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August 25th
On this day in history in ....
1984 - The Road Warriors defeat The Crusher & Baron Von Raschke for the AWA World Tag Team Title in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hawk & Animal would hold the belts for over a year, dominating the tag team scene.
1991 - Sting defeats Steve Austin in a tournament final for the WCW U.S. Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia. The title had been vacated when Lex Luger won the WCW World Title. The brackets for the one night tournament were bizarre, as there would have been six wrestlers in the semifinals and three wrestlers in the finals (and this is before the heyday of three way matches) if the tournament wasn't booked with a draw and a double DQ in the first round. Here are the results of the tournament:
First Round:
- Sting defeated Arn Anderson.
- Diamond Stud (Scott Hall) defeated Bobby Eaton.
- Barry Windham received a bye.
- Steve Austin defeated Tom Zenk.
- Johnny B. Badd vs. Yellow Dog (Brian Pillman) ended in a draw.
- Ricky Morton vs. Dustin Rhodes ended in a double disqualification.
Semifinals:
- Sting defeated Diamond Stud.
- Steve Austin defeated Barry Windham.
Finals:
- Sting defeated Steve Austin.
1995 - 2 Cold Scorpio defeated Eddie Guerrero for the ECW Television Title in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, ending Guerrero's second title reign, and beginning Scorpio's record setting third reign with the belt. He would go on to win it a fourth time as well.
2000 - ECW makes a successful two night stand the weekend of August 25th at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, their first NYC shows in almost a year (and first ever in Manhattan). The show receives mainstream press coverage, including Christian York & Joey Matthews appearing on the cover of the New York Daily News, double powerbombing Julio Dinero. The highlight of the weekend was a tag team tournament on August 25th to determine new ECW World Tag Team Champions (former champions The Impact Players split up). Here are the results of the tournament:
First Round:
- EZ Money & Julio Dinero defeated Christian York & Joey Matthews.
- Mikey Whipwreck & Yoshihiro Tajiri defeated Little Guido & Tony Mamaluke.
- Jerry Lynn & Tommy Dreamer defeated Rob Van Dam & Kid Kash.
- Justin Credible & Rhino defeated The Sandman & Chilly Willy.
- Johnny Swinger & Simon Diamond defeated Chris Chetti & Nova.
- Danny Doring & Roadkill defeated Tony DeVito & Angel.
Semifinals:
- Mikey Whipwreck & Yoshihiro Tajiri defeated EZ Money & Julio Dinero.
- Jerry Lynn & Tommy Dreamer defeated Justin Credible & Rhino.
- Johnny Swinger & Simon Diamond defeated Danny Doring & Roadkill.
Finals:
- Mikey Whipwreck & Yoshihiro Tajiri defeated Jerry Lynn & Tommy Dreamer and Johnny Swinger & Simon Diamond in a three way dance to win the ECW World Tag Team Championship.
2002 - WWF held their Summerslam Pay-per-view at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. Here is Tim Whitehead's original report on the show.
SummerSlam was excellent! That's the bottom line, and WWE did it all with wrestling. There wasn't a bad match on the show, and several of the bouts were great. There was very little in the way of backstage skits and antics. It was a true, wrestling-based show that delivered by providing top notch in-ring action. Some people may argue that there should have been different winners in some of the matches. But the fact is, there were many matches on this show where an argument could be made for either side going over. That's actually a positive, because it meant the matches were evenly booked and could have gone either way. Other than a screw-job, one side or the other had to go over, and all of the guys who did jobs put in strong showings in competitive situations so the losses shouldn't be negatives.
Commentary was great on this show. They changed the format a little again, with Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler doing the announcing for matches featuring RAW wrestlers, while Tazz & Michael Cole handled the mic work on Smackdown bouts. It's not a bad system!
There had been some fear of the crowd, since Long Island apparently has something of a reputation for having calm crowds which don't produce much heat, but that really wasn't the case here. Crowd heat was okay for the mid-card and was excellent for the opener and the top matches.
KURT ANGLE defeated REY MYSTERIO JR. in 9:20. This match had the potential for a style clash, but both guys are so great they had an awesome match. Tazz & Cole put over that Angle had threatened to break Mysterio's leg, but in the end he didn't go that far. Mysterio came in from behind and surprised Angle with a springboard huracanrana and a spinning headscissors. Angle went for an early ankle lock but Mysterio made the ropes. Mysterio went for his Lucha move where he swings through the ropes into a kick but Angle ducked and sent Mysterio out to the floor. Angle overpowered Mysterio, hitting some suplexes and doing some great counters. An "Angle sucks" chant started. Mysterio reversed a submission attempt into a near fall. Angle hit another big suplex. Mysterio escaped an Olympic slam attempt and caused Angle to bump out to the floor. Mysterio hit a springboard guillotine legdrop. The live crowd was really into this. Mysterio escaped from another ankle lock, hit his Lucha rope kick, and scored a near fall with a huracanrana. The end came when Mysterio tried for a huracanrana off the top, but Angle blocked it, and upon impact on the mat, Angle immediately hooked the ankle lock clean in the middle. Mysterio was forced to tap. A really super match which shouldn't hurt Mysterio's momentum since he was so impressive even in losing.
Backstage, Stephanie bragged about the match, saying it proves how great Smackdown wrestlers are. There was an office suite marked "General Manager", and she entered it. She was disturbed to find Eric Bischoff already there. They argued over it, but finally they agreed to share the office. Steph said she wanted to see the look on Bischoff's face when the Smackdown wrestlers put in a better showing than the RAW guys.
RIC FLAIR defeated CHRIS JERICHO in 10:23. Jericho bullied Flair early. Flair slapped him. Flair took his patented backdrop. JR went off on Fozzy, saying Jericho should stick to his day job. Geez, why don't they just put up big signs all over the place saying "Fozzy sucks"? Jericho chopped Flair and sent him into the corner for the upside down bump, but Flair didn't go over as he used to be able to do. So Jericho threw him out and dropped him on the rail. In the ring, Jericho choked Flair with tape. Flair threw a ton of chops, as expected. Jericho missed a charge and hit the post, with Flair following up with a backdrop and a suplex. Flair blocked an attempt by Jericho to hook the Walls hold. He also rolled clear on a lionsault attempt. Flair tried for the Walls, but Jericho countered and hooked Flair's own figure four. They did a controversy spot where Flair made the ropes, and then tapped when Jericho didn't immediately release the hold. Jericho, seeing the tap, thought he won but the ref said the tap came after Flair made the ropes. Flair caught Jericho with a low blow and forced Jericho to tap to the figure four. A solid match, and okay, maybe Jericho did need the win here.
Backstage, Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman watched a promo for a new Hulk Hogan history video. Heyman said it was like when a music star dies and the record company releases a "best of" CD. He said Lesnar ended Hulk's career and he gave him the usual pre-match pep talk. Lesnar laughed in a sinister-sounding manner.
EDGE defeated EDDIE GUERRERO in 11:46. Edge went on offense early until Guerrero dropped him across the ropes. Edge went for a spear but Guerrero moved and Edge sailed through the ropes to the floor. Guerrero sent Edge into the stairs and Edge sold a shoulder injury (same shoulder he legit hurt in the cage match against Angle a few weeks ago). Guerrero went after the bad shoulder, including a series of hammerlocks. Guerrero stomped on the shoulder. Tazz & Cole were really great putting this over. Edge battled back with one arm and suplexed Guerrero out to the floor. Edge dived out onto Guerrero. In the ring, Edge gave Guerrero a bodyslam off the top. Edge went for another spear but, in a great move, Guerrero dropkicked him. Guerrero went for the frog splash but Edge got his knees up. Edge got a near fall with the Edgecutioner. Guerrero scored two with the Northern Lights Suplex. Guerrero did a special frog splash on Edge's bad shoulder. The finish was great, with Edge hurling Guerrero off the top. Guerrero rolled through and landed standing, but Edge immediately speared him for the pin. Good match!
Jonathan Coachman interviewed the Unamericans. Christian said Booker T & Goldust are frauds and called the Long Island crowd lazy, unappreciative, unresponsive, and spoiled. He said they were typical Americans, greedy and always wanting more.
LANCE STORM & CHRISTIAN defeated BOOKER T & GOLDUST to retain the WWE World Tag Titles in 9:36. Goldust started out on offense. Booker came in to a good pop, dominating Storm. Christian and Goldust brawled on the floor. The heels tied Goldust up in their corner and kept making fast tags. Goldust managed to tag Booker but the ref didn't see it and wouldn't allow Booker in. This built up a bigger hot tag when Goldust finally escaped the heel corner after they missed on a "concerto". Booker came in to a big "USA" chant and chopped the hell out Christian, scoring a near fall with a missile kick. Christian avoided one scissor kick, but Booker scored with a second one. Booker did the spinaroonie to a pop and went for the cover but the ref had been bumped. Storm came in with one of the belts but Goldust fought him off. Test then did a run-in and gave Booker the big boot to the face and Christian pinned
him as the ref revived. Another strong match.
At WWE WORLD, Nidia picked a guy to make out with and then practically molested him as Jamie Noble cheered her on.
ROB VAN DAM defeated CHRIS BENOIT to regain the IC Title in 16:29. A fan had a Benoit sign that said "Toothless Aggression". This was a RAW vs. Smackdown match, but JR & Lawler did commentary. RVD kicked the hell out of Benoit early, and Benoit soon had a busted lip. Benoit neutralized RVD with a headlock. RVD did a springboard crossbody. Benoit did one of his scary suplexes. Benoit went on a period of offense and scored some twos. RVD went for the split-leg moonsault but Benoit got his knees up. Benoit went for the diving headbutt, which is a move he's avoided since coming back due to his neck. RVD rolled clear. Benoit then avoided a frog splash and hooked the crossface. RVD made the ropes after a struggle. Benoit hit a shoulderbreaker and won a test of strength. He went for another crossface but RVD elbowed his way free. RVD got sent shoulder-first into the post, with Benoit then going after the shoulder and hooking yet another crossface. RVD escaped and hooked a crossface of his own, but Benoit broke the hold. RVD hit some kicks and the Rolling Thunder for a near fall. Benoit went for a suplex but RVD reversed it and fell on Benoit. RVD then hit the frog splash and got the pin. Real good match!
Backstage, Bischoff boasted to Stephanie that the IC Title would now be returning to RAW. Instead of being upset, Stephanie laughed, as if she has something up her sleeve. I don't know for sure, but I'll guess it's Kane jumping to Smackdown.
UNDERTAKER defeated TEST in 8:17. They traded kneelifts. UT hit a flying clothesline. UT did the rope walk but got crotched. Test went on offense. UT came back and did a successful rope walk. UT escaped a pump-handle slam attempt. Test avoided a chokeslam, but UT hit it on the second try. However, Test kicked out of the pin, which was put over big. Storm & Christian ran in but UT chokeslammed the hell out of both. Test gave UT the big boot to the face but UT kicked out at two. Test got a chair, which UT kicked into his face. UT then won with the tombstone piledriver, which is only used on rare occasions since it's been deemed a risky move. Both guys worked like crazy and it was a solid match as a result. UT got an American flag from a fan and displayed it in the ring afterward.
SHAWN MICHAELS defeated TRIPLE H in 27:10 in a Non-Sanctioned match. They aired an awesome video package on the history between these two, and their recent falling out. Michaels came out wearing cowboy boots, jeans, and a T-shirt with "Philippians 4:13" on it. For the record, that verse says "I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me". This match proved to me why Michaels belongs in the Hall of Fame despite any past questionable conduct on his part. Michaels attacked and sent HHH out to the floor. Michaels hit a plancha. Michaels lariated HHH on the floor, dropped him on the security rail, and hit him with a garbage can and lid (legal since this was non-sanctioned). HHH gave Michaels two backbreakers, which Michaels sold big since his back was the reason he retired a few years ago. JR & Lawler put this over very well. HHH went after the back, putting the boots to it and using a chairshot across the back as well. Michaels blocked a suplex but HHH came back with a vicious DDT on a chair. Michaels juiced pretty good. HHH continued to pound Michaels and used a belt to whip him. The crowd was big time into this and an "HBK" chant started. HHH retrieved a sledgehammer but Michaels rallied and slugged HHH till he dropped the weapon. HHH hooked an abdominal stretch and used the ropes for leverage. Referee Earl Hebner got in HHH's face and they argued, even though that part didn't make a whole lot of sense given that this was a non-sanctioned bout. Michaels went up to the top but got crotched and ended up hanging upside down, with HHH using a chair on him. The crowd was red hot by this point. HHH kept going for pins and was frustrated that Michaels kept kicking out. He slammed Michaels on the chair and then went for a pedigree on the chair, but Michaels used a low blow to block it. HHH came at Michaels with the chair but Michaels used the sweet chin music to kick the chair into his face. Both guys went down. HHH juiced a gusher. Michaels did a kip up, which got a huge pop. They kept chanting "HBK". Michaels hit HHH with another chairshot. HHH bumped out to the floor where Michaels whipped him with a leather belt and sent HHH careening over the Spanish broadcast desk. Michaels stomped HHH with the heel of his boot, prompting Lawler to quip that he was putting the heel to the heel. Michaels brought out a ladder, which was actually pretty scary given the situation. It popped the crowd huge. He hit HHH with the ladder and scored a near fall. Michaels hit a superplex, which was a high risk move given his back problems. HHH brought in the stairs but Michaels sent him into them with a drop toe hold spot. Michaels got another huge pop by bringing out a table. He laid HHH out on it on the floor and splashed HHH through it from off the top. The commentary during this match was awesome, and JR by now was literally screaming into the mic, adding enormous heat. Michaels rolled the bloody HHH back in and set up the ladder. He didn't come off the top, but he did hit an elbow off one of the higher rungs. HHH staggered up after a pin attempt. Michaels went for the sweet chin music. HHH blocked it. Michaels then blocked a pedigree and hit a bridge and roll-up for the upset pin. Huge crowd pop for the Michaels win. Great match, and one of those bouts which everyone really needs to see if they doubt how great Michaels really is as a performer. HHH was great here, too. Afterward, a furious HHH attacked Michaels from behind and hit him twice in the back with the sledgehammer. JR totally freaked out and went off on HHH, calling him a son of a bitch and saying he'll rot in hell for such a brutal attack. HHH walked out with an evil smirk on his face as Michaels did the stretcher job.
Howard Finkel got on the mic and said this was his first PPV announcing job in Nassau Coliseum since Wrestlemania II, which was in 1986. He said Major League Baseball may go on strike, but the Fink will always be there. Trish Stratus came out and acted like she was sexually interested in Howard. This was the bizarre, totally unbelievable fantasy part of the show. Howard fell for it and was about to go all the way with Trish right there in the ring, but it was all a set-up for Lilian Garcia to return and kick Howard in the balls, which was more of a bush league ball strike.
BROCK LESNAR defeated ROCK in 16:00 to capture the Undisputed WWE World Title. Cole & Tazz did commentary here, and they were very good in their first ever PPV main event. The crowd heat here was surprising. Not so much because they were into the match (which they were), but because at least half the crowd turned on Rock. There were plenty of "Rocky" chants, but also lots of "Rocky sucks" chants and babyface pops for Lesnar. I guess everyone knew Rock would be losing, plus Lesnar is now getting over in that Vader-type role as a huge guy who's technically a heel but is so impressive you want to cheer him anyway. That will set up a great turn at some point when Lesnar inevitably dumps Heyman, and Heyman then leads a series of heels against him. Rock charged in to start the match but Brock belly-to-bellied him. Lesnar, who has improved greatly and is now much smoother on transitions, shoulder-blocked Rock into the corner. Rock bumped out and Heyman took a cheap shot at him, the first of several during this match. Lesnar dropped Rock on the ring barrier, "hurting" his ribs, a follow-up to the similar rib "injury" Rock suffered on RAW last week. In the ring, Lesnar missed a charge and hit the post. Rock went for the sharpshooter but dropped it to slug Heyman, who was on the apron. Rock then hooked the sharpshooter again. Heyman threw a chair into the ring. Rock again went after Heyman. As the ref was getting Heyman out of the ring, Lesnar used the chair on Rock. Lesnar hooked his bearhug, the same one he used to put Hogan out with on Smackdown. They sold this big with Rock almost going out, but on the third arm lift, he rallied. There were actually some boos for Rock's comeback. Rock hit Lesnar with a low blow, which drew more boos. Rock hurled Lesnar out to the floor, where he lariated and posted him. Heyman kept getting in the way, so Rock chokeslammed him through the Spanish table. That was the end of Heyman, which allowed Lesnar to go over clean at the end. Back inside, Rock scored two with a Rock Bottom. Lesnar then hit a Rock Bottom, scoring a near fall of his own. Rock hit the spinebuster but when he went for the People's Elbow, Lesnar lariated him. Lesnar went for an F5. Rock escaped but Lesnar immediately hit him with a second F5 and scored the pin. Lesnar hugged the title belt as the commentators put him over as youngest WWE champ in history. Very good match, really well-booked to start Brock's title reign.
2010 - Worldwide Wrestling Promotions, a would-be start-up that claimed to have big backing that signed a number of talents, instead issued the following email to those signed to their roster just as they were scheduled to start operations:
Hello Team:
I apologize for the lack of updates lately but guys there has been ALOT going on and I really wanted to give you all as much information as I could as to where things stand in this update.
First of all I think you all know that this is a huge project that we have taken on. With WWP we are not just launching a new independent promotion or something that is going to be on the long list of fly by night wrestling companies that have come and gone. We are planning on being here for the long run and in becoming over the next decade the premiere wrestling company in the world. That obviously does not happen over night nor does it happen without hitting some bumps in the road.
Well we have hit more than our fair share of bumps recently. To be honest there are many forces in the wrestling business doing whatever they can to sabotage everything we are trying to do and doing everything in their power to make sure that this company will never launch. I can promise you though that no matter how many hurdles we have to jump over that there are people here dedicated to doing everything they can to make sure this company WILL launch and we will be a long time player in this industry.
That said guys this is a tough process and those working with us on the financing side realize now that there were mistakes made in setting things up and in order to guarantee that this company will not be one of the countless entities that have come out with a bang and have fizzled and burnt out before ever really leaving the ground we have had to make some painful decisions that we are not at all happy about.
The most serious decision is that we have been told our original time table is not at all feasible. While we were all committed to launching in October we know now that has become an impossible goal.
Our new goal is to start operations in the first part of the new year however we do not as of today have a firm date. That unfortunately means that contracts will have to be changed to a new starting date.
Now I know that none of you will be happy with this decision and I HATE to be the one that has to write this but it is something that the corporate side of this company feels has to be done. Trust me when I say that Pete and I have fought this decision KICKING AND SCREAMING (literally) but unfortunately it comes down to either this move is made or this company does not move forward.
I have been told that there will be addendums to your contracts drawn up by our attorney.
If you decide you do not wish to sign the contract addendums we fully understand. You will still be welcome to come back to work for us in the future once we are up and running in the early part of the new year. For those of you that sign the contract addendums you will be receiving extra shares of company stock and the addendums will also spell out our full health and benefits plan that will be made available to you.
I want to thank Mister St. Laurent and Kevin Kleinrock for doing a great job of signing everyone they were asked to and want everyone to know that they had nothing to do with this decision made and feel just as terrible about this as Pete and I.
I want you all to know that we are 100% committed to you being the first roster of WWP and if you stick by us through these growing pains we will make sure you have the ride of your lives as part of our company.
On the positive side of things we did sign a major deal this week that I am going to be able to give you the details on very soon along with hopefully the news of an even bigger deal that will put us in a very advantageous position to launch our product. I should be able to give you all details in the next couple of weeks.
Thanks,
R. Sean Pascoe
Vice President
Worldwide Wrestling Promotions, INC.
[phone number deleted]
To date, the promotion never launched.
2010 - The USA Network issued the following press release:
USA NETWORK PRESENTS
MONDAY NIGHT RAW’S 900TH EPISODE CELEBRATION
WHAT: On Monday, August 30, USA Network will present the historic 900th episode of its hit series, WWE Monday Night Raw with a special celebration. The episode will celebrate Monday Night RAW’s historic smashing of the 900th episode milestone – making it the longest-running weekly prime time episodic series in television history.
The show will feature WWE Superstars and Divas from RAW, SmackDown and NXT. It will originate from Boston’s TD Garden at 9/8c.
WWE Monday Night RAW has been a staple on cable television since its debut on USA Network in 1993 and has been the No. 1 ranked weekly basic cable entertainment series since it went live in 1999. With its blend of humor, action and drama, Monday Night RAW continues to appeal to a variety of demographics generation after generation.
Monday Night RAW Television Highlights:
RAW made its cable television premiere on January 11, 1993.
The first episode was taped at the Manhattan Center and aired on USA Network.
Monday Night RAW has aired more original episodes than some of the most popular television series of all time, including Gunsmoke (633), Lassie (588), Bonanza (430), The Simpsons (420 plus), Dallas (357), ER (309 plus),Cheers (275) and Seinfeld (180).
37% of RAW’s viewers are female and RAW is a Top 5 ad-supported cable program among Females 12-34.
Monday Night RAW is a global phenomenon broadcast in more than 30 languages to more than 145 countries and seen by nearly a half a billion homes worldwide weekly, including Japan, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy and Iraq.
RAW is the birthplace of such household names as The Rock®, Stone Cold Steve Austin™, Triple H®, John Cena®, Undertaker® and Shawn Michaels.®
A pop culture phenomenon, RAW has been a destination for actors, athletes and musicians not only to promote projects but to also enjoy ringside excitement as fans. Donald Trump, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Ashton Kutcher, Jewel, Jeremy Piven and Rob Reiner have all appeared on RAW.
WHEN: Monday, August 30, 2010
9:00 PM – 11:05 PM ET/PT
WHERE: USA Network
2010 - NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood held their first TV Taping for KDOC in California in Santa Ana, featuring the following results:
*Colt Cabana defeated Pretty Peter Avalon.
*NWA North American Champion The Sheik defeated Andrew Hellman.
*Navajo Warriors defeated Brandon Parker & Todd Chandler.
*Joey Ryan defeated TJP84 (TJ Perkins).
*Willie Mack defeated Rico. Claudio Castagnoli was on commentary and refused to shake Willie's hand post match.
*Claudio Castagnoli defeated Nick Madrid.
*Adam Pearce defeated Scorpio Sky to retain the NWA championship.
*Natural Selection defeated Pretty Peter Avalon & Mike Reign.
*Shelly Martinez defeated Lucky O'Shea.
*Joey Kaos defeated Ray Rosas.
*NWA Heritage Tag Champs RockNES Monsters defeated Los Luchas.
*Colt Cabana defeated Cedric the Hitman.
*Christina Von Eerie defeated Lizzy Valentine.
*Joey Ryan & Scorpio Sky & Willie Mack defeated NWA champion Adam Pearce & Claudio Castagnoli & Rocky Romero
Notes: Referees were Rick Knoxx, Anthony Rosas, & Chris Massie...On the production side of things, backstage were David Marquez, Dave Lagana, Adam Pearce, Mike Coughlin and Jon Ian.
2011 - Grantland.com, Bill Simmons' ESPN subsite published a major expose on TNA star Ric Flair, painting him as a real life version of Randy the Ram who was recently evicted from his home for non-payment of rent and continues to wrestle because he needs the money, despite suffering from alcoholic cardiomyopathy.
The article covers a number of legal and personal problems for Flair, who declined to be interviewed for the story, including:
*Flair using the NWA title belt for collateral for different loans.
*Nonpayment of taxes throughout the 1980s.
*The lawsuit filed against him for allegedly flashing his genitals to flight attendants.
*Domestic and physical issues with several of his ex-wives.
And, well, there's a lot more, culled from a lot of research taken from legal documents in the Mecklenburg County courthouse in North Carolina.
You are going to want to read this one for yourself at this link.WWE(R) Opens Istanbul Office
LONDON, Aug 25, 2011 -- WWE(R) WWE -2.28% today announced that it has appointed Emre Mumcuoglu as General Manager, WWE Turkey to lead WWE's expansion across all lines of business within Turkey and Central Asia. Mumcuoglu will be based in WWE's new Istanbul office and report into Dominic Hayes, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of WWE International.
This marks WWE's second international office opening in 2011, demonstrating a continued focus on its international expansion in key emerging markets.
Mumcuoglu most recently served as Program Director for Fox Turkey, where during his four year tenure with the company worked with major distributors including Sony, Disney and Warner Bros. Prior to Fox Turkey, he held positions at Discovery Networks and Kanalturk, where he was instrumental in the launch of the channel.
"WWE has enjoyed substantial growth in Turkey and Central Asia in recent years and we will continue to focus on giving our fans in Turkey increased access to WWE through our multiple platforms," said Dominic Hayes. "The addition of Emre, a highly accomplished senior executive with a wealth of television experience, is representative of this focus and the next stage in our development strategy for the region."
Additional information on WWE WWE -2.28% can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to wwe.com/worldwide.
About WWE: WWE, a publicly traded company WWE -2.28% , is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 500 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. Additional information on WWE WWE -2.28% can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/ .
2011 - TNA Impact Wrestling was broadcast on Spike TV. Richard Trionfo filed the following TV report:
This week’s show starts off with Kurt Angle’s comments from a few weeks ago when he said that he was going to take care of the young talent and keep the company from Dixie Carter. We then go to Crimson’s comments from last week.
We are live on tape from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and your announcers are Mike ‘Is Irene Cara on tonight’ Tenay and Taz.
Kurt Angle makes his way to the ring. Angle tells Crimson that he is calling him out this week since Crimson called him out last week.
Crimson makes his way to the ring and he is still showing the scars from the attack a few weeks ago.
Angle says that Crimson asked him for a match last week and he was impressed with the way that Crimson carried himself. He says that either Crimson has balls or he is a complete jackass. He says that a few months ago he was known as ‘Red’s Little Brother’, but after this match tonight, he will be known as a somebody and Angle wants credit for that. Angle says that Crimson wants to be more than that. Angle says that he is going to make Crimson famous. He will end Crimson’s streak and his career. Angle says that is the price for disrespecting him.
Crimson says that Angle disrespected him two weeks ago when he attacked him from behind and tried to break his leg.
Angle wonders why he has to respect Crimson because he is a nobody.
Crimson says that he has no problem earning Kurt’s respect tonight. He tells Kurt to start taking out the young guys on the roster and to start with him. Crimson says that when he is still standing at the end of the match, he will earn Angle’s respect.
Immortal’s music plays and Abyss, Bully Ray, Gunner, Scott Steiner, Jeff Jarrett, and Karen Jarrett make their way to the ring.
Angle wants to know what is going on.
Ray wants to know if Crimson is serious. He reminds Crimson that he is talking to Kurt ‘Fricken’ Angle, an Olympic Gold Medalist. He is the World Champion.
Angle stops Ray and he tells Ray to let him handle this himself. Angle tells Immortal if they get involved in his match tonight, especially Jarrett, they will have a problem. Angle tells Crimson that it is time to make him famous.
Angle leaves the ring but Crimson stays in the ring and stands in there with Immortal.
We see ODB and Miss Jackie with Velvet Sky in the locker room. Jackie wants to know if they are on the same page for their six women tag match. Velvet wants to know if they have her back because she has their back. Jackie says that if she wanted to, she could take care of Velvet because there are two of them. Velvet wants to know if ODB has her back and Jackie says that she does. Velvet does not seem too happy.
We see someone walking in the parking lot as we go to commercial, but we only see from the knees down.
We are back and in the UK and Ireland, they had good ratings last week.
Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff are with Ric Flair and Eric says that they are not talking about the same Sting. Eric says that they need this to go away. Hogan says that he has been a nervous wreck. Sting destroyed Gunner, but Flair says that he is not the same as Gunner. Hogan says that he has not lost faith with Flair, but he doesn’t want to get into the ring with Sting. Hogan says that Sting is impervious to pain and super human. Hogan wants Flair to make it up to him. They are going to put the kibosh on it. Hogan says that he is going to get Sting in the ring and they are going to be on the same page. Hogan tells Flair not to say a word.
Flair promises Hogan and he says that he will be silent.
Match Number One: Angelina Love, Sarita, and Rosita versus ODB, Velvet Sky, and Jackie Moore
Jackie and Sarita start things off and they lock up. Sarita with a waist lock but Jackie with a standing switch and a rollup. Sarita with a knee and side head lock. Rosita tags in and she connects with forearms. Jackie with a knee and Velvet is tagged in. Velvet accidentally hits Jackie with a forearm but Velvet with a jawbreaker and ODB is tagged in.
ODB with a running shoulder tackle and then Sarita tags in and ODB with a drop toe hold and front face lock. Velvet tags in and she chops and kicks Sarita. Velvet with a kick to Sarita and a drop kick but it doesn’t hit its target. Sarita catapults Velvet into a forearm from Rosita. Rosita with kicks and forearms to Velvet in the corner. Sarita tags in and she slams Velvet and follows with a few elbow drops and a knee to the ribs. Rosita tags back in and she kicks Velvet.
Sarita tags back in and she puts Velvet in a front face lock. Velvet with punches and a chop. Angelina makes a blind tag before Sarita and Velvet collide. Angelina has something to say to Rosita. Velvet kicks Angelina away and then Velvet with a take down and a near fall.
All six knockouts get involved and Sarita, Rosita, Jackie, and ODB are on the floor fighting. Angelina sends Velvet to the mat and then Angelina with a back breaker. ODB and Jackie come back into the ring and Angelina lets them finish off Velvet. ODB and Jackie with a double suplex and then they put Velvet on top of Angelina for the three count.
Winners: Velvet Sky, ODB, and Jackie Moore
After the match, Mexican America argue with Angelina but Angelina pushes Rosita into Sarita.
We go to commercial.
We are back and those boots are now inside the Impact Wrestling Zone.
We see highlights of the butterfly pile driver that he gave to Jesse Sorensen last week.
Match Number Two: Kid Kash versus Jesse Sorensen
Kash kicks Sorensen as he enters the ring and then he sends him into the turnbuckles. Kash with chops but Sorensen with a kick and punches. Kash with a punch and then he chokes Sorensen in the ropes and then Kash with crossfaces to the head. Kash chokes Sorensen and then Kash has something to say to Jesse. Kash with a knee and a back breaker followed by a suplex throw for a near fall.
Kash kicks Sorensen and then he sets for the butterfly piledriver but Sorensen escapes and he hits a back body drop and a clothesline followed by a flying knee and a drop kick for a near fall. Kash with a chop and he tries for a side Russian leg sweep but Sorensen blocks it. Jesse with a running swinging neck breaker for a near fall.
Jesse goes up top for a cross body but he only gets a near fall. Kash with an Irish but Jesse floats over and gets a near fall with a rollup but Kash pulls the tights to get the three count.
Winner: Kid Kash
After the match, Kash is interviewed by Christy Hemme. Kash says that the only impact was that little boy getting his ass kicked. He says that Jesse is nothing but a disrespectful little boy. Kash says that he will put him over his knee and whip his ass. Kash has something to say to a fan and then Jesse gets in Kash’s face. Kash calls Jesse disrespectful and then he pie faces Jesse. Security comes out and they hold Jesse back because Kash was the one who made contact.
We go to commercial.
We are back with Bound for Glory Series match highlights.
We see the standings and we have a second injury with Devon hurt to join Matt Morgan on the sidelines.
Match Number Three: Rob Van Dam versus D’Angelo Dinero in a Bound for Glory Series Match
They shake hands and Van Dam with a waist lock and side head lock but Dinero with a belly-to-back suplex but Van Dam holds on to the side head lock. Van Dam with a body scissors take down for a near fall. Van Dam tries for a standing moonsault but since Dinero knew it was coming he was able to get his knees up. Van Dam with a slam followed by Rolling Thunder but because he knew what was coming, he gets his knees up again.
Dinero with a palm thrust for a near fall and then he hits an STO and gets a near fall. Van Dam with a drop toe hold into a Mutoh Lock but Dinero gets to the ropes. We see Devon’s children in the front row for this match. Van Dam goes for the leg and then he connects with a forearm. Van Dam with an Irish whip and then he gives Dinero a monkey flip. Van Dam poses for the fans and then he puts Dinero in an abdominal stretch.
Dinero with a hip toss to get out of the hold. Dinero with a single arm DDT for a near fall. Dinero goes up top for a fist drop from the second turnbuckles but his knee prevents him from making the cover. Van Dam with a jumping corkscrew drop kick and then he goes for a surfboard. Van Dam with a near fall. Van Dam holds on to the surfboard and Dinero taps out.
Winner: Rob Van Dam
After the match, Van Dam shakes Dinero’s hand and then they hug.
Van Dam moves into a tie for fifth place with Gunner at 35 points.
After Van Dam leaves the ring, Joe makes his way to the ring and he attacks Dinero and he puts Dinero in a knee bar. Devon’s kids want someone to help Dinero but for some reason, they don’t climb over the railing like they have before. Devon limps his way to the ring and he stops by his kids. Devon tells his kids to sit down and shut up. Devon asks for a chair and he makes his way into the ring. Joe releases the hold as Devon finally gets into the ring. Devon stands over Dinero as we go to commercial.
We are back and Robbie E says that he is glad to see Rob Terry. Robbie says that he is here to help Big Robbie. He talks about how Rob was kicked out of Immortal but he can be Robbie’s personal bouncer. Robbie wants to know what Rob’s answer is and he says that he will think about it.
Immortal are in the back getting ready for their match and they argue about strategy during the match. Ray says that he will be taking out AJ. He says that they don’t have to worry about Beer Money. They agree to work over AJ.
Rosita and Sarita interrupt a phone call that Angelina was having and they push her down onto the sofa. They attack Angelina but from out of nowhere, Winter makes the save and she chokes Rosita with the cord for the blinds. Hernandez and Anarquia come into the room and they scream in Spanish while they take Rosita and Sarita.
Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan are walking in the back.
We see the mysterious feet walking in another part of the Impact Zone backstage are as we go to commercial.
We are back and Traci Brooks stops by to say hello to Eric Bischoff to talk about Knockout Law while Eric talks to Traci’s chest. Eric says that they are going to be in Huntsville next week and he says that he will make a big announcement next week. Eric says that he would like to discuss a few things later over some ‘cock-tails’ and Traci suggests three.
Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair make their way to the ring.
Hogan says that the main problem that we have now is that we have a problem. He tells Sting to come out to face the music, brother.
Sting’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring.
Hogan tells Sting that he is way way way out there over the edge. Hogan tells Sting enough. This has gone way too far and it has to end tonight. Hogan tells Sting to look in the mirror because he looks like a complete wreck. Hogan says that Sting doesn’t have any fries left in his Happy Meal. He hears the marbles in Sting’s head. Hogan tells Sting that he is not in the right mind. Hogan says that Sting is gone. Hogan wants to know if he wants all of the little Stingers to look up to him the way the Hulkamaniacs look at him. Hogan says that this is a family show so they can’t have the craziness, brother.
Hogan tells Sting that maybe he is partially to blame. Maybe him and Eric made a few mistakes along the way. Hogan tells Sting that they are human brother. He tells Sting that Eric and him are going to run this company with the most impeccable precision. They will be the standard bearer for what a wrestling company should be.
Hogan says that it is time to end the ‘madness’ brother.
Sting says that he will do it under one condition. Hogan says that as long as they put a bullet in this thing tonight and they are on the same page.
Hogan says that he will do anything at all. Sting asks for milk and cookies for all. He also wants colorful balloons, rainbows, and unicorns. Sting wants puppy dogs all around. He also wants some flowers all over the place. Sting wants some red and yellow roses and then he asks for a hug from Hogan.
Sting hugs Hogan and he kisses Hogan on the cheek.
Flair throws off his jacket and he takes the mic. He calls Sting a stupid son of a bitch. Flair tells Sting that he is out of control. Flair says that if Sting wants crazy, he will give him crazy. Flair says that he is going to hurt Sting so bad as he gives the mat an elbow drop. Flair says that he is crazier and he says that Sting respects him too much to hurt him or go for the kill. He knows that Sting will hold back, but Flair says that he won’t. He tells Sting to respond to him and he calls him a jackass.
Sting says that somebody cussed at him and he wonders what he can do. Sting tells Flair that he is glad that he is back. Sting says that if he has to go through Flair to get to Hogan then he will do that. Sting says that it was bad enough that Hogan took the company from Dixie. Sting suggests that after he is done with Flair, why not do him and Hogan at Bound for Glory.
We go to commercial.
We are back and AJ Styles makes his way to the ring and he wants the mic. A.J. says that he has an answer for Christopher Daniels and he wants to give it to him.
Christopher Daniels makes his way to the ring.
A.J. says that he is not mad at Daniels, but he didn’t like that Daniels aired their dirty laundry while on commentary last week. A.J. says that if he wants to end this in public they should do it now. A.J. wants to know why he needs this rematch. Why does Daniels want this so badly.
Daniels says that Destination X was all about the X Division and it was a great night for the X Division, but he still lost the match. The next morning, he looked at himself in the mirror. He asked himself if he still has what it takes to be in TNA. Daniels says that when he couldn’t compete at the top level, he would walk away. Does he have to walk away and hang up the boots and the tights? Daniels says that he doesn’t know the answer to the question. That is why he is asking for the rematch. He says that A.J. kept blowing him off. Daniels says that he joined Fortune for A.J. and he went through a table for A.J. at Hardcore Justice. Daniels says that he needs to know if it is time to walk away from the only thing he knows that he is good at. He says that he doesn’t know what else he is going to do.
A.J. takes a minute and he tells Chris to look at him. A.J. says that they will do it one more time. Not because Daniels took a bullet for him. It will only happen one more time. Daniels hugs A.J.
Daniels says that he will see A.J. at No Surrender.
A.J. says that he is going to be in the finals of the BFG Series so they can do it next week. Daniels agrees to the match and then he says that he is going to kick some Immortal butt now if that is okay with Daniels.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: A.J. Styles, James Storm, and Bobby Roode versus Gunner, Scott Steiner, and Bully Ray in a Falls Count Anywhere Match in a Bound for Glory Series Match
The match starts on the floor when Fortune goes to greet Immortal. AJ and Ray battle while Steiner and Roode brawl elsewhere and Gunner and Storm are the other pairing. Steiner spits beer in Roode’s face. Storm punches Ray while Roode deals with Steiner. We see Abyss watching the action.
Steiner chokes Roode with the cable while Gunner with forearms to Styles’ back in the ring. Styles with a kick followed by a phenomenal drop kick for a near fall. Steiner waits for Styles to get up and he hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex followed by a chop. Steiner with an Irish whip but he runs into a boot and then Roode with a clothesline to Steiner. Roode with a flying forearm to Steiner and then he goes to the turnbuckles for a blockbuster for a near fall.
Ray with a boot to Roode’s head and he gets a near fall. Ray misses a charge into the corner but Storm with a kick to the head followed by a cross body form the top for a near fall. Roode and Storm with a double suplex to Ray and it is time to be reminded what their team name is.
Roode kicks Steiner while Styles hits a flip dive onto Ray but A.J. holds his knee. Gunner sends Storm into the side of the stage and gets a near fall. Roode avoids a chair shot from Steiner and he kicks Steiner. Steiner gets Irish whipped into the wall and Roode gets a near fall. Storm and Gunner fight outside the Impact Zone while Ray sends Styles into the ring steps.
Steiner hits Roode in the head with a trash can while Gunner drops something onto Storm’s legs but Gunner walks away.
Back in the ring Styles with a springboard forearm for a near fall on Ray. Styles and Ray exchange punches until Styles hits an enzuigiri and Ray goes down. Styles with forearms and chops to Gunner in the corner. Steiner gets punched by A.J. Ray with a Bubba Bomb for the three count.
Winner: Bully Ray (+7 Points), Scott Steiner, and Gunner
After the match, Steiner gets a table but a hummer pulls up and Ken Anderson is behind the wheel and he is okay. Anderson comes to the ring and Gunner punches him as he enters the ring. Anderson punches Gunner and then Anderson knocks Steiner off the apron and Steiner goes through the table. Ray is in the corner and Anderson has a chain and Ray leaves the ring. Even though Ray is not in the ring, Anderson takes out some frustration on Gunner and he bloodies Gunner’s head. Anderson throws Gunner to the floor and then he holds up Steiner and Gunner to show Ray what he has done.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment and we see what happened with Ken Anderson attacking Immortal.
Mickie James says that she is mad because it took both Angelina and Winter to beat her. Then Winter had to resort to that dark magic by spitting something in her eyes. Next week in Huntsville, she will win her title back. She tells Winter that she is going to hurt her and make her feel the burning that she felt in her eyes. There is nothing that her or Angelina can do.
It is time for Eric Young’s goal to find Scott Baio in Hollywood. Young finds Baio on the golf course and then the hilarity ensues. Young attacks Baio from a tree and he pins him in the first cut of the fairway.
Match Number Five: Crimson versus Kurt Angle in a Non Title Match
They lock up and Crimson powers Angle to the mat. They lock up again and Crimson pushes Angle to the mat again. Angle avoids a punch from Crimson and then Angle with a waist lock but Crimson with an elbow and he sends Angle into the turnbuckles. Crimson with an elbow and punch followed by a back elbow. Crimson with a cravate followed by a knee and a neck breaker for a near fall.
Angle rolls to the floor and Crimson follows after him. Crimson punches Angle against the guardrail and he sends Angle’s head into the apron. They return to the ring but Angle with an Irish whip and he clips Crimson in the knee and we go to commercial.
We are back and Angle is in control of the match and he suplexes Crimson and gets a near fall. Angle with a seated abdominal stretch on Crimson. Angle turns it into a side head lock and he holds on when Crimson tries for the Irish whip into the ropes. Angle continues to hold on. Crimson and Angle collide and they go to the mat. Angle gets to his feet first but Crimson is up shortly after and Crimson with a t-bone suplex for a near fall.
Angle avoids a spinning side slam. Angle with a German suplex but Crimson pops up and hits a spear for a near fall. Angle with a kick to the injured knee and then he sets for the ankle lock and he locks it in and he drops to the mat and he grapevines the leg. Crimson tries to fight out of the hold. Crimson kicks Angle in the head to get out of the hold.
Angle tries for the Angle Slam but Crimson escapes and then Crimson hits the Red Sky for a near fall. Joe comes into the ring and he attacks Crimson and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Crimson by disqualification
After the match, Angle and Joe stare each other down. Joe decides to go after Crimson and Joe attacks Crimson’s knee. Crimson recovers and he punches Joe and Joe decides to leave the ring.
Before we go to credits, we talk about what is going to happen next week in Huntsville.
Crimson is in the back and he says that if Joe has the balls to do it, he will take care of him next week. Joe attacks Crimson and he sends him into the trailer and then Joe breaks a board over Crimson’s leg and Joe says that he might not have broken Crimson’s streak, but he broke his leg.Decent show. I was told the crowd was about 3,000.
Prime Time Players over The 3MB. Heath Slater wasn't there. Good match.
The Great Khali over Hunico. I didn't realize he was still there. Khali is horrible. He can barely walk.
Ryback over Kofi Kingston. Decent match.
Natalya and Kaitlin over AJ and Layla. Ehhhh.
Cody Rhodes over Damian Sandow. Good Match.
Dolph Ziggler over Big E. Langston. E moves good for a big man.
Alberto Del Rio over Christian. Good match.
CM Punk over Curtis Axel, with Paul Heyman. Very good.
2013 - WWE ran Ontario, CA. Al K. filed the following live report:
I went to the WWE Live show Sunday night in Ontario, California. Here are the results:
Zack Ryder beat Jack Swagger, no, really that happened! Zeb was money on the mike before and after the match, lots of fun, went a long time for an opener.
Alicia Fox beat Tamina with the axe kick. This one started off, ahem, a bit clumsy to be kind but they found their groove and settled into a good match.
RVD vs. Dean Ambrose for the U.S. title. Will RVD ever age? The guy is amazing. Very good match with an inventive finish. RVD hit a flying cross body but his momentum carried him through to where he was pinned by Ambrose.
Next up was an interview with Rey Mysterio. Says he's at about 85 percent and can't wait to get back. Cue the music because here comes the Shield. Reigns and Rollins get ready to pounce but it's Mark Henry and the Big Show to the rescue and we have our four entrants in our next match for the tag titles.
Big Show and Mark Henry vs. The Shield. This was the comedy match of the night with the obvious size difference between the teams providing some levity. Mark Henry was your Ricky Morton for the evening and after the hot tag to Big Show Dean Ambrose interfered and cracked Big Show over the head with the U.S. title. RVD came back out to even the sides.
Intermission.
Justin Gabriel and The Usos vs. The Wyatt Clan, complete with cheesy lantern and rocking chair. Bray sat in the chair until Justin Gabriel had been beaten to a pulp and then sprung out of his chair to join in the fun. Something different, he was wearing a leather butcher's apron. Mayhem ensues, Bray is left alone in the ring with Gabriel and that was the end of that. The Wyatts are positively frightening.
Faaannn-dannnggg-oooooo vs. The Miz, with Summer Rae along of course. The interactive poll of the night was did the crowd want to see a match or a dance-off? They said dance-off won (cough-BS-cough) and Fandango went first. Miz followed but two seconds into his dance Fandango attacked and we're gonna get the match anyway. Very good match, Fandango worked on Miz's left arm and Miz concentrated his attack on Fandango's legs. Miz wins with the figure four. Really good work by both guys and Summer Rae is doing quite well in her role.
The video board replayed the Daniel Bryan-Randy Orton-McMahon saga from Raw leading into our main event of the evening.
Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton for the WWE title. Another excellent match, Daniel Bryan seems to be in a lot of those, huh? Bryan took a beating, got in a few hope spots and rallied to put Orton in the yes lock but here comes the Shield to save Orton. Orton takes the first train out of Dodge and Henry and RVD come out to rescue Bryan. Reigns eats a world's strongest slam and RVD hits Ambrose with a frog splash.
An entertaining night, probably about 4,500 people there.If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
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