Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
March 28th
On this day in history in ....
1963 - Dory Dixon defeats WWWF World Champion Buddy Rogers in Cleveland, Ohio to become the first World Wide Wrestling Alliance World Champion. Rogers' WWWF World Title is not on the line.
1966 - WWWF ran Madison Square Garden in New York City with the following results:
- Miguel Perez defeated Angelo Savoldi.
- Chief Big Heart defeated Magnificent Maurice.
- The Beast defeated Johnny Carr.
- The Sheik defeated Ronnie Etchison.
- Argentina Apollo defeated Smasher Sloan.
- Bobo Brazil vs. Baron Mikel Scicluna ended in a draw.
- Johnny Valentine & Tony Pugliese defeated Bill & Dan Miller.
- WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Iaukea.
1977 - WWWF ran Madison Square Garden in New York City with the following results:
- Johnny Rodz vs. Jan Nelson ended in a draw.
- SD Jones vs. Jose Gonzalez ended in a draw.
- Carlos Rocha defeated Baron Mikel Scicluna.
- Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Executioner #2.
- Haiti Kid & Hillbilly Kid defeated Billy The Kid & Little Johnny.
- WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Baron Von Raschke via DQ when Sammartino got tied in the ropes and Raschke hit him with a chair, then applied the claw until other wrestlers came out to pull Raschke off of him.
- Tony Garea defeated Doug Gilbert.
- Billy Whitewolf defeated The Executioner.
- Dusty Rhodes defeated Tor Kamata.
- Ivan Putski & Larry Zbyszko vs. Ken Patera & Stan Stasiak ended in a draw.
1980 - Andre The Giant vs. Hulk Hogan in Binghamton, New York ends in a double countout.
1981 - Andre The Giant defeats Hulk Hogan in Old Saybrook, Connecticut.
1999 - Wrestlemania 15 takes place. Mike Johnson penned the following:
WRESTLEMANIA 15
March 28, 1999
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Arena: The First Union Center
Announced Attendance: 19, 514
*Bob Holly defeats Billy Gunn and Al Snow in a Three-Way to win the WWF Hardcore championship. Lots of plunder here and of course, the hardcore staple the fire extinguisher.
*WWF Tag Team champions Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett, with Debra, defeated D-Lo Brown and Test with Ivory (then managing Brown) when Jarrett rolled up Brown for the pin. Hart and Test were the final two in a Battle Royal earlier in the night before the PPV to determine who would challenge the champions. This would prove to be Hart's final Wrestlemania match before his death in May 1999.
*Butterbean knocked out Bart Gunn in a Brawl For All match in about a minute into the first round with a series of devastating rights. Gunn's WWF career was destroyed right then and there although he continued to make a name for himself in Japan as Mike Barton. Boxer Vinnie Pazienza was the special referee and had an impromptu boxing match with the San Diego Chicken afterwards. Judges including Gorilla Monsoon, boxer Chuck Wepner, and and boxing trainer Kevin Rooney.
*Mankind defeated The Big Show to determine who would referee the main event at Wrestlemania 15. Mick Foley was hurting here and it shows in his work. Big Show is disqualified when he chokeslams Mick through two chairs. Foley is carted off. Vince McMahon gets in Show's face screaming and slaps him for messing up McMahon's plans. Show goes to chokeslam him but changes his mind. McMahon continues to berate him and is punched. Show is arrested and taken away by Philadelphia police (actually a slew of New Jersey independent wrestlers and personalities including Fanslam promoter Tommy Fierro).
WWF Intercontinental champion Road Dogg Jesse Jammes defeated Ken Shamrock, Goldust (with Rian Shamrock and The Blue Meanie) and Val Venis in a Four-Way. Shamrock accidentally tripped her man, leading to the pin while Meanie gloated that he was right about her the whole time he was warning Goldust about her.
*Kane defeated Triple H by DQ when H hit him with a chair given to him by Chyna. Kane had accidentally burned Chyna's retinas in an angle building to Raw.
*WWF champion Sable pinned Tori. Tori had been a fan following Sable around the country in the first row who challenged her after Sable turned heel. Nicole Bass debuted (showing up before she was supposed to) to interfere and attack Tori. Sable powerbombs her for the pin. Unlike the participants, This wasn't pretty.
*WWF European champion Shane McMahon pinned X-Pac after Triple H turned on Pac and joined Vince's Corporation. McMahon busted his butt bumping here and Pac worked hard too. The Mean Street Posse were in the front row and interfered by going after Pac while outside the ring. This was the shocking match of the night, mainly because no one knew what Shane was capable of going into the PPV.
*The Undertaker defeated The Big Bossman in a Hell in the Cell match with a tombstone. The streak of awesome Hell in the Cell bouts stopped here with a screeching halt. Edge. Gangrel, and Christian lower down from the roof of the Arena and hang the Bossman from the top of the Cell as it rises. He later returns unharmed in a silly moment.
*Steve Austin pinned The Rock to win the WWF championship. Vince McMahon came out to be the special referee but out comes Shawn Michaels, who announces that "It's not Wrestlemania without HBK." Michaels is the Commissioner by now and explains that only he can make the referees, so out Vince goes. This is a great back and forth match including them brawling into the crowd. Austin finally scores the pin (counted by the returning Mankind) after the Stunner as Vince stands there at ringside shocked and upset.
Celebrities: Boxer Vinnie Pazienza was the special referee and had an impromptu boxing match with the San Diego Chicken afterwards. Judges including Gorilla Monsoon, boxer Chuck Wepner, and and boxing trainer Kevin Rooney....Pete Rose returned for beating #2....Philadelphia's own Boys II Men opened the show with "America the Beautiful."
Notes: This was the first Wrestlemania released on DVD....Jim Ross returned from a bout with Bells Palsy to call the main event at Austin's request, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler handled the rest of the show....The promotion put together a "Wrestlemania Rage Party" the night before complete with workers milling around with fans and a concert featuring The Cherry Popping Daddies, Mya, Big Pun, and Isaac Hayes (who was on fire as Chef of South Park fame at the time). The concert also featured a one hour live special on the USA Network with workers cutting promos and a series of vignettes where Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco couldn't get access into the building....The great Gorilla Monsoon made his final public appearance here, as one of the judges for the Brawl For All bout. Monsoon was announced and given a huge, extended standing ovation by the crowd in a fitting farewell....Test and Brown split the aforementioned Battle Royal before the show went on the air. Also involved were Steve Blackman, Justin Bradshaw, Brian Christopher, DOA, Droz, Farooq, Gillberg, The Godfather, Jeff & Matt Hardy (Wrestlemania debut), The Legion of Doom, Midian, The Public Enemy, Tiger Ali Singh, Scott Taylor, and Viscera....Jacqueline defeated Ivory in another dark match.
Kevin Kelly on Wrestlemania 15: Billy Gunn and I predicted the KO of Dr. Death, as we knew Bart was a Toughman winner in his younger career. But with weeks of training, how could he lose to Butterbean? Aside from the main event, to me, the show was dreadful. How did Mick Foley get conned out of the main event spot at Mania? Back in February, Shawn Michaels of all people politicked to Vince to keep it Stone Cold vs The Rock at Mania. Austin was always paranoid and he went to Shawn to help get him in that one-on-one match, having to go over and get the belt at Mania. On the road to Mania, remember how Austin beat the Big Show just after the big man's debut? How come nobody remembers that classic derailing moment? And they talk about HHH being a bad guy behind the scenes. That was also the show where a still-facially paralyzed JR went to both Austin and the Rock, wanting them to talk to Vince about allowing JR to call their main event match. Few moments in his career have bothered Michael Cole more... or me for that matter. Totally classless but not unexpected.
The Blue Meanie on Wrestlemania 15: Wrestlemania 15 meant a lot to me. On a professional and personal level, Wrestlemania is something you strive to reach. Wrestlemania cements you in wrestling history. Another special note behind working Wrestlemania 15 was that it was in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is where I was born, Philadelphia is where I debuted for ECW. It's where I debuted for the WWF and Philadelphia is where I made it to THE show, Wrestlemania.
Bart Gunn on Fighting Butterbean at Wrestlemania 15: "I'd like to say it was a work but to be totally honest [it wasn't]. I give the utmost respect to boxers. They're tough sons-of-a-gun. Their training is unbelievable. Going into that fight, Butterbean had 40 professional fights. I myself had never boxed before, except in the back alleys and as a kid growing up. I never put gloves on, and I did this Brawl For All. I went and actually trained for five weeks before Wrestlemania at a gym in upstate New York where I actually learned how to box. I changed my whole strategy, learned how to box, how to hold my hands, throw punches, and it totally took me out of my comfort zone. I wasn't the same person in that fight as I was in other fights." (Wrestling Digest Interview, August 2001)
Jess McGrath: Like several Manias before it, this was a one-match show, and that match delivered. Austin and Rocky had a very good match. It didn't have the aura around it that some other Mania main events before it did, as Rock was nowhere near the star he was the following year, but it was a good one. The other really good match of the night was Shane and X-Pac. This had been a well done storyline. Much of the undercard felt thrown together. Probably because it was. I don't remember D-Lo and Test ever being a regular team before they won the battle royal.
Mike Johnson: Wow, this show was full of WWF storyline twists and Vince Russo-esque swerves. I attended this show live in Philadelphia and with the exception of the main event, was completely bored. The show translated much better on screen. The Shane McMahon performance was shocking given his level of experience and the Mean Street Posse gimmick was just awesome. That Hell in the Cell still gives me nightmares. Austin and Rock had a great match, the first of three at Mania and really, the only bout that had headlined Mania twice. Just awesome work by the two of them. There were two many swerves on the show for me, but that was typical Russo.
Dave Scherer: I was at this show too and Mike is right on the money. In fact, at one point Ed Ferrara and Vince Russo came out during the main event and watched the booking go down. It was so much fun being at the show and again, watching the Attitude era's year culminate was great as well.
2000 - During an edition of Raw from San Antonio, Texas, Stephanie McMahon defeated Jacqueline to win the WWF Women's Title when Tori interfered and DDT'd Jacqueline.
2001 - The entire staff of World Championship Wrestling is called to a meeting, where they are informed they are being laid off, but are free to apply for a job with WWF, who has a human resources agent present. The staffers are then escorted out of their offices, with most unable to retrieve any personal possessions that were on their desks or files that were on their computers. The meeting was called under the auspices of informing the staff what WWF had planned for the future of the company.
2006 - In Kansas City, Missouri, on the last edition of Smackdown prior to Wrestlemania, World Champion Kurt Angle defeats Rey Mysterio, one of the two challengers to his title at Wrestlemania, cleanly with the ankle lock in a non-title match. Post-match, Randy Orton, the other challenger, attacked Mysterio and Angle, but Angle put him in an ankle lock, forcing him to tap out as well. Mysterio would go on to win the title from Angle at Wrestlemania by pinning Randy Orton.
2007 - Abe Coleman, 101 years old and believed to be the oldest living professional wrestler, passed away in a nursing home in Flushing, New York
A native of Zychlin, Poland, Coleman moved to the United States in 1923 and eventually landed in New York in 1941, where he resided for the rest of his life. Coleman was discovered by local promoter Rudy Miller working out in a gym. Miller offered $25 for Coleman to wrestle and he debuted that week at the Ridgewood Grove Arena. Coleman would go on to tour across the world, with results I've found listing him for matches in Calgary, Australia and the Northeast. Coleman also claimed to have worked in Mexico.
At times, Coleman used several nicknames based around his religion including The Hebrew Hercules and Jewish Tarzan, which sometimes caused him to receive anti-Semitic reactions. Coleman's has claimed through the years that he was the creator of a move still prevalent today, the dropkick, which he stated was inspired by Kangaroos he saw while touring Australia in the 1930s.
Coleman retired in 1958 and later worked for the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
At the age of 80, Coleman was still making a splash when two teenaged muggers attempted to rob him. Coleman knocked each out with one punch.
Coleman's wife, Judy, passed away in 1987. The couple had no children but he was survived by several nephews and nieces.
2008 - One day after TNA cameras caught him in the crowd at a live TNA broadcast (and he was identified as a WWE wrestler), WWE sent Robbie McAllister of the Highlanders home from Wrestlemania./p>
2008 - TNA taped the following Impact results at the Impact Zone in Orlando, FL:
Kaz defeated some jobber with a bullfighter cowboy gimmick. I believe this was a dark match.
Robert Roode def. Black Machismo in a non-title match
Show opens with the heels from team Tomko and the newest member of the team James Storm. Matt Morgan made the decision to allow a fifth member. Team cage came out and question Morgan's decision. Christian says advantage or disadvantage he has a trick up his sleeve.
Backstage segment where Scott Steiner says he is going to cash in his title shot tonight.
LAX and Motor City def. Rock and Rave and Black Reign and Rellik. The heels attacked after the match and Kaz tried to make the save but Super Eric cleared house.
AJ Styles and Tomko def. Christian and Rhino by DQ after Rhino gored the Ref. Team 3D attacked but Nash made the save with a chair.
Shark Boy def. Elix Skipper to advance to the Escape Match at Lockdown.
Traci Brooks def. Peyton Banks. After the match Velvet Sky, Angelina Love, Salinas, Jackie Moore, Roxxi and Christy Hemme all got in the ring until Sharmell cleared ring.
Kurt Angle comes down to the ring and says next week he wants Samoa Joe to sign a document saying that if he doesn't win at Lockdown he will never wrestle again. Scott Steiner interrupts and says that he is now going to use the title shot at Sacrifice against the winner of the title match at Lockdown.
Sting def. James Storm. Matt Morgan was the guest ref. Morgan gave Sting the bat. Afterwards, Team Tomko confronted Morgan but Team Christian cleared the ring. Morgan then revealed a Team Cage shirt so he is now there as the fifth member.
2008 - Ring of Honor ran Orlando, FL. Richard Trionfo filed the following live report:
On Friday night, approximately 1300 fans packed the Downtown Rec Center in the shadow of the Amway Arena to see the Florida debut of Ring of Honor. What the fans saw was Dragon Gate Challenge 2, which appeared to be a successful foray into the Sunshine State thanks to a lively crowd and some insane in ring action. Here are some of the stories coming out of the show.
Ring of Honor wins Challenge
Of the four matches that saw Ring of Honor wrestles face Dragon Gate wrestlers, the Ring of Honor wrestlers captured three of the victories, with Shingo and BxB Hulk getting the only victory for the Dragon Gate wrestlers. Despite the actual win/loss tally, there were no losers on this night because both promotions were able to show that they contain some amazing talent. This was a night for the capacity crowd in Florida to witness something that this state has probably not seen in the ring outside of one or two matches featuring the Dragon Gate wrestlers in FIP.
Austin Aries chooses . . . to Focus on the Ring of Honor World Title
The continued recruiting campaign by the Age of the Fall to get Austin Aries to join their side continues to be a losing battle since Austin Aries did not accept the offer from Jimmy Jacobs and Lacey on Friday night. Aries also turned down a competing offer from Tammy Sytch as he continues to focus on his chance to regain the Ring of Honor World Title on Saturday night. Will Aries join the Age of the Fall or will he accept Tammy’s offer? Will we find out on Saturday night? Will it affect his match on Saturday?
Florida Welcomes Ring of Honor with open arms and a large crowd
While it might be the aura of Wrestlemania or the presence of the two wrestling companies with national television in the area, Ring of Honor showed that they were not going to take a back seat on this weekend. In the building that Full Impact Pro ran in a few times as well as the home of part of the 2007 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Ring of Honor dwarfed those crowds with their turnout for Dragon Gate Challenge 2. I can only imagine that Supercard of Honor III will equal or exceed the crowd that this show had.
Here is what happened on the show.
Before the show officially began, the YRR came out and interrupted a segment with Becky Bayless. They claimed that they are the best in Florida. They went over to Bushwhacker Luke.
The show starts with Nigel McGuinness coming to the ring and he gets on the mic and the crowd is split between 'Let's Go Nigel' and 'F*** You Nigel' chants. Nigel welcomes Ring of Honor to Florida and then he says that nobody can take the Ring of Honor Title from him and that includes Austin Aries tomorrow night.
Match Number One: Ring of Honor World Champion Nigel McGuinness defeats Delirious in a Non-Title Match
The match starts off in typical Delirious fashion with the masked man verbally berating McGuinness, including calling him ‘Mickey Mouse’ and the fans join in. When the action goes outside the ring, Delirious returns to the ring the same way that McGuinness enters the ring and that only angered the champion more. This match went back and forth with Delirious being stopped a few times by McGuinness from hitting the Panic Attack, but he eventually connected but he could not hit Shadows Over Hell. McGuinness was able to finish off Delirious with a vicious clothesline followed by the Tower of London and the London Dungeon as Delirious taps out.
Match Number Two: The Vulture Squad of Jigsaw and Ruckus defeat the YRR of Kenny King and Sal Rinauro with Chasyn Rance
The YRR tried to get the early advantage to add to their ‘home field advantage’ by attacking the Vulture Squad as they entered the ring. This strategy worked in the opening minutes which also saw King hit a somersault plancha that took Ruckus and Jigsaw down on the floor. While the YRR work over Ruckus for a good portion of the match, the momentum clearly shifts when Jigsaw is tagged in and they work over Rinauro and they finish him off with a double stomp from Ruckus into a Jig and Tonic by Jigsaw for the three count.
Match Number Three: Austin Aries defeats Horiguchi in an ROH versus Dragon Gate Challenge Match
At the start of the match, Aries tries to work on Horiguchi’s arm while Horiguchi works on Aries’s leg. After Horiguchi misses a moonsault from the middle turnbuckle, Aries is able to work over Horiguchi including a tomahawk chop from the turnbuckles and a roaring tomahawk chop. Aries follows that with his tope on Horiguchi that whips the crowd into a frenzy. Horiguchi will not give up and he tries to get back into the match with a tornado DDT and then he hits a brainbuster after blocking a brainbuster attempt by Aries. After a number of near falls on rollups, Aries is able to finish off Horiguchi with a brainbuster and Horns of Aries.
After the match, the lights go out and Jimmy Jacobs appears on one of the scaffolds while Lacey makes her way to the ring. Lacey and Jacobs continue to offer Aries a place in the Age of the Fall. They tell Aries with the Age of the Fall behind him, Aries cannot lose the title on Saturday night against Nigel McGuinness. Aries tries to leave the ring, but Lacey tells Aries that she wants him to be part of the revolution.
Before Aries can answer, Back In Black plays and Tammy Sytch comes to the ring. She asks Austin if she remembers her from Manhattan and then she tells Aries to make it easy and join her; and that she can offer Aries more than Lacey can.
Aries says that he has been listening to everyone for the last few months and he points out that he has no problem getting the ladies. He guarantees that he will win the title from Nigel McGuinness and he leaves the ring.
Lacey tells Tammy that it took a lot of guts for her to come to the ring alone. Lacey then calls Tammy old and washed up. Tammy tells Lacey that Lacey is in this industry because Tammy paved the way for whores like her and suggested that Lacey did not have what it took to be a Diva. Jimmy Jacobs says that the Age of the Fall is about action, and then Lacey hits a DDT on Tammy.
Match Number Four: Kevin Steen and El Generico defeat Yoshino and Doi in an ROH versus Dragon Gate Challenge Match
Steen uses his size advantage in the early moments of the match but Doi and Yoshino are able to work on El Generico and keep him from making the tag to Steen. After a number of double teams moves that wear down Generico, Generico is able to hit a desperation Blue Thunder Driver after being able to grab Yoshino’s tights when he tries for a move off the ropes. Yoshino and Doi work over Generico again but Steen gets back into the match and he hits power bombs on both of his opponents. Steen and Generico appear to have the match won after a Swanton by Steen and a frog splash from Generico but Yoshino is able to kick out at two. Steen and Generico are able to get the victory after Steen hits a package piledriver and Generico hits a brainbuster on Yoshino.
It was time for Intermission.
Match Number Five: Shingo and BxB Hulk defeat The Age of the Fall of Jimmy Jacob and Tyler Black with Lacey in an ROH versus Dragon Gate Challenge Match
Black and Jacob are able to work on Hulk at the start of the match as they use the guardrails and a number of double team moves. Hulk is able to fight back and Shingo uses a number of power moves on Jacobs and Black while Hulk hits a handstand pescado from the apron onto Black. Shingo continues to toss Jacobs around like a rag doll. Black and Hulk resume the battle and Black hits an inverted superplex which he rolls through and hits an inverted suplex on Hulk but he cannot finish off Hulk. Black gets Hulk set for a Burning Hammer while Jacobs goes up top and hits a senton before Black hits the Burning Hammer. Shingo gets the three count on Black with Last Falconry.
Match Number Six: The Briscoe Brothers defeat Dragon Kid and Saito in an ROH versus Dragon Gate Challenge Match
The match starts off with Jay wanting a test of strength with Dragon Kid but Briscoe has a considerable height advantage and Dragon Kid cannot reach. The situation is fixed when Dragon Kid gets on Saito’s shoulders. The Briscoes take control of their smaller opponents and they toss Dragon Kid around the ring. All four men go suplex crazy. Jay gets Mark out of a satellite octopus with a massive kick to the head. Mark is held on the turnbuckles by Saito and Dragon Kid hits a super rana followed by a frog splash from Saito but Mark kicks out at two. Saito has Jay in a waist lock but he cannot get Jay over. Dragon Kid with a sunset flip and the momentum allows Saito to German suplex Jay into Mark, who is down in the corner. The Briscoes get the victory with a Doomsday Device on Saito.
The No Remorse Corps come to the ring for the main event, but before their opponents can come out, Larry Sweeney and Shane Hagadorn come to the ring. Sweeney introduces himself to the members of the No Remorse Corps and he tells them that he is signing the cream of the crop in Ring of Honor. He talks about how the No Remorse Corps bring a lot to the table because of the titles that they hold, but he suggests that they dissolve the No Remorse Corps and sign with Sweet and Sour. Roderick Strong says that is a great offer but he has to say no.
Match Number Seven: Go Shiozaki, CIMA, and Erick Stevens defeat the No Remorse Corps of Rocky Romero, Davey Richards, and Roderick Strong
The Orlando crowd showers Strong with chants of ‘ROD-ER-ICK’ and Strong leaves the ringside area and heads to the back but he is convinced by Richards and Romero to come back. Go and CIMA work together to try to wear down Strong; but Richards and Romero are able to take Go out of the equation on the floor. Stevens is put in the Tree of Woe and Strong sends Romero into the corner for a drop kick and then Richards charges into the corner only to stop short and flick Stevens while still in the Tree of Woe. Stevens is unable to make the tag to either of his partners as the No Remorse Corps work him over. CIMA and Go are able to control the match while Stevens recovers on the apron. The two Florida wrestlers finally get a chance to go one-on-one and it turns into a chop fest that sees Stevens get the better of Strong. Stevens tries for the Doctor Bomb but he is sent out of the ring and Richards hits a tope con hilo on Stevens while CIMA hits a tope on Strong. Romero is worked over, but he is able to kick out after Go hits a moonsault and CIMA hits a frog splash. Richards and Romero Irish whip Go into a devastating Yakuza kick from Strong but they cannot finish him off. They return the favor on Romero when Go Irish whips him into a menacing lariat from Stevens. Strong and Stevens return to exchanging chops as the crowd can feel the pain as well. CIMA gets the victory on Strong with a Cross Arm Power Bomb.
Dragon Gate Challenge 2 Thoughts:
Before I get into my thoughts on the show, I want to thank Ring of Honor for coming to Florida. This was my first live Ring of Honor show and the intensity of the fans and the experience is definitely something that has to be experienced in person. You can watch the DVDs (which are available at http://www.rohwrestling.com ) and I highly recommend if you are a fan of good professional wrestling, but being a part of it allows you to get a better understanding of why there are so many people who will travel across the country to support this product. I had met a few Ring of Honor fans at FIP shows and I got to meet a lot more at this show. It is always fun to be able to discuss wrestling with fans who appreciate similar aspects of the sport as you and that also enhances the Ring of Honor experience. The camaraderie of these fans is a positive and the energy is felt during the show. I also think the people who are involved with Full Impact Pro Wrestling deserve a lot of credit along with the Ring of Honor management for the success of this show (and I am going to go out on a limb and say that Supercard of Honor III will be a success too). They have tried to provide the fans of Florida with a product that is as close to the Ring of Honor product.
One of the biggest things that you notice when you are at a Ring of Honor show is that when it is time for the show to begin, whatever you are doing is focused on what is going to happen in the ring. As soon as the lights went out, it was as if you were in your own universe to wait for the announcement of the first match of the night.
I had only heard about the heel heat that Nigel receives from the Ring of Honor fans, and while he mentioned it in his promo at last week’s FIP shows (which are also available on DVD at http://www.rohwrestling.com ), but it was a surreal feeling. I do not want to compare it to the reaction that John Cena receives, but it seemed pretty close and a justifiable comparison.
Since the focus of tonight’s show was Dragon Gate versus Ring of Honor, I did not mind seeing the McGuinness/Delirious match open the show. I thought it was a good match that got the fans into the show.
I thought Kenny King looked impressive in the YRR versus Vulture Squad match. I think he is the next wrestler from Florida who is going to follow Roderick Strong and Erick Stevens to the next level in this company.
I don’t know what can be said about the Dragon Gate wrestlers that would do them justice. I have been fortunate enough to see Shingo and BxB Hulk in FIP and have seen some of the other guys on ROH DVDs or other shows, but to see them live is quite an experience. I am really looking forward to the annual six man tag match on Saturday. I want to apologize in advance for not giving that match any justice in my report.
I like the recruiting angle for Austin Aries. Since he left the Resilience, why not try to get one of the top talents in the company to be a part of your faction?
IIn all of the matches, there were so many crazy move combinations that I think it would make the heads of a lot of the fans who attend shows in soundstages shake them in disbelief. While I am sometimes critical of matches where finishers are discredited because they are kicked out of, I did not even consider that with this show because it was a night to showcase the athletic ability of these wrestlers.
2009 - MTV.com interviewed John Cena and they spent the whole piece talking about Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, as both had ventured into acting. Cena did the usual "I love wrestling and will never leave it no matter what stuff" that he had been doing for a while. He said that the fans are hold it Johnson that he left them behind for Hollywood. Then, he finally swung for the fences when he said, "I've been trying to wrestle him. It's not that I don't think he'll accept the challenge; he truly has a full plate. I think our fans would like to see him come back to the ring. Dwayne Johnson or the Rock or whatever he wants call himself vs. John Cena. Let's say 'WrestleMania XXVI.' "
2009 - Full Impact Pro ran Crystal River, FL. Alan Wojick filed the following live report:
On Saturday March 28, 2009 World Wrestling Network presented Full Impact Pro. The event was held at the National Guard Armory, 8551 W. Venable St. in Crystal River, FL./p>
The evening began with FIP broadcast journalist Shannon Rose who brought out the FIP World Tag Team champions Roderick Strong & Erick Stevens. Strong told Stevens despite holding the titles they weren’t great friends but they had mutual respect for each other. Both men said they accepted what went down as fate and were going to be fighting champions and that brought out the British Lions, Christopher Gray & Tommy Taylor. The Lions laid out a challenge to the champions but Stevens said told them they were wrestling the YRR tonight but if they walked out champions they would defend the belts on May 2nd. Things seemed to be cooled down when ROH World champion Nigel McGuiness came out to the scene to talk to the Lions. He said he was impressed with their ring work and he saw himself in them. But he also saw them making the same mistakes he made like caring what the fans of "Crystal Meth River" had to say. McGuiness said before title match on May 2nd he wanted the Lions to earn their spot in FIP. Taylor wasn’t too keen to the put down and he asked McGuiness to defend his championship tonight. McGuiness said the fans didn’t deserve to see a title match and Taylor wouldn’t get a shot at the title but he would get a wrestling lesson. After McGuiness left it seemed like there was some tension with the Lions but Gray went to the ring for the opening contest.
(1) In a four way elimination fray, Christopher Gray of the British Lions defeated "Bad Seed" Shawn Osborne, Shawn Spears, & Francisco Ciatso.
What was supposed to be a singles match quickly turned into Spears & Gray vs. Ciatso & Osborne in and outside the ring. Spears hit Ciatso with a spinning neckbreaker but Osborne came from the floor and hit Spears with several kicks to the head and chest. Gray was on the outside trying to get in as Osborne & Ciatso kept working over Spears. As this went on Nigel McGuiness came back out to the interview area to watch. Gray finally got in the ring and laid both men out with European uppercuts. Spears tried to fight back as the double teaming continued. But on an exchange Ciatso missed and punched Osborne by mistake. When Spears got free he hit Ciatso with a Burning Hammer like move to eliminate Ciatso. Osborne tried to make peace with the remaining competitors but got punches to the head from each man. At this point McGuiness was joined by Brad Attitude at the interview area. Osborne gained some control when he hit Spears with a back suplex and a double underhook suplex for two. Spears recovered and saved Gray from a suplex but Osborne raked his eyes and Gray took advantage by eliminating Spears with a rollup. Osborne pounced on Gray with several forearm shots to the back as he tried to get up after the pinfall. Gray fought to his feet with body shots of his own but a slingshot from the ring apron was met by a shoulder spear from Osborne. It was followed by a suplex which was countered into a crucifix pinfall win for Gray.
Heartbreak Enterprises made their way out to ring area. After "Fabulous" Phil patted down Jonathon Gold "Superstar" Sean Davis came out. Davis said tonight Rhett Titus would win the Florida Heritage championship and the fans would see the first title defense from Davey Richards (Richards stole the championship from FIP World champion Tyler Black last event) Davis said due to Chris Escobar’s injury Damien Wayne would be wrestling singles tonight. They didn’t care who the opponent was and the challenge was answered by Brad Attitude.
(2) Brad Attitude defeated Damien Wayne (w/Heartbreak Enterprises)
After some feeling out Attitude took over with several chest chops and face shots that sent Wayne scrambling to the floor for some personal time. Attitude got too close to the ropes and Wayne dropped him on them throat first. But when he entered the ring Wayne got hit with a backdrop and corner splash for two. The Davis’ had concern on their face as Attitude went up top so Phil got on the apron long enough for Wayne to get up and cheap shot Attitude. Wayne went to work with a suplex for two before locking in a neck vise. Attitude fought to his feet only to be yanked back to the mat. Wayne used the referee as a screen so the Davis’ could beat down Attitude on the ring apron. The neck trauma increased with each shot laid in by Wayne but Attitude wouldn’t be pinned. He was able to avoid a top rope leg drop and take over on Wayne with punches and clotheslines. Attitude hit a slingshot senton for two and then hit Wayne with what looked like an Attitude Adjustor. After the match the fans rejoiced as the Davis’ threw a temper tantrum.
(3) The match between 2 Fast 2 Furious (Nooie Lee & Jerrelle Clark) vs. The Set (J-Sin & Lance Lude) ended in a no contest.
Both teams tried to establish control with high energy offense until Sin tagged in and went to a power game. But Lee & Clark succeeded in keeping him guessing what was next. That as until Lee got caught in the middle of a huricurana and got dropped on his neck and back. This allowed the Set to use some interesting double team moves on Lee who fought back as the fans and Clark shouted encouragement. Lee was able to tag in Clark who got caught an octopus like move. He freed himself with a half nelson suplex that caused Lude to land on his chest. The match went to the floor but came back Lee ended up back in the ring. Clark came back in for a double team move but it quickly turned into a fight with Lee hitting a frogsplash and Clark hitting a one and a half flip onto Sin. Just when it looked like both teams were on the edge of victory the Dark City Fight Club came out and took out both teams with devastating moves. Kory Chavis said they wanted to go through each team in the locker room on the way to the championship belts. An open challenge was issued on the spot to anyone in the locker room as Chavis stated "we’re not going anywhere." The challenge was answered by Bumz’ R Us.
(4) Dark City Fight Club (Jon Davis & Kory Chavis w/Leva) defeated Bumz R’ Us (Ray Beez & Milo Beasley).
This was under anything goes rules and anything went in the ring to be used as weapons. Beginning with trash cans the Bumz brought to ringside. Chavis got his head placed in a can and Ray Beez kicked him as hard as he could. Beasley followed Chavis to the floor with a senton. Davis got to his feet and joined the fight taking it into the crowd where chairs were readily accessible. The guard rails were next to be used as Beez’ back met them out of control thanks to Chavis. Beasley made his way back to the ring to attack Chavis with an airplane spin and it allowed Beez to hit a discus clothesline. Davis finally joined the match again stopping Beez from a top rope move as he launched Beez into a ringside table. Chavis snapped and took his anger out on Beasley with wild punches. With nothing else to prove, DCFC finished off Beasley with Project Mayhem.
(5) "Addicted to Love" Rhett Titus (w/Heartbreak Enterprises) became FIP Florida Heritage champion when he defeated Chris Jones.
After guaranteeing a title change, Sean Davis told Titus and the fans since Baby Doll couldn’t be here he had surprise motivator for Titus in the form of $o Cal Val! The men in the ring nearly melted to it as Val laid a kiss on Titus and strutted around the ring. Jones didn’t seem too impressed by his opponent or the entourage around him. Once the bell rang Titus’ head games began gyrating his crotch into the back of the champion. Jones fought back with wrestling holds as the Davis’ & Val talked among themselves at ringside. Jones did some gyrating of his own when he kicked Titus in the crotch. Titus bailed to the floor and Jones followed with a baseball slide but got caught in the ring apron. So he dropped down under the ring as the Davis’ and Titus looked for him. When Jones came out of hiding he hit Titus with a tope’ but his return to the ring was stopped when Titus avoided a slingshot dropkick. Titus went to work on the champion’s neck with dropkicks and forearm shots. Jones fought back but his wheel barrel move was countered into a sitout powerbomb for two. Titus went for the win with a neck vise submission but Jones fought to his feet only to be hit with a spinning neckbreaker for two. Jones fought back with forearm shots and a kick to the head followed by a tornado DDT. Both men struggled to their feet and it was Jones who hit Titus with punches and chops. Jones hit a spring board missile dropkick and delivered punches in the corner and a standing flip for two. Titus fought back but got hit with Sliced Bread #2 for two. Jones went up top as Phil Davis got on the ring apron to stop him. Davis got decked but when Jones turned around he got Val’s hairspray right in his face. With the champion blinded Titus got the pinfall with the Muff Driver.
Ring announcer Jonathon Gold brought out former TNA superstar "Wildcat" Chris Harris who said Braden Walker was dead. He said FIP was the first stop on his comeback tour to greatness and he wasn’t done wrestling despite what some people thought. Harris said he remembers Chris Hero’s early matches and tonight a Hero would be falling. This brought out Hero who was also making his FIP debut. Hero said he was sent to FIP by his agent "Sweet N’ Sour" Larry Sweeney to rule the ring. Hero said it was true he had known Harris for ten years and wondered if he would be facing Chris Harris or Braden Walker in the next few moments.
(6) In a first time ever matchup, "That Young Knockout Kid" Chris Hero defeated "Wildcat" Chris Harris.
Hero quickly found out that Harris wasn’t a push over when Harris didn’t go down on two shoulder blocks. Hero did go down to an inverted atomic drop and a Thesz Press which sent Hero to the floor. Harris followed out and tossed Hero into the crowd and several chairs. Once back in the ring Harris went for a backdrop but Hero dropped an elbow and sent Harris to the floor. Hero followed with a boot to the face and punches to the head. The battle came back to the ring where Hero kept on the attack with punches, kicks and chokes. Hero hit a senton for two and locked in a chinlock as he verbally taunted Harris. Harris fought to his feet but got hit with a dropkick for two. Harris began to taunt Hero begging him to knock him out. All it did was let Harris get his wind back and hit a clothesline, backdrop and STO for two. Hero fired back with a blockbuster for two. Harris went for a move but got tagged with a punch to the jaw but kicked out of the pin. Harris hit a spinebuster as Phil Davis came out to the ring leaving something in the corner. Harris was getting ready for the Catatonic. Whatever it was Davis left, Hero picked it up as Harris went to confront Davis. When Harris came back to Hero his Catatonic was countered and Hero used the apparently loaded elbow pad to get the knockout pin. Davis and Hero left together, could this mean Hero has new management?
(7) In a non-title match, ROH World Heavyweight champion Nigel McGuiness defeated Tommy Taylor of the British Lions.
Taylor took McGuiness off his feet with a single leg but when the pressure was placed on the leg the action went to the ropes where a break occurred. McGuiness went to work on the left arm but Taylor countered only to be countered back to the mat. McGuiness sped things up but when he came off the ropes Taylor slammed him down and took over on the left arm. McGuiness tried to counter out and succeeded taking Taylor down into a headlock. Taylor countered into a hammerlock but McGuiness got the bottom rope in his free hand causing a break once more. Taylor went right back to the arm but McGuiness got in an elbow to the jaw and punches to the gut. This made Taylor fight back with forearms but McGuiness got a kick to the back. McGuiness tried to remove Taylor’s left arm at the shoulder socket with several moves but he couldn’t get the pin or submission. Taylor tried for a sunset flip but McGuiness grabbed the left wrist and torqued it against the grain. Christopher Gray made his way out to ringside to cheer his partner on and it worked as Taylor got on the attack with several moves getting near falls. McGuiness double legged Taylor to the mat with both legs on the ropes but Taylor kicked out. McGuiness’ top rope move resulted in Taylor slamming him off to the mat below. Taylor went up top but McGuiness cut him off and dragged him down. Taylor fought off McGuiness hitting a Perfect Plex for two. Taylor went up again but McGuiness grabbed the referee long enough to make Taylor stop. When McGuiness realized his plan worked, he took Taylor off the top with a Stunner as Taylor’s feet were draped on the top rope. After the match Gray told Taylor he should shake hands with McGuiness and reluctantly he agreed to do so.
Heartbreak Enterprises came out to the interview area to introduce their FIP World Heavyweight champion Davey Richards as Sean Davis declared the real champion Tyler Black’s career dead on arrival.
(8) In a Challenge Match, Davey Richards defeated TJ Perkins.
Perkins didn’t seem intimidated and went right after Richards with a legsweep into a headlock. Richards got to his feet so Perkins hit him with several armdrags into a headlock. Richards got to the corner and delivered body shot but got hiptossed to the mat where Perkins got an armbar. Richards got his foot on the rope to cause a break and slowed things down trying to get Perkins to shake hands and kissing his foot. When Richards went to kiss, Perkins kicked him in the mouth and took him down to the mat again. Richards went to dump Perkins to the floor but Perkins caught the ropes and hung on daring Richards to spear him. Richards went for it and hit only air followed by the floor where Perkins met him with a tope’. When the action came back to the ring Richards got hit with a handstand head scissor and a dropkick to the back. The two men went to the ropes and the action stopped when Richards hit Perkins with a spinning heel kick. Richards went to work using his strength advantage trying to damage Perkins left shoulder. Richards went up top and came off with a flying head butt for two and quickly countered into an armbreaker submission but Perkins got to the ropes so Richards hit him with several kicks to the chest. Perkins fought back with a neckbreaker but couldn’t follow with a pin attempt. Both men fought to their feet where Perkins was the aggressor with several moves including a Perfect Plex for two. Perkins hit a missile dropkick to Richards’ face for two and his suplex was countered. Richards went for the Kimura but Perkins countered into a Figure Four Deathlock. Richards refused to quit and grabbed the ropes for the break but Perkins refused to back off hitting more body shots. Richards fought off Perkins and he hit a tombstone piledriver before locking in the Kimura. After the submission victory Sean Davis told Richards to lock the hold back in even as the referee threatened fines and suspension. Announcer Jonathon Gold told the fans and Richards he just received a memo from the FIP Championship Committee that Tyler Black had received medical clearance and on May 2nd he would defend the championship against #1 contender Davey Richards. This made Sean Davis throw a tantrum big enough to cause his face and body to turn beet red.
The YRR made their way to the ring with their new advisor Mr. Saint Laurent who said he was invoking the YRR’s championship rematch clause tonight.
(9) FIP Tag Team champions Erick Stevens & Roderick Strong defeated The YRR (Sal Rinauro & Chasyn "Not Cocky" Rance w/ Mr. Saint Laurent)
Strong and Rinauro began the bout for their teams and Strong was the aggressor taking Rinauro down to the mat. Rinauro got to the ropes and slid out for a quick confab with his partners before coming back into face Strong. Rinauro got a low kick to the gut and a side headlock takeover to his corner’s satisfaction but Strong countered into a front facelock. Rinauro countered into head scissors but Strong got out hitting a leg lariat for two and tagged in Stevens who went to work. Rinauro got away with a bite to the forehead of Stevens and tagged in Rance who was leveled by Stevens’ forearm before being locked in a submission hold. Stevens let the hold go and was backed to a corner but Rance did it to the wrong one and Strong tagged back in. The YRR was able to get Strong away from his corner and went to work. But Strong got free and tagged Stevens back in. Stevens had control until Rinauro raked his eyes on the ropes. Rance joined in with a choke on the ropes as Rinauro taunted Stevens. The YRR isolated Stevens and made tags wearing him down but Stevens got free and tagged out to Strong who went to work on both men. Things broke down as all four men got involved before Rance caught Strong with a low blow as Rinauro dumped Stevens off the top rope to the floor where he remained for several minutes. This allowed the YRR to take control once more for several minutes bending the rules as far as they could possibly go. Strong fought back defeat and was able to finally tag in Stevens who got to his corner despite his pain ravaged body telling him to stop. With Strong on the floor recovering, Stevens took on the YRR and nearly getting the win on his own. But Rinauro hit a superkick for two just as Strong got back in the ring to save Stevens. All four men fought in the ring and had several near falls. The YRR went to end Stevens but Strong stopped Rance’s top rope move sending him into Stevens’ clothesline. In the end Rinauro fell to a double team move as Stevens held him while Strong hit a running kick to the head.
2009 - Northeast Wrestling ran their annual Wrestlefest event in Bristol, CT. Tyrell Vance filed the following live report:
I attended Wrestlefest XIII in Bristol, CT. I got there early because of the fact that Ric Flair would be there and it was a good thing too. By 3:30 pm there were already two decent sized lines forming. NEW had set up a VIP ticket that allowed fans a chance to get in at 5 pm instead of the normal 5:30 opening for the event. I had a VIP ticket and was one of the first to get inside to meet Flair.
When the doors opened we had our tickets and pass check and went down to see Flair. The staff would let 15 groups in at a time (the one VIP ticket got everyone in your party 1 picture). NEW also gave out event posters so that if you had your own camera you could still have something he could sign. The 15 groups would take their pictures and then he would sit down and sign the items you had. If you didn't take a picture with your own camera, you got a digital picture printed and a hall of fame cover for it. The only issue that came was after that you still had to wait till 5:30 for the rest of the meet and greet. People that were signing were Kevin Nash, Jimmy Hart, Velvet Sky, Paul London, Romeo Roselli and even Reid Flair. Along with that a lot of the NEW wrestlers like Brian Anthony, Amber, Jason Blade, Ron Zombie, the retiring Kurt Adonis, Jalil Salaam and "Maniac" Michael Sane.
The actual show started about 10 or 15 minutes after the 7:30 start but I did notice by 7:20 if not sooner it seems as if the line was pretty much gone. The show started with the Platinum poppa Rob Eckos taking on Frankie Arion. It was a good opener with a lot Eckos stealing the win by blocking the victory roll and grabbing the ropes.
After that was Amber versus velvet sky this match was very underwhelming as it seems like they never clicked in the ring. There were a number of awkward moments including the finish where Sky was sent to the turnbuckle, Amber charged and when Sky went for the handspring Sky came down on here. Sky won with the lung blower.
After that we had Jalil Salaam versus Ron Zombie which was nothing but a brawl. Zombie was going after Salaam and Salaam was doing anything to get away which lead to a double count out. after that out came Jimmy Hart to introduce Brian Anthony and it lead to the next match; Purity Kurt Adonis versus Brian Anthony w/ Jimmy Hart this was Kurt’s retirement match and as he said the night before at his retirement dinner he will do anything to entertain the crowd whether he won or lost that didn't matter. On this night he ended on his back as he lost to Anthony via the Piper/Hart Wrestlemania 8 finish. Kurt then got attacked with the megaphone by Anthony.
They announced the card for their May 2nd show then kept the action coming with a great match between Eddie Edwards versus Paul London Paul came out in a NASA outfit and 3d sunglasses and at one point tickled Edwards on a rope break. They were flying all over the place with fast pace action ending with Paul getting the win with a shooting star press. After the match Paul shake hands with almost every ringside fan and sent us into intermission with an army crawl from one side of the ring to another and the a roll out of it.
We came back with a six man match between Nash, Reid Flair, Charlie Dreamer versus "Maniac" Michael Sane, Chris King 1? And the man scout this was setup to give Reid the stage to work. There were people chanting at Nash not to get injured to which he replied don’t worry I won’t and that he only gets hurt when he’s healthy. You could clearly see Ric peaking thru the curtain to watch. A good deal of comedy until Reid hit the figure 4 for the win. We then had our main event match; NEW champion Jason Blade versus Romeo Roselli. This was a short but decent match with Jason getting the win with a super kick and a frog splash. Afterwards Eddie Edwards came out and beat down Jason and tombstone him on the belt.
To end the night we had Ric Flair come and talks about how he appreciates coming back and said that promoter Mike O’Brien thinks that Piper is the bigger star, which gets boos. Flair said that is why he gets the big bucks and told the story of how Piper got sent out of TBS because no one could match his wit. Out comes Jimmy Hart with Brian Anthony and he talks about how Flair is a legend and all but got beat down by Chris Jericho. He said even Brian could beat Jericho, to which Brian cracks Ric in the face. Off comes the jacket and here comes a beat down from Ric to Brian. Ric then invites Jimmy in the ring. Jimmy is slow to do so Reid comes out to help Jimmy get in the Ric. Ric does the Figure 4 on Jimmy and the crowd goes home happy.
Overall it was a great show that saw only one match not geling well and another match that seemed to be more about comedy then anything. London and Edwards stole the show, no doubt. Ron Zombie and Paul London came back out to sign and take pictures. Paul stayed as long as he could after the show to talk to fans… even when his ride was telling him " we have to go".
2010 - WWE held Wrestlemania 26, featuring the final match in the career of Shawn Michaels. Here is the original report on the show:
The show opened with a flyover, and Fantasia singing "America The Beautiful." We then had a really cool opening video, spotlighting different matches on the card and ending with The Undertaker.
Michael Cole welcomed us to the show, and said there were more then 70,000 fans in attendance. Cole, Jerry Lawler and Matt Striker will be the announce team for the show. The Spanish announcers, Carlos Cabrera and Hugo Savinovich are back at ringside for the show.
WWE Unified Tag Team Champions Miz & Big Show vs. R-Truth & John Morrison.
R-Truth did his full entrance, then Morrison did his, while Big Show and The Miz entered together. They closed the roof again, so I guess they just opened it for the flyover.
Morrison and Miz started off, with Miz hitting a back elbow, but Morrison catching him with a dropkick for a two count. Morrison slammed Miz and tagged in Truth. Morrison legdropped Miz on the mat, while Truth followed with a top rope legdrop for two. Truth hit a side kick, and Miz tagged out to Big Show. Truth went for a bodyblock, but Show caught it and hit a fallaway slam. Show hit a shot to the body, then shoved Morrison off the apron. Show chopped Truth to the mat, then went to the second rope, but Morrison got back on the apron and kicked Show in the head. Show crashed to the mat, then crawled over to tag Miz. Morrison tagged in and hit Miz with a kick and a flapjack. Miz went for a sunset flip, but Morrison rolled through it and hit a running knee to the head. Morrison went for Starship Pain, but Show pulled Miz out of the way and to the floor. Morrison crashed to the mat.
R-Truth went for a pescado, but Show caught it and rammed him into the ringpost. In the ring, Miz went for the Skull Crushing Finale on Morrison, but Morrison blocked it and and rolled up Miz for a two count. Big Show made a blind tag off of Miz. Morrison, not knowing it happened, ducked a Miz clothesline and went for the Flying Chuck kick. As Morrison jumped on the ropes, Big Show caught him with a right hand from the apron. Big Show got in the ring and pinned Morrison at the four minute mark.
Winners: Big Show & The Miz.
A video package on the different events that have taken place this weekend in Arizona was shown including the golf tournament, art auction, Axxess, and the reading challenge.
Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Ted DiBiase in a Triple Threat match.
Ted DiBiase entered first, then Cody Rhodes, then Randy Orton. Rhodes and DiBiase stood together while Orton was making his way to the ring, discussing strategy.
DiBiase and Rhodes tried to corner Orton, who tried to keep his space while throwing a forearm at DiBiase and a kick at Rhodes. Orton went in and out of the ring, getting Cody to follow. Orton hit DiBiase with a clothesline, then knocked Rhodes out of the ring as he got in. Orton kicked DiBiase, then dropkicked Rhodes. DiBiase caught Orton with a dropkick, and then the double team began with Rhodes and DiBiase stomping Orton down. Rhodes and DiBiase trash talked Orton, then took turns holding him with the other punched him. Orton tried to fight back, but was given a double vertical suplex.
DiBiase and Rhodes taunted Orton, then kicked him down in a corner. They whipped Orton into a corner, and Orton came out swinging, until DiBiase nailed him with a clothesline. DiBiase hit Orton with another clothesline while Rhodes clipped Orton' leg. Rhodes gave Orton a kneedrop, then went to climb the ropes. While he did that, DiBiase tried to make a cover. Rhodes broke it up, and the two argued. Rhodes threw DiBiase out of the ring and hit the Alabama Slam. Rhodes covered, and DiBiase broke it up. They argued, and DiBiase slugged Rhodes. Rhodes responded by tackling DiBiase, and they rolled to the floor and brawled.
Rhodes and DiBiase rolled back in and kept punching. They two realized Orton was getting up, so they stopped fighting and charged him. Orton backdropped DiBiase, slugged Rhodes, then gave DiBiase and Rhodes each a powerslam. DiBiase rolled out of the ring, and Orton gave Rhodes a side backbreaker. The fans chanted for an "RKO" and Orton measured Rhodes for it, but DiBiase pulled him out of the ring. DiBiase and Orton slugged it out on the floor, and Rhodes went for a pescado. Orton moved, and Rhodes landed on DiBiase.
Orton rolled back into the ring, and DiBiase got on the apron. Orton kicked him and grabbed his head. Rhodes got on the apron as well, and Orton kicked him. Orton grabbed Rhodes and DiBiase and hit a double elevated DDT with both men hanging off the ropes. Orton kicked DiBiase out of the ring, and began measuring Rhodes for an RKO. Orton then changed his mind, and instead lined up for a punt. Orton punted Rhodes in the head. DiBiase got in the ring, grabbed Orton from behind and went for Dream Street. Orton armdragged out of it, hit DiBiase with the RKO and got the pin on DiBiase at the nine minute mark.
Winner: Randy Orton.
They aired a "Don't try this at home" promo.
Backstage, Josh Mathews interviewed Vickie Guerrero, who was accompanied by her partners. Josh gave her a grandiose introduction, then asked her "Is that what you wanted?" Vickie talked about it being her first Wrestlemania match, and how she would create a moment in history that would last forever. She then brought in Jillian Hall, who sang "Simply The Best" which only Vickie seemed to enjoy. Team Guerrero left, and Santino Marella walked in. Santino plugged Slim Jim, and said "Anything is possible when you bite into a Slim Jim" and he bit into one. Jillian "transformed" into Mae Young, who kissed Santino. Santino bit again, and Mae turned into Mean Gene Okerlund... in a dress. Santino bit one more time, and Gene turned into Melina. Melina said "Well, anything is possible" and walked off with Santino.
Money In The Bank with Christian vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Kane vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Jack Swagger vs. MVP vs. Evan Bourne vs. Matt Hardy vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Kofi Kingston.
Order of entry was Kofi Kingston, MVP, Evan Bourne, Jack Swagger, Shelton Benjamin, Matt Hardy, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre, Kane and finally Christian. I'll do my best to cover the big spots here, obviously, there will be a lot going on. There were some huge ladders (in terms of width, not just height) in the aisle.
Everyone started brawling at the bell, with a lot of the combatants going to the floor almost immediately. McIntyre was left alone in the ring, and as MVP tried to get a ladder in, McIntyre grabbed it and began climbing. Matt Hardy stopped him, and along with Hardy and Bourne, knocked him out of the ring. There was a race up the ladder, with several people trying to race up it. Evan Bourne almost reached the case, but Kane pulled him down and tossed him from the ring onto Benjamin. Hardy and Swagger climbed the ladder, but Kofi toppled it and sent them down. Christian threw a ladder at Hardy and Swagger in a corner, then monkey flipped Kofi into the ladder.
Christian climbed a ladder, but Ziggler pulled him off with a Zig Zag. Ziggler climbed a ladder, but MVP pulled him down. MVP then climbed, but Kane stopped him and was setting for a chokeslam. Benjamin and Kofi hit Kane with ladders. MVP, Kofi and Benjamin worked on Kane, but Kane powerbombed Kofi into a ladder. MVP kicked Kane from the ring. Benjamin gave MVP Paydirt. Shelton gave McIntyre a baseball slide kick as he tried to bring another ladder in the ring. Shelton climbed a ladder, but Swagger used another ladder to knock him down. Swagger used a ladder to knock several people off the apron, until Bourne came off the top rope with a flying knee on Swagger.
Bourne and Swagger fought under a ladder, while Matt Hardy and Christian got more ladders. Swagger got sandwiched between ladders by Christian and Hardy. Christian and Hardy bridged two ladders on the one that was standing and climbed up, where Bourne joined them. Matt was knocked off, then Bourne kicked Christian off. Bourne gave Christian Air Bourne off the ladder. Bourne climbed up, but Matt met hum at the top, Matt gave Bourne a hip toss off the top of the ladder. Swagger climbed up and shoved Hardy off the ladder onto the remaining ladder that was still bridged to the one that was set up.
MVP and Benjamin cleared out the excess ladders, and both climbed the standing ladder. Benjamin knocked MVP to the mat, but MVP got up and grabbed Benjamin for a powerbomb. Benjamin turned it into a rana, and both men fell to the floor. Kane wiped out MVP and Benjamin with a ladder on the floor. Kane got in the ring and began climbing. Dolph jumped in the ring and climbed over Kane to get ahead of him on the ladder. Kane toppled the ladder to knock Dolph down, then threw a ladder at him, but Ziggler ducked it. Kane punched Ziggler, then chokeslammed him on the ladder that Kofi was bringing in the ring. Kane put Ziggler between the halves of a ladder and repeatedly slammed it closed on him. Kane tore the ladder in half, but Kofi kicked him and sent him from the ring. Kofi took the broken ladder, and used it like stilts to walk to the center of the ring. Great spot. Kofi began climbing the halves, but McIntyre broke it up and sent Kofi from the ring.
McIntyre grabbed a new ladder and climbed up. Hardy got in and the two of them slugged it out near the top of the ladder. McIntyre knocked him off, but Matt toppled the ladder and McIntyre got crotched on the top rope and fell to the floor. Matt climbed the ladder, but Kane came in with another ladder. Matt kept kicked Kane back into the corner. Christian got in, and rode one ladder out of the corner to land next to Hardy. Christian and Hardy were now on top of two ladders, fighting it out. Kane climbed up, but Hardy and Christian knocked him down. Hardy teased a Twist Of Fate on Christian off the ladder, but Christian blocked it and gave Hardy a reverse DDT off the ladder. Christian climbed the two ladders, with Jack Swagger toppling one of them, then climbing up the other to stop Christian. Jack Swagger used the hanging briefcase to hit Christian and knocked Christian off the ladder. Swagger, with a great deal of difficulty, unhooked the briefcase for the win at the 14-minute mark.
Winner: Jack Swagger.
Jerry Lawler noted that recently Swagger said if he won Money In The Bank, he might cash it in right here at Wrestlemania.
A video package on last night's Hall Of Fame ceremony was shown. Howard Finkel was then shown in the ring, and introduced the Hall Of Fame Class of 2010, who all came out on the stage. Stu Hart was represented by the Hart family, minus Bret. Mad Dog Vachon mugged from his wheelchair, like he used to in his interviews. He was accompanied by one Bella Twin, while the other escorted Gorgeous George's ex-wife, Betty Wagner. Ted DiBiase was introduced last, to the biggest reaction.
A video package on the events leading to Triple H vs. Sheamus was shown. When recapping Triple H's promo on Raw about how he was crushed at his first Wrestlemania, they showed clips of the Ultimate Warrior squashing him, followed by clips of Triple H's subsequent Wrestlemania matches.
Triple H vs. Sheamus.
The announcers focused on this being Sheamus' first Wrestlemania during his entrance. Triple H's entrance included a barrage of green laser lights. They opened the roof for Triple H's entrance, as he had pyro going off from the top of the lighting grid into the sky.
They locked up at the bell, and Sheamus shoved Triple H in the corner and yelled "I'm the future" at Triple H. They locked up again, and Triple H slapped Sheamus in a corner. Triple H hit some right hands, then teased a Pedigree, but Sheamus crawled away quickly. Triple H gestured that he almost had Sheamus. Triple H hit a clothesline and a vertical suplex, then did a crotch chop before hitting a kneedrop. Sheamus rolled from the ring, and Triple H followed, ramming him into the security wall. Back in the ring, Triple H hit a chop block, then applied a figure four leglock, while the fans yelled "Whoo!" and Michael Cole mentioned Ric Flair being Triple H's mentor. Sheamus made the ropes for a break, then rolled to the floor.
Triple H went after him, and Sheamus managed to shove Triple H into the ringsteps. Sheamus stretched out his leg, then went back after Triple H, ramming him into the security wall. Back in the ring, Triple H threw a right hand, but Sheamus took it and came back with a uranage into a backbreaker. Sheamus hit a second, then delivered a series of knees and kicks in the corner to a downed Triple H. They slugged it out a bit, then Sheamus hit a double ax handle for a two count. Sheamus delivered a knee to the back and an elbow to the head, then punched Triple H on the mat and got a two count. Sheamus applied a crossface, and drove his knee into Triple H's back. Sheamus hit an over-the-shoulder powerslam for a two count, then went into an armbar.
Triple H got to his feet as Sheamus switched to a chinlock. Triple H used a back suplex to escape, then booted Sheamus in the face twice as the latter charged at him. Sheamus went for a slam, but Triple H floated over and hit a DDT. They traded punches, with the crowd cheering for HHH's punches. Triple H went for a backdrop, but Sheamus kicked it away. Triple H responded with a jumping knee and a facebuster on the knee for a two count. Triple H went for a Pedigree, but Sheamus tripped him. Triple H kicked Sheamus away, and Sheamus slammed into a corner. Triple H hit a reverse neckbreaker, then set up for a superplex. Sheamus slid under it and went to pull Triple H off into a crucifix bomb. Triple H slid out of it. Sheamus went for a pump kick, but Triple H ducked it. Triple H went for a Pedigree, but Sheamus backdropped out of it. Sheamus hit the pump kick, but Triple H kicked out at two.
There was a chant for Triple H. Sheamus went for a powerbomb, but Triple H fought out of it and hit a spinebuster for a near fall. Both men were slow to get up, and Sheamus went to the ring apron. Sheamus punched Triple H as he went after him, and hit the pump kick while standing on the apron. Sheamus collapsed into the ring, and was slow to get up. Instead of going for a cover, Sheamus lifted up Triple H, who was dead weight. Sheamus struggled, and as he pulled Triple H up, Triple H suddenly grabbed Sheamus and hit the Pedigree for the pin at the 12-minute mark. Triple H was playing possum.
Winner: Triple H.
A Slim Jim commercial was shown. Well, they are the sponsor!
A video package on the events leading to CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio was shown.
CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio. If Mysterio loses, he has to join Punk's Straight Edge Society.
CM Punk came out first, accompanied by Serena and Luke Gallows. Punk had a mic, and ragged on the crowd for being "so hopped up on hallucinogenic drugs, they think Rey Mysterio is a superhero." Punk said he is seen as a monster, but he is a savior, and he will save Rey Mysterio. Punk said after he beats Mysterio, all of the fans will choose him as their savior. CM Punk had trunks designed with a logo similar to the old G.I. Joe comic book logo with his name on it. Mysterio had an Avatar outfit this year, complete with braided hair coming off his mask.
Luke and Serena teased coming into the ring almost immediately, distracting Rey and allowing Punk to attack him. Rey countered by giving Punk a drop toe hold into the turnbuckles. Rey went to the ropes, but Punk grabbed him and put him in a Tree of Woe. Serena choked Rey while the referee wasn't looking. Punk went for a baseball slide, but Rey sat up and Punk crotched himself on the ringpost. Rey tried to kick Punk from the ring apron while Punk was on the floor, but Punk grabbed him and slammed Rey face first into the ring steps. Rey crawled into the ring at the count of nine and Punk mauled him with punches for a two count.
Punk put Rey in a sleeperhold, but Rey elbowed out and kicked Punk's leg. Punk blocked a Mysterio leapfrog and tossed him to the apron. Rey kicked Punk then hit a springboard senton. Rey then went for a springboard bodypress, but Punk twisted it into a belly to belly suplex for a two count. Rey rolled through a sunset flip attempt, and went for a kick, but Punk ducked it. Rey went for a rana, but Punk threw it away and hit a kick to Rey's head for a pair of two counts. Punk got on top of Rey in a test of strength, but Rey got up, jumped onto the top rope, and flipped off into a nasty DDT for a two count. Rey dropkicked Punk into 619, position, but Punk caught it and set up for the GTS. Rey fought out of it, and went for a springboard moonsault, but Punk caught that and teased a GTS again. Rey fought out of it and kicked Punk in the head. Rey went to the top rope, and did the old Eddie Guerrero shimmy, but missed a frog splash. Punk covered Rey for a two count.
Punk hit a jumping knee in a corner, but Rey shoved off the attempted bulldog. Punk kicked Rey and went for a powerbomb, but Rey armdragged out of it and set up Punk for a 619. Serena covered Punk so Rey wouldn't do it, but Rey went to run the ropes anyway. However, Gallows was standing on the opposite apron, so Rey stopped in his tracks. Punk grabbed Rey from behind and went for a GTS, but Rey turned it into a rana, sending Punk into the midsection of Gallows, knocking him off the apron. Rey nailed Punk with the 619 and then followed it with a springboard splash for the win at the seven minute mark.
Winner: Rey Mysterio.
A video package on the events leading to Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon was shown.
Vince McMahon vs. Bret Hart in a No Holds Barred match.
Bret Hart entered first, wearing jean shorts, a Hitman T-shirt, and his trademark leather jacket and sunglasses. Vince McMahon then came out in his usual wrestling gear, with a microphone. Vince said that Bret was in "his ring" and in "his greatest creation" and that Bret was about to get a huge "screwing" tonight. Vince said he went to great expense to bring in a whole punch of lumberjacks and a special referee. Vince said "Bret screwed Bret" and "Vince screwed Bret" and now "Bret's entire family screwed Bret." Out came the Hart Dynasty, in their gear, and the rest of the Hart family. The Hart family then accompanied Vince to the ring. The announcers speculated that Vince brought off the entire Hart Family.
The Hart family surrounded the ring, and Vince entered. Bruce Hart got in the ring, and took off his jacket and shirt to reveal a referee's shirt. Bruce then hugged Vince while the Harts at ringside applauded. Bret got on the mic and said he couldn't believe the whole family agreed to this. Bret said "What's done is done" but is sure that since they were Harts, they all got paid up front and already cashed the checks. Bret then revealed that one thing he learned from Montreal is how to have a good double-cross. Bret revealed that the family came to him with Vince's plan, and that the family was stronger than ever. Bruce hugged Bret, and Vince realized he was now surrounded by Harts. Bret punched Vince and slugged him to the mat. Bret then choked Vince against the bottom rope.Vince was sent to the floor, and the Harts beat up on him, punctuated by Natalya slapping him. Vince stumbled up the aisle, where the Hart Dynasty stomped him. They worked over Vince, and David Hart Smith lifted up Vince on the floor. Tyson Kidd jumped off the top rope and dove to the floor, hitting Vince with a Hart Attack clothesline.
Vince was rolled into the ring, and Bret went to work on Vince's leg, dropping his weight on it. Bret dropped a pair of elbows. Vince rolled out of the ring again, and tried to crawl under the ring. The Harts pulled up back out, but Vince had a crowbar. Vince used the crowbar to keep the Harts at bay, and got back into the ring. Vince got in the ring and tried to hit Bret with it, but Bret ducked it and knocked Vince down. Bruce tossed the crowbar out of the ring. Bret hit Vince with some elbows, and Tyson Kidd handed Bret the crowbar. Bret hit Vince in the shoulder and back with it. Bret yelled for Vince to get up, and as Vince did, Bret blasted him in the back with it. Bret hit Vince in the throat with it, then drove it into his throat again.
Bret grabbed Vince's legs, and the crowd came alive. Bret started to apply the sharpshooter, then stopped. Bret picked up the crowbar and hit Vince in the back with it a few more times. Bret again teased the Sharpshooter, and instead kicked Vince in the nads. Bret stomped on Vince's crotch a second time, and then stomped him repeatedly. Bret just kept stomping Vince, and David Hart Smith slid a chair into the ring. Bret Hart sat down in the chair and watched Vince struggling to crawl on the mat. Bret pretended to look at his watch. Vince managed to get up, and Bret rose up and picked up the chair. Bret slammed Vince with a chair shot across the back, then a second. Fans at ringside asked for one more, and Bret obliged them with a series of chairshots to the back and side. The chair got bent from all the shots. Striker speculated that it was "13 chairshots for thirteen years of frustration". Bret drove the chair into Vince's legs, then blasted him with more chairshots.
Bret grabbed Vince's legs, and slowly, applied the Sharpshooter to an ovation. Vince McMahon tapped out immediately, and Bruce called for the bell at the eleven minute mark to end the mauling, er, match. It was just Vince getting beat up the whole time.
Winner: Bret Hart.
Bret Hart kept the Sharpshooter on for a little longer, then after he let it go, he stood on Vince's back as he walked around the ring. The Hart Family came into the ring to celebrate with Bret.
They announced that next year's Wrestlemania would be in Atlanta, Georgia.
They announced tonight's crowd as 72,219 and set off fireworks on the roof of the stadium.
A video package on the events leading to the World Title match were shown.
World Champion Chris Jericho vs. Edge.
Jericho entered first, then Edge, then they did the "big match" style introductions.
They locked up at the bell and traded reversals, with Jericho grabbing a side headlock. Jericho hit a shoulderblock and raised his arm in victory. Jericho dodged some clotheslines, but Edge hit a shoulderblock and worked over Jericho in a corner. Jericho came back with shots of his own and slapped Edge across the back of the head before hitting forearms in the corner. Edge reversed a whip into the corner and hit a flapjack. Edge measured Jericho for a spear, but Jericho rolled to the floor. Edge went out after him and slammed Jericho into the announcers table, then tossed him back into the ring. As Edge went to get in, Jericho kicked him, then used a baseball slide kick to send Edge to the floor. Jericho posed victoriously in the ring.
Jericho attacked Edge as he crawled in and gave him a catapult into the bottom rope. Jericho hit Edge with a back suplex and then applied a chinlock. Edge fought to his feet, but Jericho threw him down to the mat by his hair. Jericho stomped Edge, then slapped him across the head twice. Jericho hit Edge with some shoulderblocks in a corner, then slapped him. Jericho went for a charge, but Edge moved and Jericho went shoulder first into the ringpost. Edge hit some right hands, then hit a spinkick. Edge went for a backdrop, but Jericho blocked it and threw Edge gut first across the top rope. Jericho went for a springboard dropkick on Edge on the apron, but Edge moved. Jericho landed on the apron, and Edge shoved him off to the floor. Edge then dove off the apron onto Jericho with a clothesline on the floor.
Edge tossed Jericho back in the ring and went to the top rope. Jericho met him there, and they battled on the ropes. Edge ended up pulling Jericho to the mat with a sitdown gourdbuster off the middle rope for a two count. Jericho tripped Edge, but Edge kicked him away. Edge slid out of the ring and tripped Jericho to the mat. Edge went to the top rope for a flying bodypress, but Jericho rolled through it for a two count. Jericho went for the Walls Of Jericho, but Edge twisted his legs and sent Jericho to the mat. Edge hit a sunset flip off the ropes, and they traded reversals off it until Jericho rolled through and kicked Edge in the head. Jericho measured Edge for a Codebreaker, but Edge caught it and tossed Jericho into the corner.
Edge set up for the spear, but Jericho dove over it and hooked Edge's legs, rolling right into the Walls Of Jericho. Edge managed to pull himself under Jericho and grab a small package for a two count. Jericho hit a back elbow and went for a Lionsault. Edge rolled out of the way, Jericho landed on his feet, and Edge pulled Jericho to the mat with a reverse facebuster for two. Jericho hit an enzugiri for a two count. Jericho set up for his bulldog, but Edge kicked Jericho in the gut and hit the Impaler DDT for a two count. Jericho kicked a charging Edge, then hit a flying forearm to the back of Edge's head. Jericho paused for a moment, then smiled. Jericho measured Edge for a spear, and as he charged, Edge kicked him in the face. Edge then measured Jericho for a spear, as the crowd chanted for it. Edge went for the spear, but Jericho caught him with a Codebreaker.
Jericho crawled onto Edge for a cover, but Edge kicked out at two. Jericho went for another cover, but Edge kicked out again. Jericho kicked Edge's bad ankle, then yelled at him to stay down. Jericho stomped the ankle, then did it again. Jericho missed a third stomp, and Edge tried to throw some punches, but Jericho tripped him and applied the Walls Of Jericho. Edge struggled in the hold, and as he almost had the ropes, Jericho pulled him back into the middle of the ring. Jericho switched to a single leg crab, focusing on the bad leg. Edge struggled, and finally made the ropes for a break. Jericho pulled Edge back toward him by the leg, and Edge managed a victory roll for a two count. Edge then charged Jericho with a clothesline, and they tumbled over the top rope and to the floor.
Jericho grabbed the title belt, but Edge hit him, and they made their way back to the apron. Edge got in the ring, and Jericho hit him from the apron, sending Edge into the referee. The ref was only down for a moment, but it allowed Jericho to scoop up the championship and hit Edge with the title belt. Jericho covered Edge, and the referee counted, but Edge barely kicked out at two. Jericho measured Edge, then hit the Codebreaker for the pin at the sixteen minute mark.
Winner: Chris Jericho.
Post-match, Jericho went after Edge's leg, planning to ram it into the post, but Edge kicked him away. Edge rammed Jericho into the announcers table. Edge ripped the top off the announcers tables and put Jericho on one of them. Edge ran across one table, leaped, and speared Jericho off the other table and through the ringside barricade. Edge actually seemed to get a mixed reaction as he got back in the ring.
The announcers discussed the battle royal that was held before the PPV went on the air. They showed clips of Great Khali being eliminated by a group of men, Shad being tossed by William Regal, and then Regal being eliminated by Finlay. They showed Zack Ryder eliminating Mike Knox and Finlay. It came down to Yoshi Tatsu and Zack Ryder, with Tatsu getting the win.
Eve Torres, Beth Phoenix, Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim & Mickie James vs. Alicia Fox, Vickie Guerrero, Maryse, Layla & Michelle McCool.
Both teams entered as a unit, no individual entrances. Vickie has "Excuse Me" themed wrestling gear now. All the face divas charged the ring, and all the heels ran off, except Vickie, who was protected behind the referee. Vickie bumped into Gail Kim and backed her up to start the match. Vickie posed, while Beth Phoenix tagged in. Vickie turned, saw Beth, and screamed. The face divas then tagged in and out, taking turns pounding Vickie Guerrero in a corner. Vickie screamed "Do you know who I am?" at Kelly Kelly, who responded with a kick and her legdrop finisher. Michelle McCool ran in and gave Kelly the Faith Breaker. This led to a sequences of each Diva coming in, one by one, and hitting their finisher, ending with Beth Phoenix giving Alicia Fox a Glam Slam. Phoenix turned her attention to Vickie, who was cowering in the corner. McCool saved Vickie by kicked Phoenix in the head. McCool and Layla then convinced Vickie Guerrero to go to the top rope. They helped her up there, and Vickie pointed to the heavens, then gave Kelly (who was still out from the Faith Breaker) a pretty bad frog splash. Cole called it a "hog splash". Vickie covered Kelly, but Kelly's shoulder rolled up off the mat. Vickie dropped her weight on Kelly over and over with splashes, then got the pin at the four minute mark. Yes, Vickie scored the pin. She celebrated by doing the old Eddie Guerrero shimmy.
Winners: Alicia Fox, Vickie Guerrero, Maryse, Layla & Michelle McCool.
A video package on the events leading to the WWE Title match was shown.
WWE Champion Batista vs. John Cena.
Batista came out first, and there were fans in the front row with "We Hate Cena" shirts. WWE should start making those, then they'd be able to sell shirts to the people that love AND hate Cena at the same time! The Air Force Armored Guard Drill Team was on the stage, and did a display, flipping rifles with bayonets on them. This was followed by Cena making his entrance and he ran to the ring. We then had the "big match" style introductions. Mixed reaction for Cena, mostly boos for Batista.
Batista and Cena circled at the bell, and when they locked up, Batista grabbed a headlock. Batista hit a shoulderblock, then Cena jumped up and grabbed an armbar, then switched to a side headlock. Cena hit a barrage of punches in a corner, but Batista responded by reversing a whip into the corner and hitting Cena with a clothesline to the back of the head. Batista put Cena in a corner and pounded him down, then hit a kick to the head. Batista got on the floor and pulled Cena's neck over the apron. Batista hit an elbow, then kicked Cena in the head.
Back in the ring, Batista went for a vertical suplex, but Cena reversed it and hit his own. Cena hit a bulldog for a two count. Cena went for an Attitude Adjustment, but Batista countered into a DDT for a two count. Batista hit a running kick to a downed Cena for another two count, then applied a sleeper with a body scissors. Cena got to his feet, carrying Batista on his back. Cena pulled out of the hold, but Batista kneed him in the back. Cena and Batista traded punches, then Batista kicked Cena in the gut and hit a neckbreaker for a two count. Batista put Cena in a front facelock, but Cena broke out and kicked a charging Batista. Batista missed another charge, and Cena hit a pair of shoulderblocks and a back suplex into a powerbomb. Cena did the "You Can't See Me" and went for the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Batista jumped up and hit a spinebuster.
Batista called for the Batista Bomb, but Cena tripped him and put him in an STF. Batista made the ropes to force the break. Batista got to his feet, and immediately charged Cena with a spear for a two count. Batista hit some shoulderblocks in the corner, then put Cena on the top rope. They ended up in a test of strength on the ropes, and Cena hit some headbutts. Cena knocked Batista to the mat, and Cena did the "You Can't See Me" and then delivered a top rope fistdrop. Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment, but Batista grabbed the ropes. Cena pulled Batista back, but lost the handle on his move. Batista landed on his feet and hit Cena with a Batista Bomb. Cena got a shoulder up at two. Batista couldn't believe it, and said "Are you kidding me?" to the referee.
Batista went for a Batista Bomb, but Cena floated out and went for an Attitude Adjustment. Batista countered into a slam, then Cena countered back again and hit an Attitude Adjustment, pretty much flinging Batista through the air with it. Batista kicked out at two. Cena went to the top rope and went for the top rope Rocker Dropper, but Batista caught it and gave Cena a spinebuster. It actually looked like Batista's leg got caught under Cena in an ugly way, but he got right back up. Batista went for a Batista Bomb, but Cena floated over into a sunset flip and hooked an STF. Batista reached for the ropes, but quickly faded and limply tapped out at the fourteen minute mark.
Winner and new WWE Champion: John Cena.
The events leading to the main event were shown.
The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels in a no DQ, no countout match. If Michaels loses, his career is over.
Shawn Michaels entered first wearing a new outfit, but it was his usual entrance. Undertaker came up through a lift on the stage floor, and was wearing a new sleeveless leather hooded robe.
They stood face to face before the bell rang. Shawn Michaels made a throat slashing gesture at Undertaker, angering him. The bell rang and Undertaker charged. Shawn dodged it and hit some chops. Taker whipped Michaels into the corner and Michaels flipped upside down. Undertaker hit Snake Eyes and a running boot to the face. Undertaker hit an avalanche and went for the Old School rope walk, but Michaels kept blocking it. Undertaker finally got to the top rope and hitting a shoulderblock, then hit the forearm. Undertaker shook his leg, as if he had hurt it on the landing. Undertaker went for a chokeslam, but Michaels kicked Taker's leg. Undertaker was limping. Undertaker threw some punches, then went for a tombstone, but Shawn wriggled out of it.
Shawn furiously punched Taker and tried for a crossface, but Taker fought it off. Undertaker grabbed Shawn by the throat, but Shawn kicked his bad leg. Shawn went for a superkick, but Underaker dodged it. Shawn, realizing Undertaker was favoring the leg, went after it, kicking it and putting Taker down in the corner. Undertaker fought back with punches, but Shawn kicked at the leg again. Undertaker clotheslines Shawn Michaels over the top rope and to the floor. Undertaker teased a dive, but Shawn dove back into the ring and shoulderblocked Undertaker in the bad leg. Michaels went for a spinning toe hold, but Undertaker kicked Shawn away and to the floor.
Undertaker picked up Michaels and rammed him back first into the ringpost. Undertaker put Shawn on the apron and delivered the apron legdrop. Undertaker got back in the ring, still favoring the leg. Shawn tripped Undertaker and quickly applied a figure four leglock. Undertaker sat up in the hold, but Michaels increased the pressure. Undertaker sat up again, and glared at Michaels, but Michaels kept the hold applied. Undertaker was finally able to turn the hold over, and Michaels broke free from it.
They got to their feet, and Michaels threw some chops, while Take responded with punches. Michaels kicked at the leg and threw more chops, but Undertaker delivered some big punches. Michaels hit a slew of chops, then a flying forearm. Michaels did a kip up, and turned right into a chokeslam by the Undertaker. Michaels kicked out at two. Undertaker went for a tombstone, but Michaels wriggled free and grabbed Undertaker in an ankle lock. Shawn added a leglace to the move, Undertaker used his free leg to kick Michaels in the head twice and break the hold. They got to their feet, and Michaels clotheslined Undertaker over the top rope and to the floor. Michaels landed on the apron, and springboarded off the middle rope into a bodypress. Undertaker caught Michaels and Michaels tried to escape his grip, but Undertaker turned him over and gave Michaels a tombstone piledriver on the floor.
Shawn was down on the floor, and Undertaker slumped over the ring steps trying to recover. A trainer came out to check on Michaels, and Taker threw him to the side. Undertaker rolled Michaels into the ring and covered him, but Michaels kicked out at two. Undertaker set up Shawn for a Last Ride, but Michaels turned it into a facebuster for a two count. Michaels went to the top rope and went for the flying elbow, but Undertaker got his knees up, catching Shawn in the ribs. Shawn and Undertaker were down, and as Shawn crawled towards Undertaker, Taker grabbed him in Hell's Gate. Michaels flipped over it into a pinning position, forcing Undertaker to break the hold. As they got up, Michaels hit Undertaker with a superkick. Michaels covered Undertaker for a two count.
Michaels got to his feet and began to stomp. He went for the superkick as Taker was on his knees, but Taker blocked it. Undertaker grabbed Michaels leg, hit him in the gut, then planted him with the Last Ride powerbomb. Undertaker covered Michaels, but HBK got his shoulder up just before the three count. Undertaker threw Michaels to the floor, and pulled the cover off the announcers table and cleared if off. Undertaker slapped his bad leg to get feeling back in it. Undertaker set up Michaels for a powerbomb through the table, but Michaels floated over it and superkicked Undertaker, knocking Taker onto the cleared table.
Shawn Michaels went to the top rope and moonsaulted to the floor, landing on Undertaker's legs and putting him through the table. Undertaker grabbed his leg on the floor. Michaels crawled over to the Undertaker and pushed him towards the ring. Michaels managed to roll Undertaker into the ring. Undertaker tried to stand up, but fell down. Undertaker used the ropes and got to his feet, then turned and got blasted by another superkick.
Michaels covered Undertaker, and Undertaker kicked out at 2.9999.
Michaels got to his feet, and measured Undertaker for one more superkick. Undertaker sidestepped it, and chokeslammed Michaels, then fell to the mat, clutching his leg. Undertaker lifted himself with the ropes, scooped Michaels off the mat and delivered a tombstone. Undertaker crossed Michaels' arms over him... and Michaels kicked out.
Undertaker shook his head in frustration. Undertaker pulled himself up again, and moved towards Michaels. Undertaker pulled the straps down and started to make the throat slashing gesture, then stopped. Undertaker just looked down at Shawn, who was trying to pull himself up using Taker's body. Undertaker told him to stay down. Shawn looked up at Undertaker, made the throat slashing gesture at him and slapped him across the face. Undertaker got enraged, grabbed Michaels and delivered a JUMPING TOMBSTONE. Undertaker pinned Michaels at the 25-minute mark. 18-0.
Winner: The Undertaker.
They put up a graphic that said 18-0 and set off a ton of fireworks. Undertaker posed in the ring, then they turned the lights back on. Undertaker picked Shawn up off the mat, and offered him a handshake. Undertaker and Shawn shook hands, then hugged. Undertaker then rolled out of the ring, leaving Shawn alone. The fans applauded and chanted "Thank You" at Shawn. Shawn acknowledged the fans, then dropped to his knees in the middle of the ring and prayed. Shawn then got up and headed down the aisle, shaking hands along the way. Shawn said,"I'm gonna drive my kids nuts in 3 weeks" when someone asked him something. The cameras followed Shawn all the way to the stage, where he acknowledged the fans again. The announcers were quiet the whole time, until Jerry Lawler said "Shawn, it's over. We'll miss you. Goodbye."
That ended the show.
2011 - WWE announced The Road Warriors and Paul Ellering would be inducted into their Hall of Fame.
2011 - The NWA Legends Fanfest announced they would be honored Ted Turner into their Hall of Heroes. Turner was not present for the award.
2011 - WWE stars Chris Masters, Curt Hawkins, Dolph Ziggler and JTG appeared on MTV's Silent Library.
2011 - WWE broadcast the go-home Raw for Wrestlemania 27. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live from Chicago, Illinois and your announcers are Michael ‘Demolition was better than the Road Warriors’ Cole, Jerry ‘What a Rush’ Lawler and Josh ‘My favorite was Rocco’ Mathews.
CM Punk is sitting in the center of the ring in his home town and he has a smile on his face. Punk says that he is going to miss this because when he goes to Atlanta, the people at Wrestlemania are not going to receive him as warmly as his people in Chicago. Punk says that they are all his people. Just like the people of the New Nexus were his people, but Randall Keith Orton took them out one by one. Here is the one big glaring difference between Randall and himself. Randall lives in a fantasy world while Punk says that he lives in a real world. Whether you are a member of the New Nexus or live in the town that Punk was born or raised in, he does not really care what happens to you.
You get punted in the head, it is not his problem. Punk says that his problem is Randall Keith Orton. Punk says that if he wants someone to get him coffee or watch his back, all he has to do is snap his fingers and he can get sheep to do things for him. For weeks, the psychological advantage that the Viper has achieved is a false sense of security.
Last week, Orton told the world that he likes to travel around in his superstar bus. Let’s go back to last week and see what happened to Randall at the hands of CM Punk.
We return to Punk in the ring and he likes what he just saw. He says that he knows that Randall Keith Orton cares about his wife and when she goes to sleep at night, she can finally see Randall for who he is. He sees Randall helpless with Punk standing over him. Punk says that Orton never should have kicked him two years ago because he lost a title. Now Orton has lost the respect of his family.
Punk says that he is just getting started. He closes this sick and twisted chapter at Wrestlemania.
Randall’s music plays and he slithers to the ring, but his knee is taped up after the attack last week. Punk punches and kicks Orton as he enters the ring. Punk misses a punch and Orton with a European uppercut followed by the IEDDT.
Orton does his RKO push ups waiting for Punk to get up. Orton gets to his feet and then he thinks about a field goal kick that would make Kevin Butler and Robbie Gould proud.
Orton sets for the kick but his knee gives out and he falls to the mat. Punk is able to get out of the ring and he sees Orton down on the mat and struggling to get up.
Punk returns to the ring and he gets closer to Orton. Punk kicks Orton in the injured leg. Punk stands over Orton while he struggles to get to his feet. Punk gets Orton up for the Go To Sleep and he hits it to the applause of the Chicago crowd.
Punk walks to the back because of the two people in that segment, he is able to walk under his own power.
Christian is walking in the back and he knocks on a door and Edge emerges. Edge says that he can’t lay his hands on Alberto Del Rio on Smackdown, but he can do it on Raw. Christian says that the Raw GM is allowing it.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Christian defeating Alberto Del Rio on Smackdown last week.
Match Number One: Edge and Christian versus Alberto Del Rio and Brodus Clay with Ricardo Rodriguez
Edge and Clay start things off and Edge avoids a punch and he punches Brodus instead. Clay pushes Edge into the corner but Edge with a kick. Christian tags in and he hits a double sledge off the turnbuckles. Edge tags back in and Edge kicks Clay in the arm. Edge and Christian with a double Irish whip and Edge with a clothesline into the corner and Christian with a clothesline into the corner. They send Brodus over the top rope to the floor. Christian with a pescado but Clay catches him. Edge with a baseball slide and that sends Clay to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Del Rio has Christian in an arm bar. We see footage from the commercial break when Del Rio worked on Christian’s shoulder and sent him into the ring post. Christian gets to his feet but Del Rio with a kick and Christian goes to the mat again and Del Rio gets a near fall. Del Rio wraps Christian’s arm in the ropes. Clay tags in and he hits an elbow drop or two on Christian but Christian’s foot is over the rope so the referee stops his count.
Clay stands on Christian’s chest. Del Rio is tagged back in and Clay with a slam and Del Rio hits a leg drop to the chest for a near fall. Del Rio points to the Wrestlemania sign and he slaps Christian. Del Rio runs into boots from Christian and Christian with a tornado DDT. Instead of making the cover, Christian tries to make the tag and he tags in Edge, but Clay also tags in. Edge with clotheslines to Clay but Clay stays on his feet. Edge is caught on a cross body attempt but Edge escapes and hits the Edge-o-Matic. Edge pulls his hair and stomps his feet but Del Rio trips him before he can start the spear.
Christian hits Del Rio but Del Rio sends Christian into the ringside barrier. Edge with a spear on Clay for the three count.
Winners: Edge and Christian
After the match, Del Rio puts Christian in the cross arm breaker and Edge sees what is happening on the floor and Del Rio runs to the back. Edge walks to check on Christian and that allows Del Rio to attack Edge from behind and Del Rio puts Edge in the cross arm breaker. Edge taps but who cares because there is no match going on. Del Rio pulls off Edge’s elbow pad and then he releases the hold and tells Edge that Wrestlemania is his destiny.
It is time to talk about the six person mixed tag match at Wrestlemania.
Tonight, we go to New Jersey where Trish and Snooki are hanging out at a local bar.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a new Sin Cara video package.
Miz is in the back with his lapdog Alex Riley and the WWE logo has been turned upside down.
Lawler and Josh talk about the anticipation of Cena and Rock together tonight.
There is a dingy dingy noise and Michael Cole has his e-mails forwarded to his iPad. Cole quotes. After last week’s beat down at the hand of Michael Cole, he needs to know if Jerry Lawler is truly ready for Wrestlemania. Jerry will go one-on-one with Jack Swagger.
Jerry says that he likes that idea because it is time for some payback for what happened last week.
It is time for an Undertaker/Triple H video package.
They will meet face to face later tonight.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to run through the Wrestlemania Week events in Atlanta.
Match Number Two: Justin Gabriel with Heath Slater, Wade Barrett, and Ezekiel Jackson versus Santino Marella with Vladimir Kozlov, Big Show, Tamina, and Kane
They lock up and Santino with a take down into a front face lock. Santino avoids Slater on the floor and Gabriel with a round kick for a near fall. Gabriel with a key lock. Gabriel misses an elbow drop. Santino does not miss with punches. Santino with a split to avoid a clothesline. Santino with a hip toss and a diving head butt. Kane punches Slater on the floor.
Kozlov trips Gabriel when the referee was not looking. Big Show kicks someone and it is time for the Cobra and he connects and gets the three count.
Winner: Santino Marella
After the match, Santino, Kozlov, Tamina, and Show celebrate in the ring ‘Santino Style’. Kane enters the ring and the fun appears to have left the ring, but Kane joins in the trombone party.
Triple H is walking in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and Keri Hilson is going to perform America the Beautiful at Wrestlemania.
It is time for the Undertaker to make his way to the ring because his music is playing and the building is now covered in a bluish hue.
The tone changes from the Man in Black to the Man with a Mole on his face as Motorhead takes over the sound in the building. Triple H makes his way to ringside to unleash the most electrifying move in Sports Entertainment . . . The GameFountain . . . or is it because Taker’s gong sounds just as Hunter is going to expectorate.
The lights go out and then they come back on and Hunter is face to face with Undertaker. Does Hunter still have the water in his mouth or did he spit in the dark?
I guess we won’t find out for a few minutes because Shawn Michaels’ music plays and he comes to the ring.
Shawn says that he is really sorry and wonders if he is interrupting something. Shawn says that there was absolutely no way that he was going to miss this. This Sunday at Wrestlemania 27, the biggest match of their careers. On one side, you have the Undertaker, the Phenom, the Dead Man, the Last Outlaw, and the greatest streak of all time. The eighteen and oh undefeated Wrestlemania streak.
On the other side you have the Game, Triple H. The Cerebral Assassin, the King of Kings, and thirteen time World Champion. He is also Shawn’s best friend.
After this Sunday, neither one of them will ever be the same again. Wrestlemania 27 . . . No Holds Barred. Shawn says that he has one question. He asks Hunter what in the world makes him think that he can do what Shawn couldn’t.
Hunter asks Shawn if he wants to know the truth. The truth is that Shawn got soft. Somewhere along the way, he thought it was more important to be the Showstopper and Mr. Wrestlemania. He learned that he didn’t have to win every night to be that man. Hunter says that he is not Shawn Michaels and he has to win. Hunter says that he will win. Sixteen years ago, he walked into the locker room for the first time and he saw future legends and icons. He saw one man who stood above the others. One man who was the glue that held this together. He saw that human being do things that no human should have been able to do. He saw that man tape a flak jacket because his ribs were injured. He saw a man crush one half of his face and then work the next night. He didn’t do it because he was told to or had to. That is who he was. If there was a man he should pattern himself after, it was that guy. He was everything that the WWE stood for. Hunter tells Taker that he was that man. He learned to respect him more and more every single day. There is only one guy in the business he respects more . . . as much as Taker and that is Shawn Michaels.
Five or six years ago, they made a pact that if they could not perform at the level that they thought they could, it was time. If they couldn’t accept it, they would end it for the other. Hunter says that he came back after a year off for one thing. He came back and stood in this ring for one reason only. That is to stand here . . . out of respect and look Taker dead in the eyes and tell him ‘It’s Time’
It might not be a popular opinion and Taker might not see that, but Hunter says that he can see that. Taker will always be a legend, an icon, the Phenom, and the Dead Man. Hunter says that he will always respect Taker more than any other. In six days, Taker will no longer be undefeated at Wrestlemania. Whether Hunter wants it to be or not, he is the one . . . as in 18-1. At Wrestlemania 27, Taker and his streak, with all due respect, will rest in peace.
Taker grabs the mic from Hunter and says that if he ever got to the time where he felt that someone should put him down, he would want that person to be Triple H. That is the respect that he has for Hunter. But it ain’t that time. He knows that Hunter is going to kill himself trying. In the end, the streak will be alive and so will he.
If Hunter doesn’t want to take his word for it, just ask Shawn. Shawn walks around every day of his life as the man who gave him the two greatest Wrestlemania matches of his career. He came ‘thatclose’ yet he still didn’t get it done.
Taker says that when he looks in the eyes of Shawn Michaels, he doesn’t see the same confidence and the same arrogance. He sees a man that he humbled. He sees a man who will soon go into the Hall of Fame full of regrets. He sees a man whose career he ended. Taker gives the mic to Shawn.
Shawn tries for Sweet Chin Music but Taker blocks it. Taker grabs Shawn by the throat and Hunter gets in the middle of the situation for a stare down.
Hunter tells Shawn to tell him why he is going to beat him at Wrestlemania.
Shawn doesn’t say anything. He walks out of the ring looking dejected. Shawn tells Hunter that he can’t beat Taker.
Taker smiles at Hunter and tips his hat to him before he leaves the ring and we hear Taker’s music play.
We go to commercial and are reminded that Rock, Miz, and John Cena have their face off later.
Match Number Three: Jack Swagger with Michael Cole versus Jerry Lawler
Cole gets on the apron to yell at Lawler and that distraction allows Swagger to hit Lawler from behind. Swagger with a Swagger Bomb to Lawler and Jerry rolls to the apron. Swagger kicks Lawler to the floor. Swagger sends Lawler into the ring bell pit. Lawler punches Swagger and hits him with a steel chair. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Jack Swagger by disqualification
Lawler hits Swagger with the chair a few more times. Then he sees Cole and Cole runs into his Rabbit Hole. Lawler hits the enclosure a few times with the chair and then he is restrained by the most competent security in wrestling history. Cole cowers in the corner of his cubby hole and then he throws his beverage at Lawler.
Cole yells at Lawler from across the ringside area.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: Vickie Guerrero pinning John Morrison last week.
Vickie Guerrero comes out and she mocks John Morrison’s slo mo entrance.
Vickie makes her way to the ring and she throws out a few Excuse Mes. She tells Snooki that what happened to Morrison last week will happen to her. Vickie says that Snooki will be in a familiar position, passed out and unconscious.
We see Sheamus’ response to Daniel Bryan’s challenge for Wrestlemania.
Match Number Four: Dolph Ziggler and Sheamus versus John Morrison and Daniel Bryan
Sheamus and Morrison start things off and Sheamus with forearms. Sheamus with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot. Morrison knocks Ziggler off the apron. Morrison tries for a springboard round kick but Sheamus catches him and hits an uranage back breaker for a near fall. We go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus gets a near fall on Morrison. Sheamus with a snap mare and then he tries to work on Morrison’s back. Morrison with a mule kick to get away from Sheamus. Bryan and Ziggler tag in and he hits a clothesline or two. Bryan with a drop kick that knocks Sheamus off the apron. Ziggler with a rollup for a near fall. Bryan applies the LaBell Lock but Sheamus with a kick to Bryan and then he tags in and hits a clothesline and gets a near fall.
Morrison with a kick to Ziggler and then Sheamus throws Morrison out of the ring. Bryan tries for the LaBell Lock but Sheamus gets away. Bryan misses the running drop kick into the corner. Sheamus hits the Celtic Cross for the three count.
Winners: Sheamus and Dolph Ziggler
We go to footage from earlier tonight when Randy Orton could not run across the ring to kick CM Punk in the head. We then see Punk give Randy Orton a Go To Sleep.
We see Randall with his knee iced and Scott Stanford asks Randall if he will make it to Wrestlemania. Randall says that he has serious anger management issues. He has ended careers of men that he does not know that well. Orton says that he has never despised a man as much as he despises CM Punk. The question should not be will whether he makes it to Wrestlemania, the question should be will CM Punk make it out of Wrestlemania.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to see who has already been announced for the 2011 WWE Hall of Fame. It is time for the final inductees and it is the Road Warriors and Paul Ellering.
It is time to go to Miami Mikes where Trish Stratus is with Snooki and Snooki is having a beverage. Someone interrupts the interview. Josh asks Snooki about the training. She says that she has learned the moves. The guy hits on Snooki and Trish but Snooki slaps him and he is escorted out. Trish says that Snooki is teaching her some moves too. They are ready for Wrestlemania.
We are told that LayCool are in the bar and we go to Jersey. Snooki throws a drink in Layla’s face and we have a spontaneous brawl. Where is Tim White when you need him. LayCool are escorted from the bar.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to see how I am spending the evening of April 4th with four hours of WWE coverage.
The Rock is in the back and he turns around and he paces. Rock’s music plays and he makes his way into the arena.
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFINALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLY . . . the Rock has come back to Chicago.
He is back to the city where it all started for the Rock. Chicago is a very special place to the Rock. The Rock competed in his very first Wrestlemania in this very building. The Rock never admitted this, but on that night he was nervous. The Rock was nervous but he did something that would define the rest of his career. The Rock decided to ‘bring it’. On that night, it was the unofficial birth of Team Bring It. The Rock Brings it. The Rock’s fans bring it. Team Bring It isn’t just a slogan. It is a way of life. You knock down doors . . . you kick down walls. If anyone tells you that you can’t, you take your fears and your insecurities, your worries, and your roll them into a ball. You turn those sumbitches sideways and stick them straight up their candy ass.
Rock says that when you are on Team Bring It, you go after your dreams. Rock says that he had a dream of his own. That dream was that he came into this ring and he called out John Cena.
The crowd chants ‘Cena Sucks’ and the Rock lets them continue.
The Rock calls out John Cena and his wannabe rap music hits. Cena saunters down the ramp in his bright rainbow shirts looking like a homeless Power Ranger. John Cena comes into the ring and tells The Rock ‘You Can’t See Me’. Rock says ‘you wanna see something Vanilla Ice. How about you see this’ The Rock’s fist to his lips and his boot right to his ass.
Then the Rock woke up with the dream over. This is reality. Rock tells John Cena that the reality is that the Rock is here. The Great One is here. The Rock ain’t alone. He is never alone. Rock is never alone because he is with the millions . . . and millions of the Rock’s fans. Rock says that the People’s Champ is here.
John Cena’s music plays and he comes out to the ring.
Cena says that this is what he wanted. Finally the Rock is back in a WWE ring. Cena says that the Rock is cooking like he never missed a snack. Sat down this jabroni. If you smell this. This is where the Rock belongs. He asks Rock if he hears the people. He asks if Rock hears the millions chanting his name. Years ago when he opened his mouth about the Rock, he was one of the millions. He didn’t know why the Rock left and he wanted the Rock back for moments like this. When there is not an empty seat in the house because of the power that Rock has over the people. If Rock doesn’t believe him, he tells the Rock to listen.
The fans chant for Rock.
Cena tells Rock if he doesn’t believe him, he tells Rock to feel the electricity that can only be brought by one man. Cena says that he was glad that Rock came back because he was smoking. He says that the Rock mentioned his name and it felt like he was part of a roast. When the Rock mentions your name you are in. Cena says that he wanted to listen to what the Rock said. Cena says that he wanted to listen to what Rock said via satellite. Cena says that what he said had meaning and merit.
The fans chant ‘Cena sucks’ and John lets them continue.
He says that he wanted to know what problem the Rock had with him. Cena says that he cut through the catchphrases and the jokes we have come to know and love. Cena wanted to know the problems that Rock had with him . . . and there were a lot of them.
Cena’s color was wrong. Rock was offended by the way that he talked because he wasn’t raised in a certain place. Rock was offended by the music he listened to. Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect. Rock had a problem with Cena’s moral code. Cena mentions how Rock pointed out that his audience was kids.
Cena agrees with that assessment and he is damn proud of that. He is damn proud of who he is and what he has become.
He tells Rock if he has a legitimate gripe about him not working his tail to the bone to further this business then they have something to talk about. If not, he wonders who in the hell Rock is. Who is he to judge him and tell him what color to wear, what type of music to listen to, chastise the way he lives his life, or the age of the people who watch this product.
If that is what it takes to be on Team Bring It, Rock can keep the application. Every single week he walks out as himself. There are some people who like it and some who don’t. Rock says that he does not change their mind because he is in no position to judge anyone. Cena says that he will be judged, but he won’t be judged by the Rock.
Rock tells Cena that he is right because he isn’t going to judge Cena. There is only one person who will judge John Cena. The good lord cannot save him from the Rock whooping his monkey ass all over Chicago.
Cena says that Rock wanted to address him like a man and he has said everything that he wanted to and did it to Rock’s face. Cena tells Rock if he wants a fight . . .
Cena drops his mic and squares off with Rock.
Miz’s music plays and he comes out with his personal manservant Alex Riley.
Miz throws out a few reallys. He asks if this is how it is going to be. Is he going to be upstaged by the ‘O’ Brothers. Overhyped and Overrated?
Cena removes his shirt and hat.
Miz tells them that despite Cena’s little surprise last week, he has owned John Cena this month. John Cena is going to lose at Wrestlemania. At least Cena will go down swinging. He will come for a fight, unlike The Great One. Miz tells Rocky that he knows something that nobody else knows. He knows a secret. Rock is not going to do a thing tonight.
Miz says that he has done his research and the Rock’s movies have grossed more than $1.2 billion. One of the biggest movie stars is not going to risk getting beaten up and embarrassed by him. Miz says that it is not a risk . . . it is a GUARANDAMNTEE that if he even looks at him funny, he will beat Rock so bad that he will not even be able to go into Hollywood. Miz says that he is the WWE Champion.
Miz says that he will still be champion after Wrestlemania. He tells the Rock to run his mouth like only the Rock can because in the end, he won’t do anything. Miz says that he is The Miz and he’s awesome.
Rock tells the Miz that he should know by now that it doesn’t matter what he thinks. Rock gets in Miz’s face and Riley punches Rock.
Miz and Riley double team Rock and punch him in the corner but Rock with punches to Miz and Riley. Rock punches Riley and Riley goes over the top rope to the floor. Rock with a DDT to the Miz and it is time for the People’s Elbow. Rock hits the People’s Elbow and then he throws Miz over the top rope.
2012 - WWE issued the following press release:
WWE issued the following press release:
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. : Social Media Event of the Year WrestleMania®
WWE® (NYSE:WWE) today announced the first ever "WrestleMania Pre-Show," simulcast live on YouTube, Facebook and WWE.com this Sunday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. ET, as the centerpiece of its record-level digital and social media activities for WrestleMania Week in Miami. WrestleMania XXVIII broadcasts live on pay-per-view this Sunday, April 1 at 7:00 p.m. ET. "The Social Media Event of the Year" also includes:
WRESTLEMANIA INTERACTIVE PRESS CONFERENCE
To kick off WrestleMania Week, the WrestleMania press conference at the Eden Roc Hotel will live stream on YouTube, Facebook and WWE.com tomorrow, Wednesday, March 28, at 2:30 p.m. ET. The press conference will take live fan questions via Twitter, allowing online participants to get the scoop from the WWE Superstars in attendance.
PEREZHILTON.COM RED CARPET COVERAGE
WWE Divas will bring fans along for all the WrestleMania festivities as they happen, providing exclusive coverage for PerezHilton.com, including tweets and photos from the WrestleMania VIP Party on Thursday, March 29 and the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, March 31.
MIKE TYSON: WWE SOCIAL MEDIA AMBASSADOR
This year's celebrity WWE Hall of Fame honoree, Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson), will be tweeting live from key events, including the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, WrestleMania Axxess and WrestleMania XXVIII. Exclusive videos, photos and articles of Tyson participating in WrestleMania events will be uploaded to YouTube and WWE.com.
TWITTER FACE-OFF: THE ROCK® VS. JOHN CENA®
WWE will also involve fans, celebrities and WWE Legends in a Twitter hashtag battle over who will win the WrestleMania main event featuring The Rock vs. John Cena, utilizing the respective hashtags: #TeamBringIt vs. #Cenation. WWE Superstars will also be tweeting throughout WrestleMania, letting fans in on all the action backstage.
EXCLUSIVE YOUTUBE VIDEOS
On Friday, March 30, WWE will post exclusive WrestleMania videos on YouTube's home page. The series will feature WWE Superstars The Rock, John Cena, Triple H®, Undertaker®, CM Punk® and Chris Jericho®. WWE Superstar Santino Marella® will also film his popular YouTube show, Santino's Foreign Exchange, at WrestleMania Axxess.
TEXT TO WIN WRESTLEMANIA TRIP TO NYC
Fans have the chance to win one of 100 pairs of tickets and an all-expenses paid trip to New York City for next year's WrestleMania at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, April 7, 2013 by texting from their phones or entering online at WWE.com during WrestleMania.
WRESTLEMANIA WEEK TWITTER HASHTAGS
#WrestleMania
#Axxess - WrestleMania Axxess
#WWEHOF - WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
#WMParty - WrestleMania Premiere Party: A Celebration of Miami Art & Fashion
Text to Win Sweepstakes/Contest Rules
Sweepstakes ends Sunday, April 15. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Open to U.S. and Canada residents only (excluding Quebec), 18 and older. See wwe.com/winmania for Official Rules.
About WWE
WWE, 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 entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 600 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Miami, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Istanbul and Tokyo.
Additional information on WWE (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 WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television and pay-per-view programming distribution agreements; the need for continually developing creative and entertaining programming; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent McMahon; the conditions of the markets in which we compete and acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; our exposure to bad debt risk; uncertainties relating to regulatory and litigation matters; risks resulting from the highly competitive nature of our markets; uncertainties associated with international markets; the importance of protecting our intellectual property and complying with the intellectual property rights of others; risks associated with producing and travelling to and from our large live events, both domestically and internationally; the risk of accidents or injuries during our physically demanding events; risks relating to our film business; risks relating to increasing content production for distribution on various platforms, including the potential creation of a WWE network; risks relating to our computer systems and online operations; risks relating to the large number of shares of common stock controlled by members of the McMahon family and the possibility of the sale of their stock by the McMahons or the perception of the possibility of such sales; the relatively small public float of our stock; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition, our dividend is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends, general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant.
2012 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are wild, young, and on the internet from Atlanta, Georgia and your announcers are William ‘No Need for SAP here’ Regal and Josh ‘Finally . . . the Josh has a good co-host’ Mathews. Your host is Matt ‘What will some former wrestlers do without the Gold Club’ Striker.
Match Number One: Hunico with Camacho versus Derrick Bateman with Kaitlyn
They lockup and Bateman with a waist lock but Hunico with an elbow and knee. Hunico chops Bateman and kicks him in the ropes. Bateman with a shoulder tackle and then he kicks Hunico. Bateman with a chop and punch followed by an Irish whip. Bateman charges into the corner and Hunico hip tosses Bateman into the corner and gets a near fall.
Hunico kicks Bateman in the ribs and followed with a vertical suplex for a near fall. Hunico with a reverse chin lock. Bateman with an elbow but Hunico pulls Bateman back to the mat by the hair. Both men try for cross bodies and they both go down as we go to commercial.
We are back and Hunico with a chop and kick. Hunico with another chop but Bateman chops back. Hunico with a slam and then he goes to the turnbuckles but he is met with a drop kick and both men are down. Hunico charges and is sent to the turnbuckles. Bateman with a back breaker and a swinging neck breaker for a near fall.
Bateman with a waist lock but Hunico with elbows followed by a Saito suplex for a near fall. Hunico kicks Bateman in front of Camacho and the referee has an idea of what is going ot happen so he warns Camacho. Hunico is sent to the apron and Hunico with kicks. Bateman tries to suplex Hunico back into the ring but Hunico turns it into a lateral press but Bateman gets the near fall.
Bateman with a dive onto Camacho. Hunico with the fireman’s carry Olympic Slam for the three count.
Winner: Hunico
We go to commercial.
We are back and Josh and William talk about the ‘End of an Era’ Hell in a Cell match between Triple H and Undertaker. We have a video package.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we go to a Chris Jericho/CM Punk video package.
Maxine is on the phone with someone who she is using to get dirt on William Regal. Johnny Curtis stops by and asks Maxine. She says that Regal is into some freaky stuff. Johnny says that the company is keeping Matt Striker’s whereabouts on the DL. He suggests that they found a stunt double for him to announce Superstars.
Maxine and Johnny talk about figuring out who took Striker.
Percy Watson and Alex Riley are in the hallway and Percy mentions that he beat Tyler Reks last week, but Maxine stole the spotlight by giving William Regal a foot massage. Percy wants to know what her problem is.
Maxine says that she wouldn’t have to steal the spotlight if people cared about his matches. Maxine wants to know how unhappy Percy is with her. Percy and Alex have no idea what she is talking about.
Alex asks Johnny why he isn’t wearing a shirt.
Johnny and Maxine walk further down the hall and Natalya and Tyson are shooting the breeze. Maxine wants to know who they are talking about. Natalya says that they are talking about the economy and Maxine’s ugly hair color.
They continue walking and Justin Gabriel is standing there.
Johnny and Maxine keep walking and they see Titus O’Neil and Darren Young. Darren says that he has a coconut tree for Tamina. Titus tells Darren that he needs to wine and dine a woman by taking her to McDonald’s. Titus tells Darren that he needs to lie to her. Darren says that he is all about lying, cheating, and stealing in the ring, but not when it comes to women. Titus asks Darren who has a woman and who doesn’t.
Maxine comes up to Titus and she tells Titus that he did it because he doesn’t like her. They call Maxine crazy. Titus says that they might have had problems in the past but she always wanted to sop her up with a biscuit. Titus kisses Maxine and then leaves with Darren.
Maxine gets a text message saying that they are one step ahead of her. After Wrestlemania, she will give them what they want and then Maxine will get Striker back.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see the Divas Match video package.
Darren Young and Jimmy Uso have joined Josh and William at the announce table.
Match Number Two: Titus O’Neil versus Jey Uso
Jey with a waist lock but Titus backs Jey into the corner and connects with elbows. Jey with a kick and he goes for Titus’ knee. Jey punches Titus and sends him into the turnbuckles. Jey with shoulders followed by a European uppercut. Titus with an Irish whip but Jey with a boot and then he hits a cross body.
Jey goes up top but Titus rolls away from Jey and he goes to the floor and shows some frustration as we go to commercial.
We are back and Titus punches Jey and connects with an elbow in the corner followed by a forearm to the head. Titus with an Irish whip but Jey with a punch from the apron and then he hits a cross body from the top for a near fall. Titus catches Jey and hot shots him and follows it with a clothesline and he barks before getting a near fall.
Titus with a reverse chin lock. Titus takes Jey back to the mat when Jey gets to his feet. Titus with a forearm to the back followed by a back elbow. Titus with a sliding uppercut to the back and he gets a near fall. Titus punches Jey and the referee warns him.
Titus with a cravate but Jey with punches. Titus with a knee but he comes off the ropes and Jey with a back body drop and elbow followed by a thrust kick and uppercut. Jey with a spinning flying forearm. Jey with the running butt splash into the corner for a near fall.
Jey with a Samoan drop and then he goes up top one more time but he hits Titus’ knees on the splash. Titus with Clash of the Titus for the three count.
Winner: Titus O’Neil
After the match, Tamina Snuka comes to the ring and she checks on Jey. Darren is confused and we see Tamina glancing at Darren as she goes to the back with the Usos.
John Cena comes back into the ring and he gives Rock an Attitude Adjustment. Cena then tells Rock that he can’t see him. Cena walks out of the ring and up the ramp.
2013 -
WWE released the following:
WWE AND SEAN "DIDDY" COMBS JOIN FORCES
March 28, 2013
STAMFORD, Conn., March 28, 2013 – WWE today announced a partnership with Sean “Diddy” Combs, featuring a live performance at WrestleMania 29® on Sunday, April 7 by the three-time Grammy Award winner and entertainment powerhouse. Combs will also co-host the Superstars for Sandy Relief party with WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon as a part of the WrestleMania® Week festivities and serve as an ambassador for WWE’s Be a STAR anti-bullying initiative.
Emanating live from MetLife Stadium, Combs will perform a medley of songs in front of more than 70,000 fans in attendance with millions watching worldwide on pay-per-view. Diddy-Dirty Money’s highest charting single, “Coming Home,” from the acclaimed album Last Train to Paris is an official theme song of WrestleMania 29 and will be integrated throughout the show.
The Superstars for Sandy Relief party, co-hosted by Combs and McMahon with special guest Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg kicks-off WrestleMania® Week on Thursday, April 4 at Cipriani Wall Street. The charitable fundraiser is part of WWE’s efforts to unite the sports and entertainment worlds and provide fans the opportunity to bid on unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. As a part of the online auction, Combs is offering the opportunity to be an intern for a day at his world-renowned entertainment company Bad Boy Records and learn what it takes to manage today’s top artists. All proceeds will benefit The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City and Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.
Combs will also serve as an ambassador for Be a STAR, an anti-bullying initiative co-founded by WWE and the Creative Coalition to encourage young people to treat each other with tolerance and respect. In addition, through Combs’ association with the Invisible Bully clothing line, he will continue to encourage individuals to put an end to bullying and contribute to Invisible Bully’s mission to stand for something or fall for anything.
“WrestleMania is one of the biggest spectacles in the world and I’m looking forward to performing in front of millions on April 7,” said Combs. “I’ve always been a fan of WWE and I’m excited to support these two important causes, Superstars for Sandy Relief and the Be a STAR anti-bullying initiative.”
WrestleMania 29 airs live on pay-per-view Sunday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. ET from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
2013 - WWE announced they were launching an official channel on Yahoo. Although originally touted as a big deal on the level of their old Youtube deal, they would never make the same sort of splash with it and it soon fell victim to the company putting all energies towards the development of their WWE App later that year and Network launch in 2014.
2013 - TNA broadcast Impact Wrestling. Stu Carapola filed the following TV report:
Welcome to the Impact Wrestling Report on PWInsider.com!
We start off with a look at last week when Jeff Hardy earned a rematch against Bully Ray for the TNA World Title, and then Hardy starts us off by coming to the ring to say he's still not 100%, but he is the #1 contender. It's Open Fight Night, and he's gonna call someone out. Before he says who, Bully Ray comes out through the crowd with Aces & Eights and tells the fans to sit down and shut their mouths. He's tired of hearing Jeff Hardy's voice and hearing him bitch and moan, then asks if we know who they are. He tells Hardy that they are the Aces & Eights, and asks Jeff if he was getting ready to call him out because they're facing each other in Corpus Christi, and says he wouldn't want to see anything happen to him here in front of his creatures of the night. Ken Anderson asks Bubba if Hardy's getting another second chance, then asks if they ever got second and third chances even though they didn't need them. Hardy can keep burning down houses as long as he keeps selling the merch, because the rules don't apply to him. Hardy's been bringing us disappointment after disappointment, like when he lost the title to Bubba, then says that Hardy will disappoint again in Corpus Christi. Hardy knocks Anderson off the ring apron, so the entire Aces & Eights gang attacks Hardy and holds him up so Anderson can beat the crap out of him. Bubba grabs the chain, but the TNA inner circle of Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Brutus Magnus, and Eric Young run out to make the save. Aces & Eights retreats through the crowd as Hardy says he's challenging Anderson tonight. Bubba smiles at Hardy and says he's not going to make it to Corpus Christi.
We look back at last week when Daniels and Kazarian attacked Roode and Aries, then we see Chavo and Hernandez backstage wondering how they lost last night. Hernandez says that Hulk Hogan told them there's a lot riding on tonight, and Chavo says not to worry because tonight is OPEN FIGHT NIGHT, SON! They come out to the ring, and we'll find out who they're calling out...NEXT!
We're back, and Chavo's asking the crowd how they're doing tonight. He doesn't want to cry over spilled milk, but they were robbed last night and cheated out of the title, not by Roode and Aries, but by another team. That's cool, because tonight's about payback SOOOOONNNNNNN. It's Open Fight Night, homes, and Hogan said the winner of this match is the #1 contender to the TNA World Tag Team Title, so they're going to Kick Kazarian and Daniels' butts all over Jonesboro, ESSE!
#1 Contender Match: Chavo Guerrero, Jr & Hernandez vs Frankie Kazarian & Christopher Daniels
Kazarian came out wearing a Kazmania t-shirt (guess what that looks like), then takes it off to reveal a t-shirt for Bad Influence: The Movie. These guys are awesome, but Kazarian winds up on the receiving end of a one-sided beating at the beginning of the match. Daniels comes in and doesn't have any better luck, as Chavo and Hernandez hit a series of double teams and knock him out of the ring where he hits his head on the steps on the way down. Kazarian cheapshots Chavo out side the ring and then double team Hernandez, but that doesn't last long because Chavo gets back in and cleans house, then runs up the rampway with Hernandez so they can hit stereo sprinting shoulderblocks over the ropes. Kazarian breaks up the Three Amigos and traps him in the Bad Influence corner as we go to commercial.
We're back, and Chavo is still getting his ass kicked. Kazarian dances while putting the boots to Chavo before putting him in a top wristlock, but Chavo fights his way out and hits a flying headscissors. Daniels tags in and cuts Chavo off from the tag, but heel miscommunication leads to Kazarian accidentally nailing Daniels out, and Chavo makes the tag. Hernandez comes in and goes to town, taking out both members of Bad Influence with power moves. Hernandez picks Kazarian up for an over the shoulder backbreaker, Chavo suplexes Daniels onto the other shoulder, and Hernandez drops them both. Daniels rolls out to the apron and Hernandez tries to suplex him back in, Kazarian trips him and holds the ankle to allow Daniels to get the pin, but the referee sees and stops counting. Daniels tries pinning Hernandez with his feet on the rope, but the ref catches him again and they get into a shouting match. Daniels goes for a crossbody, Hernandez catches him and counters to a sitout powerbomb, and Chavo goes up top for his uncle's frogsplash. Kazarian knocks Chavo into the ring and Daniels rolls him up for 2, but Hernandez pounces Kazarian off the ring apron and to the floor. Hernandez slingshots in with a shoulderblock, Chavo hits the frogsplash, and that's all she wrote.
Winners: Chavo Guerrero, Jr & Hernandez
Taryn Terrell pops out of the women's locker room to tell the Mystery Cameraman that she's excited to be making her debut as a Knockout. She knows what she's going to wear, and she also has a good idea who she's going to call out.
We look back at last week when Brooke Hogan fired Taryn Terrell as a referee before rehiring her as a Knockout, and then Terrell comes out to the ring to tell us how excited she is to have her first official night as a Knockout. Brooke said she can get physical with whoever she wants, and since it's Open Fight Night, there's a girl who has ridiculed her, physically assaulted her, and cost her her job as a referee. No secret here, she's calling out Gail Kim. Gail comes out looking as if she's not taking this too seriously, takes a microphone from the back of So Cal Val's head, and tells Terrell that she's making a rookie mistake by calling out the greatgest female wrestler who ever lived. She doesn't think Terrell wants to embarrass herself like that on national television, but she's not the only one Terrell has rubbed the wrong way. There's someone else who wanted to call Terrell night, someone who happens to be a former Knockouts Champion, and she asks Tara to come down to the ring. Gail suckerpunches Terrell during Tara's entrance, and the two of them lay a beating on Terrell until Velvet Sky's music hits and she runs out with her Bruiser Brody boots on to make the save. Tara and Gail backpedal and yell angrily at Velvet and Terrell on their way out.
Velvet and Taryn Terrell are backstage and talking about what just happened out in the ring, but Terrell sees Gail and Tara walking by and attacks them, tossing them a beating until Velvet drags her off. Taz asks if she's got anger problems or something.
We look at a video package of past Gut Check winners, then Jeremy Borash introduces the contestants in next week's edition: 17 year veteran Adam Pearce, and 13 year veteran Magno. They failed to mention that Pearce is a former NWA World Champion, which by the way, was TNA's top title for five years, but I guess the NWA is kind of like the winter flu of professional wrestling these days because nobody wants to be anywhere near it, so I guess it's not that surprising in the grand scheme of things.
Sting tries to get into Hulk Hogan's office, but Atlas Security is there blocking his way. Sting says he's going to need to try a different approach, because he's GOING TO GET TO THIS PLACE!
Hulk Hogan is in the office with Jeff Hardy and says that his rematch is the chance for Hardy to right everything Hogan did wrong, and Hogan says this is his chance to prove that he really is the one to lead the company. Hogan says he made the mistake of handpicking Bully Ray and they stole the title, but Hardy says it's no big deal because he's getting the title back in Corpus Christi. Hogan says that since he handpicked Bully, Hardy can handpick the stipulation. Sting's music hits, and Hogan gets up to go see what's going on since he's not supposed to be here.
Indeed Sting is in the ring, saying that Bully Ray swerved everyone and convinced him to tell Hogan that he could trust him. He has to fix this problem, but the only way to do that is to get on the same page with a man he's tried and failed twice to get on the same page with. Now since it's Open Fight Night, Sting is CALLING HOGAN OUT!! Hogan's music hits and he comes out to face the music. Sting says this is his third attempt at apologizing, and if Hogan doesn't accept, things might get a little nuclear tonight. Hogan says Sting started off softshoeing the situation and Hogan should have listened to his gut, but as people like Sting and Dixie Carter said that Bully Ray had changed, and acted like they wanted to save Hogan's relationship with his daughter, then said they needed him to fight Aces & Eights, and because of Sting, he didn't listen to his gut and made a decision that messed up the entire company and IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU STING. Sting said that Hogan's right, he made the decision, and he's made a career out of pointing the fingers at other people, but it's time to take responsibility and be a man about it. Hogan said he'ss take accountability for all the mistakes he made, and as the General Manager, he's tired of hearing crap about Bully Ray and his decision, he's tired of Sting getting in his face, and as the General Manager, he's telling Sting to get the hell out of his ring, BROTHER. Sting starts to leave, then turns back to Hogan and says to make ihm. Hogan tears the shirt open and they're ready to have Geriatric Match II when Atlas Security comes in to separate them. They tell Sting that he has to go, so Sting obliges as Hogan forgets he's supposed to need crutches and walks to the ropes to point at Sting as he leaves. Sting walks to the backstage area as the camera follows him, and we go to commercial.
During the break, Sting is walking out through the garage as Matt Morgan walks in and says "another Hogan mistake." Sting stops in his tracks for a moment, then keeps walking.
James Storm comes out to the ring to talk about AJ Styles' big return two weeks ago, and also last week when he tried to talk to AJ Styles and AJ just walked off. Storm said that since it's Open Fight Night, he decided to call out AJ Styles. AJ comes out through the crowd and Storm says he knows where AJ is right now, he lost the big match and he went home, but he picked himself up and went on and that's what AJ Styles needs to do too. They're both men from the south, so they can handle it two ways: share a beer and talk about it, or they can just fight about it. Storm's okay with either option, so the choice is AJ's. Doc, Garett Bischoff, and Wes Brisco run in before AJ can answer and they beat Storm down as AJ walks off and leaves Storm alone to get his ass kicked. Eric Young runs in to make the save, but ends up getting laid out himself and beaten into oblivion by Doc. Kurt Angle runs out next and has better luck, running Doc, Brisco, and Bischoff off. Angle asks where they're going, and says that there's three of each of them, so how about we make this a good, old fashioned six man tag in Jonesboro?
Kurt Angle, Eric Young & James Storm vs Doc, Garett Bischoff & Wes Brisco
Storm and Bischoff start us off, and Storm easily beats the hell out of Garett. Eric Young comes in and winds up in trouble, getting beat down in the Aces & Eights corner and triple teamed. EY comes back with some offense on Brisco and nails him with a flying forearm that gets 2. Angle tags in and unloads on his former protege, then tags EY back in so he can dish out more punishment to Brisco. Brisco catches Young with a clothesline and then Bischoff tags back in to dish out more punishment as we go to commercial.
We're back and Young is still in trouble, as Brisco has him in a chinlock, but he gets free and tags in Storm...who almost immediately gets himself in trouble in the wrong corner. Doc tags in and splashes Storm in the courner and chokes him on the middle rope, then hits a double underhook suplex for 2. Bischoff is in and putting the boots to Storm, then catches him with a back elbow for 2. Brisco comes in and hits a snap suplex on Storm for 2 and goes back to the chinlock. Doc tags in and unloads with a series of jabs to the ribs, but Storm nails him with a running forearm out of nowhere and makes the hot tag to Angle, who comes in with clotheslines and suplexes for everyone. D-Lo Brown runs out to distract Angle to give Brisco a chance to try and knock Angle out with a set of knucks, Angle sees him coming and ducks the shot, putting Bischoff in the anklelock, but Brisco slips in and catches Angle with a schoolboy rollup for 2.
Winners: Aces & Eights
Aces & Eights looks really pleased with themselves as they head back to their satellite clubhouse, and remind us that when you walk with Aces & Eights, you never walk alone.
Back in the clubhouse, Bully Ray leads Devon and Anderson in a toast to Wes Brisco for a job well done. Bully tells Anderson that he can't believe the set of balls on Hardy for calling him out. Hardy thinks he can call Anderson out and Hogan thinks he can let Hardy pick the stipulations for their match in Corpus Christi, but Anderson says he won't make it to Corpus Christi because HE'S GOING TO LOSE HIS MIND TONIGHT! Anderson starts bashing a hammer on the tale and asks Bubba and Devon if that's okay with them, and they turn out to actually be pretty pleased with Anderson's attitude.
We look back at last week's announcement of the rule changes to the X Division and how Sonjay is out of the title picture after losing the fall. We go backstage to Jeremy Borash, who tells Sonjay that since he lost the fall in last week's three way, he'll have to win a three way match to get back into title contention. The other two men are Mason Andrews (aka Scorpio Sky), and a man who's been away for four years, Petey Williams. That's funny, I was just wondering what he's up to the other day.
We see a video package hyping the Hardy-Bully title rematch in two weeks in Corpus Christi, then we see the setup for Hardy-Anderson that happened at the top of the show, and then it's MAIN EVENT TIME!
Jeff Hardy vs Ken Anderson
They go at it as soon as Anderson gets in the ring, Hardy knocks Anderson out to the floor and takes him out with a running clothesline off the apron. He rams Anderson's face into the ring apron and does his convulsion dance, but gets rammed into the steps by Anderson. They head up onto the rampway and Anderson charges, but Hardy backdrops Anderson into the ring as we go to commercial.
We're back, and Anderson's working over Hardy's arm. They trade blows in the middle of the ring and one-armed Hardy comes out on top. He hits a combination of moves for 2, then comes off the second rope with a splash for 2. Anderson hits a Finlay Roll for 2, Haryd goes for the Whisper In The Wind and Anderson moves out of the way, then covers Hardy for a series of 2 counts. Looks like the referee gets bumped, Anderson grabs a hammer from Bischoff and goes after Hardy with it, Hardy ducks and grabs the hammer out of Anderson's hand, then hits him in the cajones with it. The referee recovered just in time to see that and calls for the DQ.
Winner: Ken Anderson by DQ
Hardy sets up a chair on the rampway and uses it to hit Poetry In Motion and send Anderwson tumbling into the ring. Hardy brings a table in the ring, grabs a ladder for good measure. Anderson nails Hardy and tries to suplex him onto the table, but Hardy counters to the Twist of Fate, rolls Anderson onto the table, then climbs the ladder as I wonder what the stipulation he has in mind for the Bubba match. Speaking of Bubba, he runs out and pulls Anderson to safety as Hardy says that their match will be Tables, Ladders, and Chairs 6...FULL METAL MAYHEM!
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
