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May 21st
On this day in history in ....
1952 - Lou Thesz defeats Baron Michele Leone in Los Angeles to merge the California-version of the World Title with the National Wrestling Alliance and National Wrestling Association World Titles. Those three title wins, along with a non-title win over American Wrestling Association champion Gorgeous George, makes Lou Thesz the undisputed World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion. The title would remain undisputed for five years, until a Thesz-Edouard Carpentier match ends in controversy, splintering the titles again.
1963 - WWWF ran Trenton, NJ, headlined by WWWF World Champion Bruno Sammartino & Miguel Perez fighting Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard to a draw.
1963 - WWWF ran Bridgeport, CT at the Arena for a television taping featuring:
-Vittorio Apollo defeated Tony Altimore.
-Vittorio Apollo defeated Joe Quinones.
-Tony Altimore defeated Tony Martinelli in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-1.
-The Magnificent Maurice defeated Paul Reinhardt.
-Pat Barrett defeated Willie Bath.
-Arnold Skaaland defeated Tommy O'Toole.
-The Shadow defeated Roger Dupree.
1964 -WWWF ran Washington DC at the Capital Arena:
-Don McClarity & Bill Watts defeated Luke Graham & Boris Malenko.
-Pedro Morales defeated Matt Gilmore.
-Killer Kowalski defeated Arnold Skaaland.
-Gorilla Monsoon defeated Sonny Love.
-Freddie Blassie defeated Jerry Miller.
-Smasher Sloan defeated Manuel Soto.
1969 - WWWF ran Baltimore, Maryland with the Civic Center:
-Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Tony Rocco.
-Jerry Monte fought the Mighty Zulu to a draw.
-The Great Goliath defeated Billy Anderson.
-Alexis Smirnoff defeated Guy Lambert.
-Steve Pardee defeated Black Gordman via disqualification.
-Pat Patterson defeated Iron Mike Sharpe.
-Jimmy Snuka defeated Buddy Rose.
-Mil Mascaras defeated Ray Stevens.
1983 - Jim Crockett Promotions ran Greensboro, NC at the Coliseum featuring the following results:
Keith Larson defeated Masa Fuchi
Bill White defeated Ken Hall
Gene Anderson & the Magic Dragon defeated Rick Connors & Vinnie Valentino
Johnny Weaver defeated Ricky Harris
Rufus R. Jones defeated Jake Roberts
The Great Kabuki defeated Jimmy Valiant
NWA U.S. Champion Greg Valentine defeated Jos LeDuc
Jack & Jerry Brisco defeated NWA World Tag Team Champions Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood via disqualification
1984 - WWF returned to New York City, NY at Madison Square Garden, drawing a sellout as well as an overflow crowd watching the card via closed circuit in the adjacent Felt Forum with the following results:
1986 - WWF ran Buffalo, NY at the Memorial Auditorium with the following results:
1995 - WCW Slamboree took place in St. Petersburg, Florida at the Bayfront Center. Here are the results:
In matches shown on TBS' The Main Event:
- Steven Regal & Bobby Eaton defeated Ricky Santana & Fidel Sierra.
- Steve Austin defeated Eddie Jackie.
- Craig Pittman defeated Mark Starr via submission.
- Meng defeated Brian Pillman.
In matches aired on the PPV:
- The Nasty Boys defeated Harlem Heat to win the WCW World Tag Team Title when Sags pinned Booker T with a top rope elbow after a Knobbs powerslam.
- Kevin Sullivan defeated The Man With No Name (Brutus Beefcake) then ran off into the crowd after a mysterious voice (King Curtis) called out his name.
- Wahoo McDaniel defeated Dick Murdoch in a Legends match with a flying chop. This bout was aired in black and white during the broadcast to give it a "Legends" feel.
- IWGP Champion The Great Muta defeated Paul Orndorff with a moonsault.
- WCW Television Champion Arn Anderson defeated Alex Wright with a DDT.
- Meng vs. Road Warrior Hawk ended in a double countout.
- The WCW Hall Of Fame inductions were held, hosted by Gordon Solie. Angelo Poffo, Antonio Inoki, Terry Funk, Wahoo McDaniel, John Studd (posthumously) and Dusty Rhodes were all inducted. Rhodes and Gene Okerlund then surprised Solie by revealing that he was also being inducted into the Hall Of Fame.
- Sting defeated Big Bubba Rogers with a Scorpion Deathlock.
- Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage defeated Ric Flair & Vader. After the match, the heels attacked Hogan, Savage and Angelo Poffo, with Flair putting Angelo in the figure four.
1995 -WWF ran Trois Riveres, Quebec at the Colisee with the following results:
2001 - During a tag team match that saw Chris Benoit & Chris Jericho defeat Steve Austin & Triple H for the WWF World Tag Team Title, Triple H tore his quadriceps muscle in the leg. It was a freak injury, occurring during the course of the match. He gutted it out for the rest of the bout (which aired live on Raw), then was sent to the hospital for an MRI. He was told he would be out up to five months and had surgery performed in Birmingham, Alabama, three days later by Dr. James Andrews. He would suffer a similar injury in 2006.
The remainder of the results from that Raw taping in San Jose, CA featured:
Jakked:
-Raven pinned Tony Jones with the DDT at 2:43
-WWF Light Heavyweight Champion Jerry Lynn pinned Christopher Daniels with the tornado DDT at 4:36
-Taka Michinoku & Sho Funaki defeated Donovan Morgan & Robert Thompson when Taka pinned Morgan with the Michinoku Driver at 4:34
Raw is War:
-The Big Show pinned WWF Hardcore Champion Rhyno to win the title at 4:57 with the chokeslam onto a garbage can after Rhyno hit a chair while attempting the Gore.
-The Acolytes defeated Dean Malenko & Perry Saturn (with Terri) when Bradshaw pinned Saturn after delivering two spike powerbombs.
-WWF European Champion Matt Hardy (with Jeff Hardy & Lita) pinned X-Pac with the Twist of Fate after Eddie Guerrero interfered for the champion after X-Pac nailed Lita.
-Hardcore & Crash Holly defeated the Dudley Boyz after Hardcore used the ring bell as a weapon on Bubba Ray, moments after both Spike Dudley and Molly Holly tried to settle the issue between the two teams.
-Eddie Guerrero & Jeff Hardy (with Lita) defeated Edge & Christian when Guerrero pinned Christian with a powerbomb off the top.
-WWF IC Champion Kane pinned Kurt Angle with the chokeslam after Shane McMahon interfered.
2002 - WWE taped TV in Tupelo, MS with the following results:
2006 -WWE Raw ran Tuscon, AZ at the Convention Center with a matinee event, drawing 5,200 fans featuring:
-Eugene defeated Rob Conway.
-Umaga defeated Charlie Haas.
-Goldust & Gene Snitsky defeated Trevor Murdoch & Lance Cade.
-Beth & Maria defeated WWE Women's Champion Mickie James & Victoria.
-Carlito Caribbean Cool pinned Chris Masters.
-WWE Intercontinental champion Shelton Benjamin pinned Rob Van Dam with a roll up and grabbing the ropes for leverage.
-Shawn Michaels, the Big Show, & Ric Flair defeated WWE Raw Tag Team Champions the Spirit Squad.
-WWE World Champion John Cena defeated Triple H and Edge; Ricky Steamboat was the guest referee for the bout.
2006 - WWE Smackdown presented Judgment Day on PPV in Phoenix, AZ at the US Airways Center. Buck Woodward filed the following PPV Report:
Welcome to our coverage of WWE Judgment Day from the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. We will update this page throughout the evening with results from the show.
There was no live pre-PPV Heat for this event, as WWE instead went with a taped "Free-For-All" show recapping angles and matches leading into Judgment Day.
Judgment Day
The Pay-per-view opened with a video focusing on the Undertaker-Khali, Angle-Henry, Lashley-Booker and Mysterio-JBL matches. They went live to the arena where Michael Cole & Tazz welcomed us to the show.
WWE Tag Team Champions MNM (Joey Mercury & Johnny Nitro, with Melina) vs. Brian Kendrick & Paul London.
London started off with Nitro, with the two men shoving each other at the start. Nitro grabbed a headlock, then hit a shoulderblock. Nitro flexed his muscles, while Mercury "took pictures" of him. Nitro kicked London in the gut and grabbed a headlock, then hit another shoulderblock. London leapfrogged Nitro, tripped him to the mat, then armdragged him. Kendrick tagged in for a top rope elbow to Nitro's arm, then London tagged right back in and did the same. Kendrick tagged in for a double flying forearm, and Kendrick got a two count on Nitro. Nitro backed Kendrick into his corner and tagged Mercury. Mercury missed a charge and Kendrick hit a dropkick and armdrag, then slid under Mercury and gave him another armdrag. London tagged in for a double hiptoss and double elbowdrop. MNM regrouped on the floor, and London backdropped Kendrick on top of them on the floor. Mercury was tossed back in, but he ducked as London tried a top rope bodypress.
Nitro tagged in and stomped London on the mat. Mercury tagged in for a double gutbuster, and Melina screamed. Melina choked London with a headscissors from ringside as he was near the apron. Mercury put London in a rear chinlock, but London fought out. The two butted heads on a shoulderblock attempt, and both crawled for tags. Kendrick hit Nitro with a springboard dropkick, then cleaned house on MNM with clotheslines. Kendrick hit Mercury with a flying forearm, but Nitro yanked him throat first across the top rope. MNM gave Kendrick the Snapshot, but London broke up the cover. London was shoved out of the ring by Mercury, and Nitro covered Kendrick again, but he kicked out at two.
Nitro tossed Kendrick to the floor, and Mercury dropped him face first on the ring apron. Nitro covered Kendrick for a two count when he was tossed back in, then put him in a chinlock. Kendrick battled back, and grabbed a small package on Nitro, but Mercury was distracting the referee. Mercury tagged in for a double team legdrop, then Mercury delivered a delayed vertical suplex. Mercury covered him several times, but only got two counts. Kendrick was tossed to the floor, and Melina kicked him. Nitro tossed Kendrick back in, and Mercury applied a camel clutch variation. MNM kept working over Kendrick in their corner, until Kendrick finally kicked Nitro into Mercury and made the hot tag to London.
London cleaned house, including a flying back elbow on Mercury, but was cut down by a boot to the face by Nitro. London hit MNM with a double clothesline and grabbed Mercury with La Magistral for a two count. London dropsaulted Nitro off the apron, landing on Mercury for a cover, but Melina crawled in front of the referee and screamed to break up the cover. London went for a suplex on Mercury, but Nitro hooked his leg from the floor and Mercury fell on top for a two count. Kendrick went for a pescado on Nitro, but Melina shoved him out of the way and Kendrick hit the floor. Nitro, from the apron, grabbed London, and Mercury charged, but London moved and Mercury slammed into Nitro. Nitro fell to the floor, knocking Melina down. London gave Mercury a sunset flip, rolling through it into a bridge with the legs hooked, and got the pin at the 14-minute mark.
Winners and new WWE Tag Team Champions: Paul London & Brian Kendrick.
Melina blamed Mercury after the match, with Nitro trying to make peace between them. Melina slapped Mercury, and Mercury grabbed her, so Nitro jumped Mercury. Mercury and Nitro started going at it, and Melina kicked Mercury in the head. Melina kicked the referee in the groin for good measure, while Nitro pounded Mercury. Nitro and Melina started to leave together, but Mercury came back out of the ring and jumped Nitro. Referees and Teddy Long came out to break it up, with Long getting knocked down at one point. They were finally separated, with Mercury leaving alone.
Clips of Bret Hart defeating Bam Bam Bigelow at the first King Of The Ring PPV were shown.
Chris Benoit vs. Fit Finlay.
There was a "Benoit" chant as the bell rang. They locked up, with neither getting an advantage. They actually slid under the ropes, still locked up and finally broke when the referee started to count them up. They went face to face in the middle, and Benoit gave him a short headbutt, then hooked Finlay's legs and went for a Sharpshooter. Finlay tripped out and applied a leg lace, but Benoit reached around and grabbed a chinlock as a counter. Benoit pulled Finlay over with a side mare, and Finlay hooked Benoit's tights to try and pull him into a pinning position. Finlay claimed Benoit poked him in the eye during the headlock. Finlay used the distraction of the referee checking his eye to jump into a forearm on Benoit, then took him down with a rear chinlock.
Finlay hit a shot to the kidneys, then snapmared him to the mat for a two count. Finlay slapped Benoit twice in the face, and Benoit responded with a slap of his own, then a knee to the chest. Benoit punched Finlay in the face, then drove a series of knees into his chest. Benoit chopped Finlay, then hit a side backbreaker for a two count. Benoit went for a Crossface, but Finlay kept moving, so he grabbed a rear chinlock. Benoit kept trying to pull Finlay's arm over to get the Crossface in, then switched directions and grabbed a crucifix for a two count, but Finlay's feet were on the ropes. Benoit fired off some chops, but Finlay hit a clothesline and covered Benoit with his knee in Benoit's face for a two count. Finlay stretched Benoit's arms on the mat, planting his foot on the top of Benoit's head. Benoit fought up, and Finlay turned it into a crisscross choke.
Benoit powered out, and flipped Finlay to the mat, but missed a powerdrive elbow and Finlay got a two count. Finlay went for a short-arm clothesline, but Benoit ducked and hit three consecutive German suplexes. Benoit called for the top rope headbutt, but Finlay moved out of the way and Benoit crashed. Finlay went for a kick, but Benoit caught him and hit a dragon screw legwhip. Benoit went for a Sharpshooter, but Finlay kicked it off and rolled to the floor. Finlay went for a chair, but Benoit hit him with a baseball slide kick as he approached the ring. Benoit tossed Finlay back into the ring and hit the top rope headbutt for a two count. Benoit chopped Finlay, but Finlay reversed a whip and sent Benoit chest-first into the corner, then hit a clothesline to the back of the head. Finlay put on a three-quarter nelson, but couldn't get the pin.
Finlay went to the floor, and rammed Benoit's face into the apron several times. Back in the ring, Finlay stomped Benoit in the gut, then hit a sit down splash to the midsection and a pair of elbowdrops to the chest. Finlay put Benoit in a camel clutch variation, then a combination hammerlock/dragon sleeper. Benoit started to break free, and Finlay hit Benoit in the back of the head. Benoit fought back with punches, but Finlay took him down with a elbow to the arm he had been working on with the hammerlock, then dropped a pair of knees to the head. Finlay rammed Benoit face first into the buckles, then dove into him with a shoulderblock. Finlay hit a shortarm clothesline for a two count, then applied a double nervehold. Finlay went for a slam, but Benoit floated over and hit a pair of German suplexes. Finlay avoided the third and turned around to headbutt Benoit repeatedly. Benoit then gave Finlay an enzugiri, and he fell to the floor. Benoit went after him, and Finlay grabbed the shillelagh. Before he could use it, Benoit grabbed him and gave him a German suplex on the floor. Both men were slow to get up.
Benoit got into the ring, and when Finlay got on the apron, Benoit grabbed him and delivered the Three Amigos vertical suplexes. Benoit called for the frog splash, but when he went to the apron, Finlay got up and shoved him to the floor, with Benoit hitting the barricade hard. Finlay went out after Benoit, ramming him into the wall again, then tossed him back into the ring. Finlay threw Benoit shoulder first into the ringpost, then went for a suplex, but Benoit reversed it into a Fujiwara armbar, and tried to turn it into the Crossface. Finlay fought it, but Benoit finally hooked his hands together into the Crippler Crossface, and Finlay tapped out at the 21-minute mark.
Winner: Chris Benoit.
Jillian Hall was shown getting ready for her match with Melina. The events leading to their match were then recapped.
Superstar Billy Graham was shown sitting in the front row.
Jillian Hall vs. Melina, with Johnny Nitro.
Melina was still upset over the earlier events on the show. Nitro got in Jillian's face, so the referee ordered him away from ringside. Jillian then hit Melina with forearms to start the match, then hit a Thesz press. Jillian snapmared Melina by the hair, kicked her in the back, and hit a rolling neck snap. Melina rolled to the floor, but Jillian jumped off the apron and bulldogged Melina into the security wall. Melina kicked Jillian from her back, sending her into the ring steps. Back in the ring, Melina stood on the side of Jillian's face, then threw her by her hair to the mat before stepping on her face again. Melina put Jillian in a rear chinlock with a bodyscissors, then switched into a variation of an abdominal stretch. Melina went into a regular bodyscissors, but Jillian rolled it into a cover. Melina hit Jillian with a faceplant for two, then kicked her in the gut twice. Melina choked Jillian against the middle rope, then hit a double knee to her midsection. Melina jumped off the second rope for something, but Jillian got her knees up in Melina's midsection. Jillian hit a flying forearm and rammed her into the top turnbuckle. Melina reversed a whip, but Jillian caught her with a sunset flip. Melina grabbed the ropes, but the referee couldn't see it, and Jillian got the pin at the five minute mark.
Winner: Jillian Hall.
Melina complained to the referee after the match, but to no avail. Kristal Marshall came out, grinning, and said she had to ask Melina a question. She said "It hasn't been a good night for you, has it?" Melina screamed "You bitch!" and attacked Marshall, but Kristal actually got the better of it, knocking Melina down before Melina walked off.
JBL did an interview from backstage, saying the "feel good story of 2006" was over, and that Rey Mysterio would lose tonight. He said that it was his time, and that fans would see the "true American hero". JBL was distracted by someone off-camera, and walked off. It was Chavo Guerrero. JBL asked what he was doing there. Chavo said he was there to support his friend. JBL said Chavo was here to see Rey Mysterio lose the title to JBL, just like he saw Eddie Guerrero lose a title to him. Chavo said JBL would not be leaving the building with the title belt, and then said "Viva La Raza" before leaving.
They showed clips of Steve Austin winning the King Of The Ring in 1996, and the "Austin 3:16" promo.
Cruiserweight Champion Gregory Helms vs. Super Crazy.
Crazy made his usual lawnmower entrance. Crazy cradled Helms several times at the start for two counts. Helms threw Crazy from the ring, but he held onto the ropes and pulled himself back in to cradle him again. Crazy leapfrogged Helms from the apron and hiptossed him to the floor. Crazy teased a dive, but referee Nick Patrick blocked him. Crazy then used Patrick as a springboard for a dive into a senton. There was an "ECW" chant. Crazy hit Helms in a corner with punches, but Helms countered with a Hot Shot. Helms hit a neckbreaker for a two count, then hit a second for another two count. Helms applied a crossface, but Crazy punched out. Helms caught him with an elbow, then pulled him to the ring apron and punched and kicked him. Helms applied an abdominal stretch on the mat, and there was a "Super Crazy" chant. Helms went for a suplex, but Crazy reversed it into one of his own.
Helms grabbed Crazy in a double underhook and hit some knees to the head. Helms then put Crazy in a reverse chinlock. Super Crazy fought out of it, and Helms grabbed a sleeper, but Crazy turned it into a Victory Roll for a two count. Helms hit a running knee to knock Crazy down. Helms went to the second rope and jumped off. Crazy got hit boot up, but Helms caught it and went for an elbowdrop, but Crazy rolled out of the way. Helms hit a forearm, but Crazy delivered a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, a dropkick and a standing moonsault for a two count. Crazy was backdropped to the apron. Crazy punched Helms, then hit a top rope dropkick for a two count. Crazy went to the top rope, but missed a moonsault. Helms went for a Shining Wizard, but Crazy ducked it and hit a spinkick for a two count. Crazy went for a slam, but Helms floated over into a neckbreaker for a two count. Helms rolled up Crazy with a handful of tights for a two count. Helms went for a reverse DDT, but Crazy backed Helms into a corner. Helms kicked Crazy in the face, then hit a second rope neckbreaker for a two count. Helms choked Crazy, but Crazy fought back with chops. Crazy threw Helms into the corner, then went for a rana. Helms turned it into a powerbomb, and put his feet on the ropes for leverage for the pin at the ten minute mark.
Winner: Gregory Helms.
Backstage, Melina & Nitro stormed into Teddy Long's office. They complained about losing the tag straps and Melina losing her match, and demanded Long do something about it. Long said he wasn't going to do anything about it. Melina slapped Long. Long told Melina "You're fired". Nitro complained, so Long fired him too.
Clips of Kurt Angle defeating Rikishi to win the King Of The Ring tournament in 2000 were shown.
Anthony Robles, the one-legged High School wrestler who was won two Arizona State titles, was shown at ringside. It was mentioned that Kurt Angle is his hero.
Mark Henry vs. Kurt Angle.
As Henry came to the ring, they showed the events leading to his match. Henry cleared off the announcers table as he got to ringside, then demanded the microphone. Henry said "I hurt people" and talked about how he took out Batista, and that he knows Angle isn't 100%. Kurt Angle then came out, his ribs taped and with a mouthpiece that said "REVENGE", and immediately attacked Henry. Angle kicked Henry's legs, then tried for a whip, but Henry reversed it. Angle kicked Henry and gave him a second rope somersault bodyblock. Angle applied a front facelock, and Henry backdropped him. Angle went for a sunset flip, but Henry wouldn't go over.
Henry went for a sitdown splash, but Angle moved and Henry hit the mat. Angle then gave Henry a running kick. Henry rolled to the floor, and Angle went after him. Angle went for a German suplex through the announce table, but Henry blocked it and elbowed Angle. Back in the ring, Angle tripped Henry and applied a leglace. Henry kicked out of the leglace, and took Angle down with a clothesline. Henry hit a headbutt, then kicked him in the chest. Henry hit a double axhandle to the back, then kicked him in the ribs. Henry then stood on Angle's chest, then kicked him in the gut. Henry applied a camel clutch variation, then dropped his weight on Angle's back before reapplying the hold. Angle fought to his feet, and kicked away a backdrop attempt. Angle went for a cross bodyblock, Henry caught it, but Angle swung around into a DDT for a two count. They traded punches, and Angle ducked one and hit a German suplex. Angle pulled the straps down, and gave Henry the Angle Slam. Henry kicked out at two. Angle ran into a Henry clothesline. Henry scooped up Angle and hit a powerslam for a two count.
Henry scooped up Angle for another slam, but Angle wriggled out and hooked Henry's leg in an ankle lock. Henry rolled through it, sending Angle though the ropes and to the floor. Henry rammed Angle into the apron, then laid him out on the announcers table. Henry stood on the Spanish announcers table, but Angle rolled away from him. Henry got down and hit Angle twice, then avalanched Angle against the ringpost. Angle went down in a heap on the floor, and Henry rolled into the ring, winning the match via countout at the nine minute mark. Winner via countout. Mark Henry. Post-match, Henry went after Angle, and tried to put him on the table again. Angle poked Henry in the eyes, then grabbed a chair and hit Henry in the legs with it. Angle then hit Henry across the back with it over and over. Angle then applied an ankle lock on the floor. Henry screamed and tapped on the floor. Referees and officials came out to pull Angle off of Henry. Angle broke free and grabbed Henry and gave him an Angle Slam onto the announce table. The table didn't break, as Henry slid off it. Henry stood up, and Angle plastered him in the head with a chairshot. Henry fell forward, into the announce table, which did break this time. Angle walked off as Henry slowly got up.
A commercial for ECW One Night Stand was shown, advertising Rob Van Dam, Chris Benoit and Terry Funk.
Backstage, Sharmell gave Booker a pep talk about becoming King Of The Ring, listing all the "Kings" he is better than. Booker liked the sound of "King Booker".
The King Of The Ring tournament was recapped. It was revealed that there will be a "coronation" ceremony this week on Smackdown.
King Of The Ring Finals: Booker T, with Sharmell, vs. Bobby Lashley.
The two men went nose to nose, and Lashley shoved Booker to the mat at the bell. They locked up, and Lashley backed Booker into the corner and broke clean. They locked up again, and this time Booker broke clean, but then tried to throw a punch. Lashley blocked it, delivered some punches and hit a clothesline in the corner. Lashley hit a vertical suplex for a two count, then a lariat for another two. Lashley stomped Booker, then applied an armwringer and yanked on Booker's arm. Lashley applied an armbar, but Booker hit a chop. Booker went for a waistlock, but Lashley reversed and took Booker to the mat. Booker poked Lashley in the eyes then hit some kneelifts. Booker hit chops and punches in a corner, but Lashley came right back with a clothesline. Lashley rammed Booker into a corner, but then missed a shoulderblock and ran into the ringpost. Lashley fell to the floor, and Booker rammed him into the ringsteps. Booker yelled for the referee to count him out, but Lashley made it back in. Booker stomped Lashley in a corner, then pulled Lashley's arm around the top rope and yanked at it. Booker hit a kick to the back of Lashley's head for a two count, then applied an armbar. Lashley battled out with forearms, but Booker kicked him in the gut.
Booker went to the ropes for the ax kick, but as he rebounded, Lashley flipped him with a clothesline. Lashley hit some forearms, then knocked Booker down twice. Lashley hit a reverse atomic drop, then hit a clothesline. Lashley called for the Dominator, but Sharmell got on the apron and distracted the referee. Booker fought out of it anyway, and hit a back kick. Booker went for the Bookend, but Lashley elbowed it away. Lashley set for the spear, but Sharmell hooked his leg. Lashley kicked her away, but Booker caught him with a side kick and the Bookend for a two count. Booker went for a leapfrog in the corner, but Lashley caught it and hit a running powerslam for a two count. Lashley hit a clothesline in the corner, but then charged into a Booker side kick. Booker followed it with an ax kick, but Lashley kicked out at two. Booker went for a side kick, but Lashley ducked and hit the spear. Sharmell ran into the ring, and as the referee got her out, Finlay ran in and hit Lashley with the shillelagh. Lashley was down, but slowly getting up, and Booker finished him off with the ax kick for the pin at the ten minute mark. Winner and 2006 King Of The Ring: Booker T. Booker and Sharmell celebrated on the stage, putting on the robe and crown. Lashley speared Booker right into the throne, toppling it over. Sharmell helped the downed King Booker, making sure to keep his crown on his head, as Lashley left
Backstage, the Great Khali and Daivari were shown heading to the ring. A video of the events leading to Undertaker vs. Khali were shown.
The Undertaker vs. Great Khali, with Daivari.
The two men stared each other down, with them going chest to chest as the bell rang. Khali missed a right hand and Taker threw some body blows, but Khali grabbed him and flung him through the ropes and to the floor. Taker got back in, kicked him in the gut, and started throwing punches. Khali flung Taker over the top rope and to the floor. Khali grabbed Taker as he got on the apron, but Taker yanked him throat first across the top rope. Taker ducked some Khali punches, then began punching and kicking Khali. Taker went for the Old School ropewalk, but Khali slammed him off the ropes, casually.
Khali rammed Taker into the top turnbuckle, hit an elbow, then punched him down in a corner. Khali stepped on him, then whipped him across the ring into the opposite corner. Khali hit a clothesline and Taker stumbled out. Khali kicked Taker to the floor, then went out after him. Khali hit a forearm across the back, then rammed him into the ring apron.
Taker fought back with punches and kicks, but Khali whipped Taker knees first into the ringsteps. Daivari kicked Taker on the outside, then tossed him back in. Khali slammed Undertaker, but Undertaker sat up. Khali chopped Undertaker in the head, and Taker fell to the mat. Khali stood on Taker's chest, but Taker got his shoulder up at two, then sat up and rose. They traded punches and Taker hit a headbutt. Taker went for the ropewalk again, this time hitting the forearm, but Khali didn't fall down. Undertaker punched Khali repeatedly, and there was a "Taker" chant.
Undertaker hit a pair of clotheslines, then hit a flying clothesline and Khali got tied in the ropes. Taker punched the tied up Khali. Daivari got on the ring apron, and when he did, Taker grabbed him by the throat. The referee forced him to break, and Taker chased the ref from the ring. Daivari freed Khali from the ropes. Taker went for a chokeslam, but Khali elbowed it off and hit a boot to the face. Khali hit a chop to the head again (which the announcers and Undertaker are trying to sell as being devastating, even though it doesn't look it), and then kicked him in the head and got the clean pin at the eight minute mark by placing one foot on Undertaker's chest.
Winner: Great Khali.
We then had some hype for "See No Evil" starring Kane.
The events leading to the main event were recapped. As a reminder, only the World Title is on the line in this match.
World Champion Rey Mysterio vs. U.S. Champion JBL.
There was a loud "Eddie" chant as the bell rang. JBL shoved Rey to the mat twice, then Rey started kicking at JBL's leg and JBL backed off to the ropes. There was a "619" chant. Rey kicked at JBL's legs again, then grabbed a headlock. JBL lifted Rey and sat him in a corner, then trash talked him. Rey responded with a slap to the face. JBL was gesturing to ringside, where Rey's family was sitting. There was an "Eddie" chant again. JBL kicked Rey and pounded him across the back, then kicked him. JBL pounded Rey down with punches in a corner. JBL stomped Rey's hand. Rey avoided a boot to the face and tripped JBL into 619 position, but JBL slid out of the ring. Rey hit a baseball slide, then jumped off the apron to give JBL a seated senton on the floor.
Back in the ring, Mysterio gave JBL a second rope bodypress for two, then a dropkick to the face for another cover. Rey legdropped JBL across the back of the head, then hit a shoulderblock in the corner. Rey pounded JBL in a corner, then gave him a baseball slide to the groin, after first distracting the referee by pointing at the crowd. Mysterio dropkicked JBL, who fell through the ropes and to the floor. Rey missed a baseball slide kick, and JBL downed him with a boot to the face, then threw him into the ring steps.
Back in the ring, JBL kicked Rey and punched him back to the floor. JBL rammed Rey head first into the ringsteps, then tossed him back into the ring to score a two count. JBL hit a vertical suplex, turning it into the Three Amigos. JBL hit three suplexes, then hung Rey on the top rope and kicked him in the head, knocking him to the floor. Rey was bleeding from the head, which could be seen in the eye holes of his mask. JBL mocked Eddie Guerrero's old dance. JBL took Rey at ringside and held him up in front of his wife, then gave him a fallaway slam on the floor. JBL rolled Rey back into the ring for a two count. JBL slapped Rey in a corner, then hit a pair of short arm clotheslines. JBL blew a kiss to Rey's wife, then hit another clothesline. JBL told the referee to count Rey down for a knockout, and there was blood coming out from Rey's mask. Rey got to his feet at nine, and JBL blasted him with a boot to the head. JBL covered Rey for a two count.
Rey fired off some punches, but JBL poked him in the eyes and applied a sleeper. JBL started hitting Rey in his bloody head, and choked him down with a rear chinlock. The referee checked Rey's arm, but JBL let go of the hold after two checks, wanting to pin Rey instead. Rey got his shoulder up at two, despite JBL hooking both legs. JBL put Rey on the top rope and set up for a back superplex. Rey blocked it, and punched JBL off the ropes. Rey hit a moonsault to a standing JBL for a two count. Rey kicked and punches JBL, and hit a springboard bodypress, then kicked JBL in the back of the head for a two count. Rey went for a Bronco Buster, but JBL got a boot up and caught Rey in the groin. JBL went for a powerbomb, but Rey punched out if it and put JBL in 619 position. Rey hit the 619, then went for a springboard, but JBL pulled the referee in front of him. Rey collided with the ref, knocking him out.
JBL powerbombed Rey Mysterio, then called for another referee. A second ref came out, but when Rey kicked out at two, JBL punched the new ref in the face, knocking him out. JBL got a chair, but Rey kicked it into his face when he got into the ring with it. Rey then hit JBL with a 619 and a frog splash for the pin (counted by the original referee) at the sixteen minute mark.
Winner: Rey Mysterio.
Chavo Guerrero came out to the ring to celebrate with Rey Mysterio. Chavo helped Rey to his feet as they showed replays from the match. They went back to the ring, where there was an "Eddie" chant as Chavo and Rey pointed to the heavens.
That ended the PPV broadcast. Goodnight, folks!
2007 - Team 3D officially opened their new wrestling school, "The Team 3D Academy of Professional Wrestling" in Kissimmee, Florida, right outside of Orlando.
2007 - Mark Canterbury aka Henry Godwin was released by WWE in the last week. He was most recently seen working for the now-defunct Deep South Wrestling territory, teaming with Ray Gordy.
2007 - Mick Foley and his family filmed a pilot for an A&E reality series titled "Wrestling My Family." The pilot was not picked up by the network.
2007 - Shane "Hurricane" Helms underwent successful fusion surgery on his neck.
2007 -WWE broadcast Raw in Moline, IL at the Mark of the Quad with the following results from the taping:
Dark Matches:
Dark match:
The Great Khali defeated WWE World Champion John Cena via disqualification when Cena hit a low blow; after the bout, Cena dropped Khali with the FU.
2007 - WWE Smackdown and ECW ran a combined house show in Topeka, KS at the Kansas Expo Center, drawing 2,525 fans with the following results:
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘Pepsi’ Tenay and Don ‘Cavalier’ West.
Jeff Jarrett comes to the ring with his mic. Jeff is favoring his injured leg. He tells Mick that there is not a lot for him to say. He could come out and rant and rave like a madman after what happened at the Asylum but that does not change anything. When an action takes place, there needs to be a reaction. Tonight, he is reacting. Four weeks ago, he announced the Four Way Match for Sacrifice. Jarrett mentions that Foley, Sting, and Angle are in the match. There is one slot left, until now. Jeff says that he was backed into the corner to make an executive decision and he is in the match. Jeff says that Mick has caused more turmoil than the Main Event Mafia. Jeff says that he ignited the fire and he is going to put it out. Jeff says that Mick does not deserve to be the champion and he will not walk out of the arena with the title. Jeff tells Mick to have a nice day.
Speaking of Mick Foley, he comes to the ring. Mick says that he will admit when he is wrong and might have had some fun at Jeff’s expense. He says that he might have suggested that Jeff was feigning an injury, but when he heard Jarrett whining like a woman, he heard the hamstring come off the bone. Mick says that he went to the Asylum to make peace. However, something snapped in his head and he remembered how much he hated Jarrett and his old man. Mick tells Jeff to take the belt from his waist. Mick wonders what Jeff will sacrifice at Sacrifice. Mick suggests that Jeff put up his voting shares. Mick starts to walk up the ramp, but Jarrett tells him to turn around. Jeff tells Mick that he worked too hard and too much so he will do whatever it takes to protect himself and TNA. On Sunday, he is all in and Mick has a deal.
Mick suggests making some matches after Jeff grew a set. Why not make sure that all four participants are at their peak on Sunday so they can be in singles matches tonight. Eric Young will face Sting. Matt Morgan will face Kurt Angle. Jeff Jarrett will face Samoa Joe. Mick says that he will face a former world champion who wants a piece of Foley and he can bring it.
We go to Jeremy Borash who is with the Main Event Mafia and Angle is looking for Sting and Steiner tries to calm him down. They go into the hall and Angle is looking for Sting. Steiner tries to stop him. Angle tells Steiner that Sting needs to know his role on Sunday.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we look at what happened last week when the Motor City Machine Guns, Jay Lethal, and Consequences Creed tried to unmask Suicide only to be saved by Daniels.
Suicide and Daniels are in the back with Lauren and she asks if they can co-exist since they will be facing each other for the X Division title on Sunday. Daniels says that he is going to prove that he is one of the elite in the sport. That means overcoming every challenge. Tonight he will team with Suicide. On Sunday, he will beat Suicide for the title. Lauren wants to know who Suicide is and he says that he is Suicide.
Match Number One: Jay Lethal and Consequences Creed versus The Motor City Machine Guns versus Suicide and Daniels in a Non-Title Match in the Who Is Suicide Challenge
Lethal and Daniels start things off and Daniels backs Lethal into the corner. Lethal with a chop and Daniels tries for a punch but Lethal with more chops. Daniels with a kick and forearm to the back. Daniels kicks Lethal and punches him. Lethal tries for the handspring back elbow but Daniels moves. Lethal with a hip toss and cartwheel followed by a drop kick. Shelley tags in and he kicks Daniels followed by an elbow. Daniels with a leg lariat followed by a Blue Thunder Driver for a near fall. Shelley sends Daniels into the ropes and the Machine Guns with a double team kick to Daniels. Shelley with a snap mare and then he tags in Sabin. Shelley with a slingshot elbow drop followed by a slingshot senton from Sabin. Sabin and Shelley with a another double team move. The Machine Guns with more double team moves to Daniels. Sabin tags back in and Shelley sends him into Sabin’s boots. Daniels sends Shelley onto the apron. Sabin with an uranage back breaker and then Shelley with a knee to the head. Sabin with an enzuigiri while Shelley hits a Flatline. Lethal breaks up the cover and then Creed with a DDT to Shelley. Creed and Sabin with punches and then Daniels with a bulldog and clothesline combination to Creed and Sabin.
Shelley and Suicide tag in and Suicide with punches to Shelley and a drop kick to Lethal. Suicide with a side Russian leg sweep but he misses a knee in the corner. Creed with a clothesline while Lethal hits a drop kick in the corner. Sabin with a DDT to Lethal and then he hits a kick to Suicide. Sabin with a choke slam and then Shelley hits the frog splash but Daniels makes the save. Creed with a spin kick to Daniels. Sabin with a leg sweep to Creed. Lethal with Lethal Combination to Sabin. Daniels with a clothesline that sends Lethal to the floor. Daniels with a split legged moonsault to the floor on Lethal. Shelley sets for Sliced Bread #2 but Suicide escapes. Suicide sends Shelley into the turnbuckles with a drop kick. Suicide with knees to the chest for the three count.
Winners: Suicide and Daniels
After the match, the lights go out and Daniels is the only one left in the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Kurt Angle is still looking for Sting. Jeremy Borash is still with him. Angle wants to go up into the rafters to find Sting. Angle tells Borash that they will see what happens when they find him.
It is time to run through the card for Sacrifice.
It is time for a Sting video package.
We go to footage from earlier today of Nash and Booker getting ready for their matches on Sunday.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Team 3D come out with their tag title belts. We see footage of the attack by the British Invasion.
Ray is on the mic and he talks about the Team 3D Tag Team Tournament and their attempt to give back to tag team wrestling. Ray says that it has gone well because they are fighting for the most prestigious tag titles in the history of the business, the TNA tag titles. Ray says that they will have to retire some day, but they want to leave behind a great legacy and a great legacy of tag team wrestling in this company. Ray says that if it wasn’t for tag team wrestling, Team 3D would not be here today. In trying to give back, one team has crapped in the hand that tried to feed them. Ray mentions the British Invasion. He tells them that they are trying to make a name, but they are doing it against the wrong team. He tells them to act with class and dignity. Ray says that even James Storm and Robert Roode have class and dignity. They might have shown them up last time, but it will not happen again.
Brutus Magnus, Doug Williams, and Rob Terry come to the ring and Brutus has the mic. He wants to know if they were going to call them out because they were coming out anyway. Magnus says that he has obtained the best insurance policy that money can buy, Rob Terry. He says that they sound like royalty, but the only royalty is . . .
Team 3D attack Magnus, Williams, and Terry, but Rob hits Ray and then Devon with the briefcase. Terry chokes Devon and then Magnus gets Ray up for a European uppercut from the turnbuckles to Ray. Terry with a running power slam. They set up a table but the music for Storm and Roode plays and they come to the ring and they have chairs and beer as The British retreat.
Roode says that if there is one thing that Team 3D taught them is that if they want to fight, fight fair. Roode says that after they are done with the British, they will get their titles back.
Lauren is with Jeff Jarrett and Eric Young and Eric says that this is not fair. Jeff tells Eric to stop whining and be a man. Jeff says that Eric was an independent wrestler in Southern Ontario before he brought him into TNA. Eric tells Jeff that as a friend, Jeff will regret what he just said to him. Jarrett tells him to get out.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Kurt Angle has found Sting. Angle tells Sting that he cannot do this again. Sting gets into the title match and he does not return Kurt’s calls. Sting wonders if Kurt watches the shows. Kurt says that he watches the show multiple times. Sting asks Angle if he watched Lockdown. Angle mentions that he got screwed at Lockdown by Jeff Jarrett. Sting points out to Kurt that he got screwed too by Mick Foley. Sting says that it is about bringing the title back to the Main Event Mafia and the return of respect. Angle says that they are going to work together to bring the title back to the Mafia.
Match Number Two: Eric Young versus Sting
Sting has some words for Eric when he enters the ring and they get face to face as the bell rings. They shake hands in a sign of respect. Sting backs Eric into the corner and Sting with a clean break. Young returns the favor with a clean break of his own. Sting with a clean break but Young with a punch. Sting with punches and he misses a Stinger Splash. Young misses a splash and Sting catches him. Young with the Flair flip and Sting presses Young to the mat and clotheslines Young over the top rope to the floor. Young returns to the ring and Sting gets a near fall. Sting sends Young over the top rope to the floor. Young returns to the ring and hits a reverse atomic drop and a flying forearm for a near fall. Young with a snap mare and elbow drops. Sting puts Young in the Scorpion Death Lock when Young misses a missile drop kick. Sting adds some pressure and Young’s attempts to reach the ropes are over as he taps.
Winner: Sting
Angelina Love is walking in the back with security for the official contract signing and we go to commercial.
We are back and Jeremy Borash is with Mick Foley. Jeremy mentions the latest news on his 900 hotline . . . I mean free text service. Jeremy asks Mick who his opponent will be. Jeremy asks if it is who he thinks it is. Mick says that it is if Jeremy thinks that is who it is. Mick tells Jeremy to get out and get a steel chair because he might need some backup.
It is time for the official contract signing, but first a video package of Awesome Kong’s quest for revenge because of the cutting of the locks.
The red tablecloth is on the table and Jim Cornette is in the ring with the referees to bring out the participants in the Women’s Title match. Cornette brings out Angelina Love first and she is flanked by TNA security. Cornette tells security to stand down because he has officials in the ring with him. Awesome Kong comes to the ring with Raisha Saeed.
Cornette reminds the ladies that this is not a match and there is a need for decorum as they affix their signatures. Cornette has Angelina sign first, followed by Saeed who signs as the agent for Kong. Cornette asks for any final words.
Angelina asks for a chance to talk. She says that she knows that her and Kong have had problems in the past and it is time to put it behind them. She says that she is truly sorry. At Sacrifice, they should tear the house down and have a really great match for the most coveted women’s title in wrestling. After the match, she will treat Kong to a makeover. Love wants Kong to shake her hand and Kong does it but she does not let go. Kong chokes Love and then senior referee Rudy Charles yells at Kong and he gets power bombed through the table.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Angelina Love starting to dig a big hole that she might not be able to get out of against Awesome Kong.
We go to footage from earlier in the week of Lauren yelling at Abyss about what Dr. Stevie has done. Lauren says that Taylor is her friend and sorority sister. They find out that Dr. Stevie is out on business until Monday.
Time for the Kurt Angle video package.
Lauren is with A.J. Styles and she asks him about the I Quit Match against Booker. A.J. says that it is not just about the title, it is about pride. A.J. says that he could have quit many times, but he never said that he quit. A.J. talks about paying his dues and his wife talking about him quitting. A.J. says that it is not part of his vocabulary. A.J. tells Booker that he is in the same position and that means that Booker has not quit. Someone has to say it on Sunday and it will not be him. Lauren asks A.J. about his issues with Joe. A.J. says that there is nothing between him and Joe. We go to commercial.
We are back and Lauren is with Matt Morgan and she asks about Matt’s offers to join the Main Event Mafia. Matt says that when you are a big time athlete in a big time sport, you need to make a big time business decision. Matt compares himself to Kevin Garnett and he says that he wants to play for a winner. Matt says that he is the most marketable man in TNA. He tells Kurt that he hopes he does not take the loss personally.
Match Number Three: Matt Morgan versus Kurt Angle
They lock up and Morgan sends Angle into the corner in a show of strength. They lock up again and Morgan with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Morgan with a splash into the corner and then he hits a splash onto Angle and both men go to the floor. Morgan punches Angle in the head and then he sends Angle into the guardrails. We go to commercial.
We are back and the action returns to the ring and Angle with punches but Morgan hits a backbreaker for a near fall. Morgan with a reverse chin lock and he isolates the arms. Angel with punches but Morgan with a knee. Angle avoids a short arm clothesline and Angle hits the Three Rivers German suplex combination. The straps are down but Morgan avoids the Olympic Slam. Morgan with a bicycle kick but Angle kicks out. Morgan sets for a choke slam, but Angle with a counter into a victory roll and the ankle lock and Morgan kicks Angle off. Angle tries for a cross body and Morgan catches him and hits a fallaway slam. Morgan sets for the Hellevator but Angle with an inside cradle for the three count.
Winner: Kurt Angle
After the match, Angle shakes hands with Morgan before leaving the ring.
Time for Jeff Jarrett’s video package.
Lauren is with Jeff Jarrett and she asks the extent of his injury. Jeff says his hamstring will heal. He is not going to quit or let Mick win. This is about a battle between him and Mick Foley. The first one to blink loses. Lauren asks Jeff if he realizes the implications of the match on Sunday. Jarrett says that someone other than Mick Foley will win on Sunday and business will turn around. We go to commercial.
We are back with Lauren who is with Jenna and she asks what her role in the Main Event Mafia is. Jenna says that they were about to sign a contract to be involved in the group financially but there was a detail to iron out and that was Sharmell’s apology. Jenna says that Sharmell has until Sunday to apologize or there will be serious problems.
Time for a Mick Foley video package.
Match Number Four: Samoa Joe versus Jeff Jarrett
The match starts on the floor and Joe sends Jarrett into the crowd. Joe sends Jarrett into the wall and then he chops Jeff as they go into the bleachers. Joe sends Jarrett into the bleachers. Jarrett punches Joe and then he sends Joe into the wall. Joe returns the favor and then he kicks Jarrett. Joe sends Jarrett into the ringside area again. Jeff sends Joe’s head into the ring steps. Joe with a kick to the hamstring. The referee tries to stop Joe but Joe throws him out of the way. Joe sends the referee into the guardrail and then Joe returns to the hamstring. Joe applies more pressure to the knee and another referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Jeff Jarrett by disqualification
After the match, Joe hits Jarrett in the leg with a steel chair. A.J. Styles comes out to help Jarrett. Styles and Joe go after each other and they have to be separated. While all of this is going on, Jarrett is still down on the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and we take a look at Mick’s announcement of the four matches involving the Supreme Super Duper Sacrifice Match participants.
Mick Foley gets on the mic before the match and he talks about how this is a great night because in a non-title match, Mick Foley says that he will face one of the greatest superstars to step inside a ring. Security brings out a cardboard cutout of Rocky with a really old guy accompanying him to the ring.
Match Number Five: Mick Foley with steel chair versus Rocky Balboa
Rocky with jabs to Foley and Foley hulks up and hits a clothesline and then he punches Rocky and hits a suplex. Foley with a piledriver to Rocky followed by an elbow drop for the three count.
Winner: Mick Foley
After the match, Foley gets on the mic and he thanks the champ for fighting him tonight. Mick thanks the fans and then he gives the speech from the end of Rocky II.
Jeff Jarrett comes to the ring and he has a mic as well. Jeff tells Mick that he doesn’t want to hear his crap. Jeff says that Mick has made a mockery of his promotion and then Jarrett punches Foley. Kurt Angle comes to the ring and Angle with an Olympic Slam of Jarrett onto Rocky’s neck. Angle puts Jarrett in the ankle lock. Sting comes to the ring and Angle releases the hold. Foley hits Sting with the steel chair and Sting almost lands on Rocky. Jarrett hits the Stroke on Angle and then when Jarrett gets up, Foley hits Jarrett with the steel chair. We go to credits.
*Bobby Dempsey, Lance Bravado, and Bobby Beverly def Bruno Marciano, Ernesto Osiris, and a third guy. Sounded like Sid Green, but that could be wrong. Dempsey pinned the unnamed guy. Shiima Xion def Andy Ridge with a weird tilt-a-whirl facebreaker. Xion’s ring gear is ridiculously bright and neon.
The main show started with the wrestlers surrounding the ring for the 10 bell salute to the late lighting director Brad Mackie.
*Fallen Angel Christopher Daniels def. Mike Sydal with the BME. When Tyler Durden attempted an interview, Daniels simply said that he’s the best in the world, and he’ll go through the roster to prove it.
*Austin Aries comes out and cuts a promo saying that he will beat Jim Cornette at his own game and become the greatest manager ever and that his All Night Express will be future champs. The All Night Express then defeated Delirious and Jerry Lynn. Aries smoked a pipe the entire time, but without the smoke.
*Contract signing that will air the Monday prior to Death Before Dishonor. No shenanigans. Davey Richards and Tyler Black both sign, and Richards says it will be 1 on 1, that Hagadorn and Edwards will not be ringside. The Fallen Angel comes out and challenges both men after DBD to prove he’s best.
*Skullcrusher Rasche Brown defeated Ricky Reyes with a burning hammer. Reyes controlled most of the match, working on Brown’s knee. Erick Stevens attacked Brown after the match.
*Eddie Edwards’ 10 Minute Hunt against Nick Westgate. Edwards wins in about 2 minutes with his Achilles Lock while stomping on Westgate’s head.
*Sara Del Rey won a match with a piledriver. I heard Reggie as the name of the opponent. That could be wrong.
*Steve Corino defeated Colt Cabana by DQ when Cabana threw the ref down. Cabana set up two tables and then shuffleboarded a chair into the chair that was horse-collared on Corino. Colby Corino came down to distract Colt long enough to let Steen attack. Generico made the save.
Intermission.
*Josh Raymond and Christian Able (not called the House of Truth) defeated Up in Smoke (Cheech and Cloudy). Fun double team work.
*Kevin Steen def Bobby Shields with the crossface. Steen and Corino did commentary for the match. Corino says, “slap the porcupine,” which made me laugh. As he left, Steen sang along with his theme music.
*Necro Butcher vs. Erick Stevens never happened when Necro said that his time in the hospital in Dayton has basically bankrupted him and that he couldn’t afford to get hurt again. Necro said he had a replacement lined up. Grizzly Redwood defeated Erick Stevens with a schoolboy. After the match, Stevens destroys Grizzly until Rasche Brown makes the save. Brown gets ties to the ringpost and Nana said he had a new Crown Jewel and out came Necro in a suit and Jimmy Rave’s old robe. Necro hits Skullcrusher with a board that knocks him out.
*ROH Tag Team champions Kings of Wrestling defeated Dark City Fight Club by DQ when the Briscoes attack KoW.
*Daizee Haze defeated Jamilia Craft.
*Austin Aries and the All Night Express versus Tyler Black, Jerry Lynn, and Delirious was thrown out when Paul Turner lost control. In the midst of the brawling, Kevin Steen attacked Tyler Black with a package piledriver.
*The Americans Wolves defeated the Fallen Angel and Roderick Strong. Very good 20 minute match. Roddy had words with Daniels after the match.
Notes and Thoughts: The only indication of episode order was that the contract signing would air June 14. The Arena got pretty warm tonight. All the wrestlers and referees, even, were dripping with sweat. It was pretty full and loud, but running later than usual, the place thinned out and quieted down for the last two matches. The House of Truth is a fun tag team with some cool double team moves, but if you don’t like Jimmy Jacobs’ look, Josh Raymond is even less impressive looking. Necro Butcher in the Embassy is a bizarre twist, which will, no doubt, be explained economically. But overall a good show, and I'm sure the TV shows will be satisfying.RING OF HONOR ANNOUNCES SALE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP
BRISTOL, PA. (MAY 21, 2011)--Ring of Honor Wrestling owner, Cary Silkin, announced today the sale of the promotion to Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., one of the largest television broadcasters in the country and which owns and operates, programs, or provides sales services to 58 television stations in 35 markets across the United States.
ROH, currently the third largest wrestling promotion in the country, just celebrated its ninth anniversary, and Mr. Silkin is excited about taking the next step towards increasing the company's visibility and expanding its operations.
"We have been waiting for and working for this opportunity for quite some time", he said, "and of our 9 years in business, there has been no better roster of wrestlers than this one to expose the ROH product to the masses. With Sinclair's resources and many avenues of distribution, we believe many new fans around the world will be as captivated as those who have followed Ring of Honor over the years."
The month of September will see the debut of the new Ring of Honor television program which will be syndicated across the Sinclair network of stations, and with it, ROH will become the only wrestling promotion in the United States with a major, multi-market presence on broadcast TV. But if you don't live in a market with a Sinclair station, fear not, says Mr. Silkin. "Through our revamped website we will be able to make the TV show available to anyone in the world with internet access."
Sinclair officials are enthused about the project as well.
"We are very excited about this acquisition," commented Steve Marks, COO of Sinclair's Television Group. "Television and professional wrestling have a long history of successful partnerships and driving viewership. Unfortunately, the broadcast networks have not protected that relationship, allowing professional wrestling to migrate to cable network distribution. We believe that the powerful promotional platform that our TV stations provide, coupled with our 22% share of the U.S. TV households, will allow ROH to achieve name brand recognition and grow its share of the wrestling market. When you consider the makeup of our station mix and the number of CW, MYTV and FOX affiliates we operate, this is a perfect fit for our viewer demographics." Mr. Marks also noted, "Longer-term, we can envision syndicating ROH wrestling to broadcasters in markets where Sinclair does not have a presence, and even internationally."
Mr. Silkin assures the ROH fans worldwide that they will be seeing the same exciting, hard-hitting style of pro wrestling that they have become accustomed to. "We have established the name Ring of Honor as synonymous with the best in-ring action in the sport. The only thing that will change is that it will now be easier for fans around the world to follow. Our visibility will increase greatly--our production will be upgraded--but the work ethic of our incredible talent roster and our athletic style of wrestling will remain the same. This is what our fans have told us they want, and we will continue to give it to them."
The current front office staff, including Cary Silkin, Syd Eick, and Ross Abrams, will remain with ROH going forward. Hunter Johnston, a favorite of ROH fans for years as the masked grappler Delirious, will still handle matchmaking, Jim Cornette will remain as executive producer, and other familiar faces like ring announcer Bobby Cruise and senior referee Todd Sinclair will be in place."
Additionally, longtime wrestling broadcaster Kevin Kelly, already the voice of ROH internet pay-per-views, will assume the TV play-by-play chair this fall. Veteran NWA and WCW promoter Gary Juster will come aboard to be in charge of live event operations, which are planned to continue in current ROH markets as well as expanding into new locations concurrent with the increased TV exposure.
Mr. Cornette, who along with Mr. Johnston, will be in charge of talent and matchmaking, sees this as a new beginning for pro wrestling. "This is not old-school wrestling, and it's not sports entertainment," said Mr. Cornette. "This is wrestling for the 21st century, a new style developed by fresh, young stars that incorporates wrestling, mixed martial arts and high-flying, high-risk action with unique personalities, and it's showcased by a sports-based presentation completely different from any other product out there. In my 30 years in the sport, it's the most exciting live-event wrestling experience I've seen, and I'm thrilled to help bring it to broadcast TV."
A major press conference, open to wrestling press and mainstream media alike, is being planned for Baltimore on Friday, June 24th. This event will feature a number of the ROH staff and wrestlers both announcing news about ROH's future and answering questions. The media event will be presided over by new ROH COO, Joe Koff. Mr. Koff, a longtime Sinclair executive with an extensive background in TV sales and management, also has experience in pro wrestling television production and syndication. Most visible of his projects may have been the first-ever live, prime time syndicated pro wrestling events, the Battle of the Belts, which aired from 1985 to 1987. These Championship Wrestling from Florida-based cards were broadcast live to a syndicated network of stations and may be best-remembered for the classic Ric Flair vs. Barry Windham NWA World Title contest from St. Petersburg.
The press event will kick off a weekend which includes ROH's next internet pay-per-view event, "Best In The World 2011," live from the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Sunday, June 26th at 4PM EST. In addition to all the top stars on the ROH roster, this event will feature the return of some favorite stars from Ring of Honor's past, and can be ordered by anyone in the world with internet access through Gofightlive.tv for only $14.95. More information about Ring of Honor can be obtained through their website, www.rohwrestling.com.
On the official ROH Forums of the company website, Cary Silkin wrote the following:"It's a new dawn!!
I just want to take a moment to thank everyone for all the years of support.As corny as it sounds if is was not for the fans and the passion of all of you we would have never made it to this day. ROH will now live on bigger and better than ever.We look forward to this new era of ROH. Lots of news will be coming out over the next few weeks and I am thrilled to stay on with the company and be able to enjoy a bigger and better Ring of Honor.
Thank you Joe Koff and the Sinclair team for making this happen and I will see everyone in NYC !!!
It's a new dawn!!"
Oh yeah, there was a show too! Gregory Davis filed the following live report:
As always, I'm bad with numbers. It was close to a sell out. While it was almost filled to capacity, they now only use half the bleachers when compared to previous years, so that's a couple hundred less seats than in the past.We had no dark matches.
Jim Cornette came out to start the show. He explained everything that was announced earlier in the day. He also added a couple new details. The internet broadcast of the TV show will have a lot of extras with it, although he didn't say anything about whether or not that part would be paid or free. And he announced that the first TV taping would be right here at the Frontier Fieldhouse on August 13. He said all the stars would be here, and I think he said all the titles would be on the line. Tickets were I believe the usual prices, between $60 and $20. Finally, the whole roster came out as Cornette thanked them for all their hard work and for making this possible.
Throughout the night, I could see Jim Cornette at the production table talking with what I presume were the Sinclair representatives. I could only imagine what some of those conversations were like as the night went on. Speaking of representatives, Delirious came out a few times to watch the show, mask and all. I understand why he still has it on, but it's still weird to see him just casually watching the show among everyone in a mask.
1. Homicide defeated Michael Elgin with the Ace Crusher. Not that good. They worked hard, and hit some good moves, but it was way too slow, and they just couldn't gel together.
2. Adam Cole and Kyle O'Reilly defeated the Bravado Brothers. The Bravados tried cutting a promo, but were booed quite a bit. A quick, hard hitting match. Very fun. Cole and O'Reilly hit a combo of either lungblowers or codebreakers for the win.
Steve Corino, now freshly bald, came out to introduce his sponsor. He noted it was so easy to break rules, and so hard to be clean, especially for him, as he only has five moves. Before the sponsor came out, Mike Bennett interrupted him. Standard heel stuff from Mike, and eventually, Jimmy Jacobs came out to a nice pop. He was sharply dressed, with nicely groomed hair. He talked about how a few years ago, everyone, from the wrestlers to management to the fans, couldn't wait for him to leave. Most importantly, he said that he wasn't back yet, and that it's up to ROH to let him come back. Eventually, all the officials came out to make him leave, since his allowed time had ended.
3. Mike Bennett defeated Steve Corino with a piledriver. A good match, but a bit odd at times. Corino brought out the ring bell and gauged the crowd on whether he should hit Bennett in the face or crotch with it. Crotch beat face...... twice, as he did it two times. He would also tease the "thumb up the ass" bit, eventually doing it as well. But it was a piledriver at the end that won it for Bennett.
4. El Generico defeated Chris Hero. A little on the short side, but good while it lasted. To start, Generico brought out a toy hammer, and acted like Hero was Thor. The match originally ended with Hero getting the pin with his foot on the ropes. The ref eventually realized that, and restarted the match, which Generico then won quickly.
5. Davey Richards defeated Charlie Hass. Very intense. We also had a german suplex battle, as one would hit two in a row, the other would counter, and hit two of his own.
Intermission
Before the show resumed, the roster came out again and held a ten bell salute and moment of silence to both Randy Savage and Larry Sweeney, and then left to Sweeney's "More More More" theme.
6. Shelton Benjamin defeated Claudio Castagnoli with a top rope suplex. The "hey"s were out in full force. Good stuff as usual. I know I've been saying that alot, but that speaks of the quality of the action. Chris Hero and Charlie Hass came out to encourage their tag partners. After the match, I believe the two teams brawled, but Benjamin and Hass ended up standing tall.
7. Colt Cabana defeated Christopher Daniels. This featured one of my favorite chants: "Fallen Chippendale!" Before the match, Colt said Truth Martini shouldn't really be out here. The ref agreed, and Truth went to the bank. Another good match. Colt won with a unique top rope move. He was standing on the top rope, with Daniels on his shoulders, and he dropped straight down, driving Daniels into the turnbuckle.
8. The Briscoes defeated the All Night Express in a Chicago Street Fight. Despite their recent turn, the Briscoes were getting a lot of cheers. A hardcore, bloody brawl. There was a surprise table bump in less than a minute. There was also chairs, a fire extinguisher, and a ladder, which led to some insane bumps.
9. Eddie Edwards defeated Roderick Strong to retain the ROH World Championship. Another great, solid match. They definitely turned up the stiffness and intensity. I believe the match ended with a leg lock, rapid kick to the head combo. The House of Truth came out for a beat down, and Davey Richards made the save. To end the show, Eddie wanted Davey to fight him in a championship match, and he'd quit if it didn't happen. But Davey did accept, and I'd bet it'll happen at Best in the World.
As always, a great night of wrestling. I apologize for not being too specific with the moves, as they give you so much, that I can't remember them all. Maybe a bit long, as the show lasted four hours, but I can't complain when the action is this good.
2011 - The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame inducted their 2011 Class in Amsterdam, NY, honoring:Bronko Nagurski and Everett Marshall in the Pioneer Era category.
The Sheik (Ed Farhat) and Dick the Bruiser in the TV Era category.
Jerry Lawler and Ivan Koloff in the Modern Era category.
Billy Robinson in the International category.
The Road Warriors with Paul Ellering in the Tag Team category.
Vincent K. McMahon in the Colleague category.
Judy Grable in the Ladies category.
2011 - TNA released Terry Taylor from his role as head of talent relations, replacing him with Bruce Prichard. Taylor would later refer to the release as a gift as it allowed him time to spent with his wife prior to her passing following a battle with cancer.
2012 - WWE broadcast Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We begin with footage from John Laurinaitis’ match against John Cena. The photo slide show continues with the return of former WWE Superstar Big Show and Laurinaitis’ victory.
We are live from Richmond, Virginia and your announcers are Jerry ‘Jefferson’ Lawler and Michael ‘Madison’ Cole.
John Cena’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring with a purpose. Cena stews in the ring before starting to talk. He says that he has had a lot of these matches. He has won some and lost some, but he usually comes out and talks about his opponent and he moves on.
Cena wants to know what the hell happened last night. John Laurinaitis beat him.
John Laurinaitis beat him and it is not how it happens, but why the hell would that happen in the first place. Since Laurinaitis has been here, he has been a selfish, power hungry bully. Last night, Laurinaitis got a taste of his own medicine.
Last night was a blast. It was everything that it was supposed to be. People Power was about Laurinaitis getting his tail whipped and the people having fun. Then Laurinaitis ran away, only to have Big Show bring him back.
Cena points out that the man who Laurinaitis humiliated and fired in this ring, he brought Laurinaitis back and grabbed Laurinaitis by his scrawny neck. Cena says that he told Show he had this one. Show gave Laurinaitis to Cena, but then Big Show knocked him out cold.
Your winner was John Laurinaitis. Hindsight being 20/20, there were some experts who wondered why he toyed with Laurinaitis. Cena says that if Big Show was already paid off, Laurinaitis was going to beat him. He says that Laurinaitis deserved everything he got and ten times more.
Cena says that he has issues with Big Show. Show decided to sell out. Show says that there is no explanation for what Show did. Laurinaitis was going to be gone and whatever person or thing was going to be in charge of Raw was going to bring Show back.
We are now stuck with Laurinaitis. This match was about Laurinaitis winning and we are stuck with this People Power garbage.
This means that we are going to see some graphic where Laurinaitis is going to talk about how brave and hurt he is before he talks about the next pay per view.
Like clockwork, John Laurinaitis’ music plays and he was beaten so bad that he now looks like Eve Torres.
Eve introduces John Laurinaitis and he comes out in his motorized wheelchair. Eve helps John out of his Rascal.
Laurinaitis says that he was rushed to the emergency room and he had possible damage to his clavicle, his knee, and his spine. Laurinaitis says that he has potential nerve damage. It doesn’t matter because when he is in the ring, he is a fierce competitor. When he is outside the ring, he is a WWE Executive. He wants to make sure that Cena and everyone knows that they cannot lay a finger on him again.
If you do, you will be immediately terminated.
Laurinaitis introduces the man he rehired on Saturday and who got a big raise. It is the man John Cena is going to face at No Way Out. That man is the Big Show [and if he was hired back on Saturday, he did violate the Board of Directors {Thanks to Erik G for that one}].
Big Show says that everyone would probably like an explanation for his actions, but no one is entitled to his explanation.
Show says that last week, he was on his knees to Laurinaitis doing something he had never done before, he was begging for this job. Show says that he loves this business more than anyone. Everyone watched a grown man, a giant, crying on worldwide television.
Show says that he has no sympathy from anyone. Eighteen years of his life and nothing. Show says that he did what he had to do. He did what anyone would have done. Show says that he has an ironclad contract and he is proud of it. He wants to know how Cena or anyone else can judge him. Show tells Cena that he will be judging him and he tells Cena to look at him. He will be judging Cena on June 17th and there will be No Way Out. He will knock Cena out.
David Otunga comes out and he tells Cena that Cena lost to his boss and now it is time to lose to him.
Cena tells his former tag team partner that he is not in the mood and he tells Otunga to watch reruns of Law and Order because if he gets in the ring with him, he will hurt him.
Otunga thinks about it and he tells John Laurinaitis that he is dedicating this match to him.
Otunga does his Chris Masters pose before walking to the ring and potential injury. We go to commercial.
Match Number One: John Cena versus David Otunga
Cena goes after Otunga and Otunga cowers into the ropes. Otunga shows that his muscles aren’t enough to overcome Cena’s anger and he goes to the floor. Otunga returns to the ring when Cena goes to the floor. Cena goes back into the ring and Otunga goes to the floor. Cena teases going to the floor and he outsmarts Otunga.
Otunga with punches to Cena and then he poses while Laurinaitis gives the thumbs up. Cena with a punch and Irish whip followed by a splash and clothesline. Cena gets Otunga on his shoulders and he hits the Attitude Adjustment and then puts Otunga in the STF and Otunga taps out.
Winner: John Cena
After the match, Curt Hawkins, Titus O’Neil, Darren Young, and Tyler Reks attack Cena. Sheamus comes to the ring and he takes care of O’Neil and Reks while Cena takes care of Hawkins and Young.
Laurinaitis gets up and he tells Hawkins, Reks, Young, and O’Neil that he did not give them permission and they have to go back to the locker room.
Laurinaitis tells Cena and Sheamus that the crowd likes to watch them in action. They will be in a tag match tonight in a two on three lumberjack match.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Ricardo Rodriguez is interrupted by Santino Marella, showing that the US Champion has no respect for the greatest ring announcer in WWE.
Santino apologizes for coming out but he has been listening to Ricardo for a long time and he cannot understand what Ricardo is saying. He says that Ricardo’s accent is ridiculous. Almost as ridiculous as his eyebrows.
Ricardo and Santino go back and forth and Santino teases the Cobra and Ricardo falls back into the ropes. Santino hits Ricardo with the Cobra.
Santino introduces Alberto Del Rio.
Match Number Two: Alberto Del Rio versus Randy Orton in a We Didn’t Lose In the Four Way Last Night Match
They lock up and Orton with a side head lock but Del Rio backs Orton into the corner. Del Rio with kicks but Orton with a kick and he puts Del Rio in the corner and connects with punches. Orton with a slam and then he tries for the leaping knee drop but he misses. Del Rio with a round kick to the shoulder and then he tries for a single arm breaker but Orton pulls his arm out of the way.
Orton hits the knee drop and then he punches Del Rio. Orton climbs the turnbuckles and he punches Del Rio until Alberto rolls to the apron. Del Rio avoids the IEDDT and he sends Orton to the apron and hits an enzuigiri. Del Rio drops Orton on the top rope and we go to commercial.
We are back and Del Rio with an arm bar. Orton with a head butt and punches but Del Rio with a kick and single arm breaker for a near fall. Del Rio with forearms to the back of the neck and a boot to the head. Del Rio gets a near fall.
Del Rio returns to the arm bar. Orton with punches but Del Rio with a kick to the shoulder. Del Rio goes for a running boot to Orton but Orton moves and Del Rio goes through the ropes to the floor. Del Rio returns to the ring and Orton with two clotheslines which means that Del Rio will miss one and Orton hits the power slam. Orton sets up for and hits the IEDDT.
Orton looks around and then he twists into the RKO push ups. From out of nowhere, Chris Jericho hits the Codebreaker on Orton and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Randy Orton
After the match, Jericho says that he is the best in the world at what he does. Jericho repeats himself. Jericho keeps repeating himself until Orton gets up and Jericho hits another Codebreaker. Jericho says that he is the best in the world again and leaves the ring only to return for a third Codebreaker.
Daniel Bryan is walking in the back, and yes, we are going to commercial.
We are back and Daniel Bryan makes his way to the ring. Daniel Bryan says that last night at Over the Limit, a great injustice was done. He should be the new WWE Champion. If you missed Over the Limit, we have the footage. We see the footage of the tap out . . . after the referee called for the bell after making the three count.
Daniel says that it is Question and Answer time. Did he make CM Punk tap out? Yes. Should I be the WWE Champion? YES. If he faces CM Punk one more time, will he make him tap out again? YES!!
Bryan says that the only reason he is not the WWE champion is because of the gross incompetence of one referee and he demands a rematch.
CM Punk’s music plays and he comes out to the stage. He wants to clear up controversy. He says that it was one of the greatest battles of his life, but Bryan is forgetting one thing. He beat Bryan one, two, three in the center of the ring. Punk would love to settle this right now, but he wants to remind Bryan of what happened on Smackdown.
We see footage of Bryan hitting Kane with a chair and Kane attacking Punk on Smackdown.
Punk makes his way further down the ramp and he says that he was ashamed that he fell for that. There is nothing more that he would love to do than introduce Bryan’s opponent for the evening.
Kane makes his way to the ring.
CM Punk joins Cole and Lawler at the announce table.
Match Number Three: Kane versus Daniel Bryan
Bryan with kicks to Kane but Kane with an uppercut and kick. Kane punches Bryan in the corner and then he kicks and punches him. Kane with an Irish whip and splash into the corner. Kane moves out of the way and Bryan with a running drop kick into the corner. Bryan goes up top but Kane catches him and Bryan escapes. Kane goes over the top rope to the floor and Bryan with a suicide dive.
Punk gets up and he has a chair. He is going to hit Bryan with it but he decides to try to hit Kane, but Bryan stops him. Bryan grabs the chair and Bryan throws it away when Kane sees him. Kane with a big boot to Bryan and then Kane hits Bryan with the chair and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Daniel Bryan by disqualification
After the match, Kane hits Bryan repeatedly with the chair and then he brings Bryan into the ring and hits a choke slam while Punk gives some sarcastic commentary. Kane with a second choke slam.
Punk asks Lawler if he would like to check on Bryan. Punk goes into the ring to see if Bryan is O-K.
Punk asks Bryan if he is okay. Punk puts Bryan in the Anaconda Vice. Bryan pats Punk on the arm and head before Punk releases the hold.
We go to commercial.
We are back and CM Punk is walking in the back and AJ stops him. Punk is a little worried about this situation. Punk wants to know if AJ is going to tell him that she is off her rocker. AJ says that she enjoyed watching Punk beat up Daniel Bryan. Punk asks AJ if she is sadistic. Punk tells AJ that she is the one who has been acting like a fool the entire time.
AJ starts to cry and Punk looks around and thinks about doing the ‘there there, things will be better’ tap on the shoulder. Punk hugs AJ and he appears to be regretting it. He tells her that everything will be fine.
Punk says that he sort of digs crazy chicks and walks away.
It is time for the WWE Rewind: Paul Heyman mentioning that they were suing WWE for breaking an oral contract (ignore the opening segment to believe this one) and Paul’s threatened lawsuit.
Lawler and Cole talk about how Hunter will not be intimidated by Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar.
It is time to see the new Intercontinental Champion, Christian, make his return to Raw.
We go to commercial.
We are back with photos of Christian’s wins at Over the Limit.
Match Number Four: Christian versus Jinder Mahal
They lock up and Mahal with knees and a forearm to the back. Christian escapes a slam and hits an inverted DDT. Christian with a missile drop kick and Jinder goes to the apron. Mahal with a shoulder and back body drop that sends Christian to the floor. Mahal with a forearm across the chest and then he hits a knee to the chest. Mahal with a butterfly suplex and he gets a near fall. Mahal with a quarter nelson and chin lock.
Christian with punches but Jinder with a knee. Christian with a back heel kick and a sunset flip for a near fall. Christian with punches and running forearm. Christian slingshots to the floor and connects with an uppercut. Christian with a flying back elbow from the turnbuckles and then he sets for the Killswitch but Mahal counters with a suplex attempt.
Christian lands on his feet and Mahal with a knee. Christian escapes the camel clutch and hits the Killswitch and then hits a frog splash for the three count.
Winner: Christian
We are back and we see angry tweets from fans about Big Show and then we see Big Show’s response to John Cena.
Match Number Five: Beth Phoenix versus Kelly Kelly
Beth with a double leg take down and then she punches and kicks Kelly. Beth with a slam and elbow drop. Beth with a leg drop for a near fall.
We see Layla watching in the back.
Kelly with forearms and a kick. Kelly with a rana and a near fall. Beth with a clothesline and she rubs Kelly’s face in the mat. Beth pulls Kelly up by the hair and then she Irish whips Kelly into the corner. Beth misses a charge and Kelly hits a Thesz Press and then it is time for the spinning head scissors.
Kelly kicks Beth and then she gets ready for the handspring back elbow but Beth blocks it and hits Kelly with a Polish Hammer to the back of the neck. Beth with the Glam Slam for the three count.
Winner: Beth Phoenix
John Laurinaitis is puttering around on his Rascal and we go to commercial.
Match Number Six: Sheamus and John Cena versus the ‘John Squad’ of Jack Swagger, Dolph Ziggler, and Tensai with Vickie Guerrero and Sakamoto in a Handicap Lumberjack Match
The lumberjacks appear to be heels at this point.
Ziggler and Sheamus start things off and Sheamus with a hip lock take down. They lock up again and Sheamus with a side head lock take down. Sheamus with a shoulder tackle. Ziggler misses the Fameasser and Sheamus sends Ziggler into the air and gets a near fall.
Cena tags in and Ziggler tags in Swagger. Swagger with a waist lock and take down. Swagger floats over and slaps Cena in the head. Swagger does push ups and that is why you don’t do that crap in a match because Cena with a clothesline.
Tensai tags in and he connects with an elbow and shoulders in the corner. Swagger tags back in and he puts Cena in the corner and connects with shoulders. Swagger with a hard Irish whip and then Swagger misses the double jump Swagger bomb.
Sheamus makes the tag and he hits a few running double sledges. Sheamus with a shoulder and a running knee lift. Sheamus with a power slam for a near fall and Ziggler breaks up the cover. Sheamus sends Ziggler over the top rope to the floor.
Tensai tags in and they exchange punches and forearms. Tensai with a shoulder that sends Sheamus to the floor. Sheamus fights off the lumberjacks and then he hits a splash off the steps onto other lumberjacks.
Tensai with an elbow to Sheamus and an elbow drop before tagging in Swagger. Swagger with kicks to Sheamus and then Ziggler with a forearm across the chest. Tensai tags back in and he works on Sheamus’ neck.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus punches Swagger but misses the Brogue kick. Swagger applies the ankle lock and Tensai tags in. Sheamus with forearms to Tensai but Tensai with a hard Irish whip. Tensai with a splash into the corner and Sheamus goes down. Tensai sends Sheamus to the apron and then he kicks Sheamus to the floor.
The lumberjacks take their time to attack Sheamus and he fights off some of them before getting back into the ring. Tensai with head butts to Sheamus and then he chokes Sheamus. Swagger works on the leg while Sheamus is still on the apron.
Sheamus punches Swagger but Swagger with a drop toe hold and then he gator rolls Sheamus away from Cena. Ziggler tags in and he kicks. Sheamus tries for the Celtic Cross but Ziggler clips Sheamus and then hits the Fameasser for a near fall.
Swagger tags back in and he kicks Sheamus.
Big Show has made his way onto the stage while Swagger gets a near fall.
Swagger with an arm bar but Sheamus with head butts to get out of the hold. Swagger with a waist lock and he rolls Sheamus away from Cena. Swagger puts Sheamus in the ropes and Ziggler kicks him in the head while Swagger deals with the referees.
Tensai tags back in and he kicks Sheamus and connects with butt splashes in the corner. Sheamus with forearms but Tensai stops him. Tensai with a slam and leg drop for a near fall. Ziggler tags back in and he punches Sheamus.
Swagger tags back in and he punches Sheamus. Sheamus fights out of the corner for a moment and then he hits a fireman’s carry slam on Swagger. Cena makes the tag and he hits the two flying shoulder tackles followed by the Blue Thunder Bomb. Time for the Five Knuckle Shuffle but the lumberjacks go after Sheamus so Cena goes to the floor.
There is pandemonium in the ring and the lumberjacks have entered the ring with the five people in the match.
We have replacement lumberjacks and they run to the ring (while Khali walks). It is time to get ready for the Royal Rumble. . . that is eight months away.
John Cena goes up the ramp for Big Show.
CM Punk goes after his Season One rookie, Darren Young and then we go to the back where John Cena wants to know where Big Show is.
John Cena ponders something and then he turns into a Big Show punch.
We go to credits.
2013 - PWInsider.com broke that longtime WWE Producer John "Big" Gaburick would be leaving the company shortly and was in the process of finishing his run. Gaburick was probably best known among fans for his time in front of the camera as a mentor and Producer of sorts during the early Tough Enough seasons on MTV. Gaburick's departure was somewhat surprising as he was considered close with Kevin Dunn. One source believed the departure was the result of the company's "changing landscape" as Stephanie McMahon and Triple H continue to overhaul the internal structure. Gaburick had been with the company since the 1990s and would quickly land a job running TNA's production, talent relations and creative ends.
2013 -
The following press release was issued today:
Georgia Lottery Introduces New IMPACT WRESTLING GameIf you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
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