clothesline and he hits the Olympic Slam on Sabin to pin him. Angle with an Olympic slam to Lethal for the three count. We go to commercial.
We are back and Naito was eliminated by Scott Steiner. Shane Sewell has joined the match and he is punching and chopping Angle. Steiner punches Styles and Angle has just eliminated Shane Sewell with an Olympic Slam. The next man in is Sheik Abdul Bashir. Bashir goes after Rhino and he sends him into the cage and kicks him. Abyss punches Angle and Steiner punches Styles. Styles with a rollup on Angle for a near fall. Steiner kicks Abyss and chokes him in the ropes. Angle with a suplex to Styles for a near fall. Rhino punches Bashir while Angle waits for Styles to get up and Angle punches Styles. Styles with an enzuigiri.
Booker T is the next man into the match. Steiner holds Styles for Booker and Booker with knees to A.J. Booker with a Bookend for the three count. Booker has some words for Styles as he leaves the cage. Rhino hits a GORE on Booker and Booker is eliminated. Rhino celebrates in the ring but Bashir attacks him. Angle punches Abyss.
Outside the cage, Booker and A.J. fight to the back.
Abyss fights off Steiner and Angle and he tries for a choke slam on Steiner but Steiner with a kick. Yujiro is the next man in and he hits an enzuigiri on Steiner followed by a clothesline for a near fall. Steiner with a low kick and Angle with a kick of his own. Bashir rakes Abyss’s eyes. Angle kicks Rhino while Steiner kicks Yujiro. Angle and Bashir work on Abyss. Bashir tries to align with Angle and Steiner but it was a trap and Angle with an Olympic slam to Bashir to eliminate him. Steiner and Angle work over Abyss but Abyss does fight back. Out next is Eric Young. Angle and Steiner with a double choke slam and Abyss is eliminated. Young with punches to Steiner and Angle followed by a drop kick to Steiner. Young slams Yujiro and punches Angle. Young tries for the Death Valley Driver, but Steiner pulls Angle out of the hold. Angle with a kick and the Olympic slam for a three count.
Rhino punches Angle and then Yujiro and Rhino attack Steiner. Rhino with a GORE to Yujiro to eliminate him. Angle with an Olympic slam to eliminate Rhino. Angle and Steiner wait for the next man but Angle and Steiner get near falls on each other. The next man in is Hernandez. Hernandez with a clothesline to Steiner and Angle and then he hits a splash into the corner on Steiner followed by one to Angle. Angle gets bieled across the ring and then Hernandez with a back breaker to Angle. Angle punches Hernandez followed by a kick. Hernandez pushes Angle out of the way and then Hernandez tries for the Border Toss. Angle with the Olympic Slam to eliminate Hernandez.
Jeff Jarrett is sent to the cage first and he punches Angle and Steiner. Angle hits Jarrett from behind and works on his injured shoulder. Steiner and Angle with a double suplex to Jarrett and Steiner gets a near fall. Steiner holds Jarrett for Angle but Angle accidentally clotheslines Steiner and Jarrett with a near fall on Angle. Steiner falls victim to the Stroke and he is eliminated. Jarrett tries for the DDT but he cannot hit it. Angle puts Jarrett in the ankle lock but Jarrett escapes the hold. Jarrett with an enzuigiri. Jarrett with the Stroke but Steiner pushes the referee out of the way. Steiner with a slam to Jeff Jarrett and he pins Jarrett.
Samoa Joe comes out. Joe with clotheslines and punches to Angle and then he puts Angle in the Choke but Angle with the ankle lock. Joe escapes but he misses a charge into the corner. Angle with an Olympic slam and the straps are down. Joe pops up and Angle with a kick to Joe but Joe with a kick to Angle on the top turnbuckle. Joe hits the musclebuster for the three count.
Winners: Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle Joe gets the advantage
We are back and it is time to take a look back at the last match.
Jim Cornette is with Don and Mike. Don wants to know why Jeff Jarrett got a second chance. Cornette says that since Jarrett never got in the match, he got another shot in the match.
Jeremy Borash is with Kurt Angle. Kurt says that he cannot believe what just happened. Angle tells Jeff Jarrett that he eliminated him three times in the match. He is the booker and the owner and he gets to change the rules. Angle says that Jarrett caused him to lose. Angle says that they Main Event Mafia made a mistake by not ending his career. Angle says that he wants Joe and the Nation of Violence. He says that he hopes that Joe brings Jeff Jarrett.
Mike asks Cornette about the potential takeover of the Main Event Mafia at Lockdown. Cornette says that he did what was right.
Lauren is with Samoa Joe and his big knife. Lauren wants to know who he is going to have on his team. Joe says that he is not interested in being a captain. He is only here to torture the members of the Main Event Mafia. Lauren asks who will be the captain. Joe says that it does not matter. Joe says that he will be at Lethal Lockdown and he will have Knifey with him.
2009 - Florida Championship Wrestling ran The FCW Arena in Tampa, FL with the following results, submitted by Jason Davis:
Justin Angel d. Trent Barretta w/ Caylen Croft:
Fast paced opener. Justin Angel, barring injury, will make an impact in the WWE in the next couple of years. That is if, WWE can look past his small size and appreciate his moves. Barretta and Croft are the most underrated performers in FCW right now. Angel wins after he hits a reverse hurracanranna and follows up with a 720 splash.
Kafu and Sweet Papi Sanchez d. Dylan Klein and Derrick Bateman:
A lot of kids were in attendance tonight, and were popping big time for Kafu and Papi. Kafu and Papi beat Klein and Bateman, after Papi hits a splash on Bateman.
Trent Barretta and Caylen Croft come back out, and demand a FCW Tag Team Title match in the future. This leads to......
Tyson Kidd d. Caylen Croft:
Great match, much like the opener. At one point, Kidd went for a baseball slide kick to Barretta, who was on the outside. Kidd turned the baseball kick into a hurrcanranna. Kidd wins with his top rope elbow drop.
Dakota Darsow d. DH Smith:
In a major upset, Darsow defeats Smith. Smith was attempting a running powerslam, but Darsow turned it into a small package for the upset win.
Dawson Alexander comes out. He lists his accomplishments: He was Punk on I Love New York 2, he is a lawyer, and he is engaged to Jennifer Hudson. He said he wants the FCW Championship.
Miss Angela and Tiffany d. Alicia Fox and Jenny Cash:
Alicia was for some unknown reason playing heel. To be honest I forgot the finish.
Intermission
Kris Logan and DJ Gabriel d. Byron Saxton and Jon Cutler:
Forgot the finish as well, but it's interesting that Saxton seems to be a full time wrestler now, and not a manager.
Abraham Washington comes out with his security, and calls out FCW President Steve Keirn. Washington says that one of his agents will prove himself tonight. This leads to..........
Agent T (Tonga) d. Lupe Santiago:
Santiago had Agent T in a small package, but Washington pushes Santiago over, causing T to be on top, and get the win.
Johnny Prime, Johnny Curtis and Tyler Reks d. Alex Riley, Mr. Tarver and Ian Richardson (I honestly can't keep up with how much they change Richardson's name.)
Fun match that had the crowd pumped (especially the kids and the girls).....The finish is something I can't remember.
Ricky Ortiz comes out and says that alot of the guys in the back are liars and cheaters, and that they would steal from their own mothers to get ahead in this business. Ortiz says that he is a good man, and he will conquer the FCW the right and moral way. This leads to...................
Sheamus d. Ortiz by DQ:
Ortiz had Sheamus near defeat, but DH Smith snuck in, and with the refs attention diverted, super kicked Ortiz. Sheamus went for the cover, but before the ref can count to three, Eric Escobar runs in and stops the ref. The ref DQ's Ortiz because Escobar put his hands on the ref. All four men end up brawling.
Drew Mcintyre d. Sebastian Slater to retain the FCW Heavyweight Title:
Good main event. Drew won after hitting a Snake Eyes on an exposed turnbuckle. After the match, Goose Mahoney made the X sign. It took about 15 minutes to get Slater out of the ring. During the match Slater hit the steel steps and knocked his wind out but continued on. Apparently that caught up with him in the end.
Overall a good show. Being that it wasn't a TV Taping, the show was good. The Angel vs. Barretta and Kidd vs. Croft match were well alone worth the 10 dollar admission.
2010 - TNA President Dixie Carter has posted the following on her Twitter account at http://twitter.com/TNADixie:
To be called tawdry from the King of Tawdry, that is some compliment!!
This was in response to the following comments from Vince McMahon in The Acorn Online newspapers yesterday. Vince was quoted as saying the following about TNA:
"We’re in different businesses. We’re in the entertainment business and they’re in the ‘pro wrasslin’ business. It’s different markets. When they moved to Monday nights they threw the kitchen sink at us and only did a fraction of our audience. It doesn’t speak well for the type of product they’re trying to present with the tawdry, blood-soaked action. I don’t think that’s what the culture wants these days.”
2010 - The website OutSports.com featured article online proclaiming that this Monday on TNA Impact, Orlando Jordan will appear as "the first openly bisexual wrestler at a major U.S.-based professional wrestling promotion". The article notes that "Orlando Jordan is the character – and truly is bisexual, not just portraying a gay (or bi) character, as has been the norm in pro wrestling’s past."
The article describes what will take place with Jordan at the next episode of Impact, writing "On “TNA iMPACT!” (Monday, 9-11 p.m. Eastern Time, Spike TV), a show that was taped on March 23 in Orlando, Fla., Jordan is lowered into the ring from the arena’s rafters wrapped in yellow police tape with the TNA logo. Jordan then crawls through the ring and ultimately walks to a nearby white couch where he sits between a shirtless male and a sexy female. Behind the trio is the tri-colored bisexual pride flag, plus two male symbols and one female symbol."
Jordan would be gone from the promotion within a year.
2010 - DGUSA presented Open the Ultimate Gate in Phoenix, Arizona. JP Nichols filed the following results:
The website OutSports.com has an article online proclaiming that this Monday on TNA Impact, Orlando Jordan will appear as "the first openly bisexual wrestler at a major U.S.-based professional wrestling promotion". The article notes that "Orlando Jordan is the character – and truly is bisexual, not just portraying a gay (or bi) character, as has been the norm in pro wrestling’s past."
The article describes what will take place with Jordan this Monday: "On “TNA iMPACT!” (Monday, 9-11 p.m. Eastern Time, Spike TV), a show that was taped on March 23 in Orlando, Fla., Jordan is lowered into the ring from the arena’s rafters wrapped in yellow police tape with the TNA logo. Jordan then crawls through the ring and ultimately walks to a nearby white couch where he sits between a shirtless male and a sexy female. Behind the trio is the tri-colored bisexual pride flag, plus two male symbols and one female symbol."
2010 - Ring of Honor made their Phoenix, Arizona debut at the Phoenix College North Gym. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
Shawn Daivari vs. Joey Ryan vs. Johnny Goodtime vs. Skullkrusher Raschke Brown vs. Human Tornado vs. Colt Cabana
Human Tornado was a surprise, since he had just announced his retirement a few weeks back. Ryan and Daivari were accompanied by Prince Nana and were representing the Embassy. The crowd chanted "Embassy sucks" early. Cabana seemed to be the early favorite. The crowd was all over Daivari for getting fired by TNA. Goodtime and Tornado opened the bout. Tornado caught him with armdrags and hiptosses, then did the dancing kicks in the corner. Brown tagged in and then killed Tornado with a right hand. The Embassy worked him over in the corner.
Cabana leaped into the fray to help and was left against Brown. Cabana called for The Embassy to return. That was funny. Brown overpowered Cabana easily. The Embassy tripped Brown. Tornado took out Colt Daivari took out Tornado. Goodtime nailed Daivari with a bicycle kick. Everyone ended up on the outside, where Cabana nailed them with as Asai moonsault. Tornado and Goodtime hit stereo dives over the top to the floor. The crowd loved the dives.
Back in the ring, The Embassy doubleteamed Tornado. Brown nailed Daivari with a discus punch then took out Ryan with a spear. Cabana tagged in and chopped Brown in the corner. He naled the Flying a-hole in the corner, then a clothesline. Goodtime came off the top on Cabana. Davari drilled him with a death valley driver. Brown nailed a running dive over the top, wiping out everyone. Goodtime missed a missile dropkick on Cabana. Cabana locked in the Curse of the Billy Goat and forced the submission.
Your winner, Colt Cabana!
If you liked dives and highspots, this was for all as it was all action action action. The crowd was really into it.
Scott Lost and Scorpio Sky vs. The Kings of Wrestling (with Shane Hagadorn)
The Kings worked over Sky and Lost early with double team maneuvers. They double powerbombed Lost. Claudio slapped Sky to set up distracting the ref so they could continue the beating. Lost made a comeback on Castagnoli and tagged in Sky. They tagged in and out working on Castagnoli, culminating with a double dropkick in the corner. Castagnoli used a Giant Swing on Sky, swinging him into a Hero dropkick. Hero chopped away at him. Castagnoli held him up for a delayed suplex but Sky escaped. Hero and Claudio overcame him. Hero went for a roaring elbow but Sky kicked him off. Hero and Castagnoli came back with a double big boot. Claudio nailed a gut wretch suplex. Hero dropped Sky throat-first across the top rope.
Sky finally came back with a springboard into head scissors on Cabana. He made the hot tag to Lost, who worked over Claudio. Hero was nailed with a superkick by Lost. Lost nailed a top rope elbow for a two count. Lost and Sky nailed a double cutter on Hero. Claudio tagged in and killed Lost with a big right. Lost took a 360 bump. Claudio held both Lost and Sky upside down and Hero dropkicked them. Claudio spun around and dropped them both in an awesome spot. The Kings nailed their finisher and Hero pinned Lost.
Your winners, The Kings of Wrestling!
Good competitive match with some really unique spots.
Alex Kozlov vs. Rocky Romero
Kozlov attacked Romero before the bell. Romero kicked Kozlov as he charged in the corner. Romero drilled him with a kick to the face. Kozlov went for a leapfrog but Romero took his leg out in mid-air. Kozlov went to the outside and Romero chased him. They crisscrossed in the ring and Kozlov stopped Romero. Romero faked out Kozlov and he ended up on the floor. Romero did a tope suicida to the floor. They battled on the outside and Kozlov suplexed him over the rail into the first row. Kozlov dove off the top rope into the crowd. That was insane. The crowd chanted, "F*** Wrestlemania."
Kozlov dragged Romero back to the ring and began doing his Russian dancing kicks. Romero caught him in a leglock. Kozlov escaped but was caught in a rolling cross armbreaker. Kozlov muscled out of the move and slammed Romero into the turnbuckles. Romero nailed a DDT for a two count. They exchanged strikes in the middle of the ring. Romero hit a windmill kick and Kozlov took a spinning bump out of it. They battled on the top turnbuckle. Romero went for the rolling crossarmbreaker, but Kozlov used the momentum to roll through and catch him in a pinfall.
Your winner, Alex Kozlov!
The fans gave Romero a huge ovation after the bout.
Real good match and way better than their bout on the first ROH Internet PPV. They busted their asses big-time here.
Necro Butcher vs. Bison Smith (with Prince Nana)
Nana was going off on the fans when Necro hit the ring. He and Smith began brawling outside the ring on the floor. They battled into the crowd. Smith drilled Necro with a chair. They battled up into the bleachers, He tried to throw Butcher over the side of the bleachers. They circled the building fighting. Eventually Smith, left the Arena. The referee ruled Butcher the winner. Butcher took the mic and said that if Smith wanted to come back tomorrow, he'd be waiting.
Your winner, Necro Butcher!
Short but intense fun brawl. The crowd didn't like the finish.
Kevin Steen vs. Kenny Omega
Fans sang "Ole Ole" at Steen, so Steen threatened to leave. He then said that since the fans wanted him to leave, he would stay. He claimed his doctor requested no "Ole Ole" chants. Omega went to shake hands, so Steen snotted in his hand and offered it back. Steen caught Omega in a hammerlock. They went back and forth with some solid wrestling early. Steen shoulderblocked Omega down but Omega came back with a leg lariat. Steen went to the floor, where Omega nailed him with a dropkick through the ropes. Omega went for a moonsault but Steen grabbed his legs and slammed him to the floor. He whipped Omega into the railing.
Back in the ring, they exchanged chops. Omega was sent up and over but landed on the apron. Steen was run into the corner. He came back to suplex Omega back in and sent him shoulder first into the ringpost. Steen stalked Omega on the floor. He brought Omega back into the ring and choked him in the corner. Omega began kicking to attempt a comeback but was cut off by Steen. Steen continued to work over Omega's bad shoulder.
Omega began mounting a comeback with a series of rights and the Polish Hammer. He missed another but took out Steen's knees with a dropkick. He nailed a Rocker Dropper on Steen for a two count. He flipped out of the corner to avoid Steen and nailed a rana. Omega went for a German suplex but Steen was too burly. He went for another rana but was powerbombed down for a two count.
Steen backdropped Omega over the top. Omega landed on his feet and went for a shoulderblock but Steen kicked him in the head and DDT'd him back into the ring. Steen went for a flip splash in the corner but missed. Omega hit a springboard missile dropkick. Steen went for the package piledriver but Omega nailed him with the Kryptonite Krunch for a two count. Omega went for a powerbomb but couldn't hold him. Steen superkicked him and then picked him up for a Fisherman's buster, dropping Omega across his knee.
Steen went to the top for a swanton but Omega got his knees up. He dropped Steen on his head several time with full nelson suplexes but only received a two count. Steen kicked him low and hit the package piledriver but Omega kicked out. Steen locked in a Crowbar and Omega tapped.
Your winner, Kevin Steen!
Real good match. They started slow but built a really good match and took the crowd on a nice ride.
Steve Corino vs. El Generico
Corino controlled much of the bout early with stomps and kicks. Generico was tossed hard to the floor. Corino kicked Generico hard in the face when he teased a Facewash. He locked in an abdominal stretch and Generico finally broke free. Corino cut him off but Generico came back with a Michinoku Driver. Generico charged Corino but was kicked in the face. Corino signaled for a lariat and drillCed a pair for a two count. Corino began slapping Generico, who fired back. Generico caught him with a German suplex and a running boot in the corner for a two count.
Generico went to the top but Corino cut him off. Generico fought him off and Corino was tied to the tree of woe. Generico hit the Van Terminator for a two count but Kevin Steen pulled the ref out. No DQ? Generico went for a brainbuster but Corino avoided it, covered Generico and put his feet on the ropes for the pin.
Your winner, Steve Corino!
Generico went right after Corino but the referee got in the middle of it. Generico shoved down the referee. Cabana hit the ring. Cabana took the mic and said that he was tired of all the mind games and promised that at the Big Bang PPV, they were going to kick Corino and Steen's asses.
Solid match but the ref not calling for a DQ looked weak. They did a nice job of setting up the tag for the PPV though.
Jim Cornette came out to the ring. Cornette said he's been talking to a lot of fans tonight and he realizes there are a lot of fans from outside the United States and asked how many were at their first ROH show. He asked the crowd if they were enjoying themselves. The crowd popped for each question and chanted ROH. Cornette said ROH is rocking the building. He said that he appreciates everyone's support. He explained that next week, the Big Bang PPV will air online at GoFightLive.tv. He explained that the main event will be a triple threat with ROH champ Tyler Black vs. Roderick Strong vs. Austin Aries. He then noted that Strong has a personal issue with Black as well, and believes he can beat both Aries and Black in back to back singles matches. Black said he can do the same and his matches will be tonight, while Strong's matches will be tomorrow. He thanked everyone for their support of the company.
Austin Aries (with Tammy Sytch) vs. ROH champion Tyler Black (non title)
Aries took the mic and said he had Tammy with him because after sitting all night at the show, there wasn't one man in the building except for him. He told Sytch to take a seat at ringside and to relax. He turned his attention to Black and said he was going to take it easy on Black so Black had something left in the tank since he and Strong have their issues. Aries asked who was from outside of the United States and then complained that the national security was poor and he hoped all the fans get deported.
They shook hands and Aries clotheslined Black. Aries was flipped up and over onto the apron and hit with a Pele Kick. He fell to the floor, where Black nailed a tope con hilo over the top. They battled on the floor. Black slingshot himself back in the ring with a spinning kick. Aries worked over Black with a series of chops. Black came back with a kick to the back. Black stomped Aries and covered him for a two count.
Black went for a springboard but was shoved backwards to the floor. Aries hit his heat seeking missile dive to the floor. Aries went to the top to tease a dive but dropped back into the ring. Aries nailed a axehandle off the apron onto Black. He tossed Black into the ring and nailed a rolling snapmare. Black fired back with several punches in the corner but Aries used a STO. They went back and forth. Black missed a Phoenix Splash. Black finally caught him with a rolling cradle and scored the pin.
Your winner, Tyler Black!
Aries laid out Black after. Roderick Strong came out. Aries continued stomping on Black. Strong unloaded with chops and ran Aries off.
Roderick Strong vs. ROH champ Tyler Black (non title)
Strong continued the assault Aries began on Black. He unloaded with chops in the corner. Black fought back but Strong shot him down. The fans began dueling chants. They fought back and forth. Black ducked a Strong leg lariat. Black nailed a springboard clothesline. He ran Strong into the turnbuckles shoulder first several times. Strong began focusing on Black's shoulder. Black powerslammed Strong for a two count. Black placed Strong on the top rope for a back suplex. Strong used a series of elbows. Strong cinched in a Boston Crab.
Black broke free. Strong went for the Gibson Driver but Black avoided it and turned it into a Emerald Frosion. Black clotheslined Strong, who came back with one of his own. Strong nailed a gutbuster. Black came back with a running powerbomb in the corner. He covered Strong and the referee counted three but Strong had his leg in the rope. The match was restarted. Strong nailed a leg lariat and the Gibson Driver for the pin.
Your winner, Roderick Strong!
Jerry Lynn vs. Kenny King - Anything Goes
King went to nail Lynn with a chair while Lynn was outside but Lynn grabbed him by the legs and pulled him out. They battled around ringside. Lynn wedged a chair in the corner between turnbuckles. King returned to the ring but was tossed back out. King pulled a ladder out and Lynn hit a sliding kick into it. Lynn smashed it into him. Lynn beeled King over the ropes onto the ladder. He went for a legdrop on the ladder but King moved. Lynn rolled up King but he kicked out, sending Lynn into the chair.
King brought a table into the corner of the ring. He smashed Lynn into the ladder, which was propped up in the other corner and rolled him up for a two count. Lynn came back with a bulldog on the ladder for a two count. Lynn went for a tornado DDT but King turned it into a suplex onto the ladder. He used his boot to choke Lynn, who was now busted open. King put Lynn's head inside one of the rung of the ladder and ran it into the corner.
King went to the outside and bridged another table between the ring and the railing. Lynn began to recover but King attacked him. King brought Lynn to the outside and went to do a death valley driver onto the table but Lynn escaped and shoved King off. King went to the top but Lynn cut him off and hit a top rope frankensteiner. Lynn nailed a F-5, then placed a chair in the ring. He picked up King, who grabbed Lynn and DDT'd him on the chair. King hit his running kick on Lynn, sending him backwards into the table propped in the corner for a two count.
King continued to work over Lynn in the corner with headbutts and punches. He tackled Lynn and placed him on the top rope. Lynn went for a sunset flip into a powerbomb. Lynn set up for the cradle piledriver on a piece of table and scored the pin.
Your winner, Jerry Lynn!
ROH Tag Team champions The Briscoes vs. American Wolves (with Shane Hagadorn)
They did some nice back and forth mat wrestling between Mark Briscoe and Davey Richards early. They went into a series of sequences and faced off. Edwards tagged in but Mark shoulderblocked him down, then caught him in a hiptoss and armbar. Mark suplexed Edwards over. Jay tagged in and nailed Edwards with a hard clothesline in the corner. The Briscoes continued to control the bout, keeping Edwards off balance with double team maneuvers.
Richards tagged in, took out Mark and knocked Jay off the apron. He kicked Jay in the chest, then nailed him with an enziguiri. Jay came back with a sidewalk slam. Mark tagged in and chopped away at Richards. The Briscoes double shoulder tackled Richards to the mat. Richards was able to dump Briscoe over the ropes near his corner. Briscoe tried to battle both Wolves but Davey took his legs out from under him. Richards took control, focusing his attacks on Jay's legs.
The Wolves continued to work over Jay. Jay finally made the hot tag to Mark, who chopped away at everything in sight. Mark nailed a fisherman's buster on Richards for a two count. then a back suplex for another. Edwards hit the ring and kicked Jay off the apron. The Wolves doubled on Mark. Jay tripped Richards while Mark tossed Edwards to the floor. All four battled on the floor, Richards back suplexed Jay into the front row. Mark dove off the ropes onto the Wolves.
Back in the ring, Mark and Edwards began slapping and striking each other. Edwards gtot the better of the exchange. He tagged in Richards, who tagged Mark in the chest with a kick. Richards cinched in a Sharpshooter. Jay Briscoe attacked Richards to try and break it up. Edwards attacked Jay, who nailed him with a superkick. Mark escaped and made the hot tag to Jay. Jay clotheslined everything in sight, then nailed a leg lariat on Edwards. He sent Richards flying into Edwards, hit a stunner and a Yakuza Kick for a two count.
Jay ducked a kick and rolled up Richards for a two count. He nailed a death valley driver for another two count. Edwards tagged in and controlled the match. He went for a back suplex on Jay, who landed on his feet. Edwards paintbrushed him with strikes and tagged in Richards. Richards hit a running kick to the face and a back suplex for a two count. They battled on the top rope with Richards mauling Briscoe into submission. He nailed a superplex.
Mark hit the ring and they went back and forth. Richards went for a running clothesline but was caught with an exploder for a two count. Edwards and Mark went back and forth. They hit each other with stereo Yakuza kicks before Mark finally drilled him with a clothesline. Richards and Jay killed each other with kicks. The Briscoes nailed a double superkick. Mark hit a top rope elbow on Richards. They tossed him to the floor and went for the Doomsday Device. Edwards superkicked Jay into a Richards back suplex for a two count. The crowd thought that was the finish.
Jay went for the Jay-Driller but Richards came off the top and took him out. Richards wiped out Mark with an insane dive through the ropes. Edwards hits a top rope leaping frankensteiner. They lock a sharpshooter on Jay, who gets to the ropes. They go for the Doomsday Device but Mark takes out Richards with a cutter and Jay does a backwards frankensteiner on Edwards. The Briscoes nailed the Doomsday Device for the win.
Your winners and still ROH Tag Team champions, The Briscoes!
2010 - The final WWE Smackdown before Wrestlemania 26 aired. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from San Jose, California and your announcers are Todd ‘I feel like we have been here all week’ Grisham and Matt ‘I know the way here’ Striker.
As the wrestlers come to the ring for the opening match, we go to footage from the Wrestlemania Axxess in Arizona.
As Drew tries to enter the ring, the two men who beat him to qualify for Money in the Bank approach him and Drew delays his entry into the ring.
Match Number One: Kane, Drew McIntyre, Matt Hardy, Dolph Ziggler, and Shelton Benjamin versus Evan Bourne, Jack Swagger, Kofi Kingston, Montel Vontavious Porter, and Christian in a Raw versus Smackdown these guys are in the Money in the Bank Ten Man Tag Match
Ziggler and Kofi start things off and they lock up with Kofi getting a waist lock but Ziggler with a standing switch. Kofi with a side head lock but Ziggler with a forearm and punch to Kofi. Ziggler with a side head lock but Kofi with a forearm. Ziggler with a shoulder tackle but Kofi with a flying back elbow for a near fall and then everyone gets into the ring as we have a standoff and a commercial.
We are back and Hardy and Swagger are in the ring and Hardy with an Irish whip and running clothesline followed by a bulldog for a near fall. Benjamin tags in and he sends Swagger’s arm into the turnbuckles. Benjamin with an arm bar but Swagger backs Benjamin into the corner and the referee pulls Swagger away. Benjamin with kicks to Swagger but Swagger with a belly-to-belly suplex. Swagger tells off his partners and then he points to the briefcase. Benjamin with elbows while Swagger has Benjamin in a waist lock. Benjamin with a dragon whip. Bourne tags in and he hits a head scissors and drop kick. Benjamin with a kick but Bourne with a double knee take down for a near fall. Christian tags in and he works on Benjamin’s arm. Christian sends Benjamin to the mat but Benjamin kips up. Christian gets a near fall and then connects with knees before tagging in Porter. Porter with punches to Benjamin. Porter with a float over on an Irish whip and then he hits a flying forearm for a near fall. Bourne tags back in and Bourne sets for the Shooting Star but McIntyre distracts Bourne and Bourne with a kick to McIntyre. Benjamin leaps to the top turnbuckle and hits an overhead belly-to-belly throw on Bourne and both men are down as we go to commercial.
We are back and Benjamin with a chin lock on Bourne. Bourne tries to escape while Benjamin maintains his weight on Bourne. Bourne with a kick but Benjamin with a gutbuster. Kane tags in and he kicks Bourne followed by a punch. Kane with shoulders to Bourne followed by a punch and kicks. Kane with a slam and elbow drop for a near fall but Christian breaks it up and the referee keeps everyone else out of the ring. Hardy tags in and he punches Bourne in the back. Hardy slams Bourne and hits a fist drop for a near fall. Hardy with a front face lock and he applies extra pressure on Bourne’s neck. Bourne with punches but Hardy tags in Ziggler and Dolph with a kick to the midsection for a near fall. Ziggler taunts Christian and then he punches Bourne followed by a leaping elbow drop. Ziggler tags in Hardy and Matt with a leg drop. Hardy sends Bourne into the turnbuckles and tags in Ziggler who hits a snap mare and kick. Bourne with a kick to the head as Ziggler charges at him. Christian tags in and he punches Ziggler followed by a running forearm. Christian goes to the turnbuckles and hits a missile drop kick for a near fall. Christian with an uppercut and then he tries to slam Ziggler but Ziggler escapes and he kicks Christian in the leg. Ziggler with a sleeper but Christian with the pendulum kick and a corkscrew back elbow from the turnbuckles.
McIntyre comes in and hits Christian in the head. Porter goes after Ziggler and then he punches McIntyre. Porter with an Irish whip and running boot. Hardy with a Side Effect to Porter. Swagger with a clothesline to Hardy. Benjamin with a Samoan Drop to Swagger. Kofi with a flying forearm to Benjamin. Kane with a big boot to Kofi. Bourne comes off the top turnbuckle an Kane catches him. He also grabs Kofi and hits a double choke slam. Kane grabs Christian but Christian escapes the choke slam attempt and Kane charges at Christian but Christian ducks down and Kane goes over the top rope to the floor. Ziggler tries for the Zig Zag but Christian blocks it and he catapults Ziggler into the turnbuckles. Christian punches Ziggler and then they collide. McIntyre tags in and Christian does not realize it as he hits the Killswitch on Ziggler. McIntyre with the double underhook DDT for the three count.
Winners: Drew McIntyre, Matt Hardy, Kane, Dolph Ziggler, and Shelton Benjamin
After the match, McIntyre grabs a ladder and brings it into the ring while everyone else goes to the back. Everyone sees what Drew is doing and then everyone gets into the ring and they stare at McIntyre on the ladder. They push the ladder down and McIntyre hits the mat. The ladder falls on Drew’s back.
They decide to leave the ring since Drew is not going to climb again.
We go to Wrestlemania Axxess in Arizona and see more of the exhibits.
We go to commercial.
We are back with footage from Hornswoggle’s house at Wrestlemania Axxess. We also see the Superstar Entrance exhibit.
Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler are at Axxess and they talk about Drew McIntyre. Lawler says that Vince McMahon might want to see him win, but the other nine in the Money in the Bank match do not want to see him win. Cole and Lawler talk about Chris Jericho and he has a match with Edge. If you don’t believe me, watch the video package.
We are back at Axxess and Lawler mentions that 70% of the Royal Rumble winners have won at Wrestlemania.
We go to commercial.
We are back at Axxess and we see all of the title belts. Cole and Lawler talk about the Wrestlemania Art Auction that raised money for the Make a Wish Foundation. Jerry mentions that his artwork was auctioned off for $6,000.
Rey Mysterio and CM Punk also have a match on Sunday. In the words of Warner Wolf, let’s go to the video tape.
Josh Mathews is in the interview area with Big Show and the Miz. Josh asks them about their confidence going into Wrestlemania. The Miz says that they are like peanut butter and jelly. Like Mac and Cheese. They are like Batman and Robin, but then he looks at Show and says that he might have gone too far. Miz compares Morrison and Truth to salt and pepper, oil and water, Seacrest and Simon, and Team Jacob and Team Edward. Miz says that the Big Show is going to show R Truth what a knock out punch is and that will be awesome.
Vickie Guerrero is walking in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back with the Smack of the Night: Tiffany’s match with Michelle McCool from two weeks ago and Beth Phoenix going after Vickie Guerrero after her interference. Then we see the announcement of the match between Vickie and Beth. That match is coming up next.
Before the match starts, Vickie has a few Excuse Mes for the people of San Jose. Vickie says that if Beth ever laid her hands on Vickie, she would regret it. Vickie has decided to make the match a five-on-one handicap match.
Match Number Two: Beth Phoenix versus Vickie Guerrero, Michelle McCool, Layla, Alicia Fox, and Maryse in a Overloaded Epsenhart Special
Layla starts things off and Beth is ready for action. Beth with a forearm to Layla and then she takes Layla across the ring. Layla with kicks but Beth keeps Layla from tagging and Beth runs Layla into the corner. The referee pulls Beth out of the corner. Layla with a kick but Beth presses Layla over her head and Michelle hits Beth in the head. Beth with an airplane spin that takes Michelle down. Beth brings Michelle and Alicia in before hitting an elbow on Maryse. Beth with a double clothesline to Michelle and Layla and then she sends Maryse into Alicia. Beth with a double clothesline to Alicia and Maryse. Layla holds Beth’s feet and Michelle with a running boot to the head. Vickie gets tagged in and she gets the three count.
Winners: Vickie Guerrero, Michelle McCool, Alicia Fox, Layla, and Maryse
After the match, Vickie goes to the turnbuckles for a frog splash but Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim, and Eve Torres come to the ring and Vickie is the only one who realizes it. They throw Michelle and Layla out of the ring. Everyone except Beth and Vickie leave the ring and Vickie is frozen on the turnbuckles. Vickie tries to leave the ring and Beth pulls Vickie away from the ropes and then she removes Vickie’s pants. Vickie channels Melina and screams very loudly as she leave the ring and runs to the back.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for Chris Jericho to come to the ring to address the people of San Jose. Chris says that on Sunday, at the biggest show of the year, when dreams come true, legends are made, and careers are made or ended, he will beat Edge to retain the World Title. Jericho says that Edge is a tremendous performer whose tenacity is second to none. Nobody has come back from more injuries than Edge and he comes back again and again. Jericho says that it was an incredible story to come back three months early to win the Royal Rumble. Jericho says that Edge has every tool to defeat Chris Jericho . . . except for one thing. That would be DNA. Jericho explains DNA to the crowd in San Jose. Jericho says that his DNA is superior to everyone and it is superior to Edge. He says that is why he is the current World Champion, the first Unified World Champion, the greatest performer in the world, and the best at what he does. Jericho says that Edge is dysfunctional and a reject. He says that Edge is defective because his DNA keeps getting him injured. Jericho suggests that you can blame his relatives. Jericho says that he will use Edge’s inferior genetics against him. He says that Edge is not 100% and he will end Edge’s career. Jericho says that he will take advantage of Edge’s ankle and he will continue until the ankle ruptures into thousands of pieces. Jericho says that when the match is done and Edge is writhing in pain, there will be silence as he wonders what happened to his career. Jericho tells Edge not to blame himself or Chris Jericho. He tells Edge to blame it on his defective DNA.
Edge’s music plays and he runs to the ring and he punches Jericho. Edge with a kick to the head and then he sets for the spear as the crowd chants for it. Jericho dives to the floor to avoid the spear. Edge stands over the title belt and picks it up while Jericho is on the ramp.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a video package from the Wrestlemania Reading Challenge.
We are back at Axxess and we see footage from the McMahon limo explosion as well as Hart family memorabilia.
Jerry and Michael talk about Bret Hart and his match with Vince McMahon. You didn’t think we would forget about the video package.
We go to commercial.
We are back at Axxess and we see kids getting temporary tattoos. We also see some vintage outfits worn by wrestlers.
John Cena and Batista meet on Sunday. I bet you want to see a video package.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Wrestlemania Recall. We look back at the first Money in the Bank Match at Wrestlemania 21.
We are back at Axxess and we see a display of Shawn Michaels’ Wrestlemania gear. Then we see Undertaker’s graveyard. We see the grave waiting for Sunday’s match.
Speaking of Shawn Michaels and Undertaker, they have a match on Sunday. Did you think they would forget the video package?
Cole and Lawler talk about Shawn Michaels being Mr. Wrestlemania while Taker wants to end Shawn’s career. Cole says that he thinks that Shawn Michaels will get the win because Taker has never faced the same opponent in consecutive years. Lawler is going with Undertaker because of the amount of weapons that Taker has.
It is time to return to San Jose for the main event.
John Morrison introduces the man who will face Big Show, R Truth. Truth tells Morrison that was one of the best introductions he ever had. Truth wants to return the favor. Morrison and Truth start telling jokes wondering why Show and Miz are a tag team.
Match Number Three: R Truth with John Morrison versus Big Show with The Miz
Truth tries to avoid Show but Show backs him into the corner and he biels Truth across the ring. Show chokes Truth in the ropes and then he punches Truth in the midsection. Show with a slam to Truth and then he chops Truth against the ropes. Show with a knee to Truth and then he sends Truth into the ring post. Show compresses Truth in the corner as Show grabs the ring post. Truth with punches to Show but Show with a head butt and Truth goes down. Show with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot. Truth with punches and then he tries for a cross body but Show catches him and hits a fallaway slam. Show goes to the turnbuckles but misses an elbow drop when Truth moves out of the way. Miz gets on the apron and Truth knocks him to the floor. Morrison sends Miz into the ring steps.
Back in the ring Truth and Morrison hit a double DDT and the referee calls for the bell.
No Contest
After the match, Truth with a scissors kick and Morrison with the springboard spin kick. Truth with the flying corkscrew forearm to Miz and then Morrison hits the corkscrew split legged moonsault.
We go to credits.
2011 - 3S (Misaki Ohata and Hiroyo Matsumoto) defeated the Canadian Ninjas of Portia Perez and Nicole Matthews to win the SHIMMER Tag Team championship on SHIMMER's Volume 37 DVD taping in Berwyn, IL.
2011 - Michael Cole used a gay slur when addressing Josh Mathews. After realizing that wasn't a bright move, he then wrote the following on his Twitter page, @MichaelCole: "I apologize to any and all who were offended by my tweet toward young Josh Mathews. It was obviously not meant the way it was taken." Then he added, "I was not ordered to apologize I said I am sorry because I am. Now can I get back to being a character again please?"
2011 - TNA ran Bemidji, Minnesota. Lars Garrett filed the following live report:2012 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Atlanta, Georgia and your announcers are Michael ‘Schiavone’ Cole, Jerry ‘Can I get a match on Sunday’ Lawler, and Booker ‘Forget Bullying, how about a silence campaign’ T.
Match Number One: Randy Orton and Sheamus versus Kane and Daniel Bryan with AJ Lee
Bryan and Orton start things off and Bryan has AJ come onto the apron for the pre-grappling kiss. They lock up and Orton with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Bryan with kicks to the leg but Orton with a back body drop. Orton with the Garvin Stomp but Bryan with kicks and a European uppercut. Bryan flips over Orton but Orton with a clothesline and Orton gets a near fall.
Sheamus tags in and Bryan runs to tag in Kane. They lock up and Sheamus with a clean break. Kane with a knee and uppercut. Sheamus escapes a slam and he clips Kane and connects with a running knee lift. Kane with a back elbow. Kane with a drop kick to Sheamus and he gets a near fall. Kane with an Irish whip and he runs into a boot. Sheamus goes up top for the shoulder tackle and he connects but only gets a one count.
Sheamus goes after Bryan and that allows Kane to connect with an uppercut that sends Sheamus to the floor. Bryan with a running knee off the apron and we go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus punches Bryan to get out of a side head lock. Bryan with kicks in the corner but Sheamus pushes Bryan away. Bryan goes for the running drop kick into the corner and Sheamus moves and Bryan crashes and burns.
Orton tags in and he hits two clotheslines. Bryan misses a clothesline and Orton with a power slam. Orton gets Bryan and puts him in the ropes for the IEDDT and he hits it. Orton stares and then he turns for the RKO with the push ups but Kane pulls Bryan out of the ring.
Orton punches Kane and they fight on the floor. Orton sends Kane into the ring post. Bryan with a baseball slide to keep Orton on the floor. Bryan kicks Orton against the ringside barrier. Bryan tags Kane back in and he kicks Orton in the ribs. Kane with an elbow in the corner followed by an Irish whip and clothesline into the corner for a near fall.
Kane with a reverse chin lock and knee. Kane with an Irish whip and Orton with a boot but Kane with a side slam for a near fall. Kane goes up top for the clothesline and he hits it. Kane sets for the choke slam but Orton is able to recover and hits a drop kick.
Bryan and Sheamus tag in and Sheamus with double sledges and forearms to Bryan followed by a uranage back breaker. Orton and Sheamus punch Kane and send him over the top rope with a double clothesline.
Orton tries for an RKO to Kane on the floor but Kane sends Orton into the post. Sheamus sets for the Brogue Kick but AJ gets into the ring and distracts Sheamus. Sheamus misses the Brogue Kick and gets caught in the ropes. Kane with a choke slam while the referee deals with AJ and Bryan gets the three count.
Winners: Daniel Bryan and Kane
It is time to take a look back at last year’s Wrestlemania when Dwayne decided to get involved in John Cena’s match against Miz to help Miz retain because of what happened the week before.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Michael Cole is in the ring with a Team Johnny shirt. It looks like someone is campaigning for a spot of the team on Sunday. Michael says that he is the official commentator for Team Johnny at Wrestlemania. Michael brings out the man who he feels will be the general manager of both shows, John Laurinaitis.
John introduces the official flagbearer for Team Johnny and it is Vickie Guerrero. John introduces his team captain, and the man who can make the most wicked cappuccino, David Otunga. Otunga steals from Wade Barrett and Chris Masters.
Booker T gets on the announce table and he introduces Teddy Long.
Teddy comes out and does the Teddy Dance. Teddy introduces his team captain, Santino Marella.
Match Number Two: Santino Marella with Hornswoggle and Teddy Long versus David Otunga with John Laurinaitis and Vickie Guerrero
Santino with a side head lock but Otunga with a shoulder tackle. Otunga with a shoulder tackle and he poses. Santino with a drop toe hold into a front face lock. Santino with punches and a forearm. Otunga with an Irish whip and Otunga with a clothesline to the back of the head. Otunga takes the flag and he wastes time, allowing Santino to recover.
Hornswoggle comes into the ring and waves the blue flag. Otunga takes the flag and he Angles himself with the flagpole. That allows Santino to get the win with the cobra.
Winner: Santino Marella
After the match John comes into the ring and he argues with Teddy. Santino gets behind John and Teddy pushes him over Santino. Santino was about to hit Laurniaitis with the cobra but from out of nowhere, Miz comes to the ring and hits the Skull Crushing Finale.
John tells Miz that he is now on Team Johnny.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look back at the night that the challenge was made for Sunday’s match.
It is time for a Hell in a Cell video package for Triple H and Undertaker.
Match Number Three: Eve Torres with pose and Beth Phoenix versus Kelly Kelly
Kelly with a double leg take down and jackknife for a near fall. Eve with a series of kicks and then she slams Kelly’s head into the mat. Eve sends Kelly into the turnbuckles and Beth yells at Kelly while Eve chokes her. Eve climbs to the turnbuckles and chokes Kelly until the referee warns her.
Eve gets a near fall. Eve with a quarter nelson and chin lock while trapping the other arm. Eve with a knee to the midsection but Kelly with the screaming twisting head scissors and Eve is sent into the turnbuckles. Kelly punches Eve but Eve pushes Kelly off and to the mat. Eve goes up top for the moonsault but Kelly moves and Eve was about a foot too far away. Kelly with a La Magistral for the three count.
Winner: Kelly Kelly
It is time for another John Cena and Dwayne Johnson video package with footage from their match at Survivor Series.
CM Punk is walking in the back and we go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Christian versus CM Punk
Before the match starts, Chris Jericho appears on the TitanTron and he says that Punk claims to be the best in the world but it isn’t true. He is going to be Punk at Wrestlemania and become the WWE Champion. He is going to expose Punk as a fraud. We know that his father is an alcoholic and his sister has substance abuse problems. Jericho says that he found out some information about his mother. It turns out that his mother turned out to be a decent person. He did find out one piece of information. Jericho mentions that Punk was born before his parents got married. Jericho says that Punk is a bastard.
Christiana attacks Punk from behind and the referee tries to pull Christian off Punk before the match starts. Christian throws Punk to the floor but Punk kicks Christian and he sends Christian repeatedly into the announce table. Punk with a round kick to the head and then he connects with elbows to the head. Punk moves the steps and then he drops Christian on the steps instead of the kick for the Go To Sleep. Punk applies the Anaconda Vice and the referee tries to get him to release the hold but the bastard is not going to release the hold until four referees do the job. Punk reapplies the Anaconda Vice.
Punk is restrained by the referees and the medical staff checks on Christian.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Lawler and Cole talk about what we just saw Punk do to Christian. Cole suggests that Christian may have reinjured his neck.
Match Number Four: Brodus Clay with the Funkettes versus Curt Hawkins
Brodus does the shimmy and Hawkins charges at him but Clay with a clothesline. Hawkins dives for the knee and then he punches and kicks Clay followed by a bulldog for a near fall. Clay with a head butt to the midsection and then he punches Hawkins in the midsection and then goes for the million dollar knee lift and the T-Bone Sheeeplex and the splash for the three count.
Winner: Brodus Clay
Time for another John Cena and Dwayne Johnson video package. This time it is John Cena’s comments to Dwayne from last month.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to talk about the Hall of Fame and the people who will be doing the inducting is on WWE.com.
We see footage of what Cody Rhodes did to Big Show last week on Raw.
Match Number Five: Big Show versus Primo with Epico and Rosa Mendes
Show with a kick and forearm to the back. Show with a chop followed by a biel. Show with a punch to the midsection followed by an Irish whip. Primo with a boot but Show with a chop when Primo comes off the turnbuckles. Show with a choke slam and the three count.
Winner: Big Show
after the match, Rosa yells at Big Show and Epico tries to attack Show, but that was a mistake and Epico gets choke slammed.
Cody Rhodes comes out and he tells Show that he is not going to catch him. They have their time on Sunday . . . at Wrestlemania. He asks Show if that word scares him. The night when the biggest stars shine on the biggest stage and Show fails every time. They are going to take Show’s name and make it a verb. People are going to pray that they don’t ‘Big Show’ on their finals. People will hope that they won’t ‘Big Show’ with the ladies. Cody says that he will retain his Intercontinental Title on April Fool’s Day. On that day, Show will be the biggest fool of them all.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the newest Lord Tensei video package.
Nikki and Brie argue about the participants of the twelve man tag match. Zack mentions that he is on Team Teddy. Zack tells Nikki that she needs to change her face and Brie walks away because Zack made a stupid comment.
Eve asks Zack which hotel he is staying at. Eve tells Zack she was hoping that he would stay at her hotel because after Wrestlemania it will be time to celebrate.
Josh Mathews is about to interview CM Punk but Punk interrupts and he says to ask Christian how he feels. He is not off limits, but his family is. Jericho can call him whatever he wants and claim to be the best in the world. Punk has commented on his father’s issues and his father is in a better place now. Punk says that his sister is off limits and not true. He says that what he said about his mother is reprehensible and he is not a bastard. He is the best in the world.
We go to commercial with Great Khali and Mark Henry walking in the back.
Match Number Six: Great Khali with Teddy Long versus Mark Henry with John Laurinaitis
John gets on the apron and Mark tells Teddy to get off the apron and Khali punches Henry and connects with elbows in the corner. Khali with a chop to Henry. Khali with a chop to the head and Khali raises his arms. Henry with the World’s Strongest Slam for the three count.
Winner: Mark Henry
After the match, John rolls Teddy into the ring and Mark Henry is in Teddy’s face. John signals as only John Laurinaitis can and Team Johnny comes to the ring. John wants them to block the ramp. Team Teddy comes to the ring and they are not very successful in the first wave. The second wave is not successful either. Out next is Kofi Kingston and he is able to springboard into the ring but Henry catches Kofi and hits the World’s Strongest Slam. Teddy begs for mercy and Henry gets Teddy up for the World’s Strongest Slam but Booker T comes into the ring and he kick and punches Henry. Booker with a scissors kick.
Teddy gets a mic and he thanks Booker for saving him. Teddy asks Booker to join Team Teddy on Sunday. Booker thinks about it and he joins the team. Now is the time on Raw when we Spinaroonie.
We go to footage from last week when John Cena beat Mark Henry and then Dwayne gave Henry a Rock Bottom.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for Dwayne to make his way back into Atlanta.
At Wrestlemania 20, he competed in what most people thought would be his final Wrestlemania match. People asked him when would he come back to wrestle at Wrestlemania again? He says that he knows that he is coming back, but he doesn’t know when. Every Hollywood starlet is throwing themselves at him to have him try some delicious pie, but they ask when is he coming back.
For seven years, he did not know when he was coming back. That was until last year when he went down to Georgia. He delivered the Rock Bottom heard round the world. That was when he knew the wait was over. The next night, in this building, the match was set. History was made because of the fans.
In six days, he returns to the grandest stage to do what he does best. He says that is proud to say Finally.
Dwayne says that there was only one man the people wanted to see him face at Wrestlemania. That man is John Cena.
In the last Wrestlemania that he competed, it was John Cena’s first. He has transcended the industry and became one of the biggest stars. John has never faced anyone like him. He is going to . . .
John Cena’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring.
John asks Dwayne if he hears that. He says that is exactly what is going to happen at Wrestlemania. It is nothing new to him. The thing that is skittish is that he will never see anyone like him. John says that Dwayne will never see anything like John Cena. For a year, he has listened to the best trash talk from the best trash talker. Dwayne brought his mom into this situation. He is here, just like he is every week . . . with a smile on his face.
He says that Dwayne is not the first one. There was a ten year gap for Dwayne. There was one person who got fed to anyone who wanted to make a name. It was him. How many people have talked trash about John Cena.
Cena listens to the crowd with their dueling chants.
He says that just like you cannot deny the electricity when Dwayne enters the arena, you cannot deny the passion when John gets into the ring. He says that he can name that tune in five notes. Let’s Go Cena . . . Cena Sucks.
Those are words that he has heard for years. An audience divided. Sometimes an audience hostile. John mentions that people have turned their back on the WWE Universe. John says that he is the one person who does what his t-shirt says. He rises above. He rises above and he wins.
He says that is what gets them. People throw their best at them, but he rises above and he wins. There are some who hate that, but they know what he knows. John says that he is going to win at Wrestlemania. He knows that they hate it, but they know that he will win at Wrestlemania.
John throws out some truth. He has been an active member of WWE longer than Dwayne. Dwayne has come back at the top while Cena was here when there were times when it was not popular to be in the company. He beats the company drum and he says that it is something that he loves. For ten years of doing this, people know that he means it when he says that he loves it.
That is why he has to win at Wrestlemania. After Wrestlemania, Dwayne will be starring in G.I. Joe. After Wrestlemania, John says that this will still be his life. For the past year, they have said a lot of stuff. He says that Dwayne will not come in here as a visitor and take his life. John says that he is just getting started. Nobody remembers second place so that is why he cannot lose.
Dwayne tells John that he knows how important this match is to him and that it is important to him as well. The people know that Dwayne is not crapping on the WWE. He helped build this house. They know that Cena never had an opponent he could not overcome until this year. They know that it is more than just the biggest match of all time. They know that the People’s Champion has come back to beat Cena. It drives him. Never before has a man been able to say that he has walked into Wrestlemania and beat Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, and John Cena. On a professional level, he needs to win to become the greatest WWE superstar of all time.
On a personal level, he just doesn’t like Cena. In six days, he will tell John to his face that not only will he beat him, he will give him the ass kicking of a lifetime. John knows it, he knows it, and they know it too.
John says that it doesn’t matter what Dwayne thinks. He is going to put this in terms that Dwayne can understand. On April 1st, Dwayne will see him with his hand raised high over Dwayne’s carcass. The headline will read that John Cena whipped the Rock’s ass at Wrestlemania.
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