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August 4th
On this day in history in ....
1966 - Fritz Von Erich defeats Johnny Valentine in Fort Worth, Texas to win the NWA American Heavyweight Title for the second time.
1976 - Seji Sakaguchi & Strong Kobayashi defeat Tiger Jeet & Gama Singh to win the National Wrestling Federation Asian Tag Team Title in Tokyo, Japan.
1983 - Tatsumi Fujinami defeats Riki Choshu via countout to win the WWF International Heavyweight Title in Tokyo, Japan at Sumo Hall.
1984 - Super Medics I & III defeated Invaders I & III in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the WWC World Tag Team Title.
1989 - Cactus Jack & Scott Braddock defeat Jeff Jarrett & Matt Borne for the World Class Wrestling Association World Tag Team Championship in Dallas, Texas. The belts would soon become the USWA World Tag Team Championship.
1990 - Lance Idol & Rick Valentine defeat Super Medics I & III in Caguas, Puerto Rico to win the WWC World Tag Team Title.
1997 - WCW stomped WWE in the Monday Night Wars. Nitro, headlined by Lex Luger defeating Hulk Hogan for the WCW World Heavyweight Title, Dallas Page defeating Ric Flair via disqualification, and Chris Benoit defeating Syxx via disqualification, did a 4.4 rating. Raw earned a 2.7 rating, headlined by Dude Love defeating Owen Hart, Triple H vs. Vader ending in a double countout, and The Godwins defeating The Headbangers.
2001 - Race Steele defeats Cody Hawk in Batavia, Ohio to win the HWA Title for a third time.
2002 - Don Owen, who promoted the Pacific Northwest Wrestling territory for decades, passed away at 90 years ago.
2002 - WWE broadcast Heat. John Keane filed the following TV report:
Matches taped on 7/29 in Greensboro, NC.
Your Announcers are Jonathan Coachman and D’Lo Brown.
Pyros explode, Coach and D’Lo welcome us in, we go straight to work…
1st Match: Matt Hardy vs. Steven Richards.
Pre-match, we hear from Matt-he plans to avenge his loss to the former Right To Censor leader suffered on lasts weeks Heat.
Nice pop for Matt, crowd despises Steven. Matt bails from the ring as Steven makes his way down, throws some forearms, whips Steven into the guard barrier. Matt rolls Steven in, follows, Steven to corner, Matt ascends 2nd turnbuckle, gets in a 9-count of punches, jumps back onto ring surface to deliver #10, Steven down and up at ropes. Matt whips him off opposite, elbows Steven down, drops a fist, covers for 2. Matt removes his shirt, gets the high-pitched pop, chokes Steven with shirt until warned off by ref. Steven crawls to ropes, Matt approaches, Steven tosses him through ropes and out of ring. Matt quickly to apron, Steven scores with an elbow, tosses Matt into ring post, sending him down outside. Steven rolls Matt in, follows, drops a trio of elbows to the lower back. Matt up slowly, Steven scores kick to kidneys, suplex sends Matt down for 2. Steven brings Matt up, tosses him face first into turnbuckles, continues to work on lower back with shoulder shots, follows up with another suplex, Matt down in pain. Steven pauses for the taunt, lays in a kick to the back, gets in a snapmare followed by a full nelson into a modified Camel Clutch. Matt gets to feet, elbows out, scores a suplex, both men down. Steven up first, sets for another suplex, Matt floats over, scores with a neckbreaker, both men again down. Both up slowly, the 2 exchange punches, Steven goes for a kick, Matt grabs the boot, whips the leg, scores a knockdown punch. Up, Matt tries for whip, reversed, Matt off ropes, scores with a clothesline, Steven down for 2. Steven up in corner, Matt whips him to opposite, Steven gets the elbow up, Matt staggered, Steven charges, Matt pulls out a hiptoss into a neckbreaker, Steven down for another 2. Up, Matt tries for the Side Effect, Steven elbows out, sets for his version of the Twist of Fate, takes too long, Matt wriggles free, hits the Side Effect, just gets 2. Up, Matt scores kick to gut, sets for Twist of Fate, Steven shoves him off, Matt off ropes, Steven throws him over opposite, Matt skins the cat, makes it to feet on apron. Steven approaches, Matt gets in a shoulder to gut, springboards over top, tries for a sunset flip, Steven keeps his leverage, gets Matts shoulders down for 2, Matt counters with a body scissors, gets Steven down for 2. Up, Matt scores a textbook body slam, goes to 2nd turnbuckle, drops the leg, no cover, both to feet, Matt scores boot to gut, sets for Twist of Fate, Steven evades by grabbing ropes, Matt goes down. Up, Steven scores a running bulldog, Matt down for 2. Steven brings Matt up, sets him on top turnbuckle, goes up top himself, sets for bulldog, Matt elbows out, scores HIGHLY modified Twist of Fate off the top turnbuckle, Steven down for the 1-2-3.
Winner: Matt Hardy.
Backstage, Terri interviews William Regal. She asks about his upcoming match with Goldust. After making Terri squirm by bringing up her past marriage to the Bizarre One, he promises to unleash the ‘Power of the Punch’ later this evening. Break.
Back, we recap last weeks Raw. General Manager Eric Bischoff opened the show by bringing out the 3 newest members of his roster, Test and Tag Team Champions Christian and Lance Storm, collectively known as the Un-Americans. The 3 made their presence felt later on, laying a beating on The Undertaker after he’d defeated Chris Nowinski in an impromptu match. As ‘Taker was laid out, Test announced the demise of the American Badass. Break.
Slam of the Week: As Ric Flair prepared to make an announcement in the ring last week on Raw, Chris Jericho ran in from the crowd and laid out the Nature Boy with a chair shot. He then got on the mic to declare that once again, ‘Raw is Jericho!’
Back, Raven’s music hits, and the sole exclusive member of the Heat roster heads to the announcers table. Reminding D’Lo and Coach that last week he announced his plan to make the show his personal playground, he joins the 2 on commentary. OK….
2nd Match: Shelton Benjamin vs. Justin Credible.
Polite pop for Shelton (who, by the way, is a black cat with a great physique), usual ton o’ hate for Justin. Lockup, Shelton goes behind, gets Justin down for a quick pair of 2-counts. Justin goes to ropes, voices his displeasure at being the victim of good ol’ fashioned wrestling prowess, Shelton waits him out, the two again lock up, Shelton drops to canvas, scores a fireman's carry takedown into an armbar. Justin to feet, Shelton wrings the arm, Justin fires off punches, breaking hold and sending Shelton to ropes. Justin whips him off opposite, Shelton baseball slides under a kick attempt, gets to feet, scores with a dropkick, Justin down and up, Shelton follows up with a hiptoss, Justin down and up in corner, Shelton scores with a monkey flip, follows with an armdrag takedown into another armbar. Justin to feet, camera goes off action to the announce table, Justin apparently broke free, whips Shelton into corner, goes for a monkey flip of his own, Shelton lands on feet, Justin tries a clothesline, Shelton counters with a leg sweep, Justin down for 2. Up, Shelton slaps on a side headlock, Justin to ropes, breaks out of hold, shoots Shelton off opposite ropes, shoulder block sends Justin down for 2. Up, Shelton goes for whip, Justin off ropes, scores a swinging DDT, Shelton down. Justin brings him up, sends him face first into top turnbuckle, turns him around, lays in a chop, Shelton down. Justin lays in boots, applies heel choke, broken up by ref. Justin gets in a quick forearm, scores his trademark sit out powerbomb, Shelton down for 2. Up, Shelton at ropes, Justin slaps on a headlock, Shelton shoves him to corner, breaking hold. Shelton lays in shoulders to gut, Justin counters with a kneelift, Shelton down. Justin goes to bring him up, Shelton fires off knockdown punches, whips Justin off ropes, brings him up, gorilla press slam sends Justin to canvas. Up, Shelton ducks a clothesline, scores a Northern Lights suplex into a bridge, Justin down for 2. Justin up in corner, Shelton lays in punches, tries for whip, Justin puts on brakes, whips Shelton back toward corner, Shelton puts on brakes before colliding with ref. Shelton turns, Justin scores a Superkick, Shelton down for 2. Justin up, sets for another Superkick, Shelton slowly to feet, blocks the kick, goes for one of his own, Justin catches the boot, whips the leg, Shelton scores spinning heel kick, Justin down for the 1-2-3.
Winner: Shelton Benjamin.
During and after the match Raven was in D’Lo’s face, mainly questioning the legitimacy of his educational background. D’Lo took it in stride at first, seemed to be getting pissed off as we headed to break.
After a commercial for the new Fozzy CD (featuring Chris Jericho on lead vocals) we go back to work…
3rd Match: Johnny Stamboli vs. Spike Dudley.
Light heat for Johnny, surprisingly big pop for Spike. Spikes ribs are taped, Johnny takes quick advantage, laying in forearm shots to the midsection as Spike enters. Johnny sends Spike off ropes, sends him to canvas with a HUGE back body drop. Johnny continues to work on ribs, Spike to ropes, Johnny lays in choke, broken up by my hero, referee Nick Patrick. Johnny goes for another whip, Spike off ropes, scores with a dropkick, both men down and up quickly. Spike lays in chops, tries for whip, reversed, Spike off ropes, scores head to gut, Johnny staggered. Spike gets a schoolboy rollup for a 2-count, Johnny to feet, hits a kneelift, follows up with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, Spike down for 2. Up, Johnny scores with another knee, brings Spike up in delayed vertical suplex position-decides to drop Spike gut first onto top rope instead. Spike down at ropes, Johnny brings him up, sets for another suplex, Spike floats over, scores with a bulldog, both men down. Up, Johnny backs Spike into corner, scores shoulder to gut, lays in barrage of forearms and kicks until warned off by ‘Saint’ Nick. Johnny to opposite corner, charges, Spike sidesteps, Johnny into corner, Spike lays in forearms, tries for whip, reversed, Spike bounces off turnbuckles, goes down, Johnny makes leisurely cover for 2. Johnny brings Spike up, locks in an abdominal stretch combined with forearm shots to ribs. Johnny keeps up the stretch, grabs the ropes for leverage, Nick kicks his arm away with righteous wrath, Spike scores hiptoss out of nowhere, Johnny down and up quickly, Spike off ropes, clotheslines Johnny down. Up, Spike again off ropes, tries for a crossbody block, Johnny catches him, sets Spike on top turnbuckle. Johnny lays in forearms, sets for superplex, Spike fires off punches to gut dropping Johnny to canvas. Spike up top, flies, lands on feet on Johnny’s gut. Johnny up slowly, Spike goes for Dudley Dog, Johnny puts on brakes, scores the Fuggetaboutit, Spike down for the 1-2-3.
Winner: Johnny Stamboli.
During the match Raven kept up his verbal harangue on D’Lo. After, the two appeared ready to get it on at the announce table. Raven made to exit, then turned and tried to hit D’Lo with a clothesline. D’Lo ducked and tossed Raven over the announcers table. Raven took his leave, Coach calms D’Lo down, we go to break.
After a replay of the D’Lo/Raven confrontation more we get a recap of the Shawn Michaels/HHH storyline. I’ll try to make this brief: 2 weeks ago on Raw, Eric Bischoff appointed Shawn as HHH’s manager. HBK balked at taking Bischoff's orders and made to leave the arena, only stopping when Hunter persuaded him to stay, citing interesting plans for the future. Later on that show the 2 teased a DX reunion, quickly ended when HHH laid Shawn out with a Pedigree, then exited wordlessly.
Flash forward to last weeks Raw. As Bischoff and the Un-Americans were in the ring, Shawn came down the ramp and demanded that Eric give him a match with Hunter. Bischoff stated that HHH hadn’t arrived at the venue, and Shawn left to seek him out after trading some verbal jabs with the Canadian faction. As Shawn patrolled the backstage area he had less than pleasant encounters with Booker T and The Big Show, then told a worker to inform Hunter upon his arrival that he’d be waiting or him in the parking lot.
Later in the show Hunter finally arrived and hit the ring. He announced that he’d been the one to come up with the plan to make Shawn his manager. He then challenged Shawn to either get in the ring, or to swallow his pride and accept the managerial role. As HHH waited, a ringside technician relayed a message that caused him to leave the ring and exit to the parking lot. There he found a crowd of wrestlers gathered around a bloodied and unconscious HBK next to a car with a shattered windshield. As Shawn was put into an ambulance Bischoff confronted HHH and made a thinly veiled accusation that he was responsible for the assault. Hunter responded with a not at all veiled “F*** YOU!”.
Coach announces that Shawn was released from the hospital last Friday-hopefully we’ll be getting a full update tomorrow night. Final break.
Snap of the Night: Last week on Raw, Chris Benoit defeats Rob Van Dam to become our new Intercontinental Champion.
Coach reminds us that Chris, along with Eddy Guerrero, jumped to Smackdown last week. On to our Main Event…
4th Match: Goldust vs. William Regal.
Pure hate for William, very nice pop for the Man from Hollywood. Stalling to start, extended lockup, Goldust forces William to corner, ref calls for break as William begs off. Another lockup, Goldust slaps on a headlock, William elbows out, Goldust off ropes, shoulders William to canvas. William to corner, the 2 circle, attempt another lockup, William drops to mat, scores an armdrag takedown. Up, William works an armbar, Goldust reverses, William somersaults through, attempts to re-apply armbar, Goldust counters, tosses William to canvas. William up in corner, another lockup follows, William gets in a knee to gut, Goldust to ropes. William forearms him to corner, tries for whip, Goldust reverses, William bounces out of corner, goes down to back body drop. Up, Goldust tries for a crossbody, William catches him, Goldust gets crotched on top rope. William to corner, running forearm brings Goldust down inside. William lays in boots, bring Goldust up, scores with a knee to gut, Goldust doubled over, William off ropes, Goldust takes a knee to the face, goes down for 2. Up, the 2 exchange punches, Goldust scores a pair of forearm knockdowns, tries for whip, reversed, Goldust to ropes, puts on brakes, William sets for back body drop, Goldust slides under, scores slap of doom, William down. Up, Goldust sets for the Curtain Call, William elbows out, starts digging into his trunks, gee wonder what's in there, Goldust seizes the opportunity, rolls William up for the 1-2-3.
Winner: Goldust.
Post-match, William lays out Goldust with the ‘Power of the Punch’ (AKA brass knuckles shot).
Coach and D’Lo hype tomorrow nights Raw to end the show.
OK show this week, matches were good, recap seemed WAY excessive-hopefully the ‘Who assaulted HBK’ storyline will have a decent payoff. The Raven/D’Lo angle was kind of interesting, maybe it’ll lead to a match between the 2 in the near future, possibly with the Heat announce gig on the line
2002 - NWA TNA Saturday Morning TV aired in different syndicated markets. Phil McConnell filed the following TV report:
NWA TNA Saturday Morning Report
By: Phillip McConnell
Welcome to the NWA TNA Saturday Morning Report, I'm Phillip McConnell. I was in attendance live for the show this week, as I have been each week since NWA TNA moved their live shows to Nashville. Each show has been a lot of fun and anyone with the chance should come to Nashville and see the show live, well worth the $10 or $15 for a ticket. This show airs each Saturday morning at 9am(central time) on the local UPN station.
Flames appear on the screen and the TNA logo swings in and we are underway with NWA TNA Saturday Morning.
Show starts off with B.J Whitmer vs. Matt Stryker. Stryker is the HWA Crusierweight champion. Announcers are not talking about the match but rather are talking about the match coming up this Wednesday night between Truth and Ken Shamrock. This match (along with all the other matches) are not shown in whole just the highlights. Whitmer with a firemans carry into a gutbuster. Fast foward (will indicate this from now on with FF from now on) to Whitmer nailing Stryker with the Kidman Powerbomb. Whitmer in total control. FF to Whitmer missing a diving headbutt off top rope. FF to Stryker making his comback. Announcers finally start to talk about the match. Stryker with a Victory Roll and 1, 2, 3 Matt Stryker gets the win. On a side note both guys where to wrestle last week in a dark match but due to time constraints didn't get to wrestle, with them last week was Matt Dillinger who I talked with and is a class act.
(Commercial Break)
Jermey Borash and Bert Prentice make their first appearance of the morning and they start talking about this past Wednesday nights show. Borash talks about meeting the Dixie Chicks and James Taylor at dinner last Wednesday night after the show. Prentice ask Borash to name one James Taylor song to which Borash responds "I Feel Good" which was sung by James Brown. Prentice then ask Borash to name one Dixie Chicks song to which he replies "Stand By Your Man" which was his second wrong answer in a row. Prentice says Borash may not know is music but he does know his wrestling. This leads to Borash and Prentice talking about Jeff Jarrett and his actions Wednesday night but instead of just talking about it they decided to show up some of the highlights.
Jeff Jarrett interview highlights starts off with Jarrett beating down on midget Todd Stone. Puppet comes down to the ring to confront Jarrett. Jarrett says tonight he is the Dwarf Destroyer. Puppet pulls out a (very fake looking) gun. Jarrett runs off and security enters the ring. With Puppet distracted Jarrett nails him with a steel chair which brings out Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat. Steamboat gives us the classic Vince McMahon line of "we can do this the easy way or...the hard way". FF to Steamboat jumping into the ring backing up Jarrett with karate stances. FF to Scott Hall entering the ring behind Jarrett then nailing him with a hard right hand. FF to Hall talking on the mic to Jarrett about their match and how Jarrett is going to be the one going out on a stretcher at the end of the show.
Cutback to Borash and Prentice talking about what we just saw and they go straight into...
Jeff Jarrett vs. Scott Hall highlights. Action starts on the entrance ramp. FF to action back in the ring with Hall hitting the Fallaway Slam on Jarrett. FF to more fighting on the entrance ramp and into the backstage area. Jarrett pushes Jerry Lynn out of his way and then hits Hall with a chair from Discos' Jive Talkin' set. FF to Hall throwing Jarrett into the corner where he has set up the stretcher. Hall places the stretcher across the ropes in the corner then crotches Jarrett across them. Hall takes the stretcher and hits Jarrett with it across the back. FF to Hall hitting Jarrett in the face with the stretcher and then putting Jarrett in the (Insiders, Outsiders, Razors) Edge. Truth comes out to stop the ref from counting three. Monty Brown comes out to take care of Truth and as the fight away from the ring Jerry Lynn comes in and hits a slingshot into a splash on Jarrett. Hall goes for the pin but gets only 2. AJ Styles comes down, nails Lynn and makes his way to the top top rope. Don
(CB)
Borash back and interviewing Goldy Locks. She has on her Anti-Dupp shirt. Borash ask her to pick a winner in the NWA World Title match this Wednesday night. She picks the Truth. Borash then ask Goldy to pick a winner in the TNA X Title match and Goldy picks Jerry Lynn since he is the vetern and because as she says "he is from my hometown Minnesota". Talk turns to Goldy'smusic. Borash plugs her website www.goldylocks.com
(CB) End of first half hour
Borash and Prentice back and talking about the new Miss TNA Bruce of the Rainbow Express. Leading to...
Taylor Vaughn vs. Bruce for Miss TNA. Segment starts with Vaughn making her way to the ring to talk with Don West. Bruce quickly shows up and challenges for the Miss TNA crown. FF to Vaughn taking off her heels then suplexing Bruce. She goes for the pin but Burce kicks out. Vaughn then slams Bruce and goes for the pin again. FF to Bruce and Vaughn rolling around in a catfight style. FF to Vaughn trying to whip Bruce across the ring but Bruce puts an end to the match by hitting a sitout out face down powerbomb for the win.
Borash interviews Bruce. Bruce wants to be introduced as Miss TNA. Bruce then tries to show Borash how to wave. Borash quickly tried to change the subject. Bruce says no one can take the crown from him because it means to much to him. Then says the reason nobody will take the crown from him is (Bruce licks finger and touches the back of his hip) "because I'm to hot". Bruce walks off to end the interview.
(CB)
Borash and Prentice back. Prentice makes fun of Borash's voice saying it is to high pitched and giving him hearing loss. They encourage fans to keep bringing more signs and say they don't make signs like some other people do (WWE). Borash leaves to answer cell phone (running gag on the show is Borash always talking on cell phone-usually Prentice's cell). Prentice hypes this Wednesday nights show and throws it to...
Discos' Jive Talkin' from this past Wednesday night. Disco introduces Goldy Locks. The bleeped out Disco calling her a "dumb bitch". She comes out and gets in his face about what he just called her and says she is leaving. He apologizes. They sit and start to talk about her music. Disco talks mentions the Bee Gees and the Village People and ask who she sounds like. Says she is told by some she sounds like a female Kid Rock. FF to Disco telling Goldy to take off her shirt and show her breast. She says she doesn't see him showing the would his hairy balls. Balls was also beeped out. FF to Goldy slapping then kneeing Disco and the Paulina putting Goldy in what looked to be a sleeper. Paulina then walks Disco out.
(CB)
Borash and Prentice back. Borash still on cell phone. Prentice says Borash is on his phone again. Borash says he isn't so Prentice goes to see where his phone is. Prentice comes back and says his phone is gone and to go to a commercial break so he can politely kick his (Borash) ass. Borash quickly turns talk to the X division and send it to...
Low Ki vs. Jerry Lynn highlights. This is my first chance to hear the AJ Styles commentary and he does sound very country. Ki and Lynn with some nice chain wrestling. Audio for some reason is out of sync with the video. FF to Ki catching Lynn with an elbow in the corner. Lynn then catches Ki bouncing off the ropes with a Tilt-A-Whirl back breaker. FF to Ki putting Lynn in the Bite of the Dragon (dragon clutch in the ropes). FF to Lynn taking Ki up in the Gory special and then flipping him out face first onto the mat. FF to Lynn going for the Craddle piledriver but Ki holds on and turns it into a armbar submission hold. FF to Ki hitting Lynn with a flying forearm then a dropkick. FF to Ki hitting Lynn with a stiff kick. Lynn bounces up and nails Ki with a clothesline as Ki was looking into the crowd. Ki back up, ducks under another clothesline attempt by Lynn, springboards off the middle rope and hits a sweet kick to the side of Lynn's head. FF to Ki going for the Tidal Crush put
(CB) End second half hour.
Borash and Prentice back and hype the show this coming Wednesday night. Prentice plugs the NWA Main Event show in Columbia, TN tonight and his show in Hopkinsville, Kentucky this Friday.
Borash interviews Ricky Steamboat. Steamboat says he was honored to be part of the first NWA TNA show. Says he has been watching the last few weeks. Mentions how Jarrett, Malice, and Truth have done pretty much what ever they wanted the last few weeks. That is why he is here. NWA asked him to be a troubleshooter. They told him his word is gold and what he says is what will happen (that could be an indication of Steamboat turning heels since people in authority with lots of power usually are heels in wrestling). Borash then talks about Steamboats career. Borash says his favorite Steamboat match (as is mine) as the WrestleWar '89(that's 1989 for you kids out there that don't remember anything before Nitro started). against Ric Flair. Steamboat says that and his match against Randy Savage at WrestleMaina III are his favorites also. Steamboat also talks about wrestling Don Muraco, Jake Roberts, Sgt. Slaughter and teaming with Jay Youngblood.
(CB)
Borash and Prentice back and talk about the Truth vs. Ken Shamrock for the NWA World Title. Prentice calls Borash two faced for always talking good about everybody involved in match before hand and never picking a winner. Borash then does the same thing again talking about Truth vs. Shamrock much to Prentice disgust. Prentice calls for them to roll the footage.
Truth interview highlights. Truth shown talking to the TNA dancer. He says she is being exposed for "their" benefit and the almighty dollar. Tells her to talk about "them". He then mocks her by talking in a high pitched voice about not being used and that she is a dancer. He then says all she is is a two dollar ho. Ho of course was beeped out. Says he destiny is on the corner of a street in the hood. FF to Monty Brown attacking Truth from behind. FF to Truth throwing Brown into a wall then hitting him across the back with a trashcan followed with a 2 x 4. FF to Ricky Steambody calling out the Truth. Truth on the mic talks about Steamboats WWF (get the E out) career. Brings up WrestleMania III. Truth says the Intercontinental title was for second class citizens. Truth then says that 15 years later they are pulling the same "shiznit" on him and he isn't going to take it. Truth tells Steamboat that he (Steamboat) can change things. Steamboats says he hates to say he knows where Truth is coming from, and gives him a title shot.
(CB)
Highlights shown again of all the run ins near the end of the Scott Hall vs. Jeff Jarrett match.
(CB)
Borash and Prentice back. They hype this coming Wednesday nights show again and that ends the show.
My notes:
-The Shark Boy vs. Jimmy Rave match that was taped before the PPV was not shown.
-Matches and incidents that were shown on the PPV that didn't make the morning show were...
--NWA TNA X Title Match AJ Styles (Champ) vs. Elix Skipper
--Monty Brown beating down Elix Skipper after Skippers' match
--Sonny Siaki interview and then his match against Slash. Also not shown was the post match blood ritual with James Mitchell that included Don Harris run in.
--Apolo vs. Malice and the post match blood ritual that also included Don Harris run in
-Only one new match was announced for this Wednesday night that hadn't already been announced as Miss TNA Bruce will defend his crown and sash against Taylor Vaughn in an intergender evening gown match.
This weeks show was very good and hit all the key moments from Wednesday night except the the X title match and matches involving Slash and Malice. That's it for this weeks' NWA TNA Saturday Morning, have a great week and see you after NWA TNA PPV this Wednesday night with my live notes from the show.eloci
2002 - WWE broadcast Velocity. Matt Zylbert filed the following TV report:
WWE Velocity
Hosted by Michael Cole and Mark Lloyd
Report by Matt Zylbert - BigShot5021@aol.com
Get ready to experience total Velocity!
Yes, that is the extremely corny line Michael Cole usually uses to open the show every week, but luckily, he didn't this week! Hello all and welcome yet again to my domain of excellence. As you know, I am your Weekly-Saturday Night-Wasting reporter, Matt Zylbert, and THIS is the 'five-star' 1Wrestling.com Velocity report that is worth more than gold. With the intro all said and done, let's just send it down to our ring announcer, TONY THE CHIM, for the opening bout....
Hardcore Holly vs Albert
Don't ask me why, but I've really started to like Albert. Is it his music? Is it his classic squashes? Is it his hairy body? Is it his cool Baldo Bomb finisher? Is it his screaming? I don't know, but as long as I've got that "Like stuff that most people find annoying" mentality, then I'm an Albert fan! And THIS week on Velocity, here is the big man himself in the opening match, set for one-on-one action with Hardcore Holly, and I bet you can just FEEL the suspense in this one, ladies and gents.
"I love Hardcore Holly," says Michael Cole at the start. Well that explains A LOT of things. Yep, Cole likes his men, even if they are 'hardcore' or not. Wink Wink. Heh, to the match now as Hardcore Holly gets in some punches to start, but would fall victim to a club to the back of the head from Albert soon after. The big man would now work over his opponent in the corner with some punches, while screaming in the process. Oh I like that. Despite receiving a boot to the face from Holly in the corner, Albert comes back with a shoulder block. However, he misses a splash on the follow-up, and now Holly looks to capitalize. He gets in some chops and punches, but that offense wouldn't last long, as Albert drills him with a bicycle kick for a near fall. Albert would now work on Holly in the corner with some punches and choke using the boot, before hitting his famous "I-Like-To-Scream-While-I-Run-And-Squash-My-Opponent-In-The-Corner" ram. Ouch. Marky Mark calls it a "locomotive", and I officially announce Mark Lloyd to be the coolest guy in all of WWE. Unfortunately, he's stuck with a disgrace of a journalist named Michael Cole. How Cole even made it past elementary school is beyond me. Anyway, Albert continues the dominance as he slingshots Holly from under the second rope. On the pin after, Albert gets a count of two, and now resorts to the chinlock. Hardcore would punch his way out of it, but runs into a back elbow soon after, and thus, Albert is back in control. That wouldn't last long though as Albert eats knees on a Vader Bomb attempt, and now Holly drop toeholds his adversary into the second turnbuckle. Hardcore would follow up with a flying forearm, and then hits beautiful dropkick, only to get a near fall on the pin after. The North American Grizzly tries to gain the advantage at this point with a gorilla press slam, but Holly gets off, and is able to then perform his signature kick to the groin area. That's gonna do some damage. Holly follows up with a nice top rope crossbody, but again for a near fall. Hardcore then goes for the Alabama Slam, which obviously doesn't work, so Cole questions the point of going for it. Hey, Hardcore's 6'6', 400 remember? He's a damn super heavyweight! Albert now goes for a powerbomb attempt, EVEN THOUGH MICHAEL STUPIDLY THINKS IT'S A BALDO BOMB, but Holly gets out. He then actually hits the Alabama Slam to gain an impressive victory. Good win for Hardcore, and I think Michael Cole actually gets dumber every week. Is it possible?
Winner: Hardcore Holly
Commercial
Footage from during the break, as Holly goes over to the announce table to yell at Lloyd and Cole, and then actually slaps Marky Mark. Who the hell does he think he is?! First of all, no one, and I mean NO ONE, messes with ma' man Mark Lloyd, because when you do, you mess with me. Anyway, Cole and Lloyd have no idea why Holly did that, but I'm assuming it was because he heard Michael Cole say he loves him during his entrance. Only he confused Cole with Lloyd. Ya know what, I think I have lost all respect for Hardcore Holly. Plus if I ever see him, he better watch out for a Baldo Bomb courtesy of yours truly. And just remember Marky Mark, I got yo' back.
Mike Awesome vs Faarooq
Well this should be fun. For those interested, Awesome and the aPa had a pretty intense feud during the Invasion last summer. Yeah, it was never acknowledged, but to me, it was pretty BIG. There was a period of time on Jakked/Metal where most of the main events were Mike Awesome and [Insert any low-card Alliance Member right here] versus the aPa. Now one year later, after losing every single one of those matches, Awesome is out for revenge!
To the match now as after both men break-up on a tie-up in the corner, Awesome gets in a few cheap elbows, before receiving a back suplex for his troubles. Meanwhile, Cole says how he "talked to Faarooq earlier in the day", and he said that he's not in a good mood, and would like to put Mike Awesome back on the injury shelf. Uh-huh, yeah, sure. Would anyone actually waste part of their Saturday talking to Michael Cole? Didn't think so. Back to the match as Awesome heads outside, where Faarooq follows him to do some more damage. He slams his face into the steps before we head back inside, and that would be where Faarooq continues his offense with a shoulder block. Awesome would come back with a drop toehold into the ropes, and I guess this is the start of his jobber offense. Let's see, there's a clothesline from Awesome for a two count, like that will ever work, and then a scoop slam. Awesome would hit a pretty nice top-rope clothesline for another two count, and as he was heading up top, Cole said it could be a big mistake. If he actually did his homework, he would know that Awesome always does a top-rope clothesline. What an idiot. Awesome proceeds to hit another clothesline for yet another two count, and on commentary, Cole starts bragging about Smackdown and its wrestlers, and then goes on record to call it the better show. Well it's certainly NOT because of you, Michael. And I'm guessing he's totally oblivious to the fact that RAW gets higher ratings. After a rake to the eyes, the Awesome one knocks Faarooq down and puts him in a rear chinlock. A mistake though would cost Awesome his offense, as Faarooq got in a knee to the groin, and like I said with Albert, that's gonna do some damage, boys and girls. Faarooq capitalizes with a quick powerslam for two, but would fall victim to a DDT soon after. Awesome then makes the flaw of talking trash and taking his time. Uh-oh. Yeh, here it comes. Awesome runs right into the vicious spine-buster from Faarooq, and that's that. Awesome is 0-2 since returning, but I think I can now officially declare him a member of "Jobbers Inc: We job for YOU!" Hey Awesome, while you're there, you might as well get acquainted with Club President, Justin Credible. You could be there awhile.
Winner: Faarooq
Commercial
Extreme Blast of the Night: Two weeks ago on Smackdown, Lesnar makes his presence felt by giving the... oops, I pressed the "F5" button on my keyboard by accident. Silly me. Anyway, let's just put it like this: Lesnar demolishes Mark Henry and Hulk Hogan after some brief run-ins from two weeks ago.
Lloyd and Cole show us some of the highlights from Smackdown, that being the funny Kurt Angle interview, which Hogan interrupted and made a complete fool out of himself. Were the people cheering for him out of pity? And let's not forget how Hogan STOLE Jericho's "Shut the hell up" quote. I wouldn't be surprised to see Jericho complain about that. And we also see the Angle/Hogan match, which Hulk won by DQ. I think Angle may actually be the "Next Big Thing" because you gotta admit, he basically does everything without flaw.
Commercial
Billy Kidman vs Funaki
I believe this is the third time these two guys have faced each other in the past two months, but I can't really complain. Despite the winner being known from a mile away, Kidman and Funaki have went on to put up some pretty good matches together, so let's hope we get the same result here.
We get some basics from both men to start, leading into a face-first slam from Kidman for the quick two count. On commentary, Michael finally talks about that incident with Nidia, and makes the excuse that Noble and Nidia are two sick, whacked out people. Look who's talking. Michael also gets in the "I'm a happily married man" excuse, but I think that's a load of crap. What woman would actually ruin their life by marrying Michael Cole? Ugh. Back to the match as Funaki takes control after sending Kidman through the ropes and into the post. As he fell, Kidman also went into the steps, and this is the EXACT same bump Kidman took in his match with Chavo from the last episode of Jakked/Metal. Only difference is that KK isn't here to give the sound effects. "Thud, thud, boom, boom, ow, ow," says I, in honor of the great Kevin Kelly. Heh, anyway, after sending Kidman shoulder first into the fan barricade, the action would head back in where Funaki goes to work on the left arm and shoulder. A single-arm DDT from Funaki at this point would get a two count, and now Funaki continues the damage on that arm. He works a sitting arm-bar, and despite Kidman punching his way out, the Indeed One would counter a suplex attempt with an arm bar take down. That's the way. Kidman would come back anyway though, as he makes his opponent pay for a mistake with his signature fireman's carry neckbreaker. Kidman follows with a clothesline for a near fall, and would lose control after an enziquiri from Funaki. On the pin after, Funaki gets two, and he would get another two count following a DDT. The former Hardcore Champion now heads up top, where Kidman corrals him. Funaki shoves him off, but Kidman shows off his resilience by getting up, going back up top, and performing a nice top rope hurricanrana. That move beat Funaki last time, but it does NOT beat him here, as Kidman gets a close two count. As Kidman goes for a powerbomb, Funaki gets off the attempt, but then makes the mistake of going for a powerbomb of his own. YOU CANNOT POWERBOMB KIDMAN! The former Cruiserweight Champion proves my point with a face-buster, and then hits the Shooting Star Press to pick up the win. Nice, solid match-up.
Winner: Billy Kidman
Slam of the Week: The first ever UN-DES-PUTE-ED Champion interrupts Ric Flair's "big announcement" with a chairshot, and this marks his return to RAW. These two will probably face off at Summerslam, and the bad thing about it is that one of these guys will have to job again. Flair has basically been the face-jobber whipping-boy for the heel main-eventers, while Jericho's been the same vice versa.
Lloyd and Cole show more highlights from Smackdown, and this time it's Steph introducing her two newest acquisitions, that being Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero. Bischoff is then of course taken out of the building, and we see the Rock/Edge vs Benoit/Guerrero match. Steph better watch out now because I have a feeling Bischoff is gonna "KNOCK HER OUT!"
In a RARE Velocity backstage segment, Hurricane talks to Shannon Moore about their re-match coming up with Billy and Chuck. He says that he shouldn't worry about losing, since Billy and Chuck are former Tag Team Champions (I don't think that even matters anymore), and if Rico gets involved, he has to stay focused on the match. Okay, that was exciting.
Commercial
Billy & Chuck w/Rico vs The Hurricane & Shannon Moore
You look sooo... good to me. Just great, I have Billy and Chuck's theme music stuck in my head. And yes, this is the same match that opened up last week's Velocity, and now one week later, it's the main event. Huh? Maybe it has to do with the fact that there was some actual build-up.
To our MAIN EVENT now as this pretty much pointless Tag Team match is set to happen. The Hurricane and "The One" start us off, and it's Billy out in control after a kick to the mid-section as Hurricane posed. He follows up with punches, but would lose control after a flying head scissors. Hurricane would then hit a Japanese Shining Wizard, as Marky Mark calls it. To me, it was a modified version of the ghetto blaster, but Lloyd is never wrong so I'll take his work. Anyway, it gets a count of two on the pin after, and now Hurricane would hit a modified bulldog as Billy went for a face-first slam. WWE's crime-fighter goes for another pin, and as Chuck tries to break it up, he ends up going into Billy as Hurricane got out of the way. Now all four men would get involved, and Hurricane and Shannon would clearly have the advantage. Hurricane gets Billy in the tree of woe, and as Shannon irish whips Chuck, the super-hero drop toe-holds him right into Billy's crotch. Oh boy, now THAT is gonna do some damage. Chuck would get his team back in the match by taking down the Hurricane, allowing Billy to tag him in. Chucky Cheese would then hit his beautiful overhead belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall, before tagging back out. Billy comes in and hits a delayed jackhammer right off the bat for another two count, and then tags Palumbo back in. Chuck connects on consecutive elbows, all for two counts, before putting on the sleeper. Hurricane keeps the arm up the third time as referee Jimmy Kordaris was dropping it. After some elbows, Hurricane gets his boot up and into the face of Chuck in the corner. He then follows with his second rope neckbreaker, which Michael Cole once called the Overcast a few months ago, but hasn't called it that since. That's what happens when you make up goofy names without permission. Both men would be down at this point, and they both tag. As expected, Shannon keeps his team in control as he dominates Billy. He hits his cool modified swinging neckbreaker, before heading up top, where he would connect on a nice corkscrew moonsault. Chuck breaks up the pin, and now Hurricane gets involved. With all four men in, I'm gonna borrow a line from Scott Keith to say it's BONZO GONZO! Hurricane and Shannon double clothesline Chuck to the outside, and as they work on Billy, Rico pulls out Hurricane. The stylist receives some Hurripunches for his troubles, and back in, Billy hits the Fame-Asser on Shannon. A pin later sees Hurricane JUST make the save. Rico is back on the apron now, only to be knocked off by Hurricane. Our superhero then hits the HurriChokeSlam on Billy, before putting on the cape and going to the top rope. In a bit of irony, Hurricane leaps off the top on to Rico, rather than on Billy. Why is that ironic? Well HE was the one that told Shannon to keep focused on the match, rather than Rico. As Hurricane tries getting back in now, Billy knocks him off. Shannon uses this too his own advantage, as he gets Billy up top now. Chuck would get back into the mix of things, as Shannon goes for a swinging hurricanrana on him. Instead, Chuck holds him and flips the newcomer around on his shoulders, enabling Chuckabilly to perform the Doomsday Device for the win. Good, non-formulaic tag match, and Michael Cole wasn't as annoying as he always is.
Winners: Billy & Chuck
Cole and Lloyd quickly hype up Confidential coming up next, and that'll wrap things up.
Another 'five-star' Velocity report has entered the record books, so until next week, this Matt Zylbert wishing you guys a great week, and I'll see ya next week! Peeeeaaaace.
2002 - WWE ran Pittsburgh, PA. Julian Cantella filed the following report:
The August 4, Raw Brand House Show in Pittsburgh, PA began at 7:03, with Howard Finkel's entrance to the familiar strains of Guns 'N' Roses "Welcome to the Jungle."
Only the bottom two tiers (including the floor) were filled, and even these had pockets of empty seats; there were a couple thousand people there at best. Fink read the rules, and then the show began.
Match 1: Stevie Richards vs. Shelton Benjamin
Richards, despite initial heat, gets a small pop by ridding the building of the guest ring announcer from local UPN 19. Benjamin, who gets a very small pop, begins the match with some amateur wrestling but falls prey to the three count after Richards rolls through a top-rope cross body block at 7:05. This match was respectable but bland.
Match 2: Chris ³Harvard² Nowinski vs. Goldust
Nowinski and Goldust enter to pretty good crowd reactions, but quickly calm the audience down with sloppy armdrags. After kicking out of Nowinski¹s crappy finisher (double underhook slam of some sort) Goldust puts him away with an ugly powerslam at 7:25 to end a pretty bad match.
Match 3: Women¹s Title: Molly Holly (ch) vs. Trish Stratus
Molly gets decent heat, butt (pun intended) Trish¹s reaction is somewhat stale. This match begins as a comedy affair, with Charles Robinson getting bumped and falling onto Molly, leading Trish to administer a two-count, but quickly becomes the standard match-up between these two. It ends when Molly reverses Trish¹s Stratusfaction into a belly-to-back suplex (with tights and ropes used) for the pin at 4:12.
Match 4: Raven and Justin Credible vs. The Hardy Boyz
The arrival of Raven and Credible leads to the expected ³ECW² chant, which is quickly drowned out by a stunningly large pop for the Hardyz (and not just the girls, although they continue to react throughout the match). Raven, who has been very unmotivated lately, and Credible, who sucks, drag the match down quickly with STALLING AND BRAWLING (I¹m patenting that one). A Twist of Fate/Swanton Bomb combo ends a surprisingly bad match at 6:13.
Match 5: Tables Match: Buh-Buh Ray Dudley vs. The Big Show
The stipulation-which is made on the spot after a long and obvious promo-helps give this match the most heat of the night so far. Show through Buh-Buh around for a while before putting his knee through a table. Finally, Buh-Buh fights back with some groin shots and the Flip Flop N Fly. A distraction from Trish allows Buh-Buh to flapjack Show through a second table and win the match at 7:50. This was surprisingly decent.
Match 6:Tag Team Titles: Lance Storm and Christian (ch) vs. Undertaker and Ric Flair
The Anti-Americans enter to little heat, so earn some by deriding America in the usual fashion. Undertaker and Ric Flair enter to decent pops, though why that odd team is challenging for the titles is not explained. Taker¹s new music is absolutely horrid live, splitting my eardrums and earning my wrath. The Champs stall forever, acting afraid of TakerŠand not much else happens for the rest of the match. Storm and Flair botch an entire sequence of moves, leading to the Undertaker chokeslamming Christian for two. Hebner is bumped twice, a second referee is bumped, but Hebner awakes just in time to see UT and Flair hitting the Anti-Americans with stereo chairshots. This gives the DQ win to the Champs at 13:57, ending a disappointing but OK match.
Intermission
Match 7: Sean O¹Haire vs. D¹Lo Brown
No real reaction for either man. O¹Haire, much like Brock Lesnar, has been taken down from an excellent wrestler to another power-based source of boredom since moving up to the WWE. D¹Lo puts O¹Haire away with the Sky High Rydien Bomb at 5:55 to end a non-descript match.
At this point, a lady sits down next to me in the one vacant seat in our row. I immediately sense something wrong, as she is emitting a foul, foul, stench. This analysis is coming from a male teenager, mind you, who¹s normally used to smells- we¹re talking hardcore nastiness here. Sure enough, things get worse, as she begins talking to herself. Neither of these things bother me too much; that is, until she starts laughing maniacally and speaking in tongues! In tongues! We¹re talking freaky Exorcist-type stuff here, with stuff that sounds like excerpts from the Necronomicon chanted aloud in Sumerian. Suffice to say, I get freaked, but being the brave recapper that I am, I soldier along, keeping my fear in check.
Match 8:Hardcore Title: Bradshaw vs. Tommy Dreamer (ch)
Bradshaw grabs the mic just to point out how fat some guy in the audience is, just because said audience member told him he sucks. Bradshaw is a face mind you-that kind of stuff is juvenile and pisses me off. Either way, standard hardcore match follows, with the only original spot coming when Dreamer grabs Bradshaw¹s privates with tongs! Bradshaw wins the Hardcore title at 6:30 with a Clothesline from Hell, but after interference from Justin Credible and Planet Stasiak, loses it back to a Dreamer DDT at 7:00.
Match 9:Booker T vs. William Regal
Regal: ³I would just like you all to knowŠthat from the bottom of my heartŠI despise each and every one of you.² Booker T enters to a monster pop and puts Regal down for the count at 6:30 with a scissor kick. Booker teases leaving immediately but gives the fans a Spinaroonie after some stalling to a huge reaction.
The Voodoo Lady next to me amps up her insanity meter by putting on some lipstick, only to pull out a can of Coke and start drinking it, leaving a nasty lipstick stain on the can. She then gets up (with a limp and a crutch) and starts ³dancing² to Booker T¹s music as he leaves. This stuff is just too weird to make up.
Main Event/Match 10: Rob van Dam vs. Chris Jericho
I knew going in this would be Match of the Night, it would just be a matter of how good it was. Both come in to pops, though Jericho turns it around with a promo, a la the Anti-Americans earlier tonight. Jericho does a gamenigiri (!), but follows up with the Cocky Pin for only two. Jericho¹s Flashback also only gets two, and the Walls are reversed to a near fall by RVD. RVD gets the spinkick/Rolling Thunder combo and finishes it with a one-two punch of the Van Daminator and Five Star Frog Splash for the pin at 9:50. Match was good (maybe ***) but not too great.
Overall, this show was solid but unspectacular-maybe just worth the fifty bucks a ticket I paid (including service charges and the like).
Biggest Pops
1. The Hardy Boyz
2. Buh-Buh Ray getting the tables
3. Booker T/Rob Van Dam
4. Undertaker
5. Ric Flair/Goldust
Most Heat
1. The Anti-Americans
2. Chris Jericho
3. Chris Nowinksi
4. William Regal
5. The Big Show
2003 - Raw earned a 4.0 rating. Here is Tim Whitehead's original report on the show:
The 8/4 episode of RAW IS SLOW aired live from Vancouver. There was a good match in the second hour, but much of the show was either boring or badly booked.
The opening montage featured highlights of Shane McMahon's return last week, where he triple chairshotted Kane.
Shane came out to a decent pop to start the live broadcast. He promised to finish what he started with Kane, and to make his life a living hell. Some would say Kane's life has been a living hell since the Katie Vick angle. Shane had barely gotten started when Eric Bischoff arrived. The crowd called him an "a**hole". I guess they were familiar with him. Bischoff said he understood how Shane feels, and claimed to be appalled at what Kane did to Linda McMahon two weeks ago. He asserted that he would have stopped Kane that night if it weren't for the fact that Linda earlier had given him the night off and sent him home. Bischoff also recalled how Kane chokeslammed him off the stage a few weeks ago. He said he hates Kane and would love to see Shane get revenge on him. But, alas, Bischoff reported that Vince McMahon has ordered a Kane vs. Rob Van Dam match for SummerSlam. Shane said that was fine, since he didn't want to wait till SummerSlam. He was ready to fight Kane right there in Vancouver. But, alas again, Bischoff said Vince was angry that Shane punched him last week, so he's ordered that Shane not be allowed to fight Kane at all. Bischoff gave Shane the option of leaving the arena on his own, or being hauled out by security. Shane called Bischoff a parasite and dared him to make him leave. Bischoff reminded everyone that he's a black belt and got in Shane's face. At this point, Steve Austin came out to start the "what" nonsense. Austin at first pretended to side with Bischoff, for no apparent reason. He told Shane he'd better leave or Bischoff would kick his ass using his black belt skills. He said Bischoff has a thing for Linda and alleged that he privately said nice things about her breasts. Austin then stopped the pretence and sided with Shane, offering to grant him a no holds barred match against Bischoff. Bischoff said he can't fight Shane because the new rules ban general managers from physically battling the talent. Austin said Shane isn't a contracted WWE superstar, so the rules don't apply. Bischoff again refused to fight, but then got a smirk on his face and reversed himself, saying he would be glad to fight Shane. There was a lot of reversing in this opening segment, which was too long, by the way. It was agreed that Shane would fight Bischoff no holds barred in the main event.
A commercial aired for the Freddy vs. Jason movie. I think the one marrying the producer's daughter will win.
Bubba Ray Dudley defeated Rene Dupree in 2:40. Bubba started on offense, but Sylvan Grenier interfered to give Dupree control. Bubba came back with a neckbreaker and a crossbody off the second rope. Grenier got in the ring and tried to lariat Bubba, but he ducked and Dupree took the blow. D-Von got Grenier's French flag and clocked Dupree with it, allowing Bubba to score the pin after a Bubba Bomb. Dupree juiced from the flagpole shot. No heat for most of the match.
Triple H was relaxing backstage, resting his groin, which was legit injured in the dark match against Goldberg after last week's RAW. Randy Orton asked about the injury, and Ric Flair joked that three pretty female therapists have been helping HHH's groin heal. Considering who HHH is planning to marry, a groin injury could indeed jeopardize his career. Anyway, Bischoff stormed in, all agitated. He wanted to cut a deal with HHH.
Footage aired of last week's Australia tour.
Randy Orton defeated Scott Steiner in 4:09. Orton claimed that more people came to the arena to see his nipples than to see Stacy Keibler's. Well, maybe some of the ladies did. I hope he isn't planning to get implants. The match began, and it had no heat. Jerry Lawler & Jonathan Coachman took the opportunity to report that Jim Ross is recovering well and may be back next week. Steiner suplexed Orton, who rolled out to the floor. Orton used Stacy as a shield to get an advantage over Steiner. Steiner delivered a somewhat clumsy powerslam. Steiner did his push-ups after an elbow drop. Orton appeared to be in trouble after taking another suplex, but Test ran in. Steiner pounded Test and dumped him from the ring, but the distraction was enough to allow Orton to hit the RKO and score the pin.
HHH & Flair were watching Orton's win on a monitor. Bischoff wanted their attention, and kept asking HHH if they had a deal. HHH agreed to the deal, and told Bischoff to calm down and not wet his pants. Lawler & Coach, of course, wondered what the deal was.
Rosey told Hurricane he's ready to become a superhero. But Hurricane said his hurrisenses tell him otherwise. He indicated that Rosey still has a long way to go. Christian walked up and said Rosey's superpowers must consist of being able to eat a stack of cheeseburgers in a single bound. Christian (who was scheduled to wrestle Hurricane) took credit for injuring Booker T on the Australian tour. Rosey held up a box with the "s**t" logo on it. He said it was his superhero kit. Hurricane repeated that Rosey wasn't ready for superhero status. Rosey said, "We'll see about that," after Hurricane left. This angle is kind of silly, I guess, but they've managed to give Rosey some personality.
Shane was shown doing warm-up exercises in preparation for his bout against Bischoff.
Bischoff, delighted that he cut a deal with HHH, encountered Rodney Mack. He boasted that a guy such as himself always plans ahead. Austin arrived and sent Mack away. Bischoff bragged that HHH would be in his corner for the match against Shane. In return, Bischoff had made the HHH vs. Goldberg match at SummerSlam into a no-DQ bout. That way, Flair & Orton could interfere legally to help HHH. Austin was angry over this. Bischoff claimed that if Austin hadn't delayed so long last week (actually two weeks ago) in accepting Linda's new rules for staying on as general manager, he might have been able to stop the deal, but now he can't do a thing about it. That made no sense at all.
This week's WrestleMania Recall was Jeff Hardy coming off a ladder to put Bubba Ray Dudley through a table in 2000.
Christian beat Hurricane in 2:14. Lawler said Rosey could be the Incredible Bulk as a superhero. Hurricane hit a spinning headscissors and somersault splash to the floor. Hurricane hit a crossbody for a near fall. Christian blocked the chokeslam and ducked to avoid the shining wizard. Christian scored a pin out of nowhere with a roll-up using the tights. Christian got a lot of cheers since he's Canadian. After the match, Hurricane told the ref Christian used the tights, and the ref called Christian back to question him about it. Since when is that the policy? Christian returned and attacked Hurricane. Just as Christian was about to hit the unprettier, Rosey arrived. He was wearing a T-shirt with "Super Hero in Training" written on it in plain lettering, a mask, and had a tablecloth for a cape. He laid Christian out. Hurricane was impressed, and they posed together as heroes, though Rosey had to be reminded to stand behind Hurricane, since otherwise he blocked him out of the camera's view with his girth.
A police van arrived carrying the shackled Kane.
Hour two began with Goldberg defeating Ric Flair by DQ in 4:38. This should have been the main event, but it was downplayed the entire first hour since neither guy is a McMahon. HHH came out and did color commentary. Lawler noted Goldberg's impressive ring entrance and HHH said he's all show and no go. Flair chopped Goldberg, who no sold. Goldberg tossed Flair across the ring. Flair sneaked in a chop block and went to work on one of Goldberg's knees. Goldberg fought back, backdropping and powerslamming Flair. Flair, who got a ton of cheers, raked Goldberg's eyes. Flair went to the top, but got slammed off as usual. Orton ran in at this point and hit Goldberg with a chairshot for the ultra-lame DQ. Orton & Flair doubled on Goldberg as HHH casually strolled down to the ring. HHH retrieved the sledgehammer from under the ring and hit Goldberg in the gut with it. He was about to hit him again when Shawn Michaels made the save. Jericho then ran in to a huge babyface pop and went after Michaels. Kevin Nash arrived and the momentum shifted to the babyfaces, so the (supposed) heels retreated to the floor. As if this wasn't enough, Austin showed up on the ramp top, and yes, the "whats" started yet again. Austin said he couldn't change Bischoff's decree making the HHH vs. Goldberg SummerSlam match no-DQ. But he said he could add to it, so he turned that match into an Elimination Chamber match with HHH, Goldberg, Michaels, Jericho, Nash, and Orton. Okay, let's forget the logic, or lack of it, involved in allowing Austin and Bischoff to make all these rulings unilaterally, each one-upping the other. Let's instead ask why the Elimination Chamber is being brought back after less than a year. That's one of those special gimmicks that's special precisely because it's very rare. HHH is legit injured, so he presumably can't go long in a singles match, so this protects him, since he can stay on the sidelines and then lose on a fluke. But if Goldberg is supposed to go over, and that may or may not be the case, he needs to go over in a decisive manner, such as a quick, clean singles win. HHH's injury already provides him with some cover for losing, so why not lose straight up in a quick match? Because the boss' son-in-law doesn't lose like that, that's why. Anyway, back to the action, Flair tried to wallop Goldberg with a chair, but Goldberg speared him.
Terri interviewed Slamball commissioner Pat Croce at ringside. He was putting over his league when Jericho ran back into the ring and tried to attack Michaels & Nash, who were still hanging around for some reason. I guess they didn't see that "no loitering" sign. Jericho took Michaels down and pounded him, but Nash laid Jericho out with a jackknife. The crowd cheered Jericho like crazy here.
Backstage, a medic attended to Flair, who was selling Goldberg's spear like crazy. Bischoff came in and asked HHH if their deal was still on. HHH said it would only still be on if Bischoff could overrule Austin and cancel the Elimination Chamber plans for SummerSlam. Bischoff said he couldn't do that. Someone needs to officially explain exactly how power is divided between Austin and Bischoff. I mean, why doesn't Bischoff have the power to add to Austin's decree, such as stipulating that HHH can only lose the title if he's pinned 18 times by each of his five opponents? But since Bischoff couldn't go any further, HHH said the deal was off and he wouldn't be there to back Bischoff up against Shane.
Trish Stratus beat Molly Holly by DQ in a women's title match in 2:24. They traded quick two counts. Trish did a headscissors takedown and a dropkick. Molly bumped to the floor. Trish went out after her but was attacked by Victoria for yet another cheap DQ. Victoria went for some sort of slam on Trish, but she lost her and Trish ended up landing on Victoria's leg. There was a weak post-match fight with Victoria (who was now limping) arguing with Molly, though they both went after Trish again. Gail Kim ran in and threw Molly and Victoria from the ring. She helped Trish up but then turned heel on her and beat her up. Damn, they're ruining Kim's career before it even starts.
Shane attacked the police van carrying Kane. The van no sold every one of his blows, as if Vanamania was running wild. There were a bunch of cops there guarding the van, and about half of them hauled Shane off. kicking and screaming.
Lance Storm admitted that he's boring and needs help. Well, marrying the boss' daughter might help, but she's already taken. Storm asked Goldust for help. Goldust was happy to be of service, and promised to show Storm how to have fun. This should lead to some entertaining vignettes.
Bischoff approached the van and told the remaining officers that Shane overpowered the cops who hauled him off. So they all went off to help their fellow officers fend of this maniac from Greenwich who manhandles cops four at a time. This left the van unguarded, making the Vancouver police department look incompetent as hell. I guess they were all rookies since half that city's force got wiped out in that Ecks vs. Sever movie last year. Bischoff then pulled the key to unlock the police van from his pocket. How did he get the key? And if he had it, how were the cops supposed to let Kane out when the time came? And why was Kane even there, since he didn't have a match scheduled and Vince had banned Shane from wrestling him? See, I can't even wait for the rhetorical questions at the end to ask these things.
Rob Van Dam defeated Chris Jericho in 11:25. Jericho was cheered again, which guaranteed he'd lose. They started a little slow but it built very well. RVD hit a spinkick and a thrust kick. Jericho went for a charge in te corner but hit the post and bumped out to the floor. RVD dived out but Jericho moved and RVD hit the security barrier. Jericho slammed RVD on the floor and went on offense inside the ring, scoring several twos. RVD suplexed Jericho out to the floor for a big bump. Back in the ring, RVD blocked the walls and scored two on a cradle. Jericho scored two after a kick. RVD hit a spinkick and went for the rolling thunder, but Jericho got his knees up. Jericho went for a lionsault but RVD rolled clear. Jericho then rolled clear when RVD tried a frog splash. Jericho hooked the walls but the ref forced him to break the hold when he got caught using the ropes. RVD then laid Jericho out with a kick and scored the pin after a split-leg moonsault. Good match! And it did make sense for RVD to win since he faces Kane at SummerSlam, though that match could end up being changed due to some angle involving Shane. Jericho threw a tantrum afterward, claiming his loss was due to a conspiracy, blaming it on Nash for jackknifing him earlier, which left him at less than 100% here presumably. He called Nash a big, stupid son of a bitch and challenged him to a hair vs. hair match, saying Nash's hair is his most prized possession, so he plans to take it from him. That should prove interesting.
Bischoff was seen smiling broadly. The police van was shown empty.
Eric Bischoff beat Shane McMahon in the no holds barred match in 3:22. Bischoff brought one of the tech guys in the ring before the match and sparred a little with him, showing off his karate skills. Shane arrived. Bischoff flattened him with a few kicks. Shane tackled Bischoff and began punching him. Kane started down the ramp. Shane immediately forgot about Bischoff and went after Kane on the floor. Shane was acting totally crazed and had Kane reeling for a few seconds with wild punches and kicks. He choked Kane with a cable. Kane overpowered Shane, gave him the boot to the face, and posted him. He then gave Shane a tombstone piledriver on the stairs. Kane rolled the unconscious Shane back into the ring, where Bischoff easily pinned him. Bischoff had a bloody nose, presumably from an errant punch. The show ended on a flat note, as this match wasn't very good, and Bischoff simply walked over to the broadcast desk and demanded half-hearted high fives from Lawler & Coach to conclude the program.
2003 - WWE ran a Smackdown live event in Edmonton, Alberta. Mack filed the following:
Just got back from the WWE House Show in Edmonton. I had a great time and the show was solid from top to bottom. Of course having Second Row Floor Seats made me enjoy the show that much more. Attendance looked to be between 3000-5000.
Ultimo Dragon pinned Spanky with his Flipping Inverted DDT. Both men got decent pops. Solid Match and a great way to kick off the show.
WWE U.S. Title Match: Eddie Guerrero beat Matt Hardy by DQ, after Eddie brought the belt into the ring but threw it to Shannon and fell on the ground "pretending" to be knocked out, just as the Ref got up. Eddie got the second largest pop of the night. Crowd was 100% behind Eddie...of Course after his tremendous Ladder match with RVD last May, Eddie is almost guaranteed an overwhelming pop in Edmonton.
.
WWE Tag Team Title Match: WGTT beat APA and The Basham Brothers in a triple threat match. A.P.A were OVER. Pretty decent match. Lots of A.P.A and Bradshaw chants throughout. I started a Faarooq chant and Ron Simmons gave me a "WTF Look". The Bashams got their fair share of "Jobber" chants as well. WGTT win after one of the Bashams is pinned. A.P.A lays a whupping on WGTT after the match, Bradshaw drinks a beer.
Sable won a Three Way Bikini Contest over Dawn Marie and Nidia. The "Judges" were Funaki,The Local DJ and of course, the fans. Sable wins by recieving the largest pop.
WWE Cruiserweight Title Match: Rey Mysterio Pinned Jamie Noble using The Amazing Red's finisher, The "Code Red". The Crowd was totally behind Rey.
John Cena Pinned Billy Gunn with his Foot on the ropes. Cena received the largest Heel Heat of the Night after cutting a promo where he called us ugly and brought up our recent problems with Mad Cow Disease. I seemed to be the only one cheering him after that.
Zach Gowen and Brother Love had a no contest. Zach started out as a guest on the brother Love Show, until Love started mocking Zach and Zach challenged him to a match. Before it started, Vince came out and appointed himself Special Guest Referee, then suckerpunched Zach. As Vince & Love Celebrated, Zach hit a Moonsault on both of them and ran them out of the ring. Vince recieved his usual chants of "Asshole".
Chris Benoit Def Rhyno with a Crippler Crossface in a "Submission Match". As expected, Benoit's ovation was the loudest of the night.
MANY Benoit chants throughout. Crowd chanted "Tap, Tap" whenever Benoit locked in a submission. Very Good Match. Benoit cut a Post-Match Promo, talking about how the favorite part of his 17 Year Career was coming back to Wrestle in his hometown of Edmonton.
WWE World Title Match: Kurt Angle Pinned Brock Clean with a roll-Up immediately after the F-5. Great Match as well. The crowd was clearly behind Brock. Angle & Brock have a long Post-Match Exchange on the Mic. They agreed to a match at SummerSlam, angle then asked "Why, When, What, Where" in response to everything Brock said. Crowd was really into this with Huge "What's", This pissed off Brock so he gave Kurt the F-5. After Angle got up, he cut a promo about how it would be an honor to give Chris Benoit a WWE Title Shot, he then thanked the Edmonton Fans.
Biggest Pops:
1.Chris Benoit
2.Eddie Guerrero
3.A.P.A
4.Rey Mysterio
5.Brock Lesnar
Most Heat:
1.John Cena
2.Rhyno
3.Vince McMahon
4.WGTT
5.Bashams
2010 - Shane Douglas posted the following on his official website, www.FranchiseFanSite.com:
After seeing, the ECW promo piece put out by tna, and being deluged by texts & emails from friends AND fans, I felt, very strongly, that I should put out a clarification about that less-than-honest video from tna.
Firstly, MOST organizations would NOT wish to mislead any potential customer(s)! CLEARLY, this video intended to mislead wrestling fans, most certainly ECW fans! That said, I have to question tna's motive(s) in placing ANY shot of me in their promotional pieces?! tna is overly aware that we have NOT come to terms for any participation by ECW's centerpiece "Franchise" in "Hardcore Justice"!
So, either they are trying to deceive potential ppv buyers (namely ECW fans), or they must be willing to meet my only demand for the event- Dic Flair on a silver platter! This was the biggest angle, teased to our loyal fanbase, that never came "to a head" in ECW. Unless I'm missing the mark, I feel VERY STRONGLY that this IS a match our fanbase, and tna's, would tune in to see. Too bad, thus far, tna seems to be following their now-tired trend of ignoring their fans' desires!!!
I stand prepared to take part in the "final bow" of this great organization. I only demand that our fans get what they deserve- Dic Flair and The Franchise, face to face, for their enjoyment!
To be fair and certain, it would seem Dic would want the same thing, judging from his recent comments about me. SURELY, "the, ahem, man" isn't afraid of a guy who "works retail", right DIC?
Balls in your, and tna's (Dixie?) court! What do you fans think? Or, more importantly, what do you fans want? Surely, the Carter's want to aim to please... RIGHT?!
Not hiding behind someone's blouse, are you, Dic?!?!
I'm waiting...
2011 - The Amazing Red announced that he had left TNA, citing that creative had nothing for him on his Twitter.
2011 - WWE broadcast Superstars. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
We start off this week’s episode of Superstars with the Smackdown brand and your announcers are Jack Korpela and Matt Striker.
Match Number One: Alicia Fox versus Kaitlyn
Alicia pushes Kaitlyn from behind and then she gives Kaitlyn a nasty look. Alicia with a side head lock take down and Kaitlyn with a head scissors but Alicia escapes. Kaitlyn with a shoulder tackle for a near fall. Alicia with a waist lock but Kaitlyn picks Alicia up by the wrist and then she puts Alicia on the turnbuckles. Alicia with a Thesz Press off the turnbuckles. Kaitlyn with an Irish whip but Alicia with a kick and then she drives Kaitlyn into the mat for a near fall. Alicia with a series of knees to the back and then she sends Kaitlyn face first into the mat. Alicia with a reverse chin lock as Kaitlyn tries to get back to his feet. Kaitlyn with punches to Alicia followed by a sunset flip for a near fall. Alicia with a clothesline and then she returns to the reverse chin lock.
Alicia takes Kaitlyn to the mat while keeping her in the chin lock. Kaitlyn with elbows and forearms but Alicia slams Kaitlyn’s head to the mat again. Alicia returns to the reverse chin lock but Kaitlyn with a belly-to-back suplex to escape.
Kaitlyn with a flapjack to Alicia followed by a drop kick for a near fall. Kaitlyn sends Alicia into the corner and Kaitlyn follows up with forearms in the corner Alicia with an Irish whip but Kaitlyn with a back elbow out of the corner for a near fall. Alicia avoids a side slam and Alicia with the scissors kick for the three count.
Winner: Alicia Fox
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Brodus Clay versus Pat Silva
Clay runs Silva into the corner followed by forearms to the back and a kick to the back. Clay with a forearm to the back of the head and then he punches Silva and then he stomps on the chest. Clay chokes Silva with his boot and then he goes to the floor and Clay with a forearm across the chest. Clay chokes Silva in the ropes. Clay with a forearm to the side of the head followed by a series of elbow drops and he pulls Silva up before the referee can make the three count. Clay with an Exploder suplex and then he hits a head butt to the chest followed by an Irish whip and splash into the corner. Clay with a flying cross body for the three count.
Winner: Brodus Clay
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the Raw portion of the show and your announcers are Scott Stanford and Josh Mathews.
Before our next match starts, JTG makes his way to the ring to join Scott and Josh at the announce table as we see the footage from this past week’s NXT when Kozlov faced JTG and out JTGed JTG.
Match Number Three: Vladimir Kozlov versus Primo
They lock up and Kozlov with an arm drag and Primo goes to the apron. Kozlov with a hip lock take down and Primo retreats to the corner and the referee keeps Kozlov away. Primo pushes Kozlov and Kozlov pushes back. Primo with a side head lock followed by a shoulder tackle from Kozlov and Primo goes to the floor.
Primo kicks the ropes when Kozlov tries to re-enter the ring but Kozlov feels no pain. Kozlov catches Primo and then he puts him on the top turnbuckle and then he kicks Primo and sets for a power slam but Primo escapes and he clips Kozlov.
Primo works on the ankle as Kozlov tries to fight out of the hold. Primo continues to work on the ankle with kicks and then he hits a single leg DDT. Primo works on the ankle again and Kozlov refuses to give up. Kozlov kicks Primo away but Primo with a drop toe hold to Kozlov. Primo punches Kozlov until the referee warns him.
Kozlov moves when JTG tries for a shoulder in the corner and he goes to the turnbuckles. Kozlov with a head butt to the sternum followed by a kick to the chest. Primo with boots to Kozlov followed by a drop kick to the knees. Primo comes off the turnbuckles but Kozlov with a head butt to the sternum for the three count.
Winner: Vladimir Kozlov
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Raw Rebound.
Match Number Four: Jack Swagger versus Chris Masters
They lock up and Swagger with a waist lock take down and he applies a waist lock to Masters. Masters gets back to his feet but it is only momentarily as Swagger gets him back on the mat. Swagger with another waist lock take down and he locks the arm. Swagger with a modified surfboard but Masters gets to his feet and he takes Swagger down with an arm drag. Masters with a few shoulder tackles and Swagger goes to the floor to regroup.
Swagger claims that Masters cheated but the referee is not going to hear any of Swagger’s claims.
Swagger returns to the ring but he quickly returns to the apron. They lock up again and Swagger retreats to the corner. Swagger punches Masters and then he kicks him until the referee warns him. Swagger with an elbow to the top of the head. Masters with a flying back elbow and a suplex for a near fall. Masters kicks Swagger in the corner and the referee warns Chris.
Masters with a slam and then he connects with a leg drop but there is no doom involved so Swagger kicks out. Masters with a chop and then he tries for a running power slam but Swagger escapes and he sends Masters into the turnbuckles and then he connects with a forearm. Swagger with a double jump Swagger bomb to the back and he gets a near fall as we go to commercial.
We are back and just in time to see the end of Swagger’s victory lap. Swagger with a forearm to the kidneys. Swagger tries again but Masters knows what is coming and he hits a clothesline and both men are down. Masters blocks a punch and he connects with punches of his own. Masters with shoulders in the corner followed by a short arm clothesline. Swagger takes out the knee with a shoulder and then he connects with a big boot but he can only get a near fall.
Swagger with a key lock but Masters gets to his feet. Swagger with forearms to the back and then he gets a near fall. Swagger with a body scissors on Masters and Swagger grabs the ropes for extra leverage but the referee sees it because it is right in front of him. Masters with punches and he tries for a slam but his back does not allow it. Masters with a kick but Swagger with a clothesline.
Swagger with a running shoulder tackle and he continues to pose for the fans without worrying about finishing off Masters. Swagger charges at Masters and Masters tries for the Master Lock but Swagger gets to the ropes. Masters with a Samoan drop and Masters tries to get a second wind. Swagger runs into a boot from Masters and then Masters goes to the turnbuckles for the flying shoulder tackle and he connects. Masters with a spinebuster and he gets a near fall.
Both men struggle to get back to their feet but Masters gets up first. Swagger with a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. Swagger stands over Masters and then he kicks him as Swagger sets for the Swagger Bomb but Masters gets his boots up and Masters tries for the Master Lock but Swagger backs Masters into the corner. Swagger applies the ankle lock and Masters tries to fight it off but he has to tap out.
Winner: Jack Swagger
2011 - Stu Carapola filed the following Impact Wrestling TV report:
We start with a look back at last week as Sting's shocking display of dishonesty, as well as Bully Ray hanging Ken Anderson out to dry, led to Kurt Angle retaining the World Title against Anderson in a cage. Then we go to the ring where Bully Ray and the rest of Immortal are in the ring. Bully Ray puts over Scott Steiner, Gunner, Abyss, and Jeff Jarrett, then gets to Anderson and calls him an asshole. Ray says this town ain't big enough for both Immortal and Fortune, but Anderson interrupts, calls Bully Ray an asshole, and says this town isn't big enough for he and Ray. Anderson reminds Ray that it was his idea to get in the ring with Kurt Angle, then screwed him once the match happened. Anderson says Ray hopes it was worth it, because one of these days, he's going to get him back. Ray reminds Anderson that he lost the World Title after only one week, while he himself is a 23 time tag champion and he's the guy in charge of the group when Hogan and Bischoff aren't around. Ray's going to be the World Champion, and Anderson is a piece of dog crap on his shoes. Anderson says they're both not booked, and quotes Meatloaf in asking Ray if he wants to settle this. Anderson and Ray go at each other and the rest of Immortal pulls them apart.
Fortune comes out and says it sounded like Immortal was calling them out, and they will accept that invitation. Fortune rushes the ring and clears Immortal out, though James Storm appears to have hurt his back during the skirmish.
Tonight, we're in for three Bound For Glory Series matches and the official contract signing for the Angle-Sting match at Hardcore Justice.
Miss Tessmacher is backstage, and she's...STRETCHING!
Mickie James comes out to join Mike and Taz for commentary on our next match...
Madison Rayne vs Miss Tessmacher
Madison has Tessmacher's partner Tara ejected from ringside, but turns her back and Tessmacher blindsides her with a series of forearms, then sits her in the corner and rubs her ass in Madison's face. Now Tessmacher commits a cardinal mistake and turns her back, and pays for it when Madison forearms her in the back of the head and gouges at her face. Madison with an old school Moolah toss across the ring by the hair, then does it again just to be a jerk. Maidson skullhumps Tessmacher's head into the mat, but turns her back to mouth off to Mickie and Tessmacher gets a small package for the win.
Winner: Miss Tessmacher
Madison attacks Tessmacher after the match and Mickie gets up to try and intervene, but Angelina Love runs out of the back and attacks Mickie. Mickie fights back, but now Winter comes out of nowhere and lays Mickie out, then Angelina holds Mickie so Winter can lay her out with the title belt.
We catch up on the Bound For Glory Series matches over the last week, and Crimson still remains in first place with 40 points. Now we head to the ring for the first Series match of the night...
Bound For Glory Series: Devon vs AJ Styles
Feeling out process to start, Devon pulls out a leapfrog and a hiptoss, but AJ catches Devon with a standing dropkick to the face for 2 as the Pope comes out to join Devon's family at ringside. Devon charges AJ, but AJ gets the boot up and tries a charge of his own, only to run into a flying back elbow from Devon for 2. Devon sees Pope out in the crowd with his family and is not happy, and the distraction allows AJ to roll Devon into a cross armbreaker, but Devon makes it to the ropes and then rolls out to the floor. AJ with a sunset flip for 2, then tries pulling Devon up into the Styles Clash and gets kicked in the face. Devon goes for the Curtain Call, but AJ slips out the back and hits a Pelle Kick and covers for 2 as Christopher Daniels comes out to take a seat at ringside. AJ now is distracted by Daniels and goes out to the apron to talk to Daniels, then tries a springboard move back into the ring, but Devon ducks and rolls AJ up for 3.
Winner: Devon
Pope gives Devon's wife a big hug and they applaud as Devon comes out to get in Pope's face and AJ comes out to ringside and ends up arguing with Daniels all the way to the back.
We go to a video package looking at the history of the Sting-Kurt Angle feud, then we go to Pope, who says he's going out there tonight to get more points and is worried about what's going to happen between he and Devon at Hardcore Justice.
Matt Morgan, torn shoulder and all, joins Mike Tenay and Taz for our next match...
Bound For Glory Series: The Pope vs Samoa Joe
They circle one another for a moment and then Pope ducks a couple of wild swings and pops Joe with an uppercut. Pope continues to outmaneuver Joe and gets a pair of armdrags, a dropkick for 2, and then another armdrag into an armbar. Joe just powers Pope into the corner, but Pope dodges a charge and goes out to the floor. Joe chases after him around ringside and back into the ring where Pope gets an inverted atomic drop and a flying shouderblock. Pope wit ha series of high elbows and a straight double axhandle to the face. Devon comes out to ringside as Pope gets an O'Connor Roll, and Joe slides out and traps Pope in a choke until Pope taps out.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Wait a minute, Joe won't release the hold and his eyes are rolling back in his head, so the referee reverses the decision.
Winner via DQ (reverse): Devon
Joe is PISSED, and chases the referee to the back as Devon argues with his sons at ringside.
Joe is backstage yelling about how he's being screwed over by the company, and he knows they're trying to kill him, and he's not going to go silently. Going forward he (I guess some mysterious TNA official) is going to be held responsible for what happens out there.
Back in the Fortune locker room, James Storm's back is still hurting and Bobby Roode offers to take his match tonight against Hernandez since they have to defend the World Tag Team Title against Mexican America at Hardcore Justice. Storm says okay, if he wants to.
Bully Ray is backstage arguing on the phone with Hulk Hogan, and reluctantly agrees to go apologize to Ken Anderson tonight.
Back to the ring, and Bobby Roode tells the referee that Storm can't go in the next match and he will be taking Storm's place.
Roode fires off some right hands and Hernandez casually tosses Roode into the corner, but Roode flattens Hernandez with a running clothesline, and a second one sends Hernandez out to the floor. Roode slingshots himself over the top rope and comes down on top of Hernandez, then takes a chair and spears it into the gut of Hernandez, then turns it flat and slams it over his back. Roode tosses a variety of items into the ring, smashes a trash can lid over Hernendez's head, but Hernandez reverses a whip and sends Roode slamming into the ringpost. Hernandez covers Roode for 2 on the floor, then rolls him back inside and hits a slingshot shoulderblock into the ring. Hernandez takes his belt off and whips Roode in the back with it, then wraps the belt around Roode's throat and chokes him with it. Roode fires back at Hernandez, but Hernandez flattens him again with a big running bodyblock and then tosses the trash can lid at Roode's face and covers for 2. Roode rolls out to the floor, but Hernandez goes after him and rams his back into the apron, then whips Roode into the ringpost. Back into the ring, where Roode gets the trash can lid and loudly bashes Hernandez over the head with it repeatedly, but tries a charge into the corner and Hernandez gets his boot up. Hernandez skins the cat up to the top rope, but Roode pops up and bashes him in the head with a trash can and then superplexes him into the ring. Roode gets a kendo stick and starts killing Hernandez with it, then comes off the second rope with a Blockbuster for 2. Roode comes off the ropes, but Hernandez nearly tackles Roode clear out of the building with a shoulderblock and then sets up for the Border Toss. Roode slips out and hits a spinebuster, then gets Hernandez in a Fujiwara armbar. Hernandez taps, but the referee is distracted byt Anarquia attacking Storm on the floor. Sarita comes in from behind and hits Roode with a kendo stick, and Hernandez rolls Roode up with his feet on the ropes for the win.
Winner: Hernandez
Bully Ray comes into Ken Anderson's dressing room backstage and says he respects the business and the guys who came before him, and Hogan came before the both of them and neither would be here if it weren't for Hogan. He's going to apologize to Anderson for the way he treated him and anything he's done that has offended him. Ray extends his hand to Anderson, and Anderson is dubious, so Ray says he doesn't apologize to many people, and he again apologizes. Anderson finally shakes Ray's hand, and Ray pulls Anderson into a knee to the groin and asks him who the asshole is now. What a great heel!
We go back to the production truck as Kurt Angle prepares to provide commentary on the Empty Arena Match he and Sting had back in 2009, and then we're back to the ring...
Austin Aries vs Alex Shelley
Aries attacks Shelley from behind, then drapes his neck across the bottom rope and hits a slingshot double axhandle to the floor. Aries tries to slingshot into a senton back in, but Shelley gets the knees up and peppers Aries with fists and a leaping enziguiri, then covers for a series of 2 counts. Aries tries to sucker Shelley with a kick, but Shelley catches the boot, ducks an enziguiri, and gets la magistral cradle for 2. Shelley opens up with a series of chops and hits a Flatliner into the second turnbuckle for 2. Shelley with a leg whip and twists Aries into a seated inverted figure four, but Aries just manages to make the ropes. Aries dumps Shelley to the ring apron and hits a neckbreaker through the ropes, then comes off the ropes with a Macho Man double axhandle to the floor. Aries rolls Shelley back in for a series of 2 counts, then sits Shelley up top and tries for a superplex, but Shelley gourdbusters Aries into the ring and comes off the top with a missile dropkick that sends Aries crashing out to the floor. Shelley hits a dive through the ropes, then sends Aries back into the ring and tries a top rope double stomp, but Aries moves and hits him with a back elbow. Aries tries Sliced Bread #2, Shelley counters to a rollup for 2, then Aries dumps Shelley to the floor and mocks Shelley by putting on Shelley's jacket. The referee takes the jacket away from Aries and falls on his butt, Shelley tries for Sliced Bread #2 but Aries dumps him into a seated position on the second rope and kicks him in the nuts, then hits a brainbuster for the win.
Winner: Austin Aries
Aries puts the boots to Shelley while yelling at him that he just beat him with a wrestling maneuver, but Brian Kendrick runs out and chases Aries off. Aries says he'll see Kendrick at the PPV and walks off.
Eric Young tries out for movie and talk show roles, then we go to Jeremy Borash with Kurt Angle as they discuss the Empty Arena Match they had back when Angle was the head of the Main Event Mafia and Sting wanted to take his place. They didn't show the whole thing, but we got a good sampling of them ramming one another into guardrails and rows of chairs, as well as one spot where Sting dumped Angle over a railing from the stands and to the floor from a pretty good height.
We see Sting arriving at the Impact Zone just in time for three quarters of the show to be over, then we're back to the ring...
Bound For Glory Series: Gunner & Scott Steiner vs Crimson & Rob Van Dam
Only the winner of the fall in this match will get the points. RVD and Steiner start us off and Steiner powers RVD into the corner, but stops to pose and RVD rolls him up with a bodyscissors cradle for 2. Steiner kills him with a clothesline, then unloads with some heavy strikes in the corner. RVD comes back with a spinkick to the jaw and stops to do the Rob Van Dam pointing to the back thing, and Steiner comes from behind and hits a full nelson slam for 2. Gunner tags in and goes at it with RVD, who gets a legsweep and a standing moonsault for 2. Gunner rams RVD to the corner and hits some forearms, but RVD with a high kick to the face of Gunner and then tags in Crimson. Crimson with a slam and a T-bone suplex for 2, Steiner tries a cheapshot from the outside and Crimson nails him, but Gunner runs him over with a back elbow for 2. Gunner continuing to work Crimson over and then tags in Steiner, who opens up with another series of hard chops and then the rotating belly to belly suplex for 2. Steiner with a clothesline and then the elbowdrop and pushups, then Gunner tags in and hits a back suplex for 2. Gunner comes off the second rope for a double axhandle and Crimson seems to blow the counter, but picks Gunner up and turns it into a spinning Flatliner and makes the hot tag to RVD, who comes in and unloads on Steiner with a leg lariat, but then Steiner catches RVD and hits an overhead release suplex. RVD with a springboard thrust kick and Rolling Thunder for 2, and then Gunner and Crimson are in the ring and going at it as RVD and Steiner go out to the floor. Gunner knocks RVD off the apron, but Crimson hits a spear out of nowhere on Gunner and RVD comes off the top with the Dive Star, and then Steiner comes in and hits a Flatliner on RVD and wipes Crimson out with a clothesline efore covering RVD for 2. Steiner puts RVD up top, but Crimson comes from behind and hits an Electric Chair and then RVD hits the Five Star Frog Splash for the win.
Winners: Crimson & Rob Van Dam (RVD scores the pin for 7 points)
With that win, RVD now rockets up to second place with 35 points, right behind Crimson. They do a postmatch promo with Christy Hemme, who points out that they'll be facing each other in just three days at Hardcore Justice. Crimson says RVD got the win tonight, but this weekend, he'll be the one walking out with the points.
Mike Tenay and Taz run us down the card for this weekend's Hardcore Justice PPV, then we're off to the ring for the contract signing for the Sting-Kurt Angle contract signing. At Jeremy Borash's direction, Angle signs the contract first, then Sting. Borash asks Angle for his final comments before this weekend, and he says that there are very few men in the business whom Angle respects, and Sting is one of them. He's never politicked or screwed anyone, and if he ends up half the man Sting is, he knows he did a good job. But at Hardcore Justice, he's coming after Sting and it's strictly business, nothing personal, and after the match, it will end in a handshake and then man who is going to walk away with the World Title is Kurt Angle. Sting takes the microphone and says he suddenly doesn't feel like laughing too much. He thanks Angle for the words because after 25 years in the business, he feels like he accomplished someone and had an effect on someone as great as Angle. He's just as big a fan as Angle, and it doesn't matter who he's talking to, he says the best wrestler he's ever faced has been Kurt Angle. There isn't anything Kurt can't do, and no matter what aspect of wrestling it is, Angle's the best, and to top it all off, he's done what no professional wrestler has and won an Olympic gold medal. The thing is that the title is his life blood and his way to right everything that's wrong, and he made a vow to Dixie Carter, the wrestlers in the back, and the fans that before he hangs it up, he'll return the company to Dixie Carter, and he can't lose to Angle at Hardcore Justice. Angle won't have to kill him to win the title, but he'll have to come damn close, and he's going to get his hand raised at Hardcore Justice, and that's damn real
2011 - The 2011 NWA Legends Fanfest kicked off in Atlanta, Georgia.
2012 - ROH on Sinclair was broadcast via the Sinclair Broadcasting Group. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
This week we begin with footage from Best in the World when Truth Martini introduced the Guardians of Truth to face the Briscoes. We see highlights from the match and then the post match shenanigans.
We are live on tape from Baltimore, Maryland and your announcers are Kevin ‘Old Bay’ Kelly and Nigel ‘Hon’ McGuinness.
Truth Martini makes his way to the ring and he has something to say. Truth says that he is the tv super duper, King Kong, mega mega managerial sensation and live intervention expert. He says that everyone can call him ‘The One’.
Truth says that it is time to change the face of professional wrestling with the faceless. He introduces the newest members of the House of Truth, the Guardians of Truth.
Match Number One: Guardians of Truth (with Truth Martini) versus The Briscoes
Before the match, Truth stands behind his guardians and removes their masks to reveal another mask.
Jay and Guardian M start things off but Guardian T hits Jay from behind and then they double team Jay after M sends Mark to the floor. M with a clothesline from the turnbuckles to Jay and then he chokes Jay in the corner. T chokes Jay in the ropes while the referee deals with Mark. T tags in and he kicks Jay in the ribs. T with a chop against the ropes followed by a power slam for a near fall. Mark makes the tag and then he hits a Yakuza kick to T.
Mark with a head butt to T followed by an Irish whip and splash into the corner. Mark with a bulldog and then he pulls T into the center of the ring to get a near fall. Jay tags in and they hit a double running shoulder tackle. Jay with a spinebuster to M and both Guardians go to the floor.
M returns to the ring and Mark punches him. T pulls the ropes down and Mark goes to the apron. M kicks Mark off the apron and to the floor. T Irish whips Mark into the guardrails and we go to commercial.
We are back and M with an elbow drop for a near fall on Mark. M throws Mark to the floor and then T kicks Mark on the floor. M punches Mark and then he hits a springboard clothesline over the top rope. They hot shot Mark onto the apron.
T tags in and he kicks Mark. T chokes Mark in the ropes and then M does the same when the referee deals with Jay. Mark is thrown to the floor again and then they drape Mark over the guardrail and T with a double sledge to the back.
Mark is rolled back into the ring and M gets a near fall. M knocks Jay off the apron and then they send Mark into the turnbuckles. T tags in and they kick Mark in the corner. T with a snap mare and reverse chin lock. Mark with elbows and then he tags in Jay. Jay with a boot to T’s head and then he knocks M to the floor. Jay with punches and a leg lariat to T. Jay sends M to the floor and Mark with a hesitation drop kick to M. Jay with a Death Valley Driver and Mark with an elbow drop from the top turnbuckle but T kicks out.
They signal that it is over and they set for the Doomsday Device. Truth holds Mark’s leg and the Guardians try for a double suplex on Jay but Mark with a spear to one of the guardians and Jay gets the three count with an inside cradle.
Winners: The Briscoes
After the match, Mark tries to get some revenge on Truth but the Guardians get involved. The Briscoes fight back but Roderick Strong and Rhino come to the ring and it is now a four-on-two situation with Martini barking out the orders. Michael Elgin comes to the ring and he decides to go to the back while the Guardians hit a power bomb and leg drop combination on Jay while Rhino and Strong work over Mark.
Referees come to the ring and they try to stop things and they really aren’t doing a great job. Adam Cole, Jay Lethal, Caprice Coleman, and Cedric Alexander finally come to the ring to help the Briscoes.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Kevin mentions that we still have the rubber match between Lance Storm and Mike Bennett later tonight.
Kevin wants to talk about Boiling Point next weekend and the Ring of Honor World Title Match between Kevin Steen and Eddie Kingston. Nigel wonders how desperate Jim Cornette is to get the title off Kevin Steen by bringing in Eddie Kingston.
We go to comments from Kevin Steen and he is with Jimmy Jacobs. He says that him and Eddie Kingston are a lot alike. Eddie was run out of Ring of Honor for not fitting the mold and walking the line. Kevin says that he gave Eddie the perfect chance to tear this company apart, but Eddie refused and he is a hypocrite, but what do you expect from someone from New York.
Instead of raising hell and making Ring of Honor sorry for getting rid of him, Eddie decided to conform. Now Eddie thinks that he will come to Providence and take the title from him? Kevin says that the only thing that he is going to do is kick Eddie’s ass and then Eddie can go home to New York to cry to his fake family.
Kevin Kelly is in the ring and he brings out Eddie Kingston.
Kevin asks Eddie what does redemption mean to him. Eddie says that redemption means being the Ring of Honor World Champion. He tells Kevin to get out of the ring. For ten long, hard years, he has struggled to become a world champion. He has hurt everyone in his family to become a world champion. To chase a dream, on August 11th in Rhode Island, he will have his opportunity.
Eddie says that he has struggled for ten years. He has laid awake at night wondering why he does this and why he makes these sacrifices. When he wins the title on August 11th, he will show his parents, who thought he was an idiot for getting into professional wrestling. He will show it to his ex-wife who he left to stay in wrestling. He will tell her that he still loves her, but the title was for this.
He says that he is doing this for Larry Sweeney, who he considers his brother. Larry died without becoming a World Champion. He will say a prayer to Larry and say that he did it. The most important person is his son. He will tell him that no matter what you go through, if you sacrifice and fight, you can live your dream and be whatever you want.
On August 11th, he will go through hell and spit in Satan’s face to become the ROH World Champion.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for Inside ROH. This week, Kevin will talk about Shelton Benjamin’s status, the status of the Embassy, and the new Ring of Honor Television Champion.
We talk about the Embassy and the plan to keep Tommaso Ciampa from Roderick Strong. We see footage from last week when Ciampa confronted Evans and Nana. Then we see what Martini said to get Ciampa pissed off at Nana.
Kevin says that Evans is still working with Ciampa and will represent him.
We go to footage from last week when Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin confronted the men who defeated them to take the Tag Titles from them, The All Night Xpress.
Kevin reminds us that chair shots to the head are banned in Ring of Honor and that Benjamin was fined $5,000 for his actions. Since this was Benjamin’s second strike, he has been suspended indefinitely and if he does it again, he will be fired.
It is time to take a look back at last week’s Television Title Match between Roderick Strong and Adam Cole when Adam Cole was able to take the title from Strong.
Kevin mentions the matches that have been announced for Boiling Point including the World Title match between Kevin Steen and Eddie Kingston, the World Tag Title Match between the Briscoes and The All Night Xpress, Eddie Edwards and Sara Del Rey versus Mike Bennett and Maria Kanellis, Charlie Haas versus Michael Elgin, Tommaso Ciampa versus Jay Lethal.
Kevin tells us that the main event next week will be Kevin Steen, Jimmy Jacobs, and Steve Corino versus Jay Lethal and the All Night Xpress.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Mike Bennett (with Maria Kanellis and Bob Evans) versus Lance Storm
Lance and Bennett get face to face and the push each other but they are not done talking. Storm with a pie face. They lock up and they go to the corner. Storm with a clean break. They lock up again and Bennett works on the arm. Storm rolls through and reverses. Storm works on the arm and he sends Bennett into the turnbuckles. Storm with a European uppercut.
Bennett with a back elbow to Storm followed by kicks and punches in the corner. Storm with a knee and chop followed by a forearm. Bennett with a boot to Storm followed by a sunset flip but Storm rolls through and he tries for a single leg crab.
Bennett goes to the floor and Storm brings him back in. Bennett wants a time out but Storm with a kick and suplex for a near fall. Bennett with a kick and slam to Storm. Bennett with elbow drops and he gets a near fall. Storm with a jawbreaker and drop kick for a near fall. Storm with an elbow to the head followed by a punch.
Bennett with a forearm in the corner followed by an Irish whip but he goes for a splash into the corner and Storm moves. Storm with a boot to the abdomen followed by what appeared to be an elbow drop but the camera was focused on Maria. Storm with an elbow drop that we see for a near fall.
Bennett runs Storm into the turnbuckles to escape a front face lock. Bennett runs Storm into the turnbuckles again. Bennett tries for a drop kick but Storm holds on to the ropes. Storm with a jackknife cover for a near fall. Storm sends Bennett into the turnbuckles. Bennett sends Storm over the top rope to the apron. Storm with a shoulder and then he brings Bennett to the apron. They exchange punches and then Bennett with a thumb to the eye and he sends Storm into the guardrail and he hits a clothesline off the apron. We go to commercial.
We are back and Bennett with a drop kick and he gets a near fall. Bennett with a belly-to-back suplex and he gets a near fall. Bennett with a rear chin lock. Storm with punches but Bennett with a knee and he sends Storm shoulder first into the ring post. Bennett goes to the floor and he wrings the injured shoulder into the ring post. Bennett with a kick to the shoulder and then he drops the arm on the top rope.
Bennett gets a near fall. Bennett continues to work on the arm with a quarter nelson and chin lock. Storm with punches and a head butt. Bennett with a divorce court and he gets a near fall. Bennett stomps on Storm’s forearm. Storm with a punch but Bennett with a knee. Storm with a kick and elbow but Bennett with a punch. Storm with a punch and Bennett with a kick. Bennett tries for a suplex but Storm counters with an inside cradle.
Bennett with a clothesline and he gets a near fall. Bennett with a wrist lock and he knee in the back. Storm with forearms but Bennett with a punch. Storm with a back heel kick and enzuigiri and both men are down. Storm gets a near fall. Storm goes to the apron and Bennett runs Storm’s ribs into the turnbuckles. Bennett does it again. Bennett goes to the apron and he tries to suplex Storm. Storm blocks it and he clotheslines Bennett back into the ring.
Storm tries for a slingshot move back into the ring but Bennett moves and Storm hits the mat. Bennett gets a near fall. Storm and Bennett exchange punches. Bennett with elbows as well. Storm with a back elbow and clothesline followed by a leg lariat for a near fall. Storm with an Irish whip and clothesline into the corner.
Storm with a springboard clothesline for a near fall. Bennett with a punch but Storm tries for the Maple Leaf but Bennett drops down and gets a near fall. Bennett avoids an enzuigiri and applies a single leg crab. Storm with a boot to the head and Storm with an uranage for a near fall.
Storm gets Bennett up for a TKO but Bennett gets Storm up. Storm escapes the hold and he rolls through for the Maple Leaf but Bennett gets to the ropes. Storm puts Bennett on the turnbuckles and then he sets for a superplex but Evans holds the foot. Bennett with a neck breaker from the turnbuckles for a near fall.
Maria gets on the apron to distract the referee while Bennett hits a TKO onto a chair that Bennett rolls into the ring and Bennett gets the three count.
Winner: Mike Bennett
After the match, Evans and Bennett pick up Storm and Maria hits Storm with her boot. Sara Del Rey comes into the ring and she kicks Maria and applies a single leg crab. Eddie Edwards comes out to even the odds.
We go to credits.
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