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February 9th
On this day in history in ....
1953 - Mars Bennett defeats Betty Hawkins in Tampa, Florida to win the NWA Florida Women's Title.
1972 - WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales defeats Fred Blassie in a steel cage match at the Civic Center in Baltimore, Maryland by escaping over the top of the cage. The match had been promoted with the concept that Blassie had invented the cage match and was "unbeatable" in it.
1980 - Former WWE Diva Shelly "Ariel" Martinez was born.
1982 - The Midnight Rider (the suspended Dusty Rhodes under a mask) defeats Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in Tampa, Florida. However, after the match, NWA President Bob Geigel demanded that the Midnight Rider unmask. If Rhodes revealed it was him under the mask, he would have been banned for life, so he refused, and instead gave up the NWA Championship, which was returned to Flair.
1985 - WWF held a unique show at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. The entire show was made up of five tag team matches, followed by a tag team battle royale with all of the teams that had competed on the show. Here are the results from the event:
- Jimmy Snuka & Blackjack Mulligan defeated Brutus Beefcake & Johnny Valiant.
- Magnificent Muraco & Mr. Fuji defeated SD Jones & George Wells.
- Hulk Hogan & Hillbilly Jim defeated Moondog Rex & Moondog Spot.
- The Iron Shiek & Nikolai Volkoff defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo in a non-title match.
- Roddy Piper & Cowboy Bob Orton defeated Jack & Jerry Brisco.
- Hulk Hogan & Hillbilly Jim won a 10-team battle royale.
1998 - Rick & Scott Steiner defeat The Outsiders (Scott Hall & Kevin Nash) to win the WCW World Tag Team Championship during a live edition of Nitro in El Paso, Texas. It ended Hall and Nash's second run with the belts, and began the Steiner Brothers fifth reign as champions.
2002 - Orlando Jordan defeats The Bruiser to win the Maryland Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title, ending Bruiser's fourth title reign.
2004 - During an edition of Raw from Portland, Oregon, Chris Benoit defeated Ric Flair with the Crippler Crossface. After the match, Benoit and Triple H were going to sign the contract for their Wrestlemania 20 World Title match. However, Shawn Michaels superkicked Benoit before he could sign it, and instead signed his own name to the contract, setting up the three-way match that would main event Wrestlemania 20.
2007 - WWE issued the following:
WWE(R) Names Michael Sileck Chief Operating Officer
Friday February 9, 12:52 pm ET
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. today named Chief Financial Officer Michael Sileck as its new Chief Operating Officer. As COO, Sileck will be responsible for managing all of WWE's global business operations. He will report to Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman.
Frank Serpe, Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer, will serve as acting CFO.
"Mike is a proven asset to WWE," said Linda McMahon, CEO. "He has the financial savvy and operational experience to execute WWE's strategic vision and further our penetration of global markets."
Mrs. McMahon said that Sileck's appointment will allow her to focus on the strategic growth of the company by building stronger business and government associations on a global basis and by identifying and developing new business opportunities.
Sileck joined WWE in May 2005 as its Chief Financial Officer. He is a member of the company's Board of Directors.
Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: WWE), can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
Trademarks: All World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
2008 - WWE signed Angela Fong, who appeared on the main roster as Savannah.
2009 - The Times-Colonist in Canada reported that the couple who got into a physical confrontation with Chris Jericho in British Columbia, had been arrested. 20-year-old Ashley Levey, the woman involved is claiming the incident was sparked by an alleged racist comment made by the former WWE champion. Levey told the newspaper that her boyfriend, Kalen Johl, heckled Jericho as he was driving away. Her version of events is that Jericho got out of his vehicle, and made a racist comment to Johl, who is Asian. She also claimed Jericho shoved Johl, which led her to calling him a racist, at which point Jericho spit and punched her.
Both Levey and Johl were arrested but were later released without charges filed. Levey commented to the newspaper that she wanted Jericho charged with assault.
2009 - World Wrestling Entertainment signed second generation talent Tavita Fifita, the son of former WWF and WCW star Haku. He would make it to the main roster as Camacho.
2009 - Due to ongoing economic issues with MyNetworkTV, parent company NewsCorp announced today that they were dropping the broadcast channel's network status and would be re-branding the outlet under the term "Hybrid Programming." What this basically meant in layman's terms was that they suspended all original programming, with the exception of WWE's Friday Night Smackdown. The remainder of the programming on Mondays to Fridays will be made up of repeat material, while Saturday programming will be farmed out to the local affiliates to fill. The network launched in 2006 to fill the void created when the WB and UPN Networks merged. In terms of ratings, the network had never done well, although it began to pick up steam with the addition of Smackdown this past October.
WWE sent out the following press release in response to the changes:
STAMFORD, CT – February 9, 2009 – In light of today’s announcement by MyNetworkTV, World Wrestling Entertainment® officials are certain that SmackDown has a bright future.
WWE SmackDown, airing on Friday nights at 8:00/7:00 PM Central on MyNetworkTV, is the number one program on Friday nights on all broadcast television for males under the age of 50, including the key advertiser demos, M12-17 and M18-34.
WWE SmackDown will enter its 10th consecutive year this Fall, attesting to the popularity and longevity of the brand.
Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
The Associated Press reported the following on the MyNetworkTV changes as well:
NEW YORK (AP) - In a sign of the economic times, My Network TV says it will essentially become a rerun network next fall except for professional wrestling.
The move shows how the tough advertising climate is affecting television. Instead of developing new programs, it will show reruns of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and other series.
My Network TV will also stop programming on Saturday nights, leaving that night to their affiliates and owned stations.
2009 - WWE announced the following:
WWE® NAMES NEW MARKETING LEADER
STAMFORD, Conn., February 9, 2008 – World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. has named Michelle D. Wilson as Executive Vice President, Marketing. In her new role, Wilson will head WWE’s global marketing and integrated brand initiatives, including pay-per-view, advertising, promotions, research, creative services, and public and government relations.
“Michelle brings a unique combination of sports, entertainment and brand marketing experience to WWE,” said Linda McMahon, CEO, World Wrestling Entertainment. “She will be a key player in furthering the WWE brand and bringing great value to our network, advertising and promotional partners.”
As the former Chief Marketing Officer of the United States Tennis Association, she was instrumental in making the US Open the highest attended annual sporting event in the world. She developed innovative advertising and promotional campaigns -- It’s Showtime and The Greatest Road Trip in Sports -- that significantly elevated the image and awareness of tennis in the United States resulting in record television viewership and ticket sales. Wilson was also a pivotal player in the implementation of several innovations for the sport, including in-stadium video screens, blue courts, instant replay, celebrity entertainment and the 2004 launch of the Olympus US Open Series.
Prior to the USTA, Wilson oversaw all marketing efforts for the launch of the XFL football league, a partnership between WWE and NBC. She also held positions at the NBA in its domestic and international consumer products groups. Before her career in the sports industry, Wilson held brand management positions at Nabisco.
2009 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
The Super Bowl of professional wrestling is just under two months away and the next pay per view offering will follow the Super Bowl of auto racing. What will happen tonight during Raw with the return of Ric Flair. Will he address Chris Jericho about Chris’s comments regarding Mickey Rourke’s portrayal of Randy the Ram in The Wrestler? Will Ric Flair discuss proper roadside behavior? What is next for the Legacy after their sneak attack on Shane McMahon? Will Stephanie seek revenge for what they did to her brother other than what she negotiated last week? What will happen when The Undertaker returns to Raw and faces Randy Orton? Will Bradshaw and Shawn Michaels discuss their match on Sunday? Will there be any new developments with the Elimination Chamber match? Will we find out any more inductees to the WWE Hall of Fame (at least an official announcement)? Will any more matches be announced for the pay per view?
We are live from Oakland, California and your announcers are Michael ‘Crossing Guard’ Cole and Jerry ‘If Bradshaw needs another employee who had financial problems, I am sure Hammer is available’ Lawler.
Ric Flair comes to the ring and he woooos and says that he misses everyone. He points out that he was fighting for his career at this time last year. The time came for him to retire and it took place at Wrestlemania 24. He faced the great Shawn Michaels and he couldn’t have lost to a man he respected more.
Chris Jericho comes out and tells Flair that this is enough and he will not let Flair wax nostalgic about his career and waste air time. Jericho says that he has a comment for Flair and he wants Ric to think about last year and the night after Wrestlemania when he said goodbye to the business for good. We see footage from last year when Flair and Jericho hugged. Jericho says that he hugged Flair out of respect, but if he had known that Flair would prostitute himself for any two bit promoter or hog the spotlight and set a bad example for the current generation of wrestlers, he would have slapped Flair in the face.
Flair says that if he would have known that Jericho was a condescending punk who was insecure with himself. Flair says that he has never sold out and he will never wrestle again. Flair says that he is losing respect for Jericho by the minute. Flair says that he respects everyone in the crowd. Jericho does not believe that Flair respects the hypocrites because he knows that Flair will appear for any promoter. Jericho says that Flair is the problem because he has to be the center of attention. Flair says that he has to be the center of attention. He will never retire from the business. He wants to take pictures with the fans and tells stories. He will never let Jericho tell him how to run his life because he can.
Jericho tells Flair that when you are an honest person like him, it is his business because he is a locker room leader. The people in the locker room respect him more than Flair. Jericho says that Flair can pat himself on the back for not getting back into the ring yet, but Flair cannot leave the business without any dignity. Jericho says that Flair has missed the point of the movie The Wrestler because the fans couldn’t care about him. As soon as the show is over, they are going to post their photos on Facebook and then forget about Flair forever. Jericho says that Flair will end up like Mickey Rourke’s character but there is no director to say cut. Jericho says that he will be the one to tell Flair to cut and to stop letting the people leech off of him. Jericho wants Flair to tell the fans that he is better than they are.
Flair tells Jericho no. Jericho tells Flair to have it his way. Jericho tells the fans if they want to see a clown who falls on his face for your entertainment, because they can take their pictures of Flair. Jericho tells Flair to do all of his tricks like a good little dog. Every picture is a reminder of how low Flair has gotten. Jericho tells Flair that he has no one to blame but himself. Flair slaps Jericho and Jericho leaves the ring. Flair takes off the jacket and then he hits the ropes and struts.
We take a look back at last week’s announcement that Randy Orton will face Shane McMahon at No Way Out and the events that led to Orton’s match with the Undertaker tonight.
We go to commercial.
Match Number One: Jillian Hall and Beth Phoenix with Santino Marella and Rosa Mendez versus Melina and Kelly Kelly
Kelly and Jillian start things off and Jillian works on the arm and throws Kelly to the mat. Kelly gets flipped by Jillian and Kelly with a drop kick. Kelly with an arm bar and Melina is tagged in. Melina with a kick and then Melina punches Jillian and then drops knees to the midsection. Jillian with a punch and then Beth pulls Melina down by the hair. Jillian with kicks and then Beth is tagged in. Beth punches Melina and gets a near fall. Beth with boots to the midsection followed by a slam but she misses a leg drop. Melina with punches and forearms. Melina avoids a clothesline and then Melina with a kick that turns into a split. Melina with a spin kick for a near fall. Jillian pulls Melina’s hair but Melina pulls Jillian into the ring. Melina goes after Rosa but that backfires and then Beth hits the Implant Driver for the three count.
Winner: Beth Phoenix and Jillian Hall
It is time to take a look back at Wrestlemania III.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to hype the sales of the WWE CD.
Bradshaw puts on his jacket and Shawn Michaels enters. Bradshaw reminds Shawn about their ‘All or Nothing’ Match. Shawn says that it would not slip his mind. Bradshaw reminds Shawn that he is still his employee so he still controls his matches. Tonight Shawn will have a tune-up against Mark Henry.
Randy Orton comes out with Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes and Randy has something to say. Randy says that lost in the controversy surrounding the McMahon family and him is that he won the Royal Rumble. That means that he will main event Wrestlemania against the WWE or World Champion, the choice is up to him. Randy says that he has not stopped thinking about it. Randy says that he will be champion. Randy says that nobody and nothing can stand in his way. Not Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon, nor Stephanie McMahon. Stephanie has been intimidated because she thought that he would punt her on Raw last week. Randy says that he was never going to do that. He wanted to show Shane what could have happened if he wanted it to happen. Why would he want to hurt Stephanie McMahon. He wants Stephanie to be around to see what happens when he takes out another member of her family. Randy says that the Undertaker couldn’t stop him at the Royal Rumble and he will not stop him tonight. If the Undertaker cannot beat him, what kind of a chance does Shane think he has. We see Orton talking to Rhodes and DiBiase and they go to the ring for their match.
Match Number Two: Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase versus Cryme Tyme
Shad with a forearm to Cody followed by one to Ted. Shad sends Cody into the corner and he connects with a forearm and a biel. Shad with a forearm but Cody with a boot to Shad and Ted is tagged in and Shad does not realize it. Ted with forearms to Shad along with a few elbows. Cody is tagged back in and he punches Shad. Cody with forearms and kicks to Shad and then Ted is tagged back in. Cody returns and then he sends Shad into the turnbuckles. Ted is tagged back in and he puts Shad in a cravate followed by a kick. Ted with an arm bar and crossface. Shad with an arm drag but Shad blocks a kick and pushes Ted away. Cody and JTG tag in and JTG with a clothesline and flying shoulder tackle. JTG with the Mug Shot for a near fall. All four are in and Shad tries to throw DiBiase to the floor. Shad goes over the top rope and then Rhodes hits JTG from behind and hits Crossroads for the three count.
Winner: Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase
We see footage of John Cena at a Gillette event.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Kane, Mike Knox, and Chris Jericho versus John Cena, Rey Mysterio, and Kofi Kingston
The match is joined in progress and Kane with a snap mare to Kane. Kofi with a drop kick to the knees and a kick to the face followed by a cross body and kick to the head. Kofi with the leg drop to the chest for a near fall. Kofi with kicks to the leg but Kane blocks the kick and he pushes Kofi away. Kane with a clothesline to Kane and then Knox is tagged in. Knox kicks Kofi followed by an elbow to the head and a reverse chin lock. Knox with an Irish whip and Kofi with a kick to the back. Cena tags in and he hits two flying shoulder tackles followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb. Cena signals for the Five Knuckle Shuffle and he hits it. Cena sets for the FU and Kane punches Cena while the referee deals with Jericho. Knox kicks Cena and throws him to the floor. Kane runs Cena into the apron while the referee keeps Kofi in the corner. Knox punches Cena in the head and then Kane is tagged in. Kane with an uppercut and then he kicks Cena. Jericho is tagged in and he catapults Cena into the bottom rope. Cena with punches but Jericho with a flapjack for a near fall. Jericho with an arm bar and reverse chin lock combination. Cena gets Jericho up for the FU but Jericho counters and then he tags in Kane. Kane with an Irish whip and running clothesline for a near fall. Kane with a reverse chin lock. Cena with a kick but Kane with a side slam for a near fall. Kane signals for a choke slam but Cena hits the Attitude Adjustment on Kane. Rey and Jericho are tagged in and Rey with a springboard seated senton and a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Rey with a bulldog for a near fall but Knox breaks up the cover. Rey punches Knox and then Knox misses Rey and goes over the top rope to the floor. Rey with a drop toe hold that sends Jericho into the courner. Kofi sends Rey into Jericho but Kane pulls Rey over the top to the floor. Kofi tries for a springboard cross body but Jericho with a Codebreaker for the three count.
Winners: Kane, Chris Jericho, and Mike Knox
Stephanie McMahon is on the phone and she says that she knows what she is doing. She says that she is not provoking Randy Orton by showing up to be the General Manager on Raw. Stephanie says that she does not trust Orton and says that security is nearby. Stephanie says that they have a lot going on this weekend.
Shawn Michaels is walking in the back and we go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Last week’s announcement of the match between Shawn Michaels and John Bradshaw Layfield for No Way Out with Shawn’s intellectual property on the line.
Match Number Four: Shawn Michaels versus Mark Henry with Tony Atlas
Before the match starts, Bradshaw comes out to watch his employee/opponent in the ring.
Michaels goes after Henry before the bell rings and the referee warns Michaels. Michaels does the same once the bell rings. Henry wants to know what is wrong with Michaels. Michaels with a drop toe hold and Henry goes to the floor. Michaels follows after Henry to the floor. Henry tries to send Michaels into the ring post but it backfires. Shawn gets a steel chair while Tony Atlas talks to the referee. Shawn Michaels hits Sweet Chin Music into the chair and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Mark Henry by disqualification
After the match, Bradshaw gets on the mic and he reminds Shawn that if he gets disqualified, he loses and the name Heartbreak Kid will be owned by Layfield Industries. He says that what Mickey Mouse is to Disney, Shawn’s name will mean the same to him. Bradshaw suggests that Shawn bring his wife to the pay per view to see how she reacts to seeing a broken down man. Bradshaw tells Shawn that he will always have a place in his office for a beautiful lady.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Last week’s mixed tag match that saw Regal pin Punk.
Match Number Five: CM Punk versus William Regal with Layla for the Intercontinental Title
Regal with a knee that staggers Punk and Regal gets a near fall. Regal with more knees and punches that back Punk into the corner. Punk with a kick and back kick and then he runs Regal into the corner. Punk with Kawada kicks to Regal. Punk gets Regal up for the Go To Sleep but Regal gets out of the hold and then Regal gets a near fall. Regal with a reverse chin lock with Punk’s arm to add to the pressure on the neck. Punk tries for a sunset flip but Regal with a head butt. Regal with elbows to the head. Regal with a head and arm suplex followed by an Exploder suplex. Regal waits for Punk to get up but Punk with a roundhouse kick. Punk gets Regal up for the Go To Sleep and hits it and gets the three count.
Winner: CM Punk
It is time for an Undertaker streak at Wrestlemania video package. We go to Wrestlemania 13 where Taker wrestled Sid Justice. Who will be number seventeen in Houston?
We are back and Lawler and Cole talk about how Mickey Rourke won the BAFTA for Best Actor.
We also take a look back at Mickey Rourke’s friend Ric Flair from earlier tonight when he was in the ring with Chris Jericho.
We go to more video packages as we take a look at what happened between The Legacy and The McMahons.
Randy Orton walks explosively as we go to commercial.
We are back and told how many people watch the WWE each week.
Match Number Six: Randy Orton versus The Undertaker
They lock up and Orton punches Taker but the referee pulls Orton out of the way. That allows Taker to put Orton in the corner and punch him. Taker with a punch and then he clotheslines Orton over the top rope to the floor. Orton kicks Taker and sends him into the ringside barrier. Taker drops Orton on the top rope and then Taker slams Orton’s head into the apron. Orton goes to the floor and Taker follows after him and hits a clothesline. We go to commercial.
We are back and Orton with a side head lock. We see footage from during the commercial of the elevated DDT by Orton. Taker punches Orton and finishes with an uppercut. Orton with a power slam. Orton with the Garvin Stomp for a two count. Orton with another reverse chin lock. Taker with a belly-to-back suplex. Taker and Orton exchange punches and then Taker with an Irish whip and splash into the corner. Taker with another Irish whip and it is time for Snake Eyes and the running boot. Taker with the Leg Drop of Death Valley for a two count. Taker sets for the choke slam as he waits for Orton to turn around. Orton with a kick and he tries for the RKO but Taker pushes him off. Taker tries for the tombstone but Rhodes and DiBiase come to the ring. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Undertaker by disqualification
After the match, Taker fights off DiBiase and Rhodes but Orton clips Taker and then he punches Taker while Cody and Ted hold Taker. Orton wants them to let Taker get up as Orton does the RKO pushups, but Shane McMahon comes out and he goes after Orton and DiBiase. Taker choke slams Rhodes. Shane with punches to DiBiase and then Taker with a choke slam to DiBiase. Shane puts Ted in the corner and then he gets a trash can and puts it in front of Ted. Shane points to Randy Orton thinking that Randy is the Wrestlemania sign and then he hits the Van Shaneinator.
2010 - World Wrestling Entertainment held a media event in Tokyo, Japan where Antonio Inoki announced he was officially accepting their invitation to go into the 2010 WWE Hall of Fame class and would be attending the company's Wrestlemania 26 weekend festivities. WWE's Ed Wells presented Inoki with a Hall of Fame certificate in a ceremony designed to get attention from the Japanese media.
2010 - TNA removed Bobby Lashley from their roster as he left the promotion to dedicate his full attention to his MMA career.
2010 - WWE broadcast the penultimate episode of ECW on Sci Fi. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and your announcers are Josh ‘At least I have the interviewing deal’ Mathews and Byron ‘Find this man a spot on Raw or Smackdown to do announcing’ Saxton.
We start off with the members of ECW in a meeting waiting for Tiffany to arrive. She tells everyone about the fact that ECW is done in two weeks. She says that it is not a bad thing, it is a great thing. She reminds everyone that they are free agents but they can be part of the Next Evolution of the WWE. Tiffany says that she hasn’t always seen eye to eye with everyone but she was proud to be the general manager. Tiffany tells everyone to have a great show and make the next two weeks a chance to impress everyone. She tells everyone to seize the day and have fun. Tiffany then puts on some beads and drinks a Hurricane before leaving.
Zack wants to know where she is going and Tiffany mentions that Mardi Gras is this week and the Saints won the Super Bowl so she is going to party.
We see footage from last night when the Shiz defeated the Straight Edge Society and Generation Next to become the new Unified Tag Team Champions.
Match Number One: Yoshi Tatsu and Goldust versus Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft in a Number One Contender Match for the Unified Tag Titles
Goldust and Barreta start things off and Goldust works on the arm and he punches Barreta and then hits a hip toss before tagging in Yoshi. Yoshi with a chop to Barreta for a near fall. Yoshi continues to work on the arm and he connects with a shoulder tackle. Barreta with a rollup but Yoshi counters with a near fall of his own. Yoshi with an arm drag into an arm bar. Croft tags in after Barreta punches Yoshi in the corner. Croft with punches to Yoshi and he gets a near fall. Croft with a forearm and then he tags Barreta back in. Trent with a running back elbow for a near fall. Barreta with a reverse chin lock followed by a knee and forearm to the back. Barreta with an Irish whip and then Yoshi sends Barreta into the turnbuckles when he charges. Goldust tags in and he hits the drop down uppercut followed by a running boot to the head. Goldust goes after Barreta on the floor and Croft made the blind tag and that allows Croft to clip Goldust when Goldust waits for Barreta to come out of the ropes. Croft does his fist pumping in the air before we go to commercial.
We are back and Barreta tags back in and he continues to work on Goldust’s leg. Croft with a quick tag and he continues to work on Goldust. Goldust with a kick and then his leg gives out when Croft Irish whips him. Croft continues to work on the elg and then when the referee deals with Croft and Yoshi, Barreta slams Goldust’s leg into the apron. Trent tags back in and they make a wish with Goldust before Trent gets a near fall. Trent with an Indian Death Lock on Goldust and Goldust tries to summon the power to escape and he punches Trent to get out of the hold. Barreta with a dragon screw leg whip and Croft punches air on the apron. Croft tags in and he kicks Goldust in the hamstring before dropping a knee to the leg. Goldust with punches to Croft and Barreta but Goldust is sent into the corner as Barreta tags back in and connects with a knee in the corner. Barreta continues to work on the leg and he gets a near fall on Goldust. Croft is tagged back in and he gets a near fall on Goldust for a near fall. Barreta is tagged back in and Trent slingshots in and then he face washes Goldust. Barreta with a step over toe hold but Goldust sends Trent into the corner to escape. Goldust tries to fight out of a front face lock and Trent knocks Yoshi to the floor. Goldust with a back body drop but Yoshi was not on the apron. Trent with a rollup but Goldust with a power slam and then Goldust makes the tag and so does Croft. Yoshi with a drop kick and spinning heel kick to Croft followed by a back body drop and kicks. Yoshi with the double knees followed by a rolling mare into a kick for a near fall. Yoshi goes up top and hits the heel kick but Trent breaks up the cover. Goldust’s leg is fine as he hits a bulldog on Barreta. Yoshi with the round house kick on Croft for the three count.
Winners: Yoshi Tatsu and Goldust
Josh and Byron talk about the tag title match next week and then it is time to be reminded of the first official inductee into the 2010 Class of the WWE Hall of Fame. It is Ted DiBiase.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Ezekiel Jackson with William Regal versus Perry Wallace
Zeke laughs at his opponent as the bell rings and they lock up and Zeke sends Wallace down to the mat. Jackson lets Wallace punch him but Jackson runs Wallace into the turnbuckles and then he punches and kicks Wallace. Jackson with a biel to Wallace and then he waits for Wallace to get up. Jackson with a running clothesline and Wallace is not really moving too well. Jackson with the uranage for the three count.
Winner: Ezekiel Jackson
After the match, Regal gets on the mic and after hearing a few boos, he says that he hopes the general manager hasn’t fallen too far into her debauchery to listen to him. He says that the ECW Title match at the Royal Rumble was a travesty. He says that he never should have been ejected from ringside. He talks about the bias of the general manager as well as the fans. Regal says that Tiffany’s legacy will be making a travesty of everything and setting back the roles of women in the workplace back 25 years. Regal tells Tiffany that on the final show of ECW, she can do the right thing and give Ezekiel a rematch.
Zeke tells Christian that if he accepts the challenge, his reign as champion will end. Jackson says that as the final ECW champion, it will only be the beginning of the rise of his dominance. He then quotes the Book of Ezekiel.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound.
It is time to run through the card for the Elimination Chamber.
Byron and Josh talk about the challenge made by Ezekiel Jackson and it is time for Christian’s response. Christian says that he accepts the challenge, but he wants to do it big and as only ECW can. He wants to do it under Extreme Rules.
Before our main event, Shelton Benjamin gets on the mic and he starts off with a cheap pop that Mick Foley would be proud of. Shelton says that when he came to ECW, he was not happy because he was the gold standard and he says that he is too good and too talented for ECW. Then he got kicked in the head by Yoshi Tatsu and got pinned in ten seconds. Shelton says that was his wake up call and he saw the heart and passion from the guys in the back and they earned his respect every week. Shelton says that he made some friends he didn’t expect to make and he did some things that he didn’t expect to do. Shelton joins in with the Who Dats from the fans. Shelton says that he is going to miss everyone in the back with the exception of Vance Archer. Shelton says that Vance is the type of person to shake your hand only to wait to stab you in the back. Shelton reminds them of their No Disqualification match and he says that his last ECW memory will be wiping the smile off Vance’s face and hurting him like no one else has done before.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Shelton Benjamin versus Vance Archer in a No Disqualification and No Count Out Match
They lock up and Benjamin with a side head lock and a shoulder tackle. Archer backs into the corner and Shelton waits for him to emerge. Benjamin with a waist lock and Archer goes to his knees to escape but Benjamin with a side head lock. Benjamin with another shoulder tackle and Archer goes to the floor to regroup. Vance returns to the ring and they lock up again. Archer backs Benjamin into the corner and he punches Shelton and there is nothing the referee can do as Archer adds in some kicks. Benjamin with punches of his own followed by a back elbow. Benjamin with a rollup into a single leg crab. Archer makes it to the ropes and Archer wants Benjamin to release the hold but the referee reminds Archer that it is no disqualification. Archer goes up top but Benjamin with an enzuigiri and Archer goes to the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Archer has a kendo stick and he tries to hit Shelton with it but Shelton uses a chair to block it. Benjamin winds up with the chair but he misses and hits the ring steps. Archer drops Benjamin onto the ringside barrier and he follows it with a boot to the head. Archer punches Benjamin and then he rolls Shelton back into the ring to get a near fall. Archer with a kick to the head and then he kicks Benjamin in the arm. We see Shelton bleeding so the referee pulls Archer off Shelton. We see footage from the commercial break when Benjamin’s head is sent into the announce table.
The match continues and they exchange punches until Shelton gets a second wind. He puts Archer on the top turnbuckle but Archer with a spinebuster slam for a two count. Archer punches Benjamin in the head and then he removes the top turnbuckle. Archer kicks Benjamin in the head and then he pulls Shelton’s arm into the exposed turnbuckle. Archer with punches to the arm and then he puts Benjamin in an arm bar. Benjamin with punches but Archer with a hard Irish whip for a near fall. Archer kicks Shelton in the arm and then he puts Benjamin in a bear hug into a waist lock. Benjamin with elbows and punches but Archer with a kick to the arm. Benjamin with a forearm from the top turnbuckle and then he hits a running shoulder tackle or two. Benjamin with a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Archer with a head butt to the ribs and then Benjamin escapes the set up for the inverted DDT to hit a German suplex. Benjamin sets for the Stinger Splash but Archer moves. Benjamin is able to land on the ropes and then he hits a blockbuster followed by Paydirt for the three count.
Winner: Shelton Benjamin
2011 - WWE announced Wrestlemania 28 would be held in Miami, Florida with the following:
World Wrestling Entertainment issued the following today:
MIAMI TO HOST WRESTLEMANIA XXVIII
The Miami-Dade Sports Commission, Miami-Dade County, Miami Dolphins, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau and WWE® announced today that Sun Life Stadium, home of the Dolphins and other world-class events, will host WWE’s annual pop culture extravaganza, WrestleMania XXVIII, on Sunday, April 1, 2012.
The announcement was made today at a press conference at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Miami-Dade County Commissioner and Chairman of the Miami-Dade Sports Commission Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Miami-Dade Sports Commission Executive Director Mike Sophia, Miami Dolphins CEO Mike Dee, Former Dolphins Quarterback and NFL Hall of Famer Dan Marino and Miami Dolphins limited partner and Grammy Award Winner Emilio Estefan joined WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon and WWE’s Senior Vice President of Special Events John Saboor in making the announcement. WWE Superstars John Cena®, The Miz®, Mark Henry®, Alberto Del Rio™ and WWE Diva Eve™ were also on hand for the announcement.
“Miami has always been the home of first class events, and this event will add to that legacy,” said Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Miami-Dade County Commissioner and Chairman of the Miami-Dade Sports Commission. “Hosting WrestleMania is a huge coup for Miami.”
“On behalf of WWE, I would like to thank Commissioner Diaz and all his colleagues for their support, and the Miami-Dade Sports Commission for graciously rolling out the red carpet to bring WrestleMania to one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman and CEO. “We look forward to adding WrestleMania to the list of prestigious events held at Sun Life Stadium.”
“For nearly twenty-five years Sun Life Stadium has played host to South Florida’s world class events that provide economic benefit to the entire community,” said Dolphins CEO Mike Dee. “We applaud the efforts of Commissioner Diaz and the Sports Commission on attracting WWE and look forward to an unforgettable WrestleMania in 2012.”
WrestleMania is not just a one day event; it’s a week-long celebration, as visitors from around the world are expected to converge on Miami for WrestleMania Week. Activities will include the 2012 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, WrestleMania Axxess, the finals of the WrestleMania Reading Challenge a Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament. The pay-per-view event will be televised to more than 100 countries.
Over the past three years, WrestleMania and the events surrounding it has generated nearly $150 million in cumulative economic impact for the host cities. Last year, 72,219 fans from all 50 states and 26 countries converged on the University of Phoenix Stadium for WrestleMania XXVI.
About WWE
WWE, Inc., a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly, PG content across all of its platforms including television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 500 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo and Mexico City.
2012 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the Impact Wrestling Report here on PWInsider.com!
They start off with the most surreal opening video I think I've ever seen on a wrestling show, as they mix in the events of the last few weeks of Impact with footage of Star Wars, and of course Eric Bischoff is Darth Vader and Garett is Luke, while Hulk Hogan has somehow become Qui Gon Jinn. Okay.
Bully Ray kicks off the show and says he doesn't want to talk to James Storm, Sting, or anyone else besides his "good close personal friend" Bobby Roode and tells his "pal" to come out here now. Bubba doesn't have to wait long before the champion makes his way out, but Bubba gets out of the ring and tells the sound guy to cut his music so he can ask Roode some questions. He's been watching Roode's back and he helped Roode out against Storm, but Roode was nowhere to be found when Bubba needed him. Bubba says Roode has held onto the title for two months because Bubba's been saving his butt, and Roode says he's had Bubba's back, but Bubba says that Roode put a knife in it. Roode says Bubba's problem isn't with him, it's with the same guy Roode has a problem with, and that's Sting. Of course Sting's music hits, and he comes out with his cricket bat and his gloves to tell them that to make sure everything stays on the level at Against All Odds, he'll be the special referee. Oh, by the way, Bubba and Roode had better get on the same page because they're facing James Storm and...the insane icon himself, Sting, in tonight's main event.
Hulk Hogan and Garett Bischoff are backstage, and they're...WALKING!
We see a video package lookin back at what's happened so far between AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, and Frankie Kazarian leading up to last week when Daniels decided that Kazarian will face Styles at Against All Odds. This leads us right into our opening match...
Christopher Daniels vs AJ styles
Daniels jumps AJ before the bell, but AJ fires back and they go back and forth until Danielscatches AJ unawares with a right hand to the jaw and knocks him on his butt. AJ quickly recovers and dropkicks Daniels out to the floor, then follows after him with a somersault dive over the top rope. AJ sends Daniels into the ring and goes for the Styles Clash, but Daniels blocks and pulls a foreign object out of his boot. The referee sees him and tries to grab whatever it is, so Daniels tosses the object to Kazarian and out of the view of the referee. Daniels backdrops AJ to the apron and hits a clothesline, sending AJ crashing down onto the apron and to the floor. Daniels rolls AJ back into the ring and hits a slingshot legdrop followed by a running clothesline for 2. Daniels locks in a neck vice on AJ, and AJ starts to squirm free so Daniels gets a kneedrop for 2 and then goes back to the neck vice. Crowd is split 50/50 as AJ fights his way out of the neck vice and comes off the ropes right into a leaping enziguiri from Daniels. Daniels covers for 2 and then goes for Angel's Wings, but AJ escapes and hits an enziguiri, and both men are down. Daniels crawls over to the ropes and tells Kazarian to give him the knucks, but Kazarian holds his ground and AJ starts his comeback, hitting the moonsault/deathdrop and then a springboard forearm. AJ goes for the Styles Clash but Daniels counters to the uranage and then goes for the BME, AJ moves and hits the Pelle Kick to send Daniels out to the apron. AJ tries to drag Daniels back inside, but Daniels holds the ropes so AJ stomps at him until the referee backs him up and Daniels again yells at Kazarian to give him the knucks. This time Kazarian obliges and Daniels takes a swing, but AJ ducks and goes for a back suplex, accidentally ramming Daniels' foot into the referee's face on the way up, and the referee is stunned just long enough for Daniels to hit AJ with the knucks and get the win.
Winner: Christopher Daniels
Eric Bischoff is backstage telling Gunner that since Hulk Hogan's here to stand by Garett's side, Eric wants Gunner to watch his back tonight...one kneecap at a time.
Samoa Joe and Brutus Magnus come out to share their thoughts with the fans, and Magnus talks about how people say it's so great to come here and perform in the UK, but Magnus has to make a correction: he has nothing against the Scots, the Welsh, or even the Irish...well, mostly. But tonight, they're not in the United Kingdom, they're in England and tonight, even though he's not everyone's favorite, he gets to say that he's come home...oh, and he brought his tag team partner with him. He talks about the Wild Card Tournament and how they got put together by the luck of the draw, and nobody thought it was going to work, but they feel like they proved that theory wrong because they have chemistry and teamwork, they're a well-oiled machine. The fact is that Morgan and Crimson are a team because they're afraid to fight each other, but Magnus and Joe aren't afraid to fight anyone, so at Against All Odds, they're going to defeat them to become the World Tag Team Champions.
Morgan and Crimson hit the ring to confront Joe and Magnus, and all Morgan has to say is that the talking is done. Morgan and Crimson go after Magnus and Joe, dumping Joe to the floor before plowing over Magnus with a double shoulderblock. They go to nail him again, but Joe pulls Magnus out to the floor and then says something that gets bleeped while flipping Morgan and Crimson the bird. Terrific promo segment.
X Division Champion Austin Aries vs Alex Shelley vs Doug Williams
Aries tries to fight both of them at once, but backs off when they close in on him. Williams gets a snapmare on Aries followed by a dropkick to the back of the head by Shelley, then Williams clotheslines Aries to the floor. Shelley goes for Sliced Bread #2 on Williams, but Williams blocks and hits a short clothesline that sends Shelley out to the floor. Aries trips Williams from the floor, but Shelley catches him with a missile dropkick and Aries again goes out to the floor. Shelley goes out after him and Williams hits a dive through the ropes onto Shelley, and Aries quickly slides back inside and hits a dive of his own, then rolls Williams back in and gets a slingshot senton on Williams for 2. Williams responds by unloading with a series of European uppercuts, Aries nails Williams and sits him on the top rope for a superplex, but Shelley grabs Aries and they go at it until Aries sends Shelley crashing into Williams and hits an STO. Aries goes for the pendulum elbow, but Shelley moves out of the way and Aries hits the mat. Williams hits Chaos Theory on Shelley, but Aries runs in and punts Williams in the nads. Aries goes for a brainbuster, but Shelley counters to Sliced Bread #2 and pins the champion.
Winner: Alex Shelley
Shelley builds some momentum going into Against All Odds, but I would have liked to see Williams play a bigger part here.
Hulk Hogan is backstage giving Garett Bischoff a pep talk when Sting walks in and shares a big hug with Hogan. Hogan says it's good to be himself again and he owes Sting for helping him get there, then asks Garett for a moment alone with Sting. Hogan tells Sting that he's doing a great job here and he's gotten the company on track, and he has to kick some people in the butt, but he's getting it done. The only thing Hogan thinks he doesn't understand is what a huge target he's got on his back and how everyone's going to try and cut his legs out from underneath him. After what Sting and the business have done for him, and how they're the only things that have stuck with him all this time...well, wedon't hear the end of that thought because Hogan suddenly notices the cameraman and gets all pissed off as he kicks him out and slams the door.
We go to interviews with the fans as they entered the building earlier tonight, and then we see a clips of Tara and Gail Kim fighting outside the building.
We go to interviews with the fans as they entered the building earlier tonight, and then we see a clips of Tara outside the building taking a video of herself seeing the sights, but then Gail Kim comes up and starts beating the crap out of her. Not literally, since that would be a kind of strange thing to show on Impact. Gail finishes by skee balling Tara through a swinging double door and knocking her out.
Hulk Hogan and Garett Bischoff come out to the ring, and Hogan panders to the crowd for a bit, then says he didn't know what to expect last week since it had been 18 years since he'd been there, but it was just what he thought would happen: the greatest fans in the world and showed him respect and made him realize that Hulkamania was going to live forever. He knows what happens when people dedicate their lives to something and give everything to get ahead and he appreciates everything, but he wants one favor: he wants the fans to take everything they gave him and give it to Garett Bischoff instead because he's known him since he wasa little Hulkamaniac and he's on our side of the coin. All Garett's wanted all his life is to get in the business and prove he can make it as a wrestler, but his father- oh wait, here comes Eric with Gunner. He wants to know who Hulk thinks he is, and what gives him the right to interfere in Eric's family business. Hogan says it's not about Eric anymore, it's about Garett and his future. Eric says that Hogan doesn't have the right,but Hogan says that Bischoff doesn't understand the businessas wellas Hogan thought he did because there's something called the Hulkamania Stroke, and he talked to the Stinger, brother, and Sting gave him the right to book a match at Against All Odds between Garett Bischoff and Gunner, and- again Hogan gets cut off when Gunner attacks Garett as Eric low blows Hogan. Hogan'snot down for long, and he Hulks up, knocks Bischoff out, then grabs Gunner by the ponytail and tosses him out to the floor. Hogan and Garett stalk Eric and Hogan holds Eric so Garett can knock him out with a big right hand.
We see a preview of Star Wars Episode I in 3D, then we go backstage where Bully Ray says Roode has no idea how pissed off he is at him, but they need to put things behind them and work as a team tonight because, as Bubba says, Roode's a good tag team wrestler and Bubba is a great tag team wrestler. Bubba sticks his hand out, but Roode says that they don't shake, they hug. Bubba and Roode share a hug, then Bubba says "three days" and walks out.
Hogan and Garett are out back cutting a promo on Eric Bischoff, then it's back to the ring for Knockouts action...
Mickie James vs Velvet Sky
They tie up and Velvet goes to a wristlock, Mickie cartwheels out and sweeps the legs Johnny for 2. Velvet goes to a side headlock, Mickie shoots her into the ropes, and Velvet takes her down with a shoulderblock. Mickie goes for a monkey flip but Velvet blocks and rolls her up for 2. Mickie bridges out and gets a rollup of her own for another 2. Velvet goes for a handshake and Mickie takes it, then pulls Velvet into a series of shoulderblocks and whips her into the corner. Mickie charges into Velvet's boot and then Velvet gets a flying headscissors, but Mickie dropkicks Velvet in the face for 2. Mickie with kicks and shoulderblocks in the corner, then hits a snapmare into a seated abdominal stretch. Mickie rolls it backward into a guillotine for 2, but Velvet gets a chinbreaker and then a series of running clotheslines. Velvet is hurt and can't follow up, but still manages to hit a inverted bulldog for 2. Velvet with a couple offacebreakersbut Mickie takes her out with a clothesline, she goes for the leaping DDT, Velvet escapes and goes for a sunset flip, Mickie tries to squirm out into a seated cradle, but Velvet catches her in a small package for 3.
Winner: Velvet Sky
Well, that was a bit unexpected. Mickie looked shocked that she was beaten by Velvet, and then we go to some scary fans talking about how much they really do love TNA.
We see a video package again showing the fanfare and excitement surrounding TNA's tour of England, and then we go to a video package where Bobby Roode, James Storm, Bully Ray, and Jeff Hardy talk about the main event of Against All Odds and what's motivating them going into the match.
Sting and James Storm are backstage and Sting says it's showtime, then Storm says that Sting once had a dream to become an icon, and that's what Storm wants to do tonight.
It's main event time!
World Champion Bobby Roode & Bully Ray vs James Storm & Sting
Roode and Sting start off and Roode stalls a bunch, then they tie up and Roode takes Sting to the corner and lays in a series of chops and punches that Sting no-sells. Sting whips Roode to the ropes and gets a backdrop, misses a Stinger Splash, but again no-sells the impact and lays Roode out with a clothesline. Sting gets the Scorpion Deathlock and Bubba comes in to try and boot Sting in the face, but Sting catches the boot and he and Storm double team Bubba and send him out to the floor with Roode to take a breather as we go to commercial.
We're backand Storm and Bully Ray tag in. Bubba takes Storm to the corner and slowly breaks clean before cheapshotting at him anyway, Storm dodges out of the way and Storm gets a series of armdrags and then unloads with right hands in the corner. Sting tags in and gets a wristlock on Bubba, cranking on the arm until Bubba goes down and Sting stomps on his hand. Storm tags in and gets nailed from the outside by Roode, and then Roode tags in and puts the boots to Storm in the corner before choking him with his boot. Bubba comes in and drills Storm with a big chop to the chest, then pulls the bandages off of his ribs before slamming Storm and hitting a big elbowdrop for 2. Bubba just drills right hands into Storm's ribs, then Roode comes in and works over Storm's ribs some more before getting a rear bearhug. Storm fights his way out but Roode takes him back down and tags out to Bubba, who comes in with a bearhug of his own. Storm boxes Bubba's ears to escape,but comes off the ropes right into Bubba's boot. Bubba picks up the chain and goes to hit Storm with it, but Storm ducks the shot and gets a Russian legsweep. Storm makes the hot tag and Sting comes in like a house of fire, Stinger Splashes for both men, Roode tries to go up top and Sting slams him off. Bubba tries to break up a pinfall attempt but Sting moves and Bubba elbowdrops Roode, then whips Bubba into Roode in the corner, follows up with a Stinger Splash, then Bubba falls backward and Storm gets a leaping enziguiri from the floor so Roode falls headfirst into Bubba's groin. Roode with a spinebuster for 2 on Sting and then tries for the Perfectplex, but Sting blocks and hits the Scorpion Deathdrop. He foregoes the cover and instead gets the Scorpion Deathlock, Bubba comes in with the title belt and gets ready to hit Sting, but then stops and tells Roode "see you in three days, champ" before bailing out to the floor and heading up the aisle. Roode has no way out and taps.
Winners: Sting & James Storm
Bubba shoots a dirty look at Roode as he rolls out to the floor and cradles his precious title in his hands, and Sting and Storm celebrate in the ring as we call it a night.
Another solid show this week, though they did a pretty poor job of promoting this weekend's PPV. You would have never known it was this weekend but for a couple of offhand mentions, and it gives you the distinct feeling like PPV is far from TNA's highest priority. I'll be back tomorrow to discuss Impact, Against All Odds, and more on the Stu & Pid Show in the Elite audio section!We are in Baltimore, Maryland and your announcers are Kevin Kelly and Caleb Seltzer.
Truth Martini is at the announce table to join Kevin and Caleb for the Top Prospect Tournament.
Match Number One: Matt Taven versus ACH in a Top Prospect Tournament First Round Match
They lock up and Taven works on the wrist and ACH with a reversal. Taven with a cartwheel to counter. ACH with an arm drag but Taven blocks a second one. ACH with a rollup after escaping a suplex attempt. Taven with a punch but ACH with a clothesline and he goes to the apron. Taven with a springboard kick to knock ACH off the apron.
Taven with a pescado onto ACH. Taven goes up top but ACH moves when Taven misses a cross body. ACH with a kick and then he misses a charge into the corner. ACH and Taven flip around the ring and Taven with a moonsault onto ACH. Taven sends ACH to the apron and ACH with a scissors kick followed by a baseball slide to Taven and a flip dive onto Taven.
ACH rolls Taven back into the ring and he gets a near fall. ACH with forearms to Taven but Taven with a bck heel kick. ACH with a kick to the knee and head followed by a flatline for a near fall. ACH with forearms and a back elbow followed by another forearm. Taven with a back round kick but ACH with a slap. Taven with a bicycle kick for a near fall.
Taven goes up top but ACH grabs the leg. Taven punches ACH but ACH with a running kick to the hdead and Taven goes to the mat. ACH gets a near fall. ACH tries for a suplex but Taven puts ACH on the ropes and hits a swinging neck breaker and then he goes up top for a frog splash and the three count.
Winner: Matt Taven (Advances to face Silas Young in the semi-finals)
We go to commercial.
We are back and Nigel McGuinness is in the ring and he brings out the Ring of Honor Television Champion Adam Cole. Nigel also brings out Matt Hardy.
Nigel tells both men that he brought them out because they both wanted a match against each other. Nigel is going to give them his decision.
Nigel Matthew wants the match because he beat Adam at Final Battle and deserves a title match. On the other hand, Adam wants the match because of the way that Matt beat him at Final Battle. Nigel says that he is not going to give Matt a title match. Matt beat Adam, but he had to kick hi in the nuts to win the match. He tells Matt that is not how it is done in Ring of Honor and Matt is better than that.
Nigel says that he will give them the match, but it will not be for the television title. If Matt wants a shot at the title, he needs to win clean in the middle of the ring in this match.
Matt says that he is going to decline Nigel’s offer because he has nothing to prove to Adam Cole. He beat Adam clean in the middle of the ring with a textbook small package. Matt says that he should be awarded the television title. Matt says that he has nothing to prove to this kid. He beat Adam already. Unless Adam or Nigel put the title on the line, he has nothing else to prove.
Adam tells Matt that he wants to make something really crystal clear and he calls Matt Mr. Washed Up. Anywhere that Matt wants a title match, he has no problem putting it on the line. Adam insists that their next match is for the television title.
Nigel asks Adam if his contract says ‘match maker’. Nigel tells Adam that he is the match maker and he decides who wrestles who and for what. When he says that it is not for the television title, it will not be for the television title. Matt has to prove it to him that he deserves a television title match.
Matt continues to say that he has nothing to prove and he reminds Nigel and everyone that he is a former ECW champion, an eight time WWE Tag Team Champion, United States Champion, Cruiserweight Champion, and the Hardcore Champion. Every promotion that he has worked for, he has been a champion. He does not know Nigel’s prejudice against him.
Matt says that he knows why Nigel won’t give him a title match. It is because Nigel is jealous and envious of Matt Hardy. Nigel has some power and he thinks he can flex it. Nigel never had or never would have the career that Matt had. Matt says that while he was wrestling in Madison Square Garden, Nigel was wrestling in flea markets, armories, and high school gyms.
Matt says that Nigel is jealous of his popularity, bank accounts, and everything that Matt has. He is envious of the career that he has and continues to have.
Adam takes the mic and he tells Matt not to dare. He says that he knows that Nigel does not need anyone to defend him, but Nigel has dedicated so much to Ring of Honor. He has earned the respect of everyone in the locker room. He wants to know if Matt can say the same. The answer is no.
If Matt needs a reason without the television title on the line, he will give him one. Cole punches Matt and they fight around the ring. Nigel calls for security and they separate Cole and Hardy.
We go to commercial.
We are back with Inside Ring of Honor. This week, we look at the Top Prospect Tournament, a big show in Cincinnati, and a match signed for the 11th Anniversary Show in Chicago Ridge.
The first topic is the Top Prospect Tournament and QT Marshall, Tadarius Thomas, Silas Young, and Matt Taven.
Joining Kevin in the Inside Ring of Honor studios is Truth Martini. Truth says that this is the hottest thing in Ring of Honor. Kevin asks Truth about Tadarius Thomas. Truth says that he knew that Thomas was going to win. Tadarius does things that he has never seen before.
Truth says that Silas Young is silent, but dangerous.
Truth says that QT Marshall might have something there, but he thinks that QT’s manager might be a little off.
Truth says that Matt Taven is a bit controversial, but he might be missing something.
Truth takes off his pants and he says that it is for his Hoopla Hotties.
Ring of Honor will be in Cincinnati on February 16th. In the main event, there will be a six man elimination match with Kevin Steen, Jimmy Jacobs, and Steve Corino facing a team of ‘ROH All Stars’. Their opponents will be Michael Elgin, Adam Cole, and Davey Richards.
We go to the All Stars in the locker room. Davey says that they are all stars. The matches he had with Elgin and Cole showed that they were stars. Cole says that they might be at a disadvantage because they have never worked before, but they all want to get rid of S.C.U.M.
Elgin says that he has not played well with others, but if he wants anyone at his side, he wants Cole and Davey.
Davey says that this is their first time tagging and their last time tagging together.
It is official. As a result of the gauntlet last week on television, Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly will face The Briscoes for the tag titles at the 11th Anniversary Show on March 2nd.
Bobby and Kyle are in the locker room. Bobby asks Kyle what they have accomplished so far. They won the gauntlet, beating the American Wolves. Now they face Dem Boys. Bobby wants to know where the word ‘Dem’ is in the dictionary.
Kyle says that all joking aside, eight title reigns is very impressive, but after Chicago, it will be eight title losses.
Also on the 11th Anniversary Show, Jay Lethal gets his title match against Kevin Steen. Roderick Strong faces Michael Elgin in a two-out-of-three falls match. Adam Cole will defend the Television Title against the winner of the Top Prospect Tournament. More matches will be added as we get closer to the iPPV.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see Caprice Coleman, Cedric Alexander, Mark Briscoe, and Jay Briscoe in the back. They are talking about their eight man tag match later tonight. Caprice preaches and motivates his tag team partners.
Veda Scott joins Kevin and Caleb at the announce table.
Match Number Two: Athena versus MsChif
They lock up and Athena with an arm scissors take down. Athena with a springboard cross body for a near fall. MsChif with a forearm and she wraps up Athena and hits a gutbuster for a near fall. Stuff goes on in the ring while we see shots of the commentators. We return to the ring and see MsChif give Athena a drop toe hold.
MsChif with a rollup and bridge for a near fall. Athena with a savate kick and a bicycle kick but she misses a round kick. MsChif with a leg sweep and a standing moonsault for a near fall. Athena with forearms. Athena with a handspring back heel kick and she gets a near fall.
MsChif with an Irish whip and forearms to the back. MsChif with boots to the back. MsChif gets a near fall. MsChif with an Irish whip but Athena goes to the apron. Athena goes up top and hits the O Face and both women are down. Athena gets a near fall when MsChif gets her foot on the rope.
Both women are on the apron and MsChif with forearms. Athena with a savate kick that sends MsChif back into the ring. Athena goes up top again but MsChif stops her. Athena with punches from the turnbuckles but MsChif pulls Athena to the mat and puts her in the ropes. MsChif with forearms and head butts followed by Obliteration for the three count.
Winner:MsChif
We go to commercial.
We are back and Jay Lethal is at the announce table with Kevin and Caleb.
Match Number Three: Jay Briscoe, Mark Briscoe, Caprice Coleman and Cedric Alexander versus Rhino, Steve Corino, Jimmy Jacobs, and Kevin Steen
Mark makes a line in the middle of the ring and Steen goes in motion as if he was in the CFL and all eight men brawl in the ring. Jay and Steen go to the floor to battle. All eight men are on the floor now. Rhino with forearms to Mark. Caprice chops Jacobs against the ropes on the apron.
Mark and Rhino are in the ring and Mark with chops while Steen starts to sing O Canada before sending Jay into the guardrails. Steen with a forearm to Mark. Rhino with a forearm to Coleman and Jacobs tags over. Jay sends Steen into the guardrails. Rhino chokes Jay while Coleman hits a drop kick on Jacobs in the ring.
Steen sends Mark head first into the guardrails. Jay with a kick to Steen and then Jay goes after Corino. Jay rolls Corino into the ring while Coleman kicks Steen. Corino begs off Jay and he offers his hand. Jay wants to know if Steve is serious. Corino tries for a kick but Jay blocks it and sends him to the floor.
Jay chokes Corino with a confederate flag. Steen and Rhino work over Coleman. Corino and Jay are in the ring while Rhino Irish whips Mark into the guardrails. Jay with jabs to Steve followed by a running boot to the head. Jay with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot from Corino. Rhino with a TKO to Jay and he raises his arms to celebrate.
Coleman and Rhino exchange punches and he sends Caprice to the floor. Corino with a punch to Jay and it appears that order is restored. Jacobs tags in and he connects with a forearm from the turnbuckles as we go to commercial.
We are back and Rhino works over Jay with forearms. Corino tags in and he kicks Jay. Steve punches Mark on the apron and then Jacobs joins in to double team Jay while the main referee is distracted. Steen tags in and he chokes Jay. Corino chokes Jay with some tape. Steen stands on Jay’s chest.
Jay punches Steen but Steen with a knee. Steen backs Jay into the corner and Corino tags in and he yells at Steve. Corino chokes Jay in the ropes and Steen with a punch from the apron. Rhino punches Jay while Corino holds him and then he tries to draw Mark into the ring to allow Jacobs to pulls Jay into his corner. Steen punches Jay and Irish whips him into the corner.
Jay with a flatline into the turnbuckle and both men are down. Mark tags in and he punches Corino and Jacobs. Mark with chops aplenty and then he is punched by Rhino and he raises his arms. Coleman hits Rhino from behind and Corino stops him. Coleman with a double drop kick to Rhino and Corino. Steen hits Coleman from behind and then Mark comes in and hits a Saito suplex.
Alexander tags in and him and Coleman go with a high/low combination. Alexander gets a near fall. Mark kicks Corino and sends him to the floor. Rhino sends Coleman into the guardrails and everyone but Steen and Jay are outside the ring. Steen sends Jay to the floor. Steen goes to the apron and then he goes up top and hits a senton onto everyone on the floor.
Steen sends Alexander into the ring and misses a charge into the corner. Steen sends Alexander to the apron. Alexander with a springboard DDT and gets a near fall but Jacobs breaks it up. Jacobs sends Alexander to the floor and then Jay hits Jacobs. The Briscoes get Jacobs up for the Doomsday Device but Corino takes care of Mark. Jacobs with the Contra Code on Jay. Corino with a sliding clothesline to Jay. Rhino with a GORE to Coleman. Alexander misses a springboard move and Corino wants Rhino to hit a GORE but Steen hits the package piledriver for the three count.
Winners: Steve Corino, Jimmy Jacobs, Rhino, and Kevin Steen
After the match, Steen leaves the ring and goes to the back while Corino, Jacobs, and Rhino remain in the ring.
We go to credits.We are posting photos at www.Instagram.com/PWInsider and our social media platforms.
Apollyon vs. Lance Anoia
Lance tried to use his speed early but Apollyon wiped him out with his power. Apollyon beat him down with chops and stiff shots. He whipped Lance into the corner but was kicked away during a charge. '
Lance worked him over with a series of heatbutts but was cut off and nailed with a Black Hole Slam. Lance caught him with a Uranage and came off the top with a frog splash. Apollyon caught him with a leaping DDT and scored the pin.
Your winner, Apollyon!
Black Hollywood vs. Enhancement Talent
Black Hollywood, Ruthless Ray Smith and Blackstar Shawn Edwards are PWS students. They got a big pop. They got some hot offense but were cut off by Enhancement Talent. Hollywood made a comeback but couldn't get the pin. One of Hollywood nailed a scissor kick and got the pin. Short but sweet.
Bonesaw vs. Craven Varro vs. Keith Migs vs. Lucifer Darksyde vs. TDS (The Drunken Swashbuckler) vs. Mia Yim
Varro started off with Miggs, controlling him and scoring a two count. Bonesaw tagged in and clotheslined Varro hard then backdropped him over. TDS tagged in and scored with a series of armdrags on Varrro. He ends up on the apron and drops down, grabbing the ropes. Bonesaw goes over the top to the floor.
TDS hit a dive to the floor. Varro went for one but was nailed by Darksyde, who press and slammed him to the outside. Darksyde and Yim faced off and went back and forth. He drilled her with headbutts and a slam but missed with a flip legdrop. He drilled her with a series of kicks and maneuvered Darksyde into the ropes, where he fell to the outside. Yim kicked him from the apron and went to the top, hitting a moonsault to the floor.
Migs followed up with an Asai Moonsault to the outside but slipped. Thankfully, they caught him. Bonesaw caught him with a spinebuster for a two count.
Darksyde grabbed TDS for a muscle buster but instead flipped him forward into a sitdown powerbomb, which looked great. He then grabbed a tossing suplex on Varro. Darksyde continued laying waste to everyone. He came off the top for a moonsault and nailed it but Yim drilled him with s series of kicks. They battled to the outside. Meanwhile, Bonesaw came off the top with a great flying elbow and scored the pin on Varro.
Your winner, Bonesaw!
A hard worked and fought Six Way. You could see everyone really trying to give everything this get, despite the relatively young careers of everyone involved. Yim's time in Japan has really served her well.
Dan Maff vs. Anthony Nese
They locked up and muscled each other back and forth. Maff unloaded with a series of chops. Nese came back with a series of kicks in the corner and tried to work over Maff, who slipped under and nailed a series of kicks. He set up Nese and went for a running kick but Nese slipped to the outside. Undaunted, Maff nailed a tope suicida to the outside.
Maff chopped away at Nese against the railing. They battled atop the apron where Nese slipped back into the ring and knocked Maff back to the floor. Nese followed to the outside, working over Maff. Nese brought Maff back into the ring and controlled him. Nese nailed a double jump moonsault for a two count. Nese covered Maff for a two count.
Nese locked in a side chinlock. Maff fought his way out and sent Nese into the corner and kicked him off. Maff caught Nese and suplexed him into the turnbuckles.
Nese and Maff battled back and forth with Maff scoring a two count after a big clothesline. He drilled Nese with another big suplex and called for the Burning Hammer. He lifted Nese and went for it but Nese landed on his feet and kicked Maff in the face. He came off the ropes with a splash for a two count.
Nese lifted Maff on his shoulders but Maff fought his way out. Nese fired back with a series of kicks and a suplex but Maff rebounded with a clothesline that sent Nese inside out for another two count. Nese went for a top rope headbutt but missed. Maff went for the Burning Hammer and nailed it for the win.
Your winner, Danny Maff!
Good back and forth match.
Nese was interviewed after the match and asked if he'd like to comment on his continued losing streak. Nese just sat their despondent and didn't say anything. He finally forced the ring announcer out of the ring and took the mic. He said that he was a TNA star but had a chance to wrestle The Great Muta in front of the PWS fans and gave up a national TV contract to entertain these fans. He asked what he gets for that and responded "Dis-res-f***ing-pect." He said he doesn't deserve to be on the stupid sh** indies and deserves to be in TNA. He declared he was Mister TNA. He said there isn't a single person that deserves it more than him and said he was done entertaining piece of sh** like these fans.
PWS champion Matt Hardy vs. Kevin Matthews - TLC Match
They locked up and Matthews backed Hardy into the corner but was forced to break clean. They locked up agan and Hardy drilled him with a right hand. Hardy drilled Matthews with a clothesline, sending him to the outside. Hardy then nailed him wth a dropkick through the ropes.
Out on the floor, Hardy nailed Matthews several times with a chair, including a hard shot across the back. Hardy tosssed him back into the ring and continued the assault with the chair. He wedged a chair in between the buckles and whipped Matthews into them but Matthews reversed it and Hardy nailed the chair hard en route to crashing down to the floor.
Matthews brought a ladder into the ring and worked over Hardy. He tossed Hardy hard into the ladder several times after propping it in the corner. Matthews tried to climb the ladder but Hardy dumped it over. Hardy placed it in the corner and whipped Matthews hard into the ladder.
Hardy went under the ring and pulled out a much larger ladder. He set it up in the ropes but was attacked by Matthews. Matthews suplexed Hardy over on the ladder. Matthews went under the ring and tossed a bunch of weapons in, then drilled Hardy in the chest with the smaller ladder. He nailed Hardy across the back with a chair, then placed several chairs facing each other on the mat. Matthews then placed the ladder across it. He placed Hardy on the ropes for a superplex into the construct but was fought off. Hardy dropped Matthews across the chairs and the ladder chest-first.
Hardy tried to climb up the smaller ladder and grabbed the belt but didn't remove it. Matthews shoved the ladder aside and Hardy caught himself on the top rope as he toppled over. Hardy recovered and began climbing the ladder but was nailed over the back with a large piece of wood. Hardy reversed a whip and sent Matthews into it, shattering the wood.
Hardy again set up the ladder and tried to ascend to the top. Matthews slipped under and nailed the powerbomb over his knees. Matthews placed the ladder in the corner over the ropes and catapulted Hardy into it.
Matthews went to the top of the ladder but Hardy grabbed him and nailed a back suplex off the ladder. Hardy went to the top but was lowblowed by Matthews. Hardy and the ladder were shoved over again. They battled to the floor. Matthews brought in several chairs. Hardy regained control and went to the top but saw Matthews coming and nailed him, then hit a moonsault into the ring on Matthews.
Matthews stopped Hardy at the top of the ladder and sent him flying off into the ropes with a big right hand. Matthews grabbed the larger ladder and tossed it into the ring. He then set up another ladder on the outside of the ring and bridged the first ladder between that and the apron.
Matthews returned to the ring and whipped Hardy into another plank of wood, which broke. Matthews tried to suplex Hardy out of the ring onto the bridged ladder but Hardy slipped free. He tried to suplex Matthews who blocked. Hardy finally backdropped Matthews over the top through the ladder.
Hardy went for the belt but the other members of Reality Check hit the ring and worked over Hardy. Alex Reynolds set up the ladder and a table for Matthews. Hardy nailed Reynolds with the Twist of Fate. Matthews almost got to the belt but Hardy climbed up and they both grabbed it. Both men battled and fell backwards through the table. Matthews was the last man holding the belt and was announced as the new champion.
Your winner, Kevin Matthews!
Really good ladder match with both guys taking ridiculous amounts of punishment.
Craig Steele vs. Chris Payne
Steele is one half of the Southside Players Club. Steele attacked Payne at the bell.and nailed him with a sideslam. Payne fought back and sent him to the floor, then hit a flip dive over the top to the floor atop of him.
Back in the ring, Payne drilled him with a legdrop for a two count and cinched in an armbar. Payne came off the top with a bodypress but was caught and nailed with a fall away slam for a two count. Steele continued working over Payne and nailed him with snake eyes.
Payne caught him with a rollup out of nowhere and scored the pin.
Your winner, Chris Payne!Saved By The Bell's Mr Belding (Dennis Haskins), The Phat Pack, and The Big O vs. Reality Check's Devon Moore, Damian Gibbs, D-Struction, and Evil Star Man
Team Belding worked over Evil Star Man for a long time. The Phat Pack squashed him in the corner, then catapulted him into a powerslam. D-Struction tagged in and worked over Phat Pack's Fallulah. Gibbs and D-Sruction double suplexed him.
The Big O tagged in and cleaned house with a big over the shoulder powerslam. O clotheslined Gibbs over the top to the floor. O then pressed and slammed Moore down onto his partners on the floor.
Phat Pat then hit a tope through the ropes to the floor. Belding was tagged in and dropped an elbow and pinned Moore. What would you expect someone of Belding's age to do.
Your winners, Saved By The Bell's Mr Belding (Dennis Haskins), The Phat Pack, and The Big O!Jerry Lynn vs. Lance Storm
This Lynn's New Jersey farewell. Poor Storm actually had a travel day from hell getting here and arrived at the building just four hours ago from Toronto, where he was snowed in overnight.
They circled each other and locked up. The crow chanted, "ECW." They locked up and had a clean break. They began working over each other's arm and had a series of reversals before they faced off. The crowd chanted, "You still got it."
They went into another series of reversals before facing off again. Storm called for a test of strength. They reversed headlocks and Lynn took over Lance with a side headlock takedown. Lance fought his way to his feet but Lynn reversed it and brought him back to the side headlock takedown.
Lynn shoulderblocked Lance down, ducked a clothesline and hit a head scissor to bring him down for a two count. They battled back and forth over suplexing the other and Lynn nailed a guillotine legdrop through the ropes on Storm. They batted on the apron and Storm sent Lynn off the apron into the railing. Lynn came up bleeding.
Storm dragged Lynn back in and nailed a series of right hands. Storm controlled Lynn with a series of right hands. Storm whipped Lynn into the corner and cinched in an armbar Lance worked over Lynn in the corner and tagged him for a two count.
Lynn came back with a high cross bodyblock for a two count but Storm rebounded with a big dropkick. Storm scored several two counts. He began working over Lynn's neck and the back of his head. Lynn was locked in a rear chinlock but refused to submit. The crowd began a dueling chant.
Lynn went for a crucifix and turned it into a sunset flip for a two count. They went into a series of near falls and reversals that was fun as hell. Lynn nailed a German suplex for a two count. The crowd was really into each near fall and gave them a big "This is wrestling" chant.
Storm caught Lynn with a superkick for a two count. Lance caught him with the Maple Leaf crab as Lynn fought for the ropes. Lynn made it to the ropes and pulled himself up, then drilled Lance with an enziguiri. Lance came back with a big dropkick to the face for a two count.
Lance went to the top but Lynn caught him and nailed a top rope rana, then dropkicked him to the outside. Lance nailed a one legged codebreaker for a two count.
Lynn finally came back with the cradle piledriver and scored the win.
Your winner, Jerry Lynn!
Really fun match! Storm is still as good as he ever was and this was the best of the Lynn farewell bouts I've seen so far.
Lynn gave a great speech thanking Lance for coming and said that he was getting too old for this sh**. The crowd chanted for one more year and Lynn said he couldn't do it. He thanked everyone for their support and said he was thankful for Lance wrestling him one more time.
Lance hit all his signature lines and said that since the promoters never saw Lynn in a top spot, if they had an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in the business, it would be Lynn. He said if you asked anyone who was the type of person that made the business fun and who was the best person to wrestle and have programs with in ECW, it was Jerry Lynn.
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