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April 14th
On this day in history on ....
1931 - Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats Ed Don George in Los Angeles, California to capture his fourth World Heavyweight Title.
1959 - Ben and and Mike Sharpe defeat Chief Big Heart and Little Eagle to win the NWA Texas Tag Team Title in Dallas, Texas.
1967 - Jeff Jarrett is born in Nashville, Tennessee.
1971 - Terry Funk defeats The Grappler (Johnny Walker) for the Florida NWA Southern Heavyweight Title in Miami, Florida.
1973 - After 20 years in operation, the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance closes. The JWA's top stars, Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki, had left and formed their own promotions. Baba founded All Japan Pro Wrestling, and Inoki founded New Japan Pro Wrestling.
1975 - The WWWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, which was televised on HBO. The results:
- Mike Paidousis pinned Tony Altimore after Altimore missed a kick off the ropes.
- Greg Valentine pinned El Olímpico after an elbow drop. The Garden didn't allow wrestlers to be fully masked at that time, so Olímpico wore a faceless mask.
- Waldo Von Erich defeated Chief Jay Strongbow by countout after Strongbow was attacked from behind and thrown out of the ring.
- Lord Littlebrook and Little Tokyo defeated World Midget Tag Team Champions Sonny Boy Hayes and Little Louie in a best-of-three falls match. Tokyo pinned Hayes after a kick and a handful of tights, Hayes pinned Littlebrook after Tokyo hit Littlebrook by accident, and Littlebrook pinned Louie after a shoulderblock.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino (with Arnold Skaaland) defeated Spiros Arion (with Fred Blassie) in a Greek Death (submission only) match with a half-crab to retain the title.
- Édouard Carpentier pinned Joe Nova after three senton splashes.
- WWWF World Tag Team Champions The Valiant Brothers (Jimmy and Johnny) defeated Pete Sanchez and Manuel Soto.
- Bobby Duncum (with The Grand Wizard) and Victor Rivera fought to a draw, due to the 11:00pm curfew.
1976 - Angelo Mosca defeats Tim Woods in the finals of a two-month-long tournament to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Title in -
1976 - Championship Wrestling from Florida held an event at the Miami Beach Convention Hall in Miami Beach, Florida. The results were:
- Jeff Ports defeated Abe Jacobs.
- Hiro Matsuda defeated Mr. Hayashi.
- Darling Dagmar defeated Marie LeBeaux.
- Bob Orton, Sr. defeated Bill Dromo.
- Eddie Graham defeated Ali Pasha.
- NWA Florida Tag Team Champion Bob Orton, Jr. defeated Steve Keirn by disqualification.
- NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion The Assassin and The Missouri Mauler defeated Mike Graham and Billy Robinson.
- Dusty Rhodes defeated NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion Pak Song by disqualification. Song retained the title.
1980 - Bulldog Brower and Luke Graham are awarded the WWC North American Tag Team Title after Gorgeous George, Jr. and Luke Graham left the promotion.
1982 - Championship Wrestling from Florida held an event at the Miami Beach Convention Hall in Miami Beach, Florida. The results:
- Jim Garvin defeated Bob Russell.
- Derek Draper and El Gran Apolo fought to a draw.
- NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion David Von Erich defeated Bob Russell.
- Terry Allen and Eric Embry defeated King James Dillon and Hiro Matsuda, when Allen pinned Dillon.
- Lone Eagle defeated Little Tokyo.
- Kendo Nagasaki defeated Brian Blair in a Texas Death match. King James Dillon was in a steel cage above the ring during the match.
- Sweet Brown Sugar defeated NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion David Von Erich by disqualification. Von Erich retained the title.
- Hacksaw Reed defeated Ciclón Negro in a brass knuckles bounty match.
1984 - The WWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results were:
- Salvatore Bellomo defeated Charlie Fulton.
- Ivan Putski defeated René Goulet.
- Greg Valentine defeated Brian Blair.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana defeated Tiger Chung Lee.
- Roddy Piper and David Schultz defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Tony Atlas and Rocky Johnson by disqualification.
- Bob Backlund and Paul Orndorff fought to a double disqualification.
- The Iron Sheik defeated Sgt. Slaughter by disqualification.
1985 - Ray Steele defeats Tony St. Clair for the British Heavyweight Title, ending St. Clair's second reign.
1985 - Lola Gonzales wins her third UWA World Women's Title from Jaguar Yokota in Mexico City, Mexico.
1989 - Jerry Lawler defeats Kerry Von Erich to win the WCWA World Heavyweight Title, a rematch from their match on April 5. Lawler unified the WCWA title with his AWA title to become the Unified World Heavyweight Champion, which would become the top title in the USWA.
1993 - WCW held its first-ever event in New York City, New York, at the Paramount Theatre at Madison Square Garden. The results were:
- Johnny B. Badd defeated Tex Slazenger.
- Maxx Payne defeated Steven Regal.
- Chris Benoit and Ron Simmons fought to a double-countout.
- Van Hammer defeated Vinnie Vegas.
- NWA and WCW World Tag Team Champions The Hollywood Blonds (Steve Austin and Brian Pillman) defeated Marcus Alexander Bagwell and 2 Cold Scorpio to retain the titles.
- Rick Rude defeated Cactus Jack.
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Dustin Rhodes defeated WCW World Television Champion Paul Orndorff by disqualification to retain his title. Orndorff's title was not on the line.
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Barry Windham defeated Ricky Steamboat to retain the title.
- Sting defeated WCW World Heavyweight Champion Big Van Vader by disqualification. Vader retained the title.
1994 - Villanos IV and V defeat Emilio Charles, Jr. and Scorpio, Jr. for the UWA World Tag Team Title in Acapulco, Mexico, beginning their third reign.
1996 - Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. defeats Apolo Dantés to win the CMLL World Heavyweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.
1997 - The Monday Night War continued, with WCW Monday Nitro winning the week over WWF RAW is WAR, 3.5 to 2.2 in the ratings.
WWF RAW is WAR was partially taped after the live April 7 edition of the show at John C. Worthen Arena in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with the remainder taped on April 9 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The results:
Taped in Fort Wayne:
- The Godwinns (Henry and Phineas) defeated The Legion of Doom (Animal and Hawk).
- Mankind and Vader defeated The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher) by disqualification.
Taped in Johnannesburg:
- Hunter Hearst Helmsley (with Chyna) defeated Jesse James.
- Savio Vega (with Crush) defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Rocky Maivia.
- Goldust defeated The Sultan (with The Iron Sheik) by disqualification.
- Ahmed Johnson defeated Crush.
WCW Monday Nitro was live from the CoreStates Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This was WCW's first-ever event at the Spectrum, once a long standing WWF territory, before the CoreStates Center (now Wachovia Center) opened in 1996. The results were:
Dark matches:
- Ice Train and Joe Gomez defeated Extreme.
- Madusa defeated Luna Vachon by disqualification.
Televised matches:
- Chris Benoit defeated The Barbarian.
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Dean Malenko defeated Hector Guerrero by submission to retain the title.
- Rey Misterio, Jr. defeated Juventud Guerrera.
- WCW World Television Champion Ultimo Dragon (with Sonny Onoo) defeated Lane Carlson (Lenny Lane) to retain the title.
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Syxx defeated Prince Iaukea by submission to retain the title.
- Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) defeated High Voltage (Kaos and Rage) in a street fight, when Rock pinned Kaos.
- The Giant defeated Big Al (911).
- Diamond Dallas Page (with Kimberly) defeated Konnan.
- Jeff Jarrett and Steve McMichael (with Debra) defeated Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray (with Sister Sherri)) by disqualification.
- Lex Luger defeated WCW World Tag Team Champion Kevin Nash (with the nWo) by disqualification.
2000 - The Ultimate Fighting Championship held UFC 25: Ultimate Japan 3 at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. The results were:
- Laverne Clark defeated Koji Oishi by majority decision in a lightweight bout.
- Ikuhisa Minowa defeated Joe Slick by TKO (cut) at 1:54 of round three in a middleweight bout.
- Sanae Kikuta defeated Eugene Jackson by submission (armbar) at 4:39 of round one in a middleweight bout.
- Murilo Bustamante defeated Yoji Anjo by submission (arm triangle choke) at 0:31 of the round two in a middleweight bout.
- Ron Waterman defeated Satoshi Honma by unanimous decision after three rounds in a heavyweight bout.
- Tito Ortiz defeated Wanderlei Silva by unanimous decision after five rounds to win the UFC Middleweight Title, which had been vacated by Frank Shamrock in November 1999 due to his short-lived retirement.
2000 - Big Bully Douglas and Air Paris defeat The New South (Ashley Hudson and Kory Williams) for the NWA North American Tag Team Title in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
2000 - Kevin Northcutt defeats Don Brodie to win the NWA National Heavyweight Title in North Richland Hills, Texas. At the same event, Abdullah the Butcher defeats Necro Butcher for the NWA Texas Hardcore Title, beginning Abdullah's second reign and ending Necro's second reign.
2000 - Chad Bowman defeats Qeenan Creed and champion Adam Flash in a three-way match for the Maryland Championship Wrestling Cruiserweight Title in Annapolis, Maryland, ending Flash's third reign.
2000 - Samu defeats Ace Darling in Belvidere, New Jersey to win the Independent Superstars of Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title, ending Darling's third reign and beginning Samu's second. At the same event, Billy Reil wins the ISPW Light Heavyweight Title from Judas Young, beginning Reil's second reign and ending Young's second.
2001 - The Golden Boy defeats Dustin Starr for the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title in Dyersburg, Tennessee, ending Starr's second reign.
2001 - Tony Jones and Robert Thompson defeat The Ballard Brothers (Shane and Shannon) to win the All Pro Wrestling Tag Team Title in Vallejo, California. The title was vacated in March when Boyce LeGrand and Robert Thompson had left the promotion.
2002 - The WWF Hardcore Title changes hands four times at a house show in Abilene, Texas. William Regal won the title from Bubba Ray Dudley, ending Bubba Ray's fifth reign and beginning Regal's sixth. Spike Dudley began his fifth reign as Hardcore Champion by defeating Regal. Spike then lost the title to Goldust, his seventh title win. Bubba Ray Dudley left with the title though, beating Goldust, and beginning his seventh reign. This was the fifth straight house show that this same sequence of title changes occurred.
2002 - Rey Cuervo defeats Oriental to win the UWA World Welterweight Title in Tualcingo, Mexico
2002 - Bombero Infernal defeats Pantera for the IWRG Intercontinental Middleweight Title in Naucalpan, Mexico, beginning Infernal's fourth reign and ending Pantera's second.
2003 - WWE held a live RAW and taped the April 20 Sunday Night Heat at the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia. RAW got a 3.5 rating. The results were:
Dark matches:
- The Navajo Warrior defeated Dean Baldwin.
- Joey Matthews and Christian York defeated Phil Brown and Pat Cusick.
Heat:
- Jacqueline defeated Molly Holly.
- 3-Minute Warning (Jamal and Rosey (with Rico)) defeated Maven and Al Snow.
- Rodney Mack (with Theodore Long) defeated Mike Hunter.
- Rico defeated Spike Dudley.
RAW:
- Chris Jericho defeated Test (with Stacy Keibler).
- Jazz (with Theodore Long) and Victoria (with Steven Richards) defeated Ivory and WWE Women's Champion Trish Stratus.
- World Tag Team Champions Kane and Rob Van Dam defeated Chief Morley and Lance Storm in a no-disqualification match.
- Goldust defeated Christian by disqualification.
- Booker T and the Hurricane defeated Ric Flair and World Heavyweight Champion Triple H. With the win, Booker earned a rematch from WrestleMania XIX against Triple H World Heavyweight Title next week.
2004 - TNA held its 93rd weekly pay-per-view event at the TNA Asylum in Nashville, Tennessee. The results were:
Xplosion:
- The 3Live Kru (B.G. James, Ron Killings and Konnan) defeated Ryan Boz, Scotty Matthews and Chance Prophet, when Killings pinned Prophet.
- Christopher Daniels pinned Gabriel.
- Jerry Lynn and Elix Skipper defeated Chris Hero and Nate Webb.
- The Amazing Red pinned Seth Delay.
Pay-per-view:
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett pinned James Storm.
- TNA X Division Champion Frankie Kazarian pinned Sonjay Dutt to retain the title.
- Simon Diamond pinned Johnny Swinger.
- Monty Brown pinned Sabu in a falls count anywhere match.
- Apolo and D'Lo Brown defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions Kid Kash and Dallas by disqualification to win the title.
- Chris Harris pinned Raven to become #1 contender for the NWA World Heavyweight Title.
2005 - Ikuto Hidaka defeats Super Crazy for the ZERO1-MAX International Junior Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan.
2007 - ROH held "Fighting Spirit" at the Inman Sports Club in Edison, New Jersey. The results were:
- Jason Blade and Eddie Edwards defeated Chris Hero and Tank Toland.
- Pelle Primeau defeated ROH Top of the Class Trophy holder Shane Hagadorn to win the trophy.
- Rocky Romero defeated Claudio Castagnoli.
- ROH World Tag Team Champions El Generico and Kevin Steen defeated FIP Tag Team Champion Jay Briscoe and FIP Florida Heritage Champion Erick Stevens.
- Doug Williams defeated Colt Cabana.
- Sara Del Ray defeated Ernie Osiris.
- Shingo defeated Matt Cross.
- The No Remorse Corps (Davey Richards and FIP World Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong) defeated Delirious and Jack Evans.
- ROH World Champion Takeshi Morishima defeated Nigel McGuinness to retain the title.
2007 - Dennis Condrey defeats Brad Armstrong in Graysville, Alabama to become the first NWA Wrestle Birmingham Television Champion.
2007 - Two titles change hands at an NWA Universal event in Wagoner, Oklahoma. Slam Shady wins a Sooner Stampede battle royal to win the NWA Universal Heavyweight Title, which was vacated when John O'Malley left the promotion. Also, Justin Lee wins his second NWA Universal X Division Title from Shane Morbid.
2007 - Jeff Orcut defeats Kid Cade for the Ultra Championship Wrestling Zero Ultra-X Title in Salt Lake City, Utah.
2007 - Brandon Thomaselli defeats Josh Abercrombie in Shelbyville, Indiana to win the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Title, ending Abercrombie's second reign.
2007 - Cody Whitehead defeats Brandon Stone for the NWA Mid-America X Division Title in Columbia, Tennessee. At the same show, Lee Condry defeats Johnny Swinger to win the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title, beginning his second reign.
2007 - Zach Gowen and Krotch defeat Truth Martini and N8 Mattson in Berwyn, Illinois to win the All-American Wrestling Tag Team Title.
2008 - ECW founder Tod Gordon issued the following statement to PWInsider.coml
From the desk of Tod Gordon -
It was not my intention for this to become a matter of public record until after I had an opportunity to address my dressing room and my staff on Saturday night, but with the age of the internet upon us, that turned out not to be possible. It’s not a complicated story folks. A member of my immediate family is gravely ill and both my physical and financial resources must be devoted to 24/7 healthcare.
It would be virtually impossible for me to devote the time and energy needed to run PWU and my store and be a caretaker. Something had to give. It’s been 20 blessed years in this business surrounded by top notch quality talent both in front of and behind the camera. I will miss each and every one of them along with all of you fans who supported me so faithfully.
BUT THERE IS A SILVER LINING:
Two companies will emerge from what I leave behind. The owner of the New Alhambra has pledged to keep wrestling events happening in that building every third Saturday of the month. In fact, he plans on using most of the same talent you’ve come to love and/or hate in PWU with a few exciting additions.
After my last event this Saturday night, please check out www.newalhambra.com for information regarding this promotion that will run it’s first show on Saturday night, May the 17th to be followed the third Saturday in June with the annual New Alhambra Hardcore Hall of Fame ceremony.
Please continue to support independent wrestling and I’m hoping you’ll be there this Saturday night at Cuffed and Caged to say goodbye. God Bless you all.
Tod Gordon
Since issuing the announcement, Gordon has made several appearances, mostly for charity events, but for the most part, has left the business.
2009 - E:60 did a feature on Vince McMahon and WWE. Richard Trionfo filed the following report:
The show starts off with the pitch from Jeremy Schaap talking about WWE and how they were given access on the show. One of the other hosts asks if this is going to be the ‘Real’ Vince McMahon or a scripted one. Schaap says that it will be a different Vince McMahon you haven’t seen before.They start off the segment called ‘King of the Ring’ with footage from Wrestlemania 25 where Schaap mentions more than 70,000 people were in Houston for the show. They show footage from the show. /p>
John Cena talks about how people come from all over the world to see Wrestlemania. Big Show says that if you are performing on Wrestlemania, you are the best in the business.
Schaap talks about how Wrestlemania is the culmination of the year in wrestling and how it is the vision of Vince McMahon. Schaap mentions that Vince is 63 years old before sitting down to talk with Vince in Stamford at WWE Studios.
Schaap asks Vince what inspired him to start Wrestlemania. Vince says that it was common sense and he mentions the Super Bowl, World Series, Academy Awards, and the Grammys and he asks why shouldn’t they have their special day.
We see footage from Wrestlemania I and Schaap mentioned that it could have been the last one. Schaap asks Vince about the first Wrestlemania 24 years ago and Vince says that they were rolling the dice. He says that if it was not successful, he would not be sitting with Jeremy Schaap tonight.
Hulk Hogan mentions that Vince gambled on the concept and he bet on himself and Hulk Hogan. Hogan mentions that Vince put everything on the line for this show. Schaap talks about the closed circuit broadcasts all over the country.
They show footage from Wrestlemania III and he mentions the 93,000 people in the Silverdome for Hogan/Andre. He talks about Vince bringing wrestling into the mainstream thanks to Wrestlemania which was a mix of sports, celebrity, and entertainment. He talks about how Vince redesigned wrestling.
Vince talks about how many promoters pushed wrestling as a sport but he says that it was never a sport and that it was the greatest theatrical event. Hogan says that many were not happy with what Vince said about wrestling. When it became an exhibition, the people who wanted to see the blood stopped coming and the families started showing up in the arenas. Hogan talks about the merchandise.
Schaap asks Vince who he was at that time and Vince says that he was a brilliant younger man and that he is a brilliant older man now so not much has changed over the years.
Vince talks about growing up in an eight foot wide trailer in North Carolina. He says that he is lower middle class Americana. Jeremy asks Vince about comments that he made in the past about how he wishes that his father hadn’t died before he could kill him. Vince says he needed it because of the beatings and the way that he beat his mom and family. He mentions intimidation. He says that his philosophy is that if he is in a fight and he is not dead, he won.
They talk about how Vince was reunited with his dad when he was twelve. He talks about the larger than life business his father was in. They talk about how Vince lobbied to be in the business. Vince says that his dad wanted him to be a lawyer instead of getting into the business and Vince mentions that he detests lawyers. Vince talks about the chance that he had in Maine and that he had one chance to be successful in Bangor, Maine.
They talk about how he bought out his father in 1982, and that was the start of the national expansion. Vince says that he does not think his father would have sold the business to him if he knew what his son was going to do because he did not know that Vince would compete with his father’s friends. Jeremy asks Vince if he drove them out of business, but Vince says that he thinks they drove themselves out of the business.
Jeremy interviews Mike Mooneyham and he says that Vince ran the old promoters out of business and things have not been the same since. Jeremy talks about the value of the company and how it is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Jeremy talks about how it is still a family business.
Jeremy is with Stephanie and she talks about the challenge of managing her father, but he is the ultimate creative say. Jeremy asks about the writers and Stephanie jokes that they are top secret people and then she says that they come from all different places.
We go to a production meeting where Michael Hayes talks abut the show. Vince mentions Mickey Rourke’s appearance at the pay per view. While Hayes talks about a promo involving the Undertaker, Vince asks the people from ESPN to leave.
Jeremy is in the back with John Morrison and the Miz and he tries on one of Morrison’s coats. He then goes into Big Show’s bus. They then go to the production truck.
Bret Hart comments on how they grind you up and spit you out. Hart says that all he got was a stack of airplane tickets and the name of the building. Mooneyham talks about how they are independent contractors with no pension benefits, no vacations, and no 401(k) plan. Mike mentions that the wrestlers sign contracts that give away their rights.
Jeremy mentions that some wrestlers decide to take shortcuts to be successful in the ring. Hart says that only a few were not getting jacked up but nobody forced them to do them. Schaap mentions the steroid trial. Mooneyham talks about Vince’s image and how it has been affected by the trial and the deaths of the wrestlers.
Schaap talks about the death of Chris Benoit and the toxicology results. Vince says that he does not know what went on in Benoit’s brain at that time. He says that was the darkest day in the business. Vince talks about the wellness policy and he says that it is as good as any sport, even though they are not a sport. Schaap asks why have testing if the movie studios don’t have them. Vince says that part of the reason is political. He talks about a double standard because of the history of steroid use. He says that they are not hiding behind any pads.
Hogan talks about how he has never seen Vince break down or give up.
Jeremy asks about what will happen when he is gone and Vince says that he plans not to die so he will always be around.
2009 - WWE broadcast ECW on SciFi. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Knoxville, Tennessee and your announcers are Josh ‘Double Shot’ Mathews and Matt ‘Ivan Drago references are coming’ Striker.We see footage from Raw when the Miz was sent to Raw thanks to interference by John Morrison. Then we see the end of the Bromance.
Match Number One: John Morrison versus Evan Bourne
They lock up and Morrison with a waist lock but Bourne with a standing switch. Morrison with an arm bar but Bourne reverses. Morrison with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Bourne with an arm drag into an arm bar. Bourne with an Irish whip but he charges into an elbow. Bourne avoids a missile drop kick attempt and Bourne gets a near fall. Bourne with kicks to Morrison but Morrison sends Bourne into the ropes but Bourne bounces off of them instead of landing on the middle rope. Morrison with kicks and then he hits a European uppercut. Bourne with a kick but he misses an enzuigiri. Bourne does not miss with a clothesline but he can only get a two count. Bourne with a boot to Morrison in the corner. Bourne with an Irish whip but he is sent to the apron. Morrison trips Bourne on the apron and then Morrison with a Shining Wizard that sends Bourne to the floor. Morrison does his pose as the ref continues the count. Morrison goes to the floor and he kicks Bourne in the head. They return to the ring and Morrison with a near fall. Morrison with an Irish whip and then Morrison with an inverted torture rack and it is time to play the accordion with Bourne. Bourne is able to counter out of an apparent TKO with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Bourne sets for a move to the floor, but Morrison returns and he hits a drop kick to the knee and we go to commercial with both men on the mat.
We are back and Morrison with a reverse chin lock and he has the arm isolated. Bourne with elbows and then he kicks Morrison. Bourne misses a kick, but Morrison does not and Morrison gets a near fall. Morrison with forearms to Bourne and then he stomps on Bourne’s lower abdomen. Morrison with punches to Bourne followed by an elbow. Bourne with punches of his own but Morrison goes for a cover and he gets a near fall. Morrison with a chicken wing and crossface and Bourne tries to escape but Morrison takes Bourne to the mat. Bourne gets to his feet and he runs Morrison into the corner. Bourne with an elbow and a kick. Bourne responds with a desperation clothesline. Bourne with a rana followed by a drop kick and a jumping back kick for a near fall. Bourne puts Morrison on the top turnbuckle and hits a palm strike. Morrison knocks Bourne off the turnbuckles but Bourne jumps up and hits a rana for a near fall. Morrison with a hot shot and a jackknife cover for a near fall. Bourne with a near fall. Morrison with an uppercut and then both men go over the top rope to the floor as Bourne hits a cross body as Morrison hits the ropes. The referee starts his count. Bourne goes up top and hits a double knee strike for a near fall. Bourne with a kick to the chest. Morrison blocks a kick and he tries for Moonlight Drive but Bourne with a knee as he escapes the hold. Bourne pulls Morrison into the Shooting Star Press position but Morrison with a spin kick and Morrison hits a super Moonlight Drive on the ropes and gets the three count.
Winner: John Morrison
Vladimir Kozlov is walking in the back and we will find out if he Loves E-C-W.
We go to commercial.
We are back and the Wrestlemania attendance did you know got drafted to ECW.
Match Number Two: Vladimir Kozlov versus David Floridia
Kozlov with a boot to the chest and then he connects with forearms and shoulders in the corner. Kozlov with a head butt as Floridia comes off the turnbuckles. Kozlov with a fallaway slam. Kozlov with a head butt to the chest followed by a choke slam for the three count.
Winner: Vladimir Kozlov
After the match, Kozlov gets on the mic.
Finlay and Hornswoggle stretch in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and Matt and Josh blend into the ringside barrier with their black jackets. They talk about Monday’s Raw not so live from London as well as the Supplemental Draft on Monday.
Tiffany is in the office with Katie Lea and Paul Burchill. Paul says that they are a bit concerned because they are brother and sister and they don’t want to see Tiffany break up a family. She says that everyone is available in the draft.
Jack Swagger enters and he wants Tiffany to make a good first impression so he suggests a Q&A session for Jack Swagger on Superstars. Tiffany likes the idea but she decides to put the final match in the Elimination Chase. She says that she wants Jack to continue with the ideas and then she says that she liked his match last night.
Match Number Three: Christian versus Fit Finlay with Hornswoggle versus Tommy Dreamer in the Elimination Chase Triple Threat Match
Finlay with a kick to Dreamer but Christian punches Finlay. Finlay punches Christian and then Finlay slams Dreamer and Finlay with a hip toss of Christian onto Dreamer. Finlay gets a near fall on Dreamer. Christian with a reverse atomic drop and a drop kick to Finlay. Christian with a snap mare and kick to the back. Dreamer with a punch to Christian followed by a back elbow. Dreamer with a back elbow to Finlay and then he tries to suplex Christian in from the apron. Dreamer blocks Christian’s attempt to suplex him to the floor and Dreamer drops Christian on the top rope. Dreamer charges into a boot and Finlay gets a near fall. Finlay with a boot to the solar plexus and then Finlay knocks Christian to the floor one more time. Finlay with an Irish whip and punch. Christian with a neck breaker to Finlay. Dreamer with a back body drop to Christian.
Dreamer with a suplex to Christian followed by an elbow drop for a near fall. Dreamer clotheslines Finlay over the top rope and both men go to the floor. Christian goes up top and hits a cross body onto Finlay and Dreamer. We go to commercial.
We are back and Christian with a kick to Dreamer and then Christian goes up top but Finlay pushes Christian off the turnbuckles to the floor. We see footage during the commercial of Finlay being sent into the ring steps. We are back to live action and Finlay gets a near fall and then he applies a reverse chin lock. Finlay keeps Christian out of the ring and he gets a near fall on Dreamer. Finlay with a cross arm breaker but Dreamer is able to get out of the hold. Finlay goes outside the ring and he slams Christian’s head into the ring steps and hits a short arm clothesline. Finlay returns to the ring and gets a near fall on Dreamer. Finlay with a kick to the back. Dreamer with a jaw breaker and a slam and then Dreamer with a drop toe hold of Christian onto Finlay. We get a multiple man rollup and the ref makes a two count. Finlay and Christian collide in the ring and all three men are down. Christian goes up top but Finlay stops him. Finlay sets for a superplex but Dreamer stops him and Dreamer puts Finlay in the Tree of Woe and hits a superplex on Christian but Dreamer only gets a two count. Dreamer puts Finlay in the Tree of Woe again and it is time for the drop kick in the corner. Finlay throws Dreamer out of the ring and then Christian gets a near fall with an inside cradle. Finlay with a fireman carry slam to Christian. Dreamer with a DDT to Finlay for a near fall. Dreamer with an elbow to Christian and Christian gets caught in the ropes. Dreamer with a rollup on Finlay for a near fall. Dreamer tries for a Death Valley Driver but Finlay escapes and hits the Celtic Cross for the three count.
Winner: Fit Finlay (and Christian advances too)
Christian and Finlay stare each other down as we go to credits.
2010 - Jim Cornette posted a commentary on his website, made up of two emails. The first is an email he sent to TNA's Terry Taylor, in which he wrote about his departure from the company and had a few choice words regarding Vince Russo (I know, shocking). Cornette made his disdain of Russo very clear, and apparently prompted quite a response, as the second part of the blog is a letter Cornette received from the law firm of Davis, Shapiro, Lewit & Hayes, LLP, a firm that handles several entertainmentpan> clients. The letter states that Cornette's comments about Russo constitute "terroristic threats" and that Russo "has understandably experienced extreme fear for himself and his family" as a result of the comments made by Cornette. You can read Cornette's email to Taylor, and the letter he received in response, at this link.
2011 - TNA broadcast Impact. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘i>I’ll have what Angelina is drinking’ Tenay and Taz.We begin with a look back at last week’s invitation by ‘Sting’ to entice Ken Anderson to get attacked by Rob Van Dam. We then see Van Dam and Sting’s confrontation in the ring. Then we see Hulk Hogan setting up the match between Sting and Rob Van Dam. We see the building of the dastardly plan between Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. Then we see Ken Anderson going into business for himself . . . or did he join Immortal? It turns out that Ken Anderson played Hogan . . . brother.
If it is Thursday night at 9:00, it means that it is time for Eric and the Bischoffs to make their way to the ring. Eric is joined by everyone in Immortal.
Hogan says that it is quite obvious to him and the Immortalmaniacs that there is nothing but Top Choice in the ring. However, there is the rotten stench of crap in the building. He wants Ken Anderson to come out.
Ken Anderson makes his way to the ring and he enters the Lion’s Den and stands face to face with Hogan. Hogan welcomes him to the big show . . . brother. Hogan says that he has given Anderson every opportunity to do the right thing. He tells Anderson brother that he can do things the hard way (the Anderson Way) or he can do it the easy way (The Immortal Way). Hogan says that Anderson has been spitting in the face of authority and that means that he spits in Hogan’s face.
Anderson says that he used to look up to Hogan, but he sees the sheep in the ring hanging from his nuts. Anderson points out that Bischoff has been riding Hogan’s coat tails and he wants to know why Hogan can’t see it.
Anderson says that he will not step in line like the other lemmings. At the end of the day, he has to look at himself in the mirror and he says ‘Mr. Anderson . . . Anderson, you really are an asshole.’ Anderson says that he is okay with that. The other guys have to live with the fact that they are just up Hogan’s asshole.
Hogan pushes Anderson down and that means that Immortal attacks Anderson. Gunner, Murphy, and Terry hold Anderson for Matt Hardy. Hogan tells Anderson that he has disrespected him for the last time. When Immortal gets done with him tonight, he won’t even make it to Lockdown. Hogan tells Kenny boy that he is responsible for this so whatever happens to him, he attracted it to himself. Hogan tells Kenny Boy that they are going to cross paths again. Hogan says that he will take Anderson out on his time, not Anderson’s.
Bully Ray gets spat in the face by Anderson and that means that Ray has to take a shot at Anderson and he drops him with one punch.
Anderson is left laying in the ring while Immortal stands over him.
We see Velvet Sky knocking on the door trying to talk to Angelina. Winter tells Velvet that Angelina is resting and wants nothing to do with Velvet. Winter tells Velvet that Angelina is a big girl and she tells Velvet that Angelina wants nothing to do with her.
Velvet tells Winter to tell Angelina that she is going to go to the ring and call out Angelina and if Angelina doesn’t come to the ring for her receipt, she is going to come and get her.
We go to commercial.
We are back and if you haven’t had enough Immortal, you are in luck. They are celebrating their beatdown while Eric is on the phone, probably with the network. Eric tells everyone that he got a call from the network. Immortal thinks they loved it. Eric says that they want to do a best of three series of Fortune with Immortal and the winner gets a one man advantage at Lockdown. Hogan tells Eric that he was supposed to take care of the network problem. Hogan says that someone on the inside is smartening them up. Eric and Hogan exchange bros brother. Eric leaves and it is time for a strategy session.
Match Number One: Crimson with Scott Steiner versus Jesse Neal with Shannon Moore versus Orlando Jordan with Eric Young versus Douglas Williams with Magnus
Williams and Neal start things off and Williams with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Neal with an arm drag into an arm bar. Williams with a snap mare after Neal gets distracted by Moore on the floor. Neal with a hip toss and Orlando tries to sneak in. Orlando with a side slam for a near fall while Moore and Steiner continue to argue on the floor.
Jordan with a punch but Neal with a flying shoulder and Orlando goes to the floor. Crimson comes in and he kicks Neal and hits an exploder suplex for a near fall. Crimson sends Neal into the turnbuckles and he punches him. Crimson with an Irish whip but Neal with a kick and then he hits a cross body. Neal with a spear on Crimson and Moore continues to get involved with Steiner and Neal loses focus. Moore pushes Steiner on the floor and Steiner kicks Moore.
Neal goes to help his tag team partner. Crimson with a jaw breaker and Crimson goes to the floor. Abyss attacks Crimson to get revenge for what happened with Janice. Abyss takes part of the guardrail and he grabs Crimson by the throat and he choke slams Crimson on the guardrail while security protects the fans instead of stopping Abyss.
Williams misses a charge into the corner and Orlando grinds Williams and then hits a clotheslines and gets a near fall. Magnus attacks Williams while Eric Young grabs the referee. Young with a flying forearm to Magnus. Jordan with the Gender Bender for the three count.
Winner: Orlando Jordan
Bully Ray goes into Rob Van Dam’s trailer and he tells Rob this might not be the best time to play video games. He tells Rob that he isn’t here for a fight. Ray tells Rob that Hogan is going to make an offer that Rob shouldn’t refuse. Ray tells Rob that the grass is greener on the other side and there is less seeds.
Ray asks Rob if he saw what happened to Anderson and he tells Rob that he probably doesn’t want that to happen to him.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Matt Hardy with Team Immortal versus Kazarian with Team Fortune in the Best of Three Who Gets the Advantage in Lethal Lockdown Match Number One
Before the match starts, Earl Hebner tries to show some authority and he sends the non-wrestling members of Fortune to the back. Then he sends the non-Hardy members of Team Immortal to the back. Flair realizes what just happened and he takes off his jacket.
Kazarian with a crucifix for a near fall. He gets another near fall with a rollup. Kazarian is sent to the apron and Hardy punches Kazarian and then he kicks him as he returns to the ring. Hardy with a neck breaker with Kazarian in the ropes and Matt wit ha near fall. Hardy with an elbow to the head and then he connects with a leg drop and he gets a near fall.
Hardy chokes Kazarian in the ropes and then he catapults him into the middle rope and he gets a near fall. Hardy with a cravate and then he pulls Kazarian to the mat. Hardy waves his arms for the Twist of Fate but Kazarian with a back slide for a near fall. Kazarian blocks a Side Effect and he gets a near fall with a rollup. Hardy gets a near fall after a Side Effect. Matt with another Side Effect and then he pulls Kazarian into the corner and he goes up top for a moonsault, but Kazarian moves out of the way and Hardy misses. Kazarian with a flying forearm and clothesline followed by a drop kick. Kazarian with a slam and then he hits a springboard corkscrew leg drop. Kazarian gets Hardy up for the piledriver but Hardy gets out of the hold. Kazarian with a springboard drop kick and he gets a near fall when Hardy gets his foot on the ropes.
Hardy with an Irish whip but Kazarian with a boot to the face and Hardy says that he is injured. The referee checks on Hardy and Hardy pushes the referee into the ropes to crotch Kazarian. Hardy with a guillotine choke with a double underhook and Kazarian is out.
Madison Rayne and Tara are in the back and Madison says that she is going to apologize to Mickie James. Tara says that she is so proud of Madison and we go to commercial.
We are back and Madison Rayne and Tara are in the ring. She says that for the last seven days, she hasn’t been able to sleep. Every night when she lays down to go to bed, all she can do is play the events of last week in her head over and over again. If she would have had the opportunity to do things differently, what would she have done. That is a question that has been weighing heavily on her mind.
Madison tells Tara that she would have backed that bike up and run over Mickie’s ass one more time. Then she would have taken her left hand and slapped Tara over her wretched face for questioning her.
Madison tells Tara that she has noticed that Tara has become a little too comfortable in her role. Madison wants to remind Tara what her role is. Tara is Madison’s bitch. She does what Madison says when she says. She does not question her. She does her job and keeps her mouth shut. Madison reminds Tara that she is the reason why she has her job back after she retired her. Madison tells Tara if she continues to give her the slightest bit of back talk, she will be back behind that makeup counter selling lip gloss.
Madison tells Tara if she has something to say, she better spit it out.
Tara says that she has something to say, but first we hear Mickie James’ music and Mickie’s arm is in a sling.
Mickie apologizes for interrupting this tender moment but she has something to say. If Madison thinks for one second that a separated shoulder is going to stop her from pulling every strand of her weave out of her head, Madison is mistaken. Mickie tells Madison that she was right that she should have run her over again. Mickie says that on Sunday, she will put Madison through every ounce of pain that she was put through last week plus more. Mickie says that Madison has made her life a living hell. Madison has mocked her and everything that she stands for. Mickie says that Madison took the coward’s route last week. There is no way out on Sunday and she will beat Madison within an inch of her life and she will show how hardcore country she can be.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Jeff Jarrett, Hernandez, and D’Angelo Dinero with Karen Jarrett, Rosita, Anarchia, and Sarita versus Samoa Joe, Kurt Angle, and Matt Morgan with Okato
Jarrett and Angle start things off but Jarrett does his best to avoid Angle and he tags Hernandez in. We have had too much action so we need to go to commercial to sort everything out.
We are back and Dinero punches Morgan and Morgan tries for a choke slam but Dinero escapes the hold. Morgan with elbows in the corner and he misses the pump kick in the corner and Dinero clips him. Dinero with DDTs to the leg and Hernandez is tagged in. Hernandez kicks Morgan in the knee.
Morgan with a discus clothesline to Hernandez and both men are down. Hernandez goes to the corner and he pulls himself up after kicking Angle. Angle climbs the turnbuckles and hits a belly-to-belly suplex and both men are down again.
Joe and Jarrett tag in and Joe with forearms to Jarrett and Hernandez. Joe moves and Hernandez hits Jarrett. Joe with an enzuigiri and then he gets rid of Hernandez Joe puts Jarrett in an arm breaker and Dinero interferes. Joe with an enzuigiri to Dinero and he sets for the muscle buster but Jarrett hits Joe from behind. Joe is thrown from the ring. Angle chases Jarrett up the ramp and to the back.
Dinero rolls Joe into the ring and Hernandez with a slingshot shoulder tackle and then he gets Joe set for the border toss but Joe counters. Joe puts Hernandez in the choke and Dinero with an elbow drop to break it up.
Morgan with a punch to Dinero and he gets rid of Dinero. Hernandez is thrown brass knuckles but Morgan hits Hernandez. Morgan and Hernandez go over the top rope to the floor. Dinero hits Joe with the brass knuckles and Dinero gets the three count.
Winners: D’Angelo Dinero, Jeff Jarrett, and Hernandez
After the match, Matt Morgan is brought into the ring and Hernandez punches Morgan with the brass knuckles.
We go to the back and Jeff Jarrett wants to leave. Karen forgot her purse but she can buy a new one because she sees her ex-husband. Jeff drives away and Kurt tells Karen that she made a good pick with her current husband.
It is the start of hour two so that means that Immortal is going to make their way to the ring.
Hogan says that Immortal is where they should be and they are taking care of family business. Hogan wants Rob Van Dam to come out because he wants to talk to him.
Hogan tells Rob that he has seen what has been going on. He tells Rob not to make the same mistake that Anderson did. Hogan reminds Rob about March 2010 when he came to TNA and he says that he wanted Rob to be a major part of the team. Hogan says that people have been taking advantage of him. He tells Rob that he has been on fire of late and he won’t take a backseat to anyone. He tells Rob that he would fit in Immortal perfectly. Hogan says that he saw what was going on last week. Rob took advantage of the situation when Anderson took care of Sting.
Sting’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring. Sting tells Hogan that was a lie because Rob never saw Anderson lay him out and the Rob he knows would never take a win like that. Sting says that it is an awesome honor and privilege to be the TNA World Champion. Sting says that he is not going to take his eye of the main issue and that is getting rid of Hogan and Bischoff. Sting tells Rob that if he is the better man at Lockdown, he will be the champion. However, if Rob isn’t the better man and he gets in bed with the two jabronies in the ring with them, he will take the title over his dead body.
Rob thinks about what he has just heard from both sides and Van Dam leaves the ring.
Eric tells Hogan that he is feeling confident right now. Eric says that despite what Sting has achieved in his career, the fact of the matter is that Sting is not quite the chess player that Hulk Hogan is. Hogan has been out manipulating Sting for his entire career. He has been playing Sting like a violin. Eric says that he is feeling a checkmate in his future.
Sting says that checkmate is right now and it is his. Sting hits Bischoff and hits the Scorpion Death Drop on Eric.
Sting says that he is going to steal a page out of Hogan’s book and do it on his time.
Hogan tells Sting that he is a lucky man as we go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Abyss versus James Storm in a Lethal Lockdown Best of Three Who Gets the Advantage Match [Immortal leads 1-0]
Before the match starts, Storm spits beer in his face. Storm clotheslines Abyss over the top rope and they both go to the floor and then Storm sends Abyss into the ring post and stairs. Storm backs Abyss into the turnbuckles and he punches Abyss. Abyss pushes Storm and then kicks him. Abyss with more punches to Storm. Abyss charges into the corner but Storm moves and James with clotheslines but Abyss stays on his feet. Storm hits a running forearm and Abyss is down. Abyss sends Storm onto the apron and then Storm with a kick to the back of the head and he gets a near fall after a cross body from the top.
Abyss grabs Storm by the throat and Storm turns it into a gutbuster and then he hits a lungblower for a near fall. Abyss with an Irish whip but Storm with a kick. Abyss grabs Storm by the throat and he hits the choke slam but he can only get a two count. Abyss tries for Shock Treatment but Storm with a rake of the eyes. Abyss blocks the super kick and then Abyss with the Black Hole Slam for the three count.
Winner: Abyss [Team Immortal wins 2-0]
After the match, Immortal come to the ring to celebrate their victory. Then Fortune makes their way to the ring and Immortal leaves the ring.
Velvet Sky has finally found her way into the back and she is going to call out Angelina Love. We go to commercial.
We are back and Eric Bischoff is on the phone and he says that he is trying to keep his temper from getting out of hand. He says that him and Hulk Hogan can smell a rat on the inside. Bischoff says that you don’t want to push Hogan. He says that he wants to know who they are working with. Bischoff is told that he will find out ‘in time’.
Velvet Sky makes her way to the ring. She says that she is going to give Angelina one last chance to come to the ring face to face and explain her actions. Velvet says that if she does not like what Angelina says, she will whoop some ass.
Angelina walks vacantly to the ring. Velvet pushes Angelina and then hits her with a forearm or two. Angelina with a spear and then she punches Velvet. Angelina crawls out of the ring and she gets a chair. Angelina with an inverted DDT and back breaker combination. Angelina moves the chair into position and then she methodically picks up Velvet and she DDTs Velvet onto the chair.
Winter makes her way into the Impact Zone and she waves her evil finger and Angelina follows like the drone that she has become.
It is time for Mike Tenay and Taz to run through the card for Lockdown, this Sunday in Cincinnati on pay per view.
Ken Anderson is walking in the back as he gets ready for the Immortal Gauntlet. We go to commercial.
Match Number Five: The Ken Anderson Immortal Gauntlet
Opponent Number One: Murphy
They lock up and Murphy misses a punch. Anderson with punches followed by shoulders in the corner. Anderson tries for a neck breaker but Murphy counters with a clothesline. Murphy with a slam and Anderson’s leg hits the ropes and Anderson holds his leg. Murphy with a DDT to the leg and then he drops a knee to the leg. Murphy with a boot to the head. Murphy misses a knee drop and Anderson hits the mic check for the three count.
Winner: Ken Anderson
Segment Number Two: Rob Terry
Anderson gets a near fall on Terry but Terry with a clothesline. Terry drives the knee into the mat. Terry with a leg bar on Anderson but Anderson pulls himself up and punches Terry. Terry with a modified spinebuster. Terry with a splash into the corner. Anderson avoids a power slam and he gets the mic check and the three count.
Winner: Ken Anderson
Segment Number Three: Gunner
Gunner with a kick to the leg and then he clips the knee. Gunner gets a near fall on Anderson and then he puts Anderson’s leg in the ropes. Gunner with a running knee into the thigh but he tries again and he runs into an elbow. Anderson with a boot to the head followed by a clothesline and elbow followed by a swinging neck breaker for a near fall.
Anderson tries for the Lambeau Leap but he can’t keep Gunner up. Anderson with the mic check for the three count.
Winner: Ken Anderson
Segment Number Four: Bully Ray
Ray punches Anderson and then he drops an elbow on Anderson’s chest. Ray hits Anderson in the hamstring. Ray puts Anderson in the tree of woe and then he punches Anderson in the chest and leg. Ray works on the knee and punches Anderson. Ray taunts Anderson and Anderson with a slap. Anderson with chops and punches. Ray with a back elbow to Anderson. Ray goes to the turnbuckles but Anderson stops him and then he hits the Lambeau Leap for a near fall.
Ray gets to his feet first and he punches Anderson but Anderson punches back and it is time for the yay/boo exchange. Ray gets a big boot to stop Anderson. Ray throws Anderson to the floor and then he hits the referee.
No Contest
Ray hits Anderson in the back and then he drags Anderson up the ramp. Anderson tries to stop Ray but Ray punches Anderson to continue to drag him up the ramp onto the stage. Ray with a forearm to the back and it looks like someone might be going through a table.
Immortal’s music plays and Hogan comes out. Hogan tells Ray that he wants to be the one to finish off Anderson. Ray plays the air traffic controller for Hogan to power bomb Anderson. Sting comes out and he has a bat. Abyss comes out and Abyss gets a shot in but Sting hits Abyss with the bat. Sting hits Ray with the bat next.
Sting stands over Anderson with the bat in his hand. Sting surveys the damage and then he goes to the back.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Robert Roode says that they are the heart and soul of TNA. They have Immortal in a cage in three days with weapons. It ends on Sunday. Storm says that he let them down and he let AJ down. He tells Immortal and ‘Abitch’ that they are still standing. On Sunday, they will do more than beat them.
Rob Van Dam is asked where his head is at and he keeps walking without answering.
They ask Ken Anderson if he is looking at Sting differently because he saved him. Anderson says that it didn’t change anything because this is wrestling. He came for the belt and he doesn’t care. He says that he has been here for a year and a half and he came here for the title.
Sting says that it wasn’t about saving anyone. It was about getting his focus back. He is focused on Hogan and Bischoff. Sting says that he is feeling good and he is fired up. It will be showtime at Lockdown and Hogan isn’t taking any belt from him.
Hogan says that if Sting wants a war, he’s got a war. Hogan says that they are going to take the belt back.
2011 - WWE moved Superstars to WWE.com domestically after it was dropped by WGN.Welcome to the PWInsider live coverage of Combat Zone Wrestling’s Best Of The Best 11, live from the Flyers Skate Zone in Vorhees, NJ.
Tonight’s card features…
Best Of The Best Opening Round: Sami Callihan (CZW Junior Heavyweight Champion) vs. Drake Younger vs. Trent 7 vs. MK McKinnan
Best Of The Best Opening Round: Chuck Taylor vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Samuray Del Sol
Best Of The Best Opening Round: AR Fox vs. Lince Dorado vs. ACH
Best Of The Best Opening Round: Alex Colon vs. Willie Mack vs. Greg Excellent
Plus the Best Of The Best Semi-Finals & Finals!!!
CZW Wired TV Title Match: Jake Crist (Champion) vs. Dave Crist
Ultraviolent Encounter: DJ Hyde vs. Matt Tremont
Contract signing between Danny Havoc & Drew Gulak!!!
Larry Legend comes to the ring and introduces CZW Owner DJ Hyde, who comes out with the Best Of The Best Trophy. Hyde puts over the tournament as the top tournament in the world, saying that whoever wins will truly be the “best of the best.” Larry Legend then introduces all the participants in the tournament, Callihan and Younger get into it briefly before the photographers snap the group portrait.
Match #1 - Best Of The Best Opening Round: Sami Callihan (CZW Junior Heavyweight Champion) vs. Drake Younger vs. Trent 7 vs. MK McKinnan
The first tournament match begins with Callihan attacking Younger and Trent attacking McKinnan, Trent and McKinnan battle on the arena floor. Callihan then nails Younger with a saito suplex, McKinnan then nails Younger with a missile drop kick from the top rope. Trent and McKinnan continue their battle in the ring now, Trent then catches a diving McKinnan with a leg lariat. Callihan returns to spit in the face of Trent before they exchange chops, McKinnan and Younger now battle on the arena floor. Callihan catches Trent with a bicycle kick and a death valley driver, Callihan gets the near fall with a rope assisted splash. Callihan then knocks Trent out of the ring before taking him out with a suicide dive, Younger then does a moonsault off the top rope and to the arena floor that takes out Callihan and Trent. All four competitors are then involved in a tower of doom spot, Trent then gets near falls on all three of his opponents. Callihan then destroys Younger and Trent with Inzaguri’s, Younger recovers to hit Callihan and Trent with exploder suplxes. Younger then hits a running fireman’s suplex that drops McKinnan onto Callihan and Trent, Trent recovers to hit Younger with a snap dragon suplex and stalling pile driver. McKinnan and Trent then duel in the center of the ring, McKinnan then nearly eliminates Trent after a tornado DDT. McKinnan then meets Callihan on the top rope and a fight ensues, Callihan gets behind McKinnan to super kick his leg and knock him off the top rope. Callihan then nails McKinnan with a double under shoulder breaker, Younger then breaks up the stretch muffler to hit Callihan with a tiger bomb. McKinnan slows his momentum by nailing Younger with a shining wizard, McKinnan then does a cannonball senton on his opponents as they tried regrouping outside of the ring. Younger gets up first and he re-positions the ring steps, Younger then smashes Callihan’s face on the ring steps. Callihan escapes the Drake’s Landing to hit Younger with a brain buster on the ring steps, the referee then counts out both Younger and McKinnan.
Eliminated: Drake Younger & MK McKinnan
Trent and Callihan are the last two while the crowd chants “bullsh*t”, Callihan and Trent then exchange some forearm strikes. Callihan gains the edge by hitting Trent with a bicycle kick and several chops, Callihan then gets nailed with a lariat and a spinning pile driver from Trent. Trent goes to the top rope and Callihan nails him with a kick to the head, Trent then head butts Callihan off the top before hitting him with a frog splash. Trent then picks up a tired Callihan to nail him with another pile driver, Trent then starts trading taunts with the crowd. Callihan recovers to crush Trent with a saito suplex, Callihan then hits Trent with a Forearm To Remember. Callihan locks in the Stretch Muffler and Trent eventually taps out.
Winner: Sami Callihan
After the match, Drake Younger hits the ringside area and CZW security holds him back.
Match #2 - Best Of The Best Opening Round: Best Of The Best Opening Round: Alex Colon w/Chrissy Rivera vs. Willie Mack vs. Greg Excellent
The action begins with Excellent easily winning a battle of strength over Colon, Mack then wins his battle of strength against Colon. Mack and Excellent then easily over power Colon in the lock up, Excellent then starts dancing to Brodus Clay’s theme song and he gets drop kicked by his opponents for his efforts. Colon then gets the best of Mack by nailing him with a scissors kick, Mack responds by catching Colon off guard with the pounce. Mack and Excellent then have a battle of the big men, Colon interrupts and his opponents nail him with a modified 3-D. Mack then destroys Colon and Excellent with multiple avalanche splashes in the corners, Colon then nearly rolls up Excellent. Colon then tries to keep Excellent down with a variety of kicks, Mack returns and catches Colon with a leaping inzaguri. Excellent then nails Mack with a Samoan drop, Excellent then stacks his foes in the corner before taking them out with the Rick Roll. Excellent and Mack battle on the top rope with Excellent winning, Colon then kicks Excellent in the head. Excellent recovers with Colon on the top rope fighting with him, Excellent then power bombs Colon off the top rope and onto Mack. The three competitors then take sips from their respective sodas and they spit them in each other’s faces, we then have a three way chase around the ring. The referee takes away the sodas and he gets soda spit on him for his efforts, Colon strikes next by catching Mack with the Inquisition. Excellent then grabs Colon to hit him with a tiger driver on the ring apron, Mack then takes Excellent out with a suicide dive. Excellent and Mack battle back into the ring, Mack then drops Excellent with a t-bone cuplex after getting a face full of boob. Mack then gets the three count on Excellent after hitting him with a frog splash.
Eliminated: Greg Excellent
The action resumes with Mack nailing Colon with a standing moonsault, Colon then escapes a choke slam attempt to hit Mack with a spin kick and super kick. Colon then catches Mack a springboard tombstone pile driver for the three count.
Winner: Alex Colon w/Chrissy Rivera
Match #3 - Best Of The Best Opening Round: Chuck Taylor vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Samuray Del Sol
Our next match kicks off with Gargano and Taylor double teaming Del Sol, Gargano quickly turns on Taylor and throws him out of the ring. Del Sol quickly returns to hit Gargano with a top rope arm drag, Taylor returns to the ring and he catches Gargano with an overhead suplex. Del Sol nearly catches Taylor for the three count after a springboard roll up, Del Sol goes for a dive and Gargano stops him with a springboard dive. Gargano then does a suicide dive onto Taylor, Gargano then enters the ring by hitting Del Sol with a springboard DDT. Taylor then catches Del Sol with Soul Food, Del Sol quickly recovers to catch Taylor with a sit out sliced bread. Gargano then launches Del Sol in the air so he can drop kick Taylor, Taylor gets back up and he power bombs Del Sol into Gargano. Gargano rolls out of the ring and Taylor does a dive onto him, Del Sol then catches both men with a middle rope springboard swanton bomb. Del Sol and Gargano battle back into the ring, Gargano and Taylor then hit their Chikara tag team finisher on del Sol. Gargano then drops Taylor with a clothes line and DDT, Gargano then tries to lock Taylor in the Gargano Escape and Taylor rolls him up for the three count.
Eliminated: Johnny Gargano
The action resumes with Del Sol quickly rolling up Taylor for the three count.
Winner: Samuray Del Sol
Match #4 - Best Of The Best Opening Round: AR Fox vs. Lince Dorado vs. ACH
The final opening round match begins with Fox quickly nailing ACH with a drop kick, Dorado then knocks Fox out of the ring. Dorado was going to dive on Fox before ACH got in the way, Dorado then nails ACH with a running drop kick in the corner. ACH rebounds by taking Dorado down with a springboard arm drag, Dorado flips off ACH and he gets slapped for it. Fox returns to the ring and he does a springboard dive onto both of his opponents, Fox then does an inverted moonsault dive onto his opponents on the arena floor. Fox then tosses both of his opponents back into the ring, Fox then misses his guillotine leg drop on ACH and is back on the arena floor. Dorado then does a dive outside the ring and onto Fox, ACH then catches his opponents with a split legged moonsault on the arena floor. Fox then goes for a dive and ACH shoves him off the ropes and back into the ring, Dorado attacks Fox and Fox escapes to attempt a dive onto ACH. Dorado then does a suicide dive to the arena floor onto both of his foes, ACH and Dorado enter the ring first and have a slap battle. ACH brings Dorado to the top rope and Dorado crotches him on the top rope, Dorado stands on the top rope and Fox joins him. Dorado then does a hurricarana to take Fox off the top rope, ACH then misses his top rope dive onto his opponents. Dorado and Fox battle it out in the middle of the ring, Fox then puts Dorado in the corner to nail him with a variety of drop kicks. Fox misses a hold and Dorado catches him with a flip DDT, Dorado then avoids ACH by hitting Fox with a shooting star lariat. ACH returns and Dorado nails him with a kick to the ribs, ACH then tangles Dorado in the ropes before hitting him with a rope assisted spinning neck breaker for the three count.
Eliminated: Lince Dorado
The action continues with ACH hurting Fox with a series of strikes, Fox recovers to hit ACH with multiple ace crushers. Fox goes to the tope rope and ACH catches him with a stunner, ACH misses his top rope dive and Fox tries to take advantage. ACH keeps the pressure on Fox by nailing him with a running knee strike, ACH then nails Fox with a power bomb for a near fall. ACH then misses a middle rope 450 splash on Fox, Fox then nails ACH with a running bicycle kick before putting him on the top rope. Fox then hits him with a one man Spanish fly for the three count.
Winner: AR Fox
Match #5 - CZW Wired TV Title Match: Jake Crist (Champion) vs. Dave Crist
The title match begins with Dave attacking Jake as he was making his entrance, Jake then nails Dave with a running knee on the guard rail. Jake then power slams a running Dave into the guard rail, Jake then brings Dave to the ring before hitting him with cross face strikes. Jake then nails Dave with a dragon screw leg whip into the corner, Jake goes to the top rope and Dave nails him with a running kick and a rope assisted swinging neck breaker. Dave then keeps Jake cornered by nailing him with a lot of chops, Jake recovers by kicking at Jake and he places him on the top rope. Jake then nails Dave with a superplex and a running knee to the head, Jake then catches Dave with a super kick and roundhouse kick. Jake then nails his brother with a tiger suplex into the turnbuckles, Dave then gets his knees up when Jake goes for the moonsault. Dave then drops Jake with a nasty DDT for a near fall, Jake and Dave then battle on the top rope that ends with Dave getting shoved into the referee. Dave then catches his diving brother with a low blow, Dave follows it up with a kick to the balls for the three count.
Winner: New CZW Wired TV Champion, Dave Crist!
Match #6 - Best Of The Best Semi-Finals: Sami Callihan (CZW Junior Heavyweight Champion) vs. Alex Colon w/Chrissy Rivera
The semi-finals kick off with these two immediately getting into each other’s faces, the fight spills to the arena floor and Callihan tosses Colon into the guard rail. Colon recovers by peppering Callihan with chops, Colon then crashes into the safety rail after missing a running knee strike. Callihan then nails Colon with a running chop as he is draped on the guard rail, the action returns to the ring. Callihan and Colon then start exchanging kicks and head butts, Colon then knocks himself and Callihan back outside the ring. Callihan then charges at Colon and they both collide into a member of CZW Security, Callihan then hits Colon with a Saito suplex into the guard rail. Colon is tossed back into the ring as Callihan stalks him, Callihan then nails Colon with a few running clothes lines. Colons avoids a clothes line before hitting Callihan with the Inquisition, Colon then nails Callihan with an onslaught of kicks. Colon then misses a running clothes line and Callihan makes him pay with various kicks and a few face washes in the corner, Colon recovers to catch a running Callihan with a rope assisted sit out driver. Colon then locks Callihan in the Stretch Muffler, Callihan catches Colon with a surprise roll up for the three count.
Winner: Sami Callihan
After the match, Sami Callihan grabs the microphone and says that he will not lose in the finals three years in a row and then he says that Alex Colon is the future of wrestling.
Match #7 - Best Of The Best Semi-Finals: AR Fox vs. Samuray Del Sol
The last semi-finals match begins with Del Sol immediately attacking the legs of Fox, Fox and Del Sol then have a little chain wrestling competition. Del Sol then takes Fox down with a satellite arm drag, Fox then surprises Del Sol with a springboard ace crusher. Fox follows that up by hitting Del Sol with a running clothes line and a modified cannon ball, Del Sol recovers to catch Fox with a springboard hurricarana. They battle to the ring apron and Del Sol nails Fox with a super kick and a death valley driver on the ring apron, Del Sol then does a diving arm drag that sends Fox into the guard rail. Del Sol then starts kicking Fox in the midsection, Fox recovers by tossing Del Sol into the ring post and then nailing him with a kick flip dive. They go back into the ring where Fox nearly gets the three count on Del Sol, Del Sol then catches Fox with a few kicks before locking him in a cross arm breaker. Fox eventually breaks the hold by grabbing onto the bottom rope, Del Sol goes to the ring apron and Fox kicks him off of it and onto the arena floor. Fox then does a suicide dive over the ring post and onto Del Sol, Fox then tosses Del Sol into the guard rail. Fox then slaughters Del Sol with a running senton dive into the guard rail, Fox throws Del Sol into the ring before nailing him with a springboard 450 splash. Del Sol recovers to hit Fox with a springboard reverse hurricarana, Del Sol follows it up by nailing Fox with a running shoulder tackle in the corner. Del Sol goes to the top rope and Fox surprises him with a one man Spanish fly for the three count.
Winner: AR Fox
The contract signing between Drew Gulak and Danny Havoc kicks off the second half of the show, Gulak comes out with his campaign staff (Dewey Donovan, Mr. Tofiga and Alexander James). Gulak talks about having his lawyers draw up a contract for the match with Havoc, then he says that the Nation Of Intoxication drugged James with PCP. Havoc appears behind Gulak and he attacks him with a barbed wire baseball bat, Havoc then mocks a bloody Gulak. Gulak clears his crew from the ring and Havoc returns to sign the contract, Gulak then says the match next month will be a barbed wire match. Havoc signs the contract before tasting some of Gulak's blood and the match is official for next month.
DJ Hyde comes out for his match wearing a suit and it looks like he will not be wrestling tonight, Hyde talks about Nick Gage. Hyde says that Tremont is still a boy and he will not compete against him, Hyde says that Clint Margera will face him instead.
Match #8 - Ultraviolent Encounter: Clint Margera vs. Matt Tremont
This battle kicks off with Margera attacking Tremont from behind with a fork bat, Tremont then cracks Margera a few times with a fork bat. Margera then gets nailed with a few head butts from Tremont, Tremont then nails Margera with a garbage can lid before nailing him with a clothes line. Tremont then destroys Margera with a brain buster suplex, Tremont then tries to take Margera’s head off with a few chair shots. Margera recovers and he nails Tremont with a chair shot, Tremont quickly recovers by hitting Margera with a yakuza kick. Tremont then breaks a water jug over the head of Margera, both wrestlers then start exchanging some elbow strikes. Tremont then gets a near fall with a falcon arrow suplex, both men grab a tack bat and they start whaling on each other with them. Margera then rakes the tack bat across the head of Tremont, Margera then catches Tremont with a springboard leg drop onto a chair. Tremont wakes up and he crashes a chair onto the head of Margera, Tremont then slams Margera onto a pile of thumbtacks. Tremont then goes for a splash and he lands on the tacks as Margera moves, Margera then nails Tremont with the thumbtack bat. Tremont responds by nailing Margera with a running bulldog, Tremont goes to the top rope and Margera hits him with a running kick. Tremont recovers to power bomb Margera onto a barbed wire chair for the three count.
Winner: Matt Tremont
After the match, Matt Tremont demands a match with DJ Hyde and Hyde says that he will grant him the match with one condition. Hyde says that Tremont must prove that he is on the same level and he must defeat Abdullah Kobayashi at Tournament Of Death 11.
Main Event – Best Of The Best Finals: Sami Callihan (CZW Junior Heavyweight Champion) vs. AR Fox
The main event kicks off with Fox catching Callihan with a suicide dive as he was making his entrance, Callihan responds by tossing Fox over the guard rail and into the crowd. Callihan drags Fox over the guard rail before leg sweeping him into it, Callihan then brings Fox into the ring. Callihan then starts head butting the bloody ear of Fox, Callihan then takes the chance to nail Fox with a hard slam. Callihan then ties up the arms of Fox before elbowing his bloody ear, Callihan then rips at the bloody ear of Fox. Callihan then lands a knee drop on the bloodied ear of Fox, Callihan then continues to punish the ear of Fox. Callihan then corners Fox before stomping the life out of him, Callihan then starts clobbering Fox with a lot of running clothes lines. Fox tries to fight back by going to the top rope and Callihan kicks him for it, Callihan goes to the top with Fox to head butt him multiple times. Fox then gets a reprieve by knocking Callihan off the top rope, Fox then catches Callihan with a series of clothes lines and a springboard drop kick. Callihan goes to the ring apron to avoid a Fox dive and Fox kicks him in the head, Fox follows that up by diving onto Callihan. Fox then drapes Callihan on the ring apron before missing the guillotine leg drop, Callihan then takes Fox out with a suicide dive. Callihan then brings Fox back into the ring for a two count, Callihan and Fox then exchange slaps in the ring. Fox gets the edge by nailing Callihan with a death valley diver and a swanton bomb, Fox then eats a boot while attempting a 450 splash. Callihan then takes Fox out with multiple face wash kicks, Fox nearly catches Callihan with a roll up for a two count. Fox then gets another near fall with a one man Spanish fly on Callihan, Fox then misses a springboard splash and Callihan nails him with a lariat for a near fall. All of the tournament competitors hit the ring to see the action, Callihan then nails Fox with the Death Blow. Callihan then locks Fox in the Stretch Muffler and then a single leg Boston crab to get the tap out.
Winner: CZW Best Of The Best 11 Champion, Sami Callihan
DJ Hyde comes out and he presents the trophy to Sami Callihan, Hyde then spits at him and tosses the microphone down. Callihan talks about his past in the tournament and how he finally captured the Best Of The Best Tournament crown. Callihan then taunts Fox and says that he is the best, Drake Younger hits the ring and then DJ Hyde returns. Younger then challenges Callihan to a match at the May 5th event, Callihan waits for him to turn around and he nails him with a low blow. Hyde then puts over all of the competitors in this year’s tournament, Hyde then makes Callihan vs. Younger next montha two out of three falls match. The fans vote AR Fox their fans choice award winner and Hyde says that he will get a shot at any title he wants anytime.2012 - Pro Wrestling Superstars ran a live event in Toronto, Ontario Canada as part of WrestleReunion. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing coverage of Pro Wrestling Superstars' debut in Toronto at the Doubletree Hilton as part of www.wrestlereunion.com
Pre-Show Notes: The Bruno Sammartino-Larry Zbyszko faceoff tonight is off as Zbyszko didn't get a renewed passport in time to make the trip to Toronto. There was some heat on Zbyszko as he was asked to order the passport with expedited shipping but didn't so. Zbyszko will be replaced by Shawn Blanchard....Smith Hart is here visiting, as are a ton of Canadian independent wrestlers.
PWS started with Sal Corrente welcoming everyone to the event and thanking them for their support this weekend. Corrente said that before they get started, he wanted to bring someone special. Out came WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel. Howard said that this was his first time here and he loved being here and thanked everyone responsible. Howard said that he's been coming here for years and he knows that Toronto is A Plus. He hopes everyone has the perfect end to their day and night and said, "On with the show."
Michael Elgin vs. El Generico.
They locked up and Elgin manhandled Generico into the corner. He then shoved Generico down. The crowd chanted, "Ole Ole Ole!" Elgin shoulderblocked Generico down. Generico came back with a running boot to the face in the corner. He charged but Elgin moved. Generico drilled him with an elbow then came off the ropes with a leaping rana.
Elgin rolled to the outside. Generico faked a dive but bounced back into the ring. Elgin missed a clothesline and was drilled with a series of chops then beaten in the corner with a series of punches. The crowd chanted along in Spanish. Generico came off the top with a bodypress but was caught and slammed. Elgin worked him over on the back. Elgin whipped him hard into the corner.
Elgin continued working over Generico as the fans tried to rally him. Generico drilled Elgin with a series of rights but was cut off. He came back with several chops and clotheslines but Elgin didn't go down. He finally took the big man down with a leap into a dropkick. Elgin went to the floor, where Generico hit a flying dive over the top to the floor. The crowd chanted, "That was awesome."
Back in the ring, Generico went for a tornado DDT but was caught and turned into an over the knee spinebuster for a two count. Elgin drilled him with a running cloithesline in the corner. He went for a back suplex but Generico escaped and landed on his feet. Generico nailed a sit down powerbomb for a two count.
Generico missed his running boot in the corner. Elgin nailed him and drilled him with a sitdown driver for a two count. Elgin caught a running boot and whipped Generico into the opposite corner. Generico caught him on the charge and nailed a t-bone suplex into the corner. Generico nailed the big boot, then drilled Elgin with a brainbuster for the three count.
Your winner, El Generico!
Really good opener.
Still to come:
Shawn Spears with Jimmy Hart vs. Tito Santana with Rick Martel.
Spears was Gavin Spears for a short time in the WWE version of ECW and was never really given a chance there, although he's a strong worker. The crowd chanted "Tito" as Strike Force came to the ring.
They locked up and Santana backed Spears into the corner. Hart went nuts on the megaphone and people chanted for him. Spears controlled Santana early. When Santana came back, Spears claimed that he was hooking the tights and the hair. Spears began stalling and went to the outside. When he returned, Santana controlled him in the ring, leading to another retreat.
They locked up again. Santana was backed into the corner and when the referee broke them up, Spears cheapshotted Santana. Spears worked over Santana's back as Hart implored him to stay on Tito. He worked over Santana with a series of right hands. Tito fired back with a number of punches. Santana whipped him into the corner and charged but Spears pulled him knees up.
Spears locked Tito in a side chinlock. Tito started to fire up but was cut off. Spears went to the top for a splash but missed. He still cut off Santana. Hart tripped Santana when he fired up, so Rick Martel chased him out. Spears was distracted, leaping to Santana catching him in a small package for the pin.
Your winner, Tito Santana!
Pretty elementary but for this audience, it was fine nostalgia. Spears looked really good.
They introduced Brooke Tessmacher, who said hello to the crowd and said she was here to support some damn fine wrestling.
The Super Smash Brothers vs. The Great Outdoors (Jake Manning & Grizzly Redwood) vs. Asylum & Adam Page vs. Rhett Titus & Caleb Konley with Lia Von Dutch.
Page and Redwood started off. Redwood was nailed with a armdrag. Redwood tagged out to Rhett Titus. The fans chanted"Hepatitus" at him. Titus and Page went face to face. Page tagged Titus' partner, Konley. They tried to tag out but no one would let them and dropped down to the floor, pounding the mat. They "faked" wrestled. Konley covered Titus so everyone broke it up.
Page worked over Titus and then tagged out to the Smash Brothers, who worked over Titus for several near falls. Player Uno worked over Konley, chopping him. Manning and Redwood came in and drilled Konkey with a series of bulldog takedowns. They doubled on Konley for a two count.
Titus and Konley took over and worked over Redwood with a series of moves. Titus nailed a German suplex for a two count. The babyfaces tried to rally Redwood but Konley matained control. Titus catapulted Redwood's throat under the bottom rope. He choked Redwood against the ropes. Titus went for an over the shoulder move but Redwood dropped down. He went for the tag but Manning was nailed off the apron.
Player Uno tagged in, as did Konley. Everyone tagged in and did a crazy succession of highspots and reversals. It was really good and fun, but too fast paced to recap. You'll have to buy the DVD. Player Dos hit a twisting dive off the top to floor. They then hit a double team Buff Blockbuster on Konley for the pin.
Your winners, The Super Smash Brothers!
Fun eight man.
Sal Corrente introduced Gene Okerlund. Okerlund said it's been a great evening with more to come. He introduced Roddy Piper for Piper's Pit.
Piper said it was his first time here and said, "Holy cow." The crowd chanted for Piper. He told the crowd that he loved them. He said that he was supposed to fight Terry Funk tonight. He said Funk is one of the greatest guys he's ever known. Piper did some Funk impressions and talked about being hit by the mic in LA.
Piper talked about WrestleReunion and said that it gives a place for the younger guys to appear. He said that there's no place for guys to work anymore. He said that WWE is doing great and said that he just did Smackdown, then made a spitting noise, joking he's been fired there five times. Piper said that he saw the last match and it was amazing so he thought maybe he should let someone else do the Pit.
Piper said that he wanted the guy who got pinned to come out and host his own Pit and then Piper will tell him how he did. Konley came to the ring, As he did, Piper joked about Legends House and said, "Ha, my career is over." Piper said that in WWE, you get told you have three minutes to tell people who you are and told Konley to tell Piper who he is. Konley cut a good heel promo about hating Piper when he was a kid and then realizing that he wanted people to hate him too. It was good.
Piper said that was giving Konley some advice and that was to never let go of the microphone. Piper told him to introduce his guest and whispered a name in Konley's ear. Piper said that if he messes this up, he'll club him like a baby seal. Konley introduced Bruno Sammartino.
Bruno came to the ring. Piper said it was a pleasure to have him here and joked that Bruno still scares him. Piper said that this is a legend, since the word gets thrown around way too much. Konley asked Bruno how he is doing and Bruno said he was great. Konley asked him about where he was born and when he came to the United States. Konley said that he thought he could benchpress more than Bruno and Bruno talked about his own benchpress records. Konley asked him if he was on the juice. Piper took over and set the stage for Bruno to talk about doing 38 reps of 330 pounds. Piper then led the crowd in a Legend chant.
Konley asked Bruno how he thought he would fare against Caleb. Bruno said he was an old man and retired. Bruno said that he may be talented but in his day, he picked up and slammed Haystacks Calhoun. He still runs 5 miles several times a week and pumps iron every other day. Sammartino said that if Konley tried something, Bruno would face him and give him a little spanking.
Piper said that Konley did a good job and told him that when he had that chance, people smacked him and pushed him around. He started hitting Konley, who fired back. They slapped each other and finally Piper got the better of him and ran Konley off. He told Konley to work on winning matches and go back to kindergarden. Piper then raised Bruno's arm.
A little long and while I liked the idea of Konley getting the rub here, I think fans would have been just as happy with Piper and Bruo.
Dave Finlay vs. Harry Smith
They had some nice back and forth wrestling early. Finlay spotted a short woman in the crowd (about 4'6") and played off of her. The fans chanted "Mrs. Swoggle." They actually brought her into the ring for a comedy spot. The crowd loved that.
After that, they went into some good back and forth wrestling on the mat. Smith controlled Finlay on the mat with a side headlock. Finlay fired back up but was cut off and brought back to the mat. Finlay finally backed him into the corner, forcing a break and broke clean.
They locked up again with Harry grabbing a side headlock. Smith was sent into the ropes and shoulderblocked Finlay down. Finlay sidestepped a charge, sending Harry to the floor. When Harry went back into the ring, Finlay kicked the ropes and crotched him, turning heel (I think). He attacked Smith on the floor and rammed him backwards into the ringpost.
Returning to the mat, Finlay controlled him with knees to the back and pulled him into a surfboard position. Finlay drilled him and covered him for a two count. He fired with shots to the back and uppercuts. Finlay tossed Smith to the floor. When Smith returned, Finlay worked over his arm and drilled him with a short arm clothesline. He dropped a knee and covered him for a two count.
Smith mounted a comeback with a series of clotheslines and right hands. Finlay kicked him off a charge but when Finlay tried to come off the ropes, Harry nailed him and turned him over into the Sharpshooter. Finlay made it to the ropes but was caught with a running powerslam for the pin.
Your winner, Harry Smith!
Solid back and forth match with some really nice matwork. Finlay is just out of this world as a worker.
They embraced after the match to a loud round of applause. Big Finlay chant.
Vader vs. The Necro Butcher for the first time ever.
I don't know about you, but I think Lou Thesz is on the edge of his seat watching this one from above! OK, maybe not.
They locked up and Vader muscled him into the corner. They locked up again with the same result but this time, Vader drilled him with a series of punches in the corner. He whipped Necro into the ropes and drilled him with a double arm clothesline and continued battering Necro in the corner.
Vader drilled Necro with another chest bursting double clothesline, then peppered him with punches. He choked Necro against the corner and drilled him across the chest with hard shots. Necro poked him in the eye to back Vader. Necro backed him into the corner with uppercuts and chops. Vader fired back with punches and they battled back and forth.
Necro was shoved off but was fired with a series of punches. Vader slammed him and nailed the Vader splash for a two count. Vader chokeslammed him and scored the pin.
Your winner, Vader!
OK but disapointing given the aura of the brawlers in the ring on paper. It was probably an unfair expectation but I was hoping for something a little more out of control.
Shane Douglas and Dominic DeNucci with Bruno Sammartino vs. Lord Zoltan & Shawn Blanchard with JJ Dillon.
Gene Okerlund handled the ring announcements.
There was a nice "Franchise" chant. Douglas took the mic but it wouldn't work. They ran him another to the ring. He asked Toronto how they were doing. He said that he heard a few people asking for a few shoot comments. He said that he sees the target right before him. Douglas said that he's known JJ Dillon for a long time and he represented a jackass named Dick Flair. Douglas said that he's brought a real legend to be in their corner and gave a hell of an intro for Bruno Sammartino.
Blanchard is replacing Larry Zbyszko.
A really nice "Thank you Bruno" chant. Blanchard and Douglas started out. They locked up and went back and forth in the ring. They locked up again and Blanchard sent Douglas to the mat, then started celebrating. They locked up again and this time Douglas was whipped into the ropes. Douglas reversed and hit a clothesline and several hiptosses. He locked in an abdominal stretch.
DeNucci tried to stop Zoltan from interfering but was admonished by the referee. They allowed Douglas to be hit but he regained control and went back to the stretch. Douglas was sent into the heels' corner, where Zoltan worked him over. DeNucci and Zoltan almost got into it.
Douglas made the hot tag to DeNucci, who covered Blanchard for a two count. DeNucci nailed him with punches and weak chops. Zoltan tagged in and worked over DeNucci. The crowd chanted for Dominic. They worked him over in the corner. Zoltan began working over DeNucci's arm for a long time. Douglas tagged in and backdropped Blanchard. Zoltan used a claw to work him over but Douglas made the comeback, slamming him into the turnbuckles.
Zoltan attacked him and worked over Douglas. DeNucci returned to the ring and all four brawled. Douglas nailed the belly to belly suplex.
Your winners, Shane Douglas & Dominic DeNucci!
WAAAAAAAAY TOO LONG. This should have been short and sweet and while the crowd was really, really forgiving, this went nowhere and it wasn't good, but really, you gotta understand the
Douglas did a nice speech after putting over DeNucci, which was classy.
LuFisto vs. Kalamity.
They started hot with some really good back and forth wrestling and kicks. Lufisto grabbed an anklelock of sorts but Kalamity made it to the ropes. Kalamity took control and charged, drilling a knee into Lufisto into the ropes. She drilled LuFisto with a stomp, then cinched in a rear chinlock.
LuFisto nailed Kalamity after avoiding a charge. LuFisto worked over Kalamity with a series of chops in the corner. Kalamity cut her off and then drilled Lufisto with a pair of driving knees. They went back and forth with forearms and punches. They began nailing each other at the same time, then charged and collided. Both went down.
Kalamity drilled her with a series of chops but Lufisto fired up with a series of senton splashes and a running double kick in the corner that propelled her outside to the floor, landing on her feet. Kalamity cut her off with a jawbreaker and a series of kicks for a two count.
Lufisto slipped out of a DVDR and nailed a sick looking back suplex. She ascended to the top but was cut off. They battled on the ropes. Kalamity went to the top and they exchanged headbutts. LuFisto nailed her and hit a top rope double stomp. LuFisto speared her several ties and locked on a front guillotine choke for the submission but Kalamity broke free.
They began kicking and stiffing the hell out of each other. LuFisto got the better of it for another near fall. They got a "This is awesome" chant. Kalamity hit a DVDR for a two count. Lufisto rolled her up for a two count. They did a series of near falls before battling back and forth with strikes.
LuFisto nailed a spinning backhanded fist and went to the top. She nailed a top rope splash but Kalamity came back with a Michinoku Driver for the pin.
Your winner, Kalamity!
The Honkytonk Man came out and lip synched his theme song. That never, ever, EVER gets old for me.
Roderick Strong vs. Jushin "Thunder" Liger.
Nice Liger chant when he hit the ring. I never get tired of getting the chance to see Liger live. I mean, it's freakin' Jushin Liger!
They had some good back and forth wrestling early and then faced off. Liger took Strong to the mat and tied him up. Liger pulled him backward hard into a chinlock but Strong grabbed the ropes. They faced off again, this time with Strong working over Liger's arm and leg.
They faced off again and shoved each other. Strong sent Liger into the ropes but he was shoulderblocked down. Strong chopped Liger hard. Liger threw him to the outside, nailed a dropkick through th ropes and hit a flip bump off the apron to the floor. Strong staggered around the ring, trying to regain his composure.
Back in the ring, Liger tried to avoid a charge but was caught in a Strong backbreaker. Strong stomped the hell out of Liger and chopped him hard in the corner. Strong suplexed Liger over for a two count. Strong chopped Liger hard. Liger fired back and finally nailed a nice back throw suplex. Both men were down but fought to their feet. Liger continued to control Strong and locked on the bow and arrow.
Strong came back with a lift into a sideslam for a two count. He peppered Liger's chest with chops and nailed a running clothesline. Liger was locked in a Boston Crab. Liger fought his way to the ropes. Strong went for a suplex but Liger broke free and nailed a series of chops. Strong cut him off with a running knee to the gut and a gutbuster. They continued to battle back and forth until Liger nailed a superplex.
Liger went back to the top but Strong attacked him. Liger went for a sunset flip off the ropes but Strong held on. Liger held onto him and rose, nailing a running Ligerbomb for a two count. They exchanged near falls. Strong ducked a clothesline and used a landslide for a two count. He drilled Liger and nailed an over the knees backbreaker for a two count.
Strong nailed a sitdown powerbomb and scored the pin.
Your winner, Roderick Strong!
Very, very good back and forth match. The crowd seemed legitimately surprised by the finish.
Strong helped Liger up and raised his hand after.
Hardcore Rules: Raven & CW Anderson vs. Tommy Dreamer & Rhino.
As you would expect, there was a big ECW chant at the bell.
Dreamer and Raven started out face to face and circled each other. Raven backed off and tagged Anderson. Anderson and Dreamer locked up. Anderson grabbed a side headlock but was sent into the ropes. Each missed punches and clotheslines and faced off.
Dreamer got in Raven's face and spit at him. He and Anderson then locked up again. Dreamer went for a sunset flip but Anderson rolled through and they went back and forth. Rhino tagged in. He and Anderson locked up. Rhino shoulderblocked him down and clotheslined Anderson hard.
Rhino sent Anderson into the corner and workd him over with a series of punches. He and Dreamer double teamed Anderson. CW cut him off and tagged out to Raven, who worked over Dreamer and choked him in the corner. Raven ripped at Dreamer's face and distracted the referee, allowing CW to choke him against the ropes. Raven went to grab Dreamer who pulled him into an inside cradle for a two count but was nailed.
Anderson tagged back in and continued to work over Dreamer on the mat, running his elbow over Dreamer's throat and chest. Anderson nailed him with a elbow to the back of the neck but was drilled with an elbow as Dreamer charged. Dreamer made the tag to Rhino, who cleaned house on both Raven and Anderson. Rhino drilled Raven in the corner with a shoulderblock and then sent Anderson into him. He nailed a belly to belly suplex on Anderson and teased the gore but was pulled out of the ring.
Raven and Anderson worked on Rhino with stomps. Dreamer joined the fray and finally went facr to face with Raven. He was about to drill Raven with a punch when Anderson blocked it. Dreamer kicked him and went for a DDT. Raven could have made the save but walked out. Dreamer let him go and chased Raven up the aisle. They brawled back to the ring. All four brawled through the crowd. Rhino and Raven beat each other over a few ringside tables that vendors were using.
On the other side of the ring, Dreamer rang Anderson's nether-regions with the ring bell. Dreamer and Raven finally met in the center of the ring and battled back and forth with punches. Rhino and CW battled into the crowd. Dreamer brought a chair and a table into the ring. Raven nailed a drop toehold into the chair for a two count.
Rhino drilled Raven and went for the pin. Anderson broke it up and superkicked Rhino. Dreamer and Anderson battled back and forth until Anderson nailed an awesome spinebuster. Anderson set up a table in the corner. He whipped Dreamer into it but was caught and nailed with the Spicoli Driver for the pin.
Your winners, Tommy Dreamer and Rhino!
Solid ECW style match.
After the match, Raven tried to blame Anderson, who superkicked him in the face to close the show.
The crowd chanted "Awesome weekend".
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