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May 12th
On this day in history in ....
1964 - The WWWF ran a television taping in Bridgeport, CT at the City Arenafeaturing:
-WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Magnificent Maurice.
-WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino defeated Dave Morgan.
-Jerry & Luke Graham defeated Tony Marino & Manuel Soto.
-Miguel Perez defeated Frank Hickey.
-Bobo Brazil defeated Matt Gilmore.
-Don McClarity defeated Boris Malenko.
-Ernie Ladd defeated Pedro Rodriguez.
-Gorilla Monsoon defeated Carlos Milano.
-Killer Kowalski defeated Ted Lewin.
1965 - WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino competed in two different markets on the same day. Sammartino teamed with Argentina Apollo to defeat Waldo Von Erich & Smasher Sloan in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-1 in Fredericksnburg, VA before heading to Pittsburgh, PA to successful defend his championship, defeating Bill Miller by DQ.
1965 - The undercard of the aforementioned WWWF event in Virginia featured:
-Arnold Skaaland pinned Tony Newberry.
-Miguel Perez defeated the Golden Terror via disqualification.
-Wahoo McDaniel fought Bill Watts to a draw.
1966 - WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino & Antonio Pugliese fought Curtis Iaukea & Bill Miller to a draw in the main event of a card in Washington, D.C.
1972 - WWWF ran two events on the same day. Here are the complete results:
North Attleboro, MA at Witschi's Sports Arena:
-Tony Contilles defeated Joe Nova via disqualification when Nova hit the referee.
-Jimmy Valiant pinned Ricky Sexton.
-Chief Jay Strongbow pinned Smasher Sloan; stipulations stated the loser would have to leave New -England.
-Sonny King pinned Juan Caruso
-Rene Goulet fought the Black Demon to a double count-out; Demon was unmasked as Tony Nero.
Queens, NY at Sunnyside Gardens:
-The Haiti Kid & Sonny Boy Hayes defeated Frenchy Lamont & Sky Low Low.
-Baron Mikel Scicluna defeated Manuel Soto.
-Thomas Marin defeated Chuck Richards.
-Victor Rivera defeated King Curtis via disqualification.
1976 - The WWF ran White Plains, NY at the Westchester County Center, headlined by Ivan Putski defeating Superstar Graham.
-Kevin Sullivan defeated Johnny Rodz.
-Skandar Akbar defeated Louis Cerdan.
-Tony Parisi fought Baron Mikel Scicluna to a draw.
-Susan Green & Vivian St. John defeated Paula Kaye & Kitty Adams.
1978 - WWF ran Pittsburgh, PA at the Civic Arena with the following results:
-Dewey Robertson defeated Chris Tolos.
-Ivan Putski defeated George Steele via disqualification.
-Billy Lyons defeated Nick Busick.
-WWWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Spiros Arion via countout.
-Gorilla Monsoon defeated Butcher Vachon.
-Superstar Billy & Luke Graham defeated Dusty Rhodes & Haystacks Calhoun.
1979 - WWF ran Baltimore, Maryland with the following results:
-Nikolai Volkoff defeated Johnny Rivera.
-Tito Santana defeated Johnny Rodz.
-Cowboy Lang & Tiny Thumb defeated Little Tokyo & Butch Cassidy.
-Hussein Arab defeated SD Jones.
-WWF North American Champion Ted DiBiase defeated Jimmy Valiant via disqualification.
-Ivan Putski defeated Bulldog Brower.
-WWF Tag Team Champions Johnny & Jerry Valiant defeated Steve Travis & Dominic DeNucci.
-WWF World Champion Bob Backlund fought Greg Valentine to a no contest.
1980 - WWF ran Totowa, NJ at Ice World with the following results:
-Baron Scicluna defeated Jose Estrada.
-Larry Sharpe defeated Angelo Gomez.
-Tor Kamata defeated Frank Williams.
-Rick McGraw defeated Johnny Rodz.
-WWF Tag Team Champions the Wild Samoans defeated Dominic Denucci & Rene Goulet.
-WWF Intercontinental Champion Ken Patera defeated Pat Patterson.
-Larry Zbyszko defeated Ivan Putski.
1981 - WWF ran Portland, Maine with the following results:
-The Great Yatsu defeated Don Serrano.
-Rick McGraw defeated Johnny Rodz.
-SD Jones defeated Frank Savage.
-Tony Garea & Rick Martel defeated Lou Albano & Moondog Rex.
-WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Killer Khan.
1983 - NWA World champion Ric Flair defeated Billy Jack Haynes via disqualification in Yakima, Washington.
1983 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Norfolk, Virginia, featuring Mike Rotundo & Rufus R. Jones defeating Dory Funk Jr. & Jake Roberts and NWA U.S. Champion Greg Valentine defeating Johnny Weaver in the main events.
1983 - WWF ran Manchester, NH at JFK Coliseum with the following results:
-Johnny Rodz defeated Frankie Williams.
-Jose Estrada defeated Pete Sanchez.
-Salvatore Bellomo defeated Pete Doherty.
-Chief Jay Strongbow defeated Victor Rivera.
-Iron Mike Sharpe defeated SD Jones.
-Jules Strongbow defeated Samula via disqualification.
-WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Afa via disqualification.
1984 - NWA World champion Kerry Von Erich defeated Ric Flair in San Antonio, Texas.
1984 - New Japan Pro Wrestling ran Niage, Japan, headlined by Tatsumi Fujinami defeating John Quinn,
WWF Tag Team Champion Adrian Adonis defeating Otto Wanz and a tag bout where Riki Choshu & Mr. Saito defeated WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan & the Masked Superstar via disqualification.
1984 - The Masked Outlaw (Dory Funk Jr.) defeated NWA Mid Atlantic Heavyweight Champion Angelo Mosca Jr. to win the championship at a Jim Crockett Promotions event in Spencer, NC. On the same card, Mark & Jay Youngblood defeated NWA Tag Team Champions Ivan Koloff & Don Kernodle (with Gary Hart) via disqualification at around the 7:40 mark after Kernodle struck Jay with a clothesline using a loaded forearm pad; after the bout, Wahoo McDaniel and Pez Whatley ran out to make the save.
1985 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran the Omni in Atlanta, GA featuring the following results:
-The Barbarian defeated Sam Houston.
-Superstar Billy Graham defeated the Italian Stallion.
-Buzz Sawyer fought Krusher Kruschev to a draw.
-NWA U.S. Champion Magnum TA defeated John Tatum.
-Tully Blanchard defeated National Heavyweight Champion Ron Garvin.
-Jimmy Valiant fought Abdullah the Butcher to a no contest.
-Thunderbolt Patterson & Manny Fernandez defeated National Tag Team Champions Ole & Arn Anderson
-Dusty Rhodes & Dick Slater defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions Ivan & Nikita Koloff.
1986 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Oakwood, VA headlined by NWA World Tag Team Champions The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey defeating Manny Fernandez & Hector Guerrero.
1986 - JCP also ran Greenville, SC at The Memorial Auditorium featuring the following results:
-Thunderfoot defeated Rocky Kernodle.
-Black Bart fought Don Kernodle to a draw.
-Ron Garvin defeated Ivan Koloff.
-Wahoo McDaniel defeated Jimmy Garvin via disqualification.
-NWA National Heavyweight Champion Tully Blanchard & NWA TV Champion Arn Anderson fought The Rock N' Roll Express to a no contest.
-Nikita Koloff defeated Magnum TA in a Russian chain match.
1987 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Columbia, SC for a TV Taping, featuring NWA TV Champion Tully Blanchard (with JJ Dillon) defeated Robert Gibson (with Ricky Morton) via disqualification around the 17 minute mark when the referee was knocked to the floor, allowing Morton and Dillon to interfere. Gibson backdropped Blanchard over the top rope. After the bout, NWA World Champion Ric Flair came out, attacked Morton in and out of the ring, and helped triple team him before Gibson made the save.
1987 - The WWF ran a long Superstars taping in Anaheim, CA headlined by Hulk Hogan defeating King Harley Race to retain the WWF championship in a dark match main event. The same taping featured Hogan making a rare televised wrestling appearance on the syndicated series (Hogan would wrestle on NBC specials but never on syndication, which was designed to sell tickets to live events) as he pinned Bob Orton in a match that aired Memorial Day weekend. Bobby Heenan was introduced as the manager of the Islanders at the taping as well.
1988 - WWF ran three events the same evening with the following results:
Erie, PA at the Civic Center in front of 1,000 fans:
-Iron Mike Sharpe pinned Scott Casey.
-Brady Boone pinned Steve Lombardi.
-The Junkyard Dog pinned Ron Bass.
-The Ultimate Warrior pinned Hercules.
-Bret Hart fought Bad News Brown to a double countout.
-WWF Women's Champion Sensational Sherri pinned Desiree Peterson.
-Strike Force, Rick Martel & Tito Santana defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Demolition via disqualification.
Columbus, GA at The Municipal Auditorium in front of 3,600 fans:
-Hillbilly Jim pinned Steve Lombardi.
-The Young Stallions Paul Roma & Jim Powers fought The Bolsheviks, Nikolai Volkoff & Boris Zhukov to a draw
-Greg Valentine pinned Outback Jack.
-Dino Bravo pinned Ken Patera.
-WWF Intercontinental Champion the Honkytonk Man defeated Brutus Beefcake via countout.
Winnipeg, Manitoba at the Arena in front of 4,000 fans:
-Jacques & Raymond Rougeau defeated The Killer Bees, B. Brian Blair & Jim Brunzell.
-Don Muraco (sub. for Bam Bam Bigelow) pinned the One Man Gang.
-George Steele defeated Jim Neidhart via countout.
-Koko B. Ware pinned Bobby Heenan.
-Haku & Sivi Afi defeated Hillbilly Jim & Don Muraco.
-Jake Roberts fought Rick Rude to a double countout.
-WWF champion Randy Savage pinned Ted Dibiase,
1989 - Roddy Piper, who had retired at Wrestlemania III in March 1987, made a surprise return to the ring in the main event of the WWF house show in Los Angeles, CA before 15,000 fans. Piper was a surprise substitute for the injured Jake Roberts, returning to the ring and pinning Ted DiBiase. The same card saw Randy Savage defeat WWF champion Hulk Hogan by countout while Bret Hart and Mr. Perfect went to a 15 minute time limit draw.
Other results from the LA card:
-Paul Roma pinned Boris Zhukov.
-WWF Women's Champion Rockin Robin pinned Judy Martin.
-Dino Bravo pinned Hercules.
-The Bushwhackers defeated The Brain Busters, Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard.
1989 - Beyond the Los Angeles card, WWF also ran two other events the same night. Those results saw:
Miami, FL at the Arena:
-Greg Valentine pinned the Blue Blazer.
-The Honkytonk Man pinned Hillbilly Jim.
-Rick Martel pinned Tito Santana.
-The Ultimate Warrior fought WWF IC Champion Rick Rude to a double count-out.
-The Genius pinned Jim Powers.
-Brutus Beefcake pinned Bad News Brown; Ron Garvin was the guest referee for the match.
-WWF Tag Team Champions Demolition defeated the Big Bossman & Akeem via disqualification.
Springfield, MA at the Civic Center in front of 5,100 fans:
-Tom Magee pinned Tim Horner
-The Red Rooster pinned the Brooklyn Brawler
-The Warlord pinned Koko B. Ware
-Big John Studd defeated Andre the Giant via disqualification
-Jim Duggan pinned Haku
-Barry Horowitz pinned Mike Reskin
-Jacques & Raymond Rougeau defeated The Rockers. The Rockers won the match via pinfall but the referee, groggy after being knocked down moments earlier, mistakenly awarded the bout to the Rougeaus.
1990 - The NWA ran Detroit, Michigan at The Cobo Arena, drawing 1,700 fans, featuring the following results:
-Robbie Idol pinned Ned Brady.
-Bam Bam Bigelow pinned Paul Drake.
-Jonnie Stewart defeated Kevin Sullivan via disqualification at the 42-second mark; after the bout, Sullivan attacked Stewart.
-NWA U.S. Tag Team Champions Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk defeated the Samoan Swat Team; Zenk sustained an injury during the match.
-Mike Rotunda (substituting for NWA Tag Team Champion Rick Steiner, who was bumped up to the main event) & NWA Tag Team Champion Scott Steiner defeated The Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane.
-The Road Warriors defeated Doom in a Street Fight.
-NWA Tag Team Champion Rick Steiner (substituting for NWA U.S. Champion Lex Luger, out with a staph infection) defeated NWA World Champion Ric Flair via disqualification at the 21-minute mark when Flair hit the referee. Due to Luger's illness, refunds were offered to fans in attendance.
1991 - WWF ran Albuquerque, NM at Tingley Coliseum, drawing 5,500 fans with the following results:
-IRS pinned Jimmy Snuka.
-Bret Hart pinned the Barbarian.
-The Bushwhackers defeated the Orient Express.
-Ricky Steamboat pinned Haku.
-The Big Bossman defeated the Mountie.
-Sgt. Slaughter defeated WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan via disqualification.
1991 - WCW ran Dayton, OH at The Nutter Center with the following results:
-Sam Houston defeated Ron Cumberledge.
-Brad Armstrong defeated the Black Scorpion.
-The Junkyard Dog & Sam Houston defeated Rip Morgan & Jack Victory when Rhodes pinned Morgan.
-Bobby Eaton defeated Terrance Taylor.
-Big Josh & Tommy Rich defeated the Angel of Death & Dan Spivey when Rich pinned the Angel of Death.
-Sting defeated WCW World Champion Ric Flair via disqualification.
1994 - WCW taped WCW Worldwide at the Disney-MGM Studios. Several one hour tapings were filmed over the course of the day with admission being free to those attending the parks. The most newsworthy results saw Ron Simmons defeat Maxx Payne in a Streetfight,"Stars and Stripes" (Marcus Alexander Bagwell and The Patriot) debuting as a team defeating Dick Slater & Chris Sullivan and the first ever Marquee of Queensbury Rules bout in WCW with featuring European Rounds rules and several judges. In Round 5, WCW World Champion Ric Flair defeated WCW World TV Champion Lord Steven Regal. The match was originally ruled a draw by judges Jimmy Jet, Randy Anderson, and Sgt. Craig Pittman but referee Nick Patriot issued an overtime period.
1994 - WWF ran a rare show in Guam while heading to Japan for a tour, featuring the following results for their event at the University of Guam Fieldhouse:
-Adam Bomb defeated the 1-2-3 Kid.
-WWF Women's Champion Alundra Blayze defeated Bull Nakano.
-WWF Tag Team Champions the Headshrinkers defeated the Smoking Gunns.
-Doink the Clown defeated Bob Backlund.
-The Undertaker defeated Yokozuna via disqualification.
-Bam Bam Bigelow defeated Tatanka.
-Randy Savage defeated Rick Martel (substituting for Shawn Michaels).
-WWF World Champion Bret Hart defeated Owen Hart.
1994 - Smoky Mountain Wrestling ran Norfolk, Virginia with the following results:
Tracy Smothers defeated Steven Dunn
SMW champion the Dirty White Boy defeated Kendo the Samurai
Rock N' Roll Express defeated SMW Tag Team Champions Brian Lee & Chris Candido via disqualification
Tracy Smothers won a pole battle royal
1995 - WWF ran Providence, RI at the Civic Center featuring the following results:
-Man Mountain Rock defeated Kwang.
-Jacob & Eli Blu defeated the Bushwhackers.
-WWF IC Champion Jeff Jarrett defeated Bob Holly.
-Razor Ramon defeated The Roadie.
-Bret Hart defeated Jerry Lawler in a Kiss My Foot match.
-Bam Bam Bigelow defeated Tatanka.
-The New Headshrinkers defeated the Heavenly Bodies.
-WWF World Champion Diesel & the Undertaker defeated Psycho Sid & Kama.
1996 - The multi-day WWF Kuwaiti Cup tournament ends Kuwait City, Kuwait, with Ahmed Johnson defeating Hunter Hearst Helmsley to win the Cup. Here are the results from the full event:
-Bushwhacker Luke defeated Aldo Montoya.
-Bushwhacker Butch defeated Leif Cassidy.
-Duke Drose defeated Marty Jannetty.
-Yokozuna & Savio Vega defeated Bob Backlund & Isaac Yankem DDS.
-Bret Hart & the Undertaker defeated Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith.
-WWF World Champion Shawn Michaels defeated Steve Austin.
1996 - WCW ran Knoxville, TN in front of 2,800 fans with the following results:
-Alex Wright pinned Disco Inferno.
-The Booty Man pinned Arn Anderson.
-Eddie Guerrero pinned Chris Benoit.
-The Nasty Boys defeated Public Enemy.
-WCW TWorld V Champion Lex Luger defeated Jim Duggan.
-Randy Savage pinned Ric Flair; Flair originally won the match but the bout continued after the referee found him with a foreign object.
-WCW World Champion the Giant defeated Sting via disqualification.
1996 - The WWF ran a second show in Binghamton, NY, drawing 3,278 fans with the following results:
-Justin Bradshaw defeated Barry Horowitz.
-Marc Mero defeated the Brooklyn Brawler.
-The Smoking Gunns defeated Samu & the Tahitian Warrior.
-WWF Tag Team Champions Skip & Zip defeated Henry & Phinneas Godiwnn.
-Mankind defeated Jake Roberts.
-Jerry Lawler defeated Razor Ramon; Mr. Perfect was the guest referee for the bout.
-The Ultimate Warrior defeated Vader.
1997 - WCW broadcast Nitro from Baltimore, Maryland in front of 8,058 fans with the following results:
-Meng defeated Rick Fuller.
-Mortis defeated Super Calo.
-Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Psychosis.
-Glacier defeated Villano IV.
-The Giant & Diamond Dallas Page defeated Harlem Heat.
Nitro:
-WCW World TV Champion the Ultimo Dragon defeated Juventud Guerrera.
-WCW U.S. Champion Dean Malenko pinned Steve McMichael.
-Wrath pinned Scotty Riggs.
-Konnan & Hugh Morrus defeated Alex Wright & Ice Train.
1997 - Meanwhile, WWF filmed Raw in Newark, Delaware with the following results from the taping:
Shotgun Saturday Night- (airing 5/17/97):
-Jim Neidhart pinned Marty Garner with a bodyslam
-Leif Cassidy pinned Matt Hardy with a fallaway slam
-Rocky Maivia defeated Rockabilly disqualification when Honkytonk Man hit Maivia with his guitar
-Farooq pinned Jason Ahrdnt with the Dominator
Raw is War:
-King of the Ring Quarter-Finals: Ahmed Johnson defeated Hunter Hearst Helmsley (w/ Chyna) via disqualification when Chyna interfered and hit Ahmed with a steel chair
-Scott Putski pinned Leif Cassidy with a suplex; after the bout, Putski won a brief brawl with an incensed Cassidy
-The Legion of Doom defeated PG-13 following the Doomsday Device on both Wolfie D and JC Ice; after the bout, the Nation left their fallen teammates behind
-WWF World Champion the Undertaker defeated Savio Vega (w/ the Nation) via disqualification in a non-title match when Farooq interfered after the champion hit the tombstone and began whipping Taker with his belt
-Rob Van Dam pinned Jeff Hardy with a split-legged moonsault at 2:29; prior to the bout, Jerry Lawler introduced RVD to the crowd, nicknaming him “Mr. Monday Night”, and then both he and RVD cut an anti-ECW promo in RVD's first-ever WWF appearance.
-WWF Tag Team Champions Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith defeated the Headbangers, the New Blackjacks, and Doug Furnas & Phil LaFon in an elimination match; order of elimination: Furnas & LaFon, Blackjack Windham & Blackjack Bradshaw by the Headbangers via interference from Furnas & LaFon who remained ringside, the Headbangers.
Dark Matches:
-WWF World Champion the Undertaker defeated Mankind
-Steve Austin & Legion of Doom defeated Brian Pillman, WWF Tag Team Champions - WWF IC Champion Owen Hart & WWF European Champion Davey Boy Smith
1999 - WCW ran Springfield, MO at the Shrine Mosque with the following results:
-Vampiro defeated Lash Laroux.
-Hugh Morrus defeated Jerry Flynn.
-La Parka & Silver King defeated Super Calo & Lizmark Jr..
-Chavo Guerrero Jr. defeated Juventud Guerrera.
-Konnan defeated Disco Inferno.
-WCW World TV Champion Booker T defeated Brian Adams.
-Sting defeated Ric Flair and Diamond Dallas Page.
1999 - WWF ran Tallahassee, FL, drawing 8,203 fans with the following results:
-Matt & Jeff Hardy defeated Brian Christopher & Scott Taylor
-Steve Blackman defeated Darren Drozdov
-WWF Hardcore Champion Al Snow defeated Hardcore Holly
-Kane & Test defeated Skull & 8-Ball
-Mankind & Ken Shamrock defeated the Acolytes; the Acolytes played the faces for the match due to Farooq being a Florida State alum; to help in that effort, Mankind & Shamrock wore University of Florida jerseys to the ring
-The Big Show defeated the Big Bossman in a steel cage match
-WWF Intercontinental Champion the Godfather defeated Goldust
-Val Venis & Jackie defeated D-Lo Brown & Ivory
-Owen Hart & Jeff Jarrett defeated Christian & Edge
-The Rock defeated Billy Gunn
2001 - John Zandig defeats Wifebeater in Smyrna, Delaware to win the Combat Zone Wrestling World Heavyweight Title for a fourth time, ending Wifebeater's second reign.
2002 - Keiji Mutoh, George Hines & Kaz Hayashi defeat Genichiro Tenryu, Arashi & Nobutaka Araya to win the All Japan Giant Baba Memorial Cup Six-Man Tournament.
2002 - WWE ran Halifax, Nova Scotia at the Metro Centre before 4,500 fans with the following results:
-Christian defeated Sho Funaki.
-Hardcore Holly defeated Randy Orton.
-WWE Cruiserweight Champion Tajiri defeated Billy Kidman and Chavo Guerrero.
-WWE Tag Team Champions Billy Gunn & Chuck Palumbo defeated Al Snow & Maven when Palumbo pinned Maven after Rico interfered and hit a spin kick
-Mark Henry, the Hurricane, & Val Venis defeated Lance Storm, .Albert, & the Godfather when Henry pinned Storm.
-Test pinned Farooq with the boot to the face.
-D-Von Dudley defeated Tazz.
-Chris Jericho defeated Rikishi.
-Torrie Wilson defeated Ivory and Stacy Keibler in a swimsuit contest.
-Edge defeated Kurt Angle in a steel cage match, despite interference from Chris Jericho, by leaving through the door.
2002 - Southern States Wrestling promoted the Third Annual Mark Curtis Memorial event. Tim Whitehead filed the following live report:
Southern States Wrestling (SSW) promoted the third annual Mark Curtis Memorial Show at the Civic Auditorium in Kingsport, TN on 5/11. For those who are new fans of pro wrestling, Mark Curtis was a legendary WCW & SMW referee who was one of the most respected men in the history of the sport. A fan of wrestling from childhood, he trained under Dominic DeNucci in his hometown of Pittsburgh. Classmates included Shane Douglas and Mick Foley. Though considered too small to make it as a wrestler, he frequently had very good matches on the indie circuit using masked gimmicks such as the Ninja Turtle or El Technico Rudo. But Curtis, whose real name was Brian Hildebrand, made his biggest mark as a referee, first in SMW, and later in WCW. Even after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, he continued to work as often as possible and to study classic and Japanese tapes.
Curtis was so deeply respected that Ric Flair presented him with a replica of the World Title at a WCW show in Knoxville. And a few weeks before his death on September 9, 1999, many of the top stars in the industry volunteered their time for a fundraising show for him in Rostraver, PA. No one who was at that show will ever forget it, or the get-together afterward at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh.
The key ingredient in the Mark Curtis Memorial Shows is old-fashioned wrestling, the type of grappling Curtis loved the most. In the era of "sports entertainment", it's easy to forget how much fun basic wrestling can be. SSW promoter Beau James ran an afternoon show using local talent, and also a show the night before in nearby Bristol. But the main card was the evening show in Kingsport. There was also catering (barbeque) for Golden Circle ticket holders. And lots of great road stories from area veteran Jim White, George South, and Beau James in the hours leading up to the show.
The show itself was very good, with everyone working hard, including bumping on the unpadded floor. It was traditional southern style wrestling with lots of brawling and working the crowd.
GEORGE SOUTH JR. & KID APOLLO defeated NEW YORK ASSASSIN & JASON KING. Fast-paced opener. Apollo was flying around all over the place. He hit a quebrada and a huracanrana. He also bumped like crazy, including on the unprotective floor when the heels got heat on him. South Jr. got the pin with a forward roll (what some call a victory roll) on King.
It was announced that Ivan Koloff, who was scheduled against Jimmy Valiant in a match billed as their last Russian Chain Match, would not be there due to transportation problems.
SSW announcer Joe Wheeler noted all the recent passings in the wrestling world, including Wahoo McDaniel, Lou Thesz, and referee Randy Anderson. There was a ten bell salute and a moment of silence. That was a real touch of class.
IRON CROSS beat ROGER ANDERSON. Anderson did the traditional complaining heel ("He pulled my hair, ref") role. It's a role he's very good at. Cross, who looks to be in very good shape, gives out religious tracts before his matches. Cross won with a Thesz press. The babyfaces went over in most of the matches.
THE MIGHTY YANKEE beat ANDY DOUGLAS. Yankee was accompanied by manager Steinbrenner. Douglas looks like Jeff Hardy without the weird hair colors. He does the fast mat stuff while Yankee is a traditional brawler. Yankee won clean with an elbow after Douglas missed a legdrop in a rare heel victory.
JIMMY VALIANT defeated GEORGE SOUTH in a Legends Match. Commissioner Ken Bowles was about to declare Valiant the winner via forfeit over Koloff when South (Sr., not Jr.) came out. He cut a promo that was better than most of the WWF roster. Unfortunately, there was a "what" chant from the crowd as well. I can't escape that no matter where I go. Anyway, South said he hates Tennessee and put over Mid-Atlantic wrestling as superior to any sissy Tennessee stuff. He called himself the only true legend in the building. He said Tennessee may have had Ken Bowles, Ron Wright, and Jim White, but the Carolinas had the Andersons, Johnny Weaver, and Rick Steamboat. He vowed to take a stand for Jim Crockett Promotions and Mid-Atlantic. He went off pretty good on the crowd as well, and kept screaming that he was a legend.
So the match began and, as expected, South started stalling and kept bailing out to avoid Valiant (who, ironically, was also a big star for Crockett and Mid-Atlantic). Eventually, Bowles got on the mic and said we need some lumberjacks, so serveral guys surrounded the ring, including White (who was Jerry Lawler's tag partner in the early 70's) and Super Mario (who looks just like the video character of the same name). Valiant did as many of his old spots as he could, with South bailing and being thrown back in by the lumberjacks. South finally got on offense after raking the eyes but soon got locked in a sleeper which was dropped into a roll-up for the pin. The crowd loved this match.
JOHN NOBLE beat TRACY SMOTHERS. Tracy was managed by The Duke (our old friend Allan Barrie). Duke and Tracy threatened violence if the fans chanted "Tracy sucks". They did. The crowd around here really hates Tracy since he turned "scalawag". Tracy said the fans here make him ashamed to be from the Volunteer State. Both guys really worked hard here. Tracy sold until Duke's interference put him in command. Noble came back and nailed Duke. He hit a crossbody to the floor on Tracy. He also hit one off the top inside the ring. Duke caused Noble to bump out and he put the boots to him. They did a ton of near falls at the end and were chopping each other like crazy. Noble won with seconds to spare with a cradle. Tracy flipped the crowd off afterward and promised never to return to Kingsport.
CODY MICHAELS defeated BUDDY LANDEL. Landel came out and greeted the crowd as a babyface, but then wrestled as a heel. Michaels is an old friend of Mark Curtis from Pittsburgh. Landel used all the old heel tactics, such as raking the eyes, pulling hair, and biting until Michaels won out of nowhere with a simple roll-up. Buddy attacked Michaels afterward and put him in a figure four until Valiant made the save with a chair. Before leaving, Landel got on the mic and was gasping as if totally out of breath (it was a work) and demanded to know if Michaels wants any more of him. He thanked the crowd for standing with him during his victory and said he couldn't have done it without them.
Up next was this year's Hall of Fame and special awards ceremony. Several prior inductees were there, including Sandy Scott, Ken Bowles, Melvin Johnson, and Jim White. Pam Hildebrand, Mark Curtis' widow, was also present. A special humanitarian award was given to Tony Richardson for his work with special needs kids. Super Mario, who has faced some personal tragedies in recent years, received an award. Hall of Fame inductees were the late Bud Adams (this area's version of the Spoiler), former athletic commissioner Paul Steele, veteran local competitors Kim Birchfield and Charlie Peters, and "White Lightnin'" Tim Horner. Ricky Harrison, whose retirement match was the scheduled main event, received a special friendship award for his 15 years of working the indies.
BRANDI ALEXANDER beat BRANDI WINE to capture the U.S. Ladies Title. Both ladies were in great shape. This was a total serious style women's match like in the old days. Duke came out with Wine (the wrestler, not the beverage) and ran down Alexander on the mic. They did everything by the book, and while both ladies were very attractive, it wasn't the WWF-style T & A. The finish saw Duke accidentally trip Wine, leading to her loss. They teased a break-up afterward, but ended up hugging.
BRIAN OVERBAY & RAY IDOL beat EQUALIZER & CHIC WHITE. Equalizer takes a lot of bumps for a guy his size. Like Roger Anderson, he does the traditional complaining heel gimmick. Overbay & Idol are local guys who are always over with the crowds here. Overbay chopped the hell out of White. The heels then got heat on Idol and worked on his leg. All four ended up brawling, leading to a double pin after the heels collided for another babyface win.
SHANE DOUGLAS beat TIM HORNER by DQ. Douglas looked in a lot better shape than at the end of his ECW & WCW runs, where he had taken so much punishment it was starting to overtake him. The long rest while his Time-Warner contract ran out did him a lot of good. He was great on the mic, though he may have overdone it a little on the profanity for this area. He said he had heard East Tennessee is God's country, and after seeing it he now knows heaven has a ghetto. He put over being from Pittsburgh and said it's home to wrestling legends like Bruno Sammartino, Larry Zbyszko, Kurt Angle, and himself. He ran down the Hall of Fame inductees as not being good enough to lace his boots or carry his jock strap. He called himself the savior of the business. Horner arrived and put over area legends such as Ron Wright, Don Wright, Whitey Caldwell, Ron Fuller, and Ron Garvin. The match began and Horner kept out-wrestling Douglas, who would flee from the ring after each lock-up. He even threatened to exit the building at one point. He almost got counted out and barely beat a ten count to get back to the ring, but immediately bailed out again. Horner continued to dominate until Douglas hit the greatest low blow of all time. He went on offense using basic moves and brawling, with the crowd staying with it. There was a ref bump. Douglas pulled out a chain and KO'ed Horner. He then put the chain in Horner's hand. The ref revived and saw Horner holding the chain while Douglas writhed on the mat in mock agony, pretending to have been hit in the mouth with the weapon. Horner, who was just starting to regain consciousness, was DQ'ed. It was pretty funny as Douglas kept checking his teeth in front of the ref, but would smirk to the crowd behind the ref's back. Before leaving, Douglas got on the mic and said, "He knocked a tooth loose, damn it....that cheating son of a bitch!"
BEAU JAMES & WAR MACHINE beat K.C. THUNDER & STEVE FLYNN. The entire Duke Dynasty came out with Thunder & Flynn, including Duke himself. P.J. Sharpe was with Beau & Machine. Duke ran down Beau for alleged dirty tactics, including the "banned in Tennessee" piledriver. Earlier on the TV show, Beau had vowed to refund all the fans' money if he failed to send a member of the Duke Dynasty out on a stretcher. Duke said Beau would fail, and the fans would get their welfare money back and could then spend it on booze and prostitutes. The fine art of heel managing may be dead in WWE but it's alive and well in the small promotions. As for the match, well, it was a brawl all over. Nothing fancy, just brawling. Duke set new speed records fleeing from Beau, Machine, and Sharpe, and he wasn't above sacrificing other Dynasty members to save himself. Beau juiced, which was the only blood on the show. Beau threw a fireball in Flynn's face and he staggered out blinded. This left Thunder to get massacred, as his arm was tied up in a submission hold and then wrapped around the post. The match just sort of ended with Beau announcing that he heard Thunder's arm breaking. Thunder was stretchered, as Beau had promised.
RICKY HARRISON beat TERRY TAYLOR. This was Harrison's retirement match after 15 years as a regular on indies throughout the region. Harrison, who loves any wrestling from 1987 and before, does a "Rock & Roll" gimmick and patterns his style off of the Southern wrestling he grew up on. Duke came out once again, this time as Taylor's manager. Sandy Scott was special referee. Harrison went out with style, with a good match. He did a fast criss-cross sequence with Taylor. He also took a major bump into the post to put Taylor on offense. Harrison made a comeback and hit a neckbreaker but Duke distracted Scott. Taylor then laid Harrison out and pinned him using the ropes for leverage. But Ken Bowles ran in and told Scott about the infraction and the match was re-started. They kept going for a few more minutes rather than having a quick babyface win after the re-start. Harrison hit a ton of dropkicks, including one on Duke, before scoring the pin. Harrison thanked the fans afterward. A good ending to a very entertaining show.
2002 - It was announced that the Paul Hough documentary "The Backyard" had been picked up for theatrical distribution. The film, which featured Rob Van Dam and followed several backyard wrestlers, would pick up several awards on the festival circuit:
HQI MEDIA & IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRE AWARD WINNING DOC THE BACKYARD AND SET THEATRICAL RELEASE
New York/Tribeca Film Festival- HIQI Media & Image Entertainment have acquired the critically acclaimed backyard wrestling documentary THE BACKYARD hot on the heels of its audience award at the BROOKLYN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. In this real-life "Fight Club", director Paul Hough traveled the backyards of America to find kids with dreams of wrestling stardom and names like The Lizard, Scar, and Big Mac with a Spork. These amateur wrestlers put on shows for parents and friends using staple guns, razor blades, and barbwire covered bats in their bloody bouts. It 1s a world that most Americans and many wrestling fans would prefer not exist. Hough, with a keen observant eye, takes a close look at the cockeyed world of these masochistic performers and their friends and families that support them.
HIQI Media will open the film theatrically in New York and Los Angeles July 25th with additional dates leading to Image Entertainment1s DVD release.
NWA:TNA PPV REPORT INCLUDING AJ STYLES VS. CHRIS HARRIS, AMAZING RED VS. SONJAY DUTT, FOX SPORTS, LUCKY CHARMS, THE BROWN RECLUSE SPIDER & MORE
This week's NWA:TNA PPV opened with Team Canada saying that only dirty Americans steal cable. Well, no that's not true but they did say the American crime rate is out of control, so please pay for the PPV because that's what they do in Canada. They then began singing "O Canada." That was funny!
Mike Tenay said the last two years have been a roller coaster ride for everyone in NWA:TNA. Tenay said that he was happy to announce that TNA, Universal Studios, and the Fox Sports Network will be working together to produce "Impact" a weekly series starting Friday June 4th. Mike Tenay thanked everyone for their support and invited them to enjoy tonight's PPV. I'm glad Tenay was the one to make the announcement as he has a ton of credibility with the fans and has been the MVP of the promotion from Day One.
A video feature on recent events in NWA:TNA aired. Outside the "Asylum", Pat Kenny was outside waiting for the NYCs. Mike Tenay announced that Kenny had challenged them outside the building as he didn't want to interrupt the show.
Mike Tenay and Don West welcomed everyone to the show.
The opening contest saw NWA Tag Team champion Kid Kash facing James Storm. Kash was backdropped over the ropes to the floor. They brawled on the floor. Kash had his arm heavily taped, which the announcers noted was due to a bite from a brown recluse spider and it's been haunting him. They brawled into the crowd. Kash was tossed over the guard rail. Tenay joked that he was worried for the spider because of who he bit. Right now, Jess McGrath is chuckling. Kash ran into the crowd and was chased by Storm. Kash threw a chair but Storm caught it and sent it back. Kash locked on a one-legged Boston Crab. Dallas made his way to the ring. Dallas tried to hit Storm with the pipe but missed. Kash got the pipe and went to use it but the referee grabbed it. Storm superkicked Kash for the pin. Dallas and Storm began beating Storm. Storm fought back but was cut off. D-Lo Brown hit the ring but was beaten down as well. Dusty Rhodes hit the ring and ran off Kash and Dallas.
They went to a pre-taped interview with Mike Tenay interviewing Vince Russo. Russo said that the entire company earned the slot on Fox Sports, from the ring crew to management. Russo said that he isn't protecting AJ Styles because Styles only needs to defend the belt once a month but is defending it every week. Tenay brought up Raven and Ron Killings. Russo said that they deserve rematches but you can't have the inmates running the asylum by booking their own matches. Russo said he knows Konnan was the one who destroyed his office last week. He said they were friends before they were enemies and Konnan sometimes acts like a child. Russo explained that Killings and Raven would be handcuffed to the ringposts tonight in order to prevent interference and make sure that the best man won tonight.
Monty Brown made his way to the ring and took the ring mic. He said that it wasn't rabbit season or dog season, but it was open season on 3 Live Kru. BG Jammes made his way to the ring and they quickly brawled towards the back of the building. Brown hit Jammes with a trash can lid, then set up a table. He tried to put Jammes on the table but he fought back and they brawled into the upper level of the building, into the fans. They brawled back down the stairway, and Brown slammed Jammes into the guard rail. Jammes was whipped into a wall, but was able to stop Brown and powerbombed him through a table. Brown hit an atomic drop on the railing on Jammes, then slammed Jammes' leg with a chair several times. The commentators noted that he was going after Jammes' left knee. They brawled back to the ring and Brown hit the Pounce for the pin. Brown grabbed a chair and continued to beat Jammes with it. The other members of Three Live Kru hit the ring. The winner of the bout, Monty Brown who remains unbeaten.
Outside, Pat Kenny was running the stairs and doing pushups, waiting for NYC.
They went to a pre-taped segment with Don West talking to Desire, talking to her outside in a park about her back injury. Desire said it felt like her back exploded but she had the adrenaline to finish the bout. She yelled at Sonny Siaki not to let "the kids" climb too high, off screen. She said that her children drove her to return to the ring as she had to pay the billls. She didn't have a choice but to return to the ring. She said when she was hurt, Siaki took care of the kids and made their lunch because she was too hurt to do anything. She said Siaki was concerned about her. West said that Trinity was out to hurt her and put her out of wrestling. She said that she was a competitor and Trinity shouldn't forget that. Trinity attacked her and rammed her into a wooden fence, then kicked her in the back and locked on a surfboard in the grass. West got punched as well. Where was Siaki? Siaki finally ran off Trinity as Desire cried not to let the kids (who were never seen) see her this way.
The next bout was the second match in the "Three Strike Series" with Sonjay Dutt vs. The Amazing Red. They noted that Dutt was up 1-0. No mention of Desire. Dutt and Red shook hands as the match started. X-Division champion Frankie Kazarian's music hit and he came out to watch them from the stage of the building. They locked up with neither man getting the advantage. They did a series of reversals which ended with a faceoff. They noted that Siaki was "off with the kids and wasn't able to help" during the Trinity attack on Desire. They went to the floor. Red got tossed over the guard rail. Dutt dove off the guard rail with a flip dive but only grazed Red's back. Back in the ring, worked over Red. Red jumped in the ring, using the ropes as a catapult and landed on Dutt's back, turning it into a sunset flip powerbomb for a 2 count. Red climbed the turnbuckles , but was caught by Dutt. He shoved off Dutt who came back with a dropkick in the corner. Red fell off the turnbuckle to the floor and hit the table as he went down. Dutt went for the Hindu Press but missed. Red hit the red spike and the Infrared standing splash for the pin. It's now tied up one each.
Scott Hudson interviewed 3 Live Kru in their locker room. BG Jammes was on the floor in pain. Ron Killings said Jammes is hurt and that's not right. Killings said that Chris Harris has a title shot tonight and that's not right. Killings said Vince Russo was responsible. Konnan said he was going to find Russo and deal with this.
They aired a video on the Shane Douglas-Michael Shane feud.
Michael Shane made his way to the ring with Traci Brooks. Douglas then made his way to the ring for the "Corporal Punishment" bout, with the ring surrounded by leather straps and wooden mallets. Oddly enough, they went to the mat early for several pin attempts and Douglas used a rear hammerlock to wear down Shane. Shane slapped Douglas and retreated outside the ring. Douglas hit several elbows and a headbutt. Douglas grabbed a paddle but Traci grabbed him. Shane charged and Douglas backdropped him over the ropes to the floor, where he landed glancingly on Traci. Douglas throws Shane into the guard rail and spit water in his face. He slammed Shane into the ringpost. Shane battled back and slammed Douglas into the ring steps. Douglas powerbombed Shane on the floor. Douglas gets a two count after tossing him into the ring. Douglas was shot into the turnbuckle, but hit a rolling neck snap as he came out of the corner. Douglas began whipping Shane with one of the leather strap.
Backstage, Konnan was screaming at Vince Russo and said he has no respect for him. Russo argued back and Konnan said, "What are you going to do, suspend me?" They continued to go at it as we went to....
Somewhere else, in an empty arena, Pat Kenny was beating up Glen Gilberti and Johnny Swinger. Swinger was rolled down bleachers and slammed him into a fence. Trinity hit him with a trash can and beat him with it. They poured syrup on Kenny and poured Lucky Charms on Kenny.
They ran a video feature on Erik Watts vs. Goldilocks. Goldilocks addressed TNA and Vince Russo and said they have a problem because Watts has a job again when he doesn't deserve one. She said he slandered her name and she never stole his money. She said that he stole it on his own merit. Goldilocks said she spoke to other women (her alter egos) and they told her she is right and she told them that Watts can be dismissed or she will take it to the lawyers. She said she wants a public apology. She said that when Russo is down with his title mess, she has someone ready to take over and Abyss stepped into the screen. Tenay and West talked about Goldilocks being out of her mind.
They ran a video feature on the World X Cup PPV on 5/26.
Team Canada's Petey Williams and Bobby Rude with Scott D'Amore made their way to the ring for their bout with Team Mexico, announced as Heavy Metal and Hector Garza. Abismo Negro made his way to the ring. Mike Tenay covered saying Jeremy Borash didn't know about the change as AAA's Antonio Pena made the change to throw off Team Canada. It started with Williams and Garza. Garza hit a standing fall away slam. Williams hit a top rope hurrancanrana. Bobby Rude and Garza faced off. Garza offered his hand but kicked Rude in the hamstring. Rude put Negro on top but he battled out and hit a double leg takedown. Williams made the save and they hit a doubleteam bulldog off the top rope. Team Mexico hung up Rude upside down in the corner, then ran Williams into him. Williams went down and Team Mexico crotched him on Rude, still hanging upside down. Rude began beating Garza with a series of kicks. They went back and forth with several near falls. Williams hit a head scissors takeover on Williams. Garza tagged in with several kicks to the hamstring. Williams hit a deep armdrag, sending him out of the ring. He slingshot himself over the ropes into a hurrancanrana. Negro clotheslined Rude. Scott D'Amore hit Negro with the hockey stick as he was coming off the ropes and Rude hooked the tights as he rolled him up for the pin. Your winners, Team Canada. They continued the beat down and Jerry Lynn hit the ring. The Canadians were run off. They had D'Amore cornered, but he escaped. Lynn said that D'Amore is always talking about how he should be replaced as the captain of Team NWA but at least he's wrestling, not hiding behind his team. Lynn challenges D'Amore to step in the ring for 5 minutes. D'Amore says that if Lynn can defeat Bobby Rude, D'Amore will step in the ring. D'Amore says that if Lynn wants it, he needs to step down as the captain of Team NWA. Lynn agreed.
They go to the back, where someone had jumped Konnan. Ron Killings was over Konnan and asked him if it was Vince Russo. Konnan said he didn't see who it was. Killings said he needed to go find Russo but Don Harris said he wasn't going anywhere but the ring and handcuffed him.
Mike Tenay and Don West did a hard sell on the TNA trading cards, the TNA school, and next week's PPV. They announced they would be on the Best Damned Sports Show tomorrow on the FOX Sports Network as well. They announced the return of Dusty Rhodes next week, teaming with James Storm against Kid Kash and Dallas in a Bunkhouse match.
Dusty made his way to the ring. Rhodes said that everyone wants to get aboard a super fast train when it's hot and that's why FOX Sports are jumping on board with NWA:TNA. Rhodes said that Storm is coming next week for Dallas and Kid Kash, and he's coming with Storm. Dusty took off his boots and laid in the ring. He put the hat on top of the boots and said it was "Kid Kash with the stuffing kicked out of him." He told "Kash" that hell is coming in the form of he and Storm. The crowd chanted Dusty's name.
They did a video feature on the main event.
Backstage, Raven told Scott Hudson that he can't believe Vince Russo would allow Chris Harris to interfere in his title match and then give one to Harris. Raven said that he can't believe he has to be handcuffed to the ringpost. He said that it's not a matter of if he will win the belt, just a matter of when. He promised that it won't be the destination, but the journey. Raven promised the darkest journey of his career. Harris handcuffed him and led him offscreen.
Ron Killings made his way to the ring to be handcuffed to the ringpost. Raven then made his way to the ring to be handcuffed. Chris Harris made his way to the ring. AJ Styles made his way to the ring and they did very boxing-like ring introductions. Styles and Harris began feeling each other out. Harris shoulderblocked Styles down. Styles hit an armdrag and locked in an armbar. Styles slammed Harris. Harris began fighting back, but Styles kicked him and cut him off. Harris hit a clothesline and Styles hit a flip bump off of it that looked great. Harris hit a running powerslam out of the corner. Harris hit a fullnelson into a slam for a two count but Styles got his shoulder up. Harris and AJ battled in the corner. AJ flipped over and tried for a powerbomb but Harris held on. AJ focused on his back and then hit a German Suplex off the ropes on Harris. Styles went for a Styles Clash but Harris turned it into a sharpshooter. Konnan came out with bolt cutters and freed Ron Killings. Harris charged Styles, who ducked and Harris hit the ringpost shoulderfirst. With the referee distracted, Killings clotheslined Styles. Security removed 3 Live Kru. Harris hit an elbow off the top rope but Styles kicked up at two. Harris dove off the ropes but Styles kicked him down. Styles charged and hit Harris in the corner. Harris hits Catatonic but Raven pulled the referee out of the ring at the 2 count. Raven got the key to the handcuffs from the prone referee and hit the ring with a chair. Raven hit Harris with the chair in the midsection. He hit the drop toehold on the chair on Harris. Sabu hit the ring and dove over the ropes with a legdrop on Raven outside the ring. Sabu and Raven brawled into the crowd. Styles covered Harris but only got a two count. Styles springboarded off the ropes but Harris speared him for a two count. They showed Russo watching in the back. Sabu and Raven brawled out of the back of the building. Harris went for the Catatonic again but Styles turned it into a crucifix for a two count. Both men clotheslined the other and crumpled to the mat. Kid Kash and Dallas came out. Kash hit Harris in the chest with the lead pipe. He stumbled towards Styles, who hit him with a big clothesline for the pin.
Your winner and still NWA champion AJ Styles!
Styles and Harris faced off after the match. Raven hit Styles with a chair as Harris watched. Harris then hit a spear on Raven. Killings hit the ring. The locker room pulled everyone apart. Vince Russo came out and said enough is enough. He told Raven, Killings, and Harris that they would all get a title shot next week, so go ahead and kill each other. The brawl continued as they went off the air.
2005 - Captain Lou Albano was hospitalized after suffering a heart attack.
There were no major changes to the Ring of Honor product as a result of the PPV taping, with the exception of some small music changes to either generic clones of known songs (such as in the case of Bryan Danielson) or new, original music (such as in the case of Rocky Romero).
It was, however, the ROH that has made its name over the last five years - long matches, lots of matwork and striking that wouldn't seem foreign to a MMA fan coming across the product, wrestling based around athletics, not looks and matches built around the Japanese style with hard hitting athletics, submissions, strikes, lots of big moves and kickouts, and highspots galore.
This show wasn't meant to compete with WWE or TNA, but to be an entirely different niche product for fans to sample. My feeling watching it was that if you were already an ROH fan, you'll probably like the show. If you are into MMA or old school wrestling, you'll like aspects of it but it will seem different. There was no mistaking the work ethic of the performers involved as they went all out balls to the wall physically, with the only downside to that being the fear (at least on my part) that eventually it becomes impossible to top yourself, and where do you go from there?
That, however is the future, and tonight was something of a start for the small company that started struggling at the Philadelphia Murphy Recreation Center. It was the latest in a series of small steps to expand the product's awareness and hopefully, bring in more of an audience over time by ROH owner Cary Silkin. In that respect, it was a good first step, particularly during a phenomenal first half of the show, which was among the best first halves of any live show I've seen ROH produce.
Full results of the show, in order (with segments confirmed to be airing on the PPV listed as such), saw:
*In a pre-PPV taping bout, Brent Albright pinned Tank Toland with an exploder suplex. Toland is the former James Dick in WWE while Albright was Gunner Scott on Smackdown. Toland is ripped physically with veins protruding even out of his thighs. He is supposed to be something of a personal trainer here for heel Chris Hero and was managed by "Agent to the Stars" Larry Sweeney. Bobby Dempsey, an ROH school trainee who is really heavy, came to ringside with them as the backstory is that Toland is trying to get him in shape. Toland would do exercises while on offense, including doing situps while Albright was locked in between his legs with a scissor, elbowing Albright in the back of the head while he pulled himself up. Match was an OK opener with some spots that didn't work perfectly but the crowd was really into Albright and getting on Toland's case.
ROH announcer Dave Prazak came to the ring with BJ Whitmer. Whitmer, one of the senior members of the locker room, is something of a Tommy Dreamer for the company, having some great brawls and also really sacrificing himself physically when needed, like the CZW feud. Prazak hyped up the crowd and pushed how important it was that the debut PPV was being taped in New York City. That was a shoot in that management wanted it in NYC because of the importance factor of the Big Apple as well as the hot crowds.
PPV SEGMENT - Prazak handed it over to Whitmer who opened the PPV inside the ring welcoming everyone at home to Ring of Honor. He said that in ROH, they let their wrestling do their talking for them and challenged anyone who thought they could take him out to come to the ring for a fight. Out came ROH champion Takeshi Morishima, which the live crowd popped for.
PPV SEGMENT- Takeshi Morishima pinned BJ Whitmer in a good, but short match. Whitmer got near falls on the champion with an Exploder and a lariat. Morishima, who physically works like Terry Gordy in his prime, drilled Whitmer with a lariat and a big boot. Whitmer kicked up. Morishima drilled him with another lariat and then hit a backdrop driver for the pin.
British star Nigel McGuinness came to the ring and congratulated Morishima on a good match. He told Morishima, "You are one hell of a wrestler, but so am I" which the place popped for and challenged him for a title match tonight. Bryan Danielson, dressed in dress clothes came to the ring and noted he was champion for 15 months while dropping names of people he defeated as champion like Lance Storm, Homicide, and even McGuinness. He said that if anyone deserves a title shot, it's him. McGuinness and Danielson begin to argue with Danielson poking his finger in Nigel's chest. Nigel tells him that if he does it again, he's going to break Danielson's finger off and shove it down his throat. Danielson attacks Nigel and they begin fighting. Morishima assists Danielson and they lay out Nigel. As Morishima is trashing Nigel, Danielson picks up the ROH title belt. Morishima sees this, snatches it away, teases a fight, then walks off. Nigel has recovered by then and when Danielson realizes it, he rolls out of the ring..
Naomichi Marufuji defeated Rocky Romero in a good match with Sliced Bread #2 off the ropes. He offered Romero a handshake at the bell, but Romero spit at his hand. Marufuji did some fast offensive mat wrestling to start. Romero broke out an Octopus submission, before turning that into a near fall. The crowd began doing "Rocky sucks" chants. Romero mounted Marufuji like an MMA fight and began slapping him with both hands. There were a lot of MMA style back and forth striking sequences tonight. Marufuji hit a springboard dropkick onto Romero, who was outside on the apron, sending him into the guard rail. On the floor, he picked up Romero and rammed him knee first into the ring post. He worked over Romero's knee back in the ring, even locked on a figure four leglock. Romero came back with several Tornado DDTs for near falls. Romero went to the top rope but was dropkicked and then his with a dragon screw legwhip while on the ropes, sending him into the ring. Marufuji escaped a Dragon Suplex, landing on his feet, then drills Romero's face into his knees. He nails a powerbomb for a two count. Marufuji goes to the top rope but Romero uses a takedown to bring him to the mat from the ropes, locking on a cross armbreaker in the process. Marufuji got to the ropes. Marufuji hit a Van Terminator from one corner to the other on Romero, who kicked out. At that point, I thought they were doing too much. Romero tried for a Dragon Suplex and got a two count before Marufuji nailed the Sliced Bread #2. Real good match. I thought it was probably the best Romero ever looked for ROH.
PPV SEGMENT - Nigel McGuinness returned to the ring. He said that he didn't come to New York with a separated shoulder and a herniated disc in his back (Both true, which necessitated his missing the CT house show on 5/11 in order to be physically able to wrestle at the PPV.) He said that in ROH, they settle their problems in the ring and challenged Morishima and Danielson to come back out and fight. Morishima hit the ring and they fought back and forth. Danielson hit the ring and they doubled on Nigel. Pro Wrestling NOAH's KENTA hit the ring and made the save, nailing a big boot on Danielson, who bumped out of the ring. Nigel drilled Morishima with a lariat. Nigel said that apparently KENTA has his back, so tonight they'll have a tag match.
In what was billed as a Grudge Match, Davey Richards defeated Erick Stevens via tapout with a keylock submission. Richards is part of the No Remorse Corps with Roderick Strong and Rocky Romero. Stevens is part of the Resilience with Matt Cross and (until he was yanked by TNA) Austin Aries. The two factions have been feuding since Strong turned on Aries at the last Manhattan show. With Aries' departure, the feud continues. Stevens is new to the company but has worked for sister promotion FIP, so the audience is somewhat familiar with him. He does the Godfather Ho Train charge into the corner and yells "Choo Choo" when he does it, so the crowd chants it at him. Richards attacked Stevens at the bell but ended up on the defensive. Stevens went for the "Choo Choo" (and Lord, I feel silly typing that) but Stevens exited the ring. They brawled around ringside. Some fan got tossed for pouring beer on Richards. As Stevens returned to the ring, he was caight by several stiff kicks to the chest as he was in between the ropes. Richards nailed a big boot with Stevens taking the Cactus Jack Nestea Plunge backwards into the railing. Richards worked him over on the floor, then got a two count with a legdrop off the ropes. He grabbed Stevens' neck in leg scissors. Richards hit a sick innovative move where he suplexes Stevens over the top rope out of the ring, but as Stevens was falling backwards, Richards held on and pulled him over the ropes back into the ring with a reverse brainbuster of sorts. Stevens came back and suplexed Richards over the top rope to the floor. I remember the first time I saw Brian Pillman and Jushin Liger do that and I thought it was the most incredible thing ever. Now, it's just another in a series of insane spots. Weird how evolution goes. Stevens hits the "Choo Choo" (as opposed to the "Moo Moo"), then drills Richards with a TKO for a near fall. Richards snaps on his hammerlock submission but Stevens gets to the ropes. They go into back and forth with strikes. They end up battling in the corner, where Richards nails Stevens with stiff as hell headbutts to the nose. Stevens eventually goes down and Richards locks on the keylock submission for the win. Leaving, Richards looked to be favoring his arm and pectoral muscle, but he could have been selling.
PPV SEGMENT - ROH Tag Team champions The Briscoes defeated Claudio Castagnoli and Matt Sydal after nailing a Doomsday Device on Sydal. This was easily my pick for the best match of the night and was completely off the charts. Claudio now sports shorter hair and was wearing a suit when he came to the ring. He did mic work slowly so the crowd would finish his sentence and reminded me of both Andy Kaufman and movie character Borat in delivery and look, but not in a lame knockoff way. There was tons of great back and forth wrestling here and everyone really busted their ass. Briscoes were in control early and it was something of a tag team showcase, which is smart on ROH's part since no one else really showcases their tag teams in a pushed position. Jay Briscoe hit a split legged moonsault on Claudio. Sydal backdropped Mark over the ropes to the floor, then caught Jay with a rana while he was on the top rope. Claudio walked the ropes and dropped an elbow. The Briscoes pulled out double beel throws on Sydal and Claudio. I popped for those. As if that wasn't awesome enough, Claudio did the big swing on Jay. Perfection! Mark finally gets tagged in. Jay hits a flip dive to the floor on Claudio. Mark evades a Sydal rana while on the top, then dives off, catching him with a sunset flip takedown. By this point, there was far too many spots and near falls to remember. Jay nailed a flying bodypress on Caudio for a two count. Sydal drags Mark to the floor, where they brawl. Jay gets tossed out. Sydal jumps on Claudio's shoulders and dives down onto the Briscoes. Sydal nails a shooting star on Mark but Jay breaks it up. Jay presses him over his head and drops him, nailing a death valley driver. Mark dives out of the ring on Claudio, setting up the Doomsday Device, with Mark springboarding off the ropes to clothesline Sydal. Phenomenal stuff here.
PPV SEGMENT - With the Briscoes still in the ring celebrating, ROH announcers Lenny Leonard and Dave Prazak (making what I believe to be their first on camera appearance) are in the general admission section of the audience, with their backs to the ring. They talk about how important the ROH live experience is and run down many of the cities the company will be coming to soon (strangely enough, they didn't mention Tokyo) and how those shows may host future PPV tapings. Kevin Steen and El Generico interrupt them and demand a title shot against the Briscoes. The Briscoes offer to go right now, so the Canadians come through the crowd and they do a pull apart brawl in the ring. The Briscoes are removed to the aisle by officials, leaving Steen and Generico to destroy two students and former ROH regulars Deranged and Azrieal (of Special K fame, although I don't know how they will be referred to on the broadcast). Generico did a dive onto everyone in the aisle (think Kid Kash in ECW) and they all brawled to the back. Crowd was into the segment.
Ring announcer Bobby Cruise said they had a very special guest to introduce. The theme to Kill Bill hit and out came NYC's own Homicide and Julius Smokes. The Manhattan Center went insane for it. Homicide said that he lives 10 minutes away and said that everyone should have known he wasn't going to miss the biggest party in New York City. He asked where the Boston fans were, then tossed a Red Sox hat one of them was wearing into the crowd. The crowd started chanting, "F*** TNA" which Homicide just smirked at. He took a long time because the crowd was going nuts for him and then said that everyone has their own opinion, but then directed the fans to show their love for those in TNA that had been in ROH like Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels, and "The man I wish was standing next to me right now" Austin Aries. Homicide said he's got to go back care of "some LAX business." The crowd booed a little. He said that he wanted to come out and thank ROH and their fans for supporting him for the last five years. He said he wanted to thank the "Three Kings of ROH", Cary Silkin, Syd Eick, and Gabe Sapolsky. He told Sapolsky he was a "genius booker, the next Bill Watts." He told the fans that Ring of Honor is going to be the number one company in the world and added, "That's right, I said it. I don't give a F***." He said that he thanks everyone whether they booed or cheered him for their support over the last five years. He kissed the ROH ring mat, and asked the ROH sound guy to play his theme "for the last time." He returned to the locker room, where several of the wrestlers and Sapolsky met him at the entranceway. Homicide hugged Sapolsky for a long time before everyone returned to the back. The Homicide segment was done specifically for the live New York City audience and will not be released on DVD or PPV for obvious reasons.
After intermission, Sara Del Ray defeated Daizee Haze in what was billed as a SHIMMER Women's Wrestling bout. Haze tried to hit a flying bodypress early but was caught and nailed with a Fall Away Slam. Ray got several near falls and locked a Boston Crab on Haze, who got to the ropes. They battled in the corner while on the ropes, which Haze won after pulling out a heart punch, which sent Ray sailing back into the ring. Haze was finally caught in an over the shoulder backbreaker style submission but escaped and turned it into a sunset flip. Ray finally got the win with a forward roll.. Solid.
In a Scramble match, Kevin Steen & El Generico defeated Mitch Franklin & Pelle Primeau, Irish airborne, and Jimmy Rave & Adam Pearce. The crowd was into Steen bigtime, especially after he hit a dive onto everyone. Steen's put on a lot of girth since the last time I've seen him. At one point, Pearce pulled out a RepoMan style mask and put it on to mock fans who chant "Repo Man" at him since there's a resemblance to Barry Darsow. This was all crazy spots and far too much to cover. It put the car crash in car crash wrestling. I didn't personally get into this one (Scramble Matches to me are either perfect or not entertaining, there's no in between) but edited properly it will look like one hell of a highlight reel of spots.
PPV SEGMENT - Roderick Strong defeated Delirious with a sitdown powerbomb in a match that the crowd was into but I thought would have benefited from being placed earlier on the show. It was a little slow building during the first third and that felt weird coming off some of the matches seen earlier on the show. Delirious, who wears a mask and babbles in odd tongues, went insane during his introduction, causing Strong to go to the floor early. Delirious began running around and they battled on the floor. Crowd was loving messing with Strong by reciting his name "Rooodeeriiiick" in a whiny fashion. Strong played off the crowd, screaming at them, which again, seemed weird for a match that late in the show. Delirious hit a rana from the top on Strong, who came back drilling him facefirst into the turnbuckles. Roderick was working on removing Delirious' mask early, even trying to tie it to the ropes, which didn't seem to work out as planned. Strong nailed a number of backbreaker variations and gutbusters and chops. Delirous drilled Strong with a neckbreaker. Strong came back with a Fall Away Slam off the ropes. Some of the crowd chanted, "This match sucks" but were shouted down by others in the audience. Delirious hit a dive onto the floor on Strong. In a sick spot, Strong suplexed and dropped Delirious on the apron outside the ring. After the pin, the No Remorse Corps. all beat down Delirious. They bridged a piece of guard rail between the ring and railing. Strong hit a powerbomb on Delirious onto the rail. Erik Stevens hit the ring for the save. The crowd chanted "Thank you Choo Choo." I'll be interested in seeing how this is edited or changed in positioning for the PPV broadcast. It wasn't terrible but just seemed like it was in the wrong place on the card, plus I think the crowd was getting a little restless.
PPV SEGMENT- ROH champion Takeshi Morishima & Bryan Danielson defeated KENTA and Nigel McGuinness when Danielson forced KENTA to tap out to the Cattle Mutilation submission while Morishima beat down Nigel in the corner. Lots of great back and forth wrestling here. For a guy with a history of shoulder problems in the last year, Danielson looked great, For someone who was working with a separated shoulder, Nigel is a monster, and the NOAH talents are out of this world. All of that led to a really fun main event. Danielson and KENTA started with back and forth exchanges. Morishima shoulderblocked Nigel down. Danielson drilled McGuinness with a forearm off the ropes. KENTA nailed Morishima with a boot to the face but was caught by Danielson with a Dragon Screw leg whip. All four faced off center ring, which led to a "ROH chant." Nigel DDT'd Morishima on the apron outside the ring, but Takeshi shrugged it off and powerbombed him into the railing ringside. KENTA tried to help but was whipped into the railing. He held KENTA for Danielson, who came charging with a running boot to the face. Danielson and Morishima worked over Nigel in the corner and on the mat for awhile with Danielson focusing on his knees. KENTA finally got the hot tag in and nailed a springboard missile dropkick to Danielson Morishima nailed one of his own on KENTA and followed that up with a sideslam. KENTA powerslammed Morishima, which the place came unglued for due to the size different. Nigel tagged in and began drilling Morishima with strikes and thrusts, taking him out in the corner. McGuinness hit a running charge into a forearm, which looked awesome. Morishima came back with a big boot, but missed a missile dropkick. Nigel clotheslined him for a two count. Morishima went for a cartwheel into a handspring elbow, but Nigel drilled him with a lariat for another near fall. Nigel and Morishima battled atop in a corner. Danielson tried to get involved so KENTA attacked him. It ended with Morishima dropping down on Nigel like former WWF champion Yokozuna would. Morishima nailed a backdrop driver but KENTA broke up the two count. KENTA hit a diving knee onto Danielson, who was draped against the ropes. . Danielson nailed a Dragon Suplex then locked on a Crossface Chicken Wing. KENTA pushed off the corner and Danielson nearly ended up pinning himself. Danielson goes to the top but Nigel comes from under him and nailed a powerbomb. KENTA tries to hit a bodypress from the ropes but Morishima catches him and tosses him with a suplex. Nigel nailed a forearm off the ropes on Danielson. He tosses Morishima into the first row, then dives off the top rope onto him. Danielson goes for a diving headbutt on KENTA but KENTA gets his feet up. He nails a dropkick and hits the Go To Sleep for a two count, but Morishima breaks the count. Morishima clotheslined KENTA and Danielson nailed him with a backfist. KENTA kept kicking out. At some point, Nigel ripped up his arm as he was at ringside taping it up and you could see blood peering out from under the tape. He rebounded off the ropes and drilled a lariat into Morishima, but went down selling the arm. KENTA nailed a suplex and got a two count on Danielson. The place changed ROH. KENTA was drilled with a back suplex and Danielson went for the Cattle Mutiliation but didn't get it. He nailed a back suplex on KENTA and began beating him with elbow after elbow, teasing a MMA-like ref stoppage. They then went to the finish.
After the match, Morishima laid out Danielson and Nigel in the ring and began swinging the ROH title above his head. Not sure where the PPV will end, but live Danielson left to his theme music and the company thanked the fans for attending.
NOTES: It was the fourth sellout for the company in the Manhattan Center....ROH returns on Saturday 8/25, the night before Summerslam 2007....A lot of the wrestlers were sporting new gear and tights in honor of the PPV. You could see a lot of the talents were trying hard to do the most they could, although as I wrote earlier, the downside to that is it can sometimes be too hard....The first half of the show was rocking and I loved the main event. For a $10 price tag, you probably won't get a better amount of wrestling for your money.
We are live on tape from Baltimore, Maryland and your announcers are Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness.
Match Number One: D-Line (Body Snatcher and Black Ice) versus Wrestling’s Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin)
Ice and Benjamin start things off and they lock up. Ice backs Benjamin into the corner and Ice with a clean break. Benjamin with a side head lock and Ice with a shoulder tackle or two. Ice kicks Haas off the apron and Benjamin punches Ice but he stays in Shelton’s face. Ice with punches followed by an Irish whip. Haas pulls Benjamin out of the corner and then he trips Ice from the floor.
Benjamin with knees to the head and then he sends Ice’s head into Haas’ boot. Charlie tags in and he sends Ice into the turnbuckles. Haas chokes Ice in the corner. Haas with an Irish whip and shoulder into the corner. Haas with a butterfly suplex for a near fall and Benjamin tags in. Shelton with a kick to the midsection.
Ice tries to kick Benjamin but Shelton blocks it and he punches Ice. Ice with punches but Benjamin with a kick to the knee and he gets a near fall. Benjamin with a reverse chin lock and then he sets fro the Stinger Splash but Ice with an elbow and then he hits a shoulder tackle from the turnbuckles and both men are down.
Haas and Body Snatcher tag in and Snatcher with clotheslines and a power slam. Benjamin is met with a big boot. Body Snatcher with a splash into the corner and then he hits an elbow drop for a near fall. Ice comes in and he punches Benjamin. Benjamin sends him to the floor. Snatcher sets for a choke slam on Haas but Haas escapes. Benjamin with a kick to the back of the leg and Haas applies the Haas of Pain and Body Snatcher taps out.
Winners: Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin
We go to commercial.
We are back and with a match with Chikara wrestlers in the ring, it is only fitting that there be someone from Chikara to provide commentary. Ultramantis Black joins Kevin and Nigel at the announce booth.
Match Number Two: El Hijo de Ice Cream, Ice Cream Junior, and Ophidian versus The Colony (Fire Ant, Green Ant, and Soldier Ant)
Ice Cream Junior taunts the crowd by showing his strength as he rips some streamers. He starts off against Soldier Ant. Soldier Ant with a springboard arm drag and then he salutes Junior but Junior with a slap. Green Ant enters and Junior pushes him down. Hijo joins in and they double team Green Ant and roll him up. The other two members of the Colony come in and they take the Ice Creams down. Ophidian crawls through and covers all three and get a near fall.
Green Ant with a cravate and a scoop slam. Junior stops Green Ant’s attempt for a dive to the floor with a kick to the midsection. Green and Fire with a double boot to Junior followed by a leg drop and back senton combination for a near fall.
Fire with a head scissors from the top and then he hits a monkey flip. Fire with a head scissors and side head lock take down combination on Los Ice Creams. Fire Ant with a drop kick Ophidian on the apron. Green Ant with a running forearm to Hijo. Soldier Ant with a spinning head scissors take down.
Ophidian stops the Colony from hitting the Antapault on Los Ice Creams by hitting an electric chair slam on Fire Ant. Green Ant punches Ophidian but Hijo holds Green Ant against the ropes and Junior with an elbow. Ophidian with an elbow off Junior’s back onto Green Ant.
Fire Ant with a round kick and Shining Wizard to Ophidian but he is able to get to the floor. Fire Ant deals with Junior and hits a multi jump head scissors followed by a tornado DDT. Soldier Ant with a saluting head butt from the turnbuckles and he gets a near fall.
Green Ant with a splash from the top rope onto Los Ice Creams for a near fall. Green Ant sends Junior to the floor and then they send Hijo to the floor. They hit the Antapult onto Los Ice Creams but Ophidian returns to the ring and hits a knee to Soldier Ant. Ophidian applies the Ophidian Death Grip on Green Ant but Soldier Ant with a roaring forearm. The Colony hit the Ant Hill for the three count.
Winners: The Colony
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Ricky Reyes versus Jay Lethal
Reyes with a kick instead of the handshake and he punches Lethal. Reyes with an Irish whip followed by an elbow to the head. Reyes with kicks to Lethal in the corner followed by a chop. Lethal with punches and chops. Reyes sends Lethal to the apron and then he hits a neck breaker and gets a near fall.
Reyes with a snap mare and he rakes the eyes with his boots. Reyes works on the head with a vice but Lethal with elbows to get free. Lethal and Reyes exchange forearms. Lethal with a leg lariat and clothesline followed by a spinning kick. Lethal gets a near fall after a handspring back elbow for a near fall. Reyes with a reverse atomic drop and enzuigiri.
Reyes hits Roll the Dice for a near fall. Reyes gets Lethal on his shoulders but Lethal gets away and Lethal hits the Lethal Combination. Lethal goes for the Lethal Injection and he hits it and gets the three count.
Winner: Jay Lethal
Veda Scott is in the locker room to interview Davey Richards about his match against Rhino later tonight. Davey mentions the seventy thousand dollars that was offered to take him out. Davey says that Truth Martini pays a lot of money to get the Man Beast, but he already has someone in his camp who is unbreakable.
Everyone saw the match in Fort Lauderdale and that is what a champion is all about. He doesn’t have to put Rhino over because people know about him. Rhino is the one who is in trouble. Rhino is the hunted. Davey says that he is the predator. It will be hard to GORE someone when your ankle is broken.
We go to commercial.
We are back with Inside ROH.
After the match between Eddie Edwards and Mike Bennett from the March Madness Tournament, we have the rematch next week.
Eddie says that he thought he injured a lady the last time they wrestled, but he was victimized by his girlfriend. Eddie says that Mike calls himself an actor, but Maria was the true actress. Next week, he doesn’t care what happens to Bob or Maria. All he cares about is coming out on top.
Mike Bennett says that jealousy is a terrible thing because it is a mixture of love and hate. Mike says that Eddie is jealous of them. Mike says that he will finish off Eddie really quick so he doesn’t touch Maria or hurt the best trainer in the world.
We will also see the All Night Xpress against the Young Bucks.
Nick says that the rubber match is next week. Matt mentions that they won the last match. You have one more match to break the tie. They are going to show why they are the most amazing tag team.
Rhett Titus tells everyone to get ready because it is the end of the feud and it is his day of retribution. Kenny King says that people said that they were soft, but that is not true. They will put an end to the Young Bucks.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Veda Scott is with Rhino and Truth Martini. Truth tells Rhino that Money talks and Rhino GORES, then Davey Richards dies. Rhino says that Davey is respected as a great champion and a great technical wrestler. Rhino says that he eats technical wrestlers. Tonight, he is entering a war with him. A war that Davey cannot win. Rhino says that he will rip Davey in half with a GORE.
Match Number Four: Rhino with Davey Richards and Truth Martini versus Davey Richards in a Proving Ground Match
They circle each other before locking up and Rhino pushes Richards away. They lock up again and Rhino works on the arm and wrist but Richards tries to reverse and he kicks Rhino in the head to get free. Rhino with a kick and side head lock and shoulder tackle.
They set for a Greco Roman knuckle lock but Richards with the advantage and then he applies a cloverleaf with the arm trapped. Rhino gets to the ropes. Rhino punches Richards but Richards fires back with punches of his own. Richards with a drop kick and Rhino goes to the floor. Davey teases a dive to the floor. Davey goes to the apron and he tries for the running boot to the chest but Rhino blocks it and sends Davey into the apron.
Rhino sends Davey into the apron and he raises his arms because he can. Rhino with a forearm to the back of the head. Rhino with an Irish whip into the guardrails and Richards with a boot and then he sends Rhino into the guardrails. Richards hits a diving head butt from the turnbuckles for a near fall and then Richards with a cross arm breaker but Rhino escapes the hold.
Rhino with a spinebuster for a two count. We go to commercial.
We are back and Rhino with a knee to the chest as he weakens the midsection for a GORE. Rhino with a forearm to the kidneys. Richards with punches but Rhino with a kick. Richards sends Rhino over the top rope to the floor. Richards goes to the apron for the running kick to the head and Rhino goes down.
Richards with a suicide dive but Richards feels the impact as much as Rhino. They return to the ring and Davey goes up top and hits the missile drop kick for a near fall. Rhino with an elbow to a charging Richards. Rhino blocks an exploder suplex with elbows and then we get to an exchange of forearms.
Richards with a running forearm followed by an exploder suplex for a near fall. Richards misses a round kick and Rhino with a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Richards with punches to Rhino but Rhino with forearms to the back. Richards blocks a power bomb or piledriver. Richards with an Irish whip and running forearm. Richards with an enzuigiri but Rhino with a clothesline for a near fall.
Rhino puts Richards in a Boston Crab but Davey counters and turns it into an ankle lock. Rhino turns over and he kicks Davey in the face. Richards returns to the leg and he reapplies the ankle lock. Richards pulls Rhino into the center of the ring and Strong tells Rhino not to tap. Rhino kicks Richards off. Rhino with a running knee to the head and then Rhino sets for the GORE but Richards with a sunset flip for the three count.
Winner: Davey Richards
After the match, Roderick Strong attacks Richards and Rhino joins in. Officials come to ringside to ask them to stop. Jay Lethal takes care of Roderick Strong and then Lethal with punches to Rhino. Lethal with a handspring elbow and Rhino goes to the floor. Richards and Lethal stand together in the ring.
2012 - Ring of Honor broadcast Border Wars on iPPV. Richard filed the following report:
Welcome to live coverage of Ring of Honor’s Border Wars iPPV, live from the Ted Reeves Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The main event of this show is a match for the Ring of Honor World Heavyweight Championship with Davey Richards defending his title against Kevin Steen.
During the time that the feed was out, Eddie Edwards defeated Rhino.
The coverage begins with video package for the six man tag match and a focus on The Young Bucks and All Night Xpress.
Match Number Two: The Young Bucks and Mike Mondo versus The All Night Xpress and TJ Perkins
King, Titus, and Perkins go after the Bucks and Mondo. Perkins spits water in Mondo’s face and then Perkins sends Mondo to the floor. Nick sends Perkins into the turnbuckles and Perkins with a headstand and head scissors. King with a drop kick to Nick’s head while Perkins holds him and King gets a near fall. Nick with a jawbreaker and Mondo tags in.
King with a suplex to Mondo. King with a spinebuster and punches before Kings gets a near fall. King with a punch and Titus tags in and he hits a running boot to the head. Titus with a forearm and slam. Titus with a splash and King with a leg drop. Perkins with a slingshot senton.
King tags back in and Mondo with a knee and elbow to the head. Matt tags in and King with arm drags into an arm bar. Titus with a bulldog and then King and Titus with a double team drop toe hold and drop kick combination. Titus knocks Nick and Mondo off the apron.
Nick grabs Titus’ leg and Titus goes to the floor after Nick. Mondo misses a clothesline and Nick with a drop kick and Mondo sends Titus into the guardrails. Mondo with a moonsault off the apron.
Matt with a kick to Titus’ head and then he chokes him in the ropes. Matt with punches and Nick tags in and he hits a double stomp to Titus’ back. Nick chokes Titus in the ropes. Matt tags in and they hit a double hip toss and a drop kick and Mondo gets a near fall.
Mondo with a reverse chin lock. Mondo with a back slide and he rolls Titus around the ring to get near falls. Nick makes the blind tag and he kicks Titus in the ribs. Mondo and the Jacksons triple team Titus and Nick with a back rake. Matt tags in and Mondo misses a charge into the corner. Titus hot shots Matt after sending Nick to the floor.
Perkins and King are pulled off the apron to prevent Titus from making the tag. All three men attack Titus while the referee tries to get some order restored. Mondo sends Titus into the turnbuckles but Nick hits Mondo on the turnbuckles and Titus with a back body drop to Matt.
Mondo grabs the leg but Titus kicks him away and King tags in. King with forearms, clotheslines, and kicks. King with a spinebuster to Matt followed by an atomic drop and enzuigiri to Mondo.
Matt stops Kenny’s exploder attempt. Perkins with cross body to the Jacksons and then he connects with kicks and forearm. Perkins with a sit out power bomb to Matt that is broken up by Mondo. Mondo with a kick to Perkins and Titus with a drop kick to Mondo. Mondo with a snap mare driver followed by a boot to the head.
King goes over the top rope when Mondo drop down. Perkins with a drop kick to Mondo. We have a series of kicks including double super kicks to King. Perkins holds on to the ropes and the Bucks with a double super kick that sends him to the floor.
Mondo knocks King off the turnbuckles when the Xpress were going to set for a double team move. Matt with a buckle bomb and Nick with an enzuigiri in the corner. Mondo with a rana followed by a top rope splash from Matt. Nick gets a near fall and it is broken up by King.
Mondo hits a corkscrew plancha that barely hit Titus, King, and Perkins. King is setn to the apron by Nick. King with a dive onto the floor and then Titus hits a clothesline on Matt.
King and Titus hit a Blockbuster and powerbomb followed by a 450 Splash by Perkins to get the three count on Matt.
Winners: All Night Xpress and TJ Perkins
We get comments from Jay Lethal and Tommaso Ciampa about their grudge match that aired on ROH TV in the last few weeks.
Match Number Three: Tommaso Ciampa with Embassy Ltd versus Jay Lethal
Lethal attacks Ciampa before getting to the ring and they go to the floor. Lethal with chops and he sends Ciampa into the apron. Ciampa sends Lethal into the guardrails and he chops Lethal. Ciampa with kicks to Lethal. Ciampa pulls down his knee pad but he misses a running knee and hits the guardrail.
Lethal with chops and punches to Ciampa as they continue to go around the ring. They go up the ramp and Ciampa sends Lethal into the guardrails numerous times. Ciampa sends him into the apron. Ciampa grabs the sign for the section and he tries to sends Lethal into it but Lethal stops him. Lethal catapults Ciampa into the section sign on the ramp.
Lethal tries for a suplex on the floor but Ciampa blocks it and he kicks Lethal. Lethal with a hip toss followed by the cartwheel and drop kick.
Lethal gets into the ring but it doesn’t look like he is going to stay in there much longer. Evans gets on the apron to stop Lethal’s dive. Lethal changes course and he hits a double jump drop kick.
Ciampa with a knee to the head from the floor and the referee calls for the bell to start the match. Ciampa gets a near fall. Ciampa sends Lethal’s head into the turnbuckles. Ciampa with kicks followed by a snap mare and kick to the back. Ciampa gets a near fall and then he applies a chin lock.
Ciampa has something to say to Lethal and he punches him. Ciampa goes for Lethal’s eye and the referee warns Ciampa. Ciampa with a forearm and chop. Ciampa with an Irish whip but Lethal with a boot to a charging Ciampa. Lethal with a leg lariat. Ciampa with a punch and Lethal returns fire. They continue to exchange punches and forearms.
Lethal with clotheslines and a flapjack. Lethal with a neck breaker for a near fall. Lethal hits the handspring back elbow and he gets a near fall. Ciampa with elbows and then he hits the Lethal Combination to get a near fall.
Lethal with a chop and Nana and Osiris get on the apron to stop Lethal. Lethal with a kick and he goes for the Lethal Injection but Ciampa moves and hits a lariat for a near fall. Ciampa tries for Project Ciampa but Lethal counters with a rana for a near fall. Ciampa with a knee but Lethal is able to kick out.
Ciampa with a running knee into the corner and then he pulls down the knee pad and hits the running knee to the head. Ciampa with two more and he tries for Project Ciampa but Lethal counters and hits a wheelbarrow slam into the turnbuckles.
Prince Nana gets in the ring and the referee pushes him down. Lethal has Ciampa in an inside cradle but Ciampa is able to escape. Lethal with punches and chops to Ciampa followed by a European uppercut. Lethal hits the Lethal Injection but Evans pulls out the referee before he can make the three count.
Lethal goes up top for the elbow drop and he hits it but Ciampa kicks out at two. Lethal with ten back breakers before finishing off the Lethal Combination and he gets the three count.
Winner: Jay Lethal
After the match, Ciampa gets up and he starts yelling at Jay Lethal. Ciampa leaves the ring without the Embassy.
We go to a video package to preview the next match between Lance Storm and Mike Bennett.
Match Number Four: Lance Storm versus Mike Bennett
Storm pushes Bennett as he Bennett tries to get under his skin. Bennett puts Storm in the corner but Storm escapes. They lock up and Storm sends Bennett into the corner and Lance with elbows to the head. Bennett with an elbow but Storm with chops and European uppercuts.
Storm with knees to the midsection and punches. Lance gets a near fall. Storm with an abdominal stretch. Storm with a shoulder on the apron and he tries to suplex Bennett to the floor but Bennett stops Storm and Storm is sent into the turnbuckles.
Bennett Irish whips Storm into the guardrails and then they fight over to the announce table. Bennett sends Storm into the guardrails again. Bennett with a punch but Storm with a forearm. Bennett with forearms to the back followed by a hard Irish whip. Bennett with a surfboard on Storm. Storm with a mule kick to escape.
Storm with a kick to the head but Bennett with a back body drop. Bennett with an elbow drop for a near fall. Bennett with a knee to the back and a reverse chin lock. Storm and Bennett exchange punches and then Storm hits a back elbow off the turnbuckles for a near fall.
Storm tries for a suplex but Bennett blocks it. Storm with a Codebreaker for a near fall. Storm sets for the super kick but Bennett blocks it. Storm with a forearm and Bennett hits a spinebuster for a near fall.
Storm misses a springboard clothesline and Bennett with a spear but he can only get a two count. Storm tries for a TKO but Bennett blocks it and he hits the Box Office Smash and Storm kicks out at two. Bennett blocks a kick and hits a dragon screw leg whip.
Bennett with a single leg crab on Storm but Storm reverses and he puts Bennett in a single leg crab. Evans pulls Bennett to the floor and then Storm hits a pescado. Bennett grabs a chair but Storm with a kick to stop Bennett. Storm hits Bennett with the chair and then hits a super kick for the three count.
Winner: Lance Storm
After the match, Lance asks if he can be serious for a minute. He thanks everyone in the crowd and companies like Ring of Honor for coming back so worth it. When he comes back for that one more, in Toronto, it means more to him than you can know. He says the reason that he still uses it is because the crowd appreciates the hard work from everyone.
We go to intermission with video packages previewing the matches on the second half of the show.
Kevin talks about the second half of the show and the focus on the titles in this half of the show.
Match Number Five: Michael Elgin versus Adam Cole with Truth Martini
They shake hands so this match will follow the Code of Honor. They lock up and Elgin with a biel across the ring. Cole with a waist lock but Elgin with a hip toss. Elgin wants a Greco Roman knuckle lock but Cole with forearms instead. Cole floats over and hits a drop kick to the back. Cole punches Elgin in the corner but Elgin pushes Cole away. Elgin runs into boots from Cole.
Cole hits a drop kick from the turnbuckles and gets a near fall. Cole with a running clothesline but Elgin does not budge. Cole with a rana that sends Elgin to the floor. Cole with a suicide dive but Elgin catches Cole and hits a running power slam onto the ramp. Elgin sends Cole back into the ring to get a near fall.
Elgin with a knee and then he connects with a cross face to the head. Elgin with a forearm to the chest followed by a chop. Cole with a forearm but Elgin with one that sends Cole to the mat. Elgin with a boot to the chest using the ropes for extra leverage. Elgin gets a near fall. Elgin punches Cole and gets a near fall.
Elgin with a kick to the back but Cole with a jawbreaker. Cole gets boot up but Elgin blocks it. Cole with an elbow and then he tries for a tornado DDT but he turns it into a guillotine choke. Elgin with an Irish whip into the corner and Elgin with an Alabama Slam for a near fall.
Elgin with forearms across the chest and a knee to the back and he turns it into a surfboard. Elgin with a punch to the midsection. Elgin misses a charge into the corner and Cole gets a near fall with a rollup. Cole with a forearm but Elgin with a forearm that knocks Cole to the mat. Cole with another forearm but Elgin with another forearm that sends Cole to the mat.
Cole tries for more forearms but Elgin responds with forearms that stagger Cole. Cole stays on his feet through the exchange. Cole with more forearms but he cannot Irish whip Elgin. Cole with a kick and a tornado DDT and both men are down.
Elgin goes to the apron and Cole tries for a slingshot DDT into the apron but Elgin holds on to the ropes to minimize the impact of the move. Cole goes up top for a splash but only gets a near fall. Cole sets for the wrist clutch German suplex but Elgin backs Cole into the turnbuckles. Elgin with a forearm.
Elgin with Chaos Theory for a near fall. Elgin tries to suplex Cole from Cole’s knees but Cole counters with an inside cradle for a near fall. Cole gets another near fall. Cole with a flying knee to the head and he gets another two count. Cole tries for a suplex but Elgin blocks it. Cole misses a back fist but Cole does not miss an enzuigiri. Elgin with a lariat and Cole rolls to the apron and then to the floor.
The referee tries to hold Elgin back while Cole tries to get back into the ring. Cole with an enzuigiri from the floor and then Cole goes up top but Elgin with a Yakuza kick. Elgin stays on the turnbuckles and he hits a dead lift super Falcon Arrow for a near fall. Elgin with a Crossface on Cole but Cole counters for a near fall.
Elgin with a roaring elbow but Cole with a suplex into a shoulder breaker and Cole gets a near fall. Cole goes up top for a cross body but Elgin catches him and Elgin with a buckle bomb and the sit out power bomb for the three count.
Winner: Michael Elgin
Good start to the second half of the show. I think they did the right thing giving Elgin the win in Canada. Elgin is a beast and is definitely one of the wrestlers to watch right now to make it to the top. Cole had a strong performance as well and did not hurt himself at all with the loss
Truth Martini says that Michael proved that he is the rising star in the company after beating Adam Cole. He tells Elgin that he is done for the night. Truth says that he is going to stay in the ring because Roderick Strong is wrestling next. Elgin stops on the ramp while Truth talks about how great he is. Cole with a super kick to Martini and Truth goes to the floor.
Elgin walks to Martini and he picks up Martini and he shrugs his shoulders to Cole.
We go to comments from Fit Finlay about his match with Roderick Strong.
Match Number Six: Roderick Strong versus Fit Finlay for the Ring of Honor Television Title
We are told that this match has no time limit.
Strong pushes Finlay instead of following the Code of Honor. They lock up and Strong backs Finlay into the corner. Finlay with a clean break. They go for a Greco Roman knuckle lock and Strong backs Finlay into the turnbuckles.
They lock up and Finlay with a side head lock and he takes Strong to the mat. Strong backs Finlay into the turnbuckles and Finlay with a side head lock take down. Finlay with a wrist lock and then he takes Strong to the mat but Strong gets back to his feet before the referee can make a count.
Strong with a front face lock but Finlay backs him into the turnbuckles. Strong with a knee out of the break but Finlay with a single leg take down. Finlay works on the leg and Strong tries to fight him off. Finlay with a step over leg drop to continue to work on the leg.
Strong gets to the ropes and then he goes to the floor. Strong wants Finlay to back up. They lock up and Strong works on the arm and applies a key lock. Finlay gets to the ropes and Strong with a punch and chop. Finlay takes Strong down to the mat and they get to the ropes.
Finlay with an elbow to the face and then he hits a short arm clothesline and drops a knee to the head. Finlay gets a near fall. Finlay with a reverse chin lock but Strong escapes. Finlay pulls Strong to the apron and slams his head into the corner of the ring and then he chops and punches Strong.
Strong with a chop but Finlay with a thumb to the eye. Finlay hot shots Strong on the guardrail. Finlay kicks Strong as Roderick tries to get back into the ring. Strong sends Finlay’s back into the ring apron and then Strong drops Finlay on the apron.
Strong with a forearm and chop to Finlay and then he Irish whips Finlay into the ring post. Strong gets a near fall when they return to the ring. Strong with a waist lock. Finlay with a jaw breaker but Strong with a drop kick and Strong gets a near fall.
Strong sends Finlay into the turnbuckles and connects with a shoulder. Strong puts Finlay’s foot in the ropes and then he chops Finlay. Strong with a running boot to the chest and Finlay goes to the floor. Strong follows after Finlay and he connects with a forearm and Finlay Irish whips Strong into the guardrails.
Strong returns the favor and sends Finlay into the guardrails. Strong with chops and they return to the ring. Strong gets a near fall. Strong with a punch to the midsection as he works on Finlay’s ability to breathe. Finlay blocks a chop and Finlay with double chops to the throat. Finlay with a double leg take down and boots to the chest and Finlay gets a near fall.
Strong with a boot to the head followed by a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Strong stands on Finlay’s chest and face. Finlay with a rollup when Strong argues with the crowd. Strong tries for the Strong Hold but Finlay tries to avoid it. Strong applies a Boston Crab but Finlay grabs the ankle to avoid the full effect.
Strong with forearms to Finlay and Finlay with a fireman’s carry slam. Finlay with a running shoulder into the corner and then he sets for the Air Raid Crash and gets a near fall. Strong pushes Finlay away but Strong runs into a boot. Strong pushes Finlay off the turnbuckles and to the floor.
Strong tries for a pescado but Finlay pulls out the ring skirt and Strong lands on it. The turnbuckle pad is exposed and Strong with a kick and Strong hits the alley oop gutbuster but can only get a near fall. Strong with a forearm and punches. Finlay with a clothesline and a seated splash for a near fall.
Strong with a forearm and a running boot to the head and Strong gets the three count.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Hard hitting match. Strong and Finlay were very stiff during the match and it told a great story without having to resort to high impact moves. It was a very ‘old school’ match and I would not mind seeing them wrestle again. Nigel did a great job on commentary putting over Finlay and adding to the in ring action.
After the match, the referee checks on Finlay, who is having some trouble getting back to his feet.
Match Number Seven: The Briscoes versus Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin for the Ring of Honor World Tag Team Titles
Jay comes to the ring alone and then Mark comes to the ring in a Maple Leafs sweater and hockey stick. He attacks Haas and Benjamin and the match starts.
Mark with a clothesline to Haas using the hockey stick. Jay punches Benjamin and then Mark with cross check to Benjamin. Mark with a dive to the floor and then Mark hits Haas with his helmet. Jay takes things over to the announce table and Mark punches Charlie on the other side of the ring. Mark gets a chair and he hits Benjamin with it.
Mark punches Benjamin on the floor. Mark throws a chair at Benjamin before the Briscoes hit baseball slides to the floor. Haas sends Jay into the guardrails while Mark kicks Shelton from the apron.
Back in the ring, Jay puts a chair in the turnbuckles but Haas with an exploder suplex for a near fall. Haas punches Jay and then he chokes him with his shirt. Jay with a flatline that sends Haas into the chair in the turnbuckles. Benjamin with a running double sledge to Jay. Jay and Shelton exchange punches. Benjamin with a corkscrew drop kick and Benjamin grabs the chair but Jay and Mark stop him from using it.
Mark with punches and kicks to Benjamin in the ring. Jay catapults Haas into the ring post. Mark goes to the apron and then to the floor. Mark with a senton off the apron onto Benjamin. Jay with punches to Haas. Mark with another senton off the apron but this time he misses.
Jay gets a wheel and he hits Haas with it. Jay with a boot to the head and Haas continues to bleed. Jay with a slam and Mark goes up top but Shelton slams Mark to the floor from the turnbuckles and Mark goes through a table. Shelton and Jay exchange punches and Jay with a boot. Shelton with a jaw breaker.
Jay with a Death Valley Driver on Benjamin. Jay goes up top but Haas grabs Jay’s feet and Benjamin leaps to the turnbuckles and takes Jay to the mat and gets a near fall. Haas hits Jay in the back with a steel chair. Haas picks up Jay and gives him to Shelton for a spinebuster from the turnbuckles that we almost missed seeing live and Shelton gets a near fall.
Shelton chokes Jay with the chair while Haas works on Jay’s jewels. Haas knocks Mark off the apron again. Haas and Benjamin get ready to pull Jay into the ring post again but Mark makes the save. Mark with chops to Haas. Mark does the same to Shelton. Mark lands on his feet on a belly-to-back attempt and then he hits an enzuigiri. Mark with a sit out cross armed driver and then Mark goes up top for an elbow drop and he gets a near fall. Jay sends Shelton to the floor.
Jay gets a table and he sets it up on the floor. Jay puts Benjamin on the table and Mark goes to the middle rope but Haas stops him and hits an Olympic slam. Jay punches Benjamin and Benjamin punches back as they fight on the apron. Benjamin tries to German suplex Jay through the table but Jay holds on. Shelton with an electric chair slam through the table.
Haas sprays a towel with something and he puts it on Mark’s face and Haas gets the three count.
Winners: Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin
After the match, Kevin Kelly shows the referee the towel.
This was a good brawl. It showed that Haas and Benjamin will go to any length to win the titles back. Since this was a ‘Fight without Honor’, the announcers should not be condemning the behavior of the new champions. It was a good contrast to the two previous matches that focused on a purer style of wrestling.
Steve Corino has joined Kevin and Nigel at the announce table but they don’t have his mic turned on.
Match Number Eight: Kevin Steen with Jimmy Jacobs versus Davey Richards for the Ring of Honor World Championship
Steen and Richards go face to face and Davey has something to say to Steen. Steen responds to Richards. The crowd chants ‘Next World Champ’ for Steen. Steen with a kick and he goes for a package piledriver but Richards escapes. Richards and Steen exchange forearms and punches. Richards with a kick and clothesline that sends Steen over the top rope to the floor.
Richards with a suicide dive and that means time to hit some guardrails. Richards Irish whips Steen into the guardrail and then he kicks Steen in the chest. Richards kicks Steen in the chest and then sends Steen into the apron.
Jacobs distracts Richards and Steen does something to Richards but the camera was focused on Jacobs. Apparently it was a DDT according to the announcers. Steen with an Irish whip into the guardrails and Steen with chops and kicks.
Steen sends Richards into the guardrails and then he asks Corino what he thinks of this. Steen sends Richards into the guardrails next to a Canadian flag. Steen with a side Russian leg sweep into the guardrails. Steen sends Richards groin first into the ring post and the referee admonishes Steen.
Steen sends Richards groin first into the ring post again. Steen continues to take Richards around the ring and they finally get to the apron. Steen with a forearm but Richards with a forearm of his own. Richards with an Exploder suplex on the apron.
Richards with a near fall. Steen with a chop to the chest but Richards with a kick to Steen’s chest. Richards soaks in the hatred from the crowd and he kicks Steen in the chest. Richards with a snap mare and then he tries for a variation of the Haas of Pain but Steen gets to the ropes. Richards with the Trailer Hitch but Steen gets to the ropes.
Steen with a chop but Richards with a kick. Richards continues to use the abuse from the fans to add more to his kicks and other strikes on Steen. Richards with an Irish whip and he runs into a boot from Steen. Steen with an elbow but Richards with an enzuigiri that sends Steen from the turnbuckles to the floor. Richards kicks Jacobs and then Steen with a power bomb onto the apron.
The referee figures that it is finally time to start a count while the wrestlers are on the floor. Steen with another power bomb onto the apron and Steen rolls Richards into the ring. Steen with a cannonball and he gets a near fall. Steen goes to the apron but he is favoring his leg.
Richards punches Steen on the turnbuckles and Richards tries for a superplex. Steen with a head butt and Richards fires back. Steen bites Richards and Davey goes to the mat. Steen with a senton but he lands on Richards’ knees.
Richards runs into a boot but Richards with a kick and German suplex. Steen pops up and Richards with a lariat for a near fall. Richards with the running forearm into the corner. Steen tries for the F-Cinq but Richards blocks it. Richards with kicks and Steen with a super kick and both men are down.
Steen with a forearm but Richards with a forearm of his own. They go back and forth but Davey gains control. Richards misses a kick and Steen hits a Ki Krusher to the knee for a near fall. Steen picks up Davey’s mouthpiece and he puts it in, just like he did with Kyle O’Reilly. Steen sets for the package piledriver but Richards blocks it. They exchange forearms again and Steen with a rake of the eyes. Richards with a drop kick to the knee but Steen with a power bomb for a near fall.
Steen applies the sharpshooter but Richards gets to the ropes. Steen shows that his knee is still hurting him. Steen gets to his feet first. Richards goes for a shoulder but Steen with a knee. Richards hyper-extends the injured knee on the ropes. Richards puts the knee in the ropes and Richards goes up top and hits a double stomp and Steen writhes in pain. Richards goes up top again and hits another double stomp and gets a two count.
Richards with an ankle lock and he pulls Steen into the center of the ring. Steen kicks Richards off. Richards misses a kick and Steen gets a near fall with a rollup. Steen tries for the package piledriver and F-Cinq but Richards counters and hits the DR Driver and gets a near fall.
Steen struggles to get back to his feet and Richards with Kawada kicks to the head but Steen spits in Richards’ face. Richards with more Kawada kicks but Steen slaps Richards. They exchange slaps. Steen hits the F-Cinq but Richards kicks out at two. Steen goes up top and hits a moonsault but he takes too long to make the cover and Richards kicks out at two.
Steen tries for the package piledriver again but Richards blocks it again. Steen gets him up but Richards gets to his feet and he hits a running boot to the head and Steen kicks out at two. Richards with a round kick to the head followed by a back heel kick. Davey gives a thumbs down but Steen blocks the kick and Steen with an ankle lock.
Richards applies the ankle lock and he grapevines the body. Steen tries to fight out of the hold and Steen gets to his feet and he applies the Sharpshooter. Richards crawls towards the ropes but Richards turns it into an ankle lock again.
Steen is able to get to the turnbuckles but Davey pulls him out of the corner. Steen exposes the turnbuckle and Steen sends Richards into the turnbuckle and Steen with a sleeper suplex and package piledriver for the three count.
Winner: Kevin Steen
After the match, Cary Silkin comes into the ring to give the title belt to the new Ring of Honor World Champion, but he refuses to do so.
Steve Corino goes into the ring and Jacobs tells Steen that he is in there. Corino takes off his jacket and Steen shows the title belt to Corino. Corino hugs Steen and Jacobs joins in.
Kevin Steen says that he doesn’t need a speech, he is Kevin ‘F***ing’ Steen.
Thank you for following the live coverage of Ring of Honor Border Wars on iPPV.
You can order the iPPV at www.rohwrestling.com/ippvMatch Number One: Winner Gets DG USA Open The Freedom Gate Title Shot - Jigsaw vs. AR Fox vs. Ricochet vs. Samuray Del Sol
Our opening match begins with some early chain wrestling between Ricochet and Jigsaw, Fox and Del Sol get tagged in and Fox takes Del Sol down with a top rope arm drag. Del Sol then knocks Fox out of the ring before teasing a dive, Jigsaw comes in and Ricochet does as well and they exchange arm drags. Jigsaw then slows things down by working with Del Sol to hurt Ricochet’s arm, Ricochet recovers to hit Jigsaw with a spinning forearm blast. Fox comes in and he nails Jigsaw with an axe handle smash, Jigsaw leaves the ring and that allows Fox to attack Ricochet with a split legged moonsault. Ricochet then trips up Fox and that allows Del Sol to join in on some double teaming, Ricochet then starts attacking the arm of Fox. Del Sol tags in and he continues to punish the arm of Fox, Del Sol then locks Fox in a cross arm breaker that is broken after Fox reaches the ropes. Jigsaw tags himself into the match and he now goes after the arm of Fox, Ricochet comes in and he does an odd head butt to the arm of Fox. Fox tries to fight back on Ricochet and Ricochet stops him with an ace crusher, Fox finally retaliates by nailing Ricochet with a springboard ace crusher. Jigsaw and Del Sol get tagged in and they go at each other immediately, Jigsaw then catches Del Sol with a hurricarana and a running drop kick. Del Sol recovers to nail Jigsaw with a spin kick, Fox then takes out Jigsaw and Ricochet with springboard drop kicks. Ricochet then catches Fox with a back brain kick and a springboard lariat after a brief tussle, Fox then nails Ricochet with a diving neck breaker. All hell breaks loose as all four men take each other out with a variety of holds, Fox gets up first and he starts working on Del Sol. Del Sol recovers to take Fox out with a reverse hurricarana and then a suicide dive, Jigsaw and Ricochet battle and that ends with Jigsaw crotching Ricochet on the top rope. Jigsaw then hits Del Sol with a German suplex, Ricochet breaks up the pin attempt by nailing Jigsaw with a shooting star press. Fox returns to destroy Ricochet with a spinning brain buster, Fox then takes out Jigsaw with sliced bread. Del Sol returns to the ring to clobber Fox with a 450 splash, Del Sol goes to the top rope and Fox takes him out with a springboard uranage for the three count.
Winner: AR Fox
Lenny Leonard interviews AR Fox, who says that he will use his momentum to capture the DG USA Open The Freedom Gate Title later tonight.
Match Number Two: Silas Young vs. Adam Page
This battle kicks off with Young attacking Page during a handshake, Young then ails Page with a pump handle back breaker. Young then nails Page with a knee lift and then a springboard moonsault, Page tries to fight back by nailing Young with chops. Page then trips Young before catching him with a running shooting star press, Young quickly recovers to hit Page with a full Nelson bomb and then a modified full Nelson submission. Young then mounts Page while nailing him with a lot of punches and the referee stops the match because Page cannot continue.
Winner: Silas Young
Lenny Leonard interviews Silas Young, who says that he does not care about today’s generation of wrestlers and he is the last real man of pro wrestling.
Match Number Three: Kyle Matthews vs. Caleb Konley w/Johnny Fairplay
This contest kicks off with Matthews and Konley doing some chain wrestling, Matthews then catches Konley with a monkey flip and an arm bar. Konley gains the advantage by getting Matthews with a hair pull, Matthews then quickly regains momentum by taking Konley down with an arm drag. Konley then drops Matthews on the ring apron before draping him throat first on the top rope, Konley follows him out of the ring to throw Matthews into the ring apron. Konley then brings Matthews into the ring for a near fall, Konley then rolls through a Matthews hold to hit him with a roaring elbow and back senton. Konley then resumes his attack on Matthews with some chops and knee lifts, Konley then locks Matthews in the cravate. Matthews frees himself by nailing Konley with a chin breaker and enzuigiri, Matthews follows that up with a tornado DDT on Konley. The wrestlers then trade chops in the middle of the ring, Konley then clobbers Matthews with a roaring elbow and a German suplex. Konley then misses a corner charge and he eats a running drop kick from Matthews, Matthews then goes to the top rope and Konley crotches him. Konley then follows him up there before getting shoved off, Matthews then nails Konley with a missile drop kick. Konley quickly recovers to nail Matthews with a spine buster and a submission hold to force a tap out.
Winner: Caleb Konley w/Johnny Fairplay
Match Number Four: Jake Manning vs. Alex Reynolds
This match begins with Reynolds taking Manning down early with a headlock, Manning gains the edge by tripping Reynolds while holding the wrist. Manning then takes a break to consult the cub scouts guide book, Reynolds then goes to the arm of Manning as the battle resumes. Reynolds then keeps Manning down with a headlock after a series of reversals and counters, Manning breaks free to consult the handbook again. Manning then quickly kicks Reynolds in the midsection before smashing his face on the turnbuckles, Reynolds tries to fight back and he does so with a back body drop. Reynolds then connects with a high cross body on Manning, Reynolds then propels Manning to the ring apron and Manning back body drops him to the arena floor. Manning follows him out there to ram his back into the ring apron, they battle back into the ring where Manning gets a near fall. Manning follows it up by clobbering Reynolds with an extended vertical suplex, Manning then catches Reynolds with a running knee lift. Manning then goes to wear down Reynolds with a chin lock, Manning then takes Reynolds to the ground with a hair pull. Reynolds then breaks free of a second chin lock from Manning before hitting him with a back elbow, Reynolds then hits Manning with a flying knee strike. Reynolds then knocks Manning to the arena floor before nailing him with a suicide dive, they fight back into the ring where Manning hits Reynolds with a chin breaker. Manning then sling shots Reynolds into the middle ropes, Reynolds then catches Manning with a middle rope code breaker. Reynolds then goes back to the top rope and Manning meets him up there, Manning then destroys Reynolds with a top rope butterfly suplex. Reynolds then counters a pile driver with a roll up for a near fall, Reynolds then catches Manning with a 2K1 Driver for the three count.
Winner: Alex Reynolds
Match Number Five: Low Ki vs. Jon Davis
This battle begins with Davis punking out Ki in the corner, Ki then tries to slow down Davis with kicks to his legs. Davis then gets the early edge on Ki by pounding him with forearms to the back, Ki then propels himself on the top rope to nail Davis with a drop kick. Ki then puts Davis in the corner to hit him with punches from the middle rope, Ki then starts attacking Davis with chops. Davis then uses his strength to Irish whip Ki into the turnbuckles, Davis then slams Ki to the ground multiple times. Davis then forearm strikes Ki in the corner, Ki then tries to fight back by hitting Davis with chops and palm strikes. Davis quickly slows Ki down with a hot shot and a buckle bomb, Davis then slows the match down by stomping on Ki. Davis then locks Ki in the modified surf board stretch, Davis then back drops Ki to the ring apron and then Ki somehow hits Davis with a top rope double stomp that knocks Davis to the arena floor. Ki follows Davis to the area floor to nail him with some chops, Ki then brings Davis into the ring for a near fall. Ki then waits for Davis to get to his knees as he attacks him with multiple kicks. Ki then lands a kick to the head of Davis, Davis starts to recover and he exchanges some strikes with Ki. Ki then rattles Davis with a springboard kick, Davis then counters a cartwheel kick with a spine buster for a two count. Davis then goes for three seconds around the world ad Ki catches him with a dragon sleeper, Davis eventually breaks free and Ki manages to hit him with a double stomp. Davis then counters a Ki Krusher attempt by nailing Ki with a jackhammer, the wrestlers then start exchanging strikes again. Davis then counters the springboard kick from Ki to hit him with a pounce that knocks him out of the ring, Ki is brought into the ring by Davis for a near fall. Davis then places Ki on the top rope and he follows him up there, Ki then breaks free to kick Davis down before nailing him with a top rope double stomp for the three count.
Winner: Low Ki
Match Number Six: Chuck Taylor w/Jake Manning & The Swamp Monster vs. Mike Cruz
This competition kicks off with Taylor using the monster to distract Cruz so he can deliver a cheap shot, Cruz recovers to nail Taylor with some chops. Cruz then chases a retreating Taylor around the ring, Taylor returns to the ring to deck Cruz with a drop kick. Cruz then avoids a Taylor moonsault to only be nailed with an overhead release suplex, Taylor then nails Cruz with multiple slams. Taylor then tries to weaken Cruz further with a head scissors, Taylor then uses a school yard trip to get a near fall on Cruz. Taylor follows that up by nailing Cruz with a back breaker and a hand stand swanton bomb. Cruz gets angry and he runs right into a Taylor knee and then a uranage, Taylor then misses a middle rope moonsault. Cruz then attacks Taylor with a jumping hip attack and an enzuigiri, Cruz then catches Taylor with a springboard block buster. Taylor recovers to hit Cruz with soul food, Cruz quickly recovers to nearly pin Taylor with a German suplex. Taylor then uses his speed to roll through Cruz the apply the half crab, Cruz eventually grabs the ropes to break the hold. Cruz the avoids the awful waffle to nail Taylor with a modified side effect, Taylor then gets his knees up during a Cruz swanton bomb and he then nails him with the awful waffle for the three count.
Winner: Chuck Taylor w/Jake Manning & The Swamp Monster
Lenny Leonard interviews Chuck Taylor, who says he is the most handsome wrestler in Evolve and he says he wants a belt in Evolve as well.
Match Number Seven: El Generico vs. Sami Callihan
The semi-main event begins with a very long stare down, Generico then rolls up a charging Callihan for a near fall. The chain wrestling begins and Generico gets the advantage after grabbing a head lock, Generico then backs Callihan into the corner to chop him. Callihan gains the edge after stomping on Generico?s foot and then chopping him, Callihan then takes Generico down before smashing his head with fore arm blasts. Callihan then nails Generico with some head butts that daze both of them, Calliha then traps the arms of Generico in the ropes to hit him with clothes line smashes. Generico eventually regains the edge and he assaults Callihan with chops and a back breaker, Callihan tries to get up and Generico stomps on him. Callihan recovers to back body drop Generico out of the ring before taking him out with a suicide dive, Generico then barely beats the referees count to get back in the ring. Callihan brings Generico back outside the ring to throw him into the safety rail, Callihan then slams Generico on the arena floor.
Generico returns to the ring and Callihan throws him back out of the ring, Callihan then hits Generico with an exploder suplex that has him land on the time keeper. Generico then barely makes it back into the ring before getting counted out, Callihan then makes him pay with multiple face washes. Generico recovers to counter a Callihan face wash by suplexing him into the turnbuckles, both wrestlers get back up and exchange some forearm strikes. Generico gets fired up and he nails Generico with a lot of clothes lines, Callihan tries going to the top rope and Generico hits him with a running boot that knocks him outside of the ring. Generico then does a suicide dive onto Callihan, Generico brings Callihan back into the ring to nail him with a high cross body. Callihan recovers to nail a charging Generico with a bicycle kick, Generico recovers to catch Callihan with a few back elbows. Generico follows that up by dropping Callihan with a tornado DDT, Callihan escapes Generico’s grasp to hit him with a modified shoulder breaker.
Callihan then starts stomping on the ankle of Generico, Callihan then destroys a running Generico with a lariat. Generico recovers to exchange huge kicks with Generico, Generico then catches Callihan with a blue thunder driver for a near fall. Callihan gets up and he super kicks Generico in the knee, Callihan then splashes the hurt leg of Generico. Callihan then locks Generico in the stretch muffler and Generico eventually gets to the ropes, Callihan and Generico then exchange running boots in the corner. Callihan quickly reapplies the stretch muffler on Generico and he nearly gets rolled up, Generico then catches a charging Callihan with a michinoku driver. Generico follows that up with a back suplex and a brain buster for the three count.
Winner: El Generico
Lenny Leonard interviews El Generico, who says that Low Ki should not be questioning him and that he wants a rematch.
Sami Callihan then attacks Generico from behind and then he attacks some Evolve officials until Low Ki makes the save.
Match Number Eight: DGUSA Open The Freedom Gate Title Match: Johnny Gargano vs. AR Fox
The main event begins with Gargano taking Fox down with a drop toe hold, things then gets heated after each wrestler slaps the other. Fox then knocks Gargano out of the ring before taking him out with a suicide dive, Fox then places Gargano on the ring apron before missing his guillotine leg drop. Gargano recovers to hit Fox with a baseball slide and multiple suicide dives, Gargano then brings Fox back to the ring for a two count. Gargano then catches Fox with a running clothes line and a drop kick, Gargano then tries to submit Fox with an octopus stretch-like submission. Gargano then takes the opportunity to stomp on Fox before catching him with a belly to back suplex, Gargano then applies the abdominal stretch to Fox. Fox recovers to take Gargano out with an ace crusher, Fox then catches Gargano with a springboard drop kick and a running cannonball.
Fox then catches Gargano with a ddeath valley driver and a swanton bomb, the wrestlers battle for position that ends with Gargano hitting Fox with a rolling kick and a slingshot DDT. Fox then makes it to the ropes to escape a Gargano-escape submission hold, Fox recovers to hit Gargano with multiple chin breakers. Gargano rolls to the arena floor before both missed suicide dives, they then battle on the ring apron and Fox drops Gargano with a sliced bread like maneuver, Fox then clobbers Gargano with an inverted suicide dive. Fox then brings Gargano into the ring to hit him with a springboard 450 splash, the wrestlers then go to their knees before trading blows. They both then stand up and continue to exchange more blows, Gargano then lawn darts Fox into the middle turnbuckle. Gargano then connects with a super kick on Fox before getting nailed with a twisting brain buster, Gargano then goes to the top rope and he goes for a diving sunset flip. Gargano then locks in a Gargano-escape after avoiding a Fox dive, Fox eventually makes it to the bottom rope. Gargano then catches Fox with a running drop kick in the corner that is followed up with another one, Gargano and Fox then battle on the top rope and Fox catches Gargano with a top rope death valley driver that is followed up by an emerald fusion. Fox then goes for a 450 splash and Gargano nails him with both a super kick and hurts donut, Gargano locks in the Gargano-escape after another hurts donut and Fox taps out.
Winner: Johnny Gargano
Lenny Leonard interviews Johnny Gargano, who says that he retained the gold tonight and that AR Fox is a true champion. Gargano then talks about a young girl named Peyton who wrote a school paper about how he is her hero and the girl seems genuinely touched as she is brought into the ring by him.
Thank you for following PWInsider.com’s coverage of Evolve 13
Preliminary Matches
Kid Osbourne vs. Dustin Rayz
Dustin enters with graphics and the announcers make sure we know that Kid Osbourne has only had a single victory in 65 matches. They insult Kid Osbourne through the entire match.
Dustin starts with a lot of chops and kicks while Kid gets in next to no offense, and the match is over in less than 2 minutes. Simple overpowering squash match with the return of Dustin from a broken leg
Winner: Dustin Rayz
Niles Young vs. Alex Colon
Niles Young is billed as “The Filthy Italian” and Alex comes in to music that has quotes from Scarface in it. To be honest, I have no idea who the heel is and who the face is.
They start quickly, going out to the floor almost immediately. Once they are back in the ring, they trade kicks. Alex gets in a poorly executed reverse go to sleep for a two count. Niles takes the offensive side of the match, goes up to the top rope, but takes too long as Alex hits a muscle buster for another near fall. Niles reverses and gets a quick two count. He follows up with a second two count. When he attempts to give a clothesline in the corner, Alex sidesteps, drives him to the mat for a three count. Another quick match, some big spots, but it felt as if they had five minutes or so to work in their big spots and rush to the finish.
Winner: Alex Colon
The Pay Per View Begins
Larry Legend welcomes us to the PPV, and he hypes up the show and reminds us of the main event. He reminds us that the show is for Mature Audiences and that there will be violence, and there will be blood in the matches. He introduces the referees, lets the audience know to stay behind the barricades and introduces the first match.
Match Number One: CZW Junior Heavyweight Championship: BLK Jeez vs. Drake Younger
BLK comes to the ring, rapping along with his theme music. Drake enters to scattered cheers from the crowd. Blk antagonizes the crowd for a bit after his introduction while Drake is introduced to sheers. Announcers remind us that he has only had the title for a week. They start with a handshake (code of honor?) then hookup with BLK controlling the first lockup. Second lockup Drake controls, and they run the ropes, moving out to the floor. Drake sidesteps a baseball slide and follows up by climbing back into the ring and going off the top onto Blk on the floor. Drake tosses him back in the ring for a two count. Drake is able to hold up BLK upside down for almost 30 seconds before dropping him down into another 2 count. They exchange chops, Drake gets a bulldog for another two count. In the next exchange, BLK gets in a low blow the ref doesn't see and gets a two count. BLK controls the match now, dropping Drake for another two count. When Drake is able to get in some offense, BLK is able to stop it. Lots of work in the corner. Black is able to get in enough offense for a power bomb and a two count. Nice little series of trading moves which ends with BLK kicking Drake out of the ring and following up with a leap from the top rope. Drake is thrown back in the ring for a series of two counts. Drake is able to reverse when they are in the rope for a two count...they trade two counts with Drake breaking up a count with a foot on the ropes. Drake hits his finisher “Drakes Landing” and is able to score the pin.
Winner: Drake Younger
Nice match with both competitors looking strong, but Drake coming out just a little bit smarter in trading moves. BLK Jeez is left in the ring and there is a long period of referees and officials checking on his condition. BLK is carried from the ring by officials and the announcers tell us the BLK must be knocked out by the finishing move.
Match Number Two: Lucky tHURTeen vs. Ruckus
Ruckus is introduced with a long, funny series of pot references
Lucky attacks Ruckus before the bell, then tosses Ruckus out and leaps onto him from the third rope. Ruckus recovers and leaps on Lucky from the apron in a brutal looking move. They trade offense outside the ring with Ruckus doing acrobatics and Lucky just attacks. Ruckus rolls Lucky into the ring for the two count, then slaps on a submission hold that Lucky breaks. The announcers state that the crowd is split as Lucky wrestles drunk and Ruckus wrestles high, and they continue jokes along those lines ll through the match. Ruckus pulls Lucky to the top rope and does a suplex onto the turnbuckle for a two count. Lucky hits the “Irish Corn Bomb” for the three count. After the pin, they shake each other's hands.
Winner: Lucky tHURTeen
Good brawl, with Ruckus having control through most of the match, but Lucky pulls a quick finisher to win.
Match Number Three: LATIN DRAGON vs. SHANE STRICKLAND vs. ALEXANDER JAMES
Alexander is billed as being from “The Coalition for a Better CZW”, and Shane is pushed as being two months clean from a drug addiction.
Starts quickly with all three fitting in moves in succession. Alex does a couple of quick three person moves including a three person small package. They moves to the floor, with Alex and Latin Dragon making it back in. They trade two counts, until Shane gets in, and they trade moves. Tofinga gets up on ring apron while the match continues, and he head butts Shane, allowing Alex to get the pin.
Winner: Alexander James
VERY quick match with some nice moves, but other than the interference at the end, it just felt like they wanted to quickly get their moves in. Were they all double parked?
DJ Hyde (founder of CZW) comes to the ring and insults the crowd, the people watching on PPV and humanity in general. He is in the ring to give the match-ups and stipulations for Tournament of Death. Matt Tremont comes to the ring and is told his match will be light bulbs and bats. DJ lets him know that Matt will not be allowed to touch him unless his wins the Tournament of Death.
Match Number Four: MATT TREMONT vs. GREG EXCELLENT
DJ Hyde makes it an ultraviolent rules match and wants them to beat the hell out of each other for his amusement.
Matt is over with the crowd, but Greg goofs around in the ring until the bell rings. Greg pulls out a plastic fork from his tights while Matt brings out a BBQ fork that looks MUCH more intimidating. They begin by mock swordfighting until the plastic fork is broken. Matt scores a two count, and then tosses away his fork. Greg is able to get in some offense, goes out to get a chair, but he tosses it down when D orders him to use it. They trade offense, and DJ tosses the chair in the ring, but Greg picks it up and tosses it out of the ring. Greg controls the match, laying in blows until Matt is able to reverse and score a two count. As Matt runs the ropes, DJ grabs his foot, giving Greg the ability to get in some offense, broken up by Matt giving a side slam followed by a head butt off the top rope.
DJ enters the ring with a chair, nails Matt and then nails Greg with the chair, causing Greg to fall on top of Matt for the three count.
Winner: Matt Tremont
The in ring action was typical punch and kick stuff, but the story of the match was DJ trying to force the pair to get ultraviolent so that Matt would be impaired for his future match while they refused. Good story being told that builds future heat.
Match Number Five: CZW Wired TV Championship: DAVE CRIST vs. JAKE CRIST
Jake enters first, and Dave, the Champion, enters second. Dave won the championship last month after his brother's nine month title reign.
Jake attacks before the bell, controlling the match through a fight outside the ring. Back in the ring, Dave takes control and scores a quick two count. The announcers push that Jake is fighting for the respect of his daughter and Dave will do anything to keep the title. Dave attacks, concentrating on Jake's midsection with kicks and chops. He goes for a HUGE leap off of the top rope and misses, letting Jake gain control with a Tiger Suplex and a two count. Dave keeps up the assault with a hangman's DDT on the edge of the apron (which looked brutal). They then battle on the top turnbuckle with Jake outside the ring again.
Dave pulls a ladder out from under the ring and nails Jake in the head, losing the match via DQ, but retaining the title.
Winner: Jake Crist by disqualification
Obviously, this match was to set up future matches and the story was that Dave can't complete with Jake, so he has to get DQed to keep the title.
After this match, we lost sound and they showed the opening graphic repeatedly. Don't know if it's technical difficulties or if it's intermission.
Match Number Six: CZW Tag Team Championship: AZRIEAL & BANDIDO JR. (c) vs. THE RUNAWAYS
Runaways to the ring first, followed by Azrieal and Bandito Jr with the belts.
We start with Azrieal vs Joe Gacy The Chainsaw locking up. Joe control the offense until Azrieal is able to reverse in the turnbuckle and tag in Bandito. Joe escapes, tags in Ryan Slater controlling until we get another tag from Azrieal for a double team move to give the champs control. They trade blows until Chainsaw is tagged is. Quick tags from the Runaways as they keep Azrieal in their corner for a number of double team moves. When Ryan taunts Bandido, Azrieal is able to get in some offense, but he is overwhelmed quickly by the Runaways until we get to the double clothesline that allows Bandido to get in and clean house.
Bandido nails a DDT for a two count. Azrieal is tagged in. A short sequence of all four men in the ring. The Runaways try a two man power bomb on Azrieal who dodges the move. They continue brawling, with Joe on the floor and Ryan in the ring.
Alex Colon runs in and takes out Ryan Slater while the Referee is dealing with the battle outside the ring. The Champions combine in the ring, set up the two man DDT, getting the three count.
Winners: Azrieal and Bandido Jr.
Alex grabs a microphone and states that “his People” built the company, built the country and take care of everyone's children. He joins with the champs and proclaims that they are Four Loco.
After their defeat, the runaways attack each other with Joe hitting slash off of the top turnbuckle onto Ryan. He grabs a microphone an says it is no longer about the Runaways, the Switchblade Conpiracy or the GNC. He states it's been 5 years and it's now His Time.
Average tag team match, with the Runaways doing a good job of cutting the ring in half and setting up for future storylines.
Match Number Seven: MASADA's CZW Championship Open Challenge!
Masada puts over the title, stating it's the most important title he's ever held in his 13 years of wrestling. He also states the the Philidelphia fans are the best fans in the world, while burying Ring of Honor. He states he's better than Davey Richards, Low Ki and will take on anyone in the back.
Challenger: Devon Moore
Devon Moore runs to the ring and Masada takes his best shots and slams him, then tossing him out to the floor. Masada escapes a power bomb to the floor and leaps from the ring to the floor, but Masada is able to take the blows. They brawl outside the ring with Devon tossing him into the ring, leaping from the top rope. This does little to Masada who slams him to the mat for a two count. Devon reverses and gets in some offense as the announcers sell that he is back from a wellness violation as a member of the Nation of Intoxication.
Devon has control of the match, working Masada in the ropes. They trade offense, Masada putting on a figure four, Devon reversing it to a two count and then slapping on his own figure four. Masada breaks the hold through strength. They trade more blows until Devon is able to work in another two count.. Devon takes too long for the Shooting Star Press, allowing Masada to hit the Death Valley Driver off of the top rope for the three count.
Winner: Masada
We get a taped match from BJW with no commentary or information on the wrestlers after this match, as they are setting up the ring for the barbed wire match. If it was an attempt to get people interested, it wasn't a good match to show. It started with almost two minutes of the wrestlers head butting each other in a mostly empty arena, and different competitors coming in at random times until I was able to figure out it was a tag team match. Lots of blood and plunder, but I had no earthly idea what was going on. They actually ended the match with the participants addressing the crowd in Japanese for over 2 minutes and then the winners gave a promo in Japanese in the lobby of the Arena. How hard would it have been to at least run some subtitles giving the names of the participants? Or to edit out the promos that don't mean anything to those of us who don't know Japanese. Les Thatcher would NOT be pleased.
A video package that gives the history between Danny Havok and Drew Gulak starting as friends and becoming rivals. Not the best package, as I had to piece together what story they were trying to tell, and I am unsure as to who is the heel and who is the face. Production-wise it looked good, but they should have had some sort of narration to make it clear to first time viewers.
Match Number Eight: No Rope Barbed Wire Match: DANNY HAVOC vs. DREW GULAK
The ring ropes have been replaced with Barbed Wire as we are now ready for our Main Event. Drew enters first to streamers being thrown when he hits the ring with the Coalition for a Batter Combat Zone accompanying. Danny enters next wearing a Nation of Intoxication shirt..
The entrants get full introductions, giving the match a “Big Fight” feeling. They both send back their entourages.
They lock up, and as Danny is tossed near the barbed wire, he stops short, emphasizing that they will not be able to run the ropes. Danny is tossed into the barbed wire, and we have first blood off of his shoulder. They exchange mat moves, break and stalk each other around the ring. They lock up inconclusively. When they lock up again, Drew goes behind, and Danny reverses and they break. The next lock up, Drew controls, Danny reverses and attempts to use a full nelson to drive Drew into the barbed wire. Drew reverses and takes it to the mat and holds Danny down with an Indian Death Lock.
Danny escapes with a series of elbows and they both nearly are tossed into the barbed wire. They exchange chops near the wire, but Drew is finally able to whip Danny into the wire. As Danny escapes the wire, Drew covers for a one count. He then locks Danny into an STF, but Danny bites his way out of the hold. Drew is able to lock on an abdominal stretch, and he taunts the crowd as he holds the hold. He pulls Danny over to the wire and rakes it across his head. Drew controls the match, holding Danny onto the mat and then holding him into the barbed wire, moving quickly to a two count.
The announcers put over that Danny was in a barbed wire match last Saturday as Danny hits a DDT, then tossing Drew into the ropes, and Drew goes over the top, onto the floor. The barbed wire does little to Drew as the Coalition has returned to the ring and uses a chair to keep the barbed wire from during too much damage. They help Drew back into the ring when he hits a belly to back suplex.
The Nation then comes to the ring, attacking the coalition. The brothers show up and join in the brawl outside the ring, and they continue the brawl into the back.
As the outside the ring brawl continues, Drew is finally tossed into the barbed wire. Danny tosses him into the barbed wire again and they rakes it across Drew's head. With the next attempt to toss Drew into the ropes, he stops short and body slams Danny into the barbed wire. He follows it up with a backbreaker and a two count. Drew demands the barbed wire be snipped off the ring, and they begin to take away the barbed wire roping. When Danny attempts to engage him, Drew body slams him to the mat.
They exchange holds in the center of the ring and Drew is able to lock Danny into the Gulock. They roll into the barbed wire, which breaks the hold. Both wrestlers are covered in blood and look exhausted as they lock up again. At this time, one side of the ring only has a single strand of barbed wire, and the others still have all of the barbed wire. Drew slams Danny to the mat and then whips him with barbed wire. He locks on the Gulock, releases it and then wraps the barbed wire around Danny's midsection and around his arms before locking in the Gulock again in the center of the ring. His hand drops once...twice...but his hand stays up the third time. Danny fights out of the submission hold, and lifts Drew for a Death Valley Driver.
Danny takes the barbed wire off as Drew recovers. Drew is the first to his feet, yelling at him to stay down. Danny stands up as Drew slaps him and follows up with forearms. He gives Drew a Dragon Suplex onto the barbed wire that he unwrapped from himself. Danny grabs a section of barbed wire and lays both sections in the middle of the ring. Drew gets a surprise small package for a two count. Drew is first to his feet, but Danny reverses for a suplex, locking the leg during the leg for a three count.
Winner: Danny Havoc
The announcers say that with Danny winning, the Coalition For a Better Combat Zone will not be able to ban the Ultra Violence matches. Drew is rolled out of the ring by the Nation of Intoxication members. Drew is dragged to the back by the Coalition as the Nation stands triumphant.
Overall Impressions:
When you have a PPV bargain priced, you should use it to introduce new people to the product, and as such, I think they did a good job. They introduced the factions, gave a little storyline information on the wrestlers and set up a lot of story lines for their upcoming shows. Having never watched the product before, I was impressed that they informed the viewer, gave background on the titles and informed us as to what was coming in the future while calling the matches. Workmanlike commentary throughout, but the people calling the match felt the need to throw in profanity randomly, when if they would have saved it for the BIG moments, it would have had more effect.
For all of their talk at the beginning promising Violence and Blood, they saved it for the final match, and I feel that was a good idea for new viewers. If it was ALL blood and weapons, it would have made the main event seem less brutal and shocking. There was a lot of the “punch and kick” style work, and little in the way of chain wrestling. The main event was a brutal, bloody match, but it wasn't until we were into the match that they said if Danny Havok loses, the Ultraviolent rules matches would be banned, and it would have made the match even more dramatic if they would have sold that to the viewers harder whenever members of the Coalition were in the ring.
I was also a little surprised that so many of their story lines and factions revolve around addiction and alcoholism, but unlike a lot of the smaller indies I am used to watching, they do have long-term angles and appear to be building toward their bigger events.
Was it worth $5? Yes. I felt it was a solid effort to introduce people to the product.
Thank you for following PWInsider.com’s coverage of Proving Grounds.
You can order tonight's CZW iPPV at www.hybrident.com.
2013 - News 12 in New York ran a feature on former ECW star Beulah McGuillicuty, looking at her evolution from ECW star to children's author. Her first book, Gertrude the Great was released several months before.
2013 - Santino Marella announced via Twitter that he would be opening a MMA/wrestling school in Toronto, "Battle Arts Academy" in July 2013.
Thanks to www.thehistoryofwwe.com for their assistance with archival results.
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