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August 5th
On this day in history in ....
1969 - Hiro Matsuda & Missouri Mauler defeated Cyclon Negro & Jack Brisco for the NWA Florida Tag Team Title in Tampa, starting their second reign.
1986 - Akira Maeda & Osamu Kido defeated Tatsumi Fujinami & Kengo Kimura to win the IWGP Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.
1988 - Iceman King Parsons defeated Kerry Von Erich (subbing for Kevin Von Erich) to win the World Class Texas Heavyweight Title in Dallas.
1994 - The Rock n' Roll Express defeat Chris Candido & Brian Lee for the Smoky Mountain Tag Team Title in Knoxville, Tennessee, starting their eighth run with the belts.
1996 - The Great Sasuke defeats Ultimo Dragon in the finals of a tournament to unify eight separate junior heavyweight titles into one unified J-Crown championship. By winning the tournament Sasuke, already the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, became the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, WAR International Junior Heavyweight Champion, British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Champion, WWF World Light Heavyweight Champion, UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Champion, WWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Champion, and NWA World Welterweight Champion.
1996 - The Moondogs (Spot & Rover) defeat Brickhouse Brown & Reggie B. Fine for the USWA Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee.
2000 - Pro-Wrestling Noah, the new wrestling company formed by Mitsuharu Misawa and a group of wrestlers who left All Japan Pro Wrestling, ran their first ever event at Differ Ariake in Tokyo, Japan. Here are the results:
- Takeshi Morishima defeated Makato Hashi.
- Haruka Eigen, Jun Izumida & Tsuyoshi Kikuchi defeated Rusher Kimura, Mitsuo Momota & Takeshi Rikio.
- Kentaro Shiga & Naomichi Marufuji defeated Masao Inoue & Yoshinobu Kanemaru.
- Yoshinari Ogawa, Masahito Kakihara & Daisuke Ikeda defeated Takao Oomori, Yoshihiro Takayama & Satoru Asako.
- Jun Akiyama & Kenta Kobashi defeated Mitsuharu Misawa & Akira Taue in two straight falls of a three fall match. Akiyama forced Misawa to submit to win the first fall, then pinned Taue to win the second for his team.
2008 - The Gillespie Agency, on behalf of WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, issued the following statement to PWInsider.com:
WWE and I parted on the best of terms. This gives me the chance to pursue new opportunities...corporate speaking engagements, product sponsorships, autograph shows for my loyal fans (who made me what I am today) and film and television roles. My agent and I are very excited about what the future holds!
Ric Flair
2009 - WWE held a conference call with investors this morning to discuss their second quarter financial results, which you can read by clicking here. Participating in the call were Chief Executive Officer Linda McMahon, Chief Operating Officer Michael Sileck and Chief Financial Officer George Barrios.
Linda read a prepared statement, noting that Wrestlemania, normally a part of the second quarter, fell into the first quarter this year. She also put over the Million Dollar giveaway, and praised their international growth, specifically their new television deal in India. Linda mentioned their targeting of younger fans with the new kid's magazine, and pointed out that all WWE programming was now rated PG. She noted the rise in expenses due to growth, and that they are working to slow down those expenses going forward.
Michael Sileck then read his statement and put over the success of the European and Australian tours. It was noted an increase in PPV buyrates and revenue has made up for the removal of New Year's Revolution from the PPV calendar. In discussing WWE.com traffic, he noted it was down from last year due to the major boost the website got last year from the Vince McMaion limo explosion angle, but that all other Internet indicators were up.
George Barrios reemphasized that WWE is going to be looking to control the expenses that they have been incurring due to their growth. Barrios then reviewed the financial numbers that you can view at the link above. He also reemphasized that Wrestlemania being in the first quarter this year made the PPV numbers look weaker in this quarter in comparison. He noted that year-to-date PPV numbers for 2008 show a 6% increase compared to last year. He put over the 25% growth in home video sales versus last year.
They then held a Q&A session. Here are some highlights:
- When discussing the economic downturn in the U.S. having an impact on WWE revenue, it was noted that they are also starting to see a drop in the U.K. as well.
- Concerning the launch of WWE Fan Nation, they noted the creation was done, in part, to bring back fans that were going to other websites for rumors and news. They also said that they were working to make the videos on WWE.com more important to the storylines and characters.
- Regarding the WWE Film business, they have one theatrical release (12 Rounds) and one straight-to-DVD release (Behind Enemy Lines 3 with FOX) in post-production.
- They talked about being careful not to "burn out" their International strongholds by only visiting certain cities a certain number of times a year. Linda stressed that their European tours are always "very calculated" in terms of areas and building sizes, allowing them to always be a success.
- They sort of steered clear of explaining where cost cuts would be made to reduce expenses going forward, only to say that they were looking for more than a "one quarter fix".
- The JAKKS-Pacific lawsuit is starting to "speed up" as discovery continues and they have a court date scheduled for 2010.
- One person asked if there would be more emphasis on the undercard matches on PPV events, rather than just pushing the top matches with storylines. The person also asked if Freddie Prinze Jr. being added to the creative team was going to make a change in whether more matches would have storyline background. Linda avoided it, noting she isn't the "creative expert", but they like the direction they are going in.
- The same person continued to ask about the lack of storylines and emphasis put on ECW and the tag division, and Linda McMahon point blank said "I do not follow storyline creation, in fact it is not always told to me". Linda said she likes that "surprise" element, and pretty much brushed off the creative questions by once again saying she likes "the direction we're going in".
- The last caller (and I don't think it was a coincidence he was last) was a long-time investor who took them to task as being "disingenuous" in their explanation of the $100 million expense WWE is incurring to expand their production facility. The caller noted that WWE's sole explanation for the expense was that it was for "raw materials and maintenance" and said the "long suffering" stockholders deserved more of an explanation, saying that the company has been spending money "like drunken sailors". Sileck responded by stating that they hadn't upgraded the production facility in 20 years, and that they had done a "damn good" job of bringing in revenue and that the expense was justified with the upgrade to HD and expansion of their television and video product. That ended the Q&A session of the call.
2008 - WWE broadcast ECW on Sci Fi. Mike Odd filed the following TV report:
ECW comes to us from Atlanta, GA and our announcers are Todd Grisham and Matt Striker (filling in for Taz)
Match #1
Chavo Guerrero and Bam Neely vs. Evan Bourne and Ricky Ortiz
During the entrances they showed Ortiz's win over Chavo followed by him being beat down and saved by Bourne. Match begins with Bam and Ortiz. Ortiz gets the early advantage. Neely rolls out of the ring to converse with Chavo. The action resumes. They go back and forth. Ortiz tags in Bourne. Bam brings Bourne into Chavo's corner, tags Chavo in, and he and Bourne go back and forth. Bourne tags in Ortiz. Ortiz hits a shoulder block on Chavo and goes for the pin. Ortiz goes for the ropes and is distracted by Bam. This gives Chavo and Bam the advantage. Neely works over Ortiz, gets a couple two counts, and tags Chavo back in. Ortiz powers his way out of a chin lockand turns it into a back suplex. Chavo tags Bam and Ortiz gets the hot tag on Bourne. Evan Bourne hits a double knee drop off the top rope on a standing Bam Neely and Chavo runs in. He and Ortiz go over the top rope; Even Bourne rolls up Bam Neely for the three count.
They plug the Dirt Sheet later tonight with Mark Henry and Matt Hardy and then we go to commercial.
The WWE Slam of the Week is Morrison's beat down of Hornswaggle followed by Mike Knox attacking Finlay.
Mike Knox is in the ring. He's not here to explain why he did what he did last week. He's here to expose the fraud that is Finlay. He shows the video of Finlay and Hornswaggle dancing from the Summer Slam commercial. He says Finlay used to be tough, now he dances like a leprechaun. He's interrupted by Finlay's music. Finlay tells Mike Knox that the video was funny. He says he still loves to fight but he also likes to have fun and he loves his son. He tells Mike Knox that if he has a problem with that to look him in the eyes and take a shot. Finlay takes off his coat and tells Mike Knox to take his shot and he better knock him out or he'll find out whether Finlay has gone soft or not. Mike Knox leaves the ring.
Now we're watching the RAW Rebound and they show John Cena and Batista winning the tag team titles.
Match #2
Armando Estrada vs. Tommy Dreamer
The announcers put over that this is Armando's last chance to get an ECW contract. The match starts with some back and forth with Armando and Dreamer. Dreamer with a hip toss and clothes lines Estrada over the top rope. Dreamer tries to bring Armando back into the ring with a suplex but it is reversed and Armando gives him a stunner on the ropes. Dreamer hangs Estrada in the tree of woe. Colin Delaney shows up at ringside with a chair. Dreamer sees him and Delaney jumps behind the announcers desk. Delaney interferes again distracting Dreamer long enough for Estrada to win with a school boy.
They push the Dirt Sheet again for later tonight and we go to commercial.
They show a recap of the end of the Dreamer/Estrada match. Armando is shown in the back celebrating. Colin Delaney comes in and Armando asks why he would help him after all of the hell he put him through. Teddy Long comes in and tell him after his antics tonight he will be in an Extreme Rules Match next week with Tommy Dreamer.
We are treated to a Smackdown Rebound recapping the awesome Edge/Foley angle.
We then go down the card for Summerslam.
Edge vs. Undertaker - Hell in a Cell
John Cena vs. Batista
Triple H vs. The Great Khali - WWE Title
CM Punk vs. JBL - World Title
Mark Henry vs. Matt Hardy - ECW Title
Braden Walker is shown walking backstage and we go to commercial.
We're back and the same clip that they showed last night involving Sargent Slaughter and Steve Austin is shown again.
Match # 3
Braden Walker vs. James Curtis
Curtis starts with a wrist lock before being overpowered by Walker and having the wrist lock reversed. Curtis tries some offense and Walker counters. Suplex by Walker. Walker continues to work the arm of Curtis. Curtis pokes Walker in the eye to gain the advantage. The crowd is chanting "boring!" Walker hits a couple of clotheslines followed by a flying clothesline. Walker goes for another suplex. Curtis fights out of it. It's Walker in the corner. Walker powers out and hits another clothesline. Walker then hits a Fisherman's Suplex out of nowhere for the three count.
Up next is the Dirt Sheet.
We're back. Mizorrison is in the ring and they welcome us to The Dirt Sheet. They introduce their first guest, the great Mark Henry. We see a picture of Mark Henry on the screen with someone else's mouth moving (a la Conan O'Brien), they ask him questions and he replies by grunting. They taunt him about his weight and how much better looking they are. Now we hear Mark Henry's music and he storms to the ring followed by Tony Atlas. The Miz assures them they were just messing around. Atlas says they didn't come on The Dirt Sheet to be made fun of. They then bring out Matt Hardy and do the same gimmick. They make Matt Hardy sound like Forrest Gump. For some reason Mark Henry cuts a promo on the picture, then Matt Hardy's music hits. Hardy comes out microphone in tow. He applauds Mizorrison. Hardy brings up that they must be big Conan O'Brien fans; he says he's here to join the party. Hardy then turns his attention to Mark Hardy and says he'll be the ECW champion by Summerslam. The Miz gets in Matt Hardy's face. Hardy hits The Miz. Morrison swings at Hardy who ducks and Henry gets hit. Mark Henry then destroys John Morrison while Hardy gives Miz a Twist of Fate. The show ends with Henry and Hardy staring each other down.
2010 - TNA broacast Impact.
We open the show with a video package recapping last week's events as Abyss crashed the Extreme party and fought it out with Tommy Dreamer, and then Raven turned on Dreamer to reignite their old rivalry.
Tonight: Abyss & Raven take on Rob Van Dam & Tommy Dreamer, and here comes Tommy now, clearly limping to the ring, to deliver a message: he calls Raven out to the ring to explain himself. Raven comes out to the top of the entranceway and stops, so Tommy asks him why he did it knowing what this meant to Tommy and everybody else. They were friends and enemies, but Tommy thought that was behind them now that Raven comes to Tommy's house and his kids call him Uncle Scotty. Crowd starts an Uncle Scotty chant. Raven says they've known each other for 30 years, and he asks if Tommy really thinks he's ever going to forgive him for stealing his girl from her, and marrying her, because those kids should be his. Raven decided to bide his time, dealing with Tommy for all these years, and now he got his opportunity to shatter Tommy's plans into a million pieces. He plans to cripple Tommy (Tommy begins to leave the ring and walk towards Raven), and after he does that he's going to find Tommy's wife, give her some Hard Justice, and make her call him daddy. Tommy lays Raven out and starts beating him to smithereens, but Abyss comes out of nowhere to attack Tommy, but then Rob Van Dam runs out to make the save. RVD chases Abyss off with a chair, but leaves Tommy alone with Raven, who DDTs him at the top of the ramp. Mick Foley comes out with a barbed wire baseball bat and gives Raven a shot in the gut with it, then announces that there will be a clear winner at Hardcore Justice because he's going to be the special referee.
We go to Mike and Taz, who announce that tonight, Beer Money will face the Motor City Machine Guns in Ultimate X, Ric Flair will take on Jay Lethal will take on Ric Flair in a Streetfight, and of course Abyss & Raven will take on Rob Van Dam & Tommy Dreamer.
Velvet Sky & Lacey Von Erich are out, and they'll defend the Knockouts Tag Team Title...right after this commercial break!
Okay, we're back and it's time for title action...
Knockouts Tag Team Title Match: Beautiful People vs Taylor Wilde & Hamada
For some reason, they decide to let Lacey start and Taylor gets a rollup for 2, Velvet grabs at Taylor from the outside, allowing Lacey to just barely get a fallaway slam, but tosses Taylor right into her own corner, and she tags in Hamada who lays into Lacey, but Lacey forgets to sell on a chop so Hamada nails her again. Velvet grabs Hamada from the outside and Lacey hits a flying knee and tags in Velvet, who snapmares and boots Hamada for 2. Lacey back in and they repeatedly double whip Hamada into the corner and then hit a double STO and Lacey covers for 2, then misses her backflip elbow, then completely misses another elbowdrop, allowing Hamada to hit a couple of shots and tag back out to Taylor, who doesn't get Lacey to perform any more successfully than Hamada did. All four girls wind up in the ring and the faces leave the Beautiful People laying, but wait...Madison Rayne is standing at the top of the ramp as Dumpy Ass comes down to ringside. Like a couple of idiots, Taylor and Hamada stand there gaping at her, allowing the Beautiful People to hit them from behind and Velvet catfights out to the floor with Hamada, and then Dumpy Ass hands a chair to Lacey, but Taylor Wilde dropkicks the chair into Lacey's face and covers her for the win and the Knockouts Tag Team Title.
Winners and NEW Knockouts Tag Team Champions: Taylor Wilde & Hamada
Madison stands at the top of the rampway looking quite unhappy, and Velvet doesn't look any happier with her.
After a quick commercial break, time for another title match...
TV Title Match: AJ Styles vs Rob Terry
The referee kicks Kazarian out of ringside for this one and Kazarian won't go, so Rob Terry clotheslines both Kazarian and AJ over the top to the floor. Terry goes out and picks up AJ and press slams him back into the ring. He chases Kazarian up the rampway and AJ tries a springboard move, but Terry shoves him off the top, then whips AJ into the ropes and kills him with a clothesline. Terry picks up AJ with a choke and slams him into the corner, then rams shoulderblocks into the gut. Terry with a backdrop and then charges AJ in the corner, AJ tries to get the feet up but Terry catches the feet, throws them down, and nails AJ, then chokes him so hard he actually drives AJ almost completely over the top rope, then lifts him up to the top rope and chokeslams him off the top. AJ lays in a series of chops to Terry, but Terry no sells so AJ gets a low blow behind the referee's back, a Pelle kick, and the springboard 450 for the win.
Winner: AJ Styles
Kazarian runs back out with the belt and celebrates with AJ, and then both men heard for the hills as we get the replay treatment.
We go to a video package recapping Kurt Angle's quest to go through the entire Top 10 Rankings, one by one, until he makes it to number one, at which point he will challenge for and regain the TNA World Title.
We go backstage to Jay Lethal, and Kurt Angle told him he needs that one thing to make him a man, and going into his Streetfight with Ric Flair tonight, he's going to bring the man.
Also backstage, Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne get into a pull apart brawl, and Lacey Von Erich gets shoved into a wall and knocked out. Velvet suddenly freaks out and goes to check on Lacey...as we head back to the ring for our next match!
Best Of Five Series Match Four - Ultimate X: TNA World Tag Team Champions Motor City Machine Guns vs Beer Money
Roode takes a mic before the match and says that they don't like each other, but the fact is that they have redefined tag team wrestling over the last few weeks. Roode says they're a great team, but from day one, Beer Money's goal has been to be not only the best in TNA, but the world, and the only way to be the best is to have the TNA World Tag Team Title, so tonight, in the MCMGs match, they're going to defeat them at their own game and become four time TNA World Tag Team Champions. Sabin, who already had a mic in his hand, says that the belts around their waists mean they are the TNA World Tag Team Champions and the best in the world, and these belts prove it. Sabin says they chose this match for a reason: it's their world and what they do, and the only way Beer Money's going to get the belts are to pry them from their cold dead fingers. Roode says let's stop talking and just do it. Argh, we're at commercial!
Okay, we're back: the bell rings and we're off. MCMG harass Beer Money with rapid fire moves in the ring, then toss Beer Money to the floor and hit stereo dives. They head back in the ring and Sabin goes for the X, but Beer Money makes it back in the ring and pull him down. Springboard dropkick sends Roode to the floor and a drop toehold/bulldog combo drops Storm, and Shelley gets a double submission on both of Beer Money while Sabin climbs again, but they escape. Now Shelley goes for the X but Roode pulls him down into an inverted atomic drop (ouch!) and then they catapult Shelley into a DDT. Storm says he's been drinking and sends Roode up to go after the X, but the delay was enough for the MCMGs to come back with another fast paced series of moves that ends with Sabin hitting a delayed dropkick in the corner on both of Beer Money. Beer Money shifts the momentum when Roode suplexes Sabin and then pull Shelley down from the cables and kill him with a lungblower and double snap suplex. Beer Money with stereo clotheslines on Shelley in the corner and Storm puts him on top, but now Shelley gets an inverted atomic drop off the top and pulls Roode off the cables, then counters a throw attempt into a nasty spike piledriver that appears to have busted Roode open hardway. Shelley leaps over Storm into a double stomp on Roode, then goes back up to the cables. Storm yanks him down and hits the Air Raid Cutter just as Sabin gets back in the ring. Sabin climbs over Storm, but Storm climbs up after him so Sabin kicks at him and hits a top rope Frankensteiner off the cables, but then turns around right into a spinebuster from Roode. Roode's the only man on his feet, so he pulls Storm up and has Storm come over so he can stand on his shoulders as he climbs out to the X, but the MCMGs recover, take Storm down, then yank Roode off the cables right onto Storm. Shelley takes Storm out to the apron and hits Sliced Bread #2 on the ring frame, and now it's Roode and Sabin. Roode climbs above the cabe onto the scaffolding and tries to climb out that way with Sabin climbing underneath and Roode walking on the ropes, but Sabin kicks Roode off and he crotches himself on the ropes and falls into the ring, allowing Sabin to get the X for the win. Yeow, what a match!
Winners: Motor City Machine Guns
That was awesome, and...oh wait, it's Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, and Miss Tessmacher, and they're...WALKING!
We go to commercial and come back with Hogan, Bischoff, and Miss Tessmacher in the ring, and Bischoff wants to get right down to business with the Whole F'n Show right here on Impact. Abyss will be facing RVD in a Stairway To Janice Match, and Eric Bischoff is going to be the special referee. Also, the 5th and final match between Beer Money and the Motor City Machine Guns, Kurt Angle takes on AJ Styles, Angelina Love challenges Madison Rayne for the Knockouts Title, Jeff Hardy has an open challenge to anyone in the wrestling world, and Ken Anderson vs Matt Morgan vs The Pope. That is a HELL of a card that we're getting for free. Kevin Nash's music hits and he comes stalking out to the ring and he doesn't look happy. He says he finally gets face to face with them, and once again his name isn't mentioned. Hogan says Nash needs to open his eyes and see that they've all stepped back, and he needs to now too. Hogan actually says their time is over and it's time for Jay Lethal, the MCMG, Beer Money, and others to step up and take us to the next century. There's no more conning for paychecks and no more politics, those days are over. Nash is aghast that Hogan is talking to him about politics, but Bischoff says all Nash's career has ever been has been politics. Nash asks if Bischoff has ever gotten to a point in his life where he meets someone he shouldn't mess with, and says that person is him, then nails Bischoff. He goes to nail Hogan but Hogan starts firing back on him until Nash gets a low blow and begins pounding Hogan down in the corner. Nash goes to the floor and gets a chair, brings it in the ring, and goes to powerbomb Hogan on it. Bischoff tries to break it up but Nash shoves him off, then thinks better of it and picks up the chair and goes to hit Hogan with it, but now Jeff Jarrett runs in and goes after Nash. Jarrett goes to grab the chair and swing it at Nash, but Sting (wearing red Wolfpac facepaint) comes in and smacks the chair out of Jarrett's hand with his bat, then nails Jarrett with the bat and tosses the chair to Nash, which he uses to nail Hogan. Is this the return of the Wolfpac? Fans, we're outta time! Check back here...after this commercial!
We're back, and Christy comes up to Nash and Sting backstage to try and find out what's going on, but they just get up and walk away. Oh well, let's go back to the ring instead...
Orlando Jordan vs The Pope
Orlando opens the match by...sucking on his finger. For a very long time. Then he goes to wipe it on Pope, but Pope shoves him off, so instead Jordan shoots a duck under and a waistlock takedown. Pope reverses and Orlando tries to sit out, but Pope rides him and Orlando backs to the corner to break, but before he does he grinds on the Pope. Pope shoves him away, smacks the crap out of him, then rams him to the corner, but as the ref tries to force the break, Orlando suckerpunches him and drops several knees onto Pope and starts raining down knees. Suddenly, Eric Young comes running down the rampway and begins furiously collecting the Pope cash that fell from the ceiling during Pope's entrance. Orlando gets distracted and tells Young to get lost, but turns around right into an inverted atomic drop and a backdrop, then hits the DDE for the win.
Winner: The Pope
Matt Morgan runs in and bowls over Pope with a clothesline, but now here comes Anderson, who runs out with a chair and chases Morgan off. Morgan heads for the hills, so Anderson and Pope have an uncomfortable staredown instead. Anderson tosses the chair to the floor, but Overzealous Security Inc comes running out and start yelling at Anderson to get lost. Pope just walks off, but Anderson stares down OZI.
Backstage, Christy is with Ric Flair and points out that he will be disqualified if any member of Fortune interferes, and asks if he can beat Lethal by himself. Flair puts over how well dressed he is, then tells Lethal that tonight, he has to look eye to eye with Flair, the greatest of all time. He is a wrestling god, HIS wrestling god, and tonight, Lethal dies.
Let's head back to the ring...
Streetfight: Jay Lethal vs Ric Flair
Flair is wearing one of his suits, and immediately goes to the eyes. He takes Lethal to the corner and chops away and then lowblows him. Flair goes to the floor and grabs a kendo stick and trash can from under the ring, but as he's tossing all this stuff in the ring, Lethal dives under the ring on the other side and comes out behind Flair, who turns around just in time to eat a springboard dropkick. Lethal tears the jacket and shirt off and starts chopping Flair, stops to throw the shirt into the crowd, and goes back to chopping Flair. Lethal whips Flair across the ring and backdrops him, then grabs the kendo stick and blasts Flair over the head with it. Guess what? That's right, Flair bladed. Lethal with more chops on Flair in the corner then he climbs up for the 10 punch count and Flair does the Flop. Douglas Williams comes out to ringside as Lethal nails Flair in the head with a cookie sheet and Flops again, so Lethal tears Flair's pants apart, revealing his 80s techno underwear. Next, Lethal tears the belt off and starts whipping Flair with it and then tears his pants completely off as well as his socks. Flair tries a chop but Lethal responds with a chop of his own. Flair tries a trash can shot, but Lethal blocks and takes the can, which he then proceeds to bash Flair in the head with. Flair goes to the eyes and goes up top, but Lethal with another shot from the cookie tin to Flair, then he goes up and hits a top rope superplex and Flair is bleeding like mad. Lethal goes for the cover but Williams, predictably, pulls Lethal to the floor. Lethal nails him and goes for a top rope sunset flip, and pulls down Flair's underwear, which gets blurred out. Williams nails Lethal with the X Division Title belt, and Flair goes for the cover, Lethal gets his foot on the ropes but Williams shoves it off and the ref counts to three.
Winner: Ric Flair
Abyss and Raven are backstage, and they're...WALKING! And they're wrestling next!
Christy is backstage with Rob Van Dam and says that nobody wants to be in his shoes over the next week. She runs down his matches tonight, at the PPV on Sunday, and next week against Abyss. RVD says she makes him not want to be in his own boots, but here is how the World Champion takes this: one match at a time. Right now, he's focused on tonight and he's going to give the fans what they want to see, and after that, he'll celebrate his victory and focus on this weekend at Hardcore Justice. Jerry Lynn walks in and says that's great because he's already focused on Hardcore Justice where they'll tear it up one more time, then wishes RVD luck tonight.
Main event time...
Abyss & Raven vs TNA World Champion Rob Van Dam & Tommy Dreamer
The brawl starts on the rampway and Raven powders out as RVD and Dreamer double team Abyss. Abyss fights free and tosses Dreamer into the ring to officially start the match, and RVD goes diving over the ropes onto Abyss and then Tommy suplexes RVD onto Abyss. Raven comes from behind and clips Tommy's injured knee, and Abyss uses the opening to nail Dreamer and hit the running splash in the corner. Raven tags in, blows his nose on a rag, and rubs it in Tommy's face then tosses him to the floor as Taz runs down the history between Dreamer and Raven. Abyss tags in as Tommy rolls back into the ring and Tommy tries firing some rights at Abyss, but Abyss nails him with a big right and slams him, then covers for 2. Abyss tries another corner charge but Tommy moves and makes the hot tag, and here comes RVD going to work on Raven with clothesline after clothesline and finally a superkick. Raven tries to ram him into the corner but RVD blocks and kicks Raven in the face then nails Rolling Thunder for 2. Abyss is in and he tries to chokeslam both babyfaces, but they fight him off and double clothesline Abyss to the floor. Dreamer with the DDT on Raven followed by RVD hitting the Five Star Notebook Splash for the win.
Winners: Rob Van Dam & Tommy Dreamer
Abyss rushes in the ring after the match and lays both men out. He picks RVD up and chokeslams him, then goes to do the same to Dreamer, but Stevie Richards comes running out and tries a Stevie Kick, but Abyss blocks and tosses him. Rhino runs in and beats Abyss down and goes for the Gore, but Abyss boots him in the face. Team 3D run in and bowl over Abyss with a double shoulderblock and go for 3D, but Raven is in with a chair and lays both the Dudleys out. Raven and Abyss celebrate, but the lights go out, and when they come back up, the Sandman is here! He lays out both Raven and Abyss with the cane and stands tall in the middle of the ring celebrating with the ECW guys. Mick Foley comes out with a few more ECW guys who are carrying a cooler and I guess they were ready to celebrate, but instead we go to a video package where all the ECW guys talk about their memories and thoughts looking back on ECW, as well as their thoughts on getting one last shot to do their thing. Finally, we run down the card for the Whole F'n Show next week, and we're off the air.
2010 - WWE held an investor conference call today to discuss the first quarter numbers which were released this morning. You can read the numbers at this link. Participating in the call were Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Vince McMahon, Chief Financial Officer George Barrios and Chief Operating Officer Donna Goldsmith.
Vince McMahon started the call by saying they had a "lousy quarter" and said it was a "perfect storm" of problems. He pointed out the issues caused by the volcano explosion in Iceland during their European tour. Vince really stressed that retirements and injuries post-Wrestlemania hurt the company in the quarter. Vince noted they knew Shawn Michaels was retiring, but did not count on the "unexpected" departure of Batista and injuries to Undertaker, Triple H, Randy Orton (who never missed any PPVs due to his injury) and CM Punk, saying those are the "stalwarts" they rely on for PPV buys. McMahon said they had "never" had a situation with so many top talents leaving and injured at the same time, and as a result they were unable to put on the product the audience wanted to see.
George Barrios then reviewed the financial numbers, which you can check out by clicking here.
A Q&A was then held. Here are highlights from the session:
- When asked about new talent, Vince praised the Nexus group, and said there has been a "favorable reaction" to the new talent. Vince said he felt the "new talent infusion", and the return of Undertaker and Triple H will help to give WWE a "compelling" talent lineup.
- Vince was asked how long it would take to get things "back on course" in terms of storylines and PPV buyrates, and he responded that they are looking at Summerslam as the "kickoff" to them reversing the trends.
- Vince said there was "no way to tell" if it was the increased PPV price or the talent situation that is causing the PPV drops. Vince stated it has always been a case of "if you provide an attraction, people will buy it" and that there have been times in the past where they didn't provide that attraction.
- WWE will go to cable systems at the beginning of 2011 and give presentations on their planned WWE Network.
The entire conference call went under 30 minutes, probably the shortest call since WWE began these quarterly calls after going public. Vince's opening statement was very short, and Donna Goldsmith never actually spoke during the call. The Q&A was also very short, with less than ten total questions being taken.
2011 - JT Lightning, who had wrestled and promoted for a number of years in the Cleveland area, passed away after a long battle with cancer.
2011 - WWE released a number of talents. Melina, Vladimir Kozlov, Chris Masters, Harry Smith were let go, while Gail Kim was released from her deal several days after telling the company she was quitting at a Raw taping.
2011 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
This week’s Smackdown starts off with a video package showing Mark Henry’s most recent Path of Destruction. Then we go to a video package for the man who is willing to stand face to face in the ring with the monster, Sheamus. What will happen tonight?
We are live on tape from Lexington, Kentucky and your announcers are Michael ‘Maybe I shouldn’t have worn a Christian Laettner jersey’ Cole, Josh ‘The Jim Ross of Smackdown’ Mathews, and Booker ‘The Sam Bowie of announcers’ T.
We are told by Michael Cole that the match between Sheamus and Mark Henry has been signed for SummerSlam.
Match Number One: Sheamus versus Great Khali with Jinder Mahal
Sheamus backs up from Khali as the bell rings but they lock up and Sheamus is sent to the mat by Khali and Khali raises his arms. Sheamus with a forearm to the back followed by punches but he runs into a chop from Khali. Khali reaches through the ropes and Sheamus gets Khali tied up in the ropes and Sheamus with a series of forearms across the chest. Sheamus goes to the apron and he hits a knee lift on the apron. Sheamus goes up top but Khali knocks Sheamus to the floor.
Khali picks Sheamus back to the apron from the floor and then he biels Sheamus back into the ring. Khali with kicks to Sheamus and then he hits a clothesline. Khali with a nerve hold on Sheamus followed by a head butt. Khali kicks Sheamus in the corner and he chokes Sheamus with his boot. Khali with chops in the corner. Sheamus with a running double sledge but Khali shakes it off. Khali with a back elbow to Sheamus. Sheamus kicks Khali in the leg and then he hits a running knee lift.
Sheamus tries for the Brogue kick and Khali with a chop instead and Khali can only get a two count. Khali with the Khali Krush and Sheamus falls to his knees. Sheamus appears to be losing consciousness but then he gets a second wind and he returns to his feet. Sheamus powers out of the hold and he connects with elbows. Sheamus hits a Brogue kick when Khali goes down to his knees and Sheamus gets the three count.
Winner: Sheamus
We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Beth Phoenix becoming the Number One Contender for the Divas Title and her attack on ‘Ms. Hugs A Lot’ Kelly Kelly.
Match Number Two: AJ Lee versus Natalya
AJ and Natalya shake hands when the bell rings and AJ with a waist lock but Natalya with a standing switch. AJ with a hammer lock but Natalya with an arm drag take down. AJ with a head scissors and Natalya escapes. AJ tries for a snap mare but Natalya refuses to go down and she pushes AJ off. AJ with a side head lock and she takes Natalya down with help from the turnbuckles. AJ with a wheelbarrow into an arm drag for a near fall. Natalya takes AJ down and she hits a spinning knee drop. AJ tries for a crucifix and she turns it into a sunset flip for a near fall. Natalya puts AJ in the Sharpshooter and AJ quickly taps out.
Winner: Natalya
After the match, Natalya celebrates her victory and then she has a little more enthusiasm in her celebration. Natalya checks on AJ and then she slams AJ’s head into the mat and she sends AJ to the floor. Natalya runs AJ’s back into the apron and then she hits a snap suplex on the floor.
Natalya takes the mic and she tells Beth Phoenix that she is ‘with you sister’. The days of the cute perky little princesses are over.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Matt Striker is with Randy Orton in the interview area. Matt asks Randy about his actions after his match with R Truth last week. Orton says that Christian may be right that he has some anger management issues. However their match at SummerSlam is No Holds Barred. Christian will be there to help him get through those anger issues. Christian is the only person to win the World Title by disqualification. He will have to beat Orton by pinfall or submission at SummerSlam and that is something that Christian has never done and will never do.
We see another Justin Gabriel in South Africa video package showing all of the media coverage. He says that WWE is on television in South Africa seven days a week so there is a lot of coverage. He says that he was recognized everywhere. He talked about the reaction he got in his home town of Cape Town. He says that it was a feeling that he never felt before when he went up top for a 450 splash.
We see footage from last week when Daniel Bryan and Wade Barrett had a confrontation in the ring.
Wade Barrett comes out to join Booker, Cole, and Josh at the announce table. Cole suggests that the LeBell Lock be banned and Wade says that he has been having some shoulder issues since last week.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Daniel Bryan versus Tyson Kidd
They start off with a Greco Roman knuckle lock and Kidd gets the early advantage. Bryan rolls through and reverses to get the advantage. Bryan with a Northern Lights suplex while still in the knuckle lock. Kidd with a bridge but Bryan with another Northern Lights suplex and Kidd with another bridge. Kidd with a knee and an Irish whip but Bryan flips over Kidd in the corner. Bryan with a running clothesline for a near fall.
Kidd holds on to the ropes to avoid a kick. Kidd with a kick and he goes to the apron. Bryan with a drop kick that sends Kidd to the floor and Bryan with a suicide dive to Kidd on the floor. Bryan returns Kidd to the ring but Kidd kicks Bryan when he returns to the ring and Kidd with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip while in the ropes and then Bryan slams the leg into the apron. Kidd continues to work on the injured leg and then he kicks Bryan before the referee warns him.
Kidd wrings the leg into the ring post and then he applies the figure four leg lock around the ring post without being disqualified. We go to commercial.
We are back and Kidd with a drop kick to Bryan’s leg while Bryan is in the ropes in the corner. Kidd with elbow drops to the leg and then he applies an Indian Death Lock. Bryan with punches to try to get out of the hold but Kidd holds on to the hold. Bryan with forearms to the head to get out. Bryan with a snap suplex and then Bryan goes up top but he takes too long because of the damage done to his leg and Kidd crotches him. Kidd tries for a superplex but Bryan blocks it and he head butts Kidd to the mat. Bryan with a missile drop kick and Bryan holds his knee because of the impact of the move and hitting the mat.
Bryan kicks Kidd repeatedly in the chest but when he tries to kick him with the other leg, Kidd blocks it and he hits another Dragon Screw Leg Whip and he applies a single leg crab on Bryan. Bryan is able to make it to the ropes despite Kidd’s attempts to pull Bryan into the center of the ring. Kidd with a slingshot leg drop to the apron. Kidd sets for the springboard elbow drop but Bryan gets his knees up and Bryan tries for the LeBell Lock. Kidd is able to block it and we get a series of near falls from both men.
Kidd with a series of kicks but Bryan is able to trap the leg and he backs Kidd to the ropes. Bryan with a series of forearms to the head until the referee has to separate them. Kidd with a forearm to the head. Kidd misses a back heel kick and Bryan with a round house kick and he applies a Guillotine choke and Kidd has to tap out.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
Zack Ryder is walking in the back and you know it as we go to commercial.
We are back and Zack Ryder comes out to give his State of the Broski Address. Zack welcomes everyone to Zackdown. He says that the ratings went through the roof last week and it was because Triple H made him the assistant General Manager. Zack woo woo woos. He says that this is his first State of the Showski Address and he says that there are going to be a lot of changes.
Ezekiel Jackson’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring. Zeke tells Zack that he knows what he is thinking. Zack must think that Zeke is going to come out here and rip his head off like a bottle cap for putting him in a handicap match against Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase last week, but he isn’t. Zeke says that he wants to talk about why he was put in that match. Zack says that they talked about it before the match Zeke says that he was going to use his limited power to make not make it a handicap match. Zack tries to find the right words to give a proper answer while keeping his head on his shoulders, but he is unable to say anything because . . .
Cody Rhodes’ music plays and he comes out with Ted DiBiase. Cody tells Zeke that the proper term is sour grapes. He says that conduct is as unbecoming as some of the faces he is witnessing right now. He says that Zeke doesn’t really deserve to be a champion. When Ezekiel loses, the Championship loses because Zeke is making it look bad. The simplest solution is that he defeats Jackson for the title and then something happens that hasn’t happened in a long time. He resurrects the image of the title, just like he resurrected the career of his ‘friend’ Ted DiBiase.
Jackson says that he isn’t resurrecting anything. He says that Ted is being used. Jackson says that he knows what it is like to be used. He was being used by Wade Barrett to serve his massive ego in The Corre until he shoved it down Wade’s throat. Jackson says that there is nothing better than freedom.
Cody says that Ted wants to associate himself with Cody because he is associating himself with a future. It pains him how Jackson’s ignorance is turning the Intercontinental Title into a memento of mediocrity. He says that Ted has free will and Cody is suggesting that Ted go to the ring and beat Jackson. Cody tells Ted that his is up to him and the esteemed Associate General Manager.
Ryder says that is cool with him but Teddy Long comes out to make an announcement but it must not be that important because he has to do the Playa Shuffle first. Ryder joins in the dancing in the ring. Teddy tells Zack that he doesn’t care what sounds good to him. Teddy says that Ryder is not the assistant General Manager, he is Teddy’s assistant. Instead of making a match, he will be part of a match. Zack will be facing Ezekiel Jackson tonight. Teddy says that Cody and Ted are banned from ringside during the match.
Match Number Four: Ezekiel Jackson versus Zack Ryder in a Non Title Match
Ryder with a side head lock and Jackson with a shoulder tackle followed by an Irish whip or two to work on the back. Jackson with a spinning side slam for a near fall. Jackson runs into boots in the corner and Ryder hits a boot to the head followed by a running boot to the head for a near fall. Ryder with forearms to Jackson followed by a neck breaker while Long watches from the office.
Ryder with a front face lock and Jackson powers out of the hold and follows it with two clotheslines and a running clothesline into the corner. Jackson with an Irish whip but Ryder with an elbow. Ryder comes off the turnbuckles and Jackson catches him. Jackson with three slams to Ryder to add more damage to the back. Jackson gets Ryder in the Torture Rack and Ryder taps.
Winner: Ezekiel Jackson
Teddy Long has a smile on his face as we return to his office. There is a knock at the door and Teddy tells the person to come in and there is some saxophone music playing so it must be a woman. Teddy drops something and we see some women’s boots in the screen with Teddy’s choice of footwear for the evening. We pan up and it is Aksana and she introduces herself to Teddy. She says that it is her pleasure to meet such a powerful man. She wants to talk to him about a business proposition. Teddy says that he is busy and he gives his card to Aksana and he tells her to give him a call to set up an appointment. Aksana says that a business number is so impersonal and Teddy is confused. Aksana asks for Teddy’s personal number and he obliges. Aksana thanks Teddy and says that she looks forward to doing business with him. Aksana leaves and Teddy stares at something.
Mark Henry walks in the back as we go to commercial.
Match Number Five: Mark Henry versus Vladimir Kozlov
Kozlov with a waist lock but Henry with an elbow followed punches that send Kozlov to the mat. Henry with an Irish whip but he misses a splash in the corner. Kozlov with knees and shoulders in the corner Kozlov runs into a boot from Henry. Kozlov with head butts to the chest but Henry with a running body block. Henry with a kick to the head and then he picks up Kozlov and hits the World’s Strongest Slam for the three count.
Winner: Mark Henry
After the match, Henry goes to the floor and he gets the steel chair that is conveniently sitting next to the comfy office chairs at ringside. Henry returns to the ring and he puts the chair around Kozlov’s ankle. Henry climbs the turnbuckles and he hits a Vader Bomb on the leg.
Sheamus makes his way to the ring with a chair, but he is too late to help Kozlov. Henry grabs the cover to the announce table and he throws it at the ring. Sheamus wants Henry to come into the ring but Henry isn’t going to challenge Sheamus when he does not have the advantage. Henry walks away while the medical staff checks on Kozlov. They bring a stretcher to the ring to take Kozlov from the ring.
John Morrison does some parkour in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and Todd Grisham stops Sheamus who is walking in the back with his chair and he asks Sheamus for some comments about Mark Henry. Sheamus wants to know what kind of beast Henry is. He says that Henry doesn’t take pleasure in beating his opponents, he takes pleasure in ending their livelihood. He is taking away what they love and the will to compete in the WWE. He has already done it to Big Show and Kane and now he does it to Vladimir Kozlov. Sheamus says that it will not happen to him at SummerSlam. Nobody can take away his will or his passion to compete in the WWE. The biggest reason is because he is Irish. He says that he has the luck of the Irish. He says that he was born with a 24 karat horseshoe up his arse. If need be, he can whip that horseshoe out and leave lumps on his head. He will drag Mark to the beach where Henry can swim with Shamu and the rest of his friends.
Match Number Six: Michael McGillicutty, David Otunga, and JTG versus The Usos and Trent Barreta
Jey and JTG start things off and Jey with a forearm to the back and Jimmy tags in. Jey sends JTG into an uppercut from Jimmy and he gets a near fall. JTG hides behind the referee and he punches him. Michael tags in and he punches and kicks Jimmy in the corner. JTG gets a few shots in while the referee is not looking. David tags in and Michael with the running back elbow followed by a clothesline from Otunga for a near fall.
Otunga with a reverse chin lock on Jimmy but Jimmy with punches. Otunga pulls Jimmy to the mat and follows that with a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Michael tags back in and OTunga with a punch to the midsection followed by a knee lift from Micahel and he gets a near fall. Michael punches Jimmy and Otunga tags back in. They send Jimmy into the corner and they double team him until David gets a near fall.
Otunga returns to the reverse chin lock and then he sends Jey to the floor but Jimmy with a savate kick and he tags in Trent. Michael tags in as well and Trent goes after JTG on the apron and then he hits a few back elbows to Michael followed by an enzuigiri and a flying boot to the head but JTG breaks up the cover. JTG wends Jey to the floor and he pulls JTG out. Jimmy with a superkick but Otunga takes Jimmy down. Trent goes up top after a kick and he misses a moonsault. Otunga tags in and they hit the Demolition style forearm from the turnbuckles for the three count.
Winners: David Otunga, Michael McGillicutty, and JTG
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the latest from Johnny Curtis. He reminds us that he won Season Four of NXT. He talks about how the time for playing is done because the writing is on the wall that Johnny debuts on Smackdown next week. We get crickets before going to the announcers and they talk about the WWE Title situation.
We go to the Raw Rebound.
Chrisitan is in the interview area with Matt Striker. Matt asks Christian about what happened last week with Triple H making the match at SummerSlam a No Holds Barred Match Christian says that he is disappointed, but not surprised because ever since Randy Orton came to Smackdown, he has had Teddy Long, the referees, and the fans . . . even the pathetic losers in the arena tonight in his back pocket. They have wanted him to be their champion. Now you can add Triple H to the list of shills. Christian asks Matt if he has any other questions . . .
But before Matt can ask another question, R Truth enters the interview area and he asks Christian if he thinks there is a conspiracy going on. Christian says that he isn’t going to come out and say it but that sounds right. Truth says that Christian sounds just like Miz did on Monday night. He tells Christian not to worry about all the Little Jimmys. Truth says that he is a good R Truth. Just like Mr. Hs hurt you last week, Truth says that he is going to put a hurting on Randy Orton for what he did last week.
Truth leaves and Christian wonders who Little Jimmy is.
Match Number Six: Randy Orton and John Morrison versus Christian and R Truth
Truth and Orton start things off and Orton looks at Christian before getting ready to lock up. Truth with a kick and punches as he backs Orton into the corner. The referee warns Truth but Truth with a boot in the corner and the referee warns Truth again. Orton with a punch but Truth with an Irish whip and Orton bounces out of the corner and he connects with a clothesline.
Orton looks at Christian before tagging in Morrison and Truth runs to the floor and tags in Christian as he goes to the floor. Christian makes sure to avoid Orton in the corner and Morrison with a side head lock. Morrison slides through the legs and he hits a drop kick and gets a near fall.
Christian with a punch but Morrison with a kick and springboard round kick for a near fall. Christian goes to the apron and he connects with a shoulder and he sends Morrison’s neck into the rope as Christian goes to the floor. Truth tags in and he punches Morrison but Morrison with kicks and punches. Truth with knees and then he punches Morrison until the referee pulls him off Morrison. Truth tries for the suplex into a stunner but Morrison escapes and hits a leg lariat Morrison punches Truth but the referee warns Morrison. Morrison with the Shining Wizard for a near fall. Christian breaks up the cover and Orton chases Christian around ringside and Christian retreats into the crowd to avoid Orton.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Morrison with punches but Truth with a kick. Morrison with a kick and then he hits an enzuigiri to Christian on the apron. Morrison tries for another springboard round kick but Truth is able to push Morrison to the floor. Christian wanted to do something to Morrison but the referee turned to Christian and he stopped what he was going to do. Truth sends Morrison back into the ring and then he kicks Morrison in the back followed by an elbow drop. Truth with punches followed by a kick and another punch. Truth gets a near fall and then he applies a reverse chin lock on Morrison.
Morrison with an arm drag but Truth with a clothesline that flips Morrison. Christian tags back in and he kicks Morrison in the head. Christian sends Morrison’s head into the mat as he continues to work on Morrison’s surgically repaired neck. Christian puts Morrison in the ropes and he stands on Morrison’s back. Christian with a neck breaker for a near fall. Christian goes to the turnbuckles but he misses a diving head butt when Morrison rolls out of the way.
Both men are down and the referee starts his count. Christian gets up first and he knocks Orton off the apron so he cannot make the tag. Christian brings Morrison into his corner and he tags Truth in and Truth kicks Morrison. Truth with a punch to the head. Truth dances a little too much and Morrison is able to hit the standing C4 and both men are down.
Orton and Christian tag in and Orton with a punch and clothesline followed by a power slam. Orton runs into boots from Christian. Christian goes to the turnbuckles but Orton sees it coming so he avoids the drop kick and Orton with a jackknife cover for a near fall. Christian with a rake of the eyes but Orton with a Thesz Press and he punches Christian in the head.
Christian tries for the Killswitch but Orton counters and hits a back breaker for a near fall. Christian with an Irish whip but Orton floats over and gets a near fall with a rollup. Christian with a spinebuster and then he waits for Orton to get back to his feet for the spear. Orton with a leap frog over the spear. Orton tries for the RKO but Christian avoids it. Orton pulls Christian off the turnbuckles and then he sets for the kick to the head but Truth gets in the way. Orton avoids Truth and then Orton and Morrison work over Truth with punches. Orton and Morrison send Truth over the top rope to the floor and Morrison with a plancha onto Truth.
Christian with a punch to Orton and then he hits a baseball slide on Morrison. Orton with a kick to Christian on the apron followed by the IEDDT and then Orton looks to the rafters and then he sets for the RKO on Christian but his viper senses detect R Truth behind him and he hits the RKO on Truth. That allows Christian to hit the Killswitch for the three count.
Winners: Christian and R Truth
2012 - Crossfire Entertainment in Nashville, TN, during an event at the Nashville Fairgrounds (aka The TNA Asylum), announced their November 2012 event would be a TV Taping for a national TV show that would be shot in both HD and 3D.
The outlet was not announced, although word making the rounds backstage before the show was that it would air on a subsidiary network run by Paramount, which could be EPIX or possibly a new network.
While "national" was the term used, it remains to be seen how much of a reach the new network will have but obviously, this is a positive for Crossfire, who have been putting on strong shows and drawing sellouts at the venue for almost a year.
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