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3/24 THIS DAY IN HISTORY: HOGAN VS. SLAUGHTER HEADLINES WRESTLEMANIA 7, JERRY LYNN RETIRES AND MORE

March 24th

On this day in history in ....

1884 - Duncan C. Ross defeats James McLaughlin in a best-of-three falls, three-style match in Cleveland, Ohio for the American Collar-and-Elbow Title, ending McLaughlin's third reign and beginning Ross' second. Ross won two of the falls, Greco-Roman and catch-as-catch-can, with McLaughlin actually winning the Collar-and-Elbow fall, but Ross won the title for winning more falls.

1932 - Blacksmith Pedigo defeats Bill Romanoff to win the World Junior Middleweight Title in Fairfield, Alabama.

1947 - Ray Steele defeats Marshall Estep for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title in Des Moines, Iowa, ending Estep's second reign.

1952 - Emil and Ernie Dusek defeat Mr. X (Jack Moore) and Mr. XX (Frank Taylor) to become the first Nebraska Tag Team Champions in Omaha, Nebraska.

1954 - Buddy Knox wins the NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title for the second time, defeating Carl Engstrom in Vancouver, British Columbia.

1958 - Ivan and Karol Kalmikoff to win the Calgary NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Edmonton, Alberta, by defeating Guy and Joe Brunetti.

1959 - Tony Barbetta defeats Luigi Macera for the NWA Texas Junior Heavyweight Title in Dallas, Texas.

1960 - Barry Horowitz is born in St. Petersburg, Florida.

1961 - Karloff Lagarde defeats El Santo to win the Mexican National Middleweight Title, ending Santo's third reign.

1964 - George and Sandy Scott win their second American Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title from Doc and Mike Gallagher.

1965 - The Undertaker is born in Houston, Texas.

1973 - Harley Race defeats Dory Funk, Jr. for the NWA World Heavyweight Title in Kansas City, Missouri. This began the first of eight NWA title reigns for Race.

1974 - Jumbo Tsuruta makes his wrestling debut.

1975 - Oki Shikina and Yasu Fuji defeat Mike George and Jerry Oates to win the Central States NWA World Tag Team Title in Topeka, Kansas.

1976 - Invader I and Don Muraco defeat Pedro Morales and Pat Patterson for the San Francisco NWA World Tag Team Title in Sacramento, California.

1977 - Solitario defeats Rey Mendoza to win the UWA World Light Heavyweight Title in Juarez, Mexico, ending Mendoza's second reign.

1978 - Dale Valentine defeats Al Madril to win the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title in Houston, Texas, ending Madril's third reign.

1979 - Charlie Cook defeats Ron Bass for the NWA Arkansas Heavyweight Title in Little Rock, Arkansas.

1980 - The Dynamite Kid defeats Keith Hart in a tournament final to win the vacant Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Title in Red Deer, Alberta.

1981 - Mike Graham and Barry Windham defeat The Assassins to become the first Florida NWA North American Tag Team Champions in Tampa, Florida.

1984 - King Tonga defeats Bob Sweetan for the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, to begin his second reign.

1986 - Lance Von Erich defeats Buddy Roberts to win the World Class Television Title in Fort Worth, Texas.

1986 - The MOD Squad (Basher and Spike) defeat The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers) to win the AWA Southern Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee. At the same event, Billy Travis defeats Abdul Khadafi (Danny Miller) for the AWA International Heavyweight Title.

1989 - The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) defeat Johnny Ace and The Terminator for the NWA Florida Tag Team Title in St. Petersburg, Florida, ending and beginning both teams' second reigns.

1989 - Davey Boy Smith wins his second Stampede North American Heavyweight Title in Calgary, Alberta, by defeating Don Muraco.

1990 - Abdullah the Butcher defeats TNT (Savio Vega) for the WWC Universal Heavyweight Title in San Juan, Puerto Rico, beginning his second reign. At the same event, Leo Burke defeats Carlos Colón to win the WWC Television Title, which was vacated when TNT won the Universal Heavyweight Title on February 9.

1991 - The WWF presented a monster 15-match WrestleMania VII before 16,158 fans at the Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. The event got a 2.8 buyrate. WrestleMania VII was originally scheduled to be held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, however, it was decided to move the event to the arena next door. The WWF stated that a threat had been issued towards the company due to Sgt. Slaughter's Iraqi sympathizer character, as this was just weeks after Operation Desert Storm. It has also been said that this was due to low ticket sales for the 92,000-seat (with thousands more having been seated on the field) stadium. The results of WrestleMania VII were:
- In a dark match, Koko B. Ware pinned The Brooklyn Brawler.
- The Rockers (Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels) defeated The Faces of Fear (The Barbarian and Haku), when Michaels pinned Haku with a flying crossbody.
- Kerry Von Erich pinned Dino Bravo (with Jimmy Hart) after a discus punch.
- The British Bulldog pinned The Warlord (with Slick) after a running powerslam.
- The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags (with Jimmy Hart)) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart), when Knobbs pinned Neidhart after Neidhart was hit with Jimmy Hart's motorcycle helmet, to win the title. This ended the Hart Foundation's second reign.
- Jake Roberts pinned Rick Martel in a Blindfold match after a DDT.
- The Undertaker (with Paul Bearer) pinned Jimmy Snuka after a Tombstone piledriver.
- The Ultimate Warrior pinned Randy Savage (with Sensational Queen Sherri) after several shoulder blocks, in a retirement match. After the match, Sherri berated Savage for losing, with Miss Elizabeth running to the ring from the crowd and taking out Sherri. Savage then reunited with Elizabeth.
- Kitao and Tenryu defeated Demolition (Crush and Smash (with Mr. Fuji)), when Tenryu pinned Smash after a powerbomb.
- The Big Bossman (with André the Giant) defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect (with Bobby Heenan) by disqualification after The Faces of Fear interfered. Perfect retained the title.
- Earthquake (with Jimmy Hart) pinned Greg Valentine after an Earthquake Splash.
- The Legion of Doom (Animal and Hawk) defeated Power and Glory (Hercules and Paul Roma (with Slick)), after Animal pinned Roma following a Doomsday Device.
- Virgil (with Roddy Piper) defeated Ted DiBiase by countout after DiBiase attacked Piper outside the ring.
- The Mountie (with Jimmy Hart) defeated Tito Santana after stunning him with his shock stick.
- Hulk Hogan pinned WWF Champion Sgt. Slaughter (with Gen. Adnan) after the legdrop, to win the title, beginning his third reign. Hogan proudly waved the American flag after his win to close out the show.

1992 - ECW held its second-ever event, at the Original Sports Bar in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- King Kaluha defeated Max Thrasher.
- C.N. Redd defeated Rick Perez.
- Cry Baby Waldo defeated Mr. Anthony.
- D.C. Drake and J.T. Smith defeated Johnny Hotbody and Larry Winters.
- Glenn Osbourne defeated Jimmy Jannetty.
- Derrick Domino and Stevie Richards defeated The Super Destroyers by forfeit.
- Ivan Koloff defeated Tony Stetson in a Russian Chain match.

1992 - Ron Harris wins the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title from Steve Doll in Vancouver, Washington, ending Doll's third reign and beginning Harris' second.

1994 - Rick Rude defeats Hiroshi Hase for the WCW International World Heavyweight Title in Kyoto, Japan, beginning his second reign.

1995 - CMLL held the Salvador Lutteroth Trios Tournament at Arena Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico, in honor of CMLL promoter Salvador Lutteroth. Eight teams participated in the one-night tournament. The results were:
First round:
- Los Brazos (El Brazo, Brazo de Oro and Brazo de Plata) defeated Los Guerreros (Damian el Guerrero, Guerrero del Futuro and Guerrero Maya).
- Team Atlantis (Atlantis, Apolo Dantes and Rayo de Jalisco, Jr.) defeated Los Espectros de Ultratumba (Cadaver de Ultratumba, Espectro, Jr. and Kahoz).
- Los Chacales (Bestia Salvaje, Emilio Charles, Jr. and Sangre Chicana) defeated La Ola Blanca (El Hijo de Gladiador, Gran Markus, Jr. and Dr. Wagner, Jr.).
- Los Tecnicos (Dos Caras, El Dandy and Hector Garza) defeated Los Infernales (MS-1, Pirata Morgan and Satanico).
Semifinals:
- Los Brazos defeated Team Atlantis.
- Los Chacales defeated Los Tecnicos
Finals:
- Los Brazos defeated Los Chacales.

1996 - WCW held the second-annual Uncensored pay-per-view at the Tupelo Coliseum in Tupelo, Mississippi. The results were:
WCW Main Event matches:
- Mr. JL pinned Dean Malenko. This was a first round match in the tournament to crown the first WCW Cruiserweight Champion.
- Jim Duggan pinned Big Bubba Rogers.
- Dick Slater pinned Alex Wright.
- The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott) fought The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) to a no-contest.
Pay-per-view matches:
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Konnan pinned Eddie Guerrero after an accidental headbutt low blow to Guerrero after he missed a leapfrog to retain the title.
- The Belfast Bruiser defeated Lord Steven Regal by disqualification after the other two Blue Bloods interfered.
- Col. Robert Parker pinned Madusa after Dick Slater came out and tripped Madusa while she was attempting a German suplex and Parker rolled on top.
- The Booty Man pinned Diamond Dallas Page after a high knee, after Kimberly slapped Page for kissing her in the ring. Page was originally set to face Johnny B. Badd, but he left the company for the WWF.
- The Giant pinned Loch Ness after a big boot and legdrop, to earn a shot at Ric Flair's WCW World Heavyweight Title the following night on Monday Nitro.
- Booker T and WCW World Tag Team Champion Sting defeated The Road Warriors (Animal and Hawk) in a street fight, when Booker pinned Hawk after Stevie Ray hit him with a chair. With the win, Harlem Heat earned a shot at Sting and Lex Luger's WCW World Tag Team Title.
- Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage defeated The Alliance to End Hulkamania (Arn Anderson, The Barbarian, WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair, WCW World Tag Team and Television Champion Lex Luger, Kevin Sullivan, The Ultimate Solution and Z-Gangsta) in a Tower of Doom Steel Cage match. The rules of the match were for Hogan and Savage to start in the top level of the three floor cage and work their way down and escape the bottom level to win, but these rules went out the window. Hogan, Savage, Luger and Sullivan fought outside of the cage and had to be led back inside the cage by Z-Gangsta, The Ultimate Solution and Jimmy Hart. Flair and Anderson had been pinned and eliminated but returned later, and Savage pinned Flair to win the match, after again leaving the cage, and Lex Luger turned on his team by hitting Flair with a loaded glove.

1996 - The Great Sasuke defeats Aero Flash to win the WWF World Light Heavyweight Title in Shirakawa, Japan.

1997 - Dr. Bill Miller died at age 69 of a heart attack, on his way out of the gym after a workout. Miller held the AWA World Heavyweight Title once and the WWWF United States Tag Team Title with Dan Miller.

1997 - The Monday Night War continued, with WCW Monday Nitro's 3.0 rating beating WWF RAW is WAR's 2.5 rating.

The 202nd episode of WWF RAW is WAR was live from the MetroCenter in Rockford, Illinois. The 8th edition of Shotgun Saturday Night was taped as well. The results:
Shotgun:
- Mankind defeated Aldo Montoya by submission with the Mandible Claw.
- Crush pinned Barry Horowitz after a heart punch.
- Histeria pinned Venum after a shooting star press.
- "Double J" Jesse James pinned Sonny Rogers after a pumphandle slam.
RAW is WAR:
- The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions - WWF European Champion The British Bulldog and Owen Hart by disqualification after Bulldog shoved the referee.
- Hunter Hearst Helmsley (with Chyna) pinned Bart Gunn after the Pedigree.
- Discovery, Super Nova and Venum defeated Abismo Negro, Histeria and Maniaco, when Nova pinned Negro after a top-rope hurricanrana.
- Flash Funk pinned The Brooklyn Brawler with a 450° splash.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Rocky Maivia pinned Leif Cassidy with a top-rope crossbody.
- Ahmed Johnson defeated Savio Vega by disqualification.

WCW Monday Nitro's 80th episode was live from the Convention Center in Duluth, Minnesota. The results were:
- WCW United States Heavyweight Dean Malenko defeated Konnan by submission with the Texas Cloverleaf to retain the title.
- Mortis defeated Jerry Flynn.
- La Parka defeated Juventud Guerrera.
- High Voltage (Kaos and Rage) defeated Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock), when Grunge was pinned after Jeff Jarrett hit Grunge with his steel briefcase.
- Psychosis defeated Super Calo.
- Hugh Morrus defeated Chris Benoit.
- Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) defeated The Faces of Fear (The Barbarian and Meng).
- The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott) defeated The Amazing French-Canadians (Jacques Rougeau and Carl Oullette).
- Madusa defeated Malia Hosaka.
- Jim Duggan defeated The Renegade.
- WCW World Television Champion Prince Iaukea fought Randy Savage to a no-contest to retain the title.

2000 - The New Breed (Ashe and Curve) defeat Jorge Castano and Scottie Rock in a tournament final in Barking, England to become the first Frontier Wrestling Alliance British Tag Team Champions.

2000 - Naughty by Nature (Rude and Tully) defeat The Rebellion (Kurt Reigns and Tejas) for the NWA Texas Tag Team Title in North Richland Hills, Texas.

2000 - Cody Hawk defeats Shark Boy in North Versailles, Pennsylvania to win the Pro Wrestling eXpress Television Title.

2001 - Miracle Man wins an 11-man battle royal in Osaka, Japan, last eliminating Ebessan, to become the first Osaka Pro Wrestling Battle Royal Champion.

2001 - Flash Flanagan defeats Randy Orton to win the OVW Hardcore Title in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

2001 - Mr. Showtime defeats Dustin Starr for the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title in Dyersburg, Tennessee, beginning his third reign.

2001 - Romeo Bliss and David Flair defeat Keith and Kent Kohl to win the NWA Wildside Tag Team Title in Cornelia, Georgia. At the same show, J.C. Dazz wins the NWA Wildside Junior Heavyweight Title from Caprice Coleman.

2002 - Masahiro Chono and Hiroyoshi Tenzan win their fourth IWGP Tag Team Title in Kobe, Japan, defeating Yuji Nagata and Manabu Nakanishi in a tournament final. The title was vacated on February 1 when Keiji Muto left New Japan. He held the title with Taiyo Kea.

2003 - At a live RAW in Sacramento, California, Chief Morley (Val Venis) strips William Regal of his half of the World Tag Team Title, which he had won with Lance Storm on January 20. This was due to what was then thought to be a stomach virus, later found to be a serious heart problem. Morley declared himself the other half of the champions with Storm.

2003 - Former WCW World Heavyweight Champion Bill Goldberg officially signed with WWE, and would debut the following week.

2003 - Steve Gray defeats Mal Sanders for the British Middleweight Title in Southampton, England.

2007 - MsChif defeats Josie in Streamwood, Illinois to win her second NWA Midwest Women's Title.

2008 - WWE broadcast Raw.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:

Tonight is the final edition of Raw before Wrestlemania and we might be seeing the final appearance of Ric Flair as an active wrestler. Will he confront his opponent on Sunday, Shawn Michaels, or will Flair get the chance to bask in the glow of Flair Country. What will happen when four of the participants in the Money in the Bank Match square off in tag team action? Will we see a preview of the Bunnymania and if so, will our ditzy Maria return or will Santino have to save the segment again? It is also the final time for the three participants in the WWE Title Match to make their play to get the upper hand before Sunday. Which wrestler will get the upper hand and which one will be the 'favorite' for Sunday? Will YOUMANGA confront Batista if he is in the building tonight? Will we see Fit Finlay or his son Hornswoggle tonight since we did not see the little Irish guy on his special day last week.

We are live from Columbia, South Carolina and your announcers are Jim 'You gotta have Solie' Ross and Jerry 'when will my matches in the AWA start airing on ESPN Classic' Lawler.

The show starts off with John Cena’s music and he comes to the ring and he has something to say. John asks if everyone feels the energy. He says that after weeks of FUs, RKOs, Pedigrees, promises, and other things it is time to point to the sign for Wrestlemania. He points out that Wrestlemania is on Sunday. He says that he will walk into Orlando as the number one contender but he will walk out of Orlando as the WWE Champion.

Before Cena can continue, Big Show interrupts him. Show says that regardless of who wins Cena’s match at Wrestlemania, the pay per view will be known for him ending the boxing career of Floyd Mayweather. People might be split about who they want to win Cena’s match, everyone wants Show to win, even Floyd’s family. Show says that when he knocks out Mayweather, it will replace Hogan slamming Andre as the most played Mania clip.

Bradshaw’s music plays and he comes to the ring. Bradshaw says that he will be the one to make history. He was the one to reveal the true identity of Hornswoggle and exposed his father. He was the one to put the little mutant in the hospital. Bradshaw says that he will deliver the greatest beating in the history of Wrestlemania because there are no rules.

Cena tells Bradshaw that he was not listening to Bradshaw because he was thinking about how he beat Bradshaw at Wrestlemania 21.

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHEY, Randy Orton comes out and he says that everyone needs to remember one thing about Wrestlemania. Some think that Show will knock out Mayweather. Some think that Bradshaw is going to beat up Finlay. Some people think that John Cena or Triple H will walk out as champion. Nobody thinks that he will retain his title. That is the way he likes it because he feeds off of that. He will be the one who everyone is talking about after he wins the Triple Threat Match.

Orton is interrupted by YOUMANGA who comes to the ring. Umaga grabs the mic and he utters Batista’s name and then he probably talks in Samoan.

John Cena says that he is fluent in Samoan and it is time for Cena to return to his bathroom humor promos.

Cena is interrupted again and this time it is Triple Haitch who comes to the ring with yet another mic. Hunter points out that he is wearing the new Triple H shirt. Hunter says that everyone is making convincing arguments about their place in history. Hunter says that there is one reason why they all get up in the morning, and it is for the WWE Title. Hunter says that they are holding the pay per view in Orlando, with no roof because the Triple Threat Match would blow the roof off. Hunter says that the King of Kings goes back on his throne.

It is time for everyone to talk but William Regal comes out and says that they all have a claim to be the standout attraction at Wrestlemania. The main event will be a Wrestlemania Showcase Match. There will be an eight man tag match. Randy Orton, Youmanga, Bradshaw, and Big Show will face John Cena, Triple Haitch, Shawn Michaels, and Ric Flair. We go to commercial.

We are back with the Slam of the Week: Shawn Michaels saves Ric Flair’s bacon against Vince McMahon in a Street Fight.

Before the match starts we see what Chris Jericho did to Montel Vontavious Porter on the VIP Lounge on Smackdown.

Match Number One: Chris Jericho and CM Punk versus Carlito and Montel Vontavious Porter in a 56 percent of the Money in the Bank Preview Match
Porter and Punk start things off and Porter tries for a kick but Punk blocks it and connects with a leg sweep. Punk with a jumping leg lariat to Porter and then he slams Porter before tagging in Jericho. Porter tags in Carlito and Jericho with a punch and running back elbow. Jericho with a forearm to Carlito but Carlito with a rake of the eyes and then he tries for a back body drop but Jericho but Jericho drops Carlito on the top rope and then he hits a springboard drop kick to knock Carlito to the floor. We go to commercial.

We are back and Carlito kicks Jericho in the corner. Carlito misses a clothesline and Jericho with a drop toe hold and a splash into the ropes. Jericho with a bulldog to Carlito and then he slams Carlito. Jericho tries for a Lionsault but he lands on his feet when Carlito moves. Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho but Porter comes in and Porter is put in the Walls of Jericho. Carlito sends Jericho out of the ring and then Porter attacks Jericho on the floor. Carlito with a cover for a near fall. Carlito works on Jericho’s back. Carlito with a swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Porter tags in and he punches Jericho followed by a snap mare and knee. Porter with a cravate on Jericho. Porter follows that with forearms. Porter misses the running boot into the corner and Jericho hits a flying forearm. Punk tags in and he kicks Porter in the head followed by a flying forearm. Punk with a power slam for a two count. Punk with knees to Porter followed by an Irish whip and knee to Porter in the corner. Punk hits Carlito on the apron before hitting the bulldog. Punk misses the springboard clothesline. Jericho tries for an enzuigiri on Porter but Porter ducks and Jericho hits Punk allowing Porter to get the three count.
Winners: Montel Vontavious Porter and Carlito

After the match, Carlito points to the sign and we go to commercial.

We are back and it is only six days until Wrestlemania.

Ken Kennedy is in a pre-recorded segment and he says that Wrestlemania gets better and better every year. Kennedy says that history will be made this year. Ric Flair will retire, Undertaker’s undefeated streak will end, and he will win the Money in the Bank Match and he will cash in his chance. The story of Wrestlemania will Mr. Kennedy.

Jim Ross talks about how this might be the final time that we see Ric Flair on Raw. It is time for an amazing Ric Flair video package.

We see Ric Flair’s family in the crowd and then we see Flair in the locker room. We go to commercial.

We are back with another Big Show video package where we see him train and beat up guys to prepare for Floyd Mayweather.

Match Number Two: Bob Holly versus Great Khali
Khali pushes Holly and then Holly tries for punches but Khali blocks them. Khali pushes Holly down one more time. Khali with kicks in the corner and then he connects with a Kevin Nash-esque back elbow in the corner. Khali with a big chop to the top of the head and then it is time for Khali to raise him arms for no reason. Khali with a nerve hold on Holly. Holly gets out of the hold but Khali with another chop. It is time for the vertical choke and Khali gets the three count.
Winner: Great Khali

We go to commercial.

We are back with the WWE Rewind: More footage from the Street Fight from last week. It looks a lot like the Slam of the Week to me.

It is time to start off hour number two with a wooooo as Ric Flair comes to the ring. Flair thanks everyone and he is glad to know that somewhere in the world, people respect Ric Flair. For the last week, people have come from all over to tell him that he beat Vince McMahon, but he does not know if he beat Vince McMahon because Shawn Michaels came out to save him. He wanted Shawn Michaels to be Mr. Wrestlemania. After last week, he does not think that Shawn Michaels has any confidence in him so he is losing respect for Shawn Michaels. Flair wants Shawn Michaels to come out so they can talk man to man and eye to eye.

Shawn comes to the ring and he tells Flair that he is sorry to hear that Flair lost respect for him. Michaels says that he is sorry to hear that Flair thinks that he lost faith in him. He did not come out last week to do anything. Ric Flair is the dirtiest player in the game and he always had back up. He was doing what he thought Flair would do. Flair will always be ‘The Naitch’ to him. He will always be the sixteen time World Champion. He will always be the limousine riding, jet flying . . .

Flair interrupts Michaels and he says that he hates hearing it. He does not need anyone to tell him who he is anymore. Flair says that he is feeling tood tonight and he wants to show Michaels something. Flair pulls out the NWA World Heavyweight Title belt and he says that he won it in 1981. It was what Shawn Michaels grew up admiring. Flair runs through the list of wrestlers that he faced for the title. Flair says that if Michaels was twenty years older, he would have faced Flair. Flair says that he picked Michaels to wrestle him at Wrestlemania because he wants to prove on the grandest stage of them all that he can be the Nature Boy. He wants Michaels to bring out the best in him. He needs one more night and he asks Michaels if that is too much to ask for.

Michaels assures Flair that he will give him everything that Flair needs. He will give Flair everything. On Sunday, Flair will walk in the ring with Mr. Wrestlemania.

Flair says that he expects nothing less from Michaels.

Michaels tells Flair that before he goes, to make sure that Flair will get everything, he has a story for Flair. Michaels talks about Old Yeller and even though they loved their dog, they had to take him out back and finish him off. Michaels says that he will take Flair behind the woodshed on Sunday and put him out of his misery.

Flair kicks his jacket into the crowd and he slaps Michaels twice. He wants Michaels to take him behind the woodshed now. Flair begs Shawn to do it now. Michaels says that he will put Flair out of his misery and then he leaves the ring.

It is time to go from the match that all wrestling fans want to see to a Floyd Mayweather video package. Can you smell the contrast. We go to commercial.

We are back with a video package of Big Show’s appearance on Conan O’Brien.

Match Number Three: Maria versus Melina with Beth Phoenix
Melina with a kick to the midsection and Irish whip but Melina charges into a boot. Beth knocks Maria off the turnbuckles and Melina punches Maria.

From out of nowhere, the Ghost of Playboy Covers Past, Ashley Massaro comes into the ring.

Santino Marella comes out and Jerry Lawler joins the fun and it is a five and a half person brawl.

Regal comes out and he says that it is time for an intergender six man tag match.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Three Point Five: Ashley Massaro, Jerry Lawler, and Maria versus Santino Marella, Beth Phoenix, and Melina
The match is joined in progress and Santino comes off the turnbuckles into a punch. Lawler with a back body drop to Santino followed by a drop kick. Lawler with an atomic drop and he tags in Melina. Melina wants Lawler to hit her and he decides to tag in Ashley. Melina with forearms to Ashley and Ashley with an Irish whip and she charges into the corner with a running clothesline. Maria tags in and it is time for a Bunny Bronco Buster. Melina with forearms to Maria but Maria with a knee. Beth tags in and Beth hits a spinebuster on Maria. Santino wants to tag in and Beth allows him. Maria backs into the corner and Santino knocks Lawler off the apron. Maria slaps Santino and then Ashley and Maria make it one and a half on one until Santino goes out of the ring and Lawler with punches to Marella. While the referee was distracted, Beth and Melina attack Maria and Santino gets the three count.
Winners: Santino Marella, Beth Phoenix, and Melina

John Cena is talking to Cody Rhodes and Val Venis but Triple H stops by. He points out that two years ago, Cena beat him at Wrestlemania. Hunter says that he knows that he was not beaten by the better man. He says that he is better than Cena. He says that injuries happen but when he came back, the Royal Rumble was his shot but Cena got in the way. Then in the Elimination Chamber, he defeats five other guys and Cena is standing in his way. Hunter tells Cena that if he gets in his way he will mow him down.

Cena says that he will be standing in Hunter’s way. He tells Hunter that the championship comes home at Wrestlemania. We go to commercial.

We are back and we see John Legend playing the piano. It is a coincidence that he will be singing America the Beautiful at Wrestlemania.

It is time to run through the Hall of Fame nominees and it is time for the final member to be announced . . . tomorrow night on ECW.

It is time to run through the card for Wrestlemania.

Now we go to a video package for the participants in the Triple Threat Match.

Match Number Four: Randy Orton, YOUMANGA, Big Show, and Bradshaw versus Ric Flair, John Cena, Triple H with GameFountain, and Shawn Michaels
Orton and Michaels start things off and Orton with a wrist lock but Michaels with a reversal. Orton backs Michaels into the corner and then Orton punches Michaels instead of a clean break. Michaels responds with a chop. Michaels with more chops but Orton with a kick and he returns to the arm and turns the wrist lock into an arm bar.

Fit Finlay’s music plays and he comes out and he has his shillelagh. Bradshaw confronts Finlay and Finlay hits Bradshaw with the shillelagh. Bradshaw and Finlay battle as we go to commercial.

We are back and Orton punches Michaels. Umaga tags in and he connects with a head butt. Umaga punches Michaels but Michaels with chops. Umaga with a kick that sends Michaels to the mat. Umaga punches Michaels in the corner and it is time for the running butt splash and he hits it. Umaga sets for the Samoan Spike, but he hears Batista’s music and instead of winning the match, he goes after Batista. Batista with a spear.

Big Show and Michaels are in the ring and Show with a biel and Flair tags in. Show knocks Hunter and Cena off the apron. Flair chops Show and then he gets press slammed by Show. Show with a chop to Flair. Show chokes Flair with his boot and it is time for what might be the final Flair Flop on Raw. Show with a back body drop to Flair. Orton tells Show to finish off Flair but Show tells Orton to stop yapping his mouth. Cena and Hunter come in and both men attack Show, but when they try for a double suplex, Show blocks and hits a double suplex of his own. Orton does not want to tag in but Show brings Orton into the ring and he choke slams Orton. Show leaves the ring so it is now four on one.

Hunter and Cena both try to pin Orton and Cena with the STFU. Hunter and Cena fight outside the ring and Hunter punches Cena. Flair gets ready to put Orton in the figure four but Michaels punches Flair. Michaels sets for his figure four, but Flair with a low blow to Michaels. Flair puts Orton in the figure four and Orton flips around like a fish, some might even say a shark. Orton taps out.
Winners: Ric Flair, Triple Haitch, John Cena, and Shawn Michaels

2009 - Dr. John Rew, a pain management doctor, has been indicted on 10 charges of illegally prescribing pain and anti-anxiety medications. Rew, 83, has been charged with improperly prescribing painkillers oxycodone and hydrocodone as well as anti-anxiety drug Xanax between April 2008 and January 2009.   Rew was listed in a police report as one of several doctors prescribing painkillers to former WWE and WCW wrestler Bryan "Crush" Adams at the time of his death in 2007. The Tribune report listed Adam's passing as a drug overdose.

2009 - WWE broadcast ECW on SyFy.  Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:/p> We are live from Kansas City, Missouri and your announcers are Todd ‘i>Chief’ Grisham and Matt ‘Royals’ Striker.

We take a look back at the start of the Bella Civil War from last week’s ECW.

Match Number One: John Morrison with The Miz and Nikki Bella versus Carlito with Brie Bella and Primo Colon
They lock up and Morrison with a forearm to the back and an Irish whip. Morrison punches Carlito but Carlito punches back and slams Morrison. Carlito goes up top but Morrison stops him. Morrison tries for a superplex but Carlito blocks it. Carlito with a punch that knocks Morrison off but Morrison with a kick that knocks Carlito off the turnbuckles. We go to commercial.

We are back and Morrison with a head lock but Carlito escapes and hits a back body drop and clothesline. Carlito with a punch and then he slams Morrison into the turnbuckles. Carlito with a springboard back elbow for a near fall. Carlito punches Morrison but Morrison with an Irish whip. Morrison with a back breaker followed by a side Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Carlito with a corkscrew suplex. Carlito avoids Moonlight Driver. Carlito with a sit out spinebuster. The Miz distracts the referee and that allows Morrison to roll out of the ring. Miz and Nikki check on Morrison and they leave.

Teddy Long comes out and he tells the referee that the match is not going to end this way. Teddy says that the tag title match at Wrestlemania will be a lumberjack match. Teddy brings out some lumberjacks and we see everyone who is not on the pay per view.

Carlito tries to suplex Morrison back in and Morrison misses a springboard kick. Morrison and Carlito each with clotheslines and they go down. Morrison with a kick but Carlito with a sunset flip but Morrison rolls through and Carlito gets a rollup for a near fall. Carlito punches Morrison. Morrison is sent to the apron and Morrison is drop kicked to the floor. Carlito hits the Lungblower for the three count.
Winner: Carlito

After the match, Carlito, Primo, and Brie point to the sign.

It is time for the final inductee into the Hall of Fame and it is Howard Finkel.

We are back and did you know that this is the 25th anniversary of ECW having the top weekly rated show on SciFi?

It is time to see what happened between Randy Orton and Triple H in the IED Battle for Sledgehammer Supremacy.

It is time to run through the card for Wrestlemania 25th Anniversary.

We go to footage from John Cena on the Tonight Show. Now we take a look at 12 Rounds.

Match Number Two: Jack Swagger and Tyson Kidd with Natalya versus Evan Bourne and Tommy Dreamer
Kidd and Bourne start things off and Kidd with a waist lock but Bourne with a standing switch and take down but Kidd makes it to the ropes. Kidd with a back kick but Bourne with a clothesline and drop kick that sends Kidd to the floor. Bourne goes to the apron when Kidd moves. Kidd hides behind Natalya and then he punches Bourne before they return to the ring. Kidd with a kick but Bourne with a leg sweep and Dreamer is tagged in. Dreamer with a punch and Irish whip but he charges into a boot. Dreamer crotches Kidd and then he puts Kidd in the Tree of Woe and it is time for the baseball slide but Swagger tries to interfere. Dreamer punches Swagger and then he gets down so Bourne can hit a running kick off Dreamer’s back. We go to commercial.

We are back and Swagger punches Dreamer but Dreamer with a clothesline from the turnbuckles and he gets a near fall. Swagger with a knee and punch. Dreamer with a kick and Kidd ties Dreamer in the ropes and Swagger with a boot to Dreamer followed by a series of snap elbow drops and a leg drop. Kidd tags in and he kicks Dreamer followed by a reverse chin lock. Kidd with a leg drop and a near fall. Kidd with a knee drop to the head and Swagger tags back in and he kicks Dreamer in the head. Swagger with a front face lock and a hard Irish whip. Swagger works on the neck but Dreamer with a jawbreaker. Swagger with a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Swagger returns to the neck. Swagger chokes Dreamer in the ropes but misses a charge into the corner and Dreamer with a neck breaker and both men are down. Bourne and Kidd tag in and Bourne with a shoulder and rana followed by a clothesline. Bourne with a kick to Swagger that knocks him off the apron followed by a jumping back kick to Kidd. Bourne knocks Swagger off the apron and then Bourne goes up top. Kidd tries to stop him but Bourne with a knee and then Bourne hits the shooting star press for the three count.
Winners: Evan Bourne and Tommy Dreamer

We are back for the VIP Lounge with the participants in the Money in the Bank match plus Tony Atlas and Hornswoggle. Porter says that the VIP Lounge is on ECW. He points out that he is the new US Champion. Porter says that everyone in the ring is money . . . money in the bank. One of these people will win the match at Wrestlemania 25th Anniversary. The winner will be the one to climb the ladder to get a title match of their choosing. Porter points out that everyone who has cashed in the title has won the title. Punk says that he did that before. Porter thanks Christian for allowing him to bring his show to ECW. Christian says that this will probably turn into a big brawl so he did not want his furniture ruined. Christian says that he wants to look everyone in the face and tell his peeps that they are looking at the man who will climb the ladder at Wrestlemania 25th Anniversary and win Money in the Bank. Shelton interrupts and he points out that he is in the match. If anyone is going to win the match, it will be him. Benjamin insults the amenities in the VIP Lounge.

Porter reminds Benjamin that he is the champion. Benjamin brings up Porter’s losing streak. Benjamin says that Porter would rather run off at the mouth than fight. Porter says that he will run up the ladder and he will become Mr. Money in the Bank. Punk interrupts and he says that he loves the back and forth but there is one guy with the experience of winning the Money in the Bank match and that is him. Punk reminds everyone that he won and cashed it in to become the World Champion. Kofi interrupts and he tells Punk that they are friends but what happened last year has nothing to do with what will happen this year at Wrestlemania. Kofi says that he will win the match. Mark Henry asks Kofi what he knows about Wrestlemania. Mark says that Kofi will be made an example of, just like everyone else. Henry tells Kofi to shut his mouth. Mark says that he is going to be the one to get his hands on the briefcase and none will wrestle it out of his hands. Finlay says that he will and he will hit Henry with his shillelagh. Porter says that there will be time to fight at Wrestlemania. Porter says that he thinks everyone wants to know what Kane has to say about this. Porter gives Kane the opportunity to talk and he smiles and laughs before bringing fire from the ring posts.

2010 - Bill Goldberg announces he is in negotiations with WWE.  In the end, he does not return to the company.  He last worked for them at Wrestlemania 20 in 2004.

2010 - WWE star MVP was profiled on CBS' Evening News Tonight.

2011 - The first-ever National Sputnick Monroe Day is held in Memphis, TN in conjunction with the release of documentary "Memphis Heat."

2011 - Hulk Hogan appeared on a broadcast of American Idol as a surprise to inform contestant James Durbin, who has openly talked of being a huge wrestling fan, that he was safe from elimination and had made it into the top ten contestants. Durbin obviously didn't know it was coming and completely popped for thi

Hogan then told host Ryan Seacrest that he "wasn't safe" and threw a worked punch at him with Seacrest being knocked away. Hogan then tore off his shirt. Durbin then cut a "wrestling promo" on Hogan.

2011 - TNA broadcast Impact.  Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:

Welcome to the TNA Impact Report here on PWInsider.com!

We start off with a video package recapping last week's interactions between Ken Anderson and Hulk Hogan, which includes about three thousand instances of the word asshole.

Speaking of Anderson, he comes out with Dr Shubert from the University of Wisconsin and reminisces about how he never paid attention in Shubert's class because he was busy planning to screw the girl who sat next to him. He says that Hogan and Bischoff's math isn't up to par, so he brought Dr Shubert out to verify his math: last week he was in a match with one Reefer Van Dam (his words) and they pinned each other at the same time, and two three counts at the same time are equal numbers. Add that to the fact that he never got his rematch for the TNA World Title, and add that to the three count and it makes Anderson wants his freakin' rematch. Shubert agrees that he ought to get his rematch, and Anderson is about to let him go, but then brings him back to talk more about the girl he wanted to nail and that Shubert didn't like him flirting with her because he wanted to nail her, and she told him that Shubert told her that Anderson was gay. Anderson says he loves gay people and he's got no problem with that, but wants to know if Shubert said that. Shubert finally admits he did, and Anderson says it's okay because he's 35 now and it doesn't really matter, but now he wants to act out a fantasy of his own and leave his teacher something to remember him by. He asks Shubert if he knows why he would do that, Shubert says “Because you're an asshole?” and Anderson responds “BINGO!” and gives him the mic check.

Hulk Hogan's music hits and he comes strolling out with Eric Bischoff, and Bischoff says he doesn't know what Hulk sees in Anderson because he's not funny, he doesn't know how to make a point without taking advantage of someone, and he doesn't know why Hulk was trying to make a deal with him and he doesn't think the Network will like what he just did because he's a bad example to everyone. Hogan says that unlike Eric, he really digs what Anderson did out here with the Professor, and he found it really entertaining. Just one problem: Anderson's been running amok lately and breaking some of the rules around here, and Hogan doesn't like it one bit. Hogan tried to help him out last week and offered Anderson the easy way, but Anderson said he had to think about it. Hogan's got something for him to think about, and that's that he won't get a rematch unless he earns it. Hogan says all he's got is a rematch contract signed by Dixie Carter, and that doesn't mean anything and he can use that contract to wipe his whole asshole body with it. Hogan says Anderson's wrestling RVD again tonight, and if he beats him tonight, he'll get his rematch. Anderson says RVD isn't even in his league, and Hogan says we'll find out tonight.

Rob Van Dam's music hits and he comes out to the ring, and we'll find out what he has to say...AFTER THIS!

RVD says that this is wrestling, and when you talk smack about somebody, their music plays and they come out for some smack talk. He asks Anderson if he has any funny words, and Anderson asks if RVD wants to hear it right now, but Anderson says he'll tell him later in the ring since Hogan put them in the ring tonight. Hogan says Anderson better tell him in the ring, otherwise Anderson will be back playing in the sandbox with his perferted professor. RVD tells Hogan he's not sure why he signed with TNA, he was sitting home burnt out on politics until Hogan called him, and he asks if he just brought RVD in to screw him over, and tells Hogan to stop holding him back and let him be the Whole F'n Show.

Sting's music hits and, as Taz put it, the F'n World Champion comes out and makes fun of Hogan and Bischoff for acting like they're all buddy buddy with the Network, but he talked to the Network earlier and they made him the special referee for the Anderson-RVD match we're going to see later. Wait, how could they make that decision before Hogan and Bischoff made the match? Whatever, I'm not asking any more questions.

We take a look back at last week when Bully Ray powerbombed AJ Styles off the stage, causing AJ to suffer a bruised spinal cord with some cervical damage as well.

All right, we're a half hour in, time to go to the ring for our first match!

Mickie James vs Tara

Before the match, Madison Rayne was backstage telling Tara to destroy Mickie James or else. Mickie dragged Tara into the ring and proceeded to beat her silly. Tara fires back with a hard right, but Mickie hits a flapjack and Tara comes back with a kneestrike to the head and the ass shaking standing moonsault for 2. Tara eats elbow on a corner charge, but recovers and gets a powerbomb for 2. Tara goes up top but Mickie crotches her on the top rope, slips on a Frankensteiner attempt, and they duke it out on the top rope until Tara gets a top rope Boston Crab drop into the ring and then hooks it into a conventional crab. Mickie won't tap, and makes the ropes, so Tara waits for her to get up and goes for the Widow's Peak, but Mickie reverses and nails her DDT for the win.

Winner: Mickie James

Madison stands at the top of the ramp shooting angry looks at the ring.

Ken Anderson meets up with Sting backstage and says they don't like each other, but the thing Anderson really doesn't like is Sting riding in and stealing his World Title. Sting says the Network awarded him a title shot, and Anderson asks who at the Network was calling him, and Sting says there's no name behind it, it's just...THE NETWORK. That's ominous.

We go back to last week when the Pope tortured Okato backstage, and then we go backstage to Joe and Okato planning their strategy for Okata's match tonight.

Okato vs The Pope

Okato gets the drop on Pope with a running dropkick and pummels him with kicks and punches and then goes for a missile dropkick, but Pope dodges and Okato crashes hard. Pope gets a running kick to Okato's head then shoves his head under the ring apron and repeatedly drills him with punches and a running kick. Okato finally gets free, so Pope with another running kick to the head, then Pope takes his boot off and smashes Okato in the head with it. Pope pulls his glove off to reveal some bling on his knuckles, and drilles Okato in the face for the DQ.

Winner: Okato by DQ

Pope continues attacking Okato after the match and Jackson James tries to pull Pope off of Okato, so Pope knocks him out and goes back to attacking Okato until Samoa Joe runs out from the back and Pope heads for the hills. Joe yells for a doctor as Pope backs up the aisle looking smug.

We take another look at the video package where Sting talks about how he was only in wrestling for the money, then we see video packages hyping the Jeff Jarrett-Kurt Angle match at Lockdown where Kurt Angle talks about how he's going to get medieval on Jeff Jarrett's ass.

Rob Van Dam visits Hulk Hogan, and Hogan says he's completely right because he's not the same Hogan who asked him to come to TNA, and he's not trying to make excuses, but he's been through a lot over the last year and he wants RVD to know that he's his guy. Hogan doesn't see in Anderson what Bischoff does, and now's his time because if Hogan had his way, he'd already be the guy, and he'll be pulling for RVD tonight and that he's in his corner. RVD walks out the door and as soon as he's gone, Hogan does an evil smile and laugh and goes “HA HA HA, what an idiot!” Yes, because Shredder is apparently running TNA now.

Back out to the Impact Zone, as Ric Flair is accompanied to the ring by Matt Hardy and Bully Ray. Flair says he usually likes to come out and steal the show, but tonight he's going to pass the microphone to two of the greatest tag team wrestlers of all time, and he tells us to learn to love it because it's the best thing going today, woo. Hardy says it's a tragedy to see four talented guys like Fortune that one time he and Bubba went down because it's a collision course of destruction. The two of them changed the course of the business 12 years ago and all they had to do was walk down the road of success and become celebrities and millionaires, but it was only a figment of their imagination because the people above them shook their hands and smiled to their faces, but held a knife and stabbed them in the back. Now he and Bubba are the ones with the knives, but they'll stab them in the front, cut their legs out, and make sure they don't achieve their hopes and aspirations. Bubba says that what he really wants to know is if AJ Styles is here, and of course he's not because last week, he sent AJ a message, powerbombed him through the table to the concrete, and he did it because he can. He's been walking around with a chip on his shoulder for 20 years, and nobody's knocked it off yet because everyone's scared of him. He's going to give Fortune an offer they can't refuse: the four of them against the three of Fortune at Lockdown, and now let's see if they have the balls to answer the challenge.

What's left of Fortune rushes the ring and attacks Flair, Hardy and Bubba. Everyone else spills out to the floor while Roode beats Flair up in the ring. Roode chops the crap out of Flair in the corner, Flair does the Flop, and Beer Money goes for the DWI on Flair, but the lights go down and Abyss runs out of the crowd and lays Beer Money out. Kazarian has a go at him, but Abyss hits the Black Hole Slam and his music plays, so I guess that means Immortal won the fight. They continue beating Fortune down as we go to commercial.

Abyss is backstage and says that Fortune thought they could put him out by burying Janice in his back, but what doesn't kill Abyss makes him stronger. There's no monsters in Fortune's closet or under their bed, this monster is in their face and he's coming to get them.

Hernandez comes out to the ring with Rosita and Sarita, and also introduces his new cohort...and I couldn't make out his name, but Hernandez says he's the newest citizen of their Mexican America. Hernenadez says they're taking over their jobs, their women, and their money, and they're doing it because they're the superior race. Rosita says something in Spanish that I don't understand, and Hernandez says they can build all the fences they want because they're not keeping them out. Sarita says something in Spanish too, and Hernandez says that soon everyone will stop worshiping this (indicating the American flag hanging from the ceiling) and we'll soon start worshiping this (a huge Mexican flag rolls down from the ceiling). Hernandez tells Matt Morgan that he and his homeboy challenged him to a streetfight, Mexican style. The other guy asks Morgan if he's going to accept his challenge or what. Morgan comes out and he's got Brother Devon with him. Devon says that the two of them accept the challenge, and they rush the ring. Hey, wouldn't you know it but there's a referee already in the ring!

Matt Morgan & Brother Devon vs Hernandez & Anarchia

Devon goes after the other guy (whose name I just figured out) and tosses him to the floor while Morgan catches Hernandez on a crossbody and hits a fallaway slam, then takes him to the corner for the rapid fire elbows. Morgan clotheslines Hernandez to the floor and goes after him, but Sarita and Rosita get all up in Morgan and Devon's faces, so Velvet Sky comes out and goes after the girls...and gets her ass kicked. Literally, Sarita kicked her in the ass while she was down on the ground. Angelina Love walks out to the top of the ramp and slowly comes down, but Winter comes out and yells at Angelina to come back to her. Angelina, apparently hypnotized, walks back up the ramp, stares at Winter, and returns to the back. The fight continues, and Devon gets a flying shoulder tackle to Anarchia, but Anarchia punches him in the back of the head and apparently knocks Devon out and pins him.

Winners: Hernandez & Anarchia

After the commercial, it's time for our next match...

Ink, Inc vs Scott Steiner & Crimson

Jesse and Steiner tie up and Steiner just punches him in the face and then unloads on him in the corner while yelling at him to get up. Steiner with an overhead belly to belly suplex, then kicks him in the ribs. Crimson tags in and they put Jesse down with a double shoulderblock, then Crimson hits a Falcon Arrow for 2. Crimson gets a big boot and Neal finally tags out, but now Crimson starts kicking Shannon's ass. Shannon tries a charge into the corner, but Crimson catches him in midair and just tosses him. Moore hits a moonsault to wipe Crimson out and went for the tag, but Jesse was still down on the floor, so Moore goes for a second rope crossbody, but Crimson catches him and hits the Red Alert for the win.

Winners: Scott Steiner & Crimson

Jesse gets back in the ring and shakes their hands after the match while Shannon grabs Steiner's head chain thing, wipes his butt with it, then throws it at Steiner. Steiner goes after him and says a bunch of things that get bleeped out while Shannon and Jesse argue again.

It's main event time...

Rob Van Dam vs Ken Anderson

Now don't forget, Sting is our special ringside enforcer referee! And like all referees, he gets a full entrance with music and light show. Bell rings, and they tie up and do some basic feeling out stuff until RVD leapfrogs Anderson and spinkicks him in the corner, then hits a springboard jumpkick and a standing moonsault for 2. RVD with a spinning legdrop and they blow the Rolling Thunder spot, so RVD goes for the rolling monkey flip and Anderson escapes that as well and hits a swinging neckbreaker for 2. Anderson with a neckbreaker across the knee, but RVD starts firing back so Anderson gets a knee to the midsection and rams RVD hard into the corner and covers for 2. RVD fights out of a chinlock and Anderson goes for a clothesline, but RVD ducks and Anderson wipes the ref out. Sting slides in and counts 2 on an RVD cover, but then Anderson gets a Finlay Roll and Sting again counts 2. RVD kicks Anderson in the face and starts running him over with clotheslines and hits another kick to the jaw and the split-legged moonsault for 2. RVD goes for Rolling Thunder again and Anderson rolls to the outside to avoid it, so RVD hits a dive over the top to the floor. They fight it out on the floor and Anderson slides a chair into the ring, then kicks RVD in the nuts when Sting turns around to get rid of it. Anderson follows that up by hitting the Mic Check into the ringpost and tells Sting to count. Sting refuses to count, so Anderson nails him and they go punch for punch. Sting wins that exchange and the bell rings. Wait, who called for that?

No idea what the decision is.

Sting turns his back on Anderson for some reason, so Anderson nails him from behind and they fight out to the floor and go toe to toe until the Snow-Kenney Collective comes out to break them up. They separate Anderson and Sting, but Anderson gets free and goes after Sting, and we're at commercial.

Okay, we're back and we take a look at what just happened with the crappy finish to that match. Mike Tenay and Taz debate it, then we get backstage reactions from everybody involved. RVD is angry and apparently concussed because he's dizzy and says all kinds of crazy things, and didn't remember what happened out there even when the Mystery Cameraman tries to remind him. Anderson is mad because he got DQ'd and wants to know why Sting is afraid of him. Sting doesn't know who rung the bell because it wasn't him, and says Anderson can have a piece of him if he wants it. Anderson gets in his face and Sting pleads his case...then punches Anderson and a brawl breaks out. The Snow-Kenney Collective rushes in to break it up and they yell at each other. Yep, because we needed to come back after the commercial to see this. Ye gads.

2012 - Family Wrestling Entertainment held "Welcome to the Rumble" in NYC.  Mike Johnson filed the following live report:

We are live at the Family Wrestling Entertainment "Welcome to the Rumble" event at Three Legged Dog Studios in New York City.

The show opened with ring announcer AJ Pan and his new broadcast partner Amber Madison welcoming everyone to the show.

FWE Tri-Borough champion Jay Lethal vs. Damien Darling (with Rick Silver)

Darling attacked Lethal as soon as he entered the ring, but Lethal fired back with a series of rights.  He ran Darling into the ropes, snapping his neck over them, Randy Savage style, as Lethal leapt over the ropes to the floor.  Lethal slammed Darling, then went to the top for a flying axehandle for a two count.

Lethal slammed Darling into the turnbuckles, then drilled him with a right for a two count.   Lethal nailed a running clothesline.  Darling caught him with an RKO out of nowhere for a two count, then worked over Lethal's back and neck.  He cinched in a rear chinlock.  The fans began chanting for Lethal.

Lethal fired back with a series of elbows.  Darling reversed a whip into the corner and when Lethal tried to go up and over, Darling caught him and crotched him on the top rope.  Lethal was then caught in another rear chinlock.  Lethal elbowed his way out but was caught with a running knee in the mid-section.  Darling drilled Lethal with a hangman's neckbreaker for another two count.

Darling went to the top for a fistdrop, scoring a two count.   Darling grabbed a side chinlock.  Darling worked over Lethal, who came back with a flying forearm and a leg lariat.   Lethal nailed a handspring elbow for a two count.   Lethal nailed the hiptoss into the cartwheel and legdrop for another two count.   Lethal went for a Frankensteiner but Darling caught him and scored a two count.  Lethal drilled him with the Lethal Combination and went to the top but Silver distracted him.

Someone made up to look like Darling hit the ring and switched places with him.  Lethal tried to pick him up and was caught in an inside cradle for a three count.  The double switched with Darling again and ran to the back.

Your winner and new FWE Tri-Borough champion, Damien Darling!

Good opener.  The finish shocked the crowd.

FWE Women's champion Maria Kanellis came out to the ring.   She showed off the title and said it's taken her eight years to get a women's championship.  The crowd chanted that she deserved it.  She said that she's faced a lot of people but Tara was one of the hardest opponents she's ever had to face.  She said Winter was scary in the ring sometimes.  She said that people compare championships but this belt was the best because she holds it.  She said tonight she'll be facing Rosita.  Winter's music played but no one came out.  Maria asked, "What was that?"  Winter came from, I think, under the ring and attacked Maria from behind.  She took the mic and said that she was the true champion, but has a proposition for her, asking to join the title match and make it a three way.  Maria agreed.

Ricky Reyes vs. Jorge Santi

Reyes is making his FWE debut.  He's gotten into awesome shape.  He went to work on Santi, who caught him with a series of armdrags and ran him from the ring.  Reyes pulled him to the floor, where they battled around ringside.   Back in the ring, Santi beat Reyes in the corner with a series of punches.

Reyes cut him off and whipped Santi into the buckles hard.  Reyes snapped him over with a hard suplex and twisted his neck.  Santi tried to fight back but was snapped back to the mat by his hair.   Santi fought Reyes off but was caught with a stiff kick.  He ducked an enziguri and nailed Reyes with a Russian Leg Sweep.   Reyes missed a Stinger Splash and was caught with a spinebuster for a two count.

Reyes whipped Santi into the corner.  Santi climbed the ropes but was drilled by a Reyes kick.  Reyes nailed him with a superplex into the ring but was shocked when Santi nearly caught him with a small package.  Reyes drilled Santi for another two count.  He went for another neckbreaker but was caught with a landslide for a two count.

Santi went for a suplex but Reyes went for an armbar.  They went back and forth until Santi caught him with a forward roll for the clean pin.

Your winner, Jorge Santi!

Good match.

FWE Tag title tournament: The Midnight Sensations vs. All Money is Legal

AMIL, K-Murda and K-Pusha,  came wearing old school Kango hats with a giant boom box. The Sensations challenged them immediately a dance-off.   Chris Rockwell tried to "two step" to LL Cool J so they dropkicked him from behind.   Sam Shields tried to mock AMIL but was tripped.  AMIL mocked him.  Rockwell tagged in but was caught with a STO.  They forced Rockwell to wave his hands going "Hey" and "Ho",  AMIL continued the double team with a senton off the ropes on Rockwell.

The Sensations cut off Pusha and worked him over until missing a double headbutt.    Pusha tried to make it to the ropes for the tag but was cut off.  He finally nailed a tornado DDT on Shields and sent Rockwell into Murda, who drilled him, to make the hot tag. 

AMIL worked over The Sensations, drilling them with punches in he corner.  Murda hit a rana, leaping off the second buckle to snap Rockwell, sitting on the top turnbuckle.  That looked great.  AMIL drilled Shields to the mat.  Rockwell hit the ring and broke up the pinfall, stomping the hell out of them.  The Sensations hit a twisting neckbreaker by Rockwell, coming off the ropes as Shields' held Pusha in a Fireman's Carry position.

VSK and EJ Risk came to ringside, arguing with the Sensations.  Their distraction allowed AMIL to hit Shields with a forward roll for the pin.

Your winners, AMIL!

AMIL have really matured as personalities since the last time I've seen them. Really fun, entertaining bout with lots of shenanigans.  This was the best I've seen out of the Sensation.  There were some rough spots towards the end, but I think that was more from everyone trying to do so much and getting fatigued as they went off.

Sonjay Dutt vs. Wes Draven

They started off hot with some great back and forth stuff.  Draven hit a rana, sending Dutt to the outside, then hit a springboard dive to the floor.  He brought Dutt back into the ring for a two count.  Dutt fired back with a few punches but was cut off.  Draven charged but Dutt ducked and Draven took the feet first bump through the ropes to the floor but caught himself and skinned the cat back into the ring.  Dutt dropkicked him as he was upside down.

Dutt beat the hell out of him on the floor, then tossed him back in.  Dutt hit a slingshot legdrop, then sent him into the buckles.  Dutt charged with a hard running elbow.  He drilled Draven in the head with a kick for a two count.  Dutt controlled him until Dutt missed a running elbow.  Draven started to come back but was cut off.  Draven came back to hit a sit down bomb for a two count, although the referee counted three and then said it was two.

Draven went for a move but was caught with a superkick.  Dutt slammed him and came off the top with a flying headbutt for a two count.  Dutt charged out of the corner but was caught with a spinning kick.  Draven rolled him up with  forward roll and scored the surprise win.

Your winner, Wes Draven!

Best thing on the show thus far from an athletic standpoint.  Lots of fun.  Dutt was on fire here as a heel, just beating the hell out of Wes and whipping out this great offense.  Draven shows some really, really good promise as a flier. 

FWE Rumble

The winner gets a title shot of his choosing.

Out first was EJ Risk.  Chris Rockwell was the second one out.  He was with Sam Shields.  He said they are one and they do everything together so if Risk wanted to cost them their undefeated streak, they will take it out on him.  They jumped him.  VSK hit the ring and all four brawled.  They rang the bell so it's officially underway.

The next man out was Wes Draven, who was attacked in the aisle by Sonjay Dutt.  Dutt rolled him into the ring, where the Sensations immediately dumped him.  They continued brawling with VSK and Risk.   Diamond Inc. came out together.  Rockwell was tossed.

VSK was tossed over by Inc. but skinned the cat and came back in.  Next out was Azrieal.  Bandido Jr. was going to come out with him but Azrieal told him to wait and hit the ring alone, I guess to show he was honorable.   Everyone battled.

A larger wrestler with long hair I've never seen before was next.  It came down to him, Diamond Inc. and Shields.   Shields was clotheslined out of the ring as Charlie Haas was the next out.  Haas and Jason Gotti of Inc. cleared the ring and went back and forth at each other, then agreed to team on the next guy out.

Next out was Hawaii Alan, who was double teamed by both.   They took turns chopping the hell out of him and tossed him out.  Haas then turned on Inc. and tossed him out.  Another guy I've never seen before (and they weren't announcing names) came out but was quickly dispatched.  Haas started arguing with the crowd,

Next out was FWE champ Eric Young, making his first appearance in several months after Haas had attacked him and laid him out.  Young hit the ring but was cut off by Haas.   Haas argued with the fans but was nailed by Young.  Young tried to force him over the top but Haas fought him off and nailed a bit boot.  He drilled Young with a stiff boot.

Another guy I've never seen before hit the ring.  Haas asked Young to team with him to toss him out.  They did and then Young tossed Haas too.  Young then eliminated himself, having kept Haas from getting a title shot.   The FWE theme music hit and ring announcer AJ Pann officially entered the bout, having the ring to himself.   He did the Flair strut and began doing push-ups. 

Out came Jay Lethal.  Lethal took his time getting into the ring.  The crowd chanted for Lethal to kick Pann's ass.   Pann asked Lethal to strut with him.,  He did, then prepared to lock him in a figure four.  Out came Damien Darling.  Azrieal, who was out on the floor, returned to the ring and they locked Pann and Darling in stereo figure four leglocks.

The imposter Darling was next out and he broke up the figure fours.   Pann eliminated himself.   Lethal and Azrieal worked over the Darlings.  Out next was Shawn Daivari, who was booked as a surprise.   He slammed Lethal into the turnbuckles.  One of the Darlings was tossed out.   Lethal tossed Daivari over but he held onto the ropes.   Bandido Jr. hit the ring and worked over Lethal, choosing not to help his partner.

Dutt tossed Azrieal over the top.  Bandido and Daivari battled in the corner.   Darling worked over Lethal.   Next out was Sonjay Dutt, who went back and forth with Lethal.   Dutt and Daivari hugged in the corner.  Mike Bennett was the next out.   He went right after Lethal, working him over with elbows in the corner.  

Dutt and Daivari tossed Bandido out, then turned their attention to Darling.    The crowd started getting on Bennett as he worked on Lethal, who fought back and got the better of him.   Next out was Brian Kendrick.   Kendrick went right after Darling with a flying forearm.

Kendrick clotheslined Dutt over the top but turned into a Bennett clothesline and was sent over the top to the floor.   Lethal hit the handspring elbow on Daivari and tossed him out.  Bennett and Darling doubleteamed Lethal.   Darling was tossed.  Lethal and Bennett went back and forth.  Lethal nailed a handspring into an Ace Cutter and tossed Bennett out to win.

Your winner, Jay Lethal!

Good Rumble.  They used the match format to spotlight their regulars and their feuds while having some of the larger names cameos and a few surprises in Young and Daivari who were not advertised. 

Lethal cut a promo saying he earned his win and would get his rematch against Damien Darling tonight, cutting a Ric Flair-like promo.

They announced Melina would return to FWE on 4/28 back here in NYC.

Mike Bennett vs. Brian Kendrick

The crowd chanted derogatory things about Boston, so Bennett said he would leave.  The crowd popped for that, so he teased leaving, then said he wasn't going to give anyone the satisfaction.  He said he would instead do what the Red Sox do to the Yankees by beating Brian Kendrick's ass all over the building.

Kendrick drilled Bennett with a dropkick, sending him to the floor, and followed up with a pescado.  Kendrick hit a flying bodypress for a two count.   Bennett cut off Kendrick and nailed a neckbreaker off the ropes.  Bennett stomped the hell out of Lethal.   He worked over Kendrick and locked on a rear chinlock.

Kendrick mounted a comeback but was nailed with a stiff clothesline.   Kendrick mounted a comeback again and went for a top rope splash but Bennett pulled his knees up.  Kendrick slipped out of the way of a splash in the corner and rolled him up for a two count.   Kendrick nailed Sliced Bread #2 and scored the pin.

Your winner, Brian Kendrick!

Good back and forth match.

FWE Women's champion Maria Kanellis vs. Rosita vs. Winter.

Rosita and Winter began arguing as Rosita was mad she had put herself into the match.   They then turned on Maria, doubleteaming her.  Winter slammed Maria.   Rosita somersault legdropped Maria.   Winter turned on her and tossed Rosita to the floor. 

Maria cleaned house on Winter until she was tripped by Rosita and whipped into the guard rail.  Rosita returned to the ring but was caught and DDT'd by Winter for a two count.  Winter locked in a side chinlock.   Rosita slipped out and used a jawbreaker.  Maria climbed to the top as they battled and hit a flying bodypress.

She whipped Rosita and Winter into the corner on each other and hit the bronco buster.  Winter was tossed from the ring.  Maria bulldogged Rosita.  Winter attacked Maria from behind and scored the pin on Rosita.

Your winner and new FWE Women's champion Winter!

Charlie Haas vs. Billy Gunn

The fans chanted "Mr. Ass" for Gunn.  Haas asked them what they were chanting, then told them they must be f*****ts.  Family Wrestling folks!   Gunn told him that they were really chanting that he sucked.  He then thanked everyone for the big pop he got (and he did get one) and said it was great to be back in NYC.  Gunn then said that he was going to do the one thing that he's good at and got the fans to yell "Suck it."  Well, he's honest.

Haas screamed at the fans and spent a lot of time ripping on them.   They locked up and Haas armdragged Gunn.   They postured for a bit.  They started chanting "Haashole" so Haas teased walking out.   Once they were done with that, Haas tossed Gunn into the turnbuckles.  Gunn came back and worked him over with right hands and clotheslined him over the top to the floor.

Gunn chopped Haas on the floor, then whipped him into the rail.  He kept working over Haas and tossed him back into the ring.  They went into the corner and the referee forced Gunn to break.  Haas dropkicked him in the back of his knee and began working over Gunn's leg.  Haas drove Gunn's knee into the apron on the outside, then slammed his leg into the ringpost.

Back in the ring, Haas continued to work over the knee.   Gunn mounted a comeback with a series of shots to the mid-section but Haas reversed an Irish whip and Gunn collapsed with his knee buckling.   Haas pulled him off the ropes and slammed Gunn.   Haas drilled him with a kneedrop.  Haas continued with the assault, beating Gunn in the corner.   Gunn tried to fire back but Haas cut him off in the corner.

Out of nowhere, Gunn caught Haas with a bulldog.  Both men were out of it as the referee counted them down on the mat.   Gunn fired up with a series of rights and a Stinger splash in the corner.   He called for the Famouser but Haas drilled him in the face with a boot.  Haas and Gunn went back and forth with some STIFF shots.  The referee got bumped.  Gunn nailed the Famouser but there was no ref to count it.

Gunn tried to wake the referee but Haas caught him with a nasty looking suplex for the pin.

Your winner, Charlie Haas!

Haas did some mic work after saying that Gunn was one of the best he's been in the ring with and said he hopes when he's 66 he looks as good as Gunn.  He said he was such a great man, he would offer to shake Gunn's hand.   Gunn shook it, then hit him with the Famouser. 

They began the ring introductions for FWE Tri-Borough champion Damien Darling  (with Rick Silver) vs. Jay Lethal.  The storyline is that Lethal is cashing in the title shot he won earlier in the Rumble, so this is his third match tonight.  The dude is a warrior. Darling is working his third as well.  Lethal said that he could challenge the Tri-Borough champion but he wants to be the man, so tonight he is challenging the FWE champion, Eric Young.

FWE champ Eric Young vs. Jay Lethal

Young has his belt back, so I guess somehow he got it back from Charlie Haas, who stole it a few shows ago and had it last month.  They shook hands before the bell.

They did some impressions of Randy Savage and Hacksaw Duggan early before locking up.   Young began working over Lethal's arm.  Jay slipped out and reversed it.  Young rolled through and jumped up to escape, then shoulderblocked Lethal down.  Lethal came back with a deep armdrag.   He sent Young into the corner, but Young went up and over and hit an armdrag of his own.

Lethal came back with a knee to the gut then snapped Young's throat over the top. Young came back to work over Lethal with some shoulderblocks.   Lethal tried to mount a comeback but was cut off with a clothesline.  Young came back with a sleeper.  Lethal fought his way out and nailed the handspring elbow.   He whipped Young into the corner and he did the Flair flop.  Young nailed Lethal and came off the top but was booted in the face.  Lethal went to the ropes and Young charged.  Lethal leapt over him, superkicked him and nailed the flying elbow for the pin.

Your winner and new FWE champ Jay Lethal!

Fun main event and a really good show overall.  You can't beat an indy show that gives you three name surprises.  I think the Rumble may have been their best booked match ever and there was some strong wrestling up and down the card as well as some real entertaining younger guys getting put over and showing what they can do.  Thumbs up show.

Thank you for logging in with PWInsider.com tonight.  We will have full coverage on all of next week's Wrestlemania festivities!

FWE returns to Three Legged Dog Studio on 4/28 with Melina and more appearing.  For more details on FWE, visit www.FWEWrestling.com.

2013 - WWE ran Baltimore, Maryland.  Mike Jones filed the following results:

WWE was here last night with a Smackdown house show at the Baltimore Arena with the following results:

*R Truth and Great Khali defeated Primo and Epico.

*Natalya defeated Aksana.

*Yoshi Tatsu vs. Michael McGillicutty ended in a no contest. Fandango beat up Yoshi because Tatsu said his name wrong. He nailed McGuillicuty as well.

*Kane defeated Mark Henry by DQ when Henry brought a chair into play.

*WWE Intercontinental champ Wade Barrett defeated Bo Dallas with the bull hammer. No one knew who Dallas was.

*Jack Swagger defeated Justin Gabriel. Swagger looked real aggressive.

*The Usos defeated Team Rhodes Scholars. Who did these guys piss off?

*World champion Alberto Del Rio defeated Big Show in No DQ match.

Probably the smallest crowd I can ever remember in the facility, smaller than the worst of WCW.

2013 - The Jerry Lynn retirement show was held in Minneapolis.  Cory Strode filed the following live report:

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