Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
April 13th
On this day in history in ....
1927 - Antonino Rocca was born.
1937 - Former WWWF champion Stan Stasiak is born.
1960 - Hard Boiled Haggerty and Butcher Vachon defeat Lord James Blears and Herb Freeman to win the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title in Honolulu, Hawaii.
1963 - Kay Noble defeats Kathy Starr for the vacant AWA World Women's Title in St. Paul, Minnesota.
1964 - Former WWF star Robert "Sir Mo" Horne is born in Harlem, New York.
1964 - Enrique Torres and Bearcat Wright defeat Don Leo Jonathan and Kinji Shibuya for the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.
1965 - Karl and Kurt Von Brauner defeat Jackie Fargo and Mario Milano for the Mid-America NWA World Tag Team Title in Nashville, Tennessee, beginning their fifth reign.
1970 - Gene Kiniski defeats Mark Lewin to win the Vancouver NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title in Vancouver, British Columbia.
1970 - Albert Wall defeats Steve Veidor for the vacant British Heavyweight Title in Nottingham, England, ending Wall's second reign.
1970 - Bob Geigel and The Stomper defeat Killer and K.O. Kox for the Central States NWA North American Tag Team Title in St. Joseph, Missouri.
1971 - Jack and Jerry Brisco defeat Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Title in Tampa, Florida, beginning the Briscos' second reign.
1974 - Championship Wrestling from Florida held an event at the Convention Hall in Miami Beach, Florida. The results:
- Phil Mercado and Angelo Poffo fought to a draw.
- The Great Mephisto defeated Rick Oliver.
- NWA Florida Tag Team Champions Jack and Jerry Brisco defeated Hans Schroder and Crusher Verdu to retain the title.
- Dutch Mantel and Skip Young fought to a draw.
- Ivan Koloff defeated Haystacks Calhoun.
- NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion Buddy Wolf defeated Jos LeDuc to retain the title.
- Ox Baker and Ernie Ladd fought to a double-disqualification.
1974 - Ripper Collins defeats Jimmy Snuka to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title, ending Snuka's second reign and beginning Collins' third.
1977 - Christian York was born.
1977 - Bruiser Brody defeats Fritz Von Erich for the NWA American Heavyweight Title in Dallas, Texas, just one night after Von Erich beat Brody for the title. This began Brody's second reign and ended Von Erich's 14th.
1977 - Roddy Piper defeats Chavo Guerrero to win the NWA World Light Heavyweight Title.
1980 - Ole Anderson defeats Killer Karl Kox in Knoxville, Tennessee for the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title, ending Kox's third reign.
1980 - Gringo defeats Signo to win the UWA World Welterweight Title in Monterrey, Mexico. At the same show, Antonio Inoki defeats Tiger Jeet Singh for the UWA World Heavyweight Title.
1983 - Terry Allen and Brad Armstrong defeat The Fabulous Kangaroos (Johnny Heffernan anad Don Kent) to win the NWA Florida Global Tag Team Title in Miami, Florida, ending the Kangaroos' fourth reign. Also at that show, NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair fought Barry Windham to a draw to retain his title.
1983 - Ted DiBiase and Mr. Olympia defeat Tiger Conway, Jr. and Mr. Wrestling II for the Mid-South Tag Team Title in Shreveport, Louisiana.
1983 - Satánico defeats Jalisco to win the NWA World Middleweight Title, to begin Satánico's third reign.
1984 - Josh Abercrombie was born.
1985 - Mike Dupree and Sonny Myers defeat Rick Davis and Tim Patterson to win the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Cloverdale, British Columbia.
1985 - Mega Maharishi (Ed Wiskoski) and Kendo Nagasaki defeat Don Running Bear and Billy Two Eagles for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title in Portland, Oregon.
1987 - Richard Charland and Chuck Simms defeat Dan Kroffat and Armand Rougeau for the International Wrestling International Tag Team Title in Montreal, Quebec.
1988 - Invader III defeats Tony Falk in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico to win his seventh WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title.
1989 - Devil Masami and Maiko Tsurugo defeat Miss A and Harley Saito for the JWP Pacific Coast Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.
1990 - The U.S./Japan Wrestling Summit was held at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, before 53,742 fans. This was a joint event featuring talent from All Japan and the WWF. The results were:
- Doug Furnas, Dan Kroffat (Phil LaFon) and Joe Malenko defeated Samson Fuyuki, Toshiaki Kawada and Tatsumi Kitihara, when Kroffat pinned Kitihara.
- Jushin Liger pinned Akira Nogami.
- Tito Santana and Jimmy Snuka defeated Masa Fuchi and Kenta Kobashi, when Snuka pinned Fuchi.
- Tiger Mask (Mitsuharu Misawa) and Bret Hart fought to a 20-minute draw.
- The Great Kabuki pinned Greg Valentine.
- Jake Roberts pinned The Big Bossman.
- IWGP Tag Team Champions Shinya Hashimoto and Masa Saito defeated Masa Chono and Riki Choshu, when Saito pinned Chono, to retain the title.
- Haku and Jumbo Tsuruta defeated Rick Martel and Mr. Perfect, when Tsuruta pinned Martel.
- Genichiro Tenryu pinned Randy Savage
- WWF Champion Ultimate Warrior pinned Ted DiBiase to retain the title.
- André the Giant and Giant Baba defeated Demolition (Ax and Smash) when André pinned Smash.
- Hulk Hogan pinned Stan Hansen.
1991 - El Egipcio defeats Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. to the Mexican National Heavyweight Title in Puebla, Puebla, ending Jalisco's second reign.
1992 - Lauren Davenport defeats Miss Texas for the USWA Women's Title in Memphis, Tennessee.
1994 - Jesse Ventura was awarded $809,958 in video tape royalties and $8,625 in merchandising royalties by a St. Paul, Minnesota court stemming from a lawsuit against the WWF. Ventura had argued he wasn't compensated for the use of his likeness in 90 WWF home videos when other performers, such as Hulk Hogan, André the Giant, Mr. T, and Cyndi Lauper, had been. Ventura had also never signed any contract indemnifying the WWF from paying him for his commentary work. As a result of this, many matches featuring Ventura's commentary, as well as during his tenure in WCW, was edited out of several later home video releases.
1994 - Diesel defeats Razor Ramon to win the WWF Intercontinental Title at a WWF Superstars taping in Rochester, New York. The match aired on April 30.
1996 - Mike Kelly defeats Scott Stevens in Warren, Michigan to become the first Championship Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion.
1997 - ECW's very first pay-per-view event, Barely Legal, takes place before 1,170 fans at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The show got a 0.2 buyrate. This event almost didn't take place, at least on pay-per-view, due to the infamous . The results were:
Dark matches:
- Louie Spicolli pinned Balls Mahoney.
- Chris Chetti and J.T. Smith defeated The F.B.I. (Little Guido and Tommy Rich).
Pay-per-view matches:
- The Eliminators (John Kronus and Perry Saturn) defeated ECW World Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray and D-Von), when Saturn pinned Buh Buh after a Total Elimination, to win the title.
- Rob Van Dam (subbing for the injured Chris Candido) pinned Lance Storm, after a Vandaminator and a standing Moonsault Splash. After the match, RVD cut a promo stating that he was a far better caliber wrestler than being a replacement for someone who was injured, and hinted that he might jump to the WWF or WCW.
- Gran Hamada, The Great Sasuke and Masato Yakushiji (subbing for the injured Gran Naniwa) defeated bWo Japan (Taka Michinoku, Terry Boy, and Dick Togo), when Sasuke pinned Michinoku after a Tiger suplex.
- ECW World Television Champion Shane Douglas pinned Pitbull #2 after a belly-to-belly suplex to retain the title.
- Taz defeated Sabu by making him pass out with the Tazmission.
- Terry Funk defeated The Sandman and Stevie Richards (with The bWo) in a three-way dance to earn an immediate ECW World Heavyweight Title match. Funk and Sandman simultaneously pinned Richards after a double powerbomb. Funk pinned Sandman with a moonsault after Richards gave Sandman a Stevie-Kick with a trash can.
- Terry Funk pinned ECW World Heavyweight Champion Raven with a roll-up, after Tommy Dreamer DDT'd Raven, to win the title. This ended Raven's second reign and began Funk's second.
1999 - Ghost Face (Tarzan Goto) defeats Doug Gilbert for the IWA Japan World Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan, beginning his second reign.
2000 - A bizarre and improbable match took place at the Murat Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, as WWF-contracted wrestler Taz defeated WCW-contracted wrestler Mike Awesome by submission with the Tazzmission, after a DDT from Tommy Dreamer while the referee was knocked out, to win the ECW World Heavyweight Title. Awesome had jumped to WCW while still champion, after not re-signing with ECW because he was owed money by Paul Heyman, and would not re-sign until paid said money. As they had in the past, but this time for an entirely different purpose, the WWF and ECW teamed up to make this match take place to get the title off Awesome. Taz choked out Awesome, who then left the same way he entered, through the crowd with WCW's head of security Doug Dillenger, and Taz had won his second ECW World Title, becoming the second consecutive wrestler not working for ECW to hold the company's top title. The match aired the following night on ECW on TNN.
2000 - The Outlaws (Ricky James and Bobby Lee) defeat The Scufflin' Hillbillies (Maynard R. Neck and Big Chuck Wagon) to win the NWA Michigan Tag Team Title in Burton, Michigan. This began and ended both teams' second reigns.
2001 - Bruce Hart defeats Principal Richard Pound for the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title in Calgary, Alberta.
2001 - Steve Corino defeats Rodney Begnaud (Rodney Mack) for the vacant NWA North American Heavyweight Title in North Richland Hills, Texas. The title had been vacated when Mike Rapada won the NWA World Heavyweight Title in September. At that same show, The Black Attack (Mike Anthony and Al Jackson) defeat The Blackbird Posse (Larry Green and Chris Young) to win the NWA Texas Tag Team Title, beginning and ending both teams' second reigns.
2002 - World Wrestling All-Stars held its Eruption pay-per-view at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia. The results:
- A.J. Styles pinned Nova to advance to the WWA International Cruiserweight Title match later on.
- Jerry Lynn pinned Chucky Chaos to advance to the WWA International Cruiserweight Title match later on.
- Teo pinned Puppet in a hardcore midgets match.
- Brian Christopher and Ernest Miller defeated Buff Bagwell and Stevie Ray, when Christopher pinned Bagwell.
- Alan Funk pinned Pierre Oullette.
- A.J. Styles pinned Jerry Lynn to win the vacant WWA International Cruiserweight Title. The title had been vacated in March when then-champion Eddie Guerrero returned to the WWF.
- Sabu pinned Devon Storm in a steel cage match.
- Midajah defeated Queen Bee in a evening gown match.
- Scott Steiner defeated WWA World Heavyweight Champion Nathan Jones by submission to win the title.
2002 - The WWF Hardcore Title changes hands four times at a house show in Odessa, Texas. William Regal won the title from Bubba Ray Dudley, ending Bubba Ray's fifth reign and beginning Regal's fifth. Spike Dudley began his fourth reign as Hardcore Champion by defeating Regal. Spike then lost the title to Goldust, his sixth title win. Bubba Ray Dudley left with the title though, beating Goldust, and beginning his sixth reign. This was the fourth straight house show that this same sequence of title changes occurred.
2002 - Genichiro Tenryu wins his third AJPW Triple Crown Title in Tokyo, Japan, defeating Toshiaki Kawada. The title had been vacated on March 28 due to Kawada being injured. At that same event, Kendo Kashin won the vacant AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Title by defeating Masanobu Fuchi, and Arashi and Nobutaka Araya defeat Mitsuya Nagai and Shigeo Okumura for the vacant AJPW All Asia Tag Team Title.
2002 - Carly Colón defeats Vampiro to win his fifth WWC Universal Heavyweight Title in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. This was a rematch of their March 30 match in Caguas.
2002 - In Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Nuevo Gran Apolo defeats Savio Vega for the IWA World Heavyweight Title, beginning his fourth reign. At the same event, The Starr Corporation (Chicky Starr and Victor the Bodyguard) defeat Ricky Banderas and Shane the Glamour Boy to win their sixth IWA World Tag Team Title, and Super Crazy wins his second IWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Title by forfeit due to El Lobo being injured.
2003 - Josh Daniels and Matt Striker defeat Chi Chi Cruz and Rapid Fire Maldanado in a tournament final for the Premier Wrestling Federation Universal Tag Team Title in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Shinjiro Otani and Masato Tanaka had vacated the title to focus on defending their NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Title in ZERO-ONE.
2003 - O.K. Revolution defeats Yoshihiro Sakai to win the DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Title in Tokyo, Japan, ending Sakai's third reign.
2003 - Mike Pleazing defeats Steve White for the Ultimate NWA Heavyweight Title in Hanceville, Alabama.
2004 - New York Rosenfeld defeats Matt Lyder for the Israeli Pro Wrestling Association Heavyweight Title in Netanya, Israel. His reign was short-lived though, as Rosenfeld lost the title to Gery Roif that same day, beginning Roif's second reign.
2005 - Matt Morgan defeats Elijah Burke to win the OVW Heavyweight Title in Louisville, Kentucky, beginning Morgan's second reign.
2007 - Johnny Swinger defeats Lee Condry for the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title in Columbia, Tennessee.
2007 - New Japan Pro Wrestling holds the fifth and final event of their 35th anniversary tour at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium in Osaka, Japan, which aired live on pay-per-view. The results were:
- El Samurai and Yujiro defeated Mitsuhide Hirasawa and Taichi Ishikari.
- BxB Hulk, Jushin Liger and Milano Collection A.T. defeated Wataru Inoue, Koji Kanemoto and Tetsuya Naito.
- Riki Choshu and Takashi Iizuka defeated Tomoaki Honma and Toru Yano.
- Manabu Nakanishi defeated Orlando Jordan.
- Black Strong Machine and Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Tomohiro Ishii and Togi Makabe.
- Dragon Gate I-J Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Gedo and Jado defeated Yasushi Kanda and Masaaki Mochizuki to retain the title.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Minoru defeated Ryusuke Taguchi to retain the title.
- IWGP Tag Team Champions Giant Bernard and Travis Tomko defeated Shiro Koshinaka and Hiroyoshi Tenzan to retain the title.
- Yuji Nagata defeated IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the title, beginning his second reign.
2008 - TNA held their 2008 Lockdown PPV in Lowell, MA, highlighted by Samoa Joe capturing the TNA World title. Richard Trionfo filed the following PPV report:
Welcome to the live coverage of TNA’s Lockdown pay per view featuring every match inside a steel cage. I will be providing the live play-by-play for tonight’s pay per view since Mike Johnson is at the Paul Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Massachusetts. Make sure to check out all of the coverage leading up to tonight’s pay per view on the site. After the pay per view, check out the Lockdown Audio Recap and Mike Johnson’s live thoughts and probably audio about his experience at Lockdown.
The pre-show starts off with the Lockdown commercial followed by the video package chronicling the feud between Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe that aired on this week’s Impact. We next see the video package for the Booker T/Robert Roode feud. The next match previewed is the battle of the James Gang/VKM with comments from Kip James followed by BG James. The next video package is for the women’s tag match. The next package is for the Lethal Lockdown Match. This is followed by a longer video package that covers all of the matches on the card.
The show starts off with Mike Tenay in the cage talking about how tonight is about more than the TNA Heavyweight Title. It is about the career of one man. If Samoa Joe loses, he must say goodbye to the only thing he knows and the only thing he loves. Is tonight Samoa Joe’s Final Stand?
We begin with the standard TNA video package that focuses on the violence that we will see from Lockdown.
We see the Tsongas Arena as the camera pans around the arena. We get pyro and then we go to Don West in the crowd. He talks about how there is a fever pitch in the building. Don asks a few fans at ringside who they think will win the match between Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle. Don sends it to Jeremy Borash into the stands where he asks a few fans who will win the main event. Jeremy says that the roof will be blown off the building tonight.
Mike Tenay welcomes everyone at ringside and he asks if it comes any bigger than putting your career on the line.
We get the X Factors for tonight. It focuses on Jay Lethal’s courtship of So Cal Val, Lethal’s friendship with Sonjay Dutt, and the rules of the match.
The opening match is the X Division Xscape Match
Match Number One: TNA X Division Champion Jay Lethal versus Shark Boy versus Curry Man versus Sonjay Dutt versus Consequences Creed versus Johnny Devine in an X Division Xscape Match for the TNA X Division Title
Before the match starts, we see So Cal Val applauding Lethal’s entrance into the cage. The match starts with Dutt and Devine in the ring. Devine with a kick and punch but Dutt with a rana and moonsault into an arm drag. Dutt hits Curry Man when he tries to go after Devine. Dutt and Lethal work together to hit a moonsault on Curry Man. Lethal with a backbreaker and he holds on to Devine for a moonsault from Dutt. Dutt and Lethal double team Shark Boy and then they hit a double drop kick on Creed. Lethal with a jawbreaker to Shark Boy and Dutt with a clothesline from a somersault. Dutt and Lethal continue to double team Devine. Dutt and Lethal try for a double superplex but Shark Boy and Curry Man hit power bombs on Dutt and Lethal while Devine holds onto the cage. Creed with an arm drag from the turnbuckles that sends Devine into Shark Boy and Curry Man. Lethal and Dutt take down Creed when Dutt uses Lethal for additional momentum on a head scissors. Dutt with a head scissors take down of Lethal with Lethal landing on Creed. Dutt shakes the ropes. Shark Boy with a Stunner on Lethal but Dutt makes the save for Lethal. Devine with a rollup to eliminate Sonjay Dutt.
Shark Boy with a missile drop kick to Devine followed by a jawbreaker. Shark Boy punches Devine against the cage and then he drops Devine on the top rope. Shark Boy with boots to Devine. Creed with a fisherman’s neckbreaker to Shark Boy. Creed punches Curry Man and then he Irish whips Curry Man. Creed misses a splash in the corner and Curry Man puts Creed in the turnbuckles and Curry Man with a running butt splash in the corner. Curry Man has Devine up for the Spicy Drop but Creed sends Shark Boy into Curry Man. Creed with a DDT to Shark Boy to pin Shark Boy.
Creed with a splash followed by a leaping clothesline on Curry Man for a two count. Curry Man dances on Creed’s back and then he hits a flying clothesline on Creed. Curry Man goes up top and he climbs to the top of the cage. Devine shakes the cage and Curry Man hangs on top of the cage. Devine with head butts to Devine. Lethal tries to slam Devine’s head into the cage but Devine knocks Lethal off the top rope. Devine misses a shooting star press and Lethal with clotheslines to Devine followed by a hip toss. Creed blocks Lethal’s drop kick. Devine and Creed with a double back body drop to Lethal. Creed and Devine battle in the ring and Curry Man hits a somersault splash onto Creed and Devine.
Curry Man sends Creed into Devine and Curry Man hits a running butt splash on Devine. Curry Man hits the Spicy Drop on Creed to eliminate Creed. Devine tries for a rollup on Curry Man. Curry Man holds Devine for a Hart Attack from Lethal but Lethal only gets a two count. Curry Man gets a near fall. Lethal with a boot to Curry Man and then Lethal goes to the top turnbuckle but he misses. Curry Man with the Spice Rack to Lethal but Devine with a kick to Curry Man’s head. Devine with the butterfly pile driver to Curry Man to eliminate Curry Man.
Devine goes for the open door but Lethal keeps him in the cage. Devine sends Lethal into the cage and then Devine uses the tape on his wrist to tie Lethal to the ropes. Devine punches Lethal and then he goes for the door. We see Dutt and Val on the floor. Dutt keeps the door closed and tells Devine that he needs to climb the cage. Dutt goes under the ring and he gets scissors. Devine is at the top of the cage but Lethal escapes from the tape and he dives out of the cage to win.
Winner: Jay Lethal
After the match Lethal celebrates with Dutt and Val.
Jeremy Borash is with Frank Trigg in the back and Jeremy asks about high profile matches like Joe and Angle are facing tonight. Jeremy asks who has the advantage right now. Trigg says that if Angle and Joe are like him, they would be throwing up now because it is nerve wracking. Trigg says that Angle has been in tough matches before. Trigg says that Joe hasn’t been in the spotlight like this before. He says that Joe might have an advantage but when Kurt Angle is punching you in the face, it will be hard. Trigg says that Joe will be able to hang for a while, but Angle’s intensity will win the match. Jeremy asks if Joe might have learned something. Trigg says that Joe had a great trainer, but to put eight weeks of training into five weeks it would be tough to win the match. It could happen, but he does not think it will happen.
The Queen of the Cage Match is up next.
Match Number Two: Velvet Sky versus Angelina Love versus Traci Brooks versus Rhaka Khan versus Roxxi Laveaux versus Christy Hemme versus Jacqueline Moore versus Salinas in the Queen of the Cage Match
The women start off outside the cage as Dave Penzer announces the rules. We see the women battle on the floor as some try to climb the cage. Velvet and Angelina work over Roxxi while Traci and Jacqueline fight on the other side of the ring. Rhaka Khan battles with Salinas. Angelina Love is at the top of the cage and she makes her way into the ring. Velvet Sky climbs the cage but so does Traci and Roxxi. Roxxi stops Velvet on the top of the cage. Traci and Jacqueline climb but Angelina stops them. Roxxi makes her way into the cage.
Roxxi Laveaux versus Angelina Love
Roxxi and Angelina get face to face to determine the number one contender. Roxxi with a forearm to Angelina followed by an Irish whip and running butt splash. Roxxi with a running boot for a two count. Angelina with a jawbreaker followed by a knee and flying clothesline. Love slams Roxxi’s head into the mat. Angelina chokes Roxxi with a scarf and then she tries to send Roxxi into the cage but Roxxi blocks it. Roxxi misses a clothesline but Angelina with a bicycle kick for a two count. Angelina throws a fit in the ring and then she chokes Roxxi in the ropes. Roxxi with a boot and then she gets Angelina on her shoulders for the Dominator but Angelina gets out of the hold. Angelina hits Lights Out but Roxxi kicks out at two. Angelina with a chop. Roxxi with a waist lock but Angelina with a standing switch. Angelina with a rollup but Angelina is sent into the cage and Roxxi hits the Voodoo Drop for the three count.
Winner: Roxxi Laveaux
We go to the back where Lauren is with Samoa Joe earlier today. She brings up the stipulation for tonight’s match. Joe says that there is no need to reiterate what he said five weeks ago. Joe says that he has not thought about what would happen if he loses and cannot wrestle again. Joe says that he can take from Kurt and he will not let Kurt take from him. He has bled and sacrificed for this sport so he is not going to let Angle take it away from him. Joe says that he has a mission because Kurt holds what he desires. Joe says that he will sacrifice his career and his life for the title. Joe says that he did not lay his hands on Angle at Impact because he wants Angle at his best.
The Battle of the James is next.
Match Number Three: Kip James versus BG James
Kip with a punch as the bell ring and Kip with boots to BG followed by more punches on the mat. Kip misses a clothesline and BG with jabs and Kip with an Ace Cutter to counter BG’s dancing roundhouse. BG is on the apron and Kip runs the back of BG’s head into the cage. Kip with an Irish whip but BG with an elbow to a charging Kip. Kip with a knee to the midsection and BG is down in the center of the ring. Kip with an elbow to the top of the head followed by a reverse chin lock. BG gets to his feet but Kip with a knee. BG with a kick to Kip but Kip sends BG face first into the cage. Kip with a kick to the midsection and he hits the Move Formerly Known as the Fameasser. Kip can only get a two count because he takes his time to make the cover. Kip goes to the second turnbuckle and BG moves. BG with a low blow to Kip and both men are down. They are up and Kip and BG exchange punches but BG with the advantage. BG with a back elbow to Kip. BG gets his chance for jabs and then he says no dance party and he sends Kip into the cage three times. BG with a punch to the top of the head. BG with a knee drop for a two count. BG misses a splash into the ropes and BG crotches himself in the ropes when Kip moves. Kip tunes up the high school band but he misses the splash in the corner and BG with a rollup for the three count.
Winner: BG James
After the match, BG offers his hand to Kip in the corner and he brings Kip into the center of the ring. They stand face to face and they talk. BG starts to walk out but Kip stops him and Kip raises BG’s arm. But it is just to set him up for a short arm clothesline. Kip stands over BG and he does a crotch chop. This feud will not die.
We go to the back where Kurt Angle is with Jeremy Borash. Jeremy says that he has gotten to know Kurt over the last year but over the last five weeks, Angle has distanced himself from everything important in his life for this match. Kurt says that when he was with the WWE, anyone they threw his way, he beat them and made them tap out. Angle says that he started to watch the competition, TNA. He saw Samoa Joe and Joe was more than a man, he was an animal. He only saw the intensity he saw in Joe one place, and that was in the mirror. Angle says that Joe has taken him to the limit four times. Joe also took everything that he gave him. He knew that he had to do something drastic because they both wanted one thing and both cannot have it. Angle tells Joe that it is not only about business, it is personal . . . it is very personal. In order to prove that he is the very best, he needs to make Joe tap out. He needs to end Joe’s career. He tells Joe it is not about winning or losing, it is about survival.
The Cuffed in the Cage Match is next.
As the ring entrances happen, we see Rellik and Black Reign attacking Eric Young. Kaz comes out to try to help Young and security comes out.
Match Number Four: Kaz and Eric Young versus the Motor City Machine Guns of Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley versus LAX of Homicide and Hernandez versus the Rock and Rave Infection of Jimmy Rave and Lance Hoyt versus Black Reign and Rellik versus Petey Williams and Scott Steiner in the Cuffed in a Cage Match
There are only eleven men starting off the match because of what happened to Eric Young. The bell rings and Steiner clotheslines a lot of people. Hoyt hits Rave when Steiner moves out of the way. Steiner with suplexes to Black Reign, Hernandez, and Rellik. Steiner with a tilt-a-whirl slam to Homicide. Steiner hits a fireman’s carry slam from the turnbuckles on Rave. Hernandez sets up Steiner for a clothesline and Homicide with a senton onto Steiner while Steiner is on Hernandez’s knees. Rellik, Rave, and Black Reign cuff Steiner to the cage.
LAX work on Hoyt while the Machine Guns work on Williams. Eric Young tries to get into the cage but Rellik and Black Reign impede his entry. Young gives up, but I don’t think we have seen the last of Eric. Shelley kicks Williams in the corner. Black Reign and Rellik work over Kazarian. Shelley with a back kick to Williams but Williams sends Shelley into the cage and Williams tries to lock Shelley into the cage and he does it so Shelley is eliminated.
Sabin tries for a Tornado DDT on Kazarian but Kazarian blocks it and hits the Wave of the Future into the cage and Sabin is cuffed so the Machine Guns are out of the match. Williams with a drop kick to Rellik’s knee and an Ace Cutter. Rellik and Black Reign with a spike DDT and Black Reign cuffs Williams to the cage. LAX work over Hoyt and he hits a body block on Hoyt. Kazarian sets for the Flux Capacitor on Homicide but Homicide hits a Gringo Cutter. Hernandez gets Hoyt up for a Border Toss but Rave gets out of the hold and he hits a cracker jack on Rave into the cage. Hoyt with a clothesline to Hernandez. Black Reign sets Hernandez in the ropes and he punches Hernandez down low. Hernandez is cuffed by Black Reign.
Kazarian hits the Flux Capacitor on Rave as the camera men miss the set up of the move. Homicide has been cuffed to eliminate LAX. Kazarian with a spin kick to Hoyt. Hoyt with a boot to Kazarian. Kazarian with a kick to Hoyt as Hoyt gets on the top turnbuckle. Kazarian sets for the Flux Capacitor on Hoyt but Hoyt sends Kazarian into the cage and then he choke slams Kazarian from the top turnbuckle. Kazarian is cuffed to the cage by Rellik and Black Reign.
We are down to the final four (other than Eric Young) and Rellik and Black Reign attack Rave and Hoyt.
The music plays for Super Eric and he comes to the ring and he ha horns on his mask now. Young climbs the cage as Rave and Hoyt pull Black Reign and Rellik from the corner. Young with a cross body from the top of the cage onto all four men. Young cuffs Rave. Young back body drops Hoyt into the cage and Hoyt is cuffed. Black Reign kicks Young from behind. Rellik with a big boot to Young as Black Reign sends Young at Rellik. Black Reign and Rellik try to cuff Young, but Rellik is cuffed. Young with a Death Valley Driver on Black Reign and then he cuffs Black Reign to win the match.
Winner: Eric Young
After the match, Young breaks the cuffs holding Kazarian off the cage.
Lauren is in the back with her family and dance troupe. Lauren asks Joe’s father about his chances tonight and maybe having to walk away from wrestling. His father says that Joe will not fall short. This was all that Joe wanted to do. They are here tonight to support Joe and see him fight one of the icons of TNA. Even if Joe loses, he will love his son.
The women’s tag match is next.
Match Number Five: TNA Women’s Champion Awesome Kong and Raisha Saeed versus Gail Kim and ODB
Kong and ODB start things off. They lock up and Kong pushes ODB into the corner but Kong misses a charge. ODB with forearms that do not move Kong. Kong misses a clothesline and ODB spanks Kong. Kong grabs ODB by the hair and she tosses ODB into the corner and Gail Kim tags in. Saeed tags in as well and Saeed with a full nelson but Gail with a standing switch into a waist lock. Saeed with an arm drag and then she works on Gail’s arm and drives it into the mat. Saeed continues to work on Gail’s wrist. Gail with a forearm to Saeed and then she hits an arm drag. Saeed takes Gail down and she works on Gail’s leg. Saeed with a forearm to Gail and then she connects with another. Saeed with a slam followed by a snap elbow drop for a two count. Saeed with a fisherman’s suplex for a two count. Saeed kicks Gail in the corner and connects with forearms. Saeed with an Irish whip but Gail with a floatover and hits a drop kick followed by a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Gail with a rollup for a near fall. Gail with forearms to Saeed. Gail goes to the turnbuckles but while Saeed is with the referee, Kong sends Gail into the cage. Saeed with an Irish whip and a running forearm into the corner. Saeed put Gail on the top turnbuckle but Gail pushes her off. Saeed with a slap to Gail and then Saeed climbs the cage and kicks Gail’s head into the cage and Gail is down. Saeed kicks the flask and that angers ODB. Kong is tagged in. Gail tries for a forearm, but Kong with a double thrust. Kong with an Irish whip and splash into the corner. Saeed is tagged back in and she gets a near fall. Gail moves when Saeed tries for a knee in the corner but Gail with a desperation spear.
ODB is tagged in and she waits for Saeed to get up. ODB with a clothesline to Saeed and then she goes after Kong on the apron, sending Kong into the cage. Kong with a fallaway slam to Saeed and then she kips up and gets a cover but Kong breaks it up. Gail goes after Kong with forearms and ODB joins in. Saeed goes after Gail and Kong with a head butt to ODB. Gail climbs the turnbuckles and to the top of the cage. Saeed tries for a powerbomb from the top of the cage but Gail turns it into a super hurricanrana. Kong with a clothesline to Kim. ODB with forearms to Kong followed by a chop. Saeed pops up and she attacks ODB. Kong tries for the spinning back fist as Saeed holds ODB but ODB moves. Gail with a missile drop kick to Kong and then ODB hits a splash on Saeed for the three count.
Winners: Gail Kim and ODB
Kim and ODB get out of the cage and celebrate to avoid the Wrath of KONG.
Jeremy Borash is with Karen Angle in the back. Jeremy asks Karen why she is here. Karen says that regardless of their relationship, Kurt is the father of their children. She is here to provide moral support for Kurt. Karen says that this has changed Kurt’s life forever. Karen says that she is here to give Kurt her support.
The Booker T and Sharmell versus Robert Roode and Payton Banks match is next.
Match Number Six: Booker T and Sharmell versus Robert Roode and Payton Banks
The men start things off and Booker keeps Sharmell from getting in and Roode attacks Booker from behind and he punches and kicks Booker. Booker responds with punches and chops. Roode comes back with chops. Booker with more chops. Booker with knees but Roode with a knee of his own. Booker with a back heel kick to Roode. Booker punches Roode in the corner but Roode tries for a reverse atomic drop but Booker blocks it. Roode with a dropkick and he punches Booker. Roode chokes Booker in the ropes and he wants Sharmell to make the tag. Roode with a neck breaker for a near fall. Roode with a back elbow followed by a knee drop for a near fall. Roode with a reverse chin lock on Booker as he tries to wear down his opponent. Booker gets back to his feet and he connects with punches and forearms to Roode. Roode with a kick to Booker but Booker with a jumping side kick to Roode. Booker with a kick and he tries for the scissors kick but Roode with a spinebuster for a two count. Roode tries to mock Sharmell to tag in. Roode with a chop in the corner followed by an Irish whip but Roode charges into an elbow. Booker with a super kick and both men are down.
Booker blocks a punch and he responds with punches and chops to Roode. Booker with a forearm and clothesline. Booker with a suplex for a near fall. Booker with a chop to Roode. Booker with a float over into a sunset flip for a near fall. Roode with an elbow to Booker but Roode runs into a spinebuster from Booker.
STOP!!!! Spinaroonie Time because you aren’t in a blood feud over what happened to your wife.
Booker misses the scissors kick and he cannot hit the Bookend. Booker is sent into the cage and Roode wants Sharmell to tag in. Sharmell tags in and she slaps Roode. Roode grabs Sharmell by the hair and Banks tags in. Roode holds Banks and Banks slaps Roode when Sharmell moves about thirty seconds before she turns around. Sharmell with a rollup for the three count.
Winners: Booker T and Sharmell
After the match, Booker and Sharmell celebrate. Meanwhile in the ring, Robert Roode yells at Payton Banks and Roode leaves the ring.
Lauren is with Marcus Davis. Lauren reminds us about Joe’s training and she asks how it went. Marcus says that Joe did great and that they trained in the same way that he would train for a fight. He says that Joe came out as a complete fighter. She asks Marcus what Joe needs to do to win the match. He says that this is going to be a tough fight, but he needs to implement his plan. If so, then Joe will win.
Lethal Lockdown is next.
Match Number Seven: Team Tomko of A.J. Styles, Team 3D, James Storm, and Captain Tomko versus Team Cage of Rhino, Kevin Nash, Sting, Matt Morgan, and Captain Christian Cage in the Lethal Lockdown Match
The match starts off with the captains Christian Cage and Tomko in the ring for five minutes. It isn’t Tomko, but A.J. Styles who entered the cage during Tomko’s entrance. Styles hits a move from the turnbuckles and then he kicks Cage. Styles with a punch. Styles punches Cage but Cage punches back. Styles with another punch to the top of the head. Styles with a rear face lock and then he tries to send Cage into the cage. Styles with a rake of the eyes. Styles with the Phenomenal drop kick. Styles with punches but Cage responds with chops and punches and a few kicks. Christian with an Irish whip but he charges into an elbow. Styles tries for the moonsault into an inverted DDT, but Christian blocks it for a minute but Styles hits the inverted DDT. Styles punches Christian and he puts Christian in a rear chin lock. Styles sends Christian into the turnbuckles and then he Irish whips Cage, but Cage moves when Styles tries for a flying forearm into the corner. Christian with a forearm and clothesline to Styles. Christian goes up top but he misses a frog splash. Styles tries for a Styles Clash, but Christian blocks it and he hits an inverted DDT of his own. Styles with a jawbreaker to Cage. Cage counters a rana attempt with a sit out powerbomb. Cage sends Styles into the cage and then he sets for the Unprettier but Styles avoids it. Styles with a Pele after Cage gets out of a belly-to-back suplex attempt.
The next person to enter from Team Tomko is Brother Ray. Styles sends Cage at the door and Ray slams it into Cage’s head. Ray with a big back body drop to Cage followed by an elbow drop. Ray puts Cage in a Boston Crab while Styles hits a knee drop to the head. Cage fights off Ray, but Styles with a punch. Ray slams Cage’s head into the cage. Styles sends Christian into the cage again and then Styles holds Cage for a chop from Ray. Styles with a chop of his own.
Rhino is the next member from Team Cage. Rhino punches Styles and then he hits a belly-to-belly suplex on Ray. Rhino sets for the GORE on Ray but Styles with a kick to Rhino’s head. Styles chokes Cage while Rhino Irish whips Ray into the corner. Rhino punches Styles and Ray. Ray with forearms of his own followed by a chop. Cage punches Styles and chokes him in the corner. Cage with knees and punches to Ray. Cage with a sleeper to Ray but Ray gets out of the hold.
The next member of Team Tomko is James Storm. Styles is sent into the cage as Storm enters the match. Storm hits the Eye of the Storm on Cage and then he goes after Rhino. Rhino chops Styles and punches him. Rhino sends Styles into the cage but Styles holds onto the cage. Rhino and Styles fight on the cage. Rhino and Styles fight on the top rope while Christian works over Ray. Styles gets on the top of the cage and then he kicks Rhino to the mat. Christian and Styles fight on the top of the cage with Christian punching Styles while they fight on the top.
The next member to enter for Team Cage is Kevin Nash, but as Nash is introduced, Cage falls off the top of the cage to the floor. Nash with forearms to Storm and a clothesline to Ray. Styles with a cross body but Nash catches him and Nash with snake eyes to Styles. Ray goes after Nash’s knees. Cage is at the top of the cage and he hits a cross body onto Ray and Storm. Everyone is down in the ring but Rhino is the first to get to his feet. Rhino slams Storm’s head into the turnbuckles and Cage chops Styles. Nash with punches to Ray.
The next member to enter for Team Tomko is Brother Devon. Devon goes after Cage as he enters the match. Team 3D with a double flap jack into the cage on Christian. They hit a double shoulder tackle on Rhino. Devon chokes Cage and Nash attacks Devon from behind. Ray hits Nash in the leg again and then Storm clips Nash. Styles with punches to Rhino. Storm with a drop kick that sends Christian into the cage.
The next member of Team Cage to enter is Matt Morgan. Morgan hits all of the members of Team Tomko. Morgan with a big boot to Styles followed by a bicycle kick to Ray. Morgan with a head butt to Devon and then he sends Devon into the cage. Nash tosses Styles into the cage and then he punches Storm. Ray punches Morgan against the ropes. Morgan with a double clothesline to Team 3D. Morgan sets for a choke slam on Styles, but Styles avoids the hold. Morgan slams Styles into the mat.
Tomko enters the match as the final member of his team and Tomko has a chair with him. The referee refuses to let Tomko bring the chair into the cage. Tomko takes Christian down and Tomko and Christian exchange punches. Ray chops Morgan while Devon holds Morgan. Devon with a leg drop to Morgan’s groin. Storm works on Christian’s solar plexus. Devon bleeds profusely while he chokes Morgan in the ropes.
The final member of the match is This Is Sting. When Sting gets into the cage it is time for the Match Beyondish to begin. Sting with punches to every member of Team Tomko. Styles with a rake of the eyes but Sting with a kick to the groin. Sting with a low blow to Storm after Storm accidentally clotheslines Styles. The roof is lowered. Nash grabs a chair and the wrestlers go for other weapons. Styles with a bat and he hits Nash’s chair. Nash hits Styles with the chair. Morgan hits Tomko with a trash can. James Storm climbs to the top of the cage and Christian goes after him. Storm hits Cage with a trash can lid. Sting hits Tomko with the trash can in the back. Storm rake Christian’s eyes and then he tries to suplex Christian on the top of the cage. Storm almost falls through the top of the cage. Christian hits Storm in the head with the trash can lid while the other eight men fight in the ring. Team 3D work over Rhino. Nash with a choke slam to Ray while Morgan choke slams Devon. Tomko with chair shots to Nash and Morgan but Sting with a VanStingenator. Sting with the Scorpion Death Lock but Styles hits Sting with the kendo stick. Styles hits everyone with the stick. Christian sets up a table on top of the cage and Styles goes up to help Storm. Styles puts Christian on the table and then Styles sets up a ladder. While the other seven men are down in the ring, Christian gets off the table and Styles and Christian fight on the ladder on top of the cage. Christian tries to push Styles off the ladder. Storm tries to stop Christian. Storm pushes the ladder over and Styles and Christian go through the table on top of the cage. Storm returns to the ring and he gets a beer bottle and he hits Matt Morgan with it. Rhino with a GORE to Storm for the three count.
Winners: Team Cage
Your main event for Samoa Joe’s career is next.
Karen Angle is at ringside to watch her husband. Don and Mike are joined by Frank Trigg. We see the tale of the tape for the match.
We see Samoa Joe-berg walking in the back and he comes out with the Samoan Fire Squad. Kurt Angle is also walking in the back with his security detail.
Match Number Eight: TNA Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle versus Samoa Joe for the TNA Heavyweight Title and Joe’s wrestling career is on the line
Joe is wearing his usual wrestling gear while Angle is wrestling with no boots. Angle wants Karen ejected from ringside and Atlas Security tells her to leave. Karen argues with Kurt until Karen finally leaves.
Joe with a kick but Angle moves out of the way. Joe with a kick to the ribs. Angle tries for a jab but Joe blocks it. Joe backs Angle into the ropes and the referee makes them break. Angle with a kick to the leg. Angle wants a test of strength but Angle with a kick to the leg instead. Joe blocks a kick and he kicks Angle in the leg. Joe tries for a knee bar but Angle gets to the ropes. Angle with a double leg take down and he punches Joe in the head but Joe gets to the ropes. Angle with a jab to Joe and then he takes Joe down again. Angle gets on top of Joe and then he punches Joe in the head.
Angle goes for the leg again but Joe with a kick to the head and then Joe punches Angle. Angle grabs Joe by the neck and then Angle gets to the ropes. Angle with a knee to the midsection but Joe starts to stomp on Angle’s feet. Joe with a hip toss to Angle but Angle escapes. Joe tries for another hip toss but Angle counters with a Saito suplex and then he has Joe in a choke. Joe makes it to the ropes and Angle eventually releases the hold. Angle with a knee to the head and then he punches Joe in the corner. Angle with a front face lock but Joe with punches. Angle with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex but Joe gets to the ropes on the cover. Angle with a European uppercut and then Angle punches Joe. Angle with an arm bar submission but Joe is able to block the hold and Angle gets to the ropes. Angle punches Joe in the head and then connects with a European uppercut. Angle goes for Joe’s knee. Angle with a figure four leg lock. Joe tries to reverse the hold but Joe cannot roll over. Joe is finally able to reverse the hold but Angle is able to grab the ropes.
Joe is limping due to the figure four and Angle works on the leg. Angle with an elbow drop to the knee. Angle with a side head lock but Joe with elbows. Angle tries for another suplex, but Joe boxes Angle’s ears and hits a desperation clothesline and both men are down. Joe with snug forearms and a clothesline to Angle. Joe with the running knee into the corner. Joe with an Irish whip but he charges into the corner. Joe tries for the muscle buster after a jumping spin kick, but Angle is able to counter and he puts Joe in the ankle lock. Joe gets out of the hold.
Angle charges at Joe and Joe hits an STO and Joe can only get a two count. Angle with a rake of the eyes. Joe with a kick and then he hits a power bomb but turns it into a Boston Crab and then the Liontamer. Joe puts Angle in the STF. Joe then puts Angle in the Crippler Crossface. Angle gets to Joe’s ankle and he puts Joe in the ankle lock. Joe counters into another Crippler Crossface. Angle tries to fight out of the hold and then Angle gets out of the hold and to the ropes.
Angle tries for a clothesline, but Joe turns it into another Crippler Crossface. Angle tries to roll through and he lifts Joe up for an Olympic Slam but Joe kicks out at two. Angle applies the ankle lock one more time and they are in the center of the ring. Joe rolls through but Angle holds on to the ankle lock. Joe is able to pull Angle’s trunks and he puts Angle in the Choke. Angle grabs the referee’s shirt and Angle gets to the ropes thanks to help from the referee. Joe releases the hold. Angle with a kick to the midsection and he tries for the Olympic Slam but Joe gets out of the hold and then he sends Angle into the cage and he hits a super kick. Joe gets Angle up for the muscle buster and hits it. Joe gets the three count.
Winner: Samoa Joe
After the match, Marcus Davis gives Joe the TNA Heavyweight Title belt. After highlights from the match, Joe is seen in the ring with the title belt as the referee checks on Kurt Angle.
2008 - WWE ran Nottingham, England. Rob Craddock sent the following results:
Lillian welcomed us with the Singing of the National Anthem.
1st Match - DH Smith beat Carlito.
2nd Match – Paul Burchill with Katie Lea beat Val Venus
Santino came out and said he went to some forest near Nottingham and was robbed, he then went onto complain there is no Sheriff of Nottingham. He said he was going to do a Martial Arts demonstration on his opponent, out came Brain Kendrick.
3rd Match – Santino beat Kendrick.
4th Match – Tag Team Championship – Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes beat Cade & Murdoch.
5th Match – ECW Championship - Kane beat Chavo Guerrero
Intermission
Maria came out and threw some T-shirts out to the crowd, Mickie James joined her. They ran out of T-shirts, so they started to take off Maria’s, but were interrupted by Beth Phoenix’s Music.
6th Match - Beth Phoenix beat Mickey James. Beth hit Maria on the way to the ring (I think – I was on other side of arena).
JBL Came out and ran down the country, Football and Rugby , then channeling the Nikolai Volkoff sang the US Anthem. This brought out Regal to a huge Cheer. Regal challenged JBL and then hit him with the mike.
7th Match (Impromptu - NO DQ – He’s the RAW GM) JBL beat William Regal.
Regal gets on the mike after the match and says he’s been wrestling for 25 years and one day he’ll win a match.
8th Match CM Punk & Chris Jericho beat Umaga & Snitsky. Chris Jericho faced off with Snitsky and then backed off getting the mike to say that Snitsky's breath stinks, then started a "brush your teeth" chant. Umaga then goes to check Snitsky’s breath and nearly falls over.
9th Match (Main Event) WWE Title – HHH beat Randy Orton via DQ. Lots of dueling chants which at one point HHH DX chopped at a section for chanting for Randy. Randy got his belt and hit HHH with it in front of the ref for a DQ finish.
2009 - WWE held their Draft as part of a Raw broadcast. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Before we start with tonight’s episode, I want to thank Ed Shirreffs for filling in for me last week for the Impact and Smackdown Reports while I was out of town. Make sure to check out Dave Scherer’s blog for tonight’s show on the main page starting some time after the show starts. If it is like last week’s it will be very entertaining. Also make sure to check out Buck Woodward’s draft tracker on the main page and it will have an Orange Sash. Also make sure to check out any updates from the arena that might be on the site thanks to Devin Cox and Charlie Dudley.
We are live from Atlanta, Georgia and your announcers (at least right now) are Michael ‘Vintage Draft Coverage’ Cole and Jerry ‘Paul McGuire’ Lawler for the Raw brand; Jim ‘Todd McShay’ Ross and Todd ‘Erin Andrews in the War Room’ Grisham for the Smackdown brand; and Matt ‘Mel Kiper’ Striker and Josh ‘Remember the Stanley Cup Playoffs start Wednesday’ Mathews.
We start off with footage from the last few shows where Randy Orton claimed that he would win the World Title and that he would go through the entire McMahon family, even the grandkids. We see Vince McMahon in lavender challenging Randy Orton. We have a six man tag match at Backlash and the title will be on the line but only Randy Orton and Triple H can walk out of the building with the title. Instead of Vince McMahon being a part of the match, his unofficial adopted son Dave Batista takes his place.
We go through the announce teams and we find out that there will be a fifteen brand battle royal for two draft picks. There is also a match between Jack Swagger and John Cena for two draft picks.
Batista comes to the ring and he is dressed for action but he is going to talk to the fans of Atlanta. Batista says that he cannot tell us how good it feels to be back. He says that he misses the fans more than they miss him. He says that it took four months to get back into the ring. The one thing that drove him was retribution for what we are about to see.
We go to footage from Orton connecting from 43 yards out on Batista’s head to put him on the shelf.
Batista says that he has replayed that in his head for the last four months over and over and over and over and over. That is all that he can think about. He says that the worst part was waiting counting until he could get his hands on Randy Orton. Batista says that he is tired of waiting and he is back. There is no more waiting so he wants Orton to stop being a little punk and he wants Orton to face him like a man. Batista says that if Orton does not come out, he will look for him in the arena.
Batista starts to leave the ring and Shane McMahon’s music plays and he does the Shane-O Shuffle before coming to the ring.
Shane welcomes Batista back and he needs not have to explain to Batista that Randy Orton used malicious intent to do the same to him and his father. He also talks about what Orton did to his sister. Shane says that if anyone is going to get retribution on Orton it is him.
You didn’t think they wouldn’t be joined by their tag team partner at Backlash, did you? Triple H comes to the ring and he tells Shane that he needs to understand that the reason for all of this stuff with Orton is because of what he did to Randy five years ago. Hunter tells Dave that with all due respect, what Randy did to him, Orton tried to take out his wife and the mother of his kids while he watched. Hunter says that he started it and he is going to stop it. Hunter says that Randy Orton is his.
It is time to excuse things because Vickie Guerrrero is coming out with her driver Chavo in the VickieChair. Vickie says that the only person who will determine who faces Randy Orton and when it happens will be her, the new General Manager of Raw. Vickie says that they have their shot at revenge at Backlash. If they are going to be overzealous in that match, you could be counted out or disqualified. That would mean that Randy Orton would be the new WWE Champion. Vickie says that they might have an opportunity at Orton, but it will only be one of them. Randy Orton is in the building and he has the night off. There will be a three on two handicap match against Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. If Legacy wins, they lose their chance at Randy Orton. If Team McMahon wins, the person who gets the victory will face Randy Orton next week. Vickie wishes them luck.
We go to commercial.
Match Number One: Evan Bourne versus Rey Mysterio in a Draft Pick Match
They lock up and they have a Greco-Roman knuckle lock and then Bourne pulls Rey over. Rey with a sunset flip but Bourne catapults Rey to the apron. Bourne tries for a sunset flip power bomb to the floor, but Rey blocks it. Rey with a drop toe hold into the ringside barrier. Rey rolls Bourne back into the ring and he gets a near fall. Rey with a forearm but Bourne with a back kick. Rey tries for a springboard cross body but Bourne with a spin kick and we get a near fall. Bourne with a reverse chin lock. Rey with elbows but Bourne with a jumping back kick and standing moonsault for a near fall. Bourne goes up top for the shooting star press but Rey stops Bourne and Rey with punches to set up a rana from the top and he hits it. Rey gets a near fall. Rey with the head scissors that sends Bourne into position and Rey hits the 619 followed by a splash from the top for the three count.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
We go to the Random DraftTron 2009 and the first pick goes to Raw and it is Montel Vontavious Porter.
Porter comes out to address his new fanbase.
Kane is walking in the back and we go to commercial.
We are back and Chief Jay Strongbow is in the draftee lounge waiting to see what brand he will go to.
Match Number Two: Kane versus The Brian Kendrick with Ezekiel Jackson in a Draft Pick on the Line Match
Kendrick slaps Kane and Kane walks deliberately and Kendrick runs out of the ring. Jackson gets in the way and Kane with a big boot. Kane with a vintage uppercut to Kendrick on the floor. Kendrick with a kick and then he tries for The Kendrick but Kane escapes the hold and hits a choke slam for the three count.
Winner: Kane
We go to the Random Draft Generator 2009 and the next pick for Raw is Big Show.
We are back and did you know that WWE is the David Hasselhoff of China.
Vickie says that she is happy to be General Manager of Raw and she mentions the support from the Board of Directors. Randy Orton enters and he wants Chavo to leave. Vickie says that Chavo can stay. Randy demands that he gets a title match when Legacy wins tonight. Vickie says that the title will not be on the line until Backlash. Randy reminds Vickie that the Board of Directors will be watching. Vickie says that if Legacy wins, all three men will face that person next week.
John Cena is in the back and he is talking to a random worker. Jack Swagger stops by and he says that he shows the entire world why he is the future tonight. Swagger says that when he wins, there will be a new poster boy and it will be Jack Swagger. Cena introduces himself and Cena forgets to mention the second American in his nickname. Swagger gets a bit agitated. Cena realizes that Swagger calls himself the All-American American and says that it sounds ridiculous. Cena calls Swagger a punk kid and he welcomes Swagger to Raw and it is time for a lesson in Respect (where is Booker T) . . . respect.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Maryse, Natalya, and Michelle McCool versus Melina, Mickie James, and Kelly Kelly in a Draft Pick Goes Somewhere Match
There is tension on the Smackdown team and the Raw divas take advantage of this. The referee holds Mickie back from Michelle. They lock up and Michelle with a double leg take down and punches. Mickie with forearms but Michelle with a European uppercut. Mickie with a snap mare and drop kick to Michelle for a near fall. Michelle sends Mickie into the corner and Mickie with an elbow. Mickie with a head scissors out of the corner and then she goes up top but she is met with a kick. Michelle with the three count.
Winners: Michelle McCool, Maryse, and Natalya
Time for the third pick and we go to the SabreTron Draft SelectTron and Smackdown gets Melina.
John Cena is walking in the back and we go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: John Cena’s promo with Edge.
We recap the draft, but don’t go to any of the brand war rooms.
Match Number Four: John Cena versus Jack Swagger in a No Titles on the Line . . . but two draft picks are Respect Match
They lock up and Swagger with a single leg trip. Swagger tries for a double leg take down and he takes Cena down. Swagger with a front face lock and he rolls Cena on the mat. Cena with a flying shoulder tackle and Swagger goes to the floor and hits a clothesline on the floor. Swagger with a kick and clothesline to Cena. Swagger with a punch to Cena’s head and then he sends Cena into the turnbuckles followed by a hard Irish whip. Swagger with a clothesline to Cena and Swagger gets a near fall. Swagger chokes Cena in the corner but Cena punches back. Cena misses a charge into the corner and Swagger applies a full nelson. Cena powers out of the hold and Cena with the flying shoulder tackles and the Blue Thunder Bomb. Time to finish the Moves of Doom with the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena with the set up for the Attitude Adjustment and Swagger gets a hold of the ropes. Swagger with a big boot for a near fall. Cena is sent into the ring post and we go to commercial.
We are back and Cena with a back body drop. Cena and Swagger each hit clotheslines and both are down. We see footage of Cena being knocked off the apron and into the announce table as they went to commercial.
Cena with punches to Swagger but Swagger with a DDT and a near fall. Cena rolls to the apron. Cena tries to re-enter the ring and Swagger with a running knee lift for a near fall. Swagger with a power slam for a near fall. Swagger tries for a double jump splash but Cena catches Swagger and hits the Attitude Adjustment and STF and Swagger taps out.
Winner: John Cena
The fourth and fifth picks of the Draft are about to be determined and we go to the Keno DraftTron 2009. The fourth pick is Matt Hardy. Matt mocks Cena as he comes out. The fifth pick is Triple H.
Hunter makes a gesture to Cena, but from out of nowhere, Edge attacks Cena and Cole calls him the Ultimate Opportunist. Edge misses a charge and Cena gets Edge up for the Attitude Adjustment but Edge gets out of the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and more people are in the arena than saw 12 Rounds last weekend.
Time for a draft recap.
Randy Orton is in the locker room with the rest of Legacy and Ted still has the shirt on. Randy reminds them that if they win, they face the man they pin. Orton wants to know their strategy for this match. Cody says that they are going to create animosity because they all want to get a shot at Orton. Ted says that they hate Orton so much that they will get disqualified.
We have the Slam of the Week: Santina Marella defeats Beth Phoenix last week on Raw.
Match Number Five: Santino Marella versus The Great Khali with Runjin Singh in a Draft Pick is on the Line Match
Before the match starts, Beth Phoenix comes out with Rosa Mendez and Beth has a mic. Beth says hello to her little cannoli. Beth says that she talked to Vickie Guerrero. In addition to a draft pick, if Khali wins, his twin sister has to be on the Khali Kiss Cam next week.
Santino wants a time out and then he almost gets in Khali’s face. Santino with punches but Khali sends Santino to the mat. Khali grabs Santino and Santino holds onto the ropes for his life. Santino comes off the ropes and Khali with a shoulder tackle. Khali with a chop and the three count.
Winner: The Great Khali
The sixth draft pick goes to Smackdown and it is time for DrafTron 2009 with Smackdown getting CM Punk.
Miz and Morrison are walking in the back and they look different only carrying their Slammys and no title belts.
12 Orange Sash Rounds commercial time.
We are back and there were a lot of people at Wrestlemania 25th Anniversary.
Match Number Six: The Miz with John Morrison versus Kofi Kingston and in a Does Miz or Morrison Switch Brands Match
They lock up and Miz with a side head lock but Kofi with an escape. They lock up again and Kofi with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. They lock up again and Miz with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Kofi with a leaping back elbow for a near fall. Kofi with an arm bar but Miz gets to the ropes. Miz with a forearm and kick. Miz pulls Kofi down by his hair but Kofi kips up. Kofi escapes the hold and he hits an arm drag that sends Miz to the floor. Kofi teases a tope but he hits the ropes and bounces back into the ring. Kofi with a baseball slide. Morrison distracts Kofi and that allows Miz to hit a baseball slide. Miz with a rear chin lock. Miz with knees and a side head lock take down. Miz with a knee to the back and he returns to the rear chin lock. Miz with more knees and then he runs Kofi into the turnbuckles.
We are told about the supplemental draft on Wednesday at Noon.
Miz chokes Kofi in the ropes and then he drops Kofi across the ropes and gets a near fall. Miz with a cravate and Kofi tries to fight out of the hold. Kofi with a snap mare and punches. Kofi with a leaping clothesline and then it is time for the boop leg drop but Miz rolls out of the way. Miz misses a charge into the corner and Kofi with a kick and cross body for a near fall. Miz with a version of The Stroke for a near fall. Kofi tries for a sunset flip but Miz stays up. Kofi tries for a back slide but Miz escapes. Kofi with a side Russian leg sweep followed by the Boop Leg Drop for a near fall. Kofi boops up and tries for Trouble in Paradise but Miz avoids it. Miz gets a near fall. Miz tries for a rollup but Kofi rolls through and gets a two count. Miz with an Irish whip and he charges into boots. Miz tries to distract the referee to allow Morrison to interfere but the referee sees it and disqualifies Miz.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
It is time for the SuperJackpot Lotto Draft Board and the Seventh Pick is The Miz
Miz and Morrison hug in the ring as the band has broken up. Miz with a kick to the midsection followed the Reality Check.
Match Number Seven: Fifteen Man in T-Shirts Everything on the Line for Two Picks featuring Montel Vontavious Porter, Big Show, Mike Knox, and Cryme Tyme from Raw; Ricky Ortiz, Fit Finlay, Mark Henry, Tyson Kidd, and Paul Burchill from ECW; and Carlito, Primo, R Truth, Chavo Guerrero, and Edge from Smackdown
The bell rings and it is a three way civil war. Show goes after Burchill while Carlito works on JTG. Show goes after his lover’s nephew in the corner. R Truth is being put on the top rope by Finlay. Show with a head butt to Finlay and then he goes after Ricky Ortiz. Carlito is saved by his brother. Edge works over Burchill while Porter holds Burchill. Ricky Ortiz is your first man eliminated. Paul Burchill is the next to go at the hands of Big Show. Mike Knox and Chavo are eliminated. Shad is gone thanks to Mark Henry. Primo is thrown out by Show. Tyson Kidd is eliminated by Show but Henry eliminates JTG. Carlito hits a springboard elbow to Show, but it has no effect on Show. Show eliminates Carlito. Mark Henry eliminates MVP. Finlay is eliminated by Edge.
We are down to Edge, Mark Henry, and Big Show. Edge realizes that he is greatly outsized. Show and Henry appear to have an alliance against Edge. Show with a choke slam to Edge but Henry punches Show. Henry tries to clothesline Show over the top but Show picks up Henry and sends Henry to the apron. Henry tries to suplex Show to the floor. Show with head butts to Henry and Show with a punch that knocks Henry to the floor.
We are down to the men who love Vickie Guerrero. Show charges at Edge and Edge drops down and Show is eliminated.
Winner: Edge and Smackdown
Time for the eighth and ninth picks. Off to Super Awesome Lucky Happy Board of People’s Faces. Your eighth pick is Kane while your ninth pick is Chris Jericho.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to see the theme music for Backlash. A member of TLC is in the crowd.
Match Number Eight: Christian versus Shelton Benjamin in a You Know The Drill Match
They lock up and Benjamin with a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Benjamin with a snap mare and kick for a near fall. Christian with punches to Benjamin but Benjamin with a knee. Christian puts Benjamin in the ropes and he slingshots to the floor and punches Benjamin. Christian goes up top and Benjamin jumps to the top turnbuckle and hits an overhead belly-to-belly throw. Christian goes to the floor and Benjamin brings him back into the ring for a near fall. Benjamin with a slam followed by a knee to the back. Benjamin with an arm bar and cross face. Christian punches Benjamin and he Irish whips Benjamin into the corner and punches him. Benjamin misses a cross body when Christian ducks out of the way. Christian punches Benjamin and Benjamin avoids the Dragon Whip. Benjamin with a neck breaker for a near fall. Christian sends Benjamin into the corner and hits a monkey flip but Benjamin lands on his feet. Benjamin misses a Stinger Splash and Christian hits the Killswitch for the three count.
Winner: Christian
The Tenth Pick is Vladimir Kozlov
We are back and it is time to look at the card for Backlash.
Michael Cole talks about the Legacy/McMahon situation and Cole reminds us about what happens if Team McTista wins. Lawler points out what happens if Legacy 66 percent wins.
We go to the McLocker Room and Shane enters and says that Orton is his. Hunter tells Shane that Orton is his and he would tell it to Dave if he was here. Dave is here and he tells Hunter to tell him but Hunter says that if Dave heard it, he already told him.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Nine: CM Punk versus Matt Hardy in a We are on new brands Draft Pick Match
They lock up and Punk with a rollup for a near fall. Hardy with a rollup of his own. They lock up and the referee gets in the middle of things. Punk with a punch and kick. Hardy tries for the Twist of Fate and Punk escapes. Punk tries for the Go To Sleep but Hardy escapes. Punk with a suplex and near fall. Punk with knees in the corner. Hardy with an inverted gourdbuster for a near fall. Hardy gets a number of near falls. Hardy with a side slam for another near fall. Hardy with an abdominal stretch and he tries to add pressure to the ribs. Punk with a back kick and forearm to Hardy followed by another kick and a knee lift that would make Mr. Wrestling II proud. Punk with a drop kick for a near fall. Hardy with an Irish whip and running clothesline. Hardy tries for the bulldog but Punk escapes the hold. Punk with the knee into the corner and the bulldog. Punk gets Hardy up for the Go To Sleep but Hardy escapes. Hardy with a side effect and then he sets for the Twist of Fate but Jeff Hardy attacks his brother. Hardy hits a sit out gourdbuster followed by a swanton set up but Matt escapes the ring and heads to the back with Jeff charging after him.
Winner: Matt Hardy by disqualification
The Eleventh Pick goes to Raw and it is Maryse
We are back and did you know that with three hours, they can do more did you know factoids. This time it is about page views on wwe.com.
Match Number Ten: Chris Jericho versus Tommy Dreamer in a The final draft pick match of the night
They lock up and Jericho with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Dreamer with a hip toss and arm drag followed by a clothesline that sends Jericho over the top rope to the floor. Dreamer attacks Jericho and sends him back into the ring. Jericho with a kick and forearm followed by a snap mare and kick to the back. Jericho with a kick to the head. Jericho tries for a suplex but Dreamer blocks it and hits a suplex of his own. Dreamer with forearms to Jericho followed by an Irish whip but Jericho with a boot to Dreamer followed by punches. Jericho with a splash into the ropes followed by a snap mare into a reverse chin lock. Dreamer punches Jericho and hits clotheslines. Dreamer with an Irish whip that sends Jericho onto the turnbuckles and Dreamer with a kick. Dreamer with the baseball slide to Jericho in the Tree of Woe. Jericho with a double leg take down as he avoids a DDT and Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho. Dreamer with a rollup followed by a sit out spinebuster for a near fall. Dreamer goes up top and Jericho hits the ropes and crotches Dreamer on the top turnbuckle. Jericho punches Dreamer and then he tries for a superplex but Dreamer pushes Jericho off. Dreamer with a kick and then he comes off the turnbuckles but Jericho hits the Codebreaker for the three count.
Winner: Chris Jericho
It is time for WWE’s Mr. Irrelevant as Smackdown gets the twelfth pick and it is Rey Mysterio
Time for Todd Grisham and Jim Ross to run through the draft picks.
Match Number Eleven: Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase versus Triple H, Shane McMahon, and Batista in a This is almost a preview of Backlash Match
The bell rings and Shane McMahon with punches aplenty to Cody followed by kicks. Shane with a flying back elbow for a near fall. McMahon with more jabs that stagger Rhodes. Batista tags in before Shane can hit the money shot. Batista with a clothesline to DiBiase followed by an Irish whip and running clothesline into the corner. Batista with vintage and classic shoulders in the corner. Batista with a boot to DiBiase after a snap mare. Batista sets for the running power slam but Hunter pulls DiBiase to the apron and he punches DiBiase and tags himself in. Hunter punches DiBiase in the corner and he follows it with kicks. Hunter with a facebuster and clothesline for a near fall. Hunter charges into a boot but Hunter with a vintage classic spinebuster but Batista breaks up the cover. DiBiase attacks Hunter from behind while Hunter stares down his tag team partner. Rhodes and DiBiase with quick tags as they work over Hunter’s leg. Hunter with a punch but DiBiase with a drop kick for a near fall. Rhodes tags in and he kicks Hunter. Rhodes works on the leg and applies a step over toe hold but Hunter kicks out. DiBiase tags back in and he slams Hunter’s leg onto the apron. DiBiase punches Hunter and gets a near fall. Hunter sends DiBiase into the turnbuckles and Hunter crawls to his corner but DiBiase keeps him in the ring. Rhodes tags in and he kicks Hunter and gets a near fall.
Rhodes with a kick to the hamstring. Hunter with a suplex out of a front face lock and both men are down. Batista tags in and he works over both members of Legacy. Batista with a power slam but Rhodes breaks up the cover. Shane with a clothesline that sends Rhodes over the top to the floor. Batista with a spinebuster to DiBiase and then it is time for the Batista Bomb but Shane breaks up the cover. Batista pushes Shane to the mat and Hunter makes the tag. Hunter and Batista argue and Shane with a spear to Batista and they fight. Hunter with a Pedigree to DiBiase for the three count.
Winners: Triple H, Shane McMahon, and Batista
After the match, the three members of Team BatMan stand around DiBiase’s prone body and Randy Orton’s music plays. Orton stares at his opponents at Backlash and focuses on the man he will face next week.
2009 - WWE issued the following:
WrestleMania(R) Sets One-Day Box Office Record
STAMFORD, Conn., Apr 13, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- With $52 million in gross sales, the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania(R) set a record for the highest grossing one-day entertainment event in 2009. The pop culture extravaganza, held in Houston, TX on April 5th, tops the 2009 highest grossing movie opening day record -- $30 million opening night of Fast and the Furious and the 2008 highest grossing single-day stadium concert -- Madonna's $6.1 million Sticky & Sweet concert in Dolphin Stadium -- combined.
The milestone event generated an estimated $43 million in worldwide gross Pay-Per-View revenue and packed Houston's Reliant Stadium with 72,744 fans from all 50 states, 24 countries and 7 Canadian provinces, surpassing the attendance at Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa this past February. Combined with WWE's Sunday fanfest, WrestleMania Axxess, the sell-out crowd grossed more than $7.4 million in ticket sales and an additional $1.5 million in merchandise sales.
Following the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, World Wrestling Entertainment's website, WWE.com, garnered a record-breaking 105 million page views, including staggering one day totals of 2.7 million unique visitors, and nearly 2 million video streams. For the three days surrounding The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, WWE.com's page views totaled 166,239,115.
Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc (WWE: can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
2009 - Ring of Honor issued the following exclusive statement to PWInsider.com this afternoon in response to requests for comment on recent statements made by ROH talent Larry Sweeney, who alleged the company owed him money, and Dragon Gate's CIMA, who blogged on Myspace about ROH's alleged business practices:
We would like to comment on several topics that have been addressed by outside sources over the past week in regards to Ring of Honor. This will be our only public comment in regards to these issues. b>
First, Alex Whybrow's (Larry Sweeney) claim that he is owed money from ROH. Mr. Whybrow is under contract with Ring of Honor. His contract clearly states that he is paid "X" amount of dollars when he appears for Ring of Honor. Mr. Whybrow has been paid in full for all dates in which he has performed in front of Ring of Honor fans. Any claims in regards to payment for dates in which he has been unable to perform is not in accordance with his ROH contract. Everybody at Ring of Honor would like to wish Alex the best of luck in dealing with his current issues.
Secondly, CIMA from the Dragon Gate promotion in Japan has made claims that Ring of Honor owes Dragon Gate money from our Sept. 2008 show stating "Some of the ROH wrestlers' airfare and their guarantees were supposed be shared between two companies, but the promise had never been kept." This statement is false. All Ring of Honor talent was paid in full for these events along with their airfare. CIMA and the Dragon Gate promotion are very well aware of what agreements they did not live up to in regards to the ROH/Dragon Gate show and why we choose to no longer do business with them.
2010 - WWE issued the following press release:
SMACKDOWN GOES SYFY
World Wrestling Entertainment(R) and Syfy announced today a multi-year agreement that brings Friday Night SmackDown(R) to the "Imagine Greater" network beginning in October 2010. Friday Night SmackDown will premiere on its new home October 1st at 8:00 PM ET. The program, which debuted more than 10 years ago, is one of the longest-running, weekly episodic shows on television.
Syfy's original Friday night drama series will move to Tuesday night, where hit series such as Warehouse 13 and Eureka have yielded unprecedented ratings success. WWE NXT(TM) will leave Syfy in October as Friday Night SmackDown joins the schedule.
"WWE(R) is the ultimate in imagination-based sports entertainment. The fantastical thrills of Friday Night SmackDown provide an ideal addition to the Syfy slate, as it targets the younger male and female demographics, which are the fastest growing categories for WWE," said Dave Howe, President, Syfy. "With Tuesday night, a proven winner for our original drama series including Warehouse 13, there is bigger opportunity for series such as Stargate Universe, Sanctuary and Caprica to thrive on a night with a significantly larger number of viewers available to watch live."
"Syfy is a terrific partner and we look forward to bringing our proven ratings winner and ten year television institution, Friday Night SmackDown, to the network," said WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. "With this move, WWE is thrilled to be expanding its long-standing relationship with the NBC Universal family."
Friday Night SmackDown averages more than 3.4 million viewers a week and is currently the most watched TV program on Friday nights among Males under 55 and beats all Friday primetime programming on ABC, NBC, FOX and CW among Men 18-34*. The two hour television program will be presented weekly on Syfy and features a star-studded cast of WWE Superstars and Divas including Undertaker(R), Edge(R), Rey Mysterio(R), Chris Jericho(R), CM Punk(R), Michelle McCool(R), Beth Phoenix(TM) and Layla(TM).
*(Nielsen Media Research Q4 2009)
2010 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off with a video package from last week’s Keg Carrying Challenge and Heath Slater’s wonderful reward of having to face Kane in the main event.
We are live on tape from London, England and your announcers are Josh ‘ ’ Mathews and Michael ‘Ianto’ Cole. Your host is Matt ‘Weevil’ Striker.
Matt Striker is in the ring and he brings out the rookies and they stand in a line behind a lectern. Matt says that everyone looks like the pressure is getting to them as the competition intensifies. Matt asks Tarver about his comments from last week and how he was disqualified and lost his match last week. Tarver says that he is the pressure and he is getting to the rookies. He says that whether he wins or lose, he will not lose.
Striker goes to Otunga and he talks about what Otunga said last week about not sharing the spotlight. Matt mentions that Otunga shared the spotlight with the WWE Champion. Otunga says that he did share the spotlight with the WWE Champion and nobody else has done it on Raw.
Matt mentions that Justin Gabriel defeated David Otunga just like John Cena and then Gabriel mentions that he lost last week in the Battle Royal. Matt asks how Gabriel would do against John Cena. Gabriel says that he would look forward to a match.
Matt reminds us what happens to the winner of NXT.
Matt says that the wrestlers need to connect with fans all over the world. Last week’s physical challenge was won by Heath Slater. Tonight, we are going test the mentality of the superstars. The judges are the fans in the crowd. Matt says that the winner gets to stand out because he will have his own entrance music and will have input on that music.
Matt says that he has a list of topics and he will give a topic to each rookie. They will have thirty seconds to talk about the topic and the crowd will judge on creativity and originality.
The first topic goes to Daniel Bryan and he will talk about passion. Bryan talks about the Daniel Bryan Manliness meter but Striker interrupts him and he says that passion is an eight on the meter and then he says that he loves England.
Wade Barrett is next and his topic is blasé. Barrett says that people talk about rookies who are blasé, but there is nothing blasé about him. He says that he is the number one bare knuckle fighter in Europe and he is the best rookie. He says that he has proven it every week.
Justin Gabriel is next and his topic is flowers. Justin introduces himself and he says that a lot of flowers grow in South Africa. He is a fan of the rose, which grows in England.
It is Heath Slater’s turn and his topic is cereal. Slater says that there are so many types of cereal and the crowd boos him. Slater says that he is not finished. He says that he doesn’t eat cereal because of his body. He talks about the types of milk you can use and then he says that it is a stupid topic.
Otunga’s topic is sleep and he says that sleep is something that he doesn’t get a lot of. His mind is always racing and that is why he is better than everyone. He talks about the amount of work that he does in the gym. He says that he can sleep when the competition is over.
Skip Sheffield is next and his topic is rainbows. Skip starts off by saying howdy to the people in London and then he gets them to repeat his catchphrase. Then he finishes a few seconds early.
Michael Tarver is next and his topic is itchy. Tarver picks up the mic but he doesn’t pull his mask off until half his time is up. He puts the mic down and then he puts his mask back up.
Darren Young is the final rookie and his topic is toothpaste. Darren says that he doesn’t want to be rude but that is something that a lot of people here don’t use. Young says that if there is a place that he would much rather not be is here. Young runs out of time.
Tarver takes the mic and he says that Young and Striker doesn’t know what they are saying.
They go through the rookies and there is a tie between Wade Barrett and Skip Sheffield.
Sheffield gets to talk about bubble gum. He talks about the different types of gum and he talks about how he should have won the keg carrying contest last week. He then says that he doesn’t chew bubble gum.
Barrett talks about wind. Barrett says that Sheffield should have talked about the subject. Barrett talks about the winds of change going through the WWE because Wade Barrett is going to be the first English WWE Champion.
Your winner is Wade Barrett.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the Raw Rebound.
We run through the card for Extreme Rules.
We go to a Smackdown recap of Darren Young backing out of his entry into the Straight Edge Society.
The Straight Edge Society is in the back with Darren Young and he apologizes. He thought he was ready but when he sat in the chair, he changed his mind. Punk says that Rey kept them from shaving him bald. Luke says that he manhandled Darren last week. Punk says that Darren had guts and you need to stand up for yourself to be in the Straight Edge Society. Punk asks Luke if he thinks he can beat Darren and Luke says he can. Punk tells Darren that if he can win tonight, his transgressions last week will be forgotten, but if Darren loses, he will have his head shaved in the ring tonight.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see the highlights of Wade Barrett’s victory in the pro tag match due to Chris Jericho’s injury.
Match Number One: Wade Barrett with Chris Jericho versus Christian with Heath Slater
Christian with a waist lock but Barrett with a hammer lock and side head lock. Barrett with a shoulder tackle and Christian with a drop kick and side head lock. Barrett with a belly-to-back suplex and then he hits a slingshot atomic drop for a near fall. Barrett with a punch to Christian and then he kicks him in the ribs. Barrett with an elbow and choke in the ropes. Barrett charges at Christian and Christian drops down and Barrett goes to the floor. Christian with a springboard cross body and we go to commercial.
We are back and Christian with a slap but Barrett with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a near fall. Barrett with an Irish whip and then he hits another backbreaker and gets another near fall. Barrett misses a punch but Christian does not miss. Christian with a running forearm and then he kicks a charging Barrett. Christian with an inverted DDT for a near fall.
We see Carlito and Michael Tarver in the locker room.
Christian with a slingshot into an uppercut on the floor. Christian goes up top and hits a cross body from the top for a near fall. Christian goes up top and Barrett avoids him and hits a big boot for a near fall. Barrett sends Christian into the turnbuckles and Barrett with a shoulder to the back. Barrett misses a charge and Christian with the pendulum kick and a back elbow from the turnbuckles. Christian starts to clap and Jericho distracts the referee and Barrett gets Christian up but Slater grabs Barrett’s leg and that allows Christian to hit the Killswitch for the three count.
Winner: Christian
It is time to take a look at David Otunga’s appearance on Access Hollywood.
The Miz is in the back and he yells at Bryan’s promo. Miz wonders if Bryan could ever be on Access Hollywood and he compares Bryan to Susan Boyle. Miz wonders if Bryan thinks he is doing something because he is number one, but it is because of the Miz. Miz tells Bryan to take his charisma and star power and he tells Bryan to try to win a match.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Daniel Bryan with The Miz versus William Regal with Skip Sheffield
They lock up and Regal works on the arm and Bryan escapes and hits a drop kick and a running forearm. Bryan with a Tiger Suplex for a near fall. Bryan with a few European uppercuts followed by kicks in the corner but after the referee pulls Bryan off and he runs into a forearm. Regal with European uppercuts. Bryan tries for a guillotine choke but Regal turns it into a package suplex followed by a running knee to the head for the three count.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
After the match, Miz attacks Regal from behind. Miz picks up Bryan and then he hits the Skull Crushing Finale.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Darren Young versus Luke Gallows with CM Punk and Serena
Gallows with kicks and punches followed by a head butt. Gallows with a body block and then he tries for a punch but Young blocks it. Young with a kick but Gallows blocks it and hits an uppercut for a near fall. Gallows with punches to the head and then he sends Young into the corner. Gallows with kicks and then he misses a charge after an Irish whip but Young misses a splash into the corner and he is on the top turnbuckle and Gallows with a kick and fallaway slam. Gallows gets a near fall while we watch Matt Hardy and Justin Gabriel in the back. Young gets a rollup for the three count.
Winner: Darren Young
After the match, Punk walks past Luke and Punk raises Young’s arm. Luke looks like he disappointed his daddy. Punk leaves the ring with Serena and Luke remains in the ring as we go to credits.
2011 - WWE ran Glasgow, Scotland. Robbie Campbell filed the following results:
Evan Bourne def. Alex Riley after Air Bourne.
Percy Watson def. Tyson Kidd after a necbreaker combo.
Melina came out and chose 4 people from the audience for a competition later in the show.
Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov (w/ Tamina) def. The Uso's after the Cobra from Santino.
John Morrison def. Dolph Ziggler after Starship Pain.
Diva's Championship Match: Brie Bella (w/ Nikki Bella) def. Eve Torres after a distraction from Nikki and a Bella Buster.
R-Truth hosted a dance off between the 4 people from the audience. The winner got to go backstage. 3 were from Scotland, and the other from England and was heavily booed.
Fans Choice Match - Fans chose Street Fight over 2 out of three falls: Randy Orton def. CM Punk in a Street Fight after an RKO.
INTERMISSION
Sin Cara def. Primo after countering a powerbomb into a Sunset Flip Powerbomb. After the match, Sheamus came out and attacked Sin Cara, but Sin Cara got the better of him, and hit him with a Plancha.
United States Championship Match: Sheamus def. Daniel Bryan after a Brogue Kick.
WWE Championship Match: John Cena def. The Miz by DQ after Riley broke up the count after an AA. The two started beating on Cena, until R-Truth made the save, and the Miz was hit with another AA.
2012 - EVOLVE held EVOLVE 11. Stu Carapola filed the following live report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing coverage of EVOLVE 11!
Lenny Leonard welcomes us to the show, then introduces the Super Smash Bros. Chuck Taylor comes out to crash the party and introduce his new buddies Jake Manning and Drew Gulak, the Gentlemen's Club.
Super Smash Bros vs Jake Manning & Drew Gulak
Player Uno and Jake Manning start us off, Uno runs Manning over with a pair of shoulderblocks and Manning backs off to his corner to consult his Scoutmaster's Guide about what to do next. Gulak tags in and takes Dos down to the mat, and wrestles circles around Dos, who resorts to a flurry of lucha moves and a dropkick. Gulak with a headbutt to the midsection and Manning tags back in for a double flapjack. Dos quickly recovers and gets a double Frankensteiner to send both opponents to the floor. The SSB tease a dive to the outside, but stop at the last minute and wait for Manning to get back in. Manning sticks his hand out, then slaps Uno in the face and quickly tags in Gulak, who nails Uno from behind and the two of them put the boots to Uno. Uno is in the wrong part of town as he gets worked over in the Gentlemen's Corner, he fights his way back out to the middle of the ring but Manning gets a drop toehold and tags in Gulak, who stops Uno dead with a double axhandle to the back for 2. Uno dodges a charge and dumps Manning out to the floor and then he dives for a tag, but Gulak catches him at the last second and drags him out to the middle of the ring where he locks in an STF. Awesome sequence there. Uno makes the ropes, so the Gentlemen's Club goes back to working Uno over, but he gets away and makes the hot tag to Dos, who cleans house and drills Gulak's face into the ring apron with a beautiful springboard DDT. SSB with the assisted lungblower on Manning, but Gulak and Uno fight their way out to the floor where Gulak dodges a chop, leaving Uno cracking his arm into the ringpost. Manning swoops in with a backbreaker/Flatliner combo, but it only gets 2. Gulak comes in and nearly folds Dos in half with a backdrop suplex and goes to a really nasty looking crossface, but Uno breaks up the fall and goes back out to the floor with Uno. Manning fires forearms at Dos and charges, but Dos moves and Manning sails out to the floor right next to Gulak, then Uno follows with a dive of his own that wipes both men out. SSB with a series of double teams and a Gory Cutter for the win.
Winners: Super Smash Bros
Taylor looks unhappy, and stares a hole through the SSB's skulls as they do their postmatch promo with Lenny Leonard before running onto the apron to tell the SSB that he doesn't care about winning or losing.
Josh Alexander vs MK McKinnon
Alexander seems pretty over with the fans as he exchanges wristlocks with McKinnon. McKinnon does a series of lucha moves and a leaping enziguiri, then he blowsan attempt at a Pelle kick. He hits it on the second attempt, but then blows a springboard moonsault and Alexander capitalizes with some big hard forearms. Alexander with some hard chops and a European uppercut, McKinnon slips out the back on a vertical suplex, but Alexander catches him again right away and hits a Northern Lights Suplex for 2. Alexander with adelayedvertical suplex, Davey Boy Smith style, and covers for 2. Alexander says that's it and goes for a double underhook, but McKinnon escapes and sweeps out the ankles, then superkicks Alexander out to the floor and hits a somersault dive through the ropes. They go back inside and McKinnon gets a leaping kneestrike, but Alexander flattens him with the leaping double underhook piledriver (otherwise known as Stevie Ray's Slapjack finish he used in WCW) and gets the win.
Winner: Josh Alexander
Solid match, even though McKinnon looked like he was letting his nerves get the better of him. It happens, but both guys worked hard.
Mike Rollins vs Ashley Sixx
They circle one another and Sixx gets a side headlock, but Rollins fires him into the ropes and takes him down with a shoulderblock. Sixx slowly comes back to the middle of the ringas he sizes his opponent up, then boots him in the abdomen and unloads with some clubbing forearms. Rollins reverses a whip attempt to a fireman's carry with an airplane spin, then just bashes Sixx in the face with a big right hand. Rollins unloads on Sixx with a flurry of right hands and then dumps him out to the floor. Rollins goes out after him, but Sixx recovers and hits a Russian legsweep into the ring apron. They go back inside and Sixx immediately covers and gets 2, then rakes the boot laces across the eyes. Sixx goes to a rear chinlock, Rollins tries to fight his way out but Sixx just unloads with another hard forearm. More forearms and chops, but Rollins no-sells and starts firing back on Sixx with double handed chops. Rollins goes to the second rope and nicely waits up there for fifteen second or so while Sixx leaps out to the ring apron and climbs the ropes so he can hit a Frankensteiner for 2. Rollins goes for a kick, but Sixx catches the foot and slaps him in the face, which turns out to be a big mistake as Rollins hits a spinning Yakuza kick and a sitout Tombstone for the win.
Winner: Mike Rollins
I enjoyed this, Rollins seems like an interesting character and, while a bit sloppy, he's a big imposing guy who seemed to connect well with the audience.
Alex Reynolds vs John Silver
Silver entertained the hell out of me the last time I saw him, let's see how he does this time. They fight over a wristlock and then exchange pinning combinations. Reynolds blocks a kick and snapmares Silver, Silver picks out his leg and they go back and forth until Silver gets a springboard armdrag, Reynolds with a rollup for 2, and we're at a stalemate. Reynolds takes Silver down with a side headlock, Silver escapes with shots to the ribs, then snapmares Reynolds and gets a delayed basement dropkick for 1. Reynolds tries a springboard move that doesn't turn out like he hoped, and Silver responds by raking the boot laces across the eyes and drilling Reynolds with a running kneestrike to the face for 2. Silver misses an elbowdrop and Reynolds fires back with a chop, then dodges a charge by silver and hits a running kneestrike that throws Silver for a loop. Reynolds flops Silver onto the second rope and hits a running dropkick from the floor, followed by a slingshot elbowdrop for 2. Silver unloads with forearms and kicks, but Reynolds ducks a kick and gets a snap backbreaker followed by a Northern lariat for 2. That looked ugly. Reynolds goes to a COPS hold on Silver, but Silver gets out and flattens Reynolds with a hard clothesline. He follows up with a big leaping splash for 2 on Reynolds, Reynolds gets a chinbreaker, and they start trading hard forearms in the middle of the ring. Silver with a flurry of kicks, lands on his feet on a German suplex attempt, and double stomps Reynolds right in the chest for 2. Silver takes Reynolds down into a crossface attempt, Reynolds rolls through, but Silver tries it a second time and this time he gets it. Reynolds fights and fights, and makes it to the ropes. Silver releases the hold and stomps on Reynolds again, but takes too long going up top and Reynolds slams him into the ring and gets an O'Connor roll for 2. Reynolds pops Silver up into the air and catches him coming down with a Codebreaker, followed by a running Shooting Star Press for 2. Reynolds goes up for a moonsault and misses, Silver charges Reynolds in the corner with a leaping boot, bulldogs Reynolds into the second turnbuckle, and deadlifts Reynolds into a bridging German suplex for 2. Reynolds blocks a superkick, gets caught with a second, and Silver hits a running stomp to the back of the head, but Reynolds catches him out of nowhere with what appeared to be a pump handle neckbreaker over the knee for 3.
Winner: Alex Reynolds
Great match, all the NYWC guys impress me every time out and these two in particular showed a ton of fire tonight.
Before the next match, Johnny Gargano comes out to confront Chuck Taylor. Gargano reminds everyone of how Taylor turned on him in Miami and broke up Ronin, and he reminds Taylor of how he stuck up for him with the Dragon Gate office. I'm having a tough time making out exactly what Gargano's saying, but he mentions that AR Fox isn't here tonight, so he suggests making this match a three way dance. Looks like we've got an impromptu change!
Open The Freedom Gate Champion Johnny Gargano vs Chuck Taylor vs Samuray Del Sol
This is going to be under elimination rules. Taylor runs to the floor right away, and Gargano and Del Sol go at it. Del Sol gets an early advantage, but Gargano hits a Flatliner into the second turnbuckle and then goes after Taylor on the outside. Taylor runs into the ring and Del Sol springboards off his back to dropkick Gargano off the apron, then takes control of Taylor with a lucha headscissors and goes to a leg submission, but Taylor goes to the ropesand escapes to the floor where Gargano wipes him out with a dive through the ropes. Gargano goes back inside and catches Del Sol with a slingshot DDT over the top rope. Taylor slips in and goes after both guys, booting Gargano out to the floor, but gets caught with a rollup by Del Sol for 2. Taylor tries to monkey flip Del Sol, but Del Sol lands on his feet and hits a dropkick in the corner on Taylor. Del Sol goes for a headscissors on Taylor, but Taylor powerbombs Del Sol into Gargano in the corner and then boots Del Sol in the face and covers for 2. Del Sol gets backdropped out to the floor and then Taylor dropkicks Gargano, but Del Sol gets a beautiful headscissors to pull himself back into the ring on Taylor, then sends Taylor to the floor and hits him with a dive. Gargano and Del Sol go at it in the ring, but Taylor sneaks in and dumps Gargano to the outside before rolling Del Sol up with a handful of tights and eliminating him.
Samuray Del Sol is eliminated.
Gargano stares Taylor down and unloads on him in the corner, putting the boots to him Steve Austin style. Gargano with a running basement dropkick and Taylor tries to escape out to the floor. Gargano goes out after him and continues the beating all around ringside, then slams Taylor hard onto the unprotected floor. Gargano comes over and punts Taylor in the ribs, but Taylor keeps his wits about him enough to counter a bulldog attempt into a back suplex onto the ring apron. Taylor puts the boots to Gargano on the outside, then rolls ihm back inside and connects with a double axhandle off the top rope to the back. Taylor grinds Gargano's face into the mat and connects with an elbowdrop to the back, then gets a bodyscissors on Gargano. Gargano makes the ropes, so Taylor slingshots himself off the middle rope and stomps on Gargano's back. Taylor continues stomping Gargano's back while snipingback and forth with some ringside fans, then rocks Gargano with a pair of bodyslams. Taylor gets a rear chinlock with a knee in the back, Gargano escapes and rolls Taylor backward, boots him in the face, clotheslines him to the floor, hits a slingshot dive over the top rope, and a somersault senton off the apron. Looks like Gargano may have caused more damage to himself on that one, but he sends Taylor inside and hits a leaping kneestrike to the jaw. Taylor tries a flying headscissors, but Gargano counters to a powerbomb and goes to the Gargano Escape, but Taylor makes it to the ropes to force the break. Taylor tries to walk out, but Gargano goes out after him and drags him back down to the ring. Gargano rolls Taylor inside, but Taylor catches him coming in with an elbow. Gargano goes for the spear through the ropes, but Taylor catches him coming through and turns it to a rolling backbreaker. Taylor again stomping Gargano's back and goes up top for a moonsault, but Gargano rolls out of the way and Taylor eats the mat. Gargano pulls himself to his feet and hits a running dropkick into the corner, the running Snake Eyes onto the second turnbuckle, and a superkick for 2. Gargano goes for Hertz Donut, Taylor escapes and goes for the Awful Waffle, Gargano slips out and takes Taylor down into the Gargano Escape. Taylor rolls out of it and catches Gargano in a half crab right in the middle of the ring, but Gargano somehow manages to get to the ropes. Taylor slaps Gargano around and Gargano spits at him, so Taylor unloads with another hard forearm. Gargano responds with a slap, then a forearm, and they're back trading blows in the middle of the ring. Gargano's having trouble staying on his feet, but he hits a superkick, Taylor hits a superkick of his own and a big boot, and then Gargano with a roaring lariat. Gargano goes for Hertz Donut, but he couldn't hold Taylor up and he collapses to the mat. Taylor goes right back to the half crab and Gargano goes for the ropes, but Taylor drags him back out to the middle of the ring. Gargano passes out and the referee checks the arm and it drops three times.
Winner: Chuck Taylor
Taylor has now not only beaten his former partner clean in the middle of the ring, but he has now surpassed Gargano to become the wins leader in EVOLVE. Terrific match, I liked how they gave Del Sol a rub by putting him in there, and Taylor and Gargano told a great story once it was down to just the two of them.
INTERMISSION
Caleb Konley vs Adam Page
Konley is accompanied to the ring by Larry Dallas and Leah, and Page is apparently a tobacco farmer from Virginia. Feeling out process to start, Konley takes Page down with a drop toehold and goes to a side headlock, Page escapes and gets a series of armdrags and Konley backs off, then piefaces him. Page gets mad and chases Konley outside, around the ring, and back in where Page knocks Konley senseless with a right hand and a BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK BODYDROP. Page takes a run at Konley and gets backdropped out to the ring apron, but Page slips through the ropes and picks Konley up on his shoulders before dumping him out to the floor. Page comes off the ring apron with a running shooting star press, getting a big reaction from the crowd, then he rolls Konley back into the ring and comes off the top with...oops, Konley moved out of his way and Page landed on his feet, but promptly gets hiptossed into the corner. Konley yanks Page to the mat by the hair and covers for 2, then goes to a three quarter nelson. Page fights out and comes off the ropes, but gets popped into the air for a sort of hiptoss into a lungblower. Never seen that before, but it only gets 2. Page gets the boot up as Konley charges him in the corner, but takes too long getting to the top rope and Konley hits a delayed superplex for 2. Konley goes for a Regalplex, but Page slips out the back and nearly pins Konley with a rollup for 2. Page with a series of chops and a powerslam, but Konley kicks out of the pin attempt at 2. Konley sweeps the legs of Page and hits a diving lariat and a senton, but covering only results in a 2 count. Page gets Konley up in a fireman's carry and dumps Konley into a neckbreaker over the knee, but Konley drills Page with a roaring elbow and a sitout facebuster, then gets the O Face for the submission win.
Winner: Caleb Konley
Solid match to come back from intermission with before getting down to business with the last two matches.
Low Ki vs El Generico
These guys have had some real wars in years past, so they're very familiar with one another. Ki backs Generico to the corner and teases a chop, but breaks clean and they go back to the middle of the ring. Generico takes Ki to the corner now as the fans chant "let's go both guys" and Generico makes the same feinted chop. Ki doesn't flinch, so Generico lays in the chop and they go back to the middle of the ring. Ki takes Generico down with a side headlock, Generico makes it to his feet so Ki takes him to the ropes and drills him with a hard chop, then a snapmare and a quick elbowdrop. Ki goes for a cover and doesn't even get 1, then goes to a chinlock. Generico gets out and takes Ki to the corner, and breaks with a shove. Lots of headgames going on in this one, and Ki gets a SWEET single leg into a go behind, taking Generico down and slapping the back of his head. Generico rolls out and gets on top of Ki, but Ki gets an armbar and Generico has to get to the ropes to break. Ki is on his back waiting for Generico to come in so he can kick his legs out, Generico is hesitant to come in but he finally goes and gets caught in a triangle choke. Generico slips out, but Ki manages to get behind him and Russian the arm before transitioning to a side headlock. They get back to their feet and do a back and forth sequence that ends with Generico hitting a leg lariat. Generico with a hard chop in the corner, Ki responds with one of his own, and a chop exchange breaks out in the middle of the ring which Ki easily wins and hits Generico with his own brainbuster for 2.
Ki has Generico against the ropes and connects with a hard chop, a running boot to the ribs, and then just dumps Generico out to the floor. Ki goes out after Generico and hits a running dropkick that sends Generico crashing into the ring steps. They go back inside and Ki covers for 2, then traps Generico in a bodyscissors. Generico makes it to the ropes and gets into another chop exchange with Low Ki, but this one goes a bit better for Generico as he gets the advantage and dodges a charge from Low Ki that sends Ki out to the floor. Generico gets a running start and hits a somersault dive to the floor that wipes Ki out, and the crowd is going nuts for Generico. Generico sends Ki back inside and comes off the top rope with a bodypress for 2, then picks Ki up and goes for a Blue Thunder Driver. Ki blocks and goes for a big punt to the face, but Generico dodges and hits the Blue Thunder Driver on the second try for a 2 count. Generico goes for the Yakuza kick in the corner, but Ki BLASTS him with a boot to the face and gets the Dragon sleeper, scissoring Generico's body and dragging him down to the mat. Generico makes it to the ropes before he passes out, but Ki tries to go right back to the hold. Generico blocks and slides Ki around front to counter to a vertical suplex into a sitout powerbomb for 2. Ki dodges another attempt at the running Yakuza Kick and smashes another kick into the chest of Generico. Ki connects with more kicks, but Generico tells Ki to bring it on, so Ki obliges until Generico collapses and covers him for 2. Ki waits for Generico to get to his feet and goes for the Shotgun knees, but Generico moves out of the way and Ki crashes into the corner. Generico quickly comes into the corner with the running Yakuza kick and goes for the top rope brainbuster, but Ki slips out behind him and they both seem to lose their balance. I can't tell if Generico hurt himself on that, but I don't have time to find out because Ki comes off the top with the double stomp to the back for the win.
Winner: Low Ki
Absolutely amazing match. Low Ki said something to Generico that I didn't catch, but it seemed to be something untoward because it got a negative reaction from the fans, and Lenny Leonard says he doesn't know what got into Low Ki.
Dave Finlay vs Sami Callihan
This is a rematch from EVOLVE 9 when Finlay defeated Callihan in what was voted the EVOLVE Match of the Year for 2011. Finlay backs Callihan into the corner, but breaks clean and they go back to the middle for a shoving match. Finlay powers Callihan into the corner again and gets a double leg, but Callihan shoves him in the face until Finlay breaks. Finlay backs Callihan into the corner a third time and a clean break is met by a slap to the face, which Finlay responds to with a headbutt that busts Callihan open hardway. Callihan gets to his feet and tells Finlay to hit him, so he does, and Callihan tumbles out to the floor. Finlay goes after Callihan and rams him into the ring apron, and Finlay stalks him before rolling him back inside where he fires a hard elbow into the bloody face of Callihan. Callihan throws some wild kicks at Finlay, but Finlay responds with a kick of his own and a short clothesline for 2. Finlay drags Callihan out to the ring apron and smashes him chest first into the edge of the ring, then stomps right on his head. Callihan lays in a hard chop, but Finaly again is unfazed and picks Callihan up and rams him into the ringpost. Callihan finally gets some offense in, ramming Finlay's back into the apron and unloading with some right hands and kicks, but Finlay goes to the eyes and rolls Callihan back inside where he punishes him with a series of kneedrops to the head and covers for 2. Finlay with some hard overhand chops in the corner, Callihan tries a headbutt of his own, but Finlay again is not affected and takes Callihan down to the mat and into a leglock. Callihan tries to yank back on Finlay's chin to escape, and manages to roll Finlay to his chest where he can ram elbows into the back of Finlay's head over and over.
Finaly seems to be in trouble for the first time in this match and Callihan makes a cover, but Finlay is out at 1. Finlay responds with a forearm to the face and shoots Callihan hard into the corner, but Callihan lays in some more forearms and a kneelift before cinching in an Indian Deathlock and then a half crab, but Finlay won't turn over, so Callihan mounts Finlay and lays in chops. He makes the mistake of letting Finlay get back to his feet and Finlay knocks him on his ass with a hard forearm before ramming Callihan chest first into the corner. Finlay with another kneedrop and then he rams Callihan into the corner again, but Callihan dodges a charge from Finlay and connects with a leaping enziguiri to the back of the head and covers for 2. Finlay goes out to the apron and tries a big right hand, but Callihan ducks and connects with a kick to the head and then a springboard forearm that sends Finlay to the floor. Callihan comes through the ropes and wipes Finlay out with a dive. He rolls Finlay back inside and goes up top, but Finlay pops right back up and shoves Callihan to the floor. Callihan makes it back inside, so Finlay picks him up and bodyslams him into the ropes. A second one rattles the body of Callihan, and Finlay now kicks at the legs of Callihan and rams his knee into the ringpost, against the joint at that, and then does it again for laughs. Finlay torques Callihan over with a half crab while standing on the back of Callihan's head. Callihan stops moving and the ref checks the arm, but Callihan stays alive and gets to the ropes, so Finlay drops another knee on him. Finlay puts Callihan on top of the corner, and Callihan tries to fight his way free, but Finlay headbutts him square in the face and goes up. Callihan goes for a sunset flip off the top rope and Finlay holds his ground, so Callihan superkicks Finlay's knee out from under him and Finlay crashes hard to the mat.
Callihan goes for the Stretch Muffler, but Finlay simply shoves him out to the timekeeper's table where he lands with an audible WHACK. Callihan comes back in and Finlay hits the Celtic Cross, but Callihan kicks out at 1. Finlay hits a second one and then a third, but Callihan again kicks out. Finlay looks discouraged as the fans start a "this is awesome" chant, he goes for a Tombstone but Callihan slips free, so Finlay takes his head off with a short clothesline instead and this time hits the Tombstone and makes a cover, but Callihan again gets out at 2. Callihan has no idea where he is as Finlay picks him up for another Tombstone, but he slips out the back and hits a pump kick to the back of Finlay's head.
Now Finlay is rattled and he boots Callihan in return, then they knock each other out with stereo big boots and both men are down. Callihan looks exhausted as he hauls himself to his feet, Finlay waits for him to get up and they knock each other back down with stereo Yakuza kicks again. Back to their feet, and they both boot each other down a third time. They don't even bother to get to their feet the next time, kicking each other from the mat. Finlay goes for a backslide and only gets 2, Callihan goes for the Stretch Muffler but Finlay blocks and catches Callihan in a cross armbreaker and Callihan is finally forced to tap out.
Winner: Dave Finlay
This match was unbelievable, better than the first and I think EVOLVE has another MOTYC on their hands here. Crowd starts a "thank you Finlay" chant as Lenny Leonard gets in the ring to put over the war Finlay and Callihan just had, and gets Finlay's thoughts after that match. Finlay tells Callihan that he lost because he's so preoccupied with his feud with Sabu and others, and that if he gets his head on straight, he'll become something. He tells Callihan to get to his feet, but Callihan blows him off and walks out.
Excellent show overall, the three way and the last two matches would be worth the price of a normal PPV, and I have absolutely no problem recommending this show to anyone who enjoys a solid night of professional wrestling. Big thumbs up for a very strong EVOLVE 11.If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
