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April 6th
On this day in history in ....
1942 - Lobo Negro defeats Bobby Manales in a tournament final to win the Mexican National Welterweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico. Bobby Arreola had vacated the title in November due to injury.
1945 - Dean Detton defeats Vincent Lopez for the San Francisco Pacific Coast Heavyweight Title in San Francisco, California. This began Detton's sixth reign and ended Lopez's second.
1966 - Chief Little Eagle defeats Eduardo Perez to win the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title, beginning Eagle's third reign and ending Perez's second.
1970 - Al Greene and Frank Martinez defeat Johnny Walker and Tojo Yamamoto in a tournament final in Memphis, Tennessee to win the vacant Mid-America NWA Southern Tag Team Title.
1971 - Ciclón Veloz, Jr. defeats Umbero Garza for the Mexican National Middleweight Title in Monterrey, Mexico.
1974 - Paula Niet and Jackie West defeat Mariko Akagi and Junko Sasaki to win the WWWA World Tag Team Title in Toyama, Japan. This began and ended each teams' second reigns.
1974 - Ken Lucas defeats The Wrestling Pro for the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Title in New Brocton, Alabama, ending the Pro's third reign and beginning Lucas' fourth.
1976 - Flash Flanagan is born in Detroit, Michigan.
1979 - Abdullah the Butcher defeats Jumbo Tsuruta to win the annual AJPW Champion's Carnival tournament.
1979 - Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk defeat The Invaders (I and II) for the WWC World Tag Team Title in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
1979 - Jake Roberts defeats Big Daddy Ritter (Junkyard Dog) for the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title in Calgary, Alberta. At the same show, Leo Burke and Bruce Hart win the Stampede International Tag Team Title from Mr. Hito and Mr. Sakurada, and begin their second reign.
1979 - The Black Pair (Yumi Ikeshita and Mami Kumano) defeat The Queen Angels (Tomi Aoyama and Lucy Kayama) to win the WWWA World Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.
1980 - The Junkyard Dog and Buck Robley defeat The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy and Michael Hayes) for the Mid-South Tag Team Title in Monroe, Louisiana.
1981 - Bill Dundee and The Dream Machine win their third AWA Southern Tag Team Title in Memphis, Tennessee, defeating Masa Fuchi and Mr. (Atsushi) Onita.
1982 - Jim Breaks wins his seventh British Lightweight Title in Wolverhampton, England, ending Steve Grey's second reign.
1984 - In Waukesha, Winsconsin, Ken Patera and Mr. Saito throw a 30-pound boulder through the window of a McDonald's restaurant after they were refused service after hours.
1985 - Mexican Angel and Fidel Sierra defeat Al Perez and Joe Savoldi for the WWC World Tag Team Title in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This was a rematch from their March 23 meeting, also in San Juan, with Perez and Savoldi defending in that match.
1986 - El Solitario (real name Roberto González Cruz) dies of a heart attack at age 39. During his career he held both the NWA World Light Heavyweight and Middleweight Championships in EMLL, as well as several titles in the UWA.
1986 - Luis Mariscal defeats Valente Fernández to win the Mexican National Light Heavyweight Title.
1987 - Rocky Johnson and Soul Train Jones (Virgil/Vincent) defeat Big Bubba (Typhoon/Tugboat) and Goliath in Memphis, Tennessee for the AWA Southern Tag Team Title.
1988 - Atlantis and Angel Azteca defeat Masakre and MS-1 for the Mexican National Tag Team Title.
1991 - Dave Taylor defeats Dave Finlay for the British Heavyweight Title in King's Lynn, England.
1991 - The British Bulldogs (The Dynamite Kid and Johnny Smith) defeat Kenta Kobashi and Tsuyoshi Kikuchi (subbing for the injured Johnny Ace) to win the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Title in Osaka, Japan.
1993 - Los Brazos (El Brazo, Brazo de Oro and Brazo de Plata) defeat The New Infernales (MS-1, Pirata Morgan and Satanico) to win the CMLL World Trios Title in Mexico City, Mexico, ending their second reign.
1996 - The Canadian Glamour Boys (Sean Morley and Shane Sewell) defeat Huracán Castillo, Jr. and Ray Gonzalez for the WWC World Tag Team Title, to begin their second reign.
1997 - WCW held the second Spring Stampede pay-per-view at the Tupelo Coliseum in Tupelo, Mississippi. The event got a 0.58 buyrate. The results were:
- Rey Misterio, Jr. pinned Ultimo Dragon with a Hurricanrana.
- WCW Women's Champion Akira Hokuto pinned Madusa, after Luna Vachon tripped Madusa when she attempted a powerbomb, to retain the title.
- WCW World Television Champion Prince Iaukea pinned William Regal with a Hurricanrana to retain the title.
- The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) defeated Jeff Jarrett and Steve McMichael (with Debra), when Rock pinned Jarrett.
- WCW World Tag Team Champion Kevin Nash (with Ted DiBiase and WCW Cruiserweight Champion Syxx) defeated Rick Steiner to retain the title. The match was originally scheduled to be The Outsiders defending against The Steiner Brothers, but Scott Hall no-showed and Scott Steiner got "arrested" earlier in the show.
- Lex Luger defeated The Giant, Booker T and Stevie Ray in a Four Corners match, by making Steveie Ray submit with the Torture Rack, to become #1 contender to the WCW World Heavyweight Title.
- Diamond Dallas Page (with Kimberly) pinned Randy Savage in a no disqualification match after a Diamond Cutter.
1998 - The Monday Night War continued, with WWF RAW is WAR edging WCW Monday Nitro, 4.7 to 4.6 in the ratings.
WCW Monday Nitro aired live from the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida. The results were:
- El Dandy, La Parka and Psychosis defeated Tokyo Magnum, Nobunaga and Judo Suwa.
- WCW World Television Champion Booker T defeated Disco Inferno to retain the title.
- Kidman defeated Lenny Lane.
- Konnan defeated Norman Smiley.
- Buff Bagwell defeated WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Diamond Dallas Page by countout. Page retained the title.
- Goldberg defeated Hammer.
- Ultimo Dragon defeated Chavo Guerrero, Jr. (with Eddie Guerrero).
- Lex Luger defeated Barry Darsow.
- Brian Adams and Curt Hennig (with Rick Rude) defeated The British Bulldog and Jim Neidhart.
- WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chris Jericho defeated Juventud Guerrera to retain the title.
- Scott Steiner (with Vincent) defeated Sick Boy.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Sting defeated Kevin Nash (with Konnan) by disqualification to retain the title.
WWF RAW is WAR was taped on March 31 at the War Memorial at OnCenter in Syracuse, New York. Along with RAW, the April 11 edition of Shotgun Saturday Night was taped. The results:
Dark matches:
- Adam Copeland defeated Shawn Stasiak.
- Sean Morley defeated Tom Brandi.
Shotgun Saturday Night:
- The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust pinned José Estrada after the Curtain Call.
- NWA World Tag Team Champions The New Midnight Express (Bodacious Bob and Bombastic Bart) defeated The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton), when Holly pinned Gibson after a bulldog, to retain the title.
- WWF Light Heavyweight Champion Taka Michinoku defeated Scott Taylor to retain the title. After the match, Michinoku was attacked by Kaientai.
- Jeff Jarrett defeated Raymond Clark.
- L.O.D. 2000 (Animal and Hawk (with Sunny)) defeated Roy Raymond and Frank Stalletto.
RAW is WAR:
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dan Severn (with Jim Cornette) defeated Flash Funk by submission.
- Steve Blackman defeated Brian Christopher by disqualification. After the match, while being distracted by Tennessee Lee, Jeff Jarrett busted a guitar over Blackman's head.
- Owen Hart defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion The Rock by disqualification when Chyna interfered and hit Owen with a baseball bat as he had Rock in the Sharpshooter. The Rock retained the title.
- Luna (with The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust) pinned Matt Knowles (H.C. Loc) after Goldust attacked Knowles before the match.
- Ken Shamrock defeated Marc Mero by disqualification when The Nation of Domination interfered.
- D-Generation X (WWF Tag Team Champions The New Age Outlaws (Billy Gunn and Road Dogg) and WWF European Champion Triple H (with Chyna and X-Pac)) defeated The Disciples of Apocalypse (8-Ball, Chainz and Skull). After the match, DX attacked DOA with chairs until L.O.D. 2000 made the save.
- In a dark match after the show, WWF Champion Steve Austin, Ken Shamrock and The Undertaker defeated The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust, WWF Intercontinental Champion The Rock and Kane.
1999 - Blade Boudreaux defeats Brickhouse Brown for the NWA Mississippi World Television Title in Cleveland, Mississippi.
2002 - The WWF Hardcore Title changes hands several times at a house show in Salt Lake City, Utah. WWF European Champion William Regal pinned WWF Hardcore Champion Bubba Ray Dudley to win the title after hitting him with brass knuckles. Goldust then pinned Regal to win his second title. Raven pinned Goldust to win the title for the 13th time, with Bubba Ray winning it back from Raven, beginning his second reign.
2002 - Eddie Colón wins his sixth WWC World Junior Heavyweight Title from Rey Misterio, Jr. in Caguas, Puerto Rico. At the same event, Rico Suave defeats Ricky Santana for the WWC World Television Title.
2002 - El Lobo defeats Super Crazy in Carolina, Puerto Rico to win the IWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Title.
2002 - Two East Coast Wrestling Association titles change hands in Wilmington, Delaware. Mr. Ooh La La wins his second ECWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title from Mozart Fontaine, and Low Ki and Xavier win the ECWA Tag Team Title in a somewhat complicated fashion. Christopher Daniels and Xavier were challenging American Dragon and Low Ki, with the wrestler getting the winning fall could choose a new partner, because of problems between the champions. Dragon pinned Daniels, but Low Ki was the legal man in the match, so Low Ki officially won the fall. He chose Xavier to be his new partner.
2002 - The East Coast Connection (Sick Dog and J.T. Wolfen) defeat Bruiser and Tiki for the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title in Kaneohe, Hawaii, beginning their second reign.
2002 - Rocky Reynolds defeats Jason Rumble for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title in Parkersburg, West Virginia, beginning Reynolds' third reign and ended Rumble's second.
2003 - Beau Douglas and Todd Hanson defeat The Seven (Apocalypse and Vertebreaker) for the NWA New England Tag Team Title in Riverside, Rhode Island.
2005 - Chris Hero defeats Mike Quackenbush in Dunbar, West Virginia to become the first IWA East Coast Heavyweight Champion.
2006 - The Ultimate Fighting Championship held Ultimate Fight Night 4 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show aired live on Spike TV and got a 1.63 rating, and it aired prior to the premiere of The Ultimate Fighter 3. The results were:
Preliminary bouts:
- Chael Sonnen defeated Trevor Prangley by unanimous decision after three rounds in a middleweight bout.
- Josh Koscheck defeated Ansar Chalangov by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:29 of round one in a welterweight bout.
- Dan Christison defeated Brad Imes by submission (armbar) at 3:37 of round three in a heavyweight bout.
- Jon Fitch defeated Josh Burkman by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:57 of round two in a welterweight bout.
- Luke Cummo defeated Jason Von Flue by unanimous decision after three rounds in a welterweight bout.
Main card bouts:
- Chris Leben defeated Luigi Fioravanti by unanimous decision after three rounds in a middleweight bout.
- Josh Neer defeated Joe Stevenson by unanimous decision after three rounds in a welterweight bout.
- Rashad Evans defeated Sam Hoger by split decision after three rounds in a light heavyweight bout.
- Stephan Bonnar defeated Keith Jardine by unanimous decision after three rounds in a light heavyweight bout.
2007 - Francisco Ciatso defeats Glacier for the Pro Wrestling WORLD-1 Southern Heavyweight Title in Tifton, Georgia.
2008 - Atlanta FOX affiliate channel 5 led off its Sunday evening newscast with the story of a box filled with what police have confirmed to be human growth hormone and syringes in several shoeboxes found in a crawl space inside a Locus Grove, Georgia home where a WWE performer (thus far unnamed) formerly resided.
The shoeboxes contained a copy of the performer's WWE contract, a 2004 memo on the company's dress code policy for performers, as well as several small bottles labeled as testosterone, the steroid Neomasteron, and several unmarked bottles and unopened syringes. WWE implemented their Wellness Policy in 2005 after the death of Eddie Guerrero.
The homeowner, who hasn't been identified by authorities told FOX 5, "well being the fact that I have children I was horrified because my kids actually play up in that room and so the first thing I thought is what if there were to open that and they would have gotten a hold of the stuff and the syringes."
WWE's Kevin Hennesy told Fox 5, "Wrestlers can only be prescribed steroids by a physician which is rare and only for a specific medical condition and it is usually taken orally. If a wrestler is injecting steroids for performance enhancement purposes that would be a matter for local law enforcement."
Henry County Police are investigating, one of the reasons the wrestler in question has not been identified. The FOX story noted that authorities believed that talent was currently living outside of Georgia "with relatives."
2009 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off with a look back at what some might call the 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania. We have the photos to prove what happened.We are live from Houston, Texas and your announcers are Michael ‘Vintage’ Cole and Jerry ‘I am the Intersect’ Lawler.
We start off with Randy Orton coming to the ring. Randy tells everyone that he does not know what sickens him more, that Triple H illegally used a sledgehammer to beat him last night or the fact that the people enjoyed every second of it. Orton says that it is good that everyone has a moment of happiness in their miserable lives. Orton says that last night proved nothing. Orton says that Triple H cannot beat him on his own and he will get his rematch. Orton says that the McMahon family owes it to him. The company owes it to him. Orton says that everyone owes it to him. Orton says that when he gets his rematch, he will beat Triple H and take his rightful place as WWE Champion. Orton tells the McMahon family that there will be problems if they get in his way. Orton reminds us that he bashed ‘the old man’ and ‘the son’ in the skull. He reminds us that he RKOed and IEDDTed Stephanie. Maybe he attends a McMahon family outing. He says that he hasn’t seen Linda in a while. Why not introduce himself to the McMahon grandkids.
Vince McMahon’s music plays because there is NO CHANCE that Randy is going to be at the McPicnic. Vince is in his announcer jacket and Randy leaves the ring when Vince arrives. Vince says that if Orton wants to get his hands on a McMahon, there is one in the ring. Vince says that he will give Randy what he wants. Vince says that he is not going to give Randy another championship match because Randy does not deserve it because of the hell he put his family through. Vince says that Randy will get some backlash and it will take place at Backlash. It will be when he is in the ring with Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. They will face ‘his son-in-law’ Triple H, ‘his son’ Shane McMahon, and Vince McMahon.
Orton says that he is in shock that Vince is in a match where he can hide behind Shane and Triple H. Randy says that Vince is terrified of him. Vince says that Randy is terrified because Rhodes and DiBiase aren’t standing with him. Vince says that without Rhodes and DiBiase, Orton is an abject failure. Orton suggests that he face Vince in an one-on-one match. Orton wonders if he would be a failure then. Randy says that he does not need Ted or Cody tonight and he did not need him to bash in his head. Orton says that he might as well have his Wrestlemania moment a day late when he puts Vince down. Randy asks Vince if he wants the match. Vince says that Randy might put him down or put him in a coma, but he has his match.
We are back and we have lumberjacks because they didn’t get on the pay per view. We are told that this match took place last night.
Match Number One: John Morrison and The Miz versus Carlito and Primo Colon for the Unified Tag Titles in a Lumberjack Match
Morrison and Carlito start things off and Morrison with a kick and forearm followed by a punch and kick and European uppercut. Carlito with a springboard back elbow for a near fall. Carlito punches Morrison and then Primo is tagged in and they hit a slingshot senton and leg drop combination. Primo with a head scissors for a near fall. Primo punches Morrison and Morrison sends Primo to the apron. Primo stays on the apron and then he drop kicks Morrison to the floor. It is time to beat up Morrison on the floor before he is brought back in. We go to commercial.
We are back and Morrison with a side head lock on Primo. We see footage of the lumberjacks beating up Primo as well. We are back to live action and Miz tags in and they hit a double face plant but Carlito breaks up the cover. Miz with a reverse chin lock but Primo with a jawbreaker and Carlito is tagged in. Carlito with a forearm to the head followed by a back body drop and kick. Carlito with a running knee lift and then he hits a snap corkscrew suplex. Miz sends Carlito to the apron and then Miz punches Carlito from the turnbuckles. Miz tries for a superplex but they continue to fight on the turnbuckle. Miz and Carlito fall and it is time for lumberjacks to get involved. Primo hits a tope onto some lumberjacks and then Morrison with a reverse 630 onto lumberjacks. Carlito gets a near fall on Miz and Morrison breaks things up. Primo and Morrison go to the floor and it is Lumberjack war. Carlito tries for a lungblower but Miz holds on to the ropes. Mzi with a near fall. Miz gets Carlito on his shoulders but Carlito with a lungblower for the three count.
Winners: Carlito and Primo
We see Vince in his office and he is getting ready for his match. Shane enters and he says that Backlash is supposed to be a six man tag. Vince says that he knows. He says that he never backs down from a challenge. Vince says that he needs a couple minutes and then he tells Shane that he knows that if Rhodes and DiBiase get involved, Shane has his back. Vince wants Orton.
We go to commercial . . . after a look at John Cena’s press tour for the prequel to Orange Sash. Apparently Cena has been on more shows to hype 12 Rounds than people saw the movie.
We are back and did you know that Wrestlemania was available to the military?
Match Number Two: Melina, Kelly Kelly, Jillian Hall, Mickie James, and Layla versus Maryse, Maria, Natalya, Gail Kim, and Eve Torres
Melina and Gail start things off and they lock up with Melina hitting a side head lock and take down. Gail with a head scissors but Melina escapes. Gail with a leg trip and Melina with a bridge. Melina with a forearm followed by an Irish whip but Gail floats over. Melina with a matrix move and Gail with a drop kick and forearm. Melina with a handspring back elbow but Gail with a cross body. Gail sends Melina to the floor and then Maryse kicks Melina while Gail distracts the referee. Natalya tags in and she hits a discus clothesline on Melina. Natalya with a kick to Melina and then she tries for a surfboard and locks in a variation. Melina with a kick and Mickie is tagged in and she punches Natalya followed by a Thesz Press and punches. Mickie with a snap mare and drop kick for a near fall. Mickie with forearms and a back kick. Mickie tries for a DDT but Natalya with a knee. Natalya with a wheelbarrow slam for a near fall and Layla makes the save. Natalya throws Layla out of the ring and it is lumberjack warfare (whoops wrong match). Back in the ring Mickie hits a Tornado DDT for the three count.
Winners: Raw Divas
Shane McMahon is walking in the back and he sees his brother-in-law in the locker room. Shane says that he was trying to talk some sense into dad. Shane suggests that Hunter talk some sense to dad. Hunter says that he will try.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Slam of the Week: The greatest 21 seconds of Wrestlemania history from the 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania if your name is not John Bradshaw Layfield.
Match Number Three: Jeff Hardy, Ricky Steamboat, CM Punk, Rey Mysterio, and John Cena versus Chris Jericho, Kane, Matt Hardy, Big Show, and Edge
We join the match in progress and Rey and Matt Hardy are in the match. Matt with a punch and then he kicks Rey. Rey with a drop toe hold to Matt. Matt with a sunset flip and Jeff tags in and Matt goes to the corner and he tags in Edge. Matt leaves the apron for a moment before Edge and Jeff lock up. Edge with a knee and punch to Jeff. Jeff with a head scissors and then Jeff and Edge collide. Cena tags in and Edge punches him. Cena with a bulldog after an Irish whip. Cena tags in Steamboat and Ricky goes up top for a chop and an arm bar followed by a back heel kick for a near fall. Steamboat with an arm bar and a cross body for a near fall. Edge with a knee and then Kane is tagged in. Kane misses a punch but Steamboat does not and he hits a series of chops. Kane misses a charge into the corner. Steamboat with drop kicks and arm drags. Steamboat with a drop kick to Kane’s knee and then Steamboat goes up top for a chop to the head. Kane hits a side slam and it was vintage. Jericho tags in and he kicks Steamboat followed by a punch. Show tags in and he chops Steamboat followed by a choke in the corner. Show with a head butt and punch but Steamboat fights back with chops. Show responds with a head butt. Jericho tags back in and he kicks Steamboat followed by a clothesline for a near fall. Jericho with a sleeper with the arm isolated. Steamboat with punches to Jericho and then Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho and he has it locked in. Steamboat tries to roll through and he escapes and gets a rollup for a two count. Jericho with a forearm to the kidneys but Steamboat escapes a belly-to-back attempt. Punk tags in and he hits a springboard clothesline followed by an Irish whip and knee to the head. Punk with a bulldog and then he knocks Hardy and Edge off the apron. Kane with a punch to Punk while the referee was out of position and then Jericho can only get a near fall. Kane tags in and he hits a kick to the head. We go to commercial.
We are back and Kane and Punk are in the ring. Kane with a big boot to Punk and Matt tags in and gets a near fall. Matt with a front face lock and Edge is tagged in and they hit a double back elbow on Punk for a near fall. Show tags back in and he head butts Punk and then he steps on Punk’s head. Show with the shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh chop to Punk and then tags in Edge a bit emphatically. Edge with a knee to the back and a kick to the shoulder. Kane tags in and he puts Punk on the top turnbuckle. Punk with a forearm followed by a kick and forearm. Kane goes to the mat and Punk with a double sledge attempt but Kane grabs Punk by the throat and Punk counters a choke slam with a DDT and both men are down.
Jeff and Edge tag in and Jeff with a series of clotheslines followed by a reverse atomic drop, leg drop and drop kick for a near fall. Jeff hits Whisper in the Wind and Matt interferes. Jeff throws Matt out and he hits a pescado. Show has Cena on his back and Rey tags in. Cena and Show go to the floor. Rey with a rana that sends Edge into the ropes. Jericho gets ranaed into the ropes for a double 619. Rey and Steamboat with stereo splashes onto Edge and Jericho and Rey gets the three count.
Winners: John Cena, Rey Mysterio, Jeff Hardy, Ricky Steamboat, and CM Punk
After the match, they briefly celebrate in the ring as a team and then they leave Steamboat in the ring to celebrate by himself.
Triple H enters the McOffice and Vince will not listen to anything that Hunter has to say. Hunter says that Vince is the most stubborn and obnoxious SOBs he has ever met but he is proud of Vince. Hunter tells Vince to finish it.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Vickie Guerrero comes out and she is in her wheelchair with Chavo Guerrero. Vickie says that when the board of directors asked her to be the interim General Manager of Raw in addition to the role of General Manager of Smackdown. After Wrestlemania, she would have the opportunity to be the general manager of one show, but not both. Vickie says that with the draft next week, a decision had to be made. Vickie says that she is now the permanent General Manager for Raw. She says that Raw has become stale and stagnant. Vickie says that she will bring a degree of professionalism. Vickie announces that her manager Edge will get a mandatory rematch against John Cena for the title at Backlash. She says that it is her husband’s last chance at regaining his championship. As far as the WWE Championship match goes, the six man tag match will be a title match. If Team McMahon wins, then Triple H keeps the title. If Team Legacy wins, Randy Orton wins the title. Vickie thanks everyone for welcoming her as the General Manager.
Vickie has another announcement to make and it interrupts Cole and Lawler. Vickie says that the match between John Cena and Edge will be a Last Man Standing Match.
We go to a slide show of Wrestlemania 25th Anniversary.
Legacy are standing in the hallway and they give the same awesome promo they did at Wrestlemania.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a commercial for the WWE Superstars show on WGN America.
Time to take a look back at the Hall of Fame Ceremony from Saturday night.
It is time for ‘Miss Wrestlemania’ Santina Marella (without her orange sash). Santina says that when her brother was not allowed in the Battle Royal at Wrestlemania, his heart was broken. She hopes that his heart can be mended because his sister won. She wonders what the future holds for Santina. Santina talks about what she could achieve.
Beth Phoenix comes out and it is time for some clubbering. Santina introduces herself and then introduces Beth to everyone. Beth tells him to cut the crap. She wonders what he is trying to do. She says that he is embarrassing himself in front of everyone. Beth tells him never to be in the Divas locker room again. Beth blames Santino for losing last night. Beth makes a challenge to Santino. Santino says that Beth is jealous. Beth asks him if he is man enough to face her.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Santin(a) Marella versus Beth Phoenix
We see footage during the commercial on WWE.com and we see Santina dance.
Beth wants to know if he is serious and she slaps him and follows that with punches and forearms while Santino cries like a woman. Beth tries to spank him but he escapes. Rosa tries to stop Beth from killing him. Beth gets Santino up for a slam but Santino holds on to the ropes. Santino falls back onto Beth and gets the three count.
Winner: Santin(a) Marella
Vince McMahon is walking in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that there were a lot of places to watch Mania and languages to listen to it in?
Match Number Five: Randy Orton versus Vince McMahon
Orton stands in the ring and waits for Vince to do something. Vince slaps Orton and Orton goes down like a stack of dimes. Vince with another slap followed by a punch to the ribs. Vince with elbows to the head followed by a punch to the face. Vince with a kick to the midsection and Orton goes to the floor. Vince slams Randy’s head into the announce table. Vince runs Orton’s back into the ring apron. Vince rolls Randy back into the ring but Orton with a back breaker when Vince charges at him. Orton with a punch to the head followed by a kick to the head and a knee drop to the head. Orton with a series of knee drops to the head. Orton with an RKO and then he stands over McMahon as he waits for Vince to get back up. Orton sets for the field goal kick but he is clipped by Shane McMahon.
Shane attacks Orton and DiBiase and Rhodes stop Shane’s attack. It turns into a three-on-one attack on Shane. Triple H comes out and he clotheslines Rhodes and punches DiBiase before sending Ted into the ringside barrier.
Hunter and Orton fight in the ring and Hunter with a clothesline. Hunter punches Orton but DiBiase and Rhodes stop Hunter. Orton punches Hunter while Cody holds him. DiBiase hits the Million Dollar Slam on Shane. While Legacy continues the attack, Batista’s music plays and he is back. Batista spears Orton and then he clotheslines DiBiase over the top rope and then he hits a spinebuster on Rhodes. Rhodes escapes before Batista can hit the Batista Bomb, but Hunter sends him back in. Batista hits the Batista Bomb on Rhodes.
Vince gets on the mic and he says that he won’t make it to Backlash, so his replacement is Batista.
2010 - WWE released their Hart family documentary "Hart & Soul" on DVD.
2010 - TNA President Dixie Carter announced that Christy Hemme and Brian Kendrick were signed to new deals.
2010 - WWE broadcast NXT. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We are live on tape from Chicago, Illinois and your announcers are Michael ‘On Tuesdays, I have a backbone’ Cole and Josh On Mondays, I stand up and hold a microphone’ Mathews. Your host is Matt ‘On Fridays, I sound a lot like PWInsider.com audio’ Striker.Matt is on the stage and he brings out the rookies and they come out based on their rankings. Matt mentions that Daniel Bryan is currently ranked in first and then Matt talks about how the winner gets a pay per view match. Matt turns his attention to the other end of the rookie spectrum.
He also mentions the man in fifth place who is also not happy. Matt reminds us that David won the battle royal last week so he got to be the guest host on Raw. Matt says that Raw was entertaining and then he asks David why he walked away from a potential tag title. David says that he was the host of Raw and he says that he could do whatever he wanted. David says that he could have tagged Cena’s wimpering hand and then he could have taken the Miz’s head off and celebrated with John Cena. Otunga says that he doesn’t work with anyone. Otunga says that he did a favor for The Miz who is a judge and he is looking for some help to win.
Matt goes to Daniel Bryan and asks him if he thinks he deserves to be in first place. Bryan says that he doesn’t know if he deserves it but wonders if the Miz deserves to be a pro. Does David Otunga deserve to be guest host on Raw? Does Michael Cole deserve to replace Jim Ross on Raw? He says that he does not deserve to be number one, but will do what it takes to win. Striker says that Bryan should have said that he deserves to be in first.
Striker goes to Tarver and he asks Michael if Daniel Bryan deserves to be in first place. He says that he does not. Tarver says that everyone on the stage is a target and he needs to get out of his way. To this point, he has followed the rules, but now he is taking his opportunity. He is a pit bull without a leash and he is the most dangerous man in NXT . . . period.
It is time to test their mental and physical abilities with weekly challenges. We see a keg behind a ‘start/finish’ line. Matt says that the keg is filled with liquid and weighs over 160 pounds. The rookie has to carry the keg around the ring.
The first rookie is the man with the bulls eye on his chest and it is Daniel Bryan. Bryan finishes in 24.9 seconds. It is time for Wade Barrett to carry the keg around the ring. His time is 14.7 seconds. Justin Gabriel is third and his time is 13.6 seconds. Heath Slater is next and finishes in 12.0 seconds. David Otunga is next and his time is 14.1 seconds. Skip Sheffield is next and his time is 12.4 seconds. Michael Tarver is next and he drops the keg a few times and he is disqualified. Darren Young is last and his time is 13.6 seconds. Your winner is Heath Slater.
Striker asks Slater how he feels to win this challenge. Slater says that he is going to blow everyone’s minds in NXT. Striker tells Heath that you never know what is going to happen. He won the Keg Carry and he gets to be in the main event . . . against Kane.
Kane gets in Slater’s face and then he ignites the pyro in the ring. Kane backs up and he smiles as only Kane can.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that Wrestlemania was a top search item on Google.
It is time for the Raw Rebound.
Matt Striker is with Skip Sheffield in the back. Matt reminds Skip that he is in sixth. Skip says that he should have won the keg carry because nobody is stronger than he is. He says that the contest was rigged. Skip says that the WWE Universe is not ready for him. Skip says that he is done being Mr. Nice Guy.
We go to commercial.
Match Number One: Darren Young versus Daniel Bryan
They lock up and Young with a knee and forearm to the back. Young with a back elbow. Young goes to the floor and Bryan with a baseball slide and then he hits a running knee from the apron. Bryan returns Young to the ring and then hits a missile drop kick for a near fall. Bryan with Cattle Mutilation but he doesn’t have it locked in properly. Bryan with a near fall followed by a back slide. Bryan with another back slide. Young sends Bryan’s head into the turnbuckles. Bryan with a sunset flip for a near fall. Young and Bryan exchange near falls and then they exchange slaps to the face. Young with a rollup and he gets the three count.
Winner: Darren Young
We go to commercial.
Justin Gabriel talks about being in third and he says that it can only get better for him. He says that his dad told him that once you get to the top you have to work harder to stay there.
Tarver talks about what it is like to deal with a pitbull that is unleashed. He says that is how he felt being in seventh and seeing every name ahead of him.
Match Number Two: Justin Gabriel versus Michael Tarver
They lock up and Gabriel with an arm drag. They lock up again and Tarver backs Gabriel into the corner and he connects with a knee and a hard Irish whip. Tarver with a boot to the midsection followed by a slam and a near fall. Tarver with an abdominal stretch. Gabriel with a float over and then he connects with a kick, knee, and a series of kicks to take Tarver down. Gabriel with a cross body into the corner and then he hits a springboard cross body. Gabriel goes up top but Tarver crotches Gabriel. Tarver with a punch to the midsection and then Gabriel drops Tarver on the top rope and kicks Tarver in the head followed by the 450 splash for the three count.
Winner: Justin Gabriel
We go to commercial.
We go to comments from David Otunga about his ranking. He says that he was disappointed. He says that everyone knows that he should be number one. He says that the pros are threatened by him.
Barrett says that he hates second place. He is here to win this and make money.
Match Number Three: David Otunga versus Wade Barrett
Otunga with a side head lock and he works on the arm but Barrett with a forearm and head butt. Barrett with an Irish whip and knee to the back. Barrett with a surfboard in the ropes and then he sends Otunga into the ropes and hits a few forearms to the kidneys. He tries for a third but you never do that so Otunga with a forearm of his own. Otunga is thrown to the floor. Barrett runs Otunga into the apron and rolls him back in. Barrett returns to the surfboard. Barrett misses a knee drop and a charge into the corner. Otunga with a punch but Barrett with a kick. Otunga with a reverse atomic drop and a flying shoulder tackle and elbow. Otunga with a slam and a near fall. Otunga with an inside cradle for a near fall followed by a neck breaker for a near fall. Barrett pulls Otunga off the turnbuckles followed by the fireman’s carry slam for the three count.
Winner: Wade Barrett
Heath Slater is getting ready in the locker room for Kane.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at what happened last week when Kane took on the NXT roster.
Match Number Four: Kane versus Heath Slater
Slater avoids Kane and then he hits Kane with a couple of knees and hits a drop toe hold that sends Kane into the turnbuckles. Slater with a missile drop kick and then he hits a cross body and gets a near fall. Slater punches Kane but Kane with a big boot and then he throws Slater to the floor. Kane follows after him and hits an uppercut. Kane runs Slater into the apron and Kane punches him. Kane rolls Slater into the ring and then he puts Slater in the corner and connects with a forearm and punch. Kane with a snap mare and rear chin lock. Slater punches Kane and tries for a sunset flip and gets a near fall. Kane with a side slam for a near fall. Kane chokes Slater in the ropes and then he kicks Slater. Kane with a snap mare and drop kick for a near fall. Slater with punches but Kane with a clothesline and Slater is down. Kane goes up top and hits the clothesline. Kane with a vintage uppercut followed by an Irish whip and running clothesline into the corner. Kane with another Irish whip but Slater gets his boot up. Kane with a choke slam to Slater for the three count.
Winner: Kane
2011 - A press release announcing the creation of the Territory League in California, headed by Rikishi and Gangrel, among others, is released.
2011 - Juggalo Championship Wrestling ran an Internet PPV in Dearborn, Michigan, featuring the following results:
*Jimmy Jacobs defeated The Man of 1,000 Gimmicks in the first of a best of 3 series, loser leaves JCW! /p>
*Rob Conway Defeated Peeping Tom, Dik Hummer, and Harry Balls in a gauntlet exhibition. Conway was billed as the The Submissionary.
*Zach Gowen with U-Gene defeated Sexy Slim Goodie.
*The Weedman defeated Isabella Smothers with Bull Pain. Officer Colt Cabana (yes, Cabana) arrested Weedman during his victory celebration, and then beat him with a night stick. Cabana vowed to arrest at least one Juggalo at each event moving forward.
*Sabu and Charlie Brown were choked out and knocked out during an interview segment by Rob Conway, who hit the ring through the front door as he was sent by 2 Tuff Tony.
*Kongo Kong with Truth Martini destroyed Superstar Bill Martel.
**JCW Tag Team champions Madman Pondo and Necro Butcher won a tables, ladders, thumbtacks and barbedwire weapons match defeating The Bumpin Uglies in a wild, bloody, brawl.
*Rhino, Corp. Robinson and 2 Tuff Tony defeated The Haters and Richie Boy Bryer Wellington with Truth Martini and Butler Geeves. There was a huge brawl after which saw JCW Commissioner Violent J restoring order with an axe.
2011 - The Los Angeles Times featured a story on at WWE taking the word "Wrestling" out of their product. When asked eliminating the word from WWE Vince McMahon said, "I think every brand has to re-create itself. I want everyone to look at us in a vastly different way than they have. Vince also said to help in the re-branding of WWE, he is willing to invest in other media ventures, such as producing live events. Vince said, "No one does television production better than we do, it's damn near the Olympics. We know more about live event touring than anyone in the United States."
2012 - WWE broadcast Smackdown. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:The show starts off with a graphic stating ‘In Memory of Chief Jay Strongbow’.
We begin the Laurinaitis era on Smackdown with the man who makes coffee an accessory, David Otunga and he has his crimson Barrett Blazer. David introduces everyone to the new General Manager of this show.
John walks to the ring with David and he welcomes everyone to Smackdown. He says that he knows that everyone is excited about tonight as him because now there will be competent leadership.
John says hello to Booker T and he is not smiling, but Michael is smiling enough for everyone at the announce table.
John says that this is the start of a new era and he proclaims that it will be People Power. John says that he hopes the transition is smooth. He wants Teddy Long to come out to thank him for all of his years of service on Smackdown.
Teddy Long comes out and he is not in a dancing mood.
John starts to talk and Teddy interrupts him. Teddy says that being out of a job has one benefit. It gives him the freedom to tell John to go to hell. Teddy says that he did not come out here to whine and complain about what happened on Sunday. Teddy says that he is living with the results. Teddy says that everyone told him he was crazy to come to Smackdown and even crazier to come to the ring.
Teddy says that he could not walk away from Smackdown because it was the greatest job that he ever had without thanking the WWE Universe. Teddy says that he hopes that everyone has had as much fun watching Smackdown as he has had being the General Manager. Teddy wants a Holla holla Holla and the fans give it to him.
John cuts Teddy’s music and he tells Teddy that he interrupted him. John offers Teddy a new job in his administration.
Teddy thinks about it and he says that he needs a job, but he will not work for Johnny. He tells Johnny to take his job and shove it.
John mentions Teddy’s grandchildren and their college educations.
David reminds Teddy about a College Fund that the WWE set up for Teddy’s children. The college fund is controlled by the Smackdown general manager. John suggests that Teddy accept the job because the college fund will be safe. He tells Teddy he can trust him because his word is golden.
John offers his hand but he pulls it back before Teddy can shake it. John wants Teddy that he has to tell everyone that he is better than him.
Teddy says that Johnny is better than him but John does not think everyone heard him. Teddy says it again and John tells Teddy to go to the back to work on his job. Teddy asks what his job is and Johnny says that he is not sure what his job will be.
Johnny announces two matches for tonight’s show. Randy Orton will face Kane in a rematch from Sunday. David Otunga will face R Truth, but it will be a handicap match with Otunga being joined by Mark Henry.
We go to commercial.
Match Number One: David Otunga and Mark Henry versus R Truth
Otunga starts things off and he kicks Truth and punches him but Truth punches back. Otunga with a kick and Irish whip but Truth floats over and does a hand spring and split followed by a leg lariat. Truth with the Lie Detector for a near fall.
Henry tags in and Truth with a punch and kick but he runs into a boot from Henry. We see Abraham Washington watching in the back and Henry takes Truth to the mat. Henry with an Irish whip but he misses a splash. Henry catches Truth and hits the World’s Strongest Slam. Otunga wants to tag in because Truth is barely moving so he has a chance. Otunga with a cover for the three count.
Winners: Mark Henry and David Otunga
After the match, Kane’s pyro goes off and he makes his way to the ring. We go to commercial.
We are back with information about this week’s Super Smackdown and the Blast from the Past.
Match Number Two: Randy Orton versus Kane in a No Disqualification Match
Orton with punches to Kane but Kane punches back. Kane with knees and an uppercut followed by a clothesline that sends Orton over the top rope to the floor. Kane follows after Orton and Orton kicks and punches Kane. Orton sends Kane into the ringside barrier but Kane with a punch and he sends Orton into the announce table.
Kane punches Orton in the midsection and then Orton blocks a shot into the ring steps and Orton sends Kane over the announce table. Orton punches Kane while announcers scatter. Orton with more punches and Kane sends Orton into the ring steps. Kane with an uppercut and he sends Orton into the ring steps again following it with an uppercut.
Kane with an uppercut and they go up the ramp to the back. Orton punches Kane but Kane with an uppercut. Kane sends Orton head first into the stage and then Kane puts Orton on the stage. Orton with punches and Kane staggers on the edge of the stage. Kane grabs Orton by the throat and he sets for a choke slam off the stage but Orton with punches and kicks. Kane pushes Orton away on an RKO attempt and then Kane hits a DDT and both men are down.
We go to commercial.
We are back and they have returned to the ring. Kane is in charge of the match and he exposes the turnbuckle. Kane tries to send Orton into the corner but Orton blocks it. Orton with punches and then he tries to Irish whip Kane but Kane reverses and hits a clothesline into the corner and Kane gets a near fall.
Kane with forearms across the chest followed by a drop kick for a near fall. Kane goes up top but Orton crotches him and Kane falls to the mat. Orton with two clotheslines followed by a drop kick. Kane misses a clothesline and that means time for a power slam. Orton watches Kane roll to the apron and Randy sets for the IEDDT but Kane avoids it and then he drops Orton on the top rope.
Kane punches Orton and Orton responds with a European uppercut and he sends Kane into the ringside barrier. Orton clotheslines Kane into the announcer cubicle. Orton tries for the IEDDT off the ringside barrier but Kane blocks it. Kane stops short of the post and then Kane with a boot to Orton. Kane throws a lot of stuff into the ring before returning to Orton.
Kane rolls Orton back into the ring on top of a chair. Kane goes for another chair and then Orton hits Kane a few times with the chair. Orton sets up the chair for an IEDDT onto the chair and he hits it. Orton can only get a near fall because he took too much time to cover Kane.
Orton tries for an RKO but Kane blocks it. Kane hits Orton in the midsection and back with the chair and then he hits Orton a few more times in the back before discarding the chair. Orton is able to kick out at two. Kane puts a chair in the center of the ring and sets for the choke slam but Orton escapes. Orton sends Kane into the exposed turnbuckle and Orton hits the RKO and gets the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to look at photos of the World Title Match, and you have probably seen the whole match again in case you missed it on Sunday.
We take a look back at Monday night when Alberto Del Rio interrupted Sheamus’ promo on Monday.
Before our next match, Barry Stevens addresses the crowd and he starts to insult them while people in the back who populate Superstars wonder who Barry is.
Match Number Two: Barry Stevens versus Ryback
Ryback with a clothesline in the corner and then he grabs him by the ears and presses Stevens over his head before turning it into a power slam. Ryback with a muscle buster for the three count.
Winner: Ryback
Daniel Bryan is walking in the back and AJ is cautiously walking behind Bryan as we go to commercial.
We are back and Daniel Bryan makes his way to the ring with AJ Lee. Daniel takes the mic and he says that if there was one positive thing about this week, it is that he finally got to think about how everything went so right until it went so wrong. It hit him about the moment when things went off the tracks.
AJ tells Daniel that he is a great wrestler and he is a great person. She says that she is not the only one who thinks that way. She tells Daniel to listen to the people and to remember everyone who had ‘Yes’ signs at Wrestlemania or the people who were chanting for him on Raw when he wasn’t even in the ring.
She says that they are all here to support him.
Daniel thinks about it and he wonders if they are supporting him. He says that it is funny because it feels like they are mocking him. If they were supporting him, they wouldn’t have chanted ‘yes’ for the Rock. They are mocking him and even if they mean it, the ‘yes’ chants from these sheep doesn’t make it better that AJ cost him his World Championship.
Eighteen seconds. He defeated two giants inside a cage at the Royal Rumble. He overcame five people in the Elimination Chamber. In eighteen seconds it was all flushed down the toilet at Wrestlemania. All because AJ had to have that kiss. Daniel says that AJ said the kiss was his good luck charm, but it was the kiss of death.
Daniel tells AJ that she doesn’t get to make him the bad guy because it was all her fault. He had everything going for him. He was the World Champion in his first Wrestlemania. Daniel says that he dreamed about that since he was a little kid and AJ ruined it. She had to steal the spotlight with her unbelievable selfishness and clinginess. It cost him on what should have been the greatest night of his life. He wants to know if AJ is happy with herself because he will never let her ruin his life like that again.
Daniel tells AJ that he is. Daniel has a rematch with Sheamus and he is going to do it the right way . . . by himself. He tells AJ to go into her gas guzzling SUV and cry over the cheeseburgers that she loves so much. Daniel says that he is ready to get rid of all of the dead weight.
AJ wants to go to the back and talk.
Daniel says that he will not talk to her backstage or anywhere else. He says that he hopes that the kiss at Wrestlemania was worth it because it is the last kiss that she will ever get from him because they are through. He tells AJ to get out of his ring.
Daniel turns his back on AJ and she leaves.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Cody Rhodes has joined the commentary for the next match, featuring the man who defeated him at Wrestlemania.
Match Number Four: Big Show versus Heath Slater
Before the match starts, we have a Cody Rhodes Wrestlemania Moment slide show.
Show backs Slater into the corner but Slater escapes and he punches Show. Show with a chop and punches to Slater. Show with a head butt followed by a chop across the chest. Show with an Irish whip and he runs into a boot. Slater gets Show on his knees but Show with a chop to the chest followed by a POUNCE. Show with a choke slam for the three count.
Winner: Big Show
After the match, Cody leaves the announce table and he stares at Big Show. Show wants Cody to come into the ring, and Cody thinks about it because he is dressed to wrestle. Show gets on the apron and then he leaves the ring when Show charges at him.
Show with the punch to Slater’s head and Cody tries to take advantage of Show having his back turned but Show turns around and Cody leaves the ring again.
We go to footage from last week when Chris Jericho poured alcohol onto CM Punk.
We see Johnny’s Mania coat and Brie has Nikki eating crow. He tells Nikki to get ready for her match against Beth Phoenix while Brie has the night off.
Johnny tells Sheamus that it is a new day and era on Smackdown. Sheamus asks Johnny what People Power means. Johnny says that it means using sportsmanship and professionalism. Johnny says that he will have Alberto and Sheamus face to face before the match starts.
Sheamus says that he will only do it to people who really deserve it. Whether it be a cowardly weasel who hides behind his girlfriend, or an arrogant rich boy who thinks he is better than everyone else. Sheamus then talks about a relative of his who had his head shoved up his arse.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Five: Beth Phoenix versus Nikki Bella
Before the match starts Kelly Kelly comes to ringside.
Beth with a short arm clothesline and kick followed by forearms and kicks. Beth chokes Nikki. Beth with an Irish whip and kick in the corner. Beth with punches as Kelly gets closer to the ring. Nikki moves out of the way when Beth charges into the corner and Nikki with an X Factor for the three count.
Winner: Beth Phoenix
We have a tribute video for Chief Jay Strongbow, who recently passed away.
We go to commercial.
We are back with comments from Damien Sandow. He says that anyone who makes the distinction between education and entertainment don’t know the first thing about anything as he quotes Marshall McCluhan. Entertainment in our society as a tragic all time low. Riddled with nonsensical pop culture that has little or no moral, social, or educational qualities. Gone are the days when the masses were entertained by works from the likes of Shakespeare and Mozart. It is abhorrently replaced by following the lives of desperate housewives or fist pumping to ear shattering bass in a sea of false tans and false bravados. Historically, one can judge a civilization as to how they choose to entertain themselves. It is a reflection on their moral code. The mirror shows a people of laziness, mediocrity, and complacency. Damien says that he vows never to blame people from this ignorance. He will rescue people from that ignorance. He says that everyone is welcome.
We go to the Raw Rebound.
Cole, Booker, and Josh talk about the return of Brock Lesnar. Going from a few stooges and Josh, we see that the Three Stooges will be on Raw on Monday night.
Match Number Six: Alberto Del Rio with Ricardo Rodriguez versus Sheamus in a Non Title Match
They lock up and Sheamus with a hip lock take down into a side head lock. Sheamus with a shoulder tackle or two and he gets a near fall. Sheamus works on the arm but Del Rio with kicks to Sheamus. Sheamus with a kick but Del Rio with forearms. Del Rio runs into boots from Sheamus.
Sheamus goes up top and he goes over Del Rio. Sheamus gets Del Rio on his shoulder and hits a fireman’s carry slam and gets a near fall. Sheamus with knees to the back and the referee warns him. Del Rio drops Sheamus’ arm on the ropes and then he kicks Sheamus in the arm. Del Rio with an arm bar.
Del Rio with forearms to Sheamus but Sheamus with punches. Del Rio tries for the float over into the cross arm breaker but Sheamus avoids it. Del Rio avoids a Brogue Kick as he goes to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus with the slingshot sholder tackle for a near fall. Sheamus kicks Del Rio and then he puts Alberto in the ropes and connects with the forearms across the chest. Sheamus with a front face lock and then he charges at Del Rio but Del Rio ducks down and Sheamus goes to the floor.
Sheamus gets back to the apron and Del Rio with a enzuigiri that sends Sheamus to the floor. Del Rio sends Sheamus’ arm into the ring steps. Del Rio then sends Sheamus shoulder first into the ring steps to set up the cross arm breaker.
They return to the ring and Del Rio with a near fall. Del Rio with a key lock on Sheamus. Sheamus with a kick but he takes too long on a neck breaker and Del Rio with kicks and a drop kick. Del Rio returns to the arm bar. Del Rio with a head butt and kick but Sheamus with the uranage back breaker and both men are down.
Sheamus with running double sledges to Del Rio’s head followed by a clothesline and forearms in the corner. Sheamus with a running power slam and then he signals that it is over, but Ricardo gets on the apron to distract Sheamus. Sheamus kicks the ropes to get Ricardo into the ring. Del Rio has a chair and Sheamus attacks Del Rio behind the referee’s back. The referee sees Sheamus with the chair and he disqualifies him.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
After the match, Sheamus with a Brogue Kick to the referee.
2013 - SHIMMER debuted on iPPV from Secaucus, NJ. David Tees filed the following report:
Welcome to the PWinsider live coverage of Shimmer 53, live from WrestleCon in Secaucus, New Jersey.
Match #1 - Singles Match: Amazing Kong vs. Mia Yim
The match begins with Kong easily overpowering Yim as they lock up, Kong then chops Yim before Yim tries to slow her down with a bunch of kicks. Kong drops Yim with a Vader-like clothes line before choking her in the corner, Kong follows Yim around the ring while delivering more chops. Yim tries attacking Kong with forearm strikes before dropping Kong with a bunch of kicks, Yim brings Kong back to her feet and Kong makes her pay with a head butt and running avalanche in the corner. Kong nearly scores the pin after nailing Yim with a splash, Kong focuses on the arm of Yim and Yim still tries to fight back. Kong gets mad and she tosses Yim out to the arena floor, Kong then tosses Yim into the guardrail a few times. Kong brings the battle back to the ring and she nails her with another avalanche, Yim avoids a third avalanche attack and she makes Kong pay with a spinning back fist that is followed by a missile drop kick. Kong quickly gets back up and she levels Yim with a clothesline, Kong goes for the middle rope splash and Yim gets out of the way. Yim then nearly pins Kong with a German splash, Yim then assaults Kong with a kaprada for another two count. Kong avoids Sky Yim and she attacks Yim with a spinning back fist for a two count, Kong then hits Yim with the Awesome Bomb for the three count.
Winner: Amazing Kong
Good match, Yim has improved greatly since going to Japan and Kong was her usual dominant self.
Amber Gertner comes to the ring to conduct an interview with Serena Deeb, who is returning after an eighteen month layoff due to serious head injuries. Serena grabs the microphone to give the fans a “What’s Up Jersey”, Serena then talks about the injuries she suffered. Jessicka Havok comes from out of nowhere to attack Serena, Sassy Stephanie and Navaeh join in on the attack as well. Allison Danger and Leva hit the ring with steel chairs to save their friend, Danger grabs the microphone and challenges them to a six woman tag match today and it is accepted.
Match #2- Tag Team Match: Cherry Bomb & Kimber Lee vs. Veda Scott & Shazza McKenzie
This match begins with Bomb and Lee jumping Scott and McKenzie as the bell rang, McKenzie and Scott recover to hit Bomb with an atomic drop into a chick kick. McKenzie and Lee begin this match officially once the chaos ends, Bomb distracts McKenzie and that gives Lee a chance to attack her from behind. Bomb and Lee take turns chopping McKenzie in the corner, Bomb takes the opportunity to nail McKenzie with a ton of forearm strikes. Lee tags in an she kicks McKenzie right in the back after executing a snap mare, Bomb tags back in and she focuses on the back of McKenzie some more. Lee and Bomb attack McKenzie with a flying knee into a jaw breaker combo, McKenzie finally tags in Scott after hitting Lee with a head scissors. Scott then starts cleaning house on her opponents, Scott jumps off the back of Lee and she nails Bomb with a clothesline. Scott hits Lee with the Mind Trip for the three count.
Winners: Veda Scott & Shazza McKenzie
Good effort from both teams, Kimber Lee makes a good addition to the Shimmer roster.
Match #3 – Five Way Match: Rhia O’Reilly vs. Kalamity vs. Christina Von Eerie vs. Evie vs. Yuu Yamagata
This match starts off with all five wrestlers going at it at the same time, Kalamity and Von Eerie clear the ring before fighting amongst themselves. Von Eerie gets a near fall on Kalamity after a springboard cross body, Yamagata enters the ring and is immediately attacked by Kalamity. Kalamity then pounds on Yamagata with plenty of knee strikes and a clothesline, Yamagata finally gains the edge on Kalamity by kicking her right in the face. Evie comes in the ring and she hits Yamagata with a monkey flip, O’Reilly comes in and she immediately tosses Evie to the ground before connecting with a senton. Evie avoids an O’Reilly avalanche before cracking her with a running boot, O’Reilly then hits Von Eerie with a Rhia-justment. Kalamity then crushes Evie with a Kalamityville Horror, Von Eerie and Yamagata battle and it ends with Von Eerie nailing her with a running boot to the face. Von Eerie hits O’Reilly with the Dead Raising for the three count.
Winner: Christina Von Eerie
There was a lot of action in this match, Von Eerie was the star of the match and the crowd treated her as such.
Match #4 - Kurihara’s US Farewell: Ayumi Kurihara vs. Mercedes Martinez
This bout kicks off with Martinez easily overpowering Kurihara during the initial lock up, Kurihara then tries to score a quick pin on Martinez with a few roll ups. Martinez gets Kurihara to the ground and she mounts her while throwing some punches, Martinez then hits Kurihara with a few chops. Kurihara recovers to hit Martinez with a German suplex and a running double knees in the corner, the battle spills to the arena floor where Martinez gains the upper hand on Kurihara. Martinez even grabs a few chairs from ringside and she assaults Kurihara with it, Martinez then starts tossing Kurihara into the safety rail. Martinez holds Kurihara against the safety rail while nailing her with a ton of forearm strikes, Martinez gets a near fall after nailing Kurihara with a brain buster. Kurihara comes back to life and has a forearm strike exchange with Martinez, Kurihara gains the upper hand on Martinez by hitting her with a lung blower and s dropkick that sends her to the arena floor. Kurihara then dives off the top rope and she lands on Martinez, Kurihara brings Martinez back to the ring to hit her with a couple of missile drop kicks. Martinez grabs a hold of a sliding Kurihara to hit her with a two armed choke slam, Kurihara counters a fisherman buster suplex from Martinez for the near fall. Kurihara then catches Martinez with her patented uranage for a two count, Martinez counters a second attempt from Kurihara into a spine buster. They both get back up at the same time and exchange plenty of blows, Martinez then crushes a charging Kurihara with a big boot. Kurihara kicks out of the pin and then catches Martinez with a drop kick, Kurihara then locks Martinez in a modified cross face to almost force a tap out. Martinez recovers to hit Kurihara with a saito suplex and then a fisherman buster suplex for the three count.
Winner: Mercedes Martinez
This was an absolute war and if this was Kurihara’s final appearance in the USA before retiring, she went out on a great note.
Match #5 - Six Woman Tag Match: Serena Deeb, Leva & Allison Danger w/Daffney vs. Jessicka Havok, Navaeh & Sassy Stephie w/Mademoiselle Rachelle
This bout begins with Serena and Navaeh locking up and nobody gets the edge, Navaeh gains the early edge by working on the arm of Serena. Serena regains control on Navaeh by hitting her with a trio of arm drags, Stephie comes in and she shoulder rams Serena a few times in the corner. Serena gets angry and she starts stomping the life out of Stephie in the corner, Serena then attacks Stephie with a few chops in the corner. Danger tags in and she works over Stephie with a modified stretch plum, Danger and Leva then crack Stephie with a pair of double elbow drops. Bates follows that up by hitting Stephie with a drop kick, Leva and Stephie battle in the corner and it ends with Leva nailing her with a top rope double stomp. Havok gets the blind tag and she crushes Leva with a big boot to the face, Navaeh tags back in as the evil trio triple teams Leva in the corner. Havok tags in next and she just starts choking Leva in the corner, Havok then attacks Leva with a suplex before tagging Navaeh back in. Stephie goes for Kiss My Sass and Leva counter with a bowtie X-factor, Serena gets the hot tag and she cleans house of her evil opponents. Serena then cracks Navaeh with a gut buster for a near fall, Rachelle interferes by grabbing the foot on Serena and Navaeh takes advantage. All six wrestlers then take the chance to nail each other with their finishers, Daffney interferes as well and she then catfights with Rachelle. Serena with a spear to Navaeh for the victory.
Winners: Serena Deeb, Allison Danger & Leva Bates w/Daffney
After the match, Jessicka Havok attacks Serena before hitting her with a sit out power bomb.
This was a good in ring return for Serena, hopefully she can stay healthy because she is a hell of a worker, the match was pretty good as well.
Match #6 - SHIMMER 35 Rematch: Madison Eagles vs. Jessie McKay
This match begins with both women attempting to kick the other and failing, Eagles gets the early advantage by working on the arm of McKay. McKay escapes from Eagles attack with a cartwheel before going for a rollup for a near fall, McKay eats an elbow from Eagles after applying a body lock. McKay finally slows Eagles down after a drop toe hold that plants her into the middle rope, both girls use a lot of reversals in the ring corners before Eagles nails McKay with a bunch of kicks on the ring apron. Eagles then destroys McKay with a curb stomp on the ring apron, Eagles continues to weaken McKay by holding her in the chin lock. Eagles changes holds and decides to lock her in the modified camel clutch, Eagles then clobbers McKay with a yakuza kick while she was tangled in the ropes. The girls battle on the middle rope and McKay knocks Eagles off the ropes before hitting her with a Thesz press, McKay then pops Eagles with a variety of kicks. Eagles recovers by nailing McKay with a pair of kicks to the head, Eagles goes for Hellbound and McKay counters with a roll up before locking her in the octopus stretch. McKay then takes Eagles down with a head scissors that is followed by the big boot, McKay goes for a version of the hurricarana and Eagles destroys her with a pair of power bombs. Eagles goes for the brain buster and McKay escapes after landing a few knee strikes, Eagles connects with the brain buster on attempt number two. McKay goes for another hurricarana and Eagles counters with the Hellbound to get the three count.
Winner: Madison Eagles
This was a good return for Eagles, who returned to the promotion after a long hiatus due to a knee injury. While this was not as good as there title match years back, it was still decent.
Match #7 – Shimmer Tag Team Title Match – Four Way Elimination Match: Canadian Ninjas (Champions) vs. Allyson Kay & Taylor Made vs. Kellie Skater & Tomoko Nakagawa vs. Lufisto & Kana
This bout kicks off with Mde jumping Lufisto from behind after Perez tagged her in, Lufisto gains control on Made after a few karate kicks. Kay comes in the ring and Lufisto quickly crushes her with a senton bomb, Lufisto & Kana then attack Kay with a double team maneuver. Nakagawa tags in and she immediately grapples with Kana, Nakagawa gets the edge on Kana after catching her with a drop kick. Perez comes in and nobody on any team is will to tag her back, Kana eventually tags Kana and she is now forced to fight her own partner. Skater eventually comes in and she clotheslines both ninjas, Skater and Matthews face off until Perez interferes and attacks her from behind. Matthews then hits Skater with a kick to the back that is followed by a dropkick, Kay tags in and she works over Skater. Matthews tags back in and she chokes Skater on the middle rope, Made then comes in and she also chokes Skater. Perez tags in and she shoulder rams Skater a few times, Skater finally hits Kay with a springboard elbow before Kana gets the tag. Kay and Made attack Kana for a short time, Kana then uses her kicks to break up the double team by both girls. Kay then stops the momentum of Kana by hitting her with a clothes line, Matthews tags in and Kana immediately clobbers her with a spin kick. Lufisto tags in and she takes out both ninjas before she nails Perez with a package DDT, Kay comes in and Lufisto quickly takes her out with a cannon ball. The wrestlers start battling outside of the ring and Lufisto takes them out with a top rope moonsault, the brawl continues between all the women on the arena floor. Lufisto hits Made with a burning hammer for the three count.
Allyson Kay & Taylor Made are eliminated.
The bout resumes with both ninjas attacking Lufisto, Skater tags in and Lufisto drops her with a German suplex. Lufisto goes for a burning hammer on Skater, Nakagawa spits water in the eyes of Lufisto and Skater rolls her up for the three count.
Lufisto & Kana are eliminated.
The match continues with Matthews hitting Skater with a German suplex, Nakagawa blocks the ninjas from hitting Funky Cold Medina. That allows Skater to hit Matthews with a brain buster, Perez hits the ring and she nearly pins Skater after a suplex. Nakagawa attacks Perez with a bunch of different moves before Skater nearly pins her, Matthews spits water into the eyes of Skater while the referee was distracted by Nakagawa and Perez rolls her up for the win.
Winners: Canadian Ninjas, still your Shimmer Tag Team Champions
Very good action, Lufisto’s moonsault was scary as hell, odd to see the final two eliminations occur in practically the same exact way.
Match #8 - SHIMMER 52 Rematch: Ayako Hamada vs. Athena
This match kicks off with Hamada quickly grounding Athena by locking her in a knee stretch, the two chain wrestle and it ends with Hamada applying the cross face on Athena. Athena tries to escape and Hamada returns to focusing on her leg, Hamada then kicks Athena right in the head a few times. Athena gets back to her feet and she immediately challenges Hamada to a test of strength, Athena lands on her feet after a Hamada monkey flip and Hamada makes her pay with a super kick. Hamada then sits on Athena while pulling on her arm, Hamada then kicks at the injured arm of Athena. Hamada walks the ropes like The Undertaker does before taking Athena down with an arm drag, both wrestlers have a stalemate after a few trip ups on each other. Hamada fakes her appreciation for Athena by kicking her in the chest after a handshake, the women both exchange a few chops and Athena gets the edge by kicking Hamada in the back after tripping her. Athena then starts working over the arm of Hamada with a submission hold, Athena follows up that attack with a lung blower on Hamada. Hamada fights back by catching Athena with a spin kick, Hamada follows up het attack with a back suplex on Athena. Hamada goes for the moonsault and Athena avoids it, Athena then cracks Hamada with a running kick to the face. Athena then drops Hamada with a bunch of knee strikes and then a double knee stomp, Athena goes for a top rope cross body and Hamada catches her with a drop kick to the midsection. Hamada follows up her attack by nailing Athena with a missile drop kick, Hamada puts Athena on the top turnbuckle so she can hit her with a hurricarana. The action spills to the arena floor and Hamada tosses Athena into the barricade, Hamada then crushes Athena with a moonsault from the top rope to the arena floor. Hamada brings Athena back into the ring for a near fall, Hamada gets a near fall on Athena after a sit out power bomb. Hamada then floors Athena with a running kick, but Athena somehow recovers to hit Hamada with a swinging DDT. Athena follows that up by hitting Hamada with the O Face for the three count.
Winner: Athena
This was a great match, pretty much a longer version of the Kong/Mia Yim bout from earlier, but with the rising star winning instead of the veteran.
Main Event – SHIMMER Title Match: Saraya Knight (Champion) vs. Cheerleader Melissa
This bout begins with both women doing a little chain wrestling, the women exchange a few slaps and Melissa begins to work over the leg of Knight. Knight reverses things on Melissa and catches her in a modified camel clutch, Melissa regains control by smashing Knight into the cage a few times. Knight drags Melissa up the top rope and she smashes her into the cage as well, Knight grabs a hold of Melissa’s leg and that causes her to fall to the mat below. Melissa recovers and she puts Knight back on the top rope, Melissa then kicks the head of Knight into the cage. They battle back to the mat and Knight hits Melissa with a running side slam, Knight works over Melissa in the corner. Melissa finds a way to knock Knight down with a running book to the midsection, Melissa follows that up by locking Knight in a trailer hitch. Melissa uses her free leg to stomp on the back of a downed Knight, Melissa releases the hold to nail Knight with a curb stomp. Melissa teases Knight for a little while before attacking her with another curb stomp, Knight recovers to wrap Melissa’s leg between the ring ropes and the cage. Knight releases the leg of Melissa before kicking her in the women parts, Knight attacks Melissa next with an Alabama slam that is followed by a double leg drop. Knight keeps up her attack by hitting Melissa with an avalanche that is followed by a drop kick to female land, Knight then lands a muscle buster on Melissa for the near fall. Melissa fights back by attacking Knight with a bunch of punches in the corner, Melissa then hits Knight with a big boot that is followed by the Air raid Crash for the near fall. Melissa tries to climb out of the cage and Knight follows her up and goes for a power bomb, Melissa counters that with a hurricarana from the top of the cage. Melissa then hits Knight with a missile drop kick and another Air Raid Crash for the three count.
Winner: Cheerleader Melissa, your new Shimmer Champion
This was a fantastic cage match that built slowly from the beginning to a fantastic ending, Melissa is the first ever two time Shimmer Champion in the promotion.
2013 - CHIKARA ran Secaucus, NJ. Mike Johnson & Josh Higham filed the following report:
We are live at Wrestlecon for CHIKARA's live event. I'll be here for as long as possible until I have to leave for the WWE Hall of Fame. Josh Higham is also in attendance and will fill in results for us if I have to leave before the conclusion of the show.
The promotion broke 1,000 fans here which may be their all time crowd record.
Kobald vs. Saturyne.
Kobald attacked her before the bell. Nice guy. She made a comeback but missed a dropkick and was nailed with a hard elbow. She came back with an Octopus, trying to force a submission.
Kobald made a comeback and did the Five Knuckle Shuffle, which the crowd hated. She came back with a sunset flip attempt but was thwarted. She went to the top but was nailed hard by Kobald. He went for a superplex but she shot him off and sent him to the mat.
Saturyne scored with a missile dropick off the top. Kobald caught her attempting a move but she turned it into a big bulldog for a two count. She peppered him with axe kicks for another two count. They went back and forth with near falls.
Kobald went to the top but crotched himself when Saturyne shaked the ropes. She countered a move into head scissors and rolled him up for the pin.
Your winner, Saturyne!
Devastation Corporation vs. The Batiri vs. The Throwbacks
Devastation Corporation vs. The Batiri vs. The Throwbacks vs. Blind Rage & Ultramantis Black
Early on Devastation used their power. Mr. Touchdown tried several times to take them down with his tackles but failed. He's great at his persona. He finally stomped one of their feet and took him down with a tackle.
They all ended up on the floor and Blaster hit a crazy running dive over the top to the floor. Back in the ring, they worked over Dasher Hatfield and crushed him in the corner with big splashes.
The Batiri tagged in and worked over Hatfield One of them tagged in and leapt into the ring with a rana. That was great. They locked Hatfield in a side chinlock trying to wear him down. Mantis tagged in and worked over Batiri, then tricked Devastation into running themselves over the ropes as he pulled them down.
Mantis and Blaster went face to face and battled back and forth. Devastation took out Dasher with a big splash off the ropes, eliminating The Throwbacks.
Mantis rolled up Blaster and pinned him, eliminating Devastation Corporation.
The Batiri nailed Scrambled Brains on Blind Rage and scored the pin.
Your winners, The Batiri.
They won three points with the win and have now earned the right to challenge for the CHIKARA Tag straps.
Amasis vs. Ophidian
Ophidian came out in a wheelchair carrying crutches. The crowd immediately chanted that he was a faker. He claimed he was hurt and was happy that the people wouldn't see him fight.
He got into the ring but was limping. He continued talking and hypnotised his former partner, using their old trick against him. He knocked Amasis for being predictable. He said Amasis was under his spell but behind him, Amasis revealed he was faking and nailed a big spinebuster.
Amasis attacked him and worked him over. Kobald tried to stop him but was nailed. The Batiri then hit the scene and worked over Amasis. Ophidian drilled him over the back HARD with the crutch.
They all held Amasis as Ophidian said he had something for him and went to spew mist in his face but Amasis fought back. The Batiri nailed a crazy powerbomb on him.
They left Amasis laying.
Amasis vs. Ophidian
Ophidian came out in a wheelchair carrying crutches. The crowd immediately chanted that he was a faker. He claimed he was hurt and was happy that the people wouldn't see him fight.
He got into the ring but was limping. He continued talking and hypnotised his former partner, using their old trick against him. He knocked Amasis for being predictable. He said Amasis was under his spell but behind him, Amasis revealed he was faking and nailed a big spinebuster.
Amasis attacked him and worked him over. Kobald tried to stop him but was nailed. The Batiri then hit the scene and worked over Amasis. Ophidian drilled him over the back HARD with the crutch.
They all held Amasis as Ophidian said he had something for him and went to spew mist in his face but Amasis fought back. The Batiri nailed a crazy powerbomb on him.
They left Amasis laying.
FIST vs. 3.0 & Marty Jannetty & Gran Akuma
Dunketon and Scott Parker started out. Parker controlled him. They ended up in a dance off. Johnny Gargano broke it up and had words with Dunkerton for falling into that. He took down Shane Matthews but was shoulderblocked down. Matthews went for a Boston Crab but was thrown out of the ring by Chuck Taylor.
Taylor and Gran Akuma went back and forth. Akuma controlled him with an armbar. Icarus entered the fray and Jannetty tagged in. Jannetty grabbed Icarus' ring jacket and teased putting it on, then put it on Icarus. Dunkerton tagged in and faced off with Marty.
Everyone fought back and forth while trying to get control of a multi man suplex attempt. After that, Dunkerton and Jannetty faced off in a dance off. Well, it is CHIKARA. They began doing the Prime Time Players dance and Jannetty grabbed him for a snapmare.
They all went for head scissors at the same time, leading to Matthews locking a Boston Crab on pretty much everyone. FIST took control and Taylor stomped the hell out of Icarus. Referee Bryce Remsberg argued with him and they shoved each other.
Matthews caught Gargano with a big head scissors. They went into a series of those. Remsberg nailed Taylor to a big pop. They all went back and forth with some awesome stuff.
In the end, Icarus made Akuma tap to the CHIKARA Special.
AWESOME.
I am out for the Hall of Fame. Josh will fill in the remainder later!
Archibald Peck def. Tim Donst
Peck tried for Cranial Crescendo but Donst rolled out of the way. Peck then attempted his new move, was blocked, but hit B Flat for two. Peck went up top again. Donst pushed Drummond into ropes to crotch Archie. Super Donstitution for two. Archie hit his new move (a front face lock bulldog) for two, then connected with Cranial Crescendo for the win.
Donst berated his entourage before leaving. Loudspeaker tried to talk sense into Jakob, which brought everyone else back to the ring. Donst threw Ludspeaker down and cut a lock from his hair before leaving.
Director of Fun Wink Vavasseur comes to the ring to introduce Colony: Xtreme Force and gives them The Colony's 2011 King of Trios medals, which brings out the members of the classic Colony. Fire Ant and Green Ant go after Colony: Xtreme Force. assailANT comes out and goes after Soldier. Frightmare out and dives on all seven, and the match begins.
Colony: Xtreme Force and Soldier Ant defeated The Colony and Frightmare when
Missile Assault Ant grabbed Frightmare's mask and small packaged him for the pin.
Chikara Grand Championship
Eddie Kingston def. Hallowicked
Eddie Kingston's right arm was heavily taped. He hit a backfist to the future which hurt him just as much. After that, Hallowicked focused on the arm, locking in multiple wrist locks and arm bars. Go to Sleepy Hollow didn't work so Wicked started untaping King's arm. King connected with a backdrop driver and a backfist (with his left hand) to get the win. It was Eddie Kingston's tenth defense.
Lightning" Mike Quackenbush and ??? vs. Jigsaw and The Shard
Break It Down Again hit, but the crowd erupted when the music changed. It's Jushin Liger! Like all previous encounters, Jigsaw avoided Quack unless he had an advantage or a wide open shot. The back of Quackenbush was the target throughout the match for Shard and Jig. In the end, Jushin Liger gets the pin on Jigsaw with a super brain buster.
Notes, thoughts, and more details that may be important: Bryce Remsburg, Dan Yost, Jon Barber, and PJ Drummond were the referees. Leonard F. Chikarason, Bryce Remsburg, Gavin Loudspeaker, Ultramantis Black, and Dr. Keith Lipinski rotated on commentary. Chuck Taylor chimed in on commentary during the FIST match. FIST almost imploded after their match with Gargano and Taylor pushing Sugar, but Icarus standing up for him. Icarus also did not take kindly to Gargano hitting Jannetty low... There was a camera and boom mic trained on Marty Jannetty as he sold merch at intermission... Gavin Loudspeaker sang a song about Wrestlecon to the tune of "We Didn't Start the Fire" to start the show... Orbit Adventure Ant and Arctic Rescue Ant tried going for Fire Ant's mask... There was a mini exodus between 645-700 for people to get to the Hall of Fame, presumably... Chikara's attendance record was broken tonight, and a hard sale for the iPPV in Philadelphia on June 2.
2013 - DGUSA ran Open the Ultimate Gate 2013 in Secacus, NJ. Richard Trionfo filed the following iPPV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com’s coverage of Dragon Gate USA’s Open the Ultimate Gate 2013 from WrestleCon in Secaucus, New Jersey.
The iPPV starts off with Rich Swann performing All Night Long.
Your announcer is Lenny Leonard.
Match Number One: Special Attraction Match: Brian Kendrick versus Rich Swann
The crowd is split for Swann and Kendrick based on the chants for the wrestlers. They shake hands. They lock up and Kendrick backs Swann into the ropes and he gives a clean break. They lock up again and Kendrick with a wrist lock as he takes Swann to the mat. Swann rolls through and reverses and he puts Kendrick in a hammer lock. Kendrick kicks Swann to escape.
Kendrick with a key lock and he takes Swann to the mat one more time. Swann with a reversal and he does a headstand into a bridge to add more pressure. Swann gets a near fall. They lock up again and Kendrick with a hip toss but Swann lands on his feet. Each man tries for a hip toss but they are thwarted by their opponents. Swann uses the ropes for a take down and rollup to counter a hip toss from Kendrick.
Kendrick with a side head lock and he connects with shoulders in the corner. Swann with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot from Kendrick. Swann with an enzuigiri and a leaping rana that sends Kendrick from the turnbuckles to the apron. Swann with a running forearm and then he hits a senton from the apron and both men are down.
Swann sends Kendrick into the ring and Swann takes his time getting back into the ring. Swann with a handspring into an Ace Crusher for a near fall. Swann with a slam and he goes up top and hits a frog splash for a near fall.
Swann with a chop and Swann puts Kendrick on the turnbuckles. Swann calls for a brainbuster while on the turnbuckles but Kendrick with punches and he pushes Swann to the mat. Swann runs into a boot and Kendrick leaps over Swann and hits a Burning Hammer for a near fall.
Kendrick with a full nelson on Swann but Swann gets to his feet. Swann escapes with an arm drag but Kendrick with a rollup as Swann charges at him. Swann with a round kick and shooting star press from the mat for a near fall. Swann tries for a suplex but Kendrick gets to his feet. Kendrick gets out of a suplex attempt and Swann avoids Sliced Bread #2 and Swann with an enzuigiri for the three count.
Winner: Rich Swann
After the match, Chuck Taylor comes to the ring and he has a mic. Chuck sits on the apron and he tells Brian that he saw his funny little promos and he calls them artistic or autistic. Chuck says that Brian talks about the Gentleman’s Club is pissing away any opportunity that they have. Brian says that is ironic because of all of the talent that Brian pissed away.
Brian had everything he could have wanted in wrestling and he pissed it away. Brian is back in DGUSA and he can’t even beat Rich Swann, the laughingstock of Dragon Gate USA. Chuck says that they are not going to make the same mistakes that Brian did. They are good at what they do and they are better than Brian is and has ever been.
Chuck wants to know if Brian is going to hit him but Brian takes the mic. He says that Chuck makes a lot of good points. The good news is that they will have a chance to find out tomorrow. Brian tosses the mic at Chuck and leaves the ring.
Chuck picks up the mic and says that they are going to find out tomorrow. Last year we had the Chuck Taylor Invitational. There are five other assholes in the back who think they can take care of him so why not bring them out here.
Match Number Two: (Chuck Taylor Invitational) Six Way Freestyle: Chuck Taylor versus Arik Cannon (with Pabst Blue Ribbon) versus Jigsaw versus Anthony Nese versus Fire Ant versus Shane Strickland
Taylor and Fire Ant start things off. Taylor tells people not to clap and that did not work. Taylor charges at Fire Ant and Fire Ant takes Taylor down. Fire Ant with a springboard into an arm drag and then he chops Taylor and hits a head scissors take down. Taylor goes to the floor and Jigsaw is tagged in. Cannon also enters the match. Jigsaw takes Cannon to the mat and he works on the ankle but Cannon with a side head lock.
Cannon with a side head lock take down but Jigsaw with a head scissors. Cannon tries to escape and he is successful and he applies a side head lock. Cannon with a wrist lock but Jigsaw with a reversal. Cannon with a reversal and Irish whip. Jigsaw with an arm drag and drop kick. Cannon goes to the floor and Jigsaw with a pescado onto Cannon.
Strickland and Nese enter the ring. Strickland with an arm drag and drop kick. Nese sends Strickland to the apron and Strickland with a sunset flip attempt but Nese stays on his feet. Nese with a quebrada for a near fall. Nese with a slam to Strickland and he tags in Taylor. Taylor kicks Strickland.
Taylor with a drop kick and Taylor is impressed with himself. Taylor with a near fall. Jigsaw tags in and he works on Strickland’s ribs and follows with chops. Jigsaw with a drop kick for a near fall. Fire Ant tags in and he gets a rollup on Fire Ant for a near fall. Fire Ant with a snap mare and then he hits a snap elbow drop or tow and then he hits a senton splash. Fire Ant gets a near fall.
Strickland with a forearm and chop followed by a punch and elbows. Fire Ant with a chop and he tags in Cannon. Cannon pushes Fire Ant away and he chops Strickland. Cannon with a delayed vertical suplex. Cannon tags Nese in and he kicks Strickland. Nese with a punch to the chin and he gets a near fall. Taylor warns Nese about cheating.
Cannon tags himself in and he pushes Nese away. Cannon with a European uppercut on Strickland followed by a forearm. Cannon with an Irish whip but he charges into a boot from Strickland. Jigsaw is tagged in and he kicks Cannon. Jigsaw with a rana to Cannon that sends him to the floor and Jigsaw with a plancha. Jigsaw stops Fire Ant. Taylor with a plancha. Fire Ant with a springboard dive. Strickland sends Nese to the floor and then Nese trips Strickland when Shane tries for a dive to the floor. Nese hits the Fosbury Flop onto everyone on the floor.
Strickland rolls into the ring and he tries for a dive to the floor but he falls off the ropes into the ring. Strickland with a suicide dive that does not completely hit its target.
Arik Cannon teases a dive to the floor but it is the beer frame. Chuck has a sip and then Strickland drop kicks Cannon and Taylro drops his beer. Jigsaw with an overhead suplex to Strickland. Cannon and Jigsaw exchange chops. Jigsaw with a kick to Cannon but Cannon with a lariat. Cannon misses a moonsault from the turnbuckles.
Fire Ant comes in and Jigsaw gets an assist on a DDT to Cannon. Nese with a package power bomb on Fire Ant for a near fall. Nese with elbows to Taylor but Taylor with an uranage and kick for a near fall. Taylor with a forearm to Nese but Nese with an Irish whip. Taylor with a knee but Strickland sends Taylor to the floor. Fire Ant with a cross body. Cannon with a kick to Fire Ant. Cannon with a punch but Jigsaw with a super kick to Cannon.
Everyone is down in and around the ring. Strickland goes up top but Cannon crotches him. Cannon hits a spider suplex on Strickland but Jigsaw with a drop kick. Fire Ant avoids Awful Waffle and Fire Ant with a guillotine choke and then a stunner. Jigsaw with a brainbuster to Fire Ant. Nese with a rollup into a single arm buckle bomb. Nese with a running kick to Jigsaw’s head.
Nese goes up top but Strickland crotches him. Strickland is stopped by Cannon but Strickland with a kick. Strickland is caught by Cannon but Strickland hits a flip pile driver on Cannon. Nese with a 450 splash onto Strickland for the three count.
Winner: Anthony Nese
Match Number Three: Derek Ryze versus Scott Reed (with Larry Dallas)
Before the match starts, Larry Dallas takes the mic and the crowd is not happy that he is speaking. Larry says that he gave Caleb Konley the night off.
Reed with a kick and forearms to the back. Ryze with a kicks to Reed and he kicks Reed in the head. Reed holds the ropes to stop an Irish whip. Ryze with a kick to the head. Reed with a double pump power slam and a kick to the midsection. Reed sends Ryze to the floor.
Reed with a forearm across the chest. Reed with a pump handle back breaker and then he punches Ryze in the head. Reed gets a near fall. Reed with a chop and knee to the midsection. Reed with a kick to the head and he tries for a suplex but Ryze escapes and he kicks Reed. Ryze with an inside cradle for a near fall. Reed with Smash Mouth for the three count.
Winner: Scott Reed
After the match, Caleb Konley makes his way to the ring and Larry tells Caleb that he was given the night off and Caleb takes the mic and he tells Larry to shut the f*** up and he will do the talking tonight.
Caleb calls Larry a greasy slimeball and they are done with this. Caleb says that Larry has not helped them. They are sick of Larry’s lies and Scott tells Caleb they are better than this.
Scott attacks Caleb from behind and Reed with a kick but Konley with a spinebuster and he clotheslines Reed over the top rope to the floor. Dallas tries to escape but Konley grabs Larry and Marti Belle slaps Larry and she takes Dallas to the mat and she connects with forearms. Konley with a Michinoku Driver and Scott pulls Larry out of the ring.
Match Number Four: Jon Davis versus Trent?
The bell rings and Jon stays in the corner and waits until he is ready. Jon finally gets up and they lock up. Jon backs Trent into the corner and Davis with a clean break but the stare is not as clean. They lock up again and Davis sends Trent to the mat. Trent with a chop and Jon is not happy. Jon misses a punch and Trent with another chop. Trent with a side head lock.
Davis with a shoulder tackle and forearm to the back. Davis with an elbow to the back of the neck. Trent with a head scissors and drop kick to the knees and Davis goes to the floor. Trent with a plancha onto Davis.
Trent returns Davis to the ring and gets a near fall. Trent with a chop. Davis blocks the head scissors and he gets Trent on his shoulders but Trent with elbows. Davis tosses Trent into the air and Davis with a flying Yakuza kick.
Davis knocks Trent off the apron and into the guardrail. Davis goes to the floor and he chops Trent and then he teases another one and he throws Trent back into the ring and he gives the fans the finger. Davis with a kick to the back and then he slams Trent. Davis with a forearm to the head followed by an Irish whip but he runs into a boot. Davis with a German suplex and he gets a near fall.
Trent with forearms to the midsection but Davis with a knee to the head. Davis slams Trent and he kicks Trent in the upper back. Davis with a kick to the midsection and then he throws Trent to the floor.
Davis goes to the floor and Trent with forearms and chops but Davis hot shots Trent onto the guardrail. Davis runs Trent into the apron a few times. Davis sends Trent back into the ring and Davis with shoulders to the kidney area. Davis puts Trent on the turnbuckles but Trent with elbows to knock Davis to the mat.
Trent sets for a corkscrew dive onto Davis and he hits it and gets a near fall. Trent with chops and forearms followed by an enzuigiri. Trent with a second one and Davis stays on his feet. A third one takes Davis to the mat. Trent goes up top and hits a missile drop kick. Trent tells Davis to get up and he hits the flying knee and he gets a near fall.
Davis gets back to his feet in the corner and Trent with the double jump elbow but Davis with a choke slam and Shining Wizard for a near fall. Trent has trouble getting back to his feet and Davis waits for Trent to get up. Trent slaps Davis and Davis pushes Trent into the corner and he head butts Trent repeatedly but he does not stop and the referee makes the five count.
Winner: Trent? (by disqualification)
After the match, Davis clotheslines the referee and then he gives Trent Three Seconds Around the World.
Davis demands the mic. Jon says that he could give a s*** less what the idiots want. After he had victory stolen from him last night, he is a man who has nothing to lose. If he is going to be miserable, they are going to be miserable. Everyone is going to be miserable. Jon says if everyone wants to play favorites, he will challenge anyone to come into the ring to face him right now. He wants to know who everyone’s favorite is so he can face them.
The fans chant for Super Dragon.
Jon says that nobody in the back wants anything to do with him.
The fans chant for Hogan and Davis says that he would beat the s*** out of him.
Match Number Five: Special Tag Team Attraction Match: Super Smash Brothers versus EITA and Tomahawk TT (CIMA’s Secret Weapon)
They shake hands before the match begins. Uno and EITA start things off, but Dos takes his place. They lock up and EITA with a waist lock but Dos with a standing switch and side head lock. EITA with a drop toe hold and a front face lock. EITA works on the wrist. Dos with a reversal into a side head lock. Dos with a shoulder tackle.
EITA with a drop kick to the head when Dos expects EITA to leap over him. EITA with a forearm. Dos with a head scissors but EITA with a chop and Dos is in pain. Dos needs a minute and he tags in Uno. Uno says that he is not scared of him and he asks EITA to tag in Tomahawk TT. Uno and Tomahawk push each other. Uno with a side head lock and shoulder tackle but Tomahawk stays on his feet. Tomahawk with a shoulder tackle and Uno stays on his feet. Neither man goes down after almost a dozen shoulder tackles. Uno with a forearm but Tomahawk with a chop and Uno goes down to his knees. Uno tells Tomahawk to stop when he comes off the ropes because he is still in pain from the chop.
Tomahawk with a shoulder tackle and Uno blocks a kick. Uno gives the referee Tomahawk’s leg so he can hit a neck breaker. Dos tags in and they hit a double back elbow followed by a standing moonsault and fist drop combination for a near fall. Dos with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Dos sends TT into Uno’s boot and Uno tags in. Uno slams TT and then the Smash Brothers pose. Uno with a chop to TT and he gives him another chop. Uno with a third chop and TT is ready to chop Uno and Uno is not happy. Uno with a forearm. TT with a squat delayed suplex. EITA sends Dos to the floor.
TT chops Dos into the crowd. EITA with a forearm to the back of the head. EITA and TT drop Uno on the top rope and they hit a running double drop kick for a near fall. Uno with a head butt to EITA’s midsection. Uno with a chop but EITA with a chop. EITA and TT with a double kick and double chop. EITA and TT with a double hip toss followed by a double drop kick. TT sends Dos to the floor with a drop kick.
EITA with kicks to Uno. EITA chops Uno in the corner but Uno chops back. They go back and forth and then they go to double thrusts. Uno with a downward spiral. Dos with a cross body onto TT and then he drop kicks EITA off the apron. Dos with a German suplex and then he hits a suicide dive onto EITA. Dos tries for a quebrada but TT catches him. Dos counters with a DDT and he gets a near fall.
Uno tags in and they hit a side slam and springboard elbow drop combination but only get a two count. Dos holds Uno and he tags in. EITA and TT with kicks but Dos with a double Pele kick. TT with a forearm to Dos. Uno with a punch to TT. TT with a kick to Uno. Dos with a leg lariat to TT and then Uno puts TT in the Sharpshooter. Dos tries to hold EITA back but EITA sends Dos into Uno to get TT out of the hold.
EITA and TT alternate chopping Uno. EITA chops Uno and TT with an inverted suplex for a near fall. TT chops Dos. TT with a running chop to Dos followed by one from EITA. TT lifts Dos into the air and they hit the Doomsday Lungblower but Uno breaks up the cover.
Uno with jabs to TT and EITA but EITA and TT with kicks. EITA misses a splash into the corner and he kicks TT. Dos with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on TT into EITA.
Dos goes up top and he hits a 450 while Uno hits a cannonball onto EITA. TT kicks out at two. Uno calls for Fatality and Dos goes up top. EITA crotches Dos. TT with a lariat to Uno. EITA with a tightrope rana on Dos and then TT holds Dos. EITA with a moonsault onto Uno on the floor. TT with Night Ride for the three count.
Winners: EITA and Tomahawk TT
After the match, The Super Smash Brothers applaud the performance of their opponents and they shake hands and hug.
Match Number Six: Special Attraction Match: Akira Tozawa (with Christina Von Eerie) versus Ricochet
They lock up and Tozawa works on the wrist. Ricochet with a reversal. Ricochet stomps on the hand and then he kicks at Von Eerie’s hand when she goes to check on Tozawa. Ricochet with a front face lock on Tozawa but Tozawa with an escape and hammer lock. Ricochet with a wrist lock once he gets back to his feet.
Ricochet with a hammer lock. Ricochet with a head scissors and Tozawa escapes. Tozawa misses a kick and Ricochet misses one, but Ricochet connects with a kick. Ricochet with a head scissors followed by a drop kick that sends Tozawa to the floor. Ricochet with a double jump shooting star press onto Tozawa.
Ricochet sends Tozawa back into the ring and Ricochet gets a near fall. Ricochet with a rollup for a near fall. Tozawa backs into the corner and Ricochet chokes him. Tozawa grabs Ricochet but Ricochet with a forearm and kicks to the back. Ricochet with a snap mare and then he hits a standing moonsault and gets a near fall. Ricochet works on the wrist and he gets Tozawa on his back in a bow and arrow and he runs Tozawa’s head into the turnbuckles.
Ricochet with a forearm to Tozawa. Tozawa holds on to the ropes on an Irish whip attempt. Tozawa misses a kick but he does not miss with a running kick to the head and then Tozawa with three suicide dives onto Ricochet. Von Eerie kicks Ricochet in the back while Tozawa deals with the referee. Von Eerie suplexes Ricochet on the floor.
Ricochet is sent back into the ring and Tozawa gets a near fall. Tozawa with a punch and he sends Ricochet into the turnbuckles. Tozawa chokes Ricochet and kicks him. Tozawa slams Ricochet and hits a back senton and gets a near fall.
Tozawa with the rapid fire chops to Ricochet in the corner. Tozawa slows down and he picks up the pace. Tozawa stops and then connects with a jab to the side of the jaw. Tozawa gets a near fall. Ricochet punches Tozawa but Tozawa kicks Ricochet.
Tozawa with forearms but Ricochet with punches. Ricochet with the advantage but Toawa with a jab. Ricochet with an Irish whip and shoulder into the corner and an enzuigiri followed by a springboard clothesline and both men are down. Ricochet and Tozawa exchange forearms. Ricochet with a running cutter followed by a running shooting star press for a near fall.
Tozawa with an Irish whip and Tozawa with a brainbuster but he can only get a two count. Tozawa tries for another brainbuster but Ricochet escapes. Tozawa with a running knee for a near fall. Tozawa puts Ricochet on top and he sets for a superplex but Ricochet blocks him and sends Tozawa to the mat. Ricochet with a delayed Regalplex for a near fall.
Ricochet with a slam and he tries for the Phoenix Splash but Tozawa moves. Tozawa and Ricochet with elbows. Tozawa with a Saito suplex followed by a kick and both men are down. Tozawa and Ricochet exchange forearms. Ricochet throws in a kick but the exchange continues. Tozawa with a forearm followed by a roaring forearm. Ricochet tries for a Regalplex from the apron into the ring but Tozawa blocks it and he brings Ricochet to the apron. Ricochet tries for a German suplex on the apron but Tozawa blocks it. Tozawa with a bicycle kick and then he hits a delayed German suplex on the apron.
Tozawa sends Ricochet back into the ring and he gets a near fall. Tozawa with a waist lock and he tries for the German suplex but Ricochet blocks it. Tozawa with a bicycle kick to the back of the head. Ricochet lands on his feet on a German suplex. Ricochet leaps to Tozawa’s shoulders and Tozawa counters into a German suplex. Tozawa with a deadlift German suplex into a bridge for a near fall.
Tozawa goes for the straitjacket German suplex but Ricochet counters with a rollup for a near fall. Tozawa with a punch but Ricochet with an enzuigiri. Tozawa tries for a German suplex but Ricochet blocks it. Tozawa blocks a back slide attempt. Ricocher hits the backslide driver but he can only get a two count.
Ricochet goes up top and hits the 630 splash for the three count.
Winner: Ricochet
After the match, Ricochet takes Tozawa’s mouth piece and puts it in his tights.
It is time for Intermission.
Match Number Seven: Special Attraction Match: Sami Callihan versus Uhaa Nation
Uhaa and Sami have something to say to each other before locking up. Uhaa sends Sami to the mat. Sami spits in Uhaa’s face and Uhaa biels Sami into the turnbuckles. Uhaa misses a bicycle kick in the corner and then we move to Callihan after he hits a suicide dive onto Uhaa on the floor. Callihan with a chop to Uhaa. Callihan misses a shoulder into the guardrails when Uhaa moves.
Uhaa tries to power bomb Callihan but Callihan gets on the apron. Uhaa catches Callihan and he drops Callihan on the apron. Uhaa with a belly to back suplex onto the apron and then he gets a near fall when they return to the ring. Uhaa with a delayed vertical suplex attempt but Callihan with a knee to stop Uhaa. Uhaa with a suplex for a near fall.
Uha with an Irish whip to the sternum. Uhaa with a head butt to Callihan followed by an Irish whip but Callihan with a clothesline out of the corner and Uhaa does not leave his feet. Callihan with another clothesline but Uhaa stays on his feet. Uhaa with a lariat to Callihan followed by a double knee gutbuster for a near fall.
Uhaa winds up for a lariat into the corner. Callihan tries for a drop toe hold and then he kicks Uhaa in the surgically repaired leg. Callihan with a Trailer Hitch on Uhaa and he turns it into an ankle lock. Callihan with a cravate and knees followed by a snap mare that sends Uhaa’s leg into the ropes. Callihan with boots to the neck.
Sami with a standing crossface but Uhaa gets out of the hold and he punches Callihan. Callihan with forearms. Callihan with a sunset flip into the Stretch Muffler but Uhaa counters with an inside cradle for a near fall. Both men with bicycle kicks and they both go down.
Callihan with a forearm and chop. Uhaa with a forearm and Callihan goes down. Callihan with more forearms and chops. Uhaa with a forearm. Callihan slaps Uhaa but Uhaa with a German suplex and he holds on and hits a second one. Uhaa with another German suplex for a near fall.
Uhaa favors his leg a bit and Callihan with a boot. Callihan goes to the turnbuckles and Uhaa with a palm thrust. Callihan gets to the mat and he kicks Uhaa and Uhaa lands awkwardly as he comes off the turnbuckles. Callihan with a dragon screw leg whip and he applies a figure four leg lock.
Uhaa escapes and he kicks Callihan in the head to get free. Uhaa tries for a power bomb but Callihan escapes. Callihan with a bicycle kick and Uhaa stays on his feet. Callihan with a second one but the same result. Callihan kicks Uhaa in the knee to get him down. Callihan with a running boot to the head in the corner. Callihan goes for another boot but Uhaa gets up. Callihan with a near fall on a rollup.
Uhaa with an uranage back breaker for a near fall. Uhaa puts Callihan on the turnbuckles and he slaps Callihan. Uhaa tries for a superplex but Callihan blocks it and slaps Uhaa. Uhaa catches Callihan as he comes off the turnbuckles. Uhaa with a slingshot sit out power bomb for a near fall.
Sami has trouble getting up but it was only a trap. Sami with a Saito suplex and lariat but Uhaa gets up to his feet. Callihan has a bicycle kick blocked and Uhaa picks up Callihan and hits the Uhaa Combination for the three count.
Winner: Uhaa Nation
Match Number Eight: Open the United Gate Tag Title Match: CIMA and AR Fox versus The Young Bucks
CIMA and Matt start things off CIMA with a drop toe hold but Matt with an arm bar. CIMA with a wrist lock and Matt reverses. CIMA with a kick and we have a stalemate. They have a test of strength and Matt with the advantage but CIMA rolls through and he gets a near fall with a rollup. Matt spits in CIMA’s face.
Nick and Fox tag in. Nick with a kick and side head lock followed by a shoulder tackle. Fox with a back elbow and drop kick. Fox misses a split legged moonsault. Matt tags in and they hit a double hip toss followed by a double drop kick for a near fall. Fox with a knee to the midsection and CIMA tags in.
Fox and CIMA with a double drop kick of their own and CIMA gets a near fall. CIMA grapevines the legs and he ties up Matt. Nick with a kick to the back to help Matt escape the hold. Matt with a punch and he sends CIMA into the turnbuckles. Matt with a snap mare and Nick is tagged in. Nick with a slingshot senton while Matt hits a fist drop.
Matt tags in and he hits a double stomp to the arm. CIMA blocks a suplex attempt by Matt. CIMA with a suplex of his own but Nick takes care of Fox. CIMA gets a boot on Nick and Fox with a springboard drop kick. Fox with a suicide dive on Nick followed by a suicide dive on Matt and a flip dive onto Nick. Fox sends Nick back into the ring but Matt grabs the leg. Fox sends Nick to the apron.
Nick with a shoulder from the apron. Nick tries for a moonsault from the apron but Fox moves. Fox misses a moonsault off the ring post. Nick with a super kick to Fox and then to CIMA. Nick kicks Fox in the head and connects with an elbow to the back followed b a back rake. He does it a second time. Matt tags in and he does a double handspring into a back rake.
Matt with a slam and a knee drop or two followed by a leaping knee drop and he gets a near fall. Nick makes the tag and he applies a neck vise. Fox with elbows but Nick with a back elbow. Fox goes to the apron and he elbows Matt and hits a shoulder on Nick. Fox tries for a sunset flip and then we skip to the Bucks posing.
Matt with knee drops to Fox and he kicks Fox in the head. Fox with forearms but Matt with a forearm. Matt with a chop in the corner. Matt with shoulders and kicks while the referee is distracted by Nick.
Matt with a front face lock on Fox. Fox with punches but Matt with a drop kick for a near fall. Matt sends Fox into Nick’s boots and Nick tags in. Nick with an Irish whip and a running knee to the head. Nick puts Fox on the turnbuckles and he tries for a superplex. Fox pushes Nick off and then Fox punches Matt off the apron. Fox rolls through and then he avoids Nick but Matt pulls Fox off the apron on a springboard move. Matt pulls CIMA off the apron.
Nick goes for a splash but Fox gets his feet up. Matt and Nick double team Fox but Fox with a kick to Matt and then he hits Sliced Bread on Matt and a springboard cutter to Nick. CIMA tags in and he hits an enzuigiri on Nick and then he goes for the Muta Lock but Matt tries to interfere. CIMA suplexes Matt. Fox with a plancha over the ring post onto Matt past the guardrails.
CIMA with a drop kick to counter a springboard move by Nick. CIMA with a double stomp for a near fall. Nick pushes CIMA into Fox. Nick kicks Fox from the apron and then he hits a springboard X Factor on CIMA for a near fall. CIMA with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot. CIMA with Iconoclasm followed by a swanton from Fox for a near fall.
Fox with an elbow to Matt followed by one from CIMA. Fox hits a 450 splash on Matt while Matt is on CIMA’s knees and Nick breaks up the cover. CIMA with a super kick to Nick but Matt with a super kick to CIMA. After a series of matrix moves, Fox hits an enzuigiri on Matt and all four men are down.
CIMA punches Nick while Matt sends Fox into the turnbuckles. CIMA is taken down and he goes to the floor. Matt with a power bomb and then he picks up Fox for a second one and then they hit a buckle bomb and enzuigiri combination They hit a springboard tombstone piledriver for a near fall.
CIMA sends Nick to the apron and Fox with a lariat into the corner. Fox with a hesitation kick in the corner followed by knees from CIMA. Fox with a senton into the corner. Fox hits Lo Mein Pain and CIMA with Meteora but Nick breaks it up. CIMA with a waist lock on Nickbut Nick with a low blow to CIMA. Matt rolls up Fox and gets a near fall.
Fox with forearms to Matt and then Nick kicks Matt accidentally. Fox with a matrix on a double super kick attempt but they connect on the second double super kick. The Bucks hit More Bang for Your Buck and they get the three count.
Winners: The Young Bucks
After the match, Ricochet comes out and he mocks CIMA for losing the titles.
Match Number Nine: Open the Freedom Gate Title Match: Johnny Gargano versus Shingo
They go face to face after the bell rings. Shingo tells Gargano that he is going to be the champion. They lock up and Gargano with a wrist lock. Shingo with a reversal but Gargano with a drop toe hold into a front face lock. Shingo tries to escape but Gargano holds on. Shingo with a single leg take down and he starts to work on Gargano’s leg.
Shingo with a kick to the hamstring. They go for a test of strength and Gargano with a wrist lock. Gargano takes Shingo to the mat with a leg trip but Shingo gets to the ropes. They lock up and Gargano with a side head lock. Gargano blocks a hip toss and Shingo blocks a hip toss from Gargano. Shingo with a clothesline to Gargano followed by a snap mare and arm bar. Gargano gets back to his feet and he applies a hammer lock.
Gargano takes Shingo to the mat and he maintains the wrist lock. Shingo with a head scissors and then he starts to work on the left shoulder and he chops Gargano to the mat. Gargano with a chop and Shingo shows no effect. Shingo chops Gargano back to the mat. Shingo with a front face lock.
Shingo turns it into a side head lock and then Gargano with a side head lock. Shingo does not move on a shoulder tackle by Gargano. Gargano with a second with no impact and Shingo takes Gargano down with a shoulder tackle. Gargano tries for a sunset flip after getting off Shingo’s shoulders but Shingo picks up Gargano and hits a suplex followed by a back senton for a near fall. Shingo with a waist lock and he works on the neck.
After a brief pause, Shingo chops Gargano and Gargano with a forearm. Shingo with a forearm and then he goes for a clothesline but Gargano with a rollup for a near fall and he tries for the Gargano Escape but Shingo with a head lock and Gargano gets to the ropes.
Shingo chokes Gargano in the ropes. Gargano kicks Shingo but Shingo with a chop that sends the champion to the mat again. Shingo with an Irish whip. Gargano with a rana and he goes for a pescado but Shingo returns to the ring and Gargano lands on the apron. Gargano with a spear from the apron. Gargano chokes Shingo and the referee warns him.
Gargano with a snap mare and then he traps one arm while applying an arm bar to the other arm. Gargano with a drop kick to the head and a kick to the back. Gargano with a neck breaker and he gets a near fall. Gargano with a kick to Shingo and he sends the challenger into the turnbuckles. Gargano with chops but Shingo chops back.
Gargano with elbows to Shingo followed by kicks. Shingo tries for a slam but Gargano blocks it and he connects with elbows. Gargano with a hammer lock and he gets a near fall. Gargano chokes Shingo against the ropes. Gargano stats to work on the shoulder and he applies an arm bar. Shingo with a side slam but Gargano holds on and applies the Gargano Escape but Shino is able to get to his feet and he takes Gargano down with a hip lock take down.
Shingo clotheslines Gargano over the top rope to the floor. Shingo goes to the floor and he Irish whips Gargano into the guardrails. Shingo slaps Gargano in the face and then he punches and chops Gargano against the guardrails. Shingo breaks up the count.
Shingo with a running boot and Gargano goes over the guardrails into the crowd. Shingo sends Gargano into the guardrails and ring apron. Shingo with a punch and chop combination. Shingo puts Gargano in a chair and then he misses the clothesline but Gargano connects with a super kick.
Gargano with a suicide dive onto Shingo. Gargano puts Shingo in the chair and Gargano with punches and chops to Shingo. Johnny rolls into the ring to break the referee’s count. Gargano with a suicide dive onto Shingo. Gargano puts Shingo in the chair one more time and Gargano hits a running boot to the head. Gargano wants to do more while on the floor and he hits another running boot to the head. Gargano goes for a third but Shingo recovers and hits a Death Valley Driver onto the chair.
Shingo returns to the ring and Gargano struggles to get back into the ring. Gargano tries for a spear but Shingo catches him and hits an elevated DDT. Shingo kicks Gargano in the head and he tries for a suplex but Shingo with a knee. Shingo with a neck breaker to counter a suplex attempt by Gargano.
Shingo with a clothesline and then he hits the sliding clothesline but can only get a two count. Shingo can sense that the title is his but Gargano with a boot. Shingo tries for a suplex but Gargano blocks it and hits a suplex into the turnbuckles.
Gargano with an enzuigiri to the back of the head and Gargano with a slingshot DDT for a near fall. Both men struggle to get to their feet and Gargano with a running forearm but Shingo with a back elbow. Gargano with a rollup into a sliding kick in the head. Gargano with a cravate but Shingo with punches. Shingo with a lariat and Burning Hammer Driver but Gargano is able to block it a bit and he connects with a kick. Shingo with a Death Valley Driver and both men are down.
Shingo gets up first and he hits a lariat but Gargano stays on his feet. Shingo with another lariat but Gargano stays on his feet. Gargano blocks a third but Shingo with a lariat. Gargano blocks a lariat and he applies the Gargano Escape. Shingo tries to get to the ropes and he is able to get his foot on the rope and Gargano releases the hold.
Gargano signals that it is over. Shingo gets Gargano on his shoulders and he climbs the turnbuckles for the Last Falconry but Gargano gets loose and he tries for a rana from the turnbuckles but Shingo blocks it. Gargano is able to hit the rana. Gargano with a drop kick into the corner followed by the Lawn Dart but Shingo kicks out at two.
Gargano with a forearm but Shingo fires back. They go back and forth. Shingo with a head butt. They get up from their knees and they exchange forearms from their feet. Shingo with a series of forearms but Gargano has his turn. Gargano with an enzuigiri but Shingo with a Saito suplex. Gargano with a drop kick and Shingo with a lariat and both men are down again.
Both men struggle to get back to their feet after almost a half hour of battling. Shingo with a splash into the corner and then Shingo tries for Last Falconry but Gargano with elbows. Shingo hits Last Falconry but Gargano is able to get his shoulder up due to the cover by Shingo.
Gargano with Hurts Donut for a two count. Gargano applies the Gargano Escape and Shingo tries to fight out of the hold by getting to the ropes and he gets to the ropes one more time. Gargano holds on until the referee gets to four.
Gargano sets for another Hurts Donut but Shingo with an elbow. Gargano misses a drop kick and Shingo hits Made in Japan but Gargano kicks out at two. Shingo sets for a lariat and hits it and it flips Gargano but Gargano is able to kick out at the last moment.
Shingo picks up Johnny and gets him on his shoulders for Made in Japan but the referee was clipped for a moment and it may have been enough to allow Gargano to kick out. Gargano with elbows and then he accidentally kicks the referee. Gargano with a low kick and then he hits a super kick. Gargano chokes Shingo with a rope and he applies the Gargano Escape and the referee drops the arm three times and he calls for the bell.
Winner: Johnny Gargano
After the match, Gargano wants the mic and he asks everyone if they enjoyed the show this evening. He says that it is honor and privilege to perform in this ring in front of the fans. He thanks everyone for making him their hero. Johnny thanks everyone for coming out to the show and he hopes to see everyone soon. He tells everyone to drive home safely and he loves everyone.
Thank you for following the coverage of Open the Ultimate Gate 2013.
In addition to the live coverage of the show, there will be a post game audio on PWInsiderElite.com with my thoughts and analysis of Open the Ultimate Gate 2013.
[Thoughts on the show]
I would highly recommend this show for purchase by VOD if you did not watch the show live. Any of the companies that offer shows at this price point would have to put on a terrible show to justify not ordering it. I thought this show delivered with two very good title matches (even though I was not a fan of the finish of the main event) and the Ricochet/Tozawa and Super Smash Brothers/EITA and Tomahawk TT matches were also a lot of fun.
I thought the opening match was a good way to start the show with Rich Swann’s musical entrance to having Brian Kendrick being in the opener to get the casual fan who might be checking out the product and wants to see a name they recognize.
The segment with Chuck Taylor and Brian Kendrick was a good way to get people interested in the Sunday iPPV if they were not already aware of the show since Kendrick and Taylor will be wrestling.
The Chuck Taylor Invitational was a fun match to watch with a lot of crazy spots. All six men were able to showcase their talents. Nese getting the win made sense because he is the new face in the WWN universe.
The crowd seemed to lose interest in the next two matches. The Ryze/Reed match was an unannounced match but Reed was listed as appearing on the show.
I liked the Reed/Konley/Dallas segment because they are continuing the issues that those three men had at the last FIP iPPV. I assume we will see a series of matches between these two throughout the WWN companies.
The crowd hates Jon Davis and I love that he does not care about them. The death stare gimmick is awesome. I think there was someone at ringside who timed his stare of doom. I liked the match between Davis and Trent? even though the crowd was really quiet for the match.
Davis is starting to turn against the crowd and I liked his promo after his match.
The crowd picked up for The Super Smash Brothers match against EITA and Tomahawk TT. That match is probably worth the price of the replay. A lot of crazy stuff in this match and they were able to mix comedy and solid wrestling in the match. I cannot believe at how talented Tomahawk TT is because I think they said he was only 22 and has been wrestling for three years.
The Tozawa/Ricochet match was a good way to lead into the intermission. Very hard hitting and so many suplexes in this match. Really good finish to the match with the 630 splash.
I would definitely say to get the replay when it is available on VOD on WWNLive.com.
I liked the Uhaa Nation versus Sami Callihan match. There were a lot of good power sequences. It made a lot of sense for Sami to work on the injured leg. I really hope that Uhaa did not reinjure the leg because he was limping through the match, and that it was just a great job of selling what Sami was doing during the match.
With the two main events left on the show, I thought the show was a bargain even for the Live and Video On Demand option and those matches individually were worth more than the price of the show.
I was a bit surprised with the result of the tag title match, but with Fox winning the Evolve title, he can be the face of that company and the Bucks can go to Japan to defend the titles. I think the Bucks will be a good fit as champions since there are so few ‘heels’ on the rosters of independent companies because of the fanbases, but the Bucks are so good at what they do. There were some times during the match when I was getting a little frustrated at the referee losing control and letting the lengthy double team sequences take place.
The first 28 to 30 minutes of the Shingo/Gargano match was exactly what I was expecting from these two men. It is matches like this where I wish Shingo was in the United States more often and that it was 2005 when he was a regular in FIP. I thought there was a lot of chemistry between both men and they gave everything that you would expect from the main event of a show. The stuff on the floor was crazy and enhanced the first 90 percent of the match. I also liked that there were some times towards the end where you would have expected the match to end, there was a kick out but it was due to a less than perfect cover.
I was not a big fan of the finish of the match. When Shingo hit Made in Japan and he clipped the referee, I was afraid that they were going to do a ref bump spot. Unfortunately that is what they did. The thing I didn’t like about the finish was the low blow by Gargano. This was a match where he battled for more than a half hour and I could understand Gargano trying to cheat with the rope to choke out Shingo. If there was no low kick, I would say this is the early contender for Match of the Year.
While I was not a fan of the finish of the match, I absolutely loved the post match promo from Gargano. Gargano has historically done promos like this at the end of shows and the way that he was so nonchalant about it while the crowd is booing him for cheating was great. The subtle nature of the promo worked for me. You don’t have to be hit over the head and have blinking signs saying that there is a turn. Then to have Gargano go around the ring to shake hands with the fans was great too. I didn’t notice anyone pulling their hands away from Gargano.
I also want to praise the commentary by Lenny Leonard. To do a three hour show (not including the intermission) by yourself is a tough task. It was refreshing to hear commentary where storylines were explained without making you feel like a five year old and to be able to hear moves be called. Lenny showed some disgust at Gargano’s behavior, but if you were paying attention to the commentary about how Gargano was a role model for a lot of fans, it made sense. It was not as over the top as you would expect from other companies.
There were a few technical issues with the iPPV feed. During the opening match, the feed froze for me on numerous occasions and I believe they paused the feed so they could fix the problem. During the Ricochet/Tozawa match, there were a number of times when the feed would freeze and then it would jump ahead, missing some of the action. Other than that, there have been no problems with the feed. This also happened a few times during the second half of the show.Michael Cole welcomed everyone to the Hall of Fame and asked everyone to remain respectful and not catcall those on stage. He also asked that everyone hold their applause until the end of speeches.
Names here beyond the WWE roster are Chris Cruise, Mil Mascaras, Pat Patterson, Bret Hart, Bob Orton, Ron Simmons, Gene Okerlund, Ivan Koloff, Domenic DeNucci and a lot more.
Before they started, CM Punk had some fun getting the audience to scream with an applause sign.
They aired a great video package on the Hall of Famers.
Jerry Lawler welcomed everyone to the Hall. He asked everyone to give a round of applause for the performers and said this is awesome.
Our first inductee is Mick Foley.
Terry Funk said his entire life he strived to be a good man but his inductee is a good man. He said he loved Foley like an ugly brother and told a story about wrestling in a snowstorm in Japan where only 300 people in a 5,000 seat arena. Terry said what a terrible house and Mick said yeah but look at those empty chairs and they overturned all of them.
Terry told a story about Mick going through the Hell In A Cell and Funk thinking he was dead. Taker grabbed Terry and told him Mick wasn't dead and chokeslammed Terry out of his tennis shoes. Terry was carried out and Mick finished the match.
Terry paraphrased the famous Teddy Roosevelt quote about the one who tries and fails and frets. He said he gives his all and if he fails he frets and frets until the next time and pushes it all away for the next match because the performance is what counts.
It was an awesome speech that elicited big Foley chants.
Terry parodied the Oscars and said they had a four way tie for Cactus Jack, Dude Love, Mankind and his fave, Mick Foley.
Mick came out and got a massive standing ovation and Foley chants. Mick had Hacksaw Duggan stand up to prove they are not the same guy.
Foley said that from the bottom of his heart, it does him good to have the Bellas back.
Foley said he wanted to clear it up once and for all...it did hurt when Undertaker threw him off the Cell. He joked that he's been in Groundhog Day for 15 years with that question.
Foley praised this year's class and how this class may be the all time best before poking fun at himself for his short WWF title reigns compared to Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund.
Foley told the story of hitchhiking to the Snuka-Muraco cage match because he thought something special would happen and it did, as Snuka came off of the top of the cage. He said he knew then what he wanted to do with his life...make moments like that.
Foley told the emotional pain of a date who called him the wrong name and said the only way he could deal with the pain was to make a crazy dive off something. He told some funny stories about making that first dive. He said he spit out red food coloring and a girl said it was the most disgusting thing she had ever seen. He wanted more of that and set out making moments.
He thanked some of the people who helped him along the way. He said he is here because of their friendship and work. They helped him.
He said there were great moments and a lot of them were with Triple H. He asked his trainer Domenic DeNucci to stand and told the story of trying to show him what wrestling was and being beaten by DeNucci as he was shown what it really was. He told the story of DeNucci only charging him 25 a lesson and then telling him he doesn't have to pay anymore. He thanked him and told him he loved him.
Foley talked about Shane Douglas, who helped him so much when they started out. He then praised Jim Ross for his gift of telling stories and creating memories. He said that Ross did wonders for his career with his calls but did a great thing for Mick behind the scenes, going to war to get Mick a job. Vince McMahon relented but decided to put a mask on him.
He talked about Ross' call of his Hell in A Cell bump and jokingly told the story of Ross claiming Foley was smiling. In actuality, Mick was wondering who's shoes were in the ring. Foley said in the state he was in, he realized that fall and the chair crashing down he had a deep wound in his mouth so he was trying to put his tongue through and wiggle it.
Foley discusses Undertaker, saying he's never heard anyone say a bad word about him. He said Taker put him on the map here. He praised Taker's persona and work ethic and he will be on the edge of his seat Sunday. He said Taker will be on this stage whenever he wants to be here. He told a story about asking Taker to never ever Tweet.
He talked about the debut of Cactus Jack and the 2000 Royal Rumble Street Fight and his 2008 Rumble appearance here in MSG. He talked about having his kids in the crowd and wanting to recreate the 2000 magic but there was a big pop. He wondered who it was for and then realized it was for he and HHH. He said sometimes he forgets the esteem he is held in. Foley said later Big Daddy V was sitting on his head and saw his kids booing their own dad. Driving home, he thought that could be the end of his career and realized that could be exactly how he would like it to end.
Foley said he invited Santa Claus here but he doesn't see him here and said he's going to have to deal with knowing he never beat Chris Jericho and joked he would still like to drop an elbow on Chris tonight and pin him. Jericho jumped on stage and laid down for Mick. Punk jumped up to referee. Foley teased he changed his mind and then dropped an elbow and pinned him. Awesome!!!
Foley did the Rocky-Adrian speech and praised Punk for giving him a chance to do one of the most emotional and best promos of the later days of his career.
Foley mentioned Ric Flair and praised his Backlash 2004 match against Randy Orton. He noted how surprised he was Rock chose to come back to team with him and talked about their Mania 20 match. He asked God not to let him suck out there but felt he sold himself sort and was thankful they were able to have the Backlash match.
Foley thanked Ric for dragging one last great match out of him. He thanked Dusty Rhodes for hiring him in1991.
Mick said this moment is the best of all of his moments and said its great to be right here in MSG.
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived and gave Mick a red flannel Santa jacket and hat. Foley wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a nice day!
Awesome start.
RVD, Tommy Dreamer and MVP are here and sitting with Joey Styles. Nikolai Volkoff is here as well.
Next up is Trish Stratus.
Stephanie McMahon came out. She said when she was asked to induct Trish, she was honored and overwhelmed because in one years time, she nearly ripped Stephanie's family apart. She recounted their old storyline but thanked her anyway.
She thanked Stratus for the memories of that time period, saying it was some of the best memories of her time on-screen. She said Trish has a way to make you feel for her and draw you in as a viewer. She said Trish reshaped and changed the Divas division by headlining Raw against Lita.
She said Stratus lives life on her terms, praising her work after her WWE career. She teased Trish might not be done in the ring and still inspires women to follow their dreams.
They noted Stratus was now the youngest inductee ever. Gotta knock Sunny off that list!
Trish came out and said Stephanie is one of the most inspirational women she has ever known. She praised the hell out of Stephanie and thanked her for doing the honors.
Trish said that she can't believe she was here because her final Raw match was in this building but now she's back and she has some bling...her wedding ring.
She said there's a lot of pressure to remember everyone and unveiled a massive scroll of people to thank. She said the most important people in her world are the fans that saw her grow up in front of them. They sat through some awful moments and a match the Internet called the worst ever.
She said every time she stepped in the ring she was trying to prove she deserved to be here and hopes the fans were Stratusfied. She thanks the fans for accepting her and supporting her.
She said three men opened the doors for her. She thanked Carl DeMarco, the former WWE President in Canada. He explained the realities of the business and the sacrifices involved. She said after she left WWE they were able to work together and opened a lot of eyes to the world of sports entertainment.
Trish praised her trainer Ron Hutchinson pointing out he trained like Edge and Christian. That got him a big pop. She was really happy that Hutchinson was here.
She praised Jim Ross and Finlay were all their work.
Stratus thanked people in the office and then Lita, who she called her Bestie. She loved their matches and then thanked all of the other girls she worked with.
Trish thanked the McMahon family for forcing her to bring her A game. She joked about Vince giving her undivided attention when she had an idea, and deadpanned that her eyes were up here. She said she learned so much about business from being with WWE.
She noted she brought 25 family members from Toronto and sacrificed moments to follow her dreams. She thanked them for their patience and understanding.
Stratus thanked her Mom and noted one of the reasons she retired was that her mom was diagnosed with cancer. She said her mom is the true fighting champion and is now cancer free.
She then praised her husband, who the crowd booed (not because they didn't like him, but because, well, he has Trish!). She noted they were high school sweethearts. The crowd booed that too. This was all cracking up Trish. She thanked him for navigating the WWE life and is happy that was a chapter in their life. She looks forward to many more chapters and told him she loved him.
The crowd turned face and chanted for her husband when she told the audience they were mean.
Trish then announced she was pregnant and would be delivering a baby in September. She showed off a baby bump and had a Beyonce moment. The crowd chanted for her husband.
Really great stuff.
Stevie Ray inducted Booker T. The crowd chanted for him and then Harlem Heat. He thanked them but said tonight they are inducting Booker, who in his family is known as Junior as he is the youngest one in the family.
Their father died when Booker was 11 months old. So, growing up they were attached at the hip, always hanging out. Booker would start messing with guys Ray's age because they knew now to mess with him because Stevie was around the corner.
He told a story about Booker trying to go to a party and he wanted to go but was too young. He chased after them but they left him. He laid in the street crying thinking Ray would come back but they didn't come back until after the party and Booker was still in the street waiting.
Stevie talked about their mom dying and noted Booker was incarcerated and Ray blamed himself for not being there. They talked a lot about wrestling when he was in jail, talking about Ernie Ladd and Boyd Pierce. They didn't know it but when Booker got out they hit the gym. They met Ivan Putski and he invited Ray to train. Booker followed him to the school and was a little better than everyone and that's when he knew Booker found his calling.
Stevie got a tryout with Global and he insisted Booker come as well. They met with Eddie Gilbert. Gilbert told them he had an idea for a tag team and he thinks they can do it. They had never tagged and didn't tell anyone they were brothers. But they said they teamed all the time. That was the start for them.
He said after all of what he's been through, Booker overcame the deck stacked against him and became a role model. When you can look into a storm and you are too dedicated to be stopped by it, it's amazing. He said Booker is here on this stage and what more can you say. He introduced Booker.
Booker came out and said, "Wow".
The crowd chanted thank you and he said no thank you. He said he feels like the fans are family. He thanked all his brothers and sisters for coming, learning the game and how to get through life.
He said only one thing can make this night complete and it's not the spinaroonie but his mother...but he's content and happy to have this night and share it with everyone.
He started telling some stories, noting that right after Eddie Gilbert was fired they fired them. He told the story of Gary Michael Cappetta bringing up Mick Foley's ear on Booker's first Germany tour and wondered what the hell he got himself into.
He thanked several from his WCW days...Arn Anderson, Ric Flair and Greg Gagne. He said he wanted to thank Dusty Rhodes. Booker said he was a match once and rocked it and knew it because Dusty told him he wouldn't be put on first anymore.
He said Harlem Heat was off and running was missing something...and that was Sherri Martel. She legitimized Harlem Heat and made them who they were. Sister Sherri made them worldwide.
Once an agent told Stevie that he doesn't work like Booker and his response was that no one in the locker room did that. Booker said he was inspired to do something special and had the chance to win his WCW World TV champ. Rick Martel was supposed to win but didn't have his gear. So Booker went from walking out to winning the belt from Disco Inferno.
He was only supposed to go and drop it to Martel but that was their plan not his. He started the journey and followed in the footsteps of Ron Simmons. He beat Jeff Jarrett and closed WCW going from the bottom to the top.
Then, WWE came calling. He remembers David Penzer asking him if he was sad and had tears in his eyes. Penzer asked Booker what he was going to do. Booker said he didn't know about the rest of these guys but he was going to WWE.
Booker said that he remembers Linda McMahon telling him he finally got him and now he's in the WWE family forever. He thanked Blackjack Lanza, Pat Patterson, Michael Hayes, Johnny Ace and more.
Booker thanked Steve Austin and mentioned the grocery store fight. He thanked Goldust and Boogeyman making him learn and grow as a performer.
Booker thanked Undertaker. His first Wrestlemania, Taker told him to feel the moment and he is right now too.
Booker thanked Jim Ross, the first person to get Booker to tell his story because it could help someone else.
Booker thanked Michael Cole for being there for him and calling his matches and being as a great friend.
Booker said that like WCW he went from the bottom to the top as World champion and the greatest King of all time, King Booker.
Booker thanked the fans for supporting him through 35 years all the way back from raising the roof in the old days through today. The fans chanted for a Spinaroonie and he told them to wait and if they pull a Trish on him, he will whoop all their asses.
He thanked his wife Sharmell and said that he loves her, will come running for her always and will say "I Do" a thousand times over. He said tonight was a toast to their love.
He closed with his trademark Can you dig that sucka? And hit a spinaroonie.
So great.
Huge Booker chant.
Maria Menounos inducted Backlund. She said that to induct anyone into the WWE Hall of Fame is so special and praised wrestlers for all they do as entertainers and doing it while taking bumps.
She explained how much she loved Bob Backlund growing up and how they became friends on the set of her first movie. She said that there is no better friend to have than Bob Backlund.
She told a story of the Iron Sheik's Persian Clubs and how Backlund was the only man who could do it and Backlund told her how if you could believed you could do something you can. She then told a story of Backlund doing the Harvard Step Test for 8 hours.
She said that when she was on Dancing with the Stars, when she wrestled at Wrestlemania and making it in Hollywood, Backlund's advice and words helped her.
She noted that after losing the belt, Bob refused to turn heel because it would let down the kids who looked up to him. Then years later he came back and reestablished himself as a top heel for a new audience.
Maria told a ton of unknown facts about Bob. She said he was a top shootfighter but intentionally never squashed an opponent because it could hurt them in the future. The crowd was turning on her because it was so long.
Backlund came out and thanked Maria. He said that he's known her a long time and she's a lady's lady and he has the utmost respect for her.
Backlund said being put in today is an honor because of who's being put in with him. He talked of meeting Bruno Sammartino for the first time in 1977. He said he respects Bruno because he paved the road for guys like Bob. He got to know Bruno very well and Bruno works hard and never gives up like John Cena gives up. He said the crowd boo but if you want to be successful, you can't give up.
He asked if anyone thinks Vince McMahon made excuses when he wanted to control the world of wrestling, they are wrong.
Backlund told the story of how he thought he was family when Vince McMahon Sr. wanted an All American Boy. He said growing up, he had an outhouse in Minnesota. He said they didn't have much but they had each other.
Backund said he got into amateur wrestling in fifth grade and lost every match he had. He was mad at himself and the coaches wanted him to quit. He showed them. He got excited when he learned that when you lose, you never lose unless you quit. He began questioning why he lost and bought his first exercize machine.
Backlund began telling all these zany stories about workout machines and routines he created. He was really really animated and awesome.
Backlund said he was still losing but got better little by little. He said his last match, he worked really hard. Verne Gagne mentioned his name on TV and everyone told him he was gonna win. He got lazy and was beaten by a substitute wrestler. He didn't cry until he got back to the locker room because he let his mother and everyone else down. It was the worst thing to ever happen to him and the best because he never gave up.
He went nuts screaming about how hard he worked and never gave up and is fitter than anyone else here. He began ranting about the marks Sgt. Slaughter left on his body. He asked if anyone remembers the last time he was in MSG...because he doesn't either.
Backlund pointed out Betty Skaaland in the front row and spoke lovingly of her husband, Arnold who managed him. He warned HHH not to laugh at him and HHH went all serious...then Backlund said he was laughing too. This is awesome.
Backlund asked his brother to come on stage and put him in a side headlock. He pointed out a young athlete he works out with.
Vince McMahon snuck out on stage in a funny manner and told Bob he was done. Bob played it off and said he was waiting for a signal.
Backlund went nuts with a rant about the young athlete andrew cuomo getting better every day and pushing HHH to sign him. They ended the speech with Bob going nuts. HHH got on stage and they did some silly back and forth. Bob kept going and going and Vince came back out and they turned the lights out and played music. Bob kept going.
This was the most entertaining, odd, awesome speech ever. I hope it doesn't get edited. It was way out there in outer space
Vince McMahon came out to induct him. The fans chanted thank you. Vince said he needed to thank the fans.
He said Donald Trump was an institution, hosting Wrestlemanias and attending shows. They showed the clip of Jesse Ventura wanting Trump to back him politically and said that might be where Trump got the idea to run. Vince said that next to himself, Trump might be a great President. The crowd cheered for Vince and he asked them if they wanted him to be President. Place went nuts.
Vince compared himself to Trump and discussed their similarities. This led to talk of the Wrestlemania 23 Battle of the Billionares. Vince said Donald cheated, leading to the worst moment of Vince's life. They showed Vince being shaved bald.
Vince said he considers himself a handsome elderly gentleman but he said he's the ugliest bald man ever. Someone yelled Hulk Hogan and cracked Vince up. Vince said he never carries a grudge and introduced Trump. The crowd was booing the hell out of Trump all this time, which was cracking up Vince. He even asked the crowd if they would let him come out before they boo him.
Trump came out and was BOOED. He said, "Tough people."
He said he and Vince had a great relationship starting when his casino hosted Wrestlemania IV and he had such a great time they invited WWE to come back the following year, the only venue to have it back to back.
He talked of the battle of the billionaires and said it was the best PPV and gate in wrestling history. He challenged Vince to fight next year and said he would be happy too. He thanked the fans for their warm welcome.
He pointed out his son. The crowd booed him. They then popped for his daughter Ivanka. Trump pointed out his wife.
He said tonight was a major honor. He said this is his greatest honor including his best sellers and the star on the walk of fame.
Trump thanked Vince and Linda and said he loves the fans, even the ones that don't love him.
Arnold Schwarzenegger inducts Bruno Sammartino. He thanked Vince McMahon and HHH for inviting him here. He said the Garden was packed and asked where were all of us when his last film came out.
He praised the WWE stars for being the great athletes and inspirational figures. He asked what he could say about Bruno and praised his lifting abilities. Arnold said he knew about power and lifted 400 Lbs. Last week...Chris Christie out of his chair.
He talked about Bruno being champion for 11 years and set the record for the most sellouts. He said tonight is another so he broke the record.
Arnold said he wanted to make a movie on Bruno's life but Bruno said he wanted an actor to play him. He is pretty funny tonight.
He talked about his first meeting with Bruno and how he was a great immigrant story, chased by the Nazis. They moved to Pittsburgh and was bullied because of his accent, so he began his journey and the bullies disappeared.
He introduced Bruno.
The crowd gave him a massive roar and chanted his name and then welcome home. Bruno was stunned and said My My My you turned the clock back 50 years. He said he was ready to run to the ring but he's an old man today. The crowd chanted for one more match.
Bruno said maybe it was our parents or grandparents here but he thanked us for bringing him back to those days. He thanked Arnold for inducting him. He said they became good friends in the 60s and 70s and said his acting and political careers were amazing. He said he was very grateful he was here.
Bruno said to be inducted is very special because you are being recognized for his contributions to wrestling but in this case, for it to happen here in MSG is so special. He headlined MSG more than anyone in the history of the venue. He said he can hardly believe it but it was 50 years ago he became the WWWF champion.
He talked of slamming Haystacks Calhoun in the Garden and he thought the roof was going to burst. He said he was thankful for what MSG did for him. He said there may be bigger and nicer arenas but around the world, everyone knows MSG.
He said MSG would give him publicity and put him on the covers of the wrestling magazines. That made him a headliner anywhere he went in the world because of MSG.
Bruno said he was one of the luckiest men in the world. A third of his town in Italy was wiped out by The Nazis. His father had come here to build a future and when the war came, his dad was stuck here and his mother was left to take care of them. They hid in a mountain and she had to make a 24 hour journey to find them food and was caught once and almost bled out after being shot...but she did it because she had kids to be taken care of.
Had the war gone on a few more months, he would have died. He was sick with Rheumatic fever and the Allied doctors warned his mother he wouldn't last another day. His mother had lost two children and refused to lose him.
He finally made it to the States in the 1950s. When they came here he didn't speak English and was bullied. He fought back but in his weakened condition he couldn't defend himself. A friend felt sorry for him and introduced him to the Y. He worked out and worked out. He said he saw muscles forming and that inspired him. He went from a weakling to one of the strongest men in the world.
Vince said he was in the business for 25 years, not just for the hard blows they take but because its all year round. They travel all over. His first title reign, he had two days a month for his family. He married his high school sweetheart and they are still together today. He has much to be grateful for.
The years took a great toll on his body because in his day they used boxing rings and after time, you pay a price. He was happy when it was time to retire because he spent so many years away. He was hurting bad and didn't take aspirin or painkillers. He reached a point where his body could not continue.
He was happy to be home but suffering all the time. He talked of the doctors who helped him, Dr. Joseph Maroon and Dr. Frank Houston. He said they saved his life when they took him on and he went through several major surgeries. He said that because of them he's an old guy but still trains six days a week.
He said he wanted to throw some gratitude for those who came from Pittsburgh that came here. People came from DC, Boston and Philly came here.
He said in this business, if you become a headliner, a promoter gives you a chance but if people don't fill the seats, you aren't one for long. He said he was lucky he received that reaction from the fans and since it was MSG promoters elsewhere wanted him. Everywhere he went he did well because of the Garden.
He concluded that he's very grateful for Arnold and WWE for allowing him to headline in MSG one more time. He thanked everyone from the bottom of his heart.
He received astounding ovation.
They brought out the class for a final bow with their inductors.
When they all gave their final bow,Vince and Bruno shook hands and hugged. There was the money shot!
Backlund jumped in the crowd and went nuts running through the Garden. Before that he teased putting Vince in the chickenwing.
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