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On this day in history in ....
1913 - Mike Yokel defeats Henry Gehring to win the World Middleweight Title in Salt Lake City, Utah.
1937 - Ray Steele defeats Everett Marshall by reverse decision for the Ohio Midwest Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title in Columbus, Ohio.
1950 - Sandor Szabo defeats Hans Schnabel for the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title in Honolulu, Hawaii.
1952 - Al Mills wins the Calgary NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title for the fourth time, from Sky-Hi Lee in Edmonton, Alberta, ending Lee's second reign.
1953 - Takashi Ishikawa is born in Yamagata, Japan.
1959 - George and Sandy Scott defeat Maurice and Paul Vachon to win the vacant Stampede International Tag Team Title in Regina, Saskatchewan.
1963 - Rip Hawk and Rock Hunter defeat Bull Curry and Lucas Pertano for the Texas NWA World Tag Team Title in Houston, Texas.
1963 - Don and Luke Fields win their second Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Nashville, Tennessee, ending the fourth reign of The Medics (Tony Gonzales and Donald Lortie).
1965 - The Mysterios Medics win the Georgia NWA Southern Tag Team Title for the second time, by defeating Tony Marino and Joe Scarpa (Chief Jay Strongbow) in a tournament final for the vacant title in Atlanta, Georgia.
1971 - Georgia Championship Wrestling held a 14-man tournament for the vacant NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia. The results were:
First round:
- Bob Griffin defeated Skandor Akbar.
- Kubla Kahn defeated Tom DeLynch.
- Dick Steinborn defeated Bobo Brazil.
- Assassin #2 defeated Gene DuBois.
- Jim Wilson defeated Mr. Ito.
- Luke Graham defeated Silento Rodriguez.
Second round:
- Nick Bockwinkel defeated Bob Griffin.
- Dick Steinborn defeated Kubla Khan.
- Assassin #2 defeated Jim Wilson.
- El Mongol defeated Luke Graham.
Semifinals:
- Nick Bockwinkel defeated Dick Steinborn.
- El Mongol defeated Assassin #2.
Finals:
- El Mongol defeated Nick Bockwinkel to win the vacant NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title, beginning his seventh reign.
1972 - Ernie Ladd defeats Bulldog Brower to become the first Buffalo/Ohio NWA North American Heavyweight Champion in Akron, Ohio. The title would later be known as the National Wrestling Federation North American Heavyweight Title.
1974 - The Mysterious Medic defeats Duke Miller to win the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title in Mobile, Alabama, to begin his third reign.
1975 - Giant Baba and Jumbo Tsuruta defeat Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk for the NWA International Tag Team Title in San Antonio, Texas, ending the Funks' third reign.
1975 - Luke Graham defeats Don Kent to win the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title in Nashville, Tennessee, ending Kent's second reign.
1976 - Strong Kobayashi and Seiji Sakaguchi defeat Voodoo Mulumba and Tiger Jeet Singh for the vacant National Wrestling Federation North American Tag Team Title in Sapporo, Japan.
1977 - Mike Dallas defeats Harold Kalevoris in Melbourne, Australia to win the Australian Light Heavyweight Title.
1978 - Ron Bass and Dr. Hiro Ota defeated Chavo and Hector Guerrero for the NWA Americas Tag Team Title.
1980 - Lucy Kayama and Nancy Kumi defeat The Black Pair (Yumi Ikeshita and Mami Kumano) to win the WWWA World Tag Team Title in Osaka, Japan.
1984 - Rodolfo Guzman Huerta, far better known as El Santo (the saint) or El Santo Enmascarado de Plata (the silver-masked saint), dies of a heart attack at age 66. Santo is a legend in Mexico, not only as a wrestler, but as a television and film star as well. Santo wrestled nearly 50 years, and won the World Middleweight and Mexican National Welterweight, Middleweight, Tag Team and Light Heavyweight titles. Santo is typical listed among wrestlers who were never publicly unmasked, but he actually quickly revealed his face about a week before his death on a Mexican morning talk show. He was buried in his trademark silver mask.
1986 - Riki Choshu and Yoshiaki Yatsu win the NWA International Tag Team Title from Genichiro Tenryu and Jumbo Tsuruta in Sapporo, Japan.
1987 - Genichiro Tenryu and Jumbo Tsuruta defeat Riki Choshu and Yoshiaki Yatsu for the NWA International Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan, to begin their second reign.
1987 - Tarzan Goto and Akio Sato defeat Badd Company (Paul Diamond and Pat Tanaka) in Memphis, Tennessee to win the Continental Wrestling Association International Tag Team Title for the fourth time, ending Badd Company's second reign.
1988 - The WWF held the first of five editions of The Main Event, which aired live on NBC from Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana, earning a 15.2 rating. It was the first time professional wrestling aired on prime-time network television since 1955. The show featured the highly-anticipated WWF Title match between champion Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant. The results were:
Dark matches:
- Demolition (Ax and Smash) defeated Billy Jack Haynes and Ken Patera.
- Jake Roberts defeated King Harley Race.
- Ron Bass defeated Koko B. Ware.
- The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid) defeated The Islanders (Haku and Tama).
- Jim Duggan defeated One Man Gang by disqualification.
- Don Muraco defeated Butch Reed.
- Ultimate Warrior defeated Sika.
Televised matches:
- Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion The Honky Tonk Man (with Jimmy Hart and Peggy Sue) by countout, after Honky Tonk Man hit one of the ringposts. Honky Tonk Man retained the title. After the match, Savage fought off Honky and Jimmy Hart and broke Honky's guitar.
- Andre the Giant (with Ted DiBiase and Virgil) pinned WWF Champion Hulk Hogan to win the title, ending Hogan's four-year long reign atop the WWF mountain. Hogan's shoulder clearly came up before the three-count, but the referee counted it anyway. DiBiase, according to the storyline, had paid for the referee to get cosmetic surgery to make him look like referee Dave Hebner, and paid off the new referee to take Dave's place. This was, of course, the WWF officiating debut of Dave Hebner's twin brother Earl, who previously had been working for the NWA. Andre said that he was surrendering the title to Ted DiBiase, then gave him the belt. Dave Hebner ran to the ring and attacked the imposter referee as DiBiase put the belt on left the ring with Virgil. Hogan then threw Earl over the top rope onto DiBiase and Virgil. DiBiase actually was announced as champion at events on February 6 in Boston and Philadelphia and February 8 in Los Angeles, before an announcement by WWF President Jack Tunney aired on the February 13 edition of WWF Superstars, stating the title was vacant and a tournament would be held at WrestleMania IV to fill the vacancy. This marked the first (official) time that the WWF World Title was vacated in its then 25-year history. The title had actually been vacant on three separate occasions in 1979 and 1982, which WWE doesn't officially recognize.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Strike Force (Rick Martel and Tito Santana) defeated The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) to retain the title. Only the beginning of the match was televised due to time constraints.
1991 - Steve Grey defeats Jim Breaks in Croydon, England for the European Lightweight Title. This began Grey's third reign and ended Breaks' 16th reign.
1991 - Lasser defeats El Khalifa in a tournament final in Puebla, Mexico to win the vacant Universal Wrestling Association World Lightweight Title. The title was vacated by El Hijo del Santo in January when he chose to wrestle exclusively as a welterweight.
1993 - Hiroshi Itakura defeats Masayoshi Motegi to win the WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan.
1993 - Stevie Ray defeats Rod Price for the Global Wrestling Federation North American Heavyweight Title in Dallas, Texas.
1993 - Lucifer (Tim Burke) defeats Max Thrasher in Gaithersburg, Maryland to win the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Title.
1994 - ECW held The Night the Line was Crossed at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, featuring the famous "three-way dance" for the ECW Title. The results were:
- 911 pinned Chad Austin.
- Mr. Hughes pinned Sal Bellomo.
- In a Double Dog Collar match, Tommy Cairo and The Sandman beat Pitbull #1 and Rockin' Rebel, when Cairo pinned Pitbull #1.
- In a No Rules match, The Public Enemy (Rocco Rock and Johnny Grunge) defeated The Bruise Brothers (Ron and Don Harris), when Public Enemy pinned both Bruise Brothers.
- Jimmy Snuka pinned Tommy Dreamer. During the match, Dreamer kicked out of the Superfly splash.
- The Sheik and Pat Tanaka defeated ECW Tag Team Champions Kevin Sullivan and The Tazmaniac, when Tanaka pinned Tazmaniac.
- J.T. Smith pinned Mike Awesome.
- In a three-way dance, ECW Heavyweight Champion Terry Funk, ECW Television Champion Sabu and Shane Douglas fought to a 60-minute draw. Funk retained his title. Following the show, Douglas and Funk got into a brawl at a press conference.
1995 - Tony Arce, Rocco Valente and Vulcano defeat Los Payasos for the Mexican National Trios Title in Tonala, Mexico, ending their second reign.
1996 - In this week of the Monday Night War, WCW Monday Nitro narrowly defeated WWF Monday Night Raw, 2.9 to 2.7 in the ratings.
WCW Monday Nitro was live from Jenkins Arena in Lakeland, Florida. The results were:
- Konnan defeated Devon Storm.
- Bunkhouse Buck and Dick Slater defeated The Barrio Brothers.
- WCW World Television Champion Johnny B. Badd defeated Diamond Dallas Page.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Randy Savage defeated Chris Benoit by disqualification.
- Arn Anderson and Brian Pillman defeated Hugh Morrus and Kevin Sullivan by disqualification.
- Ric Flair defeated Marcus Alexander Bagwell.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions Lex Luger and Sting defeated The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal).
WWF Monday Night RAW was taped on January 22 at the Stockton Civic Autitorium in Stockton, California. The results:
- Diesel and Shawn Michaels defeated The British Bulldog and Yokozuna (with Jim Cornette) by countout, after Yokozuna was knocked out of the ring by Michaels' Sweet Chin Music. Owen Hart came out and tried to help Bulldog revive Yoko and get him back in the ring but failed. Cornette berated Yoko after the match with Yoko finally turning on the three, clearing the ring.
- The 1-2-3 Kid (with Ted DiBiase) pinned Hakushi with a butterfly suplex off the top.
- WWF Champion Bret Hart fought The Undertaker to a no-contest to retain the title, when Diesel, who was on commentary, and while the referee was knocked out, got up and threw Bret into the ringpost before powerbombing him twice.
1996 - Hiroshi Itakura defeats Takashi Okano to win the WWA International Light Heavyweight Title in Chiba, Japan.
1998 - Bobby Collins and Brian Jewel defeat Caveman Broda and Iron Man for the Canadian Wrestling Federation Tag Team Title.
1999 - Negro Casas and El Hijo del Santo defeat Bestia Salvaje and Scorpio, Jr. by disqualification to win the CMLL World Tag Team Title in Mexico City, Mexico. They immediately gave the title up as they wanted to win cleanly. Salvaje and Scorpio won a rematch on February 26.
1999 - Khris Germany defeats Jimmy James in North Richland Hills, Texas to win the vacant NWA Texas Heavyweight Title.
2000 - Big Dick Dudley is awarded the NWA Jersey Heavyweight Title, becoming the first champion.
2000 - El Rockero wins his fifth WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title in Caguas, Puerto Rico, defeating El Exotico.
2000 - Johnny Kashmere and Robby Moreno defeat Midknight and Diablos Macabre to win the CZW World Tag Team Title in Sewell, New Jersey.
2000 - Rukkus wins a "Mega Rumble" match in Cornelia, Georgia for the NWA Wildside Heavyweight Title.
2000 - Super Hentai defeats Jimmy Angel to win the Pittsburgh Wrestling League Three Rivers Title in North Versailles, Pennsylvania.
2000 - Pete Christy defeats Chris Vanity for the NWA Michigan Television Title in Bay City, Michigan. At the same event, The Outlaws (Ricky James and Bobby Lee) win their third NWA Michigan Tag Team Title, defeating the Scufflin' Hillbillies (Maynard R. Neck and Big Chuck Wagon) for the vacant title. Also, Gene Austin and Tommy Starr win their fourth and third respective NWA Michigan Hardcore Titles, by both pinning champion Woody Lee.
2001 - The Monday Night War entered its next-to-last month, with WWF RAW is WAR's 5.0 rating defeating WCW Monday Nitro's 2.3 rating.
WCW Monday Nitro was held live from the Tupelo Coliseum in Tupelo, Mississippi. The February 7 edition of Thunder was taped afterwards. The results were:
Nitro:
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Scott Steiner defeated The Jung Dragons (Kaz Hayashi and Yun Yang), Evan Karagias and Jamie Knoble in a handicap match.
- Rick Steiner defeated WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas to win the title.
- Diamond Dallas Page defeated WCW World Heavyweight Champion Scott Steiner by disqualification.
- El Niño (Rey Misterio, Jr.) defeated WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero, Jr.
- WCW World Tag Team Champions Sean O'Haire and Chuck Palumbo defeated Team Canada (Mike Awesome and Lance Storm).
- Brian Adams and Buff Bagwell fought to a draw.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Scott Steiner defeated Kevin Nash and WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Rick Steiner in a handicap match.
Thunder:
- Kaz Hayashi defeated Shane Helms.
- WCW World Tag Team Champion Sean O'Haire defeated Norman Smiley.
- Ernest Miller defeated Elix Skipper.
- Brian Adams defeated Lex Luger.
- Rey Misterio, Jr. defeated The Wall.
- Kwee Wee defeated Rick Michaels.
- Konnan defeated Mike Sanders.
- Kevin Nash and Diamond Dallas Page defeated Jeff Jarrett and WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Rick Steiner.
WWF RAW is WAR was held live from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The weekend's edition of Jakked was taped as well. The results:
Jakked, which featured several wrestlers from nearby NWA Wildside:
- Billy Gunn defeated David Young.
- K-Kwik defeated Rick Michaels.
- Albert defeated Onyx.
- Essa Rios defeated Kid Romeo.
RAW is WAR:
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho pinned Matt Hardy (with Lita) with the Lionsault to retain the title, after Dean Malenko came out and attacked Hardy while he was on the floor. After the match, Malenko, Perry Saturn and Eddie Guerrero attacked both men. Guerrero hit the frog splash on the Intercontinental belt on top of Jericho's face.
- Edge and Christian defeated Kaientai (Funaki and Taka Michinoku).
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) defeated The Undertaker and Kane by disqualification when the referee thought Undertaker hit Bubba Ray with a chair when it was actually Edge and Christian.
- Rikishi and Haku defeated Too Cool (Grandmaster Sexay and Scotty 2 Hotty), when Rikishi pinned Sexay with the Banzai Drop.
- Chris Benoit defeated Al Snow by submission with the Crippler Crossface.
- The Rock and WWF Champion Kurt Angle (with Trish Stratus) defeated Steve Austin and Triple H, when Angle pinned Triple H after a low blow and chairshot.
2002 - The WWF taped the February 7 edition of SmackDown! and the February 10 Sunday Night Heat at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The results were:
Dark matches:
- Val Venis defeated Randy Orton.
- Ron Waterman defeated Rico Constantino.
Heat:
- Lance Storm defeated WWF Cruiserweight Champion Tajiri in a non-title match.
- Test pinned WWF Tag Team Champion Spike Dudley after a big boot.
- Scotty 2 Hotty pinned The Hurricane (with Molly Holly) with a roll-up. The guest referee for the match was Jacqueline.
- Kane pinned Christian after a chokeslam.
SmackDown!:
- The Rock pinned Booker T after the People's Elbow. Before the match, Rock challenged The Undertaker to come out and face him but got Booker instead.
- The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) and WWF Intercontinental Champion William Regal defeated Edge, Rikishi and Rob Van Dam, when Bubba Ray pinned Rikishi after the 3D. After the match, The Dudleys held Edge for Regal to hit with brass knuckles, which he did, busting him open.
- Maven pinned WWF Hardcore Champion The Undertaker to win the title, after The Rock ran in and hit Undertaker with a chair and gave him a Rock Bottom. Later on in the show, Undertaker attacked Rock in the parking lot and Tombstoned him on top of his limo.
- Kurt Angle and WWF Undisputed Champion Chris Jericho defeated Triple H in a handicap match, when Angle pinned Triple H after an Olympic Slam onto a steel chair.
2003 - TNA held its 30th weekly pay-per-view event live from the TNA Asylum in Nashville, Tennessee. The show featured the TNA debut of one-legged wrestling sensation Zach "Tenacious Z" Gowen. The results:
Dark matches:
- Jimmy Rave pinned Matt Sydal.
- Tony Mamaluke and David Young defeated Lex Lovett and Rod Steel, when Young pinned Steel.
- America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) defeated Rocky Reynolds and Jason Rumble, when Storm pinned Reynolds.
- Kid Kash pinned Shark Boy.
Televised matches:
- Jorge Estrada pinned Glenn Gilberti.
- TNA X Division Champion Sonny Siaki pinned Amazing Red to retain the title.
- Tenacious Z pinned B.G. James.
- Ron Killings defeated David Flair, Jerry Lynn, and Mike Sanders in a four-corners elimination match. Lynn pinned Sanders, Lynn pinned Flair and Killings pinned Lynn.
- Trinity pinned Desire.
- NWA World Tag Team Champions Triple X (Low Ki and Elix Skipper) fought The New Church (Brian Lee and Slash) to a no-contest due to a double pin. Slash pinned Skipper while Low Ki pinned Lee. The title was held up immediately.
2005 - The Ultimate Fighting Championship held UFC 51: Super Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The results were:
Preliminary bouts:
- Nick Diaz defeated Drew Fickett by TKO (strikes) at 4:40 of round one in a welterweight bout.
- Karo Parisyan defeated Chris Lytle by unanimous decision in a welterweight bout. All three judges scored it 30-27.
- David Loiseau defeated Gideon Ray by TKO (doctor stoppage) at the end of the first round in a middleweight bout.
- Mike Kyle defeated James Irvin by knockout (punches) at 1:55 of round one in a heavyweight bout.
Pay-per-view bouts:
- Paul Buentello defeated Justin Eilers by knockout (punches) at 3:34 of round one in a heavyweight bout.
- Evan Tanner defeated David Terrell by TKO (strikes) at 4:35 of round one to win the vacant UFC Middleweight title.
- Andrei Arlovski defeated Tim Sylvia by submission (Achilles lock) at 0:47 of round one to win the interim UFC Heavyweight title. The interim title bout was held due to Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir's September 17 motorcycle accident. Arlovski was later promoted to undisputed champion on August 12. Mir would return from injury in February 2006 at UFC 57.
- Pete Sell defeated Phil Baroni by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:19 of round three in a middleweight bout.
- Tito Ortiz defeated Vitor Belfort by split decision in a light heavyweight bout. The judges scored the bout 29-28 Ortiz, 29-28 Ortiz and 29-28 Belfort.
2005 - Combat Zone Wrestling held Only The Strong: Scarred 4 Life at the New Alhambra Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Derek Frazier defeated The Heretic.
- The Kings Of Wrestling (Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli) defeated DJ Hyde and Jon Dahmer.
- Skayde defeated Milanito Collection A.T.
- International Wrestling Syndicate Tag Team Champions The Flying Hurricanes (Kenny the Bastard & Takao) defeated All Money is Legal (K-Murda & K-Pusha), Beef Wellington & El Generico and Ghost Shadow & Spyral to retain the title.
- The BLKOUT (King and Sabian) beat SBS (Excalibur and Super Dragon)
- Adam Flash defeated Kaos in a Tables and Ladders match.
- The H8 Club (Nick Gage and Justice Pain) defeated CZW World Tag Team Champions Team Cash (Chris Cash and Nate Webb) to win the title.
- In a double-title match, IWS World Heavyweight Champion Franky the Mobster defeated CZW Iron Man Champion B-Boy to win the CZW title and retain the IWS title.
- Mike Quackenbush defeated CZW Junior Heavyweight Champion Alex Shelley, Sexxxy Eddy and The Arsenal in a four-way match to win the title.
- Ruckus defeated CZW World Heavyweight Champion The Messiah to win the title.
- JC Bailey defeated Necro Butcher in a Barbed Wire Steel Cage match to become the first-ever CZW Ultraviolent Underground Champion. The match actually took place in the "bowels" of the arena in another ring with the Cage of Death cage surrounding it, wrapped in barbed wire.
2005 - Abyss defeats Jimmy Jacobs to win the NWA Iowa Heavyweight Title in Muscatine, Iowa.
2005 - The Solution (Havok and Papadon) defeat America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) for the NWA Cyberspace Tag Team Title in Wayne, New Jersey.
2005 - Erik Watts defeats Diamond Dallas Page in Tucson, Arizona for the vacant AWA Superstars International Heavyweight Title.
2005 - Kid Regis defeats Ross Jordan for the British Welterweight Title in Chingford, England, ending Jordan's second reign.
2005 - Naughty By Nature (Pokerface and Rude) defeat Blade Boudreaux and Denny Cooley to win the NWA Southern Tag Team Title in Greenville, Mississippi.
2005 - Team Upstate (Spazz, Psykita and Triple X) defeat Jason Atlas, Eric Everlast and Steve Kruz to become the first-ever NWA Upstate Six-Man Tag Team Champions in Webster, New York.
2005 - The Faroh of Phunk defeats Rondale Roosevelt for the NWA Battle Zone Cruiserweight Title in Magee, Mississippi, beginning his second reign. At the same show, Brother Love defeats Calvin Rose for the NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Title, and John Saxon defeats Lord Humongous to win the vacant NWA New South Heavyweight Title.
2005 - Dan Bidondi defeats Chris Blackheart, Donny Rotten and Don Vega in a four-way match to win the vacant NWA New England Colonial Heavyweight Title in Bellingham, Massachusetts. At that same event, Eddie Edwards defeats Jerrelle Clark in a tournament final to become the first AWA (Superstars) of New England (Millennium Wrestling Federation) Television Champion.
2007 - WWE held a live RAW at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. The results:
Heat:
- The Highlanders (Robbie and Rory McAllister) defeated Armor and Jones.
- Eugene defeated Sweet.
- Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch defeated Jim Duggan and Scotty 2 Hotty.
RAW:
- Chris Masters and The World's Greatest Tag Team (Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas) defeated Carlito (with Torrie Wilson) and Cryme Tyme (JTG and Shad), when Haas pinned Carlito with a roll-over.
- Umaga (with Armando Estrada) pinned Balls Mahoney after the Samoan Spike.
- Super Crazy (with WWE Women's Champion Mickie James) pinned Johnny Nitro (with Melina) after a moonsault.
- WWE Women's Champion Mickie James (with Super Crazy) pinned Melina (with Johnny Nitro) with a roll-up.
- WWE Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy pinned Ric Flair with an inside cradle.
- ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley pinned Kenny Dykstra after a powerslam.
- World Tag Team Champion Shawn Michaels defeated Edge and Randy Orton in a Triple Threat match, by pinning Orton after Edge accidentally speared Orton. With the win, Michaels earned a shot at John Cena's WWE Title at WrestleMania 23.
2008 - Wrestlemania 23 main eventer Bobby Lashley announced he had left WWE, writing on his official website, "Circumstances, which are out of my control left me no decision but to leave the WWE. I can't go into details of this now but like I said before, sometimes people will hate you personally and try to destroy you, which has happened here. Evil has prevailed. However like I said before, if you continue your struggle, doors will open around these people. You have not seen the last of me, so please don't stop your support. Add Bobby Lashley to the list of RECENTLY RELEASED!"
2009 - TNA broadcast Impact. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off tonight’s show with Team 3D’s comments to Sting about their match at Against All Odds. Then we see Kurt Angle wonder why Sting does not think he can beat two people. Then we see Sting ask Angle which Sting he wants in the match. The we see the return of Samoa Joe and he has a tattoo on his face.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Don West and Mike Tenay.
The Main Event Mafia come to the ring. Kevin Nash is the first one to speak. He says that he has been in the business for a while and they have cut on his body as many times as a medical school cadaver. As he goes toward the end of his career, he has done a lot of business in the ring, but most of it was done behind the curtain. Nash talks about how Samoa Joe ran his mouth about a good friend of his, Scott Hall. When that happened, Nash says that he wanted Joe gone. Nash says that Joe is the first person he wanted to be gone who is still there. Nash talks about Joe’s new look and wonders if that makes him a tough guy. Nash tells Joe that he has been cast and he will play Kevin’s b**** in their movie.
Kurt Angle gets on the mic and he tells Sting that everyone is thinking about what will happen at Against All Odds in the TNA Heavyweight Title match. Maybe there will be a clearer picture tonight in the tag match involving the four participants. Angle says that he thought he knew Sting, but he is not so sure. Angle talks about the pact that they would earn the respect that they deserved. None of them have lost sight of the goal. Angle makes one promise for Against All Odds. The TNA Heavyweight Title will remain in the Main Event Mafia regardless of what he has to do.
Team 3D are in the locker room with Lauren. Devon says that they know Kurt Angle. Devon says that Kurt may be one of the greatest wrestlers to lace their boots. Devon says that they will be ready for Kurt at Against All Odds. Ray says that if having Sting primed to lose the title to one of them is ‘got you where I want you’. Ray talks about where he would like to see Kurt Angle. Ray says that Kurt is taking the ‘mafia’ thing too seriously. Ray points out that Sting was fed to the wolves last week so Sting would be softened up. Now Kurt wants to be Sting’s tag team partner. Ray says that he knows how Kurt thinks and they will keep Angle from tagging in Sting tonight. Ray says that one of them will be the TNA Champion on Sunday.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to see a Rough Cut about Kiyoshi. Alex Shelley talks about how he started in the US as Akira Rajin. Chris Sabin talks about how Kiyoshi was trained by Muta and then we hear from Kiyoshi and Muta. Shelley talks about Muta’s equivalent in the US. Sting talks about how important it is that Muta would be behind Kiyoshi.
We see footage from last week when Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin were not part of the save made by the Frontline.
Jay Lethal and Consequences Creed are in the locker room and Creed says that problem in the Frontline is with Shelley and Sabin. With a real family, you put the group first and don’t worry about ego. Creed says that the decision to form the Frontline was as a group. Creed says that Shelley and Sabin are no better than the Main Event Mafia.
Match Number One: Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin versus Consequences Creed and Jay Lethal
Before Lethal and Creed can get to the ring, they are attacked by James Storm and Robert Roode. Lethal and Storm battle in the crowd while Creed and Roode battle at ringside. Lethal and Storm go into the bleachers. Storm sends Lethal into the wall while Roode Irish whips Creed into the ring steps. Lethal fights off Storm while Roode works on Creed’s arm and then Storm hits the arm with a chair against the ring post.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it might be ready for Match Number One: Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin versus Jay Lethal and ?
The match is a handicap match with Lethal hitting a hip toss and cartwheel followed by a drop kick. Lethal with jabs to Sabin but Sabin with a knee and then Shelley is tagged in. Lethal backs Shelley into the corner and then hits a series of shoulders. Shelley sends Lethal to the apron. Lethal hits a springboard missile drop kick that sends Shelley to the floor. Sabin tries to come into the ring but Lethal hits a suicide dive on Shelley. Sabin tries for a pescado but Lethal moves out of the way. Lethal with a near fall on Shelley. Sabin charges into Shelley. Shelley hits a clothesline in the corner but Lethal with a drop kick. Sabin hits a tilt-a-whirl back breaker on Lethal. Sabin gets a near fall. Shelley tags back in and we see forearms but Shelley gains control and hits a roaring forearm. Shelley with an abdominal stretch and then he tries for Sliced Bread but Lethal sends Shelley into the corner and then Lethal hits an enzuigiri.
Sabin checks on Shelley and then they connect with a series of kicks on Lethal. Shelley with a near fall on Lethal. Sabin tags in and he hits a double sledge.
Eric Young has arrived on the apron. Sabin accidentally hits an enzuigiri on Shelley and then Lethal hits the Lethal Combination. Young tags in and he hits a reverse atomic drop on Shelley followed by a discus clothesline on Sabin. Young with a flapjack on Shelley and then he goes up top for a leg drop and Sabin breaks up the cover. Sabin sends Young into the turnbuckles. Sabin and Shelley with a double team kick. Young sends Sabin into the ropes and Shelley gets crotched. Young hits a double Death Valley Driver and he pins Shelley.
Winners: Jay Lethal and Eric Young
After the match, Alex Shelley wants the mic and we go to commercial.
We are back and Alex Shelley still has the mic and he says that there are two things that mean the most to him. Those are his tag team partner and his X Division title. Alex says that he wants Eric to be his next challenger for the X Division title.
Eric has a mic and he wants Alex to promise that his life partner will not be at ringside, he will accept the challenge.
It is time to run through the card for Against All Odds.
Jeremy is with Jim Cornette and Awesome Kong and her group of ladies. Cornette says that it will be one-on-one between Kong and ODB. Cornette wants to see how quick they get out of his office. Bolt threatens Cornette and they leave.
Booker enters with Sharmell while Jeremy takes his blood pressure. Booker says that they need a referee for Bashir’s match against Shane Sewell. Cornette says that Booker is not licensed to be a referee so he will have to wait until Sunday to get his hands on Shane.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Angelina Love and Velvet Sky are with Lauren. Lauren asks them about what happened with ‘The Governor’. Angelina tells Roxxi and Taylor that they will not have the opportunity to fight back tonight. She says that it will be a massacre. They made her and Velvet look stupid. Velvet talks about how they were embarrassed by Taylor and Roxxi. The fun and games are over. They will take back their dignity, throne, and respect.
Match Number Two: Sheik Abdul Bashir versus Shane Sewell
They lock up and the crowd chants ‘USA’. Sewell with a clean break and then Bashir takes off his flak jacket. They lock up again. Bashir with kicks and punches followed by a chop and more kicks. Sewell with a clothesline and back body drop followed by a hip toss and arm drag. Bashir goes to the floor and he pulls Sewell to the floor. Bashir sends Sewell into the ring apron and they return to the ring. Bashir with a punch to Sewell and a near fall. Bashir with head butts to the lower back and a forearm too. Bashir with a side Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Bashir with a waist lock but Sewell with elbows and punches. Bashir with a sleeper but Sewell with a belly-to-back suplex. Sewell with punches but Bashir with an Irish whip. Sewell with a drop toe hold and a head butt to the lower groin. Sewell with a bulldog for a near fall. Sewell with a fisherman’s suplex for a two count. Sewell with a chop. Bashir tries to send Sewell into the referee. Sewell stops short but Bashir hits the referee. Sewell and Bashir with a double clothesline and both men are down.
Booker T comes out and the other referees try to stop him. Booker helps Bashir up and Bashir misses a leg drop from the top turnbuckle. Sewell with a cross body but Booker does not make the count. Booker kicks Sewell and the referees call for the bell.
No Contest
Booker punches Sewell and then security comes to the ring to separate them. Surprisingly Booker and Sewell break free.
Jeremy Borash is with Sting and Jeremy wants to know where Sting stands. Sting says that he does not know where he stands with Kurt Angle so he tells everyone to watch the pay per view. Sting says that the title stands for honor, dignity, and respect. Sting says that if anyone else is the champion, the title is tarnished. Jeremy asks Sting if he is saying that if Angle wins, the title is tarnished. Sting does not answer and we go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for a look at the feud between Angelina Love, Velvet Sky, Roxxi, and Taylor Wilde.
Match Number Three: Velvet Sky and Angelina Love with Kip James versus Roxxi and Taylor Wilde
Angelina and Velvet attack Taylor and Roxxi on the floor. Taylor is sent into the guardrail while Velvet and Roxxi battle. Roxxi sends Velvet into the guardrail and Velvet with forearms to the back. Velvet with a drop toe hold that sends Roxxi into the steps.
Angelina and Velvet attack Taylor. Angelina sends Taylor into the turnbuckles and then Velvet tags in. Velvet punches Taylor and then she chokes Taylor. Angelina tags back in and she kicks Taylor. Taylor with forearms and a cross body for a two count. Angelina sends Taylor into the ropes and then she punches Taylor. Velvet tags in and they hit a double elbow drop before sending Taylor into the turnbuckles. Velvet with shoulders in the corner but she charges into Taylor’s knees. Roxxi is tagged in and she hits clotheslines but Angelina breaks up a slam attempt. Velvet and Angelina hit a bicycle kick and side Russian leg sweep combination for the three count.
Winners: Angelina Love and Velvet Sky
After the match, they do the same to Taylor. Then it is time for the bagging.
The ‘Governor’ comes to the ring and she hits a low blow on Kip and then she throws Velvet out of the ring and then she hits the Moss Covered Three Handled Family Credenza.
Brutus Magnus is in the back and he will finally make his in ring debut.
We are back with more about Kiyoshi in the Rough Cut. Alex Shelley, Scott D’Amore, and Sting talk about the Japanese scene.
Match Number Four: Shark Boy versus Brutus Magnus
Shark Boy attacks Magnus before the bell. Magnus catches Shark Boy and hits a power slam for a two count. Magnus with a European uppercut followed by snake eyes and a running knee and leg drop for a near fall. Magnus with a flying back elbow and then he goes to the apron and misses a slingshot elbow drop. Shark Boy with punches and a Thesz Press and punches. Shark Boy with kicks in the corner. Shark Boy with a jawbreaker. Magnus hits Tormentum for the three count.
Winner: Brutus Magnus
After the match, Magnus gets the mic and he says that he finally arrived in TNA and that is the competition he gets presented. He has a message for all of the wrestlers. At Against All Odds, he makes an open challenge and tells them if they have the bollocks to step up to the challenge.
Jeremy Borash is with Kurt Angle and Jeremy wants to know what Kurt has to say about Sting and the match at Against All Odds. Kurt wants to know what Sting said because he did not say anything. Angle says that everyone is trying to stir things up because they are a tight knit family. There will not be any dissension. Angle wants to talk about what Brother Ray said earlier. Angle says that Ray and Devon need each other. He can do it on his own and he does not need Sting. Jeremy reminds Angle that it is every man for himself on Sunday and then Angle says that he can do it on his own.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a video package about the issues between Matt Morgan and Abyss.
Match Number Five: Matt Morgan versus Rhino
They lock up and Morgan with a kick. Rhino with punches but Morgan with an Irish whip and clothesline. Morgan with a knee to the midsection followed by a side Russian leg sweep. Morgan with elbows in the corner followed by a splash. Morgan with a splash onto Rhino’s back for a near fall. Morgan with a Japanese choke. Rhino punches Morgan followed by a clothesline and a flying shoulder tackle. Rhino with a running shoulder into the corner followed by a belly-to-belly suplex. Rhino sets for the Gore but Morgan leap frogs him and then Morgan with a bicycle kick. Morgan goes outside the ring and then he brings in a chair. Morgan sets for the Hellevator onto the chair, but Abyss’s music plays and Abyss has two bags with him.
The match is apparently over without a finish.
Abyss punches Morgan and hits a clothesline. Abyss with a splash into the corner. Abyss hits a Black Hole Slam. Abyss grabs his sack and then he pours thumbtacks onto the mat. Abyss sets for a choke slam but Morgan sees the tacks and he leaves the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and the thumbtacks are still in the ring. Abyss added more weapons and some broken glass. Abyss gets on the mic and he introduces Matt Morgan to his real best friend. His name is Abyss. He tells Matt that he has endured a lot of things. Abusive fathers, prison time, psychiatric treatment, and some shock therapy. Abyss says that Matt knew how delicate the situation was. He says that Matt calls himself the Blueprint. Abyss shows what happens when you add him into the mix. Abyss punches the tacks and says that you hurt the ones you care about the most.
Lauren comes to ringside to try to calm him down.
Jeremy Borash is with Mick Foley. Mick says that we will see if Sting and Kurt Angle can co-exist especially when you consider the main event at Against All Odds. Jeremy asks if Mick has an update for Jeff Jarrett. Mick says that Jeff will be back next week.
Match Number Six: Sting and Kurt Angle versus Team 3D
Angle tells Sting to go to the apron and he starts with Devon. Devon with a waist lock and Angle with a standing switch. Devon with a side head lock and a shoulder tackle. Angle goes into the ropes and then Ray comes by and threatens Kurt. Devon with a clothesline to Angle followed by punches. Devon with a corkscrew back elbow for a near fall. Angle yells at Sting and then he turns into an arm drag into an arm bar. Ray tags in and he goes to the turnbuckles and hits a double sledge. Ray with a wrist lock but Angle with a rake of the eyes. Ray with a shoulder tackle and a hip toss. Ray with a slam to Angle for a near fall. Sting wants to tag in but Angle makes an obscene gesture. They lock up and Angle punches Ray. Angle knocks Devon off the apron. Angle with a single leg take down and tries for an ankle lock but Ray pushes Angle off but Angle with an elbow drop. Team 3D with a double flapjack. Devon with a belly-to-back suplex for a two count. Angle goes outside the ring and Sting wants to know if they are a family. Cousin Scott Steiner comes out to be peacekeeper. We go to commercial.
We are back and Angle with an elbow to Devon and then Angle mocks Ray’s appearance. We see how Scott Steiner interfered but then he was sent to the back. Angle with a reverse chin lock but Devon with elbows. Angle tries for the Olympic slam but Devon counters with an arm drag. Ray tags back in and he punches Angle followed by clotheslines and a BubbaBomb for a near fall. Angle with a kick to Ray and then Angle with a German suplex. The straps come down and he goes up top. Ray gets Angle on his shoulders and then they hit the Doomsday Device. Sting distracts the referee and that allows Booker and Steiner to interfere and the referee calls for the bell.
No Contest
After the match the members of the Main Event Mafia without the TNA Title belt attack Team 3D. Team 3D eventually fight back and then we see Angle argue with Sting while Steiner and Booker separate them. Nash stands around while Sting asks Angle if they are friends or foes.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. : WWE® Surpasses 1 Million Subscribers on YouTube, Topping ESPN and HBO
WWE on YouTube hit 1 million subscribers today, surpassing popular YouTube channels such as ESPN, HBO, Comedy Central, Discovery Networks and Apple, furthering WWE's position as one of the world's most social brands. WWE has seen a 340 percent increase in subscribers over the past year.
WWE premiered almost 30 hours of original programming in 2012 with shows such as Backstage Fallout, Outside the Ring, WWE Inbox, WWE Download and Z! True Long Island Story. Since launching its official YouTube channel in 2010, WWE has not only created dozens of hours of original programming, but also hosted exclusive matches as well as live pre-shows for its pay-per-view broadcasts. With almost a half billion views, WWE has more views than Showtime, ABC News, ESPN and UFC. In addition, WWE fans watch more than 1.5 billion WWE clips a year across YouTube.
WWE continues to be a leader in digital media. As one of the top 15 most influential brands on social media, WWE has more than 139 million combined social media followers across 10 social media networks.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
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