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April 15th
On this day in history in ....
1925 - Stainslaus Zbyszko defeats Wayne Munn to win the World Heavyweight Title in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, beginning his third reign. Munn was still recognized as champion in Michigan and Illinois, however. At that same Chicago event, Johnny Meyers defeats Len Talaber for the World Middleweight Title, beginning Meyers' second reign.
1933 - Billy Meeske defeats Joe Dawson to win the Australian Heavyweight Title in Brisbane, Australia, beginning his third reign.
1943 - John Katan defeats Yvon Robért for the Montreal World Heavyweight Title in Montreal, Quebec.
1946 - Danny McShain defeats Ernie Piluso in Hollywood, California to win his sixth World Light Heavyweight Title.
1958 - Fritz Von Erich defeats Bull Curry for the NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title in Dallas, Texas, ending Curry's fifth reign. At the same event, Omaya Kato wins the NWA Texas Junior Heavyweight Title from Larry Chene, ending Chene's second reign.
1958 - Billy Joyce defeats Gordon Nelson to win the British Heavyweight Title in London, England. Bert Assirati had been stripped of the title earlier in the year.
1959 - Joe Blanchard and Lord James Blears defeats Koukichi Endo and Rikidozan to win the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Title in Honolulu, Hawaii, beginning their second reign.
1960 - Fred Blassie defeats Dick Gunkel (subbing for Ray Gunkel) in Atlanta, Georgia for the Georgia NWA Southern Heavyweight Title. This began Blassie's 13th reign and ended Ray Gunkel's fifth.
1960 - Oattem Fisher and Luther Lindsay defeat John Foti and Don Kindred for the Stampede International Tag Team Title in Calgary, Alberta.
1961 - Luigi Macera defeats Sam Steamboat to win the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title in Honolulu, Hawaii.
1963 - NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz defeated "Jersey" Joe Walcott in the fifth round of a wrestler vs. boxer match.
1963 - Ken Lucas and Hans Steiner defeat Jerry Miller and Tony Montez for the Western States Tag Team Title in Phoenix, Arizona.
1967 - The WWWF held an event at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The results:
- Johnny Rougeau defeated Smasher Sloan.
- Gorilla Monsoon defeated Louis Cerdan.
- Ricky Sexton defeated Arnold Skaaland.
- The Ox defeated Tony Nero.
- Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Tony Parisi.
- Édouard Carpentier defeated Tank Morgan.
- WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Luke Graham.
1968 - The Assassins (Jody Hamilton and Tom Renesto) defeat Don Leo Jonathan and Sky Hi Jones (Grizzly Smith) for the Vancouver NWA Canadian Tag Team Title in Vancouver, British Columbia, ending the Assassins' second reign.
1969 - Ciclón Negro defeats Hans Mortier to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title in Tampa, Florida.
1974 - Jerry Lawler defeats Tommy Gilbert for the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Gilbert's fourth reign.
1974 - Siegfried Steinke and Bob Sweetan defeat Bob Kelly and Rocket Monroe for the Gulf Coast NWA United States Tag Team Title in Shreveport, Louisiana.
1975 - Mariko Akagi and Mach Fumiake defeat Lola Garcia and Rena Manani in Fukui, Japan to win the WWWA World Tag Team Title.
1977 - José Luis Mendieta defeats Rubi Ruvalcaba in a tournament final in Mexico City, Mexico for the Mexican National Middleweight Title. The title was vacated after Perro Aguayo won the NWA World Middleweight Title from El Faraon on March 11.
1977 - The Executioner defeats Ken Lucas for the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title in Huntsville, Alabama.
1983 - Jerry Blackwell defeats Kerry Von Erich to win the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title in St. Louis, Missouri.
1983 - Adrian Adonis defeats Bob Sweetan for the Southwest Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title in Austin, Texas.
1985 - Takashi Ishikawa and Akio Sato defeat Animal Hamaguchi and Masanobu Kurisu to win the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Title in Nagasaki, Japan, beginning her second reign.
1985 - The PYT Express (Norvell Austin and Koko Ware) win their second AWA Southern Tag Team Title by defeating The Fabulous Ones (Steve Keirn and Stan Lane), ending their ninth reign.
1987 - Yumiko Hotta and Hisako Uno (Akira Hokuto) defeat The Glamour Girls (Leilani Kai and Judy Martin) in Tokyo, Japan to win the WWWA World Tag Team Title, which had been vacated earlier in the year by Dump Matsumoto and Bull Nakano.
1989 - Invader I defeats Abdullah the Butcher for the WWC North American Heavyweight Title in San Juan, Puerto Rico, ending Abdullah's second reign.
1989 - The Grappler (Len Denton) defeats Carl Styles to win his sixth NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight title in Portland, Oregon.
1991 - The WWF taped the 29th edition of Saturday Night's Main Event at the Civic Auditorium in Omaha, Nebraska. The show aired on April 27 on NBC and earned a 7.7 rating. This was the final SNME before the move to FOX in early 1992, and SNME did not air on NBC again until the revival of the show in March 2006. The results were:
- The Ultimate Warrior defeated Sgt. Slaughter by disqualification after Gen. Adnan, Col. Mustafa and The Undertaker interfered, with Hulk Hogan making the save.
- WWF Tag Team Champions The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) defeated The Bushwhackers (Butch and Luke) to retain the title.
- Ted DiBiase (with Sensational Sherri) and Bret Hart fought to a double-countout.
- The Mountie (with Jimmy Hart) pinned Tito Santana after using his shock stick as Hart distracted the referee.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect won a 20-man battle royal, last eliminating Greg Valentine. The other participants were: The Barbarian, Big Boss Man, The British Bulldog, Jim Duggan, Earthquake, Haku, Hercules, Hulk Hogan, Marty Jannetty, Kato, Shawn Michaels, Jake Roberts, Paul Roma, Jimmy Snuka, Tanaka, Tugboat, Kerry Von Erich, and The Warlord.
1994 - CMLL held the first of five annual Gran Prix Tournaments at Arena Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico. The results were:
First round:
- Haku defeated Ultimo Dragon.
- Yamato defeated Vampiro.
- Miguel Pérez, Jr. defeated Silver King.
- Atlantis defeated Corázon de León (Chris Jericho).
- Brazo de Plata defeated Killer.
- Dr. Wagner, Jr. defeated Gran Markus, Jr.
- Pierroth, Jr. defeated Black Magic.
- Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. defeated Popetikus.
Quarterfinals:
- Haku defeated Yamato.
- Miguel Pérez, Jr. defeated Atlantis.
- Brazo de Plata defeated Dr. Wagner, Jr.
- Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. defeated Pierroth, Jr.
Semifinals:
- Haku defeated Miguel Pérez, Jr.
- Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. defeated Brazo de Plata.
Finals:
- Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. defeated Haku.
1995 - ECW held its second-annual Hostile City Showdown event at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The results:
- Mikey Whipwreck pinned Stevie Richards (with Raven) with a hurricanrana.
- Tsubo Genjin pinned Tony Stetson after a standing kneedrop and legdrop.
- Ian Rotten pinned Axl Rotten in a Bad Breed Death match after hitting Axl with in the head with a chair after wrapping him in barbed wire.
- Tommy Dreamer fought Raven (with Beulah McGillicutty and Stevie Richards) to a no-contest after Dreamer took everyone else around the ringside area out with three DDTs and a piledriver. Dreamer gave Raven a DDT on the floor, and in the ring, gave one to Richards and to referee John Finnegan, before piledriving Beulah.
- ECW World Television Champion Eddie Guerrero fought Dean Malenko to a 30-minute time-limit draw to retain the title.
- The Sandman pinned ECW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas (with Woman) to win the title, ending Douglas' second reign and beginning Sandman's second reign. Douglas had Sandman locked in a crossface chickenwing, when Woman turned on Douglas and hit him in the leg with Sandman's cane, causing Douglas to fall back with Sandman on top, and Sandman getting the pin. After the match, Douglas put on a Monday Night RAW shirt and left through the crowd.
1995 - Mitsuharu Misawa defeats Akira Taue to win the annual AJPW Champion's Carnival.
1995 - Rey Misterio, Jr., Super Muñeco and Octagón defeat Tony Arce, Rocco Valente and Vulcano to win the Mexican National Trios Title in Mexico City, Mexico.
1996 - Brian Pillman was severely injured after falling asleep while driving his Hummer H1 in Kentucky and driving into a tree trunk, flipping the vehicle. He was in a coma for a week and suffered a shattered ankle, forcing doctors to fuse it together in a fixed position.
1996 - The Monday Night War continued, with WWF Monday Night RAW's 3.1 rating beating WCW Monday Nitro's 2.8.
WWF Monday Night RAW was taped on April 1 at Orange Pavilion in San Bernardino, California. The results:
- Marc Mero defeated Leif Cassidy.
- Steve Austin defeated Bart Gunn.
- Savio Vega defeated WWF Intercontinental Champion Goldust (with Marlena) to win the title after hitting him with the title belt. After the match, a second referee disputed the result, prompting WWF President Gorilla Monsoon to hold the title up and schedule a rematch to be held the following week.
WCW Monday Nitro was live from the Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, West Virginia. The results were:
- Hulk Hogan (with The Booty Babe) defeated Arn Anderson and Kevin Sullivan (with Miss Elizabeth and Woman) in a handicap match.
- The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) defeated Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) in a street fight.
- Randy Savage defeated Earl Robert Eaton (with Jeeves).
- WCW World Tag Team Champions - WCW World Television Champion Lex Luger and Sting defeated WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair and The Giant (with Jimmy Hart) by disqualification. All three titles were on the line.
1996 - Samantha defeats Miss Texas (Jackie Moore) to win the USWA Women's Title in Memphis, Tennessee, ending Miss Texas' 13th reign.
1999 - WCW held a live Thunder at Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida, which got a 3.2 rating on TBS. The results were:
- Buff Bagwell defeated Vampiro.
- Jerry Flynn and Wrath fought to a double-countout.
- Meng defeated Horace.
- Raven and Saturn defeated Disorderly Conduct (Mean Mike and Tough Tom).
- WCW World Cruiserweight Champion Rey Misterio, Jr. defeated Juventud Guerrera to retain the title.
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Diamond Dallas Page (with Kimberly) defeated Stevie Ray (with Vincent) to retain the title title.
2000 - The WWF held an event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The results:
- WWF Light Heavyweight Champion Dean Malenko defeated Scotty 2 Hotty to retain the title.
- WWF European Champion Eddie Guerrero defeated Tazz to retain the title.
- The Big Bossman and Bull Buchanan defeated The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher).
- WWF Hardcore Champion Crash Holly defeated Perry Saturn to retain the title.
- WWF Tag Team Champions Edge and Christian defeated The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) and The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt) in a triple threat match to retain the title.
- Kurt Angle defeated Val Venis.
- WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Benoit defeated Chris Jericho to retain the title.
- The Big Show and Rikishi fought to a double-countout.
- WWF Champion Triple H, Road Dogg and X-Pac defeated The Acolytes (Bradshaw and Faarooq) and The Rock.
2000 - Stone Mountain defeats Mark E. Mark (subbing for Rukkus) for the NWA Wildside Heavyweight Title in Cornelia, Georgia.
2000 - The Top Gunz (Ricky Hayes and Tim White) defeat Naughty by Nature (Rude and Tully) in Newbern, Tennessee to win the NWA Mid-South Tag Team Title, ending Naughty by Nature's fourth reign.
2000 - Brandon K. defeats Cory K. to win the Pittsburgh Wrestling League Heavyweight Title in North Versailles, Pennsylvania.
2001 - Mitsuharu Misawa defeats Yoshihiro Takayama in the finals of a 16-man tournament in Tokyo, Japan to become Pro Wrestling NOAH's first GHC Heavyweight Champion. The tournament was held over the course of NOAH's month-long, 18-event Navigation for the Victory GHC tour. Takayama defeated Jun Izumida, Kentaro Shiga and Vader on his road to the finals, and Misawa beat Akitoshi Saito, Yoshinari Ogawa and Jun Akiyama before defeating Takayama in the finals. Also in the tournament were Tamon Honda, Daisuke Ikeda, Masao Inoue, Takeshi Morishima, Takao Omori, Takeshi Rikio, (2 Cold) Scorpio and Akira Taue.
2001 - NWA Southwest discontinues its hardcore division, retiring the NWA Texas Hardcore Title. The final champion was Convict #00187. The title had its roots as the NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title, created in 1953 by Paul Boesch's Southwest Sports. It was retired first in 1987 by the World Class Wrestling Association, and was revived by NWA Southwest in 1998.
2002 - The WWF held a live RAW at Reed Arena, on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Taped before RAW was an international-only Sunday Night Heat, due to the coming Sunday's Backlash pay-per-view. The results were:
Heat:
- D-Lo Brown pinned Justin Credible with the Sky High.
- Tommy Dreamer pinned The Big Bossman with a roll-up after the referee pushed Bossman.
- Mr. Perfect pinned Steven Richards with the Perfect-Plex.
RAW:
- Raven defeated WWF Hardcore Champion Bubba Ray Dudley to win the title, ending Bubba Ray's sixth reign and beginning Raven's 15th reign.
- Tommy Dreamer defeated WWF Hardcore Champion Raven to win the title, ending Raven's 15th reign.
- Steven Richards defeated WWF Hardcore Champion Tommy Dreamer to win the title.
- Bubba Ray Dudley defeated WWF Hardcore Champion Steven Richards to win the title, beginning Bubba Ray's seventh reign.
- The Big Show pinned Shawn Stasiak after a chokeslam.
- Jacqueline pinned Crash Holly with a sunset flip.
- Eddie Gurrero and William Regal defeated WWF European Champion Spike Dudley and WWF Intercontinental Champion Rob Van Dam, when Guerrero pinned Spike after a frog splash.
- Trish Stratus pinned Molly Holly with a roll-over to become #1 contender for the WWF Women's Title.
- Steve Austin and Bradshaw defeated Scott Hall, The Undertaker and X-Pac in a handicap match, when Bradshaw pinned X-Pac after the Clothesline from Hell.
2003 - Big Al defeats Chet Jablonski in Cincinnati, Ohio to win the Heartland Wrestling Association Heavyweight Title.
2006 - All Pro Wrestling held the fourth ChickFight tournament at Kezar Pavilion in San Francisco, California. The results:
First round:
- MsChif defeated Candice LaRae.
- Lacey defeated Hailey Hatred.
- Cheerleader Melissa defeated Rain.
- Mercedes Martinez defeated Carla.
Semifinals:
- MsChif defeated Lacey.
- Mercedes Martinez defeated Cheerleader Melissa.
Finals:
- MsChif defeated Mercedes Martinez.
2006 - The Ultimate Fighting Championship held UFC 59: Reality Check at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California. The results were:
Preliminary card:
- Thiago Alves defeated Derrick Noble (replacing Drew Fickett) by TKO (strikes) at 2:54 of round one in a welterweight bout.
- Jason Lambert defeated Terry Martin by TKO (strikes) at 2:37 of round two in a light heavyweight bout.
- David Terrell defeated Scott Smith by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:08 of round one of a middleweight bout. Smith appealed to the California State Athletic Commission that the fight should be ruled a no-contest due to referee Marco Lopez not seperating the fighters, as the rules state he should do, after calling for a break while they were in the clinch. Lopez didn't seperate them, and Terrell took Smith down and got the choke. Despite the appeal, the decision was upheld by the CSAC.
- Karo Parisyan defeated Nick Thompson by TKO (strikes) at 4:44 of round one in a welterweight bout.
Main card:
- Jeff Monson defeated Marcio Cruz by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28) after three rounds in a heavyweight bout.
- Evan Tanner defeated Justin Levens (replacing Jeremy Horn) by submission (triangle choke) at 3:14 of round one in a middleweight bout.
- Tito Ortiz defeated Forrest Griffin by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-27) after three rounds in a light heavyweight bout.
- Sean Sherk defeated Nick Diaz by unanimous decision after three rounds in a welterweight bout.
- Tim Sylvia defeated UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski by KO (punch) at 2:43 of round one to win the title.
2006 - Tracy Smothers defeats Stan Lee to win the NWA All-Star Wrestling Heavyweight Title in Cleveland, Virginia, ending Lee's second reign.
2006 - Romeo Roselli defeats El Bronco for the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title in Carolina, Puerto Rico, ending Bronco's fourth reign.
2006 - Mr. Big and Cruzz defeat Thunder and Lightning to win the IWA World Tag Team Title in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, ending their sixth reign. At the same show, Blitz defeats Hammet for the IWA World Junior Heavyweight Title, beginning his fifth reign, and Chicano wins his second IWA World Hardcore Title from Balls Mahoney.
2006 - The Urban Assault Squad (Shadow Jackson and Nemesis) win the NWA Anarchy Tag Team Title for the second time by defeating Jason Blackman and Jeremy V. in Cornelia, Georgia.
2006 - Sam Slej loses the NWA Pro Wrestling eXpress Brass Knuckles Title to Scott Venom in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, beginning Venom's second reign. The reign was short-lived, as Slej won the title right back, beginning his second reign.
2006 - Wade Chism defeats Jason Bates for the World League Wrestling Heavyweight Title in Harrisonville, Missouri, beginning Chism's fourth reign.
2006 - Seth Knight defeats Rockin' Randy to win the vacant NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Title in Ripley, Tennessee.
2007 - TNA held the third-annual Lockdown pay-per-view, the second monthly pay-per-view held outside Orlando, Florida, at the Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. All matches were contested inside the Six Sides of Steel. The results were:
- In a pre-show match, The Voodoo Kin Mafia (B.G. and Kip James (with Lance Hoyt)) defeated Serotonin (Kaz and Havok (with Martyr and Christy Hemme)), when Kip pinned Havok after a cobra clutch slam.
- TNA X Division Champion Chris Sabin defeated Sonjay Dutt, Jay Lethal (with Kevin Nash), Shark Boy and Alex Shelley in an Xscape match to retain the title. Shelley pinned Shark Boy after a tandem leg drop and splash by Sabin and Shelley, Sabin pinned Dutt after the Cradle Shock, Lethal pinned Shelley after a diving elbow drop and Sabin escaped the cage to win.
- Robert Roode (with Ms. Brooks and Eric Young) pinned Petey Williams with the Payoff.
- Gail Kim pinned Jackie Moore after a crossbody from the top of the cage.
- Senshi pinned Austin Starr with a roll-up after guest referee Bob Backlund pushed Starr.
- James Storm pinned Chris Harris in a blindfold match after a superkick.
- Christopher Daniels pinned Jerry Lynn after the Last Rites.
- Team 3D (Brother Devon and Brother Ray) defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions The Latin American Exchange (Hernandez and Homicide), when Devon pinned Homicide after the 3D, to win the title. The cage was "electrified" for this match.
- Team Angle (Kurt Angle, Jeff Jarrett, Rhino, Samoa Joe and Sting) defeated Team Cage (NWA World Heavyweight Champion Christian Cage, Abyss (with James Mitchell), Scott Steiner, A.J. Styles and Tomko) in a Lethal Lockdown match, when Sting pinned Abyss after Jarrett hit Abyss over the head with a thumbtack-filled guitar. Sting earned an NWA World Heavyweight Title match at May's Sacrifice event with the win. The gatekeeper for the match was Harley Race.
2007 - CIMA, Ryo Saito and Susumu Yokosuka win their second Dragon Gate Open the Triangle Gate Title in Yokkaichi, Japan, defeating Naruki Doi, Gamma and Magnitude Kishiwada.
2007 - El Diamante defeats Lightning for the IWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Title in Isabela, Puerto Rico.
2007 - Vangelis defeats El Dandy to win the Mexican National Light Heavyweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico, ending El Dandy's second reign.
2008 - WWE Hall of Famer (and the greatest in-ring wrestler of all time) Ric Flair was celebrated in a Congressional speech made in the House of Representatives by Rep. Sue Myrick of North Carolina, who spoke of Flair's career and his importance to Charlotte.
2008 - WWE banished all non company photographers from shooting ringside. With the company moving to HD broadcasting, the decision was made that the photographers would be distractions to the viewer. Photographers were now positioned near the hard camera of the WWE productions. They are still allowed to shoot non televised events from ringside.
2009 - Hulk Hogan, in an interview with E!, Hulk Hogan, in talking about his split from wife Linda, he referenced the murder of football legend OJ Simpson's murdering of his wife Nicole and her friend Ron Goldman. Hogan said, "I could have turned everything into a crime scene, like O.J., cutting everybody's throat," he said, per the New York Post. "You live half a mile from the 20,000-square-foot home you can't go to anymore, you're driving through downtown Clearwater and see a 19-year-old boy driving your Escalade, and you know that a 19-year-old boy is sleeping in your bed, with your wife… I totally understand O.J. I get it." When the comments began to receive negative backlash, lizabeth Rosenthal, a P.R. rep for Hulk Hogan told E! News that the former WWF, WCW and WWE champion, "in no way condones the O.J. situation. As part of a larger conversation, he referred to it to exemplify his frustration with his own situation."
2010 - WWE broadcast Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off this week’s show with the Smackdown brand and your announcers are Todd Grisham and Matt Striker.
Match Number One: Matt Hardy with Justin Gabriel versus Carlito with Michael Tarver
Hardy with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Hardy with a hip toss and he favors his arm and then he hits a running clothesline into the corner followed by a bulldog for a near fall. Hardy tries for the Side Effect but Carlito blocks it and hits a modified DDT and the he works on the injured elbow and he removes the elbow pad and then he kicks Hardy in the arm. Carlito with punches to the arm and then he wraps the arm in the ropes. Carlito with an elbow to the top of the head and then he kicks Hardy in the arm. Hardy with a kick and punches but he hurts his arm some more when he uses the right hand for a punch. Carlito charges at Hardy but Hardy drops down and Carlito goes to the floor. Hardy with an elbow from the apron and we go to commercial.
We are back and Carlito with a key lock as he continues to work on the injured arm. Carlito with a drop kick and then he gets a near fall. Carlito works on the arm and he punches Hardy in the arm followed by punches. Hardy with a kick and he sends Carlito into the turnbuckles and kicks Carlito. Carlito with an Irish whip and Hardy goes down. Carlito gets a near fall. Carlito returns to the arm with an arm bar as he exploits Hardy’s injury. Hardy with a back elbow and an elbow drop as he continues to use his injured arm. Hardy with a kick to a charging Carlito followed by a neck breaker for a near fall. Hardy goes to the turnbuckles and he hits the screaming elbow and he hits the Side Effect and gets a near fall. Hardy with a kick and he tries for a Twist of Fate but Carlito escapes and Carlito tries for a lungblower but Hardy holds on to the ropes. Hardy tries for the Twist of Fate but Tarver gets on the apron to distract the referee. Carlito with a forearm to the back and then Carlito gets distracted by Tarver getting pulled off the apron and Hardy hits the Twist of Fate for the three count.
Winner: Matt Hardy
It is time for Ask the Divas and they are asked what their favorite Karaoke songs are.
We go to commercial.
It is time for the Raw portion of the show and your announcers are Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler.
Match Number Two: Christian with Heath Slater versus Chavo Guerrero
They lock up and Chavo with a waist lock but Christian with a side head lock and shoulder tackles for near falls. Chavo wants the referee to warn Slater. Chavo with a kick and punches to Christian followed by a slam and then he tries for a slingshot senton and misses. Christian back body drops Chavo over the top rope to the floor. Christian with a hesitation baseball slide to Chavo and then he brings Chavo back in the ring and gets a near fall. Christian tries for a drop kick from the turnbuckles but Chavo catches him and then he catapults Christian into the bottom rope and they go to the floor. Chavo is able to hit the slingshot senton for a near fall. Chavo kicks Christian and connects with a Latino uppercut and a surfboard. Christian gets to his feet but Chavo with an Irish whip followed by kicks and punches. Christian with a punch and then he goes to the turnbuckles and hits a tornado DDT and gets a near fall. Christian with punches to Chavo followed by a running forearm. Christian runs into an elbow but Christian with a back body drop. Christian chokes Chavo in the ropes and then he goes to the floor and hits an uppercut. Christian with a missile drop kick for a near fall when Chavo gets his foot on the ropes. Christian with a sunset flip from the turnbuckles for a two count. Christian goes back to the turnbuckles and tries for a tornado DDT but Chavo pushes him off. Chavo tries for the Three Amigos but Christian avoids the third one and Christian with an inverted DDT. Christian tries for a Killswitch but Chavo blocks it. Chavo hits a Gory Bomb for a near fall. Christian sends Chavo into the turnbuckles and then goes up top but Chavo with a superplex and both men are down. Chavo goes up top for a frog splash but he lands on Christian’s legs. Christian with the Killswitch for the three count.
Winner: Christian
It is time for an NXT Recap.
We go to commercial.
We are back for the Raw Rebound.
We run through the card for Extreme Rules and then we go back to commercial.
We are back and we take a look back at Ted DiBiase and how he got the Million Dollar Belt.
Ted gets on the mic and he says that there has been a misunderstanding. He says that he is nothing like his father. He says that the only two things his father ever gave him were a last name and a trust fund. He also gave him the Million Dollar Title Belt. He talks about seeing people who have spent years to come up with enough to make a down payment on a beat up car. Ted says that when he was eighteen, he used his first trust check to buy a Porsche. Ted tells everyone not to judge him because he lives a privileged life where everyone wants to be like him.
Montel Vontavious Porter comes out and he has something to say as well. He tells Teddy that he knows the perfect place he can put all of his daddy’s money and his belt. Porter says that he had to work for everything and does not give a damn about how much money his daddy gave him. Porter says all of the money in Ted’s trust fund won’t stop him from punching him in the mouth. That is unless his daddy is going to fight for him.
Match Number Three: Ted DiBiase versus Montel Vontavious Porter
They lock up and Porter with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Porter with a punch to Ted and Ted goes to the floor. Ted walks around the ring and he is confronted by Porter on the floor and Porter punches Ted and sends him into the ringside barrier. They return to the ring and Porter gets a near fall. Porter with a forearm but Ted with an Irish whip. Porter with a float over and a flying clothesline for a near fall. Porter misses the boot into the corner and then Porter goes to the turnbuckles and Ted pulls him to the mat. Porter goes to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and DiBiase with a side head lock followed by a snap mare and kick to the head for a near fall. Ted with a punch to Porter but Porter with a back body drop when he avoids a punch. Porter runs into a boot and then DiBiase with a few fist drops and gets a near fall. DiBiase with a reverse chin lock. DiBiase with a rebound clothesline for a near fall. DiBiase with a kick to the midsection and chokes him in the ropes. DiBiase with a forearm to the back and then he tries to send Porter into the turnbuckles. Porter blocks it and then he punches DiBiase. He tosses DiBiase in the air and sends him to the mat. Porter with a clothesline and back elbow followed by a facebuster and it is time for the Ballin Elbow. Ted rolls to the apron and then he drops Porter on the top rope. Porter with an overhead belly-to-belly throw for a near fall. Porter punches DiBiase and then he tries for a float over but DiBiase drops Porter on the top rope. DiBiase with Dream Street for the three count.
Winner: Ted DiBiase
2010 - Beverly Mullins, who appeared briefly as ECW interviewer Courtney Taylor, was released from her WWE developmental deal. She had taken time off right after her TV debut and never returned to the main roster as Savannah ended up with her spot.
2011 - WWE broadcast Edge's Smackdown farewell. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We begin tonight’s show with a look back at Edge’s victory over Alberto Del Rio at Wrestlemania. Then we move ahead to Edge’s comments from this Monday’s Raw when he announced his retirement. What will happen when Edge forfeits his title?
We are live on tape from Albany, New York and your announcers are Michael ‘I want to be like William Regal when I grow up’ Booker ‘I will buy the next bottle of shampoo’ T, and Josh ‘Babysitting Michael Cole since 2010’ Mathews.
Tony Chimmel introduces Ricardo Rodriguez so he can introduce Alberto Del Rio. Alberto drives into the arena in a new vehicle.
Alberto gets the mic and he reminds us who he is, but tonight is not about him. It is about somebody else. Last Monday on Raw, when Edge announced his retirement the entire locker room and the WWE Universe lost a hero. When he thinks about Edge, he thinks about respect. In his thirteen years in WWE, he held more titles than anyone else. Now he is giving up on everything in this incredible business. Alberto says that he cannot imagine how Edge feels right now.
This was his life. It was his passion. It was his love. Alberto says that even though it was his destiny to be the World Champion, he did not want it to happen this way. Since Alberto says that since Edge is here to surrender the World Title, and because he earned the number one contender spot, Edge should come out right now and present him with the World Title.
Alberto waits for Edge to come out to give him the title and the fans chant for Edge.
Instead of Edge, Smackdown General Manager Teddy Long makes his way to the ring.
Alberto and Teddy shake hands and Teddy tells Alberto that he is sorry to disappoint him because it is not going to go down the way that Alberto suggested. No one is presenting Alberto with anything.
Teddy agrees with Alberto that he is the number one contender. He says that Alberto has earned the right to wrestle for the title at Extreme Rules in a Ladder Match. That is what Alberto is going to do. We will find out who Alberto faces and it will be determined in a twenty man battle royal.
Alberto wants to know what Teddy is talking about. Alberto says that he should be the champion. Alberto says that this is a conspiracy. Alberto says that he never liked Teddy.
Teddy tells Alberto that is how they roll on Smackdown. Alberto tells Teddy that he is glad that he hurt Edge. Alberto says that he is glad that he is the man who forced Edge to retire. It was Edge’s destiny to end up like a crippled coward. Alberto says that it is also his destiny to be the World Champion.
Teddy cuts Alberto off and tells him it is his destiny to shut up.
We go to commercial.
We are back and with Ezekiel Jackson in the ring, the rest of Corre is at the announce table. While Kofi comes to the ring, Josh points out that Wade needed the help of the Corre to win the title, but Wade denies that any assistance was needed. Heath is a tad surprised at Wade’s comments.
Match Number One: Kofi Kingston versus Ezekiel Jackson
They lock up and Zeke pushes Kofi away and then he poses. Kofi with a series of kicks and forearms as he backs Zeke into the corner. Kofi leaps into the corner but Zeke pushes Kofi away. Zeke with a forearm to the back followed by a slam. Jackson with an Irish whip but Kofi with a clothesline off the turnbuckles.
Meanwhile, at the announce table, Wade Barrett points out that he came close to winning the WWE Title last year and he will not fail this time and he will become the World Champion because of the Corre. Justin suggests that he be the one to win the battle royal and then win the World Title. Heath thinks that he should win and contend for the World Title.
Kofi with a forearm followed by a drop kick that sends Zeke to the apron. Kofi with a baseball slide that knocks Jackson off the apron and into the announce table. Kofi is sent into the apron by Jackson and then Jackson presses Kofi over his head and then Jackson slams Kofi onto the members of the Corre sitting at ringside.
They return to the ring and Jackson stares at his stable mates who have stood up at ringside. Kofi kicks Jackson as he re-enters the ring. Barrett distracts the referee when Kofi tries for the SOS. Jackson with a knee followed by a uranage for the three count.
Winner: Ezekiel Jackson
After the match, Jackson demands a mic. Jackson says that after tonight’s battle royal, the three of them and everyone in the WWE Universe will know why he is the personification of domination. He will also become the new number one contender.
Jackson poses on the stage while Barrett scowls and Gabriel and Slater discuss something a few feet away from Barrett.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for LayCool’s first couple’s therapy session. Michelle wants to know why they are here because they aren’t a ‘couple’. She wants to know why Layla is holding her hand. Layla says that they are a team like Bert and Ernie or Thelma and Louise. Michelle points out that Layla is comparing themselves to a pair of puppets and two characters who drove off a cliff together. Layla says that they were best friends like they used to be.
Layla asks Michelle how her back is and Michelle says that it hurts because she has been carrying Layla since day one. Layla tells Michelle that she was talking about their match from last week.
The counselor finally gets to say something, but Michelle and Layla both tell him that they didn’t let him talk. This leads to Michelle telling Layla not to talk like her and to stop stealing from her, including their shoes. Layla says that she carried LayCool while Michelle was injured with her big Frankenstein boot. Michelle points out that it didn’t work out too well because she kept losing matches.
Michelle tells Layla that she kept going out there getting her butt kicked and that they were not cool any more. Layla says that she wanted to be equals and not try to be the leader of LayCool. Michelle tells Layla to grow three feet, get blonde hair and get a lot better in the ring before she can call herself an equal. Michelle storms off and Layla tells Michelle that she is keeping the shoes.
Layla asks the counselor if they are good for the same time next week.
Cody Rhodes is in the ring with the lights down and only a dim spotlight showing us that someone is in the ring. Cody has his face covered by the hood to his jacket. Cody says that after he defeated Rey Mysterio at Wrestlemania, in what he thought was going to be the biggest night of his life, he expected to feel vindicated. Instead, Cody says that he feels nothing. It is not enough and tonight, he will compete in the battle royal for a chance to compete for the World Title at Extreme Rules. Will that be enough? If he wins the World Title, is there a victory? Is there a moment or anything that will erase from his memory the disfigurement and the monster that looked back in the mirror after him when Rey Mysterio purposefully crushed his face.
Everybody knows that Rey Mysterio is a father. He says that there have been countless nights when he tucked his children into bed and told them that there is no monster in their closet or under their bed. Cody says that he is not going to stop until Rey is that monster. He wants Rey’s children to be horrified by the sight of Rey’s face as much as Cody is horrified by the sight of his own face. Then Cody says that he will be vindicated.
Rey’s music plays and he runs to the ring. Cody hits Rey on the apron but Rey with forearms and a shoulder. Rey with a head scissors and Cody is sent into the ropes. Rey tries for the 619 but Cody gets to the apron. Cody with a shoulder but Rey with a kick when Rey moves out of the way. Rey with a 619 to the midsection and Cody goes to the floor.
Cody goes up the ramp and puts the hood over his head to hide his grotesque face.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Amazing Kong (or whatever her WWE name is going to be) doll destruction video package.
Match Number Two: Rey Mysterio versus Drew McIntyre
Drew gets in Rey’s face as the bell rings and Drew has something to say to Rey. Rey slaps Drew’s hand out of the way. Rey with a kick and forearms but Drew with a kick followed by an Irish whip. Rey moves out of the way when Drew charges into the corner. Drew with a power slam for a near fall. Drew with knees to Rey and then he picks Rey up and hits a back breaker and gets a near fall. Drew with a boot to the chest as he tries to wear Rey down.
Drew stomps on Rey’s head with Rey hanging over the apron. Drew with a snap suplex and he gets a near fall. Rey backs into the corner and Drew picks Rey up. Drew with an Irish whip but he waits too long and Rey with a head scissors that sends Drew into the ropes. Rey tries for the 619 but Drew gets up and he kicks Rey in the midsection and sends him into the ropes but Rey kicks Drew and then drop kicks Drew and McIntyre goes to the floor.
Rey with a baseball slide to Drew and Drew goes into the ringside barrier. Rey tries for a baseball slide but Drew catches him and sends Rey into the ringside barrier.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Drew has Rey in an arm bar. Drew with forearms to the back and knees but Rey lands on his feet when Drew tries for a belly-to-back suplex. Drew tries for a rollup using the ropes but Rey sends Drew to the floor when he ducks down as they hit the ropes. Drew gets to the apron and Rey with a knee lift and then Rey goes to the ropes for a leg drop and Rey gets a near fall.
Drew hits Rey with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker and he gets a near fall. Drew with a boot to Rey’s chest and then he connects with forearms across the chest. Drew with a boot to the head and then he returns to the arm bar on Rey.
Drew with an Irish whip and a running shoulder into the corner. Drew charges into the corner again but Rey leaps over Drew and Drew goes shoulder first into the ring post. Rey goes to the apron and then he climbs up top. Rey with a seated splash followed by a head scissors take down. Rey with a kick to the back of the leg followed by a forearm. Rey with a springboard cross body for a near fall.
Drew with a kick and then he tries for a sunset flip on Rey, but you don’t give Rey a sunset flip because he rolls through. Drew knew what was coming so he connects with a big boot to the head and he gets a near fall. Drew sets for the Future Shock DDT but Rey tries to escape. Drew tries for a power bomb but Rey escapes and gets to the turnbuckles and then hits a DDT for a near fall.
Rey with a kick to the arm but Drew sends Rey into the corner and Drew hits a clothesline from his knees and Rey goes down hard. Drew sends Rey into the turnbuckles and he hits a clothesline in the corner. Drew tries for a short arm clothesline but Rey ducks and he sends Drew into the ropes and hits the 619. Rey goes up top and hits the splash for the three count.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
It is time for Josh and Booker to talk about Edge. Booker mentions that he wrestled Edge at Wrestlemania 18.
Edge is walking in the back and he sees Dean Malenko, Matt Striker, Chavo Guerrero and others as they applaud him on his way to the ring to surrender the World Title. He stops when he sees Kane and they shake hands as we go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that WWE’s Facebook page has a lot of fans?
Edge makes his way to the ring as World Champion for the last time and possibly hearing Tony Chimmel’s voice crack for the last time as he does the introduction for The Rated R Superstar.
Edge looks around the arena and he says that he will never get tired of that. He says that for those of you who missed it last night on Raw, it is true. He is being forced to retire. What it has made him do, it has made him open his eyes to everything and he is soaking all of these experiences up. It is like witnessing it for the first time. He mentions his entrance. He says that he has been involved in some of the most insane matches in the WWE. Some of the most insane moments in the WWE.
Whether it was helping to create the TLC matches. Whether it was 20 foot super spears. Whether it was diving into a flaming table with thumbtacks in his back. Whether it was Elimination Chamber Matches or Hell in a Cell Matches against the Undertaker. Every time he went into a match like that, or the red eye flights, or staying awake for two days because of the travel schedule, as soon as he came down that ramp with his music playing. Edge says that he thinks it is the best entrance music and he claims that he might be a little biased. Edge thanks Alter Bridge for the song. No matter what, as soon as he came out and heard the fans feeding him that energy . . .
The fans chant ‘Thank you Edge’. Every time he came out there, the fans gave him goosebumps. Edge says that he has to do it one more time. Edge says that he is going to do that one last time.
Edge puts the title belt on the turnbuckles and he goes up the ramp to hear his music one more time.
Cole mentions that Edge has won thirty-one titles in WWE as he enters the ring.
Edge says that he got out of shape already because it tired him out. Edge says that since he announced his retirement, the outpouring from everyone in the WWE Universe has been insane and awesome. A lot of people are sad that his career had to come to an end. Edge says that everyone is positive that the WWE and their team of doctors discovered it before he was in the ladder match and he landed and couldn’t get up. Edge says that is a positive and he is happy about that.
He says that he is happy about looking at the rest of his life. He is happy that him and his girl are going to get the dogs and go hiking in the mountains. He is happy that he is going to get to go to Nicaragua and do some surfing. Edge says that he is happy that he gets to wear one of his two suits. He figures if he is going out, he is going to do it in style. Edge points out that he bought it for $100 at JC Pennys. He says that he is happy that he got to go to Albany.
Edge says that he is not blowing smoke because Albany is special to him because it is where he won his first WWE Championship. Edge says that he was sitting in Albany in a rental car when he came up with the name Edge. Edge says that he is happy that his mom could be here tonight. Edge points her out in the crowd and he says that she is going to be all shy and timid, but she is the toughest woman he ever met.
He says that she instilled the strength in him to get through the broken neck and the torn Achilles tendons. Edge suggests that everyone give their moms a call tonight.
Edge says that he is happy to be here in front of everyone tonight. He doesn’t want it to get sappy and corny. He says that the World Title means everything to him because of the work that he has done to earn it. Edge says that the title is symbolic and everyone holds a piece of it.
Now it is time for him to do what he has to do. Edge says that he is going to relinquish the World Title. He says that it is cool and he has to do it. Edge says that he really really wants to thank everyone because it has been one hell of a career. It has been one hell of a ride. He thanks everyone.
Edge leaves the World Title belt in the center of the ring and he leaves the ring and goes over to his mom.
Edge goes to the back as we go to commercial.
It is time for a look at That’s What I Am featuring Randy Orton.
We are back and Edge is in the back with Rosa Mendes and she is talking to him in Spanish. Edge says that he has no idea what she said but she had him at ‘quiero’. Rosa says that everyone is going to miss Edge for everything that he has done for the business. She cannot imagine not seeing him again.
Edge turns around and Alberto Del Rio is behind him. Alberto looks at Edge and he offers his hand. Edge thinks about it but he walks away.
Michelle does not want to do the synchronized spinning deal at the top of the ramp and Layla looks frustrated. We see footage from last week when Michelle refused to make the tag to Layla leading to their loss to Kelly Kelly and Beth Phoenix.
Match Number Three: Kelly Kelly versus Layla with Michelle McCool
Layla with a kick and then she sends Kelly to the mat and she slams Kelly’s head into the mat. Kelly with a kick and a Thesz Press followed by punches to the head. Kelly spanks Layla, but Layla with a kick and Irish whip. Kelly with a kick when Layla charges into the corner. Kelly with a head scissors in the ropes and then she pulls Layla to the floor. Kelly slams Layla’s head into the mat.
Layla sends Kelly into the apron but Kelly side steps her when Layla charges at her. Layla with a kick and then Kelly pushes Layla into the Cole Slaw Container and Layla looks at Michelle while the referee continues his count. Kelly with a kick and X Factor on the floor.
Kelly gets back into the ring and then the referee starts his count again. Michelle sends Layla into the ring. Kelly with a rollup for the three count.
Winner: Kelly Kelly
After the match, Michelle gets into the ring and Michelle blames Layla for the loss. Layla tries to explain herself and Michelle won’t hear any of it. Layla doesn’t want Michelle to leave but Michelle pushes Layla to the mat and then Michelle leaves the ring and goes to the back.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Jerry Lawler defeating Jack Swagger on Raw to set up the tag match at Extreme Rules.
We are back and Booker wants to know why Michael Cole is so stupid to slap the guy who is training him. Cole says that he made a mistake and he apologizes to Jack for what happened.
It is time to see what the ‘experts’ thought about the Triple H/Undertaker match from Wrestlemania.
We see the title belt at ringside and Alberto Del Rio is standing by it as he watches to see who will be his opponent at Extreme Rules.
Match Number Four: Number One Contender Battle Royal
The participants in the battle royal are Big Show, Kane, Justin Gabriel, Heath Slater, Jack Swagger, Wade Barrett, Brodus Clay, Christian, Ezekiel Jackson, Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, Yoshi Tatsu, Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio, Tyler Reks, Chris Masters, Chavo Guerrero, Curt Hawkins, Trent Barreta, and JTG
The bell rings and everyone goes after someone and we see a lot of punching and kicking, but JTG is eliminated first. Jackson goes afer Show. Barreta tries to eliminate Big Show but that is a mistake because Barreta is eliminated. Kofi fights off Drew McIntyre and Masters tries to eliminate McIntyre. Show with a head butt to Reks. Hawkins stays in the ring despite Swagger’s attempts to eliminate him. Slater is sent to the apron and Show knocks Slater off the apron while knocking him out with the punch.
Show charges at Ezekiel Jackson and the momentum of the clothesline sends both of them over the top rope to the floor and both men are eliminated. Del Rio applauds that Show is not going to win. Kane with an uppercut to Reks and Clay with a head butt to Chavo.
Masters holds Barrett but Barrett with punches. Cody tries to eliminate Yoshi but Kane grabs Cody and sends him into the turnbuckles. Kofi is holding on while Swagger and McIntyre try to eliminate him.
We go to commercial while Chavo goes to the apron.
We are back and Masters has Hawkins in the Master Lock but that doesn’t matter. Rhodes has Mysterio on the turnbuckles but Chavo makes the save for Rey. Christian tries to eliminate Clay. Rhodes tries to grind Rey’s groin while in the tree of woe, but Masters stops him but he only hits him with a forearm that allows Cody to get back into the ring.
Kofi punches Drew and Kane joins in the attempt to eliminate him. Barret punches Kane while Reks slams Gabriel and he drops a knee. Yoshi saves himself from being eliminated. Cody with a forearm to Rey. Chavo tries to eliminate Curt Hawkins but Hawkins holds on to the ropes. Rey sends Cody to the apron and Rey tries to send Cody into the turnbuckles but Cody blocks it. Rey with a springboard drop kick and Rhodes is eliminated. Hawkins gets Rey on his shoulders and Rey uses the ropes to propel Hawkins over the top rope to the floor while Rey stays alive in the match.
Kane with a clothesline in the corner to Reks. Masters puts McIntyre on the Master Lock on the apron but McIntyre escapes the hold. Clay eliminates McIntyre. Chavo climbs on Clay’s back and Brodus flips Chavo to the floor. Swagger with forearms to Kofi. Clay and Kane go face to face and it is time to see if the Sheeeee can withstand the power of the uppercut. The first shot is taken by Kane and he connects with an uppercut. Kane with more punches and then he gets Clay by the throat but Clay with elbows and a head butt to the chest. Clay gets Kane up for a power slam but Kane gets out of the hold. Clay is eliminated by Kane. Kane has a smile on his face while Del Rio is not a happy camper. We go to commercial.
We are back and are down to ten men in the match. Kane, Jack Swagger, Christian, Yoshi Tatsu, Kofi Kingston, Wade Barrett, Rey Mysterio, Tyler Reks, Chris Masters, and Justin Gabriel.
Kofi is sent over the top rope but he skins the cat and he gets Barrett in a head scissors. Kofi tries to send Barrett over the top rope but Barrett gets free and he kicks Kofi and sends him to the floor to eliminate him. Rey waits on the apron while the numbers get lower. Masters and Reks battle in the ring and Masters with chops. Gabriel goes after Kane and Kane with an uppercut.
Yoshi kicks Barrett but Barrett sends Yoshi into the turnbuckles. Reks kicks Christian and Rey kicks him in the leg. Gabriel with a rake of the eyes to Kane. Christian sends Reks to the apron and Reks sends Christian into the turnbuckles but Christian drops Reks on the top rope and Reks is eliminate.
Barrett with a kick to Masters while Swagger works on Kane. Yoshi with kicks to Christian but he misses a round kick and Christian takes advantage and eliminates Yoshi. Kane makes the save for Rey when Swagger tries to eliminate him. Kane with a clothesline to Gabriel but Gabriel goes to the turnbuckles. He comes off the turnbuckles and he is caught by Kane. Kane sets for the choke slam and then he grabs Barrett by the throat with his other hand. Gabriel and Barrett stop Kane and then they clothesline Kane over the top rope to eliminate him.
Barrett with a running boot to Masters and then he punches him. Masters with chops to Barrett. Masters is sent to the apron and he tries for the Master Lock but Barrett gets out of the hold. Barrett kicks Masters off the apron to eliminate him. Gabriel comes up behind his fellow Corre member and he eliminates Barrett.
Barrett and Gabriel have some words as we are down to the final four. Christian, Jack Swagger, Justin Gabriel, and Rey Mysterio. They stand in their respective corners as the carnage at ringside is cleaned up. Swagger goes after Christian while Gabriel goes after Rey. Rey sends Gabriel into the turnbuckles while Christian gets Swagger on his shoulders. Gabriel with a spinning heel kick. Swagger with a knee to Christian. Rey sends Gabriel into the ropes and that means that it is 619 time but Gabriel ducks out of the way. Gabriel gets Rey up for a power bomb but in a battle royal, you never try to power bomb Rey because he finds a way to get to the ropes and he eliminates Gabriel with a head scissors while Rey returns to the ring.
Christian kicks Swagger while Del Rio surveys what is going on. Rey kicks Christian and then he hits a springboard cross body. Swagger throws Rey over the top rope but Rey holds on to the ropes. Rey with a shoulder from the apron and then Rey goes up top for a head scissors that sends Swagger into the ropes. Michael Cole leaves his bunker to be a humanoid shield for Jack Swagger on the eventual 619. Cole takes the brunt of the move to protect Swagger.
Swagger brings Rey back into the ring because Rey did not go over the top rope and then Rey tries to eliminate Swagger, but Jack holds on to the ropes and Rey is eliminated.
We are down to two and it is Jack Swagger and Christian. Swagger kicks Christian and then he tries for the double jump Swagger bomb, but Swagger gets caught on the ropes and Christian is also able to recover. Christian tries to send Swagger over the top rope to the floor but Swagger punches Christian and gets back into the ring. Swagger with a boot to the head.
Christian goes to the apron and he pulls Swagger to the apron. Christian with an elbow and then he tries for the pendulum kick but Swagger blocks it and he applies the ankle lock. They return to the ring with the ankle lock applied. Christian rolls through to escape the hold. Swagger gets Christian on his shoulders but Christian gets to his feet and he tries to eliminate Swagger, but he can’t get him over. Swagger with a kick and then he tries to throw Christian over the top rope to the floor but Christian holds on to the ropes. Del Rio goes to the ring and he grabs Christian by the ankle to allow Swagger the chance to eliminate Christian but Christian kicks Del Rio away and then he ducks down when Swagger charges at him and Swagger is eliminated.
Winner: Christian
After the match, Del Rio shows a lot of frustration over his opponent at Extreme Rules.
Edge comes to the ring and he hugs Christian as he helps Christian celebrate his victory. Del Rio stands on the announce table and Del Rio points to the title belt as he tells Christian that it is his destiny.
Edge raises Christian’s hand in victory.
We go to credits.
2011 - CHIKARA opened their 2011 King of Trios tournament at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, PA with lots of international talent. Mike Johnson filed the following live report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live coverage of the King of Trios tournament night one. The entire CHIKARA roster came to ringside to open the show. They lowered the lights of the Arena and held a ten bell count in honor of Larry Sweeney. A really touching video piece on Sweeney was played on the screens in the building. When it ended everyone clapped in unision as the wrestlers pounded their hands on the mat for a LONG time. A "Sweet and Sour" chant broke out. It was a long, extended, beautiful moment.
King of Trios Round One: *¡3.Ole! (El Generico and 3.0) vs. The Osirian Portal
We are looking at a lot of six man tags so be warned, there is no way I'm going to be able to keep up with everything from a move by move standpoint. So, these reports will be more of an overview and highlights with some thoughts mixed in.
Lots of comedy shenanigans early as predicted by 3.0's Scott Matthews during his interview with me a few days back. Generico tagged in for a series of armdrags and hiptosses. 3.0 tried to get Generico to cheat but he wouldn't do it, instead shaking hands with the newest member of the Portal. Generico then poked him in the eyes, which brought down the house.
Matthews used some mat wrestling but Amasis danced his way out of it. The Portal called for some music and C&C Music Factory started playing. We had ourselves a danceoff. Generico finally decided to get involved...doiung the Macarena. He and Matthews served the Portal. The Portal called for the music to stop. Generico started mocking their ancient Egypt style movements.
Shane Matthews had enough of the silliness an threw his partners out of the ring. They ended up doing a funny and silly spot where everyone's hands were intertwines to lead to a break dancing bit. This led to the crowd doing the wave and when it came back, Matthews nailed Amasis. They worked him over. Generico tagged in but was forced back into the Portal's corner.
He fought his way out but was nearly covered by Ophidian. Hirokhan tagged in and began working over Generico's leg and knee. Ophidian tagged in with a rolling splash from outside the ring for a two count. The Portal began tagging in and out, working over Generico and keeping him at bay so he couldn't tag out to 3.0.
Generico finally brole free and tagged in Shane Matthews who nailed a flying head scissors on one of the Portal. 3.0 started nailing tag moves on the Portal members. Generico nailed an exploder into the corner but was thrown out of the ring. Matthews was then tossed to the outside. The Portal worked on Scott Parker but he kept kicking out.
The Portal tripleteamed Generico with kicks and nailed Scott Parker. Generico went for the brainbuster but was stopped. The Portal nailed Matthews. They nailed a combination top rope splash and legdrop, like Sabu and Van Dam used to do and scored the pin. Right before that, Herokhan came off the top to the floor with a dive on the other members of 3.Ole!
Your winners in 18:12, The Osyrian Portal!
Some good silly stuff to kick off the match leading into some fun back and forth tag teaming. Great, fun lighthearted way to kick off the show.
Team Australia (Percy T, Tama Williams, and Kabel) vs. FIST (Icarus, Johnny Gargano, and Chuck Taylor)
Gargano and Percy T started off. The crowd was all over the despised FIST. They started chanting "Worst in the world" at Gargano. That is hilarious. T controlled Gargano's arm early but it was reversed and T was forced to the mat. He rolled out of it and grabbed a side headlock. Gargano escaped but T kept grabbing the headlock again. Gargano caught T in the corner with a kick and came off with a doublestomp. T cut him off and used a monkey flip.
Kabel and Chuck Taylor tagged in. Taylor wanted no part of the big masked man and tagged out immediately to Icarus. Kabel wanted a test of strength but Icarus couldn't reach. Icarus was picked up, walked around and slammed. Kabel tagged out to Tama Williams.
Williams hit some hot offense including some deep armdrags. Taylor tried to cut him off but was nailed with a leaping leg lariat. Percy tagged back in and he whipped Tama into Taylor, then hit a running clothesline in the corner. Taylor speared T and Gargano nailed a quebrada for a two count.
FIST started beating on T. The other Australians tried to come in and help but were averted by the referee. This allowed FIST to continue the assault. Taylor nailed a nice standing dropkick for a two count. They kept working him over. Icarus continued the assault. T finally nailed Icarus and made the hot tag to Kabel. He demolished FIST.
Kabel grabbed Gargano and Taylor for a double chokeslam but they broke free. He piut Icarus on his shoulders and T came off with a big clothesline. Williams nailed a big splash on Icarus from the top but Taylor broke up the pinfall attempt.
Taylor went after Kabel. He was lifted for a sideslam but Gargano chopblocked Kabel's knees from behind. Williams was dispatched. FIST tripleteamed the hell out of T and with the exception of one spot, it was all crazy looking great moves. They finally pinned T.
Your winners, FIST!
Da Soul Touchaz vs. BDK (Delirious, Tim Donst, and Jakob Hammermeier)
came out to introduce BDK. He's got a great delivery. Donst was going to sart but faked out and tagged in Hammermeier instead. Willie Richardson chopped him right down. Delirious tagged in. Delirious tried to chop away at Richardson and nailed several shoulderblocks but he couldn't move the big man.
Richardson threw Delirious in the corner and worked him over. He leapfrogged Delirious, which was quite the sight and nailed him with a big butt-butt. C Red tagged in but BDK overtook him. They cut the ring off and began working him over. BDK continued the assault for a long time. Donst nailed several suplex variations for near falls.
Willie finally tagged in and held Donst up for a long delayed vertical suplex. Delirious tried to interfere but Marshe Rockett grabbed him and nailed a death valley driver. Donst tried to bring in a chair but the referee stopped him. This allowed BDK's Tursas to interfere, hitting a big splash on Rockett after Rockett tried to fight him off.
Rockett was covered by Hammermeier.
Your winners, BDK!
As BDK left, Hallowicked, Ultramantis Black and Frightmare had a brief physical exchange with them in the aisle.
Decent stuff. I didn't know which Touchaz were which so I was a little handicapped here. '
Manami Toyota, Mike Quackenbush, and Jigsaw vs. The Amazing Red and The Maximos A few streamers for Toyota. Jigsaw and Joel Maximo start off going back and forth. Maximo drills him wuith a big kick. Jigsaw comes back and takes him out of the ring, then hit a suicide dive. Red and Quack go back and forth at lightspeed. Toyota tags in and hits a running dropkick to Red in the ropes then a big boot to the face of Will Maximo.
Toyota locks on the Oriental Torture Device on Maximo and then hits a missile dropkick off the top. Too cool. She nails another for a two count. Toyota and Quack nailed a double running palm thrust.
Jigsaw tagged in bt the Maximos took control and took turns nailing flying moves on him. The crowd chanted for Jigsaw. Will Maximo worked him over in the corner then nailed a big clothesline. Red tagged in and nailed a stiff clothesline of his own for a two count. Joel nailed a third for another near fall. The Maximos knocked Toyota and Quack off the apron and tripled on Jigsaw, who kept kicking out.
Jigsaw came off the top with a rana and tagged in Quack. Quack nailed a series of fast rebound dropkicks. He and Red fought over a suplex on the apron. Red pulled Quack over and onto the apron. Quack drilled him with a splash. He nailed Red with a slingshot splash. Will Maximo attacked but Toyota came off the top with a dropkick. Will was knocked into a Jigsaw back suplex for a two count.
Everyone went nuts with dives and moves off the ropes. The crowd chanted "This is awesome.:" The Maximos and Red killed Jigsaw. Toyota hit a dive to the floor on Joel and Red. Quack and Jigsaw made fast work of Will, culminating with a big DDT. Quack did a series of thrusts followed by Jigsaw doing the Sweeney elbow off the ropes. The crowd chanted "Sweet and Sour".
Your winners, Manami Toyota & Jigsaw & Mike Quackenbush!
GREAT stuff here. I get to cross Toyota off my personal checklist now! The Maximos and Red were so great here. Best Maximo match in a LONG time.
Intermission Notes: They have a large sympathy card for fans to sign for Larry Sweeney's family...Manami Toyota was signing for $10. Hell of a price!...It's a pretty loose, fun atmosphere.
Team Dragon Gate (Akira Tozawa, Super Shisa, and Kagetora) vs. The Spectral Envoy (Ultramantis Black, Hallowicked, and Frightmare)
Frightmare and Tozawa started out. Tozawa showed some great charisma early. The crowd was heavily behind both. They did a series of back and forth stuff early and faced off. Crowd ate it up and clapped for more. Tozawa ended up outside. Frightmare teased a dive but bounced off the ropes instead.
Mantis and Kagetora tagged in. Mantis refused to budge when Kagetora went for shoulderblocks. Kagetora drilled him with a nice dropkick. Shisa and Hallowicked tagged in. Hallowicked drilled him with a forearm but was then nailed with a dropkick. Shisa followed up with a nice Octopus.
Kagetora tagged in and nailed a Dragon Screw legwhip. Somewhere, Inoki just got a royalty. Team DG worked over Frightmare in the corner. Tozawa got into it with Hallowicked on the apron. He then began unloading with kicks. Shisa tagged in and locked in a bow and arrow. This is just great stuff.
Tozawa nailed him with chops and forearm smashes. He kept drilling him with strikes in the corner. Tozawa tried to whip Frightmare but he held onto the ropes. Hallowicked tagged in and he and Frightmare beat on Tozawa. Frightmare hit a flip dive over the top to the outside.
Hallowicked hit a sitdown powerbomb on Shisa but Kagetora broke it up. He and Mantis went back and forth with chops. Mantis got the better of the exchange and nailed a Michinoku Driver for a two count. Tozawa tagged in and cleaned house, including a springboard headbutt off the ropes and several back sentons.
Frightmare and Hallowicked doubled on him and scored several near falls. The crowd began clapping in appreciation of the match. Kagetora hit a sitdown Michinoku package drive on Frightmare for a near fall. Tozawa nailed a back suplex then hit a crazy dive to the outside.
Shisa hit a sunset flip bomb on Frightmare and scored the pin.
Your winners, Team Dragon Gate!
Another super match. Great stuff here.
Big Dragon Gate chant from the crowd.
Team Osaka Pro (Ultimate Spider Jr, Atsushi Kotoge, Daisuke Harada) vs. The Throwbacks (Matt Classic, Dasher Hatfield, and Sugar Dunkerton)
Matt Classic had his team doing training warm ups. Dunkerton and Kotoge started off. Dunkerton tried to play to the crowd and goof off, so Classic got in the ring and yelled, "Wrestling" at him. Pretty funny.
Dunkerton went for a test of strength but Kotoge kicked him hard. He drilled Dunkerton with another. Dunkerton challenged him to a race to see who is faster running the ropes. Kotoge won as Dunkerton raced himself out of his wind. The fans chanted "Race of the year." You can't make this up folks.
They shook hands and Dunkerton caught him unaware with a headlock. They ended uop having a basketball contest with Dunkerton using his arms as the hoop. Hatfield ragged in, as did Spider Jr. They had a fast exchange until Spider missed a dropkick. He challenged Hatfield to charge him and Hatfield said, "No."
Spider then "shot" Hatfield with an invisible spider-web, like Spider-Man does. Dunkerton tried to intercede but he was shot as well and Spider pulled them into each other. Complete goofiness.
Spider tried to do it to Classic, who does the throwback gimmick. He refused to sell it but then "grabbed the web" and pulled Spider into a bearhug. Harada tried to get involved and was caught with the Iron Claw! Classic nailed several big shoulderblocks. Colt Cabana is just great in the role.
Harada tossed Dunkerton into Classic, then "ran the bases" and slid into a dropkick on them. Hatfield was upset since that's his deal (he has a baseball mask). He and Harada went back and forth. Hatfield maneuvered him into the corner and got the crowd to yell "Charge!" before nailing the corner dropkick.
Team Osaka began breaking it down, having had enough of comedy, drilling everyone with stiff kicks and strikes. Harada and Kotoge tried to double suplex Classic but he reversed it and drilled them with one. Spider came off the top with a big dropkicks. The Throwbacks were on the floor, setting up a series of big dives from the Osaka Pro contingent. Classic then crawled to the top rope and gingerly let himself back down on the apron. He then dove off the apron and took Spider out.
The other four began exchanging chops in the center of the ring. Harade drilled Dunkerton with a big kick but Hatfield broke it up. He was nailed with a running death valley driver. Spider tried to suplex him but Hatfield turned it into a Jackhammer for a two count. Spider tricked Hatfield to run the ropes and ended up on the outside.
Spider celebrated but Classic came up from behind him and nailed him with a big suplex. Classic went to the middle rope then came back down. He went for a splash but Spider got out of the way and rolled him up for the pin.
Your winners, Team Osaka Pro!
Another fun match with a great mix of good wrestling, nice dives and GREAT comedy.
The Colony (Fire Ant, Green Ant, and Soldier Ant) vs. The Dark Army (Sinn Bodhi, Obariyon, and Kodama)
Some really nice wrestling to start off. Bodhi tagged in as they had Green Ant on the run. He grabbed him for a chokeslam but the babyfaces tricked the heel referee, Sabato so they could interfere and help. Green Ant went for a cross body but was caught and slammed.
Fire Ant and Soldier Ant came to the rescue with a big double dropkick. The Ants sent one of their own HIGH into the air for a dive. Fire Ant hit a tope con hilo as well. There was a lot of back and forth.
In the end, there was a pretty damn unique finish as the Colony all climbed atop of each other with Kodama caught in the middle, then Fire Ant came off the top with a big splash. Hard to describe but really cool.
Your winners, The Colony!
We are now up to the final match of the evening:
Team Minnesota (Arik Cannon, Darin Corbin, and 1-2-3 Kid) vs. Team Michinoku Pro (Jinsei Shinzaki, The Great Sasuke, and Dick Togo)
Waltman indeed came out to the old 1-2-3 Kid theme. He shaved his goatee and wore his old WWF outfit, doing a complete babyface entrance. Michinoku Pro's team got a huge ovation. Waltman took the mic and asked, "Is this what it's about or what? This is why I shaved the beard. Sorry I couldn't have the mullet."
Cannon and Togo started off. Togo grabbed him in an arm wringer but Cannoin reversed. Togo used a Fireman's Carry into an armbar. Cannon fought to his feet and went back and forth grappling with Togo until he cinched in an armbar.
Togo rebounded off the ropes but was caught with a hiptoss. Togo returned in kind and they went back and forth until they faced off. The fans chanted for Sasuke, so he tagged in Corbin followed suit. They started wrestling in slow motion for some reason which was hilarious and weird all at once. The crowd clapped and chanted "This is awesome" in slow motion as well. When they finished doing this and faced off, the place went nuts.
CHIKARA, indeed.
Kid tagged in and dared Shinzaki to tag in. Togo tagged in instead and was caught with a spinkick for a two count. Togo took over and tagged in Shinzaki. The fans chanted "1995." They locked up and did some nice counter wrestling. Kid flipped to escape a top wristlock. They ended up facing off and the crowd loved it.
Kid offered Shinzaki his hand but Shinzaki spit in it instead. He ducked a Kid kick and hit one of his own. Shinzaki did the rope walk and came off with a big chop across the head. Cannon took a swipe at him and was chopped off the apron. Michinoku worked on Kid on the outside and tossed him back into the ring.
Shinzaki put Kid in the corner and nailed him with a variation of the Bronco Buster. Sasuke tagged in and worked over Kid, locking him in a rear chinlock. Kid fought out of it but was nailed with an elbow as he rebounded. Togo tagged in and nailed Kid with a number of hard shots. Kid fired back with chops but was leveled and covered for a two count.
Kid was rode down to the mat. Sasuke tagged in. Kid ducked under he and Togo and nailed a running double clothesline. Corbin tagged in but was immediately cut off by Sasuke. Shinzaki came off the ropes with the hesitation splash. Togo hit his trademark slingshot splash for a two count.
Corbin was double teamed but used Togo to leap off of, hitting Sasuke with Sliced Bread #2. Cannon tagged in and drilled Sasuke with a kick to the back of the head. Team Minnesota began working over Sasuke. Kid hit a sitdown slam for a two count. He set up Sasuke in the corner for the Bronco Buster but missed.
He was still able to keep Sasuke at bay and tag out to Cannon. Cannon locked on an Indian Death Lock. He then used an Oriental Torture Device on Sasuke. Corbin tagged in and covered Sasuke, who kicked out. Sasuke mounted a comeback with several kicks and tagged Shinzaki. Shinzaki came off the ropes with a big chop and then with a lightning fast shoulderblock for a two count on Cannon.
Togo tagged in but was cut off. He and Cannon slugged it out in the center of the ring. Togo ended the exchange with a big clothesline but Cannon came back with several big kicks and a brainbuster. Sasuke broke up the pin. He came off the top with a Buff Blockbuster for a two count. Fun stuff.
Sasuke grabbed a chair but Corbin attacked him before he could use it. They went back into the slow motion stuff. It culminated with Sasuke trying to hit a flip dive off the top through a chair but Corbin moved. It broke down with everyone on the floor. Kid did his trademark dive to the floor.
Kid went for a senton but missed. Sasuke rolled him up for a two count. Kid nailed the X-Factor for another two count. Shinzaki hit the ring and caught his kick but was nailed with another. Togo worked on Cannon and Corbin, catching them with a double DDT. He went to the top for a dive but was caught in mid-air with a cutter by Corbin for a two count.
Togo was able to lock in a Crossface. Shinzaki caught Kid with a straightjacket submission. Cannoin made the save for both. Togo laid out Corbin and nailed the back senton off the ropes, scoring the pin.
Your winners, Michinoku Pro!
I liked it, but I wasn't a fan of the slow motion stuff. As someone said to me, "Hey its CHIKARA" as he shrugged. Beyond that, it was beyond cool to see Sasuke and Togo live again in this building. Waltman seemed really motivated as well. Overall, a positive ending.
Waltman took the mic and said his very first match in Japan was against Togo and everyone knows what he did with Shinzaki in WWF. He said Sasuke started it all and asked everyone to give it up for them. He led a Michinoku chant. Nice moment.
The fans chanted 1-2-3 so Kid returned to the ring and bowed to all four sides.
2012 - TNA held their Lockdown PPV. Mike Johnson filed the following PPV report:
Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing coverage of the 2012 TNA Lockdown PPV in Nashville, TN.
TNA is doing a live countdown show hosted by Jeremy Borash and Christy Hemme. If they do anything of note, we'll cover it here.
There are problems with the Screenvision simulcast of the PPV in Salt Lake City. John Shepard sent the following....I don't know if this is going to be common in any other movie theaters anywhere else, but I was just told at the theater in Salt Lake that was showing Lockdown that there is a problem with the feed they were getting. Because of this, they scrapped the showing and were giving refunds at the door. I hope for TNA's sake it was just here and not national.
If anyone attends any of the screenings elsewhere, let us know.
Christy Hemme interviewed TNA TV champion Devon backstage. He noted that at Victory Road, Robbie E claimed he wasn't competition but now Devon has the title. He promised to win tonight.
Inside the cage, Jeremy Borash. Socal Val and JJ The Direct Auto Guy talked about the dangers of the Steel Cage. JJ predicted James Storm was going to take down Bobby Roode for the TNA title.
Borash sent it to Mike Tenay and Taz. They discussed the TNA title bout.
TNA Knockouts Tag Team champions ODB and Eric Young came to the ring, celebrating their recent nuptials. Young tried to lock up with the Direct Auto Guy. Young said they were there on the way for their honeymoon and that ODB has told him they are going to do things he hasn't even heard of. ODB said that before they get to the honeymoon, they are going to have a match against the two broads who tried to ruin the most important night of her life.
So, add ODB & Eric Young vs. Rosita & Sarita to the show.
Jeremy Borash interviewed TNA President Dixie Carter, who psyched up the company's hometown crowd. Carter said that TNA was here because of everyone who helped them get to this point. She thanked everyone and said that it was going to be a great PPV. She said that she hoped James Storm would be the victor in the main event.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Kurt Angle backstage. Angle said that he beat Jeff Hardy fair and square last month. He said that he owns the cage and tonight he will own Hardy. Angle called his own son an idiot for idolizing Hardy and said he was going to end this once and for all.
Lockdown opened with a video where James Storm welcomed Bobby Roode to "Nashville, my town" and drove off in a truck.
Usual awesome opening video.
Backstage, Garett Bischoff asked his team to let him start the Lethal Lockdown match. He said that he knows he's a rookie and going to get his ass kicks but wants to prove himself to them and that he's got the same heart that they have. As a way to get him over, it's a good idea. The team all agreed to let him do it,
LETHAL LOCKDOWN: Garett Bischoff & AJ Styles & Rob Van Dam & Mr. Anderson & TNA X-Division champ Austin Aries vs. Eric Bischoff & Gunner & Bully Ray & Kazarian & Christopher Daniels.
Garett and Gunner are starting off. They are shooting the walk through the hallway backstage and through the entrance tunnel, which looks to be UFC inspired. They don't seem to have a major league production stage for the show, so it's a smart way to shoot around that.
Garett tried to come out strong but was shoved down by Gunner. Garett nailed a pair of dropkicks but was grabbed by the throat and tossed into the corner. Garett avoided a charge and hit a nice missle dropkick. Gunner overwhelmed him and worked over Garett with a series of punches on the mat, throwing him face-first into the buckles and drilling him with an elbow. Gunner beat down Bischoff as the clock had a minute left. They announced Eric Bischoff's team won the cointoss, as a way to build the drama. Gunner choked Garett, using a boot to strangle him against the ropes.
Out second for Team Eric was Bully Ray. Ray entered, measured and drilled Garett with a running kick. Gunner stepped on Garett's head, trying to wear him down. Garett tried to mount a comeback but was nailed from behind by Gunner. Garrett fired back with a series of rights but Bully laid him out. The fans chanted for Austin Aries as the countdown made it ways to the end.
Out second for Team Garett was indeed Aries. Aries went to work on Bully with a series of rights in the corner on Ray. Ray kicked him in the face when Aries went for a running charge. He measured and drilled Aries with a right. The Nashville crowd was really behind Aries, chanting for him. Aries reversed a whip and shoulderblocked Ray in the corner. Aries nailed a missile dropkick as the countdown ended.
Out third for Team Eric was Kazarian, now sporting a short crew cut. I didn't even recognize him when he was running to the ring, it's such a drastic change. Team Eric worked over Garett and Aries.
Our third for Team Garett was AJ Styles. Kazarian tried to meet him but was hit with the steel cage door. Styles worked over Kazarian as the crowd chanted for Styles, but Bully Ray wiped him out. Styles came back with a dropkick on Ray. That led to Team Garett starting to mount a comeback as everyone battled back and forth.
Out fourth for Team Eric was Christopher Daniels, They allowed the numbers game to come back into play. Aries and Garett were thrown hard into the cage. Ray nailed Garett with a top rope axehandle.
Our fourth for Team Garett was Mr. Anderson. Anderson worked over Daniels with a series of elbowdrops. Kazarian and Daniels came back to backdrop Styles. Team Eric had the clear advantage as the countdown ended, revealing Eric Bischoff as the fifth and final member.
Eric held his own son to allow Ray to chop Garett right over his Bischoff tattoo. He continued holding his son for the other team members to take their shots on Garett. The crowd started chanting for RVD as the countdown for the final member of Team Garett came to the end.
RVD hit the ring, completing Team Garett, killing everyone with kicks and clotheslines. He nailed a leaping monkey flip on Kazarian. Eric Bischoff hid behind Bully Ray. RVD laid him out with Rolling Thunder. Eric hid in the corner by a ringpost. The weapons and the roof on the cage began to lower.
AJ Styles used a hockey stick on Ray. Anderson nailed Ray with a trash can. RVD nailed Danmiels with one. It turned into a frenzied scene of weapons shots on Team Eric. Daniels was caned by Styles. Aries nailed Ray with a trash can lid, then stomped and kicked away at him. Garett was down selling the beating he took while Eric hid behind Gunner. They showed close-ups of welts on Garett's back.
Aries and Styles dragged Eric into the ring and laid him out. RVD went for the Five Star Frog Splash but Gunner took him out. Aries nailed Gunner then hit a discus elbow on Ray. Ray ran him into the cage like a lawn dart. Ray tried to come off the ropes but was caught with Anderson's rolling Samoa Drop. Styles went to the top but was drilled by Kazarian. They battled on the top rope. Kazarian used the cage to climb across. Styles followed and kicked Kazarian off the cage into the ring, then let go and dropped an elbow.
RVD nailed a Five Star Frog Splash on Kazarian but was nailed by Ray. Ray grabbed a chair but was nailed with the Van Daminator. Daniels attacked and hit Angel's Wings on RVD. Garett nailed Daniels with an STO and covered him but Eric began caning the hell out of him. Everyone else was out while Bischoff beat the piss out of his son. Eric mocked his son and the fans, only to turn into a Garett guitar shot.
Garett pinned Bischoff, which means that Eric has to leave TNA and can no longer use the Bischoff name.
Your winners, Team Garett!
Match was pretty middle of the road. It lacked any real drama or back and forth feeling that Garett's team was in dire straits. Garett took a pretty harsh beating in an attempt to get him over and that aspect was scripted perfectly. The problem is that, at least on the PPV broadcast, it was like watching the story unfold behind a window as there was no feeling that the audience was hanging on to what might happen. There was no insane killer spot this year for the match either, which also took away from the finish. It was left to Eric Bischoff, a non-wrestler and Garett Bischoff, who has a long way to go to handle the climax and what that climax ended up being was the old Jeff Jarrett El Kabong spot after the Tommy Dreamer Caning spots. The crowd got into the weapons shots but before then it was pretty much guys going back and forth with no real feeling of the drama rising and falling. Aries and RVD got great reactions, which is good news as TNA really needs some fresh faces in the mix.
TNA Tag Team champions Samoa Joe & Magnus vs. The Motorcity Machineguns.
They made it clear you can win via escape, pinfall or submission.
Shelley and Magnus started out. Shelley tried to go after his knee but Magnus blocked it. Shelley slid under a right hand. Magnus finally nailed him with a clothesline for a one count. They went back and forth until Joe and Sabin tagged in. Magus tagged back in and was double teamed by the Guns. Magnus catched Shelley trying to come off the ropes and nailed a Fall Away Slam, sending him into his own partner.
The champs pulled Chris Sabin into their corner and tagged in and out, working him over. Joe chopped Sabin hard then tagged in Magnus, who nailed several stomps and an elbow for a two count. The champs maneuvered Sabin into their corner and continued the assault, with Joe peppering him with a series of fast strikes. Joe held Sabin for Magnus to drill with a running boot to the face, followed up by a Joe back senton splash.
Magnus cinched in a side chinlock on Sabin, trying to wear him down. Sabin used a sit-down jawbreaker to break the move. Joe nailed a snap suplex to cut off Sabin, garnering a two count. Sabin tried to battle his way out of the corner and succeeds, nailing a tornado DDT on Joe as he kicks off Magnus. Joe ended up landing in the path of Sabin and tried to prevent the tag to Shelley, but it doesn't happen.
Shelley cleans house and goes for Sliced Bread #2 but Magnus slips out. They battle on the top and Joe gets powerbombed off the ropes. Shelley nails Magnus and comes off the ropes with a double boot stomp. Joe broke up the pin and was sent into the cage by the Guns.
The Guns set up to take out Magnus but Joe locked in a rear naked choke. He had Sabin beat but let go to break up a Shelley pinfall attempt on Magnus after Shining Wizard. The champs miss their finisher and Shelley rolls up Magnus for a two count. Shelley is nailed by Magnus and Joe by their finisher and pinned.
Your winners and still TNA Tag Team champions, Magnus & Samoa Joe!
Nothing of note here. Just your basic back and forth match. This never seemed to get out of first gear.
Backstage, Jeremy Borash interviewed Robbie E, with Robbie T. E said that after the way he was screwed last month, it's going to be Gym, Tan, Hamsterslam. He said that Devon wasn't on his list and he'd be a two time TNA TV champion tonight. He said that he'll go on to be the best TNA TV champ of all time and they'll be out fistpumping.
TNA TV champ Devon vs. Robbie E.
Robbie T got in Devon's face trying to distract him for E to charge but Devon saw him coming and they collided. Devon nailed E and went after T. That allowed E to nail Devon from behind and work him over. The early moments of the bout saw E completely control the champion and get several near falls.
E came off the top with an elbow for a two count. E cinched in a side chinlock on Devon who tried to get the crowd into the match as he rallied. E climbed the ropes but Devon hit them and E crotched himself. He fell back into the ring, allowing Devon to nail a series of clotheslines and a shoulderblock.
Devon nailed a hangman's neckbreaker and whipped E into the corner. Devon nailed a running splash and a spinebuster for the clean pinfall.
Your winner and still TNA TV champion, Devon!
Robbie T attacked Devon from behind and nailed an over the shoulder powerslam. E slapped Devon while he was down on the mat. He walked out with his ring music playing.
Too short to be anything of note.
Jeremy Borash interviewed Matt Morgan backstage. They asked a fan's question to Matt Morgan - what was more important, ending Crimson's streak or getting revenge. Morgan said he got into the business to win and make money but tonight was all about revenge. He said that tonight, Crimson will answer for his sins and the cage will be a prison cell. He promised to make Crimson his red-headed bitch.
Kim nailed Velvet from behind as Sky was arguing with Madison Rayne, who was outside. Sky shocked her with an inside cradle for a near fall. Kim reversed a whip but Sky sunset flipped her. Kim drilled her with a kick while she was underneath Sky.
Kim nailed an elbow and a series of forearms. Kim targeted Sky with a series of kicks to the legs and mid-section. Kim ran Sky towards the turnbuckles but Sky blocked it and nailed a series of strikes. Kim shoved her off and tried to scale the cage for an escape. Sky went after her but was kicked off. Kim nailed a beautiful missile dropkick off the top rope for a two count.
Kim used her knee to bend Sky's back, attempting a submission. Kim went for a version of the Stretch Muffler but Sky kicked her off. Kim almost immediately cut her back off and covered Sky for a two count. Kim locked on a Dragon Sleeper, then worked Sky over in the corner. Kim missed a charge in the corner and went through the turnbuckles, landing on the outside of the apron near the cage. It looked brutal.
Sky nailed a series of punches and a clothesline, then a running back elbow. Sky used a twisting headscissors and a basement dropkick. Sky nailed a bulldog and went for a move but Kim kicked her off. Kim ascended to the top but Sky stopped her and met her at the top rope. Sky nailed a sunset flip powerbomb off the top rope into the ring. It took time for Sky to recover and attempt a pinfall. When she did, Kim grabbed the ropes to break it.
Madison Rayne tried to distract Sky so Kim could escape through the open door. Sky went after Kim and rolled her up. The momentum allowed Kim to roll through and she hooked the tights for the pin.
Your winner and still TNA Knockouts champion, Gail Kim!
They were working really hard but this never really came together. The top rope sunset flip powerbomb looked impressive.
Ric Flair came to the ring as the announcers were discussing the show. Taz called him a two time Hall of Famer. Flair asked the crowd if they had any idea who just walked into the ring. The crowd "woo'd." Flair said he was asking a serious question and started ripping on fans in the front row. He said that his life gets greater and bigger every day because he's that "damn good." Flair said that he was a special kind of cat and he's pissed off. He said that isn't good for who he's pissed off at. Flair said that Hulk Hogan won't leave him alone and tonight, he ended Eric Bischoff's career. Flair said that wasn't funny and started ripping on a fan, asking how his wife could sleep with him.
Hulk Hogan made his way to the ring. Flair told Hogan that he's pissed him off. The crowd chanted for Hogan. Flair mocked the chants. Hogan said that as the GM of Impact, he has to admit that Flair is the greatest wrestler of all time, then asked if he minded if Hogan entered the ring. Flair told him to get in as he's got something he needs to do. Hogan entered the ring and told Flair that if he has a problem, he can express them right here and right now.
Flair said that he's had a problem with Hogan for 30 years and he doesn't like the way that Hogan runs the company and manipulates people. He said that he should have been in the ring tonight, not Eric Bischoff and that pisses him off. He warned Hogan that he's going to get Flair so mad one day, Flair is going to kick his ass. Hogan told him that Flair is at Lockdown and all is fair in love and war and Lockdown. Hogan said Bischoff will never be part of Impact Wrestling again and can never use his name again. Hogan said that everyone knows that if they hook up, they will tear the roof off the building and told Flair to do something about his issues right now.
Flair said that Hogan just really pissed him off and took off his suit jacket. Hogan decked Flair and laid him out, then walks out. Flair demanded Hogan get back in the ring and started disrobing. Flair threw his shoes out of the cage, launching them at Hogan. Flair demanded to know where Hogan was going, then threatened to kick Mike Tenay's ass. Flair asked some girl we couldn't see if she wanted to ride Space Mountain.
Matt Morgan vs. Crimson
They faced off. Crimson tried to escape but Morgan stopped him and nailed a series of clotheslines and a sideslam. Crimson tried to run off but was stoppped by Morgan. They slugged it out. Crimson missed a charge and hit the cage hard. Morgan called for the door and started walking out but changed his mind. He returned to the ring and nailed a running kneelift to Crimson.
Morgan went for a chokeslam but Crimson nailed him in the knees. Crimson mounted him and worked over Morgan with punches. Crimson nailed a hard clothesline for a two count. Crimson snapmares Morgan and nailed a running dropkick for a two count.
Crimson ran Morgan onto the cage. He worked over Morgan until being kicked off during a charge. Morgan went after Crimson but was caught with a spinebuster for a two count. Morgan fired back with the discus clothesline and several other clotheslines and punches. He snapmared Crimson and nailed a boot to the face.
Morgan hit a back suplex, then nailed an Avalanche in the corner. Crimson rolled to the outside of the ring, where Morgan hit him with a bodypress, sandwiching him against the cage. Morgan went for the Carbon Footprint but Crimson moved. Morgan nailed his leg over the ropes and against the cage. Crimson tried to climb out but was pulled back to the top rope by Morgan. Crimson crotched him on and Morgan fell into the ring, getting caught in the ropes. Crimson looked down smiling and then climbed out..
Your winner, Crimson!
Not a great match but I thought both worked really hard given their limitations as performers. The finish totally killed it. I thought they had a chance for Crimson to really cross the line as a heel and wipe out Morgan when he was trapped but he instead just went the other way. That was a missed opportunity and instead we got an extremely lame finish.
Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Hardy
They pretty much need to save the show at this point as there's been nothing above and beyond the usual on the show. Angle's knee is really taped up. Angle controlled Hardy early beating him down on the mat and stomping him. Hardy caught Angle with an elbow as he came off the ropes and nailed a dropkick.
Angle used a thumb to the eyes before Hardy could continue to mount any real offense. Angle smothered Hardy in the corner with his boot. Hardy cut him off and used the ropes to springboard into a kick in the corner. Hardy worked over Angle with punches. Hardy charged Angle but was thrown into the cage. Hardy was beaten down. Ange ripped his face against the cage. That appeared to bust open Hardy, the first blood of the night. Angle rammed him hard into the cage again.
Angle went for a third attempt but Hardy reversed it and Angle nailed the cage head-first. Hardy began hitting a ton of offense with clotheslines and a leaping forearm. Hardy nailed a double sledgehammer in the head and drilled Angle with a twisting moonsault press off the top. Hardy used his ropes to sent Angle into the cage, then nailed a sit down stunner on Angle.
Hardy went to climb out but Angle scaled the ropes (his knee wouldn't let him leap) and hit the Olympic Slam off the ropes into the ring for a near fall. Hardy fired back and tried to climb out of the cage. Angle tried to pull him down but Hardy kicked him off and came off the cage into a splash for a close near fall.
The audio mix of the crowd must be horrid as you can see everyone standing and chahting, "This is awesome" but it sounds like a far-away echo.
Angle went for the anklelock but Hardy reversed it. Angle teased tapping but rolled through. Angle missed a clothesline and was caught with the Twist of Fate. Hardy climbed to the top and nailed the swanton bomb. He went back up and nailed a second for a near fall. Angle nailed the Olympic Slam and was mad when Hardy kicked out. Angle stalked over Hardy, waiting for him to get to his feet. He went for another Slam but Hardy slipped out and nailed one instead. Hardy ripped off his shirt and went for another Swanton, this time off the top of the cage. Hardy nailed it and it looked awesome. That got him the pin.
Your winner, Jeff Hardy!
Far and away the best thing on the show. Not an awesome match but a good bout. The finish was crazy.
TNA Knockouts Tag Team champions ODB & Eric Young vs. Rosita & Sarita.
ODB hit the ring and attacked both chyallengers. She nailed a Thesz Press on Sarita and punched the hell out of her. Rosita jumped on her back but ODB got her off and then squashed them both in the corner with a running charge. ODB pressed Rosita and threw her atop Sarita. Young tried to count a pinfall, pissing off ODB. He left, allowing the challengers to double team his wife. The crowd was chanting for "ODB."
Rosita and Sarita tagged in and out, working over ODB. They start flirting with Eric, allowing ODB to drink from her flask and make a comeback on both. ODB nailed a F5 on Rosita for the win.
Your winners and still TNA Knockouts Tag Team champions, ODB and Eric Young!
The champions began rolling around and kissing.
Let us never speak of any of this again.
TNA champion Bobby Roode was interviewed by Jeremy Borash. Roode said that tonight was the night that the entire wrestling world has been waiting for. He said that tonight is the night that James Storm has been waiting for. Roode said that in front of his friends and family, Storm has a chance at the TNA title. Roode said that he will walk out to the cage and prove to the entire world that what he says is true. He is and always will be better than Storm. He said that tonight isn't a wrestling match but a fight. He said they hate each other. Roode said he is coming for Storm and he's coming for blood. Roode said he was going to prove he was the best TNA champion of all time. Good promo.
TNA champion Bobby Roode vs. James Storm
Storm drove his pick up truck into the building. Everyone was on their feet since he's the hometown boy. Storm left the cage and attacked Roode as he was circling on the floor outside the cage. So, no bigtime ring introductions. They battled on the floor. Storm threw him into the railing. Storm grabbed the ring steps and put them on their side, then slammed Roode into them face-first.
Storm came off the ringside table with a leaping shot, then whipped Roode into the railing again. The crowd is loving this. Roode cut off Storm and tries to slam him into the cage but Storm blocked it. Roode tried to whip Storm into the railing but it was reversed.
Roode staggered up the entrance ramp but Storm dragged him back. Storm grabbed a chair and swung it but Roode blocked and Storm nailed the cage. He was slammed into the cage, busting him open. Roode grabbed one of Storm's beer bottles and teased using it, but didn't. He beat Storm with a series of rights. They showed Storm's wife and Montgomery Gentry, who did Storm's new ring music, in the crowd.
Roode finally brought Storm in and they officially started the match. Roode ran Storm into the cage hard. Roode drilled Storm with a suplex and a kneedrop for a two count. The fans started a "Let's go Cowboy" chant. That fired up Storm with a series of rights. Roode dared him to continue. They fought back and forth. This already has more intensity than anything else on the show.
Roode ripped at Storm's face. Storm finally gets kicks off Roode but is then cut off with a running clothesline. Roode continued beating down Storm while screaming at him that he's nothing. Storm started trying to suck it up and fight back as the crowd chanted for him. Storm psyched himself up and finally grabbed Roode and threw him into the corner, unloading with punches and kicks. Storm screamed as he stomped away.
Roode tried to run off but was caught with a running forearm. Storm whipped him into the corner and backdropped him. Storm charged but was kicked off. Roode went to the ropes but Storm nailed him and Roode fell into the ring. Storm went for the Whirly Bird but Roode slipped out. Storm took down and catapulted Roode into the cage. He slammed Roode into the cage a second time.
Storm nailed the Whirly Bird for a two count. Storm nailed a series of punches but was caught with a spinebuster for a two count. Storm avoided a charge and nailed the Backstabber for a two count. Roode's face was ripped against the cage. Storm pulled Roode in but was backdropped over the ropes into the cage.
Roode tried to climb out but Storm grabbed his legs and pulled him back in. Roode locked on a Crossface in the center of the ring. Storm made it to the ropes to break it. They battled to the top rope. Roode went for a superplex but Storm fired back with some stiff punches. Roode slammed him backward into the steel cage and he crumpled in the corner. Roode tried to climb up but Storm grabbed him. Storm was kicked back into the ring but caught Roode as he made his way to the other side of the cage. Storm was able to pull him back over the top and into the cage.
They battled while standing on the top rope with punches and slammed each other into the cage. Storm finally slammed Roode into the cage, bouncing him back into the ring. Storm went to the top of the cage but changed his mind when he saw Roode giving him the finger. Storm leapt off the top with a lungblower and set up for the Last Call superkick. Roode pulled the referee into the superkick, knocking him out.
Roode had them open the cage door and grabbed a beer bottle. He broke it over Storm's head. He covered Storm, who kicked out at the last second. Storm nailed the superkick. He superkicked Roode again, sending him into the cage door and to the floor.
Your winner, Bobby Roode!
Roode was out unconscious on the floor. Storm took the TNA belt and threw it down. He went past Brooke Hogan (as always trying to get herself over) who was sitting in the front row and went into the crowd to embrace his wife. TNA officials were checking on Roode as they went off the air.
The main event was good and easily the best thing on the show, but the finish totally deflated the audience. With such a poor show, they really needed a big moment to end things on a positive note but that didn't happen. The work itself was very good and the finish was a good idea, but probably executed at the wrong time and night.
2013 - WWE issued the following press release:
WWE Raises More Than $500,000 For Hurricane Sandy Relief
STAMFORD, Conn., April 15, 2013 – WWE today announced that Superstars for Sandy Relief, the largest ever global online auction to benefit Hurricane Sandy relief efforts in New York and New Jersey, has raised $524,742. As part of WrestleMania® Week activities around the New York and New Jersey region, the auction was a combined effort between WWE, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Hollywood celebrities and professional athletes with proceeds benefiting the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.
Superstars for Sandy Relief online auction ran from March 25-April 9, and featured unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences with WWE Superstars and other international sports and entertainment celebrities. The auction generated more than 2,000 bids from 152 countries, making this the largest auction of the year on global charity auction site Charitybuzz.com.
In addition to the online auction, entertainment powerhouse Sean “Diddy” Combs co-hosted a Superstars for Sandy Relief party with WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon and special guests Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno to kick-off WrestleMania Week at Cipriani Wall Street. The live auction, led by sportscaster Joe Buck, raised more than $75,000 to support Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.
“The state of New Jersey is still recovering from Hurricane Sandy,” said Governor Chris Christie. “The overwhelming support from WWE and a host of celebrities to help the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund is something that the people of New Jersey will never forget.”
“Hurricane Sandy relief is an on-going effort,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “We are grateful to WWE and all the celebrities involved for putting its global resources behind a cause that is so important to the City of New York and our more than 8 million residents.”
“Superstars for Sandy Relief helped raise significant funds and awareness to support the people of New York and New Jersey who are still affected long after the devastating storm,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman and CEO. “I’m proud that WWE and its global fan base supported such an important initiative.”
About the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City
The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to innovative public-private partnerships throughout NYC’s five boroughs. One hundred percent of donations in response to Hurricane Sandy are being dispersed to relief efforts and organizations. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, contributions helped to support the supply and transport of emergency needs including hot food, toiletries, baby supplies, cleaning materials, warm clothing and medications for New Yorkers. The Mayor's Fund is now focused on longer-term rebuilding and restoration efforts, including sponsoring a network of housing counselors and legal service providers to help residents, mold awareness trainings and treatment in homes, and programs for nonprofit organizations and local businesses affected by the hurricane. For more information go to www.nyc.gov/fund and follow the Fund on Twitter @NYCMayorsFund.
About the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund
The Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund Inc. is a non-profit organization that raises and distributes funds to organizations that support the recovery and rebuilding efforts of New Jersey communities impacted by the storm. The Fund aims to make a sustainable, long-term impact and focuses on programs that address the unmet needs of New Jersey communities. For more information, visit http://sandynjrelieffund.org.
About Charitybuzz
Charitybuzz raises funds for nonprofits around the globe through online auctions with the world’s most recognizable celebrities and brands. Featuring access to acclaimed actors and musicians, business and political leaders, sports stars, luxury travel, couture fashion, rare memorabilia and more, Charitybuzz brings its online community of bidders exclusive opportunities to live their dreams and make a difference. Since launching, Charitybuzz has raised more than $75 million for charity. To learn more, visit www.Charitybuzz.com, like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Charitybuzz or follow us on Twitter at @Charitybuzz.
About WWE
WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 150 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 650 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Istanbul and Tokyo.
Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
2013 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
Last week on Raw, Mark Henry had his chance to face John Cena for the WWE Title, but he failed by count out. Mark Henry got some revenge but so did Ryback. Ryback sent John Cena a message, but what will happen when he talks about his actions? What will CM Punk say when he is given the chance to explain his loss to the Undertaker? We are in Greenville, South Carolina and your announcers are Michael ‘Something seems familiar but I can’t put my finger on it’ Cole, John ‘Hope you sold your gold before today’ Layfield and Jerry ‘Why Isn’t Mike Rotunda here tonight’ Lawler. Match Number One: Randy Orton and Sheamus versus Big Show in a Remember This Match from Smackdown (apparently the announcers didn’t) Match Orton and Sheamus discuss who will begin the match and it is Sheamus. They lock up and Show backs Sheamus into the corner and Show pie faces Sheamus. Sheamus with punches and a side head lock but Show with a belly-to-back suplex to get out of the hold. Sheamus punches Show but Show with a shot to the midsection. Sheamus with shoulders from the apron and Sheamus with the forearms across the chest. Sheamus drops Show on the top rope and then Sheamus hits the flying shoulder tackle to take Show down and Sheamus gets a near fall. Show sends Sheamus over the top rope to the floor. Orton tries to get the crowd to give Sheamus the power to recover. Sheamus returns to the ring and Show with a head butt. Show with repeated chops across the chest. Show with the Final Cut and he gets a near fall but Orton gets involved. Sheamus with punches but Show with a top wrist lock. Sheamus with punches and a forearm to the back. Show with a side slam. Show goes to the turnbuckles but Sheamus recovers and he gets Show on his shoulders and he hits an Electric Chair drop. Orton tags in and he punches and kicks Show. Orton with punches out of the corner and he hits a clothesline followed by a drop kick. Orton looks around and Show goes to the apron. Orton with a boot to the head and it is time for a Super IEDDT and he hits it. Orton looks around again and he sets for the RKO but Show pushes him away and Show grabs Orton. Sheamus with a Brogue Kick to Show and Orton with an RKO for the three count. Winners: Randy Orton and Sheamus We take a look at Triple H from Smackdown when 3MB tri-cornered Triple H only to be upstaged by the originals. Josh Mathews is with 3MB in the back and Heath says that they are here to call out The Shield. Heath says that they are going to the ring to call out the Shield. We go to commercial. We are back and 3MB are in the ring and Heath Slater has something to say. Last week on Smackdown, the greatest rock band in WWE history was going to make an example out of Triple H, but no . . . that other three man cover band, the Shield, tried to steal their spotlight. Jinder says that they are the only three man band. Drew says that before they send the Shield on a highway to hell, they better come out and give them a handwritten apology. Instead of the Shield, Brock Lesnar makes his way onto the stage and he does the Brock Bounce. Brock sends Slater to the floor and then he takes care of McIntyre before hitting an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on Mahal. Brock with an F-5 to Drew. Slater tries to escape but he runs into a clothesline from Lesnar on the floor. Brock gives Slater an F-5 on the ringside barrier. Brock is not done with Slater and Paul Heyman tries to tell Brock to stop. The crowd wants Brock to hurt Slater some more and he likes the idea. Paul tells Brock not to listen to the fans. Paul says that he told us last week that his client is ready for a fight. The fight that his client wants and has demonstrated to everyone is against Triple H. On April 7, 2013, Triple H did what no man has ever done before. Paul apologizes before reminding us that Triple H knocked out Brock Lesnar. That means that Triple H is one hell of a man. It makes him a fighter and a warrior worthy of admiration. Paul says that he would look Hunter in the eye, shake his hand, and tell him that he respects him for what he did at Wrestlemania. Paul says that Brock Lesnar does not share his opinion of Triple H. We have a problem and that is that Triple H’s hollow victory evens up the score at one and one. There can only be one dominant Alpha Male in the WWE Universe. There is an event called EXTREME RULES. Paul says that him and his client propose a match where an unconscious man will be shown no mercy and will be victimized. It is time to get barbaric. It is time for a match when skin gets ripped away from bones. It is time to get primal. It is time to get uncensored, ruthless, and raw. It is time to get EXTREME. Paul says that they are proposing a steel cage match. Since Triple H will be down for that so he has two words for him . . . Challenge Issued. We go to commercial with Antonio Cesaro and Kofi Kingston walking in the back (will they remember they had a match on Smackdown?) We are back and Antonio Cesaro has something to say. He says it in yodeling form. Match Number Two: Antonio Cesaro versus Kofi Kingston for the United States Championship They lock up and Kofi with a rollup for a near fall. Kofi with punches but Cesaro backs into the corner. They lock up and Kofi with a side head lock and Cesaro with a shoulder tackle. Kofi with a back slide for a near fall. Kofi with an Irish whip but he misses a splash into the corner. Cesaro with an Irish whip and European uppercut. Cesaro with a dead lift side salto and he gets a near fall. Cesaro with a reverse chin lock. Kofi tries for a rollup but Cesaro picks him up. Kofi with chops and a drop kick followed by a leaping clothesline. Kofi with the Boom Drop and he sets for Trouble in Paradise but Cesaro moves and Cesaro hits Swiss Death but only get a near fall. We go to commercial. We are back and Cesaro is in control of the match and he runs his laces across Kofi’s face. Cesaro with a clothesline to Kofi and then he pie faces Kofi. Kofi tries for SOS but Cesaro with a head butt. Cesaro gets a near fall. Cesaro sends Kofi into the corner but Kofi with SOS but Cesaro gets his hand on the rope to stop the count. Cesaro with a back elbow but Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise and Cesaro falls to the floor. Kofi struggles to get Cesaro back into the ring. The time to get Cesaro into the ring allows Cesaro to kick out. Kofi goes up top for a cross body but Cesaro catches Kofi and hits a back breaker for a near fall. Cesaro waits for Kofi to get up and Cesaro charges into the corner and is met with a pendulum kick. Kofi tries for a springboard move but Cesaro catches him. Kofi gets a near fall with a sunset flip. Cesaro misses a double stomp and they go back and forth until Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise and he gets the three count. Winner: Kofi Kingston After the match, Josh Mathews is in the ring with the new United States Champion. Kofi says that he just brought the United States Championship home. We go to commercial. We are back and John, Jerry, and Michael talk about cashing in the Money in the Bank briefcase. We take a look back at last week’s Raw when the tradition that was stopped by John Cena resumed. Dolph Ziggler, AJ Lee, and Big E Langston walk in the back as we go to commercial. We are back and the new World Champion makes his way to the ring and he is accompanied to the ring by Big E Langston and AJ Lee. Dolph thanks AJ and he says that he successfully cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase and he became the new World Champion. It was the single greatest moment in the history of Monday Night Raw. It was all because of him. Because of him. Some might say, how could you possibly top that? He says it is easy. There has never been a World Champion as charismatic or flamboyant as him. It is time to face facts that he is just too good. Some may boo but he does not care. He doesn’t care. Dolph says that when you are watching an NFL game and someone scores a touchdown, they are showing off. That is what you do when you are better than everyone else. He backs it up every single night. When you are as good as him, perks come with the job. Fame and fortune follows, and so does this . . . he kisses AJ. Dolph says that no one will ever be as good as him. Alberto Del Rio’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring with Ricardo Rodriguez who is on crutches. Alberto says last week he congratulated Dolph and said that when the moment was right, he is going to invoke his rematch clause. He wants his rematch in Greenville and he wants it right now. Dolph says that he is proud that Alberto hobbled his way to the ring . . . Dolph is interrupted by Vickie Guerrero and her excuse mes. She says that Alberto gets his rematch and the match happens now. Match Number Three: Alberto Del Rio versus Dolph Ziggler for the World Title Before the match can start, Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger come out. Zeb says that there would not be a Money in the Bank cash in or a Dolph Ziggler World Champion without Jack Swagger. He is a real champion and a real American. Dolph won only because of what Jack did. He says that Dolph doesn’t deserve to be champion and Albert does not deserve another shot. Del Rio attacks Swagger and Jack is sent to the floor. While Del Rio stares down Langston, Swagger takes Del Rio down and he sends Del Rio’s leg into the ring post. Swagger attacks Del Rio and he applies the ankle lock. Daniel Bryan and Kane walk to the ring as we go to commercial. We are back and we take a look back at what happened when Alberto Del Rio was given a rematch, but it never happened due to Jack Swagger. We see the medical staff checking on Del Rio’s knee. We are told that next week The Shield will face the Undertaker, Kane, and Daniel Bryan next week on Raw. Match Number Three: Darren Young and Titus O’Neil versus Daniel Bryan and Kane in a Non Title Match Titus and Bryan start things off and Titus with a knee but Bryan with Kicks of No that are simply dazzling. Bryan with a drop kick and he gets a near fall. Titus runs Daniel into the corner and he tags in Young. Young with a knee and clothesline for a near fall. Young with a European uppercut and Titus tags in. Titus kicks Bryan in the corner and he barks. Bryan with forearms but Titus catches Bryan and he tosses Bryan over his head as he stares at Kane. Darren tags back in and Titus uses Young for a gourdbuster on Bryan and he gets a near fall. Young with a reverse chin lock. Bryan with elbows followed by a flying clothesline and he tags in Kane. Kane with a punch followed by an Irish whip and clothesline into the corner. Kane with a second Irish whip and clothesline followed by a side slam for a near fall. Kane goes up top and he hits the clothesline. Kane signals for the choke slam and Kane sends Titus over the top rope and Bryan with a running knee off the apron. Kane with a choke slam and Bryan is tagged in for the diving head butt and the three count. Winners: Kane and Daniel Bryan After the match, Bryan and Kane celebrate as we go to commercial. We are back with the Slo Mo Slam and it is a look at Mark Henry giving John Cena the World’s Strongest Slam and then the spinebuster by Ryback on Henry. Then we see Ryback giving Cena a lariat and a marching muscle buster. Ryback is in the back and he snarls before saying on April 7, 2013, Wrestlemania was the greatest moment of John Cena’s career, but the worst night of his. John Cena earned his redemption and he won the WWE Title. John was on the top of the world and Ryback was on the bottom. There is only one way for them to go. Ryback goes up while John goes down. There must be so many questions swimming through his head. Why? What did he do? Maybe John knows and he saw it in his eyes before he took of John’s head. What choice did he have? After everything he has been through. After Wrestlemania, staring up the ladder. That was not going to happen. Ryback says that John is probably thinking that he helped him. Cena told the WWE Universe that Ryback was his friend and a good guy. Ryback says that Cena even gave him a title match when he was injured, something that more people probably wish happened. Cena gave him a seat at the table and he always had his back. Being the friend of John Cena is a sign to be in the shadows. He is not a side kick. If John Cena is Superman . . . say hello to kryptonite. How many times did John leave him when he was on the Road to Redemption? Where was John when he was so close to winning the World Title? John said that he could trust him, but six times he was attacked by the Shield. Where was he? Was he designing his newest t-shirt? Where was he? The three times that Cena was attacked, he was there every time. He understands that John has his priorities and that was to win back the WWE Title. John got lucky at the Royal Rumble and earned his place at the table. At Elimination Chamber, Cena left him alone in the ring to deal with the Shield. John did what he set out to do. He is the big winner. While John made his little jokes, Ryback saw him showing that no one else belonged there. He was waiting for John to admit that he was there because Ryback wasn’t. Last week, he showed John that he is stepping out of it and he has to see Ryback for what he is. He is the biggest threat to John Cena’s title reign. Ryback Rules. We go to commercial. We are and we see what happens when 3MB tries to act like The Shield. Match Number Four: R Truth versus Wade Barrett in a Non Title Match They lock up and Truth with a side head lock and hammer lock. Truth with a wrist lock but Barrett with punches. Truth dances for Barrett and he hits a leg lariat and Barrett backs into the corner. Barrett pushes Truth away but Truth goes into the corner and the referee holds him back. Barrett with a punch to the ribs and he kicks Truth in the ribs and he hits an elbow drop for a near fall. Barrett puts Truth on the turnbuckle and then he connects with forearms to the back. Barrett with a knee to the midsection and Truth falls to the mat. Barrett gets a near fall. Barrett with a seated abdominal stretch. Truth with a crucifix cover to counter the Blackpool Slam. Truth with clotheslines but Barrett with a boot to Truth and then Truth with a split to avoid a forearm. Truth with a sit out gourdbuster for a near fall. Truth misses the scissors kick and Barrett with a back heel kick and he tries for a pump handle slam followed by Little Jimmy for the three count. Winner: R Truth Brad and Vickie talk about Alberto’s condition and there is a knock on the door. Teddy Long enters the office and he asks them if they heard about Alberto. Teddy has a solution. Jack Swagger faces Dolph Ziggler. He has it set up. He has given Jack some extra incentive. Vickie wants to know if Booker knows and Vickie likes the idea. Vickie tells Brad to tell someone. We go to commercial. We are back and Damien Sandow demands silence. A famed philosopher once said, we are but dwarfs on the shoulders of giants. Cody says that they will be like those proverbial dwarves and giants as they promote decency for all. Damien says that will happen even in a place like South Carolina. Match Number Five: Santino Marella and Great Khali (with Natalya and Hornswoggle) versus Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes Damien and Khali start things off and Sandow avoids Khali and he punches him. Khali sends Sandow into the corner and he chops Sandow in the chest. Cody tags in and so does Santino. Santino with some of his kicks to air and Cody with punches to flesh. Santino floats over but Cody stops short and Cody with a forearm. Sandow tags in and he kicks Santino and punches him. Cody tags in and he punches Santino. Cody with a Flair-esque knee drop and Sandow with the Elbow of Disdain for a near fall. Sandow with a reverse chin lock on Santino. Santino with punches but Sandow with a punch of his own. Santino blocks a punch and he connects with punches and does a split followed by a hip toss and diving head butt. Santino reaches for the cobra and he puts it on. He hits it on Sandow and then he teases Cody but Hornswoggle has a cobra. Cody grabs Hornswoggle but Khali hits Cody. Sandow with a rollup on Santino for the three count. Winners: Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow After the match, they do the assisted cartwheel of assistance. We go to commercial. We are back and Jerry Lawler is in the ring and he points out that only once has someone made their debut at Wrestlemania and won. This person defeated the first Undisputed Champion. He has started the fad of Fandangoing. Jerry introduces Fandango and before he emerges from the Golden Shower Curtain, Sue makes her way onto the stage. Jerry asks Fandango if he ever . . . Fandango takes the mic and he asks Jerry how his hips are feeling. He wants Jerry to move his hips. Fandango wants to know who wants to go Fandangoing with him. He wants everyone to pronounce his name correctly. Fandango says that since they cannot pronounce his name, everyone can go Fandango themselves. Matt Striker is with John Cena in the interview area. Matt asks John a question but John interrupts and he says that he is going to go to the ring so Ryback can find him. He will handle his business face to face and man to man. We go to commercial while Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter make their way to the ring. We are back with a look at what happened earlier tonight with Alberto Del Rio. Match Number Six: Dolph Ziggler (with AJ Lee and Big E Langston) versus Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) in a Non Title Match Ziggler avoids Swagger and Ziggler shows off. Swagger puts Ziggler in the corner and he slaps him in the head. Ziggler has something to say to Swagger and he slaps him. Ziggler goes to the floor and Swagger follows after him and Ziggler ambushes Swagger as he returns to the ring. Swagger with a boot to the head. Swagger with knees in the corner followed by a short arm clothesline. Swagger with a boot to the chest. Swagger with an Irish whip but he runs into an uppercut and Ziggler with a neck breaker. Ziggler has a drop kick blocked and Swagger tries for an ankle lock but Ziggler gets to the ropes. Ziggler drops Swagger on the top rope but Swagger puts Ziggler on the top rope in a very uncomfortable place. Swagger knocks Ziggler off the apron and to the floor as we go to commercial. We are back and Swagger misses a charge into the corner because he was We The Peopling and he goes shoulder first into the post. Ziggler with an inside cradle for a near fall. Swagger with a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Swagger with a knee to Ziggler’s midsection. Swagger tries for the double jump Swagger Bomb and Ziggler gets his boots up. Ziggler with a kick to the knee followed by a drop kick. Ziggler hits the leaping DDT and he gets a near fall. Swagger catches Ziggler on a Fameasser attempt and Swagger with a rollup for the three count. Winner: Jack Swagger After the match, while Swagger We The Peoples again, Alberto Del Rio attacks Swagger from behind and he kicks Swagger off the stage. Del Rio applies the cross arm breaker. Del Rio points at Ziggler. CM Punk and Paul Heyman are walking in the back and they are laughing about something as we go to commercial. We are back and Sheamus is with Matt Striker. Mark Henry attacks Sheamus before he can say anything and Mark says that what he do and he tells Sheamus he has more of that. CM Punk makes his way to the ring and he is accompanied by Paul Heyman. Punk looks around and he does not say anything. Eventually, Punk says for 434 days as WWE Champion, he couldn’t enjoy the ride because he was always looking around the corner at what was next. The WWE Championship meant the world to him. He wanted that next challenge and he found that challenge in The Rock. As he battled somebody who will go down as one of the best of all time, he wanted more. He wanted to know what the next hurdle was because he was never satisfied. He wants more. After being champion for 434 days, where do you go? After battling the most electrifying person in sports entertainment, he figured he would go after the one thing more important than the title. That was to challenge The Streak. He took the Undertaker to the limit. Punk apologizes to Paul, hugs him, and leaves. Paul doesn’t know what to think as Punk walks up the ramp. Punk stops halfway and then he goes to the back and we go to commercial. We are back and Booker T is yelling at Teddy for overstepping his bounds. Teddy says that he knows what Booker is thinking and Booker says that he doesn’t. Booker tells Teddy that Alberto might be injured and can’t compete. It means he can’t compete tonight. Swagger will get his title match. Del Rio will get his title match. Dolph Ziggler will defend the title in a Triple Threat match. He tells Teddy to do his business. Match Number Seven: Kaitlyn versus Nikki Bella (with Brie Bella) in a Non Title Match They lock up and Kaitlyn sends Nikki to the mat. They lock up again and Kaitlyn sends Nikki to the mat again. They lock up a third time and Kaitlyn with an arm drag and Nikki talks to Brie. Kaitlyn with a baseball slide and Kaitlyn rolls Nikki into the ring and Brie distracts her and Nikki with a leg sweep and Kaitlyn lands on the apron. Nikki sends Kaitlyn back into the ring and Nikki with a camel clutch in the ropes. Brie drops Kaitlyn on the rope and Nikki gets a near fall. Nikki stands on Kaitlyn’s hair while arguing with the referee. Nikki with a rear chin lock while working on the back. Nikki gets a near fall. Kaitlyn gets to her feet but Nikki sends her back to the mat. Nikki gets a near fall. Nikki with a rear chin lock but Kaitlyn gets Nikki on her back and she uses the turnbuckles to escape the hold. Kaitlyn with a clothesline and back elbow. Kaitlyn with a flying shoulder tackle and a clothesline into the corner but she runs into a knee from Nikki. Kaitlyn with a kick and she gets Nikki on her shoulders and hits a gutbuster but the referee gets distracted and Brie gets in the ring and she sends Kaitlyn into the ropes and Brie gets the three count. Winner: Nikki Bella (with an assist from Brie Bella) Ryback has that look on his face as he walks into commercial. Based on what happened tonight we have a tag match on Friday. Mark Henry and Big Show will face Randy Orton and Sheamus. John Cena is out and he has given up on his shirt from last week and has gone back to the yellow. John announces that the Champ is here . . . and the Ryback is there. The Champ has some business with the Ryback so he wants The Ryback to get right here, right now. The Ryback makes his appearance on the stage and The Ryback makes his way to the ring to talk to The Champ. They have something to say while The Ryback throws The Shirt into The Crowd. John says that Ryback has destroyed everything in his path and when the crowd chants ‘Feed Me More’ someone is going to get hurt. Cena says that he will not wet his khakis. John says that he made an open challenge to anyone who thought that he was man enough to challenge. Ryback did nothing. He says that Ryback sat until John’s back was turned to knock him down. What did Ryback do tonight? He made everyone sit through a highlight reel of excuses and it was boring. Ryback isn’t successful because of John Cena. Ryback is in the shadow because of John Cena. Ryback isn’t Champion because of John Cena. Ryback wants the title and he knocked him down once. John wants to know if Ryback knows who he is dealing with. He has been to war with Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels, and Triple H. Those are his friends. The WWE Championship is everything. He says that he knows what The Ryback did last week, but he doesn’t like the way he did it. The message that was sent to the world. He says that Ryback lacks two things to be champion, the space between the ears and the piece between the legs. Last week, after Ryback attacked him, Ryback held the title and it must have felt nice. John says that they should do it a little different tonight. John starts to get undressed and he tells Ryback to make a move to see if he can earn a Championship. They stare each other down and then Ryback leaves the ring. The music for The Shield plays and Ryback stops. The Shield remain in the crowd for a moment but they enter the ringside area. Who will the Shield attack? Reigns, Ambrose, and Rollins get on the apron and then they enter the ring and Cena tries to fight them off but just like in Superman II, three super villains are enough to stop Superman. The Ryback stands on The Ramp while watching The Attack. As the attack continues, The Shield stands over Cena and they get ready for the Cerberus Bomb but Ryback walks to The Back . . . but then he stops on The Stage. Ambrose and Rollins pick up Cena for Reigns to hit the Cerberus Bomb. We go to credits.
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