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October 25th
On this day in history in ....
1910 - Henry Ordemann defeats Frank Gotch in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the American Heavyweight Title, ending Gotch's third reign.
1955 - Ronnie Etchison & Ray Stern defeat Gene Kiniski & Lord James Blears to win the Joe Malcewicz-promoted San Francisco version of the NWA World Tag Team Title.
1958 - Jack Dempsey defeats Alan Colbeck in Newcastle, England for the European Welterweight Title.
1961 - Lord James Blears defeats Curtis Iaukea to win the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title in Honolulu, Hawaii.
1962 - El Rayo de Jalisco defeats Rene Guajardo for the NWA World Middleweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.
1966 - Jose Lothario & Eddie Graham defeat The Infernos (Frankie Cain & Rocky Smith) to win the Florida version of the NWA World Tag Team Title in Tampa, Florida.
1969 - Bronko Lubich & Chris Markoff defeat Ciclon Negro & Sam Steamboat in Tampa, Florida for the NWA Florida Tag Team Title.
1972 - Jose Lothario defeat Stan Stasiak to win the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title in San Antonio, Texas.
1973 - Mike George & Jim Brunzell defeat The Great Togo & Tokyo Joe for the Central States version of the NWA World Tag Team Title.
1974 - Victor Rivera & Dino Bravo defeat Tonny Rocco & Raul Reyes for the vacant NWA Americas Tag Team Title in Los Angeles, California.
1976 - Jesse "The Body" Ventura & "Playboy" Buddy Rose defeat Dutch Savage & Jimmy Snuka to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title, ending Savage and Snuka's fourth reign.
1978 - Ed Wiskoski & Buddy Rose defeat Dean Ho & Ron Starr to win the Roy Shire-promoted San Francisco version of the NWA World Tag Team Title in Sacramento, California.
1980 - Jay Youngblood & Joe Lightfoot defeat Rip Oliver & Fidel Cortez for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title.
1981 - Kerry Von Erich & Terry Orndorff win the NWA American Tag Team Title in Dallas, Texas.
1982 - El Satanico defeats Cesar Curiel to win the NWA World Middleweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico, beginning his second reign.
1982 - Paul Jones defeats Jack Brisco for the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title in Fayetteville, North Carolina, ending Brisco's fourth reign and starting his second.
1982 - In Memphis, Tennessee, The Fabulous Ones (Steve Keirn & Stan Lane) defeat Koko Ware & Bobby Eaton for the AWA Southern Tag Team Title.
1982 - David Schultz defeats Bob Armstrong in Birmingham, Alabama to win the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title.
1984 - Harley Race wins the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title from Hacksaw Higgins in Kansas City, Kansas, beginning his eighth reign.
1985 - Wayne Farris & Ron Starr defeat Kerry Brown and Hubert Gallant in a tournament final to win the vacant Stampede International Tag Team Title in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
1986 - Don Kent ends the fifth WWC Junior Heavyweight Title reign of Invader III in Caguas, Puerto Rico.
1992 - Dick Murdoch defeats Invader I in Bayamon, Puerto Rico to win the WWC Universal Heavyweight Title.
1992 - WCW Halloween Havoc took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the Civic Center. Here are the results:
- In a dark match, Erik Watts & Van Hammer defeated Vinnie Vegas & Diamond Dallas Page when Watts pinned Page.
- Tom Zenk, Johnny Gunn & Shane Douglas defeated Arn Anderson, Michael Hayes & Bobby Eaton when Gunn pinned Hayes with a Thesz press.
- Ricky Steamboat defeated Brian Pillman after a series of reversals off of a sunset flip by Steamboat.
- Big Van Vader (defending the U.S. title for Rick Rude, who was challenging for the NWA Title that night) defeated Nikita Koloff with a powerbomb.
- NWA/WCW World Tag Team Champions Barry Windham & Dustin Rhodes vs. Steve Williams & Steve Austin ended in a 30-minute draw. Rhodes had hit a tombstone on Austin and got a two count as time ran out.
- Rick Rude defeated NWA World Champion Masahiro Chono via disqualification due to a referee being hit.
- WCW World Champion Ron Simmons defeated The Barbarian with a powerslam.
- Sting defeated Jake Roberts in a Coal Miner's Glove match. This was a "Spin The Wheel, Make A Deal" match in which Sting spun a wheel to decide what type of match it would be. The match ended when Cactus Jack brought a cobra out for Jake to use, but Sting hit Jake with the glove and the cobra bit Jake's neck while Sting pinned him.
1998 - WCW Halloween Havoc took place in Las Vegas, Nevada at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The show ran into a problem on many cable systems, as it went longer than usual PPV events, and some systems were not aware that WCW was going long with the event. As a result, the finish of Hogan-Warrior and the Goldberg-DDP match were not seen on some systems. Goldberg-DDP would be shown on Nitro the next night.
- WCW World Television Champion Chris Jericho defeated Raven via submission with the Liontamer.
- Wrath defeated Meng with the Meltdown.
- Disco Inferno defeated Juventud Guerrera with a piledriver to earn a Cruiserweight Title match later in the show.
- Alex Wright defeated Fit Finlay with a neckbreaker.
- Perry Saturn defeated Lodi with a Death Valley Driver.
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman defeated Disco Inferno with a shooting star press.
- Rick Steiner defeated The Giant & Scott Steiner (subbing for Scott Hall) to win the WCW World Tag Team Title when he pinned Scott with a top rope bulldog. Rick started the match teaming with Buff Bagwell, but Bagwell turned on him early in the match, leaving Rick to fight alone. As a result of the win, Rick also got a one-on-one, no-DQ match with Scott. Rick would later select Judy Bagwell (Buff's mom) as his tag partner.
- Rick Steiner defeated Scott Steiner in a no-DQ match with a top rope bulldog.
- Scott Hall defeated Kevin Nash via countout when Nash walked out after powerbombing Hall twice and leaving him laying in the ring.
- WCW United States Champion Bret Hart defeated Sting with the Sharpshooter after knocking him out with a baseball bat.
- Hulk Hogan defeated (Ultimate) Warrior after Horace Hogan hit Warrior with a chair.
- WCW World Champion Bill Goldberg defeated Diamond Dallas Page with the Jackhammer.
1999 - Ivory defeated Fabulous Moolah for the WWF Women's Title in Providence, Rhode Island, ending Moolah's seventh and final title reign and beginning her second.
1999 - Bret Hart defeats Bill Goldberg for the United States Heavyweight Title in Phoenix, Arizona, ending Goldberg's second run with the title and starting Hart's fourth reign. On the same show, Konnan & Billy Kidman defeat Harlem Heat for the WCW World Tag Team Title, ending Heat's tenth, and final tag title reign.
1999 - Konnan & Billy Kidman defeat Harlem Heat to win the WCW World Tag Team Title in Phoenix, Arizona, ending Harlem Heat's 10th reign.
1999 - Tamon Honda & Masao Inoue defeat Johnny Smith & Maunakea Mossman in a tournament final for the vacant AJPW All-Asia Tag Team Title in Nagaoka, Japan.
2000 - Todd Morton defeats The Suicide Kid to win the held up IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title in Charlestown, Indiana.
2003 - Stephanie McMahon weds Triple H.
2003 - X #3 defeats Yasu Urano for the UWA World Middleweight Title in Chiba, Japan.
2003 - Eddie Colon defeated Jose Rivera, Jr. for the WWC Puerto Rican Heavyweight Title in Cidra, Puerto Rico, beginning his second reign and ending Rivera's third.
2003 - Onyx defeats Hotstuff Hernandez for the NWA Wildside Heavyweight Title in Cornelia, Georgia.
2005 - MNM (Joey Mercury & Johnny Nitro) defeat Road Warrior Animal & Heidenreich to win their second WWE Tag Team Title in San Francisco, California.
2008 - Blue Demon Jr. won the NWA title. The National Wrestling Alliance filed the following press release:
The National Wrestling Alliance issued the following press release:
Mexico City, MX (October 25, 2008) – Centro Banamex Convention Center was a history making site as it hosted the NWA™ Worlds Heavyweight Championship match featuring Adam Pearce Vs. Blue Demon, Jr. In the end, Blue Demon, Jr. won the famous “10 lbs. of Gold” in a very controversial fashion.
“I passed out while Demon had me in a Half Boston Crab and when I woke up I was told that I was under the rope and the Referee had stopped that match. This is clearly against the NWA Rule Book and I will be taking this up with Trobich. Demon, you are not the NWA Worlds Champion,” said former champion Adam Pearce.
“I think Pearce has a case. I’ve reviewed the footage and he is in the right, his arm is under the rope, but in the NWA, the Referee’s decision if final,” states Ruben Zamora of NWA Latin American Relations.
Blue Demon, Jr. is the first Mexican and Masked Wrestler to ever win the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship in the six decades the National Wrestling Alliance has been in business.
For more information on the NWA please visit nwawrestling.com
2009 - WWE presented the first-ever Bragging Rights PPV. Richard Trionfo filed the following PPV report:
Welcome to tonight’s live coverage of the Bragging Rights pay per view from World Wrestling Entertainment. The inaugural Bragging Rights comes from the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
We will be updating this page throughout the night so make sure to check back throughout the pay per view.
We begin the pay per view with a video package featuring the members of Team Smackdown talking about how it is the Friday night flagship. Then we see the members of Team Raw focused as they talk about how Raw is the corporate flagship for the last two decades. ECW is not mentioned.
Your announcers are Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and Todd Grisham.
We see the Official Bragging Rights Trophy on a blue and red table cloth.
The announcers mention that Jim Ross is at home recovering from an illness and they wish him the best.
Before our first match we have the Miz and Morrison video package that aired on the 30 minute preshow starring Jack Korpela.
We see the members of Team Smackdown in the seven on seven tag match watching in the back. Now we see Team Raw, but Shawn and Hunter are not wearing the red shirts. Match Number One: Match for ‘Bragging Rights’: United States Champion The Miz versus Intercontinental Champion John Morrison
They lock up and Morrison with a waist lock and Miz tries to escape but Morrison continues to ride Miz. Miz makes his way to the ropes. Morrison with a double leg take down and he works on the arm. Morrison blocks a hip toss and hits a fireman’s carry for a near fall. Morrison with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Morrison with another shoulder tackle for a near fall. Morrison with a side head lock and he backs Miz into the corner. Miz pushes Morrison on a break and then he goes to the floor. Miz with a kick and side head lock take down. Miz with a shoulder tackle but Morrison with a flap jack and a kip up. Morrison with a standing shooting star press for a near fall. Morrison with a forearm to the back but Miz with punches and kicks. Miz throws Morrison to the floor and then Miz poses in the center of the ring.
Miz tries to suplex Morrison back into the ring but Morrison blocks it and slides in and gets a near fall. Morrison with a cover but Miz with a bridge. Miz misses a knee lift and Morrison tries for the swinging neck breaker but Miz escapes. Morrison clotheslines Miz over the top rope to the floor. They return to the ring and Morrison gets a near fall. Miz sends Morrison to the floor when Morrison tries to float over on an Irish whip. Miz goes out to the floor and throws Morrison back in. They return to the ring and Miz with a knee to the back and a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Miz with a knee in Morrison’s back as he works on Morrison’s back. Morrison with a mule kick. Morrison with a forearm and punches. Miz with an Irish whip and he hits the running clothesline into the corner. Miz with a forearm to the back and then he hits a knee lift with Morrison’s head over the apron. Miz gets a near fall. Miz with a reverse chin lock. Morrison with a rollup for a near fall. Miz misses a charge and Morrison with another rollup. Miz with a kick to the ribs and Morrison responds. They exchange kicks and punches while the crowd boos and yays. Morrison with a series of kicks and a clothesline followed by a leg lariat for a near fall. Morrison misses the Shining Wizard and Miz with a rollup.
Morrison with another take down and he punches Miz. Morrison misses a charge into the corner. Miz misses a clothesline but Morrison does not miss the springboard spin kick and Miz gets his foot on the ropes. Miz rolls to the floor when he sees Morrison set for the moonsault. Morrison with a corkscrew pescado onto Miz. Morrison brings Miz back into the ring and gets a near fall. Morrison puts Miz on the top turnbuckle and Morrison tries for a superplex but Miz knocks Morrison off. Miz with a double sledge from the turnbuckles. Miz tries for the Skull Crushing Finale but Morrison escapes. Morrison with a side Russian leg sweep and Morrison goes up for the moonsault but Miz knocks Morrison off the turnbuckles and Miz gets the three count.
Winner: The Miz (Raw Leads 1-0)
We see Team Raw, at least the male members of Team Raw celebrate while Team Smackdown is not happy.
Michael Cole reminds us of the challenge that Chris Jericho and Kane set up for the members of Team Smackdown and we see footage of their failure thanks to Finlay’s illegal shillelagh use.
Cody Rhodes is in the medical office getting ready. He says that it should be a clean sweep. R Truth enters and says that there are still two matches. Cody reminds Truth that he lost his match to qualify and then they had to get their team replaced. Cody calls Truth second rate and says that is the truth. Truth tells Cody that his daddy is the reason why he is on Raw. Randy Orton is the only reason why he has had any success. Truth tells Cody that he will be pinned tonight. Truth tells him that is the Truth and the Truth hurts.
Big Show comes up behind Truth and says that taking cheap shots shows that he learned a lot from Chris Jericho. Show tells Truth to go back to Kane, Jericho, and anyone in a blue shirt that Raw will let their actions speak.
We have a Survivor Series commercial featuring DX on a movie set.
Match Number Two: Match for ‘Bragging Rights’: Kelly Kelly, Melina, and Gail Kim versus Michelle McCool, Beth Phoenix, and Natalya Neidhart
Gail and Beth start things off and Beth with a kick and punch. Gail kicks back and connects with a forearm. Beth stops an Irish whip but Beth catches Gail on a cross body but Gail with a rollup for a near fall. Beth with a shoulder tackle and punch. Michelle tags herself in and she punches and kicks Gail followed by an uppercut. Gail with a kick and a rana. Michelle seeks refuge next to Natalya’s legs and she tags in. Gail with a rollup for a near fall. Gail with a forearm but Natalya with a knee and forearm. Natalya with a slam but she misses an elbow drop and a charge into the corner. Gail with a cross body into the corner. Gail with a kick to the head from the apron and Kelly is tagged in. Kelly chokes Natalya in the corner with her boot. Natalya misses a clothesline and Kelly with a satellite head scissors. Natalya gets Kelly up in a wheelbarrow set up and drops her on the top rope and gets a near fall. Natalya runs Kelly into the corner and then Michelle and Beth attack Kelly while Natalya is with the referee. Michelle tags in while Natalya holds Kelly after a sunset flip attempt. Michelle with a knee to the head and then she runs Kelly into the corner. Beth tags in and she snap mares Kelly and gets a near fall. Beth with an arm bar and chin lock. Beth keeps Kelly from making the tag and Michelle tags back in. Michelle with a snap mare and a sleeper. Michelle with a knee to the head and then she connects with a knee lift. Beth tags herself in and she sends Kelly into the turnbuckles. Kelly kicks Beth and then hits a rana for a near fall. Kelly with a jawbreaker and Melina tags in.
Melina with a matrix and she punches Beth. Melina with a drop kick and a drop toe hold that sends Beth into the ropes. Melina with a screaming knees into the back and a screaming hair toss. Melina counters a slingshot suplex with an inside cradle and Michelle switches their positions while the referee was not watching. Melina with a screaming tilt-a-whirl head scissors for a near fall. All six women were in briefly. Beth grabs Melina and hits snake eyes and then gets Melina up for the sit out butterfly driver for the three count.
Winners: Michelle McCool, Beth Phoenix, and Natalya (tied 1-1)
We go to the Raw locker room and it is time for the DX pep talk. He says that the stakes have been upped and they cannot lose the match. Swagger wonders if they need the rah rah speech. Shawn says that it is not that simple. Swagger has all of the athletic ability, but it is respect that will carry this team. Hunter says that individually the team shouldn’t get along. Hunter brings up the Mae Young/Mark Henry/birth of a hand angle from years ago. Hunter reminds everyone that Big Show has had Vince McMahon’s head up. He reminds everyone about what they did to Cody Rhodes at Hell in a Cell. They have even proven that Kofi’s Jamaican heritage was a fraud. Shawn says that they let him on the team. Shawn says that Swagger can leave and they will replace him with the first person they see. Hornswoggle comes in and Shawn reconsiders. Hunter says that they cannot and will not lose tonight. This is about honor and pride. It is about not being losers when you confront Team Smackdown. Hunter asks if they are ready.
It is time to talk about the World Heavyweight Title Match and we see the video package that aired during the Countdown show.
After the match, Josh Mathews is in the ring with Batista and Rey for comments. He says that they were so close to winning, but Taker got the victory. Rey is asked how it felt to be so close. Rey says that they did their best and they had their confrontations but he congratulates Batista on his efforts. Rey says that they were close tonight. Josh asks Rey when it slipped away. Rey says that they didn’t win tonight, but there will be another day.
Josh asks Dave how he is feeling. Dave asks Rey if they thought they were close. Batista asks everyone if they thought him and Rey were close tonight. Batista says that he thinks he was close tonight. He says that he thinks he is tired of coming ‘this close’. Batista says that he is tired of his best friend stabbing him in the back. Rey tries to tell him that it isn’t like that. Batista tells Rey that he is not playing. Batista tells Rey that he is going to rip his head off. Batista with a clothesline to Rey and then he throws Rey out of the ring. Batista asks Rey if he is still playing. Batista kicks Rey on the floor and then he chokes Rey. Batista tells Rey that he is supposed to be his friend while Rey begs for mercy. Batista tosses Rey into the ringside barrier. Batista with a running kick to the head.
We have a tale of the tape and Raw has a 373 pound and one championship advantage over Smackdown. We go to comments from fans on their picks for the Seven on Seven Match.
Match Number Four: Match for Ultimate ‘Bragging Rights’: Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Big Show, Mark Henry, Cody Rhodes, Jack Swagger, and Kofi Kingston versus Chris Jericho, Kane, Finlay, R Truth, Matt Hardy, David Hart Smith, and Tyson Kidd
Before the match starts, the referee holds up the Bragging Rights Trophy over his head.
Truth and Cody start things off as they reignite their feud that lasted almost an hour. Cody and Truth exchange punches. Truth with a split to avoid Rhodes and Truth with a leg lariat for a near fall. Rhodes with a punches and rollup into a series of punches. Truth with punches and a kick. Show tags in and then Truth tags in Kane. Show and Kane stand face to face and Kane punches Show. Show with an Irish whip but Show misses a charge into the corner. Kane with a clothesline into the corner but Show with a running shoulder tackle and a leg drop for a near fall. Swagger tags in and he punches Kane. Kane with an uppercut and clothesline to Swagger. Hardy tags in and he connects with a forearm to the back and he slams Swagger in the turnbuckle and hits a clothesline for a near fall.
Hardy tries for a Side Effect but Swagger with elbows and punches. Hardy with punches and Swagger’s shirt comes off. Hardy with boots to Swagger in the corner followed by a silent leg drop from the turnbuckles for a near fall. Swagger goes to the floor and he hits a clothesline. Rhodes distracts Hardy and Swagger attacks Hardy from behind. We have a standoff and the referee sends everyone back to their corners.
Swagger with a divorce court and a near fall. Mark Henry tags in and he punches Hardy. Henry with a series of arm wringers to Hardy followed by a head butt. Henry misses an elbow drop. Henry keeps Hardy from making the tag and then he Irish whips Hardy. Michaels tags in and he chops Hardy. Michaels slams Hardy into the turnbuckles and then he chops him. Hardy with a kick to Michaels and Hardy tries for the Side Effect and he hits it. Finlay is tagged in and he slams Michaels. Michaels with punches to Finlay and Michaels does the Michaels flip. Finlay kicks Michaels in the corner and punches him. Finlay and Michaels collide in the center of the ring and both men are down.
Michaels with sweet chin music to Finlay but Smith made the blind tag and then Hart and Smith hit a springboard Hart Attack. Smith with a slam and Jericho tags in. Jericho throws his shirt at Michaels and they puts Michaels in a reverse chin lock. Michaels punches Jericho and gets a rollup for a near fall. Jericho with a clothesline and a near fall. Jericho with a kick to the ribs and then Kane is tagged back in. Kane with a snap mare and a drop kick to Michaels. Smith tags in and he puts Michaels in a reverse chin lock. Smith with knees to Michaels followed by a Saito suplex for a near fall. Smith with a slam and Kidd tags in but misses a springboard elbow drop. Hunter tags in and he hits a mid level knee on Kidd. Hunter with a face buster to Smith followed by a clothesline. Hunter with a spinebuster to Finlay and Kidd. Kane with a choke slam to Hunter and there is carnage in the ring. Kidd gets a near fall on Hunter.
Jericho tags in and hits a bulldog but he misses the Lionsault. Kofi tags in and he hits a springboard clothesline and a drop kick followed by a leaping clothesline. Kofi with the Boom Boom Leg drop attempt but Jericho trips him and Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho. Kofi with a rollup for a near fall. Jericho runs into Trouble in Paradise but Smith and Kidd break things up. Henry takes care of Smith and Kidd. Henry is taken down in the ring by Hardy and Truth and then on the floor as well after Henry catches Truth. Finlay with a fireman’s carry slam to Rhodes. Swagger with a Doctor Bomb to Finlay. Kane with a big boot to Swagger but Show with a spear to Kane. Show wants Kofi to go up top and Show with a choke slam to Kofi. Show with a knockout punch to Hunter and then Show leaves the ring. Jericho covers Kofi for the three count.
Winners: Team Smackdown
After the match, Jericho raises the trophy above his head and Team Smackdown celebrates.
We see some members of the Army National Guard in the crowd.
John Cena is in the back as he gets ready for 60 minutes of war with Randy Orton for the WWE Title.
We have a video package. I don’t know if we have seen it before.
Kofi Kingston is walking in the back and Cody Rhodes blames Kofi for the loss. Kofi says they lost because of Big Show. Cody says that Kofi was the weak link. Kofi pushes Cody but Cody sends Kofi into the wall.
Match Number Five: WWE Title Match: Randy Orton versus John Cena in an Iron Man Match (If John Cena loses, he is gone from Raw)
They lock up and Cena works on the arm and has a side head lock take down. Orton backs Cena into the corner. Orton with an elbow and punch in the corner. Orton with a side head lock (#1) on Cena. Cena with a hip toss but Orton with a hard Irish whip and Orton with a knee to the head. Orton favors his back before connecting with a European uppercut. Cena with an Irish whip but Orton avoids the bulldog. Orton with a forearm to Cena. Orton kicks Cena as he reenters the ring. Orton with punches to Cena and then he stands over Cena. Cena puts Orton in the STF and Orton taps immediately.
Cena 1 Orton 0
Orton with a power slam followed by a leaping knee drop as Orton enters Viper Mode. Orton chokes Cena in the ropes and then he kicks Cena and stomps on his chest. Orton with a suplex into the ring for a near fall. Orton goes for a side head lock (#2) after a few forearms across the chest. Cena falls to his feet due to the pressure that Orton has applied in the side head lock. Cena gets out of the hold and Cena with a kick and leap frog neck breaker. Cena goes up top for the Rocker Dropper and he hits it. Cena looks around and sees Orton down on the mat. Instead of making the cover, Cena tries for the five knuckle shuffle and Cena walks into an RKO for the three count.
Cena 1: Orton 1
We are ten minutes into the match and Orton knocks Cena off the apron into the ringside barrier. Orton sends Cena’s head into the ring steps. Orton with a front face lock and Orton sends Cena into the apron. Orton rearranges the announce table and he knocks Lawler’s crown off the table. Orton grabs the monitor and hits Cena in the head with it. Cena kicks out at two. Orton rolls Cena back into the ring and Orton gets the mic and he hits Cena in the head with it and then he can only get a two count. Orton says something to Cena and then he punches Cena and we have blood but the referee has the medical official at ringside check it out. The clock has stopped. Cena goes after Orton and he punches Orton. Cena sends Orton over the top rope to the floor. Cena sends Orton into the ring steps but Orton Irish whips Cena into the ring steps. Orton gets a two count on the floor. Orton stomps on Cena’s head which was placed on top of the ring steps. Cena kicks out one more time at two. Orton rolls Cena back into the ring. Orton punches Cena as he tries to work on the cut on Cena’s head.
We are now fifteen minutes into the match and Orton continues to punch Cena. Orton with RKO push ups and Cena avoids the RKO. Cena with the two shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb and then it is time for the Five Knuckle Shuffle one more time. This time he hits it. Cena hits the Attitude Adjustment but Orton counters with an RKO and each man gets a fall.
Orton 2: Cena 2
Orton misses a charge into the corner. Cena puts Orton on the top turnbuckle and he tries for a super Attitude Adjustment and he hits it. Cena gets the three count.
Cena 3: Orton 2
During the break, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase attack John Cena. DiBiase hits Dream Street and Rhodes and DiBiase roll Orton on top of Cena and the referee makes the three count.
Orton 3: Cena 3
Kofi Kingston comes out during the break and he has a chair and he chases Rhodes and DiBiase to the back.
Orton goes to the apron and Orton is holding his throat. Cena with a double leg take down and Cena punches Orton and Orton goes to the floor to avoid Cena. They fight to the ramp and Cena sends Orton into the barrier. Cena punches Orton and Orton goes down. Orton sends Cena’s head into the barrier. Orton with a kick to the head as they are by the stage. Orton gets a near fall. Orton with a front face lock and then he sends Cena’s head into a case for the equipment. Cena’s head is slammed into the pyro machine and it goes off. Orton sends Cena through the set and there are more explosions. Orton gets a three count.
Orton 4: Cena 3
Orton goes back to the pyro machine and he sets some more off. Orton gets a chair as the battle moves to the stage. Orton hits Cena in the back of the head and he puts Cena on the pyro. They try to stop Orton and the pyro guy has his hand on the switch and the pyro doesn’t work. Orton sets off all of the pyro on the stage. Orton is not a happy camper but he punches Cena in the head. Orton mounts Cena and punches him on the ramp. Orton with more punches to the head. Orton Irish whips Cena into the ring steps one more time.
We are now in the second half of the match as we hit the thirty minute mark. Orton throws the ring steps and they hit Cena in the head but Cena kicks out. Orton kicks Cena in the ribs and then he stomps on Cena’s chest. Orton grabs another chair and he hits Cena’s back as well as the ring post. Cena kicks out of the cover on the floor. They return to the ring. Cena is down on the mat and Orton slowly picks him up but Cena with an inside cradle for a three count.
Orton 4: Cena 4
Orton punches Cena during the break.
Orton has a thought going through his head and he stares at Cena and sets for an IEDDT onto the floor and he hits it. Orton gets the three count.
Orton 5: Cena 4
Orton tries for another cover since Cena is barely moving but Cena finds the power to kick out. Orton kicks Cena and does the Garvin Stomp. Orton with forearms across the chest followed by a leaping knee drop for a near fall. Orton with a punch to Cena and Cena goes down one more time. Orton with another near fall. Cena makes his way back to his feet and Orton with another punch and Cena goes down and gets another near fall. Orton falls victim to a Cena punch and Orton leaves the ring and goes up the ramp.
We are two-thirds through the match.
Cena meets Orton on the ramp and Orton with punches and kicks. Orton looks at the TitanTron and the scaffolding on the set. Cena with a punch to Orotn and Orton returns to the ring. Cena summons the strength to return to the ring. Orton punches Cena as Cena returns to the ring. Orton punches Cena as he tries to work on the earlier cut that Cena suffered. Orton stares into Cena’s eyes and Cena goes to the apron. Orton sets for another IEDDT in the ring but Cena gets through the ropes and has Orton up for Attitude Adjustment. Orton leaves the ring and goes into the crowd. Cena goes after Orton. Orton is going for some concessions or maybe a bathroom break as they fight to the top of the lower concourse. Orton goes down after being hit by a trash can. Cena sends Orton into the wall and then he kicks Orton. Orton goes down the steps and Cena follows after him.
We are into the final quarter of the match.
Cena sends Orton back into the ringside area and he gets a near fall. Cena slams Orton’s head into the ring steps but Orton kicks out. Cena sends Orton into the ringside barrier and Orton holds his arm. Cena sends Orton into the ringside barrier one more time to work on the shoulder. Cena sends Orton through the wall for the ring bell pit and Orton is down.
Cena hits Orton in the head with the ring steps and Cena holds the steps over his head like he won the Bragging Rights Cup. Cena says that he is going to finish him and he puts the second set of steps on top of the one already set by the announce table. Cena picks up Orton and gets him on his shoulders as he moves to the announce table. Cena climbs the steps and he hits the Attitude Adjustment through the table. Cena gets the three count to tie the match.
Orton 5: Cena 5
The break is over and Cena gets another cover but Orton kicks out. Cena gets a table and he brings it into the ring. Cena carries Orton back into the ring. Cena puts Orton onto a table and Cena goes up top. Cena misses the leg drop when Orton moves off the table.
We are into the final five minutes and they exchange punches and the crowd boos and yays for each one. Orton takes control but then Cena does as we are in the final three minutes. Cena with a flying shoulder tackle but the second one takes out the referee. Orton hits an RKO but the referee is out cold. Orton wants another referee to come out but Cena can kick out when the second referee makes his way to the ring. Orton is furious at the referee and he knocks out the referee.
We are down to the final minute and Orton lines up for the field goal but Cena moves. Cena puts Orton in the STF and we are at 55 seconds. We are down to twenty seconds and Orton tries to fight out. Orton taps with five seconds left.
Winner: John Cena 6 falls to 5
We see some highlights of the match.
We go to credits.
2010 -
2010 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Green Bay, Wisconsin and your announcers are Michael ‘Why isn’t there a statue of Miz next to Vince Lombardi’ Cole and Jerry ‘Cheese Soup’ Lawler.
The man who won last night in the main event but unable to gain the WWE Title comes to the ring and Wade Barrett is joined by the rest of Nexus and John Cena. David Otunga and John Cena have the WWE Tag Titles with them and Cena is not happy to be in the ring with his black and gold clad friends.
Wade thanks everyone to stop them from chanting for John Cena, who stands in the corner. Wade wants everyone to simmer down. He wants to take this opportunity to introduce the most dominant force in WWE history, The Nexus. Wade goes through the roster in case you forgot who they are. Wade says that they did the unthinkable last night when their actions resulted in the burial of the Undertaker.
We go to the photos to prove what Nexus did last night in the Buried Alive Match.
Wade says that everyone is wondering why would Nexus get involved in something they had nothing to do with. He says that it is not for them to know why they helped Kane. They did have their reasons.
Wade reminds us that he beat Randy Orton last night, but he wants John Cena to explain what happened, and that is an order.
John says that Wade was about to get beaten down by Orton so he got involved and got Orton disqualified so Wade would win the match.
Wade tells Cena what really happened. He was on his way to beating Randy Orton and becoming the WWE Champion when Cena inexplicably entered the ring and laid his hands on Wade Barrett.
We go to the photos of John Cena giving Wade Barrett an Attitude Adjustment.
Wade yells at Cena for handing Randy Orton the WWE Title belt.
John reminds Wade that he said that if Wade didn’t win the match, Cena would be fired so that is what happened.
Wade asks if it is okay that Randy Orton is still the champion, Wade won the match, and John Cena hasn’t been fired yet.
The Least Electrifying Noise in Sports Entertainment sounds and Michael Cole has a friend who sent him an e-mail. Cole climbs on his high chair and he quotes that since Wade Barrett won last night, he gets a future rematch. This time, there will be a special guest referee. That referee will be chosen by the winner of the main event tonight. Randy Orton will face a member of Nexus.
The fans chant for Cena and Wade says that he knows who will be facing Randy Orton tonight. It will be John Cena.
Otunga wants the mic and he says that there is some unfinished business. Last night, they became the Tag Champions. Otunga says that Cena ignored him and gave him and Attitude Adjustment. Otunga says that Cena was against him so he wants Barrett to pay for it. Otunga says that Cena should be fired.
Wade tells David that he is right. They cannot co-exist as tag team champions. We will see the champions face the ‘challengers’ and it is Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel.
Match Number One: John Cena and David Otunga versus Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater for the WWE Tag Titles
Cena and Slater start things off but before they lock up Barrett says that Nexus does not fight amongst themselves so someone must do the right thing for the greater good of Nexus. Someone needs to lie down in the ring. That someone is David Otunga.
Otunga is in shock at what Wade said and Barrett gets on the apron to tell him to lie down.
Otunga thinks about it and he gets on one knee and lays down for Slater to get the three count.
Winners: Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel
After the match, Cena leaves the ring and he cannot believe what just happened while Heath and Justin celebrate their impressive and hard fought victory.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Dolph Ziggler taping out to Daniel Bryan last Monday on Raw.
Vickie Guerrero comes out with Kaitlyn and Vickie throws out some Excuse Mes for the Green Bay crowd. Vickie says that there was a blemish on Smackdown’s perfect night at Bragging Rights. She says that her boyfriend was cheated by shoddy refereeing. Tonight it won’t happen because Dolph Ziggler is going to embarrass Daniel Bryan.
Match Number Two: Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero and Kaitlyn versus Daniel Bryan
Before the match starts, CM Punk comes to the ring.
They lock up and Ziggler with a waist lock take down. Bryan goes for the leg but Ziggler escapes. Bryan works on the arm and he connects with a shoulder tackle. Bryan with a boot to the head and a kick to the chest. Bryan sets for the surfboard and then he adds a chin lock to add more pressure. Bryan with a European uppercut. Ziggler with an elbow to the back of the head and he gets a near fall. Ziggler with a side head lock but Bryan with a drop kick for a near fall.
Ziggler with a kick to the midsection followed by a punch to the head. Bryan with a reverse rana that sends Ziggler to the floor. Bryan with a suicide dive onto Ziggler and we go to commercial.
We are back and Bryan and Ziggler exchange punches but Dolph with a kick. Bryan with a flying clothesline to Ziggler and then he hits a running drop kick that sends Ziggler into the turnbuckles and Bryan gets a near fall. Ziggler backs into the corner to stop the Bryan attack but Bryan with kicks to the chest and then he misses a kick to the head when Ziggler ducks but Bryan continues around and he kicks Ziggler and gets a near fall.
Bryan tries for the LeBell Lock but Ziggler gets to the ropes. Bryan puts Ziggler on the turnbuckles and Bryan with a Frankensteiner but Ziggler rolls through and gets a near fall with a sunset flip. Bryan misses another round kick and Ziggler tries for a sleeper. Ziggler with a super kick and he gets a near fall.
Ziggler misses the Fameasser and then Bryan tries for a Victory Roll but Ziggler reverses and gets a near fall. Ziggler punches Bryan but Bryan with a forearm as they battle on their knees. Ziggler with a reverse T-Bone suplex and Ziggler gets a near fall. Ziggler tries for the sleeper but Bryan backs Ziggler into the turnbuckles. Ziggler holds on but Bryan puts Ziggler in the LeBell Lock and Ziggler taps despite Vickie’s attempts to put Ziggler’s leg on or under the rope.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
Vickie pleads her case again and the referee won’t hear any of it.
CM Punk applauds Bryan’s work and Ziggler tries to use that opportunity to attack Bryan but Bryan turns around in time and Ziggler goes to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see the obligatory Lambeau Field camera shot.
Members of the Green Bay Packers are in the crowd (so they are probably glad they got to see the rematch since they had a game last night during the PPV).
It is time for an In Your Corner video package about the WWE Literacy programs including the Wrestlemania Reading Challenge.
Toby Keith is with the Bellas and they exchange gifts. Santino stops by and he says that he is a huge fan. He talks about it used to be hip hop when he came to the United States, but now it is country-western. Santino sings a song for Toby and he tells Santino to keep his night job.
Sheamus arrives and he calls Santino an absolute disgrace. He says that Santino embarrassed his team last night. Tonight, he has a chance to show that he has a spine and isn’t worthless. Sheamus challenges Santino to a match.
Santino accepts the challenge and Sheamus tells Santino that he better show up.
Wade Barrett is being yelled at by John Cena for what happened earlier. Wade says that Cena was trying to be cute last night but Cena needs to remember who is in charge. He tells Cena that if he wants Cena to make him coffee, he will make it. If he tells Cena to lie down, he will do it.
Cena says that he can’t do this anymore. He just had to hand over a WWE Championship. Cena says that isn’t him. It is the same thing to be fired or quit. Cena removes his Nexus arm band.
Barrett tells Cena that he has a solution. He tells Cena that if he can beat Randy Orton, he has an offer that will benefit both of them. Barrett reminds Cena that he will be in his corner.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Last week’s LayCool tribute to Bret Hart and Natalya on Smackdown.
Michelle and Layla are in the ring already for our next match.
Match Number Three: Gail Kim and Melina versus Michelle McCool and Layla
Melina and Layla start things off and Melina knocks Michelle down and hits a clothesline and drop kick on Layla. Melina pulls Layla down by the hair and gets a near fall. Layla with a kick and she knocks Gail off the apron. Melina and Layla each try for cross bodies and both go down. Michelle tags in while Melina with a rollup on Layla and Michelle with a round kick for the three count.
Winners: Michelle McCool and Layla
Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler talk about how next week is an important election and Lawler says that tomorrow is the deadline to register in some states. They also tell people not to wear WWE clothing to vote.
Miz is walking in the back with his manservant as we go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the Bud Grant and Marv Levy of Team Raw, The Miz comes to the ring with his towel boy Alex Riley.
Miz says that he has accomplished more in his career than everyone else in this arena combined can imagine what they can do in their lives. No matter how superior he is, Miz says that he is not a miracle worker. Last night at Bragging Rights, he endured adversity and overcame hardship. Miz reminds us that he outlasted everyone on the Raw team, but they still failed against Smackdown. Miz says that if the WWE Superstars had a fraction of the talent that he possesses, the Bragging Rights Trophy would be on Monday Night Raw.
Miz says that his talent doesn’t speak volumes, it screams Awesome and that is why he is a leader and the captain. Miz says that is why the poster child of THQ’s Smackdown vs. Raw 2001 is the Miz. We see the cover of the game with Cena in the center and Show flanking Cena on the other side. Miz tells Tetris to eat its heart out. If THQ wants to make some money and shatter video game records, the cover should have had Miz all over it.
Miz says that the Raw team should have consisted of seven Mizes instead of Miz and six losers. Then the Bragging Rights trophy would have been on Raw. Miz says that if the people understand anything, he blames his team, Smackdown, and Rey Mysterio. Miz makes a challenge for Rey Mysterio and tells him to come to Raw. The reason people watch Raw is because of him. Miz says that he is the only person on the Raw roster who can say that he is AWESOME.
Eve Torres comes out and she has something to say. Miz says that she is here to apologize on behalf of all of the Divas, but it wasn’t their fault they lost at Bragging Rights. She should be apologizing for her horrific taste in men, music, and hair extensions that don’t match.
Eve says that she didn’t apologize for anything. She tells Miz that he should be worried that everyone in the locker room, building, and WWE Universe know that he is nothing more than a 15 minute, flash in the pan, brainless, laughable, thick-headed, half witted, uninspired, frog faced loser.
Miz asks if everyone thinks he is a frog faced loser and then Miz throws out a few REALLYS. Miz responds by saying that the Packers aren’t going to the Super Bowl. Miz is surprised that the WWE locker room would send Eve out to convey their message.
Eve says that Miz is the furthest thing from awesome that the WWE has ever seen. She tells Miz that he is ugly.
Riley tells Eve to ‘shut the front door already.’ Riley asks Eve if she thinks she if fancy. Alex says that the reason why the rest of the Raw team isn’t out here, they are tiptoeing their way to unemployment. Miz could have beaten any of those slackers by himself. He tells Eve to walk back to the dressing room to see if they want to take a piece out of the captain.
R Truth’s music plays and he comes out. Before Truth addresses Miz or Riley, he asks what’s up.
Truth says he would like to have a piece of Mister Kermit. He says that what Eve said was the truth and he says that the Truth hurts. He has no problem showing that the Truth hurts.
We get a dingy dingy noise and Michael Cole climbs Mount Raw GM to quote. Ding, Ding, Ding.
Match Number Four: Miz versus R Truth
Truth punches Miz and kicks him. Truth with a hip toss and then he clotheslines Miz over the top rope while Cole tries to encourage Miz and we go to commercial.
We are back and Miz is in control of the match as he gets a near fall. Miz with a reverse chin lock. We see footage from the commercial when Truth was punching Miz but Miz with a big boot to the head to get control. We are back to live action and Truth with an arm drag and rollup for a near fall. Miz with a clothesline and he punches Truth. Miz with a surfboard. Miz with a knee and then he tries for a belly-to-back suplex but Truth counters with a lateral press and gets a near fall.
Miz sends Truth into the turnbuckles and then he punches Truth. Miz sets up for the Awesome Clothesline and he hits it. Miz gets a near fall on Truth as he continues to control the match. Miz puts Truth on the top turnbuckle and he punches Truth. Miz tries for a superplex but Truth punches and pushes Miz off. Truth with a kick and then he leaps over Miz. Truth with punches to Miz that stagger the captain. Miz with a kick but Truth with a few clotheslines. Truth with a leg lariat and then he kicks Miz in the midsection and hits a sit out gourdbuster for a near fall.
Truth runs into an elbow but Truth with a split. Miz with a kick but Truth with an over the shoulder jaw breaker for a near fall. Truth knocks Miz off the apron and into the announce table. Truth tells Riley to back up and then he sends Miz back into the ring. Riley hits Truth from behind and then Eve slaps the taste out of Riley’s mouth.
Miz brings Truth into the ring and then Truth with a baseball slide to Riley on the floor. Truth with a victory roll for a near fall. Miz avoids the scissors kick and hits the Skull Crushing Finale for the three count.
Winner: Miz
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the guest star to come out to the ring and address the fans in Green Bay. Toby Keith comes to the ring and he is the guest ring announcer for our next match. He is flanked by the official arm candy of WWE, The Bella Twins.
Toby says that he was watching the football game last night and he thought that he hadn’t been in Green Bay in a while. He talks about how he decided to come up to Green Bay and if there is Raw, he needed to be in Green Bay.
Match Number Five: Sheamus versus Santino Marella
Before the match, Toby comes out to give Santino a pep talk.
They lock up and Sheamus with a short arm clothesline after Santino avoids a clothesline with a split. Sheamus with knees to the back of the head and the referee warns Sheamus. Sheamus tosses Santino to the mat and he waits for Santino to get up for the pump kick, but Santino cannot get up. Sheamus with a knee and then he puts Santino in the ropes.
John Morrison comes out and he wants Santino to stop but Santino says he is okay. Santino can’t get back on his feet. Morrison wants to know what Sheamus is trying to prove. Morrison pulls Santino out of the way and Sheamus kicks the turnbuckles instead of Santino and Santino collapses and gets the three count.
Winner: Santino Marella
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to Stand Up for WWE and the wrestlers talk about how they wanted to be pro wrestlers as they talk about the small towns they came from. They talk about the countries they have wrestled in.
Cole and Lawler talk about how much they love working for WWE.
Wade is with the new Tag Team Champions and David Otunga wants to talk to Wade, but he wants to talk to him alone. Justin and Heath leave. Otunga wants to know why Wade made him do that because he was humiliated. David says that Wade couldn’t get the job done last night so he is taking it out on Otunga. Otunga says that he might tell the world why they attacked Undertaker last night.
Wade asks Michael and Husky to enter and Wade says that they are members of Nexus. Wade says that will achieve two things. It will be stronger than ever and they can end any career they want. Wade says that you are either Nexus or Against Us and he tells David to make that choice . . . right now.
David thinks about it and he says that he is Nexus. Wade tells David to keep up the excellent work.
John Cena and Randy Orton walk in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and Pee Wee Herman will be the Guest Star next week on Raw.
Match Number Six: John Cena versus Randy Orton in a Referee Determination for WWE Title Match at Survivor Series Match
They lock up and Cena with a side head lock but Orton with a shoulder tackle. Cena with a waist lock into a side head lock. Cena with a shoulder tackle and Orton slithers into the corner. They lock up again and Cena backs Orton into the corner. Cena tries for a bulldog out of the corner but Orton pushes him away. Orton with kicks to Cena and then he punches Cena. Cena punches back and Orton senses that Cena was ready for the Legendary sequence so he ducks to avoid the flying shoulder tackle. Barrett tries to get involved on the floor but Orton punches Barrett.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Orton with a reverse chin lock and Cena tries to escape the hold. Cena gets Orton up for the Attitude Adjustment but Orton escapes and responds with a DDT and gets a near fall. Orton punches Cena and Cena goes down. Orton with another punch to the head as Cena struggles to get back to his feet. Orton with more punches followed by an Irish whip but he charges into a boot from Cena. Cena with two shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb and then it is time to finish the Legendary Sequence with the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena waits for Orton to get up and he has him up for the Attitude Adjustment but Orton escapes. Cena with a drop toe hold but he cannot apply the STF. Orton with clotheslines followed by a power slam. Cena goes to the apron and he kicks Cena as he sets for the IEDDT but Cena gets into the ring and he back body drops Orton over the top rope to the floor.
Barrett goes over to attack Orton but Cena goes to the floor and he gives Barrett a shoulder tackle and tells Barrett that isn’t going to happen. Orton punches Cena but Cena Irish whips Orton into the ringside barrier. Cena sends Orton back into the ring and Cena goes up top for the Rocker Dropper and he hits it but he can only get a two count. Cena waits for Orton to get up and he has Orton up for the Attitude Adjustment but Orton goes to the apron and he drops Cena across the top rope.
Cena with a drop toe hold and he puts Orton in the STF. Orton goes for the ropes but Barrett pulls the ropes away. Cena releases the hold and yells at Barrett. Barrett tells Cena what to do.
Cena returns to the ring and Orton with a drop kick. Orton with the IEDDT and he hits it. Orton stares at that spot in the back and then he twists to the mat and does the RKO push ups. Orton waits for Cena to get to his feet and he tries for the RKO but Cena pushes him off and Cena hits the Attitude Adjustment but Orton kicks out at two. Orton hits the RKO but the momentum sends Cena to the floor. Orton brings Cena into the ring so he can beat him instead of winning by count out.
Orton sees Cena down in the corner and he thinks about what to do next. Orton backs up and he lines up for the field goal kick. Barrett pulls Cena out of the ring and gives him a clothesline to cause the disqualification.
Winner: John Cena by disqualification
After the match, Randy Orton attacks Wade Barrett on the floor and then they go into the ring. The members of Nexus come to the ring and Orton fights them off until it became a five on one attack. John Cena fights off Nexus and Wade tells Cena to stop.
Barrett tells the rest of Nexus to get out of the ring. Barrett congratulates Cena on winning the match and that means that he gets to select his referee for the match with Randy Orton at Survivor Series.
Barrett tells Cena that he is the referee. John Cena will be impartial. If Wade Barrett does not win the title at Survivor Series, he will fire John Cena on the spot. To remove any lingering doubts about the impartiality of John Cena at Survivor Series. When he wins the title, John Cena will be relieved of all duties he has to the Nexus.
Cena appears to be happy with that development as we go to credits.
2011 - WWE released Wrestling's Greatest Grudges - Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart on DVD and Blu-Ray.
2012 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live coverage of Impact Wrestling: Championship Thursday!
We go right to Hulk Hogan's office, as the Hulkster is thanking Jeff Hardy for taking Impact Wrestling where it's never gone before. There's four contenders tonight and he's going to pick one, but he wants Hardy to know that he's ready for his first title defense. Hogan wishes Hardy the best of luck, and says to get ready since it's championship Thursday. Hardy walks out into the hallway where his contenders are hanging out waiting for their audience with Hogan, and we are somehow able to hear Hardy's thoughts as he thinks that Angle is a machine, Storm drinks too much, Anderson is always going to be an asshole, and Bully is dangerous but his mind is preoccupied.
Jeremy Borash and Todd Kenely are our new announcers for the first hour of Impact, and Taz and Mike will join us for hour two. Let's go right to the ring for our first title match!
X Division Title Match: Rob Van Dam vs Zema Ion
They do a quick back and forth sequence early on, trading dropkicks and takedowns, but neither guy gets an advantage. Another back and forth ends with RVD press slamming Ion, the only time I ever remember seeing him do that, and Ion rolls out to the floor where RVD baseball slides him into the barricade. Ion rams RVD into the barricade and tries a dive of his own, but RVD pops up on the apron and spinkicks Ion in the face. Ion ducks a running crossbody and RVD flies over the top rope to the floor, followed closely by Ion as he takes RVD out with a somersault dive. Ion springs off the bottom rope as he comes back into the ring and uses the momentum to hit a tornado DDT for 2. That looked great. Ion goes up top and goes for a Spiral Tap, but RVD rolls out of the way and the count is on. RVD with a slingshot thrust kick, Rolling Thunder, and the Five Star Notebook Splash, and that's all she wrote.
Winner: Rob Van Dam
One would assume that Ion is completely out of the title picture at this point, which I find a little strange given that I thought the big showdown he eventually has with Jesse Sorensen would be for the title. One way or another, Matt Morgan runs in and takes RVD out with the Carbon Footprint, then Joey Ryan slips in after him and takes the X Division Title, dangling it in RVD's face as Morgan says that Hogan wanted to see a different side of Matt Morgan, but to be careful what you wish for because he's not gonna like it.
Austin Aries is listening outside Hulk Hogan's office window, saying he doesn't have to do all the lip smacking these guys do since he has a rematch in the bank. He makes fun of Mr. Nanny, then says he's going to hang around outside Hogan's office and get people's reactions after Hogan tosses them out.
Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian come out to the ring, and Kazarian says they're the victims of a conspiracy because Mr. Nanny altered his travel arrangements last week to keep him away from the Impact Zone where he could stand by his partner, and (as the fans chant that they suck) at Bound For Glory, their titles were taken from them illegally by two guys who are probably in this country illegally. Daniels says they need to slow it down because the fans are a little slow, and he tells Suburban Commando that it's not really Championship Thursday because Zema Ion got his rematch, Miss Tessmacher is getting her rematch, but the best team in the world (who tells the truth and aren't liars or manipulators like Chavo and Hernandez) isn't getting their rematch. Chavo comes out here and mentions every member of his family they need to to get the fans to chant like Pavlovian dogs, and Dixie Carter is so determined to court the Spanish-speaking audience that they come out here in ponchos and with Mexican tattoos. He suggests they go the full nine yards and wear sombreros, drink Margaritas, and call themselves Los Stereotypicos. Daniels says they're done messing around, and Kazarian goes out to ringside with a clipboard to get the fans to sign a petition to get them a rematch. Hernandez and Chavo's music hits, and Los Stereotypicos come out to the ring to say they'll be happy to sign their petition because nothing would make them happier than to give them a rematch and shove those title belts down their throats. Hernandez shoves both Daniels and Kazarian on their asses, then they sign the petition because they'll give Daniels and Kazarian a rematch anytime, anyplace.
We go to Hogan's office and, as usual, he lets each man plead their case as to why they deserve a title shot. Storm says he'll whup somebody's ass because he's tired of taking backseats, Bully is still steaming over his brother, Angle says he'd still be champion if he didn't get hurt and he wants the title back, and Anderson doesn't know what Hogan wants unless Hogan wants him to grovel at his feet. Hogan says he made it easy, and Anderson is out first. Aries catches him on the way out and asks him if he didn't train enough or say enough prayers, and says that he's a better wrestler, better dresser, and even a bigger asshole than Anderson. He throws his water in Anderson's face, and Anderson proceeds to kick his ass, break a table over his head, and proceeds to get on top of Aries and punch him in the face while Aries goes "YOU'RE A BIGGER ASSHOLE, HUH?" Anderson gets up and walks off, and Aries challenges him to a match tonight. Anderson says he's on, then the director yells "CUT!" and we go to commercial.
We go to the Aces & Eights Clubhouse, where Devon says he talked to the President, who says that the masks don't come off under any circumstances since those are their identities. Devon says he brought some ladies so they can have some good times like in the old days. But before that, they need to take someone out, and they need to do it tonight. The Vice President gets up and throws a dart at a board with pictures of the TNA roster on it, and Devon says it looks like they figured out who their target is tonight.
TV Title Match: Samoa Joe vs Robbie T
T powers Joe into the corner, and Joe tears into him with a pair of hard chops. A shoulderblock doesn't budge T, and T takes Joe out with a double axhandle before pummeling him with forearms in the corner. Joe responds with forearms of his own, but T hits a leaping spinkick (!) and goes for a chokeslam, Joe fights his way out but T gets him a second time and lifts him up. Joe floats out behind T and gets the Kokina Clutch, T backs Joe into the corner, Joe gets the hold again and T fights out again, so Joe jumps onto T's back and gets the hold again. T falls backward and drops all his weight on Joe to break the hold, but Joe goes right back to the Kokina Clutch and T taps out.
Winner: Samoa Joe
We look back at Tara beating Miss Tessmacher for the Knockouts Title at Bound For Glory, then we go to Tessmacher as she says she couldn't wait to get her hands on Tara so she can win the title and send Tara and Jesse back to the D-list where they belong.
Back to Hogan's office, as he asks Angle what he thinks of Bubba. Angle says he thinks Bubba is too focused on his brother, and he understands it, but he'd want to kick his brother's ass. Storm says he got stabbed in the back by his brother, and he doesn't think Bubba is focused on the title match. Bubba says he sure is focused on his brother, and he wants to get ahold of him and get some answers out of him. Hogan says that just gave him the answer he needs, and tells Bubba to go take care of his brother. I guess he's eliminated too.
We go to...somewhere in the back, as Ken Anderson is yelling at some guy (presumably the director we heard before) and says that he's sick of Aries walking around like some kind of peacock, and since Hogan says it's okay, to go get him right now.
Oooooh, Anderson's already in the ring as we come back from commercial, that's not a good sign.
Ken Anderson vs Austin Aries
Anderson takes Aries to the corner, breaks clean, and goes "COME ON, BITCH!" Well, I guess we know his mindset. Aries takes Anderson to the ropes and takes a swing, but Anderson blocks and drills him back, sending Aries scurrying out to the floor. Aries takes a long count to break the momentum, then comes in and takes Anderson to the corner, shoving him on the break and getting drilled in the face in return. Anderson gets on top of Aries and drills him with more punches, but Aries rolls out to the floor to avoid an elbowdrop. He again takes a walk to break Anderson's momentum, then comes back in and catches a back elbow to the face. Anderson pulls brass knucks out of his tights and stares at them for a moment, and Aries swoops in and nails Anderson before he decides what to do. Okay, looks like Aries planted the knucks on Anderson and I missed it. Regardless, Anderson goes back to unloading on Aries but winds up getting dumped out to the floor where Aries takes him out with a heat-seeking missile through the ropes as we go to commercial.
We're back, and Aries is beating Anderson up in the corner. Anderson starts firing back and whips Aries hard into the corner, but charges right into his boot and is down again. Aries with a kneedrop to the back of the head for 2, then he drills Anderson with forearms but gets turned inside out with a clothesline. Anderson with more back elbows and a discus clothesline, followed by a rolling neckbreaker. Aries blocks a Finaly roll, misses a roaring elbow, and gets nailed with a spinning enziguiri from Anderson that sends Aries out to the floor. Anderson comes over the top rope and takes Aries out with a crossbody, then rolls Aries inside and covers for 2. Anderson tries the Finlay roll again, but Aries holds onto the referee and falls on top of him. He gets the brass knucks out of the referee's pocket and goes after Anderson with them, but Anderson gets the knucks and the referee sees and takes them out of his hand. While the referee is busy disposing of the knucks, Aries takes another set of knucks out of his tights and drills Anderson with them...then pulls Anderson on top of him and magically kicks out at 2. Anderson is out cold, and Aries quickly gets him in the Last Chancery and the referee stops the match when he sees that Anderson is out.
Winner: Austin Aries
Tara and Jesse are backstage telling Brooke Hogan about how many tomato baths they had to take after getting touched by ODB last week. Brooke tells Tara to get to the ring for her title defense, but tells Jesse to stay put and to watch out because she heard ODB had an eye on him.
Mike Tenay and Taz take over on commentary as we head to the ring for our next title match!
Knockouts Title Match: Tara vs Brooke Tessmacher
Jesse comes out with Tara anyway, but Brooke dropkicks Tara on her way into the ring and starts kicking the crap out of her. She hits a snapmare and connects with repeated indy kicks to the back before slamming Tara's face into the mat repeatedly. Jesse gets up on the ring apron and takes his shirt off to distract Brooke and allow Tara to nail her from behind. Tara goes out after her and rams Brooke's face into the apron, then rolls her back inside and now slams Brooke's face into the mat several times before gouging at her face. Tara stops to make out with Jesse, then goes back to working Brooke over. Brooke starts coming back, but Jesse pulls the ropes open as Brooke runs into them and Brooke goes to the outside. Jesse rolls Brooke back inside and Tara hits the Widow's Peak for the win.
Winner: Tara
Tara and Jesse make out a bunch, and then Brooke Hogan's music hits and she comes out to tell Tara that next week is Open Fight Night, and she just got off the phone with a very feisty ODB who wants to challenge Jesse to a match. Jesse looks really unhappy at this and cowers at Tara's feet.
Bully Ray is backstage, and he's...WALKING!
Joseph Park comes into Hulk Hogan's match to follow up on their meeting last week, and Hogan doesn't want to let him get in the ring with Aces & Eights, but Park says Hogan wasn't the one who was denied his basic human rights. Hogan says he's responsible for everyone who works there, and Park hands him a contract and says that he's free to do whatever he needs to and tells Hogan to help him if he wants, and otherwise just stay out of his way.
Bully Ray comes out to the ring and says he's been in the business for over 20 years and nothing shocks him anymore, but when the mask came off and he found out that Devon was behind Aces & Eights, he was shock. Devon said a bunch of nothing last week, so he tells Devon to come out and tell him why he did what he did face to face. Devon comes out with the entire group in tow, and hides behind them as he says he doesn't owe Bubba an explanation. They are no longer a team, they're no longer family, they're nothing. Devon did what he did two years ago, and he did what he did, enough said because it has nothing to do with Bubba. It all has to do with Hogan (crowd starts a you sold out chant), because he said he wanted Devon back because he's such a great wrestler and a great champion, but he never called or texted Devon. Hogan and Dixie did nothing for him when he was down and out, and it was Aces & Eights who had his back and picked him up. It doesn't end here, and when everything is said and done, they'll take out each of the people who wronged them one by one. He tells Bubba to go home and leave it be because it's done and Bubba isn't even a threat anymore. Bubba says it's over when he says it's over, and as far as what he did to Devon two years ago, Devon knows exactly why he did it and it is between them. Devon is hiding behind Aces & Eights and is a lying sack of crap, because they had planned to retire as champions, but Chris Sabin kicked out of their finish, and nobody ever kicked out of their finish anywhere they've ever been, but Sabin kicked out on him. The part nobody knew that nobody ever thought Devon would tell the world is that when Bubba had his head down and felt like crap, Bubba will never forget that Devon asked him what the big deal was because they're rich and to screw the fans. Bubba tells Devon to go ahead and deny he said it. Devon said it is true and says to screw these idiots because he doesn't care about them, but Bubba says they're doing too much talking since they were always about fighting, so he tells Devon to get rid of the guys they're hiding behind so they can fight right now. Devon says no because it's not on Bubba's time, and to get his head out of his ass because the world doesn't revolve around him. Devon says he's going home, and Aces & Eights heads to the back. Bubba says this is so typical of Devon because he's a coward who hid behind him, he had no balls then and he has no balls now. Bubba tells Devon to do himself a favor because next week is Open Fight Night, and Bubba doesn't have to think about it because he's challenging Devon. Somebody's going to get his ass kicked, and somebody's going through a table.
The Mystery Cameraman catches up backstage with Matt Morgan and Joey Ryan, who says that the rules don't apply to them, and maybe it's time to get some X Division gold around his waist. Morgan says that Hogan's days of holding him down are over, and Matt Morgan will do what he wants, where he wants, and where he wants, and dares Hogan to try and stop him.
We look at this month's contestant in the Gut Check...and it's Christian York! How about that? He says that he's been wrestling for 16 years and had a chance in TNA ten years ago, and he teamed with Joey Matthews and watched him go to OVW and wind up on TV, and wishes they had been able to do it forever. He knows he's not getting any younger and needs to make his mark, and he plans to do it next week in the Gut Check.
Hulk Hogan is backstage with James Storm and Kurt Angle, and he says that Storm has been through a war and he has a big plan for him, but that Angle's getting the title shot tonight. Hogan tells Storm they need to talk as Angle makes his way out to the Impact Zone for the main event.
World Title Match: Jeff Hardy vs Kurt Angle
Angle takes Hardy to the corner and breaks clean, then they tie up again in the middle of the ring and Hardy takes Angle down with an armdrag. Hardy bars the arm and Angle gets to his feet and takes Hardy to the corner, but this time he drills him in the jaw and Hardy goes down like a ton of bricks. Angle continues working Hardy over in the corner, but Hardy comes back and stomps Angle down in the corner and hits the springboard basement dropkick in the corner. Angle tries coming off the second rope but leaps right into an inverted atomic drop, and Hardy does the double leg takedown/basement dropkick/double legdrop to the crotch combo for 2. Angle responds by crotching Hardy on the top rope and charging with a forearm that sends Hardy tumbling out to the floor as we go to commercial.
We're back as both men wipe each other out with a double clothesline. Hardy recovers first and dumps Angle out to the floor and then wipes him out with a clothesline off the apron. They go back inside and Hardy hits the Whisper In The Wind for 2, Angle blocks the Twist of Fate and gets hits a trio of rolling German suplexes for 2. Angle goes for the Hacker Slam, but Hardy counters to the Twist of Fate and goes up top for the Swanton. He takes about six years to get up there and gives enough time for Angle to pop up to the top rope and hit a release suplex for 2. Angle powerbombs Hardy for 2 and catches Hardy in the anklelock on the kickout. Hardy rolls through and hits an inverted enziguiri, then he goes back up top and goes for the Swanton, but Angle rolls out of the way and Hardy crashes and burns. Angle hits the Hacker Slam and covers for 2, he goes for another German suplex, but Hardy shoves him off and hits two Twists of Fate, then goes back up and hits the Swanton, but only gets 2! Wow, this is a hell of a match, and the crowd is really into it too. Angle backdrops Hardy out to the floor, and immediately goes and rolls Hardy back inside. The straps come down and Angle goes for another Hacker Slam, but Hardy shifts his weight and comes out behind Angle, rolling him up for 3.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Great match, these guys really kicked ass out there. Speaking of kicking ass, Austin Aries runs in and knocks Hardy out, then gets a mic and said with all the pairs of eyes he has, he thought he'd have some in the back of his head. He says that he'll cash in his rematch at Turning Point, not for the Hardy belt, but for the World Championship he had. Hardy's going back to the outhouse and Aries is headed back to the penthouse, and he's so confident that he's going to win at Turning Point that he's taking the original title belt with him for safekeeping.
Wait a minute, something's going on in the back1 Aces & Eights is kicking the crap out of Kurt Angle, and they run off when Wes Brisco and Garett Bischoff come in and chase them off. Wes Brisco yells for help for Angle as we call it a week.
Thanks for following PWInsider.com's live coverage of Impact Wrestling, I'll be back tomorrow afternoon to discss Impact and more with Dave Scherer on the Stu & Pid Show!
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