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On this day in history in ....
1941 - Ben Pilar defeats Tetsuo Higami for the Hawaii Junior Heavyweight Title in Honolulu, Hawaii.
1945 - Danny McShain wins his fourth World Light Heavyweight Title in Hollywood, California, defeating Dick Trout.
1947 - Bob Cummings defeats Johnny Demchuk for the Midwest Wrestling Association World Junior Heavyweight Title in Columbus, Ohio. This began and ended both men's second reign.
1953 - Johnny Baldo wins the Wisconsin Junior Heavyweight Title from Al Williams in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to begin his second reign.
1954 - Tully Blanchard is born in San Antonio, Texas.
1959 - Reggie and Stan Lisowski defeat Herb and Seymour Freeman for the Minneapolis NWA World Tag Team Title in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to begin their second reign.
1960 - Lee Henning defeats Bob Ellis in St. Joseph, Missouri to win the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title.
1962 - Gene Kiniski and Killer Kowalski defeat Roy McClarty and Whipper Billy Watson in Vancouver, British Columbia for the Vancouver NWA Pacific Coast Tag Team Title.
1963 - Stan Mykietowich defeats Bob Brown to win the Madison Wrestling Club Heavyweight Title in Winnipeg, Manitoba, ending Brown's seventh reign.
1964 - The Destroyer and Art Michalik defeat Luther Lindsay and Shag Thomas for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title in Salem, Oregon, ending and beginning each team's third reign.
1968 - The WWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results were:
- Ricky Sexton defeated Mario Froteroli.
- Victor Rivera defeated Wes Hutchings.
- Bull Ramos defeated Smasher Sloan.
- Miguel Perez defeated Angelo Savoldi (subbing for Virgil the Kentucky Butcher).
- Earl Maynard defeated Guillotine Gordon.
- Edouard Carpentier and Dominic DeNucci defeated Luke Graham and Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- Antonio Pugliese defeated Prof. Tanaka by disqualification.
- Hans Mortier defeated WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino by disqualification.
1969 - The Medics (Billy Garrett and Jim Starr) defeat Louie Tillet and Tarzan Tyler to win the Florida NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Tampa, Florida.
1970 - The Spoilers defeat Ron and Don Wright in Chattanooga, Tennessee for the NWA Tennessee Tag Team Title, ending the Wrights' second reign.
1972 - The WWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results:
- Prof. Tanaka defeats Manuel Soto.
- Victor Rivera defeated Stan Stasiak.
- Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Jimmy Valiant.
- World Women's Champion The Fabulous Moolah defeated Vickie Williams.
- WWWF World Tag Team Champions Karl Gotch and Rene Goulet defeated The Rugged Russians.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Pedro Morales vs. Fred Blassie ended in a no contest.
1973 - The Brute and Mike Webster defeat Dutch Savage and Steven Little Bear for the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in New Westminster, British Columbia, ending Savage and Steven's fourth reign.
1974 - Gunga Din and Kubla Khan defeat Norvell Austin and Rocket Monroe to win the Gulf Coast NWA United States Tag Team Title in Mobile, Alabama, beginning their second reign.
1975 - Dick Murdoch defeats Blackjack Mulligan to win the Amarillo NWA International Heavyweight Title in Lubbock, Texas, to begin his second reign.
1976 - Duke Miller wins his second NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Title in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, defeating Eddie Sullivan in a tournament final. The title had been vacated by Bob Kelly on December 18, when he left the territory and ended his 16th reign.
1979 - The WWWF holds an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results were:
- WWWF Junior Heavyweight Champion Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Johnny Rodz.
- Roddy Piper defeated Frankie Williams.
- Suzette Ferrera and NWA World Women's Champion The Fabulous Moolah defeated Joyce Grable and Wenonah Little Heart.
- Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna (subbing for Stan Stasiak).
- Dusty Rhodes defeated Lumberjack Pierre.
- WWWF World Tag Team Champions Tony Garea and Larry Zbyszko defeated Victor Rivera and Stan Stasiak (subing for Spiros Arion).
- Ivan Koloff defeated Ivan Putski by countout.
- WWWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund defeated Peter Maivia in a steel cage match.
1979 - Pierre and Rick Martel become the WWC North American Tag Team Champions, after Pierre's previous championship partner, Jean Martel, left the promotion.
1981 - Jumbo Tsuruta wins his fourth NWA United National Heavyweight Title, defeating Abdullah the Butcher in Nirasaki, Japan.
1981 - Bobby Eaton defeats Steve O for the NWA National Television Title in Atlanta, Georgia.
1982 - The Masked Superstar and Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin) defeat Bob and Brad Armstrong for the NWA National Tag Team Title in Columbus, Georgia.
1983 - The WWF holds an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results:
- Johnny Rodz pinned Pete Sanchez with a small package.
- Special Delivery Jones pinned Baron Mikel Scicluna after a headbutt.
- Superstar Billy Graham pinned Swede Hanson, after hitting him in the throat with a foreign object that Graham had hidden in his boot.
- Don Muraco pinned WWF Intercontinental Champion Pedro Morales, after Morales' injured knee gave out while he was attempting a slam and Muraco fell on top, to win the title. This ended Morales' second reign and began Muraco's second.
- The Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika) defeated Tony Garea and Eddie Gilbert, when Sika pinned Garea after Afa connected with a flying axehandle to the back as Garea had Sika in an abdominal stretch.
- Ray Stevens pinned WWF Tag Team Champion Jules Strongbow after a piledriver.
- WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund pinned Big John Studd, by backdropping out of an overhead backbreaker after kicking off the top turnbuckle and landing on top, to retain the title.
- Curt Hennig pinned Jose Luis Rivera after a missile dropkick.
- Jimmy Snuka pinned Buddy Rose after the Superfly splash.
- Salvatore Bellomo pinned Charlie Fulton with a high crossbody.
- Rocky Johnson pinned Mr. Fuji with a small package.
1983 - Pequeo Solin defeats El Dandy to win the Mexican National Featherweight Title in Queretaro, Mexico.
1984 - Angelo Mosca defeats Sgt. Slaughter in Toronto, Ontario for the Toronto NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title, beginning his fifth reign.
1984 - Kendo Nagasaki (Kazuo Sakurada) defeats Mike Rotundo to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title in Orlando, Florida.
1993 - Alex Porteau wins his second GWF Light Heavywieght Title in Dallas, Texas, defeating Mike Dahl.
1994 - The WWF holds the seventh-annual Royal Rumble pay-per-view event at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The event got a 0.9 buyrate. The results were:
- In a dark match, The Brooklyn Brawler pinned Jim Powers after a swinging neckbreaker.
- Tatanka pinned Bam Bam Bigelow after a high cross body off the top rope. This match was originally to be Tatanka against Ludvig Borga, however Borga suffered a serious ankle injury during a January 17 match against Rick Steiner at Madison Square Garden. The injury was mentioned later, during the Royal Rumble match.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Quebecers (Jacques and Pierre) defeated Bret and Owen Hart to retain the title. Referee Tim White stopped the match after he considered Bret unable to continue due to a (kayfabe) left knee injury suffered during the match. Owen helped his brother to his feet before kicking him in his injured knee before leaving the ring. As Bret was wheeled out of the arena on a stretcher, Todd Pettengill caught up with Owen backstage and asked him why he did what he did. Owen's answer was simply that Bret was too selfish, and didn't tag Owen into the match when Bret was hurt.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon pinned Irwin R. Schyster after the Razor's Edge to retain the title. I.R.S. had won the match earlier, after he pinned Razor after Shawn Michaels hit Razor with his fake Intercontinental title belt while referee Joey Marella was knocked out. After I.R.S. pinned Ramon, referee Earl Hebner came to the ring and informed Marella about what had happened, and the match was restarted.
- WWF Champion Yokozuna defeated The Undertaker in a Casket match to retain the title. Yokozuna won after The Undertaker was locked inside the casket, after being attacked by him along with Crush, The Great Kabuki, Tenryu, Bam Bam Bigelow, Adam Bomb, Jeff Jarrett, The Headshrinkers and Diesel. After they all started to push the casket up the aisleway, Undertaker's gong sounded, smoke began to pour from under the casket, and the arena went dark. Undertaker appeared on the video screen over the entrance, lying in a casket, and proclaimed he "will not rest in peace" and that soon everyone "will witness the rebirth of The Undertaker". The casket on-screen exploded, with The Undertaker ascending through the screen and up into the air, out of sight. The "Undertaker" that ascended was Marty Jannetty. Taker would not be seen again until SummerSlam in August.
- Bret Hart (#27) and Lex Luger (#23) co-won the Royal Rumble match, after both men went over the top rope at the same time, with replay unable to determine who just went out first. This would ultimately result in both men receiving WWF Title shots at WrestleMania X. At 30 minutes and 12 seconds, Bam Bam Bigelow (#15) lasted the longest in the match. Mabel (#16) had the most eliminations with seven.
1994 - Bruiser Brian defeats Colonel DeBeers for the Championship Wrestling USA Television Title in Portland, Oregon, ending DeBeers' third reign.
1995 - The "Mountain from Stone Mountain", Jerry Blackwell dies of complications from pneumonia at age 55. Blackwell was a top star in the AWA, having feuds with Bruiser Brody and Michael Hayes. Blackwell won titles in the AWA, Memphis, Alabama and St. Louis.
1995 - The WWF holds the eighth-annual Royal Rumble pay-per-view event at the USF Sundome in Tampa, Florida. The event earned a 1.0 buyrate. The results:
- In a dark match, Buck Quartermaine defeated The Brooklyn Brawler.
- Jeff Jarrett pinned WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon with a roll-up to win the title. Jarrett had originally won the match by countout, after Razor was injured by The Roadie on the floor, but Jarrett goaded Razor to restart the match. This ended Razor Ramon's second reign.
- The Undertaker pinned Irwin R. Schyster after a chokeslam. After the match, King Kong Bundy came out and beat down Undertaker while I.R.S. ran off with Paul Bearer's urn.
- WWF Champion Diesel and Bret Hart fought to a draw, after continued interference from Owen Hart and Bob Backlund, who came out to attack Bret while Shawn Michaels, Jeff Jarrett, and The Roadie came out to attack Diesel.
- In a tournament final, Bob Holly and The 1-2-3 Kid defeated Bam Bam Bigelow and Tatanka, when The Kid pinned Bigelow after Tatanka accidentally caused Bigelow to fall from the top rope, to win the vacant WWF Tag Team Title. After the match, Bigelow saw Lawrence Taylor sitting at ringside laughing at him. Bigelow shoved him to the floor. This, of course, planted the seeds for their match at WrestleMania XI.
- Shawn Michaels won the Royal Rumble match, last eliminating The British Bulldog. Michaels and Bulldog were the first two to enter the match and the last two remaining. Bulldog threw Michaels over the top rope and thought he had won the match. However, referees noted that only one of Michaels' feet touched the floor making him still legal in the match. Michaels then re-entered the ring and eliminated the Bulldog, who was standing on the second rope in celebration. Pamela Anderson was on hand for the event and was featured in various backstage segments as well as in escorting the winner of the Rumble out of the arena. Both Shawn Michaels and The British Bulldog, obviously, were in the ring the longest, for 38 minutes and 39 seconds.
1996 - This week of the Monday Night War was a close one, with WWF Monday Night RAW narrowly defeating WCW Monday Nitro, 2.9 to 2.7 in the ratings.
WWF Monday Night RAW was live from the Civic Autitorium in Stockton, California. The results:
- Vader pinned Savio Vega after the Vaderbomb. After the match, Vader continued to assault Vega and a number of referees until WWF President Gorilla Monsoon came to the ring and indefinitely suspended Vader for his actions. Upon hearing this, Vader attacked Monsoon from behind and Vaderbombed him, putting Monsoon out until WrestleMania XII.
- Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeated Razor Ramon by countout.
- WWF Champion Bret Hart defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Goldust by submission with the Sharpshooter. This was Goldust's first televised loss.
WCW Monday Nitro was live from Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. The results were:
In dark matches:
- The Giant defeated WCW World Television Champion Johnny B. Badd in a non-title match.
- Alex Wright defeated Disco Inferno.
- The Blue Bloods (Earl Robert Eaton and Lord Steven Regal) defeated Bunkhouse Buck and Dick Slater.
In televised matches:
- Eddie Guerrero defeated Chris Benoit by disqualification.
- Randy Savage pinned WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair to win the title. This began Savage's second reign and ended Flair's fourth.
- Brian Pillman pinned Dean Malenko.
- Lex Luger and Sting defeated WCW World Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), when Luger got the pin after using a roll of quarters as a weapon, to win the title, ending Harlem Heat's fourth reign.
- Hulk Hogan pinned WCW United States Heavyweight Champion One Man Gang in a non-title match.
1996 - Kyoko and Takako Inoue defeat Akira Hokuto and Mima Shimoda for the WWWA World Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan, beginning their third reign.
1999 - Toshiaki Kawada wins his third AJPW Triple Crown Title in Tokyo, Japan, ending Mitsuharu Misawa's fourth reign. Kawada vacated the title one week later, due to a broken arm suffered during the match with Misawa.
1999 - The New Moondogs (Chomps and Manson) defeat The Glamour Order of Discipline (Johnny Canuck and Michelle Starr) for the ECCW Tag Team Title in Nanaimo, British Columbia. This began and ended both team's second reign.
1999 - Cedric of Hollywood defeats Super T for the NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title in North Richland Hills, Texas.
2000 - Luminous Warrior ends Derek Stone's second reign as World League Wrestling Heavyweight Champion in California, Missouri.
2001 - In this week in the Monday Night War, WWF RAW is WAR's 5.6 rating went unopposed, as WCW Monday Nitro did not air. RAW was live from the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana. The coming weekend's edition of Jakked was also taped. The results:
Jakked:
- Perry Saturn defeated Chris Nelson.
- Essa Rios defeated Scoot Andrews.
- Taka Michinoku defeated Vito DeNucci.
- Hardcore Holly defeated Mike Sullivan.
RAW is WAR:
- Test pinned WWF European Champion William Regal, after a big boot and elbow off the top rope, to win the title. This ended Regal's second reign.
- The Acolytes (Bradshaw and Faarooq) defeated The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff), when Faarooq pinned Jeff after the Dominator.
- The Rock and WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho defeated Big Show and Chris Benoit, when Rock pinned Benoit after the Rock Bottom.
- WWF Women's Champion Ivory pinned Molly Holly to retain the title, after Steven Richards pushed Holly off the top rope.
- Kane defeated Rikishi by disqualification when Haku interfered.
- Lo Down (D'Lo Brown and Chaz) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von), after Bubba Ray hit D'Lo with one of the title belts. After the match, the Dudleys 3D'd Tiger Ali Singh through a table.
- Al Snow pinned WWF Hardcore Champion Raven, after a shot with a steel pipe, to win the title, beginning his fourth reign.
- Raven pinned WWF Hardcore Champion Al Snow, after a masked woman in a black bodysuit (Tori) knocked Snow out and put Raven on top for the cover, to win the title, beginning his second reign.
- Triple H and Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley defeated WWF Champion Kurt Angle and Trish Stratus, when Stephanie pinned Trish after Triple H hit the Pedigree.
2002 - The original "Man of a Thousand Holds" Al Costello passes away due to pneumonia and heart problems at age 80. Costello was one-half of the successful Fabulous Kangaroos tag team with Roy Heffernan, which won titles worldwide. Although billed from Australia (Heffernan actually was Australian), Costello was actually Italian, born Giacomo Costa in Lingua Salina, Italy in 1919. The Kangaroos became the first tag team to be inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2003.
2003 - TNA held its 28th weekly pay-per-view event at the TNA Asylum in Nashville, Tennessee. The results were:
In dark matches:
- Rick Santel pinned Matt Stryker.
- Agents Steele and Madison defeated Roderick and Sedrick Strong.
- Kid Kash pinned Xavier.
In pay-per-view matches:
- The Amazing Red and The S.A.T. (Jose and Joel Maximo) defeated Shark Boy, Jimmy Yang and Shark Boy, when Red pinned Yang.
- Ashley Hudson pinned Jorge Estrada.
- A.J. Styles pinned Larry Zbyszko.
- David Flair and Mike Sanders defeated Ron Killings and Jerry Lynn, when Sanders pinned Lynn.
- Triple X (Low Ki and Elix Skipper) defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm), when Low Ki pinned Harris, to win the title. This ended AMW's second reign.
- TNA X Division Champion Sonny Siaki defeated Athena and Chris Vaughn in a three-way match, by pinning Vaughn, to retain the title.
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett defeated B.G. James, Don Harris and Christopher Daniels in a Gauntlet match to retain the title.
2005 - Diabalico and Rico Suave defeat Hurrican Castillo and Chicky Starr for the WWC World Tag Team Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico, ending Castillo and Starr's second reign.
2005 - Buff Bagwell and Dusty Rhodes defeat Rikki Nelson and Terry Taylor to win the vacant NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Title in Seoul, South Korea.
2006 - Shinjiro Otani defeats Steve Corino in Tokyo, Japan for the AWA World Heavyweight Title.
2006 - Jun Akiyama defeats Akira Taue to win his second NOAH GHC Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan.
2008 - WWE broadcast ECW on Sci Fi, highlights by Chavo Guerrero's biggest WWE singles win, capturing the ECW title. Mike Johnson filed the following TV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live coverage of ECW on Sci Fi, the final episode prior to this Sunday's Royal Rumble PPV in New York City.
ECW opened with a video feature on tonight's ECW title match between champion CM Punk and challenge Chavo Guerrero.
ECW went to the new open. Everything looks much slicker thanks to our new HD friends. The over the top rope challenge was first. Kane's entrance is INSANELY awesome with that new set.
Over the Top Rope Challenge
Competing are WWE Tag Team champions The Miz and John Morrison, Kane, Tommy Dreamer (who's new background entrance is the ECW logo, which makes perfect sense) and Shelton Benjamin. That makes Kane or Benjamin the favorites in my book.
Everyone battled in the corners. Since I don't have HD, I was looking at an empty ring for a second. Dreamer tried to toss Benjamin but failed. He went to clothesline Kane over the ropes but failed. Kane dumped him. All the heels attacked Kane and triple-teamed him. Benjamin hit him inverted bulldog. The Tag champions began working over Kane. Benjamin tried to powerbomb Miz but Morrison nailed a leg lariat.
The champs worked over Benjamin. Kane sat up . Morrison tried to kick him but was caught and laid out. Benjamin ate a clothesline in the corner. Kane then clotheslined Morrison. Kane tossed Benjamin, but he held on and didn't hit the floor. Kane dispatched the tag champs and went after Benjamin, who skinned the cat and then pulled Kane over the ropes to the floor.
Your winner, Shelton Benjamin!
Benjamin took the mic and said tonight was the first step. The next one was the Royal Rumble and then he would be on to the "motherlode" of Wrestlemania. He did his "ain't no stopping me now" catchphrase that Vince McMahon loves but comes off really forced.
Kelly Kelly was walking in the back as Joey Styles pushed the fact that we (well, except those of us who suffer with cable systems that won't carry Sci Fi in HD - or WWE 24/7 for that matter) will see the Divas in HD next.
We saw clips of last week's Diva footage. Jonathan Coachman was in the ring as the host. All three women did their thing. Layla El was the best of the three, but of course I'm biased and have great taste. Kelly Kelly, doing Trish Stratus' mannerisms, was the winner of the crowd reaction because she was the babyface. Coachman declared her the winner. The other Divas laid out Kelly Kelly, slamming her face-first into the mat and walked out.
Kofi Kingston vs. David Owen
Kofi was slapping hands on the way out, so he's a babyface. Owens look like they crossed Tomko with Mini-Me. Kofi has a good look. They locked up. Kofi escaped and took down Owen with a legsweep. Owen elbowed Kingston as he went for a waistlock from behind.
Kingston reversed an Irish Whip and hit a vertical leap into the corner, almost like a Thesz Press onto Owen. Owen was monkey flipped out of the ring. Owen caught Kingston with a side headlock but was shoved off. Kingston leapfrogged over Owen, then hit a glancing bodypress for a near fall.
Kingston unloaded with a series of chops, followed by a flapjack. He nailed a legdrop, then did some reggae moves before nailing a kick to the head for the pin.
Kingston has a great look and obviously has a ton of athletic ability. He was trying really hard, perhaps too hard, because some stuff looked like it wasn't connecting right, but I was impressed with Kingston's potential. I'm curious to see where he is a month from now.
Backstage, Edge was telling Chavo Guerrero that he had CM Punk tonight. Edge said that when Guerrero wins, together they will control two shows, Smackdown and ECW. Vicky Guerrero rolled into the picture. Chavo asked her why she was there since he thought she was going to wait at the hotel. She said she didn't want to miss him winning the belt and said the entire family was here to see Guerrero win.
We got to see some interesting Royal Rumble facts. It was a fun video feature that was plain awesome and if you weren't interested in seeing the Rumble match after it aired, you aren't a wrestling fan.
They showed a clip of the end of Smackdown's tag match. Armando was seen talking to Vicky, Chavo and Edge. The announcers put over how many people Chavo has with him. I'm guessing that's a tease for Rey Mysterio?
When they returned, Tazz was in the ring with Colin Delaney. Tazz praised him for still coming back after his four losses. They reviewed them on the Titantron. Delaney looked on in disbelief at the footage. Tazz asked Delaney if his mother was aware he was wrestling tonight. He shook his head no. Tazz said that might be a good thing, because Delaney was wrestling the Great Khali right now.
Great Khali vs. Colin Delaney
Khali stepped into the ring as Delaney stood there frozen in fear. Khali chopped him and Delaney crumbled to the mat. Khali powerbombed him, then put on the head vice for the submission. Delaney was seriously great here at selling, to the point his eyes were fluttering as he laid there like a rag doll.
Joey Styles and Tazz discussed the main event and wondered if the odds were too much for CM Punk to overcome.
Edge came to ringside to do commentary as they went to commercial.
ECW champion CM Punk vs. Chavo Guerrero
The ring announcer informed the crowd that the match is now "No Disqualification." Joey Styles noted that we just saw ECW General Manager Armando Estrada talking to Vicky and Chavo backstage. Edge claimed it had nothing to do with the last minute rules change.
Punk and Guerrero exchanged blows in the center of the ring. Punk got the better of him and nailed several knee strikes in the corner, then whipped Chavo to the opposite corner. Punk tried to untie one of the turnbuckle pads, but Guerrero attacked him from behind as he removed it. Punk tried to whip Chavo into it but Chavo prevented himself from hitting it. He tried to smash Punk's head into it, but Punk blocked the shot.
Chavo ended up on the apron and was nailed with a high round kick to the head. Chavo fell to the floor, where Punk dove to the floor. Punk unloaded with a series of chops on the floor. They battled around ringside and Punk whipped Guerrero into the ring steps. Punk teased a suplex onto the ring steps but Guerrero blocked it and dropped Punk across the stairs. Punk clutched at his ribs.
Chavo went to work on Punk in the corner with a series of kicks in the corner, then hit a baseball sliding kick. He dragged Punk out of the corner and attempted a pinfall, but Punk kicked up at two. Chavo continued to work over the ribs, but Punk came out of a corner with a clothesline. Punk continued to fight back but was hurting. Punk hit the running high knee to the face of Chavo in the corner, then the bulldog, but Chavo kicked up at two.
Punk ascended to the top rope and went for a leaping clothesline, but Chavo dropkicked him in the ribs. Chavo hit the Three Amigos. Guerrero went to the top for a rolling senton, but Punk moved. Punk nailed a hot shot onto the exposed corner, then hit the GTS. Edge hit the ring and speared Punk, but since there was no DQ, there was nothing the referee could do.
Chavo covered and pinned CM Punk, becoming the new ECW champion and the seventh ECW champ since WWE revived the company. Edge and Chavo embraced in the ring. The Edgeheads rolled out Vicky Guerrero to ringside and she joined Edge and Chavo in the ring. They all celebrated as ECW went off the air.
2007 - The Miami Herald reported there was no foul play involved in the death of former ECW champion Bam Bam Bigelow.
2007 - Ring of Honor announced plans to debut in Japan in the summer of 2007.
2008 - A wrestling-based reality series "The Bussey Bunch", focused around a family that owned and ran a wrestling promotion and training school, debuted, airing two episodes on TLC. The series was yanked and never aired again. Since then, the PCW promotion has shifted into MMA training.
2009 - Wes Brisco, son of Gerald Brisco, was signed to a WWE developmental deal. He did not make it to the main roster, but is still working independents.
2009 - TNA broadcast Impact. Ashley Colton filed the following results:
*Jay Lethal defeated Cute Kip w/The Beautiful People
4 way X Division Title Match
Alex Shelley defeated Chris Sabin, Sonjay Dutt w/So Cal Val & Sheik Abdul Bashir when Shelley pinned Dutt. At the end of the match, Sharmell came out and confronted referee Shane Sewell and made him return to the back with her.
The Main Event Mafia of Kurt Angle, Sting & Scott Steiner come to the ring. He says tonight they start with Petey Williams and end with AJ Styles. He says that its part Styles's fault he went through that table last week and playbacks are a bitch. He asks Team 3D who died and made them bookers...he said they can take their challenges for the PPV and stick them up their fat asses. Sting says no one speaks for him...and whispers something to Angle, who in turn whispers something back to Sting. Jim Cornette comes out and says Angle is right, 3D doesn't have the power to make matches but he does. And its not going to be Brother Ray vs Sting or Brother Devon vs Angle at Aganist All Odds, instead its going to be a 4 way match for the TNA World Title with Sting defending against Brother Ray, Brother Devon and Kurt Angle, first man to score the pinfall is the new champion. He knows that Team 3D can work together but asks if Sting and Angle can.
Sojourner Bolt vs. ODB
ODB wins by DQ when Awesome Kong runs down and attacks her with Raisha Sied & Rhaka Khan. Taylor Wilde & Roxxi come down with a chair & pipe to make the save.
Tag Team Elimination Match
Booker T w/Sharmell & Scott Steiner defeated Petey Williams & Eric Young.
Eric Young eliminated by Booker T.
Booker T pins Petey Williams after a scisscorkick...Booker went for several pins attempts on Williams but kept lifting him up. Postmatch, while raising Steiner & Booker's hands, Sewell shook his head in disgust...and Booker got in his face and hit him, Sewell couldn't take it anymore and started lacing into Booker with a series of chops, Steiner & Booker beat down on Sewell until Earl Hebner came down to help him out.
Lauren is in the ring, Matt Morgan comes out followed by Abyss. They discuss what happened postmatch last week. Morgan says the reason he's out there and had Abyss out there was to give him apology. And tonight, they will be the TNA World tag team champions. The two hug. Abyss says he accepts his apology and he's got a bad problem with his temper too. He mentions the two of them can go to therapy together. He's so happy he's got his whole family, his best friend of Matt Morgan and his girlfriend Lauren who he picks up and violently spins her around before apologizing.
Non Title First Blood Match
TNA Tag Team champs Beer Money, Inc w/Jackie Moore defeated Matt Morgan & Abyss after matt morgan turned on Abyss, hit him with a steel chair and made him bleed. Postmatch, Morgan hovered over Abyss before beating him senseless into the corner. Abyss finally makes it to his feet and Morgan appears to be leaving the ring but instead turns around and hits Abyss with yet another chairshot. He stands over him before flipping off the crowd and leaving.
Tables Match
AJ Styles vs Kurt Angle
Angle wins following an Olympic Slam through the table. Postmatch, Angle repeatedly smashes Styles's ankle with a chair before putting him in the Ankle Lock. Kurt then goes to the broadcast table & takes the mic. He says the beginning of the end of TNA starts next week, he stands on top of the table and says, Look Ma, I'm on top of the world before heading up the ramp where he does a TNA Today interview with Jeremy Borash.
2010 - Alyssa Flash departed TNA after failing to come to contractual terms with the company.
2011 - Former WWF and WCW World champion Sid Vicious was arrested in Memphis, TN on charges of marijuana possession, driving without a license and not wearing a seatbelt while driving, according to WMC channel 5 in Memphis. According to WMC report, which you can watch below, Vicious was pulled over for not wearing a seat belt by a police officer, who noticed the contraband sitting on his arm rest. Authorities discovered 18 grams of marijuana. Vicious was released after paying $1000 bond.
2011 - Sarita announced that she had signed a new two year deal with TNA.
2011 - Ring of Honor held the final ROH on HDNet tapings in Philadelphia, PA at the ECW Arena. Stu Carapola filed the following live report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live coverage of the final tapings of ROH On HDNet!
The lighting issues that affected the earlier portion of last night's taping seem to have been squared away.
-Slyk Wagner Brown defeated Christian York in a dark match.
-Jim Cornette came out to open the show, and then talked about what happened with Davey Richards' concussion at Final Battle costing him his destiny. Cornette introduced Davey as he came out for an in-ring interview. Cornette says Davey was within inches of winning the match when the concussion happened, and Davey says he's watched the tape several times since he doesn't remember a lot about the match, and all he can think about is how he failed himself and the fans and he is sorry. The bottom line is that he lost and he failed, and the crowd started chanting "rematch" at Davey. Cornette says the fans want a rematch and he deserves one, and Davey says he wants it, but not now and on his own time and he doesn't want to be handed anything here because it's not about being handed things, it's about earning things. Davey says he will train harder than he ever trained before to become the best wrestler he can so when he finally gets his title shot, he will have victory. Davey says he won't take the fans support for granted and won't waste their time, and if he doesn't win the title the next time, he's never going to challenge for it again, and all he can ask if for the fans' respect and support, and his journey to another title shot begins now. He's facing Colt Cabana in Chicago and he has the hometown advantage, but Davey says it's going to be Colt or himself, and at the end of the night he'll be standing over Colt because he's going to be the ROH World Champion. He is Davey Richards, he is the American Wolf, and the hunt never dies.
-The Bravado Brothers defeated Bobby Dempsey & Grizzly Redwood when Lance hit a crossbody on Dempsey and knocked him backwards over a crouching Harlem for the pin. I love the Bravados' act as clueless heels who think they're babyfaces.
-Homicide comes out to the ring and says he has been in ROH from the beginning and only won the World Title once, and then some fat slob from Japan came and took it from him. Now some guy from Tampa has the title, and he wanted Roderick Strong at Final Battle, but he refused to face him and has been hiding in matches with Davey Richards and Jay Briscoe. Now he's got him and he's going to take Roderick's title at the Anniversary Show. Roderick comes out with Truth Martini and says he doesn't owe Homicide anything, and while he was in TNA with Konnan, Roderick was here dominating and they don't owe Homicide s***. Roderick is the World Champion and he runs the company and Homicide is a has been. Homicide ruined the greatest night of Roderick's life by interrupting Roderick's celebration after winning the World Title, and now Roderick has a chance to make things right, and now all Homicide has to do is apologize for what he did at Glory By Honor IX and Roderick will face him in Chicago. Homicide says he's sorry, because he should have done this a long time ago, and he nails Roderick, then nails Truth Martini. Roderick attacks Homicide and beats him down until the Referee Patrol comes out to pull them apart. Roderick takes his shoe off and nails the referees with it, then uses it to beat Homicide down before throwing it into the crowd. Finally the referees separate them...momentarily, until Homicide rushes Roderick and beats him down. Roderick bails out to the floor, but comes back in as soon as Homicide turns his back and attacks him again. The fight continues until Homicide rips off Roderick's pants, exposing his light blue underwear and Roderick runs to the back.
-Steve Corino again took his seat at ringside for the semifinals of the Top Prospect Tournament.
-In the first Top Prospect Tournament semifinal, Kyle O'Reilly won a very hard fought match over Michael Elgin. This match was excellent and made both guys look great, Elgin dominated early with power moves and nothing O'Reilly did affected him until they fought on the apron and O'Reilly popped up to the top rope and hit a flying headscissors to the floor and followed that with a running dropkick off the apron that rammed Elgin into the corner. Elgin came back and ripped O'Reilly's head off with a lariat as well as a wrist clutch version of the Regalplex, but O'Reilly got a Diablo armbar and then cradled Elgin for the win. Crowd popped big for this match and especially for the O'Reilly win. Steve Corino gave his postmatch comments, saying that no matter who wins the other semifinal, he considers O'Reilly the top prospect and wishes him luck in the finals.
-Mike Bennett defeated Andy "Right Leg" Ridge in the second semifinal match of the Top Prospect Tournament, and Ridge got in a lot more offense than I would have expected and was KILLING Bennett with kicks. Bennett finally came back and hit the Side Effect for the win and will now face Kyle O'Reilly in the finals. Corino gave his postmatch comments and said that as impressive as the match was, his money's still on Kyle O'Reilly. Mike Bennett comes over and says that Corino said that he was overconfident, but that overconfidence has taken him to the finals, and tells Corino to just take his seat at ringside and keep his mouth shut.
-Davey Richards defeated Tony Kozina in a match held under Pancratian Rules, which was basically some kind of martial arts match. It was interesting and different, but the crowd kind of died off and didn't seem into it. I would assume the story is that Davey's starting his training he mentioned earlier by having a match like this with his trainer. Davey basically beat Kozina up until Kozina got a backdrop suplex and locked Davey in a rear naked choke. Davey got out and put Kozina down with several kicks, then hit a running knee to the chest and rained punches down onto Kozina until the referee stopped the match. Davey and Kozina bowed to each other in a show of respect afterward.
-In a TV main event, Roderick Strong won a Four Corner Survival match that also included Homicide, Jay Briscoe, and El Generico. Roderick and Homicide started, but Roderick tagged out to Briscoe before any contact was made. Strong basically spent the whole match coming in when he could get an advantage and running the rest of the time, with a focus on Roderick going out of his way to push Homicide's buttons, tagging out to him at one point and then attacking him when Homicide got dumped to the floor. Roderick finally tagged in and went after Homicide when he was already down, but tagged out as soon as Homicide started firing back. Roderick came in and worked Briscoe over for several minuteswhile taunting Homicide, spitting at him and at one point ramming Briscoe into Homicide and knocking him to the floor. Finally Homicide tagged in and got his hands on Roderick, but Roderick again tagged out to Generico, who sent Homicide out to the floor and then tossed Jay as well and hit a dive that wiped all three men out. The match finally boiled down to Homicide and Roderick, and Homicide went for the Cop Killa but Roderick escaped and hit the Tylerkick for 2, then hit a gutbuster and went for the Sick Kick but Briscoe and Generico wound up back in the ring and broke it up. Homicide ripped Generico's head off with a lariat, but Generico recovered and he and Briscoe exchanged Yakuza Kicks until Briscoe hit a hard Falcon Arrow Suplex for 2. Jay hit the Jay Driller on Homicide but immediately ate a Yakuza Kick and brainbuster from Generico, and Generico went for the cover but Roderick had tagged himself in right before the brainbuster and covered Briscoe for the win. Excellent match with a great story of Roderick frustrating Homicide by running from him and then stealing the win.
-Rhett Titus defeated Adam Cole in a match that saw Cole take a lot of nasty bumps. There was one spot where Cole was on the top rope and Titus yanked him off by the foot, but Cole hit the back of hiis head on the top turnbuckle on the way down. Cole had a comeback at the end until Titus elevated Cole and dumped him face first on the top turnbuckle in another nasty spot, then finished with his over the knee neckbreaker.
-Colt Cabana defeated Caleb Konley in a comedy squash. Usual match with Cabana outwrestling Konley with the British stuff and then hitting a Butt Butt and the Billy Goat's Curse with a chinlock thrown in for the submission win.
-Christopher Daniels defeated Kenny King to retain the ROH TV Title. Feeling out process to start as they exchange some chain wrestling and pinfall attempts, then Daniels nailed King with some chops in the corner but King hit a back elbow and then sent Daniels to the corner for a charging clothesline that got him 2. Daniels hit a neckbreaker and then started working over King's neck, and King tried to fight back but Daniels hit a drop toehold that sent King neckfirst onto the second rope and then a neckbreaker across his knee for 2. Daniels hit a gourdbuster and went right into a rear crossface, but King escaped and hit a big leaping leg lariat, then started nailing Daniels with clotheslines and a spinebuster for 2. King with the Shotgun Knees in the corner, but Daniels with a Flatliner right into the Koji Clutch, and King makes the ropes. Daniels set King up top and went for the Iconoclasm, but King landed on his feet and they exchanged rights until King went for the Coronation, Daniels countered to an Angel's Wings attempt, and Kingg escaped that and hit the handstand kick and a bridging cradle suplex for 2. King went for a springboard move, but Daniels ducked and hit a uranage, but King dodged the BME and got a sunset flip that Daniels rolled through and hit the Angel's Wings to retain. Solid match, and they shook hands in a show of respect.
-Prince Nana makes his return to ROH and says he hasn't been in ROH for a while now, but he's back and introduces Mia Yim as the Princess of the Embassy. He's been missing from ROH because he and Ernesto have been working on a new project, and they introduce him now: "The Project" Tommaso Ciampa.
-This leads right into a match as Ciampa defeated Mike Sydal after physically destroying him the entire match, and Mia even got in on the action, viciously beating Sydal up on the outside and catching him with a superkick. Ciampa got the win with a powerbomb into a backbreaker. VERY impressive debut for the new Embassy members.
-Mike Bennett defeated Kyle O'Reilly in the finals of the Top Prospect Tournament. Steve Corino took his usual spot at ringside for the match. Fast and furious start until they end up fighting on the floor and O'Reilly whips Bennett into the corner of the barricades and then hits a running dropkick off the apron that sends Bennett crashing through the barricade. Bob Evans distracts O'Reilly and Bennet nails him from behind, and they fight toward the entranceway where Bennett gives O'Reilly a DDT on the ramp. O'Reilly barely beats the count, so Bennett continues the assault with a series of boots and then a standing surfboard, but O'Reilly rolls through and suplexes Bennett, then takes over with a series of kicks and kneestrikes. O'Reilly gets a standing twisting sention for 2, but Bennett gets a spinebuster for 2. O'Reilly hits a leaping enziguiri and a tornado DDT, then goes up top and hits a missile dropkick for 2. O'Reilly goes for a victory roll and slips on the way down, but turns it into a triangle choke, and Bennett rolls over him and puts O'Reilly's shoulders to the mat for 2. O'Reilly gets a front guillotine choke and Bennett starts to fade, but recovers and lifts O'Reilly up and hits the Side Effect to win the tournament.
Kyle Durden comes in the ring to interview Bennett, who is now officially the top prospect in ROH. Bennett says there was no doubt who was going to win this, and everyone knew it. Bennett says the only one who didn't know it is Steve Corino, and he says Corino's advice was useless and the old man should leave the wrestling to him or he'll beat his ass. Corino stands up and Bennett tells him to take his walker and get in the ring so he can say this to his face. Corino gets in the ring and Bennett asks if he liked what he saw, and that he beat Corino's pick and warned Corino to keep his nose out of his business because ROH is nothing without the Prodigy. The crowd started chanting that Bennett sucks, so he reminds them that he's the one talking and told Corino to do himself a favor and get out of the ring. Corino said he just came here to watch and he picked wrong, and if Bennett wants Corino to tell him how great he is, then he's not going to tell him that because overconfidence can be your worst enemy, and he didn't come here to pick a fight because it's his moment. Bennett again told Corino to stay out of his way, but Corino said that 17 years ago, he was just like Bennett, he wasn't as good looking or in as good shape, but he was as big of an asshole. Now at 38 years old, he doesn't have the respect of the fans and it got him nothing, so if he wants to be just like him, go ahead and see where it gets him. Bennett says he doesn't want to be like him, he wants to be the Prodigy, and Bob Evans says from one old man to another, Corino should stay out of Corino's business. Corino finally has enough and nails Bob, but Bennett attacks him and holds Corino for a free shot from Bob Evans, and Bennett and Evans beat Corino down 2-on-1 and Bennett hits Corino with the Side Effect, then plants his boot on Corino's chest while posing for the fans.
-Bobby Cruise takes a moment before the final match to thank everyone who was involved with ROH On HDNet, and thanked them for making ROH look better than it ever had, and then thanked the fans for coming to the tapings and making them what they were.
-All this brings us to the main event, as Davey Richards & the Briscoes defeated ROH World Champion Roderick Strong & ROH World Tag Team Champions in the final ROH match on HDNet. Mark & Claudio start, but Mark frustrates Claudio with some chain wrestling so Hero & Davey come in, and Hero outwrestles Davey and controls him with an armbar, and Davey counters out with an armbar but Hero is able to cradle him for 2. Hero with some kneestrikes and tags in Roderick and he also works over Davey's arm, but Davey kicks his way free and tags in Jay. They do a chain wrestling sequence but Roderick catches Jay in a front facelock and tags out to Claudio, who begins working Jay over with heavy blows. Jay gets a Frankensteiner and some hard forearms of his own, then takes Claudio to the corner and tags out to Mark, who quickly finds himself on the wrong side of the ring and the recipient of a double big boot from the KOW. Hero tags in and lays in some chops, but Mark hits a leg lariat for 2 and now Hero finds himself in the wrong corner and on the receiving end of triple teaming from Davey and the Briscoes. Hero goes to the eyes and stomps on Jay's face, then tags out to Roderick and he and Jay do a chop exchange until Roderick goes to the eyes as well. Jay recovers and takes over on Roderick, and then tags out to Mark, who nails Roderick with Redneck Kung Fu and then whips Roderick into a hard clothesline from Jay. Jay hits a hard clothesline in the corner, snapmare, and running boot to Roderick's face for 2. Roderick with a roaring elbow and tags to Claudio, who nails Jay with a big standing dropkick and then eats a Flatliner into the second turnbuckle. Tag to Mark and the Briscoes double suplex Claudio and Davey hits a diving headbutt for 2. Davey with a Texas Sunrise but Hero and Roderick both come in and boot Davey in the head, so the Briscoes come in and Beel Claudio across the ring for 2. Davey tries for the handspring enziguiri but Claudio catches him and hits the UFO for 2, then tags out to Hero, who comes in and unloads on Davey with heavy strikes. Roderick comes in and hits a gutbuster for 2 and then Claudio tags in and goes for a chokeslam, but Davey counters to a victory roll and turns that into an anklelock. Roderick comes in and nails Davey with a leaping enziguiri and allows Claudio to hit the chokeslam for 2. Hero tags in and boots Davey in the face and hits a senton for 2, then catches him in the Stretch Plum. Jay comes in and breaks it up with a superkick to Hero, but Hero tosses Davey to the floor where the rest of his crew beat Davey up 4-on-1. The Briscoes run over and it turns into an all-out brawl on the floor. Back in the ring, Hero powerbombs Davey for 2 and then Roderick tags in and puts the boots to Davey and unloads with forearms but Davey fires back at him and hits the handspring enziguiri. Davey makes the hot tag and the Briscoes come in and clean house on the Kings Of Wrestling, hitting stereo backdrops and then catching Hero with the double football tackle. Double superkick for Claudio, followed by a Death Valley Driver from Jay and a top rope elbowdrop from Mark for 2. Mark goes for a dive out of the corner but Claudio catches him in midair and turns it into a windmill backbreaker for 2. Hero tags in and hits a running forearm and goes for a moonsault, but accidentally lands on his head. He's okay enough to cover for 2 and then exchange blows with Mark until nailiing a roaring Yakuza Kick on Mark. Kings with a double hiptoss into a double parachute slam for 2, and then Hero drags Mark to the middle of the ring and tries another moonsault, Mark moves but Hero lands on his feet and Mark nails him and hits an Iconoclasm for 2. Davey tags in and hits a missile dropkick and a charging forearm in the corner and a running knee as well, then sets Hero up top and hits a top rope superplex for 2. Hero catches Davey with a Yakuza Kick and a roaring elbow to send Davey to the outside and then misses a dive to the floor, and Davey goes for his insane dive but Claudio nails him and hits a pop up European uppercut and then everyone winds up in the ring hitting big move after big move. Davey gets a backdrop suplex on Hero for 2, but Roderick comes in and nails Davey and then tags himself in, hitting a leaping kneestrike for 2. Another crazy brawl breaks out as this becomes increasingly difficult to recap, with Jay hitting a somersaujlt dive over the top rope onto the Kings and hits the guardrail on the way down, and Mark tries one of his own but Sara Del Rey knocks him off the top rope and Claudio tries a bicycle kick but Mark moves and he nails Sara. Mark dumps Claudio to the floor and everyone winds up over the guardrail and Mark hits a dive into the crowd that wipes out both Kings. Davey and Roderick are alone in the ring and Davey hits an Alarm Clock and a roaring clothesline for 2, then they exchange several reversals until Roderick hits the Tylerkick and Gibson Driver for 2 and gets Davey in the Boston Crab. Davey reverses to an anklelock but Shane Hagadorn comes in and nails Davey. Davey no-sells and Hagadorn starts begging, and Truth Martini came in to hit Davey with the Book Of Truth but Davey moved and Truth nailed Hagadorn. Roderick comes from behind with a rollup for 2, but Davey reversed to the anklelock and grapevines the leg and Roderick taps. Davey kicked the Book Of Truth to pieces and then the winning team raised their arms in victory to the crowd. This match was just unbelievable.
That wraps it up for the final ROH On HDNet tapings,
2012 - The Urban Wrestling Federation aired their fourth taped PPV, Thug Assassins. Mike Johnson filed the following TV report:
The Urban Wrestling Federation PPV #4
Thug Assassins
Thug Assassins opened with footage from the ending of Street King where Rasche Brown won the UWF title, then handed it over to someone backstage. Who that person was is not revealed. We then see someone who is supposed to Brown walking down a hallway, where he is jumped by two guys and shot. Yes, shot, as in execution style. They don’t show this in a gratuitous manner but given the sound effects, there is no denying what this was meant to be. Wow. I guess it’s the first murder in wrestling, unless you count Vince McMahon blowing himself up in a limo. UWF always states that they aren’t pro wrestling but an urban drama that uses pro wrestling, so as long as you can rap your head around that, it’s acceptable in theory – but then why in the world aren’t these crews just shooting it out with guns and not dropkicks?
Inside Club Amnesia, The Triple C's (a trio of rappers named Gunplay, Torch and Young Breed) and their crew, which represents Carol City, FL and The Bronx, in the ring with their crew of Slymm (Baby Slymm from California), Element (NYC worker Deranged, who performs under that name as a DJ internationally), T-Mizzle (Tony Mamaluke of ECW FBI fame), and Facade.
Slymm had the UWF Street King title belt with him. OK, it doesn't take a genius to figure out these guys smoked Rashe, yo! They said they are here to run the UWF and take over. Slymm said that he was all the way from San Diego and as the champion, he wanted to say that everyone who wanted to step to him can try because where he is from, no one backs down from a fight. So, we have a title change by MURDER. I bet George Scott never booked that in Mid-Atlantic.
In a balcony, Brisco and Rich Ortiz began calling down to them asking where Rasche Brown was. Some fans who were screaming at the Triple Cs asked where Brown was and Atlas Security held them back. One went after Slymm and he dragged the fan over the rail and beat the hell out of him and hit a Black Hole Slam on the fan. Slymm challenged Brisco to fight him.
Then, Uncle Murda and his crew hit the ring. Slyck Wagner Brown demanded to know how Rich Ortiz thinks he’s the one who a title shot when they both lost their contender matches. He said he wants the belt and the money and the B****es. He challenged Ortiz to fight. Ortiz took the mic and said that Brown was in the wrong place at the wrong time and he was going to whip his ass right now.
Ortiz came down to the ringside area and they began brawling on the floor. Ortiz worked him over and nailed him with a chair. The rest of Murda's crew attacked Ortiz and began beating him in the ring. The LEP Boys and their crew team, the Phat Pack (Nigeria Nightmares from Northeast Independents) came out and worked over Raze and Riot of Murda's crew. They laid out Raze and Riot. Murda's crew recollected themselves and headed to the back.
As Ortiz returned to the back, Element and T-Mizzle attacked him and worked him over with a trash can, leaving him laying.
The announcers, Shawn Credle, Robby Mireno and Julius Smokes talked about the insanity of the first segment as Ortiz recovered. Smokes said that Rasche Brown was like Patrick Swayze in Ghost and made a shooting motion with his fingers. They asked him if he knew was responsible and he said that he wasn’t a snitch but the streets talk. They ran down some of the new “thugs” in the promotion. Pretty sure LEP is, although they never said it.
Backstage, the Phat Pack told the LEP Bogus Boys that they took care of business and kicked some ass, just like they promised. Another member of their crew S Dot was on the phone talking to his mother but they told him to get off the phone and stop sitting on the bench like he always does. Another wrestler, Kage, walked by and LEP told him he was running solo and needed a crew to back him. He agreed. The others asked if he was “with it” and the Boys said that he was. The rest of the crew attacked him, beat him down and stole his boots in an initiation. Nice friends, wait until you see what they do for you when you get married!
In a limo, 40 Glocc was talking to a new rapper on the scene for the promotion, Sun. Glocc said they have some scores to settle and asked Sun to step in. Sun said he would be behind him and get in and “get them out.”
The Phat Pack tried to walk off with weed and boots they lifted off Kage, who was out cold. LEP Boys told them they did good but what they took stays with them. They reluctantly handed it over, but walked off with Rage’s wallet.
Under Murda told Slyck Wagner Brown that he f***ed up last time and tonight, he needs to handle his business. He told the new members of his crew that he doesn’t stand to keeping losers around. He said he has DRS with them and they lost and got their asses kicked in the parking lot (by Eddie Kingston) and he’s not dealing with any of that. He wants them to take care of business. One of the new guys, Rage, said they ain’t DRS who “got popped on the corner.” So apparently DRS is killed off as well, which is a shame as I really enjoy their work. Murda said to show him, don’t tell him.
Billy Blue and Jeez were hanging outside when Famous B and 40 Glocc showed up. B said that Jeez got lucky last time in the Five Way and challenged him to a singles match tonight. Jeez was ready to go right there. Sun was there as well. Jeez told him to bring the money and the b***es. Blue told Jeez that he didn’t like them disrespecting him and to take care of this.
Uncle Murda told Wagner Brown that he had better win the main event. He said they were here for the money and the b***es. Finally, a wrestling promotion where winning means you make money. Of all the companies to accentuate this, the UWF is the last I’d have expected to do that!
Jeez (with Billy Blue) vs. Famous B (with 40 Glocc)
Blue said that the UWF belt was their belt because they are running this place and put over Jeez. Jeez said he's ready to knock someone out.
B worked over the smaller Jeez early. They had some nice reversals and counter wrestling early. Jeez chopped him in the corner. B responded in kind and they went back and forth. Jeez whipped him into the corner but B went up and over. Jeez kicked him off the apron and hit a great flip dive to the outside. They battled on the outside and Jeez tossed him back in.
Back in the ring, B cut Jeez of and choked him in the corner. Jeez came back with a big belly to back suplex for a one count. Jeez continued the beating. B flipped out of the ring to escape a move and Jeez charged. Jeez ended up on the floor. B went for a backwards flip to the floor but Jeez moved. B landed on his feet but was attacked. They brawled onto the apron where Jeez planted him hard with a DDT.
They brawled on the floor, where B chopped Jeez hard and then tossed him into the ring. Jeez was punted. B slammed Jeez hard and then nailed him with a tiltowhirl backbreaker. Jeez fired back with chops. B placed Jeez on the top rope and worked him over. Jeez battled back and sent him back into the ring. Jeez went for a double stomp but B moved. Jeez instead killed him with a lariat. Jeez rudely slammed him and went for a 450 splash off the top but missed.
B ascended to the top and nailed an awesome looking swanton and a back senton splash for a two count. The crowd began chanting for "Jeez." B missed a big splash in the corner and was drilled with a running knee strike. Jeez nailed a suplex and connected with a top rope frog splash for a two count.
One of Glocc's crew tripped Jeez as he rebounded off the ropes, allowing B to get the advantage. He nailed Jeez with a superkick for a two count. Jeez battled back and nailed a running death valley driver. He hit a top rope double stomp to the back of the head and scored the pin.
our winner, Jeez!
As Jeez celebrated, Monsta Mack, who was abandoned by Blues' crew, hit the ring, spearing him and killing him. Mack said that was for Billy Blue.
Backstage, a lady wanted to leave but Torch from the Triple Cs told her to wait.
Outside, Billy Blue asked Bestia if he had his money. Bestia got beat down on the first PPV for being short with money he owed Blue. Brisco walked up and greeted Blue. He said The Triple Cs and Sun were in the UWF trying to take money from them.
Somewhere, DJ Self, a new rapper leading a crew told the debuting Joker that their business was expanding and that they needed to add people to the crew. He asked if Joker knew anyone. Grimm Reefer walked up to them trying to talk to Self but Joker stepped in his path.
Façade greeted Torch. He said his old crew headed up by Melle Mel was weak and wasn’t getting it done anymore. He said he needed to be with a strong crew like the one run by the Triple C’s so he can get paid too. Torch said he’s gonna start Façade off light and if he can pull it off and show some loyalty, he’ll move him up in the crew. Façade said that he’s the most loyal there is. Torch’s girl still wants to go shopping.
Brisco and Billy Blue were talking trash back and forth. The debuting Masada showed up and got into Bestia’s face. They put up $10,000 for a match between them. Bestia promised he had this. Blue told him don’t tell me what you got, go get his money.
Back inside, Reefer told DJ Self to back up Joker. He said he was handing something up from from Blue in Atlanta and they were paid in full. Joker checked it out and handed it off to Self. Joker said he had some people from Florida he was going to check out. Self told him to bring them in because they had a lot of “this” (payoffs) happening and they needed to expand.
Masada (with Brisco) vs. Bestia (with Billy Blue)
They battled back and forth with chops and punches. Bestia leapfrogged Masada and sent him to the outside with a headscissors takeover As Masada climbed back in, Bestia kicked him in the chest on the apron, knocking him to the floor. Bestia hit a twisting dive to the floor.
Bestia went for an springboard move but Masada grabbed him legs and pulled him down facefirst onto the apron. Masada wrecked him on the outside, sending him into the railing. They returned to the ring, where Masada continued the onslaught. He charged Bestia in the corner with a leaping forearm smash for a two count.
Bestia nailed several shots to the mid-section and nailed a legdrop and standing moonsault press for a two count. He grabbed Masada and went for a suplex but it was blocked. Masada went for one but Bestia slipped out and landed on his feet. He went for a back suplex but Masada switched and threw him. Bestia landed on his feet, kicked Masada and nailed a legdrop.
Bestia missed a move off the top and was drilled with a lariat for a two count. Bestia and Masada exchanged strikes. Masada lifted him into an over the knee backbreaker, then hit a powerbomb for a two count. Masada was mad at the referee's count. Bestia rolled to the outside and drilled Masada with a trash can lid. He brought it into the ring but was nailed and dropped it. He ended up on Masada's shoulders and went for a reverse Frankensteiner but they had timing issues and it looked weak, even in editing. The idea was that Masada would land on the lid. That was the finish as Bestia scored the pin.
Your winner, Bestia!
Outside the ring, Brisco and Blue’s women got into each other’s faces screaming.
Outside, DJ Self told Joker that the payoff from ATL earlier was short. Self told him that he knows Joker didn’t steal from him so there was some shadiness going on. Joker said he was going to take care of it.
Sitting in a car, Grimm Reefer and Ruckus were talking about the title belt situation, saying they needed to get the belt back and make money for ATL. Ruckus said that he wasn’t trying to end up like Rasche Brown. Reefer said, “No one’s trying to end up like him.” Ruckus said he was going to take care of business tonight and then go get their belt back.
As they got out of the car, Joker approached them and said the envelope came up short. Reefer argued back but we went to the ring without a conflict resolution….
Ruckus (with Murda One) vs. Slyck Wagner Brown (with Uncle Murda)
How the hell did Ruckus get in the ring?
They shoved at each other at the bell. Ruckus backed Brown into the corner but was shoved down across the ring hard. They locked up and Brown tried to throw him again but Ruckus backflipped over and tossed Brown to the outside. He went for a dive but Wagner kicked him on the way out. Brown slammed him in the head with a water bottle and worked him over on the outside. Ruckus got control and nailed a handspring into a splash on a chair on the outside. That looked damn cool.
Brown regained control and whipped Ruckus into a guard rail, then nailed him with a catapult, slamming his throat into the bottom of the rail for a two count out on the floor. Back in the ring, Ruckus came back with a handspring elbow for a two count. Brown nailed him low to cut Ruckus off and placed him on the top rope. Ruckus shoved him off and nailed a bulldog off the ropes into the ring. Ruckus followed up with a neckbreaker and the Razzle Dazzle.
Ruckus was cut off by a big clothesline for a two count. Brown went for a Uranage but was caught in a front guillotine. He broke it and nailed a nice leaping clothesline for another two count. Brown went to the top but missed a moonsault. Ruckus nailed the tumbleweed off the top rope for a two count.
Ruckus nailed a somersault into a legdrop. He grabbed a chair and did a skateboarding dropkick into the corner with it. He placed it over Brown's face but Murder One tossed him a trash can. Ruckus nailed the Van Terminator. Lowlife Louie Ramos hit the ring and attacked Ruckus with a DVDR. Murder One attacked Ramos and they brawled out the ring. He laid out Ramos with a right on the floor.
Back in the ring, Brown came back with an awesome missile dropkick and sit down slam on Ruckus, scoring the pin.
Your winner, Slyck Wagner Brown!
Ramos and Murder One brawled out the front door and into the street. They brawled down the block into an alley. The shots went back and forth between a “security camera” in black and white and a handheld color shot. Music played under the brawl. Ramos choked out Murder with a rope and sent him into a wall. They brawled back and forth. Ramos began choking Murder against a wall but Murder slammed him in the head with a full can of paint, which splattered. A bloody Ramos went down and Murder One collapsed, exhausted from the fight as we faded out.
Final Thoughts: From an in ring standpoint, it overachieved given what you might expect on paper…The storylines are coming together but the issue continues to be that you have a bunch of crews all running around with the same motives and that’s a little hard for a new viewer to wrap their head around…I never thought I’d see a murder be a plot device in wrestling. When do the authorities show up like the NWO, invading to try and shut this whole operation down, anyway?...The LEP Boys seemed to be naturals at playing up to the crowd, at least in comparison to some of the other hip hop artists, although a lot of them have shown some real improvement since the first PPV….I would have liked a clearer explanation on Self's crew? Why was ATL paying him? Is he their supplier? What happened with Joker and Reefer?....Really bummed to see DRS was killed off. I am a big fan of their work and really was thrilled to see them getting some PPV exposure here....Interesting the disappearance of Homicide and Eddie Kingston wasn't mentioned, leaving the door for their return....Where was Steve Karel this time around? His public awaits him!...Overall, a good show. You had some brawling, some crazy spots and some grittiness to it. They pack as much as they can into the wrestling but again, a longer timeslot would do this company wonders....I don’t think this show would appeal to everyone and there are times it sounds like every promo is the same (gotta get that paper, gotta do business, gotta take that money) but it’s an entertaining hour if you are willing to check your brain at the door and let it be what it’s designed to be. Let’s face it, you aren’t watching the Urban Wrestling Federation looking for Thesz vs. Bruno anyway!
2013:
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum issued the following today:
Ric Flair, Matt Hughes, and Edge headline 2013 Hall of Fame Class
WATERLOO, Iowa—The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum has finalized the Class of 2013 for the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. This will be the 15th class inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame weekend will take place July 12-13 in Waterloo, Iowa.
Ric Flair, “Cowboy” Bill Watts, and Chris Taylor (posthumously) were chosen by the selection committee to enter the Hall of Fame. Criteria for induction into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame include substantial impact on professional wrestling, general respect within the profession, and a strong amateur wrestling background. The selection committee includes all living hall of fame members as well as a select group of wrestling historians.
A special committee also selects four award winners to enter the Hall of Fame. This year’s award winners include Edge (Adam Copeland), Jim Brunzell, Matt Hughes, and George Napolitano.
“This is a special class of inductees,” said Gerry Brisco, a member of the Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame and a member of the special selection committee. “Each person being inducted has taken the profession to new heights. I look forward to being back in Waterloo, Iowa, for this year’s Hall of Fame weekend.”
Adam Copeland will receive the Lou Thesz Award, which is given to an individual in wrestling who has taken the skills of the profession into the realm of public service. Copeland (known as Edge) held 31 championships in the WWE, including 11 world championships. He is also one of three wrestlers who have held every currently active male championship in the WWE.
Jim Brunzell will receive the Frank Gotch Award for bringing positive recognition to professional wrestling through work outside the ring. The former AWA star was part of the “High Flyers,” a tag team that included Greg Gagne. Brunzell also had a very successful run in the WWE as one half of the Killer Bees tag team with Brian Blair.
Diamond Dallas Page will receive the Frank Gotch Award in 2014.
Matt Hughes will receive the George Tragos Award, given to an exceptionally competitive wrestler who adapted his wrestling skills and competitive nature to excel in Mixed Martial Arts. Hughes is a nine-time World Welterweight Champion of the UFC, with a 45-9 career record. He was also a two-time Division I wrestling All-American for Eastern Illinois in the 158 pound weight class.
The Jim Melby Award recognizes excellence in professional wrestling journalism. George Napolitano, this year’s recipient, specialized in professional wrestling photography. He has authored several pictorial books, including “Hot Shots and High Spots”, “Wrestling Heroes and Villains”, “This is Wrestling!”, and “The Pictorial History of Wrestling: The Good the Bad and the Ugly” (with Bert Randolph Sugar).
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum is selling 50 all-access passes to the George Tragos Lou Thesz/Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame weekend in advance of the event for $100 each. The all-access pass includes:
--Front row ticket to the Impact Pro Wrestling Show on Friday night with Colt Cabana and professional wrestling legends.
--Ticket to the talent evaluation seminar led by Hall of Famer Gerry Brisco.
--General admission ticket to Saturday’s autograph signing at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum.
--Special closed door reception with several members of the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.
--Ticket to the Hall of Fame induction banquet featuring acceptance speeches from the 2013 induction class.
--Copy of the 2013 George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame DVD.
All-access passes will ship on April 1.
For more information contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at (319) 233-0745 or dgmstaff@nwhof.org.
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